D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 142

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 142
On the surface, I spoke as though welcoming his arrival to this place, but my true feelings were far different.
My heart was rigid with tension and worry.
This was my first time bringing a client to Sungdo.
‘Franson, this is really an important issue. Are you absolutely certain the client won’t die coming to Sungdo?’
‘The lowest level is fine, they say. Of course, there’s the condition of seeing the system window confirming transcendence achievement.’
‘But that’s exactly why I’m asking how that’s possible. I’m not doubting you because you’re Franson—I genuinely don’t understand the mechanism.’
Franson seemed to think I was doubting him because he’d mentioned it, and his expression grew melancholy.
However, he quickly accepted for himself that his conduct thus far had indeed warranted some suspicion.
‘Then let’s go verify it directly.’
And so I followed Franson down to the lower levels and verified several things myself.
Tasha came along as well, observing the environmental conditions with me.
‘If Ha Gyuhyuk comes here, I think it’ll work. It’s barely passing, but the High Priest’s inspection will be a bit strict.’
‘Ah, that’s something he’ll have to handle on his own.’
The fact that he could actually cross this boundary was astonishing in itself.
I’d only just learned that the Constellations here on the lower levels had directly spent their own karma to ‘downgrade’ the environment to match the client.
They’d actually used their own power to reshape the space of stars to resemble the Server level.
I could now understand why Constellations, who love to show off, were reluctant to venture there.
Of course, I didn’t convey all these circumstances to Ha Gyuhyuk.
If the explanation stretched across pages, it would be exhausting for the listener.
“But I’m suddenly being dragged along—no, wait, being taken—no, that’s not it either.”
“If you keep talking like that, don’t I end up looking like some demon lord who suddenly kidnapped the poor Princess Ha Gyuhyuk?”
“That’s a misunderstanding.”
Just a few months ago, I’d been the prince on a white horse, and now I was the demon lord.
While it was true that I’d suddenly spirited him away, hearing it put that way left a bitter taste.
Seeing my forlorn expression, Ha Gyuhyuk hurriedly began scrambling to salvage the situation.
“It’s fine. I’m already wounded—what more can be done?”
“No, it’s not fine at all. Se-um…”
“I said it’s fine. And it’s true that I suddenly took you away.”
I understand everything.
I brought you here taking full responsibility from the start.
Even so, I know there are things I must show you directly.
“For now, don’t worry about what’s concerning you.”
“What?”
Ha Gyuhyuk, who had been flustered, blinked.
“Do you think you’re the only human at Touch One with a Constellation backing?”
“Ah…”
Only then did Ji Chae-ah come to mind.
Even if I suddenly disappeared with the Guild Master, Tasha and Ji Chae-ah would handle the announcements themselves.
“So go ahead and think about performing charmingly and returning safely.”
* * *
“How long have you been a Constellation?”
“A little over 300 years.”
“Oh my, you’re still a youngster. What do you usually do in the Constellation System?”
“I enjoy cultivating clients.”
“You enjoy it?”
“I love not eating, not sleeping, doing nothing at all, and just raking in profits effortlessly!”
What is this?
I’d told Ha Gyuhyuk to stay safe, behave himself, and come back to me.
So why am I standing here making a report to all these ancient Constellations?
Without realizing it, I’ve started speaking more formally because they’re so much older than me.
The Constellations here have ages measured in the millions, apparently.
The youngest one here has four zeros added after my age.
I’d assumed they were a gathering of beings indifferent to everything, transcendent and detached… but apparently not.
“Your name is Se-um?”
“Yes.”
“And the one next to you—is she your older sister? What’s her name?”
“She uses the name Tasha, and she’s like an older sister to me as well. Yes.”
Here was a Constellation with a tentacle form and one with a human form standing together, and they asked without a hint of prejudice whether she was my sister.
Truly remarkable.
“Se-um, I appreciate your determination, but my real name isn’t Tasha.”
Tasha, who’d followed me out of concern, sighed as if she’d expected this and began exchanging proper introductions with them.
“You’re putting in real effort. So, how many Constellations have you created?”
“Ah, I haven’t created any yet.”
“Do you plan to?”
“Yes!”
The moment we arrived at the Constellation System, Ha Gyuhyuk was dragged away alive by the Divine Officials.
And I found myself surrounded by curious Constellations from the lower tiers.
They were pelting me with variations of questions you’d only hear during holiday family gatherings.
Instead of “Have you met anyone?” it was “Are you thinking of creating a Constellation?”
Instead of “You should be married by your age,” it was “You should have created at least one Divine Official by your rank.”
“Well, well. Do your best. Even if it doesn’t work out this time, there are plenty of other opportunities.”
“Understood. I’ll do my absolute best to achieve results this time! Um, if you have any tips for beginners…”
As I tried to subtly fish for advice, one of the Kraken-form Constellations let out a hearty laugh.
“Well, most of it depends on the feeling of the moment, but this year I’m looking for a client who’s simple yet sexy, clean yet flashy, modern yet somehow vintage.”
“Yes.”
“Make it a bit sexy, you know? You understand? Just the right vibe.”
A corporate harassment attack right after the holidays.
I’ve lost.
After countless volleys of bombardment, I was utterly shredded.
“When I was human, my household observed not just Lunar New Year and Chuseok, but eight ancestral rites as well. I let my guard down for a moment, forgetting I was dead….”
I caught my breath briefly before collapsing into the corner.
After Tasha left, Franson returned with the baton, and upon seeing me, he let out a startled cry.
“What’s wrong, Se-um! Did Ha Gyuhyuk die?”
“No, why would you say such an inauspicious thing!”
“Say what?”
My mind snapped back into focus.
This wasn’t the time to be lying here. Ha Gyuhyuk!
I scrambled to my feet and looked around frantically.
But to Franson, the sight of me suddenly jumping up from the floor to search for my child must have seemed rather unhinged.
“Calm down, Se-um. Clients need a lot of preparation work to avoid losing their minds when they see the various Constellations.”
“I understand….”
First, all the Constellations on this floor must be in their avatar forms.
No matter what the High Priest does, clients cannot endure seeing their true forms.
“Besides, they need makeup too.”
“What kind of pageantry… is this.”
If the High Priests insist on doing the styling for me, there’s nothing I can do about it.
I just hoped it wouldn’t be some incomprehensible metaphysical fashion sense.
“It’s like dressing up both the owner and pet for a pet sports day….”
“You don’t need any styling, Se-um.”
“Oh, I said it quietly but you heard it.”
“Of course I did—I’m right next to you.”
As we bickered, a crowd suddenly poured out from the distance.
Their races were as diverse as the Constellations, but their presence was so faint that I had to strain to barely perceive them.
“They feel even less present than I expected.”
“Right, maybe it’s because of the Constellation System.”
While Constellations radiate an overwhelming presence in the Server, the clients’ presence is extremely faint in the Constellation System.
It was remarkable that they were alive at all.
“The smallest client this time is apparently 15 centimeters. There shouldn’t be such a gap among clients.”
“Indeed.”
Most of us would probably just remain seated.
The clients, frightened by the sight of so many Constellations, rushed to find their own.
Since the Constellations participating knew their clients loved them, most of the pairs seemed to have good relationships.
Where was my child?
As I scanned the area, a shadow fell across my vision.
“Se-um?”
“Ah.”
I could barely perceive his presence until he stood right in front of me—humans were truly this faint.
I gave him a subtle once-over.
A neatly tailored suit, hair swept back with streaks of gray.
The deep shadow eye makeup added a decadent allure to my usual composed aesthetic.
I applied a pearl highlighter across my face that blended gold and purple—colors symbolizing me—creating an enigmatic presence.
A handsome man with a cool visage, as if he’d deliberately toned down his overall appearance.
“Oh, Ha Gyuhyuk looks stunning, doesn’t he?”
The most beautiful man in the entire world, sitting beside me, let out a brief exclamation of admiration.
My Ha Gyuhyuk—someone I could proudly show off anywhere.
I stared at him intently, then murmured softly.
“Yes, he’s quite handsome.”
He smiled brightly as he looked at me.
“The High Priests did their best to….”
“Clients, please gather in the center!”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————