D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 146

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 146
“What should I call you?”
“Delta will do.”
“Yes, Constellation Delta.”
If I had to compare it to a life form from Earth, it resembled a tree.
It walked on roots instead of legs, four arms stretched out like branches, and leaves were wrapped around where eyes should have been, like a blindfold.
“You don’t look very pleased.”
“Ah, I believe my client’s evaluation ended rather late. I’ve been worried about them.”
“We judges deliberated quite a bit about the situation, which caused the delay. Many of us thought we should observe a little longer.”
“May I ask why you had to deliberate for so long?”
Probably wanted to watch.
“That’s exactly why I called you separately—to discuss that.”
“I see…”
Because of those judges’ deliberation, my child might end up dead, and yet—!
I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t.
I had forcibly shoved Ha Gyuhyuk into this place and let them be tested, so returning empty-handed would be a problem in its own way.
“Se-um, go on. I’ll keep watch over Ha Gyuhyuk.”
Franson, reading the situation, sent me off, and I finally managed to take a step forward.
“Yes.”
“Your client seems to worry you greatly.”
“I never explained what would happen here and just threw them in. The child knew nothing and was simply put through the test.”
“That’s how all Constellations are. There’s no reason to suffer over it like this.”
I nodded with a gloomy expression.
That was the normal way to think.
Even as I cultivated countless clients, Ha Gyuhyuk was the first to make me feel this way.
I knew I was being strange. I trudged heavily after Constellation Delta.
“Your young client will come through without any aftereffects, so don’t worry too much.”
“Yes, I’m not underestimating the abilities of the High Priests or Constellations. It’s just that I’ve grown attached to my client.”
“Attached?”
Ah, they didn’t understand what attachment meant.
I couldn’t exactly call it sympathy either.
I flailed about with both hands raised, trying to explain something.
“I mean, my heart naturally goes to them. I want to take care of them. Even if I hated them at first, later I can’t help but worry. Ah, I can only express it as attachment.”
It was the limit of my vocabulary.
When I fumbled without properly defining it, the judge nodded as if they understood.
“I roughly grasp the concept, so you don’t need to strain yourself.”
“Yes…”
“Young one, do you feel a bit better?”
“No, talking about it made me realize anew just how attached I’ve become to my client, which makes it worse. And I’m uncomfortable with being called ‘young one.'”
“But that’s accurate, isn’t it?”
That’s enough.
To be honest, I don’t expect them to understand me.
A Constellation who has lived this long would be the type to never concern themselves with a client’s life and death.
I couldn’t find the words to say anything, my gaze dropping, when Delta turned to look at me.
Seeing their body tremble slightly, it seemed like they were laughing.
“You’re not even trying to hide your feelings on your face, are you?”
“Ah….”
I couldn’t exactly say “Yes, well, what about it?”
No matter how much karma the other party possessed or how much longer they’d lived than me, I was still an equal Constellation to them.
And at the very least, I had the right to protest if my client suffered at the hands of another Constellation.
No one should dare to observe my child without my permission.
“You used another Constellation’s client far too carelessly.”
“I apologize for that. We did drag things out longer because of our curiosity. But I understand Se-um’s feelings—or rather, Se-um the Constellation’s feelings.”
“Pardon?”
“I too have fallen in love with a client before.”
Delta laughed with a soft chuckle.
The word “too” rubbed me the wrong way, but I didn’t bother to argue, simply lowering my eyes.
“So whenever my client was mocked by another Constellation, I’d lose my temper and overturn everything.”
“I see.”
“Not a single Constellation among them understands me. They all tell me to just take it easy and let it go—as if that’s even possible.”
“That must have been difficult.”
Truthfully, I wasn’t particularly curious.
Constellations falling in love with their clients wasn’t uncommon if you looked around.
It was just that in most cases, it was a lifetime of love for the client but merely a fleeting emotion for the Constellation.
Even if it seemed like they’d love forever, that’s how Constellations were.
Because clients die.
After honoring them for a hundred years or so, you gradually forget them, and by two hundred years, you can barely recall their names.
But my case is different from theirs.
Because Ha Gyuhyuk’s influence shakes the very source of my star.
If a Constellation hasn’t been affected by a client to this degree, listening to someone else’s love story isn’t particularly entertaining.
It’s nothing but playing along with an elder’s rhythm.
“That child did live longer than most clients, so I was able to spend an enormous amount of time with them.”
“I think it’s a good thing to have many memories you can cherish.”
“Exactly! Se-um should also try to do many things while Ha Gyuhyuk is still your client.”
As if I’m not already putting in so much effort to elevate that child to a star’s seat.
My forced smile began to ache.
I continued to play along appropriately so they could remain lost in their memories, and they kept talking on and on.
Just as I thought I’d end up hearing the exact number of spoons in my beloved client’s house, we arrived at the gathering of Constellations.
“We meet again. But I’m curious what you could possibly have to say as a speaker….”
The gazes of the Constellations who had been making me engage in holiday small talk all turned toward me at once.
“It’s not about anything else—I’m just curious how you immediately saw through that client’s meticulously crafted fake Se-um Constellation.”
Ah, seriously?
My interest evaporated in an instant.
So they wanted to hear the story, that’s all.
As my mind spun, something suddenly flashed across my consciousness.
If I spin an elaborate tale here, does something get decided?
“Does my award eligibility depend on what I say?”
Do I lack pride just because I’m short on karma?
I couldn’t possibly spill my story with Ha Gyuhyuk in front of all these Constellations.
“No, we’ve already reached unanimous agreement to award your client. The only question is whether to give them the highest honor or something else.”
They’d said that when conclusions were ambiguous, they’d summon someone like this to confirm.
I steeled myself.
I composed my expression and opened my mouth toward them.
“I met that child on a day when I was consumed by loneliness, in that moment when I needed something to soothe the scent of my Hometown and my solitude….”
What.
Why.
Pride doesn’t put food on the table.
* * *
“The award recipient is Se-um Constellation!”
The Constellations let out a thunderous roar of acclamation.
I gracefully bowed to them once and walked forward to receive the award.
“First, we’ve arranged for our karma to be settled separately with Se-um Constellation, but the question is what compensation to give the client….”
“Could we put that on hold for a moment? The child has just regained consciousness, it seems.”
“Very well then. Your world is the Hunter System world, yes? I’ll intervene in the system and expand the options available.”
“Thank you.”
Even if I were struck by a windfall from the sky, my coffers could never be this full.
As I elaborately recounted my story with Ha Gyuhyuk and replayed the scene where he asked me to save him, the Constellations stirred with emotion.
That youthful freshness and ancient love that only young Constellations could feel—or so they said.
Moreover, Delta Constellation, for reasons unknown, took my side enthusiastically.
Even now as I descended from the podium, he was shaking his branches with what seemed like satisfaction.
“I hope Se-um Constellation becomes like me.”
Was he telling me to develop roots?
Or branches? To become a World Tree myself?
“Ah, yes…. I’ll do my best.”
“Delta!”
“Irina!”
And clinging to Delta was a Constellation in the form of an elf.
Beautiful flowers bloomed across Delta’s entire body.
“I am very happy right now.”
“Ah….”
After telling such a heartfelt love story, in the end, it was about loving a Constellation.
No, wait. They said they wanted to become like me.
“Were you perhaps a client of Delta Constellation?”
“And?”
Irina tilted her head with an innocent gaze.
Frozen in shock, something suddenly leaped into my arms in that very moment.
Before my mind could recognize who it was, my body understood and pulled them close.
“Se-um.”
A voice that seemed to suppress something.
A body crumpled and shrunken, as though forced into an embrace with limbs folded.
I patted their back gently.
“Ha Gyuhyuk.”
“I missed you. From some point on, I forgot, and without realizing it… If I failed to do things properly, I’m sorry.”
I rested my cheek against their hair in silence for a moment.
There were many things I wanted to ask, but there was only one thing I could say right now.
“You did well.”

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