D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 165

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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 165
Bella Dillon.
I felt as though I’d heard that name somewhere before.
With an expression of half-remembered recognition, Ha Gyuhyuk suddenly leaned close and whispered to me.
“She’s the Hunter who said she’d raise her own rank through her own strength.”
“Ah.”
The Hunter who had rejected the Constellation’s assistance.
I think I had elevated another one to A-rank myself.
Looking around, I didn’t see that Healer anywhere.
Ha Gyuhyuk seemed to understand the meaning in my gaze and whispered quietly.
“She couldn’t join the Conquest Team. The composition here isn’t determined solely by rank….”
“Now that you mention it, she’s still C-rank.”
Ha Gyuhyuk nodded.
When the Conquest Team was first being assembled, people had argued fiercely.
Some insisted that only those with high ranks should be selected, while others argued for special criteria to be applied.
Despite their different arguments, their purpose was singular.
To minimize casualties by even a single person.
People sought advice from Touch One, the leading candidate for command among the Guilds.
More precisely, they asked to borrow the knowledge of the three Constellations believed to be backing them.
So we pretended to consult and delegated everything to Tasha, who set the criteria.
“Not everyone can change their rank through effort alone.”
“Still, I wish she had become stronger.”
“Rank isn’t the only measure of strength, Ha Gyuhyuk.”
“True, even the hero who ended the Apocalypse started as C-rank.”
Watching Ha Gyuhyuk act cute at just the right moment, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Here we were, having just entered a dangerous Dungeon, and he wanted to act cute.
Not that I minded.
“Enough. Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
He must have expended considerable mana protecting the other Hunters earlier.
I lightly checked his condition.
No external injuries, but his mana reserves were indeed significantly depleted.
“Fine? What do you mean fine?”
….
I placed my hand on his chest and directly infused him with divine power.
If he were human, his limbs would have burst and killed him, but Ha Gyuhyuk was fine now.
The repeated physical contact that transcended words had borne fruit.
“Se-um….”
“Don’t try to reassure me by saying you’re fine when we don’t know what battles lie ahead.”
I could discern his entire condition just by looking at him.
It wasn’t as simple as just stopping the bleeding.
Ha Gyuhyuk kept glancing around nervously, shielding me with his entire body to block others’ gazes.
“What are you doing right now?”
“Oh, well, everyone’s looking at Se-um…”
“So what’s the problem with that?”
“You’re just too beautiful right now… I can’t…”
What was he even saying?
Had he accidentally swallowed a spider or two back there?
It was absurd and infuriating, yet I found myself wanting to laugh despite it all.
“Are we done now?”
As I withdrew my hand from his body, Ha Gyuhyuk’s expression flickered with a hint of reluctance.
“I’ll make it up to you properly once we get home.”
“Huh? What… what do you mean?”
“Whatever you’re imagining—it’ll be more than that.”
I replied matter-of-factly and walked past him toward the front.
His face flushed a deep crimson, as if the heat of his imagination was radiating outward.
Franson was occupied with tending to Ji Chae-ah.
“Is she alright?”
“No issues. It was all within my calculations.”
“For someone saying that, you’re being awfully overprotective.”
“Even if I protect Chae-ah with everything I have, it won’t match the three hundred years I spent protecting you. Don’t be jealous.”
“Now you’re making me out to be a jealous Constellation.”
After exchanging jokes, I turned my attention to Bella, who stood steadfastly beside us.
“Have you grown much stronger?”
“No, not at all. My rank is still C, and I haven’t acquired any new skills.”
Hearing her answer with such confidence, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Why are you bragging about that so cheerfully?”
“But I haven’t missed a single day of training. I’ve done my absolute best to make the power I possess truly my own—to ensure that at the very least, I’m the one who handles my skills the best.”
There’s a saying.
Those who do their best within their domain have no regrets and shine brightly.
I once thought it was absolute nonsense, but looking at Bella’s face now, I could almost understand it.
She could speak with such confidence because she had done her best without regret.
In fact, simply joining this Conquest Team was already proof of her achievements so far.
After each country selected their candidates, they had to pass through strict examinations and trials by the International Alliance before they could join the Conquest Team.
Some nations hadn’t managed to get anyone in at all.
“I’ll give you credit for your mental fortitude. It must have been a shocking situation.”
“I’m a supporter, after all. Mental care for my party members is my specialty.”
“Yet there are so many people who can help others but can’t take care of themselves.”
My people included.
Bella seemed to understand that my grumbling was actually praise, and she laughed brightly.
An A-rank Hunter dropped out, and a C-rank Support took their place.
Perhaps that A-rank Hunter never even applied in the first place.
“What about your friend?”
“Ah….”
A crack appeared across their face in an instant.
I didn’t need them to say it—I already understood.
Their mental state didn’t look particularly stable, and enduring Bella’s desperate efforts right beside them might have been too much.
“They’re a healer, but… right now they need to take care of their own heart first, so they’re taking a break for a while. Someday I’ll go back into a Dungeon with them again.”
It felt less like words meant for me and more like something they were telling themselves.
Lately, contrary to my intentions, I keep hearing about humans’ personal affairs, their poignant stories, their steadfast resolve.
It would be better if they told such things to Franson instead of me.
He would listen well, tears and snot streaming down his face.
“Fine, make sure you handle the mental care properly. That’s your job, after all.”
I turned away without hesitation.
“Wait, Constellation.”
But they suddenly grabbed me.
Good spirit, really. Grabbing a Constellation as they turned away.
I turned my head slightly to see Bella’s lips trembling. What on earth did they want to say?
“Speak quickly. The next wave will start soon, and I don’t have time for personal matters anymore.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For giving me hope.”
What I gave wasn’t hope. I simply cultivated a client.
Yet giving a lower-rank Hunter the courage to stand confidently on the battlefield was something that brought me a certain sense of pride.
I suppressed the trembling at the corners of my mouth and shook my head.
“Whether it’s hope or false hope, you prove it yourself. Don’t pass the credit to me for nothing.”
If you pass the credit, you also pass the blame.
I absolutely despise such things.
I waved my hand and turned away from Bella, walking back toward Ha Gyuhyuk.
This needless interference in human lives is troublesome.
I absolutely hate getting caught up in annoying matters.
Kim Gyuwun and Dan Yibum were being scolded by Franson for not sparing their bodies, and the others would manage on their own anyway.
“I will correct it.”
Dan Yibum spoke respectfully, his hands clasped together.
Seeing him so dejected like this was quite a sight.
“You have to be alive to apologize like that. Why do you keep doing that? Fight with yourself. Does it feel good when you win? Does it feel pleasant? I’m genuinely appalled.”
Franson, gesturing at empty air while expressing his anger, looked truly upset.
That’s what happens when you get caught in the emotional baggage of such a sentimental Constellation.
“I will be more careful next time.”
“What do you need to be careful about!”
“I won’t fight myself or needlessly test my limits.”
Kim Gyuwun was giving the textbook answer. Thanks to that, Franson’s frustration seemed to deflate somewhat.
Franson, who had been scolding him for not sparing his body, suddenly paused as if sensing something.
“When this is over, you’ll get scolded again. Those who don’t take care of their bodies don’t deserve to be called living beings.”
“Usually that’s why they die.”
When I interjected casually, Franson pouted and twisted his lips in displeasure.
How old is he, really.
“Stop scolding them now and let them prepare. We’re going in.”
Franson nodded silently.
The Hunters naturally tensed, noticing his sudden shift in atmosphere.
“The final boss must be incredibly powerful, right?”
“Yeah, but you don’t need to worry.”
“Pardon?”
Dan Yibum, already holding his weapon, looked at me in confusion.
“Listen carefully, Yibum. This isn’t you asking a Constellation for help.”
“What do you mean…?”
Countless spears materialized before my eyes.
[ The one who sustains memory and imperfect humanity has logged in. ]
[ The one who chases sounds turned to foam has logged in. ]
[ ‘The War God of the Fourth World Tree’ has logged in. ]
[ The Constellation of Combat and Victory has logged in. ]
[ The Constellation of the Magic Tower’s Peak has logged in. ]
[ ‘The Divine Beast of Silence and Protection’ has logged in. ]
[ A master in black robes has logged in. ]
Countless login windows materialized.
Some I knew, others I did not.
Stars who had willingly stepped forward for me, using meager rewards as their excuse.
[ Tasha: You are the value you created. ]
[ Franson: Those Constellations love you that much, and of course we do too. ]
The dumbfounded Hunters gazed upward at the sky.
I smiled at Dan Yibum, whose expression mirrored theirs.
“I’m the one who asked for help.”
And they willingly took my hand.
A Milky Way created by omnipotent stars descended upon us.

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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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