D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 177

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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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Side Story 1-7
“Good grief, he’s completely drunk.”
Chae-ah, still perfectly sober, looked down at Kim Gyuwun sprawled across the table.
Even when she poked him repeatedly, he only twitched a few times. He was already far gone.
Chae-ah, however, remained sharp as ever.
She was the type who drank so well that she’d barely gotten intoxicated in her entire life.
“Ha Gyuhyuk is no fun now that his body has transcended—he doesn’t even get drunk anymore!”
“Was it entertaining when I was drunk?”
“Absolutely hilarious!”
“Please forget about that….”
Chae-ah giggled mischievously.
Whenever she recalled that day, her heart inexplicably brightened.
It had been the decisive drinking battle with Se-um and Tasha.
Kim Gyuwun had been the first to fall, and Dan Yibum, who’d been continuously chugging water, wasn’t faring much better.
Between Ha Gyuhyuk, who endured through sheer willpower, and the unaffected Chae-ah, victory was decisively clear.
‘I lost that day, but I fought brilliantly. If I’d had just three more bottles, I might have gone down first.’
Chae-ah, whose standards were rooted in the Celestial Realm, reflected seriously on that night.
“I won’t forget it. It’s a sight of Ha Gyuhyuk drunk that I’ll never see again. Se-um must be disappointed.”
“P-please, absolutely don’t tell Se-um about this.”
Ha Gyuhyuk’s face flushed crimson in an instant, and he fidgeted anxiously.
[ The Constellation of Solitary Knowledge’s Prodigy finds this intriguing. ]
[ The Constellation of Solitary Knowledge’s Prodigy excuses themselves, saying they need to verify something quickly, and leaves. ]
My clever Constellation had already sprung into action.
I thought the information would reach me even if Chae-ah kept her mouth shut.
“Dan Yibum, you held out quite a while.”
“Hunter Dan Yibum has been diluting his drinks with water ever since that first beer.”
“….”
Dan Yibum wore an expression of someone who thought he’d been quite cunning, only to be caught.
But there was no way he could deceive Ha Gyuhyuk’s eyes.
“It’s fine. I’m not the kind of person who lacks manners enough to force someone who doesn’t drink to drink.”
“Yes, I don’t lack the ability to drink—I simply choose not to.”
Dan Yibum clung to his meager pride even in moments like this.
It was rather peculiar how a man could be so sensitive about not being able to drink alcohol.
Chae-ah shrugged and finished her glass.
“Then later, have the Guild Master take Hunter Dan Yibum home with him.”
“Ah….”
Watching Dan Yibum’s openly annoyed expression, Ha Gyuhyuk chuckled softly.
“Hunter Dan Yibum’s emotional expressions have become quite varied.”
“What?”
“Originally, you barely showed your feelings no matter what you were experiencing. You always seemed to be in a bad mood.”
“Most of my displeasure was justified, I suppose.”
Chae-ah barely managed to stop herself from making a face.
This man had always been so inflexible—what was she supposed to do about it?
She could have simply let it pass with a “Is that so?” but instead he insisted on being so rigid.
It was almost suspicious how deliberately he seemed to answer without any tact.
“I think it’s a positive change. The Guild runs smoothly even without me.”
“…Will you not come anymore?”
For the first time, Dan Yibum’s voice trembled.
Ha Gyuhyuk’s words sounded to him like he was saying he was no longer needed and would never return.
Chae-ah’s expression grew serious as well.
Yet Ha Gyuhyuk seemed bewildered, as if he hadn’t anticipated his words would be interpreted that way.
“No, I never intended that. It was just pure admiration. I still care deeply for all of you, and I want to see you often.”
Ha Gyuhyuk remained frozen in time, but their time would continue to flow—eventually, those before him would change.
Only those in the Star’s Seat would remember this moment and smiles like these.
Perhaps that was why Ha Gyuhyuk cherished this present moment all the more.
“I might become a Constellation again someday and be in a position to order you around.”
[ The Constellation of Solitary Knowledge’s Prodigy swears to do their utmost to help you become a Constellation, if that is what you wish. ]
‘Thank you, Constellation.’
Chae-ah laughed as she watched the playful message from her Constellation.
It had been a series of miracles that seemed like lies.
If she hadn’t received Se-um’s dolce latte that day.
If she hadn’t overcome her fear on her own.
If they hadn’t believed in her.
If she hadn’t found the courage to enter Touch One, all of this would have remained nothing but a fantasy.
She had done it. They had done it for her. So Chae-ah felt immensely proud of herself and grateful to everyone.
Ha Gyuhyuk, reading all of Chae-ah’s joy, simply smiled calmly.
“Then I’ll be delighted to serve you when that happens.”
Whether they became Constellations or parted ways after a very long time—that was a story for much later.
Dan Yibum, who had been silent with his thoughts, suddenly spoke up.
“I should answer that question instead.”
“Pardon?”
Had he gotten drunk despite the water?
Chae-ah narrowed her eyes as she looked at Dan Yibum.
He was gazing at Ha Gyuhyuk with utmost seriousness.
“The question the Guild Master asked. Are you happy?”
Ha Gyuhyuk’s gaze fixed intently on Dan Yibum.
This man before him had changed greatly as well.
Like a stubborn lone wolf, he had wrapped his obstinacy in the word “conviction” and hurt many.
How many wounds had he carried from that process himself?
Dan Yibum knew that his past self had not been a good person.
However, I harbored no regrets about that choice. At that time, it had been the right answer for who I was.
Even if I knew all of this future and returned to the past, I would not change that decision.
‘But I won’t make the same mistakes going forward.’
The people before my eyes had shown me that I needed to change, and that I could change.
It would have been impossible alone.
Yet Dan Yibum had not yet become someone capable of expressing his gratitude to them honestly.
With his tongue tied, he could only convey his feelings indirectly, pretending to answer on behalf of Kim Gyuwun, who had been desperately seeking a response.
He knew it was somewhat cowardly, but he was curious nonetheless.
Whether this man, who had transformed everyone—even the death of a star itself—had truly found happiness.
“More than I could have ever imagined.”
Ha Gyuhyuk’s voice was clearer and more joyful than ever before.
Ha Gyuhyuk, who had always seemed anxiously preoccupied with being devoted to each passing day, had finally found peace.
Nothing could take away what he loved, and no omnipotence could extinguish his universe.
The expression of one who had chosen to belong to a single star was truly beautiful.
Dan Yibum felt a small, very small pang of envy at that face.
“Yes, I’m glad.”
But Ha Gyuhyuk deserved to enjoy all of this.
He was one worthy of a star offering eternity.
* * *
“Se-um.”
It was four in the morning on Earth. Ha Gyuhyuk, having finished the gathering, carefully entered Se-um’s room.
Se-um, who had been looking at something on a small screen that resembled a smartphone, lifted his head.
His lustrous purple hair shimmered, and his golden eyes gleamed beautifully.
Se-um greeted him with a smile reserved only for Ha Gyuhyuk.
“Did you have fun?”
“Yes, I missed you.”
“So the one who missed me spent thirty minutes at the door being inspected for the smell of alcohol and meat?”
At Se-um’s teasing, Ha Gyuhyuk’s face flushed helplessly.
Even knowing that he was scolding himself at that very moment, Se-um still waited for him.
Se-um was such an affectionate and gentle star. Even now, was he not waiting for him to come into his embrace?
With his face nestled against his beloved’s chest, Ha Gyuhyuk closed his eyes.
“How were they, the others?”
“They all seemed to be doing well. Next time, I’d like to go see them with you too.”
“Let’s do that. But not right away—we need to miss each other sometimes to keep it sweet.”
Se-um whispered playfully.
Ha Gyuhyuk nodded without any objection.
If his universe commanded him to confine himself here for billions of years, he would do so gladly.
Yet he was certain he would be happy.
Being cradled in this vast, and above all, warmest of universes was utterly blissful.
“By the way, what were you looking at just now?”
“Just this and that. I got to see a bit of my child from when I was human.”
Se-um’s voice grew hushed, as though he were suppressing laughter.
“Couldn’t you tell me what it was too?”
“No. Besides, it’s true that I was watching you, so let me keep this joy for myself.”
Though disappointed, Ha Gyuhyuk accepted it. If Se-um was watching him, that was enough.
“Se-um, I love you.”
Se-um, now accustomed to Ha Gyuhyuk’s sudden confessions of love, whispered back to him.
“I love you.”

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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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