D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 178

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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 1-8
— The Memory of a Drunken Man
This was a story from quite some time ago.
Back when Se-um was still called Ulrim, when nothing was certain.
It was the day they’d held a drinking contest, staking their pride on the claim that they needed a Guild Member who could handle alcohol reasonably well.
“Guild Master, you’re tougher than expected.”
Chae-ah frowned and glared at Ha Gyuhyuk.
From what she’d heard before, he wasn’t supposed to be this good at drinking.
He was clearly clinging to consciousness through sheer willpower alone.
“Since I need to attend the drinking session with Ulrim, I have to manage….”
Ha Gyuhyuk spoke with a clear voice despite his body already swaying uncontrollably.
This was less about willpower and more about burning through his very life force to stay upright.
In contrast, Chae-ah looked remarkably composed.
‘If I drink just a few more bottles, I think I’ll be the first one sprawled on the floor.’
My stomach was already burning bitterly.
I’d even turned off my alcohol resistance before drinking, just to be safe—this was purely a matter of natural drinking capacity.
Kim Gyuwun was already passed out on the floor, and Dan Yibum was on who-knows-which trip to the bathroom.
“You’re already reaching your limit, aren’t you? Why not just give up? You’ll ruin your health at this rate.”
Chae-ah chuckled while chewing on squid tentacles.
“Were you always this good at drinking?”
“They say drinking capacity is hereditary, you know. My family has been full of heavy drinkers for generations. You could say alcohol is etched into my DNA.”
“Isn’t it bad if alcohol is etched into your DNA….”
The fact that he was nitpicking such nonsense meant he was quite drunk himself.
My vision wavered.
‘Ha Gyuhyuk.’
Se-um appeared before me like a hallucination, smiling at me.
I’d endured countless crises with these delusions so far.
“Guild Master, your body is falling backward right now?”
“I’m fine, so give me one more glass….”
“I think you learned that phrase wrong….”
Chae-ah looked at Ha Gyuhyuk with pity.
Her victory seemed clear in this situation.
But Ha Gyuhyuk was persisting with one final resolve—he had to protect Se-um’s side.
‘I think I’ve already exceeded my limit long ago…. Does Ulrim really mean that much to him?’
Of course, I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away either.
A chance to eat delicious food and drink with beautiful, kind women—I couldn’t waste that.
Besides, drinking was Chae-ah’s specialty. When would another chance come to show off something I was good at?
“You won’t give me any?”
“Just don’t regret it in bed tomorrow.”
Chae-ah filled Ha Gyuhyuk’s glass to the brim and poured the remaining alcohol into her own.
I clinked glasses with Ha Gyuhyuk, whose hands could barely move, tapped the rim, and drained my glass without hesitation.
“Ah….”
In contrast, Ha Gyuhyuk took a solemn breath as if even a single sip required resolve, and barely managed to drink it down.
Watching such earnest effort, Chae-ah adjusted her posture, thinking it only proper etiquette for a drinker not to run ahead.
“Guild Master, do you like the Constellation as a romantic interest?”
“W-what?”
Ha Gyuhyuk’s eager hand, which had been reaching toward the side dishes, froze in mid-air.
Floundering, he steadied himself against the floor and looked at Chae-ah.
‘Even a passing dog would know. Even a passing dog would know.’
“It’s written all over your face. ‘I like the Constellation.’ Just like that.”
Chae-ah pointed at Ha Gyuhyuk’s face and shook her head.
Ha Gyuhyuk hesitated for a moment, then his expression grew dejected.
It was an expression he never showed in front of the other guild members. Chae-ah tilted her head with interest.
“…Would it be burdensome if I showed it too much?”
“Well, from what I can see, the Constellation doesn’t seem like the type to find that burdensome.”
In Chae-ah’s memory, Ulrim was someone who found Ha Gyuhyuk so endearing that he could hardly bear it whenever the opportunity arose.
He would find it even more endearing when Ha Gyuhyuk showed signs of affection.
Of course, the definition of “liking” that these two beings spoke of might not be the same, but still, the burden Ha Gyuhyuk worried about didn’t seem to exist.
“Then is it okay if I keep liking him?”
Ha Gyuhyuk had begun earnestly seeking relationship advice from Chae-ah as if drunk.
It was a conversation I wouldn’t have remembered if I were drunk. Chae-ah held back her laughter.
“If I told you to stop liking Ulrim, could you give up?”
“…No. I’m actually really good at giving up. I’m really good at giving up, but this is something I can’t give up on.”
“Don’t like him.”
Of course, it was a joke.
Chae-ah made an exaggerated playful expression to prove her words were a joke.
But it seemed her words didn’t reach the now-drunk Ha Gyuhyuk.
His eyes glistened with tears as if on cue.
“A-a-are y-you c-crying?”
Chae-ah sobered up instantly, any trace of intoxication vanishing.
She’d only meant to tease him—she hadn’t intended to make him cry.
‘If Ulrim finds out about this, my head will roll!’
Panicking with a string of anguished sounds, Chae-ah hurriedly pulled out five tissues and handed them to Ha Gyuhyuk.
He wiped his eyes roughly and muttered in a hoarse voice.
“W-what gives you the right to t-tell me to give up on my feelings for Ulrim, t-to stop?”
“Oh my, yes, yes, I’m sorry.”
“I’m going to keep liking him. I’m going to keep loving that person.”
Ha Gyuhyuk was now confessing his heart to the wall rather than to Chae-ah.
He was thoroughly, completely drunk.
Chae-ah, who had become nothing but a wall for him to speak to, awkwardly nodded along to his words.
“Yes, yes, love him dearly.”
“That’s why you shouldn’t tell me to give up on him… Don’t say such things. Understood? The only person who can give me orders—yes, orders—is Ulrim alone! I will listen only to his words and trust his judgment absolutely. That’s what I’m saying.”
“Yes, yes, how wonderful. I’m deeply moved.”
“Of course, if Ulrim told me not to love him… then I suppose I’d have to.”
Ha Gyuhyuk suddenly imagined the scenario where Ulrim told him to give up his feelings, and he made a sound—a hollow laugh—before collapsing to the floor.
Watching his massive frame heave intermittently, it was clear he was crying.
Chae-ah quietly distanced herself from him.
“He loves him so much. Yes, well… Ulrim would never ask him to give up those feelings.”
But her voice no longer seemed to reach him.
Ha Gyuhyuk, sprawled face-down on the floor, imagined being kicked by Ulrim about five times while crying, then soon fell silent.
It seemed he had fallen asleep in that position.
“I understand how the Guild Master feels.”
Dan Yibum, who had left to vomit, never returned, and Kim Gyuwun showed no signs of waking.
The outcome of this drinking match seemed already decided.
“But I think I’ll need to head out tomorrow. When you wake up, make sure to take a hangover cure. The victor is leaving now. I’ll take this as my prize.”
Chae-ah gathered the remaining alcohol into a bag and held it firmly as she stood up.
“Honestly….”
Leaving the Guild Members sprawled on the floor like tattered rags behind her, she stepped out of the building.
A cold wind rustled through Chae-ah’s short hair.
Chae-ah glanced upward at the floor where Ha Gyuhyuk was likely sleeping and let out a soft laugh.
“After all, everything that happens when you’re drunk should remain a secret between everyone involved.”
Besides, such an important feeling is something I absolutely must keep secret for him.
“Stay strong, Guild Master.”
From what I can see, your love will work out. I don’t have any premonition ability or anything, but I have a really good feeling about it.
Chae-ah walked home with a pleased spring in her step.
* * *
And as time passed, in Sungdo.
After Franson left, Se-um was passing the time idly when Tasha suddenly burst in.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Se-um, it’s urgent.”
“Yeah! Tasha, what is it? You came in person instead of just sending a message—it must be really urgent. What’s going on?”
“There’s a record you absolutely need to see right now. Well, not absolutely need to, but I think you’ll regret it if you don’t.”
“If Tasha is talking like this, it must be really entertaining. What is it?”
Tasha smiled broadly.
“It’s about a drunk human. I’m sure you’ll love it?”
【D-Rank Hunter’s Constellation, But the Internet Won’t Work】 Side Story 1 Complete

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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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