D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 189

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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 3-5
The months Se-um vanished were equally torturous for Ha Gyuhyuk.
People assumed the Constellation had merely taken a brief tour of Earth before moving on, and they quickly forgot. But he could not.
For those months, he endured solely on the expectation that Se-um would return—an ordeal of waiting.
How unbearable it had been.
‘Back then, I thought that waiting belonged entirely to me.’
Only when Se-um later lamented about the interminable loading times, complaining that she’d never experienced such wretched internet in her life, did I think, ‘She must have suffered greatly.’ But that was all.
Nothing more than that.
I made a complacent and arrogant judgment—how could months and hours possibly compare?
“Baek Han.”
“Yes, yes, Ha Gyuhyuk.”
“Could I die again?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Well, strictly speaking, I didn’t become a High Priest after dying, so this might be my first death. Perhaps it would even be a mercy….”
Guilt over Se-um had robbed me of my senses.
How could I harbor such sacrilegious thoughts?
I found merely staring at the monitor agonizing, yet Se-um—who had to send items and messages—must have been frantic with worry.
Moreover, at that time, Ha Gyuhyuk was a fragile D-rank Hunter who constantly found himself in peril, his life hanging by a thread.
I recalled the messages where she desperately urged me simply to survive.
― Your heart is burning?
Kim Gyuwun on the screen spoke as if oblivious to my turmoil.
Se-um, who had been swirling her soju glass, drained it in one gulp and burst into laughter.
When I think of that time, my chest still feels tight and aching—her voice, tinged with such melancholy jest, was achingly beautiful.
Cradling the monitor to my chest would never let me feel its warmth.
Even Baek Han, who rarely regarded others as strange monsters, gazed at Ha Gyuhyuk with the expression of observing a rather peculiar High Priest.
“It seems the saying that lovesickness is incurable is indeed true.”
“Lovesickness?”
“Or perhaps this is merely separation anxiety…. Among my kind, many experience separation anxiety when parted from their beloved, so I understand that much.”
Ha Gyuhyuk exhaled a sigh, unable to affirm or deny.
I had always been aware of my separation anxiety.
I also knew that Se-um did not dislike it—that she rather enjoyed how I grew restless in her absence.
“However, this communication error should be resolved soon, and I worry you are suffering far too much.”
“I am aware that once this problem is solved, I will be able to visit Se-um again.”
Unless one were a fool, how could one not understand?
This is not Earth, where broken machines are simply discarded. This is Sungdo.
Whatever error exists will be resolved through divine power, and I will return to Se-um’s embrace.
Yet knowing this in my mind does not calm my heart—I am helpless. How weak my heart has become.
“Indeed, there are always moments when heart and mind fail to align.”
Baek Han, while regarding Ha Gyuhyuk as a rather peculiar High Priest, offered sympathetic agreement, having grown more magnanimous under the benevolent Sungho Constellation.
His compassion seemed to deepen with each kindness received.
The moment the monitor’s screen switched from Se-um to Franson, Ha Gyuhyuk turned his gaze toward Baek Han without hesitation.
“Those people were connections the High Priest made back when he was a client, weren’t they?”
“Yes.”
“They’ll be aging soon too. Don’t you want to go see them?”
Ha Gyuhyuk, whose mind had been entirely consumed by the existence of Se-um, paused for the first time.
“Now that you mention it… I don’t think I’ve ever considered the fact that those people are aging.”
More precisely, the thought that their time continues to flow while I remain frozen here with Se-um.
As I blinked blankly, Baek Han smiled gently.
I was completely unaware that he was inwardly celebrating having redirected my attention.
“It’s an unavoidable burden that comes with being drawn into Sungdo. The position of having to watch everyone you knew and who knew you gradually turn to ash.”
“Hmm… It feels like such a distant future to me. Of course, all people must eventually die.”
“Not just people. Worlds perish too. And the High Priest and the Constellations will still be protecting this Sungdo even in such moments.”
It was a story that might sound cruel to some.
But because Baek Han’s voice was so gentle, I found myself accepting his words more easily than expected.
“Eventually… by that time, wouldn’t even the memory of meeting them grow dull?”
“Do you really believe that?”
“Hmm…”
After a moment of silence, I let out a small laugh and shook my head.
It was my own words, yet such an absurd assumption.
I met the existence called Se-um for the first time and my life was saved, and after that I formed countless connections at Touch One, the guild.
Until the end of Landquake, it was merely a fleeting moment in my life, yet it had become my greatest memory.
Even if they were merely passing figures, it was certain I would never forget them until the world’s end.
“Perhaps throughout eternity, I will remember everything about them, think of them, and sometimes long for them. Is that the duty of those left behind?”
“No, it’s a right.”
For a while, I had been intoxicated by each day with Se-um, forgetting their existence.
Baek Han’s words were the answer.
Lovesickness is incurable.
“You must do well while you’re alive. Second chances don’t come often for the dead.”
Those in this Sungdo are ones who have been granted that second chance.
Conversely, it’s also a deprivation of their opportunity to die.
Those who must witness the dissolution of their loved ones and bear the duty of remembrance.
“I see.”
“Of course, the time spent with a loved one is also very important. I’m not saying you should reduce the time you spend with Constellation Se-um and stay on Earth instead. You understand, right? The High Priest descending has greater restrictions than a Constellation.”
Ha Gyuhyuk nodded heavily.
Baek Han was right. Unlike a Constellation, a High Priest cannot descend to the Server simply by having an avatar.
Without the exclusive Karma I possess, there must be someone to pay the price both when creating an avatar and when sending it down to the Server.
When there are summons from Constellations and such, it’s judged as part of official duties so Sungdo pays the Karma instead, but for personal use…
‘If there are close Constellations, the only way is to beg them to pay instead.’
It was expressed in a nice way as ‘receiving grace from a Constellation,’ but ultimately one had to grovel.
Or act coy.
Moreover, it was something he couldn’t even attempt if the Constellation who adored him didn’t have abundant karma to spare.
Despair flickered across Ha Gyuhyuk’s face.
Se-um would gladly pay that karma cost for him if he asked.
But whether he could actually act coy or brazenly make such demands was an entirely different matter.
“Ha Gyuhyuk, your expression suddenly turned grim….”
“No, I’m just feeling overwhelmed about how shameless I can actually become.”
“You’re suddenly thinking about becoming shameless?”
Baek Han gazed at Ha Gyuhyuk with an inexplicably bewildered expression.
No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand the human race.
I’ve often observed them from beside Constellation Sungho, but each time they think strange thoughts and make judgments I couldn’t even imagine.
Ha Gyuhyuk, who had become a transcendent being, was the same, and sometimes even Constellation Se-um acted that way.
That incomprehensible custom of asking if I’d eaten whenever they saw me, or suddenly punching the air as if recalling some unfortunate memory….
Ha Gyuhyuk seemed to be in a similar situation now.
“W-well then, I’ll get going so I don’t bother you. The system should be fixed soon anyway….”
“Thank you….”
I need to escape.
Ha Gyuhyuk’s mind churned fiercely, unaware that Baek Han had completely surrendered to dealing with him.
‘What about me makes Constellation Se-um find me cute and become so soft? When I breathe, when I make strange sounds, when I blink. Ah, this isn’t helping…. More…. Since I’m borrowing karma, should I say I’ll repay it through physical labor?’
Ha Gyuhyuk stared at the screen with a serious expression.
Se-um was merrily sharing drinks with people, and the transmission error message window still floated on the screen.
‘Since it’s a transmission error anyway, might as well practice.’
Ha Gyuhyuk began writing a coquettish letter to Se-um with utmost sincerity, his expression grave.
The moment he finally completed ‘Coquettish Letter Draft 1’ and pressed send to save it, a cheer erupted from right behind him.
“It’s connected!”
“Huh?”
That meant right now….
It was sent.

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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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