D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 20
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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 20
Along with the divine power within my body, the power symbolizing a Constellation—my exclusive Karma.
If the divine power within my body is the strength that emerged after becoming a Constellation, then exclusive Karma is a unique ability granted based on ‘how a Constellation died.’
After using even that exclusive Karma, shouldn’t I be the one feeling slighted here?
And I think I’m forgetting something right now.
Because I gave Ha Gyuhyuk the buffs I could normally receive from all directions, when that incomplete divinity appeared, not all of them died.
Honestly, I can only do this so many times.
If I keep entering and changing the rules every time, my Karma will run out quickly.
“But humans are really weak. They go insane just from hearing the voice of something half-formed like that.”
“Right? And that guy earlier didn’t even have his own Constellation—he was alone. I don’t think we even needed to send an Avatar.”
“Are you planning to help every time he enters a Dungeon?”
“No, if I send an Avatar to an activated Dungeon like that, he’ll probably be dead by next week.”
Ha Gyuhyuk on the screen was occupied with looking after the Hunters who had emerged from SA-17.
Since he’d entrusted them to the Hospital and Healers, there wasn’t much left for him to do.
Yet he deliberately chose to linger by their sides.
That stubborn fool.
He should be fawning over the Constellation who helped him, saying something like, “Constellation, I couldn’t speak at the time because I had no capacity, but thank you so much for helping me.”
“…Se-um, why are you upset?”
“I’m thinking it’s pointless to nurture a client. Ugh, I’m really disappointed.”
If he’d been normally indifferent, it would be one thing, but he used to whimper like a wet puppy and say he liked me.
Now he’s suddenly acting all grown up and mature, so it feels lonely.
I understand the full context.
I was worried he wouldn’t notice, given how old I am.
But understanding doesn’t mean I can control my emotions.
Meanwhile, those who had been inside that Dungeon seemed to have picked up on the connection between Ha Gyuhyuk and me to some degree, and as soon as they regained consciousness, they brought up the subject of me.
[“Ha Gyuhyuk, have you ever spoken separately with the Constellation?”
“I did make a wish the way the Constellation mentioned before. Apparently, I can do it about once a month.”
“What did you wish for?”
“To see you…”]
Despite the Hunter’s confused expression, Ha Gyuhyuk maintained his composure steadfastly.
He’s following my advice well on this front.
Seeing how obedient he is, it’s clear he doesn’t want to distance himself from me.
He’s just in a phase of being intimidated for now.
What’s written on his face is unmistakable guilt. Honestly, I couldn’t understand it.
No one died, and if it weren’t for him, they wouldn’t have even had the chance to receive treatment at a Hospital.
By that measure alone, he should feel confident that I won’t harm him, and moreover, feel proud.
“Franson, why does he look so gloomy?”
“Probably because he thinks people who wouldn’t have been hurt if he hadn’t made a specific request to you got hurt anyway.”
“He has plenty to feel guilty about. Soon enough, he’ll complain about being chosen by a Constellation and suffering for it.”
“He probably already is.”
Even when I help, I don’t get a word of gratitude.
Whether I entered through a proxy server or not, I still consumed the karma I’d accumulated—it’s all the same.
If anything, I’ve done more than I needed to.
By my standards, I’ve shown top-tier affection and solid support.
And what comes back in return? A face full of guilt and radio silence for a while.
As I voiced my complaint, Franson nodded in agreement.
“You’re right. You saved everyone who asked to be saved, changed the Dungeon rules, did everything Se-um could possibly do. Even baby birds don’t get this kind of care.”
“I understand, sir. Clients typically get suspicious after a Constellation helps them once in a flashy way. Do you remember my previous client, Jong Seo-baek? When I handled the blood cult’s invasion of the Namgung Clan for him, he couldn’t sleep for days.”
“Then why didn’t Se-um contact me first?”
“I was also upset.”
Though truthfully, it wasn’t really about being upset—humans always need some time to recover and process.
Especially those unfamiliar with death, life, and the otherworldly.
If I rushed in carelessly and fear of my very existence became etched into their minds, there’d be no salvaging it.
Even warriors accustomed to blood and battle tremble for days after witnessing a Constellation’s power—so it’s only natural that a D-rank Hunter would be intimidated.
Though it would be problematic if this lasted for years.
But I can afford to wait a few days.
Until my child’s heart softens toward me, I have other matters to attend to.
I slowly scrolled through the screens, checking the current atmosphere.
‘Public opinion is already turning in my favor.’
Right now, with Ha Gyuhyuk as the sole exception, the entire world is pouring praise upon me.
An omnipotent being who directly intervened in a Dungeon to save dozens of Hunters.
Initially, it was right for attention to concentrate on me like this.
If stagnant D-rank Hunters became the focus, they’d only face assassination attempts.
I deliberately spread rumors and adjusted the Dungeon clear conditions accordingly.
‘The weakest human’—I wanted to make it known that I was paying special attention to them.
[ “But why the weakest human?”
“You didn’t see this post? It must be this one.”
〔A Constellation really is f***ing holy… They’re saying the Dungeon only counts as cleared if even the weakest person survives〕
〔The official statement is still under embargo, but the holiness is excessive〕 ]
People interpret based on what they see, now and always.
I didn’t have any particularly noble intentions—it just happened that I got caught up in it and prevented the apocalypse, so the official narrative was determined by that.
But if you ask whether I intended this flow at all, the answer is obviously no.
I switched the screen to another part of the Hospital.
Kim Gyuwun and his group were conversing with somewhat uneasy expressions.
[ “You’re really saying you did it thinking about the weakest person? Gyuwun, you said you saw the Constellation’s Avatar standing in front of Ha Gyuhyuk.”
“Yeah….”
“Then the Constellation is interested in Ha Gyuhyuk, right? There was only one D-rank there, no C-ranks, and everyone else above that was evenly distributed.” ]
Suspicion blooming from an overlooked possibility.
Is a Constellation really such a philanthropic being?
Could they have resorted to such measures out of unusual favoritism toward one person?
Whether friend or foe, suspicion held by many quickly transforms into rumor.
They gathered in a space where people constantly came and went, speaking as if inviting eavesdroppers.
Naturally, passersby lingered nearby as though they’d been waiting, their ears perked with interest.
The possibility that the Constellation might show favoritism toward a D-rank Hunter.
‘If it were openly true, it would manifest as obvious malice, but when it’s merely suspicion, people often outwardly express goodwill instead.’
Because before the truth is revealed, they entertain the possibility: ‘What if it’s not true? Then the Constellation might choose me instead.’
Or thoughts like: ‘What if it is true? Could I still benefit from the crumbs falling from his table?’
By the time all truth is laid bare, Ha Gyuhyuk will likely become unreachable.
Of course, most things don’t flow according to my will alone, so this scenario is only possible if events unfold ideally.
I always feel it: the most difficult aspect of cultivating a client isn’t external pressure.
It’s when the client deviates from my intentions of their own accord.
“I’m heading home.”
“Indeed.”
I shifted the screen again. Ha Gyuhyuk, finally feeling ready to leave, teleported to his residence with a weary expression.
So now he can teleport without worrying about money.
[ “Ah, please apply the Hunter discount to that payment.” ]
Never mind.
He’s pulling every available discount and benefit just to get around.
The moment he arrived home, he showered and sat at his desk.
For the record, this time I refrained from voyeuristically watching his shower.
Half of me wondered when he’d cleared that Dungeon—why was he only now finding the mental space to reflect?
The other half reasoned: he’s tired, so he’ll sleep tonight and think tomorrow.
I rested my chin in my hand, watching the screen.
Out of boredom, I kept reaching for snacks I didn’t even need.
“What’s he doing now…? Franson, this tastes good.”
“Right? The world may have perished, but snacks are eternal.”
After staring at the screen for a while, he appeared to be writing—scribbling intently with a pen.
Writing, erasing, tearing—it was absolute chaos.
Now that I’m a Constellation, I can’t peek at my client’s diary.
Though I’d certainly like to.
Of course, even if I did see it, there’s nothing he could do about it.
But I’m a courteous Constellation.
After roughly two hours of Earth time passed, he finished writing and rose to his feet.
Just as I thought he’d go to sleep, he equipped his gear.
― C-Constellation…?
“Se-um! Look at this! Your client is calling!”
“What?”
I’d thought he’d still be shaken. His recovery is faster than expected.
I was about to tease him a bit, but hearing his anxious voice calling out made that impulse vanish.
He’s clearly nervous about whether I’m watching—his eyes darting around rapidly betray his awareness.
“You called for me?”
The moment my reply reached him, his face brightened so visibly that I could see it even from here.
If he was this happy about it, why had he been silent all this time?
He hesitated before picking up the notebook he’d been carefully writing in until moments ago.
As if to show it to me.
– 〔A Letter of Reflection
Greetings, Constellation. This is Ha Gyuhyuk, whom you’ve helped.
I think I’ve been under the mistaken impression these past few days that I understood you well without realizing it.
I’m reflecting on how I made vague requests on my own inside the Dungeon.
I believe the reason you haven’t spoken to me for these past few days is certainly because I (1) didn’t greet you properly, (2) didn’t use the escape stone, (3) squandered the elixir you gave me to use, (4) didn’t contact you immediately after leaving the Dungeon, and (5) failed to achieve appropriate results while inside it.
Since I’m not good with words, I struggled with how to reflect properly, so I wrote this letter of reflection instead.
My writing is terrible, but I wanted to convey this to you regardless.
I understand that from a Constellation’s perspective, anything a mere human does might not satisfy you, and you may have been disappointed in the Dungeon.
I also know it’s presumptuous of me to speak of what comes next.
But I truly will do my very best.
From now on, I will listen only to your words, Constellation.
I was wrong.
Please don’t abandon me.
Respectfully, Ha Gyuhyuk.〕
“Se-um.”
“Yes?”
“My mouth corners are about to ascend to heaven.”
“Yes, those mouth corners have dragons attached to them. Why?”
I clutched my head in my hands.
What on earth was I going to do with this guy…
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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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