D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 24

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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 24
Calamity poured down suddenly, and the demons all wept, saying the Divine had grown wrathful. In their final moments, they gathered at the Divine Shrine to offer prayers of appeasement.
They offered themselves as sacrifices, begging only that the young demons be spared.
Unable to bear witnessing such a sight, the young puppy demon Baek Han slipped away from the Divine Shrine and found himself face to face with the Divine.
“So, how did you know the earthquake would start here? Thousands of identical holes have spread across the land now.”
“A few days ago, I f-felt this place trembling. But n-no one would believe me… Would you believe me, Divine One?”
“Of course.”
Led by the Tiger Demon, known to oversee this world, strange-looking Divines descended upon this land.
Baek Han gazed at the Divine standing before him.
With silken, pale violet hair twisted upward and dressed in the traditional garments of this place, the Divine stood with hands clasped behind their back, surveying the world.
Their head was covered in fur, yet their face was completely smooth with only eyes, nose, and mouth—clearly not a demon at all.
If they had no fur whatsoever, I might have taken them for an aquatic demon.
“So the earthquake occurred beneath where that Divine Shrine was buried?”
“…Yes!”
The Divine gazed down at the dark chasm swallowing everything around it.
Despite the dizzying abyss that seemed ready to consume even them if they leaned any closer, the Divine remained composed.
Beside them stood another Divine with magnificent wings, though equally sparse in fur, peering into the chasm in the same posture.
“This seems similar to a Dungeon Break, doesn’t it?”
“Indeed. No wonder the demons are at a loss.”
“The Hunter worlds do seem to divide opinion even among Constellations, so it’s understandable that Sungho wouldn’t know.”
The Divines, who had been conversing amongst themselves, turned their heads to look at the trembling Baek Han.
When the Divine first offered to help, I thought we were finally saved.
Other residents had been chosen by the Divines and displayed special powers, diligently rescuing those in danger.
But no one had listened to what Baek Han said about the true cause of the earthquake.
If the source of the earthquake wasn’t eliminated, this calamity would never end.
Then this strangely-formed Divine extended a hand toward me.
Upon hearing that I knew the epicenter, without any hesitation, they commanded me to guide them, and we came to this place.
“D-Divine One…”
“Speak.”
“Is it that you won’t grant me such power like the other residents?”
“Do you wish for it? To possess omnipotent power and become an unparalleled hero of this chaotic age?”
Of course, I had assumed that upon coming here, I would be granted some power to resolve this crisis.
That I was a powerless being, and without either such almighty strength or clear sacrifice, nothing could be resolved.
“N-No, of course not. I naturally assumed I would become your sacrifice…”
From the moment I arrived here, I never expected to leave alive.
It was said that sacrifice was inevitable whenever a Divine displayed their power.
So many demons had already died.
It hardly mattered if one more—myself—perished as well.
“What did you say?”
But the Divine, as if hearing something absurd, tilted their head in question before laughing as though they might topple backward.
After laughing for quite some time, the divine being lightly wrapped an arm around Baek Han’s shoulders and pulled him toward the edge of the chasm.
‘Master, I’m going to die…!’
I squeezed all three eyes shut, yet no pain came.
Just as I began to think that death was more peaceful than expected, the divine being whispered: Open your eyes.
I slowly opened them.
What unfolded before me was a fantastical scene of five-colored light intertwining in chaotic brilliance.
The winged divine being radiating light spoke cheerfully.
“Lucky, aren’t you? We’re the kind of divine being who doesn’t need sacrifices. But the world doesn’t always offer such fortune, boy.”
“If we must speak of a price, then let’s say we simply won’t grant you the omnipotent power that others might. A pure will to protect, combined with the resolve to sacrifice yourself—Franson, this qualifies as a suitable candidate, doesn’t it?”
“I won’t forget this grace you’ve shown me, Se-um.”
‘Franson, Se-um….’
The chasm that seemed ready to devour the entire world gradually subsided.
The other chasms that had appeared as though spreading across the entire world were also simultaneously decreasing in number.
Fortunately, Baek Han had been right.
That was the root cause of all this calamity.
I had been terrified, thinking that if I made a mistake, my head would be severed on the spot.
Only then did the world’s scattered forces gradually settle back into place.
The divine being, after turning his hand once, looked back at Baek Han.
“Rebuilding the Divine Shrines of demons that have already collapsed would constitute interference with the laws of life and death, so there’s nothing I can do about that.”
“…No, thank you. Just knowing that more demons didn’t die is enough—it’s fine. We can transfer the Divine Shrines of the fallen demons to the central location and perform the proper rites there.”
“Go ahead and boast about it somewhere. Tell them you saved the world.”
Baek Han frantically waved his hands up and down.
The divine being, who had been observing him intently for a moment, seemed to realize that this gesture meant refusal.
Before the being who asked “why” with the shape of his lips, he prostrated himself flat and barely managed to squeeze out his voice.
“I’m not capable enough to be a hero. I just want to live well with the precious demons I care about. I don’t need fame or wealth. If it would help, if it would help you, then you’re welcome to do so.”
As I trembled with fear that I had been too presumptuous, something suddenly rested upon my head.
It was only after some time had passed that I realized it was the divine being’s hand.
The divine being, patting my head several times with an inscrutable gesture, spoke.
“Splendid.”
“Indeed it is.”
Before I could even comprehend the meaning, a vastly different, deeply resonant voice echoed from far away.
【 I hope we can meet again in Sungdo. 】
I lifted my head in surprise, but now there was nothing around me.
* * *
“Tasha! Where were you?”
“Oh, I was trying to save the aquatic demons. Since they saw me as a substitute for their deity, I got held up for a bit. Did everything end safely?”
I made a V-sign and pointed at the screen.
Alongside the logo clearly announcing the conclusion of the apocalypse, Se-um’s name appeared as the top contributor, followed by Franson’s.
Sungho, who had hosted this competition, wore a delighted expression, as though his karma expenditure was not wasteful at all.
What must it feel like to cherish and show such grace to an entire world?
“That Constellation has a separate client?”
“Yeah, apparently. But they died right when the apocalypse began.”
“The client is dead, yet he clings to this world with such affection.”
Not even his own world to begin with. I turned away after witnessing the unbridled joy radiating from his expression.
There was no need to understand it.
But he didn’t grant me the space to pass.
Upon seeing me, tears of emotion glistened in his eyes as he rushed forward.
He extended both hands to me with utmost courtesy of Earth, and I found myself shaking hands with him almost involuntarily.
“You’ve endured much hardship, Se-um!”
“No, please don’t give me too much credit. I participated for entirely mercenary reasons, after all.”
As I bowed respectfully to him, he laughed heartily, tears streaming down his face.
What was so amusing about this?
The world he loved was gone. The client to whom he had poured his heart and karma was no more.
In truth, I couldn’t comprehend any of his actions.
“May I ask you something? I realize it’s presumptuous of me, given that I’ve taken your karma, but…”
“Please, speak freely!”
“I heard that your client has passed away. So why did you choose to protect the remaining world? Even if you revived them, their lifespans are but fleeting moments.”
If Ha Gyuhyuk were dead and Earth walked the path of destruction, would I endure such losses to save them?
Of course not.
Even with Ha Gyuhyuk alive, I would hesitate—so why protect a world without him?
That’s why I couldn’t understand it.
Sungho gazed at me intently, as if deliberating his response.
“You may not grasp it yet, Se-um, but sometimes the mere existence of traces left by someone I cherished is enough to make me wish to protect a world.”
“Even if those traces vanish entirely in the apocalypse?”
“Even so. Memory possesses a power all its own. And my client made a request of me—to save this world.”
“Honoring the wishes of the dead is a futile act. They can never become Constellations or Divine Officials.”
To pour heart and karma into a world under the guise of continuing his legacy, when I cannot even resurrect them.
Wasn’t that, in essence, a profoundly ‘human’ act?
Live long enough, and you inevitably become entangled in the brief lives and emotions of these fleeting beings, leaving only endless waiting in your wake.
A waiting that will never be answered.
Perhaps because I myself had once fallen into infinite waiting during my human years, I no longer wished to repeat such folly.
Sungho gazed at me with that look of incomprehension and smiled gently.
“Constellations, you see, are surprisingly vulnerable to futile things.”
“Pardon?”
“More omnipotent than anyone, yet bound by the greatest causality. Indifferent to life itself, yet clinging to memory.”
“That’s because being a Constellation is built upon the weight of karma.”
He looked at me and said my name—Se-um.
An expression of such tender affection crossed his face.
Feeling forcibly purified, I straightened my posture.
He squeezed my hand once more, firmly.
“Those who remember much are ultimately weak to love.”
“Love….”
“You will come to understand as you meet more people, Ha Gyuhyuk. A single client, insignificant compared to the world, yet the love they offer wields us—the most omnipotent beings in the universe.”
He laughed deeply, leaving behind words that seemed both cryptic and clear—that this misfortune would become the greatest blessing in the world.
His expression was far too serene for someone attempting to restart everything from zero.
* * *
Regardless of how things unfolded, the karma I had settled left my heart abundantly satisfied.
Unless Earth faced an apocalypse of that magnitude, I could now sustain Ha Gyuhyuk for decades with this alone.
Even during that brief period of handling matters, messages from Ha Gyuhyuk accumulated from every direction.
[ Constellation, the path here seems quite difficult. Fortunately, there’s an item that can take me straight back to Base Camp. I miss you so much. ]
[ Every time I see a monster, my body freezes—I think it’s because my Mental Fortitude stat is too low. I miss you terribly today too. ]
[ (photo) ]
[ Constellation, the flowers here are so beautiful I took a picture to send you. I want to see you again today. ]
[ Cnstltn flwrs r so prty hre ]
Now I understood precisely what it meant when people said that disasters strike the moment you look away.
The monsters in there were all illusions from the Dimensional Space, so they shouldn’t have affected his body. He must have reflexively panicked and fled.
Of course, even if it weren’t dangerous, if he’s being chased like that, he didn’t really need to contact me.
Yet he kept messaging me faithfully regardless. The boy was hilarious, truly.
I returned to my seat and played the recording.
The screen immediately shifted to the Dimensional Space.
‘He must have stayed here for quite a while after I gave him that gift. How adorable.’
During what appeared to be a break, he sat in Base Camp in a freshly groomed state, touching the device.
His hair still held moisture, and a sheet mask clung to his face.
He was waiting so prettily.
Did he have so much to tell me?
Watching him write and delete sentences one by one, it seemed he was attempting to say something quite difficult.
What could he be asking for? Now I found myself anticipating his simple messages.
After fidgeting for a while, he pressed send.
The device chimed.
[ Constellation, it’s Ha Gyuhyuk. Are you handling your work well? Actually, I’ve been wondering if it’s okay for me to keep calling you Constellation.
I read in a book that some prefer to be addressed with honorifics, and I feel like I may have decided on a title without permission.
Though it’s rather late, could you tell me which you prefer? Thank you. I miss you so much. ]
He always attached that phrase about missing me.
I’m watching right now.
True, in the past many Constellations preferred being addressed with honorifics to display their dignity.
But trends shift even among Constellations.
Honorifics gave way to cute nicknames for a time, and lately it’s become—do whatever you wish.
As if contacting me were his daily routine, Ha Gyuhyuk removed the mask, rubbed his cheeks, and began preparing to leave. By the time he reached the door, my fingers found the keyboard.
[ Se-um. ]
[ That is the name you will remember until the day you die. ]

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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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