D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 3

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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 3
At that moment in Korea.
At 7 PM, as people finished their workday and suffered through the suffocating crowds of the Subway, Hunters too were leaving the Guild to head home.
A massive window appeared before their eyes in unison.
A crimson-hued window, unfamiliar to those accustomed to the blue status windows.
[ The Constellation of Spectation and Care has entered the 34R7h World. ]
It was exactly 330 years after the “Tremor of the Earth” incident—the day a being called a Constellation had appeared on Earth for the first time in centuries.
[ The Constellation of Spectation and Care wishes to give you all a gift first. ]
The Tremor of the Earth.
330 years ago, it was a Gate spoken of as one that would bring devastation massive enough to reshape the very geography of this land.
Simply the opening of the Gate alone had predicted casualties exceeding one million.
Yet the “Tremor of the Earth” vanished before it could even open, its cause unknown.
“A Constellation?”
“Didn’t that show up briefly like 300 years ago and then disappear?”
“I don’t know, I didn’t study history.”
“That’s something to brag about. Seriously.”
There was only one missing person from the Tremor of the Earth incident.
Se-um, a C-rank Awakened who had been caught in the Gate the day before, awakening without even time to register as a Hunter.
With no body ever found, she was presumed to have been caught in the Gate and disappeared, and the media made a fuss about it for a while.
Nothing about her disappearance or the Tremor of the Earth itself was ever clearly revealed.
Because of that, an urban legend had been passed down like folklore—that one could awaken as a Hunter by hearing Se-um’s voice from the place where the Gate had been.
“What is that, seriously…”
“I’m going to leave this here for now.”
“Ah, yeah. Thanks for your work.”
Yet there existed lives that went on, utterly unrelated to the Tremor of the Earth incident or Constellations.
Ha Gyuhyuk’s life was like that.
He had awakened in elementary school, but even so, he was only D-rank. It was a rank where he couldn’t even pretend to be impressive in class.
When he went to register as a Hunter, people would give him looks that said, “Why would a D-rank even pay the registration fee to become a Hunter?”
‘You’d be better off using your face and becoming an entertainer.’
‘Yeah, you could do acting or something. These days the trend has changed—low-rank Awakened climbing from the bottom are all the rage now.’
People didn’t hesitate to tear him apart under the guise of concern.
There was no one to support him in debuting as an actor.
His parents, who had been mobilized for an A-rank Dungeon clear, had passed away due to a sudden internal difficulty adjustment.
After that, the support funds provided by the government were all he had to live on.
That too ended the moment he came of age.
Why had he become a Hunter?
As a D-rank Hunter, he could apply for the Hunter Stepping Stone Support in his first year.
Moreover, Hunters below C-rank could receive a monthly life allowance once they entered a Dungeon.
“Gyuhyuk, Gyuhyuk. Take this with you before you go.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
“We don’t use it anyway, so take it and sell it. The equipment makers will give you a decent price for it.”
Ha Gyuhyuk bowed deeply upon seeing the mana stone in his hand.
There was no time to concern myself with pride.
Once I handed over this cheap mana stone, I’d have enough to scrape by for a week.
Ha Gyuhyuk, a D-rank Hunter.
A porter who transported tents that wouldn’t fit in inventory, collected and sorted combat byproducts dropped during battles.
– This is a summons from the Transporter’s Guild.
The call came through on my summoning device again, just as I’d finished clearing the low-rank dungeon.
Running two dungeons a day left my body feeling like it would shatter, but the compensation made it worthwhile.
Messages from constellations filling the entire sky held little importance to me.
[ Accept Call ]
I rode my bike to the location and moved mana stones once more.
When people mentioned a dungeon call, they didn’t bother with pleasantries—they simply gave me my orders.
From what I gathered, everyone was so preoccupied with the constellation that not just Korea but the entire world seemed to be in upheaval.
I extracted mana stones from the mucus-filled debris, stacking them neatly while eavesdropping on the conversation.
“So this constellation thing—the last one showed up 317 years ago?”
“That’s what they’re saying. Even then, it just popped in for a bit, did something, and left. This is the first time one’s actually chatted with us.”
“Right. I heard that back in the day, constellations used to pick out humans and raise them.”
I knew about this to some extent.
Before the Tremor Incident, constellations frequently visited this planet and selected humans to sponsor.
Those who received their patronage became far stronger than imaginable, and those who yearned for such strength performed all manner of eccentric acts hoping to be chosen.
Whether rumor or theory, it was said that among them, those who accumulated the greatest Achievements could themselves become constellations.
But the historical records were clear.
‘However, since one constellation logged in 13 years after the Tremor Incident and immediately departed, no trace of them has been found.’
There was a time when I secretly thought of this as a planet abandoned even by constellations.
Godlike beings existing only in imagination.
Yet even as this unrealistic situation and existence manifested before my eyes, I showed no particular reaction.
To be precise, curiosity stirred, but expectation had already vanished.
‘They’ll just pick up S-rank Hunters anyway.’
I’d heard that constellations operated something like a broadcast sponsorship system.
A cultivation simulation of sorts.
Even if I were a constellation, I’d only pay attention to high-rank Hunters.
Paying attention to someone like me would be a waste of time.
So I shouldn’t expect anything.
Even if my mind kept drifting toward it, I’d deliberately act indifferent.
“The sorting is complete.”
“Ah, yes.”
As I rose to my feet, the clients who’d been conversing gave me only a slight nod.
As if to say I could leave now.
[ Your commission has been deposited to your Hunter Pay account. The amount shown excludes the 5% Hunter Pay processing fee. ]
I glanced at the alarm on my phone and picked up my pace.
I wanted to get home quickly and wash away this strange stench.
I’d been careless in the Dungeon and gotten caught by a monster, rolling through mud, and then finished sorting through those foul-smelling byproducts.
Even on the bike ride back, the smell clinging to my body wouldn’t stop bothering me.
The Apartment I’d lived in since elementary school.
It was my only asset, but it was so old that even selling it wouldn’t fetch enough for a decent studio apartment.
“Damn it….”
The water pressure was weak, and no matter how hard I scrubbed, that slimy residue refused to wash away.
I scrubbed my skin until it turned red, then caught my reflection in the mirror.
Though it had deteriorated considerably, this was once a face people had suggested could belong to an entertainer.
‘When I was young, everyone said I was handsome, so there was a time I actually deluded myself into thinking I could make a living off my looks….’
What a foolish misconception that had been.
After awakening and venturing into so many dangerous Dungeons, exposure to toxins had bleached my hair and darkened my eyes.
My hands were rough and cracked, and my body was a mess of scars I couldn’t even heal with potions.
The muscles I’d developed from rolling around desperately to survive couldn’t be called beautiful by any stretch.
‘It’s not like I’m advertising to everyone that I’ve lived a harsh life.’
Still, I had no intention of wallowing in pathetic self-pity.
I just needed to finish washing up and get some sleep.
If I got distracted by this nonsense, I’d only be late heading out tomorrow.
As I rinsed the shampoo from my hair under the hot water, that Constellation kept crossing my mind.
That crimson system.
It had looked so unfamiliar.
‘Yes, like that small window in front of my eyes right now—crimson….’
As I thought about it naturally, like water flowing, I suddenly froze in shock.
A crimson window—the same color as the one floating in the sky—hovered small before my eyes.
My eyes flew open, soap streamed into them, and I flailed about for a while before looking at it again with eyes red and bloodshot from the shampoo.
Messages had been coming in at a leisurely pace since earlier.
[ The Constellation of Spectation and Care greets you. ]
[ The Constellation of Spectation and Care asks if perhaps you cannot see this contact. ]
[ The Constellation of Spectation and Care says he will hurry and fix this damn internet. ]
[ The Constellation of Spectation and Care worries whether your eyes are alright. ]
“…Constellation…?”
[ The Constellation of Spectation and Care says he has been watching all along. ]
I quietly covered my body with my arms.
Crossing my arms in an X across my chest, I murmured.
“…Thank you.”
* * *
“Something’s strange.”
“S-Se-um, what is it?”
“The messages are being sent instantly.”

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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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