D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 63

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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 63
Franson de Germain—a physician who had pacified an entire era.
He was born as the son of the Third Imperial Consort and the youngest Imperial Prince.
“Inauspicious crimson eyes!”
Golden hair and crimson eyes.
Born with the inauspicious color despised throughout The Empire, Franson despised himself.
“Crimson eyes are looked down upon because those who possess them do not value life. You simply need to live differently than they do.”
Yet his siblings loved Franson dearly.
Perhaps the mistake had been his own choice.
Even when recounting his story to us, he evaluated himself as a “fool” with a laugh heavy with regret.
‘How ironic the sentiment of life truly is. Even if ninety-nine subjects loved me, it was only one Emperor—my father—viewing me as inauspicious that tormented my soul.’
Consumed by gambling, he not only relinquished his claim to succession but also abandoned his duty as a physician even as plague spread.
No matter how many people begged for his help in creating a cure, he rolled dice and squandered that day’s fortune.
The Imperial Prince who lived lavishly every day at the casino before The Empire’s gates was called the “Gatekeeper” by the people.
Once the greatest physician, his negligence of duty resulted in The Empire failing to overcome the plague and slowly crumbling.
“If only you had desired to save your people’s lives just a little more, this would never have happened!”
You have become inauspiciousness itself bearing your name, so blame no one else.
The legitimate Imperial Princess and Franson’s elder sister wailed at him as the plague consumed her body, flesh rotting away.
The royal family of Germain who rushed first to the city where the plague had spread earliest were already mostly dead.
The Imperial Princess was right.
Everything had begun with his self-loathing and evasion.
‘I must take responsibility.’
Only Franson bore the weight of that sin and the obligation to remedy the situation.
The Imperial Prince who had forgotten all the people of The Empire sought to preserve the final honor of the Imperial Family, even at the cost of his life.
From that moment, Franson devoted himself to finding a cure for the plague.
He forsook meals and sleep, shutting himself away in a secluded chamber day and night to immerse himself in research.
“When I discovered the medicine, only the people of one Grand Duke’s Territory remained alive in our Empire.”
It was the result of the wise Grand Duke sealing his Territory’s gates and forbidding all outsiders from entering.
Franson left the plague cure before that Territory’s gates, then disappeared with his own wings—the symbol of the Imperial Family—broken.
When he emerged from the secluded chamber, his body was already rotting from disease, yet Franson did not treat himself.
Through the medicine the last Imperial Prince left behind, the Territory’s people were saved, and The Empire’s lifespan was extended by several centuries thereafter.
Though a mutated virus eventually spread.
‘The Gatekeeper with Broken Wings’ was born thus.
Born from regret and atonement for losing those who believed in and loved him, and valued at the price of saving hundreds of millions in a world where he had vanished.
“But what else can be done? He is the sort who cannot act otherwise.”
Tasha and I stepped back, watching his authority overwhelm the situation.
No matter how many lives he saves, those he turned away will not return.
Though he does not grow attached to his clients, when so many fall into suffering, he cannot turn away.
Azure light, the complete opposite of Franson’s eyes, scattered in all directions.
As it enveloped the burning bodies, their wounds healed as if they were lies, and their anguished breathing became peaceful.
“Ah, it doesn’t hurt.”
“It’s healed…?”
The scorching wind still raged with fervor to claim lives, yet it could no longer torment them.
[ The Constellation of Combat and Victory wears a displeased expression. ]
Realizing that his attack had been completely blocked by Franson, displeasure flickered across the Constellation’s face.
Brown light collided with blue light.
“Se-um, that….”
Ha Gyuhyuk flinched as if desperately wanting to help Franson.
I shook my head with an impassive expression.
[ The Constellation of Spectation and Care states that unnecessary sacrifices are not acceptable. ]
“It’s fine.”
What that Constellation was using now was merely simple magic.
No matter what power a Constellation wielded, it could never overcome a Constellation’s exclusive Karma.
That was the very reason we became Constellations, after all.
[ The Constellation of Infinite Inquiry warns the Constellation of Combat and Victory to stop wasting unnecessary power. ]
Unless exclusive Karmas were to clash directly.
“We can intervene up to this point, but from now on, you’ll have to handle it yourselves.”
“Yes.”
Ha Gyuhyuk nodded at my words.
It seemed he too had been thinking it wasn’t right for them to remain behind.
With a tsk, the Constellation’s avatar turned away and withdrew its light.
Behind Franson, who continued to glare with a terrifying aura, a message appeared.
[Franson: I couldn’t bear it and used up my karma ㅠ ㅠ ]
[ Franson: Se-um… Tasha… I’m ruined ]
[ Franson: What do I do about money? ]
He pulled it off brilliantly, yet his follow-through was sloppy as always for a Constellation.
I let out a short laugh.
[ Tasha: You’ll have to live frugally from now on. ]
[ Franson: So cold ㅠ ㅠ ]
I gave him firm advice, but Tasha too seemed unable to suppress her laughter.
“Se-um, is it finally over?”
“Yeah, you can do what you want now.”
As if he’d been waiting, Ha Gyuhyuk burst forward from behind me.
“That, that person over there, is he, is he…okay…?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
This time I had to stop Tasha, who opened her mouth with concern.
Just as Franson was the one who had to step forward in moments like this, Ha Gyuhyuk was the good person who must extend his hand in such times.
Though the physical pain had vanished, they still hadn’t recovered from the shock of that moment.
Ha Gyuhyuk stood beside them and distributed soothing potions one by one.
Even though the attack had been abandoned, there was still a Constellation right beside them who had displayed such a terrifying power.
Whether it was trust in me, or simply a strong desire to save others.
“If anyone needs recovery or stamina potions, please let me know.”
People crowded around at Ha Gyuhyuk’s words.
“….”
The atmosphere of people casually criticizing a D-rank had finally disappeared.
Of course it had—this was a client I’d personally cultivated.
There was no way he’d still be stuck at D-rank.
[ Tasha: Se-um, I’m curious about something. ]
[ Se-um: Hmm? ]
[ Tasha: What rank is your client at right now? ]
A client who had already completed a contract with a Constellation couldn’t have their detailed profile viewed by another Constellation.
Not unless I permitted it.
I barely managed to suppress the corners of my mouth from rising involuntarily.
I wanted to boast.
I wanted to tell her outright.
Se-um: Hm.
[ Se-um: A ]
Behold.
The masterpiece I’d cultivated with blood, sweat, tears, and my own wallet.
* * *
After managing the situation, we could move forward again—just with a different formation at the front.
“Se-um, I feel like everyone’s staring at me.”
“Well, we’re leading the way, after all.”
“If I get us lost, won’t all these people resent me?”
“Not really….”
Wasn’t dungeon exploration something you did by getting lost in various directions anyway?
Since this was his first time standing at the very front, he seemed flustered.
He’d even try to apologize whenever people casually mentioned a dead end.
[ Don’t apologize. ]
Whether at work or anywhere else, the moment you apologize, you give people grounds to blame you.
I deliberately draped my arm across his shoulders.
Though he looked startled for a moment, Ha Gyuhyuk obediently lowered his body to match the height of my avatar.
“I’m using you as an armrest right now, you know?”
“Is the height comfortable for you?”
“Doesn’t your pride hurt?”
“Not at all.”
He quietly adjusted both the direction and height for me.
As we walked forward, Franson and Tasha behind us stifled their laughter.
“Hey, Jerry?”
“Ah, yeah?”
“Did Jerry do that thing from earlier?”
But before I could relax and observe us properly, a crisis descended upon Franson.
Ji Chae-ah was still regarding him with a skeptical expression.
Franson possessed such a sharp, calculating face—as if he alone wielded every scheme in the world—yet he was surprisingly terrible at lying.
Even now, he was waving both hands frantically while shaking his head in denial.
[ If he played it cool, no one would notice. But that guy practically hammers the nail in, doesn’t he? ]
He didn’t seem to realize that made it even more obvious.
I sent Ha Gyuhyuk a teasing message, and his face nearly cracked with suppressed laughter.
The Hunters following behind all wore serious expressions, while we two acted like we were on a leisurely outing.
Then, whether fortunately or unfortunately, a sight appeared that diverted Ji Chae-ah’s attention.
“We’ve reached a fork in the path.”

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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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