D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 64

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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 64
“I see.”
Ha Gyuhyuk gazed ahead with visible discomfort.
The ground split into two paths, divided by the Forest.
“Which one is the right answer? Honestly, it doesn’t seem like either path leads to a straightforward clear.”
“You’re right about that.”
I stared ahead intently.
In truth, there was no such thing as a “correct” answer in this situation.
One path spawned Monster A, the other spawned Monster B—that was the extent of it.
Ha Gyuhyuk paused thoughtfully, huddling with Kim Gyuwun and Ji Chae-ah to confer.
They were trying to deduce what lay beyond by sensing the mana and sounds emanating from each direction.
“Once we clear one side completely, we’ll have to tackle the other, right?”
“Right. It’s just a matter of whether we do the easier one first or the harder one.”
They sighed, noting that even an easy boss could become a nightmare if the matchup was poor.
The consensus was forming around a simple majority vote.
“Um, Constellation, would you mind telling us which way to go?”
These humans had just been brutally attacked by that Constellation, and now they were asking for help again.
After Franson had actively sabotaged their efforts, he seemed genuinely offended.
“Why are you asking me?”
“Pardon?”
“The other Constellations said to leave it alone, so I don’t understand why you’re specifically asking me for help.”
His attitude suggested that all of this was the fault of the other Constellations warning him not to interfere.
A masterfully subtle deflection of responsibility.
“Constellations are supposed to maintain neutrality, so I have no choice in the matter.”
Since Constellations were fundamentally equal in standing, he claimed he was powerless when the majority pushed back—pure evasion.
From our perspective, it was absurd and infuriating, but the humans fell for it.
[ Franson: Why is he like that ]
[ Franson: So childish ]
[ Franson: And who was the one dancing with a sword alone while those helpless humans watched ]
I agreed completely.
If Franson hadn’t stepped in at that moment, the place would have become a bloodbath.
Of course, that spectacle had also burned through that Constellation’s karma considerably.
[ Tasha: I hate Constellations like that—living hand to mouth. ]
The humans were no different.
If left unchecked, they would have been crushed beneath an overwhelming, irresistible force, their bodies paralyzed by terror.
But there are always some among humans who learn slowly.
“Why on earth….”
“He just butted in for no reason. The S-rank Hunter was fine anyway….”
“Honestly, he didn’t even help.”
I heard whispered voices clustering near that Constellation, muttering amongst themselves.
The humans who’d had their lives saved by Franson seemed to maintain a tactful silence, but they were objectively far outmatched in rank.
It wasn’t an easy structure for B-rank or A-rank hunters to openly defy an S-rank.
And leaving the dungeon didn’t reset one’s rank anyway.
[ Se-um: They’re really underestimating our avatar’s hearing, aren’t they? ]
[ Se-um: I can hear them so clearly it’s embarrassing, honestly. ]
If anyone witnessed this situation, they might throw a tantrum about being force-fed awkwardness.
But that’s how human life works.
There’s never only smooth sailing all the time.
“Those bastards…”
In truth, it was Kim Gyuwun who felt genuine anger at this situation.
He seemed to be experiencing such treatment for the first time, his face drained of color by the fury coursing through him.
Well, ever since his awakening, he’d been recognized for his exceptional abilities and pampered like precious jade—a hunter accustomed to reverence.
“Let’s ignore them.”
“Yes, okay.”
At my calm words, Tasha nodded in agreement as well.
After all, this level of discord exists in any human society. We can’t mediate every single instance.
“Ulrim, but—”
“If you’re angry because I’ve been insulted, then be angry. But we won’t share in that rage.”
Kim Gyuwun paused for a moment, seeming taken aback.
Franson and Tasha were currently concealing their true identities, so they couldn’t voice their agreement.
But their hearts would align with mine nonetheless.
If we were to punish those who whisper behind our backs—
We’d lose the right to criticize that Constellation for holding grudges over having their entertainment ruined.
Not that we need to always remain graceful and dignified in every situation.
[ Se-um: Harming humans here means losing karma, you know. ]
[ Franson: Exactly ]
[ Franson: I’m already a pauper from using my power of life and death ]
Meaninglessly harming potential clients costs karma.
Unlike that Constellation—a mayfly creature who doesn’t care about losing karma—I can’t afford that.
It’s almost amusing to think that others would see me as an elegant Constellation gracefully enduring such insults.
[ Tasha: Would you have done things differently if you had more karma? ]
[ Se-um: I wouldn’t kill them, obviously. ]
[ Se-um: But I’d probably want to make them bald. ]
[ Tasha: That might have been acceptable… ]
Not all Constellations are neutral.
That Constellation clearly spoke with malice, so that’s how it came across.
But we three were genuinely neutral-aligned Constellations.
Some Constellations fly into a rage when insulted, while others let things slide as long as their clients aren’t touched.
We three belonged to the latter category.
If humans became incited in this situation and insulted us, that merely revealed the extent of their character—hardly worth getting worked up over.
He’s young, so he acts childishly.
[ Se-um: But what gets me is that this whole problem came up just because he couldn’t decide which way to go—left or right. ]
At this rate, he’ll end up dead in some pathetic way.
“Since when have Hunters been unable to accomplish anything without borrowing the power of a Constellation?”
It was then that Ha Gyuhyuk’s voice cut quietly through the air.
I was just about to suggest we set up a stick and move in whichever direction it fell.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward him in unison.
Despite being in a situation where they could be overwhelmed by the flowing mana, he showed not a trace of hesitation.
“For the past 300 years, there hasn’t been a single instance of Constellation assistance. Were all the Dungeons cleared during that time because the power of the stars suddenly weakened?”
It was a soft yet unmistakable mockery in that young voice.
As if to say how pathetic they were, depending on the Constellations and trying to have everything solved for them simply because one had appeared.
I knew it.
Even if he were still D-rank, he would be the type to say something like that in a situation like this.
That’s why I chose him as my client.
“You’re the one who made a contract with a Constellation.”
A voice came back without backing down.
But Ha Gyuhyuk’s expression remained unbothered, as if he’d already anticipated that much.
“So did I ask my Constellation for help just now?”
“Who knows? Maybe you have a separate way to talk to the Constellation?”
Watching them trade words like that, I felt oddly awkward.
I raised one hand hesitantly and spoke in a small voice.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I didn’t.”
….
Silence fell.
I couldn’t exactly tell them to continue their conversation.
As I let out a long sigh, Ha Gyuhyuk’s lips curved upward and he spoke again.
“If we were to ask a Constellation for help, it would make more sense to ask one who saves us without any cost, rather than one who tries to kill us outright.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
The indignant words of another Constellation and Franson’s reaction to being suddenly praised crossed paths simultaneously.
[ Franson: I don’t have any karma left to help with now (〃⌒▽⌒〃)ゝ ]
“You insignificant worm! You dare insult me!”
[ The Constellation of Combat and Victory grows furious. ]
The ground trembled at his raised voice.
The humans covered their ears in agony at his voice.
Ha Gyuhyuk’s face also twisted in pain.
Then a brown flash burst forth, and lightning crashed down directly above Ha Gyuhyuk’s head.
Someone screamed as if imagining a gruesome scene.
One second passed.
The dust cleared, and what appeared before my eyes was Ha Gyuhyuk—not a single hair on his head harmed.
“A Constellation maintains neutrality only so long as another Constellation doesn’t harm my client.”
The brown lightning vanished in an instant, consumed by violet.
Purple electricity crackled across my palm.
“My client tried reasoning with you, but you wouldn’t listen.”
Constellation society is brutally egalitarian.
More capitalistic than humans could ever be.
The magnitude of one’s power before a client is determined by accumulated Karma.
“You….”
Crackle!
A violet flash tore across the ground.
My voice rang out low and cold.
“How dare you touch them, you Karma-starved wretch.”

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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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