D-Rank Constellation Hunter… Stuck Without Internet! - Chapter 85

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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 85
The shocking revelation had delayed my recognition of who I was facing by a crucial moment.
Ha Gyuhyuk barely restrained himself from immediately demanding an explanation for what he’d just heard.
“What in the world are you——”
“I’m saying your Constellation has been absent lately because he’s been creating other clients.”
The figure leaning casually against the doorframe was unlike anything I’d seen before.
Yet the horns protruding from their forehead made it abundantly clear they were no human. A Constellation, perhaps.
With black hair and blue eyes, this being of indeterminate gender regarded me with an expression of profound curiosity.
I exhaled slowly.
The barrier Se-um had erected could filter out every living creature on Earth, but it proved powerless against other Constellations.
“I’m not a Constellation. Surprised to see me?”
“Yes, this is our first meeting.”
Not a Constellation? Then this being was human?
Could humans ordinarily walk about adorned with horns like that?
If the figure before me truly was human, there remained only one possibility I could deduce.
‘Another client supported by a Constellation.’
The era when Se-um had been the world’s sole Constellation had long since passed into history.
Ever since the Constellations had flooded in initially, their traces had become readily apparent in everyday life.
[ Birth of a Constellation-contracted Hunter from the Guild “Venus.” ]
[ A Hunter announces the launch of “Royal Guild,” exclusive to Constellation-contracted Hunters, only to withdraw the proposal amid public backlash… ]
For beings who had emerged only centuries ago, the Constellations had woven themselves remarkably seamlessly into human existence.
The spotlight that had once been cast upon me as the “D-rank Hunter contracted to a Constellation” had gradually dimmed.
Yet that did not mean interest in Ha Gyuhyuk as a person had waned.
As the Constellation’s radiance faded, my own path as Guild Master of Touch One began to shine ever more brilliantly.
All eyes turned toward me, and to those of lower rank, I became a symbol of hope.
Each time I felt this acutely, I recalled words Se-um had spoken to me one night, holding me close.
‘Listen carefully, Ha Gyuhyuk. One day will come when my existence is no longer considered particularly remarkable.’
‘What?’
‘When that day arrives, the entire world will come to know just how valuable a being you are.’
I was different from mere pawns who could only prove their worth through a Constellation’s power.
Se-um had always told me this with such tenderness.
“Regardless of whether you are a Constellation, another Hunter, or a non-Hunter, the fact remains that you have unlawfully invaded the Guild Master’s Office.”
And so I had no choice but to direct my anger at this intruder.
I didn’t know their intent in suddenly bursting in to humiliate Se-um, but the act itself was already problematic.
“Ah, I didn’t come here to fight you. Besides, there’s no benefit in clashing with that Constellation, right?”
Recently, two Hunters who had completed Constellation contracts had engaged in combat within a Dungeon.
Relying solely on their backers’ strength, they fought at full power, ultimately paying for their recklessness with their lives.
It was an unprecedented incident—two S-rank Hunters dead in an A-rank Dungeon.
Yet the Constellations who had lost their clients departed Earth without so much as a word of mourning.
Only then did humanity realize they were not so precious to the Constellations after all, and they began to exercise caution.
‘I thought not all Constellations in the world were like Ulrim, but to think the average one was a Constellation spouting something about victory….’
Ji Chae-ah’s voice rang clear with disbelief as she muttered under her breath.
Yes, most Constellations didn’t ascribe such meaning to the mere death of a human.
There were always replacements available. Not just humans—entire worlds were replaceable to them.
‘He’s cheating.’
Only then did Ha Gyuhyuk realize he was a being who could be replaced by Se-um, and he had to admit that despite his position being far from that, he couldn’t help but be bothered by the word “cheating.”
Even though he knew better than anyone that he wasn’t at that level.
As sudden self-loathing welled up, Ha Gyuhyuk began speaking as if chewing out each syllable.
“…Then you shouldn’t have intruded without permission in the first place.”
“I came because I felt this was something you needed to know, and there won’t be any incidents like this again, so don’t worry.”
Now Ha Gyuhyuk was no longer a human one could meet with a single tap on a delivery application.
He was the Guild Master of Kangso Guild, someone who required reservations made weeks in advance and necessary documents submitted just to arrange a single meeting.
“Who are you?”
“So you don’t need to know my name or anything like that. I just wanted to relay the Constellation’s words. Since you’ve been waiting for that Constellation so much.”
“You speak as if a contracted human waiting for the Constellation is some grave problem. And it’s common knowledge that a Constellation can only have one client per world.”
Besides, the word “cheating” couldn’t even apply to his position, nor was it possible.
The figure before him smiled with interest and nodded.
“Still, you seem to know quite a bit. But I didn’t say Earth.”
“What do you mean.”
“Se-um the Constellation—she’s been managing different clients across different worlds. She went to Sungdo now to look after them.”
Along with the shocking revelation came a grating word.
The being before him knew Se-um’s name.
Se-um had clearly told Ha Gyuhyuk that on this land, only he knew her true name.
“What exactly are you?”
White power began to gather in Ha Gyuhyuk’s hands.
Ready to strike the figure before him at any moment.
It was true that confronting a being contracted with a Constellation carried great risk. It was generally best to avoid such actions.
But for Ha Gyuhyuk, there had always been something more important than his own safety.
For instance, the name of the one his light sought to protect.
“You’re quick on the uptake.”
In an instant, the figure’s body crumbled away.
“…What?”
The light slowly faded from Ha Gyuhyuk’s hands.
The Guild Master’s Office was now empty, and a hollow voice escaped his lips.
It was indeed a Constellation after all.
Or more precisely, an avatar of a Constellation or something equivalent to it.
His heart began to waver in confusion.
‘She’s been managing different clients across different worlds. She went to Sungdo now to look after them.’
That voice echoed through his mind like a reverberating bell.
“This can’t be.”
The listener to his murmured voice was Ha Gyuhyuk himself.
“You are nothing to Se-um.”
Just a mere human, a character worth nurturing, that’s all.
So you shouldn’t feel jealousy in a situation like this, shouldn’t care at all.
You can’t, Ha Gyuhyuk.
You can’t.
Still muttering alone, he wrapped his head in his hands and buried his forehead against the desk.
His heartbeat quickened.
I wish this heart would beat at the speed of light instead.
Then at least my heart alone could reach you….
[ I miss you. ]
[ Se-um, I miss you so very much. ]
* * *
“Se-um!”
How long had it been since I heard the verdict of love and retreated to my room, neglecting all worldly affairs?
About twelve minutes, I’d say.
Franson, who had left his seat, came rushing back with a panic-stricken face.
“How can you not sit still for thirty minutes?”
“Se-um, remember that warmonger from back then?”
“A warmonger?”
“You know, the one you called a beggar bastard when we went to that S-rank Dungeon on Earth.”
“You called them a beggar bastard.”
Now I remember. That Constellation who loved causing trouble everywhere.
I can’t even recall their name.
I’d scolded them so severely they couldn’t access Earth again, so there shouldn’t be any trouble, but what’s going on?
I lowered the cold towel I’d placed on my forehead and sat up.
“Seems they’re pretty angry with Se-um.”
“So, they want to have it out? They’re asking where to meet. Does Sungdo have a rooftop?”
As I spoke casually, Franson frowned and opened a window before my eyes.
“They used the privilege of ‘Favored by Divinity’ on your client.”
“What?”
The so-called client membership tier that Ha Gyuhyuk had recently achieved.
I knew that what was recovered from one client could be used on another world or client.
But what special benefit did it have? The answer was on the screen Franson showed me.
[ You can utilize a ‘Familiar’ for yourself or other clients. The said familiar acts for a specific purpose and will never disappear until that purpose is achieved. ]
Could Ha Gyuhyuk have commissioned an assassination?
“So what was their stated purpose?”
Franson sighed and scrolled through the screen.
It felt like rewinding time.
In the video, it was speaking.
[ “Your Constellation abandoned you.” ]

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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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