Chapter 173

Chapter 173

-Don’t you know that orcs become stronger when they fight and win?

Humans had a set limit on how much they could grow physically, but orcs were different. As one of the best combat races in the Abyss, the more they fought and won, the bigger and stronger they became!

-I know, but we aren’t fighting now.

-Maybe their temperament changed because they’re your subordinates now, Successor. A constellation’s power changed their household members without being aware of it. Look at my household members. They’re all lazy.

-... I-I see.

Choi Yeonseung was at a loss for words, so he just nodded. Choi Yeonseung’s power as a constellation turned the orcs into this...

‘For them to have a temperament for farming, raising livestock, and eating well...’

Choi Yeonseung was troubled. Wasn’t that just the temperament of a farmhand? Didn’t it seem a bit far from the incarnation of training?

***

[The ‘Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ welcomes you!]

[The ‘Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ congratulates you on your victory in the constellation battle.]

[Several constellations say they admire you.]

The constellation of understanding surrendered before the battle even began, but there was no way other constellations would know about it. In their eyes, it would appear that the goddess of balance and the incarnation of training quickly destroyed the constellation of understanding.

[The ‘Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ recommends buying something expensive this time.]

The merchant constellation threw him an expectant look. Considering how he won, it was only right for him to buy something expensive.

Current soul stones: 98,000P

‘I have over ten times my previous balance.’

They took a gamble with the constellation battle, but it had certainly paid off. He didn’t just win. He also received the bounty the other constellations had put on the constellation of understanding. As a result, his soul stones balance exploded.

‘But shouldn’t I save? I don’t want to waste it.’

-......

The goddess of sloth was at a loss for words. What a trivial thing to say as a constellation...!

-Saving is good and all, but it would be better to erect more buildings in the area.

-Aren’t the orcs already doing that?

-Special buildings, not ordinary ones. I’m talking about those that are difficult to build even for a constellation.

The orcs were working hard to build infrastructures, but they were all just normal buildings that could be found on Earth. Special buildings brought forth great power just by being installed!

-The Abyss isn’t safe. The orcs aren’t weak, but the more special buildings you have in your realm that can defend and give your household members power, the better.

-If a monster appears, can’t I just come and kill it?

-... Constellations normally don’t make a move just because a monster appeared in the area.

Constellations were dignified beings. They wouldn’t act directly just because a monster appeared on the outskirts of their kingdom. If they did, what need would they have for minions and household members?

‘It would certainly be a problem if something like that happens while I’m busy on Earth.’

The golem and orcs were strong, but it would be better to buy what they needed while he still could.

“I only have 90,000P so give me a discount,” Choi Yeonseung said as he looked at the wandering merchant.

[The ‘Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ is bewildered. He wonders if you’re a robber.]

“I won’t buy anything if you don’t give me a discount.”

[......]

The wandering merchant was dumbfounded, but it was still overwhelmingly beneficial for him if someone were to buy from him. After some back and forth, the wandering merchant finally gave up the box.

[Construction Box (Advanced, Chaos):

100,000P.

Primordial chaos is swirling inside. If you open this box, you will get one of the various structures needed in a constellation realm.]

Unusual energy came from the box since it had reached the Advanced rating. Just as magic power surged from a powerful artifact or magic book, an indescribable power of existence rose from the box. Choi Yeonseung’s fingers trembled. Although he remained fearless when fighting monsters that made even the Abyss tremble, he couldn’t help but be shaken when buying expensive items.

‘Should I buy it? Should I?’

-Please don’t do that.

Despite the goddess’ scolding, he still couldn’t help it. He thought he would probably be depressed for a few days if he opened it and he got something useless like a cat statue. Besides, what if he suddenly needed soul stones?

-There’s a good solution to situations like that.

-?

-Just lend your household member to the goddess of balance and ask her for soul stones.

-... Are you a bully after all?

Choi Yeonseung was speechless. Thanks to that remark, his sanity returned.

‘Yes. I can just earn it back again. In any case, my status on Earth is still clear.’

[Opening the Construction Box!]

[Chaos flows, and destiny is decided!]

[You have obtained the Great Warrior’s Barrier!]

Along with a brilliant light appeared a huge barrier long enough to cover the entire area.

-This isn’t so bad!

[Great Warrior’s Barrier:

A powerful barrier built by an old warrior whose name has been lost. It defends against the storms of the Abyss and gives great power to the user’s household members.

It enables the user to give the skill ‘Great Warrior’s Barrier’ to followers.]

‘It’s alright, isn’t it?’

-Yes. It’s always great to have things like barriers in the Abyss.

There were all types of enemies in the Abyss, so a barrier that?enclosed?an area was always useful. He could also give the skill Great Warrior’s Barrier to a household member or minion, which was a great addition. It was a useful ability for Choi Yeonseung, who focused on combat skills.

-From my perspective, that comes with advantages and disadvantages.

-What are the advantages?

-You have great combat abilities. Among the constellations of the Abyss, few constellations have as much practical experience and excellent combat skills as you, Successor. Of course, having a severe difference in power of existence between you and others can’t be helped...

-What about the disadvantages?

-Everything else.

-......

-I’m not joking. You are too young, Successor, so you have few subordinates and low power.

Choi Yeonseung didn’t use magic and had only lived for a relatively short amount of time, so he had few developed powers and put all his energy into combat.

-But you are doing well. You can just keep doing what you’re doing now.

-What do you mean?

-Attacking and deceiving others to take away their powers, starting a constellation battle to steal powers, building things to gain power...

-......

He wasn’t some kind of looter...! Still, the goddess’ advice was realistic. That was what Choi Yeonseung had been doing in the first place.

-I will keep that in mind.

***

Hwang Gyeongryong looked a bit haggard.

Worried, Choi Yeonseung asked, “Did you have a hard time killing the monsters? I should’ve helped you...”

“No. It’s not because of the monsters. The stocks...”

“......”

He was confident he could just use recovery magic or potions to regenerate even limbs blown off by a monster, but he couldn’t restore the global stock market once it had collapsed.

“Is the situation that serious?”

“Well, it’s kind of an annual event now.”

During the great invasion a few decades ago, people went crazy and kept saying, ‘It’s the end of the world!’

Since then, the people of Earth had adapted a lot. Even if demons were to pour down on earth, humans would just solidify their mental fortitude and say, ‘Oh, it’s that time of the year again, huh?’

“... Does that make sense?”

“It doesn’t. Do you know how strangely people in other countries looked at us when we were in North Korea? How could we not be afraid when armed people above us ran rampant every day? But you get used to it somehow.”

Grumbling, Hwang Gyeongryong checked the list of losses.

“Look at how the price of the core jumped. Damn. I should’ve invested in the opposite.”

This uproar had pushed up core prices around the world. It was a natural phenomenon since the core factories were blown up.

“That constellation is currently attracting a lot of aggression from other constellations.”

“You mean it’s miserable?”

“No. That isn’t it... it’s proven to be of some use to me, so I’m using it for now.”

The cat constellation was currently eagerly spreading rumors. The constellation of understanding was working hard as well regardless of whether others listened to it or not, so the rumors were bound to spread. No matter how hard it was denied, once rumors arose, there were bound to be suspicions. The collector constellation had to be pretty perplexed right now.

“I want those two to join hands and disappear far into the Abyss.”

“I don’t think that will happen...”

Nevertheless, Choi Yeonseung felt relieved. Considering how Hwang Gyeongryong was behaving, the public disturbance seemed to have been contained to some extent.

‘We have definitely become stronger.’

In the past, whenever monsters appeared all over the world, everyone would panic and run around. Now, humanity moved systematically to deal with similar situations. The core factories had been blown up, the stock prices had been ruined, and the core prices were soaring, but this was still okay.

-Breaking news.

“?”

“Ignore it. It’s probably useless anyway,” Hwang Gyeongryong said with a discouraged expression, having lost some money on stocks. “They’ll probably just say things like we have to secure more cores, we are running low on energy and require the hunters’ dedication, let’s save money, this is all a Russian conspiracy...”

“How can those be breaking news?”

“......”

Hwang?Gyeongryong suddenly?stood up. Choi Yeonseung had a point.

-The A-grade hunter, Joseph Grant, has just announced his intention to attack the Abyss gate.

“!”

Hwang Gyeongryong perked up. Who was attacking the Abyss gate?

“What? Who would be insane enough to do that?”

On the screen, a cold-looking hunter in a suit walked into view and stood in front of the reporters. It was Joseph Grant, an A-grade hunter from England.

-The constellations of the Abyss have been controlling humanity for far too long, and monsters have been ceaselessly attacking us as well.”

“Such comedic nonsense. How can he say that even though he’s a constellation’s household member?”

Hwang Gyeongryong grumbled. As a hunter from the generation before Joseph Grant, he was dissatisfied to see a young fellow who had signed a contract with a constellation talking smack after sucking up all the benefits.

-The source of all of this is the Abyss gate. Together with my colleagues, I plan to attack the Abyss gate to expand the realm of humanity. Anyone who wants to join me, please apply.

At the end of his speech, the reporters clapped, overwhelmed with emotions. It had been so long since the last time the Abyss gate was raided, so the people had explosive reactions.

-Raiding the gate? Is that something you can raid?

-All the hunters who tried to raid it before failed.

-But our level has gone up dozens of times now compared to back then, hasn’t it?

-Fair point. They said that there is a huge difference between now and the past in terms of technique and magic. Will they succeed this time, though?

-What happens if they do?

-We will get a realm in the Abyss.

As People’s dissatisfaction grew because the core factories across the world exploded, someone gracefully stepped up. Hence, the public inevitably cheered.

-If you’re a hunter, then shouldn’t you participate? A lot of our tax money is spent on hunters, but they don’t even step up during times like this.

-Are you crazy? You go then.

-Where do you live? You better be careful.

Some people who seemed to be hunters threatened them, but the public remained undaunted and sarcastic. n0veluSb.c0m

“Wow. That man?called?Joseph... is really passionate, isn’t he?”

“What passion? He’s clearly being manipulated. He isn’t the type to step up to the plate like this. He’s not like you.” Hwang Gyeongryong’s expression turned serious. “For him to take the lead like this, he has to have the confidence that he can succeed...”

“Only a constellation can convince him to do this, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Considering how disciplined and profit-conscious he is, he wouldn’t have acted this way unless he’s been subjected to intense persuasion.”

“I see.”

Hwang Gyeongryong started typing on his phone.

“What are you doing?”

“I congratulated and supported Joseph Grant on his endeavor and told him to prepare a presentation under the company’s name.”

“......”

Choi Yeonseung could only admire Hwang Gyeongryong’s thoroughness in investing in a project before he could even confirm its authenticity.