Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Now that he thought about it, something similar seemed to have happened on Earth.

-Yeonseung. What do you think about the name?‘The Strongest and Supreme Invincibility’ for our clan?

-Uh, that sounds like trash.

-...I-Is that so? In fact, I thought so as well. I was just joking.

The clan leader’s eyes filled with tears as he said those words.

-...Come to think of it, it is a fairy-like name...

-That’s right?! I knew you would like it! These days, even hunters have to promote themselves, right? The clan name should be neat and refreshing. I thought about names like ‘Best SSS-grade Clan’ or ‘My Clan Members are Limitless,’ but I liked that one better.

-Wow... Too... good...

Put up with it! Still, he was usually a really good clan leader! Fortunately, the government rejected the clan name under the reason that it was too playful.

Ever since then, Choi Yeonseung?had?learned a lesson. If someone named something, just say the name they picked was good no matter what! So what if it was called the Alliance of Small and Medium-sized Constellations? It was good enough for as long as?it clearly conveyed their alliance's purpose!

“Is it bad?”

“No. I think it’s a really good name. Really.”

The Manipulator of Dreams and Desires laughed at Choi Yeonseung’s response. He said it was good even though it didn’t seem to suit his taste. He a very rare constellation, considering the basic personality of most constellations revolved around arrogance and rudeness.

‘I chose really well.’

She was lucky. If Choi Yeonseung was stronger or didn’t have desires, she wouldn’t have been able to join forces with him.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ is?welcomingly waving its paws.]

[The 'Cat of Lava and Magma'?says you would’ve done?better by joining?its household, but you're not a stupid constellation?for joining the Alliance of Small and Medium-sized Constellations.]

“!”

The Cat of Lava and Magma! He talked to that constellation several times when he was leaving the Ruler of Blood and Brawls’ realm. Was it also a member of the Alliance of Small and Medium-sized Constellations?

“Since this is an alliance, there’s no way we’re the only ones in it. Who are the other constellations?”

“......”

[......]

Both constellations avoided answering. Choi Yeonseung had an unwanted thought.

“... Is it just the two of you?”

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ is angry. It wonders what's wrong with that and threatens not to give you the gift it has prepared for you.]

“No, I’m not particularly disappointed. Oh, what gift are you talking about?”

Choi Yeonseung appeased the cat.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ heard a rumor that you are gathering adamantium and orichalcum. It says that if you want, it can?make the item you desire with your adamantium and orichalcum.]

The girl next to him gave an explanation.

“The Cat of Lava and Magma is a famous blacksmith constellation. It promised to?make?your weapons as a gift if you join our alliance.”

A rare good being in the Abyss... No, they weren’t good, but they were kind-hearted since they were in a reliable alliance of constellations. To be honest, Choi Yeonseung was a bit moved to be given this as a sign-up gift.

“I have collected a lot of adamantium, but I don’t have enough orichalcum. I would like to delay the request until I collect more.”

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ cocks its head. It is asking if the ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ hasn’t given you a gift yet.]

“I was going to use it to persuade him, but before I could, he has already accepted the offer...”

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ laughs while saying that it is a stupid constellation.]

“... I hope you know that I can leave the alliance.”

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ is flustered?and says it’s a joke!]

“What gift is it?”

“I thought it would be more difficult to persuade you. As you said, most constellations are arrogant, which is why... I prepared things that you might be interested in.”

In addition to answering Choi Yeonseung’s questions, the Manipulator of Dreams and Desires had prepared many things. To be honest, she thought he would be pickier!

“......!”

[The A-rank martial art book ‘Star Absorption Method’ has been found!]

[An orichalcum ingot has been found!]

‘Star Absorption Method!’

It was a famous martial art that Choi Yeonseung knew by name. A?fantastical?martial art that no one on Earth had ever learned.

***

[Do you want to enter the ‘Nightmare Demon’s Fantasy’ dungeon?]

[Rewards: Star Absorption Method martial art, ? ?]

[Entry Restriction: None.]

The Nightmare Demon’s Fantasy was one of the famous dungeons that appeared on Earth. Considering its difficulty was A-grade, the rewards it offered meant made it seem like a meritless dungeon. Unlike spell books, martial art books weren’t popular.

Magicians could learn magic skills relatively easily. The more they learned, the better they became. And they could use multiple skills. On the other hand, most martial artists only practiced one martial art since training in it took a long time. If they didn’t practice it properly, it would be less effective. Therefore, martial artists weren’t interested in other martial arts unless they planned to switch martial arts. It was bound to be unpopular!

Due to this, everyone was reluctant to challenge the Nightmare Demon’s Fantasy. It reached a point where the US government itself, which had the dungeon gate, had to gather A-grade hunters. After that, the situation changed immediately.

They found out what the Star Absorption Method truly was—a martial art that?absorbed?the power of other beings! It was said that compared to magic, the only thing that martial arts could do was hit and smash, but the Star Absorption Method was a rare martial art that was hard to find the magical equivalent of.

It was similar to?Energy Drain, a powerful tool that could directly damage monsters with enormous magic defense! If a magician absorbed it, they could immediately turn it into magic power and use it as a skill...

Magicians who weren’t interested in martial arts also tried to attack the dungeon with a desire to learn?the Star Absorption Method. However, the raid was a failure. The time limit of the dungeon had passed, and its door had closed. It was a dungeon with an unusual structure, so it was a miracle that there were no casualties.

***

‘I heard that no one managed to get their hands on it...’

“Do you know this martial art?”

“I’ve heard of its name before.”

“Then this story will be quick. This martial art has been passed down among our nightmare demons.”

“!”

Choi Yeonseung somehow understood when he heard this. The nightmare demons had Energy Drain as a racial trait, and the Star Absorption Method was an absorption method with an energy drain effect. Those two abilities matched well.

“I haven’t seen a nightmare demon who learned this martial art. Is it because they were locked inside?”

“No. None of the nightmare demons have learned the Star Absorption Method.”

“Why?”

“Well... Isn’t it because magic is better than martial arts?”

“......”

Choi Yeonseung felt slightly depressed. Even here, magic was preferred over martial arts!

The Manipulator of Dreams and Desires spoke in a flustered voice toward the depressed Choi Yeonseung. “Ah... No, I’m not saying that martial arts are necessarily bad. Martial arts have their own merits.”

“... What merits?”

“... Honestly, I didn’t expect you’d ask me to elaborate. I’m sorry. I haven’t thought about it.”

“......”

She just made the wound bigger! The Manipulator of Dreams and Desires changed the subject. “The Star Absorption Method is an extremely difficult martial art to learn. I’m not sure if this is the case in the past as well, but none of the nightmare demons currently possess it.”

“If that’s the case, then I don’t know why it was made. Come to think of it, nightmare demons can use Energy Drain without it anyway, right?”

“The nightmare demons learned the Star Absorption Method not because of Energy Drain but for different reasons.”

“?”

“They say that the more nightmare demons?learn?about it, the better they can control themselves. I’m not sure because I didn't learn it myself, but...”

The nightmare demons’ weakness was desire. The stronger they got, the greedier they became. Eventually, this would lead to them going on an uncontrollable rampage! That was a serious problem. For other races, a strong being over level 400 would already be a part of the main force, but the nightmare demons kept becoming mad with desire and arguing with each other...

For the nightmare demons, a way to control their desires was as important as life. One of them was the Star Absorption Method! It was a martial art created by the nightmare demons to discipline themselves. Other races coveted it so they could use Energy Drain, but nightmare demons learned it to learn how to control their desires.

Choi Yeonseung’s expression brightened slightly when he heard the explanation.

“Martial arts do have their merits, huh?”

“...That’s... I’m sorry, but... These days, we just use magic to control our desire. There’s no longer any need for us to put so much effort into learning a martial art..”

“......”

The reason why such a good method wasn’t used these days was that there was a better way! These days, it was traditionally believed that the nightmare demons controlled their desires with proper abstinence and mental strengthening magic.

Martial arts? Why would anyone bother learning it?

“Well, I thought it was a martial art valuable enough for a martial artist like you to be interested in... Was I mistaken?”

“No... I do want this martial arts book. Thank you. I will gratefully accept it.”

Choi Yeonseung accepted the martial arts book.

[Do you want to learn the ‘Star Absorption Method’ martial arts?]

-Yes.

[You have learned the ‘Star Absorption Method’!]

[You are?currently at the?transcendent-class stage.]

[The skill ‘State of Perfection’...]

[The skill ‘Three Flowers Gathering’...]

[The skill ‘Heavenly Martial Physique...]

[The ‘Star Absorption Method’ has been completely realized.]

Martial?arts lost?in every aspect?against magic, but it was a completely different story when Choi Yeonseung used it. Having attained enlightenment with other martial arts, he could use new martial arts?immediately.

‘I see. So this is the Star Absorption Method.’

He could do something similar to the Star Absorption Method’s effects through the power of existence. However, mastering the Star Absorption Method meant he wouldn’t need to use the power of existence for those reasons anymore. The more he saved the power of existence, the better. It was like a resource that could be used for anything, after all.

‘Come?to think of it, those constellations... They probably used the power of existence to grant their apostles strength.’

The orichalcum ingot, the Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ other gift, was an ordinary yet good gift.

Choi Yeonseung had enough to make everything that he wanted.

An adamantium frying pan!

An adamantium cutting board!

An orichalcum kitchen knife!

An orichalcum cutlery set!

‘Has it been over 10,000 years? Well, it doesn’t matter.’

It seemed to have been a while since he stopped tracking time. After saving for his goal piece by piece, Choi Yeonseung finally achieved it. He was satisfied.

“You seem to like your gift.”

“I do. Thank you.”

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ excitedly asks what type of battle gear you want to make. With that amount, a great sword and shield...]

“Uh... A frying pan and cutting board.”

[......]

“I want to make a kitchen knife and cutlery set with the orichalcum...”

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ has no answer. It appears to have died.]

***

The constellation tried to persuade him to change his decision all day, but Choi Yeonseung didn’t budge. In the end, the cat shouted ‘Die hipster!’ and promised to make it. A promise was a promise.

“Now, answer my question. What is awakening?”

“Yes.”

Choi Yeonseung thought of himself as someone who had just entered the path of a constellation, a half-constellation. In that sense, he had to grow one step further to become a constellation. The reason why he thought so was the message window he received from the world when he reached the transcendent-class stage.

[’Resonance From the World’ is becoming stronger and stronger. The world is waiting for your call.]

Waiting for his call. In other words, he needed to evolve one more time. Even the demon Barigos told him as much.

-Become a constellation, human!

Choi Yeonseung truly thought he wasn’t a constellation yet.

However, the Manipulator of Dreams and Desires waved her hand as if all of those were nonsense. “No, you are a constellation. There is no such thing as a half-constellation or an apprentice. There are just constellations.”

“...... ?”