Chapter 46: Chapter 46

“You have clan experience, right? I heard you were in the same clan as my father. However, the Icarus clan is very different from the clan you were in. Shouldn’t you be careful?”

“There are things in the world that are bound to happen. Such disputes are one of them.”

“Bah. You don’t seem to be taking this seriously. You might?regret it later,” Aine said while looking at Choi Yeonseung.

He appeared sloppy on the outside, but Choi Yeonseung seemed to have a strange confidence in him. She would’ve said it was unfounded confidence if it were anyone else, but...

‘There's something about him...’

Choi Yeonseung was a bit different. He seemed arrogant and had a lot of gaps, but he was actually humble and surprisingly firm.

“If you want, I can train you before you join the clan. I’ll find you a suitable opponent. It wouldn’t be bad to fight them.”

“No... Why? I just want to train by myself.”

“... Won’t you regret it? I really can't say you won't.”

Aine looked both worried and dissatisfied.

Choi Yeonseung laughed. He could feel that she was worried.

“Thank you for your concern.”

“I wasn’t worried? In any case, this is my number. Call me if you need anything.”

***

“Master.”

“... I’m starting to think it’s impossible for you to fix this.”

“Gasp.”

“No, just do whatever you’re comfortable with, Odaigon.”

“You really don’t mind?”

“Yes. Come to think of it, I don’t think you calling me Master will be that obvious.”

There were far crazier things among hunters. He wouldn’t appear suspicious just because he had the title of ‘Master.’?Of course, he would be treated like a weirdo!

“Master. What did you mean when you said there are a lot of crazy people in the clan?”

“Well, it means many things. It’s common for someone to raise his self-esteem by arguing with a newcomer...”

“I'll immediately beat up anyone who tries to do that..”

“... Odaigon. I’m just saying this as a precaution, but you have to ask me first before killing someone, okay?”

“Isn’t that obvious, Master?”

“In any case, there’s no need to respond too harshly. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a clan, though, so I’m a bit nervous.”

A clan wasn’t just a gathering of hunters. They had awakened, but humans were weak and easy to kill compared to monsters. In the end, teamwork was essential for hunters to clear a dungeon. A clan was where this ‘teamwork’ was created. Teams weren’t easily made. After all, it meant having partners they could stand back to back with and entrust their lives to.

From training and cooperation to matching each other, the process was essential!

How long?had?it been since Choi Yeonseung fought alongside others?

‘At least 10,000 years.’

Considering that much time had passed, he was bound to be nervous.

‘Uh... Well, I guess I have to recall old memories and do a good job.’

After finishing the?conversation, Choi Yeonseung sat down. He then closed his eyes and focused on meditation. The reason he meditated now wasn’t to train in martial arts. Rather, it was to access the constellations’ Game of Stars. There were more than a dozen constellations snooping around Earth, many of which Choi Yeonseung wasn't even aware of. It would be beneficial to spy on them in advance in case he had to deal with them one day.

[The constellation ‘One-eyed Sage’ is seeking an ally to share his vision on Earth.]

[The constellation ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ scoffs and sneers. He says that it is useless.]

[The constellation ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ is boasting about his own household.]

[The constellation ‘One Who Shoots the Sun’ is seeking advice on how to get a decent household member. He says he will give a reward.]

[The constellation ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ complains that there are too many constellations on Earth. He insists that all those who haven’t signed the agreement should stop.]

[The constellation ‘One Who Shoots the Sun’ agitatedly argues back at the insult.]

[The constellation ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ insults the young constellation who can’t even participate in the constellation battle. He says not to talk presumptuously.]

[The constellation ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ ridicules the ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ for being talkative.]

[The constellation ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ is requesting a constellation battle!]

[The constellation ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ ignores him.]

[The constellation ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ insults the constellation as a pitiful child with no honor!]

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says it can’t hear him.]

‘I’m confused.’

The gathering of constellations made no attempts to preserve their dignity. The constellations who came to Earth first, the evil god constellations who came after them, and the wandering constellations who came even later... The constellations kept voicing out what they wanted to say. It was confusing, but he could still figure out a few things.

‘The powers of the constellation are more diverse than I thought.’

The new constellations weren’t aware of which human beings were good. This meant there was a difference in information even among the constellations. Naturally, the original constellations ignored the new constellations. They didn’t even allow the new constellations to join a constellation battle...

‘If you don’t have a certain amount of strength as a constellation, you can’t even participate in the constellation battle?’

The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ was receiving requests for a constellation battle, but this seemed to be an exception.

Choi Yeonseung carefully sent a message.

[The constellation ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ seeks an opponent for a constellation battle.]

It was ignored. Surprisingly, there was no response. The constellations just let it pass instead of answering. They weren’t even surprised to see the ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training,’ which was a name they hadn’t seen before. It wasn’t the first time a new constellation had appeared.

[The constellation ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’?speaks to you in private. It says that only constellations that have reached a certain level?can join?a constellation battle.]

Constellation battles pitted two constellations against each other using their household members. The loser had to pay a price for the fight. It wasn’t just about combat. It was coveting what the opponent had! Naturally, such a fight was only possible when the constellations' levels were somewhat equal.

This was the first time the constellations had seen the name ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training.’?No idiot would accept the challenge of a constellation that wasn’t famous and seemed to have nothing.

‘Do I have to increase my power of existence and create a household after all?’

Choi Yeonseung clicked his tongue. He had wandered around, fought constellations, and became an intermediate constellation. He had also gained one household member on Earth...

Nevertheless, it seemed like he still had a long way to go.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter. In any case, I’ve gotten a lot of information.’

He didn’t get anything, but he at least learned many things, including the need to increase his power of existence and the fact that there were more constellations than he had expected. It was a good situation for Choi Yeonseung. He wouldn’t be noticed even if he moved a bit radically.

‘How come there are no messages from the Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead?’

The constellations were really bored, so they frequently conversed. If their household members could see this, they would’ve been amazed by their master’s appearance. Even so, the Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead never said a word. Choi Yeonseung became worried. He was originally going to contact and form an alliance with her, but she didn’t show up...

‘I can’t go to her Abyss realm.’

Did something happen?

***

Ernest, a retired A-grade hunter, entered the room. He was a middle-aged man with impressive gray hair, an angular chin, and a hard, large physique. Though he was a few years younger than Hwang Gyeongryong, he physically looked older. Moreover, he looked more like a soldier than a hunter.

“Did you call me, Chairman?”

“Yes. I called you because of the new hunter that’s going to join the Icarus Clan.”

Ernest nodded.

-Choi Yeonseung. B- grade. A martial artist and Abyss returnee.

There were a few odd things about him, but Ernest didn’t care.

“Please leave it to me. I’ll train him to be a good clan member.”

“Ah... Well, it doesn’t really matter. All I want to say is that this man has overwhelming potential. He’ll be one of the best clan hunters.”

“Do you want special treatment for him?”

“No. I just want you to know this. I don’t want to hear you ask me later why I didn’t tell you anything.”

“Is that so? However, if this isn’t rude, can I see and judge him with my own eyes?”

“Do as you please.”

It sounded like Ernest didn’t believe him, but Hwang Gyeongryong didn’t become angry.

Ernest had always been such a person! Sheep couldn’t lead a pack of wolves. Ernest wasn’t only an A-grade hunter. He was also a lion qualified to lead a pack of wolves. His hard and stubborn personality was a disadvantage, but Hwang Gyeongryong trusted Ernest. They used to do raids together before he retired.

‘I wonder how good he is.’?Ernest thought as he read the report about Choi Yeonseung.

Considering even a hunter like Hwang Gyeongryong was saying?such high praises, there had to be something about him! Even though this was a martial artist...

“Ah. There is also one more person.”

-Richard Parker. B- grade. A magician.

“The Parker family? Did you accept the Parker family’s hunter?”

Ernest looked surprised. The Parker family wasn’t a pushover. They were a powerful chaebol family that owned a big company. They were also a clan state that wasn’t inferior to Dragon Industry. Nothing good could come from accepting a hunter from that family.

Giving them special treatment would break the teamwork, but if treated harshly, the Parker family could get angry. In addition…

“I’ve heard rumors that the president of the Parker family is dissatisfied with his son being a hunter.”

“That’s right. The rumor is true. He contacted me and made a fuss.”

“......!”

Not everyone envied the hunters. Why would a third-generation chaebol, who had?everything, risk their life raiding dungeons? No one liked Richard Parker, the youngest son of the family, playing as a hunter. Moreover, his subordinates betrayed him, and he almost didn’t get rescued. The president thought it was a good opportunity to give an order.

-You idiot. What kind of hunter would get betrayed by his subordinates? Stop this madness now.

-B-But...

-I’ll cut you from all of the family’s support! If you still want to continue, then go ahead. Keep in mind that you didn’t become a hunter because you’re skilled. It was due to our family’s strength.

-......

It was impossible to maintain the clan once all types of support were cut off. Richard gave in and did as he was told...

… Absolutely not.

After thinking about it, he came to Hwang Gyeongryong, bowed down, and begged.

-I want to join the clan. Give me one chance!

“Did you need to accept him? We have enough people. A B- grade hunter isn’t that coveted. He has little experience and he probably developed through his family’s support, so he isn’t skilled enough...”

“Hmm...”

Hwang Gyeongryong nodded.

“You are correct.”

“Does this man also have some hidden talent?”

“No. It isn’t like that. However, who does that Alex Parker, that old unlucky guy, think he is to tell me not to accept his son?”

“......”

Hwang Gyeongryong was the type to insist on doing things even harder if people told him not to. The president of the Parker family, Alex Parker, contacted him and told him not to accept Richard, but it backfired!

“Well, his eyes are quite alive. Train him and accept him if he can follow. If he can’t, then kick him out.”

“I understand. I'll proceed as usual.”

“Can you?give?him?special?treatment?”

Hwang Gyeongryong laughed and joked. Ernest was such a straightforward person that he wouldn’t be able to give special treatment.

“Um... I think I can make special strength recovery potions.”

“... You’d likely get along with Choi Yeonseung.”

“? ?”