Chapter 245: Chapter 245

As the clan hunters were trying to adapt to their new leader, Choi Yeonseung and Lee Changsik were also trying to adapt to the new clan.

“See which hunters are still here, pick out the ones who are useful, scout those who can be recruited, and train them to some extent to get a structure. Then we’ll at least have some semblance of a clan.”

Choi Yeonseung was relieved by Lee Changsik’s words.

‘I was really worried, but he seems to be okay.’

Choi Yeonseung had been worried and frustrated because the hunters didn’t seem normal, but Lee Changsik’s expression remained the same.

In fact, Choi Yeonseung’s standards were too high. Normally, the average hunter was just as skilled as those here, so there was no reason for Lee Changsik to despair when he saw something like this.

‘As expected, his expertise as the coach of the national team hasn’t disappeared.’

Lee Changsik warned, “But it’s going to take at least a few months.”

“That’s nothing... Tell me if there are any cocky bastards.”

Looking at the two people who were about to end the conversation on a good note, the clan employee spoke in a puzzled voice. “That... You two. Don’t you want to check anything else?”

“?”

“??”

Choi Yeonseung and Lee Changsik looked at the employee with a puzzled look. Was there anything else to check?

“We’ve looked at the clan finances, the number of hunters, the training facilities, the artifacts you have... Is there anything else you need us to check?”

The employee reluctantly replied, “We have a match tomorrow?”

“...”

Choi Yeonseung’s expression was filled with astonishment. The employee kept his head down in embarrassment, even though it wasn’t his fault.

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“No... That...

“... I’m sorry.” Lee Changsik finally realized it and apologized. Normally, clans of certain sizes had to periodically compete with other clans. The matches themselves were casual and friendly, and were meant for practice, but those didn’t matter. The main competition was important.

Clans that fought each other would bet a reasonable amount and the winner would take all of it! At first, they used to bet for fun, as a joke. However, this practice had become a huge pillar of the clan’s annual revenue.

Choi Yeonseung heard the explanation and found it absurd. ‘It’s outrageous...’

-Successor.

-No. How could I not be mad about this?

He could honestly understand them not improving because they didn’t kill monsters, but it was ridiculous that the clans were earning money with this. It was apparently something that was happening worldwide. This was the reason why they hadn’t been able to break through the first realm before...

-It’s the first time that the hunters who hunt monsters are in a better light. You said that the constellations are responsible for this SSL trend? n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

It was even more ridiculous for Choi Yeonseung, who knew that the matches in the Otherworld between these hunters originated from the constellation battles.

-Wait, did the constellations spread this game on purpose?

-What do you mean by that?

-If the hunters continue to focus on the dungeon and try to attack the Abyss, they’ll gradually become stronger.

Chills went down Choi Yeonseung’s spine at the thought that this might be some kind of scheme.

Constellations often seemed clumsy, but there were several elders who had lived much longer than Choi Yeonseung. Those elders would sometimes carry out schemes that no human would ever think about.

-But if they stop paying attention to dungeons and only participate in matches, the growth of hunters will drastically reduce...

-Um. Successor, I can’t completely deny your theory. It sounds plausible.

-I’m getting goosebumps. Those old constellation bastards.

-... Successor, you’re not talking about me right now, are you?? You wouldn’t do that to me, would you??

The goddess of sloth was flustered by Choi Yeonseung’s reaction of distancing himself from her. While the other old constellations were invading Earth, she had sealed herself and remained silent in the corners of the Abyss. She had had nothing to do with this ploy!

-I believe you. Of course, I believe you. However, do you mind if I turn off our shared view for a while?

-......

-I’m sorry. I was just joking.

-One more joke and I’ll never answer your call again, Successor.

-I’m sorry... So do you think my suspicions are right?

-Like I said, I think it’s definitely plausible. There is always a reason for the actions of the constellation. By the way...

-?

-Something seems fishy. It’s just my gut feeling, so don’t take it for granted. Um... I wonder if there’s an alliance among constellations.

-Like the one I made with the berserker constellation?

-You can hardly call that an alliance. You just temporarily joined forces. What I am referring to is something bigger than that... It’s a strong and secret alliance.

-Like the Alliance of Small and Medium-Sized Constellations?

-Yes. Just like that. Of course, it wouldn’t be an alliance of weak constellations like the Alliance of Small and Medium-Sized Constellations...

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ is angry!]

[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ is angry!]

-... Listening while pretending not to. No wonder you’re considered weak constellations.

For the goddess of sloth, the cat constellation and the manipulator constellation were more like minor constellations on the frontier. Given that she had been around since the early days of the Abyss, the difference in status was quite significant.

For sacred constellations, these two lacked in dignity!

-Successor, as I have mentioned before, Earth was connected to the Abyss through a gate. Thanks to that, the constellations were able to cross over from the Abyss to Earth and obtain souls. At the same time, Earth’s souls?are also able to cross over to the Abyss. Think of the berserker constellation who has lost his realm. Why do the constellations have to endure these losses?

-Isn’t it because they swore an oath in order to open the gate?

-Yes.

Oaths were quite powerful, and those made by constellations that put their names on the line were even more so.

The oath of the constellations was so powerful that it connected Earth and the Abyss, two realms that had previously been completely separated.

The goddess of sloth continued.

-But if you think about it, something isn’t right. Constellations usually don’t get along. Why did such constellations suddenly gather their strength, make an oath, and open the gate?

-... Are you saying some constellations took the lead to make it happen?

-That’s right. Isn’t it plausible that some constellations found out about Earth, swindled the others into making an oath in the Abyss, and then proceeded with all of this? I think that might be the case.

A secret alliance made by constellations interested in Earth with the objective of acquiring the souls of Earth before the gate even appeared.

Choi Yeonseung got goosebumps once again. He had fought constellations a few times during the constellation battle, which put him under the illusion that he understood constellations to some extent. However, the constellations were harder to read than expected.

-If this is... If this is the case...

There were two constellations that flashed through Choi Yeonseung’s mind.

‘The berserker constellation and the Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead...?’

Those two constellations had been present ever since the gate had appeared, and they were well-known. Thus, they were bound to seem more suspicious than the constellations that emerged after them.

-It can’t be the berserker constellation.

-Why?

-You know the berserker constellation. He’s simple-minded and short-tempered. He’s not one to plot things. Given his personality, do you think he would remain in the alliance after suffering such a loss?

-Yeah, you’re right.

Given that he sold out the evil god constellations just because he had suffered a loss, it was clear that the berserker constellation wasn’t one to belong to a secret alliance. In addition, if the constellations of the secret alliance were smart, they wouldn’t have accepted a constellation like him.

-Then the goddess of balance? But isn’t the goddess of balance trustworthy?

Choi Yeonseung wanted to believe in the goddess of balance. All the other constellations ignored and ridiculed the goddess of balance, but for Choi Yeonseung, the goddess of balance was the benefactor who gave him the opportunity to become stronger. The angels under the goddess of balance didn’t see it as an opportunity to become stronger, but Choi Yeonseung did.

-She is the Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead.

-... Does that matter right now?

-Calling a constellation by their proper name is more important than you think... Won’t the goddess of balance cry when she hears it?

-I understand. I’ll make sure to properly remember her name. So?

-Um. In fact, I thought the goddess of balance was trustworthy.

The goddess of sloth was really confused. Obviously, the goddess of balance was...

Was she a reliable constellation? She had seemed trustworthy at first. She had been so weak and had lost so much that it seemed unlikely that she would behave like this if she actually had a secret. However, the goddess of sloth slowly grew suspicious.

How could she be so sloppy and stupid? Couldn’t she see into the future?

-So right now I’m fifty-fifty on this.

-Aish...

-Successor, don’t forget that you play a big role in this probability of fifty percent. The goddess of balance is so generous to you that I can’t help doubting her.

The goddess of sloth had a point.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ agrees!]

[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ says that other races that are obsessed with nightmare demons usually do this.]

-You keep bringing this up. How many times do I have to say that it’s not like that?

-It’s true that Successor?is too soft to do such a thing.

-In any case, I understand. The next time the goddess of balance contacts me, I’ll ignore her.

The goddess of sloth shook her head at Choi Yeonseung’s terrible words.

-No, don’t do that. If you have any doubts, then you should be even more friendly toward her. Isn’t it fortunate that the goddess of balance is currently favoring you, Successor? I don’t know if it's genuine, but...

-Why do you keep saying unnecessary things?

-You have to take advantage of it.

-Haven’t I used her enough?

Choi Yeonseung spoke calmly. Everyone disregarded the goddess of balance, but Choi Yeonseung had received quite a bit of help from her. He had participated in a constellation battle with the angels...

The goddess of sloth snorted.

-That’s not ‘using her.’

-Then what?

-Do it more blatantly. Attempt to cling to the goddess of balance and seduce her.

-Goddess of sloth, perhaps you... Have you lost your mind after living isolated in the corners of the Abyss for so long?

Choi Yeonseung was dumbfounded. Why did he have to try to seduce her?

However, the goddess of sloth was serious.

-I’m being serious. You have to seize the opportunity and cling to her somehow. That’s how you can find out what her intentions are.

-Forget it. I need to take care of the hunters now.

-Successor! Don’t forget my advice! The Manipulator of Dreams and Desires is much better in this area, so get some help from her...

[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ says she can help.]

Choi Yeonseung didn’t answer.

***

“Why do you look like that?”

“I just had a pointless conversation... So what’s the situation now?”

Chu Wonseung, the head of the power analysis team of the Demon clan, started trembling when Choi Yeonseung asked him the question.

“There is a match scheduled for tomorrow against the Red-Haired Spirit clan. The items that have been bet are around 30 high-grade refined cores...”

“Well, it’s not like I can’t afford it, but it’s still a bit ridiculous.”

Lee Changsik lowered his head as if he couldn’t look at Choi Yeonseung.

“I should’ve looked at the dates for the matches, not just the clan’s debt. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, Hyung. It’s not your fault.”

Chu Wonseung was stunned by the conversation between the A-grade hunters.

If it wasn’t Lee Changsik’s fault, then whose was it...?

If an A-grade hunter went on a rampage in anger, it would be difficult for the clan members to survive even if they had ten extra people on their side.

The employee hurriedly said, “I-I’m sorry! I... I should’ve explained it properly...”

“Forget it. It’s not the responsibility of the employees below us who are working for a salary.”

Choi Yeonseung was unexpectedly kind.

Chu Wonseung raised his head, unsure if he had survived.

Choi Yeonseung had pulled out his phone and was trying to contact someone, which made Lee Changsik quite curious.

“Who are you calling?”

“I’ll call the investors who sold their stocks in the clan. If they don’t give me proper compensation for this, from now on they'll have to sleep with one eye open.”

“What did you learn from Gyeongryong hyung...?” asked Lee Changsik with a stunned expression.