Chapter 289: Chapter 289

No matter how loyal a household member was, their loyalty would disappear if they had to carry out all the trivial tasks.

As a matter of fact, the angels under the goddess of balance had used to give her advice like ‘Aren’t you putting too much pressure on Adaquaniel?’

-Yes, I understand. Adaquaniel, I’ll take care of it.

-Huh? Master, I don’t think that’s a good idea!

-......

The goddess was about to ask Adaquaniel what she meant, but she felt that any answer would ruin her disposition.

-It’s fine, you can leave it to me, Adaquaniel. I already have something to talk about with him.

-......

This time, Adaquaniel was silent and she was seriously thinking about the situation.

‘Is she making the right call?’

She didn’t have a perfect grasp of Earth, but Adaquaniel had studied it very attentively in a short period of time.

Most of the arrogant household members of other constellations looked down on Earth. Its inhabitants were uncivilized people who hadn’t even known what magic was until a few decades prior, so it was no wonder that they were considered ‘a primitive race with an incredibly large population.’

However, Adaquaniel didn’t have such thoughts and had done her best to familiarize herself with Earth. Her willingness to do that served to her advantage, as it set her apart from the other household members.

Thanks to that, Adaquaniel had a rudimentary understanding of how Earth worked. There were dozens of nations with different tribes, highly advanced systems, they had developed technology that replaced magic…

While studying those things, she felt that Earth’s culture was very complex and diverse. In other words...

‘If Master makes an uneducated choice, she might make things awkward for no reason...’

Adaquaniel fervently prayed that her master wouldn’t make a mistake.

***

Choi Yeonseung guided the orcs to continue farming in a militant manner. They were becoming increasingly great farmers under Choi Yeonseung’s influence, their master.

It was a routine that recognized farming as training. It implied raising their levels by farming, and then farming again using that increased level!

Not even Choi Yeonseung had expected to create such an efficient and thorough training routine. The moment the orcs, who were already great farmers, joined him, their efficiency skyrocketed!

[The strength of the orcs is amplified under the influence of the ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’!]

[The level of the orcs has gone up!]

“...!”

Choi Yeonseung hadn’t used his power of existence to buff them, so he was really surprised to see the orcs plowing at the ground like bulldozers that had been buffed by magic.

-How is this possible?

-It’s the power of a constellation.

The goddess of sloth sounded like a veteran with decades of experience.

-Even if you’re not aware of it, a constellation naturally exerts their influence over their household and minions.

-There must be quite a few people on Earth who believe in the Undefeated Incarnation of Training. Are they seeing this effect too?

-It would be very hard for them to feel this kind of effect. The orcs here are the ones who have been in very close contact with you.

Choi Yeonseung had trained all of these orcs individually, from martial arts to farming.

Since it was farming, the task itself wasn’t taxing, but being taught directly by the constellation was a tremendous opportunity.

‘Huh, so I could also do this with the hunters on Earth?’

Choi Yeonseung was lost in thought. The hunters he had trained so far… Couldn’t they achieve something similar to these orcs?

‘I’ll have to teach them more intensively in the future.’

He didn’t know when and how something like that could happen, but if he focused on training the hunters, a phenomenon like that with the orcs could occur much faster and more intensely.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says that it thinks most hunters don’t want that type of training.]

-Of course, it’s only natural that they think that way.

Choi Yeonseung understood what the cat constellation was saying. In the eyes of constellations, hunters preferred other activities to raids. They only wandered from time to time, ‘Huh, I guess it’d be nice to get stronger.’

However, that didn’t matter to Choi Yeonseung.

[?]

-I’ll make them pursue strength.

[...]

The cat constellation got chills from Choi Yeonseung’s assertion.

Choi Yeonseung was a very rational and understandable constellation compared to other constellations, but there were times when he was terrifying.

After all, there was a reason he had evolved from being a mortal to being a constellation.

[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ is calling you.]

“Huh?”

***

At first, Choi Yeonseung was confused about what was going on.

They had been allied for a long time, but to Choi Yeonseung, the goddess of balance was still a bit... It was a bit awkward interacting with her.

-Just say no.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says they will understand if you decline the call.]

-...I’m not going to refuse.

Choi Yeonseung disregarded the advice of the two constellations. It wasn’t that didn’t appreciate their input in general, but when they discussed his relationship with the goddess of balance, he couldn’t help recalling the past…

It was true that she had promised to make him a household member and even made preparations for training, but he still felt a bit uncomfortable.

“What’s going on?”

[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ says she has something to discuss about the cities that humans have built in the Abyss.]

The cities in the Abyss.

Back in the day, building a human city in the Abyss would’ve sounded as ridiculous as building a base on Mars.

However, once the first realm owned by a constellation fell into the hands of humanity, building cities in the Abyss went from fantasy to reality. Large corporations and hunter clans were currently stepping up and building new cities in the Abyss.

Dragon Industry was also in charge of a city in the Abyss, so Choi Yeonseung constantly kept an eye on the cities there.

“Is there a problem?”

[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ says that the expansion of humans is more powerful than expected, so the constellations are paying attention to it.]

“...?!”

Choi Yeonseung was taken aback by the goddess’ words.

The constellations of the Abyss were essentially ancient beings who had dominated the Abyss for tens of thousands of years, whereas humans were just a bunch of newcomers who had just entered the field.

Of course, there were many constellations that helped humans. However, that help was limited, and humans couldn’t further expand in the Abyss with just that.

Other Abyssal races also believed in other constellations. If their constellations helped them...

-No. It’s not impossible.

-...?

-I’m not sure I completely understand it, but humans have incredible potential. Starting with your population... That... It’s complicated and awesome...

-......

The goddess of sloth couldn’t explain it in detail because she didn’t entirely understand it, but Choi Yeonseung seemed to roughly get what she was saying.

‘Certainly, in terms of numbers, there are few places like Earth. The technology as well...’

Even though the constellations from the Abyss disregarded humans, they still had some things that the constellations couldn’t match.

‘Still, I don’t see why constellations would try to keep us in check just because of some cities.’

Choi Yeonseung couldn’t really wrap his head around it. Wouldn’t a city built by humans be as insignificant as dust in the eyes of the constellations? Despite that, the constellations were actually keeping a close watch on humans.

[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ proposes to block the other constellations and take over a city together.]

“Oh... That is a great idea.”

Choi Yeonseung admired the goddess’ proposal.

Corporations and clans had so far made the biggest investments into the development of the Abyss cities. No matter how much support the government provided, only companies and clans could invest that much money on such large-scale development.

The most important thing for them was that the cities built in the Abyss would make them steady profits without getting destroyed by monsters.

For that, they willingly served evil god constellations.

-Isn’t it a crime if you get caught on Earth?

-You don’t really get caught, and even if you do, you just have to bribe the right people... Honestly, there were many people who seemed to believe in the evil god constellations.

It wasn’t confirmed, but it would’ve been awfully strange if none of the world’s famous millionaires had fallen to the temptation of an evil god constellation. By merely believing in an evil god constellation, those people could receive various powers and other amazing rewards. Who wouldn’t go for that?

Moreover, unlike ordinary people, the rich could always get out of a jam with money. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

‘Still, it’s good that such corruption exists.’

Those who served a constellation with a righteous heart were hard to persuade, but those who were blinded by profit were easy to persuade. If he undermined the other constellations and told those people to serve him, they would certainly come to his side.

[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ says she thought you would be satisfied.]

“By the way, did Adaquaniel come up with this plan?”

[...]

***

On Earth, there was still some turmoil because of the S-grade raid, but the Abyss was rather quiet. Even if an S-grade monster was to emerge in China and destroy several cities, everyday life continued as usual in countries on the other side of the world. It was the same for the cities in the Abyss.

“It’s good that Earth is in turmoil.”

“You’re right.”

There were a lot of French people in Monterre, a new city in the Abyss. It was only natural, since Alland, a major French company, had invested heavily in the city’s development, and a large number of French hunter clans had also participated in this.

“If we attract unnecessary attention, we’re going to get cursed at. If someone writes an article about us, the media will tell us not to touch the Abyssal races.”

Gaston, who worked as Alland’s general director, frowned.

Why had they spent so much money to build a city in the Abyss?

The reason for that was to bring people and exploit the abundant resources of the Abyss. To do that, they naturally had to drive out the Abyssal races first. It didn’t matter if they pushed out the creatures or killed them. However, the more eyes there were on them, the more restrictions they had on their actions.

“You’re right. I saw an artifact that the dwarf tribe was armed with during the last conflict, and it was incredible. The hunters didn’t dare to confront them and backed away.”

“Yes! The people who have never been to the Abyss are just talking nonsense. If we leave the creatures alone, won’t they come and wipe us out? It’s the same with President Georges. He lost his mind after he almost got eaten by a monster. What, should we just leave the French base to the American hunters?”

The French people still hadn’t recovered from the shock of the Paris invasion. Back then, the French hunters had been the first ones to flee while the foreign hunters stepped in and rescued their president. After that, Georges wanted to hire American hunters to build a new base in France.

From the looks of it, he planned to leave the city in the hands of Americans the moment it was built.

-I can’t accept it! I’m going to invest in new things!

The Alland company had teamed up with several investors and hunter clans in France to announce a new city. It was a blatant disregard of President Georges' decision, but they didn’t care. They put their interests above the president’s reputation.

If American hunters managed the city, the French had to be cautious and follow the rules no matter what.

“He’s going to be kicked out soon anyway.”

“Yeah. The ugly side has been exposed, so he’ll never be re-elected.”

President Georges had been popular at first for his rude way of speaking and his overall unconventional behavior, but all his shortcomings had gradually come to light.

In addition to the new city project, there were bumps and failures on all fronts, which meant that his reputation was plummeting, with fewer and fewer people approving of his decisions.

For Alland, it was better for a crazy and unpredictable individual like George to disappear quickly.

“France is almost ruined. How the hell did a guy like that become president?!”

“He’s a traitor. Didn’t he give away the treasures of France the other day?”

In reality, France had returned the Korean treasures they had stolen in the past, but it didn’t matter to these French people here. No matter the circumstances, once a treasure fell in the hands of France, it was the treasure of France.

“Mr. Gaston. A guest has come.”

“What? Was there an appointment?”

“It’s the A-grade hunter, Hunter Choi Yeonseung...”

“!!!”

Gaston, who was sitting on a chair, spilled his coffee in surprise. One of the people he just cursed at was visiting him out of nowhere!