Chapter 441: Chapter 441

‘I can’t believe they’re ready to serve a constellation just because I gave them some food. Are the demons actually on the same level as the orcs?’

Choi Yeonseung thought that if he had said that out loud, Barigos would’ve been furious. No matter how much he respected Choi Yeonseung as a powerhouse, he wouldn’t forgive him for comparing them with the orcs.

Of course, their willingness to go under a constellation didn’t stem solely from the fact that they had received delicious food.

-The Beast of Swords and Spears will most likely try to kill us, so we need to stay in a constellation’s shadow for a while.

“Indeed...”

Hearing that, Choi Yeonseung immediately took back his presumption about the demons. It wasn’t so much the hospitality, but the strategic advantage that had prompted Barigos to make that decision.

The Beast of Swords and Spears was most likely bloodthirsty because of the betrayal of the demons, even though the demons proudly insisted that it wasn’t betrayal, but “a flexible change of allegiance due to the change in circumstances.”

Regardless, even the most fearless demons had to be careful.

-It might sound rude, but my demons and I don’t intend to stay in one place for too long. We shall leave after we fulfill our obligations. I don’t know if the Undefeated Incarnation of Training will allow that.

“He’s fine with those conditions.”

-Huh? What nonsense is that? You should check again with your master.

Barigos looked at Choi Yeonseung with a dumbfounded expression.

It was dangerous for a constellation to allow something like that, even if their most favored household member was the one to request it. Capricious and violent constellations would go back on their word for the smallest of things.

Besides, Barigos considered that Choi Yeonseung had to show more humility in matters that involved his master.

“No... It’s okay. Me and the Undefeated Incarnation of Training are pretty close.”

This conversation was getting increasingly more awkward for Choi Yeonseung... He was the incarnation constellation!

Barigos looked worried but nodded.

-Fine. After all, someone as powerful as you wouldn’t be mistaken about something like this! Besides, you’ve probably known the Undefeated Incarnation of Training much longer than me...

Barigos suddenly paused.

“What is it?”

-Nothing. I just remembered how that constellation deceived you back then in the Abyss.

“...”

[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ apologizes and says it was all her fault.]

***

Barigos and the demons meticulously drafted the contract.

-You have to treat us to three meals a day. The side dishes should be at least seven servings.

‘These guys must’ve really liked the soybean paste soup with their rice.’

Choi Yeonseung was flabbergasted as he listened to the demons list off the rice and the side dishes in the contract after swearing that they would join him in fighting the beast constellation.

Were they actually doing this just because they wanted to eat a lot?

‘Eh, but it’s not a bad deal.’

Choi Yeonseung needed more power in this invasion, and Barigos and his demons would certainly be reliable soldiers.

Besides, this agreement was very beneficial for Choi Yeonseung if the demons were satisfied with just being served food made from the ingredients from his large farm.

-I like this stewed potato side dish. Can I write in the contract to include this as a side dish?

-I like japchae.

-I think we should put stuffed cucumber kimchi on the list of side dishes.

-Stuffed cucumber kimchi? Don’t you know that stir-fried spicy pork is way better than that? Honestly, that’s why your swordsmanship sucks.

-How dare you insult my swordsmanship?!

“...Alright, settle down. I’ll add them all to the contract.”

The demons had been ready to draw their weapons and fight each other over their opinions, but they rejoiced and started laughing after hearing Choi Yeonseung.

‘These bastards... No matter how I look at them, they seem like orcs.’

***

[The ‘Humble One-Eyed Archer’ laments the foolishness of humans!]

[The ‘River of Mercy’ is angry that humans don’t listen when they are trying to help.]

The good god constellations started making moves the second the invasion began. They had been on high alert thanks to the constant warnings from Choi Yeonseung and the Undefeated Incarnation of Training.

The moment they took action, the chaos and confusion subsided... Or rather, it should’ve subsided...

How can humans become more foolish as time passes?!

The Six-Winged Angel Who Hunts Dragons was beyond irritated with the situation.

The first invasion had been better in some regards. Back then, even though many nations were in a state of panic, they all forgot about any grudges they had for each other. They did what the constellations told them and worked together in order to survive against the monsters.

But this invasion was different.

Humans had become terribly arrogant over the last few decades and were too stubborn to accept the advice of constellations and cooperate with each other.

-Well, we’d love to cooperate, but that despicable country has sent spies in our country to uncover our secrets...

-Constellations, stop blackmailing our country! You have caused tremendous damage with your trade sanctions!

The constellations were fed up not only with their stubborness, but also with their attempts to use constellations for their own benefit.

There was scheming in the Abyssal kingdoms as well, but they were almost pure compared to the countries of Earth.

[The ‘Six-Winged Angel Who Hunts Dragons’ says to support the fighting household members and minions.]

[The ‘Arrogant Light Elf’ agrees, but cynically says that the situation isn’t good right now.]

The elf constellation had a cold attitude.

Of course, most constellations would support their household members and minions during such times. However, there was no point in doing that when the world was so chaotic.

[The ‘Arrogant Light Elf’ says that many of his minions were knocked down because of humans.]

In such dire circumstances, the first one to come forward would always be the one who suffered the most.

The household members and minions of the good god constellations had obeyed their orders and gone to fight, but they had been greatly harmed because of the uncooperative attitude of humans.

As such, it was only natural that some of the constellations were angry.

[The ‘Observer Who Returned From a Cold Place’ says there is a way.]

...!

The Six-Winged Angel Who Hunts Dragons frowned at the remarks of the constellation he didn’t get along with.

The angels realized that their master was in a foul mood, so they carefully asked what was wrong.

-Master, are the wicked ones trying to disturb you?

I don’t really trust the Observer Who Returned From a Cold Place, said the angel constellation with a slightly dissatisfied tone.

The observer constellation mingled with the evil god constellations. Of course, she was being neutral in this whole invasion, but... To the angel constellation, who always drew clear distinctions between good and evil, the observer constellation wasn’t looking good.

‘I feel like she has some kind of hidden plan.’

Besides her suspicious stance, the angel constellation’s intuition was telling him that the observer constellation was plotting something.

The Undefeated Incarnation of Training seemed to trust her and consider her to be on their side, but not the angel constellation.

[The ‘Arrogant Light Elf’ asks what it is.]

[The ‘Observer Who Returned From a Cold Place’ says that you all need to intervene more actively in human affairs.]

Her words seemed to sway the other good god constellations.

Indeed, despite their great armies and tremendous powers, most constellations were reluctant to directly intervene in human affairs.

The reticence of the constellations stemmed from their inherent arrogance, as they considered themselves to be supreme deities, far above the trifles of mortals. Moreover, the constellations knew very little about Earth and were too arrogant to learn about it, so they naturally didn’t want to get involved.

Above all, humans were also reluctant to have the constellations get involved in their business. No government wanted a constellation to directly call the shots.

However, the observer constellation was trying to break those unwritten rules.

[The ‘River of Mercy’ is worried that humans will protest.]

[The ‘Warrior with a Hammer’ is wondering why they would worry about that given the current situation.]

[The ‘Arrogant Light Elf’ asks how they should intervene.]

[The ‘Observer Who Returned From a Cold Place’ says that one of her household members is about to make a move. It will be easier to understand after seeing it.]

The angel constellation quickly realized who the observer constellation was talking about. There was only one human in her household who could be making a move at the moment.

***

“Now that things are like this, let’s run in the next presidential election!”

“...Have you been drinking?”

“Just look at the polls!”

Han Seha indignantly pointed toward the voting ballots.

Choi Yeonseung’s approval rating was apparently high enough that he was on the leaderboard with the other presidential candidates.

“...”

-Isn’t this good? Wouldn’t you be like a king?

The goddess of sloth cocked her head. She didn’t know exactly what a president was, but she intuitively thought it was like the king of humans...

“Don’t let yourself be swayed by public opinion,” retorted Choi Yeonseung. “Ah, right. The press conference was touching.” n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Was it? Heh, I didn’t know I had a talent for acting,” said Han Seha in an emotional voice.

Kwon Yeongseung stared at her with a dismayed expression.

‘You don’t have any acting talent!’

Even if she misunderstood the situation, this was ridiculous... Kwon Yeongseung had done all the acting!

“...The Six-Eyed Turtle and I struggled to gather the reporters.”

“What? Are you really making a fuss now?” asked Han Seha in a somewhat baffled tone.

So far, Choi Yeonseung had spent a huge amount of money on establishing defense facilities near cities and mobilizing hunters. However, this guy was trying to steal part of the credit by claiming that he had led the clan to participate.

Kwon Yeongseung replied in a panic, “N-no, I’m not trying to do that! It’s just that... We’ve also had a hard time...!”

“Yes, we’re grateful to the Six-Eyed Turtle as well,” replied Choi Yeonseung. “We couldn’t have done it alone. Ultimately, we managed to defend the cities against the first waves of monsters because the clans cooperated.”

“T-thank you.”

Kwon Yeongseung’s expression brightened up.

‘But I don’t think the other clans were particularly eager to cooperate.’

Kwon Yeongseung was known to have a good personality, but the preparation process for this invasion had caused him to be angry with many people.

Of course, the three major clans in South Korea had close ties with Choi Yeonseung, so they had done their best to help him. However, all the clans below them had been awfully cautious and skeptical about this invasion, saying things like “Uh, but if there’s no invasion, won’t we have worked hard for nothing?”

Choi Yeonseung could easily threaten to crush the famous clans if they didn’t prepare properly for the invasion, but he couldn’t find and deal with all the small, nameless clans out there.

Thus, he and his close comrades had no choice but to do their best and keep pressing the others when necessary...

-What incredible insight! We really believe that you’ve made the right decision, Hunter Choi Yeonseung!

-Our clan joined late because of our lack of power, but we’ll do our best to fight nonetheless!

...After most of the danger had passed, the hunters were relieved and said, “We’ve always believed you! We’ll continue to fight hard!” The other conscientious hunters could feel their blood pressure rise when they saw them do that.

“Let’s make a list of those who didn’t cooperate and get rid of them! Right now, the politicians who opposed you are being destroyed, so let’s hang them together!” proposed Han Seha.

“They’re being destroyed?” Choi Yeonseung asked with a hint of surprise.

“Yes!”

“But this is South Korea, not the US...”

Choi Yeonseung was puzzled, so Han Seha immediately opened an article and showed it to him. It seemed that she was quite satisfied with this particular article, given how fast she pulled it up.

-The violent protests have escalated and the residence of Assemblyman A was burned to the ground... The immorality of the citizens is on full display...

?Isn’t Assemblyman A ashamed of what he’s done?

?He should be grateful that he’s still alive.

?If this was abroad, he would’ve received a few bullets.

“Now’s the time to put everyone you disapprove of on trial! Let’s stomp on them all and rule by force!”

Han Seha was being rather extreme, but Kwon Yeongseung didn’t disagree with her.

Given how heated up the atmosphere was, Choi Yeonseung could easily force a politician to retire by publicly stating that they had rolled their eyes when looking at him.

That was how much the public supported him!

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

‘Why are you intrigued by something like that?’

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

“Hunter Han Seha’s proposal is radical, but she has a point,” someone else added.

The leaders of the three major clans walked through the door one after another. Even though they had rested for a bit, their expressions were weary. They were still all over the place, busy with countless things.

“I seriously think it’s a good idea to take advantage of this opportunity to take control of the clans,” proposed one of the leaders.

“Isn’t that radical? No matter what, kidnapping the president, intimidating the executive and legislative branches, and taking away all power is just too much.”

“...?!?”

“No!!”

The clan leaders jumped up and down. They panicked because other people would misunderstand Choi Yeonseung if they heard him say such things.

“No? But didn’t you guys tell me to take control?”

“...”