Chapter 498: Chapter 498

The Chef of Endless Gluttony suppressed his anger. For the time being, he had a more important enemy.

Whatever. Let’s move on.

“Thank you.”

Given your revelation, the secret I’m about to tell you doesn’t even feel much like a secret... But let me tell you anyway. This was before Earth was connected to the Abyss. It is a boring story, but...

“Not at all. I find it very exciting.”

Is that so? That’s strange. Are you that interested in humans?

-He still doesn’t fully understand your identity, Successor.

Choi Yeonseung was very focused.

Presently, magic and monsters felt like natural occurrences on Earth, but it had only been this way for around a hundred years.

The constellations of the Abyss had reached out to Earth, competing to see who could become its master... There had to be an underlying cause for all of this, something that had connected Abyss to Earth!

One day, the Master of Slowness and Silence came to me. At that time, we were both powerful constellations. He told me that he found a prosperous kingdom with so many souls that no other kingdom in the Abyss could compare to.

“Hmm, I guess?”

Earth had nearly a billion souls, making it an unparalleled jewel for constellations in the Abyss. It was no surprise that many constellations coveted Earth and competed for it.

But at that time, Earth was outside the Abyss. It was in another dimension without any magic power. The Master of Slowness and Silence said, “Let’s use the power of the constellations to connect Earth and the Abyss. If you do, you will have the power to reign over the Abyss forever.”

“...What? That’s so blatantly obvious... Why did you believe the Master of Slowness and Silence?”

Choi Yeonseung was taken aback. Basically, a stranger had come to the chef constellation and said, “Pss... Do you want power?” He should’ve instantly been suspicious.

-But the goddess of balance...

-Shut up.

[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ becomes sullen.]

At that time, I didn’t know the nature of the Master of Slowness and Silence. Until then, no... Even now, there aren’t many constellations who know the nature of the Master of Slowness and Silence. He is such a quiet, dull constellation...

The Chef of Endless Gluttony explained it simply. At the time, that decision took a lot of consideration. A lot of power of existence and household members had to be invested in that plan, so it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

However, the Chef of Endless Gluttony eventually joined the Master of Slowness and Silence in his plans. The biggest reason was the fear that other constellations would reach out and have all the power for themselves if he didn’t accept.

Of course, we couldn’t connect Earth to the Abyss just by ourselves. We needed more constellations, and the Master of Slowness and Silence made efforts to recruit more. The Demon of Contract and Order was one of them. His unique power was necessary to amplify the power of the constellations.

The Chef of Endless Gluttony paused briefly before continuing, He could amplify our power in return for signing restrictive contracts.

The constellations gathered through the power of the Demon of Contract and Order were able to connect the Abyss to Earth, but that also allowed humans to enter the Abyss. None of the constellations had expected that.

Humanity, which had been ignorant of magic for tens of thousands of years, adapted and eventually came to retaliate against the Abyss.

“Can you tell me the names of those constellations?” n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Of course. First, the Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood. He was recruited last, so he was completely unaware of our secret alliance.

“...”

-...

Choi Yeonseung and the goddess of sloth were both amazed. How could the berserker constellation not doubt the others...? They had told him that they would give him a kingdom, and he had accepted it without hesitation...

Because of that, the other constellations had managed to hide their identities and had given the First Kingdom connected to Earth to the Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood.

The next one is the Demon of Contract and Order. You’re aware that he’s already fallen.

“Yes.”

The one in charge of the Second Kingdom was the Demon of Contract and Order, but he fell at the sudden invasion of the explosion constellation. Eventually, Choi Yeonseung stepped in and eliminated the explosion constellation.

Then there’s me. Even though I lost my strength and memories because the Master of Slowness and Silence attacked me, I am in charge of the Third Kingdom.

“Is there a reason the Master of Slowness and Silence betrayed you?”

Maybe it is because I was the most suspicious and wary of him. It is likely he thought I would make things bothersome if he left me alone. The next constellation...

Choi Yeonseung was nervous, as he was now going into unknown territory.

Which constellation would he have to face next?

...The Greedy Owner of the Treasure House.

“???”

Choi Yeonseung paused.

...The Greedy Owner of the Treasure House?

“He’s part of the alliance...?”

Choi Yeonseung had run into that constellation a few times.

If the Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood was an extremely aggressive constellation that couldn’t control his anger, the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House was very crafty and good at controlling his anger. Besides, all his actions felt stingy.

Last time he bumped into Choi Yeonseung, the stocks owned by his subordinates were going to crash. Thus, he begged Choi Yeonseung in order to preserve his money.

That constellation was part of the alliance?!

Of course, I won’t deny that the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House is a modest, petty, and small constellation. But by no means is he weak. The master of the next kingdom is the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House. You need to be extra careful. His power grows along with the greed of Abyssal mortals. It goes without saying that humans’ greed also empowers him...

‘Yeah, that’s true.’

Choi Yeonseung was convinced by the chef constellation’s words.

There were several constellations that had been rather mediocre in the Abyss but had suddenly gained tremendous strength after emerging on Earth.

The Greedy Owner of the Treasure House must’ve benefited a lot from Earth. After all, wealth was significantly more important for humans than for Abyssal races.

Dealing with him is simple and difficult at the same time. Firstly, get rid of as many of his household members as possible. That will weaken him.

“Thank you for the advice. I’ll keep that in mind. The next constellation?”

I’m sure you have met before. The master of the Fifth Kingdom is the Goddess of Pleasure and Lust.

“!”

She's the most volatile and dangerous constellation in the alliance, and she’s among the strongest constellations in the Abyss. Truth be told, I don’t know how one can deal with her. I’ve never interacted with her, so I can’t give you any advice. Just do your best.

“Alright. I’ll keep that in mind.”

As for the Seventh Kingdom, its master is probably the Master of Slowness and Silence himself. There were seven of us. There are a few ways you can cripple him, but you’ll probably need to conquer the Seventh Kingdom to deal him a real blow.

“Wait, you’re one constellation short. ”

Choi Yeonseung was puzzled.

The Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood, the Demon of Contract and Order, the Chef of Endless Gluttony, the Greedy Owner of the Treasure House, the Goddess of Pleasure and Lust and the Master of Slowness and Silence—there were six of them in total.

I don’t know who that constellation is. They hid their identity. Only the Master of Slowness and Silence knows. They were in cahoots with the Master of Slowness and Silence even before I joined. It’s likely that the two of them planned everything together.

“That’s suspicious... What kind of constellation...”

If you ask me, I think the Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead is pretty suspicious.

[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ jumps!]

[She begs you not to believe him!]

-Goddess, do you really think I’d doubt you?

Choi Yeonseung comforted the goddess of balance.

A few individuals had been suspicious of her, but she reacted like this was the first time something like that happened.

[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ tearfully asks if you really believe her.]

-Of course.

[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ says she thought you wouldn’t believe her because she is even worse than her household member, Adaquaniel.]

-...

-Answer quickly!

Choi Yeonseung was flustered for a moment, but the goddess of sloth quickly urged him to say something.

-No!

The Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead is a suspicious constellation in many ways. I’m sure I’m not the only one who doubts her.

Regardless of whether Choi Yeonseung appeased the goddess or not, the chef constellation continued to tell his story.

‘I’m glad.’

Choi Yeonseung was relieved that the conversation was brought back to its original course.

“Why?”

“She very rarely interacts with other constellations, and she's a bit too interested in humans. She’s even learned about their culture. To make it worse, there’s a rumor that she harbors an abnormal lust for a human who serves her... It’s plausible that someone with such a perverse desire wanted to connect Earth to the Abyss.”

“...Don’t believe such rumors, chef constellation. Buying into rumors will render you unable to see the truth.”

You have a point, but still. Her Future Sight is also very rare and powerful, so I can’t help being suspicious.

“It’s not the goddess of balance, so try to think of someone else.”

You think so? Fine.

The chef constellation accepted Choi Yeonseung’s words in a surprisingly compliant manner. Now that they had joined forces to deal with the Master of Slowness and Silence, it was only natural to trust his ally.

In any case, discovering the identity of the last constellation isn’t urgent. Rather, I think it’s more important to defeat the constellations you know first. If you trample on everyone, the last constellation will come out of hiding on their own.

“I was already planning on doing so. Attack...”

You still don’t understand the scale of this. How do you think the other constellations will react to this? You’ve conquered the Third Kingdom, so surely they’re all wary and with their guard up. Besides, they know about my grudge, so they’re probably suspicious of your alliance with me. It won’t be long before they take action. You have to think about defense first, not offense. The constellation battle draws near.

“!”

The chef constellation made a good point.

Of course, I know you expected this situation. That’s why you tried to recruit many household members in this realm.

“...Of course!”

But that’s still not enough. It’s important to gain household members, but it’s also important to take away the enemy’s household members. Take away the enemy’s household members and the mortals they wish to recruit in their household.

“?”

Choi Yeonseung was puzzled.

‘It’s that easy?’

Then, as if he read Choi Yeonseung’s mind, the chef constellation explained, Of course, it’s not easy to recruit a mortal that another constellation is aiming for, but I think you can do it.

“Why is that?”

Well, given that you can disguise yourself as a human and live on Earth, it must be easy for you to bewitch and brainwash other mortals.

“Uh, it’s not like that...’

Choi Yeonseung tried to clear up the misunderstanding, but the chef constellation ignored him.

I will send my household members to form a blockade around your territory in case of an invasion. You will take away the household members of other constellations!

***

“I don’t think I’m that skilled,” Choi Yeonseung muttered.

Illeya was closely watching him, and she said under her breath, “Unscrupulous, like a chairman.”

“Is that so? Maybe I’ve become used to it.”

Choi Yeonseung was glad to hear that. Of course, he knew that Illeya meant to call him evil, but he disregarded that. As a constellation, she had to work hard to adapt without showing weakness.

All the mortals were fighting hard, so why was a constellation complaining?