Return of the Shattered Constellation

Chapter 207: Star, the Illuminati (3)

Standing in a meeting room where only several people showed up, the ‘Red Eagle Duke’ Constantine Brunnit had to squeeze his brain, trying to find solutions for the reports that were pouring in via text messages from a moment ago.

「An oil truck ran into Daniel’s car! Fire has engulfed the area!」

「Dietrich Schumacher was suddenly found dead in his study! There are signs of him ingesting a lethal poison!」

「We lost contact with Lenny. He seems to have gone missing…」

「Walter declared he’ll leave our faction, saying he doesn’t want to end up dead like the rest. He’s terrified.」

Some of the Black Eagles, Constantine’s followers in the Illuminati, had gotten into accidents on their way to the meeting. Anyone could tell that they were no ordinary accidents. The people behind the accidents were targeting the Illuminati—Constantine’s followers, to be exact.

The problem was that Constantine couldn’t do anything about it. If these accidents took place several days ago, Constantine would have been able to mobilize not only the Illuminati but also the German Council to apprehend the people responsible. One order from him would have made his numerous subordinates do whatever it took to get the job done.

Now, however, almost nobody obediently followed his orders. Most of his subordinates ignored his order or calls, and the few subordinates who stayed loyal to Constantine became noticeably dispirited after ‘accidents’ continuously occurred.

‘Crna Ruka…! How dare those fuckers betray me?! I’ve been giving them so much until now!’ Constantine thought in anger.

He knew that the Crna Ruka was behind these accidents. No other criminal organization was audacious and skilled enough to assassinate people in broad daylight. It seemed they had decided to blame everything on Constantine after the Clan was driven into a corner due to the current incident. Constantine didn’t believe the rumor about the Killer Overlord getting killed by the Tyrant in the Dungeon, but he now thought it could be true.

“Red Eagle Duke!”

“People are in chaos! Please make a decision now!”

“Too many people have declared they’ll be leaving the Black Eagles. You have to decide now!”

No matter what the truth was, all that mattered right now was that Constantine’s power within the Illuminati was weakening. Even right now, the people who used to just tiptoe around him now threatened him to come up with a solution.

Moreover, Joachim was already on his way to the main meeting room with the Tyrant and Immortal Overlord. The White Wolves, Joachim’s followers, were already high-spirited and were taking over the Illuminati Senate, and, to make things worse, the senators who always claimed to be neutral and the Illuminati’s sub-organizations were turning their backs on the Black Eagles.

As soon as Joachim arrived at the Senate meeting room, proposed his agenda, and pounded the gavel a couple of times, Constantine would be removed from his seat immediately.

Constantine had to find a solution before it happened.

“Red Eagle Duke!”

“Please decide…!”

However, he came up with nothing. It was as if he was standing on the edge of the cliff.

* * *

Although the Illuminati headquarters was on the outskirts, it was not far from Frankfurt. It only took a little over an hour to reach it, but those traveling to it by car would have to detour to get there. Hence, Chang-Sun and his group decided to take the train instead. As a result, they ended up having several unexpected meetings.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Paul Grant of the Hellfire Club. I know it’s rude, but I’m here to invite you to England.”

The Hellfire Club was the biggest Clan in England and Ireland. Most of its members were from high society, making them politically influential in England, Europe, and North America. Moreover, after their Clan leader, Paul Grant was the most famous man within the Hellfire Club.

The ‘Cursed Baron’ Paul Grant had been conferred knighthood from the royal family of England and was a Duke-Class high ranker. To top it all off, he was expected to be the next Overlord. Although Chang-Sun didn’t answer him, Paul amicably continued, “I heard you hate formality and beating around the bush, so I’ll cut to the chase. Mr. Lee Chang-Sun, if you’re willing to join the Hellfire Club, you’ll immediately be granted British citizenship and be conferred knighthood from the royal family.”

Although the Hellfire Club was known to be very arrogant, they seemed eager to recruit Chang-Sun, surprising the Team L members. Joachim Wolff, who had been getting more nervous and tense the closer they were to the Illuminati headquarters, became displeased with Paul, who was shamelessly trying to recruit Chang-Sun even though Joachim was right in front of him. Joachim couldn’t help chuckling dryly after he saw how highly the Hellfire Club valued Chang-Sun. Many countries’ intelligence agencies seemed to have found out that Chang-Sun had defeated the Killer Overlord.

“In addition to that, the Mage Overlord, my Clan leader, is showing great interest in you, so if you want, you’ll have the chance to become his student,” Paul continued.

‘… No, I guess they don’t know about that yet.’ Joachim bit his lip, trying to hold back his laughter.

Recruiting Chang-Sun would’ve still been a long shot even if the Hellfire Club promised Chang-Sun a seat equal to the Mage Overlord’s, much less his student. Considering their offer, the Clan seemed to consider Chang-Sun lesser than a King-Class Player. On top of that, Paul, who delivered the proposal, looked at Chang-Sun as if he would never be able to decline such an offer.

Naturally, it would be illogical to think that Chang-Sun and the Mage Overlord were on the same level. Just like the Immortal Overlord, the Mage Overlord was considered to be one of the strongest Players in Europe. In fact, the Mage Overlord was England’s franchise Player. Nevertheless, Joachim found everything funny since he knew what had happened to the Killer Overlord after belittling Chang-Sun.

‘Even right now, Clans are already eager to recruit him… If his true skills are revealed, then Europe—no, the entire world will be turned upside down.’

And that moment was coming soon… Joachim’s heart raced, feeling as if he could already see it.

“I’ll wait for your call.” Paul left his business card in front of Chang-Sun and stood up from his seat.

Chang-Sun didn’t hesitate to reveal how much he didn’t care, but Paul just quietly chuckled, thinking Chang-Sun was playing hardball to get a better offer. After Paul left, more people came to scout Chang-Sun. After some time…

“… Gyeo-Ul,” Chang-Sun said quietly.

“Yes, hyung.”

“Block the entrance.”

As ordered, Gyeo-Ul spread his shadow and covered the entire train compartment. The compartment they were in was the last one, and the Illuminati and the Revenant Clan rented the entirety of it. Hence, they didn’t have to worry about blocking the other passengers’ way.

‘Wow…! He’s so cool.’

‘Skills are definitely a must.’

‘That is my oppa. So many people said hi, but he never batted an eye. He definitely doesn’t give a shit about anything.’

Woo Hye-Bin, Shin Geum-Gyu, and Shin Eun-Seo looked at Chang-Sun in amazement. Although many people had tried to scout Chang-Sun before, the offers he received now were on totally different levels. The seat of the Mage Overlord’s student, tens of billions of wons for transfer fee… every offer was jaw-droppingly shocking. Even famous Clans like the Vikings and Green Gang made an offer, but Chang-Sun still didn’t care. All he did was admire the scenery outside the window, not even glancing at the pile of business cards on the table.

Pzz―! Woosh!

A flame suddenly sparked from the business card pile and burned it to ashes, which then disappeared.

* * *

Not all of Chang-Sun’s guests were friendly.

“What’s this? It’s cumbersome.”

“Why are you acting so sensitive? He’s trying to act cool here.”

The curtain of shadow that had been blocking the entrance of Chang-Sun’s compartment was suddenly forced open, making Gyeo-Ul frown. Two men covered in tattoos walked inside with all sorts of piercings dangling on their ears and necks.

They looked, talked, and behaved the same as if they were identical twins, but they had one distinct characteristic—ethnicity. One was a South African wearing white clothes, and the other was a Caucasian with blond hair and blue eyes wearing black clothes.

[The Celestial ‘Fire Rat[1] Under Broad Daylight’ reveals his incisors, smiling wickedly at you!]

“No way…?”

“Monochrome Horses?”

Eun-Seo and Geum-Gyu froze up, recognizing the two men. The Shin siblings had learned about them during the White Tiger Clan’s new employee training. Also known as ‘Black and White Devils’ overseas, these men were criminals wanted worldwide for committing all sorts of terrorist attacks and crimes together. In fact, these demonic beings were so evil that Interpol put their names on the red notice.

They mostly operated around Afghanistan these days, but they suddenly showed up in Germany during broad daylight! It was practically suicide because aside from Jacque Valentine and Joachim, the executives from various Clans were on this train to recruit Chang-Sun.

As a matter of fact, Jacque, who had his eyes shut and remained quiet since the train departed, opened his eyes slightly, suddenly sensing stinging demonic energy. However, all he did was smirk.

‘Fire Rat Under Broad Daylight’ was one of the Celestials who had requested Satan to conduct an investigation about Chang-Sun, but it seemed the Celestial couldn’t wait anymore since Chang-Sun had delayed carrying out the quest. Hence, he dispatched his apostles.

[The Celestial ‘Tsunami Bringer’ roars at the star who broke the promise and approached you first!]

[The Celestial ‘Antlered Animal King’ narrows his eyes!]

[The Celestial ‘Primordial Evil Dragon’ threatens the Celestial ‘Fire Rat Under Broad Daylight’ that she will bite his head off if he does not withdraw his apostles!]

…

[The Celestial ‘Fire Rat Under Broad Daylight’ snorts as he watches the Celestials complaining.]

[All the <Purple Star Astrology> Celestials warn the Celestials who are complaining that they are willing to go to war with anyone who continues to suppress their member!]

Celestials never knew how to wait. Compared to humans, they basically lived forever, but they had zero patience, especially when it came to mortals. Jacque had stood down when Chang-Sun had blackmailed him, but he had been wondering how Chang-Sun would deal with the Celestials’ resistance. Once irritated, there was no telling what kind of tantrum they would throw.

[The Celestial ‘Malignity-Drinking Saturn’ feels unpleasant for ignoring him as a mediator but whispers to his apostle that this will be a good preview to the sparring.]

Jacque nodded in agreement after reading the Guardian’s message.

‘How can they be this predictable?’ Chang-Sun chuckled, looking at the Monochrome Horses, who were right in front of him.

“How dare.”

“You laugh at us?”

In contrast, the Monochrome Horses frowned deeply.

[The Celestial ‘Fire Rat Under Broad Daylight’ bristles up his fur, not liking how confident you are.]

The ‘Rat Star’ Bai Sheng[2] was a sly and quick-witted monster deity who used to be a rat with fur made of fire, just like his divine name ‘Fire Rat.’ He always acted violently around those weaker than him, so whenever the <Purple Star Astrology> Celestials started something, he would always put his nose into them if they looked easy.

‘Xue Yong went missing right after he met me, so they’re trying to find out what happened and want to lure out anyone who could be protecting me in secret like Mephistopheles,’ Chang-Sun assumed.

Bai Sheng was one of the weakest Celestials in <Purple Star Astrology>, so that could be why the Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Mansion sent Bai Sheng. It didn’t matter if he died or not. Without knowing that, Bai Sheng had been tempted by the fact that he could claim Xue Yong’s assets.

‘From what I remember, he’s on… Tian Shi Yuan’s side.’

Tian Shi Yuan was one of the Three Enclosures, and he had the most followers. Innately vicious and tenacious, he often made Chang-Sun go through troubles.

[The Celestial ‘ Calamity Tiger’ bares his fangs, asking why the Celestial ‘Fire Rat Under Broad Daylight’ is messing with his subordinate!]

[The Celestial ‘Fire Rat Under Broad Daylight’ tells the Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ to stay out of this since it was decided by the Society ‘Purple Star Astrology.’]

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ is taken aback.]

[The Celestial ‘Fire Rat Under Broad Daylight’ shouts that the Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ should stop pretending you are his subordinate when you are not. ]

…

[All the <Purple Star Astrology> Celestials agree with the Celestial ‘Fire Rat Under Broad Daylight.’]

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ advises you to become his subordinate!]

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ yells that he cannot protect you from these Celestials if you do not become his!]

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’...]

…

Heoju was trying to protect Chang-Sun from the <Purple Star Astrology> Celestials’ threat for some reason. It seemed Heoju wasn’t aware about the <Purple Star Astrology>’s plan.

[A Sudden Quest(World Net) has been created!]

[World Net]

Type: Sudden.

Description: Many Celestials of the <Purple Star Astrology>, the great Society of <Heaven>, searched for the ‘Big Sick Bug’, who has gone missing, everywhere. Finding no traces of the Celestial, they began to pay attention to you instead, the one who met the ‘Big Sick Bug’ right before he went missing, thinking other Celestials could have been involved.

To verify this, they tried to test you with the ‘Malignity-Drinking Saturn’ as the mediator, but they concluded that you are hiding something when you postponed the test. Hence, they have now decided to take matters into their own hands. Many of the <Purple Star Astrology> Celestials’ subordinates have besieged the train to capture you, including the two Players who got in your compartment. Escape their sturdy blockade.

Objective:

1. Escape from the siege.

2. Eliminate the leader or throw your pursuers off the track.

Prerequisite: ―

Time limit: ―

Reward: ???

Looking at the quest window, Chang-Sun coldly smiled. ‘I’ll be able to seal quite many Celestials.’

1. It’s a legendary creature that appears in Chinese mythology. It’s known to live inside a volcano or the Kunlun Mountains. Pouring water over it when it’s outside the fire it lives in would kill it instantly. ☜

2. Just like Xue Yong, Bai Sheng is from the Chinese novel named Water Margin. He and Xue Yong are part of the 108 heroes that appear in the novel. ☜