Return of the Shattered Constellation

Chapter 250: Star, the Four Overlord Conference (9)

「That’s a pity. It must have been his ace in the hole. Hehehehe!」 Simon Magus chuckled inside Chang-Sun’s head.

To take out Ben Eddy’s Blood Golem, Chang-Sun simply fed it his own blood and activated [Bloodshed], forcing the Blood Golem to self-destruct. Golems normally tended to absorb their main material through their cores to sustain their bodies. Just as the Iron Golems absorbed iron and Mud Golems absorbed mud, Blood Golems absorbed blood. It consumed the blood of the enemies it killed, used that to replenish its stamina and strength, and continued fighting. That was why Blood Golems specialized in fighting chaotic battles and could grow even stronger as they fought more battles. Ben, known to be the best mage in the world, chose a Blood Golem to guard him for that very reason.

Thump!

Chang-Sun picked up the [Golem Core] that had dropped on the ground. Although he had no use for it right now, he had no reason to throw away a gift. However, just as he was about to put it into his inventory…

「Huh? W-wait! Stopppp!」 Simon suddenly shouted after making odd sounds.

「M-master! Can I have that?」

For some reason, his voice was shaking.

“Why?” Chang-Sun asked.

「That isn’t just an ordinary [Golem Core]! It’s a relic made using Saxnot’s secret technique!」

The Celestial Saxnot knew all sorts of unknown sorcery, which was a little different from magic. Sorcery revolved around borrowing mystical and supernatural power from a third party, so it had no set system or theories. That was why even <Heaven> thought of Saxnot as a mystery.

Chang-Sun had acquired a myriad of trophies, but none of them caught Simon’s attention. However, having spent his entire life uncovering a variety of mysteries, Simon really didn’t want to miss the opportunity to do that again. He had a hunch that successfully analyzing the mechanism and sorcery spell engraved in the [Golem Core] in Chang-Sun’s hand would significantly improve his ability.

“Why should I?” Chang-Sun tilted his head in response.

「Huh?」

“Why should I give this to you?”

「…!」

Simon, who was lost in excitement, instantly came to his senses and finally realized what Chang-Sun meant. Although Simon couldn’t defy or resist Chang-Sun because he was trapped in the iron mask right now, that situation could change. If Simon acquired this [Golem Core], he could free himself by transforming into a Golem, and since he also happened to be an expert in black magic, there was no telling how he would use the Blood Golem. Chang-Sun didn’t trust Simon enough to let him have the relic.

「That’s—!」

Simon subconsciously held his breath even though he knew that he didn’t have a mouth. He had a feeling that he had to give the right answer right now since his destiny depended on it.

‘I can control the Blood Golem remotely to protect or assist you in fights.’ Simon quickly came up with a list of advantages in his mind. ‘In case of an emergency, my ability to control a Golem can be useful, and—!’

“I’m joking.” Chang-Sun chuckled.

「…Huh?」

“Take it.” Chang-Sun handed the [Golem Core] over to Simon.

Watching everything through Chang-Sun’s eyes, Simon held his breath again as he wondered if this was another test.

“You don’t need it? I have no other choice, then…” Chang-Sun pretended to open his inventory.

「N-no! I need it! I am in desperate need of it, my great master! Bahahaha! I can’t believe I have a Blood Golem now! Hooray! Hooray!」 Simon hurriedly yelled.

Chang-Sun quietly chuckled once more as he transferred the ownership of the [Golem Core]to Simon and allowed him to project his mana into it.

Oooooong!

[Golem Core] shone.

‘... Was he really joking?’ Simon wondered.

This new side of Chang-Sun surprised Simon. Did Chang-Sun go through some kind of emotional change when he met his friend Kali?

‘Still, who makes a joke that menacingly?! Gosh!’

Simon was terrified either way.

* * *

[The ‘Golem Core’ refuses the new type of mana that it has detected!]

[Your Subordinate ‘Simon Magus’ has activated the Skill ‘Magic Engraving to reformat the existing operating system in the ‘Golem Core’ and install a new one!]

[Installing…]

…

[The Celestial 'World-Supporting Pillar’ actively protests against you, telling you not to lay a finger on his relic!]

[The installation process has been completed!]

「Ha! Piece of cake.」 Simon laughed pompously.

Although the [Golem Core] was Saxnot’s relic, Ben was the one who used it. No matter how great he was, he couldn’t outwit a demigod who had lived for over a thousand years. Turning Saxnot’s relic into Simon’s was easy as pie.

「It’s really funny this was all that guy could do with this kind of relic. Ha! Rise.」

At Simon’s command, the [Golem Core] levitated and spun like a top. At the same time, Chang-Sun cut his palm a little with [Tiamat’s Snaggletooth] and let his blood splatter in the air. His blood multiplied dozens of times and converged in the [Golem Core] with the blood that had been maintaining the Blood Golem. into a five-meter-tall Golem.

「The mana injection process is proceeding seamlessly. Hehehe.」

Simon’s laughter was getting louder by the minute.

「Next comes separation.」

Again at Simon’s command, the Blood Golem lost its form and dropped to the ground. It didn’t break down, but the red blood used to make it spread on the ground and floated in the air.

「This is also going well. I expected nothing less from Saxnot.」

Unlike Ben, Simon didn’t intend to use the Blood Golem as just a powerful combat machine. The [Golem Core] was just the Blood Golem’s medium and enhancer to physically interact with the world, not everything it had.

「Blood Arrow」 Simon incanted, causing the blood drops to immediately transform into arrows.

Chang-Sun was a bit surprised.

‘Well, he did study [Prelati’s Spellbook] and [Bestla’s Poem] nonstop. Still, he made quite quick and huge developments to his skills.’

He had a feeling that Simon would soon exceed his level as a demigod and become a Celestial.

「He’ll soak his pants once he sees this. Fire.」

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

When numerous blood arrows were let loose, Chang-Sun turned in the opposite direction. He didn’t have to see the outcome. After all, what was about to happen was already apparent. Ben could somehow stop the rain of arrows, but he would be helpless against Simon’s Blood Golem. As Chang-Sun expected, the message that he was waiting for popped up.

[The Player ‘Ben Eddy’ has failed the Sudden Quest!]

[The Celestial ‘World-Supporting Pillar’ collapses on the ground.]

* * *

Rumbbble…!

The ground around the main palace’s ruins still shook faintly due to the aftershocks. With each tremor, clouds of dust puffed up.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Aside from Joachim Wolff, the over one hundred thirty Clan leaders were far too focused on the message that popped up before them to actually care about the aftershocks.

[Eliminated Participants List]

Sergei Zolotov.

Ben Eddy.

They were all far too shocked by the fact that both the Flying Dragon Overlord and Mage Overlord had lost. The two Overlords had been the symbols of Europe for so long, yet they were easily eliminated the moment the Sudden Quest began.

The Clan leaders had mixed emotions. The Tyrant had already surpassed the level of Overlords.

“Hahahahaha!” Immortal Overlord Jacque Valentine, who had been silent during the Four Overlord Conference, suddenly burst into laughter. He seemed to be having so much fun.

The other Clan leaders couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable. Jacque was usually expressionless and silent, so he looked like he was laughing at them for being too greedy. Nevertheless, Jacque paid them no heed and just stroked his face, staring at the people who were watching him.

“I knew it would turn out this way,” Jacque murmured.

“… You already expected this outcome, Immortal Overlord?” Miguel Panza, the representative of the Don Quixote Clan in Europe, frowned a little.

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you stop us—!”

“Would you have listened if I did?” Jacque smirked. “Those two suggested building a community or something, and I lent them my name. I think I’ve done more than I had to for you all and my country. Besides, I’m this quest’s mediator, not a participant.”

When Jacque mentioned the word ‘mediator,’ Miguel turned pale and realized that Jacque had zero intention to help them in this quest even though he was their last hope. Now that he thought about it, Jacque Valentine was actually not on the list of the quest participants, which meant…

“Why are you all just sitting around?” Jacque tilted his head. “The Tyrant is probably on his way to this place now.”

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

If they didn’t do anything, Chang-Sun would crush them all. Finally realizing the magnitude of the situation, the Clan leaders hurriedly activated their Skills and asked their Guardians for their blessings.

~

[Granting blessings!]

[Granting protections!]

…

However, the situation took an unexpected turn.

[The Player ‘Vasco Faiba’ has given up the Sudden Quest!]

[The Player ‘Antonio Costa’ has given up the Sudden Quest!]

…

“Vasco…!”

“Tony! Why would you give up?!”

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to be on the wrong end of this slaughter.”

“How can you still not see it?! The Tyrant defeated both the Flying Dragon Overlord and Mage Overlord with one strike! Yet you still want to fight that monster? That’s simply madness!”

Messages about Players giving up the quest popped up from everywhere in the room. Although they were here with one goal, their two leaders had been defeated, so no one could stop them from fleeing. Besides, Jacque also had no plans to join in.

“O-oh, no. I think I l-left the stove on at home. L-let me go and ch-check!”

Some people even ripped their teleportation scroll to escape. In an instant, a large chunk of their group disappeared.

‘I-it all fell apart too easily…!’ Miguel thought in despair.

As the most fervent supporter of Ben Eddy’s propaganda about Europe taking the world hegemony once again, he wanted to sink down to the floor now. His hope for a brilliant future was disappearing like a sandcastle being devoured by ocean waves.

“Everyone is going nuts.” Joachim Wolff smiled bitterly as he looked at the Players in confusion.

Although Joachim was watching the fight without worry, he could feel the adrenaline rushing through his veins and his heart racing. That gave him a rough idea of how much despair Chang-Sun’s enemies were in. Up until a moment ago, they had been at his neck, so seeing them mess up was funny yet left a bad taste in his mouth. On the other hand, he was just grateful that Chang-Sun was his ally.

‘I was right. Mr. Lee Chang-Sun is more than just a ‘king.’ Joachim clenched his fists. ‘He’s going to be an emperor ruling over kings.’

At that moment, Chang-Sun landed on the highest pillar.

Tap!

“T-the Tyrant is here!”

“Get ready to defend…!”

He appeared so quietly that the Clan leaders noticed him a little late. Sixty of the Players who were still pondering about fleeing quickly gave up the quest. Although almost half of the Players had already given up, that also meant half of them chose to continue with the quest. Some of those Players, like Miguel, believed in the fact that they outnumbered Chang-Sun, while some were just forced to continue by their Guardians’ scolding.

Regardless of their reasons, fighting against Chang-Sun was inevitable. The Players simultaneously activated their Skills, causing brilliant rays of light to shine from all over the place. After receiving multiple blessings and protections, the fear in their hearts started to disappear.

‘Maybe, just maybe, we can win this…’ Groundless belief filled the Players' heads. All the delegates present were renowned high-rankers, and some of the Guardians that were blessing them right now were very powerful, like ‘Garden Gatekeeper’ Uriel. Taking those into consideration, they thought they still had a chance to win. Once they had made Chang-Sun kneel, they could hit the jackpot by delivering the final blow and clearing the quest. All kinds of possibilities flashed across their heads.

“Kneel,” Chang-Sun said coldly, shattering all their dreams.

[The Skill ‘Tiger Kill’ has been activated, dominating the battlefield!]

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

Chang-Sun’s purple lightning energy spread throughout the main palace and covered the entire Illuminati headquarters, turning the world around them purple.

A purple Giant stood up from behind Chang-Sun and looked downward. It looked like the Giant in legends that prevailed on battlefields. Feeling as if it would immediately pull out a hammer and strike them with it, the Players became suffocatingly pressured. If they made just one wrong move, they would turn into pulps.

Clang!

Clang, clang―!

Thump…

One after another, the Players eventually dropped their weapons. Some even threw away their weapons and collapsed on the floor, unable to withstand the pressure anymore. Those who still resisted were turning pale, making it clear that they would soon yield as well.

[The Player ‘Lee Chang-Sun’ is dominating the battlefield!]

[All participants have given up the Sudden Quest (Celestials’ Quest)!]

…

[The nickname ‘Tyrant’ and the name ‘Lee Chang-Sun’ have become known to all the Players in the Channel ‘Europe’ of the Server ‘Earth.’]

[You have unlocked a new achievement (Fable), establishing an environment within the Channel and Server to create Faith.]

[Fable: Apostle Defeat.]

[A new ‘Narrative’ is being created!]