Return of the Shattered Constellation

Chapter 276: Star, the Revival Plan (1)

“We’re done here. Let’s head back.” Tiamat pointed in a certain direction while riding on Pabilsag’s shoulders.

Feeling dumbstruck because of her mother, Pabilsag said, “I think you can come down now. You’re heavy.”

“My, my! You always ride on your mother’s back, you know. You’re as big as a horse now. It’s making my back so sore.” Tiamat dramatically pounded her back with her tiny fist.

Although that only dumbfounded her further, Pabilsag didn’t say anything else on the matter since she would just end up losing anyway. Nevertheless, she didn’t hide her discontentment, pounting hard as she opened up a portal.

Bel-Marduk and the other <Horoscope> Celestials started to take action, and the <Purple Star Astrology> Celestials were scheming on Earth. Celestials like Pabilsag and Tiamat would be in trouble if they cooped up in one place.

“My youngest is sulking ag—!” Tiamat stopped midsentence and suddenly turned her head in another direction, detecting someone with an aura that felt familiar and foreign at the same time. The individual was opening the divine ground by force.

The presence of the being was enormous. Pabilsag tensed up and prepared to grab the bow hung over her shoulders, instinctively feeling that she was far too weak to deal with this great Celestial. After all, their divine class was as high as a Ruling Celestial’s.

[The Celestial ‘Tsunami Bringer’ has descended!]

Paaah!

A blue ocean wave dropped down from the sky. It then spread into ripples.

Thud!

The Celestial emitted formidable spiritual pressure as he landed on the center of the divine ground, trampling over the space.

Neptune, the Celestial of ocean and one of <Olympus>’ three Ruling Celestials, raised his head. With sharp eyes, he looked at Tiamat, who was riding on Pabilsag’s shoulders, and said, 『Tiamat, I would like to have a talk with you!』

His loud voice echoed like a rough ocean wave. Whenever a Celestial spoke in their divine voice using their divine power, their remarks were recorded in Idea, so they had to choose their words carefully.

Tiamat’s eyes widened in surprise. Neptune was respectfully expressing his desire to talk with her, which showed her that he wasn’t here with hostile intentions. After a short while, her eyes changed into a Dragon’s—a clear indication that her [Magical Dragon Eyes] were opening up.

Tiamat responded, 『You’re arrogant, Neptune. Don’t you know whose ground you’re standing on and who the owner of the <Nammu> is? You’re the Ruling Celestial of <Olympus>, so how can you be this rude?』

Neptune looked at Pabilsag, making her flinch. Nevertheless, she stared back at Neptune, trying not to cower in front of him. Among her siblings, Pabilsag took after Tiamat’s guts the most.

『I’ll come back later to formally express my apology, but I hope you’ll give me an answer to my request.』 Neptune was prideful, so he was actually making a great concession right now.

Adorably crossing her arms, Tiamat asked, 『Fine, let’s talk. What do you want to talk about?』

『You and I share nothing in common, so there is obviously only one possible topic of conversation for us, isn’t there?』

Tiamat’s eyes turned sharp.『Are you talking about Lee Chang-Sun?』

『To be precise, I’m talking about the soul who may be Odin or Twilight.』

『So?』

『Are you aware of the fact that I sent him an invitation and he accepted?』 Neptune asked.

『Roughly.』

『My invitation wasn’t the only one he accepted. Over two hundred ten thousand Celestials sent him an invitation, and he challenged every single one of them, saying he wanted to complete his [Dragon Breath].』

Grinning a little, Tiamat thought, ‘I was wondering why he was busily running all over the place. Haha! So it was to complete [Dragon Breath]!’

After spending eight months traveling from divine ground to divine ground, Chang-Sun made Francois Prelati use the unique technique [Space Severance] on him again.

Wondering Chang-Sun’s reasons, Tiamat and Pabilsag could only tilt their heads in confusion, but they finally understood now. He wanted to complete [Dragon Breath], the Authority Tiamat had taught him, to master Fulgurator and the rest of [Prelati’s Spellbook].

‘Wait, he accepted quite a lot of invitations and asked just as many Celestials to spar with him. How much stronger has Chang-Sun become?’ Tiamat wondered.

Chang-Sun became quite powerful in just a year, so if he spent way more time fighting Celestials, Tiamat couldn’t begin to fathom how high his level was now.

‘Seriously… everything about him is extraordinary.’

He focused on nothing but training for a very long time.

Tiamat felt as if she could already hear screaming from Earth. In fact, she pitied Heoju, Chang-Sun’s first target. Maybe…

‘... He has already finished his <Exuviation>.’ Tiamat would have smiled if not for the circumstances.

『I’m not sure if you know this, but I’m quite busy. So let’s keep this simple,』 Tiamat answered nonchalantly, keeping her emotions hidden.

『We need to have an in-depth talk about him, but since you seem busy, can I bring your daughter with me as your representative? Many are waiting for you two to come,』 Neptune hurriedly said. Tiamat’s response made him feel quite anxious.

The Celestials who sent their invitations to Chang-Sun gathered up to talk about him? Thinking she couldn’t think lightly of this, Tiamat looked at her youngest daughter, and with a heavy heart, Pabilsag nodded. Tiamat had a feeling that this meeting could turn into something serious.

‘There is no way that sly snake just returned after his sparring sessions,’ Tiamat thought, instinctively realizing that Chang-Sun was the one who made the Celestials have a meeting. Although she didn’t know what he talked about with those Celestials since he hadn’t told her or Pabilsag about it, she knew that this was Chang-Sun’s surprise event for her and her daughter. For some reason, she was looking forward to being in this meeting.

At the same time, Tiamat was disappointed. Like what she told Neptune, she had to leave to deal with Bel-Marduk, so she wouldn’t be able to attend the meeting.

‘I’ll break off your horn for this, Bel-Marduk.’ Tiamat showed a faint and menacing smile.

Nodding, she allowed Pabilsag to leave with Neptune. “Fine, let’s hear about that agenda first.”

* * *

On the outskirts of the South Side in Chicago, the United States…

The hideout of Kali’s priests were located on the outskirts of the South Side, which was a slum. There used to be nothing around it, but it was now engulfed in fire due to the explosions all over the place.

[The Instance Dungeon ‘Gray Elf Base’ is on fire!]

“Ahhhhh!”

“Everything is burning!”

“We should somehow put it out—another fireball incoming!”

“Runnn!!!”

The sturdy magic barrier of their hideout crumbled down as black smoke spread into the sky from the burning Parasitic Tree. When the Parasitic Tree took root in Earth’s soil, the Gray Elves installed houses on its branches. However, the tree and houses now only served as firewood that made the fire bigger.

Tap, tap.

“It’s very noisy,” Director Gwon Hyo-Hae calmly mumbled, dusting off the ashes on his shoulders.

The subordinate beside Director Gwon bowed. “I’m sorry. This seemed to be the only way to knock down their barrier.”

“Tsk!” Director Gwon clicked his tongue in discontentment. He hated noisy environments. “Won’t the Council come after us for this?”

“You probably don’t have to worry about that part. The people from the Jaynix Company said that they’ll distract the Council—!” The subordinate stopped speaking when Director Gwon glared at him. Realizing his mistake, he straightened up as he answered, “The Jaynix Company will deal with the Council and FBI! They’ll raid this place only after we’re done with our business here!”

“Good. It’s better to make this look like one person is behind this, is it not?” Director Gwon asked, implying that they should frame Chang-Sun for everything that they were doing.

“I’ll make the necessary arrangements to make sure the Council and FBI agents reach that conclusion in their investigation,” the subordinate said firmly.

Finding the subordinate’s answer satisfactory, Director Gwon moved away.

Tap!

At that moment, a Gray Elf leaped out from Director Gwon’s side and swung their sword. “I’m going to kill you!”

The Gray Elf was covered in soot, having survived the explosion albeit with difficulty. Nevertheless, although their attack was quite sharp…

“You’re bugging me.” Director Gwon scoffed as he turned toward the Gray Elf.

A long, single-edged saber appeared in Director Gwon’s empty hand. He instantly chopped off the head of the Gray Elf that was coming at him.

Slash!

Splash―!

Tap.

Tap.

Letting the Gray Elf’s blood splatter all over him, Director Gwon slowly headed inside, his ghost energy leaving a distorted image of a tiger.

[The Hohwan Mama has spread all over the place!]

* * *

“Arrrgggh!”

“W-we should s-stop them—urgh!”

“Kekeke, they can’t even stop my simple attack, so how can they stop anything?”

“It’s lacking. Too lacking. The feeling of ripping their limbs is lacking in so many ways!”

Rumble…!

Thud!

A demonic being mumbled to himself, seemingly not having any fun, as a giant branch dropped down from the sky. Although the branch was sturdy enough for a dozen adult men to stand on it, the fire still burned it all up. Gray Elf corpses littered the area, evidencing the brutality of the massacre that took place here. However, the Fire Demon, Maniac Demon, and Sword Demon—the culprits behind this hell—didn’t look impressed.

Collectively known as the Three Demon Heads, the three White Tiger Clan Council great elders were already notorious demonic beings that the Council had red-coded and wanted to apprehend using any means necessary before they even joined the White Tiger Clan.

“You people will rot in hell—!” One of the Gray Elves glared at the demonic beings, bleeding as they fell to the ground.

“Kekeke! We probably will, but we won’t be the ones dying here today.” The Maniac Demon laughed coldly and put his hand on the head of the Gray Elf, the latter’s lips trembling. The Maniac Demon continued, “It’s you.”

Smack!

The Maniac Demon tightened his grip only a little, yet he still shattered the Gray Elf’s head so easily that it was as if it was a watermelon. Shaking off the flesh on his hand, the Maniac Demon burst into laughter. “Hahahaha! Let’s kill. Kill! Let’s get to the Source quickly!”

The Fire Demon indiscriminately unleashed explosions, and the Maniac Demon went after the Gray Elves who were fleeing in fear, shredding them to death one after another. The two demonic beings were responsible for half of this massacre.

Meanwhile, the Sword Demon just quietly walked several feet away from the two demonic beings. If anyone saw him right now, they would think the Sword Demon was just on a stroll compared to the other two demonic beings.

Paah, paah, paah!

Swoosh―!

Ghost Soldiers and Gildals were locked in combat all over the place, but the Three Demon Heads were the ones leading their advance. Since the Three Demon Heads were away from their group, they were in danger in some ways. In fact, many of the Gray Elves targeted them, but the three demonic beings seemed to be enjoying the situation. Instead of going through the trouble of tracking down the Gray Elves one by one, they were voluntarily coming to the Three Demon Heads to be killed instead.

Splash!

Splash!

Puddles of the Gray Elves’ blood trailed behind the Three Demon Heads. Looking at them, some of the Gray Elves trembled in fury. “How… How did they discover—!”

Even though the White Tiger Clan and Jaynix Company were closing in on the Gray Elves, they believed that it would take a long time before they could find this place.

‘Unless there is a mole among the siblings—!’ Nain unwittingly gasped, cutting his train of thought, when the Maniac Demon stopped fighting the Gray Elves and turned his head toward him. When their eyes met, the demonic being ominously smirked.

Paah―!

The Maniac Demon darted toward Nain. Three Gray Elves tried to stop him, but they burst like fireworks instead. In no time, he reached Nain.

“Hahaha! There you are! I think I can have fun with you!” The Maniac Demon smiled hideously as he curled up his fingers into hooks and swung his hand. Five red rays flashed from his fingertips and whizzed toward Nain’s head.

He had just activated [Blood Claws]—the Skill responsible for his notoriety in the past. The moment the Maniac Demon’s fingernails emitted blood red light, he gained teh ability to tear through anything in his way. To make matters worse, the Hohwan Mama also multiplied its damage several times.

Nain had lost most of his power when his Guardian died. No matter how great a martial artist he was, he had a limit in dealing with the Maniac Demon.

Claaaang!

Nevertheless, Nain still tried to deflect the demonic being’s attack. He summoned a wooden staff from the ground, quickly grabbed it, and successfully parried away the Maniac Demon’s right [Blood Claws].

“Hahaha! You’re certainly quite skilled!” the Maniac Demon yelled in delight.

Swoosh―!

Unfortunately, Nain did not notice the Maniac Demon’s left [Blood Claws], which were flying toward his nape.

‘No!’ Nain tried to change his grip on the wooden staff in surprise, but the Maniac Demon was quicker.

“Ninth Branch!” The 102nd Branch, who was beside Nain, hurriedly swung a wooden sword they summoned at the Maniac Demon’s waist just as the latter’s red fingernails were about to reach Nain’s nape.

“Get out of my way, vermin!” the Maniac Demon cursed and turned his torso midway.

Swinging his arm in an arc, the Maniac Demon’s [Blood Claws] shattered the 102nd Branch’s wooden sword and pierced their left chest.

Stab!

“You…!”

“Nain, get out of here—!”

Boom!

Before they could finish speaking, the 102nd Branch burst into pieces, ripped by the blood light from the Maniac Demon’s [Blood Claws].

The Maniac Demon was now glowing as blood-red as his [Blood Claws]. Grinning as wide as he could, he howled like a hungry beast.

“No—!” Nain shouted in surprise.

“You don’t have a shield anymore, so stop being a nuisance and just die already!” the Maniac Demon roared coldly as he pounced at Nain. The light he emitted was blindingly bright, and each ray of the light was as sharp as a spearhead.

‘My goddess.’ Nain tightened his grip on the wooden spear, gritting his teeth.

Although the 102nd Branch told Nain to run away, he didn’t even consider the option. Too many of his siblings were killed, and where was he even supposed to go? Even if Nain managed to successfully flee, these people would tenaciously hunt him down using any means necessary.

‘Please grant your incompetent follower power.’

Hence, he decided to fight back instead even if this place ended up being his grave.

‘Fight back. Don’t retreat,’ [1] Nain recited Kali’s teaching, then thought of ‘Divine Twilight,’ whose return Kali told him to wait for.

Nain had met ‘Divine Twilight’ in person before during the latter’s stay by Kali’s side. While sparring with Kali, the ‘Divine Twilight’ lost over and over again, but he never failed to stand back up, his spear still in hand. After trying for years, ‘Divine Twilight’ finally achieved victory. Although Nain was Kali’s priest, he became a fan of ‘Divine Twilight’ at the time.

Right now, he could vividly picture those moments.

‘Twilight, be my witness.’

Woosh, woosh, woosh.

Remembering the determination of ‘Divine Twilight,’ Nain pierced his wooden staff deep into the ground to stand firm, then fiercely spun his wooden staff.

Just before Nain’s wooden staff and the Maniac Demon’s [Blood Claws] could clash, Nain saw a man who reminded him of ‘Divine Twilight.’ From the sky, the man folded his radiant wings and landed between the two.

Booom!

[‘■■■ ■■’ has descended!]

“… He resembles Kali’s kiddo whom I saw before,” the man muttered quietly under his breath, looking at Nain.

Chang-Sun had arrived.

1. The raw was 임전무퇴(臨戰無退). This is from Se Sok O Gye. They are the five codes of the Hwarang, the warrior group that existed during the Silla dynasty. ☜