Return of the Shattered Constellation - Chapter 160

Chapter 160

Rumble…!

While Chang-Sun was going up against the Killer Overlord Czestochowa, the other Players had been fighting the Crna Ruka assassins. Although the sudden terror attack shocked them, the Players quickly regained their composure and fought back, proving that they were veterans. The Team L members had also joined in on the fight and helped the Players, turning the tides of the battle.

[The Player ‘Shin Geum-Gyu’ has activated the Skill ‘Ouroboros Festival,’ blessing the Party Members!]

[The Player ’Shin Eun-Seo’ has activated the Skill ‘Shield Attack,’ pushing away the enemies!]

[The Player ‘Woo Hye-Bin’ has activated the Skill ‘Storm Deity’s Summon,’ allowing her to fight brilliantly!]

…

Using the Magical Core, Geum-Gyu quickly extinguished the fire. At the same time, Eun-Seo and Hye-Bin quickly took out the assassins one by one.

“Shit…!”

“Where in the world did they come from?”

“The Crna Ruka! Those sons of bitches!”

Boom, boom, boom!

Woosh, woosh, woosh―!

However, the Players were worried about the people who got caught up in the explosion at the train station. They had to find and rescue any survivors quickly, so their inability to do so made them frustrated.

Joachim Wolff’s eyes blazed up with anger. ‘Constantine! How dare you cross this line!’

Joachim had a rough idea of who was behind this ambush. It had to be the Red Eagle Constantine Brunit, who often got compared to Joachim in many ways and practically had the Illuminati Senate in his hands.

Their goddess emphasized not only bravery and victory but also civilization and benevolence. Nevertheless, Constantine was an obsessive fanatic who thought having victories and marching forward as the goddess’ soldiers were the only ways to spread the goddess’ doctrines. In fact, Constantine had won many wars and had proven his value, which was how he acquired his high-ranking position. It was also the reason why the current Illuminati had become more popular as a Raid Team than a religious order

However, Constantine didn’t hesitate to use any kind of method or conspire if it meant achieving victory. That was why he was acquainted with the Killer Overlord. Hence, Joachim thought it was Constantine who had requested the Crna Ruka to ambush the Players at the station—no, no one else could have done this. Constantine himself wouldn’t even hide it. He didn’t care how badly the French Players would be affected during the ambush. What mattered to him was increasing the number of the goddess’ followers, not what happened to the people in the secular world.

For that reason, Joachim planned to find Constantine as soon as he finished dealing with this terror attack, but he also couldn’t help but think that making Chang-Sun the Illuminati Clan leader was his calling and a work the goddess herself had given him. After all, Constantine and the other Senators were this afraid of Chang-Sun.

‘Goddess, please give me the courage to go through hardships and the power to punish the enemies that try to twist your teachings,’ Joachim prayed to the ‘Twilight-Piercing Owl,’ who recently stopped giving oracles or messages, as he activated [Werewolf Transformation].

Paah!

Howl―!

[The Divine Creature ‘Blue Wolf’ loudly roars!]

Meanwhile, a several-meter-tall Bone Dragon walked around the endless fire and scoured the area, trying to find something instead of focusing on the battle. The Dragon wasn’t a ‘real’ Bone Dragon since it was fundamentally just a Skeleton Dragon made by assembling the bones of a low-level Dragon. To be more precise, the Dragon was more like a Skull Lindwyrm since it didn’t even have proper wings yet.

“Mireille! Where are you? Mireille! Argggh!” Henri Bloque was pulling his hair as he sat on top of his Skeleton Dragon‘s head because Mireille was kidnapped right before his eyes just a minute ago. He desperately tried to go after her, but all he could do was watch the kidnappers take her away because more opponents suddenly showed up and stopped him.

“Mireille…!” Henri bit his lower lip.

He was an immigrant and an orphan, so he didn’t many friends before. Hence, to him, Mireille was his first friend and a treasure he wouldn’t trade for anything else in the world. The thought of how he should get Mireille back filled his head as the anxiety made his eyes bloodshot.

Thump, thump, thump…!

While the Skeleton Dragon walked around, the ground fiercely shook.

Choo, choo―!

From afar, a metal lump quickly moved in the direction of the Players, releasing fumes as it made a clinking sound.

[The Train ‘ANG’ has appeared!]

[All the Players who will carry out the Dungeon Quest are advised to move to the station and board the train.]

It was the desert train that the Players had to board to clear the ‘Wuthering Stone Desert.’

* * *

The Crna Ruka assassins’ code names ironically all originated from Eastern European patron saints. Cansio was named after Saint Joannes Cantius, who taught bibliology and saved the poor. Kunegunda’s name was from Saintess Kunegunda, who was born as the Hungarian King’s niece, became the Polish queen, and protected her people from the Tatarians, who invaded Poland.

The Killer Overlord’s codename ‘Czestochowa’ was from the castle that stored the holy icon known as ‘Black Madonna.’ The Overlord was notorious for calling herself a ‘madonna that leads people to peaceful deaths,’ and she was currently living up to her notoriety as she smiled benevolently at Chang-Sun.

However, Czestochowa was a demon in Chang-Sun’s eyes, which still had the Inferno Sights that could see through the true nature of everything in this world. Perhaps he was feeling this way because of the dozens of ‘masks’ behind her.

Pzzzz―!

[The ‘Laughing Demon Face’ is looking at you with happiness!]

[The ‘Crying Demon Face’ is looking at you with sadness!]

[The ‘Sulking Demon Face’ is looking at you with jealousy!]

…

From underneath Czestochowa’s feet, black smokes rose high up in the sky and mixed together. They took the shape of dozens of distorted demonic faces, each with a different kind of expression and looking down at Chang-Sun from every direction.

Every mask looked so alive that Chang-Sun felt as if he was standing before dozens of people—no, it felt like dozens of people were inside the individual named Killer Overlord Czestochowa.

She was using [Demon Face], Xue Yong’s trait and authority. Whenever Xue Yong fought in a battle, he constantly wore different masks similar to the ones before Chang-Sun. He also used all kinds of skills, ensuring he would win no matter who he was up against.

Bian Lian[1] was one of Xue Yong’s proud <Myths>. Back when Chang-Sun was still the ‘Divine Twilight,’ Xue Yong had given him trouble with his Bian Lian techniques, and it looked like Czestochowa, Xue Yong’s apostle, could freely use that authority.

[The Celestial ‘Big Sick Bug’ is very curious about what you will do now that you have run into his apostle!]

Xue Yong seemed to be having a lot of fun right now while watching Chang-Sun, who had messed with the ‘Gemini.’ He even wondered what Chang-Sun’s next move was going to be.

[The State ‘Cruel Tiger’ has been changed into the State ‘Strict Tiger’, enhancing your ability to think!]

‘Should I summon my subordinates? Would I be able to win if I outnumber her?’ Chang-Sun wondered how he could kill the Killer Overlord.

Using up all the divinity in his stigma, drawing up the energies of the [Yuchang Sword] and [Tiamat’s Snaggletooth] to the fullest, attacking her together with his subordinates… He considered every possibility, reaching one conclusion: he would lose no matter what he did.

‘So she’s an ‘Overlord’, huh?’ Chang-Sun narrowed his eyes.

He believed that if he fought with his subordinates, he would somehow be able to take on a ‘Duke-Class’ high-ranker like Joachim, but it seemed he still wasn’t strong enough to go up against an ‘Overlord,’ the highest level that a human could reach.

‘I definitely need Laevateinn to at least have a chance of fighting on equal grounds.’ Chang-Sun rationally analyzed his ability. ‘And if I want to fight her alone, then I should get <Blood Lightning> first. ’

He would have to clear his three targeted Dungeons as quickly as possible before he could stand up against such an opponent. Hence, he decided against summoning his subordinates since that would just reveal one of his secrets to someone he couldn’t silence for good yet. As the fire around Chang-Sun subsided, he uncrossed his arms and lowered the [Yuchang Sword] and [Tiamat’s Snaggletooth].

Kiyoo?

Just like Chang-Sun, Cadmus had been glaring at the Killer Overlord. However, it tilted its head in confusion as it looked at Chang-Sun. In anyone’s eyes, it looked as if Chang-Sun no longer wanted to fight. Hence, Czestochowa confusedly asked, “Oh, my. You aren’t giving up already, are you?”

Czestochowa came here because her Guardian had urged her to while she was feeling bored. Thinking she would be able to have an interesting fight, she got fired up, so she ought to feel disappointed by how Chang-Sun behaved. However, although it hadn’t been long since Czestochowa had met Chang-Sun, he didn’t seem to be the type of a person who would give up because he was going to lose anyway. Hence, she thought that Chang-Sun had come up with a countermeasure. Was Czestochowa’s observation wrong?

“I don’t have to be the one to fight you.” Chang-Sun shrugged.

“Hmm? Do you mean someone else is here?” Czestochowa dramatically blinked like an actress.

Chang-Sun just looked up instead of answering Czestochowa. “Isn’t it about time for you to come out now? I’m sure you’ve already noticed it, but Mireille Aliano has the cryptical book, and they have taken her.”

Thinking it wouldn’t be fun to leave Chang-Sun alone anymore, Czestochowa reached out her hand to grab one of the [Demon Faces] in the air as she asked, “Who are you talking—!”

She abruptly stopped, however, because the moment Chang-Sun finished speaking, someone dropped from the sky, their sleeves loudly fluttering in the air. The scene made Czestochowa’s already big eyes bigger. Since It had already been over ten years since she had earned the title of an ‘Overlord,’ she thought no one would be able to sneak under her radar, but someone else was really in their vicinity, just like Chang-Sun said. It didn’t matter if she had let her guard down. She still found it hard to believe.

However, someone was more surprised than Czestochowa: the glasses-wearing old man who had shown up after deactivating his Concealment Skill—Jaegal Hyeon-Ryong. His eyes gleamed as he fixed his glasses. “How did you know I was here?”

* * *

Hyeon-Ryong couldn’t understand what was going on right now. ‘Seriously, how did he find me?’

After the terror attack in the station, Hyeon-Ryong realized Chang-Sun suddenly disappeared, so he immediately began to chase after him.

‘I can’t tell how he killed Kunegunda either even if I consider all kinds of possibilities.’ Hyeon-Ryong narrowed his eyes.

By the time he found Chang-Sun, he had already taken out all the Little Finger assassins and was confronting Cansio, so Hyeon-Ryong couldn’t help wondering what trick Chang-Sun used.

Of course, if Hyeon-Ryong considered the fact that Chang-Sun had become stronger absurdly fast, Chang-Sun taking on Kunegunda sounded plausible, but the problem was that she wasn’t alone. She had dozens of the best assassins in the world with her, so even a high-ranker would’ve had to risk dying if they tried to take on all of them at once, making Hyeon-Ryong even more surprised.

Chang-Sun didn’t seem to have become a high-ranker yet, though. After all, if he had become one, he wouldn’t have stayed obedient to Executive Director Oh. Rather, he would’ve already taken over the Future Strategy Department.

‘The aura around him is also…’ Hyeon-Ryong’s eyes momentarily shone in gold as he used [Fiery Eyes of Truth].

Chang-Sun couldn’t fool one of the greatest fighting deities, but Hyeon-Ryong couldn’t just conclude that Chang-Sun was just lucky since he sensed [Seclusion Art]. Although Chang-Sun had intrigued him ever since Cadmus had born, Hyeon-Ryong now became incomparably more fascinated with Chang-Sun than before.

However, as if there was nothing to be surprised about, Chang-Sun calmly replied, “Well, that’s a given.”

Hyeon-Ryong’s eyes slightly widened as he repeated, “It’s a given?”

“Yes.” Chang-Sun nodded. “You would think I would go where the cryptical book is.”

“What? Ha! Hahahaha!” Hyeon-Ryong chuckled dumbfoundedly and soon burst into laughter. He didn’t think Chang-Sun would find out he was tailing him because of such a simple reason.

“What a great insight you got!” When his laughter died down, his eyes were still burning with madness because of the [Fiery Eyes of Truth]. “Executive Director Oh guaranteed me that I’ll witness many interesting things if I keep my eyes on you. I understand him now!”

Curling up one end of his mouth, Hyeon-Ryong asked, “So what do I have to do now?”

“I need you to buy me time until I rescue Mireille,” Chang-Sun replied.

“You’re making that sound really easy even though it isn’t. We’re standing before the Killer Overlord, and you want me to stop her?” Hyeon-Ryong chuckled.

“You can, can’t you?” Chang-Sun shrugged, rendering Hyeon-Ryong speechless.

In all his life as an old monster of the Council of Elders, no hoobaes ever talked this assuringly to him. Not even Executive Director Oh could. However, Chang-Sun seemed to believe that Hyeon-Ryong was more than capable of dealing with the Killer Overlord. It was almost as if Chang-Sun was aware of some of his secrets. Moreover, he looked as if he didn’t care even if Hyeon-Ryong couldn’t. After all, he had implied that Hyeon-Ryong wouldn’t be able to find the [Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan] otherwise.

Chang-Sun’s reaction sparked Hyeon-Ryong’s twisted desire to win. Although he felt as if this young man was toying with him, Hyeon-Ryong strangely didn’t feel displeased by it.

‘If he’s this quick-witted, he has probably noticed who my Guardian is,’ Hyeon-Ryong thought.

“Well, I’m speechless,” Hyeon-Ryong mumbled as he opened his hands wide and turned them upward.

Woosh!

Golden light gathered up above his hands, and a long staff appeared. It was the [Ruyi Jingu Bang], which was the relic and authority that the Evil Wu Hou Jaegal got after he became an apostle of a certain fighting deity. Lightly swinging it, Hyeon-Ryong straightened his posture and exhaled deeply. “Phew…!”

Pzzz―!

Opaque steam came out of his mouth, spread everywhere, and made Hyeon-Ryong look like he was riding on a cloud—such was the effect of the Authority named [Nimbus]. As Hyeon-Ryong used [Fiery Eyes of Truth], [Ruyi Jingu Bang], [Nimbus] altogether, he revealed the presence of a great being.

[The Celestial ‘Ill-Tempered Buddha with Golden Eyes’ opens his eyes!]

A golden storm spread across the land as the apostle of the Fighting Buddha ‘Monkey King’ Sun Wukong unleashed his suppressed power.

Woosh, woosh, woosh…!

1. An ancient Chinese dramatic art. They change from one mask to another almost instantaneously. ☜

Namu’s Thoughts

Invictum: YOOOOOOOOOO ITS SUN WUKONG THIS IS GONNA BE LIT

Namu: Hahahahahaha