Return of the Shattered Constellation - Chapter 189

Chapter 189

Was. I. Mistaken.

In a world filled with darkness, Mephistopheles quietly groaned as navy-blue fires lit up in his eyes. A crystal ball was floating in the air, showing Chang-Sun overwhelming Xue Yong with a <Dusk Lightning>. If other Celestials saw what Mephistopheles was doing, they would have been shocked. After all, no being in the sky should be able to see what Chang-Sun was doing right now, considering he had summoned his divine ground in his mind palace, then upgraded it with Underrealm, the power of the <Underworld>.

Even Ruling Celestials from major <Societies> or Creator Celestials would never be able to look into Chang-Sun’s divine ground. Unaware of what was going on, many of the Celestials watching Chang-Sun, like Jörmungandr and Heoju, panicked. Mephistopheles wasn’t sure if this certain fool knew his notoriety as the ‘great will of absolute evil,’ but she confidently came to him to ask what was going on.

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ pounds the door and asks if you know anything.]

[Ignoring her.]

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ yells that she will barge in if you do not answer her.]

[Ignoring her.]

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ hops around in anger, asking why you are ignoring her!]

…

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ throws a tantrum in front of the door, pestering you to tell her what is going on!]

…

Mephistopheles thought Pabilsag was bothersome. Although she often provoked him, he never reacted since things would become more troublesome if he bothered to respond to her every provocation. Besides, he was really busy. Some might call Mephistopheles the observer of the many worldlines in <Nihil>, where time and space didn’t exist, but they didn’t know anything.

An <Observer> was busy in their own ways. After <Deux Ex Machina>, the great mediator, divided the universe into several sections, the vast universe became complicated and grand, becoming composed of numerous multiverses and parallel universes.

In the grand universe, Mephistopheles continuously observed countless universes from the sidelines, but the only reason why he was doing so was to find his master, who had disappeared after leaving their shell in this grand universe…

However, even though Mephistopheles had spent eons trying to look for him, he hadn’t even found any clue yet. However, he did make some progress since he did find some people who could be his master.

Among them, the closest to being Mephistopheles’ master was Lee Chang-Sun from the Earth of worldline #801. The Lee Chang-Sun that Mephistopheles had been watching so far surprisingly shared a lot of traits that his master had. Chang-Sun was from Earth, had black hair and eyes, was very cold and calculating, worked closely with death, and mainly used special fires that were different from ordinary fires.

He also held grudges against Celestials and had a past filled with combat. On top of that, he was also talented in utilizing <Darkness>, which no Celestials could easily do… Appearance, behavior, motives, choices, achievements, the temper to smack the back of his enemies’ heads without hesitation… everything about them was similar, so how could Mephistopheles think otherwise?

More importantly, Chang-Sun immediately caught Mephistopheles’ attention.

He. Himself. Doesn’t. Know. He. Has. Died. Several. Times. All. The. Reincarnation. Possession. Regression. That. Happened. Around. His. Every. Death. Are. Bugging. Me.

The experiences of Chang-Sun’s soul were totally different from ordinary souls’ samsara. Hence, Mephistopheles stopped observing other worldlines for a while and focused on Chang-Sun. When Chang-Sun suddenly asked Mephistopheles to take him as a disciple, Mephistopheles accepted because he believed doing so would allow him to observe Chang-Sun in more detail. Any movement of an observation target affected the quantum dynamic that made up a worldline, so Mephistopheles thought he would get a meaningful result.

The. More. I. See. The. More. Different. He. Is.

However, Mephistopheles started to think of Chang-Sun as someone different from his master. Although they had similarities, observing Chang-Sun closely showed him that Chang-Sun was different in many ways.

First of all, Chang-Sun’s drive was totally different from Mephistopheles’ master’s. Unlike his master, who kept sacrificing themself for their family, Chang-Sun only cared about getting what he wanted. He was also a lot more selfish and calculating, and he had this cold habit of making his enemies dance on his palm.

Yet. He. Really. Loves. To. Fight.

Although Chang-Sun was wearing an iron mask, Mepshitopheles could tell through his crystal ball that Chang-Sun was definitely smiling and having a lot of fun. There seemed to be some sort of bad blood between Chang-Sun and Xue Yong, but Chang-Sun was definitely not smiling just because he had finally begun with his revenge. Mephistopheles wasn’t aware of it, but Chang-Sun was feeling nostalgic. After all, he liked swinging his sword, slitting his enemy’s throat, battles, and wars.

Besides.

Mephistopheles narrowed his eyes.

His. Fire. Changed. At. Some. Point.

After blending with the <Darkness>, Chang-Sun’s Retribution Fire, which stemmed from <Muspelheim>, completely changed into purple lightning energy—Dusk Lightning. Mephistopheles could tell that the lightning energy was what Chang-Sun had been desperately trying to acquire. Even though it produced similar results—death and combat—it was a little bit different. Dusk Lightning was destruction—no, it was annihilation that obliterated everything in its way.

Chang-Sun was trying to become a catastrophe himself. As the Dusk Lightning bolts destroyed everything they touched, the world around Chang-Sun was tinged with a sunset-like purple light that his Dusk Lightning bolts exuded.

Is. He. Trying. To. Summon. Extinction.

Mephistopheles could now tell that Chang-Sun wasn’t just trying to get simple revenge. He was trying to destroy everything his enemies held dear. At that moment, Mephistopheles realized that Chang-Sun wasn’t his master.

Of course, Mephistopheles would have to do more observation until he acquired physical proof… but he thought he’d reach a similar answer either way. Hence, he realized he had to decide if he should stop paying attention to Chang-Sun or watch him a little more.

Mephistopheles silently pondered, unable to make a decision. However, the thought of Chang-Sun being his disciple came to his mind even though Chang-Sun only became his disciple through the contract they formed to get what they needed from each other. Hence, he thought he should at least act like a teacher before he stopped paying attention to Chang-Sun since that was what he had learned from his master after following him for a long time.

It. Does. Look. Like. He. Could. Use. A. Little. Lesson.

Leaning toward the crystal ball again, Mephistopheles looked at the battlefield with purple light continuously flickering. Considering the light was partially mixed with his <Darkness>, wouldn’t Mephistopheles be able to change it so it would suit Chang-Sun further?

* * *

Celestials didn’t easily die since they were metaphysical existences. They were spiritual—no, they were conceptual beings that didn’t have physical bodies, which meant their avatars were just temporary vessels, not their real bodies.

That was why Xue Yong didn’t technically die even though Chang-Sun had crushed his head. Moreover, Xue Yong’s Authority and Trait was [Face Play]. Each and every face that Xue Yong had collected or created was a part of him, which meant he wouldn’t die even if Chang-Sun destroyed one [Human Face]. However, it was true that Chang-Sun had inflicted significant damage on Xue Yong.

“Now that I’ve thought about it, don’t you have a lot of faces?” Chang-Sun coldly chuckled as he looked at Xue Yong, who reappeared with a new [Human Face]. “I don’t know how many more faces you have, but pull out as many as you need. I’ll shatter every single one of them.”

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

[Flaming lightning rages!]

With each swing of the [Yuchang Sword] and [Tiamat’s Snaggletooth], Chang-Sun destroyed Xue Yong’s faces.

Crunch, crunch.

As if dishes were breaking, the shattering sounds continuously echoed.

『Fuck… Fuccckkkk!!!!』

Xue Yong was going through hell. Like whack-a-mole, flaming lightning bolts slew him every time he put on a face, quickly depleting his divine power. A long time ago, the ‘Divine Twilight’ had almost killed Xue Yong, but he managed to run away by using one of his faces as bait. However, Xue Yong never knew it would lead to Chang-Sun learning everything about his Traits and Talents and creating a catastrophe.

To top it all off, those damned navy-blue fire and purple lightning energy constantly put Xue Yong on edge. Every time he heard thunder from the lightning bolts in the sky, he felt as if he would have a seizure. Thinking he couldn’t keep fighting like this, Xue Yong attempted to flee, but he couldn’t find a way to escape the divine ground. However, the biggest problem he had was his divine power leaking from his neidan, which had cracked.

Thud…!

Xue Yong eventually collapsed on the ground, no longer capable of fighting back or running away.

『Huff, huff.』

The only thing he could do was pant hard.

“I was expecting you to put up more fight than that.” Chang-Sun lightly clicked his tongue as he looked down at Xue Yong with cold eyes.

Xue Yong had no idea how much Chang-Sun had waited for this moment. Xue Yong and the others had killed Gramps, caused his lover’s death, and even pushed him to the lowest floor of hell. Although Chang-Sun had just begun his revenge, his first target was defeated too easily, so it was quite irritating. However, Xue Yong was no match for Chang-Sun in the first place.

However, nothing would change no matter how much Chang-Sun took out his anger on Xue Yong. In the end, Chang-Sun lost interest and just retracted the [Yuchang Sword] and [Tiamat’s Snaggletooth].

Click!

『What… What are you planning to do?』

Xue Yong tiredly looked up at Chang-Sun with no willpower to fight back anymore.

“Well.” Chang-Sun shrugged.

『I-If you’re asking for ransom… my <Society> will be more than willing to p-pay it. I-I’ll give you anything you want. If needed, you can have my Authority, Talent, and Faith… I’ll swear my loyalty to you if you ask me to…!』

Xue Yong tried to persuade Chang-Sun using any means necessary, thinking Chang-Sun would have to take his deal. The <Purple Star Astrology>, the <Society> of which Xue Yong was a member, was the wall Chang-Sun failed to climb over. If Xue Yong was to fall here, then the <Purple Star Astrology> Celestials would take action, and Chang-Sun would face the same demise again even though he had to go through so many difficulties to resurrect.

Since Chang-Sun would never want that to happen, Xue Yong was sure that Chang-Sun would hand him over to the <Purple Star Astrology> in exchange for a high ransom and a non-aggression pact, which would eliminate the possibility of retaliation.

‘If I get out of here somehow…!’ Xue Yong desperately thought.

Of course, he had no intention of keeping his word. Although he had no idea how Chang-Sun recreated his divine ground and used the power of the ‘Divine Twilight,’ Xue Yong was sure that Chang-Sun hadn’t regained his divine class. When Xue Yong observed Chang-Sun through his apostles’ eyes, Chang-Sun’s Class was mortal.

Hence, if he could just get out of this fucking divine ground, Xue Yong could attempt to retaliate. If he ever got that opportunity, he would show Chang-Sun who he had messed with. If necessary, Xue Yong would even get his numerous colleagues from the <Purple Star Astrology> involved. After all, countless Celestials held a grudge against the ‘Divine Twilight.’

‘No, it might be better to enslave him for eternity so he can never try something like this again!’ Xue Yong came up with a plan while trying to change Chang-Sun’s mind.

However, Chang-Sun just smirked at Xue Yong while looking at him. Seeing Chang-Sun smile behind his iron mask gave him goosebumps because it seemed as if… Chang-Sun could see through what he was thinking right now.

“I don’t need that. Your fate has already been decided, after all.” Chang-Sun tilted his head.

『What…?』Xue Yong nervously asked, but Chang-Sun didn’t answer. Soon, Xue Yong vaguely heard the sound of a metal chain moving from afar. His eyes widened.

Clink, clank—!

『Wa-wait…!』Xue Yong stuttered, and Chang-Sun’s eyes turned cold.

“You’re familiar with that sound, aren’t you? There’s no way you don’t know what it is. That was what you all gave me as a present as you put me through the <Divine Trial>, after all.”

『…!』

Claannkk!

[The defendant has entered the courtroom!]

At that moment, a big message window popped up before Xue Yong. Instinctively feeling nervous, he tried to yell something, but the sound of metal chains muffled it. The sound was more horrible to Xue Yong than the thunder caused by the Dusk Lightning bolts that Chang-Sun had thrown.

With Xue Yong in the center, cracks formed in the air. When they broke apart, black metal chains jumped out from the gaps. Those were the Divine Steel chains, which were used to arrest the ‘Divine Twilight’ before.

『Let me go! Let me go!!!』

What Chang-Sun had said when they had first met crossed Xue Yong’s mind.

“I, Lee Chang-Sun, will begin the sealing process of the criminal Xue Yong as the special-rank <Underworld> reaper.”

Criminal! Reaper! And the <Underworld>! Xue Yong finally realized what Chang-Sun had meant.

『Twilight! Have you become a dog of the <Underworld>?!』

“Is there a problem with that?” Chang-Sun shrugged.

『You crazy son of a bitch! Do you know what the people of the <Underworld> do…?! Those bastards are always looking for an opportunity to make stars like us fall from the sky—!』

Xue Yong couldn’t finish his sentence, however, because the Divine Steel chains didn’t only tie him up. They also covered his entire face, silencing him. It was more severe than when the ‘Divine Twilight’ was arrested.

Clink.

With the sounds of a pulley turning, the chains tightened around Xue Yong, pinning him down just like a defendant that had been dragged out to the courtroom!

Woosh!

Soon after, a slit much bigger than the spatial gaps that the chains had popped out from appeared in the air. It then opened up, revealing one giant eye.

[The ‘eye in the darkness’ is looking at the criminal!]

Pressured by the divine class that was incomparably higher than any existence, Xue Yong’s remaining resolve to fight back was obliterated. All he could think of right now was death!

『Are you the criminal Tranquil Star Xue Yong?』

Thanatos, the judge and King of the <Underworld>, opened his eyes.