Return of the Shattered Constellation - Chapter 202

Chapter 202

Watching the disappearance of the ‘Wuthering Stone Desert,’ which had remained uncleared and had been tormenting France for so long, Joachim Wolff finally cautiously asked, “What do you plan to do now?”

Chang-Sun had surely said he would head to America as soon as he finished clearing the ‘Wuthering Stone Desert.’ Using the fame he gained in France, he would aid the White Tiger Clan. From what Joachim had heard, the Team L members’ schedule was quite tight.

However, Chang-Sun was certainly locking horns with the ‘Red Eagle Duke’ Constantine Brunit, so Joachim couldn’t help but wonder what Chang-Sun’s next move would be. He could either finish his business in America and then return to Europe or assassinate Constantine first before leaving. He could also suddenly change his mind and decide to become the apostle of ‘Twilight-Piercing Owl.’

‘I do wish he does the last option,’ Joachim thought. He didn’t know what Chang-Sun would do next, but he was certain of one thing. The balance of power would definitely change based on Chang-Sun’s choice, however…

“I have to become a ‘king.’” Chang-Sun declared.

Baffled, Joachim finched at Chang-Sun’s unexpected remark and looked at him with a glimmer of hope. Woo Hye-Bin’s eyes widened as she listened to their conversation. Meanwhile, Shin Eun-Seo and Shin Geum-Gyu held their breaths, having judged that Chang-Sun and Joachim were having a serious conversation.

“… You mean…?” Joachim asked.

“Although I was planning on staying neutral, I see no reason to avoid fighting those who keep getting in my way. Besides, incidents like this can happen anytime… Eliminating that possibility completely will stop this from ever happening again.”

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ likes your spirit and is looking forward to seeing another firework!]

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ clicks his tongue, asking the Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ if she did not understand what you meant.]

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ tilts her head, confused by what the Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ means.]

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ says that you are going to join the owl’s side.]

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ is surprised, asking you if this is true.]

…

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ begs you not to go anywhere, saying that she will treat you better.]

…

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ frowns, asking you if you really are joining that wicked goddess’ side!]

“Then come with me right now and become our Clan leader!” Joachim shouted in delight.

“I don’t intend to become the Illuminati Clan leader or the goddess’ apostle.” Chang-Sun raised his hand.

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ heaves a sigh of relief.]

“… Then how are you going to become a ‘king’?” Joachim quickly regained his composure. However, still unsure of what Chang-Sun was trying to do, he tilted his head in confusion.

For a moment, Chang-Sun looked into Joachim’s eyes in deep silence.

“…?” Joachim didn’t know what was going on until an idea suddenly flashed across his mind that made him unwittingly take a step back. “… Please tell me you’re not planning on doing what I’m thinking.”

“I’m guessing you came to the right conclusion,” Chang-Sun said calmly.

“D-don’t be ridiculous! How can I become the Clan leader!” Joachim jumped high in shock.

Having dedicated his entire life to spreading and following the goddess’ doctrines, Joachim was surprised to hear Chang-Sun’s suggestion about him taking such a high post. Nevertheless, Chang-Sun remained calm.

“Why not? Considering your current rank and popularity within the Illuminati, you won’t have any problems representing the clan,” Chang-Sun continued.

“But—” Joachim tried to refute, but Chang-Sun cut him off.

“If the seat of the apostle has to be filled first, then don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.” Chang-Sun spoke as if he could make Joachim an apostle anytime.

If others said that, Joachim would have thought they were bluffing, but it definitely didn’t sound like a bluff when Chang-Sun said it. Joachim was only half-conscious now.

“Become a king, Joachim. Isn’t a king’s friend also a king in the end?”

Although Chang-Sun used the word friend, Joachim could tell what Chang-Sun actually meant. ‘He…wants a subject, a vassal who would never betray him.’

Joachim finally understood why Chang-Sun was known as the Tyrant. People called the best high-rankers ‘kings’ as a compliment, but Joachim was certain Chang-Sun was trying to become an actual king, an absolute monarch with many vassals.

‘It’s not just France and Germany. Europe as a whole… will fall under his hands,’ Joachim thought.

As the Dungeon closed, the outside world slowly came into view. Thinking he should get some fresh air and cool his head down, Joachim stepped out of the light, belatedly noticing hundreds of guns pointed in his direction.

* * *

“… I really can’t tell what our ‘king’ is thinking.” Pierre Dugal, the vice leader of the Revenant Clan, spat out his cigarette and sighed.

After putting them on an indefinite standby, Jacque entered the Dungeon Gate alone, baffling the Revenant Clan Players. The rookie Players praised their Clan leader for volunteering to enter such a dangerous area on his Clan members’ behalf. However, having served the ‘Immortal Overlord’ Jacque Valentine for so long now, Pierre knew that wasn’t the case at all.

‘He’s the most apathetic person in the world,’ Pierre thought. He sometimes even wondered if Jacque really was human since he never showed any emotions. Jacque usually acted like a machine, but once he got fixated on something, he would pour all his attention into it.

Since Jacque had given the Revenant Clan Players an order, all they could do right now was wait. It was either Jacque would be dragging out Lee Chang-Sun and his group or they would eliminate him…

‘Well, the latter is impossible.’

Even if Lee Chang-Sun had really taken out Killer Overlord Czestochowa, a human could never defeat such a monstrous—no, they could never defeat that ‘monster.’

‘Are all the rumors about what happened inside the Dungeon really true, though?’ Pierre wondered.

Pierre and the other Revenant Clan executives had received an emergency call this morning, but it turned out they weren’t the only ones who had been summoned, and it wasn’t the Council that made the call either. Rather, it was the French government. They delivered the news to their people that the volunteer Players had been annihilated, becoming victims of Czestochowa’s terrorist attacks and the Hellserpent, which was presumed to be the boss monster of the ‘Wuthering Stone Desert.’

Chang-Sun and Joachim were suspected to be the ones behind the attacks because Chang-Sun had been missing for 24 hours when the Hellserpent appeared, and the French government found evidence that Louis Braille, the Illuminati inquisitor, infiltrated the Dungeon. Hence, the government assumed that the Korean and German councils joined forces to weaken France in secret.

‘If so, then it would look like Korea and Germany are clearing France’s uncleared Dungeon together. If that happens, Korea will finally have their own franchise Player, and Germany will overpower France in the EU…’

Considering the circumstances, it seemed more than possible. France would be branded as a worldwide idiot that couldn’t even clear a Dungeon in their own country, and Korea and Germany could get rid of many talented French Players.

When the Dungeons first appeared, powerful countries tried to interfere in the weaker nations’ affairs or even invade them by causing chaos like this. Moreover, although France and Germany had been allies for quite some time now, they were also archenemies that fought over the initiative in the EU. Hence, it wouldn’t be strange if the German government turned out to be responsible for this.

For that reason, the French Government decided to arrest Chang-Sun and Joachim Wolff. If they resisted, the French Players had permission to shoot them to death.

‘Even if the French government’s assumption is wrong, they won’t be suffering any losses since they’ll be able to recover their reputation in some way and also cash in on Chang-Sun and Joachim’s ransoms.’ Pierre faintly smiled. ‘They never suffer losses. Viva la France. They’re amazing.’

Pierre’s eyes gleamed. ‘The communication to the outside world is blocked in the Dungeon, so I’m not sure how the government received the news live… For now, I’ll do what they ask me to do.’

The volunteer Players getting annihilated was actually extremely bad for the Revenant Clan. They lost both Henri Bosque, who was considered the next Immortal Overlord, and Mireille Aliano, a summoner who had recently become popular. Hence, Pierre thought he should do something to recover the Clan’s damaged pride.

“The D-Dungeon has been cleared!” the Players measuring the mana wave of the Gate shouted. “The Gate is opening up!”

The Revenant Clan Players and the French government soldiers murmured among themselves. This Dungeon had been tormenting France for so long that everyone thought that it was impossible to clear. However, they had just been proven wrong!

“Everyone, calm down and hold your positions! We don’t know who will come out from there. If Lee Chang-Sun’s group is the one that cleared the Dungeon, we might have to engage in combat!” Pierre ordered calmly.

The Revenant Clan Players and soldiers regained their composure and glared at the Gate. Light spread out from them as hundreds of guns were pointed at the Gate, ready to open fire at a moment’s notice.

Tap…

After a moment of suffocating silence, Joachim, Chang-Sun, and the other Team L members slowly walked out of the Gate. However, as soon as they came outside, they realized that they were being threatened, not welcomed. They tensed up, not knowing what was going on.

“… What is the meaning of this?” Joachim asked as he held back his anger, glaring at Pierre, whom Joachim was familiar with.

“Mr. Wolff and Mr. Lee Chang-Sun, you’re all under arrest without warrant under the international Dungeon management law on suspicion of terrorism,” Pierre said in French, his eyes turning sharp.

A gray fog twirled around Pierre, taking the form of a Yan-gant-y-tan, a vicious devil and one of the most famous monsters in France. With Yan-gant-y-tan’s help, Pierre became the second-in-command of the Revenant Clan and its many monstrously talented Players. Baring its fangs, Yan-gant-y-tan immediately prepared to attack Chang-Sun and Joachim immediately.

Kyaahhh!

Joachim frowned as he looked at the devil. As someone who could transform into a divine creature with the honorable goddess’ blessing, the demonic energy the Yan-gant-y-tan released made him uncomfortable.

Woosh, woosh, woosh…!

More importantly, Joachim still considered Chang-Sun as the goddess’ apostle even though Chang-Sun had suggested that Joachim should become the Illuminati leader. Hence, in his eyes, treating Chang-Sun with hostility was the same as disrespecting the goddess. He hadn’t completely recovered yet, but his hair was bristling up in fury. He was ready to pounce at Pierre if a fight broke out.

“I’ll deal with this.” Chang-Sun stepped forward, making Joachim stand back. Although he was about to say he was fine, Chang-Sun firmly stopped him, saying, “What will you do in that state? Besides, you’ll only cause an international dispute between France and Germany if you fight them, so don’t.”

“But it’s the same for you too…!”

“It’s different for me,” Chang-Sun smirked. “I don’t give a damn if the Korean government throws a tantrum.”

“…!” Joachim’s eyes widened.

Woosh!

[The Title ‘Jigwi Giant Incarnation’ has been applied, summoning a Fire Giant!]

Hot winds spread out from Chang-Sun as a purple Giant emerged, howling.

Roarr―!

[The Skills ‘Tiger Kill’ and ‘Giant King’s Influence’ have been combined, spreading over the entire battlefield!]

The purple Giant’s loud roar overwhelmed everyone who had been threatening Chang-Sun’s group—no, the French Players and soldiers were almost getting ripped apart as if they were papers. Their aura that had been pressuring Chang-Sun’s group helplessly dissipated.

“Urgh!”

“Arghhh…!”

The Players tried to activate their Skills, but their attempts were forcefully canceled, making them experience severe rebounds. They coughed up blood and fell to the ground.

“Wh-what…?!”

Up until a moment ago, the Yan-gant-y-tan stood tall. However, its head had just been smashed into pieces. Pierre wavered in disbelief. He repeatedly tried to revive the Yan-gant-y-tan but failed each time.

No one was stopping Pierre from activating the skill, but the Yan-gant-y-tan was far too reluctant to come outside. The devil used to always heinously laughed no matter the situation, but right now, it was so terrified that it began to lay low out of sheer fear that the purple Giant would see it. It was acting like a prey that had met its natural predator.

Since his soul and body were connected with the Yan-gant-y-tan’s, Pierre also shivered in fear upon feeling how terrified the Yan-gant-y-tan was. When Pierre looked into Chang-Sun’s navy-blue eyes, he blanked out, preventing him from moving at all.

Chang-Sun subdued all the Revenant Clan Players around him on his own… Considering most of their strongest members were part of this operation, that feat should have been impossible. The phrase ‘one-man army’ quickly crossed Pierre’s mind even though he had only ever described less than ten people with that phrase. The Immortal Overlord, their leader, was one of them.

‘Was he really the one who took out the Killer Overlord?!’ Pierre realized that he should consider the Tyrant and Immortal Overlord to be on the same level.

Pzzz―!

[Your ‘Demon Faces’ are looking at your enemies!]

Like a ghost, Chang-Sun’s animal [Demon Faces] appeared behind the Players and looked down at them from the sky, terrifying them further.

‘Such an magnificent sight,’ Joachim thought, looking at Chang-Sun’s back. ‘I certainly have to… follow him.’

At that moment, Joachim decided to become a loyal subject to the king named Chang-Sun.