The Celestial Returned From Hell - Chapter 406

Are you serious?

“So what do you say?”

Mortal,I won’t deny that you are among the strongest in the Abyss.There haven’t been many heroes like you in the long, long history of the Abyss, but they did exist.Do you think that any of those heroes would’ve defeated a constellation like the Master of Slowness and Silence?

“I didn’t ask about the Abyss’ past. Constellation, all I asked was whether we should take revenge together.”

……

Despite Choi Yeonseung’s cocky words, which might have sounded arrogant, the chef constellation wasn’t angry. Unknowingly, he was already enticed by Choi Yeonseung’s words.

This proposal… It has to be realistic in order to be worth considering. Mortal, do you have any proof that you can in fact get revenge?

“No.”

See?

“But you have nothing to lose by accepting this offer.”

Why do you say that?

“If you keep going like this, you’ll fall anyway,” Choi Yeonseung said firmly while staring straight at the chef constellation.

Indeed, it took a lot of courage to tell a being that could blow off his head in one go that it would inevitably fail.

The chef constellation tried to refute it, but he was taken aback by his lack of arguments.

‘Am I… being persuaded? By such a mortal?’

“If everything had gone according to your plan, you should’ve defeated several constellations by now and targeted the Master of Slowness and Silence. But look at the situation. The constellations haven’t fallen. Rather, they’re baring their teeth in front of your realm. Is this going as planned?”

As planned…No, it is not.

“The Master of Slowness and Silence hasn’t even come out, but you’re already stuck. If your first step is wrong, you’ll face setbacks in everything you do afterward.”

Perplexed, the chef constellation couldn’t help asking, So you are different?

“Of course. I might be weaker than you, but I’m great at holding on until presented with an opportunity. Even now, I’m patiently waiting for the Master of Slowness and Silence to show some vulnerabilities.”

As expected…Mortal, you lost your territory to the Master of Slowness and Silence, but you are patiently enduring it.

“…”

Strictly speaking, it was the land of the Chinese government that was occupied by the Master of Slowness and Silence, not Choi Yeonseung’s. However, it would be impossible to explain such a detailed distinction to the chef constellation.

“If success isn’t important to you and you just want the satisfaction of revenge, do as you please. But if you want revenge, help me.”

You are getting over yourself, said the chef constellation in a voice more menacing than before. He was getting fed up with the mortal’s arrogance.

However, Choi Yeonseung didn’t back down. He circulated his internal energy throughout his body and exuded explosive energy as though he would actually try to attack. Only those who had reached the peak of martial arts could make such a show of strength.

The tension in the hall was close to a boiling point, as if it could explode at any moment.

As they glared at each other, the chef constellation eventually broke the silence.

Prove it.

“?”

Mortal,I won’t deny that your logic has shaken me quite a bit.However, arguments made without proper force are just flimsy words.It takes strength to prove your point.

“Then…”

Choi Yeonseung raised his fist, but the chef constellation quickly stopped him.

I am not suggesting that you show your strength here.

“No?”

Choi Yeonseung felt slightly awkward. Still, he was ready to attack at any moment, just in case.

The chef constellation seemed to recall the painful memory of Choi Yeonseung’s last surprise attack. He frowned and said, Don’t make a surprise attack like last time.I won’t accept your proposal if you do that.

“…”

The next realm of the Abyss is one of my territories, and it also happens to be open to the humans of Earth.Conquer that territory!If you manage that, I will acknowledge your strength.

“…!”

The Third Abyss Kingdom.

Choi Yeonseung’s expression stiffened. Humanity had just conquered the Second Abyss Kingdom and was still drunk on that victory, and now the chef constellation was telling him to attempt to conquer the Third Kingdom, which hadn’t even been properly identified yet.

‘I don’t know what kind of place that is.’

Choi Yeonseung recalled the trap laid by the explosion constellation in the Second Kingdom. He had designed the realm as a tricky labyrinth meant to trap everyone there.

However, the chef constellation wasn’t as frivolous as the explosion constellation.

“So if I manage to conquer it, you’ll acknowledge me?”

That’s right.Until then…I will take your advice and wait with bated breath.

With those words, the chef constellation waved his sleeves, causing gourds to fall to the ground. Choi Yeonseung hurriedly took them and stacked them in a box.

If they can get back all their household members, the constellations will be able to save a lot of face.Return those household members.

“Some of them won’t back down even if you do this.”

They are just small fries.If I don’t deal with them, they will get tired and give up, sneered the chef constellation.

Mortals saw constellations as all-powerful transcendent beings. However, the constellations were aware that they weren’t equal to each other and that there was a clear difference in status between them.

The intermediate and lower-level constellations that didn’t have their own realms were eager to fight the chef constellation in an attempt to improve their reputation, but if the chef constellation ignored them, they would quickly lose interest and retreat.

If a constellation as big as the chef constellation went on the defensive, there was nothing that those intermediate and lower-level constellations could do.

Mortal,I will be waiting for the day I find out if you can truly help me get revenge.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Whether it is successful or not…The constellation that recognized and chose a mortal like you must be a happy constellation.I wish you luck.

[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ is proud.]

–No… He’s talking about the Undefeated Incarnation of Training, right?

–Be quiet.

***

Joseph Grant felt a tingling sensation in his jaw when he woke up.

‘This place…’

He was in the sanctuary in the realm of the River of Mercy, one of the good god constellations. This was a sanctuary of respite and recovery; the gentle river flowing through it was accompanied by soft healing chants that came from all directions.

Joseph Grant remembered getting hurt while fighting at the behest of his constellation.

The River of Mercy had a good relationship with several other good god constellations, and given its strong healing powers, the constellation often showed kindness this way.

“…W-what happened to the raid?”

Joseph Grant couldn’t help asking that.

Choi Yeonseung, who was sitting next to him, curiously looked over.

“Ah, you’re awake? The raid is over. I rescued the hostages and brought them out.”

“Is that true? Amazing… No, wait! Choi Yeonseung!”

Before asking how Choi Yeonseung had managed to rescue the hostages, Joseph Grant pointed out something more important.

“You can’t release the hostages just yet!”

“?”

“Do you know how much their governments will pay for them, given their ranks and value? Of course, you might think it’s too immoral, but think about it carefully, Hunter Choi Yeonseung!”

“Is there such a thing as good or bad when it comes to power and wealth? Besides, you risked your life for the hostages, and if you just return them on a silver platter, their governments will throw your gesture of goodwill into the trash without properly rewarding you. That’s unfair, isn’t it? If you don’t want to get involved in the dirty work, I can handle the negotiations on your behalf. What do you think?”

“…Coming up with such an innovative plan as soon as you wake up is certainly impressive, but I think you should take a good look around yourself before saying stuff like that.”

Joseph Grant turned his head at Choi Yeonseung’s words.

The hunters who had been taken hostage were gathered in groups of twos and threes. They were leisurely chatting and walking around.

Everyone was recovering here at the sanctuary before leaving for Earth.

“What was that? Something about not letting us go?”

“This lunatic is really…”

“What’s going on?”

“That guy, Joseph Grant, is spewing nonsense again.”

“To think that crazy Brit still isn’t in jail.”

As expected, the other hunters weren’t too delighted with Joseph Grant’s proposition. The atmosphere quickly became tense.

Choi Yeonseung eventually asked, “Are you all feeling well?”

“Yes, thanks to you. I want to thank you again for saving me, Hunter Choi Yeonseung.”

With a simple question, Choi Yeonseung had managed to mellow the atmosphere.

‘How can this be…?’

Joseph Grant was adept at reading people and the room. Aside from the fact that they all served constellations, these hunters had absolutely nothing in common, which should’ve made communication really difficult and awkward. After all, they were all from different countries, and they all had different personalities and values.

However, they all had one thing in common at the moment—respect for Choi Yeonseung. They had many differences, but they all sincerely revered Choi Yeonseung.

Joseph Grant couldn’t understand what Choi Yeonseung could’ve done in such a short period of time to win their hearts.

Had he brought a pile of cash and scattered it from the sky…?

“…What did Hunter Choi Yeonseung say to you?”

“What do you mean? Hunter Choi Yeonseung didn’t say anything.

“Don’t lie. Given how you’re all acting, there’s no way Choi Yeonseung didn’t say anything. What did he suggest? Money or interests?”

The listening hunters looked at Joseph Grant in a dumbfounded manner.

“What…? It’s because he released us.”

“What?”

“Everyone is grateful that he released us”

“…He just let you go?? There wasn’t some sort of accident with those gourds? He just let you go??”

“Yeah, you asshole. And don’t talk with that gloomy expression like you’re going to die…”

Joseph Grant was an A-grade hunter, but all the hunters there were B or B+grade and they were all favored by their constellations. There was no reason for them to fear someone like Joseph Grant.

‘Damn it! I should’ve given him advice beforehand.’

Joseph Grant lamented this situation from the bottom of his heart. He hadn’t thought he would be knocked out and wake up to this terrible situation…

He felt bitter considering what he had negotiated with the governments before coming here and what he could’ve received from those negotiations.

How foolish had he been to let everything slip away…

‘It was pretty fruitful.’

As Joseph Grant was inwardly cursing Choi Yeonseung, the latter was reflecting on the raid.

Joseph thought he was the smartest and most cunning person here, but he was mistaken. Choi Yeonseung was moving with a greater purpose.

Choi Yeonseung had received a large amount of soul stones for saving the constellations’ household members, and his power of existence had been amplified by the faith of those constellations.

Blinded by money and power, Joseph wanted to take advantage of the hostages, but doing that would make all their constellations into his enemies.

Choi Yeonseung had made the bold decision to release the victims and receive compensation in another way.

‘The rewards I received from the constellations are sufficient. In addition, these hunters will send their faith.’

After secretly making an agreement with the chef constellation, Choi Yeonseung had confidently walked out of his realm, and the constellations had praised his performance of saving their household members.

Of course, some constellations declared that they would still trample on the chef constellation, but many had chosen to step back.

Since they had regained their household members, they intended to wait and see how the situation evolved instead of attempting another risky and pointless attack.

The prediction of the chef constellation was correct. The constellations were preoccupied with many things, and if the chef constellation essentially played dead, the others would focus on their more urgent matters instead of trying to fight him.

Nevertheless, the Abyss was still full of disorder and chaos because of the chef’s uproar. The constellations had to watch out for new monsters or wandering marauders that could invade their realms.

“Hunter Choi Yeonseung.”

“!”

A menacing-looking hunter from Russia called out to Choi Yeonseung in a low voice. He was Smolchenkov, a B-grade hunter and a household member of the Six-Winged Angel Who Hunts Dragons.

‘Did he notice something?’

Choi Yeonseung was a bit nervous.

The angel constellation was relatively close to Choi Yeonseung, so maybe he had grown suspicious of this raid. After all, Choi Yeonseung had gone up against a constellation and casually walked out unscathed…

“If it’s okay… Can I take a photo with you?”

“…Uh, sure.”

“Thank you.”

Smolchenkov nodded with a stern expression and took a selfie with Choi Yeonseung. Then he went back with a satisfied expression.

Choi Yeonseung felt silly for worrying like that.