Chapter 179
Chapter 179
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 179
Chapter Title: Preparing for the Core Dungeon
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All the knights summoned by Yoo Seongwon, along with Mulblin, Baek Gayeon, the mother-daughter duo Shin Somi and Shin Ayoung, and Choi Choongseon, had gathered in the conference room.
Yoo Seongwon, who had arrived first, wore a grave expression, and everyone sensed the serious atmosphere, waiting for him to speak.
Once everyone was assembled, Yoo Seongwon removed his armor, set it aside, and began speaking calmly.
"That... summoned knights, you must already have a rough idea about me since you were summoned knowing that much. And the rest of you have probably wondered about it for a long time. How a nobody like me could become Korea's strongest hunter in such a short time."
"Well, it's unprecedented. Unless a specific 'constellation' is dead set on pushing someone for their own agenda, it's impossible... but you don't even have a constellation."
"Not that there wasn't one. It's always been there with me."
"What?"
"The only mystery is why it chose me, but I've more or less figured out what the one who gave me this overwhelmingly undeserved power wants. It wants me to drive out the beings from other stars fighting on its own body."
The numbers that appeared when the Blue Dragon Guild's constellation, the Blue Dragon, vanished from Earth, and the enigmatic status window.
Before he realized it, it had been displayed as '???', but now he could grasp its general meaning.
This Earth was also a star. It wanted him to eliminate all the constellations rampaging freely on its body.
There were still many unsolved mysteries, but one thing was certain.
"Drive out... the constellations?"
"In fact, after I defeated the constellation Blue Dragon, it disappeared from this star. Yes, normally, even if they lose all their apostles, constellations find new ones or create followers. But I must be that kind of existence. So... how should I put it?"
"Like the apostle of Constellation Earth."
Shin Ayoung gave the perfect definition, but Yoo Seongwon felt a bit embarrassed by it.
Being called the apostle of Constellation Earth somehow felt like it implied he was the greatest being chosen by Earth among all humanity on the planet.
It was strange that someone like him—a mere mortal with no talent or ability—had been selected.
"...Don't call me that~ Ahem! Anyway, even I think that if I've received a favor, I should at least earn my keep."
"So you're going to challenge it? The Core Dungeon?"
"Yes."
"...That's unexpected. I thought ignoring circumstances like that was your style..."
"Honestly, I've been ignoring it for quite a while."
Hearing Yoo Seongwon's response, Baek Gayeon looked like she had expected as much.
But she thought it was good that he was finally resolving to do something on his own. Still, raiding the Core Dungeon was no easy task.
Which was why asking someone with experience was the best approach.
"Elder, do you have experience with Core Dungeons?"
"Of course. I've cleared a total of twenty myself."
"Ooh~"
"Though they were low-level ones like Constellation Mountain Ghost. Back then, I was the youngest, so I couldn't join the big fights, and they left Korea anyway. But I've reviewed the data from raids by the grandmaster and the top team, and it's all preserved in Iron Fortress. It wasn't designed as humanity's last bastion for nothing. Are you really going to do it?"
Baek Gayeon asked once more, in earnest.
No matter how she thought about it, she felt his reasons were insufficient, so she wanted to confirm his resolve more firmly.
And Yoo Seongwon nodded, affirming it.
"Yes, I will. Of course, that's not the only reason—it's that I've received something. I clashed with that apostle of Hades from Olympus in Japan, you know? I nearly died. And today, they even threw a tantrum demanding I raid the Core Dungeon."
"So that's what that was about earlier."
"But I couldn't refuse. Yeah, I was scared they might do something if I said no."
Yoo Seongwon's true nature wasn't that of a hero or a villain.
All his power came from external sources, and he simply listened to advice from others, believed it, and acted on it.
Possessing the sensibilities and mindset of an absolute mortal, he had grown anxious the moment he felt even slightly outmatched in skill, unlike before.
To overcome that, he had no choice but to reach a higher realm of strength—and all of this was for himself and those he wanted to protect.
"Of course, my mindset hasn't changed. I hate hassle, and I don't like taking losses for others' gain. But I have to take responsibility for what I've said I'd protect. Olympus's proposal might just be the beginning, but if I stay idle after this, they might try to put a leash around my neck."
"Hmm..."
"Honestly, I still don't fully see myself as Earth's apostle. But I know it's something I have to do, and if I don't get stronger, it'll be hard to protect my freedom and the people in my care. So I'll challenge the Core Dungeon."
Yoo Seongwon showed his firm resolve with a strong gaze.
The knights smiled, pleased that their leader had finally made a decision, and each paid their respects.
"But your life will be..."
"Hunter work is always a gamble with your life. Sitting idle would just mean Olympus keeps meddling, so better to do it ourselves. Of course, I'll prepare for the aftermath. Once they hear I'm going into the Core Dungeon, Olympus won't have much to say."
And so, Yoo Seongwon's organization began full-scale preparations for raiding the Core Dungeon.
The first priority was contingency planning for failure: appointing successors to defend Iron Fortress and the frontline cities, and preparing for times when Yoo Seongwon, the knights, and the Heavenly Sword Army would be absent.
Those places operated no differently from being powered by the prestige of SS-rank hunters and numerous S-ranks.
"For now, the successor will be you, Ayoung."
"Me? M-Me?"
"Who else? My noona could do it too. But a successor should be someone who can look to the future, and changing it twice would be more hassle. So you have to do it. As you know, I've stirred up a lot, so there are many people I need to protect."
From the children rescued from various facilities to those saved from Shikoku and those who sacrificed themselves for justice—they were all gathered here.
Protecting and maintaining this place came with heavy duties and responsibilities that couldn't be assigned to just anyone, but he thought Ayoung would be better suited than him.
"There's the elder, my noona, and Choi Choongseon over there, so three S-ranks, plus I'll tell the three Japanese ones to follow your lead. Six S-ranks should be fine. And I'll leave one knight behind to relay my status."
"It's too sudden..."
"Well, even a guy like me did it, so don't worry too much. And I'm not just dumping it on you—I'll spend at least three months preparing for real combat. Including our preparations."
Comforting Ayoung like that, Yoo Seongwon's side systematically prepared a structure for if the Core Dungeon raid failed.
They informed the Olympus Guild that they would raid Constellation 66 Thousand Demons' Core Dungeon as requested and asked them to keep it secret to block the scavengers' movements, then began selecting a knight to assign to Ayoung.
"As I said, one of you seven will stay here to assist Ayoung. If I die or we all get wiped out, you'll notice. So... who's the weakest among you? It's embarrassing to say, but the Core Dungeon is brutal, so we need a combat-focused team."
[......]
"Hmm..."
[Krurrr...]
"Hmmph!"
The knights exchanged glances.
They were all legendary figures whose names were etched in the stars' records. Distinguishing superiority would be tough, and it could hurt their pride.
As they stared at each other, Yucheong cautiously raised his hand.
"I'll stay, Your Majesty."
"You?"
"Yes. On second thought, I'm the one who's handled these facilities and equipment the longest, so it makes sense for me to stay. Lord Gaulph can handle dungeon advice just fine."
Yucheong had read the room and stepped back voluntarily.
Or maybe he really wasn't the strongest, but it resolved things smoothly without bruising egos, and the knights' expressions returned to normal.
And so, Yoo Seongwon proceeded with preparations alongside six knights: Gaulph, Seom-myeol, Krokbane, Akaron, Junghan, and Jinseok.
"As you know, Core Dungeons are the domains of 'constellations,' and avatars sometimes appear. It's like fighting the constellation itself in some cases. They're places to battle gods with all sorts of bizarre gimmicks, so the first rule is not to panic no matter what comes."
"Ugh~ Not confident there."
"But there are clues to infer the interior. Look at the constellation's apostles outside—it shows their tendencies. For example, records mention a 'Queen of Flames'... Her Core Dungeon was a scorching inferno with average temperatures over 50 degrees. They anticipated it and stocked flame-resistant gear, cold magic, and scrolls to summon ice."
"Then should we pack lots of silver bullets and holy water?"
"But~! Normally yes, but the opponent is a 'god.' They can be fickle as boiling porridge. Take 'Milky Way Performer'... The monsters were mostly shrieking alien creatures, so they brought earplugs, but the avatar demanded the hunters 'perform' for it."
"...What? That?"
"Luckily, one hunter was a music major and cleared it by playing a flute masterpiece. So... combat isn't always the solution—be cautious. That 'war-loving' Constellation 66 Thousand Demons will likely demand 'war' inside. With the Heavenly Sword Army, it should be fine, though..."
The quality of Constellation 66 Thousand Demons' army was already experienced in Shikoku, mostly evil spirits, so holy power, silver gear, and exorcism magic were priorities.
Using that as a base, Yoo Seongwon's Core Dungeon expedition team continued preparations.
Soon after, preparations to enter the Core Dungeon were complete.
For Constellation 66 Thousand Demons, Olympus Guild's support was generous since it was their request.
They commissioned gear from Constellation Hephaestus's apostles and bought multiple holy spell scrolls.
"If you need, we can provide additional priests, healers, or ranged DPS. A-rank and below, though."
Tritonias mentioned personnel support, considering the lopsided hunter classes alongside supplies.
But Yoo Seongwon declined.
"No, we're good. We'll go alone. No point forcing teamwork with mismatched synergy. Oh, rather—one of our knights, Krokbane the dragonkin, needs something. Got any monster corpses, bones, or meat? Higher rank the better. Collecting ourselves would take too long."
"We have some, but what's it for?"
"It buffs him when he eats it. Better than most buff potions."
"I'll check right away. Air delivery once confirmed."
'Hmm~ Sorry, Krokbane, but let's squeeze them dry while we're at it.'
Using the beastly dragonkin Krokbane as an excuse, Yoo Seongwon ordered monster corpses, bones, and meat from Tritonias.
Krokbane had no such ability; he ate regular food fine.
The reason for scamming all that monster material was to trade using the '(Legendary) Ring Blessed by the Slaughter King's Grace' obtained from killing Leg Horn, the Slaughter King's apostle long ago.