Chapter 185
Chapter 185
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: War's Conclusion
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“…….”
He stayed still like that, but no words came, just silence.
Yoo Seongwon wondered if he had already joined the spirits around him and opened his eyes again, but nothing had changed.
And right in front of him, the incarnation of Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons was busily tapping away at a status window.
“…What are you doing?”
“Grading your score.”
“What score?”
“The points you earned in this ‘war.’ Hmm~ As expected, holding out so tenaciously for so long racked up a high score. It’ll take a bit, so just leave me be. Don’t wanna mix it up~”
“…Pardon?”
Yoo Seongwon tilted his head, staring at Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons.
He couldn’t make sense of scores or points, but it was far better than instant death or life-or-death judgment, so he decided to wait patiently.
Something different from what he expected might come along, after all.
“…Mastering attrition warfare by sacrificing minor units to preserve key ones until the end, bringing ample food and water, steadfastly enduring all sorts of stress, torment, crises, and sorrow—that willpower was most impressive. Countless heroes and saints couldn’t hold out… To think someone would persist for the honor of their comrades.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your score! Ta-da! 75,833 points! That’s the new high for any ‘human’ who’s warred against me and this ‘war.’ Let’s see, here’s the reward list…….”
“…Hold on. What the hell is going on? What just happened?”
Unable to keep up with Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons’ actions, Yoo Seongwon shook his head to clear his mind, then alternated between the score displayed before his eyes and the constellation, demanding further explanation.
The incarnation of Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons tilted its head for a moment before catching on and explaining.
“What do you mean? You lost, and the ‘war’ is over. Now we’re settling up.”
“What’s this reward thing?”
“You get benefits matching your points earned. Did you really think a human could beat a ‘constellation’ from the start? This ‘war’ format is normally for pitting against ‘constellations’ invading my ‘stars.’”
He had suspected something was off.
The game had been rigged from the outset for Yoo Seongwon to lose no matter what.
Mortal limitations, numerical disadvantages in combat power—countless factors ensured inevitable defeat.
But if it was a ‘war’ designed for constellations to clash, then it would be a fair fight.
“And beating me means claiming this ‘star.’ Of course, the opposing ‘constellation’ can’t bring even a single spirit from one or more ‘stars.’”
“So it was only fair when constellations played it. Then why didn’t you say so from the beginning…….”
“Obviously, this is way more fun. If I spilled everything, you humans would’ve treated it like a simple point-grinding ‘game.’ But keeping it secret? Spawned fun players like you everywhere, and all sorts of reactions too, right?”
Clank! Clank!
The incarnation of Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons sounded genuinely delighted, joints and body creaking metallically.
In the end, constellations were just capricious bastards who loved toying with humans like this.
“So much fun~ Some admitted defeat right away, some lost their minds mid-game and offed themselves, others played hard but starved when food and water ran out. So many cases, all mocked by fate and died here. The brilliant, the wise, the foolish—all perished the same.”
“…You’ve got sick tastes.”
“What does it matter how I enjoy my hobbies on my ‘star’?”
“Ah, right. Then when you came to our star, that… the death knights and all that?”
“That was your world’s ‘rules,’ so I followed them. Here, we do ‘war’ my way, but on that ‘star,’ we follow its dictated ‘methods.’ That’s why I had to scour the ‘Star’s Records’ for suitable talent—such a headache. And sending strong armies came with restrictions, too.”
The incarnation of Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons shook its gun barrel and blade like it had been a grueling chore, mumbling through the explanation.
That cleared up most of his questions about this core dungeon and the ‘constellations.’
Soon, he began browsing the reward benefits in the status window.
[‘War’ Rewards]
Eligibility: ‘Mortals’ with 50,000+ points only
Your points: 75,833
Star’s Return—Return to your star. 5,000 points
Star’s Grace—Revive those who died here. 2,500 points per person
Star’s Reward—Random treasures and rewards. Up to divine weapons or chaos artifacts possible. 10,000 points
Star’s Wish—Make one wish to ‘Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons.’ Restrictions may apply. 50,000 points
[Remaining points auto-converted to Awakener EXP.]
“This… Ah! Ah, anyway! First… the kids! Gotta revive our kids! This! Star’s Grace for our kids! The knights! Bring them all back! Ah! Eldraen too!”
No matter what else, the moment he saw Star’s Grace, Yoo Seongwon shouted to revive the knights first.
Reviving six knights and Eldraen made seven, and the horses from the ‘war’ reappeared atop his hand just like before.
Seeing this, Yoo Seongwon shed hot tears, embracing the revived knights dearly.
“G-Good… So good. Thank goodness.”
“Usually survivors get greedy and pick something else~ Anyway, hurry up with the rest.”
Watching Yoo Seongwon revive the knights without hesitation, the incarnation of Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons urged him on again.
The ‘war’ was over, eligibility proven—it just wanted to hand out rewards and send him packing.
It had seen all it needed to, after all.
“Ah, then about that… ‘Star’s Wish’…….”
“Thinking big, eh? No can do on handing over this ‘star’ or making you a constellation.”
“Then how about you and your forces never setting foot on our ‘star’ eternally?”
“That’s… Hmm, doable. But with the core dungeon’s secrets exposed to you, that ‘star’ won’t see business from me for at least a few centuries anyway?”
Core dungeon rules lost their fun once known, so Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons planned to shut down for hundreds of years without him even asking—until those in the know died off or the tale faded.
Otherwise, guys like Yoo Seongwon would keep coming, farming points, and rob the fun even without taking the ‘star.’
“Anyway, I’ll take that as my ‘Star’s Wish.’”
[???]
[2/???]
[???]
[??????!!!!!]
The moment it was confirmed, the status window expanded, popping up before his eyes.
From 1 to 2. Following Constellation Blue Dragon, banishing Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons from ‘Earth’ incremented the count.
Something else was added too, but marked ????—unreadable.
“Hmm, such an entertaining ‘star,’ hate to leave… Can’t rethink it? Considering the rewards, chaos artifacts or divine weapons could drop, or at least legendary gear and items from my ‘stars’…….”
“It’s my job.”
He couldn’t grandly claim ‘duty,’ but Yoo Seongwon made clear he wouldn’t back down, and the gun barrels on Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons’ face drooped downward.
It had clearly found this ‘Earth’ star quite amusing.
Yoo Seongwon alone had thrashed in agony and torment for over half a year, overcoming it brilliantly—pure delight to watch.
“Tch! Banned from such a fun ‘star’… No helping it. ‘Rules’ must be followed. Guess I’ll scout other promising ‘stars.’”
“Ah… Thank you. And last, Star’s Return! Doing that! 72,500 points total! That uses up almost all my points.”
“Yeah, yeah, sending you right back. And… here’s some free advice as service. You challenged a core dungeon, so you’ll try other ‘constellations’’ ones too, right? Don’t forget: ‘Constellations’ are all capricious, with wildly varied tendencies and behaviors. Ones like me who take a bit(?) of fun but follow the rules? Pretty rare.”
He wanted to retort that it sounded plenty psychopathic too, but with things resolved smoothly, he held back to avoid souring the mood and shifted his thoughts elsewhere.
Everything wrapped up, and a portal like the one he’d entered through opened behind Yoo Seongwon.
As the outside scenery blurred into view, overwhelming relief hit, and the tears he thought stopped flowed anew.
“Aaah… Finally…….”
“Farewell then. Per your rightful ‘Star’s Wish,’ I’ll neither touch nor enter your ‘star’ again. Withdrawing from current ops too.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
“But handle cleanup for what’s left there.”
The last words nagged a bit, but after half a year in the wasteland, Yoo Seongwon’s ears—gazing at verdant greenery—didn’t register them.
He’d bolted out after a quick bow, maybe not even hearing.
“Aa… Aaaaaaah!”
Bright sunlight, life’s fragrance wafting from lush green, clean flowing water’s scent. Worn down after half a year in the wasteland core dungeon, Yoo Seongwon knelt, face to the ground, desperately feeling his escape.
“Sniff haaaa! Sniff… haaaaa! B-Back… I’m back. Uwa… UwAAAAAA! Hup! Haa! Sniff! Haaaa!”
Clinging to the earth, inhaling grass and soil’s vitality.
This made him feel Earth as his true home more intensely.
But from the tension’s release and relief, he passed out like he’d fainted.
The ‘game’ with Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons ended well in result, but the ordeal was brutally harsh, the mental toll indescribable.
Surviving it was miraculous—no one could complain.
“…….”
And as Yoo Seongwon collapsed, the Knight Order sanctuary’s gate opened, someone emerging.
Krokbane and the other knights who’d entered the core dungeon.
Tending to his fallen form, they all wore pleased expressions. Though turned to war pawns the instant they entered and did nothing, they’d seen and heard all of Yoo Seongwon’s actions even then.
“Mm… So, anyone gonna say something? This vibe’s too awkward for me.”
Jin-seok spoke first, scratching his head with a jest.
Trying to lighten the embarrassing atmosphere, but the other knights felt the same—silently tending Yoo Seongwon, planning to guard until he woke, just tidying the surroundings.
“Sheesh~ All of us ‘legendary’ knights etched in the Star’s Records, and we’re acting like this… Incoming!”
[…This place… still… enemy territory.]
Since they’d emerged where the prior core dungeon stood, Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons’ minions and death knights littered the area.
Unclear on the full situation, but sensing presences, the knights drew weapons, forming up to warily face the approaching foes.