Chapter 204
Chapter 204
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 204
Chapter Title: Divided Treatment
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The Audience Hall.
The left side was adorned with tapestries embroidered with the image of the Phoenix King, while the right featured ones depicting an Eastern dragon. Inside, hundreds of ministers in traditional robes and officials in suits sat at their stations, deeply engrossed in their work.
Turning his head at the sight—which looked less like an audience chamber and more like an office or workspace—Yoo Seongwon spotted a raised platform about five meters high at the deepest part of the hall.
A white curtain hung there, and behind it loomed the shadow of a human figure.
At that moment, the Owi who had guided their group knelt before it, performing the proper courtesies and offering greetings.
“Great and exalted Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King, I have brought Hunter Yoo Seongwon and his companions here in obedience to your command.”
[…Well done.]
‘That’s… the incarnation of a constellation? But with its true form hidden, there’s no way to tell.’
All he could make out was that the shadow had a human shape. The voice emanating from within was so flat and mechanical that it was impossible to distinguish if it belonged to a man or woman, adult or child.
In any case, Yoo Seongwon and his group followed the Owi’s lead, approaching the platform, kneeling, and showing their respects.
“Uh… I’m Yoo Seongwon. Thank you so much for accepting my proposal and inviting me here.”
[No need for thanks. I was curious to see the hero who cleared the ‘Core Dungeon’ of the ‘66 Heavenly Demons Constellation’ myself. Indeed… quite unexpected. Hmm… Hmmm…….]
“Ah, yes. Honestly, I was surprised too…….”
[Enough. You need say no more.]
The Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King cut off Yoo Seongwon’s response with abrupt sharpness.
Though taken aback, Yoo Seongwon decided to play along with the aura emanating from the shadow behind the curtain.
He wasn’t sure if he had offended it somehow or if he simply didn’t suit its tastes, but he already knew from the Core Dungeon how capricious constellations could be.
[Third Captain of the Fifth Guard, Owi—escort him to my private quarters in Wing E and brief him on the guidelines.]
“Pardon? Wing E? Are you certain?”
[Yes, Wing E. Is there a problem?]
“No, none at all. Then, Hunter Yoo Seongwon, please follow me.”
The Third Captain of the Fifth Guard’s reaction felt oddly off, but Yoo Seongwon quietly trailed after him.
The Heavenly Sword Army knights naturally turned to follow Yoo Seongwon as well, but the shadow behind the curtain—the constellation—spoke up again.
[Hold on. You knights, stay behind a moment. My judgment isn’t complete yet. Owi, take him first.]
“We are His Majesty’s knights. We vowed to follow him wherever he goes.”
[How bold. But I’ll allow it. Heroes recorded in the ‘Star Chronicles’ deserve respect. In any case, just wait here briefly. I have no intention of doing anything untoward to your master, so worry not. Heh heh heh.]
The Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King chuckled as if amused by Yucheong’s retort.
Whether irked by the differing treatment or unsure if this was appropriate, Yucheong glanced at Yoo Seongwon. Yoo simply waved a hand, gesturing for them to stay.
‘The constellation must have something in mind. Stay put, stay put. And don’t be rude~’
“Understood. We’ll join you shortly, Your Majesty.”
Nod.
Yoo Seongwon nodded in response before heading off first with Third Captain Owi of the Fifth Guard.
Having received Yoo Seongwon’s orders, the knights had no choice but to remain, beginning a conversation with the Dragon-Phoenix King’s incarnation.
Following Owi out of the palace on foot—unlike the arrival, where they suddenly hailed a taxi—Yoo Seongwon felt a strange vibe from the drastically changed treatment.
‘…Did I do something wrong? Geez, hard to even ask. Maybe it’s some kind of test. Constellations and their personalities, really~’
“…….”
‘Feels like there should be some chit-chat, but this guy’s quiet too.’
Moments later, the taxi pulled up to a building, and Yoo Seongwon stepped out after Owi, eyeing the structure before him.
A rundown old apartment.
The paint had peeled off the walls, and the faded ‘E’ lettering was barely legible, leaving only faint traces in its shabby state.
Yoo Seongwon’s bewilderment didn’t end there.
With a deep sigh, Owi silently led him onward.
“Please stay here. You’re free to go anywhere in the city, but do not leave its bounds. Be back by 10 p.m., and you may go out starting at 8 a.m. Otherwise, remain here until I relay further instructions. That is all.”
‘No clue what’s going on. And this… whoa, a studio apartment? Reminds me of my company dorm. A bit musty, but…….’
Entering the single-room unit, Yoo Seongwon blinked in confusion but decided to settle in for now.
Unsure of the intent behind this, he planned to wait for the knights’ arrival. He stripped off his armor and flopped down.
“No idea what’s up, but Yucheong and the others will negotiate or gather intel. Might as well stay put. Yawwn~”
No point overthinking a constellation’s whims; better to conserve energy. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Shortly after he dozed off, a status window of an unfamiliar color popped up before his eyes.
[You have been deemed a ‘Lower-Lower Class Commoner.’ With no talents to speak of, live out your days dutifully providing labor for the nation.]
***
Capital City, New Phoenix King’s Palace.
While Yoo Seongwon slept in the apartment, the knights finished a brief talk with the Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King and were led by other guard captains into another massive palace rivaling the Audience Hall.
A banquet hall had been prepared inside. To accommodate just six knights, lavish tables overflowed with gourmet delicacies and fine liquors in this enormous venue. Over a thousand people bustled about in preparation, it seemed.
“Hmm… this is?”
[It’s modest for legends from the ‘Star Chronicles,’ but I’ve prepared everything possible. I even had our chefs recreate the meals from your ‘star’ after checking the ‘Records.’ The liquor couldn’t be aged in time, alas. Please, partake freely without restraint.]
Riding in a small palanquin veiled by curtains, the Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King had followed the knights and personally introduced the banquet hall.
From the constellation’s guidance onward, the spread was absurdly excessive for a mere six people.
“…….”
“What are we supposed to make of this?”
“Hmm… Captain?”
The knights exchanged glances, baffled at how to interpret the situation.
Had it been straightforward hospitality, they’d have accepted it as a friendly gesture without hesitation. But with their captain ‘Yoo Seongwon’ absent, they were at a loss.
All eyes turned to Jinseok, the highest-ranking among them, and Yucheong, the strategist. As they pondered, Yucheong spoke first to the Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King.
“Where is His Majesty?”
[Ah~ I sent him to a place prepared separately. He’s being well-treated. So relax and enjoy the feast. To host six supreme legends—what joy! Ha ha ha!]
“What nonsense is this? We are His Majes—mmph!”
“Come on! Let’s have a drink! They’re welcoming us warmly—what’s the harm? Ha ha ha!”
Jinseok cut in smoothly, blocking Yucheong’s protesting mouth and handing him a mysteriously procured glass of liquor while whispering.
“Calm down, Yucheong. This is enemy territory. For His Majesty’s safety, humor the constellation and get through this. We can head to the sanctuary anytime.”
“…Understood.”
“Ooh, fine liquor! As expected of a feast hosted by a constellation. But I prefer chugging beer from the keg over fancy stuff like this. Ha ha ha ha!”
Jinseok downed his glass with a grin, then grabbed a keg from the staff and guzzled straight from it.
Convinced by Jinseok’s words, Yucheong forced an awkward smile and raised his glass. Seeing this, the other knights caught on and pretended to enjoy the banquet, taking seats and starting to eat.
“O… oh! Th-this! It’s the taste of home—Berkan-style sauce! H-how?”
[This is my incarnation’s body, but it’s linked to my true self above the celestial sphere and other incarnations. With enough time and resources, fetching such things is feasible. Anyway, enjoy to your heart’s content. The leftovers will go to the workers and other citizens.]
Wary yet unable to resist familiar flavors from life, some grew excited.
Delighted to see the knights digging in, the Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King kept ordering more lavish treatments.
While the knights reveled in the grand feast, Yoo Seongwon remained in that dingy studio apartment.
『Chén guó zhǔ yī dà měi nǐ luò liǎo ziē…….』
“…Right, this is China. Sigh~ Nothing good on TV. Slurp… ugh! Thought it was just spicy! What’s this flavor? Ack! Cough cough!”
Unable to understand Chinese, he’d used phone apps and gestures to buy cup ramen from a nearby shop.
Even the old CRT TV—rare in modern times—only blared incomprehensible Chinese, which was frustrating enough. Worse, the hard-won ramen didn’t suit his Korean palate at all.
“Ugh, annoying. It said no funny business, but food’s a line crossed. Better call the guys for some proper Korean ramen. Let’s see… Gaulpf~! Gaulpf? Hmm?”
Discarding the unpalatable ramen, Yoo Seongwon tried summoning the knights for real food—but something felt off.
Normally, they’d appear with ramen via sanctuary portal before he even called. No response even after direct summons? That was weird.
“Hmm… something’s wrong. Akaron, Seom-myeol, Krokbane~ Merblin~ Anyone respond……!”
Even calling the goblin mage who’d submitted to him yielded nothing. Sensing trouble, Yoo Seongwon cautiously opened his status window.
The message that appeared was bizarre.
“What the? This?”
[Yoo Seongwon—Lower-Lower Class Commoner]
L-.--
--^---^-Order--
#%#-Sta—tus
His status window, usually brimming with levels and dazzling stats, now glitched like a virus-infected computer, noise corrupting the content and flickering wildly.
“What is this?”
Ding!
[*You are a Lower-Lower Class Commoner. With no talents to speak of, live out your days dutifully providing labor for the nation. A work assignment will be provided shortly.]
Yoo Seongwon tilted his head at the new window, trying to decipher it, but it remained baffling.
Unsure how to handle this mess or what the Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King aimed for, confusion mounted, leaving him increasingly anxious.
He needed a plan, but stranded in a distant land with no contact to his knights, options were slim.