Chapter 206
Chapter 206
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: A World Without Dreams
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At the same time.
Beijing, unknown urban district.
Yoo Seongwon couldn't just leave the Heavenly Army Great General as he was, so he first slipped cautiously out to the outskirts of Beijing before resummoning him.
Just in case he couldn't cross over from the sanctuary at some point, he'd already informed Iron Fortress and the frontline city of his position and situation. He'd also resolved the most urgent issue on-site—the language barrier—through communication with Akaron.
[Master, I've connected my translation module with language data collected from Earth's internet. As long as you're wearing that device, you'll never have trouble communicating, no matter where you are.]
"I should have done this ages ago... I always only think of it when the situation hits. Anyway, thanks to you, I'm saved."
[Thank you for the praise. But do we not need to come with you?]
"If you cross the sea or traverse the land and they notice, it won't end well, right? Just keep checking through diplomatic channels with a casual 'How's our Commander doing?' That should do it."
[Understood.]
'In truth, it's more that I have no idea what the Heavenly Sword Army knights are going through right now...'
That very concern had led him to tell the other knights not to come as well.
He'd positioned the Heavenly Sword Army Great General and the commander legion in a quiet mountain on the outskirts of Beijing in advance, instructing them to stay low-key with small units rather than large forces.
Now Yoo Seongwon set out alone into the city center to gather information.
'Whew~ It took some detours, but finally, I can learn about this bizarre country. Let's see... how does it all work?'
Returning to the rundown city where he'd first landed, Yoo Seongwon spotted two middle-aged men chattering away in a tavern and approached cautiously to eavesdrop.
They looked like they'd just come from work, covered in grease and mud in their work clothes, clinking glasses as one pulled out his phone to show off a photo.
"Oh, come on! My son just had an audience with Lord Dragon-Phoenix King! He was rated mid-low grade soldier. Even with a lowest-low bloodline! Haha, it's not like every lowest-low produces nothing but lowest-low!"
"How many times are you gonna repeat that from this morning before you're satisfied? Sheesh! But doesn't that mean he won't be raised under you but sent to a mid-grade household? According to Lord Dragon-Phoenix King's laws, families are recognized only if grades match, and you can raise them yourself."
"Hey! Who'd want their kid inheriting this kind of life? Tsk! O-of course! Lord Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King has shown mercy to wretches like us with no talent or ability, letting us live stably! Anyway, advancing to mid-grade is more than I could ask for."
"You're right. It's our fault we were born with nothing. Anyway, your son's lucky—he's leaving this godforsaken city for something bigger."
As he listened, Yoo Seongwon pieced together the story.
He'd known the Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King divided people into grades and assigned jobs, but the restrictions were shocking.
Not just living arrangements—even if a child had a higher grade, parents couldn't raise them themselves. Marriages had to match grades too.
'Whoa... this place is way more messed up than I thought.'
"Shut up! You think you're the only ones drinking here? Lowest-low trash with no abilities! Quiet down!"
"Ah, s-sorry... We didn't notice you were here, low-high grade civilian official, sir."
"My friend's son just got rated mid-low, so he got a bit excited. Heh heh."
Even within low grades, there were high, mid, and low subdivisions, each with different titles.
Yoo Seongwon reeled from the culture shock, wondering why none of this had leaked abroad.
But on second thought, it wasn't that surprising in a place perfectly controlled by Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King.
[The target is a 'low-high grade civilian official.' Show respect and deference, as he outranks you, a 'lowest-low grade commoner.']
'Even I get a pop-up like this... With status windows letting people check each other's grades, it's perfect surveillance. Anyway, Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King's country... way more insane than expected.'
A nation where everything was controlled under a constellation's rule.
Talents and aptitudes judged by divine eyes, jobs assigned accordingly—if you stuck to your role, life had no hardships.
Even the lowest of the low, lowest-low grade humans, lived without want and received basic human treatment. No one had reason to complain; it was paradise in a way.
Sure, there were grade-based disparities and coercive policies ripping kids from parents, but brutal human societies shoved losers into endless abysses without such safety nets.
'What do you even call this?'
Treatment by ability was natural everywhere—even games tiered characters and jobs.
From the constellations' view, this world was just a game board, as he'd learned from the 66,000 constellations. In that light, Dragon-Phoenix King managed it cleanly and efficiently.
Plus, even low-grade humans were farms that could produce high or mid-grade talents anytime—efficient management.
"...Hmm..."
After all his investigations, now fully grasping the country, Yoo Seongwon hesitated.
He was an SS-grade hunter now, swimming in wealth and glory, but at root—like Dragon-Phoenix King had judged—he was lowest-low, wicked-grade.
Recalling how cruel humans could be to the weak and his disgust with human society, this constellation's nation seemed ideal by comparison.
"...But why does it feel so off?"
A nagging discomfort in his chest led him to visit other cities.
In neat, modern mid-grade cities and flashy high-grade ones like resorts or hotels, everyone was judged by the constellation's eye for talent and ability, assigned fitting jobs and treatment.
"Ah... I get it now."
Having confirmed everything, Yoo Seongwon finally realized.
What was missing here. What the people here lacked.
And why that displeasure had welled up inside him.
The people of Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King's land had no 'dreams.'
Or even if they did, they were useless.
"Mom, do I... really have to go to military school? I... just want to study plants."
"You idiot! Has 'the Constellation' said your talent is in martial arts? Don't get ideas, or you'll end up in a low-grade city!"
"Um... can I... try playing that piano?"
"Hah? Unless you're a music school student approved by 'the Constellation,' don't make me laugh! Do your job!"
"So... am I just gonna farm fields like this forever? No chance to try anything else?"
"Of course. 'The Constellation' said it suits you! Work and stop dreaming!"
Even if dreams existed, they—or those around them—crushed challenges and desires, eradicating them.
The result: pieces moved by the constellation's scripted missions. Worse, the whole nation was a machine, its people mere components.
Machine parts don't challenge. They don't dream. They just roll in place until worn out, then get replaced.
"...This feels gross."
Even Yoo Seongwon, who'd given up on the world, couldn't accept this.
At first, he'd wondered if it wasn't better. But stripping all human dreams and challenges? Unavoidable revulsion.
Humans dream, then challenge.
Wanting to become something. To have something. To do something.
Desire fuels desperation; those trajectories weave a life.
This was more vile to humanity than Olympus Guild demanding faith.
"Whew... damn, what now?"
He'd concluded on Dragon-Phoenix King's nation, but his head throbbed harder.
Hundreds of millions already lived as controlled machine parts. Yet as a pillar upholding human civilization, it massively influenced fights against destructive constellations.
Just its role checking Slaughter King made it untouchable.
"...Haaa~ Guys, I'm back."
Brimming with worries, he returned to where Heavenly Army Great General and the commander legion hid.
If he couldn't solve it alone, he'd consult them.
[You've returned? General. How did it go?]
"I reached a conclusion... but it's too damn hard."
[What's difficult?]
"It's definitely a shithole like the rest, but what comes next is the problem! Haaa~"
At this level of dystopia, it rivaled evil constellations loving destruction and slaughter.
Maybe kinder to its people, but to humanity as a species, it was no different from an enemy.
If Dragon-Phoenix King conquered Earth, 'humanity' as a species would vanish.
Left would be his machine world and humans turned to parts.
"So I wanted to ask you... what should I do?"
[Typhoons don't ponder the aftermath.]
"What? Say it plainly."
[It means focus on your mission if you have one. Time heals aftershocks... or eliminate everything before chaos from disorder or damage shakes things.]
Heavenly Army Great General's advice was extreme: ignore surroundings and ripples, just do your job.
Even suggesting blitz it. Yoo Seongwon was dumbfounded.
Of course, it wasn't wrong.
Whatever the world, fulfill his mission—humans handle the rest.
"My old self would've done that. But not now. Whew~"
[What will you do?]
"For now... yeah. Start with what I can. Let's go get our knights back first."
[Yes, General.]
Head spinning, but he decided: handle doable, certain things first.
So Yoo Seongwon moved to retrieve his knights from central Beijing.
Their location was easy to find—media and broadcasts hyped the "birth of super-special-grade heroes," blabbing to citizens while heading toward the Forbidden City.
『News Channel! Six super-special-grade knights join. All citizens high, mid, low—our domain's defenses strengthen. Rest easy, pursue your livelihoods, bolster the nation's power...』
"...They're straight-up showing where they are. Dragon's Palace in the Forbidden City? We'll know when we get there."
[Seems so, General. But instead of the full commander legion, just the great generals?"
"No point dragging everyone. Not starting a war. With my status like this, plan's just grab our kids and bail."
He showed his glitching status window, skills and stats barely visible.
His body wasn't right either, limiting him—so sneak the knights out and leave China.
[Do you know their exact location?]
"Of course. Saw it on the news while scouting the city—they're raving about them. New Dragon's Palace inside the Forbidden City~ I'll slip in and out. Come save me if needed."
[Yes, General.]
Thus, Yoo Seongwon headed alone back to Beijing's Forbidden City.
In this controlled society, no vehicles—so he borrowed a mount from Heavenly Army Great General to the city edge, then evaded eyes, steadily approaching the Forbidden City and Dragon's Palace.
'Status window's glitching weirdly... but stats and skills seem active, thank god. Whew~ Hurry before it changes again.'
Flickering, but not fully mortal—he couldn't even attempt this rescue otherwise. Steel resolve, he pressed toward Dragon's Palace.