Chapter 215
Chapter 215
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 215
Chapter Title: UN Headquarters
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Two weeks later. New York, USA, UN Headquarters.
The UN International Conference. As an organization for global peace that had long been active on Earth, it retained high value as a world conference body even amid the Awakener crisis and the era of Constellations. This was because most human governments gathered there to counter evil-aligned Constellations seeking to claim this 'star,' and even the 'Constellations' tacitly approved it.
And now, it was the place Yoo Seongwon would arrive in three days to explain the massive incident in Asia. However, key figures from major nations, along with guild members and Constellation Apostles, had already arrived. They were holding meetings or exchanging information, taking steps to respond to this upheaval.
"The King of Asia... huh? What an absurd name that guy's got."
"But it's also a name we can't afford to take lightly. He's the one who banished three Constellations from this 'star.' One was the Constellation Blue Dragon, another the infamous Constellation 66 Heavenly Demons, and the last the Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King who dominated China's heartland. Well, excluding the Blue Dragon—who just toyed with Apostles before vanishing—the other two were no pushovers. Their disappearance changes everything."
"According to the intel, the Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King's side targeted the knights summoned by Hunter Yoo Seongwon first. Since those summons possess individual strength comparable to S-Rank Hunters, even a Constellation couldn't just steal them away, leading to the conflict."
"Hmm... The Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King's greed for talent is well-known, so it fits. But is it normal to pick a fight with an average Constellation over that?"
"He's already done it once, hasn't he?"
"But when he came back from that, he was carrying massive mental trauma. Even after long-term recovery, jumping back into a fight with a Constellation this soon feels like a reckless move..."
The government officials from various nations laid out rational inferences, thoughts, and information, continuously analyzing Hunter Yoo Seongwon's goals and motives.
There were too many inconsistencies that didn't add up, and far too many suspicious elements.
"The biggest issue... is still what his ultimate purpose is. He's already conquered East Asia—Korea, China, Japan. He should be content enjoying that power now, but he shows no sign of stopping. According to our agent in the frontline city, he seems intent on taking out other Constellations as well."
"What, does he have a grudge against Constellations from a past life or something?"
"Hmm..."
When viewing Constellations, nations tended to shun those aiming to destroy humanity, but many viewed friendly ones positively.
After all, Constellations granted immense power to Hunters in exchange for a price, making them welcome. For some nations, leveraging a Constellation's power could shift international dynamics dramatically.
"We don't know his purpose yet... but if he's someone who goes around eliminating Constellations, or one fated to do so, India will stand against him. We've achieved a peace no world organization or human council could grant us."
"Our South American Community Organization agrees."
"The African Union supports that view as well. Though it's still unofficial..."
"The Arab League can add our vote."
"And..."
Nations plundered by imperialists, scarred by civil wars and conflicts for so long that they lacked peace or started developing late—these had closed massive development gaps thanks to Constellations, healed war wounds, and improved living conditions. Thus, they intended to protect the Constellations in their lands.
"Now, everyone, calm down. The Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King incident was just a conflict to protect his subordinate S-Rank Hunter. With the Blue Dragon, they challenged him to a duel first... And the Olympus dispute in Tokyo was resolved amicably through talks, wasn't it?"
"True. He's not someone reason won't reach."
"But our Constellation's revelation..."
From a rational standpoint, the concerns diminished significantly, but the issue remained the Constellations' power.
Revelations to Apostles and their voices had all Constellations warning to beware Yoo Seongwon.
In some cases, they even revealed he was this Earth's chosen Star Guardian, but people resisted accepting a guardian chosen from a non-chosen nation, ignoring their Constellations' words.
"So, what do you all suggest? Sure, it's a puppet regime, but what he's doing in China is progressing peacefully and moderately. Plus, with the Dragon-Phoenix King's First Guard Captain Jang Beom holding the current regime, there's no other pretext."
"You're saying our worries are just worries, nothing more?"
"Yes. Especially since you all know—how many here have faced a cataclysmic-grade Constellation? Better a brave guy like him."
Cataclysmic-grade or annihilation-grade Constellations—like the Constellation Eternal Wrath—referred to supreme forces treated as existential threats to the 'star.'
At those words, the nations that had been voicing support abruptly shut their mouths.
Right—dealing with cataclysmic-grade Constellations was like pouring water into a bottomless bucket, and powerful nations like the US and Europe handled it without anyone else lifting a finger.
"The Constellation Eternal Wrath and the Constellation of Vengeance Titan? The US is handling those... What are Brazil, South America, and Canada doing?"
"Ahem!"
"And the raiders targeting the Constellation Heavenly Spire in Africa? You're not handling it yourselves—you're getting European support. Australia's Constellation Ender? They've basically abandoned it. Despite all those aid requests to India..."
"..."
It wasn't that they were speechless; they just didn't want to expend national resources saving other countries.
East Asia was already fighting Constellations outright, even indirectly supporting by sending talent to Olympus Guild, leaving little room for argument.
Amid various concerns and hypotheticals, the officials continued gathering information and discussing.
They needed to decide their stance toward Yoo Seongwon quickly after his upcoming briefing—lest another nation ally or oppose him first.
***
Three days later.
Yoo Seongwon, finally arriving in the US, attended the UN conference and detailed the subjugation of the Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King using video footage and documents.
Third Guard Captain Owi—who had gone to Korea as a witness—stepped forward, wrapping up the explanation so cleanly that no objections arose.
"...That concludes the incident report. Owi will now continue with the process of establishing a new government in China under the former 'Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King' and our future blueprint. The National Reconstruction Committee is currently surveying public opinion, prioritizing systems and laws for self-governance without the 'Constellation's' control. Once complete, we'll hold a general election for a democratic, legitimate government..."
'Phew~ It's over. Now I can just sit back and watch. ...Or so I'd like to say, but too many eyes on me?'
Ignoring the gazes from people worldwide fixed on him as he watched Owi's explanation, Yoo Seongwon did his best.
Stared at by countless people regardless of race or gender. He realized eliminating other Constellations wouldn't be easy.
He had already been briefed by Elder Baek Ga-yeon before coming, on global situations.
Including how attitudes toward Constellations varied by national context.
'And... did the Constellations tip them off? Lots of unfriendly looks.'
In nations where Constellations held absolute sway, they likely knew who Yoo Seongwon was and what he intended.
The Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King had known he was the 'Star Guardian,' so others surely did too.
'Anyway, next move... I announced targeting the Constellation Slaughter King, so no backlash there.'
Indeed, the announcement drew no shock or reaction.
The Constellation Slaughter King was an evil-aligned Constellation notorious not just in Asia but Russia too. No one could object to subjugating it.
Yet suspicions lingered despite that—likely worrying about what came after the Slaughter King.
"...That concludes my report."
'Ah, finally done. Now I can head back and hunt the Slaughter King freely.'
Clap, clap, clap.
Since this was purely a briefing without press, no Q&A was needed. Yoo Seongwon and Owi exited directly.
Sick of such complications, Yoo Seongwon wanted to board his private jet—the same one that brought him—and fly straight back to Korea.
"Whew~ Those stares were brutal. Damn..."
"But we haven't said what we're doing next, so no real signs yet."
"Probably after we take down the Slaughter King... something'll brew. Sigh~"
"Right?"
But taking down the Slaughter King wasn't easy either.
Discussing what followed might be premature, but to resolve this mission, he needed to plan ahead.
"Among those stares, some secretly hoped I'd join them to handle an annihilation-grade one."
"Annihilation-grade... Whew~"
He recalled the annihilation-grade Constellation Eternal Wrath from reports—overwhelmingly beyond comprehension. Excluding the Constellation Ender, humanity was holding them off for now.
Yoo Seongwon remembered his old talk with Elder Baek Ga-yeon.
'I don't need to expel all Constellations. Send off a few big ones, gain overwhelming power, then intimidate the rest to leave. Like a strong homeowner exercising rights.'
"Annihilation-grade..."
No matter the path, he'd have to keep winning fights to climb higher.
The Slaughter King was just one step; after it, facing annihilation-grades weighed heavy.
'Well... I'll do what I can. And it's not set in stone yet... Focus on what's doable first.'
Steel ing his resolve, Yoo Seongwon called home to order preparations for subjugating the Constellation Slaughter King.
Its forces spanned China, Korea, and Russia, so he could legally request cooperation from Dragon-Phoenix King's China and Russia—handy.
"Assemble subjugation teams from all four directions, clear residual dungeons as we advance, we'll hit from the east, China from the west to corner the core dungeon. And prep for the core dungeon... thoroughly this time."
With the 66 Heavenly Demons precedent, barging into the Slaughter King's core dungeon risked unknowns. Yoo Seongwon vowed meticulous prep, considering all scenarios.