Chapter 91
Chapter 91
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Iron Fortress Legacy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
He said it with a smile, but it was no laughing matter.
Whether abandoned or breaking the contract, it meant returning all the favors and privileges received from the Constellation—not to mention the risk of curses from particularly ill-tempered ones in the worst cases.
Knowing this, Yoo Seongwon was deeply worried.
"Ah, but we ended the contract through a sort of mutual agreement, so no curse or anything."
"Though Mom and I lost a ton of levels and skills in exchange. For reference, I dropped from 45 to 30, and Mom went from 75 to 45. Just like that!"
"Th-that much?"
At least Shin Ayoung had only fallen 15 levels. Recovering from 30 to 45 was easy—just run some D-rank dungeons.
But Shin Somi's case was serious. Dropping from 75 to 45 wasn't just a huge level loss; it meant grinding C- and B-rank dungeons to level up, potentially ending her Hunter career.
"Come to think of it, it's a fair price. As Guild Master, I failed to protect the guild headquarters—the Constellation's temple, essentially. I tarnished the guild's reputation, caused chaos, and alienated every member... Ending up like this is actually lucky."
"Oh, and for the record, I could've stayed, but Mom was leaving, so I cut ties too. Taking over that mess of a Guild Master spot now would just give me headaches, and I'd still face backlash for being Mom's daughter."
Shin Somi's exit was inevitable, but Shin Ayoung could've stayed. Still, she severed her Constellation contract too, unwilling to deal with the guild's tangled mess, including her mother's issues.
Yoo Seongwon felt guilty, knowing he was the cause.
"I'm truly sorry."
"It was my choice, so no regrets."
"If you have plans ahead, I'll help with everything I've got. Leveling up, skill books, whatever. Hmm..."
"That's not how you say it. You should go, 'We've driven away such fine talent!' and push for us aggressively. Your Majesty."
"Ugh! Don't call me Your Majesty!"
As she pointed out, Shin Somi had stepped down as Guild Master and been abandoned by her Constellation, but she was still prime talent anyone would covet.
Even with lost levels and skills, her experience clearing A-rank dungeons and running a mid-tier guild as Master didn't vanish.
Shin Ayoung had lower levels now too, but with her (Legendary) Phoenix Dance skill and solid foundation as a fighter-class Hunter, she was valuable.
"...Haa~ Anyway, Ayoung or Somi—no, Sister Somi—trusted as you are, I'd have helped no matter what. Even if I'm trash who ignores others' problems, I'm not ungrateful."
"That's why you're trustworthy."
"Hmm... Levels should recover if you stick with me, and for skills..."
He could use the ring imbued with the (Legendary) Slaughter King's Blessing from Legorn to open the shop and check, or buy items from auctions.
The real issue was their classes.
Yoo Seongwon himself hadn't completed his oath yet, so no class, but replacing their lost Judgment-class lineage was tricky.
"Classes are crucial, though. Find a new Constellation?"
"They don't like contract-breakers either."
"Right, yeah. Haa~ Tricky. Without one, high-end skills come from top classes or skill books, but finding the skill trees for class changes is tough."
Even before Constellations, there were Awakeners and Hunters.
They classed up by acquiring skill books, combining learnable skills, or meeting conditions in specific dungeons or by hunting certain monsters.
"Now almost everyone takes a Constellation's blessing or guidance, so that's for the untalented or special cases... Finding skill combos or conditions is a lost art."
More efficient methods had emerged.
Talented or promising folks got approached by Constellations or their agents like ghosts, so this was for the unskilled or evil Scavengers.
"Young man, fretting over something foolish."
"Pardon? What is it, Elder?"
"Where do you think this is?"
"Iron Fortress. The Grand Master's who guarded the world before Constellations... Ah!"
Right. Iron Fortress was the hub where top Awakeners and Hunters fought for the world pre-Constellations.
Old-school, but they were humanity's best, key to civilization's survival. Their data remained here.
Including their classes and skill trees.
"C-can we use it?"
"Isn't it legacy left for the future? I entrusted it to you, so use what you deem right. Oh, and check the stored items too."
"Hmm... You said no regrets! Alright!"
Yoo Seongwon quickly decided, granting Shin Somi and her daughter full access to Iron Fortress's data and skill books.
The Grand Master's pre-Constellation knowledge and treasures opened to them.
"...Whoa, Mom, this a dream? Look at this skill book list. Insane. Class info galore! Items everywhere! W-we can really use whatever?"
"Calm down, check skill trees and conditions carefully. Start with class data, pick wisely."
"This rivals any Constellation's favor. But why keep it sealed until now...?"
Shin Somi's question made sense.
Why withhold Iron Fortress's vast treasures and info—rivaling major Constellations—unless meeting Yoo Seongwon?
"Naturally. Even the finest weapon needs the right wielder. What if some fool misuses this legacy?"
"Quite right, Elder. Though..."
"I know. That boy's got flaws. But as I said, he has potential. I'll watch, so don't worry. You look after him too."
"Yes, understood."
Nodding, Shin Somi cross-referenced her skill tree with Iron Fortress data, plotting routes for new class-ups and skills.
The agreement was made, but Yoo Seongwon's situation remained volatile.
The Association would resent the unfair deal, guilds hated his power shift, and Scavengers and Demons thrived.
'No time to slack. Rush dungeons, level up, bolster forces. He's thinking the same, probably?'
"Whew~ Alright! Surroundings sorted, so let's plan B-rank dungeons now. Got a place to stay—time for what I've been meaning to do."
Yoo Seongwon wasn't naive enough to expect peace post-tutorial. He set clear next steps immediately.
Golden Dragon Knight or Golden Demon Knight—he was now a clear player on the Hunter board.
***
A few days later.
Gaebyeok Special Hotel, Hallasan Grand Ballroom.
Built during North Korea's regime when they dreamed of communizing South Korea, this ballroom—named Hallasan—teemed with eccentrically dressed guests.
They were apostles from Scavenger factions serving various Constellations, invited by Pastor Lee, apostle of the Slaughter King.
"Heh heh heh, you must be hungry~ Dig in. For such honored guests, I cooked everything myself. Heh heh heh!"
A cooking station lined the ballroom wall, where Pastor Lee—in pristine chef whites and hat—wielded tools, whipping up dishes.
His underlings served them to seated Scavengers and evil apostles.
"No, we know exactly what you're cooking... Can't you be subtler?"
A lion from the Scavenger group Daerim grimaced at the barbecue—whole human on a spit—but Pastor Lee chuckled innocently.
"Heh heh heh, food's best fresh. Eat up, everyone."
"Easy for you to say... Haa~ Guess I'll stick to greens."
Even vicious Scavengers balked at human flesh, deeming it insane. They avoided meats for salads and bread.
Monster delegates ate heartily, satisfied.
"By the way, the salad dressing is my special blend: brains and marrow from select females, ground together. Heh heh heh."
"Damn it!"
"And the milk? From pregnant females. Bit gamey, but it enhances the meat. Heh heh heh."
"Shit! Shit! Shit!"
"Hey!"
"Enough! Pastor Lee! Busy folks gathered, and you serve this revolting crap?"
"Revolting? Taste first. Ingredients and flavor are separate. Heh heh heh. Unhappy? Be next dish?"
The Scavenger shuddered under his glare, head bowed.
Push further, and he'd end up as the barbecue on his plate.
Most Scavengers and minor evil Constellation apostles pretended to eat, biding time for the main topic.
"Heh heh heh, cooking for others after so long is fun. We should do this often."
*'Don't!'*
*'Do that with your own kind!'*
*'One guy's making all us Slaughter King folks look cannibal... Top apostle, can't complain!'*
"Alright, mains done—time for announcements. Heh heh. Good news, everyone. A special guest to aid our plans. You've waited; please enter."
From where Pastor Lee gestured, one person emerged.
Shock rippled—such an unexpected figure that Scavengers and other apostles buzzed.
"What?"
"How's that guy here?"
"Kidnapped by Pastor Lee? No, wouldn't call him a guest..."
Stirring such reaction, he stood by Pastor Lee with a scowl.
Any Korean Hunter would know him: Oh Kyung-hoon, current Guild Master of Seoul Guild.