Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Constellation Gallery EP.43
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The next day, the people who came to see us off all looked strangely sturdy.
It was because they were clad in gleaming metallic armor.
The armor was sturdy like a medieval knight's and practical like battlefield gear. The helmets were open-faced kettle hats.
"Wow, everyone looks tough."
The orphanage director glanced down at his own armor.
His expression was as gentle as ever, but his eyes had deepened.
"Really... I have no idea how to repay this vast and profound grace."
"Grace?"
This wasn't charity—it was an investment.
"Oh, by the way, do you have a car?"
"You mean an automobile?"
The director asked back.
"Come to think of it, the car got wrecked when you were saving me... Wait just a moment. I'll go get the keys..."
"No, no. I can't just take your car."
"No, you must. You're our lifesaver."
"Heh, I was just asking. But if it'll ease your mind, sure."
Just then, Tulip chimed in from the side.
"Then why'd you ask?"
"Tsk. I was just curious."
In the meantime, the director went inside and quickly returned with the car keys.
"Please take this at least."
He placed the keys gently in my hand.
"We won't need a car for a while anyway, so no need to feel burdened or worried."
"No, really, it's fine."
"What's the point of me holding onto it in this world? We have no reason to leave the safe place you've made for us. It belongs with someone who needs it."
Sincerity filled his voice.
"...Especially after receiving such grace."
How could I argue when he said it while looking at the children's armor?
"The armor looks nice."
"We got ours too. I'll show you later."
I flinched at Kang Harin's words.
It meant she'd had sets made for us as well.
Even without me asking, she never missed a detail.
'Good girl.'
Anyway, it was time to say goodbye.
As I prepared final farewells, the director and Do Han spoke up at once.
"You could stay longer."
"It's not that urgent, right?"
The kids looked at me too, their eyes already knowing the pain of parting.
I chose my words carefully.
Staying in one place wouldn't solve everything.
But the full truth would only breed anxiety.
So, I deflected moderately.
"Roads are best traveled while they're open."
"I see."
This place could be breached someday too.
Without growth, survival was impossible.
I'd given Do Han the gist, so all I could do was hope the kids grew strong.
"Do Han."
"Yes, hyung!"
"Do well."
"Yep!"
That was enough.
I'd invested—no, yielded—the Slayer achievements for their growth. I'd done plenty.
Keys in hand, I scanned the kids one last time.
Tiny hands waved.
Eyes under helmets smiled at me.
'You kids...'
Grow tougher than this.
And hold the line.
Against the end of your world.
Gwangju's air was thick and heavy.
Dust-laden wind brushed my ears, lonely sunlight pouring through the ruins of skyscrapers.
"Whoa, it's quiet here too."
I slammed the car door and looked around.
Then a crumpled sign caught my eye.
I kicked it indifferently.
The peeling metal plate clanged and fell.
'Monsters do show up, then...'
But it was eerily empty.
No packs, no corpses.
Too clean. That made it unsettling.
"Let's head deeper in."
The early zones are really small.
Not full areas—just neighborhoods or roads.
So that suspicion makes sense.
But I couldn't hesitate over their stares and die.
No posts, no penalties even if caught.
'More importantly, if monsters strictly guard those tiny zones, I need to go deeper to meet them.'
That thought crossed my mind as I walked.
Whoosh!
Something tore through the air.
Clang!
A sharp metallic scrape rang from my left shoulder.
It was a rusted, crude iron spear.
I glanced down—no scratches.
'Javelin?'
Looking toward the thrower, I spotted a figure crouched on a shop sign.
Dank green skin, jagged mouth with yellowed teeth.
A goblin about elementary school kid-sized.
But in its hand, a near 1m iron javelin.
Spinning it one-handed while cackling—utterly grotesque.
No explanations anymore on what they do.
Well, obvious—throws spears.
The goblin raised its arm again.
Forearm muscles swelled slightly, then hurled another.
Thwuk!
Faster than expected.
I dodged with just a head tilt.
It cackled anyway.
"Grinning like an idiot."
I slowly raised my right hand.
Crimson-black mist bloomed in my palm.
The Grave of Ten Thousand Demons appeared.
"I can throw too."
I reared back and launched.
Shoo—
It sliced air, piercing the goblin's right chest.
"Kek...!"
The grin vanished.
It spat blood, gasped, then collapsed unconscious.
Faster still, black smoke returned to my hand.
Wait, 100 Gold?
Same tier as the archer?
"Tulip, that spear poisoned?"
"Yes. Effect like the archer, but different mechanism."
"You don't have to tell me that much."
As she spoke, presences approached from afar.
Packs are noisy.
"Knew it—goblins'd bring friends."
I inhaled quietly, hooking the Grave of Ten Thousand Demons on my fingertip.
"Tulip, this'll be more tiring than archers. Time to stretch those legs."
"Juhan! What about me?!"
"You just chill. I got it."
I grinned, prepping for the next wave.
They'd swarm soon.
But as sounds sharpened, I realized.
Not goblins.
Vrooooom—
Presence turned to sharp exhaust roar. Biker gang at vision's edge.
Five bikes with red mufflers.
"Who gave you permission to hunt monsters?"
"Don't you know this is Big Bro Daeju's turf?"
"Surrender everything now, and we'll spare your lives."
What the hell are these guys?
"Daeju's turf" meant someone claimed this area.
Not bluffing—they mentioned hunt permits.
'Zone's probably escalated already.'
Ghouls first, then archer-tier. Made sense.
Per their words, someone controlled it as a hunting ground.
And their attitude? Absurdly confident.
Even assuming I killed a monster.
One problem.
'Their "Daeju" whatever.'
Reliable backing.
Plus a biker gang organization? Ominous.
'Might be a stronger Awakener than expected.'
Good guys or bad? Assessment done.
Surrender everything for life?
Weighing lives from the start? Useless.
Decision made the instant they spoke.
'Real bad guys.'
I eyed them slowly.
Thirties guy, tattooed arms, baby-faced kid, etc.
Weapons out, shoulders tense.
Like theater kids forcing new roles. Laughable.
"Counteroffer."
"What?"
"First to kneel lives. One only."
Their faces twisted.
Whatever.
"Oh, before kneeling—bonus. Ideally, someone who can lead us to your boss."
"What?"
"Nah, should we all go kill that Daeju fuckhead together?"
"You crazy bastard."
"Bad seeds gotta be uprooted before they grow, right?"
I casually raised the Grave of Ten Thousand Demons.
"Not getting it? Want convincing?"