Chapter 511  

Choi Yeonseung didn’t bother to explain, as it would be a waste of time. He used Origin of the Celestial Fist again, piercing the Noble Crown Collector’s torso once again with a ray of light.

The presence of the collector constellation fluttered wildly as he was sent flying. The great forest, densely packed with towering trees, echoed with a deafening cracking sound.

The collector constellation violently rose up and cleared the smashed trees with his hands.

Die, you filthy bastard!

[The ‘Crown of Glory’ power of the ‘Noble Crown Collector’...]

At this moment, the power of existence of the collector constellation exploded. His power of existence, which had been weakened by multiple defeats and humiliations, surged to the point of overwhelming Choi Yeonseung.

Seeing this, Choi Yeonseung decided to avoid that power instead of fighting against it head-on.

Don’t run away!

The collector constellation abandoned the broken scepter and sealed the hole in his existence.

Cough!

He had taken multiple hits, and the energy that had been shaved off by the attack of the Undefeated Incarnation of Training had yet to regenerate.

The enemy used a martial arts technique that inflicted damage internally rather than externally with the power of internal energy.

If a constellation unleashed such an attack with all his might, it would be difficult to recover even as a fellow constellation.

The collector constellation gritted his teeth and summoned another crown.

[The ‘Shadow Crown’ power of the ‘Noble Crown Collector’...]

Once he stabilized himself, the collector constellation put on the new crown and forced himself to move. Constellations could also use their powers in dire circumstances, ignoring the pain and acting on sheer willpower.

If you don’t come out, I shall burn your entire realm to the ground!

A beam of light like earlier flew out from the great forest. The collector constellation tasted the heat of Origin of the Celestial Finger, gritted his teeth, and blocked it.

Stop messing around! Come out and face me! You’re a fellow constellation after all!

Of course, the enemy’s taunts had no effect on Choi Yeonseung; he had no intention of rushing in.

‘When will his power run out?’

It seemed that the Crown of Glory was overpowered, as it greatly enhanced the power of the constellation that wore it.

Amplifying one’s power of existence with their own power of existence seemed like an absurd contradiction—it was no different than satisfying one’s hunger by eating themselves. And yet, it was possible.

It was just that such paradoxical powers didn’t last long. The power of existence of the collector constellation would clearly return to its original level as the battle dragged on.

‘Then there’s no reason for me to come at him.’

The Noble Crown Collector tore through the trees of the great forest, wandering around looking for Choi Yeonseung. He was being foolish; if he attacked the farm, Choi Yeonseung might come out and fight him.

The collector constellation hesitated. He was pressured by time and injured, so he was understandably nervous. However, he had been around in the Abyss for long enough to be able to handle such tense situations.

[The ‘Crown of Detection’ power of the ‘Noble Crown Collector’...]

Choi Yeonseung immediately attacked when the opponent changed his crown. However, the collector constellation fought back this time; he was done being beaten up.

[The power of the ‘Noble Crown Collector’, the ‘Crown of Glory’ shines!]

He quickly put the crown back on, and his power of existence soared. However, Choi Yeonseung didn’t retreat this time. In this situation, that would mean giving the opponent an advantage.

-It’s worth a shot.

[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ saw the future!] The other constellations agreed with his plan. Choi Yeonseung had been forced to fight because of the collector constellation’s silly tricks, but there was no reason for him to keep running away.

Even though Choi Yeonseung was at a disadvantage in terms of power of existence, everything else was in his favor.

‘This ends here.’

I will kill you and regain my authority!

The two constellations clashed in the great forest.

***

Conflicts between constellations had always terrified mortals, especially when the constellations engaged in an all-out war without caring about the aftermath.

Illingars’ great forest was almost endless, but the battle was so fierce that almost a quarter of the forest had been destroyed, reduced to barren plots of land.

The monsters dwelling in the forest had lost their usual ferocity. They bowed their heads to the clash between the two constellations and hid underground.

The two constellations were relentlessly trying to kill each other with their abilities and power of existence.

The Noble Crown Collector felt his heart burn with anger once again. This time, his anger wasn’t directed at the Undefeated Incarnation of Training but at himself.

Surprisingly, the collector constellation felt overwhelmed by his enemy. No matter what kinds of magic and skills he used, he couldn’t gain the upper hand. His opponent dodged all his attacks and narrowed the distance with strange moves while aiming at his vital points.

The collector constellation could only manage to block the attacks, just barely. The powers and skills he possessed felt shabby. Even if he turned everything upside down and tore it apart, he couldn’t stop this constellation.

The collector constellation was somehow managing to avoid fatal injuries, but he was clearly being pushed back more and more. He was getting sluggish. If the fight continued at this rate, he would surely meet his end.

‘But...!’

He was shaking with humiliation, and he prepared to use his final weapon. Any constellation, no matter how weak or strong they were, had a final trick up their sleeve. The Noble Crown Collector was no exception.

‘Come!’

Choi Yeonseung once again rushed in, clearly determined to inflict more damage on his opponent and finish this.

Origin of the Celestial Fist curved gently and struck the collector constellation on the shoulder, taking away some of his power of existence.

With that, the collector constellation lost enough power of existence to rule at least three kingdoms. The pain was excruciating, and he was gritting his teeth as he was holding onto his spirit.

This time, the concentrated fist energy fired by Choi Yeonseung hit the crown on the collector constellation’s head.

The Noble Crown Collector’s eyes burned with rage as he realized that some of his powers had vanished for good.

Now!

The Noble Crown Collector, who was on the verge of crumbling, used his power with the utmost concentration.

[The ‘Crown of Destruction’ power of the ‘Noble Crown Collector’ is activated.]

‘There it is!’

Contrary to the collector constellation’s assumptions, Choi Yeonseung was naturally prepared for this. The Noble Crown Collector had lived for an incredible amount of time in the Abyss, but Choi Yeonseung had the most experience when it came to all-out battles between constellations.

After all, what other constellation had roamed around the desolate parts of the Abyss like a madman, hunting constellations?

It was only natural that Choi Yeonseung had predicted that the collector constellation was preparing something big. The only issue was figuring out what it was exactly.

‘Is it another crown power? If it’s something with a debuff effect...’

Choi Yeonseung had already secured his victory, so the collector constellation was no longer a threat.

The Noble Crown Collector was essentially a summoner or necromancer-type constellation. He took pleasure in capturing and empowering mortals of noble lineage with his own power. In other words, his power excelled in constellation battles or other kinds of indirect fights, but his combat ability was naturally weaker in a direct fight against a constellation.

Even though the collector constellation was enraged and attacked directly, the powers he could use in this situation were limited. His arsenal was narrowed down to crown-based powers to strengthen himself or weaken Choi Yeonseung.

And unfortunately for him, Choi Yeonseung was prepared for both. No matter what the collector constellation did, Choi Yeonseung was about to finish this fight.

[The ‘Crown of Mortality’ rests on your head!]

‘Hah. Give it a try.’

Choi Yeonseung was ready to maximize his power of existence and overcome the opponent’s power with his strength.

-...?

The goddess of sloth felt that something was wrong. Although Choi Yeonseung had gathered his strength to overcome the Crown of Mortality, something should’ve happened...

A skill that instilled the fear of mortality into its victim, something that constellations had never experienced...

It seemed that the collector constellation mistook Choi Yeonseung’s stillness for fear. He raised his hand that wasn’t broken and concentrated his power of existence to create a spear-shaped magic.

Now that Choi Yeonseung had stopped moving, the collector constellation intended to kill him right then and there.

“What are you going to do?” Choi Yeonseung asked incredulously as he fired the Origin of the Celestial Fist forward. A wave of concentrated energy pierced the defenseless Noble Crown Collector in the chest, inflicting a fatal wound.

...!!!

The collector constellation’s face contorted in pain. This wound couldn’t be healed with the power of his crown.

Y-you...!

It was only then that the collector constellation realized the truth.

The Crown of Mortality wouldn’t just disappear like that. He had created this secret power in preparation for when he had to deal with constellations.

The finitude of mortals was beyond the comprehension of a constellation, and this Crown of Mortality forced a constellation to feel their own finitude.

It was a unique idea that most constellations in the Abyss wouldn’t even think about, so the collector constellation had been confident in this crown.

Any constellation would be bewildered by this power and despair. However, the Undefeated Incarnation of Training was unaffected. No matter how strong he was, this made no sense. He should’ve been confused at the very least.

There was only one reason he had withstood that power.

The Undefeated Incarnation of Training wasn’t disguised as that household member from earlier. He actually was that household member!

It was an unbelievable revelation, but on his deathbed, the Noble Crown Constellation realized that it was the truth.

Dammit... You cunning bastard...!

The collector constellation glared at Choi Yeonseung as he spoke in a fading voice.

The other constellations in the Abyss... They can’t let their guards down...

With those last words, the existence of the Noble Crown Collector completely vanished from the Abyss.

That was the end of the evil god constellation who had made Earth’s hunters bow down in fear.

***

“Are those bastards crazy?? They want a clan battle in the current situation?”

“To be precise, it isn’t a clan battle, but an international competition...”

“Whatever! Why does that matter? The point is that they’ve sent us a request, right?” Han Seha said so while looking at Kwon Yeongseung, who was nodding in response.

“They’re looking down on us.”

“...”

“They’re underestimating us. Why else would they make such a request in this situation?” Jeong Wonuk, the oldest A-grade hunter at the scene, had to admit it.

In the current situation, China had actually requested an international competition. They wouldn’t have done that unless they were looking down on the hunters from South Korea.

The invasion of the evil god constellations, the explosion of the unexplored dungeons, the rebellion of the senior hunters, the fights among the factions within the party that were almost like civil wars...

Even though the situation was utterly chaotic, China had proceeded with their plans and applied for an international competition. There was only one reason for this.

They were confident they could win against South Korea in this situation. It made sense. Besides, even though they were very capable, Korean hunters were known for not being able to work well with each other.

Even though she was an A-grade hunter, Han Seha didn’t participate in such competitions. Meanwhile, Kwon Yeongseung’s performances had been quite disappointing, not befitting of his A-grade rank.

Not even the Iron-Blooded Ice Emperor, whom the government officials had ambitiously persuaded to join, could manage such hunters. After all, there was a reason his position was referred to as the graveyard of directors.

Instead of having the hunters use their talent against each other, it would be better for them to not have any talent at all...

“Shouldn’t we just decline?” Kwon Yeongseung asked Jeong Wonug, ignoring Han Seha.

If the international competition took place, it would be unclear whether Han Seha and Jeong Wonuk would have to participate, but Kwon Yeongseung would have no choice but to join. Besides, he felt deeply responsible for the last several defeats, so having to participate again would be a heavy burden.

“You want to decline?”

“Well... I want to say no, but I also want to redeem myself. I’m much stronger than before, and I also feel bad for the Iron-Blooded Ice Emperor...”

‘Huh, he actually feels bad,’ Jeong Wonuk thought to himself as he looked at Kwon Yeongseung.

“The Iron-Blooded Ice Emperor would be pleased to hear that. With that kind of resolve, there’s nothing you can’t do...”

“But just because one of you has changed doesn’t mean the outcome of the competition will also change.”

With that, Han Seha managed to discourage Kwon Yeongseung again.

Jeong Wonuk hurriedly spoke to comfort him, “You aren’t the only one who’s changed, so don’t get scared already...!”