Chapter 68  

Hwang Gyeongryong gritted his teeth and explained how great he was. In fact, he truly was great. Taking over the authority of Los Angeles from the US government wasn’t something that just about anyone could do. Among the raid powerhouses that emerged after the great invasion, Hwang Gyeongryong was one of the most powerful.

He was also one of the influential forces that could move the huge country called the United States! Even if other gigantic clans were jealous of him and slandered him, no one could deny Hwang Gyeongryong’s power.

“This guy. I ate with the president yesterday. I even went to the sauna with him and everything!”

“Hyung. I’ll admit that you’re great, so don’t tell such ugly lies.”

“I’m telling the truth!”

“This isn’t the president of South Korea we’re talking about here. Isn’t it crazy for you to go to the sauna with the president of the United States? That simply isn’t possible no matter how popular the Hallyu wave was.”

“I asked him to go with me and he agreed! I’m that important of a person!”

It was hard to believe that he took the president of the United States to a Korean sauna. It made no sense no matter how Choi Yeonseung thought about it.

“In any case, I don’t care about insignificant clans like the Mount Hua Sect. If I knew they were here, there would’ve already been a huge incident.”

Large and small groups operating in and near cities moved cautiously and kept an eye on Dragon Industry. That applied to clans doing legal and illegal businesses. They paid their taxes regularly, avoided touching Dragon Industry’s employees or hunters, and followed orders from above...

“Huh? They pay taxes?”

Taxes on illegal businesses? What was he saying?

“If you spend a lot of money despite having no income, then it’ll show up on the record. Once it does, the Dragon Industry employees will drag the hunters and deal with them. My company is thorough in that regard.”

The IRS was notorious for going to the homes of people who didn’t pay their taxes with guns, but Dragon Industry took it one step further. They?attacked using the company’s hunters! They went so far that even criminals had to falsely report their income and paid taxes. If they properly paid their taxes, Dragon Industry would overlook it. Hence, they had no choice but to cry and pay.

“That’s very different from South Korea, isn’t it?”

This would’ve never happened in South Korea!

“Hyung, I can see that you fit perfectly in the United States. Anyway, what do you think of the Mount Hua Sect?”

“The Mount Hua Sect? What are you worried about? You just have to accept them. The more subordinates you control, the better.”

“Their history is heavy, and they’re a criminal organization. They’re like the mafia.”

“What history... You aren’t their parent, so you don’t have to care about their business, do you? If they want to go to China, then let them go. It isn’t like they’re asking you to go with them.” Hwang Gyeongryong nonchalantly said.

“Don’t worry about that and just focus on your own situation. Treat them well if you need them, and kick them out if you don’t. Didn’t they make such a request already fully prepared for that? Don’t give them unnecessary consideration.”

“...Huh. That sounds right.”

Choi Yeonseung agreed. The Mount Hua Sect hunters weren’t children. All they wanted from Choi Yeonseung was his guidance. Past that point, they were on their own.

‘No matter what he says, he’ll likely intervene later if something happens. That wouldn’t be bad either.’

Hwang Gyeongryong would’ve stopped Choi Yeonseung if he was an ordinary hunter since it could become a nuisance. However, Choi Yeonseung was a constellation. He had to move with a larger perspective than ordinary hunters’ calculations. If Choi Yeonseung joined the Mount Hua Sect in their return to China, he could get a bountiful harvest as a constellation.

“It’s funny that you’re uncomfortable about the fact that they’re like the mafia.”

“?”

“If you put it that way, then all the other hunter clans are like the mafia as well, aren’t they? It is the same as before...”

“Uh… Even so, don’t regular clans have some lines they don’t cross?” magic

“Well, no.”

“...No?”

“That isn’t true. Don’t compare things with our old clan. We were an unusual case.”

A hunter clan was a group of hunters who liked hanging around each other, but no one was more troublesome than them. They demanded all types of privileges under the pretext of protecting people from monsters and executed various tricks on rival clans. There would be bloodshed if an all-out war broke out between the clans. One huge explosion alone could kill a ridiculous amount of people.

“Should I leave them alone?” “It’s normal for hunters to fight among themselves, but what do you think I should do? I usually leave them alone as long as they don’t hurt the civilian population. However, once their conflict grows bigger, other clans will intervene and stop them. The Mount Hua Sect tend to do business calmly.”’

‘The world is going crazy.’

“... I understand. I’ll give it some serious thought.”

“I don’t think recruiting?the?Mount Hua Sect would be bad. They’re desperate but organized. That makes them a good clan to use as subordinates.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“By the way, how did they find out that you’re good?in martial?arts?”

“Ah.”

Choi Yeonseung explained what happened with the Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood, including the upcoming constellation battle.

“!!!!” Hwang Gyeongryong was surprised. A constellation battle! Wasn’t this an important matter that couldn’t be compared to his own work or the work of the Mount Hua Sect?

“Is that okay? Already?”

They weren’t prepared yet. Choi Yeonseung’s household was only composed of Hwang Gyeongryong. He hadn’t properly gathered that much faith and trust yet either. In comparison, Earth’s constellations had long had their own kingdoms with powerful individuals. Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood was an evil god constellation so powerful that even Hwang Gyeongryong knew his name!

“It’s fine. It would’ve been disadvantageous, but he doesn’t know I’m a constellation. I’ll be the one participating, so I’ve got an advantage.”

“......!”

Hwang Gyeongryong thought about it again.

‘This nasty, smart guy!’

It didn’t matter whether it was cheating or whatever. Be it a battle between constellations or clans, winning was the priority. This was also a strategy! If things?became?twisted, he could just come out himself!

“That constellation asked me to fight personally, so he’ll probably accept it even if it’s single combat.”

“Wait. If you go out on your own, isn’t victory almost certain? You shouldn’t have anything to worry about.”

“I’m not worried about losing. I’m thinking about how much of my skills I should show.”

“......”

“If I demonstrate all of my skills, no one will challenge me in single combat next time.”

He wasn’t thinking about how to win. He was thinking about how to rip them off again and again!

Hwang Gyeongryong was dumbfounded.

“Hey. Don’t worry about useless things and just do your best in the fight you are facing. Cats can sometimes get bitten by mice. Why think about that now?”

How could he be so relaxed against a constellation?

“I’m doing my best. I’m not looking down on the constellation. I’m doing this because I have to keep ripping them off in the future. I feel that the power of the constellations on Earth can’t be matched through ordinary means.”

The constellations, who already had kingdoms in the Abyss and had long attracted believers on Earth, boasted great power. A latecomer like Choi Yeonseung couldn’t intervene with them using normal methods.

“What method did you come up with, then?”

“I have to keep winning constellation battles.”

In other words, he’d pillage the opponents’ belongings! Constellation battles were risky, but one could receive huge profits from them upon winning. The opposing constellation could bring him realms, households, treasures, etc. For Choi Yeonseung, who was weak in power, constellation battles were a very attractive method.

“That’s true, but... Why are you so worried? Hey. Please don’t limit your abilities when fighting because you’re thinking about the future. Don’t hold back if you’re at a disadvantage. Understood? Your opponent’s household members are probably no joke.”

“You don’t have to worry. By the way, what was the matter you wanted to discuss with me?”

“It’s nothing compared to your constellation battle situation. I’ll tell you once that’s over. For now, focus on the constellation battle. Tell me if you need my help.”

“Got it.”

***

[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ accepts the ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’s’ request.]

[The events of a constellation battle must be fair. This is guaranteed by all the constellations on Earth.] Anything was possible in a constellation battle, but that didn’t mean everything was allowed. It was impossible to have a match with rules that made one side unable to win.

[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ suggests single combat. The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ will send out ‘Choi Yeonseung.’]

The constellation watching the battle between the two constellations with interest became agitated. The Undefeated Incarnation of Training actually accepted the challenge! As a constellation, avoiding constellation battles were a huge disgrace and loss. However, it was better to avoid it than to engage in one only to lose since that would incur damage dozens of hundreds of times larger.

The Undefeated Incarnation of Training was an emerging constellation that had just appeared on Earth. Did he accept it too hastily? Nevertheless, the constellations were curious and expectant about the result. For those who were struggling with boredom, there was nothing they could look forward to more than a constellation battle!

[The ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ has allowed other constellations to watch the constellation battle.]

[The constellations are cheering!]

Perhaps because he noticed their anticipation, but the Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood decided to publicize the constellation battle. Choi Yeonseung clicked his tongue.

‘This...’

Constellations had the freedom to decide whether to let others witness the constellation battle or not. They often hid it, however. The power of their own household would be revealed otherwise. Nevertheless, the Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood decided to broadcast the constellation battle. Perhaps it was because he wanted to completely trample on Choi Yeonseung.

‘Well, it’s fine. I shouldn’t be too greedy.’

Choi Yeonseung had also made up his mind.

It would be nice if he could easily win the next constellation battle, but he decided not to obsess over it too much. First, he had to focus on the fight in front of him!

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ is cheering for you!]

[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ is cheering for you!]

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says it bet a soul stone on you.]

[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ scolds it for saying such a thing.]

‘......’

[The ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ has?bet?the ‘Blood Fortress’ in the constellation battle.]

[If you win, you can get the ‘Blood Fortress.’]

At this moment, a realm of the Abyss, the ‘Blood Fortress’ appeared in front of Choi Yeonseung. The vast area was covered in red. Blood flowed from the walls and the river in front of the fortress. Orcs were the realm’s main race.

-Blood for warriors!

-Blood for warriors!

They either hunted nearby monsters or among themselves to offer blood.

‘Wow. I really don’t want to receive this.’

However, the constellations thought differently.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ is admiring that the land price is going to increase.]

[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ admires the power felt in the realm. Only advanced constellations or higher can have it.]

This had a power of existence that was completely different from the realm of the sub-intermediate constellations that Choi Yeonseung had defeated. A land teeming with far stronger household members!

‘There isn’t much I can bet.’

Choi Yeonseung was a poor constellation. The only thing he had was...

The other constellations that were subdued in the Abyss? It felt like he would have to bet everything to balance it with the Blood Fortress.

[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ bets the constellation ‘Horseman of Plague and Darkness’ in the constellation battle.]

[Your bet is insufficient. You need to match the price of the ‘Blood Fortress.’]

[Betting the ‘One Who Reverses The Clock's Hands’, ‘Voice Calling From the Deep Sea’, and ‘Rampant Truthseeker.’]

[You have made a reasonable bet. The two constellations have agreed. The contract has been established!]

[Losing the constellation battle will greatly weaken your power of existence!]

[If your power of existence weakens, you might lose your status as a constellation.]

The reason why constellation battles were dangerous! If he continued to lose his realm and his power of existence, he could lose his very status as a constellation. One defeat was fatal for a poor constellation that had nothing like Choi Yeonseung.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says you’re strong enough to win.]

‘Thanks for the motivation. I think so as well.’