Chapter 69
[The ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ will be sending ‘Akkrata’.]
‘What is he doing?’
There was no way Choi Yeonseung would know that household member. After all, this was his first time experiencing a constellation battle on Earth. Fortunately, there were numerous constellations here, and among them was someone that liked to meddle.
[The ‘Storyteller Who Likes Gossip and Explanations’ will introduce?Akkrata!]
‘? ?’
Choi Yeonseung was taken aback when a constellation he met for the first time started excitedly explaining. Akkrata was an accomplished orc warrior. He was the Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’s ace, and he had won numerous constellation battles. He wielded a pair of axes given to him by his master and excelled in both magic and melee combat.
However, what made Akkrata truly terrifying was his madness and tenacity. Anyone would fall apart against an insane opponent with such powerful magic defense and regenerative power. It didn’t matter if it was an individual or team battle. Akkrata was the perfect fit.
-Thank you for the introduction.
[The ‘Storyteller Who Likes Gossip and Explanations’ waves his hand and says it isn’t a big deal.]
[He says he likes the ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ and that they should become acquainted.]
‘Is he the berserker type? If he has strong defense magic, then he’d likely be able to defend against my sword energy quite well. And if he truly does have strong regenerative power, then he’ll do well in close combat.’
Choi Yeonseung planned a strategy. The Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood was amazed.
‘This bastard! He’s probably stronger than I thought!’
The warrior was surprised for one reason. The Undefeated Incarnation of Training seemed insignificant, but he actually had several constellations under his command. Of course, they weren’t that strong. It took the combined realms of his four constellations just to match the Blood Fortress.
However, the very fact that he had constellations under him meant he was formidable. As a constellation, he had experienced fierce battles somewhere in the Abyss!
‘In any case, he’s a lot lower than me. If I step on him in this constellation battle, he won’t be able to recover and will disappear.’
The Undefeated Incarnation of Training was apparently an intermediate constellation. Losing several constellations under his control would be a tremendous blow to his power of existence. There was a chance he wouldn’t even be able to maintain his status as a constellation. The Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood didn’t even consider that Akkrata would lose.
‘No matter how high his level, he should only be around the early 300s. He can’t beat?Akkrata?no matter how well he fights.’
The information of other constellations’ household members couldn’t be viewed with Level Measurement without their master’s permission. However, experienced constellations could tell someone’s level just by observing how they fought. At best, the magic power that Choi Yeonseung exuded while fighting was around the early 300s.
In terms of Earth’s hunters, he’d be around peak B-grade or A-grade. He was strong among B-grade hunters, but this was insignificant in the Abyss, which had numerous beings stronger than Choi Yeonseung.
-Kill him, Akkrata! End his life and trample on his corpse! Show all the constellations watching this battle my power and authority!
***
The constellation ‘Horseman of Plague and Darkness’ lived peacefully outside the Abyss, spreading plague and darkness in his own territory. He was devastated when he lost to Choi Yeonseung, but...
Surprisingly, nothing happened. Choi Yeonseung didn’t take away his household members, destroy his territory, or do anything unreasonable. This was one of the most generous treatments in the Abyss!
The other constellations agreed.
-Even if the Undefeated Incarnation of Training is fierce and savage, he is generous.
-After the fight, no orders were given.
-Maybe we misunderstood the Undefeated Incarnation of Training...
-But where did he go?
-He headed toward the center of the Abyss.
-He is fearless, perhaps because he’s a young constellation.
Stronger constellations swarmed toward the center of the Abyss. Intermediate constellations couldn’t even make their appearance around that area. The Undefeated Incarnation of Training was headed to such a place!
[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ has bet the constellations ‘Horseman of Plague and Darkness,’ ‘One Who Reverses The Clock's Hands,’ ‘Voice Calling From the Deep Sea,’ and ‘Rampant Truthseeker’ in a constellation battle.]
[If the ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ is defeated, you will become a follower of the ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood.’]
-......
-......
-...... -That crazy bastard!
Of course, since he was their master, he didn’t have to explain his actions to his household members. They urgently contacted Choi Yeonseung.
-M-Master. What’s going on? If you were going to fight other constellations, then you should’ve called us. We could’ve lent our households...
-Ah. About that…
-Yes?
-I forgot about you guys.
-......
-......
This bastard...!
-I wouldn’t have borrowed your household members anyway since that would just make me anxious. I’m thankful for your consideration, though.
Choi Yeonseung joining the battle himself was reassuring for him. Honestly, it was hard for him to believe in the power of the constellations he had defeated. Choi Yeonseung was currently in a situation where one loss was fatal.
-A-Are you saying you don’t believe in the plague knights I’m proud of?
-Yes.
-......
He didn’t even beat around the bush!
-The magicians under my command...
-They have too many openings.
-The monster I command...
-That kraken-like guy? He has delicious legs... I mean he’s too lacking in offensive power.
They were proud of those household members, but Choi Yeonseung destroyed them all with a single cut! The constellations in his household wept.
-Don’t worry. I’ll be back. I just have to win.
Choi Yeonseung cut off contact. It was only then that the rest of the constellations understood the situation.
The Undefeated Incarnation of Training was a generous constellation who didn’t interfere even if he was their master. Then what about the Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood? There wasn’t a chance he’d be that type of guy. They would start suffering the moment they went under him!
-Please...! Please! Incarnation of Training! Beat him...!
-Does anyone know who the Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood is? We have to find his weaknesses and let the Incarnation of Training know! magic
***
[The constellation battle has begun.]
[Moving to the battlefield.]
[The rules are as follows. Either admit defeat or fight to the death.]
A life-or-death battle was rare even for a constellation battle! Choi Yeonseung lightly pressed his feet against the ground and looked around.
‘This place is desolate.’
The wilderness of the Abyss was endless and vast. It was as if it was just him and his enemy in this vast universe.
[The ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ is watching the fight closely.]
[The ‘Noble Crown Collector’ has come after hearing the commotion.]
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ is watching with interest.]
[......]
[......]
However, he could feel the gazes of countless constellations if he just looked away a bit. They were like the nobles who watched gladiator battles in the Colosseum in the old days. The constellations were looking forward to this battle between household members. It was the only joy that could soothe their boredom!
-Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
It was as if he could hear that chant. -Are you Choi Yeonseung?
Akkrata asked while arrogantly looking at Choi Yeonseung. Choi Yeonseung stared at him without answering. He was already sensing what the opponent would do through his movements.
Wriggling leg muscles.
Digging into the ground.
Magic power moving fiercely through his body.
The answer that emerged out of all of this was...
-Movement of Red Blood!
A surprise attack! Attacking while talking was cowardly, but it was also an effective strategy. The household members participating in a constellation battle for the first time were easily beaten because they didn’t know such tricks. Of course, the watching constellations were just?amused.
If you’re not aware of that, then it’s your fault for getting hit!
In?constellation battles, all sorts of strange tricks appeared. Akkrata disappeared, appeared next to Choi Yeonseung, and struck him. He was so fast it was as if he teleported. Akkrata’s?axe?shimmered with red magic power and rushed at Choi Yeonseung, seemingly trying to tear him apart.
However, Akkrata’s?axe?stopped. Choi Yeonseung had already read through him and accurately blocked his attack. His half-drawn sword was releasing sword energy and blocking the?axe’s blade.
[!!!]
[The ‘Noble Crown Collector’ admires you. That move was pretty good.]
[......]
[......]
The constellations were worried that the fight would end quickly, so they were relieved. This person could at least do the basics! Despite having his attack blocked, Akkrata wasn’t fazed at all. He swung the?axe?in his other hand. Choi Yeonseung leaned back to avoid it.
A series of attacks then followed! Akkrata chased after Choi Yeonseung while crazily swinging his axes.
‘He isn’t going to let me draw my weapon.’
Masters could discern each other’s thoughts even without exchanging any words. Choi Yeonseung saw through Akkrata’s intentions. No matter the opponent, attacking first and making it impossible for one’s opponent to retaliate was a good strategy.
In combat, the first attack was important! They could unilaterally launch attacks if they could secure the initiative.
[Origin of the Celestial Step...]
[The opponent uses the ‘Mark of Madness.’ Madness has invaded your mind.]
[The skill ‘Three Flowers Gathering’ prevents?the?mental attack.]
[The opponent uses ‘Stigma of Red Blood.’]
[The skill, ‘Three Flowers Gathering’...]
[......]
The?axe?wasn’t the only scary thing about?Akkrata. Even if his opponent had dodged his weapons, his passive skills would activate, binding and attacking the opponent. Hit with various status abnormality skills, his opponent would be in tatters even if they managed to dodge. His?axe?would come in to end them the moment they had become dull or slowed down. However...
Choi Yeonseung fought fiercer and with more bloodlust than?Akkrata. Akkrata?could be one of the most powerful orc warriors, but Choi Yeonseung had gone through so many battles that he rose from a mortal to a constellation. The skills he possessed were superior to Akkrata’s. To put it bluntly, Choi Yeonseung’s A-grade skill, Three Flowers Gathering, was enough to prevent most status abnormality skills.
Akkrata’s axes cut through the air as red magic power roared like a snake and slithered toward Choi Yeonseung. However, not a single attack hit. He couldn’t predict the changes in Origin of the Celestial Step, Choi Yeonseung’s long-mastered footwork.
Choi Yeonseung was by no means faster than?Akkrata, yet Akkrata couldn’t hit him at all! Despite attacking dozens and hundreds of times, his opponent didn’t waver at all. Akkrata panicked. His attacks were still fierce, but there were now slight hesitation and confusion in them. Against a master like Choi Yeonseung, such self-doubt was tantamount to asking to be killed.
‘It’s coming.’
Choi Yeonseung, who had been looking for an opportunity, immediately jumped in.
[The skill, ‘Covert Attack Reversal’...]
[Akkrata’s magic, ‘Burning Evil God’s?Axe?Blade,’ has been reflected!]
Choi Yeonseung didn’t draw his sword. After all, he had been fighting with his bare hands longer than with his sword. He stuck to?Akkrata, who was approaching, and used Akkrata’s own power to strike back! The?axe?in Akkrata’s right hand changed direction and slashed his left shoulder.
[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ cheers for you!]
[The constellations are paying tribute to this scene!]
In a constellation battle, victory was easily determined by who could use stronger magic with stronger magic power. Hence, the mastered skill ‘Covert Attack Reversal’ was a fresh shock. In the eyes of the constellations, it seemed like Akkrata had attacked his own shoulders.
[The ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ laughs at your futile efforts.]
[Akkrata?has used ‘Red Regeneration.’]
[He is recovering quickly!]
[Akkrata has fallen into the ‘Curse of Madness’ due to ‘Red Regeneration’.]
[The ’Curse of Madness’ has strengthened the ‘Red Regeneration’ skill!]
Red Regeneration physically healed its user, while Curse of Madness made the target lose their mind and turned them into a blood-crazed berserker. Those two skills worked in synergy to turn?Akkrata?into an undying berserker. The more blood he shed, the crazier and stronger he became!