The Constellation Returned From Hell

The other constellations that were listening were dumbfounded, but Choi Yeonseung was being serious.

If the wandering merchant constellation was paying for protection, why not pay Choi Yeonseung? It would also be beneficial for the merchant, given that Choi Yeonseung wouldn’t try to deceive him.

-...It sounds ridiculous, but it’s definitely not a bad idea.

The goddess of sloth agreed with Choi Yeonseung’s plan. A constellation was trying to take advantage of the wandering merchant constellation by threatening him, and there was no reason Choi Yeonseung couldn’t do the same.

After all, the Abyss was all about strength.

[The ‘Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ is taken aback by the unexpected proposal.]

[He thanks you for the offer, but he already made a promise to the other constellation, and he can’t break it.]

Don’t worry about that, Wandering Merchant. There’s nothing wrong with choosing a better offer. Besides, if it’s really a problem, I will persuade the other constellation.

[The ‘Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ is worried.]

[He earnestly asks you to do so.]

Choi Yeonseung smiled.

Seeing his reaction, the goddess of sloth thought to herself, ‘You didn’t even smile like this when the goddess of balance expressed her affection...’

***

Very few people on Earth knew the name of the Marauder Wielding a Scythe.

Among the original constellations, some were relatively unknown despite being quite powerful. However, the marauder constellation wasn’t famous because he was actually rather weak.

Weak evil god constellations were limited as to what they could do in the Abyss—wandering around to steal faith, harassing mortals when other constellations couldn’t see, searching through ruins for treasures, and so on.

Those who had proudly made a name for themselves on Earth and competed for a higher rank and for overall supremacy were like lions and tigers, whereas the weaker evil god constellations were like hyenas.

Indeed, the Marauder Wielding a Scythe was no more than a hyena in the Abyss. He had participated in the invasion instigated by the Expert of Twisted Hallucinations, but in the end, he hadn’t gotten anything in return.

He had to do many chores, but he ended up on the sidelines without receiving any faith. It was only natural that he was dissatisfied.

Quickly! Answer quickly! Do you have any idea how kind I’m being right now?!

Thus, the marauder constellation threatened the wandering merchant constellation. The merchant wasn’t very good at fighting, which made him easy prey. Besides, he wasn’t very close to other constellations and had countless treasures in his possession.

When he made the proposal, the marauder constellation was initially worried that the wandering merchant would decline and fight with all his might to defend himself, but he merely lowered his head in submission and promised to pay the protection fee.

The marauder constellation was overcome with excitement and joy.

[The ‘Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ says to wait.]

I’m doing you a favor now! How amazing is it that a constellation as great as me will swear to protect you in exchange for soul stones?

[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ asks you to explain.]

The marauder constellation was stunned by the sudden appearance of a guest.

The Undefeated Incarnation of Training—the most commonly heard name in the Abyss those days. Although he had only a few household members, they were all outstanding, the best of the best. One of them was a human from Earth, and he was so capable that many household members of other constellations were amazed with him.

Moreover, as his name suggested, he was an aggressive constellation who would never back down from a fight. His power of existence was much greater than that of the marauder constellation, and he was overall superior in terms of combat.

Thus, the marauder constellation wouldn’t stand a chance in a fight against the Undefeated Incarnation of Training. He felt like his heart was frozen, and he muttered, Wh-what... do you mean?

[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ says literally. He asks you to explain how great you are.]

'Dammit!'

The marauder constellation had thought that the wandering merchant constellation had no connections with other constellations, but apparently, he had been mistaken.

He knew one of the most menacing constellations out there!

I-I think there is a misunderstanding. I was just trying to make a deal. The wandering merchant constellation needs strength. I was just trying to get a little bit in return for helping. There’s nothing wrong with that, is there?

[The ‘Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ says he never said that he needed strength. It was the ‘Marauder Wielding a Scythe’ who pushed this deal on him...]

What nonsense! Can’t you be quiet? the marauder constellations cried out urgently. He couldn’t have a pushover like the wandering merchant slandering him. In any case, I was just trying to make a deal. You know I didn’t do anything wrong!

The marauder constellation defended himself fiercely. If he backed down just because the wandering merchant said something against him, he would lose all his credibility.

He had to act confidently as if he had nothing to lose.

[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ nods in understanding.]

‘Alright, I’m in the clear!’

Indeed, the firm words of the marauder constellation made it difficult for the incarnation of training to find fault with him, so he backed down.

[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ asks if it’s okay that the wandering merchant constellation wants to come under his protection.]

.....

‘What a marauder!’

It obviously wasn’t okay; the marauder constellation found it utterly absurd. How could this constellation blatantly try to steal the prey that he had laid eyes on first? The incarnation of training was already thriving on Earth, so why...?!

This was wicked even for the standards of the marauder constellation, but what could he do? He swallowed his anger and reluctantly said, I guess it can’t be helped... Do as you please.

[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ says thank you.]

The marauder constellation gritted his teeth.

‘Let’s wait and see!’

[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ says he has one more thing to say.]

What is it? blurted the marauder constellation.

[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ says it would be better for the ‘Marauder Wielding a Scythe’ to also come under his protection.]

???

It took a few seconds for the marauder constellation to register, and he was appalled when he did. So now... The incarnation of training was trying to do with the marauder constellation what the marauder constellation had done with the wandering merchant...?

‘Does this guy have no shame? Only lowly constellations would do something like this. I can’t believe a high-ranking constellation is attempting such a cheap trick!”

I-I don’t need protection! I can fend for myself!

[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ wonders if that’s really the case.]

[He says it’s better to be safe than sorry.]

It was an outright threat, and the Marauder Wielding a Scythe was dumbfounded. He had just wanted to scam a weak constellation a bit, so he couldn’t believe that he ended up like this.

‘I can’t back down. A constellation like the Undefeated Incarnation of Training must have a vast kingdom that’s very high maintenance. He can’t possibly put a lot of effort into intimidating a constellation like me, not when he has so much to take care of. I just need to hold my ground. Worst case, I’ll just run and stall for time!’

It was a pitiful plan, but that was what weaker constellations had to do in order to survive.

How funny! I’m perfectly capable of defending myself! How dare you try to intimidate me? If you want to catch me, go ahead and try. I have no kingdom and no household. By the time your subordinates arrive, I’ll be gone! the marauder constellation shouted fiercely.

Saying such things was rather humiliating, but the marauder constellation was cleverly trying to convince the incarnation of training that he wasn’t worth the effort.

[The ‘Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ is saddened by your poverty.]

‘You damn pushover...!’ The marauder constellation gritted his teeth.

However, something was strange. There was no answer from the Undefeated Incarnation of Training. Why was he silent?

Are you so angry that you don’t want to answer?

??

The marauder constellation, who at that moment was in an empty, unclaimed area of the Abyss, was puzzled by the sudden appearance of a meteor in the distance.

What was going on?

Can something like that happen in the Abyss?

...

A few moments later, the marauder’s jaw dropped to the ground. The meteor was growing bigger and bigger, and he realized that it was heading his way.

I came to catch you, Marauder Wielding a Scythe! Come on, give it a try!

Y-y-you lunatic!!!

The marauder constellation was appalled.

The incarnation of training hadn’t sent his household members to capture or threaten him some more. Instead, he rushed over himself after their conversation was over...?

How could this constellation leave his kingdom unattended? Given his status and reputation, a few areas from his kingdom would collapse the second he took his eyes off them!

Ge-get lost!

The Marauder Wielding a Scythe tried to strike first. The scythe he was holding glowed as he infused his power of existence into it. He then activated his ability.

Choi Yeonseung noticed that and became cautious. No matter how weak the opponent was, he couldn’t let his guard down.

A constellation’s power was like a trump card. If he let his guard down even for a moment, an attack could make it through a gap in his defense and inflict a fatal wound.

[The power of the ‘Marauder Wielding a Scythe’ is activated.]

[The scythe increases the yield of souls!]

‘?’

Choi Yeonseung couldn’t believe his eyes. What was the point of increasing the yield of souls when fighting a constellation one-on-one?

You worthless scythe! Why don’t you listen to me at times like this?!! the marauder constellation bellowed at his scythe.

-...

-...

Choi Yeonseung and the goddess of sloth were speechless. This guy couldn’t even control his own power...

‘He’s so pitiful that it almost feels like it’s a trap.’

-If it truly is a trap, this constellation should be a conspirator or an actor, not a marauder.

Bang!!!

A deafening noise followed after Choi Yeonseung used Origin of the Celestial Fist. The white light instantly blew away the scythe of the marauder constellation.

Agh!!

The Marauder Wielding a Scythe couldn’t believe it. He knew that he was fighting a superior constellation, but he hadn’t expected the gap between their powers to be so big.

The power of existence was essentially the fuel for a constellation’s offensive abilities. However, given his natural instincts and extensive combat experience, the marauder constellation had been confident that he could hold his own against a stronger constellation.

However, it turned out that he was no match for the Undefeated Incarnation of Training. His scythe had been completely shattered, and his opponent was easily dodging and countering his desperate punches.

Bam bam bam bam bam!

The Undefeated Incarnation of Training didn’t use any complex magic or techniques. Just like any constellation that specialized in martial arts, he only attacked with his fists and feet, each strike empowered by his power of existence.

These fierce attacks struck the very soul of his opponent, and the power of existence penetrated him to inflict internal damage.

No longer able to withstand the pain, the marauder constellation cried, I lost! I lost! Please spare me!

In a matter of seconds, the marauder constellation had been beaten up to the point where he couldn’t even move. He fell to the ground, and when he eventually opened his eyes, he saw the Undefeated Incarnation of Training looming over him with a majestic aura.

He looked like a warrior made of light and fire.

‘Huh, this is quite handy.’

Choi Yeonseung was satisfied.

He had managed to do this thanks to his increased power of existence, which he had used to create a clone to leave it on Earth. Then, he had run into the Abyss to personally deal with this marauder.

He had even used his internal energy to completely cover himself in white flames so that nobody would suspect that Choi Yeonseung and the incarnation of training were one and the same.

-Even if you hadn’t done this, nobody would’ve suspected anything...

The goddess of sloth felt like it was necessary to say that.

If others noticed that the Undefeated Incarnation of Training looked similar to Choi Yeonseung, they would simply think that the constellation cared so much for his household member that he had changed his appearance to look alike, not that the constellation was pretending to be a mortal.

‘Do other constellations use their power of existence in such unique ways?’

-Wha...? Making a clone isn’t unique... It’s a basic thing...! I know you don’t like magic, but you should learn a bit about it!

The goddess of sloth was dumbfounded. This was one of the most basic skills that constellations used!

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l