Return of the Shattered Constellation

Chapter 127: Star, The First Mission (2)

Chapter 127: Star, The First Mission (2)

<Personnel Appointment>

Name: Shin Geum-Gyu.

Department: Future Strategy Department.

Affiliation: Team L.

With trembling hands, Geum-Gyu received the document about the personnel appointment from Moon Yi-Byeol, the Raid Team 2 assistant leader. Tyrant Lee Chang-Sun’s team was given a very simple name—Team L, but this team was currently the center of all the White Tiger Clan members’ attention and jealousy, including the probationers from this year. Having been assigned to that team, Geum-Gyu couldn’t help but be excited. Chang-Sun had already given him a heads-up so he knew about it already, but it still felt different receiving an official document.

‘No, let’s stay calm. Calm,’ Geum-Gyu told himself as he suddenly thought he shouldn’t show how excited he was.

Even right now, too many eyes were on him. Some were happy for Geum-Gyu as if they were the ones who got appointed, while some were looking at him cynically, thinking he already picked a good faction to join. Geum-Gyu was going to continue to run into them if he stayed in the Clan, so he didn’t want to leave a wrong impression. Although his sister didn’t care about other people’s thoughts, he begged to differ.

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ nods and says his subordinate could be timid but surely knows how to read the room.]

“Thank you for all the hard work you’ve done for the team. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be working in the Future Strategy Department.” Yi-Byeol’s farewell was very cold, just like her personality. Geum-Gyu momentarily wondered if she really had emotions.

However, she was the one who graded the Shin siblings when the punitive expedition in ‘Yeti Hill’ was accepted as their probationary training.

“Thank you! I’ve learned a lot from you, Section Chief Moon!” Geum-Gyu bowed.

Yi-Byeol became noticeably puzzled for a moment, but Geum-Gyu was too focused on the document to notice.

* * *

After lunchtime, Geum-Gyu headed to the training facility inside the White Tiger Clan’s head office, which Chang-Sun had texted him about, to meet up with the rest of the Team L members.

“We’re training right after the team was formally made! Hyung—no, Team Leader Lee is truly great!” Geum-Gyu unconsciously mumbled.

People often called Chang-Sun lucky and talented without thinking too much of it. Geum-Gyu hated those kinds of people. All they could see was Chang-Sun’s glamorous side, so they didn’t think about how hard he trained to become who he currently was.

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ scolds you to train harder if you know that, considering you don’t have talent.]

As Geum-Gyu believed he was still diligently training without sleeping enough, so he thought the deity was being unfair.

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ lightheartedly says to sleep less than you do now.]

Albeit with difficulty, Geum-Gyu managed to reach the training facility without sighing.

“Oh, why are you so late? You’re such a lazy ass.” Shin Eun-Seo shook her head.

Eun-Seo and Baek Gyeo-Ul were already in the facility. Although Geum-Gyu was about to yell she ditched him and ran to this place first, his jaw dropped upon looking at Chang-Sun.

“… Wh-what are those?”Geum-Gyu asked.

The whip-bracelet, long silver spear, and two daggers that could transform into long swords anytime were Tyrant Lee Chang-Sun’s trademarks, but he was a little different from usual.

He was carrying a gigantic round shield, which was large enough to cover his entire back, and holding a much bigger saber that looked like a zhanmadao. [1] Its edge was so sharp that it appeared to be capable of ruthlessly cutting everything. The reddish saber also seemed ominous since it seemed covered in blood.

“Hyung—no, Team Leader Lee,” Geum-Gyu hesitantly said.

“Call me hyung when we’re it’s just us,” Chang-Sun instructed.

“Then, hyung, what are those weapons…?” Geum-Gyu asked.

“These? I just got them. I brought them here to test them out while we try fighting as a team. Why? Do I look weird?” Chang-Sun asked.

“N-no, not at all.” Geum-Gyu urgently shook his head. Chang-Sun looked far from weird. In fact, the zhanmadao and round shield suited him too well. It seemed Eun-Seo thought the same, seeing as how she didn’t really look herself. Equipped with daggers and spears, Chang-Sun looked sharp and vigorous. Now, he seemed solid and bulky.

‘I did hear that one’s face completes the fashion, but how can he still look handsome with those weapons? ’ Geum-Gyu heaved a long sigh after comparing his shabby looks with Chang-Sun’s.

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ says you shouldn’t compare a sparrow to a peng[2].]

‘I know, I know, but I can’t help comparing,’ Geum-Gyu bitterly thought.

The problem was that Gyeo-Ul, who was standing next to Chang-Sun, looked just as handsome as Chang-Sun.

‘That Woo Hye-Bin girl I met a while ago was also pretty… Why are there so many good-looking people on this team?’ Geum-Gyu wanted to pull out his hair.

He momentarily wondered if one had to be good-looking to become a member, but that didn’t seem to be the case since he was part of it.

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ worriedly asks if you won’t have any problems fighting with those weapons.]

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ is still looking forward to seeing your next battle because it appears you’ll be fighting really well with those good-quality weapons.]

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ wonders what you will do next.]

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ says her apostle candidate seems to be really talented, praising her own sharp eyes for finding you first.]

…

On the other hand, Pabilsag was busy making a fuss as always.

[The Celestial ‘Twilight-Piercing Owl’ cheers and warmly watches you.]

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ contentedly watches his subordinate, who’s trying to spread his doctrines.]

Minerva and Heoju were looking forward to seeing what Chang-Sun was going to do with those new weapons.

[The Celestial ‘Abyss-Chasing Great Devil’ watches you closely.]

Chang-Sun still couldn’t tell what Mephistopheles was thinking, but he seemed to be interested in his new weapons as well. That was how great the weapons Chang-Sun received from Choi Bu-Yong were.

[Nameless Saber]

A zhanmadao forged by Ou Yezi’s heir for a commission. Extremely heavy and destructive, one has to be physically strong to wield it. ‘Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Irons’ and an ‘Everlasting Ice Crystal’ were used to make the weapon, making it indestructible.

· Type: Saber. Divine weapon.

· Damage: 400~???

· Effect: Enhance physical strength. Excessive Bleeding. Ice Energy Radiation.

*This artifact is bound to you. Giving it to someone else could cause its effects to disappear.

**The creator has not named the spear. Please give it a suitable name.

[Nameless Round Shield]

A shield forged by Ou Yezi’s heir for a commission. It creates multiple invisible barriers on its surface to maximize damage absorption. It can also be used as a throwing weapon. ‘Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Irons’ and an ‘Everlasting Ice Crystal’ were used to make the weapon, making it indestructible.

· Type: Shield. Divine weapon.

· Defense: 300~???

· Effect: Reinforce barrier. Damage Reflection. Ice Energy Radiation.

*This artifact is bound to you. Giving it to someone else could cause its effects to disappear.

**The creator has not named the shield. Please give it a suitable name.

If civilians had seen the weapons, their jaws would have dropped because they were created from both [Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Irons] and [Frost Monarch’s Breaths]! That was why they were ranked divine weapons, not infantry weapons. The indestructive weapons would forever be bound to Chang-Sun and amplify his mana to maximize his attack damage. He could even poison his enemy with Ice Toxin by using [Ice Energy Radiation], the weapons’ effect.

‘The Nameless Spear has also been upgraded,’ Chang-Sun thought with satisfaction.

Basically, all the weapons Chang-Sun had commissioned Bu-Yong to create were made from [Frost Monarch’s Breaths], so he had burned a crazy amount of money. Every one of those weapons could be considered a relic or a celestial object, making the Celestials wonder what Chang-Sun’s next move was going to be.

‘But this is the best one.’ Chang-Sun chuckled, feeling the collar of his long black coat that dropped down to his ankle.

The eighth [Frost Monarch’s Breath] was used to make his coat. When Chang-Sun asked Bu-Yong for it, the latter cursed so much that Chang-Sun felt as if he could live forever.[3]

“I asked all of you to come here today to see how well we can work as a team before we officially work as Team L,” Chang-Sun spoke as he looked at his team members, who looked back at him, one by one.

The eyes of Gyeo-Ul, Geum-Gyu, and Eun-Seo shone. Their temporary team name came from Chang-Sun’s nickname ‘Mysterious Man L,’ which he had gotten after going through the Jamsil Gate incident, but it somehow defined the team really well.

Many people wanted to learn about Tyrant Lee Chang-Sun’s training method, so his team members were curious about what kind of training they were going to do. They even became excited since they were about to learn Chang-Sun’s secret method.

“For that reason, we’re going to go on an actual mission,” Chang-Sun declared.

“…!”

“…!”

Hearing an unexpected answer, Geum-Gyu and Eun-Seo’s eyes widened. Gyeo-Ul was the only one who calmly nodded, having already gone through Chang-Sun’s training. In fact, there was nothing special about it. When Chang-Sun trained him in the practice range, he simply fought as if he was in a real battle.

“A while ago, our team received an urgent mission from Executive Director Oh. The manufacturing Clan affiliated with our Clan experienced a collapse accident while mining [Mana Ores],” Chang-Sun explained.

[The Normal Quest (Rescue Trapped Miners) has been created!]

[Rescue Trapped Miners.]

Type: Normal.

Description: Due to an unknown cause, the mine shafts in the Dungeon ‘Blue Jewel Island’ collapsed about an hour ago, burying over twenty miners. Their communication has been cut, making it impossible to verify whether or not the miners survived. Find out why the mine shafts collapsed and rescue all the trapped miners within the given time limit.

Time limit: 5 hours.

Prerequisite: Quest recipient.

Quest Rewards:

1. Fame +100

2. A significant amount of mana ores.

[Mana Ores] was the collective name for ores containing mana. They were usually used to create artifacts. The ores’ grades varied according to their amount of mana, purity, and hardness. ‘Blue Jewel Island’ was known to have high-quality mana ores.

Since the White Tiger Clan had directly outsourced the mining to these miners, it was better for its members to rescue them. The manufacturing Clan leader was close with Executive Director Oh as well, so Executive Director Oh assigned Chang-Sun’s team to this mission.

While going through the quest window, Geum-Gyu raised his hand to ask a question. Chang-Sun nodded to give him permission to speak.

Trying hard to keep his voice from trembling, Geum-Gyu asked, “How hard will it be to clear the Dungeon?”

“People still haven’t figured out the cause of the collapse because the mine shaft has been completely blocked. Depending on the cause, its difficulty level will vary,” Chang-Sun answered.

“Oh…” Geum-Gyu scratched his head.

“Considering how nothing else happened afterward and that there are no signs of monsters nearby, the most likely cause is neglected maintenance.” Chang-Sun shrugged.

Geum-Gyu quietly nodded, having understood why Team L had been assigned to the mission. The Raid Department members were always busy, and the mission was too easy for them to step in. On the other hand, it was perfect for Team L members since it would give them a chance to test their abilities and experience real combat.

Chang-Sun continued to detail what the team members had to know to rescue people and clear the Dungeon. The team members were so fervently looking forward to the missions that the air in the training facility felt warm.

‘I’ll have to make them as strong as possible before we head to France,’ Chang-Sun thought.

His plan was to put his team members through hell in the meantime.

1. It’s a single-edged anti-cavalry Chinese saber. ?

2. Peng is a legendary giant bird so big it can cover the sky. There is also a version of it that can transform into a fish, but it’s mostly used as a giant bird. ?

3. There is a saying in Korea that if someone badmouths or curses at you, your lifespan will increase. ?