abcnovels
Chapter 296
Chapter 296
Chapter 296
Despite initially not planning to intervene, Serge couldn’t help shouting out, “What do you mean, Mr. President?! Our company has built and invested in the city of Monterre! You can’t appoint a hunter clan to manage it!”
“Well, you should’ve done a better job at managing it! The citizens almost died, and yet you still only care about yourself! You traitor!”
“...”
Serge felt his blood boiling upon hearing such sharp words from President Georges. The man who had flattered the people at Alland when accepting their bribes and favors was currently pretending to be righteous!
Did he have no conscience?
“The company won’t allow it. Both the board of directors and the investors will object to this!”
In the era of raids, it was a privilege to be in charge of a city. The hunters in charge of a city boasted a higher degree of authority than the police or even the army. Not only could they monopolize rewards from monsters and dungeons, but they could also do all sorts of things by creating strong alliances with the companies running cities.
The reason Alland had been able to wreak havoc in the Abyss was because they had been manipulating the hunters they hired, using them like pawns.
However, they would be in a lot of trouble when Choi Yeonseung and his subordinates from overseas took over the reigns. Alland would certainly not be able to manipulate, or even reason with them.
‘I can’t give it up!’
Fortunately, not even the president could do whatever he wanted when it came to the internal affairs of a company.
However, President Georges was much crazier than Serge thought.
“It doesn’t matter if the company doesn’t allow it! I’ll appeal to Congress and ask them to enact a legislation!”
‘This crazy bastard...!’
When Serge thought that nothing else would surprise him, he was confronted with yet another layer of absurdity. President Georges’ grudge against Alland was so deep that he was trying to do anything in his power to screw them over.
Could the president of a country really go that far?
If a new bill regarding Alland was enacted, those at the company could only watch as their nose was cut off. They would lose their legal possessions!
“The lawmakers will never agree!”
“Bah! I’ll make them agree!”
Choi Yeonseung spectated the quarrel between the two men with an enthusiastic expression.
‘French politics is more exciting than I expected.’
Was France always dealing with highly intricate politics?
“In any case, just know this, Hunter Choi Yeonseung!”
“Ah, yes. If you want me to take charge of the city of Monterre, I’ll do it.”
“!!”
Serge looked betrayed as he cast Choi Yeonseung a shocked, pained look. Seeing him like that, Choi Yeonseung merely said with a smile, “It’s embarrassing for you to look at me like that when we’re not even close. I can’t turn down the task of ensuring the safety of the citizens, now can I?”
In reality, Choi Yeonseung had merely promised Serge that he would try to persuade the president. He had no reason to turn down such a great opportunity.
“...Mr. President, I’m not going to just back down.”
“Are you still defying me? I will also transfer the authority that Alland has of all the French cities to...”
“No! Fine, I was wrong!”
Serge ultimately caved as he realized he didn’t stand a chance against this madman who was in a position of power.
***
The dwarfs of the Skyhammer Tribe looked at the incoming goods in amazement. They hadn’t expected the humans to actually keep their promises.
“Unbelievable! I never thought you would keep your promise!”
“Well, generally any human will keep their promise if you grab them by the collar and threaten them, maybe even rough them up a bit.”
The dwarfs burst into laughter at Choi Yeonseung’s words.
‘I didn’t intend to make them laugh...’
When they stopped laughing, the dwarfs said, “We heard that you serve the Undefeated Incarnation of Training. We’re seriously considering believing in him...”
“Oh, I’d be delighted by that.”
Choi Yeonseung was quite happy to hear that.
Their population was very small compared to the humans living in these cities, but the Abyssal races possessed abilities that humans didn’t.
A dwarf asked, “Would it be rude to ask a few questions?”
“No, feel free.”
“Alright.”
The dwarf elders sat down in front of Choi Yeonseung, took out paper and quill pens, and prepared to take notes.
“Does the incarnation of training prefer blood and life for offerings?”
“...He doesn’t accept something like that.”
“Ohh.”
“Isn’t this good?”
The dwarf warriors were overjoyed, since there were quite a few constellations that wanted blood offerings. It wasn’t just the evil god constellations. Some constellations considered the sacrifices of living beings to be proof of loyalty.
“How wonderful. Then what does the incarnation of training like for offerings? Does he like golden statues? If he likes golden statues, how many does he usually expect to receive?”
“I don’t know… He doesn’t really want anything?”
“W-what are you saying…?”
The dwarf chief looked at Choi Yeonseung with a dumbfounded expression.
“There’s no constellation that doesn’t take offerings!”
“Uh...”
-...Haven’t you received anything?
The goddess of sloth was absolutely baffled. It was so obvious that it didn’t need to be said.
Constellations received the faith of their believers and household members, thus creating their own power of existence. However, there were few constellations that were content with just that.
Constellations were arrogant and eccentric, so they always made troublesome and unreasonable demands to their followers so that they proved their loyalty.
Making period offerings was the easiest and most basic way of satisfying a constellation. Of course, Choi Yeonseung had never asked for such a thing.
-I didn’t get any offerings.
-...Successor, what is wrong with you?
-......
For the first time in ages, the goddess of sloth scolded Choi Yeonseung. Even though he found it a bit unfair, he put up with it and listened.
‘Uh, if they really need to offer something...’
As far as the orcs were concerned, Choi Yeonseung had always spoon-fed them everything. His followers weren’t the type to make offerings.
Of course, Choi Yeonseung had quite a few believers on Earth, but he wasn’t the kind of person to tell them, “Give me half of your wealth to prove your faith.’
Logically speaking, he had never had a reason to do that.
“There really isn’t anything.”
“Nothing?”
“Are you lying?”
“Nope, I’m telling you the truth. It would be a disgrace to my master.”
“I can’t believe it. Maybe he’s trying to test you?”
“Um. Maybe...”
The dwarfs whispered among themselves before making a proposal to Choi Yeonseung.
“Still, we want to offer something. How about once a year we offer your master the best combat equipment we have?”
“My master says it’s very good.”
“Ohh...!”
The dwarfs were amazed and they admired the constellation’s generosity. They were indebted to the incarnation of training, so they considered believing in the constellation. However, the constellation turned out to be better than they had expected.
“Ah, right. There’s also the Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead. Is there any dwarf who would like to believe in her?”
“...”
“...”
All the dwarfs were silent.
Dwarfs were generally cautious with everything they did. Thus, none of them would be hasty enough to believe in a constellation without even meeting its household members first.
“I’m telling you that she’s a really good constellation and has a promising future...”
“I-Is that so? I’ll talk to the young dwarfs first.”
“She has the power to see the future.”
[The ‘Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead’ apologizes and is telling you to stop!]
The goddess of balance stopped Choi Yeonseung as tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn’t bear watching him struggle any longer.
***
It was great news that the Skyhammer Tribe decided to devote their faith to the incarnation of training and become partners with Choi Yeonseung in the future. There was just one problem that remained.
“By the way, who’s the constellation that helped you?”
“Umm…”
“Have you sworn an oath that prevents you from revealing their name?”
“No, nothing like that. There’s nothing to hide, so I’ll just reveal it.”
The constellation that approached the disgruntled dwarf tribe was Endless Linked Explosions, a famous constellation on Earth!
This constellation didn’t occupy any countries, but he was notorious for reaching out and helping rebels, terrorists, criminals, and other kinds of wicked individuals around the world.
Demon No. 139 frowned upon hearing these words.
“Endless Linked Explosions only causes problems.”
“Uh... Isn’t he a fellow evil god constellation?”
“What do you mean by ‘a fellow evil god constellation?’ Don’t treat us like we’re the same,” retorted No. 139.
Humans treated all the evil demon constellations like they were the same, but it was very unpleasant for the demon constellation.
The Demon of Contract and Order didn’t think he was evil. He always made fair contracts and fulfilled them. As a matter of fact, he was a beacon of order and stability in this chaotic world.
...On the other hand, Endless Linked Explosions was a troublemaker who caused fights and discord every chance he got. He instigated disgruntled people to cause chaos.
His behavior was absolutely unacceptable...
“I understand. It just means that you don’t get along.”
“It’s not that we don’t get along. There is a more fundamental difference...”
Demon No. 139 explained fervently, but Choi Yeonseung didn’t really care, so everything went in one ear and out the other.
“If you don’t get along that well, we can have a constellation battle with Endless Linked Explosions. Have you ever done that?”
“The explosion constellation isn’t weak, and my master doesn’t like meaningless fights.”
There was the demon constellation, who occupied a part of Africa, and the explosion constellation, who was ardently worshiped by rebels and terrorists around the world.
They were more or less equally powerful, so a fight between them wouldn’t end up well.
“But now it’s different.”
“??”
Choi Yeonseung was puzzled by the unexpected words. What was No. 139 talking about?
“My master is very pleased with the plans I’m reporting. In fact, he said that his power of existence has increased significantly. He might actually be able to fight the explosion constellation.”
“...What?”
Choi Yeonseung was flustered for the first time in a while.
The only thing that Demon No. 139 could see and study was what Choi Yeonseung was currently doing. What exactly had he learnt that increased the power of the demon constellation?
“We tricked the other party into signing a contract with conditions they won’t be able to repay and used that as an excuse to extort more in return. Since mortals become suspicious when they learn that we are demons, we hired other races to put on a good appearance. We also recruited the powerful and wealthy people in the region and used the media to advertise good contract conditions... I learned strategies like these.”
“...”
Choi Yeonseung inwardly cursed at Alland and France. Demons had actually learnt from them!
“I learned a lot, but... The debts of the demon constellation have been rising, so he ordered us to clear them,” said Demon No. 139 without knowing what Choi Yeonseung was thinking.
The fact that the demon constellation had been accumulating debts was definitely beneficial for Choi Yeonseung. However, he still felt uncomfortable.
Was it okay for demons to learn from humanity like this? Wouldn’t there be consequences?
-Even if you don’t teach them yourself, won’t the ways of the humans spread to the Abyss over time anyway?
-...Thank you for your words, goddess of sloth.
***
Three constellations were currently joining forces.
There was no reason to be intimidated by the explosion constellation, so Choi Yeonseung made a proud declaration to him.
-Leave the Skyhammer Tribe alone!
From the side, Demon No. 139 nodded and said, “You’d better crawl into some dark corner of the Abyss instead of spreading disorder for no reason!”
[The ‘Endless Linked Explosions’ is interested to see the two of you.]
Instead of being angry, the explosion constellation was intrigued by the seemingly incompatible match between Choi Yeonseung and the demon.