Mackenzie Junior. A B+ hunter from the UK and ranked 4th in the B-grade UHC League. He was a young but already undisputed ace hunter. Being rated B+ as a hunter meant he had the potential to become an A-grade, and it was proof that people had high expectations of him. Moreover, ranking 4th in the UHC evidenced that among the many hunters, he had outstanding single-combat skills. He wasn’t weak.
“Never heard of him.”
“It’s only natural that you haven’t heard about some people. Anyway, he’s a good person. He comes over to learn from me every now and then.”
“... You’re not just making me meet someone who respects and constantly compliments you, are you?”
“No, no. Dude.”
“Why does he want to meet me, then?”
“He didn’t tell me, but isn’t it obvious?” Hwang Gyeongryong shrugged.
Choi Yeonseung killed the Argo, an A-grade monster, by himself. He borrowed the power of a constellation, which wasn’t ideal, but killing an A-grade monster could never be overlooked. He would clearly receive a notice about his rank going up to B+ within one to two weeks. Considering how fast he ranked up since he returned from the Abyss...
‘I have good momentum right now.’
A-grade hunters were often called monsters, not humans. Perhaps that was why none of the A-grade hunters climbed up the ladder slowly. Most of them rose quickly and exploded at some point. They either gained enlightenment, special skills or made a contract with a constellation...No matter the reason why it happened, it was good. In any case, this momentum was important.
Choi Yeonseung’s current growth was enough to make him an A-grade candidate. The gambling sites already had Choi Yeonseung’s name for the bet, ‘Who will be the next A-grade?’
“Mackenzie is seriously aiming for A-grade, which is probably why he wants to meet and talk to you.”
Hwang Gyeongryong’s prediction was soon proven wrong.
***
“Hello. I am called Mackenzie Junior. It is a pleasure.”
A man dressed in a suit had come inside. He had his hair neatly combed back. Mackenzie greeted Hwang Gyeongryong first, then Choi Yeonseung.
“Can we talk in private?”
“Sure. I’ll give way.” Hwang Gyeongryong walked out.
With a serious expression, Mackenzie said, “Hunter Choi Yeonseung. I have been watching your recent performances very well.”
“Thank you.”
Mackenzie placed a fancy, gold-plated ticket on the table.
“Do you know what this is?”
“Uh... Are you asking me to go to a game with you?”
He knew that when hunters got to know each other, they would play poker, go to games together, or have crazy parties, but seeing it happen in person was a bit embarrassing. It had been less than a minute since they met each other.
“This is the right to challenge the B-grade League champion.”
“Are you trying to brag about it?”
“No! Please listen.”
The current champion of the B-grade League was Glenn Douglas. Whenever Americans voted for their favorite hunter, he would always be at the top of the rankings.
A B+ hunter being voted above the A-grade and S-grade ones showed how great Glenn’s popularity was. He was young, handsome, had a good personality, and was good at fan service... The most American of all hunters! As the current champion, the burden on challengers to challenge him increased.
UHC matches had to be mutually agreed upon. Everyone ranked below him wanted a chance to fight the champion, but for that to happen, the champion had to pick them.
“I used constant persuasion, media mobilization, and constant requests to gain the right to challenge the champion.”
‘He sounds like he’s bragging...’
“I will give you this right.”
“?!”
Choi Yeonseung was shocked. Choi Yeonseung was ranked 20th. He was frustrated because he still couldn’t fight someone in the single digits, but now that he had the chance to fight the champion, he found it ridiculous.
“Aren’t you also aiming for A-grade, Hunter Choi Yeonseung? It would be a great help to that goal if you can get the champion’s throne.”
To reach the A-grade position, killing one A-grade monster wasn’t enough. The standards had become very strict due to several cases of rating manipulation. Hence, they now had to kill four or five A-grade monsters. Defeating Glenn, one of the hunters closest to A-grade, would greatly help him during the evaluation.
“I know you respect Hunter Hwang Gyeongryong, but isn’t this too much?”
“Naturally, I have conditions.”
“I see. I thought so.”
“Please join me in a constellation battle.”
“...??????”
Choi Yeonseung was taken aback for a moment.
“Are you a constellation?”
“What do you mean?”
Naturally, Mackenzie wasn’t a constellation. He was the household member of the Fighter of Sweat and Flesh!
‘No...’
Choi Yeonseung’s eyes turned lukewarm. He thought Mackenzie was a normal-looking young man, but he was actually the household member of such a strange constellation.
“... I have a rough idea of what you are thinking, but my master isn’t strange.”
“Don’t worry, I understand. It’s hard to swear at your superiors.”
“No, I’m being honest...”
Mackenzie found it very unfair.
He was often misunderstood due to his name, but the Fighter of Sweat and Flesh was one of the most benevolent among the good god constellations. He never asked his followers to do anything strange, and he always paid a fair price for their hard work!
Choi Yeonseung felt slightly apologetic upon getting an explanation.
‘I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.’
-Isn’t this the constellation’s fault for being wrongly named?
The goddess was cold. The name of the constellation symbolized the constellation itself. He couldn’t help being misunderstood because of it. It was his own fault.
‘A constellation battle against a good god constellation... It would’ve been better if I were up against an evil god constellation, but it can’t be helped.’
-No, Successor. You’re not fighting him. He told you to join him.
That was right. Mackenzie wasn’t trying to start a constellation battle. He was proposing to fight alongside each other in a constellation battle.
“The two of us?’
“Yes. It’s a two-on-two.”
“Ahh...”
Only then did Choi Yeonseung finally understand the situation. The Fighter of Sweat and Flesh had been paying attention to Choi Yeonseung for quite some time now. There was nothing strange in judging that he would be useful for a constellation battle.
“I love the challenge, but it would be strange of me to participate in a constellation battle that I don’t know much about. Besides, I don’t think my master will be very pleased with it either.”
[The ‘Fighter of Sweat and Flesh’ promises a large amount of soul stones!]
[The ‘Fighter of Sweat and Flesh’ promises to tell you who summoned the Argo that appeared on Jeju Island.]
[The ‘Fighter of Sweat and Flesh’ promises to pay the price for the constellation battle alone.]
“... No, he is very much pleased.” Choi Yeonseung immediately retracted his statement. It was too good an offer to refuse. Not only did the constellation promise to tell him who sent the Argo, but he also promised soul stones. In the event of a defeat, the Fighter of Sweat and Flesh would pay for the price alone. In summary, he would be fighting as a mercenary.
[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ advises you to maintain good relations with the good god constellations.]
-That’s right, Successor. You should remain friendly to them until you reveal your true colors.
The good god constellations kept each other in check but they were generally cooperative. They were clearly the opposite of the evil god constellations who were trying to rampage on Earth.
“He’s pleased? I’m glad!” The result of Choi Yeonseung’s conversation with the constellation delighted Mackenzie.
“I knew it would work out.”
“Really? Why?”
“My master, the Fighter of Sweat and Flesh, and your master, the Undefeated Incarnation of Training, both like hard work.”
“Uh...”
The deal actually revolved around soul stones behind the scenes, but Choi Yeonseung couldn’t tell him the truth.
***
The two constellations who had a dispute with the Fighter of Sweat and Flesh were the Endless Linked Explosions and the Observer Who Returned From a Cold Place. The Observer Who Returned From a Cold Place wasn’t famous in the Abyss, but the Endless Linked Explosions was very much so. He didn’t occupy Earth, but he was one of the most notorious evil god constellations!
Terrorists, guerrillas, rebels, and similar people liked him. By simply believing in him, they could borrow powerful explosive magic that could tear apart a tank’s thick armor and blow up the walls of buildings. Many victims had fallen to such magic.
[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ guesses that he has to be in the top thirty to forty at least.]
‘Seems like it.’
However, this wasn’t a direct confrontation between constellations. Their household members were the ones fighting, and they did so according to established rules. Even if his opponent’s power of existence was stronger than his, Choi Yeonseung could still win if he stuck to the rules.
[Constellation battles are fair. All the constellations on Earth guarantee this.]
[‘Endless Linked Explosions’ suggests a two-on-two Abyss race.]
‘......??’
Choi Yeonseung was taken aback by the proposal.
[The ‘Fighter of Sweat and Flesh’ is asking what you think.]
‘A race...’
The rules were simple. Two household members would race to the finish line. The first to get there would win.
… But in truth, it wouldn’t be that simple. Running through the Abyss was difficult, and they could also attack their opponents.
‘Won’t they try to kill each other as soon as it starts?’
[The ’Endless Linked Explosions’ says that direct attacks against each other are prohibited.]
‘......!’
Attacks were prohibited?
‘What? What is he thinking? Goddess constellation. Do you know anything?’
-I don’t know much about Endless Linked Explosions. That constellation isn’t old. Maybe he recently got a really useful mount in the Abyss.
The constellations also had childish sides. If they got a useful mount, they would want to use it. This constellation was no different.
[The ‘Fighter of Sweat and Flesh’ says that he is confident. He asks about your opinion.]
-Successor, you don’t have a mount, do you?
Choi Yeonseung was currently struggling with realm management, so he had no time to get an Abyss mount.
-No. I’ll just run on foot.
-... Huh?
The goddess was taken aback, finding his decision unexpected.
-No... Races usually involve riding something.
-It isn’t like I can’t run.
-That’s true, but...
The goddess didn’t know what to say. He was right, but...
This… This was...
‘This race’s track is quite long. Isn’t it worth trying?’
None of the constellations here had stepped directly on the land of the Abyss for thousands of years. On the other hand, Choi Yeonseung had been chased and had chased others on it. Hence, he was unlikely to lose in such a battle. There was a chance he would lose to some power or skill if the racetrack was short, but since it was long…
[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says that even if you lose, only the Fighter of Sweat and Flesh will suffer losses.]
‘That’s right.’
Choi Yeonseung accepted the proposal.
[The ’Fighter of Sweat and Flesh’ has accepted the challenge!]
[You have both made a reasonable bet. The four constellations have agreed. The contract has been established!]
[Losing the constellation battle won’t decrease your power of existence!]
***
-......
-......
“......”
The three household members looked at Choi Yeonseung, seemingly finding him absurd.
“Didn’t your master give you anything?” Mackenzie whispered to Choi Yeonseung with a bewildered expression.
“Yes.”
“That’s... Uh... Well, let’s do our best, Hunter Choi Yeonseung!”
“Yes.”
The three household members all shared the same thought.
Why wasn’t this guy riding anything?
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