Episode 55: Constellation Test (2)
* * *
Before breaking up with Yerin Lee.
Kang-hoo asked to find out about Park Min-seong.
Park Min-seong was the owner of the body from which he was able to obtain the dagger ‘Border of Massacre’ when he went to Ground Zero.
Since he carried a dagger of this size, he was thought to be a fairly skilled hunter.
So, I packed keepsakes such as my hunter license and smartphone ID and remembered the location of the body.
This is because he may be a missing person being searched for by family or acquaintances in the official Hunter community.
Just as there is a bounty on a criminal, there is also a bounty on missing people, so I was looking into it.
I offered to give Lee Ye-rin a generous down payment, but she shook her head and refused.
Since Kang-hoo has been handling requests well so far, he will do this job for free.
It was like that. It was a favor.
Since he didn’t want to refuse the favor, Kang-hu happily accepted her offer.
I didn’t ask for it, it was a favor I gave myself, so there would be no need to try to repay it later.
Before taking on the Constellation Exam challenge.
Kanghu headed to a modern bar located near Pyeongtaek Station in hopes of refreshing his mood.
This was because I wanted to take the Constellation Exam in the most calm state possible.
Kanghu’s favorite cocktail, Solarium Burst, does not have any particular calming effect.
The unique sensibility and music that can only be felt in a bar always evokes thoughts.
It was a kind of routine, and it was one of the parts that Kang-hoo, who is not very stubborn, never gave up.
Direct path.
Still, the area around Pyeongtaek Station, which is quite stable compared to other areas, was generally well managed without any problems.
Usually, even if you enter a dark alley, seeing blood stains or a fallen person is a basic thing.
Even in what could have been a crime-ridden area, there were no major problems.
There were hunters gathered in small groups, smoking cigarettes and whispering, but they didn’t start a fight.
‘The constellation test itself is set according to the level of the hunter taking the challenge anyway, so the level is not important.’
There was no level pressure.
If the constellation test had been set to a specific level, everyone would have raised their level and taken the challenge.
Then, it would have been an easy test for hunters who had grown enough.
However, because it is customized, the perceived difficulty level is always the same no matter when you try it.
It was really difficult.
It’s not for nothing that the Constellations are proposing the Constellation Test as a way to get rid of contracts with ‘bad contractors’.
The data of 50% survival rate says it all.
One of the two hunters who wants to become closer to the constellation that signed a contract with them will inevitably die.
‘But if you don’t pass the test, your growth will eventually stop. It’s essential.’
If you are not to be satisfied with the status quo, your relationship with the main constellation you have contracted with must become stronger than it is now.
The fourth perk of the Constellation that can be unlocked by passing the test?
That too is just the tip of the iceberg.
A high-level constellation like Dimension Stealer has a greater number of perks than you can imagine.
A table at the bar comes in naturally like flowing water.
Although it was a bit of a corner, Kanghu sat on a spot with particularly pretty lighting.
Then, a bartender with impressive smokey makeup naturally spoke up.
“How may I help you?”
“A glass of Solakium Burst.”
“uh?”
“hmm?”
At that time, Kang-hoo and the bartender’s eyes met and paused for a long time.
They felt familiar with each other. And they both found the reason at the same time.
It was Kang-hu who spoke first.
“Benny?”
“Club Hades! “Last customer!”
“That’s fascinating.”
“and! “Were you safe that day?”
“Thanks to.”
The day a large-scale kidnapping occurred at Club Hades.
It was Benny, the bartender who made Kang-hoo’s last cocktail and ran away from the club.
I was vaguely worried about what would have happened alone, but fortunately, it seemed like I had escaped successfully.
“It’s too surprising to be a coincidence, isn’t it?”
“That’s what fate is all about.”
“Wow… I’ll buy the first drink! “It always bothered me because I felt like I was giving away the Solarchyum Burst that I made that day!”
“The cocktails were well made. But the glass was broken so I couldn’t taste it.”
“Oh really?”
“I was very unlucky.”
Kanghu chuckled as he recalled the cocktail glass that had been shattered into pieces by an ashtray that had come flying from somewhere.
In an unlikely coincidence, the cocktail glass broke beautifully.
How bad I felt.
Even now, the memory comes back to me as clearly as if it had just happened.
Kanghu continued.
“I don’t decline gifts. Instead, this is a separate tip.”
Kanghu gave her a tip equal to the price of a glass of Solakium Burst.
This is because it has become a habit to always give the bartender an appropriate tip and listen to various information.
Unless you’re at a club or something, this culture of sharing tips and information is actually close to nonexistent… but
since I’m a Kanghu who’s used to living in the shadows, I’m also familiar with the order and implicit rules of that world.
“Ho Ho. “I won’t decline.”
“It’s good to see you looking healthy.”
“Iknow, right. I was very lucky. By the way, have you been to the place I mentioned back then?”
The ‘place’ where Benny opened his eyes was the dungeon located on the 7th basement floor of Club Hades.
I had it in my memory at the time, but it was a memory that was fading because I didn’t think I had anything to go to.
In the first place, Club Hades itself is owned by Eclipse, so accessibility is close to zero.
I wondered if it was worth taking the risk of going looking for something when I didn’t even know what it was.
However, seeing as Benny is talking again, it looks like he has more specific information.
“no. I don’t have any particular connection to Club Hades. It may not be easy to access. “Is there something?”
“yes. A dungeon on the 7th floor underground. “It’s true that it exists, but they say no one has gone in.”
“Why? “If that were the case, there would be more than one hunter running towards me with their eyes lit up.”
Dungeons located in secret locations are bound to arouse curiosity in hunters.
Since it is a club owned by Eclipse, of course Eclipse would have been able to send a hunter.
Is there a reason?
“It looks like you can’t enter at all. “It’s not a level limit or a number limit.”
“Have you heard of any stories?”
“I secretly overheard a conversation between two hunters who tried to enter but failed. “It seemed like a mana problem.”
“ah.”
It was only then that I expected it.
It seems to be a dungeon where you have to pay a huge amount of mana as an entrance fee.
Officially, it is called the Limitless Mana dungeon.
What do you mean?
The door opens only when the hunter trying to enter injects a large amount of mana.
This means that hunters who cannot afford or supply that much mana will never be able to enter.
This was impossible with the mana gushing out from the magic stone, so the hunter’s mana was definitely needed.
‘It is the embodiment of unconsciousness.’
Kang Hu smiled bitterly.
It was one of the dungeon concepts that I only thought about in the original work, but it was implemented properly.
“I guess that’s why no one got in. “I heard that even the captain couldn’t go in.”
It was an interesting story.
If he was the captain, he would be talking about Kang Dong-hyun, but if even he couldn’t enter…
I thought it might be a dungeon that requires at least 500 mana.
‘I think I can do it.’
Kang Hu’s eyes shined.
As long as you can take care of the pain caused by congenital mana hypersensitivity, you can pay the entrance fee.
This is because if you can buy time, you can draw in and supply mana in close to infinite quantities.
Mana stat is not important. It’s a matter of whether you can continue to infuse mana.
It was quite easy for Ganghu, who had virtually infinite supply of mana due to the activation of mana hypersensitivity.
‘It’s an opportunity.’
I got a feeling.
If it is a dungeon where no one can enter, there is no need to worry about being chased once you enter.
Of course, the problem is that you have to enter a building under Eclipse’s jurisdiction.
Once you entered the dungeon, there was absolutely no need to worry about being disturbed by anyone inside.
And if it is a limitless mana dungeon, the overall rewards are bound to be very good.
This is because entry is limited, so internal targeting is extremely limited, and overall compensation is strengthened.
It is not for nothing that top hunters focus on searching for hidden dungeons or dungeons that others do not know about.
This is because the first strategy or the first strategy in a long time provides high rewards and experience points. There is a reason.
“That’s good information.”
Kanghu held out ten more 50,000 won bills. Here’s an additional tip.
“oh. “Is this enough information to warrant a tip?”
Benny smiled brightly but quickly collected the tip. Because you never know when a capricious customer’s mind may change.
Kanghu smiled and answered.
“who. “It depends on how you use it.”
* * *
The next morning.
The constellation test has begun.
Perhaps because it was after a good night’s sleep, my condition was better than ever.
【I hope you can prove your dignity.】
As soon as it started, the Dimension Stealer sent a restrained but hopeful message to Ganghu.
Considering her personality, it’s actually closer to enthusiastic cheering.
It means that you must succeed.
‘This is my first debut stage in front of numerous constellations.’
Kanghu scratched the back of his head slightly, feeling awkward as if he were in the middle of a huge stage.
The surroundings were full of light pouring in from all directions, so I couldn’t focus my attention on anywhere.
The light symbolizes the constellation.
In other words, the place where Ganghu was located was like the middle of the stage at Jamsil Main Stadium.
This is where numerous audiences, or constellations, are watching.
It is a so-called showcase.
The Constellation test can be observed by any Constellation who wishes to participate.
It’s kind of like a public exam.
So within this, every move is shared.
【The Constellation ‘Master of Mobile Warfare’ sends enthusiastic support, saying he has no doubt in your abilities.】
【The Constellation ‘Apostle of Justice’ believes in your extraordinaryness. I proudly boast that I am a sub-sponsor.】
【The constellation ‘Fighter of Chaos’ is an unlucky contractor, but I admit that my skills are certain.】
Perhaps it is because many constellations are watching.
Each of the constellations that had a relationship with Ganghu or whose contracts were subject to the usurpation of the constellations made their voices heard.
The methods were different, but in the end, they were words that acknowledged that Ganghu’s skills were considerable.
Is it thanks to that?
The beam of light, which is still dazzling enough, has become much brighter.
It seems that the number of viewings of the Constellation is increasing.
“after.”
Kang-hu, who was usually not nervous, took a deep breath and relaxed his body once again.
If you clearly imprint yourself in the eyes of the constellations now, you will gain many benefits in the future.
It’s an important moment.
and.
【The Dimensional Stealer summoned the black thought form ‘Flagellum’ for the test.】
The object announcing the start of the constellation test was summoned to the stage, and at the same time, an arrow pointing somewhere outside the stage was activated.
【Run as fast as you can to where the red dot is located.】
【You cannot kill Flagellum until you arrive, and his whip will crush your spirit.】
“The fugitive and the pursuer.”
It was a test with a solid concept.