Chapter 30 – Settlement

[The Nameless Constellation recalls the erased name.]

[The existence of the Nameless Constellation becomes distinct.]

[The utterance of the name is restricted by Causality.]

A message that surfaced after absorbing the <Fragment of ■■>.

Seeing that, even the faintest trace of resentment towards the Constellation who had snatched away the mythical-grade material vanished.

‘So, there was a separate owner from the start.’

The name of the Constellation who absorbed the fragment comes to mind.

Because he was in a state of invoking the Constellation within himself, he was not restricted by Causality and could recognize the retrieved name.

‘Mirinae.’

The True Name of the Constellation, meaning the Milky Way, fills his mind.

‘Mirinae, Mirinae, Mirinae.’

He rolled the name repeatedly in his mouth.

So he would never forget it again.

A forgotten memory from before the Regression surfaced.

Just before the Constellation rewound the world’s time, the Constellation had spoken directly to Lee Hanseong.

—

Mirinae. That is my True Name. I’ll probably forget this too, but still, if a miracle happens and you remember it, I would be happy.

The voice, prepared for Annihilation, was filled with deep affection for him.

The Constellation’s True Name, learned in that way, remained in Lee Hanseong’s subconscious, faintly illuminating his connection with the Constellation even after the Regression.

Although he had retrieved the True Name, he had not retrieved the Constellation Name, so it was still the Nameless Constellation.

But he was now free from the state of having an unstable existence due to lacking even a True Name, and thus could only exist by being connected to someone.

The presence of the Constellation settled within him felt even more distinct.

He realizes once again.

Even if the whole world betrays him, Mirinae would be on his side.

‘And, the same goes for me.’

Even if the whole world betrays Mirinae, he would be on the Constellation’s side.

He swore again in his heart.

Amidst the poignant exchange of emotions between the Constellation and the Devotee.

The party members, having adapted to the changes from their Awakening, gradually regained their senses.

“Huh? There’s one more treasure chest.”

“What came out of that one this time? Another Legendary Equipment?”

“It’s the last one, maybe a Mythical Equipment came out.”

The party members, noticing the treasure chest that first caught their eye, approach.

Their gazes, mixed with doubt, turn towards Lee Hanseong as they see the empty chest.

“Um. Well… something like a mythical material came out, but…”

“Came out, but?”

“It was there, but now it’s gone.”

“Speak properly. Don’t joke around.”

Lee Hanseong, who had tried to lighten the mood with a brief joke, cautiously told the truth under Yu Sehee’s urging.

That the Constellation had absorbed the mythical-grade reward.

“What, was that it?”

“But why are you being so cautious? We’re all Devotees of the same Constellation anyway.”

“Right, if the Constellation gets stronger, it’s not bad for us either.”

Oh, right.

Contrary to his thoughts, their generous reaction made him realize things were different from before the Regression.

Due to his memories from before the Regression when he was the only Devotee, he hadn’t fully internalized the fact that they were fellow Devotees.

“So, what changed?”

The answer came from Mirinae’s Projection.

—I’ve accumulated enough power to bestow a Stigma on each of two people.

Mirinae presented a choice to the three people.

There were three people, but only two could receive Stigmas.

A situation requiring one person to yield.

“Hmm. Since I received the Chungmugong promotion opportunity first this time, I’ll yield receiving a Stigma.”

Fortunately, without major conflict, thanks to Park Seongcheol yielding, it was decided that Jin Yuseong and Yu Sehee would receive the Stigmas.

Mirinae explains the Stigmas she has retrieved so far.

—Narrow Escape from Death, Historical Alteration, Myriad Fire Transformations. Choose one from these, and I shall engrave a Stigma.

Lee Hanseong, as the one who had obtained a Stigma first, elaborated on the power each Stigma held.

And he took this opportunity to share about Vocation Awakening Skills as well.

“A Stigma that increases lives to nine? And an Awakening Skill that unfolds at the cost of a life.”

“So Seongcheol’s Chungmugong becoming Seven-Star was thanks to using the Historical Alteration Stigma.”

“Myriad Fire Transformations is the ability to transform into an existence two grades higher, right? So that wolf suddenly becoming a Werewolf was also thanks to a Stigma.”

Although Lee Hanseong hadn’t used Myriad Fire Transformations yet, the example of Lycan made explanation unnecessary.

Lycan, who became a 2-Star Alpha Dire Wolf and could transform up to 4-Star, was now a Silver Werewolf with a brilliant silver mane.

Shiver.

The chilly cold emanating near the creature gives him goosebumps.

This is because the Cold Attribute Power derived from the Silver Moon Art he had wielded since his Werewolf days is the Silver Werewolf’s main Skill.

‘Considering it allows using power two grades higher, Myriad Fire Transformations is similar to Consecutive Transcendence,’

But what one gains through transformation is not one’s own power, but another’s.

While useful for beasts, whose species members mostly Bloom the same Skills and Awakening Skills, it would be difficult for humans, each with their own distinct individuality, to utilize.

‘Because to transform using Myriad Fire Transformations, one must first have over 50% understanding of the target.’

Unlike beasts, which can gain over 50% understanding simply by being the same species, humans are a race where even understanding 10% of another human is difficult.

Even after hearing such restrictions, Jin Yuseong chose the Myriad Fire Transformations Stigma.

“Narrow Escape from Death and Historical Alteration aren’t bad either, but seeing Seongcheol’s case, Historical Alteration doesn’t necessarily have to be used by oneself, and Narrow Escape from Death… since I have Black Shadow Clone and Chungmugong’s “Seek Death and Live, Seek Life and Die,” it’s not that urgent anyway.”

Since there are allies with resurrection skills and escape methods within the party anyway, he chose a Stigma that could further enhance his strengths.

A transformation ability certainly synergized well with an assassin.

Even if not copying the target’s abilities, just mimicking their appearance would be effective for Infiltration.

“I’ll choose Narrow Escape from Death, please. Lord of the Throne.”

On the other hand, Yu Sehee chose the option that increased lives.

“Anyway, as long as I’m alive, in most situations I can keep you guys’ lifelines attached.”

Certainly, if Yu Sehee survived longer, the party’s overall combat sustainability would change.

But simply having more lives doesn’t immediately increase combat power.

Unless one uses a Vocation Awakening Skill like Lee Hanseong.

“Are you thinking of using a Vocation Awakening Skill?”

“Knowing this information, only a fool wouldn’t use it.”

With that one word, Park Seongcheol and Jin Yuseong, who became fools, glared at her.

“To use a Vocation Awakening Skill, you’d need at least a 50% Synchronization Rate, right?”

Since Nightingale’s Vocation Awakening Skill, a 5-Star Spirit, is also a Fifth Awakening Skill, with a Synchronization Rate that just reached 30% upon becoming 2-Star, she couldn’t use it even if she wanted to.

“I know that too. A Two-Star Awakener’s Synchronization Rate usually caps at 30%.”

“Ah, if you’re considering my Consecutive Transcendence, 50% might be possible.”

“Anyway, I’d only use a Vocation Awakening Skill in a situation important enough to warrant using a life, and in such a situation, you’d use Consecutive Transcendence too, right?”

That was correct.

Nightingale’s Vocation Awakening Skill.

Even her Fourth Awakening Skill was a light that regenerated even lost limbs as long as one didn’t die.

One wonders what effect the Fifth Awakening Skill might have.

Even trying to guess from examples of other high-ranking Awakened who contracted with Nightingale, they had never used a Vocation Awakening Skill, so it was unknown.

But he could roughly guess.

‘Since Chungmugong’s Fifth Awakening Skill, “Seek Death and Live, Seek Life and Die,” was a resurrection skill, perhaps Nightingale’s Fifth Awakening Skill is an ability like Light of Resurrection.’

If that guess is true, it would have the best synergy with Narrow Escape from Death too.

Considering her previous Awakening Skills were all sustained types, Light of Resurrection would likely even refill consumed Life Stacks.

“Do well.”

“Yeah. I plan to.”

Yu Sehee smiled slightly at Lee Hanseong’s encouragement.

In the past, she might have responded curtly, but perhaps because they became Devotees of the same Constellation, her reaction was milder.

Sizzle.

Stigmas are engraved upon the two who finished their choices.

Meanwhile, Park Seongcheol, who alone couldn’t receive a Stigma, seemed inwardly regretful as he rummaged through the empty treasure chest and discovered a reward Lee Hanseong had missed.

“Huh? There’s something more here.”

What he pulled out were four flat cards.

They had been lying face down with their plain backs up, so they hadn’t been noticed until now.

Each card contained sealed Byproducts of the monsters hunted in the dungeon so far.

298 Big Rat front teeth.

106 Shadow Spider Spinning Appendages.

12 Stone Golem Magic Core Fragments.

1 Chaos Stone Golem Fusion Core.

‘Since I Predated most corpses with the Gluttonous Demon Sword, I didn’t have high expectations for Byproducts… I never thought they’d be provided like this at the end.’

This was his first time clearing a dungeon both before and after the Regression, so he hadn’t known this fact.

Thump.

But upon seeing the Big Rat front teeth and Shadow Spider Spinning Appendages, the star within him reacted.

The Petty Thief Spirit Hyu desired two types of Byproducts.

It seemed they contained Skills that would serve as Mediums for 2-Star and Three-star promotions.

Hum.

Pheidippides also seemed to mark the Chaos Stone Golem Fusion Core as a Medium for 5-Star promotion, emitting a resonance.

While taking one of the hundreds of Big Rat teeth or dozens of Shadow Spider Spinning Appendages wouldn’t matter much, it was difficult to casually touch the sole Fusion Core.

“Let’s distribute what we gained from this dungeon before we leave.”

“Okay.”

Besides the monster Byproducts, there were also the 12 pieces of Legendary Equipment obtained at each midpoint.

Their owners also needed to be determined.

First, they checked if the items whose owners were already determined from the separate passages could be used by others.

The result of checking for responsive equipment by each touching the Legendary Equipment was as expected.

Only equipment related to the Constellation of their contracted Spirit could be equipped.

“In that case, Seongcheol getting the Sun’s Armor is confirmed. Sehee, you use the Hammer of Radiance.”

“…Okay!”

Upon gripping the Hammer of Radiance, as if her resentment towards Legendary Equipment was finally resolved, Yu Sehee smiled brightly.

With this, she probably also obtained the ‘Master of Legendary Equipment’ Feat that hadn’t appeared for her alone.

“<Judgment of Light>. Now I can actively participate in attacks too.”

She muttered in a satisfied voice after testing the Legendary Skill contained in the hammer.

Now? Could she have been more active than this?

Since it’s a Skill that converts healing light directly into destructive power, her image as an offensive healer would likely continue to stand out.

“And, the Heaven-Slaying Demon Sword… Yuseong can use it too, but can I keep using it? In return, I’ll yield the Golden Ring.”

“It’s fine. But I’ll keep using the Boots of Wind too.”

“Alright.”

He didn’t yield the Heaven-Slaying Demon Sword because he had marked it as material to fuse with when elevating the Gluttonous Demon Sword to a Treasure Vessel to create a mythical-grade demon sword.

And the Moon Shadow’s Necklace was given to Lycan as previously thought.

“Growl. Thank you! Master.”

Having become a Silver Werewolf, he seemed to have become proficient in human language, surprising them by expressing gratitude directly.

The equipment skill contained in the Moon Shadow’s Necklace was <Lunar Shadow’s Projection>.

A skill that could project a shadow moon where there is no moon.

A skill that gives wings to a Werewolf who grows stronger under moonlight.

“And the rest are all equipment only I can use, so I’ll use them for now. When you guys contract new Spirits and gain new usable ones, we’ll discuss redistribution again.”

They could sell them for money, but given the value of Legendary Equipment, if possible, it was better to keep them within the party.

“Since we’re all in the same boat now, who has more isn’t important, so let’s do that.”

Thus, besides the already possessed Heaven-Slaying Demon Sword, <Epicenter’s Jewel>, <Steel Gauntlet>, <North Star Crown>, <Throne of the Dharma Wheel>, <Extreme Seal of Yato>, and <Dark Heart> all became his equipment.

Slither.

First, the Dark Heart seeped into his chest, overlapping above his heart.

The contents of the Legendary Skill <Dark Hole>, which materializes a black hole that absorbs Starlight within oneself or the opponent’s inner self, come to mind.

‘This would be effective for controlling overflowing Starlight when used together with Eightfold Annihilation.’

Next, he puts on the Steel Gauntlets on both hands.

The equipment skill is <Steel Alchemy>, which creates, transforms, enhances, and manipulates iron weapons.

‘This isn’t very powerful, so it’s more suited for production than offense.’

He puts on the North Star Crown on his head, sits on the Throne of the Dharma Wheel, inserts the Extreme Seal of Yato into the throne’s backrest, and places the Epicenter’s Jewel on the throne’s armrest.

<North Star Guidance> that makes all people drawn to him.

<Wheel’s Law> that adds a new Law to the space within sight.

<Clay Earth’s Contamination> that greatly increases the limit of entities one can control.

<Epicenter’s Wave> that emits waves that carry, spread, and amplify abilities.

The Legendary Equipment, which have synergistic effects with each other, grant a ruling power that can govern even an army of tens of millions seamlessly.

‘If I create an army of steel puppets with Steel Alchemy here, it would be spectacular.’

Now, equipped with seven pieces of Legendary Equipment, he felt he could even defeat Giparang, Kang Min’s Seven Star Spirit, one-on-one.

However, equipment like the Throne of the Dharma Wheel had the disadvantage of being installation-type, meaning he couldn’t move from that spot.

“Let’s finish the Legendary Equipment distribution here. I’ll use one Big Rat front tooth and one Shadow Spider Spinning Appendage now.”

He takes out one front tooth and one Spinning Appendage from the cards sealing the Byproducts and resonates them with the star within.

Hum.

[Conditions met. 1-Star Spirit ‘Hyoo Guild’ is promoted to 2-Star.]

[New General Skills <Interface perception>, <???> are added.]

[Vocation Awakening Skill 《Subspace》 changes to a General Awakening Skill.]

[Conditions met. 2-Star(★☆) Spirit ‘Hyoo Guild’ is promoted to 3-Star(★☆☆).]

[New Rare Skills <Black shadow envoy>, <???> are added.]

[The Lunar Constellation and other stars quietly bless the Spirit’s promotion.]

Hyoo Guild, who rose to 3-Star at once through Byproducts from a 2-Star Monster and a Three-Star Beast.

Though said to be 3-Star, its actual power is at a 2-Star level, but if he fills the empty history with Historical Alteration, it will soon reach a proper 3-Star level.