Chapter 36 – Three Guests

Uung.

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

[New General Skills <Bewilderment>, <???> have been added.]

[Due to the blessings of the stars, including the Brilliance Constellation, the provocation power of <Bewilderment> has greatly increased.]

Uung.

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

[New General Skills <Fortune>, <???> have been added.]

[The stars, including the Wind Constellation, smile in anticipation of the chaos <Fortune> will create.]

Uung.

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

[New General Skills <Thrust>, <???> have been added.]

[The Golden Constellation bestows the trial ‘Pinnacle of the Thrust’.]

Uung.

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

[New General Skills <Zombification>, <???> have been added.]

[The Heaven-Slaying Star’s eyes flash as it glimpses the inception of ‘King Slayer: Kingslayer’.]

Uung.

[Conditions met. 2-Star Spirit ‘Henrietta’ is promoted to 3-Star.]

[New Rare Skills <Mutation>, <???> have been added.]

[Vocation Awakening Skill 《Colonization》 transforms into a General Awakening Skill.]

[The stars, including the Clay Constellation, begin to weave a history that will lead to the ‘Mother of Monsters’.]

Five resonances, five promotions.

The promotions of the Spirits, carried out by resonating the Mediums obtained from the Black Market with the inner stars one after another, all proceeded smoothly.

Moreover, perhaps because multiple promotions were attempted in a short time.

‘I’m starting to get a bit of a feel for the principle of promotion.’

The power of the Constellation that Mirinae possesses extracts the history engraved in the starlight that forms the Skill—more precisely, the Skill contained within the Medium—and inserts it into the history of the Spirit to be promoted.

In doing so, it creates a new history that goes beyond the end of the original history.

I knew the principle itself from the Constellation’s knowledge even before, but through this experience, I was able to fully understand the method.

“Phew.”

Lee Hanseong stored away his enlightenment regarding Spirit promotion, let out a deep breath, and released his Concentration.

As if waiting, Jin Yuseong opened his mouth with expectant eyes.

“You just did another half-step promotion, right? I want to help too. I have the materials here, so I think it’ll work if we just figure out the Synchronization Rate.”

It seems he remembers me mentioning that one of the conditions for promotion is Deep Synchronization last time.

For a moment, I didn’t understand what kind of help he was asking for.

“Even if I adjust the Synchronization Rate with Synergy, wouldn’t it be difficult to raise it to Deep Synchronization?”

“You have that ring you gave me. Using that and the Stigma of Myriad Fire Transformations, I think we can manage somehow.”

Saying that, Jin Yuseong moved to the high-ceilinged training hall and activated the Legendary Skill of the Golden Ring.

<Golden Giant>.

It was a Skill that transformed the wearer into a giant.

Whoosh!

Jin Yuseong’s enlarged body was nearly on par with a 3-Star level.

And then followed Myriad Fire Transformations, which allowed transformation into an opponent up to two stages higher.

Pat!

Shrinking back to human size and changing into an elderly man with a Middle Eastern appearance and a full beard, I immediately recognized who Jin Yuseong had transformed into.

He had transformed into the 5-Star Spirit he had contracted with, the Mountain Hermit ‘Rashid ad-Din Sinan’.

Uuung.

As his appearance became identical and his Grade amplified to the 5-Star level, the Synchronization Rate between the Mountain Hermit and Jin Yuseong naturally increased.

However, the speed wasn’t that fast.

“You’re not in your right mind either.”

If Lee Hanseong hadn’t been there, the Synchronization Rate that had risen like this wouldn’t have gone down again.

The end would have been nothing but a future of being possessed by the Spirit due to Synchronization Rate Overload.

“Of course, I did it trusting you. I have my own thoughts too, you know?”

“Right. You’re correct.”

Lee Hanseong immediately activated Synergy and adjusted Jin Yuseong’s Synchronization Rate.

…90%!

A Synchronization Rate that instantly crossed the baseline for Deep Synchronization.

In sync with that, Jin Yuseong synchronized the <Stone of Inheritance> he had been holding with the Mountain Hermit.

Uung.

Extract the Starlight Record contained in the Stone of Inheritance to create the Mountain Hermit’s sixth star.

Not a perfect star, but a half-step star somewhat close in shape to a star.

The moment it was completed, Lee Hanseong, who was adjusting everything with Synergy, could see the message that appeared before Jin Yuseong’s eyes.

[Conditions met. 5-Star Spirit ‘Rashid ad-Din Sinan’ is promoted to 6-Star.]

[New Unique Skills <Memory Succession>, <???> have been added.]

[Vocation Awakening Skill 《Mutual destruction》 transforms into a General Awakening Skill.]

[Due to the Constellation’s Blessing of the Heaven-Slaying Star, the records of the stars, including the first assassin ‘Hassan-e Sabbah’, are integrated into the Mountain Hermit’s title.]

Originally, the title ‘Mountain Hermit’ referred to Rashid ad-Din Sinan, but in modern times, the title ‘Mountain Hermit’ has expanded to refer not only to the assassin Hassan-e Sabbah but also his successors.

Thus, the Mountain Hermit, now 6-Star, evolved into an existence inheriting the memories of all the successive leaders of the Hashashin, starting from Hassan-e Sabbah, not just the individual Rashid ad-Din Sinan.

Drip.

Jin Yuseong, in Sinan’s form, had a nosebleed.

The suddenly emerged memories of dozens of Mountain Hermits flooded in, attempting to forcibly change Jin Yuseong into the current generation’s Mountain Hermit.

“How dare you!”

As things that should have died and been buried in history dared to try and swallow his friend, Synergy was pushed to its limit, instantly pulling down the Synchronization Rate.

Zzzzzzz!

Forcibly widening the distance between the Mountain Hermit’s memories and Jin Yuseong’s consciousness, leaving only a sensation akin to watching a movie, protecting him from being swayed by the Spirit’s memories.

But the speed at which the Synchronization Rate dropped wasn’t as fast as expected.

The Mountain Hermit’s history, trying to swallow Jin Yuseong time and again, breaking through Synergy’s protection.

Paaat!

Only after raising his Grade with Transcendence and Consecutive Transcendence could Synergy completely push back the Mountain Hermit’s history.

The moment the Synchronization Rate entered a stable range.

Poof—

Released Myriad Fire Transformations and Golden Giant.

Returned to Jin Yuseong’s original appearance.

“Huff… Huff…!”

Jin Yuseong, who had almost had his mind eaten by the Mountain Hermit, gasped for breath with a pallid expression.

After catching his breath and calming down, he forced a smile and spoke.

“Thanks, Hanseong. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve been in danger.”

“Are you laughing now? If a half-step is that dangerous, a Mountain Hermit who completed the promotion will be even more dangerous.”

“I know. It’s dangerous. That’s why I’m putting off the History Alteration for now.”

The Mountain Hermit, now 6-Star, was practically a Spirit specialized in Synchronization Rate Overload.

If he were to complete the 6-Star promotion here, the Mountain Hermit would cause Jin Yuseong to reach Synchronization Rate Overload at the slightest opening.

“It might be better to focus on Jeon Woochi for a while instead.”

“I was planning to do that too.”

Jeon Woochi’s 6th Awakening Skill, My Way is Threaded by One, which embodies the realm where will becomes Daoist Arts.

Once he fully masters that, even the history of the Mountain Hermit spanning dozens of generations wouldn’t be able to invade Jin Yuseong’s mind.

Having reached that conclusion, Lee Hanseong didn’t nag further and disbanded the gathering.

“Since we’ve finished the urgent matters for now, let’s each pack our things and meet back here tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

After finishing the somewhat urgent tasks, fatigue suddenly washed over him.

Yesterday was dungeon conquest, and today, from morning: byproduct sales, crafting requests, guild creation, sparring with the Association Head, meeting with Jin Taeseong, moving into the Guild House, visiting the Black Market, and consecutive Spirit promotions.

Looking back, it was a truly dense day.

‘No wonder I’m tired.’

Returning home, Lee Hanseong postponed packing, washed up simply, and headed straight for bed.

―Hmmnyaah.

Watching Mirinae yawn beside him, he unknowingly fell asleep.

The next day, while the world was in an uproar due to the aftermath of the sparring video, Lee Hanseong was fast asleep.

* * *

<The Great Vessel of the 12-Star Does Not Die! How Did Future Apostle Lee Hanseong Surpass the Limits of a 1-Star Contractor?!>

<Lee Hanseong, Along with Promising Candidate Peers, Founds Galaxy Guild!>

<Chungmugong’s Contractor Park Seongcheol. Is His Chungmugong 7-Star, Not 6-Star?!>

<7-Star Vessel Jin Yuseong Becomes Contractor of 7-Star Woosa Jeon Woochi!>

<Exclusive Analysis of Legendary Equipment Possessed by Galaxy Guild!>

<Association Head Lee Hyeonseong’s Approval Ratings Soaring.>

<The Heinous Crimes and Flight of Elder Choi Sangguk, Who Was Eyeing the Next Association Head Position! What’s the Reason?>

<Is Elder Choi Sangguk’s Crime the Responsibility of the Heaven-Slaying Guild? Heaven-Slaying Guild Side: “Merely Personal Deviation, Unrelated to the Guild”.>

Countless articles derived from the sparring video with the Association Head filled the internet overnight.

Among them were also articles regarding Elder Choi Sangguk’s massacre.

I had somewhat expected it, but the reaction was more intense than anticipated.

―I thought Lee Hanseong became a 1-Star Contractor and was washed up, but kya, as expected, a 12-Star Vessel is a 12-Star Vessel lol

―BS lololol are you blind? It’s manipulation, what lolololol

―Lee Hanseong, he is a god!

―Manipulation confirmed BS lolololol if it were manipulation, video analysts would have already come and said it’s manipulation.

―Yeah, anyway it’s a Vermillion Bird, it has to be a Vermillion Bird~

―Lee Hanseong, he is a god!

―Looking at the guy who wrote the comment above, it’s the guy who posted dozens of hate comments when Lee Hanseong became a 1-Star Contractor lololol

―Denying reality is already too late, right? Trying to delete and run now, but screenshots are already done, right?

―Lee Hanseong, he is a god!

―Ugh, god or whatever, stop spamming.

“Wow. What is all this.”

People who had been disappointed and cursed on their own when it was revealed that Lee Hanseong, the nation’s pride, was a 1-Star Contractor, were now flipping their attitudes, praising his comeback and cheering.

Among them, the sight of those who particularly viciously trolled the worst haters while pretending they never cursed was despicable, but I didn’t bother paying attention to such people.

I had already realized that public attitude changes easily anyway.

However, even thinking that inwardly, I couldn’t help but chuckle every time I saw comments praising him.

―What’s going on?

Then, Mirinae, who seemed to have just woken up, draped herself over his shoulder, rubbed her eyes, and looked at the phone screen.

“Just, I was looking at people’s reactions a bit.”

―The reactions seem good.

“Yes, well, not bad.”

―That’s good.

Lee Hanseong’s smile deepened at the sight of Mirinae, who was happy for his sake as if it were her own.

Rather than the praise of the faceless, nameless public, the Constellation’s smile brought him greater happiness.

With the Constellation right by his side, there was no need to be swayed by the public’s reactions.

“For me, having you, Lord of the Throne, is enough.”

―Ahem, ahem. More importantly, what do you plan to do today?

As if embarrassed by the sincerity, Mirinae cleared her throat and changed the subject.

“First, we have to go to the Guild House.”

Since we promised to meet again today, I should start with packing, which I postponed yesterday.

Groaning, Lee Hanseong got up from bed, took out a suitcase, and started packing.

Since most daily necessities were already prepared at the Guild House, it seemed packing just clothes would suffice.

“This should be enough.”

A while later, Lee Hanseong, having packed everything, headed to the Guild House.

Arriving at the Guild House, the three who had arrived earlier had already each taken a room and were unpacking.

Lee Hanseong, the latest, also hurriedly chose a room on the second floor and unpacked.

While unpacking.

Ding-dong!

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

“Was anyone supposed to come?”

For a moment, he stuck his head into Jin Yuseong’s room and asked if Knight Shin was supposed to come.

But the answer was negative.

“Then, who is it?”

Leaving the unpacking for now, he went down to the first floor.

Three people were standing in front of the Guild House’s main gate.

They didn’t seem to be from the same affiliation, as all three wore distinctively different outfits.

“Is this the Galaxy Guild?”

“Yes, it is.”

Each gave a feeling of having seen them somewhere before, so Lee Hanseong examined them one by one, trying to remember who they were.

One was a man wearing an Eastern-style martial arts uniform characterized by black flame patterns.

Another was a blond Westerner in monk’s attire with a sun symbol drawn on it.

The other was a man with hair sticking out in all directions in a bizarre hairstyle, dressed in a leather suit, a biker outfit.

“Jang Wei, Ambassador of the Heavenly Demon Divine Nation to Korea. I have come to convey the Demon Lord’s words to you, Lee Hanseong.”

“I am James Lee, servant of the glorious sun. May I speak with Young Park Seongcheol for a moment?”

“I’m Kang Taepung. Is Jin Yuseong inside? Let’s talk.”

Damn.

Hearing the introductions of the three, Lee Hanseong cursed inwardly.

Jang Wei, Ambassador of the Heavenly Demon Divine Nation to Korea, representing the Heaven-Slaying Guild; James Lee, Bishop in charge of the Korean Diocese of the Solar Guild; and on top of that, Kang Taepung, Guild Master of the Tempest Guild’s satellite guild, the Gale Guild.

Each one was a heavyweight on a similar level to the Association Head, and they had suddenly shown up.

“Um, please come in first.”

Even if just one harbored ill intent, it would be dangerous not only for Lee Hanseong but also for the other guild members, but Lee Hanseong guided the three to the reception room.

Since all three seemed to have different affiliations and purposes, he judged they wouldn’t resort to force due to mutual restraint.

And, if heavyweights of that level intended to attack, they wouldn’t have come so openly.

“If you wait a moment, I will call Yuseong and Seongcheol.”

Thus, after guiding each guest to one of the three seats in the reception room, Lee Hanseong called Jin Yuseong and Park Seongcheol, and each of them simultaneously handled one of the three guests.