I Have Contracted Too Many Constellations

Chapter 18 The Abandoned Dragon’s Nest (1)

[First of all, there was no reverse scale at the academy.]

After receiving the call, I excused myself from the three people and briefly left the house.

The voice that followed immediately was clear.

There was no Broken Dragon Scale at the academy.

‘As expected.’

Although it was bad news, I wasn’t particularly discouraged.

Even if there were precious items, it was unlikely that the academy had such a devalued item.

It was just that my expectation was correct.

However, since they said “first,” there must be a plan.

[Instead, the headmaster has transferred the exclusive rights to a dungeon to you.]

“A dungeon exclusive right?”

[Yes, it’s an epic-level unimplemented dungeon called .]

Exclusive rights to a dungeon.

The headmaster had given me a far greater reward than I had anticipated.

Exclusive rights meant all rights to the dungeon.

This meant that the dungeon was entirely my property.

And it also meant that a portion of the byproduct fees from the dungeon would be mine.

Essentially, an automatic money-making machine.

‘Though it depends on how it’s used… it’s certainly a big deal.’

Especially since it was an epic-level dungeon, not just a fairy-tale level.

The value of the exclusive rights could range from tens of billions to hundreds of billions.

The headmaster had given me something far more valuable than a mere dragon byproduct.

I wasn’t sure why he was doing so much for me.

But at least it wasn’t harmful.

[The number of people allowed to explore the dungeon is limited to five.]

“Can I choose them at my discretion?”

[You may choose three people. However, for safety, the headmaster has instructed that a professor must be included.]

It was understandable.

Epic-level dungeons had a significantly higher level of danger compared to fairy-tale level dungeons.

If approached carelessly, like the Small Ent last time, it was certain to result in immediate death without even being able to collect the bones.

Of course, since it was an “unimplemented” dungeon, the danger level would be lower.

Still, there were many dangerous places for the academy cadets to venture into.

“Then, can I also choose the professor?”

[That’s fine. If you can’t get permission, we will inform you.]

“Yes, thank you.”

With that, I ended the call.

And naturally, a concern arose.

Who should I take to this dungeon?

Who should I fill the three slots with?

‘…Honestly, it’s not even a concern.’

I’ve only been in this world for a few months; what connections could I possibly have?

Those three people at home.

They’re the only ones.

#

A quiet, serene atmosphere.

And a pavilion filled with clear energy.

The pavilion itself wasn’t special, but the surrounding scenery was incredibly surreal.

A land covered in clouds.

The sky was bright despite the absence of the sun.

Blue birds flew across the sky.

It was a landscape resembling an ocean of clouds.

The pavilion seemed to float above it.

And there was a woman in that pavilion.

The Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl smiled faintly as she looked at the water spread on the table.

No, she was looking at the scene reflected in that water.

She was looking at someone she had been watching almost constantly these days.

“….”

The Mysterious Girl said nothing.

She quietly watched Yoo Jinwoo, observing him.

She didn’t send any particular messages or perform any other actions.

Just by doing that, he brought her joy.

Of course… it wasn’t just because of that.

The faint sparks around her body indicated that her price was still ongoing.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you smile like that.”

At that moment, someone stepped onto the pavilion, walking on the clouds.

With each step, the clouds supported him, and his figure seemed to blend with the clouds.

A splendid sword hung at his waist.

In his hand, he held a gourd, which contained strong liquor.

“It’s been a while, Yeon Dongbin.”

“Yes, it has been.”

Sword Saint Yeon Dongbin approached her with celestial steps.

His face was flushed red, as if he were drunk.

For someone who rarely got drunk, it was evident why he was so intoxicated.

“Did you have a good trip to Bando Garden?”

“How could I not go when the Queen Mother of the West offered me a peach? The taste of the wine made from the peaches was exceptional!”

The liquor in the gourd wasn’t ordinary.

It was Bandoju, brewed from the peaches of Bando Garden.

A legendary fruit that grants immortality and eternal youth.

Eating even a fragment of it could make one live a long and healthy life.

A hundred years ago, the peaches of Bando Garden ripened, and the Queen Mother of the West held a banquet.

Yeon Dongbin had traveled to Mount Kunlun for the Queen’s banquet.

After enjoying the year-long banquet, he brought the Bandoju to the Nine Heavens Realm.

“How is the Queen Mother of the West?”

“She is well. No issues at all.”

The relationship between the Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl and the Queen Mother of the West was both distant and close.

In the long era known as the Mythical Age, which predates the current era of humanity, she was akin to a subordinate to the Queen Mother of the West.

During that time, she had no intention of doing anything independently.

She became the teacher of various heroes.

She defeated Chiyou alongside the Yellow Emperor under the Queen’s command.

The only thing she did of her own accord was light incense for the first time.

However, after the Mythical Age ended and the human era began, she left the Queen Mother of the West to live on her own.

“How long has it been since you left the Nine Heavens Realm?”

“About 700 years.”

Though her personality hadn’t completely changed.

Moreover, the Nine Heavens Realm, being isolated even in the celestial realm, had hardly any visitors.

The only people she had spoken to in nearly 1000 years were Yeon Dongbin and the Eight Immortals.

The Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl and the Eight Immortals were like family.

“More importantly, what were you watching that made you smile so much?”

“My newly contracted contractor.”

“You made a contract?”

Yeon Dongbin was surprised that she had made a contractor.

Since the Mythical Age, she had hardly ever made a contractor.

And now, suddenly, she had made one.

“That’s surprising.”

Yeon Dongbin looked at the image of Yoo Jinwoo reflected in the water.

He was wielding the Techniques of the Nine Heavens Sword in a training ground.

It was clumsy.

Even though he had learned and improved the Techniques of the Nine Heavens Sword considerably, to someone at the pinnacle of swordsmanship, it was lacking.

He didn’t seem to have much talent either.

In many intuitive aspects, he seemed a bit lacking to Yeon Dongbin.

But various energies emanating from Yoo Jinwoo seemed to support him.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything that would attract you. Why did you contract him?”

“I just… liked him.”

“You liked him?”

“I was drawn to him.”

In truth, even the Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl herself didn’t know why she contracted him.

Was it simply because he called her?

Because he had a special trait?

No.

Though it was the first time a human had requested a constellation, it wasn’t because of that.

Just…

‘Was I drawn to him?’

It was an instinct of the body.

And a pull of the heart.

She didn’t know exactly what part of him attracted her.

But when he called her and they conversed, she liked Yoo Jinwoo.

“Haha!! For you to say such a thing, it truly is surprising!”

Whether he was surprised by her candid response.

Yeon Dongbin laughed heartily and then sat down on a chair.

In one hand, he lifted a gigantic peach.

“Then I cannot just sit idly by.”

The enormous peach.

Its juice was so abundant that it emitted a sweet fragrance.

A heavenly fruit that attracted gods, humans, and demons alike.

A divine peach, a Bando.

“It’s a gift. I received it from the Queen Mother of the West.”

“From the Queen Mother of the West?”

“Yes! Originally, I intended to give it to my contractor, but they died recently.”

His contractor, who he mentioned as having died “recently,” was a sword saint of China who had died 60 years ago.

“I give it to you. For your contractor.”

“…This is no ordinary gift.”

“It’s not something you can just accept. At least, they should endure the trial themselves.”

That was the price Yeon Dongbin was giving to the Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl.

And further, to Yoo Jinwoo.

The reward would be attained by overcoming the trial alone without her help.

After pondering for a moment, she accepted the peach.

As a gift for him.

#

[The Constellation, ‘Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl,’ anticipates your future.]

“The Mysterious Girl?”

A message from the Mysterious Girl that appeared right after leaving the training ground.

She anticipates my future.

What could she mean by that?

I thought about it briefly, but it seemed that this was the end of her message.

‘Was it just encouragement?’

It could be.

It wasn’t the first time she had encouraged me.

Though the phrasing was slightly different this time.

I walked out of the training ground, slinging my gym bag over my shoulder.

“I’ll strive to live up to the future.”

But since it was from the Mysterious Girl, I should respond.

With that, I headed not home, but deeper into the academy.

Building 2 of the academy. The building where the professors’ private offices

were.

My purpose for coming here was simple.

To find a professor to accompany me to .

‘I’ve already filled the three slots, so I just need to find a professor.’

For reference, those three readily accepted.

Lee Se-ah accepted without a moment’s hesitation.

Sung Harim, after confirming she had no immediate duties, also accepted.

With Sung Harim accepting, Jin Juha seemed to have accepted as well.

‘It’s reassuring.’

The protagonist’s twin.

And the precious and promising heir of the Four Great Guilds.

A party full of the main characters from the original work felt incredibly reassuring.

‘If I can recruit the professor I have in mind, it will be even more reassuring.’

The professor I had in mind was already decided.

The only one I had even a slight connection with.

In my opinion, the most ideal contractor.

Jacheongbi’s contractor, Jacheongbi.

I intended to take her to the dungeon.