Return of the Shattered Constellation

[Entered the Third Floor!]

…

[Conquered the First Sector.]

[Conquered the Second Sector.]

…

[Your Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia’ has declared war against the Sixth Sector.]

…

[Jin’s Subordinate ‘Lower-Class Bak’ has successfully reached the end of the Ninth Sector.]

…

Jin proved he wasn’t just talking big. As soon as Chang-Sun’s group entered the third floor, they broke through the sectors much more quickly than Chang-Sun expected. Whenever they went into battles, Jin always took the lead, and his three subordinates always had his back. The Nameless Spear, which Chang-Sun had thrown to Jin, continuously dripped with blood.

Thud!

Thud!

「Arrggh!」

When met with fierce enemy resistance, the Bamboo Cow, the bulkiest member of the group, would head to the front. Playing the role of a tank, he would get the attention of monsters and make them focus on him. The Bak, the damage dealer, would then use its bone spear and knife to kill the enemies while the Hwal, the fastest party member, took out the enemies launching attacks that could potentially put the party in danger. Jin’s three subordinates fought together really well, but there was one part that satisfied Chang-Sun the most.

[Acquired 125 experience points!]

[Acquired 281 experience points!]

…

They weren’t the only ones who gained experience points while party hunting. Chang-Sun did as well. Although it was a very small amount since he shared it with Jin, it was better than nothing. Therefore, Chang-Sun was very satisfied. He also fought anyway.

Slash, slash, slash―!

Rumble!

After seeing the abilities of Jin’s subordinates to some level, Chang-Sun spread out the Jigwi’s wings and rushed into the battlefield.

* * *

[Current Location: the Tenth Sector of the Third Floor.]

“You said this is where the guy called Cheongsal King or something was staying, right?” Chang-Sun asked.

「Yes.」 Jin confirmed.

Chang-Sun’s eyes shone as he looked down on the gigantic city from the edge of the cliff. It was much bigger than the Hong Palace, where Jin used to stay during his days as the Hongsal King.

「That place is technically the real gate to the third floor. Unfortunately, the enemies that infest that area are no longer the low-ranking Changgwis you’ve come across. Rather, it’s full of Hongsals, so the battles from here on out will be trickier.」 Jin explained.

Chang-Sun faintly grinned. “But you’ve successfully driven them into corners, haven’t you?”

「They and I are on different levels.」 Jin didn’t hesitate to brag.

The Cheongsal King only managed to escape death because Chang-Sun showed up, making Jin retreat from the third floor.

「They’ve run out of luck now, though.」 Jin believed conquering the tenth sector wouldn’t be so difficult since their fights up until now had been so easy. Jin had already repeatedly wiped out the sectors they had passed when he was still the Hongsal King, but that didn’t mean the overall difficulty of fights in those sectors had decreased. Jin could simply raid them more effectively with his three subordinates and Chang-Sun than with idiots who just slowed him down.

「Well, they’ve proven their worth now, haven’t they? 」Jin proudly asked, but his three subordinates standing by behind him simultaneously bowed as if they were sorry.

[Jin’s Subordinate ‘Low-Class’ Bak Lv.9]

[Jin’s Subordinate ‘Low-Class’ Bamboo Cow Lv.9]

[Jin’s Subordinate ‘Low-Class’ Hwal Lv.8]

Looking at the subordinates, Chang-Sun chuckled. ‘The fights have certainly gotten much easier since they joined in.’

[4 hours 20 minutes 49 seconds remaining.]

It had been less than 12 hours since they had begun to raid the sectors, yet Chang-Sun was already dominating the sectors much quicker than he did on the second floor. It had to be partially because of the significant increase in Chang-Sun’s combat power after completing [Reinforced Skeleton], but it was mainly because of Jin Prezia. He was so special that under normal circumstances, Chang-Sun would never have met someone as powerful as him on the second floor.

‘If he’s really from the Prezia family I know… then I hit the jackpot.’ Chang-Sun stroked his chin.

When Jin first talked about how he was the heir of the Prezia family, Chang-Sun disregarded it because he thought it wasn’t the Prezia family he knew. There were so many universes and planes out there, so there had to be several families named Prezia as well.

However, Chang-Sun had to try his best to maintain composure upon learning Jin was from Arcadia. He wouldn’t have held back if there weren’t so many Celestials watching him right now. He stayed in Arcadia during his days as the ‘Divine Twilight’, so it was impossible for him not to know about the Prezia family—one of the most prestigious noble families in Arcadia.

The Prezia family members were such exceptional wizards that there was even a rumor about how they had ‘divine blood.’ They also had talents in swordsmanship and military tactics, making them prosperous enough to influence Arcadian kingdoms and empires. Some imperial families even called themselves collateral members of the Prezia family.

If Jin was the direct heir of such a family, Chang-Sun couldn’t help but wonder how in the world he ended up in the Changgwi Cave.

‘Maybe he ended up here after acquiring the cryptical book to solidify his position as the heir. I heard they go through bloody fratricidal battles every generation to inherit the family name,’ Chang-Sun guessed.

Anyhow, this talented man would be extremely helpful in carrying out Chang-Sun’s plan. Besides, if Chang-Sun could create an ‘army’ by creating more and more subordinates… his tactics would completely change, and there would be no better army commander than Jin, considering his experience in the Changgwi Cave.

‘I was wondering how I would take on Munseong’s Ghost Soldiers if I go up against him myself, but I won’t have to worry anymore now that I have Jin.’ Chang-Sun nodded.

After all, Chang-Sun planned to go to Arcadia after he was done with his business on Earth to finish everything. That was also why he promised Jin to take him back to Arcadia someday. With his help in Arcadia, other processes would become much easier.

‘I better prepare everything I can here, then.’ Chang-Sun’s eyes shone brightly as he pulled out something from his inventory.

[Pulled out the ‘Frost Monarch’s Breath’!]

Wondering what Chang-Sun was doing, Jin tilted his head. Soon, his eyes widened.「Isn’t that… an Ice Crystal?」

“You know what this is? That’s odd. This can’t be found in the Changgwi Cave.” Chang-Sun asked.

「You keep forgetting the part about my family being the most prestigious noble family in Arcadia. I’ve seen hundreds of valuable treasures, but this is…」 Jin lightly exclaimed. 「It’s of a higher quality than the ones in my family’s treasury. Where did you get such a crystal? Considering I can even feel divinity from that, no amount of money will ever be enough to buy it.」

Chang-Sun agreed. This crystal’s quality was so high Celestials like Pabilsag desired it. Its quality aside, the Yeti progenitor made it. Hence, it didn’t just hold great power. It also had a great symbolic significance that could even turn into myths similar to those with high Class. Taking all of those into consideration, this [Everlasting Ice Crystal] was indeed invaluable.

How would Jin react if he found out Chang-Sun had six more Ice Crystals with quality similar to the one in his hand? Chang-Sun wanted to see Jin’s shocked look since he was always confident, but he decided to take a rain check.

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ smacks her lips, unable to let her desire for the Ice Crystal go.]

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ wishes to study the crystal left behind by a race’s progenitor. His eyes sparkle.]

“Considering you’ve gotten your hands on this kind of crystal, you likely know how to handle it, don’t you?” Chang-Sun asked.

「Well, I know the theory…」 Jin trailed off.

“Then catch.” Chang-Sun threw the [Everlasting Ice Crystal] to Jin, ignoring the Celestials who still wished to acquire the crystal.

In momentary confusion, Jin caught the crystal and looked at Chang-Sun, wondering what Chang-Sun wanted him to do with it. 「…Hmm?」

“Changgwis and Biwis are all basically altered forms of souls, so they can be classified as Undead-type monsters, right?” Chang-Sun said.

「Technically, yeah… Wait?」 Jin’s eyes widened as he slowly grasped what Chang-Sun was thinking about.

Chang-Sun quietly chuckled without explaining any further. Soon, Jin also burst into laughter.

「Bwahahaha!!」 Jin laughed like a lunatic.「Are you crazy, Master?! You could have given anything, but you chose to give a fish to a cat instead[1]?」

Chang-Sun had a simple reason why he gave the [Everlasting Ice Crystal] to Jin. He was telling Jin to cast an enchantment spell on himself! Undeads were naturally full of yin energy, making the [Everlasting Ice Crystal]’s yin energy perfect for amplifying their energy.

Even Chang-Sun used darkness energy as a common factor of the Jigwi’s Eon Fire and the [Everlasting Ice Crystal]. Considering a Biwi was an Undead, the [Everlasting Ice Crystal] would surely be more effective on Jin than Chang-Sun.

‘I’d complete his [Reinforced Skeleton] too if I could do as I please, but I can’t since there are no Jigwis in here. Prezia family members would surely have a secret method to effectively enhance one’s body, though,’ Chang-Sun thought.

Shrugging, Chang-Sun answered, “Well, let’s say I am.”

「I told you that me calling you Master means nothing. It doesn’t mean I’ve accepted you as my master, so why would you give me this crystal?」 Jin tightly grabbed the [Everlasting Ice Crystal].

The [Everlasting Ice Crystal]’s ice energy froze his hand, but Jin didn’t seem to care about it. He just waited for Chang-Sun’s answer.

“There’s nothing more stupid than getting backstabbed by a subordinate.” Chang-Sun shrugged.

「So you’re actually going to give this to me?」 Jin asked again.

“You don’t want it?” Chang-Sun tilted his head.

「No way.」 Jin grinned, revealing his unusually sharp canine teeth.「I’m just amused by the fact that you’re crazier than I thought, Master.」

Jin popped the [Everlasting Ice Crystal] in his mouth. His three subordinates’ eyes widened at that moment. They looked excited because if their master, Jin, became stronger, they would also surely become more powerful too.

[Your Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia’ has swallowed the ‘Frost Monarch’s Breath’!]

[Ice energy has settled in the body of your Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia.’]

[Ice energy has mixed with spirits.]

[Acquired ice attribute mana.]

…

[Absorbing ice attribute mana.]

…

[The Celestial ‘Geminus’ is watching the process with interest and sparkling eyes!]

Paah!

Strong gelid winds began to blow around Jin as he continued to mumble incomprehensible incantations. The longer Jin’s chants continued, the stronger the wind became. It was as if the snowstorm of ‘Yeti Hill,’ where Chang-Sun had been, reached the Changgwi Cave. Chang-Sun thought if he actually met the Grand General, he would probably look like Jin right now. When Jin opened his eyes…

[Completed absorbing the ice attribute mana.]

Ding!

Ding!

[Achievement unlocked!]

“The Ice-Swallowing Biwi”

Effect: Ice attribute +15. Subordinate affection points +10.

[Your Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia’ has successfully evolved to the ‘Frost Undead’!]

[Your Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia’ has gained an extra 30 ice attribute points.]

[The Strength of your Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia’ has increased by 15.]

…

[The level of your Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia’ has increased.]

…

[Your Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia’ has acquired the Skill ‘Snowstorm’!]

[Your Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia’ has acquired the Skill ‘Frozen Realm’!]

Jin grabbed the greatsword, his trademark, and violently swung it toward the Cheongsal King’s city. The gelid wind, which was blowing around Jin, then gathered up at the tip of his greatsword, causing a huge amount of frost to slither from underneath Jin to the city’s rampart.

[The Subordinate ‘Jin Prezia’ has activated the Skill ‘Frozen Realm’!]

Rumble―!

Crack!

By the time the frost settled down, an enormous area had already been covered in ice.

Ding, ding, ding―!

Sirens blared and alerted everyone in the city due to the icy invasion. Watching the surrealistic sight, Jin smiled, contented.「The Cheongsal King probably soaked his pants.」

1. This is a wordplay around the Korean idiom ‘Asking a cat to guard a fish’, which means asking someone unreliable to guard something important. ☜