The Constellation Returned From Hell

Chapter 464

The other household members of the Expert of Twisted Hallucinations started panicking after they confirmed that their colleague had suddenly collapsed.

‘Don’t panic, you imbeciles!’

Fortunately, the other household members still managed to hold their ground, and the Regular Polyhedron of Transforming Hallucinations was issuing orders to everyone.

[The ‘Regular Polyhedron of Transforming Hallucinations’ uses its power.]

[The power of hallucinations has become stronger!]

At the same time, it also used all the smoke that had accumulated on the battlefield to amplify the hallucinatory energy.

In a matter of seconds, the hallucinations spread throughout the battlefield became stronger. Their effects would be even more severe for Choi Yeonseung, given that he had entered the camp of the Expert of Twisted Hallucinations.

‘Yes. That’s what you should do.’

The Expert of Twisted Hallucinations was relieved. He had been afraid that his household members would get scared of the enemy that rushed in like angry bulls, but as expected of a powerful household, they didn’t waver.

‘It seems that the Undefeated Incarnation of Training has a surprisingly strong resistance to the hallucinations, so cut him off at once! If we focus everything on him and stop him in his tracks, he won’t be able to go on another rampage.’

Momentum was crucial in a constellation battle. Even the most powerful household members in the Abyss would lose if they wavered because the enemy was going berserk and attacking without fear.

One of the household members of the Expert of Twisted Hallucinations had collapsed, but his power had already spread all over the battlefield.

Victory was imminent.

[The ‘Cube of Spreading Illusions’ uses its power to retreat!]

[The ‘Dodecahedron of Secret Illusions’ uses its power to retreat!]

‘?!’

The eyes of the hallucination constellation widened. The household member of the Undefeated Incarnation of Training should’ve collapsed from the hallucinations after rushing deep into the enemy camp...

So why were the household members of the Expert of Twisted Hallucinations running away?

***

Naturally, Choi Yeonseung and the household members discussed strategy prior to the constellation battle.

“The key is to not give them time to use their powers.”

“As expected, Adaquaniel! Your analytical skills are unmatched!”

“I-I also analyzed that much...”

“Then you should’ve said it first, Uranta.”

The giant grumbled to himself in indignation. This petty human bastard only gave preferential treatment to angels!

“They’re strong in battle because they keep using their power until the entire battlefield becomes their territory. If we manage to somehow stop them from using their powers, we’ll have the upper hand in combat.”

At that, Barbagi crossed his arms and said, “Well, that’s easy to say, but surely other mortals have tried that against the hallucination constellation, right?”

The household members of the Expert of Twisted Hallucinations specialized in long-term combat. In the beginning, they hid in their camp and used their power to stall for time. Then, they would come out and fight when they had enough of an advantage.

In order to counter that tactic, Choi Yeonseung and the household members would have to somehow force a fight early on and stop them from unleashing their powers on the battlefield. However, that would be very difficult to do, given that the enemies would just hide in their camp.

If Choi Yeonseung and the others forced their way into the enemy camp, they would be even more susceptible to the hallucinations...

“Well, I believe you’re up to the task, Hunter Choi Yeonseung!” Adaquaniel cheered.

“That’s too much praise, but I’ll do my best.”

Seeing how nice and supportive Choi Yeonseung and Adaquaniel were to each other, Uranta and Barbagi exchanged looks.

‘A-are they sleeping together? Aren’t they very intimate?’

‘I don’t know, but I feel sorry for Illaphael.’

‘Wh-why don’t they sleep together?’

‘Illaphael is arrogant and rough. She’s not a match for Choi Yeonseung.’

‘Th-that’s right...’

Even though the household members listened to Adaquaniel, deep down, they still didn’t trust her. After all, no one could be blindly trusted before proving themselves in battle.

The household members weren’t voicing their skepticism simply because they respected Choi Yeonseung. Besides, this was the constellation battle of the Undefeated Incarnation of Training, so it was up to his household member to entrust someone with strategy.

It would be quite disrespectful to undermine Choi Yeonseung’s decision.

...But now that they were in the middle of the battle, the household members were impressed with Adaquaniel’s plan.

“I-it worked.”

“Honestly, it’s great.”

Uranta and Barbagi nodded to each other and picked up the pace.

So far, the battle had gone exactly according to Adaquaniel’s predictions. She had even predicted how the opponent would react to Choi Yeonseung’s breaking into their base.

The commotion caused by him was enough for the other to make a move.

“Move! Don’t succumb to the hallucinations! Even if it’s unintentional, I’ll cut down anyone who tries to stab me in the back!”

“You took the words right out of my mouth, Barbagi!”

Illaphael and Adaquaniel also joined and prepared for an all-out attack on the enemy. As Choi Yeonseung and Illeya were going on a rampage deep into the enemy camp, they were going to completely overturn the enemy lines.

“...”

Illaphael glanced at Adaquaniel before leaving. Of course, Illaphael wasn’t very sociable and good at getting along with others, but she was somehow even more reluctant toward this angel.

In fact, she could just treat Adaquaniel like she treated everyone else, but... If she was arrogant toward Adaquaniel and treated her harshly, the giant and the gray elf would rat her out to Choi Yeonseung, and he would be furious.

Illaphael fidgeted with the spear she was holding and kicked the nearby cave walls, tearing them down.

“Illaphael, it’s an honor to fight alongside you. ”

“...!”

Illaphael flinched at Adaquaniel’s reverent comment.

“Bah! Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

“No, I’m being honest. I know about your reputation and the responsibility you carry on your shoulders as the household member of the Six-Winged Angel Who Hunts Dragons.”

Adaquaniel was in charge of all sorts of affairs under the goddess of balance, so she was also adept in getting along with other household members. The important thing was to respect the other person and praise their strengths.

She obviously knew what kind of household member Illaphael was, so she proceeded to praise her accomplishments.

Illaphael was stunned by Adaquaniel’s praise. She had heard countless compliments ever since her first hunt under the Six-Winged Angel Who Hunts Dragons. Many mortals in the Abyss praised her for her image and accomplishments, but she never gave them much thought.

“This kind of trivial flattery doesn’t mean anything to me.”

“I’m sorry if it sounded like that.”

“Forget it. The only thing that matters to me is loyalty and honor as a household member.”

“But I truly think highly of you, Illaphael. After all, Hunter Choi Yeonseung has praised you for the same things, so it can’t be flattery. It’s a fact...”

Snap—

Illaphael stopped at that last part.

“Is that true?”

“Huh?”

“What you just said.”

“What do you mean?”

“...Nevermind.”

“Oh, you mean the praise from Hunter Choi Yeonseung?”

In fact, Choi Yeonseung didn’t praise Illaphael that much. It was more like “She fights better than I thought”, “She held me back when we fought in Paris...” and “I hope she’s half as good as Adaquaniel.”

However, unlike the goddess of balance, Adaquaniel was quite tactful.

“Yes, he praises you a lot.”

“And what exactly is he saying about me?”

“Uh, we’re in the middle of a constellation battle. Can we talk about it after it’s over?”

“O-of course...”

“Alright. Let’s move together, Illaphael.”

“Y-yes. If you need me to use any specific skills, just tell me.”

Illaphael flapped her wings and flew forward. Adaquaniel nodded, happy that they managed to get along.

‘I’m glad it was easier than I thought.’

***

After Choi Yeonseung defeated the first enemy household member, Illeya joined him according to the plan.

“I... I'm here! Phew!”

Illeya was exhausted because she had been forced to move fast and navigate around the various monsters that were roaming around in order to reach the enemy territory.

However, Choi Yeonseung didn’t worry too much. After all, she was a constellation.

‘She’s just pretending to be tired.’

“I’m glad you came. You can use the power of the Observer Who Returned From a Cold Place to freeze everything around here, right?”

Illeya nodded. They had prepared in advance for this, so she knew exactly what she had to do.

[Illeya Vsevolodovna uses ‘Striborg’s Ice Wind’.]

Choi Yeonseung had always held Illeya in high regards, as she possessed a number of powerful and rare skills even by the standards of the Icarus clan, which was mostly composed of prominent aces.

At that time, he thought she was just a genius, but now that he knew she was a constellation, her strength made more sense.

The power of Striborg’s Ice Wind froze the ceiling and the walls around them, clearing the air of the hallucinatory smoke. Choi Yeonseung was impressed by this ability, thinking that it would’ve been very difficult to deal with the hallucinations just with martial arts.

She had smoothly neutralized the hallucinations with just one power!

“That was great!”

Illeya nodded proudly at Choi Yeonseung’s sincere praise.

“Then move onto the next tower.”

“Huff... How about we take a break...?”

“No, we have to keep going. I’ll carry you.”

Even though Choi Yeonseung knew she wasn’t tired, he went along with her act. After all, he was in the same position as her, pretending to be a mere mortal.

‘She can come up with a plausible reason.’

Choi Yeonseung took Illeya and moved to the next area. He swiftly killed a few monsters who ambushed them and fired the Origin of the Celestial Fist at the opponent’s magic tower.

“Now! Freeze it!”

“I don’t... have any power left...”

“No! You can do it.”

“...”

Illeya’s reverent look changed to a murderous glare, but Choi Yeonseung didn’t notice.

“Quickly!”

“Fine...”

[Illeya Vsevolodovna uses ‘Striborg’s Ice Wind’.]

Just like before, the hallucinatory smoke vanished from the surrounding area.

The goddess of sloth was confused.

-By the way, even if she’s a constellation, doesn’t she have limits to her abilities as long as she’s disguised as a mortal? Isn’t she actually exhausted?

-Ah... You’re right.

Choi Yeonseung finally realized it.

He had always been used to fighting non-stop, so even after he became a constellation, he didn’t have any issues with stamina or strength while fighting under the restrictions of a mortal body.

But what if other constellations tried that? Imitating humans was already difficult, and exerting their true strength in a limited body would be even more so.

-But it can’t be helped, right? We need to neutralize the enemy’s power while they’re still in turmoil.

-That’s true, but... What if she really isn’t a constellation?

-Goddess, Illeya is a constellation... After all, how could such a ridiculous human exist?

-Umm...

***

The Expert of Twisted Hallucinations felt like he was in a nightmare.

The enemies, who were originally supposed to be struggling with hallucinations and nightmares, were taking down his towers one by one and suppressing his household members more and more.

They were also increasing their power by defeating all kinds of monsters.

The household members of the Expert of Twisted Hallucinations tried to use their powers to turn the battle around, but it was already too late. Every time they tried to do that, Choi Yeonseung and Illeya would dig into their base and either interfere with their powers or just attempt to assassinate them.

Even the evil god constellations were astonished by the power exhibited by these two human household members.

Was the human race that strong? After all, they seemed tough enough to resist the horrible hallucinations, and their magic was strong enough to counter the wide-area powers used by the household members of the hallucination constellation.

Choi Yeonseung was stealing the show with his various evasive and offensive techniques that weren’t seen often in the Abyss, but Illeya’s ability to continuously use her power despite being visibly exhausted was also impressive.

It almost looked like she was pretending to be tired.

[The ‘Beast of Swords and Spears’ is angry and tells you to use your power instead of obsessing over the household member of the ‘Observer Who Returned From a Cold Place’.]

[The constellation battle is over.]

[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ has won!]

[The ‘Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood’ cheers!]