ocean-life Chapter 3: If There Is No Constellation, Make One (2)
Chapter 3: If There Is No Constellation, Make One (2)
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
Chapter 3: If There Is No Constellation, Make One (2)
Resonance Ritual.
A hidden phenomenon triggered when one takes an artifact to the land where the corresponding constellation's origin lies.
'Even if it's broken, it's still an artifact.'
The resounding voice flowed out from the pocket watch.
It was a gamble, but it paid off handsomely.
〔Small human. The pocket watch is my artifact.〕
"I know. That's why I summoned you."
〔You dare commit such sacrilege, knowing that?!〕
"Would I have done it if I didn't want to talk to you?"
Yoojin knew the ways of constellations well.
Immortal beings who live for eternity, receiving the worship of mortals.
Even a fallen constellation like Kronos was a mass of pride, unwilling to sit at the same table with humans.
"I had to give you a shock like this to make you come out."
〔What if the artifact had been destroyed?!〕
"Well, it's already broken."
〔...?〕
A strange light flickered on the pocket watch.
〔It's true.〕
"You, of all beings, should know what it means for the watch to be broken."
〔Small human. Did you truly turn back time?〕
"As you can see."
Yoojin shrugged lightly.
"Honestly, I'm grateful to you. If it weren't for this artifact, I would have died a meaningless death."
The miracle of regression.
Thanks to the providence contained within Kronos' artifact, Yoojin gained a second chance.
"So I'll give you a chance too."
〔A chance?〕
"Become my patron deity."
〔Small human. Did you just say that for real?〕
"I'm always serious."
A moment of silence.
How much time had passed?
With a tremor greater than when he was angry, Kronos burst into laughter.
〔Khahahaha!!! That's quite a joke, little human.〕
"What's so funny?"
〔To sponsor one who deviates from the natural order? What could be more amusing than that?〕
Well, he expected that.
Constellations were all stiff-necked, as if they had a cast on their pride.
Even though Kronos had fallen, he was still a former King of Gods.
He was a constellation on par with Zeus or Odin, so Yoojin had anticipated the rejection.
"Alright."
〔You give up quite easily.〕
"I'm quite strong even without a constellation. Can't you tell by the fact that I activated the watch?"
〔Indeed. You achieved the 9th Star Rank with the pure strength and wisdom of a mortal, without a patron deity.〕
"Well, something like that."
Yoojin put the broken pocket watch in his pocket.
〔Wait. Where do you think you're going?〕
"The conversation is over. My offer to be your champion was rejected, so I'm going back."
〔Small human. Leave my artifact behind.〕
"Why?"
〔You need the artifact to communicate with other humans, don't you?!〕
One corner of Yoojin's lips curled up.
"Do you have something entrusted to me?"
〔Look here. That watch originally belongs to me!〕
"Then come and take it yourself. Why should I return it?"
Yoojin turned away from the ruins of Knossos Palace without hesitation.
Brrr—!
The watch trembled even more violently.
〔Small human. Don't do this.〕
"You're not even my patron deity."
〔If you take the artifact, the only connection between me and the world, how am I supposed to communicate with mortals?!〕
"That's not my concern."
〔How truly malicious!〕
Well then.
Wouldn't it be a bit awkward for a ruthless father who swallowed his own children to avoid his destined downfall to say such a thing?
'This is the only artifact left in this land.'
To blurt out his weakness without even being asked.
This made bargaining much easier.
'If I push him too hard, he might bounce back, so should I offer him a carrot now?'
Yoojin turned around again and looked towards Knossos Palace.
"Don't you want revenge?"
〔Are you asking me that?〕
"Don't answer a question with a question."
〔...I am one who has had everything stolen by a usurper. Now, revenge or something like that...〕
Even if you say that in a trembling voice, it's not very convincing, is it?
Yoojin provoked Kronos a little more.
"I expected more from the King of Gods, but this is all you've got?"
〔What?!〕
"I came here believing that you, at the very least, hadn't let go of your desire for revenge."
The ruthless father who devoured even his own children after hearing the prophecy of the Titans' downfall.
There was no way that Kronos's desire to reclaim what was lost and his thirst for revenge had disappeared from his heart.
〔Tell me what you want.〕
"I'll say it again. If you make me your champion, I will help you get your revenge."
〔Foolish. Even if I help you, how do you intend to bring down the majesty of Olympus?〕
You said you weren't interested in revenge.
How dishonest.
'I, his only follower, have no choice but to create the karma and legends for him.'
As he regained the level he had before his regression, the karma related to that concept would quickly be filled.
The stronger Kronos became as a constellation...
The 〔blessing〕 bestowed upon Yoojin would also become stronger.
〔Contractor. Don't worry too much.〕
"Why contractor?"
〔You are my only believer and the mortal who made a contract with me, so isn't that the right way to address you?〕
Kronos coughed loudly.
〔It seems I have a way to help you.〕
"Can you give me a blessing?"
〔No. As I just said, you are my only believer. So you can receive a revelation.〕
A bright light seeped from his pocket.
It wasn't hard to realize that the source of the bright light was the [Damaged Kronos' Pocket Watch].
〔I hereby appoint you as my representative, my Saint.〕
A Saint, he says?
The moment Kronos's declaration pierced his mind...
An intense surge of power, unlike anything he had felt in his previous life, flowed down from the top of his head.
"Ugh, ugh..."
〔Accept it. It is the essence of the power born from my governance of a new concept.〕
[Your patron deity appoints you as a Saint.]
[Unique trait - Midnight Sun added.]
[Class changed from Necromancer → Saint of Midnight Sun.]
Yoojin felt the overflowing power spread throughout his body and lost consciousness.
* * *
When he opened his eyes, countless stars were reflected in his retinas.
〔The body of a mortal is truly fragile. To think it would struggle to receive even that small amount of power.〕
"Who told you to do that without warning?"
A Saint?
He knew that term well.
The highest-ranking class in the Priest category.
For some reason, his foolish and prideful constellation had squeezed out what little power he had to appoint Yoojin as a Priest.
"A Necromancer as a Priest. That makes no sense."
Yoojin gritted his teeth and opened his status window to check what had been added.
◎ Class - Saint of Midnight Sun
▷ You are the Saint chosen by the Heaven-Defying Giant. The efficiency of holy spells that borrow the power of the Heaven-Defying Giant is increased by 30%.
▷ You do not receive class penalties when using Necromancer class skills.
◎ Added Trait
▷ Midnight Sun
Allows you to reverse Holy Power / Spirit Power according to your will.
You can learn all equipment and skills of the Priest and Magic categories.
◎ Skill
▷ Life Drain
Category: Holy Spell
Steals the target's life force with holy power imbued with the attribute of death. The stolen life force can be absorbed and used to strengthen the body or accumulated to heal other targets.
"Huh?"
Midnight Sun.
Even Yoojin, who had stood at the pinnacle of all Hunters in his previous life, had never heard of such a unique trait.
The ability to convert Holy Power and Mana...
Wait a minute.
'This means I can use both Necromancer and Priest skills, right?'
Crazy!
He almost screamed if he hadn't reflexively covered his mouth with his right hand.
Holy spells that could only be used by possessing Holy Power.
On the other hand, Necromancer spells were based on Spirit Power.
'This is an unbelievable trait.'
When casting holy spells, use Holy Power.
When using Necromancer abilities, use the Midnight Sun ability to convert his stats.
He never expected to receive a unique trait that would allow him to utilize his abilities to their fullest potential.
〔Do you like it, my representative?〕
"You didn't appoint me as a Saint without a plan?"
〔Khahaha! I may have fallen, but I was once the King of Gods!〕
"I'll let it slide for now since you gave me something so amazing."
The [Saint of Midnight Sun] class was the same.
The effect of completely nullifying penalties.
Of course, just because there were no penalties didn't mean it was easy to learn [Necromancer] skills, which were magic-based, as a typical Priest class...
'But there's a way for that.'
The corner of his lips kept curling up at the unexpected opportunity.
'Alright. Then let's check out the holy spells.'
Then, when he read the description of [Life Drain]...
"Is this really a holy spell?"
A holy spell that steals the life force of others. This was practically a curse.
Just looking at the skill description, it reminded him of dark magic like [Vampiric Touch].
The difference was that it could accumulate life force and use it like healing.
And the fact that it could increase stats.
'I'll have to use this myself to understand.'
Just obtaining the unique trait Midnight Sun meant starting from a much better position than before his regression.
Yoojin didn't pay much attention to the unknown holy spell.
'Well, the holy spell is a bonus anyway.'
With the unprecedented trait [Midnight Sun], he became able to handle Priest abilities as well.
However.
His essence was a Necromancer.
'The bonus is nice, but I shouldn't forget my essence.'
Now that the preparations were complete...
It was time to get stronger.
The common way for Hunters to become stronger was to hunt monsters.
'At this time... That place would be good.'
His next destination was Myeongdong.
The [Ancient Garden], a Gate that held a secret that would be revealed in the distant future.
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]