Return of the Shattered Constellation

Chapter 32: Star, The Test (3)

Boom!

Rumbbbleee―!

“Huh, is that sound from Sector C again?”

“What the…?! What kind of monster is he?”

“Where did he come from?”

“We still have to wait for our turn, so do you want to go and watch?”

Several people busily talked among themselves.

During the Player auditions, the White Tiger Clan’s Daedong Building was usually quiet, as the people inside were all nervous. However, it seemed the current auditions were different due to a suspicious(?) applicant who had appeared in Sector C.

The ‘Tyrant’ Lee Chang-Sun, a former world-class professional gamer, had caused a sensation. After the magic testing device used for the first test exploded, the exam staff had hurriedly brought another machine, thinking the previous one might have malfunctioned. However, they belatedly realized the magnitude of the situation, as the replacement magic testing device also exploded.

The devices they used during the test were for novice Players whose levels were under 30. They would easily malfunction if they were infused with magic beyond their capacity. That meant Chang-Sun was an intermediate-rank Player who was above Level 30—no, the exam staff expected that he had to be at least Level 40, as the device had exploded.

They were unsure why such a talented Player had applied via the new employee recruitment process, not the one for experienced employees. Regardless, they brought a more advanced testing device that could display both the Player’s level and magic class, thinking there had to be a reason for the explosions.

However, when the new device showed Chang-Sun’s test results, they were left gaping. As it turned out, all their expectations were wrong.

<Level: 25>

<Magic Grade: SSS+++>

“W-What? 25…?”

“Did you see his grade…?!”

“Shit, shit! We can’t handle this on our own! The Section Chief… No, call the Department Head right now! Come on!”

The exam staff fell into chaos, because they had previously expected Chang-Sun to be a Player in the Level 40 range, or even a ranker in the Level 50 range who had hidden his level. And yet, a novice Player who had not even reached Level 30 had pulled off something unbelievable. On top of that, his Magic Grade, which referred to his magic’s purity and efficiency, was not just SSS-Grade. It had three pluses in the end. Even the ‘Duke-Class’ or ‘King-Class’ high rankers only had SSS-Grade at most.

That was not all, however. There was still a possibility that the device had failed to accurately measure Chang-Sun’s Magic Grade due to the device’s limits. Chang-Sun’s magic class could be EX-Grade or R-Grade, which were known as ‘exceptions’. Naturally, the testing site was in an uproar, which meant the staff in Sector C had to stop the test in order to accurately figure out what had happened.

After hearing the news, several White Tiger Clan’s executives had arrived in Sector C to observe Chang-Sun. Sector C became Chang-Sun’s personal testing site, and the other applicants in Sector C were sent to other sectors.

The second and third test results were no different from the first test: The power and speed testing devices both gave Chang-Sun a perfect score. The device they used for the third test, which was about testing the Player’s reflexes, overloaded in a burst of white smoke. Just then, he even passed the fourth test easily.

Sector C was soon surrounded by a group of spectators, as the rumors about Chang-Sun spread through the entire Daedong Building.

“Isn’t he the Tyrant?”

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sure of it, because a person who’s that handsome is rare.”

“I heard he became an alcoholic… What on earth happened to him?”

“Man, you’re naive. How can you believe that, you idiot? Maybe someone spread that rumor to hide the fact that he was getting trained by an expensive private coach.”

“Shit! He’s handsome, a great gamer, rich, and his class is…! I envy him so much.”

“You skipped one thing.”

“What did I skip?”

“He’s popular among women.”

“…He’s one gifted bastard.”

“He’s a bastard who’s gifted with everything.”

After some time passed, the spectators began having increasingly ridiculous conversations. Perhaps they would have been jealous if Chang-Sun had only been a moderately better Player; however, the gap between Chang-Sun and them was simply too wide, rendering them unable to even think about being jealous. Instead, they blamed their misfortune of happening to take the test on the same day as a person with overwhelming talent.

“Damn! Why did I apply for the same job posting as him…?! I’ll only look worse than him.”

“Ah, I’m fucked. This is already my fifth time applying for the White Tiger Clan. My parents will kick me out of the house if I don’t get hired this time, too…”

Some people had already given up on the test and begun filming Chang-Sun’s test with their smartphones. Others had begun calling broadcasting stations and newspaper companies, tipping them off. Perhaps the whole world would be stirred up the next morning, as many news articles and broadcasts reported the return of a fallen genius.

Considering how the Highoff Clan scandal had provoked outrage around the world, people would be glad to read news articles about the birth of a new hero.

However, the applicants did not realize just how great Korea’s information technology was. Information spread even faster in Korea than they thought.

<‘Tyrant’ Lee Chang-Sun’s sensational return!>

<A SSS-Grade supernova rookie has appeared in Korea for the first time in 15 years!>

While checking multiple web portals, an applicant saw the name ‘Lee Chang-Sun’ in the real-time search rankings and yelled, “News articles about him are already up!”

* * *

“Huh? Why is it so noisy around here?” The ‘Smilodon’, Raid Team Two Leader Seo Jeong-Gwon muttered with a frown as he observed the noisy scene outside.

He had stayed up all night to chase down the Highoff Clan’s remnants, then had to go directly to the office in order to report to his superiors without a moment’s rest. The long night left him on edge; if he could do as he pleased, he would barge into the Daedong Building and teach the rowdy crowd a lesson. However, he could not do that; if he did, people would brand him a demon, condemning him instead of the Highoff Clan.

“A super rookie has shown up at the interview, so Executive Director Oh and Director Kim are watching the rookie’s test,” Jeong-Gwon’s subordinate reported with a bow.

The moment Jeong-Gwon heard the names of Executive Director Oh and Director Kim, his eyes shot open and he became fully alert. The two were the very people he had been waiting for, being part of his faction and equally prominent figures in the White Tiger Clan.

“Why are those two taking interest in the test?” Jeong-Gwon asked, tilting his head.

“Do you remember Lee Chang-Sun?” his subordinate asked.

“Lee Chang-Sun? Lee Chang-Sun… I think I’ve heard that name from somewhere…” Jeong-Gwon muttered, stroking his chin.

“He is the rookie you waited for with Black Shamshir and Iron Witch a month ago,” his subordinate explained.

“Ah, the guy from the Jamsil Gate?” Jeong-Gwon replied with a nod.

‘Black Shamshir’ was Woo Yeong-Geun from the Sword of Ohsung Clan, and ‘Iron Witch’ was Cha Ye-Eun from the Council. As it was rare for the three, who were on bad terms, to sit in the same room, Jeong-Gwon remembered the moment vividly.

“We were going to recruit him, but we couldn’t do much because the Highoff Clan bastards happened to cause trouble, right? Well, what about him?” Jeong-Gwon asked, scratching his head.

“He has applied for the current Player audition,” his subordinate calmly said.

Jeong-Gwon was dumbfounded at first, but he soon broke into laughter. “What? Hahahaha!”

The Jamsil Gate had contained the Tutorial that attracted many Celestials’ attention, and in that Tutorial, Chang-Sun had gotten a perfect score.

Among the Clans’ executives, the fact that Chang-Sun was the mysterious ‘L’ of urban legends was no longer a secret. That meant considering Chang-Sun a mere ‘rookie’ could only be a gross underestimation. Jeong-Gwon was unsure who had actually attempted to recruit Chang-Sun, but he was certain that many Clans had tried to headhunt him. From what he had heard after he returned from Chang-Sun’s home, the White Tiger Clan’s Guardian ‘Calamity Tiger’ had taken an interest in Chang-Sun. Jeong-Gwon’s superiors had sent him to recruit Chang-Sun for that reason.

However, the White Tiger Clan had needed to stop their attempts to recruit him, because the incident from the Bonghwasan Gate had been exposed to the public. They had been too busy pursuing the vanquished Highoff Clan’s Players in order to destroy any evidence.

The White Tiger Clan had thought recruiting Chang-Sun was a lost cause, and yet Chang-Sun had voluntarily applied for the Clan’s job posting.

The absurdity of the situation made Jeong-Gwon laugh incessantly, clearly imagining the Personnel Department’s ordinarily cocky members panicking. He remarked, “They must have freaked out.”

They were no doubt busy sorting things out, as a man who would be treated like royalty in any Clan had shown up.

“What are the test results?” Jeong-Gwon asked, crossing his arms.

“They’re all perfect scores. And his Magic Grade is SSS with three pluses,” his subordinate cautiously said.

“What?” Jeong-Gwon exclaimed, his laughter suddenly ceasing. He had never once seen a Player with an SSS+++ Magic Grade.

Continuing his report, his subordinate said, “So they are planning to test his Magic Grade again after he finishes all the other tests.”

With the gaze of a tiger observing its prey, Jeong-Gwon stroked his chin and smiled intimidatingly as he asked, “But how did no one know that Chang-Sun had applied for the White Tiger Clan?”

“Executive Director Oh already turned the Personnel Department upside down regarding that matter. It seems someone omitted the report,” his subordinate said with a shrug.

“I guess that's why they’re late today,” Jeong-Gwon muttered with a nod, finally understanding why he had been neglected for over an hour.

It seemed that one of the Personnel Department Section Chiefs had omitted the report due to incompetence or jealousy; Jeong-Gwon felt that the person responsible would no doubt go through hell.

“I have no other choice,” Jeong-Gwon said, suddenly standing up as if he had decided on something.

His surprised subordinate asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to see this Lee Chang-Sun guy with my own eyes,” Jeong-Gwon replied with a grin.

“But Executive Director Oh and Director Kim will come here soon…!” his subordinate protested, trying to stop him.

“No, they’re only going to be available in the late afternoon to hear my report, judging from how things are turning out,” Jeong-Gwon said, firmly shaking his head.

“Ah…” his subordinate muttered, stepping aside.

“And…” Jeong-Gwon began, his eyes shining brightly as his subordinate watched him in confusion. Jeong-Gwon continued with a grin, “I have to snatch him away before anyone else does, don’t I?”

* * *

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ pompously says that you are definitely her diamond after seeing how many people are paying attention to you.]

Pabilsag, who had been worrying anxiously about Chang-Sun making Heoju his Guardian, was puffed up with pride as if she were Chang-Sun himself.

‘Is she just simple-minded or an attention seeker?’ Chang-Sun thought, laughing dryly as he observed Pabilsag while preparing for the last test.

A large, open space surrounded by fences had been prepared in Sector C, where Chang-Sun was waiting alone. Behind the fences, many spectators stood watching. On the far side of the sector, designated seats had been prepared for several threatening-looking men.

‘They’re Heoju’s claws and fangs,’ Chang-Sun realized.

Each one of the men was as ferocious as a beast. With Heoju as their Guardian, they worked voluntarily as his loyal servants, meaning they were the people Chang-Sun had to fight and kill.

‘It’s not going to be easy.’

That was the first thought that crossed Chang-Sun’s mind; Heoju’s servants looked more ferocious than he had expected. Although he had fought in wars against numerous apostles and priests in Arcadia, Heoju’s servants looked even stronger than those foes. However, Chang-Sun was unsure whether that was because Players on Earth were generally strong, or because the Players of the White Tiger Clan were simply talented.

It seemed Chang-Sun would need a lot of time to hunt down every Player in the White Tiger Clan, but…

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ observes you with interest.]

…Chang-Sun did not fail to notice the air above the heads of Heoju’s servants being distorted, taking the shape of a tiger. Heoju was watching Chang-Sun through his priests’ eyes; he was intrigued by the super rookie who had voluntarily come to him.

‘Then I'll have to fulfill his expectations,’ Chang-Sun thought with a faint smile. As he had been planning to monopolize Heoju’s attention to begin with, he had to show off all he had.

Thump!

Chang-Sun finally put down the drawing tube he had never opened previously, making a loud sound.

[The Celestial ‘World-Encircling Serpent’ assumes you are plotting something.]

After reading Jörmungandr’s message, Chang-Sun turned and informed a staffer, “I’ll take the test right away.”

Wiping away the sweat dripping down his cheeks with a handkerchief, the staffer nodded. As a low-level employee, he felt incredibly tense; the Clan’s executives, whom he had previously been watching from afar, were looking in his direction. Apart from the Clan Leader ‘Sword Sky Tiger’, Executive Director Oh and Director Kim were the most influential people in the White Tiger Clan.

The staffer trembled as he stuttered, “Y-You’re going to hunt a monster for the last test. You can choose any monster you want, such as a Red Orc or a Twin Head Ogre. Then, I’ll summon it here and you’ll have to fight it one-on-one.”

Two Players in the Level 20 range were needed to hunt a Red Orc, and a Twin Head Ogre could only be killed by four to five Players in the Level 30 range. They were normally found as boss monsters in Dungeons.

No one could kill such monsters one on one; thus, the purpose of the final test was to demonstrate Players’ ability and talent to the fullest extent. If the applicants seemed to be in mortal danger, the Raid Team Members on standby would be dispatched immediately, which meant there was nothing to worry about.

Of course, Chang-Sun had no intention of finishing the test in an ordinary manner. He wanted to put on a more brilliant and astonishing display than anyone else.

“Are those the only monsters you have?” Chang-Sun asked, as if the monsters the staffer had mentioned were insufficient.

The staffer immediately looked at his superior who was right beside him, silently asking whether to grant Chang-Sun’s request.

Regardless of Chang-Sun’s SSS+++ Magic Grade, a Level 25 Player could not possibly fight against monsters stronger than the previously mentioned ones, especially not one-on-one.

However, his superior nodded, seemingly telling him to do as Chang-Sun wanted. They had no other choice, because too many people were watching. In the end, the staffer turned pale and answered haltingly, “The strongest monster we can summon right now… is a Drake…”

“Then I choose to summon a Drake.” Chang-Sun answered firmly, leaving the spectators surprised.

Even though Drakes were low-rank dragon-type monsters with minimal intelligence, a dragon-type monster was still a dragon. Even the experienced Players in the Level 40 range had to study the geographical features of any territory where Drakes lived before trying to hunt them one on one; why was Chang-Sun requesting such a monster?

The Drake could break away and run toward a crowded place, causing a disaster. That fact alone made Chang-Sun come across as incredibly arrogant, but his confidence was undeniable.

Thinking things would somehow work out, as the Clan’s executives were in the testing area, the staffer summoned the monster Chang-Sun wanted.

Paaah―!

The magic circle on the floor turned blue.

Thud…!

A five-meter-tall Drake fell from the sky, making the ground shake fiercely.

“Wow, that’s…!”

“I can’t believe I’m seeing a Drake with my own eyes.”

“How on earth is he planning to catch that?”

The spectators spoke energetically among themselves.

The Drake seemed to have been summoned in the middle of its meal. Its mouth was smeared with blood and flesh, distinctly revealing its violent temper. Gradually realizing the situation it was in as it heard the noise coming from its surroundings, the Drake roared up toward the ceiling.

Roooaaar!

The monster then began charging toward Chang-Sun.

Thump, thump, thump―!

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ wants to test your ability!]

‘Come, Heoju,’ Chang-Sun thought as he looked at the Drake. His eyes shone coldly as he grabbed the drawing tube on the floor.