Return of the Shattered Constellation

Chapter 66: Star, The Meeting (4)

“Come on, hyung-nim. You’re talking crazy. How could a Player that has no Guardian become this strong?” Seo Jeong-Gwon snorted, crossing his arms.

His reaction was understandable. Unlike small Clans that worked like religious groups, the members of the major or supranational Clans such as the White Tiger Clan couldn’t have the same Guardian. The White Tiger Clan was especially more tolerant about its Players having different Guardians, so the Clan worked more like a mercenary group.

Of course, to become executives they had to change their Guardian to Heoju, but the ordinary White Tiger Clan Members were rarely forced to do so. That was why the public and the media had two main questions when Chang-Sun had first shown up: How did such a genius appear out of thin air, and which Guardian had he chosen?

Because he hadn’t shown any signature skills, some conjectured that Chang-Sun did not have a Guardian, or that his Guardian wasn’t famous. However, just like Jeong-Gwon’s reaction, they were instantly disregarded because they ‘didn’t make sense’.

Even the public knew that there was a limit to how strong Players could become without Guardians. On top of that, so many Celestials wanted to have Chang-Sun that they wouldn’t leave him alone. Among the experts, the fact that Chang-Sun had finished the tutorial was no longer a secret, thus they could only assume that Chang-Sun had a Guardian. However, Chang-Sun and Executive Director Oh just looked at each other without saying anything.

Standing in between them, Jeong-Gwon felt anxious, beginning to think that the impossible might be true. He turned to Chang-Sun and said, “…Say something. Hyung-nim… no, Executive Director Oh is making a wrong assumption.”

Chang-Sun stayed silent.

“Hmm? Why aren’t you saying anything?” Jeong-Gwon asked again.

“…”

“No way… It’s not true, right? Of course, it’s not true. Of course.” Jeong-Gwon shook his head.

“…”

“Huh…? Is-is it true?” Jeong-Gwon took a step backward, but he was stopped by the elevator wall.

“…”

“Impos-s-s-ible…!” Jeong-Gwon stuttered. Although he looked too intimidating to ever be shocked, he gaped so hard when he became certain. His jaw would have been dislocated if he wasn’t a Player.

Without a Guardian, Chang-Sun had shown remarkable ability and cleared the ‘Blackish-Red Mountain Range’ within a month; the dungeon that even the White Tiger Clan Leader had given up clearing in his youth. In this case, Jeong-Gwon couldn’t help but wonder how much greater Chang-Sun’s abilities would be if he had a Guardian.

‘It’s craz…!’ Jeong-Gwon was so dumbfounded that he couldn’t even think in complete sentences, but he could now see why Executive Director Oh had reacted like that.

If Chang-Sun truly had no Guardian, what kind of power would he have if he chose ‘Calamity Tiger’ as his Guardian in the future? What position would ‘Calamity Tiger’ offer to Chang-Sun? Just thinking about the answer made Jeong-Gwon tremble. The title of ‘genius’ was attractive if the person was just normally smart, but an extraordinarily talented genius like this made people feel like they were meeting an alien.

“It seems the ‘Calamity Tiger’ wants me.” Chang-Sun nodded.

“Of course. Even I, his mere servant, want you. Which deity wouldn’t?” Executive Director Oh shrugged.

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With his guess confirmed to be true, Jeong-Gwon could only silently stand still.

“Many deities have offered me the seat of an apostle. Would you be able to offer me something as valuable as that?” Chang-Sun asked.

Since Heoju’s apostle was Munseong, Chang-Sun’s question was ridiculous from the start. Implicitly, he wanted to know whether or not he could be ranked as a high priest or a bishop. However, it was also absurd because the White Tiger Clan’s high priests or bishops were the executives of the White Tiger Clan, just like Executive Director Oh and Director Gwon.

The Clan would be thrown into mayhem if a rookie like Chang-Sun was treated the same as the executives. Even if Heoju allowed him to become one of them, they would put restrictions on Chang-Sun on their end. There were Clans where every Player was considered to be of equal rank aside from the Clan Leaders, but the White Tiger Clan had a strict hierarchy.

Executive Director Oh smiled enigmatically. “You know very well that you’re making an absurd request, right?”

“That’s why I’m telling you if the condition to receive the reward is to choose a Guardian, I’ll just resign. There are many benefits to not having a Guardian.” Chang-Sun said, firmly drawing the line.

“I see I have a new boss.” Executive Director Oh said with a crooked smile on his face.

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ hideously frowns and urges you to become his follower!]

[The Celestial ‘A Good Season to Hunt’ angrily asks the ‘Calamity Tiger’ why he keeps coveting her apostle candidate!]

[The Celestial ‘Twilight-Piercing Owl’ glares at the ‘Calamity Tiger’!]

Thud!

The narrow interior of the elevator was filled with Executive Director Oh’s intense [Tiger Kill]. He was intentionally intimidating Chang-Sun, but it didn’t work one bit. Due to the pressure, the elevator shook fiercely, as if it was going to drop any second.

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ takes a step backward and smacks his lips.]

Executive Director Oh couldn’t threaten Chang-Sun for a long time because Heoju had stopped intimidating Chang-Sun, unable to ignore Pabilsag and Minerva’s strong opposition. Smiling bitterly, Executive Director Oh shook his head and threw the key to Chang-Sun.

“Being greedy and ambitious is a young person’s privilege, but being too greedy will bring you trouble one day. ” Executive Director Oh advised Chang-Sun that he could be in trouble if he continued to try to sound Heoju out, thinking Chang-Sun was walking a thin line dealing with the Celestials that wanted him.

As he accepted the key, Chang-Sun answered Executive Director Oh with a nod.

“Go to the first floor. I’ve asked Yoo-Jun to wait for you there, so he’ll guide you.” Executive Director Oh explained.

“Thank you.” Chang-Sun said with a small bow.

As Executive Director Oh pressed the button to the first floor, the elevator reached the eighth floor. As he exited the elevator, he turned to Chang-Sun for the last time. “Keep in mind that the ‘Calamity Tiger’ isn’t as generous as you think. He would rather destroy you if he can’t have you.”

After his warning, the elevator closed and soon reached the sixth floor. Jeong-Gwon, who had been hesitating the entire time, broke his silence with a light sigh and passed by Chang-Sun. “Well, everybody has their own plan, so I’m guessing you do too. But consider choosing the ‘Calamity Tiger’ as your Guardian to reach a higher rank in our Clan, because you’ll be able to do a lot of interesting things here. More than you think.”

Grinning, Jeong-Gwon patted Chang-Sun’s shoulder several times and got out of the elevator. As the elevator began to descend to the first floor, Chang-Sun brushed off the shoulder that Jeong-Gwon patted as if he was brushing off dust and lightly snorted.

“Bullshit.”

* * *

“For security reasons, the books in the Tier 2 library are stored in separate stone chambers according to their categories, and the visitors need different keys to enter each chamber.” Song Yoo-Jun briefly explained as he led Chang-Sun to the Fierce Tiger Library. His eyes were full of loyalty to Chang-Sun, but he didn’t make it obvious since too many people were watching. Chang-Sun thought it was good news, because no matter how strong the brainwashing was, Yoo-Jun could make a rational judgment.

“Then which chamber can I enter with this key?” Chang-Sun asked, showing Yoo-Jun the key he received.

Unlike the Tier 3 library, which just looked like an ordinary library, the Tier 2 and 1 libraries were confidential facilities. Chang-Sun had no idea what they looked like.

‘It’s gonna be a problem if I can only enter a limited number of stone chambers…’ Chang-Sun thought in discontentment.

According to Yoo-Jun, Chang-Sun couldn’t go through all the books in the Tier 2 library. Since visiting the library was a rare opportunity, it would take a long time to visit the Tier 2 library multiple times.

“I don’t know, though.” Yoo-Jun shook his head. The only instruction he had received was to guide Chang-Sun. His eyes were full of sadness for not being able to help him more.

They arrived at the Fierce Tiger Library’s annex, which was a different Fierce Tiger Library building from the one that Chang-Sun had previously visited.

“You’re allowed to use the library for a total of six hours, so I’ll see you then.” Yoo-Jun said, finishing his explanation.

After passing through all the heavy security, Chang-Sun could finally enter the annex.

‘This was what he meant by ‘according to their categories’.’ Chang-Sun observed.

In the round hall, there were a total of ten stone doors—no, there were nine aside from the door that Chang-Sun had used to enter, and each door had a different nameplate.

[Fierce Tiger].

[Jackal Tiger].

[Cruel Tiger].

[Roaming Tiger].[1]

[Mountain Tiger].

[Strict Tiger].[2]

[Four Tigers].

[Black Tiger].

And [Dream-Eating Beast].[3]

[The Celestial ‘Calamity Tiger’ proudly tells you that these are the real treasures that made him who he is today.]

[The Celestial ‘Calamity’ Tiger’ tempts you. He says if you become his priest, you will be able to have everything in this library.]

‘They’re the advanced versions of [Tiger Form],’ Chang-Sun thought, realizing why the Tier 2 Library existed only after he read all the nameplates.

After mastering [Tiger Walk], [Tiger Kill], and [Tiger Disaster]—the three basic skills—one could transform their energy to look like a tiger using [Tiger Form], as it meant they were able to freely use [Tiger Claw] and [Tiger Teeth]. Those two alone were enough to incapacitate most Players, which was why the White Tiger Clan was famous for their combat power.

However, [Tiger Form] wasn’t a simple skill. According to each Player’s personality and combat style, [Tiger Form] presented itself in different ways. It was similar to the person’s hidden personality that they developed, or their shadow. Through mastering the nine categories, one could advance their [Tiger Form].

The Fierce Tiger, the evil Jackal Tiger… If one could master a category that matched their [Tiger Form], they would reach a higher level much more easily and transform themselves into a true force to be reckoned with.

[The reward on hold for finishing the quest ‘The Tiger’s Plunder’ will be given now!]

[There are a total of nine paths in front of you right now. Through each path, you can learn a method to become a tiger with a unique characteristic.]

[Choose one of the paths. Your key will change upon your choice.]

[However, according to the condition set by the ‘Calamity Tiger’, you have been granted the right to open all the paths, but you must choose him as your Guardian.]

‘He’s pulling a stupid trick.’

Chang-Sun lightly chuckled. He could see what Heoju was up to. Heoju couldn’t force Chang-Sun to join him, so he was trying to lure him in with gifts.

If Chang-Sun successfully mastered all nine categories, they would all become Chang-Sun’s authorities. So with this, Heoju was taking the plunge and practically giving almost everything away. Chang-Sun assumed that Munseong was the only one who Heoju had opened all the categories for.

‘He’s really pathetic,’ Chang-Sun thought, because Heoju didn’t know one thing. ‘I’m already planning on taking away everything in here, even if he didn’t offer that.’

Chang-Sun slowly pulled out the key that Executive Director Oh gave him. There was no reason to not take it, so he intended to get what he needed the most first. Among the nine categories, Chang-Sun chose…

1. This comes from the phrase 縱虎歸山 (lit. let a tiger loose in the mountains), which means that you should take care of loose ends lest they turn into major problems in the future. ☜

2. A metaphor for very strict rules. ☜

3. The raw was 몽식맥(夢食貘). It’s often used to refer to Baku because, in eastern mythology, Baku feeds on people’s nightmares. But 貘 also means a beast, so the current Dream-Eating Beast isn’t technically Baku. ☜