CH 32

As expected, it seems that the woman Hunter Seo Dojoon brought is the cause.

She was an ordinary girl who looked like a student of her age, but in fact, she wouldn’t be really ordinary. Jung Haeun’s father was Hunter Jung Jinho, a famous blacksmith in the United States. 

His only granddaughter, Baek Soyeon, suddenly lost her ability to use her legs when she was four years old.

It was only natural that Baek Soyeon’s family was shocked when their child, who had been walking and running, suddenly couldn’t walk. All of the best doctors looked for it, but no one could find the cause.

How scared his granddaughter was because she couldn’t move her legs. Repeated hospital tests without a proper solution were enough to make a bright and active child timid. 

In addition, since she started going to various hospitals, she couldn’t go to school and had been homeschooling all the time, so it was extremely rare to meet new people. 

He felt sorry for his granddaughter, who was lonely without a friend due to a long hospital stay. And Korea is an even more unfamiliar place to Soyeon. 

That’s why he was looking for someone to talk to her, and he let Haeun visit. 

However, a completely unexpected accident occurred in which Baek Soyeon fainted when she saw Haeun.

Baek Doohan carefully brushed Baek Soyeon’s hair.

“I kicked her out. You don’t have to worry, Soyeon.”

Baek Soyeon, who was shaking, slowly lowered her shoulders.

Soon after, Baek Soyeon fell asleep again. She has woken up, but she is tired because her body hasn’t fully recovered yet.

Baek Doohan laid Baek Soyeon, who was sitting uncomfortably, on the bed properly. Her skinny legs, without any muscles, fell over his arms.

‘Whoo…’

Baek Doohan tightly closed his mouth and looked at Baek Soyeon’s legs. Like Soyeon did when she was young, he thought it would be great to see her running and playing to her heart’s content without any pain again.

* * *

What is a constellation? 

Although Haeun had been with the Constellation for a long time, Haeun didn’t know exactly about the existence of the Constellation because her Constellation was not kind when it came to information.

In particular, he never spoke about himself. Her constellation didn’t tell her how old he was, whether gender existed, or where he was looking at Haeun.

He just said that he liked Haeun, that he eventually chose her, and that Haeun could be proud of that fact. 

Because of this, Haeun had to find out about the Constellation on her own. Fortunately, there were four S-Class Hunters who were high-rank informants around Haeun.  

What Haeun has found out so far is as follows.

First of all, it is the Constellation that provides strange power and awakens humanity.

■■ recognizes you.

This is the system window the Awakener faces when they are Awakened. The Constellation’s exact name was visible to Haeun but not to the other Awakened. That’s why even in the academic world, there was still a war of words about what ■■ was.

This also meant that Haeun was the only person who could directly feel and communicate with the constellation.

‘No. It’s two now.’

Baek Soyeon was added.

Anyway, Haeun had never felt anything other than the Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’. 

Here, the second question arises, how many existences like Haeun’s Constellation really exist in the world?

[The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ tells you not to pay attention to others and focus only on yourself.]

The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ has only signed a contract with Haeun and swore that it would continue to do so.

If that’s the case, it means there are as many Constellations as there are Awakened people in the world now. Seeing that the Awakener’s ability varies from F to S, it was assumed that the constellations that influence them also have a class.

[The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ says looks at Haeun’s rank, and he boasts that there is no other constellation as good and great as himself.] 

That’s what it was, anyway.

But this time, she had the chance to learn more about the constellation.

“What is the identity of the constellation attached to Soyeon?”

[The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ refuses to answer, saying that he can’t say that much.]

“Hmm… Is it a greater constellation? Would it be better to transfer?”

[The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ exclaims what nonsense that is.]

[He feels upset at Haeun’s remark because no one is better than him.]

[He also yells that she is a spoiled child who can’t even use her legs because she won’t sign a contract with him.]

She used some leading questions.

Thanks to this, Haeun finds out that Constellation wants to sign a contract with Baek Soyeon and that Baek Soyeon turns down the offer, leaving her unable to use her legs as revenge.

Haeun scratched her cheek after learning what was going on inside. 

‘She was a real recruit.’

She wondered how the symptom of refusing to have a Constellation was different from the disease caused by not accepting God. Hey, this is Korean shamanism!

In the end, Baek Doohan’s intuition was correct.

Even on the cooking program, he always pointed out the contestants’ mistakes with a hawk’s eye— as expected, he is a scary person. 

‘I must never do anything that would make me stand out in front of Baek Doohan.’

She wonders if she’ll see him again, but she doesn’t want to be caught this way.

“Rather than that, Soyeon fainted in the end, and it was really because of me.” 

[The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ says that it is not because of Haeun, but the guy behind Haeun.]

[It’s not Haeun’s fault, so Haeun doesn’t need to feel guilty.]

[He praises himself and asks if she has ever seen a Constellation as gentle and kind as he is?]

“Is Soyeon can’t keep walking?”

[The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ says that the problem will be solved by accepting the constellation.]

“What if she refuses to the end?”

For some reason, Baek Soyeon refuses to Awaken with the Constellation contract. The Constellation answered Haeun’s question. 

[The Constellation ‘Mutant of the Abyss’ says that in the worst case, she may die.]

Haeun’s expression became serious.

In the end, she had no choice but to hope that Baek Soyeon would accept Constellation’s contract or that Constellation would lose interest in Baek Soyeon.  

Why is Soyeon refusing? Even if she Awakens, she could still live by hiding the fact that she Awakened, just like she does now.

“Shouldn’t I let her know…” 

Haeun’s lips hardened. She wouldn’t know if she didn’t know, but it was hard for her to act like she didn’t know after she did.

According to Seo Dojoon, Baek Soyeon has been unable to use her legs since she was young. He says she’s ten years old now, so she’s been rejecting offers from the Constellation for several years now. 

Haeun, who Awakened around the same time, is also being scolded by Constellations for not doing proper Hunter activities, but how much for Baek Soyeon?

Besides, if Baek Soyeon could communicate with the Constellation like Haeun, it could be an opportunity for Haeun to find out about the existence of the Constellation.

And if she can uncover the existence of the Constellation—.

[SYSTEM: Current synchronization rate 21.13%]

She might be able to figure out what exactly those numbers that were bothering Haeun meant.

Haeun’s eyes calmed down. She wanted to run to Baek Soyeon right now and talk to her.

But it was impossible for her to get close to a little kid who fainted and freaked out when she saw her. She can’t be that bad.

“I can’t even ask others to do it.”

Currently, Haeun is officially a non-Awakened person. Then Haeun suddenly mentions the Constellation and says Baek Soyeon needs to be Awakened? It was clear that everyone would be suspicious. 

To make matters worse, Baek Soyeon is going back to New York soon.

Haeun, who was worried, looked at her watch. It was a little after 6 pm. She thought she might be up by now.

Haeun picked up her cell phone. The screen was connected to an international call. By the time she was worried that she might have called too early, the call was connected.

– …Hello, Haeun-ah.

The slightly mumbled voice belonged to someone who had just woken up.

“Dad.” 

– What’s the matter? Haa, what time is it now?

“I want to go to Dad’s place.”

If the opponent leaves soon, Haeun can follow.

And that’s how Haeun’s trip to the United States was decided.

* * *

It was a very sudden decision to go to the United States, but Haeun was allowed to go. This was entirely according to Lee Yoonkyung’s opinion.

“I’d rather she stay with her father and return with him than stay in Korea.” 

Even being in Korea makes her anxious. It would be relieved if someone was always with her, but the other family members couldn’t always be by Haeun’s side.

If so, staying in the United States can be more relaxing.

In the US, it is difficult to go anywhere alone without a car, so she will stick to one place. Since it’s not Korea, it would be convenient to put another Hunter as an escort. 

She was relieved in many ways because Haeun would be taken care of by Jung Jinho, who had a relatively open schedule.

“What about Noodles?”

Lastly, Haeun looked at the sleeping snake on the cushion before leaving the house.

After getting the magic stone from Seo Dojoon and feeding it, Noodles doze off or fall asleep more. 

Her heart was pounding, wondering if it was sick, but when she checked again, it was normal. 

She wanted to take it all the way to the United States, but the departure and entry process seemed complicated. However, if she takes it in the form of a dagger, it will be caught as a weapon from the entrance.

“As expected, should I ask Sehyun?”

Just then, Noodles woke up. Slowly, Noodles crawled up Haeun’s arm. Haeun patted the snake’s head and spoke affectionately.

“Noodles, what do you want to do? I have to go to America now.”

Noodle tilted its head.

“It would be nice if we could go together, Noodles. Is there any way?”

Noodles flicked its long tongue. A face that looks carefree is cute. It would be nice if this cuteness would work at US customs, but that was too bad.

After observing Haeun’s expression for a while, Noodles returned to Haeun’s wrist. Then it rolled its body into a circle and began to glow white. 

When the light faded, only a white bracelet remained on Haeun’s wrist. It looks like an ordinary bracelet to anyone who sees it.

Haeun opened her eyes wide.

“Oh my gosh! Noodles, as expected, you are a genius!”

Haeun kissed Noodles a million times.

Now that Noodles’ problem has been solved, it is really time to board the plane.