Chapter 285

Chapter 285

When wandering around the Abyss, one could come across all kinds of terrain. One example was a maze-like terrain that one couldn’t make their way through by force.

-It seems like you’ve learnt the ropes by breaking through the previous maze terrains.

The goddess of sloth nodded in approval.

Even though it was said that constellations essentially lived for an infinite amount of time, it didn’t mean that their intelligence was proportional to that time. Some were smart, and some were stupid, regardless of how long they had lived for.

Constellations were arrogant, and no matter what kind of areas they lacked in, they never tried to improve on that. If they did that, it meant admitting that they had a weakness.

In comparison, Choi Yeonseung was different.

Perhaps it was because he had been a mortal before he had become a constellation, but he didn’t hesitate to use the power of other constellations. If he had any shortcomings, he tried his best to correct them.

Perhaps he had an epiphany while trying to break through the maze.

-No,I had no idea how to do it. I just kept trying to break through.

-...Wasn’t that only at the beginning?

-From then on, I pretty much figured out where to go based on my intuition.

-...

He was being much more ignorant and stubborn than she had expected. The goddess of sloth took back what she had thought about Choi Yeonseung.

***

“This place...?”

Choi Yeonseung was surprised by the peculiar scenery that unfolded before his eyes.

The Forest Filled with Harsh Order was a forest that had grown so lushly and densely that the sky wasn’t even visible. It was reminiscent of the ancient times.

Since it was a forest, Choi Yeonseung had assumed that the nature would be wild, with huge and fierce monsters guarding the treasure of the Demon of Contract and Order!

However...?

“???”

In front of Choi Yeonseung was a high-rise building that seemed to pierce the sky. The dreary, gray building was in stark contrast with the green forest that surrounded it. It also had no windows, and gray was its only color. It towered endlessly toward the sky.

-This is where you can find the treasure.

The centaur’s tone was polite. As a matter of fact, he had so far only heard rumors about it. This was the first time he came this far.

To get there, one had to go through many mazes and trials. Only a handful of mortals could reach this place within the Forest Filled with Harsh Order!

“...No. What is this place?”

-Haha.Since you’re an orc, it seems like it’s your first time visiting a place like this.

‘This annoying bastard.’

Choi Yeonseung was annoyed by how the centaur was looking down on orcs. It wasn’t surprising that within the Abyss, some races were being disparaged, but being the one subjected to such treatment was certainly infuriating.

Honestly, in the eyes of humans, all other races were...

-This is where the household members of the Demon of Contract and Order work.No matter what land or kingdom they come from, his household members work in this tower.

Just as the household members of the Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood lived in a land surrounded by fire and brimstone, with rivers of blood flowing endlessly, the household members of the Demon of Contract and Order lived in a place that suited the taste of the constellation.

They worked in a skyscraper.

‘Speaking of towers, it looks like one of those buildings that big companies own.’

-Hello?

“...!”

Choi Yeonseung turned his attention to the voice calling him from behind.

A well-groomed demon dressed in a suit appeared at the entrance of the building with a very gentle smile.

-Welcome!I am Demon No. 437982 who serves the Demon of Contract and Order.Once you finish your contract today, please give me a good evaluation when evaluating the service.

“...”

Choi Yeonseung was utterly confused.

***

It was just like the goddess of sloth had said. The Demon of Contract and Order wasn’t a warlike constellation. The demon constellation found pleasure in binding mortals to intricate and bizarre contracts. Violence wasn’t necessary for that as the demon constellation could just stay put and let the mortals destroy themselves with their own desires.

-Demon No. 7725643, please move to the seventeenth floor.The contractor has requested a summons with the magic circle.Proceed to the seventeenth floor right now.If you are late, you will be punished according to the contract.

-Contract No. 198384322 is officially unable to be fulfilled due to the contractor’s condition.I’ll say it again.1983...

Bang!

There was a loud sound as the doors of the four elevators on both sides of the room opened. Demon household members rushed in and subdued the centaur before he could even react.

-Aghh!Wait...

-Go underground.

-Please go underground.

-Wait!Wait a minute!I was wrong!

“...”

“...”

Choi Yeonseung and Odaigon were shocked by how powerful these household members were. Given that it was the realm of the demon constellation, it made sense for his household members to be more powerful here, but...

Weren’t they overpowered?

‘It’s close to level five hundred.’

Earth’s S-grade hunters barely exceeded level four hundred, so being close to level five hundred meant that these household members crossed the threshold of mortal strength.

Even with all the buffs they received from being in this realm, was that kind of strength even possible?

Odaigon also looked startled because he could feel that they were stronger than him.

-It’s the power of contracts.

-The power of contracts?

-Yes, it’s the power of the contract created by the Demon of Contract and Order.

-I already knew that.Doesn’t every contract become the power of the constellation?However, no matter how strong the constellation is, it should be impossible to give this much power to so many...

-It’s not just that. It’s the contract itself that makes them stronger.Maybe these demons have signed contracts stating that they can only use this kind of power in certain situations or that they can only fight once a year?

-...!

Choi Yeonseung was shocked to learn this.

He genuinely hadn’t thought that the power of the Demon of Contract and Order was that great. After hearing the explanation of the goddess of sloth, he realized that the demon constellation’s power could be used this way.

The demons made contracts with themselves in order to gain their master’s power!

Choi Yeonseung felt that the powers of the constellation were really overpowered when used in certain ways.

‘Hearing things like this, my training power seems a bit... I think it feels weak.’

-But you have my power of defeat, don’t you?Such a great power is rare even in the Abyss.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says there is also the power given by the goddess of balance...]

‘It’s not very comforting.’

-Now!Please sit here!

During the conversation, Demon No. 437982 finished his preparations and sat down.

-Ah, right.Do you want me to change the background of the room?

“No, it’s not necessary.”

-I see.Then...What do you want?Tell me what you want.I will give you a quota.

The demon seemed like an experienced banker as he took out his papers and his pen.

The Demon of Contract and Order had all types of contracts, but the basic framework was similar for all of them. The contractor would state what they wanted, and the demon would offer the best possible terms. The contractor usually had to give up money, a part of their body, or their very soul.

Of course, the more valuable the contractor was, the better were the terms they received...

-You have the magic power of a great hero among mortals!In addition, you get extra points for finding your way through all the mazes.You will be able to easily obtain some treasures.

“...Is it possible to get something like a constellation item? For example, the book containing the contracts of the demon constellation.”

Choi Yeonseung was ready to fight as he spoke. He was ready to immediately counter a possible attack from the demon and wreck this whole place. They were in dangerous territory, but he was ready to fight fiercely in order to get his hands on the treasure!

...However, the demon’s reply was quite casual.

-Ah, so you want Master’s book of contracts?I’ll search for it now.

“...Not that it’s any of my business, but are you allowed to give away your master’s things like that?”

-I’m just doing my job.Master won’t mind either.I’m acting according to the rules.

“...”

Choi Yeonseung wanted to ask if he could also obtain the constellation himself but held back.