Chapter 559
Chapter 559
“?!”
The gatekeeper was even more suspicious of this stranger because of his sudden reaction.
“Stand back! Identify yourself! For what purpose are you snooping in the kingdom?”
“See who I am with your own eyes.”
Along with those words, Choi Yeonseung revealed his power of existence. The gatekeeper knelt in amazement at the mighty force that only a constellation could show in the Abyss.
“No... You... Who would show up... so directly?”
“I am the Undefeated Incarnation of Training. Open the door and announce my arrival to your master.”
Overwhelmed by his power of existence, the gatekeeper didn’t even dare to look at Choi Yeonseung. Thus, Choi Yeonseung naturally thought that he would guide him to the Goddess of Defeat and Sloth.
However...
“I can’t... do that.”
“?!”
Choi Yeonseung was utterly puzzled.
‘Why?’
The gatekeeper was unwilling to take him to the goddess even though he clearly knew what kind of being Choi Yeonseung was. Was it because he had never heard of the Undefeated Incarnation of Training before?
Still, how could a mere mortal have the guts to stand in the way of a constellation?
“Undefeated Incarnation of Training... It is clear that you came here to insult and mock my master’s name. I shall not inform my master of your presence.”
“...No!”
Choi Yeonseung was dumbfounded. This was a terrible misunderstanding!
It didn’t seem like the gatekeeper would yield easily
“Defeat is just a fate I have chosen to bear. No defeat can break me. I only have loyalty.”
“No...”
Choi Yeonseung had mostly overlooked the reputation of the Goddess of Defeat and Sloth as being extremely powerful in her prime. But judging from the gatekeeper’s demeanor, he could see that the goddess was in fact powerful.
Her subjects were loyal and not afraid of defeat. Even after suffering defeat, one had the power to regain their strength.
“Hey, look. If I really had the intention of deceiving and insulting your master, why would I be standing here, talking to you? I would’ve knocked you down and went inside straight away.”
“But what makes someone with your name want to meet my master? What could your intentions be, if not to mock and slander?”
‘At this rate, I’ll end up punching him...’
Although the gatekeeper was being reasonable, Choi Yeonseung felt an urge to hit him.
Logically, the gatekeeper had reasons to be apprehensive of this stranger. Normally, constellations that shared similar realms had well-matched personalities while those with opposing realms had clashing personalities.
No matter how he looked at it, there wouldn’t be any reason for a constellation that ruled over the realm of training to visit the goddess of sloth all of a sudden.
“Listen up. If later it becomes clear that I had something important to discuss with your master but couldn’t because of your poor judgment, how do you intend to make amends? You think just your soul would be enough for that?”
“...”
The gatekeeper was speechless, clearly unsettled by Choi Yeonseung’s words.
“Hurry up and tell your master about this! Don’t make decisions for your master. Let her judge for herself. That is true loyalty.”
“I... Fine.”
Overwhelmed by Choi Yeonseung’s presence and logic, the gatekeeper nodded and called for another colleague.
After a while—
“Turn him away. His name alone is revolting...”
“...”
Choi Yeonseung heaved a deep sigh.
‘We’ll see when I return to the present.’
He would make the goddess of sloth work twenty-five hours a day!
“There seems to be a misunderstanding. I’ll talk to her face-to-face.”
“Given how much you’re insisting, it’s clear that you have nefarious intentions...”
Choi Yeonseung no longer argued with the gatekeeper. The more he did so, the worse he felt. It was better to just meet the goddess of sloth in person and persuade her.
Bang!
Choi Yeonseung stomped his feet and vanished. By the time the gatekeepers registered that Choi Yeonseung was no longer there, he was already in the realm.
However, the aura of the realm reacted to the disturbance and altered everyone of the intrusion.
“Intruder! Intruder!”
“A constellation with an unbelievably arrogant title has trespassed on a sacred land where only the lazy may enter!”
***
The Goddess of Defeat and Sloth lay in the most perfect position in the Abyss. No other constellation could imitate the goddess’ perfect posture.
Her household members were also lying face down or on their back in a very comfortable position. Neither she nor her household members spoke. They simply passed the time, gazing at the shifting scenery of the Abyss.
But suddenly, a white meteor flew from a distance. It was Choi Yeonseung, accelerating with his power of existence. The Goddess of Defeat and Sloth waved her hand as if annoyed the moment she saw him flying in.
[The ‘Goddess of Defeat and Sloth’ uses a power.]
[The resentment of the defeated ones surrounds you.]
This kind of power generally worked only on simple minds, but it was incredibly suffocating if wielded by a constellation with tremendous power. Choi Yeonseung had to burn the internal energy within himself to enhance his will to fight.
One wrong breath and his body would shatter.
Pretty strong...
The Goddess of Defeat and Sloth waved her hand to launch the next attack. However, Choi Yeonseung paid no attention to it and instead rushed forward to attack the goddess. He would die if he faced defeat here, regardless of the future.
Bang!
With a roar, Choi Yeonseung’s concentrated energy crashed into the goddess’ throne. The shock sent the goddess flying back, but...
[The ‘Goddess of Defeat and Sloth’ suffers a temporary defeat.]
[The defeat makes her stronger.]
[She has become invulnerable to all the previous attacks.]
“...”
Choi Yeonseung was furious at the goddess for two reasons. Firstly, she was giving him a lot of trouble in this fight. And secondly, she had thrown away this deceptive and powerful ability and made Choi Yeonseung fight alone all that time.
‘We’ll have a long talk when I get back...!’
Bah.
The goddess was already convinced of her victory, so she didn’t even look at Choi Yeonseung when she launched her next attack.
Choi Yeonseung was stunned, as it felt as though the realm itself was attacking him. This usage of power of existence was on a completely different level!
‘Cough...!’
[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ suffers a temporary defeat.]
[The defeat makes him stronger.]
[...]
[...]
But it wasn’t just the goddess who could gain strength from defeat. Choi Yeonseung had inherited the realm and power of the goddess, so he could also become stronger through defeat.
‘Once I go back... We’ll see...’
Choi Yeonseung regained his strength as he vowed for the third time to give the goddess from the future the scolding of her life.
In any case, thanks to her power, his strength had quickly returned.
How did you recover?
“It’s thanks to the power you’ve given me.”
Choi Yeonseung gritted his teeth and gathered his strength. The Origin of the Celestial Fist, filled with internal energy that was concentrated to the limit, distorted the surrounding space and disturbed the order of the realm.
Me giving you a power? No matter how lazy I am, I won’t be fooled by such a ridiculous lie...
“Fine. Just keep thinking about it as you fight!”
Choi Yeonseung rushed back in. If she wouldn’t believe him, all he had to do was let her experience it herself.
The goddess would understand if he kept using her power!
***
Yeah, yeah, I get it.
Seemingly annoyed, the goddess of sloth finally stopped Choi Yeonseung. But despite the fierce battle, the goddess was still relaxed.
To be honest, Choi Yeonseung suspected that she had stopped fighting because of her laziness...
“Do you really believe me?”
Yes, I believe you. You have to trust me, right? Now leave.
“...”
Choi Yeonseung clenched his fists. If it hadn’t been for the alliance they had established and maintained for years, he would’ve fought her to the death. He had faced quite a few evil god constellations in his life, and he had never been as riled up as he was now.
It seemed that the goddess had a strange way of stirring his emotions.
“Listen carefully, goddess of sloth. In the future..."
Choi Yeonseung held back his anger and explained what the future would entail for her—her extraordinary laziness would push her to abandon her entire kingdom and seal herself away...
After listening to him to the end, the goddess of sloth yawned with a serious expression.
“Did you hear everything?”
Nothing sounds plausible except for the part where I seal myself. What, you found out what I desire and came here to try to deceive me?
“...If I were lying, how come I can use your power?”
I guess you somehow managed to obtain it. I’m not the only one who can use the realm of defeat... Ah, this is such a bother... Can’t you just figure it out on your own? Do you have to bother me? I believe you, so just go...
With that, the goddess of sloth fell on her stomach on the elongated couch.
Seeing that, Choi Yeonseung felt determined to never lay face down on a soft silk pillow ever again. He kicked the leg of the couch, and the internal energy infused with power of existence surged forth and sent the goddess up in the air.
Despite having arrogantly intruded into her kingdom and making a ruckus, the goddess of sloth wasn’t angry with Choi Yeonseung.
She was just going to lie down again.
‘I can’t wait to get back and tell her some things!’
Choi Yeonseung grabbed the goddess by the ankle and dragged her out. The goddess tried her best to cling to the bed, but she couldn’t resist Choi Yeonseung in close combat. Looking around, the other household members just lay there with blank expressions, indifferent to what was happening.
‘How can the weak ones in the realm be more sincere?’
“Goddess of sloth! We must weaken the Master of Slowness and Silence! Are you listening? I’ll keep shouting until you help me!”
The goddess of sloth did try to think whether Choi Yeonseung could’ve really come from the future or if he had obtained her power through other means and was lying, but she quickly gave up.
It was too much of a hassle.
If I tell you how to deal with the Master of Slowness and Silence, you’ll leave, right?
“...If you give me useful advice, I’ll let you sleep.”
Fine, I understand. Go to this constellation. It will help you.
“If I don’t receive proper help, I’ll come back...”
Ah... Trust me...
The goddess of sloth buried her face in the pillow again as if she didn’t want to talk any longer.
Choi Yeonseung vowed one last time.
She wouldn’t hear the end of it when he returned to the present!
***
Choi Yeonseung was seeing this constellation the goddess had sent him to for the first time.
It was the Mechanical Device that Worships Power, and it had all kinds of golem-type races under its command.
The goddess has commanded me, so I will obey, the constellation said as it looked at Choi Yeonseung.
‘It is a subordinate constellation who worships the goddess?’
However, he could feel that this constellation possessed a lot of power of existence, so he found it hard to believe that it was serving another constellation as a subordinate.
...But then the goddess had lost all of that.
‘Sigh... I’ll stop thinking about it.’
Choi Yeonseung controlled his anger.
Unaware of Choi Yeonseung’s thoughts, the mechanical constellation called out to another constellation.
Apparently, there was another subordinate constellation here, this one serving the mechanical constellation.
Something happened. Come out. Prove your worth if you want to benefit from my protection.
Yes! Just leave it to me! a constellation answered cheerfully as it popped out.
Choi Yeonseug had seen this constellation before...
It was the Warrior Stained with Madness and Blood...
Leave anything to me. I will take care of everything!
What are you saying? You’re too loud, emotional, and have made countless blunders.
I... I’m sorry. Please give me one more chance...
“...”
Choi Yeonseung was struck by an indescribable sense of dizziness.