“Umm... I think there are certain types of food that shouldn’t be fed when raising animals. I was too complacent.”

Chocolate for dogs.

Onions for cats.

Feeding them such food could be bad for their health. Was hydra meat like that for the rock snakes?

-Kkiing!

Of course not. The rock snake strongly and firmly protested.

“I understand. Calm down.”

The rock snake neatly devoured the meat out of fear that Choi Yeonseung would take it away.

Swallow swallow.

“Now that I’m done eating, I have to go, Onix.”

-Kkiiing.

The rock snake stretched out its tail and wrapped it around Choi Yeonseung’s wrist as if telling him not to leave.

“I’m sorry. I have to.”

It would be fun to stay here for a while and play with the rock snake family. However, Choi Yeonseung couldn't go against his purpose.

Constant training. That was the only way to become a constellation. He would never stop until he had achieved that goal! It sounded simple, but the road ahead of him was far from easy.

How long could a person focus on one thing without wavering?

10 years?

20 years?

Even if they could endure for decades, keeping their focus from faltering for hundreds of was an impossible task.

However, despite wandering the Abyss for over a few thousand years now, Choi Yeonseung’s mindset hadn’t changed at all from when he was on Earth. He never wavered, became lazy, or grew arrogant. He faced everything with the same mindset that he had since the beginning.

That was the reason why the Goddess of Balance Who Walks Ahead chose Choi Yeonseung to save the future. This was the type of person she needed! He didn’t have excellent mana talent that could propel him to becoming a great magician or natural martial arts prowess that would ensure he’d reach a high rank.

He was Choi Yeonseung. He could walk the path of a constellation without complaints despite not even knowing how long it would take. However, even the goddess herself didn’t know the exact reason he was chosen...

***

Papapak!

“?”

Choi Yeonseung was just about to leave when the rock snake drew a picture on the ground using its tail. It was a picture that was close to randomly drawn characters, but he had a rough idea of what it meant.

“So... something that looks like that lives in that realm over there?”

-Kkiing, kkiing!

The rock snake seemed to be trying to tell Choi Yeonseung about where he was going. The Abyss was infinitely vast and housed countless dangerous existences. Though he was on the path to becoming a constellation, there would always be some beings stronger than him, no matter how strong he was. It would be great to know about them in advance. That way, he could prepare for their meeting.

“... Still, what is this?”

The opponent the rock snake drew looked very... unique. First of all, it had wings and horns. The rock snake also emphasized its evil-looking face.

“... Are you trying to say its face is dangerous?”

-Kkiing!

“Is it a demon? What makes its face so dangerous?’’

Choi Yeonseung was puzzled.

Horns and wings. A wicked face. Abyss demons usually had those characteristics. Of course, demons didn’t necessarily look like this. There were all types of demons. After all, demons were just what the evil god constellations’ subordinates were called. Even slimes and elves could become demons upon being chosen by a constellation to become their apostle. Still, there was no denying that demons with wings on their backs and sharp horns on their heads were common. The demons that appeared in dungeons and made hunters nervous back when Choi Yeonseung was still on Earth also looked like that.

Unlike low-intelligence monsters, demons were cunning and evil. Aside from their strength, they were notorious for their aggressiveness. They actively targeted and attacked the hunters that had entered the dungeon they were in. However, that was an old story.

‘I no longer have to be scared of those demons.’

There was a huge difference between the current Choi Yeonseung and the demons who appeared on Earth at that time. The rank of those demons was between B- and B+. 5th-circle magicians or first-class martial artists teaming up would be enough to kill them.

On the other hand, the current Choi Yeonseung could kill them alone.

‘Is it a much stronger demon? Like Barigos?’

Choi Yeonseung was reminded of Barigos. The last great opponent he fought before heading on the path to becoming a constellation in earnest!

Barigos was really strong. The demons on Earth were nothing compared to him. But...

Choi Yeonseung defeated Barigos and moved up to a higher stage. In addition, he obtained the power of constellations. If he bumped into Barigos again, the fight wouldn’t be as close as it was last time.

Choi Yeonseung would overwhelm him!

‘It will be over if I occupy all four directions with Origin of the Celestial Step, fire concentrated energy bullets to tie up his moments, and shove concentrated energy combined with the power of existence into all the gaps he’d reveal.’

In any case, Barigos was one of the strongest among the household members of the constellations. His strength had almost reached the limit among non-constellation beings! In Choi Yeonseung’s view, it was unlikely there would be anyone stronger than Barigos unless the constellation came directly.

"Don't worry. I should be able to deal with any opponent on my own except for constellations. However, constellations won’t come at me in person just because I entered their realm.

The butts of the constellations in the Abyss had long since been heavy. They wouldn’t come in person unless Choi Yeonseung had defeated all their apostles, destroyed their territories, and spat on their faces.

-Kkiing...

However, the rock snake still looked very worried despite his words.

***

[You have entered the realm of the ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires.’]

[The nearby constellations have started watching you.]

[A household member of the ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ has noticed you and is approaching you.]

After wandering through the void of the ownerless Abyss, he entered a realm that already had a ruler. The constellations looked over upon sensing Choi Yeonseung’s presence. It was as if Choi Yeonseung was doing a personal broadcast. The difference was that he couldn’t turn it off even if he wanted to.

‘Tsk. These constellations.’

They kept saying things like, ‘Stupid guy, be mine!’, ‘What makes you think you can become a constellation?’, or ‘If you don’t listen to my command, I’ll crush you!’ 

Hence, he couldn’t help but feel annoyed. Of course, that didn’t rattle Choi Yeonseung. He was irritated, but he kept his composure. However, the contractors on Earth...

‘It has to be really hard for those who signed contracts with a constellation to stay sane.’

Didn’t it mean their every movement was being watched? It was horrible just thinking about it.

“Are you the Undefeated Incarnation of Training?”

“That’s right.”

“My master wants to see you, Constellation-nim.”

The Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ household member approached from afar. Choi Yeonseung straightened his posture and faced his opponent. The first thought that came to his mind was ‘pretty.’ The household member was impeccably beautiful. If they were just a bit whiter, he would’ve mistaken them for an angel!

However, the household member had horns on their forehead and black wings on their back. These demons were commonly called nightmare demons. They entered other people’s dreams and manipulated their desires!

[The nightmare demon, the incubus has used Soul Bewitchment.]

[The Origin of the Celestial Divine Arts’ internal energy has resisted it.]

The racial characteristic of the incubus was ‘bewitchment.’ They could seduce and fascinate any being, controlling them at will. Of course, it didn’t work on Choi Yeonseung. The Origin of the Celestial Divine Arts’ pure internal energy and his power of existence as a constellation blocked it.

“Quite the rude greeting.”

“I’m sorry. We have no control over this ability.”

The incubus bowed his head. A slim and slender figure was revealed through his tight clothes. His pure white face was spotless, and the androgynous beauty revealed through his features was more beautiful than any other beauty on Earth.

After spending thousands of years in the Abyss only looking at vicious monsters, seeing such a person—no, incubus—was dazzling.

‘No. Wait. Shouldn’t an incubus be male?’

Choi Yeonseung was puzzled.

Incubus = male.

Succubus = female.

The incubus in front of him now...

‘Well, that’s not what’s important right now.”

“I also believe that my insignificant ability won’t work on the great constellation.”

“I’m not a constellation yet.”

“I believe you will soon become one.”

“......”

For a moment, Choi Yeonseung was slightly moved. Those were the first kind words he had heard in the Abyss! The constellations only kept sending annoying message windows. Meanwhile, this incubus, whom he met for the first time, already believed in him so much. It made him tearful. There was still such warm affection and faith in this desolate Abyss!

“What if I refuse?”

“Master told me to just let you go if you refuse. However, I can swear on the honor of my master that this meeting won’t be harmful to you, Constellation-nim.”

The incubus’ words sounded pretty trustworthy. Above all, Choi Yeonseung liked that he could leave whenever he wanted.

‘What do you want?’

“Okay. I’ll come.”

“Thank you! You won’t regret it!”

Choi Yeonseung followed behind the incubus.

‘Ah. Come to think of it.’

“Have you ever heard of a place called Earth? It is one of the planets outside the Abyss.”

“Earth... You mean…? Ah, I think I’ve heard rumors about it a long time ago... The nearby constellations were arguing over the gate to get there...”

“!”
 Choi Yeonseung’s eyes widened. That was definitely Earth.

“Do you know anything else about it?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve just heard rumors. Other than that... Perhaps my master knows about it. Are you interested in Earth?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard there’s a huge number of souls there. If you can get your hands on them, then it will definitely be a great help to you.”

The incubus thought Choi Yeonseung was trying to get his hands on Earth in order to increase his power as a constellation.

“I have no intention of getting my hands on Earth.”

“Huh? Why are you interested in it, then?”

“I intend to stop the other constellations from trying to take over Earth.”

Choi Yeonseung felt slightly embarrassed after saying those words. How would other races of the Abyss take his words? It would probably sound like a ridiculous lie. What constellation in the Abyss would do such a good thing?

“That... is amazing. Not only are you strong, Constellation-nim, but you are also noble!”

However, the incubus truly believed in Choi Yeonseung.

“... What’s your name?”

“Oh? My name is Arni.”

“Yes. Please take good care of me, Arni.”

“My name isn’t so valuable that a constellation should memorize it! I am awed.”

Awe-stricken, Arni didn’t know what to do. The sight of an androgynous incubus being at a loss would fascinate anyone who saw it. Such was the racial trait of the nightmare demons! It wasn’t just that they constantly activated skills related to ‘bewitchment.’ Their race itself was adept at winning the favor of others.

‘I see nothing wrong with that, though,’ Choi Yeonseung thought. What was wrong with being kind and likable to others?

Wasn’t it better than being unlikeable? It didn't take long for him to realize how wrong he was, though.

***

The realm of the nightmare demons was reminiscent of a shrine or temple. It was serene and quiet, and its infrastructures were rustic, frugal, and lacked decorations.

‘This is different from what I was expecting.’