TSOT#1 Chapter 2

“That’s correct.”

 

He responded with a blank expression.

 

The reason Tae-jun accepted Seo Jae-hyung’s team arrangement proposal was ultimately to confirm if the Hunter who had made a contract with a Constellation was indeed her.

 

It was an utterly selfish and self-centered method of confirmation.

 

With a frown, Joo-ah spoke.

 

“That’s not me. I heard that if I had a contract with a Constellation, my rank would be different, but I’m still the same.”

 

“That’s precisely why I specifically instructed the team arrangement.”

 

If she had a contract with a Constellation, there was no way she would be stuck at an E-rank.

 

According to known facts, the lowest level among Hunters contracted with Constellations was A-rank. In other words, Joo-ah, an E-rank, had not contracted with a Constellation—there was hardly any doubt about it.

 

“Honestly, I’m not even convinced Seo Joo-ah is the contractor. Especially after personally checking the system screen today, my confidence has diminished even more.”

 

With a disdainful look, he clicked his tongue, then hardened his expression and muttered.

 

“But I can’t rule out any possibility.”

 

Joo-ah squinted and looked at Tae-jun.

 

It was a reckless approach.

 

It was as if he was sacrificing a Hunter just to satisfy his own curiosity.

 

“If I were to find myself in danger just to satisfy President Yoo Tae-jun’s curiosity, how would you take responsibility?”

 

It wasn’t an exaggeration.

 

If Joo-ah, with her current level, were to be summoned to the higher tower floors, she could die at any moment.

 

He chuckled lightly.

 

“Why should I be responsible?”

 

With a cold expression, Tae-jun twisted his mouth into a smirk.

 

“I only arranged the team at the request of Assemblyman Seo Jae-hyung, and if Seo Joo-ah dies, it would only be due to her own lack of ability.”

 

He leisurely propped his chin on his hand and continued.

 

“So go ahead and pray. Pray that you are indeed a Hunter chosen by a Constellation.”

 

It was a ridiculous notion.

 

Making a contract with a Constellation wasn’t something you could achieve merely by wanting it.

 

“This should be enough explanation for why you, Seo Joo-ah, were matched with a higher group.”

 

As Tae-jun stood up, he smiled at her.

 

“I wasn’t initially going to offer such an explanation, but your boldness from earlier amused me, so I thought I’d let you know. So please, don’t disappoint me, Seo Joo-ah.”

 

Though his words said so, his face showed zero expectations.

 

A face as if he already knew the answer…

 

Joo-ah eventually left the President’s office, unable to resolve the team arrangement issue.

 

“…This is so annoying.”

 

Once outside, Joo-ah paused her steps, staring at the firmly closed door of the President’s office.

 

“He’s disgustingly perceptive.”

 

Muttering under her breath, she turned and walked down the hallway. Her brown hair, neatly tied back, swayed gently.

 

Just then, a cheerful notification sound rang in front of her, and a blue status window appeared.

 

【……Verifying for violations!……】

 

【This may take some time.】

 

【Verification complete!】

 

【No violations found.】

 

In the elevator, Joo-ah pressed the button for the first floor and frowned.

 

“Look at that, verifying it right away as if I tattled on Yoo Tae-jun. If you distrust me that much, why even make a contract?”

 

At her muttering, new text immediately appeared on the status window.

 

【An anonymous Constellation urgently explains that it’s not you he distrusts but Yoo Tae-jun, who has a dark soul.】

 

“Oh, really? Then why do you check every time I meet someone to see if there’s a violation?”

 

【The anonymous Constellation expresses regret, saying he skipped five people this time and only checked on the sixth.】

 

“Forget your regrets. Try checking one more time, and I swear I’ll expose everything.”

 

【The anonymous Constellation sends ㅠㅠ  in response.】

 

Joo-ah leaned back against the elevator wall, silently watching the floor numbers decrease.

 

Although she didn’t know where Tae-jun heard these rumors, most of it was spot-on.

 

A graduate of the Academy for Special Awakened this year, possessing a light attribute—she was definitely the one being talked about.

 

After all, she was one of the few Hunters in the country contracted with a Constellation.

 

The peaceful South Korea ceased to be peaceful one day when an unusual light appeared in the sky.

 

Over time, from that white light, which had turned black, monsters began to pour out—a scenario no one had ever imagined.

 

Fortunately, along with the dungeon breaks, special individuals with extraordinary powers, known as Awakened, started appearing.

 

In South Korea, these individuals were called “Hunters.”

 

To manage them, a “Special Awakened Association” was formed, working with the government to enhance the Hunters’ abilities.

 

The appearance of six towers occurred after quite some time.

 

Gates, which originally served as dungeon entrances, had now become towers, and the floors housing the final bosses turned into dungeons.

 

[“We can’t just end it like this, can we? After everything we’ve been through to get here.”]

 

Three years ago, the gate to the 999th floor of the highest tower in the country opened for the first time.

 

Part of the elite unit, she was summoned by the Special Awakened Association and deployed with her team, only to suffer a devastating defeat against the boss.

 

Name: Kwon Eun-young (Elite)

 

Level: SSS Rank

 

Ranking: Korea #1 / International #28

 

All her brilliant stats crumbled to dust in an instant.

 

Before death, nothing mattered. No matter how high a rank one held, a stronger opponent could mean death at any time, anywhere.

 

That was the life of a Hunter.

 

But there was someone who regretted her death more than anyone.

 

【The anonymous Constellation passionately cheers for you.】

 

A Constellation who regretted her death appeared before her, making a contract on his own.

 

And thanks solely to the Constellation’s help, she was able to survive.

 

The first place Eun-young awoke after the battle on the 999th floor was the intensive care unit of a hospital.

 

[“Seo Joo-ah, are you conscious? Do you recognize where you are?”]

 

Seo Joo-ah.

 

Seo Joo-ah.

 

The name echoed repeatedly.

 

She couldn’t understand why anyone would call her by the unfamiliar name Seo Joo-ah.

 

[…]

 

She wanted to respond, but the breathing tube prevented her from speaking.

 

Through blurred vision, someone stared at Eun-young and shouted.

 

“Miss, thank goodness. I’ve already contacted the Assemblyman, so he’ll be here soon.”

 

With the help of the caregiver, who continued to speak in words she couldn’t comprehend, Eun-young was moved from intensive care to a general room.

 

“What on earth is…”

 

Standing in front of a mirror for the first time, she saw a stranger.

 

A slender frame.

 

Brown hair.

 

Golden eyes.

 

Only then did she understand why people called her by an unfamiliar name.

 

【The anonymous Constellation urges you to remember the terms of the contract carefully.】

 

A short while later, the Constellation appeared out of nowhere, revealing that her body had been swapped with that of an E-rank Hunter named Seo Joo-ah.

 

“Contract terms? Why should I follow them? I never even agreed to a contract with you.”

 

【The anonymous Constellation reminds you that you were as good as dead if it weren’t for him, urging you to face reality.】

 

The body swap with Seo Joo-ah was entirely the Constellation’s doing.

 

Eun-young’s body had sustained extensive damage, requiring a temporary transfer to another body for recovery.

 

It just so happened that Seo Joo-ah’s condition was suitable for the transfer.

 

For unknown reasons, Joo-ah had attempted suicide, resulting in her being hospitalized.

 

Indeed, Joo-ah’s wrists bore many painful marks, and after her last attempt, she fell into a coma similar to Eun-young’s condition.

 

However, through the Constellation’s power, their souls were switched, and fortunately, Eun-young was able to wake up in less than three years.

 

【The anonymous Constellation emphasizes that the contract terms require you to keep your identity a secret until you regain your original powers.】

 

“Why can’t I reveal my identity? Is there a reason?”

 

【The anonymous Constellation replies that you’ll naturally come to understand.】

 

“So, I can’t talk about your identity either?”

 

【The anonymous Constellation adds that it’s easier to deceive others this way.】

 

Eun-young furrowed her brow, but since the condition wasn’t particularly difficult, she agreed readily.

 

There was no reason for her to refuse a contract with a Constellation, something she had only heard of in legends.

 

【The anonymous Constellation sparkles with excitement, thrilled to have finally made a contract with you.】

 

The contract was easily established.

 

The Constellation mentioned that she could regain her original powers even within Seo Joo-ah’s body.

 

For reference, Tae-jun, the President of the association, had been her relentless trainer back when Eun-young held the top rank. He was merciless, always picking the most challenging training sessions.

 

As a result, Eun-young shuddered at the mere sight of Tae-jun.

 

As the elevator doors opened, Joo-ah moved away from the wall and stepped out.

 

The training center was not far from the association’s building.

Upon arrival, a deep voice called out to her as she opened the door.

“Seo Joo-ah, you’re late.”

“I’m not that late, Jae-rim. Also, didn’t I tell you to call me by my full name, Shin Jae-rim?”

When Joo-ah glared at him, Jae-rim chuckled, pointing at his watch.

“No need to argue. Go warm up quickly.”