Chapter 171
"This should be enough."
Suhyeok hurriedly left the others and returned to the separate annex Fern had arranged for him within the Order.
Everyone had wondered why he was leaving so early...
But he'd brushed it off by saying he wasn't feeling well.
He didn't want to ruin the festive mood.
Creak.
Thud.
Before entering the annex, Suhyeok asked the holy knights guarding the area to keep their distance.
Just in case...
He shut the door and formed a soundproof barrier with qi.
"Then...."
He reopened the messages he'd temporarily closed.
Blue holographic windows piled up until they nearly covered his entire field of vision.
Among them...
One stood out more than the rest.
[Constellation ‘Father of the Wealthy Night’ expresses bewilderment at Lee Suhyeok's actions.]
[Constellations of the Underworld repeatedly demand to know what you are thinking.]
[Several Underworld Constellations stare at you in stunned disbelief.]
...
Hades clearly hadn't expected such a firm rejection.
Neither had the other Constellations of the Underworld.
It was understandable.
Compared to the other Constellations...
Suhyeok had always maintained a relatively close relationship with the Underworld.
And there was another factor.
Kim Jeonghyeon was there.
He was probably the one who'd pushed for the private meeting in the first place.
Given how quickly he read situations...
He must've predicted what the Tower would do and decided that pulling Suhyeok onto their side beforehand would be the safest choice.
Their first meeting hadn't exactly been pleasant.
No.
Calling it a bad relationship would be more accurate.
Even so...
Suhyeok acknowledged one thing about Kim Jeonghyeon.
His ability.
Suhyeok watched the messages from Hades and the Underworld Constellations, who still hadn't recovered from their shock.
Looks like they never imagined I'd react like this.
Even if they considered the possibility that I'd refuse their faction...
They probably never thought I'd reject the private meeting itself.
Maybe they hadn't even considered refusal at all.
In the current situation...
They desperately needed Suhyeok on their side.
They would've been willing to accept almost any condition he demanded.
[Constellations of Paradise condemn Olympus for its cunning behavior.]
[Constellation ‘Miracle of Three Days’ expresses deep disappointment, asking whether Olympus truly intended to recruit Lee Suhyeok and seize control of the coming war.]
[Constellations of Asgard mock Olympus for behaving without honor.]
[Constellation ‘One-Eyed White-Haired Old Man’ frowns and remarks that guilty people always reveal themselves, accusing Olympus of scheming behind everyone's backs.]
The reactions were intense.
But in truth...
Paradise and Asgard were simply trying to eliminate Olympus from the competition.
They needed Suhyeok just as badly.
This is seriously pathetic lol. You can always count on those Underworld bastards to be shady as hell lol
What a bunch of fucking cowards. They cause all this trouble, then secretly try to drag Lee Suhyeok onto their side behind everyone's backs. What a bunch of snakes.
Truly disgraceful. I believed those of the Underworld would maintain neutrality, but in the end, you chose cowardice in order to survive.
How the hell is this our fault? We know you were all planning to approach him first too.
How regrettable. I actually felt somewhat guilty during the negotiations before. I suppose I needn't anymore.
Watching the rapidly moving chat...
Suhyeok finally addressed the Constellations beyond the screen.
"Everyone, be quiet."
The chat instantly stopped.
"Ultimately, I'm the one making the decision, aren't I?"
"No matter how much you insult one another..."
"That won't give me a reason to choose any one of you."
Silence.
The previously chaotic atmosphere settled almost immediately.
It wasn't that everyone had suddenly regained their composure.
They simply knew Suhyeok was telling the truth.
And none of them wanted to needlessly earn his displeasure.
Then...
[Haa... my head is pounding.]
The Demon God's voice echoed inside his mind.
[So what exactly are you planning?]
Judging by the groan...
The aftermath of fighting the Dragon of the End must've hit him hard.
Come to think of it...
Seong-a was the same.
She had remained completely quiet throughout the banquet after overusing her Rank in the previous battle.
Even the faint flow of Rank around her was steady and unmoving.
Just like before...
She had probably fallen asleep to recover.
Only a day had passed.
So perhaps that was only natural.
Suhyeok pushed those thoughts aside and answered the Demon God calmly.
I haven't planned anything in particular.
[...That's absurd.]
[Then why are you lining up all these Constellations like this?]
[The moment you choose one faction, the others become your enemies.]
[No matter which side you choose, you'll create enemies.]
[If anything, refusing all of them would be better for you.]
It was exactly what the Demon God had said.
Choosing one side meant turning the others against him.
And even if Suhyeok accepted that risk...
He would still be moving exactly as System wanted.
Yet...
Suhyeok smiled.
Exactly.
That's the point.
[What?]
I'm not choosing anyone.
The Demon God went silent.
And if I'm not choosing anyone anyway...
Wouldn't it be better to get something out of them first?
For a moment...
The Demon God seemed too stunned to speak.
Then he let out a dry laugh.
[Hah....]
[Don't tell me you plan to take the bait from all three sides and walk away.]
[They won't let that go.]
[You can handle the consequences, can't you?]
Handle who?
It was an outrageously arrogant answer.
But Suhyeok could see it clearly now.
His Rank...
Had already risen beyond theirs.
[Whether I should call you bold or shameless...]
[Either way, it's absurd.]
[And what's even more absurd is that you're not entirely wrong.]
Even so...
Turning all three factions into enemies could still be dangerous.
A common enemy had a way of uniting people.
And the more they united...
The stronger they became.
But that...
Was exactly what Suhyeok wanted.
On his way to the annex...
He had received a message from Ruzian.
The upcoming duel would take the form of a survival match.
If I make myself their common enemy...
I'll become the first target they all want to eliminate.
Then they'll have to put aside fighting each other, at least temporarily.
Suhyeok looked at the now-quiet Constellations.
"Let's summarize the situation."
"Every one of you wants me to join your faction."
[Many Constellations nod in agreement.]
"Then we'll need negotiations."
The word negotiations brought another silence to the chat.
There was no way the Constellations misunderstood what he meant.
That was precisely why they were so stunned.
A Constellation who had once been a mere Player was already making them line up...
And now...
He was practically telling them to compete for his favor.
To make offers.
To persuade him.
But...
Even so...
They would do it.
