People doubted their own eyes at the figure that appeared before them.
They couldn’t help it.
“Kali…!”
She looked about the same age as Yuha. A beautiful woman in her twenties stood there.
And at the appearance of the unfamiliar face, Igeon tilted his head, but the others had completely different reactions.
“Crazy, why is that person here?”
“Shouldn’t she be on the other side of the world?”
“No, that’s not the issue now! Didn’t she just say she would become the Saint of Ophiuchus?”
“What? That person?”
The Constellation Knights of Leo were horrified, their mouths agape.
It wasn’t just them. Even Hugo and Stephen looked quite bewildered.
Of course, the most flustered among them was Cheon Yuha.
She couldn’t help it.
‘Why is that person...?’
The world at large might know about her, but no one would know her better than Cheon Yuha.
And for good reason—Kali Collins.
She was the same as Cheon Yuha.
Even among the Ten Stars, where only SS-class gathered, she was one of the top three, the absolute strongest.
Sure enough, the Leo Constellation Knights whispered while glancing at Cheon Yuha.
“That’s her, right?”
“Yeah, the one they say fights ten million times better than the War God Constellation... the Ten Stars of Libra...”
“Even our Captain Cheon could never defeat her, right?”
“Shh!”
As SS-class, all of the Ten Stars were beyond imagination.
But the top three among them were said to be on an entirely different level.
Their physical abilities already surpassed the Saints of non-combat constellations, and some even said they stood above Saints.
In fact, Cheon Seongjae, watching her, gulped.
‘Even Goth told us to be careful.’
Of course, his sister was a Battle God Fiend among the top three combat knights.
But they had said that Kali was truly the battle fiend who stood at the peak of all Constellation Knights.
The Constellation God was masquerading as a human, but apart from that, it wasn’t for nothing that Libra was the top-ranked constellation.
Well, maybe because they were both close-range Ten Stars, or perhaps their outstanding looks played a part. People often painted them as rivals.
Eventually, at that point, Igeon frowned and looked at Hugo.
“What’s this? What’s that about?”
“What? She is...!”
At Igeon's reaction, Kali seemed to realize she had forgotten something, and hurriedly bowed her head.
“Oh my, I didn’t even introduce myself. Nice to meet you, I’m Kali.”
However, Igeon scowled.
“Enough with greetings. Aren’t you a Constellation Knight of Libra?”
He showed his displeasure, but Kali, as if delighted by his voice, raised her head with a bright smile.
“Yes...! That’s right! I’ve heard a lot about you from my mother!”
“Mother?”
At that, Hugo quickly whispered into his ear.
“That girl is Giselle’s daughter!”
Thus, Igeon’s expression was a sight to behold.
It was an expression that asked if a Constellation God could even have children, but come to think of it, Yun Tae-u and Yun Si-u were also that woman’s children.
Hugo continued whispering.
“I don’t know the details, but it seems Giselle had her cells separated to create children.”
“……!”
In other words, she hadn’t carried them in her own womb.
So when he heard that Giselle alone had over dozens of children, Igeon understood.
“She used that to attract people useful to Libra and raise outstanding Constellation Knights. I think I heard Kali is the child of some royal family...”
At that, Stephen was dumbfounded as well.
In the first place, Kali was the overall captain of the Libra Constellation Knights, who had given them trouble several times.
‘Thinking about how that one person sent hundreds of our guys to their graves...’
At that time, even Yuha, who was the captain, came back completely beaten, and I was quite surprised.
So much so that I wondered how that woman from a non-combat constellation could have raised such a Constellation Knight.
“Anyway, wasn’t that girl Giselle’s most cherished daughter? And now she wants to become Igeon’s Saint?”
Hugo snorted.
“What nonsense. She must have misheard, obviously...”
“No!”
“!”
Kali, with sparkling eyes, grabbed Igeon’s hand.
“Absolutely! I came because I want to become your Saint, Igeon-nim! Please make me the Saint of Ophiuchus! I’m a fan!”
At the same time, Cheon Seongjae screamed.
“What! Why would a Ten Stars of Libra become our uncle’s Saint!”
Cheon Seongjae, who extremely hated Libra, looked ready to breathe fire.
“Noona! Why are you staying quiet after hearing that! If she becomes a Saint, she’ll be our big boss! You have to say absolutely not!”
But Cheon Yuha seemed extremely shocked by the sudden situation.
No, honestly, she had never imagined that Kali was a fan of Igeon.
‘Of course, when she held uncle’s belongings, she did glance at them oddly...’
Anyway, that expression of melting while looking at Igeon.
‘Who is that, really.’
It was then.
Perhaps because his rarely dazed sister was frustrating him, Cheon Seongjae stepped forward.
“Anyway, no! The Saint of Ophiuchus will be either me or my noona!”
At those words, Kali turned her head toward Cheon Seongjae.
As if she couldn’t let that slide, the bright expression she had while looking at Igeon completely changed to that of a different person.
“What? The Saint is either you or Cheon Yuha?”
A slightly mocking smile.
And at that familiar face, Cheon Yuha flinched.
That’s right.
That was the face she knew, the face the world knew.
The face of one who knows no defeat, no, a confident face of one who has never experienced it.
Sure enough, she drew her sword with a sneer.
Tremendous demonic energy surged.
“It’s preposterous for an S-class to even mention the name of a Saint, and I think I know Yuha’s skills better than anyone.”
In an instant, Cheon Seongjae was taken aback by the murderous intent in her eyes.
But just as he tried to defend, Kali swung her sword first.
Boom!!!
A tingling sword aura flew toward Cheon Seongjae. Along with it, the Leo Constellation Knights screamed.
Thud!!!
The sword aura that had been flying toward Cheon Seongjae passed him and sliced off the neck of a monster.
“Ki... kieeek...”
It was a hidden stealth-type monster.
It seemed Kali had drawn her sword from the start because of that monster.
Thus, the Constellation Knights, who hadn’t noticed its presence, were horrified.
“D-did you notice that?”
“N-no, not at all.”
Cheon Yuha was also flustered.
Honestly, she hadn’t noticed the monster’s presence either.
Thanks to that, Igeon’s eyes sparkled as he watched.
“What, that’s rather impressive.”
Hugo’s eyes grew round at Igeon’s voice.
‘The great Igeon is interested...?’
Of course, Igeon would have noticed the stealth monster approaching behind Cheon Seongjae from the beginning.
Therefore, he must have simply been watching when Kali drew her sword.
Because he would have even noticed her purpose.
But Hugo acknowledged it.
“Well, yeah. That Constellation Knight is top among knights...”
Then Igeon sneered.
“Constellation Knight? What nonsense, that one is top over all of you. Ten million times better than you guys.”
“Yeah, right... What?!! Ten million times?!”
At Hugo’s scream, even Stephen, who had been listening quietly, looked at Igeon in disbelief.
But regardless, Igeon picked his ear.
“Even if you bring a whole bunch of War God Constellation Saints, they couldn’t beat that one. You’d probably get knocked out too.”
“What are you saying?!”
Hugo also flared up.
“Hey! You still acknowledged me!”
“Ah, that? Now cancelled.”
“Hey!!”
Hugo looked at Igeon as if feeling betrayed.
But regardless, Igeon smiled as if amused.
Most of all, it was because of something he felt from Kali.
[A power similar to the imitation of the Master of Ophiuchus is felt.]
He didn’t know why his own power could be felt from her.
‘That level would be quite useful.’
Igeon’s eyes sparkled, but Hugo, who hadn’t been acknowledged by Igeon, was grumbling.
And it was then.
Kali sheathed her sword, approached Igeon, and knelt on one knee.
“I will leave Libra and swear loyalty. Please accept me as your Saint! Ah, of course, since you might not know me well, let me first show you my skills!”
“Is that so? You’ll leave Libra?”
“Yes! And if I may be so bold, I understand that Ophiuchus currently has very few Constellation Knights. And I naturally consider myself superior to the candidates you have in mind, and I believe I can serve you better...”
Her gaze turned toward the Cheon siblings.
She was clearly asserting that she was better than those two.
And at that gaze, Cheon Seongjae bristled.
“And if the Saint of the Archer Constellation does not take that position, please entrust it to me.”
At the same time, Hugo bristled and said.
“Hey, who said I won’t become a Sain...!”
But before his father could speak, Cheon Seongjae’s eyes flashed.
He couldn’t help but get angry after being openly disrespected by another Constellation Knight.
“Look. I get what you want to say, but there’s no way uncle will accept someone from Libra. So quit dreaming and...”
But it was then.
“Well, it wouldn’t be bad if that girl became the Saint.”
“???!!”
Everyone’s expressions at Igeon’s words were a sight to behold.
But regardless, Igeon was raising the corners of his mouth.
‘A Constellation Knight from another constellation is perfect for making them do dirty work.’
Kali’s abilities were decent, and with that level of power, she could lay waste to Libra’s entire faction in the first place.
And at Igeon’s words, Kali’s face brightened.
“Then...!”
But instead of answering, Igeon smiled oddly.
‘Well, she’s certainly useful, but...’
No matter what, this was the position of a Saint.
Just because someone has good abilities doesn’t mean you can casually seat someone you don’t even know well.
So he was about to refuse to make her a Saint when...
[Due to the decision of the Master of Ophiuchus, the mindsets of the Ophiuchus Constellation Knights have changed.]
[Has awakened an attribute.]
[The possibility of a grade increase has arisen.]
[The possibility of drawing even the power of the Blazing Leo has arisen.]
[Cheon Seongjae has awakened an attribute.]
[Leveling speed will increase.]
[There is a high possibility of becoming SS-class.]
[Cheon Yuha has awakened an attribute.]
[Attempting to pioneer a new special ability (SS).]
[The Constellation Knights want to be acknowledged by the Ophiuchus Constellation God.]
[The constellation gains vitality from the knights’ fighting spirit.]
[Constellation energy begins to rise.]
[A new ability has been learned.]
At the unexpected situation, Igeon’s eyes widened.
Perhaps they were all flustered, thinking he would make Kali his Saint.
Thanks to that, Igeon grinned.
‘What’s this? This is more useful than I thought.’
Moreover, with this level of constellation energy, there would be no major problem in using abilities without a Saint for the time being.
‘I can destroy all remaining gates within an hour.’
And preparing materials for making the sacred artifact would take quite a while.
That wasn’t all.
[Kali Collins]
[Ophiuchus Faith: 200%]
[Libra Faith: 0%]
If her faith was that high, at least she wouldn’t betray him, so observing her for a few days wouldn’t be bad.
Maybe that’s why.
Igeon raised the corners of his mouth and said.
“Then I’ll give you a chance.”
“!”
“In exactly four days, I’ll go retake the Red Zone.”
“……?”
“Until then, prove who among you is the strongest.”
Well, in about four days, even Seongjae might become SS-class.
Of course, anyone with normal thinking would call it absolutely impossible and curse, but regardless, Igeon laughed.
“I am curious who will follow me into the Red Zone as the Saint.”
Before the words even finished, Cheon Seongjae shouted.
“Noona, don’t you dare lose!! The Saint of our constellation is either Dad or you!!!”
Along with that, the news about Igeon spread across the world.
And at the news printed in the papers, the whole world began to stir.
And around that time.
“Damn...! How far are you going to drag me!”
Yang Wei, being dragged off as food by the monsters of an unknown civilization, was cursing.
“I’m not a Saint! I said I’m really not!”
But regardless, Yang Wei was thrown somewhere.
“Cough!”
And falling into an endless hole, Yang Wei let out a groan.
“You bastards, throwing a person... where...”
It was then.
[So you are the Saint of Aries.]
Yang Wei froze.
There was something beyond imagination before his eyes.
And instinctively, Yang Wei felt it.
‘Monarch.’
An aura he could recognize instinctively even though he had never seen it.
With the chilling aura climbing up his throat, a thought arose in Yang Wei’s mind without him realizing it.
‘I’m going to die.’
But only for a moment. He frowned. And for good reason—because of the aura he felt from the creature.
‘What’s this? It feels similar to Igeon?’
But that was also brief.
[Good food.]
At that, Yang Wei was terrified and screamed.
“No, wait! Igeon! What are you doing! I’m really dying! I’m dying! Aaagh! No, respected Igeon-nim! I love you! Please let me use that bomb from earlier one more time! Please!”
And that moment was it.
As if responding to Yang Wei’s words, a change occurred in his body.
[The ability planted by the Master of Ophiuchus on Prisoner 4 activates.]
At the light bursting from his body, Yang Wei smiled as if moved.
“Yes! As expected of Igeon! That good guy would never betray us!”
At that moment when Yang Wei was cheering, thinking he would be saved.
Boom!!!
The bomb Igeon had prepared for the Monarch exploded.
(To be continued...)