Chapter 49 – The Path of a Hero (1)

R̃ҽãđ ｏn​ Ｋ&a;ｔRｅaｄin​gC​aƒe

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[Why hasn’t the hype died down lately? Lol]

[That resident is way too arrogant for someone with a fly’s lifespan.]

[Reina won’t lose, and I’m actually excited for something new.]

[Wait, did Reina care about Shadis that much? I thought she was just playing around.]

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As Reina had intended, the gallery users reacted passionately to her actions.

After all, they were the ones who turned every little thing she did into a topic of discussion.

Moreover, Reina had lived a relatively dry life, avoiding most external activities except for training and tower conquests, which made her somewhat dull to watch.

But now that Reina was gradually increasing her activities, it felt like a special treat to those who had been following her for a long time.

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[I’m not a fan. Fighting in a place like that doesn’t suit Reina’s image.]

ㄴ“Yeah, it’s a bit frustrating.”

ㄴ“No, it’s purely to rescue Shadis. It makes perfect sense.”

ㄴ“Even high-ranking rankers don’t live completely isolated from society. Daily life—eating, sleeping, and dressing—is hard without the alliance’s help. Lol. It’s actually a rational choice.”

ㄴ“Fr, it’s a very Reina-like choice, respecting the existing order. Those who want her to smash the alliance are just looking for momentary thrills.”

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Of course, not all users were pleased.

Some didn’t like the fact that Reina, who usually maintained a noble image, was negotiating and even agreeing to fight in the arena.

“What do you think? The old users seem divided, but the new ones seem to love it because it’s exciting. Personally, I like everything she’s been doing lately. It feels like she’s finally spreading her wings.”

Sub-admin Pervas chuckled as he watched the users’ reactions and spoke to Serpina.

“Reina isn’t a pawn or a toy. She has the right to act as she wishes, and we just need to support her.”

“Not everyone thinks that way. Some will feel entitled to interfere with Reina because they’ve donated a significant amount.”

“So what? If they’re upset, they should’ve become Reina’s contracted constellation.”

Serpina sneered.

She despised constellations who manipulated challengers, having been burned by them in the past.

That’s why she was staying out of the current situation, quietly managing the forum.

Serpina wanted to give Reina as much freedom as possible to seek her own revenge against that vile constellation.

“By the way, what’s the deal with the new constellation who volunteered to be Shadis’s patron?”

“His record is clean. He doesn’t seem to have been active in any shady galleries and has been here since the early days. He should be fine.”

And Reina’s plan had worked.

Once it became known how much Reina valued Shadis, constellations stepped forward to help her.

It was like catching the head first when hunting a beast.

Most of Reina’s guild members had also gained the support of constellations in this way.

It wasn’t for nothing that a larger fandom meant greater power and influence for the challenger.

“Great. Then all we have to do is watch, right? Reina said she’d make it interesting.”

Serpina smirked and glanced at Reina on the screen.

Now, even without relying on donations for items, she could immediately relay messages to Reina if necessary.

The fact that she wasn’t doing so was proof that Serpina was optimistic about the current situation.

***

‘What have I done…’

In the cold prison next to the underground arena, Shadis, chained and hanging, stared blankly at the ground.

Only now was she beginning to fully grasp the consequences of her actions.

In her impatience, she had gone berserk, climbed too high, and ultimately fallen into the abyss.

Impatience—a deadly trap for tower challengers. She knew it, yet she had failed to avoid it.

‘Was it an inescapable fate after all?’

Shadis closed her eyes as she looked at her reflection in the puddle on the floor.

Everything else was fine. She was used to defeat and being cast into the shadows.

The only thing that weighed on her heart was the fact that she had failed to live up to Reina’s expectations, the one who had given her a chance.

Moreover, the thought that her actions might harm Reina sent shivers down her spine.

“You seem to have calmed down. Did you think striking it rich would be that easy?”

The manager, who had ordered her to repay her debts with her body, approached Shadis.

“I have one request. Please let me change my name and identity. I can’t bring shame to her.”

Shadis bit her lip and spoke with difficulty.

She didn’t care if her own body was tainted, but she wanted to prevent any disgrace from reaching Reina.

“If you knew that, why did you act like that?”

“Re-Reina…!”

But at that moment, the manager stepped aside, and Reina stood there with cold eyes.

Even through the dark sunglasses, her red eyes gleamed.

“Release her. Now.”

“Y-Yes!”

As Reina coldly barked the order, the trembling manager and facility staff quickly unchained Shadis.

However, Reina didn’t tell them to open the cell bars. Standing outside the bars, Reina looked down at Shadis, who was trembling on the floor.

“I-I…”

“Speak clearly. Did you do this of your own will?”

Reina stared down at Shadis, who couldn’t bring herself to look up, and demanded an answer.

Shadis flinched at the words “your own will.”

She wanted to say that the constellation had made her do it.

‘But if I say that here…’

The problem was that her contracted constellation was watching this entire scene.

If she snitched, the constellation would never help her again. Even in this state, Shadis couldn’t bring herself to let go of her hope in the constellation.

She was that desperate.

“It seems I’m no longer your top priority. The promises you made didn’t even last a few months.”

But at that moment, Reina’s cold words stabbed Shadis like a dagger.

Remembering her bold declaration to climb the tower solely for Reina, Shadis gritted her teeth.

“You might think it’s an excuse, but the truth is…”

Finally, Shadis spoke the truth in a strained voice.

Because she hated the thought of being abandoned by Reina more than being abandoned by the constellation.

“You b*tch… How dare you!!!”

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[(Breaking News) Shadis confessed lololol. Let’s go get some cider!]

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At the same time, the reactions of those watching the scene were mixed.

“So, your contracted constellation made you do that.”

Reina scoffed upon hearing Shadis’s confession. She already knew, but now it was an undeniable fact.

It meant she could openly act on it without issue.

“Then I can say this clearly. Your constellation is trash. They didn’t want to help you—they just wanted to use you for their own satisfaction.”

“…!”

Reina didn’t stop there.

With her arms crossed, she openly insulted Shadis’s constellation.

Her words, as if venting pent-up frustration, left Shadis, the manager, and the staff speechless, their eyes wide.

“Ignore and abandon that kind of constellation. You think you can’t get another one? Then prove yourself further.”

Reina gripped the cell bars and declared to Shadis, who was looking up at her with trembling eyes.

“I’ll help you. Don’t you trust me?”

“No… I trust you.”

How could she deny it after seeing Reina like this?

Shadis nodded blankly.

Reina had never failed before. When someone like her spoke of proving oneself, it carried a different weight.

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[How does a guy who climbed to the top as a constellation even live after being talked to like that by a challenger? Lol]

[Has there been any reaction from that bastard’s account? He’s probably fuming.]

[Ah, this is so satisfying. This is what justice feels like lololol.]

[It’s over. Shadis will never escape Reina.]

[She’s really out here seducing everyone like it’s breathing.]

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The fan gallery exploded with reactions.

Even among constellations, Cedus, who had tried to manipulate Shadis, was a public enemy to Reina’s fandom.

They cheered at Reina openly humiliating him.

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ㄴ“The Shadis rescue arc has a different flavor compared to Kim Ji-eun. Kim Ji-eun started as a comrade, but Shadis is clearly beneath her.”

ㄴ“I prefer Shadis.”

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Some were already fantasizing about Shadis being embraced by Reina.

Even to outsiders, the relationship between Shadis and Reina was already solid and clear.

“Um, Lady Reina. As you know, the deal isn’t over yet.”

“I know. Don’t try anything funny.”

“Ahem, we’ll inform you of the date as soon as possible, as agreed.”

Of course, Shadis wasn’t freed from the cell yet.

There was still a price Reina had to pay to get her out.

“This is insane! You’re going to fight in the arena because of me!?”

“It’s just a bit of fun. Do you really think I’ll lose?”

Only then did Shadis learn the truth, jumping up and clinging to the bars, but Reina just smirked and waved her hand.

“Take care of yourself.”

Shadis watched Reina’s retreating back.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
If you swing hard enough, eventually the only thing that won’t be swinging is your corpse.

Oh yeah, Cedus is the name of that snake constellation if you didn’t already know.