〈Episode 20. The Disaster of Deluge (3)〉
A brilliant light flickered in the sky and then shot across all of Seoul.
Some beams flew north, others west. But the spread wasn't wide. Most of the light converged toward the heart of the city. It was proof that incarnations were gathering in preparation for the scenario.
"It's finally a contract! I'm contracting too!"
Incarnations who had been waiting nearby cried out eagerly.
It seemed I wasn't the only one who still hadn't obtained a sponsor constellation.
Soon, small stars began to float above the heads of the uncontracted incarnations.
The number of stars represented how many constellations desired that incarnation.
〈Sponsor Selection〉
— Choose your sponsor.
— The sponsor you choose will become your steadfast supporter.
By now, every uncontracted incarnation was probably seeing a scene similar to mine.
Well—strictly speaking, slightly different scenes.
Prisoner of the Golden Headband
Abyssal Black Flame Dragon
The Secretive Plotter
As expected, the Prisoner of the Golden Headband and the Secretive Plotter were here again. I felt a little bad rejecting them every time, but it couldn't be helped.
…And the Abyssal Black Flame Dragon showed up again too.
Why don't you go to Han Sooyoung instead—why do you keep coming after me?
Seoae Ilpil
Bald Righteous Army Commander
King Heungmu
Figures from Korean history lined up as well.
Seoae Ilpil was probably Ryu Seong-ryong…
Oh—Venerable Samyeong was here too.
And that fox-like Kim Yu-shin… Does he really think I'll choose him?
The list kept going.
The Greatest Sword of Goryeo
God of Wine and Ecstasy
If anyone deserved the title "Greatest Sword of Goryeo," it would be that person—the one known as the Goryeo Swordmaster. And Dionysus, too… It seemed Olympus was finally stepping into the "Kim Dokja Acquisition War."
The list continued, and a sense of bewilderment slowly washed over me. Unexpected constellations were appearing.
Bearer of Black Light
Scribe of the Heavens
Ruler of Vengeance and Apocalypse
I couldn't remember every epithet, so "Bearer of Black Light" and "Ruler of Vengeance and Apocalypse" were a bit hazy.
But the "Scribe of the Heavens" was unmistakable.
That one was among the strongest of the Absolute Good alignment.
The archangel Metatron.
In terms of angelic authority alone, he ranked higher than Uriel.
The acknowledged second-in-command of Heaven.
Damn it—just who exactly is watching me?
…
When I glanced above my head, hundreds of stars formed a dazzling spectacle, bright enough to illuminate the entire night around us.
Several incarnations stood some distance away, staring in a daze.
"That's…."
"Who is that guy?"
Shin Yoosung, who had been blankly looking up at the stars above me, spoke.
"Mister, you look just like a Christmas tree."
[The constellations who favor the Korean Peninsula demand that you keep your promise.]
[Multiple constellations wish to verify your sincerity.]
And finally, the inevitable arrived.
I took a small breath and called out to Bihyung.
"Bihyung."
[What.]
"How many now?"
When I defeated the One-Horned Monster, I'd made a pledge to the constellations.
If Bihyung's channel subscribers surpassed 10,000 by the day of the 〈Sponsor Selection〉, I would choose a sponsor constellation.
[9,812. No—14… 16.]
The number of constellations kept rising. Even Bihyung sounded tense.
[〈Sponsor Selection〉 will end in 3 minutes.]
Within three minutes, the outcome would be decided.
[Constellation, 'Bald Righteous Army Commander,' gazes at you anxiously.]
Sorry, but no matter how desperately you look, it won't help.
[〈Sponsor Selection〉 will end in 2 minutes.]
[Constellation, 'Bald Righteous Army Commander,' has sponsored you with 200 coins.]
[Constellation, 'Seoae Ilpil,' has sponsored you with 300 coins.]
[Constellation, 'King Heungmu,' has sponsored you with 400 coins.]
At last, the sponsorship competition ignited.
From the constellations' perspective, they needed to stand out to me somehow—it was only natural.
[Several myth-grade constellations click their tongues at the pettiness of the hero-grade constellations.]
[Constellation, 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband,' has sponsored you with 5,000 coins.]
Exactly as I'd hoped.
Good. Very good.
Bring out even more.
[Constellation, 'Scribe of the Heavens,' has sponsored you with 30,000 coins.]
…As expected of Metatron. A completely different level of sponsorship.
Considering he was known as the "Heavenly Chancellor," it made sense.
[Constellation, 'Prisoner of the Golden Headband,' glares at 'Scribe of the Heavens.']
[〈Sponsor Selection〉 will end in 1 minute.]
I asked Bihyung again.
"How many now?"
[9,973… 76, 77.]
At last, it had reached a knife-edge point.
[9,981… 84.]
Thirty seconds.
[9,993.]
Twenty seconds.
[9,998.]
[Multiple constellations hold their breath.]
Ten seconds.
[9,999…]
5 seconds, 4 seconds, 3 seconds…
[〈Sponsor Selection〉 has ended.]
And then, a light sigh.
When I looked at Bihyung, he broke into a grin and spoke.
[What a shame, everyone.]
[A large number of constellations scream that this makes no sense!]
Screaming wouldn't change anything.
[Current number of subscribers: 9,999]
The screen Bihyung projected into the air was the unvarnished reality.
Several incarnations gaped at the sight.
Shin Yoosung asked,
"Mister… are you some kind of celebrity YouTuber?"
Maybe that wasn't too far off.
I spoke shamelessly toward the sky.
"What a pity. I was going to choose right away if it hit ten thousand."
[A large number of constellations are curious about whom you intended to choose.]
Bihyung cut in.
[For the protection of that incarnation's privacy, we cannot disclose that information.]
Good job, Bihyung.
[A large number of constellations riot!]
Kugugugugu.
The sky over the Yongsan district twisted as lightning bolts began crashing down on innocent people. Sparks erupted nonstop in midair. To exercise power to the point of affecting plausibility—those constellations had clearly lost their minds in rage.
[Now, now, everyone. Please calm down. It's truly unfortunate, but the event has been canceled due to a difference of just one subscriber…]
Bihyung glanced at me, then continued.
[As an apology, we will hold a compensation event.]
The falling lightning halted temporarily.
[You're probably thinking something like this right now: "Fuck, an incarnation I can't have anyway—what's the point of leaving things like this?"]
[A large number of constellations listen closely to the words of the dokkaebi 'Bihyung'.]
[I fully understand how you feel. Therefore! I propose delivering a harsh punishment to that incarnation who dared to refuse choosing a sponsor even in the second 〈Sponsor Contract〉! Of course, only if you constellations agree…]
[A large number of constellations vehemently agree with the dokkaebi 'Bihyung's' proposal.]
Bihyung nodded in satisfaction.
Shin Yoosung looked at me incredulously and asked,
"…What on earth is that supposed to be?"
"What do you think? They're trying to screw me over."
"Then why didn't you choose a sponsor constellation?"
"Just… didn't feel like it."
To be honest, I wavered a little when even Metatron appeared. But if I chose someone here, everything I'd done so far would go straight down the drain. I would not stand under anyone. I had to stay that way.
"Ms. Yoo Sangah. Take the kids and hide."
"…You have a plan, right?"
"Of course. Don't come out unless I give the signal."
[A new 'Bounty Scenario' has arrived.]
[You have become the target of a 'Bounty Scenario'.]
And just as expected, the 'Bounty Scenario' began.
〈Bounty Scenario — Divine Punishment〉
Category: Bounty
Difficulty: A
Clear Condition: Tear the incarnation 'Kim Dokja' apart and kill him miserably. The more brutal the death, the more coins you will receive.
Time Limit: 20 minutes
Reward: 40,000 ~ ?????
Penalty for Failure: —
Anyone would think I was the fifth disaster.
Forty thousand coins just to catch me alone.
After receiving the scenario, Shin Yoosung's face turned deathly pale.
"…Mister?"
As Shin Yoosung reached out toward me, Yoo Sangah pulled her back and retreated. Almost simultaneously, incarnations who had spotted me from all directions began rushing in.
Above my head, the mark was already floating.
"Crazy! Forty thousand coins?"
"Hey, get that bastard!"
[A large number of constellations delight in the progression of the scenario.]
The constellations who had been furious at my choice were now busy laughing at the sight of me being chased like a rat.
It was as if they'd completely forgotten about the so-called "10,000 event."
Yeah. This was the true nature of constellations.
Watching me flee, Bihyung contacted me with a hollow expression.
— I really didn't think it'd turn out like this.
'I knew it would. This is exactly the kind of thing we used to do back when I worked at a game company.'
The only way to calm angry users after an event is to open a new one.
Bihyung muttered, his horns trembling.
— It'll be fine, right? If we get caught… shit, this time it's a real 'Plausibility Appropriateness Review'.
In truth, the fact that Bihyung's subscriber count never surpassed 9,999 was blatant 'channel manipulation'.
Because Bihyung's #BI-7623 channel had been capped at 9,999 subscribers from the very beginning.
If the One-Horned One had picked a fight this time, we wouldn't have been able to avoid it—but fortunately, there was no one to start trouble. After the previous incident, all the lower dokkaebi were keeping their heads down.
'We agreed to accept the risk.'
Even so, it was still a dangerous move.
A few quick-witted constellations would surely suspect something. Stopping exactly at 9,999—no matter how you looked at it, it was far too coincidental. That was why an additional event was needed to divert the constellations' attention.
Constellations hated hassle and were weak to pleasure.
And the event I used for that purpose was this very now placed upon me.
Bihyung spoke with a sly grin.
[Constellations, for your reference, in this event, you may impose penalties on the incarnation 'Kim Dokja' through your sponsorships.]
The moment he finished speaking, my body suddenly began to feel unbearably heavy.
[A selfish constellation has imposed a 'Speed Penalty' on you.]
[You have received a sponsorship of 500 coins.]
The more coins I received, the more penalties were imposed on my body. Incarnations who normally wouldn't have been able to catch up were now right on my heels.
"Looks like you're all blinded by coins. Right?"
Grinning, I swung the Blade of Faith behind me.
"Kraaaagh!"
[A constellation that desires your misfortune has imposed an 'Attack Power Penalty' on you.]
[You have received a sponsorship of 500 coins.]
With my attack power reduced to less than half its usual level, the incarnations staggered—but they didn't die. That was fine by me. I hadn't intended to kill them anyway.
[A constellation that longs for your death has imposed a 'Defense Penalty' on you.]
[You have received a sponsorship of 500 coins.]
Damnable sponsorship.
Swoosh! Crunch!
A dagger flew in from somewhere, and searing pain tore through my right arm as it struck.
If not for the Infinite Dimensional Subspace Coat, my arm would have been severed.
[A small number of constellations feel regret at your crisis.]
Even now, there were constellations cheering me on.
It was enough to bring tears to my eyes—thank you, truly.
Clutching my injured arm, I ran straight toward the southwest of Yongsan District.
If my guess was right, the meteorite where the Disaster of Deluge slept lay in that direction.
The aura of the meteorite on the verge of hatching was growing stronger.
[Bihyung. What in the world do you think you're doing?]
[What am I doing? Just a bit of entertainment before the main game begins.]
The voices of squabbling dokkaebi echoed through the air.
It seemed Bihyung had gained quite a bit of clout by now.
Dragging my heavy body, I kept running—again and again.
Just a little more…
And finally, the Han River came into view.
"Grab him!"
I barely evaded the hooked claws and brutal grips clutching at my legs and plunged into the Han River. But the other incarnations, knowing what lurked within its waters, hesitated to follow.
"That crazy bastard!"
As if on cue, **grade-7 sea-type monsters—fish-dragons—**began to swarm in.
They rushed toward me, seeing my weakened state as prey.
[A large number of constellations are filled with exhilaration.]
Watching the fish-dragons, I thought:
I have no talent.
No matter how much I train, my proficiency never rises as much as I want.
But I had no intention of using that as an excuse to call myself weak.
[Exclusive Skill, 'Bookmark', is activated!]
Because the way I grow stronger has never been the same as everyone else's.
['Character Bookmark' has been activated.]
[Available bookmark slots: 4]
[Loading the list of activatable bookmarks.]
"Remove 'Agitator Cheon Inho' from slot three, and insert 'Beast Tamer Shin Yoosung.'"
[Bookmark slot 3 has been activated.]
Brilliant rays of light wrapped around my body, and suddenly the scent of monsters at the tip of my nose changed. Some smells felt familiar; others were brimming with hostility. I realized anew that there was an entire world around me I had never known.
In the end, what determines a world is the sensitivity with which you read it.
[Activation time is determined in proportion to the level of the Bookmark skill.]
[Activation time: 30 minutes]
One of the distant fish-dragons synchronized with me, and intricate circuits began to grow inside my mind.
[「Advanced Multispecies Communication Lv.3」 has been activated.]
[「Taming Lv.9」 has been activated.]
Blood trickled down from my nose.
So this was how those kids always felt.
I slowly opened my mouth.
"Come, Queen Mirvad."