Ring. Ring. Ring.
The sharp sound cut through the quiet room.
It was my alarm.
7:00 AM.
I squinted at the faint light leaking through the curtains, my eyes barely opening. For a moment, I just stared at the ceiling, letting the sound play in my head.
Then it hit me.
I forgot to turn it off yesterday.
Not like there was any reason to wake up early anymore…
I don't have work.
A slow, satisfied sigh slipped out of my lips as I let my body sink deeper into the mattress. The blanket wrapped around me like a warm cocoon, heavy and comforting.
It felt so good…
I hadn't slept like this in a long, long time. No stress, rushing, or responsibilities dragging me out of bed. Just silence… and rest.
Without another thought, I reached out lazily, turned off the alarm, and let my eyes close again.
Sleep came back almost instantly.
…
Time passed.
I didn't know how long.
But about an hour later, something stirred me again. Not a sound exactly… more like a presence pressing against my awareness.
Then—
Constellation of Gates (GM):
Hey. Wake up.
A translucent notification window appeared right in front of my face, hovering just inches from my nose.
I frowned slightly, my mind still foggy with sleep. My eyes barely registered the words before I turned over, curling into myself and pulling the blanket tighter around my shoulders.
Nope.
Not happening.
Constellation of Gates (GM):
…
[The Constellation of Gates (GM) is staring at you as if [he] wants to kill you]
The room stayed quiet.
A few seconds passed.
Then a few more.
The air itself felt heavier somehow, like something invisible was staring straight through me.
Then—
[The Constellation of Gates (GM) is growing impatient]
Constellation of Gates (GM):
Wake. Up.
His voice carried more weight this time, pressing into my ears even through the pillow.
I groaned softly and buried my face deeper, tightening my grip on the blanket like it was my last line of defense.
No response.
[The Constellation of Gates (GM) is considering disciplinary action]
"Just… five more minutes…" I mumbled, my voice barely audible.
I didn't even open my eyes.
Big mistake.
[The Constellation of Gates (GM) has activated a minor stimulation protocol]
A sudden zap shot through my entire body.
"AH—!"
I jolted upright instantly, my whole body stiffening as if struck by lightning. My heart slammed violently against my chest, and my hair stood on end.
"What the hell was that!?"
I gasped, breathing heavily as I looked around in shock, half-expecting something to attack me.
There was nothing.
Just my room.
And the floating window.
Constellation of Gates (GM):
Good. You're awake.
"You electrocuted me!" I snapped, still trying to calm my racing heart.
Constellation of Gates (GM):
Correction. I encouraged you.
I stared at the empty air, completely speechless for a second.
This…
This insane constellation—
[The Constellation of Gates (GM) is pleased with your reaction]
A vein nearly popped on my forehead.
The Constellation of Gates (GM):
I have work for you today. But before we get into that, we need to set the terms between us first…
A brief pause.
…if you want to survive.
"Survive?"
My brows furrowed slightly.
"I thought being a hunter was supposed to be simple. Enter dungeons, clear monsters, earn money. I'd heard stories, people becoming rich just from subjugating a few dungeons. Living comfortably, free from worry."
"Wasn't that the whole point?"
(The Constellation of Gates (GM) rolled [his] eyes, clearly unimpressed by human stupidity.)
The Constellation of Gates (GM):
Since you're my contractor, I'll let you in on a little secret.
His tone shifted, becoming slightly more serious.
But after learning this, you'll carry a bigger responsibility than others. So I hope you can handle it.
This… is the condition I laid out to the rulers for allowing me to contract you.
A chill ran down my spine.
Before I could even ask what he meant—
A sharp pain exploded inside my head.
"Ghk—!"
It felt like something was tearing through my mind, forcing its way in without permission.
[Information transfer in progress]
Images flooded my vision. Words, symbols, scenes—everything overlapping, crashing into each other.
It was like a video lesson?
Something structured, yet overwhelming.
Then I froze.
"What the hell…?"
The one explaining everything…
Was a small, cute version of the wolf I killed in the dungeon.
"What kind of joke is this!?"
The Constellation of Gates (GM):
That's not my fault. The system automatically presents information in a way that's easiest for you to understand.
So familiar or unforgettable things may be used.
I didn't know whether to feel impressed or disturbed.
Then the scene changed.
A world appeared before me.
No… not just a world, it was numerous worlds.
And something was devouring them.
Monsters...
Endless, grotesque creatures consuming everything in their path.
One by one…
They disappeared.
My breath caught in my throat.
"…And Earth is next?"
No one answered.
But I already knew.
The vision continued.
The sponsorship system…
It was created by a single God. One who came from the world where those monsters originated. He wanted to stop them. Or at least… delay the inevitable.
So he made a deal.
He offered the world of Divinia, the realm of constellations and gods a game.
In exchange for their entertainment…
They would aid humans, share their abilities and power, and send gifts through the system exchange through coins—the currency of constellations and gods.
And more than that—recognition.
The gods would choose their own heroes. Their own contractors.
And those who rose to the top…
Would bring glory to their sponsors.
Fame.Influence. and Status.
Like becoming celebrities or famous streamers—and receive rewards.
Meanwhile, uncontracted constellations can enter channels, watch, and place bets.
They could observe… and gamble on outcomes.
A game.
A cruel, twisted game.
To them, it was entertainment.
But to humanity… This was their only hope of survival.
The only chance left.
Then the small wolf turned, its gaze locking onto me.
Its tiny paw lifted… pointing straight in my direction.
"And you…"
Its voice echoed strangely.
"You are different."
My chest tightened.
"Different… how?"
"An outsider. A bug. A special case under the GM."
I didn't like the sound of that. Not one bit.
"You were chosen for a simple objective."
The air around me seemed to grow heavier.
"Eradicate anything that disrupts the game."
A pause.
"Whatever it may be…"
The vision abruptly ended.
Silence returned.
[The Constellation of Gates (GM) is smiling]
A chill crept down my spine.
I didn't feel relieved at all, I felt… targeted.
Like I had just been thrown into something far bigger than I ever wanted.
Then a notification came again.
Like the tone of it saying that he was satisfied.
Constellation of Gates (GM):
Welcome to the maintenance team, Xavier.