["Can you hear me now?"]
"I can."
["I see."]
"Can you understand what I'm saying?"
["Of course. I am an avatar of a Constellation. I can easily understand the languages of lower beings."]
"…Uncle?"
Yoon Seah, standing beside him, gave a curious look.
Pointing at the Black Sun, Seong Jihan tried to explain, "It might be hard to understand, but it can talk to me."
"Really? Are you feeling okay? Can you recognize me?"
"Don't worry, I'm not hallucinating."
"Okay, just tell me if something's wrong. I'll be outside."
As Yoon Seah left the room, the voice from the Black Sun spoke again.
["I have a question."]
"What is it?"
["Why did the players behind you in the Promotion Match die? The main body is curious."]
Seong Jihan smirked.
She'd tied them up, and was curious about how he'd killed them?
"I'll tell you if you answer my question."
["Agreed."]
Sung Jihan then revealed, "I pre-severed the blood vessels of their hearts."
["Hearts…"]
"Yes. I just connected them with the Force of my Qi."
In case he successfully provoked the Shadow Queen and she attacked, Jihan had prepared a fail-safe mechanism.
By severing the connected blood vessels of the four players he'd kept alive, he ensured their immediate death if Qi was unavailable, thus securing his top position.
["Just that led to their deaths?"]
"Yes."
["So they weren't just lower beings, but the lowest of the low."]
The tone of the voice grew even colder.
["No matter how irregular, to think they're the lowest of beings."]
"Lowest?"
["It's been decided. The main body will not support you."]
The Black Sun said in an arrogant manner but Seong Jihan just chuckled.
'Has it been decided that the species known as 'human' is useless?'
A Constellation's support would certainly have its advantages, but it would also come with a price.
And he wasn't desperate.
With the end of the tutorial, many Constellations would rush to offer their support.
There was no need to rush and regret later.
His current aim was different.
Wandering Martial God.
He needed information from the same constellation regarding the strange behavior of the Wandering Martial God, who was acting completely different from his last life.
"That's enough. Now it's your turn to answer my question."
The voice hesitated for a moment, ["Ask quickly. My connection with the main body will soon be severed."]
"It's simple. What do you know about the 'Wandering Martial God'?"
[…]
At Seong Jihan's question, the Shadow Queen was momentarily speechless.
"Do you not know anything?"
["Is he really a Martial God, not a War God?"]
"Yes, a Martial God."
["Not 'a' Martial God, but 'the' Martial God. There are numerous War Gods among the stars, but only one Martial God. Are you sure about your description?"]
The voice, previously calm, now sounded anxious, urging him to confirm.
"Yes, I'm sure."
["If it's the Martial God, it changes everything."]
"Yes, it's Martial God. Now, please answer my question."
["The main body urgently asks if the power beyond your league is also related to the Martial God."]
"I was the one who asked."
Suddenly, a black aura emitted from the Black Sun on his left arm.
The aura condensed into a small, semi-transparent figure resembling a dark elf.
"Dark Elf?"
"It's Ariel."
This Ariel, with its cute yet eerie features, seemed distinct from the usual elegant elves.
["Only the main body can answer about the Martial God. It's trying to connect to you, but…"]
"But?"
["It needs GP, about 10 million."]
A system message popped up asking him to confirm the transfer of 10 million GP.
[Would you like to provide 10 million GP to 'Shadow of the Sun – Ariel'?]
10 million GP.
10 billion won.
That's the exact amount he earned from his recent top rank.
Spend all that just to hear about the Wandering Martial God?
"That won't be necessary. Tell me after the tutorial."
Ariel persisted, ["If you connect, a Constellation, 'Shadow Queen', will directly sponsor you. A Constellation has chosen you."]
Seong Jihan smirked.
Just moments ago, they seemed disinterested, but now, mentioning the Wandering Martial God changed everything.
"Choosing me? I'm the one who chooses."
He was in control here, not them.
["What did you say?"]
"If you want to be my Constellation, propose an interesting condition."
["Is this a joke? From a lower being?"]
"And the 10 million GP? Isn't it just a small amount for a Constellation? Invest in me, don't ask for it."
Ariel tried to argue, ["We can't interfere from outside in the tutorial world."]
"But you're here, aren't you?"
["That's a special case-"]
Seong Jihan cut her off, "I'm not interested."
Ariel blinked in surprise. ["Are you serious?"]
"Yes."
["Really, truly? You might regret it."]
"I won't repeat myself."
["I see. Then, its goodbye."]
With that, Ariel began to dissipate. But as she was fading, a bright white light flashed.
["…The main body?"]
Ariel seemed completely startled.
["Actively cooperate? With a lower being? Really, the main body?"]
"…?"
Ariel mumbled to herself, growing clearer and even doubling in size.
["…I'll follow the command."]
Ariel, now fully formed, looked disgruntled.
"What happened?"
["The main body asks you about cooperating."]
"A Constellation said that?"
Seong Jihan recalled information about Constellations.
These entities, the masters of the stars, were typically arrogant and looked down on humans.
Especially given that Earth was at risk of being relegated from the Space League – Bronze, so, except for the Wandering Martial God, the Constellations mainly exploited players.
Yet, now one of them was extending a unilateral favor.
'Was the Wandering Martial God such a significant entity?'
Regardless, he wouldn't decline the cooperation.
"Well, at least the Constellation has some sense."
["Having a lower being as my master…"]
"Enough with the complaints. Tell me about your abilities."
A system message appeared:
[The avatar of the Constellation 'Shadow Queen': Ariel grants you the "Shadow Sword" stat.]
[Your status window is almost full. Would you like to accept the Shadow Sword stat?]
[If you accept, you won't be able to add any new stats.]
Most of his status window was filled with 'Force' and 'Martial Strength'.
If he accepted 'Shadow Sword', it would occupy the last two lines.
'If there wasn't an option to expand the status window in the achievement shop, I would've reconsidered.'
He decided to accept the stat.
[The "Shadow Sword" stat has been created.]
"Alright, Shadow Sword… what is this ability?"
["It allows you to manipulate shadows, turning them into swords."]
Recalling the Promotion Match where players' shadows became swords, Seong Jihan understood the ability.
"So, it's literally a sword made from a shadow. Moreover, it's possible to enhance the SS-grade sword, Eclipse?"
"Is it the sword that cut my arm?"
["Yes."]
The dark sword he witnessed during the Top 100 Promotion Match seemed powerful.
'I didn't have any weapons worth mentioning until now. This is great.'
Comparing the consumable Phoenix Arrow to the SS-grade: Eclipse, the latter was clearly superior.
"Does the ability to enhance Eclipse mean it can grow beyond SS-grade?"
Ariel nodded.
["It can reach EX-grade."]
"Wow."
Beyond SSS-grade to a transcendent level.
The 'Achievement Point Shop Exchange Ticket' Seong Jihan received in his regression was also EX-grade.
It had more potential than he thought.
["So, focus on investing in the Shadow Sword stat."]
"Well, I have other stats to prioritize."
["Stop bluffing, lower being."]
The special stat bestowed by a Constellation, Shadow Sword, was a rare stat.
Ariel was skeptical about any stat surpassing it.
["Shadow Sword is a rare stat. You, a lower being, might not understand, but it's different from ordinary stats."]
"I know. But what if I have unique stats?"
["…Unique?"]
"Yes. Two unique stats and now one rare stat."
Ariel looked completely baffled.
["Two fo them?!"]
"That's why the rare one is not my priority."
["…That's impossible!"]
Ariel's eyes widened in disbelief.
Having unique stats, especially two, and being in Bronze league was unimaginable.
"That's the reality."
At that moment, suddenly, "Uncle! We have a visitor! Wait… is that the Dark Elf from the arena?"
["Yes, the one on my arm."]
"Wow! That's amazing! Is it your summon?"
Yoon Seah's words seemed to infuriate Ariel.
["I am not a mere summon, lower being!"]
"You can speak our language!"
["Speaking the language of lower beings like you is easy for me."]
"Why do you keep calling us lower beings?"
["Because you are weak."]
Seong Jihan, sensing the conversation might escalate, interrupted, "Seah, you said we have a visitor?"
"Yes! I think you should go out quickly. Someone from the BattleNet Administration has come."
"If they're from the BattleNet Administration, it must be Manager Park Yoonsik."
"Yes, but… it's not just him. The Director is with him too."
"The Director?"
Seong Jihan's eyes narrowed.
After the departure of the Sword King, the Director of BattleNet Administration hadn't visited the Sword Palace.
Had his thoughts changed after watching the Promotion Match?
"Got it. I'll go check. Ariel, wait here."
["…No. Your 'Shadow Sword' stat is still too low to maintain my presence for long. I'll return to your arm."]
With a whoosh, the black aura that formed Ariel dispersed like smoke and was absorbed back into Seong Jihan's arm.
If it hadn't been for the unexpected visitor, he would've tested out the 'Shadow Sword' stat further.
'First, I should greet the guest.'
"Let's go, Seah."
"Okay, uncle."
Sung Jihan exited his room.