The death of Kim Minhyuk had struck a devastating blow to the Mainframe Group.
The once-arrogant survivors were trembling, barely able to meet my gaze, terror etched onto their faces. It was the kind of expression reserved for monsters, something they now seemed to think I was.
They knew as well as I did—there was no path left for them but death, the cruel inevitability they had inflicted on others now turning on them. Their fates were sealed, and Kim Jakga held the final say.
But their fate was a trivial matter. My attention was elsewhere.
Pzzz―!
Instead, I focused on the energy now seeping into me. It was the life force of Kim Minhyuk swirled through my veins.
[Due to the Stigma, the remaining life force will be absorbed by the new host.]
[A large amount of life force has been detected.]
[Absorption will take time.]
The messages echoed through my mind as I felt the power flowing into me, vast and raw.
[The constellation, 'Architect of Destruction' intrigued by how you managed to steal the Stigma.]
The answer to that question was surprisingly simple. When I modified Lee Gyeong's brand, I elevated her status to a host, placing her on the same level as Kim Minhyuk. This allowed her to intercept and capture the life force released whenever someone with the brand died.
To complete the plan, I'd engraved a 'Transference Rune' on her, one that would automatically channel all of the life force she absorbed directly into me.
[The constellation, 'Architect of Destruction' remarks that using a host as a conduit for life force was a brilliant move.]
[The constellation, 'Architect of Destruction' notes, however, that the process has its drawbacks.]
They weren't wrong. Channeling life force this way led to minor losses, energy spilling into the ether during transference. But with the vast amount I was receiving, those losses were barely noticeable.
In a twisted way, I could thank Minhyuk for all the lives he'd taken—lives that now fueled my own strength.
"Agh!"
I grimaced as pain shot through me. The false brand was straining, struggling to absorb the foreign energy.
Absorbing such a dense amount of unfamiliar mana carried inherent risks, such as Demonization, or even Death. But that was not the case for me since I was careful. It was because of the knowledge that only I knew.
[The constellation '### ### ###' observes you with interest.]
[The constellation '### ### ###' notes that their expectations of you have been met.]
I see. So I was your target from the start, huh?
I couldn't help but frown at the message of the constellation who was pretending to be a goddess. This was why I hated the constellations.
They viewed themselves as the only nobles beings in the vast universe and perceived anything else was nothing but a source of entertainment. From the beginning, it had been strange for a constellation to take interest in Kim Minhyuk who had no talent apart from deceiving others.
In the grand scheme of things, he was a plot device used by the mysterious demon constellation to make the Story more interesting.
But the real question was, who was this constellation?
Even through I suspected it was a great demon, the identity of the constellation was obscured on purpose. Considering the way Its name was hidden and liked to devise plots, several names crossed my mind. But I had a feeling it was none of those constellations.
Whoever it was, they were no ordinary constellation.
[The constellation '### ### ###' has decided to reward you for your impressive performance.]
Reward?
[A suitable reward has been decided. It will arrive in five seconds.]
[5…]
[4…]
"Arrgh!"
"W-What is happening!!"
Screams erupted around me. The place was filled with chaos as people collapsed, writhing in pain.
[3...]
[2...]
"Argh!"
"Save me!"
Black tendrils of energy struck one by one, piercing the hearts of the branded slaves with ruthless precision. It was a chilling sight, the darkness moving with an eerie, unstoppable force.
This wasn't right—something was horribly off.
[The gift from a certain constellation has arrived.]
[Do you accept the gift?]
Yes [ ] No [ ]
Two choices arrived before me. It was then I realised. The surprise gift from the unknown great demon was the lives of the branded slaves.
What should I do in this situation?
I glanced around and noticed the people looking at me. Lee Jong-ho, Angelica, Jung Yeonhee, Lee Gyeong and the other survivors. They were all awaiting my choice.
[A few constellations are awaiting your choice.]
Not only the people were watching, the constellations among the Black Chlouds were also awaiting my decision.
I couldn't make any rash decision. The choice I make now will decide everything.
On one hand, if I accepted the gift and took the lifeforce of all these people, I will be able to become much stronger. On the other hand, if I make such a choice, I would make all the constellations of absolute good faction my enemy.
I looked at the two choices presented before me and realised I've been stupid. What I should choose has been obvious this entire time.
My hand moved and touched the system window.
[You have refused the surprise gift.]
[A few constellations are interested by your choice.]
[The constellation 'Judge of War and Wisdom' smiles at your choice.]
[The constellation, 'Architect of Destruction' smiles at your choice.]
[500 coins has been sponsored.]
Just as I thought, If I was tempted by the gift of the great devil, I would immediately lose the attention and support of the constellations.
[The constellation '### ### ###' is confused by your decision.]
Of course, the constellation that offered the gift would react in such a manner.
Demons especially the Demon Dukes who were part of the Absolute Evil Faction treated humans as nothing but objects. The unknown constellation had been planning this from the start.
He first appeared when I had trouble dealing with the zombies and offered his aid using the Deuz Ex Machina. Maybe It was something that I did that caught Its eyes, it has observing me this whole time and planned to make me its apostle.
Since I rejected its offer the first time, the Constellation thought of offering me a large quantity of mana in an attempt of making me its apostle. But if I was killed during this battle?
No, what if I was killed during my fight with the Plague Spider? Or even before that? How would the constellation react when that happens?
It would have said something rude like it was boring. Then it would have killed everybody here.
Either way, the story of Kim Minhyuk was decided from the start.
[The constellation '### ### ###' asks why you declined his gift.]
I replied coldly, "I don't want to gain power that way. If you truly want to offer me something, give me something else."
[The constellation '### ### ###' suggests you reconsider, claiming there's no faster way to gain strength.]
"I said I'm not interested. Besides, why would I trust someone who won't even reveal his name?"
The response came with a hint of amusement.
[The constellation '### ### ###' looks at you, mildly perplexed.]
[The constellation '### ### ###' laughs and mentions that his name has been concealed this entire time.]
[The constellation '### ### ###' is revealing his identity.]
[The constellation '### ### ###' is revealing his name.]
[The constellation 'Grand Duke of the East' looks down at you with a sinister smile.]
I opened my eyes very wide in shock. It was expected that I would react this way.
Agares?! What is he doing in the Third Fable.
Agares, he was a character I knew. The name 'Agares' was popular among the demonic species. He is one of the few demons with the title of Grand Duke and was the ruler of the 2nd Demon Realm.
He is infamously known as a demon of obsession and madness and has a reputation of not stopping at any means to acquire "something" once he becomes interested in it.
Needless to say, nobody liked him. Many gods and demons viewed him aas an obsessive or delusional fool.
I remembered he was one of the few constellations that supported Soo Jinyoung during her journey. At the time, his interest in the protagonist was at a level that could be only called obsessive.
But I wasn't Soo Jinyoung. Why had I caught his attention?
I tried to rack my brain but I couldn't think of anything that could have attracted his attention.
[The constellation, 'Grand Duke of the East' asks if you know him.]
I forced myself to remain calm. Revealing my knowledge of Agares would only make things worse.
"No, not really. Your name just piqued my interest."
[The constellation, 'Grand Duke of the East' senses you're withholding something but says he won't pry further.]
[The constellation, 'Grand Duke of the East' asks what you desire as a reward.]
There were a few things I wanted but I didn't say them out loud. It was dangerous to get associated with the demon species considering their history with the constellations.
My mind raced and then I finally opened my mouth.
"I can't think of anything specific. Coins would be a fine gift, don't you think?
[The constellation 'Grand Duke of the East' laughs and says that your words are true.]
[The constellation, 'Grand Duke of the East' says who in the world does not like money.]
[30,000 coins has been sponsored.]
My eyes widened even further.
A whopping 30,000 coins. This bastard, how could he casually give out that huge amount of coins to someone that wasn't even his incarnation.
Well, considering his title as Demon King, it will obvious that he will possess a large amount of coins. To him, giving out that amount was like giving money to a beggar on the street.
I forcefully wore a wryly smile to hide my anxiety. It should be okay, right?
"Thank you for the gift. I'll make sure to use this coins well."
[The constellation, 'Grand Duke of the East' says he will be watching you from onwards.]
[The constellation, 'Grand Duke of the East' says he will be expecting an amazing performance in the future.]
With that chilling farewell, the system message faded, and Agares' presence vanished, leaving only an unsettling silence.