The Performer's Long-Cherished Wish
The Golden Melody Performer, a figure of utmost interest whom all the constellations in the Tower were currently watching and searching for. She was the mysterious player who had challenged the first floor alongside a constellation.
Most constellations had ordered their apostles to find that player, and countless players were scouring for him. After all, the new king of the first floor held the key to the unprecedented event that allowed a constellation to descend into the present world, though no one knew how. To break free from the Tower's constraints and descend to Earth! The constellations went wild-eyed, frantically hunting for "him."
The Golden Melody Performer was one such constellation, but her situation was a bit different.
Lucky break.
Unlike the popular top-tier constellations, she didn't yet have a fully matured apostle. She had just one girl as an apostle. The girl wasn't inferior to others by any means, but it didn't put her in a position to actively search for him.
She lacked the means to hunt for "him" as aggressively as the other constellations. She had all but given up, yet here fortune had rolled right into her lap.
There was no proof that this man had the power to bring a god into the present world. But the power he wielded was [Darkness], the authority of the [Dark Lord]. A force she had witnessed once through the player Idaine in the past.
Of course, unlike what she had used, it had been reborn as a summoning-type [Darkness], but she could tell it was the same authority.
A player using the power of the [Dark Lord], who hadn't been active since Idaine the player died. And right in Korea, at the very moment "he" appeared—a man who had newly awakened as a player? Come to think of it, the place where divine energy had been detected on Earth was Idaine the player's memorial hall.
The Golden Melody Performer was certain. He was the one who had summoned the [Dark Lord] into the present world. And he could fulfill her long-cherished wish as well.
"You have a favor to ask me?"
Min-su whispered softly.
[Golden Melody Performer] affirms.
[Golden Melody Performer] says this isn't a story for here and asks if you can make time after training ends.
"……."
What kind of situation was this? Suddenly, an apostle of another god shows up and connects him to her own god. And that god—someone he didn't even know—was asking a favor of him. Asking him to make time, in a humble tone no less!
Is it because the knight I just summoned was so impressive that she's scouting me, impressed by my abilities?
No, that can't be it.
She was certain he was an apostle of another god. And the reason was his [Darkness] being a god's authority. She didn't seem to know it was honorary apostle status, though. If she thought he was an apostle of some god, she'd know she couldn't make him her own.
Then there's only one thing left.
The one special thing about Min-su that a god might take interest in. His unique ability to summon constellations into reality.
She figured it out…?
His heart sank.
How?
He'd never summoned the [Dark Lord] in front of anyone else. Even if the knight's summoning had been visible to the Golden Melody Performer through the girl's eyes, there was no way that connected to him being able to summon gods, right?
From the Golden Melody Performer's will conveyed through the system message, it didn't seem like she was trying to blackmail him with it… But if word got out, who knew what would happen.
Even as training continued, a corner of Min-su's mind remained uneasy. If the [Dark Lord] were still summoned as a constellation, she'd have seen this and offered advice, but without using his summoning ability, she was no different from an ordinary human who couldn't watch over him.
Unfortunately, neither she nor Idaine the player had phones, so there was no way to contact them.
I should get a phone for the constellation later.
It'd be essential for her to live as a human. She was probably rolling around in her room right now, browsing communities or playing games.
How much time had passed?
"Players, you've all worked hard participating in the training. Even when climbing the Tower, stay safe. Safety first, safety second. Never forget you mustn't push yourselves too hard!"
Training was finally over.
"Shall we all shout together? Safety rocks! Safety rocks! Safety rocks! Safety rocks!"
Once they received their completion certificates, their player rank would automatically upgrade to D-rank, allowing them to cash in the byproducts from the Tower.
Then I won't have to worry about food costs for those two girls at home anymore.
Though new worries had cropped up.
"Congratulations to all who completed player training! You can head home now. Print your certificates from the Player Support Agency homepage. The rank-up should happen around Monday morning."
With the instructor's closing words signaling the end, players rose from their seats. Min-su stood to leave as well.
"Oh! Player Kim Min-su! Could we talk for a moment?"
Looks like he'd have to have another conversation before meeting the god.
"I'm… an S-rank player?"
After finishing his talk with the instructor and leaving the classroom, Min-su muttered blankly.
His master? A god and former S-rank player.
His ability? Summoning gods.
It'd be weirder if he wasn't S-rank.
"Based on the power I measured, that knight's attack equates to A-rank. If you can summon multiple knights and control them simultaneously, Player Min-su, you'll soon be Korea's first summoning-type S-rank player."
Yet even so, hearing he possessed S-rank-level power without using his summoning ability hit differently.
To reach S-rank with just [Darkness]? Not his unique ability, but a disguised one at that? It made his chest swell with pride.
Then I can become an S-rank player without revealing my ability!
He could finally achieve his dream of becoming an S-rank. Min-su imagined himself commanding a legion of black knights, sweeping away monsters in grand style.
Lost in his daydream as he exited the Player Support Agency's main gate—
"You're late."
The girl leaning against the wall blocked his path.
Sluuurp!
In a small café near the Player Support Agency, the girl slurped her venti strawberry yogurt through a straw—bought with Min-su's money.
…Isn't it usually the one who asked to talk who buys the drink?
She'd said she had no money and asked him to buy, then ordered an expensive strawberry yogurt instead of Americano.
That headset looks super pricey, though.
A girl who seemed loaded. With the extra mouths to feed at home already straining his wallet, the slurping sounds grated on him.
[Golden Melody Performer] sends her thanks.
[Golden Melody Performer] says she's a good girl, but circumstances lately have been tough.
Min-su noticed the girl's worn clothes. A runaway teen… something like that?
"……It's fine. As the adult, I should pay."
Yeah, an adult shouldn't be petty about this. Min-su, the magnanimous S-rank adult, decided to let it slide. He'd just earn more money. With this S-rank power.
That said, this god doesn't feel very god-like either.
Her constant humility was suspicious. Players said constellations were usually high-handed and authoritative, but his own constellation and this one—maybe it was all a misunderstanding?
"May I ask what favor you're thinking of requesting?"
Then the constellation got to the point.
[Golden Melody Performer] declares with certainty that you can fulfill her long-cherished wish.
A long-cherished wish? A constellation's long-cherished wish. Things were getting grandiose all of a sudden. What could it be?
Min-su swallowed hard, waiting for her next words.
[Golden Melody Performer] asks you to let her come to Earth.
Let her come to Earth…
She doesn't know I can summon gods.
She seemed to predict he knew a way for gods to come to Earth.
What do I do?
His summoning ability was just that, but he'd only ever summoned the [Dark Lord]. No guarantee it would work on the Golden Melody Performer. Plus, to summon her, he'd have to reveal his ability. Could he trust a constellation he'd just met today?
Min-su pondered.
As he did, he recalled Rijette's abyss from their recent encounter in the mental world.
What if the other constellations are in the same boat?
If not just Rijette, but others were suffering from the Tower's curse and that evil being?
She called it her long-cherished wish.
The word choice carried an un-constellation-like desperation.
…Ah, damn it. I'm really not this nice a guy.
"Alright. But I have conditions."
He couldn't just walk away.