Stand at Attention
"G-God of Possession...!"
"Whoa... you're really going all out."
The main body finally making an entrance, unable to stand by and watch her children get slaughtered. A move only another freak like me could pull off—something no ordinary constellation could even dream of keeping up with.
Originally, possession was something constellations did only when they were backed into a corner, at the absolute end of their rope. It was the ability to tear off a chunk of their life force and manifest it directly into the world.
That's why, even in the game, any constellations who resorted to possession usually showed up as 'boss mobs.'"
'Says the one talking to me?'
Lately, I hadn't been keeping the Avatar of the Black Sun in check, and now her speech was starting to loosen up. I'd deal with her later.
For now, I gazed up at the splitting sky and the 'Lord of Dragons' descending upon us.
-Not only did you abandon your duty, you massacred my children.
'Pardon?'
As someone who'd been suddenly kidnapped, that accusation felt pretty unfair.
Whether I felt that way or not, the Lord of Dragons continued roaring.
-Do you truly think your tyranny befits the vessel of an Absolute!!
"Hmm."
Her point was so far off the mark, I didn't even know where to start correcting it.
Did I strike first at that constellation's hatchlings? No.
Did I unilaterally invade her stage? No—that was an invitation from her side.
I'd only come expecting some 'peaceful dialogue.'
-Roooaaar!!
The holy sword, Sekratis, hummed eagerly in my hand, thrumming with excitement at the overwhelming divine power it was tasting for the first time. It was practically buzzing with joy.
Rumors said holy swords had egos of their own, and it looked like they were true.
'Neat.'
Confirming something I'd only known from lore felt like discovering a whole new layer of fun.
I set aside my curiosity for now and turned back to the still-fuming dragon constellation.
True to her title as the dragon among dragons, her sheer size and the aura pouring off her were on another level entirely.
"Calm down."
My words only made her energy surge even stronger.
-Today, I will erase you from existence and impose new order upon this land!!
She must have been stewing hard while I was away—her pent-up rage was practically radiating toward me.
-Groooaaar!!
The air trembled, the ground upheaved. The aftershocks of her possession were already wrecking her own lair in real time.
"Whoa, this won't do."
"That's just how that old lizard gets when he's mad."
Hot-blooded, I guess you could call it. The merciless fury she directed at enemies stemmed from that very temperament.
Simple way to cool her down: beat the heat out of her head.
-Hummm!
Sekratis quivered in my grip, delighted at the new target.
This wouldn't be easy. Constellations didn't damage each other easily, so it'd drag into a long fight.
"Why bother?"
Even if things got messy, it was just that lizard grandpa's turf getting trashed. I was here for the innocent fun, no responsibilities attached.
Holy sword versus dragon. What a gloriously epic matchup.
-Rooooaaarrrr!!!
Now fully manifested in the mortal realm, the Lord of Dragons rose on massive legs, her head blotting out the sky.
The shadow she cast was dispelled in an instant by the colossal magic charging in her maw.
Dragon breath had a fearsome reputation on its own—but this was a constellation dragon's breath, barreling straight at us.
⚠ Warning! Target is preparing breath attack!
"Quick on the draw, huh."
I swatted away the status window and checked Sekratis's details.
As a Mythic-grade item, it had to have a unique skill.
Unique Skill: Waves of Sanctuary (S)
Holy sword 'Sekratis' links with your divine power!
Holy sword skill has changed.
Waves of Sanctuary (S) → Judgment of Condemnation (???)
Skill rank cannot be measured!
"Ooh."
Right on cue, a description popped up for what felt like a seriously ominous skill.
I mentally uttered 'activate,' and divine power surged out from my possessed body into the sword.
If I could feel it that strongly, the amount sucked in must have been massive.
-Kwaaaaa!!
The air ripped with a deafening roar. I tore my eyes from the sword and looked up.
The Lord of Dragons had already finished charging her breath and was glaring down at us, madness gleaming in her furious eyes.
"You know if you fire that, it'll wipe out the other dragons too, right?"
....
No response.
Meant her reason was already half-eaten by rage.
"Fine then."
Consensus reached from her side, so I prepared to counter.
Holy sword 'Sekratis' prepares 'Judgment of Condemnation (???)'...
The anomaly wasn't just around that dragon skull.
If she wanted to look like she was going berserk, the area around my holy sword was eerily serene by comparison.
An utterly impossible contrast. Amid all this chaos, it was dead silent.
"Beats me."
"What."
She watched the phenomenon from 'Judgment of Condemnation' in mid-cast, clearly baffled.
"How the hell would I know? First time using it."
I knew game skills inside out, but holy sword mechanics were a recent discovery. Implying I knew everything would just hurt my feelings.
Skill ready!
Just as the Lord of Dragons's charged breath was about to erupt, the completion alert synced perfectly—
I raised the holy sword high toward the heavens.
-You think that parlor trick will stop my attack!!
She bellowed at me, her roar packed with unyielding fury.
But still.
Why had she been raging unilaterally this whole time?
What the hell had I even done?
'Feels like she wants me to do something for her.'
I paused to think, then came up with the perfect response.
A mocking smirk curled my lips as I met the Lord of Dragons's eyes.
-....!!
We were far apart, but I could see her falter at my sneer.
In the game, I'd built good memories with her kind.
Dragons had an unmatched romantic allure and swagger.
Especially 'polymorph'—that transformation skill that tugged at every player's heartstrings. It had shocked me too.
"We can look into what happened to Kallisa later."
-You bastard...!!
"But seriously, who are you to act like you're looking out for her now?"
I took a breath, then delivered the finishing blow to the wide-eyed, aghast Lord of Dragons.
"Kallisa joined our cult because she likes me better than you. No reason for you to butt in now."
-....!!!
In that instant, the world went white.
Overwhelmed by excessive rage, the Lord of Dragons unleashed destructive magic.
-I'll reduce you to cosmic dust!
Inspired by my line, she unleashed a ceremonial breath right away.
⚠ Warning! Target casts breath attack!
Without a word, I commanded Sekratis to release its divine power.
Watching us bicker like petty kids despite being constellations, the Avatar of the Black Sun wailed.
# A tale from before the Lord God, Ron, claimed the throne of Absolute.
-Kallisa.
Her old constellation called out to the priestess departing the dragon sanctuary.
"You summoned me."
A calm, composed voice. The demeanor of one with zero regrets over her choice.
The 'Lord of Dragons', once her constellation and father figure, couldn't shake his lingering attachment to Kallisa's resolute attitude.
-Just say the word that you hate it, and I'll take responsibility for breaking the contract myself.
Kallisa—the most beautiful and strongest of dragons. She who outclassed all her kin had now taken human form,
yearning to enter an Absolute's embrace.
The Lord of Dragons hated her current appearance.
The impenetrable scales that blocked any attack, the horns crowning her head, the tail supporting her massive frame, the grand wings that cleaved the skies.
Irreplaceable hallmarks of draconic greatness.
How could she discard her innate splendor for the frail, pathetic form of those lowly humans!
It burned the Lord of Dragons up inside.
'...If not for that contract.'
If not for that half-forced pact with him, Kallisa never would have taken such a lowly shape.
"But, Elder."
Kallisa smiled faintly, just as before.
"This is what I wanted."
-....
"So please, Elder, let go of your anger."
-If he ever neglects you even slightly, I'll—
"Oh, come on. I'm fine, really."
Kallisa gently rebuffed her constellation's vow, looking troubled.
-If it's not to your liking, return anytime. Dragons never compromise.
Born of the duty to maintain balance, compromise meant the unraveling of cosmic order.
Thus, their elder—the mightiest dragon—always stood ready to blast any foe with breath.
For now, though, he barely restrained his fury for her sake.
"At attention."
-Kuhgh...!!
There was a time when I'd thought that.