Opening the Constellation System
Upon arriving at the library, Rain and I immediately began frantically rifling through books related to the ancient gods. After scouring every detail about each of the 12 gods…
“I got nothing…”
Each book had differing perspectives, but most portrayed these 12 gods as evil deities. The god of lightning was depicted as an utterly depraved monster who raped thousands of women and girls, abandoned them without a care, and committed patricide from birth. The goddess of the moon deceived men who truly loved her, toyed with them before piercing their skulls with arrows, or hunted humans down like prey just for glimpsing her naked form—inhuman extremes of cruelty.
“…They’re more vicious than I thought.”
And while these brutal tales abounded, not a single virtuous anecdote could be found.
“Adultery, patricide, abduction, rape, murder, torment… even incest.”
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call these books a compendium of every sin and crime in the world.
“In comparison, I checked books on the three goddesses too… They’re impossibly pure and upright.”
By contrast, the three goddesses embodied only the world’s goodness. No wonder people grew suspicious.
“Anyway, I still have no clue what to do…”
‘Become a new hero.’
I couldn’t even grasp the meaning. Honestly, the ancient gods seemed the most promising lead, but if not, I’d need another approach…
“This one really has me stumped.”
Few knew much about this stuff. Beyond labeling them evil deities, most info was baseless rumor—and even that eluded many.
Someone who knew the details…
“What are you looking for?”
“Huh?”
Ah, there she was. The one who knew it all.
“Hardly anyone’s in the library this late… What brings you here?”
Spear Frizn, sole legitimate heir to a northern frontier count. Seeing the face of the friend who’d died saving me in my first life, I smiled.
“Just investigating some materials.”
“What kind?”
“Ancient gods stuff. Most books paint them one-sidedly as evil, but real history? Almost nothing.”
“Ah, yeah, those are rare. But not nonexistent.”
Spear fetched books like it was routine, plopped down beside me, and handed over a few ancient tomes.
“These are history books on the ancient gods.”
“History books?”
“Yeah. Like how an ancient god’s child ascended to divinity in human flesh… or the ‘system’ the gods created…”
“Hold on.”
System? The word that popped up every time a new function unlocked.
[Store System] [Status Window System] [Constellation System]
The proper noun “system” was beyond me. I’d only guessed it labeled functions. First time hearing it from someone else.
I’d probed it before with her help, but focused on abilities, not the system: quantifying others’ powers, buying traits and skills, sub-space storage.
Only briefly right after regressing—after that, I invested in them for the girls…
The more I thought, the more it stung.
“Can you tell me more about the system?”
“Ah, sure. Try this book.”
The volumes Spear handed were brand-new to me. Unlike mine, their battered covers screamed age, pages yellowed despite care.
They looked penned in the ancient gods’ era.
“Written before the three goddesses ascended—during the interregnum after the 12 gods’ deaths.”
“Interregnum?”
The brief void when no gods ruled the heavens. The 12 gods’ era: ancient. Three goddesses’ era: modern. Sandwiched between: a mere year-long interregnum.
Survivors called it hell witnessed.
Curses and plagues ravaged villages and cities; demons and monsters erupted from slain gods’ corpses, devouring humans.
Constant battles, boys enslaved as fighters, girls as sexual outlets—normalized horrors. Even demon worshippers arose.
“Books from then?”
“A mage dubbed that era’s sage holed up in a cave and wrote it. Covers your ‘system.’ More diary than book, really.”
I flipped it open at her words.
Skimmed the start—rants on interregnum madness, writer’s bias.
Halfway in, jackpot.
One day, a man calling himself a priest of the 12 gods burst into the cave where I hid. He said he needed my mana to complete the gods’ project: the ‘Hero Raising System’.
“Hero Raising System?”
To manifest this system, the priest claimed my mana could activate it directly. Then, destroying the symbols of today’s famed three goddesses would organically link the gods’ souls, perfecting the system—he needed my mana for that too.
Of course, I refused. I despised every so-called god personally, so no dice. Surprisingly, the priest backed off easily.
As he departed, he left me these words before vanishing.
[The gods are not yet dead.]
“…This is it.”
Now it clicked. The systems I’d used were ancient gods’ provisions for heroes—like aides aiding growth.
“Why me, when past heroes lacked them…?”
Mana? Plenty—great mage level slaying the final demon king. But destroying the three goddesses’ symbols? Never.
“…Let’s give it a shot.”
Closed the book. Beside me, Rain—books in tow—was nodding off. Spear had pulled a fresh one, reading alongside.
“Thanks. Super helpful.”
“No worries.”
If anything, I owed her…
Wanted to repay Spear, but she needed nothing. Gifts? Resold. Cash? “Inconvenient,” refused.
Too few materialists around me. Excess would suck too, but scarcity limited options.
“Thanks for the help.”
“Yeah.”
Get closer over time, assist later. Knew her family issues—could help there, or her fiance escape.
“Take care.”
“You too.”
Hoarded sleeping Rain piggyback-style, bid Spear farewell, headed straight for the three goddesses’ temple. Divine relics? Hardly.
“Pardon.”
Asked about symbols: plain wooden to silver laced with faint holy power.
Churches and money? Never.
“The silver ones?”
“Yes. May divine grace shine upon you.”
Bought priciest silver holy-infused for all three, rushed back.
“Lianne, Rain’s out. Change her, tuck in bed.”
“Yes, master.”
Set symbols on floor, inspected.
Red-to-yellow gradient heart: Goddess of Mercy’s symbol.
Crossed swords, black flame: Goddess of Vengeance’s.
Spade with chess king-queen forefront: Goddess of Play’s.
“Smash these, right…”
Grabbed sword, surged mana…
Ah.
“Goddamn Skaya!!”
Should’ve bought wooden. Too late to return; cash wasted anyway.
“Huuuu…”
Steadied breath, lobbed all three airborne.
Holy power, silver base—not mana. Normal hit wouldn’t shatter, but couldn’t leave rotting.
Whoooong!!!
Max-speed no-mana slash nailed their descent center.
Kiiing!!
“Ugh…”
Tough. Silver way harder sans mana than expected.
But breakable.
“Argh, so damn sturdy.”
Flexed tingling hand, eyed the quest window.
Constellation System Opened!
The 12 ancient gods have entered your ‘channel’.