Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Epilogue and Prologue
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A balanced scale came into view.
The matter of the time period to return to could be balanced with the wish voucher that 'Time' had given me.
Setting aside how ridiculous the term "wish voucher" sounded, it was possible because it held far more authority than expected.
Next up on the scale was the issue related to changes in the Tower's system.
The key was deciding how far to allow those changes.
"First and foremost, I'd like to introduce the constellation system."
"Shall we put a weight on it for now?"
'Time' smiled faintly as she placed a weight on the scale.
The scale tipped immediately.
As expected, it didn't tilt too much.
"Since it's utilizing an existing system, this is well within the allowable range."
"I suppose so."
"Hehe. You know me too well. I'm so embarrassed~"
I shot a deep look of contempt at the girl acting cutesy.
"This is a reward."
She twisted her body even more while spouting something incomprehensible.
I stared pitifully at 'Time,' who was writhing like a twisted doughnut, and opened my mouth.
"In exchange, we'll strip away the Sun's management authority over the Tower."
"Strip away? That's such a harsh way to put it."
Her tone made it seem like she knew everything. She murmured it in a voice full of amusement.
Though it still felt like it was coming from speakers.
Her lip movements didn't match the words. It was like watching a video with bad sync.
Given her behavior so far, she was probably doing it on purpose. She seemed to enjoy irritating people.
"No need to fool me with strong words like 'strip away.' I'm not that gullible, right?"
I could see the smirk on her lips.
The corners of her mouth kept rising and falling as she held back laughter.
"It's just demoting the authority by one level. From administrator to constellation."
'Time' extended her finger and brushed my cheek.
I shuddered at the chilling sensation, and a sneer appeared on the girl's lips. She wasn't even trying to hide it anymore—just openly mocking me.
"How cute."
I shoved 'Time's' shoulder, knocking her down.
Vines moved to catch her as she was pushed away.
It felt like watching a perfectly scripted play, which only made it more unpleasant.
The sticky, oppressive air emanating from this space clung to me relentlessly, tormenting me.
It was like sinking into a swamp. Every step pulled me deeper. The mud clawed at my throat, choking me.
I was losing myself. A foreign presence filled me, eroding my being.
I felt like a doll being dragged along without any will of my own.
"Hoo."
I exhaled deeply, shaking off the suffocating feeling as best I could.
"If you already know, hurry up and add the weight."
The girl smacked her lips regretfully before placing the weight on the scale.
The scale easily found balance once more.
"How much do you know about the constellation system?"
"As much as I need to."
"I see. Then allow me to explain."
"This lunatic."
She never listened to a word anyone said.
I had no idea why she talked so much or loved explaining things so much.
Was she starved for conversation?
For a moment, that thought made her seem a bit pitiable...
"Heehee."
Not really.
I barely clung to the thread of my sanity.
I couldn't win a fight against her, so there was no choice.
I'd never lost due to weakness before, and it was heartbreaking.
"Every bit of advice turns to blood and flesh, so listen carefully."
"Got it."
It wasn't a bad thing anyway.
I wasn't the one holding the keys here, so it didn't hurt to play nice.
Plus, I could verify if my information was accurate and pick up any extras.
"A constellation ultimately means a star. In that sense, the price you offered is nothing but wordplay."
She called it wordplay, but she didn't seem offended.
If anything, she wore a satisfied smile.
"The Sun was originally a star. And under the sky where the Sun resides, other stars can't shine. Even if you create constellations, they can't properly exert their power under the Sun."
She pressed down on one side of the scale, and it tipped accordingly. She climbed atop the tilted scale and swung her legs playfully.
Physical weight didn't matter when judging intangible values.
In the end, the scale had deemed that this was the correct placement.
"When you think about it, this is fair. That weight belongs here."
She drove the point home.
I clamped my lips shut, unable to say a word.
I'd half-expected this, but starting the negotiation at a disadvantage wasn't ideal.
"But hey, it was fun, so I'll let it slide this once. Do it again, and your hand really flies off, okay?"
Chills ran down my spine at the sight of her raising her hand like a blade and making chopping sounds. She seemed like the type who'd actually do it.
"Shall I continue the explanation?"
As if my response didn't matter, she pressed on regardless.
"Stars have always been objects of admiration. People look up to them, yearn for them—don't they call the brightest ones 'stars'?"
As such, the position of constellation wasn't for just anyone.
It required qualifications.
A clear concept that defined oneself.
That was the bare minimum condition.
The stronger the concept, the higher the rank and the greater the power one could wield.
The power of the concept itself mattered, but so did the bond with it.
"But that's not all. If you become constellations, the trials and rewards you grant to Players will change to match."
Obviously.
You couldn't give what you didn't have when providing trials or rewards.
"The same goes for selecting apostles. You can only take on Players who align with your nature."
"Apostles?"
"Players chosen by constellations. The stronger the apostles grow, the more power the constellation can exert."
Since they shared the same concept, ultimately.
Plus, values like fame and faith would rise as the apostles performed.
Stronger apostles meant stronger constellations. Stronger constellations provided more support to empower their apostles. Empowered apostles grew stronger, in turn strengthening the constellations.
A virtuous cycle formed.
It showed just how incompetent the Tower had been for not implementing the constellation system until now.
Not that I was in a position to judge.
Everyone had their own reverse scales, and for them, that was it.
Cherished memories with the old gods. They probably didn't want to tamper with the Tower imbued with those memories.
Just like how I'd been obsessively collecting skill books up to now.
"Being a constellation can work in your favor, but it can also backfire."
I knew that. That was why the scale hadn't given much weight to the constellation system.
High returns came with high risks.
The burdens would naturally be heavy.
"If an apostle dies, the constellation weakens. Lose too many, and the constellation itself may vanish."
No exploits like mass-producing disposable apostles.
The Tower inherently favored a strong few over a weak many.
"Conversely, fail to take even one apostle in a set period, and you'll be erased immediately."
Even mooching power without selecting apostles was blocked.
A cruel system.
Constellations could choose Players, but Players could choose constellations too.
Some might be erased at birth if no one chose them.
Players were essential to constellations, but constellations were optional for Players.
Choose weak Players, though, and you'd only weaken yourself.
Turning the virtuous cycle into a vicious one.
"Constellations also maintain mystery by default. No faces, no proper names. You'll be designated by the concepts that represent you. Like a masked ball—exciting, isn't it?"
She hummed cheerfully, genuinely thrilled, as she continued.
"You'll also have to juggle constellation duties with your NPC jobs."
"Why's that?"
"The Tower's short-staffed as it is. No helping it."
A practical reason, so I had nothing to say.
"Well, that covers the basics. For details or questions, refer to this guidebook."
'Time' tossed a book my way.
Thud!
It was clearly a book, but it hit like a boulder. That's how thick it was.
I could've died if it landed on me.
"Took a lot of effort to make."
"You? Personally?"
"Oh, no—not me. The dwarves."
Figures.
Still, if it was useful, I'd take it.
I shoved the book into my inventory before I could change my mind.
My personal inventory, refined from space-related skills. Superior to the Players' versions.
It preserved items as if time had stopped.
Space and time were intertwined concepts, after all.
"So why the friendly explanation? This isn't your usual character."
"It's the rules. In a sacred transaction, I can't lie."
"Can't lie, sure. But no rule says you have to share info."
"Hmm, well..."
I waited for what would come from 'Time's' mouth.
She leaned forward with a playful grin and said,
placing a finger over her lips,
"It's a secret. Wouldn't be fun if I told you everything, would it?"