Where the Hell Am I? (2)
“Recovery is mostly complete. If you insist, you can discharge right now, but...”
“If discharging now is too much, I'll rest a bit longer.”
I blankly shook my head at the words of the healing mage tending to me. He was probably considering my usual personality, but right now, I wasn't in any shape to rush back to the battlefield just because I was somewhat better.
Thanks to that, even after removing all the needles stuck in my body, I could stay at the hospital and wander around.
What disturbed my mind, naturally, was the community that had become visible since the first day I woke up injured. Using rest as an excuse, I requested a nap, and sure enough, the community appeared before my eyes again.
Analyzing it, it wasn't much different from handling the status window, so I'd gotten used to it quickly.
'Not all users can monitor me 24/7.'
In just a few days, I'd learned quite a bit. First off, all the users here were former climbers like me who'd reached the top of the tower and become constellations, but there were clear hierarchies among them. The 'real constellations' I knew were only a tiny minority. Most users were provisional, candidates, or apprentices at best.
[Reina Frontier]
[Consecutive Arena: 15th]
[Title: Moonlight Sword Radiance]
[Trait: Radiance (S)]
[Acquired Inscriptions: Soul Warehouse (S), 1st Grade Multiplier Inscription (S), Advanced Sword Dance (S), 1st Form Mana Heart (A), 2nd Form Mana Heart (A)]
[Contracted Constellations: Thousand Silver Blades, Crushing Wolf, Eternal Flame]
A little focus, and my status window popped up right beside it. The status window I'd had since possessing this body—common and taken for granted. Right now, wearing nothing but a patient gown with no equipment, I wasn't benefiting from any item effects beyond the inscriptions etched into my body and soul. In other words, these were my pure stats.
The result of squeezing every bit of knowledge I had about this world—known and unknown—to raise myself somehow.
Generally, breaking 1000 in a single stat puts you in the top 100 rankers. Considering that, I'd raised her pretty well.
'No, that's not the point right now.'
I shook my head to dispel the flood of past memories. I hadn't opened the status window to check stats. It was to look at the contracted constellations listed under acquired inscriptions.
Constellations, true to cliché, advised and aided tower climbers. But I already knew from before possession that they ran gambling dens using their sponsored climbers or indulged dark, shady desires.
...Still, I never imagined it'd be this bad. I clicked a title out of dread, recoiled in horror, hit back, and squeezed my eyes shut.
Were my contracted constellations hiding behind anonymous nicks doing this too? According to them, the 'real constellations' who directly appeared in other towers as contract constellations were the higher-tier ones.
I'd read about them before possession, contracted them, and even chatted at the sanctuaries on certain floors. They nagged, condescended, teased—but they exuded the dignity and authority of transcendent beings.
I wanted to believe they weren't this perverted.
I couldn't believe it. The guy bickering in comments, running that board—the main admin—was the cold, aloof constellation I'd chosen in advance.
“Insolent girl, you dare seek to learn the sword from me with such meager talent?”
I still remembered the day I first met her on floor 15. When novice climbers choose their first constellation. Without hesitation, I sought Serpina, the Thousand Silver Blades.
She appeared briefly late-game with minor role, but her power was a huge early boost.
“Whatever trials you give, I'll overcome them. Please, grant me a chance.”
In the sanctuary's deep darkness lit by a single warm beam, I prostrated before her stern voice, begging mercy and teachings—showing resolve. I knew beforehand she valued mindset above all.
Possessed in a strange world, strange body, I needed her power to survive. It was do-or-die anyway.
“Bold for someone with just a pretty face and body. Very well, let's see.”
With a faint laugh, we semi-contracted. I proved myself relentlessly, never a day without injury. Stingy with praise, harsh with rebuke—but once she formally acknowledged me, her power fueled my growth into a top ranker.
Such a being—the goddess I'd grown to respect, elegant and lofty—chatting like a common internet troll. The shock hit hard.
'Crushing Wolf Perbas is definitely a sub-admin. Eternal Flame Agna... no sign of her?'
I had three contracted constellations total. Perbas was confirmed active as sub-admin. Unlike his arrogant snubs in person, his posts—calling me 'this bitch'—were packed with affectionate play-by-plays in crises, dozens of updates.
But the last one? No trace, even calling admins. Maybe since she was most recent.
'So-called meme lords. These are the dangerous ones.'
Including my admin constellations, some users dubbed 'meme lords' snapped and shared inexplicable photos/videos of me. Public stuff was fine, but private moments? No privacy concept here.
Their attitudes treated my every action like a TV celebrity's act or a game character's moves.
'No. Can't do anything stupid.'
I wasn't supposed to see or know this community. The fallout? Unimaginable. But it happened somehow, so no poking around.
I barely restrained my hand from the post button. Masks online were familiar, but now? Observe more. Avoid attention.
From casual scans, not just perverts here. These users, who'd peaked this world, were like grand seniors. They seriously analyzed and debated me, like this post.
That insight chilled me. 'Climbing by watching others.' A dagger to the heart.
This world was the novel I'd read. I was a possessor in a body that never existed. All my knowledge/actions tailored to the protagonist.
Even snatching some rewards, Jeong Chan-su held top 3 ranks, solidifying 1st despite middling pace.
Unconsciously tailing him? Natural for a possessor.
'That analysis isn't wrong.'
I sat up in bed, face blank from waking. Until now, I thought the regressor's path was the answer here.
But seeing this world's underbelly shook that. I, thinking I knew everything, was just a frog in a well.