#20 #Regression "It'll Find It with #Inventory"? How's a Constellation Supposed to Locate a Construction Site?

I was wondering just how a constellation was going to locate the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠construction site.

Brimming with confidence? This was the first time I'd seen Wandering Sand of Despair act so self-assured.

What...? Descent?

"Wait, you crazy...!"

Why is she being so reckless...! At least discuss it first!

The moment the messages registered, the tablet screen shook violently. More precisely, the space around Jin So-yul trembled fiercely.

A crack formed in the empty air on the screen. Like shattering glass, fissures spread, and sand poured out from the gaps.

A thick sandstorm enveloped Jin So-yul's surroundings. An unreal sight—a desert unfolding right in the middle of the tower's 5th floor.

No way...?

Jin So-yul staggered back. I could see her reflexively gripping the hilt of her one-handed sword.

Her face hardened, her gaze locked on the crack without a twitch.

"This is insane...!"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Finally, the fissure widened, revealing a figure. From the context, it was the constellation, Wandering Sand of Despair.

"...A kid?"

Orange hair, short stature. Yes, it was a little girl who emerged.

Her large eyes were blue. A faint blush colored her cheeks, and she beamed in a sand-colored cloak.

It was an appearance utterly at odds with her heavy, desolate name, Wandering Sand of Despair.

But her power seemed real enough—Jin So-yul on the screen retreated step by step, eyes wide.

The S-rank hunter who had reached the 100th floor was trembling.

The swordsman who had stood at the forefront in a world on the brink of destruction was frozen stiff before a single girl, unable to move.

I figured she'd respond if I sent a message, but Jin So-yul couldn't open her mouth.

Soon, Wandering Sand of Despair began to act. As I watched, swallowing dryly, she approached Jin So-yul and hopped in place...?

She floated into the air, poking at something with both index fingers, manipulating it.

I couldn't tell if it was the constellation system or her unique interface, but the moment she finished, a new message appeared on the tablet.

A scenario? The one I know?

Of course, I'd seen it countless times in webnovels. But as a function, it was new to me. My constellation system didn't have it.

Meanwhile, Wandering Sand of Despair spread her arms wide, looking up at Jin So-yul from a height that didn't even reach her waist, head tilted back.

Alright! Head outside, and just follow where the sandstorm leads!

Her face lit up with a bright smile. Her voice was high and cheerful, like a neighborhood kid suggesting a game.

Yet Jin So-yul stared down at the girl with a completely frozen expression.

I could understand. A constellation descending directly into this world—that was descent.

And she'd done it just to find a construction site.

Constellation-nim, what is this...?

I couldn't give her an answer even if she asked me.

Wandering Sand of Despair circled Jin So-yul in the meantime.

She bounced on her little feet, looking up at Jin So-yul, tapping the air, then bouncing again.

Sand grains trailed her steps like threads, creating a dreamlike scene.

Then her steps halted abruptly.

Her blue eyes locked straight onto the tablet's observation screen.

She was looking at me. Her gaze pierced through the screen, right at me in the bunker.

A chill ran down my spine, and I nearly jumped up—then flinched. Wandering Sand of Despair started trembling violently.

Her earlier confidence gone, she clasped her hands tightly and shook her head vigorously.

Then, hesitantly, she spoke.

I-I don't have bad intentions...! I just wanted to, um, get closer...!

...It was the same terrified reaction from when I granted Jin So-yul #Inventory. Apologizing repeatedly, shaking like a leaf.

She's terrified of me but so proactive with Jin So-yul. What does she see in me? I couldn't get a read on it.

But Wandering Sand of Despair soon glanced around, urgency creeping into her expression.

Sand began rising slowly from her feet—likely the time limit for descent.

Ah, time's up!

Even as her body turned to sand, she turned to Jin So-yul and giggled.

I'm always cheering for you! So... Jin So-yul!

Huh? Y-Yes...? Th-thank you?

Yeah! Do your best!

She clenched her fists in a fighting pose, complete with a spirited cheer. Finally, Wandering Sand of Despair crumbled into sand.

Penalty... So there was a cost after all.

Then three censored messages appeared in succession.

Censored. All the text was blocked out. Probably something like panic, anger, depression.

After gifting 10,000 CP and setting up the construction site scenario via descent, she took a penalty.

Descent itself must have world-enforced restrictions to prevent casual use.

Which means she saw enough value in it to endure the penalty.

Jin So-yul on the tablet stared at the vanished spot for a while before sighing in relief.

She stored her one-handed sword in her inventory and rolled her shoulders a few times to loosen up.

Constellation-nim... Was that just now the true form of Wandering Sand of Despair-nim?

I didn't know her intentions, but the context was clear.

...I'd only heard of descent in stories from other countries.

Ah, sorry... It's become a habit.

She should tone down the past talk in front of other constellations. Anyway, in constellation stories, descent usually appears as a major event in the mid-to-late game.

This constellation used it for something unprecedented—just finding a construction site. And endured a penalty for it.

The question was her motive.

Was she buttering me up out of fear? Or genuinely trying to help? Or both?

I didn't have enough clues for a conclusion yet, but her actions so far hadn't been hostile.

Points given to Jin So-yul, 10,000 CP gifted to me, and now the scenario after descent.

Anyone would see her as an ally... So, judgment on Wandering Sand of Despair on hold. Maintain vigilance.

For now, this distance feels right. I turned back to the tablet screen.

...I guess I should follow it for now?