Mom Is My Constellation - Chapter 7: "We Didn't Know... We're Sorry!"
"We didn't know.... We're so sorry! Hey, you too, hurry up...."
"We're truly sorry!"
The two iron rice bowl bureaucrats bowed at a perfect ninety degrees to me. The moment they learned I was on friendly terms with the big boss of the Player Association, they'd been stuck like that. Power was scary as hell....
"I get what you're saying, so both of you, cut it out."
It was satisfying, sure, but I wasn't some sicko who'd grin and watch strangers grovel forever.
If it were me, I'd have beaten them half to death, but you're too soft-hearted—that's your problem, Sung Hyun-sook says in frustration!
Beat them half to death based on my mood? Then your son would be socially dead. I shot back mentally.
"...Ahem. We apologize once more for the unnecessary rudeness despite your efforts for public safety. Anyway, it's confirmed that Hwang Jae-min has successfully exterminated the orc pack."
Only then did the boss guy straighten up and spill out what he should've said ages ago. In summary?
1) Monster extermination reward would be deposited by the Association within three days.
2) Rights to sell byproducts like hides, blood, muscles, and bones were firmly under my name.
That was it.
"Is there anything else you're curious about or anything we can assist with?"
"Hm...."
They were offering to help with even the slightest loose end. No reason to turn down the goodwill. Anything come to mind?
Then it hit me—the last thing the chairman had said before hanging up.
—Come to the Association first. I wanna talk.
...I'd planned to hide my awakening for a while, but that was blown. Fine, frontal assault it is.
I glanced at the black sedan they'd arrived in and opened my mouth.
"Then just drop me off at the Association."
Save on cab fare while I'm at it.
***
'You stay here and hang with the chairman. I'll be right back.'
Ten years ago, when Germadon had descended. Those were Mom's words to me right before heading out with Dad.
She'd then quietly gazed at the Association chairman standing beside me. No words, but her eyes surely meant:
'Take care of my son.'
After that, orphaned me grew up in his private residence. He'd raised me like his own flesh and blood, honoring Mom's dying wish for life.
And I'd come to see him as a father figure too.
"When I fed and housed you like that, and you suddenly declare independence out of nowhere, I couldn't believe my ears."
"......"
"Then half a year later, you contact me saying you've awakened, and I questioned if it was even real."
"......"
"Well, fine. Awakening isn't something you control at will."
In the penthouse atop the skyscraper behind the National Assembly, in the chairman's office on the top floor, I felt like a criminal on trial.
His skill at knee-capping with gentle facts was top-notch. Back in the day, I'd have roared right back—
"But picking a deathmatch with orcs all by yourself, you reckless fool! You got two lives or what?!"
Nope. Delayed strike.
The chairman, just entering his early old age, scrunched his already wrinkled face and barked. I averted my eyes, scared to meet his gaze, and peeked at the nameplate on his desk instead.
Hm, Chairman Lee Tae-ho. Cool.
"Chairman, if you get worked up, your hair—"
"Don't talk about hair in front of me!"
The young beauty beside him calmly poked his sore spot. His executive secretary—I knew her from the first round. Yoo Soo-yeon, right? Her eyes were so intimidating I'd never chatted much with her, but
"Goblins are one thing, but D-rank orcs...! I still get chills thinking about it! Hyun-sook's probably cursing me out from heaven as an irresponsible bastard!"
That guy's hair is even thinner than before, Sung Hyun-sook bursts into laughter!
I should check if there's hair growth tonic in the Hall of Fame, Sung Hyun-sook can't hold back her laughter!
He's the one spouting stuff that'd earn him curses....
"Look!"
The chairman yelled and swiveled his PC monitor toward me. On screen was a news article with an attached video.
Title:
Ah.
"You've gone full superstar!"
Click.
"I told you over and over: lay low and live quietly!"
I'm so proud of our son, Sung Hyun-sook tears up!
...Whose side am I supposed to be on? My head's spinning.
"Hoo...."
The chairman sighed away the heat in his head and suddenly asked.
"...What's your sponsoring constellation's alias?"
"Uh, well...."
Here, I hesitated a bit. Should I tell him my sponsor was Mom?
"Cough, cough."
Too long a pause might raise suspicion, so I faked a cough. Mom stayed silent meantime. Do what I want, probably?
In that case,
"The title's Central Plains Sword God. Know it?"
No matter that it was the chairman, he wouldn't buy "my sponsor's my mom" easily. He'd call it nonsense. Easier to hide than explain.
Central Plains Sword God? Hm, the title alone suggests a high-class constellation."
If that trash had class, the Hall of Fame would be doomed.
"Anyway...."
His thick fingers drummed the desk. Signal for a long-winded lecture incoming. Ah, already dizzy.
"You've got talent as a player, that's clear. My eyes don't lie. Just like whose son you are...."
Nope. Vitamin power. No talent at all—first round, I got endless crap like "Did you toss your great parents' genes when the cord was cut?"
Damn it.
"But Jae-min... I still want you to live normally. Please, at least you. Player? Sure, big money, prestige. But one slip and you're dead short! If it were me, no way."
That's what the head of the Player Association says?
Dialogue pattern matched the first round so far. Minus the talent bit.
Follow this flow, and my shiny second round would crash into the same 'shitshow' as before.
First round, regardless of my answer, he'd issued an Association memo:
'Issuing Hwang Jae-min a player license will result in disciplinary action per new Association rules.'
No matter awakening or registration, no license without Association tests meant no gates.
That absurd notice dropped a year and a half later. Can't let my flower path second round go the same way...!
Let's negotiate with hair growth tonic, Sung Hyun-sook suggests!
...Not bad, but risky—you might just dig the wound deeper, Mom.
It's fine. Got a plan.
"I get what you mean, Chairman. Of course. But I wanna take this path. For real."
"Ha! You beat a few orcs solo and now you're cocky? The world's got way worse than—"
"I know. That's why I have a proposal."
"Proposal?"
One eyebrow arched.
"Association's got that training program. What was it...?"
"Hm? You mean Cyber Field? How do you—"
"Yeah, that. CF. Dusting up 'cause no one's using it lately? I'll clean it."
"No, how do you even know about it?"
"Internet's scary these days! See? Beat a few orcs and my life's already getting doxxed."
Pure lie. Internet's vast, but not spilling insider-only info.
Day I lost my house, I leveraged connections—chairman's help got me into Association dorms for players. Naturally saw a lot.
"...Freshly awakened punk wants to try CF? Orcs'd be easier."
"Just know how desperate I am. Awaken after all this time, beat a few orcs and quit? Regret city."
"......"
"If I fail your standards? I'll quit clean."
First round, no dice no matter the stubbornness. But now? I had the "solo'd over a dozen orcs on awakening day" cred!
"I think letting him try wouldn't hurt, Chairman."
Then. A sweet voice shattered the silence.
Our eyes snapped to Yoo Soo-yeon.
Eh, why you...?
"Just my opinion, but soloing orcs on awakening day ain't normal talent."
"Y-You...?"
"I can't imagine you'd let that talent rot, so I spoke up. Sorry for overstepping."
She clasped hands politely and bowed.
Silence. Then, with an ally gained, I cheered inwardly.
Nice! Thought her scary eyes meant scary personality. Prejudices suck.
"Yoo Soo-yeon, even you...."
Chairman looked more haggard, enemy count up. Cute sight.
Just don't lose more hair.
We waited eagerly. Finally,
"No take-backs later."
"Of course!"
My instant reply—Yoo Soo-yeon secretly pumped her fist. Eye contact, she coughed and looked away.
...Kinda cute side to her.
***
"Five waves."
Association HQ 20th floor, Capsule Room for CF program. First words from chairman as I scanned the manual lying in the tub-like login module.
He'd said it before entering, repeating like don't forget. Really hates me becoming a player.
"Clear five waves, do whatever as a player. Fail before? -"
Repeating yourself endlessly is a sign of aging, Sung Hyun-sook shakes her head!
Don't be too harsh. It's all worry-fueled nagging.
Truth was, I hated it too—tossed the manual aside, yanked on the helmet quick. Startup roar drowned him out.
Ah, inner peace at last.
"Did you read the manual properly?!"
...Faintly audible.
"Kinda."
"Kinda.... Don't cry to me later."
Hiss—!
Steam rose from the capsule base, metal lid slowly descending. Through narrowing vision, chairman's back as he directed researchers.
Lid fully closed—consciousness flickered.
Connecting to Cyber Field.
Generating Avatar. 1%... 15%... 47%... 81%... 99%....
Generation complete. Linking user's consciousness to avatar.
Pop—.
Neutral machine tone ended, dark consciousness bleached white. Blurry like an out-of-focus camera. I blinked fog away.
Realized I stood in an all-white space. Like a psych ward.
Body...
Navy spandex hugged tight, alloy armor layered over. Standard body suit auto-equipped to CF avatars. Vaguely recalled from manual.
Avatar my ass—senses sharp as real body. Wild.
3 minutes until 1st Wave start.
Please select a weapon.
Humm—.
Weapons floated up nearby. Longsword, dagger, spear, axe, club, bow, whip. Left to right.
What to pick? Tough.
Bow, whip, dagger out. Nah.
Spear or sword safest, then....
Didn't know this existed, Sung Hyun-sook marvels at the unexpected find!
"Huh?"
Mom suddenly spouted nonsense. Unexpected find? What'd she spot...?
Sung Hyun-sook ponders briefly.
Constellation Sung Hyun-sook resolves, praying for 'Our Son♡''s boundless future.
Grab any weapon, Sung Hyun-sook suggests!
"What the heck...?"
Didn't get it, but had to pick in three minutes. Waffled between spear and sword—went sword. Grabbed a decently long longsword, swung it.
"So, what'd you find?"
No answer. Instead,
Constellation Sung Hyun-sook sponsors 'Talent' to 'Our Son♡'!
"Huh?"
Skill Ball infused with constellation's authority granted to agent!
Sponsorship list: Skill Ball - Passive: Blood Can't Lie (Ex)
Sponsorship as answer.
"......"
Wait. What'd you sponsor?