Singularity (4)

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Ariadne stared at the black bunny girl outfit in my hand with a look of pure bewilderment. Then she realized Kim Dokja was standing right beside her and turned her head toward her.

『………….』

“………….”

Kim Dokja wore an expression of utter helplessness at the tearful, pleading look Ariadne was giving her.

After all, part of the reason I’d been struck by lightning and left half-dead was her own fault.

I shoved the bunny girl outfit toward Ariadne.

“Here. Put it on already. If you don’t, I’m cutting off all ingredient sales to the Greek Constellations. Got it?”

It had been a half-assed threat, yet both Constellations reacted.

Huh. Kinda unexpected. I sold them Galala Gator earlier… Guess even the gods found it pretty damn tasty?

I checked the modifiers floating in front of my eyes.

One was our channel’s regular, Dionysus. The other, if it was related to love and beauty, had to be Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty.

『Th-that…』

Under the gazes of the great beings known as the Twelve Olympians of her own Nebula, Olympus, Ariadne’s tearful expression went past mere pouting. Tears welled up as she glanced back and forth between the two Constellations’ indirect messages and the bunny girl outfit in my hand.

I flashed her a wicked grin.

“Hey, it’s fine! It’s not even your body right now, is it? It’s Sangah’s. So hurry up and put it on! The two Constellations are already giving you the look!!”

『Ah… ahh…』

Under the combined pressure of me and Dionysus, Ariadne lifted the bunny girl outfit with trembling hands.

Clunk.

The moment she accepted it, I opened the door to My Room and waved her inside.

『W-why… why must I…』

Shuffling…

Ariadne trudged into My Room with tears brimming in her eyes and a miserable pout on her face.

Once Ariadne—possessing Yoo Sangah’s body—vanished from sight, I dropped to both knees and roared my joy toward the heavens.

“Kyaaaaaaaahoooooooo!!!”

Then the tears of pure happiness came pouring out. The fact that I’d achieved my dream—that a beauty like Yoo Sangah (Ariadne) was going to wear a bunny girl outfit for me—made me cry like a waterfall.

“Ugh-huh-huh…! I-I’m so glad I stayed alive until now…!!”

Sure, the price had been getting fried by lightning and nearly dying, but who cared about that? I’d fulfilled my dream…!

“You’re making a complete spectacle of yourself…”

Kim Dokja looked down at me with pure contempt, but this was no time to care about that.

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With frantic hands I yanked an instant camera out of My Room.

“Huff…! Huff…!”

I had to take the absolute best photos. There might never be another chance…!!

I checked the lens, tested that the camera worked, then tested that the photos developed properly—

Creeeak…

A moment later the door to My Room opened. I whipped my head around.

She’s here…!!

I immediately swung the instant camera toward the door and focused every ounce of my attention on it.

Clunk.

『…I-is this… acceptable?』

And there, I beheld a goddess.

Standing in the doorway of My Room, Yoo Sangah (Ariadne) was adjusting the bunny girl outfit with flushed cheeks and ears.

Black rabbit ears perched on her head, a skin-tight black bunny girl suit, coffee-colored stockings, white wrist cuffs, and finally the crowning glory of any bunny girl—the most important point of all.

“The rabbit tail looks perfect on you too…”

Thud!

I completely forgot about taking pictures. My legs gave out and I collapsed onto the ground. That was how devastating the destructive power—no, the moe power—of Yoo Sangah (Ariadne) in a bunny girl outfit truly was.

Th-this is bad… I need to photograph Yoo Sangah’s bunny girl look right now, but I-I can’t even breathe…?!

The sheer destructive force of a real-life bunny girl made me forget how to breathe. I was stunned.

C-calm down. S-sing the national anthem…!

If I wasn’t careful I might die of moe overload, or worse, my little brother might react and I’d die of sheer embarrassment. Facing the greatest crisis of my life, I squeezed my eyes shut and began singing the national anthem in my head.

Until the East Sea’s waters and Mount Baekdu wear away… May God protect and preserve our country forever… The mugunghwa of three thousand ri of splendid rivers and mountains… May the Korean people preserve the Korean way forever…

While Park Jinwoo silently sang every verse of the national anthem from one through four, Ariadne watched him with a baffled expression and turned to Kim Dokja.

『W-was this guy always like this…?』

“…Unfortunately, yes.”

『I-I see. You must have it rough as well.』

“……………….”

Under Ariadne’s pitying gaze, Kim Dokja’s face turned red and she covered it with both hands.

A short while later, once she’d calmed down enough, Kim Dokja lifted her face from her palms, still burning with secondhand shame at Park Jinwoo’s display.

She took a slow breath, quickly composed her expression, and looked at Ariadne.

“…Haa. First of all, I’m sorry about my companion. We both look exhausted, so how about we get to the point already?”

『…Very well.』

Click. Click. Click.

The Incarnation and the Constellation who had been about to glare at each other and begin their business both turned their heads at the sudden shutter sounds, faces full of disbelief.

“Kya! Perfect, perfect! Absolutely perfect!”

“……………….”

『……………….』

There was Park Jinwoo, wearing a smile brighter than anything he’d shown so far and a thoroughly lecherous gleam in his eyes as he photographed Yoo Sangah (Ariadne) in the bunny girl outfit.

Confirming the sight, the two of them sighed quietly, looked at each other, and nodded.

“Let’s just pretend he doesn’t exist for now. Sound good?”

『Agreed… The time allotted to me is limited. Let us finish this quickly.』

As she spoke, Ariadne looked up at the night sky. The moment she did, massive thunder began to rumble overhead.

Rumbleee!

Kim Dokja also glanced at the thunder spreading across the night sky, then rolled her eyes back to Ariadne.

“By the way, sending the one with the lowest probability cost as your representative? Olympus is pretty damn petty, don’t you think? ‘Abandoned Labyrinth’s Lover.’”

『Does a lowly human dare insult Olympus right now?!』

“Insult? It’s just a fact.”

『Urgh…!!』

Ariadne glared at Kim Dokja with blazing eyes.

Then a voice came from right beside her.

“Hey, hold up a second.”

『…………?』

Ariadne turned toward the voice. Park Jinwoo was looking at her with a serious expression. Then he grabbed both of her (Yoo Sangah’s) arms with both hands. She flinched and looked startled.

『W-what do you think you’re doing?!』

“Quiet. I’m busy filling my personal desires right now.”

『What on earth does that even…?』

Without a word, Park Jinwoo moved Yoo Sangah’s (Ariadne’s) arms into a new pose.

The pose in question: arms pressed together beside her chest, deliberately emphasizing her bust.

Click! Click! Click!

『……Uuu. Why must I of all people end up like this…? I just want to go back…』

Sudden waves of humiliation brought tears to Ariadne’s eyes as she muttered in a depressed voice.

Watching quietly, Kim Dokja let out a small sigh and spoke to her.

“…I’m going to ask three questions. If you answer mine, I’ll answer yours in return.”

『You propose a Three-Question Exchange?』

Three-Question Exchange.

It was originally a transaction method used by Constellations to minimize the consumption of probability.

『…Haa. I do not understand how a human knows the trading methods of Constellations.』

“I’ve got my ways. So are we doing this or not?”

『…Wait.』

Yoo Sangah’s eyelids closed. Ariadne seemed to be communicating with other Constellations of Olympus through her network.

Eventually the communication ended and Ariadne’s eyes opened again.

She looked at Kim Dokja and spoke.

『Very well. I permit the questions and answers. However, this side has one demand as well.』

“What is it?”

Kim Dokja tilted her head in confusion. Ariadne glanced at Park Jinwoo, who was still photographing her (Yoo Sangah’s) bunny girl outfit, and answered.

『I would like Park Jinwoo to participate in the Three-Question Exchange as well.』

Kim Dokja’s face hardened.

“Is that the will of Nebula Olympus?”

『It is. Several of our great Twelve Olympians have taken an interest in that new Constellation.』

“That puts us at too much of a disadvantage. You guys are the only ones who benefit. This is an unfair deal.”

『It need not be a Three-Question Exchange. A One-Question Exchange is fine. No—I would prefer a One-Question Exchange. I have little time and probability remaining.』

Rumbleee!

Kim Dokja turned her gaze to Park Jinwoo. He seemed to have felt her eyes on him, because he was already looking back at her.

“What do you want to do?”

“Hmmmm…”

Park Jinwoo rested his chin on his hand and fell into deep thought at Kim Dokja’s question. After a moment he lowered his hand and looked at Ariadne.

“On one condition from our side, though.”

『We already set a condition first, did we not…?』

“Not my problem. If you don’t like it, we can call the whole thing off.”

『……I will hear the condition and then decide.』

“Nope. Promise you’ll accept it first.”

Ariadne and Park Jinwoo glared at each other. Ariadne felt an inexplicable chill from his words and kept trying to dodge, while Park Jinwoo was throwing a tantrum demanding she agree first because of whatever request he had in mind.

Judging that this would only waste time with no results, Park Jinwoo finally spoke.

“I don’t know what you’re so worried about, but my request is ‘really’ wholesome and simple.”

『…………….』

Ariadne stared at him, thinking hard, then finally spoke while still glaring.

『Just so we’re clear. The scope of that request will be limited to me alone.』

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

『…Haa. Fine. What is this demand of yours.』

Ariadne pressed a hand to her forehead and asked in a voice that sounded completely resigned. At that, Park Jinwoo pulled a white bunny girl outfit out of thin air, eyes sparkling.

“Next time we meet, wear this.”

『……………………….』

“……………………….”

A heavy silence fell between Park Jinwoo, Ariadne, and Kim Dokja.

Ariadne’s pupils in particular were trembling as if an earthquake had hit them. Eventually she asked Park Jinwoo in a shaking voice.

『Y-your words… do you mean for me to descend into Yoo Sangah’s body again and wear that?』

Ariadne desperately prayed to the gods of Olympus that she had misheard.

That prayer went unanswered.

Park Jinwoo shook his head and corrected her.

“No. You. Constellation ‘Abandoned Labyrinth’s Lover.’ Ariadne. I want you to wear this bunny girl outfit. In your true body, of course.”

『…………….』

Ariadne seemed to take a massive hit from his words. For a long while she just opened and closed her mouth, staring blankly at Park Jinwoo.

Eventually she managed to regain her senses and asked in a voice thick with tears.

『W-why me of all people? Why… do you want to put such a humiliating outfit on me…!』

At her cry, Park Jinwoo recalled the true form of Ariadne he had briefly glimpsed in the Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint webtoon right before entering this world, and answered.

“Because you’re an incredible beauty.”

『Wh-what…?!』

“…Huh?”

Both Ariadne and Kim Dokja stared straight at Park Jinwoo with flustered faces.

Kim Dokja approached him and asked.

“Hey. How do you know what her true form looks like?”

“Hm? Uh… just a gut feeling?”

He couldn’t exactly say he’d seen it in the Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint webtoon, so he brushed it off. Kim Dokja quietly glared at him for the ridiculous answer, and Park Jinwoo quietly avoided her gaze.

Then Ariadne, standing in front of him, covered her face with both hands and muttered softly.

『I knew you liked pretty girls and beautiful women… but to come on this blatantly. You truly are a pervert…』

And to hit on a married woman no less… Is this the average for Incarnations these days…?

Ariadne covered her face in embarrassment, then closed her eyes the same way as before.

When she opened them again she took a small breath and looked at Park Jinwoo.

『……I accept.』

With her words, messages arrived.

When the messages ended, three lamps resembling Buddhist lotus lanterns appeared above Kim Dokja’s head. Ariadne had four, and Park Jinwoo had one.

Kim Dokja glanced at the lamps floating above their heads, then looked at Ariadne and Park Jinwoo.

“I’ll go first.”

『Very well.』

“I’ll go last.”

One of Kim Dokja’s lamps lit up brightly, and a message flew in.

Kim Dokja looked at Ariadne and asked.

“One. Why are you possessing Yoo Sangah’s body?”

『……….』

“Your home ground is on the opposite side of the continent. Aren’t you busy enough dealing with scenarios over there? Why come all the way here…”

『To monitor the singularities of this world.』

When Ariadne answered Kim Dokja’s question, one of the lamps above Kim Dokja’s head went out and a message appeared.

Kim Dokja’s eyes twitched at Ariadne’s answer.

“Singularity?”

Ariadne tilted her head with a smile on her lips.

『Is that your second question?』

“No. Your turn to ask.”

Kim Dokja said with a small bitter smile. At her words, one of Ariadne’s lamps began to shine.

『What is your true identity?』

“Me? One of the singularities you’re monitoring.”

Flinch!

Startled by Kim Dokja’s answer, Ariadne looked at her with a shocked expression and muttered.

『…How do you know that fact?』

“Oh. So I really am a singularity. I was just fishing.”

『………!!』

At Kim Dokja’s words, Ariadne’s eyes narrowed. She clearly looked irritated at being toyed with.

『You…!』

At Ariadne’s angry reaction, Kim Dokja shrugged.

“Relax. Don’t get mad. You guys do this all the time, don’t you?”

『…………….』

Ariadne glared at Kim Dokja with a murderous aura at the reaction of the Twelve Olympians.

Even so, she didn’t particularly refute Kim Dokja’s words. Because what Kim Dokja was doing right now was the standard textbook use of the Three-Question Exchange that other Constellations employed all the time.

The ‘Three-Question Exchange’ only avoided losses when used exactly like Kim Dokja was using it: spend your own question rights usefully, and make the opponent waste theirs for nothing.

That fierce battle of wits was the true essence of the Three-Question Exchange.

Kim Dokja continued speaking.

“Then second question. What exactly is a ‘singularity’?”

『It refers to beings like you.』

Kim Dokja frowned at the answer.

“Answer properly. You don’t actually want to keep circling around until this ends, do you?”

『……….』

At Kim Dokja’s words, Ariadne fell silent for a moment, then snorted and continued while glaring at her with cold eyes.

『…In principle, they are beings who appear in the ‘Oracle.’ Originally we had no intention of monitoring you and Park Jinwoo. Discovering you was a coincidence.』

“A coincidence?”

『Yes, a coincidence. The one we intended to monitor was another being. One who carries a massive fate on their back and destroys probability. That is what a singularity is.』

Kim Dokja nodded. She immediately understood what Ariadne meant by singularity.

『If that answers it, then it is my turn.』

Ariadne glanced at Kim Dokja’s second lamp going out, then looked at her and spoke.

『Whom will you choose at the next <Sponsor Selection>?』

A small silence flowed between Kim Dokja and Ariadne.

“……….”

『……….』

Kim Dokja looked at Ariadne with the expression of someone who had just taken a solid hit, while Ariadne quietly waited for her answer.

Eventually Kim Dokja gave a bitter smile, shook her head slightly, and answered.

“I refuse to answer. It wouldn’t be any fun if I said who I was picking already, would it?”

As if she had expected that answer, Ariadne looked at Kim Dokja with a smile on her lips and used her third question right.

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『Then this is the final question. How did you realize we were monitoring you?』

At Ariadne’s final third question, Kim Dokja made a slightly troubled face.

She thought for a moment, then something seemed to occur to her and she slowly opened her mouth.

“I read books diligently.”

『…What?』

“I read books diligently and figured it out.”

Even after Kim Dokja’s answer, Ariadne looked at her with an expression that said she wasn’t convinced at all. Kim Dokja thought hard for a moment and continued.

“We Koreans know your mythology pretty well to begin with.”

『…What does that mean?』

“In our country you guys are pretty famous. So mainstream that they even make kids’ cartoons about you. You didn’t know you’re super famous in our country too?”

『That cannot be. A mere small nation of the East…』

“No, you’re insanely famous.”

Park Jinwoo glanced at the flustered Ariadne and spoke.

“You’re already famous from comics, and they’ve even made anime, so we know your mythology well. Especially the ‘God of Wine and Ecstasy’ is huge as a meme in our country.”

Picking up from Park Jinwoo, Kim Dokja spoke.

“Park Jinwoo’s right. Your mythology was even made into anime in our country. Want me to list them one by one? The Labyrinth of Crete.”

『………!』

“The half-man, half-beast monster.”

The more Kim Dokja continued, the more Ariadne’s expression hardened. Eventually she broke out in a cold sweat, her pupils trembling back and forth.

“The lover who forgot you, the confinement on the island of Naxos, the affair with the Wine God… Should I keep going?”

Ariadne shook her head in panic and shouted.

『S-stop! I understand perfectly, so stop!』

Completely wounded and on the verge of tears, Ariadne opened and closed her mouth and muttered quietly.

『How can a human of a lowly small nation know my Story… and in such detail…….』

Kim Dokja ignored Ariadne’s muttering and used her third question right.

“Then the final question. What was the content of the ‘Oracle’ you received this time?”

Ariadne fell silent for a moment at Kim Dokja’s question, thinking deeply, then narrowed her eyes and answered.

『That… I cannot say.』

Park Jinwoo, who had been quietly watching the Three-Question Exchange between Kim Dokja and Ariadne, stretched with a bored expression.

“Whew. Finally over? Then it’s my turn now, right?”

『Yes. Will you ask first?』

At Ariadne’s words, Park Jinwoo shrugged.

“Nah. You go first.”

『Very well.』

Ariadne glanced at Park Jinwoo and asked.

『Do you… have any intention of joining our Nebula, Olympus?』

“What…?”

Park Jinwoo looked startled by Ariadne’s question, but he quickly composed his expression, slowly shook his head, and answered.

“Nope? Not really.”

『Is that so.』

At Park Jinwoo’s answer, Ariadne nodded with an indifferent expression.

“Then my turn.”

Park Jinwoo looked at Ariadne and asked.

“Can you tell me the modifiers of the Constellations in Olympus who are showing interest in me?”

『Their modifiers, you say?』

Ariadne’s eyes twitched as if she had heard an unexpected question, and she asked again. Park Jinwoo nodded at her reaction.

When he nodded, Ariadne closed her eyes for a moment and sank into thought. Once she had organized her thoughts she nodded and slowly began to speak.

『There are quite a few who show interest in you. So I will briefly tell you the modifiers of the Twelve Olympians who are interested.』

“Huh? That many?”

Ariadne ignored his words and continued.

『‘God of Wine and Ecstasy,’ ‘Goddess of Love and Beauty,’ ‘Master of the Sky-Walking Steps,’ ‘Blacksmith of the Volcano,’ ‘Chaste Huntress of Moonlight,’ ‘Advocate of Justice and Wisdom.’ And finally, the one who stepped down from the seat of the Twelve, ‘Mistress of the Hearth and Compassion,’ is showing interest in you.』

“…For real? Why are such big shots looking at me?”

Park Jinwoo muttered with a dazed expression at Ariadne’s answer.

Rumbleee!!

At the thunder that roared louder than before, Ariadne frowned. Then she looked at Kim Dokja and Park Jinwoo in front of her and spoke.

『My husband was curious about your stories and briefly played along for amusement, but the games end here. There is only one reason I descended to this place.』

Her words began to speed up, as if she truly had no time left.

Crashhh!

『Olympus solemnly warns you. Do not interfere with what we are doing. We move to prevent the destruction of the world, and this woman will grow into an excellent breakwater against that destruction.』

At Ariadne’s warning, Kim Dokja frowned and asked.

“Why Yoo Sangah of all people?”

『Searching for a reason is meaningless. Even the three sisters who spin the threads of fate do not know the reason.』

Ariadne continued.

『Incarnation bound by the scenarios, and small Constellation newly born in a tiny nation of the East. The direction of fate is twisting. The flow of all stars is gathering in one place, and the Story that will decide the fates of the Constellations is about to begin.』

“What are you talking about? Are you talking about the <Gigantomachia>?”

『…To know even that much information is truly surprising. A puppet of a fleeting moment like you can never understand. But remember this.』

Blue-white sparks began to crackle violently around Yoo Sangah’s body. Then a massive thunderclap roared across the night sky.

Rumble! Crash!!

『When the final act arrives, if you are not standing on the correct side—』

KRAKAKAKAKA—!!

As if refusing to allow any more words, a massive bolt of lightning came crashing down from the sky toward Yoo Sangah.

BOOOOM——!!

And Ariadne, struck by that lightning, let out a silent scream.