Avatar Contract (1)
A promotional message—or rather, a guide—from another dimension. It contained a staggering amount of information. The people in that sci-fi world had clearly defined the existence of gods. And "Naturally Occurring Galaxy Spirit Body"? Did that mean a deity like Naiserria, ruling an entire galaxy? What was a Constellation? For now, I'd have to process my power according to the info in the message. If I wanted to sightsee their dimension or project influence there, I should follow their methods.
In truth, I could probably smash through the dimensional walls with raw force... but that would take power on Naiserria's level. Sending a message across dimensions like this? Probably required strength like mine. The supreme being of their world... maybe aiding the leader of the Super Galactic Empire Federation?
Anyway, let's give it a shot as the message suggested.
Yep, confirmed. The info here was tampered with by an Outer God from that dimension. Not transformation—pure creation from the formless to the formed. Pour in enough power, and with the "permission" of the dimension's ruler, I could interfere. The knowledge blooming in my mind told me so.
If I could fully master my power, I could send it to other dimensions too. With time to research... and learn to project it that way. Projecting power according to their laws, an info entity appeared in the empty void. A minuscule speck smaller than a star, embroidered into space. By my will, it shaped into a small, glowing white screen—and automatically began speaking.
> [Beep. Greetings, Constellation from another dimension.]
"What are you?"
> [I am an artificial intelligence affiliated with the Super Galactic Empire Federation, created for Constellations above the rank of Naturally Occurring Planet Spirit Body who take interest in our dimension.]
Only beings above Naturally Occurring Planet Spirit Body can scout other dimensions? This "AI" had layers of authority and laws baked in. The unfamiliar knowledge surfacing in my mind felt uncanny.
> [You may observe our dimension through me as much as you like. However, to exert influence, there is one condition.]
"Condition?"
> [Yes. Most influence must be exercised through a mortal Avatar you contract with.]
> [If you project power through me, you can cross dimensional walls to create kin or followers.]
The small screen expanded slightly, displaying various scenes. Massive monsters crashing onto planets. Spaceship fleets firing barrages, flying vessels drifting in the sky. The space fleet battles confirmed the sci-fi setting, but the monsters opposing them looked plenty tough.
> [We are a single galaxy dominated by the Homo sapiens sapiens species.]
> [But we suffer from countless cosmic monsters and malevolent Constellations within the galaxy.]
> [If a Constellation from another dimension takes pity on mortals and lends power, the ruling mortal species will provide you much entertainment.]
Ah, got it. In this sci-fi world, humans contract with gods called Constellations. Humans gain power to overcome crises. Constellations gain followers or influence. And at the core of this contract? Entertainment.
> [Even mortals enhanced by the Super Galactic Empire Federation's technology struggle to bear a Constellation's full power directly.]
> [Powers, authorities, true names, and communication granted to contracted humans are restricted.]
> [Mortals may refuse Avatar contracts if they wish.]
Just like those Constellation stories from movies. Exactly.
> [Requesting actions that excessively violate mortal ethical or moral standards may result in sanctions.]
> [[Pursuant to the Super Galactic Empire Federation Immortal Ethics Standards Act...]]
Pick a human from that dimension, grant them power, watch them grow. A world locked in fierce battles with cosmic monsters. Sounds grueling. They broadcast this AI across dimensions, yet their world is just one galaxy... like a model garden for an absolute being.
> [The number of Avatars you can contract increases over time.]
Plenty of conditions for granting power. Makes sense, with malevolent Constellations—evil gods—around.
Projecting a speck of power tinier than dust, the screen expanded further. Still like peering at motes under a microscope. But this monstrous body had killer eyesight.
> [This unit can observe only one viewpoint at a time. Please note.]
One viewpoint at a time. A fair limitation. Tweaking it a bit opened a star map of Super Galactic Empire Federation territory. I could inspect their planets one by one at will. Like viewing from a satellite. People in outfits both like and unlike 21st-century Earth. Advanced civilizations with orbital elevators, massive skyscrapers piercing the atmosphere. And Avatars pummeling black-clump monsters.
Other Constellations' Avatars showed up red. Intriguing. Better than drifting in space doing nothing.
Alright. Time to make a contract.
Exploring that dimension was endlessly fascinating. Just one galaxy—a speck in the vast cosmos. But a world accustomed to transcendent beings granting power via Avatar contracts. Blending sci-fi tech with superpowers. Cosmic monsters that even their science-magic fusion couldn't easily defeat, spawning endlessly.
Contraception, superpowers, and science made gender equality perfect. The Federation's military was gender-blind conscription, but androids, AIs, and elite professional soldiers filled the ranks.
Public broadcasts hailed Avatars fighting cosmic monsters under Constellations as heroes. Others raged against malevolent Constellations, demanding action. Some planets even worshipped a single Constellation as their lord. Perfect fusion of sci-fi and Constellation tales.
Zooming in on a hologram a human was reading—likely Constellation history. Key points:
The hologram flicked off before the next page, but I'd gleaned enough. Ordinary humans in this sci-fi world recognized gods up to Naiserria's level. Unlike my 21st-century Earth, where many denied gods. Had hyper-advanced science led them to rationally interpret immortals as gods?
Who to contract with... Only one slot now, so choose carefully. First Avatar carried symbolism. Hopefully someone obedient.
With transcendent vision and cognition, I fiddled with the AI. Skip the blacked-out capital planet. Exclude underdeveloped worlds. From prosperous ones, skip weirdos or villains. Non-humans? Sketchy, pass. Still too many people. Galaxy-spanning population in the trillions? Manageable here, maybe not there. Smashing dimensional walls felt rude.
"AI."
> [Yes, Constellation?]
"I want to find a mortal for a contract. With your built-in functions and authority, how far can I project my power?"
Official channels for permission, best bet.
> [I assist Constellation Avatar searches within Super Galactic Empire Federation law limits. Supply energy with your power.]
The screen grew, options expanded. Filters for race, gender, age, education, residence planet.
Digging through, a suitable human woman appeared. Long black hair to her waist. On 21st-century Earth, celebrity material. But in space age? Common. Gene editing and surgery made looks irrelevant.
Wrong era for her looks, maybe. On old Earth, street-castings galore; here, just a jobless youth. Chatting seriously with a public employment counselor. Orphaned by cosmic monsters? Stirred my faint pity.
"With the specs you submitted, Miss Yuna... um. Ever thought about the Planetary Defense Force?"
"Don't you get enhancement serums in the Defense Force? Kinda hesitant..."
Even a Korean name in this sci-fi world. Not bad for first Avatar.
> [Searching for Constellation's true name... Search impossible. Connecting to highest administrator.]
> [Message from highest administrator arrived for other-dimensional Constellation.]
> [A being equal to this lady is a first. Let's chat in person next time.]
> [By highest administrator authority, other-dimensional Constellation's epithet set to Whispering Star Cluster.]
What? Definitely an Outer God behind this AI. Felt eyes from across dimensions. "This lady" meant female, ancient compared to me. Greet the local Outer God?
Other-dimensional Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, proposes an Avatar contract to you.
Her eyes widened in shock. The message visible to bystanders too. Nearby people turning to empty space.
"O-Other... dimension?! Avatar contract?!"
"Whoa...! A Constellation from another dimension contacting you?"
"Y-Yeah! Seems like...!"
Thud!
...She hit accept and passed out.