Avatar Challenge - (3)
The Avatar Challenge on Gaiana Planet, spanning several weeks. Day one tested basic physical fitness. Day two measured superpower aptitude, and so on. Days of grueling trials pushed the mortals' abilities and wills to their limits.
"Your test results and rankings for today will be sent to your terminals!"
The tests ran from morning till evening, every single day, wearing down the participants with real fatigue. But everyone seemed accepting of it—probably because they were all driven by the hope of being chosen by a constellation.
"Huff... huff. Breaking through obstacles in a gravity tunnel? They really thought of everything."
"I didn't expect it to be this tough after not even a week."
"They won't make us endure psychic attacks later, right?"
"Let's head back quick and hit the bio-recovery chamber before crashing."
The participants returned to their temporary lodgings in the nearby city, while invited guests and officials were housed in a massive dome-shaped building. Yuna and Beatrix read the explanations on their handheld terminals, chatting idly.
Unlike the other participants, they already knew the full schedule of tests yet to come.
"What the seven constellations want are talents who shine in crisis management, snap judgment, potential, mental fortitude..."
"It's less a challenge and more like special forces selection, wa yo."
"Can't argue if that's what the constellations desire, but winning's gonna be brutal."
"Still, some dropouts might end up as avatars anyway, wa yo?"
Seven Single Planet Restricted Spirit Bodies. Countless mortals yearned for their gaze. In the gods' world, they were seen as half-mortal at best, but to mortals, they were beings from another dimension entirely—capable of shattering islands with raw power, altering weather, leaving marks on maps.
Constellation 'Whispering Star Cluster' is curious about the constellations participating in the challenge.
"Uh... Blazing Ember, said to have a volcano for a body; the Owner of the Blue Breath in the form of a massive dragon; and..."
"Sword on the Ash Heap, who ascended to constellation status through faith gathered in a human body, is here too."
If a mortal became a constellation, it must've been an incredible feat. Though innate limits kept them from reaching Planet Spirit or higher... A dragon-shaped constellation? I'd love to see it up close. Wonder if it has a yeouiju like in the stories from my past life.
"Wasn't he active centuries ago? His planet only recently joined the federation, but he ascended after being worshipped as a war hero."
"Some are coming down in temporary bodies as the event progresses, wa yo."
Constellation 'Whispering Star Cluster' shows curiosity about the constellations just mentioned.
"The avatars of the constellations who expressed interest in participating are here as guests. Shall we relay a message?"
No. I want to descend in a temporary body myself. I was curious about humans who became gods and what a dragon constellation looked like.
Constellation 'Owner of the Blue Breath'. A Single Planet Restricted Spirit Body whose true form is a massive dragon.
"Famous guests have arrived. This girl is Hwayeon, the Dragon Shrine Maiden of our era."
"Dragon Shrine Maiden? You're contracted with the Owner of the Blue Breath, right?"
"If you're one who serves the Azure Dragon's will, then yes, that's me."
A girl around 18 with clear, flowing blue hair. Dressed in elegant traditional Eastern attire with a hairpin, the avatar bowed deeply in greeting.
"No need to be so formal, wa yo. Just speak comfortably!"
"I couldn't possibly. You're honored guests spoken of by the Dragon God himself—how could I treat you casually?"
Whoosh—
As the shrine maiden's words ended, blue energy flowed from her body, manifesting a blue dragon in the air. A temporary body? Or something like an astral projection?
"Humans. Is it true that the god you serve wishes to see me?"
A serpentine body, four legs, horned head, blue scales, and a yeouiju clenched in its jaws. A real dragon—the kind I'd only seen in stories from my past life.
"Gasp. We greet you, O Constellation. I am..."
"Enough formalities. Answer me. Is it true a galactic deity from another dimension watches this place?"
Could I keep it as a pet?
* * *
The azure dragon was utterly adorable at first sight. Its beautifully gleaming blue scales. A voice that carried majestic dignity yet sounded so delicate. A sleek, elongated body. They said its true form was enormous, but even then, it'd be cutely tiny compared to a planet.
"Why so silent, humans?"
"Well... sorry. Our constellation hasn't responded..."
"Lord?! If you're watching, say something, wa yo..."
Look at it trying so hard to maintain dignity in front of mortals. I wanted to bring it to this dimension and pet it until its guard came down.
Ah, no. Better descend in a temporary body and touch it myself.
Whoosh—
"Hm?!"
"Lord?"
A golden halo of light, and there I was. The blue dragon eyed me with intrigue. Clearly a temporary body, but its true form must look just like this.
"You are the galactic... from another dimension... Hm?"
Grab. Pet.
A voice like jade beads rolling—elegant and archaic. Forcing dignity before mortals. Smooth scales under my fingers. The dragon's face twisted in bewilderment and embarrassment.
"...P-please stop. Even if you're a galactic god, this is..."
"Hm."
The dragon twisted away in midair, escaping my grasp. Like a shy stag beetle—maybe it'd come to this dimension with me?
Ignoring the guests' now lukewarm stares, the dragon forced composure and spoke.
"Ahem. Ahem! I am Cheongyeon Star Lord. Call me Cheongyeon."
Cheongyeon must be its true name. Star Lord? Ambitious. Aspiring to Planet Spirit someday? Even cuter now.
"Would you perhaps..."
The words "be my pet?" nearly escaped, but I swallowed them. Like with the Sky-Supporting Great Tree—lower divinities often sparked that urge in me.
"...let's get along."
Yep. Right up my aesthetic alley.
* * *
Once the avatars left, claiming they couldn't intrude on constellation talk, my hand was already stroking the azure dragon's scales.
"...I understand you're beyond measure, but please stop petting me."
"Sorry. Your scales are just too beautiful."
"Ahem. Ahem! They are honed over thousands of years, but..."
"That in your mouth—is it a yeouiju? For summoning rain and clouds?"
"Yes. Gained upon ascending as a dragon after a millennium of cultivation."
Even its tsundere vibe is cute. How do you handle a dragon? Maybe craft a yeouiju-like item for it.
"So, why did you wish to meet me? You there?"
"Pure curiosity. But seeing you up close, you're even cuter."
"...So no real business, then. May I ask a question?"
A question?
"In your dimension, do true dragon gods exist—beyond half-beings like me?"
"In this one?"
"Yes. I lack the power to fully claim even one star, so I cannot know... but I've heard your dimension's laws differ entirely."
Different Outer Gods ruling dimensions means different laws, sure. Anyway, dragon gods? Shub's creations had nothing draconic.
"Nope. Why ask?"
"I was once a mere imugi granted intellect, but through a millennium of cultivation, I gained divinity and ascended as an azure dragon. It's natural to aspire higher, no?"
"Want to meet a superior being for guidance?"
"Exactly."
Our conversation flowed enjoyably enough to push past the temporary body's constraints. Imugi to dragon god... just like cultivation novels. It contracted humans hoping federation influence might yield clues. I almost invited it over, but that felt too rude, so I held back.
Next, the avatars visited the lodging of Sword on the Ash Heap, who ascended through human might.
"What business do the avatars of Star Cluster have with us?"
Two men, one woman—all with cold weapons at their waists. Odd for the space age, but maybe the constellation's power only worked on melee arms.
"Whispering Star Cluster wishes to speak with your constellation? Apologies, but Sword on the Ash Heap hasn't messaged since a few hours ago."
"Oh. I see."
"He often drops in via temporary body to tease us, but truly sorry. If he messages later, we'll relay."
A shame—I wanted to meet a human-ascended constellation too. Probably busy scouting avatar candidates in temporary form. No issue there. For now, I'd spectate the challenge and maybe create some lifeforms.
The problem hit the very next day. The avatars contracted to Sword on the Ash Heap arrived with stiff faces and shocking news.
"...Our constellation suddenly severed the contract. With me and all the other avatars."