Avatar Challenge (4)

Including my own apostles as guests, the participants in the challenge were speaking before the organizers. What were the avatars contracted to Sword on the Ash Heap saying?

"...Our Constellation has suddenly terminated the contract. With me and all the other avatars as well."

No, it would be more accurate to say "had terminated." I didn't know the reason, but even the AI information entity was stating that he was no longer an avatar.

"What do you mean?!"

"Exactly as I said. Not just the three of us, but even the four avatars on his Constellation's planet who had contracted with him. All contracts have been canceled..."

"Sword on the Ash Heap isn't the type to do that... Isn't he famous for his magnanimity?"

"...It's the truth, regardless. So, to appease our Constellation's wrath, we're planning to return to the planet of his birth and offer tributes."

Everyone was thrown into confusion by this sudden turn of events. The relationship between a Constellation and their mortal avatar was a clear superior-subordinate dynamic. If the Constellation had a change of heart and canceled the contract, there was nothing to be done. The Federation's records occasionally mentioned Constellations who showed sudden whims like this. It was reasonable to assume that Sword on the Ash Heap had simply taken a capricious turn this time.

"I don't know what's going on, but... understood for now."

"Yes. Then we'll..."

People's faces grew awkward at the abrupt departure of the Constellation. But what could they do? When a divinity ended an avatar contract, no one could argue.

"Alright. Let's proceed with the challenge as normal for now."

"We'll announce that Sword on the Ash Heap has withdrawn due to unavoidable circumstances."

"Even though he's withdrawn, there are still six more. And who knows—maybe a Galaxy Spirit is watching too? No problem continuing like this."

The mortals sensed something off but pushed forward with the event anyway. My apostles did the same.

"Doesn't something feel weird? One or two, maybe, but cutting all contracts—even with seven avatars?"

"Indeed, it's quite strange-wa yo."

"Don't you have any guesses?"

"To be honest, there's too little information-wa yo. It might just be the Constellation's whim from the start..."

Beatrix wore a puzzled expression as well. The Avatar Challenge continued regardless. After all, there was nothing mortals could do about it.

The participants strove to be chosen by a god today as well. The host shouted at the top of his lungs. And I, along with the other Constellations, watched it all from above.

"...Everyone surely knows that mortals can become Constellations too! That's why avatars gradually draw closer to their Constellations! So, who has come closest to the avatar position today?! Without a doubt, it's this person—Zaug-Nakril!!!"

Amid the roaring cheers, someone reached out to my main body.

The one reaching out to me was my cute daughter, Shub.

Was she sulking because I'd been too focused on the mortals of that other dimension, ignoring her? With a hint of petulance, Shub's purpose came through.

Shub was a divinity I'd put considerable effort into creating. The size of a fingernail, but even that surpassed other gods by far. So, she must have figured her creations could face me, hence the request. Maybe on the level of Naiserria, who was holding her breath over there.

A flash of light erupted from my fingernail-sized super-galaxy, and tiny things popped out beyond it. Black tentacles. An eye-covered slime. Something with thousands of mouths. They looked like bugs, glancing around before spotting me...

They froze in utter bewilderment.

Even Shub's urging had no effect. They stayed frozen, unable to move. Naiserria hadn't been this terrified. Was it because they were made from Shub's body, making the gap with me all too clear? Or perhaps they sensed my "entirety."

For now, it was best to continue life creation in Shub's galaxy. Thanks to the inspiration from Vivian last time, I'd gotten a feel for it. Though she was still in the hospital for mental treatment... I just needed to adapt the mortals' very existence to Cosmic Power. Not jumping straight to human-like lifeforms—let them evolve gradually. I conveyed this to Shub.

In terms of raw power, Shub and I weren't comparable, but she was far better at fine control. That was her world, after all... A indescribable bubbling sound boiled up, and in Shub's galaxy—in one planet—something tiny was born. Just as I'd said, in an environment wrapped in Cosmic Power. Things far smaller than the small things were perceptible. Microscopic, only visible by lowering my divine "perspective" to its limit. But the growth was too slow. Lifeforms evolved over long ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠periods by nature, but I didn't want to wait that long. A bit... a bit faster... grow quicker...

In that instant, faint Cosmic Power leaked out, and time rewound. Localized time acceleration. Not on the whole galaxy—just that lifeform creation spot. So this was how time was controlled. A subtle sensation different from compressing space. My mind cleared a bit, the controllable range expanding. I could sense I could adjust Shub's or even a Galaxy Spirit's time if I wished. Omnipotence filled my body, sweeping my mind, unearthing buried memories and authorities. Right up to here. Just this far.

Shub noticed the time flow too, puzzled. The other divinities in the galaxy... well, no need to be that scared.

Leave the time flow like this, check back later—plausible lifeforms might be there.

Back to that dimension's perspective, the Avatar Challenge was proceeding smoothly. A massive dome arena of blue ore. About 30 mortals dueling at once. Weapon-chosen mortals entered the arena, glaring fiercely at opponents. When the transparent barrier vanished, participants charged.

"Next up, the round of 64! On one side, a special forces agent from a planetary government with over ten years of service! On the other, an outer space exploration team member..."

One-on-one duels with limited weapons in a tournament format? Round of 64 meant some had already been eliminated.

"Has the Constellation arrived-wa yo? As you can see, it's one-on-one tournament duels right now. Already two chosen by Constellations-wa yo."

Following Yuna's gaze as she turned, a boy mumbling into empty air with a dazed look appeared.

"Y-Yes... Yes... I'm Lian Karshe. Exercise? Back on my home planet, I trained occasionally..."

Participants' gazes stung with envy—half jealousy, half admiration.

"He lost in the tournament, but his tenacity was impressive-wa yo!"

Humans chosen by gods always had something special. This boy must have been valued for his mental fortitude. I turned my gaze back to the diligently dueling participants. Ordinary mortals not chosen by divinities—it was a light bout, but surprisingly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flashy.

"Graaah—rashu!"

"Hah!"

Unlike the plain human fights I'd imagined, the clashes of countless galactic species weren't boring. Combat-specialized alien races dominated, impressively spewing toxic spores from legs or morphing organs.

But the biggest standout was one human male.

"Hah. I surrender!"

"Winner, Zaug-Nakril!"

Muscular bald head, presumed descendant or blessed by a god. The top performer so far.

"Him again? Kripter planetfolk have great physiques, but is that possible?"

"Something's off. Cheating?"

"He passed drug and ability tests. Not an avatar, so..."

Challenge staff and my apostles sensed the oddity too. He fought well, but purely on strength and stamina—no flashy techniques or special powers.

Paaat—

I descended quietly to a secluded corner without alerting avatars, surveying the area. My material body couldn't use full power, but divine "perspective" and insight remained, revealing several intriguing things. I could grasp the anomalies here. It seemed entertaining—watching longer would be nice... But this Federation included my apostles; their home's destruction would sadden them.

The next day, trouble hit another Constellation's avatars.

"Our Constellation cut contracts with avatars too! Over dozens contracted with him...!"

This was clearly an attack.