Unanimous Verdict and Mythic Windfall
The proxy's proposal was straightforward.
Either conquer an SSS-rank Gate for an Apocalypse-grade reward, or claim multiple Myth+ rewards.
Choose one.
Mumyeong was reasonably satisfied.
But Lucifer wasn't.
"Hold on, I haven't understood this from earlier."
Arms crossed, Lucifer glared at the proxy with murderous eyes.
"Master hasn't broken a single system rule, has he?"
Lucifer wasn't the only one dissatisfied.
Multiple constellations express dissatisfaction with this sanction.
A few constellations are enraged.
Constellation Otherworld Discipline is throwing a tantrum.
Constellation Master of the Black Star furrows their brow at the injustice.
The constellations joined in, floating up messages of solidarity.
"Master cleared the first trial legitimately. We caught it just because we were told to, and instead of proper rewards, we get sanctions? Is this right?"
Lucifer's eyes were fiercer than ever.
Anyone would shrink under that pressure, but the blonde girl with the eyepatch didn't flinch.
She simply moved her small mouth to convey her will.
This decision falls under the proxy's authority.
The proxy has a duty to restore balance to the present world.
"That's exactly why we don't get what this 'balance' means."
As Lucifer pressed the issue,
Sa Choiheon quietly lowered his hand from the sword sheath.
'Looks like it's settled as simple mediation.'
Proxies normally appear after Phase 3—to cool the overheated fervor of the constellations and prevent the present world from immediate destruction.
Ironic, really.
The system puts humanity on the brink of extinction, yet the proxy appears to avert the world's annihilation.
In a way, it was ruthless.
To the barely surviving humans, that mediation appeared as hope.
'A proxy showing up in Phase 1 is unprecedented.'
Sa Choiheon narrowed his eyes at the proxy.
Proxy Alpha (α).
There were various types of proxies.
Basically Alpha, Beta, Gamma.
They looked like expressionless dolls, but each had distinct tendencies and personalities.
'Alphas are passive but mainly propose adjustments. They have a strong tendency to nerf existing things.'
In game terms, they favored nerfs.
Meaning the operators trimming the stats of overpowered characters. Alphas preferred that style of balance.
They didn't take away what was already given.
Skills or items didn't change performance.
But they adjusted before granting.
Sa Choiheon glanced at Mumyeong.
"......"
His face was hidden under the robe, but he couldn't be pleased.
Of course not.
As Lucifer said, Mumyeong had cleared the trial with pure strength.
When proper rewards were overdue, threatening with an SSS-rank Gate conquest? Unacceptable.
Sa Choiheon's gaze deepened.
'...There's one way.'
Right now, at the start of Phase 1.
With countless constellations gathered.
He couldn't parse all their messages, but they clearly weren't pleased.
The starlight swirling around Mumyeong flickered irregularly.
"Mumyeong."
Sa Choiheon stepped forward.
"Request a constellation vote."
At those words, the hitherto motionless Alpha turned her head toward Sa Choiheon.
Proxy Alpha questions your knowledge.
How do you know that? she seemed to ask.
No need to answer, of course. Mumyeong turned to Sa Choiheon.
"Constellation vote?"
"Yes, players have that authority. It's a form of appeal."
If unhappy with the system's adjustment, a player could call for a constellation vote. Knowledge unknown to current humanity, but Sa Choiheon was a regressor.
And such informational edges held immense power in this world.
Thus, Mumyeong spoke.
"......I'll request a constellation vote."
The system could never ignore the opinions of higher beings.
The constellation vote results are as follows.
In Favor: 0 / Against: 82
Unanimous
An absolute majority of constellations oppose this adjustment.
Many constellations desire Mumyeong's rewards.
Success through overwhelming margins.
"This actually worked......"
Lucifer looked more surprised than anyone. There was good reason.
Constellation votes, usually after Phase 3 when proxies appear, were always chaotic.
Constellations cared little for fairness.
Those who'd already chosen players voted for their own gain. It became a contest of influence.
Unanimity was near impossible.
'Impressive... Because he hasn't chosen a constellation yet?'
Even Sa Choiheon had never seen unanimity.
The unselected constellations must have voted in unison to impress Mumyeong.
"......"
Proxy Alpha is considerably flustered.
Alpha froze for a moment.
Her first mediation in the present world.
It had seemed a rational proposal on her part.
Yet the constellations rose en masse. Protests flooded the system. This was truly unprecedented.
Higher beings collectively backing one human?
Mumyeong.
What made this player so special?
She'd gathered info on Mumyeong upon descent. He'd operated strictly within system rules. That made it even more perplexing.
Yet his power was immense.
Not now, but he could cause imbalance later—that was her thinking.
Hence the proposal...
"Hey, the constellations are in an uproar. You okay just standing there?"
Lucifer shoved his face close. Gabriel nodded from behind.
Their influence had swayed familiar constellations into voting.
Mumyeong quietly awaited the proxy's response.
"......"
She had to abide by the vote.
System rules demanded it.
Especially with protests pouring in.
After a brief silence, the proxy spoke.
Proxy (Alpha) proposes rewards anew.
This reward reflects the constellation vote results.
A new proposal.
Conquer SSS-rank Gate (Instance) for Apocalypse+ reward
Apocalypse-grade reward and status quo
The reward grades had bumped up a tier.
Apocalypse-grade payout, or Apocalypse+ if tackling the SSS-rank Gate.
Enough risk for Mumyeong to justify it.
"Yeah, that's more like it."
"Now we're talking."
Lucifer and Gabriel nodded.
"But this isn't the end, right?"
Lucifer had no intention of stopping.
"......?"
"This is your mediation screw-up, isn't it?"
Lucifer stepped forward. Thud. He slammed a hand on the wall, looking down at the proxy.
"I'm fine... but the constellations are pissed. If you just shut up and end it, their protest messages might overload the system."
Lucifer pointed to the rear constellations. The starlight around Mumyeong blazed fiercely. He flashed a sly grin.
"Cough up more rewards. As atonement for your botched first proposal. Then they'll quiet down, yeah?"
"......"
An undeniable demand.
The system couldn't ignore constellation requests.
Half bullying, sure—but failing to propose adequately was the proxy's fault. The system urged swift correction.
Proxy (Alpha) reluctantly nods.
Alpha felt bitterness for the first time.
"Whoa, quite the haul."
Lucifer grinned ear to ear.
Three Myth+ items lay on the floor—wrung straight from the proxy.
Mountains of coins too.
About ten million coins.
'Lucky Lucifer's on our side.'
Rewards paid out, the proxy spawned the SSS-rank instance gate and vanished.
I shifted my gaze to the items.
Sword, bow, armor.
'I'll take the armor; sell the rest.'
My current armor was Legendary+. Time for a Myth+ upgrade.
I handed the sword and bow to Sa Choiheon, skipping the armor.
"Handle it."
Sa Choiheon nodded, accepting the weapons.
"Myth+ items. Top-tier weapons at present. Better for Bulmyeol Guild to buy them than sell elsewhere. Price..."
He pondered briefly, then looked up.
"Cash?"
Obviously.
But Sa Choiheon thought differently.
"You know, once phases ramp up, high-difficulty trials will keep coming. Cash might lose value."
Dead serious.
Cash becoming meaningless.
Then it hit me.
'...That's why they said delay repayments.'
Lucifer and Blue Dragon had pushed to postpone payments. Reason clear now: world ends, no need to pay.
I'd anticipated it, but...
'Devilish thinking.'
Sa Choiheon worried I'd take a loss.
"Value of Myth+ items?"
"Around 20 billion each. 40 billion total."
"Pay off the building debt with that."
"For real?"
40 billion from Sa Choiheon? No biggie if unpaid.
Everyone acts like the world's doomed, but handle it right, maybe it won't end.
I nodded.
Clear the debt here.
The building's setup alone exceeds 40 billion anyway.
Sa Choiheon pocketed the weapons and stood, satisfied.
"Debt cleared. Remaining funds to reinforce this building. Enough for a full magic barrier."
Music to my ears.
"It's humanity's last bas—... er, my home too. No need to feel burdened."
Did "humanity's last stronghold" just slip out?
Sa Choiheon continued nonchalantly.
"I'll head out then. Proxy matter settled, trial cleared—no issues for a bit. Ma-in investigations pending. My oversight this time."
He grabbed the full orange juice Lucifer had given him and left my place.
"Whew."
Finally shedding the robe, I sprawled on the sofa.
'Tough for a first trial. Beyond tough.'
The egg hatched worldwide.
No joke—without ultimate reset, world would've shattered.
'Ma-in, huh.'
Overheard at Sa Choiheon's. Ma-in behind this mess.
None in Korea, but not all eradicated. They still eye the present world.
'Ma-in issues: wait for Sa Choiheon's intel.'
I eyed the reward list.
◈ 【Apocalypse+】 ????
◈ 30,000,000 Coins
◈ Legendary Emblem x18
Surprisingly simple, but solid.
First, the Apocalypse+ item.
I chose the proxy's first option:
Conquer SSS-rank Gate (Instance) for Apocalypse+ reward.
Thus, the Apocalypse+ item activates only after clearing the living room's SSS-rank Gate.
'With apostles, gate's a breeze. Plus exclusive rewards.'
Next rewards.
30 million coins, 18 Legendary Emblems.
5 million coins and 3 emblems per freak bird.
Seven Deadly Sins gave 5—name value difference, maybe.
System functions added.
- Max level expanded to 200.
- Constellation messaging upgraded.
System upgrades too.
Max level makes sense...
Messaging upgrade?
Constellation Fierce Flame is thrilled to send detailed messages now.
Constellation Master of the Black Star complains about detailed message costs.
Clear now.
Constellation expressions longer, more detailed.
From emojis to full light messages.
Constellation Otherworld Discipline fires celebratory shots for your escape from the system's tyranny.
Not all can send detailed ones—only my selected watch constellations.
Great for questions or advice.
Minus the Apocalypse+ item, rewards are scraps anyway.
I donned the new armor.
Unequip 【Legendary+】 Netherworld Armor.
Equip 【Myth+】 Dreamlike Armor: Daydreamer.
Defense +650
Damage Reduction Lv.7, Fatal Prevention Lv.7, Deflect Lv.7
Soulbound Gear
50% higher defense than my old Netherworld Armor.
No such gear worldwide.
Prepped.
I pulled out the blue scale from my pocket—from Blue Dragon.
Mana Lv.3 invoked. (Star Ring of Flow)
A light infusion, and the scale emitted a clear glow.
Shaaa—!
Blue Dragon from Jeju Island summoned with auspicious aura.
"Hunted hard, but... lantern still no reaction?"
I raised the new Lantern Soul Eater. About 80% full.
Upgrade boosted effects, but soul needs rose too.
"It's fine. SSS-rank Gate will fill it."
"Situation briefed by seniors."
Blue Dragon positioned behind me; Lucifer fetched an extradimensional bag full of ingredients from storage.
"Apocalypse+ item... Can't wait. Let's crush it quick."
Gabriel buzzed with excitement.
"White fragment. One more for dedicated weapon."
She'd remembered.
High chance next lantern reward delivers.
Expectations justified.
Many constellations watch your conquest.
Constellation Otherworld Discipline prays for conquest success.
Two and a half white breads left.
Plenty for the gate.
"Let's go."
Clear speed as always.
"Superspeed."
Post-conquest, the Apocalypse+ item falls into my hands.