The Pact with the Scales
[Constellation, ‘The One Who Holds the Scales’ requests a contract with you.]
Ah, just as I thought. Maybe it was finally happening.
Even as her consciousness faded, it seemed like she'd nodded her head.
* * *
Meanwhile, outside the gate, things were wrapping up surprisingly quickly.
"The King went inside?"
"Yes…!"
"Hugging that big bro of yours?!"
"Uh, yes?"
Ryu Shin-ah, having evacuated the backstage staff, clutched the back of his neck.
Hey, General…!
It was ambiguous whether he should be relieved that his nerves had finally settled.
He scanned the chaotic surroundings.
The remaining wave gate had been closed by Joo Young long ago, leaving only the absorption-annihilation type gate that Yul had entered.
For a gathering of world-class hunters, it was a late finish—but that made sense, given the swarm of civilians.
If they'd just fought, it would've ended faster than a three-minute curry.
In fact, the moment evacuation wrapped up, Joo Young soloed the gate in exactly three minutes.
"Ha, you record-fudging bastard."
Kim Yu-jun approached him. Double Black was still hanging around because of Park Sa-ha and Seo In-ah.
"Our hyung… he'll be fine, right?"
Ryu Shin-ah screamed internally.
Of course he will! Who do you think he went in with?!
He wanted to shout that one of the six people in the world under the absolute protection of the Lee Sunjwa was none other than him.
(For the record, the other one was her mom, Kang Young-hwa.)
"He went with the King, didn't he? Even if the King's a lone wolf solo pro, that guy's got his back."
He replied nonchalantly.
Then he nudged the brown head with his foot.
It was Kim Jae-won, who'd gotten clocked in the back of the head with Lee Yu-na's shield the moment he emerged and passed out cold.
"First, we gotta read his memories to see what he spilled… Problem is, he looks high-rank."
If Kim Jae-won was the same rank or higher than Ryu Shin-ah, he could resist.
Strictly speaking, Ryu Shin-ah wasn't a mental-type hunter.
Lee Yu-na chimed in from the side.
"I might be able to help a bit. I heard everything along with the Lee Sunjwa."
"Oh, right. Then we just block absorption on that thing till the King comes out, and we're golden."
He trailed off.
Ryu Shin-ah's face hardened as he headed toward Park Sa-ha.
With Kim Jae-won's control released, he was in a dazed, half-awake state, slumped on the stairs.
"Hey, snap out of it. How many fingers am I holding up?"
Ryu Shin-ah waved two fingers.
Park Sa-ha groaned like he had a headache.
"Blue ones…."
"Pardon?"
"Contract…."
"…What?"
Blue. Contract.
Every hunter there turned to him in unison.
Park Sa-ha squinted into the distance.
Right in front of Ryu Shin-ah's face, a translucent blue window floated.
[Constellation, ‘Inevitable Spear’ requests a contract with you.]
Proof of awakening—a constellation contract request.
* * *
Seo In-ah shot to his feet.
Then he gasped at the breathtaking sight before him.
An endless pitch-black cosmos, embroidered with thousands, tens of thousands of twinkling stars. A waterfall of blinding hues—not mere white, but something transcendent—filled every direction.
"This place…."
【Isn't it beautiful?】
He whipped around reflexively.
A humanoid figure gleaming like a star stood there.
Though only its silhouette was discernible.
…A constellation.
Seo In-ah knew it instinctively.
This must be the sole intermediary realm where humans and constellations could meet.
【You're sharp. Your past life wasn't wasted, it seems.】
"…You know about that?"
【How could I not? That's precisely why I'm the first among the divine beings to extend a hand.】
The divine being chuckled softly.
A tone both benevolent and compassionate.
【'Regressors' like you are coveted talents for all divine beings. Even if lifetimes have worn you down.】
【That experience becomes explosive potential.】
【Contracting with such a one lets us seize the initiative in intervening in the mortal world.】
The divine being took a step closer.
No divine being could directly interfere in the human realm.
Thus, their influence came indirectly through the 'system,' and their power was limited by the contractor's capacity.
No matter how mighty the divine being, a weak contractor imposed restrictions.
Yul was a rare case of perfect synergy on both ends.
This divine being's words meant Seo In-ah met the latter condition.
【But the reason I reached out to you is different from hers.】
"Then?"
【Those who return via divergence points know the future.】
【And divulging the future comes at a steep price. A penalty, as it's called.】
Seo In-ah nodded quickly, understanding.
There had to be safeguards like that.
Good thing he hadn't told Yul everything.
The tower stuff was now in the past at this point, but what he remembered otherwise was all future events.
【By world law, every word from a regressor or divine being carries karma.】
【Violating world law brings massive penalties, but conversely…】
The divine being raised a glowing hand, pointing at Seo In-ah.
【Affirming what you'll uphold brings commensurate rewards.】
"So you're saying you can help me with that?"
Protect me from those penalties?
Why else explain it like this?
As Seo In-ah asked calmly, the divine being replied with a hint of amusement.
【I'll give you the guidelines to avoid those penalties.】
【I am ‘The One Who Holds the Scales’.】
【I'll safeguard your silence, granting you the power to protect what you and your past self lost.】
【So.】
His fingertips trembled at the telepathic words.
【Will you not end this tale by your own justice?】
A being with time beyond mortal comparison.
Its voice, brimming with power, omniscience, everything—made the offer.
Seo In-ah sensed how extraordinary this proposal was.
And that this choice would shake his future.
"…Why help me?"
He asked in a trembling voice.
It had revealed world laws and what he mustn't divulge.
Refusing the contract here would benefit only him.
So he voiced his final doubt.
The divine being chuckled lightly, unoffended.
【Because I like your story.】
【Is that answer enough?】
"…Yes."
Seo In-ah nodded.
It answered his earlier question too.
Though the divine being's face was unseen, Seo In-ah somehow felt its gentle smile.
【Let's get along well from now on.】
With those words, the light from the divine being intensified.
Far off, the Milky Way began to ripple.
Like a rushing torrent, like breath escaping a waterfall.
Seo In-ah squinted reflexively.
All his senses were fading.
【I hope you witness this world's tale for a long time.】
【Unlike your previous two victories and defeats, this world's outcome is…】
The voice grew distant; the end was inaudible.
Then consciousness returned to his body.
BAM!
"Gah…!"
No sooner had his hearing returned than a thunderous boom rattled his ears.
Seo In-ah rolled to his feet.
Right before him, a silver-glowing staff was embedded in the ground.
"Why is this here…."
A staff engraved with dragons on both sides.
Yul's weapon.
"You're up?"
Not far away, Yul stood with hands in her pockets.
Under one foot, a massive two-headed crocodile.
Seeing her bare-handedly smash the boss drew an involuntary chuckle from him.
"Couldn't exactly carry you into battle, so I whipped up a quick defense buff. It's a hack job since the staff's meant for offense."
Her follow-up was even wilder.
Hunters who took months or years to adapt powers into skills would weep and call her a talent freak.
He stared at the staff scattering silver energy.
Yul's weapon, Judgment.
The blood-soaked one from his memories….
[Constellation, ‘The One Who Holds the Scales’ asks if you're conscious now.]
He snapped out of it with a start.
Yul pocketed the dungeon core from the crocodile into her inventory.
She approached and retrieved the staff.
[Constellation, ‘The One Who Holds the Scales’ prophesies you'll have much silence to keep with that proxy from now on.]
Seo In-ah looked away from the blue status window.
Yul unsummoned the staff and extended her hand.
"Let's head back, In-ah-ssi."
* * *
Is this tiny country's scale even real? My heart can't handle it.