The False Constellation
People save money for all sorts of reasons. Some set aside funds to buy something they’ve long desired, while others hoard it as an emergency reserve for the day it might be desperately needed. What I was doing now fell squarely into the latter category.
3,000 coins have been invested into Strength Lv.16.
3,000 coins have been invested into Agility Lv.19.
3,000 coins have been invested into Stamina Lv.16.
Strength Lv.16 → Strength Lv.20
Agility Lv.19 → Agility Lv.22
Stamina Lv.16 → Stamina Lv.20
The coins awarded as rewards after clearing the tutorial rarely exceeded 5,000 at most. If the first floor had been designed for people at that level, then the power I now possessed was something the residents of the first floor could never hope to imitate.
“Huuu…”
I drew a deep breath as I felt my body undergo a rapid transformation. The muscles in my limbs twitched. The Nameless Sword in my hand felt as light as a feather, and a surge of confidence told me that nothing was impossible in this moment.
I wasn’t the only one who noticed the change.
— How could a mere player who has only just reached the first floor…!
“I’ve been through more hell than you think.”
A scene from an old manga flashed through my mind—an alien race that grew stronger after surviving near-death experiences. As a child I had dismissed it as nonsense, but after enduring similar trials, I figured a power-up of this scale was only reasonable.
Thwip…!
Blood began to bead on the fake constellation’s hand, the one that had been blocking my sword barehanded. Its face gradually twisted as it realized my strength had surpassed its own.
— Ghh!
Its free hand drew back, ready to strike. I could feel how durable its body was—strong enough to stop a blade with bare flesh—but even so, a fist couldn’t reach as far as a sword.
Shwaaaak!
Its hand grazed past my forehead. The moment the distance between us widened, it lunged forward again, claws slashing with its left arm, then its right. I gave ground with each step it took, retreating until I was just outside its reach—then swung my sword the instant I entered my own attack range.
Thwip!
The blade grazed its chest. That was only the beginning. Forced back to a proper distance, the creature could do nothing but defend.
Clang!
It failed to catch my blade as I struck and withdrew.
Clang-clang-clang!
Its stance faltered. I targeted spots its hands couldn’t easily reach.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
My sword carved through empty air. I had never learned swordsmanship, yet instinct told me exactly where to strike—its flank would leave it vulnerable, and blocking there would only create a larger opening next time.
Quick Understanding (C-) has activated.
Temporary skill growth in effect.
Quick Understanding (C-) → Quick Understanding (B+)
Whether through the skill or simple intuition, I suddenly understood everything: the creature’s weaknesses, its emotional state, and who held the advantage in this fight.
The tide turned. My sword accelerated, and small wounds began to accumulate across its body despite its desperate blocks. Finally—
Thud!
My blade pierced its shoulder, leaving a grievous wound.
“The One Who Knows Only War and Battle” cheers in delight.
A few constellations grumble that this is breaking the balance.
Even the constellations watching from above seemed to think this wasn’t the scene they had expected. But what could they do? They were the ones who had pushed me this far.
“Whoa…”
“Th-this is…”
Behind me, Han Gamin and Namgung Cheonho stared in stunned silence, unable to close their mouths.
The fight wasn’t over yet.
— Kihihik…
“What’s so funny?”
— Well, even if you pretend otherwise, you don’t actually have the will to kill anyone, do you?
A mocking smile spread across its face as it touched on the very doubt I had been nursing.
“So what?”
— You can’t bring yourself to harm others. You never have, and you never will.
Its chilling voice tickled my ears. An uncomfortable feeling crept over me. I felt no desire to take the life of a being that bled the same red blood, felt the same pain, and screamed the same screams. That was human instinct—something any ordinary, rational person should possess.
But that was—
Slash.
— Kyaaaak!
“That only applies before you enter the Tower. Who the hell do you think you’re lecturing?”
With one swing, its right arm flew into the air, painting a crimson arc.
Quick Understanding (B+) has activated.
Status ailment “Brainwashing (C)” has been nullified.
“You thought I wouldn’t notice? You’ve been staring into my eyes and casting that spell the entire way here.”
That was why I had felt so at ease reaching this place. Its voice and gaze had carried an unknown magical power.
“Well, if you’re calling yourself a constellation, you must have a proper title besides ‘Laurent Sagard.’ Something like ‘The One Who Enjoys Toying with People.’”
A few constellations show interest in your words.
“Iron Throne’s Owner” snorts in disdain.
— Kugh… How dare a mere human like you…!
It raised its remaining left arm, preparing something ominous. But before it could act, I charged forward and drove my sword straight into its heart.
Thud!
— Ghh… ahhh…
I had no idea what it had been trying to do. Quick Understanding had screamed at me not to give it the chance, so I simply followed that instinct and stabbed.
— Th-the plague…! The plague…!
Grind!
I twisted the blade inside its chest. During the illusory time, I had witnessed the past of the first floor. The plague that had once spread across it originated from this very being. If this fake constellation was the source, there might have been a separate plague-related phase—but I would never have to see it now.
— ……
Thud.
Its struggles ceased.
You have slain the enemy!
Main Quest “1st Floor – The World Created by Constellations” has been cleared.
1st Floor clear rewards have been granted.
You have acquired 3,000 coins.
All of your stats have increased by 1 level.
You have achieved a remarkable feat on the 1st Floor.
All of your stats have increased by an additional 3 levels.
The rewards looked smaller than those from the tutorial. But I had already invested a massive amount of coins into my stats beforehand.
“With my current stats, gaining four levels each is still a huge boost.”
When I had invested 3,000 coins, a stat at Lv.19 had risen to Lv.22. By that standard, the growth I had just received was worth at least 10,000 coins.
Furthermore—
“The One Who Knows Only War and Battle” feels refreshed by the final battle.
You have received 2,000 coins as sponsorship.
“The Watcher Behind the Veil” is impressed by your mental fortitude.
You have received 2,000 coins as sponsorship.
“Iron Throne’s Owner” laughs, saying it has found an interesting coordinate after a long time.
You have received 1,000 coins as sponsorship.
The flood of sponsorships continued. I gave up trying to tally them all.
“Is it over…?”
Namgung Cheonho and Han Gamin approached, glancing at the fallen fake constellation. Just then, the laboratory door opened and people began to stream in—the survivors who had entered the Tower with us. Every single one of them wore an expression of deep, profound emotion.
“Siin!”
Park Jocheol spotted me and waved. The others followed, faces filled with something I couldn’t quite understand, running toward me.
“What’s going on?”
Their expressions were strange. Some looked at me with reverence in their eyes; others had tears welling up as if moved to their core.
“Oh! You were here!”
“I knew you would succeed!”
“Our hero! His name is Kim Siin!”
“Ooooooh!”
“Did the brainwashing not wear off completely?”
Surrounded by endless cheers and encouragement, I could only stand there in quiet confusion. I didn’t yet know what they had experienced. To them, everything had been my plan and my sacrifice. In their eyes, I had become an untouchable, great existence.