The Boundary Between You and Me (3)
The fifth floor of the Tower. The moment Seo Seyeong stepped through the portal, the first thing she saw was the cozy interior of a log cabin with a crackling fireplace.
— Miss Seo Seyeong, it’s been a while!
As soon as she opened her eyes, the one approaching her was none other than the rabbit. Having seen the creature consistently since the tutorial, it now felt quite familiar.
Where am I…?
The constant tension she had felt while climbing the Tower gradually melted away. The cabin resembled a warm foreign family home preparing for Christmas. On the soft carpet lay various gift boxes, decorations, and comfortable-looking chairs neatly arranged.
You’ve worked hard all this time. This is a kind of rest area where you can relax before ascending to the fifth floor! Please take a good rest and recover your stamina until the others arrive!
A space dedicated entirely to rest, filled only with comfort and relaxation. And the moment she sat down, a fluffy bipedal rabbit began attending to her every need. Among all the events she had experienced recently, this was by far the most languid.
If you need anything, just let me know! A plush sofa? A cozy rocking chair? I can prepare fruits, food, or drinks whenever you like!
The rabbit pranced around in front of her with exaggerated gestures. Knowing the true identity of these Helpers, she couldn’t fully relax. Still, if Seo Seyeong hadn’t known, she probably would have accepted the earnest hospitality without suspicion.
But she was a player who had climbed the Tower step by step, using countless hardships and trials as her staircase. As long as she knew that Helpers were merely errand-runners for the Constellations, manipulating people for their amusement, she could not let her guard down.
“……What’s your intention?”
Seo Seyeong asked the rabbit pointedly. The fact that a Helper was showing such goodwill toward a player like her meant the creature definitely wanted something.
But the rabbit simply widened its eyes and smiled at her question.
I have no intention! Well, if I had to say, perhaps it’s my own way of showing respect to an Incarnation?
Incarnation. At the rabbit’s words, the contents of the quest she had received on the fourth floor flashed through Seo Seyeong’s mind.
Overcoming trauma… and the reward was definitely…
A contract with a Constellation.
She now understood why the rabbit had called her an “Incarnation.” The Constellations had been mentioned constantly since the tutorial. The contract with a Constellation that the Helpers kept babbling about and that appeared so frequently in messages was now right in front of her.
Just what exactly are these Constellations…?
They raised players using a currency called coins. Like gamers leveling up their characters, they gave out quests and watched over them. When Seo Seyeong first learned about the Constellations, they had seemed like god-like absolute beings to her. Distant entities who observed players and treated destruction like entertainment.
That’s why I couldn’t understand it.
The reason they hosted this deadly game. And why they used coins—something that clearly held value even to them—to help players grow.
But as time passed, she realized these beings were neither omniscient nor omnipotent, but rather ambiguous existences. And that realization had given her a new possibility.
You don’t need many reasons to help someone grow.
It was simply the hope that those you helped would one day become strong enough to be of use to you. In the world she had lived in, such a system wasn’t unfamiliar. It was the same concept as a nation offering scholarships to promising students to cultivate them into national talents.
But that was the Constellations’ gain. It wasn’t a reason for a Helper like the rabbit to be so pleased about her becoming an Incarnation.
“So… you get something if I make a contract with a Constellation, don’t you?”
At Seo Seyeong’s words, the rabbit flinched, then let out an awkward laugh. Its expression looked like it had been caught red-handed.
After a moment of hesitation, the rabbit stroked its chin and spoke lightly.
There’s no need to hide it, so I’ll be honest! The more contracts players make, the higher my Status rises?
The rabbit pulled out a magician’s hat from who-knows-where and pressed it onto its head, then looked at her meaningfully. It was the same feeling it had given off at the very beginning of the tutorial. Yet the words that came out of its mouth were endlessly light.
Then I can become a Constellation too! I want to quit this Helper job and live the high life, eating and playing without a care!
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much! Becoming a Constellation takes an enormous amount of time, and the coordinate I was assigned was Earth, full of incompetents…
Ah, I’m not insulting Earth! On the contrary, the fact that powerless people like you achieved such rapid growth has skyrocketed my Status!
The rabbit claimed it had accumulated a massive amount of Status all at once thanks to luck. In truth, it was probably thanks to the unexpected existence known as Kim Siin, but the rabbit praised Earth, saying that luck was also skill and that the last one standing was the winner.
When players grew and contracted with Constellations, Helpers became Constellations. She had somewhat expected it after hearing the conversation on the third floor, but hearing it directly from a Helper’s mouth left Seo Seyeong feeling strangely displeased.
Still, the important conversation was just beginning. She asked the rabbit the question she was most curious about.
“Then what about us?”
Huh?
“The Constellations get the power of Incarnations, and the Helpers get to become Constellations. So what do we—the ones who’ve suffered through all this—actually get out of it?”
Uh…
The rabbit was visibly flustered by her question. It had assumed that simply forming a contract with a Constellation was reward enough, since it allowed a human to transcend their Status by leaps and bounds. That was precisely why the only reward on the fourth floor had been a contract with a Constellation.
Becoming an Incarnation meant taking one step closer to a transcendent being.
Once you become a Constellation’s Incarnation, climbing the Tower becomes a little easier…
The rabbit cautiously looked up into Seo Seyeong’s eyes. Her expression still showed clear dissatisfaction.
A-and as a subordinate being to a Constellation, you’ll be granted powerful strength and authority! If you live a life incorporated into theirs, you’ll enjoy wealth and glory…
“……”
The Constellations wanted the power of their Incarnations. The Helpers wanted to raise players well and offer them up to rise in Status.
“So in the end, there’s nothing for us?”
…Yes.
And in the midst of all that, nothing fell to the players.
“This contract thing… once you make it, you can’t cancel it, right?”
Yes, usually. Ah! If the Incarnation or the Constellation dies, the contract is severed, but I’ve never actually seen that happen before…
“Hmm……”
A certain man rose in Seo Seyeong’s mind. Would he make this absurd contract? It would grant him power, but it would clearly benefit the Constellation and the Helper while leaving him with something uncertain and half-hearted. The conclusion her mind reached was a firm absolutely not.
“So when can we actually start this contract?”
After letting out a sigh, Seo Seyeong asked the rabbit, who now looked like it was facing a trial.
Oh! You’re interested now! Actually, there have been several Constellations who have shown interest in you since earlier! If you wish, we can proceed immediately!
The rabbit clapped its hands together with a bright expression. Its eyes burned with the determination to secure this contract no matter what.
The Bard Who Sang of Rage
The One Who Loves Adventure
The Star That Yearns for Freedom
……
……
A list appeared naturally, just like when she received a quest. Among the names were some that had sponsored her throughout her climb, as well as many unfamiliar Constellations.
These are the Constellations who have shown interest in you, Miss Seo Seyeong! Ah, since you can only contract with one, please choose carefully!
At the rabbit’s explanation, Seo Seyeong quietly read through the list. Dozens of names. Both strange and familiar. Yet none of them felt truly close.
Also, because this place is meant for contracts, the only ones who will know about this contract are the Helper, the player, and the Constellation involved. So you don’t need to worry too much.
After telling her to choose carefully, the rabbit suddenly realized what it had said and added that she didn’t need to worry. But regardless of its reaction, what caught Seo Seyeong’s attention was the rabbit’s earlier statement.
“No other Constellation can see this contract?”
Yes? Ah, yes. Since the contract hasn’t been made yet, that’s correct.
“I see.”
A single thought rose in Seo Seyeong’s mind.
The contract could not be canceled. And the only ones who would know about the contract she made were herself, the Helper, and one single Constellation.
“You’re still a Helper, right? But your Status is already right before becoming a Constellation?”
Yes? Um… that’s true, but why?
“Can I make a contract with you too?”
“…………Huh?”
At her words, the rabbit showed a level of bewilderment it had never displayed before and began to stammer.
I-I’ve never tried it… but it probably wouldn’t… or would it? I’m still a Helper?
The rabbit muttered in a voice laced with strange anticipation. It floated slightly in the air, then descended fully and began spinning around the room. Soon after, it looked at Seo Seyeong with its round, sparkling eyes and shouted in a half-doubting voice.
W-will you contract with me?
Ding.
At that moment, a new message appeared before Seo Seyeong’s eyes.
The Beast with Red Eyes without a Title
“……”
“……”
A long silence followed. The seemingly endless quiet was broken right after the rabbit spoke.
…Why did that work?