Chapter 21

I see the scale in balance.

Regarding the time period to return to, I could balance it with the wish token that ‘Time’ gave me.

Apart from how funny the term “wish token” sounds, it was possible because it was a more powerful authority than I expected.

Next to go on the scale was the matter related to changing the Tower’s system.

The key was how much change would be allowed.

“First of all, I want to introduce the Constellation system.”

“Well, let’s put the weight on the scale first?”

‘Time’ smiled slightly and placed a weight on the scale.

The scale immediately tilts.

As expected, it didn’t tilt that much.

“Because you’re using an existing system. This much is definitely within the allowable range.”

“I suppose so.”

“Hehehe. You know me too well. I’m so embarrassed.”

I looked at the girl acting cute with deep contempt.

“This is a reward.”

She then twisted her body even more, saying incomprehensible things.

Looking pitifully at ‘Time’ twisting like a twisted pastry, I opened my mouth.

“In return, we will revoke the Sun’s Tower management authority.”

“Revoke? That’s quite an extreme expression.”

It’s a tone as if she already knows everything. She mutters with a voice full of laughter.

Even though it feels like it’s coming from a speaker.

Your mouth shape doesn’t match what you’re saying. It’s like watching a video with misaligned sync.

Judging from her behavior so far, it’s highly likely she’s doing this on purpose. Because she seems to enjoy making people upset.

“There’s no need to deceive with the strong word ‘revoke’. I wouldn’t be fooled anyway. Right?”

I can see lips holding a sneer.

The corners of her mouth repeatedly go up and down, trying to hold back laughter.

“You’re just lowering the authority by one level. From manager to constellation.”

‘Time’ extends her finger and strokes my cheek lightly.

I shrink at the creepy sensation, and a sneer appears on the girl’s lips. As if she has no intention of hiding it anymore, she was displaying an obvious mockery.

“How cute.”

I pushed ‘Time’s’ shoulder, knocking her away.

The vines move and catch her as she’s pushed.

It’s unpleasant, like watching a well-crafted play.

The unpleasant air that this space itself emits continues to stick to me stickily, tormenting me.

It’s like being trapped in a swamp. With each step, I’m pulled deeper. The mud that digs in, choking my neck, makes it hard to breathe.

I’m not myself anymore. A strange existence filling me up is eroding me.

A feeling like a puppet being dragged along without any will.

“Whew.”

I exhale deeply, trying to erase the suffocation.

“If you know, quickly place the weight.”

As if regretful, the girl licks her lips and places a weight on the scale.

Then the scale easily finds balance.

“How much do you know about the Constellation system?”

“I know as much as I need to.”

“I see. Then let me explain it to you.”

“This is crazy.”

She absolutely does not listen to people’s words.

I don’t understand why she talks so much and why she likes explaining so much.

Was she starved for human interaction?

If I think like that, maybe a bit pitifully…

“Hehehe.”

I didn’t feel that way.

I barely caught hold of the string of reason I almost lost.

I can’t help it because I’d lose if we fought.

I’ve never been pushed back because I was weak, but it’s unspeakably frustrating.

“Listen well, this is advice that will all be beneficial for you.”

“Alright.”

There’s nothing bad about it.

Anyway, I’m not the one holding the key, so there’s nothing to lose by being on her good side.

Plus, I can double-check if the information I know is accurate and possibly gain additional information.

“Constellation ultimately means stars. In that sense, the price you offered is merely a play on words.”

Though she calls it a play on words, she doesn’t appear displeased.

Rather, she’s smiling with satisfaction.

“Because the sun was originally a star. Plus, stars can’t shine in the sky where the sun is. It means that even if you create constellations, they’ll struggle to exert their power under the sun.”

As she presses one side of the scale, it tilts to one side. She sits on the tilted scale and swings her legs.

Physical weight doesn’t matter for judging intangible value.

In the end, it means the scale judged that it’s right for it to go down like that.

“If you think about it, this is correct. The weight should be placed here.”

She speaks as if executing a confirmation kill.

I kept my lips pressed together and couldn’t say anything.

Although I didn’t expect this to happen, it wasn’t a good start since I had to begin the deal at a disadvantage.

“But well, it was fun. I’ll let it slide this time. If you do it again next time, your head will really fly off, okay?”

I got goosebumps at the sight of her making a chopping gesture with her hand and making slicing sounds. Because she really seemed like she would do it.

“May I continue with the explanation?”

As if my answer wasn’t important anyway, she continues the explanation on her own despite not showing much reaction.

“Stars have always been objects of worship. Don’t people commonly call those they look up to, admire, and see as the most shining existences as ‘stars’?”

As such, not anyone can hold the position of a Constellation.

Qualification is needed.

Is there a clear concept that defines oneself?

This is the minimum condition.

The stronger the concept, the higher the status and the greater the amount of power that can be exercised.

Not only the power that the concept holds, but also the sense of connection with it has a significant impact.

“It’s not just that. If you all become Constellations, the trials or rewards you give to players will change accordingly.”

That’s obvious.

When providing trials or rewards, I can’t give what I don’t have.

“The same applies when selecting apostles. You can only admit players whose tendencies match yours.”

“Apostles?”

“It refers to players chosen by Constellations. As apostles become stronger, the amount of power a Constellation can exert will naturally increase.”

After all, they’re sharing the same concept.

Plus, values like fame and belief rise as apostles perform well.

As apostles become stronger, the power of the Constellation also grows. The strengthened Constellation provides more sponsorship to strengthen the apostles. The apostles who receive sponsorship become stronger, and so does the Constellation.

A virtuous cycle is formed.

I could see how incompetent the ‘Tower’ was for not having introduced the Constellation system until now.

Well, I’m not in a position to criticize.

Everyone has their own reverse scale, and for them, that was their reverse scale.

Memories with the original god. They probably didn’t want to carelessly touch the Tower where those memories resided.

I too, have been collecting skill books to the point of obsession until now.

“Being a Constellation can be advantageous for you, but it can also be disadvantageous.”

I know. There’s a reason why the scale didn’t place much weight on the Constellation system.

The greater the return, the greater the risk.

The risk to be borne can only be large.

“If an apostle dies, the power of the Constellation weakens. If too many apostles die, the Constellation itself may perish.”

The shortcut of admitting too many apostles and running them like a factory is impossible.

Because the Tower basically tends to prefer a strong minority over a weak majority.

“Conversely, if no apostles have been admitted for a certain period, the Constellation will be immediately removed.”

This means they’ll also block the method of just gaining power without selecting apostles.

It’s a cruel method.

Constellations can choose players, but conversely, players can also choose Constellations.

If not chosen by anyone, there could be Constellations that perish as soon as they’re born.

For Constellations, players are essential beings, but for players, Constellations are optional beings.

But if you choose too weak a player, your power might only weaken instead.

This means a vicious cycle, not a virtuous one, could be formed.

“And Constellations basically adhere to mysticism. Not only their faces, but even their names won’t be properly displayed. Instead of names, they’ll be named after concepts that represent them. Isn’t it exciting, like a masquerade ball?”

She continues, humming a tune as if she’s really excited.

“Also, you’ll have to do Constellation work while living as an NPC.”

“Why is that?”

“Because the Tower is basically short-handed. It can’t be helped.”

It was a realistic reason, so I had nothing to say.

“Well, the basic explanation seems to be done. If you have detailed specifics or questions, you can refer to this guidebook.”

‘Time’ threw a book in front of me.

Thud!

The book clearly fell, but it made a thud sound. It was a book of enormous thickness.

I think I could be crushed to death under it.

“It was hard to make.”

“You? Personally?”

“Ah, not me, the dwarves.”

That’s more like it.

Still, I should take it if I can.

Before her mind changes, I quickly put the book into my inventory.

It’s my own inventory created by modifying space-related skills. It’s superior in performance compared to what’s provided to players.

It has the advantage of being well preserved, as if time has stopped.

After all, space and time are contiguous concepts.

“So why are you explaining so kindly? This wasn’t your character originally.”

“Because it’s the rule. In a sacred transaction, I cannot tell lies.”

“You can’t tell lies. That doesn’t mean you have to provide information.”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

I wait for the words that will come from ‘Time’s’ mouth.

Then she leaned her face forward and said with a playful smile.

Placing her index finger on her lips, she said this.

“It’s a secret. If I tell you everything, it won’t be fun, will it?”