Chapter 20: After that

The brief three-day dungeon trial run had ended.

Since there was no exit in the underground dungeon where we fought, Yui had to use her new ability.

Yui connected black liquid like spiderwebs to climb up to the collapsed cave floor.

I envied her ability, which demonstrated extreme versatility by lifting everyone up.

Normally, at this point, everyone would have been chattering like usual.

‘What a cheat ability.’

‘Ugh, cheater!’

But not now.

The life-threatening monster was gone, and everyone’s heads had cooled down.

We didn’t exchange a single word as we headed outside.

As soon as we left the dungeon, we saw soldiers.

“Good work… You’re injured. The guide…”

“Killed in action.”

“Yes, please accompany us for treatment and investigation.”

We were escorted by the soldiers and investigated at the Incarnation Management Bureau.

The deceased was a veteran, a D-rank Incarnation who had been active for over 22 years.

His death in an F-rank dungeon, meant for beginners, seemed suspicious.

After receiving professional treatment, we diligently cooperated with the investigation.

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

We each gave separate statements, and since it was something we actually experienced, our accounts naturally matched.

Furthermore, there was testimony from my lovely Constellation and the highly credible [Hunter of the Moon].

They released us, leaving only the question of the purple eyes in the cave.

After several days of investigation by the Incarnation Management Bureau, the dungeon trial run party gathered.

A career woman bowed her head, thanking us for our cooperation.

“You may go home now.”

“Is it over?”

“Yes.”

And so, we returned to our daily lives as if nothing had happened.

In our hands was a newspaper published during the investigation period.

It was full of praise for the super rookies, four F-rank Incarnations who had just become Incarnations, for defeating a B-rank monster.

However, there wasn’t a single line about Mister Oh-ho-ho.

The only trace of him was in the mission report….

[D-Rank Hunter – Deceased]

Just one line.

We didn’t try to find out Mister Oh-ho-ho’s name, as per his last wish.

We didn’t even try to deliver the news of his death to his family.

We were practically the ones who killed him, and we didn’t have the courage to face them.

Just as Mister Oh-ho-ho had said, we endured the memories and returned to our daily lives.

Nothing had changed.

I returned to the academy with Ham Yui, and I just had to diligently attend classes as usual.

Just that day, the number of deceased Incarnations written in the newspaper…

A number that would have just passed by in daily life, before I became an Incarnation.

It seemed heavier today.

****

My plan succeeded.

The reason Kang Arin’s group was defeated by the monster was simple.

It was a party formed for exploration and experience, so there was no support.

And with the tank gone, the four damage dealers had to face it alone.

So I contracted with Ham Yui and gave her the Fluid ability.

An ability within the Nature power that I had also given to Cheok Chaerin.

As I expected, it was an ability that perfectly suited her, with her excellent dexterity and quick wit.

Ham Yui excellently fulfilled the role of utility tank and seized victory.

And the moment the breath left the middle-aged man who laughed “Oh ho ho”….

[The Incarnations’ achievements shine. Receive 500,000 coins as a reward.]

I was rewarded for the achievement of F-ranks defeating a B-rank.

Then, upon clearing the dungeon, additional rewards came in.

[Incarnation Kang Arin has cleared the dungeon. Receive 500 coins.]

[Incarnation Cheok Chaerin has cleared the dungeon. Receive 500 coins.]

[Incarnation Ham Yui has cleared the dungeon. Receive 500 coins.]

Rewards for clearing the dungeon.

Since it was an easy dungeon, the coins weren’t much.

If it were the usual me, I would have danced with joy, happy to have more money to sponsor Arin.

But now, I didn’t feel even a shred of joy.

What’s important now isn’t just coins.

“…….”

I looked at the reflection of the deceased middle-aged man in the lake.

A head so twisted and horribly transformed that it was hard to believe it was human.

I stared at it for as long as I could.

I felt pity for him.

I don’t know his identity, but his death was due to the machinations of some god… or a transcendent being.

And amidst all that, his consideration for my Incarnations… he was an ideal human being.

But despite my pity, I couldn’t intervene.

The purple eyes, whose identity I couldn’t even guess, had intervened, and the judgment had become lenient.

Even just breaking the floor and buying them a little time had resulted in a warning.

If I resurrected that man from death, I would surely be expelled or receive a fatal penalty.

There was nothing I could do but watch.

I just wanted to burn his final appearance into my memory.

“Hurry up and change the view.”

Then, Aphrodite brushed past me and immediately changed the view reflected in the lake.

My face contorted with anger for a moment, but she looked at me with an expression of incomprehension.

“Why? Huh?”

The goddess of beauty tilted her head with a beautiful face.

Then, as if she had realized something, she smiled brightly and told me:

“Aha! You’re surprisingly sentimental~”

“…….”

“But don’t look for too long! If you do, you’ll end up crying your eyes out or struggling when you’re alone, and the impact will be ruined. Don’t look at the ugly parts; it’s best to leave it as a beautiful memory.”

She kindly advised me.

A person had died, but she sounded like she was sharing tips on how to watch a movie.

A god who just enjoys watching tragedies unfold, as if watching a movie.

I repeat, she may look human, but she wasn’t human.

“That kind of story is good, but what about the story of a girl who lived steadfastly despite having her eyes gouged out and being sold around? Though the ending where she dies in vain from syphilis is a bit disappointing.”

“…….”

“Ah? Sad human stories aren’t your taste? If you like sentimental stories, I’ll make time for you anytime and tell you some ♡ I’ve seen many humans so far!”

My chest grew hot, and my body tensed, but I barely suppressed my anger and let out a sigh.

It’s disgusting, but in her own way, it’s probably common sense and a gesture of goodwill towards me.

Like a cat bringing a dirty mouse as a gift.

We just live in different worlds, and our common sense is different.

The Gods’ Exchange Meeting is approaching soon, so I should probably practice controlling my temper.

There will be many gods like Aphrodite there.

Or maybe even gods who are so depraved that she seems tame in comparison.

But I have to endure.

Surely, the time will come when I can let it all out.

“I’m going back now.”

I’ve seen all I needed to see.

I have to explain things to Arin and Chaerin, but I also received advice on increasing the number of Incarnations.

And since the Incarnations have returned safely, there’s no need to drag things out any longer.

Just as I was about to turn and leave, Artemis, who had been watching me, stopped me.

“Hey…!”

“I haven’t forgotten about the Exchange Meeting.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

What is it?

Is there still something to talk about?

As I was wondering, Artemis said to me with a serious face:

“Give me back Ham Yui…!!”

Ah, that’s it?

I did say it with the ‘nuance’ of borrowing her for a while and returning her.

I looked back at Artemis with a serious face and said, placing my hand on my forehead…

“It’s time to walk my pebble. I’m late, so I’ll go first!”

“You bastard!!!”

I teleported back to my room.

Artemis’s scream echoed, but whatever.

I’m willing to release Ham Yui anytime she wants, but only when she wants to.

And most importantly…

Isn’t it the fault of the one who lost her?

My stress was relieved a little.

****

After that, I diligently fulfilled my role for several days.

Monitoring Kang Arin, Cheok Chaerin, and Ham Yui and talking to them.

Counseling was added after the dungeon incident, but I managed to handle everything.

First, Kang Arin.

She returned to the Incarnation Academy and was diligently growing stronger.

Thanks to her ability, she achieved the best results whenever she entered training.

Of course, she was really bad at studying, so she remained in second place overall.

[Constellation-nim! Good morning. There’s something I don’t understand….]

“That’s very easy if you apply quantum mechanics.”

[…That’s too difficult.]

“I understood it when I was in middle school.”

[…….]

I gave her tips on problems she didn’t understand, taught her how to write basic reports, and tutored her.

And I also counseled her about what happened in the dungeon that day.

[It’s because I’m weak. If I had worked harder and become stronger during my trainee days…]

Kang Arin’s self-blame.

She was pushing herself too hard.

I did my best to console and encourage her in a standard way.

Honestly, it’s a bit annoying.

I’ve lived in a much harsher world, where people died left and right all the time.

So the thought, “Just that? Is that all?” kept creeping into my mind….

But still, it was much better than talking to an unpleasant god wearing a human mask.

[I’m sorry for talking for so long.]

“No, it’s fine.”

[Next time, I hope I can talk to you face-to-face, like Unni Chaerin….]

“That was something I got from another Constellation… I mean, I used something I got from them. I’ll do it next time if I get the chance.”

The way she suffered and felt pain even from small or brief connections was very ‘human.’

Despite such incidents, Kang Arin will not break down and will continue to grow stronger.

[I’ll do my best!]

Next was Cheok Chaerin.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be too shocked by her comrade’s death.

[I learned a lot from theory for three years. That anyone can die in vain like an insect, anytime, anywhere.]

“I see.”

[It’s confusing since it’s my first time experiencing it, but since it was a brief connection, I decided not to dwell on it too much.]

She showed a similar disposition to me.

And I asked about her recent activities.

[Haven’t you been watching me all along? Don’t tell me, you’ve been watching Arin a little… more… hic, a lot….]

“No! That’s not it, I was just wondering if I missed anything!”

As soon as her voice turned gloomy, I immediately explained.

No, why is her mental state so weak in these situations?

As if convinced by my words, she immediately explained in a bright voice.

[Four F-ranks defeated a B-rank monster. And I played the biggest role among them. At least, that’s what’s recorded in my portfolio.]

“I suppose so.”

[Perhaps because of that, I received a good offer.]

An offer?

This is the first I’ve heard of it.

[I’ve been granted access to the ‘Tower of Babel,’ which is expected to appear in a few weeks, although I’ll be in the third tier.]

The Tower of Babel….

I learned about it while watching Kang Arin and Ham Yui’s classes.

Once a year, giant Towers of Babel appear all over the world.

The higher you climb, the more valuable treasures and monster parts appear.

Literally, it’s the perfect place for Incarnations to strike it rich.

However, the difficulty increases exponentially as you climb higher.

Because of that, it’s also used to measure combat power…

So, large corporations with many Incarnations or elite teams challenge it.

However, the entry conditions are strict to prevent people from dying in vain….

“Where did the offer come from?”

[A place called Wei.]

According to Cheok Chaerin, it’s the fourth-largest corporation in South Korea.

They started as a small, elite group, but now they seem to be frequently recruiting new employees to expand their size.

So, if they see a promising talent, they recruit them immediately, and if they’re useful, they hire them.

Or they help them transfer to other companies and earn money that way….

“Is it good?”

[At least it’s the best portfolio.]

“Well, I suppose so.”

Experience on a big stage is very valuable…

Besides, it’s not like she’s being hired; she’s just a temporary intern, so it’s not something to get overly excited about.

It seems Cheok Chaerin has seized a good opportunity.

After talking a bit more, it was time to say goodbye.

“Then I’ll get going. Good luck.”

[Yes. But Constellation-nim….]

“Yeah?”

Cheok Chaerin hesitated for a moment.

Then, like ASMR, she whispered in a sweet voice that tickled my ear.

[I love you ♡]

And then she immediately ran away.

Seriously, why is such an affectionate girl so cold to others?

Still, it’s admirable how she’s overcoming things on her own and seizing opportunities to make her own way.

She feels like a reliable older sister.

Finally, Ham Yui.

I asked her first.

“Hey, Yui.”

[I still haven’t acknowledged you as my Constellation. Please refrain from calling me so often.]

Ham Yui put up a defensive wall.

I sighed and said:

“I’ll terminate the contract if you want. Go back now….”

[Oh, I seem to have trouble hearing because I took some cold medicine. Let’s talk next time.]

And she ran away like that.

She says she wants to go back to Artemis, but her body is honest.

I think her stubborn pride is cute.

Anyway, that’s it for my role today.

I looked away from the monitor and leaned back in my chair.

“Phew…”

Although the weak-hearted Kang Arin is wavering, she’s using even that as a driving force for growth.

Cheok Chaerin was excellently paving her own path, and Ham Yui is a model student, so there’s no need to watch over her.

After checking on all my Incarnations, I checked the date displayed on the computer.

May 10th.

The day I promised Arte… no, my wallet.

“Shall we get going?”

I got up from my chair and headed towards the door.

I attached the invitation she gave me to the door, and it emitted a bright light before calming down.

Surely, a new space will appear when I open the door now.

A place where numerous Constellations gather.

A place filled with the beings I hate most.

“To the Gods’ Exchange Meeting.”

I opened the door.

It’s time to face the gods of this world.