Chapter 7 – Returning to the Beginning (1)

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[What will you guys do when you get promoted to a true Constellation and get a contractor?]

ㄴ“No matter what, you can’t let your contractor take you lightly. If you get pushed out of the top priority in a one-time contract, you’re just wasting time.”

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‘Don’t let them take you lightly… That’s right. It’s important to push and pull. Make the contractor depend on you, not the other way around.’

Before Serpina was promoted to a Constellation.

While discussing with other Constellations on Fate Road, Serpina made a decision.

She would become a strict, cold, and capable Constellation that contractors would rely on.

When someone who usually doesn’t act a certain way suddenly does, it creates a strong contrast.

Just like how Reina, who thought Serpina was cold and sarcastic, discovered that behind the scenes, Serpina was passionately managing her fan gallery.

And the reverse is also true.

Serpina was shocked by Reina’s unexpected behavior and words, freezing for a moment.

‘Did she eat something wrong?’

Serpina still remembers the first time she met Reina.

How could she forget?

Reina was the first contractor Serpina made after finally becoming a Constellation after long training.

“A Thousand Silver Blades. I want to talk to you.”

“Interesting, speak.”

At the time, Reina, who was much more fragile and unstable than she is now, approached Serpina instead of other Constellations who showed interest in her.

She asked Serpina to take her on.

‘I’ve done it. What if she gets scared and gives up?’

Serpina, as she had planned, acted calm and composed, treating Reina coldly and sarcastically, but inside, she was different.

Listening to Reina’s trembling voice, worried that her plan might fail, Serpina was anxious that her contractor might leave because of her attitude.

“I’ll pass any trial.”

But Reina, filled with determination after her adaptation period, stayed steadfast no matter what Serpina said.

Once the contract was made, the Constellation and the contractor were bound by fate.

That was the biggest reason Serpina became so immersed that she even created Reina’s fan gallery.

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[She’s always bowing and scraping, but it doesn’t seem like she genuinely likes me. She only comes for business and leaves.]

ㄴ“Isn’t that natural? You pushed her away first to maintain your dignity.”

ㄴ“That’s right. Did you think you were going to be friends? But thanks to her doing everything you asked without question, she got strong really fast.”

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Of course, because of that concept, Reina never opened her heart to Serpina beyond a certain point.

A Constellation is just a Constellation, and Reina, who already had a lot on her plate, was satisfied with a purely business relationship and focused her energy elsewhere.

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[Our job is to watch from behind. You know that, right? Over-investing will only hurt you.]

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‘Yeah. I know that very well.’

Serpina sighed softly as she read the comments on her post expressing her regrets.

Still, a part of her couldn’t help but wish that Reina would understand even a little of her feelings and those of the people gathered in this community.

“But…”

But at this moment, part of Serpina’s wish had come true.

“It’s strange. The girl who used to say it wasn’t her fault even if she lost after every failure.”

「Camera activated」

Even in her dazed state, Serpina instinctively activated the camera.

It was an angle looking down at Reina, who was looking up at her.

“I still don’t think I’ve failed any raids because of my own mistakes. It’s just that I realized I’ve rarely expressed gratitude for all I’ve received.”

There was definitely a change in Reina’s attitude.

Serpina’s hand trembled slightly. She was momentarily speechless, her lips twitching.

‘Has she ever smiled at me before?’

Serpina had many photos and videos of Reina smiling, but they were all directed at others.

Remembering how Reina had always bowed her head and spoken stiffly during their sanctuary meetings, Serpina shuddered.

“T-there’s no time for this.”

Serpina quickly snapped out of it and slapped her own cheek.

The time for marveling and being amazed was limited; the opportunity to communicate in the sanctuary wasn’t infinite.

“Listen carefully now! You did well to come down to the 30th floor. I’ll praise you, so don’t worry. I’ll tell you what to do right now.”

Serpina hurriedly opened the community window beside her and began reciting the results of the heated debates among the gallery users.

‘Fortunately, I’ve made a justification.’

Reina, listening with her head bowed, smiled.

Serpina’s words were subject to restrictions, with parts omitted, distorted, or replaced with vague terms.

But to Reina, that no longer mattered.

After all, interpreting and acting on a Constellation’s advice, opinions, and trials was also part of a challenger’s role.

And now, Reina had a way to peek into their true feelings through the fan gallery.

「10 seconds remaining」

“Oh, time’s up. Make sure to come back soon! I have something to give you!”

Serpina hurriedly told Reina to come back soon as the time limit ran out.

She then watched Reina’s retreating back with a nervous expression.

‘How much did she understand? With her Insight stat drastically reduced, the distortion must be severe!’

「Post created, video uploaded」

Despite her worries, Serpina excitedly began writing a post on the community.

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[Have you guys seen this? This is our girl. If you’ve seen it, send donations quickly!] (Reina_Smiling.video)

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Of course, it was the video of her conversation with Reina and her expression of gratitude.

‘If only she had been honest from the start.’

After leaving the sanctuary, a satisfied smile naturally formed on my lips.

Knowing only Serpina’s appearance from the story, I had thought that was her true self.

Worrying about her becoming arrogant… It was just unnecessary worry causing misunderstandings.

“Hehe, it seems your conversation with the Constellation went well.”

At that moment, the branch manager, who had been waiting, cautiously approached.

I didn’t catch it clearly, but I think he mentioned being a politician in Japan before entering the Tower.

He’s definitely skilled at reading the room and seizing opportunities.

“Everyone is curious about your plans. Whether you’ll be acting alone, forming a party, or working with your guild members.”

“My guild members still have a lot to do. They’re not at the level to come down here yet.”

My guild, [Over Moon], was formed around Kim Ji-eun and her connections from the early days.

While most are on the upper floors, only Kim Ji-eun and I have reached the 150th floor, so the others need to focus on climbing.

“So, you’re going alone…”

“I’ll handle it myself.”

I cut him off with a smirk as he tried to gauge my reaction.

Still, as a branch manager, he had access to a lot of information and influence.

It wasn’t impossible for him to push forward challengers connected to him.

While it would be convenient to receive help, I didn’t need it and didn’t want it.

‘Let’s return to the beginning.’

As I left the sanctuary alone, I recalled the first time I came to the 30th floor.

Back then, both I and Kim Ji-eun were much weaker and insignificant. Every moment was a life-or-death struggle.

Although I’ve changed a lot since then, the Tower’s scenery remains the same. It probably always will.

Thanks to that, it wasn’t hard to reminisce about the past while walking to my destination.

‘A pickpocket?’

But perhaps I was too lost in nostalgia and let my guard down. Surprisingly, someone tried to pick my pocket.

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“Huh.”

I clearly saw the back of someone disappearing into the crowd.

Thanks to the sunglasses, cap, and hood I was wearing, the people around me didn’t recognize me.

I wanted that, but I didn’t expect to become a target for crime.

I couldn’t help but think, ‘How dare they?’

‘Well, this place was always like this.’

I let out a bitter laugh.

With a high population density and many naive beginners, the security wasn’t great despite the clean city appearance.

To petty criminals like that, I, who had let my guard down completely after descending to the lower floors, must have been an easy target.

‘Let’s see your face.’

I could’ve reported it to the branch manager and had him catch the thief, or just let them keep the insignificant wallet, but I decided to act myself.

The movement and stealth were clearly beyond that of an ordinary person; they must have been a challenger.

Coincidentally, there were things in the gallery that I couldn’t do alone, and catching this thief might be useful.

‘There.’

The chase wasn’t difficult.

The wallet the thief stole had been with me for a long time, so it still carried a faint trace of my Radiance trait.

I just had to follow that energy.

After putting some distance, the thief must have felt safe and stopped moving. Following the energy, I arrived at a secluded alley between buildings.

Quietly approaching, I saw the back of someone in a hoodie.

The person, holding the wallet they stole from me, was frozen stiff, as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have.

“You must know that the Alliance Council offers rewards for catching criminals like you to maintain order in the Tower. There are even self-proclaimed vigilantes who specialize in hunting criminals.”

I smirked as I saw the person freeze upon seeing my business card.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Thank you for reading.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Reminder that the mc climbed on her own volition, no needing to survive or anything.

Truly, a gamer.