Ch.8585. Groundwork

I returned countless worlds and drove out countless constellations.

In this vast universe, there existed a disgusting number of constellations.

Detestable beings, each with their own ambitions, violating themselves as they pleased and hoping to exert absolute power.

‘Farewell.’

“Argh…! I will curse you for the rest of my life…!”

‘I wish you luck.’

The number of constellations I’ve driven out is too many to count.

Villains.

This is the fate of those who tried desperately to leave their mark on this world.

Of course, there was no way for them to find this place again.

Because in this vast universe, it’s incredibly difficult to find a planet that’s merely a speck of dust.

The Incarnation of Dianon observed the constellation that was playing the role of the absolute being in this generation.

“How fascinating.”

His existence was special even among constellations.

Some constellations caused Dungeon Breaks everywhere, claiming they were creating a righteous world.

Others activated the “Madness” debuff across the entire world, saying they would change the nature of the weak inhabitants.

That was the current position of the constellations.

For them, this world was nothing more than a toy to briefly alleviate their boredom.

Once, he thought he was no different from the other constellations.

Creatures who greedily sought power and struggled for their own wealth and authority.

‘Want to be friends?’

But that thought began to crack when he saw him tormenting one constellation relentlessly.

‘…What’s this?’

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: S-stop…! Stop it, I said!」

“Say you’re sorry.”

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: That’s…!」

“Oh? You won’t say it?”

The sight of the absolute being, smiling like the embodiment of evil itself, pouring curses upon the other faction.

A constellation tormenting another constellation.

At such an outrageous act, the Incarnation of Dianon began to pay attention to the absolute being’s actions.

Not content with just humiliating constellations, he made them his subordinates, and even used his own believers as bait to bring despair to other constellations.

If it had stopped there, he would have remained the essence of a constellation as the Incarnation of Dianon knew them.

“Good work.”

“O-oh, Father God…!”

But when he saw him bestowing high-level blessings generously upon his believers, his calm thoughts became noisy again.

‘…What on earth.’

He hates higher beings and shows mercy to those beneath him.

Isn’t something backward here?

They lived and died by their status.

Rather than showing familiarity to fellow constellations, how could he approach such low-ranking beings like that?

“Absolute one.”

The Incarnation of Dianon was truly curious about what he held inside.

He had become the strongest constellation in the world, yet desired nothing.

He didn’t try to exploit the world, nor did he try to exercise his absolute power.

Just like in the beginning—

He simply returned to his original purpose, organizing his religious order and managing his believers.

‘What exactly is his goal?’

What is he looking at?

Being a constellation himself, why does he so intensely hate other constellations?

The more interest he took, the more new elements continuously leaked out.

“Oh, are you worried about me?”

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: I-it’s just…! If something happens to the absolute being, we’ll be in danger too…!」

And after time passed, the Incarnation of Dianon couldn’t believe his eyes.

‘Th-that.’

Where was the Incarnation of the Black Sun who had initially struggled and resisted desperately—

Instead, he discovered a constellation unlike any other, pretending not to care while secretly giving meaningful glances to the absolute being.

‘…Mental manipulation? Brainwashing? H-how?’

How could someone reduce a constellation to such a state?

After overturning the world so many times, this was the first time he had encountered such a phenomenon.

—Shiver!

An inexplicable chill ran through the Incarnation of Dianon.

In the eyes of Black Sun looking at the absolute being, there were various emotions that no one dared to approach.

Resentment, concern, affection…

Affection?

There was no mistake.

The Incarnation of the Black Sun was clearly conscious of the absolute being.

A gaze not looking at an enemy, but at a companion with whom to build a future.

‘…The stars.’

The stars that made up the Incarnation of the Black Sun resonated in response to the absolute being.

‘…Could I end up like that too?’

—Gulp.

Black Sun looked happy.

Though he didn’t show it outwardly, from experience, he could tell.

When facing the absolute being, that constellation felt emotions deep inside that even he himself didn’t recognize.

‘…Is it that good?’

As time passed, the Incarnation of Dianon’s curiosity only grew deeper.

#

“You came?”

After a brief loading period, the attitude of the Incarnation of Dianon who greeted me was truly irritating.

With a grin on her face as if something was so pleasing.

She met my eyes with a gaze full of some inexplicable expectation.

“You look very comfortable.”

“Composure is the basic posture of a constellation.”

“You’re a constellation?”

“Of course.”

I looked at her with suspicious eyes.

In fact, I’m not sure if she’s a constellation or not.

While other constellations originate from the universe, the Incarnation of Dianon would have been a native presence here from the beginning.

That means her fundamental origin is different.

“You said we had work to do.”

“Yes.”

“I’m already busy, but I came because someone was rushing me. To work.”

The management of the religious order wasn’t complete yet.

But the world wouldn’t leave me alone.

I needed to know what these Past Remnants were up to.

“So spill it.”

“I don’t know either. Who they are.”

“…”

A moment of silence passed.

“Are you joking?”

“No, no, I really don’t know. I know something came along from the previous cycle, but I failed to identify what it was.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?”

“Help me.”

She’s incredibly shameless.

If I’ve swallowed my pride and reached out, she should at least handle her own problems.

“You’re the master of this world, and you don’t know what’s on your own body?”

“That’s a bit crude… Anyway, they must have used some trick. Otherwise, they couldn’t have hidden themselves.”

“Why did you let them slip away?”

“Well, constellations always have their ingenious methods.”

“…”

I couldn’t argue because it was true.

These unpredictable bastards.

How can their very existence be so annoying and irritating?

“So these bastards are constellations?”

“Well… that’s probably highly likely. If they were life forms born and raised on my land, they would have disappeared during the reset.”

I think so too.

Then I should proceed assuming we’re dealing with constellations.

“First, we need to draw them out.”

“Exactly! That’s why I was looking for you.”

The Incarnation of Dianon jumped up and down in affirmation as if completely relieved.

—Bounce, bounce.

Deliberately ignoring the weight that was eagerly asserting its presence, I decided to talk about the work I had been preparing.

“I’m gathering the necessary forces, so our religious order will take care of the preparations.”

“Okay.”

“…What do you think they want?”

They must have a terrible hatred and resentment toward the Incarnation of Dianon.

Not only did she destroy the world they were enjoying, but their cherished religious orders were completely wiped out too.

If I tried to understand their feelings, it wouldn’t be difficult.

It’s like those damn bugs I experienced many times in the game.

‘Wait a minute.’

Now that I think about it, was it really a bug?

In the end, it was all this bitch’s reset game.

‘Damn it.’

Forcibly suppressing the uncomfortable feelings, I reconsidered my thoughts.

First, we need to put out the urgent fire.

To my question about what they want:

“Hmm… my life?”

The Incarnation of Dianon gave such a shameless answer.

It’s annoying but probably true.

With everything already gone, they wouldn’t have followed to this world unless driven by revenge.

“But we don’t know how many of them there are, and unless they’re fools, they won’t come out openly.”

“Why do you think that?”

“If it gets dangerous, they can just reset again and start the next world.”

“Damn it, the way you talk.”

What exactly is in this bitch’s head?

Apart from everything else, does she even enjoy living?

It’s wrong of me to try to understand a constellation’s mind, but the being in front of me had truly dangerous ideas.

“But since the absolute being seems to dislike it, I’ll ‘really try’ not to go as far as a reset.”

“…”

“So, to continue what we were saying.”

These Past Remnants from the past want the life of the Incarnation of Dianon.

But they’re not stupid enough to act openly and are waiting for the right moment.

“Then we should throw out bait first.”

I gave the most clear-cut answer.

“…Bait?”

“I’m familiar with it. I’ve done it a few times.”

“Ah… that thing from before.”

“You know about it?”

“Yes. I’ve been watching all of the absolute being’s activities.”

A statement that causes discomfort.

I wonder how long she’s been monitoring me.

‘She was watching.’

The Past Remnants, just like her now, must be waiting for the right moment to appear in this world.

“An alternate identity.”

“…What?”

Fortunately, I had the perfect identity to use as a mask.

Black Abyss.

A new identity created by mixing my Divine Power with that of Black Sun and Star Child.

If I add the power of the Source of the World to this, wouldn’t it be irresistible bait from their perspective?

“You created… new Divine Power? How?”

“I just did it and it worked.”

“…”

I decided to get started on the work immediately.