Chapter 10: Lightning

The exhilarating feeling of screwing over the terrifying god who had tormented me for three years.

The pleasant sensation of being held by a man I could rely on for the first time.

And the overwhelming ‘ability’ I had never experienced before.

A dreamlike situation, along with a dreamlike, light body.

The moment I closed and opened my eyes….

“You’re back.”

I returned to reality, sitting in the center of the auditorium.

The symbol of my Constellation, which had been drawn in the center, had disappeared.

But the shamaness, who seemed accustomed to this situation, guided me.

“Slowly get up and stretch.”

“Th… thank you….”

My back ached a little, so it seemed I had been sitting on the floor for several hours.

As if reading my mind, the shamaness smiled and told me:

“You were sitting for about three hours.”

“Th… three hours?!”

I quickly took out my phone from my pocket and checked the time. It was past 2 AM.

I hurriedly tidied myself up and bowed to the shamaness.

“Thank you! I’ll be going now!”

“Ah, wait a moment.”

I tried to leave quickly, but the shamaness stopped me.

I looked back at her questioningly, and she smiled and asked an unsettling question.

“If you don’t mind, could you tell me what your Constellation looks like?”

A sudden question.

I didn’t understand why the shamaness was curious.

But somehow… a sense of discomfort rose from deep within my chest.

A feeling of, “Why are you curious about that?”

Perhaps because of that, despite my gratitude, a cold voice escaped my lips.

“…He’s big.”

“I see. If you don’t mind, this little girl has a piece of advice….”

Did she notice my feelings?

I nodded, and the shamaness gave me some advice.

“The Constellations above are great and powerful beings.”

I know that very well.

The ‘Atheist Human’ I just met was incredibly powerful.

“Do you understand how an ant feels?”

“…….”

“Constellations are benevolent, but they are fundamentally different beings from us. Please don’t forget that.”

Without responding, I quickly walked out of the auditorium.

It wasn’t that I didn’t understand the shamaness’s words.

I was also tormented for three years simply because I refused Zeus’s offer and his whim.

Perhaps no one understands the whims of Constellations better than I do.

But is my Constellation the same?

[Atheist Human is worried!]

“Ah…”

As I was walking, one of my legs suddenly turned into red lightning.

I carefully calmed my mind and turned my leg back to normal.

It’s a good ability, but it’s a little hard to control.

[Atheist Human asks if you’re okay.]

“I’m fine….”

After quickly restoring my leg, I stood up and started walking again.

Messages from my Constellation followed me, filled with gentle concern.

This warm person sees me as an ant?

Remembering what happened in the white space.

Because I remembered the warmth I felt then… I didn’t want to believe it.

He’ll answer me clearly if I ask.

To resolve this question, I had to speak.

So I cautiously opened my mouth to ask, but….

“Perhaps…”

I couldn’t continue.

What if he gets angry, thinking I’m getting ahead of myself just because he played along a little?

What if the feelings I felt in the white space were just my imagination?

Thinking that, I changed my question.

“Could I perhaps ask for some advice on my ability?”

I couldn’t sleep anyway.

It’s not something I need to confirm right away, so it’s fine.

If the warmth and consideration I felt were just an illusion….

Yes, if it was an illusion, I wanted to live in that dream a little longer.

[Atheist Human shrugs.]

My Constellation gave me permission.

I quickly headed to the academy gymnasium.

A space where I could freely use my abilities.

[Atheist Human is expectant.]

“Status Window.”

I opened my status window before my lovely Constellation, who seemed expectant.

The status window, accessible only after becoming an Incarnation.

I could finally see my stats for the first time.

Cheok Chaerin (Female) (22)

Strength 16/450 (+0)
Agility 22/550 (+15)
Stamina 19/300 (+0)
Energy 20/400 (+0)
Magic 10/450 (+21)
Dexterity 20/330 (+0)

Excellent stats.

Even though I just became an Incarnation, the training I’d accumulated from the basics.

Thanks to that, my stats were almost twice as high as an average person’s.

Furthermore, there were additional stats from the Lightning ability I received from my Constellation….

[Atheist Human is impressed.]

“Th… thank you!”

I felt like I had been acknowledged by my Constellation.

Putting aside the shamaness’s advice, I felt genuinely happy.

Then I scrolled down the status window to check my abilities.

[SS] Lightning

A simple ability named Lightning.

And it’s an SS-rank ability with no drawbacks!

Just as I was about to rejoice, the name of the ability started to flicker.

The name began to change, as if covered by a mosaic.

[Transforming into an ability suitable for the Incarnation.]

[Atheist Human is flustered.]

So even my Constellation gets flustered.

It’s a surprisingly common occurrence.

“Don’t worry. It’s just transforming to suit my body.”

[Atheist Human is relieved.]

He’s so cute, reacting to every little thing.

Contrary to his robust physique, he has quite a handsome and cute face.

I tried to calm my pounding heart and looked at the changed status window.

[SS] Crimson Lightning Gain the power of crimson lightning.
You can emit lightning and consciously transform parts of your body into lightning.

An ability transformed to fit my talent and aptitude.

Basic training I received during Incarnation training.

Sometimes, when bestowed with a highly versatile ability, the ability transforms to suit the individual.

In game terms, it becomes easier to handle because of some adjustments.

“I’ll try it out.”

[Atheist Human is expectant!]

Perhaps because of the lightning-related ability, my reaction speed and body felt incredibly light.

I really wanted to warm up and test it slowly, but….

Since my Constellation is watching, I have to show him my best.

First, a performance that Zeus’s Incarnations can’t replicate.

I transformed my body into lightning.

“Amazing.”

Since the ability adapted to me, it definitely became easier to control.

I could turn parts of my body, or even my whole body, into lightning.

If I use this well, I can survive any attack.

[Atheist Human praises your control!]

“…Heehee.”

I was praised.

But I wasn’t planning on stopping there.

This ability isn’t just about turning the body into lightning; it can even transform the ‘body’ itself into lightning.

This time, I’ll test its maximum power.

I extended my index finger and concentrated my magic power on its tip.

“…Amazing.”

A ball appeared at the tip of my index finger, emitting threatening red sparks.

I heard that abilities like this have a capacity limit for how much magic power can be infused….

But the ball at my fingertip was absorbing all of my magic power without limit.

Then, a message from my worried Constellation appeared.

[Atheist Human is worried!]

“It’ll be fine!”

This training center can withstand most attacks.

It would take B-rank Incarnations, the elite of the elite, to destroy this place.

Crimson lightning, emitting threatening red sparks, waiting to be released from my fingertip.

For the first time in a long while, I smiled with joy and shouted:

“Lightning Bolt”

My first original special move!

And my first performance to show off my ability to my Constellation.

Crimson lightning, supercharged with my desire for praise, filled my vision.

****

Across the screen.

Cheok Chaerin returned to her room, grumbling.

She looked cute, but I still had to scold her.

“That was too much.”

Just twenty minutes ago.

Despite my warning, Cheok Chaerin fired at maximum output.

And the sturdy windows of the training center, which they boasted so much about, exploded with a thunderous roar.

The Incarnation Academy was naturally in chaos because of the catastrophic noise….

[I’m sorry….]

[Seriously… what kind of Constellation did you contract with?]

“Ehem! I… I shouldn’t be this proud.”

A newly-minted Incarnation destroying the indestructible training center.

An unprecedented situation, with all the windows shattered and the interior scorched black.

In the end, Cheok Chaerin received a light scolding and returned to her room.

I wanted to scold her properly, but….

Cheok Chaerin smiled brightly and asked me:

[Constellation, did I do well? I’ll make sure you don’t regret choosing me.]

“Ugh… how can I scold her like this?”

Cheok Chaerin, brightly seeking praise like a puppy.

Thinking I’d scold her later, I praised her for now.

Her ability control was very skillful, so I have to praise what deserves praise.

Later, as she prepared for bed, Cheok Chaerin casually took off her clothes, which had become dirty from the training center incident, and looked at me through the monitor.

Not with the dead, cold expression from when we first met…

But with a mature and alluring expression, like a fox ready to devour a man.

[Do you want to see more?]

(Censored)

…….

I need to educate her later.

Anyway, after this incident, Cheok Chaerin underwent tests for about a week.

Incarnation trainees can take tests after being chosen to measure their potential.

And Cheok Chaerin….

[I’m amazing, right? Praise me…♡]

Confidently received an S-rank.

In other words, although she starts as an F-rank Incarnation according to regulations, she received the result that she has S-rank potential.

As expected of someone Zeus tried to recruit; she has outstanding talent.

But there was one thing that bothered me.

She’s innocent and cheerful, like a puppy seeking praise, but….

Is it just my imagination that her expression when looking through the screen seems predatory?

****

After Cheok Chaerin’s S-rank potential test, a call icon, like on Discord, appeared on my monitor.

This was clearly a signal to request a conversation with a Constellation through the shamaness.

“Huh? Is it Chaerin?”

For our first meeting, I used a white space created with Artemis’ help.

But since that method consumed items, we just had regular conversations after that.

Especially when there was something praiseworthy, I would reward her with a conversation.

Thanks to that, the shamaness was exhausted every day.

Anyway, I’m now used to conversations with Incarnations, thanks to Cheok Chaerin.

As usual, I clicked the call icon.

[C… Constellation-niiiim…?]

Kang Arin’s voice after a long time.

I was also happy to hear from her, so I answered in a bright voice:

“Kang Arin? Arin?”

[Oh my! Your voice is so nice!]

Kang Arin squealed with excitement.

I rubbed my tingling ears and chuckled awkwardly.

Did she want to talk to me this much?

“How have you been?”

[I’ve been well! I have so much to tell you… but can I ask a question?]

“Of course! Ask anything.”

[Well……]

Arin hesitated for a moment.

She pondered, letting out a low groan, before asking:

[You seem very used to talking with Incarnations?]

….

Why have you also turned predatory?