Episode 6
#6
I Sina and I Hayun stared at the message window floating before them with bewildered faces.
[The Constellation Frost Sentinel proposes a contract.]
[The Constellation Snake That Paints Death proposes a contract.]
“Wh-what on earth is this?”
“A contract?”
I Sina felt as if the world had become a bewildering kaleidoscope, wondering if she was now seeing things.
Of course, if she were the only one seeing it, she wouldn’t know, but since Hayun could see it too, it probably wasn’t an illusion.
“What kind of contract do you think they’re talking about? Unni?”
“I wonder? What on earth is a Constellation?”
[The Constellation Frost Sentinel says they are gods.]
“Huh? Gods?”
[The Constellation Snake That Paints Death says that if you form a contract with them, they will keep you safe from monsters.]
The beings called Constellations were claiming to be gods.
Then, struck by a sudden thought, I Sina opened her mouth.
“Ah, then did you gods save us from the situation just now?”
[The Constellation Snake That Paints Death says that is correct.]
[The Constellation Frost Sentinel says they resolved it.]
At those words, I Sina immediately bowed her head and expressed her gratitude.
“Th-thank you. For saving us.”
“Thank you.”
When I Sina bowed her head, Hayun also followed her sister’s lead, bowing and expressing thanks.
Meanwhile, I, who was watching that scene, was dumbfounded.
‘What a sight…...’
It was truly an incomparably shameless spectacle.
Well, their goal was to form a contract by any means necessary, so they would say anything, but still.
I could no longer stand watching and cut in between them.
[■■■ says they must not form a contract with them.]
“Huh……? Unni, another message came.”
“Y-yeah. I see it too.”
Another sudden message from someone else.
Unlike the first messages, this one had no name.
However, the nameless message seemed desperately determined to dissuade them from their choice.
[■■■ says they are ■■■.]
[■■■ says they absolutely must not form a contract with them.]
“Huh?”
“Unni, this person is telling us not to form a contract?”
“Y-yeah.”
The two looked at the message windows with slightly troubled faces for a moment.
And at the next words, they couldn’t help but flinch in surprise.
[■■■ says it was not them who saved you.]
“Huh?”
“It wasn’t them?”
Their expressions changed to confusion.
At the same time, the two Constellations who heard my words began to get angry.
[The Constellation Snake That Paints Death flies into a rage and asks who you are.]
[The Constellation Frost Sentinel leaps up and shouts.]
“Uh, uhm, well…….”
I Sina was nothing but flustered by the two Constellations’ reactions.
Well, they were running a scam, so of course they’d get angry when some nameless nobody interfered.
I had no intention of getting along with them anyway, so I ignored them and spoke to I Sina.
[■■■ says to ignore what those two are saying.]
[■■■ says they are Constellations who came to do you harm anyway.]
[The Constellation Snake That Paints Death asks who you are.]
[The Constellation Frost Sentinel shouts to reveal your identity.]
“Uhm…….”
“Unni, what on earth is this?”
“Y-yeah?”
The two merely stared blankly at the rising notification windows for a moment.
However, there was one thing they seemed to understand.
That someone nameless called ■■■ had helped them.
I Sina looked at the rising notification windows for a moment and then opened her mouth.
“Uhm…… who are you?”
* * *
“Huh?”
Meanwhile, Han Cheol made a puzzled face at I Sina’s question.
He had definitely revealed his name when sending the message, so why couldn’t she recognize it?
Noah answered that question.
[Master, I arbitrarily concealed Master’s real name.]
“Huh? Why?”
[Because I judged that revealing Master’s name to Constellations belonging to the evil gods would be dangerous.]
“Oh…… well, I suppose that makes sense?”
They were beings belonging to evil gods, not good ones.
The moment they learned his name and identity, they would definitely try some scheme or another.
Chiefly, they would command the human they contracted with, or worse, even contract with a demon beast, trying by whatever means to kill the human who had offended them.
Of course, they probably wouldn’t resort to the latter unless absolutely necessary.
They had pride too, so surely they wouldn’t form a contract with demon beasts.
Anyway, for now, it was the right decision not to reveal his name.
“Alright, keep hiding my name.”
[Understood. Shall I resume message transmission?]
“Yeah, continue.”
But wait?
Since his name was hidden anyway, couldn’t he just say whatever he wanted?
At that sudden thought, he smirked and sent the message again.
* * *
[The Constellation Snake That Paints Death shouts to reveal your identity.]
[The Constellation Frost Sentinel gnashes their teeth.]
The two evil gods were sending messages as if extremely angry.
They seemed thoroughly furious.
Well, some nameless nobody who rolled in from nowhere had interfered with their amusement, so reacting that way was natural.
Not that there was anything they could do to me.
I opened my mouth toward them with as much arrogance as possible.
[■■■ says they are not a being whom the likes of you may dare address.]
[The Constellation Snake That Paints Death lets out a ferocious roar.]
[The Constellation Frost Sentinel narrows their brow and shouts, asking what the likes of you are.]
Naturally, the two Constellations grew even angrier at my words and began to rage.
Well, this much was an expected reaction.
Indeed, who would believe some nameless nobody claiming to be a Constellation of higher rank than them?
However, I knew a way to make them shut their mouths.
I spoke to the two of them.
[■■■ rebukes them, saying Tankinas cannot manage his subordinates.]
Those words were the beginning.
[The Constellation Snake That Paints Death drops its jaw.]
[The Constellation Frost Sentinel’s eyes widen greatly.]
The two Constellations began to be astonished at my words.
The words that followed next were incomparably cautious.
[The Constellation Snake That Paints Death cautiously asks if perhaps you are a superior.]
[The Constellation Frost Sentinel asks, excuse me, but what might your name be?]
Their reactions were natural.
I had spoken the name of the one they served.
And not a hidden name in metaphorical expression, but the true name.
Speaking the true name so openly essentially meant that one was a Constellation of higher rank than the bearer of that true name—there was hardly any other interpretation.
Therefore, they would be under the misunderstanding.
That I was a Constellation possessing a higher rank than the one they followed.
I spoke to them once more.
[■■■ says this is a final warning.]
[■■■ says to leave this place.]
[■■■ says if they violate this warning, they will come for them.]
Those were the last words.
No more messages appeared from the Snake That Paints Death or the Frost Sentinel.
They had fled.
* * *
“Uhm, excuse me…….”
After the situation ended, I Sina cautiously opened her mouth.
I spoke to that I Sina.
[■■■ says you must not recklessly form contracts with Constellations.]
[■■■ says there are also those among Constellations who approach with ill intent.]
“Ah, I see.”
At my words, I Sina nodded as if she understood.
Soon after, I Sina cautiously opened her mouth to me.
“Then uhm…… were you the god who saved us from the situation earlier?”
[■■■ says that is correct.]
“Ah! Thank you so much for saving us.”
“Thank you!”
At my answer, I Sina and I Hayun bowed their heads deeply and expressed their gratitude.
Seeing that, I showed a faint smile and thought.
‘But I’m more worried…….’
The situation had been resolved somehow, but he felt a bit worried leaving them like this.
Because there was no guarantee that another demon beast attack like the one just now wouldn’t happen.
Since they were at least acquaintances, he wanted to help them a little.
I asked Noah.
“Noah, is there anything useful in the shop?”
[The shop sells not only weapons but also useful items necessary for survival. If you look carefully, you should be able to find the item Master desires.]
“Alright, let’s check. Open the list for me.”
[Generating list.]
Along with Noah’s words, a shop list appeared before my eyes.
{Purchase}
[Dagger 100 points]
[Longsword 500 points]
[Mana Dagger 500 points]
[Mana Longsword 1,000 points]
[Mana Pistol 1,500 points]
[Mana Rifle 3,000 points]
[Attribute Sword 2,000 points]
[Attribute Magic Bullet Gun Blueshot 4,000 points]
.
.
.
Afterward, I scrolled through the list looking for decent items.
Then one item caught my eye.
[Low-grade Portable Barrier Deployment Device 5,000 points]
[Mid-grade Portable Barrier Deployment Device 15,000 points]
[High-grade Portable Barrier Deployment Device 30,000 points]
Portable Barrier Deployment Device?
This was an item he had never seen even in the game.
It seemed to be a special product sold only in the Sky Island.
He had checked earlier and confirmed that the Sky Island’s shop function sold items never seen in the shop system run by Constellations.
But was this perhaps similar to the protective barrier surrounding the Sky Island?
I immediately asked Noah.
“Noah, what is this?”
[The Portable Barrier Deployment Device is a protective barrier deployment device designed to be easily carried. If Master returns to the surface and goes out on schedule, I strongly recommend carrying it. Additionally, the barrier’s area, durability, and performance vary by grade.]
“How many grades can the low-grade one withstand?”
[It can withstand up to 6th-grade demon beasts.]
A portable barrier device that could withstand the power of 6th-grade demon beasts…….
There was no doubt this was exactly what they needed most right now.
I immediately purchased the Low-grade Portable Barrier Deployment Device.
[Beginning item creation.]
[Crafting time required (00:20:00)]
[5,000 points consumed.]
After consuming 5,000 points, item crafting began.
The crafting time was 20 minutes.
While the item was being crafted, I decided to get them some food to eat.
A few simple fruits should be fine.
I bought a few fruits from the cafeteria and asked Tia.
* * *
[Beep!]
“Ah, she brought them.”
After 20 minutes passed, hearing Tia’s voice, I could tell that Tia had brought the fruits and the item.
I immediately spoke to Noah.
“Noah.”
[Yes, Master.]
“Move the item and the fruits to the cafe.”
[Understood.]
At the same time as Noah’s words, my gaze turned back to the cafe.
However, I was able to see a somewhat wondrous sight.
“Wow…….”
“What is this, Unni?”
Suddenly, brilliant light pierced through the ceiling and descended upon the desk where they were sitting. At the same time, through that light, water and fruits and a flat, circular mechanical device of unknown identity moved onto the desk.
The two looked at the food and item moved onto the desk with puzzled faces for a moment, and I spoke to them.
[■■■ says they are the one who gave these.]
“Ah! Th-thank you so much, God!”
“Thank you!”
They were sisters expressing gratitude with bright faces.
At that sight, I smiled faintly and continued.
[■■■ tells them to try using the item.]
“Huh? The item? Do you mean this?”
At my words, I Sina picked up the circular item on the desk and opened her mouth.
I answered I Sina’s words and spoke.
[■■■ says that is correct.]
[■■■ explains to place the device in the center of the cafe and press the button in the center of the device.]
“Uhm, you’re telling me to press the blue button in the center?”
[■■■ answers that is correct.]
I Sina placed the device in the center of the cafe as ■■■ said, and clicked the button in the center of the device. At that moment, a blue circular membrane emerged from the device, brushed past I Sina and I Hayun, and began expanding in size.
The membrane expanded past the cafe walls, and at some point, a transparent protective barrier that enveloped the entire building was created.
Of course, being inside the cafe and unable to know the outside situation, the two merely made puzzled expressions.
Then I opened my mouth again.
[■■■ says it is safe now, so rest easy.]
“Ah, it’s safe?”
[■■■ answers that it is.]
“Uhm…… what is this?”
I Hayun opened her mouth with a puzzled face.
I kindly informed that Hayun.
[■■■ simply explains that it is a protective shield that protects the building from demon beasts.]
“Ah! A protective shield! Like the ones that appear in games?”
[■■■ answers that is correct and recommends going outside to see.]
“Go outside?”
I Sina and I Hayun made reluctant expressions at those words.
They were grateful for the help, but leaving recklessly by removing the barricade they had made from desks was dangerous.
To be more precise, while they were grateful for the food, blindly believing ■■■’s words was too risky.
Because I understood their feelings, I continued.
[■■■ recommends that if so, they should tear off the newspaper stuck to the glass and check outside.]
“Ah! Yes. We’ll do that.”
Yes, tearing off a bit of newspaper to check outside was fine.
I Sina immediately approached the window covered with newspaper.
She tore a small hole in the newspaper and checked outside.
The moment she checked the outside situation like that, I Sina’s eyes went wide.
“!?”
“Unni, what’s wrong?”
“Uhm…… there’s some kind of transparent membrane outside?”
“Ah! That must be the protective shield, Unni! Then are we safe now?”
[■■■ answers that is so.]
[■■■ says to sleep well today.]
[■■■ says to tell them if there is anything lacking.]
“Ah, well…… this is more than enough. And truly, thank you.”
“Thank you! God.”
I Sina bowed her head with slightly teary eyes, and I Hayun conveyed her gratitude with a bright smile.
Rather than that, a god…… those two earlier too, it seemed they were misunderstanding me as a Constellation because of this function.
Well, such functions were the exclusive domain of Constellations.
I too merely found it amazing that such things were possible.
‘Well then.’
This should be enough, right?
There was no need for me to watch over them; the protective barrier would keep them safe.
I ended the exploration function with peace of mind.
After ending the exploration function, I checked the points that appeared before my eyes.
‘Now, what should I do?’
[40,500 points]
40,500 points.
An incomparable amount of points had gathered compared to a few hours ago.
Now it was time to think about how to use them.