Constellation Selection
[The tutorial has ended.]
[Congratulations, Player, for clearing Floor 0!]
[Beginning the awakening process…]
The world around the trio dissolved, pixel by pixel, disintegrating like sand in the wind. In its place, a vast grassland unfurled, stretching endlessly in every direction.
The landscape was bathed in a soft, glowing light as if the sun were shining—but when they looked up, there was no sun.
Instead, a star-filled sky hung overhead, countless stars twinkling and pulsing, casting a silvery glow over the bright, open plain.
The contrast between the radiant land and the shimmering night above was surreal, almost dreamlike.
[A few constellations are looking at you.]
[The constellations are yawning after looking at your stats.]
A voice rang out in Julien, Jackie, and Amelia's head and a system window displayed the message in front of their eyes.
"What's happening…" Julien was so confused.
"Constellation selection." Amelia answered. "The Gods and Demigods that are interested in us would offer a contract. Accepting it would result in—"
*RUMBLE—!* *RUMBLE—!*
A loud thunder interrupted Amelia's explanation and made the trio look up in the sky.
Amidst the vast starry sky, a crimson brilliance thundered and spread onto the canvas of space like a droplet of ink dropped in water.
[The constellation 'Heir to the Crimson Throne' has set his eyes on you.]
[Many constellations are holding their breath and turning away.]
"Master…" Amelia and Jackie held Julien's sleeves and called out.
Something wasn't right.
*RUMBLE—!* *RUMBLE—!*
*BOOM—!*
Crimson thunder roared in the skies and lightning destroyed the stars in its path.
[The constellations belonging to Thaldranor are struck by the fury of 'Heir to the Crimson Throne'. The constellations of this domain have withdrawn their contracts in fear.]
*BOOM—!*
With another lightning strike tearing through the void of space, everything around Julien and his teammates was bathed in a deep, ominous red. It was as if doomsday had descended upon them, and everything was coming to an end.
[The constellation 'Heir to the Crimson Throne' roars at the heavens and is descending from his domain Thaldranor.]
In the void above, a deafening crack split the space, and a red vortex began to swirl open.
[The constellation 'Heir to the Crimson Throne' has caused a rift in space and is making an appearance in the dimension • • •.]
[Constellations from various domains are eyeing the Heir to the Crimson Throne's movement.]
[Constellations from various domains are complaining about the sanctity of the awakening process being compromised due to the constellation Heir to the Crimson Throne's interference.]
Multiple system messages rang out in Julien, Jackie, and Amelia's heads while the same was being displayed in front of their eyes.
They had no clue what they must do and were helplessly staring at the skies, like frogs at the bottom of a well, and clutched each other in anxious uncertainty.
[The Administrators have been notified of the disturbance.]
[A warning has been sent to the constellation 'Heir to the Crimson Throne'.]
[The constellation 'Heir to the Crimson Throne' fails to heed the warning and barges into the dimension • • •.]
From the red swirling vortex in the void, a massively scaly claw, tipped with razor-sharp nails could be seen coming out.
Julien and Jackie watched it with wide eyes whereas Amelia could only listen and prayed to god for everyone's safety.
[Many constellations are watching the constellation 'Heir to the Crimson Throne' barge into a Novice Player's awakening.]
[Many constellations are voicing their displeasure…]
[Many constellations are outraged by the violation…]
The system notifications flooded the trio's head.
Lightning crackled in the void beside the monstrous claw, illuminating its jagged scales with every flash. A distant, thunderous roar reverberated through the air, shaking Julien, Jackie, and Amelia to their cores.
In the midst of the chaos, amidst the overwhelming force and noise, Julien finally began to realize…
My curse was not gone. It was simply delayed…
Just like in his past life, whenever things seemed to be going well, his misfortune would spike at the peak of his happiness and ruin everything.
Everything would come crashing down all at once and break him, then the cycle would repeat again.
It was as if the universe was telling him, he did not deserve to be happy, and that his happiness came at the cost of his loved ones.
This time, it was a humongous claw that would be the reason for his and his close ones' death.
I'm sorry, Jackie. I'm sorry, Amelia. Because of me, you guys are…
Julien didn't dare to think of the consequences.
Jackie and Amelia stood close by, and Julien couldn't help but wrap his arms around them, pulling them tightly to his chest.
In these final moments, it was his duty to bear the brunt of the pain. He would shield them both, protecting them with every last breath he had.
Jackie and Amelia could feel that Julien was trying to protect them in these circumstances. They knew it was a futile attempt, but sincerely felt their hearts warm due to his gesture.
[The constellation 'Heir to the Crimson Throne' is roaring at the heavens.]
[Many constellations are worried that the lower floors would collapse with the constellation Heir to the Crimson Throne's descent, taking many mortal lives.]
The constellations kept complaining but none tried to stop the constellation Heir to the Crimson Throne.
Such was the case for a while, until…
"I swear… I may have underestimated this boy's misfortune." A melodic voice said in a soft tone.
In the midst of a world draped in black and gray stood a woman, her presence captivating. She wore a seductive red dress, and with each step, her black high heels clicked softly against the ground.
The wind teased her dress and revealed glimpses of her alluring full thighs.
Her raven-hair fluttered with the breeze and as she looked up at the swirling red vortex with her bright scarlet eyes, the corner of her lips curved up.
"My son only had a little bit of the bone powder elixir, yet it was enough to incite the wrath of a constellation. The misfortune card sure is powerful."
Tucking her unruly hair behind her ear, the lady continued, "I promised him I wouldn't let him die, and also a better life."
She extended her hand out and pointed her index finger at the vortex.
"If daddy is unable to keep the promise, the child would end up being rebellious. As a parent, it's my duty to set an example to raise him right."
*ZZZZZTTTT—!*
Lightning crackled out of her fingertip and shot towards the red vortex.
In just an instant, it hit the scaly claw.
*BOOOOOOM—!*
[The constellation 'Heir to the Crimson Throne' has encountered a celestial punishment.]
[The constellation 'Heir to the Crimson Throne' has been gravely injured and banned from contracting Novice Players for 100 years.]
[Many constellations are holding their breath in shock.]
[Many constellations are arguing about the severity of the punishment.]
The lady, aka El, yawned and didn't bother with these constellations.
"The last few days have been quite tiring. If I hadn't intervened, this silly boy would've died multiple times by now."
Extended her hand out and stretching, El yawned again and muttered to herself, "I should go back to El. I told her I would be back shortly, but oops… it took longer than expected."
*Snap!*
"Back to Floor 0."
El's body vanished from the desolate dimension and everything went back to being eerily silent like before.