In this world, only first places, winners, and protagonists are remembered.
That is Arash.
The four losers who are in a bit of trouble right now will not be remembered.
Sajun (Priest/Male/Age 27)
Jaesul (Warrior/Male/Age 24)
Gyulu (Archer/Female/Age 25)
Mayva (Wizard/Female/Age 24)
This was their profile.
Shortly after the battle had ended, Seodam, who was watching the countless sponsors pouring into Arash’s channel, suddenly had a thought.
Do the Constellations really like Arash?
I’ve seen both indiscriminate hate and affection towards Arash, so the Constellations all seem to have varying feelings.
Next, I went to find the four channels of the challengers who are on the cusp of falling into the lava, and found a surprising fact.
The four shared one channel.
It seems like it would be a disadvantage because the Star Force obtained from sponsorship had to be divided in four, but at least it seems to be a reliable way of trusting your allies.
Although they lost to Arash, their channel, led by the warrior Jaesul, still had quite a few Constellations.
However, most were beginning to leave.
The Constellations originally hoped that the four could defeat Arash, but it wasn’t worth watching now that they’ve failed.
The remaining Constellations’ purpose for staying was…
Well, there isn’t really one.
“Sajun! You crazy bastard! Let go of your hand! So you can live!”
A common soap opera.
Arash had gotten rid of the bridge and while the four were falling, had instinctively held onto each other’s hands.
Fortunately, Sajun, who was at the very top was able to hold onto Jaesul, and Jaesul was able to hold onto Gyulu, and Gyulu was able to hold onto Mayva.
An odd sight of hanging from a rock like a string of sausages.
However, Sajun is a priest class and is physically weak.
At this rate, no one will be able to survive.
“Please! Let us go and get out of here, you son of a bitch!”
“How can I do that.”
Although Sajun is a priest, he was able to hold on thus far because he is inherently strong with his large frame.
“L-let’s live together…!”
Rock pieces fell down from the cliff.
Sajun wanted to say something more, but forced himself to shut up.
Talking was putting a strain on his muscles.
He felt death was imminent.
Even after a long time, the other three couldn’t pull themselves up.
As if mocking them, messages from the Constellations flooded in.
[Lost Snail: If you let go of that arm, I’ll sponsor 10000 Star Force!]
[Absolute Position: I’ll add in 3000 as well! Hahaha.]
[Walking On The Edge: Just snap off the hand that’s holding onto you! I will choose you as my avatar!]
The four challengers were sharing the channel, so they all saw the messages.
Not a single one of the Constellations were hoping for their survival.
The Constellations just wanted the four to betray one another and see how they will meet their demise.
So the four hated the Constellations, but there was nothing they could do.
The only way to survive now was to listen to the Constellations.
“…Please. I beg you. Let go of your hand. You’ll die otherwise. If you get Star Force, you’ll be able to move on to the next stage. Once you get first place, our wish will be granted.”
Said Gyulu, pleading.
However, they all knew.
Sajun would never let go, and perhaps they will all die here.
They all felt frustrated and knew it was hopeless.
[Red Acidic Elaphe: Hurry up and let go of that arm!]
[Woeful Toad…]
The four didn’t have any expectations in the first place.
But the fact that they are a laughing stock to the Constellations hurt the most.
However, they could do nothing.
This was their end.
After silently watching everything unfold, Yoo Seodam successfully organized his thoughts.
‘Maybe these guys…I’m not certain, but maybe they can be of use.’
While checking Sajun’s profile, Seodam sent them a message.
However, a warning message appeared.
{ Humans can’t handle a Constellation’s real name, please decide a proper name. }
Proper name, in other words, a kind of nickname used by the Constellations to hide their real names.
Well, I just need one similar to the other Constellations, right?
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day looks at you with interest.]
Good.
I got a nickname.
I think it’s similar to the other Constellations, so they’re not going to be suspicious, right?
After sponsoring my Star Force to the channel, I sent a message.
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day sponsors 300 Star Force.]
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: If all four of you become my avatar, I’ll save you all.]
Seeing that message.
The four faces, including Sajun, showed a perplexed expression.
The Constellations never approach the challengers without a purpose.
So they thought it was obvious there was ill intentions behind it.
‘What the hell is the point in saving us?’
Constellations are simply beings who seek pleasure.
Raising their own avatar and gaining Star Force.
Then giving the Star Force back to their avatar, and watching them compete like dogs.
They can’t understand why a Constellation would choose them, who are dying, as its avatar…
“Damn it, we accept! There’s no other choice!”
That’s right.
There’s no other choice.
This was the only way they saw to survive right now, so they accepted the mysterious offer from the Constellation.
A message appeared in front of Seodam.
{ Congratulations! You’ve chosen your first avatar! }
{ Wow, even as many as four avatars at once! }
{ Since all four targets did not have ‘blessing,’ you will be given 4000 Star Force as a bonus!}
Yes, these are the ones that met Seodam’s criteria.
Perfect roles with no prior Constellation, ability to confront the protagonist, and a clear goal.
Seodam sponsored them with the Star Force he just obtained.
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day sponsors 4000 Star Force.]
Then, out of the blue he said a sentence that struck like a bolt of lightning.
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: Priest, use the Star Force to reset your attributes.]
I had a hunch.
The reason why the Constellations liked Arash is simply because he was winning.
But what if he faces hardship?
Or what if he doesn’t satisfy the taste of the Constellations?
Will the Constellations continue to watch him?
I became certain after joining the losers’ channel.
The regular Constellation viewers were leaving the channel, and only the Constellations who enjoyed watching the four suffer and newly joined ones were inside.
For Constellations, human beings are just that.
Animals trapped inside a zoo for their entertainment…no, perhaps even lower than that.
Just like a bug.
If they can’t please the Constellations, they’re not worth existing.
{ When their avatar dies, the Constellation will receive a big penalty. }
I see.
But, with my plan, the four won’t die.
[Oh? What the hell is going on! Challenger Sajun! All of a sudden he’s showing incredible strength!]
Sajun, who had been struggling up to now, suddenly showcased an incredible feet and succeeded in lifting all four members up.
It became possible because he spent as much as 4000 Star Force to reset his attributes and invested it all into the Strength attribute.
[At the last minute, you’ve all somehow survived by using your remaining Star Force and resetting your attributes! Amazing! Ahah, however, you’ve failed the stage, so you all have to go back to the entrance of the 7th stage.]
Having been knocked out of the challenger gate, the four bodies slowly blurred.
Their expressions became grim when they heard they had failed.
Only by being the first to clear the last stage will their wish be granted, but now they were behind after having failed the stage.
And even their priest’s attributes were a mess.
They knew it was necessary to survive, but now they don’t stand a chance.
Is a priest who lost all their divine power still a priest?
Class reset doesn’t exist, so now their priest has to either live with his current attributes, or reset it using a large sum of 4000 Star Force again.
Also.
[Hell Watchman Of Flames leaves the channel with great disappointment.]
[Red Acidic Elaphe leaves the channel saying it’s not even funny.]
[Fierce Goat Wailing In The Night leaves the channel saying he’s sick of it.]
One by one, all the Constellations looking forward to their suffering or wanted to win over Arash began to leave.
There was no reason to watch the four now.
Maybe they were looking for another toy, or going back Arash.
However, one remained.
Seodam.
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day looks at you with interest.]
Slowly floating down, I approached them.
Although the four can’t see me in my astral form, my intention was to get a closer look at them.
“…What the hell is it thinking?”
Maybe they thought I was still watching, so they looked up and spoke.
“Why did you save us? Do you want us to live just so you can watch us suffer again?”
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: If that was the case, I wouldn’t have chosen you as my avatar, would I?]
Choosing an avatar is a considerable risk to a Constellation, so it’s not done thoughtlessly.
This is because if the avatar dies, the Constellation’s ‘name’ will fracture.
Since Constellations exist in name, they usually only choose challengers that are likely not to die.
For that reason, Arash already has more than 50 representatives.
Constellations sponsor their avatar with skills or Star Force in the hope of growing their name whenever their avatar achieves certain goals.
However, I’m not a real Constellation.
I have no skills or Star Force to sponsor, and there is no point in growing my name.
I only have two goals.
Raise this four-man team high enough to create a crisis for the protagonist.
And earning Star Force through them.
[I intend to get you to first place.]
“…Why? We don’t believe you.”
[Then, don’t believe me. I just want Arash, who’s currently in first place, to fall. You’re just a step in my goal.]
It’s more convenient to draw a line.
And there was no reason to deceive them.
[Do you understand? I’m sponsoring you because my purpose is in line with yours. Don’t think too much and just focus on trying again.]
“That…”
Gyulu looked at Sajun who showed a miserable look.
He was indignant towards the Constellation that made him lose all his priest skills.
But…
In the first place, I didn’t do anything before you all screwed up.
So just wait a little bit longer.
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: Everyone, for now you need to reset your attributes.]
From a ruined character, I’m going to fix everyone of you.
Innermost area of the 7th stage.
There was a small dungeon far from the main path, but now the four challengers have arrived here.
Without any obstructions for a week, I’ve had them earn Star Force by wandering around.
The Star Force went to me every time the four accomplished a goal.
I invested it all back into them.
This will be my last investment.
The four, each using a huge sum of 4000 Star Force, reset their attributes and distributed it in a different direction.
#1 became an assassin.
#2 became a warrior.
#3 became an archer.
#4 became a tanker.
As expected, it’s easier to remember nicknames.
“Why…We held the same class for three years since coming to this world…”
[Just do as I say.]
At a glance, it appears that the classes are a mismatch.
#4 is a small and timid woman while #3 has a large frame.
However, Seodam just had a feeling.
Ever since I started hunting protagonists, my sense has become keen on catching ‘talents,’ and looking at the four, I felt they were not making use of their talents.
[Just trust me and go in. Don’t you want to catch up?]
“Uh.”
#4, who had always stood in the back line, now had to guard her colleagues in the front with her shield.
The tension almost suffocated her…
However, her eyes are sharp.
She was instinctively scouting every nook and cranny of the dungeon.
As expected, her composure and quick wit are pretty good.
[Okay. #4, hold up your shield and prepare to block.]
Originally, #4 was a mage.
Just because she added strength and defense attributes, doesn’t mean she has the skills of a tanker.
However, the attributes still provided benefits in other ways.
[#1 take out your dagger and load the crossbow at your waist. Your accuracy with the crossbow is bad, but you’re agile.]
#1, she believed in her ability and chose the archer class, but her accuracy is known to be the worst among the Rankers.
As an archer, her disadvantage was close range, so she used to defeat her enemies with a dagger.
That’s why I decided for her to switch to Assassin.
[#2, take up your fists. You’ve heard of a monk, haven’t you? The ones who are religious, but also go around beating up people. You’re a monk from now on.]
From the start, #2, who ate one too many rice cakes, wasn’t fit to be a priest.
No, in the first place, the priest class in Arash’s world itself is pointless.
Even with their buffs, potions could replace it, so it was better to become another damage dealer.
[#3, raise your bow. Frankly…your flexibility is terrible, but your underlying strength is decent.]
Normally, archer classes have good flexibility.
The flexibility allowed them to efficiently distribute their power using less strength.
However, the power is clearly limited.
#3, who raised his flexibility by putting points into both strength and agility, can now shoot arrows more efficiently.
Although crude, it will have exceptional power behind it.
The reason why I reduced the number of long range classes is because I believe in their talents.
So, I’m making full use of their original classes and at the same time making use of their talents.
[Well then, go on inside.]
There was only one thing I could do for the four of them now.
Instruct.
Other Constellations support their avatars with skills and Star Force, but I can’t afford to do so.
No, in the first place, Constellations would not do such trivial things as interacting with their avatars.
< Monsters of this world have a pattern. >
[Hey! That’s just the back of its head! How many times do I have to tell you its back is its weakness!]
[Okay? One hit by that and you’ll die. Also, once that attack ends, there’s a 5 second window. Aim for the body at that moment.]
[Its joints look like a weakness, right? However, don’t be fooled by that.]
I’ve always been a good observer.
In fact, when I pressed the [etc…] button in my talent list, I saw that I had an Observe (C) talent.
In other words, I’m a genius at observing things.
Or, more precisely, I can easily and quickly understand ‘pattern’ and ‘weakness’ of monsters, as well as map out routes.
This world was built from a game.
Every monster has no reason or self awareness.
It just moves and behaves according to a predetermined pattern.
To me, who is used to dealing with monsters full of variables, it’s safe to say that these ‘monsters’ are really easy.
Thanks to my support, the four were able to steadily rise much more efficiently in the span of a month than their past three years.
“Ah…”
“Well, it’s thrilling. To beat things with a shield.”
“Um…the bow doesn’t fit my hands and it feels weird guessing where to shoot.”
The four stayed in the 7th stage clearing the remaining dungeons, and were surprised when they cleared dungeons that they never thought they could.
Frankly, it had more to do with my support than their classes, but it’s fine to let them think otherwise.
Currently, I’m the only Constellation in their channel so I tried not to leave the channel, but now it’s time to use the Star Force I’ve accumulated.
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: I’m leaving for a moment. I’m preparing for the 8th stage, so take a good rest.]
“Oh yeah? It’s just going to be the four of us now?”
After a month, the four have come to trust me unconditionally.
Well, I’ve taught them a lot.
And, I haven’t sponsored them a single Star Force during this time, yet they didn’t complain.
The Star Force they’ve gained in a month from completing goals were more than what they had gained in the past.
[Yes. I have to go somewhere, then I’ll be right back.]
“Yes! We’ll be waiting!”
Leaving the four of them to themselves, I headed to another channel.
It’s none other than Arash’s channel.
Upon entering the channel, I saw Arash shouting loudly at the air and aiming his sword at a giant red frog in front of him.
Only
“Everyone, I’ll try to cut the Rake Barox’s neck within 10 minutes!”
There were still over a thousand Constellations in Arash’s channel.
It’s not as high as during the ending of the 7th stage, but it’s still a considerable amount.
Arash is the only challenger to have reached the 9th stage, so the responses from the Constellations were quite heated.
Heated.
Well, wouldn’t it be more fun if you slowly pour more oil?
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day sponsors 500 Star Force.]
[Rice Cake and Dumpling Soup on New Year’s Day: If you can do it within 5 minutes, I’ll add 5000 Star Force. Deal?]
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