[The Nebula, 'Underworld'] and [The Constellation, 'Queen of the Darkest Spring'].
If I thought about them separately, it would have been difficult to know where this Nebula approaching me is from, and who this Constellation is.
However, if I think about them comprehensively, I could figure it out exactly.
The Nebula is the Greek side where Zeus, Poseidon, etc. exist, and the Constellation is probably…, Persephone, the wife of Hades.
It could be Minthe or Leuce…, but their ends belonged to the bad side.
[The Constellation, 'Queen of the Darkest Spring', invites Incarnation 'Kang Yuhyeon' to the 'Underworld'.]
[Will you accept?]
Like Pandora's box, a blue window shining ominously in front of my eyes.
I was currently standing at a crossroads of choice. Whether to open this invitation or not.
Honestly speaking, not accepting this invitation didn't mean any particular problem would arise. No, rather, opening this invitation might cause more problems.
It's like crawling into the den of guys who might be tigers, dragons, or monsters worse than that on my own feet.
If it were a person with common sense, they would refuse saying it's a bit unsettling.
…However.
'…Oppa?'
'Kang Yuhyeon?'
"…."
If I make a safe choice in this world, the end will unconditionally be ruin.
"I will accept the invitation. But, there is a condition."
[The Constellation, 'Queen of the Darkest Spring', tilts her head.]
"Promise that you will not cause any harm to me."
[The Constellation, 'Queen of the Darkest Spring', remains silent.]
"If not, I will return this invitation."
[The Constellation, 'Queen of the Darkest Spring', accepts your proposal with a faint smile.]
"Good. Then to the Underworld—"
-Flicker…!!
At that moment, my vision becoming dizzy faster than my words could finish.
Breath becomes short, and the body droops as if hanging a heavy weight.
With 「Shin Yoosung's」 voice shouting something urgently as if worried about me as the last thing, as my body hit the wall and fell to the floor—
[A new Hidden Scenario has arrived.]
Along with a refreshing sound, my consciousness sank to the bottom.
[The Constellation, 'Queen of the Darkest Spring', guides your soul.]
[Your body breaks free from the constraints of the flesh.]
[You have entered the Underworld as a soul of the living.]
-…Pajik!!
"…!!"
As the breath that couldn't be taken because I was sinking to the bottom of the water surface was forcibly dragged to the surface immediately and taken right away, at the sudden change, I crumpled my face and breathed roughly.
While clutching my throat and coughing repeatedly. Suddenly, several blue windows I saw as soon as I opened my eyes flash through my mind quickly.
At that moment, along with the feeling of a chilly atmosphere sweeping through my body, I recognized someone looking at me in the dark shadow.
Strength incomparable to those I've met so far. Strength enough to make me certain that even if Kim Dokja, Yoo Joonghyuk, and I were there by the truckload, we couldn't win.
Feeling my powerlessness once again and the distance that I still have a long way to go, I ground my teeth and slowly got up to face her.
"…'Queen of the Darkest Spring'."
"Fuhu…."
Simultaneously with the end of my words, a cool chill transmitted along with the laughter.
Only then was her appearance hidden in the darkness fully revealed, but I had no choice but to frown.
"Nice to meet you, Incarnation Kang Yuhyeon. You, and I. Since we know well who and what each other is, shall we skip the introduction?"
"…."
"Kang Yuhyeon?"
Queen of the Darkest Spring, that Constellation resembled her.
No, that Constellation had no difference from her face to the extent that she could be called the same person completely.
Ha Soyeon (Ha Seo-yeon)…, to be precise, Han Sooyoung's Avatar.
"Mm? Ahaha, right. This face must be a face with very bad memories remaining for you?"
"…."
"If you are uncomfortable, I will change to another appearance. From the appearance you hate the most—"
At that moment, her appearance begins to change slowly with blue sparks.
That appearance shrinking smaller and smaller from Ha Soyeon, and soon becoming an appearance resembling someone I know…, no. Resembling them.
"—To an appearance somewhat better?"
"…Lousy taste. Do all guys called Constellations have a screw loose like that?"
Shin Yoosung and, 'Shin Yoosung'.
Although they are the same person, just as they have different corners, her appearance taking the form of Shin Yoosung currently felt like mixing the two half and half.
Instead, if those two felt like children in whatever they did.
"You are too on edge. Kang Yuhyeon. Shouldn't you be thanking me? Since I let you see an appearance you can't see."
She in front of me only felt gloomy in whatever she did, and felt like she was holding a knife behind her back ready to stab me anytime.
"Now, ice breaking ends here. Shall we get to the main point? It seems you also prefer speaking directly rather than beating around the bush."
"…."
With a faint smile and a gesture to sit, I sit on the chair.
In front of my eyes, various feasts such as steak, pasta, soup, etc., all looking appetizing were prepared.
I admire looking at those foods set so grandly that the table might break.
Since I liked eating something enough that my only hobby was eating before the world became like this, I couldn't stop the scent of foods coming into my nose and the feeling of swallowing saliva.
However, I still don't hold the knife and fork.
"Not eating?"
"Regarding Greek mythology, it is widely spread in Korea too. Of course, about the food of the Underworld too."
"Ho-oh…, interesting."
She smiles faintly and stabs the steak with a fork, putting it into her mouth.
But, that doesn't mean her hunger is satisfied.
Even if she eats more here, even if she eats more variety, her hunger probably won't be satisfied.
Because.
-Slurp….
The food she wants to eat the most, enough to lick her lips with her tongue, must be none other than me.
"Kang Yuhyeon, do you know how much influence the existence called you is having in the Star Stream right now?"
"Not interested."
"Anna Croft and Selena Kim of the United States, Iris Vladimirovna Rebezova of Russia, Fei Hu of China. It is no exaggeration to say they will probably bring about a new innovation in the Star Stream world."
"…."
"However, Korea is different. Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk, and you. These three are on a different level from them."
At that moment, as her hand snaps, several videos play with a pajik-! sound.
Kim Dokja breaking the Absolute Throne holding a certain sword in the pouring rain. And Yoo Joonghyuk hunting a giant snake with him, and finally…, even me catching Nirvana Moebius and talking with 「Shin Yoosung」.
Honestly speaking, I couldn't understand well.
Although I could believe the influence of the first two is big because the scale is large, but me, due to what on earth?
"Seventh scenario. It was only the seventh scenario. For a mere Incarnation to revive a dead Incarnation and enslave them."
"…."
"Of course, the concept of 'Resurrection' isn't completely absent. For example, 'King of No Killing' which was Incarnation Kim Dokja's attribute, or 'Eight Lives' which is an attribute obtainable by one who performed Dragon Slaying, etc."
"…So?"
"But, you are an exception. Your attribute is not related to 'Resurrection' at all, and you don't bear a huge risk either."
At that moment, a chilling air begins to spread to me as if digging into my soul.
This is. The Status of a Constellation.
The power of those who accumulated their stories and finally became stars in the night sky.
Regrettably, all I could do was withstand that power with Cursed Energy with all my might.
"Due to that, Constellations with Resurrection-related Fables have become urgent as if fire fell on their feet now. Of course, even to those like me who manage the dead."
"So, what do you want to say."
"Simple. Belong to our Underworld. Kang Yuhyeon. We will take responsibility for your safety. Of course, we will also take measures so that the monster combined from two girls can return to its original state."
"…."
"Do they call this 'eating pheasant and eating its egg', 'cleaning the ditch and catching crawfish' in Korean proverbs? There's nothing bad for you either, right?"
She smiles.
Along with that, the eyes of a predator aiming for prey become larger, and the sound of smacking lips is heard louder and louder.
"Ah, are you perhaps worried about not being able to return to the surface? We will take care of that too. As long as there is permission from the Father of the Rich Night (King of the Underworld), you can go out to the surface as much as you want. It's a concept similar to 'career soldier' in your world."
"…."
Breath tightening more and more.
A chill enough to break my heart any moment.
Closing my eyes at that chill, I slowly raise my head, look at her, and continue speaking.
"I refuse. I am not a vessel to work under anyone."
"…Ho-oh?"
-Hwa-a-ak…!!
The chill deepens.
Speaking becomes even harder. However, my conviction does not break.
"You guys became troubled because of me? That is very glad news. Since I loathe Constellations like you guys. My existence has a great influence on the Star Stream? You'd better be nervous. Since I have no intention of being satisfied with this."
"…."
-Crack, craaack—!!
Starting to freeze from fingertips and toes, soon climbing up towards my heart without hesitation.
However, even so, my voice does not cut off.
"Then Kang Yuhyeon. Why did you accept this invitation? To deliberately inform me of your aspiration?"
"No, if that was the case, I wouldn't have bothered to come here."
"…?"
"Queen of the Darkest Spring. And ruler of the Underworld. Won't you make a deal with me."
"…Deal?"
As the chill lifted briefly with her voice expressing doubt, I carefully get up from the seat and continue speaking.
"If you help separate the souls of the two combined Shin Yoosungs, I will also offer a price corresponding to it."
At those words, her expression stiffens for a moment, and soon a smile spreads as if tearing up to her ears.
Simultaneously, glaring as if appetizing, Persephone grabs my chin.
"One life has equal value to one life. However, your life…, seems enough for about two."
"Regrettably, I have no intention of putting my life on the scale."
"Rudeness upon rudeness. Kang Yuhyeon. Every word you say is arrogant beyond measure. I am willing to listen to your proposal, yet you want to set the price and offer as you please? Do I look that easy?"
"Then, try it. Whether the Star Stream and Probability watching this situation right now will allow your action."
As if proving my words, countless blue windows were surrounding me and her.
Whether they harbor hostility towards me, or not, or neither, messages update endlessly as if countless Constellations are watching this situation right now.
At that sight, she frowns for a moment and asks me.
"Fine. Let's hear the price you will offer."
"Story."
"…Ha?"
I am not interested in what kind of people Constellations are, what they dislike and like. Nor do I want to know.
However, despite that, I knew the characteristics of the tribe called Constellations too well.
That is exactly.
"From Proof of Value until now, as you said, I have caused quite impactful events and caused unexpected things. And that is, a story created by me. Didn't you guys cheer and take interest in that story?"
"…."
"I will show more. A story that deviates from your expectations within the frame called scenario, breaking the frame and turning it into powder."
The strength in her hand grabbing my chin gradually loosens. At the same time, the more it does, the more the corners of her mouth go up.
At that moment, I could predict the answer that would come out of her mouth after this.
"Puh, puhaha! Puhahahaha…!! Good. Interesting, Kang Yuhyeon."
"…."
"Although it's a deal…, that unreasonable stubbornness of yours. I will accept it this once."
Carefully wiping the saliva flowing along her jawline, she crosses her legs and continues speaking.
Changing from a gaze looking at just an appetizing prey to a gaze looking at a quite interesting and marvelous creature.
"This was originally intended for that child…, but well, it doesn't matter. Since I can just do something else."
"…?"
"I will give you a 'Task' (Labor)."
"…Task?"
"Yes. If a mere Incarnation wants to make a deal with a Constellation on a condition that is not equal and only sucks the sweet nectar for himself, he must prove this much qualification."
If it's a Task…, surely that thing Heracles received from the King of Mycenae?
Nemean Lion…, Hydra…, Cerberus…, something like that?
"The Task you will do is…, to bring back one apple."
"…Apple? You mean that Golden Apple?"
"No. Getting a Golden Apple is out of reach for you, and even if you do that, you'll only hear that you copied the guy Heracles."
"…Then?"
"Well. What would be good…. Think about it carefully yourself. An apple so amazing that my eyes will widen when I receive it."
"…."
"Instead, the opportunity is only once, so you have to think carefully. Otherwise, not only will this deal not exist…, the darkness of the Underworld will stare at you."
At those words, I groan for a moment.
The goal is…, too vague. I don't even know what apple I have to get, but if she doesn't like it, she'll become hostile entirely?
Ha. This is truly—
-Smirk….
—Fun.
"I accept."
"Good answer."
-Snap!
As her finger snaps, the huge door behind opens and several monsters enter.
I wondered if they were enemies for a moment, but judging by the form of the entering monsters and her reaction, it doesn't look like it.
If so….
"Judges, guide him to the surface."
"Yes, Your Majesty…."
Those called Judges move their steps slowly as if telling me to follow them.
And, I follow them carefully.
-Kugugu….
"Next time you come here, please bring an apple I will like."
-…Thump.
Comments (0)
Please log in to leave a comment. Login or Register