5 Episode 1-System Introduction (4)
After I cleared the sub-scenario, Dokkaebi Herald came back and decided to open up the channel for something called "sponsor selection."
I already knew what it was though. Sponsor selection is when an Incarnation chooses a Constellation to be their sponsor. They usually sign a <Sponsor Contract> and the Incarnation will be sponsored by the Constellation hence forth. Sadly, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. The <Sponsor Contracts> in the early scenarios were usually peddled by [History-Grade] Constellations that pretended to be strong, and secretive Constellations that pretended to be weak. Incarnations could fall prey to an unfair deal in the early scenarios, but many were tempted because of the new situation that they were in. I could understand, but people needed to be more logical.
(Seriously, the Constellations literally call humans "Incarnations,") I thought to myself. (The literal meaning of the word "Incarnate" is to embody a divine spirit and channel their power. That's no good in the early scenarios.)
So, it was better to do this: bide your time, and wait to have a strong sponsor that you could negotiate with. If not, then work on other ways to become stronger. Such as investing in coins.
(Attribute Window,) I thought.
[You cannot open your <Attribute Window>]
(The f*ck is this bullshit...) I thought to myself.
(Attribute Window,) I thought.
[You cannot open your <Attribute Window>]
If I had a desk for whenever I was angry, then I would slap that desk in pure rage. Something was wrong. If I couldn't open my Attribute Window, then I couldn't look at my information.
(What if is something is wrong with the <System>?)
If no one knows what the <System> is, it's a part of [Star Stream.] [Star Stream] is part of the great universe, where Dokkaebi and Constellations observe the many planets. Sadly, it wasn't simple as that. Just like the conquistadors of old European countries, some of these Constellations decided to be conquerors. Back in the past, exploring was synonymous with domination.
[Hello everyone!!]
My heart began to beat fast, as if I was about to have a heart attack.
[It's me, Dokkaebi Herald!!]
But it was calmed down when Dokkaebi Herald came and announced themselves. Damn, why did that guy appear out of nowhere like some creepy bastard? Well, at least he has that lightning to announce himself.
[A sub-scenario is opening.]
[Sub-scenario: Choose a Constellation Sponsor]
[By choosing a Constellation sponsor, you will be able to gain unimaginable power to conquer the scenarios.]
[Time limit: 30 min]
(The hell is this...?) I thought. (Where is the fine print?)
A dokkaebi would be a dokkaebi. They didn't even add the fine print in this contract. Well, the Constellations would be flooding the chat now.
[Constellations are flooding the chat!]
[Constellations are spamming!]
[Star Streamer "Dokkaebi Herald" is placing the chat in slow mode.]
After that, Dokkaebi Herald looked at all the humans below him. I was included in this group.
[Please choose a proper Constellation!] he said.
+
[Chancellor of Anti-Semitism]
[Brutal Betrayer of Stabs]
[Almost-King of Rome]
[Emperor of the Large Golden Palace]
[The Nine Greek Musicians]
[Chained God of Trickery with the Poisoned Face]
[The Black One, Lord of Muspelheim]
[Secretive Plotter]
+
"The hell... this is a lot..."
In the novel I read, Yu Junghyeok was offered five constellation sponsors. In another novel that I read, some guy was offered four constellation sponsors.
(This is crazy,) I thought. (There are too many.)
Well, it was time to sort them out. Whenever you meet a Constellation, you have to look at the adjectives and proper nouns of their name. If not, you may be scammed, which could screw you over in the later scenarios.
First, [Chancellor of Anti-Semitism.] There could only be one person with such a sinister name: Adolf Hitler. He was born in Austria, but moved to Germany and convinced the Native Germans that he could lead them to victory. He hated the Jewish, he was a fascist, and he believed in militarism. He committed unspeakable crimes, such as using gas chambers and poisonous gas to wage World War 2. In the end, the Red Army sent by the Soviet Union sieged his palace and he committed suicide like a coward.
(Do I look like some damn Neo-Nazi?) I thought to myself. Truthfully, if an Incarnation hated Jewish people, they could totally pick Hitler. But I didn't. Next.
[Brutal Betrayer of Stabs] I pondered at this "Modifier." This was obviously Brutus, one of the people that killed Julius Caesar. They had an intertwined narrative, so they usually stay together.
[Almost-King of Rome] If I was right, then this must be Julius Caesar. They were a powerful ruler that was once a roman priest. In that culture, they are called a "pontifex." It seems that he was called the [Almost-King of Rome.] It makes sense. They were almost crowned a king, but some of the roman political senate killed him, or the "SPQR." They were a good Constellation when it comes to leading Roman soldiers, but I wasn't a Roman. Next.
[Emperor of the Large Golden Palace] This was Nero, a son of Apollo. He burned Rome and built a large-ass palace of gold. Well, that's what the legends say. I could choose him, but I don't like self-centered people who flail gold around like a dick. People should be frugal and respectful.
[The Nine Greek Musicians] were obviously the Nine Muses from Greek lore. They were "minor" in the Greek Pantheon. They wouldn't be useful to me. What the hell would I do, sing someone to death?
[Chained God of Trickery with the Poisoned Face]. This was obviously Loki from Asgardian lore, who was of jotun-blood and adapted by Odin. It is rumored that he is stuck somewhere in the Nine Worlds, spread-eagled, with poison dripping down his face. He was a known manipulator and shapeshifter, and I didn't like that. Plus, he was imprisoned. He would be of no help to me. Constellations that were imprisoned had weaker narratives, especially when they encounter the people who did it.
[Secretive Plotter] I tucked my arm behind my back. This was an interesting "Modifier," but the name didn't even have any proper adjectives. They seemed pretty weak, but I wouldn't pay attention to them.
[The Black One, Lord of Muspelheim] Now, this was interesting. This was Surt, a jotun of Muspelheim. It was ridiculous though: he's a Myth-Grade Constellation. He has a powerful [Stigma] which is [Flames of Muspelheim.] Sadly, if the [Stigma] was overused, then the Incarnation would die from the flames.
I smiled a thin smirk that showed my sharp canines.
"I would like to choose Constellation [The Black One, Lord of Muspelheim.] But... under a few conditions..."
***
Marcus Santiago was at the high school. He was afraid, but the Dokkaebi named Herald came and announced that something called "sponsor selection" was about to happen.
[Sub-scenario: Choose a Constellation Sponsor]
[By choosing a Constellation sponsor, you will be able to gain unimaginable power to conquer the scenarios.]
[Time limit: 30 min]
"Wha..." he said.
[A Constellation has entered the chat!]
[All the Constellations are shocked!]
[Constellation "All-Devouring Wolf of Apocalypse" is baring his fangs to the other Constellations.]
[Constellation "All-Devouring Wolf of Apocalypse" is looking at Incarnation "Marcus Santiago."]
[Constellation "All-Devouring Wolf of Apocalypse" is smiling at Incarnation "Marcus Santiago."]
[All the Constellations are leaving Incarnation "Marcus Santiago" alone.]
"Wait... what....?" Marcus said quizzically.
+
[All-Devouring Wolf of Apocalypse]
+
With this offered deal, all the Constellations left Marcus Santiago alone. He was afraid.
[Woah, what the hell is this?!] Dokkaebi Herald shouted. [I'm gone for 1.3 seconds and this happens?!! Hey, you're a freaking Myth-Grade Constellation!! You can't just do this!!!]
[Constellation "All-Devouring Wolf of Apocalypse" has given Incarnation "Marcus Santiago" 10,000 coins.]
[Constellation "All-Devouring Wolf of Apocalypse" has said: "Will you accept my deal now, Marcus Santiago." I do not have all day.]
Dokkaebi Herald was shocked from the coins that Marcus received. Marcus didn't know a lot, but he figured that the "coins" were something important that he needed.
With a shaking hand, Marcus Santiago clicked on the incoming <Sponsor Contract> and said with a shaking voice, "Yes." They were a seventeen-year-old boy, backed into a corner.
[Constellation "All-Devouring Wolf of Apocalypse" has said: "You won't regret this. We will have much fun together. We will tear apart the scenarios."]
"Shit... whad did I do...."
That is how Marcus Santiago received his first Constellation sponsor. A wolf of apocalypse, that would fight the Aesir and Vanir at Ragnarok. The Constellation that was destined to devour Odin at Ragnarok, and that was destined to die when Tyr bashed their head in. Marcus Santiago was afraid. He didn't know what he got himself into.
***
"Wait, what...!?"
Dokkaebi Herald was back. He seemed stressed, but that wasn't my problem.
[You want to sign a <Probability Contract> with the Constellation "The Black One, Lord of Muspelheim!!!"] he yelled.
"Yes," I said.
[No way....] he said. [How can you know about that!?]
Dokkaibi Herald seemed quite stressed, but I knew that being a [Star Streamer] within [Star Stream] was a hard life. I decided to explain things shortly.
"Dokkaibi Herald," I said, "I know about the [Star Stream]."
With his little fury face, he appeared shocked, as if I shot out a turd.
"I know all about the Constellations. I also know this: there is something called a <Probability Contract>. That allows Constellations to share their Probability with me as I take action within a channel. Constellation [The Black One, Lord of Muspelheim] is actually Surt from Norse lore."
[Constellations are doubting your existence!!]
Dokkaibi Herald still looked shocked. I decided to continue.
"So, there is one likely conclusion..." I paused a bit to catch my breath, "and that is... this: I want to sign a <Probability Contract> with Surt. He is a Myth-Grade Constellation. He can afford the Probability, can't he?"
[Constellations are doubting your existence!!]
[Constellation "The Black One, Lord of Muspelheim" is impressed with you.]
[Constellation "The Black One, Lord of Muspelheim" shall agree with your terms.]
[They have sent the sponsor contract.]
I read over the contract closely and carefully. I made sure that I wouldn't have to do any unnecessary action that I didn't want to take and that they would donate directly to me. Surt and I would promote Herald's channel as much as possible. I also signed a contract with Dokkaibi Herald; I would be the main Incarnation on his channel. In return, I would promote Surt's [Stigma] as much as possible. I looked up towards the sky. All the Constellations were there. I decided to smile a bit, and show my dingy teeth and sharp canines. I said one simple sentence:
"Let's work together well, [The Black One, Lord of Muspelheim]. I have a lot of work to do."
***
Yu Junghyeok was around a bridge. It was broken, and he just threw some guy over the bridge. He didn't feel bad, but he thought that he was a little too drastic in his approach. He looked at the clear night sky and saw "falling stars." He already knew what they were.
"The disasters and guides are coming," he muttered. With a thick eyebrow that was furrowed in sadness, he muttered to himself again. "A prophet is nothing."
With those resolute words, he went to Geumho Station. He needed to clear the Cinema Dungeon and fight the Theater Master [Simulation] if he wanted to become stronger. Kim Namwoon followed behind Yu Junghyeok.
"Hey... uh, Junghyeok-ssi."
"Yes?" Junghyeok said curtly.
"Uhh... why did you throw that guy off the bridge?"
Yu Junghyeok pondered at that question. He answered shortly: "He said that he was a prophet. He also called me a son of bitch. Truthfully, I'm impressed he had it in him."
"Uh... will he survive?" Kim Namwoon asked.
"Maybe. If he is truly a prophet, than he should see the most likely future."
"I guess that's fair. Damn f*cker almost killed me in that subway car..."
Kim Namwoon spoke of the subway car, 3707. There was this guy that tried to kill him, but Kim Namwoon was lucky when that guy slipped and fell. Kim Namwoon was able to get past them and find the bugs that the person threw. In the end, nearly everyone in that subway train car died. Kim Namwoon was a little relieved that it happened that way. That guy he was fighting seemed like a pro.
