Chapter 56
The Incarnation of the Black Sun was truly curious about the Absolute Being's intentions.
Why did he side with the creations?
Why did he dislike the other Constellations, who were practically his kin?
However, even though he showed dislike, the fundamental nature of his emotions was different.
If it had been pure loathing from start to finish, Black Sun and Star Child wouldn't be by his side.
Therefore, as time passed, the Black Sun began to feel that his relationship with the Absolute Being wasn't a thorny path anymore—
…but something more special and unstable.
However, the Incarnation of the Black Sun felt an inexplicable emptiness and loneliness from the Absolute Being’s true form.
The strong are inherently solitary creatures.
Although he hadn't witnessed it himself at the time, the Incarnation of the Black Sun remembered the scene of the massive holy war.
The sight of him fighting an Outer God summoned by a foolish Constellation, with the very existence of the world of Dianon at stake—
‘Someone like me…’
He was currently enduring a temporarily unstable life due to the Absolute Being's schemes, but if he had truly intended to be hostile…
…he wouldn’t have survived.
‘I have to somehow catch his eye.’
He wouldn't have forgotten that he attacked his follower.
That fact would surely hinder the Black Sun Incarnation's desires in any future 'requests'.
He needed a huge incident to cover up that sin.
He wanted to keep him close despite hating him, to feel a sense of familiarity despite showing loathing.
He still couldn't understand the Absolute Being's intentions.
‘Just what are you?’
Constellations are curious beings.
That’s why he wanted to use this opportunity to learn more about him.
It was for his own safety.
#
There were five apostles of the Constellations who visited Dungeon City.
Their race was uniformly human.
Since the world of Dianon itself had a strong human influence, it wasn't strange.
“I can't tell their names, no matter what I try.”
Using the Lens of Truth would immediately pinpoint them, but that only worked if they were within range.
‘Just a little closer.’
The performance of our follower of Black Name, Lagnis, who was persuading them with her excellent speech, was outstanding.
The five followers, although hesitant, were starting to listen to her words.
“Why should we believe you?”
“If it were a lie, I wouldn’t have bothered to lure you in.”
Lagnis, wearing a mask, pointed towards the checkpoint, adding credibility to her words.
“…No, wait. If you know about us, you could have other motives, couldn’t you?”
“Why don’t you just reveal your identity? This is unfair.”
Lagnis pondered for a moment, then asked her Constellation.
‘What should I do?’
“Show them.”
Lagnis was a follower of ‘Black Name’, my alternate character, not my main body.
The very essence of her divine power was designed to entice them.
Even if she revealed her face, she would gain their trust, not their suspicion.
Swoosh.
Following my instructions, Lagnis slowly removed her mask, revealing her face.
The beauty characteristic of elves, hidden behind the crude mask.
A quiet stir arose among the apostles who saw her.
“An elf, of all things.”
The white-haired apostle spoke first.
“But don’t elves traditionally serve the Incarnation of the World Tree? The divine power I feel from you is quite different.”
“That’s because I serve a different Constellation.”
“Is that even possible?”
Lagnis didn’t bother answering.
Her very existence before their eyes was the answer.
“I am Lagnis, a follower serving Black Name.”
“Black Name…?”
The apostles looked puzzled at the unfamiliar name.
“Anyway, so why did you help us?”
“I will lead you to the deepest part of the dungeon and give you the sacred treasure that can destroy the Absolute Being.”
“Why not use it yourself?”
“The Revelation I received was only to ‘guide’.”
Our Constellation told me to do so, any objections?
As Lagnis gave a convenient excuse, the apostles stopped questioning her.
“You have to enter the dungeon, and I have to guide you. Isn’t that enough?”
“Hmm…”
As the white-haired apostle pondered, the large priest beside him opened his tightly closed mouth.
“Let’s proceed.”
“…?”
“If that follower is lying, we can deal with it then. Our objective is to enter the dungeon.”
“I agree.”
Another apostle agreed with the man’s words.
Time is money.
The apostles, having received direct orders from their Constellations, needed to handle things quickly.
“Tsk, this makes me look like a weirdo.”
“Aren't you one?”
“…?”
The white-haired apostle looked at his companions.
“…”
One of the priests subtly averted his gaze.
Anyway, based on the majority rule, the five apostles decided to move to the dungeon, guided by Lagnis.
“That's right!”
Watching the situation, I immediately manipulated the Dungeon System in response to Lagnis’ success.
Numerous adventurers were still immersed in conquering the dungeon.
“There must be a reason for this.”
While marveling at their madness, I continued to hinder them from reaching the heart of the dungeon.
「Incarnation of the Black Sun: If you get caught up in that—」
“I’ll be in trouble.”
My target was the apostles who possessed the divine power of the Constellations, not innocent sacrifices.
“If other divine powers come into contact, it could affect the regression.”
「Incarnation of the Black Sun: We need to make a move before those followers enter.」
“Exactly.”
「Child of the Lost Star: Is that possible?」
“Totally possible.”
All I had to do was summon another portal, separate from the current dungeon entrance.
「Child of the Lost Star: That’s possible?」
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
「Child of the Lst Star: Usually, that would affect the flow of Mana within the dungeon, creating a risk of collapse, wouldn’t it?」
At Star Child’s concern, my gaze turned to the Dungeon System.
-Ding!
「Reward received.」
「Limited to one use, you can create a new portal in your dungeon.」
「The newly created portal will function 'safely' without any risk.」
It seemed so.
「Consume a portion of divine power to create a new portal?」
“Seems alright.”
「Child of the Lost Star: Interesting. Did you already have a countermeasure in place?」
“Something like that.”
「Child of the Lost Star: I see.」
When I said so, Star Child agreed without hesitation.
He didn't seem to want to mess things up at this point.
“Then…”
「Consuming divine power to create a new portal!」
-Whoosh!
Near the crowded dungeon entrance—
…I chose a secluded spot and created an entrance that Lagnis and the five apostles could temporarily use.
「Using Revelation on ‘Lagnis’, follower of Black Name.」
The operation was proceeding smoothly.
Finally…
“Here it is.”
Lagnis and the five priests arrived at the entrance of the dungeon I had newly created.
#
---
「Title: Ugh, seriously
(Picture of dungeon entrance marked with red danger level)
-Is this even meant to be cleared?
└If not, then don’t
└Why is this guy still talking about clearing it when he's come this far?
└It’s… frustrating」
「Title: Am I the only one with a bad Constellation again?
(Picture of failed dungeon run)
(Picture of followers crying after failing)
-Is it my fault?
Is it my fault for taking 3-star followers to a high-risk dungeon?
Why are you looking at me like that?
(Picture of a frog angrily yelling)
I want to be with you guys forever!!!
└That's madness lol
└Hey Ragnarok player, your followers are going to die, just leave them alone
└Doesn’t this guy have any gacha characters?
└I have some, but I like these guys
└He's crazy
└Sounds about right for a Ragnarok player~」
---
-Finally…!
The five Constellations, swayed by the Incarnation of the Black Sun, had decided to join forces.
Some cowards had backed out, but they were even happier that their competitors were gone.
The Constellation, observing the dungeon entrance through his follower, reacted with deep anticipation.
-We have five of our highest-ranking Constellations. We should be able to handle any army.
-Two hours should be enough. After that, we'll obtain the key to becoming the strongest Constellation in the world.
-I don't need anything else, I just want to get rid of that Absolute Being.
Each holding their own desires, they watched their followers enter the dungeon.
From the perspective of a Constellation, the sight of their followers in action was as small and insignificant as observing insects.
Frankly, they couldn't even remember their faces properly.
To them, followers were like expendable parts that could be replaced at any time.
-By the way, that follower is quite competent.
One Constellation’s gaze turned to the elf guiding the apostles.
-An elf. There’s no way he would let his own kind go so easily.
The Constellations knew about the Incarnation of the World Tree.
A Constellation with a peculiar temperament, known for cherishing his few followers and killing them rather than letting them go.
-Should I kidnap some elves and make them my followers too?
-Other races are rare. They used to be common, but now is the age of humans.
-Perhaps the reason for her efficiency is her race.
As they evaluated the follower’s worth among themselves and continued watching…
-Chiii…
-…?
-What’s wrong?
-I just felt a sense of dissonance.
-Impossible. Even the Absolute Being can't penetrate this place.
They felt a momentary, inexplicable sense of unease, but dismissed it as their imagination and focused on their followers’ situation again.
「Searching for target… 」
「Search successful!」
「Entering ‘World of Emptiness’!」
「Hidden beings reveal themselves.」
「‘Walker of the Night Sky’ discovered.」
「‘Lion of the Sun’ discovered.」
「‘Reassembler of Chaos’ discovered.」
「‘Forgotten Wisdom’ discovered.」
「‘Sculptor of Eternity’ discovered.」
“Found them.”