Chapter 5 – The First Contractor (2)
The Constellations of the Fantasy Realm were figures we had encountered through myths, legends, plays, and novels.
We thought of them as fictional beings, but in the Fantasy Realm, they were real historical figures who had truly existed.
There were many theories about why this happened.
Among them, the most widely accepted theory was this:
Perhaps the historical events of the Fantasy Realm influenced our subconscious minds and were eventually reflected in the stories we created.
The King of Avenging, Edmond Dantès, who was standing before me right now, was known as the protagonist of Alexandre Dumas's novel, The Count of Monte Cristo.
In the novel, he had originally been a kindhearted sailor.
However, after being falsely accused of a crime, he was imprisoned.
After escaping from prison, he hid his true identity, became the Count of Monte Cristo, and took revenge on his enemies.
That was the main story of The Count of Monte Cristo.
It was said that Edmond Dantès of the Fantasy Realm had lived a very similar life.
After his death, his fierce and elaborate revenge was highly praised, allowing him to become a Constellation.
Eventually, he gained enormous fame as an S-rank Constellation who protected those seeking revenge.
However, he was also famous for being extremely picky when choosing people to form contracts with.
Because of that, only a handful of people had ever contracted with him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, King of Avenging."
He was one of the biggest names among Constellations, but there was no reason for me to be intimidated.
After all, I was an S-rank Constellation too.
"Hmm..."
Perhaps he liked my attitude.
The Count looked me over and smiled.
"Just call me Count. There's no need to speak so formally either."
"Then... Count, what brings you here?"
"I noticed a Constellation putting on quite an interesting performance. You seemed to be a rookie, so I thought I'd come over and introduce myself."
"Can Constellations normally contact other Constellations like this?"
"You can do it too, if you want. Of course, first you have to discover the coordinates of where the other Constellation is located."
The Count looked around and smiled.
"But you certainly do seem to be a rookie. Your Throne is incredibly barren."
"Throne?"
"I'm talking about this place. It looks like an infinite universe, but in reality, the space given to you isn't very large."
As he spoke, the Count tapped the floor with his shoe.
An endless universe seemed to stretch beneath us, but there was a tap, tap sound, as though an invisible glass floor was underneath his feet.
"Isn't sitting on the floor uncomfortable? Didn't you at least buy a chair from an Apostle?"
"I didn't really need one right away."
"Good grief. A Constellation is supposed to occupy a sacred seat. Doesn't sitting on the floor look a little undignified?"
Suddenly, the Count snapped his fingers.
A small window appeared beside his head, displaying the face of a clown.
"Greetings, Count. How may I assist you?"
"Number 17, prepare two chairs for this Throne."
"Two chairs, sir?"
"Consider it a gift for the rookie."
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
A short while later, two chairs really did appear.
They were luxurious chairs that looked like they belonged inside an aristocrat's mansion.
"A gift. There's no need to thank me, so don't hesitate to accept it."
"Why are you being so kind?"
"This isn't kindness. It's simply basic courtesy."
With those words, the Count sat down first.
"Let's sit and talk. We're approaching the climax."
I had no choice but to sit as well.
Together with the Count, I looked into the Observation Device.
"You don't seem to have been a Constellation for very long. Am I right?"
"By my own sense of time, it hasn't even been two hours."
"And yet you've already held an event and obtained a Contractor? Impressive."
The Count leaned against the back of his chair and grinned.
"Most rookie Constellations immediately get dragged around by the Apostles trying to sell them things. Naive heroes quickly become penniless because of their sales tactics, while wiser heroes realize that being a Constellation isn't nearly as easy as they imagined and become overly cautious."
"..."
"Either way, they become passive. Most of them spend quite a long time doing nothing but staring through their Observation Devices."
"..."
"But you purchased only the bare minimum equipment from your Apostle before immediately hosting an event. Then you obtained a Contractor. What exactly were you aiming for?"
Narrowing his eyes, the Count stared at me.
"With the minimum possible investment, you obtained actual experience as a Constellation extremely quickly. And you did it without becoming indebted to anyone."
"..."
"In other words, you've gotten a faster start than almost any other Constellation. I have to admire that boldness and decisiveness."
"Thanks for thinking so highly of me."
"It would've been even more efficient if you hadn't advertised it... but there's no need to criticize you for that."
The Count smiled.
"After all, that's precisely how you caught my attention."
"..."
"While we've been talking, it seems your event is about to end."
On the screen, my first Contractor was finishing his final battle.
Covered from head to toe in blood, he forced open the main entrance of the facility.
"No matter how many times I see it, watching a human escape oppression is deeply moving."
The Count of Monte Cristo had once been imprisoned on the island prison of Château d'If before barely managing to escape.
Perhaps that was why he felt a certain kinship with someone escaping from a facility where they had been imprisoned.
A strange heat appeared in his normally cold eyes.
"Thanks to you, I was able to watch an enjoyable story. You have talent as a playwright, rookie Constellation."
Listening to the Count's words, I watched my Contractor roar after defeating every last enemy.
At last, he had obtained freedom.
While Kang Yujin was immersed in the joy of that realization, a voice came from beside him.
"Congratulations on clearing the event."
"You..."
It was the clown who had appeared earlier.
"Many Constellations are applauding your performance. Personally, I'm also very interested in seeing what kind of path you'll walk from now on."
"Constellations..."
"However, you've come out into the world with nothing but the clothes on your back, so I imagine you're feeling rather uneasy. If you don't mind, I'd like to offer you my support."
The clown spoke in a gentle voice.
"Allow me to introduce myself once again. I am Arlecchino No. 49. I provide the finest service for all Contractors—"
"There's something I want to ask you."
"Huh?"
"The being who saved me. You called them the 'Nameless One,' didn't you?"
Kang Yujin stared directly at the clown.
"I want to speak to them personally. Please."
"What?"
"You said you're their representative. Then you should be able to contact the Nameless One."
"No... Hold on. That's a little difficult."
"If it's difficult, that means it's not impossible, right?"
"No, the thing is, Constellations don't normally speak directly with their Contractors. That's the rule."
"I don't know anything about Constellations or Contractors. Just let me speak to the Nameless One."
"Seriously... This is definitely a first."
The clown shook his head in frustration.
"Wait here. I'll at least ask."
"Please."
"...That's what he's saying. What would you like to do?"
"How refreshing."
After Number 49 finished explaining the situation, the Count, who had been listening beside me, smiled.
