Grand Master! You're really listening to me!! ヾ(＠＾▽＾＠)ﾉ}
Your most faithful, wretched, and humble servant, Arrodes, is more than honored to answer 'Your' questions.
That was surprisingly strange. How could Klein hear Arrodes in his head? Could it be the effect of the gray mist? It makes sense. Arrodes is a sealed Sequence 1 artifact that possesses vast knowledge, but it's trapped within the gray mist in Sephirah's Castle.
'Gray Mist of Knowledge...' His unique ability said a lot about the skills he could achieve. It's a theory that would easily have answers. But I couldn't stall any longer. I still had some questions.
'Arodides, I'll ask my questions first, then you can ask yours.'
{Of course, Grand Master! I am completely at 'Your' divine disposal! (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ }
Klein swore he imagined Arrodes wagging his tail while looking at his owner with eyes shining with joy.
'Don't pay attention to that now, Klein...' 'He' used his reflection to calm himself down again and asked his first question to Arrodes.
'Arrodes, what are the scenarios?'
Klein's mind began to fill with information about the scenarios. Since they are imposed by a higher authority, they serve to entertain the invisible observers who were called Constellations. 'The Constellations were like people, but with a much higher level of probability compared to incarnations.'
Scenarios can fall into various categories, such as main scenario, sub-scenario, or even secret scenario. They also have danger levels, ranging from a simple mission like killing insects to a mission to try and destroy a cosmic calamity.
Even after achieving divinity, Klein needed to take a breather due to the overwhelming amount of information that had been added to his mind. 'Could this be because I'm not unleashing my full power in these scenarios? Is that why some information is overwhelming my mind?'
'It's a lot to process all at once. The information answered some of my questions, but it also raised others. For example…'
Klein adjusted herself on the subway seat, pondering what question she would ask Arrodes next. Klein's movements were ignored by everyone except the sole bystander in the carriage.
'Arrodes, what is the nature of the constellations?'
{The Constellations are beings that transcend the limits of humanity. They are comparable to deities or immortal heroes. They reside on higher planes and observe the landscapes as an eternal spectacle. Their pleasure is twofold: entertainment in watching humans survive in these scenarios, and a desire to strengthen themselves by receiving faith and recognition. To this end, they offer patronage: blessings, power, and protection in exchange for memorable stories. But beware, Great Master… Many of the Constellations hide secret intentions.}
' Many Constellations… So, not all of them. I'll have to keep an eye on that. So I'll have to avoid these sponsorships as much as possible .' Klein tried to reflect on the information that came this time. It was worrying for Klein if they accepted the sponsorship of the Constellations. Could he return home if he made that kind of connection? And if he had a sponsor, would he lose his authority over the Castle of Sephirah, or could he still have it?
' I need to find an opening to tell Audrey and Leonard about this information I've discovered. They also need to pay attention to them. It's good not to depend on the strange Kim Dokja to pass on all the information to us.'
Klein was formulating plans to guard against anything in this dream world that the Worthy Celestial might have created.
'What would memorable stories be?'
Memorable stories are the feats that make mortal humans stand out amidst the chaos of the scenarios. For example, moments of glory, sacrifice and tragedy, cunning and strategy; rebellion against the System or even transformations and ascensions. And these stories fuel the curiosity and faith of the Constellations. The grander the narrative, the more prestige the human gains and, consequently, the very Constellation that sponsors them.
' Hmmm… So if I have a sponsor, the credit for the stories will fall on me and consequently I will become a Constellation? ' He was already creating his theory about the stories and the constellations and how he could become one of them, before hearing Arrodes' question.
{Exalted Master, may I tell you something? （っ＾▿＾）}
Go ahead .
{The Lord is already a Constellation. However, his Constellation and Pillar benefits are hidden from the Star Stream system due to the initial level of the scenarios. (/^▽^)/ }
' Am I already a Constellation?! ' This information was unexpected. Klein controlled his expressions with the skill of a clown and did his best to calm down quickly before formulating assumptions about why he was a Constellation.
' Perhaps it's because I am a pillar? I have already accommodated the singularity of the Fool and the Gate. What remains for me is the Castle of Sephirah and the singularity of Error… It makes sense to be a Constellation, if it weren't for one thing…'
' The stories… ' Gerhman carefully considers the information acquired previously to explain the significance of being a constellation without stories.
' To become a Constellation, I have to have a considerable number of stories or be very rare stories. Do I have many stories?' The pieces fell into place as time went by.
Klein had remarkable stories from the very beginning. Most of them unfortunate, but they were still stories from his journey. From descending into Klein Moretti's dead body to fighting the Worthy Celestial in his dream. All of this suggested he had many stories. Too many stories, perhaps.
When his mind had calmed down again after some reflection, he returned his focus to the mirror that was now speaking in his head.
Now you can ask your questions.
{Exalted Master, could your humble, inferior, wretched, and loyal servant appear more often in the Lord's mind whenever needed, or should inferiority wish to manifest in its spiritual form?}
He pondered the matter for a moment, until, seeing no problem, he simply mentally agreed to Arrodes, who responded with a smiley face image in his head.
After receiving his Master's reply, Klein's mind began to cloud over, an unimaginable amount of gray mist entering his mind, intensifying and gradually taking on a feline form. When the form became more visible in his head, it resembled a black cat with completely bright, milky white eyes, floating with only its front paws formed and its hind legs absent. This same form bowed in front of Klein, slightly surprising him.
{Great Master, thank you so much for allowing me to have complete control of the information in your mind. As your greatest servant, I will protect you from trouble at all costs, along with your blessing from the gray mist of your honorable kingdom!! ╰(◡‿◡✿╰) }
He was still in shock. But he couldn't deny that Arrodes' new look was very cute. If he wasn't careful, he could lose control of 'His' body and simply turn into a pile of crawling spiritual worms.
{Great Master, my next question. Do you have any more questions?}
'No. That's all for now.'
{Your will be done! Your faithful, humble, wretched, and needy servant Arrodes is temporarily retiring to familiarize himself with his new body. Farewell, Great Master! ＼(*^▽^*)/}
Before leaving, Arrodes waved goodbye to Klein, disappearing from Klein's mental vision, who couldn't help but sigh.
' As always, Arrodes was a great help .' A few seconds had passed, and Klein almost couldn't help but slap his forehead. ' Damn it, I forgot to ask him what the next scenario would be. I was so engrossed in my thoughts and the shock he gave me with his appearance that I completely forgot. What's that Brazilian saying? I only don't forget my head because it's attached to my body.'
Klein was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't even notice Audrey sitting beside him. When she called him abruptly, Gerhman turned his face away.
"Mr. Mun-Gerhman, has something happened? You've been very engrossed since you sat down on the bench."
His face focused on the face of Backlund's 'dazzling jewel' for a moment, as if he were thinking of the best possible response to give her. Not that Klein didn't trust Audrey, but after learning about the Constellations and that they were watching them, he had to be more vigilant so as not to arouse suspicion.
Like a patient who had become accustomed to talking more with their psychiatrist, they decided to mention points that they might suspect but would soon ignore.
"Something new happened." Even without saying much, Gerhman's more explicit expression made Audrey understand what he meant. She put her hand to her chin, thinking about this 'something new'.
"And what could possibly be new about this?"
"… It looked like a strange fog." He was displaying a calm expression, even though he seemed worried.
Mr. World is truly a great actor. He acts as if what he saw was the first time. But what else did he see besides the gray mist?'
"I understand. This is really strange. What could this fog be?" Audrey was getting on the boat. She also had to act, as if this was something foreign to her.
"I don't know. But something spoke in my head. Something that knows something I can't interpret." The last sentence was a lie. But he couldn't tell her the truth yet. "But I heard him saying it's best to be careful with the sponsorship."
' Be careful about sponsorship? But what does that mean? ' She didn't understand what Klein meant, but she knew she needed to tell Leonard.
And speaking of the devil.
Leonard moved closer to the pair, sitting down next to Klein, a slight doubt in his eyes as he conveyed that poetic air that Klein had always seen in Leonard when they worked together in Tingen.
"What are you two talking about? Could I join you?"
Gerhman didn't say anything, but it was Audrey who answered in his place, with a happy face saying only what she could about the conversation she and Klein had. After all, even though it was important information, she was still 'His' psychiatrist and 'He' was her patient.
"Gerhman saw something totally strange, Mr. Estr-Leonard. That's why he told me to be careful with the sponsorship."
'Sponsorship? ' Leonard was initially shocked, but then he returned to his serious expression, reflecting Audrey's words that had been relayed from Klein.
' This could be an excuse for Klein to avoid suspicion about how he found out. So he wants us to be careful about whatever sponsorship is involved.'
While Leonard was reflecting, Klein had glanced to his right, noticing Kim Nanwoon getting up from the floor while looking out the window. The three did the same when the subway suddenly stopped halfway across the Dongho Bridge.
"My God…"
The other survivors also stood up and looked at the scene unfolding outside. The woman had woken up at some point, opening her mouth with her hands, trying not to scream as she was terrified by the sight. Seoul was destroyed and the buildings were crumbling. Monsters resembling giant snakes were eating the wreckage of a fighter jet that had crashed into the Han River.
"W-what the hell..!"
"Wow... This- err... Wow! I don't even have words to describe how amazing this is..."
"That's awesome! Blonde with green eyes, that's what you want to talk about. That's really awesome!"
' That boy has a great ability to adapt really quickly.' Klein couldn't help but secretly satirize how Kim Nanwoon managed to adapt so quickly to that environment.
"U-Uwaaaaah! It's coming!"
While people screamed in fright (except for Gerhman), the sea serpent circled around the bottom of the Dongho Bridge and disappeared in a bubble of air.
[The scheduled payment has been delayed due to an unexpected situation. Please wait.]
' Unexpected verification?'
'Maybe they expected there would be fewer survivors. So this happened because of me? What a shame…' He didn't feel guilty about causing a problem with the system verification, even after receiving the message.
But just when he thought it was over, Klein received another message.
[Due to your action of saving the incarnation 'Kim Nanwoon', two constellations have shown you kindness.]
The word "constellation" alerted Klein. He noticed that the observers of the scenarios were now active. From that moment on, he would have to pay more attention to what he said aloud. But that wasn't the only message he received from the system.
[A handful of the constellations admire your performance on stage.]
[The constellations sponsored you with 1000 coins]
' A thousand coins? The constellations are quite rich. ' At the time, having a thousand coins at the start of the scenarios would be impressive to anyone else, but not to Klein. He didn't know much about the scenarios, and in his mind, it would be more like an "effort" to secure the sponsorship.
[A constellation is revealing its constellation name.]
[The constellation 'Our Lady of the Three Crossroads' found you interesting.]
[The constellation 'Our Lady of the Three Crossroads' has gifted you with 100 coins.]
An uneasy feeling ran down his spine. That constellation seemed particularly interested in him. And, instinctively, Klein knew: it was best not to approach it so soon.
And when he finally thought he had finally finished with the messages…
[An arcane nebula is watching you.]
He received notifications he couldn't believe. He hadn't realized he had stopped breathing.
[The arcane nebula is revealing its status.]
[The nebulous 'Tarot Club' is watching you with joy.]
Time stood still. His breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened.
It wasn't just any constellation. It was them.
The secret companions he created by accident. The group he created and protected whenever they needed it.
An involuntary smile curved her lips.
' …Tarot Club.'
The words echoed in his mind.
They were really here. That was very good. That was very bad.
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