The Ruined World Was Mistaken for a Game

Chapter 249: The Evil God's Constellation (2)

Translator: DreamscribeWith the Evil God's appearance and the situation resolved, the Heroes were thrown into confusion. The emergence of a new god within the expanded worldview completely shifted the atmosphere of the Arsilan Saga.

The Kalsus Dimensional Empire's forces had been no easy opponent.

Even with all of Arsilan's high-level Heroes gathered to fight back, it had amounted to nothing more than a war of attrition. There was no way to even guess how strong General Gord might be. On top of that, the unit General Gord led was only a small fraction of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire.

Given that the Kalsus Dimensional Empire occupied an enormous portion of the Dimensional Realm, it was hard to even estimate how much total military power it possessed.

And what about the Erosion?

The Erosion that had devoured Arsilan.

It was staining one entire side of the Dimensional Realm, and in Luzen alone, two Higher Entities and over a hundred Lesser Entities had appeared. Those mighty Higher Entities had moved as though receiving orders from someone, so it wouldn't be strange at all if there were beings that surpassed even them.

And finally, the Evil God who had appeared at the end.

It had swept both of those forces aside with ease. And it hadn't even been the Evil God itself, but what seemed to be an Avatar serving the Evil God who resolved everything with a flick of a finger.

The Heroes who had experienced it firsthand couldn't help but be deeply shaken.

Arsilan's Heroes had been frogs in a well.

It would be hard to find a better expression than that.

'...I'm learning what humility is.'

'Let's just grind some levels.'

'The Dimensional Realm is so vast that we're getting outnumbered.'

'We... were a minor faction all along....'

'Arsilan is a backwater dimension after all.'

'We need more, much more power.'

The Heroes, who had been proud of the strength they had built up through countless trials all the way to Episode 6, had been taught humility. There were forces in the Dimensional Realm powerful to the point of feeling unreasonable.

It was at least some comfort that the Evil God hadn't shown any hostility toward the Heroes. Many theories emerged, and the lines the Evil God's Avatar had spoken to the Heroes became a major clue.

Title: Here's my theory.

That thing wearing the eyeball armor said not to break the balance of the dimensions, right? But the Erosion and those Kalsus bastards are out there wrecking dimensions left and right.

Considering it showed up in Luzen and only killed those guys before leaving, couldn't it be playing some kind of balancer role?

And since we came out into the Dimensional Realm to liberate dimensions, that's why it didn't treat us as enemies.

They're not on our side, but there probably isn't any risk of them becoming our enemies?

Anon1: Dude one-shot something like the Lord of Despair in a single second. If they become our enemy we're completely screwed.

└Anon2: One swipe of a finger and everything just exploded and died. Avatar of the Evil God? Follower? These folks are on a whole different tier.

└Anon3: The onee-san... was pretty tho.

Anon4: The way the Kalsus guys booked it outta there so fast, they clearly already know about the Evil God.

The Heroes who remained in Luzen stayed in the cities of Luzen and hunted down the surviving enemy forces. There were quite a lot of Erosion and Kalsus Dimensional Empire troops who hadn't managed to escape. While helping to rebuild the ruins of Luzen, they naturally blended in with the locals.

The Kalsus Dimensional Empire equipment left behind in Luzen sold for high prices. There were even Scavenger Heroes who didn't bother staying in any city and instead roamed the wilderness, making a career out of collecting equipment.

"Whoa! Jackpot! It's officer-grade armor."

"I heard melting it down and reforging it works great."

"Sweet! A small ship!"

Intact small vessels sold for quite a hefty price.

Enough to buy a house in real-world money, with change to spare. These days, Arsilan Saga goods were more in demand, so almost no one actually traded them for real-world currency.

"I could buy a house in Alusion with this."

"Arsilan gold's about to moon, so everyone better exchange now."

"No joke. The exchange rate's already doubled."

Strangely enough, housing prices in South Korea were in free fall.

The number of people making the Arsilan Saga their full-time job had grown to rival the number of ordinary salaried workers. As long as someone had a Soul Link, they could log in from the countryside, from the provinces, from anywhere, so there was no need to stay in Seoul.

A trend had even emerged where people would rather buy a fine mansion in Arsilan than a nice house in reality.

In Luzen's great city, Luzenia, many Heroes were running businesses. The Luzen people traded rare gems and resources with the Heroes. The Heroes organized large-scale merchant caravans and brought in massive quantities of food and essentials to Luzenia.

"Ahhh! This is what a dimensional economy looks like!"

"Makes life worth living."

"Arsilan's economy is straight-up booming right now. Let's all cash in while we can!"

"There's real joy in pioneering."

With permission from the Great Priestess of Luzenia, or by spending Dimensional Realm Contribution Points, one could set up a personal shop or construct a building. Land could also be leased, so quite a few Heroes had set out to start homesteading.

Because Luzen's Great Nature would refuse to let anyone settle without authorization, it was absolutely necessary to get the Great Priestess's approval before building.

"Still, it feels a bit overwhelming."

"Yeah, it really does."

"The enemies are many, and strong... and now that we're fighting on a planetary scale...."

The number of Heroes was climbing toward one billion, yet somehow it still felt insufficient.

Growing stronger.

And developing Arsilan's Magitech Engineering further to produce equipment comparable to that of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire.

Beyond that, what could the Heroes really do? It was inevitable that things would feel a little overwhelming.

'That's understandable.'

In truth, the Kalsus Dimensional Empire really was strong.

There was a reason it held the largest territory in the Dimensional Realm. Even that overwhelming Erosion hadn't been able to reach the heart of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire.

Jinwoo was aware of all this, and had designed the Constellation System so that it could be overcome, at least to some extent.

'I should make it so that Constellations can gain the knowledge of the Avatars they choose.'

Countless dimensions had perished, and with them their knowledge had been lost. Most of those who had been enslaved were people the Kalsus Dimensional Empire had judged useful: individuals with outstanding knowledge or skills.

If a Hero became a Constellation, they could make their Avatar stronger, and the Avatar in turn could share valuable knowledge and techniques with the Heroes. By helping each other, they could move forward into the future together.

The members of the Erosion Headquarters gathered on the Dimensional Transit Ship.

Jinwoo looked at Ella and Helby.

"How about we change back to your real forms now?"

"Hufufu~!"

"Hmm."

It seemed Ella and Helby were actually quite fond of their transformed appearances as Avatars of the Evil God. Halon staggered, apparently shocked by the sight of Ella.

Hasman seemed to really like Helby's armor and was busy examining it. Airi, who arrived a bit late, flinched at the sight of Ella and Helby.

"U-um, excuse me."

"Mm?"

"Th-there's something I have to tell you."

Airi fidgeted with her fingers and only barely managed to speak to Jinwoo. When everyone turned to look at her, she flinched and gulped.

"If you have something to ask, tell me anything."

Jinwoo was exceptionally generous when it came to Airi.

Airi was treated as a high-ranking demon by the demon folk, and even Serazade treated her with the utmost respect. But perhaps finding that burdensome, Airi had been holing up in the Evanth church and refusing to come out.

"I, I'm now able to use Sacred Spells."

"Oh?"

"Impressive!"

"Congratulations!"

Everyone offered their congratulations.

"B-but there's a problem. Please, take a look at this."

When Airi extended her hand, countless characters appeared in the air, followed by tentacles bursting forth. Everyone froze at the sight.

Was it because she was a succubus?

Airi was using the Evil God's Sorcery with complete fluency. Even Luna, who had created the Evil God's Sorcery, hadn't been able to use it this quickly. It was almost on par with how Jinwoo used it.

Ella nodded and placed a hand on Airi's shoulder.

"Congrats! You've become the Saintess of the Evil God."

"Huh? The Evil God?"

Airi didn't understand. Helby grabbed her by the other shoulder.

"Excellent. Saintess of the Evil God. Join our ranks. You too are now an Avatar of the Evil God."

"Huh? An Avatar? What do you mean...? M-more importantly, the, the eyeballs on your armor are rolling around everywhere?"

Without a single word of explanation, Helby and Ella dragged Airi away.

Question marks popped up wildly above Airi's head, but there was nothing Jinwoo could do for her.

Ella would give her a proper explanation.

"Everyone has arrived."

Heina reported to Jinwoo.

Everyone except Tiris had arrived. The team members had all gathered as well. Jinwoo liked how lively the Dimensional Transit Ship had become.

"I'd like you all to test some new content."

Jinwoo gave a brief explanation of the Constellation System. When he told them that people from across the Dimensional Realm, all carrying painful stories of their own, had arrived at the Evil God's Tower, everyone sympathized with their pain. And everyone wanted to lend their strength.

Heina raised her hand.

"You said we could choose an Avatar and support them, but is there a limit on how many?"

"You can share your skills with many Avatars, but the more there are, the weaker each share becomes. Since you'd be copying and granting part of your soul's power, there's a limit. If you push too far, your own soul could be damaged."

Of course, lower-rank skills placed less strain, so those could be granted to many.

"It'll probably be best to pick an Avatar suited to your own temperament."

Everyone was filled with anticipation.

"Oh, and rankings will be determined too, so feel free to compete for fun."

At the word "rankings" everyone's expression turned serious.

Ella and Helby often bickered, but among the members of the Erosion Headquarters, none of them had ever directly competed against one another. Secretly, they all wanted to know who was the stronger, who was the more capable.

They could now wage proxy battles through their Avatars!

When Jinwoo snapped his fingers, the Evil God's emblem rose up and seeped into each of them. It was the key granting access to the Constellation System.

"You can view everything through the Information Window, and if you spend Constellation Points, you can even go in and observe directly."

It could be watched through the Information Window like a broadcast, and by spending Constellation Points, one could even enter and observe in person, though without being able to affect anything.

Constellation Points were the power through which a Constellation could sponsor their Avatar. They also served as currency within the Evil God's Tower, and could be used to grant skills, items, and so on to an Avatar. A portion of the Avatar's experience points and achievements would become Constellation Points and be paid out to the Constellation.

In the case of Heroes, Constellation Points could be converted into Dimensional Realm Achievement Points, and the 'Nebula Shop' prepared for Constellations allowed them to buy all sorts of things using Constellation Points.

Upon becoming a Constellation, one was granted a starting pool of Constellation Points calculated by combining level, achievements, Honor, and the like.

"Let's begin."

When Jinwoo snapped his fingers, everyone was connected to the Constellation System.

[The Saintess of Abyss and Tentacles (Airi) is fascinated.]

[The Princess of Ruin (Tia) is coming up with intriguing lore.]

[The False Goddess of the Evil God (Ella) is the first to search for an Avatar.]

[The Arrogant Eye of Starlight (Helby) obstructs the 'False Goddess of the Evil God.']

[The Sword Saint of Light (Heina) is searching for an Avatar to inherit her swordsmanship.]

[The Sinister Forest (Luceren) begins its activities.]

[The Sharp Sacred Beast (Garsha) wonders whether there are any Avatars resembling beastfolk.]

.

....

.....

That was how the system information appeared.

There was also a chat room between the Constellations, but only their Constellation titles were displayed so that no one could know each other's true identities. Unless someone chose to reveal themselves, anonymity was guaranteed.

"Talent spotted! Aww! So cute!"

"Jerry? He's got quite a bit of potential."

"He's mine!"

"That's for Jerry himself to decide."

Ella and Helby both had their eyes on Jerry, who currently held first place in the Tower climb rankings.

Jinwoo cloaked himself and moved toward Jerry.

Jerry had been locked in a grueling fight with a Corrupted Goblin before barely escaping. He had just managed to hide himself and was catching his breath in ragged gasps.

[The False Goddess of the Evil God has taken an interest in you.]

[The Arrogant Eye of Starlight covets you.]

"Wh-what is this?"

An Information Window appeared before Jerry, displaying the messages.

[The False Goddess of the Evil God tempts you with overwhelming power should you become her Avatar.]

[The Arrogant Eye of Starlight asks whether you would like to learn magic.]

"Power... magic...."

Jerry instinctively knew this was an opportunity.

Even just reading the messages, he could feel an overwhelming presence.

[Constellations 'False Goddess of the Evil God' and 'Arrogant Eye of Starlight' are offering you the position of Avatar.]

[Becoming an Avatar grants you a Constellation's support. Once you become an Avatar, you cannot change, so choose carefully.]

Jerry began to think it over.

[The False Goddess of the Evil God offers to grant you 'Holy Power' if you become her Avatar.]

[The Arrogant Eye of Starlight shakes her head, saying that brute strength alone cannot solve anything. She offers to grant you 'Basic Magic' so that you may journey toward the truths of the world.]

"I...."

Jerry thought carefully before choosing his Constellation.

[Congratulations! You have become the Avatar of the False Goddess of the Evil God!]

[The False Goddess of the Evil God rejoices greatly and blesses you.]

*Experience Gain +50% (7 days)

*All Stats +10% (7 days)

[The False Goddess of the Evil God grants you a skill.]

*[D] Holy Power

Uses internal energy to explosively increase muscular strength. The rank rises in accordance with the Avatar's level, and the strength increase scales accordingly.

Jerry tried activating Holy Power using the Sacred Power he had gained from practicing the Evil God's lowest-tier Sorcery. He could feel an immense force surging through his entire body.

Gripping his rusted sword, he stepped toward the Corrupted Goblin that had been pursuing him. The Corrupted Goblin sneered as it looked down at Jerry.

"Haah...."

Jerry let out a long breath and glared at the Corrupted Goblin. He kicked off the ground and lunged forward, swinging his rusted sword.

The Corrupted Goblin raised its club, but the club shattered, and the rusted sword sank into the Corrupted Goblin's body.

SHLICK!

The Corrupted Goblin's body split apart with ease and crumbled into dust.

[For the first time in the Evil God's Tower, you have slain a Corrupted Goblin! Massive experience and a reward chest have been granted!]

Jerry's level rose two whole levels.

Jerry's eyes grew damp. His body trembled from the overwhelming rush of emotion.

[The False Goddess of the Evil God delights in your growth!]

"Constellation, th-thank you."

Jerry glanced around before bowing his head.

[The False Goddess of the Evil God gazes at you with a warm smile. She wishes for your continued growth.]

"Yes! I'll do my best!"

Jerry's resolve shone with light as he gripped his sword tightly and pressed forward.

'It works well.'

Jinwoo watched Jerry's retreating figure before returning to the Dimensional Transit Ship.

"Kyaa! Did you see? My Jerry took down a Corrupted Goblin in one hit!"

"......"

Ella looked at Helby and gushed.

"Bet you don't have an Avatar like that, huh?"

"...Tch! Just wait! I'll produce an Avatar of grand starlight magic who surpasses that boy."

"Ohhh? Can you really pull that off? My Jerry's just that exceptional, you know."

Ella grinned as she spoke, and Helby gritted her teeth and began carefully combing through the Information Window to pick an Avatar candidate.

Everyone was focused and silent, not uttering a single word.

Heina, who had already chosen her Avatar, nodded with a satisfied expression.

"A fine physique for learning swordsmanship."

Heina spent all of her Constellation Points to bestow a sword and her swordsmanship.

Airi was scrolling through the Information Window when her eyes landed on a girl trembling in the corner of the first floor. The girl had been chased away by a Horned Rabbit and was now hiding herself in the corner.

"Poor thing...."

Without hesitation, she made an offer to the girl. The girl's eyes widened as she accepted. Standing before the Horned Rabbit, the girl slowly extended her hand.

"You can do it!"

Airi cheered the girl on.

It was then.

FWAAASH!

Tentacles shot out from the girl's hand and devoured the Horned Rabbit.

"Wh-what?!"

Airi was thrown into a panic by the sight.

[S-so this is the power bestowed upon me by my Constellation...!]

"Th-this, th-this isn't what I...."

Airi was left utterly stunned.

Jinwoo looked around at everyone and nodded.

'Working without any problems.'

Now it was time to unveil it to the Heroes.

*****

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