Chapter 127
Constellation Banquet (1)
A young man of both handsome and powerful appearance.
Silver hair mixed with his own blood, and a faint smile still drawn on his face, as if mocking death itself.
That body lay motionless on the ground.
Kim Dokja sat in front of Arthur's corpse without moving, as though time itself had stopped at this moment.
His mind was in disarray, refusing to accept what he was seeing, as if reality itself had shattered.
Everything is wrong…
Everything that happened went against what I expected.
From the very beginning… Arthur was different.
Kim Dokja raised his gaze toward the still body before him and whispered in a hoarse voice:
"From the very beginning… you were the only independent variable in this world, Arthur."
(The only independent variable: a term used for those who break the original timeline.)
Soft footsteps began to echo behind him.
Kim Dokja lifted his head to see Yoo Joonghyuk standing there.
Kim Dokja spoke in a voice devoid of emotion:
"Arthur is dead, Yoo Joonghyuk."
Yoo Joonghyuk did not move.
He did not respond.
He simply stood there, staring at Arthur's faintly smiling body with rigid eyes.
He opened his mouth more than once…
But the words failed him, and no sound came out.
...
In a wide space, Arthur's body had been placed.
Many people had gathered around him.
Kim Dokja's group…
All the companions were here.
Jung Heewon, Lee Hyunsung, Gong Pildu.
Lee Jihye, Yoo Sangah—who had been rescued—Lee Shun, and the young Shin Yoosung.
No one knew what to say.
Nor to whom the words should be said.
Shin Yoosung and Lee Shun wept in silent pain.
Lee Shun could not comprehend his brother's death;
his expression was broken, his eyes empty, as though something inside him had shattered beyond repair.
Kim Dokja continued to stare at Arthur's body.
Will he return this time as well?
He was certain…
It had happened before.
Arthur had died once during the flood disaster,
and that day, not even half an hour had passed before he returned.
But now…
A full day had passed.
Then another.
And Arthur did not return.
After two days, Yoo Sangah stepped forward and said in a heavy, quiet voice:
"It's time, everyone."
Everyone understood the meaning of her words.
It was time for the burial.
Because the hope of his return… had begun to fade.
...
"Damn it… when will I return to my body?"
A message appeared before a silent soul watching the scene from above.
{Due to the unnatural method of your death, your return will be delayed.
You will return after 72 hours.}
That soul… was Arthur.
He looked down at his body, which was being prepared for burial.
Then he looked at Lee Shun.
"I knew you were still alive, little Lee."
Then he looked at Shin Yoosung.
"I regret becoming your personal sponsor, Shin Yoosung.
I didn't do anything that truly benefited you… I'm sorry."
His gaze moved across everyone.
Calmness and composure never left his eyes.
A quiet smile formed on his lips as he watched the people gathered around his body.
On that day… everyone learned the truth of the strongest incarnation in the Seoul Dome.
They learned of the sacrifice of the Great Demon King, Arthur.
Some grieved.
Some cried.
And others found no words to describe the magnitude of what had happened.
{The constellation Master of Abydos is calling your soul.}
Arthur's focus was pulled away from the scene as messages began flooding before him.
{The nebula Papyrus wishes to present you with the story of the living.}
{The constellation Writer of the Sky is calling your soul.}
{The nebula Eden wishes to guide your soul to the end of the path of Christ.}
{The constellation Master of Wine and Ecstasy wishes to take you away from low-tier constellations.}
{The nebula Olympus will prepare a stage for you.}
{The constellation Master of December 25 is calling your soul.}
{The nebula Vedas will grant you a vacation of life.}
{Some constellations are clashing with one another.}
"Bastards…
They want to exploit my current situation for themselves."
Arthur looked at the flood of messages, at the war beginning to erupt among the constellations.
They all wanted one thing:
His story.
What if Arthur returned from death?
What if he shouted before humanity:
"I am Arthur, and I have received the blessing of Christ!"
The story would explode.
Fame would rise.
And the interference of nebulae would increase.
But the price?
Choosing one…
And turning the rest into enemies.
Arthur let out a troubled sigh.
"Do I really have to choose one of them?"
He didn't want to be under anyone's command.
Nor become a tool in someone else's story.
And at that moment—
{The constellations are arguing over the legitimacy of myths.}
{The constellation Queen of the Dark Spring is mediating the conflict among the constellations.}
Persephone?
Why is she here… and why is she on my side?
Arthur was stunned.
The last time he saw her… she had nearly torn off his head and devoured his stories.
If not for his wit and willpower, he would have been finished.
And now—
{The constellation Queen of the Dark Spring confirms that the choice belongs to the incarnation.}
{Some constellations are dissatisfied with her intervention.}
{Many constellations request a resolution from the Queen of the Dark Spring.}
{The constellation Queen of the Dark Spring recommends sending an invitation to the incarnation Arthur Narin to the Constellation Banquet.}
Arthur's mind froze for a full second.
"Huh…?
What???"
While Arthur was lost in confusion, after some time—
{The nebula Vedas agrees with the proposal of the Queen of the Dark Spring.}
{The nebula Eden agrees with the proposal of the Queen of the Dark Spring.}
{Many constellations agree with the proposal of the Queen of the Dark Spring.}
Arthur's soul sighed bitterly.
"Damn… was I just sold off that cheaply?"
Only a few seconds passed before the dokkaebi Youngki appeared before him.
He was clearly out of breath, exhaustion and pressure evident on his face without any attempt to hide it.
{Master Arthur… there is a place you must go.}
"Where?"
{Ah… I will help you get there. I will prepare it immediately.}
Arthur paused for a moment before asking in a calm voice:
"Before that… tell me, what is the Constellation Banquet?"
{I will only give you the general information.
Alongside choosing a sponsor, the Constellation Banquet is a highly important gathering, held within the Star Stream exclusively for constellations and a select few humans.
However, due to the great interest many constellations have in you, an exceptional invitation has been extended to you as well.}
Arthur listened silently, appearing calm despite everything happening around him.
In truth, this was not entirely unfamiliar to him—he had already formed a rough idea beforehand.
Youngki looked at him with trembling eyes, then snapped his fingers.
{Since this is a formal gathering…}
In the next moment, Arthur's spectral form changed.
An elegant black suit, polished shoes, and luxurious garments flowed over his body as though they had been made for him.
The soft touch of silk brought a strange sense of calm, as if some of his tension had faded.
{The constellation Queen of the Dark Spring formally invites you to the Constellation Banquet.}
"Alright… let's go."
{The one who invited you will send an envoy to escort you.}
"Understood."
{Good luck.}
"Thank you."
With those words, Youngki disappeared, leaving Arthur alone standing on a path of shimmering clouds that stretched endlessly beneath a gentle, beautiful light.
{Hidden Scenario: Constellation Banquet
Category: Hidden
Difficulty: ???
Conditions: Participate in the banquet and achieve a successful presence
Time Limit: 24 hours
Reward: 100,000 coins + favor or hostility from certain constellations
Failure: ????}
Arthur examined the scenario window with steady eyes.
Kain… are you here?
|Yes, Arthur?|
Is everything alright with you, my friend?
|Yes, why?|
I don't know how sharp the constellations' perception is… so hide yourself well. I don't want anyone to notice you.
|Understood.|
As soon as the conversation ended, four white horses appeared in the distance, flying through the sky.
Their bodies were made of pure light, and upon their backs were two pairs of shimmering golden wings.
The horses pulled a luxurious carriage, which came to a smooth halt before Arthur.
{Get in.}
The voice was calm, gentle, slightly low.
Arthur sighed, then stepped into the carriage.
This must be the envoy Youngki mentioned…
He opened his eyes and looked at the opposite seat—but found no person there.
Only a single wine glass… floating quietly.
{Didn't you recognize me?}
"You… Constellation of Wine and Ecstasy, Dionysus."
{You certainly know how to make someone happy, don't you?}
The glass spoke in a cheerful tone.
"But… why are you in this form?"
Dionysus sighed in irritation.
{Probability… this form reduces costs. As you know, the Star Stream is strict about such things.}
The carriage began moving smoothly, gliding along the cloud path as silence settled for a few moments.
Dionysus, as I know him, is playful and lively… so why does he seem so quiet now?
{Ah, sorry… I was talking to a constellation I know.}
"That's fine. You seem busy."
{But tell me… how can you remain this calm in front of a great constellation like me?}
"It's not the first time I've met a constellation."
{True…
Tell me, what did you do in the Underworld?}
"What do you mean?"
{I mean… how did you make the Queen of the Dark Spring so gentle toward you?}
"Nothing happened."
{Hmm…
Wasn't that lady quite interesting? If I were you—}
Arthur cut him off immediately:
"Hey, isn't that your mother? What's wrong with you?"
{Ah… that theory exists.}
"Isn't it true?"
{I didn't deny it.}
Damn… the Olympus nebula only thinks with its lower half, with no regard for lineage… disgusting.
{That reminds me…
Stay by my side, and I'll grant you the story of Bacchus.}
"No need."
{Oh? Then are you thinking about Eden's story?
Do you know its requirements? To live the rest of your life as a boring, gentle priest!
As for my story—}
"You mean the one where you had people torn apart?"
The wine glass shook in shock.
{Yes! That's exactly what I mean!
Day and night of pleasure, unforgettable wine…
Do you know Aphrodite? I can invite her too!}
{The constellation Goddess of Love and Beauty is looking at the Master of Wine and Ecstasy}
Dionysus laughed awkwardly.
{Let's pretend I didn't say that… what do you think?}
"No thanks."
The glass shook violently.
{That reminds me…
There's an angel from Eden saying you're interested in men. Is that true?}
"Damn… I know who spread that nonsense. And I'm not interested in that.
Ignore that girl's words.
Now tell me… why are you really here?"
{I'm here to escort you.}
"Yes… yes."
Silence fell again, then the glass trembled.
{But… I noticed something.}
"I heard."
It was obvious—why would a great constellation like Dionysus be sent to receive him?
{Actually…
I'm here to warn you.
Do not join the Olympus nebula.}
"What—"
Before he could finish, a violent bolt of lightning struck the carriage.
The glass shook violently, and wine splashed.
{Damn! I didn't expect this!
It seems the other nebulae have started moving too.}
Arthur opened the carriage window and saw terrifying creatures chasing them at great speed.
At that moment, Dionysus opened the carriage door.
{I'll buy you some time.
Run on your own—the distance is close.}
Arthur smiled bitterly, then jumped.
{Remember… trust no one.}
The carriage charged toward the creatures, and behind him, a fierce battle between constellations erupted.
Sparks and violent energy tore through the sky.
Arthur did not look back.
He simply ran… forward.
After some time, a grand castle appeared ahead—towering and beautiful.
Finally… I've arrived.
He stood before the massive gate.
"I have come to attend the Constellation Banquet."
{An incarnation arriving alone? That is unusual.}
Before any further response, the gate opened.
{Let him in… he belongs to my group.}
The voice was calm, powerful… familiar.
Arthur raised his head—
—and froze in place.
Someone he had known since arriving in this world.
And beside them… someone he had once bid farewell to.
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