[The King of Demons offers you a formal contract.]
[The Lord of the Sky offers you a formal contract.]
[The Golden Collector sighs in vain.]
[The Clock Tower's Serial Killer fled under pressure.]
"...They already want a formal contract?!"
I widened my eyes and checked the notification window again. I wasn't mistaken. Both the King of Demons and the Lord of the Sky had offered me a formal contract, even though I had just cleared the tutorial.
If they were lower-tier constellations, I might have understood. But the Lord of the Sky is different. His status is among the highest in Atlantis. And the King of Demons seems to be a high-tier constellation, not inferior to the Lord of the Sky.
'He's definitely above the Golden Collector...'
As for the Clock Tower's Serial Killer, Jack the Ripper, it made sense for him to flee. Getting caught between the Lord of the Sky and the King of Demons would be disastrous if he incurred their wrath.
'So, there are three constellations watching me now.'
I scratched the back of my head. This was fortunate for me. Especially the fact that the Lord of the Sky wanted a formal contract—it was luckier than winning the lottery.
'...Hmm.'
First of all, a formal contract with a constellation is undeniably beneficial. If an opportunity arises, it's right to take it. By contracting with a constellation, you can gain special skills or traits. Additionally, most contracted constellations provide consistent support, allowing you to grow stronger quickly in Atlantis.
Since the contract is made through the Atlantis system, there's nothing unfair about it. Exiles gain power, and constellations gain divine power and AP as their contracted exiles act and exert influence in Atlantis. Think of it as an investment. However, unlike constellations, who can contract with multiple exiles, an exile can only contract with one constellation, so the choice must be made carefully.
'The King of Demons is definitely a lunatic. The right choice here is the Lord of the Sky.'
In Atlantis, there are countless exiles who fail to contract with a constellation. Contracting with the Lord of the Sky here is the right choice. It's the right choice, but...
'The Lord of the Sky... his true name is Zeus, isn't it?'
The supreme god of Olympus. In terms of power alone, he ranks within the top ten among the gods of Atlantis.
'The problem is, he's not as crazy as the King of Demons, but he's still a lunatic...'
As seen from the mission he gave me to target Joo Seo-hyun, the Lord of the Sky is quite a pervert.
'I don't want to be swayed by a constellation... Should I just not contract?'
[The King of Demons urges you to make a choice.]
[The Lord of the Sky urges you to make a choice.]
"A formal contract... ultimately means I have to choose one side, right? Since I don't know much about either of you, I'm not sure what to choose."
I must remain calm and not be blinded by the power of the constellations.
The fact that they offered a formal contract immediately after the tutorial means I have that much value. In other words, I have the potential to contract with other constellations in Atlantis. I am a valuable commodity, and they are the buyers. The regret is on their side, not mine. The initiative lies with me.
[The King of Demons sponsors 10,000 AP.]
["If you contract with me, I will definitely support you. My caliber is different from those petty gods."]
It was a husky female voice. Sponsoring 10,000 AP was likely to make a good impression on me.
Certainly, the King of Demons has a grand presence. But she's also a lunatic.
"...I still don't know who you really are. Someone like you wouldn't need someone like me."
[The King of Demons sponsors 10,000 AP.]
["The reason I want you is because you're interesting. Among the seven Atlantises, there hasn't been a human who caught my fancy like you."]
It was a husky female voice, so pleasant it could belong to a professional voice actor.
'No. The voice isn't the important thing right now.'
There's no way there's someone like me in Atlantis. What I did in the tutorial was abnormal even by my own standards. The root of those actions lies in the [Play Life] app. From the King of Demons' perspective, who knows nothing about the app, I must have seemed like a madman.
[The Lord of the Sky sponsors 10,000 AP.]
["Surely you know who I am, right?"]
"Of course, I know. The greatest god of Olympus, the god of the sky and thunder—Zeus."
I couldn't say I didn't know here. Zeus gets annoyed if you don't recognize him.
[The Lord of the Sky sponsors 10,000 AP.]
["You know well. I believe you will make a wise choice."]
Common sense dictates that choosing Zeus is the right choice.
The reason Zeus wants me is easy to guess.
'Zeus is a notorious womanizer.'
I have to admit it. Zeus and I have similarities, especially when it comes to women.
"...First, may I check my class? It won't take long. I'll share my class with you."
[The Lord of the Sky nods.]
[The King of Demons is preparing something.]
While checking my class, I planned to think carefully about the formal contract.
The Lord of the Sky also allowed it. He must be curious about what class I can choose.
'According to the original work, constellations enjoy this kind of thing.'
[The classes available for Sung Yoo-jin are as follows:]
[•Gladiator]
[Strength +7, Agility +5, Stamina +7, Mana +3]
[Class Skill: Swordsmanship (C), Combat Recovery (B).]
["Only the sword can be trusted."]
'Hmm. One of the standard classes.'
The reason I can choose the Gladiator class isn't hard to guess. I used Hwaryeonbido during the tutorial. If I had used a bow or spear instead, I might have gotten the Archer or Spearman class.
'Regardless of the rest, I kind of want Combat Recovery.'
Combat Recovery, as the name suggests, is a skill that restores health or wounds during combat. Of course, it's not as powerful as using a potion.
It's not an absolutely necessary skill for me, who already has Complete Recovery. In terms of utility, Combat Recovery can't compare to Complete Recovery.
[•Demon]
[Strength +6, Agility +4, Stamina +5, Mana +12]
[Class Skill: Demon Body (B).]
["I will transcend humanity!!!!!"]
'Is this... because of the King of Demons?'
The King of Demons not only watched over me but also sponsored me and gave me missions. The Demon class must be influenced by her?
'Mana increases by 12.'
There's no need to be disappointed by having only one class skill. Class skills can naturally appear as stats increase later.
The class skill Demon Body is a passive that enhances physical abilities.
'This is a high-tier class.'
[•Politician (The Korean Chicken)]
[Strength +1, Agility +1, Stamina +2, Mana +7, Luck +2]
[Class Skills: Behind-the-Scenes (A), Box (C).]
["The President's power ranking is only third."]
["You all know this is all a lie, right?"]
"..."
I was at a loss for words.
This class likely appeared because of my unique trait, 'Deception (A).'
I quickly moved on to the next class.
[•Politician (The Japanese Monkey)]
[Strength +1, Agility +1, Stamina +2, Mana +7, Luck +2]
[Class Skills: Distortion (A), Hereditary (B).]
["It's strange that the people have sovereignty in the first place."]
["I am the state."]
"..."
Again, I was speechless.
Surely the next class isn't like this...
...It happened as I feared.
[•Politician (The Chinese Bear)]
[Strength +1, Agility +1, Stamina +2, Mana +7, Luck +2]
[Class Skills: Public Security (S), Censorship (C).]
["Arise, those who do not wish to be slaves!"]
["Those who arose were all arrested by Public Security."]
It was absurd, but by this point, I started to think seriously.
'The Distortion skill is similar to my Deception skill... and Behind-the-Scenes is a hypnotic skill, isn't it?'
Even so, the targets for the Behind-the-Scenes skill are limited, and hypnosis isn't highly regarded in this world.
'Public Security... is incredible.'
It's a skill that summons soldiers who faithfully follow your commands. You can summon one soldier per mana point, and the summoned soldiers last for about three hours.
'Censorship is also impressive. It's limited, but you can see the target's status window, class, and contracted constellation.'
Public Security and Censorship skills are quite appealing.
I decided to keep Politician (The Chinese Bear) in mind for now.
'...The next class isn't a politician, is it?'
Fortunately, it wasn't.
[•Tamer]
[Strength +2, Agility +2, Stamina +2, Mana +3, Luck +3]
[Class Skills: Pleasure Taming (A), Restraint (C).]
["People are animals too. They can be tamed."]
["Pleasure Taming allows you to give pleasure to others... Nice?"]
The Tamer class seems to have appeared because I tamed Yoo Seo-hee and Joo Seo-hyun during the tutorial.
Aside from Pleasure Taming, the Restraint skill is quite useful. Being able to stop an opponent's movements would be a huge advantage in combat.
'Let's see. The last, seventh class is...'
[•Thunder Madman]
[Strength +3, Agility +5, Stamina +2, Mana +8]
[Class Skills: Thunderstorm (C)]
["First verse, second verse, third verse, madness!"]
["My Thunderstorm is only rank C...! Damn it, seriously..."]
'This must be because of Zeus.'
I can't think of any other reason.
Thunderstorm (C) seems to be a skill that uses lightning. Even though it's rank C, it can't be ignored. The fact that it's a lightning-related skill is already incredible.
'If I choose a class, it's between Demon and Thunder Madman.'
Tamer.
I can't deny that it's an appealing class.
But Pleasure Taming can be done without the Tamer class. I already have the Sexual Arousal skill.
'Choosing Demon would immediately boost my physical abilities... Thunder Madman allows me to use lightning.'
Thunder Madman is appealing. Physical abilities can be improved through various methods, but using lightning might be impossible if I don't take this opportunity.
'I haven't mastered the Thunder and Shadow techniques of the Yeongcheon Style.'
According to Jin Se-young, who could be considered my Yeongcheon Style master, to master the Thunder and Shadow techniques, one must understand lightning and shadows.
No matter how much others explain, it's useless. You have to realize it yourself.
'Damn it. Lightning is lightning, and shadows are shadows. What more do I need to understand...?'
Perhaps choosing Thunder Madman will help me understand lightning and master the Thunder technique.
As I quietly pondered over my class choice, the constellations watching me were in an uproar.
[The Lord of the Sky sponsors 10,000 AP.]
["Choose Thunder Madman. You're lucky. Thunder Madman is a class that's not easily obtained."]
"Ah... So that's how it is. Maybe."
My heart was already leaning toward Thunder Madman.
If I choose Thunder Madman and formally contract with Zeus, the synergy would undoubtedly be incredible.
[The King of Demons sponsors 10,000 AP.]
["Wait! Choose Demon. I'll give you a good skill that suits Demon."]
My eyes sparkled.
"A skill? What kind?"
My tone toward the King of Demons became polite. If she's offering a good skill, I can afford to be polite.
[The King of Demons sponsors 10,000 AP.]
["If you choose Demon and contract with me, I'll give you the Heavenly Demon Divine Art."]
[The King of Demons shows you the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.]
[Heavenly Demon Divine Art]
[A martial art created by the King of Demons.]
[Type: Skill]
[Rank: S]
"Heavenly Demon Divine Art!"
I exclaimed in surprise.
Isn't this the martial art that everyone in wuxia and fantasy novels learns?
I felt my heart race.
Heavenly Demon Divine Art. It's a martial art that everyone learns, but it's also incredibly powerful.
[The King Demons sponsors 10,000 AP.]
["I know you Koreans love the Heavenly Demon Divine Art."]
"Yes. We're obsessed with the Heavenly Demon. I admit it!"
Even I was excited about the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
[The King of Demons sponsors 10,000 AP.]
["If you formally contract with me, you can become the Heavenly Demon Supreme."]
"Heavenly Demon... Supreme...!"
Supreme.
What a magnificent, resonant word.
My heart rapidly leaned toward the King of Demons.
[The Lord of the Sky sponsors 10,000 AP.]
["Tsk! That demon is up to no good... Choose me, Seong Eugene. I will bestow Lightning Orb upon you."]
***
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