Beyond the Eternity

There was only one path for them and they knew that well. They were going to die and that cruel reality filled them with fear. Just like they sacrificed those people, their fates were in the hands of Kim Jakga.

However, it was a trival matter. My attention was not focused on them.

Pzzz―!

Instead, I was focused on the energy that was currently entering my body. It was the life force of Kim Minhyuk.

[Due to the Stigma, the remaining lifeforce will be absorbed by the new host.]

[Large amounts of life force has been detected.]

[It will take a while to absorb the life force.]

...

[The constellation 'Chaos Architect' is curious how you were able to steal the Stigma.]

The answer to that question was pretty simple. When I modified Lee Gyeong's brand, I promoted her to the rank of the host. Meaning, she was at the same level as Kim Minhyuk. As such, she could intercept and take the life force generated whenever someone with the brand died.

In addition to the seal modification, I engraved an additional rune that activated automatically, known as a 'Transference Rune' which transferred all the life force Lee Gyeong absorbed from Kim Minhyuk into my body.

[The constellation 'Chaos Architect' says that using a host as a conduit for life force was an excellent idea.]

[The constellation 'Chaos Architect' notes that it still has its disadvantages.]

Well, that was also true. As a side effect of using this method, there will be losses of life force during transference.

However, there was such a vast amount of life force that the losses seemed negligible in comparison. In a way, I should thank Minhyuk for killing all those people.

"Agh!"

I released a groan as I felt a sharp pain. The pain was coming from the false brand that was absorbing all the magic power.

It was bad to absorb large amounts of foreign mana which was filled with impurities. There were risks such as 'Demonization' or 'Death'.

But that was not the case for me since I was careful. It was because of the knowledge that I knew.

[The constellation '### ### ###' is observing you with interest.]

[The constellation '### ### ###' says that their expectations of you were proven correct.]

I see. So I was your target from the start, huh?

I couldn't help but frown at the message of the constellation who was pretending to be a goddess. This was why I hated the constellations.

They viewed themselves as the only nobles beings in the milky way and anything else was nothing but a source of entertainment. From the get-go, it was strange for a constellation to show interest in someone like Kim Minhyuk who had no talent.

Kim Minhyuk was nothing but a disposable toy that was used by the constellation to make the scenario more interesting.

Now here comes the important question... Who was this constellation?

I already knew the constellation was a great demon but the name of the constellation was unknown. Considering the way Its name was hidden and liked to devise plots, several names crossed my mind. But I had a feeling it was none of those constellations.

[The constellation '### ### ###' has decided to give you a reward due to your impressive performance.]

Reward?

[A suitable reward has been decided. It will arrive in five seconds.]

[5…]

[4…]

"Arrgh!"

"W-What is happening!!"

As the timer was counting down, the place became noisy as the people screamed one by one.

[3...]

[2...]

"Argh!"

"Save me!"

While the people were screaming, their hearts was getting pierced by an unknown black energy. It didn't follow any laws of movement and just struck its targets with 100 percent accuracy.

It was foreign. This wasn't supposed to happen.

[The gift of a certain constellation has arrived.]

[Will you accept the gift?]

[Yes] [No]

Two choices arrived before me. It was then I realised. The surprise gift from the unknown great demon was the lives of the branded slaves.

What should I do in this situation?

I glanced around and noticed the people looking at me. Lee Jong-ho, Angelica, Jung Yeonhee, Lee Gyeong and the other survivors. They were all awaiting my decision.

[A few constellations are awaiting your choice.]

Not only the people were watching, the constellations among the various Nebula were also awaiting my decision.

I couldn't make any rash decision. The choice I make now will decide everything.

On one hand, if I accepted the gift and took the lifeforce of all these people, I will be able to become much stronger. On the other hand, if I make such a choice, I would make all the constellations of absolute good faction my enemy.

I looked at the two choices presented before me and realised I have been stupid. What I should choose has been obvious this entire time.

My hand moved and touched the system window.

[You have refused the surprise gift.]

[A few constellations are interested by your choice.]

[The constellation 'Ruler of War and Wisdom' smiles at your choice.]

[The constellation 'Chaos Architect' smiles at your choice.]

[500 coins has been sponsored.]

Just as I thought, If I was tempted by the gift of the great devil, I would immediately lose the attention and support of the constellations.

[The constellation '### ### ###' is confused by your decision.]

Of course, the constellation that was offering the gift would react in such a manner.

Demons especially the Demon Dukes who were part of the Absolute Evil Faction treated humans as nothing but objects. The unknown constellation had been planning this from the start.

He first appeared when I had trouble dealing with the zombies and offered his aid using the Deuz Ex Machina. Maybe It was something that I did that caught Its eyes, it has observing me this whole time and planned to make me its apostle.

Since I rejected its offer the first time, the Constellation thought of offering me a large quantity of mana in an attempt of making me its apostle. But if I was killed during this battle?

No, what if I was killed during my fight with the Plague Spider? Or even before that? How would the constellation react when that happens?

It would have said something rude like it was boring. Then it would have killed everybody here.

Either way, the story of Kim Minhyuk was decided from the start.

[The constellation '### ### ###' asks why you rejected the gift he sent your way.]

I said, "I don't want to become stronger this way. You want to give me a gift, then give me something else."

[The constellation '### ### ###' says you should think about it carefully.]

[The constellation '### ### ###' says there is no better method than this if you want to increase your power quickly.]

"Sorry, I've already said I'm not interested. Besides... How am I supposed to trust someone who won't reveal his name?"

[The constellation '### ### ###' looks at you, confused.]

[The constellation '### ### ###' laughs and says his modifier has been concealed this entire time.]

[The constellation '### ### ###' is revealing his name.]

[The constellation 'Destroyer of Santicity' looks down at you with a sinister smile.]

I opened my eyes very wide in shock. It was expected that I would react this way.

Agares?! What is he doing in the third nightmare trial?

Agares, he was a character I knew. The name 'Agares' was popular among the demonic species. He is one of the few demons with the title of Grand Duke and was the ruler of the 2nd Demon Realm.

He is infamously known as a demon of obsession and madness and has a reputation of not stopping at any means to acquire "something" once he becomes interested in it.

Needless to say, nobody liked him. Many gods and demons viewed him aas an obsessive or delusional fool.

I remembered he was one of the few constellations that supported Soo Jinyoung during her journey. At the time, his interest in the protagonist was at a level that could be only called obsessive.

Needless to say, my name wasn't Soo Jinyoung. So why was he showing interest?

I tried to rack my brain but I couldn't think of anything that could have attracted his attention.

[The constellation 'Destroyer of Santicity' asks if you know him.]

For the time being, I had to pretend that I did not know or else, things will become troublesome for me.

"No, not really. Your modifier just piqued my interest."

[The 'Destroyer of Santicity' feels as though that was not the only reason for your surprise but says he won't pry further.]

[The constellation 'Destroyer of Santicity' asks what you want as a gift.]

There were a few things I wanted but I didn't say them out loud. It was dangerous to get associated with the demon species considering their history with the constellations.

My mind raced and then I finally opened my mouth.

"I can't think of anything at the moment. Why don't you just give me coins? Coins will make a nice gift, right?"

[The constellation 'Destroyer of Santicity' laughs and says that your words are true.

[The constellation 'Destroyer of Santicity' says who in the world does not like money.]

[30,000 coins has been sponsored.]

My eyes widened even further.

A whopping 30,000 coins. This bastard, how could he casually give out that huge amount of coins to someone that wasn't even his incarnation.

Well, considering his title as Demon King, it will obvious that he will possess a large amount of coins. To him, giving out that amount was like giving money to a beggar.

I forcefully wore a wryly smile to hide my anxiety. It should be okay, right?

"Thank you for the gift. I'll make sure to use this coins well."

[The constellation 'Destroyer of Santicity' says he will be watching you from onwards.]

[The constellation 'Destroyer of Santicity' says he will be expecting an amazing performance in the future.]

After leaving behind that disturbing message, the system window closed and the Demon Duke, Agares didn't speak again.