I told the Guardians about the Constellation System.
Since they were all individuals who had reached the peak of their respective worlds, they were quick to understand.
“So you want us to raise disciples,” one said.
“I was bored anyway. This isn’t bad.”
“Shall we make a bet on who raises the strongest one?”
“When exactly do we start?”
The Guardians showed explosive interest, likely because they had spent years doing nothing in the world where the Dragon Lair was located. Furthermore, since this was preparation for the upcoming war with the Supreme Apostles, everyone was a bit more fired up.
“It will start within 1 week. I’ve made it so you can observe for now, so give it a look.”
The more impatient Guardians immediately accessed the Constellation System. Their eyes lost focus and flickered with a blue light—the state one entered when fully connected to the system.
“Ooh, I see them. I see them. But this one’s a dud. He has no talent.”
“The one I’m looking at isn’t bad. Can I call dibs on this one?”
“There’s already a strong one. Cheonma? This guy has even mastered the Heart Sword.”
“Cheonma? Oh, what weapon does he use? I should go take a look too.”
Leaving the Guardians to adapt to the system, I headed to the Witches’ Workshop where Anne was. I used a portal to cross through space. The workshop looked completely different from before. It was no longer a Witch’s house inside a cave, but a factory built on a vast field. Hundreds of giant cauldrons were boiling vigorously. The Witches were adding various ingredients and stirring them diligently with magical ladles.
“Lord Jorge, you’ve arrived,” Anne said, approaching me before I knew it.
“Is the preparation going well?”
“Yes. We have prepared everything from potions that grant various buffs to diverse recovery potions.”
“What about the Elixirs?”
“I spoke with Fryra and we’ve finished everything from Attribute Pills to Elixir Pills. I’ve ensured that every Constellation can give at least one.”
“Make it so they can give up to three.”
“That is possible. Also, I’ve left some spare cauldrons. If specific Constellations want something particular, we’ll make it for them.”
“Is that possible?”
“It’s possible because a Guardian with potion-making skills has joined us.”
Anne had always handled things well on her own, so she would surely continue to do so.
“Right. Good work. I’m counting on you.”
“Understood.”
From the Witches’ Workshop, I moved to the Blacksmith Village where the dwarves lived.
Clang!
Clang!
Under a massive forge, numerous dwarves were swinging their hammers.
Various materials could be seen amidst the sparks flying in the wind. Resources from the forest, materials obtained through dimension missions, and things brought from Ropenheim’s world.
We were also being supplied with materials through Turkan, who was fighting hard to rule the Demon Realm.
Even though it seemed like enough for now…
‘The materials will run out eventually.’
I had already thought of a plan to solve that.
“You’ve come?” the Dwarf Elder asked as he approached.
“Are you satisfied with everyone’s skills?”
“Still far from enough.”
“But haven’t you been making quite decent equipment?”
“I can’t be satisfied with just that. In the past, we created far greater works.”
“I’m sure you’ll be able to create them again one day.”
“Since you provide us with materials that are hard to find so easily, the speed at which our skills improve has certainly increased.”
However, his tone didn’t sound particularly pleased.
“Has a problem occurred?”
“Because the materials are so easy to get, their hearts have become light. Even if they make just one thing, they should put their whole heart into it. But an ‘if I fail, I’ll just make it again’ atmosphere is starting to show.”
“Ah.”
It was a problem I hadn’t considered since I only received the finished equipment. I immediately understood what the Elder was saying. Even if no major issues arose right now, to reach greater heights, that mindset had to be fixed.
“It’s not that I want the supply of materials to stop, though.”
“When we go to get special materials, let’s have them accompany us. I’ll assign missions where they have to work hard to obtain them, within a range where they won’t die.”
“Could you do that? This wasn’t something I could solve just by talking, so I was worried. I’m glad you’re willing to do that. Hahaha!”
The Dwarf Elder laughed as if a weight had been lifted from his chest.
“In the future, there will be a lot of equipment requiring special orders.”
“Custom orders, you mean? I heard the gist of it from the Witch.”
“Yes. Please take good care of that.”
“If it’s something you’re asking, I must get it done no matter what. Don’t worry.”
After taking a light look around the smithy, I returned to where the World Tree was. Elves were scattering spirit energy around the Elixirs growing rapidly in Fryra’s field beneath the tree.
‘It’s running well.’
In various places, there were Guardians connected to the Constellation System. They had logged in one by one, and now all of them were watching the Hunters. Meanwhile, a shadow formed in the sky, and the Wyvern King landed.
“Master, is there perhaps anything for us to do?”
“There is.”
“There is?”
The Wyvern King fluttered its wings, delighted.
“Soon, I will remove the boundaries of the forest. When that happens, take the Goblin Riders and scout the surroundings.”
It was about time for the Demon King here to start moving as well. I needed to check for signs of that. To completely rule this dimension, scouting was essential. Right now, I only had information about the inside of the forest; I had zero information about what lay outside.
“Understood!”
A new message appeared for Hunters all over the world.
[The Labyrinth of Bahart has been updated]
[Please check the new updates for yourself]
The message stated that the Labyrinth had been updated. Not long after, a post appeared on a community site.
– A Constellation gave me a skill.
– Constellation?
– It’s barely been any time since the update, and you’re already talking about Constellations? Can’t you think before posting such fake clickbait?
– Lame.
– Agreed.
– Huh? Someone is talking to me too.
– Look at them playing along. Constellation, my ass. If they were going to appear, they would’ve appeared a long time ago. Does it make sense for them to show up right after an update?
There were people here and there saying Constellations were real, but there were far more people who hadn’t been contacted by one. Those who hadn’t seen or heard it for themselves bashed those pushing the Constellation theory.
– Posting proof.
A Hunter uploaded a video. The video briefly listed the Hunter’s affiliation, rank, and career. In the video, the Hunter entered a dungeon that could never be cleared at their rank and cleared it personally.
– Whoa. Look at those movements. That’s a D-rank?
– Isn’t that Hunter Certificate faked? This makes no sense.
– A Constellation told me what my talent was. Once I realized that, the world looked different. Believe it if you want.
The posts from the community spread everywhere, and the World Hunter Association officially acknowledged the facts. The existence of beings called Constellations had appeared to a chosen few. They could provide teachings and grant skills. They could also give special rewards.
– Holy crap! Isn’t that totally broken?
– What? So if you’re not chosen, it means you have no talent?
– Aren’t there many types of Constellations?
– I’ve been F-rank for ten years, but I heard a Constellation’s voice. They said they liked how I didn’t give up and worked hard.
– Same here. It was similar for me.
There were Constellations who valued the talent of effort, not just innate natural talent. Thus, the Hunters quickly accepted the Constellation System.
– Something changed in the Labyrinth too.
– A Time Attack mission was created. It says if you break the record, you get a reward. Anyone tried it?
– I don’t see anything like that.
– Seems like it only pops up for people whose clear records meet a certain standard?
Information about the Time Attack spread even slower than the Constellation System. For about 1 week, only the existence of the Time Attack was known, but nothing about the rewards was revealed. Then, someone made a post.
– Amazing. The rewards are insane. I broke a record and they gave me all of this.
The Photograph uploaded by the person showed Elixirs, potions, and equipment items.
– The Elixir raises all stats by one level and increases maximum Mana. The potion doubles all stats for 1 hour when consumed. The equipment item seems to be a unique item. The options attached to it are insane.
– Dammit. Is that for real? There was a reason the information didn’t get out.
– Isn’t that only given on specific floors? OP, what floor did you clear?
– If you just know the strategy, can’t you just shave off time little by little? I think at least three people could get the reward.
– Even if I tell you, you won’t clear it faster than me. I set the record because of an ability I have. And it seems they give it for each floor? Someone else said they got it on a different floor too.
– The rewards are at an insane level.
– Ah, this honey pot is finally being revealed. I’ll share one thing I got too. I’ll post how I got it as well.
Once the information broke, details about the Time Attack poured out. Those who had already achieved records and received rewards shared their strategies for each floor, and people began to follow them.
– Oh! I just broke the record for the 10th floor. Got the reward. To the guy who said he got the 10th floor strategy—is the reward the same?
– It’s the same. It doesn’t seem to disappear just because someone got it first.
– This is crazy! Someone tell me the strategy too.
– Since the 13th floor is better if you’re fast, wouldn’t it be best to clear it with full Swift gear? Plus, if you have a movement skill, breaking the record is definitely possible.
As information was released, people began analyzing it, and through that analysis, more people broke records.
As multiple Constellations began speaking to the Hunters who had broken records, it even led to each guild establishing departments for Time Attack.
I watched how reality was doing for about 1 week.
‘It’s running properly.’
It was going better than I had worried. The Guardians had adapted quickly and were fully immersed in playing Constellation. Their reaction was so good that they even said sleeping was a waste of time.
“I guess I can leave now.”
If a problem arose, the Golden Tower could manage it, and if necessary, they would send me a telepathy, so there would be no issue. Furthermore, I had synchronized the flow of time to one-to-one. If a problem occurred in reality, I could warp the timeline to prepare.
Whoosh!
I moved to the Dragon Lair world. A massive, hotel-like building stood near the World Tree. I had built lodging so the Guardians could comfortably use the Constellation System. Even now, they would be fulfilling their roles as Constellations inside.
“Wyvern.”
At my call, the Wyvern King flew over instantly.
“Did you call, Master?”
“The information you brought, it’s certain, right?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Let’s go. I need to see it with my own eyes.”
3 days ago, the Wyvern King, who had gone out to search, returned with shocking news. In a kingdom located a bit away from the forest, there was a being emitting the exact same energy as the Apostles I had faced so far.
‘I knew about the existence of the Apostles.’
The fact that the God of this world fled to the Sleeping Forest was because the Apostles of the Six Dragon Gods had conquered this world. However, that was as far as my knowledge went. I didn’t know which Dragon God’s Apostles ruled this world, what rank of Apostles were present, or how they managed the world.
‘This is an important time to find out.’
If I could obtain proper information, it would be a huge help in the upcoming war against the High Apostles and Supreme Apostles.
“Shall we go?”