[The constellation, 'Monarch of the Small Fries', sponsors you 100 coins.]
Ignoring the notification, Lenoch was thinking.
Blue windows, coins… This was very similar to a game. He decided to try something.
'Attributes window.'
As expected, something really appeared.
[Name: ???
Age: ??
Constellation Support: None (Two constellations are currently showing interest in this person).]
Lenoch skipped the private attributes and exclusive skills filled with question marks and glanced at the overall stats.
[Overall Stats: Stamina Lv. 1, Strength Lv. 1, Agility Lv. 1, Magic Power Lv. 8]
[A constellation is amazed by your extremely low base stats.]
"…"
However, like in games, shouldn't there be a way to increase his stats?
At that moment, a notification popped up in front of him.
[Do you want to check the coin usage tips?]
As the explanation entered his ears, for the first time in a long time, Lenoch started to have hope about his physical condition. He could finally reach the state of a normal person.
Then, the numbers on his attributes window caught his eye.
[Overall Stats: Stamina Lv. 1, Strength Lv. 1, Agility Lv. 1, Magic Power Lv. 9]
Since his magic power was still low, it appeared to be visibly increasing in real time. Even in this world, his talent for magic was still there.
Thus, it seemed that increasing his magic power was unnecessary at the moment. He could first focus on his other stats.
[200 coins have been invested into 'stamina'.]
However, contrary to his expectations, the next message shattered all these hopes.
[Due to your private attribute ???, your stats are converted into magic power.]
[Magic power Lv. 9 -> Magic power Lv. 10]
"…"
Lenoch had complicated feelings all of a sudden.
[500 coins have been invested into 'agility'.]
[Due to your private attribute ???, your stats are converted into magic power.]
[Due to your private attribute ???, the scenario limit for your magic stat is offset.]
[Magic power Lv. 10 -> Magic power Lv. 12]
Lenoch gave up and decided not to spend his remaining 400 coins for now.
Anyway, if it was like a game, there should be items offering boosts in strength and stamina, right?
Looking at his coins total, Lenoch wondered if he should have simply killed everyone here before they failed the scenario.
'After all, since they would die anyway, with 100 coins per kill, killing everyone here would have given me…'
He put the idea aside. Regardless, what was done was done, and he wouldn't have been able to kill more people even if he had wanted to. Not only were they innocent civilians, but all his mana had been exhausted while dealing with only one person.
Then, some words glitched. The part about a 'Constellation Support' turning into question marks before the attributes window turned off. Lenoch tried to call it again, but it didn't respond this time.
At the same time, the dokkaebi reappeared, twinkling stars floating above its head.
[For 9 people to be connected to my channel… Haha, isn't this quite good? Gosh, thank you for your sponsorship, constellations. Is there only one survivor here?]
The dokkaebi manipulated something in the air. A moment later, a list of survivors came up.
[Survivor from Taepung Girls' High School Staff Room: ???. A total of one survivor.]
[Hmm? Why doesn't the name show up?]
The dokkaebi tried to fix the error, but the notification didn't change.
[Strange… Is this a bug?]
Lenoch watched the dokkaebi apologize to the constellations before a message about the dokkaebi requesting a 'Management Bureau' to examine the issue popped up—making the hierarchy between the beings of this new system all too clear.
'Management Bureau…'
[Now, let's get straight to the point.]
Seemingly addressing the sky more than Lenoch, the creature's words continued.
[Shouldn't there be a reward for overcoming the hardships? As a reward for the first scenario, you are entitled to the sponsorship of the 'constellations'. Waahhh! How about it? Aren't you looking forward to it?]
"…"
[Hmm, show some enthusiasm. It would be an honor for you to receive the attention of even one constellation.]
"…"
Lenoch emotionlessly stared at the dokkaebi. In response, the creature clicked its tongue.
[Right now, you are incredibly weak. If you are thrown into the scenarios that will take place, you will be killed when you meet a weak ground rat, let alone a 'kruk'. But kindly, there are some great people in the universe who pity you and would like to sponsor you. Do you understand what I am saying?]
"…"
[Haha. Not very talkative, I see. Well then, let's start!]
The dokkaebi couldn't stand it anymore and snapped its fingers, starting the sponsorship selection.
At that moment, two choices appeared before Lenoch.
[Sponsor Selection]
—Please select your sponsor
—Your chosen sponsor will be your strong supporter.
The first one was a name he had already seen before, 'Monarch of the Small Fries'.
Lenoch ignored it without hesitation.
The second name sounded better, although he had no idea who it was either—the 'Monarch of Stars and Logic'.
Was it a mage who noticed his great magic potential?
[There is one minute left to complete the Sponsor Selection.]
Lenoch waited until time ran out, not selecting anything.
In the first place, when 'constellations' and 'sponsorship' were involved, there was often a catch. Lenoch would rather rely on himself than sign a contract with an unknown price.
[Sponsor Selection has ended.]
[The constellation, 'Monarch of the Small Fries', is displeased by your choice.]
[The constellation, 'Monarch of Stars and Logic', sneers.]
[The constellation, 'Monarch of Stars and Logic', is interested in your choice and comments on your arrogance.]
[The constellation, 'Monarch of the Small Fries', feels intimidated by 'Monarch of Stars and Logic' and hides.]
[Constellations of the Absolute Good are relieved by your choice.]
[200 coins have been sponsored.]
Lenoch tilted his head. Why would the Absolute Good constellations be relieved by his choice? Lenoch brushed the thought aside and focused on the present.
[Well, well. Monarch of Stars and Logic, it is such an honor to have such big shots in my channel. Thank you very much for watching.]
The dokkaebi then turned to Lenoch and glared at him.
[Are you stupid? You missed a big opportunity. You are fortunate that the constellations didn't get angry.]
Lenoch stood there in silence, a bitter smile on his face but not regretting his choice.
After scolding him a bit longer—Lenoch letting the words go in one ear and out the other—the dokkaebi sighed.
[Now that the selection is finished, rest here for a while. I have to go prepare the next scenario. I'll see you in 10 minutes!]
Then, the creature disappeared.
After increasing his magical power stat, his mana wasn't exhausted anymore. Although he couldn't use high-ranking spells as freely as before, at least, he could still execute some basic ones.
For example, disguise magic.
[Constellations of the Absolute Evil are interested in your actions.]
[A constellation asks what you're going to do.]
Looking at his reflection in the mirror, his face now resembled Evan Vylun. Fortunately, the disguise didn't use up too much mana. He also used a cleaning spell to remove the blood that had splashed on him earlier.
Taking a step forward, a squishy sound was heard.
"…"
Looking down, he had accidentally stepped on a piece of brain.
[The constellations have sponsored you 200 coins.]
…Why was he getting sponsored now?
Lenoch felt he had an idea why, but he ignored it and advanced toward the door.
Ignoring the dokkaebi's earlier comment to stay put, he grabbed the handle.
Since the message 'all types of access to this room will be restricted until the scenario is complete' had popped up before, it should mean that the door could be opened now that the scenario had ended.
As expected, the door opened.
Leaving the room, Lenoch looked through the classrooms one by one, searching for any other person still alive.
[A constellation is looking forward to the bloodbath between survivors.]
…He felt like a strange misunderstanding was forming.
Taking a break to breathe for a moment, Lenoch started walking again.
Finally, he reached the classroom for Year 2 Class B, feeling a presence through his magic senses.
Slowly opening the door, a figure came into view.
A student wearing a white blouse, a gray sleeveless sweater, a navy blue blazer and a light brown skirt stood there, her gaze fixed on a corpse in front of her.
Even as the door creaked, she didn't turn her head, too preoccupied by her thoughts to hear the door.
She was in shock.
This was a normal reaction for a modern person experiencing a life-and-death situation and killing a person for the first time after living in a peaceful society.
Come to think of it, his own calm must have seemed very abnormal to the constellations.
Carefully approaching the student so as not to startle her, Lenoch stopped 2 meters away from her.
The name tag she was wearing was splashed with blood, making it hard to read.
'Lee …he… or hye.'
"Are you alright?"
The student finally noticed his presence and stepped back. As she raised her head, he could see she had been crying.
The student glared.
"Who are you?"
Lenoch made a friendly smile and attempted to appease her, raising his hands as a gesture of peace.
"I am a new professor here. My name is Evan Vylun."
A new professor? Was that why his face was unfamiliar? However, the fact that he had been in the building didn't change, so it must be the truth.
The student continued to glare at him, on guard.
"…I'm not familiar with the students' faces yet. What is your name?"
"It's none of your business."
She hurriedly wiped her eyes. Turning his gaze away, Lenoch decided to not comment on it. Then, the student questioned him, "So, what the hell are you doing here?"
Lenoch didn't get angry with her tone and kept a friendly smile on as he patiently explained, "I was looking for survivors in the building. There are monsters outside, so it would be better for people to gather to increase our chances of survival in case we have to fight them."
[A few constellations are impressed with your good deed.]
[Some constellations are questioning your intentions.]
[The constellations have sponsored you 100 coins.]
"I don't need help."
Heading toward the door, she bumped into him as a side of protest, intending to bypass him.
However, although the student had put very little force into it, Lenoch was effortlessly pushed aside, losing his balance and barely catching a desk to prevent himself from falling.
Surprised, the female student turned her head toward him and remarked, "…You're very weak, sir."
In response, Lenoch smiled bitterly, unable to refute.
Maybe less on guard since she knew Lenoch didn't pose a threat as she could easily overpower him if necessary, the student seemed calmer.
She went toward the door, followed by Lenoch.
"You can call me Evan."
"…I'm Lee Jihye."