Liam's expression grew colder and colder.
The reason? Raydel's expression was that of someone who had lived a long life like him.
'Could he be a returner too?'
That could be a possibility, but why now? And not in his other regressions.
'Should I kill him? Leaving him like this... could be dangerous.'
The glint in his eyes grows colder and colder, ready to activate his unique ability.
Until he hears the following words.
"I can help you fulfill your wish."
[The exclusive skill Sea Without Light Lvl. 1 has been activated]
Liam's shadow spread out from him; multiple black tentacles emerged and quickly entangled Raydel.
"What did you just say?"
Raydel, struggling to breathe, smiles.
"As I said, I can help you with your wish; I know of a future that you do not."
Liam tightened his grip on Raydel's neck with the black tentacles of his exclusive skill.
'Could he be a prophet? But why would he become a prophet...?'
Prophet.
A stigma that can see the future through the river of time and destiny. But he knew that there was only one person with that stigma; a second prophet never appeared.
"When have you seen it?"
"Enough, I know you also possess information about the future, right? But you also know that your knowledge isn't perfect, right?"
Liam was aware, in fact, because no regression is the same; every action he took would cause a change, and the future he knew would change...
But after so many regressions, he had found a pattern. However, this regression has been full of anomalies.
"So make me your partner, and I'll help you fulfill your wish: to complete the final stage. You need allies you can trust."
"..."
Liam remains silent for a brief moment.
"Fine, I'll accept you as my partner, but..."
The black tentacles that had surrounded Raydel threw him toward Cthulhu.
"If you really are a prophet, you should know how to survive."
Raydel, who was flying toward Cthulhu, managed to shout.
"Damn you, you psychopathic son of a bitch!!!"
Liam smiled.
"Survive, prophet."
...
After sending Raydel to fight the rank 9 monster, Liam noticed several contradictions in his partner.
The first was when he mentioned that he was his fan; he had the expression of someone who had lived too long. That was the most important one.
The second, about his desire or knowledge of the future that he knows... but he's not entirely sure, it was as if he were a completely different person.
Was he a prophet? A regressor? Or what the hell was Raydel? Liam has no idea who he is now.
A smile appears on his lips.
'What a unique companion I have now.'
[The constellation "Lord of Mysteries" shows interest in your previous action.]
'Lord of Mysteries... to think that constellation would come to my channel.'
[The constellation "Golden Diadem" wags its tail with a mysterious smile and has sponsored you with 100 coins.]
[Several constellations have expressed interest in you and want to become your sponsors.]
[The constellation "The Great Sleeper" has entered your Black Squid channel]
He glanced at the notifications for a moment before continuing on his way.
Liam, as he made his way to the first main stage, opened the exchange market.
Then an electric current appeared in the air. A transparent screen emerged before him.
[Welcome to the coin shop, "Binance Stelar"]
Binance Stelar.
The primary exchange market of the Stellar Flow Network.
A place where items are bought and sold... but only accessible to constellations and moderators, who are the intermediaries.
Under normal circumstances, humans were not even allowed to see this interface.
But Liam wasn't in normal circumstances.
His channel had been upgraded to premium, albeit temporarily.
That gave him access to features that, for most people, wouldn't appear until much later... if ever.
Turning a channel into a premium channel could not be achieved simply by accumulating coins.
It required meeting absurd conditions imposed directly by the constellations: entertainment value, statistical anomalies, sustained interest, and... the approval of a moderator.
That is precisely why he had negotiated with the Stage Moderator.
'And this is one of the ways to become stronger: for the constellations to understand things, through these stores, and to give them to the channels they sponsor.'
[The "Random Attribute Box" is now available, allowing you to change attributes randomly!]
[A weapon pack for 2,500 coins!]
[Special offer for today only...!]
All the offers appeared before his eyes, but the coins he had were limited, so he discarded many of them.
Until he found a sword, added it to his cart, and looked at other things that would be useful to him.
[You have purchased "Broken Cinder," "Star Anvil," "Demon Wolf Core," and "Random Item Box."]
[6,900 coins have been deducted.]
[Coins owned: 1,000]
A sword broken in half, a red core, and an anvil full of cracks materialized in front of Liam.
[Item: Broken Cinderella.]
Rating: E
[Item: Star Anvil.]
Rating: C
[Item: Demon Wolf Core.]
Rating: D
[Several constellations look at you curiously.]
Liam, with all the items purchased, looked to the side and said.
"Moderator"
Several golden particles formed in the air, and the rabbit appeared, wearing a suit, with large paws and ears.
[What do you want now, human?]
"Close my channel."
[What?]
Liam didn't bother to explain and opened the box of random items that looked like a holographic video game.
He quickly added the purchased items before the random item appeared.
「Entered...#%#ErrorErrorError#"&%...Error"... Error"...Error"#%&$...」
The moderator quickly became alarmed at what was happening: the system was failing.
[Your channel #Black Squid has been abruptly closed.]
The moderator's expression was a work of art.
[Human, what are you doing!]
Liam didn't respond and just stared at the box, which was vibrating violently.
[The constellation related to the item that is about to be released opens its eyes after a long sleep.]
'...Oh, I hope the quality of the item exceeds rank C.'
He learned about this bug during one of his regressions, thanks to a person named Tesla, but it could be used only once.
[A highly valued item has appeared!]
The box stopped shaking; he didn't hesitate for a second and opened it.
Inside was a black Vantablack sword. He held the black sword in front of him.
The blade looked like it was made of solidified black iron, as if a dead star had been compressed into the shape of a weapon.
When he tried to verify the item's information.
「ERROR」
「ERROR」
The moderator took a step back in midair.
For the first time since I had met him...
He seemed nervous.
[Human... what have you done?]
Liam closed his fingers around the hilt.
A dark pulse ran through his arm, but he felt no pain. On the contrary, a strangely familiar sensation settled in his chest.
As if something had finally clicked into place.
Liam raised his sword.
A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face.
"So..."
He whispered.
"Now you can open my channel again."