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Chapter – 07
“Is what you’re saying… all true?”
The clownish entity that had been glancing at me nervously widened its eyes and suddenly perked up.
【You finally understand! The qualification for participating in the tournament depends on whether you were chosen by a true Celestial Being, not some AI.】
“So the real participants of the tournament are you so-called gods of battle, and humans are basically just racehorses carrying you on their backs.”
【Exactly…】
The clownish one, who had been about to respond excitedly, suddenly hesitated and rolled its eyes.
It glanced at me again.
【…Well, not exactly. You and I will be splitting the prize money equally, so at the very least, we should be considered business partners.】
Trying hard, aren’t you.
It seems worried that if it says something wrong and upsets me, I might refuse to participate in the tournament.
‘Still, this guy is being unusually cautious for his personality. Is it because of the other Celestial Beings?’
I was also desperate because of my leg.
I just wasn’t showing it so I wouldn’t expose any weaknesses.
I still didn’t have solid proof, so I couldn’t fully trust it, but these so-called Celestial Beings might actually be higher existences than humans, just as the clown had been claiming all along.
If that was the case, how should I extract coins from these suspicious beings from now on?
After thinking it through, I spoke.
“This is your gambling table, so the coins are probably circulating through some system I don’t understand. How are you going to guarantee my share? If the coins aren’t guaranteed, I’m not participating.”
My goal was coin acquisition.
I had never even bought anything from the coin market yet, so I couldn’t even tell if it was real or fake.
I decided I’d try buying something after ending the game.
I drew a firm line, like someone wary of fraud, and the clown narrowed its eyes at me.
【Why would I ever scam you, you damn human?】
“What was that?”
【You’re incredibly lucky. I’m a wealthy and prestigious being even among Celestial Beings, so I’m not obsessed with coins.】
That sounded even more suspicious.
But the nonsense that followed made it so absurd that my suspicion of him being a scammer completely vanished.
【5 to 5. I’ll put in my own stake and give you half the prize.】
“…?”
What is this guy?
For someone who supposedly isn’t obsessed with coins, this statement was ridiculous.
I immediately adjusted the ratio.
“Bullshit. 10 to 0. Obviously I get 10.”
【…?】
Now the clown looked at me like what is this guy saying?
“You said you have a lot of coins.”
【No, I was just trying to be fair—】
“Fair? What the hell kind of fairness is that? Even in horse racing, the owner takes 80%. 5 to 5? Are you messing with me? I’m the owner here, so if you don’t like it, find someone else.”
I sounded strong, but I was actually quite reluctant to let him go.
I couldn’t afford to lose him.
Still, he always complained and kept saying one thing.
That my matching rate with him was unmatched.
【W-wait. But without me, you can’t participate in the tournament and earn coins—】
At that moment, a message appeared.
[Celestial Being <삢얅�섏낆> requests entry to the waiting room. Do you accept?]
[Celestial Being <궒룗쬆봛�곷�솕> requests entry to the waiting room. Do you accept?]
I had been wondering when I should call these guys anyway, so the timing was perfect.
Almost as if they had been watching the whole time.
Without hesitation, I pressed [Yes] twice, and with two bursts of light, two stars appeared.
The clown shouted.
【No!】
So that’s why he had been acting unusually careful around me—because of these two.
The green star, “Chirp,” spoke first after entering my waiting room.
【5 to 5? You have mountains of coins and still no conscience? I don’t need coins at all, so I will give you the entire prize.】
Even though its skill compatibility wasn’t great, that offer was tempting.
It must have been listening to our conversation somehow.
The red star, “Dragonblade,” spoke calmly.
【I’ll be direct. That one is skilled but lacks respect for humans. Choose me. With me, victory will not be out of reach.】
By the way, the original full name I gave him was “Dragonblade Trash Fighter,” but it was shortened to Dragonblade because it was too long.
The blue star, the clown, exploded.
【I don’t lack respect! I’m the one being dragged around like crazy! Get out immediately! Do you even have basic manners, trying to jump in on someone else’s deal?!】
Blue, green, and red stars began arguing in front of me.
Things were getting interesting.
‘In terms of combat synergy, the clown actually fits me best.’
But Chirp said it would give me the entire reward, so I decided to let them compete and just watch like I was eating popcorn.
Still, I had a question.
“Why are you all so obsessed with me? There are plenty of hunters and GOD-OF-AP players in the world.”
At my words, Chirp immediately responded.
【Because your innate matching rate is high, and you also have incredible—】
【8 to 2! That’s the limit!】
The clown interrupted loudly.
Then Dragonblade added calmly.
【Players who are ranked in this game already have partners. But you do not.】
【What do you mean I don’t?! Damn it!】
Seeing that things weren’t going well, the clown released a surge of blue energy.
The medals on its chest sparkled.
【Among all Celestial Beings here, my combat ability is clearly the highest! See these medals? I am the god of victory. I am your highest chance of winning the tournament and your guaranteed glory!】
After it finished, Chirp spoke again.
【As I said earlier, I will fully support your combat in the tournament and give you all coins earned in the process.】
【Don’t be fooled. This one isn’t actually a combat specialist. That’s why it gives everything away.】
【Not incorrect. Physical combat is not my specialty, but I can guarantee perfect support, wisdom, and luck.】
【Tch.】
Chirp’s biggest strengths were its good personality and intelligence—it adjusted everything to me and provided excellent guidance.
It felt honest and reliable.
Its main ability ensured my survival.
Fighting alongside Chirp felt like having a powerful hybrid support healer constantly by my side.
The downside was that, as a support, it couldn’t deal high burst damage using Celestial skills.
Dragonblade spoke.
【What I want is not money, but honor. So let’s make it 9 to 1. You know better than anyone that my skill is not lacking.】
Honestly, I still wasn’t sure.
After experiencing Celestial possession through skills, Dragonblade felt like a dragon or sword mage from a fantasy novel.
Its skills were a balanced mix of swordsmanship and magic.
I believed hands-on combat was best, but it was also hard to pass up such a unique skill set.
‘Also, it feels like the tournament rewards aren’t just coins. Otherwise they wouldn’t be offering coins this aggressively. So I guess I can freely take the coins for now.’
After thinking under the gaze of the stars, I spoke.
“Have you guys heard of ‘all together living’?”
At my words, the three pairs of eyes widened.
【What?!】
【Huh?!】
【Hm?】
Thanks to the translation system, they understood instantly.
All together living.
In other words, living together.
I added an explanation for the confused Celestial Beings.
“Is there a rule that says I must pick only one Celestial Being from start to finish?”
The three stars paused.
The first to speak was Dragonblade, who summoned a book from nowhere.
【We should verify that. Hmm. Indeed, there is no rule explicitly stating that a player must maintain a single partner throughout a match.】
In other words, the tournament rules of GOD-OF-AP allow switching Celestial Beings between matches.
Chirp and the clown reacted very differently.
【Heh. I approve.】
【Are you insane?! A Celestial Being has pride! I can’t accept that!】
The newcomers seemed fine with pushing out whoever was originally there, but the clown—who had tried to monopolize me—was furious.
If it got truly angry and left, I’d be the one in trouble.
My main partner was the clown.
“Clown will be my main partner since our synergy is the best. We’ll switch only when other Celestial Beings are more advantageous depending on the game mode.”
Hearing this, the clown, who had been burning with rage, calmed down slightly.
After thinking, it said:
【…But I’m the most advantageous in any mode, aren’t I?】
“I don’t know that yet.”
Honestly, I didn’t know how much I would use the others either.
The clown did fit me best.
In big tournaments, sticking with the most familiar partner made sense.
But having backups wasn’t a bad idea either.
These Celestial Beings each had hidden-class abilities, and no one knew what kinds of tournament modes would appear.
Chirp said:
【Since agreement has been reached, I will prepare a contract.】
A contract appeared, and that gave me confidence.
I didn’t fully understand the rules between Celestial Beings, but they did.
The clown sighed.
【This is insane… what a fate I have.】
“Set the contract ratio to 9 to 1.”
【What?! …Damn it. Fine, do whatever you want. Take everything.】
Completely drained, the clown muttered and slowly floated away.
I figured it would cave easily at this point.
So I grabbed it.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
【Why now?!】
“Let’s play the game.”
【……】
At that, it brightened up and obediently followed me again.
As expected, it really was my long-time main partner.
