Little Pink Starfish

“This place is….”

I looked out into the distance.

It was a landscape that could only be described as foreign, otherworldly.

The rising sun cast light over scattered icebergs drifting across the water.

It was breathtaking.

I stood there, mesmerized, forgetting even that my body was soaking wet.

<“Enough with the sightseeing, creature. And for the love of all things, please let go of me.”>

It was The Star Hated by All speaking.

Still holding the catfish-shaped Star Hated by All in my hands, I had been so lost in the view I didn’t even realize I was gripping it tightly.

“S-Sorry….”

I gently placed The Star Hated by All down by the water.

Before it could touch the surface, it transformed into a fly and fluttered around me.

<“Aren’t you cold?”>

“I’m okay. Honestly, it’s kind of too warm….”

That was probably because The Star Hated by All had used its power on me.

This place was along the Arctic Ocean’s edge, where beluga whales lived.

After seeing the beluga off, I’d been transported to one of the nameless islands scattered around the Arctic coastline and was drying off here.

Without The Star Hated by All, I’d probably have frozen to death.

I really should be getting back….

I plopped down onto the sandy beach, staring blankly at the horizon.

<“Look above you. We don’t have much time. Collect your reward and let’s return quickly.”>

“…Above me?”

I looked up.

Because of the bright sunlight, I hadn’t noticed it before—a large button floating in the air.

[♥ Guaranteed Summon: Primeval Sea Creature Growth Kit ♥]

That’s what was written on it, glowing cheerfully just above my head.

“Primeval sea creature…?”

As someone with a basic education, the term brought to mind things like trilobites, anomalocaris, marella… All weird, ancient creatures.

Surely they weren’t asking me to raise one of those creepy crawlies?

“Can you explain this?”

I asked The Star Hated by All.

It let out a sinister chuckle.

Wait—this is giving off a bad vibe.

<…Would be Muddorok.>

“Hold on! Are you saying that’s a guaranteed Muddorok summon?!”

“…Ha.”

I let out a weak laugh and reached out to grab The Star Hated by All.

“You’re kidding, right? You want me to raise something like Muddorok?!”

The Abyssal Sea King Muddorok was a demon that manifested through an S-class Gate near Incheon Metropolitan City.

It had been leeching off underwater veins near Incheon’s coast, reduced to just its core—until The Star Hated by All and I dealt with it not long ago.

Up until then, Muddorok had been more of a running joke—a creepy deep-sea freak, a punching bag, a giant blob of heart muscle.

Now it was back?

“Why the hell is that thing returning?!”

The Star Hated by All perched on the back of my hand.

Papa had raised it, it would’ve turned into some lame sea angel.>

“…So what’s your point?”

“What does this have to do with being an idol?!”

Tsk!

I clicked my tongue.

Fine. Whatever. I’ll raise it.

And I’ll raise it right—with the best possible training.

With that resolve, I pressed the summon button.

Bing!

An annoyingly cheerful sound rang out, and a translucent window popped up in front of me.

[Hello, Mom or Dad]

[I need a name. Please give me one.]

Ugh. What a childish line.

No, no—this is important.

I shook my head.

I have to raise this thing properly.

It needs a beautiful name. Something with heart.

I’m not naming it something villainous like “Leviathan” or “Muddorok.”

“Your name is… Squirmy.”

“What? Isn’t it cute? I like it.”

<…Well, if it pleases you, I won’t argue. Perhaps this is how the cruelty of demon-worshippers reveals itself… A truly shocking name.>

It’s still better than “Muddorok,” at least…

[Squirmy’s nest is being prepared. Please wait a moment.]

Ding!

[Squirmy’s nest is ready. Mom or Dad, please take care of me. My life is in your hands. Help me grow into something wonderful!]

After that message appeared—

Flash!

A soft light shimmered in the air.

---

[Bubbler: Guys, did you see today’s Rufus? ღ˘⌣˘ღ]

[Bubbler: (Picture of their prize cabbage)]

[Me: lol…]

[Me: …Looks the same as yesterday though]

[Bubbler: Are you kidding me?! The size is totally different. Eunyul, are your eyes already aging?!]

[Me: …Rowen-senpai? Can you please say something?]

[★My Role Model★: Ha.]

[Bubbler: (Yesterday’s cabbage)]

[Bubbler: (Today’s cabbage)]

[Bubbler: See? They’re different! I told you!]

[Me: …Yes, ma’am (lazy emoji)]

[Bubbler: What kind of reaction is that?]

[Me: I apologize. Clearly, Rufus is growing by the minute and will soon rival Jack’s beanstalk.]

[Bubbler: That’s more like it! Hehe]

[Bubbler: You’re forgiven! (ง •̀_•́) ง]

[Bubbler: Oh, and by the way—]

[Bubbler: I saw your PR video, Eunyul.]

[Me: Oh…]

[Me: Thanks.]

[Me: I watched yours too.]

Yesterday, Neobus released the PR videos for the finalists.

Han Iro’s video was a mini drama with popera elements.

It fit perfectly with his background as an actor.

Maybe that’s why his had the most views.

Thankfully, mine landed just below his in the rankings.

The top comment on my PR video said:

— Summary: Merman Prince Enters (Best)

Embarrassing, but satisfying.

— “Wait, was he pretending to be bad before?;; I mean, he was good in round 3, but THIS? Back then he sang like he had a lollipop in his mouth…”

— “I’ve never seen that annoying blue guy sing so well ㅠㅠ”

— “I wanna lick Eunyul’s abs…”

— “Wait, what’s his constellation?? What do violins and fish have to do with anything???”

— “I wanna lick Eunyul’s abs…”

— “Time to invest in Eunyul coin. No way he gets eliminated in the finals.”

— “I wanna lick Eunyul’s abs…”

Some of the comments were… questionable, but overall, it was a hit.

Round 1 was about standing out.

Round 3, a team match—I had to blend in.

But the PR video? That was mine alone, and it turned out great.

“Anyway…”

I closed my phone and looked over at a water droplet-shaped aquarium.

Inside was Muddorok—no, Squirmy—swimming around.

Still in its infant stage, it just looked like a tiny, red fish.

Barely the length of two joints of my pinky.

Just a regular fish… or so it seemed.

<“What were you expecting? Life always starts small.”>

The Star Hated by All landed on the aquarium’s surface.

Squirmy swam over curiously, pecking the glass with its snout.

It was hard to believe this was the same species as Muddorok.

Of course, Squirmy wasn’t just a regular fish.

It fed on my thoughts.

Which meant, it didn’t need food to feel full.

The aquarium—part of the kit—kept its water clean on its own.

[So just focus on raising Squirmy healthy and happy!]

…That’s what the manual said.

For now, Squirmy was classified as an artifact.

I could summon it or dismiss it with the aquarium.

And like all artifacts, it had a description.

[Squirmy]
— Relic-Grade Artifact

Description: “My failure, you shall wander the primeval sea forever. Devour. Despair. Resent me—until the day of reckoning comes…”

These were the words spoken at Muddorok’s birth.

Created to rule the sea of hell, Muddorok drank Siren’s milk to learn hatred and swam with Scylla to learn slaughter.

But that was his fate.

The Primeval Sea is a cradle of life.

Life and death cycled endlessly, laying the foundation for this world.

If a creature has the potential to rule a hellish sea… it might also purify a tainted one.

— Depending on your choices, Squirmy will grow. What will it become?

Durability: No death concept assigned.
Duration: No death concept assigned.
Cooldown: No death concept assigned.

“Hmmm….”

I rested my chin on my hand.

“That line about a failure… That was you, wasn’t it?”

The Star Hated by All answered calmly.

“You were a terrible dad….”

“We’re talking about Squirmy now.”

I didn’t want to hear Muddorok’s name anymore.

I made sure to correct it.

<Squirmy… Ha. Just another lifeform that was made, not born. Tools don’t need affection.>

Usually lazy and arrogant, sometimes The Star Hated by All could be disturbingly cold.

The contrast made my skin crawl sometimes.

He could read my mind to a degree, but I could never read his.

…It really was a one-sided relationship.

Even so—

“Here. A gift.”

I pulled out a gold-trimmed metal case from my jacket pocket.

“You know what it is.”

I’d promised The Star Hated by All a reward in exchange for releasing the fish in Aqua Space.

This was it.

He hated being kept in a Bluetooth case, so I bought something he’d like.

A gothic-style container.

It even had an inverted cross engraved on it.

<…It’s beautiful.>

He sounded impressed.

“You’re too happy, now I almost don’t want to give it to you…”

I opened the case.

The Star Hated by All dove in.

It’s literally just a mass-produced item…

I sighed.

“Play in there for now.”

I stood up.

“Mom will be back soon, so I’ll start dinner.”

Why’s he suddenly so fired up…?

Smiling wryly, I headed toward the kitchen.

The final camp was about a week away, and I had just arrived in Incheon this afternoon.

I was excited to get home, but Mom wasn’t there.

She must be at her workshop.

She used to work a rough job before getting grant money, and now she runs a woodworking studio for fun.

…I’m really glad she made it.

“Oh, and also…”

As I walked toward the kitchen, I looked back.

“Make some time tonight.”

I said to The Star Hated by All.

He replied, peeking out from the case.

“I figured I’d handle it while I’m free.”

I shrugged.

“I’m going to reorganize my status window categories.”