[Little One has a question for you.]
[Death….]
[My master, will you not tell me what death means?]
“Death…?”
I stared blankly at the system window floating in front of me.
<So, the time has come.>
The Star Hated by All perched on my shoulder and spoke.
<That thing is Komool… Damn it, I can’t believe I’m saying such a childish name. What kind of name is Komool for a kin of Muddorok?>
The Star still didn’t seem happy with Komool’s name.
<…Well, fine. Either way, this is a necessary step for Komool’s growth.>
“A step for growth?”
<Indeed. Try summoning Komool.>
I nodded.
‘「Summon Komool」.’
As I recited it inwardly, my vision flashed—and Komool’s aquarium appeared before me.
“…You’ve grown a lot since I last saw you.”
I leaned in and observed Komool.
Its pitch-black body floated in the center of the tank. Compared to before, it looked about twice as large, and its dark crimson eyes glowed noticeably in the dim room.
Blinking, Komool swam toward my face.
<As I said before, it needs no food. It feeds on the thoughts of its master. The more you think, the more it is sated.>
“Then this system window…”
I pointed at the glowing message before me.
“Is like Komool placing an order for what it wants to eat?”
<That’s not far off. It’s a question to understand your thoughts. Remember, created being: before it’s complete, Komool will ask you several questions. Your answers will determine its growth.>
“…Did you go through a similar process to create Muddorok?”
I recalled the massive heart-like core of Muddorok I had seen deep in the sea near the Coastal Wharf.
It was horrifying even in hindsight.<Of course.>
The Star answered readily.
<Questions and answers are the foundation of creation. Most beings Papa created came through his own Q&A process. I followed something similar to birth Muddorok.>
“What kind of answers must you give to end up with a creature like that…?”
I muttered, scratching my head, then turned to the system message again.
[My master, will you not tell me what death means?]
I reread the question.
To think this would come right after reading Dad’s letter.
Truly a twisted sense of timing—fitting for a creature of the underworld.
“Death is…”
I decided to answer honestly.
“…It was once my only weapon.”
Bitang Guild Central HQ Lounge
Though it was built like a proper café, the lounge was pitch dark since it was past midnight.
“Gotta be careful not to trip…”
Muttering to himself, Jeong Noeul made his way cautiously through the dark lounge.
‘This is it…’
He stopped in front of a table.
“Hello?”
He greeted the empty seat in front of him.
“May I sit here for a moment?”
After politely asking permission, Noeul placed an energy drink on the table.
“Hup.”
He sat down and looked straight ahead.
“I might be being rude, but I want to know.”
He spoke while staring at the empty seat across from him.
“Why… are you still sitting here?”
There was no answer.
But Noeul could see it clearly.
A man sat across from him, throat ragged and bleeding.
Groooan—
The man growled lowly, glaring at Noeul.
He seemed too far gone to answer coherently.
“I see.”
Noeul smiled gently.
Even if the man couldn’t answer, he could still understand.
“You died when this place was invaded by monsters, didn’t you? You were directing operations from here….”
Scratching his neck, Noeul continued.
“But it’s okay now. All the Gates have been closed.”
The man’s groaning stopped abruptly.
“It’s true. You passed away decades ago….”
The man widened his eyes in disbelief, staring at Noeul.
“Please believe me. The world is peaceful now.”
Noeul smiled. Then he stretched out his right hand and murmured:
“「Use Crown of Prince Abrilah of the Otherworld」.”
Shiiing—
The crown of Abrilah appeared in his hand.
“So you can rest easy now.”
He placed it on his head as he spoke.
Shiiing—
The man’s body began to dissolve into light.
“…I hope you reach a better place.”
With hands clasped, Noeul prayed.
Soon, the man vanished completely—only a trace of cold air lingered in the darkness.
“Phew… That’s all for tonight.”
He muttered, then drank from the energy drink.
<Wait, Noeul….>
Suddenly, the “Traveler from Asteroid B-612” spoke in his ear.
<A surge of magic is approaching. You sense it too, don’t you?>
‘…Magic?’
Noeul widened his eyes and focused.
The Traveler was right.
A frighteningly fast source of magic was rushing toward him.
‘Where’s it coming from?’
Noeul stood and looked around.
Then, he heard a woman’s voice.
<From you…>
It was cheerful, almost childlike.
<…I smell fear.>
“I-I’m not scared at all!”
Noeul snapped, glaring toward the voice.
“You’re…”
Tilting his head, he said,
“That ghost who lingered around Heejae hyung…”
<Ghost, yeah—but I’ve got a name.>
The woman teased as she floated around Noeul.
<But you can just call me Ghost Noona. It feels weird to use my real name now. Or maybe… should I be called by my Constellation title instead?>
“…You’re Heejae hyung’s Constellation?”
<Yup! I’m the ‘Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld.’ Well, temporarily.>
“That’s impossible…”
A ghost with no accomplishments couldn’t become a Constellation. And a title like Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworldwasn’t one that a mere human soul should bear.
Noeul couldn’t believe it.
<Oh…! So that’s what happened!>
But the “Traveler from Asteroid B-612” understood at once.
<Noeul, she’s telling the truth. That Constellation title can temporarily lend its name to an ordinary human soul. There’s no benefit in it, so why would she…?>
<Exactly. There’s no merit in it.>
The “Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld” interjected.
<If Heejae hadn’t insisted, they wouldn’t have let me use their name. I’m a Constellation in name only—I have no power. In fact, my presence only harms Heejae. Just being near him strains his body.>
She shrugged.
“I see…”
Noeul removed Abrilah’s crown and sat down again.
“I’ll trust you then. So… why did you come to find me?”
<I wanted to talk. I never imagined a human who could see me would exist. And I didn’t expect someone who could help spirits pass on either.>
“Haha… that makes me sound like a manga protagonist.”
Noeul blushed and scratched his cheek.
“…I’m just not a normal person, that’s all.”
<No.>
The “Traveler from Asteroid B-612” appeared, arms crossed.
<Noeul is perfectly normal. All humans have their own talents. In that sense, you’re as ordinary as anyone.>
<Wow…>
The “Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld” widened her eyes at the Traveler.
<So cute!>
She tried to hug them, but her ghostly hands passed right through.
<Oh, right. I’m a ghost…>
She looked down at her body.
<But I thought Constellations couldn’t show themselves like this unless they were inherently ghosts…?>
<There are… circumstances.>
The Traveler replied, then looked at Noeul. Noeul looked back.
They nodded at the same time.
“You seem like a good person.”
Noeul said to the “Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld.”
“So I won’t be wary of you anymore.”
<…Really?>
She tilted her head.
<Do you really think I’m a good person?>
Then, leaning in close, she whispered:<I want to ask you for a favor.>
“…What is it?”
<Won’t you help me move on?>
Bitang Guild HQ, 12th Floor Studio
“Coming to see me at this hour? You’ve finally fallen for me?”
“Absolutely not….”
I sighed and sat next to Min Heejae.
While walking the halls to clear my head, I’d heard piano music—and sure enough, it was him.
“What are you doing here so late, Heejae hyung?”
“Clearing my mind.”
He answered while pressing the keys of the synthesizer.
A sweet melody filled the room.
I didn’t know much about classical music, but even I could tell Min Heejae was incredibly skilled.
His long fingers moved over the keys like a paintbrush.
“This is Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy. Doesn’t sound quite right on a synth, but close your eyes and give it a listen.”
I did as he said and closed my eyes.
It felt like I was floating on a moonlit lake.
“The instrument…”
His voice broke through the music.
“Why was the instrument still awake at this hour?”
“I needed to clear my head too.”
I answered honestly.
“I had kind of a sad day.”
“Can I ask what happened?”
“…Sure. No reason to keep it secret.”
I told him what happened with J.H.A.
To explain, I had to talk about my dad too.
Maybe it was because he’d also lost someone close, or maybe it was the calming music—whatever the reason, I found it easy to confide in Min Heejae.
“So that’s what happened.”
He stopped playing and responded plainly.
“Aren’t you sad not being able to see your friend anymore? I mean, she’s nearby, but invisible. She’s a Constellation now…”
“I can still feel her, so it’s fine. Isn’t it the same for you? You keep thinking about your dad because you still feel his presence.”
“…That would be nice.”
I hugged one leg and buried my face in my knee.
“…But I don’t know whether what’s in my mind is my dad—or just the space he left behind.”
“You seem really down. I can smell your sadness.”
“I thought we agreed not to talk about smells…”
“Sorry. My childhood friend used to say that—it must’ve rubbed off.”
He smiled kindly and patted my head.
“Still, I’m surprised. I thought you were too excited to sleep—not too sad.”
“…Huh?”
What’s that supposed to mean?
I looked at him in confusion, and he mirrored the expression.
“Didn’t you check YouTube?”
“YouTube…?”
I pulled out my phone and opened the app.
And then I understood what he meant.
Thud—
My phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor.
“W-What is this…?”
I stared down at the fallen phone and muttered.
“What on earth is going on…?”
Little Pink Starfish 
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