Chapter 13
As soon as I loosened my grip, the blue constellation staggered free, its eyes spinning.
【Why does a constellation even have pain… what’s the point of this…】
So they can feel pain.
Actually, constellations don’t need to protect themselves.
Only their contracted player can see them—and even in streams, no one can hear them.
So why give them pain?
‘Maybe it’s so you can smack rude constellations.’
That actually makes sense.
But that’s not important right now.
“Show me how many coins were bet in this match and how much was settled.”
【…Damn it.】
The constellation manipulated something in the air.
A window appeared.
【Like I said, this wasn’t a scheduled match, so big bets aren’t possible. The opponent’s constellation just placed a small bet. 】
“DarkChoco’s constellation?”
【Yeah. That arrogant—】
It frowned, then relaxed.
【Just look.】
I was curious how the calculation worked if only one side bet.
Then I saw it.
[<…> has placed 50,000 coins on <…>’s victory.]
“…50,000 coins?!”
That number hit me hard—
but it wasn’t mine.
[10% fee deducted.]
[The beta test AI has placed a test bet of 1,000 coins.]
[Final victory confirmed. Total distributed among participants.]
[Winner receives 10% of total fees.]
The math was ridiculous.
DarkChoco’s constellation bet 50,000 coins—
won—
and got 46,000 coins.
The fee was 5,000 coins.
The AI’s 1,000 coins didn’t cover the fee.
From that 5,000 fee—
I got 10%.
500 coins.
Then split with my constellation.
“…450 coins.”
And after returning the 100 coins it gave me—
I’d have 350 left.
Fine.
But the real problem—
“Only 10% goes to the player?! Are they insane?!”
The constellation shrugged.
【Of course not. That’s just for beta. The share increases later.】
I calmed down.
“So the winner’s share increases over time?”
【Yes. This is just a test, so the system takes more. You didn’t lose anything anyway.】
That’s true.
Someone else lost instead.
“Then why did that guy bet like that? Are some constellations just stupid?”
I meant DarkChoco’s constellation.
Even 10,000 coins would’ve avoided loss.
【…】
It avoided answering.
I stared.
【He’s just dumb.】
That didn’t feel right.
When it possessed DarkChoco—
It seemed calm and serious.
Before I could think more—
A notification appeared.
[WhiteSnow is calling you.]
“…?”
I checked messages.
[WhiteSnow: Chicken-nim]
[WhiteSnow: Chicken-nim]
[WhiteSnow: Chicken-nim?]
[WhiteSnow is calling you.]
Oh.
I forgot about him after getting paid.
‘Why is he calling?’
The deal was done.
Suspicious.
I replied.
[Me: Thanks for the donation.]
[Me: I’ll enjoy some chicken with it, haha.]
[Me: See you in future streams.]
He seemed rich.
Maybe he’d donate again.
Not that I expected it.
[WhiteSnow: Yes]
[WhiteSnow: If it’s not rude…]
[Me: ?]
Something felt off.
Then—
[WhiteSnow: I’d like to meet you in real life.]
[WhiteSnow: Is that okay?]
Crunch. Crunch.
The fried chicken was perfect.
Yesterday I ate seasoned chicken—
Today I wanted fried food.
So I ordered some before going home.
“Jeongyeon.”
“Yes?”
“Do people say your name sounds like a girl’s?”
“All the time.”
Kim Jeongyeon.
The yellow-haired coworker.
We sat outside the convenience store, eating chicken.
“I get told my name sounds like a guy’s.”
“Really? Joo Hyunsoo sounds pretty neutral to me.”
“Still sounds like a guy at first, right?”
“Yeah.”
I’d been thinking all day.
Why does that guy want to meet me?
Most people assume I’m male from my name.
I refused at first.
[Me: What?]
[Me: Meeting in real life is… no.]
I said it casually—
But I thought of kidnapping.
Organ trafficking.
Stuff like that.
After receiving that much money—
My thoughts got worse.
He denied it immediately.
[WhiteSnow: No, not like that.]
[WhiteSnow: Think of it like a fan meeting.]
[WhiteSnow: I’m just a fan.]
[WhiteSnow: I want to meet you once.]
[WhiteSnow: I’ll keep donating.]
[WhiteSnow: I have money.]
That tempted me.
[WhiteSnow: I’ll treat you to a meal.]
[WhiteSnow: At a hotel]
[WhiteSnow: Steak]
[WhiteSnow: Anything you want]
Very tempting.
But strange.
[Me: Are you a guy?]
[WhiteSnow: Yes]
Why would a guy invite another guy like this?
‘Suspicious.’
[WhiteSnow: I’m really a fan.]
[WhiteSnow: You’ll get famous soon.]
[WhiteSnow: Consider it fan management.]
[WhiteSnow: I’m not dangerous.]
He was persistent.
So I said I’d think about it.
The money tempted me—
But something felt wrong.
‘If money comes too easily, be careful.’
Still—
Fan meetings aren’t that unusual these days.
Jeongyeon asked,
“Something happened?”
“Someone wants to meet me.”
“Girl or guy?”
“Guy.”
Crunch.
Thinking about it—
even if he thinks I’m a girl—
It’s not a loss.
Actually—
It’s better.
‘Fan? More like he thinks I’m a girl and wants something.’
But—
I am a girl.
That thought annoyed me—
But the chicken calmed me down.
Still—
Meeting him doesn’t seem smart.
“What situation is it? Blind date?”
I laughed.
“Blind date? No way.”
I was about to brush it off—
then noticed someone approaching.
“Customer.”
Jeongyeon ran inside.
I finished the last piece.
Guess I used up all my luck yesterday.
Because—
This happened on my way home.
‘Damn it.’
A familiar setup.
One decent-looking guy—
three high school delinquents—
and some bigger thugs.
“So you’re the convenience store worker who messed with my little brother?”
The same students from before—
now in school uniforms.
Covered in injuries that had nothing to do with me.
