Everyone Except Me is a Newbie

Constellation Chat Visibility!

In Mana Sword Online, the role of constellations was crucial. They affect skills, the player’s rank, and even coins—there’s no element that they don’t influence. 

In fact, even securing just one constellation properly can make a massive difference in combat. By the time you’re halfway through the game, battles between contractless and contracted players become impossible. Thus, receiving the attention of constellations is naturally the most important virtue.

Kim Iseo was well aware of this.

**▻ Interested Constellations: 148**

While it was important to receive attention, having too many was a problem.

‘It’s gone up again… Now it’s 148.’

The number had increased from 124 to 148 since he first saw it. And it wasn’t stopping there.

**[You can view the conversations of the constellations.]**  

**[ON/OFF function is available.]**

Conversations of constellations? Such a system didn’t exist.

‘…This is insane. What is this?’

Just as Kim Iseo was about to press the [ON] button, he was interrupted.

“Team Leader, why is there an increase in the number of constellations?”

“Oh? How many constellations are interested in you?”

His mind went blank for a moment, forgetting that there were other developers around.

“I have 1. In the Red faction.”

Choi Seo-yeon’s answer was a perfectly normal number.

“Huh? No, it’s 20!”

Choi Seo-yeon corrected herself. She had only remembered the constellations in the Red faction that had shown interest in her. But her information window showed a completely different number.

“Did you ask because of this? How many do you have?”

“I… have 152 now.”

The developers were all taken aback.

“Wow…”

“What’s with that number?”

“I don’t know either. Normally, it should be two. I had interest from one Blue and one Red constellation.”

At this, the other developers looked at their own constellation counts and were also surprised. Most had between 30 and 40 interested constellations.

“Let’s move on from this and do an info check first.”

Kim Iseo said, trying to gauge the situation.

‘They don’t seem to be hiding anything…’

It seemed that a skill like Creator’s Eye was unique to him. Although he didn’t distrust his teammates, the situation warranted caution. It wouldn’t hurt to be careful.

‘I need to check this when I’m alone.’

He decided to examine it more thoroughly later.

* * *

The spec check was completed, and the results were dismal. Their event quest rewards were ‘Intermediate Potions.’

This was quite good since potions were rare in the game. 

The problem lay with their constellations.

“So, Ho-tae and Won-moo are still contractless, while Seo-yeon and Haewon are Red and Green respectively. Have you already made contracts?”

Kim Iseo glared at them, one by one.

“No, Haewon’s Green is rare, so that’s understandable. But, Seo-yeon, why did you make a contract knowing that I’m Red?”

“Sorry… I thought that if a constellation offered a contract, it was always a good thing…”

Having only a superficial understanding of the game made things worse in situations like these. It was better to have a diverse party composition.

“Now. We absolutely need a Blue faction. I’ve already revealed my name to the Red faction. So even though a Blue constellation might be watching me, it’ll be tough to contract with them.”

When a constellation reveals their name and shows strong interest, other factions’ constellations are less likely to approach. It was a designed mechanism.

“So one of you two has to get a Blue constellation. Blue constellations are the most efficient at dealing with damage. You could even call it strategy.’ Understand?”

“Yeah… I designed that mechanism.”

“Yes. I know.”

Kim Iseo was astonished by their calm response and shouted.

“If you know, then get some attention from the constellations!”

How could none of the constellations have attached to them while defeating 500 goblins?

“Remember. We absolutely need at least one Blue faction.”

The two of them nodded quickly, afraid of Kim Iseo’s scolding.

‘Should I become a Blue faction myself?’

The Blue faction values strategy and composure. At the same time, it grants incredible agility. It’s a crucial position that strikes and retreats to trouble enemies—essentially a crowd control shuttle. Given the game’s feature of multiplying damage by targeting vital spots and weaknesses, a Blue faction member is a must-have for any team.

‘They can approach quickly and strike.’

But obtaining one was quite tricky. ‘Effective damage dealing’ was very challenging for beginners.

‘That’s why I need to get one.’

Kim Iseo was determined to get a Blue faction constellation if the others couldn’t.

While he was stressed about the team’s positioning, he received a notification.

**Ding.**  

**[Main Quest Assigned.]**

A message announcing the start of the prologue main quest arrived.

**[Main Quest: Goddess Jannaret]**  

**▻ Quest Difficulty: E**  

**▻ Objective: Secure the safety of Goddess Jannaret!**  

**▻ Location: Gangnam**  

**▻ Completion Reward: Blessing of the Stars**  

**▻ Failure Penalty: Death**  

**▻ Time Limit: 48 hours**

* * *

“What the hell took you so long?”

Heo Won-moo scolded Kim Iseo. It was understandable. Someone who said they’d be back in a moment had been gone for almost 20 minutes.

“Ah… sorry.”

“What…?”

Heo Won-moo scrutinized Kim Iseo’s face, puzzled by the apology.

“W-What happened?”

“Go away.”

“Seems normal.”

Kim Iseo had to calm his pounding heart.

‘Ugh… This is no joke.’

He had just checked the ‘Creator’s Eye’ in the restroom.

**[Colorless / 4039: These guys are adapting quite well.]**  

**[Red / Indomitable Warrior: I’ve been watching them since the Goblin 500 event, it’s no joke. Especially this one, he’s exceptional.]**  

**[Colorless / 4039: Goblin 500? That’s some serious exaggeration. They’re already making contracts.]**  

**[Colorless / 195: Hey, why would a premium user lie to a lowly user like you?]**  

**[Colorless / 4039: Says the unemployed loser who hasn’t even received a constellation name. LOL]**  

**[Colorless / 541356: What he says is true. I saw it in his inventory. There’s a Rapid Evolution Stone. And the neatly dressed boy next to him even has a contract with the Green faction already.]**

Indeed, the constellation chat was visible. Kim Iseo couldn’t help but be surprised. This wasn’t something he had designed.

‘This is… like real people?’

The language might be translated, but the tone and emotions they expressed were just like internet comments.

‘What’s going on?’

It was as if he had turned on an internet broadcast. He couldn’t understand what was happening. His mind was in chaos.

‘No. For now, let’s just think about the benefits…’

Kim Iseo shook his head and focused on how to use this skill. Otherwise, he felt he would lose his mind.

‘For now, these guys know almost everything about the game.’

What benefit could there be from watching their chat? They observed the game from a completely different perspective than Kim Iseo.

‘They’re chatting about my broadcast, knowing about Haewon’s abilities. They can see the status window…’

It was as if they had a god-like perspective. Even just spying on their idle chat provided significant information.

‘Even if they share the quest locations. I already know about that.’

Since Mana Sword Online uses a real-world model of Earth, Kim Iseo already knew the specific location of Jannaret.

‘The most important thing. The Indomitable Warrior is also chatting.’

Kim Iseo focused on the fact that the Indomitable Warrior was chatting.

‘This will make gaining favor much easier.’

He could see what the constellations were thinking, which was a huge advantage. Of course, there was a chance they might not chat.

‘This needs to remain a secret.’

Kim Iseo decided to turn off the feature. It was overwhelming.

Moreover, keeping it on all the time didn’t offer much benefit. It would only make his mind restless.

“Um… Team Leader? Will the train come?”

Choi Seo-yeon glanced at Kim Iseo’s expression as they headed to the train platform. It was only then that Kim Iseo came into reality and answered.

“Can’t you see that?”

He pointed to the electronic display above the subway platform entrance. It showed that the subway was three stations away.

“No… With the world in this state, is that thing even moving?”

“The Shinbundang Line is an unmanned subway. If you were a public servant and goblins were chasing you, would you turn off the lights to save electricity and run away?”

Choi Seo-yeon found this explanation convincing.

-[Now arriving at Gangnam Station, the train to Gangnam. Passengers, please board the train…]

Soon, the familiar mechanical announcement was heard, and the light of the train appeared. The train, speeding like an arrow, stopped right in front of them and opened its doors.

“Wow… It’s real. Isn’t the team leader a genius?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow…”

They all boarded on the train.

However, there were passengers inside the train.

“Huh? What’s this? Is Pangyo in the same state?”

They looked like troublemakers at a glance—tattoos covering their shoulders, bulging bellies, and large physiques. They were the type to quickly adapt to the changed world.

Kim Iseo’s gaze shifted to a woman sitting next to them. She looked disheveled and was slumped over. It seemed she had lost her short sword and had visible signs of assault.

“Uh… Team Leader…”

Choi Seo-yeon moved closer to Kim Iseo. This time, Kim Iseo didn’t push her away.

“What’s up~ Why isn’t anyone answering?”

“I don’t know what you mean by ‘this state,’ but Pangyo is finished too.”

“Eh?”

A man with a large dragon tattoo on his shoulder, Jang Gyu-tae, felt displeased with Kim Iseo’s curt response. He threw his cigarette onto the floor covered in corpses and frowned.

“Hm… That’s a bit rude for a first meeting.”

At those words, one of his thugs stepped forward, getting close and putting his face near Kim Iseo’s.

“Hey, what’s with that attitude towards the boss? You look young.”

The scene turned into a standoff between the five developers from Weplug and the thugs.

[The train doors are closing. Passengers, please step back.]

And then the train doors shut.

* * *

**[Colorless / 4039: What are those bastards? LOL Kim Iseo has basic swordsmanship but also has legendary skills.]**  

**[Colorless / 195: Those guys also have Basic Slash Level 4. LOL Don’t underestimate them.]**  

**[Colorless / 4039: Basic Slash, LOL. All five here have Advanced Slash or better.]**  

**[Colorless / 541356: If they kill them all, I’ll sponsor.]**  

**[Colorless / 195: Please, Contractless guys, stop talking about sponsorships.]**  

**[Red / Indomitable Warrior: I’ll sponsor. Might need to tear a skill card. I really don’t want to see these scumbags.]**