# Avatar Challenge - (2)
A planet mostly covered in water, with an atmosphere suitable for carbon-based life forms. A planet similar to Terra, the mother planet of humanity—its name is Gaiana.
On a plain in the largest central continent of planet Gaiana.
There, countless Constellations were waiting for a competition. Seven Constellations had officially announced their participation. Unofficially, the number of Constellations watching this planet might exceed dozens.
Of course, the number of people gathered here was uncountable. People of all varieties filled the plain.
"Hey. I don't care which planet you're from, but stop dripping slime."
"Move a bit to the side. I can't see anything in front!"
"Huff. Huff. If only a Constellation would choose me..."
"Full-body prosthetics? Transferred consciousness to a machine? How many Credits did that cost..."
"There are too many competitors. Hmm."
People with bodies covered in various colors. Aliens waving four arms back and forth. Federation citizens with the appearance of ordinary Homo sapiens sapiens. Even those who had replaced their bodies with machines could be seen here and there. Was some kind of event taking place?
Then, someone stepped onto a large stage set up on one side of the plain and began to speak. Their voice resonated throughout the entire plain, as if using a small amplifier.
"Ah. Ahem— Greetings, citizens of the Federation! I'm Alberio Signa, your host for today's Avatar Challenge here on planet Gaiana!"
A man in a black suit speaking energetically.
He seems to be a well-known host in this star system, as voices recognizing him can be heard from various places.
"Right now, seven Constellations have officially come here to select their Avatars! I don't know how many are watching unofficially if we count them all!"
At the host's words, the corners of some participants' mouths turn upward.
Wouldn't it be better to participate in a competition where you might catch a Constellation's eye, rather than just sitting and waiting for luck?
"This challenge will take place over several weeks! All species can participate, and cyborg prosthetics or permanent blessings from Constellations are allowed. However, temporary performance-enhancing substances are prohibited!"
Though Constellations have different preferences and favor different types of Avatars, the general opinion is that they prefer Mortals who are mentally and physically strong.
It's only natural, since some people learn all kinds of martial arts and undergo mental training to be chosen by a Constellation. That's why this competition strictly enforces rules against cheating with drugs and such.
"Now! We also have special guests who will make this competition even hotter! They are currently active Avatars!!!"
Several Avatars walk out from behind the host.
People who recognize their faces cheer.
"Huh? That person over there..."
"A woman made of fire?! Is that Irisha Belka who contracted with Blazing Ember?"
"I think I've seen that black cloud on Federation broadcasts. What was the name again?"
And then.
"That's not all! We have very special guests! The two most famous people throughout the Federation until recently!!! I'm sure you know their names without me saying them~!!!"
As the host finished speaking, two elegantly dressed women walked out from behind the stage. A black-haired woman walking out with a shy, blushing face, and a blonde woman walking confidently with her chest out.
Not a single person here didn't know who they were. The two Avatars of the great Galactic Spirit Entity from another dimension, Whispering Constellation.
"...Wh-wh-what?!"
"Holy shit! They even got those people?!"
"Does that mean Constellation Whispering is watching this too?"
"But didn't he create a third Avatar recently?"
"I heard he only descended to this dimension about two years ago, so he might select more Avatars..."
"...If I'm lucky, I could be chosen by a Galactic Spirit Entity Constellation?"
"I heard Avatar Vivian received a Status Window... If I do well, maybe I too...!"
People's eyes nearly popped out in surprise, and they couldn't hide their excitement at the thought that a Galactic Spirit Entity might be watching. The faces of the participants began to show exhilaration and aspiration.
"Now! Now! Let's begin the Constellation Challenge of Gaiana! Everyone, please welcome them with warm applause!!!"
Following the host's gesture, fireworks exploded, announcing the start of the competition.
* * *
And I was watching all of this with interest.
Out of personal curiosity, I had my Avatars accept the special guest invitation, and after briefly receiving thanks from the planetary government officials and Federation civil servants who organized the Constellation Challenge...
"Constellation, this is too... too overwhelming..."
"Yuna needs to be more confident! Wave to the Avatar candidates!"
"I don't know about Avatar candidates, but I feel like I'm going to be sick..."
I was watching the two who had become like monkeys in a zoo—no, stars of planet Gaiana.
There were hundreds of small drones flying around the venue. I could see that at least ten of them were filming my Avatars.
[Constellation Whispering thinks his Avatars look cute.]
"Oh-hohohoho!!! I shall show my fans a Hound! Come out, Sir Blood!!!"
Grrrrrr?!
When Beatrice burst into laughter and summoned a Hound, the cheers of the people grew louder. The monster called from the Otherworld appeared dripping saliva, then, as if sensing the goodwill directed at it, flopped down on its back...
"Hahaha!! What's that? It's showing its belly!"
"So that's the interdimensional life form that can spam spatial jumps?"
"We're seeing all kinds of strange creatures. Ahaha!"
Reporters covering the Avatar Challenge kept mentioning this. When I shifted my view to that direction by manipulating the information entity, I could see the news livestream chat rapidly scrolling up.
"Everyone, do you see those two Avatars sitting on the platform? Yes, Lee Yuna, who was chosen by the Galactic Spirit Entity Constellation, and..."
- Wow, this is crazy. Did they say it starts today?
- Heard Avatar Vivian is in the hospital due to Authority overload. That means...
- I'm a Gaiana resident and it's chaos outside lolololol
- Your Highness Imperial Princess Beatrice... how much more of a GOAT are you trying to become...
- So Whispering Constellation is basically watching this for the next few days?
- There might be a fourth Avatar. Already jealous. Wasn't Avatar Vivian given a Status Window?
- Yeah, Status Window confirmed. Don't know the details, but that's how it's registered in the Avatar database.
- Avatar Lee Yuna helped eliminate the Cosmic Swarm that fell on our planet!
It seems the purpose of the Constellation Challenge has been somewhat distorted.
* * *
The spotlight that should have been on the seven Constellations who officially announced their participation and their candidates was now all focused on us.
The pride of deities is quite vast. Even according to the laws of the Intergalactic Empire Federation, the higher the divinity, the more reluctant they are to move.
Therefore, the seven Constellations who announced their participation in the Avatar Challenge were all Single-Planet Life Tree type spirit entities. Among them, there were extremely weak ones who could barely control a single island.
In a competition where the Constellations were of similar levels, my Avatars, known to be from a Galactic Spirit Entity, had visited. Perhaps this level of attention was only natural?
Other Avatars who visited as guests were either glancing with envious eyes or sending jealous looks... Then Yuna, noticing those gazes, would flinch, while Beatrice would respond with a confident smile...
"I offer my prayers to Whispering Constellation. Please help my son with everything he..."
"Great Galactic Spirit Entity, please accept me as your Avatar..."
What's with these Mortals kneeling and praying to me in one corner of the plain? Did they really think I would grant their wishes? I'm in another dimension to begin with.
Many Constellations besides me must be interested in this challenge. I don't feel the need to create a fourth Avatar. I should just watch rather than take away opportunities from other gods.
Of course, unless someone truly interesting appears. But that seems unlikely.
Aliens walking on three legs or Mortals made of fluorescent light are interesting, but...
"Sigh... I should have brought big sis Vivian here too."
"Are they just doing participant selection and registration all day today?"
"Aren't the people gathered here already filtered through the initial paperwork?"
Despite the host's opening declaration, not all participants had been determined yet. They were filtering out people who had used drugs or various forms of doping, or additionally classifying those who didn't meet the participation conditions.
What's with those Avatars standing in the participant line despite already having Avatar contracts? Ah, are they testing the special ability detector for GalaxyTube content? They're getting caught and kicked out right away.
"Huh? Looks like there's another Avatar in line..."
"They'll just get caught by the special ability detector, won't they?"
I followed Yuna's gaze as she tilted her head curiously. An arrogant face. A smooth bald man. His shirtless body was quite muscular.
"Next please~ Please state your name and come stand in front of this machine."
"Jaag-Nakril."
"What? Anyway, Mr. Nakril. Please come this way."
Beep-
"No drug reaction, no issues with the special ability detector, you pass."
"Hmm."
"Next participant!"
He doesn't register as an Avatar in the artificial intelligence information entity. This means he's not a Mortal who has made an Avatar contract through this system.
Then could he be a demigod born between a god's Avatar and a human, or someone who appears that way due to receiving a blessing? Or perhaps he possesses an object imbued with divine power. There are various possibilities.
"Ah. I was wrong. Did I misread it..."
It's quite inconvenient to observe other dimensions through information entities. If I were to face him directly in a temporary vessel, I would immediately know what type he is.