The fourth Avatar - (1)

"She's an alien species called Succubus. I'm not sure if you're familiar with them..."

I was already well acquainted with the Succubus species.

Though I was relying on memories from my past life, weren't they female demons who drained men's life force?

Dream demons that appear in men's dreams to steal their vitality, leading them to death.

But that looks more like a cosmic monster. Not an alien constellation?

"Lady Sweet Reverie is one of the constellations specialized in mental domains, among those who can deeply influence the unconscious. She..."

As my silence lingered, the High Strategic Secretary began explaining about the constellation called Sweet Reverie.

---

Constellation, Sweet Reverie.

A Succubus deity born immortal—guaranteed to reach the level of a Single-Planet Life Spirit Entity.

As with all constellation classifications:

While the Succubus species is classified as a Single-Planet Limited Spirit Entity, apart from being immortal, they aren't particularly noteworthy.

Most are merely local deities worshipped in small villages.

However, this Sweet Reverie was somewhat different.

There was an unexplored planet where all living beings periodically fell into an unbreakable sleep.

Even the Intergalactic Empire Federation's special forces who entered that planet all fell into comatose states.

The fact that their minds couldn't be awakened even with constellation blessings or forced awakening agents alarmed the Federation.

At that time, only after the Federation threatened to blow up the entire planet was the truth revealed:

A single Succubus had been periodically draining the life force of every living being on the planet.

---

"...After that, the Federation designated her as a Planetary Spirit Entity. Currently, Sweet Reverie doesn't form Avatar contracts but has established and operates a Mental Care Center..."

A parasitic species like Succubus possessing power equivalent to a planetary deity?

An immortal who grows stronger by absorbing life force—just how much vitality had she drained?

And a Mental Care Center? So she's a constellation who runs a business to make money?

Why doesn't she form Avatar contracts?

Hmm. I should meet each one first before deciding.

If I don't like this constellation, I can ask them to arrange another one.

[Constellation Whispering Constellation wishes to meet Sweet Reverie.]

"Yes. I will arrange a meeting with the constellation."

I like that she established a Mental Care Center. I hope we can communicate well.

I need to treat my first Avatar quickly before her condition worsens.

* * *

The constellation Sweet Reverie, whom I eventually met, had quite a distinctive appearance.

Black demon wings. A pair of small horns on her head. A beautiful black-haired beauty. A long tail attached to her bottom.

Of course, this was merely the constellation's temporary vessel, but since Succubi are said to be a species living in the unconscious, her true form must be similar.

"Hee. Heehee. Hello there, Lord Whispering Constellation? This girl is Sweet Reverie."

Standing next to Vivian, bowing her head and smiling coyly into the air, she appeared quite seductive.

But knowing she was a parasitic species that drained life force or energy, I saw her only as an evolutionary result.

But "this girl"? For a planetary deity who must have lived for hundreds of years at least—"this girl"?

Has living so long caused mental issues? Hmm.

[Constellation Whispering Constellation asks the third Avatar to convey his message.]

"The constellation says he's pleased to meet you as well."

"Oh my. Is that so? I should examine the patient's condition first."

As the Succubus constellation moved around the laboratory while floating slightly above the ground, numerous gazes focused on her.

Most were from men. She must emit some kind of pheromone that instinctively attracts the opposite sex.

I don't think my dimension had such deities... Perhaps Nyala might look like that if she descended in female form.

Sweet Reverie arrived at the place where Lee Yuna was confined—no, being treated.

She reached out to touch her head and poked around here and there with her small, thin tail before concluding:

"Hmm. Fortunately, it seems treatable since human medication has managed to halt the progression of mental contamination. I'll leave the physical changes as they are and just restore her mental state to its original condition, right?"

The adorable Succubus, tapping her own shoulder with her moving tail, spoke again.

Her gaze and gestures suggested she wanted something. Does she have a request?

"It may be mere dust to one who rules galaxies, but it's a lot of energy for humans. I might have to struggle a bit..."

[Constellation Whispering Constellation asks you to state your desired compensation.]

"Hmm. Hmph. Even for a mortal's mind, reversing this level of mental erosion will require this girl to exert considerable effort. If it's not too presumptuous, perhaps as compensation, I could take just a little... just a tiny bit of the great one's life force?"

The Succubus brought her hand to her lips and smiled broadly.

She probably wants to absorb energy after descending into a temporary vessel.

It wouldn't work with my avatar, and I wonder if her body could withstand absorbing directly from a planetary deity's true form?

Or perhaps the cosmic power consumed in creating a temporary vessel would be acceptable.

"It's not that this girl would take anything from the great galactic deity's dream, but if you could just extend a finger of your temporary vessel..."

When I didn't answer for a while, thinking I was displeased, Sweet Reverie's words quickened.

Hmm. I didn't mind lending just one finger after descending into a temporary vessel.

I was concerned she might explode and die, but a planetary deity should be able to regulate herself properly.

Should I think of it as her wanting to eat the cells in the dead skin of my finger?

[Constellation Whispering Constellation says he will agree, so just focus on the treatment.]

"Of course! I've treated many apostles consumed by mental contamination, so please trust this girl. Heehee."

Despite her evil demon-like appearance, her occupation was Mental Care Center Director.

I should be able to trust the words of a deity who has fully adapted to mortal life.

* * *

Naturally, Lee Yuna, who believed herself to be normal, wore a bewildered expression.

Glancing at the smiling Succubus constellation, she clearly didn't trust her appearance.

Now that she had come in her true form rather than a temporary vessel for the treatment, Yuna probably felt even more uncomfortable.

She might instinctively be wary of a being that could alter her mind.

"So this constellation here will possess my body and then remove the mental contamination?"

"Yes, that's correct, Avatar Lee Yuna."

"But... I'm really fine..."

Even though she was the first contractor of an Outer God and her species was changing due to cosmic power, her essence remained mortal.

Not even a Single-Planet Limited Spirit Entity. She couldn't resist the power of a planetary deity.

"Now, now. We'll know once I possess you, so relax? I'm going in now."

"What? No... wait..."

Swoosh—

The Succubus seemed to be sucked into Lee Yuna's mind, and her eyes slowly closed.

She said she needed to treat her at the boundary between unconsciousness and consciousness. I wonder if it will work well.

"...Heh."

When she opened her eyes again, Lee Yuna's eyes were no longer black but a soft purple.

Was this the result of successful possession? But her condition seemed a bit strange.

"...Heh. Eh. This... what kind of fanaticism in the subconscious..."

Her eyes rolled around. Drooling from the corner of her mouth, her body slumped down.

Was there some kind of mental collision happening? Watching this, Vivian's eyes narrowed as she murmured at her status window.

Name: Lee Yuna

Gender: Female

...

..

.

Status: Mental Contamination (being removed). Possession. Mild Fanaticism.

Cosmic power protects an apostle's mind. Except, of course, for natural mental mutations.

That's why she seemed to be resisting the Succubus constellation's possession.

"Hng... hah!"

Still, a planetary deity shouldn't be so easily defeated, though being a species that lives in minds or dreams, she seemed to be quite affected.

After the brief treatment, the Succubus constellation emerged from Lee Yuna's mind.

Beads of sweat formed on her face as she emerged looking quite exhausted.

Swoosh—

"...Has Lee Yuna's treatment been completed?"

"Haah. Ha... Yes. I've removed mental contamination like fanaticism, and now you don't need to worry about her personality changing due to her special ability..."

"Thank you, constellation. Our constellation also says thank you for your hard work."

I looked down at Lee Yuna, who was sleeping and breathing heavily.

We'd need to monitor her progress, but the deity's word that the treatment was complete was trustworthy.

[Constellation Whispering Constellation asks if you could check the minds of the other Avatars as well.]

"This child Vivian here is in very good condition. There's a feeling that an autonomous energy with will is protecting the host's mind..."

Hmm. If Vivian, who once had an ability overload and was hospitalized, is in that condition,

then Beatrice must be fine. The cosmic power I gave her was being used to maintain the contract that crosses dimensional walls.

"You're truly remarkable. The mind usually follows the body, but that child hasn't even mutated yet, and the fanaticism embedded in her subconscious was substantial. There was also something like a vast universe in her mental world... Is it because she contracted with a deity who rules galaxies? Ugh. Why is my head spinning?"

Looking at the Succubus constellation who was frowning and staggering slightly, I conveyed my thoughts through Vivian.

[Constellation Whispering Constellation says a planetary deity shouldn't be exaggerating.]

"...is what he says."

"Heehee... Scraping away and maintaining only specific parts like this is such delicate work. Somehow I feel a headache coming on."

If it was such delicate work even for a being of her size, if I had touched Lee Yuna's mind, it would have definitely been ruined.

I made the right choice entrusting it to an appropriate constellation.

Now I should give her the reward. It would be right to meet her privately in a temporary vessel, like with Endless Operator?

[Constellation Whispering Constellation says he will meet with Sweet Reverie privately.]

"Yes, constellation."

Vivian nodded and left the room. I descended into a temporary vessel using her as a medium.

Since she wanted to take some of my energy, I should give her the reward.

Flash!

Light flashed in the Central Avatar Research Institute's treatment room, and suddenly I was facing the Succubus constellation floating in the air.

Meeting her directly, she definitely looked like a demon from mythology.

But then.

Sweet Reverie collapsed prostrate as soon as she saw my form.

As if her mind had been shocked upon seeing the temporary vessel, her eyes went unfocused.

Before collapsing, in her eyes that I happened to meet, there was an irresistible fanaticism.

A feeling beyond all the living beings who worship me or even Maria.

Unlike just moments ago when she was talking to me normally, she seemed somehow out of her mind.

"Iä... Iä... Demon S..."

You—what did you just say—!!!