Chapter 240
Chapter 240
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 240
Chapter Title: Baptism of the Stars (2)
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Time flies when you're having fun, or so they say.
While waiting for the baptism, the week I spent at home, whiling away the hours with Ha-eun, flew by in the blink of an eye.
“Ugh.”
Oh-jin woke up in the early dawn and stretched.
He gently stroked the hair of Ha-eun, who was sleeping soundly beside him.
With Isabella gone and Vega busy preparing for the baptism, he’d been able to spend the past week leisurely, just the two of them.
A blissful time spent watching movies together and enjoying shopping.
It was a happiness he couldn't have even dreamed of just a year or two ago.
“…”
Oh-jin looked down at Ha-eun with solemn eyes.
Someday.
Would he forget all these happy memories, too?
‘It’s okay.’
Losing a loved one was a pain several times greater than losing one’s memories.
‘I can always make new memories, just like now.’
Oh-jin smiled faintly and caressed Ha-eun’s cheek.
*Hmph.*
She curled up like a cat and nuzzled her cheek against his hand.
“Well, still, it’s best not to use Gaecheon.”
Oh-jin got out of bed and changed his clothes.
He wouldn’t hesitate to use it if necessary, but he planned to avoid using Gaecheon as much as possible.
‘I’d rather not lose my virginity for a third time, after all.’
Oh-jin let out a small chuckle and left through the front door.
“Is it spring already?”
Winter had passed, and a warm spring breeze was blowing.
A year and a half had passed since he entered the gate with Lee Shin-hyeok and awakened Heukcheon.
In that time, his life had changed beyond recognition.
Fortunately, so far, for the better.
‘Now, I have to protect it.’
He had too much to hold onto now.
To protect what he held, he would need an equally great power.
“Shall we go?”
Walking through the cherry blossoms that fluttered like snow, Oh-jin headed for the Sanctuary.
* * *
[You have come.]
As soon as he entered the Sanctuary, he saw Vega waiting to greet him.
“Why aren’t you in the temple?”
[Heehee. I was waiting here, eager to see you even a moment sooner.]
Vega smiled, as warm as the spring breeze, and stroked Oh-jin’s head.
You’d think he’d be used to being treated like a child by now.
Feeling strangely embarrassed, Oh-jin gave an awkward smile and scratched his cheek.
[Are you shy?]
Seeing Oh-jin’s reaction, Vega giggled and took a step closer to him.
[Haha. Come here. I wish to hold you for a moment.]
Just as she spread her arms to embrace him fully.
“Ah! Vega, no fair keeping him to yourself!”
A cheerful voice rang out as a woman with pink, bobbed hair came scampering over.
Spica, the Constellation of Virgo.
If Vega had the cozy atmosphere of a spring breeze, Spica was like the summer sun—bright and cheerful.
“Long time no see! This is the first time since the Proxy War, right?”
Spica approached Oh-jin, her eyes sparkling.
“Hehe. Do you have any idea how surprised I was then? You suddenly grabbed my arm and ripped it right off!”
Her chattering filled his ears.
[…]
“Huh? Big Sis? What’s with that look?”
Spica, who had been chirping like a sparrow, flinched.
Since Vega had turned away, Oh-jin couldn't see her expression, but from Spica’s trembling reaction, it wasn’t hard to guess what kind of face she was making.
[…Still as talkative as ever. Excessively so.]
“Ah… s-s-sorry.”
Instantly shrinking back, Spica shuffled backward.
Vega let out a deep sigh and took Oh-jin’s hand.
[Follow me. The Constellations participating in the baptism are waiting for you.]
“Huh? I thought it was just you and Deneb.”
[Hmm. There were so many Constellations who wanted to participate in the baptism to see you that I had to narrow it down a little.]
“How many are participating in the baptism?”
[Six.]
Six.
It was an ambiguous number, neither large nor small.
“Is there a reason for that?”
[It is a kind of ritual. Does the Big Dipper not signify seven stars? So, six Constellations gather to bestow their blessing, thereby acknowledging you as the seventh star. It is a ritual with such meaning.]
“I see.”
Oh-jin nodded in understanding.
“Oh, and for your information, the effect of the blessing gets stronger depending on who these six Constellations are!”
Spica chimed in, hopping beside him.
“This time, you have Vega and that little kid Deneb participating in the ritual, so you can look forward to it, you know?”
“Who are the others participating?”
“First off, me!”
Spica pointed a finger at herself and beamed.
“I’m one of the twelve Zodiac signs, you know? The blessing’s effect is going to be pretty sweet!”
So the strength of the blessing depended on the rank of the Constellation.
In that case, this ritual, with two members of the North Star participating, was certainly something to look forward to.
“Who are the others joining us?”
“Heehee. I’ll let them tell you when you meet them!”
Spica ran ahead with a cheerful smile.
Guided by Vega and Spica, he arrived at a place where three Constellations were gathered.
‘Is Deneb not here yet?’
Oh-jin looked around before approaching the three gathered Constellations.
“Hahaha! So you’re the infamous Noerang! I enjoyed watching the Proxy War!”
A middle-aged man with a booming voice approached, letting out a hearty laugh.
With his reddish skin and the horns sprouting from either side of his head, he looked more like a demon than a Constellation if you didn’t know any better.
“I am Aldebaran, the Constellation of Taurus! Congratulations on being chosen for the Big Dipper, human!”
“I’m Kwon Oh-jin. It’s a pleasure.”
Oh-jin bowed his head as he shook Aldebaran’s massive hand.
“Come to think of it, I hear you’re rather close with a couple of my Apostles!”
“Ah, are you referring to Director Han?”
“And there’s another one in Japan, isn’t there?”
Was he talking about Sakaki Ryo?
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Hehe. Those two are Apostles I’m keeping an eye on, so continue to get along with them!”
“Of course.”
He hadn’t been in touch with Sakaki Ryo much lately, but he had just spoken with Director Han this morning on a short call where he wished him well for the baptism.
“Are the greetings finished?”
Following Aldebaran, a man with a stoic expression approached.
He had a sharp aura, like looking at a well-honed blade. The long sword scar running across his right eye created a peculiar charisma.
“I am Regulus, the Constellation of Leo.”
The Constellation of Leo.
Naturally, the face of Namgung Hwi, whom he had seen recently, crossed his mind.
“I heard there was a conflict with one of my Apostles recently.”
“We just had a slight difference of opinion.”
Oh-jin shrugged, his expression nonchalant as if it were no big deal.
“…”
Regulus, who had been silent with his eyes closed, finally spoke in a low voice.
“A Stigma is a seed. A seed that flies far from the tree must take root in the earth on its own and begin to sprout.”
“…?”
What was he trying to say?
“So…”
Regulus trailed off, averting his gaze.
“So, he’s saying he couldn’t help it that his Apostle messed up this time!”
“Ugh! Sh-Shut up, Spica!”
Regulus shot a flustered look at Spica.
Spica stuck out her tongue with a *bleh* and burst into laughter.
“You don’t have to worry about the matter with Namgung Hwi.”
Oh-jin chuckled and shook his head.
He himself knew well that a Constellation couldn’t be responsible for the character of every Awakened they bestowed a Stigma upon.
“Still, a parent must also bear responsibility for their child’s mistakes. My apologies.”
*Ahem.* Regulus cleared his throat and continued.
“It’s fine. Besides, it’s not like I’ve only had bad encounters with the Awakened of Leo.”
“Ah. Come to think of it, I’ve heard that child speak of you a few times.”
‘That child’ must be referring to Lee Woo-hyeok.
“Lee Woo-hyeok… that child will reach even greater heights.”
A gentle smile formed on Regulus’s lips as he thought of Lee Woo-hyeok.
He looked like a father who, after being driven mad by his troublesome eldest son, was now thinking of his second son who’d just been accepted into a top university.
‘I guess it’s common for Constellations to think of their Apostles as their children.’
Well, there were also Constellations like the one from Draco, who didn't seem to care about their Apostles at all.
“Am I last?”
A woman who had been standing in the back walked forward.
A goddess with lush blonde hair that reached her feet.
Though perhaps not on Vega’s level, she was beautiful enough to draw any man’s gaze.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Aris, the Constellation of Aries.”
Aris approached Oh-jin with a warm smile.
She was dressed in a daring gown reminiscent of ancient Rome, with a neckline that plunged low, causing Oh-jin’s eyes to waver.
“Heehee. Where are you looking?”
Aris smiled seductively, her hand gently covering her exposed cleavage.
Just as Oh-jin cleared his throat and tried to avert his gaze.
“I’m kidding. You can look all you want. Or perhaps…”
Aris’s smile deepened as she took Oh-jin’s hand.
“Would you like to touch?”
*Slap!*
Vega smacked the back of Aris’s hand.
[Take your hand off him.]
“Oh my, it was just a little joke. There’s no need to be so…”
[I said, take your hand off him.]
*Crackle!*
Blue lightning flared up around Vega’s body.
A chilling killing intent rose in her golden eyes, and the ground around them trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
“V-Vega-nim?”
With a flustered expression, Aris quickly moved away from Oh-jin.
Vega pulled Oh-jin by the arm, glaring at Spica and Aris with eyes full of警戒.
She looked like a mother kangaroo protecting her joey from a pack of she-cats.
“Really… who’s calling who a child.”
Just then.
With a sigh, a boy draped in expensive jewels approached.
[Ahem. D-Deneb, you’re here.]
“What, are you going to keep him attached to your hip forever?”
[Be quiet.]
Vega hugged Oh-jin’s arm with a pout.
Deneb sighed as if he couldn’t be bothered and took out a blue gem from his pocket.
“Let’s get ready to go.”
[Understood.]
Deneb placed the blue gem in the center.
“Are we going to a place called the Spring of the Milky Way now?”
[That is correct.]
The six Constellations extended their hands toward the blue gem placed in the center.
*Vwoooom!*
An intense magical energy from their Stigmas focused on the gem, and a whirlwind erupted.
A multi-colored aurora covered the sky, creating a rift.
Oh-jin let out a short gasp as he looked at the beautiful rift, which seemed to contain the night sky, strewn with the Milky Way.
A rift that could only be opened when six Constellations combined their power.
“What kind of place is the Spring of the Milky Way that it’s this hard to get to?”
[The Spring of the Milky Way is the place where the very first Constellation was born in the distant past.]
“The first Constellation?”
The first Constellation…
[Yes.]
Vega nodded as she gazed at the countless twinkling stars within the rift.
[The place where Polaris, the Constellation of Ursa Minor, was born is the Spring of the Milky Way.]