Chapter 269
Chapter 269
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 269
Chapter Title: Greed and Love (1)
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“Oh-jiiin~!”
As I opened the hospital room door, a familiar voice called out.
A voice that made me feel so happy it was like my body was floating just from hearing it.
Ha-eun, who I thought was exhausted and asleep, came trotting over.
“Where'd you go?”
“Just out for some fresh air.”
Oh-jin hung his coat on the rack and stepped into the spacious VIP room, which was as large as a hotel suite.
“Hm?”
Ha-eun tilted her head.
She strode toward Oh-jin and gently caressed his cheek.
“…Did something happen?”
“……”
Did something happen, she asks.
It wasn't that anything special had occurred.
I had simply come to realize a truth I hadn't understood until now.
But how could I possibly tell Ha-eun?
That the Cheonma's true identity was none other than myself.
‘I don't know how he managed to travel to the past.’
This was different from a typical 'regression'.
My past life's consciousness hadn't been superimposed onto my current self.
It was less a regression and more like traveling back in time in a time machine.
Otherwise, there was no explaining how two 'Oh-jins' could exist in the same time period.
“Oh-jin?”
“Ah. Yeah. It's nothing.”
“Nothing, my foot.”
The hand caressing his cheek suddenly pinched and pulled it.
Ha-eun narrowed her eyes slightly, putting on a stern expression.
“Are you going to keep lying to me? It's written all over your face that something's happened. What do you mean, 'nothing'?”
Was it that obvious on my face for Ha-eun to notice?
Oh-jin gave a bitter smile.
Since it had come to this, I had no choice but to try another way.
“I heard news that the kings of the Magyeong are on the move.”
“The kings of the Magyeong?”
“Yeah.”
Pushing the truth about the Cheonma deep down, I diverted Ha-eun's attention to another topic.
“So… you're saying those kings are going to invade Earth?”
Ha-eun asked back with a serious expression.
Thankfully, it seemed she'd fallen for the lie that his grim expression was because of the kings of the Magyeong.
Oh-jin nodded and continued.
“Probably.”
“Th-Then we should contact the Assembly right away…”
“It won't be right away.”
Until now, no being called a king of the Magyeong had ever directly invaded Earth.
In fact, most people didn't even know that beings called 'kings' existed in the Magyeong.
That's how little noticeable movement there had been.
“There must have been some kind of restriction.”
Even with the Cheonma's intervention, they wouldn't all just swarm to Earth overnight.
“Ugh. So after the Heukseonghoe, it's them?”
Ha-eun shook her head, looking fed up.
“Oh-jin, you said 'kings,' right? Are there multiple kings?”
“I suppose so.”
“Then how many kings are there?”
“That's…”
The only city Oh-jin had seen in the Magyeong that could be called a 'kingdom' was one.
He had no idea how many such cities existed.
“I'm not sure either.”
[Then you can simply ask Riak.]
“Huh?”
Oh-jin's eyes widened at the sudden interjection.
While he was engrossed in his conversation with Ha-eun, Vega had appeared and was flitting about.
Vega landed on Oh-jin's head as naturally as if it were her designated seat.
She let out a deep sigh and tapped Oh-jin's forehead.
[I heard from the Leech child that you had regained consciousness and came to scold you… but it seems I've overheard a troublesome conversation.]
I was wondering why I didn't see Isabella. She must have gone to the Sanctuary.
“Anyway, what do you mean, ask Riak?”
Ha-eun asked, tilting her head.
[Riak is from the Magyeong.]
“Wh-What did you say?”
[Well, it was over a hundred years ago… but that child would know more about the Magyeong than I.]
Ha-eun's jaw dropped.
“S-So that cheeky little mutt used to be a Masu?”
[To be precise, he was a member of the Beastmen tribe.]
“Huh? I thought only Masu lived in the Magyeong?”
[Hmm… From a human perspective, the Beastmen are a type of Masu, so you are not incorrect.]
The strange creatures that crossed over to Earth when the first rift opened ten years ago are collectively called monsters or Masu.
In truth, it was akin to lumping humans, tigers, rabbits, and bears together and simply calling them all mammals without distinction.
Calling dozens of different species Masu was simply because humanity's knowledge of them was so limited.
‘Not too long ago, there was a big debate about whether to call them monsters or Masu.’
Originally, normal specimens were called monsters and variants were called Masu, but with the rapid increase in variants, the distinction blurred, and everyone just settled on calling them all Masu.
After all, neither 'monster' nor 'Masu' could be called an accurate designation.
“Then can you call Riak right now?”
[Hmm. Wait a moment.]
Vega closed her eyes and focused her mind for a moment, then shook her head.
[It seems he's cooped up in the training room again.]
“You can't reach him?”
Vega nodded.
[I will have to go and fetch him myself.]
“No. We can just call him tomorrow.”
It wasn't as if we could come up with a plan immediately just by calling Riak right now and hearing how many kings there were in the Magyeong.
“If those kings come to Earth… will it be like ten years ago?”
“In the worst-case scenario.”
“……”
Ha-eun bit her lip gently.
The Masu that poured out when the first rift opened.
The image of the streets turning into a hellscape flashed through her mind.
Oh-jin placed a hand lightly on the shoulder of Ha-eun, who was clenching her fists with a grave expression.
“It's okay. I'll stop it before that happens.”
“Do you have a plan in mind?”
Oh-jin gave a small nod.
He looked between Ha-eun and Vega and spoke in a low voice.
“We can't just wait for them to throw the first punch, can we?”
Even though I've figured out the Cheonma's identity.
I still don't know his objective or his specific plans.
But one thing is certain.
If I just sit back and wait for the coming disaster, there will be no way to stop him.
[What do you mean…]
“Let's go.”
Oh-jin's eyes were deep and sunken as he glanced out the window at the encroaching darkness.
“To the Magyeong.”
This wasn't a problem that would be solved by staying put.
Before they finish their preparations and invade, we have to make the first move.
“…Hah.”
Ha-eun let out a hollow laugh, her expression one of disbelief.
To go to the Magyeong.
It wasn't an idea that came easily.
The Magyeong was a forbidden land for humanity, a place one hesitated to even mention.
But.
“Honestly, there's no stopping you.”
If he had decided to go.
Ha-eun had no choice but to follow him quietly.
Even if it was a deathtrap with little chance of returning alive, it was far better than a world without Oh-jin.
[…Even for a Regressor, you truly act as if you have multiple lives to spare.]
Vega also placed a hand on her forehead and shook her head.
“I know it's dangerous.”
The Magyeong.
An unknown land where, even ten years after the first rift opened, less than 5% has been explored.
Heading there was an act so reckless it was practically a declaration of suicide.
However.
“But I have no intention of dancing to his tune.”
Oh-jin's eyes narrowed.
It doesn't matter whether the Cheonma is my past self or not.
Whatever my past self lost.
Whatever despair and tragedy he experienced.
Why should I care?
“……”
“Hm? What's wrong, Oh-jin?”
Oh-jin firmly grasped the hand of the head-tilting Ha-eun.
Whatever happened to my past self.
The one protecting her now is me, not him.
“W-What's this all of a sudden?”
Ha-eun blushed and let out a dry cough.
She gave Oh-jin a sidelong glance with a suggestive look and leaned in slightly.
“You don't have to hold on so tight. Your noona will go with you, so don't you worry, okay?”
Ha-eun puffed out her chest proudly.
The curvy line of her chest was emphasized, capturing Oh-jin's gaze.
Vega, who had been watching Ha-eun with a sullen expression and her arms crossed, spoke up.
[Of course, I shall accompany you as well!]
Sitting on his head, Vega tugged on Oh-jin's hair repeatedly.
Hmph!
Vega snorted loudly and glared at Ha-eun.
[You are not going alone with him!]
“Heh. It's not like you can stay with him all the time anyway.”
[Th-That's…]
Vega clenched her fists in frustration.
[S-Still, the restrictions have weakened compared to before!]
“Hm? The restrictions have weakened?”
Oh-jin tilted his head, hearing this for the first time.
[Ah, that's right. You would not have heard.]
Vega continued, her arms crossed.
[The restrictions of the Law have been weakening for the past few days.]
“Again? They weakened before, too.”
[I do not know the reason either. An eternity has passed since the giants who created the Law vanished…]
Vega narrowed her eyes, as if she couldn't understand it.
“So now Constellations can manifest directly in the material world and stuff?”
[It is not to that extent. Ah, but it may be possible for them to manifest indirectly using a vessel, like myself.]
Until now, manifesting indirectly through a vessel was impossible for anyone but a Polaris Constellation like Vega.
[In any case! It means the time I can remain manifested has also grown longer!]
Vega, who had been flitting through the air, sat on Oh-jin's shoulder and crossed her legs.
Ha-eun pouted, clearly displeased with Vega's smug expression.
“So, when are you planning to go to the Magyeong?”
“There's a lot to prepare, so it'll be difficult to go right away.”
This was a journey to the Magyeong, of all places.
He didn't know how long he'd be there, so extensive preparations would be necessary.
“I also need to meet with the other Chilseong and tell them about the kings.”
“Right, this isn't something only we should know.”
Ha-eun nodded.
“Then I'll tell Manager Gorilla.”
“That would be a great help.”
“For the time being, don't even think about overdoing it. Just stay put in this hospital room.”
Ha-eun pulled Oh-jin over to the hospital bed.
“You're still a patient, you know?”
“…And who was it that pounced on this patient?”
Oh-jin let out a disbelieving chuckle.
Well, as she said, it was true that I hadn't fully recovered from the aftereffects of Gaecheon.
Even though Heukcheon had reached its ninth bloom, instead of overflowing with power, a deep fatigue was pressing down on my body.
“Well, I'm heading out now, so get some rest.”
“Okay.”
[I, too, must go find Riak.]
Ha-eun and Vega left the room.
“Hoo.”
Left alone, Oh-jin lay down on the large bed.
‘First, I should get some rest, just like she said.’
There was much to do.
But none of it could be done until my body recovered.
Lying in bed, Oh-jin slowly closed his eyes.
* * *
“Hah, hah.”
Heated breaths touched his lips.
Beautiful platinum blonde hair, like molten gold, tickled his cheek.
“Oh-jin… you'll keep your promise, right?”
Two peaks boasting unbelievable volume pressed down on Oh-jin's chest like a landslide.
A soft sensation, like being enveloped in clouds.
‘What is this.’
Is this a dream?