Chapter 275
Chapter 275
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 275
Chapter Title: Into the Demon Realm (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[This is Choi Kyung-mi from World Eye, International News. At approximately 2 AM on June 8th, local time, an organization involved in the large-scale illegal distribution of relics was apprehended in France.]
[All arrested members suffered from third-degree burns or worse and were immediately transported to a local hospital. The organization is suspected of having ties to the Duvermand family, a prominent name in France. The Duvermand family has publicly stated that these allegations are entirely false and that they will respond firmly to such baseless rumors.]
[A series of arsons targeting illegal businesses across Europe has continued for the past month, and in response, the EU has….]
*Click.*
Oh-jin turned off the TV, clicking his tongue.
“The world’s a mess, no matter where you look.”
Even Oh-jin, who had been swamped with preparations for the Demon Realm, had heard the rumors about the serial arsonist active in Europe over the last month.
They said eight illegal businesses had been reduced to ashes in just one month.
The scale was too massive to be the work of a single arsonist.
“Seems like something only a high-ranking Awakened could pull off… right, Ha-eun?”
“Huh? O-Oh, yeah! Right!”
Ha-eun, who had been packing next to Oh-jin, snapped her head up and smiled awkwardly.
“…Why are you acting so weird?”
“Ah, it’s nothing! M-More importantly, are you done packing?”
“Yup. This should be more than enough.”
Oh-jin patted the black backpack on his back and grinned.
Despite his claim that it was “more than enough,” the backpack he wore wasn't very large.
It was about the size of a small hiking pack you’d use for a trip up a local mountain.
It seemed far too inadequate for a journey into the unknown land of the Demon Realm.
“Is that the item you got from Si-hoo?”
“That’s right.”
A month ago, Oh-jin had stopped by the Association after hearing he had something to pick up and was gifted this backpack.
It was a relic with a spatial expansion function, like the infinite pouches common in fantasy stories.
It even had a feature that reduced the weight of the items inside, making it a functional relic that didn't feel heavy no matter how much you packed.
“How much is in there?”
“About 400 to 500 kilograms? I’ve packed six months’ worth of food, emergency potions, a tent, a cot—basically everything I might need.”
With this, he wouldn’t have to worry about food, clothing, or shelter in the Demon Realm, at least.
“Damn, you really stuffed that thing.”
“Is there anything else you need? Just say the word, and I’ll have Roberto fetch it immediately.”
Isabella, with her meticulous nature, had organized a list of the items in the backpack and was double-checking if anything else was needed.
“This is enough. I can always get other things over there anyway.”
“Yes, I understand. Ah, by the way, is there anything you need, Ha-eun?”
“Hm? Me? I don’t think so?”
She had already packed a change of clothes and other necessities.
“What about skin toner, lotion, and face masks?”
“Huh? Why would I need those in the Demon Realm?”
They weren’t going to the Demon Realm for a leisurely vacation.
The purpose of the trip was to defeat the Demon Kings and thwart the Heavenly Demon’s plans.
There was no reason to pack cosmetics.
“You can’t think like that!”
Isabella frowned and scolded her sharply.
She reached out and stroked Ha-eun’s flawless skin as she continued.
“Even high-ranking Awakened can’t afford to be careless. Imagine how sad Mr. Oh-jin would be if your skin got damaged.”
“H-Huh? R-Really?”
“They don’t take up much space anyway, so you have to pack them. Your skin is especially at risk in a harsh environment like the Demon Realm.”
“Still, it’s not like we’re going on a trip…”
“*Tsk!* Come with me. I have some products that are a bit less effective but are great for portability.”
“W-Wait a minute!”
Ha-eun was grabbed by Isabella and dragged into the room.
[…The two of them have gotten much closer since I last saw them.]
“Tell me about it.”
He wasn’t sure what had happened while he was at the Association a month ago.
But Ha-eun and Isabella, who had previously been at each other’s throats, had suddenly grown incredibly close.
They would go abroad together for days at a time to prepare for the trip to the Demon Realm, and even at home, they were often together.
Sometimes, they would even take baths together and chat for hours.
It had reached a point where Oh-jin felt left out because of how inseparable Ha-eun and Isabella had become.
“Feeling a little left out?”
Oh-jin glanced at Vega, who was perched on his shoulder.
If he felt left out, how must Vega feel?
[Ahem. I-It’s not like that!]
Vega cleared her throat and shook her head.
Judging by her momentary flustered expression, she was quite disappointed.
“Well, once we’re in the Demon Realm, we’ll have more time together.”
They had been busy with various preparations until now.
But once they entered the Demon Realm, they would rarely be apart.
[I told you it’s not like that.]
Vega flicked Oh-jin’s forehead and pouted.
“Where’s Lyark?”
[Just a moment.]
Vega brought her hands together as if in prayer.
A silver mist shimmered, and a light burst forth in the air.
From the mist emerged a wolf with beautiful silver fur.
Lyark.
The spirit, who had inherited a part of Vega’s soul, looked at Oh-jin and asked in a low voice.
“…Brat, are you really planning to go to the Demon Realm?”
“I have to.”
“……”
Lyark’s jaw tightened, and he subtly averted his gaze.
His gloomy, downcast eyes and drooping ears created a somber atmosphere.
“What’s with you? This isn’t like you.”
“…It’s nothing.”
Lyark shook his head softly.
It was a far cry from the fiery temperament he usually displayed.
“So, are we heading straight to the Khan Kingdom?”
‘Khan’, the kingdom of the beastfolk that existed in the Demon Realm.
It was the demon beast kingdom closest to the first rift connecting Earth and the Demon Realm, and it was also Lyark’s homeland.
“No, I want to meet with Cheonkwonseong first and hear what he has to say about the Khan Kingdom. You said you have no idea what the situation is like there now, right?”
Lyark had become Vega’s spirit over a hundred years ago.
Since becoming a spirit, the laws had made it difficult for him to leave the Sanctuary, so it was only natural that he wouldn’t know the state of his homeland.
“…Yes, I… do not know what the situation there is like now.”
Lyark’s head drooped listlessly as he stared at the floor.
Oh-jin could see his front paws, planted on the ground, trembling faintly.
“Lyark?”
Just as Oh-jin frowned and started to approach him.
*Fzzt.*
Suddenly, his vision distorted, and a memory surfaced in his mind.
—How can a beastfolk be in the Sanctuary…
—*Grk, grrr.*
—Your wounds are severe. Are you alright?
Inside the Sanctuary, made of starlight.
A silver wolf, covered in blood, and the form of a goddess looking down at him with concern.
—I’m sorry. For not being able to protect you… I’m sorry…
The wounded wolf shed tears of blood, muttering as if in a daze.
The silver-haired goddess looked down at the fallen wolf, her fine brows furrowed slightly.
—I will bring Albireo. Wait here a moment.
The goddess stood up to find the Constellation of Aquarius.
Soon, the Constellation called Albireo appeared and treated the wolf’s wounds.
As soon as his injuries were healed, the silver wolf staggered off somewhere.
—Your wounds have not yet fully healed. Stay still.
The goddess gently held the wolf back and asked.
—Oh, right. I have not even asked your name.
—……
The silver wolf silently turned to the goddess and opened his mouth.
—…Lyark.
In a voice filled with regret and guilt.
—Warrior of the Silver Mane Tribe, Lyark.
He answered, spitting out the words.
*Fzzt.*
His distorted vision returned to normal.
He saw Lyark, his head hanging low just like in the memory that had surfaced in his mind.
‘This is…’
Oh-jin’s eyes narrowed.
A memory that wasn’t his own, but that of another being.
To be precise, it must have been Vega’s memory.
‘Did the déjà vu activate?’
Déjà vu was a trait that passed down a portion of the memories etched into a Stigma.
It didn't necessarily react only to Lee Shin-hyeok’s memories.
‘Still, I’ve never had Vega’s memories flow into me before.’
Did something change when the Black Heaven blossomed?
Oh-jin frowned for a moment, lost in thought, before turning his gaze back to Lyark.
In the memory, Lyark looked just as he did now, head bowed low, steeped in self-blame and regret.
“Is this because of what happened back then?”
“…What?! H-How did you… Ah.”
Lyark let out a short gasp, followed by a low growl.
It must have occurred to him that Oh-jin, a regressor who had turned back time, might know about his past.
“It’s none of your business, brat.”
Lyark turned his head away coldly.
“More importantly, how long are you going to dawdle? A warrior must act swiftly!”
“…Alright, you punk.”
Oh-jin didn’t press him further about his past.
Everyone has a past they'd rather not talk about.
“Ha-eun! Isabella! Let’s get going!”
“Ah, okay!”
“Please wait a moment!”
Ha-eun and Isabella rushed out of the room, their arms full of cosmetics.
* * *
Oh-jin boarded a private jet provided by the Colagrande family and headed for the North Pole.
As always, the area around the first rift was swarming with demon beasts, but they were no match for Oh-jin’s party.
“Well then.”
Oh-jin stepped into the black rift, which spanned 50 kilometers in diameter.
A floating sensation washed over him, and his vision went dark.
And then.
When he opened his eyes, what spread before him was the world known as the ‘Demon Realm’.
A land not for humans, but for demon beasts.
—You’ve come.
As soon as he arrived in the Demon Realm, a mocking voice echoed in his mind.
—I’ve been waiting.
Oh-jin took a step forward without hesitation.
“…Yeah.”
The first time he had set foot in the Demon Realm, he hadn’t known whose voice it was.
“I’m here.”
But now, he knew.