Chapter 349
Chapter 349
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 349
Chapter Title: Starlight (1)
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“Our proud hero of Korea! We sincerely welcome the return of Pagunseong!”
A booming voice erupted from a massive frame.
The gorilla—no, Director Han Jun-man—clapped his pot-lid-sized hands repeatedly, welcoming Oh-jin's party back.
“What is all this…”
After wrapping things up in Niflheim, Oh-jin returned to Korea through the first rift. He let out a dry laugh as he gazed at the massive crowd gathered at the airport entrance.
‘When did they even make that banner?’
A massive banner, easily over a hundred meters long, was strung up at the airport exit. It read: ‘★CONGRATS★ Welcoming the return of Korea's pride, Awakened Kwon Oh-jin! ★CELEBRATION★’.
He hadn't exactly announced his trip to Magyeong to the public, so this grand welcome was bewildering.
“What is all this?”
“Haha! The Association had this made as soon as we heard you'd returned from Magyeong! What do you think?!”
Oh-jin looked up at the huge banner and clicked his tongue.
*These tax-wasting bastards.*
*Are they running some kind of study on how creatively they can waste taxpayer money?*
“Anyway, is it really okay to broadcast my trip to Magyeong like this?”
Not that he was planning to hide it.
Still, it didn't seem like something worth advertising with a giant banner.
“You're only saying that because you don't know the full story, Mr. Oh-jin!”
“What don't I know?”
“After you went to Magyeong, the number of Masu crossing through the rifts dropped by more than half!”
“Ah.”
Right.
He did stir things up quite a bit in Magyeong, so it was no surprise the number of Masu crossing over to Earth had decreased.
“Of course, there was some chaos around the world as named Masu that had been inactive started moving again, but since the number of Masu coming from Magyeong dropped so sharply, we were able to minimize the damage.”
So.
Because he went to Magyeong, they were able to focus on dealing with the named Masu that became active again.
‘I guess that is something worth advertising.’
Well, seeing this huge banner, it was probably more for political purposes than to express gratitude.
From Oh-jin's perspective, it didn't matter either way.
“More importantly, what are your plans now? If you need anything, the Association will provide full support!”
Director Han thumped his pot-lid-sized fists against his chest, a broad smile on his face.
Judging by his grin, Korea must have gained quite a lot from this trip to Magyeong.
Oh-jin let out a small laugh and shook his head.
“First, I just want to go home and rest.”
“Ah, then we'll escort you! We've already prepared a VIP vehicle at the entrance!”
“No, there's no need for that…”
Drawing attention would just make things more tiring.
Just as he was thinking that and about to refuse the offer.
“Oh-jin, let's just take the Association's car from here.”
Isabella said as she approached Oh-jin.
“Ugh. I'm not a fan of all this commotion.”
“But they prepared it for you, right? If you refuse now, it'll put the Association in an awkward position.”
True.
There'd be another uproar about them failing to properly escort a national hero.
“Alright.”
Oh-jin nodded and walked out of the airport.
A red carpet was rolled out at the exit, and the sound of countless camera shutters erupted from all sides.
‘What is this, an international film festival?’
As he let out a disbelieving chuckle and stepped onto the red carpet.
“Oh-jin, wait a moment.”
Isabella quickly came over and gently linked her arm with Oh-jin's.
The sound of shutters from all directions grew even more intense.
“Heehee.”
Isabella's eyes sparkled as she smiled with satisfaction.
It was such a natural movement, as if she'd been planning this ever since she suggested taking the VIP car.
“What's so natural about you standing next to Oh-jinnie?”
Ha-eun narrowed her eyes and grabbed Isabella by the scruff of her neck.
Isabella glared back at Ha-eun.
“You were stuck to Oh-jin's side the entire way back to Earth, Unni.”
“That was because of Cassia, or whatever her name is. You two were having a standoff.”
“Still.”
After things in Niflheim were settled, Cassia also returned to Earth with Oh-jin's group.
During the trip to Earth, Isabella and Cassia created a tense, hostile atmosphere, their rivalry so sharp you could cut it with a knife.
“The pest is finally gone, so just let me have this today.”
After returning to Earth, Cassia had declared she had things to do and promptly disappeared.
Freed from Cassia's interference for the first time in a while, Isabella was being a bit more insistent than usual to claim the spot by his side.
“Hmph.”
Having witnessed the fierce war of nerves between Isabella and Cassia, Ha-eun didn't argue and stepped back.
“Thanks, Unni.”
Smiling bashfully, Isabella pressed her chest slightly against Oh-jin's arm, which she was holding.
A happy hum escaped from between her blooming smile.
“Are you that happy to be away from Cassia?”
“Yes. I feel so~ much better now that the stubborn leech isn't around.”
“……”
It seemed it would take a little more time for the two of them to patch things up.
“Besides that, I'm happy to see you being welcomed like this, Oh-jin.”
Isabella looked around with a proud expression.
Seeing people look at Oh-jin with eyes full of admiration and awe made her heart swell with pride, as if it were her own achievement—no, even more so.
“There was a lot of talk about you becoming a member of the Seven Stars without being a high-rank Awakened, right?”
Now he was a 9-Star and had joined the ranks of high-rank Awakened, but before he left for Magyeong, it was a hot topic in Korea.
To put it in perspective, it was like a politician with only a high school diploma being appointed Minister of Education.
The impact of being a high-rank Awakened is so significant that controversy over his qualifications was inevitable.
“Seeing this welcome now, it seems like all the talk trying to disparage you has completely vanished.”
“Well, controversies about qualifications tend to disappear when you have results to show for it.”
“Anyway, seeing you get the recognition you deserve makes me really happy.”
Oh-jin let out a small laugh as he looked at Isabella's proud face.
“E-Excuse me, Awakened Kwon Oh-jin! Would you be available for an interview?”
“We'd like to hear what happened in Magyeong!”
“What is your relationship with the Saintess of Rome?!”
As they passed the halfway point of the red carpet, reporters swarmed them like a hive of bees.
“Hey! What do you think you're doing? I'm sure we said no interview requests.”
“Eek…!”
“P-Planet of the Apes?”
When Director Han stepped forward with a fierce scowl, the swarming reporters flinched and stopped in their tracks.
“Who said 'Planet of the Apes'?”
Director Han's eyes widened fiercely as he scanned the crowd, and the noisy reporters who had been shouting questions snapped their mouths shut.
“Phew. Please get in the car, Mr. Oh-jin.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
Guided by Director Han, Oh-jin's party boarded a luxurious limousine.
He used to find limousines uncomfortable, but after riding in them a few times with Isabella, he'd grown quite used to it.
“I-It's a really big car!”
Unlike Oh-jin's group, who were used to limousines, Baek Mu-gang stared with his mouth agape, looking around at the unfamiliar sight.
“Is this your first time in a limousine, elder?”
“Umm. No, Allen gave me a ride once before, but it's been so long I was surprised.”
Right.
He spent years in Magyeong, so it was understandable he'd forget.
“Ah, speaking of which, we also heard from Mugokseong-nim.”
“Mugokseong? What's a Mugokseong? Is it something to eat?”
Baek Mu-gang tilted his head, sucking on his finger.
Director Han continued with an awkward smile.
“It's Awakened Allen Oskal.”
“Allen! Did you hear from our Allen?!”
“Yes. He asked us to bring Elder Cheongwonseong to the Sanctuary.”
“I wanna go! I wanna go! I want to see Allen and Deneb-nim and… Saffron and Saffrin!”
“…It's Xiaoran and Xiaolin.”
“Ah, r-right. Hehe.”
Baek Mu-gang scratched his head with a naive smile.
Oh-jin turned to Director Han in the driver's seat and said,
“Then let's go to the Sanctuary first before heading home.”
“Yes, understood.”
Director Han immediately drove the limousine toward the Sanctuary.
It took about an hour to reach Hongdae, where the entrance to the Sanctuary was located.
When they arrived in Hongdae, they saw Allen Oskal waiting for them in front of the Sanctuary.
“Allen! Long time no see!”
“It has been a while, elder. Have you been well?”
“Yep, yep!”
Beaming, Baek Mu-gang scurried over to Allen.
He took out the letter he had been cherishing and held it out to Allen.
“I found my treasure! Oh-jin found it for me!”
“I heard the story.”
A faint smile appeared on Allen's previously ice-cold, expressionless face.
After speaking briefly with Baek Mu-gang, Allen approached Oh-jin.
“Thank you, Awakened Kwon Oh-jin.”
Allen bowed politely, placing a hand over his left breast.
Seeing this handsome young man, who looked like he'd stepped out of a comic or a movie, bow with such disciplined grace created a strange sense of pressure.
“Really… I don't know how I can ever repay you for this…”
An expression he had never seen before appeared on Allen's cold, icy face.
‘He seems to really care for the elder, though.’
Right.
If he didn't, he wouldn't have gone to Magyeong alone to deliver supplies to Baek Mu-gang.
“As for repayment, I've already received more than enough from the elder.”
Even though it was a trap set by the Heavenly Demon, Baek Mu-gang had personally invaded Niflheim to help Oh-jin.
Besides, from Oh-jin's perspective, he had helped Baek Mu-gang to gain a valuable asset for the war, so his goal was already achieved.
“Hehe! If a good person calls, I'll help again anytime!”
Baek Mu-gang raised his hand high with a bright smile.
Allen looked at Baek Mu-gang with a gentle gaze, then turned his head toward Oh-jin.
“If you ever find yourself in trouble, we will help you as well, Mr. Oh-jin.”
“Your words alone are thanks enough.”
First Baek Mu-gang, and now Deneb's other Apostles.
For Oh-jin, who had to prepare for a showdown with the Heavenly Demon, this was news he would welcome with open arms.
“By the way…”
Allen trailed off, his brow slightly furrowed.
“What is it?”
“Hmm. This may be presumptuous of me, but did something happen with Lady Vega?”
“……”
At the mention of Vega, Oh-jin's expression hardened.
“…Why do you suddenly ask?”
“I heard from Lady Deneb that Lady Vega's temple has been completely sealed.”
“Sealed?”
“Yes. The gates have been locked, and no one is allowed to enter…”
“……”
Oh-jin clenched his fist, his expression bitter.
“So something did happen?”
“No, nothing hap—”
Oh-jin shook his head, but his words cut off abruptly.
“Mr. Oh-jin?”
“……”
Oh-jin gave a bitter smile and nodded.
“Yes, there was. Something happened.”