Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Interlude - The Third Memory
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Interlude - The Third Memory
Before returning to Korea through the Sanctuary.
“Come to think of it, I haven't even contacted Vega.”
I told her not to come out until I called, just in case I needed to use her blessing.
But Isabella revealing her true colors ruined all of that.
‘It’s a good thing, now that I think about it.’
If Vega had seen Isabella's true self, things would have gotten much more complicated.
‘Since I’m in the Sanctuary, maybe I should go see Vega.’
She's probably been worrying sick since she hasn't heard from me in a few days.
-Thud, thud.
Oh-jin followed the path made of blue starlight, ascending to the highest point in the Sanctuary.
The path split into three.
One led to the temple of Vega, the star of Lyra, while the other two led to the temples of Deneb and Polaris, Constellations of the 'North Star' just like her.
‘Deneb and Polaris.’
Deneb had a total of twelve Apostles. Polaris, like Vega in the past, still had no Apostle.
‘What if… I were to get my hands on the Stigma of another North Star Constellation?’
Just with the Stigmas of the Zodiac, the synergy between them allowed me to grasp unimaginable power.
But if I were to add a North Star Stigma to that...
Then.
“…I don't know.”
Honestly, the Stigma of Lyra alone creates such a massive gap that it's laughable to compare me to other 5-Star Awakeners.
If I added another North Star, wouldn't I reach a realm beyond measure?
‘Well… they’d have to have some synergy, I suppose.’
In any case, I can fundamentally only use one Stigma at a time.
I have used two or more at once, but unless it has synergy with the 'Stigma of Lyra' as the base, I can't expect a significant effect.
‘The Stigma of Lyra is the main one, after all.’
The other Stigmas are just supplementary tools I use when needed.
‘It doesn’t matter.’
Not only can I not freely use other Stigmas in front of Vega,
but the Stigma of Lyra alone is so powerful that I still don't know its limits.
“If I get the chance, I should try absorbing one.”
If two North Star Stigmas could create synergy without clashing with each other.
I might be able to step into an unprecedented realm.
“Well then.”
He pushed aside the useless thoughts and headed toward the temple of Vega.
As he arrived at the temple,
[My child!!]
Vega rushed forward and threw her arms around Oh-jin.
[Do you have any idea how worried I was with no word from you!]
A terrifying pressure, like being crushed by a press, constricted his entire body.
“Gahk, ugh!”
Mama, I'm dying!
‘I’m really gonna die!!!!’
Fuck, I can't breathe!!
How is she so strong?!
[Ah. My apologies.]
Vega loosened her grip on Oh-jin.
“Hah!”
Is it because we're in the Sanctuary?
Being hugged by her felt like being caught in an industrial press; the pressure was immense.
‘Isabella is one thing, but this.’
The true power of a Constellation is truly absurd.
“Grrr. Kid, what happened?”
Riak asked, sauntering over.
“It was nothing special. There just wasn't a situation where I needed to use your blessing.”
It's not that nothing happened.
But it's true I didn't need to use the blessing.
[Did you save the Saintess?]
…The Saintess.
‘Should I hide the truth about Isabella, or not?’
The deliberation didn't last long.
‘I’ll tell her.’
The more I hide, the more my actions will be restricted later, as if I'm standing in a minefield. Not to mention the risk of raising unnecessary suspicion.
‘And more importantly.’
Vega...
...might be able to tell at a glance that Isabella is not an Awakener of Aries, but of Leeches.
Isabella doesn't have the 'Mastermind' trait like I do.
“I saved her, but... the situation has gotten a bit complicated.”
[Complicated? Did something happen?]
Vega asked with a worried expression.
“The Saintess isn't an Awakener of Aries.”
[What do you mean?]
Oh-jin calmly recounted what had happened with Isabella.
“In my past life, she died that day, so I never learned the Saintess's true identity... I never imagined Isabella would be an Executor of the Black Star Organization.”
A regressor is someone who knows what will happen in the future because they've experienced it, not a god who has insight into every hidden secret and truth.
Not knowing the Saintess's identity wouldn't arouse Vega's suspicion.
[Th-Then, isn't the situation worse than in your past life?]
“Not necessarily.”
He shook his head firmly.
“Isabella doesn't know that I know her true identity. If I can use this situation well, I might be able to dig up information on the Black Star Organization.”
There's no reason to be completely pessimistic just because she's an Executor of the Black Star Organization.
“And if I can manage to bring her over to our side.”
It's impossible now, when she sees me as nothing more than a delectable piece of prey.
But if, one day, I can have her in the palm of my hand and control her freely.
[...That would be more reassuring than gaining a heavenly army.]
They say the most frightening enemy is the one within, don't they?
If I can win her over.
The sharp blade that is Isabella will tear the Black Star Organization apart from the inside.
“It will be. I plan to make it so.”
[Hmm. I am worried.]
Vega reached out and gently stroked Oh-jin's head.
[What if that child brings harm to you?]
My goddess worries so much.
“Don't worry. I have no intention of contacting her for now.”
I'll only try anything after I've built up enough strength to at least protect myself.
“More importantly... I'm sorry.”
His voice trembled faintly.
His shoulders slumped, and he clenched his fists so tightly the veins bulged.
He acted out an expression of someone tormented by immense guilt.
[Wh-What are you sorry for?]
“For acting without looking into it properly. I was so focused on changing the future... that I made a mistake.”
He deliberately showed a weak side.
Showing such weakness could make him lose credibility as a regressor, but.
‘In this case, it’s the opposite.’
His bond of trust with Vega has already reached a considerable depth.
Showing weakness in this situation would, conversely, instill even deeper trust.
‘It’s similar to how a wife’s feelings might deepen if she sees her husband, who always acts strong, crying in his drink.’
A con that plays on sympathy.
The biggest advantage of this method is.
[Do not be sad, my child. I know better than anyone how desperately you are trying.]
It requires no proof.
No logic.
It can burrow deep into the other person's heart.
“…Vega.”
[Come here, my child.]
Vega opened her arms and gently pulled him into an embrace.
Unlike before, it was a hug without strength, endlessly soft.
[You do not have to try and bear it all alone.]
She gently stroked his head and gave a faint smile.
[Hehe. You have me, do you not?]
“……”
[There is no need to be hasty. From the moment you and I met, the pages of fate have been rewritten.]
“Thank you.”
He hugged Vega back, his voice much brighter.
“This time, I'll definitely... change it.”
The tragic future of ruin at the hands of the Heavenly Demon.
[Hehe. If it is you, I am certain you can do it.]
Vega patted his back and rested her chin on his shoulder.
They remained in their embrace for about another five minutes.
“Grrr! Lady Vega. If you keep spoiling the kid like this, he'll develop bad habits...”
[Hmph.]
-Pzzt-zzzzzzzt!!!
A blue lightning bolt struck Riak.
“Gahk! Kraaaaaaah!!!”
Riak writhed in pain.
[Hmph. It has been a while since I had such a nice moment with my child... You are so tactless.]
Zzt.
Vega glared at Riak, clearly displeased.
“S-Sorry...”
[Hmph. Forget it.]
Vega turned her head away, looking thoroughly peeved.
‘Uh, um.’
I feel a little bad for Riak.
“Well, my sister is probably worried, so I should get going. Oh, the urgent matter is over, so you can manifest like usual now.”
[Hmm. Those are truly joyous words, but I shall refrain today.]
“Hm? Why?”
[Hehe. Does Ha-eun not also need time to enjoy your reunion?]
Ah, so that's what she meant.
[But!]
Vega's golden eyes sparkled.
[You and Ha-eun are strictly 'siblings'! Do nooooooot ever forget that!]
“Uh, yeah.”
Overwhelmed by her intensity, he nodded without thinking.
“Alright, I'm off, Vega. See you tomorrow.”
[Be careful.]
What is there to be careful about in the Sanctuary?
“Phew.”
He left the Sanctuary and headed home.
“Should I buy something on the way?”
It's about time for dinner anyway.
As he looked around, wondering what would be good,
“Whoa. It's been a while.”
He chuckled, looking at a hamburger joint on the side of the main road.
I haven't eaten it much recently, but.
it was a food filled with its own share of memories, both good and bad.
‘The first thing I bought after Awakening was a hamburger, too.’
Remembering that time, he entered the shop.
“Two Whopper sets, to go!”
After buying the hamburgers, he headed straight home.
-Thud, thud.
His steps grew more excited as he got closer to home.
It had only been a week.
But his desire to see Ha-eun as soon as possible made his steps quicken on their own.
“Hehe. I hope my sister isn't crying agai—”
—In that moment.
His vision flipped.
-Ting!
[A portion of Awakener Lee Shin-hyeok's memories has been successfully restored.]
Huh?
There's a third one?
-Hyung... let's go.
-...Alright.
Lee Shin-hyeok, who had been gripping the rooftop railing and stewing in regret, turned around.
He went down the stairs with Lee Woo-hyeok.
A heavy silence flowed between them.
It was Lee Woo-hyeok who first broke the unspoken silence.
-The Leech Queen lost her mind and went on a rampage because of that incident two years ago, right?
-Yeah. That's what I heard from Mr. Cheon Woo-sung.
-Do you know what happened back then?
-I don't know the details.
Lee Shin-hyeok shook his head with a grim expression.
-Before that incident, she was apparently working to save the Italians who were suffering under the mafia....
-To think a woman like that became a witch who drowned the entire country in blood.
-I don't know what happened, but.
Grit.
Lee Shin-hyeok savagely ground his teeth and gripped his spear.
-If I could just turn back time... I'd make sure to kill that bitch.
The Leech Queen, Isabella Colagrande.
The thousands, tens of thousands of people who died miserably at her hands flickered before his eyes.
-Hyung. Let's pick up the pace. Those bastards from the Satellite Sect might be on our tail.
-Got it.
After getting out of the building.
Lee Shin-hyeok activated the Stigma of Pyxis to find an escape route.
-This way.
Lee Woo-hyeok and Lee Shin-hyeok picked up their speed.
Lee Woo-hyeok covered the distance as fast as a beast, while Lee Shin-hyeok struggled slightly to keep up.
‘Oh, he’s grown a lot in two years, huh?’
Oh-jin let out a short exclamation as he observed the memories of Lee Shin-hyeok flowing into his mind.
Of course, compared to his own, the growth rate was embarrassingly slow.
It seemed he had reached somewhere between 7-Star and 8-Star in those two years.
-Where's Noona?
-She should be by the coast, guarding the boat.
-Let's head that way.
Lee Shin-hyeok moved to find the person he called 'Noona'.
‘Who could it be?’
Oh-jin focused on the intriguing memories as they flowed in.
-Noona!
-Hey, you brat! What took you so long!
-Sorry!!
-We're getting out of here, so get on the boat, quick!!
—Huh?
-Alright, we're leaving!
-Okay!
What.
What the hell is going on.
-Hah. Italy is completely finished. Are you hurt anywhere?
-Ah, yeah. I'm fine.
-Here, water.
Why, why, why.
Just.
Why.
-Thanks—Ha-eun noona.
Why is my sister with that bastard.