Chapter 54

I Am Not a Regressor Chapter 54

A Game That Cannot Be Lost (1)

One week after the demon beast extermination operation.

As expected, the entire country of South Korea was in an uproar over the demon beast extermination.

The appearance of the demon beast, which turns humans into monsters, was a topic that would have been strange not to become an issue.

Foreign countries also handled this incident with great attention, raising awareness.

And.

Focus also turned to the hero who prevented an irreversible disaster.

—Brain and Kwon Ohjin.

The story of how he was the first to discover the situation and single-handedly defeated the demon beast's boss spread like wildfire, being featured as the headline by dozens of media outlets.

'Thanks to this, it's become difficult to wander around outside carelessly.'

Currently, he was half-reclusive at home under the pretext of treating his injuries.

He had even lost consciousness for about three days due to the aftereffects of using Exceed.

'Let's see.'

Ohjin lifted his smartphone and entered a popular community site.

The best posts were, as expected, filled with discussions about Brain.

He clicked on one of them.

[PuppyKing: Isn't Brain really crazy~!]

┗JerryM: It's been only half a year since he awakened. Does this make sense? He doesn't seem to be the Apostle of the North Star;

┗ButterflyValley: Xs

┗PuppyKing: Honestly, isn't he at the Seven Stars level already??

┗HeungGwangNana: Absolutely not. No matter what, he's not at the Seven Stars level.

┗PuppyKing: Well, even if not now, he'll probably become a Seven Star later?

┗ButterflyValley: Xs

┗JerryM: Maybe the Black Lion will get there first?

┗HeungGwangNana: No;; Is Seven Stars some random dog's name? Even if a truckload of Black Lions and Brains come, they'll be wiped out in a second;

┗PuppyKing: That's a bit extreme; Sure, they might be annoying, but it won't be a one-second wipe;

┗ButterflyValley: Xs

┗PuppyKing: It's always the ones who've never tried who leave such comments kk

┗ButterflyValley: Damn brat

It was quite chaotic.

'But the evaluation is indeed extreme.'

It was unbelievable that he, who had only awakened for about half a year, was being mentioned in the same breath as the Seven Stars.

'Of course, there are many who say he's still far below the Seven Stars.'

That was to be expected.

He was far from being able to compare with the actual Seven Stars.

"Well, I'll probably reach that level soon."

Not just to compare with the Seven Stars.

He was confident he could reach a higher realm than them.

'To maintain the title of a Regressor, I need to do at least that.'

Honestly, with the Constellation Mark of Lyra and the Black Heaven, the Seven Stars level is a piece of cake.

The only question is how much time it will take.

"Since I've seized the opportunity, I need to do it properly."

His goal is not just the Seven Stars level.

It's much higher.

The realm of the Transcenders, higher than even them.

'A realm that even our Goddess can't dare to surpass.'

If I reach that realm.

"Then…"

Ohjin smiled bitterly.

When that time comes, there will be no need to live by deceiving others.

'But that's something to think about when the time comes.'

There's something else he needs to focus on right now.

"…Black Star Society."

With this incident becoming a major issue, the name of Choi Jongchul, the mastermind, also spread widely.

Of course, the name of the Pandinus Guild, to which he belonged, was also mentioned.

"Choi Jongchul is not an awakened member of the Pandinus Guild."

According to the Pandinus Guild, Choi Jongchul was never a member of the Pandinus Guild and had no contact with them.

'Of course, it's a lie.'

His name was indeed not on the guild's official roster.

In other words.

'He was meant to be used and discarded from the beginning.'

It was a blatant attempt to cut off the tail.

However, since there was no concrete evidence linking the Pandinus Guild to Choi Jongchul, it was difficult to refute their claims.

Instead, the Pandinus Guild turned the blame on the Starlight Lake Guild, accusing them of being the masterminds of the incident and trying to pin the blame on them.

Not just in words.

They even presented specific evidence that Choi Jongchul had continued to meet with members of the Starlight Lake Guild after leaving the guild, putting pressure on them.

'They were caught off guard.'

The Starlight Lake Guild claimed that the few meetings they had with Choi Jongchul during the process of seizing his assets had nothing to do with the incident.

However, public opinion turned against the Starlight Lake Guild.

'Thanks to this, other large guilds among the top 10 also got involved.'

The Starlight Lake Guild was a guild composed of the best 'healer-type' awakened individuals.

It was rare for healer-type awakened individuals to enter and exit gates alone.

Thanks to this characteristic, the Starlight Lake Guild was often involved with other guilds, including some of the famous large guilds among the top 10.

Actually, for a guild like the Starlight Lake Guild, it was almost impossible to be involved with anyone other than the famous large guilds.

Given the situation, criticism was directed at the entire top 10 guilds associated with the Starlight Lake Guild.

"Did they plan this from the beginning?"

Ohjin, who was scanning some news, clicked his tongue.

There was almost no mention of the Pandinus Guild, who should have been the target of criticism, and the articles were filled with conspiracy theories about the Starlight Lake Guild.

"These guys are pretty smart."

He chuckled.

"Didn't you say you were going to the sanctuary, Ohjin?"

"Ah, yeah. I need to go."

Ohjin, who had been looking at his smartphone, got up from his seat.

Since the situation was roughly settled,

He needed to report to Vega.

"Then I'll be back soon, sis."

"Okay."

Haeun waved her hand to see him off.

'I should go.'

Our Goddess must be worried sick, so I need to go quickly.

* * *

[Me, my child!!]

As soon as he arrived at the temple of Vega, she rushed out anxiously.

The aftereffects of the restriction were significant, and she was staying as a small 30cm figure inside the sanctuary.

[Are you hurt? Are you feeling okay? Is your stomach fine? What happened to that evil demon beast?]

A storm of questions rained down.

"Don't worry, you can see I'm fine."

[But, but!]

Vega stomped her feet, her eyes glistening.

Why is our Goddess so cute, really.

"Why are you so late, human! Do you know how worried Lady Vega was?"

Riak approached with a frown.

"I know."

"Every five minutes, she would pull out her hair and cry her eyes out."

[That, that's not true.]

"Did she just cry! She even carved your face on the temple wall and prayed for your safety for days and nights!!"

Turning his head to look at the temple wall, he saw that his face was indeed carved there.

[No, no! That never happened!!]

"Even while secretly kissing the carved image, she prayed for your safety!! How could you be so late…!"

[AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!]

Zzzz! Boom!

"Keh!!"

Riak, struck by blue lightning, was flung far away and rolled on the ground.

Smoke rose from his trembling body.

Is he dead?

[C, cough!]

Vega subtly fixed her disheveled hair and cleared her throat.

[Riak must have seen a hallucination.]

It was a bit too specific to be a hallucination.

[Anyway!]

Vega, hiding her blushing cheeks, continued.

[What happened after that…?]

"I'll explain it slowly."

He detailed the events after Vega disappeared due to the restriction.

Of course, he left out the part about absorbing the power of the relic and the Aquarius Constellation Mark with the Black Heaven.

[Exceed? You used Exceed?]

"Uh-huh."

He thought it was a skill he had spontaneously created, but it seemed she knew about it.

[What… What… Unbelievable.]

Vega's face was frozen, her mouth wide open.

Is it that surprising?

[Hmm…]

Vega rubbed her forehead as if in pain.

[Even though I've experienced it once, this is…]

"Is it that surprising?"

He knew Exceed was a powerful skill from using it, but he wasn't sure if it was unreasonable for him to learn it at this stage, even considering he was a 'Regresser.'

[Of course, it's surprising. 'Exceed' is a skill that can only be learned by reaching at least 7 Stars… no, 8 Stars.]

What?

'Is it really that level?'

8 Stars were among the strongest of the awakened, though they were still inferior to the 9 Stars, who were classified as true 'High Awakened.'

Regardless, it was clear that a mere 4 Star like him should not be able to learn such a skill.

'Then it is indeed surprising.'

Imagine a very complex and difficult game.

Would it become as easy as a children's game just because you cleared it once?

It would be insufficient even after dozens or hundreds of attempts, let alone just once.

'But from Vega's perspective, it's like I cleared a high-level boss zone in a game I've only played once.'

That explains why she's so surprised.

However.

There's one thing she doesn't know.

'Actually, I've never cleared the game.'

Why could he, a mere 4 Star, learn a skill that should only be learned by 8 Stars?

[You must have a truly innate talent for controlling the power of the Constellation Mark.]

Talent.

Yes.

It's hard to find another reason besides talent.

"I guess I'm just good at it since I've done it once."

[No, that's not enough to explain it.]

Vega shook her head firmly and continued.

[It's as if… you were born to dominate all Constellation Marks.]

"…"

Ohjin's face stiffened slightly.

"Not that much. And what's wrong with learning it quickly?"

[Hmm. No, it's not good in this case.]

"Is it not good?"

Vega's eyes sharpened.

[Exceed is a skill that puts extreme strain on the body. You need to reach at least 6 Stars for your body to withstand it.]

"Oh."

Indeed.

When he used it against Choi Jongchul, his body was in a state of overload.

As a result, he was unconscious for three days.

[Please don't use Exceed in the future.]

Pero.

Vega flew over and perched on his head.

"I understand. I'll be careful."

There's no need to use a skill that harms the body unless it's an emergency.

[No! I mean, don't use it at all!]

Vega grabbed his hair in anger.

It hurts.

"Phew! I understand."

[Sigh. At times like this, the main body should be here to monitor you thoroughly.]

"When do you think you can manifest again?"

[It will take about three weeks to stay quietly in the sanctuary.]

So, about a month in total.

Vega must have pushed herself a lot.

[Sigh. I'd like to tie you up in the temple for that time, but…]

Scary, Lady Vega.

[…It doesn't seem like that's a good idea.]

Vega's eyes narrowed.

[The wicked Apostles of Scorpio seem to have teamed up with the Black Star Society.]

"Probably."

They deny it, but it's clear that the Black Star Society and the Pandinus Guild are connected.

[Those wicked ones! To do such a heinous act and try to pin the blame on others!]

Vega shouted, clearly angry, probably thinking of Choi Jongchul.

[It's truly frustrating that there's no way to stop their evil schemes.]

"There is a way to stop them."

Vega's eyes widened.

[But didn't you just say you don't have evidence to prove their relationship?]

"That's true."

Indeed.

There was no evidence to redirect the criticism aimed at the Starlight Lake Guild towards the Pandinus Guild.

However.

As always.

—If it doesn't exist, create it.

Ohjin smiled sardonically.

"I'll handle this myself. Don't worry."

[But how…]

"It's fine, really."

It's not a difficult task.

There's no need to rack his brain or prepare a complex strategy.

'After all, this is…'

A game he can't lose.

'Come on.'

Ohjin stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.

'It's been a while since I did my main job.'

It's one thing to do something else.

But you shouldn't try to scam in front of me.