Chapter 82

I Am Not a Regressor Chapter 82

The Saint of Rome (3)

"…Is there a reason you're making that assumption?"

Oh Jin asked sharply.

"Have you heard that the Black Star Society has been expanding its influence in Italy recently?"

"I have."

It's probably a different faction from the 'Owls' operating in Korea.

Still, it's true that the Black Star Society has been expanding its influence.

"It has been confirmed that a force suspected to be the Black Star Society has been frequently spotted near Miss Isabella's mansion. The timing also strangely coincides with the attempted assassination."

"How did you get that information…?"

"We have a reliable informant in Italy. Their information-gathering skills are amazing, even if they're not much in combat."

"I see."

If the deputy guild leader of Valhalla Guild is vouching for it, it must be reliable information.

"So, you're saying the Black Star Society tried to assassinate Miss Isabella?"

"Well… we don't have concrete evidence yet."

"Hmm."

He swallowed a short sigh and narrowed his eyes.

'The Black Star Society is targeting Isabella?'

The first question that came to mind was why.

"Do they have a reason to target her?"

"I… I don't know! Ah!"

Kim Sun-young, who had been shaking her head, let out a short exclamation and clapped her hands.

"Come to think of it, I heard that the scar Miss Isabella possesses has shown incredible efficacy against the Beast Hand."

Does she possess a power that is the bane of the Beast Hand?

"Even if she possesses a power that is the bane of the Beast Hand, I'm not sure if that's the reason the Black Star Society is trying so hard to kill her."

"…."

It makes sense.

She might not know it yet.

The Black Star Society… no, the existence of the 'Black Star' itself has some connection to the Beast Hand.

'If a super rookie who is receiving worldwide attention possesses a power that is the bane of the Beast Hand…'

They have ample reason to target Isabella.

'That must be why they said she could prevent the disaster that will happen two years from now.'

Lee Shin-hyuk regretted not meeting her on June 30th.

Isabella has been targeted by a force suspected to be the Black Star Society recently.

From these two facts, there is only one conclusion.

'In the first cycle, Isabella died on June 30th.'

Then.

'I have to save her.'

To prevent her from falling victim to the Black Star Society's assassins that day.

I have to go there and prevent her death.

I need to rewrite the pages of the predetermined fate.

"I want to thoroughly investigate the Black Star Society in Italy… but to be honest, I don't have the time."

Lee Woo-hyuk sighed.

"Then I'll go to Italy and investigate."

"…What? You, Oh Jin?"

He nodded.

"But we don't have concrete evidence yet, and the Black Star Society in Italy is… much more powerful compared to Korea."

I know.

The leader of the Black Star Society in Italy is said to be the third-ranked executor.

Even Cheon Do-yun, who is currently the sixth-ranked executor, wouldn't dare to challenge them.

'But.'

If I can't save her.

If the bloody storm that swept through Italy two years later reaches me.

-Aaaaaah!!

-Save me!!!

The screams that filled the city echoed in his mind.

Blood-soaked streets.

Death spreading before his eyes.

'Well, that's not really my concern.'

I'm not a heroic figure who sacrifices myself to save countless people, nor a brave warrior who embarks on a journey to defeat a demon king.

Just a mere con artist who deceives and exploits others.

But.

At least.

'The warmth in my hand.'

I will protect this warmth no matter what.

'And Isabella has value to me.'

A super rookie who reached the sixth rank in just a year.

If she is an awakener with a power that is the bane of the Beast Hand, she will undoubtedly be a great help in the future.

'If I can bring her to my side this time.'

If I can create a sense of obligation and control her as I please.

'It's worth taking the risk.'

A bitter smile crept onto Oh Jin's lips.

He licked his lips.

'Thanks, Lee Shin-hyuk.'

If it weren't for him, where would I get the information that she will be attacked by the Black Star Society on the 30th?

He may be a long-dead regressor, but his memories are leading me to create a new destiny.

"Still, if the Black Star Society is targeting her… we need to confirm it in person."

"Hmm."

Lee Woo-hyuk swallowed a sigh, his eyes filled with worry about losing the promising 'Apostle of the North Star'.

"Then, I'll go with you…."

"Guild Leader, you haven't forgotten, have you?"

Kim Sun-young waved a USB containing information about the Black Star Society in front of Lee Woo-hyuk.

"Isn't now the time to worry about Italy?"

"That's true, but…"

"You don't need to worry. I'll go to Italy alone."

Oh Jin said firmly.

'If Lee Woo-hyuk gets involved, it will be more troublesome.'

How can I explain to him that Isabella will be attacked on the 30th?

I can lie, but it will be hard to avoid suspicion.

"Ah, then take this, Oh Jin."

Kim Sun-young handed him a card with a roaring lion engraved on it.

On the back was a contact number and a name he had never seen before.

"Paolo Lancioni. It's the contact information for the informant I mentioned. Show them the card, and they will cooperate."

"Thank you."

Having a well-informed informant in Italy will make the operation much smoother.

"And… Oh Jin, do you speak Italian?"

"No."

To be honest, he can't even speak English properly.

What could he have learned in that hellhole of an orphanage?

"Then this will help you."

Kim Sun-young went to a corner of the room and opened a drawer.

She took out a device that looked like a hearing aid.

Oh Jin recognized it.

"Is this a translation device?"

One of the miraculous devices created from holy oil.

Thanks to the relatively cheap holy oil, it has been widely distributed to the general public, not just awakeners.

Of course, it's not exactly cheap.

It costs at least several million won.

"It's a top-of-the-line translation device. With this, you should have no problem listening and speaking."

"…This seems like too much."

An informant and a top-of-the-line translation device.

The generosity is so overwhelming that it's almost unsettling.

"Hehe. Since you're going on a dangerous mission, this level of support is natural. In return, please share the information you gather in Italy with us."

"Of course."

Valhalla Guild is a pack of hunting dogs he created with his own hands.

It's natural to provide them with information about their prey.

"Then I'll prepare and leave immediately."

"Is it necessary to go so urgently?"

"Better to be early than late."

They don't know, but.

'Time is running out.'

There's less than a week left until the 30th.

"I'll contact you when I arrive."

Oh Jin left the Valhalla Guild and headed home.

* * *

"Eh? Italy? Why Italy all of a sudden?"

Ha Eun, who was eating ice cream, opened her eyes wide.

"Valhalla Guild has a request. I'll be gone for about a week."

"Hmm. Italy, huh."

Ha Eun's lips curved into a bright smile.

"If you go, can you see… the Colosseum? Things like that?"

Her eyes sparkled.

"Kyahaha! When we were in that hellhole of an orphanage, I never dreamed we'd travel abroad together!"

She sounded like she was going on a leisure trip.

She offered a spoonful of ice cream to Oh Jin.

"Open up, here comes the ice cream!"

Her energy was quite high.

But this sister seems to have some misconceptions.

"I'm going alone, not with you."

"Eh?"

Ha Eun's expression immediately twisted.

"What kind of request requires you to go alone?! I should go too!"

As expected.

She must have thought he meant they would go together.

"It's an infiltration mission, so I have to go alone."

"I can do infiltration too!"

"You're not good at hiding your presence."

"W-well, that's…"

Ha Eun's gaze wandered.

Actually, infiltration isn't necessary.

It's just an excuse to leave her behind because she can't hide her presence well.

There's another reason he doesn't want to take her.

'It's too dangerous.'

Without knowing how many of the Black Star Society's awakeners will be involved in the attack on Isabella.

Taking her would be risky.

'If things get too dangerous, I can just run away since I have a mastermind backing me.'

But she doesn't have that option.

"So… you're going alone and leaving me behind?"

"Sorry."

"Hmph!"

Ha Eun turned her head away with a pout.

Chomp chomp.

She snatched the ice cream she had offered and stuffed it into her mouth.

Puffing out her cheeks, she stomped her feet like a child throwing a tantrum.

"Puhuhu! But let's go on a real trip later, not for work."

"…A promise?"

"Mm-hm."

She knew she wasn't good at hiding her presence, so she didn't insist on going.

"So when are you leaving?"

"Today."

"Eh? Leaving right away? What about the flight?"

"Why use a flight? I can go through the 'Sanctuary.'"

"Oh, right."

Ha Eun clapped her hands, as if she had forgotten.

The 'Sanctuary,' where the constellations reside, has entrances all over the world.

Using the Sanctuary, one can travel overseas as easily and quickly as using a portal.

'I don't know where the entrance to Italy is, but Vega can tell me.'

"Ugh. So you won't be back for a week?"

"Hehe. What? Will you be lonely without me?"

"Really? Now you're crawling to me?"

Ha Eun raised her middle finger and glared.

But only for a moment.

She turned her head slightly and muttered softly.

"Well… try to call often if you can."

I feel like I'm a husband going on a business trip.

"Puhuhu! Got it, sis."

"Don't get hurt."

"Puhuhuh!"

"Brat."

After a light chat with Ha Eun, he packed his bags and left the house.

He entered the Sanctuary and found the entrance to Italy.

Fortunately, there was a gate near Rome, so he arrived not far from the city.

-It took only an hour to reach Rome.

The speed was so fast that it made the 10-hour flight seem insignificant.

"This is faster than driving to Busan."

Oh Jin chuckled and inserted the translation device he received from Kim Sun-young into his ear.

The Italian language, which sounded like an alien language, was translated into clear Korean.

"Ah. Does my voice translate well too?"

He couldn't confirm that part yet since he had no one to talk to.

"Let's find Paolo first."

As soon as he arrived, he had already contacted Paolo Lancioni.

After introducing himself as someone sent by Valhalla Guild, Paolo sent him a link to his location.

'He said he's near the Rebbia station.'

He walked aimlessly toward the marked location on the map.

"Here…"

He arrived at a vast gypsy village with old apartment buildings lined up.

'Does he live here?'

He tilted his head and entered the gypsy village.

"Damn. Where the hell are you hiding?"

The gypsy village was as complex as a maze, and being a first-time visitor, it was hard to find his way.

While wandering around the village.

"Are you lost?"

A woman wearing a deep-brimmed hat approached him.

She had sea-blue eyes and a gentle smile that could melt anyone's heart.

Her platinum blonde hair, visible between the brim of her hat, shone beautifully.

"You are…"

He had only seen her in photos, but there was no mistaking her.

"Wha."

Oh Jin opened his mouth in disbelief.

'What the hell, is this for real?'

There's a limit to how coincidental things can be.

This was more absurd than serendipitous, and Oh Jin couldn't find the words to continue.

"Um, mother? Do you know me?"

She blushed slightly, looking a bit flustered.

"I thought you wouldn't know me since you're from the East…."

She took off her hat and extended her hand.

Her golden hair, flowing down to her shoulders, shone brilliantly.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Isabella Colgrande."

She smiled brightly.

The Saint of Rome smiled warmly.