Chapter 89

I am not a regressed person, Chapter 89

Interlude - Third Memory

Before returning to Korea through the sanctuary.

"Come to think of it, I haven't been able to contact Vega."

I told her not to come out until I called, as I might be able to use the blessing.

But everything went to waste when Isabella revealed her true colors.

'Now that I think about it, it's a good thing.'

If Vega had seen Isabella's true form, the situation would have become even more complicated.

'Since I'm here at the sanctuary, maybe I should go see Vega.'

She must be on edge, not having heard from me for a few days.

- Thud, thud.

Oh Jin followed the path made of blue starlight and climbed to the highest point of the sanctuary.

A path that split into three.

One led to the temple of Vega, the Weaving Maid Star, and the other two led to the temples of Deneb and Polaris, who shared the same constellation, the North Star.

'Deneb and Polaris.'

Deneb had twelve apostles, and Polaris, like Vega in the past, had none.

'What if... I get another North Star constellation relic?'

Even with the twelve constellations of the zodiac, the relics could synergize, granting unimaginable power.

If the North Star relics were added to this...

Then.

"...I don't know."

Honestly, the Lyra constellation alone already has a significant gap compared to a 5-star awakened being.

If another North Star is added, it might reach an immeasurable level.

'Well... it would still need some synergy, though.'

Basically, only one constellation relic can be used at a time.

Although I've used two or more at once before, there was no significant effect without synergy with the base Lyra constellation relic.

'The main one is still the Lyra constellation relic.'

Other relics are just bridges used when necessary.

'It doesn't matter.'

Besides, in front of Vega, I can't freely use other relics.

The Lyra constellation relic alone is powerful enough that I don't know its limits.

"I'll try to absorb it if I get the chance."

If the two North Star relics don't conflict and synergize, I might step into an unprecedented realm.

"Alright then."

Putting aside pointless thoughts, he headed towards the temple of the Weaving Maid Star.

Upon arriving at the temple,

[My child!!]

Vega lunged and hugged Oh Jin.

[Do you know how worried I was with no contact!]

A terrifying pressure, like being pressed by an industrial press, squeezed his entire body.

"Kuh, ugh!"

Mom, I'm dying!

'Really dying!!!!'

Shit, I can't breathe!!

How can she be so strong?!

[Ah, I'm sorry.]

Vega loosened her grip on Oh Jin.

"Phew!"

Maybe it's because we're inside the sanctuary.

When she hugged me, it felt like being squeezed by an industrial press.

'Isabella is one thing, but.'

The true power of a constellation is truly absurd.

"Grumble. Kid, what happened?"

Ryak walked over and asked.

"Nothing much. Just didn't have a situation where I could use the blessing."

It wasn't nothing, but.

I didn't need to use the blessing.

[Did you save the Holy Maiden?]

...Holy Maiden.

'Should I hide it, or tell her about Isabella?'

The deliberation was brief.

'I'll tell her.'

The more I hide, the more I'll be restricted later, and the risk of unnecessary suspicion will increase.

'And most importantly.'

Vega might be able to tell that Isabella is a Leech constellation awakened being, not a Sheep constellation.

Isabella doesn't have the same 'black curtain' characteristic as me.

"I did save her, but... the situation got a bit complicated."

[Complicated? Did something happen?]

Vega asked with a worried expression.

"The Holy Maiden is not a Sheep constellation awakened being."

[What?]

Oh Jin calmly recounted what happened with Isabella.

"In my past life, I died that day, so I didn't know the Holy Maiden's true identity... I never thought Isabella would be an executor of the Black Star Society."

A regressed person knows the future through direct experience, not as a god who comprehends all hidden secrets and truths.

Not knowing the Holy Maiden's identity shouldn't make Vega suspicious.

[Then, isn't the situation worse than in your past life?]

"It's not necessarily so."

He shook his head firmly.

"Isabella doesn't know that I know her true identity. If I can use this situation well, I can gather information about the Black Star Society."

There's no reason to think pessimistically just because her true identity is an executor of the Black Star Society.

"And if I can pull her to our side."

It's impossible now, as she sees me as just a tasty prey.

But if I can control her like a puppet one day.

[...It would be more reassuring than getting the Heavenly Army.]

The most dangerous enemy is the one within.

If I can pull her in,

Isabella, the sharp blade, will tear the Black Star Society apart from within.

"That's the plan. I intend to make it happen."

[Hmm. I'm worried about the girl.]

Vega reached out and stroked Oh Jin's head.

[What if that girl harms you?]

Our goddess is really worried.

"Don't worry. I don't plan to contact her right now."

At least not until I have enough power to protect myself.

"Besides... I'm sorry."

His voice trembled slightly.

His shoulders drooped, and his fists were clenched so tightly that the tendons stood out.

He acted as if he was suffering from a great sense of guilt.

[What are you sorry for?]

"Acting without proper investigation. I made a mistake because I was too focused on changing the future."

He deliberately showed a weak side.

This might make him lose credibility as a regressed person, but.

'In this case, it's the opposite.'

The trust between him and Vega has already reached a deep level.

Showing a weak side in this situation will deepen the trust even more.

'It's similar to how a husband who usually shows a strong side becomes more emotionally connected when seen crying after drinking.'

A sympathy-based manipulation technique.

The biggest advantage of this method is.

[Don't be sad, my child. I know best how desperately you are trying.]

No need for evidence.

No need for logic.

The ability to deeply penetrate the other person's heart.

"...Vega."

[Come here, my child.]

Vega opened her arms and hugged him gently.

Unlike before, it was a soft, gentle hug.

[You don't have to bear everything alone.]

She stroked his head gently and smiled faintly.

[Hehe. You have me, don't you?]

"..."

[Don't be impatient. The moment you and I met, the pages of fate were rewritten.]

"Thank you."

He hugged Vega back, his voice brightening.

"This time, I will... change it."

The tragic future where the world is destroyed by the Heavenly Horse.

[Hehe. You can do it.]

Vega patted his back and rested her chin on his shoulder.

They hugged for about five more minutes.

"Grumble! Lady Vega. If you keep indulging this brat, he'll develop bad habits later..."

[Pfft.]

-Zzzzz!

A blue lightning bolt struck Ryak.

"Keh! Kaaaaaaah!!!"

Ryak writhed in pain.

[Phew. It was a good time with my child, but you're clueless.]

Zzz.

Vega glared at Ryak, looking very uncomfortable.

"Sorry..."

[Hmph. It's fine.]

Vega turned her head, clearly upset.

'Oh, um.'

This is a bit pitiful for Ryak.

"Then, I'll go home. My sister will be worried. Ah, since the urgent matter is over, it's fine to manifest as usual."

[Hmm. That's a happy thing, but not today.]

"Huh? Why?"

[Hehe. Haeun needs time to enjoy the joy of reunion too, doesn't she?]

Ah, that's what she meant.

[But!]

Vega's golden eyes sparkled.

[You and Haeun are only 'siblings,' remember that!]

"Uh, yeah."

He nodded involuntarily, pushed by the momentum.

"See you, Vega. See you tomorrow."

[Be careful.]

What do I need to be careful about in the sanctuary?

"Phew."

He left the sanctuary and headed home.

"Should I buy something?"

It's almost time for dinner.

Looking around for something suitable,

"Hey, it's been a while."

He smiled at the hamburger shop on the street.

Although he hasn't eaten it often recently,

It's a food with many memories and nostalgia.

'The first thing I bought after my awakening was a hamburger.'

He entered the shop, reminiscing.

"Two Whopper sets to go~!"

He bought the hamburgers and headed straight home.

- Thud, thud.

The closer he got to home, the more excited his steps became.

It's only been a week, but.

He couldn't wait to see Haeun, and his steps naturally quickened.

"Hehe. I hope my sister isn't crying... "

-At that moment.

His vision flipped.

-Ding!

[Some of Awakened Shin Hyuk's memories have been successfully restored.]

Huh?

There's a third one?

-Brother... Let's go.

-...Okay.

Shin Hyuk, who was gripping the rooftop railing and ruminating on his regrets, turned around.

He and Woo Hyuk went down the stairs.

A heavy silence.

The silence, as if by agreement, was broken by Woo Hyuk.

-Is the Leech Queen's loss of sanity and rampage due to the incident two years ago?

-Yeah, I heard that from Cheon Woo Sung.

-What happened then?

-I don't know.

Shin Hyuk shook his head with a troubled expression.

-Apparently, before the incident, she was moving to save Italians who were suffering at the hands of the mafia...

-For a woman who did that to become a witch who drenched the entire country in blood.

-I don't know what happened.

Click.

Shin Hyuk clenched his teeth and gripped the window.

-If I could turn back time... I would definitely kill that woman.

The Leech Queen, Isabella Colgrande.

The thousands, tens of thousands of people who died miserably at her hands flashed before his eyes.

-Brother, let's speed up. The Satellite Gang might be following us.

-Okay.

After escaping the building,

Shin Hyuk activated the Lyra constellation relic to find an escape route.

-This way.

Shin Hyuk and Woo Hyuk increased their speed.

Woo Hyuk moved through the distance like a beast, and Shin Hyuk followed, albeit with some difficulty.

'Oh, he's grown a lot in two years?'

Oh Jin, who was enjoying the memories flowing into his mind, let out a short exclamation.

Of course, compared to himself, the growth rate was embarrassingly slow.

But it seemed he had reached around 7-star to 8-star level in two years.

-Where is your sister?

-She should be guarding the boat on the coast.

-Let's go that way.

Shin Hyuk moved to find the person he called 'sister'.

'Who is she?'

Oh Jin focused on the flowing memories with interest.

-Sister!

-You bastard! Why are you so late!

-Sorry!!

-We're escaping, so get on the boat quickly!

-Huh?

-We're leaving!

-Yeah!

What?

What's going on?

-Phew. Italy is completely finished. Are you hurt anywhere?

-Ah, yeah. I'm fine.

-Here, water.

Why, why, why.

Exactly.

Why.

-Thank you... Sister Haeun.

Why is my sister with that guy?