Not A Regressor - Chapter 228

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Am Not a Regressor Chapter 228
Interlude – The Seven Star Council (4)
A ripple of unease swept through the crowd.
The Banquet Hall descended into disorder in an instant.
People gazed at Kwon O-jin with sneering smiles playing at their lips.
Of course, some among them frowned with displeasure at the atmosphere of mockery and snickering that singled out one person as a scapegoat.
But most simply cast scornful glances at Kwon O-jin—the single figure who didn’t belong in this place.
Namgoong Hui, who had been leisurely observing the reactions around him, let out a light laugh and grasped the microphone.
“Haha! I was only joking, everyone! Please, calm yourselves.”
Namgoong Hui turned back to Kwon O-jin and continued.
“What does it matter if he isn’t a high-tier awakener? I believe he possesses more than sufficient qualifications to become a member of the Seven Stars.”
He had openly provoked them, yet now he smoothly pivoted his narrative.
“Surely you’ve all heard of the remarkable accomplishments he’s achieved over this past year, haven’t you?”
His fists clenched tight, his gaze burning as he fixed it upon Kwon O-jin.
“Though he has not yet reached the 9-star threshold, he has already proven himself more than capable through his own efforts. Don’t you all agree?”
A chill settled over the Banquet Hall.
The absence of even scattered applause subtly revealed how everyone truly evaluated Kwon O-jin in their hearts.
“Now hold on. Isn’t that being rather disrespectful?”
Han Manager shot to his feet and glared at Namgoong Hui with a fierce scowl.
In truth, this had been somewhat predictable from the moment Kwon O-jin was nominated as a candidate.
To compare it to a game, it was as if a rookie player with only one year of experience had suddenly been put forward as a candidate in a competition to select the world’s greatest player.
Of course, if word had spread that Kwon O-jin had defeated Deneb’s Apostles four times in succession, the reaction would have been less severe.
However, most of those who witnessed the proxy battle held at the Sanctuary were Constellations themselves, so rumors had not spread widely among ordinary awakeners.
“Ah, if that’s how you felt, I sincerely apologize.”
Namgoong Hui lowered his head respectfully with an apologetic expression.
“I only intended to ask that you not view Kwon O-jin through prejudiced eyes… but I fear my earlier jest was far too excessive.”
“A jest, you say?”
“Yes. But ultimately, if the person receiving the joke found it unpleasant, then an apology is only proper. I’m truly sorry.”
“….”
With Namgoong Hui bowing so deferentially, Han Manager found himself with nothing to say and could only sink back into his seat with heavy, irritated breaths.
“Tsk, tsk.”
“Look at him getting defensive just because it struck a nerve.”
“Is there really such a shortage of talent in South Korea? There’s Black Lion Lee Woo-hyuk, so why on earth would they push for an awakener who isn’t even high-tier…?”
“Must be because he’s a Constellation of Polaris—he probably wants to become as famous as Deneb’s Apostles.”
Han Manager’s outburst only intensified the mockery.
A sharp, cutting atmosphere descended upon the Banquet Hall.
Kwon O-jin, surrounded by the frigid air of the hall,
“Wow, this steak is damn delicious.”
sat with an unbothered expression, cutting into the succulent steak on his plate with his knife and bringing it to his mouth as if the derision around him didn’t exist.
The medium-rare steak melted on his tongue like butter.
“Haha. Fortunately, it seems O-jin doesn’t mind much either.”
Namgoong Hui smoothly redirected the conversation with a gentle smile.
“Our candidates today swear that we shall become heroes capable of saving far more people than merely filling the vacant positions left by Cheon Sang-gil and Tamrang Star. We pledge this here and now….”
A tedious speech continued.
As was customary with opening ceremonies, people began to wear expressions of boredom as the speech dragged on, one by one.
Namgoong Hui, gauging the crowd’s reaction and waiting for the right moment, glanced back at the cameras filming the opening ceremony before speaking.
“I can see everyone’s boredom written all over their faces. Ah, of course, I myself am absolutely sick of such tedious speeches.”
He gave a light gesture to Wei standing beside him.
“With that in mind, I’d like to provide you all with some light entertainment to enjoy.”
Namgoong Hui set down the microphone and stood in the center of the broad stage.
He drew a fan from his robes.
“Though my skills are humble, I hope you’ll enjoy the performance.”
A deep rumbling sound echoed.
Flames roared to life.
With those words, a massive torrent of water shot from the left toward Namgoong Hui, while scorching flames erupted from the right.
Namgoong Hui unfurled the fan in his hand and moved his body as if dancing.
A gentle breeze swept through the Banquet Hall.
As the warm, soft breeze—like spring weather—blew through, the massive torrents of water and flames pouring toward Namgoong Hui began to move with the wind.
Water above, flames below.
Water and fire intertwined, forming a yin-yang pattern.
“Wow, wow…”
Gasps of admiration flowed naturally from the crowd at the breathtaking spectacle.
The water and flames moving with the wind swept through the air as naturally as if they were alive.
The remarkable thing was that despite fire and water being intertwined, the flames didn’t extinguish nor did the water evaporate.
Namgoong Hui wielded the fan as if painting in midair, using water and fire to craft the face of a person.
The face made of water was that of Tamrang Star Cheon Sang-gil, while the one made of fire was that of Cheon Sang-gil Demian Salvatore.
“May the two heroes find eternal peace.”
As Namgoong Hui snapped shut his widely spread fan, the faces of Demian and Cheon Sang-gil transformed into brilliantly glowing constellations before gradually dispersing.
“Waaaaah!”
“H-how could a person possibly do that…?”
“I heard he reached 10-star not long ago, but it seems he’s perfectly mastered the stigma of Leo!”
At the incredible feat Namgoong Hui displayed, the crowd filling the Banquet Hall erupted in cheers and applause.
“Haha. Thank you for enjoying such a simple trick.”
Namgoong Hui tucked the fan into his robes and bowed with impeccable posture, as if drawn by an artist’s hand.
After finishing his greeting, Namgoong Hui handed the microphone to Wei standing beside him and descended from the stage.
“Everyone, we have plenty of food and drink prepared, so please enjoy yourselves freely today!”
With Wei’s announcement, a small party began in the Banquet Hall.
Rather than indulging in the various delicacies arranged on the tables, people greeted those seated beside them and approached famous Awakeners to strike up conversations.
Two of the twenty-eight people gathered in this Banquet Hall would become members of the Seven Stars, so they were eager to build connections in advance.
Of course.
A cool breeze swept through the space.
Not a single person approached Kwon O-jin.
“…I sincerely apologize, Kwon O-jin.”
“Hm? What for?”
Kwon O-jin tilted his head, observing Han Manager as he bowed.
Han Manager’s face flushed crimson as he clenched his fists, each one the size of a pot lid.
“Had I known this would happen, I wouldn’t have brought you to the opening ceremony in the first place…”
“No, no—I’m perfectly content eating delicious food for free.”
“B-but!”
“If this is about what happened earlier, there’s no need to worry.”
Kwon O-jin chuckled softly and shrugged his shoulders.
The barking had been irritating, certainly, but it hardly warranted genuine concern.
“Ah, there you are.”
At that moment, Namgoong Hui, who had been conversing with several notable figures, approached.
“I truly apologize for earlier.”
He extended his hand toward Kwon O-jin with a warm, affable smile.
“Don’t worry about it—you can go back now.”
Kwon O-jin waved his hand dismissively while eating a dessert topped with cheese on thinly sliced tomato.
Namgoong Hui’s expression twisted slightly as his hand remained suspended in the air.
But only for a moment.
He quickly resumed his radiant smile and continued speaking.
“Given the nature of this gathering, I hope you’ll bear with any rudeness from those unfamiliar with your capabilities.”
He bowed respectfully, his lips curling into a thin smile.
“There’s a saying that patience thrice practiced can save even a nation, is there not?”
It wasn’t difficult to discern his deliberate substitution of “nation” for “person.”
‘Don’t cause trouble in front of China, is that it?’
Kwon O-jin let out an involuntary laugh.
It was almost absurd how blatantly he was laying it out.
“…Did I say something amusing?”
Namgoong Hui’s eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Kwon O-jin’s laughter.
The atmosphere between them was beginning to turn tense.
“Damn it, why the hell isn’t there a single smoking room in this massive Tower?”
The Banquet Hall doors swung open roughly as Ha-eun entered.
Dressed in an elegant black party gown that showed careful styling, she spotted Kwon O-jin and her eyes sparkled as she approached.
“Wait, you bastard—you didn’t eat all of it already, did you?”
“The steak here is delicious.”
“That’s mine! Where’s my portion?”
“Eating two made it twice as delicious.”
“You son of a bitch.”
Ha-eun was pressing Kwon O-jin to return her share when—
“…Ah.”
Namgoong Hui stared at Ha-eun as though struck by lightning.
The smirk that had graced his lips vanished, replaced by an expression of utter shock, his wide eyes unable to tear themselves away from her.
“How is such a thing even possible in this world….”
Namgoong Hui swallowed hard, his words trailing off into silence.
A beauty so striking it bordered on the surreal, paired with a body possessing the graceful curves of the finest porcelain. Even the black eye patch covering her left eye could not diminish her radiance.
Though I had encountered countless women throughout my life, never had I beheld one whose beauty was so utterly breathtaking.
“Hmm? What’s wrong with you?”
Ha-eun turned to regard Namgoong Hui, who continued to stare at her, tilting her head with curiosity.
Namgoong Hui cleared his throat softly and approached Ha-eun.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Namgoong Hui.”
“Namgoong Hui…? I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere before.”
“Haha. Though I am somewhat embarrassed to say, I am known by the title of ‘Wind God.'”
“Wind what?”
“…Wind God, to be precise.”
“Ah, now I remember.”
Ha-eun snapped her fingers and nodded.
I recalled hearing that he was quite a renowned awakener in China.
“If it would not be too presumptuous, might I inquire of your name?”
“Song Ha-eun.”
Ha-eun.
Namgoong Hui repeated her name several times over, a faint smile playing at his lips.
By now, all memory of Kwon O-jin had long since vanished from his mind.
“It appears there is no remaining meal at this table for Miss Ha-eun… Would you not consider joining my table instead?”
He harbored not the slightest doubt that his invitation would be refused.
Born with exceptional looks and having been selected as a candidate representative—his prowess was undeniable.
And his background? Incomparable.
As the eldest son of the Namgung Family, China’s most prestigious house, he had reigned supreme within the nation even before awakening as an awakener.
No matter how unique Kwon O-jin’s status as Lyra Constellation’s sole apostle might be, he could not compare to him.
‘Though it does seem they have some acquaintance with one another.’
Still, if she had heard of the title “Wind God,” she would surely understand his standing.
That he was the most likely candidate to become the next of the Seven Stars.
There was no reason for her to refuse━
“I’d rather not.”
“…Pardon?”
Namgoong Hui’s expression faltered, clearly unprepared for such a blunt refusal.
“B-but there is no meal for Miss Ha-eun here….”
“Why would there be nothing?”
Ha-eun settled herself upon Kwon O-jin’s lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“I can just eat my O-jin.”
“….”
Namgoong Hui’s expression twisted harshly.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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