Not A Regressor - Chapter 269

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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 269
Greed and Love (1)
“O-jin~!”
As I opened the Hospital Room door, a familiar voice reached my ears.
Just hearing it filled me with a happiness so profound it felt as though my body might float away.
Ha-eun, whom I thought had fallen asleep from exhaustion, approached with quick, eager steps.
“Where did you go?”
“Just needed some fresh air.”
I hung my coat on the rack and stepped into the spacious VIP Hospital Room, which resembled a hotel suite.
“Hmm?”
Ha-eun tilted her head curiously.
She approached me with long strides and gently caressed my cheek.
“…Is something wrong?”
“…”
Is something wrong, she asked.
Nothing particularly extraordinary had occurred.
I had simply come to understand a truth I had failed to recognize until now.
But how could I possibly tell Ha-eun about this?
That the Heavenly Demon’s true identity was none other than myself.
‘I don’t know what method was used to travel into the past.’
It was different from a typical “regression.”
The consciousness of my previous life hadn’t overlaid itself onto my current self.
This was closer to traveling backward through time via a time machine than true regression.
Otherwise, there would be no explanation for two “O-jin”s existing in the same time period.
“O-jin?”
“Ah. Yeah. It’s nothing.”
“Nothing, huh.”
The hand that had been caressing my cheek suddenly pinched it and pulled.
Ha-eun narrowed her eyes slightly and adopted a deliberately stern expression.
“Are you going to keep lying to your sister? It’s written all over your face that something happened. What do you mean nothing’s wrong?”
Had my expression become so transparent that Ha-eun could see through it?
I let out a bitter laugh.
Given the situation, I had no choice but to resort to another approach.
“I heard news that the Kings of the Demon Realm are on the move.”
“Kings of the Demon Realm?”
“Yeah.”
I buried the truth about the Heavenly Demon’s identity deep within my heart and redirected Ha-eun’s attention to a different topic.
“So… you’re saying those kings are going to invade Earth?”
Ha-eun asked with a serious expression.
Fortunately, she seemed to accept that my hardened expression was due to the Kings of the Demon Realm.
Kwon O-jin nodded and continued speaking.
“That’s probably the case.”
“Then, then should we contact the Council right now…?”
“Not immediately.”
Until now, no being known as the King of the Demon Realm had ever directly invaded Earth.
In fact, most people didn’t even know that a being called a “King” existed in the Demon Realm.
Which meant there had been no conspicuous movements whatsoever.
“There must have been some kind of restriction.”
Even if the Heavenly Demon was involved, they wouldn’t suddenly swarm Earth overnight.
“Ugh. After the Black Star Society, it’s them?”
Ha-eun shook her head as if fed up.
“Wait, but you said ‘kings’ earlier, didn’t you? Are there multiple kings?”
“Probably.”
“Then how many kings are there?”
“That’s…”
Among what I saw in the Demon Realm, there was only one city that could be called a “kingdom.”
I had no way of knowing how many such cities existed.
“I’m not really sure either.”
[Then you should ask Riak about it.]
“Huh?”
At the sudden interjection, my eyes widened.
While I was absorbed in conversation with Ha-eun, Vega had appeared and was now fluttering about.
Vega settled naturally on top of my head as if it were her assigned seat.
She let out a deep sigh and tapped my forehead repeatedly.
[I came to scold the little brat for waking up, but it seems I’ve heard troublesome news instead.]
I hadn’t seen Isabella around—she must have gone to the Sanctuary.
“By the way, what do you mean by asking Riak?”
Ha-eun tilted her head and asked.
[Riak is from the Demon Realm.]
“What, what did you say?”
[Well, it’s been over a hundred years now… but that child would know far more about the Demon Realm than I would.]
Ha-eun’s mouth fell open.
“So, so that arrogant little mutt used to be a demon beast?”
[To be precise, he is a member of the Beastkin race.]
“Huh? I thought only demon beasts lived in the Demon Realm?”
[Well… from humanity’s perspective, the Beastkin are also a type of demon beast, so it’s not entirely wrong.]
Since the First Rift opened ten years ago, the strange creatures that crossed over to Earth have been collectively called monsters or demon beasts.
But in truth, it was the same as lumping together humans, tigers, rabbits, and bears—all mammals—and just calling them mammals without distinction.
Grouping dozens of different species under the single term “demon beast” was simply because humanity’s information about them was so limited.
[Until not long ago, there was quite the debate over whether to call them monsters or demon beasts.]
Originally, common creatures were called monsters, while mutated ones were called demonic beasts, but as the number of mutated creatures surged, the distinction between common and mutated became blurred, so they simply unified the terminology and called them all demonic beasts.
Either way, neither “monster” nor “demonic beast” could be considered a precise classification.
“Then can you call Riak right away?”
[Hmm. Wait a moment.]
Vega, who had been concentrating with her eyes tightly shut, soon shook her head.
[It seems he’s barricaded himself in the Training Chamber again.]
“You can’t reach him?”
Vega nodded.
[I’ll have to go fetch him directly.]
“No. We’ll call him tomorrow.”
Even if I summoned Riak this instant to ask how many kings ruled the Demon Realm, it wouldn’t allow me to formulate a strategy immediately.
“If those kings come to Earth… would it become like it was ten years ago?”
“In the worst case, yes.”
….
Ha-eun bit her lip firmly.
The demonic beasts that poured forth when the First Rift tore open.
The image of streets transformed into hell flashed through her mind.
Kwon O-jin placed a light hand on Ha-eun’s shoulder as she gripped her fists with a grave expression.
“It’s alright. I’ll stop it before such a thing can happen.”
“Do you have a method in mind?”
Kwon O-jin nodded slightly.
He surveyed Ha-eun and Vega carefully before speaking in a low voice.
“We can’t just wait for them to strike first, can we?”
Even if I had uncovered the Heavenly Demon’s true identity.
I still couldn’t know his purpose or his concrete plans.
But one thing was certain.
Simply waiting passively for the coming calamity would provide no means to stop him.
[What do you mean….]
“Let’s go.”
Kwon O-jin turned his gaze toward the darkened window beyond, his eyes deep and resolute.
“To the Demon Realm.”
This was not a problem that could be solved by remaining idle.
Before they could make their preparations and launch their assault, I had to move first from this side.
“…Ha.”
Ha-eun let out a hollow laugh, her expression one of disbelief.
Going to the Demon Realm.
It was not an idea one could easily conceive.
The Demon Realm was a forbidden land whose very mention humanity wished to avoid.
But.
“There’s no stopping you anyway.”
If he had decided to go.
Ha-eun had no choice but to follow quietly in his footsteps.
Even if that place was a desperate situation where the chances of returning alive were slim, it would be far better than a world without Kwon O-jin.
[…For a Regressor, you certainly act as though you have multiple lives to spare.]
Vega also pressed her hand to her forehead and shook her head in disapproval.
“I know it’s dangerous.”
The Demon Realm.
A mysterious land where, even now ten years after the First Rift opened, less than five percent has been explored.
To venture there was nothing short of a reckless act—practically a declaration of suicide.
But.
“I have no intention of dancing to that bastard’s tune.”
Kwon O-jin’s eyes narrowed.
It didn’t matter whether the Heavenly Demon’s true identity was himself from a past life or not.
Whatever he had lost in that previous life.
Whatever despair and tragedy he had endured.
What did it have to do with me?
….
“Huh? Why aren’t you coming?”
Kwon O-jin grasped Ha-eun’s hand firmly as she tilted her head in confusion.
Whatever had happened to his past self.
It was not him standing beside her now—it was me.
“W-what’s this all of a sudden?”
Ha-eun’s face flushed as she let out a soft cough.
With a subtle glint in her eyes, she gazed at Kwon O-jin and leaned in slightly.
“You don’t need to grip so tightly—your sister will go with you anyway, so don’t worry.”
Ha-eun thrust her chest forward with a boastful air.
The curves of her chest were accentuated, drawing Kwon O-jin’s gaze.
Vega, who had been watching Ha-eun with crossed arms and a sullen expression, opened her mouth.
[Of course, I shall accompany you as well!]
Vega, perched atop his head, tugged at Kwon O-jin’s hair insistently.
Huff!
Vega exhaled sharply through her nose and glared at Ha-eun with irritation.
[You are not going alone with him!]
“Heh. Besides, we won’t be able to stay together forever anyway.”
[T-that is.]
Vega clenched her fists indignantly.
[S-still, the restrictions have weakened compared to before, have they not!]
“Hm? The restrictions have weakened?”
Hearing this for the first time, Kwon O-jin tilted his head in confusion.
[Ah, I suppose you would not have heard of it.]
Vega continued speaking with her arms crossed.
[The constraints of Divine Law have weakened these past few days.]
“Again? It weakened last time too.”
[I myself am uncertain of the reason. It has been an eternity since the Giants who created Divine Law vanished from sight….]
Vega’s eyes narrowed as if she were equally bewildered.
“So now the Constellations can directly manifest in the material world and all that?”
[Not to that extent. Ah, but I suppose I could indirectly manifest using an avatar like I do now.]
Until now, indirect manifestation through an avatar had been impossible unless one was a Constellation of Polaris like Vega.
[In any case! It means the duration I can remain manifested has also grown longer!]
Vega, who had been fluttering through the air, landed on my shoulder and swung her legs playfully.
Ha-eun’s lips jutted out in displeasure at Vega’s smug expression.
“So when are you planning to go to the Demon Realm?”
“It’ll be difficult to go right away since there’s much to prepare.”
We were talking about a journey to the Demon Realm, after all.
Since we didn’t know how long we’d stay there, extensive preparations would be necessary.
“I also need to meet with the other members of Seven Stars and discuss the matter of the King.”
“True, this isn’t something only we should know about.”
Ha-eun nodded in agreement.
“Then I’ll inform Han Manager about it.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Don’t even think about overexerting yourself. Just stay quietly in this Hospital Room for now.”
Ha-eun dragged me onto the Hospital Room bed.
“You’re still a patient, aren’t you?”
“…And who was it that attacked this patient again?”
I let out an exasperated laugh.
Well, she had a point—I hadn’t fully recovered from the aftereffects of the Abyss yet.
Even though Heukcheon had undergone its ninth awakening, rather than overflowing with power, only a deep exhaustion weighed down my body.
“I’m leaving now, so get some proper rest.”
“Mm.”
[I should go find Riak as well.]
Ha-eun and Vega left the Hospital Room.
“Sigh.”
Left alone, I lay my body down on the spacious bed.
‘I suppose I should rest as my sister suggested.’
There was much to be done.
But none of it could be accomplished in my current weakened state.
I closed my eyes slowly as I lay on the bed.

* * *
Haah, haah.
Her ragged breath brushed against my lips.
Beautiful platinum hair, as if spun from molten gold, tickled my cheek.
“You’ll keep your promise, won’t you, Kwon O-jin?”
Two magnificent peaks, defying belief in their volume, pressed against my chest like an avalanche in motion.
A soft sensation as if enveloped by clouds.
‘What is this?’
A dream?

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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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