Not A Regressor - Chapter 314

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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 314
Faded Promise (6)
With our objective set, it was time to flesh out the specifics of our plan.
Kwon O-jin, Kelion, and Isabella huddled together, refining the details of the decoy operation and coordinating movements, personnel, and timing to minimize casualties.
I had worried the Demon Race might move first.
Fortunately, during the several days we spent devising the operation, their pursuit teams never launched an attack.
[Hmm. I simply need to use the most flashy techniques possible, yes?]
Vega tilted her head curiously as she asked after hearing the operation briefing from Kwon O-jin.
“Right. You don’t need to actually destroy anything. Just think of it like setting off fireworks.”
[If that’s all, I believe I can manage it.]
Just as I had once fired lightning bolts as signal flares to reveal Kwon O-jin’s position in the Sky Mountain Range, using them purely to draw attention was entirely within Vega’s current capabilities.
“So what you’re saying is, I just go in there and smash everything in sight?”
Riak turned to face Kwon O-jin after hearing the operation details.
“It’d be even better if you threw in some roars while you’re at it.”
A method to cause chaos deep within the kingdom.
Kwon O-jin’s chosen approach was to infiltrate with only Vega and Riak separately.
Leading all the Dragon-race warriors into the kingdom’s interior would be impossible, but with just the two of them, infiltration was entirely feasible.
Of course, with Demon Race forces spread throughout, they would be discovered before long.
But discovery itself was the whole point, so it didn’t matter.
‘With Vega and Riak, no matter how many troops surround them, they can escape.’
They possessed what could rightfully be called a perfect escape route—an absolute one.
“Draw as many of them as you can, and when things get dangerous, just return to the Sanctuary.”
Return to the Sanctuary.
This was an absolute escape route that couldn’t be blocked unless the Constellation had a Sacred Domain or special barrier in place.
[Understood!]
“When it comes to smashing things, I can do as much as you want.”
Vega and Riak nodded readily.
When I first called Vega after the plan was set, she had only avoided my gaze and fled, so I had worried whether she would cooperate properly.
But after hearing about the situation in the Draconian Kingdom and the Dragon God, she listened to the operation briefing with a serious demeanor, as if she had never fled at all.
No matter how natural it is to separate public from private matters.
I couldn’t help but admire Vega’s mental fortitude—caught in the act of being spanked by someone she harbored romantic feelings for while letting out pitiful moans, yet immediately shifting her attitude to focus on the important task at hand.
[C-cough. A-and, my child.]
Vega approached cautiously and whispered near my ear.
[That… what happened then was all a misunderstanding, do not forget. Absolutely! I am not a woman with such shameless tastes!]
Right.
She hadn’t fully sorted through her emotions yet.
I swallowed a bitter laugh and turned away.
The tense-faced Dragon-race warriors were watching me.
“Everyone, don’t forget. The most important thing in this operation is the sequence and timing.”
The plan went roughly like this.
1. Vega and Riak, who have infiltrated inside the Kingdom, cause a commotion.
2. They blow open the gates and charge toward the circular structure where the Dragon-race are being held captive.
3. If the Demon Race shows signs of taking the captured Dragon-race as hostages or defending them, they execute a U-turn and flee outside the Kingdom.
Stated plainly, the operation was simple, but if the gears didn’t mesh with perfect timing, casualties would mount.
“Is everyone ready?”
There was no thunderous roar of affirmation.
The Dragon-race nodded solemnly, their expressions grave.
“Good.”
The first phase was Vega and Riak’s covert infiltration into the Kingdom’s interior.
[Can you confirm the personnel stationed on the Sacred Wall?]
“Of course.”
Kwon O-jin ascended a high cliff face as he had done when first surveying the Kingdom’s interior, employing Lightning Step beneath his feet.
Before him sprawled the desolate ruins of the Kingdom.
‘What?’
Kwon O-jin’s eyes narrowed as he focused intently on the Sacred Wall.
Had they truly believed the Draconian Kingdom completely annihilated?
Not a single Demon Race member was visible defending the Sacred Wall.
Only a handful of demonic beasts prowled lazily atop it.
Regardless, such lax surveillance was welcome news.
“Head that way.”
Kwon O-jin pointed toward the unguarded section.
Vega and Riak soared swiftly over the Sacred Wall.
Vega possessed the natural ability to fly, and Riak, like Kwon O-jin, could employ Lightning Step, making the towering Sacred Wall surrounding the Kingdom no more formidable than a schoolyard fence.
“We’ll commence the operation in exactly fifteen minutes.”
Kwon O-jin approached Isabella.
“I can count on you to detonate the gates, yes?”
“Hehehehe. Of course.”
The entrance to the Draconian Kingdom was guarded by a colossal gate standing thirty meters high, but—
It had already been wounded by the Demon Race’s invasion, with grotesque holes puncturing it in numerous places.
If they concentrated their firepower in a single coordinated strike, it wouldn’t withstand the assault.
“Take good care of Bella.”
Kwon O-jin gently patted Poppy’s neck, upon whose back Isabella rode.
“Grrrrrowl!”
Poppy clicked her beak in acknowledgment, nodding her head.
In terms of pure speed alone, Isabella sprinting at full power would outpace Poppy’s gallop, but—
To contend with the Demon Race and demonic beast legions converging from all directions, it was better for Isabella to remain mounted on Poppy’s back and concentrate solely on her attacks.
“You’ll accompany us partway through, won’t you, Kwon O-jin?”
“Yeah. When we change direction and execute the U-turn, only I, my sister, and the Elder will peel off separately to head toward Dragon God’s Lair.”
“…Please be careful, Kwon O-jin.”
“Who should be more careful than me?”
The crux of this operation hinged on Isabella and the Dragon-race forces under her command.
Vega and Riak would create a disturbance first, but that was merely a temporary diversion—nothing more.
‘Once they see the gate shattered, they’ll converge toward Isabella’s position.’
In terms of dangerous roles, none compared to the risk Isabella was taking on.
“Hmm. Are you worried about me?”
“Of course I am.”
How could anyone not worry when their lover was volunteering to serve as bait against tens of thousands of soldiers?
“Oh, how delightful!”
Isabella pressed her hand to her cheek, letting out excited squeals.
Was she deliberately overplaying it?
The tension that had been stretched taut enough to snap seemed to ease slightly.
“Kwon O-jin, would you mind if I asked for something before you depart?”
“A request?”
With less than five minutes until the operation began, what could she possibly want?
“Just give me your hand for a moment.”
Isabella dismounted from Poppy’s back and reached out her hand.
The moment I extended mine, Isabella seized it with both hands, pulling it close.
She gazed up at me with glistening, fervent eyes, her breathing growing ragged.
“Give me something hot and intense from you, Kwon O-jin.”
“Pardon?”
What was she asking for?
“Mm.”
The soft warmth of her tongue brushed against my fingertips.
A sharp sting followed as her fangs pierced the skin.
Blood welled from the wound.
Isabella withdrew with a satisfied smile, having drunk the crimson offering.
“There. Now I have nothing to fear.”
“Ahem. If you need blood, just say so.”
“Oh? What did you think I was asking for?”
“Be quiet.”
I averted my gaze, unable to shake the lingering sensation of her soft tongue against my skin.
I knew my blood acted as a kind of enhancement for her, yet why had such improper thoughts crossed my mind?
Isabella found my flustered reaction amusing and burst into delighted laughter.
“If things get dangerous, pull back immediately.”
“Hehe. Yes, Kwon O-jin.”
“Do well, and I’ll give you a reward.”
“…A reward?”
Isabella, the lynchpin of this operation and the one bearing the greatest risk as bait.
Offering appropriate compensation to ease her tension and bolster her resolve seemed only prudent.
“You love my blood, don’t you? Once this is over, I’ll let you drink all you want.”
He spoke as if promising to treat everyone to a premium Korean beef course if this project succeeded.
As Kwon O-jin, I couldn’t fathom what made it so delectable.
But watching her tremble with rapture each time she drank my blood, her entire body quivering with ecstasy, suggested my blood was worth far more than any beef course to her.
“Mmm. Drinking blood to one’s heart’s content is certainly pleasant.”
Isabella sidled up beside me, her voice dripping with seduction.
“But I’d like to taste other things too, wouldn’t I?”
Insane.
I bolted upright like a cat pricked by a needle, putting distance between us.
“Then I’ll be looking forward to it?”
Isabella licked her lips before mounting Poppy’s back once more.
“You two certainly know how to enjoy yourselves.”
Just as Ha-eun, who had been watching the pair, furrowed her brow and clicked her tongue in disapproval.
CRACKLE-CRACKLE-CRACKLE!
ROOOAAARRR!
A blinding bolt of lightning split the sky like thunder itself descending, and simultaneously, the ravenous roar of a beast thundered across the land.
“What impressive vocal power.”
Setting aside the lightning, the fact that I could hear the roar from this distance was remarkable.
I let out a hollow laugh, gazing toward the distant Sacred Wall.
‘They’re moving.’
No matter how lax their vigilance, the Tang Dynasty’s army wasn’t incompetent enough to ignore such commotion—the beasts guarding the Sacred Wall immediately reacted and began mobilizing.
[The Demon Race army is converging on our position!]
Real-time situation reports streamed in through the communication device I’d given Vega beforehand.
“Let’s prepare ourselves as well.”
“Understood.”
Kelion placed his hand over his left chest.
The Dragon-race warriors arrayed behind him also drew upon the mana of their stigmas, preparing their attacks.
“Flow forth.”
Isabella raised her hand toward the gate.
Drops of blood traced across her palm.
Blood flowers bloomed magnificently from the crimson liquid, their scarlet petals swirling in a vortex.
“Now!”
BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!
Artillery fire erupted simultaneously.
The massive gate, towering nearly thirty meters high, was torn asunder like tissue paper.
“Glorious warriors of the dragon!”
Kelion raised his staff high at the vanguard.
“Let us reclaim our homeland!”
“”ROOOAAARRR!””
A thunderous cry erupted from the ranks.
THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD!
We charged through the Narrow Gorge as if it were open plains.
Though our numbers barely exceeded a few hundred, the earth trembled as though tens of thousands of troops were advancing.
“Grrrowwwl!”
“Shrieeek!”
The horde of demonic beasts lingering near the gate swiftly converged upon us.
“Where do you think you’re going!”
Isabella swept her hand lightly, and the charging beasts scattered like finely minced flesh.
Geysers of blood erupted skyward.
War cries and screams reverberated through the air, piercing the eardrums.
The operation to awaken the Dragon God had truly begun.
“Flow forth!”
Isabella stood at the vanguard, slaughtering the converging demonic beasts indiscriminately.
In her wake, thick pools of blood drenched the ground.
Isabella, wielding a massive crimson scythe and cutting down dozens of charging beasts, was terror incarnate.
“Kuh, krrgh!”
“Kiiieee!”
Even the demonic beasts, moving by instinct alone, seemed to recognize Isabella as a threat and began retreating hesitantly.
If the battle continued like this, it felt as though we could win the war without even needing to awaken the Dragon God.
‘But the real test begins now.’
I followed Isabella’s lead, suppressing my presence as I sprinted forward, my lips pressed thin.
If my calculations were correct, it was time for the “real thing” to make its move.
[My child! The Demon Race is heading your way!]
Vega’s voice reached me at precisely that moment.
I gripped my spear tightly, my eyes gleaming coldly.
In the distance, the forms of the Demon Race began to appear.
‘They’re coming.’
Their numbers seemed to be around thirty.
Considering our original force had exceeded a hundred, this was less than half our strength.
‘The problem is that Isabella has to face them alone.’
Ha-eun and I couldn’t engage directly in combat—we needed to seize this chaos to reach the Lair.
Among our group, only Isabella, playing the role of bait, could fight the Demon Race.
Each individual Demon Race member possessed power equivalent to at least a 9-star Awakener.
‘Thirty high-tier Awakeners.’
Thinking of it this way, I truly grasped just how absurdly powerful the Demon Race was as a species.
“Ugh…”
Isabella’s voice reached my ears, heavy and strained.
I bit my lip at that weighty sound.
‘Even for Isabella, this must be terrifying.’
Bait or not, facing thirty members of the Demon Race—it would be strange if fear didn’t arise.
“Your passion, Kwon O-jin… so hot… so intense… hehe, hehehehe.”
And Isabella was indeed strange.

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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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