Not A Regressor - Chapter 339

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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 339
Black Heaven (3)
Time flowed swiftly.
After sending Riak to the Kan Kingdom and returning to the Draconian Kingdom, Kwon O-jin and his companions began rapid war preparations.
Niflheim Kingdom.
When Kwon O-jin declared his intention to march into the Demon Race’s stronghold, some of the Dragon-race warriors protested that it was absurd, but the moment Ha-eun stepped forward, they grasped their weapons as if they had never objected at all.
Since there was no separate means of communication with Riak’s group, he worried whether they would arrive in time even while preparing for war, but fortunately, the Beast-human Tribe warriors were able to join the main force without delay.
A month passed, and it was now one day before the ceremony to unseal the Heavenly Demon in Niflheim.
Kwon O-jin was making final preparations before the decisive battle.
“Inhale. Exhale.”
I breathe in deeply, then out, repeating the rhythm.
I feel the sensation of stigma mana flowing from my heart spreading throughout my entire body.
A vast torrent of mana so profound it seems endless.
The mana I absorbed through Heukcheon had now become an enormous quantity comparable to the ‘Milky Way Spring’ I saw at the Star Palace.
‘Of course, I can only control a limited amount despite the sheer volume.’
The Lyra Constellation stigma becoming nine-star had greatly expanded the width of my mana circuits.
Yet it remained woefully insufficient to utilize all the boundless mana sleeping within me.
It was like trying to empty the ocean with the thickest hose imaginable.
‘Still, with Heukcheon’s tenth bloom, the quality of my mana itself has risen considerably.’
Before, I had only brute quantity, but with Heukcheon’s tenth bloom, the quality of my mana increased significantly.
Being able to unleash greater power with the same amount of mana was the best news possible before such a crucial battle.
“…Sigh.”
No matter how much stronger I became, whenever I thought of tomorrow’s decisive battle, a heavy stone seemed to press down on my chest.
‘If I fail this time, the Heavenly Demon’s seal will be broken.’
I still didn’t know what the Heavenly Demon’s purpose was.
But one thing was certain: if his seal were broken, I as I am now could absolutely never handle it.
‘I must stop him.’
By any means necessary.
Kwon O-jin bit his lip with an anxious expression.
[Were you here?]
A beautiful voice like rolling jade beads.
Turning toward the direction of the voice, I saw Vega fluttering through the air with a shimmering glow.
“Yeah. How’s your body feeling, Vega?”
[Hmm. The restrictions haven’t completely disappeared yet, but it seems I can manage manifesting through a vessel form.]
Vega had been trapped in the Star Palace unable to manifest for a time after bestowing a blessing upon me during the previous battle with Deimos.
It was only a week ago that she could manifest again, even if only in vessel form.
And even that was a forced manifestation while the restrictions hadn’t been completely lifted.
“If it’s really difficult, you could sit this one out….”
[How could I possibly do that?]
Vega shook her head with a resolute expression.
It was true that the constraints of Divine Law hadn’t completely disappeared yet, but I couldn’t use those restrictions as an excuse to hold back when the situation was so critical—when the Heavenly Demon’s seal could potentially be broken.
“Thank you.”
I nodded with a faint smile.
Though I’d said it was fine if Vega didn’t participate, the truth was I’d be in trouble without her too.
Whether it counted as a blessing or not, Vega’s presence had proven invaluable.
“What about my sister and Bella?”
[Both have already fallen asleep.]
“I see.”
Even for Awakeners, sleep remained essential since they were fundamentally human.
Sufficient rest restored both body and mind to their peak condition.
[By the way, I heard about this plan from Bella… aren’t you taking on too dangerous a role?]
Vega looked at me with concern.
Of course, my group was overwhelmingly outmatched compared to the Demon Race, so we couldn’t choose direct confrontation.
Yet we didn’t have enough time to devise a tactically complex strategy.
We’d only managed to conduct a single joint training exercise in preparation for war.
‘The difference in species is a major problem too.’
There had been no prior exchange between the Dragon-race and Beast-human Tribe, so their relationship was awkwardly strained—almost suffocating to witness.
No matter how much they say the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Frankly, could anyone comfortably fight while trusting their back to complete strangers they’d known for less than two weeks?
We needed a simple, straightforward tactic that would allow us to penetrate the Niflheim Kingdom’s interior with minimal casualties.
And so the plan that emerged was.
[You intend to infiltrate the kingdom alone?!]
Vega climbed onto my head in exasperation, yanking at my hair.
“Ow, ow. That hurts, that hurts.”
[You deserve to be scolded more!]
Vega scolded me with a stern expression, like a mother disciplining a reckless child.
Though her words said I deserved harsher punishment, the force of her grip on my hair gradually weakened.
[Sigh. Why must you always give me such heartache?]
“I’m sorry.”
I raised my hand and placed Vega on my palm.
I could see her pout and turn her head away with a snort.
“But there really was no other way.”
[But after you infiltrate the kingdom alone, what then? Even if you’re fortunate enough not to be caught, the others…]
“I’ve already thought of a method for that.”
I smirked with confidence, my lips curling upward.
[Very well. I shall trust you.]
Vega shook her head helplessly and let out a deep sigh, as if she’d given up.
[Then you should get some rest early too. Don’t you have much to do tomorrow?]
“Just a bit more.”
I’d planned to skip training today and rest properly.
Thinking about what awaited me tomorrow, sleep simply refused to come.
‘If I move my body a bit, sleep should find me.’
With that thought, I tried to continue my training.
[…my child.]
Vega flew up carefully and placed her hand on my cheek.
The rough, parched texture of skin beneath her fingertips.
In the span of a month, my cheek had grown coarse as a desiccated desert, and Vega’s expression grew sorrowful as she caressed it.
Despite possessing the superhuman physique of a high-tier awakener, for my skin to deteriorate to this degree—what manner of brutal training was I subjecting myself to?
Because I understood what he was driving himself toward so mercilessly, I could not even reproach him.
[Do not worry yourself so much.]
She gently stroked my cheek and pressed a light kiss to the bridge of my nose.
[Are you not the Fate-Reversing Star?]
“…Vega.”
My gaze wavered.
From Vega’s perspective, those words were surely meant to encourage me.
‘The problem is that I’m not the Fate-Reversing Star.’
A bitter smile spread across my lips.
I looked at the goddess who still firmly believed me to be a ‘regressor.’
‘…How much longer.’
How much longer could I deceive her?
Or rather, how much longer must I live deceiving her?
“Vega… if, hypothetically speaking…”
A sudden impulse surged within me.
“What if I…”
My lips had gone completely dry.
My heart thundered as if it might burst, and I swallowed hard against the dryness in my throat.
If I revealed the truth here, how would Vega’s expression change?
Imagining it, a dizzying terror rippled down my spine.
“No, it’s nothing.”
[Hmm? Why so suddenly?]
Vega tilted her head and lightly tapped the bridge of my nose.
[You cannot simply stop mid-sentence—I am curious now. Speak freely.]
“It’s truly nothing.”
[Tsk. How can you claim nothing troubles you when your expression is so dark?]
Vega placed her hands on her hips with a stern expression.
[What secret could possibly exist between us that you cannot speak of? Do not hesitate—tell me freely.]
“….”
At her words that there were no secrets between us, my chest throbbed as though carved by a sharp blade.
I could not speak.
There was no way I could speak.
I’ve repeated too many lies to come clean now.
A lie is like a truck with failed brakes plummeting off a cliff.
Once it starts, there’s no stopping it, no slowing down.
‘Until it crashes at the bottom and shatters into pieces.’
The only way forward is to keep adding more lies.
‘…It’s fine.’
I’ve spent my entire life repeating lies.
I know no other way to live.
So.
It will be fine.
It won’t matter.
Adding one more handful of lies to the mountain of falsehoods already piled high.
“What do you think would happen if I said I wanted to spank Vega’s bottom?”
I asked, covering my face with a playful expression.
[W-what did you just say?!]
Vega’s face flushed crimson as she shot upright in alarm.
[Y-you’re saying that here? A-and more importantly, why would you suddenly want to touch this one’s b-bottom…?]
Vega stammered and fidgeted, her gaze darting about nervously.
After a moment of deliberation, she squeezed her eyes shut and opened her mouth with firm resolve.
[I understand. If that is your w-wish…]
“I was joking.” [J-joking?]
“You seemed so worried, I thought I’d lighten the mood a bit.”
[Ugh!]
Vega flailed her limbs and began smacking my nose repeatedly.
[Y-you insolent creature! How dare you speak so carelessly before a Constellation!]
“Haha, I’m sorry.”
Guilty as charged, I accepted her blows without resistance until her anger subsided.
[Huff, huff.]
After enthusiastically striking my nose and tugging at my hair, Vega turned her head sharply while catching her breath.
[This one shall return to the Star Palace.]
“Are you upset?”
[Hmph…! It’s because you made such a strange joke!]
“I said I’m sorry.”
I carefully placed Vega on my palm.
“Nothing will happen, Vega.”
Yes.
Just as it has been until now.
I’ll be able to endure it.
[…Please do not get hurt, my child.]
Vega smiled faintly and gently stroked the nose she had just been striking so vigorously.
“Then I shall return to the Star Palace. You should retire early as well.”
Silver light scattered around Vega’s form as her body dissolved into the void.
“….”
Kwon O-jin stood motionless, staring at the space where she had vanished, before slowly turning away.
I climbed atop the jagged rocks and gazed toward the distant Niflheim Kingdom.
Though it was called a kingdom, its form was scarcely visible.
The Niflheim Kingdom lay shrouded in dark storm clouds, as if wrapped by a pale mist that blanketed the Sky Mountain Range.
“You said we’d meet again soon.”
I’m sorry.
“But we will never meet again.”
I clenched my fists, glaring at the dark storm clouds that hung over the kingdom.

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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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