Not A Regressor - Chapter 349

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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 349
Starlight (1)
“Our nation’s proud hero! We sincerely welcome the return of the Demon Slayer!”
A resonant voice boomed from the massive frame.
Han Jun-man—or rather, the gorilla of a manager—clapped enthusiastically with hands the size of pot lids, welcoming Kwon O-jin and his party back.
“What is all this…?”
After wrapping up matters in Niflheim and returning to South Korea through the First Rift, I gazed at the throngs of people packed at the airport entrance and let out a hollow laugh.
‘When did they even make that banner?’
A massive banner stretching well over a hundred meters hung above the airport exit, emblazoned with the words: “★Welcome★ The Return of Kwon O-jin, South Korea’s Pride and Awakened User! ★Celebration★”
Since I hadn’t publicly announced this trip to the Demon Realm, such an extravagant welcome caught me off guard.
“What is all of this?”
“Ha ha! When the Association heard that you’d returned from the Demon Realm, they made this directly! What do you think?!”
I looked up at the massive banner and clicked my tongue.
These tax-thieving bastards.
Or do they conduct separate research on how creatively they can waste taxpayer money?
“Still, is it really okay to broadcast my trip to the Demon Realm like this to everyone?”
Not that I had anything to hide.
But making a banner this size and advertising it seemed excessive.
“That’s something you don’t know about, sir!”
“What don’t I know?”
“Ever since you went to the Demon Realm, the number of demonic beasts crossing through the Dimensional Rifts has plummeted to less than half!”
“Ah.”
Right.
Given how thoroughly I’d torn through the Demon Realm, it made sense that fewer demonic beasts were crossing over to Earth.
“Of course, as dormant Named Beasts resumed their activities, chaos erupted across the globe. However, with the dramatic decrease in demonic beasts crossing from the Demon Realm, we were able to minimize casualties.”
In other words.
Because I went to the Demon Realm, they could focus on dealing with the Named Beasts that had resumed activity.
‘I suppose that’s worth advertising.’
Well, judging by how they made such a massive banner, their motives were probably more political than grateful.
Either way, it didn’t concern me.
“Anyway, what are your plans going forward? If you need anything, the Association will provide full support!”
Han Manager pounded his chest with a fist the size of a pot lid, beaming brightly.
From the smile on his face, it seemed South Korea had gained considerably from this trip to the Demon Realm.
I chuckled softly and shook my head.
“I’d like to go home and rest for now.”
“Ah, then we’ll escort you! We’ve already prepared an official vehicle at the entrance!”
“No, that’s really not necessary…”
Drawing attention from onlookers would only make things more exhausting.
As I was about to decline the offer with that thought in mind.
“Kwon O-jin, just take the Association vehicle back.”
Isabella approached Kwon O-jin and spoke.
“Ugh. I’m not fond of all this commotion.”
“But this was prepared for you, wasn’t it? If you refuse here, the Association will be in an awkward position.”
Fair point.
They’d surely make a fuss again about failing to properly escort the nation’s hero.
“Fine.”
Kwon O-jin nodded and walked out of the airport.
A red carpet laid out at the exit, and the deafening sound of countless camera shutters erupting from all directions.
‘What is this, an international film festival?’
I let out a hollow laugh at the absurdity and stepped onto the red carpet.
“Kwon O-jin, wait a moment.”
Isabella quickly approached and smoothly linked her arm through mine.
The shutter sounds from all around intensified.
“Hehe.”
Isabella’s eyes sparkled with a satisfied smile.
Her movements were so natural that it seemed she’d had this in mind from the moment she first suggested taking the official vehicle.
“Why are you standing next to me so naturally?”
Ha-eun frowned and grabbed Isabella by the scruff of her neck, pulling her back.
Isabella glanced back at Ha-eun with a sidelong look.
“You were glued to Kwon O-jin’s side the entire journey to Earth.”
“That was because of Cassia, wasn’t it? You two were locked in some kind of power struggle.”
“Still.”
After the matter in Niflheim was resolved, Cassia had also returned to Earth with Kwon O-jin’s group.
During the journey to Earth, Isabella and Cassia had created a tense, knife-edge atmosphere between them, making the mood decidedly hostile.
“Now that the troublemaker is finally gone, please be considerate today.”
Cassia had disappeared somewhere after returning to Earth, saying she had things to attend to.
With Cassia’s interference finally absent, Isabella seized the opportunity to occupy the space beside me, even resorting to some uncharacteristic stubbornness.
“Mmm.”
Ha-eun, having witnessed the brutal psychological warfare between Isabella and Cassia all this time, simply stepped back without further comment.
“Thank you, Elder Sister.”
Isabella smiled brightly and hugged my arm, pressing her chest slightly against it.
A soft humming escaped between her blooming smiles.
“Are you really that happy to be away from Cassia?”
“Yes. Without that stubborn, clingy Elder Sister around, I feel absolutely wonderful.”
“….”
It seemed it would take a bit more time before the two of them could truly reconcile.
“But also, seeing you welcomed like this makes me happy.”
Isabella looked around with a satisfied expression.
Watching people gaze at me with admiration and reverence, my heart swelled—not just as if it were my own achievement, but even more so.
“There was quite a lot of talk about you becoming a member of Seven Stars despite not being a high-tier Awakened User.”
By now, Kwon O-jin had ascended to Nine-Star status and joined the ranks of high-tier Awakened Users, but before his departure to the Demon Realm, there had been considerable controversy about it within South Korea.
To use an analogy, it was like a high school graduate politician—without even a college degree—sitting in the Minister of Education’s chair.
The impact of a high-tier Awakened User was so significant that questions about his qualifications were inevitable.
“Seeing how warmly everyone is welcoming him now, it seems all those voices trying to disparage Kwon O-jin have completely vanished.”
“Well, that’s how it always works—once you have results, all the competency debates disappear.”
“Either way, seeing Kwon O-jin finally get recognized feels really good.”
Watching Isabella beam with pride, I let out a soft chuckle.
“Excuse me, Awakened User Kwon O-jin! Would an interview be possible?”
“We’d love to hear what happened in the Demon Realm!”
“What’s your relationship with the Saint of Rome?!”
As I crossed the midpoint of the red carpet, reporters swarmed in from all directions like a swarm of bees.
“Ahem! What do you think you’re doing? I clearly said interviews were off-limits.”
“Eek…!”
“W-what? Planet Escape?”
As Han Manager stepped forward with a fierce scowl, the reporters who had been rushing toward us froze in their tracks.
“Who said ‘Planet Escape’?”
Han Manager glared menacingly and looked around, and the reporters who had been bombarding us with questions suddenly clamped their mouths shut like clams.
“Phew. Let’s get in the car, Kwon O-jin.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
Our group boarded a luxurious limousine under Han Manager’s escort.
The limousine had felt uncomfortable before, but after riding in it several times with Isabella, I’d grown quite accustomed to it.
“D-dang, what a huge car!”
Unlike our group, who were used to limousines, Baek Moo-gang looked around with his mouth wide open, clearly unfamiliar with the sight.
“Is this your first time in a limousine, sir?”
“Yeah. Well, Allen gave me a ride once before, but it’s been so long I forgot.”
That made sense.
After spending several years in the Demon Realm, it was understandable to forget.
“Oh, and we also received contact from Moo-gok-seong.”
“Moo-gok-seong? What’s that? Is it something to eat?”
Baek Moo-gang tilted his head while sucking on his fingers.
Han Manager offered an awkward smile and continued.
“It’s Awakened User Allen Oskal.”
“Allen! Our Allen got contacted?!”
“Yes. He asked us to bring Cheon Gwon-seong and come to the Sanctuary.”
“Let’s go! Let’s go! I want to see Allen and Deneb and that… Shafran and Shafrin too!”
“…It’s Xiaoran and Xiaolin.”
“Ah, r-right. Hehe.”
Baek Moo-gang scratched his head with an innocent smile.
I turned to Han Manager, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, and spoke.
“Then let’s go to the Sanctuary before heading home.”
“Yes, understood.”
Han Manager immediately drove the limousine toward the Sanctuary.
It took about an hour to reach Hongdae, where the entrance to the Sanctuary was located.
Upon arriving in Hongdae, I could see Allen Oskal waiting at the entrance of the Sanctuary.
“Allen! It’s been so long!”
“It has been a while, sir. I trust you’ve been well?”
“Yes, yes!”
Baek Moo-gang rushed toward Allen with a bright smile.
He pulled out an envelope he had carefully kept in his pocket and handed it to Allen.
“I found the treasure! Kwon O-jin found it for me!”
“I’ve heard about it.”
A faint smile appeared on Allen’s lips, which had been frozen in an expressionless mask.
After exchanging a few words with Baek Moo-gang, Allen approached me.
“Thank you, Awakened User Kwon O-jin.”
Allen bowed respectfully, placing his hand over his left chest.
The beautiful young man, who looked like he’d stepped out of a manga or film, bowed with such composed grace that it created an oddly overwhelming presence.
“I truly… I’m not sure how to repay you for this.”
An expression I’d never seen before appeared on Allen’s face, which had been as cold as ice.
‘It seems he truly cares deeply for the elder.’
Indeed.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have ventured alone into the Demon Realm to deliver the necessary supplies to Baek Moo-gang.
“I’ve already received sufficient compensation from you, sir.”
Even if it had been the Heavenly Demon’s trap, Baek Moo-gang had personally stormed into Niflheim to help me.
From my perspective as well, I had helped Baek Moo-gang to obtain the military strength necessary for the war, so the objective had been achieved.
“Hehe! Whenever a good person calls, I’ll always help again!”
Baek Moo-gang raised his hand brightly with a cheerful smile.
Allen looked at Baek Moo-gang with warm eyes, then turned his gaze toward me.
“If you ever find yourself in difficulty, we will also assist you, Kwon O-jin.”
“Your words alone are gratitude enough.”
Following Baek Moo-gang, even Deneb’s other apostles.
For me, who had to prepare for a confrontation with the Heavenly Demon, this was news worth welcoming with both hands raised.
“By the way…”
Allen slightly furrowed his brow and trailed off.
“What is it?”
“Hmm. It may be presumptuous of me to ask, but has something happened between you and Vega?”
“…”
At the mention of Vega, my expression hardened rigidly.
“…Why are you suddenly asking that?”
“I heard from Deneb this time that Vega’s Divine Temple has been completely sealed.”
“Sealed?”
“Yes. He locked the door and made sure no one could enter or leave.”
“….”
I clenched my fist with a bitter expression.
“Did something happen after all?”
“No, nothing happened….”
My words trailed off as I shook my head in denial.
“Kwon O-jin?”
“….”
I nodded with a rueful smile.
“Yes. Something did happen.”

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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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