Not A Regressor - Chapter 400

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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 400
Interlude – Fate Flows Like a Rapid Current (3)
“…It’s all because of you, Elder Sister.”
“Right? Who told you to be so greedy?”
The two sisters, expelled from the room by Ha-eun, glared at each other fiercely.
But only for a moment.
A profound sense of shame that had gone unnoticed in the heat of excitement came flooding back like a torrent.
“Sigh… What are we even doing?”
“For once, we’re thinking the same thing.”
It was only natural for self-reproach to wash over them—two fully grown adults bickering over a cake like six-year-olds.
‘This is what happens whenever I’m alone with Elder Sister.’
Isabella bit her lip and turned to look at Cassia.
Why was it?
Normally, she could brush off such things without a care, but the moment Cassia was involved, her head would burn with an uncontrollable heat.
It felt as though she’d been transported back to those carefree days in the garden during childhood.
The shame of having shown such an unseemly display in front of Kwon O-jin rose all the way to the tips of her hair.
‘I wish I could regress.’
There’s no need to turn back years or decades.
If only she could rewind time by just two or three hours.
“Sigh.”
It was already too late for regrets—she’d already made a complete fool of herself in front of Kwon O-jin.
Her shoulders sagged with a deep sigh.
Cassia let out a soft chuckle and approached Isabella.
“How about we call a truce while Kwon O-jin is here at home?”
“…A truce?”
Isabella’s shoulders, which had been drooping like blanched spinach, lifted slightly.
She glared at Cassia with a look of displeasure and opened her mouth.
“You’re the one who started this one-sided quarrel, and now you want to say we shouldn’t fight?”
“When did I ever start a quarrel?”
“From just a moment ago…!”
“Just as you desired time with Kwon O-jin, I simply wanted time with him as well.”
Isabella’s eyes narrowed.
“Didn’t you say before that you had no intention of becoming Kwon O-jin’s lover?”
“Well, yes, I did say that.”
Cassia smiled faintly and brushed her hair back.
“…But unlike you, it’s true that I haven’t seen him once in the past three months, isn’t it?”
….
True to her words, while Isabella, Ha-eun, and Vega frequently visited the Training Facility where Kwon O-jin was practicing, Cassia had devoted herself entirely to traveling the world and pursuing the Black Star Constellations.
Unfortunately, her efforts had yielded no tangible results.
But that didn’t diminish the value of her efforts.
“Sigh. Fine. While Kwon O-jin is home, let’s just stay out of each other’s way.”
Isabella exhaled deeply and nodded in agreement.
Though she claimed she harbored no romantic feelings, Isabella was perceptive enough to recognize the emotions Cassia held for Kwon O-jin.
The care she felt for him was fundamentally no different from her own.
‘That’s why Ha-eun forgave Cassia too.’
It was when Ha-eun acknowledged her as a romantic partner.
She had once said that the more people who cherished Kwon O-jin, the safer he would be, and so she would accept Isabella into his life.
And right now, there was no ally across all of Earth who matched Cassia’s devotion to Kwon O-jin and possessed her strength.
‘I need to endure this. For Kwon O-jin’s sake.’
Every time she saw Cassia and Kwon O-jin clinging to each other, heat would surge through her head.
But for his sake, she needed to master her emotions.
Just as Ha-eun had done.
“Hehe, I like how well we understand each other, our Bella.”
“When did you ever say you liked me? You called me greedy.”
“Being greedy and understanding each other aren’t mutually exclusive, are they?”
“I suppose not…”
“And.”
Cassia smiled warmly and gently stroked Isabella’s hair.
The height difference made it an awkward picture, but it was endearing nonetheless.
“Even a greedy Bella isn’t someone I dislike.”
The hand touching her hair carried an unmistakable warmth.
“…Hmph.”
Isabella scoffed, yet she slightly lowered her body to make it easier for Cassia to stroke her hair.
Cassia burst into delighted laughter.
They bickered constantly, yet in their hearts, they cherished each other deeply.
Beneath the name Colgrand, their relationship was not so different from that of true sisters.
“Do you know how to cook, sister?”
“Cooking? Why the sudden question?”
“I want to prepare lunch and go shopping together.”
“Hmm. But didn’t you just have breakfast?”
“I want to make something that helps with fatigue recovery.”
She was thinking of samgyetang.
A traditional Korean dish made by boiling a whole chicken with medicinal herbs in rich broth until it bubbled vigorously.
“Samgyetang takes time to prepare, so I need to get started early.”
“…You’ve really become a housewife.”
“Anyway, are you coming or not?”
“Going out with Bella after so long? My heart’s already racing~”
Cassia hummed cheerfully as she followed Isabella outside.
Click.
The foyer door closed behind them.
“…Did they leave?”
The door opened and Ha-eun poked her head through cautiously.
Kwon O-jin, standing beside her, nodded.
“Looks like it.”
“See? I told you so. Those two bicker constantly, but they actually get along great, don’t they?”
“…Are all sisters like that?”
It was hard to believe that just thirty minutes ago they’d been fighting with their hands tangled in each other’s hair—the atmosphere outside had become so warm and affectionate.
“How would I know?”
“Well, at least we can breathe easier now.”
Kwon O-jin stretched and came out to the living room, settling onto the sofa.
He turned on the TV and switched to the news channel.
Just as Cassia had said, the news was reporting that the frequency of demonic beast sightings had dropped sharply in recent times.
“Hey, hey. Why are you watching the news first thing in the morning? Turn it off already.”
Ha-eun sat down beside him and switched off the TV.
“Come on, I just wanted to see what’s going on in the world.”
“What are you, some stock-obsessed old man? Nothing happened while you were gone, I’m telling you.”
She laughed and ruffled his hair.
“How’s your body feeling?”
“My head’s still a bit foggy.”
“That’s exactly why I told you not to train until you were in that condition.”
“That’s… well.”
I had nothing to say in my defense.
No matter how urgent the growth was, pushing myself to the point of damaging my body was clearly my own mistake.
“Vega and Riak should be coming by in a bit.”
“…I should contact Bella and have her buy a lot of ingredients.”
Vega was one thing, but Riak was a voracious eater who matched his massive frame.
“Ugh, but it’s so nice to see our Kwon O-jin’s face again after so long.”
Ha-eun naturally draped her slender legs across my lap and sprawled back on the sofa.
It was a position she’d taken often before Isabella moved in, and frequently after as well.
“Ah, this feeling is the best! Legs that are just the right amount of warm are perfect for resting on.”
“I’m still a patient, you know.”
“A foolish guy who collapsed from overwork—what kind of patient is that?”
“That’s harsh.”
I was just trying to do my best, after all.
“So did you at least achieve something worth collapsing from overwork for?”
“Yeah.”
The range of my Sacred Domain expansion had grown to dozens of meters, and I’d become much more adept at handling the stigmas of Heukcheon and Lyra Constellation, which had grown dramatically stronger.
“That’s a relief.”
Ha-eun rose with a faint smile, placing her hand atop my head.
With a gentle touch, she stroked my hair tenderly.
“Our O-jin is impressive, really impressive~”
“Anyone would think he’s your son.”
“Well, I’ve been raising him since he was young, so you could say we’re similar.”
What is this.
Were we actually related?
[Stop, do not presume to be a mother to one who has a true mother!]
At that moment.
Kwon O-jin’s pendant blazed with light, and a goddess the size of a palm materialized in the air.
She swatted Ha-eun’s hand away and settled atop Kwon O-jin’s head.
Hmph!
Perched upon his head, she crossed her arms with an arrogant expression.
[Kwon O-jin has no mother but me!]
“I don’t have a mother anyway.”
The words felt absurd the moment they left my lips.
But it was true—I had grown up without ever knowing the face of my actual mother.
Still, I harbored no regret or longing about it.
Because of that, I had been able to meet someone far more precious than any parent.
[Alas, the old saying goes that a child raised without parental love easily strays from the path.]
“…So you’re saying you’ll take that role instead?”
[Hehehehe. Of course!]
But for someone supposedly taking on a mother’s role, that was… no, never mind.
I had started to say something, but instead I let out a soft laugh and shook my head.
There was no point in objecting to Vega’s goodwill.
“…And you’re already causing trouble the moment you wake up.”
Riak appeared behind Vega and clicked his tongue in exasperation.
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Hmph. That lizard woman keeps visiting every day, so I haven’t been doing well.”
Riak glanced sideways at Ha-eun, who sat beside Kwon O-jin, before continuing.
“And a warrior at that, failing to even maintain his own body and collapsing like this—it’s pathetic, you brat.”
“Why, were you worried?”
“Worried? Who said anything about being worried!”
Riak growled fiercely, his eyes narrowing.
Ha-eun’s lips curved into a smirk.
“You say that, but the pup was really worried about you?”
“W-what nonsense are you spouting!”
“You said we should bring him to the Star Palace in case his stigma was damaged?”
“T-that was!”
Riak stumbled backward, his expression flustered.
Of course, contrary to his concerns, Vega had already confirmed while I was unconscious that my stigma suffered no damage.
“Kid. If you were worried, just admit it.”
“Shut, shut up! This whole mess happened because you couldn’t even manage your own body in the first place!”
Watching Riak shout in feigned anger, Kwon O-jin burst into laughter.
“Oh my, you’re already awake, Kwon O-jin?”
“I went shopping with Bella~”
As we exchanged pleasantries, Isabella and Cassia returned with large shopping bags in hand.
“Just wait a moment. I’ll have something ready for you right away.”
“I’m fine. I already had porridge earlier.”
“Porridge leaves you hungry again quickly. In times like this, you need to eat something more substantial.”
Isabella headed toward the kitchen with eager determination.
“Need any help?”
Cassia shrugged in resignation and followed Isabella into the kitchen.
Soon, the bustling sounds of cooking drifted out, accompanied by the aroma of simmering chicken broth.
‘This is nice.’
How long had it been since I felt this kind of peace?
I leaned back against the sofa with a faint smile playing at my lips.
The soft touch of supple leather brought with it a warm, enveloping sense of contentment.
I changed this.
Isabella and Cassia now getting along so well and chatting together—that was because of me.
Riak overcoming his trauma and breaking through that ‘wall’—that was because of me.
Vega stepping beyond the Divine Temple and learning to feel love—that was because of me.
Ha-eun regaining her sight and legs, able to smile with genuine happiness—that was because of me.
All of this stemmed from my reversal of a predetermined fate.
‘Though I didn’t accomplish it all through my own strength alone.’
Without me, none of these changes would have come to pass.
‘So then.’
I can do it.
I can change it.
The predetermined fate, the ending of this story.
With my own hands, with my own strength, with my own will.
Anew.
Toward an ending where everyone here can smile as happily as they do now.
‘Because I am the Fate-Reversing Star.’
Though I’m still insufficient to face the Heavenly Demon.
But aren’t I growing stronger with each passing day?
If I continue to grow at this pace, I’ll surely be able to change the future that lies ahead….
“Um… O, Kwon O-jin.”
Isabella emerged from the kitchen, her expression pale as she clutched a smartphone in one hand.
“What’s wrong?”
“T, the TV. Turn on the TV right now, please!”
At her urgent cry, I tilted my head in confusion and turned on the television.
—Breaking news coming to you now.
Behind the stone-faced announcer, a city engulfed in flames came into view.
—Rome is currently under attack by an unidentified horde of demonic beasts.
Watching the city consumed by fire, Kwon O-jin felt a strange sense of familiarity wash over him.
—Appearing without any warning whatsoever, tens of thousands of demonic beasts have inflicted near-total devastation upon Rome and the entirety of Italy….
Where had I seen this before?
Ah, yes.
In Lee Shin-hyuk’s memories—Rome consumed by those same merciless flames.
The scene from that time matched perfectly with what now appeared on the screen before me.
—Experts estimate that this catastrophe has claimed the lives of over a million civilians.
Unlike in Lee Shin-hyuk’s memory, the Blood Witch had not appeared.
Yet Italy had fallen.
Millions of souls consumed by inferno, their bodies torn asunder by fangs and claws.
Like fate itself.
As fate decreed.
The ending had come to pass.
—How do you perceive the concept of fate?
Suddenly.
Polaris’s words echoed in my mind.
“…A rapid current.”
I had not understood it then.
But now I could comprehend the meaning behind those words.
Fate flows like a rapid current—no matter how desperately one tries to dam it, it surges forward along its predetermined course with savage inevitability.
And still.
I had not yet altered the flow of this immense current called fate.

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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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