Not A Regressor - Chapter 84

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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 84
The Saint of Rome (5)
“…You’re quite late.”
As I knocked on the door of the dilapidated house, a middle-aged man with disheveled gray hair emerged.
He was a striking figure—gaunt-framed with sharp, irritable eyes hidden behind thick spectacles.
“The streets were quite congested.”
“You should have called.”
“I took a brief walk to familiarize myself with the area.”
I offered a simple excuse and stepped inside his home.
The apartment, roughly three hundred square feet, was organized with an almost pathological precision.
Every item—sofas, televisions, tableware, and miscellaneous supplies—was arranged at perfect angles without a single misalignment.
‘I can already tell what kind of person he is without asking.’
That was good.
Someone pathologically meticulous was far more reliable as an informant than someone lazy and negligent.
“What information do you require?”
Paolo asked without any pleasantries.
“I need information about the Black Star Society.”
“The Black Star Society… Please wait a moment.”
He disappeared into the back room and returned with a stack of documents.
“Can you read this?”
“No.”
With the help of the sacred relic, I could speak and listen, but reading and writing remained impossible.
“Then I’ll print out the Korean version for you.”
“You have Korean versions?”
“I’ve been doing business with the Valhalla Guild for quite some time.”
Paolo handed me the freshly printed documents.
I scanned through the papers containing information about the Black Star Society.
‘They’ve been expanding their influence in the underworld for several months now, pushing out the Marco Family’s territory?’
The Marco Family?
“What is this Marco Family mentioned here?”
“Before the Black Star Society appeared, it was the mafia organization that dominated the entire Italian underworld.”
“I see.”
A mafia organization, then.
“They’re notorious for their brutality. Whether Awakeners or civilians, they kill without hesitation if anyone displeases them.”
“So the Black Star Society has pushed them out?”
“Not completely. The Marco Family is such a powerful organization that even the Seven Stars don’t dare provoke them carelessly.”
“What?”
The Seven Stars?
Why would the Seven Stars even be mentioned in connection with some mafia organization?
“…Hmm. I suppose I should explain more about the Marco Family first.”
Paolo adjusted his thick glasses and continued speaking.
“Marco Giorno. The boss currently leading the Marco Family. Have you ever heard the name before?”
Marco Giorno.
It was a name I vaguely recalled seeing in the news a few times in the past.
‘One of the worst high-tier Awakeners in the world, ranked in the top five or something like that.’
A high-tier Awakener.
An existence that transcended the 9th Star, the realm known as ‘beyond humanity’.
So such a being was leading a mafia organization.
“…Yes. I’ve heard of him.”
“As a Korean, you probably wouldn’t know, but before the Black Star Society appeared, he was the one ruling Italy like a king.”
Paolo’s expression darkened with displeasure.
“A brutal and cruel man. The reason Italy, which doesn’t have as many high-risk Gates as South Korea, wasn’t designated a ‘clean’ nation is because of him.”
So instead of monsters that hunted humans and tore flesh, humans themselves had become the monsters.
‘Well, it’s not that uncommon.’
Before the monsters appeared.
Throughout thousands of years of history, humanity’s greatest predator had always been humanity itself.
“In any case, things changed greatly after the Black Star Society appeared. Marco Giorno, who acted without fear, couldn’t even squeak and went into hiding.”
“….”
Wait a moment.
Something feels off about this.
‘Why is the evaluation of the Black Star Society so favorable?’
It was hard to believe this was an organization with the insane goal of killing all Awakeners indiscriminately.
‘Could it be.’
I hardened my expression and asked.
“By any chance… what is the evaluation of the Black Star Society like in Italy?”
“What do you think it would be?”
Paolo looked at me with an expression asking why I was asking something so obvious.
“Of course, everyone from children to the elderly praises the Black Star Society. Especially the Gypsies gather separately and even train to join the Black Star Society.”
“Ha.”
I let out an incredulous laugh.
A completely opposite evaluation from the Black Star Society in South Korea.
‘Was it intentional?’
I could assume they simply clashed because both organizations operated in the shadows, but.
They might have been moving with this exact reaction in mind from the start.
‘It’s not an impossible theory.’
It’s the same when committing fraud.
Existing as a righteous person is several times more advantageous than being branded as a villain by someone else.
If the Black Star Society had thought through all of this and eliminated the Marco Family, the greatest ‘villain’ to Italians.
‘They’re quite clever.’
Only fools or those who willingly become villains do so; in most cases, the righteous gain far more benefit.
‘No.’
To be precise.
‘A villain masquerading as a saint’ could seize the most.
“…This is becoming troublesome.”
“Troublesome, you say?”
“Ah, it’s nothing of importance.”
I shook my head, evading a direct answer.
“Then, changing the subject… have you ever heard of an organization called the False Star Sect?”
“The False Star Sect… No. I’ve never heard of it.”
Paolo shook his head in response.
‘Paolo doesn’t know either?’
I narrowed my eyes.
Even if Kim Sun-young didn’t know, I had assumed Paolo would be aware of the False Star Sect.
‘What in the world are those bastards doing?’
Perhaps.
At this point in time, it was an organization that ‘hadn’t even been formed yet’.
‘Or they’ve hidden themselves even more thoroughly than the Black Star Society.’
Both possibilities were plausible.
In other words.
‘There’s no way to know in the current situation.’
I decided to set aside thoughts of the False Star Sect for now.
“I heard from the Valhalla Guild that the Black Star Society has been spotted frequently around the residence of the ‘Saint of Rome’ recently.”
“Ah, that’s true.”
Paolo nodded.
“Since the Black Star Society isn’t widely known to the public yet, I can’t say with absolute certainty… but it’s true that they’ve been appearing there quite often recently.”
“And there have been assassination attempts each time?”
“Yes. That’s correct. The timing aligns almost perfectly.”
Paolo nodded.
‘As expected.’
The Black Star Society was targeting her.
Wearing the mask of a saint, they were systematically eliminating those who stood in their way.
“Then, could you tell me all the locations where the Black Star Society has been spotted?”
Before the thirtieth day arrived.
I had to investigate everything that could be investigated.
“Of course.”
Paolo produced a map and marked the locations where the Black Star Society had been sighted in chronological order.
Indeed, an abnormally large number of Black Star Society members had been moving around the mansion where the Colgrande Family resided in recent times.
“That’s all I know. And….”
Paolo continued with a voice full of conviction.
“At least within Rome, it will be difficult for you to obtain more information than what I know.”
Quite the confidence.
‘Well, that’s not wrong, I suppose.’
Kwon O-jin activated the stigma of Canis Major and surveyed the surrounding presences.
At first glance, Paolo appeared to be alone, but in reality, hundreds of operatives were spread throughout the entire apartment building, encircling it.
‘Their capabilities don’t seem lacking either.’
It would be difficult to find an intelligence organization that surpassed this level of competence.
“Understood. Thank you for your assistance.”
“Don’t mention it. For a request from Valhalla Guild, this is nothing at all.”
Paolo rose from his seat with a faint smile.
“Then I’ll contact you again if anything else comes up.”
“Of course.”
After leaving Paolo’s residence, Kwon O-jin followed the map he’d been given and teleported to the location where the Black Star Society had been spotted.
Six days remained until Isabella’s death.
Time was running short.
—Ding.
[What are you doing?]
The silver necklace gleamed as Vega appeared.
She flew over and perched atop Kwon O-jin’s head as if settling into an assigned seat, peering down at the map he held.
“I’m rewriting the pages of fate.”
[Hmm?]
Vega’s eyes widened.
“In six days, the ‘Saint’ will be assassinated here.”
Kwon O-jin briefly explained Isabella, the Black Star Society, and the catastrophe that would unfold two years hence.
[I see. So you intend to save the child called the Saint and prevent the future disaster.]
“That’s one reason.”
There was another objective as well.
“I’m going to bring the Saint to our side.”
Her power, which was antithetical to demonic beasts, would undoubtedly prove invaluable in the coming conflict with the Black Star Society.
[Heheheh. Truly my child. A splendid notion indeed.]
Vega stroked my forehead affectionately, her approval evident.
“Speaking of which, Vega.”
[Hmm? Do you have a request for me?]
“During this operation, try to avoid manifesting if possible.”
[…Why would you ask that?]
Vega narrowed her eyes as she questioned me.
“This time, I may need to use your power.”
Just as Lee Woo-hyuk had warned.
This operation was extraordinarily dangerous.
‘We have no grasp whatsoever of the Black Star Society’s true strength.’
The likelihood was slim, but still.
In the worst case, the ‘Executor’ leading them could make a move personally.
‘If that happens, I’ll have no choice but to rely on Vega’s blessing.’
If I received her blessing, winning in combat would be impossible, but at least I could escape.
[…So you’re saying I should stockpile power in case of emergency.]
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“Build up as much power as you can, and when I call, come out immediately and bestow your blessing.”
[Understood.]
Thinking of the terrible agony Vega would endure after granting the blessing, I didn’t want to make such a request.
‘But there’s no choice.’
I needed at least a safety net.
[If things become dire, call upon me at any moment.]
“Well, the best case is that I don’t call you and rescue Isabella instead. Let’s hope I don’t have to call.”
[Hmm. But you absolutely must not overexert yourself.]
Vega tugged at my hair with a reproachful expression.
[No matter how much you wish to change fate, if you yourself are injured, it will all be for naught! Remember that!]
“Ha ha! I understand.”
Our goddess worries far too much, that’s her problem.
[Then until that time comes, I shall not manifest and will conserve my power.]
“I’m counting on you.”
Vega retreated into the necklace.
“Well then, let’s begin.”
Kwon O-jin spread out the map and resumed his investigation.
‘First, the points where an assassination attempt could be made.’
And in the worst case, the escape routes available.
“There’s much work to be done.”
Kwon O-jin moved his legs diligently.
━And so six days passed.
The day had arrived when I would rewrite the pages of destiny.

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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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