Before returning to Korea with the sanctum.

Come to think of it, I wasnt able to reach out to Vega a single time.

Ohjin had told her to avoid materializing herself until his call with the reason of preserving her strength for when he needed a blessing, but all his plans went down the drain when Isabella revealed her true colors.

Its a relief, now that I think of it.

If Vega had seen Isabellas true form, the situation would have gotten more complicated.

I should give Vega a visit since Im already at the sanctum.

She would likely be aghast, as he hadnt contacted her for days.

Step, step

Ohjin followed the road made of blue starlight and climbed up to the highest point of the sanctum.

A road that splits in three ways.

One of the roads led to the Star of the Weaver Girls sanctuary, the place where Vega resided, and the other two led to sanctuaries of Polaris and Deneb, which were North Stars along with Vega.

Polaris and Deneb

Deneb had a total of 12 apostles, while Polaris still had none, just like Vega had in the past.

I wonder what will happen if I get the stigmas of other North Stars in my hands?

Even the stigma of the 12 Zodiacs could grant him unimaginable strength if they synergized well with each other.

But if another North Stars stigma was added on top of that

Im not sure.

In reality, even with the stigma of Lyra alone, there was such a difference in strength with equivalent 5-Star Awakeners that it made them look comedic in comparison.

Wouldnt he be able to reach an insurmountable realm if other North Star stigmas were added on top of that?

Well thats only true if they synergize well with each other.

Ultimately, he could only use one stigma at a time. There was a time when he used two stigmas simultaneously, but he couldnt expect much of an effect if the stigma didnt synergize well with the Stigma of Lyra, as it was his basic foundation.

At the end of the day, my main stigma is the stigma of Lyra.

Other stigmas were just secondary tools he could use whenever the situation called for it.

Theyre not that important.

Not only was he unable to use other stigmas freely in front of Vega; he had still only scratched the surface of the stigma of Lyra.

Though I should try to absorb them when the opportunity arises.

If two North Stars stigmas didnt collide with each other and synergized it was possible that he would reach an unprecedented realm.

Well, then.

Ohjin put away his useless thoughts and headed to the Star of the Weaver Girls sanctuary.

And as he arrived at the sanctuary

[My child!!]

Vega suddenly ran to him and embraced him.

[Do you know how worried I was!]

Frightening pressure like that from a press machine tightened around his entire body.

Kugk, uhk!

Fuck, I cant breathe!!

Im really going to die!!!!

What is this strength?!

[Ah, Im sorry.]

Vega released the strength in her arms that had pulled in Ohjin.

Fua!

Was it because they were within the sanctum? It felt like an industrial press machine compressed his body.

Isabella is strong, but

The real strength of a celestial was unparalleled, as expected.

Grrrr. Rookie, so what happened? asked Riak as he sauntered to him.

Nothing much. Its just that a situation where I needed a blessing never occurred.

Nothing much wasnt what happened, but having not needed to use the blessing was indeed the truth.

[Have you saved the saintess?]

Saintess, huh.

Should I keep quiet about Isabella?

It didnt take long for Ohjin to come to a conclusion.

Lets reveal it.

As the number of things he kept hidden piled up, not only would his movements be restricted as if he was standing in the middle of a minefield, but there was also the risk of needlessly receiving suspicion.

And moreover

If it was Vega, there was a chance she would be able to find out that Isabella wasnt an Awakener of Ares in an instant.

After all, Isabella didnt have the Black Curtain trait as he did.

I did save her but the situation is a bit of a pain.

[What do you mean? Did something happen?]

Vega asked with a worried expression.

The saintess isnt an Awakener of Ares.

[What?]

Ohjin slowly laid out the truth about Isabella.

I didnt know the saintesss true identity because she died on that day in my past life I couldnt have possibly imagined that Isabella was an Executor of the Black Star Organization.

A Regressor was a being that knew about future incidents through personal experience, not a clairvoyant god that could see through all hidden secrets and truths.

[Th-Then has the situation become worse than your past life?]

Not exactly.

He firmly shook his head.

Isabella doesnt know that I know her true identity. We should be able to dig up information about the Black Star Organization if we make good use of it.

There wasnt a need to be unconditionally pessimistic because she was an Executor of the Black Star Organization.

And by any chance, if were able to get her on our side

Though it was currently pushing itas she still thought of him as tasty preyif he could get her in the palm of his hand and control her freely

[Well gain an extremely reliable ally.]

The scariest enemies were always the ones right beside you. If they were able to get Isabella on their side, she would be able to tear apart the Black Star Organization from the inside.

Yeah, thats what Im planning to do.

[Hmm. This lady is worried.]

Vega extended out her hand and pat Ohjins head.

[What if you get harmed by that little one?]

Dont worry. I dont have plans on making contact with that woman any time soon, either.

In order to carry out his plans, there was a need to grow his strength to the point where he was able to protect himself.

* * *

And Im sorry.

His voice trembled faintly, his shoulders helplessly dropped down, and his fists clenched so hard that veins were popping out.

Ohjin acted as if he was subjected to a great amount of guilt.

[Wh-What are you sorry about?]

I acted rashly without finding things out properly. Because I kept thinking about how I had to change the future I ended up making a mistake.

He intentionally showed his weak side.

Showing that kind of vulnerable state as a Regressor could have potentially made one lose trust

But its the opposite in this case.

The trust between Ohjin and Vega had already built considerably. Revealing his weak side in that kind of situation would only plant a deeper kind of trust.

It was a scam technique that utilized sympathy.

[Do not feel down, my child. This lady knows best of how much effort you desperately put in.]

The biggest advantage of this technique was that it

didnt need evidence,

didnt need reasoning,

and dug deep into the minds of others.

Vega.

[Come here.]

Vega opened her arms and gently embraced him.

Her hug felt boundlessly soft and didnt contain any strength like before.

[You do not need to try and carry all this weight on your own.]

She slowly stroked his head and smiled faintly.

[Fufu. Do you not have me by your side?]

[It is alright to take things slow. The pages of destiny already started to be written anew since the moment you met me.]

Thank you.

Ohjin hugged Vega back and answered with a voice that was a step brighter than before.

This time Ill make sure to change itthe tragic future where the world faces destruction by the Heavenly Demon.

[You are more than capable of doing so.]

Vega patted his back and rested her chin on top of his shoulder.

When around five minutes of staying in that state had passed

Grrr! Lady Vega, if you keep pampering that kid, hell develop bad habits later o

[Pshaw.]

Bzzzzzzzzzzzt!!!

Blue lightning struck down Riak.

Kugh! Kuaaaaaaaaah!!!

Riak struggled from the pain.

[Fuu. Its been a while since I was able to share quality time with my child, but you you should learn how to read the room.]

Glare

Vega stared at Riak with displeasure.

I-I apolog

[Hmpf. I dont need it.]

It seemed that Vega was thoroughly upset as she quickly flicked her head away.

I feel bad for Riak.

Then Ill head home now since Ha-euns probably worried. Ah, you can stay materialized like usual now that urgent matters have finished.

[Hmm. That is truly welcoming news, but Ill hold myself back for today.]

Hm? Why?

[Fufu. Wont Ha-eun also need time to share the happiness of your reunion?]

Ah, so thats what she meant.

[However!]

Vegas golden eyes shone.

[Do not eveeeeeer~ forget that you are nothing but friends with Ha-eun.]

Uh, yeah.

He was caught by the mood, which made him involuntarily nod his head.

Then Ill take my leave now. See you tomorrow.

[Be careful on your way.]

What is there to be careful of in the sanctum?

Phew.

Ohjin exited the sanctum and headed home.

Should I buy some food on the way?

It just happened to be around time for dinner. As he looked around, trying to find something suitable

Wow. Its been a while

Ohjin looked at a hamburger restaurant at the corner of the large street and smiled.

Although he didnt eat them frequently those days, the food embodied quite a lot of memory and sorrow.

The first things I bought after awakening were also hamburgers.

He reminisced about back then and entered the store.

Here are your two Whopper sets~ Have a nice day!

Ohjin bought hamburgers and headed back home.

Step, step

His steps became lighter the closer he got to the house. They had only been separated for a mere week, but his legs sped up on their own, wanting to see Ha-eun as soon as possible.

Huhu. I bet shes crying aga

At that moment.

His field of view twisted.

-Ring

[Part of Awakener Lee Shinhyuks memories has been successfully restored.]

Huh? There was a third?

-Brother Lets go now.

-Alright.

Lee Shinhyuk held onto the rooftop rails as he dwelled on his regrets and then turned back.

He went down the stairs with Lee Woohyuk.

A heavy moment of silence.

The one who broke the silence was Lee Woohyuk.

-The reason the Queen of Leeches lost her rationality and started going on a rampage is because of the incident two years ago, right?

-Yeah. Thats what Ive been told by Cheon Woosung.

-What about what happened?

-I dont know about that

Lee Shinhyuk shook his head with a perplexed expression.

-Right before that incident, I heard that she tried to save the Italians that were suffering from the mafia

-How did that kind of woman become a witch that made the entire country soaked in blood?

-I dont know what happened back then, but

Grit

Lee Shinhyuk fiercely ground his teeth and gripped his spear.

-If I could return back in time Id make sure to kill her.

The Queen of Leeches, Isabella Colagrande.

The tens of thousands of people that died miserably by her hands flickered in front of his eyes.

-Brother. Lets up the speed. The Pseudo Star Cult might catch on to us.

-Alright.

Lee Shinhyuk activated the stigma of Pyxis and searched for a path after exiting the building.

-This way.

Lee Woohyuk and Lee Shinhyuk sped up.

Lee Woohyuk ran through the roads like a wild beast, and Lee Shinhyuk strenuously followed his trail.

Woah, he grew a lot during those two years.

Ohjin exclaimed shortly as he observed the memories of Lee Shinhyuk that flowed into his head.

Needless to say, Lee Shinhyuks growth speed was extremely embarrassing compared to his own, but still, it appeared that he had managed to reach around the 7~8-Star rank within those two years.

-Do you know where shes at?

-She should be looking after the boat at the coast.

-Lets head there.

I wonder who it is.

Ohjin focused on the memories with amusement.

-Hey! Why were you so late!

-Sorry!!

-Hurry up and get on the boat!!

Huh?

Then Im starting the engine!

-Okay!

Whats going on?

-Sigh. Italys totally done for. Are you hurt anywhere?

-No. Im okay.

-Here, have some water.

Why? Why? Why?

Just

Why?

-Thank youHa-eun.

Why is Ha-eun with that bastard?