Not A Regressor-Chapter 349: Starlight (1)

A booming voice erupted from a massive frame. “Our proud hero of South Korea! We welcome Alkaid’s return!”

It was the gorilla—no, Han Jun-Man, clapping his pot-sized hands as he welcomed Kwon Oh-Jin’s group back.

“What the...?”

After wrapping things up in Niflheim, Kwon Oh-Jin returned through the first rift. Upon arrival at the airport in Korea, he couldn’t help but be shocked at the sea of people waiting for him.

When did they even have time to make that banner?

At the exit hung a giant banner easily over a hundred meters long.

[★Congratulations★ Welcome back, Awakener Kwon Oh-Jin, Korea’s pride and joy! ★Congratulations★]

He hadn’t exactly made his trip to the Demonic District public. The over-the-top welcome felt baffling.

“What’s all this?” Kwon Oh-Jin asked.

“Haha! The association made it after hearing you returned safely! What do you think?!” Han Jun-Man replied.

Kwon Oh-Jin clicked his tongue as he looked up at the enormous banner.

These damn tax thieves. Do they have a whole department dedicated to finding creative ways to waste taxpayer money?

“Anyway, is it really okay to broadcast that I went to the Demonic District like this?”

He hadn’t intended on keeping it secret, but this giant banner and public fanfare seemed a bit much.

“That’s where you’re mistaken, Oh-Jin!”

“Mistaken about what?”

“Ever since you entered the Demonic District, the number of demonic beasts crossing through the rifts has dropped by more than half!”

“Oh.”

Well, considering how thoroughly they had stirred things up in the Demonic District, it made sense that fewer demonic beasts spilled into Earth.

“Of course, some Named demonic beasts that hadn’t been active in a while started causing chaos again, but the drastic drop in regular ones helped minimize overall damage.”

Basically, thanks to us, everyone could focus on dealing with the real threats, the Named monsters. Fair enough. I guess that does deserve some publicity.

Judging by the size of that banner, it also probably had more to do with political gains than sincere appreciation. Not that Kwon Oh-Jin cared either way.

“So, what’s next on your schedule? If there’s anything you need, the association will fully support you!” Han Jun-Man pounded his chest with his giant fist and smiled brightly.

His smile indicated that Korea had seriously benefited from Kwon Oh-Jin’s trip to the Demonic District.

Kwon Oh-Jin chuckled and shook his head. “Right now, I just want to go home and rest.”

“Ah, then we’ll escort you! We’ve got a vehicle waiting just outside!”

“No, that’s not necessary...”

Drawing more attention would only be tiring. Just as he was about to decline the offer, Isabella approached and slipped her arm through his.

“Mr. Oh-Jin, let’s just take the association’s car.”

“I’d really rather avoid the fuss.”

“But they went through all this trouble for you. If you refuse now, it’ll put the association in an awkward spot.”

She was right. There’d be an uproar if the national hero wasn’t given a proper escort.

“Okay.”

He nodded and headed outside the airport. A red carpet stretched out before him, and shutters clicked wildly from all directions.

What is this, an international film festival?

He let out a baffled chuckle and prepared to step onto the red carpet.

Isabella quickly caught up and gently linked arms with him. “Mr. Oh-Jin, wait.”

The shutter sounds grew even louder.

Her eyes sparkled as she smiled, clearly pleased. “Hehe.”

This had been her plan the moment she suggested taking the vehicle. Everything about her movements looked smooth and natural.

“Why are you standing next to Oh-Jin like it’s the most natural thing in the world?” Song Ha-Eun frowned and pulled Isabella by the back of her head.

Isabella glared back. “You were glued to Mr. Oh-Jin the entire way back to Earth, weren’t you?”

“Only because you and Cassia were too busy having a stare-down.”

“Still.”

After the Niflheim incident, Cassia had also returned to Earth with them. During the trip back, she and Isabella kept radiating a murderous aura, causing the atmosphere to be tense all throughout the trip.

“The third wheel is finally gone, so just give me Mr. Oh-Jin for one day.”

After returning to Earth, Cassia said she had something to take care of and disappeared without a word. With Cassia out of the picture, Isabella felt determined to stay by Kwon Oh-Jin’s side more than usual.

“Ugh.” Song Ha-Eun had witnessed the cold war between Isabella and Cassia, so she backed off without saying much.

“Thanks, unnie.” Isabella, smiling brightly, hugged his arm and subtly pressed her chest against him.

She hummed quietly, smiling from ear to ear.

“Is it that nice not having Cassia around?” Kwon Oh-Jin asked.

“Yup. It feels amazing not having that stubborn leech of a sister around.”

It looked like it’d be a while before those two patched things up again.

“But really, I’m just happy to see everyone welcoming you like this, Mr. Oh-Jin.” Isabella looked around with a proud smile.

Seeing the crowd gaze at Kwon Oh-Jin with eyes full of admiration and awe, her heart swelled with pride, almost as if it were happening to her.

“There was a lot of talk when you became a member of the Seven Stars despite not being a high-ranking Awakener.”

Though he had reached nine stars now and was officially a high-ranking Awakener, his appointment stirred quite the controversy in Korea before heading into the Demonic District.

It was like appointing someone with only a high school diploma as the Minister of Education. People couldn’t help but question his qualifications, especially since high-ranking Awakeners held such overwhelming influence.

“But seeing the way people are welcoming you now, it feels like all that criticism has disappeared.”

“Well, once you get results, no one questions your qualifications anymore.”

“Still, it’s really nice to see you get the recognition you deserve, Mr. Oh-Jin.”

Kwon Oh-Jin smiled at Isabella’s proud expression.

As they crossed the middle of the red carpet, reporters swarmed them from all sides like a pack of hornets.

“Um, Mr. Kwon Oh-Jin! Could we request an interview?”

“We’d love to hear what happened in the Demonic District!”

“What’s your relationship with the Saintess of Rome?!”

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing? I already mentioned that interviews were strictly prohibited!” Han Jun-Man shouted.

“Eek...!”

“An ape?”

As Han Jun-Man frowned and glared at the reporters, they all stopped in their tracks.

“Who said ape just now?”

The once-noisy reporters all fell silent as Han Jun-Man narrowed his eyes. “Haa. Let’s get in the car, Oh-Jin.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

Escorted by Han Jun-Man, Kwon Oh-Jin’s group climbed into a luxurious limousine. Riding in a limo had felt awkward to him at times, but he had gotten used to it after traveling with Isabella a few times.

Unlike the rest of the group, who were used to limos, Baek Mu-Kang gawked at the interior with wide eyes. “T-This car is huge!”

“Is this your first time in a limo, Elder?” Han Jun-Man asked.

“Uh, no. Allen gave me a ride once, but it’s been so long. It caught me off guard.”

After spending years in the Demonic District, his reaction was understandable.

“Oh, that reminds me. Mizar contacted us.”

Baek Mu-Kang cocked his head and sucked on his fingers in confusion. “Mizar? What’s a Mizar? Is it something you eat?”

Han Jun-Man awkwardly smiled and clarified, “It’s Awakener Allen Oskar, Elder.”

“Allen! Allen contacted us?!”

“Yes, he asked me to bring you to the Sanctum.”

“I wanna go! I wanna see Allen and Deneb and, uh... Saffron and Saffrin!”

“You mean Xiao Lan and Xiao Lin...”

“Ah, r-right. Hehe.” Baek Mu-Kang scratched his head with a sheepish grin.

Kwon Oh-Jin turned to Han Jun-Man in the driver’s seat. “Then, let’s head to the Sanctum before going home.”

“Understood.”

The limo headed toward the Sanctum, taking about an hour to reach the entrance in Hongdae.

When they arrived, Allen Oskar was already waiting for them there.

“Allen! Long time no see!”

“It’s good to see you again, Elder. Have you been well?”

“Yep, yep!” Baek Mu-Kang rushed over and pulled out an envelope from his coat, handing it to Allen. “I found my treasure! Oh-Jin found it for me!”

Allen’s normally expressionless face broke into a faint smile. “I heard.”

After chatting briefly with Baek Mu-Kang, Allen turned to Kwon Oh-Jin. “Thank you, Awakened Kwon Oh-Jin.”

He bowed politely with a hand over his chest. The sight of this princely man, who looked like he had stepped out of a movie, bowing so precisely, carried an odd weight.

“I don’t even know how I can begin to repay you....”

An expression unlike anything Kwon Oh-Jin had seen before appeared on Allen’s icy face.

He seems to really care about the Elder.

After all, if he didn’t, he wouldn’t have entered the Demonic District alone to deliver supplies to Baek Mu-Kang.

“Don’t worry about that. The Elder has already repaid me.”

Even if it had all been part of the Heavenly Demon’s trap, Baek Mu-Kang had fought his way into Niflheim for Kwon Oh-Jin’s sake. From Kwon Oh-Jin’s perspective, Baek Mu-Kang had helped them secure more forces. In the end, they had accomplished their goals together.

Baek Mu-Kang raised his hand high with a beaming smile. “Hehe! Just call me again, and I’ll come help anytime!”

Allen looked warmly at Baek Mu-Kang before turning to Kwon Oh-Jin. “If you’re ever in trouble, we’ll come to help you as well.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

Having Deneb’s other apostles on board was incredibly good news, especially with his inevitable battle against the Heavenly Demon just around the corner.

“By the way...” Allen hesitated and slightly frowned.

“What is it?”

“This might be out of line... but did something happen between you and Lady Vega?”

Kwon Oh-Jin’s expression hardened at the mention of her name. “Why do you ask...?”

“I heard from Lord Deneb, but he said that Lady Vega’s temple has been completely shut down.”

“Shut down?”

“Yes. She has basically locked it up so no one can get in or out.”

Kwon Oh-Jin clenched his fists with a bitter expression.

“So, something did happen, didn’t it?”

“No, nothing—” Halfway through shaking his head, he abruptly stopped.

“Mr. Oh-Jin?”

After a long pause, Kwon Oh-Jin nodded slowly with a bitter smile. “Yes... Something did happen.”