Chapter 173: Calling (2)
After arriving by car at the Ganghwa Island Special Autonomous Zone, aka Paradise, Kwon Oh-Jin headed straight to Cheon Sang-Gil’s residence. As he passed through the familiar countryside landscape, he arrived at a neatly maintained traditional Korean house.
An elderly man wearing a martial arts uniform greeted him. “You’re here.”
His clear, wise eyes met Kwon Oh-Jin’s. The Avaricious Wolf, one of the seven strongest Awakeners in the world, smiled benevolently.
“Have you been well?” Kwon Oh-Jin asked.
“Haha. This old man’s life is always the same. Ah, but lately, time has been flying by as I’ve been helping that child with training.”
Kwon Oh-Jin didn’t need to ask who that child was. His eyes lit up as he stepped closer to Cheon Sang-Gil.
“How’s Ha-Eun doing?”
“She’s doing very well to the point where she couldn't be doing any better. Her accomplishments... are quite remarkable.”
“Oh.”
It had only been a little over a month, yet Cheon Sang-Gil described her achievements as remarkable.
As expected of Ha-Eun.
She possessed extraordinary talents, enough to be considered miraculous even among other Awakeners.
“Is Ha-Eun inside?”
“Hmm. Ha-Eun is not in a state where she can move right now.”
“What?”
Not in a state to move?
A chill of murderous aura flashed in Kwon Oh-Jin’s eyes.
Even for a low-ranking Awakener, let alone an ordinary person, his gaze was enough to make someone foam at the mouth and faint.
He coldly asked, “Did something... happen to Ha-Eun?”
“Haha. No, it’s not like that, so calm yourself. Didn’t I just tell you she’s doing fine?”
“Then?”
“She’s currently in the process of shedding.”
“Excuse me?”
Shedding? What is she, a reptile?
“You know the eyes that Ha-Eun possesses.”
“Are you talking about the Draconic Eye?”
“Indeed, the power of those eyes has gone through enlightenment once again.”
“That’s why you’re saying she’s shedding?”
Cheon Sang-Gil nodded. “I’m not certain if it’s because her Draconic Eye has gained a new power or if it’s a unique trait of Awakeners with the Stigma of Draco. I can swear on my name that it’s not harming her.”
Kwon Oh-Jin narrowed his eyes. He had never heard of any Awakener experiencing such a phenomenon as shedding. Of course, the number of Awakeners with the Stigma of Draco was as rare as those with the Stigma of the North Star. He couldn't help but worry about her.
“If you’re so worried, would you like to see for yourself?”
“That would be great.”
Kwon Oh-Jin followed Cheon Sang-Gil to a nearby house, or rather, what used to be a house.
He could feel a fiery heat from afar.
Fwoosh!
What had once been a magnificent traditional Korean home had now been reduced to ashes with embers fluttering through the air like snowflakes. Amid the swirling ashes, he could see Song Ha-Eun covered in a thin membrane-like fire with her eyes closed.
“This is...”
“She’s been like this for about four days.”
“For four days straight?”
Cheon Sang-Gil nodded.
Kwon Oh-Jin approached Ha-eun, who was enveloped in flames.
Despite being consumed by an inferno fierce enough to melt the entire world, she had the most peaceful expression on her face.
So this is what he meant when he said it's not harming her.
He activated the Stigma of Canes Venatici to assess her condition.
As Cheon Sang-Gil had said, the flames surrounding her were helping her shed the old, withered power within her and replacing it with a new, blazing force.
“What do you think?” Cheon Sang-Gil asked.
“This definitely doesn’t seem like it’s hurting her.”
“See? Didn’t I tell you?” Cheon Sang-Gil chuckled softly.
Kwon Oh-Jin awkwardly smiled. “I wasn’t doubting you.”
“I know. It’s only natural for you to want to confirm your beloved’s safety with your own eyes.”
Cheon Sang-Gil nodded.
“How long will she stay like this?” Kwon Oh-Jin asked.
“That, even I don’t know.”
Kwon Oh-Jin swallowed hard as he looked at Song Ha-Eun’s peaceful expression. He had been looking forward to seeing her after so long, but he hadn’t expected this.
“Anyway, shall we head back now that you’ve confirmed her condition? People are waiting inside for you.”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
“Haha. I’d like to introduce you to them.”
“Are you referring to the Guardian Stars?”
“Yes, there are some new faces this time.”
Cheon Sang-Gil turned with a confident expression.
The Avaricious Wolf had personally selected these people. Kwon Oh-Jin’s eyes gleamed with anticipation as he followed. Of course, he also glanced several more times at Song Ha-Eun as he left.
***
“Come on in.”
Following Cheon Sang-Gil’s lead, Kwon Oh-Jin entered the house.
A strikingly handsome young man caught Kwon Oh-Jin’s eye first. With sharp, beast-like eyes and a solitary aura, the young man noticed Kwon Oh-Jin and approached.
It was Lee Woo-Hyuk, the Black Lion. The younger brother of Lee Shin-Hyuk and an Awakener of Leo, who also led one of the top ten guilds, Valhalla.
Lee Woo-Hyuk approached him with a light bow. “It’s been a while, Oh-Jin.”
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
“I heard you’ve made quite the impact in Japan.”
“The local Awakeners did most of the work, not me.”
“Ah, was it Sakaki? The Awakener who took down the Black Star Society’s executor?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Kwon Oh-Jin smiled and nodded.
In reality, he had taken down the executor and not Sakaki. However, they had publicly announced that Sakaki had done it to avoid drawing attention from the Black Star Society.
“Still, that’s impressive. Going overseas to fight the Black Star Society.” Lee Woo-Hyuk self-deprecatingly smiled and deeply sighed. “Compared to you, I feel like I’ve done nothing except talk a lot about avenging my brother.”
“You’ve got a lot on your plate, so it’s understandable.”
As a guild leader, Lee Woo-Hyuk didn’t have the luxury to chase after rumors about the Black Star Society and fight them abroad like Kwon Oh-Jin.
“Thank you.”
Perhaps moved by those comforting words, Lee Woo-Hyuk faintly smiled.
Man, this guy’s face card is unreal.
The only other person Kwon Oh-Jin had seen who looked this handsome was Allen Oskal, one of Deneb’s twelve apostles. He had never once been called unattractive either, but standing next to Lee Woo-Hyuk made him feel like a squid.
“Haha. I guess I don’t need to introduce Woo-Hyuk.”
Cheon Song-Gil chuckled lightly as he looked at them and continued forward. Kwon Oh-Jin and Lee Woo-Hyuk followed him into the modest house.
Upon sliding open the door, Kwon Oh-Jin saw two women and a boy.
“Woah, the Thunder Wolf actually showed up?”
“Hmph, what’s this? He looks way weaker than the rumors say.”
“Uh... um, that’s a bit much to say to someone you just met.”
Like the host on a variety show, Cheon Sang-Gil began introducing them one by one.
“Let me introduce them. First, this beautiful lady here is Jegal So-Young. Known as the Black Rose, she’s an Awakener of Sagittarius. Have you heard of her?”
“Yes, of course.”
Jegal So-Young, the Black Rose, was a half-Korean, half-Chinese Awakener who was renowned in both countries for her skills.
Jegal So-Young had silky black hair. She flashed a captivating smile at Kwon Oh-Jin and waved. “Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
She scanned Kwon Oh-Jin from head to toe with interest.
“I’ve been wanting to meet you ever since I saw you on that livestream.”
Jegal So-Young stood up and extended her beautiful hand with painted pink nails.
Kwon Oh-Jin casually shook her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Kwon Oh-Jin.”
“You can speak comfortably, you know.”
“Let’s save that for when we get closer.”
Kwon Oh-Jin kept a respectful distance and drew the line as she smiled seductively at him.
“Really? Then how about we get closer right now?”
Ignoring any notion of boundaries, Jegal So-Young lightly tickled Kwon Oh-Jin’s palm with her finger. The seduction almost made him laugh.
“Maybe another time. I’ve got things to take care of.”
He firmly withdrew his hand. His cold tone made his stance clear.
Jegal So-Young’s eyes narrowed. “Hmm. Is that so?”
Like a predator eyeing its prey, she scanned him again before shrugging and returning to her seat.
“Next is Choi Yoo-Mi, an Awakener of Phoenix,” Cheon Sang-Gil introduced.
She had short, orange hair cut just above her ears. Choi Yoo-Mi propped her chin on her hand as she gazed up at Kwon Oh-Jin. Unlike the relatively warm welcome from Jegal So-Young, Yoo-Mi’s eyes were full of irritation and distrust.
“Yeah, you look weak as hell. Your energy’s nothing special either. Is this guy really a North Star apostle?”
Her eyes scrutinized him with clear skepticism.
Then, she suddenly stood up. “I think I’d better put him to the test.”
A boy with messy brown hair tugged at her sleeve, trying to stop her. “Uh... p-please, Yoo-Mi.”
He looked about the same age as Kim Si-Hoo. Unlike Deneb, he also gave off the impression of being timid and delicate.
“Lastly, this is Oh Hyun-Bin, an Awakener of Aquarius.”
“Ah, hello! I’m Oh Hyun-Bin! Uh... I-I apologize for the disrespect my guild member showed you in the past!”
Oh Hyun-Bin bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle.
The incident he was referring to was probably regarding Choi Jong-Cheol.
“Is this everyone? The five of us?” Kwon Oh-Jin asked.
Normally, Song Ha-Eun would have been here as well, but she was currently undergoing the shedding process and couldn’t participate in this operation.
Cheon Sang-Gil shook his head and checked the clock hanging on the wall.
“No, there’s still one more. They should be arriving any minute now—”
Knock, knock.
The last person to arrive didn’t seem very strong. The knock on the door sounded very weak.
“Ah, looks like they’re here. Come in.”
As the sliding door opened, platinum blonde hair shimmering like molten gold gently swayed.
Kwon Oh-Jin's eyes widened as he looked at the woman who entered.
“Huh?”
She smiled softly at Kwon Oh-Jin before bowing respectfully to everyone in the room.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Isabella Colgrande, here to join the Guardian Stars.”
Her movements looked as refined and precise as a painting brought to life.
Kwon Oh-Jin could only remain silent in shock.
The Guardian Stars included the Black Star Society’s third-ranked executor and the owner of the Black Heaven.
What a killer lineup.
Kwon Oh-Jin rubbed his forehead as if a headache were setting in.