Chapter 163: Next (1)
Kwon Oh-Jin, Vega, and Riarc went on their way to meet Deneb.
After walking along a starlit path, an enormous plaza about the size of four or five soccer fields appeared before them.
“I didn’t know a place like this existed in the Sanctum,” Kwon Oh-Jin said.
It wasn’t marked on the map near the entrance. The vast and majestic plaza overwhelmed Kwon Oh-Jin. It looked like something straight out of Greek or Norse mythology.
However, it wasn’t filled with merchants or shops like an ordinary plaza. Instead, vivid statues that looked as though they could come to life at any moment lined the wide path to a large circular building reminiscent of the Colosseum.
“This place is normally off-limits to humans,” Vega said.
“So it’s a place meant for just Celestials to gather?”
“Hmm. Not exactly. Celestials usually gather in a different place.”
“Hmm.”
Then what’s this place for?
Kwon Oh-Jin glanced around curiously.
Riarc said from behind, “This is where Celestials usually test their strength against each other or where Star Spirits settle their conflicts.”
Kwon Oh-Jin turned to Riarc with wide eyes. “Celestials fight each other?”
Did Celestials really fight it out like street thugs?
“It’s not uncommon for conflicts to arise between Celestials,” Riarc replied.
That made sense. Even though Celestials were transcendent beings, they weren’t all that different from humans when it came to their mentalities. Tension had also just risen recently between Vega and Deneb. Still, Kwon Oh-Jin had never imagined them solving disputes by literally throwing hands.
“Of course, excluding those with significantly low divinity, direct combat between Celestials is extremely rare.”
“Then?”
“Usually, they settle things through proxy battles. They send forth their Star Spirits, who have inherited a portion of their souls to fight in their place.”
“Ohh.”
So that’s why this arena existed.
Medieval nobles often resolved disputes by having their knights duel on their behalf.
“Then, this fight between me and Deneb’s apostles is pretty much the same thing, right?”
“Yeah, you could say that,” Riarc replied.
Interestingly, Celestials resolved their conflicts through proxy battles.
I had no idea Celestials had so many conflicts in the first place.
From a human’s perspective, Celestials seemed like majestic beings similar to Zeus, Poseidon, or Hades from Greek mythology. Kwon Oh-Jin thought Celestials simply lounged in their magnificent temples within the Sanctum, carefree and content.
However, so much happened behind the scenes.
Then again, conflicts between gods were common even in Greek mythology.
Whether it was gods or humans, conflict was inevitable when intelligent beings gathered in one place.
“Anyway, I don’t have to worry about wrecking the place if this is a battleground where Celestials fight, right?”
“To be precise, it’ll be restored quickly even if it gets destroyed.”
“Like fighting in the Sacred Ground?”
Riarc nodded.
As they chatted and approached the arena, a commotion echoed from within.
Murmur, murmur.
Vega’s eyes narrowed.“Hmm...? What’s going on?”
It was too loud even if Deneb and his twelve apostles were already inside.
As the squinting Vega approached the entrance, a lively voice echoed from inside.
“Big sis, Vega! Over here!”
Kwon Oh-Jin turned toward the source of the voice. “Big sis?”
A woman with fluffy pink hair ran toward them. Her youthful energy radiated like freshly bloomed spring flowers.
“S-Spica?” Vega said.
The woman named Spica approached Vega with a cheerful smile. “It’s been a while! Has it already been a year? I was worried since I didn’t hear from you after you got an apostle!”
Spica?
Kwon Oh-Jin had heard that name before. He dug through his memory and quickly recalled who she was.
Right, she’s the Celestial of Virgo.
This woman, who gave off the fresh charm of a college freshman, was a Celestial of the twelve Zodiacs.
Vega looked at Spica with a puzzled expression. “What brings you here?”
Spica simply cocked her head in response. “What do you mean? I’m the host for this proxy battle.”
“Host?”
“What? Didn’t you hear? There’s been a huge buzz for the past month about your apostle and Deneb’s apostles going head-to-head.”
Vega’s jaw dropped. “W-What?!”
She had never mentioned this battle to any other Celestial, but if word had spread...
“Deneb, you dare...!”
Vega clenched her fist, and her face twisted in anger.
Just then, a mischievous boyish voice rang out. “Did you just get here? You’re a bit late.”
Deneb stood on top of the towering outer wall that resembled a fortress.
Vega glared sharply at Deneb and shouted, “What is the meaning of this?”
“What do you mean? A showdown between disciples of the North Star is happening. Wouldn’t it be a shame to hold such an event without any spectators?”
Deneb folded his arms with a smirk. Even though his words sounded lighthearted, it wasn’t hard to figure out his true intentions.
He’s trying to humiliate Vega in front of the other Celestials.
Vega had finally found an apostle after years of searching.
Deneb’s goal was to show off by making Kwon Oh-Jin lose miserably against his apostles in front of the other Celestials.
Kwon Oh-Jin chuckled.
How childish.
Vega, on the other hand, seemed caught off guard. Perhaps because she hadn’t expected Deneb to go this far.
It’s just as I expected.
If Deneb’s goal was to embarrass Vega, then Kwon Oh-Jin had already anticipated that he would pull some kind of stunt.
A chilling, murderous aura radiated from Vega. “Deneb. I knew you were shameless, but I didn’t expect you to fall so low.”
She grabbed Kwon Oh-Jin’s hand and turned around. “We’re calling off the bet.”
“Oh? Is our great Weaver running away?” Deneb asked.
“Think what you will,” Vega replied coldly and turned away.
If this duel were merely a matter between herself and Deneb, she would have tolerated some humiliation even if Kwon Oh-Jin lost. However, the disgrace would fall on Kwon Oh-Jin too if the other Celestials also knew about this.
That is something I cannot allow.
Kwon Oh-Jin was the Heaven-Defying Star, a hero destined to save the world. Being labeled as a loser would inevitably cast a shadow over his future, especially when he was supposed to lead the way.
“Are you sure you want to run away? Hundreds of Celestials are waiting for you to show up.”
Vega could only remain silent.
“Wouldn’t it be better to fight and lose than to run away and be called a coward?”
“You.” Vega bit her lip anxiously.
Deneb wasn’t wrong. Even if she took Kwon Oh-Jin and left, the consequences wouldn’t change much.
The label of loser would simply be replaced with coward.
“It’s okay,” Kwon Oh-Jin said.
“B-But...!”
“I told you, didn’t I? I’m going to win.”
Vega fell silent, her lips pressed firmly together. Of course, she believed in his talent and abilities, but he had only been an Awakener for about a year.
Even if my child is a Regressor, taking on not just one but three of Deneb’s apostles is...
No matter how much knowledge he possessed from the future, time was an unforgiving constraint. It was like starting over in an RPG after losing a high-level account. No amount of knowledge could instantly bring you back to the top.
Deneb snickered from on top of the wall, gesturing toward Kwon Oh-Jin. “Hmph. If you’re so confident, stop stalling and come in.”
Vega deeply sighed and reluctantly turned back toward the arena.
Spica scratched her cheek with an awkward smile. “Uhh... Something’s definitely going on here.”
Her fluffy pink hair bounced as she cocked her head and looked at Kwon Oh-Jin. “So you’re the famous Thunder Wolf. I’ve heard a lot about you from my apostles, but it’s the first time I’m seeing you in person!”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kwon Oh-Jin.”
“Yup, yup! I’ve heard all about you! You’re much more handsome than I expected!”
Spica’s eyes sparkled as she approached him, but Vega swiftly stepped between them before she could get too close.
“Don’t you already have the Awakener you’ve been bragging about as your fated one?”
“Huh? Oh, don’t tell me...”
Spica blinked her wide eyes as she looked back and forth between Kwon Oh-Jin and Vega.
“W-Wait, big sis, could it be...?”
“It’s not what you’re thinking.”
“Kyaaa! I can’t believe it! Are you really that same stone-cold big sis?!”
“I said it’s not like that!”
With a flustered expression, Vega quickly covered Spica’s mouth.
Kwon Oh-Jin cocked his head, glancing curiously at the two.
Fated one?
Breaking free from Vega’s grasp, Spica wore a mischievous grin.
“Sorry, sorry. I was just surprised because I wasn’t expecting this.”
“A-Ahem.”
“Hmm... So, big sis has an apostle like this now.”
Spica nodded, her eyes filled with intrigue. She playfully patted Kwon Oh-Jin’s shoulder and flashed a bright smile.
“Take good care of my big sis! She’s a bit bad at expressing her feelings, but that’s part of her charm.”
“Quiet, Spica.”
“Hehehe.”
Watching the two of them chat so casually, Kwon Oh-Jin couldn’t help but be surprised.
I didn’t expect Vega to be so close to another Celestial.
Vega rarely ever talked about other Celestials, so this was completely unexpected.
“Even though I can’t take sides as the host, I’ll be cheering for you in my heart!”
After appearing like a whirlwind, Spica dashed off and disappeared into the arena.
“Haah. Honestly, how can there be so many Celestials with no sense of dignity?”
Vega turned sharply toward Kwon Oh-Jin.
“Ahem. Anyway, don’t pay any attention to what Spica said about the fated one.”
“But I’m very curious.”
“Did I not tell you to ignore it?!”
“Haha. Alright, alright.”
With a light laugh, Kwon Oh-Jin followed Vega into the arena where the duel would take place.
At the center of the colosseum was a massive arena, over a hundred meters wide and long, surrounded by countless spectator seats.
Murmur, murmur.
The Celestials who arrived early took their seats and began to stir when Kwon Oh-Jin entered.
He could hear whispers like, “That’s the Weaver’s apostle,” and, “He’s in for a rough time today.”
Kwon Oh-Jin glanced at the crowd of Celestials filling the stands and dryly chuckled.
Don’t these guys have anything better to do?
To be fair, what else could the Celestials do within the confines of the Sanctum? Bound by the restrictions of the law, their actions were severely limited. To them, proxy battles were probably the most entertaining spectacle they could witness.
Especially if it happens to be between apostles of the North Star.
With the eyes of hundreds of Celestials fixed on him, Kwon Oh-Jin stepped into the arena.
Deneb, who had already claimed the best seat to view the match, suddenly jumped to his feet. He spread his arms wide and addressed the crowd of Celestials filling the stands.
“Thank you all for gathering here today! I’m sure you all know by now that Vega has finally found an apostle, right?”
With a sly grin, Deneb glanced at Kwon Oh-Jin.
“Today, you’ll get a clear look at exactly what kind of human Vega’s apostle is.”
Deneb raised his hand high into the air. As his fingers snapped, a massive holographic screen appeared above the colosseum. The screen zoomed in, capturing a close-up of Vega’s stiff expression.
“Now! Just sit back and watch how low Vega will fall!”
Deneb’s bright laughter echoed throughout the arena.