Chapter 359: Three Part Vacation (5)

The Sanctum was similar to the Demonic District, a realm where Celestials could wield the full extent of their power without facing the restrictions of the Law.

The Sanctum’s structure resembled that of a massive tree. Near the roots, countless branching streams of starlight connected to various points on Earth, forming gates through which Awakeners could pass.

Beyond the roots lay the Milky Way path, which was at the heart of the Sanctum. Following that path up led to another branching point, each trail ending at a Celestial’s temple.

Another defining feature of the Sanctum was its breathtakingly beautiful scenery, fitting of the name, “Realm of the gods.”

First-time visitors were often struck speechless, unable to even think about seeking out a temple because they were so taken away by the grandeur woven from countless stars.

For all its beauty, no sane Awakener would think to bring their lover here for a date. This was not the realm of humans, but the domain of transcendent beings known as Celestials.

But...

With an awkward smile, Kwon Oh-Jin walked slowly along a path that looked as though it had been woven from pure starlight. Never in his life had he imagined strolling through the Sanctum on a date. Certainly not with a North Star Celestial by his side.

“

Hm?

Do you not find the Sanctum to your liking?” Vega asked.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just hard to picture this as a date location.”

It felt like going to Jerusalem for a romantic outing. To be fair, Celestials didn’t exactly resemble the Christian God.

If anything, they resemble the Greek gods more.

Which made this more like choosing Olympus as a date spot, but that felt just as strange.

“I hear it’s not such a rare thing these days,” Vega explained.

Kwon Oh-Jin turned to Vega, stunned. “People use the Sanctum for dates?”

Who in their right mind would come here for a date?

“Do you recall when the restrictions of the Law weakened. Even Celestials not under the North Star could manifest on Earth.”

“Oh

,

right. Yeah.”

“I’ve heard some even became deeply involved with Awakeners and spent time together here in the Sanctum.”

“

Huh

...”

When Kwon Oh-Jin first became romantically involved with Vega, he thought he would be the only lunatic to ever date a Celestial. It seemed the world had more lunatics than he could ever imagine.

Not that I should be the one talking.

If he set aside his preconceptions for a moment, it wasn’t hard to see why. Few partners were more ideal than Celestials. To start with, every Celestial looked absurdly beautiful or handsome.

Vega is something else even among them, but still.

On top of their flawless looks, they each possessed powers and authorities worthy of being called a transcendent being.

Although they couldn’t directly help their Awakener grow stronger, simply growing closer to the Celestial who shared the same Stigma could grant one a near noble status.

Honestly, at that point, you’d be a fool not to get on your knees and date a Celestial.

Freed from his bias, Kwon Oh-Jin could understand why so many Awakeners and Celestials became lovers.

“So, are we heading straight to your temple?”

“You’ve been to my temple plenty of times. Today, we’re going somewhere else.”

“Somewhere else?”

The only time he had visited any place other than Vega’s temple was during the proxy battle against Deneb’s apostles.

“

Hehe

. There’s more to the Sanctum than just temples, you know.”

“Really?”

Other than being the realm of Celestials, Kwon Oh-Jin knew next to nothing about the Sanctum and had never explored it. Even if he could conceal his energy, wandering around with the Black Heaven carried risks.

With an awkward smile, Vega avoided making eye contact. “Well... truth be told, this will be my first time as well.”

Even among Celestials who rarely left their domains, she had lived exceptionally secluded. Rarely had she ever left her temple and gone anywhere else.

Nevertheless, Vega had chosen the Sanctum for today’s date because she absolutely wanted to take him to a particular place.

T-The preparations are perfect.

Though she had never been there herself, she had memorized the route and location in advance. More importantly, she had practiced over and over to ensure that she wouldn’t forget the myth tied to the place.

Taking a deep breath, Vega tried to calm her pounding heart.

“So, where exactly are we going?” Kwon Oh-Jin asked.

“Follow me.” Vega strode ahead with determined steps.

Then, she suddenly stopped in her tracks and stared intently at Kwon Oh-Jin’s hand.

“What is it?”

She quickly averted her gaze. “N-Nothing.”

Kwon Oh-Jin faintly chuckled and gently took her hand.

“

Ah

.” Vega flinched at the warmth that flowed through their clasped hands.

Her lips trembled, and her face flushed a soft pink like a peach as she lowered her head.

He couldn’t help but smile at Vega’s unexpectedly shy reaction.

She’s not some teenage girl...

Why was she so flustered from just holding hands?

Perhaps because Kwon Oh-Jin had already been much more intimate with his other two lovers, but Vega’s innocence somehow made his heart beat faster.

“Let’s go,” he said.

“V-Very well.” Vega gently held his hand tighter and began walking. “

Hehe

.”

She smiled, seemingly enjoying the warmth between them. Her pace slowed as if to savor the moment as much as possible.

Kwon Oh-Jin matched her slow steps and looked around. “I didn’t know there was a path like this in the Sanctum.”

If the Sanctum were a tree, this path felt like one of the large branches stretching away from the main trunk. They followed the winding, branching trail until a breathtaking sight unfolded before them—a vast plaza made entirely of starlight.

Shimmering auroras filled the sky, reflecting off the surrounding architecture that glittered with every shade of starlight possible. The Sanctum already looked beautiful enough to begin with, but this place was on another level and almost otherworldly in its splendor.

“Is this where you wanted to bring me?”

“No, we still need to go a bit farther.”

“Really?”

Where on earth was she taking him?

As they stepped into the star-lit plaza, he noticed several Celestials and Awakeners wandering around.

So this is what she meant earlier.

Sure enough, just like Vega had said, Celestials and Awakeners clung to each other like couples on a date.

“This way—” Vega was about to pull him past the plaza.

Someone far away shouted in shock, “V-Vega unnie?!”

Kwon Oh-Jin immediately recognized the voice. Among hundreds of Celestials, only the Celestial of Virgo, Spica, ever addressed Vega so casually.

Vega flinched and took a step back, visibly flustered. “W-What are you doing here?”

Spica’s fluffy pink hair bounced wildly as she dashed toward Vega. “I should be the one asking you that? What are you doing here in the Starlight Plaza, unnie?”

Starlight Plaza, huh.

The straightforward name almost felt like whoever named it didn’t even try.

“And with Alkaid too?” Spica’s eyes fell onto Vega and Kwon Oh-Jin holding hands. “Oh my, oh my, oh my!”

Her gaze began sparkling like a thousand tiny stars.

Vega quickly let go of his hand, but the predator had already locked onto its prey. She could no longer escape.

“You finally did it, unnie!”

“B-Be quiet!”

“

Hahaha!

You kept saying you had no interest in romance, but look at you now! Even you can’t fight love!” Spica smirked and patted Vega’s shoulder with all the confidence of someone who had just won a bet. “Ever since I heard that you reopened the temple doors, I had a feeling something was up. To think that you would actually be in love!”

“I said to be quiet!” Vega swatted Spica’s hand off her shoulder.

Still grinning like a fox, Spica leaned in close to Kwon Oh-Jin. “So? Who confessed first?”

Like an overexcited teenage girl, she pelted him with questions.

Kwon Oh-Jin bitterly smiled. “I did.”

Technically, Vega had confessed first, but Spica didn’t need another weapon to tease Vega with.

“How did you confess? How long have you been together?!” She tugged on his arm, pressing closer and firing off questions in rapid succession.

“Enough. Can’t you see you’re making my child uncomfortable?” Vega frowned and yanked Spica back by the scruff of her neck, pulling her away from Kwon Oh-Jin.

Spica smirked. “Oh wow, look at you, unnie! Getting angry just because I talked to your boyfriend?”

“I’m not angry.”

“You so are.”

“T-That’s because you were making him uncomfortable!”

“

Kyaaah!

Even your angry face is adorable!” Spica twisted and turned dramatically, clasping her own cheeks and squealing.

Clearly, all that over-the-top clinging earlier was just to provoke this very reaction from Vega.

Vega’s eyes narrowed. “Take this.”

Blue lightning crackled fiercely.

Pttzzz!

“

Eh? Aghahaha!

” Spica screamed as the smell of something toasty filled the air.

Her eyes rolled back as she seized violently.

Is this really something you preface with a cute little, “Take this?”

A chill ran down Kwon Oh-Jin’s spine.

After a few moments, Spica recovered and glared at Vega with teary eyes. “

Ugh. Ouch,

that hurt, unnie!”

“

Hmph

. That’s what you get for running your mouth.”

Spica swallowed her complaints, but her eyes lit up again as she turned back to Kwon Oh-Jin. “By the way, I heard you had two girlfriends before, so what made you break up with them and choose unnie instead?”

“Excuse me...?”

“Not that I need to hear the reason. It’s obvious.” She crossed her arms, nodding as if she knew everything.

Of course, he could’ve only given up his two other girlfriends for Vega because of one reason.

“It was that bunny girl outfit I recommended, wasn’t it—”

“I didn’t break up with them,” Kwon Oh-Jin cut Spica off.

“What...?”

“All three of them are my precious lovers.”

Spica froze and stared at him as if she had just been smacked in the back of the head with a hammer.

“S-So, you’re telling me... You’re three-timing?!” The Celestial of Virgo glared at Kwon Oh-Jin as if he were the worst piece of trash she had ever seen.