Chapter 367: Celestial Of The Black Stars (3)

Led by the Kuroushi members, Kwon Oh-Jin arrived at a large traditional Japanese mansion where Sakaki Ryo greeted him.

“

Hahaha!

Oh-Jin, haven’t we shared a drink before? Someone who’s shared a drink with an

Oyabun

is also an

Oyabun

!”

Sakaki looked massive like a bull that had put on human skin. As Japan’s strongest Awakener, he carried an even heavier aura compared to the first time Kwon Oh-Jin met him.

“It’s been a while, Mr. Sakaki.”

“Come on now! What’s with the formality between us, Oh-Jin! Just call me Sakaki!”

Kwon Oh-Jin wryly smiled and nodded. It had been quite some time since they even kept in touch, so it felt strange. Somehow, thanks to Sakaki’s naturally boisterous presence, it didn’t feel all that awkward.

“Alright, Sakaki.”

Sakaki burst into hearty laughter and waved at Kwon Oh-Jin. “

Wahahaha!

Have you been well, Oh-Jin? I hear of your accomplishments so often that my ears are practically ringing! I hear you even went to the Demonic District this time, right?”

“Yes, I did.”

“

Haha!

To think you actually went as far as the Demonic District! I knew the very first time I saw you that you weren’t any ordinary man!”

For someone with such a massive build, Sakaki flailed with surprising exaggeration and patted Kwon Oh-Jin’s back with his giant hand.

Thud! Thud!

Even just a friendly pat sounded like hitting a drum, causing Kwon Oh-Jin’s organs to shake from the inside.

As expected.

Just like the first time he met Sakaki...

“Looks like you’ve made some serious gains since then,” Kwon Oh-Jin said.

“

Hmm? Hahaha!

You’re embarrassing me. Compared to your achievements, mine are nothing at all!”

Sakaki claimed it was no big deal, but he radiated a wild and ferocious mana like a raging bull thrashing in a pen.

He has to be at least nine stars.

The last time they met, Sakaki was already an eight-star Awakener. Reaching nine stars was very much possible. After all, someone as powerful as Sakaki Ryo was rare in Japan, which was also known as the Star-Forsaken Land.

“So, Japan finally has a high-ranking Awakener now,” Kwon Oh-Jin said.

It had never been proven exactly why, but countries without a gate to the Sanctum tended to produce fewer Awakeners. Their average star ranks were generally lower. Until now, no Japanese Awakener had ever broken through the barrier to nine stars into the so-called realm of high-ranking Awakeners.

Now, like a great tree taking root and rising from barren soil, Sakaki had become just that.

“

Hehe.

I’m not the only one who became a high-ranking Awakener,” Sakaki said.

“What?”

Another Awakener in Japan had reached nine stars?”

“Koshirooo! How long do you plan to hide around like some rat?” Sakaki stomped and shouted back over his shoulder.

Boom!

Among the black-suited yakuza, a young man with his head down flinched. It was the same man who had once betrayed Sakaki because his sister had been held hostage. The last time Kwon Oh-Jin saw him, Koshiro said that he would return after becoming a real man.

“I-It’s been a while.” Koshiro came out hesitantly.

“You idiooooot!”

Smack!

Sakaki hit Koshiro hard on the back, sending him spinning in the air like a gymnast and crashing into the marble floor, shattering it completely.

Sakaki glared down at him with blazing eyes. “What kind of voice is that for a man! Didn’t I tell you to speak loud and proud! Talk like a real man!”

“S-Sorry,

Oyabun

!” Despite tumbling across the ground like he’d been hit by a truck, Koshiro sprang back to his feet without a scratch.

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Kwon Oh-Jin couldn’t help but laugh at the scene as if it came out of some outdated comedy skit.

So, he really did return to the organization, huh.

Normally, someone couldn’t return after betraying the syndicate. Knowing Sakaki’s personality, he probably just laughed it off as a trivial matter.

“The other high-ranking Awakener besides you is Koshiro?” Kwon Oh-Jin asked.

“

Hahaha!

That’s right! He vanished without a word. I didn’t know if he was dead or alive. Then, one day, he showed up again as a high-ranking Awakener!”

Though Sakaki tacked on a few insults about him being a fool, the look in his eyes was unmistakably filled with pride like a father whose son had just made it into a top university after years of hardship.

“

Haha...

I had to repay you for all that you’ve done for me.” Koshiro scratched his cheek awkwardly. He tightly clenched his fists, and his eyes shone with resolve. “Anyway! I’ll repay you two for the kindness you’ve shown me. Whatever it takes, even if it costs me my life!” he shouted with determination.

Having someone with the Stigma of Scutum swearing to repay them felt reassuring.

However, I’m not sure if he’ll be able to withstand a Black Star Celestial.

The opponent this time was far too dangerous.

Still, a high-ranking Awakener with the Stigma of Scutum should be good at tanking.

Stigmas that leaned to an extreme in either pure offense or pure defense were unrivaled in their domain. Just like how Song Ha-Eun’s Stigma of Draco outshone even the Stigma of Lyra in raw firepower, Koshiro’s Stigma of Scutum outclassed even the North Stars when it came to defense.

“

Ah

, there’s one more important person I’d like to introduce you to, Oh-Jin,” Sakaki said.

“Who is it?”

It had to be someone extraordinary for even Sakaki, the boss of the Kuroushi, to address this person as important.

“One moment.” Sakaki touched the prayer beads hanging around his neck.

Woong!

From the prayer beads, a crimson light swirled and condensed in midair, forming a palm-sized figure. The figure had red skin, two horns jutting from his forehead, and nearly bursting muscles covering his entire body like armor.

“

Wahahaha!

Long time no see!” The Celestials of Taurus, Aldebaran, pounded his chest with his fist and heartily laughed. “

Oh?

You manifested on Earth too?”

“I found myself a guy I really like. That’s all,” Regulus said.

Aldebaran smirked and glanced over at Sakaki. “Hmph. Like father, like son. You’ve gone and found a kid just like you,” Aldebaran said.

“

Huh?

”

Aldebaran and Regulus exchanged glances. Aldebaran pointed at Lee Woo-Hyuk, and Regulus pointed at Sakaki Ryo. Suddenly, they made fierce eye contact.

“You’re one to talk! Who makes a weakling who looks like he’d snap in half their apostle?” Aldebaran asked.

“What did you just say?”

“Compared to your boy, look at mine! Broad shoulders and a chest like an ox! Can’t you feel the spirit of a taurus?"

“How dare you say that? How could anyone call my child weak? Look into my child’s sharp and feral eyes like a predator hiding its claws. I dare you to say that again!”

What is this, a Pocketmon battle?

Kwon Oh-Jin scoffed at the two Celestials shouting at each other.

“What do you think you’re doing!” Vega’s shout shook the room. “You call yourselves Celestials, yet you bicker like fools in front of our children? Do you have no shame?”

“

Hmm

.”

“

A-Ahem.

”

Regulus and Aldebaran, who had just been shouting at the top of their lungs, coughed awkwardly as if embarrassed.

Kwon Oh-Jin nodded, impressed by how Vega had instantly silenced them.

I mean, she’s known as a North Star Celestial for a reason.

“Besides, isn’t my child obviously the most impressive of them all?” Vega declared with absolute confidence and planted her hands on her hips. “Just look at that handsome face and impressive physique! He’s nothing like your children with those useless big muscles and average-looking face!”

“Excuse me, what did you just say?”

“Even if it’s you, Lady Vega, I can not just let that slide!”

Now with Vega joining in too, the Celestials began raising their voices even more.

“

Uh...

”

“

Mm...

”

Lee Woo-Hyuk and Sakaki exchanged uneasy glances, at a loss for what to do as the Celestials escalated their arguments.

Kwon Oh-Jin pressed his forehead as if he had a headache.

Why do they sound like soccer moms?

He sighed while listening to them brag about whose child was better.

Song Ha-Eun laughed in disbelief and shook her head at the bickering Celestials. “Damn... who’s gonna stand up for people who don’t have a Celestial?”

She didn’t know whether to be thankful or miserable. Eltanin, the Celestial of Draco, was fast asleep and couldn’t participate in this ridiculous shouting match.

She playfully tugged Kwon Oh-Jin’s arm and mischievously smiled. “Oh-Jin, I’m sad.”

“About what?”

“I don’t have parents to brag about me like that.”

“Be glad you don’t.”

It sounded worse now that he actually said it out loud, but it perfectly captured how they all felt watching the Celestials’ childish squabble.

“

Haha...

I didn’t know Lord Regulus had a side like this.”

“

Ahem

. I also never realized Lord Aldebaran thought so highly of his child.”

Lee Woo-Hyuk and Sakaki exchanged awkward glances and coughed into their fists. Nonetheless, they faintly smiled.

In all honesty, it was embarrassing, but not unpleasant. At least it showed how much the Celestials genuinely cared for their children.

This is better than transcendents looking down on humans.

Kwon Oh-Jin shrugged. Parents couldn't stop their children, and children couldn’t exactly silence their parents either.

Well, it’s not like they’re actually fighting. Raising their voices won’t start a war.

He was just about to turn away when Aldebaran raised three fingers and puffed out his chest with pride.

“

Ha!

A true man is defined by his strength! My child already has three children! Three!”

Really? Now he's bragging about his child’s fertility?

“And those two weaklings over there—

Ha!

They probably can’t even perform at night!”

Damn that taurus. He really has no filter. Well, I actually have

three girlfriends, you freaking bull.

“How dare you insult my child when you know nothing about him!” Vega shot back.

Yeah, yeah. Who are you calling weak...?

“Wait...” A chill ran down Kwon Oh-Jin’s spine. “Hold—!”

“My child is so skilled in bed you couldn’t even imagine!” Vega declared.

Baffled, Aldebaran blinked back and forth between Vega and Kwon Oh-Jin. “

Huh?

”

“Lady Vega... how exactly do you know how skilled your child is in bed?”

“Why, of course, it’s because I experienced it firsthand—

Ah

.”