Chapter 82: Saintess of Rome (3)

“Is there a reason for that assumption?” Kwon Oh-Jin asked, alert.

“Have you heard that the Black Star Society has been expanding its influence in Italy lately?” Kim Seon-Young asked.

“I have.”

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Although different from the Owl faction in Korea, the fact remained that the Black Star Society was growing in other countries.

“We’ve confirmed that individuals belonging to the Black Star Society were frequently spotted near Isabella’s house," she added. "Their activity aligns suspiciously with the timeframe of the attempted assassinations.”

“How did you come across that information?”

“We have a trusted source in Italy. They're unmatched at gathering intel, though less proficient at battle.”

“I see.” Kwon Oh-Jin believed that an informant who had earned the trust of the Valhalla Guild's Kim Seon-Young could certainly be relied on. “So, you're saying that the Black Star Society is trying to assassinate Isabella, right?”

“Well... there’s no concrete evidence yet.”

“Hmm.”

Kwon Oh-Jin narrowed his eyes as a question came to mind. “Do you have any idea why they're after her?”

“I’m not sure...

Oh!

” Kim Seon-Young suddenly clapped her hands. “Come to think of it, I heard Isabella’s Stigma has incredible effectiveness against demonic beasts.”

So her power is detrimental to those creatures,

he mused.

“Though I'm not too sure that's enough of a reason for their desperate attempts to kill her,” Kim Seon-Young added.

No, it definitely can be the reason. The Black Star Society—no, the Black Stars themselves are linked to demonic beasts somehow. If a renowned super rookie can directly counter demonic beasts, that's more than enough reason for them to want her dead.

Lee Shin-Hyuk had regretted not meeting her on June 30, stating that she could have prevented the future catastrophe, and Isabella was currently being targeted by forces presumed to be part of the Black Star Society. There was only one conclusion to be drawn from these two facts.

In the first timeline, Isabella died on June 30. I have to save her in the present.

He needed to rewrite the pages of fate.

Lee Woo-Hyuk muttered, “I’d like to investigate the Black Star Society faction in Italy thoroughly... but honestly, I don’t have time for that right now.”

He sighed deeply.

Kwon Oh-Jin declared, “Then I’ll go to Italy and look into it myself.”

"What? You’re going there yourself, Mr. Oh-Jin?”

He wordlessly nodded in response.

“But we don’t have solid evidence yet. And the faction in Italy... is much stronger than the one in Korea.”

I'm aware. The Executor over there is in the organization's top three, after all.

While he couldn’t even dare to confront sixth-ranked Executor Cheon Do-Yoon, heading to Italy was an insane idea.

But if I fail to save her... the blood-red storm will eventually reach me in the future.

The screams that filled the city of Rome echoed in his mind, along with the vivid images of blood-soaked streets riddled with death.

I'm not some noble hero who would sacrifice himself to save countless others, nor am I a fearless warrior setting out to slay a demon king. I'm nothing more than a scammer who deceives others for his own benefit. But even so... I'll protect the fragile warmth in my grasp, no matter what it takes. Isabella will be useful to that end.

A super rookie who reached six stars within a year of Awakening and had the power to counter demonic beasts was bound to be of use in the future.

If I can get her on my side or make her indebted to me through this, it’ll be worth taking the risk.

Kwon Oh-Jin grinned slyly and licked his lips.

Thanks, Lee Shin-Hyuk.

If it weren’t for you, I'd never have known about all this.

Even though Lee Shin-Hyuk was long gone, his memories had passed on to forge a new destiny for Kwon Oh-Jin.

"If the Black Star Society is targeting her... I need to go and confirm it myself,” he declared.

Lee Woo-Hyuk fell into deep thought, his eyes betraying the worry of losing the apostle of the North Star in a futile endeavor. “In that case, maybe I should go with—”

“Guild Master, you haven’t forgotten about this, have you?” Kim Seon-Young waved the USB drive in front of him. “This isn’t the time to be worrying about Italy, is it?”

“That’s true, but even so—”

“You don’t have to worry," Kwon Oh-Jin said firmly. "I’ll handle things in Italy alone."

If Lee Woo-Hyuk were to get involved, it would only complicate things.

How would I explain to him that Isabella is gonna get attacked on the thirtieth? It would be far too suspicious even if I came up with a solid excuse.

“Oh, in that case, take this.” Kim Seon-Young handed him a card with a roaring lion emblazoned on the front and contact details on the back. “Paolo Lanzoni. He’s the source I mentioned earlier. Show him this card, and he’ll cooperate with you.”

“Thank you.”

Having a local expert in Italy would make executing his plan much easier.

“And... Mr. Oh-Jin, do you speak Italian by any chance?”

“No.”

Frankly, he could barely speak English. He hadn’t learned much in the hellish orphanage he'd grown up in.

“Then this should help.” Kim Seon-Young walked to the side of the room, opened a drawer, and retrieved a device resembling a hearing aid.

Kwon Oh-Jin's eyes lit up. “Is it a translation device?”

This was one of the many miraculous inventions made using Starstones. Because it could be made with relatively inexpensive Starstones, the device was widely available even to those who weren’t Awakeners. However, it still cost at least millions of won.

“This is a high-quality translation device," Kim Seon-Young remarked. "With this, you won’t have any trouble listening or speaking in Italy.”

“I feel like I’m receiving too much,” he murmured, uneasy about how generous these people were being.

“

Haha

, it’s only natural to provide this level of support for a dangerous mission. In return, please share any information you uncover in Italy.”

“Of course.”

After all, the Valhalla Guild was akin to a hunting dog for him. Naturally, he would provide them information on their prey.

“Then I'll get ready and leave right away.”

“Is it really necessary to depart so urgently?” Kim Seon-Young asked.

“It’s better to be too early than too late.” He was the only one who knew how much time was left. “I’ll contact you once I arrive.”

He then left the Valhalla Guild's headquarters and headed home.

***

Song Ha-Eun nearly dropped the ice cream cone she was enjoying. “What? Italy? Why all of a sudden?”

“I got a request from the Valhalla Guild," Kwon Oh-Jin said. "I’ll be gone for about a week.”

“Italy,

huh

? So, does that mean we’ll get to see, like... the Colosseum and stuff?" She beamed with excitement, making it sound like they were about to go on a vacation. “Wow! Back when we were stuck in that shitty orphanage, I never imagined we’d get to travel abroad!”

She scooped another spoonful of ice cream and held it out for Kwon Oh-Jin. “Here, open wide. Ice cream’s coming in!”

He thought,

Her energy's through the roof, but she seems to have misunderstood.

“It’s just me that’s going,” he said.

“What?” Her expression crumbled in an instant. “What kind of request is this that you need to go alone? I’m obviously coming along!”

“It’s an infiltration mission, so I have to go alone.”

“I-I can do that too! Infiltration, that is!”

“You’re

terrible

at hiding your presence.”

“Th-That’s...” Her gaze wandered awkwardly.

In truth, the mission didn't need infiltration. That was just an excuse he made to leave her behind.

The real reason is... that it’s too dangerous.

He couldn’t predict how many Awakeners from the Black Star Society would be involved in the attack on Isabella.

Since I have the Black Curtain, I can always run for it if it gets too messy, but Ha-Eun can’t.

“So... you’re really going to leave me behind and go by yourself?” she asked.

“Sorry.”

She turned her head away in exaggerated annoyance.

“Hmph!”

She snatched back the ice cream she had offered him and stuffed it into her mouth.

Chomp, chomp.

Puffing out her cheeks, she lightly kicked his shin.

He could barely contain his laughter. “

Pffft!

Let’s go on a real trip together later, one that’s not for work.”

“... You promise?”

“Yeah.”

Since she was aware of her incapacity for stealth, she didn’t excessively insist on tagging along. Instead, she asked, “When are you leaving?”

“Today.”

“What? You’re leaving today? What about your flight?”

“Why would I need a flight? I can just use the Sanctum.”

“Oh, right.”

The Sanctum, a realm where Celestials resided, had entrances scattered all over the world. Using the Sanctum, one could travel overseas as quickly and conveniently as through a portal.

I don’t know exactly where the gate to Italy is, but I can always just ask Vega.

“

Ugh

, so you’ll be gone for a week?” Song Ha-Eun asked.

“

Hehe

, why? Are you going to miss me?”

“Look at this motherfucker acting up again.”

She flipped him the bird and shot him a fierce glare. Soon, she averted her gaze and muttered quietly under her breath.

“Well... just call as often as you can, okay?”

Man, this feels like I’m her husband going on a business trip,

he remarked, finding it funny.

“

Pfft

! Got it.”

“Stop laughing,” she demanded.

“Hahaha!”

“You little bastard...”

***

Kwon Oh-Jin quickly packed his things and stepped out of the house. Once he made it to the Sanctum, he located the gate leading to Italy and made his way through it. Fortunately, he came out through a gate close to the city of Rome.

From a country more than ten hours away by plane, he had arrived in Rome in just an hour—almost laughably quick.

He chuckled. “That was faster than driving to Busan.”

As he placed the translation device into his ear, the incomprehensible Italian around him transformed into clear, fluent Korean.

“Does it translate my words properly, too?”

Without anyone to converse with, he couldn’t confirm it.

“I’ll head to Paolo first.”

He had already contacted Paolo Lanzoni. Upon mentioning the Valhalla Guild, Paolo promptly sent a link with his location.

Kwon Oh-Jin made his way toward the marked location, his steps casual but his mind sharp. The GPS placed him near a station called Rebibbia, and what lay ahead was a gypsy village lined with run-down apartment buildings.

Does he really live in a place like this?

Tilting his head, he stepped into the maze-like settlement, only to find himself struggling to navigate its tangled pathways.

“Damn it. Where the hell is this guy?”

As he wandered, a woman approached him, her hat pulled low over her face. “Are you lost?”

Ocean-blue eyes met his, and her warm smile disarmed him instantly. Strands of platinum-blond hair peeked from beneath her hat, gleaming in the sunlight. Even though he had only ever seen her in a photo, there was no mistaking her.

Kwon Oh-Jin’s jaw went slack. “What the...”

Shit. What are the odds?

This is beyond just coincidence—it's outright absurd.

For a moment, he could only stare, trying to process the surreal encounter.

“Oh my, do you know who I am?” she asked, her face flushing with surprise. “I thought you wouldn’t recognize me since you’re a foreigner...”

She removed her hat, letting golden waves cascade to her shoulders. Then, she extended a hand with a bright smile.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Isabella Colgrande.”

The Saintess of Rome stood before him, smiling brightly.