Chapter 77 - Launching Ceremony

"A Villain Alliance?"

"Yeah."

Underground Base.

I was there, having gathered the members and explaining my grand plan.

To summarize it in one sentence: we would become another power to counter the Hero Association.

The plan was to gather Villains with various abilities and become another pillar of power in South Korea.

"...And what exactly will we do once we're gathered?"

"What will we do? Terrorism and taking care of other Villains."

"...No, you said we were becoming a Villain Alliance. So what do you mean by 'taking care of other Villains'?"

"What do you mean, 'what do I mean'? It means we ally with the Villains who 'join us' and eliminate the ones who oppose us."

Just as I've dealt with numerous Villains so far, I plan to continue doing so. Of course, it'll mostly involve me using my knowledge of the Original Work to take them out quickly.

I just need to recruit a few more new Villains based on my knowledge of the Original Work. Only the strongest ones.

"Anyway, so we need to decide on a name for our alliance. How about Ego Squad?"

I was the first to suggest an idea. Ego Squad. Not bad, right?

However, upon hearing my words, Choi Se-hee replied with a subtle expression.

"So this is the Ego Squad you mentioned back then? Hmm... It's not bad, but..."

She rested her chin on her hand and began to think seriously.

Then, the others also started discussing what to name it with serious faces. Wait, hold on. Why are they taking this so seriously? Just pick anything.

"Excuse me? Guys? Why don't we just go with Ego Squad?"

As I waved my hand at them, Hayul turned her head, met my eyes, and replied.

"Da-in Oppa. This is a name we'll be using forever once it's decided, so we have to do it right."

Seeing her speak so seriously with a strange aura, I nodded without realizing it.

O... Okay. Do whatever you want.

"...Oppa's Villain name too, if we had been there from the start... properly..."

They continued to whisper and discuss amongst themselves.

After several hours of discussion, the name of the Villain Alliance was decided as Ego Stream.

...But what's the difference between that and Ego Squad?

***

Back to the present.

Currently, I was floating in mid-air, holding the collapsed Choi Se-hee in a princess carry.

While looking into Stardus's eyes.

"It's been a while. I'm Egostic. Nice to meet you!"

[Egostic! Egostic! Egostic! Egostic! Egostic! Egostic! Egostic! Egostic! Egostic!]

[Oppa, I'm dying! Oppa, I'm dying! Oppa, I'm dying!]

[What is this situation right now? LOL]

[The situation is so fun as soon as the broadcast starts! haha]

[Conflict with Stardus is immediately ON! haha]

The Chat Window was also welcoming me warmly.

No matter how many times I see it, I can't believe this is a Villain's broadcast; the Chat Window is practically dying of joy seeing me. It looks like it's already become a playground for my Fan Cafe.

Anyway, the Chat Window isn't what's important right now.

For now, let's focus on Stardus in front of me.

"Have you been well, Stardus?"

I gave her a wink as I greeted her.

As they say, a charming Villain is one who provokes their opponent by acting cheerful and informal, as if they're close friends with the Hero.

My strategy actually seemed to work, as she looked a bit dazed.

Even her pupils were trembling. Wait, what's wrong with her? Is it really that shocking?

Regaining her senses slightly, she asked me in a trembling voice.

"Egostic... You, were you alive?"

What kind of question is that?

"Yes. Of course. I'm alive and well, with all my limbs intact. Unfortunately for you!"

As I threw out the joke, she let out a sigh, looking somewhat relieved.

What was the meaning of that sigh? It couldn't be because she was glad I'm alive, so was she relieved that I still seemed like a madman? It was hard to interpret.

"...Right. I'm glad."

Huh? Glad?

"What? Glad? You're that glad I'm alive? Wow, I had no idea you cared about me that much, Stardus. I should have sent my regards sooner. Hahaha!"

As I spoke with a laugh, her face turned a shade of red.

While I was laughing and joking on the outside, my mind was racing on the inside.

Glad? What exactly is she glad about? Oh, is she glad that I survived after getting hurt last time? But why would Shin Haru care about that? She's not the type to worry about things like that.

Wait, this is a live broadcast.

I took a quick glance at the Chat Window. As expected, it was total chaos.

[A Hero worrying about a Villain... Oh my.]

["Were you alive?" "I'm glad." Are they filming a romance movie or something?]

[Trash Reporters are opening their laptops and writing 'Dating Rumor Season 2' like crazy right now LOL]

[I don't really know what's happening, but I clipped it haha]

[Stardus has fallen for Mangostick... South Korea is doomed...]

Good. Now I should ignore the Chat Window.

Anyway, as I continued to smile slyly, Stardus snapped back with a flushed face.

"I mean I'm glad I can put you in the detention center myself. Someone like you needs to face the stern judgment of the law. I only worried you might have died on the street without proper punishment; I didn't mean it in any other way!"

Ah, so that was it?

Well, of course she wouldn't have worried about me. A Hero worrying about a Villain? I've never heard of such a thing in my life.

Worrying that I might have died somewhere in secret without facing the judgment of the law—that's so like Stardus.

...Regardless, her face was still red. Why?

Anyway, she seemed to have regained her composure as she looked at Choi Se-hee in my arms and asked me.

"...So, why did you show up now?"

"Can't you tell? I came to save my comrade."

"...Comrade?"

Stardus asked back, looking suspicious.

Right, this is where it gets important.

It's time to inform Stardus, and at the same time, the entire nation watching this video.

My ambitions, my goals.

First, let's start like this.

I continued to speak with a smile.

"Yes! A comrade. Specifically, a comrade belonging to my 'Alliance'."

"Alliance...?"

She asked back. I like how her reactions come out immediately.

And, right.

Let's start the show from here.

"That's right. An Alliance!"

As I said that, I soared upward.

Stardus flinched slightly, perhaps thinking I was attacking, but I just moved a bit higher into the sky regardless.

And once I was in a position where I was clearly looking down at her.

I lowered my voice and spoke, looking toward her and the camera filming me from the front.

"Think about it. What do Heroes have? They have the Association. Because of the Association, there is support, cooperation, and power."

I nodded as I spoke.

In the camera feed, the image of the Hero Association building was being projected behind me as pre-prepared CG.

"But."

I stopped speaking there.

At the same time, the image of the Association disappeared, and the background turned black. Simultaneously, the camera zoomed in.

Toward the screen that was gradually showing my face closer, I spoke quietly, almost in a whisper.

"For Villains, what exactly do they have?"

As I spoke, CG effects began to play around me once again.

Images of numerous Villains being defeated by Heroes swirled around me in miniature.

Amidst those flickering scenes, I opened my mouth to speak once more.

"The history of Villains has always been one of isolated activity. Because of that, they were easily picked off one by one. Unable to lead any significant force, they were merely a passing fad, arrested and disappearing like dew in a detention center."

I was now soaring even higher into the sky, my cape fluttering. And Choi Se-hee was still in my arms, slumped and breathing heavily.

Looking down at her and holding her slightly closer, I spoke in a low voice.

"How much longer must Villains live like this?"

"How much longer must Villains suffer defeat every time?"

"How much longer must Villains operate alone and in solitude?"

Having said that, I raised my head again and looked directly at Stardus, and at the camera.

"I have a dream."

"A dream of the nation's Villains uniting to face the Heroes and their enemies together."

"I have decided to create such a world myself."

"Allow me to introduce it!"

After saying that, I fixed Choi Se-hee in place with telekinesis and spread my arms wide.

Simultaneously, a caption appeared in front of me.

[THE EGO STREAM]

Now, with majestic music even beginning to swell.

I slowly descended back toward the ground, whispering in a low voice.

"From now on, I will live for the sake of Villains."

"The Villain alliance, Ego Stream, officially launches as of today."

"You'd better be nervous, Association."

With those final words, I whipped my cape and turned around. My cape billowed majestically in the wind behind me.

Then, the sound of rushing wind from behind. As expected.

Without turning back, I shouted at the top of my lungs.

"Electchu! One million volts, right now!"

"...Sigh."

Along with a low sigh from Choi Se-hee in my arms, powerful streaks of shockwaves shot backward from her.

At the same time, with a sharp clicking sound, I heard the noise of someone narrowly being grazed.

"...Stardus. You're still five years too early to catch me. You'll have to try a little harder."

As I glanced back while speaking, I saw Stardus evading the shockwaves. She must have been waiting while I rambled, looking for a chance to launch a surprise attack the moment I let my guard down.

Not a bad strategy.

If only her opponent wasn't someone who saw right through her way of thinking.

"Well then, farewell! Adios."

"Hey!"

I said that and quickly took off.

I shut down the broadcast, which was causing a frenzy in the chat window, and watched Stardus approaching while dodging the electricity Electra was emitting.

Before I left, I gave her one last word.

"And Stardus. We'll be seeing each other again soon. Until then."

After saying that with a slight smile, I truly teleported away.

I could hear Stardus shouting something behind me, but it was none of my business.

See you next time.

***

=[Social Affairs]=

[Villain Electra and Egostic. What is their relationship?]

[Breaking News) Villain Electra designated A-Rank by the Association.]

[Egostic reveals plans to launch a Korean-style 'Villain Alliance'... Is a 'Republic of Terror' coming? - Columnist Kwon Seong-hyeon]

[[Exclusive] Korean Paranormal Ability User Association considering a rank promotion for Egostic. 'The sight of him systematically gathering other Villains to build a faction is highly concerning.']

*

=[Entertainment Section]=

[Entertainment News) Who is Egostic's girl? An in-depth analysis of Electra!]

[Egostic and Electra. A heart-fluttering moment caught on camera!]

[What is the public interested in? Egostic's Villain Alliance (23%) is 2nd, Egostic's dating rumor (48%) is 1st]

["How much longer must we live like this?" Egostic hugging Electra with a tender gaze (Photo from the scene)]

[Where did the 'Stardus-obsessed' Egostic go?]

[Move over, Stardus! Egostic and Electra. Their chemistry caught everyone's eye in a brief moment.avi]

*

Shin Haru, who was reading the articles, unconsciously squeezed her smartphone.

"......"

Something, something...

She didn't know why.

She was annoyed.