Chapter 82 - Real Steel

# Korean Paranormal Ability Association, or Hero Association for short.

The operation control room in Seoul currently had a funeral-like atmosphere.

"Right. So where is that thing those crazy Han-eun Group bastards created now?"

"It's currently attacking structures in the abandoned factory district on the outskirts of the metropolitan area. People in that area have evacuated, so there are no casualties yet, but..."

"...How far has the civilian evacuation in the city center progressed?"

"The outskirts are almost completely evacuated, but that weapon is advancing quickly and will soon catch up. B-rank and lower heroes have been helping those who remain, so there are no casualties yet... but I don't know how long that will last..."

"...Hah. I see. And Stardust? Where is she?"

"She's reportedly flying at full speed, but given the distance from here, it will take some time."

"...I understand."

The Director looked at the monitor with a grim expression.

A massive, octopus-like robot was smashing through the outskirts of the city as it advanced.

Nothing seemed capable of stopping it.

...No. There was exactly one thing.

"...Is 'that thing' ready yet?"

"...They say it's still being set up, Director. But if we fire it, all the nearby cities and citizens could get caught in it."

"The decision isn't mine but the President's anyway, so there's no use telling me. Don't forget that missile authorization is under government authority."

"...Understood."

"...Still. Perhaps some sacrifice might be necessary to prevent even greater damage."

"....."

"...If only Stardust could defeat that thing. Yes, that would be nice... but what are the odds?"

"At full power, she might be able to hold her own, but fighting in the middle of the city like this, with her power restricted to avoid involving others... it seems difficult."

"Damn it. I thought as much. Has anyone contacted Icicle?"

"We've lost contact. Either he's in a situation where he can't respond, or he's deliberately ignoring us."

"Damn it all. That chairman obviously hid him away because it was too dangerous. Not helpful at all."

The Director spoke with a troubled expression.

The massive weapon had now approached the heart of the city where people were gathered.

The association members could do nothing but watch as it was about to attack people.

They could only sit there helplessly, feeling deep despair.

All hope was lost.

Just before a massacre was about to unfold...

Suddenly, it stopped moving.

It let out only a single scream.

"....?"

While all the association staff were disoriented by this sudden development...

After some time passed, a voice suddenly came from the massive weapon.

Unlike before, it was extremely bright and cheerful.

[Hello everyone! Greetings. This is Egostic!]

"Egostic...?"

The association staff's brains buffered.

Why on earth was he coming out of there?

As they were wondering about this sudden turn of events, his words continued.

As if it were completely natural and expected.

His voice flowed from the massive weapon.

[The Han-eun Group made something cool, didn't they? Anyway... so I took it.]

[This is mine now.]

"Wow."

A small exclamation from someone filled the silent association room.

***

The shadow cast over thousands of people on the city streets was truly a spectacle.

The shadow created by the overwhelmingly large weapon that inspired awe just by looking at it.

And that symbol of terror, which until just moments ago had been waving buildings at people and talking about the apocalypse...

Was now stretching, rotating its arms and moving its legs.

[This is pretty fun! Hahahahaha!]

Egostic's cheerful voice boomed from the weapon at tremendous volume.

The weapon was now being controlled freely, as if he had become familiar with its operation.

People stared blankly at the giant weapon moving above their heads.

Noticing their gazes, Egostic slightly lowered the machine's head and spoke to the people again.

[Hey, everyone. What are you doing there?]

[I don't need spectators, so would you please leave? Shoo, shoo.]

As if shooing away flies, he waved his hand dismissively, showing no interest and telling the citizens to leave—or more precisely, to flee obediently.

People finally came to their senses and began to get up one by one, hurrying away from the weapon.

As he watched them, his voice flowed from the machine again.

[By the way.]

[Now that I've got this cool robot, just sitting around is boring.]

Then, in an exaggerated tone as if making a joke:

[I'm so bored I feel like destroying the city! Argh! The destructive urge from piloting a giant weapon!]

[So.]

After saying that much...

As if this were the main point...

With a slightly amused voice...

He opened his mouth and said:

[Ms. Stardust. Would you come over here?]

It had been a very long time since he had called for Stardust.

And.

"Ha."

And at his words...

Stardust, who had just arrived at the building and heard him, found herself laughing without realizing it.

***

Shin Ha-ru.

She never imagined such a sudden situation would occur.

A massive weapon suddenly appearing in one part of Seoul.

Seeing it collapse buildings with just a gesture or a step, she gritted her teeth and flew.

Why do such disasters always happen so suddenly?

Stardust flew to defeat the unexpectedly appeared weapon. At full speed, squeezing out her limits, she flew.

What if I'm too late?

Thinking only this, over and over.

How long had she been flying?

And when she was almost, really almost, just a little further to reach it...

Through the earphone in her ear that she had inserted to hear news, a voice flowed.

[Breaking news! The giant weapon has now reached the heart of the city! It's pulling out buildings and about to throw them at people! Oh, how could this... We'll connect to the scene...]

After the anchor's trembling words, a low mechanical voice came through the earphone. No. The chilling mechanical sound reaching her ears directly from far away as she flew.

[Farewell.]

[Blame your incompetent association.]

[Go to hell, humans.]

After hearing that, she gritted her teeth.

Was it going to end like this after all?

Was she too late?

As she headed there with a devastated heart...

Suddenly.

Something unexpected happened.

[Arghhhh!]

A sudden scream from the robot.

[Oh? Everyone, the giant weapon has suddenly stopped and started screaming! What's happening?!]

The anchor, surprised by the sudden situation, reported the news.

A moment later, a much brighter voice than before suddenly came through.

And it was...

[Hello everyone! Greetings. This is Egostic!]

Her nemesis, her arch-enemy.

[What's happening?! Egostic has suddenly appeared from that thing!]

"...Egostic?"

It was Egostic.

***

Having almost arrived at the scene, she turned off her earphone.

During the brief moment when the giant weapon stopped moving due to whatever had happened, she seized the opportunity and flew beyond her limits.

Finally landing on a rooftop with a clear view of the giant weapon, what she saw was...

Egostic dismissing people who had been on the verge of death as if they were a nuisance—in other words, letting them go willingly.

[Ms. Stardust, would you come over here?]

A voice calling her with a smile, coming from the giant weapon.

And seeing that, she...

"Haha...."

Without realizing it, she felt the corners of her mouth turning up into a smile.

On the rooftop of the building.

In the blowing wind that made her blonde hair flutter.

Standing on the rooftop, looking at the weapon that Egostic was probably piloting—the same one that had been trying to massacre everyone just moments ago.

She remembered.

Yes, she had experienced a situation like this once before.

A memory of someone appearing and handling everything in a difficult situation like now.

From a rooftop just like this one, a voice that had sounded just like now.

'Hello everyone! This is Egostic!'

Yes.

When a crocodile thug had appeared at a festival, causing terror.

Just when she was about to step in, prepared to reveal her identity, at the moment people were about to die.

Someone who came out instead and solved the problem, giving strange reasons.

...And now here.

In a desperate situation where thousands—no, perhaps tens or hundreds of thousands of people were about to die.

Someone who appeared from somewhere, resolved the entire situation.

And as if it were just a bother, naturally saved people and sent them away.

Seeing him like this, Stardust—Shin Ha-ru—

Had somehow realized.

"Ha....."

From the moment she heard the name "Egostic," her heart had been racing without her knowing.

And after he had suppressed the entire situation, saved people as if unintentionally, and called out to her as if it were the most natural thing in the world...

A laugh escaped her without her realizing it.

"Right..."

Feeling relief wash over her entire body.

She then muttered with a smile toward Egostic.

"Since you called for me."

"I should go to you."

With that, she kicked off the ground and flew toward where he was without any hesitation.

And even as she flew.

The corners of her mouth remained slightly upturned.

***

"Bro. Stardust is finally coming this way!"

"Really? Then let's move back a bit. If we fight near here, people will die."

"Hey. Are you two going to have a proper fight now? That'll be fun."

"Da-in, be careful with the controls. It'll be a disaster if you fall."

"That's right, Da-in oppa."

"Okay, okay."

In the control room at the head of the giant weapon.

My companions who had insisted on coming along when I said I'd just have a little scuffle with Stardust and then leave. I was operating this giant weapon in front of them.

Look at this solid steel frame moving according to my touch. This is a man's romance. It feels amazing. Literally feels like I could do anything.

And seeing Stardust approaching me, I found myself grinning without realizing it.

"Ha-ru. Let's properly power up today."

Opportunities to go one-on-one with a giant weapon like this without other interference don't come often.

Let's strengthen my abilities about twofold today.

I smiled as I loosened my hands and began operating the controls in earnest.

My plan was to play around with Stardust for a bit, and once I felt I'd grown perfectly enough, make a quick escape.

Great. For once, my plan is unfolding perfectly without a single error.

Let's try to get home in one piece today!

***

And at that moment.

In the Presidential office.

In that dark room, an agent continued speaking.

"Mr. President. The stealth missile is ready to launch."

When she finished speaking, another agent beside her added:

"We just received a message from the association. They report that the situation has stabilized somewhat, so it seems the missile launch may not be necessary. They say the possibility of additional casualties is low."

"......"

Quietly listening to their words, the President, hidden in the shadows...

Without saying anything, just quietly fingered the missile launch button.

"....Hmm."