Chapter 91 - Different Place, Different Person

Recently, Lee Seol-ah has been acting strange.

"Don't you think Egostic is really a bad guy? It's crazy that such an evil person even has a fan cafe. The world is truly going to hell, right?"

"....Yeah."

It had been several weeks since Ha-ru started staying at her friend Seol-ah's house.

Having come to Busan at Seol-ah's invitation to rest her mind from the constant hero work lately, she had mostly been hanging out with Seol-ah.

And then, from a certain day.

Seol-ah strangely started badmouthing Egostic a lot.

"How many terrorist attacks has he committed? He's completely vicious. I'm telling you, he has no blood or tears."

"......"

Not knowing what had gotten into her, Ha-ru felt an inexplicable discomfort seeing her friend suddenly talking about Egostic so frequently.

....Sure, he was a villain, but still, but still...

However, as a hero, she couldn't possibly defend a villain even slightly, so she would just quietly nod her head.

"That bastard should just be torn limb from limb and killed."

....That's a bit much.

"In my opinion, he's a psychopath who only thinks about himself."

That's not true. He risked his own life to save me.

"How can he carry out terrorist attacks against hundreds of people? He's pure evil incarnate."

....But there haven't been any casualties yet.

"And he always calls out for you, Ha-ru. Isn't that creepy?"

Not particularly...

And so Shin Ha-ru would always swallow such responses and just nod her head.

While she was blankly staring at the TV mounted on the wall of Seol-ah's house.

[Special Feature! In-depth Analysis of Egostic!]

She flinched.

Ha-ru's eyes wavered at the sudden news program.

And sure enough.

"Oh! That guy!"

Hearing Seol-ah's voice from behind the sofa, she unconsciously let out a sigh.

Ah, here we go again.

*

The video itself was ordinary content.

Roughly, as could be seen through Egostic's announced Ego-stream, there was a high probability that he would be collaborating with other villains in the future.

And the prediction that the areas where he would carry out terrorist attacks would mostly be Seoul, and the hero who would face him would almost certainly be fixed as Stardust.

Well, the content itself wasn't a problem.

The problem was Seol-ah, who kept the remote control and continued to pour out insults about Egostic.

"........"

By this point, even Ha-ru realized something was strange.

Why this sudden obsession with Egostic? What triggered it?

Previously, when she had consulted about Egostic, Seol-ah had shown an indifferent attitude, telling her not to worry too much.

It was very strange that she suddenly started cursing him overnight.

And what was even more peculiar.

"Another reason why Egostic is such an evil villain can be seen just by looking at that..."

According to her intuition.

There didn't seem to be any sincerity in what Seol-ah was saying.

That was the strangest part.

"......"

And so Ha-ru just quietly listened to Seol-ah with slightly downcast eyes.

***

A large house nestled in the mountains.

The so-called Ego-stream headquarters, the Big House.

There, I was making a declaration to everyone.

"We're going down to Busan."

"What?"

"You went to Busan alone last time too. Again?"

Choi Se-hee tilted her head in confusion as she spoke.

"Oppa. Why are we going to Busan?"

"To carry out a terrorist attack."

At my simple answer, Seo-eun asked in confusion.

"You're doing a terrorist attack in Busan? Oppa, you always specifically targeted Stardust in Seoul."

"That's right. Da-in oppa, who only has eyes for Stardust, is going somewhere else?"

Everyone looked at me in disbelief.

No, what? When did I get this image? Talking like that makes it seem like I'm obsessed with Stardust. I mean, it's true that I live for Stardust, but that doesn't mean I think about Stardust all day long. Really, I don't.

Anyway, I cleared my throat to change the atmosphere.

"Look. You're all misunderstanding, I'm not particularly that obsessed with just Stardust."

"Um... Da-in, isn't that hard to believe when you're running a Stardust fan cafe?"

Ms. Su-bin delivered a sharp retort after hearing my words. Sharp indeed. In times like this, the correct answer is to naturally change the subject.

"Ahem. Anyway, in that sense, I've decided to try carrying out a terrorist attack in an area with heroes other than Stardust this time."

It's partly because Lee Seol-ah kept pestering me, but I also want to make it clear that I don't always target just Stardust. There are too many malicious shippers out there.

And, the timing is just right now. Those guys will probably come to Busan soon.

"In that sense, Choi Se-hee, you're coming with me."

"Huh? Me?"

Choi Se-hee blinked her eyes while pointing at herself with her finger. Oh, come on.

"Of course it's you. You're the only one among us with combat power, isn't that obvious?"

"Ah. Well, I guess that's true."

Choi Se-hee nodded her head in understanding. As her orange hair fluttered, I could see Seo-eun's sulky expression behind her.

"....I need to, soon too..."

She was muttering something ominous.

While I was glancing at Seo-eun, Choi Se-hee, who had been nodding and humming, suddenly asked as if she just remembered something.

"Wait, but. Didn't I already do a terrorist attack last time? I'm doing it again this time?"

At her questioning gaze, I waved my finger. That's not it.

"No, this time we're not directly carrying out the terrorist attack."

"Then?"

"Obviously, we'll have someone else do it."

I said with a grin.

What did I say before? Ego-stream. Didn't I say I was going to create a villain alliance? Then naturally, I need to ally with other villains now.

To be precise, it's not really an alliance, it'll essentially be me using them. Kekeke.

While thinking such evil thoughts to myself, I also said to Ms. Su-bin.

"And Ms. Su-bin. You know how to drive a boat, right?"

"What? Ah, I don't know much about big boats, but if it's a small boat, yes, to some extent."

"As expected. Then Ms. Su-bin, you'll come with me this time too."

I said while snapping my fingers. Good, all preparations are complete. Now I just need to contact Lee Seol-ah.

"Next week, we're heading to Busan."

And so our next terrorist attack was decided.

Of course, we can't carry out the attack right away in Busan, and it will take some time to persuade another villain, but still.

Now, I need to show the world. That I'm not just fixated on Stardust. I'm everyone's terrorist! I do think of Stardust a bit more specially, but I don't think 'only' of Stardust. And especially.

'Debt, paid off, right?'

...The face of Shin Ha-ru, who smiled slightly and said that to me that day, keeps coming to mind, and that's a problem.

I guess I need to keep some distance from Stardust for a while.

Let's prepare for the terrorist attack.

***

"Next week? Sure. A yacht? Huh, what do you take me for? I'm Lee Seol-ah of the Yu-seong Group. I'll prepare the highest quality, so don't worry and just come."

"Oh, and I've been saying bad things about you to Ha-ru lately, but I don't think it's having much effect? You still want me to continue? Hmm...."

"Then yes, I understand. See you then."

After talking for a long time, Lee Seol-ah hung up the phone and laughed alone in her office.

Various calculations were already bouncing around in her head. The recognition, popularity, influence, and image boost she would gain by suppressing the terrorist attack that Egostic would carry out in Busan.

"Perfect."

After her call with Egostic, her plans were already falling into place. First, Ha-ru said she would go home in a few days, so that wouldn't be a problem... and using the various materials he sent, it should work out perfectly.

She was in a good mood for the first time in a while. Everything was going according to plan. At this rate, she might achieve her goals in a few years...

With a much lighter heart, Seol-ah headed home.

When she arrived home, she was greeted by the sight of Ha-ru eating a mango-flavored ice bar that she had stocked in the refrigerator.

"Ha-ru~."

"Hmm? Ah."

As soon as she arrived home, Seol-ah hugged Ha-ru, who was waving at her with the ice cream in her mouth.

Haah. Just hugging Ha-ru's chest felt healing.

"Hmm? Why so sudden?"

Though surprised by the sudden hug, Ha-ru didn't push her away and just stood still in place.

In fact, Seol-ah liked this aspect of Ha-ru. While she was righteous and strong when acting as a hero, scolding villains, in private, Ha-ru was actually quite quiet by nature. Like a non-prickly, kind cat? The fact that she quietly allowed Seol-ah to hug her without much resistance showed that.

Her MBTI was actually I, meaning introverted, wasn't it? Thinking that, Seol-ah finally let go of Ha-ru. Ha-ru still looked up at her with a questioning gaze.

Facing her, Seol-ah just smiled and said:

"Just. I've had some good things happening lately, so I got a bit carried away."

"....Really?"

Ha-ru tilted her head as she said that.

For the rest of that day, Seol-ah seemed to be in a very good mood. The corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, her tension was high, and she even forgot to curse Egostic, not mentioning him at all.

And seeing her friend like this.

Ha-ru felt her chest becoming increasingly tight.

....Without knowing why at all.

And so, the day when Egostic would carry out a terrorist attack in Busan for the first time was drawing near.