Chapter 100 - Death Knight

# Death Knight

For hundreds of years, he had been trapped inside a narrow ring, sleeping. Now, he was thoroughly enjoying his newfound freedom.

And fortunately, thanks to finding a good ring master.

[Kuhahahahaha!]

He was, after a long time, engaged in a proper battle.

"Haa... Haa..."

The woman fighting before him, breathing heavily, was Stardust—the person Egostic had told him to face.

'Fight with some restraint, and when it progresses to a certain point, pretend to lose and run. Got it?'

Recalling Egostic's instructions, he gripped his spear again.

This battle after so long was truly enjoyable. Though he was somewhat limiting his power, the woman before him was doing the same. This allowed for a balanced fight to continue.

As the battle progressed considerably, when they were momentarily separated after being thrown apart, he honestly shared his impression with Stardust.

[Kuhahahahaha! Egostic was right. You are quite strong. To match me evenly! It's been nearly hundreds of years since I faced such an opponent.]

It was actually true.

Even though he was controlling his power to some extent, countless humans couldn't even withstand this much.

In other words, this woman who had made him use this much power was quite strong.

After he delivered those words with respect, the blonde woman in front of him narrowed her eyes and asked him something else.

Specifically, where Egostic was.

Death Knight was puzzled by this sudden question, but then recalled what Egostic had told him.

'Stardust might ask where I am, you know? Since this is being broadcast on my stream. She came to catch me, but you're there instead. So... right. Just say, "I'm your opponent. Egostic won't be coming." Just say that.'

Yes. He definitely said that.

Remembering his instructions, Death Knight confidently declared in a loud voice, with a bit of provocation mixed in.

[Egostic won't be coming today! He said someone like me would be enough to handle you! Kuhahahahahahaha!]

And at that moment.

The atmosphere around the hero called Stardust suddenly began to change.

[......!]

A rapidly changing atmosphere that only someone who had faced countless battlefields could sense.

From her, who until now had been fighting at a moderate level.

Suddenly, an immense fighting spirit began to pour out. Something deep and viscous.

The air swirled around her, and her hair began to float, showing that the situation was turning ominous.

And in such a situation.

Death Knight, instead, laughed loudly.

[Kuhahahahaha! Good! Yes, that's how it should be!]

From her changed atmosphere, he realized that from now on, this woman called Stardust would also unleash her full power.

Though he couldn't quite understand why she suddenly changed, if it meant a more intense fight, that was all good.

Good. The real battle starts now.

Now I, Death Knight, must fight seriously too. No more holding back.

With that determination, Death Knight beat his chest with one arm and shouted at her.

[Yes, the true match begins now! Hero Stardust, come! My full power...]

And as he was saying that.

In the blink of an eye, Stardust flew in front of him.

With her blonde hair fluttering, and a fist clenched in one hand.

Ah. I let my guard down.

As Death Knight hurriedly tried to block her with his spear,

"Too late."

Such a brief murmur brushed past him.

And simultaneously, an enormous impact was felt in his stomach.

Kwaaaang.

His body was thrown backward at tremendous speed.

***

"......."

Stardust, dusting off her fist, rose into the sky. To head toward where she had sent that Death Knight flying.

[Cough, cough. Kuuuuu....]

The one sent flying by her punch was embedded in the outer wall of a building on the opposite side, coughing up black smoke.

[Kuuu. To think that I, would let my guard down... cough, cough. I admit it. It's my defeat.]

With his armor drooping from his arms and legs, he collapsed.

Sent flying and left in a critical state by her single punch after her sudden awakening, he still muttered with a smile despite his shattered body.

Then, as he gradually began to turn to dust.

Even in such a situation, Death Knight delivered his final lines to her who was looking down at him.

[This isn't my end. After all, I have an immortal body. When I return next time, I won't let my guard down, so be prepared. Kuhuhuhuhuh...]

After leaving those final words, even his last helmet turned to dust and was blown away by the wind.

And in the half-destroyed urban street after the fierce battle, now empty as everyone had fled, only Stardust stood alone.

Looking at where Death Knight had finally disappeared, Stardust raised her head to look at the sky.

Egostic still hadn't come.

***

[Let's watch a tribute video of the late Death Knight, a new member of Ego-stream]

(Death Knight single-handedly destroying the streets in a one-man show.gif)

(Death Knight provoking Stardust.gif)

(Death Knight fighting evenly against an S-rank hero.gif)

(Death Knight attacking Stardust with a black spear.gif)

(Death Knight overwhelming Stardust with continuous attacks.gif)

.

.

.

(Death Knight being sent flying to space by Stardust's single punch.gif)

Death Knight, who was the greatest G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) among Ego-stream members... we will not forget your sacrifice.

Moment of silence.

=[Comments]=

[Already missing Death Knight... Are you happy there?]

[Wait, he said he's immortal, why are you killing him off? lol]

ㄴ[He turned to dust, how could he survive?]

ㄴ[Serious: Analyzing the video, there seems to be no body inside the armor, suggesting some kind of spirit form. There are quite a few heroes and villains like that in Europe. Probably limited immortality.]

[But he was fighting well, why did he get wiped out at the end? What happened?]

ㄴ[Stardust suddenly awakened her ability]

ㄴ[Why suddenly????]

ㄴ[Dunno, but Stardust is known to power up during fights, so it's not strange]

ㄴ[Looking at how she attacked suddenly while talking, seems like she was just waiting for the right moment to ambush him]

ㄴ[Oh, I see]

ㄴ[What if the real reason Stardust awakened was because she got upset when she heard Egostic wasn't coming? What if we're all mistaken?]

ㄴ[Stop your delusions!]

ㄴ[Don't slander Stardust]

*

[But Egostic is really impressive]

I didn't expect much when he first announced forming a villain alliance

But it hasn't been long since that announcement and the lineup is amazing

Egostic (A-rank), Electra (A-rank), and this Death Knight who fought evenly with Stardust seems to be close to S-rank

At this rate, haven't they almost caught up to the Hero Association?

Stardust = Death Knight

Shadow Walker = Egostic

Icicle = Electra

If we match them like this, they're roughly similar. Of course, they're still behind for now, but what's scary is that their members seem likely to increase further. Since it's an alliance, they won't be satisfied with just this...

It seems like soon the villain alliance might become stronger than the hero alliance

Conclusion: The Association is screwed!

=[Comments]=

[Egostic is really impressive. Just look at Death Knight who fought evenly with Stardust + immortality, wonder where he found someone like that]

[They'll catch up to the Association soon lol]

[But isn't this better? Villains usually cause dozens of deaths when they terrorize, but if all future villains join Egostic's group, wouldn't Korea actually become safer?]

ㄴ[That's true]

ㄴ[What a perspective shift!]

ㄴ[This is it lol]

ㄴ[A country that becomes safer as the villain alliance grows? Mind blown]

ㄴ[We, Team Mango, fully support the growth of Egostic's villain alliance, Ego-stream^^]

ㄴ[Ah lol, this is patriotism lol]

ㄴ[Domestic patriot cafe, wow]

*

[This terror attack where Egostic didn't show up was disappointing... but what's confirmed... truefact]

What else but that Ego-Star has completely collapsed lol

Egostic personally carries out terror attacks in Busan, but what about Seoul? Just sends a minion lol

Ah lol, Mango no longer needs Stardust lol. They've become Ice Mango lol

Sign here! Team Stardust!

Egostic's... arch-enemy is... Icicle...

=[Comments]=

[I'm from Team Stardust and this is true]

[I support Starbucks and I think the real one is Icicle]

ㄴ[It's Stardust, damn it]

[No, it's not lol. The real one is Stardust, stop talking nonsense lol]

ㄴ[Oh... don't cry, just talk]

ㄴ[This guy www has a seriously broken head www]

[Why Team Stardust is screwed: Ice Mango posts will flood the cafe until the next terror attack]

ㄴ[This can't be reality!!]

***

"Oh my... Mr. Egostic. What if you don't go there yourself and send another villain instead?"

At the top floor of Yu-seong Group's president's office.

Lee Seol-ah, who was watching the terror attack video alone on her laptop, muttered those words as she saw Stardust's expression harden at Death Knight's words.

Then, after seeing the comment [Seeing how he only sends subordinates to Seoul and doesn't appear himself, Egostic's arch-enemy must be Icicle now], she paused slightly.

Hmm, well.

...Still, it doesn't feel bad.

As she thought quietly, the corners of her mouth.

Were slightly turned upward.