Chapter 102 - Meeting

"Kieek! I am the Reptilian! Stardust, someone like you, to me, kraaaagh!"

"....You talk too much."

After easily dealing with a villain causing trouble in downtown Seoul with a single punch today, Shin Ha-ru returned home.

Today was the day she was meeting her friend Lee Seol-ah after a long time.

Despite being the same age as her, Seol-ah was extremely busy, simultaneously running a company as its president and working as a hero as Icicle.

That's why it was quite rare for her, who mainly operated in Busan, to come up to Seoul like today, so Ha-ru was going to meet her after a long time.

....Though things were a bit awkward because of what happened in Busan last time.

"Sigh...."

Right. Still, that was my fault.

I misunderstood and ended up intimidating Seol-ah, who was working hard as a hero.

Of course, I still don't know if it's okay to give such a bright smile to a villain...

When we meet today, I should talk more about Egostic and related matters.

And I should apologize first. I couldn't properly convey it since we haven't met since that day.

With these thoughts in mind, Shin Ha-ru headed to the meeting place.

...With a bit of awkwardness.

***

"Oh, Ha-ru! Come in, it's been so long!"

Contrary to her worries, Seol-ah greeted her with the same bright smile as before.

Feeling guilty about her attitude, Ha-ru apologized again for what happened in Busan last time.

"Huh? Oh, don't take that to heart. It's completely understandable. I would have done the same."

Seol-ah laughed it off as if she hadn't even thought about it.

Having cleared up what happened last time, Ha-ru felt slightly relieved.

She enjoyed various conversations with Seol-ah while eating shaved ice.

And after discussing various topics, the two of them.

Finally, began to move toward that subject.

"Ah. And about Egostic."

When that name came out of Seol-ah's mouth, Ha-ru unconsciously tensed up.

Regardless of her reaction, Seol-ah continued.

"Last time, he came down to Busan for the first time and fought with me."

"Yeah...."

Remembering how Egostic went all the way to Busan himself but only sent a single subordinate to Seoul where she was, Ha-ru unconsciously gripped her teacup tightly.

Seol-ah, seemingly not noticing this reaction, continued speaking.

"At that time. I exchanged a few words with Egostic. He said the reason he invaded Busan was just because his airship was already in the Busan area, so he came out of boredom. Isn't that ridiculous? That villain seems to think terrorism is just a game."

"Haha... really?"

As she listened to Seol-ah's words, Ha-ru focused on one part of her statement.

....So, the Busan terror attack was just done on a whim out of boredom? Not planned like the previous ones in Seoul?

While thinking about this and unconsciously loosening her grip on the teacup.

Seol-ah added one more thing.

"And Ha-ru. After meeting him, I don't think you need to worry too much about Egostic."

"Huh..?"

Ha-ru tilted her head at the sudden statement.

...No need to worry? Isn't Egostic the most influential among all villains currently active in Korea?

Looking at Seol-ah with such doubts, she answered as if there was a reason.

"No. After the terror incident in Busan, I noticed there was almost no civilian damage. So is there really a need to worry so much about him?"

"...Still, he's a terrorist."

"Of course, but we're heroes. What's the reason we work as heroes? Isn't it all to save people? So rather than focusing on Egostic, who causes minimal civilian damage, shouldn't we focus more on other villains?"

"....."

That doesn't seem right...

While Ha-ru was trying to think of a rebuttal, Seol-ah delivered a pointed remark.

"You seem to be too focused on Egostic lately. Last time too... I understand that you and Egostic have a sort of nemesis relationship, but it's not good to focus too much on just him."

Feeling slightly stung by Seol-ah's words, Ha-ru didn't rebut and quietly took another bite of shaved ice. It was true that going all the way to Busan was a bit excessive, so it was hard to argue.

And as if reading her mood, Seol-ah continued speaking.

Egostic only occasionally carries out terror attacks, so there's no need to be vigilant when he's not around.

It's a waste to put all your energy into excessively trying to catch a villain who doesn't cause civilian damage.

The conclusion of her lengthy speech was not to focus too much on Egostic. Because his terror attacks are infrequent and there's no civilian damage.

"....."

Honestly, Ha-ru couldn't really empathize with Seol-ah's words. Looking at what Egostic does, how can one not pay attention to him?

But separately from that, Ha-ru was indeed too deeply concerned about Egostic. Seol-ah probably didn't know that much when she gave her advice.

Recently, whenever there's breaking news about a terror attack, her first thought is always "Is it Egostic?"

...Right. Maybe. As Seol-ah said, it might be better to pay a little less attention to Egostic than now. Honestly, these days, when thinking of villains, she only thinks about Egostic. There are many other villains too.

So Ha-ru, for now, agreed.

"Right. Good thinking. Focusing too much on one person can be stressful."

Seol-ah smiled contentedly as she said that.

And looking at her, Ha-ru.

Felt an inexplicable discomfort.

"Yeah...."

A certain intuition she felt after seeing Seol-ah laughing and chatting in front of Egostic last time.

And in fact. A suspicion that grew even more after meeting today.

The suspicion that Seol-ah is hiding something from her, and the intuition that there might be another reason for her to speak like that.

However, since suspecting without any evidence would just be a baseless assumption, Ha-ru denied her own conjecture.

...Right. As a friend, she's just giving advice. It doesn't look good to be excessively fixated on Egostic. What would Seol-ah gain from her distancing herself from Egostic?

Seol-ah is her friend, so she's just giving advice for her sake. There can't be any other reason.

Having tentatively reached this conclusion, Ha-ru buried her anxiety and suspicion deep in her heart and decided to follow Seol-ah's advice. Right. Let's stop overthinking about Egostic now.

Looking at Seol-ah, who was still smiling in front of her, Ha-ru also gave a small smile.

...Still, with a bit of uneasiness left behind.

***

After Ha-ru left.

Left alone, Lee Seol-ah leaned back in her chair and silently apologized to Egostic.

...Sorry, Da-in. But you only told me to get close to Stardust, you didn't specify how to do it, right?

She smiled slightly and tilted the remaining teacup.

...Actually, she knows. That Egostic pays excessive attention to Stardust. And that Shin Ha-ru, too, has recently started to pay more attention to Egostic.

And what if, as a result, their relationship becomes too close? What if Ha-ru discovers his secret and their relationship transcends the hero-villain dynamic, becoming like her relationship with him?

...That wouldn't be good. They should remain enemies.

Lee Seol-ah was the kind of person who never lets go of something she's set her sights on.

That's why. This time, she pointed out that Ha-ru was paying too much attention to Egostic and repeatedly told her to abandon her suspicion and obsession, almost like brainwashing. Ha-ru has always listened well to Seol-ah's words since the past.

Seeing that it seemed to have worked to some extent at the end, Seol-ah was relieved.

...Anyway, since Da-in said he wouldn't cause any terror attacks this year, it wouldn't be good for Ha-ru to keep waiting for him.

She should repeatedly tell Ha-ru to stop thinking about Egostic whenever they meet in the future. It's all for Ha-ru's sake.

Thinking this, Seol-ah recalled Da-in's words that he wouldn't cause any more terror attacks this year.

...At that time, his expression seemed more like he was preparing for something rather than taking a break.

His slightly stiffened face and lowered tone.

Having analyzed his attitude with a businesswoman's eye, Seol-ah could only speculate.

...What on earth is going to happen next year that made his expression stiffen slightly when he said those words?

***

"Believers, there will be a message from the Grand Priest."

In a dark space.

There, an old man's metallic voice filled the auditorium.

"Ah... our proud Moonlight Church members. Today, we await the coming of the eternal moon."

"The day to showcase our shining moon to the world is not far off."

"The day to purify this world ruled by fallen angels and minor demons with moonlight! The day to show our faith! It has finally been determined, everyone!"

"Next year, when a large moon fills the night sky, when the Moon God comes and the yin energy is strongest on that day! The Moon Priestess will personally deliver punishment to those ignorant heretics!"

"May the Moonlight be eternal!"

"""""Moonlight! Moonlight! Moonlight! Moonlight!"""""

Following the old man's words, the cheers of thousands filled the space.

Only the purple candles attached to the walls of that place flickered weakly in the wind.

Somewhere in Seoul, in a place unknown to anyone.

The energy of destruction was approaching moment by moment.

***

"Those bastards are about to start their antics soon."

[Hey Da-in. What are you suddenly talking about?]

"Just something."

A pseudo-religious group that wishes destruction not just for Korea but for the whole world.

They're probably starting to prepare to make their move soon.

"Hah... this world full of apocalyptic triggers. I need to clean them all up and retire soon."

Why do these world-ending groups keep popping up like weeds no matter how many you pull out...

It's exhausting.

With that in mind, I entered Stardust's fan cafe.

The only way to heal... is this...!!

[Da-in. Why do you always look for that woman?]

I easily ignored Desik's words.

I wish he wouldn't interfere with my only hobby.