Chapter 107 - The Second Calamity

After the first terror attack where three A-rank heroes were helplessly defeated...

WHOOOOOOSH.

Once again, a pink hurricane began to sweep through downtown Seoul without warning.

Winds so strong they could tear off building exteriors whipped around, making it difficult to even open one's eyes.

In the sky, dozens, hundreds of magic circles appeared, dropping purple lightning, stars, and beams.

The city began to convulse as if facing divine judgment descending upon the mortal world, threatening to destroy everything in an instant.

A magnificent sight resembling a massive calamity no mere human could stop.

At the center of this chaos where buildings shook and the ground trembled.

In this place where ordinary people had already fled to save their lives.

Only one woman was charging straight into the eye of the hurricane.

"Ugh..."

Stardus.

An A-rank hero of the Republic of Korea.

She alone was breaking through the magical storm's fierce winds, heading toward the center where the villain awaited.

"...Kh, haah!"

And her condition...

Was far from good.

She could barely open her eyes against the powerful winds that threatened to blow her away.

When she managed to glimpse forward, an even more desperate situation unfolded before her.

The sky, dyed an unnatural pink color that seemed alien to this world.

And the attacks coming at her, far more numerous than during the previous terror attack.

"...Hah!"

She swung her arm to barely deflect a large purple star-shaped object flying toward her.

Bang-. The star-shaped object burst like fireworks when it met her fist.

Purple powder scattered everywhere, then disappeared without a trace.

At the same time, lightning began to strike around her.

CRACK-

CRACKKKKKK

A bizarre scene of purple lightning striking from all directions.

And simultaneously.

ZZZZZZZZ-

-BOOOOOOM

"Ugh..."

Purple destruction beams pouring from magic circles that appeared in midair.

In this place enveloped in pink, with fierce winds blowing.

As if determined to eliminate the intruder who invaded its territory, countless magic circles appeared, releasing purple star-shaped projectiles, lightning strikes, and beams.

And Stardus...

Was enduring it all alone, struggling to advance even a single step forward.

"Haa... Haa..."

Shin Ha-ru gritted her teeth.

After the previous terror attack, she had pushed herself ruthlessly to prepare for the next one.

Already stronger than humanly possible, she pushed herself even harder, trying to surpass her own limits.

But mocking all her efforts...

The enemy had returned.

Even stronger than before.

"Huaah!"

She rolled on the ground to avoid a beam suddenly shooting from the front.

The enemy was still this powerful, while she felt even weaker after entering this area.

Her body felt pressed down, slowed and dulled as if carrying sandbags.

Facing the calamity before her in this condition was truly cruel.

The fortunate thing was that thanks to advance intelligence, the Association had evacuated almost all civilians quickly after predicting the terror date.

So now, while she had the chance.

She absolutely had to deal with the villain at the center of this hurricane.

By herself.

Because there was no one to help her.

"Hmm..."

Lost in these thoughts, she found herself thinking:

She was a hero.

And heroes save others.

Then who saves the heroes?

Who helps them?

"...No one. No one at all."

That's right.

A hero must stand alone and face the endless malice that comes their way.

Yes.

Nothing else matters.

In the end, she could only rely on herself.

With that thought, she gritted her teeth.

Right.

No more nonsensical thoughts.

She had to overcome this trial by herself.

Without fail.

With renewed determination, she once again leaped toward the barrage of magic attacks coming her way.

And from her body...

Streams of yellow light began to emanate, unnoticed by her.

***

"Ha-ru... sob! She's awakening again!!!"

Seeing the yellow light streaming from the TV, I immediately understood what was happening, being a Stardus expert.

Stardus's awakening state—when her abilities amplify in extreme situations. Since some of that strength remains even after the awakening ends, it's a good event that helps her grow stronger each time it happens.

Since she only fought the Moon Priestess twice before I intervened—the previous time and now—I hadn't expected this, but it was definitely a good thing.

Yes, this is... good...

As I shed tears watching this, Seo-eun, who was observing me, sighed and muttered beside me.

"Sigh... Why is she getting stronger again? It's already hard enough trying to match her specs..."

After mumbling to herself, Seo-eun suddenly seemed to realize something and asked me:

"But oppa, couldn't this go wrong?"

"Sob. What do you mean?"

"Well. Your plan is to intervene and kidnap that woman the next time she comes, after Stardus loses again in this terror attack. But what if Stardus gets stronger and wins now?"

Ah.

So she's worried that since Stardus just awakened and got stronger, what if she captures the Moon Priestess?

I kindly explained to Seo-eun who was worrying unnecessarily:

"Seo-eun... If it could be resolved that easily, would I be crying like this?"

"I guess not?"

"The Moon Priestess is very strong right now. Extremely strong."

Because of all the buffs and debuffs the Celestial Moon Emperor had set up in advance, the Moon Priestess in this state would be difficult to defeat even if you brought in a decent American S-rank hero.

In other words, this momentary power-up isn't enough to win!!

"Sob... I can't watch this!"

"Oppa... Why are you swallowing your fist while crying..."

I closed my eyes and endured. I just couldn't bear to watch this terrible sight!

And sure enough.

After a while, I heard another explosion.

[BOOM-.]

[Ladies and gentlemen! At this moment, Stardus has been thrown out of the storm! It appears she's suffered an attack too powerful to withstand!]

Sigh. As expected.

How terrible.

***

"Ugh..."

Stardus, finally thrown back by the onslaught.

Collapsed on the ground, she only managed to stand up staggering after some time had passed.

Still with one knee on the ground, breathing heavily.

"Haa... Haa...."

She had done her best.

She had used all her strength, charged in with everything she had.

But still.

The result was no different from before.

"Haha... Hahahaha...."

The enemy had grown much stronger.

How could she possibly defeat that?

She finally realized.

Ah.

I cannot defeat that.

The moment that thought crossed her mind.

Once again, a terrible sense of despair circled within her.

I'm not good enough.

This is as far as I go.

From now on, I'll just helplessly watch as that thing destroys everything.

What kind of monster is inside there?

How can it be so strong?

As negative emotions began to consume her.

But, shaking her head once.

Leading her staggering body, she once again stepped toward the storm.

Right.

She was a hero.

Even if she fell. She had to fight.

As she steeled her resolve and entered the storm again, her eyes...

Were clearly darker than before.

***

The surreal pink hurricane destroying everything.

The sight of various magic circles floating in the air.

The storm that, like last time, was devastating an entire city with overwhelming power.

So mercilessly, without even a single word, quietly trying to destroy Seoul.

The one controlling all this storm was...

A young-faced woman with long black straight hair, wearing white priestess clothes, kneeling with closed eyes as if praying.

In the midst of the swirling winds centered around her, as she quietly shattered everything around her...

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

She kept apologizing endlessly, though no one could hear her, while sweating profusely.

'What should I do? People are getting hurt because of me... because of me...'

She was almost in tears now.

But contrary to these thoughts, her hands kept drawing magic circles in the air without rest, summoning the storm.

'I have no choice...'

Yes. She had no choice.

She was essentially bound by the cult leader.

Due to the spell he had placed on her, she could only move like a puppet according to his commands.

Perhaps forever, she would have to live under his control. Until death, hurting others.

With that thought making her feel suffocated again, she held herself together and continued her work.

The most she could do was subtly aim her magical attacks at nearby buildings rather than civilians.

As she continued destroying the city with the storm and blocking the hero charging toward her with magic...

She momentarily paused when she heard the cult leader's voice echoing in her ears.

Child. It is done now. Reveal the moonlight to the world one last time, then return.

The order to return had been given.

Finally, she could stop this meaningless destruction.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she began to wrap up the storm and prepared to project moonlight into the sky.

She was retreating for now.

But soon, she would have to set out to destroy another city.

Again and again.

Controlled by the cult leader's grasp.

"...Will someone ever come to save me?"

After muttering this without realizing it, she gave a bitter smile.

Of course not.

This world isn't a fairy tale with princes on white horses.

And considering the sins she had committed so far.

Perhaps.

For her, salvation could only come through death.

With that thought, she created the symbol of moonlight with magic and raised it into the sky.

The long second terror attack had finally ended.

***

[The symbol of moonlight has appeared in the sky! The terror has finally, finally ended. Our hero has lost again...]

The moment I confirmed the second terror attack was over, I jumped to my feet.

"Oppa?"

"Da-in?"

While everyone was looking at me curiously for suddenly standing up.

I declared to everyone:

"Now. From this moment, we prepare."

With the sole purpose of helping Stardus grow, and the determination to prevent destruction, I had held back twice until now.

So now.

"We prepare to stop the next terror attack. Su-bin, please contact Team Lapis. Tell them to come back."

"What? Ah, yes!"

After saying that, I ran my hand through my hair and headed to where all the plans were prepared in advance.

Yes. It's finally time to act.

This long devastating event that occurs dozens of times in the original story, completely destroying Seoul, I will now end it with my own hands.

To save the Republic of Korea.

To save the Moon Priestess suffering under the Celestial Moon Emperor.

And.

For Stardus, who would continue to suffer.

"Come on!! Everyone gather quickly!!"

D-7 until the next terror attack.

Before then, we'll prepare everything perfectly.

All preparations to kidnap the Moon Priestess.

Stardus, just wait.

I'm coming!!!