Chapter 115 - Declaration

# [Hero Poll... Villain Egostic Makes 'Surprise Appearance' in Rankings]

The results of the hero poll conducted after the Moon Priestess's terror attack have been released.

This poll, which asked "Which hero is most trustworthy?" features a rather unique point of interest.

1] Stardust

2] Shadow Walker

3] Egostic

4] Icicle

5] Borderman

(Photo: Korea ARS Research Lab poll results. 95% confidence level with ±3.0% margin of error)

While A-rank heroes occupy the top positions as usual, the strange thing is that the villain Egostic has made it into the rankings.

The polling organization was so surprised that they double-checked the results twice. It's truly an astonishing outcome.

This can be interpreted as Egostic receiving significant support and love despite being a villain.

Wait. Why is my name in a hero poll? Who put my name in there when they were conducting the survey?

What is this...

"Tsk..."

"Oppa. What are you thinking about?"

On a bright Sunday morning.

As I sat on the sofa with a serious expression, Seo-eun came into the living room with a tub of ice cream and asked me.

"Terror..."

"What?"

"I think I need to carry out a new terror attack right away."

I muttered.

The impact of this incident was much greater than I expected, so I needed to take immediate action.

I mean... I didn't expect such an uproar just because one villain recruited another villain.

Honestly, I anticipated some reaction from people who already liked me, but not to this extent.

I even deliberately turned on the broadcast to prevent this kind of situation, but why...

The only way to turn public opinion around is to carry out a new terror attack immediately.

Yes, I need to get back to my main job. I've been straying for too long.

It's time to show people the spicy taste of K-villain again.

...What should I do?

As I was contemplating what kind of terror attack to carry out,

Seo-eun, who had been listening to me, suddenly put down her ice cream tub, slid closer to me, and asked.

"You're going to carry out a new terror attack?"

"Yeah. I'm planning to crash a musical..."

"Oppa, I have an even better idea."

After saying that, Seo-eun smiled confidently.

"I've already made all the plans!"

"...You?"

I tilted my head at Seo-eun's sudden statement.

Why is Seo-eun doing something so thoughtful?

"...It's time to reveal it now. Oppa, follow me."

Still smiling confidently, Seo-eun beckoned to me.

And so, without knowing what was happening, I was dragged to the underground base.

What exactly is she going to reveal?

My curiosity intensified as we went deeper into the underground base.

"...Seo-eun, where exactly are we going?"

"We're almost there. Here!"

Finally, a massive iron door opened.

As the lights turned on, what she revealed was...

"...What is this?"

"Star Buster. It's my anti-Stardust strategic weapon!"

Behind her confident exclamation was what appeared to be a thick iron-plated suit about twice the height of a person.

It seemed designed for someone to fit into the upper part and control the massive iron weapon placed below. Plus, it had a familiar name and a familiar appearance.

What is this?

"...Did you make this by yourself?"

"I designed the overall structure, and Unnie Se-hee helped a little."

She spoke while wiping her nose as if introducing some secret new weapon.

From the circumstances, it seems that all those times the two of them went down to the basement, they were making this.

"What do you think?"

As Seo-eun looked up at me with sparkling eyes, I gave her a compliment first.

"It's cool. You really made it well."

"Hmph. Of course, right?"

Seo-eun smiled, not even trying to hide her satisfaction. Cute.

But, while it's cute...

To Seo-eun, who was still clearing her throat proudly, I asked the most important question.

"So. Who's going to pilot this?"

"Me, of course!"

Looking at Seo-eun, who answered confidently, I slapped my forehead.

"...No way."

"What did you say?"

The warm atmosphere that had existed until just a moment ago instantly froze.

Seo-eun stared at me with a hardened expression. Looking at her eyes shining with determination, I sensed this wouldn't be an easy battle.

Ah. Raising a child is the hardest thing in the world.

***

"Seo-eun, you're too young. You're still a minor, you know? If I send you out for a terror attack, I'll be arrested for all sorts of crimes."

"Ha. You've already done enough to get arrested by planning terror attacks with me and hacking into other places, haven't you?"

Back at home.

There, Seo-eun was trying hard to persuade me.

"No, I still can't let you do it because you could be in danger. Can you even face Stardust with this...? She's much stronger than you think."

To my question, she answered with a voice full of confidence.

"Oppa. No matter how strong that woman is, she can't beat my Star Buster. Do you know what this is made of?"

"...Iron?"

"What are you saying? Do you think I would try to face Stardust with something like that? It's made of a material dozens of times harder than iron, which is hard to find these days. It can withstand any punch!"

No, even if she says that, I'm still very worried.

As I was thinking that, Choi Se-hee suddenly appeared out of nowhere to assist Seo-eun.

"Hey. I helped her make this, and it's really sturdy. No matter how much I attacked it, it didn't get a single scratch!"

"That's right. And Oppa, honestly, how long have we been together?"

Seo-eun suddenly asked me that.

After thinking for a moment, I answered her.

"...It's been almost 3 years now?"

"That's right. I was by your side before any of those Ego-stream members. But look at this."

Saying that, Seo-eun handed me her phone.

On the screen, there was a post on the front page of a familiar forum.

*

[Villain Union_Ego-stream_Summary (Latest Version)]

Egostic: Undoubtedly the most recognized villain in Korea. Just looking at what he's done alone puts him at the TOP.

Electra: Electric ability user. An A-rank villain.

Death Knight: A ghost(?) who even went one-on-one with Stardust. Presumably able to resurrect OMG.

Moon Priestess: The woman introduced to the entire nation recently. Her ability is overwhelming as we saw. S-rank.

Saintess: Also appeared for the first time in the recent broadcast. Ability not yet revealed. Presumably related to magic, buffs, or healing.

And Team Lapis with their massive airship.

The lineup is already incredible.

*

"...What about this?"

When I tilted my head at what Seo-eun suddenly showed me, she exclaimed as if frustrated.

"My name isn't there! Just my name! Even Ha-yul unnie who just joined is there, but not me. Does that make sense?"

...Come to think of it, that's true.

But my thoughts were interrupted by her.

"No way. I've been patient for a long time, but now I need to step forward. I'm going to let the world know that I exist!"

Why does she want to stand out so much?

While I couldn't understand it, I quietly thought as I looked at Seo-eun's blazing eyes.

...Actually, thinking about it, this might be the first time Seo-eun has stepped forward to demand something.

"...Alright, I understand."

"Really?"

Seo-eun's eyes sparkled as she immediately changed her attitude at my consent.

I was originally going to oppose it.

...But if she wants to stand out that much, I guess I can give her a chance.

"Yes. But, I'm definitely going with you."

"Of course we should go together. What would be the point if I went alone?"

Seo-eun grinned as she answered.

...I'm quite worried about this.

"Oh, and since this is finally my debut, I'll be in charge of the production. Is that okay?"

"Uh... do as you please."

"Hehe... Stardust, I'm going to take you down myself..."

Seo-eun was strangely enthusiastic.

...I don't know why she's so determined to take down Stardust, but I decided to support her for now.

I should just think about how to rescue Seo-eun at the end.

***

Shin Ha-ru's house.

Returning there after a long time, Shin Ha-ru flopped down on her bed.

"...Sigh."

Increasingly troubled these days, she began to think about various things.

What was it?

...And what was that hesitation she felt?

Still.

When she had lost all hope and collapsed in front of that overwhelming storm.

When she saw him appear.

To be honest, her heart fluttered a little at that moment.

"...Should I just stick it on the wall?"

She even had the absurd thought of putting up a picture of Egostic on the wall and writing "bad guy" in big letters next to it.

...He probably just crashed the situation to grow his villain union. He probably had no other intention.

No. You never know.

What if he really doesn't intend to destroy the world?

"Ugh..."

She clutched her throbbing head in confusion.

Egostic. It was always like this when she thought about him. While thinking he was a bad guy, she kept wondering "what if...?"

"..."

Right.

For now, let's focus on something else.

Anyway, Egostic. Since he usually carries out terror attacks only once every three months, it would be a while before she saw him again.

She's already in her fourth year of university, so she should start thinking about what to do after graduation. She can't spend all her free time playing around just because of her occasional hero activities.

Yes. Regarding Egostic... she could sort it out slowly until he returns.

As she was thinking that while rubbing her eyes, her phone rang from the desk.

Who could it be... she wondered as she got up from the bed. What she saw was the word "Association" prominently displayed on her phone screen.

Wondering what it was about, she answered and was shocked by the completely unexpected news.

[Stardust! Egostic has launched a terror attack! Please deploy immediately!]

"What...?"

Wait, already?