Chapter 116 - His And Her Fight

# Today, the streets of Seoul are peaceful as usual.

Since there hadn't been any major terrorist attacks since the large-scale incident at Wolkwang Bridge, citizens could walk the streets with peace of mind.

The streets were bustling with people, perhaps because it was the weekend.

The latest pop songs playing from nearby phone stores, music from coffee shops, countless tunes blaring from commercial speakers, the voices of numerous pedestrians, and even car horns from the road.

Such a lively, breathing street.

While walking down that path filled with all sorts of mixed music...

"...?"

Store owners and a few perceptive people noticed something strange.

The music coming from the store speakers had suddenly all changed to loud rock music.

Stores that had been playing cheerful girl group songs just moments ago had transformed into spaces filled with wild electric guitar solos.

And the sound grew louder.

Louder and louder.

"Ugh..."

The music became so loud that customers inside the stores were frowning and covering their ears.

Finally, even some people chatting and walking on the street stopped to look around, wondering if this was some kind of event.

-Jing-ji-ji-ji-ji-ji-jing.

The street had instantly transformed into a concert hall, like some impromptu rock performance.

People all stopped, whispering among themselves while looking around, then took out their phones and began recording the street.

The bizarre sight of different speakers all unified to play rock music.

By now, people had reached the point of enjoying the spectacle, wondering if this might be a hidden camera prank for some YouTube channel.

Thud.

The sound of something falling from a distance, and simultaneously...

BOOM!

"Kyaaaaaaah!"

Suddenly something exploded on the street, and smoke began to fill the area.

Just as people realized something was wrong and began to scatter in panic...

Thud-

Thud-

"Aaaaargh! What is this?!"

Suddenly, metal cages dropped from the sky, trapping people on the street one by one.

While citizens had seen movies about food falling from the sky, they'd never heard of giant metal cages dropping from above. They grabbed the bars and shook them while screaming in panic.

The loud rock music continued to blare.

The street had become a chaotic mess. Even police cars arrived at the scene, but they too were trapped by the falling metal cages, helplessly shaking the bars.

Ziiiiiiing.

The ecstatic live electric guitar continued to resound loudly.

And in the midst of it all, the cages filled with people chirping like birds trapped in cages began to float up into the air one by one.

Amid the screams of "Aaaah!" from the people.

Soon the metal cages rose into the sky and began to form a circle in mid-air.

And at the same time.

-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

From the speakers blasting deafening rock music, a man's maniacal laughter suddenly began to play.

The bizarrely endless loop of laughter, the massive rock music, and people struggling in metal cages.

In the center of this enormous noise that reached distant parts of the city.

In that utterly chaotic place.

Suddenly, all music stopped.

And at that moment.

At an ear-splitting volume, a robotic voice played simultaneously from all speakers.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW-

And right on cue, a massive explosion occurred in the center of the floating cages, sending pink smoke scattering in all directions.

And in the middle of it all, a man was suddenly floating in the sky.

In the center of the circle formed by the floating cages.

Now, several cameras were also circling around the area.

Standing in the center of that circle in the sky.

A man wearing a black hat, black robe, black cape, and a gray mask.

He brought the microphone in his hand to his mouth.

At the same time, all the cameras floating in the sky turned on.

The man's voice boomed throughout the entire area.

"Hello everyone. This is Egostic!"

And that was...

The signal for villain Egostic's terror attack.

***

Egostic.

Now beyond being known by everyone in Korea, he even has followers - the #1 most influential villain since the founding of the Hero Association's Korean branch.

And I wasn't happy with the results.

'...Right, I've been neglecting my main job lately.'

I hate people who aren't afraid of villains.

Haven't I been committing quite spectacular crimes until now?

Just off the top of my head, there's the train derailment, plane crash, bridge destruction, and so on - quite impressive, I'd say.

Yet why are they acting like this?

Honestly, I was a bit shocked when I saw the recent public opinion poll.

How is it possible that I'm now more popular than A-class heroes? I'm a villain operating in the shadows of Korea, not an idol...

This phenomenon is particularly bad in the long run.

What was my purpose for becoming a villain in the first place? Since I've eliminated most of the original villains, my justification was to become Stardust's "trial" myself.

But if I suddenly become like this, it's ridiculous to call myself a trial. Seriously, what kind of villain is more popular than heroes?

And there's only one way to overcome this situation.

Terror, terror. More terror.

And threatening ones at that.

For that reason, right now.

I'm floating in mid-air in the middle of the street, watching people trembling in metal cages.

And the rock music that continues to blare through the streets.

It's loud enough to hurt my ears. ...It does have a lot of Seo-eun's sensibility, but well. She takes after me in liking flashy performances.

[Da-in oppa. I'm ready.]

Eun-wol's voice comes through the earpiece in my ear.

Lifting those cages was too heavy for me alone, so I got help from Eun-wol's magic as the Moon Priestess. She's controlling them from a building rooftop over there.

Anyway, since preparations are complete, I should make my move now.

I turned on the camera and shouted loudly from mid-air.

"Hello everyone. This is Egostic!"

As soon as I spoke, my voice echoed through the hacked commercial speakers.

Floating in the air with a grin, feeling the gentle breeze flutter my cape, I checked the chat window.

[Mangostick has entered lolololol]

[What the hell already??? What's going on dammit!!!!!]

[Ego-yang making suspiciously frequent terror attacks lolol]

[Here comes my porn lolol perfect timing lolol]

[Damn the sound is so loud lol I'm wearing earphones and the band is booming in my ears lol]

[What about the people in the cages? Human zoo?]

[As always, Mango-nim easily exceeds our imagination lol]

Good, the broadcast seems to be working properly.

After checking the chat window, I refocused on the terror attack.

Ah, first.

I should do this.

I snapped my fingers.

And simultaneously, numerous guns floated up in the air.

And all of them pointed their barrels at the people trapped in the cages.

"Eek...!"

People trembled as gun barrels pointed at them.

Indeed, no one can help feeling fear in front of real guns. Right, they'd die if I accidentally pulled the trigger, so how terrified they must be. I should have handled hostages this way from the beginning. I've been too lenient until now.

Separately, seeing people trembling before me made me feel a bit sorry, but it can't be helped. It's time to establish some discipline.

"Oh my, everyone! Don't be scared, don't be scared."

I said while waving the guns around.

Perhaps because the weather was nice, I could feel the cool breeze gently fluttering my cape.

I smiled slightly and said:

"I'm not trying to do anything bad. I'm just planning to shoot you all with these guns in an hour."

"Eek...!"

No, actually I won't shoot.

But not showing that is what makes a professional. A first-class villain must always show the madness that "he might actually shoot."

"Haha!! You have one hour left to live, everyone! I'm broadcasting your final hour nationwide, so exchange your last greetings! I've always been curious about how people behave right before they die."

"Eeeek...!!!"

People trembled even more.

Yes, the madness I'm displaying seems to be working well.

...But how long do I have to keep this up? It hurts my heart. I hope she comes soon.

And just as I thought that.

From behind, a loud voice was heard.

"That's far enough, Egostic!"

A voice that seemed quite familiar after a long time, despite shouting, it was still a young woman's voice.

Hearing her voice, I didn't bother hiding the smile that involuntarily appeared. I turned around after turning off the loud rock music and spoke.

"Well, well, a troublemaker has arrived."

Red latex clinging to her entire body.

Flowing blonde hair.

And slightly sky-blue eyes glaring at me.

Yes. Stardust. It's her.

"What are you doing, you villain!"

Yes, this angry dialogue feels nostalgically familiar after so long.

To her, glaring at me with slight anger, I grinned and said:

"Yes, yes, Ms. Stardust. It's been a while. Though it seems we meet quite often? It's almost like you're following me... Gasp, are you stalking me?!"

"What? What nonsense are you talking! Look at what you're doing right now!"

She blushed at my ridiculous words and snapped back. Still weak to provocation, I see.

I grinned and wiggled my finger at her while speaking:

"Anyway. You came to stop me, right? Then come and try."

Seeing me sitting on one of the nearby cages, crossing my legs and wiggling my finger, she frowned. As if trying to figure out my intention.

Actually, thinking about it, it's natural that I can't beat her. I might last 10 seconds if I use Behemoth, but that's it. I'm no match for her.

As I provoked her despite this, she glared at me suspiciously.

But soon, as if she had made up her mind, she launched herself from where she was standing far away and began flying toward me.

Yes. That's how it should be.

Now, Seo-eun, it's your turn.

And as she launched herself...

Suddenly a shadow fell between us.

BOOM!

Something massive and gray fell from the sky, blocking her path to me.

That thing, shaped like a giant suit, thick on both sides and top to bottom.

To her, who had come to an abrupt stop in mid-air due to this sudden appearance, I raised my microphone again and shouted:

"I'm sorry, but your opponent this time is not me!"

"Now, let me introduce you to a weapon made exclusively for you. 'Starbuster'!!"

As I shouted with my arms spread wide, a voice emerged as if rising from a Terminator pose.

[Stardust, I'll be your opponent!]

....It was unmistakably a young girl's voice despite the mechanical filter. Seo-eun... and why is your acting so awkward?

Anyway, that's not what's important. What matters is that Stardust's eyes are now burning with rage.

Let's begin.

"Let's see how long you can last against my Starbuster!! Now, Starbuster. Charge!"

[Uaaah!]

And so, as Seo-eun's Starbuster swung its steel fist at Stardust...

The battle began.

***

Stardust, Shin Ha-ru, was in a very bad mood right now.

First, because Egostic had launched another cruel terror attack.

Second...

[Huaah! Lady, is this your best?]

....Who is this girl?

This woman, presumably a villain and Egostic's new colleague.

Egostic bringing in another female colleague. That aside...

...Somehow, her way of speaking is extremely irritating. Very much so.

Swallowing her anger, she threw a punch directly at the fist flying toward her.

...This won't do.

This villain needs to be captured right here, today.

That was her determination.