Chapter 133 - You Know

# A Beach in the Republic of Korea

Under the blazing sun at a beach where everyone was enjoying themselves, the most popular hero in the Republic of Korea and the most famous villain stood facing each other.

For reference, the villain was wearing a swimsuit with just a robe over it and sunglasses, while the hero was also in casual clothes.

And the hero was sitting on the beach chair next to him, quietly speaking to the villain—an incongruous scene.

The problem was that I was that villain.

This was probably the greatest crisis of my life.

It wouldn't be strange to panic in this situation.

However.

In this crisis, my mind began to work even more calmly and coolly.

Right. A professional villain stays calm and solves problems even in a crisis.

My brain began spinning at 5 centimeters per second.

'...Did Lee Seol-ah betray me?'

Did Lee Seol-ah finally betray me and run to Shin Ha-ru saying, "He's Egostic~"?

In the original story, she backstabbed all sorts of companies and acquired them through mergers, and now she's backstabbed me too? But that wasn't the vibe between us? Weren't we getting along well?

I stared at Stardus through my sunglasses.

Hmm.

She doesn't seem to think I'm Egostic.

No, if she knew I was Egostic, she would have already rushed over to catch me. Would she have greeted me so awkwardly like this?

'...Right, it doesn't seem like Lee Seol-ah betrayed me... Was she just thoughtless?'

I don't know what she was thinking.

From what I could tell, she didn't even seem to know that Stardus had heightened senses. Did she think Shin Ha-ru wouldn't recognize me at all? Is she telling me to get close to her or what?

Anyway, it doesn't seem like Shin Ha-ru has figured out my identity.

Of course, her expression changed slightly when she saw my face, but that's... um...

Shit. I think I'm screwed.

"So you're attending university, Ms. Shin Ha-ru?"

"Yes... Did you say you were in business, Da-in?"

"Ah, yes. I'm a business partner with Seol-ah, just running a small business. Haha."

I said with a slight nervous sweat.

Now she had completely settled in the seat next to me and kept talking to me.

Why are you like this, Shin Ha-ru? You're not the type to talk to strangers first. Since when were you so proactive...!

I let out a silent scream in my heart.

No, do you know how a villain feels talking to a hero in private?

The anxious feeling of wondering when she'll notice.

I was overwhelmed with anxiety that she might have already noticed with her heightened senses, but I erased such negative thoughts from my mind. Words become reality, so I shouldn't think like that.

I made that promise to myself.

First, smile like a harmless person. I'm not a villain. I'm an ordinary civilian.

Do you have proof that I'm Egostic? I said, do you have proof!

Honestly, Eun-wol's magic is so effective. There's no way she can recognize me.

So Shin Ha-ru, unlike her usual self, kept talking to me, someone she just met.

And I, playing the role of a nice guy who listens to a woman he just met today, nodded and responded.

By the way, she also ordered a non-alcoholic cocktail. How long is she planning to sit here...?

As the conversation continued.

After some time passed, the tension eased.

Now she even showed a slight smile at my words.

Right. It seems I've managed to get through this.

Honestly, with the recognition reduction magic in place, how would she recognize me? It's impossible.

Was I just worrying for nothing? Yes... as expected of my acting skills.

Just as I completely let my guard down.

Shin Ha-ru, sitting next to me with a smile, casually asked:

"Da-in... I'm curious about something."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Do you know Egostic?"

At her question, my face almost froze.

No, why are you asking that?

"...Haha, Egostic?"

As I tried to laugh it off and glanced at her.

Our eyes met—her blue eyes staring at me with a slight smile, as if she knew everything, while resting her chin on her hand.

Ah.

I really think I'm screwed.

'...No, calm down. Don't fall for leading questions.'

After barely preventing myself from holding my breath, I started thinking.

Damn. It seems she really is suspicious.

Otherwise, she wouldn't say something like this to someone she just met. Why would she say that?

She was still looking at me with a slight eye-smile.

...Honestly, her eye-smile hit my heart harder, but I endured it like a professional villain. A first-class villain must separate personal feelings from business.

First, I need to understand the questioner's intention.

Why would she ask that? She's trying to gauge my reaction to see if I'm Egostic or not. Or she's certain I'm Egostic and is teasing me. Asking me to introduce myself.

But Shin Ha-ru, who doesn't joke around much, wouldn't say that, so this is her testing me. Even if she's connected Egostic and me, she's probably still at the suspicion stage. So proving my innocence is important here.

At that moment, a thought crossed my mind.

This is a crisis. But a crisis reversed is an opportunity. So I should see this as an opportunity.

Having made my judgment in an instant, I opened my mouth.

"Egostic is truly a garbage, evil villain. I believe he should be caught immediately."

"...What?"

She was slightly taken aback by my sudden harsh words.

Good, this is it.

I started speaking quickly.

"He seems to be popular these days, but honestly, I find it hard to sympathize. That people like someone who commits all sorts of terrorism, establishes criminal organizations, and tramples on the law. Such a psychopath should be severely punished by law immediately."

Her expression soured at my logical and absolutely correct words. She probably didn't expect this self-deprecation. Right. Do I still look like Egostic to you?

After a brief silence at my words, Shin Ha-ru opened her mouth again. She probably wants to agree with me and join in criticizing to see my reaction. Not a chance. I'm confident in my ability to criticize myself more than anyone. Bring it on.

However, contrary to my expectations, what came out of her mouth was completely different from what I thought.

"...Still, hasn't Egostic stopped other villains' terrorist attacks quite a few times? It seems a bit much to say he's completely bad..."

No, Ha-ru. Why are you covering for me there?

What is this? A high-level tactic? Right, I shouldn't waver. I should push forward steadfastly like a rhinoceros horn.

I spoke firmly again.

"No. That's definitely just him protecting his own territory. Aren't villains beings who live off attention? Whether it was the bridge incident, the Han-eun Group incident, or the Moonlight Church incident, he didn't have the slightest concern for others."

"...That's a lie."

"Excuse me?"

"Ah, no. I misspoke."

She said with a slight smile.

...Ha-ru, you did misspeak, right? Right?

I just got goosebumps...?

After hearing my words, Shin Ha-ru, still smiling brightly, slowly twirled the cocktail glass in her hand with her finger. As my gaze unconsciously went to that sight, she spoke to me again with a voice mixed with laughter.

"But Da-in."

"Yes?"

"For someone who claims to dislike him, you seem to know almost everything Egostic has done so far? Someone might think you're him."

"...Haha. Are you saying I look like such an evil villain?"

"Ah, it's a joke. Just a joke."

She said with a grin.

And I laughed too.

...I miss my mom.

"Then Da-in, what do you think of Stardus?"

After taking a sip of her cocktail, she smiled and asked me again.

No, Ha-ru. Since when were you such a smiley person... You're not like this... You're shy in private settings outside of hero activities... Why are you doing this to me?

I almost lost my mind.

"Stardus... she's my favorite hero."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"...She's the most righteous, her convictions shine, and she has the kindest heart that worries about people more than anyone else. Even without reward, she fights to the end for everyone. She's the most... heroic person of all. And she's pretty."

"...Oh."

She was slightly flustered by my words that came out without passing through my brain.

Yes. This is me.

This is Eka-cola. I'm just going all out now.

Looking at her slightly reddened cheeks, I had a different thought.

Ha. Is this the end?

From the looks of it, I'm probably screwed.

Honestly, it wouldn't be strange if Shin Ha-ru pounced on me right now. I could teleport, but I'm not in good physical condition, so I can't escape far. No, I was already screwed the moment my identity was revealed. Even my name has been exposed.

As I stared blankly at the beach, I suddenly made eye contact with someone over there.

It was the Ego-stream members—Seo-eun, Eun-wol, Choi Se-hee, and others—looking at us helplessly.

Right. They all noticed that Stardus had arrived.

Guys. I'm screwed. What do we do?

As I was giving up, I suddenly had a flash of insight.

Wait. Seo-eun. Choi Se-hee. Eun-wol. Illusion magic. Terrorism. Alibi. Success.

Realizing a way to break through this situation in an instant, I almost jumped up but held myself back.

Yes. There's exactly one way to overcome this obstacle. Just one. If this works.

"...Um, Ha-ru?"

"Yes?"

She raised her head at my question, still sipping her cocktail with reddened cheeks.

I said to her:

"Can I go to the bathroom for a moment?"

"...What?"

Her expression immediately hardened at my words.

I pointed right in front, as if to reassure her.

"It's right there in front. I'll be back quickly."

Indeed, there was a white container-like bathroom visible from our seats.

After considering it briefly, she reluctantly nodded.

"...Well, okay. Go ahead."

"Thank you. Then..."

I got up from my seat with a smile.

Done. It's over.

I've accomplished the most difficult part.

As I stood up and was about to enter the bathroom right in front, I briefly made eye contact with Seo-eun sitting in front of a sandcastle.

When I winked at her, she ran off somewhere as if she understood.

Yes. As expected of Seo-eun. She understands just from eye contact.

I entered the bathroom with a smile, thinking that.

...Stardus, oh Stardus.

Do you think I'd get caught here?

***

"..."

After Da-in entered the bathroom, Shin Ha-ru quietly stared in that direction.

Three minutes. If he exceeds three minutes, she'll take action immediately.

She was already almost certain.

He is Egostic. For sure.

And it seems he knows she's Stardus too.

As she became more convinced after exchanging a few words with him.

However, she found herself thinking about something else.

'...So, what should I do?'

Should she pounce and catch him here? Take him to prison?

...Is that the right thing to do?

"......"

In such a situation, she had been certain she would not hesitate to put him in prison.

But now that the moment was right in front of her.

Stardus began to hesitate.

'...I should catch him. I should catch him, that's the right thing... but...'

"Did you wait long?"

While she was lost in thought, a voice suddenly came.

"...You came back quickly?"

"Of course. Did you think I'd run away somewhere?"

Seeing him speak so brazenly, she couldn't help but laugh.

...Strangely, whenever she's with him, her heart softens a little.

...Even though he's clearly a villain.

Feeling unsettled by this sudden emotion.

He sat back on the beach chair and spoke first with a smile.

"So. Ha-ru."

"Yes?"

"What do you think of Stardus?"

"Uh...."

As she was taken aback by the sudden question, he smiled slightly.

....He seems to know everything too.

When she narrowed her eyes slightly, he tilted his head as if asking what was wrong.

...How annoying.

Even while thinking that, she found this situation a bit funny.

...A villain and a hero who have already noticed each other's identities, yet are having a conversation as if they know nothing.

Both Egostic, who just throws things out there in front of her, and herself, who smiles and goes along with it.

...They both seem crazy.

...I should catch him. I should attack. Now that I know his identity, even if he escapes, I should report to the association and track him down.

As she thought this, Shin Ha-ru felt her chest tighten.

...Right. After this conversation, I'll pounce. Not yet, just after this conversation...

Just as she was about to open her mouth, having made this promise to herself.

From somewhere far away, there was the sound of something exploding.

-BOOM.

"...?"

As she turned her head at the sudden incident, black smoke was faintly visible in the distance.

As the beach became restless due to the sudden incident, her phone in her pocket suddenly began to ring.

"...Da-in, excuse me for a moment."

[Association]

Seeing the text displayed on the screen, she immediately stood up, moved away, and answered the phone.

From there came the urgent voice of an employee.

[Stardus! Something terrible has happened. Egostic has appeared again and is causing terrorism!]

"...What?"

Surprised by the sudden news, Shin Ha-ru turned her head to look at where Da-in was sitting.

He was looking around in confusion, staring at where the black smoke was coming from. He looked completely innocent, as if he had no idea what was happening.

"...Are you sure it's Egostic?"

[Yes. It's definitely him.]

Hearing those confident words, Shin Ha-ru suddenly began to feel confused.

...Egostic has appeared? Then who is that man over there?

***

On the other side, Stardus was noticeably flustered.

Looking at her, I quietly thought with a slight smile that she couldn't see.

'According to plan.'