Chapter 149 - Deep Conversation

The evening wind blew colder than usual.

Thanks to the flames blazing ahead, I wasn't cold, but the wind was strong enough to make Stardust's hair flutter to the right as she stood before me.

"It's nice to see you again after so long. How have you been?"

"..."

She looked at me with a rather complicated expression as I greeted her.

Come on, what's so complicated? Just attack me already.

While I was thinking this, Stardust hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"...Did you know I would come?"

"Yes. Of course."

"...Why?"

"Well, obviously because Shadow Walker couldn't handle it alone, so you came personally, right?"

"...Right. That's right..."

After hearing my words, she paused slightly before continuing in a somewhat lower voice.

Anyway, while looking at Stardust, I glanced at the situation to the side.

Hmm, still intense. Things were flashing and exploding all over the place.

But now it seemed like our Mist was getting pushed back a bit.

Right, I've been standing in this cold wind for too long. It's about time to leave.

While chaos reigned beside us with flames, destruction, battle cries, and gusting winds, we remained in a quiet standoff, with me still smiling.

Of course, I didn't miss the opportunity to take out the device from my pocket.

"Ah, right. As always, you know I brought the detonator, right? If you attack me, I'll press it immediately, so please be careful."

"...Right, of course."

Stardust simply answered like she hadn't expected much anyway. Hmm, is this learned helplessness? ...Maybe I should try a different pattern next time.

While I was lost in these random thoughts, Stardust continued to look at me with that complicated expression.

'...'

Yes, she kept staring at me. Perplexedly.

'...Wait, what's wrong with her?'

I couldn't understand why she was just floating there, staring at me. Didn't she come to help Shadow Walker? Why is she just standing in front of me like this? This makes it extremely awkward to execute Plan B.

For reference, Plan B is simple. Sequence R.U.N. Run. Just flee. Take Mist and exit faster than anyone else. This terror attack wasn't really my main event, but more of a showcase to introduce Mist, the new regular member of Ego-stream. Plus, it was to show that Ego-stream could even handle Shadow Walker! In other words, once these two points were demonstrated, we could go home without any issues.

For that reason, even if Stardust came as reinforcement, it wouldn't be a problem. The moment Stardust joined Shadow Walker to attack our Mist, I could jump in, grab her, deliver my closing statement, and flee. It would make for a perfect scene.

But the current problem was that Stardust wasn't going to help Shadow Walker but was standing in front of me.

So while I wasn't showing it, I was slightly flustered. Come on, you should be fighting, not standing in front of me.

Just as I was thinking this, Stardust finally opened her mouth.

"...Why did you do it?"

"Pardon? Well... because I'm a villain?"

Why is she asking such an obvious question?

I answered with a smile, though slightly puzzled, and Stardust shook her head slightly as if that wasn't what she meant.

"No, I mean... that Lattice thing. Why did you stop their terror attack? Why did you do something like that?"

"Uh..."

I was caught off guard by the unexpected question.

Really? She's asking about that now? Right next to us, there's fighting and loud noises and chaos, and she's not joining in?

The content of her question was also surprising. That happened a couple of months ago. Given Stardust's personality as I know it, she should normally think, 'Whatever villains do is none of my business. It's either a new deception or not true,' and not care at all.

With those thoughts, I glanced at her again.

And met her determined gaze fixed on me.

...What's this? Why does she look so serious?

Come to think of it, I already explained during the broadcast that I knew nothing about it. Didn't she see that?

But well, that was said in front of the public to avoid potential issues.

Since we're on camera anyway, I can tell Stardust something different. Looking at her now, she doesn't seem like she'd accept such excuses anyway.

With that calculation, I quickly thought of what to say.

Then, grinning at Stardust once more, I answered.

"I didn't know you were so interested in such rumors."

"...Stop joking around—"

"Well, if I must say. Didn't I tell you before? About my plans and whatnot."

After saying that much, I continued with a tone suggesting I was stating the obvious.

"I told only you what my goal was. Did you forget? My goal is to create the largest villain alliance in Korea to oppose the Association. But if those small fries take all the public attention, my position becomes a bit difficult. So, yes, I did exert some influence. To maintain Ego-stream's exclusive status. It wasn't for the sake of Korea, obviously."

Ah, speaking at length makes my throat hurt.

With that thought, I shrugged.

...Come to think of it, this is a bit of a funny scene.

Right next to us, Mist, who's sort of my subordinate...?, and her colleague Shadow Walker are fighting as if their lives depend on it. What are we doing? While they're in pain from fighting, I'm in pain from talking too much.

With that thought, I glanced again at the intense battle happening on the other side.

It was hard to see clearly with all the flames, shadows, and noise, but they were still fighting fiercely while we stood talking. In fact, it seemed like they were gradually being pushed in our direction. Wait, pushed?

As soon as that thought occurred to me, I checked the chat window again.

[It seems Shadow Walker definitely has the upper hand now?]

[For real, oh no, is Mist getting pushed back?!]

[Still, it's impressive that she's held her own against Shadow Walker for this long. Almost no one beats him at night, right?]

[True, and Mist was even slightly dominant at first lol. Shadow just gets stronger with endurance as the fight goes on]

[Honestly, if you were just watching Mist and not caring about the fight, give me a like lol]

[For real lol, for a moment I forgot Mist was a villain and was cheering for her, ah lol]

[Villain? Hell no!!! It's common knowledge that all Ego-stream members are 'heroes.' Remember that]

[It does seem like Mist is starting to get pushed back a bit]

...Hmm, it looks like it's time to flee.

As I was starting to feel anxious, she objected to what I had said earlier.

"...You expect me to believe that?"

"No, I only told you the truth, cough. If you respond like that when I'm being honest, it puts me in a difficult position."

...It was a perfect explanation, so why doesn't she believe it? Is it just because a villain is saying it, so she automatically filters it out?

But separately, when I coughed to clear my throat, her expression hardened slightly.

After hesitating a bit, she asked with her face still rigid.

"...Anyway, fine. Let's drop that. You... you coughed up blood last time."

"...Um, blood?"

"Yes, blood. You can't fool my eyes. During the last terror attack, didn't you cough up blood? I guess there's something wrong with your body?"

She questioned me accusingly.

...Wait, when did she see that? This is why perceptive heroes are such a problem.

But why is she asking about this? Ah, is she asking mockingly? Like, 'You seem to have health issues, are you dying soon? Hah.' Something like that. Of course, there's no way she's actually concerned about me.

So I responded teasingly.

"Well, I never thought you'd be so worried about me, Stardust."

"It's not worry..."

"Yes, yes. It was just a momentary difficulty then, and my body is fine, so don't worry. I won't stop until I'm on the verge of death, so look forward to more terror attacks."

"..."

After teasing her like that, I checked the battle situation again.

[Oh no, Mist is really about to get caught?]

[Shadow Walker is in a rage rush, damn]

[Where did Egostic go? The lady's about to lose, man]

[Shadow's completely back in form now, damn lol]

Shit, this is bad.

Realizing I had wasted too much time, I quickly bid farewell to Stardust, who was showing a slightly disapproving yet... relieved? expression.

"Anyway! It was nice chatting with you. Now I'll go save my colleague!"

"Huh? Wait a moment..."

What do you mean, wait? I don't have time now.

After saying that, I teleported instantly. Where to? To where Mist was.

The moment I teleported, I felt the intense heat and the rushing wind.

In the midst of it all, I grabbed Mist from behind as she was being attacked by shadows, and immediately teleported to the side.

"Haa, haa... you came?"

"Yes. Sorry I'm late."

Looking at Seo Ja-young who was catching her breath, I apologized. I've pushed her too hard, especially since she's already lazy and usually just lies around. I feel quite sorry.

Anyway, Shadow Walker, who had slashed at empty air due to my sudden intervention, turned his head, saw us, and approached. Stardust, who was on the other side, also flew toward us.

A sudden four-way confrontation between heroes and villains under the night sky. Shadow Walker breathing heavily looking in my direction, and Stardust watching me with a displeased expression as I held Mist.

In this scene being captured by cameras that now included Stardust, I grinned and spoke.

"Unfortunately, the fight ends here! It seems it's time for us to part ways!"

[Running away because you're about to lose lol]

[For real, I was just waiting for Egostic to show up]

[Ending the broadcast already? Still, today's show was pretty good]

[lol Shadow Walker looks like a dog that lost its chicken lol]

[When did Stardust arrive? Just now?]

[As soon as Stardust shows up, they flee lol]

"...So you're Egostic."

"Yes, Shadow Walker. You're quite strong. Next time, we'll come better prepared."

"..."

Shadow catching his breath while looking at me, Stardust still watching us with a disgruntled expression, and Seo Ja-young looking meaningfully between me and Stardust. Standing between them, I was preparing to deliver my closing statement.

Yes, that's how it was.

Until Seo Ja-young, who had been smiling slightly wickedly, made an unexpected move.

"...?"

...Is she crazy?