Chapter 158 - I'm Going To Meet You Now

# Enhanced Translation

## Atlas and the Invitation

After my conversation with Atlas, I spent some time reviewing the original story's content by going through my diary and information sheets.

Of course, I had already memorized most things related to Stardust, but I was a bit hazy on the extras who weren't directly connected.

With that in mind, before heading to Kathedal where almost all the leaders of villain organizations on Earth would gather, I refreshed my knowledge about those villains.

Since I had hurriedly written down all the details of the original story in great detail before I could forget after arriving in this world, reading it again brought back all my memories vividly.

"...Javaphorsize, Leitre. Seriously, why are all these names so weird?"

These non-Korean villains had such eccentric names. Still, I couldn't afford to look clueless at the Kathedal meeting, so I made sure to memorize their names, appearances, abilities, and actions from the original story.

"Ah! Thank you. Yes, I'll visit you then. Yes. Take care."

Just as I was preparing, I received a call from Atlas.

He told me that he had received an invitation to Kathedal, the villains' meeting, from Celeste, and had strongly recommended me to join as well. After he told me the date with a hearty laugh, I hung up and sighed. Phew, I've overcome the biggest hurdle. Connections really are everything. I'm lucky Atlas has shown such unusual interest in me...

In reality, what I did for Atlas wasn't that significant.

I just deeply sympathized with his ocean expansion project. Oh, and I also warned him about the impending city destruction and saved his dying daughter. That's about it?

Hmm, thinking about it, that does seem quite substantial.

Anyway, with the date set, I informed my companions that I'd be traveling overseas for a while.

"Okay. Have a safe trip. Bring me a Melona ice cream when you come back."

Seo Ja-young coolly waved me off.

"...Da-in, isn't that dangerous?"

"Oppa, I'm worried since all the villains in the world will be gathering..."

Su-bin and Seo-eun showed signs of concern, so I had to reassure them.

Thinking about it, their worry was justified. This was a gathering of elite S-class villains, leaders among villains. It's not strange to worry about getting your head chopped off among such powerful ability users.

"It'll be fine, don't worry."

"But still..."

Of course, I reassured them not to worry at all.

That's because I roughly knew what the atmosphere of that meeting would be like from the original story.

One might think that a gathering of villains would involve fighting and explosions, but in reality, it proceeds in a relatively calm atmosphere.

After all, those who attend are all intelligent individuals who lead organizations and have avoided capture by the Association, so they naturally have the sense to behave in front of the world's most dangerous villains. Well, those who didn't behave ended up dead later anyway...

Plus, I wasn't going alone but with Atlas, who has significant influence even among those villains, so there was nothing to worry about.

As time passed, the promised day finally arrived.

Before heading to Kathedal, I set off for the ocean city to meet Atlas as planned.

Sigh, a gathering of villains...

The thought made my head throb, but for Stardust's sake, I had to do this.

With renewed determination, I summoned Team Lapis after a long time and flew on their airship.

Atlas, it's been a while since our last meeting.

***

Somewhere beneath the North Atlantic Ocean.

There exists a secretive underwater city designed to be undiscoverable.

This is Atlas City, built by the S-class villain Atlas.

A mysterious city where teal-colored stone buildings resembling sea ruins coexist with structures made entirely of transparent glass.

In the center of this city, which serves as the base for Team Latis aiming for ocean expansion, I was meeting an older man in a stone building.

"Haha! Egostic, our Egostic! Good to see you, have you been well?"

"Yes, it's good to see you too, Atlas. It's been a while. I'm sorry I couldn't visit sooner."

"No, no! You're busy, that's understandable. Still, it's good to see your face again on this occasion!"

Atlas laughed heartily as he spoke to me.

Then, stroking his long, fluffy blue beard, he spoke to me earnestly.

"And if you ever have free time, come here anytime. Team Latis always welcomes you. My daughter also wants to see you."

"Haha, I understand. You should visit Korea sometime too, Atlas. I'll treat you well."

"Haha, I'll definitely do that."

I smiled back at Atlas as he laughed boisterously.

There I was, laughing with a muscular older man wearing something like a blue bodysuit deep under the sea.

This place resembled a massive temple, with fish swimming through the glass walls outside.

Like an underwater kingdom from a fairy tale. Well, seeing Atlas sitting on his throne, it actually is a kingdom. The only issue is that he hasn't conquered the land yet; the sea is practically his.

"So. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Good, then let's prepare to leave."

Just as Atlas finished speaking and rose from his throne, his gaze suddenly fixed on something in the distance.

Wondering what caught his attention, I turned around and saw a figure hiding behind a pillar.

Though not completely hidden, I could see long blue hair partially visible.

Atlas called out loudly to that figure.

"Ariel! What are you doing back there? Daddy's leaving now!"

Ah, so it's Ariel.

Despite Atlas's words, she remained hidden behind the pillar, showing no intention of coming out.

"Hehe, I apologize. She's not usually like this, but she gets shy around you for some reason."

"It's fine, haha. I'll have to get better acquainted with Ariel next time I visit."

I answered with a smile while glancing at Ariel hiding behind the pillar.

Ariel. Atlas's daughter who, in the original story, wastes away and dies. I saved her and gained Atlas's favor.

Looking at her hiding behind the pillar, I thought to myself.

Ariel. I had no idea before, but it turns out she has quite powerful abilities. The ability to control water. Among elemental abilities considered strong, water is particularly special, so I've been eyeing it. It would be great if I could somehow persuade her to join Ego-stream.

...But, she was fine talking and laughing with me last time we met, so why is she acting like this now?

With puzzlement in my mind, I waved at her as she peeked out slightly. Her ears turned red and she hid again.

...Why is a grown woman acting like this? Are people here always like this? Come to think of it, I only see fish-people around here, so I'm not sure.

"Well, anyway. Let's go now. Take this letter."

Atlas handed me a letter as he spoke.

A letter with only a red seal in the center.

So this is what allows direct access to Kathedal.

As I grabbed one side of the letter following his words, Atlas mercilessly tore it in half.

At that moment, some blue energy dispersed around us.

Whoosh-

With a spray of white smoke, we who had been standing on marble were suddenly standing on hard black bricks.

"Hmm... so this is how it works."

Atlas waved away the smoke with his hand. As our vision cleared, a black space appeared before us.

"Welcome, Lord Atlas. And... Lord Egostic."

Beside it, a person in a white robe appeared before us as we looked around.

Hmm, is this the famous white priest of Celeste?

"Yes. Where are we?"

"This is the cathedral, the meeting hall of Kathedal. If you follow the corridor ahead, you can go directly to the conference room. When you return after the meeting, please come back this way."

"Understood."

I answered his words.

The person then bowed and retreated, and Atlas and I began walking down the long corridor.

"Hmm. I'll be able to meet Celeste this time. Egostic, do you know about Celeste?"

"I know somewhat, but this will be my first time meeting her as well."

"Haha! There will be many villains here as powerful as she is. Don't be nervous. Well, I'm sure you'll handle yourself just fine! Hahaha!"

"Haha..."

Atlas looked at me with eyes full of deep trust. I could only smile awkwardly at him. Seriously, why does this man overestimate me so much? Though Atlas himself is certainly one of the strongest here, able to control the entire ocean and attack the whole world simultaneously...

Lost in these thoughts, I suddenly noticed a large circular doorway ahead.

As we walked through it.

"Oho..."

A massive room unfolded before us.

Stained glass lined both sides, with a large chandelier floating above.

And in the center of the room, a large round table.

Many villains were already seated there.

On the other side, I saw a white-haired woman with a white veil covering her face, dressed similarly to a holy maiden from a fantasy game.

That woman is...

The one considered the most powerful among S-class villains, and simultaneously the most mysterious villain. The woman who only appears in the final stages of the original story. Celeste.

Surrounding the round table around her were villains who could easily destroy entire countries single-handedly.

And among them, I quietly thought.

'Hmm...'

So, how should I approach this?