Chapter 184 - Demon Lord

# Original Work

Original work is what I always follow as a guide while living in this world.

This world is based on an original comic, and through it, I know the future of this world.

In other words, almost everything that happened in the original work will definitely happen.

Of course, there is one difference between the original work and this world.

That is the existence of a character named Egostic who didn't exist in the original work. Yes. I am the only difference between the original work and this world. Nothing else.

So, the conclusion is that events from the original work, their timing, and things I haven't interfered with will mostly flow exactly as they did in the original. If a villain first appeared around this time in the original? Then they'll appear at exactly this time in this world too. Especially overseas, where my influence doesn't reach, things flow almost perfectly as seen in the original work.

...But, of course. Sometimes things happen differently from the original work, perhaps due to butterfly effects caused by my actions. Like that crocodile villain causing terror earlier than expected, or the Moonlight Cult using the monster meant for the final battle ahead of schedule.

So since then, when I make plans based on the original work, I always prepare somewhat for the possibility that things might not flow according to the original. Of course, since it rarely happens, I just roughly sketch out contingencies. Naturally, most things go according to Plan A.

And now.

I'm facing a crisis where I'll need to use those roughly sketched Plans B and C.

That room where all the CCTV screens of the building consumed by darkness are visible.

There, I was deep in thought, watching Stardust descending endlessly underground.

"No... this isn't supposed to happen!"

[What's not supposed to happen? She seems to be excitedly going down.]

The jellyfish robot with a camera wiggled while showing the screen, relaying Seo-eun's words.

Unlike Seo-eun's reaction, who didn't understand what the problem was, I, roughly knowing the future, was taking this situation seriously.

This event isn't something that gets resolved in just one day.

To be precise, Stardust struggles for almost a week, wandering through changing paths each time she returns from resting at the Association, destroying all the demon-generating devices scattered around before finally heading to the room with the final boss.

Only after weakening the villain's self-sealing power that way can she barely face them.

But now, Stardus is heading straight down without a plan.

Why are you doing this when it didn't happen this way in the original...

After watching all this with a devastated feeling, I soon regained my composure and began to seriously consider the situation.

...The best scenario would be for her to change her mind before reaching the final boss villain's room and return to the Association.

However, seeing her confidently striding along the exact route to the final boss, that possibility seemed unlikely.

This means I need to act under the worst assumption that she will descend to where Demons is today.

And the probability of Stardus defeating Demons if they fight?

'...Seems difficult.'

No matter how much stronger Stardus has become compared to the original work, the situation itself has worsened compared to the original.

In the original work, Demons was weakened as their subordinate demons, who were their nutrients, were mostly defeated, and the seal was only half-broken, reducing their power to about half of their original ability. But even then, the original Stardus couldn't win, and eventually, several demons escaped fluttering away.

Moreover, the current Stardus is exhausted from continuous battles. She's been descending almost without rest. I don't understand why she's doing this. Especially... considering that those dark tentacles whisper negative thoughts increasingly as one descends. Her physical condition probably isn't good. Can she really fight like this?

But of course, this is just my opinion.

Stardus might actually be able to beat that final boss. She might grow another level in this fight.

Should I arbitrarily stop that?

"..."

So at one corner of the demon castle's ground floor.

I was seriously contemplating.

Whether to teleport to the final boss room with my Holy Cross right now and end this mess by driving a stake through the heart of the sleeping creature.

Or to trust Stardus and watch.

And after brief consideration, I made a decision.

Yes. Let's trust her for now.

I've been calling myself Stardus's arch-enemy, so how could I not support my rival hero?

Of course, she seems likely to lose...

But still, she might gain insights through the fighting process.

Having thought that far, I decided not to intervene and stay put for now. Yes. And there's also the possibility that Stardus might change her mind and return to the Association.

But still, I should prepare.

Prepare to step in.

As I stood up, I said to Seo-eun:

"Seo-eun, can you display this screen showing Stardus on my mask? By linking with that jellyfish machine camera."

[Um... I'll try!]

After those words, she tinkered with something.

Soon, a screen showing Stardus appeared in the eye area of my mask.

Good, now I can check at a glance if Stardus is safe. That's nice.

Well, let's go do what needs to be done in advance.

I picked up my Holy Cross and said to Seo-eun:

"Seo-eun, I'm going to stop by home briefly."

[Huh? Why?]

"I might need to step in after all. Let's gather all my holy bombs and Holy Cannon in advance."

[Ah... they should be somewhere in the storage, I'll look for them!]

After hearing Seo-eun's response, I turned around and headed back outside.

...I might see Stardus again today if things go well. I'll probably need to step in.

"Well, this is also a chance to restore my image that was completely shattered by Stardus last time."

I decided to think positively.

To become a villain feared by people, I need to prove my strength to some extent.

In other words, if Stardus is losing to Demons, I could turn on the broadcast, intervene, and take down the creature instead of Stardus... Wouldn't that prove how strong I am? I can come up with an excuse for intervening later.

Actually, it's not that I'm strong, but rather that I have weapons targeting that Demons creature's weakness, but I decided to overlook that detail. People won't know anyway.

So I briefly returned home to regroup, then headed back toward the demon castle.

As the sun set and I was about to arrive.

BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!

[Who dares to awaken me------!!!]

With the sound of thunder, red clouds began to gather around the trade center that had become a demon castle.

Then, something with a huge body resembling a fantasy game's demon lord, holding a red spear, literally smashed through the building's ceiling and emerged.

"Tsk... it ended up like this after all."

Black fog gathering, lightning striking from the sky, dust clouds rising, explosion sounds.

Watching the trade center turning into chaos in real-time, I was kneeling on one knee on a nearby building, observing.

The seal has finally been broken. I expected it, but I'm surprised to see it break in less than a day.

...But really, it broke in just one day, isn't that too short a time to accumulate power?

Maybe there's a possibility.

And shortly after, Stardus emerged from underground.

Demons, or rather, the being who had partially succeeded in using the demon lord transformation ability, was smashing nearby buildings with a huge red spear in anger. With red glowing eyes, it shouted at Stardus:

[Was it you who awakened me------!!!]

[How dare you ruin my plans....]

[I'll send you to hell—!]

The creature shouted, shaking the ground.

It had planned to gather power and turn the entire Republic of Korea into a demon realm, but now that plan was thwarted, it was extremely angry.

...But Stardus has really become much stronger than before. I really doubted it, but she broke through in just one day.

[[Breaking News] Association issues Level 1 alert near Trade Center, entire area off-limits]

[[On-site photo] Villain appearing in demon form... Experts say among S-class, it's top-tier. Pray.]

[[Live video] Stardus fighting the emerging villain... If defeated, all of Seoul could be in danger]

*

[We're fucked we're fucked we're fucked]

[I live in Seoul, what the hell is that? Why is there lightning in clear skies lol]

[Fuck, our country is already small, why do these things keep appearing? This is a deliberate plot to destroy Korea...]

[I only trust Stardus, please Stardust... win just this once...]

Looking at the news alerts and broadcast chat rooms, everyone seems to be in panic over the sudden commotion.

Tsk. The visual impact is truly epic. Just looking at its appearance, you'd think it was the final villain from the original work. In reality, it's more of a mid-boss villain that appears before the Moonlight Cult.

Unlike my assessment, the surrounding area was already being infiltrated by the demon realm. Black tentacles creeping up to the ground. A sight that would probably make our Behemoth happy to have new friends.

[...Oppa, are you sure this is okay? He looks too strong! I'm not worried about Stardus, I'm worried about you...]

"Don't worry, Seo-eun. I won't get hurt right now."

I reassured the anxious Seo-eun. This one has a clear weakness, and with that, even Ha-yul's younger sister Cha-yoon could potentially defeat it.

However, winning without exploiting that weakness would be difficult... but maybe!

So I stood on the rooftop watching the battle.

The creature emitting an incredible pressure that could be felt even from here. And Stardus with her yellow hair fluttering, standing against it.

Black, red, and yellow lights flashed, illuminating the dark night sky.

Watching this, my face gradually hardened.

Anyone could see Stardus was being pushed back.

...Tsk. As expected, it's not working.

Watching her get hit again and roll, I sighed and stood up. I should step in soon.

And just as I was thinking that.

"...Huh?"

FLASH-

[ARGHHHHHH-----!!!]

Stardus gritting her teeth and throwing a punch visible even from afar.

And for the first time, the creature's painful scream.

For a moment, as if a flash had exploded in the dark night sky, the night briefly brightened with yellow light.

BOOM-BOOM-BOOM. With the sound of something being smashed, Demons, the so-called demon lord, flew backward.

CRASH. CRASH. CRASH.

Buildings being destroyed by the impact.

"What, what?"

Seeing all this, I unconsciously muttered to myself and leaned forward.

Getting a closer look, the scene became clearer.

Buildings lined up as if hit by a massive energy, and the demon lord embedded in a corner.

Yes.

Our Stardus finally landed a solid hit on that tough demon lord.

[Wow....]

[What was that just now?]

[Stardust! Stardust! Stardust! Stardust! Stardust!]

[This is what a hero is, this is what a champion is lol]

Seeing the chat room buzzing with hope, I almost clapped with hot tears flowing without realizing it. Yes. I believed in you! This is our Stardus!

However, the lively chat room didn't last long.

[Oh shit. We're fucked.]

Because the fallen demon lord, though staggering, stood up again holding the red spear.

In contrast, our Stardus had apparently used all her energy in that final strike and was barely breathing, leaning against a wall.

In that situation, with the demon lord walking step by step toward the seemingly powerless Stardus.

At that moment when viewers' anxiety peaked.

I quietly lifted my mask and grinned.

"Alright... Stardus. You did well. I'll handle the rest."

Taking credit for someone else's hard work. Truly a villainous act befitting an evil villain. Everyone will naturally tremble in fear...!

Having made my judgment, I grabbed my camera and Holy Weapon, and jumped from the building rooftop.

Well. The hero's time is over.

Now, it's the villain's time.

"Ta-da! Hello everyone, this is Egostic!"