Chapter 186 - The Art Of Light

I decided, in this world, to become a villain.

The reason was solely to protect Stardust.

In other words, my villain concept is entirely for Stardust's sake.

But not being able to protect Stardust because of the villain concept I'm maintaining for her? That's nonsense. Completely backwards.

That's why I've appeared here at this moment.

I mean, concept or whatever, I have to prevent Stardust from dying.

"Ta-da! Hello there. I'm Egostic!"

So I said with my arms spread wide, smiling in front of the ruined Demon King's castle.

Hmm. And there was no reaction. Only the cold wind brushed past my cape. Tsk, this is why performances without an audience are so depressing.

Of course, that's because the only people around were Stardust, half-collapsed behind me, and the Demon King in front who looked utterly dumbfounded.

While the scene here was quiet, the live broadcast chat streaming nationwide was absolute chaos.

*

[?????????]

[Holy shit lolololol I believed in you!!!!!]

[Egostic!!! Egostic!!! Egostic!!! Egostiiiic!!! Damn lolololol]

[Lol isn't it "common sense" that when a hero is in danger, a villain steps in?]

[Like if you're part of Team Mango and crying while bowing in all directions lolol I'll start first lolol]

[This is what we call plot twist lolololololol]

[Mango-yatho~ Mango-yatho~ Mango-yatho~ Mango-yatho~ Mango-yatho~ Mango-yatho~ Mango-yatho~ Mango-yatho~ Mango-yatho~ Mango-yatho~ Mango-yatho~]

[This scene cured my cancer thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you]

[S-class hero Apple Mango getting absolutely destroyed online lolol]

*

As expected, the chat was burning up exactly as I'd predicted.

Well, I wasn't particularly surprised since I'd anticipated this. I was only concerned about how to handle the aftermath.

And of course, I had a plan ready.

"It's been a while, viewers! It feels strange meeting you again in this situation."

I started running my mouth in earnest.

Talking about things nobody asked about.

"Well, I was just relaxing at home when suddenly all hell broke loose. And at my workplace, no less? I was so dumbfounded I had to rush over. I mean, how could someone wreck someone else's business like this?"

I said this while panning the camera around the ruined surroundings. Complete with an incredulous expression and tone.

And the viewers seemed to understand my feelings.

*

[What????]

[Workplace=terror site... business=terrorism... I guess that makes sense?]

[What makes sense lol wtf lolololol]

[Mango, are you embarrassed to be a hero??]

[Why can't you just say you came to save Stardust, to protect South Korea!]

[Why won't anyone listen to Mango, why can't you do this one thing for our hero!]

[Ah! Right~ This is totally villain behavior]

[Everyone just type "lol" and be done with it lolol]

*

...Or not?

Anyway, that's not what's important. My image can be restored later with a few more terror attacks, so for now, being shameless and running my mouth is what matters.

So I quickly continued.

"Anyway, what I want to say is that I don't care what kind of terrorism other villains commit. But hey? Causing this much trouble without my permission as the villain in charge of this area is problematic. So my conclusion is..."

After saying that much, I pointed at the Demon King standing in front of me with a grin.

"I'll finish off this guy that Stardust has already worn down."

[....Ha.]

The Demon King was slowly approaching, dragging his spear toward where Stardust and I were.

Seeing my behavior, he let out a scornful laugh, as if finding it ridiculous.

And at that moment.

[You dare mock me.]

Boom-

'Ugh...'

As his low murmur ended, the air instantly became heavy.

The intense pressure throughout my body made it hard to breathe.

I barely managed to maintain my balance against it.

...Wow, damn. Did Stardust fight while enduring all this? And this is even weaker than before?

As I was thinking this, a ear-splitting roar thundered from in front of me.

[Who dares to interfere before me-----!]

And simultaneously,

A house-sized black silhouette charged toward me at tremendous speed.

*

[Kyaaaaaaaaaaa]

[Wait, thinking about it, can Mango actually win against that thing?]

[We're screwed we're screwed we're screwed]

[We're doomed~]

*

Just as I was about to be split from Ego/stic into Ego / stic,

I pulled out something I had prepared in advance—a glowing white spear-like object.

The creature swung its red spear at me.

I held my glowing spear vertically and placed it directly in the path of the incoming attack.

And blocked it.

Clang-

"Kuh..."

[You... bastard-----!]

Right in front of the dark demon castle.

Red light and white light clashed, sending sparks flying.

The Demon King, who clearly hadn't expected his attack to be blocked, seemed visibly frustrated even though I couldn't see his face.

I pushed back with my spear arm, raising one corner of my mouth in a smirk as I said to him:

"Why... you didn't expect this, did you?"

[Kraaaaaaaa-!]

Zing-

Boom.

Our spears deflected off each other, and the Demon King, shocked that his attack was blocked, let out an irrational cry as he jumped backward.

...As expected, he's already being consumed by the demon, his intelligence deteriorating. Thanks to Stardust fighting for so long, it's much easier for me to deal with him.

While he was observing me, I twirled the glowing spear in my hand with a smirk.

[.....]

He hadn't completely lost his mind yet, as he kept his distance while assessing me.

Yes, he must be confused. After just one exchange, he felt overpowered—by someone who looked as weak as me.

But truthfully, I was in a tougher situation than him. I mean, I'm not someone who usually fights physically like this...

Though I was standing there smiling as if nothing was wrong, in reality, my legs were trembling from the bloodlust and pressure this guy was naturally emitting. It's actually impossible for me to face off one-on-one against the character who represents the pinnacle of power inflation in the original work.

...However, I had found a solution.

If my original abilities aren't enough... I can rely on item power, right?

I raised the glowing white spear once more.

The ultimate anti-demon weapon. Created with maximum knowledge from the original work, designed to strike at all the weaknesses of the self-proclaimed Demon King—a sacred weapon optimized for this battle.

I pointed it at him, raising the corner of my mouth as I shouted:

"Come on, stop checking me out like a coward and attack!"

Bring it on. With my S-class item, I'm invincible.

Naturally, my provocation angered him.

[Ha, now even a minnow dares to challenge me-!]

[I'll tear you limb from limb-----!!!!]

The Demon King charged at me again, spewing terrifying threats.

And I too, with a smirk, flew toward him. Yes, an opportunity like this won't come again, so I should enjoy the power of my item to the fullest. Taste my Holy-Spear!

And so I began fighting against the creature two or three times my size, amid thunderous noise.

Red and white sparks flying brilliantly. Wind whipping wildly. And viewers going crazy.

*

[Wow damn lolol Mangostick said he'd just deliver the final blow but he's fighting so well lolololol]

[S-class hero Apple Mango going absolutely wild, what the hell lolol]

[What's that glowing stick Egostic is holding? It gives off this super solemn and sacred vibe]

[Egostic with a lightstick lolololol]

[He's just completely dominating, is this for real? lolol]

*

And I was just beating the crap out of the Demon King.

"Haha, thanks to Stardust wearing you down, this is too easy!"

[Kugh, you bastard-----!]

Sacred white light kept pouring from my spear, warping the space around it. Our Demon King, taking it head-on, looked like he was having the time of his life.

...Of course, things weren't looking great for me either. Even in his weakened state, he was still one of the strongest S-class villains from the original work, emitting insane bloodlust and pressure. He seemed to be using some kind of mind control too, as negative thoughts and strange whispers started creeping into my mind.

So while I appeared to be dominating this already weakened opponent, I was actually becoming increasingly vulnerable.

And then.

Of course, I had prepared for this situation.

[Oppa, I'm ready!]

"Really?"

Hearing Seo-eun's voice in my ear.

Realizing the time had come, I swung my spear at him a few more times, then said with a smirk:

"Hey."

[Uaaah, you bastard----!]

"Goodbye."

[....What?]

After saying that, I swung my glowing spear at the Demon King, kicked him away to create distance.

Then, pointing my spear at him through the air, I shouted:

"Fire!"

[Yes!]

Simultaneously.

Flash.

From the rooftops of the buildings surrounding us, white lights—specifically, the anti-Demon King ultimate weapon I had prepared in advance, the so-called Holy-Cannon—flashed from all directions.

[....What!]

And with those final words from our Demon King.

Beep.

KWAAAAAAAAAANG

KWAAAAAAAAAANG

KWAAAAAAAAAANG

KWAAAAAAAAAANG

From all directions in the sky, countless beams of light rained down on him simultaneously with tremendous noise.

[KRAAAAAAAAAAA-!]

The Demon King's screaming wail.

Watching the flashing lights explode, I unconsciously muttered:

"....Beautiful."

Now this is art.