Chapter 199 - Her Consciousness

In the open sky above the city center where heavy snow was falling, I greeted the blonde hero flying in front of me while riding on a dragon's back.

"Nice to meet you, Stardus."

"Haa, haa..."

*

[Finally they meet lolololol]

[This is it hahaha]

[Stardus is stunned by the dragon right away lol. What villain brings a dragon to a terror attack? hahaha]

*

In front of me, she was looking at me with a very bewildered expression while hovering in the air.

I began speaking while mounted on the dragon with its wings spread wide before her.

"You've come at just the right time. I'm currently trying to conquer Seoul. With this divine spirit, our new Ego-stream colleague, it will be easier than anything else!"

"....ROAAAAAAR!"

And as I finished speaking, Divine Spirit responded with a roar on cue. Though the sound seemed slightly reluctant, it must have appeared quite threatening to others. When it opened its mouth and roared, the air practically vibrated, creating a dramatic effect as Stardus's hair fluttered backward.

I shouted proudly from atop the dragon.

"Ms. Stardus. Even someone like you won't be able to withstand my attack. You seem to have been quite active lately, but I cannot acknowledge that."

"....Hmm?"

"Well, I might acknowledge you if you manage to stop me here... but that's impossible. How could a human possibly stop a dragon!"

Hahaha! As I laughed, Divine Spirit howled once more with a "ROAAAR" to match my voice.

...I felt like there was a hint of regret in Divine Spirit's howl, but that must have been my imagination.

Anyway, I threw out such a blatant challenge.

Yes. Let's get straight into the fight.

...Honestly, because I had the burden of rushing to her aid when I saw Stardus collapse at that demon castle recently, it would be awkward for me if our conversation dragged on here.

Of course, given Stardus's righteous and strict personality, that probably wouldn't happen, but if she suddenly questioned why I saved her last time, the situation could turn unfavorable. Although I had prepared excuses, for a villain, it's better to prove one's villainy through a single evil act rather than a hundred words of explanation.

So while maintaining a relaxed expression, I anxiously awaited Stardus's reaction inside. The best scenario would be for Stardus to say, "You trash, I'll take you down!" and immediately enter combat. If she tried to continue the conversation, I would have no choice but to interrupt her and launch a preemptive attack. ...Though I didn't want to do that.

And finally.

Stardus, who had been quiet and still... eventually smiled slightly and opened her mouth.

"Alright, I understand. I just need to stop you here, right? Like last time."

As she spoke, she clenched her fist. Simultaneously, a yellow light began to emanate from her fist.

Seeing this, I couldn't help but grin.

...I'm not sure why Stardus is smiling, and somehow her tone seems softer than before, but that must be my imagination. Anyway, what matters is that we're about to fight.

I laughed once more with a "Hahaha!" and then said to her.

"...Yes. Good, good! Go ahead and try to stop me, if you can!"

I said that and flew higher with the dragon.

As Divine Spirit sensed the beginning of the battle, it used its ability to summon numerous ice blades like icicles.

*

[The atmosphere between them is so tense yet sweet (´,,•ω•,,｀) lolol]

[Finally the fight begins hahaha]

[Ah hahaha this is it, let's go~]

[The long-awaited dragon battle begins hahaha]

[Ice dragon, you bastard~~~~!!!]

[I climbed onto a nearby building rooftop to watch this live while getting snowed on lol. This is living! hahaha]

[Dragon punch! Dragon punch! Dragon punch!]

*

The real battle had finally begun.

***

In truth, Shin Ha-ru had been somewhat nervous about seeing Egostic again.

That moment in front of the so-called demon castle, when he came to save her.

She couldn't help but smile, her heart beating slightly faster. His back view was so reassuring.

Even though she understood intellectually that he was a villain and tried to be hostile, her heart didn't dislike him.

That's why Shin Ha-ru was nervous about seeing Egostic again. She wasn't sure how she would react.

What should she say when she sees him? No, how would he approach her? ...Probably, if he acted like the usual Egostic, he would behave exactly the same as before...

She had actually spent time deeply pondering why Egostic carried out terrorist attacks, his relationships with the women around him, and reasons why he might not be a villain... but ultimately, all of that was part of figuring out what face she should show him when they met again.

Anyway, that day finally came. The day Egostic finally launched a new terror attack.

And.

Stardus forgot all the worries she'd been having and just stared in bewilderment at the scene before her eyes.

...Where on earth did he get something like that dragon?

In the sky where heavy snow and ice particles mixed and fell.

When she flew there and was stunned to see him riding a dragon.

Egostic, seeing her, began to speak.

Words about this dragon being Ego-stream's new member, about conquering Seoul... words that would have angered and antagonized her if spoken by any other villain, but somehow felt familiar coming from his mouth.

...Regardless, Stardus still stood there slightly dazed. ...Dragon aside, now that she was face to face with Egostic again, seeing his smiling face and eyes, she didn't know what to do. Should she be angry about the terrorist attack? Or should she ask about last time? She had many things she wanted to say, but her thoughts were tangled.

And what snapped her out of this confusion was Egostic's next words.

"Ms. Stardus. Even someone like you won't be able to withstand my attack. You seem to have been quite active lately, but I cannot acknowledge that."

"....Hmm?"

"Well, I might acknowledge you if you manage to stop me here... but that's impossible. How could a human possibly stop a dragon!"

He laughed "Haha-!" as he said that.

And at that moment, she realized Egostic's intention.

Ah, he's telling me to stop him. He wants me to try and stop this dragon.

You can do it, Stardus.

And then, she unconsciously recalled an old memory.

Yes. Egostic had always been like this. From the beginning until now, he always threw some kind of trial at her and told her to overcome it.

...It felt familiar somehow.

And thinking about that, Stardus—Shin Ha-ru—realized:

I don't even think of Egostic's terrorist attacks as terrorism anymore.

I think of what he causes as trials given to me.

...I don't know what the truth is. Maybe it really is terrorism.

But does that even matter?

In the end, this too is something that he, Egostic, prepared just for me.

Yes.

If he prepared this so diligently.

I should also do my best to face it.

And I should show him that I can overcome it.

Since that's what he wants.

Thinking this, Stardus unconsciously smiled and said:

"Alright, I understand. I just need to stop you here, right? Like last time."

And seeing Egostic grin at her response, she was convinced.

Indeed, this is what he wants.

Well, then I have no choice but to act accordingly.

With that mindset, she clenched her fist, emitting light. To stop his "terrorism," and to win against him.

She took flight.

***

In the sky where heavy snow was falling.

A mythical battle was unfolding there.

"Divine Spirit, snowstorm ahead!"

Riding on the dragon that was swiftly cutting through the air, I gave orders to Divine Spirit. She responded by creating a snowstorm according to my command.

As a result, Stardus, who had been flying fiercely toward us, momentarily lost sight of us. Taking advantage of that gap, we flew higher.

"Now another lightning strike!"

And as I finished speaking, lightning began to fall from the sky. It wasn't as strong as Electra's, but it was still surprising as it fell unexpectedly in the middle of the snowstorm.

With the power of Divine Spirit's dragon form, the sky was truly taking on an appearance like the creation of heaven and earth.

Heavy snow falling everywhere, lightning striking unexpectedly between the snowflakes, and whirlwind-like storms rushing in. All of this was being unleashed just to face Stardus alone.

*

[This is absolutely insane hahaha]

[Is this... terrorism? What have I been watching all this time?]

[Like if you think Egostic is right to take over Seoul hahaha]

[Wait, is all this power coming from just that one dragon? That's just crazy?]

[Seems like Ego-stream could easily conquer South Korea if they wanted to hahaha]

[But Stardus breaking through all that is even more impressive wow hahaha]

*

And, true to those words.

Stardus was breaking through all of this, flying toward me.

"Yes, that's it!"

Seeing that sight, I couldn't help but smile and shout.

Yes, this is what my hero should be capable of.

If she breaks through even this, then let's move on to the next stage.

I smiled at that thought.