Chapter 223 - Witch
"....I never thought I'd still be writing this until now."
In my room.
I was writing in my diary as always.
As usual, I wrote about what happened and simply listed events. And my feelings.
I'm writing diligently because I know it'll be necessary later, but I do wonder how long I need to keep writing. Still, I have to write it—what else can I do?
After putting my specially-made diary—sealed by the Vine Witch so no one else could see it—back in the drawer, I naturally turned on my computer.
"Hmm..."
Various files appeared on the desktop.
Several terrorist plans, and information about other villains that I've been gathering one by one with Lee Seol-ah's help.
Step by step, everything was being prepared well.
...So, it should be okay to take a short break, right?
Having made that decision, I quickly entered Stardust's fan cafe.
Our Stardust fan cafe that I personally operate.
It's a place where people who adore and praise Stardust gather.
"...."
The fan cafe looked peaceful today as well.
Popular posts usually feature images and videos of Stardust defeating villains. But on normal days, everyday posts are more common.
Lately, a frequent topic has been Ego-stream vs. Stardust—who would win?
Once the debate ignites, people fiercely oppose each other, easily exceeding 100 comments. The main question is whether Stardust could win if all Ego-stream members attacked at once.
...The sad part about this topic is that I'm not included among those Ego-stream members. Hey, I'm pretty strong too when I use Behemoth and bring my guns! When I subtly mentioned this, I got the incomprehensible response: "Egostic is a product."
'...If Ego-stream and Stardust fought all together, what would happen?'
Actually, people don't realize this, but it could never happen. I wouldn't make everyone fight at once in the first place. Am I crazy? The entire area would be completely destroyed.
But if we assume it did happen.
'...Our team has Eun-wol and Mr. Shin-ryong who are strong.'
Since we outnumber them, generally speaking, Ego-stream would win. In the original story, when a corrupted Seo-eun hacked the villain detention center causing a mass breakout, it became one of the four main events. There's no beating superior numbers. The Moonlight Church Gate incident was the same.
Of course, that's just generally speaking.
'If it were a fight to the death, Stardust would ultimately win.'
I nodded at that thought.
Stardust. The protagonist of this world.
Physical enhancement, flying, heightened senses. None of these compare to her greatest characteristic.
The only reason she survived until the chaotic later parts of the original story was one thing: "Her abilities grow stronger with each trial." That's it.
Her abilities grow stronger.
A simple but powerful trait.
Usually, heroes have fixed abilities. Just look at our PMC members—their abilities remain the same as when they started.
They only appear stronger because they've unlocked hidden potential and improved their usage through training.
In contrast, Stardust's ability itself grows stronger in crisis situations. Purely, simply.
'So if Ego-stream and Stardust fought...'
Stardust would keep getting stronger as she faces the crisis in real-time, and eventually overcome it...
Of course, if our side fought desperately too, that would be a different story, but anyway.
Lost in these thoughts, I suddenly came to my senses.
....Wait, why am I wasting time on these useless concerns?
There's something more urgent.
Meeting the Vine Witch and asking her a few things.
"Right. It should be around here..."
Muttering that, I opened the drawer and took out "that thing" from deep inside where it was sealed.
"...."
This object, glowing with a slightly dull grayish-white light.
The moonstone I picked up from the ashes of the scattered Demon King's remains after the Demon Castle incident.
"Yes. Since I have time today, I should go..."
With that, I put the stone in my pocket and prepared to visit the Vine Witch after a long time.
Sigh, I'll need to change my clothes again.
***
A building in some secret alley.
I was trudging down the stairs leading to the basement of that dark place.
And as expected, stairs that suddenly seemed endless, continuing infinitely no matter how far I descended.
Trapped in these repeating stairs like a scene from a horror movie, I...
Naturally knocked on a specific part of the wall.
Creeeeak-
And as expected, the brick wall opened smoothly.
I walked through the antique corridor behind the wall and knocked on the black door at the end before opening it.
The warm air I felt upon entering.
The room, lit softly by candles, seemed too elegant to be called a witch's room, and her silhouette was visible behind a curtain.
"....You've come."
"Yes, hello. It's been a while."
After pulling back the curtain and entering, I saw her sitting at a small round table. The Vine Witch wearing a deep green robe.
"I knew you would come today."
She said, caressing the round crystal on the table.
...Does magic include such abilities?
Anyway, after exchanging a few more greetings, I got straight to the point.
"Madam Witch, do you know what this is?"
With those words, I took the moonstone from my pocket and showed it to her.
She quietly reached toward the softly glowing object and then murmured:
"...I sense the energy of the Moon God. Is it theirs?"
"Yes. That's right."
"...They're hastening their own calamity. This world that will collapse anyway."
She sighed lightly, then said:
"I'll try to manage it. Whether it will shine with its original light again, I don't know..."
"Yes. Thank you."
After disposing of the moonstone, I asked what I really wanted to know.
"So... Madam Witch. How much time do we have left? Until the walls of our dimension thin and connect with that dimension."
"Let me see. Approximately..."
After pondering for a moment, the Vine Witch quietly declared:
"This year or next year will be the limit, I believe. It might be hastened if those fanatics take action. It seems it's time to prepare."
"...Yes. I understand."
Having reconfirmed the information I wanted, I nodded.
Though our conversation was rather cryptic, it essentially meant that not much time remained until the Moonlight monsters crossed over from the other dimension. I had wondered if the timing might differ from the original story, but it seems not.
Having accomplished my purpose for visiting the witch today, I was about to return home after some comfortable conversation.
Until she stopped me.
"...Fortune-telling?"
"Yes. Since I can now tell fortunes, why not have your future read before you go?"
She said, placing her hand on the crystal ball.
...Can magic see the future too? I don't recall hearing anything like that in the original story. Time isn't even the Moon God's domain.
Though I didn't understand what was happening, I was curious about what she wanted to say, so I sat down again and followed her instructions.
She placed her hand on the crystal ball, closed her eyes, and murmured. The ball began to glow, and the witch spoke:
"...I see it, yes. I see your future."
"....What is it?"
"You're walking a difficult path. A challenging road."
I listened carefully as she spoke with her eyes closed, looking serious.
"...So many women in your future, truly a difficult path indeed..."
"What did you say?"
When I asked in surprise, she slightly opened her closed eyes and smirked.
"Just a joke."
".....Haha. What a joke."
...It seems her sense of humor has become strange from staying here too long.
Anyway, stopping her jest and returning to a serious expression, the Vine Witch spoke in a solemn voice:
"My seeing the future was indeed a joke. However, that you will walk a difficult path is not. Can you handle it?"
"Ha. Isn't that obvious?"
I couldn't help but smirk, and with a voice full of confidence, I repeated words similar to what I'd said before:
"If I were going to give up here, I wouldn't have started in the first place."
Right. If I were going to give up because it's difficult, I wouldn't have made up my mind back then. When I fell into this world and wandered for years before finally resolving myself.
And...
I crossed my arms and fell into thought.
...Actually, I've prepared everything up until the Moonlight Gate. If things go according to schedule, everything should proceed smoothly until then. No major incidents should occur.
However...
"....."
Why.
Why do I keep having this ominous feeling?
***
Somewhere underground in the Republic of Korea.
In that dark space with little light, several figures were laughing.
"...Kehe. Yes, we've finally discovered it."
"Now he's finished."
They spoke with evil voices, mixed with laughter.
"Yes. Who would have known. That we..."
Among them, the leader-like villain sitting in the center.
He opened his mouth with undisguisable laughter:
"We have finally uncovered the identity of that so-called Egostic."
"Leader. Here's the information containing his face, name, and address. It's definitely accurate information!"
"Keheheh... Yes. Let's broadcast his identity nationwide on the day of the final battle. Kahaha! Now the Republic of Korea ruled by Egostic is finished!"
They burst into maniacal laughter.
Finally, the man said with a cold smile:
"Once his identity is revealed, he'll essentially be finished by the heroes' hands."
"Kahaha! That's right. Who would have thought that the villain controlling the Republic of Korea was working part-time at a bakery with his parents!"
"Kehe. Yes. Let's see if you can still laugh when everyone in the country knows your face and name. Egostic. Or should I call you by your name—"
At that point, he said what they believed to be Egostic's real name with a cold smile.
"—Kim Cheol-woo. You."
Kahahahahaha!!!
And so.
Their maniacal laughter filled the dark basement for a long time.
Meanwhile, at that moment.
"Cheol-woo, could you arrange these loaves of bread?"
"Yes, mother."
Kim Cheol-woo (25 years old, college student, ordinary person) was diligently carrying bread at his parents' bakery.
Unaware of the tragedy that would soon befall him...
***
"Phew..."
"Hmm? Egostic, why the sudden sigh?"
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing. I was feeling uneasy until just now, but suddenly that feeling disappeared and I feel relieved. I guess it was just my imagination..."
"...How fickle."