Chapter 224 - Identity

# Enhanced Translation

Numerous villains are an essential part of any superhero story.

These characters, each with their unique abilities and charms, face off against the protagonist while showcasing their individual appeal. Some villains with particularly attractive powers or personalities even become fan favorites.

However, now that I've fallen into this superhero comic, what matters about villains isn't that.

What's important is their personality. Were they originally good people who fell from grace due to certain circumstances, or were they bad from the start? That's what matters. If they were originally good, I just need to eliminate the trigger that caused their corruption before it happens. But since most of them were bad from the beginning, the best approach is to nurture Stardust to defeat them and send them to detention facilities.

And most importantly, the truly vicious ones.

Those whose abilities are too powerful, or who massacre dozens or hundreds of people.

I need to step in and eliminate such individuals preemptively. Before greater sacrifices occur, before Stardust grieves over those she couldn't save. Prevention is key.

However, while I already know everything about some villains from the original work—from their identities to where they live—there are others whose identities remain completely unknown to me. Especially those who suddenly appeared after the Moonlight Gate incident weren't well described in the original story.

In other words, I need to track down such individuals with minimal information available in this world.

Considering the population of the Republic of Korea, this would normally be an impossible task... but with the combined power of Lee Seol-ah, who controls the country's authority and personal information, and Han Seo-eun, a genius hacker, nothing is impossible.

And so.

One morning, Seo-eun found another person's identity.

"Oppa, I found another person from the list you gave me. I think it's this man."

"Really? Let me see."

Just like any other day while I was working on the sofa.

Seo-eun approached the living room with her laptop and showed me the man's photo.

A skinhead man with a deeply furrowed expression.

And next to it, his personal information, background, and something that was found in his house.

After seeing all that, I was certain.

"That's him."

A villain who appeared in the original work, known as the Scream Maker.

He attacks by carrying a container of toxic gas like a jetpack on his back, connected by a cord that releases the gas.

According to the original story, he appeared during the chaos following the Moonlight Gate, just like other villains.

"..."

The Moonlight Gate incident, where monsters from another world overflowed globally.

Optimistically, one might think heroes and villains would join forces against these otherworldly threats, but that didn't happen. Most villains only became more rampant amid the chaos.

And this Scream Maker was no exception.

In an already chaotic world, this madman invented a gas that makes people scream before dying and spread it everywhere.

His first terror attack was truly horrific—he simply sprayed the gas in crowded places. Before Stardust could do anything.

To make matters worse, his special death gas penetrated all commercial gas masks, creating numerous problems. While he's actually considered weak among the late-stage villains in the original work, the issue is that too many people die in his first attack.

In other words, it would be better for everyone if I eliminated him in advance.

"...I need to prepare and go eliminate him."

"Oppa, are you going to stream this time too?"

"Huh? Um... yeah. I should stream this time too. I'm planning to stream more frequently now."

...Recently, I feel like I've only been streaming when I'm with Stardust. That's why all kinds of malicious rumors are spreading. I need to show people that I care about things other than just Stardust.

Of course, this is actually for Stardust's benefit too, but anyway.

"Oh. Your fans will be happy."

Seo-eun smiled at my decision to stream.

I chuckled and checked where the guy lived.

...As expected, assassination would be difficult. Maybe I need a frontal approach. Let's see...

After receiving information from Seo-eun, I immediately stopped what I was doing and began planning how to capture the future S-class villain, Scream Maker. It's best to handle tasks promptly before they pile up. Naturally, Seo-eun helped me.

"Seo-eun, oh Da-in is here too. What were you doing?"

"Oh, Su-bin. We finally identified another villain, so we're figuring out how to catch him."

"Oh. Would you like me to help too?"

"That would be appreciated."

And so Su-bin, who had come out to make tea, joined us to help.

"Hey, what are you all gathered for? Catching a villain? Then I should join too!"

With Choi Se-hee also pitching in.

The living room quickly became bustling again.

"...Ughhhh."

...Of course, with Seo Ja-young lying on the living room floor making dying noises.

I just left her alone since her not interfering was her way of helping...

And so the great villain-catching operation began in the living room.

Thanks to Seo-eun quickly obtaining the floor plans of his house, various discussions took place.

"Phew... let's take a break now."

"Yeah. Oh my, I'm exhausted..."

"I think this should be enough, oppa."

"Everyone rest. I'll go cut some fruit."

With the planning more or less complete.

The rest of us, including myself, all sprawled out. Yeah, this should be sufficient.

"Oppa. My head hurts... oh my."

As I was leaning back on the sofa, Seo-eun climbed onto the seat next to me and whined.

I grabbed her head and pressed it firmly.

"Does that feel good?"

"Yes..."

Ego-style secret technique: scalp massage.

Since she seemed satisfied when I did this before, Seo-eun melted as I massaged her again.

Choi Se-hee had already gone to torment Seo Ja-young, who was lying face down.

And so, in the living room of the house with warm sunlight streaming in.

Sitting on the sofa massaging Seo-eun's neck and shoulders, I was lost in unnecessary sentimentality.

...Whenever things are peaceful like this, I wonder how much longer this peace can last. Just thinking about what will happen after the Moonlight Gate, which is now becoming visible on the horizon, makes the future seem hopeless.

Well.

Somehow... things will work out. Let's think positively.

For now, enjoy this moment.

"Mmm... that's enough. Oppa, next time I'll massage you! Get down from the sofa."

After stretching, I was forced down from the sofa by Seo-eun, who insisted on giving me a massage. How thoughtful. She's all grown up.

Well, I guess I'll turn on the TV and watch something.

So I naturally turned on the news.

I should enjoy this peace while it lasts,

Yes. Until then, I thought it would remain peaceful.

Pop-.

"....What's that?"

Suddenly, the news on TV went dark.

[Static]

Against a black background, figures wearing white masks appeared.

Until they started speaking in a voice full of noise.

[We are -static- Shinetia, an organization that pursues knowledge.]

[There is only one reason we are broadcasting to the entire nation.]

[Because we have discovered the identity of Egostic, the villain who is disrupting the Republic of Korea.]

"....?"

***

On the streets of Seoul.

The busy place with giant electronic billboards.

People had stopped in their tracks and were looking up at the screens.

Because, instead of the usual advertisements.

As if hacked, a man wearing an out-of-place white mask against a black background.

Was speaking through the noise.

[We are -static- an organization called Shinetia that pursues knowledge.]

[There is only one reason we are broadcasting to the entire nation.]

[Because we have discovered the identity of Egostic, the villain who is disrupting the Republic of Korea.]

And. The moment those words echoed throughout the street through nearby speakers.

Naturally, everyone's attention was captured.

...They discovered the identity of Egostic?

Through TVs, mobile phones, and billboards.

The broadcast that had suddenly infiltrated all media.

With the entire nation's attention focused, the voice continued through the noise.

[...Finding this information was not easy. Egostic. He operated with extreme caution and secrecy, leaving no evidence whatsoever.]

[However. After years of investigation, we finally caught his trail, and succeeded in discovering his identity. His status, his name, everything.]

[And we intend to reveal this information to everyone. Right now.]

"Oppa! Shouldn't we stop this?"

"Hey! Aren't we screwed?"

And, in our house.

While an extremely flustered Seo-eun turned on her laptop and frantically tried to do something, and Choi Se-hee and Seo Ja-young were in shock.

"..."

I was just quietly staring at the TV with a frozen expression.

...They discovered my identity?

'...No, I don't have an identity?'

No. Who am I in the first place? Someone who dropped into this world from another world. Obviously, there's no "Da-in" in the government database. Therefore, I have no family.

In other words, I'm a human who suddenly popped into existence in this world. That's why I still need Seo-eun's hacking for everything I do.

So does this mean they only know my name and face?

And, before I could finish my thoughts.

The man's mouth on the broadcast.

Finally, opened.

[Egostic, his identity is-]

Simultaneously, the screen changed.

There was a photo of a man.

[Egostic.]

[His identity is this man, Kim Cheol-woo!]

"....!!!"

The man on screen pronouncing with a solemn voice.

And through the screen, the face, name, address, and even the school of the person he claims is Egostic were being revealed to the entire nation.

And in that breathtaking situation.

I, Egostic, could only quietly mutter.

"...Who?"

Who is that?