Chapter 225 - Confused Heart

# Hero Association.

In the underground research facility attached to it.

In this place where a significant portion of the tools and weapons used by the Association were manufactured, Stardust was being guided by a researcher.

White walls, with various people in lab coats bustling about.

The person in charge of the research facility was guiding Stardust while explaining.

"Yes, that's right. We've received a lot of support from Yu-seong PMC this time, so we're working in cooperation with them. This way..."

As he continued speaking while guiding the way, he eventually got to the main point Stardust had asked about.

"Do you remember the basement of the Han-eun Group you visited before? The place where the monster called Behemoth was created. I believe you were there with Egostic..."

"Yeah."

"Yes. There were many other monsters there too, so it took time for the disposal team to eliminate them all, which caused quite a delay... but we've recovered it now."

"Ah. Is this..."

"Yes. The ability suppression room where you were trapped. This is made from the walls that were used there."

As he said this, he showed her a white room that was isolated in one corner of the research lab.

However—he added.

"The material itself seems to be made of something supernatural, so mass production appears to be quite difficult. And... honestly, we don't understand the principle behind it either. From our experiments, it seems that when this material completely isolates a space without any gaps from ceiling to floor and walls, no abilities of any kind can be used inside."

"..."

"My personal theory is that if abilities come from an external source, this material might work by completely blocking the connection to that source. We're still researching it."

"...I understand."

Stardust simply replied that way.

After looking around at other equipment as guided by the staff member and returning.

Now, back to the present.

Stardust was in her office, looking through various documents and sighing.

"...This isn't easy."

She had hoped for something like handcuffs that would suppress the target's abilities the moment they were put on, but it seemed that was too much to ask for.

She felt disappointed as she thought about it.

...If only she had things like these, she could surely imprison him.

Him, that is.

As Stardust thought about this, she unconsciously found herself picturing his face.

The image of him wearing a mask that covered half his face, always smiling at her.

"Ugh..."

As she recalled his various expressions, she suddenly shook her head and touched her face.

Noticing her cheeks had reddened at the thought of him, she opened the window, thinking the office must have gotten too warm.

"...Right, I need to think of a way to capture him quickly."

She muttered this and began researching new methods again.

...This is his fault for declaring himself her arch-enemy while always diverting attention to others. Yes. There's no other way but to capture him like this...

While she was using her spare time to research various methods to capture her arch-enemy as usual, the muted TV that had been playing the news in the corner suddenly went dark.

Then came the sound of static.

"...?"

Watching this, Stardust quietly wondered.

Is the TV broken...?

Then a thought crossed her mind.

No, could it be a villain hijacking the broadcast?

And there was only one villain who would do that... Could it be Egostic?

For a moment filled with such expectation, she was greatly disappointed when she saw and heard a man wearing a white mask whom she had never seen before.

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

"...What is this."

Why are these people who aren't even Egostic imitating him? Just confusing people for no reason.

Clicking her tongue without realizing it, she began to prepare. Whatever it was, they were clearly villains, so she needed to be ready to rush out immediately if they announced any terrorist threats.

"Ms. Stardust! Some villain organization is broadcasting to the entire country!"

"Yes. I'm watching it now."

She calmly replied to the Association employee who had rushed in breathlessly.

Well, this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.

They're probably just announcing some terrorist threat or something.

Yes.

That's all she thought it was.

But in that moment, hearing what came next, her brain froze.

[The reason we're broadcasting to the entire country is simple.]

[We have discovered the identity of Egostic, the villain who has been disrupting the Republic of Korea.]

"...What?"

What did they just say?

She had been naturally opening her closet door to gather what she needed, but her body froze in place.

Just now.

What did that villain just say?

As her brain finally processed those words, she whipped her head toward the TV.

Regardless, the figure on the TV continued speaking.

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

"...Wait, wait... what are they saying?"

She muttered in confusion.

They discovered Egostic's identity?

How?

...When even she didn't know it yet?

[However. We finally caught a lead after years of investigation, and at last succeeded in discovering his identity. His status, his name, everything.]

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

Upon hearing that, Stardust's body completely froze.

At the same time, time seemed to slow down, and her mind began to swirl like a storm.

They're going to reveal Egostic's personal information? His identity?

...No.

'What do you mean, no?'

Another thought intruded into her mind.

'Egostic is an evil villain. Wouldn't it be good to learn his identity and capture him? Besides, the identities of S-class villains and above are usually made public anyway. What's the problem?'

What's the problem?

...Right.

There is no problem.

In fact, if you think about it, there is no problem.

Rather, it's good news since it's an opportunity to capture the most dangerous villain leader who's been disrupting the country.

However.

At that moment, she felt as if her breath was suddenly caught.

...His identity will be revealed to everyone? Not just to her, but to everyone?

Would he...

Would he want that?

'Of course not.'

There's no way he would. Egostic would obviously be distressed. He must have a separate daily life, a life, an existence outside of his activities as Egostic.

He must have been hiding his identity when not acting as Egostic.

If that were revealed to everyone.

What would he think, how would he act?

'....'

During that brief moment.

After countless thoughts, she unconsciously imagined his face contorted with anguish.

Not the face that always smiled at her, but such a face.

'...Right.'

She had always wanted to discover Egostic's identity. Always wanted to know. Last time, she even mistakenly captured an innocent person, thinking they were Egostic, and pressured them.

However.

However, she...

She didn't want to learn his identity this way.

"Cut that transmission right now! How can you just sit there when villains have hijacked the broadcast?"

"...W-we're doing our best! But as you know, this..."

Stardust shouted as the employee frantically responded while communicating with those below.

And during that exchange between them.

Already, the man on the screen was opening his mouth.

[Egostic's identity is-]

...No.

Stop.

Despite her silent cry.

Finally.

In front of the entire nation.

Egostic's identity was revealed.

[Egostic.]

[His identity is none other than this man, Kim Cheol-woo!]

Simultaneously, the screen displayed a front-facing ID photo of the man, along with his address, occupation, and other details.

"Huh...!"

While the employee beside her gasped in surprise at the revealed identity of Egostic.

Stardust, who had been watching frozen in place.

"...?"

Unconsciously tilted her head.

...That man is Egostic?

"Uh...."

'....No matter how I look at it, that doesn't seem right...?'

The innocent-looking face of the man boldly displayed on the screen.

Looking at that image, Stardust instinctively felt it.

Having always observed him up close and conversed with him.

She realized at a glance.

Somehow, that man...

Doesn't seem to be Egostic.

....But of course, that was just her opinion.

After the villain organization's broadcast ended.

The Republic of Korea was completely turned upside down.

Real-time Trends

#1 [Kim Cheol-woo]

#2 [Egostic]

#3 [Egostic Kim Cheol-woo]

#4 [Kim Cheol-woo personal information]

#5 [Kim Cheol-woo Egostream]

#6 [Kim Cheol-woo live broadcast]

#7 [Team Mango fan cafe]

.

.

Completely.

***

An apartment in Gyeonggi Province.

In front of an apartment in a quiet, modest small town slightly removed from the big city.

The place was bustling like a war zone, crowded with a mass of people who had gathered like storm clouds.

From reporters to ordinary citizens, everyone had flocked there, making it so packed that there wasn't even room to step.

"Mr. Kim Cheol-woo!!! Please just one comment!!!"

"Mr. Cheol-woo, information that you are Egostic has been revealed, what are your thoughts?"

"Egostic! Egostic! Egostic! Egostic! Egostic! Egostic!"

"Mr. Cheol-woo! Please come out and say something!"

"Aaah Egostic I love you!!!!!!"

"Mr. Kim Cheol-woo!! Do you admit to the allegations of being Egostic?"

While all sorts of voices mingled, making the place as noisy as a concert venue.

Police officers were barely managing to hold back the crowd and control the people.

As the area in front of the apartment was in turmoil, like a bomb about to explode.

Inside, with the front door locked and the sound of pounding on the door.

Kim Cheol-woo, hugging his blanket in his room, trembled as he muttered.

"Why... why are they doing this to me..."

Is this trial coming to him because he didn't study and tried to get easy grades? Or because he dropped a piece of bread yesterday and secretly threw it away?

In the greatest crisis of 25-year-old man Kim Cheol-woo's life, he whimpered.

"I'm... not Egostic..."

Of course, they say no one heard his words.