Chapter 226 - Intrusion

After the broadcast exposing Egostic as Kim Cheol-woo spread across the country, people flocked to his supposed residence within minutes.

It was a sea of humanity.

Curious onlookers wondering if Kim Cheol-woo was really Egostic, reporters seeking a scoop, and fans all gathered creating chaos.

The only fortunate thing was that not much time had passed, so only those living nearby had arrived.

However, that also meant that in a few hours, even more people would gather than there were now.

Because of this situation, the police officers guarding the apartment complex were absolutely miserable.

"Senior! Can't we just arrest this Kim Cheol-woo guy or whatever his name is? This is killing me!"

As one officer asked his superior while holding back the crowd, his senior frowned and replied.

"Hey! The only evidence we have is a one-sided claim from some villain organization. How can we arrest someone based on that? We don't even have a warrant."

"But still..."

"Besides, villain-related matters aren't our jurisdiction. That's the Association's business. We just need to maintain order until the Association gives us instructions. The higher-ups will handle it."

"Hmph. So until then..."

"Right. We need to manage these people first. Hey! Don't climb over that fence!"

The police were busy holding back the growing crowd.

This area was usually quiet with little for them to do, but this sudden commotion had them scrambling. They held their positions, waiting for additional support or someone from the Association.

Fortunately for them, before even a few hours had passed, someone from the Association finally arrived.

None other than the hero Stardust herself.

"Huff, huff. Hello everyone."

"Oh my, Stardust! It's an honor to meet you. Please, come this way quickly."

As the crowd grew even more excited seeing Stardust descend from the sky, she made her way through the commotion, following the officer's guidance to where Kim Cheol-woo lived.

Walking down the apartment corridor, she soon spotted a group of police officers gathered in front of a door.

"Mr. Cheol-woo! We'll escort you to a safe place, so please come out. Mr. Cheol-woo!"

As the police were knocking on the firmly closed door, they jumped back in surprise when they saw Stardust approaching.

"Ah! S-Stardust!"

"Yes, hello. I'll take over from here, so please step back."

"Y-yes, ma'am!"

As the police officers stepped aside, Stardust thought for a moment, then simply grabbed the doorknob and forced it open.

'I can compensate for this later.'

First, she needed to meet this Kim Cheol-woo person.

With that thought, she entered the apartment.

"Sigh..."

She had rushed straight to this place as soon as she saw the broadcast claiming Egostic was Kim Cheol-woo.

However, she wasn't actually convinced that Kim Cheol-woo was Egostic.

That's why she needed to find out.

Was this Kim Cheol-woo really Egostic?

With that thought, she approached a closed room in the apartment where she sensed a faint presence.

"....."

After taking a deep breath, she opened the door without hesitation.

And immediately heard a scream.

"Ahhh! Please spare me! I-I'm not Egostic!"

Inside the room, the man she recognized as Kim Cheol-woo from photos was trembling, wrapped in a blanket.

And then.

Finally seeing the man suspected of being Egostic with her own eyes, she...

"Phew...."

...felt relieved.

...This man is not Egostic.

Having seen Egostic up close, spoken with him, and even been held in his arms, she could tell.

This trembling man before her was not Egostic.

His voice was different, he was slightly shorter, and his build was different from Egostic's. At a glance, their overall height might seem similar, but as an Egostic expert, she could tell immediately. This man, Kim Cheol-woo... was not Egostic.

'I don't know why they targeted a different person and made such a fuss.'

...Thank goodness.

Really, thank goodness.

As Stardust was feeling relieved...

She suddenly felt confused.

"....."

...Wait.

...Why am I feeling relieved?

Shouldn't a hero be disappointed that this man isn't Egostic? This could have been a perfect opportunity to capture a villain.

Yes, that would make more sense...

As she was lost in self-reflection, her thoughts were interrupted by the pleading of the man sitting before her.

"I... I'm really not Egostic. Please save me! If I were Egostic, I would have teleported away long ago. Why would I still be here? I'm just a bakery worker..."

"I know."

"A normal college student... What?"

"I also believe that you, Kim Cheol-woo, are not Egostic."

"R-really? You believe me?"

"Yes."

"Thank you, thank you so much..."

As Kim Cheol-woo was about to bow deeply in gratitude, she gently explained. Even though she believed him, the place was too chaotic, so he would need to go to the Association for questioning. Once the investigation was complete and he was cleared of suspicion, they would announce to everyone that he wasn't Egostic.

Listening to her calm explanation, Kim Cheol-woo nodded, though still confused.

"...Will the investigation take long?"

"I don't think it will take too long, but you might need to stay there for a few days."

"Sob... I understand."

Having accepted his situation, a dejected Kim Cheol-woo got up and followed Stardust outside.

"He's out, he's out!"

"Kyaaaaaaah!"

"Mr. Kim Cheol-woo, look over here!"

And as expected, the moment he appeared outside, countless voices erupted.

As he was being escorted down by police officers, looking like he might faint at any moment...

Stardust sighed unconsciously as she looked at the gathered crowd.

...Do these people still believe that Egostic is this man named Kim Cheol-woo?

When will they realize that's not the case?

"Egostic! Egostic! Egostic!"

"Mr. Kim Cheol-woo, show us your face just once!"

As she was ignoring all the noise with such thoughts...

Suddenly, the murmuring around seemed to grow louder.

"Kyaaaaaaah!"

"Egostic, it's Egostic!!!!!"

"W-what's happening? Everyone, Egostic is here!"

Hearing these noises, Stardust felt increasingly annoyed.

No. This man is not Egostic, I'm telling you. How long are they going to keep this up?

...This won't do.

Maybe I should make an official statement.

With that thought, she turned her head toward the corridor exit.

And then, she could see it.

"....?"

People weren't looking in this direction at all.

They were looking up, at the sky.

Why are they doing that?

Curious, she unconsciously stepped forward and looked up.

And then, she could see him.

"Hello everyone! I'm Egostic, here to interview Egostic. Nice to meet you!"

With his cape fluttering, wearing a hat and mask.

Flying in the sky and smiling, the man who was more familiar to her than anyone else.

Yes.

Suddenly, he had appeared in the sky.

The 'real' Egostic. Him.

"....Haha."

Seeing him, Stardust revised all the thoughts in her head.

Right. The perfect way to prove that Kim Cheol-woo isn't Egostic is simply to have both men exist in the same place at the same time.

...Yes.

As expected of you, this is how you'd handle it.

Cleanly, without causing unnecessary commotion.

As Stardust was lost in thought, not having expected to see him like this...

Suddenly, she blinked at another sight she just noticed.

"Uwaaa..."

"Oh my, Mr. Cheol-woo. How does it feel to fly in the sky?"

Kim Cheol-woo, who had been walking with the police officers in front of her just moments ago, was now somehow suspended in mid-air next to Egostic.

...Wait, when did he take him? Seriously...

She chuckled at the thought and looked up at Egostic. Well, he didn't seem likely to harm anyone, so she'd just observe for now.

However...

'...Why does it feel like he's avoiding my eyes?'

She suddenly had that thought.

...No, that couldn't be it. Surely not.

***

In the sky above.

Floating and looking down at the people below, I recalled what had just happened.

Some unheard-of organization claimed to know Egostic's identity and pointed to a strange man.

After figuring out the situation, I decided after brief consideration.

Yes. I should step forward directly.

'...Actually, I had other ideas too.'

One was to have our Ego-stream quickly release a statement.

Something like 'Kim Cheol-woo is indeed Egostic. Return him immediately!' That would have created even more confusion.

...However.

I didn't want to cause unnecessary chaos.

Even though I'm technically a villain, I've hunted so many other villains that even the villains in our country are wary of me.

As such, if I disappeared, it could cause as much confusion as if Stardust disappeared—according to Lee Seol-ah's analysis.

So I reluctantly decided to appear like this.

And so.

I was floating in the sky above the apartment where people had gathered, holding this man named Kim Cheol-woo.

...However, there was something I hadn't anticipated when I quickly flew here.

Namely, that Stardust would also be here.

'...I hate you.'

I suddenly heard an auditory hallucination of her sobbing those words from our last meeting.

I hadn't expected to meet her again like this, and it was extremely awkward.

Anyway, avoiding Stardust's gaze as she stared at me from the apartment corridor, I turned on my camera and immediately greeted everyone.

And so, today's goal was set.

Since my purpose was simply to show that Kim Cheol-woo and I are different people, I set one objective:

...Don't make eye contact with Stardust.