Chapter 244 - Reviewing The Game

Republic of Korea.

Even by global standards, it's a country with remarkably few heroes—only three A-rank heroes in total. And conversely, it has an unusually high number of powerful S-rank villains compared to the average. The number of terrorist incidents per capita also ranks near the top.

Logically, it's difficult for such a country to function properly. With villains far outnumbering heroes, how could society possibly maintain itself?

Yet surprisingly, the Republic of Korea continues to roll along relatively peacefully today.

Except for some dissatisfied people.

*

[Why isn't Egostic doing terrorism??? Why isn't Egostic doing terrorism??? Why isn't Egostic doing terrorism???]

I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy I'm going crazy aaaaaaaaaaa

Isn't it criminal negligence when a villain doesn't commit terrorism? Listen while I'm asking nicely!!! Do you want to see me go insane?????????? Argh

=[Comments=

[Lol not a chance]

ㄴ[Arrrgh]

[Didn't he just broadcast recently? The one where he took down that villain Scream Maker]

ㄴ[That's not terrorism!!!]

ㄴ[From Scream Maker's perspective, it was terrorism... Try developing some villain sensitivity!]

[Dude, committing terrorism is the crime, not avoiding it lol]

[Just give up and he'll show up eventually lol]

[For real, videos of other weirdos committing terrorism keep getting uploaded but our OG Mango never shows up lol]

[This guy just doesn't do terrorism anymore lol]

*

[ [Team Mango Declaration] Thank you for your service, GOAT]

(A black and white photo of Egostic with his cape fluttering behind him)

Your dedication and passion have elevated the powered community of the Republic of Korea to greater heights.

Though you are no longer with us, we will miss you in the future without you.

Thank you for everything, GOAT.

Rest in peace.

-In memory of Egostic (Mangostic), the greatest villain of 2000s Korea.

=[Comments]=

[Thank you and respect, GOAT]

[I was happy to live in the same era as you, GOAT. Rest in peace in heaven.]

[It was an honor to live in Mango's era. Thank you]

[Giving a like with tears in my eyes]

[No way, Ego isn't dead!!! Why are you killing him off, you crazy people lol]

ㄴ[Huh? He's not broadcasting, so how could he be alive? If Mango were alive, he'd definitely be broadcasting]

ㄴ[Come on... It's been 3 months since Mango left us, and you still can't accept it?]

[Don't send Mango to America damn it lol]

[Egostic, can you see us? We miss you, we miss you so much that we've gone insane. The only solution is terrorism. Thank you.]

[Lol why can't you guys wait when you know he always takes breaks for months? Can't you just live your real lives until he returns?]

ㄴ[Excuse me?]

ㄴ[Mango IS my ]

ㄴ[Stardust fan cafe spy detected]

ㄴ[Don't you understand the situation? Without Mango, we can't live our real lives!!!]

ㄴ[It's been way too long since the last terrorism. Wasn't the last one that collaboration with the Japanese villain? That was ages ago lol]

[Without Egostic, Korea is doomed~]

*

[What really annoys newcomers...]

Back in the day, when Mango committed terrorism, there was no telling when the next one would be

We didn't even have fan cafes like this, so we just lurked on general news communities lol

Compared to then, things are so much better now, but these newcomers just don't get it lol

But it's still frustrating that he seems to be broadcasting less and less often, argh

=[Comments]=

[Hearing from a pure-blood Team Mango member reminds me of the old days, like when Ego broke that bridge lol]

ㄴ[Back then Egostic got so much hate that all Team Mango members united lol Why were they attacking our Ego when they were the ones getting paid?]

ㄴ[It was funny how public opinion did a 180° when that Han Eun Group monster drowned because the bridge collapsed lol]

[Here we go again with the old-timers talking about stuff only they understand...]

ㄴ[Old-timers lol]

[This is nonsense because Egostic used to commit terrorism very frequently. Didn't the boat, train, and plane incidents all happen within weeks of each other? It was only after he formed Ego-stream that things changed]

ㄴ[For real, he used to commit terrorism all the time lol]

[Sigh, the cafe looks like it's about to explode, should I leave?]

[Mangostic, the site is falling apart because you're not committing terrorism!!! Please commit some terrorism!!!!!]

[But I'm curious, what is Ego really doing that he's always late and not committing terrorism?]

*

***

"Oh my, what have I done to deserve this? Thank you for saying such things."

[Not at all. As the old saying goes, even beasts know gratitude, so how could I ignore this? I will never forget this favor, my friend. Haha!]

After returning from Kathedal.

I was on the phone with Li Xiaopeng, who had called the number we'd exchanged, presumably after checking the file I'd sent him.

As expected, he was saying he would definitely repay this favor.

Yes, I knew he would react this way. Given his persona, he's not the type to just say thanks and move on after receiving something like this. He'll definitely try to repay it. All to maintain his image as a man of honor.

Apart from that, well, he might have judged that recognizing my potential and becoming friendly with me wouldn't be a bad thing. As I always say, at Kathedal I deliberately make myself appear mysterious and powerful. Dropping bombshell information was just an extension of that.

Anyway, as planned, Li Xiaopeng has become favorable toward me, so that's good.

...He's actually showing an even more favorable reaction than I expected, making me flinch without realizing it. Given his calculating nature, this might also be an act?

In any case, he responded positively to the hint I dropped about a three-way alliance, and we agreed to meet for drinks when we both had time, ending the call.

"Phew..."

After putting my phone back in my pocket.

I had stepped out onto the balcony for the call, and now I leaned my arms on the railing, looking out at the scenery.

Good, everything's going according to plan. The formation of an East Asian villain alliance seems within reach.

If this happens, the Republic of Korea will be a little safer than before. Having international allies is better than having none, right?

...The build-up was a bit long, but I'm glad it succeeded. Especially considering how things went to hell in the original story because of villains from Japan and China, this is necessary.

Of course, it's not like governments joining forces officially—it's just villains forming an alliance—but since these villains essentially represent the positions of their respective national leaders, isn't it basically the same thing?

Of course, there was the minor problem that I wasn't committing terrorism because I was preparing for this, but that wasn't a big issue. Saving the country comes first; that other stuff isn't as important.

"Well... I guess everything's pretty much resolved now."

I muttered while resting my chin on my hand, staring blankly into space.

Now our Ego-squad has started recruiting second-generation members, and I've taken the first step toward cooperation by meeting with the Director.

On top of that, the East Asian villain alliance that will launch by connecting Katana and Li Xiaopeng is starting to take shape.

Everything I've been preparing for a long time is falling into place one by one.

So maybe now I can do what I want to do.

"...Right. It's about time."

Let's commit some terrorism.

With that thought, I checked the calendar on my phone.

The Moonlight Church Gate, which is the center of all my current plans and complicates everything I try to do, is set as D-Day.

With still a few months left, there's plenty of time to specially train Stardust. Especially if I collaborate with Li Xiaopeng for another terrorism event later, that should be enough to strengthen her abilities.

Which means.

Just this once, instead of bringing in another villain to face Stardust, I could do what I want...right?

I looked at my schedule.

From what I know, "that villain" should be arriving around this time, so there's some time before then. More than enough time to meet Stardust and quickly commit some terrorism.

...It's not that I want to meet Stardust—this is purely for other supplementary reasons. Really.

"Alright..."

And so, I began to formulate a new terrorism plan in my head.

Maybe I'll go with an old-school style.

***

For a hero, reviewing one's own battles is extremely important.

If you can review your combat process through broadcast stations or other video media, you should definitely take advantage of it.

That's how you can reflect and do image training, thinking "I should have dodged like this then" or "I should have attacked like this then," allowing you to advance to a higher level.

It was also one of the training methods recommended by the Association.

That's why Stardust was watching videos of her battles today, using her spare time in her office.

The video she was reviewing this time was from the recent incident where the Seoul Trade Center transformed into a Demon King's Castle—a significant crisis for her. The terrorism event when that Demon King guy appeared.

Since he was such a formidable opponent that Stardust almost lost, she needed to periodically review this video to reassess her skills.

[Anyway, you've worked hard, so take a rest. Does it make sense for my arch-enemy to be defeated by some other villain? I'll take care of the rest.]

"..."

...Of course, the scene she always focused on wasn't the battle itself but the final moment when Egostic flew in and stood in front of the Demon King to protect her... but that was just a misconception. A misconception.

"Ahem, ahem."

And so, with a slightly reddened face, she finished her review today.

...No matter how many times she heard what Egostic said then, it had the power to embarrass her. Really, is he a hero or what? Not that she disliked it, but...

"Sigh..."

After finishing watching the video, she turned off the monitor.

Today again, she had watched videos featuring Egostic, making various excuses to herself, and now she was sitting in her chair with her arms crossed and a pouty expression.

...So.

When on earth is he coming back?

It had been months since Egostic last showed his face.

Since leaving that Post-it note during the Scream Maker incident, there had been no sign of whether he was dead or alive.

...Egostic could easily find out what Stardust was doing just by searching the internet, so why couldn't she know what he was doing? Isn't that unfair?

As she tapped the edge of her desk, lost in thought, she sighed and muttered to herself without realizing it.

"...When are you coming back..."

And at that moment, she didn't know.

That she would be seeing Egostic very soon.