Chapter 250 - Communication Device
After that day when I carried out the terror attack against Stardust.
Having successfully completed a terror operation without any incidents for the first time in a while, I returned to my room to sleep after celebrating our successful operation with everyone.
The only problem was that I couldn't fall asleep.
"Sigh..."
Dawn—the time when thoughts tend to multiply.
Perhaps it was because I had met Stardust today, but feeling unusually emotional, I found myself leaning against the window, feeling the outside breeze while lost in thought.
"...I feel somewhat unsettled."
Perhaps it's because the original story has progressed quite far by now.
Or maybe because the most critical disaster—the Moon Cult's terror attack—is right around the corner.
Somehow, I'm becoming filled with needless worries.
"...Well, it'll work out."
That's all I could think.
...From what I saw today, her mental strength is good. Her flying ability has improved. Her basic abilities have become much stronger, so things will definitely be different from the original story. Plus, I'm here too.
Right. I shouldn't worry about this.
Although if something goes wrong and we fail to close the gate midway, at least a few hundred million humans will die, social systems will be paralyzed, and the world's genre will shift from superhero to monster apocalypse... hmm...
"..."
...Thinking about it just made me more anxious.
Still, worrying about the worst-case scenario was somewhat reassuring in its own way. Right. I've changed so much from the original story. I've done everything I could possibly do alone.
Besides, even if we fail to prevent it, I've taken out insurance.
...Especially considering that this is the biggest crisis in the original story apart from that insane final episode, I felt more encouraged. Once we get past this, we're essentially almost there.
"...Yeah, it'll be fine."
As I was thinking these thoughts.
Suddenly, my eyes fell on the communicator I had placed on the desk.
More specifically, the communicator connected to Stardust, made exclusively for her.
"..."
Without realizing it, I reached out and picked up the communicator.
This object symbolized the connection between Stardust and me—the first such connection since I met her.
"...Geez."
It felt somewhat special.
...Somehow, unlike with other people, this one felt special because it was exclusively for Stardust. Only she had a dedicated communication line with me.
It might seem strange that a villain would give a communicator to a hero... but if you think about it, Stardust accepting it is even stranger, so I'm not at fault. Yeah.
...Actually, Stardust probably tossed this communicator somewhere on her desk and forgot about it within a day, so it's funny to think I'm the only one concerned about it.
"...Haha."
As I thought about this, I recalled how Stardust had grumbled but still accepted the communicator when I gave it to her, and I found myself smiling without realizing it.
...To protect that smile of hers, I absolutely must overcome this crisis. And before that, I need to deal with that guy who's right in front of us. So much to do.
Even if she dislikes me.
The reason I've been able to go this far was all for her sake.
As I was leaning against the window with my chin resting on my hand, continuing such thoughts in the early dawn.
"Hmm...?"
I suddenly noticed small snowflakes falling outside and made a deflated sound.
"It's snowing."
I muttered those words as I extended my hand out the window.
The snowflakes touched my fingertips and melted away instantly.
...Pretty.
As I was blankly watching the white powdery snow falling from the dark sky.
Suddenly, I realized something.
...Isn't it summer right now?
***
"What are you doing here?"
"Hmm..?"
On the roof of the mansion.
It was already chilly in the evening because we were in the mountains, and with snow falling, I had come out wearing a cardigan. I asked this question to Shinryeong, who was sitting on the roof with her hand outstretched, absentmindedly creating small snowflakes.
"You're still awake?"
"...Yes. I had some things to think about."
As I sat down beside her, our Shinryeong waved her hand once.
With that, the snow that had been gently falling from the sky suddenly stopped and disappeared as if it had never been there.
"....."
Under the moonlight.
Dressed in white clothes, with her long black hair secured with a hairpin, she sat with her arms resting on her knees, gazing at the distant night sky.
Our house's dragon and the eldest member (estimated to be at least several thousand years old) sitting on the roof at dawn, melancholically sprinkling snow—I couldn't help but feel quite bewildered.
What's this about? Could she be bipolar?
"...It's not that."
Just as I was thinking that, she narrowed her eyes slightly and answered me.
Wait, I hadn't said anything yet...?
Caught off guard, I was momentarily flustered, and then she sighed deeply and spoke to me again.
"I'm just... sometimes remembering the old days. Going to the city today after a long time and seeing people reminded me of the villagers I used to protect."
She murmured this while gazing at the distant sky with a wistful look, as if reflecting on a bygone past.
Hearing her words, I was reminded once again of her history.
A spirit in the form of a dragon. She had flown from a distant continent and settled in a small country in the east.
She had said that she was the guardian dragon who protected the villages in that region in the past. The people of old followed her. Like their parent.
...Of course, due to some incident, she had been in a deep sleep on the snow mountain until now.
"...Do you miss them a lot?"
"Not really. What's past is past. However..."
As she answered, she sighed and murmured.
"Just... that child called Stardust, was it? Seeing her standing firm made me think of various things. From the old days until now, it's remarkable that there's always at least one person like that in this region."
As she said this, she quietly murmured as if old memories were flashing before her eyes again.
"Take good care of her."
After saying that, she rested her chin on her hand again and gazed at the night sky, lost in thought with a wistful expression.
Her appearance was so much like a painting that I couldn't bring myself to continue the conversation.
...By the way, that day, perhaps because I was exposed to snow and wind outside, I caught a cold and was scolded by Su-bin.
Of course, Ha-yul treated me, so I recovered quickly.
***
"Da-in, it's been a while."
"Indeed."
And a few days later.
I was meeting with Lee Seol-ah after a long time, sitting across from her in her office and having a conversation.
Naturally, the main topic was about our Ego-squad's second-generation members.
"...But Da-in, when did you say this catastrophe might occur?"
"This winter."
"Yes... that's right. But even if we recruit follow-up members now, will they really be able to perform in actual combat?"
Looking at the documents, Lee Seol-ah suddenly spoke to me as if she was worried about that.
"Don't worry. It's definitely possible."
And I answered with a reassuring smile.
How could it not work? If you push them, they'll all make it.
A 12-hour daily Spartan training regimen can create excellent heroes.
At my words, Lee Seol-ah nodded, though she still seemed a bit anxious.
"Alright. Then I'll contact everyone today and gather them all within this week."
"Good. Don't worry."
Great. This way, we've also recruited all the second-generation members for the anti-extinction monster hunting squad. It would be perfect if we could recruit and deploy the third generation right before the event.
Having steadily progressed with the work, I decided to move on to the next task.
"Da-in, what's your next plan?"
"Me? Well, I'm planning to do something with Stardust now."
"With Stardust?"
When I told her what I was going to do next, Lee Seol-ah responded with slight surprise.
"...Just the two of you?"
"Yeah. Just the two of you."
"...Hmm. Hmm......"
...They shouldn't become this close already. The plan...
Leaving Lee Seol-ah behind as she muttered something barely audible to herself, I began to recall the next step with a serious expression.
Right. The reason I gave Stardust the communicator.
An enemy that only Stardust can stop—one that will cause a real disaster if not stopped now.
The Knight of the Sun God. We must stop it.
I thought this quietly with a serious expression.
***
[[Breaking News] Stardust X Egostic coupling spreads overseas too LOLOL]
(Photo of Egostic carrying Stardust like a princess)
(Photo of them looking at each other and smiling)
(Photo of Egostic calling out to Stardust)
Now that Japan's public safety has stabilized somewhat, there's been some interest in our country too.
They've been binge-watching Mango and Stardust, and now they're going crazy posting about shipping them together LOLOL
They're analyzing shared symbols, interpreting dialogues, digging through old videos—it's truly madness LOLOL
What's even funnier is that this has spread overseas, and if you search for "EgoXStar," tons of videos pop up LOLOL
EgoXStar<<<Like if you agree this is the real deal LOLOL
=[Comments]=
[LOLOLOLOLOL]
[Sigh... the whole world is Team Stardust]
[These foreigners know what's up for real LOL]
[Fact) Egostic is living with other villains]
ㄴ[The cheetah is just a late runner. Game over once she starts running]
ㄴ[Please start running, Stardust!!!]
ㄴ[LOLOL Why are you all fighting among yourselves when the actual people involved aren't saying much LOLOL]
[Mindlessly liking this LOLOL]
[Ah, even foreigners can't resist hero-villain romance LOL]
*
"Hmm..."
At the Hero Association.
In the office of A-rank hero Stardust, the owner of this place, Shin Ha-ru, was collecting data by checking villain activities—that is, browsing community forums.
"...This is ridiculous."
After seeing a certain popular post, she laughed as if finding it absurd. Ha, really. There's no way a hero and villain could have that kind of relationship.
Of course, even as she said that.
-Glance.
Every five minutes, she kept checking if the communicator Egostic had given her would ring.