Chapter 256 - Alliance
# Hero Comics
What's the difference between the world of superhero comics and the reality I used to live in, aside from the existence of superpowered individuals?
If I had to pick one thing, I'd say it's how entertaining the news is. Turn on the TV and you'll see all kinds of extraordinary terrorist attacks by people with powers. How could that not be entertaining?
[Today, a villain from the United Arab Emirates is making headlines for slicing a building with a scythe. Fortunately, it was an abandoned building, so there weren't many casualties...]
Yeah, like that. Look at that Arab scythe slayer, Mr. Muskda Al Misned (37). Give that man a blade and he could rival Katana.
"..."
It feels like collecting a day's worth of terrorist incidents from around the world would fill a month's worth of superhero comics.
Actually, when I first arrived in this world, it wasn't this bad, but the frequency of terrorist attacks has been increasing.
Just yesterday, there was a villain dropping stars on Israel and another in Indonesia shooting bananas from a gun, among other terrorist incidents. Of course, these outlandish abilities usually get crushed by straightforward, purely strong heroes. Those villains were caught during their first attempt by an S-class hero who controls gravity and another hero who shoots lasers from his eyes.
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that lately there have been many terrorist attacks and the political situation is unstable. On top of that, there are psychological warfare operations happening at the national level.
[Breaking News: French S-class villain threatens to attack England again. London citizens 'tense.' British Association states 'There will be clear retaliation if the French Association doesn't stop them.']
[Group uprising of South American villains in California, USA... Early termination by S-class villain alliance Etheria before the Association arrived. South American government states 'The US villains killed our citizens, so compensate us,' causing controversy.]
[Currents of war enveloping the Middle East... All Iraqi heroes deployed to the border (Comprehensive Report 1)]
[Italian A-class hero Newiz arrested in Germany for national disruption. Italy demands 'Send them back' while Germany insists 'Explain yourself,' creating tension.]
Right.
To face increasingly powerful villains, they should be joining forces, but instead they're fighting among themselves. This makes me think—this is exactly why they all failed in the original story.
Interestingly, amid all this, there's no news of conflict from East Asian countries. Our country is busy catching the increasing number of villains, Japan is busy with Katana taking control of the government, and China is occupied with suppressing rebel forces.
Everyone already has too much to do to worry about other countries.
China in particular is in complete chaos these days.
[Chinese government reportedly offered ceasefire to 'Fire Dragon,' the continent's largest villain alliance and rebel force... Former Chinese military official's revelation. Government responds with anger: 'Nonsensical delusions.']
China's territory is gradually being divided by Fire Dragon, a villain organization led by our Li Xiaopeng that's essentially an anti-government force. The government is angrily denying that they proposed a ceasefire, calling it a blatant lie, but I know it's true...
'That happened faster than expected.'
And one interesting point is that it's happening earlier than in the original story.
Originally, this news came out right before the Moonlight Church disaster, but now it's already happening, which means the information I gave to Li Xiaopeng must have been effective.
'Anyway...'
My conclusion is simple.
The world is becoming more chaotic. And in times like these, we need to increase our allies.
Especially considering the Moonlight Church and the villain parties that follow, we'll be busy enough dealing with our own country's problems. If sparks from other countries reach Korea, it would be extremely troublesome. Our Stardust is already struggling, and I can't make things harder for her...!
So my conclusion is that I should create allies myself.
And my targets are naturally villains from neighboring countries with significant influence.
And of course, the first target was Katana from Japan.
"You're talking about an alliance between you, Mr. Egostic, and the Chinese villain?"
"Yes."
Tokyo.
I was having tea with her in the office of Katana, the leader of Samkyopa, Japan's largest villain organization, at their new headquarters.
Specifically, to make this proposal.
'East Asian Villain Alliance.'
An alliance between me, Katana, and Li Xiaopeng to solidify our respective powers. It also serves to reaffirm that each of us is the biggest villain in our respective countries...
'In reality, though it's called a villain alliance, it's essentially an alliance between three countries.'
Yes.
Both Katana and Li Xiaopeng are not ordinary villains.
Katana has essentially taken over Japan and can be considered the ruler of the entire Japanese archipelago. Her influence already extends to every government appointment, and the Association is gradually filling with her people. True to Samkyopa's reputation for gathering talented individuals, I heard they're doing well despite the situation being different from the original story.
Li Xiaopeng is currently a rebel trying to consume more than half of China, but through the original story, I know that as the Chinese government weakens through various world-scale disasters, Fire Dragon will eventually seize power in China. With my information, that process will likely accelerate.
'And I...'
I'm allied with Lee Seol-ah, the shadow ruler of South Korea. Unlike other countries, Lee Seol-ah hasn't taken over the Association, but she controls the government, the National Assembly, and the media—a perfect shadow ruler. And since Lee Seol-ah will generally follow my lead, when I form an alliance with those two, the South Korean government automatically joins the alliance.
Plus, Stardust, the strongest hero in the Association, is Lee Seol-ah's friend, so that says it all.
So to summarize:
The moment we three villains form an alliance, it naturally becomes equivalent to an alliance between our three governments.
That's why I've been trying to maintain friendly relations with Katana and Li Xiaopeng.
"Hmm... an alliance."
Back to Japan, in front of Katana.
With her black hair tied back, she placed her hand on her chest covered in a white Japanese-style robe, contemplating my proposal with a calm face. After a moment, she nodded slightly with a faint smile and said:
"Alright. Since it's your proposal, Mr. Egostic, I'm sure you have your reasons."
She responded quite coolly.
I thanked her, and when she insisted I stay for a meal, I enjoyed the omakase she offered. However, I politely declined her invitation to stay overnight and returned to Korea. If I stayed overnight, I'd face suspicious glances when I got home...
Anyway, after convincing Katana, I called Li Xiaopeng to set up an appointment and departed for China the day after tomorrow.
A villain's job involves frequent international business trips. Being a villain isn't easy...
***
"Hahaha! Oh my, Mr. Egostic. Welcome!"
At the top of a large tower with purple tiles in China.
In the office of Li Xiaopeng, leader of the villain organization Fire Dragon.
There, I met Li Xiaopeng with his hair in a queue hairstyle and sat down, receiving his warm welcome.
"Thanks to your help, Mr. Egostic, our organization has been truly flourishing lately. I don't know how to express my gratitude."
"Haha, it's nothing. Just a small contribution."
And here too, tea... why do villain leaders love tea so much? Anyway, while drinking tea with green leaves, I exchanged greetings and pleasantries with him.
As expected, Li Xiaopeng expressed how helpful I had been and thanked me. Being someone almost suspiciously obsessed with righteousness and cooperation, he not only remembered the favor but even exaggerated it. That's partly why I helped Li Xiaopeng in the first place.
Anyway, after some conversation, I proposed the alliance.
And as expected:
"Haha! That's a great idea."
He laughed heartily and agreed.
Yes, I knew our Xiaopeng would accept right away. Being indebted to me, he might have felt awkward refusing, but being the calculating person he is, he must have instantly weighed the pros and cons and made his decision. More benefits than drawbacks.
"An alliance of the three powers from China, Japan, and Korea... Hmm. Like Liu Guanzhang of Shu..."
He muttered something about China, Japan, and Korea with a satisfied smile, but I couldn't hear clearly. Well, he's probably just calculating the costs and benefits again. I'm probably the only one who knows that his innocent expression is also an act.
"Great. Then if you're available in a few days, let's meet with you, Mr. Li Xiaopeng, and Ms. Katana to discuss more details."
"Haha. Sounds good."
He nodded and replied.
So a few days later, I found a time when everyone was available and somehow ended up hosting the alliance formation meeting in South Korea with all three of us.
"Hello, Ms. Katana. We've met before."
"...Hello, Mr. Li Xiaopeng."
...There was the minor issue of Katana and Li Xiaopeng being awkward with each other, both looking only at me, but we managed to work out all the details that day.
And so.
"Well, let's toast to the birth of the China-Japan-Korea Villain Alliance."
"Cheers."
"Cheers!"
Around a small round table, our three glasses clinked together.
The China-Japan-Korea Villain Alliance was officially launched.
"Haha! This is like the Peach Garden Oath!"
...Ignoring Li Xiaopeng who was drunk by himself.
I had another drink and prepared to go home to write a post.
To announce to everyone the alliance between Ego-stream, Samkyopa, and Fire Dragon—the largest villain organizations in Korea, Japan, and China.