Chapter 262 - Red Dragon

"Hello, citizens of the Republic of Korea. This is Egostic!"

*

[Mango-yathooow~! Mango-yathooow~! Mango-yathooow~! Mango-yathooow~! Mango-yathooow~! Mango-yathooow~! Mango-yathooow~! Mango-yathooow~ Mango-yathooow~ Mango-yathooow~ Mango-yathooow~ Mango-yathooow~ Mango-rook-rook~ Mangohahahahaha Mangogogogogogogo]

[Now whenever Egostic's stream starts, the chat goes wild right away lol]

[Mango-ha Mango-ha]

[Like if you thought "Ah, Mango must be up to something" as soon as you saw the red dragon in the sky lol]

[I have an exam tomorrow but I'm watching this stream. Even if I die tomorrow, I have to watch Egostic's stream for real lol]

[How did the viewer count jump to tens of thousands so quickly? Damn lol]

[Thank you for shaking up the Republic of Korea again today, you're simply the GOAT]

[Mango Punch! Mango Punch! Mango Punch! Mango Punch!]

*

In downtown Seoul.

I stood on top of a building, arms spread wide with a smile as I started the broadcast.

People's reactions were still enthusiastic. Maybe because Koreans are a festive people, I was moved to tears seeing them enjoy even terrorist acts.

Anyway, that's not what's important.

To move things along quickly, I immediately introduced Li Xiaopeng who was standing behind me.

"Yes! Today I've brought a very special guest. It's my friend, Li Xiaopeng, China's S-class villain and the leader of the villain alliance Fire Dragon!"

"...Hmm. Nice to meet you."

The chat heated up at his appearance.

*

[???????????????]

[Mango... brought a man to his stream?]

[What!!! This isn't the Mangostick I know!]

[No women on Egostic's stream? Where's your original commitment?]

[This can't be reality]

[After all this time, he's even seduced a man... what is he]

[Who are you! You're not Egostic, are you?]

[Damn, the chat is having a seizure because he brought a male colleague for the first time lol]

[First male colleague (Death Knight crying)]

[You guys... did you forget about Death Knight? He was a man too ㅠㅠ]

[Honestly, I expected this since the Three-Nation Alliance incident lol]

*

"..."

...The important thing is, well, they're getting excited. Not because I brought the famous and influential S-class villain leader from China, but because they're fixated on my colleague being male...

These people are definitely not normal.

Anyway, whatever. The viewers' reactions weren't important today.

The reason I started this broadcast during the terror attack wasn't for content, but simply to measure Stardust's abilities one last time before her middle chapter.

Of course, it's also to make my bond with Li Xiaopeng more widely known to the international community. But that would make headlines just by him coming to Korea in person.

So I got straight to the point.

"Anyway, everyone! You can all see the giant red dragon floating in the sky above Seoul, right?"

*

[Yeah, super visible]

[Red dragon, blue dragon, and Mangostick spread between them]

[Last time it was a Western dragon, now it's an Eastern dragon lol]

[A dragon parade is happening in the Republic of Korea]

[People are already taking pictures and flooding Instagram with them lol. I heard the area under the dragon has already become a hot spot]

[It's fine, people are quick to sense danger these days, so once it breathes fire, everyone will scatter in all directions]

[Damn lol]

*

"Anyway, Ms. Stardust? Please come. If you're late, that burning dragon will start breathing fire toward the city below!"

As I said that, I pointed to the huge red Eastern dragon floating leisurely in the sky in front of me.

It was massive in both size and length, with its entire body burning like a phoenix, looking incredibly powerful.

That's Li Xiaopeng's alpha and omega, the "Fire Dragon" created by his ability, which allowed him to dominate China.

*

[A fire dragon flying over Seoul, wow]

[The fire dragon goes kroaroaroaroa]

[Is that the famous Fire Dragon? Damn, I never thought I'd see it with my own eyes lol]

[Sitting in Korea lets you watch terrorist attacks by villains from all over the world? Sitting and going global, the Egostic Show]

[火龍涼爽的~~~~~]

[So what's this combo? Burning mango? Fire mango?]

[It's kind of funny how Stardust just stays in Korea but has to deal with villains from all over the world lol. Hang in there, Stardust~~~]

*

Leaving the chattering viewers to themselves.

When I turned the broadcast camera back to Li Xiaopeng.

"So... that's how it is."

He was muttering something to himself.

"Making terrorism look like entertainment with a light and fun attitude to gain public favor and support. Clever. Very clever..."

"Um, Mr. Li Xiaopeng?"

"Hmm? Ah, excuse me. I was just thinking about something else."

He stopped his train of thought and turned to me with that response.

...Suspicious, very suspicious. I wonder what strange things he was saying.

Anyway, I reminded Li Xiaopeng once more.

"Li, you understand, right? Absolutely..."

"Don't hurt Stardust more than necessary, and don't destroy the city. Haha, I understand. Don't worry, how could I forget a friend's request?"

He answered with a slight smile.

...Right, let's not be too suspicious and trust him. I've set up precautionary measures anyway.

Just as I was thinking that.

"...She's already here."

From one side, a hero with blonde hair fluttering in the wind was flying toward us.

Who else could it be but Stardust?

"Mr. Li Xiaopeng, are you ready?"

Nod.

Li Xiaopeng answered with a short nod, then began moving his hands in circular motions in front of him.

And then.

[KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-!]

The red dragon in the sky began to move with a terrifying roar.

Looking down at the people who were now fleeing, I briefly said to him.

"I'm counting on you."

"Yes."

As Li Xiaopeng began to move.

I immediately teleported to that place.

"Oppa!"

"Oh, Seo-eun. Give it to me."

Near the site of the terror attack, in a hidden container.

Unlike its shabby exterior, the inside was filled with all kinds of advanced equipment and monitors. I put on the headphones Han Seo-eun handed me and sat in front of the monitor.

Whirrrr. With the sound of something spinning.

On the monitor, I could see Stardust and the red dragon.

And.

[Estimated Vital Index]

[Current Speed Per Second]

[Current Power Estimate]

[Movement Trajectory]

...

The adjacent monitors were filled with tables displayed by all kinds of equipment that could roughly calculate Stardust's current physical condition and fatigue index.

Yes.

The purpose of this terror attack was simple. To check precisely whether the current Stardust is in a condition to face "that monster" that will appear in the Moonlight Bridge disaster.

That's why I needed to accurately assess Stardust's physical condition through this fight. The terror attack was carried out solely for this purpose.

"Stardust..."

Show me your skills.

With that thought, I focused on the battle.

The blueprint for a battle that would determine the fate of the Republic of Korea was about to unfold here!

***

At that same moment.

"..."

Stardust was annoyed.

Lately, Egostic would cause terror attacks, but somehow she never saw Egostic himself and always ended up fighting other villains.

...Of course, it's not like she particularly wanted to see Egostic or anything!

But still, if he called her out, well, shouldn't he at least show his face? How could he just leave her alone with some foreigner she'd never met before?

Whoooooosh

"Tch."

Thinking this, Stardust dodged the flames coming toward her.

A massive burning serpent-like creature was attacking her in mid-air.

She followed international news enough to know about this villain. She just never imagined she'd have to fight it.

'...Where am I supposed to hit this thing?'

With its entire body on fire, it was hard to know where to attack.

Since its face seemed to be the only part not on fire, maybe that's where she should aim...

"Haah."

[KIAAAAAAAAAAA-!]

"Ugh..."

Dodging another attack from the dragon monster that looked like it came straight out of a mobile game, she tried to think of a strategy to attack its head.

They remained in a standoff for quite some time.

...Somehow, this fight felt manageable, similar to the white dragon she had faced before. However.

'...Something feels off.'

That dragon.

Looking at it, she felt something strange.

What was this feeling, like she was taking a test rather than fighting?

Having been through countless battles, she could sense it.

That dragon, surely controlled by that Li Xiaopeng person... was showing extremely cautious control.

'...Strange.'

Narrowly avoiding another lick of flame from the dragon, she thought again.

An attack would come from the right, then the next from the left. Then the center. It would seem to launch a surprise attack, but then the dragon would just check her reaction without following through.

It was clearly strange.

'...What's going on?'

With that question in mind.

She was, without realizing it, instinctively reading everything.