Chapter 294 - Dash

Above the sea near Busan.

Inside a wall made of giant water droplets.

Stardust was glaring uncomfortably at Egostic, who was saying he would take Ariel with him.

She had come down after hearing that the villain organization Latis suddenly launched a terror attack on Busan.

And the truth of the terror that she discovered was quite simple.

...That woman called Ariel wanted to be with Egostic. She did it to get Egostic's attention.

From what she heard, those two knew each other from the beginning, and it seems that Egostic had refused when the woman called Ariel asked to join his villain organization, Egostream. And the result of that was this woman's terror attack.

So.

To summarize in one sentence, another woman had appeared wanting to be by Egostic's side.

And this situation.

"...You two know each other? More importantly, home?"

Stardust was very displeased with this.

With her arms crossed, she spoke in a cold voice.

The fact that another woman would be added to Egostic's side. Why did the fact that he would be living at home with another woman make her uncomfortable? Surely she and Egostic weren't anything to each other...

'...No, that's not right.'

As she thought this, she changed her mind.

They weren't nothing to each other. He and she were bound by the relationship of hero and villain. The relationship of being each other's nemesis.

And didn't he say it? That she was important to him...

So.

It's not strange at all to feel this way.

And when a villain is trying to recruit a new villain, of course she can be angry as a hero.

...In truth, she wasn't sure if that was the only reason.

Anyway, with such heated feelings, Stardust was about to open her mouth with a still cold face toward the flustered Egostic when at that moment.

"Miss Stardust."

Suddenly.

Egostic approached her.

"...Yes?"

In mid-air, he suddenly approached her.

...What is this? Before she could even question it, he was striding toward her without hesitation, and Stardust was flustered.

And before Stardust could continue her thoughts, Egostic was standing right in front of her.

"...What, what is it?"

Though she looked up at Egostic with her arms crossed and a deliberately cold face, inside she was extremely flustered.

And whether he knew Stardust's feelings or not.

Standing close enough that their breaths touched, Egostic looked into Stardust's eyes and said.

"Miss Stardust. You know that I cherish you more than anyone else, right?"

"...Huh?"

Both soaked from being caught in the rain on their way to the sea.

With his hair slightly shining with moisture as if he had just washed it, Egostic smiled quietly and said.

"Watching you always put others first with your kindness, I have never for a moment thought you were anything less than amazing. And you're more beautiful than anyone else."

"...Wait, what are you saying?"

"Actually... that's why, although I didn't want to do it here, I have something I want to tell you, Miss Stardust."

Egostic's sudden words.

Caught in this unexpected turn of atmosphere, she forgot her anger about Ariel and was so confused by the current situation that her head was spinning. No, what is he saying right now? There are people watching.

Indeed, Ariel with blue hair was watching them from a distance, her face red with embarrassment as she covered it.

"...I, I'm fine being second!"

What is she saying now?

As Stardust was flustered with her own face turning red at this sudden turn of events.

Suddenly Egostic grabbed her hand.

"Miss Stardust."

"Uh, yes?"

As Stardust, with her hand held, looked at Egostic's serious face, in that moment when she couldn't grasp the situation and didn't even think to catch Egostic.

"I'm sorry."

"...Huh?"

With those words.

The image of Egostic in front of her suddenly flashed and disappeared.

Then he appeared behind Ariel, and disappeared again. With her.

With that, the water structure that had formed the place lost its power and vanished.

Swoosh.

"......."

Left alone, Stardust quietly looked at her hand and muttered.

"...Huh?"

That's right.

Egostic had fled like that.

The terror attack ended without casualties.

...Leaving only Stardust, who couldn't grasp the situation.

***

[Breaking News))) Busan Terror Situation Ended]

Seems like Egostic took the terrorist and ran?

Anyway, S-class hero Mangostick wins cutely again today lolololol

=[Comments]=

[THE GREAT MANGO]

[This is literally just everyday life now lololol]

[Republic of Korea<<This guy just doesn't function without Egostic lololol]

ㄴ[For real lol]

ㄴ[Without Egostic, not just Korea but the world would have been cut off at the Moonlight Church incident lol]

ㄴ[Just make Mango <- a lifetime villain for real lol]

[Personal opinion) Saving Busan is good but I'm pissed he didn't save the broadcast, like if you're a Mango fan lololol]

ㄴ[For real lolololol]

ㄴ[Smashing that like button]

ㄴ[For real like what the hell happened between Ego, Stardust, and that blue-haired woman who caused the terror lol]

ㄴ[Mango... release the three-way confrontation video!]

[So what happened? Can someone summarize the situation?]

ㄴ[1. A woman called Latis caused terror 2. Egostic took her away and it ended]

ㄴ[Really? What happened to that woman then?]

ㄴ[What do you think, it'll end with Mango fans' Sea Mango coupling damn lol]

ㄴ[Ah lol]

*

After ending Ariel's terror attack in Busan.

With the help of Eun-wol who was waiting nearby, I returned safely and.

I was sitting on the sofa facing Ariel.

"...Ariel?"

"Yes, oppa?"

"Haah..."

Perhaps because quite some time had passed, the sun was setting outside.

In the living room where the sunset was shining in, I was looking at Ariel with a sigh.

"...Shouldn't you go home?"

"......I don't want to."

Ariel looked up at me with eyes shining emerald green, saying that.

At her stubborn response, I sighed and explained why she had to go back.

In truth, even I would like it if Ariel stayed with me.

First of all, her powerful water control ability, proven by this terror attack, was almost as strong as an S-class hero. Of course, she would be a great help to our forces.

But the problem was.

"Would your father worry or not?"

That's right.

The point was that she was Atlas's daughter.

Who is Atlas? He's one of the world's top S-class ability users and my reliable patron. There's no way he would allow his daughter to be away from him, staying with me in far-off Korea.

...Or so I thought.

[...My daughter said she wants to stay there. Haah, Egostic, are you okay with this?]

"...What? Atlas, you're not against it?"

[Haha, if she wants to be by your side, there's nothing to worry about. Even if I can't trust anyone else, who are you, haha! Rather, I think it's not bad for her to experience the world.]

"...Hmm."

...Isn't he trusting me too much?

I had such doubts, but I just accepted it. Atlas was always like that.

[...By the way, tell Ariel. If she runs away again without saying anything and takes my subordinates with her, I won't let it slide.]

"Haha, yes..."

Anyway, after Atlas's fierce warning, we exchanged a few more words.

And since even Atlas gave permission, I had no reason to refuse anymore, so I finally decided to let Ariel join our Egostream.

[Ahem. I feel bad for causing you trouble. Next time when we meet, I'll prepare a feast for you. Anyway, please take good care of my daughter, haha!]

Anyway, with that, the call ended with Atlas's difficult-to-accept joke, [...At this rate, I might end up calling you son-in-law, haha!]

"...Alright, Ariel. From today, you'll live with us."

"Really?"

With Ariel's eyes shining emerald green with joy.

She became the tenth member of our Egostream.

After that, I introduced her to the Egostream members who were watching us with interest from across the living room.

"Hello, I'm Ariel!"

"Hi. Nice to meet you."

Everyone, including Lee Su-bin and Eun-wol, welcomed her warmly as our new family member.

Even Seo Ja-young passed by saying, 'Da-in, you've seduced another woman,' as if she found it amusing.

"Haah... another competitor..."

...Of course, our Han Seo-eun showed a somewhat bitter reaction.

"Ah! You're the famous genius hacker South Silver, right? The one who's been with Egostic since his first terror attack!"

"Uh, yes?"

Seeing Seo-eun, Ariel approached her with sparkling eyes, held her hands tightly, and looked at her with admiring eyes, which momentarily confused Seo-eun.

"I was such a fan! The foundation of Egostream! You're responsible for all of Egostream's hacking, right? And wow, you're even cuter in person."

"...Hehehe, you think so?"

...She had already fallen for Ariel, who was bombarding her with compliments while smiling.

Hmm. Ariel seems like she'll adapt well.

Anyway, the day passed by in a blur like that.

And that night.

After showing Ariel to her new bedroom, I finally returned to my room and had some time to myself.

Sitting on the bed, I now recalled what had happened today.

From going down to Busan to stop Ariel, to meeting Icicle there and helping her grow.

And meeting Stardust.

'Come with me.'

...Even getting wall-slammed.

Before running away with Ariel, I had approached Stardust suddenly to confuse her, feeling like I might get caught otherwise.

"...."

...I have a feeling I might be in trouble when I meet Stardust again, but anyway. I was thinking about something else.

Though I'm sure it's not the case... for some reason, I've been having strange thoughts lately.

'...Could it be that Stardust...'

...

Nah. It can't be.

How could that be possible? I must be overthinking again. Right.

Even as I lay in bed thinking that.

"...."

I couldn't easily fall asleep that night.

...Partly because I was afraid of the aftermath of deceiving Stardust.