Chapter 301 - Demonstration

After Egostic was captured by Stardus.

The Republic of Korea came to a complete standstill.

And then.

[Breaking news! S-class villain Egostic has reportedly been captured by Stardus...]

[The Association has captured Egostic! As the undisputed strongest and worst villain in the Republic of Korea, no one expected him to be captured...]

[Everyone!! Mango, no, Egostic has been taken by the Association! This is... Hey, Kim Anchor, come out here. Everyone!!! Does this make any sense? We must all gather and protest! Even if it's the Association, mmph...]

The Republic of Korea erupted into unprecedented chaos.

Every news outlet, community forum, and conversation was in an uproar about Egostic's capture.

Countless rumors circulated—that Stardus had threatened Egostic into submission, that Egostic had turned himself in voluntarily—but they were all meaningless talk. While some still refused to believe it, several hours passed after Egostic's arrest.

And the first place to show an immediate reaction was...

"What the hell? Why are the stocks crashing like this?"

Naturally, it was the financial sector, always sensitive to international developments.

According to analysts, the security of the Republic of Korea had essentially been shared equally between the Association and Egostic.

While Stardus handled all the minor terrorist incidents, experts analyzed that Egostic had been stopping all the major threats. Particularly, the large-scale attacks that could determine the fate of the nation were effectively being prevented by Egostic.

In truth, if you set aside the fact that he was a villain, considering Egostic's achievements so far... this reaction was inevitable.

Why else would there be international talk about South Korea being safe? Thanks to Egostic, what was the country's situation? From the maritime terrorist attacks by the international organization Latis to remaining safe when the rest of the world was under attack, he had prevented national-level disasters with almost no casualties, and through the East Asian Villain Alliance, maintained good relations with neighboring countries. Especially because of this, public trust in Egostic, the people's villain, was unquestionable. He had already proven his abilities by stopping the Moon Light Cult Leader, who had been a global catastrophe.

And all of this had been subtly reflected in the financial markets.

"Stop falling already!!"

So when the news of Egostic's capture spread, South Korean stocks and the KOSPI, along with everything else, instantly began plummeting.

At this point, whether he was a villain or not no longer mattered.

Amid this continuing chaos, at Egostic's official fan cafe, Team Mango—the gathering place for his most devoted followers—hundreds and thousands of posts began flooding in within moments.

*

[Are you kidding me? Capturing Egostic??? LOLOLOLOL]

Seriously, stop this nonsense

Is this a dream?

=[Comments]=

[Yeah jump off a roof to wake up... make sure you jump]

ㄴ[You murderer]

[For real, this makes no sense LOL. Egostic has teleportation abilities, wtf]

[Why are they arresting an S-class hero? Seriously, stop this nonsense. I might actually die]

[They say Egostic is in detention now LOL]

ㄴ[For real?]

ㄴ[Damn it, the country is truly ruined]

ㄴ[Stock market already showing red candles LOL. We're screwed LOL]

[You idiots, think about it. Would Egostic really get caught? If it were real, Egostream or the East Asian Villain Alliance would be going crazy. There must be a bigger picture here. You think Mangostick would actually get caught?]

ㄴ[Oh]

ㄴ[That's it]

ㄴ[Right? That's what's happening?]

ㄴ[Wow, you're the prophet of our fan cafe]

ㄴ[I was about to drive a burning bus to the National Assembly but stopped after reading this]

ㄴ[For real LOL. We'll probably hear about Egostic's prison break in a few hours LOL]

ㄴ[Yeah, this has to be it. I believe it, damn.]

[But how is this literally the only thing on the internet and TV? LOL Even entertainment shows have stopped to broadcast this breaking news LOL]

ㄴ[A national hero has been unjustly imprisoned—of course it's a big deal]

*

The theory circulating in some communities that "this must be part of Egostic's plan!" gained momentum and seemed to calm things down temporarily.

...But after a few more hours, when news broke that Egostic was being interrogated in the Association's ability-sealing room and undergoing a summary trial...

The Republic of Korea began burning hot once again.

*

[What if Egostic didn't get caught on purpose?]

What if Mango really got caught by mistake while committing terrorism?

What if Egostream isn't responding because they're too shocked and are making plans?

What if other countries aren't responding because they don't know what's happening?

What if Mango is really imprisoned and about to be permanently locked up in Carceris?

What if our country is seriously screwed?

=[Comments]=

[Stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it]

[It's a blatant lie, a blatant lie]

[For real, damn, this seems to be true]

ㄴ[Mango has stopped the Moon Light Cult, blocked the Han-Eun Group, saved South Korea from all kinds of villains countless times, and they arrest him like this?]

[The Association Director was already obsessed with performance LOL. He'll probably just keep him in jail]

[If Mango dies, we all die, damn it]

[The first country in the world to imprison an S-class hero LOL. Betrayal LOL]

[I can't contain my anger]

[Do they think Team Mango is a joke?]

*

Gradually, like the five stages of grief, those who initially denied the situation began to grow angry.

And soon, extreme proposals began to emerge among the people.

[[Declaration] Everyone, we must unite and fight to save Egostic!]

The evil government and the Korean Hero Association have captured Egostic. And now they're trying to send him to prison.

Everyone! Think about everything Egostic has done for us.

When a black monster rampaged through Seoul, who cut off the bridge to stop it?

When the Han-Eun Group attacked Seoul with a massive weapon, who seized it and stopped them?

When the Moon Light Priestess knocked down heroes with storms, who persuaded her to stop?

When Atlas invaded the world, who negotiated first to prevent his attack?

When the Demon King occupied the Trade Center and tried to turn it into a demon castle, who dealt with him?

When the Moon Light Cult Leader tried to release monsters worldwide, who eliminated that bastard and saved the world?

And who has defeated countless villains like Weapon Master, Enzodiac, Scream Maker, Rhino, Monkey Spanner, Crocodileman, and many others?

All these are the achievements of S-class hero Egostic for our sake.

Now that he's about to be imprisoned, can we just stand by and do nothing?

Everyone! Come out to the streets. And let them know. They cannot take our Mangostick so easily!

If we all unite and fight, we can protect Mangostick.

Let's take to the streets, everyone! Let's show them our power!!!!!!!

=[Comments]=

[That's right!!!!!!]

[Let's go to the Blue House~ Let's go to the Blue House~ Let's go to the Blue House~ Let's go to the Blue House~ Let's go to the Blue House~]

[Starting today, 24/7 protests until Mango gets a special pardon LOL. You're all screwed, bastards]

[We will protect Mango, damn it LOL]

[Even regular people are angry now LOL. My boss at work has been saying all day that the country has gone crazy LOL]

[Let's go to the streets, let's go~ LOL]

*

And so.

"Release Egostic!!!"

Finally, as massive simultaneous protests began across the country.

The Republic of Korea completely fell into chaos.

***

"Director! We can't go outside because of the protesters in front of the Hero Association!"

"Director, all government departments are contacting us..."

"Director! The President keeps calling! He's demanding an immediate pardon..."

"Director! The protests are paralyzing cities nationwide..."

At that moment, in the Association.

"Arggghhhh!!!"

The Director was pulling at what little hair he had left, in agony.

"This bastard Egostic! What grudge does he have against me! To do this!!! Just release him..."

[Director! Think about this again. If you do that, the International Association will issue a warning!]

In the midst of this chaos, Lee Seol-ah, who was in her office, was desperately trying to stop the Director from simply releasing Egostic, with tears in her eyes.

'Da-in...!'

I, told, you, this, would, happen...!!!

South Korea had fallen into chaos because of Egostic, who had insisted on entering Carceris even if it meant being captured. At the center of it all, Lee Seol-ah was on the verge of tears trying to manage this mess. She had expected people to react strongly... but not this intensely.

While Lee Seol-ah was struggling like this.

"..."

Deep underground in the Association, in the detention center where Egostic was temporarily confined. In this quiet place where the commotion from above couldn't be heard.

With numerous Association employees standing guard, in this interrogation room surrounded by stark white walls.

"Haah..."

Looking through the one-way mirror at Egostic, who was smiling brightly despite wearing ability-sealing handcuffs, Stardus quietly sighed.

...She still couldn't understand what he was thinking.