Chapter 319 - Bad Boy

After Egostic's prison break, his fan cafe was in a complete festival mood.

It was only natural. Since what they wanted was ultimately Egostic's release, those whose wishes had been fulfilled were celebrating like it was a feast.

However, that only lasted for a while.

In happy atmospheres, there are always those who stir things up.

*

[Isn't it weird that Egostic hasn't shown his face even once since escaping prison?]

*

Usually, those who fail to read the room get shut down and buried, but perhaps because this was something everyone had secretly been thinking, or because the media had picked up on it...

Slowly, conspiracy theories began to emerge one by one.

*

[Did Egostic get injured in prison and is recovering before coming back?]

[For real, the prison break wasn't even broadcast, maybe the Association just made it all up?]

[Breaking) What's with these rumors about Mango's health issues...?]

[[Shocking] Interview with Association insider Mr. S... Controversy as he reveals 'Egostic might have a terminal illness']

[Damn... the mango drama has started again?]

[Like if you're feeling anxious even though we're trying to convince ourselves everything's fine lol]

*

The fan cafe's atmosphere was becoming increasingly precarious. Ridiculous stories were even circulating, like theories about Egostic being replaced by a robot.

Just as concerns about Egostic were starting to rise...

Right on cue, he appeared.

*

[HE'S HERE!!!!!!!!!!]

*

And that day.

Egostic's broadcast recorded the highest viewership of the year.

And on the screen of the ongoing broadcast, as if to quell everyone's anxieties...

[Hello everyone, this is Egostic!]

All they could see was his healthy appearance, smiling brightly behind his mask.

And so, amid nationwide attention,

Egostic's first live broadcast after his prison break began.

***

Above a city in Seoul.

Under the blue sky, with a cool breeze blowing, I was grinning at the camera while my cape fluttered.

"Hello everyone. This is Egostic!"

At my words, the chat window began to explode with messages.

It was always crazy fast, but today was even more so.

Despite all kinds of restrictions including Korean chat limitations, the bombardment of messages was pouring in at a rate impossible to follow with the naked eye.

*

[Mangostick is back like a boss lolololol]

[Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~ Mango-yahoooo~]

[Just grateful that you're here, Lord Mango...]

[God is he a stick with self-awareness? God is he a stick with self-awareness? God is he a stick with self-awareness? God is he a stick with self-awareness?]

[Ego oppa looks fine, I'm so relieved ㅠㅠㅠ]

[Egostic's broadcast has started. Yes. Time has begun to flow again...]

[The theory of relativity is E=MC². Then what does its predecessor E=MC mean? It means Egostic = MangostiC. Yes. Even the theory of relativity was Team Mango all along]

[The comment section is exploding in an instant lolololol]

[The viewer count is insane ㅋㅋ It's already surpassed the population of Korea ㅋㅋㅋ]

[Any Team Stardust members shyly waiting for Stardust to appear? Starting with me...]

*

Amidst all this, I casually smiled with my hands in my pockets, letting my cape flutter as I waved to them.

Good, good.

It feels refreshing to be out like this after so long.

I thought this as I leisurely walked across the sky. This broadcast is a terror act, but it's also meant to wash away all the strange rumors that have been circulating about me since my escape. As such, I should answer a few questions.

With that in mind, I quickly scanned the chat and opened my mouth again.

"Yes, yes. Hello. I'm also delighted to see you all again. It seems I've returned with a terror broadcast after quite some time. After being locked up in prison, breathing the outside air feels especially good."

As I naturally mentioned prison, the chat immediately erupted.

What did I do in prison, how did I escape, was I really captured and imprisoned... With all these questions pouring in, I decided to explain step by step.

"Haha, yes. Many of you are asking whether my capture in the last terror was a mistake or something I intended? Well, I won't say much... but let's just say I ended up there because of Stardust."

And with my answer, the chat exploded even faster.

I deliberately made my statement ambiguous. Whether "because of Stardust" meant I was captured by her, or I went in to do something with Stardust.

It was exactly the kind of material that would excite the public who were obsessed with romance rumors. ...And although I wasn't fond of those romance rumors, I had no choice.

I couldn't say I got captured on purpose. That could cause major problems with the Wish Granter and the International Association. But if I said I was genuinely captured by mistake, they might not believe me, so deflecting public attention elsewhere with ambiguous wording was the best approach.

Of course, Stardust and I never actually met in prison... but the truth was never what mattered. Let them believe what they want.

Anyway, ignoring the exploding chat asking what I did with Stardust, I smoothly changed the subject.

"Anyway, everyone! Thanks to those who worried about me, I am perfectly fine. The prison meals were quite good these days? Drawing strength from that, I'll make this terror even more successful for you!"

As I finished speaking and spread my arms.

Two fireworks shot up behind me into the sky, bursting with a bang even in broad daylight.

Good. I've always liked these classic effects.

[Oppa, all preparations are complete now.]

"Okay."

Hearing Seo-eun's communication, I turned my head away from the camera.

An amusement park visible in the distance. That was today's target.

I'll just make the gyro drop riders' experience more thrilling. The so-called air gyro drop. Plus, the flying viking and sky-running comet express are also prepared. All possible with Eun-wol's magic.

Which means, now we just need Stardust to arrive.

I leisurely waited for Stardust. She's a bit late today...?

So I waited for Stardust.

"Ta-da! Everyone, it's a missile! Where should I fire it?"

I also brought a missile that I had prepared in advance. This was actually planned to be attached to the comet express.

Full of anticipation. Mango's amusement park... I mean, Ego's amusement park. Hey, it was already fun.

'...But Stardust is unusually late today?'

Just as I was thinking that.

"...Egostic!"

Right then, a youthful voice called from across the sky.

Hearing that familiar voice that was pleasant no matter how many times I heard it, I turned my head.

"....?"

Looking more beautiful than usual. I was momentarily stunned as I saw Stardust flying toward me with a bright smile, as if she was happy to see me.

...What's going on? Why is she coming with such a friendly smile like she's meeting a close friend rather than capturing a villain?

I quickly sent the camera away so viewers wouldn't notice, of course.

"...Oh, Ms. Stardust. Hello."

"...Haa, haa. Egostic..."

Arriving in front of me, she was breathing heavily.

After catching her breath for a moment, she looked at me with concerned eyes and asked.

"Egostic, have you recovered all your memories?"

"Uh...? Um, yes. I've recovered everything. I'm fine."

I answered with a smile while avoiding her eyes.

...Of course I don't remember what happened in prison, but nothing probably happened anyway, so there's no need to share such TMI. Only someone with no sense would explain in such detail.

From the beginning, the plan was to ask Stardust for help if the Wish Granter caused trouble, so I wasn't surprised that she asked me about it.

However, the strange thing was.

"...Phew, that's a relief. Are you feeling okay physically...?"

As she said that, she reached out her hand to me in mid-air and took a step closer.

I took an equal step backward away from her.

Why is she approaching me like this? She's naturally trying to capture me.

"...Oh."

Of course, when I did that, she lowered her hand and momentarily looked hurt.

But I wasn't in a position to pay close attention to her right now.

Of course.

Why does she make such an expression?

And why does she look at me with such concern and joy, as if she has no intention of hiding it? That was puzzling, but... an even bigger problem was.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

Why was my heart beating like crazy as soon as I saw her?

My face turning red.

...If it's you, I don't mind if you see.

This is delicious. Ms. Stardust, are you also good at cooking?

...No matter how much you flatter me, I won't let you go.

Aren't you cold...?

Yes. My hands are getting chilly.

...Is it warm now?

....Yes.

Egostic, since you asked. I'll do it for you.

Clearly, I don't remember, but.

Why suddenly do I want to approach her, want to embrace her? Why do I want to throw away everything—being a villain, the plan, everything—and just be by her side?

Lost in that suddenly overwhelming, unrestrained wave of emotions.

Unconsciously trying to control those emotions, to hide my wavering heart.

To prevent my face from turning red, I somehow kept my face rigid and unknowingly spoke to Stardust in a cold voice.

"Ms. Stardust. I'm about to cause terror, so try to stop that."

...This isn't right.

***

Stardust.

Flying through the sky to meet Egostic, she was currently feeling perplexed.

Egostic had changed.

"Ms. Stardust. I'm about to cause terror, so try to stop that."

'...Even though we were holding hands and walking together just recently...'

Seeing him suddenly put on a cold expression and avoid her eyes while saying that, she felt a slight pain in her heart. Slight, very slight. Yes.

'...Could it be that Egostic...'

"..."

...No, that can't be.