Chapter 334 - Her Misconception

Now at the point of his true retirement drawing near.

Perhaps because I had already announced that I would quit terrorizing with Stardust before next month, there was a lively atmosphere at home.

"Death mister! Please dig more over here!"

[Sure thing!]

Everyone seemed so excited that they were now building a large swimming pool in front of the house.

Since I'm retiring, they said they'd play here before summer ends, and everyone looked so happy that I didn't particularly stop them.

...However, I distinctly remember that building a swimming pool takes several years, but the outline was already taking shape after just a few days.

Maybe it's because they can quickly fill it with water using Eun-wol or our water ability user Ariel, so they just need to dig the ground. I also thought the water they created would probably be cleaner than groundwater.

Anyway, while everyone was thinking about my life after retirement.

I was alone, thinking about what terrorism to commit.

"Hmm..."

...With only a few days left to commit terrorism, I needed to be careful with each one. A desire to make them more spectacular, you could say.

Hmm, should I raid a department store...? Or hijack a ship for the first time in a while?

Even while thinking about that.

In truth, I wasn't interested in the content of the terrorism itself.

...When you think about it, there's only one reason why I commit terrorism.

'...It's because of Stardust.'

I thought that while rolling my pen.

Stardust.

My favorite character and the driving force that kept me living in this world.

Probably... according to my plan, she and I wouldn't have many chances to meet after my last terrorism.

Especially if I managed to defeat the Sun God and see this world's happy ending... if I was lucky enough to survive until then. Even so, I probably wouldn't see her again for the rest of my life.

As such, it was only natural that the few remaining acts of terrorism felt precious. They were among the few remaining opportunities to meet the person I liked the most before saying goodbye.

'Of course, Stardust would be the happiest when I quit terrorism...'

Still, I felt a bit regretful.

...Actually, I was much more regretful than I showed on the outside, but I didn't want to create a gloomy atmosphere.

"...Even so."

I put down my pen and thought quietly.

...Stardust. She doesn't treat me like an enemy as she used to... rather, perhaps because of the things I've done, she treats me quite gently.

'...Well, it's more than just gentle.'

...She approached me so naturally that I almost mistakenly thought she might like me.

Anyway.

Maybe we could part ways with smiles on our faces at the end.

...A villain parting with a hero with a smile. What an extraordinary luxury.

With that thought in mind.

I made a firm decision.

'Yes.'

It's time to stop avoiding Stardust.

Running away can never be the solution.

With that determination, I called for Seo-eun and Eun-wol.

"Alright, I've decided on the next terrorism. Let's begin."

"Yes, brother. What is it?"

"Listen..."

And so, I planned the terrorism.

Hoping to have more conversations with Stardust before leaving.

***

And so.

The day to commit terrorism finally arrived.

And naturally.

My terrorism was accompanied by a broadcast.

"Hello everyone. This is Egostic!"

*

[AngelStic! AngelStic! AngelStic! AngelStic! AngelStic! AngelStic! AngelStic! AngelStic! AngelStic! AngelStic! AngelStic! AngelStic!]

[If you came running like a dog as soon as Egostic's broadcast notification went off, like this commentㅋㅋㅋㅋ starting with meㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[Mango broadcast day <- This should officially be designated as a public holiday]

[Sob sob I've become someone who can't live without Mangostick]

[An S-class hero who regularly communicates with fans... isn't that the best?]

[My reason for living = knowing that Egostic's broadcast will come someday]

[These guys are already fully trained, they just laugh and get excited as soon as Egostic's face appearsㅋㅋㅋㅋ Actually, me tooㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[Protector of the Republic of Korea, God's representative, and savior of the world, MAN-GOAT... is it you again...?]

*

In the sky above Seoul, Republic of Korea.

When I turned on the camera there, as usual, a stream of adoring comments rolled in.

...I won't have many days left to see these.

Thinking that, I somehow felt a sense of regret I couldn't shake off.

I smiled and opened my mouth.

"Yes, yes. Nice to see you all. You must be wondering why I turned on the broadcast today. Well, do you see this department store below me?"

Saying that, I turned the camera to show the rooftop of the department store below me.

Then, turning the camera back to myself, I grinned and spoke again.

"Yes, that's right! Today, a very fun event will unfold here! Haha, you can look forward to it. Oh, by the way, it's impossible to leave now. It's too late to try to escape, you know?"

As I said that with a grin.

Comments quickly filled the chat.

*

[Who's even trying to leave??? One of the bucket list items for Koreans is to experience a Mangostick terrorism once]

[If it's impossible to leave, is it possible to enter now? I really want to go in...]

[??? What? I'm inside that department store nowㅋㅋㅋㅋ The lights are going out and it's chaosㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[Ah damn I'm so jealous]

[Mango's terrorism park that surpasses theme parks is ONㄷㄷㄷ]

*

...As always, these comments showed a complete lack of crisis awareness.

Well, even so. Despite their words, when the Wolgang Bridge terrorism happened, everyone ran away quickly when the situation got real, so there's nothing to worry about.

[Brother. Preparations at the department store are complete.]

Just as I was thinking that, Seo-eun's voice came through.

Following her signal, I looked at the camera and said:

"...Anyway, before starting the terrorism. I'll wait for my hero, Stardust. I wonder if she can overcome this elaborate terrorism too!"

*

[The inevitable Stardust shoutoutㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

*

After calling for Stardust.

Not long after.

"...There she comes."

From the distant sky, I could see her flying toward this place.

With her long blonde hair fluttering, wearing a tight red suit, Stardust approached.

And as always, feeling my heart beat slightly faster at the sight of her, I smiled.

Soon, Stardust stood before me in the sky.

...Really, I feel this every time I see her, but she was beautiful. So beautiful it seemed almost unfair.

Anyway, that's not the important thing now, I should smile and greet her...

So I opened my mouth and greeted her.

"Hello, Ms. Stardust! We meet again after seeing each other at the beach last time."

"....."

In response to my words, she looked at me with a cold expression and remained silent.

...I felt something slightly off here.

If it were the usual her, she would have smiled slightly and said something like 'Yeah, that's right.' But for some reason, today she didn't say anything, her expression unchanged.

...What's this? Is she not feeling well today?

With such concerns, I opened my mouth again.

"Haha... Anyway! I've prepared a very novel terrorism today!"

As I said that with a smile.

...Finally, for the first time, her lips opened.

"Haah..."

And.

Those words were spoken in the coldest tone I had ever heard from her.

"...You piece of trash. What have you done again?"

Glaring at me.

She spoke those words coldly.

Looking into her blue eyes.

"...."

I froze on the spot.

...Ah, this kind of condemnation from Stardust is, um, very rare these days.

I maintained my smile despite hearing her words.

...Unlike the chaos inside me.

'No, why is she acting like this? Did I do something wrong?'

It felt like cold sweat was pouring down.

...Of course, it's not strange for a hero to curse at a villain, but considering our recent relationship, it was unexpected. No, it feels like just yesterday we were holding hands walking through the labyrinth...

And I wasn't the only one who felt something was off.

*

[??????]

[What's this... our Stardust is acting strange...]

[Did they fight?]

[Breaking news) Stardust loses her mind from jealousy toward the angel]

[Calling an SSS-class hero trash... GO!!!!!!!!!!!]

[Watching a couple's fight live ONㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[What? Did Mango get caught cheating?ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

*

Everyone seemed confused by Stardust's strange reaction.

Anyway, while I was trying to assess the situation internally.

...Since I had decided not to avoid her today but to approach her, I forced a smile and spoke.

"...Haha. What have I done? I've just played a small prank on the department store. I heard there's a rumor about a bomb in the closed 5th floor area that's under construction?"

"Ha, how tiresome. Truly a garbage method worthy of you."

Seeing her cold response.

I smiled and waved the detonator in front of her, saying:

"Well! Anyway, time is ticking. If you don't hurry... you know what happens, right?"

"Tsk..."

After giving me one last annoyed glance, she flew down toward the department store.

...After watching the direction she disappeared for a long time with a smile.

With the chat on fire asking why Stardust was acting that way, I turned off the camera for a moment.

And then, in the sky where no one was watching me.

"....."

I quietly erased my smile and stood in the sky.

...What could it be? Why is she acting like that?

So different from her usual self who approached me without hesitation.

As soon as the question arose, a thought came to mind.

'Why? You already know.'

...So that was her true feelings.

Indeed, her intimate attitude until now was, as I suspected, just a honey trap to make me let my guard down, and that was her true self. For some reason. Probably because I didn't fall for it... she decided to drop the act.

"Haha... I knew this would happen."

I forced a laugh and quietly muttered.

Yes, I knew this would happen, right? I clearly know how Stardust was in the original work. Someone who never compromises with villains, and I thought we were getting along? What a joke.

What did I say when I lost my memory? That Stardust liked me? Hahaha, I was right after all. What an absurd assumption that was.

Well, it's rather refreshing.

I sincerely thought so.

[Brother, are you crying?]

"...Be quiet."

...The feeling that a corner of my heart was breaking.

Surely, it must be an illusion.

***

And at that moment.

Stardust was covering her face with her hands, sulking in a corner inside the department store.

"Ugh..."

...Is this right?

I feel sorry for cursing at him and want to apologize right away?

While thinking that, Stardust quietly muttered.

"...But still."

...It had an effect, right?

Unlike how he kept avoiding me until now, he kept standing in front of me and talking.

Even after being cursed at... he kept smiling.

'...Is this what he likes?'

With such confused feelings.

...She decided to try continuing this approach, hardening her resolve.

Not sensing the fierce warning her intuition was sending.