Chapter 337 - Prologue

In the heart of Seoul, a massive building towered into the sky.

Standing there, feeling the wind against my face.

I was gazing up at the blue sky.

Waiting for Stardust to arrive.

"Oppa. Shin-ryeong unnie and Ariel have finished their turns. Stardust will be here soon."

"Got it."

My black cape fluttered behind me in the wind.

In the cold air, I held my breath and looked down at the city below.

The roads below and the people moving about.

"...Is today really the last day."

As I watched it all.

Touching the white mask on my face, I quietly muttered those words.

Today's task was to announce my retirement.

Which meant.

The days of me committing acts of terror and appearing before cameras.

The days of Stardust and I opposing each other like this.

Today would be the end of it all.

"...Haha."

Thinking about it gave me a feeling that was both refreshing and regretful.

Especially.

The fact that I would now be parting ways with Stardust.

"....."

Everything I had done until now was for her sake... so it was natural to feel regretful.

I first made my existence known to this world by declaring myself as Stardust's arch-enemy and starting acts of terror.

And now, it was time to part ways.

Thinking about it gave me a sense of nostalgia... and a somewhat distant feeling.

'...Come to think of it, I've committed quite a lot of terrorist acts during my time as a villain.'

With that thought, I sank into memories.

I made my villain debut by causing a ship to sink, confronting Stardust for the first time.

Then I firmly established my presence with a transportation terror trilogy targeting trains and airplanes.

I also carried out an operation to blow up a bridge.

I even stole a massive weapon from Han-eun Group to confront Stardust.

After Ego-stream officially began.

I had Electra and Death Knight carry out terrorist acts.

Later, Eun-wol and Seo-eun joined as well.

After that, I continued to carry out terrorist acts with numerous comrades. More than most villain characters in hero comics.

The identity I took on when I possessed this world was that of a villain.

And not just any villain—one who only confronted Stardust.

I've lived as a villain obsessed with a hero.

'...But only until today.'

I quietly thought to myself.

...Actually, my reason for acting as a villain was simple at first.

The comic based on this world, [Stardust!], was a depressing story where the protagonist Stardust constantly suffered.

I didn't want my favorite character to live like that. So I decided to eliminate other villains before they could appear.

However, Stardust, being the protagonist, was the type whose abilities grew through crises.

So I decided to provide those crises. Clean, refined terrorist acts where people wouldn't die.

And.

Stardust has now fully grown.

To the point where she no longer needs my help.

So, my role has ended.

Now, cleanly disappearing from her life would be the best thing for her.

It seems she's finding it difficult to deal with me now anyway.

So today would be my last terrorist act and my last broadcast.

A time to bid farewell as a villain.

Actually, planning this as an all-star terrorist event was partly because I wanted to make the finale grand... but also because I thought the public would accept it better this way. If I just retired, no one would believe it. I needed to make it grand so people would think, 'Ah, this really is the last time.'

As I was standing on the building's rooftop thinking these thoughts.

In my ear, I heard Seo-eun's voice.

*

"Oppa. Eun-wol has been breached too. She'll be here soon."

"...Okay."

Alright, enough reminiscing.

Now it was time to prepare for my retirement announcement in earnest.

*

[Kya]

[THE GREAT STAR DUST]

[Finally it's Mango's turn!!!]

[Now let's get Egostic in~]

[I'm so curious what Egostic is going to say lol]

[Is he on top of that building?]

[Lolololololol finally]

*

As I set off fireworks from the rooftop.

Seeing the rapid flow of chat messages, it seemed Stardust was finally heading this way.

...Now it was finally time to say my last goodbye to her.

And so I.

Smiled as I watched Stardust in the distance, her blonde hair fluttering.

When leaving for the last time, it's only proper to leave with a smile.

So I hid my regret and smiled toward Stardust.

Now.

It's time for the final broadcast.

The broadcast where I'll announce my retirement.

***

And so, back to the present.

Whoooooosh

On top of a building where cold wind was swirling.

Two figures were facing off against each other.

"....."

The woman hovering in the air with long blonde hair fluttering, glaring at me was.

My hero, Stardust.

"Haha..."

And I, confronting her.

Was clearly the villain of this world.

"Alright, Egostic. Your games end now. What more are you planning to do?"

She glared at me coldly.

I was being condemned by a hero for taking a few hostages and causing terror.

Well, is that surprising...?

The name of the woman confronting me was Stardust.

Real name Shin Ha-ru.

Righteous, never overlooking injustice, kind, and resolute.

The protagonist of this comic...

That I had possessed.

For years, I had been her arch-enemy.

If you ask why.

'Well...'

In truth, it was all for her sake, but...

she would never know this.

Ever.

Hiding these inner thoughts, I smiled wickedly like a villain and spoke to her.

"Yes. You did very well this time too. Very well done. As expected of my worthy arch-enemy."

...And that wasn't just empty words.

Yes.

She had always done so well.

She defeated the Han-eun Group in Part 1.

She stopped the attack of the Moonlight Church monsters in Part 2.

And she took down the Wish Granter in Part 3.

She had done far better than I had expected.

Much, much better.

To the point where I no longer needed to worry.

As I clapped exaggeratedly in the air while saying this.

Stardust frowned and shouted at me.

"I don't need your approval, you piece of trash!"

...Ouch. That hurts.

Okay, okay. I get it. I'm sorry.

But... there's a problem right now.

I'm currently flying using psychokinesis, but because I've been overusing my abilities lately, I don't have much time left.

If I'm not careful, I might fall down there.

So, let's end this quickly.

My final farewell.

"Yes, Stardust. Yes! You've always been like this. Always the first to see through my games, to confront me. Always the one tracking me down... it's been you."

"..."

She glared at me as if asking what I was talking about.

Oh, did she just flinch like she was about to fly over here? Hey, I still have the detonator for this building, don't come closer.

Anyway, it's now my turn to say my final words.

"Anyway, it seems this will be... my last game."

I quietly smiled and said so.

What I did today would be the last terrorist act I would cause in this world.

The reason was simple.

"You've already grown up. You no longer need to play with me."

Because she has fully grown now, she no longer needs to deal with me.

I said this while smiling, looking into her blue eyes.

Because she no longer needs me.

Now, it was my turn to leave.

To no longer stand in her way.

After all, a true first-class villain knows when to step back.

And so, with a smile.

I gave her my final farewell.

"From now on, I won't be targeting you anymore."

Take care, Stardust.

Goodbye.

"...What? Wait...!"

Having said everything I wanted to say, I quickly teleported away, turning my cape in front of me.

And the last image of Stardust that caught my eye as I left...

Her eyes were trembling violently.

'...What's that about.'

Why is she reacting like that?

***

"Anyway, it seems this will be... my last game. You've already grown up. You no longer need to play with me."

...What are you saying?

Stardust.

She, at present, couldn't believe what she was hearing.

She had wanted to see Egostic. She wanted to be with him.

That's why she had broken through all the obstacles he had set up to stand here.

But.

Now.

What on earth are you saying?

Regardless of what she thought.

Egostic's words continued.

Still smiling.

Speaking as if stating an obvious fact, with complete sincerity.

As Stardust fell into panic.

Regardless, his words continued.

And so.

"From now on, I won't be targeting you anymore."

"Take care, Stardust."

"...What? Wait...!"

As he bid farewell with a quiet smile, Stardust hurriedly reached out her hand.

"....."

But he had already disappeared.

And so, on the rooftop of the building. Stardust, left alone there.

"Ah..."

*

[?]

[What is this]

[???]

[Huh?]

[??]

[What is this]

[Wait]

[Ah]

[Wait this isn't right]

[Retirement?]

[I'm confused, did I hear wrong?]

[What's going on suddenly why wait no]

[I'm going to jump off, goodbye]

[Haha we're screwed]

*

Alone, remaining there.

With trembling eyes, she could only stare at the spot where Egostic had been.

...And that day.

Was the day Stardust's life completely changed.