Chapter 366 - Partner

# The Inflation Phenomenon

The Inflation Phenomenon, when all ability users' powers went out of control.

In that situation, the Republic of Korea handled it best.

And the reason was obvious—because I had warned them about the incident in advance.

"Da-in. It's time for you to step into the spotlight."

"...What are you talking about?"

One day before the Inflation occurred.

Lee Seol-ah said that to me.

"Honestly, rather than whispering with me behind the scenes like this... wouldn't it be better for you to step forward as Da-in? I'll give you an official title."

Wearing a half-loosened suit while lying on the sofa reviewing documents, she looked up at me with a smile as she said this.

Standing beside the sofa and leaning against it while reviewing documents myself, I looked at her in disbelief.

"...Me? Is that really necessary?"

"Come on. Wouldn't it be better to establish a direct command route rather than having all decisions go through me?"

Lee Seol-ah's suggestion was this:

Instead of keeping secret all the policies we had been implementing together—like expanding the association's underground bunker base or caring for the Yu-seong Squad—we should do them openly.

The title she would give me was Head of the Hero Association's Special Audit and Cooperation Task Force.

Her reasoning was that going through her might be inconvenient for me, and she might not always have time.

"Besides, after everything you've done, you deserve an official position."

In other words, she was offering me the opportunity to freely hire and manage subordinates. Apparently, there were also things that could only be done publicly...

"But honestly, more than that, it would help me."

After explaining all this, Lee Seol-ah cleared her throat, blushed slightly, and confessed her true intentions.

The truth was that as she was now officially becoming recognized as Korea's power player, she had to attend various international organizations... and she wanted me there with her.

Because she needed to make immediate decisions at these events, but had to consult with me on important matters. She couldn't make those decisions alone without risking problems.

...It felt a bit strange to be like a shadow power, but I was still hesitant.

Because:

"But... what if the Association finds out?"

That was my concern.

Even if the title wasn't revealed to civilians, what if the Association discovered that I was Egostic while I was working with them...!

And hearing my concern, Lee Seol-ah:

"What...?"

Rather than understanding, she looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Da-in. Among the three A-rank heroes, is there anyone who isn't on Egostic's side? I'm on your side, Shadow Walker is too, and now even our Ha-ru is. Not just on your side—she's even dating you."

"..."

"Plus, you've already collaborated with the Director as Egostic, and all the first-generation Yu-seong Squad members know you're Egostic, right? Honestly, I think everyone in the Association who should know already knows you're on our side."

"Hmm..."

...Is that so?

My mind became confused for a moment after hearing her words.

No, I thought I had been keeping it well hidden. It was disconcerting. Had I been too careless all along?

"Alright. Let's do it this way then."

And so my entry into public authority was decided.

...I wasn't sure if this was the right move, but I figured it would work out somehow.

"Hehe... Now I can legally stay close to you, Da-in."

Quietly lying on the sofa and flipping through her tablet, Lee Seol-ah suddenly looked up as if something had just occurred to her.

"By the way, Da-in. What's your family name?"

"Family name? I don't have one."

"...What?"

Seeing Lee Seol-ah's surprised reaction, I scratched my cheek.

Years ago, when I first fell into this world, I decided to abandon my family name.

The bitterness of having no parents or hometown in this world made my family name seem pointless. A determination to start completely fresh in this world. And anger toward the god who had put me in this situation.

...It's laughable now, but back then, I was a bit unhinged. I truly had nothing left but bitterness.

I've improved a lot since meeting Stardus and gaining precious people like Seo-eun... but back then, even I thought I was dangerous.

Of course, even now that I've improved a lot, my thoughts haven't changed much.

"Just make it Da-in. It doesn't matter anyway, right?"

"Um... okay. I understand."

She nodded quietly and began typing something on her tablet.

Watching her, a question suddenly occurred to me.

"But is that okay? I'm a person with no resident registration, completely without identity."

"Oh. That's fine. Who do you think I am?"

She responded to my concern with a confident smile.

"That's a simple problem that can be fixed with a few adjustments. Who would dare question something I've ordered?"

"...That's true."

I nodded as I watched her confidence.

Both in the original story and now, Korea was practically Lee Seol-ah's republic, so deeply had she taken control.

Although she wielded enough power to control Korea, in the original story she never crossed the line and always strived to save the failing country until the end.

Perhaps it was because, despite everything, she was fundamentally a hero.

"...There, with this, it's done! Now you're officially part of the government's Hero Association Cooperation Task Force. More specifically, I've set you up as one of my direct staff."

"Great. Well done."

As I put down the documents and replied with a slight smile.

Lee Seol-ah, sprawled on the sofa with her sky-blue hair spread out:

"Oh?"

She put her tablet on the desk, gave a playful smile, and suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me onto the sofa.

I barely managed to keep my balance, ending up half-sprawled above her on the sofa, our faces close together.

With our eyes meeting at close range.

Lee Seol-ah smiled brightly, looked at me with her deep sky-blue eyes, then pressed her forehead against mine and said:

"You understand, right? Now you're completely in the same boat as me. We could call ourselves soul partners."

"...Is there no getting off?"

"Of course not. You're the only person I can keep by my side now."

Saying that with another playful smile, she turned her head toward my ear and whispered:

"Let's lead Korea well together. Understood?"

Feeling her cool breath tickling my ear, I gave a bitter smile.

Despite her playful tone, I could feel her sincerity.

...The sincerity that she would never allow me to leave.

***

'Oh, and don't worry about Stardus. I'll try to persuade her.'

'...What are you talking about?'

After that brief meeting with Lee Seol-ah.

Following the start of Phase 4, I began planning a terror attack to signal the beginning of the final chapter.

Both in the original story and now, Chapter 4's core was the villain counterattack centered around Kathedal.

In the story, all named villains became affiliated with Kathedal, uniting villains who had previously been scattered and defeated individually.

As such, the characteristic of this period was that terror attacks took on the form of large-scale battles.

Of course, Kathedal wasn't just a group of world-class villains in name only—they supported each other. That's what made them frightening.

Especially terrifying were Celeste's "Heavenly Army."

These are the ones standing right in front of me now.

"Do as I command. Understood?"

"----------- Understanding complete. --------- Will execute."

These Heavenly Soldiers with blank white faces, wearing white robes or armor like egg ghosts.

These are the clone soldiers provided by Celeste, greatly helping villains deploy human wave tactics.

I don't know by what principle they're created, but the bonus is that if you request them from above, they continuously provide staffs that can summon countless numbers of these creatures.

These beings, who can match B to C-rank heroes, aren't weak individually and have the advantage of large numbers.

So using these so-called Heavenly Soldiers becomes the core of Kathedal-centered terror attacks.

Summoning many minions for battle... this is why heroes needed to be numerous.

...And I planned to use this to create a rigged game.

A stage just for Stardus and me.

[Yes, Teacher Da-in. I'll do as you say.]

"Good. Thank you, No. 1... no, Se-geom."

After coordinating with my faithful disciples in the Ego-squad... who are now heroes affiliated with the Association.

I put on my mask, perfected my outfit, and floated in the sky.

To announce my glorious return.

"Now. Let's start a terror attack after a long time."

This terror attack had two purposes.

One was to announce that I was active again as a member of Kathedal.

The other was to meet Stardus legally...

After setting up dozens of cameras floating around me.

I smiled wickedly.

And as I turned on the broadcast, I opened my mouth.

"Hello everyone, this is Egostic!"

I have returned.