Chapter 367 - Glorious Return

Under a bright blue sky bathed in sunlight, a man stood in the air above the city, his black cape fluttering as he looked down.

Cameras captured him, broadcasting the footage nationwide.

As the entire country watched him.

The villain who had been absent for the past half year, once the most popular in the Republic of Korea.

Egostic.

He had finally returned after a long wait.

"Hello everyone. This is Egostic!"

And.

The people's reaction.

It was absolutely ecstatic.

*

[THE KING IS BACK. THE KING IS BACK. THE KING IS BACK. THE KING IS BACK. THE KING IS BACK. THE KING IS BACK. THE KING IS BACK.]

[Let's go~ Let's go~ Let's go~ Let's go~ Let's go~ Let's go~ Let's go~ Let's go~ Let's go~ Let's go~ Let's go~ Let's go~]

[Is Mango a god? The gods answered that question. "Dad, how should we answer?" Is Mango a god? The gods answered that question. "Dad, how should we answer?"]

[200 days miracle 200 days miracle 200 days miracle 200 days miracle 200 days miracle 200 days miracle 200 days miracle 200 days miracle 200 days miracle]

[The hero community welcomes the return of S-class hero Mangostick The hero community welcomes the return of S-class hero Mangostick The hero community welcomes the return of S-class hero Mangostick]

[Wait... why am I crying? Wait... why am I crying? Wait... why am I crying? Wait... why am I crying? Wait... why am I crying?]

[Welcome back we've been waiting only for you GOAT Welcome back we've been waiting only for you GOAT Welcome back we've been waiting only for you GOAT]

[Like if you're a Team Mango member who's reached enlightenment LOL Like if you're a Team Mango member who's reached enlightenment LOL Like if you're a Team Mango member who's reached enlightenment LOL]

[Egostic is the king of Kathedal~ Egostic is the king of Kathedal~ Egostic is the king of Kathedal~ Egostic is the king of Kathedal~ Egostic is the king of Kathedal~ Egostic is the king of Kathedal~]

*

Looking at the dizzying chat that was flooding with these messages,

I, Egostic, smiled bitterly and sighed inwardly.

...This place is really the same as ever.

Yeah. This is exactly what my broadcast chat should be like. What else could I expect?

Well, this was all part of the memories.

Maybe it's because I'm returning to terrorism after more than half a year, but I'm feeling somewhat nostalgic. Standing at the top of the blue sky, surrounded by cameras and speaking like this—it's been a really long time.

After briefly indulging in those sentiments, I smiled again, faced the camera with arms spread wide, and began my presentation.

I still had a job to do.

"Yes, everyone. It's been a while! That's right. I'm back! Have you all been waiting? Haha, those who haven't been waiting are in for a disappointment! Because I've returned completely!"

As soon as I finished speaking, white flare-like objects were fired from the sky, bursting behind me with loud pops.

This was also one of the items supported by Kathedal. Some kind of sacred light visible even in broad daylight. For reference, I'm currently using it as a firework substitute to great effect. Having backing really is nice. Kathedal's budget is the best...!

With the holy-feeling white light from the flares making the sky around me turn as white as if white ink had been spilled.

I smiled broadly and began by clarifying that I had come as a member of Kathedal.

"Yes! The reason I've returned is simple—I've partnered with Kathedal, created by the world-class villain Celeste!"

Along with my words, Kathedal's logo appeared simultaneously on the broadcast.

After emphasizing my affiliation with Kathedal, I continued speaking.

"I actually wasn't planning to appear again after last time... but I received a great opportunity from Celeste to conquer the Republic of Korea together! Now, as an executive of Kathedal, I'll be facing all of you."

"And... it seems my old friend is coming from over there."

I said this while raising the corners of my mouth.

On the opposite side of the sky.

A woman with blonde hair fluttering in the wind was flying toward us.

Stardus.

She was coming this way.

*

[Wow, finally the legendary Star-Mango duo is back LOL]

[I've been waiting so long for this moment ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

[Now, even if I die, I have no regrets~ (falls over)]

[Wow, isn't this their first reunion in almost 200 days? Can't wait to see their reaction LOL]

*

I glanced at the rapidly scrolling chat and tried to maintain my composure.

...Well, it's not our first meeting... we already met last time and did all sorts of things.

Of course, I couldn't let that slip, so I tried my best to act as if nothing had happened.

And in the meantime.

"Egostic..."

"Hello, Ms. Stardus. It's been a while!"

Stardus.

Finally, she arrived before me.

"..."

"....."

The moment our eyes met, she gave me an affectionate look that only I could see.

As if it never happened, she immediately hardened her expression again.

Then she spoke to me in an icy cold voice, just as frigidly as before.

"...You. Didn't you say you would never appear before me again? Why are you standing in front of me now?"

A voice so cold it could freeze just by hearing it.

...It was perfect acting—anyone who didn't know better would immediately be convinced she hated me.

To be honest, it gave me chills...

Of course, I just responded to her words with a playful smile.

"Hahaha! This is embarrassing. I actually intended to do that, but Kathedal offered me such a good opportunity. They said they would fully support me in conquering the Republic of Korea—how could I refuse?"

"You worthless trash..."

At my words, she muttered in a low voice with a stern face.

...But the problem was that from here on, her acting seemed to become difficult, as she started giving me apologetic looks.

I should probably end this conversation soon. Yeah. This should be enough of an alibi.

As if reading my thoughts.

Stardus soon began speaking to me in a cold voice.

"Whatever, that's enough. I will end your villainy here and now."

With those words.

Behind her, the silhouettes of various people began to appear one by one.

They were dozens of heroes who had followed Stardus to capture me.

More specifically...

They were members led by my Ego-squad members, whom I had notified in advance.

-Bow.

After arriving, Lee Se-geom, our No. 1, gave me a small, invisible bow.

Good. All the pieces are in place.

Now it's time to start the play.

Looking at the many heroes standing before me.

I smiled broadly, raised my hand, and opened my mouth.

"Haha! It seems quite a lot of you have come just to catch me... Actually, Kathedal has provided me with quite a bit of support."

"So, let's see if you can stop this army of heaven."

With those words, I snapped my fingers.

And simultaneously.

Swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh

Behind me, soldiers of heaven with white egg-ghost-like faces began to be summoned instantly.

"-------."

"-------."

"-------."

After a short time passed.

Hundreds of white clones with small wings stood behind me, filling the sky.

In front of them.

I stood proudly with my arms crossed, my cape fluttering.

A situation where dozens of heroes faced hundreds of soldiers.

A tense atmosphere where a fight could break out at any moment.

And this situation.

'...Everything is going according to plan.'

It was all intentional.

Originally, I no longer needed to actively carry out terrorism. Now that Stardus's power was on track, I would have already retired under normal circumstances. I would have just given orders from behind the scenes, not appearing at the forefront like now.

However.

...As Stardus and I somehow developed this kind of relationship, the situation changed.

This was all just a show anyway.

I just needed to show the world that I was fulfilling my mission as a Kathedal executive in the invasion of Korea, and that the Association was successfully stopping me.

That's how this conspiracy began.

The conclusion I ultimately reached was this:

Have the Ego-squad, that is, the heroes, fight against my army of heaven.

...More precisely, I ordered both sides to just pretend to fight spectacularly, like a mock training exercise. There was no need to be serious. We just needed to deceive the eyes of the world.

And.

If Stardus and I disappeared under the pretext of fighting separately in this situation...?

Ta-da.

The birth of a legitimate hero-villain meeting.

I told this plan to Stardus, and she readily agreed. After all, it was a good story where no casualties would occur.

...And it was also an opportunity for us to meet.

So, according to plan, I started the grand show.

"Very well. You want to fight. Go, my soldiers of heaven. Show those arrogant heroes a lesson!"

I commanded my heavenly soldiers.

"This is war!"

...I don't know who it was, but at one hero's cry, they also filled with cheers of "Wooaah!"

Finally, they charged at each other.

The battle between heroes and Kathedal soldiers began.

...More precisely, since it was a battle between Ego-squad members and my summons, it was a battle where they pretended to fight fiercely without killing each other.

And in that chaotic situation.

Stardus, with her blonde hair fluttering, shouted loudly.

"I'll focus on capturing Egostic! All other heroes concentrate on dealing with those monsters!"

"Yes, Ms. Stardus!"

"Ha, you're going to catch me? Well... try if you can!"

I laughed as I teleported away, disappearing from the cameras.

"You!"

Stardus also flew after me at the speed of light, vanishing from the screen.

And our figures were not seen again until the battle ended.

***

So in that sky far away from the city, where no cameras were present.

...There, having left everyone behind, I was finally able to have time alone with Stardus for the first time since our last meeting.

"Egostic!"

As soon as I teleported to this sky, Stardus came rushing toward me through the clouds with a smile.

"Haha, Ms. Stardus."

Just as I spoke.

-Whoosh

She flew straight into my arms and embraced me.

With her head against my chest, her arms tightly wrapped around my waist.

"I missed you..."

Looking at her murmuring in my arms, I also smiled and embraced her.

To be honest, I was still a bit surprised by her affection toward me. Until a few weeks ago, we were clearly enemies.

...But, because she had the courage to reach out to me.

I also decided to take one more step forward with courage.

"I missed you too. ...Ha-ru."

At my words as I held her.

She blushed slightly and gave me a beautiful smile.

And so.

Our first date began.

...And.

Until then, I didn't know,

"Egostic. What exactly is your relationship with Lee Seol-ah?"

That things would turn out like this.