Chapter 375 - Turning Weakness Into Strength

# Breaking News: S-Rank Hero Stardust Defeats Europe's Most Feared Villain

Castrum, Europe's worst villain who even five S-rank heroes together could barely force to retreat, has finally fallen.

Known as the Master of the Fortress, he had terrorized European society with his incredible endurance that never faltered and overwhelming attacks.

And now, he has finally been defeated.

Not after a fierce battle... but by a single hero. In just minutes, in an instant.

And that hero?

She was an S-rank hero from a previously quiet country in the East.

A member of the Korean Hero Association.

S-rank hero, Stardust.

The woman who defeated Castrum with just a few punches.

In an instant, she became the talk of the world, including Europe.

[Breaking news! Castrum, known as Europe's worst villain who terrorized European society, has fallen. The fact that he was defeated by a Korean hero named Stardust is causing a huge shock. What is the identity of this woman who defeated in just minutes someone that multiple S-rank heroes couldn't beat together? Today's news is about Stardust...]

Immediately becoming the top story on every news outlet's prime time broadcast.

The entire world turned its attention to this superhuman hero who appeared like a comet.

[Actually, this isn't the first time Stardust has made headlines. She previously stopped an attack by the religious group Wolganggyo. She was already a ranked hero, but since she only operated in her home country, people weren't aware of how strong she really was...]

[Experts analyzing the footage say Stardust possesses 'strength that defies common sense' and appears to be superior in one-on-one combat compared to any hero we've seen so far...]

Honestly, it was kind of funny how everyone was getting so fired up over defeating just one villain. No matter how strong he was, it was still just one villain, and this alone wasn't enough for a complete evaluation.

However.

A villain so powerful that European heroes ranked in the top 10 couldn't defeat him even after gathering together and fighting for hours, only managing to exhaust him enough to make him retreat.

'Hnnnngh!'

'Aaaaarrrrggghhh!'

The sight of him being pathetically sent flying by just a few punches from her and collapsing was enough to stir the hearts of many people.

And this...

...naturally caused an even bigger commotion in her home country, which had known about Stardust all along.

Especially the nationalist YouTube channels.

[[SHOCKING][ASTOUNDING] The reason why the whole world is in confusion and shock over SSS-rank super hero Stardust, born in the Republic of Korea? American expert: "Stardust is one of the greatest figures in the world... America would even give up its president to have her!" The reason why the whole world is crying and wailing just to see her face!!!]

[Japan grabbed Korea's pant leg and shed tears and snot after seeing Stardust!!! Secret file of Japanese Prime Minister: "Japan will surrender unconditionally. We will live in atonement to Korea for the rest of our lives" statement exclusively obtained by National Love TV! Will Korea's unification of Asia happen next month?!]

[The identity of Stardust who shocked America, frightened Japan, made France faint, made England wail, made China cautious, and made India anxious?! Stardust: "I will stay in Korea... Korea is my homeland." The Korean Peninsula cried thanks to the patriotic girl Stardust!]

"Wow."

In the Ego-stream living room.

After checking the news on YouTube, I squinted at the recommended videos.

...The titles alone gave me a headache. How much fabricated content is in those titles? Besides, I've never really watched that kind of content, so why is it showing up in my recommendations?

Putting down my phone, I crossed my legs, sighed, and fell into thought.

...Actually, not everything in those nationalist videos is completely wrong.

After all, Stardust is currently the center of attention. The whole world must be watching her, right?

The current talk among people goes like this:

'Stardust might be the strongest among all heroes.'

Heroes all have different abilities. There are heroes specialized in strength like Stardust, but there are also heroes with special abilities. Like Dungeon Maker among ability users, who can create and trap people in alternate dimensions.

Because of this, it's impossible to rank heroes simply by strength. Ex Machina, who has no physical power but can turn back time, was unofficially considered the number one hero until now.

However.

The strength Stardust displayed was absolutely overwhelming.

Against Castrum, who specialized in defense and was famous for his endurance, even winning after hours of neck-and-neck fighting would be considered impressive.

But defeating him in just a few minutes with one or two punches?

'She's on a different level.'

Everyone couldn't help but think that.

That's why the world was showing such intense interest.

Just how strong is this hero called Stardust?

In the hero ranking where the top position constantly changes without any hero particularly standing out, no one has shown such overwhelming skill as her until now.

"Ughhhh."

While I was thinking about this.

...Seo-eun, who was checking public opinion on her smartphone from under the sofa, handed me her phone with a groan.

"...Haah. People are really going crazy. Especially your fan cafe and everyone's obsession... ugh."

She said, handing me her phone.

*

[Like if your life's greatest pride is being born in the 'country that has Stardust' lolol]

(Photo of Stardust in battle)

Like if you think she's just a god lololol

=[Comments]=

[This is so funny lolololol]

[How did Korea become the country with the #1 ranked hero lololol Awesome lololol]

ㄴ[That's not confirmed yet, is it?]

ㄴ[It's confirmed in my heart, bye]

[I didn't know she was that strong, but seeing her take down that overhyped Castrum, she's really powerful lol He collapsed after just 3 hits lol]

[I thought Stardust << was only fighting Korean villains so I thought Korean villains were weak, but I was wrong lol]

ㄴ[For real lol]

ㄴ[Come to think of it, maybe it was foreshadowing that the country was doing fine with just one S-rank hero?]

ㄴ[That's because there was another person who was practically an S-rank hero lol]

ㄴ[ㄴNow that I think about it, that's true lol]

ㄴ[ㄴㄴSeriously, why are you leaving out S-rank hero Apple Mango lol]

*

*

[The person who raised Stardust]

(Photo of Egostic with his back turned, cape fluttering)

Ah Mango... it's you again?

G O A T

=[Comments]=

[The Great Mango]

[Seriously being constantly reevaluated lol How did he manage to face her for years lol]

ㄴ[He's trending overseas for that too lol They're saying he kept escaping from Stardust without getting caught lol]

[Personal opinion) I didn't understand why Mangostick liked Stardust so much, but now I get it lol How far ahead were you looking, GOAT...]

[It's not like Mango saved Stardust's life just once or twice lol]

[Stardust coin going up again lolol]

*

"....."

It was strange how posts from my fan cafe somehow ended up praising me...

'Well, this is what I wanted anyway.'

As I was thinking that and about to hand the phone back to Seo-eun.

"Oppa. But didn't you dislike how Stardust was becoming famous before because other foreign villains might invade? Is this okay now?"

To Seo-eun's question, I smiled and answered.

"The situation has changed now."

"Changed how?"

The changed situation is that I've now joined Kathedal, the global villain alliance.

In the original story, South Korea had no villains affiliated with Kathedal.

That meant any random member of Kathedal could start invading.

But now the situation has changed.

I'm an executive of Kathedal, in quite an important position.

This means other villains affiliated with Kathedal can't invade this place without my permission to face Stardust. And among villains not affiliated with Kathedal... there's no one to worry about yet.

So revealing Stardust's strength now is actually good for my plan. Everyone needs to know about Stardust's strength in advance. Especially...

'It benefits me right now too.'

My position within Kathedal is actually quite established. I've revealed high-level information so far and pretended to hide my strength while hanging around with Atlas, and now I've secured my position as Celeste's trusted aide.

If there's one controversial issue about me, it's what I've been doing in South Korea for the past 5 years facing just one hero named Stardust. Without even killing a single civilian.

And I've turned that weakness around.

I've transformed the fact that I've only faced Stardust into something impressive—that I've been able to face Stardust all this time.

"So now... things are different."

If even being Stardust's arch-enemy becomes part of my accomplishments, I have nothing to worry about now.

It means I can more confidently position myself as Celeste's right-hand man and get more involved in Kathedal.

That way, my plan to prevent the apocalypse will be one step closer to completion...

"Now... shall we get a little closer more actively?"

To Celeste.

With that thought, I prepared for the next Kathedal meeting.

Quietly smiling.