Chapter 398 - Conversation With The Stars

A place somewhere, all white.

Sitting face to face with the Star God, Stardust was listening to the truth of the world from the deity.

In the beginning, there were three gods who created this world.

These three created the world and upon it made living beings called humans in their own image.

Thus, the three gods led humans and continued their lives peacefully.

The one called the Sun God bestowed special abilities upon humans to make them strong.

The one called the Moon God taught humans knowledge of magic to make them wise.

And the one called the Star God taught humans harmony and coexistence so they could love one another.

The golden age under the gods seemed to continue endlessly.

Until one god's heart changed.

"The Sun God Helios... he suddenly grew tired of humans."

He said they weren't fun anymore. That they should eliminate them all and use these resources to create other intelligent beings.

Naturally, the Star God opposed. How could he do such a thing? How could he so callously discard the creations made by their own hands?

"And so we continued to fight, endlessly... and the end of that fight was war."

Realizing they could not compromise, the two finally confronted each other in earnest.

The Moon God, neutral from the beginning, disappeared.

The fierce battle between the remaining two gods... finally ended with the Star God's victory.

"But... it was a victory full of wounds."

The Star God smiled bitterly as she said this.

The Star God finally succeeded in driving the Sun God outside the dimension of this world... but in the process, the Star God's body also suffered great damage.

To the point where it was difficult to maintain divine power anymore.

"However... I knew."

Someday. The Sun God would surely return.

And try to destroy this world once again.

So the Star God endured with weakened divine power, watching over humans and waiting for the time.

How many thousands of years have passed since then?

The existence of gods was forgotten from human memory due to the aftermath of the war, and on a day when peace seemed to have been achieved without gods.

Suddenly, the Sun God's power began to take root in this world again.

"...Supernatural abilities, I believe they're called. That power."

One of the powers that the Sun God had given in ancient times.

The power of the sun.

That ability suddenly began to be given to people in this world again.

That power that would bring chaos to the world.

"Then... I realized. Ah. The Sun God is getting closer to this world again."

Because his influence was manifesting in this world once more.

"But to fight him when he returns... my power was insufficient. I was already in an unstable state of existence."

Huhu.

Saying that, the Star God smiled weakly.

Enough to make Stardust's heart ache to see it.

"Therefore... I needed someone to protect this world in my place."

"Someone who would inherit my divine power in place of my weakened self and continue the mission of protecting this world."

As she said this, she waved her hand.

Above them spread a pure white Milky Way.

Looking up at this, the Star God pointed and continued her explanation.

"The world of gods... the divine realm is distinctly separated from the mortal realm. Therefore, the power gods can use to intervene in the mortal realm is limited. Though even that... would be enough to destroy this world."

"Anyway. I continued to look at the mortal realm, searching all over the world for someone to inherit my power to face the Sun God."

Saying that, the Star God looked warmly at Stardust and continued.

"Someone with a heart strong enough to drive evil from the world... with unwavering conviction."

"Righteous, who does not overlook injustice, kind, and resolute."

"Someone who could become the savior of this world."

Looking at her as she spoke with a benevolent smile.

Stardust quietly opened her mouth.

"...So that was me."

"Yes. That's right, Ha-ru. You were the right person to save this world."

"...But I'm not the kind of person you think I am..."

To Stardust's murmured words.

The god took her hand and spoke with a firm tone while smiling.

"No. Ha-ru. I don't make mistakes. You were the most right to receive this power."

...At the god's confident words, Stardust couldn't continue speaking.

Seeing Stardust like this, she smiled brightly.

And so the god continued speaking.

"Anyway, that's why I gave you almost all of my remaining divinity. The only power that can face the Sun."

'...Anyone, please. If there is even a god... give me power too. The power to defeat them.'

"In your childhood... when you lost your parents to villains, and you were crying while looking at the stars in the night sky. I called you here and spoke with you directly and gave it to you."

'...Who are you?'

'Hello. I am Siders, the Star God.'

"Although you don't seem to remember that day... how small you were then, and now you've grown up so wonderfully."

The Star God said this while stroking her hand with warm eyes and smiling.

"So... my daughter. Ha-ru. It's a difficult request, but I want to ask you here."

The god, who seemed to have finished speaking.

With a sincere tone, asked Stardust.

"Please. Will you stop the Sun God who is trying to destroy this world in my place?"

And to her.

Stardust answered calmly. But resolutely, with sincerity.

"Yes."

"Even without your request... if that's my duty, of course."

Stardust answered with a firm gaze.

And seeing her like this, the Star God.

"...."

With a satisfied look, nodded her head.

***

And so the story containing the secrets of this world that the Star God revealed came to an end.

By now, the Star God was warmly seeing off Ha-ru, who was standing again in the white space.

"Farewell, my daughter Ha-ru. I'm sorry for making such a difficult request."

"It's nothing. It's what I should do."

"Huhu... thank you. And if there's anything you want to ask before you go, ask now."

Given the opportunity to ask one last question before leaving.

Stardust had many questions, from the Star God's current physical condition to various other things...

But after hesitating, she asked something she had been curious about.

"...Egostic."

"Yes?"

"Ah, Egostic, I mean... Da-in. I know Da-in also received the power of stars... You said earlier that I was the only savior of this world. But I was wondering if he was also..."

To Stardust's question.

The Star God smiled faintly and quietly answered.

"Yes... he is also a savior."

...To be precise.

He is the savior of us all.

"Aha... what?"

To Stardust who couldn't hear the last part, the Star God just smiled and moved on.

"I'll tell you more about him later. ...By the way... Ha-ru."

"You like him, don't you?"

And suddenly, the god's question came straight to the point.

To the god who asked with a mischievous expression, Stardust, who hadn't expected this conversation, blushed and became flustered.

"Ah, that's not... well, it is true but..."

While Stardust was stammering.

"...."

The god, who had briefly smiled sadly.

Soon, as if it never happened, smiled again and opened her mouth.

"Huhu. I understand without you saying. Yes. Do as Ha-ru wishes."

"...Anyway, it's time for you to go now."

With those words, the Star God approached Stardust gently and stroked her head, saying:

"Farewell, my daughter."

"Please save this world with your power."

"...Yes."

In that somehow nostalgic feeling, Stardust felt warmth inside her and answered with a voice full of determination.

The beautiful god with eyes like blue jewels, looking down at her with a caring gaze while holding her in her arms.

In her embrace, Stardust quietly thought.

'...Star God.'

Although their meeting was brief, and the farewell was momentary.

During that time, Stardust felt as if she were in her mother's embrace and reaffirmed her mission.

I must save this world.

I must save this world.

Because that is the destiny given to me.

Stardust, after realizing her identity.

Full of her own determination, feeling her eyes gradually closing without her knowing in the warm energy... quietly strengthened her resolve.

Then.

'Ha-ru.'

'...Please, don't be afraid of farewells.'

Hearing the god's voice coming somehow faintly, she closed her eyes completely.

And so her consciousness flew somewhere.

It was time to return to the reality that was waiting for her.

***

After sending Stardust away.

In the empty white space, the Star God who had been looking at the place where she left finally coughed.

"...Cough, cough."

The yellow, glowing star dust on her hand as she covered her mouth while coughing.

"....."

After briefly watching the star dust on her hand turn black and fade away with a single gesture.

'Ah, th-that's not... well, it is true but...'

Recalling her last conversation with her daughter Stardust, she murmured bitterly.

"...I'm sorry, Ha-ru."

With those words.

She quietly left.

In the place where the Star God, Siders, had departed.

...Only the star dust that hadn't completely disappeared remained quietly on the floor.

***

[Kyaaaah! No, what do we do? Did the Sun God kill our Ha-ru?]

"Don't make a fuss, Icicle. That can't be."

"...Hahaha. Even Stardust has fallen. We're all doomed."

Republic of Korea Hero Association.

...After the Sun God's warning ended, when everyone was busy around Stardust who had suddenly collapsed.

"Ugh...."

A twitch.

Finally, Stardust opened her eyes.

"Oh! Stardust, you've finally woken up."

[Haah... thank goodness. Ha-ru, I was worried!]

Hearing the voices around her.

Stardust, who had woken up and was holding her head, looked around and asked.

"...How much time has passed?"

"Not much. You got up almost immediately after collapsing."

At the Director's answer.

Stardust, who had risen from her seat, looked at everyone and spoke in a clear voice.

"Then we don't have time for this. It must be very chaotic outside right now. Let's start the response protocol immediately."

With this.

With Stardust's words, the Republic of Korea's full-scale response began.

And.

...They say that Stardust's eyes were shining much brighter than before as she spoke.