Chapter 401 - War With The Gods

# Declaration of the Sun God's Destruction

As people fell into confusion and fear due to the overwhelming difference in power, even high-ranking members of society were gripped by terror... As a result, even the government, which should have been leading them, remained silent.

At that very moment, the video was broadcast live worldwide.

[Citizens of the world, this is Lucia, Director of the International Association.]

In the office of the International Association Director.

Under the title 'Association Director's Statement,' she stood there in a formal suit, speaking toward the camera.

"Honey! Look at this, the World Association representative is making an announcement right now!"

"What? Uh, what is she saying!"

In the midst of such overwhelming fear, people desperately searching for anything to cling to paid attention to the broadcast.

The video, broadcast with real-time translations on every network worldwide through the International Association's authority, quickly surpassed tens of millions of viewers and continued to climb.

And in this situation.

The Association Director delivered serious messages with a calm expression.

[Right now, the entire world is facing a crisis, under attack by an overwhelming being who calls himself the Sun God.]

[Therefore, our International Association is issuing the highest possible alert level. From this moment on, we order worldwide preparations equivalent to wartime conditions during the six months until the god's invasion.]

[And along with that, I have one more thing to tell you.]

With those words.

The Director took a deep breath.

Then made a statement that shocked everyone listening.

[This calamity that has befallen us affects everyone in the world. It is truly a fight against a common enemy of all humanity.]

[In other words, in this situation, all of humanity must stand together regardless of sides.]

[Therefore, our Association declares as of today.]

[...The International Hero Association will form a temporary alliance with the villain group Kathedal. Together, we will fight against our common enemy.]

And so.

While everyone was in shock at the unprecedented announcement of an alliance between heroes and villains that no one had ever imagined before...

On screen, with the sound of clicking footsteps.

From the side, a cold-faced woman with silver hair in pure white clothing appeared.

"Gasp...!"

Those who recognized her identity couldn't help but hold their breath.

Because this woman was none other than the one called the world's strongest villain... a mysterious villain shrouded in secrecy.

The leader of Kathedal, Celeste.

[Our heroes and villains will join forces to prepare with all our might for this calamity that has befallen us. So citizens of the world, please feel free to continue with your daily lives. The Earth is safe!]

With the Director's passionate voice.

And Celeste nodding with her eyes closed and an inscrutable cold expression.

...It seemed inevitable that the image of these two shaking hands would grace the front pages of newspapers across the world tomorrow.

And then.

[...Ahem. That was the official position of the Hero Association. Next, we will hear Kathedal's statement. This will be delivered by Kathedal's official spokesperson. Just a moment...]

With those words from the Director, the screen went dark.

...What appeared next against a white background was.

None other than the man who had been receiving the most attention recently after Celeste. The man even called Kathedal's real power... In some parts of the country where he operated, there were even rumors that he might be an S-class hero.

Wearing a black hat and a white mask. Smiling inappropriately for the situation.

[Hello everyone. I'm Egostic.]

South Korea's S-class villain, Egostic.

He appeared on screen with a bright greeting in front of everyone.

***

The Association Director's official statement.

In truth, it was a speech focused on organizing the situation and reassuring people. The essential point was the unprecedented cooperation with the villain alliance.

And while this helped people calm down somewhat, it wasn't enough for the situation.

In that moment.

While everyone was paying attention.

...Egostic was speaking to everyone in a calm, serious voice.

[Everyone. Humanity is facing a life-or-death crisis. Someone claiming to be a god is trying to destroy us, with doomsday predicted in 180 days.]

[A god, of all beings, is directly expressing anger and wanting to kill us. Honestly, it seems hopeless.]

"....."

People gathered all over the world watching this broadcast.

The faces of those who had held slight hope began to darken as Egostic continued his negative words.

And then.

Egostic, continuing calmly,

Suddenly grinned and said:

[But you know what, everyone...]

[Don't you find this infuriating?]

"...?"

The sudden shift to casual vocabulary.

In this changed atmosphere, Egostic continued speaking with an incredulous smile.

[No, think about it. What did we do to deserve this tantrum? Humans are disgusting? In my opinion, isn't this guy who's suddenly throwing a fit at us more disgusting? Making a fuss about killing us without any warning. Talk about mood swings.]

To everyone, the god who had earlier overwhelmed them with fear and awe.

But as this god was being sharply mocked by Egostic, people tensed up, worried that divine punishment might strike him during the live broadcast.

...Surprisingly, as time passed, nothing happened to Egostic.

As if the god was unaware of this, or as if it was insignificant.

"Phew..."

As citizens who thought they were about to witness someone die on live broadcast relaxed.

...A seed of thought began to sprout in their minds.

That the god was somewhat incompetent, unable to even know when someone was badmouthing him.

And that feeling.

Soon led people to think differently, just as Egostic intended.

'...Yeah. Why is this so-called god suddenly throwing a tantrum?'

Doubt.

And anger.

Though both negative emotions, they were much more active than passive fear.

In this situation.

Realizing that no harm had come to him, Egostic smirked and continued his scathing remarks.

[So, can someone who isn't even omnipotent, who just spouts insults and runs away... can such a being really be called a god? No. I think this guy is just an immature brat pretending to be a god.]

After criticizing the god even more scathingly for several minutes.

Finally.

Looking directly at the camera, he began to deliver his final message.

[Therefore, everyone, I would like to make one suggestion.]

[Are we going to just sit here crying and taking it from this self-proclaimed god who's throwing a tantrum?]

[Are we just going to get beaten and die as he wants?]

"...No, we won't."

And so.

During the long broadcast, those persuaded by Egostic unconsciously muttered such words.

Egostic, as if he had heard them, grinned and said:

[No, we won't.]

[We must fight to the end.]

After presenting this direction, he continued.

[...Honestly, a majestic god? From what we've seen, he seems to want to tear us apart right now, but he said he'd kill us in 6 months. Why is that? Did he suddenly become generous? Not likely.]

[It's simply because he lacks power. Otherwise, why drag it out? He wants us to waste our energy panicking in fear and maybe some of us will die early. What he wants is chaos. Because it would be troublesome if we all united against him.]

Then naturally, he began giving people hope.

Suggesting that the god might actually be weak, persuading them that they could win.

Because humans are creatures who can cling to even the slightest hope in desperate situations.

Finally.

The highlight of his speech arrived.

[Therefore, everyone! I, Egostic, declare on behalf of Kathedal. To face this psychopath who calls himself a god, we villains will gladly cooperate with the heroes.]

[Everyone. Humanity has continuously faced great challenges throughout history. Now, it's time for the greatest challenge in history.]

In Seoul, Paris, New York, Tokyo, London, Sydney, and all major cities worldwide. On screens watched by countless gathered people.

Egostic raised his hand.

With an impassioned tone, he shouted to everyone:

[Heroes, villains, ability users, and ordinary citizens of the world! Let's all join forces and fight against this self-proclaimed god!]

Waaaaaaaaah!

And though he couldn't hear it.

With his final words, intense reactions erupted worldwide.

This would later be known as Kathedal's Declaration of Holy War.

***

"Well done, Egostic. Ahem... You're quite the speaker."

"Whew... Finally finished."

After the speech ended.

After turning off the camera, I collapsed onto the nearby sofa and muttered.

One piece of the variable of destruction: social collapse. My speech was prepared to transform people's anxiety into anger, to prevent humans from self-destructing before the god could directly strike them down.

Checking my phone quickly, the reaction seemed good... but of course, this has its limits. It's like temporary anesthesia. Anger could turn back into anxiety at any time.

Still, we just need to hold out for 6 months.

We'll eventually reveal more information about the gods to the public, as well as our hope, Stardust.

And other chaos will have to be handled in detail by the government through martial law or whatever means.

"...Good. Have we handled everything that needed to be done right after the declaration of destruction?"

It wasn't easy.

"Haah..."

Leaning back on the sofa with a deep sigh.

As I quietly thought about the Director's message that Celeste had already left to handle other matters.

Good. Now that the urgent matters are taken care of.

I think I'll go meet Stardust.