Chapter 414 - The Final War (1)

# Time flows quickly.

Before I knew it.

Sun God's Descent, D-1.

"Alright! Is everyone ready?"

The Sun God Invasion Countermeasures Headquarters was busier than ever.

Employees hurriedly moving countless documents, and numerous heroes and villains with stern expressions giving various instructions.

And watching that scene.

"...Wow. Really, tomorrow is the day..."

Our Ego-stream members were observing from the sidelines.

What they were doing now was having final consultations with neighboring countries about how to protect their own nations against the Sun God.

Our country wasn't concerned since our Ego-stream members and the Korean Association would handle everything, but they were double-checking their instructions until the end.

All because of the message from above: 'On the day of the Sun God War, there's a high probability that all countries will be attacked by angels.'

And of course, I was the one who gave those instructions. As always, based on ancient texts and prophecies.

Anyway, I smiled at Seo-eun who was staring blankly in that direction, placed my hand on her head and said.

"Why, are you nervous?"

"...Nervous? Not at all. I'm actually excited that the time has finally come. It'll all be over after tomorrow. Hehe... I'll finally get to use the final form of my weapon, Deus Breaker."

Despite her obviously nervous expression, she denied it with a smile. Next to her, Ha-yul also chuckled and said.

"That's right. It's like... how I felt a few days before taking the college entrance exam, wishing it would just be today already. I'm nervous but... I just want it to be over."

After Ha-yul's words.

Each of our Ego-stream members started to speak up.

"Yeah. When those bastards come? I'm just gonna crush them all."

Choi Se-hee said with a grin, raising her fist while her orange hair fluttered.

"Yawn... how annoying. I just want this to be over quickly."

Seo Ja-young said with a completely relaxed expression, hands in her hoodie pockets.

[Hahaha! Finally, I can send some friends to join my wife in the afterlife!]

The Death Knight old man said, banging on his thick black armor.

"Ah. The fate of my clan is finally approaching."

Even the Spirit Lady, muttering something incomprehensible with her eyes closed.

Truly. They were always my reliable Ego-stream members.

In the end, I ended up staying with them until the very end.

...When I first gathered them, I never thought this day would come.

While I was thinking that.

Someone stepped forward and spoke to me.

"Da-in."

"...Su-bin."

With a gentle smile.

As always, Su-bin smiled warmly at me and spoke with a comforting voice.

"We'll protect Korea, so don't worry and just do what you need to do. Understood?"

"...Thank you, Su-bin."

As I was answering.

From up ahead, I heard a loud voice calling me.

"Egostic! You need to come for the final inspection now!"

It seems it's time to go.

"...Come back safely. Understood?"

I nodded at Su-bin's words, full of affection and concern for me.

This would probably be the last time I'd see our Ego-stream members before the Sun God War.

...I hope I can return safely and see everyone smiling again.

With that thought, I said goodbye to everyone.

"Oppa! You have to catch him quickly and come back safely, okay?"

"Da-in. Take care. Don't die."

"Ahem... Da-in. Return safely."

[Da-in, warrior whom I acknowledge. Return with honor after claiming victory like a true warrior!]

...Geez, anyone would think I'm the one fighting.

I smiled and told everyone I would, waving my hand.

Just as I was about to leave.

"Da-in."

"Yes?"

Su-bin, who briefly held me back, quietly whispered something near me.

"After everything is over and you return, you have to answer what we talked about, okay?"

"Ah."

After saying that, she gave me a mischievous smile unlike her usual self.

She waved her hand and saw me off with a smile.

"Take care, Da-in~!"

"Haha. Yes... I'll be back."

With those words, I walked away with the staff escorting me.

Well, let's go.

To the final battlefield where the last battle will unfold.

***

Whoooooosh

Somewhere in America, on a wide-open plain.

There, I was standing on a huge cliff, facing the blowing wind.

"Yes, the preparations seem perfect."

"Thank you, Egostic!"

After writing something on paper, the agent disappeared somewhere.

I stood at the edge of the cliff and carefully looked down.

"Phew..."

Orange grass spread out below, and in the center, six massive Divine Moon Cannons were arranged in a large circle.

That vast space is where the battle with the Sun God will take place.

The control tower itself is located far from here to prepare for the battle's aftermath. But anyway, it will be somewhere nearby.

"....."

My hands are cold.

I put my hands in my pockets and checked the plan one last time.

This is what will happen tomorrow.

First, the Sun God will descend at noon tomorrow, when the sun is at its highest.

After that, the Sun God's forces will launch a full-scale attack worldwide.

And here, Stardust will fight the Sun God. Fight and win.

Because she won in the original story when she was much weaker than she is now.

After the Sun God retreats, world peace.

And then.

"....."

This is something I haven't told anyone yet.

As the extremely weakened Sun God flees and his influence diminishes, the abilities of paranormal users worldwide will gradually disappear.

Although it will take decades for everyone's abilities to completely vanish...

Still, that's better than everyone dying.

Better than a world where, like in the original story, only a few people with abilities remain.

While I was thinking about that.

"Egostic."

When I heard a familiar voice behind me.

I turned around with a smile.

"Stardust."

"What were you doing?"

"I was doing the final inspection."

With her blonde hair.

Wearing the red and blue suit she's worn since her early hero days. The one who came to see me.

Stardust, Shin Ha-ru.

Looking at her standing there with blue eyes gazing at me, I found myself asking her.

"Stardust. Are you nervous?"

"Nervous? Hmm... I am nervous. Of course. But..."

Saying that.

She grinned and told me.

"But Egostic, because you're here. Somehow I know everything will work out well. So I'm not that nervous."

She said that while fidgeting with her hands.

I looked at Stardust saying such things with somehow different eyes than usual.

A hero who hadn't been one for long. A hero without fans.

A-rank hero Stardust.

A hero who wasn't very famous except for being pretty with blonde hair.

Rather, a hero who was criticized for not properly protecting people while receiving tax money. A hero whose identity was even revealed, threatened by everyone.

However, despite all that.

Always thinking of citizens before herself.

Never breaking down in front of any powerful enemy.

Even when everything around her disappears, she endures until the end, gets up, looks only forward, and continues to protect the world.

A true hero. A hero.

I really liked reading about her in the comics.

Perhaps because I knew such a character couldn't exist in reality.

And. When suddenly one day, that comic book world became reality.

If there was one consolation for me who had lost everything and was in despair.

It was that Stardust had really become real.

When I lost my life and fell into despair.

I decided that since this life was already forfeit. Given the situation, I decided.

I would dedicate this life to Stardust.

Although she was weak and criticized by everyone. For her who foolishly only looked forward and ran ahead. Instead of the thorny path of the original story. I would step up and lay a flower path for her.

Even if it meant becoming a villain myself.

Even if it meant giving up my life.

That's how I got here now.

Stardust didn't experience any of the despair she should have originally faced. Instead of being criticized, she became the most popular hero in Korea. Now, she has become humanity's hope that the whole world relies on.

My role ends here, I suppose.

'After capturing the Sun God, what should I do...'

As abilities weaken and the number of villains decreases. Now I can travel freely with my Ego-stream colleagues. Have a serious conversation with Stardust, Ha-ru too. Maybe I could even live with her. Visit resorts I couldn't go to because I was busy. It would be nice if Ha-ru and the others became close too.

And I should seriously respond to the feelings of the Ego-stream members. ...Although it seemed like many things would happen. I knew that would be the path to happiness.

And now, they can be happy without me.

There was no more hesitation.

"Stardust."

"Yes."

"I believe in you. Tomorrow, let's smash that Sun God or whatever."

"...Yes."

Seeing her respond confidently to my words as if it was obvious, I smiled.

Yes.

Now is the time to end everything.

And so.

Another day passed as I made final checks.

Finally.

The day of destiny dawned.