Chapter BONUS - Side Story. Return Of The Stars (9)

# Egostic's Bridge Terror Ends Successfully

"Selfish everyone, this explosion is for you. Congratulations to all!!!"

BOOOOOM

Shin Ha-ru, who had been dispatched to the scene, had no particular thoughts even while witnessing the sensational sight of the Han River bridge exploding.

...She knew that behind this bridge terror was the Behemoth incident.

The incident where a giant monster, a bizarre experimental creature of Han-Eun Group, had escaped.

This bridge was exactly in the path of that monster's vertical advance, so destroying the bridge prevented countless casualties.

As such, she didn't have any particular feelings about the terror act itself.

However, unlike the previous timeline, what disappointed her was that he didn't give her any opportunity to intervene in this terror attack.

'Originally, he had several cars caught in the explosion, and I went to stop it...'

It was still a fond memory when Da-in slightly stopped a car with his ability when she, whose powers were still weak then, almost missed saving one. That day marked the beginning of her serious suspicions about Egostic.

'Come to think of it, didn't he originally hand out 100,000 won each during this bridge terror?'

The aftermath of the changed airplane terror must have been bigger than expected, as the amount Da-in distributed per person decreased to 50,000 won...

Of course, it seemed people still took the money and the bridge was destroyed anyway. Or maybe not? Someone like Da-in might have destroyed it even if he couldn't gather enough people.

Anyway... to conclude.

"Sigh..."

She felt bad.

...It might seem like a random conclusion, but it was true.

First of all, when she stopped all those planes during the previous airplane terror... she didn't even get praised!

'I mean, he could have come and told me I did well like during the train incident...'

And patted her head too... huh?

But none of that happened. She hadn't even seen him since that day.

...She belatedly regretted not collapsing after stopping all the planes. Come to think of it, Egostic probably didn't approach her because she was standing there perfectly fine.

And worse... she couldn't even see him up close during this bridge terror!

'Seriously, what's with threatening to blow up the bridge if I come close...'

Of course, he said the same thing in the previous timeline. That's why she waited patiently. She knew she'd have a chance to see him toward the end of the terror anyway.

But unlike before, Da-in cleared away all the cars that would have been caught in the bridge explosion, and simply destroyed the bridge cleanly before teleporting away.

So, in reality, Stardust wasn't involved in the terror at all.

It had been quite a while since she had directly spoken with Da-in.

And the intervals were basically three months apart. Going from seeing each other daily to once every three months, what kind of nonsense was that?

Anyway, as a result.

"I can't stand it..."

She was in a state close to frustration.

She wanted to be held by Egostic.

She wanted to lie down with him and chat about the day's events until they fell asleep.

She wanted to hold his hand and feel his body heat...

'Wait, my thoughts are heading in a dangerous direction.'

Of course, she was the type to restrain herself even when her thoughts wandered like this.

Nevertheless... she couldn't stop the burning inside.

Especially since if she kept dragging this out, the women with Da-in might all fall for him in the meantime. She didn't want unnecessary fights...

"Sigh..."

Anyway, she needed a way to release these suppressed emotions...

"ARRRRGHHH!"

"Stardust... how could you!"

"I'll release all the hostages and money bags! Please just spare my life!"

The result was more aggressive villain-bashing.

According to her goal of creating a better world than the previous timeline—she didn't even need to control her strength. She just smashed any villain that appeared.

'In the news... Apple Mango? Hotel terror? That's interesting...'

That's why it was curious to her that, just like in the previous timeline, Da-in was involved with Monkey Spanner. There should be a butterfly effect, so how did something that happened in the previous timeline happen exactly the same way again?

Even though it was just a coincidence... she could think that she hadn't created enough change. If she had captured the villain Monkey Spanner earlier, it wouldn't have happened.

Therefore, she worked even harder.

[Shocking) Republic of Korea's Terror Rate Drops 50%... All Thanks to One Hero]

[Foreign Media Takes Notice of Stardust, What Kind of Person is She Who's Likely to Become Republic of Korea's First S-Class Hero?]

[China Sheds Tears and America Sends Love Calls! "Why Don't We Have Heroes Like Stardust?"]

As a result, her popularity has been rising lately.

[Egostic << Can't compare to this villain who just destroys bridges and causes traffic jams lol like if you agree]

...The public opinion had suddenly flipped, creating a contrasting situation where Egostic was being criticized for destroying the bridge.

But Stardust wasn't particularly worried.

After all, she knew his reputation would be reversed in an instant soon.

And that day came sooner than expected.

"Kee... KEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK... KEEEEEEK..."

A black monster suddenly appeared in the heart of Seoul.

...And even to the current Stardust, it gave a startling sense of intimidation, as it appeared and moved straight ahead...

"KEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!"

Only to fall into water and die pathetically.

"It's still creepy even now..."

Shin Ha-ru, who had been watching the entire scene from a building rooftop, muttered with a disgusted expression as she looked down.

...So, in a world without Egostic, I would have experienced all these disasters as they were.

How did I endure it...

Anyway, from this incident, as she had expected, public opinion flipped 180 degrees.

Suddenly, Egostic became a national hero again...!

[Egostic <<< Like if you believed in him from the beginning lol]

[Sorry for doubting you, Lord Mango... Thank you thank you thank you]

[Stardust Egostic << These two are just the alpha and omega of Republic of Korea lol]

[Recruiting for Egostic statue construction 1/100 people in progress]

"Haha..."

After watching the internet going wild in such a joyful atmosphere, she turned off her smartphone.

Then she stood up and looked at the scenery spread out before her.

Whoosh

Shin Ha-ru was positioned on the rooftop of a high-rise building in Seoul.

Looking at the orange-tinged cityscape from there, she smiled weakly as she felt the cold wind brushing against her suit.

...Finally, she had come this far.

Since she wasn't as smart as Da-in, she might have taken too roundabout a path. Perhaps there could have been faster ways to get close to Da-in.

But, just as when she was a hero.

She had always stubbornly moved forward in the direction she set for herself.

Having finally come this far, she was ready to change everything.

"Egostic... will soon investigate the Han-Eun Group underground."

In the previous timeline, we met there.

She met Egostic there, was surprised, and formed a temporary alliance...

She was trapped in a room where she couldn't use her abilities, and heard his true feelings.

She was betrayed by him, and then immediately... he threw himself to save her.

In that place...

She will now write a new history.

A history where Egostic and she are together from the beginning.

Click.

"...Director."

-Oh my! Our Stardust, what brings you here? Need something? Just tell me. I'll do anything!

"I want to explore the Han-Eun Group underground where that black monster appeared today, as soon as possible. Just me alone. Would that be possible?"

-Of course! Absolutely okay. Good luck!!

After receiving the Director's approval.

Ha-ru stood up, her blonde hair fluttering. With her eyes sparkling blue, she grinned.

It was time to reconnect with her lost husband.

* * *

-?????

-What is this?????

-Mangostick! Mangostick! Mangostick! Mangostick! Mangostick! Mangostick! Mangostick! Mangostick!

-New broadcast woohoo wwwwww

-Is he a mango god? Is he a mango god? Is he a mango god? Is he a mango god? Is he a mango god? Is he a mango god?

-Is this the broadcast of Apple Mango, Seoul's guardian and S-class hero like Stardust?

-Thank you thank you thank you thank you

-But where is this? Why is it so dark?

-What crazy stunt are you pulling today lol

"Hello everyone! Welcome to my live stream!"

Han-Eun Group underground.

There, wearing my mask and cape as always, I smiled as I read the chat while broadcasting.

Today's broadcast was for exploring the Han-Eun Group underground.

The item I'm looking for is sleeping here. To find it, I absolutely need to explore this place.

But...

'...Something feels strange.'

Looking at the Han-Eun Group underground that resembled a dark cave, I frowned slightly and thought.

Strangely, from the moment I saw this underground, my chest started hurting a bit like a stab. It was brief, but... I felt eerie for a moment. What is this? PTSD? I've never experienced anything like that.

Anyway, that wasn't important.

"Where is this place... Ta-da! It's the Han-Eun Group underground. Yes, the place that created that terrible disaster this time."

What's important is that I have a broadcast to do, and a divine connection to find!

...Lately my head has been complicated with thoughts and worries about Stardust, so let's power up here and refresh my mood... that's what I thought in this gloomy laboratory.

And exactly several tens of minutes later.

"Hello? Egostic."

"Stardust...?"

I came face to face with the source of my worries right there.

What? What is this?