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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Hero Poll
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[Hero Poll... Villain Egostic Makes 'Surprise Appearance' in Rankings.]
The hero poll conducted after the Moonlight Priestess's terror attack has been released.
This poll, conducted by asking 'Which hero is most trustworthy?', features a rather unique point of interest.
1st] Stardus
2nd] Shadow Walker
3rd] Egostic
4th] Icicle
5th] Borderman
(Photo: Korea ARS Research Lab Poll Results. Confidence Level 95%, Margin of Error ±3.0%)
As usual, A-class heroes line the top ranks, but the unusual point is the villain Egostic appearing in the rankings.
The polling agency was so flustered that they double-checked the results twice, truly a surprising outcome.
This can be interpreted as Egostic, despite being a villain, receiving a great deal of support and affection.
*
No. Why on earth is my name in a hero poll? Didn't someone specifically put my name down when they were taking the poll?
What is this...?
"Tsk..."
"Oppa. What are you thinking about?"
A bright Sunday morning.
Seo-eun came into the living room with a tub of ice cream, asking me as I sat on the sofa with a serious expression.
"A terror attack..."
"Huh?"
"It seems I'll have to cause a new terror attack right away this time."
I muttered.
The impact of this incident was much greater than I expected, so I need to take immediate action.
No... I just didn't expect such a fuss over one villain recruiting another.
Honestly, I expected a commotion from the people who already liked me, but I didn't think it would be this much.
I even deliberately turned on the broadcast to prevent such a situation, but why on earth...?
As expected, the only way to turn public opinion around is to cause a new terror attack immediately.
Right, I need to get back to my main job. I've been straying for too long.
It's time to show people the spicy taste of a K-Villain once again.
...What should I do?
Just as I was contemplating what kind of terror attack to orchestrate.
Seo-eun, who had been listening to me, suddenly put down the ice cream tub, then subtly approached me and asked,
"You're going to cause a new terror attack?"
"Yeah. I'm planning a rough musical disruption..."
"Oppa, I have an even better idea than that."
Having said that much, Seo-eun smiled confidently.
"Because I've already made all the plans!"
"...You?"
At Seo-eun's sudden words, I tilted my head.
No, why is Seo-eun doing something so clever for a change?
"...It's time to reveal it now. Oppa, follow me."
Seo-eun, still smiling confidently, gestured for me to follow.
And so, I was dragged to the underground base, not knowing why.
What on earth is she going to reveal?
My curiosity only deepened as we went deeper into the underground base.
"...Seo-eun, where exactly are we going?"
"Almost there. Ta-da!"
Finally, a massive iron door opened.
As the lights came on, what she revealed was...
"...What is this?"
"Starbuster. It's the strategic weapon I made against Stardus!"
Behind her, as she confidently shouted, was a thick, armored suit, roughly twice a person's height.
It looked like a structure where a person would fit snugly into the top, controlling the massive iron weapon situated below. Moreover, true to its somewhat familiar name, its appearance was also familiar.
What on earth is this?
"...Did you make this all by yourself?"
"I designed the overall structure, and Se-hee Unnie helped a bit."
She said, wiping the tip of her nose as if introducing a secret new weapon.
From the looks of it, the reason they were always going down to the basement was to build this.
"How is it?"
To Seo-eun, who looked up at me, her eyes sparkling, I first offered praise.
"It's cool. You really made it well, didn't you?"
"Heh. I knew it!"
Seo-eun, now smiling without even trying to hide her pride. Cute.
But, cute as it is...
To Seo-eun, who was still clearing her throat with satisfaction, I asked the most important question.
"So. Who's going to pilot this?"
"Me, of course!"
Watching Seo-eun answer confidently, I slapped my forehead.
"...No."
"What did you say?"
The warm atmosphere from just moments ago instantly turned stiff.
Seo-eun stared at me, her expression hardening. Seeing the fighting spirit in her eyes, I knew this wouldn't be an easy fight.
Ah. Raising kids is truly the hardest thing in the world.
***
"Seo-eun, you're too young. You're still a minor, you know? If I send you out to a terror attack, I'd be arrested for, like, child endangerment or something."
"Ha. What do you mean? We've already planned terror attacks together, and I've hacked other places. That's already enough to get you arrested, isn't it?"
Back at home.
There, Seo-eun was trying hard to persuade me.
"No, even so, it's too dangerous for you. Can you even take on Stardus with that thing in the first place...? She's much stronger than you think."
To my question, she replied with a voice full of conviction.
"Oppa. No matter how strong she is, she can't beat my Starbuster. Do you know what this is made of?"
"...Iron?"
"What are you talking about? Do you think I'd try to face Stardus with something like that? This is made of a material dozens of times harder than iron, something that's hard to even get now. It'll probably withstand most punches, you know?"
No, even if you say that, I'm still very uneasy.
As I was having those thoughts, Choi Se-hee suddenly appeared out of nowhere and assisted Seo-eun.
"Hey. I helped her make this, and it really is sturdy. No matter how much I attack it, it doesn't even get a scratch, I tell you!"
"Exactly. And Oppa, honestly, how long have we been together?"
Seo-eun suddenly asked that.
To her, I thought for a moment before replying.
"...Almost three years now, I guess?"
"Exactly. I've been by your side longer than any other Egostream member, you know? But look at this."
Saying that, Seo-eun handed me her phone.
On the screen, there was a post on a somewhat familiar online cafe's main page.
*
[Villain Alliance_Egostream_Summary (Latest Edition)]
Egostic: The undisputed most recognized villain in South Korea. Just looking at the incidents he's caused alone, they're all top-tier.
Electra: Electric ability user. An A-class villain.
Death Knight: A ghost? who even went head-to-head with Stardus. Presumably able to resurrect lol.
Moonlight Priestess: That's the woman who was introduced to the whole nation this time. Her ability, as seen this time, is overwhelming. She's S-class.
Saintess: Also first appeared in this broadcast. Her abilities are yet unknown. Presumed to be related to magic, buffs, or healing.
And even the Lepis Gang, who possess a giant airship.
The lineup is already insane lol.
*
"...What about it?"
When I tilted my head at the sudden sight of what Seo-eun had shown me, she cried out as if frustrated.
"My name isn't there! Only my name is missing! Even Ha-yul Unnie just joined, and it makes no sense that I'm the only one left out!"
...Now that I think about it, that's true.
My thought was cut off by her.
"No! I've waited long enough; it's time for me to step forward. I'm going to let the whole world know I exist!"
No, why does she want to step forward so badly?
Even though I didn't quite understand it, I quietly thought to myself as I looked into Seo-eun's fiercely burning eyes.
...Actually, come to think of it, this might be the first time Seo-eun has stepped forward like this and demanded something.
"...Alright, I get it."
"Really?"
At my permission, Seo-eun immediately changed her stance, her eyes sparkling.
Normally, I would have objected.
...But she wants to step forward that much. I guess I can give her a chance, just this once.
"Okay. But on one condition: I have to come with you, no matter what."
"Of course, we have to go together. What would be the point if I went alone?"
Seo-eun replied with a grin.
...I'm feeling quite worried, though.
"Oh, and also. Since this is finally my debut, I'll take charge of the production. Is that okay?"
"Uh... do as you please."
"Hehe... Stardus, I'm going to defeat her myself..."
Seo-eun, strangely burning with enthusiasm.
...I don't know what Stardus did to make her so eager to defeat her, but for now, I decided to cheer her on.
I'll just have to think about how to rescue Seo-eun in the end.
***
Shin Haru's home.
Shin Haru, returning home after a long time, flopped onto her bed.
.....*Sigh*.
Even more troubled lately, she began to ponder various things to herself.
What on earth was it?
...And what was it that made her hesitate there?
Still.
When she had lost all hope and collapsed before the overwhelming storm.
Seeing him appear.
To be honest, her heart fluttered a little then.
...Maybe I should just stick it on the wall.
She even found herself having absurd thoughts, like sticking up a photo of Egostic and writing 'Bad Guy' in large letters next to it.
...He probably just interrupted to grow his villain alliance anyway. There probably wasn't any other intention.
No. You never know.
What if, truly, he has no intention of destroying the world?
Ugh...
She clutched her throbbing head in confusion.
Egostic. Thinking about him always did this to her. Even while thinking he was a bad guy, the thought of 'what if...?' kept creeping in.
...
Right.
For now, let's focus on something else.
Anyway, Egostic. He causes a terror attack roughly once every three months, so it'll be a long time until she sees him again.
She's already a fourth-year university student, so it's time to start thinking about what to do after graduation. She can't spend all her free time just playing around because of her occasional hero activities.
Right. As for Egostic... she can slowly sort out her thoughts about him until he returns.
As she thought that, rubbing her eyes, her phone's ringtone echoed from the desk.
Who is it...? she wondered, getting up from the bed and approaching it. What she saw was the two large characters 'Association' displayed on the phone screen.
She picked it up, wondering what it was, and was utterly surprised by the completely unexpected news.
[Stardus! Egostic has caused a terror attack! Please deploy immediately!]
"What...?"
"No, already?"