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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Show Begins
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The streets of Seoul were peaceful today, as usual.
Since the massive terror attack by the Moonlight Cult some time ago, there had been no significant incidents, allowing citizens to walk the streets with a sense of security.
Being the weekend, the streets were bustling with people.
The latest pop songs drifted from nearby phone stores, music from coffee shops, countless tunes from commercial speakers, the chatter of the many pedestrians, and even the honking of cars passing by on the road.
The street was a lively, bustling thoroughfare.
As people walked along this street, a medley of various sounds filling the air...
"...?"
Store owners and a few quick-witted individuals noticed something amiss.
The music playing from the store speakers had suddenly all switched to loud rock.
Stores that had just moments ago been playing cheerful K-pop girl group songs were now filled with the bizarre, wailing solos of electric guitars.
And then, louder.
Loud, and louder still.
"Ugh..."
The music grew so deafening that customers inside the stores were now grimacing and covering their ears.
Eventually, even some of the people chatting and walking along the street paused, turning their heads, wondering if some event was taking place.
-Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt-
The street, as if it had suddenly transformed into some impromptu, chaotic rock concert venue, was now a concert hall in an instant.
People stopped, began whispering amongst themselves, looking around, and then pulled out their phones to record the scene.
It was an utterly bizarre spectacle: different speakers, all unified, blaring out rock music.
By now, people had reached a point where they were even enjoying it, wondering if it was some hidden camera prank for a YouTube channel.
Thump.
From a distance, something fell, and at the same instant...
KABOOOOOOM!
"Aaaahhhhhh!"
Suddenly, something exploded in the middle of the street, and smoke began to billow out, engulfing the area.
It was only then that people realized something was terribly wrong and began scattering in every direction, running in a panic.
Thump—.
Thump—.
"Aaaahhh! What is this?!"
Suddenly, metal cages began dropping from the sky, one by one trapping the people on the street.
Citizens, who might have seen movies about food falling from the sky but never heard of giant cages plummeting, clutched the bars and shook them, continuously screaming, "Aargh!"
Meanwhile, the loud rock music continued to blare.
Even police cars rushed to the scene, now a cauldron of chaos, but they too were trapped in the fallen metal cages, helplessly shaking the bars.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt.
The electric guitar's live performance continued its deafening, ecstatic wail.
And amidst it all, the cages, filled with people chirping like birds trapped in birdcages, began to rise one by one into the air.
Amidst the screams of "Aargh!" filling the air...
The metal cages, now floating high in the sky, began to form a circle in the middle of the air.
And at the same moment...
-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
From the speakers, which were still blasting rock music at ear-splitting volume, a man's maniacal laughter suddenly began to pour out.
The bizarrely repetitive laughter, the colossal rock music, the people flailing inside the metal cages.
In the heart of this immense cacophony that echoed even to distant parts of the city.
In that utterly chaotic place...
Suddenly, all the music cut out.
And at the same instant...
At an explosive volume, a robotic voice boomed from all the speakers simultaneously.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW-
And in sync with it, a massive explosion erupted in the center of where the floating cages hung, scattering pink smoke in all directions.
From its midst, a man was now suspended in the sky.
In the very center of that circle of cages floating in the air.
Now, several cameras also orbited in a wide circle around him.
And in sync with them, standing in the center of that aerial circle...
A man in a gray mask, clad in a black hat, black robe, and black cape.
He brought the microphone in his hand to his lips.
And at the same moment, all the cameras floating in the sky activated simultaneously.
The man's voice, as he spoke, boomed across the entire street.
"Greetings, everyone! I am Egostic!"
And this was it.
The signal flare announcing the villain Egostic's terror attack.
***
Egostic.
Now, a name known to every Korean, even having garnered followers among some. He was the most influential villain, TOP 1, since the founding of the Hero Association's Korean branch.
And I, for one, was not pleased with these results.
'...Right, have I been neglecting my main job lately?'
I hated people who weren't scared of villains, who didn't fear them.
No, haven't I committed some rather spectacular acts of terror so far?
Just off the top of my head, there were train derailments, plane crashes, bridge demolitions—quite impressive, if I do say so myself.
So why were they acting like this?
Honestly, I was a bit shocked when I saw the recent public opinion poll.
Seriously, how does it make sense that I'm more popular than even A-rank heroes? I'm a villain operating in the shadows of South Korea, not some idol...
Especially, this phenomenon is even worse in the long run.
What was my original purpose for becoming a villain, anyway? Since I'd taken care of almost all the original villains, my justification was to personally become Stardus's 'trial.'
But if I suddenly became like this, it would be pointless to call myself a trial. Seriously, where in the world is there a villain more popular than a hero?
And there was only one way to overcome this situation.
Terror, terror. More terror.
And the threatening kind.
For that reason, right now...
I was floating in the middle of the street, watching the people shivering in fear, trapped in the metal cages.
And the rock music continued to blare through the street.
It was deafening. ...Seo-eun's touch was definitely heavily incorporated, but honestly. She's just like me, she loves making a grand spectacle.
"Dain Oppa. It's ready."
Eun-wol's voice came through the in-ear earphone.
Lifting those cages was too heavy for me alone, so I got some help from Eun-wol's magic, as she's the Priestess of the Moon.
She was operating them from the rooftop of that building over there.
Anyway, since it's ready, it's time to make my move.
With that, I turned on the cameras and shouted loudly into the air.
"Greetings, everyone! I am Egostic!"
No sooner had I spoken than my voice boomed from the hacked commercial speakers.
Floating in the air, I grinned, letting the gentle breeze ripple my cape, and checked the chat window.
"Mangostick has entered the chat lolololol"
"No way, already??? What the hell!!!!!"
"Egostic, surprisingly frequent with the terror attacks LOLOLOL"
"My live show is here lolololol Get ready lolololol"
"F***, it's so loud lolololol I'm watching with earphones on and the band's booming is ringing in my ears lolololol"
"What are the people in the cages? An actual human zoo?"
"Lord Mangostick always surpasses our imagination lolololol"
Good, the broadcast seems to be going out properly.
After checking the chat, I refocused on the terror.
Ah, first things first.
I have to do this.
I snapped my fingers.
And at the same moment, numerous guns floated into the air.
All of them pointed their muzzles at the people trapped inside the cages.
"H-Heeek...!"
As the gun barrels pointed at them, the people shivered in terror.
Indeed, no one could help but feel fear when faced with real guns.
Right, if I accidentally pressed that trigger, they'd die. How terrified must they be?
I should have handled hostages like this from the start. I've been too lenient until now.
Separately, I did feel a little bad seeing the people trembling before me, but there was nothing for it.
It was time to assert some discipline.
"Oh, my dear people! Don't be afraid, don't be afraid."
I said, gesturing with a gun.
Feeling the still pleasant breeze gently flap my cape, likely due to the good weather.
I gave a slight smile and told them.
"I'm not trying to do anything bad. I'm just planning to shoot these guns at you in an hour, that's all."
"H-Heeek...!"
No, actually, I wasn't going to shoot.
But showing that would be amateurish. A first-rate villain must always display the madness that says, 'That guy might actually shoot.'
"Hahaha!! You have one hour left to live, everyone! I'm broadcasting your last hour alive across the nation, so feel free to exchange your final goodbyes! I've always been curious about how people behave right before they die."
"H-Heeek...!!!"
The people trembled even more.
Good, the madness I was displaying seemed to be working well.
...But how long do I have to keep doing this? My heart aches. I wish she'd arrive soon.
And just as I thought that...
From behind me, a loud voice rang out.
"That's far enough, Egostic!"
A voice that, despite shouting, was still clear and beautiful, one I hadn't heard in quite a while.
Hearing her voice, I didn't bother to hide the smile that involuntarily spread across my face. I cut the loud rock music, turned around, and spoke.
"Oh, look who's here to spoil the fun."
Skintight red latex.
Long, flowing golden hair.
And eyes with a faint sky-blue tint, glaring at me.
Yes. Stardus. It was her.
"What are you doing, you scoundrel!"
Ah, this kind of angry exchange, it feels nostalgic somehow.
To her, glaring at me with a hint of anger, I replied with a smirk.
"Yes, yes, Ms. Stardus. Long time no see. You seem to be around quite often, don't you? It almost looks like you're following me... Gasp, are you perhaps stalking me?!"
"What?! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?! Look at what you're doing right now!"
She flushed, snapping back at my ridiculous words. Still so susceptible to provocation, I see.
I grinned, beckoning her with a finger.
"Well, anyway. You're here to stop me, right? Then come and stop me."
She frowned, watching me perch on a nearby cage, crossing my legs and beckoning with my finger. As if trying to discern my intentions.
Truth be told, it was natural that I couldn't beat her. If I used Behemoth, I might last ten seconds, but that's all. I'm no match for her.
As I, a mere mortal in comparison, provoked her, she glared at me suspiciously.
But then, as if making up her mind, she launched herself from where she stood far away and began to fly towards me.
Yes. That's more like it.
Alright, Seo-eun, it's your turn.
And just as she launched herself...
Suddenly, a shadow fell across the space between us.
KABOOOOOM.
Something massive and gray plummeted from the sky, blocking her path to me.
It looked like a colossal suit, thick on all sides.
Towards her, who had abruptly halted in mid-air at its sudden appearance, I raised the microphone again and shouted.
"I'm sorry, but this time, your opponent isn't me!"
"Now, allow me to introduce. A weapon created solely for you. It's the 'Starbuster'!!"
As I shouted, spreading my arms wide, a voice emerged from the Terminator-like figure as it rose.
"Stardus, I'll be your opponent!"
...For a robotic voice, it was unmistakably a young girl's. Seo-eun... And why is your acting so awkward?
Anyway, that wasn't important. What was important was the fire burning in Stardus's eyes right now.
Alright, let's begin.
"Just how long will you be able to last against my Starbuster?! Alright, Starbuster. Charge!"
"Uwaaah!"
And with that, Seo-eun's Starbuster swung its steel fist at Stardus.
The curtain rose on their battle.
***
Stardus, Shin Haru, was in a very bad mood right now.
Firstly, because Egostic had once again carried out a cruel and ruthless terror attack.
Secondly...
"H-Huh?! Auntie, is this your best?!"
...Who is this girl?
That woman, presumably Egostic's new accomplice.
Egostic, taking another woman as an accomplice. That aside...
...Somehow, the way she spoke was extremely displeasing. Very much so.
Swallowing her anger, she met the fist flying towards her with one of her own.
...This won't do.
This villain, I will capture her right here, right now.
Such was her resolve.