Ep102. Meetings

“Gruhhh! I’m Reptilian! Stardus, you’re nothing to me, grahhhhhhh!”

“…You’re so talkative.”

Today, Shin Haru returned home after lightly defeating a villain who was making a fuss in downtown Seoul with her fist.

She decided to meet her friend Lee Seola today, after a long time.

Even though they’re the same age, Seola was usually busy, as she runs the company as a president and stays active as a hero with the name ‘Icicle’ at the same time.

Therefore, it’s very rare for her to come to Seoul like today, so she’s going to meet her after a long time.

It was a little uncomfortable because of what happened in Busan last time.

“Phew…”

Well. But it’s my fault after all.

She seemed to misunderstand and intimidate Seola, who was just working hard as a hero.

Of course, that reason is still not enough to make the villain smile… She’s not sure if it’s possible.

If they meet today, she should talk more about Egostic.

And she should apologize first. She hasn’t been able to meet the girl since that day, so she hasn’t been saying anything.

With that in mind, Shin Haru headed to their meeting location.

With a little awkwardness…

***

“Oh, Haru! Welcome, it’s really been a long time!”

And unlike her worries, Seola welcomed her with a bright smile that was no different from before.

She was rather guilty of her attitude, and although it was Haru that wanted to say sorry again about what happened in Busan last time.

“Huh? Why do you still mind that? Things can happen. I’d do the same.”

Seola laughed as if she didn’t even care in the first place.

She was a little relieved that they solved what happened last time.

She had a conversation with Seola while eating shaved ice comfortably for the first time in a long time.

And the two talked about various topics.

Finally, there was a buzz that led to the subject.

“Oh, and about Egoistic.”

When the name came out of Seola’s lips, Haru was unknowingly nervous.

Regardless of whether she said it or not, Seola continued the topic.

“Last time, for the first time, he came down to Busan and fought with me.”

“Yeah…”

She thought of Egostic, who directly came down to Busan with a minion from Seoul and seized her cup of tea as she was holding it without realizing it.

Seola continued to open her mouth as if she hadn’t noticed anything.

“At the time, that thing. I talked to him a few times. At that time, he said that the reason why he invaded Busan was because the airship was already on the Busan side, so he came just to kill time. Isn’t that ridiculous? That villain, he must think terrorism is a joke.”

“Haha… Really?”

Haru listened to her, she focused on every word Seola said.

So, the attack in Busan was spontaneous just for him to kill time? He didn’t plan anything like how he did in Seoul?

When she loosened her grip on the teacup as she thought.

Seola added a word there.

“And Haru. Since I already met him, I don’t think that we need to worry too much about Egostic, though?”

“What…?”

Haru tilted her head at her sudden remark.

…What do you mean by ‘Don’t worry’? Of all the villains who are active in Korea, Egostic is the most influential.

As she looked at Seola with such doubts, the girl answered as if there was a reason.

“I mean. When the attack happened in Busan last time, there wasn’t much damage to civilians. So why bother with him so much?”

“…But he’s a terrorist.”

“Of course, but we are heroes. What is our reason to be heroes? Isn’t it to save people? So I think it’s better to focus on other villains rather than focusing on Egostic since no one gets hurt in his case.”

“…..”

It doesn’t seem so though…

When Shin Haru was eagerly recalling the rebuttal in her head, Seola scolded her.

“I think you’re too concerned about Egostic these days. Last time, also. To be honest, Egostic and you are enemies? Or something similar to that kind of relationship, but I don’t think it’d be good if you care too much.”

As Haru felt slightly stabbed by Seola’s words, she quietly ate another bite of shaved ice without arguing. It’s true that he went all the way down to Busan, so it’s hard to refute.

And Seola continued to talk, perhaps reading her signs.

Egostic sometimes terrorizes anyway, so maybe she should just care when he does, and not too wary when he doesn’t?

It’s a waste to put all her energy into catching a villain who makes no civilian casualties.

Her long-spoken conclusion was, ‘Don’t focus too much on Egostic. A terrorist cycle is long and there’s no civilian casualties.

“…..”

After hearing Seola’s words, honestly, Haru couldn’t relate. Looking at Egostic’s actions from the beginning, does it make sense to not care about him?

But apart from that, Haru herself was too deeply worried about Egostic. Although it’s not like Seola talked her out because she knew that much.

Is it Egostic when there’s a breaking news about terrorist attack these days? would be the first thing that comes to her mind.

…Yeah. Maybe. Like Seola said, it may be right to care a little less about Egostic than she does now. Honestly, these days, if it’s about villains, she can only think about Egostic. But there are a lot of other villains.

So Haru replied, “Okay.”

“Yeah, well thought out. You get stressed out if you just cling to one person.”

Lee Seola smiled happily while saying that.

And looking at her like that, Haru…

She somehow feels uncomfortable.

“Yeah…”

She has felt a gut feeling since she saw Lee Seola laughing and talking with Egostic last time.

And actually. The suspicion got bigger after they met today.

The suspicion that Seola is hiding something from her, and her intuition said that there must be another reason for her to say that.

But Haru denied her speculation, because she just jumped into conclusion without any clue.

…Yeah, she just gave some advice as a friend. It doesn’t look good on her if she clings onto Egostic too much. And what’s in for Seola to separate her and Egostic?

Seola is her friend, so she just gave her some advice. There cannot be any other reason.

Once tentatively concluded like that, Haru then buried her anxiety and doubts in her heart and decided to do what Seola said. Yeah, let’s stop overthinking about Egostic.

Looking at Seola, who was still smiling in front of her, Haru just also smiled back.

…Still, she is somewhat uncomfortable inside.

***

After Haru left.

Lee Seola was left alone, leaning on a chair and handling Egostic a small apple inside.

…I’m sorry, Da-in. You only told me to get closer with Stardus, but you didn’t tell me how?

She smirked as she tilted the remaining teacup.

…To be honest, she’s already aware of it. That Egostic cares too much about Stardus. And Shin Haru also, recently, she’s starting to care more and more about Egostic.

And then, what if those two become closer? What if Haru learns about Egostic’s secret and goes beyond the antagonism between Hero and Villain, and becomes like her relationship with him?

…That doesn’t seem good. Those two better stay on their own.

Lee Seola, she was the kind of person who would never let anyone take away what she had noticed.

That’s why. She repeatedly pointed out that Haru cared too much about Egostic and told her to get rid of her doubts and obsession with Egostic, almost like brainwashing. Haru has always been listening to Seola’s words.

Seola was relieved because it somehow seemed to have worked eventually.

…It would be bad for Haru to keep waiting for him, as Da-in said he wouldn’t be terrorizing this year anyway.

She should remind Haru to stop thinking about Egostic every time she meets her. It’s all for Haru.

Having that in mind, Seola recalled that Da-in said he would no longer commit terrorism this year.

…Back then, his expression clearly said that he was preparing for something rather than resting until then.

His slightly stiffened face and voice lowering down a tone.

Seola, who grasped his attitude with the eyes of a businesswoman, only guessed.

…His face got a little stiffened at the moment he said it. What the hell is he going to do next year?

***

“Dear believers, the elders have let out a shrill cry.”

In a dark place.

In that place, an old man’s voice rang through the auditorium.

“Yes… Our proud people of Wolgwanggyo. We’re still waiting for the eternal moon to come down today.”

“The day when we finally show the world our shining moon is coming.”

“The day to purify this world, which is dominated by other angels and little devils, with our moonlight! The day we show our faith! We finally have it, my dears!”

“Next year, the day when the moon god comes to fill the night sky with a big moon, the day when the yin energy gets to its strongest! The Moon Witch herself punishes those foolish apostates! They will go down!”

“Moonlight, forever!”

“”””””Moonlight! Moonlight! Moonlight! Moonlight! Moonlight!””””””

At the end of the old man’s words, thousands of shouts filled the space.

Only the purple fire from the candles on the wall fluttered by the wind.

Somewhere in Seoul, somewhere no one knows.

The energy of destruction was approaching by the minute.

***

“They’re starting to bullshit again.”

[Hey, Da-in. What are you talking about?]

“Well, there’s something.”

The pseudo-religious guys who want to go beyond Korea and destroy the whole world.

I guess they’re getting ready to come out.

“Ha… This world is full of exhaustion triggers. I’ll have to hurry and clean it up, then retire.”

What kind of troop are they? These bastards, who want to destroy the world, keep coming out like seaweeds no matter how hard you try to get rid of them.

This is so exhausting.

In that sense, I went into Stardus fan cafe.

My way of healing… This is the only one…!!

[Da-in. Why are you always searching about that woman?]

I just silently ignored Desik’s words.

I don’t want him to tackle my only hobby.