Ep.158 I’m Going to Meet You

After talking with Atlas, I spent some time reviewing the original story by looking through my diary and information record sheet. While I had managed to memorize most of the information related to Stardus, the extras that were not directly related were a bit fuzzy.

In that sense, before going to the Cathedral, where almost all the leaders of villain organizations on Earth gather, I reviewed the information about those villains again. Since it was essential not to be confused when I got to the conference room, I had thoroughly memorized their names, personalities, abilities, and past actions from the original story.

“…Javapocalypse, Latte. Why do their names sound like that?”

Perhaps because they were not Korean villains, their names were all maniac-sounding. Still, since it was crucial not to be caught off guard at the Cathedral meeting, it was essential to be familiar with their names, personalities, abilities, and past actions.

“Ah! Thank you. Yes, I’ll see you then. Yup, go on in.”

Just as I was preparing for such a thing, Atlas contacted me.

He said that he had been invited to the villain conference at Cathedral by Celest and had strongly recommended that I join them. After laughing and letting me know the date, I hung up the phone and sighed in relief. Phew, at least I had overcome the biggest hurdle. As expected, having good connections is everything. Fortunately, Atlas showed me such favour to the point of suspicion…

Actually, what I did for Atlas wasn’t that big of a deal.

I just empathized with his ocean expansion project. Oh, and I warned him about the city being destroyed in advance, and I saved his daughter who was dying, wasn’t that much?

Hmm, come to think of it, it might be a big deal after all.

Anyway, after the date was set,

I told my companions that I would be crossing the sea and returning.

“Okay. Have a safe trip. Bring back some Melona when you come back.”

Although Seo Jayoung coolly waved her hand, she had kindly sent me off.

“Da-in, isn’t that dangerous?”

“Da-in, all the villains in the world are gathering there, so I’m a bit worried…”

Soobin and Seo-eun showed a hint of worry, so I had to reassure them not to worry.

If you think about it, there are reasons to be worried. It’s not just any gathering of S-class villains, but only the elite representatives who lead other villains. It’s not strange to worry that your neck will be cut off if you make a wrong move in the midst of those strong and powerful individuals.

“It’s okay, don’t worry.”

“But still…”

Of course, I reassured them not to worry.

Because, through the original comic, I have a rough idea of what kind of atmosphere that meeting room has.

Just because villains are gathering together, you might think that fights will break out and bombs will explode, but in reality, the atmosphere is quite calm.

In the first place, the people who come to that place lead an organization and are still clever individuals who have not been caught by the association, so of course they have the wit to survive in front of the world’s most dangerous villains. Those who act recklessly and carelessly will end up dead later on…

Furthermore, I am not alone but accompanied by Atlas, who has a significant influence even among those villains, so there is nothing to worry about.

As time passed, the promised time finally came.

Before going to Cathedral, I left for the ocean city with Atlas.

Phew, a gathering of villains…

Actually, just thinking about it made my head ache, but I had to do it for Stardus.

After making up my mind again, I called Laphisdan and flew on the airship.

Atlas old man, I’ll finally see you again after our last meeting.

***

Somewhere in the North Atlantic Ocean.

There is a secret underwater city designed so that no one can find it.

It is Atlas City, built by the S-class villain Atlas, where turquoise underwater ruins and transparent glass buildings coexist, creating a mysterious city.

Lattisdan has set up a base in this city, which aims to expand the sea. In one of the stone buildings on the street, I met an old man.

“Haha! Egostic, my Egostic! Nice to see you, how have you been?”

“Yes, how have you been, Atlas? It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. I’m sorry I couldn’t come to see you.”

“Not this way, not this way! You’re busy too, so of course it’s possible. It’s nice to see your face again though!”

Atlas chuckled.

He then spoke seriously to me while stroking his long, bushy blue beard.

“And if you have time, feel free to come here anytime. Our Latis Group will always welcome you. Our daughter also wants to see you.”

“Haha, I understand. Please come to Korea sometime too, Atlas. I’ll treat you well.”

“Haha, I’ll definitely do that.”

I smiled back at Atlas as he laughed heartily.

I was wearing a blue bodysuit, laughing deep under the sea with a middle-aged man.

This place looked like a huge temple, with glass walls outside where you could see fish swimming in the sea.

It was like a fairy tale sea kingdom. Actually, seeing Atlas sitting on the throne, it could be called a kingdom. The problem was that he had not yet conquered the surface, so it was safe to say that the sea belonged to this old man.

“Okay. Are you ready now?”

“Yes.”

“Good, then let’s get ready to go.”

As Atlas finished speaking and lifted his bulky body from the throne, his gaze suddenly fixed on something in the distance.

I turned my head when I felt that something was happening behind me. I saw someone hiding behind a pillar.

Although I couldn’t see the person completely, I could see their long, blue hair peeking out from behind the pillar.

Addressing that person, Atlas shouted loudly.

“Ariel! What are you doing back there? Daddy’s leaving now!”

Oh, it was Ariel after all.

Even though Atlas had spoken, she still hid behind the pillar and didn’t want to come out.

“Hehe, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to come out, but I feel shy when I see you.”

“It’s okay haha. We should get to know each other better when I return next time with Ariel.”

As I smiled and answered, I glanced at Ariel, who was hiding behind the pillar.

Ariel was Atlas’ daughter, and in the original story, she was a character who was sick and died. I had saved her, which helped me gain Atlas’ favour.

Looking at her behind the pillar, I thought to myself.

Ariel. I had no idea at first, but when I found out, I realized she was quite powerful too. The ability to control water, of all the elemental abilities that are highly regarded, is especially unique, and I find myself envious. If I can persuade her and sneakily add her to Ego Stream, it would be great.

…But why is she acting like this now when she was talking to me just fine and even laughing during our last meeting?

I shook her hand, slightly raising my head in confusion, and she blushed and retreated.

…Why is a grown woman acting like this? Are the people here like this? Come to think of it, I’m not sure because all I see here are fish people*. *TN: The author really used the term “fish people” here rather than “mermaid”

“Alright then. Let’s go. Grab this letter.”

Atlas said this and handed me a letter.

It was a letter with only a red stamp in the middle.

Is this one that can go directly to Katal?

As soon as I took one side of the letter, Atlas mercilessly tore it in half.

In that moment, a blue energy spread over our side.

Hwaak-

With the white smoke scattered in an instant, we, who had been standing on a marble pedestal until just before, were suddenly standing on a hard black brick.

“Hmm… Is this how it works?”

Atlas scattered the smoke with his hand. As our vision cleared, a black space appeared in front of us.

“Please come in, sir Atlas. And… Sir Egostic.”

And beside him, a person in a white robe appeared before us, looking around.

Hmm, is this the famous white priest of Celest?

“Yes. Where is this?”

“This is the Cathedral, the meeting hall of Katal. If you follow the corridor in front of you, you can go straight to the conference room. When you come back after the meeting, please return this way.”

“I understand.”

I replied to him.

Then he lowered his head and disappeared behind us, and Atlas and I began to walk down the long corridor.

“Hmm. I guess I’ll be able to meet Celest this time. Egostic, do you know about Celest?”

“I know to some extent, but this is my first time meeting her like this as well.”

“Haha! There are many villains here who are as powerful as she is. Don’t be nervous. Well, you’ll handle it well enough on your own, but still! Hahaha!”

“Haha…”

Atlas looked at me with deep trust in his eyes. I just gave him a vague smile in return. Why does this gentleman overvalue me so much? Of course, Atlas is also a strong figure who can control the entire ocean and attack the world simultaneously, undoubtedly one of the top powers here.

As I thought about this, I suddenly saw a circular door in front of me.

I walked towards it.

“Wow…”

A huge room unfolded before me.

Stained glass lined both sides, and a large chandelier hung above.

And a large round table was placed in the center of the room.

There were already several villains sitting there.

On the other side, there was a white-veiled woman dressed in a fantasy-like costume, resembling a saint in a video game.

That woman was Celest, the most powerful among the S-class villains, as well as the most secretive one. In the original work, she only appears in the latter part of the story.

Around her were villains who could easily destroy a country alone.

And in the midst of them, I quietly thought.

“Hmm…”

So, how should I approach this situation?