Chapter 334: Her Delusion

I’m so close to actually retiring.

The house was buzzing with energy, perhaps because I’d already announced that I’d be done terrorizing Stardus before next month.

“Da-in, dig some more over here!”

Everyone was excited, and now they’re building a big pool in front of the house.

I told them that since I’m retiring, I’m going to hang out here before the summer is over, but they seemed excited, so I didn’t stop them.

…but I thought for sure it would take years to build a pool… A few days in and it’s already starting to take shape.

Maybe it’s because when it comes time to fill it with water, Eun-woo or Ariel, our water master, can do it quickly and we only have to dig. I’m sure their water will be cleaner than the groundwater.

Anyway, while everyone was thinking about my retirement, I was alone, thinking about what terrorism to do.

“Mmmm…”

…I had only a few days left to terrorize, and I needed to be careful with each one. I desired to make it a little more spectacular.

Hmm, a department store…? Or hijack a ship for the first time in a long time?

Even while thinking about it, I wasn’t really interested in the content of the terrorism itself.

…When it comes down to it, there’s only one reason I’m terrorizing.

‘…Because of Stardus.’

I rolled my pen with that thought.

Stardus.

My favorite, the one who was the reason I lived in this world.

Maybe… If I have my way, she and I won’t see much of each other after my last terror.

Especially after I defeat the Sun God and see this world’s happy ending… If I’m lucky enough to survive until then, we’ll probably never see each other again.

As such, it was only natural that I would cherish the few remaining attacks.

One of the few times I could see my favorite person before we parted ways.

‘Of course, if I’m going to hit a bomb, my favorite is going to be Stardus…’

Still, I was a little disappointed.

…Actually, I was more disappointed than I let on, I just didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.

“…Still.”

I put down my pen and thought to myself.

…Stardus, she’s not as hostile to me as she was just now… If anything, she’s more tolerant than I expected after what I did.

…Though she did have the characteristic of approaching me so casually that I thought she might like me.

Anyway.

Maybe we can part with each other smiling at the end.

…A villain parting with a hero with a smile on his face, that would be a great luxury.

With that thought in mind I made up my mind and decided.

‘Okay.’

Now, let’s stop avoiding Stardus.

Running away was never the answer.

With that determination, I called Seo-Eun and Eun-woo.

“Okay, I’ve decided on the next attack. Let’s go.”

“Yes, Da-in. What is it?”

“Here. Listen…”

And with that, I planned the attack, looking forward to more conversations with Stardus.

***

Soon, the day of the attack arrived and as expected my terror was accompanied by a broadcast.

“Hello, everyone. This is Egostic!”

*

[The mangosticks who jumped like dogs as soon as Egostic broadcast notification rang out] [First of all, I’m a mangostick!]

[Mangostick Broadcast Day <- should be humanly declared a national holiday]

[Now I can’t live without mangostick]

[S-class hero who communicates with me regularly… isn’t that the best]

[Reason I live = because I know an Egostic broadcast will come someday]

[These guys are already trained, so they’re just going to giggle and like it when they get to see Egostic’s face… actually, I do too]

[Protector of the Republic of Korea, agent of God, and savior of the world MAN-GOAT… is that you again…]

*

In the sky above Seoul, South Korea, I turned on my camera, and as usual, the usual mix of chatter popped up.

…I can’t wait to see them again.

At that thought, I shook off a pang of regret.

I smiled and opened my mouth.

“Yes, yes. Good to see you, everyone. I’m sure you’re wondering what else has me on the air today, and it’s none other than this department store below me.”

As I said that, I turned the camera around, showing the rooftop of the department store below me.

Then, with the camera pointed back at me, I chuckled and opened my mouth again.

“Yes, that’s right, something very interesting is going to happen here today! Haha, you’ll have a lot to look forward to. Oh, and by the way, it’s impossible to get out now. It’s too late even if you try to run away?”

I say, smiling brightly.

Chat windows quickly popped up.

*

[Who the hell is going to get out??? One of the bucket lists of people in Korea is to experience the Mangostick Terror once?]

[If I can’t get out, is it possible to get in now? I really want to go in…]

[??? What? I’m inside the department store right now. It’s on fire and going crazy…]

[Oh, I’m jealous]

[Mango’s Terror Park beyond a theme park ON]

*

…Well, as always, it was a series of articles that felt insecure without the slightest sense of crisis.

Well, still. Everyone talks like this, but when it comes to the Moonlight Gate attack, there’s nothing to worry about, seeing as how everyone got away so quickly.

[The department store is ready.]

Seo-eun’s words came just as I was thinking about it.

I looked at the camera and said at her direction.

“…Anyway, before the attack starts, let’s wait for my hero, Stardus. I’m looking forward to seeing if she can overcome this elaborate attack!”

*

[Cue the usual Stardus shout-out]

*

With that, I called Stardus and soon after.

“…There she is.”

From across the sky, I could see her flying toward us.

With her long blond hair flowing, Stardus is dressed in a form-fitting red suit.

I smiled, suppressing the slight pounding in my heart as I caught sight of her.

And then, there she was, standing before me in the sky.

…She was beautiful, as I always feel when I see her. So beautiful, in fact, that I wonder if humans are capable of it.

Anyway, that’s not the point, let’s just smile and say hello…

So I opened my mouth and greeted her.

“Hello, Stardus, it’s good to see you again after seeing you on the beach the other day.”

“…..”

At my words, she falls silent, looking at me with a cold expression.

…I sensed something a little off here.

Normally, she would have smiled sheepishly and said something like, “Yeah, I see.” For some reason, today, her expression hasn’t changed, and she doesn’t speak.

…What is it? Is he not feeling well today?

I wondered, and opened my mouth again.

“Haha… Anyway, I have a brand new terror for you today!”

I said, smiling like that.

…Finally, for the first time, her mouth opened.

“Haha…”

And then.

The words were, by far, the most sarcastic I’d ever heard her speak.

“…You scumbag, what did you do again?”

She glared at me.

The way she said it, the way it came out and then her blue eyes.

“….”

I froze on the spot.

…It’s been a long time, huh.

I kept a smile on my face while listening to her words.

…Inwardly, as opposed to being in a panic.

‘No, why is she doing that? Did I do something wrong?’

I felt a cold sweat run down my spine.

…Of course, it was nothing unusual for a hero to curse out a villain, but it was unexpected given the recent history between her and me. I mean, it seems like just yesterday we were walking hand-in-hand through the labyrinth…

And I wasn’t the only one who found it odd.

*

[??????]

[What is it…our Stardus is weird…]

[Are they fighting?]

[BREAKING] Stardus is sick with jealousy over Angel]

[SSS-class hero is trashy… go!!!!!!!!!!!]

[What is it, mango cheating or something?]

*

All of them are confused by Stardus’ strange reaction.

Anyway, I’m still trying to figure out what’s going on.

…I decided to approach her today instead of avoiding her, so I smiled and opened my mouth.

“…Haha, I didn’t do anything, I just played a little prank on the department store. There’s a rumor that there’s a bomb in the fifth floor area, which is currently closed due to construction?”

“Ha, boring. That’s so typical of you, trashy.”

I smiled at her snarky retort.

I grinned and waved the detonator in front of her.

“Come on! Whatever, time is running out. If we don’t go soon… You know?”

“Tsk…”

With that, she gave me one last annoyed glance before flying off down the department store.

…And with that, I stare in her direction for a long time, smiling.

I turned off the camera for a moment, turning off the chat window that was burning with questions about what the hell is wrong with Stardus.

And then I was up in the sky with no one watching me.

“…..”

I wiped the smile off my face and stood there.

…What is this, why is she doing this?

She looked so different from her usual self, approaching me casually.

Immediately, a thought popped into my head.

‘Why? You know.’

…Was that her true intention?

As I suspected, her intimate demeanor up until now was just a cover to catch me off guard, and that was her true intention….I decided to defeat the concept.

“Haha…I knew it.”

I muttered quietly to myself, smiling weakly.

Yeah, I saw it coming? I know exactly what Stardus was like in the comics. She never compromises with villains, and I’m supposed to be friends with her? Ridiculous.

I don’t remember what I said. What, Stardus likes me? Hahaha, I was right after all. I thought it was a ridiculous guess.

Well, I’m rather flattered.

I was like, “Seriously, I thought so.”

[Are you crying?]

“…Be quiet.”

…I feel like my heart is broken.

It must be an illusion.

***

Stardus was in the center of the department store, her hands covering her face.

“Ugh…”

…Is this right?

I’m sorry for swearing and I want to apologize right now?

Even as he thought that, Stardus muttered quietly to herself.

“…Still.”

…It worked, didn’t it?

Unlike before, when he was avoiding her, he kept talking to her.

He’s been cursed at…but he’s still smiling.

‘…Does he like this?’

…She made up her mind and decided to give it a try, unaware of the fierce warnings her gut was giving her.