Ep 245 – Drinking
“Stardus is attacking! Yes! A hit! Villain Seven Watt has been defeated with a single blow! The city is safe, everyone!”
“Hmm…”
– Click.
I paused the video on the screen and got lost in thought for a moment.
It was a news broadcast from yesterday, just like always. A villain appeared in the heart of Seoul, a guy wearing yellow overalls named Seven Watt. And the news was showing Stardus defeating such the guy with a single punch.
Stardus, with her blonde hair fluttering, raising her fist into the air, looked impressive, but that wasn’t the essential part.
The crucial thing was that Stardus had defeated that guy, who had been quite a challenge in the original work, with just one punch. Honestly, it wasn’t a one-time thing. If cities periodically remained unscathed during this period, Stardus had grown significantly compared to the original work.
She had grown so much that she could probably handle it until the next Wolgwanggyo event.
“…”
I analyzed it carefully. Moonlight Gate. The final boss of Phase 2, where portals open all around the world, and monsters pour out in a wave.
What I had always been concerned about was the extensive impact. If even just Seoul were attacked, let alone the whole country, how would I stop this? There’s a reason the original atmosphere shifted to be based on Phase 2.
…Of course, I had a plan. A plan to stop this. But the problem was that it wouldn’t be easy. It was estimated that I could only stop it after the terrors had begun to some extent.
So until then, it meant I would be exposed to their attacks. That’s why I wanted to create a PMC and told the association head to build a bunker, isn’t it? I need to buy time. I have to endure until I can execute my plan.
But the problem, as always, would be Seoul.
“…”
Although various monsters came out of different cities, Seoul was the problem. Wolgwanggyo creatures, which open the main gate, release particularly strong creatures in this area. In other words, these creatures are to be dealt with primarily by Stardus.
The problem is that the gates are opening in all directions, and there is a considerable distance between each gate. To prevent it, it’s essential to fly quickly to remote locations.
“Speed…”
That’s right. In other words, flight ability becomes quite crucial. The need for speed to fly from one end of Seoul to the other in the shortest possible time. If it takes too long, the situation may be over before you arrive.
However, the problem is that the current Stardus is strong in power, but she doesn’t have any specific ability related to speed. Initially, I had her fight against other powerful individuals, and I’ve never conducted a terror operation to enhance her flying abilities. Of course, she’s already fast, but… can Stardus become even faster if we push her a bit more?
So, right now, the concept of my next terror operation is set.
“Well, power is overflowing for now.”
I muttered these words while looking at Stardus, who defeated Seven Watt with a single punch.
In truth, it’s still insufficient. Stardus can become stronger here, and she needs to be even stronger.
However, for the time being, it seems sufficient to stop the dimensional monsters.
After all, those creatures are more about quantity than each individual being strong.
“Even the most dangerous ones that come out of the gate should be manageable.”
“Good.”
I declared it to myself.
The main theme of this terror operation is speed! It wouldn’t be bad if we involve the citizens as well.
So, now that’s settled, I’ll figure out the detailed plan later.
Wolgwanggyo is the main boss I’ve been preparing to tackle step by step, and there are several villains to defeat besides that boss. Among them, this guy is one of the most prominent.
While thinking this, I raised the printed profile of a villain beside the table.
“…”
Hmm.
Regardless of how you look at it, this guy can’t be caught by me alone.
…And that was the conclusion I reached after a short contemplation.
No, quite literally, I can’t catch this guy by myself. Not just me, but none of our Ego Stream members can defeat this guy. In the first place, the character itself is designed so that only Stardus can defeat him, other than that, there is no one else who can do it.
So, if I tell Stardus to defeat this guy, there’s nothing to say. The problem is that this guy is quite powerful. Stardus can’t win against him with her current strength. Unless someone helps.
“…Alright.”
…Yes. Let’s think about this later. For now, let’s focus on the upcoming terror operation.
After all, planning a high-profile terror operation takes time. Normal people don’t understand the aesthetics of this terror operation…!
So, I prepared the initial draft by myself.
A few minutes later.
In Ego Stream’s main conference room.
“Haa, Da-in. What’s the plan for this time?”
Everyone gathered around the large table.
I was there.
With a very serious tone, I addressed everyone.
“I’m going to launch a missile in Seoul.”
“…What?”
***
Stardus.
She was a serious workaholic, dedicating herself to hero activities.
And the problem was that her condition was gradually deteriorating.
“…”
And the reason was, of course, because she hadn’t heard any news from Egostic in a while.
Stardus had already watched too many videos of her battles with Egostic, and there was nothing more to watch. She let out a deep sigh.
“…Haah.”
…She knew it too. It wasn’t normal for a hero to want to see a villain. It might be strange for a hero to be concerned about the life and death of a villain.
So, she had denied herself so far.
But now, after experiencing various events, and most importantly, receiving a letter from Egostic, she decided to admit her true feelings.
Egostic was just…
She kept thinking about it, and it was bothering her.
“…”
Well, isn’t it normal for a hero to worry about their archenemy?
After all, Egostic used to worry about her, so why couldn’t it be the other way around? Yeah, it’s perfectly normal.
How many times had he saved her life? It’s normal to feel uneasy, worried, and wanting to see him when he’s not around. This has nothing to do with him being a villain.
“…What am I even talking about?”
Continuing with these thoughts, she found herself chuckling self-deprecatingly without realizing it. It seems like she has finally lost her mind after a day.
“Even so…”
…That’s just how she’s feeling right now. Why isn’t he coming?
And during that time when she was feeling lonely all day.
“Dinner?”
She received a message from the association president. Shadow Walker is coming to the association today after a long time, so why not have a dinner gathering while he’s here?
“Hmm…”
If it’s a dinner, there might be alcohol, right? Could alcohol help calm this feeling down?
She replied with that thought in mind, even though she forgot that she’s weak with alcohol.
***
Dinner.
Even the Hero Association, responsible for the safety of South Korea, occasionally has dinner gatherings just like regular office workers.
Of course, there haven’t been many lately due to the incidents and accidents, but this dinner was arranged because Shadow Walker visited the association after a long time.
In the dinner gathering attended by none other than Stardus, Shadow Walker, and other A-class heroes.
The association president was listening to Shadow Walker’s complaints the entire time.
“I’ve been having a tough time lately, it’s really hard…”
The man whose face turned red from drinking alone is Kim Ja-hyun, an A-class hero known as Shadow Walker.
And the blonde woman sitting across from him is Stardus, another A-class hero.
With Kim Ja-hyun’s complaints in full swing, the association president felt like Stardus should respond.
“…”
Stardus seemed to have already been affected by alcohol, and she had been silently staring at her beer bottle, not responding to anything. The president had to suppress a sigh as he watched her. It seemed like dealing with the drunk was his responsibility.
“Well, Ja-hyun, don’t stress too much. Anyway, aren’t you doing your job well, no matter what?”
“Sir…”
After settling in his seat, Kim Ja-hyun placed his beer on the table, and he spoke almost in a mumble.
“I’m not. These days, there are no villains terrorizing at night. Even the villains who occasionally cause terror at night counter me. My existence as a hero seems diminished… The future looks bleak. Haa.”
After pouring out his complaints for a while, he finally started drinking his beer heartily.
The association president, listening to his words, sighed as he watched Stardus down her beer in one go without saying a word.
‘This is a big problem.’
“Oh, this cursed life. In my heyday, you know? I could just gesture, and all the villains would be fallen down. Oh, where have the good times gone? Oh, god.”
“…”
Now, as the association president’s head was starting to ache while watching Shadow Walker indulging in alcohol in earnest.
-Thunk.
From the other side, a loud sound was heard as Stardus placed her beer cup on the floor.
“…Stardus?”
The president cautiously addressed her like that. Her head hung low, she quietly held her empty beer cup.
Only then did the president realize that while Shadow Walker had been talking, Stardus had emptied her beer bottle by herself.
“Are you okay…? I think you should stop drinking…”
And the moment the president carefully spoke like that.
“Why…”
Out of the blue, Stardus started mumbling.
“Why, why…”
Holding an empty beer glass in her hand, she continued to mumble. Then, she raised her head suddenly, her flushed face quivering, and she mumbled with a hint of tears.
“Why aren’t you terrorizing…”
“Haa…”
“Ugh. In my heyday, you know? At night, I was Shadow Walker… But now… Ugh. I was beaten by Icicle, even in Ancate, and Suk-hee…! I’m sorry…”
“So annoying… Hic.”
“…”
“Shadow Walker… Boom is coming…”
“Haa… I’m going crazy.”
The association president sighed while one side sobbed and the other side ranted. These were the two pillars of the Republic of Korea, A-class heroes.
How am I going to send you two home…?
***
The next morning.
“Ugh… my head.”
Stardus, who had risen from her bed, instinctively grabbed her throbbing head and struggled to open her eyes. Only then did she remember the events of the previous day.
“Why aren’t you terrorizing!”
“I’m insane… I’m crazy…”
Remembering what she did yesterday, she covered her face with her hands. Shin Haru, you’re insane. Be more careful from now on.
Feeling slightly dizzy, she mindlessly turned on the TV.
And there, on the screen…
[Hello. This is Egostic!]
“Hmm…?”
Egostic seemed to have turned on the broadcast.
Wait, what’s going on…?
Shin Haru suddenly snapped to attention.
