A Deep Conversation
A Deep Conversation
Maybe because it was evening, the wind blew colder than ever.
Maybe it was the fire erupting up ahead, but I wasn't cold. Still, the wind was blowing Stardus's hair to my right.
"It's even nicer to see you after so long. Have you been well?"
"..."
She just stared at me with a really complicated expression as I greeted her.
I mean, what was so complicated? She should simply attack me.
While I was thinking that, Stardus hesitated for a second, then spoke again.
"...You knew I was coming?"
"Yes. Of course."
"...Why?"
"Well, obviously because Shadow Walker couldn't handle it on his own, so you came in person, right?"
"...Right. I guess so..."
She flinched slightly at my words, then said that in a somewhat lower voice.
Anyway, while looking at Stardus like that, I also glanced at the situation next to us.
Hmm, still looked intense. Just a whole lot of flashing and booming and chaos.
But it felt like Mist was getting pushed back a bit.
Yeah, we'd been standing in this cold wind for a while; it was about time to leave.
So while the side was sheer chaos—flames, destruction, battle cries, gale-force winds whipping around—here we were, still in a standoff, with me smiling quietly.
Of course, I didn't miss the chance and pulled my hand out of my pocket, holding the detonator.
"Ah, right. And as always, you know I've brought the detonator, right? If you attack me, I'll press it immediately, so please be careful."
"...Right. Of course you did."
Stardus answered that way as if she'd expected nothing else from the beginning. Hmm, was this learned helplessness? Should I try a different pattern next time?
While I was having these idle thoughts, Stardus was still looking at me with that complicated expression on her face.
'...'
Yeah, she kept looking at me. It was disconcerting.
'...No, seriously, what's up with her?'
I couldn't figure out why she was merely floating in the air and staring at me. Hadn't she come to help Shadow Walker? Why was she doing this in front of me? It was troublesome. If she kept it up, executing Plan B would become extremely difficult.
For the record, the Plan B I meant was simple: Sequence R.U.N. Run. Get the hell out. I would grab Mist and leave faster than anyone. This attack wasn't really a major event for me, but a showcase introducing Mist as a regular member of Ego Stream and proving that Ego Stream could now take on even Shadow Walker. Once those two points had been demonstrated, we could leave without issue.
For that reason, Stardus appearing as backup wouldn't have been a problem. The moment she joined Shadow Walker and attacked Mist, I would jump in, grab Mist, deliver my closing speech, and flee. The image would be perfect too.
But the problem then was that Stardus was not going to help Shadow Walker and was instead standing right in front of me.
I kept my surprise hidden, but I was getting flustered. Ha-ru, go fight already. What are you doing standing in front of me?
Just as I was thinking that, Stardus spoke.
"...Why did you do this?"
"...Huh? Well... because I'm a villain?"
What kind of obvious question is that?
When I answered like that, still smiling but slightly puzzled, Stardus shook her head as if that wasn't what she meant and asked again.
"Not that... Latis. I asked why you stopped their attack. Why you did something like that."
"Uh..."
I was taken aback by the unexpected question.
No, she's asking that now? Right next to us, there was a brawl with explosions and chaos, and she wasn't joining them?
What she asked was also somewhat surprising. The incident had happened a month or two earlier. Knowing Stardus's personality, she should have thought, 'Whatever a villain does is none of my concern. It is probably another trick or untrue,' and ignored it. That would have been normal for her.
With that thought, I glanced back at her.
And I met her gaze, looking at me with resolute eyes.
...What the hell, why does she look so serious?
Wait, come to think of it, I already claimed ignorance at the start of the broadcast. Didn't she see that?
Well, that was just something I said in front of the public to deny it, in case it caused issues.
The camera was off us then, so I supposed I could give Stardus a different answer. Looking at her, she didn't seem likely to accept that excuse anyway.
Having made that calculation, I quickly thought of what to say.
Then, I grinned at Stardus once more and replied.
"I didn't know you were so interested in such tabloid rumors, Stardus."
"...Stop joking—"
"Well, if I had to give a reason... Didn't I tell you last time about my plans and everything?"
I said that, then continued as if stating the obvious.
"I told you—and only you—what my goal was. Have you forgotten? I intend to build South Korea's largest villain alliance and stand against the Association. If small fry like that steal all the public's attention, it puts me in a difficult position. So yes, I pulled a few strings to preserve Ego Stream's exclusive position. It wasn't for South Korea's sake, of course."
Ah, saying all that in one go was rough on my throat.
With that thought, I shrugged.
...Come to think of it, this was a pretty funny sight.
My subordinate... or whatever, Mist, and her colleague Shadow Walker were fighting like it was a matter of life and death right next to us. What the hell were we even doing? While they were hurting from their brawl, I was hurting from talking too much.
With that thought, I glanced back at the two of them fighting over there.
With all the fire, shadows, noise, and spectacle, it was hard to see clearly, but they were still fighting fiercely while we stood there talking. It even looked as though Mist was being pushed back toward us. Wait—pushed back?
The moment that thought hit me, I immediately checked the chat window again.
[Pretty sure Shadow Walker's got the upper hand now?]
[fr, Mist's getting pushed back!]
[Still, holding out alone against Shadow Walker for this long is impressive. Isn't he almost unbeatable at night?]
[fr even, Mist even had a slight edge at the beginning lol. Shadow just gets stronger with endurance as the fight goes on.]
[Honestly, if you were just watching Mist and ignoring the fight, hell yeah lol]
[fr lol, for a sec I forgot Mist was a villain and started cheering for her ah lol]
[Villain? Nonsense! Everyone knows every Ego Stream member is a 'hero.' Memorize it.]
[Seems right that Mist is starting to lose ground a bit]
...Hmm, it seemed the moment to run had arrived.
As I was starting to feel anxious, she retorted, as if my earlier words hadn't pleased her.
"...You expect me to believe that?"
"No, I told you nothing but the truth—ahem. I told you the truth, and you still respond like that. You put me in a difficult position."
...It was a perfect excuse, so why wouldn't she believe it? Did she simply filter out everything a villain said?
But separately from that, her expression hardened slightly the moment I coughed a little to clear my throat.
She hesitated slightly, then asked, still with a grim expression.
"...Anyway, fine. Forget that. You... coughed up blood last time, didn't you?"
"...Um, blood?"
"Yes. Blood. You can't fool my eyes. During that last attack, didn't you cough up blood? Is there something wrong with your body?"
She asked as if interrogating me.
...No, when had she seen that? That was why sharp-eyed heroes were a real problem.
But why was she asking that? Ah, was she mocking me a little? Like, ‘You look like there's something wrong with you. Guess you'll die soon? Pfft.’ No. There was no way she was genuinely worried about me.
So, I answered teasingly instead.
"Well, I never would have guessed you'd worry about me so much, Stardus."
"It's not worry..."
"Yes, yes. It was just a momentary thing because I was having a hard time. My body is fine, so don't worry. I won't stop my terrorist attacks until the moment I die, so please look forward to them."
"..."
Having teased her that far, I checked the battle situation once more.
[Wait, is Mist actually about to get caught?]
[Shadow Walker's furious rush hahaha]
[Egostic, where'd you go? She's about to lose, man]
[Shadow's completely back in form, damn lol]
Ah, we were screwed.
Realizing I had delayed too long, I hurriedly said goodbye to Stardus, whose expression looked slightly displeased yet oddly relieved.
"Anyway! The conversation was enjoyable. Now, I'll be off to save my comrade!"
"Huh? Hey, wait—"
Wait for what. There's no time now.
Saying that, I teleported in an instant. Where to, obviously? To where Mist was.
As soon as I moved, I felt the searing heat and the gusting wind hitting me.
In the midst of it, I hugged Mist from behind as she was being attacked by the shadows and teleported us right back to the side.
"Huff, huff... you came?"
"Yes. Sorry I'm late."
I said that while looking at Seo Ja-yeong, who was gasping for breath. I had overworked her, especially considering how lazy she was and how she lay around all day. I felt genuinely sorry.
Anyway, Shadow Walker, who had been slashing the empty air after my sudden interruption, turned his head, saw us, and approached. Stardus, who was on the other side, also flew toward us.
An impromptu four-way hero-villain face-off under the night sky. Shadow Walker, gasping for breath and looking at me, and Stardus, looking at me hugging Mist with a displeased expression.
Naturally, with the camera still filming us even with Stardus here, I spoke with a smirk.
"Unfortunately, the fight ends here! It seems the time has come for us to part ways."
[LOL he's about to lose so the relief pitcher makes his entrance lol]
[fr I was just waiting for Egostic to show up]
[Ending the broadcast already, but today's was pretty solid]
[lol Shadow Walker's like a dog chasing a chicken lol]
[When did Stardus get here? Just now?]
[He runs away as soon as Stardus shows up lol]
"So you're Egostic."
"Yes, Shadow Walker. You're quite strong. We'll have to bring reinforcements next time."
"..."
Standing between Shadow, gasping for breath as he looked at me; Stardus, still watching us with a disgruntled expression; and Seo Ja-yeong, looking back and forth between me and Stardus with a meaningful smile, I was preparing to deliver my closing speech.
Right. That was the plan.
Until Seo Ja-yeong, with a slightly wicked smile, did something unexpected.
"???"
...Has she lost it?