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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Interrogation
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Perhaps because it was evening, the wind blew even colder.
I wasn't cold, probably because of the constant blasts of fire from the front, but the wind made Stardust's hair, in front of me, flutter to the right.
"It's good to see you again after so long. Have you been well?"
"..."
She stared at me with a rather complex expression as I offered my greetings.
No, what's there to be complicated about? Just attack.
As I was thinking that, Stardust hesitated for a moment, then opened her mouth again.
"...Did you know I would come?"
"Yes, of course."
"...Why?"
"Well, obviously, Shadow Walker couldn't handle it, so you came yourself, right?"
"...Yes. That's right..."
She paused slightly at my words, then said that in a slightly lower voice.
Anyway, even as I watched Stardust, I glanced at the situation beside us.
Hmm, still intense. Everything was flashing and exploding and chaotic.
But now, it felt like our Mist was slightly being pushed back.
Right, I'd been standing in the cold wind for a while, it was about time to leave.
So, while the side was burning, breaking, shouting, and raging with strong winds, we remained quietly smiling, in a standoff.
Of course, I didn't miss the opportunity. I grabbed a device from my pocket and held out my hand.
"Oh, right. And as always, you know I brought the detonator, right? If you attack me, I'll press it immediately, so please be careful."
"...Yes, I suppose so."
Stardust replied as if she hadn't expected much anyway. Hmm, is this learned helplessness? ...Maybe I should try a different pattern next time.
As I was lost in such idle thoughts, Stardust was still looking at me with a complex expression.
'...'
Yes, she kept staring at me, bewildered.
'...No, what's wrong with her?'
I had no idea why she was just floating there, watching me. Wasn't she here to help Shadow Walker? Why was she doing this in front of me? It was inconvenient. This would make executing Plan B very awkward.
Incidentally, Plan B was simple: Sequence R.U.N. Run. As in, escape. To take Mist and retreat faster than anyone else. This terror plot was, after all, less about being my main act and more of a showcase introducing Mist, Egostream's new official member. The goal was to show that Egostream could even stand against Shadow Walker! Meaning, once these two things were shown, I could go home without any problem.
For that reason, even if Stardust came as backup, it wouldn't be an issue. The moment Stardust came to help Shadow Walker and attacked our Mist, I would intervene, grab Mist, deliver my closing remarks, and flee. The picture would be perfect.
But the problem now was that Stardust wasn't going to help Shadow Walker; she was in front of me.
So, though I didn't show it, I was slightly flustered. *Haru, you should be fighting. What are you doing standing in front of me?*
Just as I was thinking that, Stardust finally opened her mouth.
"...Why did you do such a thing?"
"...Pardon? Uh... well, because I'm a villain?"
What kind of obvious question was that?
As I replied, still smiling but slightly puzzled, Stardust shook her head slightly, as if that wasn't what she meant, and asked again.
"Not that... I meant, Latice. Why did you stop their terror attack? Why did you do such a thing?"
"Oh..."
I was slightly taken aback by the unexpected question.
No, she's asking that *now*? Right next to us, there's crashing and banging and chaos, and she's not joining in?
Moreover, the content of the question was also a bit surprising. That happened a month or two ago. Based on Stardust's personality that I knew, she should normally just ignore it, thinking, 'Whatever a villain does is none of my business. It's either a new deception or not true.'
Thinking that, I glanced back at her.
And met her resolute gaze.
...What? Why does she look so serious?
Wait, now that I think about it, I already explained that I had nothing to do with it when the broadcast started. Did she not see that?
But then again, that was something I said in front of the public, so I denied it outright in case there were problems.
Since the cameras were rolling anyway, I could probably say something different to Stardust. Besides, she didn't seem like she'd be convinced by such an excuse now.
With that calculation made, I quickly thought of what to say.
Then, I grinned at Stardust once more and replied.
"I didn't expect Ms. Stardust to care so much about mere rumors."
"...Stop joking—"
"Well, if you must know. Didn't I tell you about my plans and other things last time?"
I said that much, then continued as if stating the obvious.
"I told only you what my goal was. Have you forgotten? My goal is to form the largest villainous alliance in South Korea and oppose the Association. But if those small fry hog all the public's attention, it puts me in a bit of a difficult position. So, yes, I did exert a bit of influence. To maintain Egostream's exclusive status. It wasn't for South Korea, of course."
Ah, talking for so long at once makes my throat sore.
With that thought, I shrugged my shoulders.
...Now that I think about it, this is a bit of a funny scene.
My subordinate...? Mist, and her colleague, Shadow Walker, are fighting as if their lives depended on it right next to us. What are we doing? They're hurting from fighting, and I'm hurting from talking too much.
Thinking that, I stole another glance at those fighting on the other side.
It was hard to see clearly due to all the flames, shadows, and noise, but they were still fiercely fighting even while we stood still and talked. In fact, it seemed like they were gradually getting pushed closer to us. Wait, pushed?
As soon as that thought struck me, I immediately checked the chat window again.
[Looks like Shadow Walker definitely has the upper hand now?]
[OMG Mist is really getting pushed back!]
[But it's amazing she's stood against Shadow Walker alone for this long. Doesn't anyone ever beat him at night?]
[Seriously, Mist was even slightly superior at first lol. Shadow just gets stronger and stronger with endurance as the fight goes on.]
[If you honestly didn't care about the fight and were just watching Mist, give a thumbs up lolol]
[LOL yeah, I momentarily forgot Mist sis was a villain and was cheering her on, ah lol]
[Villain? Nonsense! It's common knowledge that all Egostream members are 'heroes'. Memorize that.]
[Mist seems to be getting pushed back a little, yeah.]
...Hmm, it seems like it's almost time to flee.
As I was starting to feel impatient, she, perhaps displeased with what I had said earlier, retorted.
"...You expect me to believe that?"
"No, I told you nothing but the truth, *cough*. I told you the truth, so I'm at a loss if you react like that."
...It was clearly a perfect reason, so why wouldn't she believe me? Is it just that she dismisses anything a villain says?
But separate from that, the moment I coughed to clear my throat, her expression stiffened slightly.
She hesitated a bit, then, her face still rigid, asked.
"...Anyway, fine. Forget that. You... you coughed up blood last time, didn't you?"
"...Um, blood?"
"Yes, blood. You can't deceive my eyes. During the last terror attack, didn't you cough up blood while coughing? Is there something wrong with your body?"
She pressed me, almost interrogating.
...No, when did she see that? This is why quick-witted heroes are such a problem.
But why was she asking this? Ah, was she asking mockingly? Like, 'You look like you have a problem with your body, are you going to die soon? Pfft.' Something like that. Surely, she couldn't be worrying about me.
So, I replied, rather teasingly.
"Well, I never thought Ms. Stardust would worry about me so much."
"It's not worry—"
"Yes, yes. I was just a little tired then, and my body is perfectly fine, so you don't need to worry. I will never stop terrorizing until I'm on the verge of death, so please look forward to it."
"..."
Having said that much in a teasing manner, I checked the combat situation again.
[No way, Mist is really gonna get caught?]
[Shadow Walker's furious rush LOLOLOL]
[Where's Egostick? Your sis is about to lose, man!]
[Shadow's fully back in form, damn it hahaha]
Oh, damn it.
Realizing I had wasted too much time, I quickly bid farewell to Stardust, who was wearing a look that was a mix of displeasure and… relief?
"Anyway! It was a pleasure talking to you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go rescue my colleague!"
"Huh? Hey, wait a minute..."
What wait a minute? There's no time.
Having said that much, I instantly teleported. Where to, of course? To where Mist was.
The moment I teleported, I felt intense heat and a strong gust of wind.
Amidst it all, I embraced Mist, who was being attacked by shadows, from behind and instantly teleported us to the side again.
"Haa, haa... You came?"
"Yes. I apologize for being late."
Watching Seo Ja-young, who was panting and speaking to me, I replied. I had overexerted someone who was already lazy and just liked to lie around all day. I felt a great deal of regret.
Anyway, Shadow Walker, who had just slashed through empty air due to my sudden intrusion, turned his head, saw us, and approached. Stardust, who had been on the other side, also flew towards us.
A sudden four-way confrontation between heroes and villains under the night sky. Shadow Walker, who was also panting and looking at me, and Stardust, who was watching me embrace Mist with a displeased expression.
Naturally, with this scene now being filmed by cameras to include Stardust, I grinned and opened my mouth.
"Regrettably, the fight ends here! It seems the time has come for us to part ways."
[He's about to lose, so he brings in a relief pitcher lolol]
[LOL, I was just waiting for Egostick to show up.]
[Already ending the broadcast? Still, today's stream was pretty substantial.]
[Hahaha, Shadow Walker's like a dog chasing a chicken, only for it to fly away, lol.]
[When did Stardust arrive? Just now?]
[Stardust comes, and he immediately bails lolol]
"...Egostick."
"Yes, Mr. Shadow Walker. You're quite strong. Next time, we'll have to reinforce ourselves."
"..."
Standing between Shadow, who was panting and looking at me, Stardust, who was still watching us with a displeased expression, and Seo Ja-young, who was giving me and Stardust meaningful glances, I was preparing to deliver my closing remarks.
Yes. That was the plan.
Until Seo Ja-young, who had been wearing a slightly wicked smile, made an unexpected move.
"....?"
...Is she crazy?