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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Original Story
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The Original.
Living in this world, the Original has always been my guide.
This world is based on the original comic, and through it, I know the future of this world.
In other words, what happened in the Original almost invariably happens here.
Of course, there is one difference between the Original and this world.
That is the existence of a character named Egostic, who was not in the Original. Yes. I am the sole difference between the Original and this world. There's nothing else.
So, the conclusion is that events and their timing, anything I haven't directly interfered with, generally unfold exactly as they did in the Original. If a villain first appeared in the Original around this time? Then they appear at precisely the same time in this world too. Especially overseas, where my influence doesn't reach at all, almost everything proceeds perfectly as seen in the Original.
...However, of course. Due to the things I've caused, a butterfly effect or something similar sometimes leads to events different from the Original. Like that time the crocodile villain launched a terror attack earlier than expected, or when the Moonlight Cult used a monster meant for the final battle prematurely.
So, ever since then, when I plan based on the Original, I always prepare to some extent for the possibility that things might not go exactly as in the Original. Of course, it's rare for that to happen, so I just make rough sketches. Naturally, almost everything proceeds according to Plan A.
And now.
I'm facing a crisis where I might have to use those roughly sketched Plan B and C.
In that room, consumed by darkness, where all the building's CCTV screens were visible.
I watched Stardust descending endlessly into the underground, deep in thought.
"No... she shouldn't be doing that, I keep telling myself."
[What's wrong with it? She seems to be having fun going down right now.]
Seo-eun's words, relayed by the camera-equipped jellyfish robot, as it wriggled while watching the screen. Unlike Seo-eun, who didn't understand the problem, I, who roughly knew the future, was taking this matter seriously.
This event isn't something that can be resolved in a single day like that.
To be precise, Stardust should struggle for about a week, resting at the Association and then getting lost in the changed paths each time she returns, destroying all the scattered demon-generating devices in the vicinity, and *only then* proceed to the final boss's room.
Only by weakening the villain, who is self-sealed, can he realistically be faced.
But now, Stardust was heading straight down without hesitation.
No, she didn't do that in the Original, so why now...
Watching the entire scene with a heavy heart, I soon snapped back to reality and began to seriously ponder.
...The best-case scenario would be for her to change her mind and return to the Association before reaching the final boss's room.
However, seeing her stride purposefully along the exact route to the final boss's location, that possibility seemed rather low.
In other words, I needed to operate under the worst-case assumption: that she would reach Demonz's location today.
And what were the chances of Stardust fighting and winning against Demonz in that scenario...?
'...It'll be tough, I think.'
Even if Stardust had become stronger than in the Original, the current situation itself was worse than in the Original.
In the Original, Demonz's power had weakened as most of his subordinate demons, who served as nourishment, were defeated, and he couldn't even break half of his seal, weakening him to about half of his original abilities. Yet, even then, the Stardust of the Original couldn't defeat him, leading to several demons flapping away and escaping.
Furthermore, the current Stardust was exhausted from continuous combat. She's been descending almost without rest. I don't know why she's doing that. Especially... considering that the darker the lower levels get, the more those dark tentacles constantly whisper negative thoughts. Her physical condition probably isn't good. Could she really fight in that state?
But of course, this is just my thought. Stardust might actually be able to beat that final boss. She might even grow another step stronger in this fight. Should I arbitrarily stop her from doing that?
...
And so, on one side of the Demon Castle's ground floor.
I seriously pondered.
Should I grab my Holy-Cross right now, teleport to the final boss's room, stake the slumbering guy through the heart, and end this whole mess?
Or should I trust Stardust and just watch?
After a brief contemplation, I made my decision.
Yes. For now, I'll trust her.
I've been going around calling myself Stardust's arch-enemy, so how could I not root for my rival hero?
Of course, she'll probably lose...
But still, she might gain some realization during the fight.
Having thought that far, I decided to stay put for now and not intervene. Yes. And besides, Stardust might still change her mind and return to the Association.
However, I should still prepare in advance.
Prepare to step in.
As I stood up, I spoke to Seo-eun.
"Seo-eun, can you display the screen showing Stardust on my mask right now? Linked to that jellyfish robot camera?"
[Uh... I'll try!]
After that, she fiddled with something, and soon.
A screen displaying Stardust's image appeared before my masked eyes.
Good, this way I can check if Stardust is safe at a glance. Nice.
Then, it's about time I went to do what needs to be done beforehand.
I picked up my Holy-Cross and said to Seo-eun.
"Seo-eun, I'm going to drop by my place for a bit, okay?"
[Huh? Why?]
"It seems I might have to step in. Let's get my Holy Bombs and Holy Cannons all ready in advance."
[Ah... they should be somewhere in the warehouse, I'll go look for them!]
After hearing Seo-eun's reply, I turned around and exited again.
...If things go well, I might see Stardust again very soon today. It seems I'll have to step in after all.
"Alright, well. This is a good chance to recover my image, which took a hit after Stardust thoroughly thrashed me last time."
I decided to think positively.
A villain that people fear. To become that, I need to prove my strength to some extent.
In other words, if Stardust is losing to Demonz, and I broadcast my intervention, defeating him instead of Stardust... wouldn't that roughly prove how strong I am? As for an excuse for intervening, I can just come up with something appropriate.
The truth is, I'm not actually strong; it's just that I possess a weapon that exploits Demonz's weakness, but I decided to gloss over that too. People won't know anyway.
So, I briefly returned home to re-equip, then headed back towards the Demon Castle.
Just as the sun set and I arrived.
Kwagwagwagwagwagwang—!
[How dare, who awakens this body------!!!]
With the sound of thunder, red clouds began to gather over the Trade Center, which had transformed into the Demon Castle.
Soon, something with a colossal body, looking like a demon king from a fantasy game, burst out, literally smashing through the building's ceiling with a red spear in hand.
"Tsk... So it came to this after all."
Swirling black mist, lightning striking from the sky, rising dust clouds, and booming explosions.
Watching the Trade Center become a real-time mess, I knelt on one knee in a nearby building, observing.
The seal has finally broken. I had expected it, but for it to break in less than a day is astonishing.
...But it really did break in a single day, isn't that too short a time to accumulate power?
Perhaps there's a chance.
A moment later, Stardust burst out from underground.
Demonz, who had been angrily smashing nearby buildings with its colossal red spear—or rather, the entity that had succeeded in imperfectly using its Demon King transformation ability—shouted at Stardust with red eyes.
[Was it you who awakened me------!!!]
[How dare you, ruin this body's plans....]
[I will send you to hellㅡ!]
The creature roared, shaking the very earth.
It had intended to gather power and transform the entire Republic of Korea into a demon realm, and now that its plans were thwarted, it looked incredibly furious.
...But Stardust really has gotten much stronger than before. I truly didn't expect it, but she broke through in a single day.
[[Breaking News] Association Issues Level 1 Alert Near Trade Center, Entire Area Restricted Access]
[[Field Photos] Demon-shaped Villain Appears... Experts Say Top-tier S-Class Ability User. Pray.]
[[Live Video] Stardust Confronts Appearing Villain... Seoul at Risk if She Loses]
*
[We're screwed, we're screwed, we're screwed]
[I live in Seoul, what is that? LOL why is lightning striking from a clear skyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Seriously, why do these things keep popping up in an already small countryㅋㅋㅋㅋ This is clearly a deliberate plot to destroy Korea...]
[Only trust Stardust, Stardust please... just win this once...]
Roughly checking the news alerts and broadcast chat, it seemed everyone was panicking over the sudden commotion.
Tsk. The visual impact really is unprecedented. Just looking at its appearance, you'd think it was the final villain from the Original. In reality, it's merely a mid-boss level villain that appears before the Moonlight Cult.
Contrary to my casual observation, the surroundings were already undergoing demonic invasion. Black tentacles slithered and crawled onto the ground. A sight that would make our Behemoth happy, as if he'd found a friend.
[...Oppa, is this really okay? He looks too strong, doesn't he? I'm not worried about Stardust, I'm worried about you...]
"Don't worry, Seo-eun. I really won't get hurt right now."
I reassured the anxious Seo-eun. He has a definite weakness; if I just use that, even Cha Yoon, Ha Yul's ordinary younger sibling, could potentially defeat him.
However, winning outright without that might not be easy... But still, just in case!
So I stood on the rooftop and watched the battle.
The creature radiated an immense presence, palpable even from here. And Stardust, with her yellow hair fluttering, confronted it.
Flashes of black, red, and yellow light glittered, painting the dark night sky.
As I watched, my face gradually hardened.
It was clear to anyone that Stardust was being pushed back.
Tsk... So, it's not going to work, after all.
Watching her get hit and sent sprawling again, I let out a groan and stood up. It's about time I stepped in.
And, just as I thought that.
"...Huh?"
Flash—!
[Kuaaaaaaaah-----!!!]
From a distance, Stardust was visible, gritting her teeth and throwing a punch.
Along with the creature's first cry of agony.
For a moment, the dark night sky was illuminated by a yellow light, as if a flashbang had detonated.
Kwagwagwagwagwagwang!
With the sound of something shattering, Demonz, or the Demon King, was sent flying backward.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Buildings shattered as it crashed into them.
"What, what?"
Seeing all that, I involuntarily muttered to myself and leaned forward. As I got a closer look, the scene became even clearer. Buildings were leveled in a straight line, as if struck by a massive energy blast, and the Demon King was sprawled in a corner.
Yes.
Our Stardust, she finally landed a hit on that durable Demon King.
[Wow....]
[What was that just now?]
[Stardust! Stardust! Stardust! Stardust! Stardust!]
[This is what a hero is, this is what a champion is LOLㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Seeing the linked chat window erupt with hope, I almost shed hot tears and applauded without realizing it. Yes. I knew it! This is our Stardust!
However, that lively chat window didn't last long.
[Ah, shit. We're screwed.]
Because the fallen Demon King, despite stumbling, picked up its red spear and rose again.
In contrast, our Stardust seemed to have exhausted her energy with that last strike, leaning against a side and barely breathing.
In this situation, the Demon King took one step after another, approaching the seemingly powerless Stardust.
Just as the viewers' anxiety reached its peak.
I quietly raised my mask and grinned.
"Alright... Stardust. You did well. I'll handle the rest."
Swooping in to take the glory. Truly an act befitting a nefarious villain. It's only natural for everyone to tremble in fear...!
Having made my assessment, I grabbed the camera, took my Holy-Weapon, and leaped straight off the building's rooftop.
Alright. The hero's time is over.
From now on, it's the villain's time.
"Ta-da! Good evening, I'm Egostic!"