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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The PMC's Deduction
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Villain.
What is a villain?
They are typically evil characters in creative works who oppose the protagonist. Among them, main villains often confront the protagonist to the very end, posing a constant threat. As an added bonus, they often appear to be terrifying masterminds, making one wonder if the protagonist can even win.
And I, if you look at it now, could be considered a main villain. No, I've confronted Stardus to the very end and she even acknowledged me as her archenemy, so what else would I be if not the main villain?
And so, we, the most influential villainous alliance in South Korea, composed solely of super-powered individuals, were...
"What is this?"
"It's cotton candy."
...making and eating cotton candy.
Well, sometimes a person needs to eat something sweet to live.
In the front garden of the mansion. The garden that our Uncle Death Knight completely redid, claiming he'd make it as a hobby.
Choi Se-hee and Seo Ja-young, who somehow managed to get a cotton candy machine, were there.
And so, an impromptu cotton candy feast unfolded in front of the garden.
"....This is quite fascinating."
The one showing the most interest was our centuries-old Spirit Lady.
Her appearance, dressed in a traditional white dress with a hairpin in her hair, eating cotton candy with sparkling eyes, was quite surreal.
Of course, I also held a piece of cotton candy.
Pink cotton candy. I tore off a bit and put it in my mouth, and it melted away.
...It felt like a very long time since I'd had it, probably since I went to an amusement park as a child.
"Hahahaha! It's time for free cotton candy distribution! Everyone, line up!"
As I listened to Uncle Desik, who had learned how to make it and was excitedly churning out cotton candy behind the machine, I asked Seo Ja-young, who was next to me, munching on a piece of cotton candy as big as a house.
"Seriously, where did you even find this?"
"Hm? I saw it for sale online. So I just snapped one up."
Seo Ja-young said, lying on a bench and putting another piece of cotton candy into her mouth.
She closed her eyes and smiled happily as she munched, seemingly quite pleased with the cotton candy.
"Oppa. What are you doing over there? Come here."
Just then, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me.
I looked and saw it was Seo Eun, holding a light blue cotton candy in her hand.
"Try this flavor too. It's delicious."
Then, naturally, she tore off a piece of her cotton candy and put it in my mouth.
The cotton candy dissolved smoothly on my tongue.
"How is it?"
"It's good. Sweet."
Honestly, I couldn't taste any difference between the pink and the light blue. One was supposed to be strawberry and the other blueberry... Why was that?
Anyway, both were sweet and delicious.
And so, a sudden, impromptu picnic unfolded in front of the mansion.
It started with a cotton candy machine, but everyone came out and their faces were blooming with smiles. It was a nice sight.
While we were relaxing, even laying out picnic mats for the occasion, Seo Eun, who was diligently taking pictures of me eating cotton candy, suddenly asked me.
"Oppa, you know what?"
"Hmm?"
"How about we try social media?"
"Social media?"
To my question, Seo Eun began to explain patiently.
Basically, the idea was to create an official Ego Stream account to boost our public recognition and upload photos of our villainous activities or daily life. For example, like now, we could upload pictures of us having fun, with our faces obscured.
"...And when that woman sees us like this, heh. She'll..."
I didn't quite catch her last words because they were too quiet, but I figured it was something similar.
Anyway, I fell into thought for a moment at Seo Eun's words, as her eyes sparkled.
...Well. Is there really a reason to do it? My recognition in Korea is already incredibly high, and internationally, besides Japan, my existence isn't particularly known. Plus, if I run it, it'll just waste time.
"Not really. I don't think we need it right now."
"Aw..."
Seo Eun looked a bit disappointed, but I managed to reassure her by saying I might reconsider if the situation changed later.
...And, thinking about it again, it might not be a bad idea to run it after I quit terrorizing and retire.
Anyway, as we chatted about this and that, I relaxed, drinking tea with Ms. Soobin, who had brought it over.
...I wondered if it was okay to be eating cotton candy and doing this in these chaotic times, but well. Maybe taking a break like this sometimes helps us work harder later. I'll have to go on another expedition to catch another villain soon anyway.
As I was relaxing.
"Hmm...?"
Just then, I got a call from Lee Seol-ah.
***
"Oh, really? Hmm..."
[Yes. They say there's a solution, but I'm not sure what it is. Still, she didn't seem to be in a bad mood.]
"Alright. Thanks...."
[Oh, right. And I got permission for the PMC too! I'd like to meet them soon. It seems like they're planning to give them some real-world practice?]
"Really? That's great."
I couldn't help but be happy at her next words. Yes. We need to help our PMC grow quickly. Stardus's help will be a great foundation.
[Yes. We can set up a schedule later. I'll also go down and see the kids... and naturally introduce them to Stardus.]
"Right. We just need to set a date..."
After discussing the PMC and the Moonlight Church further, I hung up the phone.
Alright, I should let our PMC know soon. I need to go see them.
I finished my thoughts.
***
*
[101 Reasons Why Egostick Loves Stardus]
1. His first activity was killing a villain, and even then, he left a message saying 'To Stardus.'
2. His first ship terror attack immediately called for Stardus, LOL.
3. He called Stardus for the train terror attack too, then praised Stardus for stopping it and even patted her on the head << Is this even possible if he doesn't like her??? Skinship???
4. Suddenly, an alligator villain appeared in the middle of Seoul, and when Stardus didn't show up, probably because she was far away, he just stepped in and took care of it himself, LOL. Completely blocked Stardus from getting any flak, LOL.
5. It was mentioned that he lives with the Ego Stream members, and despite most of them being women, there's never been a single rumor of romance.
6. If you look at the villain clean-ups, most of them are concentrated in the Seoul area, LOL. He just did it for Stardus, LOL.
*
*
*
99. When that Demon Lord Castle villain appeared, he immediately flew over and saved Stardus... What is this? At this point, it's 'love.'
100. And now that I think about it while writing, even their names are similar: Ego(i)stick and Stardus(t). OMG....
101. The fact that all Ego Stream members except Desik are women? What does that mean? The academic consensus is that Stardus didn't want to see him fight with other men.
For the reasons above, it is 'common sense' that Egostick loves Stardus, and
I think Stardus should promptly accept the advances of S-rank hero Egostick, who has saved South Korea countless times by himself, and they should get together. Upvote if you agree LOL.
=[Comments]=
[Damn, I saw the title and thought no way, but they actually wrote 101 reasons, you crazy madman LOL. Giving you an upvote for the effort.]
[Seeing this, it really does seem like Egostick likes Stardus, LOL. What the heck? I hit like.]
ㄴ[Because... it's true!]
[Seriously, if Stardus doesn't accept Egostick? Wouldn't that be worse? It's a sin if they don't get together.]
[...That actually makes sense.]
[S-S-rank hero Egostick cannot be handled by Stardus alone. It's 'common sense' that he should get together with all of Ego Stream first, since they're the original ones, right?]
ㄴ[LOL, for real. The Ego Stream members probably wouldn't give up either, LOL.]
ㄴ[Don't say such ridiculous nonsense. I'm utterly speechless.]
ㄴ[@Newday313 Huh... This person always sides with Stardus..... Are you Stardus?]
ㄴ[...]
ㄴ[This is Egostick's fan cafe, why would Stardus be here? LOL. You're just like those Electric Mango Grill Faction people, harassing innocent members, tsk tsk.]
ㄴ[I'm not part of the Electra Faction? I'm the Moonlight Mango Faction!]
ㄴ[Ego Stream = Electra Mango, Moonlight Mango, Purple Mango, Hacker Mango, they're all there. Stardus = alone. So who should he get together with?]
ㄴ[Why did you leave out Ice Mango? That's the original one...]
ㄴ[Are you ignoring the rising Japan Mango?]
ㄴ[Damn it, why is a post titled "101 Reasons Why Egostick Loves Stardus" turning into a debate about who Egostick's girlfriend should be? LOL, this is insane!]
*
"...."
"Hey, Lee Se-geom. What are you doing?"
"Hm?"
The PMC affiliated with Yoo-sung Group.
Main building.
Seo Chae-young, PMC Member #2, who had been talking with others, spoke to Lee Se-geom, PMC Member #1, who was intently staring at his smartphone.
"It's nothing much. What is it?"
"Honestly. You know what Teacher Dain told us today? That we finally get to see Stardus. You should be thinking about how to greet Ms. Stardus when we meet her directly."
She grumbled slightly, yet unable to hide her excitement, the orange-haired bob-cut girl spoke.
With Dain's continuous indoctrination that Stardus was the best, she was full of anticipation at the thought of finally meeting the person she admired.
PMC Members #3 and #4 felt the same.
Of course, Member #1 was also excited. Isn't Stardus the pinnacle of current South Korea? He also wanted to catch a glimpse of her power.
And so, they all gathered and began to discuss.
The only regrettable thing was that Dain had asked them not to mention him to Stardus if possible. It was disappointing for them, who wanted to introduce their mentor.
As their conversation bloomed.
Lee Se-geom, the one with white hair tied back, quietly pondered something else.
"....."
Teacher Dain, who always said Stardus was the best.
Egostick, who had 101 reasons to like Stardus.
The familiar feeling he always got whenever he saw Egostick on TV.
Dain's strangely evasive mentions of Egostick, the current #1 villain.
Lee Se-geom's thoughts followed one after another, like a chain.
And finally, he made a decision.
To share his hypothesis with his colleagues.
"But why did Teacher Dain tell us not to talk about him to Stardus?"
"Yeah, why?"
"No matter how I look at it, he seems to have a hidden identity... but I can't figure out what it is..."
"It definitely feels like he's either a hero or a villain."
Listening to the conversation between Members #2 and #3, Member #1 finally spoke.
"...I think I've roughly figured out Teacher Dain's true identity."
"Huh?"
The other three blinked in surprise at Lee Se-geom's sudden words.
And then, he calmly.
Told them his thoughts.
"My guess is, Teacher Dain is probably..."
"-A-rank villain, Egostick."
"....Huh?"
And so.
Without Dain's knowledge.
A small ripple of shock spread through the PMC.