-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Launch of Ego Stream
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"A Villain Alliance?"
"Yes."
The underground base.
I had gathered the members there and was explaining my grand plan.
To summarize in one sentence, we would become another force to counter the Hero Association.
The plan was to gather villains with diverse abilities and become another pillar of power in South Korea.
"...What exactly would we do after gathering them?"
"What we'd do? Terrorism and dealing with other villains."
"...No, you said we'd be a Villain Alliance. So what does it mean to deal with other villains?"
"What do you mean? It means we'll ally with villains who 'join us,' and we'll deal with villains who oppose us."
Just as I've dealt with numerous villains until now, I intend to continue that work. Of course, it'll mostly be me, with my knowledge of the original story, taking care of them.
We just need to recruit a few more new villains based on my original story knowledge. Only the strongest ones.
"Anyway, we need to decide on a name for our alliance. How about 'Ego Squad'?"
I proposed the name first. Ego Squad. Ego Platoon. It's not bad, is it?
But Choi Se-hee, hearing my words, replied with a subtle expression.
"So this is what you meant by 'Ego Squad' back then? Hmm... it's not bad, but..."
She propped her chin on her hand and began to think seriously.
Then, the others also started discussing what to name it, with serious expressions. No, wait. Why are they taking this so seriously? Just pick something random.
"Hey, guys? How about we just go with Ego Squad?"
As I waved my hand at them, Ha-yul turned her head, met my eyes, and replied.
"Dain Oppa. It's a name we'll keep using once we decide, so we should pick it properly the first time."
At her serious demeanor, exuding a strange aura, I found myself nodding unconsciously.
Th-that's right. Do as you please.
"...Oppa's villain name, if we had been there from the start... properly..."
They continued to whisper and discuss.
After several hours of discussion, the Villain Alliance's name was decided: Ego Stream.
...But what's the difference between that and Ego Squad?
***
Back to the present.
I was currently floating in the air, holding the unconscious Choi Se-hee in a princess carry.
Meeting Stardus's eyes.
"Long time no see. It's Egoistic. Nice to meet you!"
[Egoistic! Egoistic! Egoistic! Egoistic! Egoistic! Egoistic! Egoistic! Egoistic! Egoistic!]
[Oppa, I'm so dead! Oppa, I'm so dead! Oppa, I'm so dead!]
[What kind of situation is this now lolㅋㅋㅋ]
[The situation is hilarious as soon as the broadcast startsㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Conflict with Stardus ON right awayㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
The chat window was also greeting me warmly.
A chat window that, no matter when I saw it, was hard to believe belonged to a villain's broadcast, filled with people absolutely thrilled to see me. It had already become a playground for my fan club.
Anyway, the chat window isn't important right now.
For now, let's focus on Stardus in front of me.
"How have you been, Stardus?"
I winked at her as I greeted her.
After all, an attractive villain knows how to provoke their opponent by acting jovial and informally familiar with a hero.
In fact, my strategy seemed to work, as she looked a bit dumbfounded.
Her eyes were even trembling. No, what's wrong with her? Is it really that surprising?
Soon, she seemed to regain some composure and asked me in a slightly trembling voice.
"Egoistic... you, you were alive?"
What kind of question is that?
"Yes. Of course. I'm alive and well, limbs intact. Unfortunately for you!"
When I threw that joke, she let out a sigh, seemingly relieved.
What's the meaning of that sigh? She wouldn't be relieved that I'm alive, would she? Is she relieved that I still seem like a lunatic? I can't quite interpret it.
"...Right. That's a relief."
Huh? A relief?
"What? A relief? Was my being alive really such a relief to you? Wow, I had no idea Ms. Stardus thought so much of me. I should have sent my regards earlier. Hahaha!"
As I said that with a laugh, her face flushed slightly.
While I was laughing and joking on the outside, my mind was racing on the inside.
A relief? What's a relief? Ah, is it a relief that I was injured and moved last time? But why would Shin Ha-ru care about that? She's not usually the type to care about such things.
Wait, this is being broadcast.
I glanced at the chat window. As expected, it was a mess.
[A hero worrying about a villain... ooh la la]
["You were alive?" "That's a relief." Are they shooting a romance movie?]
[Reporters are probably furiously typing up dating scandal Season 2 right nowㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[I don't know what's going on, but I clipped it lolㅋㅋ]
[Stardus is hooked on Mangostick... South Korea is doomed...]
Alright. I should ignore the chat window now.
Anyway, as I continued to grin slyly, Stardus snapped back, her face still slightly flushed.
"It's a relief that *I* can personally put you in a detention center. Someone like you needs to face the solemn judgment of the law. I was merely worried you might have died somewhere without proper punishment, that's all I meant, no other meaning!"
Ah, so that's what it was?
Of course, she wouldn't have worried about me. A hero worrying about a villain? I've never heard of such a thing in my life.
To worry that I might have secretly died somewhere without facing legal judgment – that's so typical of Stardus.
...Separately, her face was still red. Why?
Anyway, she seemed to have collected herself again, and looking at Choi Se-hee in my arms, she asked me.
"...So, why are you here now?"
"Can't you tell by looking? I came to save my colleague."
"...Colleague?"
Stardus asked back, looking at me with a puzzled expression.
Right, this is where it gets important.
The time has come to inform Stardus, and at the same time, the entire nation watching this broadcast.
My ambition, my goal.
For now, let's start like this.
I continued to smile and spoke on.
"Yes! A colleague, that is. To be precise, a colleague who belongs to my 'alliance'."
"Alliance...?"
She asked back, looking at me. Her immediate reactions are good.
And, yes.
Now, let the show begin.
"That's right. An alliance!"
Saying that, I shot upwards.
Stardus flinched slightly, probably thinking I was attacking, but I just ascended a little higher into the sky, ignoring her reaction.
And when I had ascended enough to clearly look down on her.
I lowered my voice and began to speak, addressing her and the camera filming me from the front.
"Think about it. What do heroes have? They have the Association. Because there's an Association, there's support, cooperation, and power."
Saying that, I nodded.
In the camera feed, the Hero Association's building appeared behind me, thanks to pre-prepared CGI.
"But."
After saying that much, I paused slightly.
At the same time, the image of the Association disappeared behind me, and the background turned black. Simultaneously, the camera zoomed in.
Towards the screen that was gradually showing my face up close, I spoke quietly, almost a whisper.
"What, then, do villains have?"
The moment I said that, CGI appeared around me again.
Numerous villains being defeated by heroes circulated as small images around me.
Amidst those images, I spoke again.
"The history of villains has always been one of individual activity. That's why they were easily defeated one by one, unable to lead any force, fading away like a fleeting trend, arrested and disappearing into the detention centers."
I was now soaring higher into the sky, my cape fluttering. And still, Choi Se-hee, unconscious and breathing heavily, was held in my arms.
Looking down at her, I hugged her a little tighter and said in a low voice.
"How long must villains live like this?"
"How long must villains be defeated every time?"
"How long must villains act alone, in solitude?"
Having said that much, I raised my head again and looked directly at Stardus, and at the camera.
"I have a dream."
"A vision of the villains of this nation uniting to face heroes and their own enemies together."
"I have decided to create such a world myself."
"Allow me to introduce it!"
Having said that, I used telekinesis to hold Choi Se-hee in place, then spread my arms wide.
Along with that, subtitles appeared in front of me.
[THE EGOSTREAM]
Now, even majestic music began to play.
I slowly descended back to the ground, murmuring in a low voice.
"From now on, I will live for villains."
"The Villain Alliance, Ego Stream, launches today."
"You'd better be nervous, Association."
Having said that, I turned around, my cape fluttering. Behind me, my majestic cape billowed in the wind.
And then, the sound of wind from behind. Just as expected.
Still not turning around, I shouted loudly.
"Elect-chu! One million volts, right now!"
"...Haa."
Along with a low sigh from Choi Se-hee in my arms, strong streams of electric waves shot out from my chest towards the back.
Simultaneously, with a 'chiit' sound, I heard someone being grazed.
"...Stardus. You're still five years too early to catch me. Try a little harder."
As I subtly turned around, I saw Stardus dodging the electric waves. It seemed she had been waiting while I rambled, intending to launch a surprise attack when I let my guard down.
Not a bad strategy.
If her opponent hadn't been me, who saw right through her thought process.
"Well then, farewell! Adios."
"Hey!"
Saying that much, I quickly fled.
Turning off the broadcast that was going crazy in the chat, and watching Stardus approach, dodging the electricity Electra emitted.
Before leaving, I added one more thing.
"And Stardus. We'll have business again soon. See you then."
After saying that with a slight smile, I truly teleported away.
I could hear Stardus muttering something behind me, but that was none of my business.
See you next time.
***
=[Society Section]=
[Villain Electra - Egoistic. What is their relationship?]
[Breaking News) Villain Electra, Rated A-Class by Association.]
[Egoistic reveals plan to launch Korean-style 'Villain Alliance'... Is a 'Terror Republic' coming? -Column by Reporter Kwon Seong-hyun]
[[Exclusive] Korean Paranormal Ability Association reviewing Egoistic's villain rank promotion. 'His organized efforts to unite other villains and build a force are highly concerning.']
*
=[Entertainment Section]=
[Entertainment News) Who is Egoistic's 'her'? In-depth analysis of Electra!]
[Egoistic-Electra. Moments captured that make your heart flutter just by looking!]
[Public Interest? Egoistic's Villain Alliance formation (23%) ranks 2nd, Egoistic's dating rumors (48%) rank 1st.]
["How long must we live like this?" Egoistic embracing Electra with a poignant gaze (On-site photo)]
[Where has 'Stardus's Devotee' Egoistic gone?]
[Stardus, begone! Egoistic-Electra. The chemistry between them, captivating attention in a short moment.avi]
*
Shin Ha-ru, reading the articles, crumpled her smartphone unconsciously.
"..."
Something, something...
She didn't know why.
It was annoying.