Chapter 2: The Beginning of Terror

Beneath the azure sky, a vast river quietly meandered through the heart of Seoul.

Boats and cruise ships floated there, in a scene that looked so peaceful.

[Hello, citizens. I am the villain Egoistic. Nice to meet you all!]

Suddenly, the city was thrown into chaos by the news of a villain's attack.

The individual, who identified himself as Egoistic, had hijacked all terrestrial channels to broadcast his own video nationwide.

That alone was shocking enough, but the words that followed, spoken with a smile, drove people further into terror.

[To briefly introduce myself, I am the one who took out the previous villains Enzodiac and Rhino! But let's set aside such pleasantries... Shall we get to something more interesting?]

[Do you see those three ships down on the river below?]

The camera panned from his face to the river beneath him.

And then came his staggering announcement.

[I've planted bombs on all of them!]

And what he said, while smiling, was...

...Naturally, broadcasted to all passengers on those three ships through their onboard TVs.

"What is he talking about?"

"S-so, that's mean there are bombs on this ship?"

"Captain! What are you doing, turn the ship around!"

Inside the ship, it was complete chaos.

And astonishingly,

It seemed as if there were hidden cameras inside all three ships, as the tumult was also being broadcast on TV.

[Haha, what a mess. Ah, don't worry too much. You might still make it out alive!]

Continuing from there, he spoke again toward the camera with a malevolent smile.

[Well then, let's start the game now. In that spirit, I would appreciate it if the A-class hero Stardust could make an appearance. A game needs at least one hero for the atmosphere, doesn't it? If she doesn't show up, I'll simply blow everything up.]

With that, he shook something in his hand that looked like a detonator.

And then...

"Ms. Stardust!"

"Yes, understood."

At that moment, Stardust, who had been watching the entire spectacle on a screen at the Hero Association, quietly nodded as she pondered.

...A villain has appeared.

Then there was only one thing a hero should do.

After discussions and completing preparations with the association agents, she immediately leaped through the adjacent window.

However, instead of falling, she floated in the air.

And so, Stardust flew straight to the confirmed location of the villain.

All to confront this newly emerged villain, Egoistic.

***

"Ha..."

After issuing the terror threat,

From a building rooftop overlooking the long river, I paused my telekinetically floating camera and took a short break from broadcasting.

The situation on the three ships would still be broadcast on TV in the meantime. Cameras I had installed in advance would be displaying the panicked faces of the passengers and the state of the cruise ships.

"...This isn't easy, not easy at all."

I sighed and muttered to myself.

Pulling off a terror attack was harder than it seemed. It made the villains I had seen in movies seem impressive.

"...Haha."

I forced a laugh.

...The very concept of my villainous persona is that of an unpredictable lunatic with a screw loose. To cultivate that atmosphere, frequent smiling is key. Laughing while committing acts of terror looks inherently dangerous, after all.

It was a calculated decision, typical of a villain, designed to inflate my perceived threat level beyond my actual abilities.

Anyway, now that I've escalated things this far, Stardust will show up soon. The protagonist of this manhwa series and an A-class hero.

...I'm a little nervous.

Soon, I'll get to see my favorite character and the protagonist of this world, Stardust, in person.

Of course, given our adversarial relationship, she'll likely glare at me as if ready to take me down the moment she sees me. Can't help it, really. Still, seeing her in person is a different experience.

Anyway, before meeting her, I double-checked my attire.

Black hair styled upward, a black robe, black trousers, a black cape. And a white mask covering half of my face. Perfect.

Now, all that's left is to wait for her to arrive.

Just as I thought that—

Something appeared in the sky, far away from the rooftop where I was standing.

Flying in with her long golden hair fluttering in the wind— it has to be Stardust, the protagonist of this world.

Well, time to turn the camera back on.

A moment later...

Thud-

With a resounding crash, Stardust, her golden locks waving, landed on the rooftop.

Wow! A hero landing!

Witnessing in real life a scene I'd only seen in manhwa made my heart race.

As I stood there lost in such idle thoughts, a hero strode purposefully toward me.

Seeing her approach, I naturally pulled an explosive device from my pocket, holding it up in front of her as I spoke.

"Whoa, hold on! I've got a detonator in my hand! Better to stop now!"

She hesitated for a moment at my words.

Judging the distance between us, she seemed to be contemplating something. To dissuade any daring plans, I added,

"Also, my subordinate watching this broadcast has a switch to the bomb too. The moment you lay a hand on me, everything will explode!"

Whether it was because of my words, she seemed to resign herself, folding her arms and standing her ground. 

Stardust, now standing before me, glared and spoke.

"...Egoistic."

"Yes, that's my name. Glad you remember."

"Disarm the bomb now, and maybe you'll just get few punches before being arrested."

"Haha, you know I won't do that."

At my words, her expression twisted.

...Still, she remained dazzlingly beautiful.

"Don't scowl too much. I did say on the broadcast, didn't I? I'll let everyone go home alive."

With that, I winked toward the camera broadcasting our standoff across the nation.

"...Ms. Stardust, I have quite an interest in you. Yes, a very strong interest."

Whether I spoke or not, she kept her lips sealed, just glaring at me. She was probably waiting to hear what I had to say.

So, I continued.

"Stardust, one of South Korea's few A-class heroes. A figure who staunchly believes in her own justice and ideals, refusing to compromise with any form of evil. Isn't that the ideal image for a hero? Honestly, Stardust, I admire you quite a bit. Haha."

"If you're just going to spout nonsense, then shut up. What exactly are you trying to say?"

Ah, I just wanted to compliment you on national television. To show that even a villain marvels at your righteousness!

Anyway, that's enough time spent as a fan. Time to get back to the main event.

"Yes! If the passengers look toward the center of the ship, they will see a detonator with a large red button. The detonator that I have installed on three ships... each of them is designed to blow up a different ship. That's right! Devices to blow up ship other than your own."

As I spoke, Stardust's expression hardened once more.

Yes, if she's as smart as she seems, she'll know what I'm getting at.

Grinning, I opened my mouth carefully.

"It's simple for everyone to live. Just don't press the detonator's button."

"You have a 30-minute time limit. As long as no one presses a button in that time, you're fine."

"However! If even one ship presses the button within that time... Once time is up, the remaining two ships will go boom!"

Having said that much, I added with a grin as if proud of my genius.

"But you're still uneasy? Fine, I'll add another provision for you."

"The ship that presses the button, I guarantee its survival. Yes! Even if another ship presses the button, your ship won't explode as long as you press it too! Wow, just press the button and you're guaranteed to live. Isn't this generous?"

"So even if all three ships press the button, I'll still save everyone. Ha, it's harder to die than to live at this point, isn't it?"

As I spoke, her expression became ambiguous.

Ah, people probably think that no one will press this button, right?

I grinned at her, saying,

"Ms. Stardust, who loves justice."

"I hope you realize just how evil and selfish human beings can be during this opportunity."

Saying this, I clapped my hands.

"Now, let the games begin! You have 30 minutes. Good luck, everyone!"

As I finished speaking, the camera that was filming us shut off.

Shortly thereafter, my broadcast began to show the interiors of the three ships across the nation.

The rooftop where we stood also displayed the broadcast on one wall, projected by a beam projector and speakers I had prepared in advance.

"So, Ms. Stardust, shall we watch together?"

"...Haa, Do you really think people will behave the way you intend?"

While she still had her arms crossed, glancing at me and then at the broadcast projected on the wall, she spoke.

I just grinned back at her, saying,

"Well, we'll see."

Just as I said that, the broadcast began in earnest.

As the situation within the ships became clear through the video, even Stardust's expression started to harden.

[ Of course, it's best not to press it, right everyone? ]

[ Yes, surely. Do you think the other ships would actually press it? ]

The ship number 1 seemed unanimously against pressing the button, which was heartwarming.

[ ...If we don't press the button, everyone survives. Was there really a need to press it? ]

[ What are you talking about? What if others press it? If everyone presses it, we all survive anyway! What if some lunatic on that shabby ship up ahead just goes ahead and presses it? Let's not gamble with our lives; just press it! ]

The ship number 2 was divided between those who wanted to press and those who didn't.

And then,

[ Everyone, let's just press it. ]

[ Sure, everyone else must have pressed it by now. ]

[ When you think about it logically, it's the right thing to do. ]

[ ...But what if someone didn't press it? ]

[ Come on, do you really think there's a ship that wouldn't? ]

The ship number 3 seemed to be at odds too, but was gradually leaning towards pressing the button.

So, will everyone abstain and live happily ever after? Is it really that simple?

Humans are fundamentally safety-oriented. Pressing the button guarantees a 100% chance of survival. Taking a gamble by not pressing it isn't an easy choice, especially when you're absolved of guilt knowing that if everyone presses it, all will survive.

Sure, but just like ship number 1, there are exceptions—people with a deep-seated faith in human nature not to press the button.

And these are the people who are now being sacrificed.

"...Ms. Stardust, this doesn't seem to be going the way you thought it would, does it?"

I grinned and spoke to her, who was intently watching the broadcast displayed on the wall.

Now, the show was finally getting interesting.

*** 

"'Helicopter! Is the helicopter ready?"

"Yes! It's set to move as soon as a ship explodes!"

"Ah, no other options?"

"We also have some B-class heroes stationed near the Han River!"

"They probably won't be much help... Ah, Stardust is trapped there, this is frustrating."

In the control center of the Korea Hero Association, bustling with numerous agents, the bald-headed 50-year-old chairman wiped the sweat from his brow.

A peaceful spell had been going on for some time now. Why did this have to happen?

As he continued to wipe his sweat, he muttered while watching the chaos in the ship cabins shown on the screen.

"They're still in a mess, huh... Sigh."

[Let's press the button!!!]