Chapter 223: Ep.223 Witch
Ep.223 Witch
"I can't believe I'm still writing this."
In my room.
As always, I was writing in my diary.
It consisted of a list of events and simple incidents, just like always. And the emotions I felt. I know this will be necessary later, so I worked hard on writing it, but I wonder how long I have to keep writing. Well, I have to keep writing, what else can I do.
After sealing the special diary that nobody else should see when I visited the Vine Witch, I naturally turned on the computer.
"Hmm..."
Various files on the desktop, containing various terrorist plans and information on other villains that I was acquiring one by one with Lee Seola's help.
Everything was being prepared step by step. ...So, I guess it's okay for me to take a short break, right?
I quickly entered Stardus fan cafe with that conclusion in mind,
Our "Stardust" fan cafe, which I personally manage. It's a place where mainly fans of Stardus gather to celebrate and praise her. Popular posts are often videos and images of Stardus defeating villains, but during ordinary times, we share typical posts about daily life.
Especially recently, there are many posts about "Ego Stream vs. Stardus, who would win?"
Once a discussion like this opened, it sparked heated debates with over 100 comments, fiercely opposing each other. The main point of the content is whether Stardus can win if all members of Ego Stream attack her all at once.
...By the way, the sad part in this discussion is that I am not included in all of Ego Stream's members. I mean, even if I use Behemoth and carry a gun, I'm quite strong, you know? So, I subtly mentioned that, but I received an incomprehensible response saying, "Egostic is a commodity."
'...What would happen if Ego Stream and Stardus fought together?'
In reality, people may not realize it, but that's an impossible scenario. I would never order everyone to fight at once. Am I insane to do that? If I did, that entire region would be devastated.
However, let's assume for a moment.
'...In our team, Eun-wol and Shinryeong are strong.'
Since we have an overwhelming number, in general, Ego Stream would probably win. It's one of the four main events in the original story when darkened Seo-eun hacked the Villain Detention Center and caused a mass jailbreak. Numbers matter. The same goes for the gate of Wolgwanggyo.
Of course, in general...
'If they fought to the death, Stardus would eventually win.'
I nodded with that thought in mind. Stardus is the protagonist of this world. Compared to her biggest feature, which is her body reinforcement, flying ability, and super senses, nothing else matters.
The reason she survived until the latter part of the original story, which turned into a crazy mess, was only one, "The more trials she faces, the stronger her abilities become.". Thanks to this.
Becoming stronger.
It's really simple yet powerful. Typically, heroes have fixed abilities. Just look at our PMC members. Their abilities remain the same as when I first recruited them. However, through training, they can unlock and utilize their abilities' hidden potential, making them seem stronger.
In contrast, Stardus isn't like that. Her abilities simply become stronger as she faces more crises. Simply, just like that.
'In that case, if Ego Stream and Stardus were to fight...'
Stardus, who keeps experiencing crises in real-time, would keep getting stronger and might eventually win...
Of course, if we fight for our lives, the story may change, but anyway...
While lost in thought with such ideas, I suddenly snapped back to reality.
...No, why am I pondering these useless thoughts?
There's something more urgent.
Meeting the Vine Witch and asking her a few questions.
"Yeah, she should be around here..."
Muttering those words, I opened a drawer. From deep inside, I retrieved "it."
"..."
It emitted a slightly murky grayish-white light, this thing.
Moonstone, found among the remnants of the Demon King scattered after the last Demon Castle incident.
"Yeah, since I have time today, I should go see her..."
I put that stone into my pocket, preparing to visit the Vine Witch after a long time.
Haa, I should probably change my top though.
***
A secret building hidden among alleys.
I was treading carefully down the stairs leading to the basement of that dimly lit place.
And, as always, no matter how far I descended, the end of the stairs remained invisible, an infinitely connected staircase.
Stuck in a scene straight out of a horror movie, I found myself trapped in the never-ending stairs.
I instinctively tapped a certain part of the wall.
Creak-
And, as expected, the brick wall slid open smoothly. I passed through the elegant corridor that had appeared behind the wall, and after reaching its end, I gently knocked on the black door.
Upon entering, I felt the warm air inside. Beyond the curtain, her silhouette was visible in what felt like an incredibly elegant room adorned with candles.
"....You came."
"Yes, hello. It's been a while."
As I walked in, I could see her sitting at a small round table. The Vine Witch, wearing a deep green robe.
"I knew you would come today."
She said so while caressing the round crystal placed on the table.
...There's such thing in magic?
Anyway, after exchanging a few more words, I went straight to the point.
"Ma'am, do you know what this is?"
I took out the moonstone from my pocket as I said and showed it to her. She gently extended her hand towards the softly glowing object and murmured:
"...I sense the aura of the lunar deity. Is it theirs?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"...They are hastening their own disaster. An impending collapse."
She sighed lightly and continued.
"I will try to manage this. Although, it may or may not return to its original radiance..."
"Yes, thank you."
After disposing of the moonstone, I asked the question I had in mind.
"So... Ma'am, what about the time left? Until the dimensional barrier becomes thinner and connects with the other dimension."
"Let's see... About..."
The Vine Witch, who was deep in thought for a moment, declared quietly:
"It seems this year or the next will be the limit. If those fanatics get involved, it might accelerate further. It seems like it's about time to prepare."
"...Yes, I understood."
After confirming the desired information once again, I nodded. It had been a somewhat cryptic conversation, but in summary, it meant that there wasn't much time left until the Wolgwang's monsters would cross over from the second dimension. I had briefly considered if the timing might differ from the original work, but there were no indications of that.
I was ready to return home after finishing my goal of visiting the witch, with a sense of relief, as long as she didn't detain me any longer.
"...How about a reading?"
"Sure. Now that I can see the future, why not take a look."
She said this while placing her hand on the crystal ball. Could magic really be used to see the future? I don't recall hearing about that in the original comic. After all, time wasn't under the domain of the Moon Goddess.
Although I didn't understand what she meant, I was curious about what she was going to say. So, I sat back down and followed her lead.
She touched the crystal ball, closed her eyes, and began mumbling. As the ball emitted a faint light, the witch opened her mouth.
"...I see. Yes, I see your future."
"How is it?"
"You're on a difficult path. You're walking a challenging road."
I leaned in, intrigued by her serious tone as I asked.
"...What do you mean?"
"It's a tough journey ahead. You have so many women accompanying you in the future. It will certainly be a challenging path."
"What are you saying?"
Surprised by her words, I inquired further, and she responded with a smirk.
"I'm just joking."
"Haha. Your sense of humor is really something."
...It seemed like her sense of humor had become a bit strange after spending so much time here.
Anyway, the Vine Witch returned to a serious expression after her joke and spoke in a solemn voice.
"My ability to see the future was indeed a joke, but the fact that you're going to face a difficult path is not. Can you handle it?"
"Well, isn't that obvious?"
I chuckled and responded confidently, repeating a similar statement to what I had said before, as if I were reiterating it from the past.
"If I were going to give up here, I wouldn't have started in the first place."
That's right. If I had been planning to give up just because it's difficult, I wouldn't have had the determination to start back when I first arrived in this world, after wandering for several years.
And...
I clenched my fist and lost myself in thought. Truth be told, I've prepared for everything up until the Moonlight Gate. If things go according to schedule, I should proceed smoothly up to that point. There shouldn't be any major incidents.
However...
I couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that had persisted.
***
Somewhere underground in South Korea.
In a dimly lit space with very little light, a few people were laughing.
"Hehe, that's right. We've finally uncovered it."
"Now that bastard is done."
Speaking with sinister and laughter-infused voices, they continued.
"Yes, who would have known? Us..."
Among them, sitting in the center, was the leader-like figure among the villains. He spoke with an unavoidable smile.
"We've finally revealed the identity of that fancy Egostic."
"Leader, we've got information containing his face, name, and place of residence. It's undoubtedly accurate information!"
"Hehe... yes. Let's spread this on the big day through the broadcasting station. Hahaha! Now the South Korea that Egostic is ruling will be over, too!"
With that, they burst into laughter. At the end, the man spoke with a chilling smile.
"Once his identity is revealed, he will practically be in the hands of the heroes."
"Hahaha! That's right. Who would've thought that the villain ruling over South Korea was doing part-time work at a bakery with his parents!"
"Heh. Indeed. Let's see if you can still laugh when everyone in the country knows your face and name, Egostic. No, let's call you by your real name-"
Stopping there, he said Egostic's real name with a cold laugh.
"- Kim Cheol-woo. It's you."
Hahaha!!!
And so, their laughter filled the dark underground space for a long time.
At that moment,
"Cheol-woo, could you help with the bread placement?"
"Yes, mom."
Kim Cheol-woo (25 years old, university student, ordinary citizen), who is working at his parents' bakery, was diligently carrying bread. Unaware of the impending tragedy that would soon come his way...
***
"Haa..."
"Hmm? Egostic, what's gotten into you all of a sudden?"
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing. I felt uneasy until just now, but suddenly, it's gone. I guess it was just my imagination."
"...You're so strange."