“Haha!”
“You…”
The veins on Stardust’s forehead were visible even from here, a telltale sign of real anger flushing his face red. Hey, why is he getting so worked up? Did I say something that offensive?
Trembling with fury, he seemed ready to abandon all restraint at any moment. Whoa there, buddy, calm down! Is this the kind of reaction you have to a little teasing?
Before she could hurl her anger at me, I quickly took the initiative.
“Of course! Certainly, I admit that I delivered some vigilante justice without involving the authorities. However, I do believe there are mitigating circ*mstances. The Teleporter, this cruel individual, has been designated a Class A due to the sheer power of his abilities and his high flight risk. And as a Class A, doesn’t that already grant heroes on the scene the discretion for summary judgment?”
No sooner had I finished speaking than she replied as if she had been waiting for it.
“Yeah, that’s possible. But since when are you the hero?”
From her demeanor, she appeared eager to punch me right away. However, knowing that I could escape in an instant, and wary of drawing innocent bystanders into the fray, she restrained herself. Hmm. It seemed that sticking around wouldn’t particularly benefit me. Time to look for an escape.
“So I understand what you’re saying, Stardust. Even if garbage deserves to die, it’s only meaningful if a hero does the job, not villains like me. Truly, that’s the sort of righteous thinking I’d expect from someone like you, Stardust.”
I supported Stardust as best as I could.
The first step in my plan to make Stardust the most beloved hero: excessive praise!
If everyday Cheolsu says he’s good at studying, people might doubt it. But when Yeonghee, Cheolsu’s rival, says “I don’t know about other things, but I’ll admit that the guy can study,” that’s when people start to believe, “Ah, so Cheolsu really is good at studying.” There’s nothing quite as powerful as praise from a rival!
But it seemed the citizens around us had other opinions.
“What’s this, you’re saying only heroes should defeat villains?”
“He’s so annoying… What does he think he is?”
Murmured voices began to rise from the crowd.
Sorry, but I can hear everything.
And what I’ve come to realize since coming to this world…
These people are a little off their rockers.
A basic disregard for safety, and now starting to side with a villain in a standoff with a hero.
Are they… really out of their minds?
“Rushing in after everything’s already happened… Ridiculous.”
“Honestly, what did Egoistic do wrong?”
I almost lost my mind.
Is this conversation I’m hearing even real?
As the murmuring around us grew louder, the expressions on both Stardust’s and my own faces hardened.
Stardust, totally innocent, began to receive the brunt of the criticism, becoming the new target of abuse.
Why? Have people gone crazy at the sight of blood?
This was not the situation I wanted. I had hoped for a scenario where I would be the one loathed, and Stardust praised, not this twisted turn of events.
Why would the citizens side with the villain? What’s going on?
Stardust’s countenance turned grim as he too noticed the shift in public opinion. I felt an urgent need to rectify the situation and quickly spoke up.
“I never said that I did well! I’m just saying that’s one way to look at it! I’ll continue to commit these… these wrongdoings, and I hope Stardust will try his best to stop me! Now, if you’ll excuse me…”
With those words gushing out like a rapid-fire cannon, I flung my cape forward and teleported away. Something wasn’t right. I needed to flee.
After teleporting, my vision spun and my stomach churned. I could barely stand and eventually collapsed. Overexerting myself in catching the Teleporter and then teleporting long-distance had left my body at its limit.
“Pant… pant…”
As I lay there, barely able to breathe, a door slammed open and someone entered.
“Brother!”
It was Seoeun. Panting, she rushed to my side trying to help me up.
“Ah, why are you so heavy! Brother, snap out of it! No use, sister! Please help me!”
And a short while later, in rushed Subin. I had only guessed it was her – I was laid out and couldn’t open my eyes. Wow, I really might die like this.
“On the count of three! Lift together!”
With grunts, the two of them began to carry me, though it seemed like Subin was doing the heavy lifting while Seoeun’s efforts were minor. I didn’t say anything, not that I could, given the condition I was in.
Struggling as the two women dragged me was embarrassing, and I felt a bit guilty. I couldn’t even move a finger.
“Please, next time teleport straight to the recovery booth, brother.”
Having successfully placed me into the recuperation capsule, Seoeun scolded me, catching her breath. She was right; I needed to remember that next time. I had been out of my mind before.
“Th…thank…you…”
“Just rest now. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
Muttering and fussing, Seoeun left.
Subin, who had remained by my side, clenched and unclenched her fist, then encouraged me with a “Get well soon!” gesture before also leaving. How cute.
So there I was, collapsed.
Despite needing to rest and sleep, my mind whirled with worries and refused to let me drift off.
Those murmurings about Stardust…
***
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