Title: I Became The Villain The Hero Is Obsessed With
EP.4 The Aesthetics of Escaping
“Hahaha… This can’t be happening.”
On a windswept rooftop, I stood, laughing with a sense of futility.
“Humans, humans are not such altruistic creatures! I was so sure they’d press the button, but why! Why didn’t they?”
I started talking to myself in a loud voice, like a madman. Eyes flailing in the void, hands grasping at nothing.
And then, at the same time, I stopped my hands and fixed my gaze onto Stardust, who was standing before me.
“Ah.”
My short exclamation.
Looking at Stardust, I began to speak.
“It was you, wasn’t it?”
Certainly, it wasn’t because of Stardust. Right after the hero’s speech was broadcast, I had ordered the captains to throw it into the sea.
But that is a secret only the two captains and I know.
So, in front of the cameras broadcasting across the country, I pretended to be in the dark.
As if the whole terror plot was foiled because of Stardust’s speech.
I moved my mouth again.
“After they heard your speech, everyone suddenly united.”
And then I started laughing like a madman.
“Ha, haha. Hahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha!!”
Oh, this is so embarrassing.
I kept up the madman’s laugh, swallowing my shame.
A quick glance revealed that Stardust, who was watching me, seemed to be looking at a loony.
Do you know what it’s like for a fan to see their favorite with a look of contempt?
That’s how I laughed for quite a while.
The reason she didn’t grab me while I was laughing was obviously because of the detonator in my hand.
Until the ship was fully docked and the people disembarked, I knew she couldn’t relax the tension.
After I had my laugh, I opened my mouth again.
“That’s right. That’s it. I’ve clearly underestimated you, Stardust. An accomplishment that seemed impossible for anyone else. For you, enlightening the public with just a few words is nothing.”
Hmm.
This is bad.
I’m beginning to lose track of what I’m saying.
Who was I in my past life?
Just a typical Korean man.
That means I’m not used to spewing words like a fountain in front of a monster capable of killing me with a mere gesture, while the entire nation watches.
Until now, I managed to say everything I had prepared.
But I’m starting to feel like I’m going insane.
The wind is chilly. I’m cold.
Should I have worn a hot pack inside my robe?
No, what am I even thinking about…
I’m screwed. I’m losing my mind.
It’s time to get ready.
Ready for what? Ready to make a run for it.
“Ahem, ahem. My mistake, Stardust. Perhaps I underestimated you.”
“….”
“Next time, I won’t be taken down so easily. Well, see you next time, everyone!”
I flashed a grin at the camera.
And just like that, I vanished.
Cloak swept in front of me, it was time for a teleportation.
Given that there were police spread out nearby, I’d have to teleport far to my home.
Ah, but teleporting that far would drain me to the point where I’d be bedridden for the next three days.
Life isn’t easy.
“You there!”
She noticed my attempt to escape and rushed to my side in an instant.
But no chance, farewell.
“Well then, goodbye.”
With those words, I disappeared.
****
[Exclusive: No casualties in broad daylight terror incident.]
[Who is the A-Grade Villain ‘Egostic’? In-depth investigation.]
[Breaking News: Hero Association releases statement. ‘Villain’s abilities appear to be psychokinesis and teleportation.’]
[In this day and age, hijacking the airwaves… Is Korea’s broadcast security adequate?]
[Who is ‘Stardust,’ the hero singled out by the broadcast-hijacking villain? Let’s look at her achievements.]
[Passengers and crew complain of anxiety and panic disorders.]
✧˚·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥·̩̩̥͙✧·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥˚·̩̩̥͙✧ 𝑔𝓇𝒶𝓋𝒾𝓉𝓎𝓃𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁𝓈 ✧˚·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥·̩̩̥͙✧·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥˚·̩̩̥͙✧
