EP.6 Imitation Elimination
[Fans of Egotistic have just detonated a bomb in downtown Incheon. After planting explosives in the building, they are currently claiming they plan to create even more explosions. Engaged in a standoff, they appear to have no demands and are said to simply desire death. There are estimated to be at least three casualties so far.]
The news that Seo Eun showed me froze my face in a hard expression.
Who are these bastards, calling themselves followers and selling my name?
And what is this about casualties? They’ve killed people?
I felt something inside of me twisting.
Just yesterday, I was working on raising my profile and crafting my image.
And now they ruin it the next day.
You’ve crossed a line, you know?
How dare you invoke my name and commit terrorism?
And in such a barbaric, violent manner, so grossly mismatching the persona I’ve built?
…
And people have died.
Walking this villain’s path, I vowed never to cause civilian casualties.
Yet now, three people are dead.
Because of the actions of those claiming to be my followers, it could be said the responsibility is mine.
The lives of those three…
I told Seo Eun, with a stony expression as I sat in the chair,
“Seo Eun, help me out just one more time. After we’ve taken care of those guys, I’ve got to do something.”
“I thought you might say that, so I prepared in advance.”
Seo Eun rummaged through a drawer and handed me a cellphone.
I took it and walked towards the elevator.
“Ha, haha.”
A hollow laugh bubbled up from me.
Really, two days in a row? This is too much.
***
Korea’s Supernatural Ability Association.
But no one really calls it that; it’s known as the Hero Association.
The mood at the Hero Association Headquarters was tense.
“What’s the situation?”
At the chairman’s low query, the agent sitting in front of him responded quickly.
“The perpetrators are still holding their ground at the scene. About 300 hostages appear to be trapped inside the building.”
“Any additional casualties?”
“None at the moment.”
“Got it. Are the heroes on their way?”
“A team of C and B-class heroes is currently on standby. However, it’s difficult to approach as the terrorists are threatening to detonate the bombs.”
“Damn it, those bastards. Did Egotistic bring them?”
“We’re investigating the connection, but nothing is confirmed yet.”
“Alright. Oh yeah, where’s Stardust currently?”
“She’s nearby, keeping an eye on the situation. She’ll likely step in at a moment’s notice.”
Indeed, just as they said.
Shin Haru, known as Stardust, was at this very moment observing the scene from a nearby rooftop.
‘Damn, what to do…’
The existence of the Hero Association is simple.
To subdue superpowered villains beyond the capabilities of regular police forces.
By way of the same supernatural abilities—that is, the heroes possess powers to confront villains.
Most of today’s terrorism involves villains with supernatural powers.
Be it to flaunt their strength or out of resentment towards the world, the terror they bring about is widespread.
Thus, terrorism perpetrated by those not wielding superhuman powers is almost unheard of in this generation.
And the reason for it…
‘Egotistic, that bastard.’
Shin Haru ground her teeth internally.
That guy rarely used his powers, instead using bombs to pressure heroes, which undoubtedly inspired others.
‘No, that can’t be it. If this happened the day after that bastard’s incident, then he must have planned this.’
Yes, that seems more likely.
Or else, organizing such a massive terrorist attack in one day would be impossible.
It’s clear this crime was planned.
‘I should have killed that bastard yesterday… Wait, what’s that?’
Just as she noticed something, a voice from her earpiece came through.
[Stardust, Egotistic himself has appeared at the scene. To repeat, it seems Egotistic himself has shown up.]
✧˚·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥·̩̩̥͙✧·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥˚·̩̩̥͙✧ 𝑔𝓇𝒶𝓋𝒾𝓉𝓎𝓃𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁𝓈 ✧˚·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥·̩̩̥͙✧·̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥˚·̩̩̥͙✧
