Chapter 17

EP.17 The Moment of Choice

Terrorism.

Just hearing the word makes it seem like a simple matter of throwing a bomb and it's over, something very easy.

However, in reality, it is extremely complex and requires a lot of planning and design. I've caused large-scale terrorism twice, so I should know. Probably.

Tie someone to the tracks as a train passes by.

It sounds so easy, doesn't it?

Just kidnap someone and tie them up, right?

But in practice, it's not that simple.

First, finding the right people to tie up was difficult. If I accidentally killed a regular civilian, how uncomfortable would that be?

Even though I'm a real villain with a lot of blood on my hands, doing such a thing would keep me up at night. I was a law-abiding citizen in South Korea until recently.

So, I selected and rescued some kids who had a bit of a record. They were released with light sentences despite committing serious crimes and were still living like scoundrels, making them relatively easy to kidnap.

Even if I managed to kidnap them, tying them to the tracks was a big problem. It's similar to kidnapping in a way. South Korea has too many CCTV cameras. While they're not everywhere due to privacy concerns, they are strategically placed.

Of course, I can bypass the CCTV with my teleportation ability and Se-eun's hacking skills, but tying people to the tracks...

In South Korea, there's an invincible hero called Shadow Walker who operates at night. If you get caught doing something at night, it's a big problem. It would be better if all villains just went out and terrorized at night, as Shadow Walker couldn't handle everyone, but villains are all cowards. Sigh.

So, I was tying people up in broad daylight using my teleportation. It's really embarrassing and feels strange. Even without the CCTV, doing this in broad daylight is awkward...

And the train. This is where I really messed up. After the cruise ship bombing and the followers' building bombing, security checks for explosives have been tightened everywhere, so I can't plant bombs on trains. So, I had to rely on Subin. He anesthetized the train driver and took his place.

Subin. He said he had no friends and stayed at home since he was young, but apparently, he can drive anything—helicopters, trains, forklifts, planes. When I asked how he learned, he said he used computer simulators, which almost made me faint.

It seemed unrealistic, but when he said he started studying for the college entrance exam a week before and got into Seoul National University, I had to believe him. Yeah, geniuses are just different.

I thought he was similar to me because he's so timid, but I forgot that he's a genius who can have technical conversations with Se-eun. Am I the only normal one here? It's so sad...

Anyway, Subin will drive the train. If the driver suddenly stops or drifts to avoid hitting people, it would be problematic. And if things go wrong, it can also serve as a threat to derail the train and create a lose-lose situation.

Terrorism requires time, effort, and insurance. As I always say, I have a weak body that can be killed with one punch from Stardust. If I tell him to pull the lever, he might pull my spine and send me to the afterlife. I need insurance. Subin, who can derail the train, is the first insurance. The second insurance is placing bombs where the people are tied to the tracks, in case Stardust attacks the train. It's not easy.

But, if I can do this...

If I can show the citizens how dangerous a villain I am!

If I can raise Stardust's affection!

I, Da-in, can sacrifice myself for my favorite character.

And just in time, here she comes.

Stardust, flying over in a red latex suit with her blonde hair flowing.

Every time I see her, she's really beautiful.

Can I ever date a woman as beautiful as Stardust in my life? Probably not.

Of course, Subin is also very beautiful, but...

Anyway, it's time to get back into character.

Even though it gets more nerve-wracking each time, I'll stick to my chosen character! Evil and stubborn.

"Ah, here's today's main character. Stardust has arrived!"

I clapped my hands and greeted Stardust.

She landed a bit away from me.

"Yes, you! What are you up to now?"

Well.

It's not just my character that's off.

When I read the manga, I didn't realize, but hearing Stardust speak in real life...

You, me. It seems we both chose the wrong character. Right?

It feels very awkward to hear a modern, ordinary college student like Shin Haru speak in a historical drama style.

Of course, I'm not much better.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha! What am I doing? I just wanted to see what kind of 'moral' choice you would make."

"Yes, you. Do you think it's okay to massacre civilians like that?"

[Civilians (not really)]

[Massacre (never happened)]

[Stardust, why are you slandering us, Mango Stick?]

[Is Mango really a J?]

[She's so cool...]

[Who said she's cool?]

[Stardust is cool. It's sarcasm. She's uncool.]

[??? When did Ego Stick become cool?]

[That's real cool.]

[Why are there two meanings for 'cool'?]

[Read the context.]

[This kid is new to the community and can't keep up. wwww]

[Release Kim Seon-woo! Release Kim Seon-woo! Release Kim Seon-woo! Release Kim Seon-woo! Release Kim Seon-woo! Release Kim Seon-woo! Release Kim Seon-woo! Release Kim Seon-woo!]

[Stop spamming!]

[I hate seeing Stardust.]

...While saying this, I checked the chat window again, and even in this situation, the mood is to criticize Stardust more. No, I need to turn this around quickly!

I opened my mouth in an exaggeratedly loud voice.

"Alright! That's not the issue. The problem is that a train is coming right now, and if nothing is done, five people will be hit! Why don't you go over there and decide whether to pull the lever or not?"

As I spoke sarcastically, I felt a vein pop on Stardust's forehead.

"....Is there any reason I shouldn't just beat you up right here?"

"Excuse me? Of course, there is! Do you know what this is?"

I quickly pulled out the detonator from my robe. Didn't I explain this? I didn't, I realized.

"See this? If I press it, all six people will be killed. And if I die, my subordinate driving the train won't just sit there. It's best if you calm down."

Stardust seemed to understand, though she was clearly unhappy. Phew, that was close.

But, there's no time. The train is almost here.

"Alright! Breaking news: the train is almost here!"

As soon as I finished speaking, I teleported to the lever at the bottom of the cliff. Looking up from below, I saw Stardust hesitantly flying towards the lever.

"Alright, alright! The moment of choice. What will you do? If you don't pull the lever, the five people tied up will die. Hey, don't go over there! You can derail the train. Yes, the lever. If you pull the lever, only one person will die. To save five, you need to sacrifice one. Make your decision quickly."

After saying this quickly, I teleported back to the top of the cliff.

At the top, I filmed Stardust, who was pondering in front of the lever. The sound of the approaching train was soon heard.

"Alright, alright! The train to Pentakill is arriving. What choice will our Stardust make?"

[You have to pull the lever.]

[If you pull the lever, it will be Stardust's fault for killing one person. If you do nothing, it's not a crime. If you pull the lever, you kill one person with your own hands.]

[Pulling the lever saves four people utilitarianly, so it's the right choice...]

Mixed opinions in the chat window.

But everyone seems to expect Stardust to pull the lever.

Yeah, I thought everyone would think that.

But I know.

The Stardust I know is not that kind of person!

The train is almost here.

Stardust, who was hesitating in front of the lever, ultimately did not pull it.

Then, she clenched her fist and

started running towards the train.

[Aaaaah! Da-in! She's running towards me! What do I do?!!!]

Subin's scream came through the in-ear headphones. He must be seeing Stardust running towards him in the cab.

I quickly muted the camera and spoke to her.

"Don't worry, she's not coming to harm you."

She's probably trying to stop the train with her body.

Yes.

The Stardust I know, the most just Shin Haru, would choose a path where no one gets hurt.

Now, I need to make her stand out.

I unmuted the camera and screamed, tearing my hair.

"This can't be!!!! What is Stardust doing!!!! Aaaaaaaah!"

I made a dinosaur-like sound, and my throat immediately hurt.

Stardust, are you watching?

I'm this broken for you...