Chapter 80

EP.80 Omen of Destruction

When you really think about it, this world is utterly insane.

I stood by the window, looking down at the cities, and thought about it.

On the surface, it seems ordinary. Numerous people bustling between the towering buildings. From this perspective, it doesn’t seem any different from the world I lived in before.

However, the reality is very different, and mostly in a messed-up way.

First of all, people with superpowers occasionally awaken. If these powers were moderate, it wouldn’t be a problem. But the issue is that they are all ridiculously strong.

Take Stardust, for example; he could destroy dozens of buildings if he wanted to. The same goes for others. If you go abroad, it’s even more chaotic. You could say that almost every country faces the threat of destruction every month.

Of course, thanks to the world’s balance, and the fact that heroes stronger than most villains have emerged, things somehow keep moving forward. Without heroes, countries wouldn’t function properly. As a result, the government’s influence is significantly reduced compared to the association. Even the president is a bit paranoid.

Is it just the villains causing problems? No, that’s not all. As you can see from Han Group, major corporations have also gone rogue. Secret experiments are the norm, and its rival, Yuseong Corporation, pressures the government and the association to manipulate South Korea from behind. After Han Group’s collapse, they are likely to start taking over South Korea in earnest. Well, for me, it’s more advantageous this way. Then I only need to control Lee Seol-a.

Anyway, what I want to say is this: this world is not normal. People with superpowers cause terrorist attacks, the government is ineffective, and corporations are in control. There are even gods and the underworld, and it’s just chaos. I miss the peaceful world of the past.

"...."

I continued to look out the window, thinking.

What’s even funnier? This is actually quite peaceful.

As time goes on, even stronger villains will emerge, and the world will become even more chaotic.

And Stardust will have to bear all of it alone.

"Brother, what are you looking at so solemnly all by yourself?"

"...No. Let's go now."

I finally snapped out of my thoughts at Seo Eun’s words from the side and turned my head.

Yes.

In the end, I have to stop all of this.

***

The webtoon I’ve possessed, [Stardust!], is divided into four major phases by fans.

Phase 1, where Stardust’s growth and a bit of daily life are highlighted. This is roughly the current time period and the most peaceful era.

Then, Phase 2, which begins after the Han Group incident. From this point, more and stronger villains start to emerge.

And the event that fans name as the start of Phase 2, which solidifies the fact that this world is a dystopia.

That is the Han Group’s Seoul invasion.

Compared to the Behemoth incident, the number of people dying is incomparable. Stardust, unable to stop it, suffers from a sense of powerlessness and guilt. The association and government are in disarray, and Seoul is burning.

The nation is covered in criticism of what the heroes have been doing, and it’s a terrifying event that could destroy South Korea!

The city in chaos! Buildings and people in ruins! Wildfires!

But...

I know this is going to happen, don’t I?

Han Group, you’re finished, kids.

The thrilling revenge on the heroes in the original, the tragic sacrifice?

There’s none of that, Seon-woo!

"Ha ha ha ha ha."

"Da-in. You can’t do that in a crowded place..."

"Brother..."

"Does he often do this?"

"Brother...?"

On the way down from the observatory.

I couldn’t help but smile evilly, and the group started to scold me.

It’s all for your benefit.

"...When Brother smiles like that, it means he’s planning something evil."

Seo Eun, who has observed me for a long time, muttered with a displeased look.

Evil?

I’m trying to save humanity, and I’m so frustrated.

Of course, from the perspective of the Han Group kids led by Kim Seon-woo, it’s a terrifying thing.

***

Han Group.

The top corporation in South Korea, while maintaining a friendly image outwardly, was plotting to dominate South Korea by force behind the scenes.

They were secretly conducting illegal and inhumane human experiments and creating monsters, but their plans were exposed by the Behemoth incident.

As a result, the company went bankrupt, and the chairman and other high-ranking executives fled overseas, but the researchers led by Dr. Kim Seon-woo could not escape.

In the original, Kim Seon-woo steals Behemoth and fights Stardust but ultimately fails and flees.

Eventually, the employees led by him realize that they are finished and decide to go out with a bang before they die.

That’s the Han Group’s Seoul invasion.

And the method they chose to turn Seoul into a sea of fire was:

A giant weapon.

***

"So, you’re saying that Han Group will make a final desperate move by bringing a giant robot to invade Seoul in the near future?"

"It’s not a robot but a weapon. Anyway, yes."

"....."

Ego-Underground Base’s conference room.

Seo Eun, Su Bin, and the newly joined Choi Se-hee and Ha Yul were all present. I brought up the topic.

"...What exactly do you mean by a giant weapon?"

"A massive thing, like a mountain, with a slight octopus-like feel, a body shaped like a hemisphere with long steel limbs attached..."

"Wait, wait."

Choi Se-hee, who was listening to me, interrupted and asked in disbelief.

"Are you saying a giant weapon will invade Seoul? How do you know that?"

"I know everything except what I don’t know."

"What? What is that...?"

Choi Se-hee looked at me with wide eyes, but I just smiled.

They say a man with many secrets is attractive. Probably.

"Anyway, our plan is to seize that giant weapon."

"How do we do that?"

"How? We just teleport to the control room, beat up the operators, and take control. That’s it."

"Is it really that easy?"

"What could be difficult?"

Just like when a human’s brain dies, a giant weapon is finished when the control room is taken.

"...But won’t they have prepared for that?"

"Of course they will."

Specifically, they prepared for the Shadow Walker, who can teleport anywhere at night.

They coated the weapon with a substance extracted from Behemoth to block the Shadow Walker.

Choi Se-hee, confused by this explanation.

"....You? You can teleport?"

"Me? They obviously didn’t consider me."

"Why?"

"Because I’m not a hero but just a villain...?"

"Oh."

She finally realized and made a silly sound. What do you see me as?

"Da-in. But is that machine so powerful? Can’t we just shoot a few bombs at it?"

"No."

I shook my head in denial.

It’s not just a weapon. In the original, it’s overwhelming, making people say, "We can’t stop it." Its size is overwhelming, and no matter what you shoot at it, it doesn’t even scratch. It’s no wonder it’s called the final boss of Phase 1. It’s just overwhelming. Nothing Stardust has faced so far can compare. It’s the ultimate.

Even Stardust gave up on defeating it.

After explaining how strong, overwhelming, and incredible this thing is, I concluded with one sentence.

"And I’m going to take it over."

I couldn’t help but smile evilly as I said this.

Yes. What was my goal in this world?

To give Stardust challenges she can handle.

And this is definitely not something she can handle.

Then.

Can’t I just modify it into a challenge she can handle?

"Since it’s happening this week, everyone should prepare in advance. Especially you, Choi Se-hee, you’re coming with me."

I said this and planned accordingly.

A perfect opportunity to finish off Han Group and help Stardust grow.

Especially the Han Group guys, including Kim Seon-woo.

I’m really curious what their faces will look like when their final plan fails miserably.

Ha ha ha ha ha.

****

Somewhere deep in the countryside.

Han Group’s Secret Base Sector C.

In the depths of the underground, countless people were moving busily.

They were emaciated and dirty, but their eyes burned with fierce determination.

Among them, a man was walking through the crowd toward somewhere.

The oldest and the most exhausted, but with the most burning eyes.

Dr. Kim Seon-woo, the head of the Han Group’s Behemoth Project, who was left in Korea after being betrayed by the board.

He spat out words to a researcher who was following him.

"So, the final inspection is complete?"

"Yes, Doctor. We’re ready to launch."

"Let me see."

He walked steadily to a vast, empty hall.

It looked like a giant city had been turned on its side and placed underground.

And filling the space was:

A vertical length several times that of a skyscraper, a horizontal width like a massive mountain range.

The final masterpiece created by Han Group, designed for destruction, collapse, and chaos.

The weapon of destruction, Project Octopass.

"So... finally. Finally, it’s complete."

Dr. Kim Seon-woo clenched his teeth and muttered.

Then, unable to contain his excitement, he shouted to all the employees.

"Listen up, all employees!!!"

His voice, filled with destructive power, echoed through the vast hall.

A researcher quickly set up a microphone, and his voice spread throughout the facility.

"For all we have sacrificed for Han Group and the nation’s development!"

"For all we have dedicated to a better world, what have the citizens done for this country!"

"How much have we been oppressed and now targeted for trying to recreate human history through evolution!"

"This rotten country is no longer needed!"

"Now, we! We will make this hateful country a sea of fire! Isn’t this our final mission!"

"We will do it tomorrow!"

He spat out the last words with burning eyes.

As his speech ended, cheers, agreement, and the sound of a sea of fire and destruction echoed around.

In the midst of all this noise, he quietly closed his eyes.

Yes. Tomorrow.

Seoul will finally understand what the end is in his hands.

***

"So, what’s your plan to seize that weapon?"

"Go to the control room, hit the operator on the head with a monkey wrench. Done. Then it’s ours."

"...It’s that easy?"

"Yeah."

Isn’t it easy?