C29: Stepping Stone

I woke up after being in a coma for three days.

As soon as I woke up, Seo-eun welcomed me with tears.

Youre really crazy!, Seo-eun hit me. Gosh, Seo-eun. It really hurts! Stop it!

As I just sat up and tried to calm her down, I could feel that she was really surprised. I guess she was worried because I suddenly passed out like a dead body for three days.

Still, I was a little touched by Seo-euns tears as I woke up from the coma. The time we lived together wasnt wasted, she shed tears for me. I finally see the effects from playing games and hanging out with her!

I smiled at Seo-eun, who shed tears and told me to take care of myself in the future, and to vow to be careful in the future. Well, theres no guarantee that I wont do it again.

I woke up to soothe Seo-eun, and said thank you to Soobin for taking care of me. Then I went through the publics opinion right away.

What did people say about me?

What did they say about Stardus?

Well, and the result of the analysis is my popularity is at its peak. Many articles said that people seemed to think of me, a villain, as a hero.

Hmm As expected, it turned out like this.

I just killed him because I was put to shame, but it became a favorable factor. I guess I feel great.

And the shocking part was that this Crocodile Man was alive. He didnt die after being hit by the poisonous gas? Well, of course, I used a weak one just in case But I didnt know that he would survive. Well, he faced the same situation in the original comic and he had a hard time because of it.

He is said to have returned to his normal human form from the crocodile state, and has been placed in Superpower Detention Center of the East after the treatment.

Well, it went the way it was written in the original.

Superpower Detention Center of the East. Its called East Carcer. Precisely, its a place where they gather and imprison villains with superpowers.

Like the Hero Association, each country has a place called Carcer. Carcer, Latin for prison. Immediately after the first Superpower Detention Center, Americas Carcer was established in the U.S, all Superpower Detention Centers built in other countries since then are written as Carcer.

Its the highest security-grade facility in each country, and its also a place where all kinds of tools are installed to limit the ability of each prisoner according to their characteristics. Its built on an uninhabited island in the East Sea, and its protected with such strict security that there is a saying that no one can come out once entered. Of course, in the original comic, Seo-eun hacked and broke it off.

Anyway, hes trapped there alive, so he may die there some day. Hes a little dumb, so I think he will die easily. But Im not sure if hes like that only when hes in crocodile mode or even in human mode.

Anyway, I played and rested for a few days after that.

Im a normal citizen in the first place. After working so hard, I have to take a break since I was worn out.

I think Seo-eun has been staying by my side and hanging out with me more than before. Whats wrong with her?

Of course, I dont just lie down and play every day. Sometimes, I tell Seo-eun and Soobin about the hero society of Korea. They both stayed in their rooms and studied computer technology, so they didnt know much about current events.

Now, today, lets learn about the reality of heroes in Korea. Soobin, do you know how the public thinks about heroes?

Hmm They must like them, right? Because theyre the ones who save people.

No, they dont. Korea is a bit different. So, let me give you guys an example. The family was attacked by a villain. So they called out a hero. But before the hero came, the villain had already killed them all and ran away. Then do you know who people blame?

Arent they obviously going to blame the villain?

Oh, of course, they will blame the villain. They resent the villain, but they will blame the hero as much as the villain. My family died because you came late., they would said

But its not the heroes fault, is it? They didnt come late because they wanted to.

Thats right. But the citizens dont care about that. They could have just come quickly, but they were rambling so the family died. Thats how people resent them. Well, thats not all, but anyway, these similar things got together and became distrustful of heroes. In conclusion, the Korean people dont trust the heroes very much.

My throat hurts because I spoke for too long.

I took a sip of the pat bottle that was ripped off on the side.

Dont touch your lips while drinking it.

I listened to Seo-euns complaint and did it. Gosh, Seo-eun. I thought that you were looking at your phone, but when did you start to have interest in me?

As Seo-eun looked at it, she eventually opened her mouth and drank it. You should have got your own water instead

As my throat moistened, I continued to explain again.

Honestly, heroes are crazy and jumpy. No, its sad to work with their life on the line, but they even get cursed at. In fact, there are only a few heroes in Korea, so its difficult for someone to go to the site in case of an emergency. So theres inevitable delays. But they get cursed at.

Ah hah

Soobin nodded as she understood now. Seo-eun, who was looking at her smartphone, is also listening to me. So, does that mean that Im good at explaining?

In fact, my dream was to be a teacher before I fell into this world. Of course, there are so many other things to do now, and I cant do anything because I dont have an ID in the first place. Later, when everything is done, I will try to wash my identity and become a teacher.

This isnt the point anyway. I continued.

So its a chain reaction like a domino. Heroes who are tired of the heros distrust quit being heroes. The number of heroes decreases. Fewer heroes make it slower to cope with crime scenes. That will add to the distrust of the heroes. Its a vicious cycle. In fact, theres a reason why there are fewer B-class and C-class heroes. The countrys security depends on three A-class people.

It would have been nice if the police could have helped them, but the law prohibits police from being dispatched in the event of a crime using superpowers. In fact, a villain alone can wipe out all the cops who have guns, so they wont be a big help.

So, this is the conclusion.

A complete mess.

Heroes are despised and villains are growing in number.

There are too many villains compared to the number of heroes.

Its a part where you can see why Stardus is rolling alone.

Thats why youre getting rid of the villains? Youre like a dark hero.

Seo-eun, who was listening quietly, was sarcastic. Ugh, Seo-eun. You have been nice to me for the past few days, and now youre back on track.

Im not a dark hero. Im just interested in the fate of Korea.

Youre not just doing that womans job because you like Stardus, right?

Hey, Seo-eun. What do you mean by that woman? You have to speak nicely.

But thats true.

How did she figure that out?

But in this situation, its a waste to admit it right away.

I changed the topic nonchalantly.

Its not that, its just that I feel uncomfortable

I also think that youre very interested in Stardus.

Soobin cut me off and offered me a counterargument.

Soobin cut me off. Our nice Soobin.

When I say something, Soobin, who was always scared and teared up, only goes away

I raised a tiger cub.

The girls suddenly gazed at me.

As her gaze looked like she was interrogating me, I was taken abashed.

Now, now, Im interested in her? Yeah, its true that Im interested in her. But that doesnt matter. Because there are no other heroes than Stardus. And a villain needs a hero to be a villain, right? So I mean. Yeah, contrast structure. Ive set Stardus up as my arch energy for now

I found myself making excuses before I knew it. Wait, why am I making excuses for this?

Still, Seo-eun was looking at me with a suspicious look. Seo-eun, whats wrong with you? Its unfair.

Anyway! Thats not the point. Lets start planning another terrorist attack.

Seo-euns interest was shifted to another place besides Stardus.

Terrorist attack? Again?

Yeah. Well, my affinity has gone up too high. Its not exactly likability, but the expectation? Anyway, the only way to lower it again is massive terrorism.

Haa When are you going to prepare that?

Dont worry. Im going to take a break for a while after this terrorist attack.

I said with a smile at Seo-euns grumbling.

Youre going to take a break? Really? Then shall we go on a trip?

A trip?

When I saw Seo-euns sparkling eyes, I unknowingly affirmed.

Sure, a trip. That sounds great. Lets go after this.

Yay! You promised!

Then suddenly, Seo-eun ran somewhere.

Wait, I told you to prepare a terrorist attack with meShes not going to prepare for the trip, is she?

Soobin just smiled quietly at us.