Chapter 203: – Doomsday

Chapter 203 – Doomsday

The Statue of Liberty exploded.

In other words, the current timeline is the one where the world is about to be destroyed before X-Machina reverses time.

Realizing this, I immediately took action.

“Da-in?”

When I suddenly stood up from watching TV, everyone looked at me with confusion.

Quickly, I retrieved the secret capsule from my pocket, clenched it in my fist, and activated it.

Suddenly, smoke filled the living room.

“Da-in, what’s happening...”

“Hey, what are yo...”

“Da-in? Ugh...”

Caught off guard by the sudden phenomenon, my fellow members stumbled and collapsed.

I’m sorry. They were just sleeping.

The world’s destruction. All of this started a few minutes after the Statue of Liberty’s head exploded, causing all superpowered individuals worldwide to go on a rampage, attacking cities like they were possessed.

So, I first made sure our team members were safe and asleep. Even if it’s a timeline that will be erased, I didn’t want to see my comrades attacking others. Phew, now they should all be asleep.

As I looked around to check on everyone,

I made eye contact with Eun-wol, who was standing unscathed, blinking her eyes.

“......”

“......”

The sudden silence filled the living room. Right, the magic circle. It seemed like Eun-wol unknowingly activated one of her magical abilities to protect us.

In the midst of this bewildering situation, I hesitated for a moment. Looking around at the fallen members in the living room, Eun-wol gave me a slightly sad smile and whispered.

“I believe you, Da-in.”

Then, in one breath, she inhaled the smoke, and after finishing the spell, she collapsed to the ground.

I approached her and held her gently, as she lay on the floor. Quietly, I murmured, “I’m sorry, Eun-wol.”

Just sleeping for a while, it’s just a momentary dream that we’ll forget anyway.

After checking on everyone lying in the living room, I left quietly. The effect of the magic would wear off after a few hours, and everyone would wake up. Those with strong innate abilities like Shinyeong might wake up earlier, but it doesn’t matter. Soon, the world would be destroyed, and time would reset.

With those thoughts in mind, I changed into the outfit I wore during our terrorist activities.

Mask, hat, cape. Everything check.

I took the camera and memorized the sight of our sleeping members in the living room. Then, quietly, I left the house.

Our members’ mental states were now safe, and there was nothing more I could do here. Now, I have to meet Stardus.

***

The catastrophe struck in the blink of an eye.

“[Breaking News! The United States has launched nuclear missiles toward Europe, China, Australia, and Egypt! In response, other countries are deploying countermeasures and retaliating with nuclear strikes on the United States!]”

A sudden global nuclear war broke out. Out of nowhere, the US President initiated nuclear attacks on multiple continents, and the world plunged into chaos.

But little did we know, this was just the tip of the iceberg. Even worse events were yet to unfold.

[Breaking News! The villain organization “Etheria,” led by the S-class villain Celest, has initiated a large-scale attack! They are targeting the United States and turning the nation into a sea of flames...]

[Breaking News! The national hero association of the United States is attacking its own citizens! Heroes are smashing the cities, and the exact reason remains unknown...]

[Breaking News! Superpower detention centers in the United States, Europe, and Russia have all lost control and been destroyed! As a result, the S-class villains held in isolation have been released, causing nearby cities to be reduced to ruins...]

[Breaking News! The armies of the villain organization Atlas in the North Atlantic have begun invading the world! Citizens living near the coast are urged to evacuate immediately...]

[B-Breaking News! The superpower detention centre in the East of South Korea, East Carceris, has collapsed! All S-class villains have been released, so citizens are advised to evacuate to safety...]

“This is crazy.”

Stardus felt like her soul was about to leave her body.

This situation now made her doubt whether it was just a disturbing dream.

However, the cold air against her skin confirmed that it was indeed reality.

“Whoa. P-President Lee Seola fired missiles! It seems to be missiles hidden by YuSeong Enterprise!”

“What did you say?”

After momentarily freezing, Stardus regained her composure upon hearing the news and quickly tried to call Lee Seola.

[Currently, the person you are calling cannot be reached. Please leave a message after the beep...]

But all she heard was the busy tone.

Lee Seola always answered her calls no matter how busy she was, but today seemed to be an exception.

“I’ll head outside for now.”

“...Sure, please do. Well, it seems like there’s nothing more we can do...”

Passing by the murmuring staff, Stardus stepped outside.

A chilly wind blew, and the sound of explosions echoed from all directions.

“Oh...”

Shin Haru’s eyes trembled uncontrollably. Where should she start, and what should she do?

She had already received all the reports from the association. The sudden news that all superpower holders, including heroes and villains, were going mad. And even world leaders had gone corrupt.

The entire world was now hurtling towards destruction in just one morning.

In such a situation, how on earth should she handle it?

She had roughly flown around and dealt with visible villains, but it felt like an endless loop. As soon as she subdued one another appeared, an endless cycle. Under this overwhelming wave, Shin Haru found herself on a psychological cliff.

...It seems there’s no answer. It’s likely the end.

The world is already in ruins, and what could she possibly do alone?

And in that situation.

Suddenly, an idea popped into her head, from none other than...

It was a villain, a certain man.

“...Egostic.”

In the middle of this psychological turmoil, she realized something. She had relied on Egostic more than she thought. Even in this situation, she thought of him first.

...But there’s no way he can help. It’s almost certain that he, like the others, has gone mad.

As she flew away, leaving everything behind, a broadcast was playing on a billboard next to a collapsed building.

And on that broadcast.

A man’s appearance, something she didn’t expect.

No, she had thought of it, but she couldn’t bring herself to hope for it.

The image of one man was coming through.

“Whoa, this world is in a bit of a mess, isn’t it?”

His playful voice echoed from the large speaker. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.

And he continued to speak.

“Well... there might not be much I can do, but I do know something about this situation.”

“So, Stardus.”

“Could you come over here, please?”

Looking as if he was looking directly into her eyes, he gave a cheerful smile.

Checking the background behind him, she found herself unconsciously flying towards that place.

Only to see him.