The Villain Is Too Popular

"I'm sorry, Laokong, my brother, I misunderstood you before!"

"Chenkong: Though I'm not a genius, I'm certainly no coward!"

"Laokong, you're a true man!"

A reversal, a huge reversal.

When the dimensional viewers saw this young man, once labeled a "coward" by them, now, at a life-or-death moment, his first instinct was to protect a group of strangers, Chenkong's image as a self-abasing, introverted coward instantly shattered.

In its place stood a brave man, also self-abasing and introverted, but daring to face death.

It was at this moment that the dimensional viewers suddenly understood something.

They realized that what they truly disliked was never genuine kindness, but rather those hypocrites who mouthed platitudes of righteousness while only engaging in moral blackmail.

You can hide in a corner and choose to remain silent, but please do not mock or slander those braver than you.

Because the light they fight for with their lives... will also shine upon you.

Bang!

A dark, void-patterned bullet sliced through the flames and thick smoke, and under the eager gazes of countless dimensional viewers, it accurately struck Molten Mountain's forehead.

But an unexpected scene unfolded.

Although the void-patterned bullet hit "Molten Mountain," it passed directly through his forehead and struck the empty checkout counter behind him.

It turned out that the Molten Mountain that appeared behind Chenkong was not a real person at all, but a lifelike illusion!

"What a pity, you almost killed me."

Chenkong sharply turned, just about to raise his gun and shoot in the direction of the voice.

But a powerful punch had already landed on his abdomen.

Bang!

His body flew out like a rag doll, crashing into a shelf before falling heavily to the ground.

And in the spot where he had just stood, Molten Mountain's true figure appeared.

Molten Mountain still maintained his punching posture, his right elbow featuring two protruding "volcanic tumors" that resembled jet devices, slowly emitting smoke.

"Though you're just a kid, the most taboo thing for a Star Envoy is to rashly attack without knowing the enemy's star source type."

"Kid, I've completely seen through you."

"If I'm not mistaken, your star source should be some kind of special ability type that can nullify star source abilities, right? What an exaggerated star source it is."

"But it doesn't matter, I'm not one of those useless wastes who are powerless without their star source."

"Besides, the weakness of your star source... is too obvious."

"Cough...!"

Chenkong curled up in the ruins, his fractured ribs possibly piercing his internal organs, and warm liquid seeped from the corner of his mouth.

How many ribs were broken? One? Two?

Or... more?

Chenkong didn't know the exact condition of his body; he only knew that the scorching air around him was like a blade, each breath accompanied by excruciating pain.

He hurt so much, so much that he didn't even have the strength to stand up.

His body... seemed to have reached its limit.

Undoubtedly, Chenkong was now completely in a desperate situation.

Because even at his full strength, he was no match for Molten Mountain.

Let alone now, severely wounded.

Actually, if he had chosen to ignore the people in the supermarket from the beginning, he could have relied on the low presence granted by the void-pattern to shake off Molten Mountain and successfully escape.

But if he had done so, an enraged Molten Mountain would likely have killed everyone in the supermarket to vent his fury.

Therefore, Chenkong decisively chose to stay.

He wanted to buy precious escape time for the others.

But for a group of masked strangers, was it really necessary for him to fight so desperately?

He didn't even know their names.

And even if he had sacrificed so much for these people, they might not even thank him when it was all over.

So, was everything he was doing right now truly worth it?

In a daze, Chenkong felt his head growing heavier, and his vision began to blur, memories flashing like a revolving lantern.

"Brother Tendo, why does everyone reject me so much? Am I really that annoying to everyone?"

"Hmm... that's a good question. Have you ever considered that perhaps people don't dislike you, but rather fear you?"

"Ah? Fear me? Why?"

"Because while people are curious about the unknown, they are also afraid of it."

"You see, ferocious beasts only bare their claws and fangs aggressively when facing other threatening beasts. But if they're only facing a harmless little rabbit, they'll simply nap leisurely, not even bothering to stand up and threaten it."

"Therefore, the more ordinary you appear, the more common you seem, the more they will fear and dread you."

"Because they simply don't know if you're deliberately pretending to be weak, or if you truly are that weak."

"But if you ask me, none of that really matters, because you're living for yourself, not for others."

"So, what others think doesn't matter at all; what you think... is what matters most."

As the memory faded, Chenkong's previously bewildered eyes gradually cleared and became resolute.

Yes, what others think doesn't matter at all; what I think matters most.

Because I am living for myself, not for others.

Since I believe this is what I should do, then I'll just do it.

Whether there will be a reward for doing so, whether it's right or wrong, none of that matters.

Because I believe it is right, then it... must be right!

Thinking this, Chenkong decisively chose to suppress the void-pattern within him.

And he used his remaining meager starlight to activate his star source... the Idealist.

The Idealist, with its "Synchronization" ability, can replicate up to three star sources.

And the replicated star source Chenkong chose to use at this moment was from Mirror Glaze, the No. 3 of the Children of the Stars — Daydream.

"Ah? You said you want to replicate my star source?"

"N-no, is it not allowed...?"

"No problem at all! Anyway, my star source isn't anything special; if you want to use it, just take it. "

"Just one thing I must warn you about, the effect of my Daydream isn't fixed. Its effect completely depends on your mood and thoughts at the time, after all, you can only dream at night what you think about during the day."

"And the reason why everyone thinks my Daydream can only produce 'Dream Sweeteners' that restore everyone's condition is because my intention is for everyone in the base to be happy every day, so I put all my happiness into the candy."

"But everyone's thoughts are different, and everyone's moods are different. I feel very happy living in the base, and I also want to maintain this happy life, so the effect of the Dream Sweetener I produce is to make everyone happy every day and keep their bodies healthy."

"But this is my Daydream, not yours."

"So, if you can't clearly know what you want, then you won't be able to determine the effect of the Dream Sweetener you produce. I hope you remember this."

"I... I understand."

The reason Chenkong chose to use Mirror Glaze's Daydream at this moment was because he clearly understood his current mood and thoughts.

His Daydream... was to survive!

And this will to survive was far stronger and more resolute than ever before.

"Huh?!"

To Molten Mountain's astonished eyes, Chenkong, who should have already reached his limit, now erupted with a star energy fluctuation far stronger than before.

His physical condition also visibly improved significantly.

It was as if he had never been injured.

And all these changes came from a strange, entirely blue candy he had just consumed...

So, the true effect of this guy's star source isn't to nullify star energy?

Or... does he actually have two star sources???

Molten Mountain had no time to ponder this question.

Because Chenkong, not far away, had already risen again, raising his specialized black gun and pointing it at him once more.

And a faint blue glow emerged from the black gun barrel, seemingly the best proof of Chenkong's resolute will to survive!

He wants to live, and he will certainly live. His tomorrow... will definitely arrive as scheduled!

[Dream Sweetener · Blue (Pseudo): Can temporarily block all pain, and briefly restore and boost one's star energy and physique, lasting for three minutes.]

[Side effect: After the effect ends, the user will enter a weakened state for one day, with all attributes decreased by 50%.]

[Creator · Chenkong: Blue represents the sky, represents freedom, represents the future... And this candy, carrying the future, will surely allow its consumer to witness that brilliant tomorrow with their own eyes.

So, if your body has reached its limit, let your will... lead you out of the siege!]