Chapter 118: Shadows Behind the Truth

Lightnova glanced toward Indigo.

A faint blush colored her cheeks, subtle yet unmistakable. Her fingers twitched slightly at her sides, betraying the composure she tried to maintain. She hesitated for a brief moment before finally parting her lips.

“So… how have you been…”

The words came out softer than she intended.

Indigo turned his head toward her almost immediately, clearly caught off guard. His posture stiffened for a fraction of a second, as if her question had struck somewhere unexpected.

He hadn’t anticipated that. Not from her.

At the same time, Lightnova herself seemed to realize what she had just said. Her eyes widened slightly before she quickly turned her face away.

Her cheeks burned hotter.

’idiot! idiot! idiot!! why did i just ask my sworn enemy how he’s doing!!’

She clenched her fists slightly, silently scolding herself.

“I-uhm… I… I’m doing fine…”

Indigo replied, his voice carrying a rare hint of awkwardness. He wasn’t used to this kind of interaction—especially not with her.

He paused briefly before speaking again.

“But… why are you asking me that?”

Lightnova’s blush deepened instantly at his response. She bit her lower lip lightly before glancing at him from the corner of her eye.

“I-is it wrong if I ask…?”

Her voice was quiet, almost defensive.

“Well… not really…”

Indigo answered after a moment, his tone returning to its usual calm.

Silence fell between them.

The wind continued to blow gently across the rooftop, brushing past their hair and clothes, carrying with it a strange, unspoken tension.

Neither of them spoke.

Neither of them moved.

Time seemed to stretch.

Indigo eventually lifted his wrist slightly, glancing at his watch.

“It looks like I have to go. Don’t worry, I’m not doing anything criminal. I just have something to take care of.”

Lightnova looked at him.

There was a fleeting hint of disappointment in her eyes, but it vanished just as quickly as it appeared. She forced a small, shy smile.

“O-okay… then… go…”

Indigo didn’t respond immediately.

Instead, he turned and walked toward the edge of the rooftop.

He stopped right at the ledge.

Then, slowly, he turned his body to face her again.

Without another word, he leaned forward—

—and let himself fall.

Lightnova’s eyes widened in shock.

She immediately ran toward the edge of the rooftop.

“Wait—!”

She reached the edge and looked down.

Far below, Indigo’s figure fell freely through the air, his body upside down, arms spread wide as if embracing the fall itself.

The wind roared past him.

For a moment, it almost looked like he was smiling beneath the mask.

Then—

Just before hitting the ground—

He snapped his fingers.

A burst of blue light enveloped him instantly.

And he vanished.

Gone.

Lightnova stood there, staring at the empty space where he had disappeared.

Her heart beat a little faster than usual.

“…strange…”

She whispered under her breath.

Moments later.

Inside an empty restroom within the Eul-wong building.

A faint blue light flickered into existence.

Indigo appeared.

He stood still for a second, scanning his surroundings to ensure no one was present.

Satisfied, he placed a hand over his chest.

Blue energy began to spread across his body.

In an instant—

His black cloak, mask, hat, and suit dissolved into light.

Replaced by a clean, formal office outfit.

His hair shifted neatly into its usual parted style.

Yoo Jinhoo.

Back to normal.

He adjusted his collar slightly and exhaled.

“…that was close.”

He muttered quietly.

After waiting a moment longer, he stepped toward the door, glancing left and right.

Seeing no one, he exited calmly and closed the door behind him.

Then he headed toward the stairs.

But he wasn’t alone.

Behind the restroom wall—

A figure slowly stepped out.

Kim Rae.

Her face was pale.

Her body trembled.

“T-that’s impossible…”

Her voice shook.

“Indigo… that infamous villain… is actually… Mr. Jinhoo…”

Her mind struggled to process what she had just witnessed.

Moments earlier, she had simply intended to wash her face.

But the moment she saw someone inside through the glass—

She stopped.

And what she saw next shattered her entire understanding of reality.

The transformation.

The identity.

Everything.

She covered her mouth, trying to suppress her breathing.

’oh god… if he finds out i saw that… i’m dead… i’m definitely dead…’

Fear gripped her tightly.

She remained frozen for several seconds before slowly backing away.

Meanwhile.

Inside Eun-bi’s office.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

Eun-bi’s voice was calm and composed.

The door opened.

Jinhoo entered quietly, closing it behind him before walking toward her desk.

“So, we’ve sold the two subsidiaries?”

He asked directly.

“Yes.”

Eun-bi replied, leaning back slightly in her chair.

“But the results weren’t as good as we expected. How are we going to handle this?”

Jinhoo smiled faintly.

“Relax. I have a solution. Just leave everything to me.”

Some time later.

Jinhoo exited the building, carrying two large bags—one in each hand.

Both filled with cash from the sale.

He walked toward a white sedan prepared by Eun-bi.

His next destination—

Gold.

From several floors above.

Julian stood by the window.

Staring.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

“W-why is he still alive!?”

His voice trembled with anger.

“I already sent assassins to kill him!!”

Behind him stood his assistant.

Leona.

Calm. Unbothered.

“Mr. Julian, if this continues, Mr. Picky’s plan will fall apart.”

She spoke coldly.

“I KNOW THAT, DAMN IT!”

Julian slammed his fist against the glass.

Cracks formed.

His breathing grew heavy.

“This is all because of that man… Yoo Jinhoo… if he didn’t exist—”

“Then remove him.”

Leona interrupted.

Julian paused.

“…you might be right.”

A slow, twisted smile formed on his face.

But something about the situation—

Felt off.

“Can’t you help me with this?”

He snapped.

“You’re just standing there doing nothing.”

Leona didn’t respond immediately.

Instead—

“I may be your assistant, but I don’t take orders from you.”

Her tone was flat.

“Only Mr. Picky has that right.”

That answer pushed Julian over the edge.

His expression twisted with fury.

He turned sharply—

And pointed a handgun at her.

“You’ve been getting on my nerves, Leona.”

His voice was filled with rage.

“I’m really sick of you.”

Leona didn’t move.

Didn’t flinch.

“Huh… are you sure about this, Mr. Julian?”

“I’m absolutely sure!”

He pulled the trigger.

Bang.

But—

“Stop.”

Her voice echoed softly.

The world changed.

Darkness swallowed the room.

The bullet froze mid-air.

Time itself—

Stopped.

Julian’s eyes widened in terror.

“W-what… what is this…?!”

Leona stepped forward slowly.

Each step echoed unnaturally.

“I told you, didn’t I?”

“Think before you act.”

Julian’s body trembled violently.

“You… you’re—”

“Allow me to properly introduce myself.”

She said calmly.

“My name is Leona.”

She stopped right in front of him.

“The ruler of shadow time.”

Julian’s pupils shrank.

“S-shadow time…?! Wait… you’re one of the Overseers!?”

Fear consumed him entirely.

“Oh? Not bad.”

Leona smiled faintly.

“You’re quite knowledgeable.”

Julian collapsed backward, scrambling away.

’shit… don’t tell me… Mr. Picky is also one of them…!?’

Panic overwhelmed his thoughts.

Behind him—

Black flames blocked his escape.

He was trapped.

Completely.

Leona raised her hand slightly.

Her finger pointed toward his neck.

A thin line appeared.

Blood followed.

Julian froze.

“…eh…?”

In the next instant—

His head separated from his body.

Falling.

Blood spilled across the floor.

Silence returned.

Leona lowered her hand.

“Like I said…”

She turned slightly, her long brown hair flowing behind her.

“Think before you act.”

Her expression remained calm.

Cold.

Merciless.

She walked away—

Leaving behind nothing but darkness and death.

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