Chapter 52: The Other Me

Some time earlier—before the false Indigo appeared before Jacqueline.

While everyone else was still locked in battle against Jacqueline…

The real Indigo was trapped.

He was restrained.

And the one who held him there was Eun-bi.

Indigo lay helpless, his wrists bound tightly by reinforced cuffs designed to suppress abilities. His legs were tied with thick rope, rendering him nearly immobile. His powers—his very essence—felt muted, suffocated.

Eun-bi was straddling Yoo Jinhoo’s body.

“M–Miss Eun-bi… please stop this… this doesn’t feel right,” Yoo Jinhoo pleaded weakly.

Eun-bi didn’t even acknowledge his words.

Her pupils had transformed into heart-shaped symbols, glowing unnaturally. Desire and obsession filled her gaze, drowning out reason entirely.

“I already told you, didn’t I?” she said softly. “Right now, you only need to think about me.”

Damn it…

I really can’t do anything like this.

The handcuffs bit into my wrists. No matter how much I struggled, they wouldn’t budge. I had to think—fast—before she completely lost control.

Just as Eun-bi leaned closer, her face nearing mine—

Her phone suddenly rang.

Eun-bi froze.

She looked startled, irritation flashing across her face.

She reached into her pocket and clicked her tongue.

“Ugh… who the hell is calling me at a time like this!?”

She climbed off the bed and turned toward the door while answering the call.

This… this is my only chance.

I scanned the room desperately, searching for any possible escape.

Then I saw it.

A window.

A window… that’s my only way out.

But with my hands cuffed like this, if I jump out, I won’t be able to activate my powers.

Damn it…

What should I do?

Just as I was completely cornered—

A voice echoed inside my head.

“You’re really pathetic, you know that?”

What…?

Where did that voice come from?

I looked around frantically, trying to find its source.

“I’m here, idiot. Inside your head.”

Inside my head…?

“Yes. It’s me. The version of yourself you called fake.”

…So it really is you.

“Yeah. After you defeated me back then, I slipped quietly into your body and merged with you.”

I see…

Then—do you have any way to get me out of this situation?

“Like hell I do, moron.”

What!? Then what’s the point of you being here!?

I glanced toward Eun-bi. She was still busy on the phone, clearly annoyed.

Hey! Don’t you have any idea? At least help me escape!

“…Tch. You’re really hopeless. See that window?”

Yeah, I see it. You want me to jump?

“Yes.”

Are you insane!? If I jump out of that window, I’ll die! This is the 12th floor!

“Just do it. While you’re falling, we’ll switch.”

Switch…? What do you mean?

“Let me take over your body for a bit. I have a way.”

I just need to tell you, and I’ll do it.

“No. I want to do it myself.”

“Tch… you’re really annoying.”

“Hahaha. Don’t be like that. I am you, after all.”

…Fine. Get ready.

I looked back at Eun-bi. She was still shouting angrily into her phone.

Carefully, I tried to stand.

The ropes around my legs made walking impossible.

I had to hop.

Slowly. Carefully.

I hopped toward the window, making sure not to make a sound.

When I reached it, I took a deep breath.

Then—

I leapt headfirst.

My head smashed through the glass, shattering it into countless fragments.

And I fell.

Eun-bi, startled by the sound of breaking glass, turned toward the bed.

“Hah!? Ugh!!! Damn it!”

She yelled back into the phone.

“This is all your fault! You’ll pay for this later! Because of you, my prey escaped!”

From the phone came a frightened female voice.

“I–I’m sorry, young miss… this is very important!”

On the other side…

I was in free fall from the 12th floor.

Damn! The wind is insane!

Hey! I already jumped! Now what!?

“Switch.”

Ugh! Fine—but only for a moment, got it!?

“Hehe… of course.”

And with that—

We switched.

Behind the black mask, my eyes glowed red.

I surveyed my surroundings midair.

“Hmph. This will be easy.”

I gathered all my strength.

With a violent surge of red aura, I forced the cuffs apart.

Cracks spread instantly.

The cuffs shattered.

“Hah! That’s it!? So weak.”

Next, I tore the ropes around my legs as if they were nothing.

Then—

Teleportation.

In an instant, I reappeared in my living room.

The switch ended.

My knees hit the floor.

“Hah… hah… that was seriously dangerous…”

I looked up.

Lee Donghyun and Lee Mira were standing near the window, staring outside.

Lee Mira turned first.

“Oppa!”

Lee Donghyun followed.

“Hyung!”

They rushed toward me.

I stood up, steadying myself.

“What happened? Where is everyone?”

“Oppa! The others are fighting an enemy you’ve fought before!”

“Yeah, Hyung! If I remember right… her name is Jacqueline!”

Jacqueline!?

How did she get here!?

“Where are they fighting?”

Lee Mira pointed outside.

I walked to the window.

The scene outside was horrifying.

Kim Gae-in, So-ah, and Min-seo were fighting desperately against Jacqueline.

But then—

Jacqueline crushed them.

Effortlessly.

All three collapsed unconscious.

Damn it!

This isn’t the time to just watch!

I sprinted to my changing room.

Suit. Cloak. Hat.

I put on my black mask.

Indigo.

Before leaving, I glanced back out the window.

Elvera was fighting Jacqueline.

Even Elvera—who had only just recovered—was fighting.

I clenched my fists.

I’ve really been careless.

Pathetic.

I turned to leave.

“Hyung? Where are you going!?”

“Where else? I’m going to help them.”

Lee Donghyun hesitated.

“Hyung… can you really beat her? She beat you badly last time.”

I stopped.

He was right.

Can I really defeat her?

Then—

The voice returned.

“What are you waiting for, idiot? You’re stronger than before. You’ve had your first awakening. You can beat her.”

But… I’m still not sure.

“Tch… you really are a coward.”

Yeah. I am.

“Then let’s switch.”

What!? Again!?

“Yes. With you doubting yourself, it’ll be hard to fight that crazy woman.”

…He’s right.

Alright.

Let’s switch—but promise me you won’t cause unnecessary chaos.

“Of course.”

We switched.

Behind the mask, my eyes glowed red.

Teleportation.

I appeared on the rooftop.

My hands crossed behind my back.

My cloak fluttered violently in the strong wind.

Jacqueline had defeated Elvera.

For some reason—

That pissed me off.

I watched Jacqueline mutter something to herself. I couldn’t hear her from this distance.

But strangely…

I felt excited.

Even though my body wasn’t under my control anymore.

And that was the moment—

The nightmare truly began.

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