Chapter 54: Ripples Beneath the Calm

*At the Lakeside Park*

The surface of the lake was calm, almost unnaturally so, reflecting the pale blue sky like a flawless mirror.

Ji-hye sat quietly at the edge of the wooden pier, holding a fishing rod that barely moved. The thin line disappeared into the dark water below, but her attention was far from the fish that might bite it.

“Haah… I don’t even know why I suddenly wanted to do this…”

She muttered to herself, eyes unfocused as the wind brushed gently against her face.

Fishing had never been her hobby. In fact, she barely had time for hobbies at all. As Korea’s only S-Rank Hero, Ji-hye lived a life of constant battles, missions, and responsibility. Every day was filled with danger, paperwork, and expectations.

Yet today, she had found herself here, alone, staring into a lake.

Not because she was tired.

But because she was confused.

Her thoughts drifted, as they had been doing ever since that day.

Indigo.

The villain who had saved her life.

The man who had slaughtered two other Heroes without hesitation—yet had gone out of his way to protect her, even exile her from the battlefield as if he were afraid she might get hurt.

It didn’t make sense.

Why would a villain show mercy to a Hero?

Why would a monster choose not to kill her?

“What do you really want from me… Indigo?”

Ji-hye whispered, her grip on the fishing rod tightening.

She was angry, too. Furious, even. Indigo had humiliated her in front of other Heroes. He had made her look weak, powerless, helpless.

But deeper than that anger… there was something else.

A knot of unanswered questions.

A strange ache in her chest.

She didn’t know what to call it.

“Haah… This is seriously driving me crazy…”

She sighed again, staring into the water as the wind suddenly picked up. Her long golden hair danced in the air, glowing beautifully under the sunlight.

Just then—

“Ah! So this is where you are!”

A female voice rang out from behind her.

Ji-hye turned her head.

Na Yerin was walking toward her.

Tall, confident, and sharp-eyed, Yerin was an A-Rank Hero who had been active long before Ji-hye ever awakened her powers. To Ji-hye, she wasn’t just a colleague—she was a senior, someone she deeply respected.

Na Yerin stopped beside her, folding her arms.

“Fishing? You? That’s rare. What’s going on?”

Ji-hye blinked.

“Ah… I was just bored of staying inside all the time. At home or in the office… Besides, there aren’t many high-class villains active right now.”

“Hm. Then what about your university?”

Ji-hye froze for a split second.

“Ah… that… I haven’t been attending for about a week…”

“What!?” Yerin’s eyes widened. “Why would you do that?”

“Well… you know how busy I am…”

“Ugh, I know you’re busy,” Yerin snapped, “but that doesn’t mean you get to neglect your education!”

Ji-hye flinched slightly.

Even though she was an S-Rank Hero—the strongest in Korea—she always listened when Na Yerin spoke. Yerin had more experience, and she was three years older.

“Haah… make sure you attend your classes next time.”

“Yes, Senior…”

With that, Yerin sat down beside her on the pier.

“So,” she said, glancing at Ji-hye. “What’s really bothering you?”

Ji-hye hesitated, then let out a slow breath and gave a small, awkward smile.

“As expected of you, Senior… It’s something complicated. There’s a man… he saved me, but he thinks of himself as evil. Do you understand what I mean?”

Yerin’s interest was clearly piqued.

“Hmm… good but evil, huh? Could he be a villain?”

Ji-hye’s eyes widened.

“U-uhm… yes.”

“Ohh~ could this be an enemies-to-lovers story?”

Ji-hye nearly jumped.

“W-what!? No! That’s not what I meant! I don’t like him at all! Why would I ever like a villain!?”

Her face flushed red as she spoke.

Yerin blinked, surprised.

“Oh? So I was wrong.”

Then she smirked.

“Still, who is this villain? I’m curious.”

“U-uhm… that’s a secret.”

Yerin’s shoulders slumped.

“Seriously?”

’If I tell her it’s Indigo, she’ll definitely get angry…’

Ji-hye thought.

After all, Indigo had defeated Na Yerin with humiliating ease before.

“Oh?” Yerin said. “Are you afraid I’ll go investigate him if you tell me his name?”

Ji-hye turned away slightly.

“O-of course not. It’s just… for everyone’s comfort.”

Yerin didn’t understand what that meant at all, but she didn’t push further.

After a moment, she stood up.

“Alright then. I’ll head out. I’ve got some business to take care of.”

“Ah… okay.”

Yerin walked away.

Ji-hye remained by the lake, gazing up at the sky.

For some reason, the clouds looked like a mask.

Indigo’s mask.

*Yoo Jinhoo’s House*

Jacqueline slowly opened her eyes.

Her vision was blurry. Her head throbbed.

“…Ugh…”

She lifted her hand to her forehead.

“Where… am I?”

The ceiling above her was unfamiliar.

She was lying in a bedroom.

Panic crept into her chest as she looked around.

Then—

The door opened.

A man stepped inside, holding a tray of food and a drink.

Jacqueline froze.

The man was handsome—so much so that it momentarily stole her breath away.

Black hair. Calm eyes. A gentle smile.

He approached her and placed the tray beside her bed.

“You’re awake.”

“W-who are you…?”

She had never seen his face before.

Yoo Jinhoo smiled faintly.

“Ah… right. You’ve never seen me without the mask.”

He straightened.

“I’m Yoo Jinhoo. The man behind the black mask.”

Jacqueline’s eyes widened.

“You mean… Indigo!?”

“Yes.”

For a moment, her body tensed as if preparing to fight—but the reality hit her instantly.

In her current state, she stood no chance against him.

“So… you captured me?”

“You could say that.”

“Then why didn’t you kill me? You were so ruthless earlier.”

Jinhoo tilted his head slightly.

“Think of it as me having two sides. I didn’t kill you because I need you.”

“…So you’re planning to use me?”

“Exactly.”

Jacqueline studied his face again.

“Still… who would have guessed that beneath that black mask was such a handsome face. No wonder so many women seem attached to you.”

Jinhoo sighed.

“Enough small talk. I have many questions for you.”

She nodded.

“But before that… allow me to introduce myself properly.”

She extended her hand.

“My name is Zofia. Former SS-Rank Hero from Poland.”

Jinhoo shook her hand.

“Yoo Jinhoo. Rising S-Rank Villain.”

Their smiles held completely different meanings.

*New York City*

Jade sat at her desk, coffee in hand, eyes scanning through documents.

She hadn’t slept in two days.

Dark circles framed her eyes.

Since Indigo’s attack, she had been flooded with work. On top of that, she was carrying out a secret mission—gathering allies to expose and eliminate traitors within the Hero Association.

And for that…

She was cooperating with Indigo.

She didn’t trust him.

But she hated betrayal more.

And if Indigo was right about the rot inside the Association…

Then perhaps a worse future could still be avoided.

Perhaps.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep