Chapter 56: A Battle Out of Order

I watched Helena from a distance.

She stood atop a damaged building, her figure partially hidden by smoke and debris, yet her presence was unmistakable. Her gaze was locked onto Lightnova with an intensity that made my chest feel tight.

Why was she here?

No—this wasn’t right.

This was far too early.

In the webtoon… in the original storyline I had read until the very end—Helena was supposed to appear around Chapter 120.

Not now.

Not here.

Then what the hell was this!?

“Why… why did you show up so soon…?”

I clenched my teeth beneath the mask.

Something was seriously wrong.

I had already noticed the deviations piling up one by one, but this—this was no longer a small change. This was a fracture in the flow of the story itself.

I glanced back toward the battlefield.

The robot was still advancing toward Lightnova, its heavy metal steps crushing the ground with each movement. Green acidic smoke leaked continuously from its body, eating away at the air itself.

Lightnova was crouched behind a destroyed vehicle.

Her breathing was ragged.

She was exhausted.

Damn it…

“Ugh… what do I do!?”

If I went after Helena now, Lightnova would be forced to face that anti-light robot alone.

But if I stayed to help Lightnova…

Helena would disappear again.

And who knew when—or where—she would appear next?

I slowly rubbed my forehead.

Confusion.

Panic.

Frustration.

All of it mixed together inside my mind.

There were so many questions screaming inside my head, yet there was no one I could ask.

No one.

Because no one else in this world knew the truth.

No one knew that I had read this story to the very end.

Again.

And again.

And again.

“…I changed too much, didn’t I?”

I exhaled slowly.

Maybe I interfered too often.

Maybe I pushed the narrative too hard.

But still… what did that have to do with Helena appearing this early?

Before I could think further—

The robot moved again.

It raised its arm and aimed directly at Lightnova.

“Ugh!”

Lightnova tried to stand, but her legs trembled.

That was it.

I made my decision.

In the next instant—

I teleported.

The world warped.

And I appeared directly in front of the robot.

Its red mechanical eye locked onto me.

Without hesitation, I channeled So-ah’s flame into my right leg.

Fire erupted.

Heat roared.

Then—

I swung my leg sideways.

—BOOOOM—

My flaming kick slammed into the robot’s torso.

The robot tried to brace itself, its legs digging into the ground, but it wasn’t enough.

The impact sent it flying sideways.

It smashed straight into a nearby building, collapsing part of the structure with a thunderous crash.

I snapped my fingers.

Instantly, flames burst into existence, spreading outward and engulfing the green smoke.

The acidic mist ignited.

Burned.

Evaporated.

“…Hah.”

I exhaled.

“So-ah’s power really is useful in moments like this.”

From a distant rooftop—

Helena froze.

Her eyes widened as she stared at me.

Her fists clenched tightly.

Her teeth ground together as she whispered, barely audible—

“Why… why do you always help her…?”

Her voice trembled with resentment.

With pain.

With something far deeper.

Then she turned away.

Darkness twisted in front of her, forming a black portal.

Without looking back, Helena stepped into it.

The portal closed instantly.

Gone.

I looked away.

Back to the battlefield.

Lightnova peeked out from behind the car she had been hiding behind.

Her eyes widened when she saw me standing there.

“…Indigo?”

She stepped out carefully.

“What are you—”

Before she could finish, I replied casually while turning my head slightly toward her.

“Ah, Miss Lightnova. Long time no see. Please don’t misunderstand—I was actually planning to commit a crime here, but it seems someone else got here first, so I had no choice but to teach them a lesson.”

She blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Clearly confused.

Yet… she didn’t question me further.

She remained silent.

But inside her heart—

She was relieved.

Happy, even.

A small, unconscious smile appeared on her lips.

The robot suddenly groaned as it pushed itself out of the collapsed building.

Its systems whirred.

It stood again.

I sighed.

“Miss Lightnova, I think we’ll need to cooperate again. This robot isn’t something I can easily handle alone.”

That was a lie.

With my Void, I could erase it instantly.

But this wasn’t about me.

It was about her.

Lightnova hesitated.

“…Alright. But how can I help? My light is useless as long as that green smoke is active.”

I turned to her.

“Then don’t rely on your light.”

She froze.

“Try fighting without it. Stop depending solely on your power.”

Her eyes widened.

She fell silent, doubt clearly written across her face.

Can I… really help Indigo without my abilities? Is that even possible…?

Her thoughts spiraled.

Then—

I placed my hand on her shoulder.

She flinched slightly.

“Miss Lightnova,” I said calmly, “even if we’re enemies most of the time, when we fight together—trust me.”

She slowly looked up at my mask.

For a moment, her face flushed faintly.

Her hesitation vanished.

Replaced by resolve.

Inside her mind, only one thought remained.

Help Indigo.

She nodded.

The robot began advancing again.

I turned to face it.

“When I give the signal, run behind it. There’s a metal tank on its back—that’s the source of the green smoke.”

She listened carefully.

The robot opened fire.

Bullets rained toward us.

I raised my hand.

Void energy formed into a shield.

Every bullet was pulled into it, swallowed without a sound.

I glanced at Lightnova beside me.

“Now!”

She sprinted.

Fast.

Low.

She dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding stray fire, then took cover behind a damaged car.

She peeked out, watching the robot carefully.

Waiting.

Then—

She saw her opening.

Lightnova ran again.

She reached the robot’s back.

There it was.

A metal canister embedded in its spine.

She raised her fist—

But the robot’s head twisted backward.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Fear seized her.

Before the robot could act—

I teleported.

Appearing above it.

I slammed down onto its head.

“Your opponent is me!”

My punch twisted its head forward again.

Lightnova stared in awe.

She slapped her own cheeks.

Focus.

Then she moved.

She struck the metal tank.

—CRACK—

The container shattered.

Green smoke poured out uncontrollably.

Lightnova jumped back.

I flipped backward, landing beside her.

We stood side by side.

I raised both hands.

Flames ignited.

I thrust them forward.

The green smoke ignited like gas meeting fire.

It burned away completely.

Vanished.

The robot stood still.

No more smoke.

Lightnova raised her hand.

A sword of pure light formed.

Her body dissolved—

—became light.

She shot forward.

—WOOSH—

She pierced straight through the robot.

The light stopped.

Reformed into Lightnova.

She stood calmly, sword in hand.

The robot froze.

A thin slash appeared across its body.

Then—

It split in two.

Upper half.

Lower half.

The top half collapsed and exploded violently.

Lightnova stood near the explosion, not even turning around.

Her hair fluttered elegantly in the shockwave.

She dismissed her sword.

When the smoke cleared, she turned—

“…Indigo?”

He was gone.

“…You always disappear like this…” she muttered softly. “I wanted you to praise me… even just a little…”

From a distant building, I watched her.

“Well done,” I whispered. “That’s what I like about you, Lightnova.”

Then—

I turned away.

And vanished.

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