Chapter 56: Shadow and Light

Jin walked through the streets, his long black suit billowing slightly in the evening wind. The city had changed. Once under the oppressive rule of the Ranker Association, fear and uncertainty had dominated these streets. Now, there was something new in the air—admiration, reverence… and fear.

The moment Jin ordered Lysander to spread the truth about the Ranker Association's tyranny, the people who once supported the organization refused to believe it. They clung to their faith, unwilling to accept that the very institution they revered was corrupt. However, when Jin presented undeniable proof, the illusion shattered.

Shock rippled through the crowd, their disbelief turning into fury. Betrayed and outraged, they erupted in anger, their voices rising in protest against the very entity they had once trusted. The weight of the truth was undeniable—justice had been tainted, and now, vengeance loomed on the horizon.

News of Jin's victory spread like wildfire.

For the first time, the people saw him not just as a warrior, but as a symbol. The man who had defied the Founder, torn apart the world's greatest power, and emerged victorious. His name carried weight, whispered in awe in every corner of the world.

But Jin had little interest in admiration.

His mind was elsewhere.

Hyun.

The one who had betrayed him.

Kaelros had done his job well. Hyun was captured, dragged from his hiding place like a rat. Jin had given only one instruction:

"Torture him until I arrive."

He would deal with Hyun personally.

But before that, a more complicated matter had appeared.

The Celestial Families, Park Hae-In, Chris Walker, Thomas Boaris, and Mr. Singh all wanted an audience with him.

Jin scoffed. These weren't just minor figures. Each of these names carried terrifying weight in the world. Some were leaders of powerful clans, others were walking calamities in their own right.

They wanted to meet him.

Jin's fingers twitched slightly. He had no patience for politics.

Still, he would deal with them soon enough.

Just as he was lost in thought, his phone buzzed.

A message from Lia.

"Meet me."

After few hours Jin had reached the amusement park. He found her waiting near the entrance. The bright neon lights flickered behind her, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.

Lia's face lit up when she saw him. For a moment, Jin felt something unfamiliar—warmth. He thought that he met Lia after a long time. But his mind didn't believe this. Suddenly___

"You're late," she pouted.

Jin sighed. "You didn't tell me why you wanted to meet."

Lia grabbed his hand. "Because you never take breaks. You're coming with me."

Before he could protest, she pulled him inside.

Jin found himself in an entirely different world.

Laughter. Colors. The scent of food stalls. People ran past, children played, and the distant sound of music echoed in the background. It was the opposite of everything he had been immersed in.

And yet…

Lia was smiling. She dragged him from place to place, her smile never fading. She cheered on the roller coasters, laughed at silly games, and ate ice cream like a child.

Jin, however, remained silent.

He wasn't sure what was happening to him, but something about watching her smile so freely made his chest feel… heavy.

At one point, he found himself simply staring at her.

For the first time in a long time, Jin felt something stir inside him. He wasn't sure what it was.

Why was he here?

He had no enemies to kill, no war to fight.

Then why did watching Lia's happiness make him pause?

As they walked home, the amusement park lights fading in the distance, Lia suddenly stopped.

"Jin."

He turned to her. "What is it?"

She looked nervous. Something was different, Her face turned red.

Then, she took a deep breath.

"I love you."

Jin became surprise and froze.

Lia's eyes shimmered with emotion. "I've loved you for so long," she continued. "And I know you think you don't deserve this, but you do. Please, Jin… accept me."

She clenched her fists. "And I don't care if you don't feel the same. Just—just say something."

Jin opened his mouth but found no words.Then, he sighed softly and stepped closer, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face.

"Lia…" His voice was almost gentle. "You deserve someone better."

She flinched. "That's not true."

Jin shook his head. "You don't understand. My path is covered in blood. I destroy everything I touch. If I let myself love you… I will lose you, just like I've lost everyone else."

Lia laughed bitterly. "Of course. You've never thought about love, have you? You only know how to fight, how to kill."

Then, suddenly, tears welled up in her eyes.

"You left," she whispered. "You left to fight the Ranker Association, and do you know what happened to me?"

Jin's chest tightened.

Lia's voice trembled. "They came for me, Jin."

And then, she told him.

What she had gone through.

The horror. The pain. The nights she spent waiting, hoping he would return. The fear that she wouldn't survive to see him again.

Jin's fists clenched. He hadn't known. He hadn't realized.

He had been so focused on destroying the Association, on winning his war, that he had left her vulnerable.

And she had suffered for it.

Jin exhaled slowly, then did something he had never done before—he pulled her into a hug.

She froze. Then, she clung to him, crying into his chest.

Jin closed his eyes. He couldn't love her the way she wanted. But he could at least protect what little she had left.

"…Fine," he murmured.

Lia lifted her head, looking up at him with tear-streaked eyes. "W-What?"

Jin's voice was barely above a whisper. "I won't let it happen again."

Jin closed his eyes. He didn't want love. He didn't want attachment.

But Lia was different.

She was the only person who had ever cared for him—truly cared.

And he had already lost too many people who loved him.

So, for her sake—

He accepted her Love.