Chapter 31: Beneath the Masks

Deadknight stepped inside the dim apartment quietly. His movements were careful, precise—he carried Lady Tape gently through the narrow hallway and into the bedroom. He laid her down slowly on the bed, pulling the blanket up to her chest before stepping back into the living room.

Bunnyman limped over to the center of the room. Ivy stood there, staring at him with wide eyes, still processing the chaos that had just knocked on her front door.

Without saying a word, Bunnyman reached for his mask.

The moment he pulled it off, the silence shattered.

"Leon…?" Ivy whispered.

Her voice was barely audible. Her body froze, as though the world had stopped spinning for a moment. "You… you're Bunnyman?"

Leon nodded slowly, guilt heavy in his eyes. "I didn't want to lie to you. But I had to protect you… from all of this."

She took a step back, looking at the bruises on his face, the torn suit, the tension in his shoulders. "All this time... I thought you were just out late working extra shifts…"

Leon chuckled bitterly. "I was working. Just not the kind you thought."

The room stayed quiet for a moment longer before Ivy finally stepped forward. She placed her hand on his shoulder. "You should've told me sooner."

Leon's expression softened. "Can I count on you to keep this between us?"

"I promise," she said firmly.

Deadknight, who had been standing silently in the corner, stepped closer.

"She's strong," he said. "You chose well."

Leon looked at him, then at Ivy. "This is the guy who helped me save everyone. He's one of us."

Ivy gave Deadknight a wary nod, still unsure how to respond to the armored vigilante standing in her home.

Meanwhile, across the sea, at the darkened facility on the island—

Mr. Crow stood in the center of the wrecked base, surrounded by broken equipment and stunned men. His breath was uneven, chest heaving. But it wasn't from exhaustion—it was rage.

Rex and the other men looked on in silence. None dared to speak.

Finally, one of the researchers stepped forward. "The drug, sir… it wasn't ready. The injection—it activated an unstable version of our experiment."

Mr. Crow didn't respond. He merely stared at his trembling hands, veins still faintly pulsing with darkness.

Then he roared.

In one monstrous leap, he vaulted out of the facility—up into the sky, toward the mainland.

Rex's eyes widened. "Stop him."

Rex's body shifted—power surging through his veins. He kicked off the ground and soared after Mr. Crow, catching up with him midair before crashing down into a dark alley.

The battle began instantly.

Mr. Crow's strikes were wild, fueled by madness, strength multiplied beyond his limits.

But Rex… Rex kept growing stronger with every blow. As if his body was feeding off the violence.

Fists cracked into walls. Cars flipped. Windows shattered across the block. Each impact echoed like thunder across the night.

And then—suddenly—Mr. Crow stopped.

His body hunched, his breath slowed, and his pupils slowly began to normalize.

The drug's effect had worn off.

He dropped to one knee, growling in frustration.

Rex, still twitching with power, finally stepped back. "It's over. You lost control."

Mr. Crow didn't reply. He simply stood, adjusted his black coat, and gave Rex a slow nod.

Rex exhaled, the heat fading from his body. "We need to talk."

Back in the apartment, the storm had passed. Leon sat at the kitchen table with Ivy, both of them sipping warm tea. The lights were soft, and for the first time in days, the air was calm.

"You're really okay with all this?" Leon asked quietly.

Ivy nodded. "I don't think I'll ever stop worrying. But I trust you."

He smiled, then stood and walked into the hallway.

Deadknight was leaning against the wall, arms crossed.

Leon looked at him, hesitated, then spoke. "You've fought beside me… saved my life. I want to know who you really are."

Deadknight turned his head slowly, then after a moment of silence, nodded.

He reached for his mask and removed it.

Beneath it was a young man with sharp eyes, dark hair, and a scar just under his left cheek.

"My name's Tyler," he said simply.

Leon looked at him, surprised by how normal he looked—and yet, how intense his presence still was.

He extended his hand.

Tyler took it.

Their handshake was firm—built on trust forged through fire and blood.

A silent promise passed between them.

They weren't just allies anymore.

They were friends.