The Hero is Hunting me!-Chapter 98: The Throne of Red Candles

Night had fallen.

After finishing the matter with the bomb, Vanitas stepped out of the abandoned building without a single glance backward. The faint scent of smoke still lingered in the air, blending with the distant sounds of sirens that would soon flood the area. His mission had been clean. Precise. No loose ends.

As he walked down the empty street, his crimson eyes flickered toward a narrow, dark alley between two old concrete buildings. Without hesitation, he turned and headed into the shadows.

The deeper he went, the quieter the world became.

Once he reached the darkest part of the alley, hidden from any possible camera or wandering gaze, Vanitas raised a hand and ran it through his hair.

In an instant, the black strands shifted in color, turning into a soft brown. His sharp crimson eyes faded back into their natural shade. The cold, imposing aura that surrounded him diminished as well.

He had returned to his original identity.

Yoo Jinhoo.

"Hah... Disguising myself really makes me uncomfortable," he muttered under his breath.

Yet, despite saying that, he pulled the black mask back over his face and adjusted his cap. The disguise was necessary. Comfort had never been part of his profession.

With a light step, he bent his knees and vanished.

A faint distortion of space rippled outward as he teleported to the rooftops of nearby houses. The cool night wind brushed against his clothes as he reappeared atop a building, crouched low.

He scanned the surroundings carefully.

’Where did he go...’

The mysterious figure in the white robe had slipped away too easily. That ability—summoning a red light and disappearing into it—was not something ordinary. It was controlled. Intentional.

Then, just as Jinhoo was about to move again, his eyes locked onto something.

In a small alley several blocks away, there stood a person in a white robe.

The figure looked eerily similar to the one he had seen earlier.

Jinhoo narrowed his eyes.

He observed silently from above, his breathing slow and controlled.

At that very moment, the mysterious robed figure extended a hand forward. A crimson light suddenly materialized in midair, glowing ominously. The figure touched it—

—and instantly vanished.

Jinhoo’s eyes widened behind his mask.

"Where did he go!?"

Without wasting another second, he teleported down to the alley. His shoes landed softly against the pavement.

He stepped to the exact spot where the red light had appeared.

Carefully, he extended his own hand, mimicking the robed figure’s movements.

Nothing happened.

No light.

No distortion.

No reaction.

"Hah... How did he do it..."

He frowned slightly, his mind already racing through possibilities.

A trigger.

There had to be a trigger.

Something specific.

Something unique.

Then suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind.

"Ah! Right! I have that letter."

He quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out the invitation letter from Aeron. The envelope felt slightly warm to the touch, almost as if it carried residual energy.

Jinhoo raised it forward.

The moment the letter aligned with the empty space ahead—

A crimson light appeared once again.

It glowed brighter than before, pulsing gently as if responding to the letter’s presence.

"Ha! Just as I thought. There has to be a trigger."

Without hesitation, Jinhoo reached forward and touched the red light.

The world around him twisted.

Space folded.

Sound vanished.

And in the blink of an eye, he was gone.

—

When Jinhoo opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in a vast and magnificent hall.

The space was enormous, resembling a grand palace chamber. The ceiling stretched high above, supported by massive pillars carved with intricate demonic symbols. The air felt heavy, almost suffocating, yet dignified.

The room was illuminated by rows of red candles placed along the walls. Their flames flickered calmly, casting long, dancing shadows across the polished floor.

Jinhoo glanced around slowly.

"This must be Aeron’s power..."

He stepped forward, his footsteps echoing faintly in the expansive chamber.

After walking several meters, he stopped.

Before him stood an enormous door.

It was grand, towering, and decorated with carvings that depicted scenes of chaos and destruction. The aura emanating from it was overwhelming.

Jinhoo looked from the bottom to the top.

"So big... Is this the room of the Seven Deadly Sins?"

Without hesitation, he reached out and gently pushed the door.

The moment his fingers made contact—

The massive doors creaked open slowly on their own.

As they parted completely, the sight inside became clear.

A long table stretched across the center of the room.

Small spotlights illuminated specific seats.

And seated around the table were six individuals.

Jinhoo immediately recognized them all.

’The Seven Deadly Sins...’

The person seated at the head of the table opened his mouth and spoke calmly.

"Welcome. We have been waiting for you, Lord Indigo."

"Aeron..." Jinhoo muttered softly.

He stepped inside.

"Thank you for coming. We’re pleased that you are willing to join us," Aeron said with a faint smile.

All eyes in the room turned toward Jinhoo.

Crimson eyes.

Intimidating.

Oppressive.

But Jinhoo showed no fear.

Because he knew their weaknesses.

"So," Jinhoo began calmly, "why did you invite me to join this group?"

Aeron leaned back slightly in his chair.

"One of our members was foolish enough to die at the hands of someone in Russia. Therefore, we need a replacement. Would you take the seat of Sloth?"

"...I have no issue with that."

Aeron’s smile widened faintly.

With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed something toward Jinhoo.

Jinhoo caught it effortlessly.

It was a golden ring, adorned with a red gemstone at its center.

"What is this?"

"Wear it. It will allow you to come to this place."

Without hesitation, Jinhoo slid the ring onto the index finger of his right hand.

The gemstone glowed faintly for a second before dimming.

He then walked toward the empty seat beside Bahemot and sat down calmly.

As he settled in, he could feel Bahemot’s gaze piercing into him.

Sharp.

Hostile.

Jinhoo didn’t turn his head.

’It seems he really dislikes me.’

"Very well, Lord Indigo," Aeron continued. "Let me explain our true plan so you understand."

Jinhoo remained silent.

"Our goal is to destroy the Hero Associations. Thanks to your assistance in eliminating several members of the world jury council, our plan has already reached eighty percent completion."

’Yes, I know that. But why do you need all seven members complete?’

He kept that thought to himself.

"If our plan reaches one hundred percent," Aeron said, his voice lowering slightly, "with your help, we will be able to open a portal to another world."

The moment Jinhoo heard those words, his eyes widened behind his mask.

’A portal to another world!? What the hell is that...’

"For what purpose would we open that portal?" Jinhoo asked calmly.

"To summon demons," Aeron replied without hesitation. "I was once a Demon King before I reincarnated into this world. Now, I intend to bring my former subordinates back."

’So that’s it... No wonder he can use demonic powers. He truly was a Demon King.’

Suddenly—

BAM!

The table trembled violently.

Bahemot slammed his hand against it and stood up abruptly.

He pointed accusingly at Jinhoo.

"Do you even understand!? Or have you just been pretending this whole time!"

"Bahemot, please be quiet," Kelva said sharply.

"No! This idiot clearly doesn’t fully grasp what Aeron is saying! How can I trust him!"

In that instant, the entire room began to shake.

A terrifying red aura erupted from Aeron’s body.

It flooded the chamber like a tidal wave.

Every person in the room—except Jinhoo—immediately felt suffocating pressure.

Their bodies trembled.

Their heads lowered instinctively.

Fear gripped them.

"Bahemot," Aeron said coldly, "sit down."

"Y-Yes..."

Bahemot’s arrogance shattered instantly. He lowered himself back into his seat.

Meanwhile, Jinhoo remained calm.

He sat with his arms crossed, posture relaxed, completely unaffected by the overwhelming aura.

Kelva’s eyes widened slightly.

’H-how can he remain so calm in front of such absolute power...’

Helena finally spoke, her voice gentle.

"D-dear... please calm yourself..."

Aeron took a slow breath.

The oppressive aura gradually disappeared.

"Huh... Forgive me," he said.

’He loses his temper easily,’ Jinhoo thought quietly.

"Very well. Let us continue the meeting."

The discussion resumed.

They talked about timelines.

About coordinated attacks.

About weakening the Hero Associations from within.

About manipulating public perception.

The atmosphere stabilized, though a subtle tension remained.

Eventually, the meeting came to an end.

Jinhoo stood up from his seat.

He turned toward the exit.

"Where are you going, Lord Indigo?" Aeron asked calmly.

"I’m a busy man. I can’t stay here long. Until next time."

Without waiting for a reply, Jinhoo activated the ring.

His body dissolved into crimson light—

—and vanished from the room.

Silence lingered for a moment.

Helena smiled faintly and looked at Aeron teasingly.

"What do you think of him?"

Aeron leaned back in his chair.

"He’s interesting... He’s the first person who didn’t seem intimidated by my aura."

"Is that so?"

"Yes! I noticed it too," Kelva added. "He remained calm the entire time."

Bahemot clicked his tongue but said nothing.

Aeron folded his hands together.

"It seems a strong individual has joined our group. I hope none of you cause trouble with him."

His red eyes glowed faintly in the dim candlelight.

Because deep down—

He knew.

Indigo was not someone easily controlled.

And somewhere beyond the palace walls, under the quiet night sky, Yoo Jinhoo removed his mask once more.

His expression was unreadable.

’A portal to another world...’

He looked at the golden ring on his finger.

A faint smirk formed on his lips.

’This just became far more interesting than I expected... The story has gone far from the main plot...’