At the same time.

Jinhoo stepped out of the gold shop, carrying a bag filled with several gold bars and various gold jewelry. The weight of it didn’t seem to bother him at all, though the significance of what he held was immense.

"Fiuh... with this, the IMF problem should be resolved quickly."

He muttered under his breath as he walked toward the car waiting for him.

The driver immediately stepped out and opened the door, bowing slightly. Jinhoo entered the vehicle, placing the heavy bag beside him before settling into the back seat.

"We’re heading back now."

"Yes, sir."

The driver responded promptly, closing the door before returning to his seat and starting the engine.

As the car began moving through the city, Jinhoo leaned back slightly, turning his gaze toward the window. The sunlight reflected softly against the glass, showing a calm and peaceful cityscape.

But his mind was far from calm.

’hah... once the IMF issue is resolved, I’ll have to deal with the Seven Deadly Sins... they’re aiming to take Lightnova’s power to open that portal... in the original story, they were supposed to focus on Helena first, not Lightnova...’

His eyes narrowed slightly.

’hah... this is really giving me a headache...’

He let out a quiet sigh, resting his head against the seat.

There were too many variables now.

Too many changes.

If he were to confront the Seven Deadly Sins now, the outcome was uncertain. His aura might be able to rival Aeron’s, but raw strength alone wouldn’t be enough to defeat all of them at once.

Even with allies—

It would still be extremely dangerous.

The Seven Deadly Sins weren’t just another villain group. Their goal alone made them far more threatening than most.

Opening a portal.

A gateway to another world.

But what kind of world?

A demon realm?

A forgotten past?

Or—

Even his own original world?

’there are still too many unknowns...’

Jinhoo closed his eyes briefly, organizing his thoughts.

After some time, the car came to a stop right in front of the company building.

"We’ve arrived, sir."

Jinhoo opened his eyes and nodded slightly before stepping out of the vehicle, carrying the bag with him.

Not long after.

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime.

Jinhoo stepped out, still holding the bag, and walked calmly toward Eun-bi’s office.

Just as he was about to enter—

The door opened first.

Julian stepped out.

Jinhoo instinctively stepped aside, allowing him to pass.

Behind Julian, his assistant—Leona—followed silently.

Jinhoo’s gaze lingered on Julian for a moment.

Something felt off.

’he... seems strange...’

Julian’s eyes looked empty.

His movements were stiff.

Almost mechanical.

Like a puppet being controlled.

’what’s wrong with him...?’

Jinhoo frowned slightly but chose not to dwell on it.

Whatever it was—

It didn’t seem urgent.

For now.

He continued forward and entered the office as the door closed automatically behind him.

Inside.

Eun-bi looked up.

The moment she saw Jinhoo, her previously dull expression instantly brightened.

"Jinhoo!"

She called out cheerfully, standing up and walking toward him.

Jinhoo smiled faintly.

"My job is done."

He placed the bag on the floor.

Eun-bi immediately crouched down and opened it, her eyes widening at the sight inside.

Gold bars.

Jewelry.

A significant amount.

"Woah! With this, we can definitely overcome the IMF problem!"

She said excitedly.

"Of course. Now all we need to do is wait."

Jinhoo replied casually.

Eun-bi then glanced at him with a playful expression.

"If your prediction turns out to be wrong, I guarantee you’ll be punished."

"Punished?"

"Yep. You’ll have to spend time with me for an entire year."

Jinhoo froze.

"A-a year?"

Eun-bi didn’t answer verbally.

She simply smiled and nodded.

’oh come on... spending a year with this crazy woman? even one day is already exhausting... a whole year would kill me...’

Jinhoo thought, internally panicking.

Eun-bi suddenly puffed her cheeks, crossing her arms.

"You’re thinking something bad about me, aren’t you? Hmph."

’hah... why is every woman in this webtoon like this...’

Jinhoo sighed quietly, already feeling mentally drained.

A few days later.

At an ice cream shop in the middle of the city.

Ji-hye sat across from Jin-ah.

Both of them were enjoying their gelato.

"Mmm! This gelato is really good!"

Jin-ah exclaimed happily as she took another spoonful.

Ji-hye nodded in agreement, smiling.

"Yeah, you’re right. It’s really different compared to other places."

They continued eating, enjoying the moment.

After a brief pause, Jin-ah spoke again.

"By the way, you’ve been missing classes a lot lately. What happened?"

Ji-hye paused slightly.

"Hmm? Ah... uhm... you know, I was sick recently, so I couldn’t attend."

"Huh... I see..."

An awkward silence followed.

Jin-ah spoke again.

"Ever since our campus was attacked by a villain, a lot of people stopped coming. Most of them say they’re traumatized."

Ji-hye’s expression softened slightly.

"Well... they’re not wrong. Who would’ve thought a villain would disguise themselves as a student? It’s only natural they’d be scared."

"Good thing Lightnova handled it..."

Jin-ah continued.

"Otherwise, we’d be done for..."

Ji-hye’s hand froze for a split second.

"A-ah... yeah... it’s all thanks to Lightnova..."

’since i was also defeated by that damn villain back then... i don’t even remember clearly what happened...’

She quietly took another bite of her gelato, trying to suppress the unease in her chest.

"Let’s not talk about sensitive things for now. We’re here to enjoy ice cream."

She smiled gently.

"Mm, you’re right!"

Jin-ah nodded.

The two of them continued chatting, laughing, and enjoying their time together.

For a moment—

Everything felt normal.

Even though Ji-hye still had lingering thoughts in her mind, she pushed them aside. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

She didn’t want to ruin this peaceful moment.

After some time, they left the shop.

"Hahh! The ice cream here is amazing! I want to come back again!"

Jin-ah said enthusiastically.

"Of course. I’ll come with you."

Ji-hye replied with a soft smile.

As they were walking—

Ji-hye’s phone rang.

She took it out and looked at the screen.

Her expression changed slightly.

The Director of the Korean Hero Association branch.

Calling.

She turned to Jin-ah.

"Uhm, Jin-ah? Can you head home first? I need to take care of something."

"Oh? Sure!"

Jin-ah waved casually and walked ahead.

Once she was gone, Ji-hye answered the call.

"Director? What is it?"

"Ji-hye, we have an urgent matter. There’s an emergency meeting. Get here immediately."

"An emergency meeting? What happened?"

"I’ll explain later. Just come quickly."

"...alright."

The call ended.

Ji-hye lowered her phone slowly.

’what happened...? the director sounded really anxious... i need to get there quickly...’

She glanced around before stepping into a narrow alley between buildings.

Once out of sight—

Her body began to glow.

Her clothes transformed instantly.

Light enveloped her completely.

In the next second—

She turned into a streak of golden light—

—and shot into the sky at incredible speed.

Heading straight toward the Hero Association building.

The calm before the storm—

Was beginning to fade.