At the Hero Association building.

Ji-hye landed softly on the rooftop, golden particles of light fading around her body as the wind swept across the tall building.

The moment her feet touched the ground safely, she immediately rushed toward the director’s floor.

’what exactly happened...? why did the director sound so anxious on the phone earlier...?’

Her thoughts continued racing as she walked quickly through the hallways.

A strange sense of unease filled her chest.

Something serious had happened.

Something big enough to gather everyone.

A few moments later.

Ji-hye arrived in front of the director’s office.

Without wasting any time, she opened the door and stepped inside.

The moment she entered—

She noticed several familiar faces already standing there.

Na Yerin.

A pale man with tired eyes.

And a woman with long pink hair.

Ji-hye blinked in surprise.

She slowly entered the room before quietly closing the door behind her.

’huh...? what’s going on...? it’s rare for all of Korea’s top heroes to gather like this...’

Her gaze slowly shifted toward the white-haired man.

’yoon ha-jin... it’s rare to even see him here... he’s one of Korea’s A-rank heroes... he almost never answers the director’s summons directly... he usually stays in daegu...’

Then her eyes moved toward the pink-haired woman.

’choi yu-jin... the most mysterious woman among the heroes... i barely know anything about her... she came from ulsan and is deeply respected there...’

The director looked toward Ji-hye.

The tension in his eyes instantly softened.

"Ji-hye!"

He stood up immediately, almost relieved to see her arrive.

Ji-hye frowned slightly. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"What happened, Director?"

The director’s expression became heavy again.

"...Here’s the situation..."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"Princess Madeleine de Beaumont of France... has been declared dead."

"W-what!?"

Ji-hye and Na Yerin shouted simultaneously.

Even Ha-jin’s cold, emotionless eyes widened slightly in shock.

Only Yu-jin remained silent, her eyes still calmly closed.

The director sighed deeply.

He had expected this reaction.

Anyone who heard that news would react the same way.

Princess Madeleine de Beaumont was unlike the other royal family members.

She never looked down on ordinary people.

Instead—

She treated everyone equally.

In her eyes, she was no different from them.

She simply happened to be born lucky.

She was kind.

Gentle.

Beloved by the people of France.

Years ago, when France still lacked fast and agile heroes, Princess Madeleine had once been kidnapped by a dangerous villain with special abilities.

At the time, France requested assistance from other countries.

The Korean Hero Association ultimately sent Ji-hye and Na Yerin to rescue the princess.

After a difficult battle, they succeeded in defeating the kidnapper and safely rescuing her.

Princess Madeleine herself personally awarded them gold medals afterward.

She even invited both Ji-hye and Na Yerin to dine with her at the French royal palace.

To Ji-hye and Na Yerin—

Princess Madeleine had seemed like a truly kind person.

But after the two heroes returned to Korea—

Something unexpected happened.

Several days later, Princess Madeleine awakened a mysterious blessing.

A special power.

The ability to control water freely.

Secretly, she became a hero with direct support from the French Hero Association director.

She hid her identity carefully.

Only two people knew the truth about her becoming a hero known as Oceanaria.

The first—

The French Hero Association director.

And the second—

Yoo Jinhoo.

Better known as Indigo.

Back to the present.

Ji-hye and Na Yerin looked visibly shaken.

Na Yerin looked like she was about to cry, though she desperately held herself back.

Ji-hye tried to remain professional despite the sadness in her eyes.

She looked toward the director.

"Then... what are we supposed to do, Director?"

The director’s face tightened anxiously.

"In France... massive riots have broken out due to the mysterious death of the princess."

He continued.

"And it’s not just ordinary citizens causing chaos... villains have joined as well. The heroes in France are completely overwhelmed right now."

The room fell silent.

"France officially requested assistance from us."

Everyone’s expressions changed.

"What!? Then who’s going to protect Korea while we’re gone!?"

Na Yerin asked worriedly.

The director glanced toward Ha-jin and Yu-jin.

"That’s exactly why I called those two here."

Ha-jin and Yu-jin remained calm while listening.

Ji-hye still looked uneasy.

"But Director! Korea currently has a villain wanted by nearly every Hero Association! The two of them will struggle against him!"

Hearing that, Ha-jin finally spoke.

"Relax, Ji-hye. We’re not rookies."

His tired eyes slowly opened.

"We know what we’re doing."

Even after hearing that reassurance, Ji-hye still looked worried.

She glanced toward Na Yerin.

Na Yerin herself seemed uncertain.

"...Alright."

Ji-hye finally sighed.

"Na Yerin and I will go to France and help."

With that, she turned around and started walking toward the exit.

Na Yerin followed behind her.

Just before leaving the room—

Ji-hye stopped and looked back toward Ha-jin.

"You shouldn’t underestimate the villain named Indigo."

Her expression became serious.

"He’s far more terrifying than what the news portrays."

After saying that—

Ji-hye and Na Yerin left the room.

The door closed behind them.

Yu-jin slowly opened her eyes.

"Indigo..."

She tilted her head slightly.

"Why is Miss Ji-hye so concerned about that particular villain?"

The director, now sweating nervously, answered quietly.

"Just like Ji-hye said... Indigo is far more dangerous than what the media shows."

He swallowed nervously.

"He’s not only terrifying..."

"He’s like a genius who knows everything and can do anything."

The director looked toward both heroes.

"I hope you understand now why Ji-hye warned you like that."

"He’s someone who has repeatedly crossed paths with Indigo."

Ha-jin and Yu-jin silently nodded.

The atmosphere in the room became heavy.

Very heavy.

---

The next morning.

At Yoo Jinhoo’s house.

Jinhoo sat comfortably while drinking his morning coffee and watching the television.

"Ah~ morning coffee really is refreshing..."

He muttered happily.

The news broadcast continued playing in the background.

[This morning at 8 AM, the IMF suddenly experienced a severe collapse, placing Korea’s currency under critical threat!]

Jinhoo calmly took another sip of coffee.

’looks like it’s finally started... faster than i expected...’

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

’it’s time for me to move.’

Just as he was about to take another sip—

The news anchor suddenly spoke again with a shocked expression.

[Huh!? Oh my goodness! We’re receiving urgent breaking news! Massive riots have erupted throughout France!]

Jinhoo paused.

[The city of Paris is currently filled with violent mobs! Not only ordinary citizens, but villains are also participating in the chaos! Valuable properties are being destroyed, and innocent civilians are being targeted!]

[Current estimated casualties have already surpassed 300 deaths!]

[All of this began shortly after reports confirmed the death of France’s beloved Princess Madeleine!]

[We will now show footage from the scene—]

Jinhoo froze.

His eyes widened slightly.

’w-what...? princess madeleine died...?’

His coffee cup slowly lowered.

’how is that possible...? what the hell is happening...?’

The television screen switched to footage of Paris.

Buildings burned.

Smoke covered the sky.

Citizens screamed while running through the streets.

Villains rampaged openly.

Police forces looked overwhelmed.

Even heroes could be seen fighting desperately.

Jinhoo’s expression slowly darkened.

’this wasn’t supposed to happen...’

In the original story—

Princess Madeleine wasn’t supposed to die yet.

Not this early.

Not like this.