On a quiet night,
I was walking home from the convenience store.
As I walked, a sudden wave of dizziness hit me.
I closed my eyes for just a moment—
And when I opened them again, I was standing in a narrow alley.
"What… what is this?"
"How did I get here?"
Still feeling dizzy, I stepped out of the alley. My head was spinning.
That's when I saw a huge flyer plastered on the side of a building.
[Korea's First S-Rank Hero! Lightnova]
The image showed a woman with golden hair, slightly pale, wearing a tight white outfit.
I knew it instantly.
I wasn't in my world anymore.
This was the world of my favorite webtoon.
And the woman on the flyer was Lightnova—the newly appointed S-rank Hero.
"…Damn it."
This was the one webtoon I never wanted to end up in.
The story was cruel. Dark. Merciless.
It had more haters than fans, all because the author loved throwing suffering and death everywhere.
And me?
I was someone who feared death more than anything.
This world was the worst possible place for me.
*Months later*
I sat on a worn-out chair inside a small house in the slums.
By now, I had gotten used to villains suddenly appearing and destroying everything around them.
In this world, I used my real name: Yoo Jinhoo.
No matter how I looked at it, I was an anomaly here.
I had no identity card.
Which meant I was illegal.
After digging around for information, I learned something terrifying.
If someone over the age of 20 applied for an ID card, they'd be arrested immediately.
I was 23.
The police would interrogate me, and lying wouldn't help—this world had advanced technology, including lie detectors.
If my identity was exposed, I'd be completely screwed.
I clenched my fist—
And a dark blue light suddenly burst into existence.
"…So I have powers too."
I still didn't know exactly what kind of ability it was,
but one thing was clear—
It looked damn cool.
Later that day, I headed to an electronics store.
Not to buy anything.
Just to watch the news.
[At 12:00 PM today, Korean S-rank Hero Lightnova defeated the A-rank Villain, Headmetal.]
"…As expected."
She was strong. Beautiful. Admired by everyone.
And yeah—I liked her too.
Then a thought crossed my mind.
Why don't I become a villain instead?
In this insane world, maybe that was the best way to survive.
*The next day — a bright morning*
Inside a crowded bank.
I sat calmly on a chair provided for customers.
I was dressed head to toe in black—a black suit, black hat, black tie, black shoes, and a black cape.
It looked ridiculous.
But also kind of cool.
How did I get such expensive clothes?
Simple.
I stole them.
Stealing was a skill I had even before coming to this world.
So why the bank?
Obviously—I was here to commit my first act as a villain.
I needed money.
I'd also discovered that my dark blue light allowed me to teleport.
Not only that—it could be used offensively.
If someone I targeted touched that power,
they would lose a body part.
Useful.
I put on a black mask that completely covered my face.
Identity secured.
I stood up and walked toward the cashier.
"Hand over all the money in this bank," I said calmly.
"Or you won't see tomorrow."
The female cashier stared at me in confusion.
One man. Unarmed.
It probably looked like a joke.
"Sir, I'm sorry, but we can't—"
I fired the dark blue light at her right arm.
It vanished instantly.
The woman froze for a second—then screamed.
The entire bank went silent.
Other employees rushed to her side.
I spoke again, my voice cold.
"I won't repeat myself.
Hand over all the money. Now."
*Seoul National University*
Ji-hye—also known as Lightnova—was eating in the campus cafeteria.
Despite being an S-rank Hero, she lived as an ordinary university student.
She hid her identity to enjoy a peaceful campus life.
Another girl sat down across from her, carrying a tray of food.
It was Jin-ah—Ji-hye's only friend on campus.
"Ji-hye, you've looked exhausted lately," Jin-ah said.
"Are you still working on that thesis?"
"Huh? Oh… yeah," Ji-hye replied.
"I stayed up all night finishing it."
A lie.
She had completed it days ago.
The real reason she was tired was the sudden increase in villain activity.
"Don't push yourself too hard," Jin-ah said gently.
"You need to take care of your health."
Ji-hye sighed and rested her head on the table.
"Yeah, yeah. I know," she said proudly.
"I'm the best student here, remember?"
"Sure you are, Miss Top Student~"
They both smiled.
Suddenly, Ji-hye's phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
The director of the Korean branch of the Hero Association.
"Sorry, Jin-ah. I need to take this."
Jin-ah nodded, already understanding.
Ji-hye stepped outside and answered the call.
"Director. Has a villain appeared?"
"Yes. He's currently robbing a bank," the director said.
"He calls himself Indigo Reign. We have no information on him yet."
"A new villain?"
"Correct. His rank is unknown. Be careful."
"Understood."
She ended the call and ran into a narrow alley.
Moments later, Lightnova emerged.
She shot into the sky, moving at the speed of light.
*Back at the bank*
Everyone kept their heads down, frozen in fear.
I ordered them not to leave.
As the tellers gathered the money, I sat back in my chair, legs crossed.
Rude?
Maybe.
But money was money.
Suddenly, a brilliant light landed in front of the bank entrance.
I smirked.
"She's here."
Lightnova stormed inside.
"You!" she shouted.
"Stop this immediately! Surrender now, and I'll take you in peacefully!"
I stood up and turned to face her.
"Oh? And who might this be?"
I spread my arms dramatically.
"Isn't this our famous S-rank Hero—Lightnova?"
"Welcome! Truly, welcome!"
I clapped twice, then stopped.
My voice dropped.
"But I'm afraid I can't follow your orders."
Her eyes scanned the room—
And landed on the teller missing her arm.
Her expression twisted with rage.
For some reason…
Seeing that anger made my blood boil with excitement.