Shadow Monger stepped out of the smoldering wreckage as smoke curled around his shadowy body.
The civilians he'd saved—fourteen people from a collapsing skytrain—were huddled together under the flashing lights of rescue drones.
None dared approach him.
He turned slightly. They turned away.
"TH-, THANK YOU, SIR──!!"
One officer stammered as he saluted from a distance.
Shadow Monger said nothing.
He only nodded once before melting into the nearest alleyway like he was made of liquid ink.
–
–
–
Back at Hero Tower
The elevator doors opened to silence.
A silence you wouldn't even feel at funerals.
『Surprise, surprise…』
Shadow Monger sighed inwardly.
It was always like this when he visited the Tower.
A single janitor pushing a mop froze, glanced up to see him, and turned 180 like his life depended on it.
He didn't blame them.
He wouldn't want to see himself either.
