The story changed before Leon even made it home.
By the time he reached his apartment building, out of breath, half-soaked from the rain, and still clutching the cursed iron key in his fist, the internet had already started whispering.
Not loud. Not obvious. Just the way real power always spread—quiet forums, backchannel messages, vague alerts on encrypted networks. There were no names. Just implications.
A warehouse gone. Crates vaporized. Six men in critical. All silent. No statement.
Just one phrase repeated across multiple channels: "He moved."
And that was enough.
Leon stood outside his apartment door, hands shaking slightly as he tried to get the key back into his pocket. It burned cold against his thigh like it knew what it had done.
Inside, everything looked the same. Cracked lightbulb. Broken toaster. Cup noodles in a stack like a shrine to low effort. The contrast made him dizzy.
He dropped the key into the drawer beside the coin and badge and shut it.
Then he shut off his phone.
Then, finally, he sat.
The silence was thick. But it didn't last.
Because the knock came five minutes later.
Not loud. Just three precise taps.
Leon didn't want to open it. He already knew it wasn't the landlord. Or a neighbor. Or even a delivery guy. He opened the door anyway.
Two people waited outside.
One was in a suit. Polished. Hands folded. Eyes hidden behind small round glasses.
The other wore a badge.
Actual badge. Police.
Leon's stomach sank. Finally, he thought. Finally someone was here to clear this up.
"Leon Vale?" asked the man with the glasses.
"Unfortunately."
"We'd like to talk."
Leon stepped aside, gesturing halfheartedly at the wreck that was his living room. "Come in, make yourselves uncomfortable."
They entered. Sat. Didn't speak for a moment.
Then the man in the suit leaned forward.
"My name is Agent Rens. This is Inspector Taiga."
Taiga, the cop, didn't smile. She had a sharp nose, short hair, and a face that looked like it had forgotten how to express surprise.
"You've come up on a few reports," Rens said smoothly. "Your name's been mentioned in contexts that suggest an increase in territorial disruption."
Leon stared.
"English, please."
Rens adjusted his glasses. "Three groups have ceased operations in the last ten days. All three after making contact with individuals who were later seen meeting with you."
Leon blinked. "That… sounds like a coincidence?"
"Coincidences are rare in our work."
Taiga reached into a folder and slid a photo across the table.
Leon looked down.
It was him. Blurry. Exiting the tea house. Sayaka's place.
Rens slid another.
Leon in front of the warehouse. The iron key visible in his hand.
And another. Talking with Mira near the floral district.
"I… I didn't know those were connected," he muttered.
"But they are," Taiga said calmly. "At least to other people."
Leon leaned back.
"I didn't do anything."
"Exactly," Rens said. "And that's why we're watching."
Leon frowned. "What does that even mean?"
"It means," Taiga said, "you haven't denied it. You haven't claimed credit. You haven't moved against anyone."
"Because I'm not involved!"
Rens smiled faintly. "No. But now, everyone else thinks you are. And they're responding accordingly."
Leon stared at him.
"You mean they're... making moves because they think I'm making moves?"
"Correct."
Rens leaned forward.
"And that," he said, "makes you a kingmaker."
Leon laughed. Once. Hysterical.
"That's insane."
"It's politics," Taiga said flatly.
Rens rose.
"We're not here to arrest you," he said. "We're just here to observe."
"Observe what?"
"What happens when a ghost story starts shaping real events."
They left without further explanation.
Leon shut the door behind them and leaned against it.
The room felt smaller now. Or maybe the air was heavier.
He sat again. Stared at the closed drawer.
Then his phone buzzed.
He picked it up.
It was a message from an encrypted number. Just one line.
"She's making her move tonight. Meet me on the rooftop at 10."
No name. No location. Just the rooftop. Because apparently he was supposed to know what that meant now.
Leon closed his eyes.
He didn't know who she was this time.
And worse?
He wasn't sure which one it would be.