Chapter 0

Parents entrusted me with some words before they passed away.

“Don’t let others see what you think or feel.”

“Always hide yourself. Act like an adult.”

They were always honest with others. Honesty can be a virtue, but in society, it can also be a flaw.

They never sugarcoated their thoughts and laid everything on the line. Because of that, they suffered a lot.

It seems they didn’t want to pass on their own traits to their child. Even until their last breath, they worried only about me. Following their final wishes, I’ve always lived my life hiding myself.

I always greeted others with a smile. Whether it was a child or an adult, I insisted on showing respect.

Believing that my eyes could reveal what others were thinking, I avoided showing them—so I lived squinting most of the time.

People kept their distance, saying they couldn’t figure out what I was thinking, but I didn’t care.

Following my late parents’ wishes, I’ve always worn a mask to conceal who I truly am.

Is this why…?

“You! This is all your doing, isn’t it? You orchestrated all of this!”

“Haha, I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you mean…”

“Don’t play dumb! You’re the Shadow Master!”

Before I knew it, I found myself being treated as the hidden mastermind in another world.

I’m not the Shadow Master!

I just occasionally pull some small “pranks,” that’s all.