Crossword Genius

Continuing like this before long (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

soon

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'before long' is the definition.
(I know that before long can be written as soon)

'continuing like this' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'like this' could be 'so' ('like so') and 'so' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'on' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for soon that I've seen before include "Willingly" , "Shortly" , "Early, in a short time" , "Presently" , "in a minute" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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