Chapter 128: Now They Know
When that fragile warmth finally settled between my arms, it felt as though I had been granted the right to breathe again.
Air rushed into my lungs in a sharp, desperate inhale, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I could hear the steady, thunderous rhythm of my own heartbeat.
As I carried Rosalia’s unconscious body toward the car, I did not forget to issue my command. My voice came out low, cold, and absolute—like a verdict carved in stone.
"Henry... deal with all of them."
I didn’t need a reply.
Henry never answered. His gaze was fixed—completely, obsessively—on Rosalia lying in my arms.
There was something unreadable in his eyes... disbelief, pity... and beneath it all, a flicker of self-reproach.
I knew that look far too well.
And precisely because I understood it, I chose to ignore it.
This time, I didn’t care.
Of course, Henry wasn’t the only one watching.
The three squad leaders stood nearby, their sharp, scrutinizing eyes locked onto us, as if trying to peel apart the truth hidden beneath the surface. Even that bastard—my half-brother—and his so-called saint had drawn closer, unable to resist witnessing the scene.
I knew exactly why every single one of them was staring.
No... they weren’t looking at me.
They were staring at Rosalia.
Because they had all seen it.
And by it, I did not mean the way Rosalia had killed that man.
In this rotten world, killing had become as trivial as drinking water. No one had the time—or the luxury—to question morality anymore. Some even killed for amusement.
No.
What they had seen... was something else entirely.
When Rosalia killed that man... she had been surrounded.
By zombies.
Yes—zombies had encircled her completely.
And yet... not a single one of them attacked.
That was why everyone had frozen.
Rosalia’s first secret... had been exposed.
Her ability... lay bare for all to see.
A suffocating, oppressive aura began to leak from me, thick and merciless like a storm pressing down on the earth. I made no effort to conceal it. I wanted them to feel it—to understand, down to their bones, the weight of even the smallest movement against me.
And it worked.
The weaker men staggered back, their legs trembling uncontrollably. Some collapsed outright under the crushing pressure.
The three leaders, along with the strongest among them, remained standing—but the sweat pouring down their foreheads betrayed the cracks in their composure.
When I confirmed that no one dared move or act, I finally exhaled.
Then I stepped into the car, Rosalia still held securely in my arms.
Now that I had her back...
I could finally allow myself to relax.
Her secret being exposed was dangerous—yes.
But with the power I possessed, I had no doubt...
I could protect her.
My gaze darkened as my thoughts drifted toward the treasure we were heading to.
I needed it.
As soon as possible.
With it, I could awaken a new power... and push my strength even further.
Today has taught me something important.
No matter how strong you become, there will always be a flaw.
Always something beyond your control.
And if I wanted to guarantee a safe and secure life for both myself and Rosalia in this broken world...
Then I needed power.
More power.
And then... even more.
My mind churned with plans, strategies, contingencies—threads of the future weaving themselves into something inevitable.
All while my hands and eyes remained focused on the warm body resting in my lap.
Then—
"What are you doing here?"
My voice was quiet... but it carried undeniable weight.
I didn’t bother turning my head.
I already knew who it was.
Even with my eyes closed, I would recognize him.
Matthew.
He stood outside the car, by the open door, staring at Rosalia.
If not for the dried map of blood across his face—the one I had carved there myself in a moment of fury—I would have struck him again without hesitation.
"You don’t deserve her."
That’s what he said.
Then, colder this time, "If you can’t even protect her... You should leave her to someone who can."
His voice was calm—too calm.
And when I finally glanced at him, his gaze was even colder.
It didn’t make me blink.
Not even once.
"Heh..."
A low, rumbling sound escaped my throat—something between a chuckle and a growl.
"Oh? Is that so?"
I lifted my eyes to meet his directly.
"Don’t tell me... You think you’re the one who deserves her? The one strong enough to protect her?"
Before he could respond, I laughed again—louder this time.
But my eyes remained completely still.
Empty.
"Unfortunately for you... My beloved sees no one but me. She loves me enough to die for me."
I tilted my head slightly, my voice dropping into something softer—yet infinitely more dangerous.
"In this world... before the catastrophe or after its collapse... I am the only one meant to stand beside her."
"No one else."
I won’t deny it.
Watching that beast Matthew grind his teeth in silence, swallowing his rage without a single word in return...
It was satisfying.
Because he knew.
Every word I said... was the truth.
Perhaps he didn’t want to disturb Rosalia’s rest—
Or perhaps he had no way to refute me.
Either way, he left.
And I was alone with her again.
After some time, Henry returned and gave a full report before I ordered preparations to move.
Night was approaching.
We needed to find shelter.
As for those people... the ones who had kidnapped Rosalia—
You really don’t want to know.
Let’s just say...
Henry, Matthew, and the others were far more merciless than the zombies ever could be.
And honestly—
That was expected.
Rosalia herself might not realize it.
But to our team...
She was more than just a companion.
She was our charm of fortune.
Our hidden card.
She had helped us countless times before we even reached the base. Her ability had always been invaluable.
Everyone knew her true worth.
Everyone...
Except her.
In a world where ninety-nine percent of humanity had turned into zombies...
An ability that could render you invisible to those monsters—
Was nothing short of a miracle.
A reason to keep living.
If not for the presence of so many outsiders this time, we would have already asked for her help—to venture into the most dangerous zones, places swarming with hordes of the undead, to gather supplies no ordinary survivor could ever hope to obtain.
Everyone valued Rosalia.
Everyone understood what she meant.
Yet she alone believed she was a burden...
Constantly trying to prove herself for no reason at all.
I don’t understand it.
Why does she insist on struggling... fighting... doing everything on her own...
When I’m here?
For her?
I don’t want her to lift a single finger.
I’ll treat her like a princess.
I’ll do everything for her.
I can’t bear to see her fight... or suffer... or struggle.
All she has to do...
Stay with me.
It’s enough... that she remains by my side.
Enough... that she loves me.
Yes.
That alone—
Is enough.