Into the Apocalypse: Saving My Favorite Villain

"What? Am I wrong?" I clicked my tongue lightly.

"You want to know what kind of abilities I have—couldn’t you have asked a little more politely? And since when is there a rule that everyone has to lay out their powers and everything they possess? I find it hard to believe none of you are hiding secrets or trump cards of your own."

As I said that, I glanced toward Mary. Her face drained of color in an instant, and she took a few steps back, slipping behind Cecil.

Heh... this brazen heroine was hiding her own abilities and secrets while putting on a noble front. Yet here she was, demanding everyone else show their hand.

"Be that as it may, the fact that the zombies didn’t attack you is highly suspicious. If it weren’t a matter of everyone’s safety, we wouldn’t care about your secrets."

It was clear Zane had no intention of backing down today, no matter what.

"Fair enough."

In truth, I hadn’t planned to hide my ability forever. The road ahead was long, and with so many unknowns, I would need Cae’s help openly—without hesitation or doubt.

I patted the arm wrapped tightly around my waist and looked into his gray-black eyes—the most beautiful I had ever seen.

I wanted to reassure him that everything was fine.

As long as I stood beside my favorite villain, nothing bad would happen. And even if it did... I would never regret the path I’d chosen.

It seemed Cae could read my thoughts. He pulled me against his chest, pressing the back of my head gently as he whispered, his voice low, "I’ll protect you properly this time."

Good heavens... why is my favorite villain so dangerously attractive? My knees nearly gave out.

Did you know that voice of yours should be illegal?

Now I finally understood what the author meant by: "His voice nearly made her conceive."

Calm down, Rose. Calm down.

I took a deep breath, then slipped out of Cae’s hold, offering him a bright smile before turning to face the others.

"I have a rather unique ability. Since the beginning of the apocalypse, every zombie I’ve encountered has failed to sense my presence. No matter what I do, they don’t attack me."

I dropped the bomb in a single sentence.

Gasps echoed through the hall, followed by hushed whispers.

"My God... is that even possible?" "That kind of ability is incredible." "Now my offensive firepower feels useless." "With an ability like that, it’s practically cheating."

In a world overrun by the undead, a power like mine was the kind of power people would trade their lives for—a guarantee of near-absolute safety.

"So, that’s your ability? I’ve never heard of such a thing. As far as I know, zombies don’t attack their own kind."

There it was.

The stench of green tea hypocrisy nearly choked me.

"Mary, if you’re trying to imply I’m a zombie, don’t bother dressing it up. At least have the decency to say it outright—I might’ve respected you a little for that instead of this disgusting act."

"I—I didn’t mean—"

"Oh? You didn’t mean to?" I smiled faintly, then—

"Let me tell you something: I’ve never seen anyone more repulsive in my life. You’re shameless, two-faced, morally bankrupt—a fake, a hypocrite, and utterly disgusting. Did I miss any of your charming traits?"

I raised a brow, my voice laced with mock curiosity.

Mary’s face flushed crimson, tears pooling in her eyes.

"Rosalia, how can you say such horrible things about me?"

"I... I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean it. Please, forgive me."

I clasped my hands before my mouth, widening my eyes as tears shimmered delicately on my lashes.

Did you really think you were the only one who could act?

Let’s play, dear sister of green tea. Let’s see whose performance is better.

"How dare you—?!"

Mary’s face twisted, her gentle beauty vanishing, replaced by something monstrous and furious.

Oops. Did I shatter the saintly façade?

I almost laughed at her expression. It seemed she hadn’t been prepared to face someone just as shameless—someone who could use her own tactics against her.

But enough games. This wasn’t the time.

I turned to the gathered ability users and said confidently, "I’m not one for empty words. I prefer direct action."

I walked over to Henry, who stood off to the side, and extended my hand.

"Henry, lend me your dagger for a minute."

Without hesitation, he reached to his waist and handed me a small, elegant black dagger.

But the moment I took it, a hand shot out and stopped me.

"Cae, let go."

He stared at me, showing no intention of releasing his grip.

"I know what I’m doing. Please."

With a soft sigh, I took Cassel’s hand in my other one and pried it open with ease.

"You want proof? Here it is."

I drew the blade across my palm.

Blood welled up immediately, dripping onto the pristine white floor, staining it crimson.

Silence fell over the room.

I raised my injured hand high.

"Is this enough to prove I’m human? Or do you need more?"

No one answered.

Of course they wouldn’t. Everyone knew zombie blood was thick, black, and foul-smelling. No matter how advanced a zombie became, its blood would betray it.

And then there was something else.

Cassel’s face had gone completely dark—like a shinigami ready to reap lives with a flick of his hand.

Cae carefully took my hand, wrapping it in a piece of crisp, white cloth with gentle, deliberate movements.

His presence was quiet and composed, almost soundless.

When he finally lifted his gaze, his eyes burned with an intense, vivid red, radiating a fierce, almost supernatural glow.

Oh no... he was really, truly angry this time.

Was it too late to beg for mercy?

I swallowed nervously.

Honestly, the cut wasn’t deep. Just a sting.

I was still pondering how to soothe him when his voice suddenly echoed sharply in my ear, breaking through my thoughts.

"Rosalia, don’t ever hurt yourself again. Not for any reason... or else—"

I knew I shouldn’t, but my mind latched onto it.

Or else what?

Cassel didn’t leave me wondering long.

He turned toward Zane and the others, and a killing intent filled the air.

"Next time... if even a single drop of your blood falls—"

"There will be a bloodbath. I’ll kill everyone here."

"I, Cassel, swear it."

Good lord... this man... simply radiates an almost unfair level of attractiveness. His features are striking, with a villainous edge that only adds to his allure—yet he remains undeniably handsome.

His words weren’t empty. With a flick of his telekinesis, tables, chairs, and utensils rose into the air.

"...Seriously?"

When would he break this habit of making things float whenever he got angry?

But this time wasn’t just for show.

If everything shattered, those sharp fragments would rain down like deadly blades.

They hovered ominously above the heads of Zane’s and Victor’s teams—the very people who had doubted me.

Mary and Cecil weren’t spared either.

Only Caroline and her group, still seated calmly, remained untouched.

As for the rest... I swear I saw someone wet himself in sheer terror.

Not funny. Just disgusting.

"Cassel, we meant no offense. In a world like this, caution is necessary. Please don’t take it personally."

Victor, ever quick-witted, tried to defuse the situation.

"Tch." Cassel let out a cold, mocking laugh.

"If you target my lover again, I’ll take it very personally."

"We’re truly sorry. In the end, we’re one team. We rely on each other—we shouldn’t be enemies."

"Cae, let’s go. I want to rest."

I had no desire to stay and listen to empty apologies.

Besides, I was honestly afraid Cassel might lose control and actually kill them all.

I wasn’t exaggerating—I could practically see smoke coming out of his nose.

I let out a breath of relief when he finally listened, lowering everything back to the ground before lifting me and carrying me away from the dining hall.

"Wait—I didn’t return Henry’s dagger."

"Ah—"

Suddenly, he shifted how he carried me. My body was upright now, my legs wrapped around his waist, clinging to him like a koala.

I could feel his heartbeat—and I was sure he could feel mine.

Our bodies were pressed flush together.

I leaned back slightly, gripping his neck tightly to keep from falling.

"Say his name again, and you’ll see what I’ll do to you."

His eyes were predatory—like a beast waiting for its prey to make one wrong move.

Heat rushed through me.

"Cae, hold me properly... this position is killing me."

"Why? Am I not holding you properly now?"

His voice was rough, dangerous—barely restrained.

One hand supported me beneath, keeping me from falling, while the other wandered teasingly along my lower back.

"Y-you... stop. We’re outside—put me down."

"And what if we are? Who doesn’t know you’re mine?"

"Rosalia, you’re mine. My lover, my person, my treasure. I want everyone to know that."