Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: A Family Without Its Pillar
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Yoon Kang-hyun lay dead, his outer clothes soaked in blood, his body ice-cold.
His face wasn't intact either.
One eye was swollen shut from bruising, and through his gaping mouth, pulled-out teeth were visible.
‘...Beaten, ...huh?’
Of course, I wasn't a doctor or a detective, so I couldn't pinpoint the cause of death just from looking at the body.
At a glance, there were blunt trauma wounds all over him.
His teeth didn't look cleanly extracted—more like they'd been smashed out by something.
I rolled up his sleeves to expose his arms and lifted the hem of his shirt, revealing bruises everywhere on his torso.
‘Either they beat him to kill him, or they did it to make him suffer.’
That was my conclusion after checking Yoon Kang-hyun's body.
Either way, it wasn't zombies, an accident, or starvation that got him.
Sure, this was a mad world.
Fights over food with other survivors weren't exactly rare.
But.
If it was 'torture' rather than straight-up murder...
That meant there could be some dangerous bastard lurking around here.
‘...Better safe than sorry.’
I stood up and shouted loudly to the horde of zombies nearby.
“All of you, from now on, patrol around that apartment building nonstop. If any survivor approaches it, kill them without fail.”
The zombies clustered around Yoon Kang-hyun scattered at my command.
Just in case, I'd added the 'without fail' part.
Zombies would go after survivors on instinct anyway, even without orders.
But being thorough never hurt.
‘Normal survivors would steer clear just seeing that many zombies.’
If Yoon Kang-hyun had been tortured to death.
His torturers must've had a reason for it.
So, if I were one of those psycho torturers.
What info could I get from beating a survivor out scavenging for food?
‘The locations of other survivors, obviously.’
In short, if it was definitely torture... he'd probably spilled Baek Min-ah's location.
I looked down at Yoon Kang-hyun's pitiful corpse.
“I don't know what kind of man you were...”
No matter how strong someone's sense of justice or responsibility, it's hard to hold out when someone's dead set on making you hurt.
That was why I'd moved the zombies as a precaution against the worst-case scenario where her location was compromised.
Countless zombies now circling Baek Min-ah's apartment at my command.
No average survivor would risk their neck approaching that.
This should keep any psycho survivors from getting to her.
Even if one was bold enough to try, without a gun, they'd never handle that many zombies.
‘Wish I was just being paranoid.’
In a world like this, you couldn't help dark thoughts.
Plus, these were unknown survivors.
Unlike the Kanghae group, I had no read on how they'd act, so I had to stay vigilant.
“Now, let's see... alright then...”
First things first, time to fulfill why I'd come looking for him.
After a quick once-over of his body, I spotted the ring on the ring finger of his left hand.
‘Baek Min-ah had one just like it.’
This would do.
I pulled the ring off Yoon Kang-hyun's finger.
Sure, dragging the body back to show her would prove his death definitively.
But I wasn't enough of a psycho to disregard her feelings that much.
Just hearing he'd died would shock her plenty.
The ring would suffice to break the news.
“Guess it's time to head back.”
I decided to return to the department store first.
With signs of dangerous survivors around, I needed to beef up security nearby.
。 。 。
[Side Quest – A Family Without Its Pillar]
I took a break at the department store and completed today's side quest.
Ding.
[You have completed the 'Side Quest – A Family Without Its Pillar.' Quest rewards will be granted.]
[You have acquired 50 points.]
[A bonus is added to Baek Min-ah's affection.]
[Baek Min-ah's effects from your semen are increased.]
‘Affection bonus... and semen?’
The points came in as expected, but the extra rewards made me tilt my head.
Affection meant her liking for me went up, straightforward.
But effects from semen...?
‘Domination or Servant stat boosts?’
Either way, I'd only know after dumping a load in her womb later.
For now, I cleared all the messages.
“50 points, huh...”
“Mm, huh? Did you say something, mister?”
“Nah, just mumbling about my abilities.”
“Jeez, when you're with me, focus on me more.”
Yoo Ha-yeon rubbed my cock against her cheek, pouting like she was miffed.
Lately, with me banging all sorts of women, she was showing her jealousy more often.
Of course, it was cute as hell, making my dick even harder.
“Eek, amazing...!♥”
My cock throbbed and lightly slapped her face, and Yoo Ha-yeon blushed happily, smiling.
Her complaint forgotten, lust-drunk Yoo Ha-yeon straddled my waist and positioned her pussy over me.
Grind, grind.
“Heehee, bon appétit♥”
Schlup.
She pressed my glans against her already sopping hole and slid down onto my rock-hard cock.
Squish, squish.
“Ahn, haang...! Mister, every time we do it...! Ungh, you're so incredible...!”
Her warm, tight pussy clenched hard around me, and Yoo Ha-yeon let out beautiful moans as she started rocking her hips atop me.
I caressed her shaking thighs while continuing my train of thought.
‘Points are a bit stingy, though.’
If I knew how side quests popped up, I could grind more for faster points.
Stockpile points and test out the shop items.
No telling how they'd help in survival.
‘I’ll research side quests later.’
Lee Ah-rin seemed creative in this area; brainstorming with her should spark ideas.
Squish, squish.
“Hang...! I love you so much, mister...! Feel more of me...! When it's with me, think only of me...!♥”
“What're you talking about? I think about you plenty normally.”
“Hnng...! Liar, ...you’re always full of thoughts about other women, hng...!”
All that pent-up jealousy had built up; she collapsed onto me, rubbing her tits while acting spoiled.
She grabbed my cheeks affectionately for a kiss, our tongues tangling.
I lay back, savoring her varied caresses and the intense grip of her pussy in total bliss.
。 。 。
After some fun with Yoo Ha-yeon, I dozed off, then headed to Baek Min-ah's apartment the next day.
Today was D-day.
The day to report back on the husband search she'd entrusted me with.
My ultimate goal was making her mine, of course.
But delivering bad news about a loved one left a bitter taste right now.
‘Hesitating to knock.’
I had a heart, human as anyone.
Sure, I'd orchestrated things artificially to win her over.
But gaming with Yoon Hyun-seo and sharing those late-night tender moments with Baek Min-ah—those had genuinely earned their goodwill.
So imagining their grief over losing someone precious tugged at me too.
Still, it had to be done.
And if she'd lost her pillar, I could step in—that'd be good for both of us.
Steeling myself, I knocked lightly on Baek Min-ah's door.
Knock, knock.
[ ...Is that Seo-ho? ]
Last visit, zombies had come knocking, so her voice from inside was more cautious than usual.
“It's me. Safe to open?”
[ Yes! Opening right now! ]
Relieved, she undid the locks.
Creeeak.
“Was the trip here tough? Come on i—...”
She appeared with a shy smile to greet me, but froze when she saw my grim expression at the door.
“......”
Her shoulders trembled as her eyes widened; she rushed past me to check outside.
Confirming no one else, she grabbed my hand with shaking fingers.
“S-Seo-ho...”
“......”
“Please say something. ...You haven't found oppa yet, right?”
Her anxious eyes pleaded desperately for the answer she dreaded.
But my expression and vibe had already told her; tears welled up in her eyes.
“...I didn't know how to break it. The body's secured safely.”
I took her trembling hand and placed Yoon Kang-hyun's ring atop it.
“......Ah, aaah.”
Seeing the ring, Baek Min-ah collapsed to the floor.
“No way......”
I couldn't say a word to her there.
My plan was to say something smooth here to win more affection.
But facing her fresh grief, words failed me.
Baek Min-ah just clutched the ring and sobbed right there.
The brutal reality she'd denied all this time.
Now undeniable, she poured out the tears she'd held back.
“......Mom?”
Yoon Hyun-seo crept up behind her, sensing the bad vibe.
Just an eight-year-old kid.
But her face showed shock and sorrow beyond her years.
“...H-Hyun... -seo.”
Baek Min-ah pulled her non-blood daughter into a tight embrace, sobbing into her.
It looked less like a mother comforting her child and more like a woman leaning on her daughter after losing her anchor.
Yoon Hyun-seo, bereft of her father, soon shed her own small tears.
She wept endlessly in the arms of her sole remaining family.
>
.
.
“Has Hyun-seo fallen asleep?”
“......Yes.”
After leaning on each other and venting their grief, the two finally stopped crying to face the unbelievable reality.
Little Yoon Hyun-seo, exhausted from sobbing over her father's death, had dozed off.
Baek Min-ah, reeling from losing her first love of many years, sat on the sofa hugging her knees, face shadowed.
I sat beside her, looking worn-out myself.
As I settled in, she leaned gently against me and spoke.
“To be honest... I kind of knew deep down.”
Her red-rimmed eyes stared vacantly at the floor.
“After more than ten days with no word... I figured it had to be.”
Only after confirming Yoon Kang-hyun's death did Baek Min-ah voice her true feelings.
She'd suspected he might be gone somewhere in her heart.
But another part refused to let go.
So even right after sending him off, part of her face looked relieved.
She'd clung to hope he was alive.
Worrying what if he was dead had tormented her nonstop.
“So... actually, confirming it and crying it out... has eased my heart.”
Baek Min-ah sniffled, offering a faint smile.
Sad over losing her love, yes.
But she'd probably grieved and mourned him fully a week ago.
Today's tears were for finally accepting and letting him go.
That explained the relief on her face.
“Still, don't push yourself. Cry more if you need to.”
Worried she might be forcing it, I placed a hand on her shoulder, drawing her against me.
She blushed faintly, grasping my hand on her shoulder.
“No, I've let go of the lingering feelings now. Time to think ahead.”
Her warm hand gripped mine like she wanted me to stay.
“...I have Hyun-seo. In a world like this, I need to move on quick.”
But traces of sorrow lingered—her hand trembled slightly.
Forcing a smile, Baek Min-ah looked up at me carefully.
“......”
No words from her.
She just gazed at me with moist eyes.
Like she wanted me to say something.
Something too hard for her, freshly bereft of love, to ask outright.
She yearned for it from me.
Catching on, I smiled back at her.
“How about we rest a bit, then figure out what's next? Together.”
“......”
My answer lit her eyes wide for a moment.
She bowed her head with a soft smile.
“...Really? You'd do that for us?”
She rested her head on my chest.
I stroked her hair gently with one hand, replying quietly.
“Don't worry. I can take responsibility for you and Hyun-seo just fine.”
Her shoulders quivered softly.
After hesitating, she looked up, eyes brimming with emotion, cheeks flushed.
Our warm gazes met, a strange mood hanging between us.
I placed a hand on her cheek.
Drew her face slowly closer.
Hot breath mingled; her moist lips drew near.
She parted hers slightly, like an invitation.
The hand on my chest trembled faintly.
“W-Wait...!”
Blushing furiously, Baek Min-ah looked flustered, ducked her head, and pushed my chest.
“...I-I mean...”
She averted her eyes, something clearly bothering her.
“S-Sorry! It's not that I don't like you... O-Oppa just came to mind...”
Yoon Kang-hyun's death was weighing on her.
Our vibe had been scorching, primed for sex.
But confirming her love's death today made her pull back.
‘I get it.’
Even if she'd grieved a week ago and was letting go today.
Kissing me right after forgetting him was a tall order.
Seeing her pure heart only made me want her more.
I cupped her cheek, turning her face to mine.
Her hesitant eyes looked at me yearningly.
“I get it fully. How you feel. So no need to apologize.”
“...Seo-ho.”
She knew pushing me away wasn't rejection. Relieved, she smiled.
I slid my hand to hers, clasping it.
Warmth spread between our palms; I pulled her shoulder closer, enveloping her in my heat.
Her eyes began to tremble.
“But all I want is to comfort my grieving Min-ah.”
I brushed her hair back with the hand on her shoulder.
Her expression made her feelings for me plain.
But she couldn't kiss me because of loyalty to dead Yoon Kang-hyun.
Guilt over accepting another man right after his death held her back.
So, one thing for me to do.
Give her an excuse.
One free of guilt.
“Yoon Kang-hyun must be suffering leaving you behind like this.”
“...Oppa?”
“Yeah. How could he not, abandoning someone precious in a place this dangerous?”
She bowed her head, eyes sad at my words.
I stroked her hair tenderly, continuing.
“So forget the pain quick. ...That way, he'll rest easy too.”
“R-Really...? You think oppa would want me to... do that...?”
“Of course.”
I met her wavering gaze with a soft smile.
“If I'd left behind someone precious like you and died like Yoon Kang-hyun, I'd feel the same. I know.”
I pulled her into a hug, whispering in her ear.
“Me, Yoon Kang-hyun... we both just want you happy.”
My whisper made her hand on my chest clench.
Gripping my collar tight, she no longer pushed away.
When I finally released her from the embrace, Baek Min-ah gazed at me with flushed cheeks and affectionate eyes.
No hesitation in those eyes now.
Just tense excitement and thrill.
Meeting that look, I smiled.
Pressed my lips to her parted ones.
Her tear-moist lips.
Soon grew slick with my saliva as our tongues entwined.
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