Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: The Confession
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The cult leader gripped Lee Seo-ho's hand tightly.
She trusted that he would protect her, no doubt about that—but walking through a horde of zombies was something else entirely.
It was like crossing a glass bridge over a cliff, even if you knew the reinforced glass was safe.
She trembled as she stared at the zombies ignoring them.
And feeling her shiver, Lee Seo-ho...
Smoothly.
Let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
The cult leader looked up at him, her face flushing pink.
*He's so gentle...*
Her heart began to pound even harder.
The suspension bridge effect should have worn off long ago by now.
But whether it was the zombies or his kindness, she didn't mind this fluttering at all.
Thanks to the warmth of his embrace, the fear of the zombies melted into excitement, and she walked on with a smile, head held high.
"Here we are..."
They followed Ryu Da-hee to their destination.
It was the third floor of the parking garage connected to the department store.
"They're all naked."
"Eek..."
The cult leader muttered flatly as she surveyed the third-floor parking lot.
The naked men and women who met her eyes all shrank back in terror.
*Why are they acting like that?*
She hadn't done anything threatening, yet these naked people were already scared.
Of course, it was because of...
*Shh, shut up and stay quiet.*
The man standing next to them.
Of course, he'd already warned them to keep their mouths shut, but Lee Seo-ho gave them another reminder with a cold smile.
"They're all sinners who've committed crimes. This is the punishment their leader decided on."
"Ahh~ That's certainly an excellent method. Heh, maybe the owner here and I would get along well."
Naturally, she was the one who'd used men as elevators back at the hotel.
Naked men and women didn't faze her in the slightest.
*Good.*
Lee Seo-ho felt a little relieved seeing her reaction.
He'd brought her to the third floor first to gauge how she'd respond.
Since everything he did here would soon become hers, he had to reveal it all.
It was a test in case she couldn't accept it.
Fortunately, she seemed unfazed.
If anything, she was more focused on a fragrance wafting from somewhere than the naked humans in front of her.
"A nice aroma... No way."
"Yes, we've prepared a simple meal to welcome you, Leader."
"Oh my. I'm really looking forward to that."
The cult leader's eyes sparkled genuinely as she clutched her cheeks.
The scent was rich and fresh—the smell of real food.
Even as the leader of a group with around three hundred survivors,
The food they could procure was only the long-shelf-life kind.
"I'm excited. Right?"
She looked up at him with a childlike, beaming smile.
Then she took his hand again and stepped into the department store.
*Oh, it's neat in here.*
Just as he'd requested during his visit yesterday morning,
The third floor had been rearranged neatly for her arrival.
The usual space where they lounged around like a master bedroom had been tidied up, leaving an empty area in the center with a single round table.
Of course, he wasn't revealing everything yet, so all the lights on the third floor were off.
Instead, three candles on the round table illuminated the surroundings.
And behind it stood Lee Seo-ho's women, smiling calmly.
As the cult leader approached the table, she tilted her head at Ryu Da-hee.
"Who's the leader?"
She'd heard it was a woman, the department store's owner.
But there were several women standing behind the table, not just one.
"She'll be joining us shortly. Please have a seat first."
"Hmm, alright then?"
Full of questions but aware this was someone else's base, not hers, she decided to follow the host's lead.
Lee Seo-ho then approached the table and politely pulled out a chair for her.
Pleased by his courtesy, she smiled and sat down.
And then.
Clunk.
"...Huh? Why..."
Seeing him sit across from her,
The cult leader stared at him in stunned confusion.
. . .
She looked at me with an expression that practically screamed, *Why are you sitting there?*
And I smiled back at her, finding her utterly adorable.
This could be seen as a kind of date, in a way.
Escorting her to a high-end department store restaurant,
Seating her at an intimate table and starting the meal.
Except she wouldn't know who her date was until right before sitting down.
A secret date like that.
Faced with the reveal, the cult leader seemed unable to process the situation.
"Manager Yi... Why... are you sitting there?"
But she wasn't an idiot.
And she didn't think I was one either.
She knew I wouldn't plop down in the department store owner's seat without a clue.
And realizing the answer, the cult leader...
"......"
Shut her mouth, her face stricken.
"Ha-yeon."
"Yes, Uncle."
"Bring the food."
"Got it."
Yu Ha-yeon approached my side and received the order.
She gave me a obedient smile, and I patted her butt as a reward for doing well.
"...Ngh."
A stifled groan escaped from the cult leader across the table.
I'd shown undeniable proof now.
She clearly realized I was the owner here.
"Why..."
She forced her mouth open.
"Why did you lie?"
I hadn't really lied.
I'd just hidden my identity and climbed the ranks from slave upward step by step.
With her, I'd only concealed who I was without saying it outright.
But.
I didn't answer, just smiled.
"Shall we talk over food first? I prepared this specially for you... Christine."
"...Huh?"
Her eyes widened as if to say, *How do you know?*
She was around my age, but her reactions made her seem like a kid—adorably so.
And shortly after.
Rrrumble.
Yu Ha-yeon arrived with a silver cart laden with various dishes, elegantly setting them before us.
"I asked for medium-rare on the steaks—decent doneness?"
"......"
Christine didn't respond.
She just kept her head down with a complicated expression.
Even with the fresh, premium steak and garnishes right in front of her.
Drip, drip.
Ryu Da-hee approached and poured wine into our glasses.
I'd seen her preferences often enough from nearby.
She favored sweet wines over dry ones,
So I'd prepared a high-end one to match.
"Not eating?"
"......"
"It's really all for you, so at least try a little."
But Christine didn't even pick up her knife, let alone eat.
She didn't touch the wine she usually loved either.
So I kept my fork and knife still, simply watching her.
It was a lavish dinner, but no one ate a bite.
"......Everything."
After a long silence, Christine finally spoke.
"Was everything a lie?"
Out of all the questions swirling in her mind,
That's the one she managed to voice.
She didn't ask why I'd deceived her or what I wanted.
Just that simple one thing.
"The kindness you showed me, the warm words you gave... All of it, sob, all of it was lies?"
Tears began streaming down Christine's face.
"Not even one bit, hic, was sincere...?"
It hurt her more than anything else.
She wiped at her flowing tears with both hands like a child.
And.
""......""
The women around us glared at me sharply.
*...I didn't plan on making her cry either.*
Under those heavy stares, I struggled to stay composed and looked at Christine.
"You're wrong."
"......"
"I can confidently say I hid things from you, but I never lied. Christine."
At my words, she stopped her tears and slowly lifted her head.
"And you're misunderstanding something."
"...Huh?"
"I didn't reveal myself today just to mess with you."
Of course, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to surprise her a little.
But I truly had no intention of pranking her.
"Liar! Do you know how shocked and hurt I am?"
"I get the shock. But you don't need to be hurt."
"Why! Who are you to say!"
"Because treating you preciously was sincere."
"......"
This much was truer than anything, so I dropped my smile and met her eyes seriously.
The woman who'd been venting her emotions fiercely just moments ago drew in a breath and blushed faintly.
"The only change is my identity. So yeah, you're shocked. But don't take it as a hurt."
I stood and approached her.
Her shoulders twitched at the sound of my footsteps.
But Christine didn't run. She stayed seated.
And in front of her,
I knelt on one knee and looked up at her.
"I'm revealing myself today not to put you in a tough spot or to do anything to you because of it."
I gently raised a hand and carefully took hers.
Then I stroked the back of her hand tenderly, just like always.
"What I'm doing today is a kind of confession."
"...Confession?"
Not the kind where you confess your identity, of course.
The fresh, heart-fluttering kind that makes guys and girls all bubbly.
So with not a hint of a smile,
I said it to her seriously.
"Be my woman, Christine."
"......"
Christine looked at me with sparkling eyes, cheeks flushing as she covered her mouth with her hand.
Shock or感動?
Impossible to tell.
But I pressed on.
"Not me becoming yours. You becoming mine. That way, I'll take responsibility for you forever."
Christine's eyes widened further, her hand muffling a silent scream.
"......"
But she snapped back to reality soon enough, her silver eyes returning to normal.
With just her cheeks pink, she furrowed her brow slightly.
And answered.
"No."
"Huh?"
Why?
"Why, why...? Can't let go of the cult? Or hate the idea of someone owning you?"
What could the reason be?
I understood she'd be flustered.
But with the Enchanting Evil Eye and those sincere words just now, there shouldn't be reason for such firm refusal.
And Christine gave the answer right away.
Eyes still teary, face scrunched up.
She yelled like a whining kid.
"What are those bitches! Saying if not me, then they'll have you—!!"
Ah, ...so that's the hang-up.
"No! You're mine! I, I'd be okay being yours! But no! I hate it! Absolutely not!"
At her outburst, understanding murmurs rose from around us.
"Definitely stings if you thought he was exclusively yours and he's shared."
"...I-I'm fine with it."
"Uncle's in the wrong."
"...Ahem, Savior or not, that's some trash stamina."
"Lord, please forgive this man's sins."
I can hear all of it.