A thick stone door, like a heavy shutter, began descending from the ceiling of the shattered entrance where the hinged doors had been destroyed.
Originally, it seemed to have been designed to lock the entrance in two layers: first by closing the doors, then by lowering this stone shutter, much like the rolling gates of a storefront. Was it based on a pulley system?
“A stone door... It’s just like the stone gates at Happy House.”
Ethan continued pulling the handle down. The stone shutter, made entirely of rock, appeared incredibly sturdy. Once it fully descended, no monsters would be able to break in.
I synchronized my movements with the shutter’s descent, carefully lowering the pillar to block the monsters when suddenly—
From somewhere, a long tail shot out and coiled around my ankle.
A rough, slimy texture clung to my leg. It suctioned onto my ankle like a leech, pulling me downward with immense force.
“Ugh, you bastard! Filthy monster!”
I clung to the pillar with all my strength, determined not to be dragged down.
“This damn thing dares—!”
Ethan, noticing the scene, rushed over and swiftly severed the tail extending from beneath the pillar. But another tail immediately lashed out, grabbing my ankle again. No matter how many times Ethan cut them, the persistent monster seemed hell-bent on targeting my ankle alone.
The damned tail relentlessly tugged at me, making my arms and legs tremble violently, as though I were a leaf shaking in the wind.
“I’m so exhausted I could drop dead...”
My voice slurred from fatigue. Not that I was truly at my limit—I could hold on longer. But I was unbearably tired. Exhausted. Just a little more; the shutter was halfway down now.
Somehow, Ethan seemed to pick up on my muttered complaints. His expression twisted into something ferocious as he cursed under his breath.
“These sons of bitches...!”
His aura suddenly became even more lethal. With a sharp motion, he slashed at the tentacle with his sword, severing it again and again.
Finally, the last tail was cut away, and the attacks ceased. Ethan let out a sigh as he straightened his hunched back. It was a relief. Now, if only the shutter could fully descend—
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Whoosh.
Out of nowhere, a hidden tail lashed out from an unexpected angle. For the first time, the monster switched its target.
Thud.
The tail coiled around Ethan’s ankle.
“What—?”
In an instant, Ethan was yanked under the pillar and disappeared. Just like that, he was pulled outside the hotel entrance, into the monster-infested chaos.
My mind went blank, and I screamed.
“Sir Ethan!”
This couldn’t be happening! Why would he, of all people, be dragged off like that? He’s the critical antibody holder who absolutely cannot die—
No, that wasn’t it anymore.
It wasn’t just about the antibodies.
Ethan was my partner now. I couldn’t do this without him. That would be a disaster. I’ve made it this far because he was always there to have my back.
Of course, I knew Ethan wouldn’t die so easily, not like this...
“Sir Ethan! Where are you? Answer me!”
I shouted with all my might while pressing the pillar forward. Damn it, I needed to go after Ethan!
The shutter continued descending. Yet, I couldn’t let go of the pillar in this situation.
I’ll have to lift the shutter handle again!
As my frantic gaze darted around, I suddenly noticed others joining me at the pillar. Survivors, people I hadn’t seen before, were now helping me push.
“Hang in there!”
“We’ll help too!”
One by one, they added their strength to the pillar and shouted encouragements my way.
Their strength wasn’t much, but it gave me some comfort.
“Someone grab the handle above! Raise the shutter again! There’s someone outside!”
I quickly instructed one of them to replace Ethan at the emergency handle. A man hurried to grab it and began lifting.
That’s it!
Now I could go after Ethan.
My head burned with rage. I’d kill them all. I could do it. My insides churned with fury, my body burned with heat, and my reason began to wear thin.
If any of these damn monsters even touched a hair on Ethan’s head, I won’t let a single one of them live.
After all the effort I’ve put into protecting him until now. I won’t let them off. Never.
Resolving myself, I prepared to hurl the pillar aside—
ROAR!
A monster’s sudden scream froze me in place. I immediately focused on where the sound had come from.
Among the mass of monsters, a sharp blade sliced through the air in a sweeping arc.
Squelch!
The monsters were split in half, all at once.
Oh my god.
Through the bisected creatures, a man slowly rose to his feet.
His police uniform was in tatters, drenched in dark red blood and green slime, yet his face remained cold and breathtakingly composed.
“Damn pests.”
Ethan wiped the green blood off his face with the back of his hand and shook the blade with an irritated flick.
“Sir Ethan!”
He was alive. Relief surged through me, so overwhelming it made my teeth clench.
But this was no time to relax. Ethan was still outside, isolated amidst the monsters.
Shriek?
The remaining monsters turned their attention to Ethan, rushing toward him in a wave.
Ethan spun his sword with expert precision, then assumed a firm combat stance.
ROAR!
Splat!
I caught a brief glimpse of Ethan’s faint smirk before he vanished into the chaos of attacking monsters.
Squelch!
As always, wherever Ethan’s blade moved, monster corpses rained down. His combat skills were as impressive as ever, but the sheer number of monsters this time made it even more astounding.
His strength was overwhelming. It was almost enough to make me think he didn’t need my concern.
After taking out a significant number of monsters, Ethan dashed toward me, the horde still gathering behind him.
Sliding under the pillar, he made it back inside. The man holding the emergency handle quickly pulled it down.
I shoved the pillar outside and crouched low as the descending stone door sealed shut.
A brief silence followed before someone exclaimed.
“We did it!”
“We’re alive!”
The people beside me cheered and embraced each other in joy.
Ethan collapsed in front of the stone door, his back against it as he caught his breath.
Thank god he’s safe.
I sank to the ground as well, overwhelmed by pain in my arms and the lack of strength in my legs.
“Damn, I’m exhausted.”
Above all, the relief of Ethan’s survival sapped the last of my energy. Still, I didn’t forget to check his condition.
I scanned his body quickly. At least from what I could see, he didn’t appear injured...
“Are you okay?”
Ethan nodded. Then, turning to me, he carefully examined my face.
“Miss Cherry, are you all right?”
Ethan’s face was right in front of mine. He tilted his head slightly, his sharp jawline shifting as his throat moved.
As I stared at him absentmindedly, Ethan suddenly spoke with a grave expression.
“Miss Cherry, focus your eyes. How many fingers am I holding up?”
He raised two fingers in front of my face. I couldn’t help but let out a breathless laugh and glare at him.
“Two. I’m perfectly fine, thank you.”
“It might not be. Look closely. Right now, the name of the most handsome man in the Greydon Kingdom standing in front of you is?”
“...Harrison?”
“Miss Cherry, it’s clear that you’re not in your right mind.”
I tried to divert the conversation out of laziness, but Ethan took me seriously and treated me like a patient.
...Should I keep responding to him?
I shifted the topic again.
“Well, it doesn’t look like you’re injured anywhere visible. Does anything hurt?”
I casually grabbed his wrist, fully expecting him to be fine. Unfortunately, there was a wound on his right wrist. It was a small, barely noticeable cut, but it unmistakably looked like a bite from one of the monsters.
“This...”
Startled, I looked up at Ethan.
Ethan noticed it at the same time, his brows furrowing in surprise.
“...What the hell is this?”
He looked as though he hadn’t even realized the injury was there. Slowly, a deep crease formed between his eyebrows.
Wait a second, Cherry. Why are you panicking? Ethan is an antibody holder.
I quickly steadied my chaotic thoughts. Ethan would likely be shocked, believing himself infected. I needed to stay calm and handle this situation.
Actually, maybe this is a good thing. It’s an opportunity for him to discover that he’s immune.
I glanced around hurriedly. The survivors who had helped me with the pillar were huddled a bit farther away, clinging to each other and crying. Thankfully, they were too preoccupied to notice Ethan’s wound.
I pulled a Cherry-patterned handkerchief from my belt pouch and quickly wrapped it around his injury.
I need to get him to Nox before it gets infected.
Harrison and Nox could be trusted to keep this quiet, but no one else must know.
Revealing that he was unharmed despite being bitten by a monster would be incredibly dangerous. I couldn’t predict how others might react or what consequences might follow.
“...Am I going to turn into one of those damn monsters now?”
Ethan, who had been silently observing me, suddenly smiled. Strangely, he didn’t seem to grasp the gravity of the situation.
“Restrain me, Miss Cherry.”
His next words made me look him straight in the eye. I replied firmly, my voice resolute.
“You won’t turn. You won’t die. I’m certain.”
It was an obvious statement, but Ethan didn’t believe me. When our eyes met, he smiled gently, as if humoring me.
“I still seem to be in my right mind for now. But I might turn into a monster at any moment. It’s better if I’m restrained. Lock me up.”
His reaction was understandable. While I knew he was immune, Ethan himself didn’t.
I struggled to figure out how to convey the truth to him.
Whatever the truth, this isn’t the time or place to discuss it.
I decided to take him somewhere quiet where we could talk in private.
At that moment, Amy and Jose ran up to us.
“Miss! Sir Ethan! Are you all right?”
“Sugar Star! Are you—wait... what’s with the atmosphere?”
Amy and Jose looked at us with puzzled expressions. Ethan opened his mouth to speak.
“I think I’m infec—”
I reached out and clamped my hand over his mouth before he could finish.
Ethan’s eyes widened in shock, his breath tickling my palm.
“What’s going on? Why are you doing that?” Jose asked, throwing another question at us. Fortunately, the commotion around us grew louder at the perfect moment.
As Amy and Jose turned their attention to the noise, a group of survivors, emboldened by the earlier commotion, poured into the lobby.
Waaaah—!
Cheers filled the air.
“We survived!”
“Thank God!”
The survivors celebrated with shouts and even tears, hugging each other in relief. Their jubilation didn’t last long, wary as they were of drawing more monsters.
Avoiding the gazes of the gathered crowd, I tried to hide Ethan’s wrist behind my back. But Ethan resisted.
“What are you doing? I’m infect—”
This idiot! I clamped my hand over his mouth again. Amy and Jose glanced at us suspiciously, and I forced an awkward smile.
“It’s nothing.”
Then I whispered into Ethan’s ear.
“Keep quiet. This isn’t the time to talk about it.”
I gently took his wrist, now wrapped in the handkerchief, and carefully moved it behind me.
“What are you—!”
“Trust me and stay quiet. You’re not going to die. And I’m not going to let you, either.”
Honestly, even I wouldn’t easily believe words like that in this situation. If I thought I was about to die, nothing else would matter.
While I was contemplating, my eyes fell on the axe I had set on the floor earlier.
Yeah... maybe this is the best way.
I picked up the axe and nicked my finger with the blade. The sting was sharp but bearable. Ethan, startled, reached out for me, but I moved faster.
Grabbing him by the collar, I yanked him toward me and cupped his jaw. His red lips parted naturally, and, uncharacteristically for him, Ethan froze, unsure of how to react.
“Stay still.”
I softly ran my fingers over his lips, trying to ease his tension. Then, without hesitation, I slipped my bleeding finger into the space between his slightly parted lips.