Chapter 5
I swung the axe at the monster lying on the ground once more—this time aiming directly for its head.
Crack—
The blade sank perfectly into its skull, and a splash of thick green fluid spurted out.
Huff. Huff. I panted, staring down at the monster that now looked completely dead.
Only then did the horrific reality of the situation hit me fully—it wasn’t a novel. It was real.
‘I need to get down to Brunel Village fast. I have to set up a shelter immediately.’
That decision solidified the moment I saw the virus monster with my own eyes.
Fortunately, Aurora was too focused on the monster to notice me.
I turned my back to her so she wouldn’t see me. Quickly, I wiped the axe clean, returned it to the holster, and pulled the robe over myself to conceal it.
Aurora must have regained her senses because she approached me soon after.
“Are you okay?”
She pulled back the hood of her robe and held my hand.
Long silver hair flowing to her waist, mysterious violet eyes—she was a stunning beauty. The moment our eyes met, there was a captivating aura that could hypnotize someone.
“Did you see the man who ran out of the house?”
“He ran that way.”
Aurora pointed to the end of the alley. He had already vanished.
‘At least he survived. That’s a relief.’
The plan had succeeded. I got the Elpinus herb, killed the monster without casualties, and now that the tension eased, I felt like crying.
But before I could, Aurora did.
“Thank you for saving me… sniff.”
She must have been seriously shaken, holding my hand and sobbing uncontrollably.
“I don’t even want to imagine what would have happened if you weren’t here. You’re my lifesaver.”
She refused to let go of my hand, crying her heart out.
I looked at her with an embarrassed expression. A few people passing by were starting to gather, and although my hood and mask concealed my face, I still felt uneasy.
“Who’s there?”
A deep, measured male voice cut through the night. Behind Aurora, a man approached, holding a revolver in his hand.
Even in the dark, his golden hair shone beautifully. A firm set to his jaw, a sharp nose, and eyebrows slanted menacingly. His blue eyes were as cold as a frozen lake.
‘Wow… he’s really handsome.’
A shirt buttoned to the neck, a perfectly tailored police uniform—just his presence exuded an intimidating charm.
I instantly knew who he was.
It was none other than Aurora’s older brother, Eden. Eden Duncan Lancaster.
‘Damn it, why is he here?’
In Aurora’s survival team from Love and Ruin, the most capable member wasn’t the main male lead, Crown Prince Theodore, nor the sub male lead and doctor, Knox, nor the weapons expert, Jose—it was Eden.
Not only was he capable, but he also possessed the virus antibody necessary to end the crisis. He absolutely could not die.
As long as he stayed near Aurora, he’d be safe—at least in the novel. He was practically her right hand.
Meanwhile, Eden seemed to realize that the woman holding my hand was Aurora.
“Aurora? What are you doing here at this hour?”
His gaze didn’t even glance at me, as if no one else mattered.
“Brother, why are you here?”
“On patrol. There was a report.”
While answering, Eden noticed the smashed gate and the dead monster in front of it. Click. He aimed his loaded gun at the monster.
“W-What the hell is this?”
Only then did Aurora recall the monster, trembling as she stepped back—still holding my hand, forcing me to follow.
‘Please, let go, heroine!’
With Eden here, he’d take care of the dead monster. He was the police, after all.
I had to escape before Eden or Aurora recognized me. If either of them discovered that I was Cherry Sinclair, it would be problematic. I restrained myself from drawing attention.
“This person saved my life.”
Despite my hopes, Aurora once again revealed my existence to Eden. His gaze immediately shifted toward me.
“……Are you the one who did this to the creature?”
He asked me. It wasn’t technically a creature, but I simply nodded without answering. Eden politely thanked me and requested my identification.
“First, thank you for saving my sister. I want to compensate you, could you show me your face—”
“Aaah—!”
Fortunately—or unfortunately—Aurora screamed loudly as the monster twitched in its last convulsions.
Since I had smashed its head with the axe, it was already dead. But Eden, unaware of this, quickly extended an arm to shield Aurora.
“Step back.”
He then pulled the trigger.
Bang—!
The gunshot echoed through the city in the dead of night.
Lights flicked on in the neighboring houses around 61 Nottingham Street.
The monster’s body no longer moved. It was completely dead.
Aurora looked frozen in terror, while Eden bent over, checking the corpse carefully.
‘…Now’s my chance!’
I shook off Aurora’s hand and bolted.
I couldn’t allow my name to appear alongside hers in tomorrow’s newspaper headline!
“Wait! Lifesaver! Where are you going!?”
Aurora called after me, her voice desperate like a tragic heroine. She sounded like a prince searching for Cinderella after she’d lost her slipper.
“Please… don’t reveal your name! Please, just your name!”
But if she was this curious about me, there was no way I could reveal my identity.
After running for a while, I assumed she wouldn’t follow. I glanced back—but Eden was chasing after me.
“Ugh! Ahhh! Stop chasing me!”
I ran with all my strength, but Eden blew his whistle.
Peeeep—!
The blaring sound lit up every mansion along the streets. People had awakened from the commotion.
“Stop right there!”
Eden shouted at me. Stopping now would make me look suspicious.
There was no turning back—I had to escape. I clenched my teeth and ran.
But Eden was physically superior, faster, and closing the distance steadily.
‘Why the hell did Eden have to appear here?! Damn it, think, Cherry!’
I needed a way to distract him. While sprinting, I scanned my surroundings.
‘Is there anywhere I can hide?’
Nottingham Street was a labyrinthine mess of alleys. Plenty of hiding spots—but risky.
I thought of the axe on my back. I had the strength to take down a damn virus monster if needed.
‘If necessary, I could knock Eden out with a blow to the neck—’
I shook my head. No. The world hasn’t ended yet; don’t escalate things.
I grit my teeth and climbed a chain-link fence blocking an alley.
“I told you to stop, didn’t I?”
Eden’s calm voice came from behind. But there was no way I was stopping.
I leapt from the fence and immediately veered into the alley ahead.
The path split into three. I hid beneath the stairs of a semi-basement house in the left alley. Darkness under the lamp.
Tap, tap. I heard footsteps approaching.
Thud. Clomp.
The steps suddenly stopped right outside the alley.
I froze, holding my breath.
Clomp. Clomp. This time the steps reached the wall in front of me—he was right across the bricks.
I covered my mouth with my palm, my hands sweating from tension.
I watched Eden’s movements for what felt like forever, but no sound came after that.
‘What? Where did he go?’
The surroundings seemed darker than before, like a shadow fell over my head.
I cautiously looked up—and met a pair of piercing blue eyes staring down at me.
I was too shocked even to scream.
“Is this the best you can do? Hiding like a rat.”
“Ugh! Aaah!”
I collapsed to the ground. Eden grabbed the back of my robe with his long arm.
Damn it… why am I always this unlucky!?
