Don't Pick Up the Male Lead in the Apocalypse - Chapter 8
A figure with a blood-red ‘Highest’ threat level above his head let out a terrifying scream, lunging at the silver-haired man.
I was startled twice – first by the ground-shaking noise and then by the bloodied figure’s appearance.
The silver-haired man was equally shocked, his eyes widening as if he was seeing the killer who died and survived.
“Uh oh.”
Startled, the silver-haired man stumbled backward, accidentally stepping on the frying pan on the floor, causing the bloodied figure to fall on top.
He quickly raised his arms in defense.
“Hahh.”
What should I do with this?
The commotion had undoubtedly sealed my fate.
The others who went to check the remaining two houses would soon return here.
It was obvious that slipping out and hiding was the smart move for my survival.
Yet, if I left now, the silver-haired man before me, embroiled in this fight, might not make it out alive.
Unaware of my presence, the bloodied man’s comrade was relentlessly pounding on the silver-haired man’s head and arms, which were up in defense.
My earlier attempt with the frying pan had failed, but this time, I was determined not to.
I raised the rolling pin above my head.
“Yah!”
-Thump.
With a sound like wood splitting, the attacker rolled to the side.
“……”
The silver-haired man, lowering his guard, looked taken aback.
He swiftly got up, left the house without a word, and returned after a while. It seemed he had dealt with the remaining two, but I didn’t want to imagine their fates and refrained from asking.
“……”
Crouching next to his fallen comrade, he rummaged through the man’s pants pockets.
Quietly watching him retrieve car keys, I followed him out, trailing behind as he opened the door and stepped outside.
‘Even if it was to prevent a bad situation, is it really okay to have treated his comrade that way?’
If the silver-haired man was going back to where his other comrades were, should I follow him?
I had many questions and much to say, but I didn’t know where to start.
In any case, in this desolate place, he was the only person in sight.
The heavy snowfall had ceased, and the weather felt a bit warmer, though the wind was still howling.
I watched him insert the car keys and open the door, then followed him into the passenger seat.
The car, which I had thought odd-looking, produced a surprisingly pleasant engine hum as it started.
The man remained silent.
‘Is he pondering what to do with me?’
Listening to the low drone of the car, I swallowed my words.
Breaking the silence wasn’t easy.
Finally, I was the one who spoke first.
“Excuse me…”
“Get out.”
“What, really?”
The man repeated, his eyes fixed on the car’s illuminated dashboard.
“Get out.”
A chill ran down my spine as he repeated the same words.
Get out? Get out and do what?
I couldn’t comprehend what he was saying.
“Why should I get out? Aren’t we moving? Is there still something to do here?”
“I’m moving.”
“……”
“Just me.”
“What??”
“You get out.”
“???”
I was so stunned that I was speechless for a moment, then spat out the words.
“You mean… you’re just going to leave me here and go?”
Finally, he turned his head towards me in the passenger seat.
“That’s right.”
His response was light and carefree, as if he was brightly and cheerfully smiling like a child.
“Get out, I said.”
“Huh…”
Despite his cold directive to get out, all I could muster was a timid, small sigh.
I was utterly dumbfounded.
Normally, I’d have retorted with a ‘Fine, okay,’ slammed the car door as hard as I could, and walked away.
‘But he’s the only one I can ask for help right now. F*ck, I haven’t read this story, I barely know anything!’
So, my conclusion was to plead.
“Listen, you just saved me, right? Despite them being your comrades, you intervened because they were going to harm me. That’s right, isn’t it? But now you’re just going to abandon me here? In this place with nothing around, no way to contact anyone, and no one in sight? You said the world has met its end, I just learned that from you. And now you’re abandoning me here, someone who needs help?”
The man blinked slowly, listening intently until I finished speaking.
There was little change in his expression, but for a moment, it seemed to cloud over.
After all that I had said, wouldn’t a human being feel at least a bit of compassion?
“Yeah, get out.”
Sh*t.
He leaned over to open the passenger door.
“Try kicking me out. I won’t leave. I can’t. You saved my a*s, so you’re responsible for me till the end.”
I pushed my butt deep into the passenger seat.
I can’t leave. It’s too cold outside.
“……”
I felt his piercing stare, but what the hell? I wouldn’t get off.
Though I was determined, internally I was trembling in fear.
If he, with his superior strength, decided to force me out, I’d be crumpled like a used tissue and tossed out of the car.
“Really?”
“……”
“Why?”
Why indeed.
