A Korean Office Worker Who Became a Nuisance Villainess in a Zombie Story - Chapter 107

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I’m Yusara.
Never married, no nieces or nephews, and none of my friends have tied the knot yet either.
The last time I spoke with a minor was when my boss let me video call his son during lunch break.
“Hi there~ Oh my, how adorable~ How old are you? Oh goodness, you’re so pretty I thought you were a girl!” If you could even call that a conversation.
Other than that, well… before coming to this Island, when I was punishing those kids that General used to beat in the Harbor Village…?
I don’t know how to handle children.
But one thing has become clear to me.
Now was not the time to persuade them through conversation.
‘Even the adult Troublemaker and Papri couldn’t be persuaded through words, so how would these kids be any different….’
I’d been far too naive.
Yet my naivety wasn’t entirely without effect.
Even as the other children hesitated and watched Lime nervously despite Cyprus’s shock therapy, Cheese boldly cried out.
“I’m going to follow this sister!”
“Cheese!”
“Rumors are just rumors. I know better. I’ve experienced this sister firsthand.”
“But what if that person sells you into slavery…!”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“Why, why doesn’t it make sense…?”
“Think about it—this sister is a noblewoman. Why would a noblewoman go through all this hardship just to sell me or you into slavery? There’s no profit in it.”
Cheese shouted, reminding them how extravagantly nobles lived, having seen it all in magazines.
“They spend a thousand gold coins a day! Do you think we’re worth even half that? We don’t have parents to pay our ransom anymore, and we have no special talents. That’s just wishful thinking!”
“That’s….”
“I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry,” Cyprus murmured.
Cyprus spoke softly.
Yes. I completely agree.
“I’d love for Lord Promé, who made his living selling unprofitable slaves, to hear those sensible words. Maybe he’d feel some shame.”
“A pity he’s dead.”
“Cheese seems quite intelligent….”
“That’s right. She was the one who first suggested we light a signal fire to call for outside help.”
Same with Muffin—these children really do speak better than adults.
Children are smart. Adults are the fools.
I etched this newfound truth into my heart.
‘It’s probably best not to mention that I don’t even have a single silver coin, let alone a thousand gold coins.’
Here Cheese was, defending me so earnestly.
A child who’d feared me just yesterday was now standing up for me. Is this the bond between women built on shared hardship?
Cheese finished speaking with determination.
“We can’t live on this Island forever, just the five of us. If we stay here, we’ll die—eventually. So I’m choosing the adventure that gives us even a slightly higher chance of survival.”
“How brave!”
Clap, clap, clap. Yujein applauded with a moved expression on her face.
Cheese, carrying what appeared to be her younger sibling on her back—a child who looked even smaller than Muffin and Pickle—came to stand on our side.
Six children remained on that side of the island.
Next came the boy with glasses. Lime jumped to his feet as if terrified that I might grab him by the hair from behind, and came running over.
Five children.
“Hey, you all….”
Lime’s voice, trembling as he huddled in the corner, had already lost all authority.
Four children, then three.
“Ah, hello there….”
Some of the children greeted us awkwardly.
“Um, I’m sorry about yesterday.”
Others offered sincere apologies.
It took mere moments for all the children to come over to our side.
Praha, who had returned after dealing with the zombies, cast a sidelong glance at Lime, standing alone and forlorn.
“Will you be taking him with us as well?”
“No.”
We’re only helping the children. Adults can fend for themselves.
He can stay here alone and play king of the deserted island.
“Well, it doesn’t seem like he’d follow us anyway.”
Yujein said.
We agreed, and left with only the children in tow.
But Lime was far more shameless than we’d given him credit for.
“Wait, is that guy actually following us?”
“Heh.”
Cyprus laughed outright.
Lime’s face flushed with embarrassment, but he didn’t turn back. Instead, he squeezed his way between the children as if afraid we might chase him away.
Since it wasn’t worth the effort to drive him off, I left him be.
* * *
“You’ve all experienced enough by now to understand.”
Once we’d gathered all eleven people on the island, including Lime, I gave a brief briefing on our escape plan.
“Sister Cheese!”
While we were below, Muffin and Pickle, who had been watching Tangerine’s fire show, embraced their older siblings whom they were meeting again.
Since the fire show hadn’t been perfect and Tangerine’s bangs were slightly singed, she measured the children’s arm lengths and broke apart tables and chairs to fashion defensive guards for their wrists.
“If anyone tries to bite you, put this wood in their mouth instead.”
“So, does anyone here happen to know the island’s geography perfectly?”
“Me!”
“Me!”
Children are children. They got excited in an instant.
“I know where my older sister and brothers secretly kiss!”
“I know where my dad hides his emergency money!”
“You should pretend you don’t know things like that….”
I was searching for a pen to draw a map of the island based on what the children were telling me.
“Were you looking for this?”
Cyprus approached and held out a quill pen.
“Oh, thank you….”
I lifted my head without thinking, and my gaze landed directly on the man’s torso.
Whether he deliberately wore shirts half a size too small to show off his physique, the fabric across his chest was stretched taut.
Despite that, he’d fastened every button properly, but I’d already seen everything underneath….
‘Have I lost my mind? Stop these indecent thoughts.’
Once the briefing was over, I’d step outside and breathe some fresh air.
Cyprus caught sight of me turning my head away sharply and lifted the corners of his mouth in a smirk.
With a smile like a seductive swallow—as if he knew exactly what I was thinking—he bent forward at the waist.
I dodged Cyprus’s attempt to meet my eyes by turning my face this way and that.
“Why? Did you suddenly remember something? Can’t bear to look me in the eye?”
“Could you please step back a bit?”
“If you keep flickering before my eyes like that, I might just show you again.”
“And stop speaking informally.”
“You do it too.”
“Stop… don’t shove your face at me like that!”
*Screech!* As I tried to push his face away, I drew a long line across Cyprus’s right cheek with the pen. A pink streak appeared on his smooth, pale cheek. Cyprus stood there dumbfounded, his lips parting slightly as his face became an accidental canvas.
The blunt pen probably felt soft rather than painful, but still….
‘Well, what’s done is done. Since I’ve already scribbled on his face.’
“Maintain your dignity, Your Highness. Don’t go pressing yourself against women you’ve just met.”
I scolded him by tapping a beauty mark on his nose with the pen, thinking, ‘How do you plan to actually marry someone later if you carry on like this?’
Please, live with some propriety. I’m genuinely worried.
“If you act this way with just any woman, they’ll get the wrong idea. What if I turn my attention back and start chasing after you again? Could you handle that? Of course not. So stop it.”
I drew a heart on his compliant cheek, then a star.
I giggled at the absurdity, and our eyes met face-to-face with Cyprus.
Cyprus, who’d been about to say something, froze the moment he saw me laughing with my eyes crinkled shut at a distance where his breath could reach me.
*Inhale.* The soft sound of Cyprus drawing in a breath was distinct.
I turned away from Cyprus’s dazed expression.
Just then, I quickly fled toward Praha, who was returning to the Lobby carrying an enormous dining table single-handedly.
“If we place paper here and draw a map, that should work!”
My life—running from a handsome man straight into the arms of another handsome one….
“Should we draw several copies and divide them among ourselves?”
“And it would be best to ask them to mark any places where Cherry and the other children might be hiding.”
Praha, who’d glanced briefly at Cyprus standing alone over there, moved to my side. Behind us, Cyprus, his cheek cradled in his hand with ink smudged on it, let out a hollow laugh.
“I really must be losing my mind.”
I pretended not to hear his muttered words.
Yeah, you’ve definitely gone mad lately.
“…Did something happen between you and Cyprus?”
“Nothing happened. I was just about to explain the situation to the children.”
“There’s nothing to explain! One bite and you’re dead. Even a scratch means death. They have no eyes, but their ears and nose are extremely sensitive. So don’t speak, don’t make sudden movements, and just follow quietly.”
Tangerine, cutting in, laid it out clearly.
“That’s right, everyone. No matter how startled you are, you can’t make a sound. If you do, the situation will spiral completely out of control. And whatever you do, don’t run.”
“If you’re not confident you can stay silent, just stuff something like a handkerchief in your mouth before we go!”
“But where would the children find a handkerchief, Tangerine…?”
“Then socks!”
“I know it sounds like a joke, but I’m serious. Once you’re infected, there’s no saving you. You’ll be left behind.”
I made eye contact with each child, watching them swallow nervously, and warned them firmly.
“If you get bitten, it’s already too late. Don’t expect anyone to help you.”
Teaching children not to help each other. How bleak.
I made sure they understood various other precautions. Don’t approach anything that looks dead. If you spot something strange, don’t panic—grab an adult’s elbow and pull.
While I was doing this, Praha, who’d been exchanging quiet words with Cyprus, suddenly rubbed Cyprus’s cheek roughly with his large hand, erasing all the doodles I’d left behind, but that wasn’t particularly important so I’ll skip the details.
“Do you understand? Only those who promise can come with us.”
“Yes.”
“Yes!”
“Yes….”
“Then first, we need to find another ship large enough to carry all these people at once.”
Since Cyprus was the only one who knew how to sail.
Finally.
“General and the escaped children are….”
“I think it would be best if we all went out together to search for them at the end!”
“There’s no need for that.”
The voice that cut in firmly belonged to someone I didn’t know.
[Inhabited Island]
– Fool 12345, Muffin, Pickle and others (Surviving)
– General (Watching for an opportunity to escape)

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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