A Korean Office Worker Who Became a Nuisance Villainess in a Zombie Story - Chapter 160

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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’ve come backward through time. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say I’m not even from this world at all.”
“Not from this world?”
“Yes. I know it sounds like nonsense, but that’s how I understand my own identity.”
I pulled Praha, who had turned away and remained frozen in that position, back to sit across from me.
He needed to sit down.
This was going to be a long story.
“…So, in my previous life, zombies appeared too. Back then, Praha didn’t recruit me into the Investigation Team.”
“Then.”
“I forced my way along anyway. Dragging Guard Knights with me. Cyprus and Yujein were there too back then… and at that time, I—”
“….”
“I died by your hand, Praha.”
Do you think I’m insane?
Praha shook his head at my quiet question.
“After dying, you returned to the past?”
“Yes. To that day at the Villa when the zombies first appeared.”
“Why did I kill you in that previous life?”
“Because I was a bad person.”
“That can’t be true.”
“It was. I was a terribly wicked, selfish, and pathetic human being.”
Please don’t ask what I did.
Fortunately, Praha asked something else instead.
“What makes you believe you’re not from this world?”
“That’s… before that. Do you really believe what I’m saying?”
“Didn’t you ask me to believe you?”
“That’s true, but… I thought you’d treat me like someone delirious from fever caused by the zombie infection.”
Why do you believe me so readily? At my questioning, Praha scratched his eyebrow.
“Truthfully, it’s difficult to comprehend.”
“I knew it….”
“If you’ve returned to the past, what happens to that first timeline before? Does it get erased? Or does it remain separate from this current time?”
“….”
Uh….
“I’m not entirely sure about that either….”
My apologies….
“Then somewhere, there might be a version of me living without you.”
“…Yes. If the timelines are separated.”
“Ha.”
Praha shook his head as if lamenting such misfortune in the world, then met my eyes.
“I believe what you’re saying. To the extent my intellect and ability permit. Unconditionally.”
“…Even if I told you I’ve lived in a completely different world than this one?”
“Even if you told me you were actually an alien, I would believe you.”
“An alien… I suppose that’s one way to look at it. Do you believe this as well?”
I decided to tell him everything while I was at it.
The world I came from. How I ended up there. How I managed to return. Even the contract I made with God.
When I mentioned earning money by sitting in a small chair from nine in the morning until six in the evening, staring at a glowing rectangle, Praha—who had questioned whether that was abuse—stiffened his jaw the moment the conversation turned to my wager with the God of Light.
“Your soul, you say? How could you agree to such terms….”
“Yes. It was practically a fraudulent contract. I must have been out of my mind.”
“It seems the God coveted your soul.”
“I don’t think that’s the case….”
“If he hadn’t coveted it, there would be no reason for him to do such a thing.”
“…Self-esteem guardian.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. And about this stone.”
I pulled out the crimson stone I’d been keeping in my pocket and showed it to him.
“It’s a zombie’s soul stone. Every zombie has one in their chest, and it contains the memories of its master. It seems only I, having died once, can extract this stone from a zombie’s chest.”
When I fell from the rooftop of Sodom Castle, I survived because of this stone, and I learned about the Temple where the sacred relics were kept thanks to it as well.
As I spoke, I watched Praha’s expression carefully.
I was worried he might ask why I hadn’t told him sooner and caused him such concern.
But this time too, Praha’s reaction defied my expectations.
With a sullen expression, Praha asked.
“So that’s what you were discussing with Cyprus earlier.”
“Yes… that’s right.”
“Why did only Cyprus know about this? Do you trust that frivolous man more than me?”
“That’s not it.”
“You even spoke informally with him.”
“Are you upset that I’m only comfortable speaking casually with Cyprus?”
“It’s beyond mere upset.”
Praha hesitated before adding, correcting my words—it wasn’t upset, it was heartbreak.
“Still, you seemed happy in that world.”
“Yes. I was.”
I was certainly happy.
“Do you wish to return?”
“…It would be a lie to say I don’t want to go back at all.”
“May I ask why?”
“…Because everything I achieved through my own effort exists in that world.”
The me in that world hadn’t won medals at the Olympics or become the first immigrant to become President of the United States or anything like that.
But at the very least, I studied as much as I wanted there and built my skills.
I earned money with my own hands and took care of myself. Without worrying about anyone’s gaze. Without any interference.
“It may sound strange, but sitting in front of that rectangle for eight hours a day—that abuse—was something I actually wanted.”
“….”
“I love you, Praha. But….”
All my achievements exist in that world.
When I abandoned everything of mine and chose this world, seeing only you—will I truly be able to avoid regret?
“…You won’t resent me?”
I asked Praha, whose gaze remained fixed intently upon my face.
My words could have sounded like ‘I love you, but not enough to stay here for you alone.’
My voice trembled, fearing he might resent me for knowing his heart so completely yet refusing it, insisting on walking my own path.
Yet Praha remained composed.
“Why would I resent you for going where you wish to go of your own volition?”
“Then….”
“I told you. Do whatever you desire.”
“….”
“Your freedom and happiness are the only things I wish for. I don’t want to shackle your ankles with love.”
“….”
“However.”
“…Yes.”
“If you truly gain the ability to return… might you take me with you then?”
“….”
“Do whatever you wish. And grant me the privilege of watching over you as you do.”
What I had done in the past, how I came to regress—
What mattered most to Praha above all else was this:
Whether I had lost something through this, whether I had been happy in that other world—whether returning here meant I had been robbed of something.
The weight of those words, ‘do whatever you desire.’
In that declaration of wishing for my happiness and freedom,
I read love.
“…What do I do?”
Tears streamed down my face.
“I really want to live….”
I could not bear to lose this radiant, abundant life.
“I want to live.”
Sudden dread crashed over me, and I rose from my seat. Praha caught me as I paced anxiously back and forth.
What do I do. What do I do.
I’m so happy right now.
If I become a zombie like this.
“I don’t want to die.”
I’m terrified.
“You won’t die.”
“But what if? What if the mutation begins in ten minutes, or five? If I become a zombie… I’m scared.”
I’m so frightened I could die.
Praha gently held my trembling arms—not embracing me, not restraining me, simply facing me and waiting.
My eyes, now glistening with tears, lifted to meet his.
Praha spoke.
“Do you know what that means?”
“I… what?”
“I don’t think you’ll become a zombie. And I won’t let that happen.”
“You’re lying….”
“I’m not.”
Praha looked down at me, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“Let me prove it.”
Without hesitation, Praha leaned down and kissed me.
Warmth bloomed against my lips. As my jaw fell open in shock, he tilted his head, deepening the kiss.
His tongue invaded my mouth, drawing away my breath.
It wasn’t long.
After transferring his warmth and pulling away cleanly, Praha brushed away the tears streaming down my cheeks and brought them to his own lips.
Seeing my dazed expression, Praha laughed.
“I said I’d prove it.”
“What, no, this is….”
I covered my mouth with my hand and stumbled backward.
“Are you insane?”
If I were infected, then…!
Then Praha would be too…!
“What were you thinking doing something like that!”
“The thought that the person I love will never become a zombie.”
“You…!”
“You’re not infected, Yusara.”
Can’t you see it? You’ve maintained your reason for this long.
Praha stepped closer and kissed me again.
The tips of his ears were flushed crimson as he cradled my cheeks in both hands.
“No, wait… but what if I am infected…!”
“It’s already too late.”
Praha laughed as he rubbed his nose against mine, then lifted me effortlessly into the air. Instinctively, I wrapped my legs around his waist.
Holding me without any strain, Praha whispered against my ear.
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.”
“Praha….”
“This is the Altar of the God of Light, isn’t it? If we kiss here, the God who owns this altar will surely see us.”
“….”
“Then I suppose I should be thoroughly wicked about it.”
It doesn’t matter how cruel you were before your regression.
Because we’re about to do something far more wicked right now.
Finishing his words, Praha tilted his head and kissed me again.
The soul stone of another person that I’d been holding slipped from my grasp and tumbled across the floor.
[(Safe Zone) Temple with Sacred Relic]
– Cyprus, Yujein, Tangerine, Aspara, Muffin, Cheese’s Younger Sibling, Pochacha (Alive)
– Yusara, Praha (???)

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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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