A Korean Office Worker Who Became a Nuisance Villainess in a Zombie Story - Chapter 197
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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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“This is ridiculous—I can’t just sit here and do nothing!”
The Manager stood up from his seat and tapped irritably on the innocent sink.
The Team Members who had been sitting looked up in bewilderment at their suddenly angry superior.
As all eyes turned to him, the Manager began to speak.
“I’ve always deeply respected the executive director, and I genuinely believe Cyprus is the perfect fit for our company’s talent profile… but that’s beside the point right now!”
We’re in a crisis situation!
“We should never have sent just those two. I must be insane. I was careless for a moment… no, if I’m too distracted to handle things, my subordinates should have stepped up! What were you all doing?!”
What were we supposed to do?
Everyone just blinked helplessly.
Yujein cautiously raised her hand and asked.
“Um, Manager… if I may ask, what exactly should we have taken care of?”
Her tone was extremely careful. But it made no difference to a manager for whom irritation was a way of life.
The Manager stamped his foot and spat his words.
“Yujein, do you not watch K-dramas? Those two left us behind and escaped on their own!”
They made excuses about dealing with zombies on the rooftop and abandoned us here, just the two of them!
“We’ve been completely duped!”
Anyone who knew Praha and Cyprus’s true nature would have found this accusation laughable.
‘I did anticipate a villain would appear around this point.’
Hearing him disparage two people he didn’t even know, my fists clenched involuntarily.
The Manager pressed Yujein hard.
“You need to chase after them right now and stop them. They can’t leave us behind! Yujein, go quickly!”
“Me? I should go?”
“Then who else?!”
The person who brings it up should be the one to go…
“The executive director did look out for you somewhat, Yujein. So you go quickly and try to persuade them!”
Hurry! Time is of the essence! the Manager urged.
If anyone should go, we should all go together, but instead he singles out Yujein and pushes her toward the bathroom door.
“But… Manager, they did tell us to wait…”
Yujein’s hesitant words were ignored.
“Are you refusing a direct order from me?!”
Ah.
This familiar corporate culture.
The taste of hierarchy, as comforting as returning home.
This was exactly why I wanted to quit every 0.1 seconds.
I’d ask Chat GPT daily why I couldn’t hit my manager, how many years of prison time I’d get for it…
And when Chat GPT scolded me that hitting my manager was unrealistic and told me to get my head straight, I’d hold back…
…Wait.
But this isn’t reality, is it?
To be precise, this is a K-drama world.
In that case…
Then!
I stood up from my seat.
“I said go quickly!”
I approached the Manager, who was now on the verge of grabbing and shaking Yujein.
I grabbed his shoulder and turned him toward me.
Smack!
I punched him with my fist.
“Gasp!”
Someone’s sharp intake of breath.
The bathroom fell silent as if doused with cold water.
The Manager, wearing a bewildered expression, slowly cradled his cheek.
The Manager spoke.
“…You’re the first subordinate who’s ever hit me.”
At the same time, the ballad music began drifting through the air once more.
Yes, this was it.
[Characteristics of K-dramas as Seen by Korean Office Workers (6)]
You’re the first woman who’s ever treated me this way.
* * *
“I’ve never actually seen a helicopter in person, but anyway, when one comes nearby, the noise is absolutely deafening, isn’t it?”
I saw in movies how people can’t even open their eyes properly from the strong winds and cover their ears because of the sound?
“If the zombies swarm after hearing that sound, that’s probably why those two went to deal with it.”
“I see.”
“Even if that’s not it, we’ll know right away when the helicopter arrives from here.”
So just wait a bit, I told the Manager.
“Understood.”
The Manager, now docile after taking a punch, nodded obediently.
The Team Members sitting on the floor looked at me with admiring eyes.
“That was incredible, Sara….”
“You actually did what I’ve only imagined every day….”
‘If you all knew this was a dream, you would’ve acted the same way.’
It’s not even reality, yet my chest feels so refreshed. Grinning as if a ten-year chronic rhinitis had been cured, I racked my brain.
‘How did things proceed next on the Artificial Island.’
I hid myself, Yujein, and the non-combatants in the Cabin, while Praha, Cyprus, and Dazling went ahead to clear the Garden.
We waited and ate bread while setting traps.
That bread baked from the heart that I ate back then was really delicious….
“…Wait.”
Didn’t Praha set fire to the Garden back then?
That’s why we had sparks flying and trees collapsing, and we ran to escape.
But there are no magical tools here.
No matter how skilled Praha is, without tools, how could he start a fire….
“A lighter!”
I spun around sharply. The Team Members flinched under my gaze, and I asked them.
“Does Praha happen to have a lighter?”
Of course not. He’s the male lead.
These days, male leads in romance dramas don’t smoke. Besides, broadcast networks can’t even show smoking scenes….
Please don’t tell me this drama is a Netflix exclusive?!
“Is Praha a smoker in this drama? What about Cyprus?”
“Uh… I don’t think so. I’ve never seen him smoke.”
“Me neither.”
“…Um.”
What? I looked at the Team Member who had spoken up.
The Team Member said.
“I lent him my lighter earlier. The Manager asked if anyone had one.”
“….”
We’re done for.
Sigh.
There’s no helping it. Let me come up with a plan.
I went to the sink and turned on the water. In a pinch, I cupped water in my hands and splashed it all over my body.
When I checked the Cleaning Supply Cabinet, there was a bucket of unknown purpose that I didn’t want to know about. I grabbed it and doused all the Team Members with water.
“Kyaaah!”
“Ugh! What are you doing!”
“Manager, why are you doing this?!”
“You’ve been running around, and you all smell like sweat. What if the zombies pick up the scent and chase us?”
I made my excuse while soaking all the Team Members’ bodies with water. Then I filled a red bucket used for tool storage to the brim.
I fixed my gaze on the firmly closed Bathroom door.
Once that door opened and Praha and Cyprus came in covered in soot, I would immediately spray them with water.
Yes, just like right now….
Splash!
“….”
“….”
“….”
Pfft. Cyprus, who had fortunately dodged the water spray by staying a step behind Praha, was stifling his laughter.
Praha—looking perfectly fine, as if he hadn’t just set something on fire—slowly brushed his wet hair back.
His black hair, drenched in water, clung to his forehead before falling away.
Water droplets rolled down his jaw.
Below that, a white shirt soaked through, clinging to his skin.
“….”
“….”
“…I apologize.”
“It’s fine.”
“Yeah, let’s say I showered.”
Cyprus chuckled, clearly pleased to show off the physique he’d worked so hard to develop. What a perfect opportunity!
‘Don’t laugh. This is only happening because Praha is the protagonist.’
Don’t you know that shower scenes are essential in K-dramas for the male lead?
Since zombie films rarely feature shower scenes, I’d substituted this water-splashing scene instead.
It was a powerful determination to show the male protagonist’s bare chest no matter what.
That must be it, probably… haha…
Praha ignored the laughing Cyprus and spoke.
“I’ve eliminated all the zombies on the Rooftop.”
As he said this, he returned the lighter to the Team Member. His knuckles were slightly scraped where they showed.
He must have used the lighter to beat the zombies.
“You didn’t set the Rooftop on fire, right?”
“I’m not the type of person to act so recklessly.”
“I see.”
I felt relieved. Noticing my relief, Praha checked his phone.
“The helicopter should arrive soon.”
Five minutes later, we were on the Rooftop.
I deliberately avoided looking at the zombies piled in one corner—whatever method had been used—and locked the Rooftop door.
Clap. Cyprus clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention.
“We made it here safely, which is fortunate. Now we need to discuss the problem everyone’s been ignoring.”
There’s another problem?
“There are twelve of us now, but unfortunately the helicopter coming is small and already has people aboard. It can only take nine.”
“Ah…”
“Yes. So we need to send nine first, and three of us will have to go later.”
“…”
“Cyprus and I will stay for now. We just need one person to remain with us.”
Who will stay?
At that question, everyone turned to look at each other’s faces.
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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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