A Korean Office Worker Who Became a Nuisance Villainess in a Zombie Story - Chapter 23

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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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Boom! Boom! Boom!
Brilliant azure lightning descended from the heavens, striking down upon the zombies’ heads in rapid succession.
Crack!
Blue and crimson veins spread across the faces and arms of those struck by the electric bolts.
Thud!
They blackened instantly and collapsed to the ground.
Saint Yujein was methodically driving divine wrath into the crown of each undead creature blocking our path.
“Grrgh….”
“Kack!”
The zombies crumbled to ash without a chance to resist. The lightning struck with perfect precision.
Everyone’s jaws hung open at such overwhelming power.
I found myself wondering.
Could the ‘Jei’ in Yujein’s name actually stand for Zeus?
-Yusara’s acrostic poem for Yujein-
Yu: Yujein
Jei: Zeus
In: I’m sorry I won’t bother you anymore!
‘Now that’s flashy.’
It wasn’t the reverent spectacle I’d imagined—I’d expected the light to envelop the zombies and dissolve them like bubbles—but I found this version far more satisfying.
‘If lightning suddenly struck from a clear sky like that, I’d be searching for a god too.’
Though I’d probably search YouTube for “why lightning strikes” first.
Tsk.
Now that I looked closer, sparks were crackling from Yujein’s fingertips and eyes as well.
With her pink hair standing on end and electricity coursing through her entire body, Yujein looked exactly like Thor.
‘Zeus or Thor. That is the question.’
I’d seen Zeus in a movie once—he had a belly. Let’s go with Thor. For Yujein’s dignity.
Crackle. Crackle.
After her display of power ended, Yujein stumbled.
“Yujein!”
I quickly moved to support her from beside. Cold sweat drenched her forehead as her body went limp.
Her entire frame radiated intense heat.
“Are you alright?!”
“Yes… my lady. Is everyone safe?”
“Of course we’re safe!”
We have Thor in our party!
‘How many did she take down by herself?’
I glanced around at the zombies reduced to powder—too many to count.
At this point, the greatest combat strength in our group wasn’t Crown Prince Praha or Grand Duke Cyprus. It was Yujein.
[Contribution]
1st Place: Yujein (73)☆
2nd Place: Praha (29)
3rd Place: Grand Duke (27)
Something like that?
I wonder what that Troublemaker is thinking right now, the one who said earlier “women are useless, let’s abandon them and move on.”
‘You abandoned Yujein on the Second Floor back then? Then you’re dead here.’
Hmph!
Thinking how much I’d love to hear the esteemed opinions of Troublemaker, that paragon of efficiency and rationality, I draped Yujein’s arm across my shoulders.
Mascarpone and Consomme, who had approached, lent me their support.
Mascarpone asked.
“What happened, Miss Yujein? You were struggling just from casting a blessing earlier.”
“I… don’t know. I just felt like I was being driven to the edge of a cliff… so I prayed, saying I would gladly give my life if it meant saving everyone else. And then suddenly…”
“What?! Your life?! Does that mean Miss Yujein will die?!”
I asked, startled.
Yujein shook her head.
“I don’t think that’s the case. I’m not entirely sure, but… I’ve never felt my mind this clear before.”
“Phew. You scared me.”
I let out a relieved sigh.
She shouldn’t die at such a young age. Live long. Get regular health checkups too.
‘What’s so very Yujein about this is that she prayed to save “everyone else” rather than “myself.”‘
If it were me, I would have begged, “Please save us all! Especially me! You can’t leave me out!”
Me!
Me!
Me!
I probably would have ended up failing to save anyone due to being deemed presumptuous.
Consomme, her eyes sparkling, clasped her hands together.
“This overwhelming divine power is something I’ve never seen before! Even the highest priests of the Temple have never displayed such ability!”
“That’s right. I thought such power only existed in stories of ancient mages.”
Mascarpone hastily added that she wasn’t trying to compare divine power and magic.
“I’m beginning to feel that the mysterious trials the Goddess has sent us might all be arrangements for Miss Yujein’s sake.”
“Or perhaps She wished to save Miss Yujein, whom She cherishes, from these trials.”
I agreed.
Salvation descending the moment I thought I was truly dead.
What else could this be but the love of the Goddess?
‘Then am I the one who receives the Goddess’s hatred?’
Our party has both a saint and a villainess.
So should I now resent Yujein and act wickedly?
Wait, did this kind of scene even exist in the original novel? Didn’t it?
I don’t know. Anyway, as long as we survived, that’s what matters.
“…You’re truly remarkable, Miss Yujein. Or should I call you Saint now?”
Dazling murmured as if entranced, looking at Yujein with an expression suggesting she might kneel at any moment.
I handed Yujein over to Dazling as he approached, then took a step back.
In an instant, all the spotlight shifted to Yujein.
“To think I would witness a miracle of the divine with my own eyes!”
“If the Temple needs testimony to prove anything, I would gladly come forward as a witness, Holy Maiden.”
“Oh no… please, that’s too much.”
People surrounded Yujein.
Those who had just been praising me as remarkable now offered their adoration and reverence to Yujein.
“Well… she is pretty incredible.”
Even the Troublemaker.
I was the only one left out.
Not that I was jealous, of course.
‘If Yujein is a Holy Maiden, can she speak with the divine? Does the god know why I was possessed?’
I had my own concerns, that was all.
Honestly, Yujein is incredible.
The situation is dramatic too.
A horde of zombies appearing at the very end when everyone was exhausted. A Holy Maiden’s awakening that overturns everything in an instant.
A World Cup where human rights are at stake—
(*Warning! If you lose, all citizens of the losing nation must serve as slaves to the winning nation for three years)
where we were down 0:2.
Then suddenly, our country’s striker, making their first appearance, scores two consecutive goals in five minutes, tying it 2:2. That kind of feeling?
Except this is actually life and death.
The awe-inspiring power of the divine.
‘I should be the first to kneel and ask, Holy Maiden! Do you perhaps know a way to send me back to my original world? Didn’t Thor mention anything? I want to ask so badly!’
Praha spoke.
“Once we return to the Imperial Palace, I will report everything that happened here and recommend that Yujein be formally appointed as a Holy Maiden.”
“That’s right. Let’s head back to the Imperial Palace first.”
Yes. That’s right. Let’s go back first.
Once we’re back, we can do anything.
“This is all thanks to you, Yujein…!”
“No, please… that’s too much…”
“It’s true! I still don’t know what’s happening at the Imperial Palace right now, but I’m not worried anymore!”
Thank you so much!
Consomme, beaming with a bright smile, rushed toward the Portal first. The others didn’t try to stop her and freely made their way to the Portal.
“Yujein! Holy Maiden!”
“You’re so admirable!”
I was walking a little behind.
The protagonist has completed her awakening, so unlike the others, I know for certain the Imperial Palace is safe.
Feeling relieved. Alone.
Until the Grand Duke spoke to me.
“Would you like me to support you, my lady?”
“What? Why me? I don’t understand the reason, but I refuse.”
“Tch.”
‘Making that sound. Go support Yujein instead.’
Now of all times, he was talking to me? The woman I cared for had become a Saint.
But then.
“My Lady! Do you need assistance? I shall go!”
“My Lady! Why are you arriving so late!”
“That’s right! Come quickly!”
Everyone was calling out to me.
Even Praha was watching me.
“Ah….”
“My Lady!”
Yujein, who had turned back mid-stride, grabbed and pulled me along.
“Why are you so late? I thought the night would pass while waiting. Come stand here quickly.”
Mascarpone and Consomme, who had been standing ahead, shifted their bodies slightly to make room for me.
‘….’
I stood there, bewildered.
Yujein, Mascarpone, the Grand Duke, myself, Consomme, the Troublemaker, Praha, and Dazling arranged themselves in a circle atop the Portal in that order.
“When will it activate!”
I glared at the Troublemaker standing beside Consomme, who still reeked of alcohol, then turned my gaze to the Portal beneath my feet.
For the first time since I was born, this Portal moved by magical power….
‘It’s like the ceiling paintings of Gyeongbokgung.’
Lavish colors—generous sweeps of green, orange, and blue. Clouds and animals painted within.
As Praha muttered something quietly, light immediately flooded into the Portal. That light surged upward like a pillar.
The brilliant light obscured everything outside.
All I could see were the faces of our group gathered in a circle.
“It will take some time to fully replenish the magical power.”
“Understood.”
The group responded obediently, facing one another.
Seeing our grimy faces, we each chuckled softly.
“Just to be safe, please hide behind myself and Praha the moment the Portal activates.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Ah, I’m really… going to wash up the moment we arrive.”
“Me too.”
“Yeah, Consomme, you especially need to wash.”
“Oh my!”
Lighthearted banter exchanged back and forth.
“Mascarpone, you’re not much better off either, you know?”
“At least I didn’t blow my nose on my clothes.”
“Oh my! Oh my!”
“Consomme, did you blow your nose on your clothes? Good heavens.”
“Grand Duke, Your Highness!”
“What about the lady?”
“What? I got my nose on my clothes?”
“…Your nose didn’t get on them, but it appears you did blow your nose.”
“…Oh.”
“I’ll keep it a secret.”
I found myself naturally slipping into the banter between them.
“Lady, why did you suddenly go so quiet? Are you struggling?”
“Um… no, it’s just. It is hard, but…”
The moment I acknowledged that fact, laughter bubbled up from me unbidden.
‘Wasn’t I an outsider in this group just moments ago?’
I’d made friends without even realizing it.
‘…This feeling isn’t so bad.’
I brushed the back of my hand across my cheek to hide my rising smile.
I looked at my companions with fresh eyes.
…I had to admit it.
Honestly, I felt good.
That must have been why.
I’d let my guard down after saying with my own mouth that it wasn’t over until it was over.
‘Perhaps the moment I step through this Portal, the possession will break and I’ll return to my original world.’
Could this Portal that looks like the Gyeongbokgung ceiling be foreshadowing?
I harbored hope without restraint. I muttered to myself with slumped shoulders.
“Ah, I want to go home….”
I miss my mom.
I want to eat kimchi stew that mom made with steamed eggs.
I want to shower and drink coffee milk.
When I get back, I’m deleting my search history and YouTube watch history first.
What if the police already saw all my YouTube history since the missing person report was filed…!
“Still, I just want to go home.”
The Grand Duke glanced down at me muttering alone. He tilted his head and whispered.
“It seems you really have been struggling. To hear the lady say she wants to go home.”
“What?”
“You hate your home.”
“Ah….”
That’s right.
Lady Yusara hates her home. Her parents discriminate between her and her younger brother.
Unwilling to be at home, she forced herself to attend parties where no one welcomed her, and filled the self-esteem that went unfulfilled at home by picking fights here and there.
While being called ‘lady’.
The Grand Duke, who was close to the lady in childhood, knows this fact.
‘But how would I know about such circumstances? This content didn’t seem to exist in the novel.’
The doubt that had flashed through my mind vanished instantly as Consomme linked her arm through mine from beside me.
Consomme, who was more reserved compared to my friend Mascarpone and had only grown close to me near the very end despite coming all this way together, smiled at me.
“We’re finally heading home! I can’t wait to wash up with hot water and take a bath….”
“Kyaaaah!”
A zombie that burst through the light lunged at Troublemaker with its jaws wide open, and in that same instant, Troublemaker grabbed Consomme beside him and used her as a shield.
Consomme’s arm, which had been linked through mine, came free.
The zombie with its gaping maw sank its teeth into Consomme’s cheek, pressing it right against her face.
“Aaaahhh!”
“No!”
At the same moment, the Portal activated.
[Imperial Villa Main Portal]
– Yusara, Yujein, Praha, Grand Duke, Dazling, Mascarpone, Troublemaker (Alive)
– Consomme (Infected)

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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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