CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: OBSCENITY

Maria nodded happily, patting Hazel’s shoulder.

"Good. They deserve this, I was at my wits to kill them seeing how they treated that man."

Hazel gave a small nod in return. Betty’s expression, however, turned grim at the sudden sound of approaching footsteps.

"Who’s there? Come out!"

A rough male voice called out, and the sound of heavy boots approached their hiding spot.

A burly man emerged from the shadows, holding a torch in one hand and a pistol in the other.

"I said come out, or I’ll start shooting!"

The bushes rustled.

"Rustle... rustle..."

The man swung his pistol toward the sound, only to see three figures emerging from the trees—a man supporting a young woman, followed by another limping beside them.

"Help... please, help," Betty called out, her voice trembling.

The man narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he saw them more clearly—one man and two women.

"Stop right there! Who are you three?"

Betty, supporting Maria by her arm, spoke in a panicked tone.

"Sir, this is a government base, right? Please, help us. My little sister’s foot is injured."

Hazel, clutching her own arm, added with a convincingly pained expression, tears glistening in her eyes.

The man frowned.

"Yes, this is a government base. But we can’t just let anyone in. I need to ask you some questions first."

Betty nodded quickly, her face full of desperation.

"Yes, officer, please ask quickly! I need to treat my sister—she’s in so much pain."

The burly man took a cautious step back, keeping a safe distance as he holstered his pistol.

"Alright then. First, where is your hometown? And do you have any weapons on you?"

Betty’s body trembled as if reliving a nightmare.

"S-Sir, we’re from the neighboring town," she stammered, her voice breaking. "Sob... our family died, and only the three of us survived. A-And as for weapons, I only had a rod to protect us... but I threw it away after seeing the checkpoint."

The burly man’s expression softened slightly. Stepping closer, he patted Betty’s shoulder. She could feel his hand trembling.

"Man... I, I can understand your pain," he said with a shaky voice. "I had a similar experience, but it was before the apocalypse. The politics... I mean, the world is just fucking cruel."

Betty kept her head lowered, careful not to let her true emotions slip.

’What the... we just made up a random story, and he actually relates to it?’

Lifting her gaze with forced sadness, she let out a soft sigh.

"You’re right, brother. Can we go in now?"

The burly man nodded, his eyes full of pity.

"You can. But take my advice—don’t provoke the fat person inside. That person’s a little... psychopath."

Betty nodded firmly.

"Don’t worry. I’ll remember your advice, thanks for the heads-up."

As they walked past the checkpoint, Hazel leaned close to Betty, whispering while wiping her non-existent tears.

"Wow. Were you an actor before this? Because I swear, I thought I was watching an emotional drama just now."

Maria, still leaning on Betty for support, nodded in agreement with her eyes closed.

Betty quickly placed her hand on Maria’s head, gently pushing it down.

"Don’t nod. We’re not far from the checkpoint yet; if they check us, our cover will be blown."

After they had walked far enough from the checkpoint, Betty finally released Maria and let out a relieved sigh. She looked around—the town area was eerily silent, its buildings worn and lifeless, as if completely abandoned.

’Huh... even if this is a gangster base, they’d at least pretend people live here to show it as a government base. They can’t be this stupid, right?’

Rubbing her head, she remained lost in thought until a faint, muffled voice caught her attention.

"After this... see... you..."

She turned to her right, looking toward a nearby building. Voices—people talking—filtered through the wall. Curious, she walked over and pressed her ear against it.

Hazel, watching her behavior, blinked in confusion and glanced at Maria.

"Is he alright, Maria? Why’s he zoning out one second, then pressing his chin—no, his ear—against the wall?"

Maria’s expression turned worried.

"Sister... do you think our partner has gone mentally unstable?"

Hazel waved her hands quickly.

"Whoa, whoa, calm down! I just said he’s acting weird, not that he’s lost his mind!"

Suddenly, Maria’s mouth fell open. Hazel followed her gaze, and her own eyes twitched in disbelief.

Standing just a few feet away were twenty to thirty gangsters, all armed with guns aimed directly at them.

"Oh... oops."

Hazel slowly turned her head toward Betty, who was still clinging to the wall, completely oblivious.

’H-hehe... looks like we’re about to get beaten up because of that fool.’

Betty frowned when she felt a pat on her shoulder. Without looking, she slapped the hand away.

"Shh, Hazel, I’m listening. Sounds like those gangsters are—"

She stopped mid-sentence, feeling something off, when she finally turned around—only to find a pistol pointed straight at her face.

A scar-faced man glared down at her. Betty forced a gentle smile, sweat forming on her forehead.

"O-oh, hahaha... brother, I was just, uh, checking the strength of this wall. Very good material!"

She raised her hands slowly and gave him a shaky thumbs-up.

"Huh? Don’t try to be clever. I’m not going to believe that," the scar-faced man growled, pressing the barrel of his pistol closer.

Betty forced a wry smile.

’What a shitty excuse I gave...’

Then, to her disbelief, the man frowned and reached out to touch the wall himself, knocking on it irritably.

"How can this be good material? It’s not strong at all."

Betty’s smile twitched awkwardly.

’D-Didn’t he just say he wouldn’t believe me for this? Tch... does this guy even have a brain?’

The man standing behind Scarface groaned and placed a hand on his forehead.

"Boss, what are you doing? He was obviously spying. I bet he’s a spy sent by those politicians."

Scarface glared at his subordinate, then turned his fierce gaze back to Betty.

"Huh? How dare you deceive me?"

His finger tightened on the trigger. Betty shifted her stance subtly, one hand curling into a fist behind her back, ready to strike if things went south.

"Hey, hey! Stop for a moment!"

The sudden voice made everyone pause. Betty frowned, glancing past Scarface. To her surprise, the armed men surrounding them began bowing deeply, their voices booming in unison.

"Big Boss!"

Betty’s expression went completely deadpan as her eyes landed on the so-called leader approaching.

’Don’t mess with me right now. Is this guy seriously the boss of a gang?’

A fat, middle-aged woman waddled toward them, her face buried under layers of heavy makeup. The armed men straightened as she approached, clearly showing respect—or fear.

Stopping in front of Betty, the woman raised her plump hand. Betty stiffened, goosebumps running down her arms as her fat fingers cupped his chin delicately, as if handling a fragile flower.

"Hey, pretty boy," she purred. "Who are you?"

"Pfft—"

A sudden laugh burst out from behind. The woman’s eyes snapped toward the source, only to see Hazel clutching her stomach, laughing so hard she nearly doubled over. Maria frantically tried to cover her sister’s mouth, panic all over her face.

"E-eh! Sister, shut up! Why are you laughing?"

Hazel wiped away tears, struggling to breathe as her shoulders shook.

’P-pretty boy... hahaha!’

The fat lady’s frown deepened as she turned her gaze back to Betty.

"Hey, pretty boy, is she your wife? Does she have some kind of mental issue or something?"

Hazel’s laughter stopped dead at the word wife. Her expression froze in an instant.

"Hey, lady, I’m not his wife. Don’t just assume things on your own."

One of the lackeys scowled, stepping forward with anger in his voice, clearly trying to gain favor.

"Hey, woman! Do you even know who you’re talking to? Show some respect—this is Miss Kayla, the daughter of the Shadow Gang’s boss!"

Kayla scoffed arrogantly, flicking her wrist dismissively.

"Hmph. Take these two women away and put them with the other prisoners."

Hazel sighed as the gang members grabbed her and Maria.

’Tch... bitch. If it weren’t for these guns, I’d beat you to death right now. We now just need to find the right chance to escape.’

Betty started to follow them toward the prison area, but froze when Kayla’s plump hand grabbed her wrist.

’I swear... I want to break her wrist right here. Haaah, control yourself, Betty. Control.’

Forcing a strained smile, Betty met Kayla’s gaze.

"What do you want, Miss Kayla? I’m supposed to be going to prison."

Kayla’s smile made Betty want to puke.

’Who put the whole base on her mouth, and this lipstick, why is it spreading even to her chin?’

"Why would you go to prison, pretty boy, be grateful I seem to like your face a little bit."

Betty’s nails dig into her palms, trying not to show her frustration.

’Agghh, I want to yell I’m a woman right now,’