CHAPTER 23: AMONG THE LOYAL, LIES A TRAITOR

Rosalia — POV

"Huh?"

The smile vanished from my lips the instant I heard my name mentioned in the middle of their discussion.

Every head in the vehicle turned toward me.

Even the driver — a man I didn’t know, whose name I hadn’t even bothered to ask — looked at me through the rearview mirror.

I mean... what the hell—

"Boss, Rosalia’s ability is different. Rare," Henry said, his tone cautious but hopeful. "Last time, she managed to protect the house — and Robin — just by touching them."

Cassel didn’t respond, but his attention sharpened. Henry noticed and kept talking, as if trying to prove a theory. He didn’t even glance at me — the so-called heroine of his story.

"So the plan’s simple," Henry continued. "We stop at a safe distance from the hospital. We hold hands — with Rosalia in the circle, her power should be able to shield anyone she touches. Then we go in quietly, grab what we need, and get out."

"Lovely idea, Mr. Henry," Liz said dryly, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I couldn’t blame her — I didn’t trust this vague, bizarre power either. Yet Henry wanted to rely on it to walk into a place crawling with the undead.

Good luck with that. Just leave me out of it.

I was about to voice that exact thought when Cassel’s calm voice cut through the tense air.

"It’s not a completely hopeless idea."

"..."

I straightened immediately. "O-okay. It might actually work. I’m... willing to help. But I don’t know the limits of this power or how to use it."

What? Don’t look at me like that — if my favorite person said it could work, then it would work.

"We should reach the hospital in about an hour," Henry said, turning in his seat. "We can go over the details on the way."

Henry, you sly fox. Why do you sound so eager?

It’s not like I don’t know we’re running low on supplies — even the fuel gauge is flirting with empty.

I sighed, shutting my eyes as the sound of muffled conversation filled the car. Let them talk strategy; I wasn’t built for this kind of thing. Cassel’s five most trusted subordinates were all here — the elite. They didn’t need me.

...Wait.

My eyes shot open.

Liz, Henry, Robin, Frederick — that’s four. Add Cassel and me — six.

But this Commander jeep had seven seats.

When I counted again, I noticed the extra passenger — seated in the front, next to the driver. I hadn’t really paid attention to him before.

The fifth of Cassel’s inner circle.

From where I sat in the back row, his face was a blur.

But the problem wasn’t who he was.

The problem was what he was.

"Rosalia? I’m talking to you — where’s your head?" Henry’s voice snapped me back to the present.

"Oh—sorry. I missed that. What did you say?"

He frowned, clearly irritated but repeated anyway. "Tell me how you discovered your ability — from the start. I need to analyze it first."

Under their expectant gazes, I began to speak. Last time I’d only mentioned the basics. This time, I gave the full story.

"I don’t know when or how I got this power."

(Probably after I ended up in this world.)

"When my roommate and her boyfriend took all the food and left, I decided to go out and scavenge. That’s when I realized... the zombies were ignoring me. Completely. I could walk right past them, and they wouldn’t even turn their heads. Once I made sure they wouldn’t attack, I climbed over the university gate."

"Wow. You’re brave," Liz said with a teasing smirk. "Didn’t you get scared, bunny? The gate must’ve been swarming with them."

I turned my head slightly, meeting Cassel’s gaze for just a moment. "Of course I was scared. But there was something more important than fear... or even my life."

His eyes locked on mine, unreadable yet intense. For a fleeting second, I couldn’t look away. The air between us tightened, heavy, almost suffocating.

Then I blinked and tore my gaze away before he could see too much — before he could see me.

"Anyway," I continued quickly, "after that, I went to the mall. Still, no zombie came near me even when I made noise — nothing. It’s like... I didn’t exist to them."

"That’s good news," Henry said, glancing at Cassel. "Means we don’t have to stay completely silent. Boss, I think Liz and I have enough power for defense and attack. Should we take Frederick, too?"

Cassel was quiet for a moment before replying in his calm, firm voice — the kind that allowed no argument.

"Liz will stay and protect the rest. Her range is wide. You, Frederick, and Barney will come with us."

"Barney?" I repeated, the name tasting bitter on my tongue.

"He’s another one of us," Liz said. "You’ve met him before — maybe you just don’t remember. He doesn’t talk much. Shy guy. But... a good man."

"Good?" I almost laughed. Good was the last word I’d ever use for that bastard.

"Rosalia?" Cassel’s voice again — deep, grounded — and I had to swallow back the surge of hatred clawing up my throat.

I met his eyes, forcing a small, hollow smile. "I’m fine."

I wasn’t. Not even close.

How could I be, when the man who would one day betray Cassel — betray all of them — was sitting a few feet away? The man who’d lead them straight into hell, smiling all the while?

And now he was being called kind? Good?

Did Cassel believe that too? Did he really think that man was innocent? Loyal?

Of course he did.

Those five — they were more than subordinates. They were Cassel’s family. The only people who truly saw him, who never treated him like the villain the world painted him to be. They understood his pain, his loyalty, his quiet humanity.

And yet... one of them shattered that trust. Led them into ruin.

If not for Cassel’s second awakening, none of them would’ve survived. But even then — even after clawing their way out of death — Cassel lost something far more precious: his heart. His faith.

Henry lost his hand that day — bitten by a zombie. Cassel himself had to cut it off to save himself.

That event hadn’t happened yet. It was supposed to come later, long after Cassel became the terrifying leader of the Safe Base.

But knowing that — knowing what this "Barney" would eventually do — how could I ever forgive him?

Yesterday taught me one thing: this world isn’t just a story anymore. It’s real. The people here are real — with their own thoughts, choices, and betrayals.

This isn’t a novel I can close when it hurts too much.

This is reality.

And in this reality... if I let my guard down for even a second, it won’t just be heartbreak waiting for me.

It’ll be a disaster.