Ch.179Chapter 20. Patriot (31)

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“Since the purity is a bit higher than what you used before, dilute it before using.”

Cassandra herself probably doesn’t know what she created. ‘A bit’? You call this a bit? Twenty perfectly normal humans acting like they’re under hypnosis?

No. Did she know and do this deliberately? Maybe she did. No, she definitely did. Cassandra might not know everything in the world, but she’s a genius when it comes to her work.

Come to think of it, hasn’t she been acting strange lately? I can understand her keeping her distance after the “treatment.” It must have been awkward for her too.

But even after that, Cassandra acted coldly toward me, and even went so far as to wrap herself up tightly. If that was to avoid “addiction” during the pheromone synthesis process, everything makes sense.

If she had explained it properly, I wouldn’t have poured two bottles of spray concentrate all over myself.

In truth, the plan itself is still intact. Make contact with the fanatic reconnaissance team, mingle appropriately, then steal supplies and disappear. Spread the Cro virus on the streets and to living people during the process. It’s a repetition of what I’ve been doing and shouldn’t be difficult.

Except for the fact that thirteen women won’t let me go.

I don’t mean that figuratively. I mean it literally. These women won’t stay more than a certain distance away from me. They don’t even cough much anymore. They seem to have gone beyond being “infected” with my Cro virus to being “consumed” by it. Sometimes I really can’t tell who the zombie is. For example, requests like this:

“Please take off your coat.”

An absurd request. It’s covered in dust, and zombie blood splattered on it when I stabbed one in the stomach with a rebar—it needs to be washed or thrown away. Not to mention it reeks of my sweat. But she doesn’t care at all.

“What on earth do you want it for?”

“I want to put it in a sack and use it as a pillow. You said you were going to throw it away anyway. Should a man be this stingy? If you don’t like that, lend me your embrace instead. I’m just asking to share for one night—is that so difficult?”

I think it is difficult. This isn’t that kind of genre where grown adults depend on each other, lying on the same sheets in the midst of danger, not knowing when they might die. It’s more like a grown man sleeping with a zombie woman. That woman’s mind must have gone completely.

“Narin, stop it and go back to your place.”

Supervisor Catherine is the one who resolves these situations. She’s the most sane of them all. She’s coughing more and more severely, but not enough to interfere with the mission.

“I’m not leaving until I get at least a sock.”

Of course, Catherine nodded to Narin. Catherine isn’t on my side, after all.

“Hoot. Exchange socks with Narin. This is an order. If you refuse…”

“If I refuse?”

“I’ll lock you and Narin in this room and lock the door.”

“Supervisor, I don’t think I need the socks anymore!”

Before Narin could finish speaking, I handed over my socks. Narin complained a little but still took my pair of socks preciously. Thanks to her leaving the room so quickly, I was spared from seeing anything worse.

“I’m sorry, Hoot. I’ll give you new socks. But without this method, there was no way to subdue Narin’s desires. Everyone’s on edge right now.”

Again, Supervisor Catherine was maintaining her sanity, relatively speaking.

“Why is that?”

“We lost the Humvee and got trapped in the central district. If it weren’t for you, Hoot, we would have continued our meaningless resistance in that dead end until we turned into zombies. You came to us at exactly the right time. I’m grateful for that.”

I have a bad feeling about this. After something like this, I feel like she’s going to say “but I have no choice” or something similar.

“But now we need to act according to principles. To complete our mission, we need more supplies. So, using my authority as supervisor, I need to approach a ‘certain place’ in the central district. As I said before, you’re an outsider. You shouldn’t know about it, and if you were to learn its location, you’d be subject to summary execution. I don’t want to do that to my benefactor.”

“Then it’s simple. I’ll stay here while you bring the supplies…”

“No!”

Good grief!

Her voice was so loud that all the women outside came rushing in. Even the zombies outside the hideout seemed to have heard it, making growling noises. Only after a long while did Catherine regain her composure.

“No. The central district is too dangerous. You can’t be safe here. Hoot, if you want to return to the arms of your loving family, you must come with us. That gives us better odds.”

“This won’t work. That won’t work. Then what exactly do you want me to do?”

“It’s simple, Hoot. Accept the Goddess.”

Catherine is ‘relatively’ sane. That doesn’t mean she’s ‘normal.’ So this is what she came to say after all.

“I do believe in your Goddess.”

“No. That’s not what I mean. Hoot, accept the Goddess of Hunger with your body, mind, and soul. If you truly become one with us, we can solve all these problems. Your family can convert gradually. We just need you, Hoot. You’re more than qualified. I guarantee it with my authority as supervisor.”

This clearly isn’t just “join our membership and get a free gift.” She means become like them. Those suspicious, gloomy fanatics who are just puppets of Joanna Mustein. Catherine’s tone became more earnest.

“Hoot. Just open your heart a little. All twenty of us have already made our decision. To accept you as family. We just need you to come.”

Is she saying that beating a stranger is random violence, but beating family is domestic violence so the sentence is reduced? I remember the looks in those men’s eyes. It doesn’t seem like this will end well.

But becoming part of the fanatics…

In other words, it also means I could access their equipment. Catherine may be a bit mentally unstable, but seeing how she comes to her senses at least regarding ‘that place,’ their supply depot must be quite impressive. That benefit can’t be ignored either.

What if I try this?

I sighed heavily to indicate I was considering it. Slowly, I ran my hand across my forehead, stared intently at Catherine, then shifted my gaze. I could see Catherine swallowing dryly.

“I’m not refusing, Catherine. But it’s difficult to hastily agree to something I don’t fully understand.”

“Ah, what would you like to know?”

“I’m curious about what it means to ‘accept the Goddess.’ It seems different from the usual ‘acceptance.’ This might be a long conversation—would you like to pull up a chair and talk? If you have time, that is.”

While an excited Catherine went to get a chair, I opened my bag. I shook out the clothes that I had drenched with spray throughout the room. A subtly musty smell spread thickly. If this were my room, I would have thrown the windows open.

Eventually, Catherine entered. As soon as she came in, I could see her eyes glazing over. Her cheeks flushed, and her lips glistened.

“Will you tell me the story?”

I took Catherine’s hand.

“Yesss…”

Catherine grasped my hand in return. I pulled her closer. Our chests barely touched, and I could see Catherine’s eyes spinning. Looking directly into those eyes, I whispered as if engraving it into her soul.

“But before that, I’m curious about ‘how much’ you trust me. I find it a bit strange. We met under unusual circumstances, but we haven’t known each other for very long.”

“You saved us.”

“But you doubted me.”

“That was! That was unavoidable…”

I cut off Catherine’s flustered words.

“It was unavoidable. I’m sorry. You’re selfish. You manipulate others according to your needs. Am I someone who has to unconditionally accommodate your moods and understanding?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant…”

“Of course not. Supervisor of the Goddess. You stick to principles when it’s convenient, and when you’re at a disadvantage or want something, you bring up the Goddess. Is this how all believers in the Goddess behave?”

I pressed Catherine further. Her body trembled. I believe in you, Cassandra. I hope the effect of your concentrated formula is strong enough to completely strip away this woman’s reason.

“Th-there’s… there’s a misunderstanding… a misunderstanding…”

I kissed Catherine on the lips. She was surprised by the sudden kiss but soon eagerly sucked on my lips.

She took the bait.

I tilted my head back and pulled my lips away. Catherine grabbed my collar and tried to kiss me again. I gently squeezed her chest and pushed her away. It was behavior deserving a slap and being called a rude bastard, but Catherine just shuddered and moved back.

“Catherine. Be honest. You’re not trying to convert me. You want to possess me. Isn’t that right? Answer honestly. If you lie, I’ll leave here without a trace.”

“I want to possess you.”

Catherine panted.

“Then listen to me. You’re not converting me. I’m leading you.”

Catherine’s eyes became a little clearer. Feeling like her reason was returning, I quickly kissed her again. I pushed my tongue between her lips and wrapped my arm around her waist. With a muffled sound, Catherine embraced me tightly. Her eyes clouded over again.

“What did I say, Catherine?”

“You… lead… me.”

Since she gave the right answer, I should reward her. I cupped Catherine’s face in my palms. Her face brightened like a praised puppy.

“Good. Now bring the rest of the women.”

“Why?”

“I’m suspicious. I want to know if this is your own decision or if the other women feel the same way. If you’ve lied, tell me now. But if you’ve spoken the truth, I’ll reward you.”

“Reward…”

Catherine left without looking back. My heart sank. Cassandra never told me how long this ‘effect’ would last.

What should I do?

Eventually, thirteen women entered. In front of them, I kissed Catherine on the lips. Shock, sighs, and soft screams were heard.

“M-me too! Me too…!”

The more assertive women stepped forward. I took off my outer clothing.

“What are you waiting for? Come.”

My new family has grown.