CHAPTER 56: BOUNDARIES OF A POSSESSIVE MAN

Cassel — POV

My tolerance for Henry ends at accepting that he might harbor certain feelings for Rosalia.

But even tolerance has its limits.

Sparing his life despite those thoughts was my final act of mercy.

Thinking about something is one thing.

Acting on it is something entirely different.

If Henry ever decided to confess or, worse, attempt to steal my woman... then I would never forgive him, even if he died for my sake once—no, even if he died for me a thousand times.

From the very beginning, Rosalia was never some commodity to barter for his loyalty or sacrifice.

I will never give her to him, no matter what.

In this life, I might let go of many things—but not her.

My light. My hope. My everything.

----

We locked eyes for two more seconds—two silent, wordless seconds—before he wisely turned away to help the guards unload supplies.

My attention shifted to the massive black gate looming over us. Its metal was still too clean, too smooth—clearly installed recently. City B had always been enclosed by thick outer walls—one of the reasons it had been such a popular tourist city before all of this started.

But it had never been sealed.

Not like this.

Not until the apocalypse arrived two weeks ago.

This level of restriction meant one thing: survival had become a luxury.

Fine.

That worked for me.

I needed a safe place to grow my power, to build what I hadn’t been able to before.

Last time, this city nearly killed me.

If not for General Zan...

I would’ve died a thousand times.

But this time—

This time would be different.

"With the number of people you have, and the value of the supplies and medicine you’re carrying," a guard barked, "we’ll be taking seventy percent. If you agree, you can pay and proceed inside."

Seventy percent.

The nerve.

"What? Seventy percent? Why don’t you just rob us outright?"

"Right, we have several crates of medical supplies and crates of meat and vegetables—enough to feed a hundred people for two weeks at least—and you want most of it as a toll? Are you kidding us?"

"Boss, don’t give them anything! Forget it, we’ll go somewhere else!"

"Yeah, I can’t believe there isn’t another safe base."

My subordinates’ voices rose like a wave of outrage.

I didn’t react.

I already knew these bastards at the gate were greedy.

I had been expecting this exact encounter.

"What are you barking for?"

"You’re just servants and guards. Who asked for your opinions?"

Then another bastard decided to show up.

Cecil.

Dressed in flashy clothes and a watch that held absolutely no value in this ruined world, he strutted like someone still trying to impress society with money that no longer existed.

Was he stupid?

Or was he enjoying being mocked for flaunting shiny garbage no one cared about anymore?

Many people had left our group earlier, choosing to enter the city ahead of us when we stayed behind for Rosalia. But Cecil and his father had refused to leave my side.

That alone told me everything.

I knew how narrow-minded these people were.

They should’ve run away the moment the opportunity presented itself. Yet here they were.

A quick glance at the woman clinging to Cecil’s arm told me exactly why.

Beautiful, clever, calculating.

She always had a talent for finding the richest prey, the strongest support, the best host to latch onto.

I didn’t care.

Since the moment of my rebirth, humans like them were nothing more than ants to me—transparent, predictable, incapable of threatening me in any real way.

Suddenly, a small hand grabbed mine.

I turned—and found Rosalia beside me, her brows furrowed, her mouth pressed in a thin line.

Jealous.

The delicate girl stood there radiating cold fury, her grip tight around my hand as if warning me not to look elsewhere.

Ah...

So she could be possessive too.

Those answers weren’t that useless after all.

I pretended not to notice her jealousy and returned my attention to Cecil—who puffed out his chest and declared:

"We accept. But on one condition—you must allow our car to pass."

He pointed toward the vehicle behind him—the one carrying his father and driver.

So that was his goal.

Not surprising.

A car in the apocalypse was valuable—mobility, freedom, emergency escape.

His tone was commanding, but not a single person moved.

Not one.

His face darkened like thunderclouds.

He must have felt humiliated.

Good.

Ever since I made it clear I wanted nothing to do with the father and son, my subordinates had followed my lead and treated them like air.

Watching his expression twist was almost enjoyable...

Until he began cursing and spitting at people like a feral animal.

My amusement evaporated.

I stared at him, cold and serious, until his disgusting noise finally died.

Silence fell.

Then the woman with the guards stepped forward.

"It seems you’re the boss here," she said. "So, will you pay and enter the city, or not?"

She looked at me with bright, expectant eyes.

Of course, I needed to enter the city.

If I wanted to rule it—if I wanted to become its leader—this was the first step.

"Of course we’ll pay."

The guards lit up with greedy excitement.

I smiled coldly.

"But the cars are another matter. These vehicles are mine. I won’t hand them over to anyone. Either you let me keep them... or I’ll hide them outside."

Their faces twisted instantly.

Anyone with working eyes could tell my jeeps were special-issue military models—reinforced metal, bulletproof glass, high durability. They were designed to protect me before the apocalypse.

Did they really think I’d leave such vehicles lying around for them to steal?

Supplies? Fine.

But cars?

Never.

"I don’t think that should be a problem... right?" I asked softly.

Could they refuse?

Of course not.

Despite their sour expressions, the guards nodded and agreed.

As long as the cars didn’t enter the base, they claimed they didn’t care what belonged to whom.

Idiots.

What they didn’t know was that I already had multiple vehicles stored in my portable space—several jeeps and trucks.

Henry and I had hidden them earlier in an isolated area, far beyond anyone’s reach.

Now I had only two jeeps and one normal truck left.

And even those—I wouldn’t let anyone take.

In this life, aside from Rosalia, no one would ever claim anything that belonged to me.

Not a car.

Not a weapon.

Not a breath.

Not even a single inch.