Apocalypse Villainess? Nah, I'm Nice

This was an outcome Paige Summers had neither expected nor anticipated.

She had only been worried about the possibility of Caleb Yorke and Forrest Chapman teaming up against her and Marcus Monroe, so she had taken some precautions.

However, she soon suffered the consequences.

At that moment, she was facing Nora Lowell and the others, who had been captured by Flying Eagle and locked in a warehouse.

Forrest Chapman had originally planned to inform Samuel Hughes before dealing with the prisoners. But when Marcus Monroe returned, Chapman had to face him first. After the delay, his entire position had changed. Once he learned they were acquaintances of Marcus Monroe, he handed the captives over without hesitation.

Paige Summers entered the warehouse behind Marcus Monroe, pulling Erin Quinn along with her. As soon as she looked up, she was met with an incredibly sharp, hateful glare.

Leanne Walsh, looking utterly disheveled, sat beside Ace. The way she stared at Paige, it was as if she wanted to tear her limb from limb.

Nora Lowell, by contrast, was far more restrained.

She only glanced at Paige for a moment before turning her attention to Marcus Monroe, an inscrutable light glinting in her eyes.

There had originally been over twenty of them, but now fewer than ten remained, all bound tightly and tossed in a corner. They were being guarded by another small Hunting Party—one on good terms with Flying Eagle—that had arrived after Marcus Monroe’s group left.

The Shawn Monroe impersonator was lucky to be alive, but he was trembling uncontrollably. Of course, no one was paying him any mind now.

Marcus Monroe’s gaze swept across the room. "Good news," he said to Paige Summers. "The person you’re looking for is here. I wasn’t the one who caught her, but I suppose I owe someone a favor for it. So, can we call it even for me breaking my promise?" A rare smile touched his lips; he seemed to be in a great mood.

Paige Summers nodded. Without wasting words, she immediately drew her blade and started walking toward them.

’Killing this woman will at least be a fitting tribute to Hugo Perry!’

Leanne Walsh’s hatred had already given way to fear. But she was someone who had faced death once before, so her expression remained relatively calm, unable only to hide the panic in her eyes. She stared intently at Ace. "Brother Ace!!!"

Ace took a sharp, quiet breath and stepped in front of her. "Young Master Monroe, please, spare her!" he called out, tilting his head up. "We’re more useful to you alive than dead!"

"You must have guessed the Young City Lord’s purpose in finding a body double. He’s making a major move in the city, and by now, he’s probably already succeeded!"

"If the Young City Lord has taken control of the entire city, then your people there are likely in a bad spot. We might not be much, but we have some standing with him. He’s in need of skilled people right now and won’t want to lose us... Sparing our lives won’t be a loss for you!"

As he spoke, Paige Summers reached them. She couldn’t be bothered with his pleas. ’Marcus Monroe promised this person to me, so whether she lives or dies is my decision!’

But just as she moved to kick Ace aside, someone blocked her way.

"You can’t kill this woman!" Howard Everett said, his expression grim and resolute.

Marcus Monroe’s brow furrowed slightly.

’I’d already considered what Ace said.’ He wasn’t worried about the people he’d left in The Dead City; before leaving, he had arranged for them to depart for Southreach in stages. The one he was truly worried about was Sylas Underwood. ’That guy is so stubborn. He refused to leave no matter what. I wonder how he’s doing now.’

’And Graham Monroe...’

’Even if there’s no love lost between us, he’s still my biological father. I can’t just not care.’

’For all these reasons, I never intended to kill these people anyway.’

’But Leanne Walsh is an exception.’

’I promised her to Paige Summers long ago.’

’So what’s going on now? Why is Howard Everett suddenly interfering?’

Paige Summers was puzzled too, but she had no intention of asking why. She just stared coldly at Howard Everett.

’He’s always had a problem with me, and frankly, I’m sick of it.’

’Erin Quinn told me before that he thinks I’m shamelessly clinging to Marcus Monroe just to join their team. It’s completely absurd! It’s not that I don’t know how to repay kindness—I’ve always been grateful for Marcus’s help—but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to be anyone’s subordinate!’

’Marcus Monroe’s power is his own. Even if I can’t match him, I’m perfectly capable of surviving on my own. I’ve never been in the habit of relying on anyone else!’

’I was planning to part ways amicably after this was all over. It seems things never go as planned...’

Just as her hand reached for her crossbow, Marcus Monroe suddenly said, "Hold on. Let me have a word with Vince."

Since he was the one to ask, Paige Summers had to defer to him. She nodded.

The two of them walked a short distance away.

"Vince, give me a reason."

"Boss, this woman might have a prophetic superpower. We can’t just kill her!"

Marcus Monroe stared at him for a moment. "So what if she can see the future? You know my rules for recruitment. Do you think she’s a good fit? Or are you planning on forcing her to stay with the team?"

"But if it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t have gotten that information. She’s still valuable, so..."

They weren’t speaking loudly, and Paige Summers didn’t try to eavesdrop. She had already made up her mind. ’Whether Marcus Monroe agrees or not, I’m killing that woman!’

’That guy, Ace, just said that the powers that be in The Dead City have probably already changed.’

’With Shawn Monroe in power, I definitely can’t stay there anymore.’

’If I miss this chance, who knows how long it’ll be before I get another shot at killing Leanne Walsh!’

’I want to end this quickly, to finally get some closure.’

She took a deep breath, and suddenly, an icy chill spread through her chest. Her face instantly went pale.

’Is this... someone’s malice?’

’No, it doesn’t feel like it’s coming from anyone here...’

’But why is it so intense?!’

She suppressed the discomfort, not wanting anyone to notice, but she couldn’t fool Erin Quinn, whose hand she was unconsciously gripping with all her might.

The child was sharp. "Paige, I’m a little tired. Can you come with me to rest over there for a bit?"

Before she had even finished speaking, someone walked into the warehouse and reported to Claire Chapman, who had been standing by like a wallflower. "The men we had tailing Caleb Yorke are back. They said they ran into..."

Paige Summers only caught bits and pieces of the report, but her mind went blank.

’They’re all... dead?’