This House Has A Delicious Restaurant - Chapter 2 - Criminal Zerdan (2) - Part 1

02. Criminal Zerdan (2)

“What is so useless?”

Startled, I turned my head backward, and there was Zerdan, who had somehow appeared unnoticed, lightly waving his hand and smiling.

Though I smiled back, I was anxious inside, wondering if he had overheard me muttering about the attack earlier.

“When did you arrive? I didn’t feel your presence at all.”

“I wanted to see your surprised face, Miss Moa Ablon.”

He probably didn’t hear since he didn’t mention it.

He smiled leisurely, looking down at me. In my view, he smiled tenderly like a lover and tucked his hair behind his ear.

“You seem more surprised that I might have heard something rather than my sudden appearance.”

So he did hear it.

I was dumbfounded by his nonchalant act. I kept my mouth shut, neither affirming nor denying it.

I was worried he might use some power to find out about my ability, but fortunately, he didn’t seem to care about me afterward. Instead, he looked across to where Diswen had been sitting and laughed.

“Miss Moa Ablon indeed seems like an ordinary person. Besides, I’ve found out the true identity of the real spy.”

“That’s something to congratulate. So, can I go home now since I’m no longer needed?”

“Well, that’s a dilemma. No one has left here alive after coming, but it would be a shame to kill you since you’ve caught my fancy.”

“Do you fancy me, or do you fancy my body?”

Zerdan laughed, lowering the corners of his eyes. Anyone else might be deceived by his kind smile and laugh back, but I knew his true nature.

I mustn’t be fooled by his charming face.

Even though this was in the game, he had killed me multiple times and didn’t hesitate to kill others. He might be pretending to like me now, but who knows when he’ll change his mind.

“It’s closer to the latter for now.”

He leaned down to meet my gaze. Understanding what he wanted, I feigned innocence and smiled. It was good that Zerdan was interested in my body, but there was something more important to check now.

Zerdan had said earlier that he had found out the true identity of the real spy. That must mean Diswen.

I was worried since Diswen, who had said she was going to the bathroom, hadn’t returned yet. Hopefully, she’s not dead already.

“Your answer pleases me. Although I’d love to continue where we left off, I’m embarrassed to give myself to you now. I haven’t had a chance to wash since coming here, so I feel dirty.”

“Are you backing out now?”

“No way. I just want to whisper love in a cleaner state. It’s up to you whether you grant my request in this captive situation.”

He watched me for a moment, then smiled with an expression that revealed nothing of his thoughts. After a moment, he untied my bound arms, and I looked at him.

My arms were now free, and my legs had never been tied.

Zerdan reached out his hand to me. It was a neat and large hand.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but if you wish, I will gladly play along.”

“It’s an honor.”

We both knew roughly what the other was thinking, yet we pretended not to, smiling amiably. Zerdan was a lot like me. As the saying goes, people tend to dislike those who are similar to themselves. Yet, I found myself intrigued by Zerdan.

It was amusing that, even though I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, I could sense he was interested in me. This similarity made me quietly smile as I followed him.

Finally, I was able to leave the room that I had never managed to escape in the game.

Zerdan opened the door.

His large frame blocked the view, so I tilted my head to look outside.

It was a long corridor. Opposite the room I had emerged from, there were about three more doors. It seemed there were many similar rooms in this hallway.

Had they kidnapped people from various places and put them in these rooms?

I tried to glance into the rooms as we passed, but there were no windows, so I couldn’t see inside. I didn’t hear any cries for help either.

Are they just empty rooms?

“You seem to have a lot of questions.”

Zerdan said as he walked ahead of me. Without looking back, he seemed to sense that I was curious about the rooms.

I focused my gaze on his back, clad in a white shirt. His broad shoulders and the black hair that slightly covered his neck caught my eye. I thought his back looked impressive, and I answered his remark.

“It’s a strange place, so I can’t help but be curious. Did I offend you?”

“Of course not, you’re the only people in the room. I apologize if I gave you false hope.”

“…False hope? I don’t understand what you mean.”

Zerdan stopped and turned to look at me. His striking golden eyes gazed at me. I also stopped and looked up at him.

Is this the first time I’ve looked at him directly like this?

The hallway was quiet.

“Miss Moa Ablon, I am currently pondering something.”

“May I ask what it is?”

“Of course. It concerns you, so I need an answer.”

Zerdan reached out his hand. His touch brushed past the hair he had tucked behind my ear and trailed down my neck.

His hand slowly grasped my neck. Though he didn’t apply pressure, he was in a position to snap my neck at any moment.

I smiled calmly at Zerdan’s actions. I had died at Zerdan’s hands many times before. I was no longer afraid of him.

Zerdan made a strange expression as he looked at my smiling face.

Was it because I didn’t show any sign of fear?

I grabbed his arm, which was holding my neck. Despite his cold expression, his body temperature was quite warm.

“Are you contemplating whether to kill me?”

As I grabbed his arm, I used my ability. He sensed something strange and quickly released his hand from my neck. I saw him rub the arm my hand had touched.

He must have felt a sudden chill run through his body.

“Yes, miss. I didn’t expect you to have that ability. What is it?”

If used at the right time, my ability could be quite useful for manipulating the other person’s psyche. I needed to research it further, and it was a pity that my current opponent was Zerdan.

Zerdan, feeling only a momentary chill and seeing no further reaction from his surroundings, ran his hand through his hair with a slightly annoyed expression.

An opponent with an unknown ability was always tricky. Attacking hastily and being counterattacked would be a disaster.

Noticing his gaze turn a bit colder, I clasped my hands neatly together and smiled with an innocent expression.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t have any abilities. And even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you in response to such a question.”

“You’re right; that was a foolish question. I didn’t expect you to have an ability since another woman already has a rare mind-control power.”

Had he already figured out Diswen’s ability? I doubted she would have told him directly…

Did he catch her using it, or was there someone in his group who could identify abilities?

I made a slightly surprised face at his comment.

“It seems the person I was with has an ability.”

“You didn’t know?”

“No. I suspected she wasn’t ordinary, but… So, she’s the spy you mentioned. Is she a spy from your brother?”

“Probably. I sensed Bella’s presence from the necklace.”