Into the Apocalypse: Saving My Favorite Villain-Chapter 103: How Caroline Cooked the Heroine in Public

Rosalia — POV

When the argument intensified and sparks of conflict crackled through the vast hall like static before a storm, a powerful voice suddenly rang out, cutting through the chaos with brutal clarity.

"Enough."

It was unmistakably a woman’s voice—deep, steady, and commanding. So strong, in fact, that if one didn’t deliberately look toward its source, they might never realize it belonged to a woman at all.

The hall fell into an abrupt, stunned silence.

Caroline stepped forward from the edge of the crowd, boots striking the stone floor with calm authority.

She was the leader of the third team that had arrived with us—and the one commanding the smallest number of subordinates.

Yet the confidence she radiated made her presence loom larger than anyone else’s.

She crossed her arms and let out a short, amused laugh, her sharp eyes sweeping across the gathered leaders before finally settling on the source of the disturbance.

"If Boss Cassel wants the largest room, then he gets the largest room," she said lightly, though there was nothing light about the pressure in her tone. "So tell me—Why are you making all this fuss?"

Her gaze flicked toward the corners of the hall, where a few people stiffened under her scrutiny.

"Didn’t he discover this house in the first place?" she continued coolly. "Wasn’t he the one who arrived first—and cleared it of threats single-handedly?"

Her lips curved into a thin smile that held no warmth.

"And if anyone here is even halfway decent at math," she added, voice sharpening, "then you should understand that there are matters far beyond your level—matters you have no business meddling in."

Ah... how I adored this woman.

Every word landed like a perfectly aimed blade, precise and merciless.

She didn’t raise her voice, didn’t shout or posture.

She didn’t need to. Authority clung to her like a second skin.

Her gaze finally locked onto Mary.

Mary, who had been hiding just behind Cecil and the others, half-hidden, half-exposed—just enough to appear innocent, vulnerable, and wronged.

Caroline dismantled that image effortlessly.

She didn’t insult Mary directly. She didn’t even raise her voice.

She simply looked at her.

And somehow, that was worse.

Now I was absolutely convinced—Caroline and I were destined to become best friends.

After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

And the enemy of the so-called "heroes"?

That was my closest and most cherished ally in this cruel, twisted world.

But Caroline wasn’t done.

Her laughter faded, replaced by a voice so cold it seemed to lower the temperature of the room.

"If you want something," she said, each word crisp and deliberate, "then you should have the courage—and the strength—to demand it yourself." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

She tilted her head slightly, eyes still fixed on Mary.

"Miss Mary," she continued, "the next time you want a room—or anything else—go and have your lover find one using his own abilities."

A pause.

"Don’t take advantage of others to stir up trouble between us," Caroline said sharply. "We have no need for that. Especially not at a time like this."

Her words struck hard.

They carried blame, disdain, and unmistakable hostility—so clear it left no room for misunderstanding.

It wasn’t subtle.

She despised Mary.

Perhaps because she could see through the falseness. Through the trembling lashes, the carefully crafted innocence, the fragile act that fooled so many others.

Caroline saw it all—and she rejected it outright.

After she finished speaking, the other leaders seemed to snap back to reality, as if waking from a spell.

It wasn’t that they suddenly agreed with Cassel out of principle.

It was that they remembered who he truly was.

The strongest known superpower user.

A man whose strength wasn’t exaggerated by rumors—it was proven, witnessed, and feared. A man who could wipe out entire threats alone and walk away unscathed.

As Caroline had said, we were on the same mission.

We would be traveling together for a long time.

They were already from different factions, bound together by fragile necessity. Creating more friction now would only lead to disaster.

And more importantly—

This house belonged to Cassel.

If he chose to throw them out, they would have no choice but to face the merciless weather outside.

Pouring rain.

Heavy snow.

Wind sharp enough to cut through bone.

And really—who would willingly choose that?

One by one, they backed down.

Their postures softened, voices quieted, gazes lowered. Cassel’s men also withdrew without a word, as disciplined and silent as ever.

Just like that, the conflict ended.

"Let’s go to sleep."

Cassel’s voice was calm, flat, leaving no room for argument.

He didn’t bother assigning rooms. Didn’t organize anything. He simply reached out, took my hand, and pulled me toward the staircase leading to the second floor.

As far as I knew, these things were usually Henry’s responsibility. Logistics, sleeping arrangements—he handled all of it with quiet efficiency.

And sure enough, not long after we left, I heard Henry’s composed, steady voice behind us, calmly assigning rooms and dividing people into groups.

Exactly as expected from the vice leader.

Cassel dragged me into a room and shut the door behind us.

Click.

The sound echoed far louder in my ears than it should have.

I swallowed hard.

"Why... why did you lock the door?" I asked, my voice betraying my nerves.

I couldn’t be blamed for my reaction.

Before, Cassel used to come into my room when I was already in bed—half-asleep, scrolling through my phone. He’d shower first, then lie down beside me, shamelessly acting spoiled, stealing a few kisses and playful bites.

But that was all.

This time was different.

The way he moved.

The way he locked the door so decisively.

His tall, lean body standing so close—combined with everything that had happened today, and the emotional outburst he’d had earlier—

I had every reason to think... dangerous thoughts.

Cassel turned and walked toward me, his black eyes dark, unreadable.

He came so close I could feel his breath.

He bent slightly until we were at eye level and stared at me for a long, silent moment.

Then, in a rough, unfamiliar voice, he said,

"Of course it’s because... we shouldn’t let others see what we’re about to do next."

My mind exploded.

In an instant, it sprinted headfirst into a wall of +18 scenes from manhwas and novels I’d devoured obsessively back in my original world.

Oh boy. Am fucked up.

That was the only coherent thought I had.

Outwardly, however, I wore my usual clueless expression—not because I was a skilled actress, but because I genuinely had no idea how to respond to the Cassel standing in front of me.

His presence was overwhelming.

Masculine.

His breath was warm, his gaze filled with affection and something dangerously tender.

Who could resist a man like this?

Certainly not me.

I closed my eyes, bracing myself—

Only to hear a low chuckle.

Then—flick.

"Ow!"

I clutched my forehead and opened my eyes just in time to see Cassel stepping away, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Suddenly, items began falling onto the bed.

Not from the ceiling.

From his spatial storage.

Pajamas. Snacks. Bottled water. Even bedding...

One by one.

"...Oh."

So this was what he meant.

My face burned as realization hit me like a truck.

The embarrassment was so intense I wanted to evaporate on the spot.

I couldn’t even complain about the flick to my forehead.

With what dignity?

With what face?

Given my earlier posture—my closed eyes, my expectations—there was absolutely no way Cassel hadn’t understood exactly where my thoughts had gone.

Oh earth.

Please split open and swallow me whole.