The Male Leads Are Trapped in My House

I swung my axe down once more, aiming directly for the monster’s head.

Crack—

The blade buried itself into its skull, and sticky green liquid splattered everywhere.

Panting heavily, I stared down at the lifeless creature.

Only now, after seeing this grotesque monster firsthand, did the horrifying reality sink in. This wasn’t just a story—it was real.

‘I need to get to Brunel. I have to set up the shelter immediately.’

Seeing the virus monster with my own eyes cemented my resolve.

Luckily, Aurora had been too distracted by the monster to get a good look at my face.

I turned my back to her, quickly wiped the axe clean, and secured it back in its holster under my robe.

Aurora seemed to snap out of her shock and approached me.

“Are you all right?”

She lowered the hood of her robe and reached for my hand.

Long, silver hair cascaded down her back, framing a delicate face with striking violet eyes. She was breathtaking—so much so that I found myself momentarily captivated.

“Did you see a man run out of the house?” I asked.

“He ran that way,” Aurora said, pointing down the alley. It looked like he’d already vanished.

‘Well, at least he made it out alive.’

The plan had worked. I secured the Elphinus Herb, killed the monster, and there were no casualties. Relief flooded through me, and I felt like I could cry.

But before I could, Aurora beat me to it.

“Thank you for saving me,” she sobbed.

Gripping my hand tightly, she cried without holding back.

“I don’t even want to imagine what would’ve happened to me if you hadn’t been here. You’re my savior.”

Aurora didn’t let go of my hand as she wept uncontrollably.

I glanced around nervously. A few passersby had stopped to stare. With my hood and mask still on, my face wasn’t visible, but the attention made me uneasy.

“Who’s there?”

A low, commanding voice interrupted.

Aurora turned, and I saw a man approaching with a revolver in hand.

His golden hair shimmered even in the dim light, and his sharp jawline, piercing blue eyes, and perfectly tailored police uniform made him look every bit the part of a hero.

‘Wow. He’s ridiculously good-looking.’

The rigid posture, buttoned-up shirt, and the air of authority radiating from him left no doubt in my mind.

This was Ethan Duncan Lancaster—Aurora’s older brother.

‘Damn it. Why is he here?’

In Love in a Ruined World, Aurora’s survival team had several strong members—the crown prince Theodore, the doctor Knox, and the weapons expert Jose. But the most competent one was always Ethan.

Not only was he skilled, but he also carried the virus antibody that could end the outbreak. He was practically untouchable.

At least, he was safe as long as he stayed near Aurora. That was how it played out in the novel. He was her most trusted ally.

Ethan immediately recognized Aurora and demanded, “Aurora? What are you doing here at this hour?”

Aurora looked equally surprised. “What about you? Why are you here?”

“I was patrolling. We got a report.”

Ethan scanned the area and froze when he spotted the broken gate and the dead monster.

Click.

He cocked his revolver and aimed at the creature.

“What the hell is this?”

Aurora flinched and took a step back, still clutching my hand and dragging me with her.

‘Let go already, Aurora!’

Ethan would handle the situation now—he was a cop, after all.

I needed to get out before anyone figured out who I was. If they realized I was Cherry Sinclair, it would cause all sorts of problems. I tried to keep quiet and avoid drawing attention, but—

“She saved my life,” Aurora said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Her words made Ethan’s sharp blue eyes land directly on me.

“…Did you do this?” he asked, nodding toward the mangled corpse.

It’s a monster, not an animal, but I just gave him a silent nod.

Ethan looked me over, then lowered his revolver slightly and spoke with formal gratitude.

“Thank you for saving my sister’s life. I’d like to reward you properly. Could you—”

“Ahhh!”

Before he could finish, Aurora let out another shriek.

The monster’s body twitched violently, its final death spasm startling everyone.

I knew it was already dead—I’d smashed its skull—but Ethan didn’t.

Reacting instantly, he shoved Aurora behind him and extended an arm to block me as well.

“Stay back.”

Then he pulled the trigger.

Bang—!

The gunshot echoed through the quiet night, causing lights to flicker on in the surrounding houses.

The monster’s body stopped twitching, finally dead for good.

Aurora looked completely dazed with fear, and Ethan was bent over, inspecting the corpse.

‘…Now’s my chance!’

I shoved Aurora’s hand away and bolted.

There was no way I was letting my name show up in tomorrow’s headlines alongside hers!

“Wait! Savior! Where are you going?!”@@novelbin@@

Aurora’s desperate voice rang out behind me like a tragic heroine calling after her knight. She sounded as distraught as a prince searching for Cinderella after she’d lost her glass slipper.

“Please! At least tell me your name!”

But if Aurora was this determined to know who I was, there was no way I could reveal my identity.

I sprinted as fast as I could, only glancing back when I thought I’d finally shaken them off.

And then I saw him—Ethan was chasing after me.

“Wh-What the hell?! Don’t follow me!”

I picked up my pace, but then—

Tweet!

Ethan blew his whistle.

The piercing sound made the lights in every house along the street flicker on. People were waking up, curious about the commotion.

“Stop right there!” Ethan shouted.

Like hell I would! Stopping would only make me look even more suspicious.

There was no turning back now. I had to escape.

I gritted my teeth and ran, but Ethan was strong, fast, and determined. He closed the distance between us with frightening ease.

‘Why did it have to be Ethan?! Damn it, think, Cherry!’

I needed a way to throw him off. Even while running at full speed, I scanned the area.

‘Is there anywhere I can hide?’

Notium Street was a maze of winding alleys and dead ends—plenty of hiding spots but also plenty of risks.

I thought about the axe strapped to my back. If it came down to it, I could knock him out cold.

But I quickly shook my head. No. The world hadn’t ended yet—I couldn’t make things worse.

Clenching my jaw, I scrambled up a chain-link fence blocking the alley.

“Didn’t I tell you to stop?”

Ethan’s voice came from right behind me, steady and calm, not even out of breath.

I didn’t stop.

I vaulted over the fence and darted into another alley.

It split into three paths. I chose the left one and ducked down into the stairwell of a semi-basement apartment.

‘Hide in plain sight.’

Footsteps echoed as Ethan’s boots pounded down the alley.

Tap. Thud.

He stopped.

I held my breath.

Step, step.

The sound grew closer until it was right on the other side of the wall.

I pressed a sweaty hand over my mouth, heart pounding.

And then… silence.

‘Where is he?’

The shadows around me seemed darker somehow. It felt like something loomed overhead.

I slowly tilted my head up—

And locked eyes with piercing blue irises staring straight down at me.

I couldn’t even scream.

“Really? This is where you chose to hide? Like a rat in a hole?”

“Ahhh!”

I yelped and collapsed onto the ground.

Before I could scramble away, Ethan reached out and grabbed the back of my hood.

Damn it. Why did I always have such rotten luck?!