Chapter 0017: Daphne's Temptation!

What?

Novak blinked, surprised. Did Dane actually repeat what I said to her mother?! He thought. 

Isn't this girl a bit too bold?

Despite his initial surprise, Novak quickly grew thoughtful. He had never underestimated the kind of people who stood at the top of the city—those with vast information networks, wealth, and power beyond the imagination of ordinary citizens.

The fact that they had tracked him down and made contact wasn't merely because of some offhand remark he made to Dane.

A smile tugged at Novak's lips. He hadn't expected to make contact with Song Daphne so soon, not before the apocalypse had even started. But there was nothing to fear. In fact, he might even stand to gain something from it. 

After all, in his previous life, he had not been that much worse off than those at the top. Though he hated to admit it, back then, Novak had the powerful backing of the Dark Mother Goddess. Even though she couldn't fully manifest herself in the apocalyptic world, her influence was far beyond what most evolutionaries could comprehend.

"Hello, Aunt Song," Novak answered, his tone steady and composed.

On the other end, Daphne's voice was calm and unhurried, and her smile was almost audible. 

"You're Dane's classmate, correct? She talks about you often. I've spoiled Dane since she was young, but because of my career, I haven't had much time to get to know her circle of friends. She doesn't have many close companions in college. How about we meet and have a face-to-face chat? I'd love to hear more about her university life. What do you think?"

Novak wasn't fooled by Daphne's charm. He especially believed the part about Dane being spoiled—that was obvious. But as for the rest of her story, he didn't buy it for a second. 

If other people didn't know, he certainly did.

Daphne owned a significant share of Ateneo De M-anila, meaning she was essentially a board member of the university. As long as Dane didn't blow up the school, there were plenty of administrators ready to clean up after the young heiress.

After all, Novak's election to the vice president of the student union in his sophomore year had been overturned simply because he refused Dane's advances. He was hit with a dimensional reduction strike—his status stripped with just one word from above.

Of course, Novak didn't have any lofty principles about staying away from "easy money." If he could rise to the top by marrying into wealth and inheriting the Song family fortune, who wouldn't be tempted? 

But Novak saw Dane's character for what it was—entitled and overbearing.

Not that it mattered much anymore. With the apocalypse looming, the old rules would soon be irrelevant. In fact, things had already begun to change. 

As Daphne continued to speak, saying what was essentially nonsense, Novak's smooth, magnetic voice replied with ease, "Sure. Just tell me when and where."

——

De M-anila, Westin Hotel, Riverfront Window Lounge

Novak finally met the woman known as Song Daphne.

Even after seeing countless women in his previous life, during the dark days of the apocalypse—famous actresses, idols, and even those he had personally kept close—he had to admit that the woman in front of him ranked among the most stunning he had ever seen.

She wore a tight-fitting purple cheongsam that accentuated her curves, and on her feet were Versace high-heeled sandals that didn't quite match the setting, but nonetheless caught the eye. Her pale toes, painted a deep shade of purple-red, were surprisingly striking.

"Hello, Novak~" Daphne greeted him warmly, rising from her seat and extending a hand. As she did so, her gaze swept over him, assessing.

Novak's appearance was decent, but it was nothing that would normally impress Daphne. What struck her was the look in his eyes.

Most young men would have ogled her by now, but Novak's gaze was steady and unflinching, as if he could see right through her. It made Daphne feel a bit uncomfortable, but not in a way that offended her. 

Instead, she found it intriguing. Smiling seductively, she said, "Novak, you're quite handsome! If I were 20 years younger, I'd probably be chasing after you, just like my daughter~"

This woman certainly knew how to play her cards.

Novak smirked. "No need to wait 20 years, Aunt. If I had the chance now, I'd pursue you! It's not every day I meet someone as stunning as you."

"The most beautiful?" Daphne teased.

"No. Second."

"Oh?" Daphne chuckled, her amusement clear. "So, I'm not number one?"

Even though Novak's words lacked finesse, she played along with a grin.

But Novak wasn't offering empty flattery—he was simply being honest.

He shook his head. "That's right. The most beautiful is someone named Hell Rose."

Daphne paused, genuinely taken aback by his response. She had expected Novak to spout some basic flattery, not to actually mention someone specific. 

"Hell Rose? Is she foreign?" Daphne asked, clearly intrigued.

Novak's smile widened, revealing his perfectly aligned teeth. "Not quite. She's an alien."

Dark Mother Goddess, real name: Heloth Andashir, also known as Hell Rose.

Daphne blinked, confused for a moment before bursting into laughter. Her laughter, though elegant and restrained, was genuine, and Novak could tell she was genuinely amused by his words.

"Well then," she said, "how about we order something to eat? It's my treat, and then we can discuss Dane."

Despite her playful demeanor and stunning appearance, Daphne's questions about Dane's university life were fairly direct and transparent. She wasn't hiding her interest, but Novak wasn't particularly bothered by it. He had already forgotten most of what he had learned in school, but he played along, giving vague answers that were just enough to satisfy her curiosity.

However, as their conversation went on, Novak noticed something. He occasionally glanced around the lounge with growing interest, sensing that Daphne might be planning something.

It seemed he was right. Less than half an hour later, a scream echoed through the hotel.

An all-too-familiar scene unfolded.

A grotesque, purple-black zombie with bulging veins, bloodshot eyes, and pitch-black claws suddenly emerged from a nearby hall and charged straight toward them.

Novak's lips curled into a smile.

Daphne's little "temptation" wasn't particularly subtle, was it?