Vampire Overlord's Harem In The Apocalypse-Chapter 55: A Chat (II)

Leo’s eyes widened in an instant, yet he steadied himself. It was just a question.

That didn’t mean anything, right? Yet, something about Simon’s tone, the way his gaze pierced through him, made Leo’s heart hammer in his chest.

It was suspicious — too suspicious.

’Is he onto us?’ Leo thought, his hand twitching as it hovered near his back pocket. He could feel the weight of the pistol resting there, a reassuring presence that offered a false sense of control.

If he grabbed it, if he pulled the trigger, he could end Simon’s life here and now. The thought was tempting, but... there was a problem. A big one.

This man had snapped an entire rifle in half earlier. Effortlessly. As if it were a twig.

Leo wouldn’t be surprised if Simon could crush a bullet between his bare palms, as illogical as that sounded.

But logic had long since died in the Apocalypse. In this world, nothing was impossible anymore.

Nothing.

"I just asked a question. No need to tense up like that," Simon said, his tone deceptively calm. He raised his hands into the air in mock surrender, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

The gesture was anything but reassuring. It felt like a predator playing with its prey. Simon’s posture, his casual tone, everything about him screamed control — absolute, unshakable control.

Rita stood to Leo’s side, her body trembling despite her best efforts to appear composed.

She had known Simon for years, or at least she thought she had. But the man standing before her now? This wasn’t the same person she used to work with.

Her fingers tightened around the grip of her own pistol, but she could feel the sweat on her palms making it slippery.

When Simon had asked that question, a faint wave of something — something dark — had emanated from him.

It wasn’t anything physical, but it was real. She felt it. She knew Leo had felt it too. It had struck them both like an invisible whip, prompting Leo’s hand to move toward his gun in an instinctive response.

Simon’s eyes shifted toward Rita for a brief moment, and she froze. That gaze... It was like staring into the abyss.

Cold, calculating, and utterly merciless. She swallowed hard, her throat dry.

"You’re awfully quiet," Simon said, addressing both of them but keeping his eyes on Leo. "Makes me wonder if there’s something you don’t want me to know."

Leo forced himself to breathe. Stay calm. Stay calm.

"We... we don’t know what you’re talking about," Leo stammered, cursing himself for the crack in his voice. He clenched his jaw, willing his nerves to steady.

Simon tilted his head slightly, as if considering Leo’s words. His lips curved into a faint smirk, one that didn’t reach his eyes.

"Hmm. Maybe." His voice was light, almost playful, but the tension in the air was suffocating. "Or maybe you’re just terrible liars."

Rita’s fingers tightened around her shotgun, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t let this go on much longer. If Simon’s suspicions grew any deeper, there was no telling what he might do.

"Simon," she began, her voice wavering slightly. She hated herself for it, but she couldn’t help it. "We... We’re just trying to survive. Same as you. There’s no need for this... whatever this is."

Simon turned his attention to her, and for a moment, Rita thought she saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Regret? Sadness? It was gone before she could decipher it, replaced by that same cold, unyielding stare.

"Survival," he repeated, as if tasting the word. "Funny thing about survival. It brings out the best and the worst in people. Makes you wonder who you can trust."

Rita felt a shiver run down her spine.

She remembered the text message vividly, the one that had arrived in her dms after being given the map to the base. It had been brief but clear: Trust no one. Divulge no information to outsiders. Stay alive.

The rules of the Apocalypse were simple, brutal, and unforgiving.

And Simon? She couldn’t tell which side he stood on anymore. Was he still one of them, or had he joined another group?

His actions, his demeanor — everything about him felt... different. Dangerous.

Leo’s hand finally closed around the grip of his pistol. The cool metal felt solid in his palm, a lifeline in the chaos.

He didn’t want to use it, but if Simon made a move, he would have no choice.

Simon’s gaze flicked to the slight movement, and his smirk widened. "Careful," he said softly. "You don’t want to do something you’ll regret."

Leo’s heart raced. "What do you want from us?" he demanded, his voice stronger now, fueled by desperation.

Simon studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he shrugged. "Answers," he said simply. "That’s all."

"We don’t have any!" Rita burst out, her voice trembling but firm. "We... We don’t know anything. We’re just trying to get by, Simon. Same as you."

Simon’s eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, Rita thought he might actually believe her. But then he sighed, shaking his head as if disappointed.

"You’re terrible at this," he said, almost pityingly. "Lying, I mean."

Before either of them could respond, Simon took a step closer, his movements slow and deliberate. Rita instinctively raised her own gun, and Leo’s grip tightened on his pistol.

The tension in the air was unbearable.

Simon stopped just out of reach, his hands still raised in that mock surrender. "Here’s how this is going to work," he said, his voice low and even. "You’re going to tell me what I want to know. Or..." His gaze darkened, and the faintest hint of a smile played at his lips. "We can do this the hard way."

Rita’s breath caught in her throat. She knew Simon well enough to know he wasn’t bluffing. He’d changed.

This wasn’t the man she’d once shared coffee breaks with, the man who used to joke about quitting their dead-end jobs.

This was someone else entirely. Someone forged by the Apocalypse, hardened by its merciless trials.

And he wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever it took to get what he wanted.

[Author’s Note: Erm... I haven’t been consistent with updating, because I’ve been preparing for my MGS - This is the first time I’m going to be participating in it so I want it to be perfect - I’m going to be doing a Mass release on New Year’s day and the day after as well, so unlock a lot! Thanks a lot for the support so far]