Roommate

That was how Dion Kholodov, an antagonist from ‘Picking up survivors after the end’ has now officially lived under his roof. This might as well become the antagonist’s home because he has been reduced to nothing but his dog but still!

He can’t read the other but Taesoo had a goal of his own. He needs to keep an eye on Dion to prevent him from destroying the world. 

At first, he thought it’d be better to just handle it over the government but hesitation roots over. The last time the police were contacted he was advised to take him to the mental hospital. The chances of them believing him would be low, especially without proof.

That means he just needs to gather them!

“Let’s start over then. My name is Kim Taesoo. First name Taesoo, last name Kim.”

“... Taesoo Kim.”

Damn, these English novels. 

“Why my house?.. what in the world of reverse isekai is happening and does it have to be me?”

He utters under his breath. Though the one who was sitting not so far away could hear him. 

“A dog shouldn’t bark at its master.” 

He couldn't have forgotten about his superhuman abilities. It wasn't exactly a secret that he wanted Dion to hear his thoughts, he just preferred an answer rather than an insult. 

For some reason, his personality in real life irritated him. In the novel, it was described that Dion was a cold character, heartless with everything he faced. The path that he leads always leaves trails of blood. But the reality before him is… not that different. He's just more smug now after having things his way. 

Speaking of which, should he confront him about his existence? Dion is a novel character after all so the one with more questions should be him. The thought lingers but he has to shrug it off. No, Dion would flip off and destroy the world if he was confronted with reality.

Who wouldn’t be pissed to know their entire existence was fabricated by some pen and paper?

He looks down at his wrist. Even if that potion made it as if he was never injured in the first place, the feeling is still real. He could still imagine the throbbing pain. Out of his will, he starts sweating again with the thought. If he could blow up his hand then he can blow up anything just like the novel’s description.

“You seem to have more to say. What is it?”

Dion who sat on the sofa, staring at the TV, finally turns his gaze towards Taesoo. He wasn’t even a bit amused by this situation just as Taesoo. 

“Oh um..”

Ding Dong…

Taesoo sprinted out of the room with the perfect timing. If he stayed there with the tension then he might become insane himself.

“I’ll go get that. Don’t move!”

Finally leaving him, he opens the door to the sight of a beautiful young woman who appears no further than her 20s, her casual yet tight shirt hugging her body naturally yet revealing her curves. Her lashes were long and curled upwards making her eyes appear larger and rounder. Every time Taesoo’s gaze met her he would tense up and become slightly nervous. He's still a man after all. 

“Miss Jaeha!.. Is there anything that I can help you with?”

His mood truly changed upon seeing her. A light blush appeared on his cheeks as he smiled politely at her. His neighbor, Song Jaeha has always been the ideal neighbor to have next door even if they rarely meet. Her concern was no surprise. 

“No, it's just that, I heard an explosion earlier but I’m not entirely sure where it came from. Did you hear it?”

Ah, shit.

“Oh yeah! I was cooking and I um.. The mini gas exploded but everything was ok. No fire or anything!”

It's not like he can tell the truth. 

“Are you sure? I think I heard screams. But ahh our walls are quite thick so I wasn’t 100% sure.” 

He’s really glad his apartment walls are soundproof enough. 

Just as Taesoo was about to come out with more excuses, he noticed how Song Jaeha had a change of reaction. Her gaze was no longer towards him but behind him. 

“A dog doesn’t tell his owner what he can or cannot do.”

It was Dion. And he looks pissed. 

“Oh my.” 

He can see Jaeha gasping, covering her mouth with both of her palms. Her cheeks began to visibly heat up seeing it turn a bit red. Taesoo should’ve known this would happen. 

“I didn’t know you had a friend come over. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.” 

She shows a smile wide enough to have her eyes squint. That has never happened to Taesoo before! Damn, it must be because of Dion Kholodov’s Angel-like handsome features. 

“Friend? Taesoo Kim is my pet.”

Whatever she’s thinking about it can’t be in Taesoo’s favor because, with a blushing face and eyes that switch back and forth between the two males, she has her conclusion.

“That… explains the screams…..I’m so sorry to interrupt the two of you. I thought you were single, Taesoo, but I’m very happy for you!”

“Wait what? No no no, you’ve got it all wrong Miss Jaeha!” 

“No no, I really respect your taste! You’ve even got a Russian-like foreigner as a partner. I sincerely hope the two of you will last for a very long time.” 

‘This is a huge misunderstanding! Why isn't Dion saying anything?!’

The antagonist seems not to be bothered about it. Although that might be better since he doesn't want another explosion to happen. 

“Ah, that’s right! Miss Jaeha, did you feel an earthquake earlier?” 

It was better to change the topic. 

“An earthquake? I don't think so. But if it is a minor one I might have missed it. Hahaha.”

Taesoo’s eyes widen. It wasn't a minor one. By the way, his entire place shakes, it would make it to the news or at least the national emergency warning sign would be everywhere. But suspiciously there wasn’t. 

“Oh! Time flies huh? I have to go to my part-time job now. Again, sorry to bother the two of you.”

Jaeha has to leave with the misunderstanding still in tack. No matter how much Taesoo tried to reach her, she seemed too far off with her theory to change her mind. 

Currently, Kim Taesoo is holding himself from the urge to punch Dion’s face.

“Hey, why didn’t you stay put? It wasn’t like I’d run away.”

Dion scoffs, his arms are crossed on his arms. He didn’t exactly feel like giving Taesoo a real full answer.

“It was likely the earthquake that summoned me to this world.” 

He suddenly brought up the last topic the neighbors discussed. Dion Kholodov seems to have a lot to say about it.

“More like on top of my coffee table.. Do you know anything about it? What was the last thing you did before coming here?”

“I was fighting.” 

“.. you always fight, can’t you be more specific?” 

At this moment, Taesoo should’ve known that he messed up big time. It was too late to take back his words and regret sinks in immediately, clearly shown in his face.  

“Why would you conclude that?” 

He can't just say that he's known a small portion of Dion’s life. That he’s always picking fights be it monsters or humans. That it’s his way of getting stronger and never allowing Evan to surpass him.. Right? Right! 

“Even though I have destructive powers, I don't pick up fights like delinquents. To answer your question, I was preparing for my fight for Evan Alxander.” 

It seems like he's letting him off the hook. It’s good though it would've been better if he knew the fight that Dion mentions. In all of the novel, Dion keeps on being stronger. 

‘Picking up Survivors after the End’ features Evan Alxander that saves everyone from the destruction caused by Dion. A land full of monsters that invaded their world, led by the main antagonist himself. Every time Evan thought he was strong enough to take him down, Dion would prove to him otherwise that he too had done his training and faced him off in the one-sided battle. The novel ends once Dion is finally defeated, bringing the world to its peace. 

It was a good thing that monsters weren’t dragged along to this world, otherwise, everything would have been destroyed far more easily. 

So to say Dion is preparing a fight really doesn't help at all.

“It’s time for you to take me out for a meal. Plus, it’s also time for me to see how the current world is.” 

Suddenly, Taesoon thought of a wonderful idea. What if he runs away and leaves Dion out in hunger? Or perhaps he could poison his meal to get things over quickly…

In his subconscious, Taesoo slaps his forehead. That’s even more horrible! If anything Taesoo would die first before he even commences with his plan, Not to mention, Dion is immune to poison so it’s pointless to bring him to an illegal pufferfish sashimi restaurant. 

“Alright, I’ll take you for dinner.”

......................

Dion Kholodov. A human who betrayed his kind to become the leader of the monsters. But can he still be considered human if he had left his humanity behind? 

“How particular.” 

Taesoo tilts his head to look at him. Dion was no different than a child that has never seen the outside world. It was just an empty narrow road that had little to nothing to offer.It would be right if he took him to Hongdae but he didn't want to cause an uproar.

Is he perhaps interested in architecture? 

It would make sense since the world he came to was in a medieval setting. Everything was bound to have a different feel to it. 

“The world is just like that now. Everything is modernized.” 

“Is that so.. Have the thoughts of people also been modernized?” 

“Well uh, I don't know what you mean. Maybe?”

“The world from where I came from was different. Even if I were to go on a narrow path, the gaze from the others had always bothered me.”

For some reason, even if it was only a hint, Taesoo could tell his tone was different. 

“It’s been a while since I was able to blend in with crowds.” 

…

That's it!

Kim Taesoo, 26, knows how to save the world from Dion Kholodov.

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