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Julian dove into the water with a smooth, graceful arc.
To Asuka, it felt like everything had slowed down. She saw it all far too clearly.
Splash…
The water sprayed up and hit her face, snapping her out of it.
"Ah!!!"
"White… electric dragon…"
She hurriedly covered her face.
"Uncle, that's too much!"
"Can't you at least wear swim trunks when you're swimming?!"
Her cheeks burned red. If she had her Blood Roar axe right now, she would've swung it already.
"Wait, what the hell are you doing here?!"
Julian popped his head out of the water.
"I—I—I… I moved in here, okay?!"
"I'll pay rent! In gold bars!"
Asuka splashed some water on her face to cool down.
"That works."
"Have you collected all the gold from the residents?"
Julian asked casually.
Since she was paying rent, letting her stay wasn't a problem. The place was huge anyway.
"Except for two households where everyone died and we don't know the safe passwords, we got everything."
"Over 200 kilograms of gold in total."
"I seriously don't get why you're collecting so much gold…"
Asuka muttered.
"Not bad. Pretty efficient."
Julian nodded in approval.
As for those safes they couldn't open… maybe he could smash them open with the Destruction Hammer.
Smart.
In a good mood, Julian leaned back and started floating on his back.
Then—
"AH!!!"
"Uncle, that's too much!"
Asuka instantly turned around.
Twice! That's twice!
Where's my axe?!
Even Julian felt a little awkward.
He was used to being alone and hadn't really adjusted to having someone like Asuka around. Their relationship wasn't that close yet.
"Maybe… you should go downstairs."
"I set up a big screen in the second-floor media room. You can play games there."
He offered.
"Okay!"
Asuka agreed instantly.
She didn't dare stay any longer.
Sure, he looked serious and proper, but who knew what he was really like?!
Those two older sisters even called him "Master"!
Asuka might be young, but she'd seen plenty of games and anime…
She had a rough idea what kind of situation led to someone being called that.
She climbed out of the pool, wrapped herself in a bathrobe, and ran off.
Watching her leave, Julian let out a small sigh of relief.
He hadn't meant anything by it, but yeah… still awkward.
Now that she was gone, he relaxed completely, climbed out of the pool, and grabbed an ice-cold cola.
Clear, fizzy, refreshing.
Just as he tilted his head back to take a drink, Asuka came running back.
"Oh, I forgot my shoes."
"I—"
"Forget the shoes!"
She covered her face and bolted again.
Three times! Three!
I'm going to lose my mind!
I'm going dragon hunting. Every single tail's getting chopped off!
Asuka dashed straight into the elevator.
This time, Julian stayed calm.
If she saw, she saw.
He'd just charge her extra rent later.
Holding his cola, he stretched out on a lounge chair.
A swim, a breeze, a sea view… perfect.
Not long after, a flurry of footsteps echoed nearby.
"This is the rooftop infinity pool!"
"You can all come here to swim when you're free."
"Though… I didn't bring many swimsuits. We might have to go out and find some."
"Come take a look—the view here is amazing!"
Mafuyu led over a dozen girls from the flight attendant class to the poolside.
Julian was lying there, enjoying the breeze.
Completely naked.
Now this was truly awkward.
The girls froze, unsure what to say, their eyes darting everywhere.
The rooftop view…
Yeah. Definitely eye-catching.
"AH!!!"
"Go, go, go!"
"Everyone, back to your rooms for now!"
Mafuyu reacted instantly and hurried the girls away.
"I'm sorry, Master…"
"I didn't realize you were… sunbathing like that."
She knelt beside Julian, looking pitiful.
"It's fine. I'm just not used to having more people around."
"Later, go out and find some swimsuits. Everyone's going to need them."
Julian reached out and patted her head.
Mafuyu glanced around.
No one else was nearby…
Heh heh heh…
That evening, under Hana's direction, the girls worked together to prepare a lavish dinner.
Under the sunset, with the sea breeze drifting by, a long table was set up.
Steaks, mushroom soup, grilled lobster, and red wine filled the table.
Absolutely perfect.
Julian nodded in satisfaction.
With more hands, the quality of dinner had clearly gone up. Not bad at all.
Hana's cooking had always tasted great, but she still lacked experience with high-end ingredients.
And with zombies reacting badly to food smells, it hadn't been easy for her to cook regularly either.
Chizuru, on the other hand, had a knack for Western cuisine and contributed a lot to the meal.
Saving her from that streetlamp had definitely been a good decision.
Compared to Julian, the girls were far more excited.
Just yesterday, they'd been so hungry that more than ten people had to share a single steamed bun.
And today…
Steak, red wine, lobster…
It felt like a dream.
Even before the apocalypse, this wasn't something they could enjoy often.
And the view…
Without spending thousands, there was no way they could stay somewhere like this.
Was this really the apocalypse?
This was paradise.
Earlier, Mafuyu had explained that everything here—safety, food, endless electricity and fresh water—was all thanks to Julian.
The girls had already admired him a little before.
Now, they were completely won over.
Quite a few had even secretly asked Mafuyu if there was some kind of "selection system" here.
Luckily, Julian had warned her in advance, and she firmly told them no.
The girls were all a bit disappointed.
Asuka sat diagonally across from Julian.
Food like this wasn't anything new to her. She'd had even better before.
But in the middle of the apocalypse, being able to enjoy a meal like this… it still felt special.
As she ate, she kept observing the girls around her.
Every single one looked like a model.
That uncle really is a pervert.
Better keep my distance, just in case he tries something.
The sun dipped below the horizon, replaced by a round moon and a sky full of stars.
On a clear night, the seaside sky was especially beautiful.
Everyone enjoyed the meal.
"Number 2 and 3, you're on cleanup."
"Number 4 and 5, dishes."
Hana started assigning tasks like a strict little housekeeper.
There were too many girls from the flight attendant class, so she'd followed Julian's suggestion and given all thirteen of them numbers.
Number 1 was Chizuru, and the rest followed.
Not a single complaint.
Even if they had to work twelve hours a day, it was still a better life than before.
Of course, if Julian knew they thought that way, he'd probably push them even harder.
"I'm heading to the villa district."
"I'll be back soon."
After eating and drinking his fill, Julian prepared to deliver some seeds and saplings.
He kept some for the island too, so the laborers could start planting.
As for drinking and driving…
Minor issue.
Try docking points from him if you can.(Note: Follow the law. Safety first.)
Soon, Julian arrived at the entrance of Donghu Villas.
The defenses there had already been upgraded by Kento.
As expected from a group that had survived in the city center—once they made a move, it was on a completely different level from ordinary camps.
"....."