Chapter 63
“Treasure hunt?”
A treasure hunt? Out of nowhere?
“Your boyfriend is participating, so we figured you should be too.”
Silas?
Was that why he left?
And the reason he told her not to go out…
Was to stop Katrina from joining.
“All the women on the island are going crazy over this treasure hunt because of your boyfriend.”
“He’s too handsome. They’re saying they just want to catch a glimpse of him, so they’re all joining the hunt. Aren’t you going to guard your boyfriend?”
Not even my real boyfriend, though.
“Murder charges? That’s hot as hell.”
“I find killers the sexiest.”
What in the world are these women saying? They sounded insane.
“It’s not like looking at his face will wear it down. Let us enjoy the view.”
“Hmm? Pretty sure it’s not just his face that’ll wear down.”
“What?”
What was that supposed to mean?
“You’re so naive.”
“What?”
“Your boyfriend knew all about it before coming here, and he didn’t tell you?”
“…”
“This is why men can’t be trusted. You let your guard down, and this happens.”
Silas had kept so many things from Katrina.
“Should we tell her or not?”
The women weren’t ready to reveal it so easily.
“If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I’ll find out eventually anyway…”
“Ahahaha!”
The women burst into laughter.
“Is she innocent, or just stupid?”
…What was that reaction?
“If we don’t tell her, she’s seriously in trouble.”
“Your life basically depends on us, you know that?”
Katrina couldn’t tell if they were teasing her or if there was something truly serious going on.
“Well, I think we’ve teased her enough. Shall we tell her?”
It seemed they’d finally decided to share the truth.
“Come here, lean in.”
“…”
“So, the treasure hunt held on this island is…”
Whisper whisper.
After hearing all the women had to say, Katrina’s expression hardened.
“See? Now do you get why we said you were in trouble?”
If you understand now, then go and win the treasure hunt, missy.
*
“Treasure hunt begins shortly!”
And so, Katrina ended up participating in the treasure hunt.
What kind of ridiculous fate was this?
‘The winner of the treasure hunt becomes the king at the party two days from now.’
Katrina recalled what the women had told her.
“For just one day, the winner can have everyone on the island.”
“Any crime they commit will be completely allowed.”
“Rumor has it outsiders who hear about this sometimes sneak into the island to enjoy the party.”
The women had shared all sorts of stories.
Katrina had wondered why they were so unconcerned about outsiders.
“We may be trapped on this island, but we’ve basically decided to settle down here. This is our home.”
“But outsiders bring us valuable goods. Most of what we eat and wear comes from them.”
Katrina looked over at Silas standing in the distance.
Just as they said, Silas had joined the treasure hunt.
Why?
What did he plan to do as the winner at the party?
“You…”
The moment Silas saw her, his face twisted with anger.
“What are you doing here?!”
For the first time since bringing her here, Silas raised his voice in anger.
Katrina was stunned. Who was he to be yelling at her?
Then, she remembered what the women had said.
“Miss, do you know who gave me these earrings?”
“Your boyfriend did.”
Katrina hadn’t known.
That Silas had handed out gifts to the islanders in secret just so he could attend this event.
“Go back. Right now.”
I really didn’t know anything, did I?
“No.”
He looked genuinely flustered.
“What?”
Katrina smiled sweetly.
“I came to participate too. Don’t get in my way.”
“Do you even know what this is—”
“If I win, I get to have the people of the island for a day, right?”
Silas couldn’t respond.
So the women were right.
At that moment—
“Alright! The treasure hunt begins now! The one who gathers the most red cloths wins!”
The hunt began.
The treasure hunt was in full swing.
Katrina searched diligently, but the red cloths they were supposed to find were nowhere to be seen.
“You must be a newcomer.”
Just then, a man approached Katrina.
When she gave him a puzzled look, he quickly introduced himself.
“I’m Samuel. I was an outsider too.”
“You’re visiting the island?”
“Something like that. Either way, I live here now.”
Samuel glanced at the cloths in Katrina’s hands.
“Doesn’t look like you’ve found many.”
“…”
“Same here. I’m not very good at this.”
He was holding about as few as she was.
“Well then, good luck, newcomer.”
Samuel smiled pleasantly and walked away.
After all that bold talk…
“Oh dear, miss. What are you going to do? You’ve only got three?”
“We’ve already got five!”
This was clearly a game stacked in favor of the locals.
Katrina didn’t know the forest at all, but it was the locals’ home ground.
With plenty of experience, they easily scoured the terrain and collected cloths.
“She’s screwed. That’s a shame.”
The women clicked their tongues sympathetically.
“It is what it is.”
“What do you mean ‘it is what it is’? The men on the island are scrambling to win just because of her.”
“What?”
“She’s way too pretty. If the winner gets to do whatever they want with her for a day, of course they’re desperate.”
“…”
Disgusting pigs.
Katrina frowned.
If it came to it, she’d run away. Or beat Silas senseless and get out of here.
“Let’s hope your boyfriend gathers enough. If not, you’re in trouble.”
“Well, not that an outsider has much chance.”
Then—
“Hey, look! It’s Russo!”
People gathering cloths shouted.
“Damn! That bastard Russo found fifteen already!”
“Looks like he’s going to win again this year!”
People erupted with admiration.
Katrina saw the man named Russo holding a mountain of red cloths.
He’d found a lot.
Far more than her pitiful three.
Then, Russo looked directly at her.
And started walking toward her.
What the—why’s he coming here?
Katrina tensed.
“Hello, pretty outsider.”
Russo gave her a sly smile.
“Only three cloths? That’s adorable.”
He gave her a mocking little laugh.
Was he trying to provoke her?
“I was last year’s winner.”
“…”
“And the year before that. And the year before that too. Oh, and I’ve only been on this island for three years.”
“So?”
“That means I’ve won every year since I arrived.”
His lips curled with pride.
“And soon, I’ll have you. Just letting you know in advance.”
“What the hell did you just say, you bastard?!”
A furious voice rang out.
A red-haired man stormed toward them.
It was Silas.
