I Joined a Dating Sim Game and Got the Horror Boss Instead

I had talked to Mrs. Lawson, the dorm manager, a few times before. She was warm and friendly. If all I had to do was pick up a key, she would never say no.

So why did the three new girls look like they were about to faint?

“Why do we even need this key?” I asked.

Lily’s expression tightened. “To clear the game, obviously. Whoever gets the first key also earns a bonus reward.”

“What reward?”

She exchanged a loaded glance with the other two before saying, “A million.”

A million.

I slapped my chest. “Say no more. I’ll go.”

Before I left, Wendy William added, “You have to be back before midnight. If you aren’t, you can’t come back at all.”

I understood. The dorm manager would lock the doors.

“Got it.”

I stepped out into the hallway. It was completely empty and freezing cold.

Using my phone as a flashlight, I headed toward the dorm manager’s room.

When I turned the corner, something suddenly dragged itself toward me.

A boy in a school uniform.

Covered in blood.

And missing both legs.

I screamed and bolted.

My mind was blank with terror. I ran without looking, tears streaking down my face.

Then I crashed into someone.

A cold chest. A firm hold around my shoulders.

I looked up.

A beautiful face came into view.

My entire body sagged with relief. I grabbed onto him like a drowning person clutching a life buoy.

And without thinking, out of pure instinct from real life, I blurted, “Darling!”

His expression froze in disbelief.

“What did you just call me?” His voice was cool and smooth.

It was my first time hearing him speak.

“Honey, save me!” I sobbed.

When I risked a glance behind us, the bloody boy had vanished. My heart finally slowed, but I still refused to climb off him. I clung to him like a koala, shaking.

His ears were bright red.

It was the first time I had ever seen the icy, untouchable male lead look embarrassed.

Even after being chased by something straight out of a nightmare, I didn’t forget the mission. I needed to romance him and win that ten-million prize.

So I tightened my arms around his waist, buried my face against his chest, and rubbed my cheek against his shirt. “Darling, marry me. Please be my boyfriend. I’ve been chasing you for weeks.”

He went stiff as a board but didn’t push me off.

“So all those things you were giving me… you were trying to pursue me?”

I blinked up at him. “Of course. I’ve been courting you.”

Then what did he think I was doing?

A faint blush spread across his cheeks, his wide eyes full of disbelief. “You… like me?”

“Obviously. I fell for you at first sight. You’re exactly my type. I couldn’t help it. So will you be my boyfriend?”

His gaze shifted with something unreadable. “No.”

I didn’t flinch.

I’m not giving up on ten million that easily.

I patted my chest. “Then I’ll just keep chasing you until you say yes.”

He didn’t answer that. Instead he said, “Get off me.”

I shook my head and hugged him tighter.

I had been waiting a whole month for a moment like this. No way I was letting go now.