Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 117: Formation.

Chapter 117: Formation.

The group grabbed their backpacks, each one packed with weapons ranging from guns to knives and bombs while they also held bags containing foods and other items to be delivered to the survivors outside. Together, they exited the train station, ready to face another heated fight with monsters.

As they stepped out of the railway station, Scarlett’s group was greeted by a crisp, cool breeze that carried the earthy scent of damp soil and the faint tang of decaying leaves. Overhead, the sky loomed in a deep, foreboding gray, with dark clouds swirling and twisting like an ominous dance of chaos.

"Looks like we’re in for a storm," Ethan muttered, squinting up at the sky, his brow furrowed.

"Perfect weather for a hunt," Kato remarked, his voice tinged with excitement as his eyes gleamed with anticipation.

Suddenly, Scarlett froze in her tracks and turned to face the railway station entrance. Her gaze sharpened, and her hands came together in a fluid motion as if guided by an unseen force. A surge of crimson fire erupted from her palms, her eyes glowing the same fiery red. The flames spiraled outward, forming a shimmering, solid barrier across the entrance. It pulsed like a living thing, brilliant as a diamond caught in the sunlight.

"Wow! What’s that?" Garvin exclaimed, his eyes wide with astonishment as he took a cautious step forward. The shimmering formation flickered briefly before its glow faded, leaving the entrance looking completely ordinary.

Scarlett’s crimson eyes dimmed back to their natural hue, but her gaze lingered on the formation. To the others, it looked like the barrier had vanished entirely, but Scarlett could still see it, a faint, fiery shimmer invisible to everyone else.

"What happened? Where did the red light go?" Garvin asked, his confusion mirrored by the others as they turned their gazes to Scarlett, seeking answers.

"I... I don’t know," Scarlett admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she stared at her hands. "The idea just struck me out of nowhere. My hands moved on their own until... until it formed that."

Before she could explain further, a sudden chime echoed in her mind, clear and melodic, followed by a series of messages.

{Host can cast any spells. Different kinds of formations can be created, each with unique powers and effects. Some carry poisonous properties.}

{The formation you just created is not poisonous but fire-based. It will engulf anyone who dares to touch it leading to their death. And no matter how powerful a chosen member is, they cannot save the victim...even you.}

{However, you can set a safety feature. The formation can distinguish between good and bad individuals. Those with no harmful intent will not be hurt, but they also cannot pass through the formation unless you permit them. Note: This world is a parallel world and information about every individuals in this world is well known. The formation uses this knowledge to make its judgment.}

Scarlett’s eyes widened as the information flooded her mind. "This... this is incredible," she whispered under her breath, awe and trepidation mingling in her tone.

"Incredible? It’s more than that! It’s... it’s beyond amazing!" Garvin exclaimed. His curiosity got the better of him, and he stepped forward, raising a hand to touch the entrance.

"Garvin, no!" Scarlett cried out, her voice sharp with alarm. Instinctively, she raised her hand to stop him. A sudden burst of strength surged through her, and before she could control it, Garvin was thrown back violently. His body collided with a tree, the impact reverberating through the air.

A sickening thud echoed, followed by a gasp from the group as Garvin slumped to the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

"Garvin!" Scarlett and the others screamed in unison as they rushed to his side.

Scarlett dropped to her knees beside him, her face stricken with guilt. "I’m so sorry! I just wanted to save you," she said, her voice trembling. "You could have died if you’d touched the formation."

She placed her palm against his chest, a faint blue light glowing from her hand as her water element activated. The soft luminescence spread over Garvin’s torso as Scarlett pressed her hand gently, channeling her energy to heal the injuries he might have sustained.

Garvin groaned softly, the pain easing as the glow worked its magic. "It’s... okay," he rasped, managing a weak smile. "You didn’t mean to. I guess I deserved that for being too curious."

Ethan placed a reassuring hand on Scarlett’s shoulder. "It’s alright, Scarlett. You saved him, even if it was rough."

Scarlett nodded, though her heart still weighed heavily with guilt.

"It’s fine," Garvin managed to say with a loud groan, his voice strained as he fought to suppress the pain in his chest. Gradually, the pain began to subside, and with the help of Scarlett and Larry, he was pulled to his feet.

"You’re so much stronger now," Ethan remarked, his eyes wide with admiration. "If you had used your full strength, Garvin would’ve been dead for sure. You’re amazing."

"With this power, every survivor we save in the future will be safe, no doubt," Larry added, his tone laced with excitement. "We can use this formation to protect the survivors at the prison and the cave."

"Exactly!" Ethan interjected. "Anyway, let’s move on. The survivors Kato encountered in the forest might still be there. If they are, we’ll give them food and see if they want to join us."

"That depends," Kato said, his back resting lazily against a tree as a smirk played on his lips. "If they’re not planning to cause harm. Even though Austin is dead, they might still see him as their boss. We can’t say for sure if he was injecting them with something or manipulating them. For all we know, they could be lying low, waiting for the right moment to strike."

"The formation will take care of that, Kato," Scarlett replied, a warm smile softening her expression. "It’ll scan them and determine the kind of people they are. If we give them food and they don’t ask to stay with us, we’ll leave them be. But if they try to sneak into the railway station behind our backs, the formation will detect their intentions, and they’ll be struck dead."

"Sounds like a plan!" Larry agreed, nodding his head. The rest of the group nodded as well, their expressions resolute.

Together, they began their trek through the forest, their footsteps muted by the damp earth beneath them. It wasn’t long before they reached the clearing where the survivors were camped. The group of disheveled individuals, naked were going about their daily activities. Upon noticing Scarlett and her companions, the survivors paused, their gazes shifting warily toward the newcomers.

Without hesitation, Larry and Ethan stepped forward, each carrying large bags filled with provisions and other necessities. Larry set the bags down on the ground before addressing the group.

"I won’t take much of your time," Larry began, his tone calm but firm. "We’re here to give you food and supplies. This area is currently free of monsters, so you’re safe for now. But I can’t guarantee how long that will last. Danger could come at any time."

The survivors exchanged glances but remained silent, their expressions guarded.

"Stay safe," Ethan added after a moment. He turned and began walking through the group, who parted silently to allow him passage. Scarlett and the others followed closely behind, leaving the survivors behind.

As they moved deeper into the forest, Kato broke the silence, his smirk widening. "I’d bet they’ve got some hidden agenda. They knew we’re powerful and wouldn’t dare to attack us and that’s probably why they’re staying so calm. They’re aware Louise and Maya are back at the railway station, and they see them as easy targets. Louise and Maya don’t have powers like we do, so they’re vulnerable."

"Let them try," Larry said confidently, folding his arms across his chest. "Scarlett’s formation will deal with them. If they’re evil, it’ll detect their intentions, and they’ll be dead before they can harm anyone."

Just then, Scarlett stopped walking and clasped her hands together, her expression turning serious. A wave of energy pulsed from her, and another formation began to take shape. This time, it spread outwards, covering the entire area surrounding the survivors’ camp and extending to the railway station.

"What are you doing?" Kato asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I’m creating another formation," Scarlett replied, her tone steady. "This one will protect both the survivors and the railway station. The formation around Louise and Maya won’t harm them, even if they try to leave. The one around the forest won’t harm the survivors either, but if they attempt to attack Louise and Maya, the formation will activate and kill them. And if anyone with bad intentions tries to break through either formation, they’ll meet the same fate."

"That’s brilliant," Larry said with a satisfied grin.

Kato gave a low whistle. "Impressive. You’ve really thought this through."

Scarlett nodded, her serious expression softening slightly. "We can’t afford to take risks. Every life we save matters, but we can’t compromise the safety of our group."

The group exchanged approving glances before continuing on their way, their resolve stronger than ever.