Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 142: Another Day Of Chaos.

Chapter 142: Another Day Of Chaos.

Scarlett, Ethan, and Ryder stood together in the city, still cloaked in invisibility as they panted heavily, trying to catch their breath. The rain poured relentlessly over their heads, soaking them to the bone.

Another zone had been cleared of monsters and enemy soldiers. The distant screams of survivors filled the air, mingling with the steady rhythm of the rainfall. Some were desperately searching for shelter, while others collapsed to the ground, mourning the loss of their loved ones.

Ethan’s sharp eyes darted around the ruined streets, scanning for a missing presence. His frustration was evident as he exhaled sharply.

"Where the hell is Kato?" he demanded, his voice laced with impatience. "Didn’t we all agree to regroup here after clearing the area? Where did he disappear to?"

Ryder, standing beside him, crossed his arms over his chest, concern evident in his gaze. "Do you think he...." He hesitated, swallowing hard before finishing his sentence. "Do you think he’s dead?"

Ethan scoffed at the idea, shaking his head. "Come on, he’s an SS-ranked. There’s no way he’d get taken down that easily. He’s too damn smart to get shot in the head."

"SS-ranked?! Half human, half monster?! ," Ryder muttered, his eyes widen open in shock . "Just like that lady...Maya. How come I didn’t even know what he was when we were all stuck in that cave together?"

Ethan shrugged. "He’s a chosen member. One of the originals, not one of those turned through sex with the opposite gender. That probably explains why he can control himself better than most."

Meanwhile, Scarlett stood slightly apart, her gaze fixed on the glowing interface of her system. The holographic display in front of her provided real-time data on the zone, its level of danger, how much had been cleared, and the movement of any remaining threats. Security cameras had been set up to monitor the area, and the live footage streamed directly into her system. Unlike the use of mobile phones which is not available in the apocalypse world, chosen members like her had their systems embedded within them, functioning as both a database and a means of communication.

Across the city, Victor was also doing the same. The massive screen at his organization wasn’t just for show...it was his system, his way of keeping control over the battlefield.

Ethan shifted his weight from one foot to the other, muttering under his breath. "Where the hell is that dickhead?" His gaze swept over the area once more. "He better show up soon so we can get the hell out of here. I need food, and I need rest."

Just then, his eyes caught sight of a lone figure approaching. It was Kato. Unlike the rest of them, he wasn’t concealed under Scarlett’s invisibility spell.

Without hesitation, Scarlett reached out, her fingers brushing against Kato’s shoulder. The moment her skin made contact, her spell cloaked him, rendering him invisible to the outside world.

Ryder was the first to speak, his tone sharp with suspicion. "Where the hell did you go?" His arms remained crossed over his chest, his piercing gaze scanning Kato from head to toe. Then his eyes narrowed. "And what’s with the blood on your lips?"

Kato smirked, the expression both casual and unsettling. With the back of his hand, he wiped at the crimson stain, smearing it slightly before answering.

"Oh, that?" he said nonchalantly. "Decided to take a little look around... and since I was feeling hungry, I helped myself to a few of the guards. Needed to fill my stomach."

Ryder’s lips curled into a sneer. "You just happened to snack on enemy soldiers, huh?"

Kato chuckled. He knew Scarlett’s abilities. She could perceive the scent of every chosen member, which meant she knows that she wasn’t at the zone for a long time.

"Yeah, well," Kato added quickly, his tone shifting slightly, "turns out those guards flesh doesn’t sit well with me. Guess it’s because they were evil, probably why their flesh and blood tasted like shit. Made me feel sick afterward, so I had to take care of some, uh, urgent business. Can’t exactly answer nature’s call in a place swarming with monsters, can I? Had to step away to a cleared zone first."

Ethan studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod, seemingly satisfied with the explanation. "Makes sense." He stretched his arms above his head, rolling his shoulders. "Anyway, enough with the killing for today. We need to rest. We’ll go over our plans tomorrow."

The others nodded in agreement. With their mission complete for the night, the group silently slipped away from the ruined zone, disappearing into the shadows of the war-torn city.

_________

In a small building, a bungalow, actually that had seen better days, Scarlett and her group found temporary refuge. Though the structure was already in ruins, it was still stable enough to accommodate them. The heavy rainfall from last night would have been a problem, but Scarlett had taken precautions. Using some of her coins, she had purchased roofing materials and repaired the windows, ensuring they had proper shelter.

The bungalow was located just a few meters away from the zone they had cleared of monsters and enemy soldiers the night before. Now, with morning breaking over the war-torn city, the sunlight streamed through one of the repaired windows, casting a golden glow across the room.

Scarlett stirred as the warmth of the morning sun kissed her face. With a soft groan, she turned onto her side, blinking sleepily before finally sitting up in bed.

"Another day of chaos," she murmured under her breath, rubbing the exhaustion from her eyes.

Her gaze shifted toward little Hope, who was still curled up beside her, fast asleep. Scarlett hadn’t gotten much rest herself, she had spent most of the night tending to the child. By the time she finally had a moment to close her eyes, morning had already arrived.

With a sigh, she glanced toward the other bed in the room, where Ethan, Kato, and Ryder had slept. But to her surprise, the bed was empty.

The rich, mouthwatering scent of baked bread and sandwiches filled the air, making Scarlett’s stomach grumble in response. Curious, she slid out of bed, stretched her limbs, and made her way toward the entrance of the building.

Stepping outside, she was greeted by an unexpected sight.

Ethan, Kato, and Ryder were standing near a makeshift outdoor kitchen, all dressed in matching chef outfits. They were busy cooking, their expressions a mix of focus and amusement as they worked together.

Ethan was the first to notice her. His face lit up with a warm smile. "Hey! You’re finally awake!" he called out, waving her over.

Scarlett returned his smile and walked toward them.

"You can sit here," Ethan said, guiding her to a rock-like chair they had set up as a makeshift seat. "We’re just about done serving the food."

Scarlett sat down, watching as the three men plated the meals and placed them on the rock table before settling in to eat as well.

She glanced around at their unusually cheerful expressions and raised an eyebrow. "Alright, what’s the occasion?" she asked, genuinely surprised by the effort they had put into breakfast. In a world ravaged by an apocalypse, moments like these were rare. It had been so long since she had seen people happy, so long that she had nearly forgotten what it felt like herself.

Ryder let out an exaggerated sigh, shaking his head. "It all started when we woke up this morning. We were discussing what to eat, and then Kato suddenly started bragging, saying that no one could beat him in cooking back on Earth. Of course, Ethan wasn’t about to let that slide, he immediately countered, saying he’s the best cook." Ryder gestured toward the two men, who were both grinning smugly at each other. "Naturally, the next step was a cooking competition."

Scarlett blinked. "A cooking competition?"

"Yup." Ryder nodded, rubbing his temples as if the whole thing had given him a headache. "So now, you’re the judge."

Scarlett chuckled lightly, shaking her head at their antics. "Alright, alright. So, what do I have to taste?"

Ethan eagerly pushed two plates toward her, both containing roasted fish. "I made this one," he said, pointing to the first plate. "And Kato made that one," he added, nodding toward the second. "You don’t have to taste everything, just one dish is enough."

Scarlett smirked. "Nice try, but if I’m judging, I’ll be fair about it."

She picked up a fork and knife, her eyes flicking between the two plates before cutting a small piece from Ethan’s dish. She took a bite, closing her eyes for a moment to savor the flavors. The fish was cooked to perfection, with a beautifully crisp exterior and a tender, flavorful interior.

Nodding in approval, she then moved on to Kato’s dish. The flavors were similar, but there was something slightly off about the seasoning. It wasn’t bad, not by any means but there was a subtle imbalance that Ethan’s dish didn’t have.

Scarlett took her time before finally opening her eyes, a mischievous glint dancing in them.

"I think I’ve made my decision," she announced, dragging out the suspense.

Ethan and Kato both leaned in, anticipation etched across their faces. Ryder, on the other hand, sat back with a knowing grin, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Scarlett took a deep breath before finally revealing the verdict. "And the winner is..." She paused dramatically. "Ethan."

Ethan let out a triumphant whoop, pumping his fist into the air. "Ha! I told you!" he gloated, flashing Kato a cocky smirk.

Kato scowled, crossing his arms over his chest. "What? No way! My dish was perfect!"

Scarlett chuckled, reaching out to pat Kato’s arm. "Sorry, Kato. Ethan’s dish was just a tiny bit better this time. But don’t get me wrong, you’re still a great cook."

Kato huffed, feigning irritation, but a small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Fine. I’ll concede this time. But I’m demanding a rematch."

Ethan laughed, clapping him on the back. "Anytime, Kato. I’m always up for a challenge."

The group shared a laugh, the tension of their little competition fading as they focused on enjoying the meal. Scarlett took a moment to observe them. For a brief, fleeting moment, the weight of the apocalypse seemed lighter.