Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 147: Wanted!

Chapter 147: Wanted!

The heavy rain pounded against the earth like a relentless drumbeat, accompanied by the deafening crash of thunder. The sky was a swirling storm of dark clouds, the wind howling through the ruined city like a beast mourning its dead.

The streets were soaked, rivers of blood mixing with the rainwater, flowing into the gutters like crimson streams.

This was the way of the world now.

Every day brought another battle, another massacre. And every night, the rain would come, as if trying to wash away the sins of the day.

Inside a dimly lit control room, Victor sat before a massive screen, a sinister smirk plastered across his face. The blue glow of the monitors cast eerie shadows on his sharp features, his eyes glinting with something dark, satisfaction, perhaps, or anticipation.

Despite the growing resistance among the chosen members, those who had begun to stray from the system’s original purpose, Victor and the other organization leaders still held the ultimate power. Decisions were made, alliances formed and broken, all with the same goal in mind: total control.

Of course, they all knew the truth.

Once the humans and monsters were eradicated, the leaders would turn on one another. Each one sought the ultimate prize to command the remaining creatures they had bred and trained to their liking. But for now, a fragile truce held them together.

And then....

DINGGGGGGGGG!

A sharp metallic chime cut through the storm, ringing out across the ruined city. Despite the roaring thunder, the sound was deafening, impossible to ignore.

Victor’s smirk widened.

The transmission had begun.

Every single leader in the organizations had worked together to create this moment, a global signal, an announcement that would reach every last survivor. To most, it appeared to be nothing more than a flickering billboard flashing across the city’s ruins. But to the chosen members, it was more than just a screen.

It was the system itself.

A few seconds later, the image on the screen shifted.

A single face appeared.

Scarlett.

Her features were clear, her expression frozen in time, her identity unmistakable.

A metallic voice boomed through the streets, cutting through the chaos like a blade.

"The woman displayed on the screen is wanted.

All survivors have exactly two weeks to locate her.

If, at the end of two weeks, no one has provided information on her whereabouts, you will all be executed."

A heavy silence fell over the streets as the words settled in.

Victor leaned forward in his chair, watching the reactions unfold on the security feeds. The guards who had previously been slaughtering survivors had abruptly changed tactics. Now, they were turning their weapons on the monsters instead, clearing the streets, saving as many survivors as they could.

After all, they needed them alive.

They were now tools in the hunt. For the main time though.

"A signal code has been distributed to every location in the world," the metallic voice continued. "If any survivor sees this woman, you are to press the alert bell immediately. The leaders will take care of the rest."

And just like that, the message ended.

The screens flickered, then powered down, leaving only darkness in their wake.

Victor sat back in his chair, exhaling deeply, his smirk never fading. Beside him stood a middle-aged man dressed in a white lab coat, his arms folded tightly across his chest, a deep frown creasing his face.

"Do you really think the organization leaders came up with a good plan?" the man finally asked with a heavy sigh. "Everyone knows what the Queen looks like now. What if another organization captures her before you do?"

Victor let out a short, amused chuckle. "And you think the other organizations would just sit back and accept that?" he countered, rising from his seat with a deliberate slowness. His smirk widened. "There’s going to be a hell of a bloody battle soon."

The man in the lab coat exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "No one’s disputing that," he admitted. "But once an organization captures the Queen first, do you really think they wouldn’t force her to bear their mark? The moment they have her, they’ll try to take her powers. And if that happens, by the time the others arrive, you won’t stand a chance against the organization that got to her first."

Victor’s smirk didn’t falter. He rose up and stepped closer, lowering his voice, his tone edged with dark amusement.

"The Queen of Monsters doesn’t pass her powers through force," he stated perfectly. "She has to willingly give them up. Even if a man forces himself on her, she’ll still retain her abilities. The only way for her powers to transfer is through consent. And that..." he let out a slow, satisfied breath, "is something the other leaders may not realize just yet."

The lab-coated man’s expression remained serious. "She would never agree willingly. They’ll try to break her, Victor. You know that."

"Of course they will," Victor replied, his voice dripping with amusement. "They’ll try to force her, and when that fails, they’ll grow desperate. And desperation leads to recklessness. And recklessness..." he chuckled darkly, "creates opportunity."

The man narrowed his eyes. "And you? You’re going to swoop in and save her? Play the hero?" His voice held an edge of skepticism. "She knows your face, Victor. She knows exactly who you are and what you stand for. Even if you save her, it doesn’t mean she’ll agree to whatever plan you have."

Victor’s smirk slowly faded, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. "I know that," he admitted, his voice dropping into something more serious. "But trust me, she’ll agree to my terms. One way or another."

The lab-coated man fell silent, watching as Victor turned away, lost in thought. Whatever plan he had in mind, it was something only he knew.

____________

Deep in the Forest.

The thick canopy of trees stretched endlessly, rain cascading down in relentless sheets. In the middle of the forest, a sturdy tent stood firm against the storm, sheltering its occupants from the downpour.

Inside, Scarlett and Kato sat side by side on a small, makeshift bed, their bodies exhausted from the long journey. Hope lay curled up between them, fast asleep, her tiny chest rising and falling steadily. The soft sound of her breathing was the only moment of peace in the otherwise chaotic world outside.

Kato let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples. "And just like that, the organization leaders have already made their move." His voice was laced with frustration. "Now every survivor out there will be hunting you down. They’ve turned them all against you. Anyone who sees you will try to capture you just to save their own skin." He shook his head. "I never expected them to take this route."

Scarlett, unfazed, simply smiled. Without a word, her face and body began to shift, bones restructuring, features softening and turning until, within seconds she no longer looked like herself. Instead, Maya’s face stared back at Kato, a perfect imitation of the dead woman.