Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 153: I Have A Favour To Ask.

Chapter 153: I Have A Favour To Ask.

The second he was gone, the smile vanished from Scarlett’s face.

Ding!

A message appeared on the holographic screen before her.

{What’s your plan, Host? Do you really want to wait for the leader of the organization to reveal himself, or will you uncover the truth on your own right now? Even though you’re not physically present at a particular location, you can still see what has happened there using your Echoes of the Issue skill so long as you’ve passed by that spot at least once. You don’t have to be there twice before activating the skill.}

Scarlett’s gaze sharpened as she absorbed the system’s words.

{Just as you mentioned earlier, the hallway, the entrance you and Kato passed through into the organization is the only entrance. That means it’s the best place to observe the most activity. People constantly pass through it, coming and going. If you want answers, that location will provide them.}

Scarlett clenched her fists at her sides as her thoughts raced. There’s no doubt about it, Kato is the leader of this organization.

She exhaled slowly, turning her focus back to the holographic screen. "Now that you mention the leader of this organization again, my instincts are screaming Kato’s name."

The system responded instantly.

{Do you want to confirm it, though?}

Scarlett let out a bitter chuckle, shaking her head. "What’s the point? I already know it’s the truth... even though I wish it wasn’t." Her voice grew quieter, tinged with something between regret and resignation.

I can’t dictate the path a grown man chooses for himself. He made his own decisions... but why did it have to be this?

Letting out a heavy sigh, Scarlett straightened her posture. Without wasting another moment, she activated her Echo of the past skill.

A rush of energy pulsed through her, and in an instant, the past unfolded before her eyes. The scene played out with vivid clarity, showing her exactly what she needed to see, Kato’s true identity within the organization.

There he was. Standing at the helm. Giving orders. Holding power.

He was the leader, after all.

Scarlett’s breath hitched for a split second before she steadied herself. The confirmation landed like a weight in her chest, heavy but expected.

Ding!

The system’s voice returned, almost as if it could sense the turmoil brewing inside her.

{So, what’s next, Host? I know I haven’t been much help lately, which is why I want to do everything I can for you now. I don’t want you to keep handling everything alone. If we make a mistake, then I’ll take the blame for it.}

Scarlett’s expression hardened as she stared at the screen. The pieces of the puzzle were finally falling into place. Now, all that remained was deciding her next move.

A smile soon creep unto her face, as she clearly surprised by the system’s words of apology. But then, the system didn’t have emotions so she shouldn’t feel too emotional about them either. Still, she appreciated this unexpected moment of concern.

"Thanks, System," Scarlett finally uttered under her breath.

Then, in answer to its question, she added, I’m going to continue pretending. Pretending that I don’t know Kato is the leader until he tells me himself which I’m sure he’ll do any moment from now. After that, I’ll keep pretending to accept all his wishes. I have to gain his trust if I want to find out where Garvin is.

She spoke the words in her mind rather than aloud as she knew if Kato was close by, he could hear even the slightest sound just as she could.

{I support you, Host. But then... what’s the main plan right now?}

Scarlett smirked, her eyes glinting with determination. Just wait and see, she replied internally.

Before the system could respond, a soft chime echoed through the room, drawing Scarlett’s gaze toward the door.

A moment later, it slid open, revealing Georgia standing there.

"Please, come with me," Georgia said, offering a warm smile. "You’re about to see the boss now."

Scarlett maintained a neutral expression as she studied Georgia’s demeanor. There was no hint of suspicion, but she couldn’t afford to be careless. She needed to play her role flawlessly.

Feigning mild curiosity, she asked, "Where’s Kato?"

If she had simply followed Georgia without question, it might have raised suspicions. She had to act as though she were still unaware of the truth.

"Oh," Georgia replied casually, "he’s with the boss right now. He told me to bring you over."

Scarlett nodded in response, as though satisfied with the answer. Turning toward the bed, she carefully lifted Hope into her arms, securing the child against her chest before following Georgia out of the room.

The journey through the long corridors was filled with silence, thick and tense. Georgia walked ahead, her posture straight, while Scarlett followed closely behind, her mind racing with calculations and strategies.

After what felt like an eternity, they arrived before a massive iron door. Georgia pulled out a keycard, swiped it through the scanner, and stepped inside. Scarlett followed without hesitation.

The moment she crossed the threshold, Scarlett took in her surroundings.

The room was large, dimly lit, and decorated with golden furnitures. At the center stood a grand circular table, surrounded by high-backed chairs. It was a space designed for power plays and control.

And at the head of the table sat Kato.

His dark eyes locked onto her the moment she stepped in. His posture was composed, unreadable, but there was an undeniable intensity in his gaze.

Armed men stood in disciplined silence, their fingers resting near the triggers of their weapons.

"Welcome here Scarlett," Kato finally said smoothly, his voice as soft as silk. "I see you’re right on time. Please, come and have a sit."

Scarlett’s expression remained impassive as she stepped further inside, adjusting Hope in her arms. She made her way to the table and carefully took a seat.

Then, leaning in slightly, she whispered, "Where’s the boss?"

A smirk pulled at Kato’s lips.

Scarlett’s pulse quickened for a split second, though her expression didn’t betray it. She knew what was coming. She had to be prepared. She had to play her role to perfection.

"The boss," Kato said, his voice laced with amusement, "is right here in this room."

Scarlett widened her eyes, feigning ignorance. "What?" she asked, disbelief thick in her tone. "What are you saying? Where’s he?" she asked as her eyes scanned around.

Kato’s smirk deepened as he leaned back in his chair. "I’m serious. I am the boss of this organization, the one who has Garvin and Jaden in his possession."

Slowly, he rose from his chair, pacing back and forth. His every movement exuded confidence, control.

"How could you not tell?" he mused, his voice almost teasing. "I really don’t want to believe you’re that dumb that you couldn’t figure it out after all this time."

Scarlett’s fingers tightened around the arms of her chair. Then, in a flash, she shot up from her seat, handing Hope over to Georgia.

And without warning...

SLAP!

The sharp sound echoed through the room as her palm connected forcefully with Kato’s cheek.

She had wanted to do that for a long time. And now that she had, it wasn’t nearly enough. There was so much more punishment waiting for him.

Georgia and Scorpion remained still, their expressions unreadable. There was no doubt Kato had already told them who she was. They knew she was under a disguise.

"How could you?" Scarlett seethed, her entire body trembling with fury. "I thought you changed! That’s why I never doubted you!"

Kato tilted his head slightly, his cheek still stinging from the impact. He chuckled low, mocking.

"I’d advise you to relax," he said, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "Your actions from this moment on will determine whether Garvin and Jaden stay alive... or die."

Scarlett’s heart clenched, but she refused to falter.

"What?" she hissed, her gaze locked onto him like a predator. "What the hell do you want from me?"

Kato’s smirk returned, but this time, there was something more unsettling about it.

"You already know," he replied. "All organization leaders want the same thing from you. They want to have you to gain your powers. But I also know that your abilities can’t be taken by force. You have to give them willingly."

Scarlett’s stomach twisted, though her expression remained guarded.

"So what do you say?" Kato continued, stepping closer. "Will you offer yourself to me?"

Silence stretched between them.

Then, Scarlett let out a shaky breath. Her lips parted as tears welled up in her eyes, rolling down her cheeks in shimmering trails.

It was all an act.

But a necessary one.

"Are you saying if I offer myself to you," she whispered brokenly, "then you’ll let Garvin and Jaden go?"

The moment her tears fell, a deep, guttural growl rumbled in the distance. The monsters.

Scarlett hurriedly wiped at her face, but the tears kept coming.

Kato chuckled darkly. "It’s fine," he murmured. "Cry all you want. The monsters are far from here."

Then, much to her disgust, he reached out and cupped her face between his hands. His thumbs brushed over her damp cheeks.

"Of course, I’ll let your friends go," he assured her. "You’re the one I need."

Scarlett forced herself to meet his gaze, swallowing the bile rising in her throat.

"Then I agree," she murmured. "But before that... I have a favour to ask. And I’ll only give my powers willingly if you fulfill it."

Kato’s smirk faltered for a split second before he let out a low chuckle.

"A favour?" he mused, tilting his head.

Scarlett didn’t respond, she simply held his gaze, her tear-streaked face filled with something unreadable.

Kato exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair before scoffing.

"Alright," he said at last, crossing his arms. "What favour?"