Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 26: We’ll Meet Again Soon.

Chapter 26: We’ll Meet Again Soon.

Scarlett’s firm tone caught Garvin off guard. "What do you mean? Of course, I’m going with you," he protested, voice tinged with frustration.

Scarlett’s expression remained resolute as she met his gaze. "No, you’re not. I’m enough to save Rose with my powers, but the rest of you can easily get hurt, get bitten, and end up turning into monsters yourselves. Is that what you want?"

Garvin opened his mouth to respond, but Scarlett cut him off, barely glancing at his crestfallen expression. "I’m saving Rose alone, and we’re leaving this mall, end of discussion."

"Leaving the mall?" Mary’s voice quivered as she asked, her fearful gaze fixed on Scarlett. "But why? I thought we were safe here..."

Scarlett shook her head, her tone somber. "Despite the Axe Squad capturing several monsters, there are still plenty lurking around this place. We’re in constant danger, and if we’re detected, it could be game over for all of us."

Mr. Anderson, who had been silent until now, sighed heavily and shook his head. "Where has been safe since the beginning of this monster apocalypse? Nowhere. Everywhere is overrun. Leaving this mall could be just as dangerous as staying."

Mrs. Anderson chimed in, her brow furrowed with worry. "Even if we do leave... where would we go? Monsters are outside the mall too. Leaving this room is already risking our lives, let alone going out there."

Scarlett met each of their worried expressions before taking a deep breath. "I plan on setting this building ablaze," she revealed, prompting shocked gasps from the group. "There are other places the monsters haven’t completely overrun. We have options."

As she spoke, a shimmering map materialized before her, displaying various locations marked with green and red arrows. Some areas had both colors, indicating that while they were somewhat safe, they weren’t free of danger. The mall itself bore a red arrow, signaling it was no longer a place to linger.

"I can lead everyone safely away from the mall using my map," Scarlett explained, although the others couldn’t see the map. "The map lets me know where the safer areas are."

Garvin’s expression shifted as he listened, his eyebrows drawing together in thought. "And you think... one of those places with green arrows might be a safe haven? Somewhere we could settle?"

Scarlett’s gaze grew distant for a moment. ’Possibly. There might even be a place to build a new city, somewhere for survivors. I can’t just sit here without exploring and finding out more. There’s so much I have to do... and I still need to find the other Chosen.’

"Setting the mall on fire... you’re trying to take out all the monsters at once?" Louise asked, attempting to confirm what was racing through his mind.

Ding!

{Attempting to kill all monsters. Warning: If you fail, that monster will find you wherever you are and pursue you relentlessly until it kills you.}

{A minor injury is acceptable, as it’s viewed as mutual survival. But if you attempt to take its life and fail... the monster will hunt you for eternity. Even if you become the Queen of the Apocalypse, this one monster will be immune to your power. It will hide among you, in human form, waiting to strike.}

Scarlett sighed heavily, her resolve undeterred. Well, it’s a risk I’ll have to take. If they want to come for me, I’ll be ready to reward them with death.

"Scarlett?" Garvin’s voice broke through her thoughts, concern evident in his tone. He had apparently been trying to get her attention. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing," she replied quickly. Gathering herself, Scarlett addressed the group again. "The plan is to save Rose first. Once I’ve secured her, I’ll signal you by sending a firecracker into the sky. I’ll also leave tiny fire stones along the path to mark areas I’ve cleared, so you’ll know where it’s safe to go."

The group listened intently, their attention fully absorbed by her words.

"Rose and I will have to fight our way through the monsters, and more may follow us outside the mall. That doesn’t mean there won’t be others lurking inside, so keep your guns ready. And wear the protective leather gear I’ll provided. It won’t stop a monster’s bite completely, but it’ll give you some extra protection." Scarlett’s eyes swept over the survivors as they listened, some nodding, others pale with apprehension.

Louise crossed his arms, his brows furrowing. "This still sounds risky. Even with the fire stones, there’s no guarantee we won’t run into a monster. They’re unpredictable. One could pop up in an area you just marked safe."

Garvin looked at Scarlett, worry etched in his gaze. "And even if we escape from the ones inside, what about the ones outside?we’ll be surrounded by even more monsters. How will we escape? We can’t outrun them on foot; they’re faster than us."

Scarlett smiled faintly. "Killing monsters grants me coins, which I can use to buy items. I’ll be able to purchase a war van to help us escape. And once everyone’s safely out, I’ll set the mall on fire to keep the monsters from following us."

Her eyes turned a crimson red, and the mall map appeared before her again. "There are three other survivors in this mall. Rose and I will rescue them. According to the map, there are about fifty monsters left here."

"Fifty?!" Louise’s eyes widened, his body tensing. "That’s insane. Fifty monsters, all different strengths and types. We’re putting our lives on the line for one person! We could just wait until nightfall when they’re not as active and sneak out ourselves."

Scarlett’s face hardened, and her voice grew stern. "We don’t have time for that. Rose doesn’t have much time left. We go now."

The map dissolved, and Scarlett’s attention was drawn to Hope’s piercing cries. Rushing over, she scooped the baby into her arms, cradling her gently.

"The child senses that you’re about to put yourself in danger," Mrs. Anderson said, sadness filling her eyes as she looked at Scarlett and Hope. "Poor thing..."

Scarlett shook her head, offering a reassuring smile. "It’s not that. Babies just don’t like lying alone for too long. When you hold them, they feel safe." She gently patted Hope’s back, calming her cries, before handing her over to Garvin.

With a wave of her hand, Scarlett summoned a baby formula kit, complete with feeding bottles, diapers, fresh clothes, and an oxygen mask to muffle Hope’s cries. She then produced protective leather gear and an assortment of weapons, choosing the reliable AK-47 for its ease of use and damage potential.

"Alright," she said, her voice steady as she looked at Garvin, who still wore a saddened expression. "Take care of Hope. We’ll meet again soon."

Garvin nodded, his gaze locking onto hers with intensity. "Be careful, Scarlett. We’ll be waiting for you."

Scarlett’s lips curved into a small smile. "I will. Take care of her for me."

With a final glance at the group, Scarlett turned and disappeared into the dim, eerie corridors of the mall, leaving the others to prepare for their escape.