Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 27: You Can Repay Me By Staying Alive.

Chapter 27: You Can Repay Me By Staying Alive.

With a final glance at the group, Scarlett turned and disappeared into the mall’s shadowed depths, leaving the others to prepare for their escape.

As she navigated the dim, deserted corridors, Scarlett’s senses sharpened, her attention fully attuned to any hint of danger. The system’s warning echoed in her mind, urging her to stay vigilant. Moving stealthily through the twisting hallways, the map glowing in her vision guided her every step.

Ding!

{Host, monster detected nearby. Proceed with caution.}

Without hesitation, Scarlett called forth fire from her hands, but this time it wasn’t the usual flame she’d conjured before. Instead, blazing fireballs formed, swirling with intense heat. She barely paused to wonder whether this new strength was due to a recent level-up or a latent power she’d never discovered. Rounding a corner, she found herself face-to-face with a snarling creature that lunged toward her.

With practiced precision, Scarlett hurled a fireball, the fiery mass hitting the monster head-on and sending it staggering backward. Seizing the moment, Scarlett summoned her fire element again, flames blazing around her as she struck with unrelenting force, severing the monster’s head from its body. The stench of burnt flesh filled the air, the monster’s head smoldering as it hit the ground.

Ding!

{+69 experience points}

{+500 gold coins, +200 silver coins}

Scarlett continued onward, her steps unwavering. The system’s alerts grew more frequent, each warning sharpening her focus.

Ding!

{Host, multiple monsters detected. Approach with heightened caution.}

Scarlett’s gaze narrowed, sensing the dark energy of approaching creatures. Moments later, a pack of serpentine beasts burst from the shadows, each one a horror hybrid of human and snake. Their heads were crowned with three writhing snake heads, while their bodies slithered like serpents, supported by human-like legs that allowed them to move with eerie agility.

Scarlett leapt into the air, narrowly dodging the razor-sharp claws they swiped at her. Her fire element blazed as she fought with near inhuman speed, her strikes precise and unrelenting. Monsters fell one by one, their bodies collapsing to the ground with dull, sickening thuds, but for every creature she felled, more emerged from the darkness. Scarlett’s power surged, her strength and agility intensifying with each move.

Ding!

{+100 experience.}

{+2000 gold coins}

{New skill unlocked and advanced: Swift Movement}

{+5000 gold coins}

With her newly heightened speed, Scarlett carved a path through the horde, her fire element slicing through flesh and bone. Finally, she reached the food court, where Rose lay hidden under a table, trembling with fear and barely clinging to consciousness. Her body was covered in blood, and her face was pale with terror.

As Scarlett entered, the monsters’ attention snapped to her. Seeing Scarlett, Rose exhaled a heavy sigh of relief, tears of gratitude spilling over as she managed a weak smile.

Scarlett wasted no time, striking down the last of the creatures, her fire slicing through them like a blade. Each monster fell to the ground in pieces, and the food court grew still.

Ding!

{+100 experience}

{+2000 gold coins}

{+5000 gold coins}

Scarlett knelt beside Rose, who was sobbing. "I... I’m so sorry I left," Rose choked out between tears. "I never should’ve taken the pendant. I can’t believe you came back for me... after how selfish I was."

Scarlett took Rose’s hand, her tone gentle but firm. "It’s alright. We’ll talk later. Right now, we need to get you out of here before more monsters show up."

She began to help Rose to her feet, but Rose grimaced in pain, unable to put weight on her leg. Scarlett glanced down and saw the deep, festering wound on Rose’s calf.

"You’re injured." Without hesitation, Scarlett tore the fabric of Rose’s pant leg, revealing an ugly wound that had already begun to darken with infection.

Rose took a shallow breath, her face twisted in pain. "It’s from one of those snake-like monsters... its tongue... I think it was venomous." Her voice broke, laced with fear.

Scarlett’s heart clenched. She’s bitten... she might turn into a monster.

"I... I think I’m already changing." Rose’s voice shook, her gaze pleading. "Thank you for coming back for me, but I don’t want you to see me like that. Just... go, Scarlett. Leave me."

Reaching into her pocket, Rose pulled out the pendant, her hand trembling. "You were right. It wouldn’t work for me because it didn’t recognize me as its master. I was so foolish, so selfish. Please... take it back." She pressed the pendant into Scarlett’s hand, her tearful eyes full of regret. "Go... before more of them come. They’ll sense the others are dead and come looking."

Scarlett held her gaze, determined. "I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to save you."

Ding!

{The venom hasn’t yet reached her heart. She is still saveable.}

{Host can combine two elements to neutralize the venom and prevent transformation.}

{Water + Earth Element: Enhanced Purification: Earth’s stability can amplify Water’s cleansing effect. Toxic Extraction: Earth can draw out the venom, while Water flushes it from the system.}

{Water + Fire Element: Cauterization: Fire can burn away infected tissue, while Water soothes the wound. Accelerated Purification: Fire’s energy accelerates Water’s purification.}

Scarlett quickly chose the water and earth combination. Water emerged from her right hand, while earth materialized in her left, each element glowing with a potent, steady energy. As the two combined, a soothing, golden light enveloped Rose’s leg, the earth element drawing out the venom and the water cleansing it away.

Ding!

{Venom extraction successful. Purification process initiated.}

Rose’s body began to relax as the pain in her leg eased. Her breathing slowed, and the tension in her face softened.

"Thank you, Scarlett," Rose whispered, tears of relief sliding down her cheeks. "I can’t believe you’d do all this... after everything."

Scarlett gave her a small, reassuring smile. "We’re not out of this yet. Come on, we need to keep moving."

With Rose’s injury stabilized, Scarlett helped her to her feet. Though still weak, Rose leaned on Scarlett, determined to keep going.

Ding!

{Host, multiple monsters closing in. Proceed with heightened caution.}

Scarlett’s gaze darted around the food court, her senses on high alert. The map materialized in her vision, displaying clusters of approaching red arrows, the monsters were closing in.

"We need to go. Now," Scarlett whispered, supporting Rose as they moved toward the nearest exit. "They’ll be here any second."

As they navigated through the winding corridors, Scarlett’s combined water and earth elements continued purging the last traces of venom from Rose’s system.

Ding!

{Purification process complete. Rose’s transformation reversed.}

Rose looked up at Scarlett, her eyes full of gratitude. "You saved me, Scarlett. I... I owe you my life."

Scarlett gave her a brief, firm nod, her voice steady. "You can repay me by staying alive. Let’s keep moving."