Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 33: Ethan Blaze.

Chapter 33: Ethan Blaze.

Scarlett screamed in horror, bending down as she covered her face. Her hands trembled, and her breaths came out in panicked gasps.

Garvin rushed toward her, kneeling at her side. "Scarlett! What’s wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "You’ve been staring into space for a while now. Why did you freak out? Are we in danger again?"

Mrs. Anderson, her eyes filled with worry, held the sleeping Hope tightly against her chest. "Is it another wave of monsters?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Everyone instinctively gripped their weapons tighter, muscles tensing as they braced for the worst. Scarlett was known for her abilities, so if even she was this terrified, they all knew they might be on the brink of something deadly.

Just then, a chime echoed in Scarlett’s mind, followed by a mechanical, female voice.

Ding!

{Hello, host. I am Echo System 002.}

Scarlett lifted her gaze, her tear-filled eyes fixed on the faint holographic screen that materialized before her.

Loading host information...

Name: Scarlett Jerkins

Level: 10

Spirit: 50

Physical: 20

Agility: 50

Defense: 50

Health: 80

Intelligence: 50

SKILLS:

Affinity: Water, Fire, and Earth

Title: Human, Monster

Overall Rank: S

The mechanical voice continued, almost sympathetic.

{Every host is granted three system opportunities. These systems can choose to sacrifice themselves to save the host but will be punished for breaking protocol if they do so. If all three systems perish in protecting the host, the host must rely solely on their own skills.}

The voice paused, as if allowing Scarlett to process this, then continued with a hint of regret.

{Echo 001 chose to save you during a life-threatening event, sacrificing itself in the process. As a result, you have been assigned Echo System 002. All previous coins and resources have been lost along with Echo 001. You will need to accumulate coins again by defeating monsters to acquire items and upgrades.}

Scarlett’s hands fell to her sides, her eyes widening in shock as she read the notification. "What? Even my rewards are gone?" Her voice trembled, but no more words came. She felt a deep pang of guilt concerning the dissaperance of Echo 001, she knew this was her fault. She hadn’t checked her map before approaching the shore. She only used it when danger was already surrounding them.

Garvin placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Scarlett, please... Tell us what’s going on." His eyes searched her face, worry evident in every crease.

The others stood on edge, hearts racing with anticipation as they waited for her to speak, fearing whatever unknown threat had left her so shaken.

Hope stirred in Mrs. Anderson’s arms, her soft cries filling the air, muffled by the loss of her oxygen mask, which had been swept away in the river earlier. Scarlett took a steadying breath, then rose to her feet and approached Mrs. Anderson, reaching for Hope. As soon as Hope was in her arms, her cries subsided.

Scarlett turned toward the nearby church entrance with a newfound resolve in her eyes. "Let’s go inside," she said, her voice steady and determined. She led the way, unlocking the door and stepping in. The others followed close behind, weapons ready, exchanging anxious glances.

To their surprise, the door led not to the church sanctuary as they expected but to a long hallway with doors lining either side.

"Isn’t ’church’ written at the entrance?" Rose whispered, glancing around in confusion. "How come it looks like an entirely different place inside?"

"Are we in danger again, miss?" The seven years old boy asked, as he hugged his elder sister.

Garven then bent down to the big height and patted his head. "We’ll protect you, okay?" He uttered while the boy nodded in agreement.

Rose turned to Scarlett, her voice shaky. "Scarlett, please... are we in danger?"

Scarlett’s eyes flashed crimson, and the layout of the building appeared before her, a map outlined in green, indicating no immediate threats. She took a steadying breath, holding Hope closer, and nodded toward the end of the hallway. "Follow me."

The others obeyed, trusting her instincts as they moved cautiously down the corridor until they reached an iron gate. Scarlett paused, hearing muffled laughter and conversation on the other side. She knocked firmly, but no response came.

"Even your silence is scaring me, Scarlett," Rose said, fear evident in her voice. "What’s with the knocking? Who’s in there?"

Just then, the gate creaked and rolled open, revealing a tall, athletic man dressed in a white polo and shorts. His dyed blue hair contrasted sharply with his ocean-blue eyes, which sparkled as he took in Scarlett’s presence.

As their eyes met, an unspoken recognition passed between them. Both their gazes glowed red, intense and knowing. A joyful smile spread across the man’s face, his dimples deepening.

"You... it’s really you..." he stammered, his smile widening as he held out a hand to Scarlett without hesitation. Then, as if unable to contain himself, he gently took her hand and led her forward, leaving the others in stunned silence. Garvin’s jaw tightened, an edge of annoyance in his eyes as he watched them.

Scarlett and her group entered the room beyond the gate, finding themselves in a vast, serene church. The high ceiling stretched toward the heavens, adorned with intricate wooden carvings. Stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes bathed the room in a soft, multicolored glow. The faint scent of incense lingered in the air, mingling with the rich aroma of polished wood.

Rows of pews lined the center of the room, facing a grand altar illuminated by a magnificent rose window above. The walls were painted in a soothing cream color, adorned with frescoes of angels and saints, creating an atmosphere of both peace and reverence.

A few survivors seated in the pews turned their heads toward the new arrivals, eyes widening with curiosity and anticipation.

The blue-haired man guided Scarlett to the front, near the altar, while her friends hung back, just a few feet away, watching warily. Garvin’s gaze never left Scarlett, as if ready to act at the slightest sign of trouble.

The man looked at her with a spark of curiosity and recognition. "You... you have powers, don’t you?" he asked, his voice a mixture of awe and excitement. "Elemental powers... and a system, right?"

Scarlett remained silent.

His smile deepened. "The system said we would know each other, that we’d sense it when we met a fellow ’chosen.’ The fact that I could feel your presence the moment you entered the building proves it. And the fact that I’m able to tell you about the system and elemental powers means... you’re one of us."

He extended a hand in greeting. "I’m Ethan Blaze," he introduced himself warmly, dimples deepening as his smile broadened.