Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 55: Rebirth Of The Queen.

Chapter 55: Rebirth Of The Queen.

{Unlike others who lose their memories upon rebirth, you retain yours because you are unique, the only female chosen among them.}

Scarlett’s brows furrowed as she stared into the stormy sky. Rain pelted her head and soaked her clothing, but she paid it no mind. Her expression was a mix of confusion and frustration.

"I don’t understand," she muttered, her voice tinged with anger. "What the hell are you talking about? Why was I buried again? Where are the other survivors?" Her tone was sharp, demanding answers from the unseen voice.

{Soon, the memories of your monster form will surface. When they do, you will recall everything you did to Garvin and Ethan.}

The words seemed to unlock something within Scarlett. Flashes of horror scenes and violent acts stormed her mind. She gasped, tears spilling from her eyes as her knees buckled, her hands clutching her temples.

"No," she whispered, trembling as she sat back on her heels. Her voice cracked under the weight of realization. "What... I did all that?" She shook her head in disbelief, tears blurring her vision. "Is Garvin alive? He was so badly injured. And Ethan, what about him?"

{If Garvin were dead, you wouldn’t even be conscious right now, host. He survives, though injured. Ethan is also alive. They’ve both made their way to Larry’s temporary safe haven.}

Scarlett exhaled in relief, a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. The tension in her body eased, but only slightly. As she looked around, she noticed other monsters passing her. They didn’t snarl or attack; instead, they veered away from her, moving as if repelled by her very presence.

"What’s happening? Why aren’t they attacking me?" Scarlett asked, her voice filled with confusion and curiosity.

{You are an SS-ranked chosen now, host. Monsters and chosen alike are ranked as S , but you have ascended beyond them. Your SS rank makes you untouchable unless you choose to attack them first. Some can be become SS ranked though, that is if they’re now monster and human but can never be SSS ranked even if they obtain their third system}

Scarlett narrowed her eyes. "I thought I was immune to a monster’s toxins. How is it that I was bitten so badly? I can still feel the pain in my intestines being ripped apart."

{That was necessary. The monstrous attack was the catalyst needed to awaken your dominant form. Every chosen must die three times to fully unlock their potential. Most do not remember their deaths or the power they gain. You, however, are unique, you retain those memories.}

The system metallic voice paused as if to allow Scarlett time to absorb the information before continuing.

{Your second death has earned you rewards: the invisibility skill, the strength skill, and the prestige of SS rank. You are now the queen of monsters and the leader of the chosen. It is up to you to decide whether to control the monsters or work alongside the chosen to destroy them. Know this, you are stronger than any of them. However, if you form a bond with another chosen intimately or otherwise, you can share your rank with them, raising them to SS or even SSS rank.}

Scarlett clenched her fists, her anger simmering beneath the surface. "So I’ll have to die again to have a third system, right?"

{Yes, but with the third system just like the first and second comes a perilous risk. An incident will occur, leaving you vulnerable to death. In that brief window, both monsters and chosen members could kill you so that you’ll be able to attain the SSS ranked skill that comes with the third system.}

Scarlett’s mind raced. She shook her head, refusing to be caught in the system’s manipulation. "I don’t care about ranks or systems. Tell me how to find Garvin and the others. That’s all I need."

{To locate them, focus your mind on them. Your SS-ranked skill allows you to sense the energy signatures of any chosen within a certain radius.}

Scarlett closed her eyes, her breathing steady as she concentrated. After a few moments, she felt a faint pull, a whisper of energy calling to her. She opened her eyes, her determination shining through the storm.

"I’ve found them," she said, her voice steady. "They’re at Larry’s temporary safe haven, a few miles from here."

{Correct. The safe haven is a school building. The closer you get, the clearer your senses will become. But remember, host, your presence draws monsters. If you join the survivors, their lives may be at risk.}

Scarlett froze, the revelation hitting her like a punch to the gut. "What did you just say?" she hissed, her voice low and dangerous.

{Monsters are drawn to you because you are their queen. While you can control them, your proximity puts others in danger. Even if you kill them, more will come. Those you fail to eliminate will eventually regroup and pursue you again.}

Scarlett’s hands trembled as her nails extended into sharp claws. Her voice was raw with rage as she shouted, "Screw you, system! Why am I the only female chosen? Why am I supposed to save the world when my very existence endangers everyone else?"

{That is how the world has been programmed, host. Saving humanity was never meant to be easy. Your path is riddled with challenges, but you are the key to humanity’s survival.}

Scarlett screamed in frustration, burying her clawed hands in her hair. Her anger felt like fire in her veins, burning away her sense of purpose.

____________

Meanwhile, Larry and the remaining survivors trudged quietly through the rain, their steps cautious as they navigated a derelict train station. The low growls of nearby monsters sent waves of fear through the group, but they pressed on, their resolve unwavering.

When they finally reached the school building, Larry pushed the door open, revealing a crowded room filled with unfamiliar faces, men and women of all backgrounds who turned toward them in unison. Relief flooded the room as people rushed to embrace Larry and Maya, welcoming them home.

Ethan wasted no time laying Garvin gently on the floor. His face was tight with guilt as he glanced at the others. Regret gnawed at him, the weight of his actions threatening to crush him.

Louise, standing nearby, crossed his arms and shot Larry a suspicious glare. "I hope this place isn’t like Ethan’s last so-called safe haven. People died while we were out on a hunt."

Larry’s expression darkened, and he met Louise’s gaze head-on. "I promise, this place is different. We’ve taken every precaution to make sure everyone is safe."

Maya chimed in, her voice firm. "We’ve set traps and guards around the perimeter. This place is secure."

Louise grunted but said nothing more, his skepticism clear.

As the survivors settled in, Ethan couldn’t shake his unease. He knelt beside Garvin, who stirred and slowly opened his eyes.

"Garvin," Ethan began hesitantly, his voice thick with emotion, "I... I need to say..."

"Don’t," Garvin interrupted, his voice weak but resolute. He locked eyes with Ethan. "I know what happened. I remember everything."

Ethan’s eyes widened. "You... you remember?"

Garvin nodded. "Yes, and I forgive you. You did what you had to do."

Despite the words of forgiveness, there was a hard edge to Garvin’s tone, and the look in his eyes hinted at something darker brewing beneath the surface.