Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 70: Why Don’t We Kill The Survivors Now?

Chapter 70: Why Don’t We Kill The Survivors Now?

Scarlett walked back to her room, exhaustion mingling with a sense of accomplishment. Despite the uncertainty of the road ahead, she felt proud of what they had achieved, a temporary sanctuary in a chaotic world. As she lay down, her thoughts drifted to Hope and Jaden.

’Will I ever be able to save you guys? Will I ever be able to find a true safe haven?’

Those questions followed her into uneasy dreams.

__________

The next morning, the group gathered in the central chamber. This time, the mood was somber. They were there to say goodbye.

As they waited for the survivors to arrive, the distant growls of monsters echoed in the air. The sound sent shivers down their spines. Scarlett’s chest tightened with guilt, she knew the monsters were drawn to her presence.

Larry stepped forward to address the survivors, who had gathered with curious and worried expressions. "Alright, everyone, we’ve brought you here because we have an important announcement to make," he began, his voice steady but firm. "This place is now safe. There’s food, weapons, and shelter, all the essentials you’ll need to survive."

"What’s with the long-winded speech?" Louise interrupted, rolling his eyes before stepping forward. He turned to the group, his tone brisk and matter-of-fact. "We’re leaving today. The five of us."

Gasps and murmurs of disbelief rippled through the survivors. Fear and confusion painted their faces.

"You don’t have to be surprised," Larry said, raising his hands to calm the rising tide of voices. "We never intended to stay here permanently. We only helped set this place up so you could have a chance to survive."

An elderly man stepped forward, his weathered face lined with concern. "If you leave us here, it’s as good as sentencing us to death. Weapons and food aren’t enough to protect us from the monsters. Without your powers, how can we survive?"

Louise’s face darkened with irritation. "Old man, you’re always the first to complain!" he snapped, her angry gaze fixed on him. "Can you just take a break."

Another voice rose from the back of the crowd. "We’ll come with you! We don’t mind facing danger as long as we’re protected by the invisibility spell. Please, don’t leave us behind!"

Scarlett stepped forward, her voice cutting through the noise. "We’re going to kill monsters. The road ahead will be dangerous. Following us is like following death itself." Her gaze softened as she looked at the frightened faces before her. "If we succeed, we’ll come back for you. We promise. The food here is enough to last you for five years in this world time."

Maya nodded in agreement. "Yes. Once we find a permanent safe haven, we’ll return. For now, stay here. This place is secure."

"We don’t trust you. We’re coming with you weather you like it or not. We’re not allowing you to leave us here to die." The old man yelled with seriousness laced in his tone while the other survivors nodded in agreement.

A man who had been silent until now stepped forward, his bald head gleaming under the dim light. Tattoos snaked across his face and down his arms. His voice was low and cold. "Humans will always be humans," he said, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "Do you really think they’ll let their source of food and safety slip away? They’ll do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means clinging to you like leeches." He said, his gaze fixed on Scarlett and her group.

Maya frowned, narrowing her eyes. "Who are you? Have we seen you before?"

"Of course not," Larry replied, his voice wary as he studied the man. "I know the faces of all survivors who were at the school before and I’ve never seen this man. Who are you?"

The man smirked, his gaze landing on Scarlett. "I remember when they wanted to throw you out for being a half-monster, and yet here you are, saving them. How noble... and foolish."

As he spoke, his tongue flicked out, splitting into a serpent-like appendage which was only visible to Scarlett. Scarlett stiffened, her powers instinctively flaring to life as she sensed his aura. The energy emanating from him was unmistakable, a unique signature that marked him as a chosen one, just like her. But beneath that, she could sense something darker. He was a monster too. A predator in human skin.

"Who are you?" Scarlett asked, her voice steady despite the unease crawling up her spine.

The man smiled, his thin lips stretching unnaturally wide. His snake-like tongue flickered in and out of his mouth, tasting the air. "My name is Kato," he said smoothly, his voice carrying an eerie calmness. "And I’m an SS-ranked monster, just like you. Finally, someone who understands what it feels like to be both chosen and cursed."

Scarlett stiffened at his words. Her unease deepened as Kato’s smirk grew sharper, his gaze sweeping over the group of survivors huddled behind her.

"Why don’t we kill these survivors now?" Kato suggested, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather. "They’ve been fed, so they’re ripe. A little effort, and they can be our meal. I’m starving, and there’s nothing quite like fresh human meat, intestines, and blood." His tongue darted out again, glistening with hunger.

Scarlett’s breath hitched, and her eyes widened further in shock and horror. Did his monstrous side define him completely?

"What’s going on? What’s he saying?" Garvin’s voice jolted Scarlett back to reality. His gaze, along with those of the other survivors, was fixed on her with growing concern.

What is happening to me? Scarlett questioned inwardly, her mind reeling. She had thought her conversation with Kato was out loud, but now it seemed no one else could hear him. It was as if she were in a trance.

Ding!

{You and Kato are both human and monster. You can communicate with each other through a special mental link. This link allows you to converse silently without others being aware.}