Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 75: We’re Connected Scarlett.

Chapter 75: We’re Connected Scarlett.

The monsters moved slowly, their guttural growls blending into an unnerving chorus of chaos. Jaden waited, his breathing steady despite the tension crackling in the air around him. He couldn’t afford a single mistake not now, not when everything depended on this moment.

His sharp eyes locked onto a cluster of smaller, more agile monsters that seemed to be scouting ahead of the group. If he could take them out silently, he’d have a chance to carve a path through the horde. His resolve solidified, his heart beating in measured defiance of the fear threatening to claw its way to the surface.

Tightening his grip on the small explosive in his hand, he whispered, "For you, Golden."

Jaden hurled the bomb with precision, watching as it arced through the air, a harbinger of destruction. The explosive landed with a soft thud among the creatures, unnoticed until it was too late.

Boom!

The earth trembled violently as the bomb detonated, the force rippling outward with devastating power. Jaden staggered back a step, his hands flying to his ears in a futile attempt to block out the deafening roar. Even through his tightly clenched fingers, the sound was overwhelming, a terrifying combination that seemed to echo endlessly.

The explosion filled the air with a choking cloud of dust and debris, its acrid scent biting at his senses. Despite the chaos, Jaden’s body suit adjusted seamlessly, filtering out the worst of the particles and keeping his vision sharp. His gaze swept over the aftermath, taking in the shattered remains of the smaller monsters. Their lifeless bodies lay twisted on the ground, dark pools of blood spreading beneath them.

Above the carnage, the other monsters howled in confusion and fury, their cries splitting the air as they frantically searched for the source of the explosion. The sheer force of the blast had thrown them into disarray, their movements disorganized as they clashed with one another in their desperation.

"This is my chance," Jaden muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the din. Without hesitation, he surged forward, his footsteps swift and calculated. The escape opportunity was slim, and he had no intention of wasting it.

_______________

Meanwhile, back at the prison, Scarlett lay on her bed, waiting patiently for the next day to arrive. She anticipated the return of relentless journey of slaying monsters, a task that now defined her existence.

The rhythmic thudding of the other survivors’ heartbeats filled her ears, their steady pulses resonating through the silence. Most of them were fast asleep, blissfully unaware of the distant growls of monsters echoing from the depths of the forest. The c commotion of life and danger was oddly soothing, but it also served as a stark reminder of what she had become.

At exactly midnight, Scarlett’s eyes snapped open, glowing crimson red. An uncontrollable hunger surged within her, clawing at her insides. It wasn’t a hunger for food, at least, not the kind she used to crave. This was a ravenous thirst for raw flesh and blood. Her body betrayed her once more.

"Damn it. Here we go again," Scarlett muttered under her breath, struggling to keep her conscience in check. Her muscles tensed as the familiar transformation began. She clenched her fists, fighting the urge to attack the others. If she gave in, she wouldn’t just be a danger to herself, she would become a monster in every sense of the word.

Her once pearly white teeth elongated into razor-sharp fangs, her short, blunt fingernails morphing into deadly claws. Her skin darkened, turning into a black, scaly armor that shimmered under the dim light. It was as though her body had become a weapon, every inch designed for destruction.

Ding!

Name: Scarlett Jerkins.

Race: Human, Half-Monster (Level 10/500)

Rank: SS

Agility: 100

Strength: 100

Killer Instinct: 60/100

Skills Unlocked:

Invisibility (10/500)

Speed and Agility (10/500)

By now, Scarlett could hear the heartbeats of the other survivors more vividly, each beat resonating as if their hearts were pressed against her ears. Her crimson eyes pierced through the walls of her room, scanning the sleeping humans. She could see their veins and the blood flowing within them, each movement as clear as if it were under a microscope.

"I’m thirsty," she whispered, her voice trembling with need. She rose from the bed, her movements deliberate yet hesitant, and approached the door. Her hand hovered over the handle, fingers trembling as she fought against her instincts.

"I’m really thirsty," she murmured again, her throat burning as though set ablaze.

Her body felt like it was being consumed by an inferno. A voice soon appeared in her head, mocking her internal struggle.

What’s wrong now? You’d rather suffer endlessly than take a little blood to satisfy yourself?

The voice belonged to Kato, a half human and half monster like her, bound to her through a cursed mind link.

"Just leave me alone, Kato," Scarlett snapped, her voice sharp as she clenched her fists. She tried to force her mind elsewhere, but the hunger was too overwhelming.

How can I? I can feel your pain, your hunger. We’re connected, Scarlett. That’s the price of sharing this bond, Kato replied with a dark laugh. His voice was thick with amusement, but there was a faint echo of mockery beneath it.

The sound of flesh tearing suddenly echoed in her mind.

"What are you doing?" Scarlett demanded, her eyes narrowing. The horror noise was unmistakable.

What do you think? I’m eating. Even I can’t ignore hunger forever. Why don’t you join me? I’ve left the intestines and kidneys untouched, you might like them, Kato taunted, his voice dripping with malice.

"How dare you!" Scarlett roared, anger flaring in her tone. The intense thirst and hunger that had consumed her moments before were replaced by a seething rage. Her body trembled, not with weakness, but with the sheer force of her fury.

In an instant, Scarlett thought of him, of where he might be and, as if responding to her will, her body vanished from her cell. In the blink of an eye, she was there, standing before Kato.