Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 79: Can I Collect The Other’s Resources Into My System?

Chapter 79: Can I Collect The Other’s Resources Into My System?

Meanwhile, back in the forest, Jaden managed to slip free from among the monsters. He had no idea how he had ended up in this terrifying place, but for now, survival was all that mattered. More monsters still roamed the dense woods, their guttural growls echoing in the cold, damp air. Every step he took was calculated, his breaths shallow and controlled. He moved stealthily, using the thick trees as cover, his heart pounding each time a twig snapped beneath his feet.

Despite his success in avoiding the creatures thus far, the overwhelming sense of isolation pressed down at him. Jaden had no idea how to find Scarlett or the rest of the group. He was utterly lost and could only cling to the desperate hope of stumbling upon them by sheer luck.

At least Victor had provided him with a protective suit, a suit designed to shield him from the bites and claws of these horrific beasts. However, Jaden knew deep down that it was no guarantee of safety. If the monsters attacked in large numbers, the suit would inevitably fail. It was only a matter of time before his dwindling resources, lack of rest, and rising despair would become his undoing.

Huddled behind a thick oak tree, Jaden peered cautiously around the trunk. His chest tightened as he silently prayed for a way out of the forest. Even though he carried a small bomb for emergencies, the thought of using it terrified him; the sound would surely draw every monster within miles.

"Alright," Jaden muttered under his breath, swallowing hard as he tried to steel his nerves. "I guess I should move now. Staying here won’t bring me to sister."

Gathering his courage, he prepared to step out from behind the tree. But as he turned, his blood ran cold. Standing directly in front of him was a giant monster with razor-sharp teeth, its glowing red eyes piercing the dim light.

A wave of terror washed over Jaden, rooting him to the spot. He could feel his heart hammering against his ribs as other monsters emerged from the shadows, their predatory gazes now fixed on him.

____________________

The next day arrived swiftly, the golden rays of the sun casting an eerie glow over the desolate planet of Eridoria.

Scarlett stood before the massive iron door alongside Garvin, Maya, Louise, Ethan, Larry, and Kato. The small crowd of survivors gathered behind them wore expressions of profound sadness and resignation. Many looked like they wanted to speak, but fear held their tongues.

Larry stepped forward, his face somber as he addressed the group. He chose his words carefully, his voice calm but firm, as if trying to offer a sliver of hope to the weary crowd. "Alright, everyone. We’re leaving now. But we’ll come back for you, I promise. Until then, please stay safe and look out for one another."

The survivors remained silent, their eyes downcast. Even under Kato’s piercing glare, no one dared to object.

"Yeah... stay safe," Louise chimed in, attempting to sound cheerful as he raised a hand to wave. Realizing it came off awkward, he quickly dropped it and turned to help open the iron gate.

Scarlett offered the survivors a small, warm smile before giving them a slight bow of acknowledgment. She said nothing more, leading the group out of the prison as the sound of the heavy gate slamming shut behind them echoed ominously.

Once they were outside, Scarlett cast an invisibility spell to shield the group. Everyone vanished from view except Kato, who melted into a shadowy form. His dark silhouette flickered and stretched along the wall like a phantom.

"So..." Maya began, her curiosity clear as she raised an eyebrow. "Where exactly do we go from here? Are we just going to start killing monsters randomly?"

Scarlett’s gaze remained fixed on the roaming monsters in the distance, her voice steady as she replied. "Yes. For now, we don’t have a specific destination. We’ll keep moving, killing any monsters we encounter, and rescuing survivors along the way. Any safe havens we establish will only be temporary. The goal is to help people stay alive, one step at a time."

Maya frowned slightly but nodded in understanding.

Larry leaned closer to Scarlett, lowering his voice so the others wouldn’t hear. "We should head to Echo Cemetery to lay down the resources we’ve gathered. But... what about Kato? Is he really coming with us? Can we trust him?" His words were careful, but his face betrayed his deep concern.

Scarlett glanced at Kato’s shadow, her expression unreadable as she mulled over Larry’s question. She knew Kato’s true intentions, he didn’t want to build a permanent safe haven. He wanted humanity to fall.

If we bring him to Echo Cemetery, where to store our resources, there’s a chance he’ll sabotage everything, Scarlett thought grimly. Her jaw tightened as she tried to decide what to do next.

System? Can I collect the others’ resources into my system to keep for the meantime? Scarlett thought to herself as she awaited the system’s response.

Ding!

{Yes, you can, Host. However, remember: once this secondary system disappears, everything stored within it will vanish as well. It is advisable to use it only for a short period, as you are unaware of when your third death may occur.}

Sure. At this stage, none of the chosen members should know where I decide to hide the resources later, Scarlett mused with a satisfied smirk playing on her lips. But I have to think of a way they’ll all agree to have over their resources to me.

She turned to Larry, her voice calm but commanding. "Let’s discuss this later. For now, hold on to your resources and, most importantly, don’t die."

Larry nodded firmly, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

Scarlett’s tone grew serious as she addressed the entire group. "Alright, we need coins to purchase resources, and the quickest way to get them is by killing monsters. There are plenty of them around here, and eliminating them will also help ease the fears of the survivors in the prison. Let’s focus on clearing this area."

The others nodded in agreement, their resolve sharpening like the weapons they carried.

"Let’s do this!" Ethan exclaimed, his elemental powers surging in his hands, flickering with a fiery energy. Larry followed suit, his own power igniting. Garvin, Louise, and Maya readied their guns and sharp swords, their weapons gleaming in the dim light.

With an unspoken understanding, the group charged into battle. Scarlett’s invisibility spell shielded them from the initial wave of monsters, giving them a tactical advantage. Kato, still in his shadow form, moved silently around the perimeter, striking down any stragglers that wandered too close.

The group fought as a seamless unit. Ethan’s elemental powers sent monsters flying, their bodies slamming into the trees with resounding cracks. Louise’s blades flashed in the air, slicing through the creatures with deadly precision.

"Die, you motherfuckers," Louise muttered under his breath, a mix of adrenaline and irritation at the monsters’ pungent odor. Despite wearing a mask, the smell of rotting flesh was unbearable.

Ding!

+100 experience points

+500 copper coins

+200 experience points

+1000 silver coins

Garvin and Maya provided cover with their guns, picking off any monsters that ventured too close. Maya’s agility and quick reflexes made her movements almost dance-like, as she weaved through the battlefield and struck from unexpected angles.

"Be careful!" Maya called out just as a monster lunged at Louise.

Louise reacted swiftly, delivering a barrage of bullets that staggered the beast, giving Larry the opening to finish it off with a blast of fire.

The monsters they faced were younger ones, equivalent to two-year-old human children. They were far less powerful than adult monsters, allowing the group to defeat them without sustaining any serious injuries. However, even these younger monsters had claws and teeth sharp enough to cause dangerous scratches if not handled carefully.

The forest was soon filled with the cries and wails of the dying monsters.

Scarlett, still unseen, continued bringing down monsters with her fire element which burnt them to ashes.

Ding!

+500 experience points

+2000 gold coins

The battle was fierce, but the group gained ground with every coordinated strike. Though the monsters were numerous, their disorganized attacks were no match for the group’s calculated teamwork.

Slowly but surely, they pushed the monsters back, clearing a wide area around the prison and creating a temporary safe zone for the survivors.

Ding!

+500 experience points

+2000 gold coins

When the last monster fell, the group stood victorious, their breaths coming in heavy gasps. They surveyed the battlefield, a grim smile of satisfaction on their faces as they realized the extent of their success.

"We did it," Louise said, wiping the sweat from his brow. He chuckled lightly. "Good thing these were just small fry. If they’d been adult monsters, we’d still be fighting or worse."

A roar of cheers erupted from the prison as the survivors, who had been anxiously watching the battle, celebrated their victory.

Scarlett turned and waved at the crowd, her warm smile offering them reassurance. The rest of her team followed suit, each acknowledging the survivors’ cheers in their own way.

"Alright, let’s move," Scarlett said finally, her voice cutting through the lingering sounds of celebration.

Before leaving, she addressed the fallen monsters’ remains. To prevent the toxic blood from spreading and infecting the survivors, Scarlett used her earth element to create a massive pit. She gathered the bodies with precision, tossing them into the hole with the help of Larry and Ethan. Then, with her water element, she cleansed the area, extracting the poison and pouring it onto the corpses. Finally, she sealed the pit with a heavy layer of earth, burying the monsters for good.

"Impressive," Larry said, giving her a thumbs up.

Louise shot him an exasperated look. "Could you be any weirder?"

Larry swallowed hard and lowered his hand sheepishly.

"Let’s go," Garvin said softly, his voice breaking through Scarlett’s thoughts.

Scarlett hesitated, her gaze meeting his for the first time that day. She had been avoiding him but she couldn’t do so forever. Without a word, she took his outstretched hand and led the group forward.

The rest of the team exchanged curious glances but said nothing. They followed closely behind, their focus shifting back to the challenges that lay ahead.

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