Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 97: Where’s Scarlett And The Others?

Chapter 97: Where’s Scarlett And The Others?

"No!!!" Kato roared, his body moving with lightning speed as he lunged after her. He reached out, his hand outstretched, but it was too late. Scarlett plunged into the bubbling pool, the toxic liquid engulfing her instantly.

The moment Scarlett hit the liquid, her entire body erupted in excruciating pain, as though she were being flayed alive. The corrosive properties of the monster-infused liquid tore through her clothes, and her skin burned as if seared by acid. She clenched her teeth, her eyes squeezing shut, as she endured the agony with every fiber of her being.

Although the monsters couldn’t see Scarlett, Kato, or Louise, thanks to Scarlett’s invisibility skill cloaking them but this didn’t deter the creatures. Their relentless attacks continued, wreaking such havoc that the very cave seemed ready to collapse at any moment.

"Arrrgh!" Scarlett’s agonized scream pierced the air, a wail of unrelenting pain that mixed with the guttural growls of the monsters. She could feel her flesh melting, her nerves ablaze with agony.

Yet, even as her body screamed in protest, Scarlett’s mind remained unyielding. I have to see this through, no matter the cost, she resolved. Her determination burned brighter than the pain.

As she sank deeper into the liquid, Scarlett became acutely aware of the changes overtaking her. Her cells were being rewritten, her DNA reshuffled to adapt to the toxic properties of the monster-infused liquid. It was a torturous, agonizing transformation, but Scarlett understood it was necessary.

"I have to unlock the SSS skill," Scarlett whispered through gritted teeth, her voice nearly drowned by the chaotic sounds surrounding her. Even if her third death wasn’t imminent, she was resolved to force it into existence.

Above the liquid, Kato’s anguished cry echoed through the cavern, raw and hoarse with despair. He had lunged for Scarlett, desperately trying to pull her back from the brink, but he had been too late.

"Scarlett!" he shouted, his voice cracking as he watched her enduring the excruciating pain. "Why the fuck do you have to do this? This is extreme pain!" He added as he felt totally helpless.

There was nothing he could do now. All he could do was watch in horror as Scarlett’s body disappeared into the depths of the monstrous pool. A cold dread clawed at his chest, sinking deeper with every moment. The sense of foreboding was suffocating, and he couldn’t shake the grim reality of what had just happened.

Moments later, the invisibility spell that had shielded him and Louise dissipated. Scarlett’s screams had stopped, a harrowing silence that indicated her death. The sight that followed was even more chilling. The toxic liquid had turned a sickening, bloody red, chunks of flesh floating on its surface.

The monsters’ gazes locked onto Kato immediately. One of the stone-like creatures hurled a blazing fireball in his direction. Kato barely managed to deflect it with a surge of water from his elemental powers.

The monsters were unrelenting. They continued their assault, their enhanced strength giving them the upper hand. They advanced, closing the distance rapidly, forcing Kato into a grueling battle as he dodged their attacks and avoided the deadly liquid beneath them.

Louise remained hidden in a small alcove within the cave. Though his condition was deteriorating, Kato refused to let it worsen. Even as he fought alone against the monsters, Kato used his water element to stabilize Louise’s failing heart.

Kato’s movements were sharp and calculated, his water element swirling around him like a protective barrier. Despite his skill, he knew he was nearing his limits. The relentless monsters were too many, too strong.

His breath came in ragged gasps, his body battered and bleeding. His outfit was soaked with his own blood, evidence of the countless attacks he had endured. Yet, he fought on, his willpower keeping him from falling into the toxic pool below.

"You’re insane, Scarlett," Kato muttered under his breath, panting heavily as he stood amidst the monstrous horde. Their furious gazes were locked on him, their predatory hunger palpable.

Kato knew the truth. The monsters weren’t trying to kill him immediately. They were toying with him, training their muscles and testing their strength. He was their game, their entertainment before they devoured him. And yet, in the face of certain death, Kato stood his ground, his jaw clenched and his resolve unbroken.

"Am I fucking going to die here for real? Fuck it!" Kato yelled under his breath as the monstrous horde charged forward. Just as he raised his hand to block their attacks, a sharp, unbearable numbness shot through his arm.

He froze, his body trembling. Processing the moment in his mind, he realized the horrifying truth, his right arm had been severed. It now lay writhing on the blood-soaked floor, crimson splattering everywhere.

A single monster had taken his arm in one swift motion, its jagged claws dripping with fresh blood. Yet, hundreds of other monsters still surrounded him, their horror forms towering over him as they studied him intently. It was as if they were debating among themselves which part of his body they wanted to devour next.

"It is finished," Kato whispered, his voice low and filled with resignation. Sweat rolled down his forehead, mixing with the blood from his injuries. He stood there, his vision dimming, as he awaited his inevitable death. He was using his third system and he knew this death is the final of him.

_________________

Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Larry, Ethan, Garvin, and Maya who had finally regained consciousness wandered aimlessly, unable to find an exit.

The guttural growls of the monsters echoed faintly in the distance, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked nearby. Larry and Ethan winced as the sounds pierced their heightened senses.

"What exactly is this shit? We’ve been going around in circles," Maya muttered, her voice barely above a whisper as they crouched behind a dense bush, trying to stay out of sight.

"Those motherfuckers are probably done eating Ayra’s body by now," Maya added bitterly, her voice trembling with both fear and anger. "That’s why their growls are so loud. They’re looking for us next. It won’t take them long to find us, and when they do..." Her voice trailed off, her body shaking.

"We can’t possibly take down those monsters," Larry said with a heavy sigh, his tone filled with frustration. "For the first time since we entered this godforsaken apocalypse world, I feel weak. What do you expect, though? Their strength is on a whole other level. And this damn forest, it’s draining our powers."

Garvin chimed in, his voice serious, "This is all Austin’s doing. He wanted to sacrifice anyone without powers. That was his agenda from the beginning. If Maya and I had been fed to those monsters, then Ayra might have led you and Ethan out of here before those beasts finished feasting on us.

"What do we do now?" Maya asked, her voice trembling with urgency. "The monsters are closing in. Are we just going to sit here and wait for them to find us?"

"Where the hell can we even go?" Larry snapped, his frustration boiling over. "We have no choice but to fight them when they find us. And who knows, they could already be nearby. I can barely hear their growls now. The silence is...unnerving."

Ethan, his face etched with confusion, added, "True. Our enhanced senses should pick up their sounds, even faintly. How is it that everything is suddenly so quiet?"

Before anyone could respond, a voice cut through the stillness like a blade. "Oh, you won’t have to fight them," came the mocking tone from behind.

The group whirled around, their eyes locking onto Austin. He stood there, his smirk dripping with malice, flanked by four naked burly men, their guns pointed at the group.

"Austin!" Garvin spat, his voice a mix of anger and disbelief.

Austin chuckled darkly, ignoring the seething glares. "I see you’ve been wandering like lost little sheep. Well, don’t worry you’ve been recaptured. You’re all coming back to the organization."

Maya’s fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. "You bastard!" she hissed. "You wanted us all dead. You wanted to feed us to your monsters."

Austin smirked. "Oh, you finally figured it out. But let’s be clear, I didn’t want you dead. You sealed your own fates by choosing to be monster slayers when you’re nothing more than ordinary humans." His words were laced with mockery, his smirk growing wider.

"Where’s Scarlett and the others?" Garvin demanded, his voice trembling with rage.

Austin shrugged nonchalantly. "Dead, most likely. Or maybe they’re still fighting for their lives. Either way, you shouldn’t be worrying about them. Focus on yourselves as you’ve got bigger problems. You broke the rules, betrayed the organization, and now you’ll face the consequences."

"Rules? Betrayal?" Maya shouted, stepping forward despite the guns pointed at her. "You’re the traitor! You’re the one who tried to kill us!"

Before she could say more, Austin’s hand lashed out, striking her hard across the face. Maya crumpled to the ground, blood trickling from her split lip.

Austin sneered down at her. "Capture them," he ordered, his voice cold and unfeeling. "Take them back to the organization. They’ll answer for their crimes there."