Apocalypse: King of Zombies Capítulo 1249: The Price of Betrayal

A voice from the escaping crowd rang out sharply, “Stop!”

The mutant tiger halted abruptly during its charge.

Its entire frame shook violently. It was obvious this wasn't mere wariness—this was sheer terror.

Next, a lanky man stepped forward toward the beast.

Before the stunned gazes of all onlookers, he approached the tiger's snout directly.

And that fearsome mutant tiger... collapsed onto the ground, quaking uncontrollably, without a hint of defiance. Its previous ferocity had vanished completely.

Skinny Pete smirked. “Right on cue. My power just surged, and taming Goldie and the rest felt too simple. Now here you are, offering yourself up.”

“You'll join Goldie from here on out.”

With a grin, he unleashed his Beast Control ability—enslaving the mutant tiger in an instant.

At Tier 14, subduing a Tier 11 mutant beast was a breeze. No need to weaken it first.

Once the link formed, Skinny Pete stroked the tiger's head before mounting its back effortlessly.

All except the Fallen Star Squad members stared in shock.

That beast... tamed just like that.

Jared and his followers took the blow hardest.

Their eyes bulged, faces frozen—as if truth had struck them hard.

“…Go,” Jared muttered lowly.

They spun around and fled quickly.

Ethan, meanwhile, picked up on something. He eyed the path Jared's group took, lips twitching faintly.

Grace had begun interrogating the rescued folks.

They explained heading up the mountain for their routine hunt when the mutant tiger ambushed them out of nowhere.

The beast's power was insane. Escape was their only option until they reached this spot.

“A Tier 11 mutant tiger already on the mountain—unbelievable,” Grace remarked, still rattled.

Thank heavens Ethan and his team were nearby. Had it been just them... the outcome was all too clear.

Tiger-type mutants outclassed same-Tier Enhanced humans. At Tier 10 without Innate Abilities, they stood no chance.

Back at the compound they went.

Jared approached with a wide grin, acting like nothing happened.

“Grace, you're back!”

“Yeah.” Grace nodded. “Get dinner prepped. Ethan and his crew must be famished.”

After the Void Realm's Celestial Stairway climb, everyone was drained. Food was essential now.

“On it.” Jared nodded and started to leave for orders.

“Wait.” Ethan's voice interrupted.

Jared stopped short.

Grace turned, puzzled. “What's up?”

Ethan ignored her, fixing his gaze on Jared. “You sent someone to bring that tiger here, right?”

Jared's grin faded. He scowled. “No idea what you're on about.”

A guy behind Jared advanced, voice edged. “Ethan, guest or not, you can't throw accusations.”

“Ethan…” Grace wavered. “Sure it's not a mix-up? Jared's pulled his weight for the compound. He wouldn't pull that.”

Ethan chuckled dryly. “A mutant tiger's no threat to us. But I despise setups.”

He tilted his head. “Not confessing?”

“Skinny Pete. Get him to spill.”

“With pleasure.” Skinny Pete beamed. “My ability's upgraded—ideal test run.”

He locked eyes with Jared.

Jared had no time to respond before his face slackened—like a puppet's strings pulled taut.

Ethan asked icily. “You got someone to lure the tiger, correct?”

“…Yes.” Jared jerked a nod.

Grace and the girls' eyes went wide.

“Why?!” a voice burst out.

Jared's feelings erupted, tone sharpening under control, brimming with bitterness. “Because of you!”

“I've slaved for this place. If you scorned me, so be it. But handing it all to an outsider?”

“If you're so ruthless, I'll seize the compound myself!”

“You—!” Grace flushed with rage, breathing heavily.

They'd saved Jared early on, supplied him, got him back on his feet…

Only to nurture a backstabber.

“That's people for you.” Vivian soothed Grace's shoulder.

“Enough.” Ethan's tone remained even. “Your idiotic scheme gifted us a pet. But plotting against us sealed your fate.”

No more words. He delivered a casual kick to Jared.

Jared's form was hurled backward as though smashed by a truck. By the time he crashed down, his insides were completely pulverized. Deader than dead.

Grace opened her mouth as if to speak, then snapped it shut once more. Ultimately, she remained silent.

'And those guys too,' Ethan continued, gesturing toward the handful of men who had trailed Jared before. 'Kill them.'

'I—' Grace began.

Color fled from their faces.

'Grace, it's not our fault!'

'Please—please, we didn't do anything!'

They rushed toward her on their knees, pleading desperately. They understood Grace well. Her tender heart might cause a moment's pause, perhaps even granting them mercy.

They grasped Grace's nature.

But the Fallen Star Squad's brutal speed? That they didn't know.

Grace hadn't even completed her words when a Wind Cutter sliced through the atmosphere.

Heads thudded onto the earth nearly simultaneously.

For an instant, silence gripped the entire area.

Nearby onlookers gaped in total shock.

It all unfolded in a blur. Their minds lagged behind the carnage.

These folks were savagely merciless. One slip of the tongue, and death followed.

'Let's go,' Ethan remarked casually, as if brushing off a mere insect. 'We're entering.'

'…Yeah.' Grace nodded, her thoughts still catching up, dazed by the swift brutality.

Only after stepping into the compound did awareness fully return to her. She whirled toward her companions, voice resolute and carrying to all ears.

'You all witnessed it. They schemed to draw a mutant tiger against us, ready to doom countless innocents in the process.'

Her gaze swept the crowd, piercing and intense.

'Scum like that—do they deserve death?'

'Yes! Kill them!' one shouted fervently. 'They must die!'

'Exactly. They deserve it,' another chimed in swiftly.

Grace gave a single nod. 'Then get the corpses cleared away.'

'Got it.'

Within the compound, Grace ordered a grand feast to be laid out.

All stuffed themselves until bursting, then retreated to their quarters for deep rest.

Ascending the Celestial Stairway had drained them utterly—not merely bodily, but soul-deep exhaustion.

Ethan slumbered right up until darkness fell.

Afterward, he summoned the Fallen Star Squad for a meeting.

'Okay,' he announced, scanning their faces. 'Share the new ability you unlocked at Stage C.'

Though Ethan could inspect their skills through his own means, their personal explanations would reveal unique insights into their combat styles and mindsets.

He'd held off earlier with Grace and the rest present. Such details were the squad's closely guarded secrets.

Chris advanced first. 'I'll start.'

'Upon hitting Stage C, I gained a Void-type power: Corrupting Spear.'

His tone stayed even, eyes gleaming with excitement.

'On impact, it corrodes the target's flesh. Foes below my level dissolve into bloody sludge. Stronger ones suffer grave wounds and drastic drops in physical power.'

'No area effect, but it suits me perfectly. It amps my damage to vicious levels.'

'Plus, my invisibility evolved. Now it reduces incoming damage while active.'

Chris drew a breath, assurance swelling. 'Combined… I believe I can take down Tier 15.'

'Tier 16? I can pose a real danger.'

'Damn.' Ethan flashed a thumbs-up. 'That's badass.'