Apocalypse: King of Zombies Capítulo 1251: The Threat Beyond Earth

Turning to her, Ethan asked, “Mia, what about you?”

A touch of awkwardness appeared on Mia's face. “Upon reaching Stage C, I gained Soul Spike as my new skill. It targets the soul of the enemy. I… truly don't know its power level yet. Never encountered a skill like this one before.”

“Soul attack?” The group's eyes widened dramatically.

Truth be told, none had witnessed such a thing.

Skinny Pete’s Enthrallment came close in a way, yet it mainly compelled submission—and lacked punch in direct combat.

But Mia’s Soul Spike… that inflicted pure soul damage.

How could anyone possibly guard against such a thing?

The mere thought sent shivers crawling across their scalps.

“A soul attack, eh…” Chris rubbed his palms eagerly, a grin spreading. “Makes me itch to witness it. Big Mike, care to step up?”

Big Mike leaped up as if hearing an alarm. “No way in hell! Stay away from that stuff! If it backfires and fries my brain, not even Henry could save me!”

Chris burst into laughter. “Chill out, just joking. Your expression is priceless.”

Ethan nodded, curiosity lingering. “Me too, I'm interested. We'll try it out on a mutant beast later.”

Mia exhaled softly. “…Alright.”

Ethan motioned. “What of your Innate Ability?”

“It evolved into Frost Armor,” Mia replied. “It absorbs attacks well. Greatly enhances my ability to survive.”

“Solid,” Ethan commented. “Offense with one skill, defense with another, alongside your control powers—you're becoming incredibly balanced.”

Mia nodded briskly. “Mm.”

Ethan turned his eyes. “Emily?”

After a brief pause, Emily spoke. “My Stage C skill is Nature-based—Vampiric Vines. Vines sprout in an area to ensnare foes, then they drain blood furiously.”

Embarrassment flushed her cheeks right after saying it.

Chris gawked at her. “Whoa. Never thought the shy one had a taste for blood-draining.”

“I—I don’t!” Emily blushed deeper. “It was… a random choice.”

Ethan chuckled lightly, staying focused. “Strong skill. Controls an area, locks down multiple targets, and drains them steadily.”

“Now, how did your original ability change?”

Emily's flush faded somewhat. “Became Energy Link. Links me to one ally, steadily recovering their stamina and mental energy.”

Interest sharpened Ethan's features. “That's valuable. Range?”

“Around three hundred feet or so,” Emily answered uncertainly.

“Plenty,” Ethan affirmed with a nod. “Super useful, especially against tough opponents—I'll count on it.”

Emily's gaze lit up. “Mm. Glad I can contribute.”

In truth, she'd always lagged behind the team. Fear gnawed at her of slowing them down… or Ethan deeming her expendable someday.

Proving her worth would let her relax.

Ethan scanned the group. “Good. Everyone's abilities are now clear.”

“This Void Realm trip gave our entire team a massive power boost.”

He paused as the atmosphere grew heavier.

“Our current strength renders Earth's zombies and mutant beasts hardly a threat.”

“Yet I've felt this nagging danger lately. Something huge looms on the horizon.”

“Even post-upgrade, that unease persists.”

He allowed the words to hang. “Stay vigilant. Push harder. Grow stronger without cease.”

Big Mike scowled. “Captain, you're freaking me out. You're Tier 16 now. What could possibly endanger you?”

“Nothing native to Earth,” Ethan replied. “But imagine if Void Realm creatures started emerging?”

“…What?” Icy dread swept the room. Eyes bulged in alarm. “You mean Void Realm monsters are escaping already?”

“The white-furred apes did,” Ethan noted. “Others could too.”

“We locate Void Realm entrances. Surely others discover exits.”

“That…” Breakthrough euphoria vanished, supplanted by oppressive dread.

No clue on Void Realm creatures' might—it varied by Realm.

One certainty: they were mere beginners. Against ancient, evolved Void Realms, they amounted to ants.

On Earth, invincible perhaps.

Wrong Void Realm… instant annihilation.

Ethan raised his hand. “Easy now. Just speculation. We have time to strengthen.”

“Clearford City's Void Realm revealed a key point,” he continued. “Earth's mysterious energy density rivals many Void Realms.”

“That means our progress outpaces theirs.”

“Yeah…” Nods rippled through, though anxiety lingered visibly.

Though Ethan had a point—Earth's enigmatic energy was indeed quite abundant these days—the planet's 'revival' had barely lasted under a year.

Certain Void Realms had endured for thousands, or even tens of thousands of years. When it came to pure buildup, nothing could match them.

Right at that moment, a knock echoed from the door.

「Ethan! Grace sent me to fetch you all for dinner!」

「Understood. We'll head over shortly!」

Ethan rose to his feet and scanned the group. 「Let's go. Food first. Tomorrow, we prep to return to Fallen Star City.」

「Right.」

They made their way to the dining hall, where dinner was already set out.

At lunch, exhaustion had forced them to wolf down just a few mouthfuls before collapsing, but this evening meal was obviously Grace's deliberate feast—piles of delicious-looking dishes covered the table.

The group settled around the lengthy farmhouse table, digging in while chatting lively.

「Ethan,」 Grace spoke up after a bit, 「I've already discussed it with the rest. Full agreement—our entire compound wishes to merge with yours. When should we make the move?」

She had figured persuading everyone to shift to Fallen Star City would demand massive effort.

Yet it unfolded with astonishing ease. A single meeting—total consensus.

She discovered the reason later on.

Ethan and his crew had slain Jared and his followers right at the compound's gate, in plain view of all.

It terrified them to the core.

Only then did Grace grasp the truth: in this apocalyptic world, leading a compound required ruthless resolve.

Fear ensured obedience.

A soft approach might have sufficed in the old world, but now? It was obsolete.

Treat folks kindly, and ingratitude could still breed. Some might see kindness as weakness—like Jared did.

Once Grace embraced this reality, her resolve to integrate with Fallen Star City's compound only strengthened. With the Fallen Star Squad enforcing order, she could shed that daily burden.

「Begin packing these next few days,」 Ethan instructed. 「I must return first and consult Miles. We'll follow his plans for the relocation.」

Grace's eyes widened. 「Huh? Ethan, aren't you the Commander of Fallen Star City?」

「On paper, yes,」 Ethan replied with a smirk. 「But I steer clear of daily operations.」

「No surprise you're so relaxed and always on the move,」 Vivian remarked, her tone laced with real envy. 「You're the ultimate delegator.」

As a compound head, endless tasks drowned her daily. It was grueling, backbreaking labor.

At this moment, she truly envied Ethan's wise setup.

「Ethan, but with you absent so much, don't you fear others mishandling things?」 Grace probed, puzzled.

「Fear what?」 Ethan replied casually. 「No trust, no assignment. If assigned, full trust.」

「And while my power outstrips them all,」 he continued, tone steady yet firm with assurance, 「no subordinate will dare rebel.」

This principle had guided Ethan since the compound's founding day.

Events had validated it perfectly. Management never hindered his Tier advancement—and he'd forged an overwhelmingly strong faction.

Vivian gave a nod. 「Then tomorrow, I'll return to Deepwater City compound to prepare. My group will join the migration when ready.」

「Perfect,」 Ethan agreed.