Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1177: If You Want to Cry… Then Cry

General Cross gave a nod and spoke in a solemn tone, "One piece of good news. Two pieces of bad."

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy at once.

Sean, Big Mike, and Skinny Pete all turned pale-faced.

"Start with the bad," Ethan suggested.

"Alright." Cross let out a breath. "From Ironhaven City’s reports, Whitefall City collapsed ages ago. The whole place is now under zombie control. Survivors are pretty much nonexistent."

He laid it out straight.

"That means... survival chances in Whitefall City are nearly nil."

Big Mike staggered a bit. Refusing to accept it fully, he pressed, "Could some folks have fled to the surrounding areas?"

"We can’t dismiss that," Cross replied, "but unless they were tough Enhanced types, escaping would’ve been impossible. The primary routes are jammed solid with zombies."

"..."

Big Mike fell quiet, his gaze drifting aimlessly.

Ethan placed a hand on his shoulder and glanced back at Cross, urging him onward.

"Moreover—Ironhaven City." Cross’s tone dropped further. "The chaos at the Joint Military Base was overwhelming. By the point when the troops cleared out the infected and set up a fortified area, the prime evacuation period had passed."

"They did manage to form the compound, though, with under a hundred thousand people holding on."

He held for a brief moment.

"Regrettably, the individuals from the details you shared... they’re not listed in the compound. And that neighborhood at the location you mentioned—when the soldiers arrived, everyone there was already gone. So..."

"..."

"I get it," Sean responded, his voice gravelly. Then he simply fixed his eyes on the ground.

Everyone had steeled for this outcome, yet the words landing cut deep anyway.

Ethan turned his gaze to General Cross once more. "You mentioned good news as well. That’s regarding Goldcrest City, isn’t it?"

"Yeah." Cross nodded. "Word came from Goldcrest City. The pair you’re searching for are alive and within their compound."

"Really?" Skinny Pete jerked his head up, thrill piercing through his stunned expression.

"Really," Cross affirmed. "Leonard’s no pushover, but he handles matters of benefit with care. He wouldn’t fabricate this."

"Thank you, General Cross," Skinny Pete expressed, truly touched.

"It’s nothing." Cross brushed it aside, then noted, "But Goldcrest City lies nearly a thousand miles away. You intend to fetch them?"

"We’re fetching them," Ethan declared firmly. "Distance isn’t an issue. We have our methods."

"Good." Cross nodded. "I’ll stay out of it then."

Ethan paused briefly, then inquired, "General Cross—one other matter. Returning here, we saw Clearford City without a trace of zombies. What’s the story?"

Cross sighed wearily. "Yeah. That’s precisely what I came to discuss."

"Over the past few days, we’ve been combing Clearford City," he went on, "but yesterday, every zombie across the city withdrew—swiftly. As if following commands."

"Our scouts reported back. The zombies are clustering in a single direction. We believe a formidable Zombie King has emerged there—Tier 10 at minimum, possibly beyond." His face grew tense while explaining.

"All pulling together..." Ethan furrowed his brow.

"Seems the zombies are gearing up for major actions."

"You’re spot on," Ethan agreed with a nod. "Likely a high-tier Zombie King."

Cross eyed him, a mix of hesitation and unease showing. "So, Ethan... what’s your take on our next steps? A horde numbering in the millions—if it strikes the compound, I’m not confident. Our ammunition supplies are dwindling too."

Ethan pondered briefly, then proposed, "Here’s an idea. Deploy additional scouts. Monitor their movements closely. If you can pinpoint the Zombie King’s location, let me know."

He raised his gaze, steady as if discussing a simple task.

"When the moment arrives, I’ll head in and take down the Zombie King. Problem solved."

"..."

General Cross and the rest simply gaped at him.

Slaying a Zombie King amid a million-strong zombie swarm—utterly unreal.

Yet Ethan delivered it like everyday business.

And the wild thing was... from his mouth, it rang true, not boastful.

Anyone else uttering that would get dismissed as insane immediately.

"Ethan, do you truly think you can manage it?" General Cross questioned, concern evident.

"Don’t worry," Ethan replied, his assurance unwavering. "If it hasn’t hit Stage C, no amount of surrounding zombies can protect it."

"Stage C?" General Cross and the others stared, puzzled.

"That’s Tier 12," Ethan clarified. "Once you awaken, a star-chart like interface shows up in your mind. It resembles the Big Dipper System, but with two additional stars. We term it the Nine-Star Dipper."

He lightly touched his forehead, aiming to simplify.

"I labeled the stages by star count, similar to leveling in a game. Reaching Tier 6 lights the first star—Alkaid—completely. That’s Stage D. Tier 12 fully ignites the second—Mizar. That’s Stage C. Then it progresses to Stage B, Stage A..."

"Nine-Star Dipper... Stage C..." General Cross echoed, considering it. "Your system’s naming is intriguing. Could be useful to share with other compounds. Might help unify the Tier classifications across the board."

"Sure," Ethan agreed. "That’s just how we’ve referred to it always."

Cross nodded. "Fine. I won’t hold you up. I’ll set up extra scouting immediately and aim to locate that Zombie King fast."

Truth be told, that’s why he’d hurried here himself. A fix for the Zombie King threat would let him relax at last.

"Good," Ethan said. "Oh—and could you inform Goldcrest City’s leader that we’ll arrive to retrieve them within the next couple of days? Ask them to prepare."

"Of course," Cross responded. "I’ll handle the communication."

Once General Cross departed, Ethan clapped Sean and Big Mike on the shoulders in turn.

"If you need to cry, go ahead," he murmured softly. "Don’t hold it in."

Sean inhaled deeply and managed a faint smile. "I’m okay. I expected this."

Big Mike nodded as well, his tone hoarse yet firm. "We’re good, Captain. We’re tougher than that."

Ethan scanned the squad. "And we’ve got each other. We’re like family."

"Yeah."

"Mm."

Ethan faced Mia. "We’ll hole up here today and recharge. Mia, whip up something tasty. We’re drinking this evening."

"Okay." Mia nodded and moved to the kitchen.

Ethan regarded Skinny Pete. "Tomorrow, I’ll accompany you to Goldcrest City to get your parents. Golden Eagle Nugget and Dire Eagle Pebble will carry us. It won’t be far."

Skinny Pete’s eyes brightened. "Alright. Thanks."

"Stop thanking me," Ethan said. "It’s what we do."

Before long, Mia and Emily bustled in the kitchen, as the men lingered in the living room, sharing silly tales from their Starlight State University days.

With Sean and Big Mike down in spirits, no one suggested cards.

Soon enough, plates of food covered the table. They drank, chatted, and supported one another deep into the night.

Come dawn the following day, Ethan instructed the team to remain at the mansion while he and Skinny Pete exited the compound.

As soon as they emerged, two enormous aerial mutant creatures descended from above.

Onlookers nearby flinched at the looming shadows.

But recognizing Ethan, they eased up as if it were routine.

At this point, the Fallen Star Squad had become legendary within the compound. Surprises around them were a thing of the past.

Ethan was aware of this, so he didn’t conceal it—he summoned Golden Eagle Nugget and the rest right to the gates. No need for remote meetups.

Ethan and Skinny Pete mounted Golden Eagle Nugget and Dire Eagle Pebble.

With one mighty flap, the colossal birds surged skyward, vanishing into the horizon.

The spectators all showed the same look—raw jealousy.

Flying high was a fantasy few ever realized.

And here was someone treating it like nothing special.

"Man... I envy the Fallen Star Squad so much," one person grumbled. "Joining them would have me grinning in my dreams."

"Even awake? What sort of dream is that," another chuckled. "With your power level, you figure you’d make the Fallen Star Squad?"

"Can’t a guy dream?"

"I wonder what their entry criteria are," a woman remarked. "How did Emily join?"

"I hear you need to be Awakened at least."

"Wonderful," someone groaned. "Then I’m out of luck."