Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1186: A necessary measure

The leader ahead fixed his gaze on Ethan and Skinny Pete. “Set Colonel Hale free, and we'll let your people go.”

“Who authorized you to drag them into this place by yourselves?!” Leonard bellowed from his spot on the ground, his body twisted and hardly identifiable following the brutal assault.

Indeed, Leonard realized they aimed to rescue him.

Yet against a pair of Tier 10 Enhanced, how could they possibly risk hauling the captives inside? Should the enemies spot the slightest vulnerability, their sole leverage would vanish in an instant.

“Rest easy, Colonel Hale—we'll pull you to safety!” declared the leader.

Spotting Skinny Pete advancing, he instantly yelled, “Halt! Stay put! Take another step and we open fire!”

Skinny Pete's brow furrowed as he looked toward Ethan.

Right upon entering, Ethan began his swift assessments.

Slightly more than twenty foes present. More than twenty rifles jammed against the temples of two elderly folks—M4A1 carbines.

These parents counted as ordinary humans. A hit would likely kill them immediately.

Even worse, the pair stood apart. Using [Teleportation], Ethan might rescue one, leaving the second exposed to peril.

Ethan pondered briefly, then cast a signal to Skinny Pete—his gaze darting skyward.

Skinny Pete responded with a subtle inclination of his head.

“Move it!” the leader growled, pressing the barrel firmer into Skinny Pete’s father’s temple. “Release Colonel Hale now, or he dies first!”

“Seeking a trade?” Ethan replied steadily. “Agreed. But the order—who first, your captives or our Colonel?”

“You're the powerhouses,” the leader responded sharply. “Release first. Don't merely drop him—ensure Colonel Hale exits safely. Only then do we free them.”

“How can I trust you won't betray us right after I agree?” Ethan questioned.

“They hold no value for us,” the leader maintained. “Free Colonel Hale, and we free them. Straightforward.”

Ethan chuckled softly. “Words are cheap. Why should I trust you?”

“So what are your terms?”

“Release one of them initially.”

“Never!” Leonard yelled from the floor.

He had witnessed Ethan's spectral speed. Freeing a single parent would gift Ethan a perfect opportunity.

Smack!

Ethan slapped Leonard hard across the cheek.

“Did we invite your input?”

“You—!”

“Cease!” the leader hollered. “Harm Colonel Hale once more, and I'll retaliate on them—precisely the same!”

“Alright.” Ethan's tone remained steady. “No more contact. Send one across, and Colonel Hale is yours.”

“Out of the question,” the leader spat. “You free Colonel Hale immediately!”

“No deal then.”

“…!”

The chamber hung in a stiff standoff for an instant.

Suddenly, turmoil exploded beyond—cries, hurried steps, frantic screams.

“Mutant beasts!”

“Aerial mutant beasts!”

“How did mutant beasts approach so near? Sleeping on the job, wall sentries?!”

“Every high-Tier Enhanced rushed here—Tier 9 mutant beasts incoming! Defenses can't hold!”

“Careful! It's diving toward Colonel Hale’s residence—intercept it!”

BOOM—!

The residence's entrance and a section of the barrier shattered inward, torn into a rough breach.

A gigantic golden eagle charged inside and dove across the space.

All within flinched, instinctively swiveling to the explosion—

In that split second, Ethan sprang into action.

His form blurred.

He materialized next to Skinny Pete’s mother, seized her, and flung her to Skinny Pete.

Without delay.

Ethan vanished and reappeared beside Skinny Pete’s father in a flash.

The sentries at last responded, pulling their triggers.

Rat-tat-tat—!

A barrage of shots ripped through the air at them.

A pair of enormous chitin shields materialized, encasing Skinny Pete’s father in a protective cocoon.

Projectiles ricocheted with crisp metallic rings, yet none caused the tiniest mark.

Meanwhile, Skinny Pete seized his mother and hugged her close, positioning himself as a shield against the onslaught—absorbing shots aimed at her directly.

Ethan summoned his poleaxe from the spatial storage ring into his grip.

He unleashed a broad, level arc with it.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Successive muffled thuds struck in rapid succession.

The forms of the nearby sentries—whether Enhanced or otherwise—shattered instantly.

That single arc halted everyone in the room.

Gazes reddened with rage. Folks appeared ready to rush forward, fire weapons, act somehow—but upon viewing the blood-slicked poleaxe, they froze. No one ventured a motion.

Leonard clenched his eyelids in agony and hopelessness.

It's finished.

Totally finished.

Ethan hauled Skinny Pete’s father to his side, then retrieved two additional Ironback Rat carapace shields and armored Skinny Pete’s mother as well.

“Ethan,” Skinny Pete uttered, his tone trembling with restrained wrath, “guard my folks. I'll take care of the others.”

“Understood.” Ethan inclined his head and hurled the spear from the spatial ring to Skinny Pete.

Skinny Pete charged headlong into the surviving group, thrusting relentlessly.

They had aimed firearms at his parents' heads.

Death awaited them.

Facing Tier 10 Skinny Pete, the Tier 7 and Tier 8 Enhanced stood no chance. Escape attempts failed as Nugget obstructed the doorway entirely, barricading it like an impenetrable barrier.

Ultimately, each one succumbed to Skinny Pete’s spear.

Once finished, Skinny Pete returned to Ethan, panting heavily.

“Ethan… thanks.”

“Do I need to repeat it again?” Ethan retorted. “No thanks needed between bros.”

“Right.” Skinny Pete agreed with a nod.

Next, they approached Leonard together.

Leonard’s complexion paled to gray, devoid of resistance.

“You've retrieved your allies,” he rasped. “I realize you won't spare me. Grant me a swift end.”

Ethan signaled Skinny Pete with a quick glance.

The moment had arrived.

Leonard lingered at his most vulnerable—resolve utterly eroded. Success seemed possible.

Skinny Pete acknowledged and locked eyes with Leonard’s vacant stare. [Enthrallment] engaged.

As Ethan foresaw, Leonard lacked even a moment to fight back now.

He relaxed, under control.

“What does ‘live experimentation’ mean?” Ethan inquired once more.

“Employing live humans in tests,” Leonard replied tonelessly.

“…Obviously.” Ethan's tone grew keen. “Explain the objective.”

Leonard’s features spasmed, resisting.

Skinny Pete ramped up the influence at once, the duo eyeing Leonard anxiously—fearing a fate like Lucas's.

Fortune favored them; Leonard proved hardier than Lucas. He held firm.

Soon after, he continued, voice still rigid.

“Two days prior, the Hale family discovered a technique close to Atlas City—within a unique realm—that produces thralls.”

“Thralls gain enormous power boosts, with total obedience to commands.”

“However, the technique carries risks. Failure causes bodily detonation and death.”

“Through numerous trials, we determined higher subject strength yields better success odds.”

“Yet Tier 9 Enhanced attempts failed. Thus, we required a mightier candidate.”

Ethan's gaze sharpened. “Hence, you aimed for us.”

“Affirmative,” Leonard confirmed. “I anticipated Tier 8 or Tier 9 arrivals. Tier 10 surprised me, so I substituted those two last-minute to delay.”

“Did you truly believe you could manage us?” Ethan probed.

“Negative,” Leonard conceded. “However, I possess toxin crafted from altered poisonous serpents. While in Goldcrest City, an opportunity would arise.”

“…Damn.” Ethan gaped at him. “You actually planned to poison us.”

“A required step,” Leonard stated blankly.

Skinny Pete clenched his teeth. “Required, my foot.”