Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1191: Fight for our home!

During the following period, Big Mike and Garrick unleashed everything they had from atop Golden Eagle Nugget and Dire Eagle Pebble.

In the meantime, Ethan circled broadly on Peregrine Falcon Flint, scanning the nearby regions.

On the ground, the zombies soon figured out that hurling stones was pointless now, so they abandoned it. The entire swarm then picked up speed, surging into a sprint aimed at the compound.

Big Mike and Garrick continued stirring chaos ahead of them, yet it yielded little impact.

The mob had obviously been commanded. They disregarded the provocations entirely and barreled toward Clearford City’s compound as if nothing else existed.

The pair couldn’t do a whole lot to stop it. They just kept firing off skills—eliminating whatever zombies they could, for as long as possible.

However, facing a swarm of over 3 million, their efforts hardly made a dent.

Big Mike’s [Rain of Flames] remained fairly effective—a single use could eradicate more than a hundred zombies in one go.

Garrick’s descending boulders proved far more restricted. Each rock might smash just seven or eight.

They pushed themselves to exhaustion, but relative to the horde’s vastness, it was merely a ripple in the ocean.

And Ethan... no update yet.

As the zombies drew nearer and nearer to the compound, anxiety twisted in their guts.

Within the Clearford compound...

General Cross and Michael’s team were equally on edge.

"Report!" A scout burst in with frontline news. "The horde is under 9.7 miles away from the compound. At their pace, they’ll hit us in less than an hour!"

General Cross clenched his jaw. "Ethan and his team are still outside?"

"Affirmative. Ethan is hunting the Zombie King. His two partners are riding flying mounts to take out zombies without pause."

The scout paused, then blurted it out. "But... the zombie count is overwhelming. They’re powerful, yet they can’t truly shift the big picture."

General Cross nodded, his face growing grimmer. He dismissed the scout with a wave.

"Got it. Dismissed."

"Yes, sir!" The soldier saluted and dashed away.

Michael paced frantically. "General Cross, have you made up your mind? Evacuate or defend? We need a call now. Any more delay, and escape won’t be an option!"

"..." General Cross massaged his face and exhaled deeply.

"Relocating three hundred thousand isn’t easy," he murmured. "Even shaking off the horde, the noise would attract more zombies and mutant beasts along the way. When we arrive elsewhere, how many of those three hundred thousand would remain? Without absolute necessity... I won’t make that move."

Colonel Mitchell offered no reassurance. He stated bluntly, "If we stay... frankly, I lack confidence."

"I understand." General Cross raised his gaze, resolve hardening in his eyes. "So we take a chance."

"A chance?" Michael gaped.

"Exactly." General Cross’s tone solidified. "We bet on Ethan locating the Zombie King."

Colonel Mitchell’s look soured. "But they’ve searched for ages. Not finding it suggests it’s concealed masterfully. And with under an hour until the horde arrives, is that sufficient?"

No one present seemed hopeful.

"If time runs short..." General Cross pounded the table. "We create more for him."

He rose, his command slicing the air.

"Alert all fighting units and every Enhanced in the compound—head to the Silverstone River and halt the horde there. Deploy all heavy weaponry. We confront them at the river’s edge!"

Several eyes widened in shock.

"Abandon the walls and engage in open field?"

"Correct." General Cross held steady. "We must prevent the zombies from touching the compound. Even if Ethan slays the Zombie King, a horde at our doorstep will keep assaulting the city."

"Clear." Colonel Mitchell nodded gravely. "I’ll handle preparations."

He paused. "Troops will obey, including reserves. But civilian Enhanced volunteering against millions of zombies... that’ll stir trouble."

"The compound faces survival or doom," General Cross replied icily. "Willing or not, they’ll join the fray."

He scanned the room. "Most Enhanced will rise. For the few selfish holdouts—dangle proper incentives, and they’ll budge. As for refusers or deserters... blacklist forever. They’re barred from Clearford City for good."

"Yes, sir!"

In moments, the whole compound sprang into action.

Teams of soldiers hurried to form up in the central square, ranks aligning one by one.

At the armory, heavy arms emerged steadily—machine guns, mortars, and beyond. Top Enhanced troops hoisted gear like mere bags and hauled it away.

Throughout the compound, civilian Enhanced groups were gathered and organized.

Yet upon learning they’d intercept a million-strong zombie wave, many shook their heads vigorously.

Then the full details hit.

Under an hour.

That’s the window before the horde stormed the compound—and Clearford City would vanish from existence.

The assembly fell silent.

For all grasped the harsh reality:

If the compound crumbles, none endure.

This place was their sanctuary. Losing it meant apocalyptic survival turning savage—perhaps fatal.

After a heavy quiet, one person broke forward.

"Director Vaughn, count me in to join the military and halt the zombies!"

"Director Vaughn, I’m ready to go!"

"Director Vaughn..."

Voices multiplied as more Enhanced volunteered. Still, a few lingered, faces strained with doubt.

Director Vaughn boomed over the whispers. "This decides Clearford City’s fate. I urge all to stand tall."

"The military vows: every Enhanced battling here—if we weather this crisis—earns one crystal core."

"Tier 5 Enhanced receive a Tier 6 core. Tier 6 get Tier 7!"

That sealed it.

Eagerness lit up the crowd’s features. The doubters gritted teeth and advanced as well.

Swiftly, nearly everyone pledged to march with the military against the horde.

Just a scant few clung to indifference, unmoved.

In their minds, the scheme was straightforward.

If the compound stands, they stay put.

If not... they flee ahead.

But as they smugly plotted, Director Vaughn addressed them again.

"Gratitude to all ready to battle. Clearford’s compound is our common refuge. Defending it marks you as true heroes."

He paused briefly, then sharpened his words.

"For those shirking the fight, I won’t compel. But if Clearford City means nothing to you, it won’t shelter you post-crisis."

"Non-participants today face eternal banishment from Clearford City."

The throng exploded instantly.

"Director Vaughn speaks true! Such folks earn exile!"

"They’ve basked in the compound’s safety all along, yet now in peril, they cower? I despise cowards like that!"

"Spot on. Banishment’s too kind. Toss them to the horde to taste life sans compound!"

"Right!"

Outrage swept the group like a blaze.

Those few slackers blanched, shame and dread twisting their expressions. Ultimately, they yielded and joined the line.

"Who claimed we’d skip the battle?"

"Precisely! Come the clash, we’ll outbrave you all!"

Witnessing this, Director Vaughn relaxed at last. He raised his arm and bellowed, his cry echoing through the assembly.

"With all committed—advance! Defend our home!"

"Defend our home!"