Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1196: Heroes Don’t Stay

Chapter 1196: Heroes Don’t Stay

Hidden within the fortified boundaries of Clearford City, the Military Command Center was a flurry of activity as General Cross and his subordinates calculated the immense cost of the recent conflict.

This defensive engagement had completely exhausted Clearford’s entire stockpile of ammunition. The reserves were utterly depleted.

Casualties among the Enhanced—the military included—reached a staggering total of 160,000 personnel. This grim accounting comprised over 10,000 active soldiers, upwards of 30,000 reserves, and more than 110,000 other individuals belonging to the ranks of the Enhanced.

The price for success was undeniably brutal.

Yet, the spoils of war were equally grand.

They had salvaged more than fifty Tier 8 crystal cores, over three thousand Tier 7 cores, upwards of a hundred thousand Tier 6 cores, and well over a million Tier 5 cores. A few Tier 9 zombies had also fallen, though the Fallen Star Squad had claimed those specific kills, keeping the spoils for themselves.

Regardless, the current inventory held by Clearford was sufficient to fully restore their combat efficacy, and perhaps even elevate it beyond their previous standards.

General Cross examined the figures in his hand, his emotions oscillating between profound relief and the heavy sting of loss.

Suddenly, a soldier burst into the command center.

“General Cross—Mr. Ethan has arrived!”

“Hurry, show him in immediately!”

Moments later, the soldier escorted Ethan into the heart of the command center.

“Ethan, please accept my apologies,” General Cross stated while stepping forward with a look of genuine regret. “I cannot fathom why I let you come to find me. I intended to express my gratitude personally, but the aftermath of the battle has left me completely overwhelmed.”

“It is perfectly fine. I understand the situation,” Ethan said with a dismissive wave.

“The primary reason I came is to bid you farewell,” he added. “We are preparing to depart.”

“…Pardon? You are leaving already?” General Cross and his officers stood frozen, clearly caught off guard.

“Yes. We have overstayed our welcome. It is time for us to return home.”

“This…” General Cross’s expression darkened with visible hesitation.

Truthfully, the Fallen Star Squad acted as the bedrock of the entire compound. The prospect of their departure birthed a strange, irrational sense of dread in his gut.

Yet, he had no authority to compel them to stay.

If this were any other person, he might suggest that the outside world was too perilous and that the safety of the compound was preferable. But conveying such sentiments to the Fallen Star Squad felt futile.

“Since your mind is made up, I will not hinder you,” General Cross finally conceded. “The gates of Clearford City shall always remain open to your group. You are welcome to return whenever you please.”

“By the way, please keep the mansion we have been utilizing reserved for us,” Ethan said with a smirk. “We’ve grown accustomed to it. Perhaps we shall visit again in the future.”

“Consider it done!”

“Tell me, General Cross,” Ethan continued, his tone shifting. “WhatExactly do you know about that peculiar space-world Atlas City recently discovered?”

“I lack the intricate details,” General Cross admitted, a look of longing crossing his face. “However, reports from Atlas City describe it as a ruined world. It contains artifacts and phenomena never before seen by human eyes. Many have emerged with incredible finds.”

“Have you considered venturing in to see for yourself?”

“I would cherish the opportunity,” General Cross sighed. “But that space-world is under the iron grip of several influential families. Without their authorization, no one sets foot inside.”

“Fair enough,” Ethan noted, yet his curiosity clearly remained unsatisfied. “Have you heard what kind of ‘treasures’ are being recovered?”

“Nothing concrete. People guard their finds jealously. Take the Hale family’s thrall-creation method as an example—had they not boasted of it, we would be none the wiser.”

He paused, his voice dropping to a low murmur.

“That said, I heard they recovered a unique ore from within that realm. Containers crafted from it minimize energy dissipation. It allowed their crystal-core fusion technology to achieve a monumental breakthrough.”

Ethan arched an eyebrow. “What sort of breakthrough?”

“Previously, one hundred crystal cores were required to fuse them into a single core of the next tier,” General Cross explained with a grave expression. “Now, the requirement has dropped to perhaps twenty. Furthermore, the fusion limit has successfully breached the Tier 9 threshold.”

Ethan’s eyes widened in realization.

“…That is indeed a massive leap forward,” he murmured. “Atlas City must be home to a formidable number of powerful individuals now.”

“Indeed,” General Cross nodded. “Rumors also suggest they possess a method to accelerate physical strength development by enhancing the absorption rate of mysterious energy. It is only hearsay, though. I cannot verify it. Honestly, it sounds quite far-fetched.”

Ethan simply nodded. Privately, he believed it was entirely plausible, given that his own group already possessed similar techniques.

It appears I must certainly make a trek to that Void Realm, he thought to himself.

General Cross hesitated briefly before posing his next question. “Ethan… those white-furred apes. They are not native to Earth, are they? Are they also from…”

“Correct,” Ethan confirmed. “They originate from a world inside a Void Realm. The same phenomenon you refer to as a special space-world.”

General Cross and his aides exchanged knowing glances—their suspicions confirmed—and a flicker of excitement alighted on their faces. If such a realm existed in proximity, they might eventually explore it themselves to secure rare resources.

Ethan’s subsequent warning, however, effectively extinguished that hope.

“I can see what you are contemplating, but I advise you against it,” Ethan stated coldly. “That Void Realm is incomparable to the one controlled by Atlas City. Within its borders, Tiers 9 and 10 mutant beasts hunt in massive packs.”

He stopped, his gaze sharpening.

“And most critically… there dwells a beast of such unfathomable terror that if it were to breach our world, Earth would be annihilated.”

The room turned deathly silent.

“Ethan…” Michael asked tentatively, clearly wary of the response. “What Tier does that creature possess?”

“Unknown,” Ethan replied grimly. “Minimum Stage A and beyond.”

“…!”

The onlookers stared in shock.

Director Vaughn quickly performed a mental calculation before shouting, “Tier 24?!”

“At least Tier 24,” Ethan confirmed. “Possibly even higher.”

No one dared to speak.

General Cross’s expression hardened into a look of absolute authority. “Understood. I will implement a total prohibition within the compound. No soul shall be permitted near that location.”

Ethan looked at him pointedly. “Do you know where it is located?”

“Approximately,” the General answered. “We haven’t ventured inside, but there were enough remnants left behind. Our scouts can locate it with minimal effort.”

Ethan nodded. “Actually, disregard the ban.”

General Cross blinked in confusion. “Why?”

“Humanity is inherently obstinate,” Ethan stated matter-of-factly. “Prior to an official ban, half of them wouldn’t have cared. The moment you forbid it, their curiosity will inevitably lead them to disaster.”

He gestured with his hand. “Simply purge the traces. That place is not naturally easy to discover.”

General Cross nodded slowly. “Understood. We shall proceed with the cleanup.”

“Excellent.” Ethan shifted his posture. “You have work to attend to. We will be departing now.”

“Allow me to escort you out.”

“That is fine.”

At the primary entrance of the Clearford compound…

Chris and the others had finalized their preparations. They waited patiently by the gate alongside the mutant beasts—the white-furred apes, the Bengal tiger Goldie, and the rest—eagerly anticipating Ethan’s arrival.

A massive crowd had formed near the gates.

News of the Fallen Star Squad’s departure had spread throughout the compound.

Some individuals watched with genuine regret, others with evident relief, and many more seemed capable of finally breathing easily now that the heavy atmosphere was lifting.

The pressure exerted by the Fallen Star Squad had consistently surpassed that of the military command.

Offending the military usually resulted in standard disciplinary action.

Offending the Fallen Star Squad… was essentially a death sentence.

Everyone understood that they operated outside of conventional rules. If they targeted someone, even the military dared not intervene. While the squad remained, every ambitious leader within the compound had maintained a low profile.

With their departure coming to fruition, several independent factions were likely already plotting celebrations.

Not long passed before Ethan emerged alongside General Cross and his staff, reuniting with the group at the gate.

“That is far enough, General Cross,” Ethan announced. “We are off.”

“Take care of yourselves.” General Cross offered a sharp, solemn military salute.

Behind him, hundreds of soldiers synchronized their movements, snapping into a unified salute.

Voices erupted from the crowd.

“Safe travels!”

“Godspeed!”

“Take care!”

Regardless of their personal feelings toward the Fallen Star Squad, one truth remained undeniable: they were the saviors of the compound. Without their intervention, Clearford City might have already ceased to exist.

They had certainly earned this farewell.

“Alright, let’s go.” Ethan waved a final goodbye before leaping effortlessly into the air.

The Peregrine Falcon Flint swooped in, catching him with ease, its massive wings beating rhythmically as it ascended into the sky.

Chris and Henry mounted the Golden Eagle Nugget. Emily and Mia climbed atop the Dire Eagle Pebble. The remaining members ascended the backs of the Bengal tiger Goldie, the panther Speckles, and the orange cat Pumpkin.

The mutant beasts surged forward with immense speed, racing toward the horizon and leaving the crowd behind in a mixture of awe and envy.

The white-furred apes, refusing to be left behind, extended their powerful legs and thundered across the plains in pursuit of their comrades.”