Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1222 1222: Let’s Go Claim Their Territory

"Ethan, watch out!" Maxwell's expression pulled tight with worry, as if he feared Ethan saying another syllable would ignite Alexander's wrath. "The power of that laser cannon is off the charts. According to our calculations, even a Tier 12 Enhanced likely couldn't withstand it!"

"Oh?" Ethan arched an eyebrow.

Intrigued, he triggered [True Sight] and scanned the laser cannon far away.

Moments later, even Ethan felt a slight jolt from the sight—its inner workings were incredibly intricate, loaded with energy cores: more than a hundred Tier 8 and Tier 9 crystal cores.

Should it unleash and channel all that power in a flash…

Indeed. He might not survive it unscathed.

Thus, technology held real value even amid the apocalypse. A weapon like this made Atlas City truly fortified. Not even a Stage C (Tier 12) zombie could cause them alarm.

The sole issue?

I possess Teleport.

Attempting to bombard him from such range? What a foolish notion.

"Dominic! Retreat!" Alexander bellowed at his son.

"Understood, Dad!" Dominic replied and instantly dashed toward the rooftop.

A slender [Wind Cutter] sliced through the air.

Dominic's legs got severed neatly at the knees.

"I didn't hear my captain permit your departure," Skinny Pete stated icily. "Remain where you are."

"AAAAH—!"

Dominic's agonized yell ripped across the street.

"Dad—eliminate them!" he shrieked, twisting on the pavement.

"You're courting death!" Alexander's features contorted. "Target them—open fire!"

"Too late," a gentle voice murmured beside him.

Alexander's pupils contracted sharply.

The very next moment, the laser cannon operators were hurled away like ragdolls—scattered from the rooftop in disarray.

Ethan positioned himself there, one palm casually on the cannon's surface, caressing it as though claiming a treasure.

His gaze sparkled with clear admiration.

"This piece is impressive," he remarked. "I'll claim it."

He raised his palm.

In one fluid gesture, the whole laser cannon disappeared—directly into his spatial storage ring.

"….."

Silence engulfed the rooftop.

The battlefield below fell utterly quiet as well.

Thousands gaped in stunned disbelief, minds struggling to comprehend the scene.

Ethan seized the dazed Alexander by the collar and flung him from the roof with ease.

Boom!

Alexander crashed onto the ground.

Without his Tier 9 strength, that drop would have flattened him into mush.

In the blink of an eye, Ethan materialized on the street via Teleport, yanked Alexander by the collar like baggage, and dragged him to the confrontation's heart.

Next, he dumped him next to Dominic.

"Dad!" Dominic, legless and drenched in blood, still cried out desperately. "Are you alright?!"

For a change, he resembled a proper son.

Events unfolded so swiftly. The onlookers remained dazed, their faces drained of color in horror.

"Ethan." Charles's expression hardened, fury blending with humiliation. "Handling Alexander that way… haven't you gone overboard—"

"Utter one more word," Ethan interrupted without glancing over, "and join him down there."

"…" Charles clamped his lips shut at once.

Ethan knelt down, slapped Alexander's shoulder as if greeting a buddy, and grinned. "Okay, old timer. Spill it—where's the Hale Family's thrall creation technique?"

"I have no idea what you mean!" Alexander growled defiantly. "The victor calls the shots. Kill me if you wish. But don't taint me with your vile lies!"

He stared fiercely at Ethan, panting heavily. "Slay me, and you'll face trouble in the Atlas Federation too!"

Ethan laughed lightly. "Tough words still?"

He rose up. "Drag him here."

Soon after, Chris and Sean pulled the youth Ethan had thrashed before into sight.

Ethan gestured at him while eyeing Charles and the rest. "Doesn't this fellow strike you as odd?"

"He does," Maxwell replied, brow furrowed. "Vacant gaze. Rigid face. Far from normal."

Gabriel's features tensed in bewilderment. "That man… seems like Alexander's far-off kin. I've spotted him before. He was lively once. What changed him?"

"He's no longer truly human," Ethan noted casually. "The Hale Family made him a thrall."

"Thrall?!" Multiple voices exclaimed together.

Charles's eyes bulged. "So the whispers held truth? The Hale Family experimented on live humans to produce thralls?!"

"What's your guess?" Ethan rolled his eyes as if it were blatant.

"Ethan, cease spreading such venom!" Alexander bellowed, visage warped in fury.

"Hah." Ethan's grin held firm, but his gaze chilled. "Denying to the end?"

He tilted his head. "Skinny Pete. Demonstrate for them."

"With pleasure." Skinny Pete approached Alexander directly and unleashed [Enthrallment].

Perhaps from the day's beatings or sheer age, Alexander's defenses crumbled with minimal effort from Skinny Pete.

Ethan grinned. "Fine. Explain to all—how does the Hale Family produce thralls?"

This wasn't mere entertainment for him.

The Hale Family wielded massive influence in Atlas City—in the whole Atlas Federation. Eliminating them without cause would spark gossip. It'd tarnish his image.

He minded little, yet gaining spotless repute beat a sullied one.

Publicly revealing their thrall production would reframe their destruction—not as slaughter.

But righteous retribution.

Controlled by Skinny Pete, Alexander revealed every detail to Ethan's query.

"Recently, the Hale Family discovered a box of unique material within a Void Realm. It contained a manual detailing thrall creation… and domination methods."

"It claimed a completed thrall gains vast power boosts and total obedience."

"Thus, the Hale Family aimed to craft one for trials."

"Thrall making demands live humans… leaving us no option but repeated human trials. We groped forward blindly."

"Dad, quit speaking!" Dominic wailed, countenance distorted.

Smack—!

Big Mike's slap whipped Dominic's head sideways forcefully.

"Be quiet," Big Mike growled in revulsion.

Charles and company now looked ashen with outrage.

"How many victims in your experiments?" Charles grated through gritted teeth.

"I'm unsure," Alexander intoned flatly. "Nearly two hundred. Males, females, elders, kids—we tested everyone."

Boom.

Charles pounded the earth with his fist.

"You're demons in human skin."

Ethan's tone deepened. "Leonard Hale mentioned thrall creation involves excruciating agony. Essentially tormenting to demise. Accurate?"

"Accurate," Alexander confirmed.

"Beast." Charles lost control, seizing a machete and advancing as if to decapitate Alexander.

Ethan lifted a hand to halt him. "Wait. Not finished yet."

He bent near Alexander, whispering solely for his ears. "Final query. Where's the thrall manual? Murmur it softly."

"Beneath my bed," Alexander breathed. "A secret floor panel exists."

"Excellent."

Ethan stood tall and moved aside, motioning toward Alexander. "Go on, old man. If you desire his death, proceed."

Charles fixed on Alexander for an extended beat, heaving breaths.

His frame slumped then. "Never mind. Hale Family affairs… I wash my hands. Ethan, handle as you see fit."

Ethan scoffed. "As if your 'input' could deter me."

"..."

Ethan eyed Big Mike. "Big Mike. Execute these two. Then we march to the Hale Family compound and seize their turf."

"Understood."

He tossed in offhandedly, like picking a meal. "Also—off Benjamin Caldwell."

"Hold— no!" Benjamin paled instantly. "I truly knew nothing!"

"Knowledge doesn't matter." Ethan's stare was emotionless. "You sided with Hales throughout. Sufficient reason. End him."

"..."

Charles parted his lips as if to protest, then exhaled deeply and averted his gaze.

Ethan's eyes shifted to Gabriel Mercer.

Gabriel recoiled noticeably.

"Er—Ethan, I'm no Hale ally. I fought only from necessity!"

"I'm aware," Ethan replied, nearly chuckling. "Merely observing you. Matching face to reputation."

He halted, then continued, "Plus, among Five Families, yours has weakest footprint. Needed confirmation you're real."

"….."

Seconds passed before shrieks pierced the sky.

Alexander Hale. Dominic Hale. Benjamin Caldwell.

All met instant execution.

Hale and Caldwell Enhanced survivors dared not intervene.

Big Mike brushed his palms as if shedding dirt.

Ethan pivoted, scanning the rattled masses and hushed chiefs.

"Time to seize their domain."