Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1238: Something Came Out

Stonebridge City Compound...

A government-constructed fortress, the Stonebridge City Compound spanned hundreds of acres and sheltered nearly three hundred thousand survivors, establishing it as one of the region's largest strongholds—a genuine massive base.

Yet Stonebridge City originally boasted over two million residents. Thus, despite the compound's solid defenses, it could only accommodate a fraction of the city's people, remaining ever vigilant against the threat of an enormous zombie swarm breaching its barriers.

However, just days earlier, a band of utter powerhouses had appeared in Stonebridge City.

Twenty thousand warriors, overwhelmingly mighty, sliced through endless zombie waves like an unstoppable flood, purging the streets with savage precision.

Edward Grant, the leader of Stonebridge City Compound, had been salivating over them from the start.

And upon learning they hailed from a mere small outpost in a distant town, Edward obsessed endlessly over recruiting them into Stonebridge.

The issue lay in his repeated failures. Negotiations launched time and again, lavish incentives piled high... yet they offered zero response. Often, they ignored him completely.

Edward found himself trapped—seething with rage yet powerless. Their might was far too dominant to coerce, and far too precious to abandon.

In that instant, within a central district office of the compound, Edward eyed his younger brother, Andrew Grant, fresh back from Atlas City.

"So, what's Atlas City's stance on the other compounds?" Edward inquired.

"Atlas City made no mention of unification," Andrew replied, appearing quite at ease. "They've essentially permitted the continued existence of other compounds. They urged everyone to concentrate on growth and powering up."

Leaning into his chair, assurance filled his tone. "Seems our concerns were unfounded. Given the current circumstances, even if Atlas City desired oversight of all, they lack the capacity. Resources are spread too thin. We can expand fearlessly—and when we're mighty enough, Atlas City couldn't challenge us regardless."

"Stay cautious," Edward warned coolly. "Absence of words doesn't preclude action. They might just lack the forces presently."

After a brief pause, he nodded faintly. "Still, you're correct. Should our compound grow sufficiently powerful, not even Atlas City could dominate us. Distance works in our favor; their reach is limited."

Edward's eyes narrowed sharply. "Right. Have you traded the crystal cores?"

"I have," Andrew confirmed, thrill lighting his features. "Exactly as instructed—we combined them all into Tier 9 crystal cores. We secured more than a hundred Tier 9 cores in exchange."

"Excellent." Edward's voice grew firm. "You, me, and select key figures—use those cores to reach Tier 9 peak immediately. Our goal: breakthrough to Tier 10 swiftly. Distribute the remainder to loyal peak Tier 8 members. Give priority to Awakened."

"Got it."

Andrew wavered briefly, then exhaled. "On the topic of Awakened... that lightning Awakened we captured earlier is incredibly formidable. Such a shame. The fool prefers death over yielding. Had he complied, he'd prove invaluable."

Edward laughed softly, gaze icy. "Powerful, yes. But his flaw is glaring. He capitulated for insignificant nobodies. Such loyalty marks him as an idiot."

His fingers drummed the desk softly. "Taming that sort is simple. Hold sway over his compound's people, and he'll submit in time."

Suddenly, his face hardened, prior mirth vanishing into keen intensity.

"Yet our main focus now: devising a plan to absorb that twenty-thousand-strong force into our ranks. Observations over recent days suggest... every member could be Tier 9."

"All of them?" Andrew's eyes bulged. "Tier 9?!"

The words almost stuck in his throat. "Twenty thousand individuals. Twenty thousand... pure Tier 9s!"

Thoughts whirling, Andrew burst out, "From my intel, Atlas City Compound possesses fewer than a thousand Tier 9 Enhanced. How on earth do they command twenty thousand Tier 9s?"

"I can't fathom it myself," Edward confessed quietly. "Their battlefield feats confirm Tier 9 strength beyond question. Perhaps they stumbled upon an extraordinary windfall."

A sinister glint sparked in his eyes.

"Regardless, we must recruit them. With that army, we'd fear no clash against Atlas City Compound."

Andrew gulped. "But they ignore us entirely. Do you truly have a method?"

"I do." Edward leaned forward. "I've uncovered some intel. They originated from Redmont City in Redwood County. That's our starting point."

His words came out deliberately, as if assembling a snare step by step.

"Their families are likely still back in Redmont. While they continue their operations here, you should lead a team to Redmont City and try to seize their relatives."

Andrew's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"With their families in our grasp," Edward continued, his tone steady and assured, "I doubt they'll turn down joining us."

Andrew nodded vigorously. "Right. That'll do it."

He sprang to his feet at once. "I'll round up some folks and head straight to Redmont."

Edward raised a finger. "Fine—but hold off on any hasty moves. Scout the Redmont City Compound first. Assess their power thoroughly before striking."

"No need to fret," Andrew replied. "I've got this handled."

"Excellent," Edward said, dismissing him with a wave. "Get going."

Elsewhere...

Garrett had just returned to the Riverton City compound when a report landed on his desk.

His scouts had discovered a special space concealed within a mountain range.

The revelation almost launched him from his seat.

Following his journey to Atlas City, he knew precisely the value of a special space.

This might be the breakthrough. This could propel the Riverton City Compound to true prominence.

Then came the subsequent update—and it erased all joy from his expression.

Not a soul who entered has emerged.

Ever since spotting the special space the day before, they had dispatched four or five teams inside. Each squad disappeared entirely. No signals. No survivors. Zero returns.

Garrett's gut twisted tightly.

Trouble brewed. This discovery... differed vastly from Atlas City's special space.

Right as Garrett prepared to dispatch yet another squad, a subordinate burst in, face ashen and frantic.

"Boss—this is terrible... It... it emerged!"

Garrett gaped. "What in blazes came out?"

"Boss! A creature from within the special space... emerged!"

"You mean our team got out?" Garrett's features brightened, hope flaring up.

"N-no! Not our guys. It's... it's a bunch of freaks who look like monsters!"

Garrett's eyebrows furrowed sharply. "What do you mean, monsters?"

"Some folks with utterly bizarre looks exited that special space! The moment they appeared, they butchered all our guards at the entrance!"

Fear shattered the man's voice.

Garrett's blood turned to ice.

"Folks with bizarre looks..." he echoed, the phrase bitter on his tongue. "You're telling me they're natives of the special space? Actual living entities?"

"Exactly." The subordinate's hands trembled. "Nothing like them exists out here. They must originate from inside."

Garrett leaped up. "Let's go. Lead me there—immediately."

Meanwhile, in the Yamato Empire...

When the apocalypse struck, the Yamato Empire endured heavier casualties than the Atlas Federation—its dense populations transformed cities into death traps. From about 130 million, less than ten million made it through.

Nevertheless, the Yamato Empire's armed might remained formidable. Ultimately, they fortified their positions and held ground in the devastated landscape.

Bolstered by their military, more than a dozen large compounds persisted. Two massive ones even boasted over a million residents each.

Yet days earlier, Mount Fuji erupted, obliterating numerous small and medium compounds nearby.

And that wasn't the true horror.

The real nightmare accompanied the eruption.

As the volcano exploded, red-skinned humanoids materialized from thin air—beings of such insane power it defied belief. They advanced on the local compounds like conquerors.

Even Enhanced crumbled before them—mere illusions of strength. They got cut down effortlessly, as if unworthy of notice.

The compounds' heavy guns proved utterly futile. Explosive rounds struck those horrors without so much as a scratch.

These crimson-skinned fiends craved drinking human blood and devouring human flesh. Their victims left no bodies—only bare bones behind.

Far grimmer than zombie feasts.

Confronted by such abominations, the Yamato Empire's Enhanced plunged into utter hopelessness. No one mustered the courage to fight back.

Zombies allowed dreams of triumph.

These horrors?

Combat wasn't conceivable. No clash at all—just relentless slaughter.

That hopelessness raced outward, engulfing the whole Yamato Empire.