Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1270: Twenty Thousand Strong

The dawning of the next day saw a formidable force, exceeding twenty thousand individuals, emerge from the desolate remnants of Fallen Star City. Their march commenced, a powerful exodus from the ruined metropolis.

High above, five colossal flying mutant beasts soared through the atmosphere. Each member of the elite Fallen Star Squad was mounted upon their backs, observing the procession below as if they were overseeing a grand military parade.

On the ground, the vanguard of this impressive expedition was comprised of Fallen Star's 'reserve unit'—essentially the city's second-tier forces. This leading contingent included Vivian, Calvin, Aurora, Grace, and several other high-ranking officials of Fallen Star City.

Among this leading group, Vivian possessed Stage C strength, while Aurora and Grace were both at Tier 11. The remaining officials were Tier 10. Notably, apart from Grace and Aurora, all of them had undergone awakening.

Following closely behind were over a thousand Tier 10 Enhanced individuals.

And the rest of the army? They were all peak Tier 9 Enhanced.

This indeed represented the full martial might of Fallen Star City.

While other settlements were celebrating the addition of a mere few dozen—or perhaps a hundred—Tier 9 Enhanced fighters, thanks to the advent of synthetic crystal cores…

Fallen Star City maintained a 'minimum standard' of peak Tier 9 for its Fallen Star Guard.

While other settlements rejoiced over the rare achievement of training a single Tier 10 Enhanced individual…

Within Fallen Star City, Tier 10 combat power was a common sight.

And this was still without accounting for the formidable Fallen Star Squad.

When the Squad was factored in, the disparity in strength was not merely a difference, but a complete dimensional chasm—akin to bringing advanced weaponry to a primitive conflict.

The vast formation advanced towards the Silverlake City compound with a swift and unwavering pace. Their sheer momentum generated an aura of pressure that compelled the surrounding zombies and mutant beasts to maintain a respectful distance, hesitant to approach.

Meanwhile…

At the Atlas City compound…

Maxwell and his associates convened once more in the conference room as the morning broke.

This was the day Fallen Star City had chosen to launch its assault on the Silverlake City compound.

Not a single person in that assembly regarded the impending conflict lightly.

Under normal circumstances, a smaller settlement, comprising only tens of thousands of individuals, attempting to conquer a major compound with over two million inhabitants would be deemed an act of utter folly, tantamount to suicide.

However, when the entity involved was Fallen Star City, the situation was entirely different.

Their exact strength remained unknown to many, yet the mere fact that it shared the 'Fallen Star' designation with the notorious squad was enough to instill a profound sense of dread.

This was primarily because it was the settlement established by the infamous Fallen Star bandit squad.

At this juncture, the discussions had moved beyond predicting the victor; the focus had shifted to fervent prayers that Fallen Star City would exercise restraint and minimize casualties.

Maxwell's satellite phone pierced the silence with its ring. The scout, dispatched overnight to the Silverlake City compound and positioned to observe—was making contact.

Maxwell seized the device, answered instantly, and activated the speakerphone feature.

“General Kane! We’ve confirmed sighting of Fallen Star City's forces—they have already entered the Golden Delta region!”

“What is the deployment size?” Maxwell inquired.

“It appears to be… slightly over twenty thousand.”

“Phew…” A collective sigh of relief swept through the room as everyone exhaled the tension they had been holding.

Twenty thousand. That number seemed… manageable.

“However, uh… General Kane,” the voice on the other end faltered, tinged with an unusual hesitation. “These twenty thousand might be… different.”

Maxwell’s brow furrowed. “Different in what way?”

“Their rate of advance is exceptionally high. Unless each and every one of them possesses a movement-speed enhancement skill—which seems highly improbable—then based on their current pace… it is very likely that all twenty thousand are… Tier 9 or above.”

“What!?” Maxwell and the others leaped to their feet, their eyes wide with disbelief.

The implications of this statement were crystal clear to them.

Atlas City boasted superior resources and possessed the technology for synthetic crystal cores. Furthermore, they had recently engaged in trade with other settlements to acquire additional crystal cores.

Even with these advantages, their total number of Tier 9 fighters barely exceeded two thousand.

And now, a settlement described as 'small,' with a population of only tens of thousands, was reportedly deploying over twenty thousand Tier 9 Enhanced individuals?

That was ten times their own strength.

A heavy silence descended upon the room as each individual struggled to regulate their breathing and maintain composure.

“Of course…” one person murmured, “it’s Ethan’s compound. Unnaturally powerful, as always.”

“No—wait!” the scout’s voice suddenly boomed again, a note of escalating panic creeping in.

Every heart in the room clenched. “What is it now!?”

“I’m observing their expressions—they all appear remarkably relaxed. Their current speed… it’s not even close to their maximum exertion. This implies their power level might extend beyond Tier 9!”

“!!!”

Maxwell's voice cut through the air, sharp and decisive, devoid of any hesitation. “Transmit an immediate notification to the Silverlake City compound. Instruct them to surrender unconditionally. All personnel. Resistance is strictly forbidden.”

“…General Kane,” the scout’s voice conveyed a sense of entrapment, “they are no longer adhering to our directives.”

Maxwell’s jaw tightened. He already anticipated the reason.

“The elements from the Riverton City compound will disregard our orders,” he stated icily. “However, the original Silverlake City compound should still comply. That was a government-established settlement—they remain accountable to The Atlas Federation headquarters.”

He leaned closer to the speaker, his voice hardening. “Ensure they comprehend this critical message: do not offer any resistance. If they choose to surrender, there is a possibility we can mitigate the overall casualties.”

“Yes, sir!”

Silverlake City compound…

Garrett and his companions had yet to return after a full night had passed, and all attempts to reach them via phone calls proved unsuccessful. The higher-ups from the Riverton City compound, who had arrived earlier, grew increasingly anxious with each passing hour.

Even Monroe and the other unsettlingly bizarre entities from the Void Realm couldn't remain placid. They paced restlessly, their gazes dark and troubled.

“Marek didn’t lose, did he?” one of the grotesque figures inquired, a frown creasing his features.

“Impossible,” another promptly retorted. “In this world, no one can pose a threat to him. He likely just stumbled upon something intriguing over there.”

Monroe’s brow furrowed even more deeply. “Let’s wait a little longer. If they are still absent by the end of today, we will venture over ourselves.”

“Agreed.”

While they were consumed by their worries, a discreet message began to circulate among the original Silverlake City survivors—it was passed from person to person like illicit whispers.

“Word has arrived from Atlas City. If any attackers approach the compound today, you are to surrender. Do not offer any resistance—under any circumstances.”

This news initially left the populace bewildered… and then, surprisingly, exhilarated.

The Riverton City compound had violently seized control of Silverlake. The indigenous population harbored deep resentment, yet they had suppressed it due to the overwhelming strength of the invaders, making any resistance seem suicidal.

To compound matters, the few exceptionally strong and horrifying monsters residing in the compound's core were deranged.

Their preference was for consuming children's blood.

Daily, the Riverton occupants provided these beings with fresh blood. Each day, more children met a tragic end.

Everyone within the compound lived in a state of constant tension, never knowing whose family would be the next to suffer.

Thus, when they learned of an impending attack, their initial reaction was not fear.

It was hope.

If an individual or group could vanquish those monsters, the Silverlake inhabitants would welcome them with open arms—practically rolling out a red carpet, the entire elaborate gesture.

However…

The instant they recalled the formidable power of those grotesque beings, their burgeoning excitement transformed into profound dread.

Was there truly anyone capable of defeating them?

As the message disseminated, it was inevitable that the Riverton higher-ups would also receive the information.

“Someone is attacking the compound?”

“Heh. It sounds as though they’ve never experienced death before.”

“With those lords present, even Atlas City would be annihilated if they dared to show their faces.”

“Excellent.” A sinister smile spread across someone’s face. “Perfect timing. Let these fools abandon their futile daydreams.”

Around midday, at a location not far beyond the confines of Silverlake City compound…

The forces from Fallen Star City gradually halted their advance.

Before them, the compound loomed like an immense fortress-city, its walls stretching out extensively. The sight ignited a fervent blaze in everyone’s eyes—a pure, ravenous battle intent.

“So this is the Silverlake City compound,” Ethan remarked, surveying it briefly. “Not bad.”

Certainly, it couldn't rival the compound of Atlas City. Yet, it was considerably larger than Clearford City—hardly surprising, considering over two million people resided within its confines.

Ethan’s voice grew cold and crisp. “Advance. We will breach it directly. Any who resist—eliminate them.”

“Yes!”

The instant the command was issued, the contingent of over twenty thousand surged forward, breaking into a rapid charge towards the formidable walls.

From atop Silverlake’s ramparts, the sentries perceived a colossal mass in the distance—figures, a multitude of them—moving directly towards them at a terrifying velocity.

The alarm was sounded immediately.

“Enemy attack!”