Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1281 1281: Now They’re Afraid of Us

With the entire Atlas Federation observing, the Fallen Star Squad concluded their initial assault on a Yamato Empire stronghold. Among the hundreds of thousands initially present, the vast majority met their demise. While a few managed to flee, their prospects for survival in an apocalypse overrun by zombies were exceedingly slim.

Tens of millions of Federation citizens witnessed the event unfold, treating it like a grand spectacle. In this manner, the Fallen Star Squad's standing within the Federation soared to unprecedented heights. They were no longer merely formidable; they were considered invincible—figures of admiration that commanded everyone's attention and were hailed as idols.

In a world where sources of optimism were becoming increasingly scarce, their displayed might provided the Federation with a simple yet potent elixir: a tangible reason to believe in their potential survival.

Before the cataclysm, had the Fallen Star Squad annihilated tens of thousands—even if they were enemy combatants from Yamato—there would have been an outcry from the morally conscious, decrying the bloodshed. However, nearly a year had elapsed since the world's collapse. Every survivor had witnessed unimaginable carnage, and most had stained their hands with blood.

Furthermore, even prior to the apocalypse, the Yamato Empire had exhibited behavior disturbingly akin to zombies—engaging in invasions, ambushes, and ruthless slaughter.

Henry eventually deactivated the recording device. Following this, the squad transitioned into a role resembling plunderers, thoroughly ransacking the compound. They appropriated valuable resources and provisions, along with an astonishingly large hoard of crystal cores.

And the supposed "adult film stars"?

Indeed, they were very real. They had been concealed within a rear building.

Upon breaching that structure, the scene that greeted the squad was almost too overwhelming for the senses.

The building was immense, accommodating hundreds of women, each possessing exceptional beauty—both in features and physique. They were adorned in a diverse array of costumes, as if a costume shop had been repurposed as a sanctuary.

Maid outfits, flight attendant uniforms, nurse attire, schoolgirl costumes, paired with various stockings—some opaque, others sheer. Every conceivable style was present.

The squad members stood momentarily frozen, astonished. It had to be admitted, this compound truly embraced the concept of "living well."

It became clear why no attractive women had been encountered during the preceding battle. They had all been sequestered in this hidden location.

It appeared the Yamato Empire had elevated indulgence to an art form in the post-apocalyptic era.

Ethan couldn't help but ponder if similar compounds existed elsewhere, as this particular setup was undeniably—bizarre.

The women were huddled on the ground, trembling. It was evident they had overheard the events outside.

However, an undercurrent of desire, rather than pure terror, seemed to emanate from their expressions.

And the Fallen Star Squad consisted of young men and women whose passions still ran high.

Faced with such a spectacle, it was challenging not to be captivated.

Mia turned to Ethan, inquiring, "Well? Are they attractive?"

"Uh..." Ethan cleared his throat, suddenly finding the wall exceptionally interesting. "They're... alright."

Mia's gaze sharpened slightly. "Then we don't need to linger. Shall we leave?"

"...Alright," Ethan conceded, attempting to turn away—

—but his eyes stubbornly refused to cooperate.

Mia leaned closer, her voice barely audible, her cheeks flushed. "If you truly desire such things... I could wear something similar for you..."

Ethan's head snapped around, fixing his gaze upon her.

Considering Mia's appearance and figure, if she were to don any of those outfits—

Yes. That would present a significant challenge.

A surge of heat coursed through him, swift and direct. Lately, this young woman had become increasingly bold.

And... truthfully?

He found he didn't mind it.

"Let's go, let's go, let's go," Ethan declared promptly, turning towards Big Mike and the others with feigned indignation. "What's so remarkable about this? Doesn't the Atlas Federation also boast beautiful women?"

"We do," Skinny Pete responded honestly, his gaze still lingering on the women, "but not to this... extreme extent."

"...."

"Alright," Chris interjected, his tone firm. "Look if you must, but refrain from any inappropriate actions. We are the Fallen Star Squad; we have a reputation to uphold."

As he spoke, his eyes subtly, almost reflexively, found Emily's.

"Precisely," Ethan seized the conversational opening. "We are the Fallen Star Squad. What kind of woman can we not acquire? Once stability returns, I'll ensure every one of you is paired with someone."

He had, in recent times, effectively played the role of a matchmaker, and every pairing he had facilitated had proven successful.

"...Fine." Reluctantly, the others averted their gazes.

The truth was, their primary interest lay in mere observation.

Were it to come down to action... they likely would not indulge. Not with women of this caliber. Too many potential complications and an undeniable lack of traditional purity.

"Ethan," Chris addressed him, his gaze steady. "What is our course of action regarding them?"

Eliminating them... yes. Even for their hardened group, that represented a boundary they were hesitant to cross.

Ethan paused, considering his options. With a decisive shake of his head, he declared, "Never mind. We'll let them be. Our next target is the other compound."

"...Understood."

As they turned to leave, a ripple effect swept through the hundreds of women within the compound; they collapsed to their knees in unison.

One among them, a strikingly pretty woman whose body trembled, managed to utter broken Federation Standard, saying, "Please… take us with you. We'll serve you well… ensure you have a most pleasant experience."

These women were not naive. They understood that if the Fallen Star Squad departed without them, their fate would likely be to become zombie sustenance.

The unspoken implication of her plea sent everyone's minds spiraling into darker territories, and a collective chill ran down the group's spines.

"Yeah… no thank you," a voice mumbled from the group. "We wouldn't make it out alive if we took that deal."

A short while later, they ascended their flying mounts, leaving the compound and its occupants behind.

In the succeeding days, Ethan and his contingent carved a path of relentless destruction across the Yamato Empire.

Compound after compound succumbed to their assault.

Crystal cores began to pile up, and rare resources flowed in so abundantly they seemed incapable of carrying it all.

Across the entirety of the Yamato Empire, a dread far surpassing anything the apocalypse had previously inflicted began to take root—a pervasive, suffocating, and unending terror.

They had, for a considerable duration, coexisted with the world's end.

But this particular threat?

This was something entirely new.

Within the high command of the Yamato Empire.

Ryuji Takahashi, the current supreme leader of the Yamato Empire, convened with the nation's highest-ranking officials in a strictly confidential meeting room.

Each individual present wore a strained expression, their brows deeply furrowed.

"Takahashi-san," a high-ranking official exclaimed, his voice laced with fury, "the entire Yamato Empire is in a state of widespread panic. This situation is untenable! Are we truly admitting that the Yamato Empire is incapable of handling a mere handful of Atlas Federation invaders?!"

"Handling them?" Takahashi retorted, a clear note of exasperation in his voice. "How exactly do you propose we do that? You have all witnessed the combat recordings. Their power levels are consistently at Tier 15 or higher. So, enlighten me—how do you 'handle' a force of that magnitude?"

"So, we are simply supposed to stand by and watch?" another official interjected sharply. "At this pace, it will not be long before they reach Edo City. And then, our entire nation will be finished!"

His words landed with the weight of a physical blow.

A heavy silence descended upon the room, as every person present could clearly perceive the trajectory of the impending onslaught and its ultimate target.

"How did these Atlas Federation invaders achieve such formidable strength?" someone demanded, their voice thick with anguish. "The apocalypse occurred simultaneously for everyone! We struggle to even field individuals at Tier 12, so how could they possibly be at such an advanced stage?"

"Who can possibly know the answer to that?" another voice cut in, tinged with bitterness. "Speculation is not productive at this juncture. The immediate problem is this: what course of action do we take? Those invaders are acting like uncontrollable beasts—slaughtering their way through Yamato without pause. If we fail to halt their advance, Yamato is doomed!"

"This is your doing, Ishikawa," a different official accused, his tone venomous. "If you had not conceived the idea of diverting those Infernals towards the Atlas Federation, we would not find ourselves in this dire predicament!"

"You're attempting to place the blame on me now?" Ishikawa shot back, his face flushed with anger. "Every single person here gave their consent. Furthermore, had we not redirected the Infernals, we might very well have been annihilated by them already."

"That's a preposterous notion," someone interrupted. "There are still Infernals present in their territory, and they are not engaging in widespread slaughter as these invaders are. While they did cause significant casualties initially, their current activity has diminished. They primarily consume. If kept sufficiently fed, they tend to become passive. With our population, we could have sustained them for a considerable period."

"Wait a moment…" Takahashi's eyes suddenly sharpened, a glimmer of an idea igniting within them. "Infernals."

The room instantly fell into hushed anticipation.

Takahashi leaned forward, elaborating, "What if we were to lure the Fallen Star Squad towards the base of Mount Fuji? Infernals frequently emerge from that area. We could then utilize the Infernals to eliminate them on our behalf."

For a fleeting moment, silence reigned—then, a palpable shift occurred as faces began to express a dawning hope, like a potent drug taking hold.

"Ah…" someone breathed, their tone bordering on reverence. "Indeed. Takahashi-san… that is a truly brilliant strategy."