Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1284: Even Infernals Weren’t Enough

At the Yamato Empire's High Command center.

A group of Yamato's highest-ranking officials gazed at the screen, their eyes wide with disbelief, their minds struggling to process the scene.

All they had managed to catch was a fleeting flicker in the video feed—

—and then, half of the Infernals on screen were annihilated.

"What in the blazes just occurred?!" Ryuji Takahashi’s face contorted, his expression a mask of ugly incredulity.

"No clue! The transmission glitched for a moment. We didn't even witness their movements, and the Infernals simply… perished!"

"Damn it. Not at this critical juncture." Takahashi slammed his fist onto a nearby surface. "Get the signal transmission center on the line. Immediately!"

"Takahashi-san," an official interjected, his voice strained, "the primary concern isn't the technical issue. It's the fact that they possess the ability to eliminate Infernals."

That single statement seemed to drain all the air from the room.

To the Yamato Empire, Infernals represented an apocalyptic threat, a harbinger of mass extinction. Yet, these monstrous beings had just been eradicated as if they were insignificant.

The psychological impact was devastating.

They had genuinely held the belief that they could weaponize the Infernals against the Fallen Star Squad. They had even sacrificed hundreds of thousands of lives as bait to ensure the plan's success.

But in the end, they had inadvertently handed their adversaries a significant advantage.

"I refuse to believe it!" one official exclaimed, slumping onto the table, his face inches from the monitor. He appeared to be on the verge of a breakdown. "Something is amiss. There are still dozens of Infernals remaining! Eliminate them! Burn them to ashes!"

Whether the Infernals registered his desperate cry was uncertain—

—but on the screen, the remaining Infernals suddenly burst into flames. A terrifying, rolling wave of fire surged towards Ethan’s group.

The display was immense.

The intended intimidation was palpable.

And then, a flurry of dozens of daggers flashed through the air.

The last wave of Infernals froze mid-stride—held in place for just a heartbeat—

—and then they collapsed.

This time, the Yamato command staff observed the sequence with absolute clarity.

It was the leader. The one positioned at the forefront.

He was responsible.

And somehow, witnessing the act was more disturbing than having missed it.

Those horrifying Infernals—creatures that instilled dread in entire nations—were being instantly dispatched like common insects. Without a fight. Without any form of resistance. Not even a sliver of an opportunity to retaliate.

"Ghk..." The sound of someone swallowing echoed loudly.

The entire room followed suit, almost in unison.

"How... what course of action do we take, Takahashi-san?" a voice trembled. "Even the Infernals proved insufficient!"

"As if I possess any answers!" Takahashi retorted, and for the first time, the sheer panic in his own voice was undeniable.

A tentative proposal emerged from the rear of the chamber.

"Then... shall we plead for mercy?"

Takahashi spun around to face the speaker. "Scoundrel! Ishikawa—are you mindful of your words?! The Yamato Empire is expected to beg a mere handful of individuals from the Atlas Federation?!"

"Precisely!" another voice vociferated. "I would sooner perform seppuku than humble myself before those Atlas Federation upstarts!"

A chorus of heated concurrence arose, fueled by indignation and fury.

Ichigo Ishikawa's face contorted in frustration. "Seppuku, seppuku—it's always seppuku!" he barked. "If slicing your abdomen could resolve issues, I'd do it right now just to silence you!"

He pointed a trembling finger at the screen, his body shaking with rage.

"The paramount issue is preserving Yamato from annihilation. As long as we remain alive, what is so contemptible about seeking aid?!"

"And if we beg, you believe they will spare us?" someone countered sharply. "You are indulging in fantasy. Several compounds have already pleaded for their lives—what was the outcome? They were annihilated nonetheless."

He spat out the words as if they were venom.

"Those individuals are akin to demons. Begging will yield no results."

"I have a potential solution," a different official suddenly stated.

All eyes swiveled towards him. "What is it?"

"We ought to attempt communication with the Atlas Federation's governing body," he proposed, his voice tight but resolute. "They have consistently advocated for measured responses. In a situation of this gravity, they might favor a cooperative approach over escalation. If they become aware of these individuals' actions, they might intervene and exert control."

"That... might indeed prove effective." Another official nodded rapidly. "Based on my understanding, the Atlas Federation's leadership would likely denounce an operation of this nature."

"Excellent," Takahashi declared instantly, latching onto the idea as a lifeline. "Proceed. Instruct the satellite control center to establish contact with the Atlas Federation's satellite command."

"Affirmative!"

Within Atlas City’s compound...

Maxwell and the remainder of the Federation's senior command observed Ethan's instantaneous obliteration of numerous Infernals, and an unconscious, collective swallowing sound filled the room.

"Ethan's power is escalating once more," a voice murmured.

"Naturally," another responded. "I heard from that young fellow Rowan—Ethan’s contingent annihilated hundreds of Infernals in Nova City and acquired an immense quantity of exceptionally high-tier crystal cores. With such a bounty, their combat strength was bound to surge."

Charles' eyes gleamed with avarice. He leaned towards Maxwell. "General Kane, you maintain close ties with Ethan. Is there a feasible method to acquire a few of those cores from him? Atlas City is currently deficient in high-tier combat capabilities."

Maxwell rolled his eyes. "Don't even consider it. We ought to express gratitude that he isn't extorting us. And you're aiming to extract high-tier cores from him? That's delusional."

"I never suggested outright theft," Charles countered. "I proposed a trade. We offer other resources, an equitable exchange."

Maxwell leveled a blank stare at him. "And what resources do you imagine hold value comparable to such high-tier cores?"

"Uh..."

"Furthermore, even if we acquired them," Maxwell added, "we'd be unable to utilize them."

"...True," Charles mumbled, his spirits instantly sinking.

"Actually," Gabriel interjected, his gaze sharp, "I have a concept brewing."

Maxwell turned his head. "Enlighten us."

"Our focus has been predominantly on synthesizing crystal cores," Gabriel explained. "Why don't we also investigate methods for their fragmentation?"

A few expressions shifted. "You propose...?"

"To take a high-tier crystal core and break it down into multiple lower-tier cores," Gabriel elaborated, his enthusiasm growing. "This might not serve our immediate needs, but it would undoubtedly benefit Ethan."

He gestured towards the display. "Those Infernal cores are likely far too advanced. Beyond the Fallen Star Squad, I doubt anyone within Fallen Star City possesses the capability to use them. They're probably just gathering dust."

"If we can partition a single high-tier core into numerous usable ones, that resolves the bottleneck. And if we present this research outcome to Ethan – proactively – I'm confident he'll appreciate the gesture."

Gabriel's lips curved slightly. "Given Ethan's nature... if we render him a significant service, there's a respectable probability he'll bestow a core or two upon us as recompense."

The atmosphere in the room brightened. Individuals began thinking rapidly, exchanging glances.

"That approach might prove effective," Maxwell stated, giving a single nod. His tone was now resolute.

He understood Ethan sufficiently well: the individual presented himself like a bandit, undoubtedly – yet he was not without compassion. Moreover, he detested incurring obligations. If you acted honorably towards him, he would typically reciprocate.

Maxwell did not delay.

"Issue the directive," he commanded. "Instruct the research division to suspend all other projects and commence immediate work on crystal core decomposition."

"Yes, sir!"

At that precise moment, a soldier hurried in, almost at a run.

"General—a report from satellite command. The Yamato Empire's Prime Minister, Ryuji Takahashi, is requesting a direct communication channel with you!"

"Takahashi?" Maxwell's brows furrowed. "What does he require of me?"

Charles chuckled. "Come now, General Kane. Isn't it self-evident? Merely observe the screen."

Another individual snorted. "Indeed—the chap is petrified. The Fallen Star Squad has him utterly intimidated."

"Understandably so," a third voice commented. "Infernal beings being dispatched with a single strike? If he isn't terrified, he's not human. He's likely initiating contact to implore us to withdraw the Fallen Star Squad."

"So, shall we accept the call?"

Maxwell's smile turned sharp. "Proceed. Why would we decline? Opportunities to deliver such a stinging rebuke are infrequent."

He gestured to the soldier. "Inform satellite command to establish the connection."

"Yes, sir!"