Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1293 1293: There Is No Ceiling

"And what about the changes to your innate ability?" Ethan inquired.

Big Mike grinned widely, his face appearing as though it might split apart. "Heh. My innate ability also received a massive upgrade. It's a super cool skill—Dragonflame. Powerful and quite spectacular."

It was evident that Big Mike was delighted with both of his Stage B advancements.

"Not bad," Ethan commented, giving him a nod. "Those two skills are indeed formidable."

Chris snorted derisively. "Yeah, yeah. Great for picking on weaker opponents. If he actually fought anyone on this team, he wouldn't be able to defeat a single one of us."

He was still resentful that Toxic Rain had caused him to fall from the sky and land face-first in the dirt.

Big Mike opened his mouth to retort, then surveyed the group and slowly realized Chris was correct.

His gaze shifted—hopefully—towards Emily.

"At least I can beat Emily."

Chris narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure about that?"

Big Mike's confidence vanished instantly. "Uh…"

"…Fine. I can't beat any of you." He coughed, then quickly recovered. "But I can handle those Yamato guys. Who here takes down Yamato scoundrels faster than me?"

Chris nodded, his expression entirely serious. "Yeah, no. Can't compete with that."

Big Mike spread his hands, looking satisfied. "Precisely. We're not here to show off against each other. Why would I pick a fight with you psychos?"

"Alright," Ethan interjected, cutting off the squabbling before it escalated into a second round. "Garrick. It's your turn."

Garrick nodded. "My Stage B skill—you all witnessed it. A light-type ability: Protective Dome. It offers incredible defense."

Then he grimaced. "However, there's a significant drawback. Once I activate it, I can barely do anything else. I must constantly maintain it. The moment I ease up, it collapses."

"That's hardly a valid complaint," Ethan remarked, half-laughing. "Do you realize how many Flamebirds battered that thing? Tens of thousands, and it held firm."

He shrugged. "Extreme defense always comes at a cost. And yours is not insignificant—this is a team. If we require the dome, we won't expect you to simultaneously perform other tasks."

Garrick considered this and then nodded. "…Yes. That's fair."

"And your innate ability's growth?" Ethan prompted.

"Sandstorm," Garrick responded, making a small gesture. "It's an AoE ability, but it doesn't inflict much damage. It's more of a supportive effect—it blinds anyone within the area, impairing their vision."

"Useful," Ethan acknowledged. He then turned his attention to Mia. "Mia?"

Mia sat up straighter. "My Stage B skill is a single-target damage ability: the light-type Judgment Beam. It should strike with considerable force, and it's swift—making it difficult to dodge."

She smiled slightly. "And my innate ability evolved into Ice Blade Storm—an area-of-effect attack."

"Nice," Ethan said. "One for single targets, one for AoE. You no longer have any obvious weaknesses."

Mia's smile widened. "Yes. I'm pleased with it."

Ethan turned to Emily. "Emily?"

Emily nodded. "I acquired a wind-type ability: Wind Barrier. It can repel elemental attacks, but it won't offer much protection against physical strikes."

She glanced playfully at Big Mike. "So, if you thought I was easy prey, you're mistaken. I can likely block your Dragonflame."

Big Mike's expression fell. "…Damn."

Emily continued, her excitement growing. "And my innate ability gained Strength Blessing. I can provide buffs to you all—approximately a thirty percent increase in strength. It persists for about ten minutes."

Everyone immediately sat up, attentive.

"That's huge," Sean exclaimed.

Ethan nodded, impressed. "Yes, that's not just 'nice.' That's a direct, team-wide power boost."

Emily appeared pleased, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Good. I'm glad it can be of assistance."

Ethan clapped his hands once. "Alright. We've rested sufficiently. Let's continue onward—this Void Realm is immense. There should be more creatures lurking about."

"Yeah."

They rose swiftly, renewed energy coursing through their bodies.

Then, one by one, each member of the group entered the sea of Flamebirds, selected a bird they preferred, and mounted its back.

Ethan clambered onto the back of the Flamebird leader.

Fortunately, the leader was completely subdued under Skinny Pete's Beast Control. Otherwise, it likely would have attempted to bite his head off—Ethan hadn't exactly been gentle earlier, given the chokehold and the 'black-fist' treatment he administered.

"By the way," Ethan said, turning his head towards Skinny Pete, "ask it what kind of creatures inhabit this world. And where they are typically found."

They effectively had a native guide situated directly beneath them. There was no need to explore blindly. A massive flock like this flying overhead should possess superior knowledge of the terrain than anyone else.

Skinny Pete nodded and commenced communicating with the Flamebird leader mentally.

A minute later, he looked up.

"It mentions that this world was once teeming with life… but a significant catastrophe occurred long ago, transforming it into its current state. Most species couldn't survive. The number of living beings remaining is quite small."

He continued, clarifying as he spoke. "The skies are ruled by Flamebirds. On the surface, you have the red-skinned humanoids—the Infernals—and then there's another group dwelling underground: the Redshell beasts, identifiable by their red carapaces."

"Those three groups are the primary ones," Skinny Pete stated. "Everything else is essentially scattered remnants—and most of them have become sustenance for those three groups. They are difficult to even locate now."

"Regarding power," he went on, "the Infernals are the most formidable. Many ground races used to exist, but the Infernals consumed them all. The Flamebirds endured because of their ability to fly, and the Redshells survived because they can burrow."

"And due to the extreme scarcity of food, constant conflict erupts among the three groups. Flamebirds and Redshells maintain internal harmony, but the Infernals are fractured into numerous factions, perpetually warring over resources."

Ethan listened, nodding slowly.

Frankly, the situation bore a striking resemblance to Earth.

Prior to the apocalypse, humanity reigned supreme—yet humans were divided into nations that ceaselessly battled each other. Meanwhile, most animal species exhibited far greater unity within their own kind.

"Ask it this," Ethan instructed. "What is the approximate number of Infernals? And what is the highest power tier among them?"

Skinny Pete closed his eyes once more, concentrating.

After a brief pause, he responded. "It indicates that the Infernals outnumber the Flamebirds by at least a tenfold margin, and they are dispersed across the globe."

"This particular region is excessively harsh, thus Infernal presence is minimal here," he added. "There were a few thousand previously, but they haven't been sighted recently. It believes they likely departed—similar to those we encountered earlier."

Ethan gave a nod.

General Maxwell Kane had previously informed them that the Yamato Empire had dispatched numerous warships towards the Atlas Federation, but a majority were lost to sea monsters during the journey. Only three vessels managed to arrive.

If one calculated, it implied that a few thousand Infernals likely embarked… only to be outmaneuvered by Yamato and subsequently perish at sea.

Regardless of one's prowess—falling into the ocean renders one vulnerable.

And the sea monsters did not engage in 'fair' combat based on tier. Ethan still recalled the colossal creature they had observed previously. Even if it registered only as Tier 16, in its aquatic domain, it could effortlessly annihilate a Stage B Infernal. The advantage of a home environment was undeniable.

Ethan kept his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "So, what is the pinnacle of strength achievable by the Infernals?"

"Identical to the Flamebird leader," Skinny Pete replied. "Stage B."

Ethan's eyes widened slightly. "No higher?"

Skinny Pete shook his head. "It states that following the catastrophe, the maximum power level attainable by any being in this world is capped at this tier. They are incapable of surpassing it."

"Huh." Ethan absorbed this information, then nodded. "That clarifies matters significantly. We've encountered over twenty Stage Bs, yet not a single one exceeding that rank. So, it's not merely misfortune—they are fundamentally limited."

He leaned forward on the creature's back, his voice hardening.

"If the established cap is Stage B… then there is no longer a need for restraint."

His gaze shifted to the others. "We are going hunting."

"Let's move out."