Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1305 1305: A Fair Trade

A distance of over 1,200 miles separated Silverlake City from Atlas City, yet the journey was completed in a mere hour thanks to the Flamebirds, whose speed was truly astonishing.

As the Flamebirds soared into view above Atlas City this time, no anti-aircraft fire was launched.

By this point, Flamebirds had likely become renowned throughout the entire Atlas Federation, their distinctive blazing red bodies making them instantly recognizable and unlike any of Earth's mutant beasts.

The sentries on the city walls stood at rigid attention, their gazes tracking the Flamebirds as they passed overhead before a clear path was made for them to enter Atlas City's secured area.

Maxwell received the notification and nearly sputtered his drink.

The call had concluded less than an hour prior, and Ethan had already arrived.

Maxwell then recalled the mounts they were using—Flamebirds of an undisclosed Tier—which suddenly made the rapid arrival far more understandable.

He immediately ceased all other activities and proceeded with several high-ranking officials from the compound to greet them.

Ethan bypassed pleasantries. "We can discuss other matters later. General Kane, escort me to the crystal core decomposition technology."

"Certainly," Maxwell replied, wasting no time. He turned and led the way directly towards the research center situated behind the main compound.

Atlas City dedicated a substantial amount of personnel and resources to research and development, a significant advantage that Fallen Star City could not replicate.

Shortly thereafter, they reached a vast complex of buildings.

The entire facility was immense, encompassing areas for weapons research, biotechnology, crystal core studies, and more, all protected by security so stringent it was almost palpable. Unauthorized individuals were strictly forbidden from approaching.

To Ethan's contingent, these advancements might not have seemed particularly daunting.

However, in truth, had it not been for the Void Realm, Atlas City's pioneering research could very well have been the critical factor in humanity's survival during the apocalypse.

Technologies like laser cannons and crystal core synthesis possessed the potential to keep humanity a step ahead of the encroaching zombie hordes.

Had Ethan and his companions not acquired that immense surge of power from the Void Realm in Clearford City, they would never have dared to enter Atlas City with such an audacious demeanor as they had previously.

Furthermore, according to Maxwell, even without the data from the Void Realm, Atlas City's researchers were confident in their ability to devise a method for accelerating mysterious energy absorption.

Therefore, it was not that their research endeavors were lacking.

It was simply that the boons provided by the Void Realm were extraordinarily overwhelming.

Under Maxwell's guidance, they halted before a structure that more closely resembled a factory floor than a conventional laboratory.

Upon entering, they were met with a massive piece of machinery, comparable in size to a small room. Technicians bustled around it, engrossed in their tasks. Upon noticing Maxwell's arrival, they promptly approached to offer their greetings.

Maxwell gestured towards the equipment. "Ethan, this is the crystal core decomposition unit. Our researchers' projections indicate its capability to decompose crystal cores up to at least Stage B."

Ethan showed a flicker of surprise. "Indeed? You can even quantify the energy within a Tier 18 crystal core?"

A middle-aged man in work garments spoke from the side, his tone laced with pride in his team's accomplishment. "That particular aspect is not difficult. Here, we transform all energy into data. By analyzing the scaling patterns of each Tier, we can accurately extrapolate the values for higher-Tier cores."

Ethan offered a nod. "That is… quite remarkable." He mused that researchers were indeed a unique breed.

A slight frown then creased his brow. "However, if your decomposition capabilities extend to Tier 18, why is the synthesis output limited to Tier 12?"

"They represent distinct technological pathways," the man explained, as if it were self-evident. "Synthesis presents significantly greater challenges than decomposition."

"I see," Ethan's eyes narrowed with focus. "So, one high-Tier core—how many cores of one Tier lower can it be broken down into?"

"Five."

Ethan simply stared at him, processing the information.

"Wait a moment," Ethan interjected, his voice measured. "It requires more than ten lower-Tier cores to synthesize a single higher-Tier core… yet one higher-Tier core only yields five lower-Tier cores upon decomposition?"

The man remained unfazed. "Both the synthesis and decomposition processes involve energy loss. Achieving five is already the maximum possible yield. Previously, we could only achieve a split into two. This outcome is the result of continuous advancements."

Ethan clicked his tongue. "Very well. It seems like a steep price, but I accept it. So, the machine is operational, correct?"

"Yes. It is fully assembled and ready. We can initiate its operation at any time."

"Excellent," Ethan gave a single nod. "Then I will be taking it with me. Subsequently, you will dispatch a technician to our location to instruct our personnel on its operation."

"…Excuse me?"

The middle-aged researcher's eyes widened as he snapped his head toward Ethan.

"On what authority?" he demanded heatedly. "Why would we simply relinquish our creation?"

These individuals were purely academic, their focus solely on research, detached from political considerations. They failed to recognize Ethan or his companions in any capacity.

Their sole understanding was that a group of unfamiliar individuals had entered and, upon merely glimpsing the machinery, had begun speaking as though they held ownership.

Given the immense effort invested in its construction, his outrage was entirely understandable.

"Let him have it," Maxwell stated calmly. "You can easily construct another one later."

He was well aware of Ethan's character. The moment Ethan had brought them to this location, this precise outcome had been anticipated, leaving Maxwell entirely unfazed.

Moreover, the technology for decomposing crystal cores was, in essence, initially developed with Ethan's faction in mind. The original intention was always to provide him with the unit. Even Charles and his associates had raised no objections; this was a unified decision.

With Maxwell's endorsement, the research staff, no matter their internal displeasure, were compelled to comply.

As the technicians completed the disconnections and secured all equipment, Ethan, under the bewildered gaze of numerous researchers who seemed to have their minds completely overloaded, promptly transferred the entire apparatus into his spatial storage ring.

Following this, their departure from the research facility was marked by a grand feast arranged by Maxwell to honor their visit.

With his primary concern resolved, Ethan's spirits were exceptionally high. He ate with the kind of gusto one displays after a monumental burden has been lifted.

As the time for departure arrived, Ethan presented Maxwell with one hundred Tier 16 crystal cores.

Such was Ethan's straightforward nature: kindness shown would be repaid twofold, while any slight would result in utter annihilation.

Maxwell had provided invaluable assistance on this occasion. Although Maxwell had never requested any recompense, Ethan was not the type to depart without offering a token of gratitude.

As Tier 16 cores were what he possessed in the greatest abundance, relinquishing a hundred of them caused him no significant hardship.

However, for Maxwell?

It was an unimaginable windfall.

Upon receiving the cores, Maxwell's hands trembled uncontrollably. He dared not utter any polite platitudes, such as "You shouldn't have," for fear Ethan might retract the gift upon hearing it.

One hundred Tier 16 cores could be processed into 500 Tier 15, 2,500 Tier 14, 12,500 Tier 13, and a staggering 62,500 Tier 12 crystal cores.

This implied that if mass production of Stage C Enhanced individuals was the goal, these hundred Tier 16 cores could immediately yield over sixty thousand Stage C Enhanced combatants.

The sheer magnitude of this was astonishing.

It required no further elaboration.

It was entirely understandable why Maxwell's hands shook. For anyone else in his position, the shock might have caused them to collapse on the spot.

Charles and the other researchers were also visibly trembling, their excitement bordering on palpable vibrance. Their smiles stretched so wide they seemed to reach their ears.

When they initially embarked on this research endeavor, their modest hope was that Ethan might be pleased enough to bestow upon them a handful of high-Tier cores.

Never in their wildest fantasies had they conceived of such an extravagant gesture – a full hundred Tier 16 cores.

The sheer immensity of this unexpected bounty left them lightheaded. Even after Ethan's group had departed, they remained somewhat disoriented, struggling to return to normalcy.

After a significant pause, Gabriel finally exhaled, his voice laced with a mixture of awe and disbelief, and murmured:

"Damn... that's incredibly generous."