Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1319: The Crimson Star Returns

Ten at night had long passed when Ethan and Mia finally emerged from their room.

Having experienced the "forbidden fruit" for the very first time, it was only natural, given their combined strength, that things would linger on for quite some time.

Upon their exit, Ethan appeared exceptionally refreshed and undeniably content. Mia, conversely, was a brilliant shade of crimson, her gaze downcast, too mortified to meet anyone's eyes.

"Well, well, you two have finally decided to grace us with your presence?" Chris quipped, a wide grin stretching across his face. "I was starting to believe you'd be occupied until the sun came up."

"Seriously," Big Mike added, chiming in. "Damn, Cap... who knew you possessed such impressive stamina!"

Ethan offered no response, opting instead to abruptly pivot the conversation. "Did anyone prepare dinner? I'm famished."

"Captain, you literally just finished eating not too long ago," Big Mike remarked, his eyes fixed on Ethan. "Does it truly consume that much stamina?"

"Find yourself a girl and give it a try sometime. You'll understand," Ethan retorted, rolling his eyes. "Alright, enough with the chatter. Instruct the kitchen to get something on the table promptly."

He recognized the need to halt the group's incessant teasing, otherwise Mia would likely vanish into the ground from sheer mortification.

Although she had acted with a certain boldness in the critical moment, her disposition was typically as delicate as paper. The slightest thing would cause her cheeks to burn.

"Understood, understood," they conceded. Everyone was well aware of Mia's sensitive nature, so they wisely backed off and let the subject drop.

Emily, however, looped an arm around Mia and gently guided her towards a nearby sofa, murmuring something into her ear.

Ethan caught a glimpse of them. Though he couldn't discern any words, it wasn't truly necessary. The way Mia's face continued to deepen in color... it was certainly not a conversation of innocent topics.

Not long after, the meal arrived—a surprisingly opulent spread covering the entire table.

They all settled down to eat. Ethan's gaze fell upon the large bowl of chicken stew placed before him, and he couldn't help but frown. "Didn't you mention we were running low on mutant chicken? Why are we stewing it again?"

"That last portion didn't quite seem sufficient," Chris explained, his grin mischievous. "I figured you might require a second helping."

Ethan simply rolled his eyes, didn't bother with a reply, and raised the bowl.

He consumed its contents as if attempting to extinguish his own pride.

"Hey—slow down..." Mia, seated beside him, quickly produced a napkin and gently dabbed at his mouth.

"My, my," Emily chimed in, leaning forward with a sharp smile. "Look at Mia—already tending to him so solicitously."

Mia's face flushed a deeper red, yet her hands continued their ministrations.

She had held feelings for Ethan for a considerable time, but had never dared to openly express them. Ethan's demeanor had always been rather enigmatic; she had no way of knowing his true thoughts, so she had simply kept her emotions hidden, silently, within her heart.

This time, when everyone insisted she bring the stew, she had immediately understood the subtle arrangement. She wasn't oblivious.

Yet, she hadn't refused. Her intention was to leverage his supposedly "weakened" state to foster a closer connection, to build a little momentum.

She had simply not anticipated the stew's efficacy – events had escalated far more rapidly than she had ever imagined.

Upon further reflection, she surmised that the stew likely contained more than just mere

A year had passed, and they found themselves at the apex of the world.

Though it might sound peculiar, the apocalypse had forged them.

Had it not transpired, they would have completed their studies and entered the mundane job market. Lacking connections, a solid background, or financial resources, their existence would likely have been utterly unremarkable.

Since the catastrophe, every stride forward had been paid for in blood, yet they had also reaped rewards from their struggles.

If the Void Realm did not loom, they could be enjoying a comfortable existence in Fallen Star City right now, resting peacefully and living the good life.

However, the Void Realm remained a constant threat, like an unexploded bomb hanging over their heads. No one could predict when it would detonate.

And when it did, all their hard-earned achievements could be wiped out in an instant.

The Atlas Federation was left with a mere thirteen major compounds. All other compounds, regardless of size, had been annihilated.

Should the Void Realm unleash a full-scale assault, how many of these major compounds would realistically withstand the onslaught?

The most probable outcome was humanity being forced to abandon their painstakingly secured compounds once more—fragmenting, dispersing into smaller factions, and struggling for survival in whatever pockets they could find. This would be the sole method to ensure the continuation of the human bloodline.

But Ethan harbored no desire for such an existence.

He recoiled from the idea of living like a hunted animal, perpetually on the run, perpetually in hiding.

His ambition was to establish a secure haven for humanity—for the Atlas Federation—a place where they could truly thrive.

Let people brand him a thief; he wouldn't even dispute the accusation.

Nevertheless, when it truly mattered, his sense of responsibility remained steadfast.

Without strength, however, none of it held any significance. Insufficient power rendered all aspirations mere empty words.

By the time their meal concluded, the hour was nearing midnight.

Following their repast, everyone proceeded directly to the rooftop terrace.

Stargazing to absorb mysterious energy had become an essential nightly ritual.

Once the Nine-Star Dipper became visible, the mysterious energy surged, and the Body Refinement Technique relied heavily on the celestial phenomenon for advancements.

Thus, even after erecting ritual circles, none of them had ever forsaken their nightly meditation under the stars.

Time advanced steadily.

Precisely at midnight, the Nine-Star Dipper materialized as predicted.

Yet, on this particular occasion, it was not the sole celestial body present.

A star, both familiar and strangely alien, emerged almost simultaneously.

It was a blazing crimson star.

Occupying the position where Polaris once shone, a blindingly red point of light ignited in the sky, hanging beside the Nine-Star Dipper like a grievous wound torn across the heavens.

Upon witnessing it, a wave of shock swept across every face present.

That particular star had not made an appearance since the very inception of the apocalypse.

In those early days, Ethan had questioned if he had merely imagined it, given his and Chris's inebriated and disoriented state.

However, through subsequent encounters and conversations, the truth became undeniable.

The Crimson Star was indeed real.

Its appearance coincided with the disappearance of Polaris.

And a vast majority of the Awakened had witnessed it.

This implied that the very existence of the Awakened was a consequence of the Crimson Star.

But following that inaugural night, it had vanished, never to be seen again.

Now, it had returned.

Whether this signaled good fortune or the harbinger of a far more dreadful turn of events remained entirely unknown.