Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1323: Power Has a Price

The squad made haste toward the Beast Enclosure.

Within its confines, several members of the Fallen Star Guard were already engaged in a chaotic struggle against a number of white-furred apes.

The guards who had intervened were among the strongest, possessing power levels around Tier 20.

Despite their formidable strength, they were currently being outmaneuvered and pushed around by the apes, darting and evading as if they were the ones at a disadvantage.

Ethan came to an abrupt halt, utterly taken aback by the scene unfolding before him.

"No way... Tier 19."

He had always recognized the potent bloodlines of the white-furred apes. He simply had not anticipated this level of advancement.

Prior to the emergence of The Crimson Star, these creatures were merely around Tier 13.

Mere ten days later, they had surged an astonishing six Tiers, progressing directly from Stage C to Stage B.

It was an unbelievable escalation.

For a fleeting moment, Ethan couldn’t help but feel that his own advancements seemed insignificant in comparison.

Naturally, the fundamental reason behind the explosive growth in power for zombies and mutant beasts remained unchanged—

crimson energy.

This substance operated on an entirely different plane compared to mysterious energy.

While Ethan could acknowledge and even envy the results, he felt no inclination to embrace it.

That particular energy utterly consumed intelligence. Even if humans were capable of absorbing it, he would never resort to such a method.

What was the ultimate purpose of possessing strength if one’s sanity was irrevocably lost?

Currently, five Tier 19 white-furred apes were relentlessly overpowering the Fallen Star Guard.

They weren’t merely holding them at bay.

They weren’t engaging in a balanced exchange of blows.

They were actively pursuing and overwhelming them.

The guards, clearly concerned about causing undue harm to the apes, were deliberately refraining from employing their abilities.

However, in direct physical confrontations, they were proving no match for these monstrous beings.

White-furred apes possessed a unique physiology. While lacking ranged attacks, with each advancement, their physical bodies became exponentially more formidable—both raw power and defensive capabilities experiencing significant surges.

In terms of pure physical prowess, they likely rivaled a typical Tier 21 Enhanced individual.

Therefore, if the Guard continued to abstain from using skills, a tactical retreat was an unavoidable consequence.

And frankly, even if they were to employ their full arsenal of skills, victory was far from guaranteed. Ethan was acutely aware of the sheer terror these white-furred apes could inflict in close-quarters combat.

As the guards recognized Ethan and his squad’s arrival, a palpable wave of relief washed over them. They immediately disengaged and retreated towards Ethan’s position.

"Commander!"

Ethan offered a curt nod. "You fought well. Fall back now."

"Yes, sir!"

The Fallen Star Guard members swiftly withdrew from the immediate conflict.

However, the white-furred apes did not exhibit their usual docile behavior. Instead, their demeanor shifted drastically.

The instant they perceived Ethan and the others, they launched a ferocious assault—charging directly at them with savage speed.

A tightness gripped Ethan’s chest.

The palpable bloodlust radiating from their eyes was undeniable.

Their intelligence had been obliterated. These were no longer the same apes; they were mere soulless husks clad in familiar fur.

Perhaps, with the passage of time, they might develop new cognitive functions.

But even if that were to occur... their original memories would be lost forever.

Ethan swallowed hard, pushing down the gnawing sorrow in his throat.

“Damn it.”

The apes were undeniably powerful, but in the face of the Fallen Star Squad, their rampaging was brought to an swift end.

Every member moved in unison.

A display of efficient, decisive action—blitzing footsteps, cunning feints, precise joint locks, and devastating counter-attacks.

Within mere moments, all five apes were subdued, forced to the ground, roaring and thrashing but utterly incapable of breaking free.

"Skinny Pete," Ethan commanded, his voice unwavering. "Take control of them."

Initially, among the white-furred apes, only their leader, Blizzard, had been under control. Following Blizzard’s demise while defending Fallen Star City, Ethan had not assigned Skinny Pete to manage the others.

But the circumstances had changed.

He had no other recourse.

Skinny Pete had already reached Tier 21. Subduing a few mere Tier 19 beasts was a trivial matter for him.

A short period later, the apes’ struggles ceased, their bodies going limp—completely yielding under the Beast Control link.

Ethan exhaled slowly, then turned his attention to a few of the Fallen Star Guard members.

"If the white-furred apes went rogue, then Pumpkin should have as well," he stated. "It wasn't under control either. It must have run wild."

"Yes, Commander," one of the guards replied promptly. "Pumpkin did indeed riot. However, it isn't particularly strong—only Tier 15. A few of us went to contain it and managed to restrain it."

Ethan gave a slight nod, then looked at Skinny Pete, a note of weary resignation in his voice. "Take control of Pumpkin too, please."

Pumpkin—the orange cat—had been a constant companion for the longest time. It had followed them since their days back in school. Even though its bloodline advancement couldn’t keep pace as everyone else grew stronger, Ethan had never once entertained the notion of abandoning it.

"Understood," Skinny Pete responded, and proceeded to follow the Fallen Star Guard members.

Not long after, Skinny Pete reappeared, leading Pumpkin back with him.

Ethan knelt down and gently stroked Pumpkin’s head, his voice soft and reassuring. "Pumpkin, don’t be afraid. We’re here. You'll regain your senses soon."

"Meow." Pumpkin replied—but the sound was hollow, unfamiliar, as if addressing a stranger.

Ethan let out a heavy sigh. The cost of this newfound strength… it was simply too immense.

"Let's go," he said, rising to his feet. "We need to check on the Flamebirds."

"Right."

Journeying towards the nesting grounds of the Flamebirds, they found a considerable number of them resting, half-slumbering under the sun's warmth. Though their cognitive functions had diminished, the presence of their leader had prevented any widespread chaos.

Witnessing the Flamebirds' advancement brought a slight lift to Ethan's spirits. While not as explosive as the progress of the white-furred apes, each bird had undeniably ascended several Tiers.

Previously, the weakest Flamebird was at Tier 15, and their leader, the strongest, stood at Tier 18.

Now, the lowest among them had reached Stage B, Tier 18, with Ember herself attaining the peak of Tier 21.

"Ethan," Chris interjected, his gaze shifting towards him, "In a couple of days, we're scheduled to lead the Fallen Star Guard to the Yamato Empire to eliminate the Infernals, aren't we?"

"That's right," Ethan confirmed. "We'll deal with those escaped monsters first before embarking on that mission."

Chris paused, then voiced his inquiry, "Do you believe it's possible the Infernals have already emerged from the Void Realm... and their appearance coincided with this mysterious surge of energy?"

"...."

Ethan's body tensed slightly.

The notion, he admitted, wasn't entirely far-fetched.

If his suspicion proved true, venturing there could mean walking directly into a formidable threat.

The Flamebirds had experienced a significant boost; the Infernals might have grown even more powerful.

"We'll ascertain the situation when we arrive," Ethan stated after a moment. "We possess air superiority. Should we find ourselves outmatched, a strategic withdrawal is always an option."

Chris nodded in agreement. "Makes sense."

"Very well," Ethan declared, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon. "Let's venture out and survey the surroundings."

Shortly thereafter, everyone mounted their Flamebirds and departed from Fallen Star City.

Beyond the city's confines, the major human settlements were experiencing similar emotional turmoil.

Initially, the sudden surge in zombie strength had instilled deep fear.

However, as anxieties subsided, they recognized the situation as a potential opportunity.

Consequently, the settlements began to mobilize.

Elite hunting teams were rapidly organized.

The ten-day energy surge had amplified everyone's capabilities, but certain individuals within each settlement possessed truly exceptional talents—those who leveraged these ten days to surge far ahead of the others.

Leaders of these settlements began identifying their most potent members, forming "core forces" and dispatching them on missions.

With the zombies' intelligence severely compromised, they were no longer capable of forming large, coordinated hordes outside the settlements. It was common to encounter lone zombies on their wandering paths.

The elimination of even a single zombie yielded a high-Tier crystal core, sufficient to elevate a settlement's overall combat prowess.

This indeed represented a precious window of opportunity for humankind.

As Ethan and his companions soared through the sky, they observed numerous zombies shambling aimlessly below.

These creatures had regressed to their most primitive state, driven solely by instinct in their pursuit of sustenance.

Mutated beasts were also observed exiting the forests and entering open territories.

Much like the white-furred apes, these mutated beasts had lost their intelligence, exhibiting sheer, unbridled ferocity.

On more than one occasion, the group witnessed zombies and mutated beasts clashing, tearing into each other in savage, unthinking combat.

However, the most striking transformation was evident in the vegetation.

The mountains appeared to have undergone a radical change.

Areas that were once sparsely wooded had transformed into impenetrable wilderness—dense, primeval jungles, impossible to see through from above.

Big Mike exclaimed in astonishment, "Damn... are you telling me these plants mutated as well?"

"It's possible," Chris responded. "The emergence of so many mutated beasts might be linked to the events unfolding within the forests."

"So, should we venture in?" Big Mike inquired, a note of excitement in his voice.

Ethan's own curiosity was piqued. "Yes. Let's go investigate."

They guided their Flamebirds downward, dismounting at the fringe of a vast forest.

This area, previously characterized by modest woodland, had undergone a dramatic metamorphosis.

Now, it stood as a colossal, ancient forest. Gigantic trees reached skyward as if they had matured for a century, their trunks so immense that they made one feel minuscule in their presence.

Upon entering, the sheer density of the environment became immediately apparent.

Sunlight struggled to penetrate the thick canopy, leaving the forest floor shrouded in perpetual twilight, where shadows merged with shadows.

Big Mike shivered theatrically. "Man... this place is seriously creepy. No wonder the mutated beasts fled."

"I doubt they departed solely due to darkness," Mia commented, her eyes scanning the dense undergrowth. "This type of environment is actually ideal for them. If they are fleeing, it must be for a different reason."

Ethan nodded. "We'll discover the cause. Let's proceed."

No one exhibited significant apprehension; at their current level of strength, fear required a substantial justification.

They advanced deeper into the woods, their footsteps swallowed by the thick foliage. The air grew heavier with each step, and the oppressive darkness ahead showed no sign of receding.