Apocalypse: King of Zombies

Standing nearby, Ethan dug out the Radiant Crystal from the monster’s body.

Now holding three Radiant Crystals in his hand, they shimmered brilliantly, glowing vividly even in broad daylight.

Mad Dog and his zombie crew crowded around excitedly.

”Boss, you were right! It really split into three crystals!”

”Yeah...” Ethan nodded calmly.

He had known all along that the parasite monster would sense nearby Radiant Crystals and lure them in—that was exactly part of his plan.

Mad Dog and the others were deeply impressed, convinced Ethan could predict anything.

”Boss, let’s go attack a city! I’m tired of hanging around this small town. Let’s grab ourselves a bigger territory!”

”If you want a bigger territory, you’ll have to earn it yourself,” Ethan replied casually.

Mad Dog looked stunned. ”Wait, what about you, boss? What are you gonna do?”

”I’m leaving.”

”Huh...?” Mad Dog froze, completely caught off guard. ”Where...where are you going?”

”Across the ocean,” Ethan said, gazing thoughtfully into the distance. He had accomplished everything he’d set out to do in Japan. It was time to head back.

Mad Dog fell silent instantly, feeling as if something had been ripped from his chest. A deep sadness washed over him, leaving him empty inside.

If zombies could cry, he’d be bawling his eyes out right now.

”Boss, I don’t want you to go...”

”We’ll meet again,” Ethan reassured him.

Mad Dog perked up emotionally. ”Really?”

”Yeah, unless something else kills you first.”

”Uh...” Mad Dog’s face fell, his emotional farewell moment suddenly deflated.

”Don’t worry, boss! I won’t die. I’ll become the strongest zombie in Japan, the ultimate overlord here, and then I’ll cross the ocean to find you!”

”Sure, sounds good,” Ethan nodded casually.

At that moment, Mad Dog felt a fierce determination, as if he’d just made a sacred promise with Ethan—a promise he’d fulfill even if it cost him his life.

...

Meanwhile, just as Ethan was preparing to return home, a flying craft had already crossed the ocean, landing at the Genesis Biotech branch in San Bernardino.

It was Jacob’s squad.

Right now, they stood nervously in the hallway outside Sophia’s office, looking tense and worried.

After all, they’d clearly located the Radiant Crystal in Japan but had retreated without pursuing it. Coming back empty-handed like this felt like they’d seriously slacked off.

”You think Sophia will be pissed about this mission?” one squad member asked anxiously, his brow furrowed deeply.

”Who knows...” another young man muttered nervously. ”If Sophia gets mad, she might punish us. And if she’s really pissed, she might even toss us into human experiments!”

”Hiss...” Several squad members sucked in a sharp breath, visibly shaken by the thought.

”Captain Jacob, what should we do?”

They all turned pleading eyes toward Jacob, knowing he was clever and might have a solution.

”Not ’we,’ it’s ’you guys.’ I’m not getting punished,” Jacob shrugged casually.

As one of the Bernardino Four Riders, Jacob held significant power within Genesis Biotech. Sophia still needed his help, so she wouldn’t punish him over something minor like this.

”...” The squad members fell silent, speechless at Jacob’s blunt honesty.

Just then, the office door opened, and Sophia’s secretary stepped out.

”Sophia wants to see you now. Go on in.”

”Oh...okay...” They lowered their heads nervously, feeling like prisoners walking to their execution.

Entering the office, they stood awkwardly in front of Sophia’s desk, sneaking cautious glances at her. Sophia was busy sorting through documents, not saying a word yet, making the tense silence even more unbearable.

”What does this mean? Does she want us to confess first?” The squad stood awkwardly, feeling like every second dragged on forever. Finally, one of them cracked under the pressure.

”Sophia, we’re sorry about the mission. We messed up.”

”Hmm? Messed up?” Sophia raised her head, her eyes sparkling with approval. ”You guys did great in Japan! I’m actually planning to reward you!”

”Huh?” Everyone stared blankly, completely confused.

Was she serious?

Or was this some kind of sarcastic joke?

Sophia continued calmly, ”After you left for Japan, our temporary transport camp was destroyed, and the aircraft vanished.”

”Our analysis points directly to the Zombie King from Los Angeles. We suspect he followed you all the way to Japan. The fact that you guys made it back alive is already impressive enough!”

”Uh...well...” The squad members exchanged puzzled glances, still trying to process this unexpected praise.

Jacob frowned thoughtfully. ”If that’s the case, then the parasite monsters going berserk in Japan might have something to do with that Zombie King from L.A.”

”Exactly. Leaving Japan when you did was absolutely the right call,” Sophia confirmed.

Hearing this, the squad members visibly relaxed, their anxiety instantly replaced by relief and joy.

Was this sudden good news for real?

Their earlier retreat, which they’d thought was cowardly, had suddenly become a wise strategic decision.

Not only were they not punished, but they were even praised!

”See? I told you guys those parasite monsters were dangerous. Staying away was definitely the right move.”

”Uh...wasn’t that Captain Jacob’s idea?”

”Yeah, exactly! I totally agreed with Captain Jacob from the start...”

”...”

The squad members quickly regained their cheerful mood.

In truth, Ethan’s reputation was terrifying. Every team Sophia had previously sent after him had vanished without a trace.

This time, they’d encountered Ethan and still managed to return alive. Naturally, Sophia was pleased, even ready to call them her strongest squad yet. Plus, they’d suffered no casualties—at worst, it was a draw.

Jacob considered carefully, ”If the Zombie King from L.A. really went to Japan, he probably got another Radiant Crystal. That means he’s likely even stronger now.”

”True, but I’m not worried,” Sophia said confidently, clearly unfazed. ”The second batch of bounty hunters from the Zombie King files will arrive soon.”

”Wait...you still trust those guys?” Jacob asked skeptically. He wasn’t convinced. Last time, they’d hired Ryuji and his entire family, who promptly disappeared without a trace after entering the Zombie King’s territory.

Sophia noticed his concern and smiled reassuringly. ”I know what you’re thinking. Relax, this time is different.”

”Oh?” Jacob raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ”What’s different this time?”

Sophia explained, ”This time, we’re getting real pros—famous hunters who’ve successfully taken down several notorious Zombie Kings from the files before. They’re definitely not amateurs.”

”Wow, that’s impressive...” Jacob admitted, genuinely surprised. Any Zombie King listed in the files was incredibly dangerous—at least S-class, with bizarre and terrifying abilities.

Anyone capable of hunting even one of them down was undeniably powerful.

Sophia nodded confidently. ”So, just sit back and enjoy the show.”

”Alright,” Jacob agreed, then suddenly changed the subject.

”Oh, by the way, Sophia, I’ve got some good news for you too.”

”What is it?”

”I’m about to break through to S-class myself...”

...