Apocalypse: King of Zombies

The Mountain God’s colossal form materialized in the world, towering like a living mountain. Its stone eyes cast downward, surveying the land with the weighty presence of a true ruler. The sheer force of its aura made hearts tremble.

A cluster of Zombie Kings looked up, curiosity flickering in their dead eyes.

”What the hell... How did a pile of rocks stand up?”

”No flesh, no blood... doesn’t look tasty.”

”...”

Even Ethan was taken aback by the sudden appearance of this massive creature. It had just teleported a short distance—clearly not by any conventional means.

And that ritual array from earlier... it was intricate, almost arcane. Deep, mysterious. If he could figure out how to use it, it’d be another secret weapon in his arsenal.

Ethan felt like he was getting closer—closer to unlocking the secrets of the runes.

The Mountain God’s voice rumbled like grinding boulders, echoing across the land: ”You invaders are not welcome on the continent of Xenorift.”

”Oh yeah?” Ethan replied casually. ”Then maybe it’s time we renamed this place... Necroterra.”

”Arrogant insect! You court death!” the Mountain God roared, fury igniting in its voice. It struck first, lifting one massive stone foot and slamming it down toward Ethan.

The foot swept across the sky like a falling mountain, fast and thunderous, the air cracking with the force of it.

”The Mountain God’s pissed! Fall back!”

Even the savage Xenobeasts recoiled in fear, scrambling to retreat. No one wanted to be anywhere near that impact zone.

The zombie horde in the rear also pulled back in a panic, like they were fleeing a natural disaster, terrified of getting caught in the blast.

Ethan’s figure was quickly swallowed by the looming shadow. In the dim light, his eyes flashed with a cold gleam.

A second later, he unleashed the power of the Domain of the Dead. It surged upward like a tidal wave, slamming into the descending foot.

VMMMM—

The air cracked and screamed. The Mountain God’s foot hit the domain and suddenly slowed, as if it had slammed into an invisible wall. It froze midair, unable to descend further.

”Hm?”

The Mountain God peered down, surprised.

Such a powerful Absolute Domain...

Meanwhile, Bloodveil had already retreated far from the battlefield, eyes wide with shock. She hadn’t expected Ethan to take that hit head-on and survive. She’d thought the Mountain God was unstoppable—but now? Not so much.

”I could’ve taken that hit too...” she muttered under her breath.

But just then, golden runes lit up across the Mountain God’s massive foot. They glowed intensely, packed tight like squirming tadpoles—clearly activated.

”Die, insect!” the Mountain God bellowed.

The golden light flared, and the power behind the stomp multiplied. The foot shattered through the Domain of the Dead and came crashing down.

BOOOOOM!

The entire continent shook. Mountains trembled, the ground cracked, and a shockwave exploded outward in a perfect circle. Everything in its path was obliterated—boulders shattered, trees were ripped from the earth and flung like twigs.

The sheer force of that stomp might’ve even surpassed the Starbreaker Cannon.

Thankfully, both the mutant beast horde and the zombie horde had pulled back in time. If they hadn’t, they’d have been caught in the devastation for sure.

The wind howled on, refusing to die down. Dust and debris filled the air, turning the battlefield into a swirling storm of chaos.

Big Ears and the others had already scrambled back aboard the Dreadnought-class Starcruiser. He raised a hand to shield his face from the sandstorm, squinting into the distance.

”Damn... that’s some serious athlete’s foot.”

”Big Ears, get your Crystal Core Hand-Cannon and blast that bastard!” Shrimpy growled, clearly pissed.

”Uh...” Big Ears hesitated. ”My cannon’s outta juice. Guess we’ll let him off the hook today.”

”...”

The other Zombie Kings were still watching the fight unfold.

”Guys, I think the boss just got hit!”

”That thing’s got rune power—it just got a hell of a lot stronger.”

”You think the boss is hurt?”

”...”

Seeing how powerful the Mountain God was, the zombie crowd couldn’t help but feel a flicker of unease.

Just then, the sound of steady footsteps—tap tap tap—echoed from behind. Everyone turned to look.

It was PhD, stepping out from the cockpit and onto the deck, still wearing his pristine white lab coat. His sharp features were calm, almost indifferent.

”What’s there to worry about?” he said coolly. ”The real fight... is just getting started.”

”...”

Moments later, the chaos ahead began to settle. The dust started to clear, revealing the aftermath.

The Mountain God’s massive foot was buried deep in the earth, the ground around it split with jagged cracks, forming a pitch-black ravine. The scene was pure devastation—raw, brutal, and awe-inspiring.

Behind the Mountain God, the mutant beast horde howled toward the sky, their cries filled with wild excitement.

They’d seen it with their own eyes—the Zombie King in the white shirt, crushed beneath the Mountain God’s foot.

”No wonder they call it the Mountain God—what a beast!”

”Crushed that Zombie King like it was nothing!”

”This fight’s as good as won!”

”...”

Bloodveil’s brow furrowed. She was the closest to the impact zone, and thanks to her Zombie King physique, she’d withstood the shockwave without much trouble.

But her heart was tight with worry.

”What happened to Ethan?”

She was genuinely afraid something had happened to him. Without him, she knew she didn’t stand a chance against the Xenobeasts. They’d drive her out of Xenorift for sure.

And back on Necroterra, the Deathless Sovereigns of Heartland were already on a rampage. If they caught her, she was as good as dead.

There was no way out...

But then, the mutant beast horde suddenly fell silent. Their bloodlust faded, replaced by unease.

Because they felt it again—that terrifying aura.

The Zombie King in the white shirt... was still alive.

Ethan stood atop a massive boulder in the distance, completely unharmed.

”Huh? He’s fine?”

”When the hell did he get out?”

”I didn’t see him move at all.”

”Relax. With the Mountain God here, he’s dead meat sooner or later.”

”...”

But something about Ethan had changed. His aura was different now—still calm, but with a new edge. A quiet intensity.

”I want to see... just what the hell you really are,” he muttered.

He reached up and began unbuttoning his shirt, one button at a time. No rush. No panic. Just deliberate, steady movements.

Finally, he slipped off the white shirt and let it fall.

His body was revealed—lean, powerful muscle carved like stone, every line sharp and defined, like a masterpiece sculpted by the gods.

Without the shirt, Ethan looked less like a scholar and more like a storm about to break loose.

The Xenobeasts stared, dumbfounded. They didn’t get it.

Was this... some kind of ancient ritual?

Even the Mountain God hesitated, confused. This Zombie King wasn’t like the others.

Ethan’s aura surged, climbing higher and higher until it hit its peak. Then, with a sudden leap, he launched himself into the air like a hawk diving from the heavens—straight at the Mountain God.

The force of his takeoff shattered the boulder beneath him, and even the ground cracked apart in his wake.

The Mountain God didn’t dare take it lightly.

It raised a massive stone hand to block, runes lighting up along its entire arm. Golden light flared, forming a powerful shield.

Ethan immediately noticed it—the defense on that stone arm was even stronger than The Skywall. The runes on The Skywall were just surface-level stuff. This... this was something else entirely.

”This thing... it’s not natural,” Ethan thought, eyes narrowing. ”It was made. Engineered.”

He clenched his fist, drew back his arm, and punched forward with the force of a caged beast finally unleashed.

BOOOOM!

The impact was like two planets colliding. The air trembled. Space itself seemed to ripple.

The Mountain God’s massive stone hand shuddered midair. The runes etched across it flickered wildly, pulsing like a heartbeat under stress.

Its entire body staggered from the blow, thrown off balance for the first time—stumbling back a step...