Apocalypse: King of Zombies

The moment Ethan dropped from the sky, Sophia felt like cursing out loud.

I ran this far just to avoid him, and I still run into him? What kind of cursed luck is this?

She had no idea how strong he really was, but just the fact that he was the captain of that squad—and rode a Tier 9 flying mutant beast like it was a damn horse—was enough to make her feel suffocated.

That kind of power was way beyond anything she could even imagine.

Bitter frustration twisted in her chest, but she forced a smile onto her face and stepped forward to greet him.

Behind her, Mark subtly slipped back and gave a discreet hand signal to a few of the taller squad members. They quickly moved to surround Emily, who had been trying to push her way forward through the crowd.

Petite and focused on restoring her teammates’ stamina, Emily hadn’t noticed Ethan’s dramatic entrance at all. But now, hearing the buzz around her, she tried to get a look—only to be blocked by a wall of broad shoulders.

”Emily, the captain’s handling it. No need for us to crowd in,” a young woman beside her whispered. ”They say it’s someone really powerful. Wouldn’t want to offend him.”

”But… didn’t they say he’s the captain of my brother’s squad?” Emily asked, her voice tight with urgency.

”They must’ve been mistaken. No way your brother’s team is out here. They’re still back at the compound.”

”Oh… right.” Emily nodded, disappointed.

Up front, Sophia approached Ethan with a practiced smile. ”Ethan, what a surprise running into you here. Truly an honor. Thank you for stepping in—if you hadn’t, we probably wouldn’t have made it out today.”

”You know me?” Ethan raised an eyebrow, eyeing the beautiful woman in front of him.

”Your name’s all over the compound by now,” Sophia said with a smile.

”Ugh… am I really that famous already?” Ethan sighed, shaking his head.

”By the way, what are you guys doing all the way out here with this level of strength?” he asked, frowning.

This place was at least fifteen miles from the compound. Were they out of their minds?

”...”

Sophia stared at him, speechless.

This level of strength? They were the second-ranked squad in the entire compound, thank you very much.

But then again… considering who she was talking to, she couldn’t exactly argue. He did have the right to say that.

”The good stuff’s not close anymore,” she said awkwardly. ”If we want better loot, we’ve got to take bigger risks.”

”Fair enough,” Ethan nodded. ”You’re the squad leader?”

”Yeah. Sophia Hayes, captain of Silverfox Squad,” she said, a hint of pride in her voice.

Being a woman and leading a team ranked second in the compound was no small feat. She had every right to be proud.

”Oh. Step aside, then. I’m not here for you—I’m looking for someone else.”

Ethan brushed past her and headed straight toward the crowd around Emily.

Sophia’s heart skipped. She quickly followed. ”Who are you looking for? Tell me—I’ll help you find them.”

”A girl. Uh… probably a little prettier than you.”

”...”

Sophia’s face darkened. With that mouth, no wonder you don’t have a girlfriend.

”We don’t have anyone prettier than me in the squad,” she said flatly.

”You do. I saw her from the sky.”

”...”

”Ethan, so you’re into pretty girls, huh?” Sophia said, trying to steer the conversation. ”Well, we’ve got plenty of beauties in the squad. Want me to call them over and let you pick?”

But Ethan’s next words made her stomach drop.

”No need. I already found her.”

His gaze locked onto a specific spot, and he started walking.

Right toward Emily.

She was still hidden in the crowd, her small frame completely obscured—but Ethan didn’t hesitate. He walked straight through the group.

No one dared block his path.

And just like that, he was standing in front of Emily.

”Shit.”

Sophia let out a silent sigh, her mind racing for a way to salvage the situation.

Emily, meanwhile, stared blankly at the man who had just walked up to her. But after a second, her eyes lit up with surprise and excitement. Back when she’d seen the squad photo, her attention had been on Henry—but as the team’s captain, Ethan’s face had definitely stuck with her.

”Hi… hello,” Emily said cautiously. ”Um, is there someone named Henry in your squad?”

Ethan, who’d been wondering how to start the conversation, froze for a beat. ”You know Henry?”

”Mm-hmm! I’m his sister.”

”Sister?” Ethan blinked. Wasn’t Henry’s sister supposed to be in Nova City?

He gave her a closer look. Now that she mentioned it, she really did resemble Henry.

”You’re really his sister?”

”Yup!” Emily nodded enthusiastically.

Ethan gave a slow nod. He couldn’t be 100% sure yet, but the resemblance was strong enough to convince him.

”Alright then. I’ll take you to see him. He’s been dying to see you.”

”Really?” Emily’s face lit up. ”Thank you!”

”Uh… Ethan, she’s part of Silverfox Squad,” Sophia quickly cut in, trying to keep her voice steady.

”I know. So what?” Ethan glanced at her, and that one look made Sophia’s heart skip a beat. ”She’s Henry’s sister. I’m taking her to see her brother. You got a problem with that?”

”N-no problem,” Sophia said, forcing a smile, though her mind was spiraling. What the hell do I do now? She even considered silencing both of them permanently.

But then she looked at Ethan again—and all that murderous resolve drained away.

The pressure this man gave off was suffocating.

She knew, without a doubt, that even if she threw every member of Silverfox Squad at him, they wouldn’t stand a chance.

Regret gnawed at her. I should’ve listened to Mark. We should’ve killed her the moment we left the compound. But no—I had to get greedy over her ability. And now look where we are.

”Captain, don’t worry,” Emily said gently, taking Sophia’s hand. ”I’ll come back after I see my brother.”

Sophia forced a stiff smile. ”Right. Just don’t take too long. The squad needs you.”

”Don’t worry. I won’t be gone long!”

”We’ll be waiting.”

Ethan gave Sophia a sidelong glance, something about her reaction not sitting right. Is she worried I won’t bring Emily back?

Probably. A Recovery-type Ability user is a huge asset to any team. Makes sense she’d be nervous.

Smart woman, he thought. Too bad I really don’t plan on bringing her back.

Henry’s gonna beg me to keep her, and I’ll let him. Blood talks louder than anything. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll have Chris charm her into staying. Between the two of them, she’s not going anywhere.

With that thought, Ethan raised a hand.

A massive shadow swooped down from the sky—Golden Eagle Nugget, wings spread wide. The crowd instinctively backed away in fear.

Ethan helped Emily climb onto Nugget’s back, then jumped up behind her. In the next instant, they shot into the sky.

Nugget’s back wasn’t exactly spacious—perfect for one, a tight squeeze for two.

But Emily was small enough to make it work. And it was only a fifteen-mile trip, after all.