Apocalypse: King of Zombies

”You’re human too?” Ethan asked, studying him.

Ethan had seen his share of different species. During his time in Eldoria, he’d encountered hundreds, if not a thousand, and they came in every imaginable form.

Some looked similar to humans, but none as similar as this man. Aside from his pale golden eyes, he was practically indistinguishable from one.

It made Ethan wonder if the man truly was human—or if this was simply what Eldoria’s humans looked like.

The Stage SSS fighter nodded, then shook his head.

”I’m only half-human.”

”Half-human?” Ethan looked puzzled.

”Oh, I get it. He’s a half—”

Chris clamped a hand over Big Mike’s mouth before he could finish.

”I’m guessing one of your parents was human and the other belonged to a different species?” Chris asked.

The man nodded. ”My name is Theron Valaris. I am descended from both humans and the Astralborn.”

”That explains it. I knew you looked human.” Ethan nodded in understanding. ”Theron, since you’re half-human, I assume you won’t stand against us.”

”The Astralborn were wiped out by their enemies. A human saved my father, and without that, I would never have been born. I would never make an enemy of humanity.”

Theron paused before continuing.

”But few humans survived the great upheaval ten thousand years ago, and humanity’s enemies are far more terrifying than you realize. You shouldn’t be killing each other. You need to unite and grow stronger.”

”You’ve got a point,” Ethan agreed.

”But sharing human ancestry doesn’t make them one of us. They still have to go.”

The Cathay Republic officials went deathly pale.

A series of thuds followed as they all dropped to their knees before Theron.

”Your Lordship, save us! We’re human too!”

”That’s right! Just as you said, there are hardly any humans left. We can’t keep slaughtering each other!”

Theron nodded, then turned to Ethan’s group.

”I’m certain these people are human. Spare them.”

”Human or not, they tried to destroy us,” Ethan replied evenly. ”The Atlas Federation already has more than ten million people of its own to protect. I’m not sparing these people just because they share some human ancestry with us.”

”My own bloodline isn’t pure either, but that doesn’t change the fact that I am human. I won’t stand by and watch humans slaughter one another.”

Theron’s tone had hardened.

”Do you have any idea what happened yesterday?” Ethan shot back. ”They sent their fighters to attack the Atlas Federation. If I hadn’t returned in time, they would’ve wiped out the last pure-blooded humans.”

”These people will only cause more trouble if I leave them alive. I need them gone so I can focus on the disasters ahead.”

Theron frowned and considered his words, but ultimately shook his head.

”I have lived here for some time, and they have provided me with three meals a day without fail. Since I have accepted their hospitality, I am obligated to protect them.”

Ethan rolled his eyes. ”Are you seriously that gullible? They bought you off with a few meals? Compared to everything they’ve gained by having you here, that food means nothing.”

”There’s no point trying to persuade me. I gave my word that I would protect them, and I will not break it.” Theron waved a hand. ”Go home. In a few days, I will visit this Atlas Federation you mentioned.”

”And if I insist on killing them?” Ethan asked.

”Then I will have no choice but to stop you.”

Theron released his full pressure. The sheer force of it left everyone present struggling to breathe.

”I don’t think you can.”

Ethan waved a hand and summoned Dopey.

The moment Dopey appeared, it blocked Theron’s pressure, allowing everyone else to breathe again.

Theron’s face darkened.

”A thrall?”

His voice sharpened with fury.

”You turned a human into a thrall?!”

In Theron’s era, the creation of thralls had been a forbidden art. Anyone who practiced it was reviled.

”I’m not capable of that,” Ethan said with a shrug. ”I just happened to acquire one.”

”Hmph! Using a human thrall is just as unforgivable. No wonder you’re so determined to slaughter them. You’re rotten to the core.”

”Rotten to the core, my ass!” Ethan snapped. ”Without this thrall, the humans you care so much about would already be extinct. You keep talking about protecting humanity, but where were you when humans actually needed help? Instead, you’re standing here protecting their enemies.”

He pointed at the Cathay Republic officials.

”I’m going to make this perfectly clear. The Cathay Republic dies today. Either step aside, or I’ll beat you down with them.”

”Bold words from someone who only recently reached Stage SSS,” Theron said coldly as his pressure rose again. ”I could crush you without breaking a sweat.”

”I’m not fighting you.”

Ethan knew his limits.

”Dopey, go. Just keep him busy for a while.”

Dopey shot forward and swung one arm, launching an enormous fist of energy at Theron’s head.

”A Tier 47 thrall?”

Surprise crossed Theron’s face, but it vanished almost immediately. He extended a hand, and an enormous energy greatsword formed in his grip.

With a casual slash, he shattered the incoming fist.

He followed with a horizontal sweep that sent Dopey flying.

Dopey recovered almost instantly and charged again. An energy spear appeared in its hand and thrust straight toward Theron’s head.

Theron swung the greatsword once more, smashing it against the spear.

Boom!

Dopey was knocked away again.

The difference was obvious. Theron was considerably stronger.

Ethan quietly pulled out his phone and messaged Miles, telling him to bring Beast Sovereign and the others over.

They probably wouldn’t be able to subdue Theron without Beast Sovereign’s help.

The battle raged on, but Dopey was the one launching almost every attack. Theron only defended and countered when necessary.

That told Ethan the man truly didn’t want to hurt another human.

Theron probably meant exactly what he’d said. He genuinely wanted humanity to live in peace.

What he didn’t understand was that peace between the Atlas Federation and the Cathay Republic was impossible.

The Cathay Republic had to be destroyed. The moment they attacked the Atlas Federation, they had sealed their own fate.

Ethan had no intention of killing Theron Valaris, though.

The Atlas Federation desperately needed more elite fighters. If Ethan could somehow win Theron over, he would be an enormous asset.

Unfortunately, Theron’s current impression of them wasn’t exactly favorable.

That was a minor problem.

Once they beat him down, his attitude would improve.

The man was stubborn to a fault. Even if Ethan spared the Cathay Republic and somehow talked him into returning to the Atlas Federation, he would still fly into a rage the moment he saw Dopey.

Better to beat him into submission now and get it over with.

A battle between Stage SSS fighters was nothing short of a natural disaster to everyone else.

Fortunately, Theron immediately drew the fight high into the sky, sparing the compound below from the destruction.

Ethan refrained from attacking the Cathay Republic for the moment. If he pushed Theron too far, the man might turn around and deal with him first.

From the looks of things, Dopey might not be able to hold him for long.

It was better to wait until Beast Sovereign and the others arrived.