Apocalypse: King of Zombies

In an abandoned part of Northforge City, a fierce battle was underway.

On one side stood a large force of red-haired humanoids who specialized in fire-type abilities. On the other was a massive horde of Beasts.

The fighting was brutal, and blood already ran across the ground.

High above, five figures were locked in a battle of their own.

Four humanoids had surrounded a snow-white wolf-shaped Outland Beast.

The Frost Wolf’s white fur was soaked red. Wounds covered its body, and its unstable presence made it clear that it was in terrible shape.

It wanted to flee, but the four Stage SSS fighters had it completely surrounded. There was no way out.

”Keep it up! This beast won’t last much longer!” the leader shouted excitedly. ”Once we finish it off, the Blazeborn will have another Tier 44 fighter!”

”This world is incredible!” one of the other three men said with a laugh. ”You can actually find Outland Beasts this powerful here. If we stay for a while, our strength will skyrocket!”

”Exactly. Hurry up and kill this one. Then we’ll find another group of Outland Beasts!”

”Right!”

The four intensified their attacks, forcing the Frost Wolf back again and again.

Just then, a rift opened in the air nearby. Two figures emerged from it.

Ethan took in the battlefield and smiled.

”Looks like our timing is perfect.”

”Yeah. That ability of yours is ridiculously overpowered,” Abyron said with a serious nod.

The Blazeborn fighters frowned at their sudden appearance.

”The Blazeborn are handling matters here. Please keep your distance.”

”Oh, we’re here to handle something too,” Ethan replied casually.

”And what business brings you here? If there’s anything the Blazeborn can do to assist you, we’ll gladly cooperate,” the leader said, keeping his tone respectful.

Both newcomers had concealed their presence, making it impossible to judge their strength. Even so, the man couldn’t shake a sense of danger, so he lowered his stance.

”It’s nothing major. I want that Frost Wolf, so get out of the way.” Ethan pointed at the wounded Beast.

The Blazeborn fighters’ faces darkened.

”Not a chance! We found that Frost Wolf first, and we’re the ones who injured it! We’re not giving it to you!” the Stage SSS fighters snapped.

Ethan chuckled. ”Sounds like this world hasn’t taught you how things work yet. Nobody here cares who showed up first. The strongest party makes the rules.”

”So you insist on making an enemy of the Blazeborn?” the leader asked darkly.

”If that’s how you want to see it, go right ahead.” Ethan shrugged, then turned to Abyron. ”I’ll handle the Frost Wolf. These people are yours. Do whatever you want with them.”

With that, Ethan dragged the Frost Wolf into the Deadlock Dimension just as it tried to escape.

Abyron looked awkwardly at the spot where Ethan had disappeared.

Isn’t this a little shameless?

The Blazeborn fighters were stunned when the Frost Wolf suddenly vanished from the middle of their encirclement. They immediately began searching the area.

They soon realized that Ethan had disappeared as well, leaving an irregular distortion in space behind him.

”A special dimension!”

The leader’s expression turned grim. He stared coldly at Abyron.

”I suggest you return that Frost Wolf. Otherwise, don’t blame us for what happens next.”

Abyron had felt somewhat embarrassed by Ethan’s blatant robbery, but the man’s threat quickly wiped away his guilt.

”Oh? I’d like to see what you plan to do about it!”

He released his full presence.

”Tier 47?!”

The Blazeborn fighters paled when they felt the overwhelming power rolling off him.

After a long silence, their leader finally spoke through a strained expression.

”My lord, you’re a mighty Tier 47. Isn’t stealing from those weaker than you beneath your status?”

”I’ve been standing right here the whole time,” Abyron said with a shrug. ”When exactly did I steal anything?”

”You...”

The Blazeborn fighters were furious, but they couldn’t say a word.

They couldn’t beat him, and they didn’t dare insult him. All they could do was swallow their anger.

Before long, the distorted space rippled, and Ethan reappeared.

”Huh? Why haven’t you started fighting?” he asked Abyron in surprise.

”Well, we already stole their prey. Attacking them on top of that didn’t seem right.” Abyron scratched his head awkwardly.

”...”

”What do you mean, we stole their prey? This is Earth. Human territory. Everything here belongs to humanity. Understand?” Ethan said with complete seriousness. ”That kind of softhearted bleeding-heart attitude will get you roasted where I come from. You need to work on that.”

”Oh.” Abyron nodded, though he only seemed to understand half of it.

”Forget it. If you haven’t started fighting yet, we’ll leave them alone. Let’s head to the next location.”

Ethan shook his head and prepared to take Abyron somewhere else to steal more crystal cores.

No, not steal.

To collect them.

”Wait.”

The Blazeborn leader suddenly spoke.

”Did you kill that Frost Wolf?”

”None of your damn business!” Ethan shot back.

”You...”

The Blazeborn man nearly choked on his anger. He drew a deep breath before continuing.

”It took us a great deal of effort to injure that Frost Wolf. You can’t simply take its crystal core and leave!”

”What’s this?” A dangerous look entered Ethan’s eyes. ”Abyron spared you, but now you’re offering us your necks anyway?”

Fear flashed through the Blazeborn leader’s eyes, but he quickly steadied himself.

”You may be powerful, but we come from the world of Pyrelia. I’ve already sent a signal to the Pyrathi, and they’re on their way. I suggest you leave the crystal core behind so we can part without further conflict. Otherwise, once the Pyrathi fighters arrive, you’ll regret it.”

”You’re threatening me?” Ethan’s face instantly turned cold.

”I hate being threatened more than anything.”

”We gave you a chance to live, and you threw it away. If you’re that eager to die, I’ll oblige you!”

Ethan immediately dragged all four Blazeborn fighters and Abyron into the Deadlock Dimension.

”See, Abyron? You let them go, but they had no intention of letting you go.” Ethan looked at him. ”You know what to do now, right?”

”I do.”

Abyron’s expression turned cold. He charged straight at the four Blazeborn fighters.