Apocalypse: King of Zombies

Driven into a frenzy by the prospect of a peak Tier 41 crystal core, the battle between the Galeborn and the Outland Beasts escalated to a terrifying level.

The Galeborn were determined to claim the core. Ignoring their losses, they threw themselves toward the unicorn Lord’s corpse again and again.

The Outland Beasts were just as furious. They defended the body with their lives, refusing to give up a single step.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t hold against the relentless attacks of multiple Stage SS elders. The Galeborn eventually broke through their blockade and reached the unicorn Lord’s body.

Despite his severe injuries, Vaelor hurried over and excitedly plunged a hand into the beast’s shattered skull.

He felt around for a long time.

There was no crystal core.

"What’s going on?" Vaelor’s face darkened.

He carefully searched the skull again, but still found nothing. His already pale face turned even uglier.

"What is it, Patriarch?" an elder asked.

"The crystal core is gone," Vaelor said darkly.

"What?!"

"How is that possible?"

The elders’ expressions changed.

"Could the Outland Beasts have removed it?" Elder Thorne asked with a frown.

"Impossible," Elder Caelum said firmly. "I was watching the entire time. Not one of them touched the corpse during the battle."

"Then where the hell did it go?" The other elders were furious.

A peak Tier 41 crystal core was incredibly important to the Galeborn.

Their Patriarch had been stuck at the peak of Tier 41 for many years. This crystal core might have allowed him to take that crucial final step.

If Vaelor advanced to Stage SSS, the Galeborn would immediately surpass every other higher race in the Eastern Region. They would become the region’s strongest race and cross the threshold into the ranks of the top races.

That was why the entire Galeborn race valued this crystal core so highly—and why they had fought so desperately to seize the corpse.

Yet after risking their lives to reach it, they discovered that the core was gone.

It was a devastating blow.

"Who the hell stole the crystal core?" the elders demanded furiously.

Vaelor’s expression was darker than anyone’s.

He had fought for his life and nearly died to bring down that Outland Beast, only for someone else to swoop in and steal the prize. Anyone would lose their mind over that.

He already had a suspect.

The crystal core had most likely been taken by whoever had interfered with the battle from the shadows.

Vaelor had no idea how they had removed it under so many watchful eyes, but he was eighty percent certain it was them.

"Everyone, stop!" Vaelor suddenly roared.

The battlefield fell silent. Every Galeborn fighter and Outland Beast turned toward him.

"Friends of the Outland Beasts, I was not the one who killed your Beast Lord! Someone else was attacking from the shadows. If you help me find them, I, Vaelor, swear that the Galeborn will never attack the Outland Beasts of the Suncrest Range again. What do you say?"

The Outland Beasts stared at him for two seconds.

Then—

"Roar!"

Moron!

They charged the Galeborn again.

"..."

Vaelor’s face turned livid.

"If you insist on dying, I’ll wipe out every Outland Beast in the Suncrest Range before I drag that bastard out of hiding!"

He turned to his elders.

"All of you, attack with everything you have!"

"Yes!"

Beneath a mountain somewhere in the Suncrest Range...

Ethan left the others to stand guard outside while he disappeared into the cave.

Absorbing crystal cores took time. Processing all three would require at least five or six days, so he had deliberately chosen a relatively well-hidden location.

There was nowhere truly safe left on the Eldoria Continent, and he didn’t dare wander around. This place was already one of their better options.

Outside the cave, everyone stood watch and chatted idly.

Most of the Suncrest Range’s Outland Beasts were busy fighting the Galeborn. There were none around here, so the group had little to do besides keep an eye on the surroundings.

Chris glanced at the cave, then looked around.

After a moment’s thought, he lowered his voice.

"You guys stay here. I’m going to stir up some trouble."

"Huh? Where are you going?" the others asked.

"Ethan will probably need several days to absorb those crystal cores, and there’s nothing happening here. I’m going to see if I can get my hands on a few Stage SS cores. There are still several Stage SS Outland Beasts on the battlefield. I might get another chance."

Everyone’s eyes lit up, but they quickly grew worried.

"Won’t it be too dangerous by yourself?"

"Don’t worry. With my current abilities, no one below Stage SSS can do anything to me," Chris said confidently.

"That’s true. Just be careful—and remember to bring back as many Stage SS crystal cores as you can."

"Got it."

"Why don’t I go with you?" Emily suggested. "Ethereal Form consumes too much mental energy. I can help you recover."

Chris was tempted, but after thinking it over, he shook his head.

"No. You’re still too weak, and you don’t have any abilities that can keep you alive. If we’re discovered, you won’t be able to escape."

"I won’t go near the battlefield. I can hide farther away. If you run low on mental energy, come back to me and I’ll restore it."

"Well..."

Chris hesitated.

Having Emily nearby would be a huge help. More importantly, it would give him a rare chance to spend time alone with her.

In the end, however, he still refused.

There would be other chances to spend time together. Safety was another matter.

With Ethan gone, Chris couldn’t guarantee he could get Emily out if they were discovered.

After following Ethan for so long, he had at least learned to be cautious.

Ethan might constantly lead them into dangerous situations, but he always analyzed the risks first and prepared an escape route for everyone.

He would never take a gamble if he had no confidence in surviving it.

So Chris turned down Emily’s offer and left alone.

Without her, running out of mental energy would be a serious problem, but he only needed to manage his reserves carefully. If he started running low, he could find somewhere to hide and consume crystal cores until he recovered.

Stage SS Outland Beasts were far too rare. There were probably fewer than ten in the entire Suncrest Range, and all of them were currently gathered at the battlefield. If he didn’t take advantage of this opportunity, finding more later would be much harder.

Chris activated his invisibility and headed toward the fighting.

Ethan’s previous Riftwalk had carried them several hundred kilometers away, so it took Chris more than two hours to return.

Fortunately, the Stage SS Outland Beasts were still holding on. None of them had fallen yet.

The unicorn Lord had died, but its final attack had severely injured Vaelor and left him unable to fight.

As a result, neither side had gained an advantage in Stage SS combat power.

Still invisible, Chris settled into a hiding place near the battlefield.

Like an assassin lurking in the darkness, he quietly waited for his chance to strike.