[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-apocalypse-king-of-zombies":3,"chapter-apocalypse-king-of-zombies-apocalypse-king-of-zombies-chapter-1224":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Apocalypse: King of Zombies",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},697321,930,"Chapter 1224: One Man Can Change a City","apocalypse-king-of-zombies-chapter-1224",1224,"\u003Cp>Capítulo 1224: One Man Can Change a City\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Ethan and the others reached the Kane Family’s residence, Maxwell Kane still wasn’t back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No surprise. With the compound turning upside down today, he definitely had his hands full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ryan and his sister Aurora were home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second Ryan saw Ethan’s group walk in, his hands started sweating. The calm, steady soldier from yesterday was gone—now he looked like a man trying very hard not to panic in his own living room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora, on the other hand, strode up immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ethan, you’re here!” she said, practically glowing. “Come in—please!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes were full of raw admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora had grown up in a military family. She’d worshiped strength since she was a kid. Her father Maxwell had always been her number-one idol… but after seeing Ethan’s group on the battlefield today—so dominant, so decisive—Maxwell suddenly didn’t feel quite as untouchable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxwell was strong, sure. But he had too much to consider. Too many chains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They ignored rules, struck without hesitation, and even against a top-tier family like the Hales, they wiped them out like it was just another job. And an enormous place like Atlas City couldn’t do a damn thing about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Aurora, that was what a true powerhouse looked like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora didn’t even wait for tea. “Ethan—are you recruiting? What about me? I’ll do anything. Just let me join.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aurora!” Ryan shot her a look, then turned back to Ethan, mortified. “Sorry, Ethan. That’s my sister, Aurora. She can be… a little impulsive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine.” Ethan chuckled. “Your sister’s… pretty cute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Victoria, Aurora was a breath of fresh air—no princess attitude at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Same background, totally different vibe. Family environment mattered. And it was obvious Maxwell had raised Ryan and Aurora with a tight hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora leaned forward, eyes shining. “So? Do I have a chance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.” Ethan shook his head. “Our minimum standard is Awakened, and the ability has to be seriously strong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora visibly deflated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Ryan looked a little speechless. That “minimum standard” probably ruled out 99.999% of the country.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora coughed and tried to salvage her pride. “Fine, but even if I’m not Awakened, my Tier 6 ability is really strong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan activated [True Sight] and gave her an easy once-over. He actually looked mildly surprised, then nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gravity Manipulation. That’s not bad at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora’s eyes went huge. “How do you know that?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Mike puffed up like he was taking credit. “Our captain can not only tell what ability you have—he can tell what color underwear you’re wearing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan shot him a look. “If you don’t talk, nobody’s gonna think you’re mute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora didn’t even seem to register Big Mike’s comment. She was still staring at Ethan like he was the answer key to the universe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ethan, then do I really have no hope?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nope.” Ethan shook his head again. “If you’re not Awakened, you don’t get into Fallen Star Squad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Technically, Ethan could transfer abilities. But the squad was already full in his mind, and he wasn’t planning to expand it right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One more person meant one more share of resources. That slowed everyone’s growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless he ran into an Awakened that truly made his eyes light up, it wasn’t worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora’s Tier 6 skill was solid—but Tier 6 abilities didn’t grow or mutate the way Innate Abilities could. The ceiling was the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay…” Aurora sighed. But she was the upbeat type—she recovered fast, sliding over to Mia and Emily to chat like nothing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryan let out a quiet breath, then said to Ethan, “I already had someone notify my father. He should be back soon. Let’s wait for him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Works for me.” Ethan nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They chatted casually for a bit. Before long, Maxwell hurried back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ethan—my apologies, seriously. I got swamped and kept you waiting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine, General Kane.” Ethan smiled. “If you weren’t busy today, that’d be the weird part.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxwell gave a helpless look, then turned. “Ryan—have the chef start serving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxwell glanced back at Ethan. “Drink?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded toward a cabinet. “I’ve got a few bottles of rare bourbon. Not exactly easy to find these days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure.” Ethan nodded. “I’ll have some.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a lot of things settled, there was no need to stay wound up 24\u002F7. It was okay to relax a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, dish after dish hit the table. Maxwell brought out his prized bottles and poured everyone a glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chris and the others raised their cups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Mia and Emily didn’t drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Partly because they weren’t drinkers—but more importantly, because someone always needed to stay sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emily’s [Cleanse] could detox and also sober people up. Mia’s crowd control could buy them time if anything went sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as those two stayed clear-headed, everyone else could drink without worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few rounds, the real conversation finally surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ethan,” Maxwell said seriously, “I looked into what happened today. I’m pretty sure someone deliberately targeted you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know,” Ethan said calmly, popping a bite of foie gras topped with caviar into his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Hale Family was a threat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I eliminated them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxwell exhaled, tension easing out of his shoulders. “Good. I was honestly worried you’d take it out on the entire compound.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not really,” Ethan said. “But I do think Atlas City’s whole structure needs to change.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxwell’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Five Families sharing power isn’t good for development,” Ethan said bluntly. “I suggest you, General Kane—you take control of the compound.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxwell nearly choked. “Ethan—don’t say things like that casually.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not.” Ethan’s tone stayed matter-of-fact. “Five families means five agendas. Five sets of private interests. You want stability? Stop splitting authority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxwell rubbed his forehead. “I won’t pretend unified management wouldn’t be better. But the families won’t accept it. Everyone thinks they deserve the chair. Unifying them isn’t that easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan looked at him. “Do you want to run it or not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxwell didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then that’s it.” Ethan set his glass down. “You take over. Anyone who disagrees—I’ll go ‘visit’ their home. I’m sure they’ll come around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a decision that could reshape Atlas City, and they were discussing it like they were picking appetizers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxwell gave a crooked smile, half bitter, half resigned. “I’ll… talk to them tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s there to talk about?” Ethan said. “Tomorrow, call them into the conference room. I’ll handle it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxwell stared at him for a long second, then finally sighed. “Alright. Let’s eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dinner, Ethan and the others headed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxwell had already arranged a large mansion for them near the Kane Family’s area. No need to go back to their previous place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan wasn’t about to be polite about it. Their old lodging had been decent, sure—but it wasn’t a mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they arrived, everyone was immediately satisfied. It wasn’t on the level of the custom-built setup back in Fallen Star City, but it was even bigger than the mansion they’d had in Clearford City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the perk of being strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wherever you went, you got special treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>",1196,"2026-06-02T09:29:46.187Z",1,"novelbin.me","886286034bd4879e127baf2a6af5755cf80614f2300c44c50b158cff61ba6a72","apocalypse-king-of-zombies-chapter-1225","apocalypse-king-of-zombies-chapter-1223",1329,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapocalypse-king-of-zombies-cover.jpg"]