[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-apocalypse-king-of-zombies":3,"chapter-apocalypse-king-of-zombies-apocalypse-king-of-zombies-chapter-1294":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},697391,930,"Chapter 1292 1292: Now We Know What We Are","apocalypse-king-of-zombies-chapter-1294",1294,"\u003Cp>Chris and the others spent a full half hour harvesting crystal cores—everything they'd killed themselves, plus the Flamebirds Ethan had dropped while kiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were still tallying the haul when the sky suddenly darkened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dense mass of red birds was coming back this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone snapped to their feet, weapons out, eyes locked on the incoming flock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sean frowned. \"Chris… you think Ethan pulled it off, and this is them bringing the Flamebirds back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe,\" Chris said, not relaxing at all. \"But don't get sloppy. Cautious is still the right call.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Flamebirds got closer, the tension finally eased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because on the lead birds, they spotted Ethan and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it worked,\" Mia said, relief bleeding into excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skinny Pete whooped. \"Ha! When the captain moves, how could he fail?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flock swept in and landed, red wings folding as thousands of talons clicked against stone. Ethan, Henry, and Skinny Pete jumped down from a Flamebird's back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Captain, you're insane,\" Big Mike said immediately, laying it on thick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his eyes were basically glowing as he stared at the birds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on, travel was going to be pure style. The thought alone made him giddy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others weren't any better—everyone was scanning the flock like kids picking out bikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many of them. No more two people squeezing onto one mount. Everyone could have their own… and still have extras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan walked up to Chris. \"You finish harvesting the cores?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah. All done.\" Chris pointed off to the side. \"From what we killed here plus what you dropped on the way, it's a little over three thousand. They're piled right there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\" Ethan swept the crystal cores into his storage ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the bodies, he left them for the Flamebirds to handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn't hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently eating their own dead didn't bother them at all—probably just how things worked in a world this starved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan looked around again, that same oppressive dark-red landscape stretching forever. Mountains were bare rock. No green anywhere. Not even moss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't even guess what the food chain looked like here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rest up,\" Ethan said. \"Then everyone tell the group what skill you got at Stage B. We need to know what tools we've got.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gathered in a loose circle. Ethan pulled out some food, and they ate while they talked—finally able to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chris went first. \"Mine's a buff. Short duration, but it's nasty—doubles my strength instantly. Only lasts ten seconds, though.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped his chest. \"And my ability evolution boosts my damage by fifty percent while I'm invisible. Stack those together and my burst is going to be disgusting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn,\" Sean said. \"Chris is gonna be our answer for high-tier monsters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seriously,\" Skinny Pete added. \"Boss-killer energy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chris laughed. \"Yeah, yeah. That's probably all I'm good for. In a swarm fight, you guys smoke me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then leave the swarm fights to us,\" Mia said, waving it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan nodded toward Henry. \"Henry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henry scratched his cheek. \"You already saw my new skill—light-type AoE, Rain of Light. Damage is solid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he grinned. \"And my healing ability evolved too. I can regenerate severed limbs now. So if you idiots lose an arm or a leg, don't panic. I can grow you a new one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Mike's face lit up like Christmas. \"Holy—Henry, I love you. Then I can just go wild!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, go wild,\" Henry said dryly. \"I can regrow arms and legs. I can't regrow your brain. If your head gets chopped off, I'll help by collecting the body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Okay,\" Big Mike said, immediately deflating. \"Never mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sounds like Calvin's busted arm might actually be fixable now.\" Ethan chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Later, I'll ask Miles how he's been behaving. If he's finally kicked that bleeding-heart habit, we'll heal him. If he's still the same… then we leave it. Let that arm remind him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah,\" Henry agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan turned to Sean with a smile. \"Sean's upgrade is interesting. Tell everyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sean nodded. \"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Stage B skill is what I just used—energy solidification. It gives me ranged attacks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted a hand, thinking through the words. \"And my ability evolution added something else: a metal-type ability that lets me condense metal elements into objects. I can shape it into different forms.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What does that even mean?\" Big Mike asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chris snapped his fingers. \"Simple. Sean's a walking equipment crafter now. He can forge weapons and armor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seriously?!\" a few of them blurted at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sean sighed and nodded, looking more resigned than proud. \"Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, he sounded disappointed. It didn't directly make him better in a fight. It basically meant he was turning into the squad's blacksmith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mia leaned forward, curious. \"How strong are the weapons you can make?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Depends on my strength,\" Sean said. \"I'm Stage B right now, so anything I make should be fine for killing Stage B enemies. But if someone's way above me… it probably won't hold up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's still huge,\" Henry said. \"When our gear starts falling behind, we're relying on you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sean nodded once. \"No problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan tapped the ground lightly. \"Also—when we get back, make a batch of good weapons and store them in the Fallen Star City armory. Let the Fallen Star Guard exchange merit for them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Got it,\" Sean said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan turned. \"Skinny Pete. You're up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skinny Pete's face crumpled like he'd swallowed a lemon. \"I'm screwed…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Both my skills aren't combat skills.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop whining and say it,\" Chris said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skinny Pete held up two fingers. \"My Stage B skill is… sensory. It lets me sense things ahead of time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group went still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Sense what?\" Big Mike asked slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like—if something big is about to happen, I should be able to feel it beforehand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What?\" Mia said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sean frowned. \"That's kinda… mystical.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah,\" Skinny Pete admitted. \"I also think it sounds mystical, but that's what it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan nodded, expression turning serious. \"Don't underestimate that. That kind of ability is special. It's probably going to be crazy useful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Mike smirked. \"Congrats. You're a fortune teller now. Bet you'll be accurate as hell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skinny Pete shot him a look. \"Shut up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan lifted a brow. \"And your ability evolution?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skinny Pete hesitated, then said it quickly like ripping off a bandage. \"It's… also weird. I can peek at what someone's thinking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone's heads snapped toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Excuse me?\" Chris said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're kidding,\" Henry said, suddenly tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skinny Pete raised both hands. \"Hold on—there's a limit. It only works on people weaker than me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you're sure it's only people below your tier?\" Sean pressed, eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah,\" Skinny Pete said. \"Anyone stronger than me, or even the same tier, I can't read them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A collective exhale went around the circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank god,\" Mia muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Mike pointed at Skinny Pete like he was accusing him of a crime. \"Nope. New rule: I'm never letting you pass me in tier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody laughed, because everyone was thinking the same thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Skinny Pete ever got ahead of them, being around him would feel like standing naked in public.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, it made Ethan's True Sight feel tame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan gave Skinny Pete a long look, impressed despite himself. Neither of Pete's upgrades directly boosted his damage, but both of them were the kind of \"strategic\" abilities that could decide an entire war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan nodded once. Yeah. This kid's going to matter later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Big Mike. \"Alright, Big Mike. Your turn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Mike straightened like he'd been waiting for the spotlight. \"Heh. This time I'm back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at Stage C, the two skills he'd gotten had depressed him for days. This one finally felt like a win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My new Stage B skill is Toxic Rain—you all saw it. Nasty, right? Huge area, full coverage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spread his hands, selling it hard. \"Damage is a little low, sure. It's not amazing for enemies stronger than me, or even around my level. But against weaker targets? It's disgusting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grin sharpened. \"Like… those Yamato guys.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Next time we go after those Yamato bastards, I drop a few Toxic Rains and we're basically wiping a whole city.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody argued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As far as large-scale AoE went, Toxic Rain was the biggest range they'd seen so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Mike's old Rain of Flames and Garrick's Meteor Storm covered, what—around three to four thousand square feet? One cast might kill a few hundred, maybe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Toxic Rain was on another level, pushing well over a hundred thousand square feet. One cast poisoning ten or twenty thousand wasn't hard to imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few casts…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah. \"City wipe\" wasn't just talk.\u003C\u002Fp>",1443,"2026-06-02T09:29:46.901Z",1,"novelbin.me","522cbf41b371b80feb51d55fb8d0765257c1b9f10add5cc515e72ca854967b48","apocalypse-king-of-zombies-chapter-1295","apocalypse-king-of-zombies-chapter-1293",1329,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapocalypse-king-of-zombies-cover.jpg"]