[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-apocalypse-king-of-zombies":3,"chapter-apocalypse-king-of-zombies-apocalypse-king-of-zombies-chapter-280":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},696124,930,"Chapter 280 280: who exactly are you trying to prove yourself to again?","apocalypse-king-of-zombies-chapter-280",280,"\u003Cp>Jacob's trip to Japan didn't yield the Radiant Crystal, but he did manage to hunt down plenty of monsters and collect several crystal cores, significantly boosting his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, that's awesome news!\" Sophia's eyes lit up, genuinely thrilled. It felt like a double win. But then she suddenly remembered something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, right. Headquarters mentioned Leon's coming back too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leon...? That guy's still alive? I thought he was dead already...\" Jacob muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon Graves—known simply as Leon—was the last of the Bernardino Four Riders, a figure as famous as Jacob himself. Yet, he was incredibly mysterious; most people had never even seen him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several months ago, Leon had gone to headquarters to participate in a top-secret genetic experiment. Even the heads of various branches didn't have clearance to know exactly what it entailed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, Sophia and Jacob were both curious about what he'd become.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing was certain:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the experiment succeeded, Leon's strength would skyrocket, probably pushing him into S-class territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her subordinates growing stronger, the company thriving, and powerful bounty hunters coming to lend their support, Sophia felt fantastic. The future looked brighter than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's throw a celebration tonight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Ethan crossed the dangerous ocean aboard the aircraft, smoothly landing in downtown Los Angeles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oliver, the pilot, felt his heart leap into his throat again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the Japan trip was over, he figured he had no more practical use to this Zombie King—just potential as a snack...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahhh...\" Oliver sighed deeply, convinced Ethan would discard him like a used-up tool and kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you sighing about?\" Ethan asked casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oliver lowered his head. \"You're planning to kill me now, aren't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm... doesn't really matter to me either way,\" Ethan replied nonchalantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\" Oliver was speechless. Seriously? Was his life really that insignificant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like Ethan didn't care at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Oliver was only a B-class pilot from Genesis Biotech, similar in usefulness to Chris from the shelter—hardly worth eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan continued, \"If you don't go back to Genesis Biotech, I won't kill you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait... really?\" Oliver blinked, surprised and hopeful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan nodded. \"Yeah, really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then... I'll head to the Los Angeles shelter. It's pretty close anyway,\" Oliver quickly suggested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure, go ahead,\" Ethan waved dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oliver nodded enthusiastically, bobbing his head like a woodpecker, relieved and happy. He jumped down from the aircraft and started walking toward the shelter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still a bit uneasy, he glanced back nervously. Ethan stood calmly at the aircraft door, clearly not intending to kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally reassured, Oliver felt a massive weight lift from his shoulders. He couldn't believe he was still alive. Life really was unpredictable...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, by the way, boss, if you ever need a translator or a pilot again, I'm your guy! I speak sixteen languages fluently!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, got it,\" Ethan nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oliver continued walking, but after a few steps, he stopped again and turned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan tilted his head, slightly annoyed. \"Now what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing much, just wanted to mention—I was originally a survivor from Rancho Cucamonga. I'm really not that close with Genesis Biotech.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\" Ethan was speechless. This guy wasn't just multilingual—he was also annoyingly talkative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing Ethan's growing impatience, Oliver didn't dare linger any longer. He quickly scurried away, disappearing around the corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Ethan stored away the aircraft and returned to his territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he approached the main building, he saw Bulldozer and the other Zombie Kings respectfully waiting for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anything happen while I was away?\" Ethan asked casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nope,\" Bulldozer shook his massive head. \"Nothing at all—except missing you, boss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethan rolled his eyes. This guy was getting smoother by the day. All that flesh he devoured must've gone straight to his charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ethan didn't bother calling him out. Instead, he waved his hand, tossing out the spoils from his trip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh my god!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The zombies' eyes widened in shock. This time, Ethan had brought back an enormous haul—most notably, two gigantic mutant centipedes. And beside them was a mountain-sized pile of \"Sandwich Cookies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This much?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And it's Japanese cuisine, too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me have a taste first!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The zombies eagerly swarmed the food, unable to hold back their excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As usual, Ethan headed upstairs, took a refreshing shower, changed into clean clothes, and placed three Radiant Crystals on the windowsill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lounged comfortably in the sunlight, poured himself a drink, and began leisurely absorbing the crystal cores.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the crystal cores melted in his mouth, a warm, soothing sensation spread through his limbs, making him sigh contentedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahh, nothing beats home...\" Ethan sank deeper into the sofa, completely relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Downstairs, his minions were having the time of their lives, devouring the feast with gusto. The scene was lively and chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hiss... Ahh... spicy!\" Bulldozer gnawed on a centipede leg, grimacing slightly. The centipede's venom made it feel like biting into a hot pepper—burning and spicy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly, he grabbed a \"Sandwich Cookie,\" taking a big bite to neutralize the venom's sting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spicy centipede paired with sweet Sandwich Cookies—surprisingly delicious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning from Japan, Ethan decided to lay low for a while, just like before, comfortably staying at home without making any big moves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, the major factions nearby maintained a fragile peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But secretly, everyone was preparing for war, eager to tear each other apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Nightmare, the Zombie King from Rancho Cucamonga. Ever since realizing he was living in Ethan's shadow, Ethan had become his obsession—his personal demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nightmare spent his days muttering obsessively about killing Ethan, convinced it was the only way to free himself from his inner torment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His constant rambling made Scissorhands and the other Zombie Kings worry their boss was losing his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he'd overused his psychic powers and was suffering side effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was trapped in his own nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Nightmare didn't just plan to kill Ethan. He had another goal—destroying the Los Angeles shelter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Mia had humiliated him that night, he'd been nursing a grudge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll make her pay!\" Nightmare growled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Absolutely, boss!\" Scissorhands and the others nodded vigorously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nightmare continued ranting, \"She dared say I'm not worthy of being a ruler? I'll show her!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're definitely worthy, boss!\" Scissorhands declared passionately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Comforted by his subordinates' reassurance, Nightmare felt slightly better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll succeed for sure, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, yeah, of course you'll succeed,\" Scissorhands nodded repeatedly. But after a moment, he looked confused. \"Wait, boss... who exactly are you trying to prove yourself to again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nightmare: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>",1081,"2026-06-02T09:29:06.387Z",1,"novelbin.me","2a295e8b7273bb4ec78a156a2ca902f41378f497a1b683d96031cafce6b3f28e","apocalypse-king-of-zombies-chapter-227","apocalypse-king-of-zombies-chapter-279",1329,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fapocalypse-king-of-zombies-cover.jpg"]