Fenrir's howl echoed across the valley.One.Then ten.Then dozens.Dark shapes burst from the dense forest on both sides of the motorway.Ironfang wolves.Young hunters.Veteran pack leaders.More than sixty mutant wolves emerged from the trees, their glowing amber eyes fixed on the Black Veil Consortium.The hunters had become the hunted.Victor Draeven glanced around, his expression barely changing."So...""The entire pack survived."Fenrir stepped beside Ethan, his massive frame radiating confidence.His wounds had almost completely healed, and his silver-black fur rippled with newfound power.Through their bond, Ethan felt only one emotion.Protect the pack.Black Veil soldiers snapped into formation.Heavy machine guns rotated toward the approaching wolves."Open fire!"A hail of bullets tore through the morning air.RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!Several wolves were forced back, but instead of panicking, they scattered into smaller hunting groups.Ava smiled."They're adapting."Luna nodded

Crimson tendrils burst from the fractured motorway.They spread across the battlefield like living roots, punching through concrete and wrapping around anything they touched.A Consortium soldier screamed as one coiled around his ankle."What is this?!"The tendril yanked him off his feet.Before anyone could react, it dragged him toward the Crimson Devourer's gaping mouth.Crunch.The scream ended abruptly.The monster's six eyes glowed even brighter.The System blared.Boss Skill: Blood Feast ActiveAll living organisms within one kilometre have been designated as nourishment.Evolution Progress: 35%"Cut them!" Ava shouted.Her hammer smashed through a thick tendril.The crimson vine split apart—Only to regenerate seconds later."It healed!"Luna slammed her spear into the ground."Ice Prison!"Dozens of frozen spikes erupted from the earth, trapping several tendrils beneath solid ice.Unlike Ava's attack...The frozen tendrils stopped moving.Elena noticed immediately."Ice slows

The blue glow radiating from Ethan's Base Core intensified.It pulsed once.Twice.Then a beam of azure light shot from his chest toward the First Zombie King's heart.At the same instant, a streak of black-red light surged from the King's chest.The two beams collided in mid-air.Neither side gained ground.The collision created a shimmering sphere of energy that distorted the air around it.Everyone on the battlefield stared.The System blared.Hidden Authority ResonanceKey Fragment DetectedHost One:Bronze Custodian Ethan KaneHost Two:First Zombie KingFragment Synchronisation: 8%Warning:Do not allow hostile synchronisation."What does that mean?" Ava shouted over the roaring energy.Luna's face had gone pale."It means...""...the King possesses part of the same ancient authority."Sophia frowned."How is that possible?"Luna shook her head."It shouldn't be.""The Key was meant for Custodians."Victor's expression darkened."So the legends were true..."Everyone looked at h

The second Corruption Beacon descended through the storm.Then the third.Each floating obelisk was smaller than the original, but they pulsed with the same sinister crimson light.Dark clouds churned overhead.Lightning crackled between the Beacons like a giant web.The entire sky was changing.The System flashed violently.World WarningCorruption Network Initialising...Primary Beacon: ActiveSecondary Beacons: 2/12 ConstructedNetwork Completion:16%Warning:Once the network reaches 100%, this region will permanently become a Corruption Zone.A cold silence settled over the battlefield.Even the zombies stopped advancing.They simply stood in place, their empty eyes fixed on the Beacons above.As though awaiting orders from a king.Luna gripped her spear tighter."We don't have much time.""How long?" Ethan asked.She closed her eyes, sensing the flow of mana."Maybe...""...ten minutes.""After that?""The Beacons will anchor themselves to the earth.""And then?"She looked at h

The dimensional rift sealed with a deafening crack.The colossal Overseer's hand disappeared beyond the heavens.Dark clouds slowly dispersed.For a brief moment...The battlefield fell eerily quiet.Burning vehicles crackled.Smoke drifted across the ruined motorway.The cries of the wounded replaced the thunder of battle.Then the First Zombie King smiled.It wasn't the feral grin of a monster.It was calm.Confident.Almost... human.Its crimson crown shimmered beneath the fading sunlight."So..."The King spread its four arms."The Overseer has acknowledged us."Ethan tightened his grip on his alloy sword."You call that acknowledgment?""I call it judgement."The King's scarlet eyes glowed."And we are both still alive."The Infinite Rebate System finally stabilised.World Event CompleteThe Overseer's Observation has ended.Rewards Calculating...Participation Rank:S+Bonus Rewards Granted.Rewards ReceivedLegendary Supply Crate ×1Elite Evolution Crystal ×2Guardian Authority