Ethan, Chris, Henry, Garrick, Sean, Big Mike, and Skinny Pete were still knee-deep in Tier 5 zombie kills.

Ethan had already hit the peak of Tier 5, but the others had only just broken into it. That meant the demand for Tier 5 crystal cores was still sky-high.

It took nine Tier 5 cores to go from entry-level to peak Tier 5. Multiply that by six people, and they still needed over fifty cores.

Yeah—more people meant more mouths to feed, more power to fuel.

That's why Ethan had always stuck to a quality-over-quantity mindset.

If he really wanted to expand, he could recruit hundreds in a heartbeat. But what would be the point? More people meant more resources, more headaches, and a hell of a lot more drama. Just look at Vivian's crew—too many egos, too many agendas.

Ethan's ideal vision for the Fallen Star Squad? Keep it under ten. Tight, efficient, loyal.

If they ever did build a real faction, each squad member could form their own team. Ethan would just sit at the top, calling the shots.

For now, though, this little group worked just fine.

They'd spent the day sweeping through apartment complexes, hunting Tier 5 zombies. Turned out, housing blocks were a sweet spot—less overwhelming than residential neighborhoods, but more densely packed than commercial zones.

They'd hit several in a row, and nearly every one had at least one Tier 5 zombie lurking inside. The fights were tough, sure, but way more efficient than wandering the wilds.

After taking down two more Tier 5s in the latest complex, Ethan led the crew onward, eyes peeled for the next target.

They'd been walking for over ten minutes when they stumbled on something unexpected—a house swarmed with zombies.

Ethan's eyes lit up. That kind of crowd usually meant something—or someone—worth guarding.

He activated True Sight and scanned the horde.

Then froze.

Three Tier 5 zombies. Just standing there. Like bouncers at the door.

"What the hell?" he muttered. "Tier 5s just guarding the place? Then what the hell's inside?"

His pulse kicked up. He turned his gaze toward the house.

With True Sight, the walls were no obstacle. The interior came into focus instantly.

And there, lying on a bed, was a woman in a black dress.

Ethan blinked. "A woman?"

Why the hell would a swarm of zombies be guarding a woman?

Then he saw it—the hole in her head. Thumb-sized, punched clean through her skull, still leaking blood.

And nestled inside her brain cavity, a cherry-sized red crystal core.

Ethan's heart nearly leapt out of his chest.

"A Tier 6 zombie… or Stage D!"

He'd assumed Tier 6s didn't exist yet. That he still had time before hitting that ceiling.

But here it was. A Tier 6 zombie, right in front of him—and badly wounded, no less.

The kind of luck that made you wonder if the universe was playing a prank.

He checked again. And again. And again.

Nope. It was real.

But then he looked down at the swarm—over four thousand zombies, including three Tier 5s and hundreds of Tier 4s.

His expression turned grim.

This wasn't going to be easy.

But no way in hell was he walking away.

You didn't turn your back on a feast like this. Not unless you wanted the heavens to strike you down for being a damn fool.

"Ethan, is there a Tier 5 zombie in that house?" Chris asked in a low voice, eyes narrowed at the building ahead.

"Tier 5?" Ethan's eyes gleamed. "You're thinking too small. That thing in there is Tier 6."

"Tier 6?!" Everyone's heads snapped toward the house, eyes wide.

"You mean… a Stage D zombie?" That got the whole squad buzzing.

"Ethan, can we take it?"

"Take it?" Ethan scoffed. "We have to. I don't care how hard it is—we're doing this."

"Alright," Henry said, gripping his weapon tighter. "You call it. What's the plan?"

"You guys draw the horde's attention. Chris and I will circle around back, get inside, and take out the Stage D."

He paused, scanning the mass of undead below. "But be careful. This crowd's no joke—three Tier 5s, hundreds of Tier 4s. It's gonna be rough."

"Damn, that strong?"

"Yeah. Best bet is to fight with your backs to a wall—don't let them surround you. Just hold them off. Once Chris and I finish the job, we'll come back you up."

"Got it."

"Move!"

At Ethan's command, Sean and the others charged straight at the horde.

Ethan and Chris ducked behind a nearby building, staying out of sight.

The sudden appearance of five Tier 5 fighters sent the zombies into a frenzy. With a chorus of snarls and shrieks, they surged toward the newcomers.

Sean and the others quickly positioned themselves against the wall of a nearby building, forming a tight line as they began cutting down the oncoming undead.

Even down two members, five Tier 5s were still a force to be reckoned with. They could hold their own—for now.

Ethan's eyes flicked up to the third floor of the house, locking onto the Stage D zombie.

She'd stirred at the noise, glanced lazily out the window… then lay back down.

She was badly injured. Healing.

Ethan exhaled in relief. He'd been worried she might bolt.

He motioned to Chris, and the two of them crept around to the back of the house. The horde was fully distracted now, pulled toward the chaos Sean and the others were stirring up.

Ethan and Chris leapt up to a second-floor window, slipped inside, and crept up the stairs to the third floor.

Ethan pointed to a door at the end of the hall, then gave Chris a look.

Chris nodded, quietly set down his barbell bar, and drew a fire axe from his belt. A shimmer passed over his body as he activated his stealth ability—and vanished.

Once Chris was in position, Ethan tightened his grip on his barbell bar, then kicked the door open with a crash and charged in.

The woman in the black dress shot upright on the bed, her face twisting into a snarl of rage.

Ethan didn't hesitate. He swung the barbell bar straight at her skull.

She raised an arm to block, but she'd underestimated both her injuries and Ethan's strength. The blow sent her stumbling back, slamming into the wall behind her.

Ethan lunged to follow up, barbell bar raised for another strike—but she was faster this time. Her foot lashed out in a brutal kick.

He barely got the bar up in time to block.

Boom—

The impact launched him across the room. He hit the floor hard, rolled, and sprang back to his feet, eyes wide.

"Jesus," he muttered. "She's this strong wounded? What the hell was she like at full power?"

No time to dwell. He charged again, swinging the barbell bar in a wide arc.

But this time, the zombie woman was ready. She caught the bar mid-swing with one hand.

Her other hand shot toward Ethan's throat.

Then—suddenly—she flinched.

Some instinct must've screamed danger, because she released the barbell bar and dove to the side.

Shhk—

Blood sprayed across the room.

Even with her quick reaction, Chris's axe still carved a deep gash across her neck.

She spun, eyes locking onto the spot where the attack had come from—but Chris was already gone, vanished again.

Her brow furrowed. She hadn't expected another fighter in the room.

The wound in her skull was still bleeding. Now her neck was torn open too. Two lethal injuries, even for a zombie with her regenerative power.

She could feel it—her strength was draining fast.

If this kept up, she was going to die.

Without hesitation, she bolted for the window.

But Ethan was already there, blocking her path.

He smirked. "Knew you'd try to run."

...

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