Nicholas's team could now be categorized as a well-coordinated ensemble, but there exists an insurmountable gulf in power levels between him and the rest, making true harmony elusive. It is an unmistakable Achilles' heel. Hubert initiates his pitch:"Given your level and abilities, you could join a much more potent squad. What do you think?"Before Nicholas could respond, one of his teammates interjects:"Hey! You're trying to poach someone from our team? What gall! Even if you're stronger, you can't just blatantly steal people like that."Although the speaker made a seemingly reasonable point, it was ultimately devoid of meaning. In essence, each Superhuman has the right to choose their own team and, naturally, the right to choose a more powerful one. In this crumbling world of death and decay, outright theft or even the subjugation of a Superhuman is regrettably commonplace. It's a world for the strong; the stronger you are, the more companions you can amass. Hubert, subscribing to
Lost in thought, Hubert was jolted back to reality by Nathan's interjection."What should we do now? Young master Hubert, how shall you sketch our battle plan? Our forces are dreadfully thin."Nathan spoke the truth, a fact well-known to all, but to none more than Hubert himself. He looked out into the distance; the zombie horde was about two kilometers away. With their current pace, they would reach their position in less than five minutes. There was no more time for indecision."Our team comprises only the elite; worry not, for we shall never fall!" Hubert responded to Nathan with absolute conviction. Yet he knew he was mainly reassuring himself. He was powerful, but without Gideon's energy support, he could never fully unleash his potential. He commanded:"Metal and Earth Superhumans, move forward. Create barriers, virtual armor, and manipulate the surrounding terrain to slow down the zombies.""We understand!"No sooner had he finished than a group of over twenty Superhumans advan
What transpired next in the private conversation between Domi and Phelan was known only to them, while Hubert on the other side was still preoccupied with organizing the formation. Zombies were now clearly visible, advancing at an alarming pace that required no clairvoyance to detect. Lancelot eyed the oncoming hordes—now a mere thousand meters away.Since the apocalypse began, he had hunted zombies many times, but never before had he faced such a multitude. A blend of fear and excitement surged within him; the thrill of life-or-death challenge exhilarated him. Though it might be improper to harbor such thoughts, his conquering spirit was irrepressible. He felt an overwhelming urge to charge forward and annihilate the undead masses.Seemingly detecting Lancelot's growing fervor, Hubert warned: "Stick to my directives and act not upon your own impulse. Remember, our lives are interlinked; if you fall, I'll suffer the consequences. Don't be foolish!""I get it, you know I'm quite obedie
"Stay calm. We need to observe what these zombies will do before we can effectively counter them. Initiating an attack prematurely would surely put us at a disadvantage." he counseled.As if on cue, the lead zombie let out a series of guttural growls. Judging from the energy it emitted, it was a variant with electrical superpowers—its strength was formidable, likely at level 6. The air itself seemed affected by the ominous aura it exuded. Its potency was almost overwhelming.If a regular zombie could cultivate itself to level 6, it was not improbable that Clunky, another player in this high-stakes game, could have reached the level 6 mid-quota. Hubert shook his head, dismissing the thought. Raymond hadn't even reached level 6 quota peak; there was no way Clunky could match him. Thus, Clunky was likely at the very peak of level 6 quota low, while the zombie before them was at its lower end.Based on the zombie's powerful but unstable energy, it could be inferred that it had recently le
In immediate response, the Superhumans retreated. Hubert then erected a metal wall behind Lancelot's mesh to prevent it from stretching too thin. Lava and electric orbs were thus held at bay. Hubert exchanged a glance with Lancelot:"Good teamwork!""We do have a connection, don’t we... ha ha…"This conversation stung Domi, who twitched a wry smile. He too wanted to coordinate with Hubert but had instead been shackled to the inept Phelan, whose creativity was severely lacking. The frustration was unbearable.Yet both Hubert and Lancelot understood the true import of their words. A life-bond allowed them a heightened level of synergy, a mutual understanding that ran deep.The thwarted fireball infuriated the zombie leader, but it also created an area where the lava had cooled, no longer a scalding or burning threat. The zombie leader growled orders for its underlings to attack.Facing over fifteen Level 5 quota peak zombies, Hubert called for a strategic retreat:"Fall back, prepare fo
Their eyes shifted toward Jacob, who remained stoically indifferent, not sparing them even a cursory glance. In less than twenty seconds, nearly ten zombies were incinerated, leaving not even a speck of ash."It's like they've vanished into thin air."Hubert stood frozen, awestruck by the sheer force of Jacob's newfound power. It was a boon, but also a potential detriment. Jacob had jumped from a level 5 high quota to a level 6 low quota, leveling up two tiers at once. Could he sustain this expenditure of energy?Now only the alpha zombie and its four minions remained. Seemingly contemplating flight, the alpha zombie hesitated; its entire squad had been annihilated in a single move. To claim it felt no fear would be an outright lie. It seemed torn between attacking and retreating. Hubert sensed its dread. While not as sophisticated as Raymond or Clunky, this zombie's intelligence was not to be underestimated. It was quick to assess perilous situations and to react accordingly.Its ras
"Damn it! That bastard Canis nearly cost me an arm!" Gideon was the first to express his indignation after being healed. Though his words were laced with venom, they were devoid of genuine malice. This was a common form of teammate banter, and he continued: "If you weren't knocked out, I'd have beaten you senseless!"His fury mounting, Gideon was interrupted by Caradoc's soft cough. He immediately turned his attention to the younger man: "How are you holding up? Feeling better?""The pain's gone, thankfully. Good thing I leveled up to 6, otherwise...""Once he wakes up, he's going to get an earful from me!""Count on it!""Absolutely!"The emotional exchange between Gideon and Caradoc cast Enda into a somber mood as he stood at a distance. He glanced at Allan, who paid him no mind. Enda's hands tightened into fists, as if willing his blood to boil.Hubert, having helped Nicholas to his feet, moved on to assist Jacob, clapping him on the shoulder: "Feeling better?""Much. You've expend
Though he spoke such words, Lancelot proceeded to funnel his energy into the Energy Stone. Hubert knew his friend was half-jesting, using humor to assuage his own fears. He gripped Lancelot's shoulder once more and reiterated: "You possess the reservoir for three different Superpower systems within you. I'm currently storing a significant amount of energy for you as well. You are more than capable of leveling up. Don't let me down.""I... I understand."Lancelot hesitated and turned away. Despite having resolved to deepen his relationship with Canis, Hubert's allure shook the softer recesses of his heart. 'How can he be so irresistibly captivating?' Lancelot pondered, unable to fully withdraw his affection.He had experienced countless one-night stands, but Hubert was a unique intoxicant. Like fine wine, the more he had, the more entranced he became—impossible to forsake. Now, he understood why so many would willingly die for Hubert.Jacob, Winston, himself, Dominic Henry, and lastly,