This was the truth from Hubert. He didn't understand why, but he wasn't scared of Theodore. Theodore, however, was acting like a scared puppy, constantly worried that Hubert would ridicule him. Could it be because he still read his past confession for Hubert? Theodore then retorted:"You're lying. I saw you deep in thought."Theodore used a face that was serious yet terrifying to act cute. This was indeed something that made Hubert ponder. Knowing that words would not suffice, Hubert took Theodore's hand. He blinked at him:"You must believe me! I'm your younger brother, after all!"Yet Theodore swiftly retracted his hand and slipped past Hubert, striding ahead."Quit your fanciful thoughts and hasten your pace.""I'm not daydreaming at all!""Stop talking nonsense.""Big brother! Wait for me!"Hubert pursued Theodore, leaping onto his back and wrapping his arms around his neck like a small child. As a youngster, he'd longed for a piggyback ride like other siblings enjoyed, but Theodo
Throughout a single night, Hubert shifted restlessly in search of a comfortable position, only to accidentally bump into Theodore lying beside him. Theodore, asleep, a slumbering zombie, a strange sight indeed. The collision roused him, his eyes heavy with sleep gazing at Hubert. "What's the matter, sleep not treating you well?" Theodore's arm encircled Hubert's waist, a comforting massage on his hip, but Hubert refused to respond. He was annoyed. This brother had dragged him to this oppressive heat for over a dozen hours and dared to ask if he slept well. Indeed, the heartless zombie. Theodore, unable Hubert's vexation, decided to Theodore change the subject. "When you wish to return to the gathering place, I'll take you there." "Return? To the gathering place?" Hubert had initially thought Theodore intended to keep him captive forever, so it was unexpected to hear him offer to let him go, even more so, to take him back personally. Noticing Hubert's hesitation, Theodore immediate
He'd repeated that statement numerous times, but Hubert remained genuinely perplexed. He pressed him for clarification. "What do you mean? What protection? What about other zombies being wary of me?" Clunky waited to respond. He glanced back at Theodore, pleading for help. Hubert pushed him gently in the chest. "Speak up. He has no right to hinder me from learning the truth about myself. If you don't tell me, I'll find out some other way." Clunky flitted his gaze between Hubert and Theodore, finally capitulating under pressure. "It's him, that bastard. He marked you with his scent. Who dares to approach the marked one of a high-tier, fifth-rank zombie? Your scent is even stronger now. I bet the zombies outside will scatter at the sight of you." As Clunky finished speaking, Theodore's voice resounded from behind. "Shut up." Clunky continued, his tone not reflecting an ounce of fear. "Uh oh, using your real voice. Aren't you scared your little lover will run away?" "Silence!"
Ring... Ring!The sudden sound of the alarm bell echoed sharply, causing Winston to mutter a curse under his breath before he rose to his feet."Damn it! He's here again!""Damn it! Here again!"Hubert was perplexed, unsure of the unfolding situation. He rushed after Winston, inquiring hastily."What's going on? Why did the alarm suddenly sound?""It's that bastard Lancelot causing a commotion again. Every encounter ends in losses on both sides, yet he refuses to back down.""Does he want to take over our gathering area?"Winston nodded, dashing out swiftly. Outside, over a dozen people had gathered; among them was Jacob, who immediately moved beside Hubert upon spotting him. As Jacob was about to engage him in conversation, Stella inserted herself between them, her voice laced with sourness."Just as the alarm went off, everyone had already gathered, yet you seem rather at ease, aren't you?"Hubert dismissed Stella, leaving her fuming, but she eventually composed herself, leaning ont
Lancelot’s soldiers promptly formed a circle, offloading various guns and grenades from their vehicles. Seeing Lancelot teetering on the brink of insanity, Jacob stepped forward and instructed: “Lan, fall back.” “Lan?” Hubert’s eyes widened in surprise. How could Jacob use such an intimate nickname for Lancelot? He glanced at Lancelot and then back at Jacob.From behind, Stella finally revealed Jacob’s true identity: “So, you finally decided to show your hand. The leader of the anti-government alliance, Jacob, you’re quite the master of disguise, aren’t you?” “What?” “Say what?” The crowd surrounding Hubert erupted into a cacophony of shock, especially Canis, who appeared most taken aback.“Doesn’t the commander have a different name?” Having suspicions about Jacob for a while, he was astounded by the revelation of his high-ranking identity.From the opposite side, Lancelot elucidated the swirling confusion, stating: “Of course, he had to use a pseudonym to infiltrate your ranks
Hubert made his way to Canis's room, now emptied of visitors save for the medic, Winston, who remained behind to administer care. Upon seeing him, Winston immediately rose, providing a chair for Hubert. "Are you feeling better now? I've been looking after young Canis and haven't had the time to attend to you." he said. "I'm fine now." Hubert replied with a nod. He was indeed feeling well, except for the head-spinning revelation of Jacob's identity. Glancing at Canis, pallid and limp on the bed, a sharp pang of grief surged within him. That damned Lancelot, he swore, would pay for the pain he'd inflicted. His voice sounded louder than intended when asked: "Is he truly okay?" "He's stable now and will be on his feet in a few days. Superhumans recover faster than normal people. And Canis, as a light-based Superhuman, will heal particularly quickly. There's just one thing..." Winston hesitated. "What is it?" Hubert cut in, impatient for clarity. "His wound is near the concentratio
"Call Caradoc here. Let's go observe that semi-conscious zombie over there." Hubert proposed."For what reason would you call Caradoc?" Gideon asked, a tad perplexed."His skill set includes control, and he could restrain those zombies for a sufficient amount for us to study. Besides, we should also expedite another hunt. The rate at which the zombies evolve is astonishing,hing and we've been far too lackadaisical. If they grow so strong we can't hunt anymore, we might as well await our inevitable demise." Hubert elaborated."I see your point. I will go and fetch Cara." Gideon acknowledged and left promptly. ‘Cara,’ it seemed they had become quite familiar over the last two months. Besides, it was no secret that Caradoc was fond of the wily older man, Gideon. A love triangle, perhaps? Hubert mused. Enda silently pined for Caradoc while Caradoc openly pursued Gideon – a classic tale of fraternal tragedy."What's got you chuckling?"Gideon's sudden question startled Hubert from his amu
Modern-day zombies are vastly different from those of two millennia ago, including the existence of semi-zombies. Hubert employed his Superpower toward the semi-zombie to establish a mental connection. He asked it:"Do you know what the other half of you is?"The semi-zombie shook its head. It communicated with Hubert via thoughts: "I don't know, but it might be a Superhuman. The energy is not very clear, so I'm uncertain. I'm unsure if it's the energy of a Superhuman or that of a zombie."Hubert nodded. He spoke:"What's your name, and how old are you for proper address? We can't always refer to you as 'this zombie' or 'that zombie.'""My name is Baron Derby, twenty years old.""So, we're of the same age."Hubert then turned to the others and said,"His name is Baron Derby. From now on, we should address him by his name for easier communication.""I knew that already."Caradoc responded with a pout, implying that he was already aware of Baron Derby's name, which wasn't surprising giv
But what they hadn't anticipated was the very moment Hubert fell into a state of energy seclusion, disturbances began to ripple outside.The squadron led by Wayne and the wind-aspected Superhuman began to inch their way towards where Hubert sat. Now, with the absorption of the Energy Stone, no protective energy sphere enveloped the scene. Only a few protective mages were there to ensure the upgrade process remained uninterrupted. Everyone understood the dire consequences if the upgrade failed."What do you want?""Isn't it obvious? To abduct the subject and seize the Energy Stone. Right now, you've lost one Superhuman of level 6 quota mid, and your most potent Superhuman is mid-upgrade. How could you possibly fend us off now?""Toby, don't waste words on them. The longer we stall, the more likely Hubert will complete the absorption, leaving us at a disadvantage."Wayne urged, the wind-aspected Superhuman accompanying him was Toby, a man with pure offensive abilities. Their squadron, i
He had traversed time four times. The first was to the moment he claimed Hubert from the fragments of time. He tried being more conciliatory, gentler. But he couldn't change his controlling nature, and once again, Hubert slipped away. But one couldn't stay in a timeline more than thrice, so he chose the future where Hubert had traveled. Hubert had failed in his mission to save Raymond, deciding to leap 500 years ahead, and Domi followed suit. In this era, Raymond had lost his memory and Hubert was exploiting it for a happier existence. Unwilling to witness this, Domi returned to the present with a plan to make Hubert end Raymond himself, eliminating him entirely.But the truth unveiled itself in a tale of sorrow, proving his failure, and he had indeed lost Hubert. What's more, he'd forsaken his chance of survival - a misfortune that had not befallen him during his second traverse through time. Perhaps now, Hubert was utterly beyond his grasp; his past, his future, and even the present
The dark energy within Hubert surged powerfully, overwhelming those around him in no time. This force clearly embodied Raymond’s essence and grew alongside him. The zombie king's energy was not to be trifled with, so Superhumans below level 6 felt dizzy, nauseous, and experienced a pressure akin to diving deep underwater."It's... hard to breathe!""What monstrous energy is this?"They all knew Hubert was a Level 6 Superhuman, but to possess such overwhelming energy was exceedingly rare. Moreover, the kind of energy that could oppress them to the point of feeling as if their lungs were being torn apart could only be that of a zombie's. It was as if they couldn't believe their own thoughts, or more precisely, they were terrified. For a Superhuman to carry zombie energy without being assimilated or controlled was extremely peculiar. And Hubert was that very anomaly!The atmosphere seemed to have stagnated, suffocating not just the Superhumans but Hubert himself. That dark force seemed t
"If we are to hunt Superhumans together, I must address you properly. Surely, I can't just call you 'this zombie' or 'that zombie,' can I?" But Raymond never responded. Never before had he felt so dismissed, so insulted. Yet, he persisted in his quest for Raymond's name. Until, irked by Clunky's persistence, Raymond finally said: "My surname is Raymond Joshua." "And your first name? Speak it!" "Annoying!" "What?" "I said, 'You're annoying.'" Though meant as a reprimand, Clunky responded: "I am nameless. But if you find me annoying, I shall name myself 'Clunky.' I will take your surname, and serve under you, the true zombie king. What say you?" ... Raymond never replied. Clunky initially thought Raymond would maintain that initial distance, but later, every time Raymond hunted, he would share with him any mutated Water Energy Stones he found. Clunky realized that zombies typically lacked emotional depth, yet as a high-level sentient zombie, his thoughts mirrored that of humans.
If reason failed, then perhaps the heart's tug might prevail. Since their encounter, Clunky had refrained from striking him, showcasing a surprising restraint. Coupled with the fact that Clunky had not lost his rationale, there was hope to sway him. Hubert implored,"Just pretend not to see us, allowing us passage to the asteroid's core. I'll do my utmost to prevent his self-destruction. You can assist with that, can't you?""Do you not comprehend the apocalypse that Raymond's existence might trigger?""I'm well aware." Hubert sighed: "but I wish to save both the world and him."Once more, Clunky lapsed into a contemplative silence. It was a long minute before he said: "Your recklessness astonishes me. Moreover, preventing his self-destruction might be inevitable. He can't explode if he loses his self-awareness. The event is imminent!"Rather than speculation, Clunky’s words felt like a forewarning. As if Raymond's loss of control was a foregone conclusion. Hubert queried,"Do you fat
Now, had it not been for Canis with his luminous superpowers, there probably would've been no means of separating Raymond's energy. Cautiously extending his arm, he sensed a familiar energy, through which he could trace the very existence of Raymond. Even more astonishing, he felt as though he could pinpoint Raymond's exact location.Raymond wasn't at the meteorite's core, but he was undoubtedly making his way there. This revelation meant there was no need to waste time seeking him. The very thing demanding his attention now roiled and seethed right before his very eyes.The ominous black pool belonging to Clunky seemed on the verge of erupting, its turmoil growing by the second. Ever since Hubert had siphoned off Raymond's energy, Clunky's own energy began to oscillate wildly. This clearly indicated that he had detected the essence of the Zombie King lingering around.Confusion must have gripped Clunky, for Raymond's scent manifested in two distinct locations: where Raymond truly was
If Clunky arrived a tad earlier, Phelan and Allan might have formed an alliance to restrain him, saving them much precious energy. Yet, if his arrival were any more belated, the ice barrier would have been wholly corroded by his sinister liquid. Hubert, gazing as the first shadow struck the ice barrier, realized that had he not been at Superhuman level 6 quota peak, that wall would have fallen long ago.Lost in contemplation, Hubert was startled by Stella’s sudden voice:"Hubert, have you forgotten about me? I am, after all, a pure Ice Superhuman.""And I am as well. Alone, your showy moves are more than enough."Lucia chimed in, her laughter tinged with a hint of mockery. Stella, with a hint of drama, channeled her Superpower, reinforcing Hubert's ice barrier. Almost as if dancing in tandem, Lucia followed suit. Thus, three magnificent ice walls, spanning over fifty meters, stood in unison, ensuring Clunky's water shadows could not break through. This feat could potentially buy them
Though he'd never directly clashed with him, Caradoc knew that Clunky was no pushover. His first encounter with the zombie was when Clunky was merely a level-5, losing a fight against Lancelot. But things had changed; the zombie had gained immense strength over the months, and even Caradoc, who had never fought him, felt a sense of dread.Hubert, too, ceased arguing at this moment. He walked closer to the black "river." stopping a mere five meters away. The heat emanating from it was palpable. Compared to Nathan's or Jacob's fire, Lancelot's was less hot, but it should not be underestimated.When he was merely at level 5, he could transform a high-ranking Superhuman into a mere skeleton in the blink of an eye. Now, the magnitude of his powers is beyond anyone's comprehension.Whoosh!Hubert unleashed a chunk of metal larger than a human head, hurling it into the heart of the river. The metallic mass immediately emitted a sound akin to boiling oil, followed by effervescent bubbles befo
Winston grabbed Hubert's hand and gave it two shakes, demanding his attention. The gesture did make Hubert shift his focus. He glanced at Winston, then back at the ringleader, and finally toward the heart of S city. He spoke deliberately:"Let's put today's matter aside for now. But don't assume that anyone who seeks to hunt the zombie king will be safe."Hubert withdrew his Superpower energy, his fists clenched as though prepared to decapitate anyone at a moment's notice. The ringleader, noticing Hubert's newfound composure, let out a sigh of relief, yet dared to probe further:"Why do you protect the zombie king? His existence threatens the lives of all humanity.""Indeed..."Hubert merely nodded in agreement, signaling his understanding that Raymond's existence was a peril to humankind. Yet, he voiced no further thoughts. More than anyone else, he understood the peril that Raymond's very being brought about, the specter of death that trailed behind him. But the very thought of witn