After making a full loop around the compound, Ethan and the others had seen plenty—smart managent systems, efficient layouts, and so impressive architectural designs. There was a lot they could take back to discuss with Miles. Maybe even adapt a few ideas for their own compound.
They were just about to head back to their apartnt when a group of people approached from the opposite direction.
"Enjoying the tour?" the man in front asked with a friendly smile.
Ethan narrowed his eyes. He recognized this guy—it was the Tier 6 Enhanced they’d seen at the gate earlier. What was his na again? Captain Stone or sothing?
"Derek Stone," the man introduced himself. "Captain of the Stoneguard Squad."
"Oh," Ethan said. "Sothing you need?"
"Well," Derek said, still smiling, "you’re new here, so I figured you might not know how things work around the compound. I’ve been here since the beginning of the apocalypse—I know this place inside and out. Thought I’d offer to help you get up to speed."
"No need," Ethan replied coolly. "We’ve got a decent handle on things already."
Derek chuckled. "Co on, you’ve only been here a few hours. You really think you’ve got it all figured out? Do you even know which factions control which zones? Or which ones you’d be smart not to ss with?"
"I thought this was a military-run compound," Ethan said, frowning. "Didn’t realize there were factions."
"Oh, it is military-run," Derek said, still smiling, "but the military doesn’t micromanage the Enhanced. They’ve got bigger things to deal with. As long as no one’s dying, they don’t interfere much in our disputes."
"In this world, strength rules. If you’re an Enhanced and you want to live comfortably here, you need to join a faction. Otherwise, life gets rough. Sure, killing’s not allowed inside the compound—but once you step outside? Anything can happen. Zombies are everywhere, after all."
"Got it," Ethan said with a nod, his tone casual.
Derek blinked. That wasn’t the reaction he expected.
Did this guy even hear what I just said?
"I know you’re all Tier 6 Enhanced," Derek said, trying again, "and yeah, that’s strong—but your numbers are small. If you end up clashing with one of the major factions, you’ll be at a serious disadvantage. Most of them have Tier 6s too. So even have Tier 7s."
"Okay. Anything else?" Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"..."
Derek felt like he’d just punched air. The guy was impossible to read. He took a deep breath and forced a smile back onto his face.
"Actually, yeah. My squad—Stoneguard—we’re heading out tomorrow to the Westside Suncrest District. Word is, a Tier 6 zombie’s been spotted there. We’re planning to take it down. Since you guys are strong, I figured—why not team up?"
"Not interested," Ethan said flatly.
There it was. The real reason this guy had co over. He wanted free muscle.
"Hey, don’t be so quick to turn it down," Derek said, trying to keep his tone light. "If you want to live well here, you’ll need to go out and kill zombies eventually. Relying on military rations will only get you the bare minimum."
"Sure, you’re strong—but you don’t know Clearford City. You have no idea how dangerous it really is. I’m telling you, there are Tier 9 zombies out there now. If you accidentally wander into one of their zones, you’re all dead."
"Tier 9?" Ethan, who had already started to turn away, suddenly stopped in his tracks. His eyes lit up.
"Where?" he asked, voice sharp. "Where’s the Tier 9 zombie?"
"..."
Seeing Ethan’s reaction, Derek was completely thrown off.
That expression—way too eager. This was a Tier 9 zombie they were talking about. Even the military treaded carefully around those things. Why did this guy look like he’d just struck gold?
"Well? Where is it?" Ethan pressed, eyes sharp with anticipation.
"Uh... if you really want to know, maybe you could co with us tomorrow and—"
"Forget it," Ethan cut him off, voice turning cold. "If you’re not gonna say, I’ll just ask soone else."
"..."
Without another word, Ethan turned and walked off, the rest of the group following behind. If a Tier 9 zombie had really shown up and even this guy knew about it, then plenty of others in the compound probably did too.
"Hey, wait—don’t go!" Derek hurried after them. "Fine, I’ll tell you, alright?"
"It’s in Eastwood Heights. All the zombies in that area have been gathering around it."
"Oh."
"Got it. Alright, you guys can go now—we’re heading back to rest."
Ethan didn’t even slow down. He just kept walking, leading the group away.
Honestly, if the guy hadn’t given him useful intel, Ethan would’ve decked him already. The guy was annoying as hell.
Derek stood there, watching them disappear down the street, his expression darkening.
He’d gone out of his way to be helpful, and they hadn’t even pretended to show respect.
"Captain, those guys are way too full of themselves," one of his squad mbers muttered, clearly pissed.
"They’re all Tier 6. Not surprising they don’t think much of us," Derek said flatly. "But that kind of strength might be impressive elsewhere. Here in this compound? There are plenty of people who can bring them back down to earth."
"So... should we teach them a little lesson?"
Derek thought for a mont, then nodded. "Might be a good idea. Otherwise, they’ll keep thinking they’re untouchable."
"Go tell soone from Ironfang Squad. Let them know there’s a group of cocky Tier 6s in town. I’m sure they’ll be interested."
"On it."
...
Back in their apartnt, Ethan and the others finally got to relax.
Ethan pulled two full-sized couches out of his spatial storage ring and dropped them in the living room. Everyone flopped down imdiately.
The place was decent, but the furnishings were barebones. Four bedrooms and a spacious living room, sure—but no couch? Just a few folding chairs that felt like sitting on rocks. Definitely a temporary setup. Good thing Ethan had co prepared.
His storage ring held nearly 3,000 cubic feet of space—way more than Miles’s [Pocket Dinsion] ability, at least for now. He could stash a ton of gear in there.
Of course, Miles’s ability would keep expanding as his power grew, while Ethan’s ring was fixed. Eventually, Miles’s space would surpass his. But for now, Ethan had the edge.
"Ethan, you really think there’s a Tier 9 zombie out there?" Chris asked, practically buzzing with excitent.
"I’d say yeah. That guy didn’t seem like he was bluffing about sothing that serious. We’ll ask around and confirm it later."
"Hah! Didn’t expect to get a gift like this the mont we arrived. If we take down that Tier 9, you’ll hit Tier 9 yourself!"
"Maybe," Ethan said, nodding. "But a Tier 9 zombie’s not gonna be alone. It probably has over a hundred thousand underlings with it. Won’t be easy. We’ll need help from Golden Eagle Nugget. Skinny Pete, make sure to call him over."
"Got it," Skinny Pete said with a nod.
"Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s rest here for the night. In a bit, we’ll go ask around for more details on that Tier 9. First thing tomorrow, we move out."
"Sounds good."
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