Chapter 1103: Eight Tier Sixes

Ethan and the others lined up at the back of the queue like everyone else.

No need to stand out on their first day here.

Besides, Ethan was genuinely curious about this compound. He wanted to get a good look at how it operated.

As they waited, he listened in on the conversations around them, gradually piecing together a clearer picture of the place.

Apparently, the compound still had over 30,000 active-duty soldiers—all Tier 5 Enhanced at peak level. There were also several hundred Tier 6 Enhanced, and even a few dozen Tier 7s.

On top of that, there were more than 80,000 reservists—people who had joined later but were still considered part of the military structure.

To join the military here, you had to pass an assessment. Only those who passed were accepted as reservists and granted military benefits.

Those who failed—or simply didn’t want to join—were classified as free Enhanced.

Out of the 300,000 survivors in the compound, more than half were Enhanced.

Some had fought their way to that level on their own. Others had earned crystal cores as rewards for good behavior or contributions inside the compound.

The military’s management of Enhanced individuals was surprisingly humane. You could go out and hunt zombies if you wanted, or stay inside and take on jobs.

If you chose to hunt, any loot or crystal cores you brought back were yours to keep. Extra supplies could be traded at the government exchange for other goods, more cores, or even cash.

The compound had already established a functioning currency system—paper money made from a special material issued by the military. It could be used to buy anything inside.

Even those who stayed in the compound and worked were paid, often with both supplies and crystal cores as bonuses.

And if you didn’t do anything at all? You’d still get basic food rations every day. You wouldn’t starve.

Of course, that was all you’d get—no extras, no perks.

So naturally, anyone with the ability to work chose to do something.

The more Ethan heard, the more impressed he was with whoever was running this place.

A lot of what they’d built here—especially the currency and trade systems—was worth learning from.

Right now, their own compound back in Redmont didn’t have many people, so Miles could still manage everything by distributing supplies directly. But once their numbers grew, that wouldn’t be sustainable. Everyone would have different needs. A trade system would be essential.

Ethan made a mental note: once they were inside, he’d keep a low profile and study how this place worked.

After about half an hour, it was finally their turn at the gate.

"Show me your ID cards," the guard at the table said.

The group exchanged confused looks.

ID cards? What ID cards? No one had ever given them anything like that. What, were they supposed to carry their driver’s licenses around in the apocalypse?

Then they remembered—everyone ahead of them had shown a small card when entering. That must’ve been the ID.

Ethan scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "Uh... we’re new here. First time entering the compound. We don’t have ID cards yet."

"First time?" The guard finally looked up, eyeing them more closely. "Where are you coming from?"

"We’re from Saddle Ridge," Henry jumped in quickly. "This is my hometown. I came back to see if my parents made it here. I was worried about them, so my friends came with me."

No way they were going to admit they’d come all the way from Redmont—over 600 miles away. That would’ve made them instant anomalies, and the compound’s higher-ups would definitely start digging into their background.

"I see. Still, that’s not exactly close. If you made it here, you must be pretty capable."

"We managed," Ethan said with a modest nod. "It got dicey a few times, but once we reached this area, the roads were clear. No zombies at all. That helped a lot."

"Yeah, we’ve been keeping the perimeter clean," the guard said. "Alright, fill out this form. I’ll get you registered. Someone will assign you temporary housing. And once you’re settled, give your parents’ info to the admin staff—they’ll check if they’re here."

"Thank you!" Henry said, eyes lighting up with hope.

After seeing how well the compound was run, that hope was burning brighter than ever.

Everyone cooperated and started filling out their forms.

But when it came to the "Power Tier" section, they all instinctively looked at Ethan.

Seeing Ethan casually write down "Tier 6," the rest of the group followed suit and filled in the same.

No way they were putting Tier 5. With the number of Tier 5 zombies roaming the wild, no one would believe a bunch of Tier 5s made it all the way here from another city. You’d have to be an idiot to buy that.

When the guard saw their listed power levels, his eyes twitched.

"Damn... all Tier 6? No wonder you made it here from Saddle Ridge."

"What?! They’re all Tier 6?!"

The people nearby immediately turned to stare at Ethan’s group, eyes wide.

"No way. They’re bluffing. You think Tier 6s grow on trees?" Captain Stone scoffed, clearly not buying it.

"Still... they did come from another city. If they weren’t Tier 6, how would they have survived the trip?"

"Who knows? Maybe they ditched their teammates and ran."

Ethan and the others ignored the chatter. Instead, Ethan looked at the guard and asked, "Can we go in now?"

"Not yet," the guard replied. "Tier 6 Enhanced all have abilities. You’ll need to demonstrate yours. It’s not that we don’t believe you—it’s just protocol. We log every Tier 6’s ability for security and management."

Ethan nodded. That made sense. Miles did the same thing back at their compound—tracking everyone’s abilities once they hit Tier 6. It helped with organization and kept things from spiraling out of control.

This compound seemed well-run, and Ethan didn’t want to cause trouble. No need to show their trump cards—just a basic display would do.

He glanced at a nearby rock and lifted it into the air with a thought.

"My ability is Telekinesis," Ethan said.

The guard nodded and jotted it down.

Next, Chris stepped forward. He pulled out a regular dagger, and in an instant, it was coated in a black glow.

"My ability lets me enhance weapons with a black edge—boosts sharpness."

Then Henry stepped up and fired a beam of dark energy. "Mine’s called Void Beam. Piercing-type attack."

Sean activated his speed boost. Big Mike conjured a fireball in his palm. Skinny Pete launched a Wind Cutter. Garrick slammed a rock into the ground. Mia sent a wave of water crashing forward.

"Speed Boost!"

"Fireball!"

"Wind Cutter!"

"Rockfall!"

"Water Wave!"

The guard recorded each one as they went down the line.

Most of the abilities were fairly standard. With hundreds of Tier 6 Enhanced already in the compound, nothing here was too shocking.

But the people who’d been doubting them earlier? They shut up real fast. The looks they gave Ethan’s group were now filled with awe.

Eight people. All Tier 6.

That was no joke.

"Alright, you’re good to go," the guard said. "Someone will meet you inside to issue your ID cards and assign housing."

"Thanks."

They nodded and walked through the gates.

The crowd parted to let them pass. No one wanted to mess with a squad of full Tier 6s—not even Captain Stone, who kept his mouth shut and eyes down.

Sure, the compound had hundreds of Tier 6 Enhanced, but most of them were military. Freelance Tier 6s? Fewer than fifty.

Which meant this squad was about to become a serious presence in the compound.