From their hidden vantage point in the forest, the remnants of the Sky Riders and Green Haven clans stared at the battlefield in disbelief.
"What... what are they doing?" one of the druids whispered, his voice trembling. "The Kings... the Lords... theyâre weakening."
The survivors exchanged uneasy glances. They had seen the impossible... Zombie Kings collapsing, their powers stripped away, and even the mighty Lords failed to activate their super abilities under the assault of strange rifles that fired glowing darts.
"What the hell is going on?!"
Arden didnât know what to say as he looked at the battlefield. Then, he turned to the others who had a similar reaction.
"We didnât receive any report about this, right? That Lancelot... How did he fail to inform us of something so crucial?! This shouldnât be possible. Nothing has ever neutralized their powers before."
Eira also had the same reaction. "Yes... But maybe this is their first time using this. Itâs not magic. Itâs something else. Some kind of technology weâve never seen."
The Sky Riders muttered among themselves, but then, their greed surfaced quickly.
"If they have weapons that can shut down regeneration... if they can stop toxins, decay, and other Lord ability... then theyâve changed the rules of the Apocalypse."
Another added, "We canât let them keep this to themselves. If the Eclipse Revenant Clan monopolizes this, theyâll rise above every other clan."
Eiraâs druids nodded grimly. "If we canât deal with them with our clans... Should we spread the word. Hundreds of clans will want this technology. Once they know, the Eclipse Revenant Clan will be hated for hoarding it."
Arden smirked at this clever idea. He didnât even consider doing that since he believed that they should be the first to steal the blueprint to create those things.
However, he must also acknowledge that it would not be easy for their clans.
But if they involved the other clans, perhaps they could also complete their mission to destroy the Springriver Manor of Shaneâs Clan!
"Yes. Thatâs a good plan. Weâll tell them itâs some kind of potion or alchemistâs magic. Let the clans believe itâs a secret serum, a hidden formula. That way, theyâll turn against the Eclipse Revenant. Theyâll demand answers. Theyâll demand the weapons for themselves."
The Sky Riders laughed bitterly. "Good plan! Weâll cooperate with other clans, pretend weâre allies. But in truth, weâll use this information to gain leverage. If we canât own the injectors, weâll make sure no one else can either."
Eira chuckled as he realized that these guys were indeed so evil.
Still, he was actually impressed with Shaneâs alchemy team, whoever made those weapons.
"To think youâve found a way to fight the virus itself, but it will be revealed to everyone soon. If this spreads, the balance of power will shift. The Eclipse Revenant Clan will be seen as greedy bastards hoarding the cure for themselves."
Arden raised his hand, silencing them. "Remember this moment. We may have lost today, but weâve gained something far more valuable. Knowledge. And knowledge can topple empires."
The clans stared at the battlefield one last time, watching as the injectors continued to fire, stripping the Lords of their catastrophic powers. Their shock had turned to greed and their fear into ambition.
They would spread the news. They would twist the truth, and soon, hundreds of clans would rise against Springriver Manor or the Eclipse Revenant, demanding the secrets of the anti-zombie injectors.
For now, Arden and Eira retreated deeper into the forest, their minds already plotting.
***
At this time, the battlefield was sto;; shaking under the combined assault of mechs, defenders, and Klaraâs injector team. One by one, the Zombie Kings collapsed, their regeneration nullified by the antiâvirus darts. But the true victory came when the injectors finally overwhelmed the Lords.
Varak the Chain Wardenâs chains snapped apart, his viral strength broken.
[ You have eliminated a LordâTier Zombie. ]
[ New Title Unlocked: Chainbreaker - Grants a 15% resistance against binding and immobilizing effects. ]
[ Additional Rewards: Platinum Treasure Chest, 60,000 Experience Points, and Territory Key Fragment ]
The one who was lucky enough to get this last kill wasnât Klara or Raze but just a new Soldier who was previously part of the Silver Mine Camp.
Soon, Jura the Plague Matronâs toxins dissipated into nothing.
[ You have eliminated a LordâTier Zombie. ]
[ New Title Unlocked: Plaguecleanser - Reduces poison and toxin damage by 20%. ]
[ Additional Rewards: Platinum Treasure Chest, 65,000 Experience Points, and Territory Key Fragment ]
After her death, Yor the Hungry also convulsed, unable to consume biomass anymore... Yor died next.
[ You have eliminated a LordâTier Zombie. ]
[ New Title Unlocked: Devourerâs Bane - Increases damage by 12% against regenerating enemies. ]
[ Additional Rewards: Platinum Treasure Chest, 70,000 Experience Points, and Territory Key Fragment ]
This time, it was Roanâs fire breath who was able to get the last hit.
"Awesome, Roan! Nice kill!" Raze shouted in joy. Of course, although she only did the last hit, she didnât feel guilty about it. She had also done her part after all.
Almost at the same time, Dreth the Rot Sovereignâs aura of decay collapsed, leaving him vulnerable... Soon, projectiles dotted its body...
[ You have eliminated a LordâTier Zombie. ]
[ New Title Unlocked: Shadowpiercer â Grants a 10% increase in accuracy and detection against stealth enemies. ]
[ Additional Rewards: Platinum Treasure Chest, 70,000 Experience Points, and Territory Key Fragment ]
This time, it was Klara herself who was able to hit the last injector that ended its life.
And finally, Syth the Shadow Reaper flickered uncontrollably, his incorporeal form destabilized until he was dragged down by Phantom wires.
The defenders roared as the last of the Lords fell.
Then, the system notifications appeared one after another:
[ You have eliminated a LordâTier Zombie. ]
[ New Title Unlocked: Sovereignâs End â Grants a 15% increase in durability of weapons and armor. ]
[ Additional Rewards: Platinum Treasure Chest, 70,000 Experience Points, and Territory Key Fragment ]
The battlefield fell silent for a moment. The impossible had been achieved, the Lords were dead!