The armored car screeched to a halt as the glowing eyes of the high-tier Zombies became clearer...
The AntiâZombie Talisman had completely fade but this was something they had already expected to happen. Their hulking silhouettes emerged from the treeline, claws glinting under the moonlight.
Inside the vehicle, Jaxon considered for a moment what to do as he wasnât sure what type of high-tier Zombie they were...
"Ahh... Are those mutated tyrants?" Jaxon finally recognized them and quickly acted. He reached into his deck, and selected a card... Each one carried a different power that he could use depending on the situation.
"Stay sharp," Jaxon muttered. "Iâll clear the way."
Kael raised his rifle while the Super Soldiers also tightened their grips on their weapons, but all eyes were on Jaxon as he drew the first card.
[ Ace of Clubs Card (Epic): Generates a forward concussive blast that can destroy obstacles within a 15âmeter cone. Effective against armored targets and dense formations. ]
Jaxon pressed the card against the dashboard and activated it!
Soon, a deafening shockwave erupted from the front of the vehicle, and the asphalt even started cracking as the force ripped outward. The first line of Tyrants was blown apart and their torsos were crushed against the treeline, clearing the road for the armored car to surge forward.
But more emerged, their roars were not as loud as the Screamer Zombies, but they had a powerful force behind them!
Roooaaar!
Jaxonâs hand moved again, pulling a card that glowed with blue light!
[ King of Diamonds Card (Epic): Summons six spectral spears. Effective range: 30 meters. ]
Just like that, six glowing lances shot from the card. They skewered three Tyrants in a line! The spear was also so strong that it easily punched through ribcages and anchored them to the cliffside.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Their shrieks echoed as the armored car just barreled past their collapsing bodies.
Then, a Hunter Zombie leapt onto the hood with claws digging into steel.
Jaxon drew again.
[ Jack of Hearts Card (Epic): Ignites terrain in a 20âmeter radius ahead. Flame temperature: 1,800°C. Burns organic matter instantly. Duration: 12 seconds. ]
He hurled it out the window. The ground ahead erupted in fire, a wall of flame stretching across the highway.
The Hunter Zombie, including the Tyrant Zombies heads shrieked as their flesh were burned!
With the enchanted defense, the armored car plowed through the inferno without any issues!
Meanwhile, Kael fired bursts from his rifle, shredding the limbs of another Tyrant that tried to flank them...
"Shoot them!"
[ You have eliminated a Tyrant Zombie. ]
The Super Soldiers unleashed heavy rounds as well, but the horde pressed closer. Jaxon quickly acted and took out another card!
This time, he hesitated a little since he only had 3 of these.
[ Queen of Spades Card (Legendary): Generates a shadow field around the user, producing three phantom duplicates that mimic movements and attacks. Illusions last for 8 seconds and can absorb one direct strike before dispersing. ]
Once he activated the card, it dissipated and could no longer be used again just like the other cards...
Soon, dark energy surged outward, cloaking Jaxon in a curtain of shadow. Three phantom versions of him appeared outside the vehicle, sprinting across the road with weapons drawn.
The Tyrants roared as their attention was focused onto the illusions. One leapt, tearing through a duplicate that dissolved into smoke. Another swung at a phantom Jaxon....
However, the real Jaxon remained inside, untouched, while the illusions drew the monsters away from the carâs path.
The illusions seemed useless right now, but it was all because he was weak! His Talent was Foresight, and it wasnât that impressive in combat. However, if this card was used by Shane, Asad, and others, those illusions would be super strong as well and wouldnât die so easily...
Anyway, Kael fired through the window, dropping a Tyrant that had turned its back to chase a phantom. The Super Soldiers also unleashed heavy rounds, cutting down stragglers while the armored car surged forward.
[ You have eliminated a Tyrant Zombie. ]
But the largest Tyrant remained... It was a towering zombie with boneâspikes jutting from its shoulders, blocking the road entirely. Jaxonâs hand trembled as he drew another card.
[ Joker Card (Legendary): Unstable effect. Triggers a randomized elemental surge within 50 meters. Possible outcomes: lightning storm, frost eruption, fire maelstrom. Duration: variable. ]
He hurled it forward!
Soon, the card spun wildly, glowing with unstable energy.
A storm of lightning and frost exploded across the road!
It didnât take long before bolts of lightning started tearing into the massive Tyrant! At the same time, ice actually crawled up its body. The creature roared, but it was frozen solid! In just a few moments, it shattered into shards under the carâs momentum.
Boom!
[ You have eliminated a Tyrant Leader Zombie. ]
"Finally! Letâs get out of here!"
The armored vehicle burst through the wreckage as the path ahead was finally cleared.
Inside, Kael lowered his rifle.... "Not a bad fight..."
Jaxon wiped sweat from his brow. He knew that the horde they encountered wasnât normal. There might even be some kind of treasure in that place, attracting the Tyrant Zombies.
Still, they had no time to explore it. Their target remains the same... the Phoenix Phalanx Clanâs Sector 19 Shelter!
"That was just the warm-up. Alexanderâs shelter will be worse."
The car sped into the darkness as they soon reached a place marked by their map... It was a Neutral Shelter where they could rest before continuing their journey!
Soon, the armored car slowed as its headlights illuminated the walls of a Neutral Shelter. Unlike clan-controlled strongholds, this place belonged to natives... It was a haven for travelers, mercenaries, and foreign survivors who paid the price to enter.
At the gate, armed guards stepped forward to block their vehicle... One raised a hand, signaling the vehicle to stop.
"Inspection first," the guard shouted. "No exceptions. We donât let anyone in without checking for bites or infection..."