The sun blazed high in the noon sky, casting an oppressive heat over the land. Yet within the villa, the atmosphere was one of comfort. The cool hum of air conditioning complemented the lavish spread of fresh flesh, enough to make any zombie salivate with envy.
With claws as sharp as blades, Zhang Yang delicately tore off a large piece of flesh, savoring it as he brought it slowly to his lips. A graceful tilt of his hand sent the crimson liquid from a wine glass down his throat, his every motion exuding an elegance reserved for the upper echelons of society.
One word came to mind: refined.
There was no need for him to stir; his commands would be executed flawlessly by loyal subordinates.
In the city, chaos erupted.
Upon receiving Zhang Yang's order to annex the nearby shopping mall, where a Flame Zombie King held sway, the mighty Ba Dao and Tyrant rallied nearly every zombie within their domain. This included the elite guards, forming an army nearly a thousand strong, set to challenge the Flame King's authority and claim his territory and followers.
"Let's go! For the glory of our leader!"
Ba Dao raised his colossal blade high, his voice a rallying cry that sent the horde surging forward.
Their destination: the shopping mall nestled in the bustling commercial district.
There was no need for subtlety. With an army of such magnitude, concealment was neither feasible nor necessary. Sheer force would ensure their victory.
Under the command of Ba Dao and Tyrant, the horde stormed into the Flame Zombie King's domain.
The Flame King's minions, sensing the encroachment of outsiders, rallied with feral growls, their hostility unmistakable. Without hesitation, the two factions clashed, their battle fierce and unforgiving.
To zombies, territorial instincts were paramount. Intrusions were met with relentless aggression, regardless of the invader's kind. Conversely, submission to a superior force bred unwavering loyalty.
In many ways, the simplicity of the undead eclipsed the complexities of humanity.
The battle raged on.
Outnumbered and overwhelmed, the Flame King's outlying forces were swiftly annihilated. Ba Dao and Tyrant didn't even need to intervene as their army reduced the opposition to shreds.
Once the outer defenses fell, the horde surged into the mall itself, pressing deeper into enemy territory, their strength and numbers steadily eroding the Flame King's forces.
High above, on the top floor of the mall, the Flame Zombie King stirred.
As his name suggested, his power lay in the control of fire—a rare and coveted ability among the undead, reserved only for those with the potential to become kings.
Unlike Zhang Yang, who possessed royal-level potential and awakened his psychic abilities upon transformation, or Ba Dao and Tyrant, who awakened their skills upon reaching the first tier, the Flame King's abilities were comparatively inferior. His elite-level potential granted him his fire powers only upon ascending to the second tier.
Despite his rule over hundreds of zombies, his authority stemmed more from circumstance than strength.
Now, confronted with two equally powerful kings leading a superior force, the Flame King hesitated.
Should he fight or flee?
Before he could decide, a subordinate staggered in, its guttural growls conveying a dire message:
"King… invaders… many dead… can't hold…"
"Damn it!"
Cursing his predicament, the Flame King wrestled with his choices. If he fled, he would lose everything he had painstakingly built, reverting to a solitary wanderer.
"Enough! I'll fight!"
Determination replaced doubt as the Flame King leaped from the fifth floor, landing with a resounding crash. Rising from the dust, his form was engulfed in blazing crimson flames.
He bellowed furiously at his challengers:
"You two! Are you from the neighboring district? We have no past grievances or current enmity. Why wage war on me today? Withdraw now, and I'll spare your lives. Defy me, and you'll face annihilation!"
His threats elicited mocking laughter from Ba Dao and Tyrant.
"Ha! Flame King, have you lost touch with reality?" Ba Dao jeered. "You're the one on the losing side!"
"Submit now, and perhaps you'll live. Resist, and death is certain!" Tyrant growled, his towering figure emanating an oppressive aura.
Without further ado, Ba Dao brandished his massive blade.
"There's no need to waste words on the likes of him. Anyone who dares defy our leader must die!"
With that, the two kings launched a ferocious assault.
"Arrogance!"
The Flame King roared, summoning his courage to face his attackers. Despite his bravado, he knew he was outmatched. Gritting his teeth, he unleashed his fiery powers, hurling blazing fireballs at the advancing pair in a desperate attempt to drive them back.
Explosions rocked the battlefield, but his efforts were futile. Tyrant's impenetrable aura shielded him from harm, while Ba Dao's blade cleaved through the fireballs with ease.
Unrelenting and unstoppable, they closed in on their prey.