Chapter 346: Fallen Camp

Alexander had never felt this small. He had been born with a silver spoon, raised with care and wealth since childhood. As a result of this, he cherished the rich and despised the poor.

Unfortunately for him, things turned around for the worse when his parents died, and his relatives seized their assets. He was unable to stop them, so he fell into the trenches.

He became one of those he despised. He thought his life was going to be miserable to the end, until the apocalypse started.

He killed.

He killed again and again, growing stronger day by day. Because of his strength, people flocked around him, building an entire settlement with his assistance.

He didn’t even realize it until he was crowned as the Camp Leader. It was only then that he understood that money didn’t matter. What mattered was value.

Even though he was no longer rich, his strength was highly valued, so the people loved him and would do anything to please him.

Once again, his ego swelled, and he began his plans to rebel against the government. If he grew strong enough to ignore missiles, who could stop him? No one!

Of course, he didn’t expose his thoughts yet. He only shared it with the twins since they were his trusted men.

Still, he began planning underneath. After finding another camp nearby, he reached out to them, hoping to see if they were weak or not, and what they thought about the government.

Realizing that they were already rebelling, he was immediately filled with a desire to subdue them and merge the two camps.

He didn’t attack immediately, though. Instead, he slowly tested their strength. After conducting more ambushes and sneak attacks, he realized they were strong, but not beyond what he could handle.

Or so he thought.

Today, he realized he was wrong. Leon didn’t even fight him. It was a total beatdown. He could only receive the beating in shock, wondering how a Tier One Evolver could be this broken.

Suddenly, Leon grabbed his throat and raised him in the air. Alexander grunted.

[The Epic—World Ender—is manifesting]

Seeing that message, his vision cleared for a bit. Then, he felt it. His eyes slowly dulled, and his struggles weakened.

He quietly asked himself, ’Why am I fighting... that?’

A feeling of insignificance welled up in his heart, and he realized how foolish he had been. Even the walls of the city wouldn’t have protected him. He had a feeling that they would be torn down easily.

His thoughts continued to slow as he sank deeper into self-deprecation when Leon asked a question.

"You... who is your Patron God?"

He blinked, his eyes widening. ’Right...! I have a...’

The moment he dared look into those black eyes, he lost the will to resist again.

Leon didn’t tighten his grip, but his voice turned frostier.

"Start... talking."

Alexander strained to take a breath. "It’s a powerful Tier Nine Evolver from outer space. He taught me the method to absorbing Origin from soul crystals."

Leon slowly nodded. "Who is he?"

Alexander took another breath, then answered. "I... if I tell you, will you spare me? You will take your people and leave, and we will never come to your side anymore."

Leon chuckled lightly, then lowered him to the ground. "You want to live?"

Alexander nodded vigorously.

Rolling his shoulder, Leon suddenly punched him in the chest, cracking his ribs and crushing his heart.

"If you wanted to live, you should have never attacked my people."

Alexander froze, his eyes wide in shock as he felt his body failing him.

He was dying. Just before he died and fell, he glared at Leon and muttered, "I... hate you."

[You have slain a Level 55 Tier Two Evolver, Alexander Hayce]

[You cannot level up!]

[Progress has been stored!]

Turning away from the man’s corpse, he looked all around him. The people in camouflage had witnessed him killing their leader, and they had been unable to do anything about it.

In fact, they were all on their knees, hoping to be spared. He blinked in surprise, looking at them strangely.

’What? Do they think I’ll kill them too?’

Thyra appeared beside him, following his gaze to observe the people.

"You should rein in your Epic. They’re scared shitless at the moment. Even your men outside aren’t being spared."

"Oh, okay." He nodded and immediately willed it to be deactivated.

Instantly, the dreadful presence that washed over the city receded.

Selene landed beside him a heartbeat later, holding the heads of the twins in each hand. She dropped them beside their deceased leader, then turned to Leon.

"What are you going to do to them?"

Leon paused, looking around the camp. "What else? Own the place."

Soon, the gates were opened, and the Eternal Night Army walked into the camp. No one mentioned a thing about the Epic yet, but they already had a hunch that it was related to Leon.

Leon didn’t waste time and headed to the center of the camp where the leader used to live. Sadly, he was dead now.

The top echelon of the camp were quickly gathered, and Leon stared at them while they knelt before him.

"Your leaders lost this war, and I am claiming the camp as my spoil. You all will work along with my Chief Administrator to annex the camp and establish our rules. If anyone refuses, they are free to leave. But if anyone refuses and does not want to leave, they will be killed."

They all trembled, glancing at each other uneasily.

"Is there anyone among you that wishes to leave?" Leon asked, his voice cold.

They all shook their heads. Leave? They couldn’t. They weren’t the only ones here. Their families were here too. With their meager unranked strength, they wouldn’t be able to survive in the wild. Besides, there were no other camps in Brooklyn, so there was nowhere to run.

Leon nodded, then turned to Gwen. "I’ll let you handle this. Thanks."

She smiled and nodded.

He then turned to Selene. "I’ll be heading back with the Titanbreaker Legion now. I believe you should be able to handle anything that happens."

She nodded too, then asked. "What are you going to do, though?"

Leon shrugged. "What else? Relax."