บททั้งหมดของ The Apocalypse Hoarder: บทที่ 481 - บทที่ 490

To cover his slip, Trenton sold Cyrus out without hesitation. Cyrus was an Awakened as well, and naming him neatly sealed the gap while keeping Thorgan hidden."That Cyrus is a devil," Trenton said, bitterness sharpening his voice. "He killed more than 100 people from our village by himself. We're furious, but we don't dare speak up. We had to swallow it. Now that you're here, it's a blessing. You have to stand up for us."Once Trenton set the tone, the villagers quickly followed. They heaped every grievance onto Cyrus, each eager to keep their true protector concealed.By coincidence, Cyrus was exactly who Hailey and Keegan had come to find. What had seemed like bad luck now felt like fortune. If they completed this final task, they could return to base. Willowford Town itself was an unexpected bonus.Hailey began asking for specifics about Cyrus.Trenton searched his memory, then realized he had little to offer. He could not describe Cyrus' age, height, or appearance. That night

Snow had long buried the land, and the open grounds around Cloudcrest Manor offered no cover.Hailey and Keegan knew that a reckless approach would leave them exposed and make it easy for Cyrus to spot them. Rather than advance directly, they circled the perimeter first, scanning the estate through binoculars and studying every angle of Cloudcrest Manor.From Trenton and the others, they had already learned to treat Cyrus with caution. He would not be easy to handle. He might even be a powerful Awakened. They waited until deep night, when the darkness grew thick and still, before making their move.Information from Willowford East had confirmed that Villa No. 101 was Cyrus' residence and that numerous traps lay hidden nearby.They came fully prepared.Keegan pulled out a pair of military-grade tactical goggles and slipped them on. As his gaze swept across the snow-covered ground, concealed traps emerged in sharp relief beneath the white surface."Good thing we got the information

Buttercup's screech had snapped Cyrus awake.Ever since the cat had moved in, it had made a habit of slipping into his room at night and curling up near the head of his bed.Cyrus often stroked its fur to unwind before sleep, so he never chased it away. That shrill cry, however, nearly stopped his heart.Cyrus opened his eyes to find Buttercup fixed on the doorway, body rigid, every hair bristling.As a former stray, Buttercup was keenly alert. It never reacted like this without reason.Cyrus knew at once that something was wrong inside the house. He rolled out of bed in a single, fluid motion and came up with a gun already in his right hand."Buttercup, what is it?" he asked softly.The cat was uncannily intelligent, almost human in its understanding. It grasped everything Cyrus said, but it just could not answer.Buttercup kept its gaze trained on the hall and let out several urgent cries. Then, without warning, it fell silent. Its ears twitched. Its eyes flicked left and rig

Once they cleared Cloudcrest Manor, Hailey and Keegan did not slow down. They pushed through the razor-cold midnight snow, intent on reaching the base as quickly as possible.Hailey's smile refused to fade. The biting wind and drifting snow did nothing to dim it.Keegan found her mood unusual. She was his superior, the officer who relayed directives from higher command and oversaw their missions. There were always details he was not cleared to know. Still, tonight her excitement was impossible to miss, and it stirred his curiosity.They had worked together for years and trusted each other. At last, Keegan asked, "Hailey, what exactly did you see inside Cyrus' villa? You're far too happy."By then, Cloudcrest Manor lay well behind them.Hailey felt buoyant. All that remained was to return, submit her report, and wait for the rewards. In her good mood, she decided to indulge him."Keegan, strictly speaking, you're just a regular soldier in Team A. Some matters are above your cleara

Hailey's body hit the snow. One moment she had been talking about promotions. The next, she was dead.Cyrus felt no triumph, only confirmation. In this world, security was an illusion. An Awakened's skull was no tougher than anyone else's. It could not stop a 5.8mm round placed with precision.Keegan watched his longtime partner die in front of him. The shot took less than a second, yet it stretched into an eternity in his mind. Instinct snapped him into motion. He spun, rifle rising on reflex.Under cover of darkness, a massive shadow moved in the distance. Cyrus rode on Buttercup's back, his heavy sniper rifle braced and steady. From more than a mile away, he had put a round straight through the woman who could walk through walls.Through Keegan's scope, Cyrus and the great cat were little more than specks. His own rifle did not have the range. He hesitated for a fraction of a second.Cyrus did not. He worked the bolt, chambered the next round, and fired again. The suppressor mu