Apocalypse: Unlimited Power Items

After another full day of training, Ethan's strength had increased dramatically. He had gone from barely being able to pull the Thunderstrike Bow back a little to now pulling it three-quarters of the way back.

He hadn't tested its full power yet, but considering how devastating it was with just half the bow drawn, the power it could unleash at three-quarters was almost unimaginable.

Along with his increased strength, his speed and reflexes had also improved. He even felt his defenses—his ability to take a hit—had been bolstered. Though, testing that was a bit more... difficult.

With all this in mind, Ethan figured that despite Lynn's warnings, if he played it safe, he was more than capable of handling whatever the western suburbs had in store.

Determined, he finished his training and stood up. He changed into dark clothes to blend in more easily and quietly slipped out of his apartment. He headed directly for the western suburbs, eager to see what awaited him.

Once he started running, Ethan could immediately feel the difference. His speed was insane—he could cover 100 meters in just 3-4 seconds. And the best part? After running at top speed for several minutes, he wasn't even winded. His stamina had skyrocketed.

In about ten minutes, he had made it to the western suburbs. He stopped, slightly out of breath, but still barely fatigued. He had run almost ten kilometers in that time, and he felt like he could keep going forever.

Ethan couldn't help but smile. His body was no longer just human—it was something else entirely. He was practically a superhero now.

After a short break, he followed the sound of what he guessed was some kind of battle. His instincts led him to a valley on the outskirts of the suburbs. He could hear voices—people clearly trying to subdue something big.

"Looks like those big family groups are here too," he thought to himself, then cautiously approached the valley.

When he reached a vantage point, he carefully climbed halfway up the hill. From his elevated position, he could see clearly. Thanks to his enhanced vision, he could make out details from over 200 meters away.

Inside the valley, a massive, crimson lizard was coiled up. It was unlike anything Ethan had ever seen—at least ten meters long, with a long, spiked tail and powerful limbs. It looked like a smaller version of Godzilla. The creature was growling low and keeping a wary eye on the entrance of the valley, its large, glowing eyes scanning the area.

Ethan's heart skipped a beat when he spotted a familiar figure in the crowd at the valley entrance.

"Wait, is that Lynn?" he muttered under his breath.

She was surrounded by a group of people, all clad in tactical gear with weapons drawn. Even though she was trying to keep a low profile, Ethan could tell it was her by her unmistakable silhouette. She was usually composed, but now, there was a hint of tension in her stance, something that Ethan had never seen before. She was being protected by several bodyguards, looking a bit more vulnerable than usual.

Suddenly, the giant lizard let out a terrifying roar that shook the entire valley. The ground trembled as rocks tumbled down the slopes.

With a fierce cry, the creature charged toward the group. The ground quaked beneath its massive body as it closed in on them.

"Shield team, form up! Hold the line!" a commanding voice shouted.

Immediately, ten people in the front line formed two rows, holding large, reinforced black metal shields. These shields were over two meters tall, resembling a solid wall of metal. The men behind the shields braced themselves, clearly preparing for an enormous impact.

The ground shook even harder as the giant lizard charged closer. Ethan almost lost his footing from the sheer force of the tremors.

With a deafening roar, the creature swung its tail. It crashed into the first row of shield bearers with brutal force, sending them flying. Their shields were useless against the attack, and the men were hurled through the air before crashing heavily to the ground, screaming in pain.

The remaining shield team looked horrified, but they didn't back down. They knew what was coming.

"Fire! Shoot for the weak points!" the leader barked.

A group of black-clad shooters rushed in from the flanks, guns raised. They fired relentlessly at the lizard, but the bullets barely made a dent. The lizard's thick skin deflected the shots, and only a few greenish droplets of blood appeared on its hide.

The creature roared again, enraged, and charged forward. It slammed into the second row of shields, sending men flying like ragdolls. One unlucky soldier was crushed under the beast's weight, while others were sent tumbling into the shooters, some of them dying on impact.

Ethan watched in shock. The scale of this fight was beyond anything he'd ever seen. If a creature like this ever entered a city, it would spell disaster.

"Is this what a mutated creature looks like? This thing is terrifying," he thought, stunned by the chaos below.

The leader of the group cursed under his breath. They had clearly underestimated how powerful the lizard was.

Normally, they would've called in the military for a threat this big, but this mission was a private hunt, intended to gather information on mutated creatures. They were hoping to get ahead of the impending chaos by gathering data before the world changed completely.

"Alright, you take the lead," Lynn's voice called out. It was soft but firm.

The massive man in front of her nodded, his eyes steely with determination. He stepped forward, and his body suddenly erupted in a flash of yellow light. His muscles bulged, and his skin became rock-like, almost like stone.

"Is that... a Stone Man?" Ethan thought, surprised. The man had transformed into something resembling a living statue.