Zombie Domination-Chapter 92- Goal

Then Emma tilted her head and asked softly, "Oh? You still care about the world?"

Julian glanced at her, his voice steady. "Of course I do. Because you’re all in it."

Emma smiled faintly, brushing some hair behind her ear. "You’re sweet. But... don’t you think the world is a little too far gone to worry about?"

Julian asked in return, "And you? Don’t you ever wonder about it?"

She shrugged. "Not really. As long as I have you guys... I’ll be fine. That’s enough for me."

Julian sighed. "What kind of answer is that?"

Emma grinned and leaned closer. "Why? Are you falling in love again?"

"...My affection is already maxed out."

Her cheeks instantly flushed at that. "I– I see. Good, then..."

There was a pause, a moment of quiet comfort.

Julian then asked, "Why aren’t you sleeping?"

Emma exhaled. "Veronica started tossing around in her sleep again. That weird habit of hers. Woke me up. Then I saw you out here looking all thoughtful and serious."

Julian turned toward the stars. "I was thinking about a dream I had..."

Emma watched him silently, waiting.

"It was a dream of me and my family," Julian said quietly. "But everything was different. The world in that dream felt... warm. Real. Almost too real. Like something I didn’t deserve."

Emma folded her arms. "Then why don’t we just go find your parents? Ask them about it."

Julian gave a dry laugh. "That’s hard. My family’s always abroad. They move around constantly. I don’t even know where they are now."

Emma looked straight at him. "Then let’s go find them. Travel the world. Together. On an adventure."

"That could take forever," Julian replied.

Emma stepped closer, eyes shining. "Julian, you don’t have to bear everything alone. Stop thinking so much about us. We’re strong. We can handle anything. Just give us an order and we’ll follow you to the end."

Julian stared at her. Something in her words struck deep, like a blade piercing fog, carving out a path forward.

He didn’t want to keep drifting through life. He didn’t want to keep reacting.

He wanted to choose.

"...Is it really okay?" he asked, voice low.

Emma smiled brightly. "Julian. We’ve saved three place and freed them from monsters and corrupt scum. We’re not weak. It’s okay to be a little selfish."

She stepped even closer, her tone now firm and certain.

"So I’ll ask you again, what is your goal now, Julian?"

Julian closed his eyes for a moment. Then, with new clarity, he answered from his heart.

"I want to find out what really caused this apocalypse."

"And..i want to know what destroyed the world."

Emma’s eyes lit up with pride. "Good. Then it’s decided. We’ll uncover the truth of this world together."

And then Julian smiled, his expression softening as he leaned closer to Emma. His voice was low and sincere.

"Thank you, Emma."

Before she could reply, he gently kissed her forehead.

Emma froze, her face turning bright red as the warmth of his gesture spread through her. Her mouth opened slightly in surprise, but no words came out, just a breath caught in her throat.

Julian straightened and said with a calm smile, "It’s getting late. Let’s get some sleep."

But Emma, still flustered, mumbled, "I... I don’t think I can walk... My legs feel weak..."

Julian chuckled softly. "Honestly..."

Without another word, he stepped forward and scooped her into his arms, lifting her effortlessly like a princess.

Emma squeaked in embarrassment and hid her face in his chest, her heart racing.

Carrying her with quiet confidence, Julian returned to the tent. The others were already resting, and the night outside was calm, the only sounds being the distant wind and occasional groans of zombies patrolling far off under their control.

Once inside, Julian carefully laid Emma down on her bedding, pulling a blanket over her.

She looked up at him, her face still warm, but her eyes filled with trust.

"Good night, Emma," he whispered.

"...Good night, Julian," she replied, her voice barely audible.

And with that, the two of them drifted into peaceful rest beneath the faint glow of the stars.

And then, morning came. The soft hues of dawn spilled over the land, signaling the start of a new day. The group gradually stirred awake, stretching their tired limbs beneath the cool breeze. After a quick breakfast around a small portable stove, they packed up their supplies and returned to the vehicle.

Julian slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and began driving at a steady, relaxed pace.

As the wheels rolled across the cracked asphalt, Julian’s voice broke the morning silence.

"I’ve decided... I want to explore this world. I want to uncover the truth behind the apocalypse, why this all began."

Veronica, seated near the window, glanced over her shoulder and grinned. "Seriously? Then let’s add one more thing to our agenda, meeting my parents. We can’t be traveling around the world without checking in on them."

Julian nodded. "Of course."

Clarissa smiled in agreement. "I’m in. I’ve always wanted to see more of the world anyway."

Celestia, sitting beside Clarissa, nodded calmly. "I’ll follow your lead, Julian."

Aya gave a small nod as well, her expression resolute.

Julian took a breath, his heart warmed by their unity. "Thank you. This journey’s going to be long...."

Just as he said that, a flicker of instinct tugged at his senses.

His foot eased onto the brake, and the vehicle came to a gradual stop.

Then, without warning, the forest around them stirred. Figures emerged from the treeline, creatures twisted by infection. Wolves, tigers, even wild horses... but they were no longer natural. Their eyes glowed a sickly hue, their flesh partially decayed or mutated. They were zombie beasts.

And atop one of the massive zombified horses, a man sat calmly, watching the vehicle. He was armored, wrapped in dark leathers and metal, his eyes partially hidden by a mask. Several other riders appeared around him, each one mounted on similar abominations.

Julian’s eyes narrowed.

"We’re surrounded..."

He turned to the others in the back seats and spoke firmly.

"Everyone, get ready."

The masked man raised his hand, his voice cold and commanding.

"Everyone, out of the vehicle. Hands where I can see them."

But before he could even finish his threat, the car door swung open.

Julian stepped out casually, his gaze calm and unreadable. He didn’t raise his hands. He didn’t show fear. Instead, he simply stood there, looking directly at the man.

"What are you—?"

Before the man could ask, Julian activated his skill — [Domination]. A wave of silent pressure pulsed outward, invisible yet overwhelming.

The zombified animals around them suddenly twitched. Their red glowing eyes flickered, then turned toward Julian.

A second later, chaos erupted.

The beasts began bucking violently, throwing their riders off. Some roared, others clawed the ground, resisting the reins and commands.

"Wh-What the hell is going on?!" one of the masked riders shouted in panic.

"Why aren’t they listening?! Hey! Settle down! Easy—!"

"Alex! Something’s wrong, the mounts, they’re out of control!"

One by one, the riders were thrown off, screaming as their monstrous steeds went feral.

Julian simply stood, watching them fall.

The leader, Ale, gritted his teeth and barked, "Shoot them! Kill that group, now!!"

But before they could even lift their weapons, Clarissa stepped forward, her eyes glowing faintly violet.

A shimmering telekinetic barrier formed instantly in front of the vehicle.

Bullets fired—

But every round bounced harmlessly off the invisible shield.

Julian glanced back at his squad.

"Take them out."

A wave of silent understanding passed between them.

Emma stepped forward, her palms igniting in flame.

"Gladly."

She unleashed a searing arc of fire, sweeping through the chaos like a flaming whip.

Veronica chanted under her breath, her Enchanter’s Words weaving and buffing everyone.

Celestia moved like a phantom, her Silverthreads slicing through limbs and armor like silk through paper, her eyes locked and unflinching.

Aya dropped to one knee, steadying her rifle.

Single shots. Headshots. No hesitation. Every bullet counted.

Julian, unbothered by the chaos, walked calmly through the battlefield, dust and fire blowing past him.

He stopped in front of Alex, the man now on his knees, trembling, bloodied from the fall, watching his soldiers die one by one.

Julian raised his foot—

And pressed it down against Alex’s head, forcing him into the dirt.

Alex winced in pain as Julian stared coldly at him.

"Now," Julian said, his voice low and without a trace of warmth,

"Tell me... what’s your motive? Why have you been following me?"

The man’s head was pinned under Julian’s boot, but even in that humiliating position, a twisted smile curled on his lips. Blood trickled from his mouth as he whispered,

"Got you."

A pulse of energy surged through his body. Veins lit up in eerie crimson light, his skin glowing faintly with a burning heat as if magma coursed beneath it.

He activated his skill [Detonation Core] – a timed explosive ability that channels destructive energy through the body, creating a delayed, focused blast meant to eliminate nearby targets without instantly killing the user.

His body trembled, radiating unstable energy. Sparks flew. The air hissed.

From the ground, he grinned wickedly.

"You were foolish enough to come close. Now die with me, bastard."

He tried to lift his head, but Julian’s boot pressed down harder, crushing him into the dirt.

The man’s eyes widened.

Why can’t I move?!

The heat in his chest built rapidly. His body vibrated. The moment came—

BOOM!

A fiery shockwave erupted, engulfing Julian in smoke and flame. The blast scorched the ground, sent dust and sparks flying.

The man coughed weakly beneath the haze, satisfied.

"Burn in hell..."

But then—

A breeze blew away the smoke.

A silhouette remained.

Julian stood tall. Unmoving. Untouched. His coat swayed in the wind, and his eyes stared coldly down.

Veronica, several meters back, had extended her hand mid-blast. Runes still glowed around her palm.

A powerful defense buff layered over Julian’s body moments before the explosion hit.

The man’s smile faded. His eyes trembled.

"W-What...? That should’ve—"

Julian pressed down harder, forcing the man’s cheek into the ash-covered ground.

"You thought that was enough to kill me?" his voice was low, unimpressed. "A flashy blast and a little trickery?"

Crack.

The man screamed as Julian’s pressure increased, a sharp crack echoing from his ribs.

"P-Please—! I’m sorry! I give up! Don’t kill me—please!" he cried, desperation overtaking his arrogance.

Julian narrowed his eyes.

"One last chance," he said coldly. "Who sent you?"