Chapter 532 Boiling with Killing Intent!
Following Steven's explanation, everyone turned their attention to the base of the Bloodfeeder Vine.
Theron stepped forward, his expression grim. Drawing back his fist, he slammed it into the ground with devastating force.
A thunderous crash echoed through the building as concrete and soil erupted in all directions.
Steven and the others retreated, shielding themselves from the flying debris.
As the dust settled, they rushed forward to examine what Steven had claimed was hidden beneath. What they saw left them frozen in collective horror.
The Bloodfeeder Vine's root system spread underground like a massive web, covering an unimaginable area.
At the ends of these roots, bulbous growths resembling potatoes had formed—except these weren't vegetables.
They were bodies. Human bodies in various stages of transformation.
Some were covered in white hair, with humanoid features. Others had grown enormous, their skin turning bronze.
Some had completed their metamorphosis, while others still retained recognizable human traits as they transformed.
Everyone recognized them immediately: Zombie Kings and Bronze Elite Zombies—the same creatures they had fought desperately across Starlight City.
All of them growing from a single plant. No—being cultivated.
"So this is the source of our nightmare! Snowfall Cult, you goddamn monsters!" Megan shouted, her fists clenched in rage.
The fury was universal. Had this been a natural disaster, they might have accepted it as fate. But this was deliberate. A meticulously planned atrocity.
Since the apocalypse began, Snowfall Cult had suffered the heaviest casualties. Natasha and Neil had leveraged the deaths of ordinary people to earn trust and sympathy from other factions.
Now, understanding the truth, everyone realized they had been manipulated like puppets.
If Steven hadn't exposed the plot, what would have happened? The thought chilled them to the bone.
Once the investigation team left Starlight City, Natasha and Neil would likely have revealed their true nature and annihilated the remaining factions.
"Such vile creatures," Sebastian hissed through clenched teeth. "To be so ruthless, even sacrificing their own people!"
His fist tightened, fear flashing in his eyes despite his anger.
The investigation team remained silent, but their expressions spoke volumes.
Otha's death had devastated them. Now they learned their captain's killers had been beside them all along. The betrayal was unbearable.
Theron slowly raised his head, a strange smile spreading across his face. His teeth gleamed as he spoke, "They've played quite the game, haven't they? But we're not pawns to be manipulated."
His voice dropped to a predatory growl. "Let's kill them all."
Killing intent permeated the air. Everyone who discovered the truth now shared a single purpose—the extermination of Snowfall Cult.
Some sought vengeance for fallen comrades, others for family and friends. Some simply wanted retribution for the losses their factions had suffered.
Steven observed their murderous determination without comment. A gleam flashed in his eyes as deeper calculations formed in his mind.
How powerful had Natasha become after absorbing so many Psychic abilities? Steven knew she was formidable, but not invincible—otherwise, she wouldn't have bothered with Silvercrest District's approval.
But now, with Otha's Supernatural ability added to her arsenal, how dangerous would she be?
'We'll soon find out,' he thought.
Theron hefted his massive knight's lance and turned toward the exit. Passing Rolf, the explosives expert, he gave him a meaningful look.
"Rolf, destroy this plant. Such evil cannot remain."
Rolf nodded. "I understand. Leave it to me."
The Bloodfeeder Vine was the true source of the undead. Only by destroying it could they permanently end Starlight City's zombie crisis.
Theron strode purposefully from the building, followed by his team. The other faction leaders joined without hesitation.
No words were needed to communicate their shared objective. The architect of Starlight City's near-destruction had to die.
Steven followed silently. Before leaving, he glanced back at Rolf.
The explosives expert placed his hand against the Bloodfeeder Vine. A flash of black light materialized into something resembling an octopus attached to the plant's surface.
'A Release system user,' Steven noted mentally. 'He can apparently condense his Supernatural ability into timed explosives.'
Steven memorized this information without lingering—staring too long at another's abilities could seem intrusive. He hurried after Theron and the others.
Minutes later, a violent explosion shook the area. The abandoned building collapsed in a cloud of dust and debris.
Rolf emerged calmly from the smoke, his expression unchanged.
The remaining Snowfall Cult followers, alarmed by the blast, gathered outside. Seeing the collapsing building and the murderous group approaching, they backed away in fear.
Theron didn't even acknowledge them as he marched toward the Church of the Holy Ground, lance resting on his shoulder.
A few brave cultists stepped forward to block their path. "If you wish to see Ms. Carter, we must announce you first!"
A massive shadow flashed overhead. The cultists' bodies became momentary blurs before vanishing entirely.
Steven saw only a mist of red in the air—Theron had moved too quickly for even his enhanced perception.
Seconds later, the sound of impact echoed from a building hundreds of feet away.
Looking over, Steven saw two massive bloodstains smeared against the wall, like mosquitoes swatted against a surface.
Lily watched Theron's retreating figure with cautious respect. "He's incredibly powerful," she whispered to Steven. "At least three times stronger than Charles, maybe more."
In the past, Charles had been their benchmark for combat excellence, his speed, strength and agility all at peak human potential.
But this was the first time they'd witnessed someone who so completely surpassed Charles in the Strengthening System domain.
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