Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 360: Ned Anark

Chapter 360: Ned Anark

Vlad and Overlord had the genetic template for the Lords of Horror, but that was only the foundation. Now, with the method to enhance the resilience and adaptability of these warriors, they faced the critical task of determining what modifications they would make. The goal was to make them as powerful as possible, but they knew there were limits to what the human constitution could endure. They had to find exactly where that point was.

The young man, the small yellow cat, and the A.I. Chip Clone began their arduous work, experimenting with different methods and combinations in search of the best possible result. It wasn’t easy; it demanded a great deal of hard work and pushed their wisdom and ingenuity to their limits. But they were determined to carry out the vision of creating the ultimate soldiers who would stand against the unfathomable threat of the Dark Hunger.

Days turned into nights as they delved deeper into genetic codes, alchemy modifications, and runic enhancements. The laboratory was filled with holographic projections of DNA strands intertwined with arcane symbols, creating a symphony of science and magic.

Vlad’s eyes were sharp and focused, his mind racing through possibilities. Jormungandr sat beside him, his black eyes reflecting the streams of data, occasionally offering insights from his unique perspective. Overlord processed vast amounts of information, his voice calmly guiding the calculations.

"We need to ensure their bodies can handle the stress of the enhancements," Vlad remarked, studying a complex genetic sequence.

"Perhaps integrating adaptive runes at the cellular level," Jormungandr suggested, his tail flicking thoughtfully.

"Calculations indicate a 78% increase in resilience with that approach," Overlord confirmed.

They pressed on, the synergy between them growing stronger as they honed the template. Each adjustment brought them closer to their goal.

---

In one of the barracks on the periphery of Xaos City, a middle-aged man named Ned was polishing his sword. As he looked toward the center of the city, his gaze settled on the massive statue of the young man in the sky. A feeling of purpose filled his heart, and he smiled.

Before the apocalypse, Ned had been a soldier as well, part of the army of Constantine Country. But those memories brought him no joy—only sadness and regret.

He had served overseas in what politicians and diplomats called a "peace mission," but what he witnessed was pure bloodshed and cruelty. Yet, even in that hell, Ned had endured and fought with all he had because he believed they were helping to establish order and peace in the region.

Those ideals became a cruel joke when the war, lasting nearly a decade, was abruptly called to an end. Their forces were pulled back, and the enemy—against whom many of his brothers had died fighting—retook control. The worst part was when the same politicians and diplomats who had sent them there began to declare that their cause was lost from the start and that they should have never gone. It was a massive blow to everything Ned believed in, leading to one of the darkest moments of his life.

Then, the apocalypse began.

For Ned, the bloodshed and horror made sense; it was all he had understood for the last decade. But now things were different. He no longer fought for cowards who only knew how to spew nonsense and hide behind excuses. He fought for a man who stood side by side with them on the battlefield—a man who gave him and his brothers-in-arms the honor they deserved as soldiers.

The memories of soldiers who returned from war only to end up on the streets before the apocalypse were still fresh in Ned’s mind. He remembered how politicians who had once called them heroes turned a blind eye to them once they returned, burdened with trauma and discarded by society.

However, in the Xaos Kingdom, that was never the case. Soldiers were not just praised on the battlefield; once they returned, they were placed in the highest echelons of society, enjoying the best rewards and the respect they had earned. There was never a wounded or afflicted soldier who wasn’t given the best possible care—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

These were some of the many reasons why Ned did not hesitate to praise Vlad Xaos as a God-King once the religion spread through the city. To him, Vlad was the very definition of purpose, and his devotion to the young king reached the deepest core of his existence.

Ned rose from his seat and sheathed his sword, ready to head to the assembly, when suddenly his communication gem glowed. The middle-aged man picked it up, expecting to hear from one of his commanders, but the voice on the other end was someone completely different.

"Soldier Ned Anark, this is Overlord. Report to the Xaos Tower immediately."

Ned was shocked to hear the ancient and wise voice. Overlord, the highest-ranking military and political figure in the entire kingdom, was summoning him. The sudden command confused him, as his military ranking was not high enough for direct interaction with such a figure. Still, he did not hesitate. "Yes, Overlord," he responded immediately.

Without delay, Ned headed toward the city’s center and reached the Xaos Tower. A hidden staircase to the subterranean level appeared before him when he arrived. This caused quite a commotion among those on the tower’s first level, as everyone knew that the subterranean level was the home of the Xaos King, and only extremely high-ranking figures would enter.

He was just as astonished as everyone else. He had no idea what awaited him below, but he descended without hesitation. As his figure disappeared down the staircase, it closed behind him, leaving whispers and curious glances in his wake.

Soon, he reached the underground level, and his eyes widened as he took in the impressive surroundings. The immense, dense energy that flooded the air was almost palpable. Glowing runes adorned the walls, and arcane devices hummed with power. But his gaze soon locked onto the figure of the young man standing in the middle of the room.

"Ned Anark humbly greets the God-King," he said, dropping to one knee.