Apocalypse King: The Return of Lucian - Chapter 40: Shadows of Betrayal

One day, a tower appeared in the skies of all the major cities…

When the Soul Plague arrived, it struck fast, transforming its victims into soulless monsters. The horde swept across the land unchecked—until the Awakened appeared. These survivors, immune to the plague, turned the tide of war into a bloody stalemate. But while the front lines held, the plague continued to spread and the horde only grew in number.Desperate for reinforcements, the World Government began conducting controlled infections of its able-bodied citizens to produce more Awakened. Hill was one of the conscripts. After going through a harrowing trial induced by the plague, his life was torn apart and remade: he emerged Awakened, endowed with strange new powers—but also bound by a dark curse that resides deep within his own soul.As Hill learns to wield his abilities alongside fellow survivors, he uncovers unsettling truths about the plague’s true nature and the hidden price of becoming one of humanity’s last line of defense.

A normal office worker, Toru Minasuki, was swallowed up by a dimensional fissure and reincarnated into a different world. Upon reincarnation, Toru was given a [skill board] by God. Make the most of it to acquire all the necessary skills! Even though he is an “inferior person,” he’ll make his way to the top!

Pirate World, Before the Summit War.Sengoku: “In this war, the advantage is ours!”Vice Admiral Tsuru: “Can we really win?”Sengoku: “We will win.”As the Summit War begins, chaos erupts on the battlefield.Above Marineford.Suddenly, Will appears in the sky with his crew, overlooking the entire battlefield.Sengoku: “What exactly are you here for? Are you planning to help Whitebeard?”“Don’t misunderstand.”Will scans the battlefield, his gaze sweeping over the powerful figures present. A hint of excitement lingers in his tone.“I’m only here for one reason—to kill all of you. That’s it.”Sabaody Archipelago.Will watches the Celestial Dragons strutting arrogantly through the streets, their eyes filled with disdain for the world. He can’t help but frown.“These are no ordinary Celestial Dragons… This calls for a heavy punch!”...Without hesitation, he throws a devastating punch, obliterating a Celestial Dragon on the spot, crushing the surrounding Marines and CP agents with overwhelming force.The survivors turn to a trembling communications officer clutching a Den Den Mushi and scream in terror:“Hurry! Notify Marine Headquarters! Call for an Admiral!”