Regressed with Omnipotent AI on Zombie Apocalypse-Chapter 152: Immortal!? (End of Volume 3)

As the last Avalon took off, Zack watched the planes ascend into the sky. The deserters were headed to NYC, where the transformation process awaited them. There, they would undergo rigorous procedures, their bodies injected with the Fearless Warrior serum, and their minds tethered by unwavering loyalty. For Zack, this wasn't just punishment—it was an investment. "I'll give them what they crave," Zack muttered, his voice low. "Strength, power, purpose... but on my terms."

After resolving the deserter issue, Zack convened a meeting with the newly appointed managers of the Capital base. The agenda was straightforward but transformative. In the meeting, Zack declared the base would now be called the Northern Base, serving as his first and currently only sub-base. Its primary purpose: collecting mineral resources and rare materials to fuel Zack's growing dominion. Scott was officially appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Northern Base, tasked with managing its operations, overseeing resource collection, and ensuring the base's efficiency. Defense responsibilities were divided between the 1,300 city defense troops implanted with microchips, two Goliath, and a handful of mechanical beasts that Zack left behind.

To strengthen security further, Zack ordered the deployment of over 20 mechanical manufacturing units to establish a cutting-edge aerial defense system. These units worked tirelessly to produce microchips and secure materials for the base's future growth. With these arrangements in place, the Northern Base was set on a stable development trajectory. For Zack, this marked the completion of his immediate objectives there. Leaving the day-to-day operations in Scott's hands, Zack excused himself and returned to his quarters.

Inside his private quarters, Zack activated a holographic display, scanning a roster of the top intellectual talents among the base's survivors, curated by Ego.

Charles Sullivan, 67, former lecturer in physical chemistry at the University of Washington.

Daniel Lewis, 31, philosophy lecturer at Seattle Pacific University.

Walter Blake, George Johnson, and so on... Zack skimmed the profiles with mild disinterest. While these individuals would have been invaluable before the apocalypse, their knowledge now seemed outdated or irrelevant in his eyes—especially compared to the advanced technologies he had at his disposal. Still, their potential utility to others couldn't be ignored. "Implant chips in all of them and let Scott assign their roles," Zack instructed coldly, turning off the display. "Even if they aren't useful now, we might as well control them."

As the holograms faded, Zack leaned back, speaking to Ego. "That's enough for now. Inform Scarlett and the others—it's time to return to NYC." Shortly after, Ego's summons brought Scarlett and Gwen to Zack's quarters. Both were visibly nervous, though Scarlett, ever composed, maintained her quiet elegance. Dressed in clean clothes with her signature black-rimmed glasses, she looked every bit the intellectual.

"Sir," Scarlett said with a polite nod, her voice calm. Behind her, Gwen—usually boisterous and carefree—fidgeted nervously, her cheeks flushed as she avoided eye contact with Zack.

"You'll both return to NYC with me," Zack said, his tone brisk and direct.

"Yes, sir," Scarlett replied immediately. Gwen nodded, though her usual energy was notably absent.

Moments later, two other mutants arrived at Ego's request. These individuals, once under Kane's command, had survived only because Kane deemed their abilities too weak to bother taking them when he fled. Now, they stood before Zack, unsure of their fate. "You two, as well," Zack said, barely sparing them a glance. "You'll come with us."

"Yes, sir! Of course!" they stammered, nodding vigorously. Despite their agreement, unease lingered on their faces. Their abilities had been dismissed as useless before—why would this new leader want them? The thought gnawed at their minds, filling them with dread.

The Avalon was soon ready. While Scarlett and Gwen boarded The Phoenix alongside Zack, the two other mutants were unceremoniously herded into the Avalon's cargo hold, packed alongside crates of rare materials. Their unease only grew as the door closed behind them. Shortly after takeoff, Zack donned his Apex armor. With a thunderous sonic boom, he launched into the sky, heading south. As he passed over the ruins of what was once Washington DC, Zack slowed, hovering to take in the desolation below.

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From the outer Capital Beltway (I-495) to the inner K Street Corridor and into the city's heart, the view was the same—abandoned streets, decaying buildings, rusted vehicles, and scattered zombies wandering aimlessly. The once-thriving metropolis was now a shadow of its former self, a ghostly wasteland devoid of life. "You know, Ego," Zack said, his voice unusually soft, "back in the day, I used to dream about making enough money to explore every corner of this city—enjoying its food, seeing its sights."

Hovering over the lifeless cityscape, Zack chuckled bitterly. "Well, it's all mine now. The entire city is at my feet." "But..." He trailed off, gazing at the empty streets below. "There's nothing left. No life. No food. No laughter."

Ego's voice, calm and unwavering, broke the silence. "Sir, you have the power to rebuild. If you choose, human civilization can rise again—stronger, brighter, and more enduring than ever before. Not just here, but across the universe."

Zack listened to Ego's encouragement, then shook his head with a calm yet dismissive expression. "Living my own life is enough," he said. "Decades later, when I'm gone, why should I care about what happens to this world?"

Saving the world? That felt like an unattainable dream, a responsibility Zack wasn't interested in shouldering. Ego remained silent for a moment before speaking again. "Sir, what if... you lived far longer than just a few decades?"

"What are you implying?" Zack raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.

"Sir, do you recall the period before you injected the super serum? When your overall physical attributes improved incrementally each day?" Ego's tone carried a rare intrigue.

"Of course. It hasn't changed, has it?" Zack responded, recalling how his body had subtly grown stronger over time, even before his current abilities. While the improvements were minuscule back then, they had drastically accelerated once he began high-intensity training. The difference now was staggering—enough that Zack could hold his own in combat without armor.

"Indeed, it has changed. I detected a unique increase in your cellular activity recently. Your telomeres exhibit characteristics not seen in normal humans," Ego explained. "Your cells now divide at an extraordinary rate, and nerve cells appear to resist aging entirely."

Zack froze as the implications sank in. "What are you saying?"

"Your body's cells seem capable of infinite division," Ego clarified. "At the same time, your nerve cells show no signs of degeneration. To put it simply, Sir—you may have achieved both biological immortality and cognitive immortality."

The words struck like a thunderbolt. Zack leaned back in his seat, his mind reeling. He knew enough biology to grasp the enormity of what Ego was describing. "So, I won't age or die naturally?" Zack murmured.

"Precisely," Ego confirmed. "Your body renews itself indefinitely, and your brain remains unaffected by the typical wear and tear of time. In essence, you are biologically immortal."

Zack wasn't overjoyed. Instead, he furrowed his brow, his analytical mind seeking answers. "How did this happen? Is it because of the serum?"

"I detected these traits before you were injected, though they were faint. The serum likely accelerated the process," Ego revealed. "But there is insufficient data to determine when or how this began."

Zack paused, processing the information. "Does this mean... I'm a mutant?" He frowned, recalling the similarities between his brain activity and that of other mutants like Erza and Annie.

"It's possible," Ego said. "However, you've exhibited no overt mutant powers aside from your unique cellular traits. These could also be a natural anomaly."

Zack shrugged, brushing off the specifics. "Any side effects I should know about?"

"None. You're in perfect health—an ideal specimen," Ego assured him. "Your current lifespan estimate is at least 300 years, barring external factors."

The news landed heavily on Zack. He exhaled sharply, the weight of centuries pressing on his thoughts. "Three hundred years, huh?" he muttered. "That's... a lot of time."

For a moment, he was silent, staring at the desolate skyline below. Then, a smile tugged at his lips. "Ego, let's talk about unifying the world." With renewed vigor, Zack shot into the sky. Apex's thrusters roared to life, propelling him southward. The once-vibrant city faded into the horizon as he soared past the abandoned streets and crumbling ruins. "Unifying the world," Zack mused. "If I've got this much time, I might as well set some big goals."