《Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle》


 Chapter 1: Apocalypse Options

    <h4>Chapter 1: Apocalypse Options</h4>


    [ Select the Apocalypse you''d like to challenge. ]


    [ You have 5 minutes to decide. ]


    [ You will have a random Apocalypse to challenge if you fail to select in the given time. ]


    [ A.I. Rebellion ]


    [ Alien Invasion ]


    [ Demon Invasion ]


    [ Dragon Awakening ]


    [ Fairy Realm Collision ]


    [ Magic War ]


    [ Ragnarok ]


    [ Zombie Outbreak ]


    Shane Wells gazed at the mysterious blue screen that had suddenly materialized before him.


    It was the same for most people all around the world. They were bewildered by the appearance of this enigmatic screen.


    They all struggled toprehend its significance, and many of them even considered whether they had gone insane already.


    Without any exnation, they found themselves confronted with an unprecedented choice - to select an Apocalypse. The very notion seemed absurd.


    Who would willingly enter an Apocalypse?


    Nevertheless, amidst the collective astonishment, Shane found himself preupied with a flood of memories overwhelming his mind.


    "What''s this?" He wondered as he struggled to make sense of the influx of information that left him feeling disoriented.


    Soon, the sensation grew unbearable, and he groaned, clutching his head as the strange phenomenon induced intense difort.


    After a while, the memories abruptly vanished, leaving Shane bewildered.


    "W-what happened to me?"


    Then, at this time, his attention was finally drawn to his bracelet, a gift he received from his Grandpa Merlin.


    To his astonishment, he noticed a startling change in the three small stones adorning it.


    Previously all blue, two had now turned dark, while the third emitted a radiant glow.


    He panicked for a little bit as he attempted to remove the bracelet, only to watch in rm as the glowing stone had also dimmed, matching the others.


    ''Why are there too many strange things happening to me?'' He thought in frustration.


    As he grappled with these inexplicable events, the looming countdown on the blue screen caught his eye - only 3 minutes remaining.


    Though he knew he should question the nature of the screen, a strangepulsion urged him to make a selection.


    Hastily scanning through the avable Apocalypses, he instinctively dismissed the Zombie Outbreak.


    He couldn''t even watch horror stories without his dog beside him. He knew that he would just freeze up the moment a terrifying and stinky zombie appeared in front of him. Furthermore, he didn''t like the idea of turning into a zombie once bitten.


    Without hesitation, he opted for the A.I. Rebellion.


    Although there are no descriptions added to the Selection List, the A.I. Rebellion seemed like a decent Apocalypse among the options.


    He could only guess that this Apocalypse had apelling narrative involving an uncontroble Artificial Intelligence and its mechanized adversaries.


    However, as he made his choice, something unexpected happened.


    [ You have selected A.I. Rebellion... ]


    [ Error... ]


    [ Option Cleared. ]


    [ Reward has been given. ]


    [ Error... ]


    [ Back to Select Mode ]


    "What?!" Shane was shocked after seeing the red error in front of him.


    ''Option Cleared? Reward? Why am I getting this?''


    Before he could understand what had just happened, the notification immediately changed, and he saw the selections once again.


    <i>[ A.I. Rebellion ] </i>


    [ Alien Invasion ]


    [ Demon Invasion ]


    [ Dragon Awakening ]


    [ Fairy Realm Collision ]


    [ Magic War ]


    [ Ragnarok ]


    [ Zombie Outbreak ]


    This time, however, the [ A.I. Rebellion ] had turned red, and he could no longer select it.


    Seeing that the time was still ticking, he made a quick decision.


    ''I don''t know why it made an error... But my second choice is definitely¡ª''


    "Fairy Realm Collision..."


    [ You have selected Fairy Realm Collision... ]


    Once again, Shane simply hoped that this Apocalypse would be less chaoticpared to the other Apocalypse. After all, it sounded better than Demon Invasion, Dragon Awakening, and Ragnarok.


    ''Please work...'' Shane silently prayed, only to be disappointed by the next notification.


    [ Error... ]


    [ Option Cleared. ]


    [ Reward has been given. ]


    [ Error... ]


    [ Back to Select Mode ]


    "What?! Do you seriously want me to select the ssic Zombie Outbreak?!" Shane shouted, annoyed by the second rejection.


    However, he made a huge mistake saying it out loud...


    [ You have selected Zombie Outbreak. ]


    "No... Wait!"


    [ Entering the Apocalypse... ]


    [ You have entered the Zombie Outbreak: First Server... ]


    [ Survivor Shane has entered a random starting region. ]


    "F*ck... There''s no going back..." Shane cursed,ing to terms with the irreversible nature of his decision.


    As he grappled with the severity of his choice, his surroundings began to shift and contort, as if the very fabric of space itself was transporting him elsewhere.


    [ Wee to the Fiend Continent ]


    [ The fate of the continent is in your hands! Survive and earn the title that is rightfully yours, and save your own world! ]


    [ Every Survivor will awaken a Unique Talent to help you with your survival. ]


    [ Finally, you can select one from the 10 Gift Packs prepared by the Lord of the Realms before you begin. ]


    [ You have 10 minutes to select. ]


    [ Energy Gift Pack ]


    [ Entertainment Gift Pack ]


    [ Food Gift Pack ]


    [ Medical Gift Pack ]


    [ Shelter Gift Pack ]


    [ Stealth Gift Pack ]


    [ Survival Tools Gift Pack ]


    [ Transport Gift Pack ]


    [ Water Gift Pack ]


    [ Weapon Gift Pack ]


    At this critical moment, Shane found himselfpelled to adapt and carefully consider which gift pack would best serve his needs.


    Luckily, the blue screen was now generous enough to let them know the content of each Gift Pack.


    The Energy Gift Pack contains a power bank, sr charger, some batteries, and even a radio. It was quite useful for keeping electronic devices running, but it was certainly not something he would select in this situation.


    Shane then shifted to the next Gift Pack.


    "Wow... Who in their right mind would choose this?" He remarked sardonically as he saw its contents.


    The Entertainment Gift Pack was quite useless in the Apocalypse... It contains a deck of ying cards, a journal, a couple of random books, and even a harmonica! Well, it might be useful to pass the time and maintain mental health in the Apocalypse, but you have to survive first before you have to worry about such a thing!


    He immediately checked the Food Gift Pack, and just as it implied, it contained easy-to-open canned goods, instant noodles, tea bags, gran bars, and mayonnaise. They were a bit generous for the amount, but there was no water at all.


    Medical Gift Pack contains a first aid kit, some painkillers, antibiotics, bandages, and others, but certainly not a cure for the zombie virus.


    "I guess hoping for one vine is too much..." Shane mused as he continued. He had plenty of time anyway, so he didn''t mind checking them one by one.


    The Shelter Gift Pack was the next one, and it was something he was quite excited about.


    If there was an outbreak, killing zombies was not the first thing on the mind of ordinary people like him. It was to find a shelter, bunker, or whatever ce that could make him feel safe.


    However, he was disappointed as soon as he saw the contents of the Gift Pack.


    It was a small tent, sleeping bag, shlight, thermal nket, and a rain poncho. This would not stop the Zombies at all.


    ''This thing isn''t useful unless I find a safe zone.'' Shane sighed as he ignored this option.


    If the tent had magic that keeps the zombies away, then he would immediately choose it.


    ''Ahhh...''


    As he reached this thought, his eyes immediately lit up.


    ''Is it possible that it''s like that?'' Shane considered for a moment. Perhaps, this Gift Pack wasn''t that simple at all.


    However, he doesn''t have any proof that it would be magical.


    He could only shake his head at this idea before continuing to check the other Gift Packs.


    The Stealth Gift Pack contains a camouge suit, a night vision goggles, a silencer, and even a smoke grenade.


    It was quite interesting and might be a good choice to help him escape from the zombies.


    "Although, it all depends on the effectiveness of the camouge. Otherwise, it''s useless..." Shane sighed as he recalled that in the movies he had watched, zombies reacted not only to sight but also to scent or noise.


    Then, he checked the Survival Tool Gift Pack. It contained a fire starter, apass, a pocket knife, a whistle, a rope, and a thermal nket.


    Surprisingly, the Transport Gift Pack contained a folding bicycle, a helmet, a lock, and a repair kit. It is useful for moving around quickly and quietly without relying on fuel. In a way, it can also be considered as an escape tool.


    The Water Gift Pack, on the other hand, contained a water filter, filled water bottles, purification tablets, and a copsible bucket. It was certainly useful for finding or storing clean water sources even in a contaminated environment.


    Finally, Shane examined the Weapon Gift Pack.


    Its contents were quite promising as it would significantly bolster his personal defense and chances of survival. It had a revolver with six bullets in its cylinder, a holster, an extra set of bullets, and a hatchet.


    "This is tough..." Shane sighed, grappling with the dilemma of selecting the best option from the array of ten choices.

 Chapter 2: Status

    <h4>Chapter 2: Status</h4>


    [ You have selected the Weapon Gift Pack. ]


    [ You can now receive-- ]


    Bzzt!


    [ Selection Mode Error... Adjustments Found. ]


    [ Rewards have been detected. ]


    [ You have two more slots. ]


    [ Select two more Gift Packs to proceed to the starting region. ]


    "What? What''s with the Error? Ah... Is it a reward? Never mind, I''m not going to pass on that..." Shane immediately corrected himself as he realized that he could select two more Gift Packs!


    Although he felt that there was something wrong with the blue screen, he decided to ignore it for now since it was benefitting him.


    "Adding the Food Gift Pack should sustain me for a while." Shane contemted.


    He mulled over his options for the final gift pack, feeling drawn towards the Transport Gift Pack, Stealth Gift Pack, and Shelter Gift Pack.


    He wanted the folding bicycle from the Transport Gift Pack since, even though he had a decent physique as he was exercising every day, he knew that he still had a limit and might require the assistance of the bicycle when he needed to move around.


    The Stealth Gift Pack was also quite promising since he felt that the camouge suit and the smoke grenade that it had should be helpful. After all, he just recalled in some movies and books he read that it wasn''t only the zombies he should be mindful of. He should also be careful of humans.


    On the other hand, the Shelter Gift Pack was also quite important as he believed that he needed a good rest to survive longer.


    "What to do?" Shane muttered as he looked at the remaining time. He only had less than 2 minutes left.


    In the end, Shane took a deep breath and selected the Shelter Gift Pack with the Weapon and Food Gift Packs.


    [ You have selected the Weapon Gift Pack, Food Gift Pack, and Shelter Gift Pack. ]


    [ You can now receive your Talent. ]


    [ Analysisplete. ]


    [ You have awakened your Survivor Talent! ]


    [ You have equipped your Tier 1 Survivor Gears. ]


    "Survivor Talent? Survivor Gears?"


    Shane muttered as he examined his surroundings.


    "What? Why am I so unlucky?" Shane remarked as he realized that he was surrounded by a fog.


    "Or perhaps this can be called lucky as well." He added.


    The fog''s misty tendrils seemed to envelop the remnants of a once-bustling urbanndscape.


    The feeble glow of scattered sources of light revealed deste, dpidated buildings standing as silent sentinels in the eerie stillness.


    ''My starting region is in a creepy ruins?'' Shanemented in his mind as he started feeling a bit nervous. This ce could be considered a good or bad starting area, depending on the survivor who was sent here.


    Whoosh~


    The cold air hung heavy with an inexplicable sense of foreboding, heightening the haunting silence that pervaded the deste scene.


    Despite the unsettling atmosphere, the absence of any audible signs of life, including the absence of the rasping moans of the undead, offered a glimmer of relief in this otherworldly realm.


    ''Ah... The gift packs... How do I get them?''


    Shane suddenly felt curious as he wasn''t carrying anything. He was only wearing the Survivor Gear that was given to him.


    He was d in a sturdy jacket, durable pants, and robust boots.


    The jacket appeared to be constructed from resilient materials, and it featured multiple pockets, offering practical storage for essential items.


    His pants, designed for rugged durability, provided freedom of movement while ensuring protection against the elements.


    Completing the ensemble, his boots boasted a rugged, all-terrain design, equipped to withstand the challenges of the environment.


    It wasn''t a lousy Tier 1 Survival Gear at all!


    Then, at this moment, a red virtual screen appeared in front of him.


    [ System Update found... ]


    [ Updating Settings... ]


    [ A.I. Interference has been detected... ]


    [ No countermeasure found... ]


    [ Integration Complete! ]


    [ Update Complete! ]


    "What is it this time? Am I the only one having trouble here?" Shane muttered as he wasn''t sure what was happening, but he knew very well that his guide had a problem since the start of this strange phenomenon.


    Then, a blue virtual screen finally appeared in front of him. It was as if nothing happened, which was quite vexing.


    [ Survivor of the Fiend Continent! ]


    [ As a beginner in this Apocalypse Event, you will have three days of Beginner Protection. Zombies will not spawn in your area! ]


    [ However, leaving your starting area will expire your Beginner Protection. ]


    [ Please explore during these three days and n your survival for the first week''s Zombie Wave to get a reward! ]


    [ Hint: You only need to survive during the Zombie Wave in your area. You can either escape or fight them off, depending on your preference! ]


    "A beginner''s protection... Not bad. At least they''re kind enough to give us time to settle down and ept this new reality." Shane remarked with a helpless smile on his face.


    The mention of the Zombie Wave bothered him a little. However, he had to toughen up if he wanted to survive here.


    Then, after a few moments, another light-blue screen appeared.


    Survivor Name: Survivor 192693


    Title: None


    Level: 1


    Vitality: 100/100


    Spirit: 100/100


    Strength: 10


    Agility: 10


    Inventory: Weapon Gift Pack, Food Gift Pack, Shelter Gift Pack


    Survivor Skills: None


    Survivor Talent: Veteran Landlord ( Rare Talent )


    [ Veteran Landlord: You can upy and im a small piece ofnd for your development. There is a 50% chance of attracting normal inhabitants of this continent to live in your territory every five days every week! Their loyalty will start at 75/100 ]


    "What? Landlord Talent in a Zombie Outbreak? This is the worst..." Shane muttered in frustration. He wanted something that would at least allow him to escape from the zombies or even kill them, even though he felt a bit scared doing that.


    imingnd and developing it may sound good, but he wasn''t even that great at building things! Even if he was able to im a piece ofnd, how would he develop it? How could he protect it from zombies alone?


    However, as heined about his Talent, another "Error" urred!


    This time, he didn''t feel frustrated and started looking forward to it!


    [ Clearer''s data was found. ]


    [ Updating Status... ]


    [ Titles have been added. ]


    [ Talents have been added. ]


    [ Rare Talent has been upgraded. ]


    After this error vanished, a new status appeared in front of Shane.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One


    Level: 1


    Vitality: 100/100


    Spirit: 100/100


    Strength: 15


    Agility: 15


    Luck: 10


    Perception: 10


    Inventory: Weapon Gift Pack, Food Gift Pack, Shelter Gift Pack, Memory Sphere x25, A.I. Assistant


    Survivor Skills: None


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent )

 Chapter 3: The Estate

    <h4>Chapter 3: The Estate</h4>


    Shane felt overwhelmed by the changes he had just witnessed.


    First, he no longer had to put his name since the blue screen already recognized him as Shane Wells. It was better than being called Survivor 192693.


    Then, he saw his titles, which made him incredibly confused.


    "Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, when did that happen? And how did I be A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One?"


    Coincidentally, they were also his first and second choice of Apocalypse during the Selection Phase. They even made an error that led him to the Zombie Outbreak.


    "Ahh... Wait--" Shane paused, a sudden realization dawning upon him.. However, he found it hard to believe if it was indeed true!


    ''There''s also that strange phenomenon with the three stones of my bracelet... Don''t tell me...'' As he reached this thought, his eyes focused on the titles written on the blue screen, and suddenly, further exnations about his title effects appeared!


    [ Fairy Realm''s Survivor: The Survivor gains the ability to travel to the Fairy Realm for 8 hours once a week. The Survivor also gains bonus points for Strength, Agility, Luck, and Perception. The title also provides immunity to Fairy Charms.


    Requirements: Be a Lone Foreign Survivor of the Fairy Realm''s Apocalypse. ]


    [ A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One: The Survivor gains ess to Cloud, an A.I. Assistant who can provide helpful information, advice, and support in various situations.


    Requirements: Be a trusted ally of Anima, a civilization ruled by machines. ]


    "This is..."


    There was no denying it. Although Shane didn''t finish college, it doesn''t mean he was dumb and couldn''t understand the clues appearing all this time.


    Furthermore, as he checked his Inventory, he could see the Memory Spheres and the A.I. Assistant.


    "The previous status must be the actual status of a beginner. However... It all changed because of something I''ve done that I have no recollection of... And the Memory Spheres might be the answer to all my questions. Ugh... What''s with this game-like Apocalypse?"


    Shane mused as he tried to make sense of the situation.


    It all seemed preposterous, but if his initial assumption was correct, everything would somehow fall into ce.


    Then, his eyes turned to the new Talents that he had obtained from the update.


    He was d to have these new talents since having more of them meant having more chances of survival in this Apocalypse.


    [ Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ): The Survivor can loot everything from a defeated enemy, including their equipment, items, and skills. The Survivor has a higher chance of finding treasures.


    [ Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ): The Survivor can easily create and modify any mechanical device, such as weapons, vehicles, automatons, and gadgets. The Survivor has limited ess to alien technology and materials unavable to other Survivors.


    [ Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ): You can upy and im arge piece ofnd for your development. There is a 100% chance of attracting talented inhabitants of the continent to serve you in your territory every five days! ]


    "Wow... They are all at Legendary Grade." Shane couldn''t help but appreciate the three unbelievably convenient talents.


    He wasn''t sure about the grading system of the talent, but based on the games that he knew, Legendary was at the top most of the time.


    Certainly, he desired abat-rted talent such as swordsmanship or marksmanship, knowing that he would have to confront zombies eventually.


    In the first ce, this motivated his choice of the Weapon Gift Pack for the pistol.


    However, despite this, he remained inexperienced in shooting, so sess would stillrgely depend on luck when firing.


    Whoosh~


    As a cold wind past, he felt its chill against his skin, prompting a momentary shiver.


    "I should find shelter..." Shane muttered, eyeing the silhouette of a nearby building. He also wanted to check his Inventory, but he needed to find afortable spot first.


    Despite the thick fog obscuring his vision, scattered sources of light offered some semnce of his surroundings.


    Amid the haze, he discerned a cluster of building ruins, towering like 2 or 3-story structures.


    Uncertain of their era, he approached the nearest building to investigate. As his eyes adjusted, the buildings'' antiquity became apparent, resembling medieval Gothic architecture.


    "So it''s not a modern structure as I thought..." Shane mused.


    The first structure seemed to be a grand manor that bore the scars of demolition, providing easy ess without the need for a door.


    Despite its dpidated state, the three-story building stood resilient, though he harbored concerns about its imminent copse.


    Inside, the scene was one of disarray¡ªrubble, shattered furniture, broken ss, and assorted debris littered the space,pelling Shane to move on from this inhospitable shelter.


    As he departed from the grand manor, he came upon a spacious, deste barn.


    The structure appeared weathered, with its wooden beams showing signs of decay and the roof bearing patches of moss and lichen.


    The barn doors hung loosely from their hinges, creaking intermittently in the wind.


    ''This doesn''t look sturdy enough to defend against Zombies...'' He mused.


    Surrounding the barn, the overgrown remnants of a once-tended garden hinted at a time when the estate flourished with life, now reimed by nature''s relentless advance.


    Nearby, the distant silhouette of the church loomed, its timeworn spire piercing the mist-shrouded sky.


    After an hour of exploration, it became evident that this ce was once a grand estate. In addition to therge stone manor, barn, and church, he found a granary, a mill, a ruined smithy, and several peasants'' houses.


    There was also a dried-up river, which was quite disappointing.


    As hepleted his investigation, the blue screen appeared once again!


    [ You have discovered the Springriver Manor. ]

 Chapter 4: Assistant

    <h4>Chapter 4: Assistant</h4>


    [ You have received 2 Exp Points for a sessful exploration. ]


    [ Hint: Leaving the area of the Springriver Manor will expire your Beginner Protection. ]


    [ Time Left: 70:55:10 ]


    "So I can get experience points this way, huh..." Shane muttered before getting another series of notifications.


    [ You havepleted your exploration in the area. ]


    [ Your Territory Lord talent has been activated. ]


    [ You can now im thisnd as your territory. ]


    [ Do you wish to rule over this territory? ]


    [ Yes ] [ No ]


    Shane furrowed his brows after seeing the new notifications. He was certainly expecting that the Territory Lord Talent would activate at some point.


    He just had no idea how to do it.


    Nevertheless, he didn''t expect that it would be this easy. He thought he would have to create a map, measure its size, and otherplicated things to im a piece ofnd.


    "Yes..."


    Without any more hesitation, Shane agreed to take thisnd.


    First of all, he had no idea whether he could find other territory, so choosing this ce was an obvious decision. He doesn''t even have a map to navigate around.


    It was also foggy, and he was simply relying on various luminescent objects scattered around.


    Lastly, once the beginner protection was over, zombies would start appearing, and there would be a Zombie Wave in a week, ording to the virtual screen!


    The hint mentioned that he could escape from the Zombie Wave, but he doubts that he could do so. Where would he escape?


    With this in mind, he knew he had to stand his ground and try to fight. If this n didn''t work, then he''d try to create an escape route to survive the duration of the Zombie Wave or perhaps...


    "I should make a bunker..." Shane muttered as numerous notifications finally appeared.


    [ Congrattions! You have obtained the Springriver Manor, a previously flourishing manor filled with life. ]


    [ Territorial Information:


    Infrastructure: 1 Manor House ( 35% ), 1 Church ( 60% ), 1 Warehouse ( 75% ), 1 Granary ( 74% ), 1 Mill ( 72% ), 1 Smithy ( 65% ), 1 Marketce ( 79% ), 1 Stable ( 80% ), 5 Serf''s House ( 40% )


    Resources: Wood, Iron


    Poption: 1


    Culture: 2


    Remarks: A crumbling estate surrounded by a contaminated fog, harmful to the inhabitants of the continent ]


    Shane observed the blue screen for a while as he analyzed the information he got. It didn''t take him long to realize what the percentage beside their names indicates.


    As for the contaminated fog, he had no idea that it could be dangerous at all. Luckily, he was considered a foreigner on this continent, so he wasn''t affected by it.


    At this time, he couldn''t really do much about his territory, so he went to the empty warehouse to take cover, where he decided to open his Inventory.


    "Inventory..."


    Luckily, the system did not make it difficult for him as he could easily ess the Inventory just by saying a word.


    [ Weapon Gift Pack, Food Gift Pack, Shelter Gift Pack, Memory Sphere x25, A.I. Assistant ]


    The blue virtual disy materialized, presenting the options.


    Swiftly, he chose a Memory Sphere.


    Immediately, a mystical blue orb, the size of his fist, materialized in front of him. He immediately caught it, afraid that it would fall.


    It felt cold to the touch and surprisingly light, akin to holding a crumpled piece of paper.


    [ Memory Sphere 1: Locked ]


    "Ahh..."


    Shane was dumbfounded after seeing another message from the virtual disy. Shaking his head, Shane returned the Sphere by simply putting it in the slot of the Inventory.


    It worked magically, but he didn''t have the time to appreciate it. He decided to touch the A.I. Assistant this time. In its disy, it was simply a ck box with a question mark on it, so he had no idea if the A.I. Assistant had a form.


    ''Since it''s an A.I. Assistant... Maybe it''s in the form of a fairy, like that game?'' Shane mused as he waited for the said item to appear.


    Whoosh~


    The ck box with a question mark appeared before him, and like a game with its effects, it opened animatedly and turned into an item!


    It became a wristwatch!


    Shane didn''t feel too disappointed and decided to wear it.


    After ''equipping'' this item, he soon found a green virtual disy hovering in front of him! It differed from the ''system'' that had been giving him some guides!


    [ A.I. Assistant Cloud is activating... ]


    [ Loading saved information of the user... ]


    [ Activation Complete. ]


    [ Hello! Shane Wells, the only friend of Anima... I am Cloud, your A.I. Assistant. How may I help you? ]


    Shane also heard the robotic voice, and he knew he hit the jackpot!


    "Cloud, tell me what you know about me. Do you know what''s going on? I mean, why do I have extra titles after the errors? What happened?" Shane immediately asked. This was something he had been curious about. He felt that he didn''t even know himself anymore!


    [ Shane Wells, you had instructed me not to divulge such information. However, you can learn about your past through the Memory Spheres you have arranged yourself. ]


    "What? Why did I do something stupid?" Shane couldn''t help but remark as he felt that it would''ve been a lot easier if Cloud could brief him on his past.


    It was quite disappointing that he still has to unlock the Sphere!


    "Then... Tell me how to unlock the Memory Spheres."


    [ You have to level up. At level 5, you will receive Memory Sphere 1. At level 10, you will receive Memory Spheres 2 and 3. This is the arrangement you made. ]


    "Tsk... Are there any more arrangements I''ve made aside from that?" Shane asked with a sigh.


    [ Yes. Before you used your artifact to return, you left a message for yourself... ]


    "A message? Tell me."


    [ "Do not survive the Apocalypse. End it". ]

 Chapter 5: Thirst

    <h4>Chapter 5: Thirst</h4>


    Shane furrowed his brow upon getting the message.


    "Do not survive the Apocalypse... End it."


    He repeated softly, pondering what could have led his future self to leave such a message.


    "I wonder what happened... Did I regret surviving alone?"


    ''Well, at the very least, I''m quite good at this since I survived two Apocalypses already.'' Shane mused as he couldn''t really empathize with his future self.


    "But you should''ve at least let me know how to end an Apocalypse..." He muttered, grappling with a myriad of questions swirling in his mind.


    He wanted to understand why he had met a ''bad ending'' in the Fairy Realm Collision and how he had befriended the A.I. instead of battling against them in the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse.


    However, he realized that dwelling on these questions was futile.


    With less than three days until facing the zombies, the exact number of which remained unknown, he knew he had to focus on the present.


    His Memory Spheres held the key to addressing these uncertainties, so he had to level up and learn more about himself and this Apocalypse!


    "Alright! Let''s do this!"


    Right now, his priority lies in finding a means to survive the impending Zombie Apocalypse. With this in mind, he shifted his attention to his Inventory and selected the Weapon Gift Pack!


    As soon as he did this, a gift-wrapped box appeared before him.


    Then, without giving options to open it or not, the red ribbon started untying, and as soon as it opened, several items appeared!


    Just like what he had seen in its description, the box contained a revolver, a holster, a hatchet, and six extra bullets.


    Shane didn''t hesitate to equip these items. With his Tier 1 Survivor Gear, he felt he was already prepared to face the zombies to a certain degree.


    ''As long as they''re the walking-type zombies. I guess I can deal with them.'' Shane muttered.


    At this point, he recalled Cloud. Perhaps it had information about the Zombies!


    "Cloud! Do you know what kind of zombies I''ll be dealing with?"


    [ No. I need their blood samples to determine the type of virus affecting them. From there, I can make assumptions about the possible mutations they can provide to human corpses. ]


    "You still need a blood sample, huh... I guess that makes sense since you''re an A.I. from a different Apocalypse Realm." Shane muttered as he decided to check his Food Gift Pack.


    After going through the same special effects, he obtained a total of 10 easy-open canned goods, 10 instant noodles, five tea bags, five gran bars, and a small jar of mayonnaise.


    ''Now... Where can I get some water?''


    Shane sighed and decided to search for water, recognizing that while he may have some food, water was equally essential.


    He scanned the estate in hopes of finding a source of water. He first looked at the dried-up river, but all he could spot were puddles of stagnant water.


    It was clearly undrinkable, and he knew it would only make him ill. He might die even before the beginner protection expires!


    Even Cloud had cautioned him against drinking such water and rmended using a water filtration system at the very least.


    "Maybe I made a wrong decision. Perhaps selecting Water Gift Pack is better than Shelter Gift Pack..." Shane sighed as he began to stroll along the estate''s perimeter. There was no way he could find a water filtration system here. He had to find other sources of water.


    As he ventured onward, he noticed a brightly illuminated area just beyond the estate''s boundaries. It appeared to be a campfire!


    "Cloud, what''s that I''m seeing?" He inquired of the A.I. assistant. Because of the fog, the image was still somewhat hazy, leaving him uncertain about what he was witnessing.


    [ It is a crash site. ording to the size and the wreckage left behind, it is a small, single-engine, general aviation ne. ]


    "What? A ne crashed near my starting region?"


    Shane raised an eyebrow after learning this.


    He couldn''t shake the thought that this might be the ne responsible for bringing the virus to such a remote region.


    ''Well, that''s probably a decent background story if this is a game...'' Shane mused.


    Regardless, this confirmed his suspicion that this world wasn''t as medieval as it initially appeared. Perhaps it was merely a coincidence that he found himself in an underdevelopednd devoid of modern buildings, cars, or machinery that could have triggered his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent.


    Well, he had been trying to find various items around, but unfortunately, his mechanical talent remained elusive and could not be triggered at all.


    ''I hope it rainster...'' Shane thought, feeling that he wouldn''t find any water in this ce. At the very least, he saw a few items that could help him collect water if he needed to, like the jar, turtle shell, and slightly broken cooking pot he found in the serf''s house.


    He could guess that the previous residents of this ce or people who had passed this area had already taken all the valuables, so he was left with nothing...


    As Shane felt that he would spend the day without ess to clean drinking water, he remembered to ask Cloud if there was a way to filter the stagnant water!


    Although he didn''t have the knowledge himself, he thought his A.I., Cloud, might be able to help him.


    ''Right, I have an assistant. I should rely on this thing more.'' Shane thought with a smile. He wasn''t the type to rely heavily on others, and he would mostly resolve problems on his own.


    However, he was now in the Apocalypse and should maximize all his resources!


    Soon, Cloud provided him with instructions on how to filter the stagnant water!


    The instructions were so clear, and he knew that he''d be able to do it!


    "Container... Clean cloth... Filter... It''s just a repeating process of manual filtration method, but there''s also a suggestion to boil it. I guess I''ll do that as well after collecting filtered water." Shane muttered as he finished reading the detailed instructions.


    ''I don''t even know this... I wonder how I survived those two Apocalypses.'' Shane thought to himself as he started working to quench his thirst for water.

 Chapter 6: Taking the Risk

    <h4>Chapter 6: Taking the Risk</h4>


    Shane sessfullypleted the water filtration process and obtained about 5 cups of filtered water. However, he knew they were still unclean, so he nned to boil them for added safety. After all, even the container he used to store them was dirty.


    Unfortunately, starting a fire proved to be a challenge. While there was a fire just outside his territory, venturing outside meant forfeiting his beginner protection.


    Without that safeguard, he wouldn''t be able to rest peacefully at night, since he would be constantly on guard against potential zombie intrusions.


    "Cloud, do you have the ability to sense the presence of Zombies in case they''re nearby?" he inquired.


    [ Yes. There are three humanoid figures that I believe to be zombies near the crash site. ]


    "What? Why didn''t you tell me?" Shane''s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected proximity of the zombies.


    [ You didn''t ask. However, I will now make adjustments to the things I report to you based on their importance in your current situation. ] Cloud promptly replied.


    Sighing, Shane set to venture out and search for a way to start a fire. After some time, he reached the boundary and caught sight of the crash site once more.


    ''Where are they?'' Shane muttered as he squinted his eyes.


    Despite his efforts, he couldn''t locate the zombies.


    "Are you sure there are zombies there?"


    [ Yes. They were standing and almost motionless. I can only pick up their subtle movements because of the light. ]


    "I see... Do you think it''s better to attack those zombies before the beginner protection expires?" Shane asked casually, not expecting the A.I. to provide the optimal response.


    Surprisingly, this question turned out to be a wise decision for him!


    [ Yes. All Apocalypse provides mystical energy and items to the Survivors. They call it experience points and drop items that allow them to get stronger little by little. If they reach certain goals, they can also unlock various things from the Apocalypse System. ]


    Shane was, of course, aware of the Experience Points. He obtained 2 of them afterpleting his exploration of the estate.


    ''So there are drop items, huh...'' Shane mused as he felt that he should really start early.


    After some hesitations and a few more questions from Cloud about the existence of zombies around, Shane made the decision to start his Apocalypse a bit early.


    He headed back to one of the serf''s houses, which he had chosen as his base of operations and where he stored his food.


    Apparently, once the Food Gift Pack was opened, the items could no longer be returned to his System Inventory.


    After consuming one of the gran bars, he set to work.


    His first task was to repair his shelter. Although the manor, church, and warehouse offered ample space, they were unnecessarilyrge and challenging to fix.


    On the other hand, the serf''s houses, constructed from wood and y, were closely situated and easier to repair. Each house had only two windows, and he nned to use the wooden nks he found in the stable to cover them up.


    Over the next hour, he focused on restoring the three houses he had chosen to a point where they could at least conceal him or provide a basic defense.


    In any case, these houses would also offer him options if there was an emergency and he needed to change his shelter.


    After all, he at least needed n B or n C in case the zombie was able to get in.


    Of course, all these measures were purely precautionary, as he believed that defeating zombies and acquiring dropped items would ultimately lead to a more secure shelter.


    "That should be enough..." Shane muttered as he looked at the clean 7 square meter house.


    Afterpleting these tasks, Shane returned to his main house to open his Shelter Gift Pack. He intended to rest briefly before springing into action.


    "Inventory..."


    [ Shelter Gift Pack, Memory Sphere x25 ]


    The blue virtual disy materialized and disyed what was left in his Inventory.


    Then, Shane selected the Shelter Gift Pack.


    Once again, a gift-wrapped box appeared before him. Then, its red ribbon started untying itself, and soon, the contents of the Shelter Gift Pack were revealed.


    It was a small tent, a sleeping bag, a shlight, a thermal nket, and a rain poncho.


    Then, without wasting any more time, Shane opted to pitch the tent inside the house due to the holes in the roof.


    Shane foresaw the risk of getting drenched from leaks if it started to rain, so he made such a decision.


    "Mhmm... I''m actually not that tired after doing all this work." Shane muttered to himself.


    While setting up the tent, he realized he wasn''t getting out of breath.


    Although he was only 21 and quite fit, he knew he should get tired after more than an hour ofbor.


    "Ahhh..." Shane then recalled the significant increase in his physical strength, which was attributed to the status boost granted by his Title.


    This made the task rtively swift, allowing him to prepare for a nap.


    Yes, he needed to take some time to rx before going out of his safe zone.


    He needed to be in his peak condition!


    Shane directed a query to the A.I., "Cloud, can you wake me up in two hours?"


    [ Yes. ] Cloud responded.


    After expressing his gratitude, Shane removed his Survivor Gear and settled into his sleeping bag, allowing sleep to overtake him.


    True to the set rm, Cloud roused Shane with a prearranged sound after the designated two hours had psed.


    Eager tomence his outdoor preparations, Shane promptly readied himself for the tasks ahead.


    He was going out of the safety zone to collect Experience Points!

 Chapter 7: First Blood

    <h4>Chapter 7: First Blood</h4>


    ''I''m starting to feel nervous... But I must do this.''


    Shane was convinced that his decision was the correct one.


    He recognized the importance of seizing the opportunity to umte more experience points.


    After all, his current condition might weaken during the beginner protection period, where he does nothing but idle around.


    Lingering within his territory could result in a decline in his physical strength, so he''d rather embrace the risk of venturing out to gain more experience and potentially secure better item drops.


    Curious about the appearance of the zombies, Shane inquired of Cloud...


    "Can you tell me if the Zombies looked scary? What do they look like?"


    Cloud''s response was straightforward.


    [ They looked like corpses. If you are scared of corpses, then yes, they are scary. ]


    Despite a sense of helplessness, Shane mustered a smile upon hearing Cloud''s description.


    While he couldn''t hide his nervousness, he understood that he had no alternative but to steel himself and confront the grim reality.


    He had to adapt and survive the Zombie Apocalypse and ovee his apprehensions.


    After all, his alternate self had endured two other Apocalypses, so mere zombies should not evoke fear in him.


    ''Right... I survived those two Apocalypses already. I can''t be scared now.''


    After muttering some encouraging words to himself, Shane conducted a thorough patrol of the surroundings, confirming the presence of 10 zombies with Cloud''s assistance.


    Three zombies were located at the crash site, another trio was in the orchard, three more were positioned along the path of the dried river, and one lurked at the rear of the Manor, leading toward the mountain.


    Of course, Shane selected the solitary zombie as his target for confrontation.


    Prior to engaging, he meticulously inspected his hatchet and verified the revolver''s cylinder to ensure all chambers were loaded.


    Click!


    Satisfied with his preparations, Shane mentally strategized. He was aware that discharging his firearm would likely alert nearby zombies.


    With this in mind, he had to engage the first zombie solely with his hatchet and his physical strength.


    Furthermore, with his limited ammunition in his revolver and his own imperfect marksmanship, Shane concluded that proximity was crucial to conserving bullets.


    He had to fight at close range since he could not miss his shots. After all, he wouldn''t have the time to reload his gun.


    After a brief period of nning, Shane was ready to take action.


    He moved to the rear of the Manor, leading to the mountain, where he spotted a lone zombie adorned in what appeared to be a blue suit within an area sparsely dotted with trees.


    Thud...


    Upon exiting the Safe Zone and relinquishing his Beginner Protection, Shane received a notification from the Apocalypse System:


    [You have exited the Safe Zone and ended your Beginner Protection. The zombies can now enter your territory. Good luck! ]


    Despite this development, the zombies remained stationary, seemingly disinterested in encroaching upon his territory.


    ''So they won''t just randomly enter my territory, huh. Good!''


    This realization bolstered Shane''s confidence as he silently closed the distance toward the zombie...or so he thought.


    When he approached within approximately 10 meters of it, it abruptly stirred and fixed its gaze upon Shane before swiftly advancing toward him.


    ''A running type zombie!'' Shane thought to himself.


    Recognizing the urgency of the situation, he swiftly drew his hatchet.


    As the running zombie closed in, he steadied his feet and braced himself, his heart pounding in his chest.


    With a swift, calcted motion, he raised his hatchet, the glint of the de catching the dim light.


    The zombie''s eyes reflected a lifeless hunger as it lunged forward, emitting a guttural growl that sent shivers down Shane''s spine.


    With a surge of adrenaline, Shane sidestepped the zombie''s initial charge, narrowly avoiding its outstretched arms.


    As the creature stumbled past him, he seized the opportunity, swiftly pivoting on his heel to strike.


    "Die!"


    His hatchet sliced through the air with lethal precision, aiming for the zombie''s neck.


    The impact reverberated through his arms as the de met its mark, cleaving through sinew and bone. The zombie emitted a ghastly wail, a chilling sound that resonated in the still air.


    Reddish-ck fluid sprayed from the wound, painting the ground in a grotesque disy.


    Despite the initial strike, the zombie staggered back to its feet, its resilience defyingprehension.


    ''You can still move from that?!''


    Shane gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowing with a fierce resolve. He could not allow it to regain its momentum!


    With a swift movement, he lunged forward, the hatchet bing an extension of his will.


    ''Just die, please!''


    Shane wanted to just target the head of the zombie, but it wasn''t as easy as he thought.


    It took him several attempts before hended a critical strike on its head, destroying its brain.


    Finally, with a resounding thud, the creature copsed, its lifeless form crumpling to the ground.


    Shane stood, heaving for breath, his body pulsating with raw energy.


    As he gazed upon the fallen zombie, a sense of triumph welled within him. This victory was but the first step in his struggle for survival in the face of the encroaching apocalypse.


    [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ]


    ''So it''s really a Runner Zombie.''


    After catching his breath, Shane checked the zombie corpse.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 500mL water, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]

 Chapter 8: Item Upgrade

    <h4>Chapter 8: Item Upgrade</h4>


    As soon as Shanepleted the retrieval of the loots, the zombie started turning into a dark blue light before shattering into many pieces and disappearing into the air.


    ''So it really feels like a game... Even the sttered blood disappeared. How convenient.'' Shane thought as he took note of the phenomenon that had urred.


    Anyway, he also noticed that he gained quite a lot of loot from a single zombie! Furthermore, his water problem was already solved just like that!


    ''It''s a good thing I stepped out of the safe zone. Now, the problem with water is solved.'' Shane muttered as he couldn''t help but appreciate how the zombie could actually provide so much...


    "Ah, wait... That''s my talent."


    Shane muttered as he recalled his Complete Loot Talent! It must''ve activated passively during the loot retrieval!


    Of course, he didn''t immediately check the drops as he swiftly looked around to see if zombies were nearby.


    [ There are no zombies detected. ]


    Cloud suddenly spoke.


    "Wait, that''s right. I can just use you as my detection ability! Good work, Cloud. Let me know if there''s an approaching zombie. Right, how much distance can you cover in your detection?" Shane asked.


    [ I can only cover 30 meters. ]


    "That''s not bad... But I have 10 Perception Points with me. Does it only cover 10 meters?" Shane asked.


    [ Yes. ]


    Cloud answered in confirmation, surprising Shane for a moment. After all, he was only guessing the equivalent value of Perception.


    Luckily, the A.I. also seemed to be aware of the stat points of Survivors.


    Anyway, now that he had Cloud, who could look out for him, he checked his Inventory.


    [ Inventory: Memory Spherex25, 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 500mL water, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    The first item that caught his eye was the 100mL Runner Zombie Blood. Cloud previously mentioned how the blood sample was needed to determine the type of virus affecting the zombies. With this sample, they could determine the possible mutations it could bring to a human.


    Shane no longer hesitated as he took out the blood sample from the Inventory.


    Unfortunately, it didn''t have a container, so the blood simply floated in front of him.


    As Shane was worried that it would just fall to the ground, Cloud seemed to have expected this as its green virtual screen appeared and absorbed the blood in an instant.


    [ Blood Analysis has started. ]


    "How long will it take, Cloud?"


    [ It could take 1 hour to 1 day, depending on the sample we have. ]


    "Got it... You can still function or detect the zombies while doing that, right?"


    [ Correct. ]


    "That''s good to hear." Shane heaved a sigh of relief as he pulled out another item. As soon as the green crystal manifested, the Apocalypse System gave him a detailed usage description.


    [ Item Upgrade Crystal: A crystal that can be used to provide a magic upgrade to one of the system-provided items. ]


    [ Hint: You must put the crystal and the selected item together and wait for the upgrade process. ]


    "Wow..." Shane was awed as he read the note carefully.


    With this discovery, the Gifts or items he received from his system would have their value multiplied!


    The benefit of having more Gift Packs would be shown from here on!


    Shane was already imagining what kind of magic upgrade it could give his items. Perhaps his zombie-repelling shelter woulde true with this crystal!


    "But what should I choose?" Shane asked himself.


    Since he only had one upgrade crystal, he had to select the most important of them. Three items immediately came to his mind.


    They were his tent, his hatchet, and his revolver.


    "If the tent upgrade would result in a Safe Zone, that''s definitely the best option for me. However, if the upgrade will erge the tent or provide random effects like air conditioning or others, that''s not a good choice." Shane said as he analyzed his options.


    The revolver also seemed to be a good choice since the magic upgrade could give him magic bullets. However, if the upgrade was just for the enhancement of the revolver or even changing it to a pistol, then he believed that it would just be a waste of Upgrade Crystal.


    In the end, he decided to choose the hatchet since whatever kind of upgrade it gives him, he believed it would help him kill zombies a lot easier.


    With this in mind, he immediately acted.


    He set the hatchet on the ground and ced the crystal on top.


    Then, as the hint noted, he waited for something to happen.


    It didn''t take a minute before the crystal glowed with a faint green light and melted into the hatchet.


    After a few moments, the hatchet transformed, or at the very least, it changed its color into ck and became sharper.


    [ Upgrade Sessful ]


    [ Common Hatchet has been upgraded to Umon Hatchet. ]


    [ Item Description is now avable on the specific item. ]


    Shane smiled widely after seeing this notification.


    Without hesitation, he checked the description of this hatchet.


    [ Hatchet ( Umon ): A small but sturdy axe that can chop wood and flesh with equal ease. It is light and easy to carry, and can be used in tight spaces. It can kill a crawler and walker zombie with a single blow to the head, but it may get stuck in the skull. It is also helpful for crafting and survival purposes.


    Effects: +15% damage against Crawler Zombies. ]

 Chapter 9: More Loot

    <h4>Chapter 9: More Loot</h4>


    "Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies... I guess they''re the low-tier zombies, huh." Shane muttered to himself after seeing the description of the weapon.


    Then, he gripped the hatchet tightly and made a few swings.


    Whoosh~ Whoosh~


    As he swung the hatchet a few times, he noted that despite its same weight, the weapon now appeared more menacing with its new ck hue.


    "Alright... Let''s head to the crash site."


    Shane murmured as he started approaching the location where the remnants of the burning aircraft still smoldered. The mes showed no signs of dwindling, which seemed quite amazing.


    "Cloud, can you confirm that there are no other zombies around aside from those three?"


    [ Scanning the surroundings... ] [ Scanplete. ] [ Three zombies detected. ]


    "Great... So we''re not missing anything. Let''s do this." Shane said as he took a deep breath to calm his nerves.


    Somehow, he felt more confident facing the undead.


    Well, aside from his upgraded weapon, he recognized the substantial increase in his strength and speed.


    There was no doubt that the five-point boost in his attributes was a huge factor.


    After a few moments, Shane already imagined how he would kill the zombies, and soon, he charged toward one of them, prepared to kill it in one quick movement.


    The three zombies seemed to be serfs or perhaps farmers in the vige because of how they dressed. As soon as they heard Shane''s footsteps, they immediately looked at him and started growling!


    Shane didn''t stop as he moved without hesitation... Soon, he closed in on the first zombie. With a decisive strike, he aimed for the zombie''s head, his hatchet cleaving through the air with lethal intent.


    Bam!


    The impact was swift and decisive, the de finding its mark as the hatchet struck the head of the zombie.


    [ You have eliminated a Walker Zombie. ]


    The first zombie crumpled to the ground, its threat was neutralized with a single, well-timed strike!


    ''I knew it... Since they reacted slowly, these zombies were the ssic ones!''


    Without pausing, Shane pivoted to engage the second zombie, his movements were fluid, perhaps thanks to the 15 Agility Points that he had.


    Again, he targeted the zombie''s head, his hatchet shing in the dim light as it descended with his full force!


    Bam!


    The strike was sessful and hit the zombie''s head. He even got the same notification from the system.


    However, the zombie didn''t copse. A problem urred!


    Shane''s hatchet was stuck in the skull of the second Walker Zombie he had eliminated. He had no choice but to let go of his hatchet since he could already hear the third zombie behind him!


    Grrghh!


    As expected, as Shane turned his attention to thest zombie, he realized the urgency of the situation. With a swift movement, he drew his revolver, his hands steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.


    Taking careful aim, he fired a precise shot from a 1-meter distance!


    Because it was close, the bullet found its mark with deadly uracy. The final Walker Zombie slumped to the ground, its threat was extinguished in a single, decisive moment.


    [ You have eliminated a Walker Zombie. ]


    Shane sighed in relief as he surveyed the scene. The battle may not be too intense if seen from a different perspective, but it felt too exhausting for him.


    As he caught his breath, a sense of triumph welled within him.


    "Ahh... I can''t rx now."


    The gunshot must''ve alerted the zombies in the vicinity, so he had to move quickly!


    He immediately touched one of the zombies and triggered the system.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, 500mL water, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    Shane smiled as he saw the loot he obtained. Aside from the type of blood that had changed, everything remained the same.


    Then, he repeated the same process to the two other zombies.


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, 500mL water, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    ...


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, 500mL water, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    "Awesome..." Shane silently celebrated as he checked his Inventory.


    [ Inventory: Memory Spherex25, 3 Item Upgrade Crystals, 4 Zombie Cores, 300mL Walker Zombie Blood, 2L water, 4 Spirit Enhancement Bottles ]


    After confirming that there were still no Zombies within his 30-meter radius, he started the upgrade process again.


    He set his Umon Hatchet on the ground and ced one of the Item Upgrade Crystals on top of it.


    ''I wonder what kind of upgrade will happen this time.'' Shane mused.


    However, as he waited for the upgrade process, a notification from the system appeared instead of the previous glow effect of the crystal and the item.


    [ Insufficient number of Item Upgrade Crystal. ]


    [ Hint: Umon Rank Items require 2 Item Upgrade Crystals to advance. ]


    ''That made sense...'' Shane thought as he didn''t hesitate to pull out another Item Upgrade Crystal and continue with the Upgrade.


    He would be facing another group of zombies, and he wanted his battle to be easier and safer.


    As soon as he fulfilled the requirements, the same glowing process and integration of the crystal to the item urred.


    The hatchet remained color ck, but it seemed a bit more lustrous.


    Then, Shane viewed the item description.


    [ Hatchet ( Rare ): A sleek and sharp axe that can slice through anything with ease. It is made of a rare metal that never dulls or rusts, and has afortable grip and a bnced weight. It can kill a crawler and walker zombie with a single swing, and can also be thrown with great uracy and force. It is also useful for crafting and survival purposes, such as making fire or building shelters.


    Effects: +20% damage against Crawler and Walker Zombies, +10% damage against Runner Zombies, -20% damage against Spitter Zombies ]

 Chapter 10: Zombie Elimination

    <h4>Chapter 10: Zombie Elimination</h4>


    "This hatchet doesn''t work well with Spitter Zombies, huh..."


    Shane contemted the hatchet''s limitations against Spitter Zombies, acknowledging the significant 20 percent decrease in damage.


    ''I guess Spitter is stronger than Runner Zombies...''


    The implications of this drawback weighed heavily on his mind since it meant that he had to get a stronger weapon. He felt that the Zombie Wave would have these Spitter Zombies, so he had to find a solution.


    As he mulled over the potential threats posed by the Spitter Zombies, Shane couldn''t help but look around...


    "I hope I won''t be encountering them yet..." He mused, silently hoping that he had enough time to prepare before they lurk in his estate.


    Anyway, Shane turned his attention to his remaining Item Upgrade Crystal, as he deliberated on its best application.


    Ultimately, he settled on enhancing his revolver, recognizing the need to bolster his arsenal to help him eliminate the remaining threat around his estate...


    Then, after confirming again that there were no zombies around, he initiated the upgrade process, carefully positioning the crystal beside his revolver and patiently awaiting the transformation.


    After a brief interval, the crystal emitted a soft, ethereal green glow, its radiant luminescence permeating the air.


    Then, the transformative energy enveloped the revolver, causing the metal to shimmer with a beautiful radiance as the upgrade took effect.


    Shane observed the spectacle with anticipation and soon, he got the notification he needed.


    [ Upgrade Sessful ]


    [ Common Revolver has been upgraded to Umon Revolver. ]


    [ Item Description is now avable on the specific item. ]


    Without wasting any time, Shane checked the description of the item.


    [ Revolver (Umon): A six-shot handgun that fires powerful .357 Magnum rounds. It has a long barrel and a wooden grip, and can prate multiple zombies with a single bullet. It is urate and reliable, but has a slow reload time and a high recoil. It can kill a zombie with a headshot, but requires good aim and steady hands.


    Effects: +25% damage against Crawler and Walker Zombies. ]


    "Looks good..." Shane muttered after seeing the bonus damage of the revolver.


    Since he doesn''t have decent marksmanship, the +25% in damage would be a great help, especially if he couldn''t hit his target''s head.


    After cing the revolver back in his holster, he then checked the Zombie Cores he had collected. He decided not to check the items for a while since he knew they weren''t usable items yet.


    After all, when he checked, they were grayed out in the Inventory System.


    ''Let''s see why it''s not usable...'' Shane silently thought as he pulled out the item from the Inventory.


    [ Zombie Core: A rare and mysterious item that contains the essence of a zombie. It is a faint glowing orb that pulsates with malicious energy, and can be used to enhance weapons or armor with zombie-like attributes. It can also be used to create powerful traps or explosives that can attract a horde of zombies to unsuspecting enemies. It is highly sought after by Survivors and Scavengers, but also very dangerous to handle.


    Requirements: Level 10 ]


    "As expected..." Shane muttered as he returned the item to his Inventory. Then, he checked the Spirit Enhancement Bottle this time.


    [ Spirit Enhancement Bottle: A rare and valuable item that contains a blue liquid infused with pure spirit energy. A Survivor can consume it to permanently increase their Spirit, which affects their mental abilities, resistance to the zombie virus, and skill usage. ]


    Requirements: None ]


    At this time, he decided not to consume this potion since he still had 100/100 in his Spirit Attribute. Furthermore, he doesn''t feelfortable drinking a blue liquid yet. It might also mess his stomach, so he''d rather try it once he deals with all the zombies in the surroundings.


    Soon, Shane finalized his preparations, steeling himself for the imminent battle.


    With his upgraded weapons ready, he felt more confident facing three or more zombies at once.


    "Ahh..."


    As he moved to see the location of the zombie, Shane was taken aback by the sight that greeted him. The remaining zombies had already breached the estate''s perimeter, their presence now dispersed across the vicinity.


    It was also at this time that Cloud warned him.


    [ Six zombies detected. ]


    ''They''re all spread out now. This could work in my favor.'' Shane thought as he checked the positions of the Zombies.


    After a moment of contemtion, he cautiously approached the nearest Walker Zombie near the church.


    After reaching about 5 meters away from the zombie, it suddenly perked up at the sound of his footsteps and snarled menacingly.


    It emitted a guttural, iprehensible growl as it lurched towards him, its outstretched arms poised to ensnare him in a deadly embrace.


    Despite its threat, Shane''s 15 Agility Points endowed him with superior speed, allowing him to swiftly dispatch the low-tier zombie with a deft swing of his hatchet.


    True to its rare quality, the hatchet effortlessly cleaved through the undead foe without faltering.


    [ You have eliminated a Walker Zombie. ]


    ''Whoa~ That feels good... It didn''t get stuck to its skull at all.'' Shane thought as he also felt less bothered about the zombie''s corpse lying in front of him. Now that he knew what the Spirit does, it appears that his 100 Spirit Points weren''t just decorations in his attribute panels.


    As he considered looting the zombie, the abrupt sound of approaching footsteps drew Shane''s attention.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, Shane pivoted to confront the oing Runner Zombie!


    ''When did you¡ª''


    In a swift maneuver, Shane narrowly evaded the creature''s lunge. However, he was still hit on his left shoulder!


    Shane endured the pain as he swung his hatchet at the Runner Zombie, but it only cut its arm! It wasn''t enough to kill or immobilize the zombie...


    The Runner Zombie snarled and pounced at Shane once again! It didn''t feel any pain or get tired at all!


    "Die!" Shane shouted as he mustered his strength for another strike.


    This would probably be the end of his life if he had a long or heavy weapon.


    However, he had a sharp and light axe.


    The hatchet''s lightness came in handy!


    Shane could recover quickly after each swing, and this time, he was able to sh again, severing the zombie''s lower jaw!


    He didn''t hit the skull, but he gained enough space to continue with his attack.


    He then kicked the zombie to the ground and finished it off with one final chop of his hatchet.


    [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ]

 Chapter 11: Analysis

    <h4>Chapter 11: Analysis</h4>


    After approximately 20 minutes, Shane sessfully eliminated all the zombies lurking in his estate.


    He felt fortunate that no additional zombies had appeared beyond the initial count.


    In total, he had dispatched 10 zombies: two Crawler Zombies, five Walker Zombies, and three Runner Zombies.


    "I should at least construct a wall or maybe a wooden fence to dy their easy entry..." Shane muttered, as he reflected on his experience.


    He realized how important it was to form a perimeter defense. However, the prospect of such a task led him to dismiss the idea for now since he knew it would be quite strenuous to do it alone.


    In the end, he decided to consider this once his Territory Lord title, which attracted others to hisnd, was in effect.


    [ Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ): You can upy and im arge piece ofnd for your development. There is a 100% chance of attracting talented inhabitants of the continent to serve you in your territory every five days! ]


    "I still have to wait for a while..." Shane muttered.


    As he contemted, a sudden stinging pain red in his left shoulder, a lingering reminder of the Runner Zombie''s attack.


    With a resigned sigh, Shane returned to his shelter and removed his jacket, revealing the bruised shoulder.


    Lamenting the absence of bandages or medicine, as he hadn''t chosen the Medical Gift Pack, he redirected his focus to his avable resources.


    Realizing that he had secured water, alleviating concerns about dehydration, he considered utilizing the fire at the crash site to boil the water and prepare a meal of instant noodles.


    But before that, he recalled to check his current status.


    Level: 1


    Vitality: 91/100


    Spirit: 100/100


    Strength: 15


    Agility: 15


    Luck: 10


    Perception: 10


    "Nine points?" Shane muttered as he realized the Runner Zombie had damaged him too much. He wasn''t even bothered that his level remained the same after killing ten low-tier zombies that gives the same Experience Points.


    He didn''t feelfortable after seeing the missing nine points, so he directly opened a canned good. He wanted to know if eating a meal would allow him to increase his current vitality points!


    Nevertheless, as he checked the can, he saw a stew meat, probably a mix of beef and pork seasoned with salt, various spices, and chopped onions. It seemed that it would really fill his stomach.


    ''Looks good...''


    Since he didn''t have a spoon, he just gobbled it up. After a few minutes, he managed to finish it up. Then, he took out some water from his Inventory to clean up the remaining sauce in the can before using it as his cup.


    "Ahh..."


    After doing all of this, he realized that he just made a mistake!


    The smell of his food was wafting throughout the small house, and it could attract zombies if they could use their sense of smell!


    "Not good."


    Without hesitation, Shane swiftly relocated to the alternate house he had prepared.


    With Cloud''s assurance that no zombies were within 30 meters, Shane could work more efficiently without the need for constant vignce.


    Though he might have been overreacting, considering that zombies were unlikely to rely on their sense of smell, Shane wasn''t willing to take any chances.


    It was better to be safe!


    After some time, Shane finished transferring his belongings to the new location.


    "Finally!"


    He eximed as he settled into his tent.


    After catching his breath, it was then that he remembered to check if his vitality had increased after his meal.


    "Status..." he muttered, prompting the appearance of his attributes panel.


    To his delight, he observed that his Vitality points had risen from 91 to 93, a gain of two points.


    Whether due to his natural healing ability or the food, he was pleased to note the gradual recovery from his injury.


    As Shane contemted getting some rest, Cloud, the A.I. Assistant, made a report.


    [ Zombie Blood Analysis Completed. ]


    [ Do you like to see the result? ]


    Eager to learn more, Shane promptly responded, "Yes! Let me see..."


    In an instant, the A.I. showed him a long report! Shane didn''t expect that it would have so much information!


    [ Runner Zombie Blood Analysis Report


    Sample ID: RZB-001


    Summary:


    The blood sample obtained from a Runner Zombie shows signs of infection by a modified form of rhabdovirus, also known as the Trixie virus. This virus causes extreme aggression, enhanced speed and strength, and reduced pain sensitivity in the infected host. The virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by bite, scratch, or contact with bodily fluids.


    Results:


    - The blood sample has a dark color and a thick consistency. It contains high levels of hemoglobin(...)


    - The blood sample also contains viral particles that resemble bullet-shaped rhabdoviruses(...)


    - The blood sample shows evidence of gic mutations that increase the virulence and adaptability of the virus. Some of these mutations include:


    - A deletion in the gene that encodes for the viral glycoprotein, (...)


    - A substitution in the gene that encodes for the viral polymerase, (...)


    - An insertion in the gene that encodes for the viral phosphoprotein, (...)


    Conclusion:


    The blood sample obtained from a Runner Zombie is infected by a modified form of rhabdovirus that causes rage-like symptoms and increased infectivity in the host.


    The virus is constantly mutating and evolving, making it difficult to develop effective treatments or vines.


    The best way to prevent the spread of the virus is to avoid contact with infected individuals and to eliminate them as soon as possible. ]


    [ Submitting additional blood samples will lead to a moreprehensive analysis. ]


    The lengthy report left Shane feeling somewhat dizzy.


    In fact, he didn''t even manage to finish reading it, sensing that he wouldn''t fullyprehend the contents. He only skimmed through it.


    ''I should tell Cloud just to make a short report next time...'' Shane thought as he at least appreciated the conclusion at the end of the result.


    "Alright, take all the blood samples I have... I have no better use anyway."

 Chapter 12: Next Tier

    <h4>Chapter 12: Next Tier</h4>


    Shane swiftly checked his inventory to see the Blood Samples that he had.


    [ Inventory: Memory Spherex25, 6 Item Upgrade Crystals, 10 Zombie Cores, 200mL Crawler Zombie Blood, 500mL Walker Zombie Blood, 200mL Runner Zombie Blood, 4.6L water, 10 Spirit Enhancement Bottles ]


    He didn''t think too much and just gave all the blood to the A.I. He had no ns of drinking them anyway.


    "Is that enough?" He asked.


    [ Yes, my detection ability can now distinguish Runner Zombies from other types. Once the analysis of the Crawler and Walker Zombies ispleted, my detection will be able to epass them as well. ]


    "Sounds promising... Can you also predict their next mutations? I''ve heard about a Spitter Zombie, but I haven''te across one yet."


    [It''s highly likely that we can predict their mutation once my analysis of Crawler and Walker Zombie Blood ispleted. ]


    "Great, I''ll be relying on you. I''m going to sleep... Can you wake me up if there''s a Zombie within your perception range? It doesn''t matter if they notice our shelter or not."


    [ I can. ]


    Upon hearing Cloud''s reply, Shane was ovee by exhaustion and promptly drifted off to sleep. He didn''t even bother making a campfire since it wasn''t that cold, with the house, tent, and sleeping bag providing warmth.


    The following morning, Shane awoke to several notifications from the A.I.


    [ Zombie Blood Analysis Completed. ]


    [ Do you want to see the result? ]


    "I''ll check itter."


    [ Understood. It''s now possible to identify Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies through the detection ability of the A.I. Assistant. ]


    "Oh! That''s more convenient..." Shane replied as he began stretching his body.


    "No Zombies passed by?"


    Shane queried as he fixed his sleeping bag and exited the tent. Due to the fog, the tent was quite damp, so he couldn''t help but feel satisfied with setting up his tent inside the poorly-conditioned house.


    [ No. ] Cloud answered.


    "I guess those ten zombies are the only ones in the area, huh..." Shane mused as he removed the wooden nk from the door to step outside.


    Looking out, he noticed that the fog had significantly lessened. He had initially expected it to be thicker early in the morning.


    ''Will itpletely disappear before the Zombie Wave?'' He mused.


    "Cloud, how much time has passed since I entered this Apocalypse?"


    [ 1 day, 7 hours, 42 minutes. ]


    "I still have plenty of time before an inhabitant visits me here. I guess I''ll be hunting some zombies instead..." Shane said with a smile.


    But before that, he turned his attention to his food.


    This time, he decided to cook instant noodles for breakfast...


    Of course, he chose to do this in another house so the smell wouldn''t linger in his current shelter.


    After some time, Shane was finally prepared to explore the surrounding area. He felt that he needed to understand the terrain thoroughly before the first Zombie Wave began.


    But before that, he examined his Inventory System.


    [ Inventory: Memory Spherex25, 6 Item Upgrade Crystals, 10 Zombie Cores, 3.5L water, 10 Spirit Enhancement Bottles ]


    He retrieved one of the Spirit Enhancement Bottles.


    ''Let''s try this one first...''


    Shane mused. He actually believed that this was a rare item drop. However, the passive effect of his Talent made it seem quite ordinary.


    Upon removing the cap of the small bottle, Shane didn''t hesitate to consume the blue liquid, which amounted to about 50mL.


    He wasn''t sure what to expect since itcked a discernible smell. However, upon tasting it, he realized it was a bit bitter but eptable and wasn''t difficult to swallow.


    As he pondered using the bottle to store other liquids, he noticed that it stared, shattering into fragments of light beforepletely disappearing.


    "This really feels like a game," Shane muttered as a notification from the Apocalypse System appeared.


    [ You have consumed a Spirit Enhancement Tonic. ]


    [ Spirit Enhancement sessful. ]


    Shane smiled after seeing this as he checked his status. He wanted to find out what kind of enhancement he had received.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One


    Level: 1


    Vitality: 99/100


    Spirit: 105/105


    Strength: 15


    Agility: 15


    Luck: 10


    Perception: 10


    After consuming the blue liquid, Shane experienced a 5-point increase in his Spirit. Moreover, he discovered that his Vitality had already reached 99 points!


    Noticing this, he realized that his shoulder no longer ached.


    No wonder!


    "Awesome... I guess sleeping is the best way to recover Vitality Points..." Shane muttered as he shifted his attention to his 6 Item Upgrade Crystals.


    Shane had already utilized three crystals to enhance his hatchet and one for his revolver. Now, he deliberated on whether he should allocate the remaining crystals to further upgrade his weapons once more.


    "Even if I encounter a Spitter Zombie, I still have a revolver to deal with it. However, with my limited bullets, I should only use them when facing zombies stronger than the Runner Type..."


    Shane reflected, feeling that his current set of weapons remained adequate for this early stage of the apocalypse.


    Ultimately, he contemted upgrading his tent, hoping for a special effect to repel zombies, or enhancing his current gear.


    After careful consideration, he made the decision to upgrade his Jacket, Pants, and Boots!


    Currently, what he was worried about was getting bitten by a zombie since that would be the end for him. He didn''t have any vine or courage to cut a part of him that was bitten.


    Furthermore, he could guess what a Spitter Zombie could do based on its name.


    Because of that, he felt that having a higher tier of Survivor Gear would help him in that situation.


    Without wasting any more time, hepleted his upgrades.


    [ Survivor Jacket ( Tier 2 ): A sturdy and durable jacket made to protect the upper body from zombie bites and scratches. It is made of thick leather and reinforced with metal tes, and has several pockets and straps for carrying items. It also provides slight resistance to acid spits from Spitter zombies, reducing the damage and burn effect.


    Effects: +10 Physical Defense, +15% Acid Resistance, +10% Burn Resistance ]


    [ Survivor Pants ( Tier 2 ): A tough andfortable pants made to protect the lower body from zombie bites and scratches. It is made of denim and reinforced with ker, and has several zippers and buttons for adjusting the fit. It also provides slight resistance to acid spits from Spitter zombies, reducing the damage and burn effect.


    Effects: +10 Physical Defense, +15% Acid Resistance, +10% Burn Resistance ]


    [ Survivor Boots ( Tier 2 ): A strong and reliable boots that are made to protect the feet and ankles from zombie bites and scratches. It is made of rubber and reinforced with steel, and has several spikes and studs for enhancing the grip and damage. It also provides slight resistance to acid spits from Spitter zombies, reducing the damage and burn effect. It is a good choice for survivors who want to bnce protection and stability.


    Effects: +10 Physical Defense, +15% Acid Resistance, +10% Burn Resistance ]

 Chapter 13: Unlocked

    <h4>Chapter 13: Unlocked</h4>


    "Tier 2, huh... Why is it different from other items?"


    Shane pondered after noticing the unique ranking or rarity system for Survivor Gears.


    While his hatchet and revolver were ssified as Common, Umon, or Rare, it appeared that there was an alternative ranking for special items.


    Nheless, he didn''t dwell on it and proceeded to don his upgraded outfit.


    ''Ohh~ This feels good.''


    Besides the noted effects in the item description, his new gear felt morefortable and lighter, despite being more durable.


    After getting used to his new Survivor Gear, he continued on his exploration.


    Shane made his way to what he believed to be an orchard outside the estate.


    Vignt and prepared for any potential threat, he kept his hatchet in hand as he ventured forth. Upon reaching the orchard, he recognized the pear and apple trees. None of the trees have fruits, so it probably wasn''t the right season yet.


    As he continued to survey the area, Cloud alerted him of the presence of zombies.


    [ Three zombies detected. ]


    Shane swiftly repositioned himself, wary of potential threats concealed among the trees.


    "Where?" He asked.


    [ Behind you. ]


    As soon as he heard this, Shane pivoted to face three Runner Zombies rapidly advancing towards him. The 30-meter detection range proved insufficient as the zombies closed in!


    ''Ugh... They still look disgusting...


    The pale figures of the Runner Zombies were very clear on Shane. Their disjointed gait and outstretched arms were a haunting sight amidst the orchard''s serenity.


    Shane was left with no choice but to draw his revolver. They wereing too fast!


    Confronting three Runner Zombies simultaneously was too much!


    Maintaining a strategic distance, he waited until the zombies approached within 10 meters before discharging a single round.


    Bang!


    As the shot rang out, Shane chided himself... "Tsk... I just told myself not to waste my bullets unless they''re Spitter Zombies."


    Following the sessful disabling of one Runner Zombie with a non-lethal shot to the waist, he brandished his hatchet as he believed that handling two zombies would be fine in his current state.


    He believed that his 15 points in Agility and Strength, plus his Rare Hatchet, were good enough.


    "Come at me..."


    Shane muttered as he deftly maneuvered to evade their outstretched grasp.


    After reflecting on his battles yesterday, he realized that the Runner Zombies had poor agility. They could only run fast in one direction.


    Changing their direction was basically an incredibly difficult task for them!


    Because of that, Shane easily avoided their arms!


    Then, as the first zombie lunged forward, its sunken eyes fixed on him... Since it failed to grab him, it was thinking of biting him instead.


    Shane expertly sidestepped the attack, delivering a forceful blow that cleaved through the creature''s decaying flesh. He hit the zombie''s neck!


    [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ]


    He did this so swiftly since he had to kill the second zombie.


    However, the second Runner Zombie seemed different!


    It had a stronger leg than the previous ones he encountered.


    It actually jumped on him!


    This unexpected lunge caught him off guard, and in the ensuing struggle, Shane found himself perilously close to being bitten!


    At this time, it felt as if his adrenaline kicked in as a surge of power coursed through his veins, he managed to drive the creature back, but not before its gnashing teeth tore through his sleeve, narrowly missing his flesh.


    Then, Shane threw his hatchet at the zombie''s face...


    Thud!


    The zombie''s flesh, bone, and brain matter sttered everywhere.


    [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ]


    He didn''t expect the hatchet to pass through the zombie''s head beforending on the ground!


    ''So sharp?!'' Shane eximed before he heard another growling sound of the zombie.


    As he looked in its direction, he realized it was the first zombie he shot.


    Since it was only crawling, Shane didn''t feel too bothered as he took the hatchet on the ground before killing thest zombie.


    The surroundings were quite messy because of the zombies'' flesh and blood scattered around.


    Nevertheless, Shane couldn''t help but celebrate a little after another sessful battle against them.


    "Whew... I''m getting used to their faces. Now that I look at them, they''re not that scary..." Shane muttered as he looked at the three corpses. He was still disgusted but no longer scared of them.


    The once menacing figures are now motionless at his feet.


    It felt quite satisfying for some reason.


    Then, he looked at himself.


    At this time, he realized the peril he had narrowly escaped. His jacket, now torn and stained, had shielded his arm from the zombie''s bite, sparing him from a fate worse than death.


    "Thank you, Tier 2 Survivor Gear!"


    Shane was filled with gratitude as he decided to loot the corpses.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Core 500mL water, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    ...


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Core 500mL water, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    ...


    [ You have earned 15 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 3 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Core 500mL water, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    Much to his amazement, the final Runner Zombie yielded 15 Experience Points!


    ''I knew it... That zombie is different.'' Shane thought.


    However, his surprise didn''t end there as another notification shed before him.


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Chat Function (Regional) unlocked. ]

 Chapter 14: Functions

    <h4>Chapter 14: Functions</h4>


    "Chat Function?" Shane was surprised as soon as he got the message from the system.


    Then, another blue virtual screen appeared in front of him. There were two tabs on them showing two types of Chat.


    [ World Chat ( Locked ) ]


    [ Regional Chat ]


    Chat Limit: 10


    Online: 1/100,000


    "Mhmm..."


    After activating the chat function, Shane took a moment to familiarize himself with its features.


    Upon realizing that he was the sole individual online, he confirmed that he was the only one in his region to have reached the second level.


    ''They''re still taking advantage of the safety zone... I guess that''s the normal and safest method...''


    He easily spected that most others had likely opted to remain within the safety of the Beginner Protection. However, that also means that making progression to the next level would be difficult or perhaps even an impossible feat while inside the Safety Zone.


    Anyway, further exploration of the chat function revealed that each regionprised only a hundred thousand inhabitants, piquing Shane''s curiosity about the total number of regions in existence.


    However, his enthusiasm was tempered by the realization that the usage limit of the chat function was limited to ten interactions, a restriction that left him somewhat underwhelmed, given his anticipation of the need for futuremunication with fellow survivors.


    ''I hope it increases once my level increases...'' Shane mused.


    Disheartened by the limitations of the chat function, Shane eventually closed the interface,menting the seemingly meager effects of his level up.


    ''Wait... There''s no way that''s the only effect of my level up...''


    Curious to ascertain any alterations to his current status, he opened his System Profile, seeking indications of the impact of his recent advancement.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One


    Level: 2


    Vitality: 105/105


    Spirit: 105/105


    Strength: 16


    Agility: 16


    Luck: 10


    Perception: 10


    Inventory: Memory Spherex25, 8 Item Upgrade Crystals, 13 Zombie Cores, 5L water, 300mL Runner Zombie Blood, 12 Spirit Enhancement Bottles ]


    Survivor Skills: None


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent )


    "Oh... 5 points increase in Vitality while 1 points increase in Strength and Agility! It doesn''t look bad." Shane said in satisfaction after seeing his new status.


    Although the Spirit didn''t increase, he could simply consume Spirit Enhancement Bottles if he really wanted to improve it.


    What was even more amazing was the fact that his Vitality had fully recovered!


    At this time, the slight redness of his arm that was almost bitten had already disappeared!


    ''This confirms that leveling up means can be used for strategic moves.''


    ***


    Afterward, Shane proceeded with his patrol for the next three hours, gradually venturing farther from his estate.


    During this period, he no longer encountered any Runner Zombies but instead encountered several Crawler Zombies.


    These zombies were distinctly unsettling, with emaciated, contorted bodies and elongated limbs that made them move quite slowly despite their menacing posture.


    ''They look strong and fast, but they''re actually weak and very slow... No wonder they were called Crawler Zombies.''


    Fortunately, the Crawler Zombies weren''t the Crawlers he had imagined before. They couldn''t climb or crawl on the walls and move fast.


    Furthermore, Shane had already ovee his aversion to their repulsive appearance, so he was able to dispatch them without encountering anyplications.


    In total, he eliminated eight Crawler Zombies, as they moved at a sluggish pace, rendering them rtively easy to target by his hatchet.


    Nevertheless, his previous peculiar encounter with the anomalous Runner Zombie lingered in his thoughts, prompting him to consider the possibility of an atypical Crawler Zombie exhibiting enhanced speed and even the ability to climb trees.


    Such a development seemed entirely usible, given the unpredictable nature of the early stages of the Apocalypse.


    "Cloud... Have you finished analyzing the blood samples?" Shane inquired.


    [ It''s 87%plete. However, my Zombie Detection Range has now reached 34 meters ]


    Cloud responded.


    "Oh! That sounds great. I hope it will continue to increase..." Shane remarked as he made his way back to his shelter to have lunch.


    On this asion, he opted not to cook his food and instead consumed another gran bar. Well, he was still uncertain of when he might encounter another food source.


    Essentially, he aimed to conserve his provisions and ensure theysted for approximately another 15 days or so. He nned to eat only his canned goods or instant noodles in the morning or evening.


    ''I''m getting water from my loots but not food... I wonder where to get them.'' Shane mused as he finished his gran bar.


    After that, he started drinking his hot tea.


    Although the cold was bearable, after staying outside for several hours, it was actually starting to get into him, so he returned to his shelter to warm himself.


    In any case, it wasn''t difficult to get a fire since, for some reason, the fire in the crash site wasn''t getting extinguished at all!


    After finishing his tea and tidying his shelter, Shane ventured out once more in search of zombies with the assistance of his A.I. Companion.


    "I wonder how the others will confront these zombies... Especially those who didn''t choose for the Weapons Gift Pack..." Shane pondered aloud as he traversed an unexplored area.


    This time, he followed the road from his estate, eager to discover where it led.


    Mindful of his prior error in allowing zombies to approach from behind, he avoided moving in a straight route, instead navigating a winding path to maximize the coverage of his A.I. detection.


    During this period, he sessfully eliminated 12 more walker and crawler zombies, resulting in another level-up!


    However, there was little time for celebration as Shane fell silent, startled by the sight of a colossal zombie in motion.


    Its towering upper body loomed above the trees! It was something he didn''t expect to see close to his territory!


    ''A Giant Zombie?!'' Shane eximed in his mind.

 Chapter 15: The Title

    <h4>Chapter 15: The Title</h4>


    Although it was foggy, there was no way Shane would make a mistake!


    The one passing by was definitely not a trick of the eye but a genuine Giant Zombie passing through the forest!


    The Giant Zombie''s eyes glowed a fiery red, emitting an eerie, otherworldly light that sent shivers down his spine.


    Its appearance was grotesque, with decaying flesh contorted into a haunting, leering expression. As it moved forward, the air seemed to quiver around it, and puffs of acrid smoke billowed from its gaping jaws, inducing an unsettling image of a creature consumed by an insatiable hunger for destruction.


    ''No way... Is this thest boss?''


    Shane''s heart raced as he beheld the monstrous entity, its heavy,bored breaths echoing through the forest.


    At that moment, Shane held his breath, afraid that he would make a noise and catch its attention.


    Luckily, it wasn''t paying heed to the surroundings; it was only focused on the ce it was trying to get to!


    "Whew... That was close..." Shane heaved a sigh of relief as soon as the Giant Zombie left.


    If a Survivor met such a Giant Zombie in the early stage like this, even if he had legendary talent, he would be useless against such a creature!


    Anyway, Shane had no ns of staying here anymore as he checked the messages of the Apocalypse System.


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ You have received a limited-time offer. This offer is only avable to the first 10 Survivors who reached Level 3! ]


    "An offer? Is it a store this time?" Shane muttered as he saw five images of items in front of him.


    [ Treasure Map: A old and torn map that can lead the user to a hidden stash of valuable items. It can be used by a survivor who wants to find rare loot, but with a high difficulty and danger level. It has a +100% chance of revealing the location of a secret cache, but also a +100% chance of attracting more zombies or rival survivors to the same spot with a simr Treasure Map.


    Current Price: 15 Zombie Cores ( 75% off for a limited time )


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    [ Zombie Toast: A weird and disgusting toast that is made from zombie flesh and blood. It can be used by a survivor who is desperate for food and willing to try anything, but with a high chance of side effects and consequences. It has a +50% chance of restoring the user''s health and vitality, but also a +50% chance of causing the user to be insane.


    Current Price: 3 Zombie Cores ( 50% off for a limited time )


    Quantity: 10/10 ]


    [ Rage Potion: Arge and red potion that can boost the user''s strength and aggression. It can be used by a survivor who wants to deal more damage and fight more fiercely, but at the cost of losing control and rationality. It gives 50% increase in the user''s damage and knockback, but also a 30% chance of decreasing the user''s spirit.


    Current Price: 10 Zombie Cores ( 50% off for a limited time )


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ Experience Potion: A rare and magical yellow potion that can increase the user''s experience points and level up faster. It can be used by a survivor who wants to improve their skills and abilities, but with a limited supply and duration. It has a +100% chance of doubling the experience points gained from killing zombies orpleting quests for 12 hours.


    Current Price: 25 Zombie Cores ( 50% off for a limited time )


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ Zombie Detector: A useful and handy device that can be used for 5 times to detect the presence and location of zombies nearby. It can be used by a survivor who wants to avoid or prepare for zombie encounters, but with a limited battery and range. It has a +100% chance of showing the number and direction of zombies within 50 meters on a small screen.


    Current Price: 30 Zombie Cores ( 90% off for a limited time )


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    "Whoa~" Shane couldn''t help but feel surprised at how useful these things were!


    Shane then quickly checked his Inventory.


    [ Inventory: Memory Spherex25, 28 Item Upgrade Crystals, 33 Zombie Cores, 15L water, 800mL Crawler Zombie Blood, 400mL Walker Zombie 32 Spirit Enhancement Bottles ]


    "Oh~ I already have this much?" Shane muttered as he wasn''t checking his Inventory every time.


    He didn''t expect that he already collected so many upgrade crystals and zombie cores!


    "Great... I will take the experience potion!" Shane said without hesitation as he tapped the image of the yellow potion


    [ Are you sure you want to spend 25 Zombie Cores for the Experience Potion? ]


    "Yes.."


    [ 25 Zombie Cores have been deducted. ]


    [ The item has been transferred to your Inventory. ]


    "That''s great... Now it''s time to leave." Shane muttered as he swiftly left the ce and returned to his shelter.


    He still had the energy to continue hunting zombies, but after seeing the colossal one, he felt that it was some kind of warning not to wander off too much and stay within the vicinity of his starting region until he got more information about the zombies.


    Furthermore, he also felt that he already aplished his mission.


    After all, there was another reason why he was actively killing zombies.


    It wasn''t just to level up or get more resources but also to ensure that he wouldn''t get swarmed by zombies once he used his Title''s effect and returned to this ce!


    [ Fairy Realm''s Survivor: The Survivor gains the ability to travel to the Fairy Realm for 8 hours once a week. The Survivor also gains bonus points for Strength, Agility, Luck, and Perception. The Title also provides immunity to Fairy Charms.


    Requirements: Be a Lone Foreign Survivor of the Fairy Realm''s Apocalypse. ]

 Chapter 16: The Fairy Realm

    <h4>Chapter 16: The Fairy Realm</h4>


    The special ability provided by the Fairy Realm''s Survivor title was certainly incredible. It would allow him to visit the Fairy Realm for eight hours every week.


    However, since he had no idea what to expect inside, he didn''t dare to activate this effect carelessly.


    He was unsure whether there was a danger or a reward inside, so he at least wanted to experience how he would fare inside the Zombie Apocalypse before thinking of activating it.


    Now that he had gained several items that could help him fight any danger, he felt a lot more confident entering the Fairy Realm.


    Of course, he was also nning to use all his Item Upgrade Crystals before doing this.


    This time, Shane decided to upgrade all his important equipment.


    He set the hatchet on the ground and ced 5 Items Upgrade Crystals... Then, he waited for a few seconds to get the message from the system.


    However, his guess was wrong. The upgrade didn''t require 5 Item Upgrade Crystals! It was more than that!


    [ Insufficient number of Item Upgrade Crystal. ]


    [ Hint: Rare Rank Items require 10 Item Upgrade Crystal to advance. ]


    "So expensive? It was only 1 Crystal for a Common Rank and 2 Crystals for an Umon Rank..."


    Shane wryly smiled, seeing that the price had grown so much.


    He could only sigh at this as he took out more crystals from his Inventory.


    ''I wonder how those Survivors with no Complete Loot Talent umte crystals. They may not even get 1 Crystal in 10 or 20 kills.'' Shane mused.


    [ Hatchet ( Exceptional ): A deadly axe that can cleave through zombies with ease. It is made of a mysterious metal that glows with a faint blue light, and has a serrated edge. It can kill a zombie with a single hit, and can also cause bleed and stun effects. It is also useful for crafting and survival purposes, such as making fire or building shelters.


    Effects: +25% damage against Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies, +10% against Spitter Zombies, +15% Critical Chance, +25% Attack Speed


    Special Effect:


    Ice: The hatchet is imbued with a freezing power that can chill zombies and make them brittle. It has a +40% chance of causing ice damage to zombies, and a +40% chance of slowing them down and making them vulnerable to critical hits. Ineffective against Survivors.


    Cost: 30 Spirit Points ]


    "A critical chance and attack speed upgrade! And even a Special Effect! Worth it! 10 Item Upgrade Crystals is worth it." Shane felt satisfied with the improvement of his hatchet.


    Now, he no longer had to worry that his weapon would fail to kill a Spitter Zombie!


    The Ice Effect costs 30 Spirit Points to be activated, but it could definitely be a life saver!


    Without hesitation, Shane upgraded his revolver from Umon to Rare and from Rare to Exceptional.


    He spent 12 Item Upgrade Crystals for that, leaving him only 14 Item Upgrade Crystals in his Inventory.


    [ Revolver ( Exceptional ): A six-shot handgun that fires explosive .44 Magnum rounds. It has a short barrel and a metal grip, and can cause massive damage and knockback to zombies with a single bullet. It is loud and shy, but has a very fast reload time and a low recoil. It can kill a zombie with a body shot, but attracts more zombies with its noise and st.


    Effects: +50% damage against Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies, +10% against Spitter Zombies, +15% Critical Chance, +25% Attack Speed


    Special Effect:


    Burn: The bullet sets the target on fire, dealing extra damage and a high chance of spreading the effect.


    Cost: 20 Spirit Points ]


    "Awesome!" Shane couldn''t help but celebrate as soon as he saw the effects. The Burn effect was definitely a useful effect, especially once the Zombie Wave started.


    Then, after calming down, he started consuming all the Spirit Enhancement Potions that he had.


    There were a total of 32 of them, so it took him quite some time to drink all of them. Of course, he didn''t forget to give all the Blood Samples to the A.I. in hopes of getting a broader Zombie Detection Range.


    After doing all of this, he checked his Status once again.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One


    Level: 3


    Vitality: 110/110


    Spirit: 265/265


    Strength: 17


    Agility: 17


    Luck: 10


    Perception: 10


    Inventory: Memory Spherex25, 6 Item Upgrade Crystals, 8 Zombie Cores, 15L water, 1 Experience Potion


    Survivor Skills: None


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent )


    Shane felt satisfied as he reviewed his Status and surveyed his array of equipment.


    Although he still possessed 6 Item Upgrade Crystals, he opted to reserve them for ater time.


    Securing the remaining gran bars, he tapped his Title and selected the Fairy Realm''s Survivor.


    [ Do you wish to activate the Title''s Effect? ] The system prompt inquired.


    "Yes." Shane affirmed.


    [ You will be transported to the Fairy Realm. The duration will be 8 hours ]


    In an instant, the fabric of space seemed to twist and warp around him.


    Just as the message said, he was being transported and it was through some enigmatic form of spatial sorcery.


    Whom~


    A sudden disorienting darkness engulfed his senses, leaving him feeling lightheaded and unsteady.


    When he finally reopened his eyes, a vast meadow stretched out before him, bathed in the ethereal light of a celestial sun.


    The grass, a vibrant emerald hue, swayed gently in the breeze, creating a mesmerizing dance of nature''s beauty.


    The meadow was adorned with a vibrant array of wildflowers, creating a picturesque scene of shifting colors that danced and glistened in the golden light.


    "Is this heaven? What am I even supposed to do here?" Shane muttered as he looked in the distance.


    Majestic trees could be seen from afar, but no mountains were on the horizon. It felt as if he was inside a sanctuary of serene splendor nestled within the heart of the world.


    "Garden of Eden?" Shane muttered as he recalled the fictional garden.


    However, his Perception soon caught someone approaching from above.


    As soon as he looked up, he saw what seemed to be a mythical fairy!


    "Wee, Lord Survivor!"

 Chapter 17: Practice

    <h4>Chapter 17: Practice</h4>


    The fairy bore a resemnce to a tiny female human, with wings akin to those of a dragonfly. Her yellow hair cascaded around her as she floated, adorned in ethereal blue silk that entuated her beauty and aura of magic.


    "Wee, Lord Survivor!"


    The fairy greeted Shane with a high-pitched voice, hovering in front of him, barely the size of his head.


    Upon close inspection, the fairy disyed no signs of hostility and seemed rather enthusiastic about his arrival.


    "Hello, fairy... Can you tell me what''s going on?" Shane inquired while still holding his weapon.


    "Yes! You can call me Axis, Lord Survivor..." Axis introduced herself.


    "I''m the caretaker of this smallnd that was given to you by the Fairy Queen..."


    "It was given to me?"


    "Well, that''s my guess, since I can feel that you received the blessing of the Fairy Queen. In any case, this smallnd has abundant mana, and you can use this ce however you want."


    He had never met this Fairy Queen, but his alternate self must''ve done it.


    Shane fell silent for a moment as he contemted the fairy''s words.


    Although he wasn''t sure what the abundant mana could do, the idea of having his ownnd prompted him to consider its potential uses.


    However, aside from using it as a resting ce or for cultivating thend to harvest fruits and vegetables, he couldn''t think of any other purposes.


    "Axis, do you have a suggestion on how I should use this ce?" Shane inquired as he believed that this fairy had some decent idea.


    "Of course! As I said, this ce has abundant mana, so nting Spiritual Herbs will be very beneficial to you. You can also train your Survivor Skills in this ce... You can also consider crafting items in this ce since you have a higher chance of getting better item effects in this ce."


    "Spiritual Herbs and Survivor Skills... I understand. That sounds interesting... But is it possible to bring someone else into thisnd?" Shane asked.


    "It''s impossible unless they''re soul bound to you, Lord Survivor... However, you can bring any items you can carry to this ce... For now, since you probably didn''t bring anything with you, you can look around, take a bath in the smallke over there, or you can also cut down those trees and build a small resting house if you want." Fairy Axis said with a smile on her face as she looked at Shane.


    Ultimately, Shane decided to chat with the fairy to fully understand thisnd''s situation.


    During their exchange, he discovered that his System Inventory was still functional, allowing him to bring items gifted by the system into this realm.


    Additionally, Axis exined that soul-bound creatures could only be obtained through a specific ritual.


    Unfortunately, bringing one of them here seemed impossible, as soul-bound creatures might not exist in the Zombie Apocalypse he had entered.


    It seemed that soul-bound creatures were only avable in the Fairy Realm Invasion Apocalypse. Nheless, Shane remained convinced that thisnd would still prove valuable to him.


    After familiarizing himself with the roughly thousand-acre expanse, Shane heeded Axis'' suggestion and set out to cut down some trees.


    Specifically, he aimed to test the new effect of his hatchet.


    He hadn''t yet tried using the ice effect of his hatchet, which costs 30 Spirit Points for each usage. With this in mind, he approached the nearest tree.


    The tree he chose stood thick and imposing, its gnarled bark weathered by time and its branches reaching about 20 to 25 meters high.


    ''Let''s see...''


    Shane held his hatchet carefully and activated its ice effect; he did it by simply using his mind...


    As soon as he noticed that the hatchet''s edge turned blue, he realized that its effect was already triggered.


    Then, without any more hesitation, he struck the tree with all his might.


    Bang!


    The hatchet didn''t fail to cut a small part of the trunk... Then, ice started forming in the part where the trunk was hit!


    It continued to spread for about 20 inches beforepletely stopping.


    "Awesome!"


    Shane couldn''t help but celebrate after seeing this.


    The formed ice would surely be a life-saving item.


    Then, he immediately checked his status.


    [ Spirit: 235/265 ]


    Just like what the description said, each use consumes 30 Spirit Points.


    It means that with his 265 Spirit Points, he could only use the item''s special effect eight times.


    ''That should be good enough for practice.''


    Shane refrained from using the ice effect again as he was still uncertain about the recovery speed of his Spirit.


    Instead, he focused on practicing with his hatchet, as its sharpness and weight had undergone slight changes after the upgrade.


    Wary of the potential for injury while wielding the hatchet, he dedicated himself to honing his techniques and style.


    As the eight hours drew to a close, Shane confirmed that his Spirit Recovery Speed was 1 Spirit Point per hour.


    It seemed a bit slow, but he couldn''tin about it.


    Then, after checking the time, he bid farewell to Axis.


    "Let''s see each other again, Axis..."


    "I will be waiting here, Lord Survivor!" Axis replied as she waved her hand at Shane''s disappearing figure.


    Upon opening his eyes, Shane confirmed that he was still inside his shelter''s tent.


    Then, he promptly inquired about his A.I. Assistant.


    "Any zombies around?"


    [ Scanning the surroundings... ] [ Scanplete. ] [ Six zombies detected. ]


    [ 3 Crawler Zombies, 2 Walker Zombies, and 1 Runner Zombie. ]


    Receiving this reply, Shane felt a surge of excitement as he silently emerged from his shelter while clutching his hatchet.


    His sights were set on the closest target, the Runner Zombie!

 Chapter 18: Online

    <h4>Chapter 18: Online</h4>


    After spending several hours honing his skills with the hatchet, Shane was eager to put it to the test in a realbat scenario.


    ''I wonder how easy it will be with this Exceptional Hatchet.'' Shane mused with a grin on his face as he was no longer worried about having his hatchet stuck in the bone or flesh of the Zombie.


    He felt a lot more confident with such a great weapon in his hands.


    The Runner Zombie, seemingly unaware of his presence, appeared to be resting inside the dpidated peasant''s house.


    After taking a deep breath, Shane cautiously approached the Zombie.


    However, it seemed to possess an uncanny awareness, suddenly pivoting to face him as if it had eyes in the back of its head.


    ''Does it have Perception stat as well? I''m sure I''m barely making any sound...'' Shane thought as he realized that sneaking a surprise attack on these zombies was a lot harder than he expected.


    With a guttural growl, the Runner Zombie detected Shane''s presence and swiftly charged towards him!


    Undeterred, Shane steadied his grip on the hatchet, focusing on the figure that was approaching him.


    He wasn''t looking at its face since he didn''t want to sumb to revulsion at the sight of the decaying creature''s visage. Even if he had gotten used to their face, it didn''t mean he liked seeing their rotten faces!


    As the Runner Zombie lunged at him, Shane swiftly sidestepped the attack, seizing the opportunity to swing his hatchet with precision.


    This was the same move he had made when dealing with Runner Zombies since they have terrible agility and could only move in a straight line. Being unable to change direction when running was their biggest weakness.


    Bam!


    The de cleaved through the air, finding its mark as itnded a powerful blow on the Zombie''s neck, severing its head from its decaying body.


    With a final, agonized groan, the Runner Zombie copsed to the ground, defeated by Shane''s swift and decisive strike.


    He didn''t even have to use his hatchet''s special effect to kill it.


    [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ]


    ''As expected, sidestepping works really well against a Runner Zombie.'' Shane muttered to himself as he looted the zombie.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    There were no changes to the loot he obtained, and Shane was thankful for that.


    After a few moments, Shane found another target; they were the Crawler Zombies, and they seemed to have heard themotion and were slowly crawling to his location.


    Shane felt more confident since the strongest of them all, the Runner Zombie, was no more.


    He just had to be patient and ensure not to get too close to the zombies... After all, he doesn''t have a helmet or gloves yet. He could still be infected by the virus if he gets scratched or bitten by them.


    He couldn''t y around while fighting, so he spent 20 more minutes hunting all the zombies around his estate.


    [ Inventory: Memory Spherex25, 12 Item Upgrade Crystals, 14 Zombie Cores, 300mL Crawler Zombie Blood, 200mL Walker Zombie Blood, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 18L water, 1 Experience Potion, 6 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    Shane felt satisfied after seeing this result as he returned to his shelter.


    Now that his gears and weapons had been upgraded, it was time to upgrade his shelter.


    At the very least, he wanted to upgrade his tent or even his sleeping bag for addedfort and security.


    Without hesitation, Shane started with the tent that was already set up inside the small house.


    [ Upgrade Sessful ]


    [ Common Tent has been upgraded to Umon Tent. ]


    [ Item Description is now avable on the specific item. ]


    Shane then checked the description, and only the durability and air freshening effect was added. It wasn''t that impressive at all.


    With this in mind, he used two more crystals to upgrade it again.


    [ Upgrade Sessful ]


    [ Umon Tent has been upgraded to Rare Tent. ]


    [ Tent ( Rare ): A sturdy and spacious tent that can provide shelter andfort for the user. It is made of durable fabric and reinforced with metal poles, and has several windows and vents for venttion. It can be used by a survivor to have better sleep, and to store some items inside. It also provides some resistance to weather and zombie attacks, reducing the damage and noise effect. ]


    It was still not the effect he was looking for, but he knew that he was getting there.


    He believed that once he upgraded this tent to an Exceptional Grade, he would get what he wanted.


    Unfortunately, he only has 9 Item Upgrade Crystals left in his Inventory.


    ''Maybe tomorrow...'' Shane thought.


    As Shane considered having dinner before sleeping, he recalled checking the Chat Function.


    [ Regional Chat ]


    Chat Limit: 10


    Online: 2/99,840


    "Oh?! Finally..." Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing another person being online. However, he also noticed that the 100,000 limit had changed to 99,840!


    ''Does it mean that 160 people died during this time?''


    Shane sighed after realizing what had happened over the past few hours. Then, he checked the message board.


    [ Raze: Hello! I thought I was the first to reach level 2 since I dared to venture out of my safety zone. Did you also get an Epic-Grade talent? No, maybe even higher? ]

 Chapter 19: Darkness

    <h4>Chapter 19: Darkness</h4>


    "Another Survivor... Finally..."


    Shane muttered as he noticed that he could only see the Survivor''s first name and not thest name. Aside from that, even if he tried tapping on Raze''s name, he couldn''t get any other information.


    After some thought, Shane typed a reply.


    [ Shane: Hi, Raze! I also received a decent talent, so I ventured out early. How are your loots? ]


    Shane asked as he wanted topare his loot to other Survivors.


    It appears that Raze was also not doing anything at this time. It didn''t even take a minute before Shane got a reply.


    [ Raze: You finally checked the Chat board! It''s hard getting loot in my starting region. I''m only getting Zombie Cores and stale bread. I''m alsocking some water... Aside from Zombie Rats, I''ve never seen any other type of Zombie. I''m still roaming in the sewers. I haven''t even seen the sunlight. I''m lucky I selected the Survival Tools Gift Back. ]


    Raze replied with plenty of information since they could only use the Regional Chat 10 times daily.


    "Zombie Rats? I''ve never seen them before... Furthermore, he''s in the sewers? Ugh... What a terrible spot. I guess I''m fortunate, huh..." Shane muttered, believing that surviving the sewers would be much moreplicated.


    He couldn''t help but wonder what kind of talent he obtained to dare to venture out before the Beginner Protection ended.


    [ Shane: I''m lucky since I have obtained a source of water. I hope we can do a trade so you can have some. I haven''t encountered any Zombie Rats yet, but I encountered Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies. My starting region is an abandoned estate... Right, reach level 3 as quickly as possible. You''ll get to use your Zombie Cores at that time. Good luck to us. ]


    [ Raze: Level 3? Alright! I''m gonna start killing now! If you encounter any Zombie Rats in the future, make sure not to get hit by their tail; you''ll get paralyzed. See you around, Shane! ]


    Shane smiled after seeing this information.


    Indeed, this was what he liked about getting to know other Survivors. Since they are all in the same predicament, helping each other should be the right thing.


    ***


    The following day, Shanepleted his morning routine at an early hour.


    Surprisingly, no zombies had breached his estate, possibly due to the significant reduction in fog within his territory.


    At this time, he had already guessed that the fog had something to do with the spreading virus, but he wasn''t too sure about it yet since even the A.I. hadn''t noticed anything wrong with the fog.


    Despite this, Cloud detected a handful of additional zombies lingering outside his domain.


    Well, Shane promptly handed over all the Zombie Blood he had acquired to the A.I., consequently expanding its Zombie Detection range.


    At this time, Cloud could already reach 43 meters!


    Equipped with his current arsenal of weapons and gear, Shane no longer dreaded encountering the lower-tier zombies as long as they remained dispersed.


    Because of his prior experience, isted zombies no longer posed any threat to him.


    Throughout the day, Shane hunted down a total of 9 zombies, a somewhat disappointing tally as he had hoped to amass numerous Item Upgrade Crystals.


    His goal was to enhance all his items to an Exceptional or higher standard before the impending Zombie Wave.


    As he awaited the zombies to "spawn" around his estate, Shane contemted venturing into the forest.


    However, the recollection of the colossal Zombie he had previously encountered dissuaded him from doing so.


    ''I wonder if it already left this region...'' Shane mused.


    As he was contemting exploring outside, a virtual blue screen suddenly appeared before him.


    [ Three days had passed since everyone''s arrival to the Fiend Continent ]


    [ All Beginners'' Protection has been removed. ]


    [ Now, get yourself stronger and survive the first Zombie Wave that wille within 7 days! ]


    At that moment, a continent-wide message addressing all survivors appeared!


    ''So it''s been 72 hours...'' Shane mused.


    This message also prompted him to ponder whether this promation would alter the "spawning time" of the Zombies in his region.


    Whom~


    His conjecture proved urate!


    As the notifications from the Apocalypse System faded, the fog dissipated almost entirely from the vicinity of his estate... While uncertain of its implications, Shane believed that the area had be more habitable for the continent''s inhabitants.


    Thud... Thud... Thud.


    Furthermore, he noticed several figures appearing near the ne crash site. They seemed to be Walker Zombies, totaling 4, and they were moving closely together.


    Although potentially troublesome, Shane remained confident that with the element of surprise, the encounter would not be overly challenging. Then, he grasped his hatchet and advanced towards them.


    As Shane approached the group of four Walker Zombies, his senses, or perhaps Perception, was fully on use since he wanted to end this battle quickly.


    As soon as he was about to reach 10 meters in their range, he paused for a moment...


    During his previous encounters, he already guessed that their perception range was about 10 meters.


    With this in mind, he gathered his strength and swiftly closed the distance to ensure they wouldn''t have enough time to react to his ambush!


    In a swift and fluid motion, he killed each Walker Zombie with practiced strikes with the most efficient movements!


    Thud!


    Thest Zombie fell with a resounding thud, leaving Shane unscathed and victorious.


    ''Too easy...'' Shane smirked as he looted the zombies immediately. There was no doubt that his sessful encounter bolstered his confidence.


    However, just as he envisioned spending his time hunting zombies like this, an unexpected turn of events unfolded.


    The sky darkened as rain poured down, dousing the fire at the ne crash site.


    In an instant, the entire estate was plunged into an ominous darkness.

 Chapter 20: Unknown Zombie?!

    <h4>Chapter 20: Unknown Zombie?!</h4>


    As darkness nketed thend, Shane sensed the impending danger lurking in his territory.


    "Cold!" he muttered, shivering as he raced towards his shelter.


    Unfortunately, his Tier 2 Survivor Gear offered little defense against the biting cold brought on by the relentless rain.


    His gears have burn and acid resistance but not cold resistance at all!


    This sudden downpour escted the already cold conditions of his area.


    Just as he approached his shelter, a pair of glowing eyes near the Manor grabbed his attention.


    ''What?!''


    As he continued moving forward, his A.I. Assistant finally detected the ominous presence.


    [ 1 unknown zombie has been detected. ]


    As expected, it wasn''t one of the three zombies he was familiar with!


    With this message from the A.I., Shane already identified the creature as the notorious Spitter Zombie!


    Slowly closing in on the zombie, he observed its corpulent form with a bulging stomach, round face, andyers of fat around its neck.


    Without a doubt, the fat zombie had also taken notice of Shane. Then, the fat zombie opened its mouth as if to take some air with his mouth...


    However, Shane realized that it was preparing to unleash its toxic attack.


    "Not good," Shane murmured, swiftly evading the impending danger by dashing to his side.


    Pssstt~


    With a sickening sound, the zombie spat a noxious green liquid, striking Shane''s left thigh despite his attempts to dodge.


    Fortunately, his Survivor pants boasted +15% Acid Resistance, mitigating the impact of the corrosive assault.


    His pants were still damaged, but it didn''t pass through his gear, making him uninjured from that attack.


    Luckily, the Spitter Zombie couldn''t just spit its acid endlessly... It would have a few seconds of dy before attacking again.


    As he looked at the zombie again, he realized that it was just about to send another acid spit!


    Shane quickly moved as he couldn''t just allow himself to be an easy target.


    Luckily, the ''casting time'' of the Spitter Zombie was slow and Shane could pretty much predict the direction of the acid spit!


    Psst~


    Psst~


    Psst~


    To Shane''s surprise, the Spitter Zombie made some sort of split shot, shooting three acid spits in three directions!


    ''You can do that?!'' Shane didn''t expect such a move, but he was able to back off thanks to his agility points.


    Furthermore, he also realized that fighting in closebat against this zombie would be impossible in his current state.


    ''Well, you''re so fat... You''ll make a good practice target...'' Shane thought as he swiftly pulled out his revolver while circling the Spitter Zombie.


    Because it was too heavy, it obviously couldn''t move quickly and could only turn its head!


    Bang!


    Shane fired his first round, narrowly missing his target as the bullet only grazed the Spitter Zombie''s shoulder.


    Undeterred by the missed shot, Shane moved forward and closed the distance, determined to improve his aim for the next shot.


    However, he realized that this zombie could turn its neck 360 degrees!


    Psst~


    Another acid spit was thrown in his direction! Furthermore, the spit this time was a scattered one!


    It covered a wider range than the previous shots!


    Thankfully, Shane was alert during all this time and only had his jacket and pants hit by a few drops of acid...


    ''He''s open!'' Shane thought as he realized that the Spitter Zombie overexerted itself from that scattered acid shot!


    Shane got closer and fired his gun!


    Bang!


    This second shot hit the Spitter Zombie''s stomach, but it only stepped back as it absorbed the impact with itsyered fat. It wasn''t enough!


    With this in mind, Shane used his revolver''s item effect!


    His third shot hit the Spitter Zombie again and this time, the bullet exploded and created a fire, burning the Spitter Zombie!


    Shane felt that the fire was not enough, so he immediately moved closer.


    As soon as he was only a few steps away, He didn''t waste any time and fired his fourth shot, aiming for the Spitter Zombie''s head.


    He hoped to end the fight quickly and save his other bullets for an emergency.


    Bang!


    The fifth shot, which was also imbued with burn effect, hit the Spitter Zombie''s eye, causing it to scream in pain and rage.


    ''What? You''re not dying?!'' Shane was shocked... Instead of dropping to the ground lifelessly, it became even livelier and started waving its hand and crying loudly!


    Shane then saw the acid dripping from its mouth and knew it was preparing for a final attack.


    As he expected, the Spitter Zombie spat arge blob of acid at Shane, hoping to take him down with it.


    Shane dodged to the side, but the acid sshed on his jacket, melting it and burning his arm!


    "Aaahh!"


    Shane felt the pain, but he didn''t stop moving away from the Spitter Zombie.


    Luckily, the jacket took most of the acid''s corrosion, and only his skin was burnt.


    Shane then nced at the Spitter Zombie and saw its massive body swelling up again.


    ''Not again?!'' Shane thought as he quickly ran away.


    The Spitter Zombie was expanding dangerously and he could easily guess what was about to happen!


    He quickly took cover in the Manor and barely made it inside when he heard a loud st of gore and guts.


    Boom!


    [ You have eliminated a Spitter Zombie. ]


    Shane felt a wave of relief and satisfaction as he saw the message on his screen.


    He had finally killed the Spitter Zombie!


    But then, a realization urred to him...


    ''Wait... If it blew up like that, what can I loot from it?''

 Chapter 21: Survivors

    <h4>Chapter 21: Survivors</h4>


    Shane was worried that the Spitter Zombie''s body hadpletely disappeared.


    Without wasting any more time, he ran to see if there was anything left from the zombie. Luckily, half of its body was still there!


    He disregarded the gore surrounding him as his urge to obtain loot took over him.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    As soon as he touched the lower body of the zombie, he received the notification that he needed and immediately replied.


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL water, 100mL Spitter Zombie Blood, 1 Acid Pouch, 2 Spirit Enhancement Bottles ]


    Shane had no time to celebrate with the number of experience points he received as another notification from the system followed.


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Friend List and Private Chat Function unlocked. ]


    [ Hint: You can only use Private Chat for those listed as your friends who are at least Level 4. ]


    ''I finally leveled up...'' Shane felt relieved as he thought that he needed more experience points.


    Then, he checked his current status.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One


    Level: 4


    Vitality: 115/115


    Spirit: 265/265


    Strength: 18


    Agility: 18


    Luck: 10


    Perception: 10


    Inventory: Memory Spherex25, 18 Item Upgrade Crystals, 20 Zombie Cores, 400mL Walker Zombie Blood, 100mL Spitter Zombie Blood, 20L water, 1 Experience Potion, 12 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Acid Pouch


    Survivor Skills: None


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent )


    ''One more level, and I''ll be able to unlock one of the Memory Spheres.'' Shane couldn''t help but smile at this thought.


    After seeing that the remains of the Spitter Zombie disappeared like fragmented pieces of light, Shane returned to his shelter to take cover.


    Of course, he didn''t forget to light up some wooden nks with a lingering fire around the area. Although it was raining, the Burn Effect of the bullets that spread in the surroundings was still present.


    It should help him warm up his shelter.


    As soon as he returned to his shelter and set up the fire, he immediately removed his already-soaked clothes and hung them on the side of his tent.


    Then, he decided to open one of the canned goods as his meal...


    "Cloud, will your detection weaken with this rain?" Shane asked the A.I. Assistant.


    [ No. It will require advanced radar jamming and wireless jamming to impede my detection. ]


    "Is that so?" Shane replied casually. Well, he didn''t really know how the A.I. worked. The A.I. Assistant felt more like a magic technology in his view.


    After this, he decided to check the chat board once again.


    Regional Chat


    Chat Limit: 10


    Online: 7/78,945


    Shane was shocked as soon as he realized that so many people had just died. He couldn''t help but sigh after seeing this before he shifted his attention to the chats.


    [ Herman: I saw your chats above, Raze and Shane. You guys must have incredible talents. I''m currently stuck here in the lighthouse. Can any one of you see the lighthouse somewhere in the bay area? I couldn''t leave this ce since 5 Zombie Dogs appeared at the same time. Can you guys help me? I''m going to pay you with my Zombie Cores. I no longer have any bullets. ]


    [ rissa: I have never seen the sunlight yet. My starting region is in a subway station. I''m lucky I awakened a Rare Talent. It gave me a Survivor Skill called Telekinesis... You should try using the lighthouse''s light to call someone else''s attention. ]


    [ Herman: I have no idea how to make it work! I''ve been trying over the past three days. Wait, so you only have a Rare Talent, and you leveled up this fast? That''s lucky. I have an Epic Talent, but it''s not suited forbat! It''s Magic Crafting! I can''t even gather materials. ]


    [ Casper: I also used up all my bullets. Just toughen up and use your hatchet. I don''t think there''s a method to help other survivors until the Zombie Wave finishes. Also, I think that there will be a chance to buy bullets, so don''t throw your revolver. ]


    [ Herman: Yes! I haven''t thrown it away yet. Do you mind sharing your talent? ]


    [ Casper: I will not share it. However, I can tell you that it''s only an Umon Talent. I''m just amazing. ]


    [ Travis: I have a Legendary Talent called Dragon''s Blood. I think I''m evolving into a Dragon... Hehehe. Don''t worry, I will remember all of you. Once I get stronger, I will make a huge shelter, and I will take all of you. ]


    [ Raze: Shane! Are you still not online?! I found the Zombie Rat''s nest, and I reached level 3! It''s a pity they''re only giving 1 Experience Points each. Anyway, I''m the second one to get the limited offer! 8 more left! ]


    [ Travis: What is 8 more left? What are you saying? Also, isn''t 1 Exp Point normal? ]


    [ Raze: Just reach level 3 faster! Only the first 10 people to reach level 3 can get the offer! That offer will onlyst an hour, and there are no refunds, so make sure to choose carefully when you get the chance. ]


    [ Shane: Congrats, Raze. What about the Item Upgrade Crystals? Did the Zombie Rats drop them? ]


    [ Raze: No... I didn''t loot any crystal at all. ]


    [ Travis: What is an Item Upgrade Crystal? What does it do? Where can I find them? ]


    [ Lorna: Hi! I''m Lorna... I have a Rare Talent that guarantees a drop of Item Upgrade Crystal in every 10 Zombies I kill in addition to its normal drop rate. ]

 Chapter 22: Raze

    <h4>Chapter 22: Raze</h4>


    "Travis has Dragon''s Blood... Do you think he''s rted to you, Roan?" Raze softly asked the small creature beside her.


    Standing at a mere 12 inches in height, the creature resembled arge green-scaled lizard with wings on its back. This baby dragon, named Roan, was Raze''s loyalpanion. Genderless and imbued with magical qualities, Roan was a remarkable being who helped her a lot during the past few days.


    Perhaps, she wouldn''t even find the courage to survive in the sewers if not for Roan''s existence. Raze was only 18 years old and was never prepared for the concept of Apocalypse at all.


    Luckily, Raze possessed the Dragon Knight Talent, a remarkable ability that granted her ownership of a baby dragon right from the start of the Apocalypse. This talent also bestowed upon her an affinity for swords, although she currentlycked the appropriate weapon to utilize this ability effectively.


    Fearing for the safety of her small dragon amidst the zombie-infested world, Raze hesitated to leave her safe zone on the first day of the event. However, as her edible food dwindled, she had no choice but to venture out, relying on her dragon and Survivor Tools to fend off the undead.


    "Kyu?" The baby dragon gazed at Raze, who was holding a torch.


    It was unaware of her intentions beyond a few basicmands, such as chasing or killing a Zombie Rat.


    "Nothing... Let''s continue. We need to level up faster! I need to find that Item Upgrade Crystal. It seems that it could upgrade my pocketknife. It''s already a bit dull, so I hope that Crystal will help me sharpen¡ª"


    Before she could finish her sentence, the baby dragon darted off, signaling the discovery of a Zombie Rat.


    Whoosh~


    With lightning speed, the baby dragon returned with a Zombie Rat in its mouth, a creature half its size and no match for its strength.


    "Ugh... I told you not to just run like that. What if there are too many of them?" Raze helplessly smiled at the dragon''s impulsive action, but she still epted the Rat and ended its suffering.


    [ You have obtained 1 Experience Point ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Zombie Core, 20mL Zombie Rat Blood ]


    ''There''s still no Item Upgrade Crystal. Does it only drop from humanoid zombies?'' Raze mused as she looked at Roan.


    "Open your mouth. I have some blood for you..." Raze said as the dragon immediately opened its mouth.


    Then, Raze took out the blood from her inventory to feed her baby dragon.


    Well, the baby dragon seemed to be immune to the zombie virus and treated the zombie blood as a nutritious drink. However, for some reason, the dragon hated eating their flesh.


    After this, Raze proceeded to explore the vicinity, dispatching six Zombie Rats along the way.


    Out of these, only 2 yielded Zombie Cores, while the rest offered rat tails, blood, stale bread, and water. Although not bountiful, these findings would sustain her for another day.


    Soon, she returned to her starting area, a part of the sewer that had a discontinued tunnel.


    At the center of it was a casket that she was using as her sleeping bed. She had no idea why it was there in the first ce, but it was made of steel, so she felt safer whenever she rested inside.


    Well, despite its mysterious presence, its robust construction offered her a sense of security.


    After lighting a different torch, she settled down and shared her stale bread with Roan, who eagerly devoured it.


    In no time, both their meals were finished...


    Then, Raze gazed at the floor covered in markings¡ªthe intricate map of the sewer she had been navigating.


    "I should explore this area next... I hope I can find the crystal this time..." Raze contemted, plotting her next route for exploration after she had rested.


    ***


    In the meantime, the survivors who read the conversation on the chat board also started their search for the Item Upgrade Crystals.


    Lorna, the Survivor with a Rare Talent that guarantees a drop of Item Upgrade Crystal, had already shared what it could do to the system-provided items, so everyone was certainly excited.


    [ Lorna: The crystals may sound amazing, but remember that the items can still be broken. I have a rare-grade rope from my Survival Tool Gift Pack, but it''s still broken by a Crawler Zombie! Right, don''t underestimate the Crawler Zombies! They are slow and easy to kill, but their biting force is stronger than that of the Runner Zombies if they were given a chance! ]


    This was Lorna''s final reminder before signing off. She probably had other things to do and no longer replied after sharing this.


    Nevertheless, this made Travis and others look forward to the Item Upgrade Crystals. They were already considering which item they would upgrade once they found one.


    ***


    On the other hand, Shane had already spent 10 Item Upgrade Crystals to advance his current Rare Tent to an Exceptional Tent!


    [ Tent ( Exceptional ): A secure tent that can provide sanctuary and rxation for the user. It is made of waterproof fabric and reinforced with steel bars and excellent venttion. A survivor can use it to provide afortable resting ce and store many items inside. It also provides a high resistance to weather and zombie attacks, reducing the damage and noise effect.


    Special Effect:


    Zombie Repent: It repels weak zombies, making them less likely to approach or attack the tent.


    Cost: 1 Zombie Core every 3 hours ]

 Chapter 23: Inhabitant

    <h4>Chapter 23: Inhabitant</h4>


    "Mhmm... So it appears it''s not a permanent or passive effect..." Shane remarked after perusing the item description of the Exceptional Tent. Although he found it disappointing that Zombie Cores were still necessary for its operation, given their current circumstances, the item remained valuable.


    "Cloud, have you finished analyzing the blood samples I gave you?" Shane inquired from thefort of his tent, where he awaited the drying of his attire.


    [ Yes. I havepiled all the information pertaining to the zombies we have encountered thus far.]


    "Oh? Let me have a look... I don''t need the detailed analysis you provided previously. Just a concise overview of the zombies," Shane requested.


    Shortly after, the A.I. Assistant presented a summary of the information concerning the zombies he had encountered.


    [ Crawler: A zombie that has injured or lost its legs and crawls on the ground. It is slow and easy to avoid, but can still bite if someone gets too close. ]


    [ Walker: A zombie that walks on two legs, but with a limp and poor bnce. It is faster than a crawler, but still not very agile or smart. It can be killed by a headshot or severe trauma to the brain. ]


    [ Runner: A zombie that runs on two legs, with more speed and stamina than a walker. It is more dangerous and can chase down its prey, but it stillcks intelligence and agility. It can be killed by the same methods as a walker. ]


    [ Spitter: A zombie that can spit a corrosive acid from its mouth, causing severe burns and damage to its targets. It can attack from a distance and avoid direct confrontation, but has a limited supply of acid and terrible movement ability. ]


    "Ohh... This time, it''s a bit too concise, Cloud. Anyway, this is a good introduction..." Shane remarked before his eyes shifted to the clothes he was waiting to dry.


    After he upgraded his tent, he still had eight Item Upgrade Crystals in his Inventory.


    ''If I upgraded them, will they be dry? '' Shane pondered, contemting an experiment.


    After some hesitations, he took out 2 crystals from his Inventory and decided to upgrade Tier 2 Survivor Jacket that was damaged by corrosion to Tier 3!


    He followed the same process of upgrading, but to his surprise, 2 Item Upgrade Crystals weren''t enough.


    [ Insufficient number of Item Upgrade Crystal. ]


    [ Hint: Tier 2 Items require 5 Item Upgrade Crystals to advance to the next Tier. ]


    Shane wryly smiled after seeing this, but he decided not toin since that wouldn''t do anything.


    After taking out three more crystals, he continued with his upgrade.


    [ Upgrade Sessful ]


    [ Tier 2 Jacket has been upgraded to Tier 3 Jacket. ]


    [ New Item Description is now avable on the specific item. ]


    [ Tier 3 Survivor Jacket: A solid andfortable jacket that protects the upper body from zombie bites and scratches. It is made of leather and reinforced with ck steel tes, and has several zippers and hooks for adjusting the fit and attaching items. It also provides moderate resistance to acid, ice, and fire effects.


    Special Effects:


    Tough: +25% physical damage resistance. The jacket reduces physical damage, including pierce damage taken from zombies or other enemies. ]


    As soon as the upgrade waspleted, Shane immediately checked the jacket that had changed its color. Aside from being fixed and dry, its appearance had also changed.


    It was now a dull gray color that had a better design than the previous one. He no longer looked like a random soldier wearing this but a professional survivor in this apocalyptic world.


    Shane then wore the jacket, and although it was heavier, his strength had already improved, so the difference wasn''t noticeable at all.


    After getting used to it, he checked his system Inventory.


    [ Inventory: Memory Spherex25, 3 Item Upgrade Crystals, 20 Zombie Cores, 19L water, 1 Experience Potion, 12 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, 1 Acid Pouch ]


    "I need to collect more crystals." Shane muttered.


    Shane, now also equipped with his pants and boots, which were still slightly wet from the downpour, stepped outside to begin his zombie hunt.


    However, he faced a new challenge¡ªthe darkness. In order to navigate and search for zombies, he would need to either create a torch or acquire night vision.


    Fortunately, as the dark clouds dispersed from the sky, the moonlight illuminated Shane''s surroundings, providing him with a serene light.


    Just as this happened, Cloud provided an update.


    [ Scanning the surroundings... ]


    [ Scanplete. ]


    [ 10 zombies detected. ]


    [ 3 Crawler Zombies, 5 Walker Zombies, and 2 Runner Zombies. ]


    "What? Where did these guyse from? Can they really just spawn randomly like a game?" Shane couldn''t help but feel confused about the appearance of multiple Zombies at the same time.


    Nevertheless, he wouldn''t back down on this challenge... Since he was still full of energy after leveling up, he decided to go ahead and charge at the nearest zombie!


    In the dead of night, Shane stealthily maneuvered through the dpidated buildings of the estate.


    His senses heightened as he moved closer to the lurking undead. Armed with his hatchet and fueled by his resolve to survive, he engaged in a relentless battle with the ten zombies that roamed the darkened manor.


    Soon, the sh of metal and snarls of the undead echoed through the night as Shane fought with everything he had, determined to emerge victorious against the "low-tier" zombies.


    Then, on the next day, the Title effect he had been waiting for was activated!


    An inhabitant of the continent had finally arrived!

 Chapter 24: Rewards

    <h4>Chapter 24: Rewards</h4>


    "Please! Help me!"


    Shane had just finished consuming his meal, one of the three remaining instant noodles, when he caught wind of a man''s pleas outside his property.


    Promptly, Shane sprang into action, taking his revolver along.


    While he had anticipated a visitor due to his Territory Lord Title, he remained uncertain whether the individual outside was the one he awaited. In this instance, he felt that confronting another human with a revolver held more authority than wielding a hatchet.


    Upon emerging from his shelter, Shaneid eyes on a disheveled middle-aged man attired in what appeared to be hunting garb. As he took in the man''s unkempt appearance, he noticed that the individual was being pursued by two zombies leaping among the trees!


    "What in the world! I''ve never witnessed anything like this before," Shane eximed in horror as heid eyes on the leaping zombies. With their terrifying glowing green eyes, muscr legs, and extraordinary agility, they moved about with remarkable dexterity.


    "Over here!" Shane bellowed as he pointed his firearm at one of the leaping zombies.


    However, before he could discharge a round, the creature leaped to impede the man''s path.


    "Tsk!" Shane clicked his tongue in frustration.


    It was time to switch to his hatchet. His shooting skills were subpar, and there was a risk of inadvertently harming the very person he intended to aid if he attempted to shoot the zombies.


    Without hesitation, Shane dashed to the man''s aid, calling out to draw the zombie''s attention. If the middle-aged man possessed anybat prowess, they might stand a chance in a one-on-one confrontation.


    Fortunately, the man discerned Shane''s intent. Instead of solely seeking refuge, he decided to confront one of the zombies head-on!


    With a sudden change in direction, he collided with the unprepared zombie, creating a resounding impact.


    Bam!


    At that moment, Shane noticed that the man was equipped with a steel arm guard, effectively shielding him from the zombies'' bites.


    Graahh!


    As the other zombie poised to lunge at the middle-aged man, Shane deftly wielded his hatchet, activating its special ability.


    From a distance of merely 5 meters, Shane chose to hurl his hatchet to impede the zombie''s leaping attack.


    "Ha!"


    Thud!


    The hatchet struck the zombie''s left rib, triggering a freezing effect and disrupting its bnce. Without hesitation, Shane swiftly drew his revolver and fired two shots!


    Bang! Bang!


    The first round hit the zombie''s head, but it only removed a huge chunk of its face.


    It was still writhing and ready to leap on him!


    But the second bullet shattered its skull, scattering blood and brains everywhere before it fell lifeless!


    [ You have eliminated a Jumper Zombie. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate Jumper Zombie, a mid-tier zombie! ]


    [ Hint: Only the first elimination of each Mid-Tier and High-Tier zombie can provide special rewards! ]


    [ You can select one reward: 1 Instant Experience Potion, 20 Zombie Cores, 1 Random Giftpack ]


    Shane ignored these messages for now as he swiftly turned around to help the middle-aged man. He didn''t even have the time to take his hatchet with him.


    Clink! Clink!


    He saw the man brandishing his dagger, but he was unable to cut the zombie''s skin at all!


    It was too tough as if it was made of stone!


    ''So my hatchet was just too sharp!'' Shane realized as he moved closer to get an easier angle for his shot!


    "Jump to the side!" Shane shouted, and the middle-aged man didn''t hesitate to follow!


    As soon as he jumped to the left, he heard a couple of gunshots!


    Bang! Bang!


    Once again, even if Shane was already close, he still didn''t get its forehead at the first shot. Instead, he only hit its jaw!


    Luckily, the impact of that shot still dizzied the zombie even though it couldn''t feel any pain. It was unable to react to his shot.


    ''What a bad aim...'' Shanemented to himself as he realized that his second shot only hit its neck, but because he imbued it with burn effect, its head was soon severed from its body, essentially killing the zombie.


    [ You have eliminated a Jumper Zombie. ]


    "Thank you for saving me, Sir! I''m Harper..." The middle-aged man said as he stood up and looked at Shane curiously.


    "Mhmm... Hello, Harper. Do you have something to say?" Shane asked after noticing Harper''s hesitation.


    "Ahh... I''m sorry. I''m just curious if you''re one of the Foreign Survivors that will bring peace to thisnd." Harper said, which confused Shane for a moment.


    "Foreign Survivor? Yes, I think so... Wait, let''s talk about thatter... I will loot the zombies first." Shane said as he looted the nearest zombie.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 8 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 1 bread, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    "Ohh... I finally looted some bread! It''s not even the stale bread that Raze mentioned in the chat." Shane felt excited as he finally knew the zombie that would feed him!


    Then, he also looted the other Jumper Zombie.


    [ You have earned 8 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 1 bread, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    Upon witnessing the zombies vanish in specks of light, an important realization struck Shane.


    "Wait... It yielded fewer experience points than the Spitter Zombie?" Shane pondered aloud, recalling that the Spitter Zombie had granted 30 experience points in one go.


    If he was not mistaken, the Spitter Zombie was merely a low-tier zombie. How, then, could a mid-tier zombie yield fewer experience points?


    "Is it a special zombie? Maybe it''s a rare one, only appearing once a week or something..." Shane spected.


    Regardless, such considerations were not relevant at the moment.


    He still needed to choose one of the rewards for his aplishment. After careful deliberation, he opted for the Instant Experience Potion.


    [ The rewards have been sent to your inventory! ]

 Chapter 25: Level Up

    <h4>Chapter 25: Level Up</h4>


    Shane promptly chose the Instant Experience Potion, as he could easily acquire 20 Zombie Cores, thanks to his Complete Loot Talent.


    Unlike many Survivors, he always had ess to Zombie Cores as long as Zombies were around. Besides, he did not have an immediate use for the Cores at the moment.


    On the other hand, the Random Giftpack was just too risky and might end up a waste of opportunity, so he didn''t even think of getting it.


    After all, he might just obtain the Entertainment Gift Pack, Energy Gift Pack, or another Shelter Gift Pack, which he doesn''t need at all.


    "Alright... You said your name is Harper, right? Let''s go to my shelter," Shane invited the middle-aged man to his tent.


    Upon closer look, he noticed that Harper was quite tall, with brown, shoulder-length hair cascading over a chiseled, concerned face. He also had a beard thatpliments his cheekbones... Overall, with a wash and some grooming, he would likely present a decent appearance.


    Upon entering the shelter, Shane introduced himself beforemencing his inquiry.


    He sought to glean any knowledge Harper possessed about thend or the zombie outbreak. Recalling the message from his ''alternate self'' about ending the Apocalypse rather than merely surviving it, Shane recognized the importance of gathering information about this world if he were to fulfill that mission.


    "I apologize, Sir Shane... I just heard a mysterious voice about the arrival of the Foreign Survivors that will save us from the Zombie Outbreak that gued our world." Harper informed with a feeble voice.


    Shane discerned that Harper likely required water, so he offered him some using one of the empty cans in his possession. To Shane''s surprise, he noticed that Harper was carrying a wooden cup with him. It was tied on his backpack like a decoration.


    ''Right... Why didn''t I think of that?'' Shane pondered, realizing hisck of survivor skills. "I really need that memory sphere," he sighed as he handed over the water.


    "Thank you so much, Sir," Harper said gratefully after quenching his thirst.


    Shane then continued with his interview and learned that Harper had been a miner ever since he turned eight.


    Apparently, the inhabitants of this continent would awaken their Life Skills at that age. In Harper''s case, he only obtained one skill: the Pickaxe Mastery Skill.


    [ Pickaxe Mastery Skill Lv10 ( Max ): A passive skill that increases the user''s proficiency with pickaxes, which are tools that can be used as weapons or for mining. It grants the following benefits:


    +10% damage with pickaxes


    +10% mining speed with pickaxes


    +10% chance to find rare ores with pickaxes ]


    To Shane''s surprise, the inhabitants also had these mysterious virtual blue screens, and they could even share them with others.


    Harper then continued to exin how he started working at a mining site at a young age, and because of how dangerous his work was, he would always have a backpack filled with necessities. His tools, extra food, and water that he always carried with him had saved his life numerous times already.


    However, as he was about to go to work like he always does, he vaguely recalled how he had entered dense gray fog... He wasn''t sure how much time had passed until he heard a mysterious voice about the zombie outbreak and the arrival of the Foreign Survivors... Then after the gray fog dissipated, he was chased by two Jumper Zombies.


    That was all he remembered over the past few days.


    ''The dense gray fog was probably the system bringing him to me...'' Shane mused.


    "So you chose to be a miner after getting this passive skill. I think having you here would be great." Shane muttered as he gently nodded.


    Then, he suddenly recalled the territory''s status. If he wasn''t mistaken, it was noted that the Springriver Manor had wood and iron as its natural resources.


    Without hesitation, Shane opened up the Territorial Information that he had seen before.


    [ Territorial Information:


    Infrastructure: 1 Manor House ( 70% ), 1 Church ( 30% ), 1 Warehouse ( 40% ), 1 Granary ( 40% ), 1 Mill ( 40% ), 1 Smithy ( 40% ), 1 Marketce ( 80% ), 1 Stable ( 80% ), 5 Serf''s House ( 41% )


    Resources: Wood, Iron


    Poption: 2


    Culture: 2


    Remarks: Crumbling Estate ]


    ''Mhmm... The mining site nearby is probably the Manor''s source of iron... Am I going to attract more miners in the future?'' Shane mused as he felt that the next inhabitants to visit him would probably be miners or lumberjacks.


    ''Well, that doesn''t sound too bad...'' Shane thought as he felt that they weren''t just capable of doing hard work; they could also be relied on in the uing Zombie Wave!


    In his mind, miners and lumberjacks were able-bodied men who could help him rebuild his estate. He might even have a wooden fence soon!


    After some time, Shane discussed his n with Harper. He wanted to rebuild the estate and prepare for the uing Zombie Wave.


    Of course, in their current state, there was no way they could defend this ce. They have to level up!


    "Should we look around the mining site? I have a feeling that there would be plenty of zombies there. I might also find a pickaxe in that ce." Harper suggested.


    "Of course! I also want to see that ce." Shane agreed as he reloaded his gun to prepare himself for battle.


    Before they went out, Shane made sure to transfer the Zombie Blood to Cloud.


    Then, he consumed his 24 Spirit Enhancement Potions since he used up a total of 70 Spirit Points in thest battle.


    [ Inventory: Memory Spherex25, 15 Item Upgrade Crystals, 32 Zombie Cores, 25.5L Water, 2 Bread, 1 Experience Potion, 1 Acid Pouch, 1 Instant Experience Potion ]


    After opening his Inventory, Shane then selected the Instant Experience Potion and decided to consume it now.


    Gulp!


    [ You have obtained 100 Experience Points ]


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Survivor Store is now open! ]


    [ Hint: Only six items are offered in the store, and they are only avable for the whole day! The reset of items will happen every 12:00 midnight! ]

 Chapter 26: First Memory Sphere!

    <h4>Chapter 26: First Memory Sphere!</h4>


    "Finally! A store!" Shane eximed in surprise, as he didn''t expect that reaching level 5 would give him such a convenient function of the system.


    "Survivor Store..."


    As soon as he said these words, a different virtual blue screen appeared before him. It was quite simr to the limited store that he had seen before. However, this time, instead of 5 discounted items, he could see 6 items with no discounts whatsoever.


    "Harper... Just wait for a minute. This won''t take long." Shane said to the waiting man outside their shelter.


    "Alright. I''ll just look around, Sir Shane." Harper replied. Since Shane was a Foreign Survivor who could save their world from the Zombie Outbreak, he ought to respect Shane even though he was younger.


    In the meantime, Shane checked the six items and found three of them familiar.


    [ Zombie Toast: A weird and disgusting toast that is made from zombie flesh and blood. It can be used by a survivor who is desperate for food and willing to try anything, but with a high chance of side effects and consequences. It has a +50% chance of restoring the user''s health and vitality, but also a +50% chance of causing the user to be insane.


    Price: 6 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 10/10 ]


    At this time, Shane couldn''t really think that anyone would dare to try eating this. This Zombie Toast was just too risky, and it could potentially end your life as well.


    ''Well, unless there''s some talent that nullifies these side effects, no one should dare to eat it.'' Shane mused as he checked the following items.


    It was the Rage Potion that was now worth 20 Zombie Cores each and the Treasure Map that was 60 Zombie Cores after the 75% off was removed.


    He was familiar with all these three as they were in limited store before.


    "Right... That treasure map was only worth 15 Zombie Cores at that time." Shane remarked as he recalled its price in the previous limited store. He couldn''t help butment as he should''ve probably tried earning more Zombie Cores at that item.


    Unfortunately, he had only 32 Zombie Cores at this time, so there was no way he could get the item.


    Then, he continued to check the other items.


    [ Zombie Doll: A cute and creepy doll that resembles a zombie in appearance and sound. It can be held by a Survivor who wants to avoid getting noticed by low-tier Zombies but with limited durability and effectiveness. It has a +100% chance of making low-tier Zombies ignore the user. It ispletely ineffective against Spitter Zombies, Mid-Tier, and High-Tier Zombies. This item can be used twice for three hours by popping the zombie doll''s eyes.


    Price: 30 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3/3 ]


    Shane felt that this was certainly a good item, but not for him, who wanted to hunt low-tier Zombies. Well, it could at least be used during an emergency.


    Then, he continued to check the next items.


    [ Tier 1 Hunter Gloves: A pair of gloves that enhance the grip and damage of the hands. They are made of leather and reinforced with mysterious dust and have a fingerless design for dexterity. They also provide some resistance to acid-based attacks from Spitter Zombies, reducing the damage and burn effect.


    Price: 10 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    [ Tier 1 Hunter Jacket: A leather jacket that protects the torso from zombie bites and scratches. It is decorated with spikes and patches and has several pockets and belts for carrying items. It also provides some resistance to fire-based attacks from zombies or other sources, reducing the damage and burn effect.


    Price: 20 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    "So there''s another set of clothes..." Shane remarked as he looked at the images disyed on the blue screen.


    After some thought, he decided to buy both the gloves and jacket.


    There was no other ce where they could get a set of new clothes or equipment, so he felt that this was an excellent opportunity to get some.


    Of course, Shane wore the Hunter Gloves and as for the Hunter Jacket, he decided to give it to Harper. Apparently, Harper''s jacket looked quite pitiful. It was filled with holes, and aside from giving warmth, it didn''t give him any protection from zombie bites.


    After Shane closed the Survivor Store, he finally opened his Inventory to take out his Memory Sphere!


    [ Inventory: Memory Spherex25, 15 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Cores, 25.5L Water, 2 Bread, 1 Experience Potion ]


    After selecting a Memory Sphere, the familiar blue orb materialized before him.


    [ Do you wish to absorb the Memory Sphere? ]


    "Yes..." Shane replied without hesitation.


    [ Memory Sphere absorptionplete. ]


    [ You have obtained Part 1 of 25 Memory Fragments ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Firearm Mastery ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Fishing ]


    [ Firearm Mastery Lv10 ( Max ): The Survivor can use any firearm with ease, and has increased uracy, damage, and reload speed. The Survivor also has a chance to find more ammo or spare parts for their guns. ]


    [ Fishing Lv10 ( Max ): The Survivor can catch fish from any body of water, using various tools or methods. The Survivor also has a chance to catch bigger or rarer fish, or find other items in the water. ]


    Shane felt dizzy momentarily as he absorbed his alternate self''s memories! As expected, it contained information about his first Apocalypse, the A.I. Rebellion, and Survivor Skills that he had forgotten!


    "Amazing... One of my problems is finally solved!" Shane eximed as he saw his current stats.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor


    Level: 5


    Vitality: 120/120


    Spirit: 385/385


    Strength: 19


    Agility: 19


    Luck: 10


    Perception: 10


    Inventory: Memory Spherex24, 15 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Cores, 25.5L Water, 2 Bread, 1 Experience Potion, 1 Acid Pouch


    Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Fishing


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent )

 Chapter 27: Mistake?

    <h4>Chapter 27: Mistake?</h4>


    Shane stood on his spot for a little longer as he carefully browsed through the information he had obtained.


    ording to the memories contained within the sphere, the start of the A.I. Rebellion was actually a lot better than the Zombie Apocalypse.


    They would start in various human shelters as they hid from the androids of Anima. They have to live in the underground or shelters disguised as hills covered with dirt, trees, and rocks...


    Their adventure would start as metal scrap collectors, which they could turn into weapons through the shelter''s furnace.


    Nevertheless, they would start with groups of fellow humans to fight against the machines controlled by Anima. This was a lot better than starting alone in the Apocalypse... The death rate was even so high!


    Of course, these memories confused Shane for a while. After all, his title, A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, could only be obtained by befriending Anima, the enemy that must be eliminated in this A.I. Apocalypse.


    [ A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One: The Survivor gains ess to Cloud, an A.I. Assistant who can provide helpful information, advice, and support in various situations.


    Requirements: Be a trusted ally of Anima, a civilization ruled by machines. ]


    "Did I betray the humanity and join Anima? Ugh... Whatever... It must be a long story." Shane muttered as he decided to ignore this for now. It was not even his past or future but in an alternate timeline itself... Even if he really betrayed humanity at that timeline, the Shane of this world should not feel guilty.


    Anyway, he quicklypleted his preparations as he nned to level up and unlock more features in the Apocalypse System.


    He had to make sure that he''d be able to clear the first Zombie Wave in the best way possible.


    ''There must be a reward for clearing the Zombie Wave, and it will probably depend on our performance. I have to get stronger. If I manage to find a bunch of Zombies, I should probably consider using the Experience Potion...'' Shane mused as he went out of his tent to call for Harper.


    Initially, he wanted to use his Experience Potion during the Zombie Wave. That way, he''ll ensure that its 12 hours of effectiveness would not be wasted.


    However, he also felt that he could prepare better for the uing Zombie Wave if he got to level up faster and unlock more features of the system.


    At the very least, it was now obvious that with each level-up during this early phase, he would get something new from the system.


    With this in mind, he knew that the earlier he unlocked those features, the better!


    ***


    Shane, holding his hatchet in his right hand and revolver in his holster, followed Harper, who wore his new Hunter Jacket.


    Because Shane had no other weapon to give him, Harper could only use his dull dagger for now.


    As they headed to the mining site, they met two Crawler Zombies and took them out easily. With two of them working together, these slow-moving Zombies weren''t any threat at all.


    After retrieving the loot, Shane turned to Harper.


    "Have you ever seen the Giant Zombie?" Shane asked as he gestured to him to continue walking. He had A.I. Cloud that could alert him of any Zombies nearby, so he was not afraid of being ambushed by zombies.


    "Giant Zombies? I''ve never seen them, Sir Shane." Harper answered after some thought.


    As they continued walking, Shane soon spotted the entrance to the iron mining site. Moreover, Cloud had already warned him of the zombies'' presence near the site entrance!


    [ Eight Zombies detected. ]


    [ 7 Walker Zombies, and 1 Crawler Zombie. ]


    "Harper... There are zombies about 20 meters ahead..." Shane said as he noticed Harper walking slowly.


    After a gentle nod, they entered the mining site cautiously. Harper looked for signs of zombies while Shane started noticing the metal scraps.


    The ce was dark and damp, with rusty pipes and wires hanging from the ceiling.


    They heard groans and moans echoing from within the mining site, indicating that there were many zombies lurking around.


    ''I think it''s not a bad idea to collect these metal pipes and wirester...'' Shane mused as he noted in his mind to bring them to his shelter once they cleared the Mining Site.


    As they continued moving forward, Shane was surprised that there were still torches that were lighting up the tunnel.


    Nevertheless, as he wondered whether he could take one of these torches, they finally encountered a group of Walker Zombies.


    Graahhh!


    Just like the ones outside, the zombies had pale skin, sunken eyes, and rotten flesh.


    However, they wore miner''s uniforms and helmets, which made it harder to kill them with a headshot.


    "There are many of them, but they can''t surround us, just be mindful of their bites!" Shane reminded.


    As the battle started, he used his hatchet to chop off the zombies'' heads while Harper stabbed and sliced them in the neck with his dagger... It was quite difficult for Harper since he didn''t have the same strength as Shane, but he could at least eliminate 2 Walker Zombies.


    Targeting their skulls may be harder with their helmets, but aiming for their necks would also give the same result!


    They managed to clear the group without much trouble, but they knew that there were more dangerous zombies ahead.


    They continued to explore the mining site, hoping to find some valuable materials or even a pickaxe for Harper.


    "This is..." Shane''s eyes lit up as he saw what was before him.


    They stumbled upon a pile of broken machinery and tools, which looked promising!


    However, as they approached the pile, they heard a loud shriek from behind.


    They turned around and saw a very unusual Runner Zombie, iparable to those he had encountered before! Shane even felt confused as to why Cloud ssified it as a Runner Zombie!


    It had red skin, sharp teeth, and ws.


    Furthermore, it wore a torn shirt and jeans and a helmet that covered most of its face. However, Shane could vaguely see a long tongue from it!


    "Cloud! That''s not a Runner Zombie!"

 Chapter 28: Level Up

    <h4>Chapter 28: Level Up</h4>


    There was no way Shane would make a mistake since he had seen many Runner Zombies already.


    The one that was charging at them was definitely a different type of zombie!


    At the very least, it must be a variant of the Runner Zombie!


    Shane quickly aimed his revolver at the zombie''s head, hoping to shoot through the helmet. In any case, with his max Firearm Mastery Skill, he wasn''t worried that he would miss at this distance.


    Bang!


    He pulled the trigger, and his aim was urate. However, the bullet bounced off the metal!


    ''What? So tough?'' Shane was surprised. Even though he didn''t activate the Special Effect, the revolver he was using was still boosted by its Exceptional Rank!


    ''Can I even loot that helmet? I must have it...'' Shane thought as he confirmed from Cloud that no other zombies were around.


    Bang!


    As he fired the second shot imbued with Burn Effect, the "Runner" Zombie somehow dodged this shot and leaped at him.


    This zombie seemed quite intelligent and learned that his weapon could shoot projectile!


    Furthermore, with its athletic ability, it felt as if he was fighting with abination of Runner and Jumper Zombie!


    Bam!


    Shane barely blocked the zombie''s ws with his hatchet, but the impact knocked him down. His revolver was also thrown aside because of the sh!


    The zombie then tried to bite his neck, but Shane pushed it away with his free hand...


    To his surprise, he easily overpowered the zombie!


    ''It''s light!'' Shane''s eye''s lit up. However, as he struggled to get up, the zombie prepared to attack again.


    Harper saw Shane in danger, and rushed to help him. He threw his dagger at the zombie''s head, hoping to pierce through the helmet.


    However, the dagger hit the zombie''s eye, causing it to scream in pain!


    The zombie staggered back, clutching its eye.


    Harper then ran towards the zombie, and grabbed the pickaxe he had found on the ground just now. Without wasting his time, he struck the zombie repeatedly in the chest and on its head!


    ''Die! Die! Die!''


    Harper repeated his action until it stopped moving!


    As soon as he confirmed that the zombie was dead, the man heaved a sigh of relief as he looked at the Foreign Survivor.


    He then helped Shane stand up and checked his wounds, if there were any.


    "Are you okay, Sir Shane?" Harper asked, worried.


    On the other hand, Shane was looking at something else.


    [ You have eliminated a Violent Sprinter Zombie. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Violent Sprinter Zombie, a mid-tier zombie! ]


    [ You can select one reward: 1 Instant Experience Potion, 20 Zombie Cores, 1 Random Giftpack ]


    ''I knew it... It''s not a Runner Zombie...'' Shane thought as he felt that he should scold the A.I.ter. Anyway, he selected the Instant Experience Potion once again.


    "Ahem... I''m fine, thanks to you, Harper. That was a close one." Shane replied. Although he could still fight back with his hatchet''s special effect, he was still grateful for Harper''s timely actions.


    He then looked at the dead zombie, and cursed. "Damn, these helmets are annoying. We need to find a better way to deal with them." Shane said as he noticed that even with Harper''s Pickaxe Skill, he didn''t even dent the helmet it was using!


    "Harper, can you loot the zombie?" Shane suddenly asked.


    "I can, Sir Shane. However, it will always give me zombie bones... or maybe zombie cores if I''m lucky. Aside from those two, I won''t be getting anything." Harper replied.


    "So you don''t have terrible luck, huh..." Shane muttered as he ced his hands on the zombie corpse.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 8 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 1 bread, 100mL Violent Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Rough Rider''s Helmet, 1 Spirit Enhancement Potion ]


    "It''s eight experience points simr to the Jumper Zombie..." Shane muttered as he checked the loot.


    Nevertheless, with the addition of a helmet to his collection, he felt that this mining site exploration woulde a lot easier.


    Then, they decided to leave the pile of metal scraps and look for another spot. They hoped that they would not encounter any zombies stronger than that Violent Sprinter.


    In the meantime, while there were still no zombies being detected, Shane gave the 100mL Violent Sprinter Zombie Blood to Cloud and asked.


    "Cloud, what happened? Why did you fail?"


    [ The Violent Sprinter Zombie''s Essence has simrities with the Runner Zombie. During detection, the Violent Sprinter was recognized as having a 0.1% chance as a Spitter, a 5% chance as a Crawler, a 15% Walker, a 75% chance as a Runner, and a 9.9% Unknown. ]


    Shane could only sigh after hearing this. Nheless, this made him realize that the A.I. Assistant wasn''t omnipotent. It could only rely on the data that it was getting from him and the surroundings around them...


    In short, he had to be careful from now on, even with the A.I.''s assistance.


    Then, Shane recalled the Instant Experience Potion he just obtained and decided to consume it now. After taking it out of his Inventory, he immediately uncapped the bottle and drank it in one go.


    Gulp!


    [ You have obtained 100 Experience Points ]


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ You can select one Gift Pack among the options. ]


    [ Energy Gift Pack, Entertainment Gift Pack, Medical Gift Pack, Stealth Gift Pack, Survival Tools Gift Pack, Transport Gift Pack, Water Gift Pack ]

 Chapter 29: Otherworldly

    <h4>Chapter 29: Otherworldly</h4>


    ''So they''re back...'' Shane thought as he saw the avable Gift Packs in the choices. Essentially, what remained were the Gift Packs he didn''t pick during the initial phase of the Apocalypse.


    After some consideration, he decided to choose the Survival Gift Pack which contained, a fire starter, apass, a pocket knife, a whistle, a rope, and a thermal nket.


    He was debating whether to select Medical Gift Pack or the Survival Gift Pack but he went for thetter since he believed that they wouldn''t get injured for a while. However, if given an opportunity, he would definitely select the Medical Gift Pack next time.


    "Now... What to do with this machinery?" Shane mumbled as he eyed the machine.


    The machine looked like arge drill, with a metal rod and a spiral bit. It was covered with dust and rust, and had wires and cables attached to it.


    It seemed to be used for digging into the ground, but it was broken and useless now. Shane wondered if there was anything valuable inside the machine, or if he could salvage some parts from it.


    Then, it was at this time that he recalled one of his talents.


    [ Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ): The Survivor can easily create and modify any mechanical device, such as weapons, vehicles, automatons, and gadgets. The Survivor has limited ess to alien technology and materials unavable to other Survivors. ]


    ''I can easily create and modify mechanical devices? It doesn''t seem like I can do it. Do I need to activate it or something?'' Shane pondered, uncertain of how to harness this remarkable talent.


    However, as he reached out and made contact with the machinery, a startling transformation unfolded before his eyes.


    In his eyes, the once mundane machinery underwent a remarkable change, reminiscent of a game interface.


    There were glowing hues of red and blue illuminating variousponents, conveying a important message to Shane.


    He immediately knew the radiant blue segments indicated the machinery''s good condition, while the crimson glow highlighted areas in need of repair.


    Furthermore, a miniature holographic projection materialized, offering Shane an intricate 3D visualization of the mechanism, enabling him tomence the repair process.


    As he examined the array of options that materialized before him, he was presented with the choice to either Dismantle or Repair the mechanism, signifying the extraordinary capabilities at his disposal.


    "Fascinating... This is an incredible talent!" Shane eximed, which startled Harper for a moment.


    However, seeing that Shane was looking at nk space, Harper immediately knew that Shane was looking at his own blue screen that the Lord of the Realms gifted to them.


    Instead of bothering him, Harper simply shifted his focus as he guarded the surroundings.


    Meanwhile, after Shane examined the Repair option, he realized that he wouldn''t just need metal scraps, ores, crystals, or any game-like requirements to fix it. He would have to use so many materials!


    Well, since he doesn''t have them, he was also given another option.


    [ Do you like to purchase the missing parts from the Anima Store to repair/improve the machine? ]


    Just like what was described in his talent, he had ess to alien technology and materials!


    "Yes..." Shane answered. He simply wanted to know the price needed to repair this machine.


    [ Calcting Price... ]


    [ Zombie Cores x50, Power Cores x5, Reputation Points x2 ]


    [ You have insufficient resources toplete the transaction. ]


    "That''s too much... What''s Power Core and Reputation Points anyway?" Shane shook his head as he saw the price he had to pay.


    After some thought, he recalled how he didn''t even need such a piece of machinery in his shelter. It was better to turn it into a different device or machine that would help him in his shelter!


    With this in consideration, he decided to Dismantle the machine, as he was also curious about what he could get from it.


    Then, as he selected the option, the machine started to break down into smaller pieces!


    He saw the parts and metal scraps floating in the air, as if waiting for him to collect them.


    However, as he was about to reach out his hand, they all vanished in an instant!


    [ You have obtained Metal Scraps x30 ]


    [ You have obtained Metal tes x20 ]


    [ You have obtained Grease x10 ]


    [ You have obtained Power Core x2 ]


    [ The items have been transferred to your Inventory. ]


    Shane was amazed by the items he had obtained, especially thest one.


    He had never seen anything like it before, so he wondered what it was and what it could do.


    Without hesitation, he checked his System Inventory and picked up one of the Power Cores to see the description of the item, if there was.


    Luckily, although the item wasn''t upgraded, there was a default description to identify it.


    [ Power Core: A device that stores and supplies energy. It can be used to power up mechanical devices, such as weapons, vehicles, automatons, and gadgets. It has a limited capacity, and needs to be recharged or reced.


    Energy: 5/100 ]


    "Incredible..." Shane felt a spark of excitement, as he imagined the possibilities. He could use these items to create amazing devices that would help him survive and thrive in the Apocalypse.


    He had no idea what kind of machine he could build, but he could not wait to try them out, and see what he could make with the help of his Talent.


    He looked at Harper, who was watching him with awe and curiosity.


    Well, Harper just saw how the machinery got dismantled and disappeared in a matter of seconds, so he was certainly curious about what was going on.


    Shane then smiled, and said, "Harper, we just hit the jackpot. I''ll exin it to youter. Anyway, I''m only detecting eight more Zombies. After killing them, let''s go back to our shelter..."

 Chapter 30: Reputation

    <h4>Chapter 30: Reputation</h4>


    After some time, Shane and Harper sessfully eliminated all the zombies within the illuminated sections of the mining site.


    However, upon realizing the absence of torches along their intended path, they opted to cease their exploration and make their way back to safety,den with salvaged metal scraps and wires to bolster their resources at the shelter.


    As they''ve gone out, the fog seemed to have gotten thicker. Luckily, Shane carried a torch with him, illuminating their path.


    [ No Zombies Detected. ]


    Shane heaved a sigh of relief after confirming that there were no zombies hidden in the fog.


    "Continue scanning the surrounding area, Cloud."


    [ Yes, I will. ] The A.I. assistant responded.


    As they traversed the eerie terrain, Shane recalled something and inquired, "Harper, are you not troubled by the fog?"


    He recalled that ording to the system, this is a contaminated fog that affects the inhabitants of this world.


    "Previously, the fog made it challenging for me to breathe. However, after spending time in your shelter, it has be much more bearable." Harper responded after reflecting on his improved condition.


    Harper was actually unsurprised by this since he knew about the invaluable advantages of aligning himself with the Foreign Survivors. He was well aware that associating with them would yield unforeseen benefits, and being able to survive in the fog was just one of them.


    "That''s reassuring." Shane concurred after acknowledging Harper''s ount.


    As they continued to walk, Shane was suddenly informed by the A.I. about the approaching zombies.


    Thanks to the A.I.''s assistance, they were able to detect the impending threat before it caught them off guard.


    As soon as they dropped the metal scraps, wires, and pipes they were carrying, three Jumper Zombies emerged from the fog!


    As expected, the fifty-meter or so detection could easily be crossed by this type of zombie!


    They quickly took out their weapons... Shane used his Hatchet and Harper used his Pickaxe as they faced the Jumper Zombies.


    ''Tsk... They were wearing helmets. Were they miners as well?'' Shane thought as he felt he should''ve given the helmet he looted to Harper.


    After all, Harper''s attributes were low, and he was only a talented miner. Furthermore, his Pickaxe wasn''t even a Rare Quality, so there was a chance that his weapon would shatter!


    With this in mind, Shane knew that he had to take this fight seriously and end it as quickly as possible.


    Graahhh!


    As the Jumper Zombies leaped from the trees and aimed for their heads, Shane and Harper dodged their attacks and swung their weapons at them.


    These Zombies wererge, and they couldn''t just block their attack, or they''d get knocked down.


    Ha!


    Shane''s hatchet cut through the Jumper Zombie''s helmet, and hit its skull in one swift motion...


    [ You have eliminated a Jumper Zombie ]


    However, the Jumper''s Zombie''s tough helmet and skull made it difficult for him to pull out the hatchet! It was stuck!


    Harper, on the other hand, had a bit of an awkward weapon but he still pierced through the Jumper Zombie''s chest, and made it bleed.


    Within that sh, they managed to kill one of the Jumper Zombies and injure the second one.


    But the third one was still alive, so Shane pulled out his Revolver to finish off the Zombie that Harper had injured.


    Bang!


    [ You have eliminated a Jumper Zombie ]


    With such a close range and his Firearm Mastery, he urately hit the back of its head.


    It even pierced through its head and hit the shoulder of the third Jumper Zombie!


    Nevertheless, it wasn''t enough to deter the Zombie.


    As Harper attacked the third Zombie, it jumped back, and avoided his attack!


    ''I knew it... It''s not mindless at all. It can tell that it''s in danger... Is it because it''s mid-tier Zombie?'' Shane frowned as he saw the third Jumper Zombie''s action.


    Although very low, these Zombies definitely have intelligence!


    He wanted to just shoot the Zombie again, but his A.I. detected three more approaching zombies! Although they were only Runner Zombies, he felt that he should save the bullets for now since they were fighting two versus one.


    Graah~


    The Jumper Zombie then looked at Shane and Harper, and snarled.


    Harper wasn''t blind either, and he knew it was smarter and stronger than the other Jumper Zombies they''d fought.


    It actually waited for an opening and then jumped again!


    This time, it aimed at Harper, who was weaker and slower than Shane. Nheless, this allowed Shane to pull out his hatchet from the other Zombie.


    Bam!


    Harper tried to block the Jumper Zombie''s attack with his Pickaxe, but the Jumper Zombie was too fast and powerful.


    It knocked the Pickaxe out of Harper''s hand, andnded on his chest.


    Thud!


    The Runner Zombie pinned him down, and tried to bite his neck!


    "Haahhh!" Harper screamed and pushed the Jumper Zombie away with his hands.


    Luckily, he was equipped with his armguard, which protected him from being bitten. Furthermore, the Jumper Zombie was lighter than he expected, so he seeded in pushing it away.


    He struggled to get up, while the Jumper Zombie prepared to attack again.


    "Die!"


    Shane saw Harper in danger, and rushed to help him. He threw his hatchet at the Jumper Zombie''s head, hoping to kill it.


    Whoosh~


    The hatchet flew through the air, and hit the Jumper Zombie''s helmet!


    Thud!


    The helmet cracked, and the Jumper Zombie''s head turned into ice before shattering into pieces!


    Just like that, the Jumper Zombie fell to the ground, dead.


    [ You have eliminated a Jumper Leader Zombie. ]


    "There are three more Runner Zombies! Get ready!" Shane reminded as he swiftly looted the smart Jumper Zombie.


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL Water, 5 Bread, 100mL Jumper Leader Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Trade Function is now open! ]


    [ Hint: Trade is only avable among listed friends. ]

 Chapter 31: Questions

    <h4>Chapter 31: Questions</h4>


    Although Shane felt a bit disappointed that he didn''t get the first kill of the Jumper Leader since he didn''t get the first kill reward, he ignored it for now as he ran towards Harper and helped him stand up.


    Anyway, there are tens of thousands of them in just his region, and it wouldn''t be surprising if some of them had Legendary Talent that allowed them to kill such a strong and intelligent zombie.


    Shane then checked if Harper had any wounds and asked, "Are you okay, Harper?"


    "I''m fine, thanks to you. That was a tough one." Harper said, panting.


    He looked at the dead Jumper Leader Zombie and shivered.


    "Damn, these Jumper Zombies are scary. We need to be more careful, Sir Shane."


    "That''s not just a normal Jumper Zombie. It''s a Jumper Leader." Shane said as he looked in the direction of the three Runner Zombiesing at them.


    Eliminating these zombies wasn''t as difficult as the previous ones. After Harper learned that the Runner Zombies weren''t capable of turning in a different direction once they started charging, these Zombies had be weak and easy to kill in his mind...


    Of course, this was only the case if there weren''t tens or hundreds of them charging at him all at once.


    It didn''t take long before the three Runner Zombies were also looted by Shane.


    After confirming that there were no more Zombies around, they picked up the metal scraps, pipes, and wire, and returned to their Shelter...


    It seemed that Harper''s stamina was also reaching its limit, so Shane could only hope that they would not encounter any more mid-tier Zombies.


    ***


    After a few more minutes, the two reached their shelter, and rested for a while. After washing themselves for a little bit from the gathered rainwater around the serfs'' houses, Shane invited Harper for a meal.


    Shane decided to bring out his bread, and he even opened his mayonnaise jar!


    "This is sooo good! What is this called?" Harper asked as he ate his bread. He never had never tasted something like this before!


    This confused Shane for a moment since he thought that this world was quite modern considering the ces that the other Survivors had been to.


    Anyway, it seemed that Harper was quite different so he simply replied.


    "It''s mayonnaise. We only have one jar, so don''t use too much." Shane reminded.


    "So it''s mayonnaise... What a good name! Thank you for the meal!"


    After eating their fill, Shane took out his metal scraps and metal tes from his System Inventory as they nned to make a simple fence or a stronger shelter before the Zombie Wave.


    Before he helped Harper do this, Shane recalled something as he started checking the Regional Chat and read the conversations of the Survivors.


    He wanted to know what kind of problems they were facing or if someone started giving tips on how to survive here better.


    [ Regional Chat ]


    Chat Limit: 15


    Online: 8,034/54,245


    [ Hint: Everyone in the Region has reached Level 2 and unlocked Regional Chat. You have received five additional Chat Limits as a reward. ]


    Shane gently nodded after seeing the hint. Well, it was about time that everyone leveled up and unlocked the chat function. Unfortunately, only more than half of them had survived in the process.


    ''They''re probably regretting choosing the Zombie Apocalypse in the selection...'' Shane mused.


    He then shifted his attention to the Chat Board.


    He saw that the Regional Chat was full of messages from different survivors. Some of them were asking for help, some of them were offering help, some of them were forming teams, and some of them were just chatting.


    He also saw some messages that caught his attention, some of them came from the first few Survivors he had seen before, but most of them were new.


    [ Raze ]: Does anyone know how to deal with Tyrant Zombies? They are too big and strong for me to handle. I need some advice or backup. I''m not inventing a name... It''s really called a Tyrant Zombie, I saw the notification from the system calling it a Field Boss. I think I have to kill it to get out of the sewers.


    [ Wilfred ]: I found a hidden stash of food and water in an abandoned supermarket near the bright Clock Tower. I have already left the ce, but I''m nearby. If anyone needs some, I can share them with you in exchange for Zombie Cores. Just add me as a friend send me a private message if you''re interested.


    [ Lewis ]: I have a Legendary Talent that works well with mechanical devices. I won''t tell you the specific name of the talent, but if anyone needs a weapon, a vehicle, an automaton, or a gadget, I can make it for you. I just need some materials and some Reputation Points. Contact me if you are interested. I''ll only work with people near the North Cemetery.


    [ Travis ]: Cool! We both have Legendary Talent! I have the Dragon''s Bloodline!


    [ Amber ]: Please be careful and don''t reveal your talents just to anyone. Aside from zombies, other people can be your enemies as well, especially if theyck resources.


    [ Travis ]: I know it better than you! Do you think I will reveal my talent if I''m incapable of protecting myself?


    [ Linley ]: I have a tip for everyone. If you want to level up faster and unlock more features in the Apocalypse System, you should try to kill as many zombies as possible. The more zombies you kill, the more experience and rewards you get. You can also use some items or skills that can boost your experience gain, such as Experience Potions or Experience Boosters.


    [ Travis ]: Hey, Linley... I think everyone knows about the first part.


    [ Rene ]: I have a question for everyone. I previously read that other Survivors have three or more Apocalypse options. I only have two choices at that time: Zombie Outbreak and Ragnarok. What about you?

 Chapter 32: Announcement

    <h4>Chapter 32: Announcement</h4>


    Rene''s question sparked some interest among the Survivors. Simr to Shane, they thought that everyone had the same options in the beginning.


    Shane recalled that he had a total of eight options.


    They were A.I. Rebellion, Alien Invasion, Demon Invasion, Dragon Awakening, Fairy Realm Collision, Magic War, Ragnarok, and Zombie Outbreak.


    However, as he continued to read the chat messages, he realized that even the highest had only four options while the lowest had two!


    ''I guess no one will believe me if I said I have eight options at that time...'' Shane mused as he continued reading.


    [ Wilfred#12 ]: Why are there so many Wilfred on this server? Anyway, I also have Zombie Outbreak and Ragnarok in the options before...


    [ Wilfred ]: Oh... I guess I''m the first Wilfred to reach level 2, huh... Interesting.


    [ Jonathan#35 ]: Wow... I had Demon Invasion aside from those two from above. I should''ve selected the Demon Invasion instead. This Zombie Outbreak smells rotten.


    [ Travis ]: That''s right. I think Ragnarok is also better... for those without Legendary Talent like me! Hahaha!


    ...


    After reading through the chats, Shane learned that the mostmon Apocalypse in the options were Zombie Outbreak and Ragnarok. Then, those who were lucky to have three or four choices, they have Demon Invasion, Dragon Awakening, and Fairy Realm Collision as the rarest one.


    It appears that the A.I. Rebellion and Alien Invasion were truly rare. Furthermore, there was no point in lying about the number of their Apocalypse Options, so he knew that they weren''t lying.


    Anyway, the Survivors had obviously be curious about the situation of other Apocalypses. Because of this, Raze''s question was buried so easily, and he didn''t see anyone replying to him, or perhaps, they just sent a private message to him.


    ''Tyrant Zombie, huh... I wonder what it looks like...'' Shane muttered as he felt curious about this zombie in the sewers.


    After all, the name of that zombie sounds terrifying. It must have some sort of ability that made it difficult to kill.


    He was also curious whether Raze could kill it. If that was the case, then maybe buying the information on how to kill it might be a good idea.


    With this in mind, Shane added Raze to his friend list.


    To his surprise, Raze already had a request to add him as a friend, and he only had to ept it. It means that he already reached level 4, at the very least.


    After epting it, Raze immediately sent a private message.


    [ Raze ]: Shane! Do you have a way to kill a Tyrant Zombie? I will pay you once I activate the Trade Function.


    [ Shane ]: It''s my first time learning about Tyrant Zombie... But I met a Violent Sprinter Zombie already. I can share my experience with that Zombie and you share your information with that Tyrant Zombie. Also, it seems you''re not level 7 yet, but how did you know that there would be a Trade Function?


    [ Raze ]: Oh... I like that Trade! I will tell you everything I know about the Tyrant Zombie. As for the Trade Function, I don''t know at all. I''m just guessing that since every time my level goes up, a function of the system will be unlocked. I think it will not take long before the Trade appears as well. I am actually a gamer before!


    [ Raze ]: So I have to reach level 7 to get a Trade Function? That''s interesting... Hehe, thanks for letting me know. I will give you a Stale Bread in exchange if you want.


    [ Shane ]: No, it''s fine... You will know about it eventually. Anyway, the Violent Sprinter Zombie is a mid-tier...


    Soon, Shane shared what he knew about the Violent Sprinter Zombie, while Raze shared information about the Tyrant Zombie. He didn''t mind doing this since he knew very well that friends wouldn''t just appear out of nowhere. He would have tomunicate with other people and slowly get close to them. There were also people who might have other intentions, but in the end, he wouldn''t know who was trustworthy without talking to other Survivors.


    Since Raze was the second one to reach level 2, he felt that he had quite a talent, and both of them might benefit once they started sharing their experiences like now.


    After some time, Shane ended their private message. It seemed that Raze was visited by a few Zombie Rats.


    ''Field Boss, huh... Is that Giant Zombie a Field Boss as well?'' Shane mused as he felt that each area should have some kind of Field Boss simr to the one that Raze encountered.


    ***


    After a few more days, a message from the Apocalypse System finally arrived.


    [ Attention, Survivors. ]


    [ The Zombie Wave is approaching. The Zombie Wave is a special event that will test your skills and your survival. The Zombie Wave will start in 3 hours, and it willst for 12 hours. During the Zombie Wave, you will face a horde of Zombies that will attack you from all directions. You will have to fight, hide, or run to survive. ]


    [ The Zombie Wave will also have different levels of difficulty, depending on your location and your progress. The Zombie Wave will reward you with experience, loot, and achievements if you manage to survive. ]


    [ Prepare yourselves, Survivors. The Zombie Wave ising. ]


    The day of the Zombie Wave had finallye, and Shane and Harper were ready for it.


    They had spent the past few days hunting Zombies and collecting materials from the mining site and the ne crash site.


    They had made simple weapons they could use in emergencies, a few traps, and barricades to defend their shelter.


    They had also stocked up on food, water, and medicine to survive the wave. Of course, the medicine came from the Medical Gift Pack he chose when he reached level 8.


    They were confident that they could handle the horde of Zombies that would attack them.


    Anyway, since this was only their tenth day in the Fiend Continent, the Zombie Wave shouldn''t be too exaggerated, or it would be too imbnced.


    Nheless, although the time for the Zombie Wave arrived, the day for the next inhabitant to arrive had alsoe!

 Chapter 33: New Member

    <h4>Chapter 33: New Member</h4>


    Anna could no longer recall how long had passed after she entered the gray fog.


    She wasn''t getting hungry or getting tired inside the fog, and it even felt like she was in a trance for a long time. She had been wandering alone for several days, with only her dog as herpanion.


    She had lost her family, her friends, and her home to the zombies. At this time, she was simply trying to survive, one day at a time.


    Her dog, Lucky, was a border collie with ck and white fur and brown eyes. He was loyal, smart, and brave dog, and he had saved her life many times by alerting her of zombies, finding food and water, and fighting off attackers.


    Lucky seemed to have weakened after entering the gray fog, but fortunately, before it could get any worse, something unexpected happened.


    She heard a mysterious message from the Lord of the Realms about the Foreign Survivors, and soon, she was out of the fog!


    ''Foreign Survivors, huh... I guess it''s not bad working for them...'' Anna thought to herself after hearing the mysterious voice...


    Furthermore, her Unique Skill wasn''t evenpatible withbat, so it was better to find a shelter with strong fighters if she wanted to survive.


    Since she was finally out of the gray fog, she had decided to look for the shelter, hoping to find some safety andfort.


    "Lucky... Did you notice someone else''s scent? Make sure they''re not from zombies, okay?" Anna said to the dog that was already wagging its tail.


    It seemed that he had found some other Survivors!


    She then allowed the dog to lead her elsewhere.


    During this time, she had avoided zombies and other dangers, and kept her dog close to her.


    Soon, she found traces of lighting from a distance... There were also silhouettes of small buildings around the ce, so it seemed that she really found a shelter!


    As she got closer, she realized that one part of the area had a fence around it. To be exact, the fenced area covered five small houses not too far from the ruined manor and church.


    The fence was made of metal bars and wire. It had some traps around it, such as spikes ands.


    She had approached the shelter cautiously, looking for any signs of life. She didn''t want to make unnecessary noise as it may attract zombies instead of people.


    Soon, she saw two men, probably father and son,ing out of the shelter. She only had a dull knife as her weapon and she didn''t even bother taking it out as she held Lucky''s leash tightly.


    "It''s a girl and a dog this time, huh..."


    They didn''t look too surprised about her arrival, and they even seemed to be expecting her!


    "You''re not followed by Zombies, are you?" The handsome man in his early twenties asked after seeing her.


    His ck hair and eyes made her nervous a little after being gazed at. He was also fully equipped with his leather jacket and pants, which seemed to be made of the highest quality materials.


    Furthermore, he had a hatchet and a revolver on his belt, which made him look strong and confident.


    "I''m not being followed... At the very least, not that I know of..." Anna replied.


    "Right... I''m Anna, and this is Lucky." She said, pointing to her dog.


    Shane looked at the two with interest since he hadn''t expected such a pair to arrive in his shelter.


    Anna had ck hair and blue eyes, which was quite mesmerizing. She wore a simple sweater and pants and was only carrying a backpack and a knife on her waist.


    Although she didn''t look injured, she looked tired and weary.


    "What are you doing here? I mean, how did you get here?" Harper asked. He was also fully equipped like Shane. He wore a Hunter Jacket and rugged pants. He also had a pickaxe and a dagger on his belt...


    "I''m looking for a ce to stay, someone with a Foreign Survivor. Is this the right ce?" She asked.


    Shane wasn''t surprised by this question and nodded.


    "Yes, this is my shelter and I''m what you call a Foreign Survivor. I''m Shane, and this is Harper. You''re right on time... We are preparing for the Zombie Wave, it''s special event that will test our skills and survival. We are willing to share our shelter with you, as long as you follow our rules and contribute to our smallmunity." Shane said.


    "Really? You would let me stay here?" She asked, feeling hopeful.


    "Of course. We are not selfish or cruel. We are here to help each other. As long as you are not a troublemaker or a freeloader, you are wee here." Shane said.


    "Thank you! I will work hard. Right, you must be curious about my skills. I will show you my Survivor Skills. Lucky, you do the same..." She said, feeling grateful.


    [ First Aid Skill Lv10 ( Max ): A Basic Survivor Skill that allows the user to heal themselves or others with simple medical supplies, such as bandages, antiseptics, or painkillers. It grants the following benefits:


    +10% healing effectiveness with medical supplies


    +10% chance to cure minor infections or poisons with medical supplies


    +10% speed of applying medical supplies ]


    [ Herbalism Lv10 ( Max ): An Advanced Survivor Skill that allows the user to heal themselves or others with natural remedies, such as herbs, nts, or mushrooms. It grants the following benefits:


    +20% healing effectiveness with natural remedies


    +20% chance to cure major infections or poisons with natural remedies+20% speed of gathering and preparing natural remedies ]


    These two were Anna''s Survivor Skill, and they were definitely useful! He actually found a healer!


    However, what surprised Shane the most was the fact that the dog also had a Survivor Skill!


    [ Tracking Lv10 ( Max ): A Basic Survivor Skill that allows the user to follow the tracks and signs of animals, zombies, or other survivors. It grants the following benefits:


    +10% chance to find tracks or signs


    +10% speed of following tracks or signs


    +10% uracy of identifying tracks or signs ]


    "Awesome..." Shane whispered, but he immediately recalled to check the time.


    "We still have two hours before the Zombie Wave starts. You two must be hungry. Get inside and have a meal first..."

 Chapter 34: The Store

    <h4>Chapter 34: The Store</h4>


    Shane was not surprised that Anna decided to join their shelter since this was the effect of his Title. Furthermore, he knew she wouldn''t just betray them since everyone who was brought here by the system would have more than 75 loyalty points if not 100.


    Unless he became a tyrant or stopped feeding them, they wouldn''t have any reason to betray him.


    After some time, Anna asked about the Zombie Wave that wasing in two hours. Shane exined this to her, and although she felt a bit nervous about this, she didn''t think of leaving the shelter.


    "I''m not sure if I came at the right time... I might just be a hindrance." Anna said as she realized her skills won''t help in the uing Zombie Wave.


    "Don''t worry about that... You will still be helpful. You can have this baseball bat... I mean, nail bat. This isn''t ordinary and it can smash zombie''s head really well." Shane said as he handed over the nail bat.


    Before waiting for her reply, he quickly added.


    "Foreign Survivors like me have ess to a certain store... This store only has limited items and will only be avable for 24 hours before the items will change to different ones. If there is something you need, let me know since I''ll consider buying them if I see them appear in the store. This nail bat is one of them, and I have already upgraded it. You can check its description."


    "Ohhh.. I will use it well. Right, if you see some female clothes being sold, please buy it for me. I will pay you... I have three zombie cores here with me." Anna said before checking the description of the Nail Bat.


    [ Nail Bat ( Rare ): A crude but effective weapon that can deal serious damage and knockback to low-tier zombies. It is a wooden bat with nails sticking out of it, and has a good bnce and weight. It can kill Crawler and Walker Zombies with a single hit on their head and can also cause bleeding damage to zombies. It is also useful for breaking or smashing things.


    Effects: +10% damage against Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies ]


    After checking it, she realized that it was indeed a good item. It was a Rare Grade item and could surely smash a zombie''s head.


    "This looks good... I''ll go practice swinging outside." Anna said, but she also didn''t forget to take out the wooden tes and utensils to wash.


    "Let me take care of the dishes. Go ahead and practice outside..." Harper immediately said as he took the dishes from Anna. During the past few days, Shane had already carved out several utensils and other simple things using his upgraded pocket knife that he got from the Survival Tool Gift Pack.


    He made a total of five wooden tes and five pairs of spoons and forks.


    ''I guess I should make a bowl for Luckyter...'' Shane thought as he looked at Anna.


    Seeing that Anna was quite happy with the Nail Bat, Shane also remembered to check the Survivor Store. Even if he doesn''t find a woman''s clothing, he might get something that could help him in the uing Zombie Wave.


    [ Special Spicy Instant Noodles: A quick and tasty food that can restore health and energy to the user. It is a pack of noodles with a spicy sauce and can be cooked with water and heat. It can heal the user by a moderate amount, and can also boost the user''s speed and damage for a short time. Its smell can also be used as a nice distraction from certain zombies with a strong sense of smell.


    Price: 2 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 10 ]


    [ Rope : A versatile and handy item that can be used for various purposes. It is a 10-meter long and strong rope, and can be tied, cut, or burned. It can be used by the user to climb, swing, trap, or bind things. It is also useful for crafting or survival purposes.


    Price: 2 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 10 ]


    [ Single Size Bed: A basic andfortable bed that can provide rest andfort for the user. It is a small and cozy bed, and has a mattress, a pillow, and a nket for free! It can be used by the user to sleep with a good bed quality, and to store some items under or over it. It also provides some resistance to noise and cold, reducing the disturbance and increasing the recovery when asleep.


    Price: 15 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1 ]


    These three items weren''t new to Shane. They had already appeared a couple of days ago and as a matter of fact, he had already purchased 5 Special Spicy Instant Noodles, and he nned to cook themter. Well, the effectivity of the noodles can onlyst for 6 hours, and the duration of the Zombie was 12 hours.


    He certainly can''t waste that time, so he thought of eating them by at least 15 or 10 minutes before the Zombie Wave.


    As for the rope and bed, he had already obtained several ropes during their exploration around the area, and he even received one in the Survival Tool Gift Packs. The bed, on the other hand, is some sort of luxury that he''d probably purchase once he survives this Zombie Wave.


    Anyway, the other three items being sold were Zombie Detector, Tier 1 Hunter Pants, and Tier 1 Hunter Shoes. The Zombie Detector was something he didn''t need even if it was upgraded, but the Hunter Pants and Shoes caught his interest.


    After all, if he gave up his Hunter Gloves, Harper would have aplete Hunter Set.


    [ Tier 1 Hunter Pants: A flexible and breathable pants that protect the lower body from zombie bites and scratches. It is made of cotton and reinforced with leather, and has several pockets and loops for carrying items. It also reduces the chance of being detected by low-tier zombies.


    Price: 10 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1 ]


    [ Tier 1 Hunter Shoes (Rare): A light and sturdy shoes that protect the feet from zombie bites and scratches. They are made of rubber and reinforced with metal. It also reduces the chance of being detected by low-tier zombies.


    Price: 10 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1 ]


    Without hesitation, Shane purchased the items and upgraded them with his Item Upgrade Crystals.


    Well, since he could only upgrade the items he got from the system, he wouldn''t miss this out for sure.

 Chapter 35: Zombie Wave

    <h4>Chapter 35: Zombie Wave</h4>


    After purchasing these items, Shane opened his status to see his current attributes and inventory.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor


    Level: 9


    Vitality: 140/140


    Spirit: 635/635


    Strength: 23


    Agility: 23


    Luck: 10


    Perception: 10


    Inventory: Memory Spherex24, 28 Item Upgrade Crystals, 14 Zombie Cores, 100L Water, 25 Bread, 1 Experience Potion, 1 Acid Pouch


    Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Fishing


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent )


    It appears that reaching level 10 was not easy. It felt as if it was one of the biggest hurdles in the early stages of the Apocalypse.


    In any case, he was hoping that this Zombie Wave would give him enough experience points to level up. That way, he could get more Memory Spheres and possibly learn more Survivor Skills.


    Shane then checked the number of bullets he had and confirmed that he only had five more rounds.


    Up until now, the Survivor Store hasn''t sold any ammunition for his revolver. It was pretty disappointing, but he didn''t dwell on it too much.


    Instead, he checked the Reputation Store, which was unlocked after reaching level 9. Like what the name implies, this store only sold things that could be purchased by Reputation Points.


    These items are very rare and valuable and require high reputation points.


    [ Reputation Store ]


    [ Dog: A loyal and friendly animalpanion that can assist, protect, orfort the Survivor. It can also hunt, track, or fetch items. You will get a random dog breed once purchased.


    Price: 5 RP ]


    [ Drone: A small and remote-controlled flying device that can scout, spy, or attack zombies or enemies. It can also carry items weighing not more than 1kg. It has a camera to record and transmit video and audio, and an arm to carry items. It includes a headset and controller.


    Price: 15 RP ]


    [ Tattoo: A permanent and artistic mark on the Survivor''s skin that can impress or intimidate others. It has 100% chance of unlocking new Survivor Skills. The tattoo''s design will depend on the unlocked Survivor Skill. ]


    Price: 20 RP ]


    [ Reputation Points: 1 ]


    Unfortunately, Shane stillcked some Reputation Points, so he couldn''t purchase anything in the store. Well, he guessed that he could only get Reputation Points from killing Leader-Type Zombies since that was where he got his first point.


    "Sir Shane, I''m considering giving the helmet to Anna for added protection. I believe she needs it more," Harper''s voice suddenly rang out, reaching Shane inside the tent.


    Shane quickly closed his Reputation Store and replied.


    "Go ahead... I''m also thinking of doing that. We need our healer to be well protected." Shane said as he agreed to Harper''s suggestion.


    After some time, Shane cooked the Special Spicy Instant Noodles he had been saving for this Zombie Wave...


    All three of them ate one, costing a total of 6 Zombie Cores. This was probably the most expensive food they''d had until now. Nevertheless, it boosted their speed and damage, so it was worth the price!


    Then, as the countdown reached the 3-hour mark, Shane drank the experience potion.


    [ You have consumed the Experience Potion. ]


    Shane smiled after seeing this. This potion will double his experience gain!


    At the same time, an announcement appeared to all the remaining Survivors.


    [ Greetings, Survivors. ]


    [ The first Zombie Wave has begun. ]


    [ From now on, you will face a relentless onught of Zombies that will try to kill you for 12 hours. You will have to use all your skills and resources to survive. Remember, you can use everything you have to survive the Zombie Wave ]


    [ You can also earn rewards bypleting hidden achievements during the Zombie Wave. ]


    [ Good luck, and stay alive. ]


    As the announcement disappeared, Shane''s gaze swept over the misty area outside the shelter.


    To his surprise, dozens of Crawler Zombies, their missing legs leaving behind a trail of decay, were gradually encroaching upon their temporary haven.


    It was quite weaker than he expected. However, it seemed justifiable considering that this will be a 12-hour run.


    Nevertheless, Anna still felt a bit scared as she held her nail bat tight. The eerie sight sent shivers down her spine.


    Of course, it wasn''t over yet.


    On the left side of their shelter, a more menacing threat loomed.


    A total of 20 Walker Zombies, their decaying flesh hanging from skeletal frames, advanced with an unsettling uniformity.


    Their hollow eye sockets seemed to fixate on the shelter with an unyielding hunger, exuding an aura of malevolence that made Anna''s blood run cold.


    "So this is the Zombie Wave... It''s a good thing that there weren''t any Runner Zombies." Anna muttered.


    "They''ll probably appear once we kill all these mobs." Harpermented as he readied his weapons, a pickaxe and a spear made out of metal pipes, and his sharpened dagger.


    The Crawlers, with their twisted, elongated limbs and tattered clothing, moved with an unsettling rhythm, emitting guttural moans that echoed through the misty forest.


    Their presence was a haunting reminder of the horrors that had befallen the world.


    To be honest, even Shane felt a bit scared just from the sounds they were making.


    In stark contrast, the Walkers'' relentless advance was apanied by the sickening sound of bones grinding against each other, followed by the asional growl that reverberated through the air.


    As he looked at them, he could see their sunken, lifeless eyes seemed to harbor an insatiable hunger...


    "Anna, Harper, ready your weapons. It''s about to get intense..."


    As the two groups of Zombies converged on their shelter, a sense of impending doom permeated the air, and Shane knew that the battle for survival had only just begun.

 Chapter 36: First Horde

    <h4>Chapter 36: First Horde</h4>


    As the first wave of Crawler Zombies and Walker Zombies closed in on their shelter, Shane, Harper, and Anna swiftly took up their positions.


    "I''ll clear the Crawler Zombies! Stay here!" Shane said as he confirmed that the Crawler Zombies'' movements were too slow. He jumped from the fence, swiftly navigated through the traps, and dashed toward the Crawler Zombies...


    Since Cloud confirmed that there were no other zombies hiding behind the Crawler Zombies, he felt a lot more confident doing this.


    Furthermore, the traps that they made would be wasted if they were only used against the pathetic Crawler Zombies. Most of the traps that they made could only be used once.


    Because of that, Shane wanted these traps to be used against Runner or even Jumper Zombies rather than the Crawler Zombies.


    Bam! Bam!


    The sound of metal against bone reverberated through the air as the first of the Crawler Zombies slithered forward.


    Shane''s hatchet became a blur as he precisely cut open the heads of the Crawler Zombies. Each strike could swiftly kill a low-tier Zombie like he was slicing tofu!


    It was the power of this Exceptional Rank Hatchet!


    Unlike the Zombies in the mining site, where they have helmets on, these Crawler Zombies weren''t protected by anything and could be easily killed.


    Furthermore, Shane moved as quickly as possible since he nned to kill all of them before the Walker Zombies could reach Harper and Anna behind the fence.


    "Haaa!"


    Shane expertly dispatched the encroaching Crawlers, his movements swift and decisive, repelling the grotesque horde with practiced rhythm.


    Over the past few days, Shane''s fighting style using his hatchet had improved a lot. Although he doesn''t have a Survivor Skill like a Hatchet Mastery, his method of using it was no longer a beginner at the very least.


    Meanwhile, as the Walker Zombies close in, Harper''s spear became incredibly useful. The spear was about 2.5 meters, and each of his thrusts could kill a Walker Zombie!


    Although there were many Walker Zombies, they were blocked by the metal wires and obstacles they ced in front of their fence!


    "Die!" Harper shouted as he tried to get every zombie''s attention to him.


    Well, it would be a problem if these zombies would actually spread out. It was better if they lined up ording to the obstacles they made.


    Anna watched the battle closely, and whenever there was Zombie that survived Harper''s spear, she would smash them with her nail bat!


    Bam!


    She unleashed the full force of her nail bat upon seeing a Crawler Zombie hold the metal fence!


    Beside her, Lucky barked and lunged at any approaching threat! The dog would actually bite the feet of the Walker Zombies, and he wasn''t being turned into undead for some reason!


    As Shane killed all the Crawler Zombies and looted them, he still failed to level up even with the help of the 2x Exp Potion!


    ''So difficult?! Just how many experience points do I need to collect?'' Shane thought as he rushed to help the two fend off the Walker Zombies.


    As the skirmish raged on, the trio''s coordinated efforts proved invaluable. The metal fence and simple yet effective arrangements of obstacles and traps served as a formidable barrier against the relentless onught.


    After about 15 more minutes, thest Walker Zombie died from Anna''s nail bat.


    Although a little tired, the trio were relieved as they stood amidst the aftermath of the battle against the first horde of zombies.


    They surveyed the scene before them, the tangled remains of the defeated zombies were piled up as they formed a wall of corpses outside their fence.


    "Let me loot them quickly..." Shane muttered as he swiftly looted each Walker Zombie. Luckily, it seemed that each time they cleared a horde of zombies, they would have a few minutes of break.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Core 500mL water, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Core 500mL water, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Core 500mL water, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    In the meantime, while Shane was busy looting the Zombies, Harper and Anna finally had the time to rest.


    Unlike Shane, the two of them have lower stat points. To be exact, they probably have the basic stat points, considering they weren''t evenbat-type residents.


    So it was certainly a lot harder for them, even with the help of Special Spicy Noodle.


    Nevertheless, after about 5 minutes, as Shane and the others caught their breath, Cloud, the A.I. assistant, alerted Shane to the presence of two unusual zombies.


    [ Two Zombies have been detected. ]


    [ They have 75% simrities with the Crawler Zombies. It is possibly the Crawler Leader Zombie that we haven''t met yet. ]


    Cloud reported.


    Having learned from its previous mistake, Cloud no longer guaranteed its identification of a zombie unless it matched more than 90 percent of its data.


    "Zombies areing... There were only two of them but they''re stronger..." Shane said as he informed his twopanions.


    Harper and Anna nodded at this. They didn''t ask any more questions since it was enough to know that there were zombiesing.


    Soon, the two figures suspected to be Crawler Leaders emerged from the shadows, and Shane indeed realized the striking difference.


    They were slightly bigger, and they had muscr arms that allowed them to move faster than other normal crawlers. Of course, they still had injured legs and couldn''t stand, but they were certainly more intimidating.


    Their eyes glowed with an ominous intensity, and their movements through the obstacles were more calcted and deliberate, showing a heightened level of intelligencepared to the mindless horde they had encountered thus far.

 Chapter 37: Two Leaders

    <h4>Chapter 37: Two Leaders</h4>


    "Are we going to stay behind the fence?" Harper asked as he saw the two zombies approaching them. Although they had rotten flesh and skin, they seemed to be muscr or sturdier than the previous zombies they killed.


    Shane considered for a moment as he looked at their frail obstacles and fence... After some hesitation, he decided to approach the zombies instead.


    "Let''s go!"


    Shane, Harper, and Anna charged at the two Crawler Leader Zombies.


    Although Shane didn''t have great leadership ability, he knew they had to work together to defeat the two zombies. With that in mind, he gave simple instructions to his twopanions before engaging the zombies.


    Shane dashed forward and swung his hatchet at the first Crawler Leader, aiming for its head...


    However, to his surprise, the Crawler Leader Zombie dodged the attack by arching its body and at the same time, it grabbed Shane''s right foot, trying to bite it!


    Shane kicked the zombie in the face, making it let go.


    Thanks to his Tier 3 Survivor Shoes, his kick was quite solid, and he was able to peel off some of its skin in the process.


    From this momentum that he gained, Shane shed his hatchet again! This time, he was able to hit the zombie''s shoulder.


    Graargh!


    The zombie roared in pain and anger, before it lunged at Shane with its teeth.


    At the same time, Harper threw his spear at the second Crawler Leader, hoping to pierce its heart. Although it may not kill the zombie immediately, it was a lot easier to hit its body than its head.


    He was hoping that this attack could stop its advance.


    However, simr to the zombie that Shane was dealing with, it was able to think and not just mindlessly attack its prey.


    It saw the spearing and rolled to the side, avoiding the hit!


    "What? There''s a zombie like this?!" Anna was shocked as she realized that they were dealing with sentient zombies. She had never encountered these types of zombies before!


    Thud!


    As the spear stuck on the ground, and Harper ran to retrieve it.


    The zombie chased after him, crawling faster than Harper expected! The zombie reached Harper and wed at his leg, drawing blood. Harper felt a sharp pain and stumbled, dropping his spear.


    The zombie grabbed the spear and snapped it in half, rendering it useless.


    Graargh!


    The growled at Harper as if to tell that it was his end! Luckily, he still has pickaxe with him as he changed his weapon!


    In the meantime, Anna noticed that Shane and the other Crawler Zombie were getting close to her... She noticed that the zombie had its right arm frozen by Shane''s magic weapon, and part of its left should had simr situation.


    Without hesitation, she stepped forward and hit the Crawler Leader with her nail bat, trying to help Shane! Since it was already injured, she believed that she could deal a killing blow to the zombie.


    If they killed one of the zombies faster, they could easily surround and kill the remaining one!


    Unfortunately, her strike wasn''t enough!


    The zombie was barely injured as it turned its attention to Anna and swiped at her with its arm. Obviously, the nail bat didn''t do much damage, perhaps because of Anna''s weak physical strength!


    Bam!


    Anna blocked the attack with her bat, but the force was too strong and she fell back.


    "Y-you..."


    The zombie crawled over her and opened its mouth, ready to bite her head.


    "Get away!" Anna screamed and held her bat in front of her, hoping to fend off the zombie.


    Lucky, Anna''s dog, barked and ran to her rescue. He jumped on the Crawler Leader and bit its ear, distracting it.


    This also made it difficult for Shane to use his hatchet...


    At the very least, the zombie let go of Anna and tried to shake off Lucky, but the dog held on!


    Anna got up and swung her bat again, hitting the zombie''s skull! This time, she was filled with energy!


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    After over five strikes, the zombie groaned and copsed, its brain damaged!


    [ You have eliminated a Crawler Leader Zombie. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Crawler Leader Zombie, a mid-tier zombie! ]


    [ Hint: Only the first elimination of each Mid-Tier and High-Tier zombie can provide special rewards! ]


    [ You can select one reward: 1 Instant Experience Potion, 20 Zombie Cores, 1 Random Giftpack ]


    Seeing Crawler Leader was down, Shane ran to help Harper.


    As he noticed that Harper was in danger, he threw his hatchet and activated its Ice Effect at the same time!


    Thud!


    This was the third time he used the hatchet''s effect, but it was worth it! The second Crawler Leader was hit on its right shoulder, freezing it momentarily!


    Shane then picked up the broken spear and threw it at the zombie, hitting its back!


    Thud!


    The zombie shrieked and turned to face Shane, ignoring Harper.


    ''So tough?!''


    Shane then took out his revolver and shot the zombie in the eye, blinding it and injuring its brain!


    ''Still alive?!''


    He should''ve used the revolver''s item effect! He truly underestimated its resilience!


    The zombie howled and charged at Shane blindly, its arms outstretched.


    It was able to use its arms to push on the ground and lunge at him!


    As Shane was about to use his revolver once again, Harper was already behind the zombie!


    He already got up and grabbed his pickaxe! As soon as the zombie was about to reach Shane, Harper swung his pickaxe at its neck, severing its spine!


    Bam!


    The zombie fell to the ground, motionless.


    [ You have eliminated a Crawler Leader Zombie. ]


    Shane, Harper, and Anna breathed a sigh of relief after confirming its death.


    They had defeated the two Crawler Leader Zombies! It was time for Shane to loot them!


    [ You have earned 60 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL Water, 5 Bread, 100mL Crawler Leader Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]

 Chapter 38: Impaled

    <h4>Chapter 38: Impaled</h4>


    Shane felt excited as soon as he saw the loot.


    60 Exp Points! That was quite a lot, and he also obtained one of the Instant Experience Potions a while ago!


    Without dy, he looted the other Crawler Zombie Leader.


    [ You have earned 60 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL Water, 5 Bread, 100mL Crawler Leader Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    Furthermore, this loot confirmed that he could only obtain reputation points from the Leader-Type Zombies.


    "It looks like we have some time to rest..." Harper said after noticing that there were no more zombiesing for them.


    "That''s good... Let''s repair the obstacles and traps fast..."


    Anna said as she worked on it.


    Shane agreed, but before that, he materialized the instant Experience Potion from his inventory and drank it immediately.


    [ You have obtained 100 Experience Points ]


    "I still didn''t level up?" Shane was confused and a little disappointed.


    He thought that with the 120 points from the Leader Zombies, including the experience points he got from the Crawler and Walker Zombies, and another hundred points from the potion, he would finally reach level 10 and possibly get 2 Memory Spheres.


    However, he really underestimated this.


    In the end, Shane could only ept the reality... After a few moments, he then decided to check the Chat board...


    However, as soon as he opened it, he saw a message from the system instead.


    [ You cannot ess the Chat Room during the Zombie Wave. Pleasee back once the Zombie Wave is over. ]


    "So we can''t cooperate with other Survivors during the Zombie Wave?" Shane wondered as he thought about the other Survivors nearby.


    To be honest, ever since he learned that it''s possible to escape from the Zombie Wave, he has already considered that a few Survivors might pass through his territory.


    Well, it wouldn''t be surprising if other Survivors decided to run away instead of fighting the Zombie Wave.


    However, if they really passed through his territory, that could make his situation worse as they might actually attack him as well.


    ''There''s no point thinking about it now... Let''s just hope no one would pass through here.'' Shane thought as he helped hispanions fix the obstacles.


    After fixing their crude fence, they took a short break and ate some of the bread and water they looted. Shane also used some of the Item Upgrade Crystals to improve their weapons and equipment.


    However, the limit was still the Exceptional Rank since the number of Crystals needed to advance it to the next level was 30 Item Upgrade Crystals... Thanks to this, Anna''s Nail Bat had reached the Exceptional Rank and Harper''s Hunter Set reached the Tier 3 like the ones Shane was wearing.


    Although he could collect 30 Crystals to upgrade one Exceptional Item, he felt it would be better to have a more bnced set of equipment.


    After all, he wanted Harper and Anna to have decent items so they could help him better in this Zombie Wave.


    After some rest, they felt more refreshed and ready for the next wave.


    They didn''t have to wait long. After 5 minutes, they heard a loud and terrifying sound.


    Roooaaarr~


    It was the sound of fifty or so Zombies closing towards them.


    They looked outside and saw a horde of Zombies that were a mix of Walker Zombies and Runner Zombies.


    Walker Zombies walked slowly and clumsily, but they were persistent and numerous. However, this time, their bodies were equipped with leather armor, making only their heads a perfect target.


    They made a low and guttural noise as they approached the shelter.


    Runner Zombie, on the other hand, looked really dangerous.


    They ran fast and agilely, and they looked ferocious.


    They had lean and muscr bodies, and some of them even wore sporty and colorful clothes.


    The three people in the shelter swiftly grabbed their weapons and got into position.


    Luckily, the obstacles they prepared this time had several pointed metal pipes on the ground, and they could impale the Runner Zombies!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    As expected, before they could reach Shane''s shelter, ten or so Runner Zombies who didn''t care about the obstacles were impaled! Although they were still alive, they would be an easy kill for themter on.


    Of course, Shane didn''t use his Revolver once again as he knew he had to save his bullets for the most threatening targets.


    Instead, he used his hatchet to chop the Runner Zombies that got too close from behind the metal fence and wires...


    Harper, on the other hand, swung his pickaxe at the Runner Zombies, trying to break their skulls.


    Unfortunately, his spear was broken in half by the Crawler Leader and they were used as spikes to impale the zombies instead.


    ''Die!''


    Thud! Thud!


    Anna then hit the Walker Zombies with her nail bat, trying to smash their brains.


    They fought bravely and fiercely and won against the Zombies after about half an hour of battle...


    But then, the situation that Shane feared happened.


    Just like what Shane imagined before, a Survivor chased by several Zombie Dogs ran into his area!


    ''Not good...''


    The Survivor was a young woman with long blonde hair and a leather jacket. She had a backpack and a pistol, but she looked exhausted and scared.


    Behind her, the Zombie Dogs wererge and muscr, with furless skin and sharp teeth.


    They had cors and tags, indicating that they were once pets or strays. They made a loud and angry noise as they chased their target!


    "We need to save her..." Anna muttered as she saw the frail woman being chased helplessly.


    However, Shane shook his head as he noticed that the blonde woman had a couple of bite marks on her body.

 Chapter 39: Survivor-Type Zombie

    <h4>Chapter 39: Survivor-Type Zombie</h4>


    Harper and Anna were instantly on alert as they listened to Shane''s words.


    They quickly looked at the woman''s body, and Shane was right! She was already bleeding from the bites she had on her shoulder and leg!


    Even if she weren''t bing a zombie yet, it wouldn''t be long before she does!


    "Please! Help me!" The blonde woman cried as she saw Shane and the others. She was already feeling helpless, and the sight of other Survivors gave her a bit of hope to survive.


    However, the reply she heard almost made her copse.


    "We can''t help you! Go the other way! Don''t bring those Zombie Dogs to us!" Shane yelled back. Although he was sure that he could fight those Zombie Dogs, it was better if they could save their energy.


    However, the blonde woman had already made a decision. She already knew that she was also going to die, so she decided to drag others with her!


    "If you don''t want to help me! Then let''s all die together!" The woman screamed as she led all the Zombie Dogs to Shane''s shelter!


    Shane, Harper, and Anna cursed as they saw the woman''s actions.


    They wanted toin, but they didn''t have the time to do that.


    They knew they had no choice but to fight the Zombie Dogs! They held their weapons tightly and got ready for the battle.


    Shane scanned the Zombies behind the woman and confirmed that there was no need for him to use his Revolver. None of the Zombie dogs looked special.


    Soon, the blonde woman was caught in one of the traps and was impaled by one of the sharpened metal pipes!


    Five or so Zombies Dogs immediately pounced on her, but the others continued running as they saw Shane and the others!


    "Bring it on!" Shane shouted as he also felt a little excited about this battle. After all, he felt that these Zombies Dogs would finally allow him to reach level 10!


    Swish~


    Shane then used his hatchet to cut the Zombie Dogs that got too close. Furthermore, he used its Ice Effect to make the corpses of the Zombie Dogs as an ice wall.


    Although they had a metal fence and wires for defense, and also wooden pikes for trapping, he felt that adding some iced zombie dogs could help in their defense.


    He nned to make at least ten of them...


    On the other hand, Harper swung his pickaxe at the Zombie Dogs, trying to break their skulls.


    Luckily for him, the Zombie Dogs weren''t tall, and they were easy to hit with his current weapon. He just imagined that these Zombies were rocks that he had to smash.


    nk! nk! nk!


    The sound of metal and bones was heard as he killed three Zombie Dogs in quick session! However, Harper was horrified when he saw that the wooden handle of the pickaxe made a crack!


    ''Not good!''


    Harper was worried that it would break, but he had no choice but to continue.


    In the meantime, Anna hit the Zombie Dogs with her nail bat, trying to smash their heads.


    Thankfully, she didn''t have to use a lot of strength to kill these Dogs as their momentum was stopped by the barricade they made.


    Nevertheless, they fought for quite some time and were only slightly injured before they defeated all the Zombie Dogs.


    Graaaahh~


    But then, something unexpected happened!


    The female Survivor who was impaled and bitten by Zombie Dogs suddenly turned into a Zombie!


    And not just any Zombie, but a powerful one!


    The Zombie was different from Walker or Runner Zombies. She suddenly had a muscr and athletic body. Shane could tell that this Zombie had also gotten taller!


    This Zombie still had long blonde hair and a scarred face, but its eyes glowed with a red light. It had a metal pipe in its hand. It was probably picked up by the zombie on the ground.


    Roar~


    It then made a loud and furious noise as it stood up, and it aimed at Shane and the others. This Zombie was most likely simr to those Leader-Type Zombies!


    It looked intelligent!


    Shane didn''t hesitate and drew his Revolver. He had a bad feeling about this Survivor-Type Zombie.


    Bang!


    Shane fired his Revolver at the Zombie, aiming for its head.


    At this distance, he was sure that he would hit his target...


    The Survivor-Type Zombie was unable to dodge the bullet and was struck! But it only blew off the right side of the zombie''s face! It didn''t go through it all!


    Nevertheless, the Burn Effect was already working on it, so the Zombie''s face was still on fire!


    But it was not enough to finish the Zombie!


    It suddenly rushed at them, trying to kill them!


    Everything happened so quickly. It destroyed the barricade and the metal fence in a few seconds!


    Shane, Harper, and Anna dodged the Zombie''s charge, but it was fast and agile.


    It swung its metal pipe at them, hitting Shane''s arm.


    "Aah!"


    Shane felt a sharp pain and dropped his hatchet. He picked it up and tried to cut the Zombie''s arm, but the Zombie blocked it with a metal pipe!


    The Zombie then kicked Harper, who was about to attack with his pickaxe, in the chest, sending him flying!


    Anna, on the other hand, worked together with Shane as they attacked from both sides!


    "Die!"


    Anna hit the Zombie''s leg with her nail bat, making it limp!


    It then tried to defend itself with its other arm without a weapon, but it only worked in Anna''s favor!


    "Shane!" Anna called out, as this was a perfect opportunity for Shane to fire his gun. However, Shane''s dominant arm was still feeling painful.


    The Zombie then turned to Anna and wanted to strike her with his metal pipe...


    Fortunately, Lucky, Anna''s dog, finally found an opportunity to attack and pounced on the Zombie!, making it fall!


    Shane saw this and aimed his Revolver at the Zombie''s head again!


    Bang!

 Chapter 40: Rewards

    <h4>Chapter 40: Rewards</h4>


    Shane wasn''t an ambidextrous. His dominant right arm was injured, so he had to fire his gun with his left hand.


    It was a bit tricky, but since they were close, he didn''t have to focus a lot and was able to hit the Zombie''s head quite easily...


    This time, he didn''t have to use the item''s Burn Effect and used a normal round.


    [ You have eliminated a Survivor Zombie ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Survivor Zombie! ]


    [ You can select one reward: 1 Instant Experience Potion, 50 Zombie Cores, 50% Store Item Voucher x2 ]


    Shane momentarily stopped after seeing the message. He couldn''t help but smile after seeing how he got the first kill to a Survivor Zombie.


    Anyway, the rewards offered to him were something new. The Zombie Cores increased a lot, and he even had two vouchers being offered.


    If he only wanted to purchase things in the Survivor Store, the 50% vouchers were indeed a better choice. However, because he wanted to reach level 10 as quickly as possible, he decided to take the Instant Experience Potion once again.


    Afterpleting his selection, he didn''t even bother to loot all the zombies corpses first and decided to consume the potion immediately.


    [ You have consumed the Instant Experience Potion. ]


    [ You have earned 100 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first Survivor to reach Level 10! ]


    [ You have earned 5 Reputation Points! ]


    [ You have unlocked the World Chat Function! ]


    [ Hint: Only Level 10 Survivors from the whole Fiend Continent could ess the World Chat! Every Survivor would have 10 Megaphones that can be used for the World Chat, and it refreshes every week. ]


    [ You have unlocked the n Function! ]


    [ Hint: You can now create a n for only 100 Zombie Cores and 5 Reputation Points and enjoy bonus effects with your friends! You can invite other Survivors or even the Inhabitants of this Continent to join you! Lastly, you can only form a n with at least five members in your party, and pets aren''t counted. ]


    "I did it..."


    Shane muttered in excitement... After all, this means that he could finally ess the Memory Spheres!


    "Shane... Are you not going to loot them? I believe that the quality of loot will lessen if they stay unlooted for too long." Anna reminded as she saw Shane nkly staring at a space.


    She knew that Shane was probably checking his attributes, but it was better to remind him.


    "Ahh! You''re right! Let me work on it." Shane said as he swiftly looted the Survivor Zombie.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 60 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL Water, 5 Bread, Revolver ( Umon ), Lockpicking Skill, Stealthy Feet Talent ]


    Shane''s eyes widened as he saw the loot he obtained. It actually included the Survivor Skill and Talent!


    However, something unexpected happened.


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Stealthy Feet Talent ( Umon ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Stealthy Feet Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 3 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    Shane didn''t even think for long as he swiftly rejected the idea of changing his talents. There was no way he would rece his three Legendary Talents for a trashy Umon talent.


    At the very least, he was quite happy to receive the Lockpicking Skill.


    Although he didn''t have a use for this specific skill during this time, he knew that there would be a time when he could use it.


    Anyway, he then started looting the Zombie Dogs around.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 100mL Water, 1 Stale Bread, 100mL Zombie


    Dog Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    The Stale Bread didn''t sound good, but it was better than nothing. After noticing that there was no unusual loot, Shane just continued with his actions.


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 100mL Water, 1 Stale Bread, 100mL Zombie


    Dog Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 100mL Water, 1 Stale Bread, 100mL Zombie


    Dog Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    ...


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 100mL Water, 1 Stale Bread, 100mL Zombie


    Dog Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    It didn''t take that long before his task waspleted. Unfortunately, because the wave they encountered wasn''t part of his Zombie Wave, they didn''t have long enough time to fix their barricade when they heard the growling sounds of the zombie horde!


    Furthermore, Shane leveled up, so he was able to recover easily, but Anna and Harper weren''t in great condition!


    ''This looks bad...'' Shane''s senses were overwhelmed by the sight of a relentless swarm of agile Runner Zombies emerging ominously in the distance.


    Their eerie silhouettes were advancing with terrifying speed!


    Without wasting his time, he immediately retrieved the two Memory Spheres in his Inventory!


    [ Do you wish to absorb the two Memory Spheres? ]


    "Yes..." Shane replied without hesitation.


    ''My alternate self... Please give me a decent Survivor Skill!'' He added in his mind...

 Chapter 41: Unstoppable

    <h4>Chapter 41: Unstoppable</h4>


    [ Memory Sphere absorptionplete. ]


    [ You have obtained Part 2 of 25 Memory Fragments ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Woodworking ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Metalworking ]


    [ Woodworking Lv10 ( Max ): A basic skill that allows the Survivor to craft items from wood, such as weapons, tools, or furniture. It grants the following benefits:


    +20% crafting effectiveness with wood


    +20% chance to find quality wood or salvage wood from items


    +20% speed of crafting with wood ]


    [ Metalworking Lv10 ( Max ): An advanced skill that allows the Survivor to craft items from metal, such as weapons, tools, or armor. It grants the following benefits:


    +20% crafting effectiveness with metal


    +20% chance to find quality metal or salvage metal from items


    +20% speed of crafting with metal ]


    Shane absorbed the memories contained within the Memory Sphere and epted the new Survivor Skills.


    The memories of his alternate life weren''t all that useful, considering they''re all from a different type of Apocalypse.


    There was nothing rted to the Zombies, but at the very least, he learned what kind of System Features would be avable as he leveled up.


    Nevertheless, the absorption wasn''t over yet.


    [ Memory Sphere absorptionplete. ]


    [ You have obtained Part 3 of 25 Memory Fragments ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Axe Mastery ]


    [ Axe Mastery Skill Lv10 ( Max ): A passive skill that increases the user''s proficiency with axes, which are weapons that can deal high damage and cause bleeding. It grants the following benefits:


    +30% damage with axes


    +30% chance to cause bleeding with axes


    +30% bleed damage with axes ]


    "Axe Mastery? This doesn''t look too bad." Shane muttered as he held his hatchet tightly.


    He finally had abat-rted skill!


    Well, even if he had Firearm Mastery, it was pretty useless since he couldn''t use it to its fullest. After all, he didn''t have an unlimited number of bullets! He had to find a way to get them, and he had been unlucky about it so far.


    "Harper, Anna... Stay back! Just try to finish off the ones that will pass on me..." Shane dered as he looked at the iing Runner Zombies.


    "Come!" Shane said as he stepped forward... Since there were many Zombies ahead, it would be wise to approach to find a better spot...


    He saw the entrance of the church that was left open and thought of an idea...


    "I''ll move slowly inside the church... Follow me! Our barricade will notst long..." Shane said as he lured the Zombies to the church.


    Although some of their spikes were fixed, their metal fence was in terrible condition and it won''tst long against the onught of the Runner Zombies.


    With that in mind, he decided to use the other buildings in the estate.


    Harper and Anna understood Shane''s concern and immediately followed him.


    Graahh!


    It didn''t take long before the battle started. Shane had to face dozens of Runner Zombies!


    He swung his hatchet at the first Runner Zombie that came at him, cutting its throat. The zombie fell to the ground, gurgling and twitching.


    ''One down...''


    Shane didn''t stop to look as he moved on to the next one.


    He dodged the second Runner Zombie''s outstretched arms and shed its hands.


    Thud! Thud!


    The zombie screamed and dropped its arm, blood spilling from the wound. Shane then kicked the zombie in the chest, making it stumble back and blocking the Zombies behind.


    He wanted to finish it off with a hatchet to the head, but the next zombies stopped him from doing so...


    He had to block the third Runner Zombie by kicking its body before he sliced its skull... The zombie groaned and stumbled back as it lost its bnce...


    Shane then swung his hatchet to the fourth zombie''s neck, severing its spine.


    Just like that, the zombie copsed, lifeless.


    nk!


    Shane''s action didn''t stop as he parried the fifth Runner Zombie''s swipe, and sliced its hand. The zombie hissed and used its other hand to try and grab Shane''s hand to get a bite!


    However, Shane hit the zombie in the face with his hatchet, breaking its nose and jaw. The zombie fell, silent.


    He then avoided the sixth Runner Zombie''s bite and chopped its mouth. At this time, Shane couldn''t properly aim and was simply shing at the nearest target.


    Roaaar~


    The zombie seemed to have whimpered and spat out its teeth, blood dripping from its mouth. Shane then smashed its head with his hatchet, destroying its brain!


    He fought like this, one after another, until he cleared the wave of Runner Zombies.


    Thankfully, the entrance of the church wasn''t too wide and he was able to limit the number of Runner Zombiesing at him.


    At this time, Shane was covered in blood and sweat, but he was alive and victorious. He had used his hatchet to kill them all!


    In the meantime, Anna and Harper watched in awe as Shane defeated all the Runner Zombies with his hatchet.


    They had never seen him fight so well and so fiercely. They knew he was a skilled and experienced Survivor, but this was something else.


    "His mastery with that weapon increased by leaps and bounds..." Harpermented as he recalled that Shane wasn''t that great in hatchet when they were still exploring the iron mines.


    Compared to his previous ability, Shane was like a one-man army, cutting down the Zombies with ease and precision!


    It was as if Shane was unstoppable!

 Chapter 42: Respite

    <h4>Chapter 42: Respite</h4>


    It didn''t take long before the situation calmed down.


    ''My Axe Mastery came at the right time... I don''t know how I will survive that without such a skill...'' Shane muttered as he took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves.


    "Sir Shane, are you alright?" Anna asked as she pulled out the bandages she had prepared.


    "I''m good... I just have a few scratches and dirt all over my body." Shane replied with assurance.


    Harper and Anna heaved a sigh of relief since they were truly worried about Shane''s stamina just now. They were just helping Shane kill the ones who survived in his hatchet, but they already felt really tired and their arms and backs were already aching.


    They couldn''t imagine how Shane couldst for long.


    "You still need to treat those scratches. You don''t want that to have infections. Let me clean it for you."


    "Wait a moment... Let me just loot them all." Shane said as he quickly worked on it.


    He swiftly started looting the zombies.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    ...


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    After looting the twentieth Zombie, Shane suddenly received a surprise!


    [ You have leveled up ]


    [ Map unlocked ]


    [ Hint: You can only view the areas you have explored. However, you can also use a member of your n to remove the fog areas on your Map. ]


    "A Map! This looks great." Shane eximed after seeing the new function he unlocked.


    He didn''t hesitate to check it out.


    "Map..."


    As soon as he imagined the Map, it appeared in front of him as he saw his estate, the orchards, the forest, and the mine from an eagle''s eye view!


    It wasn''t a simple terrain map, but it felt more like a holographic map. Furthermore, he could actually see his dot or indicator on the Map... However, he could not find Harper, Anna, and Lucky.


    Specifically, he had a white dot on the Map so he wouldn''t get lost. But he couldn''t help but wonder why there were no indicators for Harper and the others.


    ''Will it be the same for the Zombies?'' Shane mused for a moment, but an answer suddenly came to his mind.


    ''Right...'' It seems that the Map would not help him locate zombies or his friends!


    After all, he felt that if they really had a map function, the Zombie Detectors or even the Perception Stat would be useless!


    Shane couldn''t help but shake his head after realizing this.


    Anyway, after Anna confirmed that he was no longer injured because of his level up, they all started to work.


    Specifically, they worked together to create a new barricade.


    This time, they decided to use the church as their base. They moved the wooden pikes, metal pipes, and metal wires that they had collected from the previous shelter. They also looted some more materials from the nearby buildings, such as nails, ropes, and nks.


    With Shane''s Woodworking Skill, he was able to make more wooden pikes a lot easier and faster. He used his hatchet to carve and sharpen the nks and branches into pikes.


    He made plenty of them as ayer of defense. After all, he was expecting to have Jumper Zombies in the next wave...


    ''Haa~ I hope there won''t be too many of them...'' Shane mused as he didn''t feelfortable fighting against numerous zombies that could jump from the trees!


    Once they were swarmed, they would have a hard time to defend themselves. Because of that, Shane decided to ce several more wooden pikes inside and outside their base!


    Aside from that, Shane also used his ropes and his metal wires to tie and secure the pikes together, forming a sturdy fence aside from the metal fence they had.


    On the other hand, Harper and Lisa helped Shane by carrying and cing the pikes around the church. They also used the metal pipes and the broken pikes to reinforce the fence, adding more strength and durability.


    Of course, since this was tiring, they also ate some of the food and water they had looted and rested for a while.


    Lucky, Anna''s dog, was also guarding the surroundings while they rest.


    After a few minutes, they continued their work.


    They used the metal wires and the simple obstacle traps to create some booby traps, adding more damage and deterrence.


    Luckily, they got used to such tasks, and they were able to finish them quickly.


    They worked with their nimble hands as quickly as possible, as they knew they had a limited time before the next wave.


    "Whew~"


    Anna wiped her sweat as she looked at the church... It had truly been transformed! It looked nothing like a dpidated church anymore!


    However, there was no time to appreciate it.


    Shane had to check their weapons and equipment.


    Since he had no ability to repair them, he could only upgrade them!


    ''Let''s see how many Crystals and Cores I collected this time...'' Shane thought as he opened his Status.


    Luckily, an upgrade from Exceptional Rank to Master Rank was only 30 Item Upgrade Crystals, and Shane had plenty of them!

 Chapter 43 Upgrades

    Chapter 43 Upgrades


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor Level: 11


    Vitality: 155/155


    Spirit: 635/635


    Strength: 30


    Agility: 30


    Luck: 10


    Perception: 10


    Inventory: Memory Spherex22, Item Upgrade Crystals x145, Zombie Cores x124, 165L Water, 40 Bread, 25 Stale Bread, 1 Acid Pouch, 125 Spirit Enhancement Bottle


    Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Fishing, Woodworking, Metalworking, Axe Mastery, Lockpicking


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ) n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Reputation Points: 9 Reputation Points


    Leveling up from 9 to 10 actually boosted his Vitality by 10 points. As for the Strength and Agility, he obtained 5 additional points for each of them.


    Anyway, after confirming that he still had 145 Item Upgrade Crystals, Shane decided to upgrade his Hatchet!


    With his Axe Mastery Skill, there was no doubt that his main weapon would be this Hatchet until he found a better-sized Axe in the Survivor Store. Well, he could also make an Axe with his Woodworking and Metalworking, but he still needed to find the tools he needed for that.


    Soon, Shane took out 30 Crystals and ced them on top of the hatchet.


    After a few moments, he got the notification he needed.


    [ Upgrade Sessful ] [ Exceptional Hatchet has been upgraded to Master Hatchet. ]


    [ New Item Description is now avable on the specific item. ]


    [ Hatchet ( Master ): A fearsome axe that can sh through zombies with ease. It is made of a rare metal that shines with a bright red light, and has a curved de. It can kill a zombie with a single hit, and can also cause bleed and burn effects. It is also useful for crafting and survival purposes, such as making fire or building shelters. Effects: +35% damage against Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies, +15% against Spitter Zombies, +20% Critical Chance, +30% Attack Speed Special Effects:


    Ice:The hatchet is imbued with a freezing power that can chill zombies and make them brittle. It has a +50% chance of causing ice damage to zombies, and a +50% chance of slowing them down and making them vulnerable to critical hits.


    Cost: 30 Spirit Points


    Fire: The hatchet is imbued with a ming power that can scorch zombies and make them panic. It has a +50% chance of causing fire damage to zombies, and a +50% chance of making them flee and spreading the fire to other zombies. Cost: 40 Spirit Points ]


    "Awesome¡­ It got a new skill!" Shane couldn''t help but smile after seeing the two opposite elemental skills appearing in his hatchet. Furthermore, anyone could see the glowing effect of the item!


    Yes, the red glow on the hatchet could be seen like in some games that Shane had seen before.


    Nheless, although the new skill was more expensive in terms of Spirit Points, it had better effects on a horde of zombies.


    This is certainly a great Master Rank Item!


    After appreciating it for a while, Shane then proceeded to upgrade the Nail Bat to Master Rank as well!


    [ Nail Bat ( Master ): A brutal weapon that can smash zombies with ease. It is made of a wooden bat with nails hammered into it, and has a leather grip. It can kill a zombie with a single hit, and can also cause bleed and stun effects. It is also useful for breaking through obstacles and doors, but has a low durability. Effects: +80% damage against Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies, +10% against Spitter Zombies, +25% Critical Chance, +15% Attack Speed Special Effect:


    Swift: The item is enhanced with a speed boost that can make the user faster and more agile. It has a +100% chance of increasing the user''s movement speed and dodge chance for a short duration. Cost: 25 Spirit Points


    Shock: The nail bat is electrified with a high voltage that can shock zombies and make them twitch. It has a +60% chance of causing electric damage to zombies, and a +60% chance of paralyzing them and making them vulnerable to critical hits. Cost: 50 Spirit Points ]


    "Whoa¡­ You made it so much better! I''m worried that you no longer have enough Crystals for other items you need to upgrade. Think about it: this is only a Nail Bat, and it''s too strong already! Shouldn''t you wait for Swords or Guns or any better weapon? If they appear in your store next time, you may not have enough Crystals¡­" Anna reminded me as she saw Shane spending so many Item Upgrade Crystals. "I''m fine, Anna¡­ I have a blessed hand. I can get more of them from the zombies." Shane said as he looked outside.


    He saw Harper looking enviously. Well, Shane could only upgrade the items that he had received or bought from the system. "Ahem¡­ You have that pocket knife, right? I can upgrade it to Master Rank as well." Shane said as he believed that he''d get more of these Crystals since the Zombie Wave hadn''t ended yet.


    "Ugh¡­ I''ll stick with my pickaxe, Sir Shane¡­ If you find a pickaxe for me that you can upgrade, I''ll be happy if it''s Master Rank as well."


    "A pickaxe? I can do that¡­ Right, did you fix the pickaxe already?" "Yes¡­ It can hold on for now¡­ The skulls of the zombies weren''t that tough anyway¡­ As long as it''s not used against those Leader types, this couldst a long time."


    Shane nodded at this as he decided to upgrade his jacket instead since it was already full of scratches.


    [ Upgrade Sessful ] [ Tier 3 Survivor Jacket has been upgraded to Tier 4 Survivor Jacket. ]


    [ New Item Description is now avable on the specific item. ]


    [ Survivor Jacket ( Tier 4 ): A heavy and durable jacket that protects the upper body from zombie bites and scratches. It is made of leather and reinforced with titanium tes, and has several buckles and chains for adjusting the fit and attaching items. It emits a mysterious aura that provides high resistance to acid, ice, and fire effects. It is a good choice for survivors who want to maximize protection and intimidation. The aura gets stronger if you obtain Tier 4 Set Equipment.


    Effects: +15 Physical Defense, +20% Acid Resistance, +15% Burn Resistance, +15% Ice Resistance Special Effects: Tough: +25% physical damage resistance. The jacket reduces physical damage, including pierce damage taken from zombies or other enemies. Critical Blocker: The item is fortified with a shield that can block critical hits from zombies. It has a +50% chance of negating the extra damage and effects from a critical hit, and reflecting some damage back to the attacker. ]

 Chapter 44 The Final Horde

    Chapter 44 The Final Horde


    After Shane improved the items, they faced several more hordes of zombies. Thanks to the improved weapons, Shane was able to dispatch the zombies more easily than before.


    As time went by, the interval between the hordes became longer... They even had more than an hour of rest before the final Zombie Horde came!


    At this time, Shane leveled up two more times thanks to the double exp potion that was still active.


    Nheless, throughout the Zombie Wave, they only met Crawler Zombies, Walker Zombies, Runner Zombies, and their leader-type Zombies... There were also three Jumper Zombies that appeared out of nowhere to surprise them. However, there weren''t any other weird zombies like the Violent Sprinter, which seemed to be a variation of the Runner Zombie, and others.


    ''I guess this first Zombie Wave is not too harsh to the novice Survivors. They didn''t send many Jumper Zombies in the end¡­'' Shane thought. He knew that those Jumper Zombies would be a nightmare since they only had a little over a week of preparation. It was a good thing that the system, or whoever was behind this event, took their current situation into ount. As thest 30 minutes of the Zombie Wave approached, the final horde of Zombies showed up... To Shane''s shock, there were actually 10 Spitter Zombies attacking them! They were also moving separately, making it difficult to eliminate them all at once.


    ''Right¡­ I forgot about these guys¡­'' Shane muttered as he grabbed his weapon.


    The extremely fat zombies dripping with green liquid were slowly moving towards the church! From a distance, they looked like huge balls of flesh crawling towards them! Shane, Harper, and Anna got ready for the battle. They knew they had to deal with the Spitter Zombies carefully.


    After all, Shane already knew what they were capable of and informed them to hispanions.


    The scariest thing about them was that they were capable of exploding even after being defeated!


    He could never forget what had happened in his first encounter against them.


    "So those are Spitter Zombies¡­" Anna muttered as she held her nail bat tightly. To be honest, she didn''t want to get close to that huge walking flesh.


    Spitter Zombies were a rare and dangerous type of Tier 1 Zombies. They were obese and bloated, and they oozed with a green liquid that was corrosive and poisonous. They had swollen and cracked lips, and they spat the liquid at their enemies, causing damage and infection. Gurrr¡­ Gurrr¡­ They made a wet and gurgling noise as they moved, which frightened Anna even more.


    On the other hand, Shane decided to use thest two bullets of his revolver. Since this was thest horde, there was no point saving them¡­


    It was better to eliminate two Spitter Zombies in this process.


    Bang! Shane used the revolver''s Burn Effect and shot his revolver at the Spitter Zombie that was closely approaching the church. With his firearm mastery, he didn''t miss the forehead of the round Spitter Zombie!


    He knew he had to use his bullets wisely for these targets. Thud!


    The forehead of the Spitter Zombie was shot, and it started to burn! Nevertheless, although Shane shot the Zombie''s head, it remained alive and was slowly being burned!


    Then, it stopped moving as if it was waiting for the fire to burn out.


    At this time, as the Spitter Zombies reached about 20 meters close to them, they started spitting out blobs of acids!


    "What?! They can attack from that far?! How can we survive this?!" Anna was shocked as she saw the flying acid spit!


    Some of them didn''t reach the church but most of them hit their barricade and the church''s walls! n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Shane also used his Hatchet to protect himself from the Spitter Zombies'' spit when needed.


    Luckily, his Hatchet couldn''t be corroded easily so he was sure that he could beat them if he got closer. Boom! Suddenly, the Spitter Zombie that he shot exploded! Its upper body sted and there were showers of zombie flesh and acid! One down!


    Without hesitation, Shane shot another Spitter Zombie in its head and had it burn as well. The second Spitter Zombie stopped its movement, and just like the first one, it would soon die and explode!


    Now, his revolver had be useless. At most, he could probably use it as a blunt weapon.


    Nheless, Shane had to deal with the remaining eight Spitter Zombies with his Hatchet!


    "Harper, Anna... Stay put... You have low agility and you might get burned by the acid. I have good equipment, so even if I get hit, I''ll make it..."


    Shane said before he ran towards another Spitter Zombie.


    It was good that they were spread out and not clustered together!


    The Spitter Zombie saw Shaneing and spat a blob of acid at him. Whoossh~


    Shane dodged the acid, but it sshed on the ground near him, creating a puddle of corrosive liquid. Shane jumped over the puddle and continued his charge.


    The other Spitter Zombies also saw Shane''s movement and attacked at the same time!


    Thankfully, his Perception stat made it easier for him to dodge those acid blobs! Whoossh~


    The Spitter Zombie that Shane targeted spat another blob of acid, aiming for his head. At this time, Shane raised his Hatchet and blocked the acid, but it burned his gloves and his weapon. Shane felt a searing pain, but thanks to the resistance of his items, it wasn''t unbearable! As soon as he got near, he held his Hatchet tightly and shed the Spitter Zombie in the face!

 Chapter 45 Against Spitter Zombies

    Chapter 45 Against Spitter Zombies


    Shane didn''t dare tond a final blow to the Spitter Zombie''s body yet as he knew that they would still explode¡­


    He wasn''t sure if cutting off their head would cancel the explosion or it would hasten it instead. So, instead of risking that, he decided to just ignore the corpses first and rush towards the next Spitter Zombie.


    He had to be quick and agile, dodging the acid spit and the explosions. If he made a mistake, his equipment might save him, but it would be dangerous for him since there are still many Spitter Zombies around. He had to be ruthless and decisive, striking the vital spots and moving on to the next target. He didn''t even bother saving his Spirit Points as he used his Fire Effect in each strike¡­


    As he moved to the next one, he heard the explosions of the other Spitter Zombies he killed earlier.


    Boom! Boom!


    [ You have eliminated a Spitter Zombie. ] [ You have eliminated a Spitter Zombie. ] Shane ignored these explosions and attacked the next Zombie.


    "Haaa!"


    With a wave of his hand, Shane killed one Spitter Zombie after another, leaving a trail of fire and blood behind him. He felt his adrenaline pumping, his heart racing, his muscles tensing. "Come!" He shouted.


    Although the Special Spicy Noodle was no longer in effect, he felt more alive at this moment!


    Soon, Shane reached thest Spitter Zombie, which was the closest to the Manor. It seemed as if it was bigger and fatter than the others, and it spat more acidpared to them.


    Shane knew this was the final challenge of this week''s Zombie Wave¡­ n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    After taking a deep breath, he ran towards the Spitter Zombie, holding his hatchet high. The Spitter Zombie saw him and opened its mouth, ready to spit. Shane threw his hatchet at the Spitter Zombie, hoping to hit its head.


    Pssst~


    The hatchet flew through the air, passing through the acid while spinning and ming! As expected of the Master Rank weapon, it wasn''t stopped by the acid spit! Thud!


    It hit the Spitter Zombie''s mouth, cutting its tongue and igniting its saliva!


    The Spitter Zombie choked and gagged, unable to spit. It tried to pull out the hatchet, but it was toote.


    The hatchet''s Fire Effect had fully triggered, and the Spitter Zombie''s head started burning! The fire spread from its mouth to its head, and then to its upper body!


    Boom!


    To Shane''s surprise, this Spitter Zombie blew up immediately, sending chunks of flesh and acid everywhere.


    It was unlike the other Spitter Zombies!


    Thankfully, he didn''t get too close to this Spitter Zombie!


    Shane ducked and covered his head, avoiding the st. He felt a wave of heat and a shockwave of air as he stayed close to the ground¡­


    He smelled the disgusting flesh and blood that almost made him puke¡­


    [ You have eliminated a Chief Spitter Zombie ] He looked up and saw that the Spitter Zombie''s upper body was gone. "It''s done¡­" Shane muttered in a weak voice as he knew that the Zombie Wave was over.


    Shane breathed a sigh of relief as he heard Anna and Harper''s joyous voice.


    He saw Harper smiling at him while Anna was running towards him with tears in her eyes. ''I guess she worried a lot¡­ I almost died back there¡­'' Shane thought as he saw Anna reach him and threw herself into his arms.


    He just hugged her back tofort her. She was probably scared to death just now. If he died against those Spitter Zombies, they would surely be the next to perish.


    However, he didn''t expect Anna to kiss him fiercely. "Ooopp¡ª"


    Shane felt a shock in his heart, something he had never expected. He felt surprised more than ever.


    ''Isn''t this a bit too fast?'' However, although he was surprised, he only hesitated for a moment and kissed her back.


    They held each other, feeling a rush of emotion that overwhelmed them. They didn''t know what came over them as they just acted on their instincts. For a moment, they didn''t care about anything else and they just wanted to be close to each other.


    However, after they heard Harper''s footsteps, they realized what they were doing, and they quickly separated. They felt embarrassed and awkward, not knowing what to say or do. Harper just helplessly smiled, seeing how the two looked away from each other, trying to hide their feelings.


    "Ahem... I''m going to fix the barricade." Anna said, breaking the silence. She then turned away and ran towards the church. She obviously wanted to get away from him, to avoid facing him. ''So she''s going to pretend that nothing''s happened?'' Shane sighed and replied.


    "Go ahead..." Shane said, nodding his head. He watched her go, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity. He wondered what was in her mind... ''Whatever¡­''


    Shane shook his head and decided to start looting the zombies. He needed to focus on the task at hand to distract himself from the situation.


    He started to loot the normal Spitter Zombies first.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes."


    [ You have earned 60 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL water, 100mL Spitter Zombie Blood, 1 Acid Pouch, 2 Spirit Enhancement Bottles ]


    [ You have earned 60 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL water, 100mL Spitter Zombie Blood, 1 Acid Pouch, 2 Spirit Enhancement Bottles ]


    ***


    [ You have earned 60 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL water, 100mL Spitter Zombie Blood, 1 Acid Pouch, 2 Spirit Enhancement Bottles ]


    [ You have leveled up ] [ You have earned a 75% Discount Voucher ]


    [ Hint: You can only use this Voucher on items being sold for less than 500 Zombie Cores. ]

 Chapter 46 Rewards

    46 Rewards


    Shane''s eyes sparkled as heid eyes on the reward - a discount voucher!


    He actually reached level 12 by only looting seven Spitter Zombies. He still had two regr Spitter Zombies and one Chief Spitter to loot!


    Despite his curiosity about how to use this voucher in the store, he refrained from checking it immediately, as he had already checked the store''s offerings before the Zombie Wave began.


    The only item that piqued his interest was the Single-Sized Bed, priced at 15 Zombie Cores, a cost he was not willing to squander his voucher on.


    Opting to hold off on the store for the time being, he continued to loot the remaining two Spitter Zombies, saving the best forst.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes."


    [ You have earned 100 Experience Points. ] [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL water, 100mL Chief Spitter Zombie Blood, 1 Acid Pouch, 1 Spitter Tongue, 2 Spirit Enhancement Bottles ]


    ''Spitter tongue? What am I going to do with that?'' Shane mused. Anyway, there were still 8 minutes left in the Zombie Wave timer. Although they didn''t expect any more zombies, Shane returned to the shelter. Sure enough, eight minutes passed peacefully, and the notification from the system finally came! [ Congrattions! You have sessfully survived the Zombie Wave! ]


    [ You have earned 300 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 50 Zombie Cores. ]


    [ You have earned 2 Reputation Points ] [ Additional Rewards are being calcted¡­ ] [ You have achieved the Top 1 in the Zombie Wave Clearer Ranking! ] [ You have earned 10 Reputation Points. ] [ You have earned 500 Zombie Cores. ]


    [ You have earned 10 Item Upgrade Crystals. ]


    [ You have obtained a Random Gift Pack. ]


    Shane was already shocked after seeing the huge amount of Zombie Cores that he had received. However, his reward wasn''t over yet. [ You have defeated all the Zombies targeting you and eliminated the Survivor who had interrupted your Zombie Wave. ] [ You have cleared the hidden mission. ] [ You have received a Recruitment Stone. ] N?v(el)B\\jnn


    [ Hint: The Recruitment Stone is a single-use item that a Survivor can trigger in order to recruit a helpful inhabitant of this continent. ] "A recruitment stone?" Shane wondered about this item and quickly took it out from his Inventory System. It was a small ck stone with a single star carved on it. [ Do you want to activate the Recruitment Stone? ] A notification appeared. Shane didn''t hesitate much as he wanted to increase the number of people in his Territory. "Yes..." As he agreed to the notification, the Recruitment Stone faintly glowed with blue light before shattering into many pieces.


    Suddenly, a thick fog emerged in front of the estate. This rmed both Harper and Anna, as they knew very well that this fog wasn''t good! They still remember the time when they entered a simr fog and got themselves lost in time. Nevertheless, Shane immediately told them to calm down, as it was something that he did.


    Shane could barely see anything through the mist¡­


    ''It''s really that magical fog¡­'' Shane mused as he already connected the fog to be rted to the system itself. It didn''t take long before he heard the sound of footsteps approaching them.


    As the fog cleared, they saw a person appear in front of the estate.


    It was a man, about 40 years old, with a muscr build and a rugged face. He had short ck hair, a thick beard, and a scar on his cheek. Interestingly, the man wore a leather apron, a pair of gloves, and a belt with various tools. He also carried arge hammer on his shoulder.


    Shane and the others immediately realized what kind of profession this man had.


    He then looked at Shane with a serious expression and said, "I guess you''re the Foreign Survivor, I''m Leo. I''m a cksmith. You probably need my help."


    Shane was speechless. He had just recruited an excellent cksmith with the Recruitment Stone! He couldn''t believe his luck.


    He smiled and said, "Hi, I''m Shane. I''m the leader of this Territory. I''m d you''re here. I could use your skills."


    Leo nodded and said, "I''m happy to help. I can make and repair weapons, armor, and other metal items. I can also teach you some tricks of the trade. Just show me where I can set up my forge."


    Leo then paused for a moment as he realized the condition of the estate¡­ "I guess that can be discussedter. For now, you can have a look at my skills."


    With that said, Leo showed his Survivor Skills to Shane. [ Metalworking Lv10 ( Max ): An advanced skill that allows the user to craft items from metal, such as weapons, tools, or armor. It grants the following benefits:


    +20% crafting effectiveness with metal


    +20% chance to find quality metal or salvage metal from items


    +20% speed of crafting with metal ]


    [ Tempering Lv10 ( Max ): A skill that allows the user to heat-treat metal items, such as des, to improve their hardness and durability. It grants the following benefits: +40% resistance of metal items +40% chance to find or make tempering materials +40% speed of tempering metal items ]


    [ Engraving Lv10 ( Max ): A skill that allows the user to carve designs or patterns on metal items, such as jewelry, to enhance their appearance and value. It grants the following benefits: +40% beauty of metal items +40% chance to find or make engraving tools +40% speed of engraving metal items ]


    [ Smelting Lv10 ( Max ): A skill that allows the user to extract metal from ore, such as iron, to produce raw materials for forging. It grants the following benefits: +40% quantity of metal materials +40% chance to find or make smelting equipment +40% speed of smelting ore ]


    "You have four skills?" Shane was shocked as he hadn''t expected that Leo would have so many. However, he realized that this man had probably mastered his skills at a young age.


    "Kekeke¡­ I''m very proud of it¡­ So you have to make me a smithy. Focus on building it from now on. We have to kill all the zombies!" Leo said with a pleased tone after seeing how surprised Shane was.


    "Very well. I''ll work on it¡­ For now, we will fix our current shelter. We just finished a Zombie Wave and we''re a bit exhausted as well." Shane then led Leo to the shelter, where Harper and Anna were already fixing their barricade. They introduced themselves and weed Leo to their group. Luckily, Leo was friendly and polite, but also reserved and cautious. He seemed to have a lot of experience and knowledge as he also started teaching them to make a better barricade. Finally, Shane had the time to open his Random Giftpack¡­

 Chapter 47 Finally!

    47 Finally!


    Shane took the Random Gift Pack out of his Inventory, curious about what it contained. Then, a box with a question mark on each side appeared in front of him and began to open slowly. Shane felt a surge of excitement, hoping for something useful or valuable. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [ You have opened a Random Gift Pack. ] [ Congrattions! You have received an Entertainment Gift Pack! ] The box opened fully, revealing its contents. Shane saw a deck of ying cards, a notebook for journaling, a few random books, and a harmonica. Shane felt a wave of disappointment, realizing that he had received the worst possible reward.


    "Ugh..." Shane groaned, looking at the items. He had no use for them. He needed weapons, armor, tools, or perhaps some food since he only had bread to feed the people in his estate.


    They had no need for Entertainment. He felt like he had wasted his luck.


    ''Is this really the 10 Luck Points that I have? Isn''t that a scam?''


    However, he knew that it was not anyone''s fault. It was just a random chance, and his Luck stat might be too low to affect it.


    Or perhaps the Entertainment Gift Pack was actually one of the best gift packs among the choices. Anyway, he decided to keep all these items in their shelter in case they mighte in handy someday.


    After that, Shane went back to his work. He had more important things to do. They had to focus on rebuilding the estate. They had to chop more trees, create a wooden fence, set up traps like spikes, and fix their shelter.


    Of course, they also needed to take some rest. So, after some quick fixes with their fence, they ate their bread with mayonnaise before taking a rest. Shane also purchased the Single-Sized Bed. Initially, he wanted to give this to Anna as she seemed to be really after the Zombie Wave, and he wanted her to have a good rest. However, Anna refused this and decided to have the sleeping bag instead. As they were about to sleep, Shane recalled to check his current attributes. Survivor Name: Shane Wells Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor Level: 12


    Vitality: 160/160


    Spirit: 635/635


    Strength: 31


    Agility: 31


    Luck: 10


    Perception: 10


    Inventory: Memory Spherex22, Item Upgrade Crystals x160, Zombie Cores x724, 255L Water, 33 Bread, 15 Stale Bread, 11 Acid Pouch, 290 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Revolver ( Umon ), Spitter Tongue x1


    Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Fishing, Woodworking, Metalworking, Axe Mastery, Lockpicking


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent )


    Reputation Points: 29 Reputation Points


    "Oh? I already have 29 Reputation Points?" Shane was a bit surprised after seeing it. He couldn''t help but recall that his Reputation Store was selling three interesting things. One of them was a Dog that could hunt, track, or fetch items. The other one was a Drone that could help him map things out and do reconnaissance tasks, and finally, the Tattoo mark that could guarantee him a Survivor Skill for only 20 Reputation Points.


    He was a bit tempted to get this Tattoo mark, but he still had Memory Spheres that could give him skills.


    Furthermore, he was previously reminded by the system that he could obtain a Talent Expansion Pack in the Reputation Store!


    He didn''t know how much it was, so he had to save as many Reputation Points as he could to purchase it.


    ''Right¡­ I can also loot Talent and Survivor Skills¡­ It''s better to get that Expansion Pack instead.'' Shane silently thought as he decided to save his RP for now.


    Finally, it was time for bed.


    It was good that Cloud or even Lucky could guard them while they were sleeping so they could sleep peacefully. On the next day, everyone woke up early. It was a break for them as there were no zombies around.


    Shane gathered everyone and told them his n to rebuild the estate. During the following three days, they worked hard and efficiently, using their skills and tools. They cleared the area around the estate, cut down the trees, built the fence, dug the holes, nted the spikes, and erged the shelter. They also reinforced the windows and doors of the church, added more furniture and storage, and improved the venttion and lighting.


    It was a lengthy process, but the result wasn''t bad.


    The church had be their main shelter from now on.


    They worked for several hours, taking breaks only to eat and rest. If there were zombies around, they would easily get killed as they were just a bunch of Crawler or Walker Zombies.


    It seems that the Apocalypse System had given them a nice break after that Zombie Wave.


    During this time, their small group talked and learned things about each other, making the work more enjoyable as they became closer as a team.


    "It looks livable now¡­" Shanemented after seeing the results of their hard work. They finished their work after three days, and Shane was very proud of their results. They had transformed their territory into a more secure andfortable ce. They had a strong and sturdy fence, a spacious and cozy shelter that was previously a church, and a variety of traps and defenses. Although it would still get destroyed by that Giant Zombie, Shane felt more safe and confident¡­


    Shane wanted to celebrate their achievement by having a feast of canned food, but they no longer had them, not a single one.


    Instead, he decided to celebrate by doing some entertainment by ying cards, reading books, and listening to the harmonica yed by Leo. Shane realized that the items were not so useless after all. It at least helped them rx and have fun, forgetting their troubles and worries for a while.


    On the fourth day after the first Zombie Wave, Shane woke up with a huge smile on his face¡­


    Apparently, as soon as he opened the store this time, he finally found the ammunition he needed!

 Chapter 48 Observer

    48 Observer


    Shane opened the Survivor Store and found the ammunition he needed for his Revolver¡­


    He had been waiting for this ammunition to appear, and finally, his long wait was over. Furthermore, all the items in the Survivor Store are entirely new! He had never seen them before!


    [ Ammunition Box: A metal box that contains 50 rounds of .44 Magnum bullets for revolvers. It can be used by a Survivor who wants to reload their firearm and deal more damage to Zombies but with a limited supply and weight. It has a +70% chance of prating zombie armor and a +50% chance of causing knockback. Price: 25 Zombie Cores Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [Scavenger''s Knife ( Umon ): A sharp and sturdy knife that can be used as a weapon or a tool. It can be used by a survivor who wants to cut, stab, or slice zombies or other materials, but with limited durability and reach. It has a +80% chance of causing bleeding. Price: 10 Zombie Cores Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ Binocrs ( Rare ): A mysterious pair of optical devices that magnify distant objects. It can be used by a survivor who wants to scout, spy, or snipe zombies or other survivors, but with a limited field of view and uracy. It has a +5% chance of zooming in 100 times and a +10% chance of revealing hidden or unexpected details.


    Price: 35 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 6/6 ]


    "There''s a 5 percent chance that it will zoom 100 times?" Shane muttered as he read the details of the Binocrs. There was also a 10 percent chance of revealing some hidden information to his target of observation.


    It was quite mysterious indeed, just like how it was described. ''I might as well buy this one to see how it works.'' Shane thought.


    Since he had plenty of money, or Zombie Cores, in his inventory, he didn''t have to live frugally anymore.


    Anyway, he continued to check the other three new items sold in the store.


    [ Energy Bar x5: A nutritious and delicious snack that can boost the user''s energy and stamina. It can be used by a survivor who wants to run, fight, or work longer, but with a limited effect and nd taste. It increases the user''s speed and reduces the user''s hunger for at least 2 hours. 15:41


    Quantity: 10/10 ]


    [ Sunsses ( Umon ): A pair of sses that can protect the user''s eyes from re and UV rays. They are made of stic and metal and have tinted lenses and frames. They also provide some resistance to light-based attacks from sher Zombies, reducing the damage and blind effect. Price: 7 Zombie Cores Quantity: 2/2 ]


    "Wait¡­ What? There''s a sher Zombie?" Shane''s eyes widened as he read the description. It seemed that they were really proceeding to the next phase of the Zombie Apocalypse. He had just learned a new type of Zombie that could possibly attack his territory or perhaps join in the next Zombie Wave.


    With that in consideration, Shane decided to purchase the Sunsses as well.


    The sher Zombie may not visit him today, but they mighte soon. He had to purchase the Sunsses now as they may not appear at the time that he needed them.


    He then checked thest item in the store. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    [ Pickaxe ( Common ): A tool that can be used to mine ore, stone, or other materials. It is made of mysterious steel and has a wooden handle and a pointed head. Price: 10 Zombie Cores Quantity: 4/4 ]


    Finally, Harper would no longer have to use the poorly made Pickaxe he had.


    In the end, Shane purchased 4 Pickaxes, 2 Sunsses, 2 Scavenger''s Knife, 10 sets of Energy Bars, 1 Binocr, and 5 Ammunition Boxes for his Revolver.


    Just like that, Shane spent 244 Zombie Cores!


    Nevertheless, he thought it was worth it. He wanted to equip himself and his friends with the best items possible, to increase their chances of survival.


    He checked the items he bought, admiring their quality and usefulness. He was especially pleased with the Ammunition Boxes, which would allow him to use his Revolver more often and more effectively. ***


    But while Shane was busy inspecting his purchases, unbeknownst to him, there was someone watching them from a distance. "Interesting¡­ I didn''t expect that there''s already amunity close to us."


    This person was on top of a tree and was using a handheld telescope to spy on Shane''s group. He was a man, about 30 years old, with a slim and wiry build with a cunning and greedy face. He had short brown hair, a stubble beard, and a scar on his nose. Although he had some leaves and branches on his body to camouge himself, one could still see that he wore a leather jacket, jeans, and a pair of boots. Furthermore, he had a short dagger and a revolver on his belt.


    His name was Franky, and he was the leader of a newly established group of Survivors who had been roaming the area for a while. Because they fled from their Zombie Wave, they barely received some rewards, and they were running out of resources.


    At this time, they had been looking for a ce to settle down or at least to loot and plunder. Franky knew that as long as they found a target, their group of five people could work together!


    "Let''s continue to observe for now¡­" Franky muttered to himself.


    He looked at the estate through his telescope, and he saw Shane and his friends. He saw the fence, the shelter, the traps, the dog, and other stuff being worked on by the group. "Hmm¡­ They looked so lively, I guess they''re not worried about food, huh¡­" He muttered to himself, licking his lips. He was not intimidated by the sight of the survivors nor by their defenses. He was only excited by the prospect of taking their resources by force if necessary.


    After all, with his Exceptional Talent, he has nothing to be afraid of!

 Chapter 49 Not Giving Up

    Chapter 49 Not Giving Up


    Franky had decent Exceptional Talent that allowed him to be a leader of a small group of Survivors.


    [ Telekinesis (Exceptional Talent): The Survivor can move objects or people with their mind, as long as they are within their line of sight and not too heavy. The Survivor can also levitate themselves or fly for a short time. ]


    With his Exceptional Talent, he could lift decent-sized rocks, wooden stakes, or even people as long as they''re only about 50kg.


    ording to the Regional Chat, there were actually quite a few people with simr talent.


    However, most of these Survivors in the chat only had Telekinesis at a Rare or Umon rank. He believed that he was the only one with Telekinesis at the Exceptional Rank!


    Soon, Franky lowered his telescope as he slowly climbed down the tree .


    He then turned to hispanions, who were waiting for his report.


    "Did you see something? You look excited, Boss." One of them said after seeing Franky''s expression.


    "Did you finally find a girl? Ahem¡­ I mean, food?"


    "Hahaha! I know what you want, Max¡­ You don''t have to suppress yourself with us."


    "Guys¡­ Lower your voice. There might be another Jumper Zombie around."


    Aside from Franky, there were four other men, all armed with a small knife and a sharpened wood as a weapon. All these four only had Umon Talents like Quick Learner or Enhanced Senses¡­ They weren''t special, but it could, at most, make them stronger than the low-tier Zombies.


    Of course, it hadn''t been long since they followed Franky. It all happened when they were fleeing from the Zombie Wave a few days ago. They somehow worked together to get to the top of a cliff that allowed them to flee sessfully from the zombies chasing them.


    During the past few days, they had killed and robbed a couple of Survivors already. They were lucky that these Survivors were too exhausted from their recent Zombie Waves so they weren''t able to resist that much.


    Since they already had experience, they were not afraid to do it again.


    Franky smiled at them as they truly had the same mind. "Boys, we''ve hit the jackpot. There''s a bunch of suckers living in that estate, and they have a lot of stuff that we want. We''re going to pay them a visit, and we''re not going to be polite. There''s also a beautiful girl living there¡­ We''ll kill all the two guys and spare her¡­ Are you with me?"


    The group cheered and nodded, eager to join him. "We''ll wait for the night before we move. We also need to kill their guard dog first¡­" Franky said as he also didn''t mind making it their next meal.


    The group then kept nning their attack and soon, the night came. Franky''s group crept towards the estate, moving in the shadows. They were all armed and ready to kill... They found the guard dog outside the Church and seemed to be sleeping as well¡­


    "Good¡­" Franky muttered as they slowly passed through the simple traps that were made for zombies.


    ***


    In the meantime, Shane was awakened by a warning from Cloud, his A.I. assistant. [ Intruder Alert! ] [ Five adult human males have entered your territory! ]


    "Survivors?"


    His eyes widened as he quickly grabbed the gun that was next to him while he slept. He then asked the A.I. once again for the rification and location of the enemies. As he checked his Map Function, he confirmed that these people couldn''t be detected as well. ''Approaching us in the dead of the night¡­ They''re up to no good.'' Shane muttered.


    He alerted Harper and Leo, who were sleeping in another corner and because they were also alert, it wasn''t difficult to wake them up.


    Of course, he also woke up Anna just in case something happened.


    They soon grabbed their weapons and waited inside the Church.


    They decided to ambush these people once they''d shown who they really were.


    ***


    Franky''s group sneakily got closer to the dog guarding the door of the Church, which was the shelter of the Survivors they were aiming to kill.


    Anna, who had noticed what they were about to do, held the revolver in her hands. Lucky was a loyal and bravepanion, who had helped her survive many dangers. There was no way she would allow her dog to die! Grrr¡­.


    The dog sensed the intruders and growled, ready to defend its home and its owners.


    "Tsk¡­ It''s because you all smelled so bad that it woke up so quickly."


    "Just kill it quickly!" n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    One of them pounced at the dog and decided to kill it first. They can''t let it alert the Survivors inside. The others also drew their knives and approached the dog, trying to be quiet and quick. They didn''t even think of taming it and they only saw it as an obstacle or even a potential meal.


    But before they could reach the dog, they heard the sound of gun fire!


    Bang!


    One of Franky''s men was shot in the head, and he fell to the ground, dead. A bullet had pierced his skull, ending his life in an instant.


    This rmed the others, who looked around, trying to find the source of the shot. They realized that they had been spotted, and that they were in danger.


    It was from the window of the Church! They panicked and shouted, "Ahh! Wait! We''re not here to harm you! We''re just looking for some food and water! Please don''t shoot!"


    Of course, they were lying, and they knew it. They were not here to beg for help. They were here to take everything by force.


    ''How can they still have bullets after the Zombie Wave?! Is it being sold in the store?'' Franky couldn''t help but grumble.


    His Survivor Store was opened three days ago after reaching level 5, and no bullets have been sold ever since!


    At this time, the door of the Church opened, and two towering figures appeared.


    They were Harper and Leo. One of them was carrying a hammer, while the other one had a pickaxe in his hands.


    Franky knew that this wasn''t good but they weren''t going down without a fight!

 Chapter 50 Interrogation

    Chapter 50 Interrogation


    Thanks to the three Memory Spheres that he had gotten, his current principles had changed, and he viewed life differently.


    Perhaps, if it were before he integrated with the memories of his alternate self, Shane would hesitate to shoot the man just now.


    "Alright¡­ Don''t think of doing something funny, or you''ll be shot. Slowly drop your weapons now." Shane said.


    Luckily, the rest of them decided to cooperate as they slowly moved and dropped their knives, wooden spears, and empty revolvers.


    Shane then squinted his eyes and asked a few questions, trying to get some information from the bandits. He wanted to know who they were, where they came from, and what they were nning. He wanted to find out if there were more of them and if they had any allies or enemies hiding somewhere.


    Unfortunately, although they were already cornered, they were still not cooperative. They either kept silent or lied to his¡­


    "We''re not robbers! We just wanted some food!" "Yes, we''re hungry! We just want to eat your dog?! How is that a crime?!" n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Please spare us! We should be helping each other at this time!"


    Of course, Shane and the others didn''t buy such a tant lie. It seemed that Franky, the leader of their group, had taught them well of what to do in case they were captured like this.


    ''Are they not afraid of death?'' Shane thought as he realized that getting reliable information from them was quite impossible. They had nothing useful to say, and they only wasted his time. ''Should I just kill them and loot their bodies?'' Shane considered¡­ They couldn''t afford to have a prisoner right now. Even making themborers wasn''t a good choice as they might just flee or attack them once they got an opportunity.


    As Shane was considering what to do, one of Franky''s friends decided to take a risk. He saw that the night was dark and that there were a few zombies heading to the estate because of themotion they made... ''Right¡­ This could work!'' The man thought as looked at the Survivors of the shelter they entered.


    As soon as he noticed that they weren''t particrly paying attention to him, he quickly suddenly stood up and ran, hoping to escape with the help of the darkness! For a moment, he thought that he could run away, use the Zombies as covers, and hide in the shadows. He didn''t care about hisrades; he only cared about himself.


    ''Right¡­ This could work!'' The man thought as looked at the Survivors of the shelter they entered.


    As soon as he noticed that they weren''t particrly paying attention to him, he quickly suddenly stood up and ran, hoping to escape with the help of the darkness! He shouted, "I''m just going to take a pee! I''ll be back!"


    This may have fooled other people but it didn''t work on Shane... He saw the man flee, and he aimed his revolver at him. He didn''t even bother giving him a warning shot.


    As he got the aim, he pulled the trigger, and he shot his leg.


    Bang!


    The bullet hit the bandit''s leg, and he fell to the ground, screaming. He felt a terrible pain, and he saw blood gushing out of his wound.


    He realized that he had made a grave mistake, and he regretted his cowardice.


    "S-sorry, I''m not going to escape anymore¡­"


    Nheless, Shane walked up to him, and he pointed his revolver at his head. He looked at him with disgust and anger. "I told you not to move¡­" Shane said as memories of his alternate life appeared in his vision¡­ During the initial stages of the A.I. Rebellion''s apocalypse, he was almost killed because of someone like him. The emotions that he felt at that time were transferred to him as well because of how he absorbed the Memory Sphere.


    He pulled the trigger again, and he shot him.


    Bang!


    The man''s head exploded, and he died instantly. A bullet had pierced his brain, ending his life in a sh.


    Some of the blood sshed on Shane''s face and he didn''t even wipe it off.


    Anna, Harper, and Leo weren''t that surprised at his decision as it would show a good sample of the remaining captives. As a matter of fact, they were happy that their leader could make such a ruthless decision if it was necessary.


    ''So Sir Shane could also act like this¡­'' Harper mused with a hint of a smile on his face. Shane had always shown his kind and caring side, but when it came to his enemies, Harper liked how Shane was acting.


    ''It''s my first time seeing him like this¡­ He''s really perfect.'' Anna thought as she held Lucky tightly on her side.


    Leo, on the other hand, simply nodded at Shane''s decision. He felt that this was just a normal course of action for someone who couldn''t follow simple instructions.


    Shane then spat on the man''s body, and he walked away. He continued with their interrogation, and surprisingly, the death of their teammates changed their tone.


    They suddenly admitted their wrongdoings, and they wanted to be given a second chance in life!


    "Fine¡­ Answer my questions then¡­"


    Shane then asked them about the situation outside the region that they had already mapped. He wanted to know if there were any threats or opportunities that they should be aware of. As soon as they started telling what they were aware of, Shane and others were surprised by what they learned.


    These people told them that there was a Giant Zombie roaming around this region! Furthermore, it had already killed many survivors who had entered its territory!


    Based on how they describe this creature, Leo even felt that they were exaggerating the strength of this zombie.


    ''A ten-meter-tall zombie that can''t be killed by a gun? How can that thing even exist?'' Leo thought as he couldn''t imagine seeing such a zombie. After all, the Zombies were supposed to be humans who had been infected by a certain virus.


    It was just too much of a mutation to make a barely two-meter human into a ten-meter creature!


    However, Franky and the others insisted that it was the truth!


    They said that the Giant Zombie was truly huge and powerful and that it could crush anything in its path. They even imed that they had seen it in action and that they had barely escaped with their lives.


    Shane was rmed by this information!

 Chapter 51 Loot

    Chapter 51 Loot


    Shane knew about the existence of the Giant Zombie. He had seen it before when he tried going too far from his starting region.


    At that time, the Zombie failed to notice him as he seemed to be heading to a different ce. Nheless, Shane could never forget that encounter since he felt that it was some sort of a Field Boss that could only be eliminated with the help of many allies.


    "Giant Zombie¡­" Shane repeated. They had to prepare for this.


    After some time, he decided to kill the rest of the intruders, as they had no use for their shelter. They couldn''t keep them as prisoners or trust them as workers. They had no food to spare for them. Of course, he asked Leo and the others'' opinions this time to confirm that this was the right answer. Then, he didn''t bother asking Leo or Harper to kill them for him, as he decided to do it by himself.


    He even used his hatchet''s Ice Effect to freeze their head in the process.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud.


    All three bodies dropped to the ground before they could even scream and beg for mercy. ''You''re unlucky that you''ve run to our group.''


    Finally, Shane decided to loot them. He first looted the leader of their group, who had introduced himself as Franky.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes."


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ] [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 15 Zombie Cores, 5 Bread, Revolver ( Umon ), Leadership Skill, Telekinesis Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Telekinesis ( Exceptional ) was not added. ] [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Telekinesis Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 3 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    "No¡­" Shane weakly replied. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Telekinesis¡­ This isn''t too bad. It''s a pity I can only collect three talents for now.'' Shanemented in his mind since he knew that with such a talent, it would be a lot easier for him to rebuild his estate, and he would also gain a different fighting style! After all, he believed that he could wield more guns with such a talent!


    ''Telekinesis¡­ This isn''t too bad. It''s a pity I can only collect three talents for now.'' Shanemented in his mind since he knew that with such a talent, it would be a lot easier for him to rebuild his estate, and he would also gain a different fighting style! After all, he believed that he could wield more guns with such a talent!


    It was a shame that he couldn''t take the Telekinesis with him.


    Anyway, he continued extracting the other four. [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 5 Bread, Revolver ( Umon ), Scouting Skill, Quick Learner Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Quick Learner ( Umon) was not added. ] [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Quick Learner Talent? ]


    "No¡­" Shane answered once again before continuing with his loot. There was no way he would ept an Umon Talent. [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 5 Bread, Night Vision Goggles ( Umon ), Observation Skill, Enhanced Senses Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. ( Rare ) was not added. ] [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Enhanced Senses Talent? ]


    "No¡­" Shane answered. After doing this, Shane looted the remaining two. It was unfortunate that their Survivor Skills and Talents were already something he already has. They were Fishing Skill and Axe Mastery for the Survivor Skill. As for the talent, they were Beginner Alchemy Talent, and Animal Whisperer Talent. They were something that Shane wouldn''t consider at all.


    Nheless, he at least gained a total of 4 Revolvers in this process. He just needed to upgrade them so that they could use the .44 Magnum Rounds, and everyone in the shelter would have a gun to use!


    After this looting session, Shane eliminated the zombies who had been attracted to themotion that they''d made.


    "I don''t think our shelter willst that long if that Giant Zombie really attacked us." Anna replied with a serious note, as she could tell that even after they had worked together for a few days to create a decent barricade, it was still nothingpared to such a towering creature.


    Luckily, there were only Walker and Runner Zombies, so they weren''t a huge threat on him.


    After eliminating all of them, Shane returned to his party and shared what he knew about the Giant Zombie... He told them about the Giant Zombie that he had seen in the forest and how dangerous it was.


    "We have to get ready for any attack. I need your help to create a n¡­ I need to hear your opinion in case we have to confront or escape from such a monster."


    "I don''t think our shelter willst that long if that Giant Zombie really attacked us." Anna replied with a serious note, as she could tell that even after they had worked together for a few days to create a decent barricade, it was still nothingpared to such a towering creature.


    "I think we can only escape if that''s the case¡­ Unless we somehow found their weakness..." Leo paused after saying this as he saw the nodding response of the others. After giving a smile, he continued.


    "I think that it''s impossible for a Zombie to be unkible¡­ I hope we can get a clue about it someday."


    Harper could only agree to them and promised that he would be a better fighter.


    After this discussion, they worked hard, using their skills and tools. They checked their weapons, ammo, and created simple armor. They reinforced their fence and shelter and added more traps. For safety purposes, Shane also decided that they should scout the area. With Lucky, he scouted some areas that weren''t shown on the map yet¡­ Nheless, during this time, he was also looking for signs of the Giant Zombie or other enemies.


    During the afternoon, however, the Zombies in the area would be active.


    Shane''s party fought off the zombies that came to them and used them as target practice. They faced different types of zombies, such as Runners, Jumpers, and a few Spitters, from time to time. They killed them quickly and efficiently as they got used to their routine.


    Finally, on the fifth day after the first Zombie Wave, the next inhabitant who was attracted by Shane''s talent arrived!

 Chapter 52 New Member

    Chapter 52 New Member


    Gene was a young man who grew up on the streets of arge city. Since he had no family or rtives he could rely on, he had to survive by stealing, begging, and fighting. He learned to be tough, cunning, and ruthless at such a young age. He was simply trying to survive every day and could only dream of a bright future from time to time.


    One day, he was caught stealing from a noble''s carriage. He expected to be executed or thrown into prison. It was something that had happened to his fellow beggars who dared to steal from noble families.


    But to his surprise, the noble offered him a deal. He said he was looking for recruits for his army, and he saw potential in Gene. The noble said he would spare his life and give him a chance to be a knight if he agreed to serve him loyally and faithfully.


    Well, Gene had no choice but to ept. He was taken to a training camp, where he was taught how to fight, ride, and obey. He endured harsh discipline, brutal drills, and fiercepetition. Nheless, just like what the noble told him, he indeed has a decent level of talent. He proved to be a quick learner, a skilled fighter, and a natural leader. He rose through the ranks, from amon soldier to a legionnaire. He earned respect, admiration, and fear from his peers and superiors. In just eight years, he became a loyal and faithful servant of his Lord.


    He fought in many battles, against zombies, bandits, rebels, and other enemies. He killed countless foes, saved many lives, and achieved many victories on the battlefield. After another six years had passed, he was awarded medals, honors, and rewards. He became one of the Royal Knights at the age of 27.


    He was already happy with this achievement and believed that he already achieved his dream.


    But then, everything changed¡­


    One day, he was sent on a mission to scout a forest near the border. He was leading a small squad of elite soldiers. They were supposed to gather information, avoid confrontation, and report back. It was supposed to be a simple and safe task.


    Unfortunately, that didn''t happen ¡­


    As they were riding through the forest, they saw a dark gray fog in the distance. They were curious and cautious when they approached it.


    They decided to investigate while keeping a safe distance¡­ However, they still needed to approach the fog. Soon, as they tried touching the fog, it suddenly twisted and contorted as if it was alive!


    The fog covered all of them, faster than they could react. It swiftly engulfed them, swallowed them, transported them somewhere they didn''t know. They felt a strange sensation, a mix of fear and confusion as they felt that they were eaten by a void. They all tried screaming, but no one heard them aside from themselves. Just like that, they all vanished, lost in time.


    Time passed, and whenever Gene woke up, he felt that many years had passed¡­ However, after being awake for so many days, he would sleep once again, and this process repeated so many times that he could no longer count them.


    Finally, after who knows how long, Gene heard a strange voice¡­ It seemed to havee from the Lord of the Realm and exined to him the existence of the Zombies, his Skills, the Foreign Survivors, and the fact that generations had already passed ever since!


    He couldn''t even question the voice that spoke to him as he found himself in a different ce. He was disoriented, but he still realized what kind of ce this was. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    ''A badly restored Manor¡­'' Genemented in his mind.


    He looked around and saw a group of people behind the wooden fence of the manor. They were staring at him with curiosity and wariness. Then, a man who introduced himself as the Foreign Survivor named Shane approached him. He had a friendly smile and a calm demeanor.


    ***


    "Hello, I''m Shane. Wee to my territory. You are thetest inhabitant who was brought here by my talent. I''m sorry for the inconvenience, but I hope you can adjust to your new home. What is your name and where are you from?" Shane asked while observing the man''s appearance. The man who stepped out of the fog this time seemed to be in histe twenties. He was a young blonde Knight with a handsome face and a sturdy physique. He wore full armor and carried a sword tied to his belt. He looked like a seasoned warrior based on how he carried himself and his gait. Nheless, Shane could tell that the knight was confused.


    Shane felt a mix of curiosity and respect for the neer. After inviting the man inside the estate, Shane started asking the man some questions.


    "I''m Gene¡­ A knight from a Kingdom in the past." Gene said in a weak voice. Shane was a bit confused at this introduction. "I know I''ve been trapped in the gray fog for generations, and the Kingdom I''m serving has probably been lost by now. Even if it survived for long¡­ The Zombies Outbreak had probably wiped it out." Gene exined without waiting for Shane to ask. After Shane introduced everyone else and Gene confirmed that he would serve the Foreign Survivor to save this continent from the Zombies, he decided to share his current set of Skills. [ Riding Lv10 ( Max ): An advanced skill that allows the user to ride a horse or other mount with ease, such as galloping, jumping, or charging. It grants the following benefits: +40% speed with mount +40% maneuverability with mount +40% stability with horseback riding ]


    [ Swordsmanship Lv10 ( Max ): A basic skill that allows the user to wield a sword with mastery, such as shing, stabbing, parrying, or blocking. It grants the following benefits: +40% damage with sword +40% uracy with sword +40% defense with sword ]


    [ Valor Lv10 ( Max ): A skill that allows the user to disy courage and honor in battle, such as challenging, taunting, or resisting. It grants the following benefits: +40% attack against stronger enemies +40% defense against weaker enemies +40% resistance against fear or pain ]

 Chapter 53 Gene

    Chapter 53 Gene


    "Wow¡­" Shane couldn''t help but remark after seeing Gene''s skills. "It''s a pity that we don''t have a mount for you. Do you think there are still wild horses here you can tame?" He asked casually.


    "I''m not sure¡­ But we probably can''t expect too much, Sir Shane. ording to the voice I heard, some animals will not be affected by the Zombie Virus¡­ like birds and some mammals¡­ Well, I believe even insects will not be turned¡­ They''ll either die or bepletely immune." Gene answered as he tried to recall the bits of information he heard from the mysterious voice.


    "Right¡­ Leo mentioned the same thing." Shane said as he gently nodded.


    "Anyway, I''ll look for a mount in the Survivor Store or Reputation Store¡­ Ahh¡­ I can probably ask the Regional Chat or the World Chat about this." "Thank you, Sir Shane! I think I can fight the Zombies better in an open field if I have a horse." Gene replied. Although he was still skillful when fighting on foot, he felt that with a mount, he would be able to help the shelter more.


    Furthermore, he could easily patrol the estate''s surroundings with a horse. Well, he was already thinking of his role in this small shelter with a few number of survivors. He could tell that each of them had a role to fulfill so he had to do his part.


    ''A miner, a physician, a cksmith, and now, a knight¡­ I guess this isn''t too bad since we''re still going to continue to grow since the Foreign Survivor had the talent to save the people from the Gray Fog¡­'' Gene thought as he could tell that since he was one of the earlier members of this shelter, he knew that he had to show how good he was and have a better position once their number here started increasing. He knew that saving the continent wouldn''t happen in a few months or just a couple of years. It would take a long time, so he had to prepare himself. "Very well, since I detected a few zombies¡­ Can you eliminate them? I want to see your skills with the sword. If you''re in trouble, I can use my gun to help you, so don''t worry. You can also try to loot them and see if you have decent luck¡­"


    Gene''s eyes lit up after hearing this. "Zombies? Where? Let me try killing them!" Gene said in excitement. In the era where he was taken away by the fog, the Zombie Outbreak hadn''t been that widespread yet. Because of that, it would be his first time to encounter one.


    Shane liked his enthusiasm, so he pointed to the direction where Cloud sensed the zombies. Gene followed his gaze and didn''t see any zombies yet. However, after some time, their silhouettes appeared and he saw a group of about ten zombies wandering in the forest. They were mostly Walkers and Runners, with one Jumper and one Spitter among them. This group of Zombies had actually surprised Shane. After all, this wasn''t a simple cluster of Zombies. It was as if they were some sort of a squad¡­


    Nheless, Gene didn''t think too much of it and just thought that it was normal to have gatherings of multiple types of Zombies.


    Gene grinned and ran towards them, drawing his sword.


    ''A bit reckless, but I like this bravery¡­'' Shanemented in his mind as he watched the Knight from a distance, ready to shoot if necessary. Click¡­


    He held his revolver in his hands and was ready to shoot as soon as he noticed something off.


    Soon, he saw Gene sh through the zombies with ease, cutting off their heads, limbs, or torsos. He was using his Swordsmanship Skill really well!


    With the increase of his damage, uracy, and defense, it seemed that these low-tier Zombies would be easy to deal with.


    He only had to worry about the Spitter Zombies since they could explode and they would spit acid blobs from time to time to kill him. Nheless, because of his Valor Skill, he wasn''t hesitating in his movements at all! He looked like a natural born killer.


    The Walker and Runner Zombies didn''t stand a chance against him. The Zombies fell one by one, leaving a trail of blood and gore behind... Soon, Gene reached thest two zombies, the Jumper and the Spitter. He could tell that these two were special, so he moved with extra care.


    "Hmph!"


    Gene dodged the Jumper''s leap and stabbed it in the chest¡­ He then followed it up with a sh on its head!


    Thud!


    ''This one''s fast, but he has no proper technique¡­ If I had this Zombie''s strength, this sh wouldn''t injure me at all.'' Gene thought as he assessed the strength of the Zombies. Ptui~


    He then heard a familiar spitting sound as he avoided the Spitter''s acid. Of course, he didn''t waste this opportunity!


    ''That should take some time before you can gather more acid¡­ Perfect!''


    Gene didn''t waste his time as he killed the Spitter Zombies by shing its head. It was gory, but it was part of his job, and he had to get used to such a scene.


    Gene then looked around and saw no more enemies. ''So it''s done¡­'' Gene smiled and raised his sword in victory. He felt a rush of adrenaline and satisfaction from that fight. He certainly loved fighting and killing zombies as he felt alive and free!


    However, instead of celebrating, Shane shouted at him!


    "Spitter Zombies will explode! Careful!"


    As soon as he heard that warning, the headless Spitter Zombie behind him exploded! n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Boom!


    The Spitter Zombie''s flesh, blood, and even its acid were thrown everywhere! Luckily, Shane''s warning was in time, as he was able to duck behind the metal fence of the estate. ''What? That was dangerous!'' Gene''s eyes widened as he realized that a part of his armor was corroded because of the acid¡­ Gene shivered in fear as he realized it could''ve been his skin!

 Chapter 54 Looted

    Chapter 54 Looted


    ''I''m stupid¡­ I should ask them about the Zombies first.'' Gene shook his head as he realized that the Zombies weren''t just simple creatures who had their bodies mutated and turned into human-eating creatures. They have mutated to a level that they possess inhumane capabilities, perhaps even sorcery!


    ''I hope it can still be fixed¡­''


    Gene could only sigh in relief after recalling that they have a cksmith here.


    He then heard someone pping behind him. He turned around and saw Shane walking towards him with a smile.


    "That''s an amazing performance, Gene! You killed them all by yourself! You didn''t even need my help!" Shane praised him genuinely. He really thought that he would have to use his gun to save this young knight.


    However, he had underestimated the Level 10 Swordsmanship skill. ''No, it wasn''t just his swordsmanship¡­ I can tell he also has plenty of experience to back it up¡­'' Shanemented in his mind.


    The Zombies don''t look pleasing to the eye. They smelled really bad, and they had a menacing appearance of rotting flesh. However, Gene remainedposed throughout the battle. He didn''t show any disgust or get affected by their appearance during the whole battle. He was a true warrior, and Shane couldn''t help but feel d about this. He finally had abat expert in his shelter!


    Although he had obtained the memories of his past self, they were still in the early stages, and he was not considered an expert at that time. For the uing battles, he would have to consider this man''s opinion for sure.


    "Thank you, Sir Shane! It was nothing! I''m just doing my duty!" Gene said modestly. However, Shane could tell that he was happy to be acknowledged. "Come on, don''t be so humble! You''re awesome! You should be proud of yourself!" Shane said as he started approaching the Zombies.


    "I am, Sir Shane. I am." Gene replied with a gentle nod.


    "Good. Now, let''s see what they have. Maybe you''ll find something useful or valuable." Shane said.


    "Alright, let''s check them out." Gene said.


    They walked over to the corpses of the zombies and started to loot them. First, Gene looted one of the Walker Zombies. Shane wanted to see what kind of items he would get from them.


    [ You have earned 1 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal ]


    "I got an experience point and an Item Upgrade Crystal. It looks decent." Genemented after seeing the loot in his hands. Unlike Shane, who could store his loot in his System Inventory, Gene and the others would have their items appear in front of them whenever they looted the corpse of a Zombie.


    On the other hand, Shane was also looking at the notification he got from the system.


    [ You have earned 4 Experience Points. ] ''Interesting¡­'' Shane squinted his eyes as he confirmed one of the hidden functions of the system. Because he doesn''t have a subordinate, servant, or party member in the early stages of the other two Apocalypses, he had no idea about this. "Ahem¡­ That''s right. The Item Upgrade Crystal is quite a rare find, so that''s considered a good loot, Gene."


    "Very well, I''ll continue with the loot. I''m not being selfish, but I have a skill that allows me to obtain better loot. Right now, we need a lot of resources so I have to take charge. I will let you guys have a loot once we have stable resources, food, or even water." Shane exined. [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes."


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ] n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    ¡­


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Pair of Running Shoes, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    "Ah?" Shane stopped looting for a moment as he realized that he just looted a pair of Running Shoes from the Runner Zombie. ''Let''s see¡­'' Shane muttered as he looked at its specification in his inventory.


    [ Running Shoes ( Tier 1 ): A pair of lightweight and breathable shoes that are made to improve the speed and agility of the wearer. They are made of synthetic materials and have a rubber sole, and have a simple design and color. They are ideal for survivors who want to outrun and evade zombies, but offer little protection from bites and scratches. Effects: +10% Movement Speed, +5% Evasion, -5 Physical Defense ] "What? Why is it negative on physical defense? Can''t you just remove it?" Shane remarked after seeing the negative effect. Nheless, it was truly saying that this item wasn''t forbat. It was only meant to be used for fleeing.


    "Is everything alright, Sir Shane?" Gene asked.


    "Yes¡­ Here, take these shoes. I''m sure it''s ufortable to always wear your armor. You can try wearing these if you''re not inbat¡­" Shane said as he thought of giving it to Gene.


    However, he immediately recalled that it wasn''t in its best state yet. "Wait, let me upgrade this quickly." Shane then quickly took out a few Item Upgrade Crystals and upgraded the shoes to a Tier 4 Item.


    Gene wasn''t too sure of what Shane had said, but he could guess what he was about to do.


    Soon, Shane obtained a great item!


    [ Running Shoes ( Tier 4 ): A pair of advanced and adaptive shoes that are made to optimize the performance andfort of the wearer. They are made of nanofibers and have a smart sole, and have a sleek design and color. They are perfect for survivors who want to outrun and evade zombies, and also offer moderate protection from bites and scratches. Effects: +20% Movement Speed, +10% Evasion, +5 Physical Defense


    Special Effect: Dash: The item allows the user to dash forward, covering a short distance in an instant and damaging anything in their way. Cost: 10 Spirit ]

 Chapter 55 Announcement

    Chapter 55 Announcement


    "Dash¡­ Not bad¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the result of his upgrade. It was now a Tier 4 Item, and he spent a total of 13 Item Upgrade Crystals for that¡­ However, he could tell that it was worth the price. Of course, upgrading from Tier 4 to Tier 5 is not an option yet. He would have to spend a total of 150 Upgrade Crystal for that to happen!


    This was the sole reason most of his clothing was stuck at Tier 4.


    It was just too expensive!


    It was no wonder that the clothes have different ranking systems from the weapons or devices. From Common, Umon, Rare, Exception, Master, and Epic, the number of crystals required was only 1, 2, 10, 30, and 100, respectively!


    The clothing had different sequences from Tier 1 to Tier 5, which were 1, 2, 10, and 150, for the needed crystals.


    "Can I really have this? It suddenly looked a lot better." Gene asked once again, afraid that he was getting an item too early. He had barely proven himself useful.


    "It''s fine¡­ It''s better to have someone use it instead of storing it in my inventory." Shane replied.


    "Then, I will ept it¡­" Gene replied with gratitude as he epted the shoes. "Alright¡­ You can go ahead and help us rebuild the shelter¡­ We have collected enough wood, and I already turned it into wooden nks. We''re focusing on rebuilding the smithy where Leo will be working in the future. I''ll be the one patrolling the area for now." "Right! I''ll take care of it, Sir Shane!" With that said, Gene left and joined the others to join the construction. He may be a knight, but it doesn''t mean that he couldn''t do thosebor jobs. He didn''t mind having such work from time to time.


    In the meantime, Shane decided to open the Regional Chat. He was curious about what are the others doing, what items were being traded, or if someone had already managed to kill a Giant Zombie¡­ It would also be great if he learned whether the Tyrant Zombie had already been defeated. However, before he could do that, a system announcement suddenly came!


    [ Attention, Survivors. ]


    [ Congrattions on surviving the previous Zombie Wave. You have proven your skills and your survival abilities. You have earned experience, loot, and achievements! ]


    [ Another event is about to take ce. There will be a gathering for the Top 1,000 Survivors of the Region. The gathering is a rare opportunity to meet and even trade with other Survivors. The main event of this gathering, however, will feature an auction where you can bid on exclusive items, skills, and talents that the Lord of the Realm has prepared for you. ] [ The gathering will take ce in 15 days. If you''re lucky enough to be in the Top 1,000, you will be teleported to a secret location, where you will be safe andfortable. [ Depending on the progress of this Region against the Zombies, this gathering may only happen once. Do not miss this chance, Survivors. ]


    "Ahhh¡­"


    Shane was stunned as he read the sudden notification. ''A gathering for the top one thousand¡­ But in the memories that I absorbed, it only happened after someone reached Level 20. I''m pretty sure no one has reached level 25 yet¡­ Or is there?'' Shane mused as he didn''t expect this announcement so soon.


    Nheless, it could also mean that the Apocalypse was too hard, so the Auction was also moved forward.


    Anyway, Shane continued to check the Regional Chat. He was quite curious about what was happening there now. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [ Sam: Hello! I have a Rare Talent called Nature Lover. I can enjoy nature and learn its secrets, and I can also protect a small ce with its help¡­ I gathered a lot of insects with the assistance of my flowers and nts. If anyone is interested in dried insects to feed yourself, let me know. I can trade with you for Zombie Cores or other items. ]


    [ Mia: Hmm¡­ This is myst chat. I have an Epic Talent called Beauty Devotee. I can beautify any person with my Talent. I have a lot of services here, like massages, facials, and other special services. If anyone is interested, let me know. I can trade with you for Zombie Cores or other items. Don''t ask me things like how I survived until now. I''m only here in chat for business. ]


    [ Kelly: Wow, you guys have some amazing talents. I wish I had something like that. But I guess I''m lucky to have a talent at all. Some people only have Common Talent, like Jake. No offense, Jake. ]


    [ Mark Sol: Guys, have you seen underwear being sold in the Survivor Store? ] [ Terrence: I''m looking for a Tamer. Is there any Tamer here? ]


    [ Maine: That Tyrant Zombie is unkible! Have you guys heard of it? It''s a Zombie that is considered a Field Boss! It canmand other zombies! It''s a nightmare. Don''t try fighting it yet! Bullets would not work unless they''re upgraded to a higher level! ]


    [ Raze: Tyrant Zombie? Hehe! They''ll give you a nice loot if you defeat it! Good luck! ]


    [ Maine: What? Have you already killed one?! ]


    [ Kelly: How did you do it?! ] [ Jake Richard: Raze? Can you answer? Did you really kill a Tyrant Zombie? How did you do it? ] [ Kelly: I''ve seen a Tyrant Zombie before¡­ However, I had no idea that they could be killed at this stage of the Apocalypse. Do you have a Legendary Talent? Can you share it with us? No, I want to pay you. Let''s do a trade for the information I need. ] [ Raze: The information I have won''t help you. However, I can tell you that I killed one because of my Talent. ] At this time, the topic of the chat had been changed because of the sudden announcement that had appeared in front of everyone. [ Gtea: Wow, did you guys hear that? The top 1,000 will have a gathering! That sounds awesome. ]

 Chapter 56 Better Set

    Chapter 56 Better Set


    [ Raze: I will be there for sure! I wonder what kind of items will be auctioned there. I''m sure the currency will still be Zombie Cores. Do you think 100 Zombies Cores will let me purchase some good things there? ] [ Chris: Wow! You have a lot of Zombie Cores! Is that a reward from the previous Zombie Wave? How did you get so many of them? ] [ Mark Sol: I only have 9 Zombie Cores left. I used most of them to buy Item Upgrade Crystals. ] [ Maine: You''re lucky that your store is selling them¡­ I have only collected 8 Item Upgrade Crystals since the very beginning! How am I supposed to live with this?! I hope each level up will increase my Luck! ] [ Chris: Dream on. The luck stat doesn''t exist. I think it''s about the way you kill the zombie. If they were killed with great difficulty, they wouldn''t drop nice things. ] [ Kelly: I think that''s the opposite¡­ Anyway, I hope I''m included in the top 1,000. I''m going to show off my Tier 2 Scavenger Set! Hehehe¡­ ] [ Jake Richard: You will be aughing stock. Everyone should be wearing at least a Tier 3 Hunter Set within 15 days. ] [ Gtea: Are you telling me that the Hunter Set is better than the Scavenger Set? ] [ Travis: Guys! I am Travis, a Legendary Talent Holder. I''m telling you right now that the best set is just the Survivor Set. The one given to us at the beginner. However, you must upgrade them to Tier 5 to see their full potential. ] [ Kelly: Don''t believe him! Don''t waste your Item Upgrade Crystals on that beginner set! ] [ Travis: I can''t prove this yet since I don''t have enough Item Upgrade Crystals. However, this is definitely true. I got a hint afterpleting a hidden task! ] [ Lorna: Hi! I''m Lorna¡­ I have a Rare Talent that guarantees a drop of Item Upgrade Crystal in every 10 Zombies I kill in addition to its normal drop rate. I hope to trade some of them in exchange for Zombie Cores. 50 Zombies Cores for 1 Item Upgrade Crystal. ]


    [ Gtea: Wow! Why don''t you just rob us? ] [ Travis: Miss Lorna, I think that''s too unfair. I will consider it if you trade 1 Crystal for 10 Zombie Cores. ]


    [ Lorna: My offer isn''t for the poor. Please add me as a friend if you agree to my rate. You will be cklisted if you waste my time. ] After reading some of their conversations, Shane decided to turn his attention to his friends. Over the past few days, he actually epted a few of them.


    Right now, aside from Raze, he added Herman, the one with Magic Crafting Talent, Travis, the one who wanted to create a huge shelter, and rissa, who had a Telekinesis Talent. There were different reasons for adding them.


    He wanted Raze''s information on how to deal with the Tyrant Zombie and other Zombies that live in the sewers. Herman''s Magic Crafting Talent, on the other hand, would give him a decent idea about how great his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent. As for Travis, Shane epted his friend request since he believed that aside from being ambitious, Travis wasn''t a bad person. Lastly, he felt that rissa''s Telekinesis was quite decent, so he epted her as a friend.


    Soon, he realized that all of them had sent private messages.


    [ Raze: Shane! Just like what you mentioned, my tent got the Zombie Repent effect after upgrading it to Exceptional Grade! Thank you so much! I don''t have to sleep in the coffin anymore! Right, I also found out just now about the sher Zombies! They''re in the Sewers! They''re horrible and smelled so bad! You have to buy the sunsses in the store if you find them. ] [ Raze: Shane? Can I borrow 7 Zombie Cores? I need to purchase the clothes in the store, but I don''t have enough. I will give it back once I get more and pay you with interest. ]


    [ Raze: Did you see the announcement just now? I hope we can meet each other there. ] Shane immediately replied after seeing her message.


    [ Shane: Great¡­ I can''t imagine how youst that long in that coffin. In any case, I can let you borrow 7 Zombie Cores. I sent a Trade Request and just ept it. ] [ Shane: I hope I can join the Auction. Let''s level up quickly so we can be selected. We don''t know if we''re part of the Top 1,000 until the date of the event. ]


    As he said this, Raze immediately replied, and soon, their trade waspleted. Since Raze couldn''t ept the 7 Zombie Cores in the Trade Request without cing something in exchange, she had to send Shane a cup of noodles. After that, Shane read Herman''s message. [ Herman: Hello, my friend. I learned 5 Crafting Recipes. They''re Short Bow, Basic Arrow, Torch, Shield, and Healing Salve¡­ If you need these things, we can discuss their price... The price can vary if I will provide all the required materials to craft them. Just send me a private message if you''re interested. If we don''t have any transactions in the next two weeks, I will have to remove you from my friend list since they''re limited. ] [ Shane: What are the materials required for the Healing Salve? How much for that if I can''t provide you with materials? I also like the torches. How much are they? How long can theyst? ] After sending these messages, he turned to Travis''s messages.


    Well, Herman probably had plenty of customers, so it wouldn''t be surprising if he had to wait a few hours or even days before getting a reply from him.


    [ Travis: Hello! I''m sure now that you''re the highest in the ranking in the first Zombie Wave. I asked around and confirmed that other Legendary Talent Holders didn''t achieve the first rank. Yes, I befriended seven other Legendary Talent Holders, and they didn''t mind cooperating if the time came. I''m you know that this apocalypse won''t end just by relying on yourself. You should join us. ]


    [ Travis: We''re nning to create a n. I''m sure you already know of this, but once we reach level 10, there will be a function where we can create a n. I haven''t reached level 10 yet, but we got this hint from the system. ] "What? He''s not level 10 yet?" Shane raised his brow as he thought that most survivors had already reached level 10 by now.


    Surprisingly, this Dragon''s Blood Travis failed to reach such a level during the Zombie Wave!


    Anyway, Shane replied after some thought. [ Shane: I''ll consider it. For now, I''m focusing on leveling up for now. You have to remember that creating a n will cost 100 Zombies Cores and 5 Reputation Points, so you have to think carefully about it. ] As soon as he answered Travis'' message, Shane didn''t expect to receive a quick reply. [ Travis: I heard that there''s an achievement for establishing the first n. We n on getting it, so we''re trying to find others who can donate some Zombie Cores to me. I already have 2 Reputation Points, and I just need to get three more. ] ''Oh¡­ So it was like that. No wonder they''re in a hurry¡­'' Shane muttered as he realized why they were rushing to build a n.


    It certainly does make sense that it would have a special reward. ''Should I help them? Or steal the first n reward?'' Shane thought for a moment as he already had the requirements to build a n¡­


    Anyway, he ignored that for now and checked rissa''s message. [ rissa: If you find a Telekinesis Enhancement Potion in the Survivor Store, can you purchase it for me? I''m going to pay for it with interest. ] [ Shane: K. ] Shane then thought of checking the Regional Chat or even the World Chat once again, but he suddenly paused as he felt that he had forgotten something. Then, he suddenly smelled the corpses of the Zombies that Gene had killed a while ago. It was at this time that he realized that he hadn''t looted them all yet!


    Acting quickly, Shane closed his chatboard and started looting once again.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes."


    [ You have earned 8 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, 5 Bread, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    "Mhmm? This one has 5 Bread? Not bad." Shane muttered after looting the Jumper Zombie. Soon, the only remaining Zombie was the half-bodied corpse of the Spitter Zombie


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes." Shane replied as he waited for the loot items to be revealed.


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL water, 100mL Spitter Zombie Blood, 1 Acid Pouch, 2 Spirit Enhancement Bottles ] n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Right¡­ I have so many Acid Pouch already. I hope Herman can find a decent recipe for this.''

 Chapter 57 Foraging

    Chapter 57 Foraging


    Anna woke up in the shelter with the warm rays of sunshine gently caressing her face. She stretched her arms and yawned, her first thought being of Lucky. As she opened her eyes, she immediately scanned the room for her beloved dog. Lucky was like family to her, and she always made sure to look after him. ''It felt warmer nowadays¡­'' Anna thought as she walked to the door and opened it. There, she saw Lucky waiting for her outside, wagging his tail. He was her dog and her best friend.


    "Come here, Lucky!"


    Anna hugged him and petted him for a moment. Lucky even licked her face and barked happily. Annaughed and talked to her dog, "Good morning, Lucky. Are you ready for today''s adventure?"


    Today was a special day as she had been tasked with gathering herbs and other materials in the forest behind the Manor. Knight Gene would apany her, and of course, Lucky would be by her side. Lucky had a unique ability with a Tracking spell that allowed him to smell the scent of Zombies or other Survivors, making Anna feel confident and secure. Well, this was also the reason why Shane allowed them to work on this task.


    She quickly cleaned herself by taking some water from the wooden container that Shane had made before.


    Currently, they have five big wooden water containers that Shane fills from time to time. There was a wooden lid on it, and Anna confirmed that it was filled to the brim. With these containers, they don''t have to request water from him every time they need some water.


    She quickly got ready and confirmed she had all the necessary equipment. With her Nail Bat in hand, a fully loaded revolver on her waist, a backpack on her back, and wearing afortable Scavenger Shirt and Pants, she was ready for the adventure ahead.


    She walked out of the church and saw Gene waiting for her by the gate. ''Shane mentioned that he had excellent swordsmanship skill¡­ I hope it is true.'' Anna mused as she observed the man. Gene looked handsome and strong with his equipment. However, she couldn''t help but think that his armor was a bit ufortable and may not be the best for tasks requiring mobility. Nheless, since they were dealing with zombies, it did make sense to have a shin guard, leather armor, arm guard, and even a pauldron to protect himself from being bitten.


    After giving Gene a gentle nod, Anna turned her attention to Shane, who had prepared hot bread and a cup of water for her. After having a quick meal, Anna was prepared to go.


    "We''re going now!" Anna called out to Shane, waving her hand to confirm that they were prepared. Shane also waved his hand and reminded them to be careful. He wasn''t too worried at all. ''Did he scout the area already confirmed there are no dangerous zombies?'' She mused.


    With Lucky eagerly leading the way, they set off into the forest, with Gene walking close by, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ***


    The forest was behind the Manor, where the shelter was located. It was arge and dense forest full of trees and nts, and there were even sounds of insects or perhaps animals if they observed the ce. Shane warned them that there could be Zombies around the area, but they were mostly hidden and quiet. They''d probably onlye out when they sensed prey or danger.


    As they ventured into the forest, they could tell that the air was filled with the earthy scent of the trees, and there was, indeed, the sound of birds chirping. ''The birds aren''t affected by the outbreak¡­ I wonder if there''s something about them that can''t turn them into zombies¡­''


    Lucky was actively checking the area, his nose to the ground, as they moved through the underbrush. Anna spotted various herbs and materials along the way, each with their own unique properties and uses. However, she hadn''t taken them yet as some of them were still too young or they weren''t that important yet.


    She couldn''t just take any herbs. She needed to take those that they needed, and she had a list of them.


    "Excuse me, Miss Anna¡­ I don''t think there are too many zombies around here. I might be able to help you look or collect some herbs or nts that we need." Gene said as he realized that Shane had indeed cleared this area already.


    There were signs of Shane''s axe and even bullets that had torn through some trees.


    Anna then looked at her list and replied. "Okay, let''s see... Some herbs are difficult to identify but I think you know some of them like mint,vender, rosemary, sage, and thyme. They are good for making tea, which can help with stress, sleep, digestion, and immunity. We also need some aloe vera, chamomile, calend, andfrey. They are good for making salve, which can help with wounds, burns, inmmation, and infection. We also need some ginseng, ginger, garlic, and turmeric if we can find them here. They are good for making tonic, which can help with energy, blood, pain, and infection. And we also need some mushrooms, berries, nuts, and honey. They are good for making food, which can help with nutrition and get us decent meals¡­ But that may be too much¡­ I don''t think we can find those here." Anna replied.


    This long answer almost made Gene dizzy, but he still nodded.


    "I¡­ I''ll try." Gene could only reply. Finding herbs wasn''t that difficult with Anna since she had Level 10 Herbalism Skill. However, Gene doesn''t have one, so it will certainly be tough.


    At this time, Lucky suddenly barked, and he sniffed the air and the ground. "Ahhh¡­ Wait, I think Lucky found something¡­" Anna spoke softly.


    Lucky seemed to have picked up a scent as he ran ahead. He was looking for the herbs and materials that Anna wanted. Of course, he was also looking for any zombies or other survivors that might be nearby. Anna and Gene followed Lucky as he led them deeper into the forest. Then, they walked for a while, until they reached a clearing.


    "Incredible¡­" Anna muttered softly.


    Even Gene realized that they had just found a treasure trove!


    They may not have found themon herbs or nts they were looking for, but they were lucky enough to find some precious ones that were probably being sold in an expensive price in Shane''s Survivor Store.


    Soon, Anna carefully collected Blue Sage, known for its healing properties and ability to soothe pain. The vibrant purple flowers of the Nightshade nt were also gathered, which were used to create poisons and antidotes. "Oohh¡­ Aren''t we lucky this time? Did the previous lord of the Manor nt all these rare herbs here?" Anna couldn''t help but feel shocked as she realized that there were too many precious herbs not too far from the Manor. It wasn''t even very hidden and was only blocked by trees and rocks.


    At this time, she also found some Red Root, a powerful herb used to increase stamina and energy, and added it to her collection. There were quite a few of them and ready to be collected.


    Her bag was already getting filled to the brim with all these precious herbs! ''Shane will definitely be surprised¡­ These things are worth 5 to 10 Zombie Cores in his storest time!'' Anna thought as she also came across a rare patch of Ghost Fern, a nt known for its ability to conceal one''s presence once consumed. It was a valuable herb for stealthy maneuvers.


    As they continued their search, the peaceful atmosphere was suddenly shattered by the unmistakable groans of Runner and Walker Zombies!


    "I''ll handle it!


    Gene''s instincts immediately kicked in, and with lightning speed, he drew his sword, the glint of steel catching the sunlight as he swiftly engaged the undead creatures.


    Anna''s heart raced as she watched in awe as Gene charged forward without fear! His skillful swordy was a sight to behold. She realized that Gene was indeed an expert with the sword!


    As the zombies charged at them, roaring and snarling, Gene met them head-on, shing and blocking with his sword and small shield!


    His movements were precise, and his strikes were powerful and deadly, like a warrior. He cut down the Runners with ease, slicing their throats and limbs. He bashed the Walkers with force, breaking their skulls and ribs. Anna could not help but put down her revolver as she realized that Gene was a one-man army. At the very least, he was an unstoppable force in front of low-tier Zombies!


    Nheless, a few more Walker Zombies appeared!


    Lucky, sensing the impending danger, positioned himself in front of Anna, barking fiercely and ready to leap into action. Anna, though prepared to assist if needed, knew she was in capable hands with Gene. She watched as he moved with a controlled ferocity.


    The sound of swords shing against decaying flesh echoed through the forest as Gene dispatched the zombies in a few minutes!

 Chapter 58 Scavengers

    Chapter 58 Scavengers


    [ You have earned 4 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 4 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 4 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 4 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 4 Experience Points. ]


    As Shane finished making another wooden cup, he received a few notifications about the free experience points and realized that Gene had probably encountered some problems in the forest. ''Not bad¡­'' Shane smiled as he confirmed that Gene was indeed strong enough to deal with Low-Tier Zombies that he left in that area. To be honest, he thought of following them and using his Binocrs to observe them secretly. However, he realized that he had to trust Gene right now, especially after he showed such an amazing performance yesterday.


    Anyway, Shane didn''t mind having them loot these Zombies since he also wanted Gene to gain experience and increase his level of skills.


    After all, it would be reassuring to have another skilled individual in this shelter. There was no way he would shoulder all the difficult battles from now on.


    ''He got a decent sword anyway¡­ I''m sure he''ll be fine. Ahh¡ª''


    Shane then recalled that he also hadn''t checked his Survivor Store yet. ''Please give me something new¡­'' Shane thought as he soon saw the six items in the Store.


    [ Single Size Bed: A basic andfortable bed that can provide rest andfort for the user. It is a small and cozy bed, and has a mattress, a pillow, and a nket for free! It can be used by the user to sleep with a good bed quality, and to store some items under or over it. It also provides some resistance to noise and cold, reducing the disturbance and increasing the recovery when asleep.


    Price: 15 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    [ Anvil: A heavy and solid block of metal that can be used as a work surface for forging metal items. It is made of ck iron alloy and has a t top and a horn. It possesses a mysterious energy that allows any upgrades in the future. Price: 50 Zombie Cores Quantity: 1/1 ]


    [ Backpack: Arge and spacious bag that can store more items and materials. It is made of nylon and has zippers and straps. It also provides some resistance to weight-based attacks from Crusher Zombies, reducing the damage and knockdown effect. Price: 15 Zombie Cores Quantity: 2/2 ]


    "Wait¡­ What? Crusher Zombies?" Shane was stunned for a moment as he realized once again that items have been giving him clues for the future Zombies.


    ''They already hinted the sher Zombie¡­ Now it''s a Crusher Zombie¡­ This is interesting¡­ I wonder what kind of items they will drop.'' Shane mused. He didn''t dislike the fact that these items provided him with some information. As a matter of fact, he was thankful for this since he could make preparations to deal with them.


    Nheless, he was curious whether this sher Zombie and Crusher Zombie were Mid-Tier or High-Tier Zombies.


    He then continued to check the other three items. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [ Gas Mask: A protective device that can be used for filtering air or as a disguise. It can be used by a survivor who wants to avoid toxic gases. It has a +100% chance of preventing poison damage and a +50% chance of reducing zombie detection. Price: 40 Zombie Cores Quantity: 3/3 ] [ Cast Iron Skillet: A heavy and durable pan that can be used for cooking or as a weapon. It can be used by a survivor who wants to prepare food or bash zombies, but with a slow speed and a loud noise. It has a +90% chance of causing blunt damage and a +10% chance of causing fire damage. Price: 15 Zombie Cores Quantity: 2/2 ] [ Tier 1 Hunter Jacket: A leather jacket that protects the torso from zombie bites and scratches. It is decorated with spikes and patches, and has several pockets and belts for carrying items. It also provides some resistance to fire-based attacks from zombies or other sources, reducing the damage and burn effect.


    Price: 20 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    After some thought, Shane decided to purchase 1 Single Size Bed, 1 Anvil, 2 Backpacks, 1 Cast Iron Skillet, and 1 Tier 1 Hunter Jacket.


    It wasn''t difficult to stumble upon clothing in the Survivor Store, so he knew that he should take them once they appeared.


    In the end, he spent a total of 130 Zombie Cores. It was quite a lot, and he would certainly fail to do this if he didn''t have the Complete Loot Talent with him.


    Then, as he thought of setting up the bed so the others could use it, Cloud suddenly issued a warning. [ Intruder Alert! ] [ Two adult human males have entered your territory! ]


    "Damn¡­ Show me their location. And how did they get here so fast? Your detection should be about 100 meters already," Shane said as he grabbed his revolver without dy. [ The detection failed to notice them in time due to the stealth capabilities of the targets. Be careful. ] ***


    The two intruders were Jenkins and Marcus, a pair of scavengers who roamed the continent in search of valuable items. They both had Rare Talents that helped them in their job. Jenkins had Traceless Breath, which allowed him to conceal his presence and avoid detection. Marcus, on the other hand, has Treasure Seeker, which enables him to sense and locate any hidden treasure or rare items. They had been working together for a long time, and they had amassed a lot of wealth and resources. However, none of these things are essential when facing Zombies.


    "Brother Jenkins¡­ Now that we''ve gotten near, I can confirm that the treasure is in that Church¡­ Should we wait at night before we take it?" Marcus asked while also looking at the surroundings.


    They could tell that this ce was being used as a shelter. However, the two of them are on an important mission, and they couldn''t back off just because there were people here.


    "It''s toote to retreat. We''ve been detected¡­ I will stop using my Traceless Breath. Don''t act rashly...." Jenkins said as he looked at the handsome young man that was approaching them.

 Chapter 59 Hidden

    Chapter 59 Hidden


    The man had a revolver in his hands, but it wasn''t pointed at them yet. It seemed as if he knew what they were capable of. "Are you a Foreign Survivor?" Jenkins suddenly asked as the man got closer. He didn''t show any signs of resistance as he even slowly put down his weapon.


    "I am¡­ And I believe you''re one as well." The man answered.


    His answer obviously relieved Jenkins and Marcus, but they also shook their heads at the same time.


    "We''re not Foreign Survivors¡­ At the very least, after we started hearing the voice of the Lord of the Realms, we were getting addressed as Scavengers¡­ I''m Jenkins¡­ We heard that the Foreign Survivors would save this world¡­" Jenkins replied.


    "We''re only here as we want toplete a mission that is given to us. We''re not enemies. We didn''t want to get caught as we don''t know how you guys would react if you learned that there''s a treasure hidden in this ce." Marcus exined. He didn''t mind revealing this information in order to sound genuine. ***


    "Scavengers? You''re not from a different world who were sent here?" Shane asked while still maintaining his distance and readiness to shoot. The man who introduced himself as Jenkins was a tall and thin man with a pale and gaunt face. He had short and messy brown hair and a scruffy beard. He wore a leather jacket, a hoodie, jeans, and boots. He also had a backpack and a sharp knife.


    He looked like a typical scavenger, except for his eyes. They were bright and cunning as if they could see through any disguise¡­


    "Yes¡­ We were born and raised here. Although the world is already infested with Zombies, it wasn''t like this 30 years ago." Jenkins replied with a hint of helplessness in his voice.


    He then introduced hispanion, Marcus. He was a short and chubby man with a round and somewhat red face. He also had short and curly blond hair and a clean-shaven face. Marcus seemed a bit nervous, unlike Jenkins.


    Anyway, Shane observed this man carefully... He wore a parka, a sweater underneath, cargo pants, and sneakers. He also had a duffel bag, a crowbar, and a crossbow!


    Nheless, what marked his feature was his nose, which was a bitrger than normal. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Ahem¡­ The past doesn''t matter now. We received a mission from the mysterious voice to collect treasures. Once we collect 50 of them, we will earn the right to obtain awesome Scanvenger Skills. Anyway, since we''re both fighting against the Zombies, can you allow us to leave? We''re no longer nning to take the Treasure in your territory." Of course, after realizing that there was a treasure hidden in the Church, Shane knew that he couldn''t pass this up.


    Shane felt a surge of curiosity and a slight greed. No matter what, he was still a human¡­


    He wondered what Treasure it was and decided to see it for himself. "Can you tell what kind of Treasure it is?"


    Jenkins and Marcus exchanged a look. They realized that they had said too much. "Ahemm¡­ We can''t really tell. However, the treasures that my nose can find are mostly things that have little value. It can be an expensive mirror, a golden chain, a ck forest honey, a delicious fruit, and others. It may not be worth your time." Marcus exined, and he was certainly telling the truth.


    The treasures that they could find were just valuable items in certain situations. However, Shane didn''t buy it. He could tell that something was off. "Don''t lie to me, intruders. I can tell you''re hiding something. Tell me where the Treasure is, or I''ll shoot you right now." Shane sternly spoke as he didn''t like to have this conversation for long. He had plenty of things to do. Furthermore, he wasn''t even sure whether they really meant any harm since he caught them before they were able to act. Jenkins and Marcus jolted as they realized that they had encountered a difficult Foreign Survivor this time. They knew they had no choice but to tell more... "It''s in the Church in your territory. If you already explored that ce and failed to find it, it will also be difficult for us to locate it. There might be a secret tunnel, a hidden door, or a secretpartment somewhere where the Treasure is hidden." Marcus replied with exasperation.


    ''So it''s the church, huh¡­''


    Shane felt a shock and a thrill. He couldn''t believe that there was a treasure hidden in the Church... They had been staying there for more than a week now. "Really? How do you know that?" Shane asked.


    At this time, the two Scavengers exined their Rare Talent to Shane. Nheless, Shane still felt doubt and suspicion. He couldn''t be sure if they were telling the truth or not.


    In the end, he decided to test them and see for himself. "Show me. Take me to the entrance. And don''t try anything funny, or I''ll shoot you." Jenkins and Marcus felt reluctant and helpless. They knew they had no choice but to obey. Their talents were not meant for fighting in the first ce. "Okay. Okay. We''ll show you. But please don''t kill us. We''re just doing our job." "We''ll see about that. Now move." Shane said. Although these two seemed to be telling the truth, he couldn''t just leave them be. Shane then called for Leo and Harper to help him watch the two scavengers as they led him to the Church after confiscating their weapons.


    Leo and Harper then stopped their work as they picked up their weapons to stand behind the two Scavengers. Soon, Shane, Leo, and Harper followed Jenkins and Marcus to the Church. Well the Church was already transformed into a decent shelter for several people so it no longer looked like a Church from the inside. Therge hall, which should have rows of pews, a pulpit, and a cross, could no longer be seen¡­ Instead, there were divisions made of wooden nks like rooms for each of them.


    Marcus then led them to a corner of the hall, where they saw a dpidated painting of a saint. Half of it was even burned and could no longer be recognized.


    However, as he moved the painting aside, it revealed a hidden door. Shane''s eyes lit up as soon as he saw this...


    ''Why didn''t I think of doing that?!''

 Chapter 60 Level Up

    Chapter 60 Level Up


    Shane didn''t bother recycling the painting inside the church. The reason was simple: it was too flimsy and useless to be of any value. It couldn''t even protect them from a Crawler Zombie, the weakest type of zombie. Because of that, he decided not to take it apart since they could also gather plenty of firewood in the forest outside the estate. Shane, Leo, and Harper felt a surge of curiosity and excitement as soon as they saw the secret door. There seemed to be an engraved emblem of an ind or perhaps a continent on the door. There were also six stars surrounding it, and Shane and the others had no idea what it was. However, before Shane could order the two to open it, he heard a notification from the Apocalypse System!


    [ Congrattions! You have uncovered a Secret Chamber. ]


    [ You have made a rare and amazing discovery that few have ever seen. You have found the hidden vault of the World Government, where they stored their most precious and dangerous secrets.


    What mysteries and treasures await you inside? What risks and dangers lurk behind the door? ] [ You have earned 500 Experience Points for finding the Secret Chamber. ] [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ] [ You have gained a new Title: Seeker of Secrets. ] [ Will you dare to open the vault and reveal its contents? Or will you leave it alone and keep its secrets safe? ] [ The choice is yours. But be careful. You might not like what you find. ]


    "What?" Shane was taken aback by the sudden notification. This stopped everyone else from making a move.


    "Is there something wrong, Sir Shane?" Harper asked as he held his pickaxe tightly.


    Shane jolted at this and immediately gave a reply.


    "Ahh¡­ It''s nothing. The system just gave me a reward for locating this secret vault or chamber¡­ and mentioned there might be some problem inside." Shane replied as he started checking the title that he had just received. [Seeker of Secrets: The Survivor gains an additional 10 points to their Luck and Perception stats, increasing their chances of finding rare items and expanding the detection range. It grants the Survivor a +10% bonus to their Experience Points gain, which speeds up their leveling and skill progression.


    Requirements: Be the first person to locate the secret chamber owned by the World Government. ] ''Bonus stats and experience gain increase? Not bad!'' Shane celebrated in his mind as he confirmed the title effects! The 10% additional EXP Gain was certainly a big deal!


    Perhaps when the Regional Auction event started, he was already way ahead of the others in terms of level!


    Then, as he closed the title description, he read another notification from the system.


    [ You have leveled up. ] He finally reached level 15! This time, he was very excited since leveling up to 13, and even 14 didn''t give him any decent rewards, only receiving a 75% Discount Voucher simr to when he reached level 12 aside from the usual extra stat points.


    Nheless, even if he didn''t get any rewards from the Apocalypse System at this level, he would at least obtain a Memory Sphere! [ You have unlocked Pet Function ] [ This feature allows the Survivors to adopt and train pets that assist them inbat or exploration. However, a Survivor is only allowed to bind a single Pet. Once they die, you will have to wait 100 days mourning period before you can bind another Pet. ] ''So there''s a Pet Function here¡­ There''s nothing like this in the A.I. Rebellion¡­'' Shane mused as he recalled the memories of his alternate self.


    Based on his memories, Level 15 in the A.I. Rebellion would unlock their ess to the Impulse Drive. It was some sort of Defensive Technology that they could integrate into their suits when dealing with the Android Army of the Anima.


    Anyway, Shane then checked his current status. Survivor Name: Shane Wells Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets


    Level: 15


    Vitality: 175/175


    Spirit: 1,000/1,000


    Strength: 34


    Agility: 34


    Luck: 20


    Perception: 20


    Inventory: Memory Spherex22, Item Upgrade Crystals x49, Zombie Cores x155, 50L Water, 50 Bread, 13 Acid Pouch, 190 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Spitter Tongue x1


    Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Fishing, Woodworking, Metalworking, Axe Mastery, Lockpicking, Leadership


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent )


    [ Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ): The Survivor can loot everything from a defeated enemy, including their equipment, items, and skills. The Survivor has a higher chance of finding treasures. ]


    [ Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ): The Survivor can easily create and modify any mechanical device, such as weapons, vehicles, automatons, and gadgets. The Survivor has limited ess to alien technology and materials unavable to other Survivors. ]


    [ Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ): You can upy and im arge piece ofnd for your development. There is a 100% chance of attracting talented inhabitants of the continent to serve you in your territory every five days! ]


    [Seeker of Secrets: The Survivor gains an additional 10 points to their Luck and Perception stats, increasing their chances of finding rare items and expanding the detection range. It grants the Survivor a +10% bonus to their Experience Points gain, which speeds up their leveling and skill progression. ] Reputation Points: 30 n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Anyway, Shane decided to make the others wait as he took out one of the Memory Spheres. After all, he might obtain some valuable information or ability that might help him in a secret chamber owned by the World Government.


    Well, the World Government sounded like it was some kind of a powerful organization. If there was any danger inside the chamber, it would be better if he had many more skills he could use to ensure his and everyone''s safety.


    [ Do you wish to absorb the Memory Sphere? ] "Yes¡­" Shane replied without hesitation. [ Memory Sphere absorptionplete. ]


    [ You have obtained Part 4 of 25 Memory Fragments ] [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Parkour ] [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Hacker ] [ Parkour Lv10 (Max): The Survivor can move through any urban environment with agility and grace, using walls, roofs, and rails to their advantage. The Survivor also has a chance to avoid or escape from zombies or other threats by jumping, rolling, or sliding. ] [ Hacker Lv10 (Max): The Survivor can useputers and electronics to hack into any system, using keyboards, wires, or devices to bypass security, ess information, or control machines. The Survivor also has a chance to hack into certain zombies'' brains, making them friendly, confused, or self-destructive. ] Shane then remained silent for a while as he started absorbing the information he obtained from the Memory Sphere.


    Once again, he learned what kind of events or functions he would unlock in the future as he levels up. However, the thing that he really liked was the information about the Global Events! As expected, after a few Events or Regional Events like Zombie Wave, Auctions, Zombie Challenge, and Boss Raids, there would be Global Events where the strongest of each region would participate! Furthermore, the rewards here were no longer pathetic and genuinely generous!


    "Alright¡­ Go ahead and open the door." Shane said as hemanded the two Scavengers. Jenkins and Marcus and had no other choice as they opened the door and entered the chamber. They saw arge and bright room, full of shelves and cabs. There were a lot of items and materials, of various shapes and sizes. Furthermore, they saw a collection of weapons, armor, gadgets, books, documents, and more. They felt a surge of curiosity and excitement.


    "Incredible! My Treasure Seeker Talent isn''t worthless at all. Look at all this stuff. This is amazing. This is incredible..." Marcus said in excitement. Jenkins also felt the same as they finally found a true treasure trove. Nheless, they couldn''t help but feel a tinge of regret as these items would not belong to them.


    ***


    On the other hand, as soon as they opened the door, and entered the chamber, Cloud, Shane''s A.I. assistant, detected the presence of Zombies. [ Scanning the surroundings... ] [ Scanplete. ] [ Ten zombies detected. ]


    [ Five Walker Zombies. ] [ Five Jumper Zombies ] [ The Zombies were detected in the chamber. They are hiding behind the shelves and cabs. They are waiting for you to enter. Be careful. ]


    "Ah! Careful! There are ten Walker Zombies!" Shane shouted.


    They immediately grabbed their weapons and prepared themselves. However, Jenkins and Marcus had their weapons confiscated! They were defenseless against the hungry zombies!


    Graaahhhh!


    The Jumper Zombies pounced at the two and Shane couldn''t use his revolver as the two Scavengers were blocking his field of vision!


    "This is the end. This is the end. This is the end." Marcus panicked.


    The Zombies attacked everyone present in the chamber!


    They didn''t care whether the enemies had weapons that could kill them, they only cared about their hunger and their instinct!


    Anyway, Walker Zombies may be the mostmon type of zombie, but they were still stronger than normal people. As for the Jumper Zombies, they were five times stronger than the Walker Zombies!


    "Save me! Ah!"


    Shane, Leo, and Harper tried to fight back, but they were outnumbered and overwhelmed¡­ They had no time to think of saving the two Scavengers!


    Jenkins and Marcus tried to push the zombies that had pounced on them as they nned to run away, but they were too slow and too weak. They had no chance to use their Skills!

 Chapter 61 New Type?!

    Chapter 61 New Type?!


    The Jumper Zombies pounced at them too fast! As soon as Shane warned everyone, the Zombies were already in action!


    Harper used his Pickaxe to stop the Zombie, while Leo used his Forging Hammer and mmed the Zombie away!


    However, the Walker Zombies were already on their way to them, so they couldn''t finish off the Jumper Zombies, who were pushed away!


    On the other hand, Shane wanted to shoot the Zombies since he had plenty of bullets to spare, but because the two Scavengers were panicking due to theirck of weapons, Shane had difficulty aiming even with his Firearm Mastery. Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Their frantic movements clouded Shane''s line of sight, and despite his mastery over firearms, his shots went astray. A few of them missed, and the others couldn''t kill the zombies since shooting their bodies, or anything other than their brains would not stop them at all.


    In those critical moments, the Walker and Jumper Zombies closed in, their grotesque forms a blur of motion aimed at Shane.


    He had to focus on saving himself.


    However, in that brief moment when his attention left the two Scavengers, the inevitable happened. Jenkins and Marcus, overwhelmed by fear and without the means to defend themselves, fell victim to the gnashing teeth of the undead. Their screams were brief, and their fates were sealed by the infectious bite of the zombies!


    Now, it was down to Shane, Harper, and Leo.


    ''Tsk¡­ I got too confident that there are no zombies here¡­'' Shane couldn''t help but me himself. After all, with his Perception and A.I. Assistant, he thought that there were no zombies inside his territory anymore. Unfortunately, that wasn''t the case. The Zombies were undetectable until they opened the door as if they had been in a state of slumber all this time. Bang! Bang! Bang! Shane then shot the zombies that were eating the two Scavengers. He even used the Ice Effect to ensure that they would quickly stop what they were doing to the corpses of the two.


    "Sir Shane¡­ These Walker Zombies feel tougher than the ones we''re killing outside." Harper couldn''t help butment.


    Now that his Pickaxe is an Exceptional Rank, he thought that it would be a lot easier for him to kill the Walker Zombies.


    However, to his surprise, the ones inside this secret chamber were tougher and faster.


    In the end, they could only conclude that not all Walker Zombies are the same!


    Unfortunately, Shane didn''t notice their difference since his stats were already quite high. Furthermore, with his weapons, he wouldn''t notice their difference since, no matter what, they were still low-tier Zombies. They would still die from his revolver and axe!


    ''Careful!'' Shane reminded as the downed Jumper Zombies had already stood up, ready to pounce.


    Back-to-back, the three men formed a triangle in defiance against the encroaching zombies. Shane decided to stop shooting since he realized that it had damaged some of the books within the secret chamber! He could not continue damaging the ce! They had to fight in closebat!


    ''Haa!''


    Harper''s Pickaxe danced through the air, cleaving through the rotten flesh and bone of the nearest Walker Zombie¡­ On the other hand, Leo''s hammer crushed skulls with each swing, his strength never wavering. As expected of a cksmith! Wielding the hammer was too easy for him! As for Shane, he switched from his revolver to his axe and started slicing through the zombies! It doesn''t matter where he hits them, as they would surely get split apart by his weapon!


    The battle raged, the sh between the zombies and humans yed out in the dim light of the chamber. The floor became slick with the dark blood of the undead, and the air was soon filled with the stench of death. Nheless, the trio stood strong, uninjured throughout the battle.


    Thud!


    As thest of the Walker and Jumper Zombies fell, a heavy silence descended. Harper, and Leo, panting from exertion as they surveyed the carnage. Shane, on the other hand, remained focused. He wasn''t too tired, but all his attacks used the Special Effects of his Axe. The battle just now cost him more than 200 Spirit Points, which will be recovered as long as he takes some rest.


    As he was thinking of starting his loot, his Perception caught signs of enemies¡­ Then, it was followed by Cloud.


    [ Zombies Detected. ] Shane didn''t even have to ask as he realized who the enemies were this time. From the bodies of Jenkins and Marcus, a grotesque transformation unfolded! The two Scavengers, who were bitten and infected, rose again as daunting zombies. Their eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and their bodies expanded and distorted into hulking monstrosities. Their skin, once human, now bore the paleness of death, stretched over bulging muscles. Their jaws, unhinged and filled with razor-sharp teeth, dripped with a vile, putrid saliva!


    "Oh, no¡­" Shane muttered, as he realized that a Boss-Like Zombie had appeared in front of him! There were even two of them!


    These new abominations, Jenkins and Marcus reborn as zombies, exuded a menacing aura! The stench of decay that emanated from them was suffocating¡­


    They were clearly different from the previous Survivor Zombies that he encountered before!


    Just what kind of virus did those Walker and Jumper Zombies have?! How could they turn other people to be such a terrifying zombie?!


    Nheless, they had no time to question how they got into this!


    Shane, Harper, and Leo readied themselves once more.


    The transformed Jenkins, now a monstrous zombie, lunged at Shane with a speed that belied his new, grotesque form. ''How¡ª''


    Shane, caught off-guard by the sudden burst of agility from the once-human scavenger, couldn''t raise his axe in time to defend himself. Bang!


    With a thunderous sh, Zombie Jenkins'' powerful blownded squarely on Shane''s body, sending him hurtling through the air and crashing into the church wall with such force that it crumbled upon impact, throwing Shane out into the open.


    "Shane!" Leo''s voice echoed with shock, but he had little time to worry as Zombie Marcus descended upon them. The creature''s movements were erratic and savage, leaving Leo and Harper barely any room to maneuver. ''This one is intelligent! No¡ªBoth of them aren''t just acting on their instincts! This is dangerous!'' Just from the brief encounter, Leo could already tell that these zombies are on a different level!


    Bang! Bang!


    Luckily, Zombie Marcus wasn''t as fast as Zombie Jenkins. Perhaps it was because Marcus was naturally fatty; the transformation that he made was in a rounder shape than Zombie Jenkins''s.


    Thanks to that, they weren''t too helpless against this Zombie! Harper and Leo worked together! At this time, they realized that their upgraded clothes and equipment were indeed very useful!


    They couldn''t help but thank Shane for not being too stingy as he upgraded all their equipment without hesitation.


    The two of them fought back desperately, Leo swinging his hammer in wide arcs while Harper jabbed with his Pickaxe, each strike aimed with deadly intent.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Their Hammer and Pickaxe were hitting the Zombie, but they could barely prate its skin and muscles!


    They weren''t hitting him too deeply! Because of that, Zombie Marcus continued attacking them!


    This Zombie may be slow and had weaker attacks, but it probably had the most durable Zombie they''ve ever met! Not even the Spitter Zombie could contest with this Zombie!


    ***


    Outside, Shane struggled to his feet, pain ring across his abdomen. It was painful, but he couldn''t afford to stay down; hispanions were still inside, fighting for their lives. Gritting his teeth, Shane drew his two other revolvers, the cold metal a familiar weight in his hands. He didn''t hesitate, unleashing the Ice and Fire Effects imbued within the weapons. A chilling frost and searing me erupted from the barrels, it was a swirling dance of contrasting energies that sought their targets with incredible precision!


    This was all thanks to his maxed Firearm Mastery!


    Inside the church, as the battle raged on, Leo and Harper were holding their own, but the strength of Zombie Marcus was overwhelming. Crack!


    Crack!


    The Pickaxe and Forging Hammer were soon crashed because of Zombie''s sheer power.


    Just like that, their weapons had been destroyed! n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Ahhh!"


    "This is it, huh!"


    The two of them were in disarray as they also noticed that Zombie Jenkins had decided to participate.


    Just as Marcus bore down on them, a st of icy wind and a wave of heat washed over the creature, halting its advance. Bang! Bang!


    It took quite some time, but Shane had returned to the fray, his revolvers whistling with elemental fury!


    Shane was d that he had upgraded all the Revolvers he had taken from the group of intruders some time ago.


    Zombie Jenkins, sensing the shift in the battle, turned its attention back to Shane, but it was toote. Shane''s aim was urate, and his shots tore through the air, each bullet an indication of frostbite andbustion. Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Shane decided not to waste any of his bullets! Although it couldn''t immediately kill the Zombies because of their high resistance, he didn''t mind it at all!


    He would empty his magazine even if it were just meant to weaken them!


    The dual forces of ice and fire ravaged the monstrous forms of Jenkins and Marcus; their undead flesh was slowly unable to withstand the onught!

 Chapter 62 Looting

    Chapter 62 Looting


    With the zombies reeling from the onught of ice and fire, Shane seized the moment. With his magazine spent, he didn''t bother to reload as he drew his Master-Grade Hatchet, its de gleaming with a soft red glow, making Shane''s appearance a bit scarier.


    [ Hatchet ( Master ): A fearsome axe that can sh through zombies with ease. It is made of a rare metal that shines with a bright red light, and has a curved de. It can kill a zombie with a single hit, and can also cause bleed and burn effects. It is also useful for crafting and survival purposes, such as making fire or building shelters. Effects: +35% damage against Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies, +15% against Spitter Zombies, +20% Critical Chance, +30% Attack Speed Special Effects:


    Ice:The Hatchet is imbued with a freezing power that can chill zombies and make them brittle. It has a +50% chance of causing ice damage to zombies, and a +50% chance of slowing them down and making them vulnerable to critical hits.


    Cost: 30 Spirit Points


    Fire: The Hatchet is imbued with a ming power that can scorch zombies and make them panic. It has a +50% chance of causing fire damage to zombies, and a +50% chance of making them flee and spread the fire to other zombies. Cost: 40 Spirit Points ]


    With such a weapon in his hands, Shane felt a lot more confident facing the two Zombies.


    "Die!" Shane''s roar echoed through the building as he made sure that the two Zombie''s attention would focus on him instead of his twopanions. He charged while his Hatchet was raised high, its mysterious enchantments pulsing as he got closer and closer.


    With his Axe Mastery, he already knew how he would kill the Zombies! Furthermore, the additional critical chance and attack speed from the Hatchet were not mere numbers¡ªthey were the difference between life and death.


    As Shane closed in, the zombies, driven by hunger, met his charge with their own grotesque wrath. ''They''re finally slow!''


    Shane''s approach was a calcted rush, his eyes locked onto the staggering forms of Jenkins and Marcus, now badly beaten from their previous intimidating appearance. The Master-Grade Hatchet in his grip glowed softly as he triggered its Special Effects, costing him some Spirit Points.


    Graaahhh!


    As he advanced, the zombies coordinated their attack with a semnce of the intelligence they once possessed. Zombie Jenkins, with a low growl, lunged forward, aiming to ensnare Shane with outstretched arms, while Marcus nked, attempting to corner their human adversary.


    ''They can work together?! They really have some intelligence!'' Shanemented in his mind as he saw their strange movement.


    It was definitely not an instinctual movement but a nned action!


    Of course, Shane''s response wasn''t slow as he moved like he was dancing! This wasn''t just all because of his current agility points; his current shoes also helped a lot in allowing him to make such evasive moves.


    He pivoted at the critical moment while his Hatchet swung in a wide arc, releasing a burst of icy mist that enveloped Jenkins, slowing the Zombie''s advance!


    After that, Shane didn''t stop using the Hatchet''s effects.


    mes trailed the de''s edge, scorching the air and searing the rotting flesh of Marcus as he drew too close!


    Graahhhh! The Zombies didn''t seem to like the elemental powers of his Hatchet!


    The Hatchet''s de shed through the air, creating a deadly melody. Whoosh~


    Shane feinted left, then rolled right, evading Zombie Jenkins'' grasping hands. Shane could finally see the Zombie''s movement!


    He then countered with a swift uppercut, the Hatchet''s de biting deep into the Zombie''s torso, a critical hit that sent shards of ice crystallizing across the wound!


    ''Take that!''


    "Graaah~" Jenkins roared. It was definitely a guttural sound of frustration as he seemed to be very annoyed after being hit by Shane! ''Ugh¡­ Is ice not effective against him?'' Shane thought for a moment.


    The ice effect should freeze the zombie muscles, making it unable to move. However, it seemed that it wasn''t the best idea to use.


    Anyway, he had no time to think too much. He just had to do whatever he could as he saw Marcus charging at him while a part of his body was still burning!


    This Zombie was simply too durable! Its endurance was too high!


    Shane ducked under the Zombie''s outstretched arms. Then, Shane triggered the Hatchet''s fire effect, igniting upon contact and leaving trails of me across Marcus''s bloated belly. The smell of charred decay filled the chamber.


    His cut, although shallow, was still umting so Shane believed that this wouldn''t take very long before the result of the battle came out.


    The zombies, though formidable in their new monstrous forms, were already sluggish after getting shot by a bunch .44 Magnum Rounds and the effects they brought to their bodies¡­


    Shane didn''t tire out as he exploited the Zombie''s current weakness, his attacks a blend of precision and power. It was taking a lot of his energy, but he had to do this if he wanted to cut them deep enough and kill them in the process! However, the Zombies were also desperate. They could probably tell that they were about to copse from Shane''s onught. Because of that, Shane had to be careful. Each strike was a calcted risk. He would heavily injure the Zombies with his Hatchet and narrowly escape from the gnashing jaws of death!


    Well, he would certainly fail if he did this alone!


    Luckily, he wasn''t! He had an A.I. Assistant helping him this time!


    [ On your left! ] [ Behind you! ] As soon as he heard Cloud''s warning, Shane rolled forward before countering the Zombies. He was truly doing well against the two!


    "Graahh!"


    Annoyed by Shane''s slippery movement, the zombies moved in unison to corner Shane, they certainly wanted to tear him apart and eat his flesh! However, Shane was ready. With a roar of his own, he spun and held the Hatchet at the lower part of its handle to increase his range. Then, he activated both Ice and Fire effects and erupted in a devastating whirlwind, cleaving through Jenkins and Marcus in a spectacle of elementalbo!


    Shane had practiced this move in the trees outside the estate! This was the Trump Card that he hade up with over the past few days!


    Soon, the battle reached its climax as Shane drove the Hatchet down in a decisive blow. Ice crystallized along the Hatchet''s path and reached Zombie Jenkins'' head! On the other hand, mes consumed what remained in Zombie Marcus'' head!


    Crashhh! Suddenly, Jenkins'' head shattered into many pieces. With that, the zombies'' bodies shuddered and then fell apart. Their unnatural life was finally extinguished by Shane''s relentless effort. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    In the end, it was over as quickly as it had begun. The two monstrous forms of Jenkins and Marcusy still, their reign of terror ended by Shane''s hand.


    "Hu~"


    Breathing heavily, Shane stood amidst the carnage.


    At this time, his body was adorned with cuts and bruises, but his spirit was unbroken. The Hatchet, now slick with the blood and fluids of the undead, also dropped to the ground as it felt pretty heavy in his hands after the battle. The church finally returned to its silence¡­ Shane then looked at Leo and Harper.


    "That''s a great battle, Sir Shane¡­ I''m sorry we are barely able to help you." Leo said after seeing Shane''s gaze. He couldn''t help but sigh after recalling how they barely injured Zombies Marcus.


    If possible, Leo really wanted to have his smithy fixed as quickly as possible. That way, he would be able to make a weapon that could kill those zombies!


    "Right¡­ We even broke our equipment." Harper added.


    "It''s fine. The Pickaxe isn''t forbat anyway, I also bought four of them a while ago so you still have three spares. Though, they weren''t upgraded yet." Shane replied.


    "It''s fine even if they''re not upgraded, Sir Shane."


    "Don''t throw away the Pickaxe, once my smithy has been fixed and we have the tools needed, I''ll fix that or use it as a material to make a better one." Leo added.


    After seeing that they were all alright and were only saddened about the loss of their equipment, Shane smiled as he decided to loot the zombies for now. [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes."


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ] "Yes."


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ] [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL Water, Bread x5, Sling Bag x1, Fast Swimmer Skill, Traceless Breath Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Traceless Breath ( Rare ) was not added. ] [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate Traceless Breath? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 3 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    ''Traceless Breath, huh¡­'' Shane gently nodded after seeing Jenkins'' Rare Talent.


    It was indeed rted to stealth, just like what Cloud had guessed. It was no wonder they failed to detect the presence of the two Scavengers before.

 Chapter 63 Rewards

    Chapter 63 Rewards


    It would be a lie to say that Shane didn''t like this talent. Although it wasn''t even an Exceptional or Master Grade talent, the fact that it was rted to stealth attracted him a lot. After all, this was the reason why Jenkins and his partner survived for a long time while roaming around in this Zombie-Infestednd.


    There was no way he would underestimate this talent.


    With this in mind, Shane then decided to check the Reputation Store. Before that, however, Shane uttered a silent prayer. He wasn''t sure if there was someone who would listen to his prayer but he did anyway. As soon as he finished, he opened his Reputation Store.


    Unlike the Survivor Store, which has six options, the Reputation Store only has three options.


    [ Tattoo: A permanent and artistic mark on the Survivor''s skin that can impress or intimidate others. It has 100% chance of unlocking new Survivor Skills. The tattoo''s design will depend on the unlocked Survivor Skill. ] Price: 20 RP ]


    [ Talent Expansion Scroll: A rare and magical scroll that can increase the number of Survivor''s Talent by one. It gives 1 Free Talent Slot that can be used to acquire any talent of the Survivor''s choice. It can only be used once per Survivor, and is consumed upon use. Price: 20 RP ]


    [ Random Recruitment Stone: A mysterious and glowing stone that can attract a new Inhabitant to your territory. The Inhabitant will have a random personality and talent and 50/100 Loyalty once they join yourmunity. Be careful of using this Stone. You can only use one Recruitment Stone per week, and it is consumed upon use. Price: 10 RP ]


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing the current items being sold in the Reputation Store. Although the Tatoo returned, he got two new items he could purchase, and they were both quite interesting!


    Well, yesterday''s Reputation Store was quite trash. They were only, Apocalypse Manual Volume 1, Zombie Potion, and Cute Heart Ne¡­ They were items that weren''t really that great and probably just baiting other Survivors to waste it on them on purpose so it would be hard to get better items.


    [ Apocalypse Manual Volume 1: Aprehensive and informative manual that contains everything you need to know about low-tier and mid-tier zombies. It can also teach you some tips and tricks on how to survive and fight zombies, and unlock some new Survivor Skills. It has a cover, a table of contents, and several illustrations of the zombies. It includes a bookmark and a pen. Price: 10 RP ]


    [ Zombie Potion: A potent and mysterious potion that can turn the Survivor into a Zombie. If you resist being turned into a Zombie, you will be a Chosen Survivor.


    Price: 5 RP ]


    [ Cute Heart Ne: A beautiful and magical ne that can enhance the charisma of the Survivor. It can grant some benefits and bonuses to the Survivor, such as increased luck, health, or talent. It has a chain, a pendant, and a sp, and can be worn and removed easily. Price: 7 RP ]


    There are more of these useless items being sold in the Reputation Store. Or, at the very least, that was what he thought. He believed that they were simply too useless, so Shane wasn''t really excited whenever he opened the Reputation Store.


    Shane heaved a sigh of relief after finally getting what he wanted after waiting several days.


    [ You have selected Talent Expansion Scroll. ]


    [ Are you sure you want to use 20 Reputation Points to purchase this item? ] "Yes¡­ I''m sure of it." Shane answered.


    Ding! [ You have spent 20 Reputation Points. ]


    [ You have 10 Reputation Points left. ] "Hmm¡­ That''s it?" Shane muttered after not noticing any magical effect happening.


    He didn''t feel any changes in his body. No warm or cold sensation or anything entered his brain or body. There wasn''t any indication aside from confirming that he only had 10 RP left in his status panel.


    Anyway, he finally turned back to the previous system prompt! No, to be exact, the prompt telling him to remove one of his Talents to amodate the Traceless Breath Talent had disappeared and turned to a different prompt!


    [ You have received the Traceless Breath Talent ] [ Traceless Breath ( Rare Talent ): The Survivor''s presence will be undetectable to a certain extent. The user can also hold their breath for an extended period of time without suffocating or making noise. The Survivor also has increased stealth and evasion. This talent buff will be boosted by 10% during infiltration and hiding to help the Survivor avoid detection by zombies or enemies who rely on sound or smell. The Survivor can also swim or dive underwater without needing any equipment or sneak into ces with limited oxygen for a long period. ] "This is actually quite decent for a Rare Talent." Shane muttered as he read the description. Without a doubt, this talent may not be the best when fighting against zombies, but it was certainly perfect for those who just wanted to avoid battles.


    Shane then realized that his Traceless Breath was already active¡­ He could tell that his breathing had already changed, and he could tell from Harper and Leo''s gaze that they realized that something had change in their perception of him.


    ''So it''s a passive talent, huh¡­'' Shane gently nodded as he decided to loot the other Zombie.


    To be exact, it was Zombie Marcus.


    As soon as he touched the corpse, the usual notification appeared.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes." Shane answered promptly.


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ] [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL Water, Bread x5, Sling Bag x1, Controlled Body Heating Skill, Treasure Seeker Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Treasure Seeker ( Rare ) was not added. ] [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate Treasure Seeker Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 4 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    "Treasure Seeker, huh¡­" Shane muttered but he still shook his head. Although the Treasure Seeker talent was quite good, he already had Seeker of Secrets title, and he also had that binocr for some slight chance of getting hidden details in anything he observed with that device.


    As for the Controlled Body Heating Skill, it was actually a skill that was great during the winter! It wasn''t that bad at all.


    With that said, Shane decided to turn his attention to the Walker and Jumper Zombies.


    He first went to the Jumper Zombies.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes¡­"


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 1 Strength Enhancement Bottle ]


    "Mhmm?" Shane was stunned as he realized that aside from getting high Experience Points, what he got wasn''t a Spirit Enhancement Bottle but a Strength Enhancement one!


    He didn''t have to take it out and read its description to know what it could do to him once consumed! n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Without hesitation, Shane continued extracting the four other Jumper Zombies!


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 1 Strength Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 1 Strength Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 1 Strength Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 1 Strength Enhancement Bottle ]


    All four them had given him a Strength Enhancement Bottle!


    Shane then continued with the Walker Zombies.


    [ You have earned 7 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 1 Agility Enhancement Bottle ]


    "It''s agility this time! Incredible! Complete Loot Talent is the best!"Shane eximed, surprising his twopanions. However, they didn''t interrupt his celebration as they simply watched with curiosity.


    Anyway, Shane continued with his loot.


    [ You have earned 7 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 1 Agility Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 7 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 1 Agility Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 7 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 1 Agility Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 7 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 1 Agility Enhancement Bottle ]


    Although he also wished to obtain something other than Bread since he was already getting tired of it, he was still happy with the result of his loot. Of course, since he wasn''t in a hurry to obtain higher stats, he kept them in his inventory for now and turned his attention to the secret chamber¡­


    Finally, Shane was about to learn the secrets of the World Government.

 Chapter 64 Secret Documents

    Chapter 64 Secret Documents


    "That''s a great haul this time¡­" Shane muttered as he looked at his Inventory.


    [ Inventory: Memory Sphere x21, Item Upgrade Crystals x59, Zombie Cores x165, 55L Water, Bread x60, Acid Pouch x13, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x190, Strength Enhancement Bottle x5, Agility Enhancement Bottle x5, Spitter Tongue x1, Sling Bag x2 ] Then, he finally turned his attention to the secret chamber, where the secret of the World Government lies. He wasn''t sure what he was about to find out, but he was excited whatever it was.


    As he stepped into the chamber, his eyes scanned the dimly lit room. Thanks to the hole his body created in the wall, there was enough light to see through the things within the room.


    The chamber was surprisingly spacious because of the high ceiling and arge window that overlooked the forestndscape outside. The walls were lined with shelves, filled with books, files, and various objects. The floor was covered with a thick carpet, stained with blood and dirt.


    Shane then walked around the chamber, curious about its contents. At this time, Harper and Leo spoke.


    "Sir Shane, I don''t know how to read or write, so I cannot help you here. I''ll go ahead and guard the surroundings for now." Harper said.


    "I only know how to read a few words. I''ll leave this ce to you¡­ Right, my hammer is gone. I''ll use the spare ones we''re keeping in the warehouse." Leo added.


    Shane gently nodded as he allowed them to do what they wanted.


    "Yes¡­ You can leave me here."


    After that, Shane picked up a few books from the shelf and skimmed through them.


    He did this several times and confirmed they were mostly academic and historical texts. They were nothing too interesting. He saw titles like "The Rise and Fall of the Zeno Republic", "The History of the Continent and Its Nations", and "The Science of Bioengineering and Gic Modification". Of course, there were also some other regr books like "The Age of Capital: How the Industrial Revolution Changed the World", "The Economic Copse of the Zeno Republic", "The End of Poverty: How to Achieve Economic Development", and "The Enlightened Economy: How Innovation and Education Transformed the World"


    These books seemed like they would bring him knowledge about the continent before it had be zombie-infested. Nheless, he wondered if these books had any connection to the zombies, but he didn''t find any clues.


    He moved on to the other shelves, where he found more items that caught his attention. He saw a very basic map with only a few regions marked, a radio, a camera, and a telescope. Shane couldn''t help but wonder who used to live in this chamber, and what they were doing here. It doesn''t seem to be a ce for priests.


    However, this question was soon answered. He noticed some trophies, medals, and certificates, indicating that the person was a distinguished schr and researcher. He saw a name engraved on one of the trophies: Dr. Alexander Wright.


    Shane squinted his eyes. He certainly didn''t recognize this man, but based on the certificates and trophies he found, he could tell that Dr. Wright was a famous scientist who worked for the World Government, specializing in biotechnology and gics. He was known for his groundbreaking discoveries and inventions but also for his controversial experiments and ethics. Then, Shane saw some old newspapers stacked on the shelf. "Missing Researcher¡­" Shane muttered as he read the headlines¡­ Apparently, Dr. Wright had disappeared many years ago, shortly before the zombie outbreak. Some said he was killed, some said he defected, some said he went into hiding.


    ''Could this be his secret chamber or someone searching for him?'' Shane wondered. However, the likelihood of this being Dr. Wright''s secret base was higher.


    If so, what secrets did he hide here?


    Shane then continued to explore the chamber, hoping to find more answers. He finally reached the study table, where he saw a brokenputer, amp, and a folder. Theputer seemed to have been smashed, but the folder beside it was fine and it was open, revealing a stack of papers. Shane felt a surge of curiosity. He walked over to the table and picked up the folder. Then, on its cover, he saw abel that read: Project Z.


    Curious, he opened it and found what seemed to be the documents he was looking. Anyway, some of these papers were stained with blood and torn at the edges. Shane couldn''t help but pray that the important bits of information weren''t blocked by these.


    ''Project: Z¡­ Is this rted to the Zombie Virus? Well, I wouldn''t get a title if the information here is unimportant.'' Shane thought as he scanned through the papers, hoping to find some clues about the origin of the zombies.


    After a few moments, Shane smiled at what he found.


    "I''m right¡­" Shane softly spoke as he read the paper.


    The documents revealed that Project Z was a secret experiment conducted by the World Government, in coboration with a biotechpany called BioGenix. The goal was to create a super-soldier serum that would enhance human abilities and immunity. This sounded incredible, without a doubt. If it seeded, it would empower the country, and it would bring its enemies to its knees.


    However, although it had a promising oue, it also had ominous results if it didn''t go as nned. Just as Shane had expected, the experiment went horribly wrong when the serum, instead of boosting the subjects'' health, turned them into mindless, flesh-eating monsters.


    The first outbreak urred in a remote facility in the mountains, where the serum was tested on a group of volunteers. The volunteers, unaware of the true nature of the experiment, were injected with the serum and monitored for any changes. Within hours, they began to exhibit signs of infection: fever, nausea, aggression, and cannibalism. The infection spread quickly, as the infected attacked and bit the staff and other volunteers. Soon, the entire facility was overrun by zombies.


    "So the virus is man-made?" Shane muttered, but he shook his head after some thought. He couldn''t just summarize it with that. After all, the scientists who made the serum had probably used some kind of elements or materials that weren''t from this world. Shane couldn''t help but guess since the mutation was just too much, especially that Giant Zombie that he had seen before.


    Anyway, Shane continued reading the documents.


    After the facility was overtaken by the man-eating creatures or Zombies, the World Government tried to contain the situation, sending a special task force to eliminate the zombies and destroy the facility. However, they underestimated the zombies'' strength and numbers, and the mission failed... To summarize what had happened, the zombies escaped the facility and spread to the nearby towns and viges, infecting more people and creating more chaos.


    ''So it''s really like that, huh¡­ It all started with a failed serum or because of the ambitious scientists of the Zeno Republic.'' Shane mused as he continued reading¡­


    He was actually hoping that the researchers had found a way to stop the spread of the virus.


    After turning a few more pages, the information that he was looking for had shown itself.


    "This is it¡­"


    The documents mentioned something that caught his interest.


    It was about a woman named Sofia, who was one of the volunteers in the experiment. ording to the records, Sofia was the only one who did not turn into a zombie after being injected with the serum. Instead, she showed remarkable resistance to the infectionand even developed some enhanced abilities, such as increased strength, speed, and healing. She was dubbed "Patient Zero," the key to finding a cure for the zombie virus.


    However, Sofia''s fate was unknown. The documents suggested that she was captured by the World Government and taken to a secret location for further study. But there was no confirmation of her whereabouts or condition. Then, just like that, the documents ended abruptly, and the next parts were deliberately cut off or destroyed.


    "Sofia¡­ Patient Zero¡­"


    Shane was stunned by what he had read. First of all, he didn''t expect that the zombies were the result of a failed experiment by this world''s World Government. He thought that the virus came from an otherworldly phenomenon like a meteor or perhaps, it was brought by whoever brought the Survivors here from Earth. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He also couldn''t help but wonder about Sofia''s situation, whether she was already dead or being imprisoned by the World Government. Well, he couldn''t even tell how many years had passed since these documents were written, so there was really no point in thinking about her. Instead, he should probably consider getting the results of the research done on her.


    Anyway, Shane decided to keep the documents safe, hoping to find more clues and answers once he reread them.


    Then, as he tucked the documents in the folder, a locked drawer on the study table caught his attention.

 Chapter 65 Motivation

    Chapter 65 Motivation


    Shane noticed a locked drawer on the study table and felt a surge of curiosity. He wondered if there were any important documents or valuable items inside. He didn''t think for too long, so he decided to try opening it using his Lockpicking Skill.


    Although he could probably force it, he decided to be safe and carefully open it. In any case, that was probably the reason why he had such a skill in his arsenal.


    ''Well¡­ Let''s see how good this skill is¡­'' Shane mused.


    Then, like a true expert, he started moving like a practiced thief. He inserted a thin metal wire into the keyhole and twisted it gently, feeling for the pins and springs inside. It took just a few seconds before he heard a faint click and smiled. ''Not bad¡­''


    Shane then carefully unlocked the drawer. He pulled it open and saw a ck attache case inside. He lifted it out and opened it carefully. He wasn''t sure what was inside it after all.


    Inside the case, he saw 10 ss ampules, each containing a clear liquid. Shane''s heartbeat started going faster. He wasn''t sure if this was a virus that started it all or perhaps something even worse!


    ''Calm down¡­ I might be overthinking.'' Shane muttered to himself.


    Nheless, they looked like some kind of medicine or drug. Luckily, he also saw a document beside the ampules, with a World Government logo on it. He picked it up, and read it.


    The document was a report on the ampules, which werebeled as "Project Z-2". It said that the ampules were a modified version of the serum that created the zombies but with a different purpose. Instead of turning people into mindless monsters, the ampules were designed to turn people into obedient ves.


    ''What the¡ª'' Shane was shocked.


    The report exined that the ampules contained a nanovirus, a microscopic machine that could infect and manipte the human brain. The nanovirus could alter the person''s memories, emotions, and personality, making them loyal and submissive to the World Government or to the one that had injected this to them.


    The nanovirus could also enhance the person''s physical abilities, making them stronger, faster, and more resilient. ''So this is the perfected or modified version after Project Z failed?'' Shane mused as he continued reading.


    The report imed that the ampules were a breakthrough in biotechnology, and a potential weapon for world domination. It said that the ampules were tested on a few subjects, and the results were satisfactory. Shane couldn''t help but shake his head after reading this part. It seemed that getting the Seeker of the Secrets title was really appropriate.


    Anyway, as he read the documents, he learned that the subjects showed no signs of resistance or rebellion, and followed everymand given to them. They also performed well inbat and espionage missions, showing remarkable skills and efficiency.


    "And I have ten of them here¡­" Shane muttered as he realized the importance of these drugs.


    The report concluded that the ampules were ready for mass production and distribution, and that they would be used to create an army of loyal and powerful soldiers for the World Government if nothing unexpected happened.


    As he thought that the report was over, he turned to the next page and found some more interesting bits of information.


    The reports mentioned that the ampules werepatible with Sofia''s blood. Shane didn''t get it at first, but as he read, he realized that the ampules contaminated by Sofia''s blood would have better effects on those ''ves''!


    Shane felt a chill run down his spine, as he realized the horror of what he had found. He couldn''t believe that the World Government had created such a monstrous thing and that they nned to use it on innocent people. He also felt a pang of pity for Sofia, who was the target of their twisted experiment.


    ***


    While Shane was preupied with reading confidential documents in the chamber, in a distantnd... a young woman with fiery red hair and striking green eyes was bestowed a title.


    [ You have gained a new Title: Second Seeker. ] [Second Seeker: The Survivor gains an additional 3 points to their Luck and Perception stats, increasing their chances of finding rare items and expanding the detection range. It grants the Survivor a +2% bonus to their Experience Points gain, which speeds up their leveling and skill progression.


    Requirements: Be the second person to locate the secret chamber owned by the World Government. ] "I''m the second person? Who got it first?" Raze said after getting the title.


    Indeed, he was Raze Curtis, Shane''s friend and a Survivor with Epic Talent: Dragon Knight. [ Dragon Knight (Epic Talent): The Survivor forms a bond with amon baby dragon that matches their affinity, either fire, water, earth, or air. The Survivor can summon the dragon to fight by their side, or ride it to fly across the world. The Survivor also gains increased swordsmanship talent and can use elemental sword attacks based on their dragon''s affinity. ]


    Of course, even if she was the second, Raze was still surprised by the title she had received. She had stumbled upon the secret chamber by ident, while exploring the sewers of the city. She had followed a trail of clues and signs, that she thought would lead her to a location where she could find food and water.


    However, instead of that happening, this led her to a hidden door that opened with a password. She had guessed the password by chance, since she had found some clues along the way.


    Anyway, as she entered the chamber, she had found a treasure trove of information and items rted to the World Government and the zombie virus. However, it was quite different.


    She had learned that the chamber was a secret base, used by a rogue faction of the World Government, who had opposed the Project Z experiment and tried to expose it. They had collected evidence and data, hoping to find a way to stop the zombie outbreak and save the world.


    ''It''s a group of people who tried to stop the zombie outbreak made by the World Government? Wait, it''s the World Government who started this all?'' Raze mused.


    As she continued to find more information, she realized that this rogue faction had ultimately failed. The chamber was abandoned, and the faction was either killed or captured by the World Government. Raze was the second person to discover the secrets of the World Government, and she had no idea who had found them first.


    If she would make a guess, however, it would be the first person who achieved the second level and opened the Chat Window.


    ''It''s probably Shane¡­'' Raze thought for a moment.


    Anyway, Raze was fascinated by what she had found in this chamber and decided to take some of the items and documents with her. She may not be aspiring to make a vine, but she was hoping to find a ce where the vine was located or where she could get more exclusive items.


    "Roan worked really hard over the past few days¡­ I wonder how they discovered a secret chamber first?" Raze muttered as she looked at her baby dragon.


    "Kyu?" The baby dragon looked at her for a moment while it was resting. It seemed to have noticed her gaze just now.


    However, Raze simply smiled at her baby dragon before she packed her backpack with the most valuable and useful items, and left the chamber. After some thought, she locked the door behind her and made her way back to the sewers. She nned to return to her simple base, and examine her loot.


    However, as she walked through the dark and damp tunnels, she heard a loud and familiar sound. It was the sound of zombies, and they wereing her way. She seemed to have done something and alerted the undead to her presence. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Mhmm¡­ Let''s hope they are just the normal zombies." Raze muttered to herself.


    She didn''t panic and simply picked up the Rare Grade Dagger in her possession. Of course, she also asked Roan, a fire-type dragon that matched her affinity, to position in front. The dragon was a small and cute creature with red scales and yellow eyes¡­ It was alreadypletely different from before when it had green scales and cool breath.


    Rooaaar!


    The baby dragon roared as it sensed the zombies, and prepared to attack. Raze smiled and patted its head. She said, "Let''s go, Roan. We have some zombies to fry."


    Then, Raze and Roan ran towards the zombies, who were emerging from the shadows. There were dozens of them, mostly Walker and Jumper types. Graahhh!


    They snarled, growled, and soon charged at Raze and Roan.


    "Come and give me more exp!"


    Raze shouted as she waved to Roan to kill the Zombies! Raze didn''t idle either as she followed Roan, swung her dagger, and sliced through the zombies that Roan had already injured with his ws and tails! She easily aimed for their heads, the only way to kill them for sure! She was excited to find so many zombies after she discovered the secret chamber!


    "I''ll be joining the Auction! Come at me!" Raze''s eyes lit up as she recalled the uing event.

 Chapter 66 Soup

    Chapter 66 Soup


    Raze certainly wanted to join the special event that would happen soon.


    The idea of meeting other survivors from the same region intrigued her a lot. Furthermore, they would be able to see each other''s set of equipment!


    In that gathering, they would all know which Survivor had high-tier weapons and equipment! It would be an indicator of the real rankers in this Zombie Apocalypse!


    She couldn''t help but wait to see those high-level Survivors. She was curious whether they would have Tier 4 or Tier 5 set already¡­


    Anyway, at this time, Raze still had to collect more Zombie Cores.


    She was sure that the auction would use Zombie Cores as a type of currency. There was also a chance of it being Zombie Blood, but the chances are too low¡­


    With this in mind, she had to work harder and find more Zombies to loot!


    Rooarrr!


    Roan, meanwhile, was busing using its ws and jaws to bite and tear through the zombies that they had attracted. This baby Dragon was small but fierce!


    It also started breathing a weak fire trail, but it was certainly enough to burn the zombies. Well, it wasn''t sufficient to burn them to ashes, but it could stop the zombies from their advancement. Then, after the baby dragon weakened the zombies with its fire breath, it started moving with agility and grace as its dragon nature showed through.


    Rooaar!


    Together, Raze and Roan fought with courage and confidence and defeated the low-tier zombies. They left behind a trail of corpses and mes, a testament to their current strength. At this time, Raze and Roan were no longer weaklings who needed to hide from the zombies in the sewers. Currently, they have gained control over a few areas in the sewers, and it has be their excellent source of Zombie Cores.


    After looting all the zombies, Raze looted them one by one, and luckily enough, she was able to get a Zombie Core in one out of three Zombies.


    "So this is the three points in Luck working, huh¡­" Raze muttered as she felt that her luck had truly increased this time. Anyway, Raze gained more experience and loot with her visit to the Secret Chamber.


    She had also learned some secrets or bits of information about the start of the Zombie Outbreak, including the involvement of the World Government.


    She couldn''t help but feel that she was on the right track to ensuring her ce in the Top 1,000 Survivors.


    ''I should start looking for more information about the origin of the Zombie Virus¡­'' Raze thought as she was already aware of the benefits she could get.


    After all, she had just obtained a title and various items in the secret chamber! If there were other secret chambers around the world, then she must do her best to find them!


    Lastly, she couldn''t share this with anyone in the Chat!


    "Kyuuu?" Roan then tilted its head while looking at Raze curiously¡­


    "I think it''s time to leave the sewers, Roan¡­" Raze softly said as she decided to finally go out of herfort zone¡­ She believed that staying here any longer would no longer benefit her.


    ***


    Springriver Manor.


    After Shane''s time was spent delving into the chamber''s secrets, he felt the need to step outside, to clear his mind with the crisp air of the outdoors. ''Now¡­ What should I do with the ten ampules? Is it fine to use them for the next intruders?'' Shane mused as he couldn''t help but hesitate a bit on this idea.


    ''I guess if they deserve it, I wouldn''t feel too guilty using it¡­'' He mused. After some time, while he was patrolling the estate, he finally saw Gene and Anna returning from their foraging trip, their armsden with various natural finds from the forest behind the manor.


    ''Ohhh¡­ They really seeded, huh¡­'' Shane nodded, feeling satisfied with their trip. It was great that Anna had Level 10 Herbalism Skill!


    As Shane approached them, he was able to see that the two had signs of a skirmish with zombies. There was no doubt about it after seeing some scratches and bite marks on Gene''s armor.


    Nheless, Gene and Anna were thankfully unscathed, albeit visibly fatigued from their excursion.


    ''Some rest should do it¡­''


    Shane''s interest was then immediately drawn to the botanical bounty they had collected, particrly the mushrooms that seemed to be a staple in their current diet.


    Of course, there were also some mystical herbs that caught Shane''s attention as Anna and Gene took out all the herbs they had gathered and ced them on the table inside the church. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "What are these unusual-looking herbs?" Shane''s curiosity was piqued after seeing all of them. Particrly, the Ghost Fern, Red Root, Blue Sage, and Nightshade nts were unlike anything found on Earth, they were surely unique to the Fiend Continent''s rich and mysterious flora.


    Once again, Anna emphasized the Ghost Fern as a nt known for its ability to conceal one''s presence once consumed and its value for stealthy maneuvers.


    "The Red Root, on the other hand, is a powerful herb we can use to increase stamina and energy¡­ I can make tonics with these roots. You can look forward to that." She exined with a hint of eagerness in her voice before turning to the next one.


    "This is probably the most important herb we got for today. This Blue Sage is known for its healing properties and ability to soothe pain¡­ I can make some pain relievers and medicines with this!" Anna exined enthusiastically.


    Shane nodded in agreement as he also felt quite excited. These medicines she''d make would be helpful for them!


    Then Anna exined that the Nightshade nt could then be used to create poisons or even antidotes with the right ingredients.


    After introducing the unusual herbs and nts, Anna finally continued with the most important part, some edible food they could use to rece their bread!


    "These are Brown Cap mushrooms¡­" Anna exined, holding up one of the earthy fungi. "They''re quitemon around the part where we started looking for herbs, and they''re a good source of protein."


    "Let me just clean myself a bit, and I''ll cook for everyone. Right, I don''t have Cooking Skills, so you can''t expect too much from me. I might also fail during the process." Anna said.


    "It''s fine¡­ I''ll go ahead and prepare all the things you need for cooking¡­" Shane said as he prepared the fire, pots, knives, and various things likedles, spoons, bowls, and others.


    After some time, Anna returned and was ready to cook for them! Well, she was the only one with a decent experience when it came to cooking, so she had no choice but to take the job. Shane then watched as Anna began the methodical process of preparing their meal. She carefully selected a handful of the Brown Cap mushrooms, cleaning them with a cloth before slicing them into even pieces. The wooden utensils they had crafted wereid out neatly beside a pot, which she ced over a small fire that Shane had started.


    "Hu~ I''m getting a bit nervous. It''s been a while since I''ve cooked." Anna muttered to herself, but Shane could only encourage her.


    The mes licked at the sides of the pot as Anna added water from their supply. Once it reached a gentle boil, she added the mushrooms, along with a few sprigs of wild thyme and some coltsfoot leaves, which Anna exined would be their recement for salt.


    As the soup simmered, the simple yet savory aroma wafted through the air, drawing the group closer. Anna stirred the pot with a wooden spoon, the contents bubbling softly. She then prepared the wooden bowls, each one bearing unique grain patterns and a testament to the resourcefulness of their littlemunity.


    ''What a strange feeling¡­ Just a simple soup meal felt really great.'' Shane thought for a moment. Although he hadn''t tasted the soup yet, he couldn''t help but smile as this was some sort of achievement for them.


    Of course, they already tasted some hot noodles since they appeared in the Survivor Store from time to time. The bread would also taste better when it was eaten with the noodles.


    However, the one they would be eating now waspletely different. It was food that they made from the resources they found here!


    Shane couldn''t help but think that this was the start of their journey into being self-sufficient!


    Perhaps, one day, they would no longer require the help of the Survivor Store to get some good food!


    "Here¡­"


    As the soup was ready, Anna served it, the steam rising invitingly from each bowl. Everyone in the estate gathered around the makeshift table, a moment of normalcy amidst the chaos of their world. It didn''t feel like there were zombies lurking somewhere around at all.


    The soup was hearty and warming, each spoonful a reminder of theforts of home¡­ at least, this was what Anna had felt.


    The group then enjoyed their meal with some light conversation. Thankfully, the mood was lifted by the simple pleasure of a well-cooked soup.

 Chapter 67 The New Zombie

    Chapter 67 The New Zombie


    The following day, Shane was roused from slumber at an early hour by Cloud, his A.I. assistant in the form of his wristwatch, who alerted him to the impending Zombie threat. In recent days, the A.I. had consistently absorbed every sample of Zombie Blood that Shane managed to gather, augmenting its ability to detect Zombies. At this juncture, detecting their presence within a 150-meter radius was no longer a formidable task for the A.I.


    [ Five Unknown Zombies have been detected ] Cloud''s warning left Shane momentarily stunned. Peering through the narrow openings of the church''s windows, Shane confirmed the lingering darkness outside, with Cloud confirming that it was only 5 in the morning.


    ''I have a bad feeling about this,'' Shane thought. He knew that it wasn''t the time for the Walker and Crawler Zombies to arrive yet. Because of that, a sense of unease settled over him, and he wasted no time rousing the others as Lucky, their loyal dog, erupted into a frenzy of barking, as if echoing Cloud''s warning.


    ''Unknown Zombies, huh... If my hunch is correct, they''re likely to be the sher Zombies or the unencountered Crusher Zombies¡­'' Shane mused, retrieving his sunsses despite the dim light. Yes, he grabbed his sunsses. It was an odd choice in the darkness, but it was a necessary shield against the blinding abilities of sher Zombies.


    "Gene¡­ Gear up, you wille with me... For the rest, stay here in the church¡­" Shane instructed, mindful that the others might fall prey to the Zombies. They weren''tbatants in the first ce. Furthermore, the church provided shelter, and he had armed Anna with a revolver for their protection. However, with only two pairs of sunsses, he could only bring Gene with him to face the Zombies.


    "Sunsses?" Gene raised his brows inquisitively.


    "I have a feeling that our Zombies this time are the sher Zombies. If I''m right, these sunsses will be our salvation." Shane exined while preparing his revolver and hatchet. "So there''s something like that¡­" Gene nodded in understanding, readying his de.


    As anticipated, five sher Zombies emerged, confirming Shane''s suspicions.


    From behind their fences, Gene was able to see the figures of the Zombies with the help of the torches that they had. The looming figures that materialized in the darkness were not the familiar, lumbering silhouettes of the Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies that had gued the area. As Shane and Gene braced themselves for the impending confrontation, the air was filled with tension, and their uneasiness mounted as they caught their first glimpse of the approaching sher Zombie. "Is that even a Zombie?" Gene was the first one toment, while Shane could only nod after seeing the Zombie in front.


    It was a grotesque sight to behold, a nightmarish abnormality that defied all their conventional understanding of the Zombies.


    The sher Zombie, devoid of humanoid semnce, was a ghastly fusion of warped flesh and an orb of disorienting light. Its disfigured form was a grotesque testament to the cataclysm that had befallen the world. ''I guess that the serum that the World Government made continued to mutate with different people or animals being affected¡­'' Shane muttered as he readied his weapons. He just couldn''t imagine that the serum that was supposed to make some sort of super soldiers had turned into this kind of mistake.


    Lurching forward on contorted limbs, itcked the familiar human appendages yet possessed a haunting, ethereal presence that sent a chill coursing through Shane and Gene''s veins.


    Apparently, the creature''s grotesque form bore no arms, but its disproportionate feet propelled it forward with an unsettling, lurching gait. "Sir Shane¡­ That one is filled with fat¡­ I don''t think my sword can kill it in a few strikes." Genemented.


    "It''s fine¡­ It should have a weakness and you only have to target it." Shane replied as he confirmed that the sher Zombies was something out of horror.


    Its abnormality extended to its outrageous maw, a gaping, cavernous orifice that served as its stomach!


    Indeed! The sher Zombie''s mouth was its huge open stomach!


    Then, where a head should have been, there instead existed a flickering orb, emitting an otherworldly light that cast an eerie, pulsating glow in the misty surroundings. The orb, flickering intermittently, held an enigmatic allure, but its disorienting radiance instilled a sense of dread within the two survivors.


    They had no idea where its eyes¡­ As they waited for the Zombies to get closer, Gene unconsciously stepped forward after seeing the flickering right. Thud!


    Then, at this time, Shane noticed that Gene had already dropped his weapon!


    "You--" Without any hesitation, Shane immediately grabbed Gene, and thankfully, thetter''s attention was removed from the light!


    "Wear the sunsses now!" Shane shouted as he already guessed that the light, though it failed to charm him, worked effectively on Gene! Of course, Shane also wore the sunsses very quickly!


    Gene was startled by Shane''s voice, but he immediately followed hismand!


    "Damn¡­ Did I get hypnotized just now?!" Gene asked in terror as he wore his sunsses.


    The few moments that he failed to recall scared him!


    "Most likely¡­ My Perception is probably quite high, so I didn''t get affected¡­" Shane said as he believed that if he continued to remain clueless from the effects of the flickering light, he would''ve undoubtedly been hypnotized by these sher Zombies that had a trait simr to Anglerfish!


    Glug~ Glug~ Glug~


    As the disfigured monstrosity drew near, their figures became clearer, and Shane and Gene were confronted with a sight that transcended the bounds of horror they had previously known. "I don''t even want my sword to touch that thing¡­" Gene muttered as he felt that his sword would be vited if he tried to slice that Zombie!


    The dissonance between the creature''s unnatural form and the pulsating orb that served as the eerie semnce of its consciousness made Shane and Gene want to vomit¡­


    ''There are no disgusting creatures like this in A.I. Rebellion¡­ The Fairy Realm collision may have some disgusting things as well, but this Zombie would top it all!'' Shane couldn''t help butment.


    Nheless, they had to kill these abominations! As they steeled themselves for the impending skirmish, a surge of determination washed over them¡­ They knew that they had to kill these five even without their low visibility because of the sunsses!


    ***


    As the five sher Zombies advanced menacingly, their erratic movements and disorienting shes of light emitted from their bodies created an otherworldly spectacle. Shane and Gene could even tell that the flickering light was getting stronger and stronger! ''I hope the others would not look at these lights¡­'' Shane thought as he recalled that the others may be watching.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Shane started shooting the Zombies with imbued Ice Effect¡­


    However, the bullets were stopped by their flesh, and the frostbite barelysted for three seconds before dissipating!


    Shane didn''t panic and swiftly changed the Special Effect into Fire or to be exact, Burn Effect!


    Bang! Bang!


    He urately shot the flickering orbs once again, but for some reason, it was also immune to Fire!


    ''Elemental Resistance?'' Shane frowned at this realization. Nheless, he had to do something.


    Instead of imbuing some effects, he simply relied on the bullet''s piercing power! n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Bang! This time, he continued firing until he emptied his bullets. Thankfully, it may have failed to destroy even one of the sher Zombie''s orbs, but Shane realized that it wasn''t immune to physical attacks! The orbs were certainly chipped by the gunshots!


    ''So normal rounds would be more useful, huh¡­'' Shane thought as he considered pulling out another revolver.


    However, his actions had probably infuriated the Zombies as the nearest sher Zombie lunged forward with surprising agility! ''So quick!'' Then, its orb continued to try and disorient Shane with blinding shes! However, Shane, undeterred by the dazzling disy, countered with a calcted strike from his hatchet, severing the creature''s outstretched tongue with a swift, decisive blow. Sssaakk---


    The Zombie emitted an otherworldly screech as it recoiled in agony, its shes momentarily subdued!


    Meanwhile, Gene knew that he had to y his role!


    He deftly maneuvered through the fray as his de sliced through the flesh of the sher Zombies. He had indeed moved outside the fence and engaged in closebat!


    Gene was a true warrior, and although he felt a bit terrified of the creatures, he was still brave enough to focus on his duty! Gene realized that the flesh of the Zombies was tough, so he decided to slowly bleed them to death with the small wounds that he was making.


    During this time, he skillfully dodged the Zombies'' stomach mouths, while his sunsses shielded him from the debilitating effects of the shes.


    Gene swiftly closed the distance to one of the zombies and delivered a deft strike to one of the zombie''s ankles, or what he believed were ankles. Thud!


    It was actually effective since the Zombie''s bnce was messed up! Just like that, he incapacitated the sher Zombie with a precise blow.


    "Alright¡­ Let''s target their ankles."


    Shane said as he realized that his hatchet could only cleave a part of the sher Zombie and not kill it! He couldn''t even hit its orb as it was too quick!

 Chapter 68 Safe?.

    Chapter 68 Safe?.


    As the skirmish unfolded, Shane and Gene seamlessly coordinated their movements, exploiting the vulnerabilities of the sher Zombies with strategic uracy. Despite the relentless onught of the sher Zombies, the duo''s harmonized actions allowed them to swiftly incapacitate the terrifying Zombies.


    Shane''s keen instincts, his swift reflexes, and Cloud''s assistance, helped him anticipate the erratic movements of the sher Zombies, enabling him to effectively neutralize their disorienting assaults. Apparently, since the sher Zombies were using their huge mouth in their stomach and their kind of long tongues, dealing with them was quite tricky.


    It was nothingpared to the normal Zombies they''d dealt with before!


    Luckily, as Shane continued to fight with his hatchet, he slowly got used to the way the Zombies would attack. One by one, the sher Zombies fell before Shane''s relentless strikes, their bodies hitting the ground with thuds that echoed through the field.


    He gradually defeated three sher Zombies! Theyy immobilized, their stomach mouths futilely gnashing at the dirt, effectively neutralized but not yet killed...


    Gene, meanwhile, faced the formidablest of the sher Zombies, its resilience was astounding even as its feet were severed!


    The sher Zombie managed to keep its bnce using its contorted flesh! It then lunged at Gene, its huge maw wide in a silent scream! It was aiming to mp down on Gene''s flesh with a hunger born of the virus that animated it!


    "Ugh¡­ This is too tough!" Gene''s exmation cut through the noise of battle.


    He then wielded his de as he fought to keep the creature at bay!


    Shane, hearing Gene''s struggle, leapt into action.


    "Hang on, Gene!" he called out, dashing towards hispanion with hatchet raised. The sher Zombie turned its attention to Shane, sensing a new threat, but it was toote. Shane''s hatchet came down in a powerful arc, aimed at the creature''s flesh that was holding its flickering orb, the weak point he had identified during the fight.


    The hatchet cut deep, and the sher Zombie''s movements faltered. Gene seized the moment, thrusting his de into the creature''s exposed mouth with all his might. Thud!


    Thebined force of their attacks was too much for the zombie, and it copsed, joining its fallen brethren.


    It was still alive but as Shane severed the flickering orb on its body, the Zombie became vulnerable or stunned and could no longer fight back.


    As Shane was thinking of ending its life, he suddenly received a notification from the system.


    [ You have eliminated a sher Zombie. ] ''So it''s not just a simple weakness, they can be killed with that move¡­'' Shane muttered as he looked at the four other sher Zombies who were still struggling on the ground.


    Without wasting any more time, he used his hatchet to cut the other sher Zombie''s flickering orb.


    He made quick work of them, ensuring the zombies would not rise again. [ You have eliminated a sher Zombie. ] [ You have eliminated a sher Zombie. ] [ You have eliminated a sher Zombie. ] [ You have eliminated a sher Zombie. ] After that, he finally removed his sunsses as he could barely see while wearing them.


    Breathing heavily, Shane and Gene surveyed the aftermath of their victory. The early morning light cast long shadows over the defeated sher Zombies, their threat extinguished by their bravery and skill.


    ''I didn''t think it would be fun hunting Zombies¡­'' Gene mused as he realized that he was actually smiling while fighting against the Zombies. It seemed that battling was too ingrained in his blood and wanted more action!


    "Well done¡­" Shane said, pping Gene on the shoulder. "I''ll loot them all and head back. The others will be worried, so you can go ahead and check on them. Tell them about the sher Zombies so they will not fall victim." Shane said as he readied himself to loot the Zombies.


    Gene nodded at this as he returned to their shelter.


    Then, Shane started to loot the Zombie Corpses.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes."


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Core, 500mL water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL sher Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, 1 Light Orb ]


    ''A safe unknown meat?'' Shane breath nervously after seeing what he had just looted. However, he knew that he could check thister.


    It was still misty outside, and the cold was starting to get to him. With that in consideration, he looted the rest of the Zombies. [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Core, 500mL water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL sher Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, 1 Light Orb ]


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Core, 500mL water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL sher Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, 1 Light Orb ]


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Core, 500mL water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL sher Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, 1 Light Orb ]


    Just like that, Shane looted the four sher Zombies. This time, his attention turned to the oddlypetitive sher Zombie.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes."


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Core, 500mL water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x2, 100mL sher Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, 1 Light Blue Orb ]


    ''Mhmm¡­ So it''s still the same sher Zombie¡­ but with better loot?'' Shane mused as he quickly saw the difference.


    Thest one gave Light Blue Orb instead of simply Light Orb, and the Unknown Meat doubled.


    Shane then opened his Inventory to see their descriptions.


    [ Inventory: Memory Sphere x21, Item Upgrade Crystals x69, Zombie Cores x175, 65L Water, Bread x55, Acid Pouch x13, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x210, Strength Enhancement Bottle x5, Agility Enhancement Bottle x5, Spitter Tongue x1, Sling Bag x2, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x3, Light Orb x4, Light Blue Orb x1]


    ''Right¡­ I should drink the other enhancement bottles as well.'' Shane thought, as he only recalled this after seeing them in the Inventory.


    However, he still checked the meat and the orbs.


    [ Light Orb: A luminous orb that emits a steady, soft light. It contains a modest amount of energy, potentially useful for enchanting or as a light source in dark environments. ] [ Light Blue Orb: An orb with a serene blue luminescence. It''s denser and contains a higher concentration of energy than the standard Light Orb, suggesting it could have significant applications in crafting or magical endeavors. ] ''A source of light¡­ or for crafting, huh¡­'' Shane nodded after seeing the description. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [ Unknown Meat (Safe): A cut of meat from a sher Zombie, deemed safe for consumption. It''s nutritious and could serve as a valuable food source in the absence of traditional meat. ] "This¡­ is disgusting¡­" Shane couldn''t help but express his honest thoughts about this meat. Although he wanted something different from their everyday meal, he never considered eating zombie meat. Just thought of eating it had already made him want to puke. The idea just sounded so absurd.


    However, he also knew that he could not waste any food in this Apocalypse. ''Whatever¡­ It says here that it''s safe to eat, so as long as I don''t imagine what I''m eating, there shouldn''t be a problem. Right, I can''t tell the others about the source of this meat.'' Shane thought, as he knew, that telling them the source would just make them disgusted.


    Anyway, they won''t be turning into a zombie by eating this meat, so it should be fine to keep a secret or two from them.


    After some time, Shane finally stopped thinking about the Unknown Meat.


    Instead, he decided to focus his attention on the Enhancement Bottles. Among them were 5 Strength Enhancement Potions and 5 Agility Enhancement Potions, each promising to bolster his abilities in this Apocalypse.


    After taking a deep breath, Shane uncorked one of the Strength Enhancement Bottles. The liquid inside glowed with a faint, red pulsating light. He downed the potion in one swift gulp, feeling a surge of power coursing through his veins. Almost instantly, he felt slightly stronger¡­


    He didn''t continue drinking the other vials. Instead, he checked his current status panel to see how much points he obtained. [ Strength: 36 ] "A two-point increase? Not bad¡­" Shane softly nodded as he continued drinking all the other bottles.


    Next, he reached for an Agility Enhancement Bottle. Its contents shimmered like quicksilver, and as he drank it, a sensation of lightness washed over him.


    Simr to the Strength Enhancement, it also gave him two additional points in his Agility Stat. With a hint of excitement on his face, Shane drank the rest of the potions.


    ***


    As the sun rose higher, painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink, Shane returned to the church and saw that all hispanions were waiting for him. There was even a breakfast prepared already. It seemed that instead of worrying about them, Anna trusted their capabilities and decided to just prepare a meal to help them recover¡­


    Shane couldn''t help but smile after witnessing this.

 Chapter 69 Crawler?

    Chapter 69 Crawler?


    After finishing their simple yet nutritious meal, everyone got back to their work.


    Leo returned to his smithy while Harper started working on his crafting skills. With the Exceptional Pocket Knife that Shane had gifted to him, he was able to easily craft wooden materials. Whether they were for fences, spikes, and other tools likedders, chairs, and many more, Harper was able to create them, all thanks to the inconceivable sharpness of the knife. As for Anna, she returned to her smallboratory. It was the small house that was Shane''s first shelter. It was already fixed and quite afortable ce, in Shane''s opinion. Of course, Lucky would always stay outside thisboratory.


    After all, it couldn''t stand the smell inside. Apparently, Anna was trying to make medicines or tonics with the special ingredients she gathered outside the estate.


    Finally, Gene was tasked to cut a few trees outside the estate so Harper could work on them. Shane made sure that they wouldn''t touch the trees in the orchard as they should be bearing fruits in the right season.


    ''I guess I should work too¡­'' Shane mused as he recalled that he had something to do. But before that, Shane checked his current status. Of course, this time, he had already supplied Cloud with the blood samples it needed so it could finally identify the sher Zombies.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets


    Level: 15


    Vitality: 175/175


    Spirit: 1,000/1,000


    Strength: 44


    Agility: 44


    Luck: 20


    Perception: 20


    Inventory: Memory Sphere x21, Item Upgrade Crystals x69, Zombie Cores x175, 65L Water, Bread x55, Acid Pouch x13, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x210, Spitter Tongue x1, Sling Bag x2, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x3, Light Orb x4, Light Blue Orb x1


    Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Fishing, Woodworking, Metalworking, Axe Mastery, Lockpicking, Leadership, Parkour, Hacker, Controlled Body Heating


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ), Traceless Breath ( Rare Talent )


    Reputation: 10 After some thought, Shane asked Leo to make a staff or perhaps a scepter with the Light Orb.


    This was quickly finished as Leo crafted a meter-long scepter with the Light Orb resting on its top.


    "This is interesting¡­ Do you think that its light willst forever?" Leo asked while looking at the orb that was providing a soft glow. This was definitely a great recement for their torches. "I think so¡­ This is quite mystical." Shane replied while looking at the forge that they had made together. With the anvil that he had previously purchased from the Survivor Store and Leo''s hammer, they were able to obtain a few items made of metal. Well, most of these metals had actuallye from the crashed ne¡­ "Alright¡­ I will leave for now." Shane said as he left the smithy.


    After confirming that he had everything he needed, Shane left the estate and headed to the mines. They hadn''t fully mapped that are yet.


    Furthermore, he decided to explore this ce alone as he felt that he was strong enough. Bringing someone else might be a lot moreplicated.


    Additionally, it was also better that there would be capable people guarding their estate in case a group of zombies attacked.


    ***


    As Shane approached the entrance of the mines, the destion of the abandoned site greeted him. "Cloud¡­ Just let me know if there are Zombies around. My Perception range is only 20 meters."


    [ Yes¡­ There are 4 Walker Zombies detected in the cave. Just 110 meters away. ] "Got it." Shane said as he pressed forward.


    Outside the mines, some remains of structures could be seen around, and the silence was a stark contrast to the usual mor in his small estate. The outer area was devoid of zombies, an eerie calm before the inevitable storm.


    He delved deeper into the mines, his footsteps echoing in the hollow expanse. Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    The walls bore the scars of pickaxes, and the air was thick with the dust of ages. It was a ce forgotten by time¡­ ''I''ve been here a few times, but it''s still eerie.'' Shane mused.


    Suddenly, as he continued walking, the silence shattered. Four Walker Zombies, their heads encased in rusted helmets, lumbered into view. Graahhh~


    They growled at him as soon as he was noticed.


    But Shane was undaunted. His attributes were already quite high after drinking the potions. Coupled with his Master-Grade Hatchet, he made short work of the undead. Each swing was lethal, and each impact was a death knell. The zombies fell, one by one, until only silence remained.


    It wasn''t that tough anymorepared to when he first encountered these Zombies with helmets on. His hatchet was no longer getting stuck as his hatchet had already been upgraded several times.


    "Keep moving, stay sharp. This is just the beginning." Shane muttered to himself to keep focus.


    He pressed on, the map that he obtained from the system unfurling in his eye, a guide through thebyrinthine tunnels. However, a new horror emerged as Cloud warned him about the approaching unknown Zombies!


    ck¡­ ck.. ck¡­


    ''Crawler Zombies? No¡­'' Shane thought as he took a deep breath. The ones crawling were not the feeble, dragging bodies he had encountered before. These were true predators, their limbs contorting as they scuttled across the ceiling with a grotesque grace.


    It was a sight that would probably scare him off if not for the four Memory Spheres he had obtained! Those Spheres had truly helped him strengthen his mind!


    ''These are the true crawlers!'' Shane thought as he saw their silhouettes and figures! Three of them descended upon him, their movements a blur. Shane''s pulse quickened, his grip on the hatchet tightening. "Bring it on," Shane whispered, his voice a low growl that resonated in the hollow area. He also made sure to protect his "Scepter of Light" as he struck it on the ground, so he could focus.


    The first Zombie lunged, its body contorting as it descended upon him like a twisted spider. It was surely a terrifying sight!


    Shane''s reaction was instinctive; his Master-Grade Hatchet met the creature mid-air, its de glinting in the sparse light. The impact reverberated through the mine as the zombie was flung back, its advance halted. ''Too tough?'' Shane was shocked as he realized that he failed to cut it in half! He managed to cut it but it wasn''t deep enough!


    The other two Crawlers moved in tandem, coordinating their attack with a predatory intelligence that belied their decayed state. This made him realize that he was fighting against a unique zombie! They weren''t Tier 1 for sure! Intelligent Zombies were the most difficult to deal with!


    Shane then pivoted, his boots grinding against the gravel. He swung his hatchet with all his might, aiming to cut this Zombie instead of just sending it away... Graa--


    The second zombie''s hiss was cut short as the hatchet''s de sliced through its torso, dark liquid sttering against the stone!


    Once again, Shane didn''t cut the Zombie deep enough! Nheless, he had no time to think about it!


    ''I need to move faster¡­ I''ll use the effects this time¡­'' Shane thought as he failed to activate the effects a while ago because his activation sequence failed to keep up with his movement.


    He was too slow when it came to controlling the magical effects of this weapon!


    Shane''s muscles tensed as the third zombies arrived, its maw open wide, revealing rows of serrated teeth. With a swift sidestep, Shane dodged the gnashing jaws, bringing his hatchet down in a powerful chop that cleaved through the creature''s skull. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    This time, it was filled with Fire Effect burning its head! Furthermore, the 20% Critical Chance was also triggered!


    He actually killed it just like that!


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ] ''Crypt Crawler!'' Shane''s eyes widened as he finally knew what kind of Zombie he was dealing with!


    Then, Shane''s killing intent heightened as he realized that he could really win this battle and that he would only have to deal with two more of these Zombies!


    The battle''s tempo increased as the two crawlers seemed to have realized that they were at the losing end. They were relentless in their assault! However, Shane was like a whirlwind of destruction. With his Axe Mastery, his hatchet was like an extension of his will! He ducked and weaved between the two injured Zombies! His high agility allowed him to dance around their attacks! Nheless, Shane knew that if he didn''t consume the 5 Agility Enhancement Bottles, he would be in deep trouble right now!


    "Die!" Shane shouted as he felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins.


    One of the Cryptic Crawlers had its skull sliced in half while the other managed to climb and crawl to the ceiling of the cave. It seemed to make sense that Shane was about to release a strong attack!


    As Shane was worried that the Zombie would flee, he realized that its natural instinct to eat human flesh and brains still prevailed!


    The final Cryptic Crawler,unched itself from the ceiling, its body spinning as it aimed for Shane''s head. But Shane was ready; he rolled forward, feeling the rush of air as the creature missed its mark. He sprung up, turning to face the Cryptic Crawler as it recovered. "Not today," Vale snarled, and with a burst of speed granted by his Agility, he closed the distance.

 Chapter 70 Improvement and a Sleeper!

    Chapter 70 Improvement and a Sleeper!


    Shane''s Hatchet arced through the air, a silver sh that ended in a sickening crunch. Crack!


    A part of the Crypt Crawler''s body was frostbitten before it shattered! The Zombie went limp, its grip on the ceiling failing as it crashed to the ground. Thud!


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ] The third notification finally appeared. Shane stood over the corpse, his chest heaving, his Hatchet dripping with the fluids from the zombies he had killed.


    He surveyed the carnage around him, the bodies of the crawlers lying still. "That was tough¡­" Shane muttered as he calmed his breathing. He had won; it was three against one, and his strength and agility were tested to their limits. The silence of the mine returned, the echoes of the fight fading into memory. Shane sheathed his Hatchet, a grim smile curved on his lips. He then checked the other notification that he ignored just now because he was still inbat.


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Crypt Crawler Zombie! ] [ You can select one reward: Instant Experience Potions x2, Zombie Cores x75, 75% Store Item Voucher x2 ]


    Shane didn''t think for too long as he quickly selected the two instant experience potions. He could easily gather Zombie Cores since there are plenty of Zombies around, and he already has three 75% Vouchers he obtained as a reward through his level-up.


    ''Now that I think about it. I didn''t get this reward when I killed the sher Zombie¡­ I wonder who managed to kill it first¡­'' Shane mused.


    Well, it wasn''t really that surprising since there are plenty of Legendary Talents that could certainly kill strong Zombies. Even Raze, who only had an Epic Talent, was capable enough to kill a Tyrant Zombie after several days of battle. If he was not mistaken, Raze was the first one to even kill it. Anyway, Shane then turned his attention to the three Cryptic Crawlers on the ground. "It''s time to take the loot." With that said, Shane touched the corpse to trigger the system. [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes."


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Corse, 2 Bread, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Pair of Crawler''s Grasp Gloves ]


    "Gloves? An item? This is great¡­" Shane smiled as he continued with the looting process. Since it was a named item, he believed that he had a chance to obtain a set item!


    As the first Cryptic Crawler disappeared like shattered lights, he approached the second corpse.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes." He answered. [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Corse, 2 Bread, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Crawler Fang Dagger x2 ]


    "Twin Dagger!" Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing this!


    He then proceeded to loot thest one.


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Corse, 2 Bread, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Shroud of Shadows Cape x1 ]


    "I knew it!" Shane almost jump in excitement after seeing thest item drop!


    He didn''t care if the experience points were lower than the sher Zombies or that it didn''t give him any water. He was excited seeing the three items!


    "Cloud¡­ Any Zombies around?" [ Yes. There are 4 Walker Zombies in the left tunnel and 1 Spitter Zombie in the right tunnel. They were all in a state of slumber. ]


    "Got it¡­ Since they''re not moving, I still have some time to check my new items." Shane muttered as he swiftly opened his inventory and took out all the new items he obtained.


    [ Crawler''s Grasp Gloves ( Umon ): Gloves woven from the resilient fibers of Cryptic Crawler skin, granting the wearer enhanced grip and dexterity.


    Effects: +5 Agility, +10 Physical Damage ] [ Crawler Fang Daggers ( Umon ): A set of twin daggers with des fashioned from the fangs of Cryptic Crawlers, coated with a natural toxin.


    Effects: +5 Agility, +10 Poison Damage ] [ Shroud of Shadows Cape ( Umon ): A cape that seems to absorb light, perfect for blending into the darkness of the mines.


    Effects: +5 Agility, +10% Movement Speed ] "Additional fifteen agility points?!" Shane''s eyes widened as he finally obtained an item that provided additional stat points!


    This was definitely a lot more useful than ever!


    Without hesitation, Shane spent a total of 36 Item Upgrade Crystals to upgrade each of them to an Exceptional Grade item! N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He was also quite lucky that he didn''t have to upgrade the gloves each, as they would be upgraded at the same time. It seems that they''re considered as ''one'' by the system.


    It was the same for the twin daggers, so Shane saved a lot of crystals.


    After doing all of this, he then checked the descriptions of the items once again.


    [Crawler''s Grasp Gloves (Exceptional): Crafted from the enhanced fibers of Cryptic Crawler exoskeletons, these gloves provide the wearer with unmatched grip and tactile sensitivity. The inner lining is embedded with micro-fments that stimte the wearer''s reflexes, allowing for precise and swift movements. Effects: +12 Agility, +20 Physical Damage


    Special Effect:


    Stealth Grip: Leaves no fingerprints or traces on surfaces, ideal for covert operations. ] [ Crawler Fang Daggers (Exceptional): These twin daggers are masterfully honed from the fangs of the deadliest Cryptic Crawlers, retaining their innate venom. The hilts are designed to fit perfectly in hand, ensuring each strike is both swift and deadly. Effects: +12 Agility, +20 Poison Damage


    Special Effect:


    Weak Venomous Strike: A sessful hit has a chance to inject a paralyzing toxin, immobilizing the target temporarily. ] [ Shroud of Shadows Cape (Exceptional): Woven from a fabric that seems to drink in the darkness, this cape cloaks the wearer in shadows. The outeryer is treated with a rarepound that diffuses light, rendering the wearer nearly invisible in low-light conditions. Effects: +12 Agility, +20% Movement Speed


    Special Effect:


    Lesser Shadowmeld: When stationary, the wearer fades into the shadows, bing undetectable to the naked eye. ] "These passive skills are incredible..." Shane remarked after seeing the effects. There was no doubt that these effects would be useful inside this mine!


    Aside from the increase in the numerical value of the items and the added special effects for reaching the Exceptional Realm, Shane could also tell from the description that these items had be more durable or more rigid.


    He felt that it wouldn''t even be a problem even if he got directly hit by Spitter Zombie''s acid.


    He removed his current Hunter Gloves and stored them in his backpack. Then, he wore the Crawler''s Grasp Gloves instead. As for the daggers, he unfortunately doesn''t have any Dagger Mastery Skill, so he decided to just keep it in his bag for now in case he needed it. With his Level 10 Axe Mastery and his Hatchet equipped, he decided to keep his current weapon. As for the Shroud of Shadows Cape, he certainly wore it since he felt that with his Traceless Breath active, it would be perfect!


    ''My items now are really meant for infiltration tasks...'' Shane remarked after recalling his TracelessBreath Talent and his additional pieces of equipment.


    Then, he checked his current Agility Points. Agility: 80 (+ 36 ) From his 44 Agility Points, it had be 80 points thanks to the 36 additional points brought by his equipment!


    Shane, now equipped with the Crawler''s Grasp Gloves and the Shroud of Shadows Cape, felt a surge of confidence. He tried to make a few moves around the area, and he was extremely satisfied!


    "Incredible¡­" Shane smiled as he believed that his previous self, who had cleared the Fairy Realm Collision and A.I. Rebellion, hadn''t reached this level at this early phase of the Apocalypse!


    His agility and stealth capabilities were significantly enhanced, making him feel like a shadow moving through the night. "Perfect for silent missions¡­" Shane muttered, flexing his fingers inside the gloves'' snug fit.


    As he ventured deeper into the mine, the air grew thick with the stench of decay. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the asional drip of water from the mine''s ceiling. Shane''s footsteps were muffled by the Shroud of Shadows Cape, which seemed to swallow the sound whole.


    Suddenly, the stillness was disrupted by a guttural snoring sound. Shane paused, his senses heightened. Ahead, in a cavernous opening,y a Spitter Zombie, its girth spread out like a monstrous nket over the ground. The creature was in a deep slumber, unaware of Shane''s presence.


    ''It''s really sleeping!'' Shane thought as he saw the Zombie.


    Shane crept closer, his Traceless Breath Talent ensuring his movements were as silent as ever. But as he crossed an invisible threshold, the Spitter Zombie''s eyes snapped open, a sickly yellow one that locked onto Shane instantly.


    With a horrifying belch, the zombie heaved itself upright, its mouth opening to reveal a churning pit of acid. It spat a glob of corrosive bile towards Shane, who rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the sizzling projectile.

 Chapter 71 Treasure

    Chapter 71 Treasure


    "That was slower than I can remember¡­" Shane muttered as he recalled that the Acid Spit of the Spitter Zombies weren''t this slow before.


    However, from the Zombie''s tense of muscles and how it gathered the acid up until it was thrown in his direction, Shane was able to clearly observe it! N?v(el)B\\jnn


    ''This is it¡­ My Agility is really on a different level now.'' Shane thought as he realized that it wasn''t just his speed that was affected by his high Agility, it was also his reaction speed! With this in mind, his confidence rose up as he drew his hatchet with a fluid motion. No matter what, the Spitter Zombie was slow but dangerous at a distance, especially if it started releasing acid everywhere.


    Shane needed to close the gap to avoid any dangers... He then sprinted forward, just narrowly dodging another spit of acid, feeling the heat of it on his skin. However, he didn''t mind this heat since it was a deliberate move to quickly shorten his distance from the Spitter Zombie.


    In a blink of an eye, Shane was now within striking distance. The Zombie reared back, preparing another acidic attack, but Shane was faster. He swung his hatchet, the de humming as it sliced through the extremely unpleasant air.


    Whooshh~ The hatchet bit into the Zombie''s flesh, carving a deep wound!


    If his hatchet was only a Common or Umon Grade, it would probably be melted by the Spitter Zombie''s acid already. However, since it was a Master Grade, it wasn''t even showing any signs of being heated at all!


    Aaaauuu~


    The Spitter Zombie howled, a sound that echoed off the walls, and retaliated with a desperate flurry of spits. It was unfortunate, but Shane only managed to cleave a huge part of its flesh and it wasn''t enough to kill it. It still had plenty of energy to retaliate!


    However, Shane already knew that killing the Zombie in one strike was impossible.


    Since he was ready, he easily ducked and weaved through the spits that were thrown by the Zombie. His enhanced Agility allowed him to move like a specter. He didn''t bother using his hatchet''s special effect and struck again and again, each hit reducing the Zombie''s ability to fight back!


    Finally, after removing most of his flesh from the Zombie''s upper body, Shane struck with a decisive chop. Shane severed the creature''s head from its body! He was doing all of this to get used to his current Agility!


    Finally, after removing most of his flesh from the Zombie''s upper body, Shane struck with a decisive chop. Shane severed the creature''s head from its body! Thud!


    Nheless, with his experience with so many Spitter Zombies, he knew very well that this wasn''t over yet. He swiftly ran away and hid behind a huge rock¡­


    As soon as he did this, Shane heard the Spitter Zombie''s flesh expanding. It was such a familiar grotesque sound that Shane knew his hunch was right.


    Boom!


    Just like that, the Spitter Zombie exploded with flesh and acid everywhere. The smell was disgusting, but Shane didn''t mind it. He was starting to get used to it. Instead, he was simply happy that the chamber didn''t copse because of that explosion.


    Shane then waited for a few seconds to recover from the dizziness caused by that shockwave. No matter what, they were still in a closed space, and that explosion created a shockwave that assaulted Shane. Well, he was lucky enough that he had damage resistance in his equipment, so he still quickly recovered.


    After that, he finally approached the remains of the Spitter Zombie.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes." He answered.


    [ You have earned 33 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Cores x2, 500mL Water, 100mL Spitter Zombie Blood, Acid Pouch x1, 2 Spirit Enhancement Bottles, Crossbow x1 ]


    "Crossbow!" Shane eximed at the unexpected loot.


    It seems that his Luck or perhaps this abandoned mine itself was a treasure trove!


    ''This is awesome...'' Shane thought...


    At the very least, this mining site was a treasure trove for him, who had a legendary Complete Loot Talent. Perhaps, if he could see the drop rate of this weapon, it would probably be 1% or 5% at the highest.


    After a moment of celebration, Shane then opened his inventory just to check the description of the Crossbow.


    [ Crossbow ( Umon ): A ranged weapon that fires bolts with a high velocity and uracy. It is made of treated wood and special alloy. It can be loaded with different types of bolts. It can kill a zombie with a headshot, but requires good aim and patience. It is a silent and stealthy weapon, but has a slow reload time and a limited ammo capacity. Effects: +15% damage against Low-Tier Zombies, +5% Knockback Rate ] Shane smiled after seeing the description. He finally had a decent long-range weapon. Furthermore, because of this crossbow, Shane finally recalled to build a watchtower. With their current set of tools, they could easily cut down trees and make watchtowers!


    They might be surrounded by hills and forest, and Cloud may be capable of detecting Zombies, but once a crossbow expert manned these towers, they would have anotheryer of protection.


    Nheless, he had to ask Leo if he was capable of making bolts for the crossbow¡­ He wasn''t sure, but it shouldn''t have been that difficultpared to what Leo makes. ***


    With the Spitter Zombie vanquished, Shane pressed onward, his boots echoing in the tunnel. As he continued, he could tell that the air was cool and damp as the walls glistened with mineral deposits that caught the light from his ''Light Scepter'', casting eerie shadows. The tunnel stretched on, a seemingly endless artery carved into the earth''s depths. After a steady eight-minute trek, Shane concluded the passage was barren, save for the asional drip of water from stctites overhead.


    Apparently, from the manmade tunnel that he passed through, he had already entered the area that seemed to be a natural cave.


    As he contemted retracing his steps to explore the path where he had encountered the Walker Zombies, something caught his eye¡ªa chest, its aged wood and metal bindings a stark contrast to the rough stone. It sat quietly in a nook, as if waiting for decades to be discovered.


    [ You have discovered a Wooden Treasure Chest. ] [ You have earned 1 Experience Point. ] ''Treasure Chest?'' Shane''s eyes widened as he saw this. Although he knew that the Apocalypse he entered had game elements in it, he didn''t expect that a random treasure chest would also appear here!


    This proves that exploring the region was truly important! He believed that the "Main Quest" had something to do with Sofia, who was somehow immune to the virus. There was no way he would find clues about her in his territory.


    Furthermore, Treasure Chests provided by the system should be in various ces that were difficult to find. There shouldn''t be that many ces like that around his estate. In short, if he wanted to find more of these, he should consider roaming as well.


    ''I should think about that once I''m stable and strong enough¡­'' Shane mused.


    He then approached the chest, noting the intricate lock that guarded its contents. Drawing upon his Lockpicking Skill, he deftly manipted a slender wire within the mechanism. With a satisfying click, the lock yielded, and the chest creaked open, revealing its treasures.


    Inside, nestled among velvet lining,y an array of ores, each radiating its own unique allure. Then, before he could even pick them up, they all disappeared from his sight, and he received a notification instead.


    [ You have received Starlight Silver Ore x5 ] [ You have received Abyssal Iron Ore x5 ] [ You have received Phoenix Copper Ore x5 ] [ You have received Power Core x5 ] [ You have received Zombie Core x50 ] Just like that, all of them were transferred to his Inventory System! It was very convenient since he knew very well that they''re going to be very heavy!


    Nheless, he still checked what kind of items they were. Obviously, aside from the Power Core and Zombie Core, he had no idea about the three types of Ores that were mentioned.


    [ Starlight Silver Ore: A luminescent metal that seemed to twinkle with captured starlight. Only an experienced eye could see its true value. ] [ Abyssal Iron Ore: Dark as the deepest chasms, with a weight that spoke of its density. Only an experienced eye could see its true value. ]


    [ Phoenix Copper Ore: Warm to the touch, its surface shimmering with a faint, me-like glow. Only an experienced eye could see its true value. ]


    It appears that he couldn''t find out anything more than this basic description unless he gained more experience or an expert; perhaps a veteran cksmith would look into it. ''Well, I was hoping to get some explosives¡­ I guess this is good too.'' Shane mused. Although he was only a casual gamer in his previous life, he recalled that abandoned mines like this would typically have some dynamite that could be looted in several games he yed.


    He wasn''t too sure, but he vaguely recalled that it applies to real life as well. He could somehow remember that dynamites were used to st or break uprge pieces of ore. Shane shook his head after reaching this random thought... After confirming that there was nothing else to see here, he decided to retrace his steps and check the other tunnel with four Walker Zombies.

 Chapter 72 Abandoned Mine

    Chapter 72 Abandoned Mine


    Shane retraced his footsteps to the previous tunnel he didn''t enter. It was where his A.I. assistant Cloud detected the presence of Walker Zombies.


    The tunnel he now traversed was narrow, the air thick with the musty scent of undisturbed earth. Nheless, his footsteps were silent. It was the testament to the Shroud of Shadows Cape that draped his shoulders and the Traceless Breath Talent he possessed.


    As he approached the area where Cloud had detected Walker Zombies, Shane also felt their presence in his current Perception.


    He readied his hatchet. Its de was still sharp even after the previous battles. He didn''t need to worry whether he would have trouble against the zombies wearing hats.


    Graarghhh~


    A familiar sight weed Shane, the zombies, once miners, now shuffled forward with hats still affixed to their heads¡ªa ghastly reminder of their past lives. They were no match for Shane''s prowess; he dispatched them with swift, clean strikes, their hats offering little protection against his Master-Grade weapon.


    After that, he looted them once again.


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL Water, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    One more of these same notifications appeared. Nothing had changed in the items he received from the Walker Zombies, whether they had a miner''s hat or not.


    ''They''re not really dropping their miner''s hat. What a pity¡­'' Shane mused as he believed that the Miner''s Hat was actually a decent item inside this ce. It would also be a great defensive item for his subordinates in the estate.


    Well, there was nothing he could do about it, so he simply continued ahead. Although the chance was low, he was hoping to get another Treasure Chest. He didn''t mind if there was a challenge or a powerful Zombie guarding it at all as long as a reward would be given. Then, it seemed that his prayer was answered!


    The silence that followed was short-lived. Cloud''s warning came again, this time alerting Shane to a more formidable threat. The Crypt Crawler Zombies had appeared once again! ck. ck. ck¡­


    Their limbs, contorted and elongated, emerged from the shadows with a hissing fervor. There were three of them as well, each one as ghastly as thest, their eyes gleaming with a malevolent hunger.


    Graaarrghh~


    Shane tensed, his every sense heightened. The crawlers then moved with a disturbing grace. Their bodies felt like they were undting as they closed in!


    Shane didn''t wait for them as he pounced the first Crypt Crawler, his first strike was imbued with fire effect and it was swift! The hatchet''s burning de sliced through the air and found its mark in the lead crawler''s torso. The creature recoiled, but the others pressed on, undeterred. They didn''t care about their fellows'' injury!


    The battle was a storm of motion. Shane pivoted, ducked, and rolled; his movements were like a dance of survival. It was all thanks to the +20% Movement Speed that he obtained from the Shroud of Darkness Cape!


    Since he couldn''t use his gun in this small tunnel for obvious reasons, Shane was truly ted with his current fighting ability! He knew that with his current ability, he wouldn''t be forced to draw his gun and hurt himself. After all, he still doesn''t have a silencer!


    Graaarrghh~


    The Crypt Crawlers were relentless, but Shane''s agility kept him one step ahead. His hatchet was like a whirlwind of death. He may fail to sever their heads because of their size and reach, but he could easily hit their limbs and body.


    The impact of de against flesh could be heard throughout the battle, a proof of Shane''s skill and capability.


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ] [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ] [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ] As thest of the Crypt Crawler Zombies fell, its body copsed with a final look at the human who had ended his life.


    Thud¡­.


    Shane won once again. His chest heaved with exertion while his eyes scanning the darkness for any further sign of movement. "Cloud¡­ That battle took long. Any Zombiesing?"


    [ Yes. Three Runner Zombies areing. ] "Got it." Shane answered. Although he still couldn''t hear any sound of footsteps from the Runner Zombies, he knew that Cloud couldn''t be mistaken. With this in mind, he swiftly looted them as well. Needless to say, Shane was also hoping to get more set items!


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Corse, 2 Bread, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Pair of Stalker''s Boots ]


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Corse, 2 Bread, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Cryptic Eye Amulet ]


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Corse, 2 Bread, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Night Crawler''s Belt ]


    After seeing the new items he obtained, Shane couldn''t help but realize something.


    ''It seems that I''ll be attending the auction in Crypt Crawler''s Set¡­''


    She wryly smiled after reaching this thought. He certainly didn''t dislike this set, but he felt that he shouldn''t reveal such an incredible set to the public. To be honest, he was considering just using his Survivor Set to attend the auction, but he nned to upgrade it to Tier 5 if possible.


    ''Whatever¡­ I''ll think about it on the day of the event. I''ll still be meeting new inhabitants before that date.'' Shane thought as he recalled that the next person to visit his shelter shoulde soon.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    Soon, Shane heard the footsteps of the Runner Zombies!


    These were different from the Runner Zombies outside the mine. They were leaner, quicker, and more vicious based on his previous experience with them. Nheless, they were still low-tier Zombies and Shane was undeterred. With hatchet in hand, he stood ready.


    The first Runner Zombie lunged with a snarl, its decaying teeth bared. Shane was still incapable of defending against bad breath but he was starting to get used to it. Shane sidestepped, his movements a shadowy blur under the cloak of his Shroud of Shadows Cape. The hatchet swung in a swift arc, its de biting into the zombie''s neck with a spray of dark liquiding out of the zombie''s flesh¡­


    Psssttt~


    [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ] Before the second Runner Zombie could react, Shane pivoted, bringing his hatchet down in a instant, clean motion that severed its head from its body. [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ] It was a very practiced move since Shane had already killed hundreds of low-tier Zombies. Nheless, the third Runner Zombie was undaunted by the fate of itspanions. It didn''t care about the death of its fellow zombies as they could only act on their instinct.


    Soon, it charged with a desperate ferocity! N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Graaarrgh~"


    Shane''s eyes narrowed, his grip on the hatchet tightening. He feinted left, then spun, the hatchet''s de meeting the Runner''s skull with a resounding crack. The creature copsed, its momentum carrying it forward as it slid to a lifeless halt at Shane''s feet.


    [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ] His feint just now wasn''t useless. It was to see if the Runner Zombie would actually react to it. However, the Zombie didn''t react at all, meaning that the Zombie doesn''t have any intelligence at all like the higher tier Zombies he encountered before.


    "Whew~"


    The battle was over as quickly as it had begun.


    Shane wiped his hatchet clean and sheathed it, his gaze lingering on the fallen foes. "I guess I''ll be exploring for another hour before leaving this ce." Shane thought as he started looting the Runner Zombies."


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    Simr to the Walker Zombies, it didn''t give any new items, but Shane was already content with the addition of the Item Upgrade Crystals and Cores in his possession. With a satisfied smile on his face, Shane continued deeper into the mine¡­


    ***


    Meanwhile, as Shane was busy exploring the abandoned mine, the Springriver Manor was suddenly attacked by a group of humans!


    There were a total of six Scavengers who dared to cause trouble to the estate while he was gone!


    None of these people were equipped with firearms, but they were all carrying rusty weapons that could ensure their opponent''s death once they got cut!

 Chapter 73 The Manors Defense

    Chapter 73 The Manor''s Defense


    After Shane departed to explore the shadowy depths of the abandoned mines, Gene, the only Knight of Springriver Manor, assumed his vignt watch over the sanctuary he has now called home. His armor gleamed faintly as he patrolled the perimeter, a silent sentinel against the undead scourge.


    Meanwhile, within the forge''s fiery embrace, Leo, the cksmith, hammered diligently, forging the foundations of their future stronghold. Nails, wires, and metal spikes took shape under his skilled hands, along with robust hammerheads and sharp spear tips, destined for the defense of their expanding territory.


    Harper, on the other hand, had just finished his daily crafting ritual. With deft fingers and an Exceptional Grade Pocket Knife, he transformed simple wood into intricate items such as torches, benches, wooden spikes, cups, tes, and others, each bearing the mark of his meticulous craftsmanship.


    Then, in her secludedboratory, Anna, the healer of their group, was currently focused on her task. Her hands moved with practiced ease as she concocted potent medicines and tonics from the bounty of herbs they had gathered. Her expertise would soon bring them stability in their small Shelter.


    But it was not just the humans who kept the Manor safe. Lucky, the Border Collie with a fierce heart and a keen nose, was an invaluable ally. His barks were a rion call, alerting them to any dangers unseen.


    It was during one such routine day that Lucky''s barks shattered the calm. Lucky''s max-level Tracking Skill had detected an anomaly¡ªsix Scavengers, their intentions were unknown.


    Gene donned his full armor, took the lead to confront them after confirming that the others had already been informed of the visitors... With a sword in hand, he strode forth to confront the intruders, his voice booming across the distance. "Stop right there!" The six figures halted, the wooden fence and the cleverly hidden traps outside the estate were also holding them at bay.


    Indeed, Gene warned them to stop not just because he didn''t know them but because they could really be caught by those traps they''d prepared.


    ***


    Cassius and Mara looked at the intimidating armored knight with confusion...


    They were not scared of the man as they believed that with that armor, he would be very slow and easily killed if two or three of them worked together. It wasn''t because they underestimated the knight, but because they were simply confident in their skills after killing numerous zombies and survivors.


    The armor might be awesome when dealing with Zombies, but against humans, it would be the cause of his demise. "I can tell that there are other people hiding in those houses¡­ Let''s be careful." The leader whispered.


    He was Cassius.


    He was a towering figure with a jagged scar running down his left cheek, and had an air of menace about him. His eyes, cold and calcting, missed nothing. His attire was a patchwork of leather and metal, cobbled together from past conquests, and he carried a machete that had seen more than its fair share of battles.


    Beside him, Mara''s presence was no less formidable. Her raven hair was pulled back into a tight braid, entuating her sharp features and the sly smirk that seemed permanently etched on her lips. She wore a long coat that had been stitched together from various materials, giving her a deceptively disheveled appearance. In her hand was a crossbow, its bolts tipped with a substance known only to her.


    The other four behind them had somehow simr looks but a less intimidating presence. Together, they seem to spin a tale of hardship as they start talking¡­


    "Sir! We need water! It''s been two days since west had water!"


    "Can you also spare us some food? We''re starving!"


    "We will leave immediately if you help us a bit! We won''t be forgetting this, and we''ll return the favor once we''ve gotten better."


    "Please help us this time!"


    Their voices wereced with despair that could almost be convincing¡ªif not for the glint of avarice that betrayed their true intentions. They spoke of lost homes and desperate hunger, all the while edging closer to the Manor''s defenses.


    Gene, d in his armor, watched them with a warrior''s focus. He subtly looked at where Harper and Anna were hiding, each ready to spring into action at hismand. Those two are the ones carrying the Revolvers that Shane had given them. However, as Gene''s eyes looked elsewhere and didn''t answer their pleas, the Scavengers'' impatience grew, their facade cracking as they realized their ploy did not have the desired effect.


    In a moment of reckless decision, Cassius gave a subtle nod, and all Scavengers surged forward, only to be met with the Manor''s cunningly ced traps. "Aaahhh!"


    "No! Wait!"


    Pitfalls disguised beneathyers of foliage opened beneath their feet, ensnaring them withs that sprung from the ground. nk! nk! nk!


    The air was filled with the sound of nging metal as tripwires triggered hidden snares, sending arrows, or wooden pikes, flying towards the intruders.


    "Ugh! It hurts! Help!"


    "Please stop this!"


    The Scavengers'' cries of surprise and anger echoed through the air as they found themselves caught in a web of traps that Shane and the rest had prepared for the Zombies.


    Harper and Anna stood ready, weapons drawn, as the Scavengers struggled against their restraints. Although they were confident with the traps, they didn''t want to underestimate the experienced Scavengers.


    Nheless, it was a scene of chaos, and they couldn''t help but heave a sigh of relief, knowing that the traps they had prepared were able to stop the intelligent humans


    It means that those mindless zombies were more susceptible to their current traps!


    As the dust settled, Gene stepped forward, his voice resonant and clear, "You chose the path of deceit and now bear the consequences. Our Shelter will not fall to the likes of you." The Scavengers, ensnared and defeated, could only re in helpless fury, their ns undone by the very traps they had hoped to evade.


    ***


    In the aftermath of the skirmish, the Springriver Manor stood resilient, its defenses unbreached. Leo and Harper were certainly proud of themselves as they were the ones who had contributed the most to the traps that wereid out around the estate¡­


    "That worked really well¡­ I guess even Runner Zombies would die from it." Harper muttered as he saw what had just happened.


    "Right¡­ We should slowly start recing those wooden spikes as well. I''ll make more metal spikes¡­" Leo nodded as he couldn''t help but feel excited that his creations could kill. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The six Scavengers, ensnared by the cunning traps,y in various states of defeat. Cassius and Mara, the de facto leaders, bore only superficial wounds because they allowed their subordinates to go first.


    Their expressions were a mix of frustration and begrudging respect, while the others were not so fortunate; two had met their end instantly, their lives imed by the pitfall trap''s ruthless efficiency.


    The other two had their feet mangled and stomach pierced by the wooden arrows.


    "Gene¡­ Let''s not kill them yet." Anna suddenly dered, surprising the others momentarily.


    Anna, with her healer''spassion, saw an opportunity not only to aid the wounded but also to test the efficacy of hertest concoctions. With Gene''s nod of approval, the others worked together to pull those in the pitfalls and were caught by traps. Of course, this was done after confirming that they were no longer carrying any weapons. Soon, Anna brought the two heavily injured Scavengers into herboratory with Harper''s help. With her tonics, the two surviving men, writhing in pain, were soon under the soothing influence of her expertly crafted remedies. Their groans subsided, reced by a dazed tranquility as the potent mixtures began their work.


    However, Anna doesn''t look satisfied as she notices the changes in their eyes and the rise in their body temperature. It seemed that her tonics could cause fever as well!


    Gene, meanwhile, stood watchful and contemtive. He knew that Shane''s input was crucial in deciding the fate of these would-be invaders. "We''ll hold them until Shane returns¡­" He dered, his voice carrying the weight ofmand. "Their lives are his to judge." Cassius and Mara, now bandaged and begrudginglypliant, were escorted to a secure area under the watchful eyes of Leo. They were actually put in the forge tied on a pir. The heat inside will earnestly make them weak! After some time, the day waned, and the people returned to their tasks after fixing the traps that were destroyed.


    Gene patrolled the perimeter, his sword sheathed but his senses alert. Harper resumed his woodworking, the rhythmic sounds of carving filling the air. Leo''s forge roared back to life, and the scent of molten metal started to spread within the small estate.


    As the night fell, a solitary figure emerged from the darkness. It was Shane, his silhouette unmistakable against the fading light. Gene''s eyes, weary from vignce, sparked to life as he recognized the familiar gait of the Manor''s master. The leader of their Shelter, the beacon of their hope, had returned, and he didn''t seem to be alone!

 Chapter 74 New Land

    Chapter 74 New Land


    A few hours ago, as Shane delved deeper into the dark veins of the mine with only his Light Scepter in hand, he stumbled upon a cluster of Walker Zombies, each donning a miner''s hat as if frozen in time from a day''s work long past. As soon as he had gotten nearer, they immediately starteding at him with outstretched hands¡­


    After dispatching them with ease, Shane gathered the spoils of his victory. Soon, he felt the surge of power as he ascended to the next level.


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first Survivor to exceed level 15. ]


    [ You have earned 5 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Choose an additional reward: 5 Reputation Points, 100 Zombie Cores, 1 Mystery Egg ]


    "Oh? There''s an additional reward this time¡­ Not bad¡­" Shane muttered as he saw the choices in front of him.


    Weighing his options, Shane opted for the Mystery Egg, intrigued by its potential. Reputation Points could be earned bypleting some achievements and Zombie Cores weremodities he could amass by killing Zombies, it was even a guaranteed drop with his talent. However, the egg was certainly unique, and he would probably not get it from any Zombies as of now.


    Of course, he was also hoping that this egg was truly something he had to hatch and not something for consumption.


    "Mystery Egg it is¡­"


    Upon selecting the Mystery Egg, it materialized in his Inventory System, its description unfolding before him.


    [ Mystery Egg: A red-spotted egg encased in a shell of iridescent hues, pulsating with a faint, otherworldly glow.


    Requirements: 100 Zombie Cores to initiate the hatching process.


    Potential: Upon sessful incubation, the egg will reveal apanion creature, loyal only to its liberator. ]


    Shane''s anticipation grew at the thought of what creaturey within. He checked his inventory and confirmed that he had enough Zombie Cores. However, as he thought of hatching it now by sacrificing his Zombie Cores, Cloud suddenly warned him of an approaching danger.


    His focus was shattered by the sudden emergence of a formidable Crypt Crawler. ''It''s big¡­'' Shane thought as he saw the silhouette of his opponent.


    This one was unlike any Crypt Crawler he had faced! It was more than thrice the size of the normal Crypt Crawler! It was behemoth! Shane could probably run away from it if he decided to flee in the narrow tunnels of the mine. However, he knew that this was also an opportunity!


    He would definitely take whatever it drops! Shane gripped his hatchet as he saw the swift movements of the Crypt Crawler, its form more evolved, and its eyes held a glint of cunning intelligence. It was the alpha of its kind, it was surely the leader-type Crypt Crawler, and it had set its sights on him!


    The air grew tense as the creature paused for a moment to look at Shane. It was as if it was assessing if Shane was simply a bait and the real threat was elsewhere.


    However, as soon as it confirmed that Shane was alone, it started showing signs of attacking.


    Shane gripped his hatchet tightly as he prepared to use its Special Effects. He wouldn''t mind spending all of his Spirit Points in this type of battle. With a swift motion, he activated the Ice effect, the de frosting over with a chilling aura, ready to turn his foe''s strength to fragility.


    The huge Crypt Crawler lunged. Its movement was surely quick as it opened its ws and mouth to tear him apart!


    Graaarghhh!


    Shane, with the help of his Crawler Set, also had incredible Agility Points!


    He didn''t panic at the attack and simply sidestepped!


    Boom!


    The ground where he stood moments ago was now shattered by the creature''s force. Shane then swung his hatchet in a wide arc. The icy de whistled through the air and struck the Crypt Crawler''s armored hide, leaving a trail of frost in its wake.


    Crash!


    Unfazed, the creature recovered, its own instincts driving it to adapt and ovee the coldness brought by Shane''s weapon.


    The huge Zombie hissed, a sound that echoed off the walls, and attacked with new ferocity. Bam! Bam! Bam!


    Shane was slippery as the 20% additional movement speed helped him ovee the attack speed of the Zombie!


    Shane then spent 40 Spirit Points to call upon the Fire effect. The hatchet now aze, casting a fierce glow that danced across the cavern walls.


    The battle continued.


    It was a sh of steel against the thick hide of the Zombie!


    Because it was taller than him, severing its head was easier said than done. Shane had to be wary of its long limbs, or he might be the one who would get killed here.


    Thankfully, his Memory Spheres had given him some battle experience against the androids of the Anima Civilization and orcs and goblins of the Fairy n. Shane''s movements were precise, and each strike was calcted. The huge Crypt Crawler, for all its might, found itself faltering under the relentless onught of elemental fury.


    Soon, Shane''s Spirit Points fell below 300 points! Nheless, he had done a great job!


    Ice slowed its movements, fire seared its flesh, and the Master-Grade Hatchet found its mark repeatedly. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Soon, it lost its limbs, and its body was already mangled!


    As the creature reeled from thebined effects, Shane seized his moment. As soon as he found an opportunity, he leaped forward, delivering a final, devastating blow. The hatchet''s de, empowered by both ice and fire, cleaved through the Crypt Crawler''s defenses, finding the head of the huge creature!


    With a shuddering cry that reverberated through the mine, the Leader of the Crypt Crawlers fell.


    Thud!


    Finally, its life ended at the hands of the highest-leveled Survivor of the continent. Whew~


    Shane was certainly excited after killing the Zombie. The feeling was great!


    ''I did it again¡­'' His breath was heavy, and even his weapon was steaming with the residual power of the Ice and Fire. Nheless, his focus was immediately drawn to the notification brought by his system.


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Leader Zombie. ]


    Then, without hesitation, he proceeded with the looting process.


    [ You have earned 33 Experience Points. ] [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ] [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x3, Zombie Cores x3, Enchanted Chitin te x1, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Leader Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Leader''s Crown x1 ]


    "Hmm? Chitin te? What''s that? And what''s this Crown?" Shane softly muttered as he decided to open his current status. Survivor Name: Shane Wells Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets


    Level: 16


    Vitality: 135/180


    Spirit: 210/1,000


    Strength: 45


    Agility: 81 (+36 )


    Luck: 20


    Perception: 20


    Inventory: Memory Sphere x21, Item Upgrade Crystals x95, Zombie Cores x285, 85L Water, Bread x85, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Leader Blood, 900mL Walker Zombie Blood, 800mL Runner Zombie Blood, Acid Pouch x14, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x255, Spitter Tongue x1, Sling Bag x2, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x3, Light Blue Orb x1, Crossbow x1, Starlight Silver Ore x5, Abyssal Iron Ore x5, Phoenix Copper Ore x5, Power Core x5, Mystery Egg x1, Enchanted Chitin te x1, Leader''s Crown x1


    Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Fishing, Woodworking, Metalworking, Axe Mastery, Lockpicking, Leadership, Parkour, Hacker, Fast Swimmer, Controlled Body Heating


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ), Traceless Breath ( Rare Talent )


    Reputation: 16


    Shane then confirmed that both the Enchanted Chitin te and Leader''s Crown were only Rare Grade items.


    After seeing their potential, Vale decided to take them out and upgrade them. He only spent 24 Item Upgrade Crystals to make them Exceptional Grade!


    [ Enchanted Chitin te ( Exceptional ): A resilient breastte crafted from the chitinous exoskeleton of a Crypt Crawler Leader. It shimmers mysterious energy during the night, providing exceptional protection while remaining surprisingly lightweight.


    Effects: +40% resistance against physical attacks, +25% resistance against elemental damage (fire, ice, poison).


    Special Effect:


    Regeneration: The te slowly mends itself and also healing the wearer over time. Grants +5 Health Regeneration per minute.


    Cost: 40 Spirit Points/minute ] [ Leader''s Crown ( Exceptional ): Amanding headpiece fashioned from the crown of a fallen Crypt Crawler Leader. Its jagged design intimidates foes, while the embedded gems enhance the wearer''s cognitive abilities.


    Effects: +30% damage resistance against headshots, +20% improved vision in low light conditions.


    Special Effect:


    Command: Increases the wearer''s influence over allied units, boosting their morale andbat efficiency. Grants +10% to allied attack speed and critical chance.


    Cost: 10 Spirit Points/minute ] I''ve gotten really strong, huh¡­" Shane muttered after seeing his current set of items. With the addition of these two, he obtained a total of eight items from the Crypt Crawlers! It would be nine; if he had included the Crossbow, he haven''t used it yet. Cost: 10 Spirit Points/minute ] "I''ve gotten really strong, huh¡­" Shane muttered after seeing his current set of items. With the addition of these two, he obtained a total of eight items from the Crypt Crawlers! It would be nine; if he had included the Crossbow, he haven''t used it yet. Then, as Shane was thinking of finally focusing on his Mystery Egg, he received another notification from the System!


    [ You have received 2 Experience Points for a sessful exploration. ] [ You have explored the Abandoned Iron Mine and eliminated the Leader who had imed it as its territory. ] [ You can now im this Iron Mine as a Territory Lord. ] [ Do you wish to include thisnd in your territory? ] [ Yes ] [ No ]

 Chapter 75: Complete Set?

    Shane didn''t think too much of it as he decided to ept the offer given by the system. There wasn''t any reason to refuse anyway.


    "Yes¡­" Shane muttered.


    Then, the system processed his selection, but it didn''t seem to work well.


    [ ¡­ ]


    [ You have failed to im the Iron Mine. ]


    [ You must repair your current territory to at least 50% before you can im anothernd. ]


    [ Current Territory: Springriver Manor ( 35% ) ]


    "R-right¡­" Shane sighed as he understood what his system was telling him. If he couldn''t even rebuild his main base, then it would be sure that he would fail to take care of this new territory.


    Because of that, Shane dismissed the idea of iming this Iron Mine and turned his attention to the Mystery Egg!


    The Mystery Egg required 100 Zombie Cores to hatch. It was something that he already had. Furthermore, he had already checked the Survivor Store, and no valuable items were being sold.


    With this in mind, Shane took out the Mystery Egg¡­


    The egg itself was a curious artifact, modest in size but remarkable in appearance. Its gray shell was speckled with crimson spots that seemed to pulse with an inner life, a stark contrast to the cold, hard stone surrounding him.


    [ Initiate hatching sequence with 100 Zombie Cores? ]


    The system''s prompt materialized before him, sensing his readiness. Without a moment''s hesitation, Shane affirmed¡­


    "Yes!"


    A soft hum filled the air as the Zombie Cores dissolved into a spectral mist, enveloping the egg. The red spots brightened, casting a warm glow in the dimness of the mine.


    Then, cracks began to spiderweb across the shell, each line glowing as if filled with moltenva.


    Then, with a resonant crack, the egg split open, revealing its contents¡ªa flying creature unlike any Shane had encountered.


    Kruu~ Kruu~


    Then, its description appeared in front of him.


    [ Unnamed Avian


    Species: Fire Kea


    Description: A rare avian born and enchanted from the ashes of a true phoenix. Its feathers are a blend of crimson and gold, with a lustrous sheen that defies the gloom. It possesses an innate warmth thatforts the soul.


    Abilities: Ember Song, Radiant Aura ]


    Requirements for Growth: Bonding with its liberator and feasting on the essence of the fallen. ]


    The Fire Kea fluttered its tiny wings, casting a warm glow around Shane. It seemed to recognize him as its liberator, its owner, or its partner¡­


    [ Scanning the surroundings... ] [ Scanplete. ] [ One Zombie detected. ]


    "Mhmm? Which Zombie is it?" Shane asked.


    [It''s a Crypt Crawler Leader. ]


    Shane raised his brow in confusion as he thought that he had already cleared the Iron Mine, which was why he had the chance to im it as part of his territory.


    However, not even long had passed, and a new ''zombie leader'' had already spawned!


    His moment of bonding with the Fire Kea was abruptly stopped!


    "Fine¡­ Let''s kill it first. Let''s think about itter." Shane muttered.


    This Crypt Crawler Leader was a monstrosity of evolution. Its form was more agile, its carapace more resilient, and it was intelligent!


    Shane''s Spirit Points hadn''t recovered yet, so without hesitation, he drank a few bottles of Spirit Enhancement. It won''t increase his Spirit Points capacity, but it will greatly regenerate his lost Spirit Points.


    Soon, as he heard the Zombie approaching, he readied his Master-Grade Hatchet¡­


    The Crypt Crawler Leader charged, and it would surely surprise him if this was his first encounter...


    However, Shane already had an experience against this Zombie and knew what he had to do to kill this creature quickly. There was no need to prolong this battle!


    Shane trusted the durability and sharpness of his hatchet and met its assault with a flurry of strikes. He used both the ice and fire effect of his hatchet in a dazzling disy ofbat expertise.


    His level 10 Axe Mastery was on full disy! Furthermore, he suddenly heard his pet''s chirping and he felt strengthened!


    ''A buff?'' Shane thought, but he didn''t focus too much on it. He continued doing his best to kill the Zombie!


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    The battle was intense as Shane wanted to end this quickly, he didn''t mind getting a bit injured since he current set of equipment was durable enough to ensure that he wouldn''t die so quickly.


    Shane''s hatchet found its mark repeatedly, the elemental attacks tearing through the Crypt Crawler''s defenses.


    Soon, as the Crypt Crawler shifted to defend its body, Shane found an opportunity to target its head. With a final, resounding cry, the creature fell¡­


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Leader Zombie. ]


    The Fire Kea, on the other hand, simply observed from a safe distance after giving a buff to Shane, its ember eyes reflecting its delight for the victory that its owner obtained.


    Shane then looted the Crypt Crawler Leader.


    [ You have earned 33 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x3, Zombie Cores x3, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Leader Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Cryptic Crawler''s Heart x1, Shadowmeld Tunic x1 ]


    "Mhmm? Cryptic Crawler''s Heart and Shadowmeld Tunic?" Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing these items.


    Although he''d be happy to get the same loot from the Crypt Crawler Zombie, he didn''t mind getting new items as well!


    He immediately opened his System Inventory and checked the items.


    [ Shadowmeld Tunic ( Rare ) ]: A lightweight tunic that seems to shift and blend with the shadows. Crafted from the silk of subterranean spiders and infused with the essence of darkness.


    Effects: +10 Agility, +15% Evasion, +10% Stealth ]


    [ Cryptic Crawler''s Heart ( Rare ) ]: The still-beating heart of the Crypt Crawler Leader, pulsing with a dark power. It can be used in crafting powerful artifacts or consumed for a temporary boost in strength.


    Effects: +25 Strength for 6 hours when consumed ]


    The Shadowmeld Tunic was definitely an item he wouldn''t mind using. As for the Cryptic Crawler''s Heart, he believed that it had the side effect of turning into a Zombie, so he wouldn''t use it unless he obtained some sort of immunity in the zombie virus.


    Furthermore, his shelter would have another visitor soon, and that visitor might be an expert craftsman who could use the heart to create some sort of mystical item.


    Without wasting more time, Shane upgraded the Tunic to Exceptional Grade!


    [ Shadowmeld Tunic ( Exceptional ): This tunic is spun from the threads of darkness itself, enabling the wearer to be almost one with the shadows. It offers protection while cloaking the wearer from prying eyes.


    Effects: Boosts jumping strength by +15%, evasion by +20%, and stealth by +15%.


    Special Effects:


    Shadow Blend: allows the wearer to disappear into the shadows, bing nearly invisible to the unsuspecting eye.


    Cost: 15 Spirit Points/minute ]


    "Shadow blend¡­" Shane muttered as he read the name of his Tunic''ss special ability. With this item together with all the pieces of equipment he obtained from the Crypt Crawlers, he believed that he had already obtained all the lootable items of the Crypt Crawlers!


    It must be remembered that aside from tunic, Shane was also wearing the Enchanted Chitin te, Crawler''s Grasp Gloves, Shroud of Shadows Cape, Stalker''s Boots, Cryptic Eye Amulet, and Night Crawler''s Belt!


    All of them are Exceptional Grades!


    [ Stalker''s Boots ( Exceptional ): These boots, crafted from the hide of the elusive night stalkers, meld with the shadows. They grant the wearer silent footsteps and the agility of a predator on the prowl.


    Effects: +30% Movement Speed, +20% Jumping Strength


    Special Effects:


    Untraceable Steps: A passive, silent movement effect that ensures stealthy traversal, making the wearer nearly undetectable. ]


    [ Cryptic Eye Amulet ( Exceptional ): This amulet, centered with a luminous Crypt Crawler eye, offers its bearer the rity and vision of the creatures of the deep. It sharpens instincts and enhances critical strikes.


    Effects: +45% Critical Hit Rate


    Special Effects:


    Spying Eye: Provides night vision, piercing through the darkest environments.


    Cost: 10 Spirit Points ]


    [ Night Crawler''s Belt ( Exceptional ): Woven from the wiry tendrils of a nocturnal beast, this belt confers unmatched flexibility. It hugs the waist, a constantpanion that enhances evasion and stealth.


    Effects: +35% Evasion, +20% Stealth


    Special Effects:


    Stealth Maneuver: A passive effect that allows the wearer to move like a whisper through the night. ]


    Shane wanted to look in a mirror to see his reflection. He was curious whether he looked pretty cool or like a clown with his new equipment.


    With a sigh, Shane emerged from the mine together with his Unnamed Avian.


    The journey back to the shelter was uneventful until Cloud, his ever-vignt A.I.panion, alerted him to an unusual presence at the estate.


    "Intruders?"


    Two unfamiliar figures were inside the estate.


    Shane''s mind raced with possibilities¡ªwere they visitors seeking refuge, or captives from a foiled intrusion?


    Upon his arrival, Shane''s concerns were quickly dispelled by Gene''s broad grin.


    The warmth of his wee was a stark contrast to the cold depths of the mine. It was quite a pleasant wee after a long day in the abandoned mine.


    Anyway, Gene eagerly recounted the events that had transpired in Shane''s absence: the unexpected attack, the swift defense led by their traps, and the subsequent capture of the intruders!

 Chapter 76: Me Too...

    Gene exined how they had managed to subdue the Scavengers and how Anna used the two severely injured Scavengers for her potion trial, which resulted in their immediate butfortable death.


    Now, the two leaders, Cassius and Mara, were being held, and they were waiting for Shane''s judgment.


    Shane listened intently, processing the tale that had happened while he was away.


    The shelter''s traps certainly contributed a lot to their defense, proving that they should really spend their resources making ensnares, pitfalls, and various traps so they could focus on developing their small estate.


    "Ahh¡­ Wait, did you just say that Anna''s potion killed the two Scavengers? Did she make a painless killing poison or something?" Shane suddenly asked as he processed Gene''s words.


    Gene immediately shook his head and exined. "It wasn''t like that. Anna''s potion was meant to cure them. However, they were already too injured and couldn''t recover in time. The most it did was to ensure that they werefortable and weren''t in pain before they died. Anna said that it would work normally if the potion was used for mild injuries."


    With that said, Gene turned to the beautiful bird that would fly around Shane from time to time.


    "Isn''t that a parrot?" Gene asked.


    "That''s right¡­ It''s a kea or a fire kea, to be exact." Shane said, as he also recalled checking the skills of this parrot.


    He previously felt that it had provided him some buff, but to be honest, he had no idea what kind of buff he received at that time!


    [ Ember Song: A soothing melody that emanates from the Phoenix Chick, enveloping its owner in a protective aura. The song''s warmth bolsters the owner''s spirit, granting them increased resilience and vitality.


    Effect: Temporarily increases the owner''s health regeneration by 10% and reduces iing damage by 5% for 10 minutes.


    Cooldown: 1 hour ]


    [ Radiant Aura: The Fire Kea radiates a luminous aura that enhances its owner''s awareness and reflexes. The light it casts dispels shadows and uncertainty, sharpening the owner''s senses.


    Effect: Grants the owner enhanced vision, allowing them to see in low light conditions. Additionally, it improves the owner''s reaction time, increasing dodge chance by 15% for 5 minutes.


    Cooldown: 30 minutes ]


    "So it was like that¡­ No wonder I felt better¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the skill effects that his pet bird could provide him duringbat. The Ember Song and Radiant Aura were skills that could really make him stronger in battle!


    The only thing he had to worry about was the fact that his bird could be vulnerable and get attacked by the zombies while he was battling the zombies.


    ''I''ll think about itter.'' Shane mused as he allowed the bird to fly around the estate.


    Shane still postponed giving this bird a name as he decided to meet the two captured Scavengers who were tied up in the forge with Leo.


    Shane''s footsteps echoed through the smithy as he approached the holding area where Cassius and Mara were kept.


    The lighting from the forge cast long shadows across their faces, highlighting the defiance etched into their hardened features.


    Shane paused, observing them¡­


    Cassius, with his jaw set firm, he looked at Shane with a calm gaze. Although seated, Shane could tell that he had a towering figure. With a jagged scar running down his left cheek, he certainly felt like a leader of Scavengers that matched Shane''s imagination.


    On the other hand, Mara had glossy, deep ck hair that pulled back into a tight braid. She seemed unyielding as Shane saw a sneer ying on her lips.


    "Still clinging to your pride? I heard you''re not even willing to share information about the situation around the area." Shane''s voice broke the silence.


    Cassius spat on the ground, his voice gruff.


    "We bow to no one. If you want to know about the Hunter Zombies or Screamer Zombies¡­ You have to promise us that you''ll set us free."


    Cassius was fully aware that if they provided everything they knew, they would lose their value and get killed without hesitation. He was thinking of just giving them enough information so they could stay alive and leave this ce.


    Mara then chuckled as she saw Shane''s features. Shane looked young and inexperienced so she immediately had thought of another n.


    "How about I give you a night you won''t ever forget, and then we''ll call it quits? It''s not like we harmed any of your people. You guys even killed four scavengers. I can also make it two nights if you want¡­" Mara said as she gave Shane a very seductive look.


    Shane sighed after hearing this. It seemed that these two Scavengers couldn''t tell what situation they were in.


    "You mistake my intention. I am thinking of offering you a choice¡ªcontinue this stubbornness and meet your end, or embrace a new purpose by being part of our small group¡­ However, after hearing you guys, I believe that you have no hope¡­"


    Cassius''ughter was bitter, filled with scorn. "Haha! So you''d kill us in the end. Just do it! Scavengers like us are always ready to die!"


    Shane nodded, his decision clear.


    He left the smithy for a moment and returned to the church. There, he retrieved the case containing the Project Z-2''s Ampules, the sleek vials glinting ominously. They were the items he found in the secret chamber of the church!


    After taking them, he returned to smithy!


    ''I guess this is better than killing them¡­'' Shane thought as he knew that he couldn''t trust the two either. His initial options were to set them free or kill them. Killing them felt a bit too much since they were already helplessly tied. It felt like bullying the weak.


    On the other hand, setting them free felt like letting go of a criminal. They might harm themter on. With that in mind, he decided to make a third option!


    The documents he''d studied detailed the ampules'' purpose: a nanovirus designed not for destruction, but control!


    It was a chance to repurpose the Scavengers'' experience, to turn foes into allies.


    Shane then called for Anna as he wasn''t too sure how this was done.


    Of course, Anna had no clue about this, including the others.


    All of them were obviously confused since they weren''t aware of the ampules that Shane had. Nheless, they didn''t question Shane and simply followed his instructions.


    Soon, Anna, with a steady hand, administered the ampules to Cassius and Mara. She wasn''t too good at it, but she had done it right.


    Shane nervously smiled as he waited for the effects to appear.


    The nanovirus would rewrite their minds. Their aggression or their defiance of him would soon transform and turn them into loyal soldiers with a cause greater than plunder and survival¡ªsoldiers who would be helping them in the shelter!


    As the nanovirus took effect, the change was subtle yet profound.


    The hard lines of resistance on their faces softened, their eyes now reflecting not disobedience, but a dawning awareness. It didn''t end there!


    Anna and the others watched in shock as they realized what was going on.


    As the Project Z-2''s nanovirus coursed through their veins, Cassius and Mara underwent a remarkable transformation. Their muscles tensed and then rxed, visibly bulking up as the nanovirus enhanced their physical capabilities far beyond those of an average human.


    Cassius''s arms, already corded with muscle from years ofbat, swelled with newfound power, his veins standing out like cables under his skin. Mara, too, exhibited a surge in strength, her stature bing more imposing. Both of them had already broken the ropes that were used to tie them!


    This Rope that was bought for 2 Zombie Cores in the store weren''t just normal ropes as they''ve been upgraded to Rare Grade!


    It was difficult to cut without using a sharp object!


    As the transformation continued, the two Scavengers continued to feel the changes in their bodies.


    They could tell that whatever drug was used on them didn''t just bolster their physique; it sharpened their minds!


    Their senses heightened, allowing them to hear the faintest sounds and see in near-total darkness. Their reflexes quickened to superhuman speed, and their injured bodies healed rapidly!


    Shane watched silently as he looked at the two transformed Scavengers.


    He wasn''t too sure how to react to this, knowing he had crossed a line from which there was no return. But in this new world, morality was a luxury, and survival demanded harsh choices.


    "Wee to your new life¡­" Shane could only say after seeing that the transformation waspleted, his voice was a mix of resolve and a slight feeling of guilt.


    From the memories he had obtained in his alternate life, enving others was never a part of it, or at the very least, from the four Memory Spheres. So, Shane was still feeling a bit conflicted about this.


    Nheless, he couldn''t worry about this now.


    Cassius and Mara stood, their bodies no longer tense with opposition. They nodded, a silent eptance of their fate.


    Meanwhile, Harper was looking at these two Scavengers with a strange light in his eyes¡­ "They look really strong! Sir Shane, can you give me one as well?"

 Chapter 77: Trap

    Harper''s question hung in the air, his eyes wide with curiosity and awe.


    The transformation of Cassius and Mara into beings of such formidable power was a sight to behold, and it sparked a desire within him for that same strength.


    If he had the same strength, perhaps he would no longer be afraid of mining alone and would be capable enough to protect himself!


    However, Shane''s eyes also widened, but for a different reason. He didn''t expect Harper to make such a request at all.


    With a sigh, Shane exined what had happened.


    "Harper," he began, his voice firm yet gentle, "You don''t want this¡ªwhat we gave them, it''s not just a potion for strength. It''s a leash for the mind."


    Harper''s brow furrowed, confusion etched on his face. The others were also curious.


    Although they had some idea about what truly happened, it was better to hear everything from Shane¡­


    Shane took a deep breath before he continued.


    "These ampules, they''re a double-edged sword. Yes, they create Super Soldiers¡ªbeings of immense physical prowess, but at the cost of their free will..."


    "I knew it¡­" Anna muttered as she also noticed how weird it was for Shane to administer those precious-looking ampules to them.


    "So it''s really like that..." Gene then nodded as he realized it as much. After all, there was no way that Shane would want the two to get stronger when they hated the idea of being part of their group. He could only guess that the ampules injected into them had some sort of mystical power that would bind their will.


    "I''ll show it to you¡­" Shane muttered as he saw Harper''s disbelief¡­


    Turning to Cassius and Mara, who now stood with an eerie stillness, Shane issued amand.


    "Cassius, Mara, demonstrate ten push-ups."


    Without hesitation, the twoplied, their movements synchronized and precise, a testament to their enhanced abilities.


    The onlookers watched as they confirmed the "severity" of this mind control!


    These were no longer the fierce Scavengers they had captured; they were something else entirely¡ªweapons forged from flesh and will, bound to themands of their leader!


    Shane''s voice broke the silence that followed.


    "You see, Harper, they''ve gained the world in strength but lost the essence of who they are. Their experiences, their choices, and their very selves are now under control. They are powerful, yes, but they are not free."


    Harper stepped back as everything started to sink in. The allure of power was now tainted with the truth of its cost.


    The Shelter''s inhabitants exchanged nces, a silent consensus forming. They had witnessed the birth of Super Soldiers, beings who would follow Shane''s words without question or pause!


    This may sound like a bad thing for the Scavengers, but it was surely a good thing for their Shelter!


    As the reality settled in, they all felt the weight of Shane''s decision. No wonder Shane''s reaction wasn''t too happy after gaining two Super Soldiers.


    He had crossed into uncharted territory, wielding a power that could protect or destroy their enemies¡­ The future of the Shelter¡ªand perhaps humanity itself¡ªrested in the bnce of how he chose to use these ampules that could control other people.


    After this small event, Shane gave the Crossbow to Leo. After all, this item would be useless without the crossbow bolts.


    Shane could entrust Leo to make those bolts that would be suited for the Crossbow.


    "Mhmm¡­ A Crossbow, huh¡­ This looks like a top-quality item. By tomorrow afternoon, I''ll have you a set of bolts for you." Leo said with confidence.


    "Very well¡­ In any case, I won''t be using that since I already have a pistol and a hatchet. You can save it for now since we will have a visitor soon." Shane said.


    "Alright, I''ll bring you to the corpses then, Sir Shane¡­ We haven''t touched the bodies of the dead yet. I thought that you might want to loot them instead." Anna reminded.


    "Right! Let me loot them. Did you take all their belongings already?" Shane asked.


    "They don''t have any valuable items besides the Zombie Cores in their pockets. They had weapons as well, but Leo had already melted them in his furnace."


    "Oh? Then I hope that I''ll get some decent skills from them." Shane muttered as he followed Anna to where the corpses were being kept.


    After seeing the four corpses, Shane couldn''t help but smile. Although they weren''t Zombies, looting these people made him somehow excited since he could also loot their Skills and Talents!


    Something that only someone like this with Legendary Talent could do!


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL Water, Bread x5, Lockpicking Skill, Quick Learner Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Quick Learner ( Umon ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate Quick Learner? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 4 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    "No¡­" Shane answered after seeing the prompt.


    He already had a Lockpicking Skill, and the Quick Learner Talent was trashy. Nheless, Shane didn''t give up hope.


    The second person gave the usual items and obtained a Fishing Skill, and Camouge Talent. Once again, the fishing skill was already something he had for quite a while. He couldn''t even use this skill since there wasn''t any body of water nearby.


    Luckily, the third and the fourth Scavengers gave him something different.


    The third one gave him a Crafting Skill! The man''s Enhanced Senses Talent were useless but this Crafting Skill might be a game changer for Shane, considering that he had many items in his Inventory that hadn''t found their purpose yet.


    Perhaps, with the Crafting Skill, he would be able to have a better way of using them instead of just getting stuck in his Inventory!


    As for the fourth one, Shane was also quite satisfied with it.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL Water, Bread x5, Trap Disarming Skill, Martial Arts Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Martial Arts ( Rare ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate Martial Arts? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 4 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    Shane happily epted the Crafting Skill and Trap Disarming Skill!


    He didn''t care about Martial Arts Talent, although it seemed quite good since his Traceless Breath Talent was already perfect with his current equipment. Since he nned to do some explorations alone, he knew that he had to keep this Talent with him.


    The night passed quickly as aside from three Crawler Zombies, that were easily eliminated, no one had disturbed them¡­


    However, in the morning after their peaceful breakfast, the tranquility was shattered by Cloud''s urgent warning, a synthetic voice cutting through Shane''s head.


    [ Scanning the surroundings... ] [ Scanplete. ] [ Twelve Jumper Zombies detected. ]


    Almost simultaneously, Lucky''s barks echoed. It was a primal rm that sent a jolt to the others.


    Shane sprang into action as he led the fighters outside.


    Twelve Jumper Zombies were indeeding to their shelter and they were moving fast!


    Nheless, none of them are worried as the shelter''s defenses were not for show!


    nk! nk! nk!


    nk! nk! nk!


    One after another, the Jumpers, propelled by their powerful leg muscles, leaped towards the fence of the estate, only to find themselves ensnared!


    The traps, hidden beneathyers of dirt and debris, were masterfully crafted: pits lined with spikes, traps that sprung upwards, and snare wires that whipped around the creatures'' legs, yanking them from their attempted pounce.


    "Hahaha! Eat that!" Leo couldn''t help butugh after seeing the traps he made in action.


    "That worked well! We should quickly kill them before they recover!" Harper suggested as he held his pickaxe tightly.


    The Jumpers, known for their agility and terrifying leaps, were rendered helpless as the traps caught them!


    One of them misjudged its leap and plummeted into a pit, its thick muscles impaled on the spikes below. Another found its legs entangled in a, the more it struggled, the tighter the constricted. Then, another triggered a snare wire, which wrapped around its legs with such force that it was flipped mid-air, crashing down with a bone-jarring thud.


    "Ho~ Those are impressive traps¡­" Shane''s eyes lit up as he saw what happened. He didn''t expect that the traps they''d made were already this advanced!


    The clever design of the traps ensured that the zombies'' own momentum was their downfall! As they thrashed and writhed, trying to free themselves, it became clear that the shelter''s defenses were not merely for show--they were a testament to their determination to protect their haven at all costs.

 Chapter 78: Return

    "Most of them are now made of metal¡­ Good job, Leo and Harper!" Shane couldn''t help but praise their work. They were lucky that the two had experience making traps to catch wild boars.


    With six of the undead now immobilized, as their bodies caught in a deadly embrace of steel and wooden traps, the remaining seven found their numbers reduced.


    Their assault was now weakened!


    Everyone in Shane''s group watched this with grim satisfaction in their eyes.


    Shane then looked at Cassius and Mara.


    The battlefield was set, and his Super Soldiers, armed with nothing but metal pipes, were ready to prove their worth!


    ''I should buy them swords and a decent set of armor.'' Shane thought as he saw them wearing some hunter clothes that he had purchased in the past couple of days just because they appeared in the store.


    Well, it must be remembered that he would always purchase any clothing that would appear in the Survivor Store. He may not use them, but future inhabitants and current ones also need some change of clothes.


    Nheless, he knew that these two would have better fighting capabilities with better set of equipment.


    "Ahem! Super Soldiers, to the front!" Shanemanded, his voice resonating with authority.


    Although he sounded unusual by calling them Super Soldiers, and even Anna looked at him with amusement, Shane didn''t shy away as he really wanted to trymanding other people like some sort of a general.


    Anyway, Cassius and Mara, now bound to his orders, held their metal pipes tightly. This weapon was a simple yet effective instrument of war against the mindless zombies!


    Graarrgh!


    The remaining Jumper Zombies approached, and their movements became predictable as their eyes were only looking at the nearest target!


    The Super Soldiers stood ready, their enhanced senses tracking every leap and bound of the encroaching horde.


    Whom~


    As the first Jumper sprung into action, Cassius swung his pipe and made the air hum!


    Bang!


    The impact resonated with a sickening crunch!


    Just from the sound, Shane and the other could tell that the flesh and bones of the Jumper Zombie were crushed!


    Thud!


    The creature crumpled, its momentum halted by the sheer force of the blow!


    Mara didn''t remain idle as she didn''t wait for the Zombies and charged forward! Her pipe parried and struck them, and each hit was simr to Cassius''s strike!


    It could crush the flesh and bones of the Jumper Zombies!


    The battle continued as Shane and the others watched how the two Super Soldiers fought against the Jumper Zombies!


    They were also ready to help in case they needed it!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Metal shing against rotting flesh, the Super Soldiers are like veterans on the battlefield.


    They were like an unstoppable force, as none of their injuries could stop them! Each strike was filled with power no matter what kind of situation they were in!


    Sure enough, Shane and the others witnessed how the Jumper Zombies were defeated. Even with all their ferocity, they still were no match for the might of the Super Soldiers.


    One by one, the Jumper Zombies fell, their numbers dwindling until the ground was littered with their broken forms.


    Cassius and Mara stood amidst the carnage, breathing steadily even after the intense battle. They then looked at Shane with a hint of satisfaction in their eyes while their weapons dripped with the blood and other matter of the zombies.


    p! p! p!


    Shane pped as he looked at the two. There was a mix of pride churning within him. The Super Soldiers had proven their effectiveness, and he still had eight ampules!


    ''I have to choose the right people for the other eight¡­'' Shane thought.


    He was surely impressed by their absolute obedience and the strength they showed...


    Nheless, the sight of such power wielded with such cold efficiency served as a stark reminder of the fine line he treads between salvation and subjugation.


    He had to ensure that he really hadplete control over these Super Soldiers, or if there was ever a chance that they would rebel, he should have a full capability of defeating them.


    Anyway, Cassius and Mara are helped by Leo and the others as they carefully gather all the zombie corpses for Shane to loot.


    Soon, Shane started looting the Zombies¡­


    After answering the usual prompt, Shane looked at the result.


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    "Mhmm?"


    Shane raised his brow after seeing the familiar yet unusual item in the loot.


    It was the unknown but safe meat that he had never tried yet!


    This has never appeared from the Jumper Zombies before!


    Shane could only guess the reason why it had appeared here. Anyway, he was to get something more from the Jumper Zombies so he continued looting all the remaining 11 Jumper Zombies¡­


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    This repeated several more times as Shane obtained a total of 12 units of Unknown Meat aside from the usual drop.


    "We should try this meat this evening¡­" Shane muttered as he recalled what he had seen in his Survivor Store a while ago during their breakfast.


    Apparently, the Survivor Store was selling a pack of salt and other seasonings! Once he purchased enough seasonings, the vor of whatever meat this was would be covered by their taste!


    ''Good n!'' Shane thought as his eyes lit up in excitement.


    Of course, he would let Cassius and Mara try the meat first before he would consider trying them.


    After this event in the morning, the group continued on their daily task¡­


    This time, however, Shane didn''t leave the estate.


    He exined to Anna and the others that he would be away for some time and left two of his extra Revolvers to increase the defense of the estate. Although they didn''t have a good aim and the recoil of the revolvers may be too much for them, it was still better to have another weapon.


    "Do not y around with this weapon. Be careful and do not point them to other people. Just take them out when you''re dealing with the zombies." Shane reminded before he decided to return to his tent inside the church¡­


    Apparently, he was nning to enter the Fairy Realm! However, before that, he had something to do.


    Shane observed the Fire Kea perched contentedly on his shoulder, its feathers a vibrant tapestry of reds and oranges, like the embers of a smoldering fire.


    The bird''s eyes sparkled with a keen intelligence, and it tilted its head as if considering Shane with a discerning gaze.


    "You need a name befitting your mystical ability¡­" Shane mused aloud.


    The Kea chirped in response, pping its wings excitedly.


    "How about¡­ Phoenix? No?" Shane muttered after seeing no response.


    "Is too ssic? How about Emberwing?"


    The bird squawked in approval, taking flight around Shane in a joyful disy, its plumage catching the light and casting fiery patterns on the walls.


    [ Soulboundplete. ]


    [ You have registered Emberwing as your pet. ]


    ''Eh? There''s something like that?'' Shane thought as he didn''t know that it was required to name the bird to register it as his pet. He thought that it was already his the moment he hatched it!


    ''Well, now I know.''


    Satisfied with the pet''s response, Shane turned his thoughts to the Fairy Realm. "It''s been a while since I entered that ce¡­ I guess it''s time to see if I can bring my bird there¡­" He whispered¡­


    After everything was ready, Shane triggered his system.


    [ Do you wish to activate the Title''s Effect? ]


    The system prompt inquired.


    "Yes." Shane affirmed.


    [ You will be transported to the Fairy Realm. The duration will be 8 hours ]


    In an instant, the fabric of space seemed to twist and warp around him.


    Just as the message said, he was being transported and it was through some enigmatic form of spatial sorcery.


    Whom~


    A sudden disorienting darkness engulfed his senses, leaving him feeling lightheaded and unsteady.


    When he finally reopened his eyes, he saw a familiar setting. It was a vast meadow stretched out before him, bathed in the ethereal light of a celestial sun.


    The grass, a vibrant emerald hue, swayed gently in the breeze, creating a mesmerizing dance of nature''s beauty.


    "I''m back¡­" Shane muttered as he saw the meadow that was adorned with a vibrant array of wildflowers, creating a picturesque scene of shifting colors that danced and glistened in the golden light.


    This time, however, Shane wasn''t alone!


    Emberwing was indeed with him!

 Chapter 79: Disturbed

    With the title of Fairy Realm''s Survivor, Shane felt the familiar pull of the realm''s magic. The air shimmered around him, and with Emberwing perched securely on his shoulder, he couldn''t help but smile as he was indeed not alone this time.


    Soon, Axis, his fairy assistant, greeted him with a flutter of wings and a respectful nod.


    "Wee back, Shane¡­" Axis said, her voice was like a melodic tinkle.


    "And who is this fierypanion you''ve brought?"


    "This is Emberwing," Shane replied, watching the Kea take in its surroundings with wide, curious eyes. "I remember you mentioned that I can bring those items or beings that are soul-bound to me."


    "That''s correct!"


    Axis smiled, her eyes reflecting the myriad colors of the realm.


    "Are you nning to let her stay here until she grows up? She will be quite safe here, and perhaps even find a few secrets of her own."


    "Mhmm? She can stay here?" Shane asked as he considered it for a moment. After all, Emberwing had two decent skills. He had barely gotten the chance to use them, and he wasn''t ready to send her away so quickly!


    He wanted to at least get used to those skills first!


    "Yes¡­ I can tell that Emberwing is still too young¡­ With the essence of the Fairy Realm, she will grow here a lot faster! Perhaps ten times faster! I can smell that the realm you''vee from had a strong aura of death¡­ I believe that you should give her a chance to grow in a better environment.


    Once that happened, even the deathly aura in your realm would no longer affect your beautiful bird¡­" Axis suggested as she looked at Shane with a pleading gaze.


    This somehow confused Shane and he added. "Wait, aren''t you just lonely and wanted apanion here?"


    Axis'' eyes widened as she looked at Shane.


    "A-ahem~ Of course, not! It''s not like I''m bored here living alone for centuries¡­ This is our faith as Land Fairy! Well, I''ll be happy if you can let her stay here¡­" Axis replied with thetter part being really soft and almost a whisper.


    After hearing this, Shane could only sigh as he made his decision.


    He looked at the tiny fairy before he agreed to her offer. Anyway, he also felt a sense of peace in this magical ce, so it would be fine if he let the bird stay here and get stronger. It would also be great if his pet could join him in the Auction, and he was hoping that Embering was already in apletely different state at that time.


    ***


    There was nothing much to do in the Fairy Realm since Shane still didn''t have ess to any seed he could nt to make this piece ofnd his farm¡­


    Nheless, there was ake, and the water there tasted a lot better for some reason, although the water shouldn''t taste anything.


    Shane''s gaze lingered on the sereneke, its waters a crystal-clear blue that seemed to sparkle with an inner light. After sipping a few times, he felt the fairy''s presence behind him.


    Axis''s words then echoed. There was a hint of joy in her voice.


    "Hihi! Taste good, right? Thatke isn''t normal, you know? If you drink that daily, you''ll get better and not get sick!" Axis said.


    She didn''t mention this before when he came here!


    "That sounds great¡­" A smile tugged at Shane''s lips.


    The Fairy Realm continued to surprise him with its hidden boons.


    With a newfound purpose, he retrieved 10 Spirit Enhancement Bottles from his inventory. These bottles, once used to augment his spirit points, now found a new use¡ªcarriers of the enchanted waters.


    He still drank the Spirit Enhancement Potions, but his Spirit Points were still stuck at one thousand points!


    In the end, he could only throw away the liquid to a small nt nearby. Perhaps it might even have a better life.


    After doing this, he then filled each bottle carefully, the liquid glinting like liquid diamonds under the ethereal sky.


    "Looks good¡­" Shane muttered.


    After securing the caps, Shane lifted one to his lips, the water cool and refreshing as it flowed down his throat. It tasted of purity and life, a stark contrast to the harsh, filtered water of the shelter.


    Shane nodded repeatedly as he certainly liked this water than the ones he was getting from the Zombies. Then, he filled the bottle right away and drank a few more times.


    With his thirst quenched and his bottles filled, Shane turned his attention to his body¡­


    During the night, he would always open his Regional Chat to read thetest topics made by other Survivors.


    Last night, the regional chat had been abuzz with tales of stat increases through rigorous exercise, and Shane was keen to test the theory.


    He found a clearing near theke, the soft grass underfoot a perfect cushion for his workout.


    "This theory certainly feels real since it shouldn''t be possible for us to only get stronger by leveling up. If that were the case, we would be like a true yer inside a game, and we wouldck a bright future in that setting... I believe that this theory might actually work." Shane mused. He had also been thinking about this since his growth in power was heavily relying on his level-up and Items.


    It was all system-rted growth!


    Unfortunately, memories of whether he could increase strength without the Leveling System or Equipment Bonus weren''t something he had recalled yet.


    Perhaps it would be included in the fifth memory sphere, or at the very least, that was what he was hoping would happen.


    Huu~


    Anyway, he began with a series of stretches, feeling the pull of muscles long ustomed to the strain of battle but not the disciplined movements of exercise.


    Then, he transitioned into a set of push-ups, his arms pushing against the resistance of the ground, each movement deliberate and controlled.


    As the sun began its descent, casting the realm in hues of gold and amber, Shane continued his regimen. Sit-ups, squats, lunges¡ªeach exercise was a step towards increasing his strength and agility.


    Sweat beaded on his brow, a testament to his effort and determination.


    Hours passed, and Shane felt a subtle shift within him. His movements became swifter, his muscles more responsive. It was a gradual change, but undeniable. Thebination of the enchanted water and his dedicated training was yielding results.


    ording to the regional chat, the increase in their Stat Points only happened on the fifth day of their routine exercise. Because of that, he wasn''t really hopeful that he would get a sudden stat increase so easily.


    Furthermore, his stats were already quite high. So, increasing his stats now with this level of exercise shouldn''t be easy!


    He expected to get a result that would reflect on his system within eight or even ten days! He didn''t mind that happening at all!


    As the stars began to twinkle in the twilight sky, Shane concluded his session.


    He felt invigorated, powerful, and ready to face whatever challenges awaited him. Right, it felt as if he was being nourished here in the Fairy Realm just by staying here!


    ''Weird¡­'' Shane muttered, but he didn''t check his stats yet as he saw Emberwing flying at him while chirping!


    It seemed that the bird knew that he would be staying here with Axis!


    With the bottles of fairy water secured and his body honed by the exercises of the realm, Shane knew he would really be better! Once he returns to get Emberwing, he should also be a lot stronger to be a better owner of the Fire Kea!


    Emberwing, who had been watching Shane exercising, fluttered down to Shane, chirping in joy¡­


    Soon, the Fire Kea seemed to sense that Shane was about to leave and started showing more affection.


    "Alright¡­ I have to leave now¡­" Shane muttered.


    As the night approached, Shane knew it was time to return to the shelter.


    Once more, he bid farewell to Axis, Emberwing, and the Fairy Realm itself before his figure vanished and returned to the human realm!


    ***


    "Hmm?" Shane frowned as he sensed the surroundings with his Perception. It was then followed by Cloud''s warning!


    The tranquility of the Fairy Realm was reced by the chaos of the shelter under siege.


    As Shane came out of his tent within the church, Anna''s face lit up!


    Finally!


    Anna''s voice was urgent as she informed Shane of the situation!


    "Shane! Three people brought the zombies they gathered here! Those three are already dead because of the traps we have, but the Zombies chasing after them are now targeting our shelter!" She eximed, her eyes wide with concern but she was still hoping since she believed that Shane could manage this problem!


    Then, as she spoke, several gunshots were heard as Leo and the others desperately fought against the numerous Zombies that had suddenly attacked their Shelter!


    Shane''s mind raced, processing the situation with the rity of a territory lord and a leader; he gave a series ofmands!

 Chapter 80: Defend!

    After Shane confirmed from Cloud about the situation outside and sensed the position of his subordinates, he gave a series ofmands.


    "Anna, assist Leo at the back of the forge! He needs help! Tell him to use these daggers!" Shane said as he handed the Crawler Fang Daggers to Anna.


    Leo had the physical strength to wield it, and since they were only dealing with Walker and a few Runner Zombies, Leo should be strong enough to wield the dagger.


    After that, Shane rushed to where Gene was fighting alone¡­ "Gene, move back! Just move closer to those Super Soldiers!"


    At the same time, Shane utilized his Firearm Mastery!


    With incredible precision, Shane shot the head of the Walker Zombies! It even passed through their heads and hit three or four zombies in each shot!


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    This was the benefit of not using the Special Effects of the Revolver; the pration was incredibly powerful!


    "Harper, go back and assist Leo and Anna! Some Walker and Runner Zombies had entered through the fence behind the forge!" Shanemanded.


    The survivors sprang into action, moving with a purpose without questioning Shane''s decision.


    Shane then emptied his bullets and killed a bunch of Walker Zombies and Runner Zombies before he pulled out his Master-Grade Hatchet!


    They could not continue falling back! Shane nned to get themselves followed by the Zombies so the damage in the estate wouldn''t spread¡­


    ***


    Graarrrgggh~


    Outside, the night was alive with the groans of the undead in the Springriver Manor. Walker and Runner Zombies, their eyes hollow with hunger, swarmed towards their Shelter!


    The Walkers lumbered forward. They were relentless in their advance as they stretched out their arms to take a hold of the living humans they could see and smell.


    On the other hand, the Runners darted about with terrifying speed!


    Nheless, Shane and his Super Soldiers met them head-on. The metal pipes, simple yet deadly in the hands of the enhanced warriors, swung through the air with devastating force. Each hitnded with a bone-crushing impact, halting the undead in their tracks!


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    Cassius and Mara remained strong amidst the swarming Zombies, but Shane knew that they couldn''t keep this up forever!


    Shane had to lessen the burden on their side!


    "Haa!"


    Shane''s Hatchet then showed its might, using both its Ice and Fire effect, cleaving through rotting flesh with each swing.


    Luckily, the Fire Effect was able to easily spread as the Zombies had articles of clothing that could easily catch fire!


    Cassius and Mara didn''t miss this opportunity as they dispatched the zombies with ruthless efficiency! Their metal pipes had already started bending because of the sheer strength of their strikes!


    At this time, Shane also confirmed that the traps that had imed the lives of the three unfortunate souls who had led the horde to the Shelter continued to serve their purpose.


    There were still many zombies stumbling into pitfalls and snares, their numbers dwindling under thebined might of Shane''s leadership and the survivors'' resolve.


    "Haha! Come!" Shane''s eyes lit up as he was still filled with strength. It seemed that just by staying in the Fairy Realm for so long, his stamina had gotten a lot higher!


    With a battle cry that pierced the night, he charged into the fray, his Hatchet descending in a wide arc.


    St!


    The de met the skull of another Walker with a sickening crunch, sending shards of bone and frozen brain matter spraying into the air!


    Behind him, Cassius and Mara wielded their metal pipes like staffs of war, their movements were synchronized as they followed Shane''s movements!


    ngk~


    Cassius''s pipe connected with a Runner''s head, the impact resonating with a metallic ring that signaled the end for the creature.


    Mara spun, her pipe sweeping low to shatter the kneecaps of another, sending it crashing to the ground where she finished it with a swift blow.


    Their metal pipes were truly used to their limits!


    "They just keeping, huh¡­ Cassius, Mara¡­ Just stay behind me!" Shane shouted as he continued killing.


    [ You have eliminated a Walker Zombie. ] [ You have eliminated a Walker Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Walker Zombie. ] [ You have eliminated a Walker Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ] [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ]


    These messages continued appearing in his peripheral vision, but Shane just ignored them as he felt that he was in a trance!


    He didn''t feel like this, even in the Zombie Wave! Perhaps it was because of Cassius and Mara who could keep up with him and watch his back.


    "Hmph!"


    The zombies pressed on, their numbers seemingly endless.


    Shane lost track of the time as his arms worked tirelessly, and his Hatchet continued to strike down one zombie after another. Each swing was a perfected strike thanks to his Axe Mastery Skill and also because he was already too familiar with the sense of severing the heads of these zombies!


    The ice effect of his weapon left a trail of frozen corpses, while the fire effect ignited the night with shes of searing heat.


    ***


    Soon, Anna, Harper, and Leo had already finished the few zombies who had attacked them from the other side of the estate. They were all not in good condition as they also barely defeated the zombies.


    They were lucky that Shane handed over the two daggers, which could easily cut through the zombies like pieces of cake!


    Perhaps if they had a bit more experience using the dagger, they wouldn''t be in such a difficult position.


    "I think they don''t need our help¡­" Harper muttered after seeing the carnage being caused by the three.


    "Yes¡­ It would be a problem if we attracted some of the zombies instead." Leo muttered as he also noticed Gene cleaning up the strugglers or the zombies who were already as good as dead, but because their brains were still active, they were still considered alive.


    Gene''s job was to ensure that all those zombies were killed!


    "Very well¡­ Since we''re not really trained forbat, let''s just cover their backs." Anna agreed with a nod.


    They watched as Cassius and Mara fought back-to-back. They realized that these two Super Soldiers with enhanced physiques were truly monstrous. They could react with superhuman speed!


    They saw a Runner Zombie lunge at Cassius, only to be met with a pipe to the throat, its momentum used against it as it was flung aside. Mara''s pipe whistled through the air, finding its mark time and again, as she seemed to only strike the joints and vital parts of the zombies to ensure their quick deaths!


    However, there were also times when they would use brute force without caring about what part they were hitting¡­ It seemed that this only happened whenever they were falling behind Shane!


    Anyway, Anna recalled something as she returned to the church quickly to reload their Revolvers¡­ Leo and Harper did the same, and as soon as they came out fully loaded, they manned the barricades. Their gunfire provided cover for Shane and the Super Soldiers.


    Bullets whizzed past, finding their targets but not enough to kill them since they couldn''t really properly aim¡­ They''ll just point at the crowd of zombies, hoping that it would down a couple or even three Zombies in each shot.


    ***


    [ You have eliminated a Walker Zombie. ] [ You have eliminated a Walker Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ] [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ]


    Despite their valiant efforts, the sheer number of zombies threatened to overwhelm them.


    "When is this going to end!" Shane felt the fatigue creeping into his muscles, but he pushed it aside, driven by the need to protect his people.


    Perhaps they have already killed more than a hundred Walker Zombies and more than fifty Runner Zombies!


    Although Shane was happy since he would get plenty of resources and he might even level up after this, he still couldn''t help butin!


    ''Just how did those three unlucky people gather this many zombies!''


    With a roar of defiance, he redoubled his efforts. His Hatchet may have stopped emitting Ice and Fire effects, but it had be faster and Shane focused his mind on slicing the Zombies in front!


    The battle raged on, the ground bing slick with the blood and matter of the undead.


    Luckily, Shane''s stamina was incredibly high aftering out of the Fairy Realm and soon, the tide began to turn. The zombies'' numbers dwindled, their advance halted by thebined might of the Shelter''s defenders.


    As thest of the undead fell, silence reimed the night, broken only by the heavy breathing of the living.


    The Springriver Manor had withstood the assault! Shane surveyed the aftermath, his gaze lingering on the fallen zombies. The threat was over, for now, but the night''s events were a stark reminder of the ever-present danger lurking beyond the Shelter''s walls.


    However, Cloud''s sudden alert stopped Shane from celebrating!


    [ Three Survivor-Type Zombies have been detected. ]

 Chapter 81: Loot

    Shane squinted his eyes as he heard Cloud''s warning¡­ He was only a bit surprised and he wasn''t shaken by the news.


    Instead, he even smiled after hearing this warning.


    "Good... I want to smack your heads for bringing the horde here. If I didn''t return in time, I''m sure that this Shelter would be long gone." Shane softly muttered as he saw the Zombies reaching out of the pitfalls.


    He then stepped forward as he decided not to wait for them¡­ It was also better if they saw him first so they wouldn''t target other people in the estate.


    His eyes narrowed as he observed the three figures that had once been human. Now, they were something else¡ªSurvivor Zombies.


    The Survivor Zombies stood out starkly against the lesser undead; they wererger, and their frames are towering and quite muscr with their rotten flesh.


    Their skin was taut over bulging muscles, and ck veins protruded like twisted vines. Their eyes, once perhaps bright with life, now glowed with a feral hunger¡­ Nheless, Shane could tell that these Zombies weren''t just moving in instinct.


    These were not the mindless zombies he was used to; there was a cunning behind their eyes, a remnant of intelligence that made them all the more dangerous.


    Raarrgh¡­


    The three of them growled as they saw Shane approaching them.


    They stood taller than the average Zombie, their bodies mutated and muscr, exuding an aura or, perhaps, the stench of death!


    Shane turned to Cassius and Mara, their eyes were already fixed on the new threat.


    "Stay back," he instructed, his voice was firm. "I''ll handle this alone."


    At this time, Shane lightly touched his Shadowmeld Tunic, feeling the fabric merge with the darkness around him.


    The tunic''s special effect, Shadow Blend, activated after spending cloaking him in near-invisibility.


    [ Shadow Blend: It allows the wearer to disappear into the shadows, bing nearly invisible to the unsuspecting eye.


    Cost: 15 Spirit Points/minute ]


    Because it wasn''t night yet, and only the fog and the shadows of the trees were making the ce shadowy. However, with the help of the Shadow Blend skill, Shane''s movement became unpredictable.


    At this time, he also hastened his recovery¡­ After all, he still suffered some injuries from those rushing zombies before.


    His Enchanted Chitin te''s effect activated, its regenerative power coursing through him, mending wounds and bolstering his defenses.


    [ Regeneration: The te slowly mends itself and also heals the wearer over time. Grants +5 Health Regeneration per minute.


    Cost: 40 Spirit Points/minute ]


    With Crawler''s Grasp Gloves snug on his hands, Shane also felt more confident with the additional damage that it gives him.


    Then, with the Shroud of Shadows Cape fluttering behind him, Shane momentarily disappeared from the sight of the zombies! This cape enhanced his stealth and speed, its Lesser Shadowmeld effect making him a wraith in the dim light!


    The three Survivor Zombies were shocked as soon as Shane disappeared. They weren''t able to react as if they were considering whether to look for him or just change their target.


    However, as the Survivor Zombies tracked Shane''sst known position, they felt the presence of another person behind them!


    Shane moved with supernatural swiftness, darting between shadows, the cape and tunic rendering him like a phantom.


    Ssaakkk~


    He struck from the darkness, his hatchet finding its mark in the neck of the first Zombie, ice and fire erupting from the wound.


    Boom!


    The effects of the hatchet activated almost killing the first Zombie so easily! However, it barely survived, thanks to its really tough skin and muscles!


    Nheless, with its neck barely hanging on, Shane knew that it could be easily killedter unless it had the power to regenerate itself.


    Grrroowl~


    The second Zombie turned, its enhanced senses picking up Shane''s movement.


    It lunged at him, but Shane''s evasion was unparalleled, his form blending into the night. He countered with a powerful uppercut, the gloves adding devastating force to his blow, crushing the creature''s jaw.


    Bam!


    Again, it wasn''t enough to kill the Zombie. He wanted to follow it up with a killing blow but the third Zombie was already on him.


    This Zombie''s fists were like hammers.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    It tried to crush Shane''s body, but he continuously failed and only hit the ground.


    Shane just actually rolled away and some of the force that went to him was easily deflected. The chitin te absorbing the impact of a ncing blow.


    Shane then sprang up, utilizing his agility to increase his jumping strength and vault over the Zombie,nding behind it.


    With a swift turn, he decapitated the Zombie!


    He hit the perfect spot as the hatchet''s enchanted edge sliced through the undead with ease.


    [ You have eliminated a Survivor Zombie. ]


    Shane then turned to the previous Zombie that he punched in the jaw¡­


    It saw his arrival and the Zombie raised its arms in defense. It was something that not any zombie would do! However, this Zombie truly had some sort of instinct to protect its body, but the hatchet''s enchanted edge was too sharp! It was then followed by ice spreading across the Zombie''s flesh!


    Crack! Crack! Crack!


    Its hands were then shattered as Shane continued with his strike!


    [ You have eliminated a Survivor Zombie. ]


    Thatst Zombie whom he had almost killed was no longer an issue. With a swift movement and kick on its head, Shane ended its life.


    The Survivor Zombies, for all their newfound power, could not match the agility and strength of Shane, empowered by his exceptional gear.


    [ You have eliminated a Survivor Zombie. ]


    As thest Zombie fell, Shane stood alone amidst the carnage; his breathing was still steady¡­


    The Shelter was safe once more, and now it was time for him to loot all these zombies!


    Before that, he quickly confirmed that everyone was fine¡­ They only have light injuries and nothing serious.


    Furthermore, Shane confirmed that they only have 19 bullets left, ording to Anna.


    ''Let''s hope that the store would sell them¡­ Or maybe I can do some trade with the other Survivors.'' Shane mused as he knew that there should be other Survivors stacking up the bullets whenever they appeared in the Survivor Store.


    "Alright¡­ I''ll be looting all the Zombies for now. Take a quick rest, and once I''m done, we''ll start the reconstruction of the fence and the traps." Shane said.


    Gene and the others agreed as they certainly felt really tired after they had calmed down. They all went to the church to have a quick rest and also to clean themselves.


    In the meantime, Shane started to loot the Survivor Zombies.


    Shane liked looting Survivor Zombies among all other zombies because of an obvious reason, he gets the chance of looting their skill and their talent!


    It was something that other Survivors couldn''t do. Perhaps they only had a 0.1% chance of looting it if he could see their drop rate!


    However, because of Shane''s talent, this drop rate doesn''t matter to him!


    His Complete Loot Talent guarantees that he''d get all the lootable items of his target!


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes¡­"


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL Water, 5 Bread, Taunt Skill, Athletic Leg Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Athletic Leg Talent ( Umon ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Athletic Leg Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 4 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    "No¡­" Shane answered since he didn''t want to rece any of his talent for having a talent for running or jumping.


    Anyway, the Taunt Skill doesn''t seem to be bad since he would need this when saving people. Although he wanted his subordinates to be strong and no longer needed to be saved, it was better to have this skill so he could use it in case necessary.


    Then, he turned his attention to the second Survivor Zombie.


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL Water, 5 Bread, Lockpicking Skill, Shapeshifter Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Shapeshifter Talent ( Rare ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Shapeshifter Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 4 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    "What?" Shane''s eyes widened as he saw the Shapeshifter Talent¡­ This was definitely tempting!


    After all, Shapeshifting sounded awesome when doing covert operations¡­


    However, the fact that it was only a Rare Talent made Shane think twice about it. If it was a Master Grade or even Epic Grade, then the Shapeshifting powers of this talent must be incredible. As for Rare Grade, it shouldn''t be that effective.


    In the end, Shane decided not to rece his Traceless Breath talent.

 Chapter 82: A New Stone

    In any case, Traceless Breath Talent was still better because of his current equipment. The items he received from the Crypt Crawlers were just too good for that particr talent.


    Shane then proceeded to loot thest Survivor Zombie.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes¡­"


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL Water, 5 Bread, Mining Skill, Animal Whisperer Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Animal Whisperer ( Umon ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Animal Whisperer Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 4 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    ''I guess I can help Harper once I add the Iron Mine to my territory.'' Shane mused as he didn''t think twice to refuse the Animal Whisperer talent.


    He wasn''t even sure if he would get to find other animals in this zombie-infested world. Lucky was simply too unique as this dog was given by the system or was trapped in the gray fog with Anna.


    As for the animals who weren''t lucky enough, Shane wasn''t sure whether he could really find them.


    In short, this talent was useless in this apocalypse.


    After looting them and seeing their bodies disappear, Shane''s attention was drawn to the scattered Walker and Runner Zombies everywhere.


    With a helpless smile on his face, he started his looting process.


    He had to start working now if he wanted to clear these corpses in his estate.


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    The Walker Zombies gave him the usual loot. There wasn''t anything new about them, so Shane wasn''t too excited about it. Nheless, with the amount of water he was getting, he was already thinking of a nice long bath after this was over.


    He believed that he deserved it after such a difficult defense against the horde of Zombies¡­


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Stale Bread x1, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Stale Bread x1, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Stale Bread x1, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    "So much stale bread¡­" Shane muttered as he saw the Stale Bread¡­ It would''ve been better if he had normal bread instead, but nheless, Shane epted the free food.


    As he continued with his looting process, Shane heard a very familiar sound¡­


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Trade Function limit release. ]


    [ Hint: You can now trade up to 10 items at the same time in a single trade. You can also start trading with other survivors without adding them to your Friend List as long as you initiate the trade function first. ]


    [ You have obtained 1 Special Item Upgrade Crystal. ]


    [ Hint: This special item is only avable to the first 5 Survivors to reach level 17! ]


    "Nice¡­ Let''s continue!"


    Shane didn''t bother checking this item for now as he wanted to gather everything he could get in this looting session before checking them all once he could rx or once he got on his bed.


    "Whoa~ Did we really kill so many of them?" Shane was surprised since, even after 20 minutes, he wasn''t done yet!


    Furthermore, he actually leveled up once more!


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Survivor Store upgrade. ]


    [ Hint: Two additional items will be added in the Store Items that will be avable for 7 days! ]


    [ You have obtained 1 Special Item Upgrade Crystal. ]


    [ Hint: This special item is only avable to the first 5 Survivors to reach level 18!


    [ You have obtained 1 Recruitment Stone. ]


    [ Hint: The Recruitment Stone is a single-use item that a Survivor can trigger in order to recruit a helpful inhabitant of this continent. ]


    "Now¡­ This is interesting¡­" Shane muttered as he certainly felt that the six items in the Survivor Store that were only avable for 24 hours weren''t enough.


    The addition of two items locked for 7 days was definitely a great addition.


    As for the Recruitment Stone, there was no way Shane didn''t feel excited about this. After all, he was also expecting a new inhabitant today! It means that he could have two additional people in his estate today! He had no idea what they could do for him but whatever it was, he knew that it was better to have many skilled people in his shelter!


    Nheless, because there were still corpses of Zombies that were mostly caught in the traps, Shane stopped the urge to check them out and continued with his looting process. He even had to ask Cassius and Mara to take the corpses in the pitfalls.


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Stale Bread x1, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, 100mL Walker Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    Soon, Shanepleted the looting process.


    He immediately asked Cloud if he still needed the blood of the Walker and Runner Zombies since it had already taken quite a lot of blood.


    [ Yes. It helps me increase the Searching Range and also helps me predict the possible mutations of the Zombies. ]


    Cloud replied.


    With that said, Shane decided to just give all the Zombie Blood to the A.I.


    Anyway, he doesn''t have any use for them, perhaps only until he gets some kind of Alchemy Skill since he couldn''t really think of another idea of where to spend them.


    Even if it came to the time when he needed blood samples, he could also get them from any Zombies around with his Complete Loot Talent.


    Finally, Shane had the time to check his current status and inventory.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets


    Level: 18


    Vitality: 190/190


    Spirit: 1,000/1,000


    Strength: 47


    Agility: 81 (+34 )


    Luck: 20


    Perception: 20


    Inventory: Memory Sphere x21, Item Upgrade Crystals x305, Zombie Cores x495, 190L Water, Bread x85, State Bread x75 100mL Cryptic Crawler Leader Blood, Acid Pouch x14, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x465, Spitter Tongue x1, Light Blue Orb x1, Starlight Silver Ore x5, Abyssal Iron Ore x5, Phoenix Copper Ore x5, Power Core x5, Special Item Upgrade Crystals x2, Recruitment Stone x1


    Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Fishing, Woodworking, Metalworking, Axe Mastery, Lockpicking, Leadership, Parkour, Hacker, Controlled Body Heating, Fast Swimmer, Taunt, Mining


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ), Traceless Breath ( Rare Talent )


    Reputation: 19


    Shane looked at his status, and the first thing he noticed was his lower Agility Points. After wearing his Shadowmeld Tunic, he should have a total of 46 additional Agility Points instead of 34.


    However, because he removed the Crawler Fang Dagger on him, the 12 Agility Points had disappeared.


    Apparently, as long as the dagger was on him, he could benefit from its effects. The weapon does have to be held by his hands.


    ***


    After Shane was done with the looting process, the damage in the estate''s surroundings was now visible to all of them.


    ''Well¡­ This should be expected¡­'' Shane thought as he knew their fences weren''t sturdy enough¡­ They simply don''t have the capacity to make a stone wall that would surely stop the low-tier zombies.


    Anyway, he then called for everyone as they should be starting with their reconstruction already¡­ They should have a proper defensive line before the end of the day!


    Everyone in the shelter nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of securing their shelter.


    Harper and Leo focused on making new fences, while Gene assisted Mara and Cassius in assembling the wooden fences. They were nning to rebuild the traps after the fence was secured.


    Of course, as everyone started working, Shane decided to use the Recruitment Stone. After all, the one he''d get to recruit this time might be someone capable of helping them in the reconstruction of the estate.


    Shane swiftly took it out of the Inventory System. It was the familiar ck stone with an engraved character on it.


    As he held it for a few seconds, the notification he had been waiting for appeared.


    [ Do you want to activate the Recruitment Stone? ]


    Without hesitation, Shane replied. "Yes!"

 Chapter 83: New Members

    After reading the familiar question, Shane smiled.


    "Yes¡­" He affirmed as he waited for the Recruitment Stone to take effect.


    In a few moments, the stone''s glow intensified, casting shadows in the surroundings.


    As soon as it vanished, the gray fog suddenly thickened outside the shelter. Soon, this gray fog coalesced into a human form. No, it seemed as if the gray fog had given birth to a human.


    As the fog receded, it revealed a woman in her mid-twenties. Her eyes were wide with a mix of confusion and awe.


    Shane smiled after seeing how the woman was dressed.


    "Perfect¡­" He muttered.


    ***


    In the meantime, as Alexa found herself in unfamiliar surroundings, she couldn''t help but feel a bit excited.


    "This¡­ Am I finally out?" Alexa muttered as memories came rushing to her head.


    Alexa stood at an average height, her youthful features framed by chestnut hair that cascaded in waves down her shoulders.


    Her eyes, a striking shade of hazel, scanned her surroundings, trying to make sense of the abrupt change in her reality.


    "But where is this ce?"


    She was dressed in a chef''s uniform, the name tag pinned to her chest read "Alexa," and the logo of the prestigious Celestial Towers Hotel in the bustling city of Neo Elysium was embroidered above her heart.


    The city of Neo Man, once a vibrant hub of culture and technology, had been one of the first to sumb to the mysterious fog that heralded the Zombie Outbreak.


    Alexa had been workingte in the hotel''s kitchen when the fog seeped through the streets, swallowing the city in its opaque embrace.


    People vanished, some without a trace, while others seemed untouched. They were left to wander in a daze amidst the chaos.


    Unfortunately for her, Alexa was among those taken by the mysterious gray fog. Herst memory before the fog''s embrace was the panicked screams and the tter of kitchenware. As some Zombies had actually entered the hotel at that time¡­


    Then, it was followed by silence as she was taken by the fog.


    She had no idea how long had passed after she was taken.


    In her unusual state inside the fog, a voice spoke to her¡ªa voice that resonated with the authority of the Lord of the Realms.


    It spoke of the cmity that had befallen her world, of the Zombie Outbreak, and of the Foreign Survivors who fought against the encroaching darkness.


    When her senses returned, Alexa found herself standing in the midst of a ruined estate, the remnants of battles past etched into the broken walls and scorched earth.


    A group of people, weary yet vignt, watched her with cautious hope.


    "Wee to my Shelter... I''m Shane, the owner of this small piece ofnd. May I ask for your name?" Shane''s voice cut through her disorientation, grounding her in the new reality.


    "Alexa¡­" She replied, her voice steadier than she felt.


    "I was a chef at the Celestial Towers... What happened? Where am I? Are you one of those Foreign Survivors?"


    Strangely, Alexa felt that Shane was someone she could trust. It seemed as if this was due to the Lord of the Realm''s will to make her assist this Survivor that was fighting against the Zombies.


    "You''re right¡­ I''m a Foreign Survivor. I also have no idea about this region, but I can tell you that you''re in a safe ce now¡­ We might still be fighting against the Zombies, but with my help, I can assure you that I''ll make this shelter a safe haven for everyone."


    Shane assured her, offering a hand to help her limate to her surroundings and briefly introducing the members of his shelter.


    After some brief introductions, Shane asked a few more questions about Alexa.


    Alexa smiled as she shared her story with Shane. Shane also did the same as he recalled what he learned about the fog from the others.


    "The fog... It''s part of the outbreak or perhaps the one who sent us, Foreign Survivors, here. It takes people, but not randomly. It seems to choose those with certain... talents. You''re here because you have a role to y in this new world." Shane could only say.


    Alexa took a deep breath, her chef''s instincts kicking in. Adaptability was key in any kitchen, and it seemed it would be just as crucial here.


    "I understand¡­" She said, nodding slowly. "What do you need me to do?"


    Shane smiled, the weight of leadership momentarily lifted by the arrival of a new ally.


    "For now, rest if you''re tired. Then, I need you to familiarize yourself with the surroundings. You can also ask Anna if she can pass over some of her tasks to you. As you can see, we''re busy reconstructing our wall¡­ or perhaps fence¡­ Right, I have collected some meat with me, andter, you can try to do something about it.


    We''ll need food, of course, but your talents might extend beyond the culinary. So, we''ll find that out togetherter."


    "Oh¡­ I will make a tasty food. I hope we have some basic seasonings, at the very least. What type of meat is it?" Alexa curiously asked. Since she only had 2 Survivor Skills, both rted to her job as a cook, she was surely excited to contribute to the shelter.


    Shane paused for a moment after hearing the question.


    "That¡­ Well, you see¡­ It''s provided by the mysterious Lord of the Realm. It should be safe." Shane vaguely answered, which made Alexa smile wryly.


    She immediately realized that the source of the meat was suspicious. Nheless, she believed that Shane wouldn''t let them eat Zombie Meat since there was no way he would want his small number of subordinates to lessen even more.


    ***


    Nheless, with the immediate danger averted, and the introduction finished, everyone returned to their tasks, the rhythmic sounds of construction filling the air as they worked to fortify the estate''s defenses.


    Hours ticked by, and the once-broken fence began to stand tall and strong once more.


    "Hmm? Is it here?" Shane muttered.


    Amidst the tter and mor, Shane''s unique title, Territory Lord, manifested its power.


    [ Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ): You can upy and im arge piece ofnd for your development. There is a 100% chance of attracting talented inhabitants of the continent to serve you in your territory every five days! ]


    The estate was soon surrounded by the gray fog as they seemed to pulse with an unseen force. That''s right. This time, Shane was carefully observing the mysterious gray fog.


    After all, this fog seemed to be part of the Apocalypse itself.


    As if on cue, the gray fog churned and twisted, and from its depths emerged a figure¡ªan old man with a dignified air about him.


    ''An old man this time? However, the gray fog took a lot of time to spit this old man out. He''s probably special.'' Shane couldn''t help but think of this since he could remember how the others were easily ''spat out'' by the gray fog before.


    The others who had noticed this event had also paused, tools in hand, as the old man stepped forward.


    His hair was silver, his back slightly stooped from years of service, but his eyes held the sharpness of one who had seen much in his lifetime.


    Before the fog had imed him, the old man had been a butler, serving a nobleman in a grand estate not unlike the one he now found himself in.


    His name was Mr. Wadsworth, and he had been the epitome of loyalty and efficiency, a silent guardian of the household''s secrets and the master''s confidant before the Zombie Outbreak happened.


    The nobleman''s estate, known as Harrington Hall, was nestled in the rolling hills of a region once celebrated for its vineyards and orchards.


    Mr. Wadsworth had arrived there as a young man, quickly rising through the ranks to be the head butler, a position he held with pride and honor.


    His days were spent overseeing the staff, ensuring that every detail of the manor ran like clockwork. From the gleam of the silverware to the precision of the dinner service, Mr. Wadsworth was a man of impable standards.


    Unfortunately, his normal life was broken after Zombie Outbreak, which was followed by the Mysterious Gray Fog abduction, that had descended upon the world.


    It brought chaos that was harsher than the previous kingdom wars. Of course, Harrington Hall did not remain untouched. The nobleman and his family fled, leaving Mr. Wadsworth and the remaining staff to fend for themselves against the encroaching darkness.


    One fateful evening, as Mr. Wadsworth attempted to secure the estate against the relentless tide of the undead, the fog crept through the gardens and into the manor. It wrapped around him like a shroud, and his world faded to gray.


    When he awoke, he heard a mysterious voice giving him an introduction to the new world he had entered¡­


    Indeed, he was no longer in the familiar halls of Harrington Hall but standing before Shane and his band of survivors.

 Chapter 84: The Unknown Meat

    "Wee," Shane greeted the neer, extending a hand.


    "I am Shane, the owner of thisnd. You should know me better as a Foreign Survivor. What''s your name, sir?"


    "So it is Master Shane¡­ You can call me Mr. Wadsworth¡­" The old butler replied, epting the handshake with a firm grip.


    "It seems I am to serve once more, in a capacity quite different from what I am ustomed to..."


    He muttered while looking to his left, where a couple of Crawler Zombies were dragging their bodies to reach their estate.


    Shane just smiled at this as he allowed Gene to kill those Zombies and loot them as well.


    Shane simply introduced him to everyone in the Shelter, and soon, he learned more about Mr. Wadsworth. The man was actually in his fifties already, but aside from some wrinkles and his silver hair, he still had a decent physique for his age.


    It seemed that he trained his body really well.


    "Right¡­ Let me show you the skills I''ve learned."


    [ Elegant Service (Lv10 - Max): Mr. Wadsworth''s years of impable service have honed his ability to cater to the needs of others with grace and precision.


    +40% efficiency in attending to guests'' requests or needs.


    +40% effectiveness in organizing events or gatherings.


    +40% chance to uncover hidden information through discreet observation. ]


    [ Antique Appraisal (Lv10 - Max): Having managed a nobleman''s estate, Mr. Wadsworth developed an eye for valuable artifacts and antiques. It grants the following benefits:


    +30% uracy in identifying the historical significance and value of ancient items.


    +30% chance to recognize enchanted or magical objects.


    +30% speed in assessing the authenticity of art and collectibles. ]


    [ Loyal Retainer (Lv10 - Max): Mr. Wadsworth''s unwavering loyalty makes him a steadfastpanion. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% resistance against mental maniption or betrayal.


    +40% effectiveness in inspiring trust and camaraderie among allies.


    +40% chance to rally others during critical moments. ]


    "Ohh¡­ You surely possessed the qualification to be the best butler out there, Mr. Wadsworth¡­" Shanemented after seeing the man''s skills. The Elegant Service was quite expected of a man with a lot of experience, but the Antique Appraisal skill was something that surprised him. This would be very useful!


    After all, he hadn''t fully explored the Manor yet before it felt as if it would copse anytime as one of its foundations was destroyed. He would have to consider making a few posts for it to ensure that it wouldn''t copse before thinking of fully exploring the Manor.


    Anyway, Shane could only hope that he gets a great structural engineer next time.


    As for the Loyal Retainer, Shane liked this skill as well. After all, it could also affect others through its passive effect! This person was certainly the best one to lead the Shelter while he was out exploring!


    "I''m honored¡­" Mr. Wadsworth replied with a smile, seeing that Shane was happy about his skill set.


    The thought of having a man with such refined talents by his side filled Shane with a sense of reassurance.


    After some thought, Mr. Wadsworth''s offered to prepare drinks for everyone. After all, he could see everyone working hard, and in terms ofbor work, he wouldn''t be as efficient as Cassius and Mara, who could probably lift five of him with one hand.


    Of course, the offer was met with gratitude.


    Shane nodded appreciatively. "That would be wonderful, Mr. Wadsworth. These guys have been working tirelessly, and a warm drink would lift our spirits."


    Shane then asked him to visit Anna to help with this.


    Well, Shane remembered Anna''s herb collection. She had been diligent in scouting the area for useful nts.


    He decided to have the butler seek her out and inquire about the herbs she had found that could be used as tea. That''s right, perhaps they could brew some herbal teas to soothe their nerves and boost their energy.


    Anna was near the edge of the orchard, her hands stained with soil as she tended to a row of young apple trees. Her eyes brightened when she saw Shane and Mr. Wadsworth approaching.


    "Anna, you''re not with Alexa?" Shane greeted her.


    "Oh¡­ She''s already preparing the meat you showed us. It''s a good thing that I gathered enough herbs, spices, and mushrooms. She said she can make us something good." Anna replied.


    "T-that''s good." Shane replied as he turned to the butler.


    "Right, Mr. Wadsworth wants to prepare some drinks for everyone. Do you have any herbs we can use for that?"


    "Yes! Gene found them. It seems that he''s also experienced foraging in the forest. I believe it''s during his days as a Paige." Anna replied.


    She then wiped her hands on her apron and led Shane to a small patch of wild chamomile and mint. They had actually transferred the whole nt and not just taken them!


    Shane didn''t know about that since he rarelye to this part of the estate.


    "These should do nicely¡­" She said.


    "Chamomile for rxation and mint for a refreshing vor."


    Shane thanked her and allowed Mr. Wadsworth to work on the task of preparing drinks.


    It seemed that Mr. Wadsworth also nned to set up a makeshift kitchen outside to prepare the tea.


    After some time, the aroma of brewing herbs filled the air as the butler worked his magic.


    Soon, cups of chamomile-mint tea were distributed among the survivors, and the warmth of the liquid eased their fatigue.


    The day passed swiftly as they continued expanding the wooden walls. Shane supervised the construction, ensuring that each section was sturdier than thest. They reinforced weak points, added extrayers, and even devised a clever system of hiddenpartments to store emergency supplies. There were even a couple of hidden doors arranged in case they needed to escape this ce stealthily¡­


    This was the butler''s suggestion as he recalled how his previous master escaped the Harrington Hall secretly.


    After the walls were arranged, Gene was assisted by Mara in fortifying the gate, reinforcing it with metal tes that Leo provided. Most of them came from the metal that Shane had disassembled and the metals from the crashed ne...


    Leo, on the other hand, contributed more by crafting sturdy iron brackets to hold the gate in ce. Everyone worked in harmony, their skillsplementing one another.


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, Shane surveyed their progress. The orchard was now partially enclosed, and the wooden walls stood tall, forming a protective barrier around their shelter.


    Exhausted but satisfied, they gathered around a campfire, sipping the herbal tea Mr. Wadsworth had prepared.


    The campfire crackled; its warmth was like aforting embrace against the chill of the post-apocalyptic world.


    They sat in a circle, their eyes reflecting both exhaustion and satisfaction for the day that had passed. Even Lucky joined them in circle.


    Alexa, her chef''s apron still stained from earlier''s work, moved gracefully among them. They were about to experience her culinary skills, it felt like it was a beacon of normalcy in this chaotd.


    Previously, when she saw the mysterious meat, she raised an eyebrow but didn''t question its origin. After all, as an experienced chef, she had seen many kinds of meat but the one she had to prepare was something first.


    Nheless, she knew that she had to ept what they could get.


    Currently, the Unknown Meaty on a makeshift tter, its texture unfamiliar yet promising.


    ''It looks good¡­ It should be fine¡­'' Shane thought.


    Anywayn, the system assured him it was safe. The only problem was his knowledge that it had been looted from a zombie. That was what troubled his mind.


    Then, Shane immediately praised the chef.


    "Alex¡­" Shane said, his voice was low¡­ "This looked really great¡­"


    "Yes¡­ Just from the smell of it, I''m already excited¡­" Leo added.


    "That''s true¡­ Meat! We''re finally having it!" Harper said with augh. He didn''t care where it came from.


    "Right, I think you should also prepare thest one. Let''s finish them all tonight. We''ll gather more meatter¡­" Shane said. In any case, they don''t have a refrigerator to store it.


    Apparently, from the three units of meat, Alexa had only cooked two of them.


    "Alright!" Alexa answered.


    And so, with deft hands, she seasoned the meat with herbs from Anna''s collection, blending into a fragrant rub.


    The fire danced beneath the makeshift grill, casting flickering shadows in the area.


    Soon, the aroma of sizzling meat filled the air. The survivors couldn''t help but lean forward, as their stomachs growling in anticipation.


    As Alexa served the Unknown Meat to everyone, Shane noticed how she transformed the simple dish.


    After taking a piece of it in on his te, Shane took his first bite.


    It was a burst of vors that defied their grim surroundings.


    The meat was tender, infused with hints of earthy herbs and a touch of smokiness. It melted in their mouths, and for a moment, they forgot about the horrors beyond the walls of their estate.

 Chapter 85: New Survivor Store

    No one asked where the meat came from.


    No one questioned its origin.


    Instead, they savored each piece, their eyes closing in bliss.


    The Unknown Meat was tasty, and if they had a satiety percentage above their heads, they were definitely at 100% already!


    "Alexa¡­" Shane said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "You''ve made a great meal for us, thank you... Right, it''s also thanks to Anna''s gathering skills. You''ve both done well."


    Anna proudly smiled at this. "Yes¡­ So you should buy Lucky''s food if they appeared in your Survivor Store." She replied with augh.


    Alexa also grinned, her eyes crinkling at the corners.


    "It''s all in the seasoning¡­" She softly replied¡­


    It was also at this time that Alexa shared her set of skills.


    [ Culinary Intuition (Lv10 - Max): Alexa''s innate sense of taste and creativity allows her to craft exceptional dishes. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% chance to create unique recipes that boost morale or provide healing effects.


    +40% effectiveness in improvising meals from limited ingredients.


    +40% speed in identifying the best cooking methods for various ingredients. ]


    [ Kitchen Improvisation (Lv10 - Max): Alexa''s experience in busy hotel kitchens taught her to adapt swiftly to unexpected situations. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% effectiveness in using makeshift tools or equipment.


    +40% chance to salvage usable ingredients from seemingly spoiled or damaged food.


    +40% speed in preparing meals under pressure. ]


    "Right, after cooking this meat, I got a new Survivor Skill¡­" Alexa excitedly said as she shared her new skill to everyone.


    [ vor Harmonization ( Lv1 ): Alexa''s pte can discern subtle nuances in vors, allowing her to create perfectly bnced dishes. It grants the following benefits:


    +8% chance to enhance the taste and nutritional value of meals.


    +8% effectiveness inbining ingredients for optimal synergy.


    +8% resistance against food poisoning or contamination. ]


    "With this Skill, I''ll make tastier food!"


    This news certainly brought happiness to everyone. Who wouldn''t like tastier food?


    "Congrattions, Alexa¡­ Actually, I also learned another skill. It happened a couple of days ago." Anna replied as she showed her new skills to everyone.


    [ Botanical Mastery ( Lv1 ): Anna''s affinity for natural remedies extends to a deep understanding of nt properties. It grants the following benefits:


    +10% effectiveness in identifying medicinal herbs or nts.


    +10% chance to create potent poultices or infusions.


    +10% speed in harvesting and processing botanical ingredients. ]


    As they talked about these skills, Shane was actually the happiest among the group. After all, if these people got better, his Shelter would have more dependable people, and he would have peace of mind leaving the Shelter to explore other areas.


    Well, he might even reach the point where he could leave this ce and make another settlement from a distantnd and gather other inhabitants there to increase his power and influence if that was what he needed to end this Apocalypse.


    ''Right¡­ I have to be careful since I don''t have the power to turn back time anymore¡­ That bracelet from Grandpa Merlin is gone.'' Shane thought as he knew that he really had to follow the advice that his future self had given.


    He couldn''t just survive here. He had to end this!


    ***


    Around the fire, the survivors shared stories andughter with their newfound camaraderie. They have two new members in their small family, so they have a lot of things to know with each other.


    The origin of the Unknown Meat had be a secret they kept, a shared experience that bound them together.


    As the night wore on, they leaned back, bellies full, and listened to the distant moans of the undead. These Walker Zombies weren''t going anywhere with the walls they''ve made. There was no need to take care of them right now.


    Shane knew they were safe, but vignce remained their watchword.


    He still informed Cloud to monitor the surroundings and wake him up if they were being attacked or if a Jumper Zombie or any other strong Zombie was headed to their estate.


    On the morning of the next day, Shane woke early.


    The first thing he did was open his Survivor Store¡ªa system interface that allowed him to trade his Zombie Cores for essential items.


    He hoped to find something valuable today, perhaps a rare blueprint or a cache of ammunition. Furthermore, his recent level-up allowed him to get two more options in this Store!


    As the others stirred from their slumber, Shane studied new items being sold, ready to make strategic choices for their survival.


    [ Ghost Pepper Energy Bar: Apact energy bar infused with ghost pepper extract. Boosts health and stamina. It can be cooked with water and heat. Also provides a short-term boost to speed and damage. The spicy aroma can distract certain zombies with a strong sense of smell.


    Price: 2 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 10/10 ]


    [ Zombie Doll: A cute and creepy doll that resembles a zombie in appearance and sound. It can be held by a Survivor who wants to avoid getting noticed by low-tier Zombies but with limited durability and effectiveness. It has a +100% chance of making low-tier Zombies ignore the user. It ispletely ineffective against Spitter Zombies, Mid-Tier, and High-Tier Zombies.


    This item can be used twice for three hours by popping the zombie doll''s eyes.


    Price: 30 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3/3 ]


    [ Zombie Repellent Candle: A scented candle emitting a fragrance repugnant to zombies. Creates a safe zone within a limited area. Ideal for securing a temporary shelter or rest spot.


    Price: 22 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ Tier 1 Silent Step Boots: A pair of reinforced boots with noise-absorbing soles. Perfect for stealthy movement, especially when avoiding zombie hordes or scouting.


    Price: 18 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2 ]


    [ Crowbar: A multipurpose tool for prying open doors, breaking locks, and smashing zombie skulls.


    Price: 5 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ Emergency re Gun: A re gun that shoots bright res into the sky. It can signal for help or distract zombies.


    Price: 15 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3 ]


    "Ohh¡­ These are good items." Shane muttered after seeing the six items being sold.


    Without hesitation, he bought all the Crowbars, spending 25 Zombie Cores. With 500 Zombie Cores in his possession, he didn''t have to worry about their prices at all.


    Shane also purchased two pairs of Silent Step Boots. After all, he wanted Anna to be safer when exploring the outside to gather materials. It would be the same for anyone who would apany her.


    These boots would add ayer of protection to them. That was another 36 Zombie Cores gone in his Inventory.


    Then, after some hesitations, Shane purchased a couple of Zombie Repellent Candles, spending 44 Zombie Cores.


    He might consider using these candles in case he gets too engrossed exploring other areas and didn''t have the time to return to the Shelter.


    He also purchased two re Guns for 30 Zombie Cores. He nned to keep one for himself and another one for the Butler¡­ He should know when to use this re Gun since it could distract Zombies in case of emergency.


    Just like that, Shane already spent 135 Zombie Cores. An amount that many Survivors could probably not imagine.


    As for the Ghost Pepper Energy Bar, Shane didn''t bother purchasing it as there was some better food he could buy in the Store.


    Finally, Shane turned his attention to the two items that could stay in the Store for 7 days. He was expecting these items to be more expensive and he was not wrong!


    [ Serrated Reaper de (Rare): A serrated sword designed to shred through zombie flesh effortlessly. It has a +80% chance of causing deep wounds that slow down zombies.


    Price: 60 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    [ Electric Shock de ( Master ): A sword infused with electricity, delivering shocking blows to undead foes. It has a +80% chance of stunning zombies temporarily.


    Price: 180 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing this!


    A Rare and Epic weapon had actually appeared!


    Of course, Shane did not hesitate to purchase them!


    Furthermore, Shane used his two 75% Off Vouchers when purchasing them! Thanks to that, the Serrated Reaper de only cost him 15 Zombies Cores, while the Electric Shock de was only 45 Zombie Cores!


    After confirming the purchase, Shane immediately took the first de out form his inventory.


    Shane''s hands trembled with anticipation as he unwrapped the Serrated Reaper de from its protective sheath.


    The de gleamed under the dim light of his tent, its serrated edge promising swift destruction to any undead that dared cross his path.


    ''Oh? Is this a used sword?'' Shane mused as he noticed something from the de.


    Each groove in the de seemed to tell tales of battles fought and victories won against the zombie hordes.


    Running his fingers along the cold steel, Shane marveled at the craftsmanship that went into creating such a fearsome weapon. The weight of the sword felt reassuring in his grip¡­


    The Serrated Reaper de''s handle was wrapped in worn leather. It seemed that his initial guess was right as the worn leather was a testament to its previous owner''s battles.

 Chapter 86: Explore

    "Awesome..." Shane muttered with an excited glint in his eye as he visualized the zombies falling before him. Not only the low-tier Zombies but also the mid-tier Zombies would surely be unable to withstand the might of his new weapon.


    Turning his attention to the Electric Shock de, Shane felt a surge of excitement course through him. This de crackled with blue energy, hinting at the powerful shocks it could deliver to his enemies.


    The de hummed softly, almost as if it was eager to unleash its electrifying potential on any zombie foolish enough to approach.


    "Now¡­ This feels a lot better." Shane thought as he recalled his early stages in the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse. In that Apocalypse, he was only able to obtain this level of item in the Survivor Store during his fifth month in the Apocalypse.


    This time, however, he got such an advanced weapon a lot earlier! Not even a month had passed!


    Those vouchers had trulye in clutch¡­


    "Let''s see."


    The hilt of the Electric Shock de was adorned with intricate circuit patterns, glowing faintly in the darkness of the tent.


    Shane marveled at the fusion of technology and mysterious craftsmanship that made this sword a deadly marvel.


    With a quick flick of his wrist, he activated the de, causing arcs of electricity to dance along its edge, casting eerie shadows inside the tent¡­


    ''It''s a pity I don''t have sword mastery¡­ However, maybe I can learn them naturally, just like the others. I should just try using it." Shane muttered.


    As he held both des in his hands, he knew that he was now armed not just with weapons, but with tools that would help him survive and thrive in the unforgiving world of the Zombie Apocalypse.


    After some contemtion, Shane decided to give the Serrated Reaper de to Gene, the only person in the estate with Level 10 Swordsmanship Skill. It would be a wise decision if this knight had the best weapon with such a level of skill.


    Of course, he nned to upgrade this first before handing it over.


    Without hesitation, Shane decided to use his Item Upgrade Crystals to advance the Reaper de.


    In any case, he only had to spend 10 Crystals to upgrade from Rare to Exceptional and 30 Crystals from Exceptional to Master.


    After ritual of the upgrading process waspleted, Shane immediately checked its current description.


    [ Serrated Reaper de ( Master ): A powerful weapon that reaps through the undead with unmatched ferocity. Crafted from the finest steel and imbued with ancient runes, this de is a symbol of death and destruction in the hands of a skilled warrior. It can cut through multiple zombies with a single swing, leaving a trail of carnage in its wake.


    The de''s serrated edges drip with the blood of the fallen, instilling fear in the hearts of any who stand in its way.


    Effects:


    +90% damage against Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies, +20% against Spitter Zombies,+30% Critical Chance, +25% Attack Speed


    Special Effects:


    Reaper''s Call: The de resonates with the spirits of the fallen, granting the wielder increased strength and agility. It has a +120% chance of draining life from zombies to heal the yer.


    Cost: 100 Spirit Points


    Death''s Embrace: The Serrated Reaper de exudes a chilling aura that freezes zombies upon contact, slowing their movements and making them more vulnerable to attacks. It has a +80% chance of causing freezing damage.


    Cost: 80 Spirit Points ]


    "This is awesome¡­"


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing the effects.


    The Reaper''s Call and the Death''s Embrace were sure important. The only thing he has to worry about was whether Gene could utilize these effects since the skill requires a lot of Spirit Points to use.


    It was at this time he recalled to check the full description of the Electric Shock de that he purchased.


    [ Electric Shock de (Master): A sword infused with electricity, delivering shocking blows to undead foes. This de is capable of delivering devastating shocks to zombies, frying their undead flesh and leaving them twitching in agony. Its blue lightning arcs with each swing, illuminating the darkness of the Apocalypse with its dazzling disy.


    It has a +80% chance of stunning zombies temporarily.


    Effects: +100% electric shock damage against all Zombies, +30% against Mechanized Zombie, +35% Critical Chance, +20% Attack Speed


    Special Effects:


    Thunderous Strike: The de releases a thunderous shockwave upon impact, stunning enemies in its vicinity and disrupting their movements. It has a +120% chance of causing electric damage.


    Cost: 100 Spirit Points


    Surge of Power: The Electric Shock de channels a surge of electricity into the wielder, boosting attack speed and damage output for a short duration. It has a +100% chance of increasing attack speed and damage.


    Cost: 110 Spirit Points ]


    As soon as Shane read the description of the item and its effects, he immediately realized that there would be Mechanized Zombies!


    A Mechanized Zombie means one thing: someone was definitely experimenting with these zombies and making them strong! He does not believe that these Zombies were strong enough to mechanize themselves!


    "This¡­" Shane was stunned for a moment.


    For others who were only thinking of surviving and killing as many zombies as they could, they''d just think that they would have tougher zombies to kill once they heard about the Mechanized Zombie.


    It would just be a higher-tier Zombie for them, and it was just a part of the "game."


    However, for Shane, who wanted to end the Apocalypse and not just survive, this might be a clue to end the Apocalypse.


    Perhaps there was an organization "arming" these Zombies all this time!


    "Mhmmm¡­" Shane paused for a moment as he considered this a serious matter.


    What if the Zombies weren''t mutating "naturally"? What if it wasn''t an ident that Project Z failed and the people in theboratory turned into flesh-eating monsters?


    Shane couldn''t help but shudder at this thought.


    However, he knew that thinking about this now wouldn''t help. After all, it wasn''t even a month since he had been here. He still had a lot of things to learn about this Apocalypse.


    As the morning unfolded, Shane and the rest of the group resumed their daily tasks. Gene and Mara focused on fortifying the walls, ensuring their defenses were sturdy against the undead threat.


    Meanwhile, Harper and Leo dedicated their efforts to their craft.


    Anna and Alexa made preparations to venture outside, apanied by Cassius, their Super Soldier, and their loyalpanion Lucky, the border collie.


    Mr. Wadsworth set his sights on tending to the orchard, nurturing the nts and trees that sustained them within thepound.


    With a n to investigate the dpidated manor for potential resourcester, Mr. Wadsworth decided to do itter once one of the Super Soldiers was avable.


    Shane, on the other hand, feltpelled to explore a different section beyond the estate''s boundaries this time.


    Instead of heading to the Iron Mine, he thought of going back to the road where he had previously encountered the towering Giant Zombie.


    He was eager to uncover any clues that might aid their quest to confront the mysteries of the Apocalypse.


    ***


    Before leaving the estate, Shane wore his set of equipment. They were his Shadowmeld Tunic, Enchanted Chitin te, Shroud of Shadow Cape, Crawler''s Grasp Gloves, and Crawler Fang Daggers tied on his waist for added effects.


    As for his boots, they were still his Tier 4 Survivor Boots until he found something better.


    Shane didn''t forget to hand over the Serrated Reaper de to Gene¡­


    As Shane handed over the Serrated Reaper de to Gene, a look of reverence and gratitude crossed Gene''s features. He weighed the weapon in his hand, a glint of admiration in his eyes as he acknowledged the significance of this gesture from Shane.


    "Thanks, Shane. I''ll make sure to use this sword well and protect this ce from the zombies¡­" Gene remarked, his voice tinged with gratitude for Shane''s trust.


    After all, he could easily tell that this weapon was really precious without looking at its description.


    Shane nodded in understanding, silent amity passing between them as they prepared for their respective tasks.


    "Take care of it, Gene." Shane replied as he set off on his way to the forest.


    Soon, he was on the road and during this time, he intersected with three Walker Zombies. However, these low-tier Zombies were no match for Shane''s honed skills at this point.


    With swift work, he dispatched the undead with a single hit on each of their heads. His current stat points and weapons were just too high already.


    As he drew closer to the site of his previous encounter with the Giant Zombie, a sense of tension coiled in the air¡­ Although his Perception range didn''t detect any enemies, he still decided to stop.


    As expected, it didn''t take long before Cloud, his faithful A.I. assistant, alerted him to the presence of Jumper Zombies. These agile zombies were leaping through the canopy with unnatural speed!


    However, behind them was actually the Zombie he was searching for! It was the Giant Zombie!

 Chapter 87: First Kill

    As Shane ventured towards the forest, the familiar groans of the undead reached his ears. Three Walker Zombies shambled into his path, their decaying forms no longer as scary as they had been before.


    Shane was now undeterred by their sight, but he was still unable to endure their smell for a long time...


    With the Electric Shock de in hand, he knew he was more than a match for these low-tier zombies.


    With urate strikes and fast attack speed, Shane thrusts his de.


    Bzztt~


    The de''s electric energy surged through the zombies, their bodies convulsing as the current overwhelmed them.


    Each fell with a single, decisive blow, their heads severed from their bodies.


    Shane''s skill and the de''s power made short work of the threat.


    As he continued on his way, the road that was previously used by the travelers became clearer and the forest along the way grew denser.


    The shadows started going deeper as Shane approached the site of his previous encounter with the Giant Zombie.


    He moved cautiously, his senses alert. Though his Perception range revealed nothing, his instincts told him to be wary.


    Suddenly, Cloud, his A.I. assistant, broke the silence.


    [ Warning: Three Jumper Zombies detected. ]


    The alert was immediate.


    Shane looked up just in time to see the Jumper Zombies leaping through the trees, their movements were unnaturally swift.


    But behind them, the true challenge loomed¡ªthe Giant Zombie.


    It was a hulking beast. Its massive form could be seen towering above the trees!


    Shane didn''t hesitate.


    He wasn''t sure if the Jumper Zombies were fleeing from the Giant Zombie or if they were all working together, but he knew very well that he should kill these Zombies!


    He activated the Electric Shock de''s Power Surge, the de started buzzing with intensified energy. The expenditure of 110 Spirit Points was a small price to pay for the power it unleashed.


    Whoosh~


    The Jumper Zombies descended, but Shane was ready.


    The de moved with him, but it appears that he was using an axe with whom he was using the de!


    Well, it couldn''t be helped since his Axe Mastery had already reached level 10.


    His habit couldn''t be easily changed.


    The first Jumper Zombie met its end mid-leap, the electric shock stopping it cold.


    [ You have eliminated a Jumper Zombie. ]


    The second and third followed, each dispatched with a thunderous strike that left their bodies smoking on the forest floor.


    [ You have eliminated a Jumper Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Jumper Zombie. ]


    Just like that, Shane killed the Jumper Zombies so easily. Even with his Master-Grade Hatchet, he wouldn''t be able to kill them unless he managed to hit their brains.


    However, with the de''s additional 100% Electric Damage to the Zombies, he was able to fry their brains even if he only hit their bodies!


    "This is awesome¡­" Shane muttered as he knew that in the next Zombie Wave, he would be able to kill Zombies faster with this weapon. Perhaps, he would be able to unlock more hidden quests at that time!


    As he was thinking of looting the items, the ground suddenly shook as the Giant Zombie moved.


    Aaaaahhhh~


    The Giant Zombie roared, a sound that made the earth tremble and shook the leaves from the trees.


    "Can I defeat this guy?" Shane thought as he took a deep breath¡­


    However, he really had no time to think about this since the Giant Zombie had already seen him after he killed the Jumper Zombies!


    Shane gritted his teeth as he faced the Giant Zombie head-on. In any case, he believed that this Zombie was considered the area boss, simr to the Tyrant Zombie that Raze had killed in the sewers.He would have to kill this zombie eventually.


    Hu~


    Shane took a deep breath as he held his Electric Shock de tightly and waited for its attack!


    He knew this battle would be fierce because of the Giant Zombie''s formidable strength, but Shane''s resolve was stronger¡­ With his set of equipment, he knew that he had a chance as long as the Giant Zombie wouldn''t remain standing or out of his reach!


    The earth trembled with each step it took, and the air was filled with electric tension from Shane''s de. The other Shane, from his memories, had also fought against towering enemies in the A.I. Rebellion. These figures were obviously mechanized and controlled by Anima.


    With this experience also imbued in his mind, he wasn''tpletely clueless about how to deal with such a being.


    Boom!


    Shane dodged a sweeping arm, rolled beneath a crushing blow, and delivered a series of rapid strikes to its arm!


    However, it wasn''t too effective against the Giant.


    Shane knew he had to be smart to survive this encounter.


    He activated the Shadow Blend of his tunic, melding into the shadows cast by the nearby trees. The Giant Zombie swung its massive arms through the trees, splintering trunks and sending a couple of birds scattering into the sky¡­


    Shane had no time to be happy at the sight of real birds as he moved with haste, with the addition of his cape''s Lesser Shadowmeld effect, he was like a ghost flitting through the destruction!


    "Thismotion will just attract more Zombies¡­ I need to end this as quickly as possible." Shane thought as he asked Cloud to find the Zombie''s possible weakness aside from severing its head or destroying its brain. After all, it was too high! His de won''t reach its head.


    As for his revolver, he had a feeling that it would have difficulty piercing its body, and the bullets would just get stuck in its muscles.


    Whom~


    Shane then emerged from the shadows behind the behemoth but he was still a bit injured because of the various objects being thrown away everywhere from that attack¡­


    Nheless, the Regeneration on his Chitin te worked to heal the scratches he had earned from that blow. It wasn''t too much, but it was hindering his movement a bit, so he decided to activate the Regeneration effect.


    He could immediately feel his strength returning as he continued to confront the enemies.


    With a burst of speed granted by his equipment, heunched himself at the Giant Zombie''s back. This was thanks to his Shadowmeld Tunic, which provides a 15% boost in his jumping strength!


    Bzzt~


    The Electric Shock de hummed with power, a beacon of blue light in the dim forest¡­


    Shane struck, the de''s Thunderous Strike effect released a shockwave that rippled through the air.


    Aaarrgghh!!!


    The Giant Zombie roared in pain as the electric damage sizzled through its flesh, stunning it momentarily.


    But the creature was resilient.


    It recovered quickly, its massive arms swinging wildly to crush Shane. He rolled beneath a crushing blow, feeling the wind from the missed attack whip across his face.


    Shane then delivered a series of rapid strikes to its arm, each hit apanied by the sound of sizzling flesh and the smell of burnt rotten flesh.


    The Giant Zombie turned, its eyes filled with a hunger for destruction. This was probably its first time being hurt by a small survivor!


    It reached for Shane with hands that could crush stone.


    Shane dodged again, using the agility his equipment afforded him. Yes, he was truly thankful for the Crypt Crawler Set that he obtained at the Iron Mine. The agility boost was indeed a lot better than having a boost in strength!


    Shane moved freely and avoided each attempt of the Giant Zombie to catch him!


    He needed to end this quickly.


    Since his Spirit Points were draining, and he couldn''t afford a prolonged battle. Although he still had about half of his Spirit Points, he still needed to be careful since there could more Zombies approaching them now.


    With a roar of his own, Shane leaped high, propelled by his Tunic.


    Time seemed to slow as he drove the Electric Shock de deep into the Giant Zombie''s chest. Cloud actually suggested hitting the heart of the Zombie instead!


    Graaarghh~


    The creature''s roar turned into a gurgle as the electricity coursed through its body.


    Shane used his de''s Power Surge repeatedly! As the Giant Zombie struggled, its body convulsed, and Shane was thrown away, leaving the de on the Zombie''s chest still emitting electric damage!


    As Shane dropped to the ground, he switched his weapon as he armed himself with his pistol.


    However, he noticed that the Giant Zombie''s movements became erratic, then sluggish, and then it stopped altogether.


    Boom¡­


    With a shudder that shook the forest, the Giant Zombie copsed, defeated.


    [ You have defeated a Giant Zombie ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate Giant Zombie, a high-tier zombie! ]


    [ Hint: Only the first elimination of each Mid-Tier and High-Tier zombie can provide special rewards! ]


    [ You can select two rewards: Instant Experience Potion x5, Zombie Cores x70, Random Giftpack x3, 75% Discount Voucher x2, Item Upgrade Crystals x10, Incendiary Bomb x10 ]


    Shane stood victorious, his breath heavy, his Spirit points almost diminished just from that battle...


    However, as he saw his rewards, his eyes lit up in excitement.

 Chapter 88: Guests

    As expected, he was the first to eliminate a Giant Zombie!


    The Electric Shock de had truly served him well, its abilities could easily turn the tide of the battle.


    "Cloud, are there any Zombies nearby?"


    [ No. The roar of the Giant Zombie made a couple of Spitter Zombies flee. ]


    "Ah? Did they get scared? I guess that makes sense¡­" Shane replied with a gentle nod.


    Well, before he starts looting and selecting his reward, he needs to ensure that he won''t be ambushed by a Zombie. Now that he confirmed that the surroundings were safe, he sheathed the weapon¡­


    The first thing he needed to do was to select two rewards from the options!


    [ You can select two rewards: Instant Experience Potion x5, Zombie Cores x70, Random Giftpack x3, 75% Discount Voucher x2, Item Upgrade Crystals x10, Incendiary Bomb x10 ]


    This was incredible!


    There was even a new option to select, the Incendiary Bombs! Shane was quite curious about this bomb, but after some thought, he believed that his Revolvers that could shoot Burning Bullets would do quite the same job.


    After some hesitations, he decided to select the five Instant Experience Potion and the three Random Giftpacks.


    Then, without wasting more time, he drank all the potions!


    [ You have gained 100 Experience Points ]


    [ You have gained 100 Experience Points ]


    ¡­


    [ You have gained 100 Experience Points ]


    "I didn''t level up, huh¡­" Shane muttered after getting a total of 500 experience points. Well, it was quite expected since he had already noticed that after reaching level 15, the number of experience points he needed seemed to have multiplied by more than three times.


    Then Shane decided to open the three Random Giftpacks. Once again, they appear in the inventory as gift boxes with a question mark on all sides.


    Shane took out one of them and opened it without hesitation. He saw the familiar special effects as the box started unwrapping itself to reveal the gift pack inside.


    [ You have obtained a Stealth Gift Pack. ]


    "Not bad¡­" Shane muttered. He no longer wasted his time and continued with it.


    [ You have obtained a Weapon Gift Pack. ]


    [ You have obtained a Food Gift Pack. ]


    "Mhmm¡­" Shane nodded in satisfaction after seeing the Gift Packs. The Stealth, Weapon, and Food Gift Packs weren''t that bad. Although he preferred seeing the Transport Gift Pack as he was quite curious about the folding bicycle, he didn''t mind these three at all.


    After finishing this, Shane then proceeded with the looting process. He first looted the Giant Zombie as he was already excited to see what kind of items it''d give him.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes¡­"


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x5, Zombie Cores x5, 100mL Giant Zombie Blood, Spirit Breakthrough Bottle x2, Decayed Giant''s Tooth, Giant''s Hide, Titan''s Elixir, Giant''s Heart ]


    "Awesome¡­" Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing the items he obtained. There was no food or water included, but he didn''t mind it at all!


    Nheless, he controlled himself for now as he still had three Jumper Zombies to loot.


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, Strength Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, Strength Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, Strength Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    Just like that, Shane obtained 3 Strength Enhancement Bottles again!


    He didn''t waste any more time as he drank all three of them immediately.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets


    Level: 18


    Vitality: 146/190


    Spirit: 310/1,000


    Strength: 50


    Agility: 93 (+46 )


    Luck: 20


    Perception: 20


    Shane smiled after seeing his current status¡­ However, as he nced at his Inventory System to check the items that he obtained from the Giant Zombie, he suddenly realized that he had two Spirit Breakthrough Bottles!


    It wasn''t just an enhancement bottle!


    Now that he thinks about it, the Giant Zombie actually gave this to him! He just failed to notice that it was different as he just skimmed through the notification. He thought it was the usual Spirit Enhancement Bottle!


    Needless to say, Shane was curious to try this as this might be the chance to exceed his current limit!


    However, before he could even take the potions out, Cloud''s warning appeared.


    [ Human signatures approaching. Caution advised. ]


    Without a second thought, Shane activated his Traceless Breath Talent, which was followed by his equipment''s Shadow Blend and Lesser Shadowmeld effect. As soon as he did this, his presence faded from perception as if he were never there.


    He watched, hidden in the shadows, as the group of people, whom he suspected as Scavengers, entered the clearing.


    Well, he guessed as much since their way of clothing seemed a bit too bad for the Foreign Survivors.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    The scavengers were a motley crew, their gear cobbled together from the remnants of a world long gone. They moved in a very adept manner, hinting at their experience¡­


    Their eyes were scanning the area, searching for clues to the recent battle.


    "Look at this," One of them, a burly man with a scarred face, called out, pointing at the scorched earth. "Something big went down here."


    A woman with hair like a raven''s feathers knelt, touching the ground. "And recently too. The energy residue is still dissipating."


    The youngest of the group, a wiry youth with keen eyes, circled the perimeter. "No bodies, though. No loot. Whoever did this cleaned up quickly."


    The fourth, a grizzled veteran with a cybeic arm, grunted in agreement. "Too clean. This was a pro, not your average Survivor. These traces show that the zombie was really the giant one."


    Thest of them, a figure cloaked in tattered robes, remained silent, their gaze lingering on the shadows where Shane concealed himself.


    "We''re not alone," they whispered, almost to themselves.


    The group tensed, their hands inching toward weapons as they scanned the forest. But Shane remained still, his breath as silent as ever while his form unseen.


    After a tense moment, the scarred man shook his head.


    "If they''re here, they''re not interested in us. Let''s move on. There''s nothing left for us here."


    The scavengers reluctantly agreed, their disappointment could be seen as they turned to leave. The mystery of the vanquished Giant Zombie and its unseen killer had surely caught their interest.


    However, the fact that the Survivor could kill the Giant Zombie also terrified them a little. After all, there must be a group of strong Survivors around here!


    If their leader would make a guess, the group that had killed the Giant Zombie must have at least ten people!


    Tap. Tap. Tap¡­


    Shane waited until their footsteps faded into the distance, but he didn''t allow himself to rx yet.


    Apparently, Cloud had another warning telling him about the presence of another group of people!


    ''Are they also nning to hunt the Giant Zombie today? Why are they alling here?'' Shane sighed as he followed them at a safe distance; his senses remained alert for any sign of danger.


    It wasn''t long before the sound of raised voices and shing metal reached his ears.


    Peering through the dense foliage, Shane saw the scavengers confronting two foreign survivors.


    ''As expected¡­ Not confronting them a while ago was a good decision.'' Shane thought as he calmed his breathing with the help of his talent.


    ng! ng! ng!


    The atmosphere between the two groups was tense as the Scavengers fought against the Foreign Survivor, who had some unthinkable strength and powerful weapons.


    The Scavengers, driven by the necessity to survive, had the numbers, but the Survivors, armed and skilled, held their ground fiercely.


    "Haaa!"


    Shane then saw a scavenger, lunging forward with a makeshift spear.


    The Survivor, a woman with eyes like steel, parried with a de that gleamed even in the dim light.


    Herpanion, a towering figure with scars etched into his skin, swung a heavy club with devastating force, sending another scavenger sprawling!


    Boom!


    The battle erupted into chaos. Shane watched as the survivors fought back-to-back; their movements were synchronized, and they seemed to have gone through many battles!


    No, they seemed to be treating these Scavengers as intelligent zombies!


    The scavengers were relentless, but their ragged weapons and haphazard tactics couldn''t break the survivors'' defense.


    "This isn''t going to end well¡­ I wonder why they just started fighting¡­" Shane muttered curiously.


    As he considered whether to interrupt them or wait for a winner, Shane saw a Scavenger managed to slip through, aiming a dagger at the woman''s back.


    Shane couldn''t help but grip tightly on his Electric Shock de when he saw the woman about to die. However, to his surprise, the woman spun, her own dagger shing in a counter-arc.


    Bam!


    The scavenger crumpled, a look of surprise etched on his face as he fell!

 Chapter 89: New

    The woman''s strength was higher than they expected.


    It wasn''t surprising for Shane since he knew that the woman''s strength had increased because of their leveling system. It was also not surprising if she was able to obtain some Strength Enhancing Potions from the Zombies or from the Survivor Store.


    "Let''s not worry about them for now¡­" Shane muttered as he observed the battle.


    Therger Survivor roared, a sound that echoed through the trees, and charged.


    It seemed to be an advanced Survivor Skill!


    ''I want that skill too¡­'' Shane couldn''t help but think of this ability. It was probably some kind of Lion''s Roar Skill or something simr.


    Nheless, after that roar of that Survivor,the scavengers scattered, but not quickly enough. The club being held by the huge man found its mark again and again, each hit sounding with a sickening crunch.


    Shane frowned at this sight¡­ Although he had been stained by the blood of other people already, he couldn''t really help but pity those who were losing in the battle.


    Ha~


    Shane sighed as he realized that this was not a battle¡ªit was a ughter. The survivors were not just defending themselves; they were decimating the scavengers.


    He couldn''t really me the Survivors since these scavengers had even dared to steal from his shelter before.


    ''Should I stop them? After all, these Scavengers weren''t their match at all.'' Shane mused, but in the end, he had no idea why they fought with each other.


    He knew he could end the fight with a single sweep of his de, but he hesitated for a moment¡­


    "Tsk¡­"


    Despite his past grievances with the Scavengers, Shane''s conscience stirred at the sight of the impending execution of the skilled Scavengers¡ªa ck-haired woman and a man whose cybeic left arm spoke of battles he survived.


    ''To let them perish here would be a waste of talent¡­'' Shane contemted, his thoughts turning to the ampules in his possession.


    With those, he could transform the Scavengers into formidable allies. With this in mind, he surged forward with a swift movement. His presence was immediately known as he didn''t hide his movements at all.


    He wanted the two Survivors to notice that they had another opponent to deal with!


    "Hmmm? So you finally appeared."


    "I knew it¡­ I can''t tell where you are, but I can feel that someone''s staring at me¡­"


    The two survivors weren''tpletely caught off guard by Shane''s sudden appearance.


    Their eyes even gleamed with a mix of surprise and newfound excitement after confirming that he was alone!


    "This is great! A Survivor! I hope I''ll get a Survivor Skill from your corpseter!" Therger of the two dered, brandishing a spiked club.


    "Haha! Nice timing!" The other chimed in, her de reflecting a predatory smile.


    ''Oh¡­ So they know that killing Survivors can drop Survivor Skills, huh¡­ They must be lucky to obtain one before.''


    "Stop this now¡­ I''ll be taking care of these two Scavengers¡­" Shane said¡­


    "No way, we will be taking all your stuffs! They must be Rare Items!" The woman said as she could tell that Shane''s items were expensive!


    In her mind, Shane was probably lucky enough to purchase them in the Survivor Store!


    Shane couldn''t help but frown as he confirmed that the battle against the was inevitable¡­


    "Fine! Let me teach you a lesson¡­"


    The battle that ensued wasn''t as easy as Shane thought¡­ Nheless, he was confident that he could win!


    Shane''s Electric Shock de crackled with energy as he parried and struck the club-wielding Survivor!


    Bang!


    To his surprise, there was some sort of unnatural force that pushed him back upon contact with the club¡­


    This was shocking since he should have a higher Strength Stat than this person!


    ''Ahh¡­ Is it the knockback effect?!'' Shane''s eyes lit up as he recalled this effect appearing in some other weapons.


    Anyway, even though the survivors were skilled, Shane was on apletely different level, his de hummed through the air, leaving arcs of blue lightning in its wake!


    Therger Survivor swung his club with brute force, aiming to crush Shane''s defenses. But Shane was quick, ducking under the swing and countering with a thrust that sent a jolt of electricity coursing through the man''s body.


    "Aaargghhhh! A tazer sword! Be careful, Eve!"


    The Survivor staggered, his muscles seizing in the grip of the electric shock.


    Eve, the man''s partner, didn''t miss the opportunity as she charged forward¡­ Her strikes were sharp and relentless.


    However, Shane''s Traceless Breath, Lesser Shadowmeld, and Shadow Blend, made him a wraith in the fray, his form flickering in and out of sight as he evaded her de.


    "Y-you¡­ What kind of skill are you using?! This is unfair!" The woman shouted as she gritted her teeth¡­


    He could sense her frustration growing with each missed strike.


    Shane''s strategy was not to maim but to disarm, to show the survivors that their opponent was beyond their reckoning.


    That''s right! He was also nning to take them to his side!


    He aimed to disarm, not to dismember, to demonstrate that their adversary was beyond their measure. With a deft maneuver, he disarmed the woman, her de flying from her grasp and embedding itself in a nearby tree.


    Thud!


    "This¡­"


    The survivors, now weaponless and breathless, faced Shane with a newfound fear and a hint of respect.


    They could tell that Shane could already kill them, but he seemed to have something else in mind.


    "Enough¡­" Shanemanded, his voice carrying a serious tone that they couldn''t disobey¡­


    The survivors, recognizing the futility of furtherbat, nodded¡­


    Their eyes were still wide with the shock of their unexpected defeat.


    "We were just joking¡­ We don''t n to kill and loot you¡­ We just wanted to survive¡­" The female Survivor said.


    "Really now?" Shane muttered. There was no way he would believe them.


    The ck-haired woman and the cybeic-armed man looked at Shane with a mixture of fear and awe. "Who are you?" The woman asked, her voice steady despite the circumstances.


    "It doesn''t matter¡­" Shane replied and thought for a moment.


    Shane then offered them a choice, a chance at a new beginning.


    "Join my camp¡­" Shane said. He wasn''t nning to bring up the ampules yet.


    "W-we can still join you?! T-then, please allow the two of us to be part of your camp¡­"


    "We will work hard for you!"


    The two Survivors immediately agreed to this offer since they also wanted to be in a Shelter! Surviving outside was just too difficult!


    However, Shane wouldn''t trust them so easily as he nned to use the ampules on them as well. Although they looked submissive now, he had no idea what kind of n they had in their minds. It was better to be safe! He just has to pretend that he already trusted them.


    Shane then turned to the two injured Scavengers and made an offer.


    The scavengers exchanged a nce, the possibility of a different path sparking in their eyes.


    They didn''t hesitate to ept the offer since that was their only chance of surviving. They knew they''d be killed once they rejected the offer!


    ***


    In a stadium that was transformed into a Survivor Camp, Travis was standing at the highest seat looking at his territory¡­


    His skin was shimmering with scales that glinted like emeralds in the sun.


    The Legendary Talent called Dragon''s Blood coursed through his veins, rendering him impervious to the gnashing teeth of low-tier zombies. Only mid-tier zombies could possibly hurt him!


    As a half-dragon, he was a beacon of hope and strength in the eyes of the many Survivors in this camp¡­


    With a satisfied gaze, Travis surveyed his four trustedpanions, each a battle-hardened survivor. One of them was even someone he knew from Earth¡­


    His name was Anthony and with him, the control over the camp had gotten a lot easier.


    Together, they had amassed the necessary resources: 100 Zombie Cores and 5 Reputation Points¡ªa small fortune in this Apocalypse World.


    Now, It was time to forge a new legacy, to create a n that would stand as a pir in the chaos!


    "Kukuku¡­ I should be the first one to create a n! Let''s do this!" Travis muttered as he triggered the n Feature of the Apocalypse System.


    Soon, he was asked by the System to name the n.


    Travis pondered the name, seeking one that would encapste their spirit and their bond.


    After a moment of contemtion, it came to him, as clear as the roar of dragonfire.


    "We shall be known as the Drakeheart Vanguard¡­" He dered, and hisrades nodded in agreement, the name resonating with their shared purpose.


    He entered the name into the System¡­ Then, notifications appeared on the four people beside him, confirming that they were part of Travis''s n formation and agreeing that he was the Guild Leader.


    After the four others confirmed, the air hummed with the magic of registration.


    A chime sounded, and a voice echoed in his mind:


    [ Congrattions, n Leader Travis of the Drakeheart Vanguard! ]

 Chapter 90: First Clan

    [ Congrattions, n Leader Travis of the Drakeheart Vanguard! ]


    [ Your n has been sessfully registered. As the first n created in this forsaken world, you and your n members are awarded the following:


    n Banner: A majestic banner bearing the emblem of a mythical beast or mystical weapon of your choice.


    n Hall Blueprint: ns for constructing a fortified hall, a sanctuary for your members, and a bastion against the undead.


    Exclusive Quests: ess to high-tier missions with rewards that will bolster your n''s might and renown.


    n Skills: Unique abilities that will enhance your team''sbat and survival capabilities as a cohesive unit.


    Weekly Core Bonus: Each member will receive a weekly bonus of Zombie Cores, fueling your continued growth and prosperity. ]


    [ May the Drakeheart Vanguard soar high and strike true. The world watches your ascent with bated breath. ]


    "Awesome! Travis, we''ve really done it! We are the first to set up a n!"


    "There''s even n Skills that will aid us in team battles! This is cool!"


    "Wait¡­ The weekly core bonus gives us 3 Zombies Cores every week and 5 Zombies Cores for the Guild Leader. This can even rise as our n Level increases! Wonderful!"


    The members of the Drakeheart Vanguard erupted into cheers, their voices a chorus of triumph.


    Soon, Travis chose a mythical beast suited for their n. After that, he took it out of the n''s Inventory.


    Whoosh~


    With the help of his members, he unfurled the n Banner.


    Its image was a dragon in mid-flight, fierce and unyielding.


    It was a sight to behold¡­ The group quickly found a pole so they could raise the banner! Furthermore, this banner actually had some effects to every members close to it!


    "It''s a pity we can only invite 15 other people in our guild. It means not everyone in our shelter can be part of us." One of the members muttered.


    Within their shelter, there were a total of 34 people. Two of them were Scavengers, five of them were Survivors found hiding in basements or other hidden ces within the city, and the rest were Foreign Survivors with mostly Common or Umon talents that weren''t useful inbat.


    However, with their help, Travis and the others with great talents were always able to get new equipment, clothes, and various things that would make their life easier because of these "untalented" Foreign Survivors. They may be useless inbat and need to be protected, but with their Talents and Survivor Skills they could learn, Travis was able to put them to use.


    ''There was no useless Talent, only useless Survivor.'' This was the motto that he''d like to say to those people he was nning to recruit.


    "Don''t worry¡­ Once our n Level rises, we can recruit more people¡­ However, we have to ensure that we recruit those who are loyal to us¡­ They should pass Kerby''s Lie Detection tests first." Travis said with a smile to one of his colleagues¡­


    That was his best friend who had the talent to see through lies as long as their level was lower than him!


    "Don''t worry¡­ I''ll continue finding trustworthy people¡­" Kerby said with a smile.


    Anyway, after this matter was settled, they discussed about n Hall they would build, a ce of safety for everyone!


    They also discussed the quests they would undertake and n Skills they should focus on.


    Travis stood at the center, his heart swelling with pride.


    The Drakeheart Vanguard was more than a n; it was a promise¡ªa vow to reim the world from the clutches of the Apocalypse.


    "I can do this¡­ I''m the Hero destined to save this world!" Travis muttered.


    And as they celebrated, their spirits unbroken, it was clear to them that the Drakeheart Vanguard would be the strongest n in this Apocalypse World!


    The night sky lit up with the fires of their camp, and on the next day, a challenge came to their camp¡­ It seemed it was triggered by the creation of their n!


    Three Tyrant Zombies emerged at the outskirts of the stadium, their Survivor Camp''s threshold.


    These abominations were terrifying humanoid creatures, towering and misshapen. Their flesh, a patchwork of decay, stretched over bulging muscles, and their eyes, devoid of soul, glowed with a malevolent crimson.


    Each step they took seemed to cause decay in their surroundings, it might be an exaggeration but their presence were certainly exuding an aura of dread that chilled even the bravest heart.


    Travis took a deep breath after seeing them¡­


    ''Is this the Tyrant Zombie that Raze was telling us before? Tsk¡­ I wonder how she defeated these creatures¡­'' Travis muttered as he gripped his de.


    Without a moment''s dy, he summoned the ten strongest Survivors in the camp aside from the four other members of the Drakeheart Vanguard. These ten may not have the best talents out there, but they have decent weapons and experience in battles.


    Together, they would face this threat head-on!


    The battle that unfolded was chaotic.


    The Survivors, each endowed with Umon or even Rare Talents, leaped into the fray.


    They have talents like Enhanced Senses, Quick Feet, Fast Learning, and Elemental Resistance.


    Yet, the Tyrant Zombies were too powerful! Even bullets weren''t enough to break their bones!


    With skin like armored ting and strength that could crush stone, they were unstoppable.


    The Survivors'' Tier 2 Clothes and Rare Grade Weapons, were rendered futile against such foes.


    One by one, six brave souls fell. Their lives were gone before they could even scratch their monstrous adversaries.


    "Why are they so strong?!"


    Travis, his veins alight with the power of Dragon''s Blood, and his four n Members bore the brunt of the onught after six died so quickly.


    "Same strategy with the Spitter Zombies!" Travis shouted.


    "Alright!"


    They circled the Tyrants, their movements were synchronized as they sliced the zombies¡­


    Each strike was coordinated yet seemingly ineffective.


    Furthermore, there are three Tyrant Zombies, so their strategy only worked for a few seconds.


    Roaaarrr!


    The Tyrants'' roars shook the very air, their blows sending shockwaves and nauseating smell!


    ''Disgusting¡­'' Travis thought as he slowly activated his Dragon Blood. The problem about this was the fact that it requires time to fully trigger the Dragon Blood in his body! It wasn''t quick burst of strength but a slow one!


    The n Members, each with their unique abilities and high grade weapons, fought with a synergy that had been honed through many days of battles.


    Yet, the Tyrants'' hide repelled their attacks, they don''t have regenerative abilities but they could surely take many strikes.


    Travis, at the center of the storm, felt the weight of leadership heavy upon his shoulders.


    Luckily for him, he still had a decent weapon.


    His de soon absorbed his energy and multiplied it for him! This allowed him to create a stronger draconic energy!


    nk~


    Soon, his de met the hide of the nearest Tyrant.


    Sparks flew, but the Tyrant Zombie''s flesh was barely hurt¡­


    His de wasn''t deep enough to even cut an inch of the Zombie!


    However, Travis'' Dragon Blood was still continuously enhancing his strength!


    "Not enough! I''ll kill the three of you¡­ Just you wait!"


    The battle raged on, the air was soon thick with the scent of blood¡­


    The Survivors'' cries and the Tyrants'' guttural bellows continued for some time¡­


    In the end, it was Travis''s Indomitable Will, a Survivor Skill, that turned the tide.


    With a roar that rivaled the Tyrants'', he unleashed the full might of his Dragon''s Blood talent.


    His de glowed white-hot, and with a superhuman effort, he cleaved through the arm of one Tyrant.


    The creature howled, its previous aura of invincibility in the eyes of the Survivors, was now shattered.


    Seizing the moment, the remaining n Members rallied, as their spirits were reignited. They descended upon the wounded Tyrant, theirbined force finally drew blood!


    [ You have eliminated a Tyrant Zombie ]


    The battle continued, and soon, with a total of 8 deaths from their side, the three Tyrant Zombies were killed...


    Obviously, Travis wasn''t satisfied with this result.


    Travis surveyed the aftermath with a heavy heart.


    "If only we had two more Survivors with Legendary Talents suited forbat¡­ this loss could have been avoided¡­" Hemented, the weight of leadership pressing upon him.


    It was clear that the time hade to expand their n, to seek out those with the prowess to stand against such formidable Zombies. For this, he had to visit the Regional Chat once again or send private messages to those strong Survivors...


    Of course, he first had something to do.


    He knelt beside the fallen Tyrants. Then, his hands touched the Tyrant''s arm and triggered the system''s looting process.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes..."


    [ You have earned 20 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, 50mL Tyrant Zombie Blood, Tyrant Zombie Meat x1, Bread x1 ]


    [ You have earned 20 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Zombie Core x1, Tyrant Zombie Bone x1, Tyrant Zombie Meat x1, Bread x1 ]


    [ You have earned 20 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, 50mL Tyrant Zombie Blood, Zombie Core x2, 100mL Water ]

 Chapter 91: Talented

    The items he obtained from the Tyrant Zombies differed from each corpse.


    Nheless, the only item he obtained that was new was the Tyrant Zombie Meat¡­


    From its description, it seemed to be something edible, but it had a 50% chance of turning the Survivor into a Zombie. It might as well be called an Infected Meat!


    As he continued reading the item description, he realized that those Survivors with high resistance to the virus could at least eat the meat. Furthermore, if he managed to find a Survivor with a level 10 Cooking Skill, the Zombie Meat had a 90% chance of bing safe to eat!


    ''Interesting¡­ But it''s not the time to deal with this¡­'' Travis thought as he looked at the remaining people who were alive and gestured to them to loot their friends who had fallen to Zombie.


    "Be careful, they may not be dead yet and just slowly turning into Zombies¡­" Travis softly said, signaling that if they were still breathing, they should just end their sufferings.


    In any case, they don''t have the best doctor around here.


    After this matter was settled, Travis decided to open the Regional Chat Board.


    He knew that somewhere out there, there were Survivors with untapped potential who were simply reading the chats and waiting for an opportunity.


    He was aware that there were others with Epic or Legendary Talents that could help his n to be the strongest in this Continent.


    Before that, however, he read the current chats as they seemed to be talking about the Scavengers and other Inhabitants that were starting to appear from time to time.


    [ Mark Sol: Guys, I happened to skill a Scavenger and they can be looted. They were survivors of this Continent and the system recognized them as Scavengers. They all have decent skills when ites to dismantling scraps. Do you think we can befriend them? ]


    [ Kelly: I''ve seen them already. They''re impossible to befriend. They''ll betray you, take all your resources, and disappear in the middle of the night. ]


    [ Maine: I think you can trust them if you show that your base or shelter is truly safe. I have two Scavengers here who were helping me take care of herbs and flowers meant to create a salve. ]


    Travis pondered the varied perspectives as more messages popted the chat:


    [ Karen Mae:Just crafted a new de from 20 Zombie Cores. It''s got a wicked edge¡ªslices through the undead like butter! Buy this from me for 60 Zombie Cores! ]


    [ Lu: Anyone else growing ''Zombie-Repellent'' nts? I swear, my marigolds are keeping them at bay! ]


    [ Erico: Heads up! Found a cache of batteries in the old electronics store. If you need power, it''s your lucky day. Send a private message if you''re interested. ]


    [ An#5: Warning! Avoid the northern red bridge near the Gorge of Oath! A horde''s taken residence, and they''re not the weing type¡­ Good luck! ]


    [ Luna Maria: Miracle happened today! A rain collector I set up actually worked. Fresh water without risking a zombie run! ]


    [ M: I''m getting 10mL to 100mL water from Zombies I killed. I''m quite lucky, but I still need to know how to make that rain collector. Are you willing to teach me? ]


    [ Ste#4: Don''t underestimate the tent you have... If you had the Shelter Gift Pack, you should have a tent and just upgrade it. It will give you Zombie Repent effect. I can sleep peacefully after having this tent! ]


    [ Dick: If you''re injured, I''ve set up a makeshift clinic at the Southern Arena Camp with grid coordinates 115.300. Bring any medical supplies you can spare. You can also join this camp if you''re good enough. The leader here is decent. ]


    [ Farah: Got a tip for silent hunting¡ªrubber bands on your bow. Quieter than a whisper and just as deadly. So buy those rubber bands in the store! ]


    [ Tony#3: Don''t listen to Farah. ]


    [ Donald#2: There''s an earthquake tremor near the white valley. I''m not sure if it''s natural or something else. Stay alert. ]


    [ Maldy: Harvested some wild potatoes. They''re tough, but hey, they''re food. Anyone wants to trade, let me know. ]


    [ Shane: Anyone with pet food? Is it being sold in the store? If it appears in your Survivor Store, message me, and I''ll buy some with interest. ]


    "Everyone''s busy, huh¡­ And this Shane already has a pet. I wonder where he got it. Right, he''s the first one to appear in the Regional Chat¡­ I''m pretty sure I already kept up with him¡­"


    Travis muttered as he read the conversations in the chat. From level 9 to level 10, he had to kill hundreds of Zombies and even mid-tier ones. Starting from level 10, each advancement would require more experience points! This was why he was still stuck at Level 12, and the lowest level in their camp was actually Level 5!


    Anyway, Travis ignored the chats for now.


    He typed a message, a call to arms for those who sought a cause, a n, a purpose in this Apocalypse Word.


    [ Brave Survivors... I am Travis of the Drakeheart Vanguard n, the very first n on the Continent! We have taken the Blue Horn Stadium as our base. We seek valiant souls, especially those with Epic or Legendary Talents to join our ranks. Together, we can forge a legacy of strength and reim this world from the Zombies!


    If you possess such talents and the will to fight, let your presence be known. ]


    Travis hit send, and the message appeared in both the World Chat and the Regional Chat.


    As he awaited responses, he couldn''t help but feel excited about this¡­


    ***


    In the meantime, in the vast Fiend Continent, three individuals, each possessed by Legendary Talents, went about their daily struggle for survival¡­


    It was also their daily entertainment to read through their Regional Chat and, from time to time, the World Chat.


    Aria was deep in the verdant expanse of the Whispering Forest¡­ Her Legendary Talent: Shapeshifting Master, allowed her to im a piece ofnd as her territory.


    Her hair was a cascade of what seemed like autumn leaves, and her eyes were the color of the forest canopy. With the ability to transform into any creature she had seen before, she hunted the undead with the stealth of a panther and the ferocity of a bear.


    Her small figure belied the strength thaty within¡­


    "Mhmmm¡­ Someone already built a n. That''s still 100 Zombie Cores and 5 Reputation points¡­ This man called Travis must''ve gathered a huge force to help him achieve this." Aria muttered as she recalled the requirements to build the n.


    Of course, she could also gather that many resources, but she decided to spend the Reputation Points in the Reputation Store instead. For now, she doesn''t really n to create a n¡­ Instead, she wanted to get invited into it.


    "But he''s in the First Region¡­" Aria muttered.


    In World Chat, they can see which region they came from since it would be next to their names.


    [ Travis ( Region 1 ) ]


    This was what she could see¡­


    "Well, if I can visit that region¡­ I should consider it. However, for now, I have to continue mapping my area." Aria sighed as she continued on her way to hunt more Zombies.


    ***


    High atop the Windspire Peaks, Caelum, the man with Legendary Talent: Sprite Controller, stood watch over his domain.


    His hair was as white as the snow that capped the mountains, and his eyes shimmered like the clear blue sky. This wasn''t his previous appearance, but as he summoned his Sprites, his appearance changed to this.


    Surrounded by a flurry of sprites¡ªethereal beings of air and light¡ªhe tended to his garden of sparkling flora, a sanctuary amidst the chaos.


    The sprites, responsive to his everymand, assisted in gathering lumber and warding off the asional Zombie that dared approach their small haven. Just like Aria, he doesn''t have any followers aside from the Sprites helping him.


    At this time, as he opened the World Chat and read Travis''s invitation¡­ He couldn''t help but feel curious as to what the n could do.


    However, he seemed to have other ns.


    "I think it''s too early to get tied down by a n¡­ Although I''m sure there''s a benefit to this¡­ Hmm¡­ I should consider this after the Auction." Caelum muttered. After all, their regions should be close to each other since he was only in Region 2!


    If there weren''t any decent n in Region 2, he might really consider this very first n in the Continent.


    Finally, in the ruins of what was once a grand city, ra, blessed with Legendary Talent: Elven''s Blood, scoured the rubble for resources.


    Her appearance was starting to get otherworldly from her previous average figure. With the Elven''s Blood, she started having pointed ears peeking through her long, silver hair, and her eyes faintly glowed with a soft green luminescence.


    Twang~


    ra released her bowstring as it hummed through the air before dispatching a zombie from a distance.


    [ You have eliminated a Zombie Dog ]

 Chapter 92: Super Soldiers

    "Hmm¡­ That''s not a Zombie Wolf?" ra muttered in frustration after seeing the notification. Although the Zombie Dog had some loot that she needed as well, they weren''t that important right now.


    Apparently, ra had been hunting Zombie Wolves in her area since they could drop a unit of Wolf Hide. The drop rate was low, but in her estimate, it was just 1 out of 10 . It was quite decent.


    Well, it wasn''t that bad at allpared to the drop rate of Item Upgrade Crystals, which was probably 1 out of 100.


    ra then looked at the time and knew that it was time for a break. She could not overwork her body since she was still evolving with the Elven''s Blood¡­ It consumes too much stamina to assimte with the blood after all.


    After looting the Zombie Dog, she quickly brought out the fruits she had collected earlier and opened the Chat Board to get more information about what was going on around her and also see if there were private messages from her friends.


    "No message from that cksmith, huh¡­ Does heck some Item Upgrade Crystals as well? Ugh¡­ Just where do I get a steady supply of those crystals¡­" ra muttered.


    She had been trying to find a steady source of Item Upgrade Crystals since she had a special use for it. It waspletely different from how other Survivors use them.


    Because of that, she obviously required plenty of them. Unfortunately, most of these people with skills to acquire Item Upgrade Crystals nned to use it for themselves, or they were already under the protection of some other strong Survivors.


    ra then turned her attention to the World Chat¡­


    [ Travis ( Region 1 ): Brave Survivors... I am Travis of the Drakeheart Vanguard n, the very first n on the Continent!... ]


    "Ohhh~ A n! Impressive!" ra couldn''t help butment after seeing the World Chat.


    First of all, the World Chat Feature and n Feature would appear at the same time when they reached Level 10.


    In her perspective, anyone who managed to reach Level 10 at this stage was definitely skilled. For those level 11 and 12, they were surely among the elites, considering the amount of experience points they have to collect to level up even once... If someone was higher than that, they were definitely top rankers like her!


    They were surely Survivors with Epic or Legendary Talents¡­ Or perhaps, they were in an area teeming with Zombies that could be easily killed with their talent.


    Anyway, she believed that Travis had gathered quite a decent force if he was able to spare 100 Zombies Cores and 5 Reputation Points for the creation of the n.


    "But I think I should still wait after the Auction¡­" ra muttered. She believed that the auction that woulde in a few more days would be a "game changer."


    She believed that the things she''d learn and acquire there would give her a better understanding of how she should survive in this Apocalypse World.


    For now, these three Survivors with Legendary Talents made sure to recall Travis''s name¡­


    However, as they thought of closing the World Chat, they saw that another message had been popted, and they couldn''t help but read it.


    [ Shane ( Region 1 ): I''m trading my 120 Item Upgrade Crystals. 30 Crystals for 1 Unhatched Pet Egg. Firste, first serve. Price is non-negotiable. ]


    As the sun was hung up in the sky, each of them paused in their tasks, drawn to the glowing screens in front of them. Shane''s message on the World Chat flickered before them¡­


    "This¡­"


    Aria''s feline eyes narrowed with interest. Caelum''s sprites even seemed to buzz with excitement as they felt Caelum''s excitement. On the other hand, ra''s keen senses tingled with anticipation.


    They were all different, separated by vast distances and circumstances, yet the simple trade offer sent by Shane made their eyes wide.


    Shane was basically helping them create a Master Grade Item with this trade offer!


    The thirty Item Upgrade Crystals could advance an Exceptional Grade Item to Master Grade! This also saved them from killing about three thousand low-tier Zombies!


    Luckily for them, they actually have Unhatched Egg they received from hidden quests. The reason they weren''tpleting the hatching process yet was that they would have to feed it, and a certain number of Zombie Cores or other materials would be required to hatch it.


    Furthermore, they believed that they could get better pets!


    After all, a Survivor could only bind 1 Pet ording to the system.


    If they found a better Unhatched Egg, they would just regret it, and they might choose to kill their current Pet so they could bind a new one.


    "Mhmm¡­ I wonder why he needed so many Unhatched Egg¡­ I think he''s losing in his trade. I''m sure even if he offers 20 Crystals, people will still ept it. Furthermore, Survivors can only bind a single pet. He shouldn''t have other use for these eggs."


    The three Survivors with Legendary Talents thought the same.


    Nheless, they swiftly messaged Shane for the trading process.


    ***


    A few hours ago, when Shane escorted the two survivors and two scavengers into the confines of their shelter, a ripple of surprise urred among the current residents.


    After all, Lucky just started barking, rming them that there were new people he had never seen before.


    Because of that, they had to stop with their work and readied for any battle that might happen.


    Nheless, there was no sense of worry after they heard from Gene that Shane was bringing new people.


    Shane''spetence as a leader had long been established. There was no way Shane was being held hostage right now¡­ They believed that Shane had truly recruited people instead.


    "Mhmm? They''re being tied by Shane¡­" Anna muttered as seeing them through the binocrs.


    Well, the arrival of outsiders was still unexpected, and the fact that they were bound suggested they had posed a threat to Shane and had been subdued instead!


    Upon entering Shane''s camp, the four neers were taken aback.


    Before them stood a formidable estate, more akin to a fortified manor than a mere shelter.


    There were tall wooden walls, expertly constructed and reinforced, loomed overhead.


    The perimeter was also abyrinth of traps, each designed with lethal ingenuity to deter intruders and kill the undead.


    "Sir Shane¡­"


    Patrolling the grounds was a figure thatmanded attention¡ªa full-armored Knight, Gene, whose presence alone was a deterrent.


    In his grip was the Serrated Reaper de, its edges glinting ominously in the light. He was like a guardian who could bring swift retribution to any who dared challenge the sanctuary''s peace.


    "What? Are those humans?"


    "No way¡­ They''re more like Tyrant Zombies to me!"


    The sight of Cassius and Mara, the two Super Soldiers, instilled a sense of awe and fear in the hearts of the neers.


    It was their first time seeing such humans.


    They didn''t know that Cassius and Mara were not mere humans; they were warriors made for battle, their frames massive and muscles bulging just their gaze already scared them as they possessed an undeniable aura of power.


    The neers, still bound and now thoroughly intimidated, could only specte about the strength and resources of this survivor camp.


    It was clear that Shane had built not just a shelter but a camp that could surely go against the chaos of the world outside!


    In the meantime, Shane observed the neers'' reactions to Cassius and Mara with a knowing grin. "Impressive, right?" he remarked, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly in amusement.


    He then guided the four captives to a section of the shelter they hadn''t expected¡ªa newly renovatedboratory.


    This was Anna''s domain, where the many ingredients they collected outside or bought in the store are being kept. Of course, this was also the new ce where they kept the secrets of Project Z2.


    Indeed, the ampules were safeguarded in this ce.


    Theboratory was a stark contrast to the barbaric defenses outside. It was clean and very well maintained since all the contents of thisboratory were important. The medicines were also here after all.


    Anna greeted everyone as soon as they entered.


    She didn''t put off her smile even after seeing that the four were simply captured by Shane.


    "Wee¡­"


    She said, her voice echoing slightly in the sterile environment.


    "I guess you''re about to be part of something much greater than yourselves." She muttered as she knew the reason why Shane brought them here!


    The four looked at each other with a mix of apprehension and curiosity as Anna seemed to know something that they obviously didn''t.


    "I''ll let you handle this again."


    Soon, the ampules were revealed. It contained a potent concoction of nanotechnology and bio-enhancers capable of altering their very physiology.


    One by one, they were injected with the serum.


    As the liquid entered their bloodstream, they felt an immediate rush of heat, as if their bodies were awakening from a deep slumber.

 Chapter 93: Exploration

    Shane watched as their muscles tensed and expanded. It was like seeing fibers that were being knitted together as they formed a new and heavier density.


    "It doesn''t really look good no matter how many times I see it¡­" Shane softlymented. In his opinion, the transformation was truly quite disturbing. The ampule was so potent, and he couldn''t help but feel disturbed about it.


    Then, the four people soon felt their senses sharpened to an almost unbearable rity, and their minds processed thoughts with a speed that left them reeling.


    "Ughh¡­"


    All of them groaned as everything was happening too quickly¡­ Then, they soon felt their minds being slowly clouded until they felt they were slowly falling asleep¡­


    Over the next few minutes, the transformation wasplete.


    They stood taller, their bodies now sculpted into the peak of human potential. Their skin had taken on a subtle sheen, a visible marker of the enhanced durability that now coursed through them.


    Cassius and Mara, once the sole Super Soldiers of the shelter, now weed their new peers.


    Shane watched the transformation with satisfaction.


    The ampules from Project Z2 had not only given them four more defenders but had also sown the seeds of hope among all the shelter''s inhabitants.


    With these new Super Soldiers, their chances of survival had increased exponentially¡­


    Nheless, Shane had to confirm their strengths were quite simr to Cassius and Mara.


    The four individuals had soon stood amidst an array of equipment and materials¡­ They were materials that Leo had prepared for their daily muscle training.


    Well, they weren''t difficult to make, and it took Leo only a few hours to make themst night.


    This all started after Shane believed that their Strength and Agility wouldn''t just increase from leveling up. He believed that there was a way to increase their status points, and it just required them to meet a certain level of training.


    First, they approached the standard weights that Leo had arranged in the Forge.


    nk¡­


    What was once a challenge to lift was now hoisted with ease, the metal discs rising and falling as if they were no more than cardboard!


    Their arms showed no sign of strain, the veins on their forearms standing out in their skin.


    "Good¡­ Do more." Leoughed as he saw the Super Soldiers making an easy work with the weights he prepared for Shane.


    With that said, the four moved on to more substantial tests outside the Forge.


    Arge concrete block that wasy nearby from the broken manor was now used¡­


    It was the sort that required several men to move.


    The first of the four stepped up, ced his hands on the rough surface, and pushed. To everyone''s astonishment, the block slid across the floor with a grating sound, leaving a trail of disturbed dust in its wake.


    ''Well¡­ I guess it''s time to clean this manor¡­'' Shane thought after seeing that they seem to have the strength to protect themselves even if the Manor copses during their investigation.


    Of course, the test didn''t end there since Shane was still curious to see their limits.


    The second test involved a thick steel beam, a previous part of the Manor''s structural reinforcements. Gripping it firmly, the female Super Soldier lifted it overhead, her arms extended.


    The beam, which would normally bend under its own weight when held at such a length, remained straight and true.


    ''Awesome!'' Shane praised her in his mind. He was getting more and more confident that this survivor camp would now do well even if he was away doing some explorations outside!


    The other Super Soldiers then found the remains of the crashed ne outside. Although they had taken some metal scraps from it already, there were still plenty of them that had remained since they were difficult to salvage, especially since they weren''t professional scavengers.


    Working together, they positioned themselves at the front and back of the broken ne.


    On a silent count, they lifted.


    Crank! Crank! Crank!


    The crashed ne, once an immovable relic, rose from its resting ce. One of its tires even tumbled around as if the ne was being hoisted by a crane rather than human hands.


    As they continued to experiment with their abilities, a sense of invincibility grew within them. They sprinted across thepound, their legs propelling them with incredible speed, each step a thunderous echo on the ground.


    With Shane''s instruction, they also jumped, reaching heights that would make an acrobat envious, andnded with the earth trembling beneath them.


    ''They can surely contest those Jumper Zombies¡­'' Shane smiled at this thought.


    After some time, Shane also confirmed their hearing abilities. Well, their senses, too, were heightened.


    Apparently, they could hear the distant conversations of others in the shelter, the subtle rustle of leaves in the wind, and even the steady heartbeat of theirrades.


    Shane was fascinated by this¡­


    Their eyes could discern the finest details from afar, and their skin could detect the slightest change in the air''s temperature and pressure.


    These were actually the things that he had forgotten to test with Cassius and Mara¡­ Nheless, now that Shane learned about this, he knew that he would have a better use on these Super Soldiers.


    Of course, for now, they would be hisborers as there were still plenty of things to repair in their estate.


    ***


    On the morning of the next day, two of the new Super Soldiers, followed Cassius and Mara into the Manor.


    The ce was thick with dust, and the morning light streamed through cracks in the walls, illuminating the first floor''s disarray.


    Rubbley scattered like the aftermath of a storm, and one of its beams that supported the Manor''s grandeur was splintered and broken.


    At the very least, temporary wooden logs propped up what remained. It was a precarious solution to a dire problem. Well, Shane arranged it with the help of the others. It was better to have such support than to have none of it.


    Shane gave clear instructions to the super soldiers on how to explore the Manor.


    "I''ll wait for you outside. If you think that the Manor is about to copse, make your escape." Shane said as he watched the group enter the building to explore it.


    It was probably better to have only one explorer inside but he wanted them to scatter and have quick exploration instead.


    The Super Soldiers tread carefully, their enhanced strength allowed them to move debris with ease.


    Amidst the ruins, they uncovered remnants of the Manor''s past¡ªfaded portraits whose eyes seemed to follow them, antique furniture that held secrets in hiddenpartments, and a grand piano that, despite the chaos, still held a tune.


    They knew that Shane weren''t interested in these things so they continued with their exploration.


    After the four of them confirmed that there was nothing of value in the first floor aside from the metal scraps they could probably collect, the Super Soldiers decided to go to the second floor.


    Ascending to the second floor, the atmosphere shifted.


    Here, the destruction was less, and the history of the Manor could be filled in the air.


    It only seemed as if the previous people living in this Manor had hurried to leave this ce and taken what they could carry in their hands before abandoning this ce.


    There were several rooms here, and most of them were bed chambers, study or library rooms, and some even a pantry.


    However, what truly caught the four''s attention was the only locked room on the second floor.


    They knew that the library might interest Shane but it was something they could easily taketer on.


    After some agreements between the Super Soldiers, they destroyed the rusty lock on the wooden door and forcefully opened the room.


    Crank~


    As the door opened, the four of them got ready to fight in case a Zombie suddenly jumped on them¡­


    However, no zombies appeared, and they entered what appeared to be an armory!


    The walls lined with racks of weapons.


    Swords with des that shimmered with an unnatural frost, crossbows that were engineered to be silent and swift, together with gauntlets that seemed to be brand new!


    In a corner, they found devices of curious makes¡­ They had no idea what they were, so it was better to bring them back and have the butler appraise them¡­


    Soon, the Super Soldiers gathered the weapons and devices, knowing that each of them was valuable to some degree¡­


    Furthermore, this was only the second floor! They couldn''t help but look forward to what they''d see on the third floor!


    ***


    Meanwhile, outside, the other two Super Soldiers worked alongside Gene as their axes cut through the trees.


    Trees fell not with random crashes, but with controlled thuds, each tree was chosen to provide the necessary lumber without disturbing the delicate bnce of the surrounding woods.


    Shane smiled after seeing how Gene was teaching the Super Soldiers of the things he learned through his own experience by cutting trees¡­


    "Ohh¡­ It''s time to check the private message. There should be some random people willing to trade their Unhatched Egg with Item Upgrade Crystals, right?" Shane murmured as he opened the Chat Board.

 Chapter 94: Flare

    [ Shane ( Region 1 ): I''m trading my 120 Item Upgrade Crystals. 30 Crystals for 1 Unhatched Pet Egg. Firste, first serve. Price is non-negotiable. ]


    This was Shane''s previous message in the World Chat since he believed that it would be difficult to find a customer if he just looked at his region.


    As soon as he opened the chat board, he found dozens of friend requests and messages.


    It wasn''t quite surprising that his inbox was flooded with messages, traders from every corner of the continent eager to barter.


    Offers ranged from rare materials to enchanted gear, each more tempting than thest. Yet Shane''s resolve was firm; his eyes skimmed past the messages, searching for the specific trade he desired.


    [ Renner: Hey Shane, I''ve got high-tier armor. Interested in a swap for some of those crystals? ]


    [ Mysty: I can offer you healing potions that aren''t being sold in the store. It something only I could make with my talent. Let''s make a deal! ]


    [ Stale: I have a collection of stealth cloaks that are perfect for any situation. They''re most used when raiding Zombie Lairs. Trade for crystals?"


    He read through such requests, but Shane was unswayed. His focus was on finding messages that were trading for their Unhatched Pet Eggs.


    It wasn''t long before he spotted the names with such messages.


    They came from Raze, Caelum, Aria, and ra.


    [ Raze: Shane, I have an Unhatched Pet Egg. Let''s trade for those crystals. ]


    [ Caelum: I''m in possession of an egg as well. Willing to trade for 30 of your crystals. ]


    [ Aria: One Unhatched Pet Egg here. I ept your terms for the crystals. ]


    [ ra: I''ll trade my egg for the crystals. It''s a deal. However, this is only a Common Unhatched Egg, and you''re sure that it is still worth 30 Crystals, right? ]


    With a sense of satisfaction, Shane began to coordinate the exchanges.


    Of course, these eggs weren''t going to be cooked for their dinner.


    ording to the system, a Survivor was only allowed to have a single pet. However, nothing was mentioned about the other survivors in his shelter. He believed that it wouldn''t be problem for others to have pets as well!


    They do not have the Apocalypse System, but it doesn''t mean that they could no longer have pets/


    In any case, even if they could not be linked to him, he believed that those pets could still be trained to do so just like Lucky!


    After some time, Shane epted the trade requests of the four Survivors from different regions.


    [ Raze: Shane, you''re a lifesaver! These crystals are just what I needed. My gear''s going to be top-notch now. Can''t wait to climb up the ranks. Thanks a ton! ]


    Raze immediately began nning which piece of equipment to upgrade first, envisioning the battles ahead. Well, she didn''t need the Unhatched Pet Egg that she obtained since Roan, her baby dragon, doesn''t like her having a different pet.


    Shane''s generous offer came perfectly in time!


    She was lucky that she had befriended this amazing Survivor from her region!


    [ Caelum: Your swift eptance of the trade is much appreciated, Shane. These crystals will significantly enhance my equipment. I''m one step closer to the Auction Event, all thanks to you. I hope that we can meet somewhere someday. ]


    After this reply, Caelum shared the news with his Sprites, who buzzed around him in a jubnt dance. His trusted Sprites could truly feel his emotions right now.


    ''I guess it''s time to upgrade my weapon¡­ I should try hunting more Zombies now.'' Caelum thought.


    Well, because of his Sprites, he doesn''t have any problems about food and his living conditions. He could also kill the Zombies that would normally get near him.


    If he could not win, he could ask his Spirites to help him hide underground. However, living hisfortable life should end now. He was nning to act more aggressively once he upgraded his de!


    [ Aria: Thank you, Shane! I was on edge waiting for a response, and you came through. These crystals are the key to upgrading my arsenal. I''m truly grateful for the trade. ]


    Aria then let out a triumphant cheer after confirming that she received the Item Upgrade Crystals. It even startled a nearby bird.


    [ ra: I don''t have Unhatched Pet Eggs anymore but if you have intention of trading the crystals for other things. Please, let me know. The crystals will be put to excellent use. I''ve been striving to join the Top 1000 in my region, and this trade might just be the turning point. Your promptness ismendable. ]


    ra allowed herself a rare smile, her thoughts already on the strategies she would employ once her gear was enhanced.


    Seeing their immediate replies, Shane could not help but let out a grin of satisfaction.


    Then, his attention was turned to the eggs in his possession.


    [ Unhatched Pet Egg ( Common ):


    Description: A fiery orange egg adorned with swirling patterns of mes, emanating a gentle warmth.


    Requirements: 50 Zombie Cores to awaken the dormant creature within.


    Potential: Unleashes a loyal Fire Elementalpanion that offers fiery support in battles, increasing damage dealt by 10%. ]


    [ Unhatched Pet Egg ( Common ):


    Description: A frosty blue egg shimmering with icy crystals, exuding a frosty chill.


    Requirements: 50 Zombie Cores to trigger the hatching ritual.


    Potential: Summons a Frost Wyrm pet that freezes enemies upon attack, slowing their movements by 10%. ]


    [ Unhatched Pet Egg ( Common ):


    Description: A verdant green egg adorned with intricate leaf patterns, exuding a refreshing aroma of the forest.


    Requirements: 50 Zombie Cores to awaken the dormant life within.


    Potential: Calls forth a Sprigganpanion that enhances healing effects on allies by 10% and provides passive health regeneration. ]


    [ Unhatched Pet Egg ( Common ):


    Description: A crackling egg pulsating with electric currents, emitting sparks of energy.


    Requirements: 50 Zombie Cores to initiate the electrifying hatching process.


    Potential: Releases a Thunderbird pet with a 10% chance of shocking enemies with each attack, causing them to be periodically stunned duringbat. ]


    "Mhmm¡­ Nice eggs. They only cost 50 Zombies Cores to hatch, but it seems their skills are quite bad." Shane muttered, but he couldn''t really expect that much from Common Pets.


    They only have somewhat passive skills, and their maximum increase was only 10%. It was quite a low increase but still quite better than none.


    ''I wonder why they didn''t bother hatching you guys¡­'' Shane muttered while looking at the eggs.


    ''Do they have better eggs or pets they got from a quest?''


    He couldn''t help but think of this since these eggs still seemed quite decent in the early stages of this Apocalypse.


    Anyway, he didn''t immediately hatch them as he was nning to wait for his Super Soldiers to return. Well, he wanted them to have these pets instead!


    Since these Super Soldiers would be the people who would mostly go outside and kill Zombies, he believed it was only natural for them to have these pets instead.


    After keeping them back in his Inventory System, Shane decided to open his Reputation Store¡­


    He wanted to see if another Talent Expansion Scroll was there¡­


    Unfortunately, it wasn''t there.


    "I wonder how many Luck Points do I need¡­" Shane sighed as he saw familiar items being sold in the Reputation Store.


    [ Tattoo: A permanent and artistic mark on the Survivor''s skin that can impress or intimidate others. It has 100% chance of unlocking new Survivor Skills. The tattoo''s design will depend on the unlocked Survivor Skill. ]


    Price: 20 RP ]


    [ Zombie Potion: A potent and mysterious potion that can turn the Survivor into a Zombie. If you manage to resist being turned into a Zombie, you will be a Chosen Survivor.


    Price: 5 RP ]


    [ Cute Heart Ne: A beautiful and magical ne that can enhance the charisma of the Survivor. It can grant some benefits and bonuses to the Survivor, such as increased luck, health, or talent. It has a chain, a pendant, and a sp, and can be worn and removed easily.


    Price: 10 RP ]


    After seeing the Zombie Potion again, Shane really couldn''t help but feel curious about it.


    Being a Chosen Survivor seemed to be quite cool, and it will probably give him a decent Title Effect for that.


    ''Will I get immunity from this Zombie Potion if I take the ampule at the same time?'' Shane chuckled at this idea, but he immediately shook his head.


    Perhaps he would only consider taking the ampule for himself if in case he was bitten by a Zombie and was about to be turned into one.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    As he was thinking of checking his Survivor Store next, he heard someone''s footsteps rushing to his side.


    "Shane, someone fired an emergency re gun. It came from the other side of the Iron Mine¡­" Gene immediately reported as soon as he arrived near Shane''s tent.


    "A re gun?" Shane frowned after hearing this.


    "Do you think they''re asking for help, or they''re attracting the Zombies'' attention?" He gravely asked after some thoughts.

 Chapter 95: Unforgivable Act

    "A re gun?" Shane''s brow furrowed in concern. "Is it a distress signal, or could it be a ploy to draw the undead?"


    With a re gun in his own possession and another entrusted to Mr. Wadsworth, the butler managing the estate''s affairs, Shane knew the importance of such a signal.


    "I have no idea, Sir Shane¡­ However, it will surely draw the attention of Zombies. If someone needed help, I don''t think we can help with that." Gene reported.


    "That makes sense¡­ However, since it''s quite near, it might be dangerous for us as well. I''ll investigate to see what''s going on." Shane replied.


    "Then I''ll make preparations." Gene said as he offered his assistance.


    "No¡­ Just stay here and protect the estate. I have pieces of equipment to help me move stealthily. So it''s better if I work alone." Shane replied with a confident tone.


    Gene could only nod at this, knowing that Shane really had a marvelous set of equipment with him.


    "Alright, I will patrol the surroundings with Lucky¡­" Gene said as he left the church.


    "Mhmm¡­" Shane nodded.


    Determined to uncover the truth, Shane quickly prepared to investigate the source of the re. He donned his full array of gear: the Shadowmeld Tunic for stealth, the Enchanted Chitin te for protection, the Shroud of Shadows Cape, Crawler''s Grasp Gloves for agility, and the Silent Step Boots for quiet movement.


    Armed with his Electric Shock de, Hatchet, and Revolver, he was ready to face whatever awaited him at the Iron Mine.


    ***


    Whoosh~


    Shane moved stealthily. His form was like a shadow against the dimming light of dawn.


    Cloud, his A.I. assistant, provided real-time updates, guiding him through the dense underbrush with precision.


    Of course, he also had a minimap from the Apocalypse System, but it only showed the terrain and his location, not any signs of life.


    As he neared the site, the unmistakable stench of decay filled the air, a horde of undead was surely lurking nearby.


    Shane did his best not to react to the stench as he continued on his way.


    "Mhmm? It''s more dangerous than I thought¡­ It''s actually those creatures from the mines¡­"


    Peering through the foliage, Shane''s eyes narrowed at the sight before him.


    A trio of Survivors, backs pressed together, formed a small circle of defiance amidst a group of tall zombies.


    Encircling them were the Crypt Crawlers, their elongated limbs clicking and scraping against the ground as they closed in.


    These abominations spawned from the darkest depths of the Iron Mine. In his mind, they were a grotesque fusion of humans and arachnids¡­


    "They''re going to die¡­" Shane thought after seeing the situation of the three Survivors.


    The Survivors, armed with nothing more than crude weapons, fought with desperate courage.


    Shane could see some other weapons that were lying broken on the ground, so he could tell that none of their weapons had reached Master-Grade.


    Without Master-Grade Weapons like him, they would have a hard time cutting those stone-like skins of the Crypt Crawlers.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    Each swing of their crude des was met with the relentless advance of the Crypt Crawlers.


    Graagghhh!


    The Survivors were already lucky that their weapons weren''t being broken into many pieces as of yet!


    The odds were grim¡ªeight to three¡ªand Shane knew that without intervention, the Survivors'' fate was sealed.


    ''Well, let''s help them for now and go from there¡­'' Shane thought as he knew that he could save them. He might regret saving these three people someday.


    Without any more hesitation, Shane readied his arsenal.


    The Shadowmeld Tunic blended him into the shadows, the Enchanted Chitin te gleamed as if it hardened against impending strikes, and the Shroud of Shadows Cape fluttered like a specter''s touch.


    His Crawler''s Grasp Gloves tightened as his fingers curled around the hilts of his sword.


    Whoosh~


    Soon, his Silent Step Boots carried him forward¡­ It was soundless as a whisper.


    With a swift motion, Shane drew his Electric Shock de. It hummed softly as he rushed towards the nearest Crypt Crawler that was showing his back to him.


    The Crypt Crawler Zombies sensed his presence¡­


    The nearest one reeled back, its eyes widening in surprise as Shane''s de found its mark¡­


    Bang!


    His strike sent arcs of electricity coursing through the Zombie''s body.


    Shane actually activated the Power Surge and the Thunderous strike from that shot!


    Furthermore, he was lucky enough that 35% Critical Hit rate was activated!


    Thud!


    Just like that, The Crypt Crawler, who had dared to venture outside it territory was defeated!


    It convulsed and fell, its limbs twitching in the throes of death.


    In a few moments, Shane found received a notification


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    "A Survivor!"


    "Thank you! Are you alone?!"


    "Let''s work together!"


    The Survivors seized the moment, their spirits reignited by the sudden turn of events.


    "Alright! Just don''t get yourselves bitten and turn into a Zombie." Shane reminded.


    The three redoubled their efforts as their strikes continued finding the weak spots in the Crypt Crawlers.


    It was still difficult, but Shane carved a path of destruction through their ranks. For some reason, the Zombies were drawn to Shane, so the three other Survivors had an easier time dealing with the zombies.


    One by one, the Crypt Crawlers fell, their numbers dwindling under the persistent assault.


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    "Next¡­" Shane continued as he assisted the other Survivors.


    These people couldn''t help but feel shocked at Shane''s stamina, speed, and strength! He wasn''t getting tired at all! He wasn''t even getting injured in this battle while they were already bruised all over their bodies!


    "Just who is this person?"


    "Let''s just deal with the other Zombies!"


    "Right! Don''t be too much of a burden! Let''s do this!"


    The Survivors then targeted one of the Crypt Crawlers and worked together to kill it.


    In the meantime, Shane handled all the remaining Zombies.


    The nearestCrypt Crawler lunged at him, its fangs bared and dripping with venom. It wasn''t feeling afraid even after other Crypt Crawlers were killed!


    It became even more violent!


    Shane sidestepped, the creature''s momentum made it unable to dodge the tree behind him!


    Thud!


    Shane then pivoted, bringing the de down in a sweeping arc, electricity crackling along the edge. The de sliced through the Crypt Crawler''s exoskeleton, the current disrupting its nervous system. It spasmed violently before copsing in a heap.


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    "I''m getting used to it¡­ It''s a lot easier fighting them in the open¡­" Shanemented.


    [ Behind you. ] Cloud reported.


    "Mhmm?"


    The next Crypt Crawler was upon him almost immediately, its limbs iling wildly.


    Shane ducked under a swipe, feeling the wind from the missed strike.


    ''Close¡­ How did my Perception fail to notice that? Does it have a skill to hide from my Perception?'' Shane suddenly thought for a moment.


    He had never obtained a skill from a normal Zombie. All of them came from other Survivors or Survivor Zombies. If this Zombie truly had a skill, then it would be a huge discovery!


    Whoosh~


    Shane thrust the de forward, driving it deep into the creature''s thorax. Blue sparks erupted as the electric charge found its mark, and the Crypt Crawler''s movements stilled, its many eyes dimming as life fled its form.


    This time, the Critical Hit rate didn''t activate, but with 100% Electric Damage and Power Surge, it was enough to burn the brain of the Zombie.


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    Another Cryptic Crawler Zombie approached more cautiously, having witnessed the fate of its kin. As for thest one, it was being handled by the group of Survivors. They actually killed one already! It was that bad!


    Anyway, this Cryptic Crawler circled Shane for a brief moment as if it was seeking an opening.


    Shane feinted left, then rolled right,ing up behind the creature. It happened so quickly with his set of items!


    With a swift motion, he drove the Electric Shock de into the base of its skull.


    Bang!


    The Crypt Crawler shuddered once, the electric charge rendering it motionless before it slumped to the ground.


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    As the Crypt Crawler copsed, Shane heaved a sigh of relief¡­ He also noticed that the three Survivors were able to work together to kill another Crypt Crawler!


    In the end, Shane killed six while the three Survivors killed two!


    They weren''t bad at all!


    ''Huh?''


    Despite the triumph, a shadow of unease crossedShane''s features, his gaze was sharp and unforgiving as he observed the Survivors'' actions.


    They had already looted a total of five Crypt Crawler Zombies as their bodies disappeared like specks of lights!


    Shane''s jaw clenched, his fists tightening in silent fury at the tant disrespect unfolding before him.


    It was a stark reminder of the harsh realities of this unforgiving world.

 Chapter 96: Asset or Threat

    "We took the liberty of looting since they might vanish¡­" One Survivor, Chris, exined, his voice tinged with defensiveness.


    The trio, all men in their mid-twenties, bore the rugged look of those who had fought many battles. They were certainly people who had survived the Zombie Wave.


    Their eyes were sharp, and they seemed to have decent Agility based on their movements.


    Nheless, Shane could finally sense the arrogance that hangs about them like a cloak.


    "There''s no need for justification, Chris. We weakened those Crypt Crawlers. It''s only fair we im two each, given there were eight of them. It''s not a big deal." Another chimed in, his tone dismissive.


    "Indeed, sharing is only fair, brother¡­" The third added, casting a challenging nce at Shane.


    They seemed to believe they could scare Shane. Well, there were three of them while Shane was alone... Furthermore, Shane should also be exhausted after fighting that many Crypt Crawlers.


    ''What? Where did their confidencee from? Did they really think that I easily killed those Crypt Crawlers because they were weakened?'' Shane was shocked at the stupidity of these three.


    He couldn''t help but think that they were already infected and their brain was no longer working properly!


    ''Hu~ I didn''t expect that I''d be this angry¡­'' Shane thought as he clenched his weapon tightly.


    They''ve made a mistake since he was not one to be trifled with.


    Shane''s expression hardened, and he knew it was time to assert his authority.


    The three Survivors stood before him, unaware of the storm they had invited.


    Shane looked at them as he considered whether to kill them now or make them his Super Soldiers. Well, killing them quickly felt like a waste.


    The leader of the Survivors, Chris, was tall and lean, with a huge birthmark from his cheek to his chin.


    The second, with a mop of unruly hair, he had a build that spoke of Strength while his arms crossed defiantly. He was looking at Shane with mocking smile on his face!


    The third was the smallest, and he had a gaze that flickered cunningly. His stance appeared rxed, yet Shane could tell that he was also wary of him. He was certainly prepared to fight!


    ''Fine¡­ If you guys survived, you''ll be my Super Soldier. If not, I''ll loot whatever you have.''


    Shane''s hand instinctively went to his Electric Shock de, the weapon humming to life in his grasp.


    These three needed punishment for their arrogance and he would be the one to deliver it.


    Bzzt~


    The de''s electric energy crackled, and as expected, the three''s eyes lit up¡­


    They were aiming for Shane''s weapon all along! They already saw it in action and knew that it was quite precious.


    However, since Shane was alone, they were still confident in themselves!


    ***


    "Hmph! Are you really thinking of fighting the three of us?"


    "You''re already exhausted, mister."


    "Just drop your weapon, and we''ll let you leave. No matter what, you still assisted us, so we won''t treat you badly."


    Chris smiled kindly at Shane.


    However, realizing that there was no reply, he added.


    "I want that cape too¡­ Leave it, and we''ll call it quits."


    The three Survivors, encouraged by their body-strengthening talents, faced Shane with a brash confidence.


    Chris possessed the talent ofIron Sinew, granting him muscles like coiled steel.


    [ Iron Sinew (Rare Talent): The Survivor''s muscles be infused with unyielding Strength and resilience. With Iron Sinew, the Survivor gains the ability to withstand massive physical blows and increase their meleebat prowess. Additionally, the Survivor can channel their inner Strength to deliver devastating strikes that shatter armor and bones with unmatched ferocity. ]


    The second, with hisOgre''s Constitution, had a resilience that could withstand the most punishing blows.


    [ Ogre''s Constitution (Rare Talent): By invoking the ancient resilience of ogre bloodlines, the Survivor''s body toughens to endure the harshest of environments and battles. With Ogre''s Constitution, the Survivor gains heightened endurance, enhanced regenerative capabilities, and a natural resistance to poisons and diseases.


    The Survivor bes a stalwart bulwark on the battlefield, able to withstand onughts that would crumble lesser warriors. ]


    The third, with his RareBerserker''s Vigor, could tap into a well of Strength that belied his size.


    [ Berserker''s Vigor (Rare Talent): Embracing the frenzied spirit of the berserker, the Survivor taps into a primal wellspring of raw power and unbridled aggression. With Berserker''s Vigor, the Survivor enters a state of controlled fury, bolstering their physical attributes, speed, andbat prowess.


    In this heightened state, the Survivor bes a whirlwind of destruction, capable of overwhelming foes with relentless assaults and unmatched tenacity. ]


    Their talents weren''t bad at all! It was no wonder they were still confident, even if Shane showed impressivebat abilities a while ago!


    Yet, they had underestimated Shane.


    As they charged, Shane''s Electric Shock de burst with power.


    Chris swung a heavy fist, he was willing to take Shane''s attack as he was confident that his body could stop the de!


    That''s right, he was willing to catch the de with his own hands!


    Nheless, Shane deftly sidestepped as he could tell that the man was truly aiming for his weapon!


    Then, with an attack speed that they had never seen before, Shane delivered a swift strike to his side!


    Thud!


    The electric current surged, and Chris''s iron-like muscles seized, rendering him momentarily helpless.


    Well, they weren''t even in half of Shane''s Agility or maybe even in Strength!


    "You!"


    The second Survivor had no choice but to continue¡­ There was no going back! Even if Chris was defeated, they still have a chance!


    He dashed with the force of a battering ram, but Shane''s speed turned the assault into foolishness. A precise jab with the electrified de on his chest disrupted the Ogre''s Constitution, and he crumpled.


    The man''s resilience faltered under the weapon''s relentless energy.


    The Electric Damage was just too difficult to defend against!


    Since it was their first time dealing with Electric weapons, they had no idea that their physique would not be able to resist it!


    The third Survivor didn''t even notice that hispanion was already defeated as well. His eyes were wild with the fervor of the Berserker''s Vigor. He raised his weapon high and wanted to kill Shane with his crude de!


    However, Shane was like a specter with his Shroud of Shadows Cape!


    He was like a shadow d in deadly intent. He moved quietly with his boots while his de was like a sh of lightning!


    Bang!


    The Thunderstrike overwhelmed the Berserker''s Vigor, and the third Survivor joined hispanions on the ground.


    Thud!


    In mere moments, the battle was over.


    "That was faster than I expected¡­ I guess they''re really just normal Survivors, huh¡­"


    Shane muttered as he stood victorious.


    His opponents were easily incapacitated by his skill and the might of his Electric Shock de.


    With a sigh, Shane looted the three remaining Crypt Crawlers, tied the three men, and carried them back to the camp.


    Of course, Shane''s return to the camp with the three bound Survivors in tow caused a stir among the residents.


    "Ohh¡­ You captured some people again¡­ Are we going to have visitors every day from now on?" Gene muttered as he saw Shane from the distance.


    Anna, Alexa, and Harper, who were also outside, noticed the three captured men.


    They only looked at the three curiously and followed them with their eyes as Shane led them to one of the serf''s houses, probably to tie them properly.


    ***


    It was already dark when the three woke up¡­


    The room they were in was simple, with stone walls that held the chill of the night and a single shlight that was giving them some light.


    The three men awoke to the coarse bite of ropes binding their wrists and ankles, the cold seeping into their bones.


    Disoriented, they struggled against their bonds, the reality of their situation slowly dawning on them.


    Mr. Wadsworth, the estate''s butler, entered the room with a measured step.


    His presencemanded respect, his eyes sharp beneath the brim of his hat.


    If not for his uniform, they would certainly mistake the old man for some sort of a noble master.


    He carried with him an air of authority that belied his role as a servant!


    "Good evening, gentlemen¡­"


    He began, his voice even and devoid of warmth. "You find yourselves in quite the predicament. I trust you''ll cooperate with our inquiries or it won''t end good for your three... You have to treasure your lives."


    The three men exchanged nervous nces, their bravado from this morning all but vanished.


    Gulp¡­


    Seeing their reaction, Mr. Wadsworth gently smiled and proceeded to interrogate them, his questions pointed and probing.


    "Your names¡­" He demanded, and one by one, theyplied.


    Chris, the first, still had a defiant edge to his voice. The second, Jake, was sullen, and the third, Liam, seemed resigned.


    "And your Survivor Talents¡­"


    Mr. Wadsworth continued.


    The men revealed their abilities reluctantly¡ªIron Sinew, Ogre''s Constitution, and Berserker''s Vigor¡ªeach talent a potential asset or threat to the estate.

 Chapter 97: New Items in Store

    Within the church that was now turned into the main camp of the estate, Shane listened intently as Mr. Wadsworth presented his report.


    The butler''s voice was calm, and each word was carefully chosen to convey the essence of the interrogation.


    "Sir, the three men¡ªChris, Jake, and Liam¡ªpossess talents that are quite extraordinary¡­" Mr. Wadsworth began, handing over a dossier of notes.


    "Iron Sinew, Ogre''s Constitution, Berserker''s Vigor¡­ such abilities could be invaluable to us."


    Shane leaned back in the makeshiftmand chair, a repurposed pew, and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. This chair was one of the things that the Super Soldiers collected this morning. It was a bit broken, but Harper was able to easily fix it.


    After some time, Shane softly spoke¡­


    "To turn them into Super Soldiers would be to erase those talents¡­" He mused aloud. "The serum¡­ they strip away the unique gifts bestowed by the Apocalypse System, leaving nothing but raw physical prowess. It''s a pity if those talents were gone."


    Shane sighed as the Survivor''s Talents and Skills from the System would disappear once they received Project Z2''s serum.


    Mr. Wadsworth nodded, understanding the gravity of the decision. "Indeed, sir. It would be a significant loss to their individual potential. We can use the remaining serums for those with Common or Umon Talents. To use them with those with Rare Talents or even above would be such a waste."


    "We can''t keep them confined indefinitely, either. It''s not sustainable, nor is it just." Shane muttered.


    A heavy silence fell between them, the weight of leadership pressing down on Shane''s shoulders.


    ''What should we do then? Wait until we have another option?''


    Shane''s gaze drifted to the stained ss windows, the light from the bonfire outside casting vibrant patterns on the stone floor.


    After some time, Shane made a decision¡­


    "Give me five days¡­" He finally dered it was heard by the others in their sleeping quarters...


    "If we can''t find a way to ensure their loyalty, then we''ll proceed with the transformation."


    Mr. Wadsworth bowed slightly. "Very well, sir. I shall inform Leo to secure them properly."


    They decided to have Leo tighten the ropes binding the three men, ensuring no slip nor give.


    Furthermore, they assigned a Super Soldier, a silent giant of a man, to take a post outside the confinement room of the three.


    They were all confident enough that a single Super Soldier could deal with the three Survivors even if thetter were at their full strength!


    ***


    On the next day, as the first light of dawn filtered through the stained ss windows of the church-turned-living-quarters, Shane stood contemting the fate of Chris, Jake, and Liam.


    He still couldn''t help but hope that these three would be part of his vanguard team. However, for that to happen, he had to find a way to ensure their loyalty.


    To simply erase them seemed like a waste of resources.


    Yet, the risk of leaving them as they were was too great; their previous actions had shown they were not yet allies.


    "Five days¡­"Shane reiterated to himself.


    It was a deadline, a window of opportunity to find an alternative before giving them the serum.


    Shane''s then checked his Survivor Store. The digital interface greeted him with a list of items and resources.


    "Oh? A set item? How rare¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the items being sold.


    [ Army Boots: Sturdy and reliable boots designed for the rigors ofbat. The Army Boots provide excellent ankle support, durability, and traction on various terrains. Made of reinforced leather and tough rubber soles, these boots are essential for long marches and swift maneuvers in the field.


    They offer protection against environmental hazards and ensure the Survivor''s footing remains secure during intense engagements.


    Price: 30 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2 pairs ]


    [ Army Pants: Durable and functional pants tailored for military operations. The Army Pants feature reinforced stitching, multiple pockets for storage, and adjustable waistbands for afortable fit. Constructed from ripstop fabric, these pants offer resistance to tears and abrasions, making them ideal for rugged terrain and unpredictable encounters.


    Stay agile and prepared with the versatile Army Pants as part of your uniform.


    Price: 25 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2/2 ]


    [ Army Vest: A versatile and protective vest designed forbat readiness. The Army Vest provides essential storagepartments, adjustable straps for a customized fit, and integrated ballistic panels for added defense against projectile threats.


    With MOLLE ( Modr Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment ) webbing for attaching additional gear and essories, this vest enhances the Survivor''s tactical capabilities while ensuring vital organs are safeguarded in high-risk situations.


    Price: 30 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2/2 ]


    [ Army Helmet:A rugged and impact-resistant helmet engineered for battlefield scenarios. The Army Helmet offers superior head protection with a durable shell, padded interior forfort, and an adjustable chin strap for secure wear.


    Featuring a modr design for attaching night vision devices ormunication equipment, this helmet is essential for safeguarding the Survivor''s most vital asset inbat situations.


    Price: 35 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2/2 ]


    "Awesome¡­" Shane muttered as he saw the four new Items being sold.


    The remaining two were just another Cast Iron Skillet and Backpack.


    [ Cast Iron Skillet: A heavy and durable pan that can be used for cooking or as a weapon. It can be used by a survivor who wants to prepare food or bash zombies, but with a slow speed and a loud noise. It has a +90% chance of causing blunt damage and a +10% chance of causing fire damage.


    Price: 15 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2/2 ]


    [ Backpack: Arge and spacious bag that can store more items and materials. It is made of nylon and has zippers and straps. It also provides some resistance to weight-based attacks from Crusher Zombies, reducing the damage and knockdown effect.


    Price: 15 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2/2 ]


    These two items are a bit too expensive, considering they''re just extra equipment. So, for now, he decided to skip those two items and consider themter before the end of the day.


    "A set of Army Uniform is worth 120 Zombie Cores if I get each of them¡­ 240 Zombies Cores for 2 sets¡­" Shane muttered as he confirmed that he had enough Zombie Cores to get them.


    "They''re also clothes¡­ Anna or even Alexa can use them as a change of clothes." Shane muttered as he recalled that they were stillcking some clothes.


    However, he immediately shook his head as he recalled that Super Soldiers found clothes in the Manor!


    "Right¡­ They just smelled bad and needed to be washed¡­ It''s a pity that there''s no detergents being sold in the Survivor. I have to ask the chatter for detergents." Shane muttered as he purchased two of each Army items.


    He didn''t immediately take them out or upgrade them with his Crystals but instead, he decided to check his Reputation Store.


    As he scrolled through the store, his eyes lit up in excitement!


    [ Behavioral Conditioning Chip: A cutting-edge piece of technology designed to modify and enhance the behavior patterns of individuals. The Behavioral Conditioning Chip offers the Survivor the ability to unlock hidden potential and skills through advanced neural programming.


    By imnting this chip, the Survivor can be controlled by the one who imnted the chip, but in exchange, they can also adapt to new challenges more effectively, improve decision-making in high-stress situations, and even gain ess to specialized training programs tailored to their unique ystyle. Upgrade your Survivor''s capabilities with this revolutionary device.


    Price: 15 RP


    Quantity: 1 ]


    [ Prisoner''s Anklet: A sinister device used to restrain and control unruly individuals. The Prisoner''s Anklet binds itself to the Survivor''s leg, imposing limitations and consequences for disobedience. However, for those willing to embrace its dark power, the anklet can also unlock hidden abilities and grant forbidden knowledge if you are willing to be a Prisoner Zombie.


    Will you sumb to its malevolent influence or defy its control to harness its true potential?


    Price: 5 RP


    Quantity: 3 ]


    [ Electric Baton: A versatile weapon favored by enforcers and security personnel for its stunning capabilities. The Electric Baton delivers a non-lethal shock to adversaries, incapacitating them temporarily without causing permanent harm. In the hands of the Survivor, this weapon bes a tool of both defense and subjugation, allowing for strategic takedowns and crowd control.


    Equip yourself with the Electric Baton and wield the power of electricity to assert dominance in the face of danger.


    Price: 7 RP


    Quantity: 2]


    "Amazing¡­" Shane muttered after seeing three items in the store. Their appearance was certainly timely!


    What impressed him the most was the behavioral conditioning chip! It was such an advanced item!


    ''Now that I think about it, there was also that Drone being sold¡­ I guess the items being sold here can be advanced in terms of technology or in terms of magic¡­'' Shane muttered.


    Unfortunately, the chip was a bit too expensive¡­ Although it was certainly the best out of the three items, the price was too much. He doesn''t even have that many Reputation Points.


    Nheless, he could still purchase 3 of the Prisoner''s Anklet.

 Chapter 98: The Strange Manor

    The Behavioral Conditioning Chip was actually an incredibly good item. It could unlock someone''s hidden potential, and there was also a specialized training program you could obtain after being imnted by one.


    The only problem was the fact that you can be controlled or perhaps even get "hacked" because of it. It must be remembered that Shane had obtained Hacking Skills. It was something he "recalled" from the Memory Spheres containing his experience with the A.I. Rebellion.


    Because of that, he knew that this hacking wouldn''t be impossible if he had the devices to do so!


    On the other hand, the Prisoner''s Anklet seemed to be quite promising. It can be used to control people! Once they were tired of being ves, these prisoners would then have an option to turn into a Prisoner Zombie!


    "Very well, let''s get three Prisoner''s Anklet," Shane muttered as he purchased the three Prisoner''s Anklet without any more hesitation.


    With a few taps, he spent his 15 Reputation Points for the sinister devices.


    Once the transaction wasplete, the anklets were sent to his Inventory System.


    Immediately, he took them out to see what they looked like.


    Thud¡­


    The three anklets materialized before him, their presence seemed more intimidating in reality than on the screen.


    Each Anklet was designed to be unbreakable, with sps that would only open to Shane''smand. They don''t seem to be human-made but made of cursed metallic objects as if they had the power to bend the will of those who wore them.


    Indeed, this Anklet was not just a restriction, as it offers a path to greater strength¡ªor a descent into zombification.


    It was actually an interesting item, as expected of the Reputation Store.


    Shane then looked at Mr. Wadsworth, who had been observing the proceedings with a stoic expression.


    "Fit these anklets on Chris, Jake, and Liam¡­" Shane instructed.


    "Ensure they understand the consequences of disobedience¡ªand the choice that lies before them."


    Mr. Wadsworth nodded, his hands steady as he took the anklets. "As you wish, sir."


    In the small room where the three prisoners were held, the atmosphere grew tense as Mr. Wadsworth entered together with Shane behind.


    The clink of the anklets echoed ominously as heid them out before the men.


    "Chris, Jake, Liam¡­" Mr. Wadsworth began, his voice resonating with authority.


    "These are your new restraints. You won''t be killed if you decide to work here in the estate. They will limit your actions and enforcepliance but it will ensure your life... Right, ording to Sir Shane, this could also be an opportunity for the three of you to get stronger. Should you choose to embrace their power, you may unlock abilities beyond your current understanding¡ªbut at a cost."


    The prisoners exchanged wary nces, the gravity of their situation dawning on them as the anklets were secured around their ankles.


    The gemstones glowed brighter, and a faint hum filled the room as the devices activated.


    "Mhmm¡­ It looks good on the three of you." Shanemented after seeing them wearing the anklets made of dark metal "Alright, Pick up the pickaxes in the Forge and head to the Iron Mine. You will work there under supervision¡­"


    Chris, Jake, and Liam, now bound by the anklets'' power,plied. For some reason, they felt really great following Shane''smand, and they also felt somehow stronger!


    They weren''t sure yet but they will look at their statuster!


    Soon, they picked up the heavy tools for mining. They also brought backpacks with them, and they seemed to be of decent quality!


    They realized that they were bought from the Survivor Store and were also upgraded with the precious Crystals!


    ''So rich¡­ Where is he getting all these resources?''


    ''How can he buy so many of them at the same time?''


    ''It''s amazing¡­ Even these Anklets used on us weren''t normal items. Our Master Shane must have a stable method of getting Zombie Cores and Reputation Points.''


    The three prisoners had their own thoughts as they realized that Shane was incredibly rich in terms of resources!


    Shane watched them go together with their guards.


    To ensure their safety and the clearing of the mine, Shane dispatched two Super Soldiers¡ªthe towering figures of strength!


    Their presence would be enough to kill any remaining undead. Their prowess a guarantee of the prisoners'' protection¡­ Of course, even the Prisoners weren''t push over so with their upgraded pickaxes, they should still be strong enough to protect themselves from low-tier Zombies.


    As the group made their way to the Iron Mine, the sun began its ascent, casting long shadows behind them.


    The day''s work would be grueling, but it was a chance for redemption, an opportunity to prove their worth in this new life that was offered to them.


    And for Shane, it was another step towards securing the future of his estate and its people.


    ***


    Yesterday, during the exploration of the Manor by the Super Soldiers, Mr. Wadsworth appraised all the items they had taken out, and he arranged them before Shane checked them.


    Well, it was an easy task with the help of his skill.


    [ Antique Appraisal (Lv10 - Max): Having managed a nobleman''s estate, Mr. Wadsworth developed an eye for valuable artifacts and antiques. It grants the following benefits:


    +30% uracy in identifying the historical significance and value of ancient items.


    +30% chance to recognize enchanted or magical objects.


    +30% speed in assessing the authenticity of art and collectibles. ]


    With this specific skill, he was able to do his job perfectly.


    The Super Soldiers had done their part, extracting every item of value from the Manor''s first and second floors. Theyid out their haul in the warehouse that was previously a barn.


    Paintings, cold weapons, chairs, clothes, books¡ªeach piece a silent witness to a world that had ceased to be. There were even coins and paper money that no longer have any value as of today.


    Mr. Wadsworth approached the collection with admiration, his hands sped behind his back. He began the meticulous process of cataloging, his eyes scanning for the telltale signs of magic and history.


    Among the many items taken out by the Super Soldiers, there were some of them that caught the butler''s eyes. There were a few of them, so he quickly made a list of them after using his appraisal ability.


    Of course, Mr. Wadsworth''s Appraisal ability wasn''t as great as the system''s provided item description. There was a limit to what he could appraise.


    Nheless, it was enough to obtain the name of the item, the rank, and a bit of description.


    [ Portrait of the Viscountess ra ( Umon ): This oil painting, framed in gilded mahogany, captured the viscountess in her youth. The brushwork was exquisite, the colors vibrant despite the years. A faint aura of charm magic lingered on the canvas, suggesting it may have once enchanted those who gazed upon it. ]


    [ Sir Gideon''s de ( Rare ): A longsword with a de as dark as night, rumored to have been forged in dragonfire. Engraved ancient letters etched along its length like a tribal mark, indicating a mysterious history or may be power yet to be awakened. ]


    [ Broken - Diadem of Insight ( Epic ): A circlet of pure silver, adorned with a sapphire that pulsed with an inner light. It was said to be an item that could open the person''s third eye, though such ims remained unverified. ]


    [ Alchemist''s Tome ( Rare ): Bound in leather that was cracked with age, this book contained recipes for potions long forgotten. Some pages were marked with notes in an unknown hand, hinting at secrets yet to be discovered. ]


    [ Chalice of Whispers ( Umon ): An intricately carved goblet made from a single piece of obsidian. It was rumored to allowmunication with spirits when filled with moonlit water. ]


    [ Nobleman''s Night Cloak ( Rare ): Woven from precious silk, this cloak seemed to absorb the light around it. When worn, it helps the user be undetectable during the night. ]


    [ The Librarian''s Ledger ( Umon ): A ledger containing the records of every book that had passed through the Manor''s library. Some entries were written in a cipher, suggesting a hidden knowledge within its pages. ]


    "Interesting items¡­"


    As Mr. Wadsworth worked, he felt that he was back as a true butler of the estate. This was a job that he had been doing for many years, and he was back at it.


    Plenty of items had still been taken out, but all of them were already Common rank items. They were wooden shields, steel swords, ceremonial swords, and clothes like coats, pants, and even skirts¡­


    ''We finally have plenty of clothes we can wear to change¡­'' Mr. Wadsworth said as he looked at the third floor of the Manor.


    Unfortunately, there seemed to be a problem exploring that floor.


    Anyway, Shane already said that he would handle this problem on the third floor, so he had nothing to worry about.


    "What a strange abandoned Manor¡­ As expected of Sir Shane, he selected this as his territory with a big n in his mind." Mr. Wadsworth muttered as he turned to the Super Soldiers who had been injured while trying to enter the third floor.

 Chapter 99: Pets and Prisoners

    "There must be a great secret inside¡­" Mr. Wadsworth muttered. He recalled the Super Soldiers'' ounts of the advanced technology that had repelled them with electric shocks andser defenses on the third floor!


    It wasn''t something that would just appear in this backwater region of the continent. The previous owner of this ce must have had an incredible identity and was simply hiding in this peaceful region until the Zombie Outbreak made them flee from this ce.


    Anyway, he only hoped that Shane would be sessfulter since none of them could probably assist him right now.


    In the meantime, they continued to do their routine tasks in the morning.


    Mr. Wadsworth also instructed the Super Soldiers to reinforce the manor with additional wooden beams, ensuring its stability.


    As for Shane, his attention was elsewhere.


    He had before him four Unhatched Pet Eggs, each brimming with potential and mystery. Though he already had a bonded pet orpanion, these new creatures were intended for his allies, a gift of support for the battles toe.


    Soon, Shane spent all the Zombie Cores required toplete the hatching process.


    The first egg cracked open to reveal a Fire Elemental, its body a dance of mes and embers. It circled Shane while its light and warmth were probably quite simr to candlelight. It wasn''t that much at all.


    It was also as small as Axis in the Fairy Realm.


    ''I hope this thing can at least help us light some firewood.'' Shane mused after seeing it.


    The second egg, covered in frost, birthed aFrost Wyrm, its scales glistening like morning frost. It let out a chilling roar, and the air around it turned cold.


    Again, it was obviously not enough to bother a Zombie, considering it was only a Common Pet.


    It wasn''t that surprising.


    In Shane''s opinion, Common Pets were more like there to assist the Survivors with their daily activities than killing Zombies.


    ''This pet will be great during the summer¡­'' Shanemented in his mind.


    From the third egg, what emerged was green and vibrant Spriggan, its formposed of leaves and living wood. It bowed to Shane, a gentle rustling sound apanying its movements, signifying the healing and regeneration it would bring to his allies.


    However, since it had just been born, Shane wasn''t expecting much from it. At most, this Spriggan could probably help with some light injuries.


    The final egg, pulsating with energy, released aThunderbird. It soared above Shane, electricity crackling in its wake before disappearingpletely! It seemed that it was just a burst of power after being hatched.


    ''Not enough to power even a lightbulb, I guess¡­'' Shane noted in his mind as he checked their descriptions one by one.


    [ Unnamed Elemental


    Species: Fire Elemental


    Description: A flickering sprite of me, the Fire Elemental dances with yful warmth and light. This elementalpanion exudes a gentle heat that offersfort in colder environments. While not overpowering, its presence subtly boosts morale, providing a modest 5% increase in damage dealt by allies in its proximity.


    Abilities: Warmth Aura


    Growth Requirement: Nourish its essence with embers from controlled fires and engage in battles to help it mature. It can be fed with Zombie Cores. ]


    [ Unnamed Wyrm


    Species: Frost Wyrm


    Description: A serpentine creature of ice, the Frost Wyrm moves with a graceful chill, leaving frosty trails in its wake. Its icy breath has a mild freezing effect, slowing enemies ever so slightly by 5%. While not imposing, its presence adds a touch of frost to the battlefield, subtly altering the pace ofbat.


    Abilities: Frosty Exhale


    Growth Requirement: Expose it to wintry environments and challenge it with frost-rted trials to aid its development. It can be fed with Zombie Cores.


    [ Unnamed Spriggan


    Species: Basic Spriggan


    Description: A small woond sprite, the Basic Spriggan embodies the rejuvenating essence of nature. It offers a modest 5% enhancement to healing effects on allies and encourages passive health regeneration at a gentle pace. Its presence brings a touch of vitality to the party, promoting sustained well-being.


    Abilities: Nature''s Caress


    Growth Requirement: Surround it with natural elements and nurture its connection to life to unlock its potential. It can be fed with Zombie Cores.


    [ Unnamed Avian


    Species: Thunderbird


    Description: A nimble bird crackling with static electricity, the Thunderbird darts through the air with quick bursts of energy. Its attacks carry a slight chance (around 5%) of momentarily stunning enemies, adding a sporadic element of disruption to engagements. While not overpowering, its electrifying presence can create brief openings inbat.


    Abilities: Shocking Swoop


    Growth Requirement: Expose it to electrical phenomena and encourage its yful interactions with lightning-based challenges for growth. It can be fed with Zombie Cores. ]


    Shane nodded as he confirmed that they could at least provide some help with their 5% ability. It was quite bad but at the very least, he knew that they could still get stronger and reach their limit of 10% skill strength.


    As he was thinking of having the Super Soldiers name them to get the pets bound to them. Shane paused for a moment before he decided to name them first.


    Shane looked at the Fire Elemental first before giving it a name.


    "I''ll call you ze from now on."


    [ Soulboundplete. ]


    [ You have registered ze, a Fire Elemental, as your pet. ]


    "What?" Shane was shocked


    An unforeseen twist of fate urred. The system, in its inscrutable wisdom, bound the emerging pets to himself even though he should''ve reached the limit already!


    He immediately tried doing it to other pets.


    Soon, he got simr notifications.


    [ Soulboundplete. ]


    [ You have registered Frostbite, a Frost Wyrm, as your pet. ]


    [ You have registered Sylvan, a Basic Spriggan, as your pet. ]


    [ You have registered Sparky, a Thunderbird, as your pet. ]


    "Is it a bug?" Shane immediately thought as he recalled that because of the regression artifact he had obtained, there were quite a few unusual errors in the Apocalypse System when he started the Zombie Apocalypse.


    Shane stood amidst his newpanions, a sense of wonder and responsibility filling him. These creatures, bound by the system''s decree, were now his tomand.


    "Fine¡­ I''ll take responsibility¡­ Let me bring you all in the Fairy Realmter, and maybe you guys can be stronger." Shanemented with a smile on his face.


    He believed that Emberwing and Axis would probably be happy once they met their new friends.


    ***


    In the meantime, while Shane was busy with the new pets he had obtained, the group of prisoners, guarded by two Super Soldiers, had finally reached the mine.


    The Iron Mine was quite huge, and they had actually been here before and were chased by the Crypt Crawler Zombies.


    They thought that there were treasures here, only to be attacked by unusually strong Zombies that they have never seen before.


    "We''re back here, huh¡­" Chris muttered with aplicated smile on his face.


    Well, they didn''t expect that they were able to return here quickly¡­ This time, instead of explorers, they returned as miners.


    Jake and Liam could only sigh as they looked at the Iron Mine.


    The three of them, bound by the Prisoner''s Anklets, shuffled towards the entrance, their pickaxes slung over their shoulders.


    The two Super Soldiers, which Shane named As and Orion, nked them, their eyes scanning the shadows for movement.


    "Keep your heads down and focus on the ore¡­" As instructed, his voice was like a low rumble. "We''re here to clear the mine, not to babysit." The Super Soldier added.


    However, Liam snorted after hearing this... "As if we needed a reminder. Just make sure those things don''t get too close."


    "Ahem¡­ We know what we have to do." Jake said after hearing Liam''s brave reply.


    The three Prisoners weren''t afraid of the Super Soldiers at all. The reason was simple, they needed to be fit in order to mine the ores and they also heard from Shane that the Super Soldiers wouldn''t do anything to them unless they activated the Anklet''s power to turn them into Zombies or if they tried breaking the Anklet.


    The group descended into the mine, the light from the 3 Light Orbs or Light Scepters they brought was cutting through the darkness. They could see the walls glistened with moisture, and the air was thick with the smell of earth and decay.


    Of course, the Light Orbs were still those they had gotten from the sher Zombies.


    As they reached the first vein of iron, Chris and Jake began to work, the sound of metal against rock a steady rhythm in the oppressive silence. Liam, however, kept ncing over his shoulder, his nerves on edge.


    He actually had some sort of danger perception even before he was sent to this apocalypse!


    Suddenly, a screech pierced the air, and a group of Zombies staggered into the light.


    The Zombie''s eyes were hollow, their movements were also jerky and unnatural.


    "Walker Zombies..." The three prisoners immediately confirmed.


    Orion stepped forward while his Nail Bat, Anna''s previous weapon, was held tightly.


    "Just continue working... Don''t mind these weak zombies." He ordered while moving to meet the threat.


    On the other hand, As didn''t even make a move and simply waited on another spot for another zombie to arrive!

 Chapter 100: The Ores

    The battle was swift and brutal.


    Orion''s Nail Bat was already a Master-Grade Weapon in the first ce!


    [ Nail Bat ( Master ): A brutal weapon that can smash zombies with ease. It is made of a wooden bat with nails hammered into it and has a leather grip. It can kill a zombie with a single hit in the head, and can also cause bleed and stun effects. It is also useful for breaking through obstacles and doors, but has a low durability.


    Effects: +80% damage against Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies, +10% against Spitter Zombies, +25% Critical Chance, +15% Attack Speed


    Special Effect:


    Swift: The item is enhanced with a speed boost that can make the user faster and more agile. It has a +100% chance of increasing the user''s movement speed and dodge chance for a short duration.


    Cost: 25 Spirit Points


    Shock: The nail bat is electrified with a high voltage that can shock zombies and make them twitch. It has a +60% chance of causing electric damage to zombies, and a +60% chance of paralyzing them and making them vulnerable to critical hits.


    Cost: 50 Spirit Points ]


    With the additional 80% Damage against Walker Zombies and the sheer strength of the Super Soldier, Orion doesn''t even need to trigger the Special Effects of the Item!


    It was enough to use normal smashes even if the Zombie was wearing a helmet!


    Bang!


    He crushed the head of the undead with ease¡­


    On the other hand, As also noticed a few more Zombies approaching his path¡­


    "Oh¡­ Let me break your heads!"


    He didn''t wait for the Zombies as he decided to move forward to meet them!


    As then used his brute strength to crush skulls and shatter bones.


    With the help of his Tier 4 Hunter Gloves, As was confident that he could crush anyone with his palms!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The Zombies fell one by one, their numbers no match for the Super Soldiers'' prowess.


    nk! nk!


    The prisoners also stopped mining seeing how the two Super Soldiers easily killed the Zombies¡­ They were simply too strong!


    They couldn''t help but wonder how did Shane gained such monstrous followers!


    Not even a month had passed!


    ''It must be rted to his Legendary Talent¡­'' The three of them thought at the same time. Aside from that, they couldn''t think of any other method that Shane could''ve used to get so many Super Soldiers.


    "So lucky¡­ If my talent is also legendary, I would have a different oue. However, this is still better than surviving in the wild. I can still have food and water without any problems¡­" Chris watched in awe; his arrogance from yesterday was no longer there.


    "I''ve never seen anything like it¡­" He admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Jake nodded, his eyes wide in surprise as he saw how As killed Zombies with his hands. It was simply too terrifying!


    "They''re like machines¡­ unstoppable." Hemented.


    Liam, who had been silent, also spoke up.


    "If this is what being a Super Soldier is like, I think it would be great if Shane could also give us whatever drug he used on them¡­."


    It was then agreed upon by the two other prisoners.


    The two Super Soldiers heard such remarks, and they couldn''t help but turn to them.


    As nced back at them, his expression unreadable beneath the helmet he just looted from the Zombies.


    "Don''t be so eager¡­" He said. "This poweres with a price."


    The group continued to work, the prisoners mining the ore while the Super Soldiers kept watching.


    The day wore on, and the mine slowly began to yield its treasures once more.


    However, as the clinking of pickaxes against rock had begun to wane as the prisoners neared the end of their grueling day, the Super Soldiers felt another threating at them.


    "Stop¡­" As said as he felt the presence of multiple Zombies. This time, they seemed to be stronger than Walker Zombies.


    The Prisoners did as they were told, and soon, an eerie silence descended, broken only by the skittering sounds that echoed through the tunnels.


    "Mhmm?"


    From the shadows, six Crypt Crawlers emerged, their movements were almost silent as they skulked along the walls and ceiling with spider-like agility.


    Their eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and they were fixed on the Super Soldiers, who were both emitting a powerful aura around them.


    Nheless, the Crypt Crawlers seemed unafraid as they looked at the two with predatory intent.


    Gulp~


    The three prisoners immediately recalled their terrible experience against these Crawlers. Although they somehow killed two of them after Shane intervened, it was mostly because they weren''t in a tight space, and these Crawlers seemed to be very terrible in the sunlight.


    However, the situation now waspletely different.


    They no longer have Emergency re Guns that they could use after Mr. Wadsworth collected all the items in their Inventory¡­


    Indeed, aside from bread and water, their system Inventory contained nothing!


    "Let''s back off a bit¡­" Chris muttered as he felt that 2 against 6 would be a bit too difficult in this tight space¡­ With that in mind, one or two Crypt Crawlers might manage to pass through the Super Soldiers and target the three of them!


    Jake and Liam realized what Chris was thinking as they slowly stepped back while watching the Crypt Crawlers.


    Just like before, these Crawlers had their limbs contorted and elongated, allowing them to traverse the vertical surfaces with terrifying speed.


    As some of the Crawlers nced in their direction, the prisoners froze, their breaths caught in their throats as the Crypt Crawlers seemed to threaten them not to leave.


    Graaghh~


    Their fangs bared and dripping with venom.


    But before panic could take hold, a thunderous roar filled the cavern.


    "Haa~"


    Orion and As, the two Super Soldiers, stepped forward with a presence thatmanded the battleground.


    They were like titans among men, their muscles tensed and ready to unleash destruction upon the creature.


    Orion, gripping his Nail Bat with a warrior''s resolve, swung with a force that seemed to cleave the very air itself.


    Whoosh~


    The first Crypt Crawler tried to block it with its limbs and even nned to counterattack with a bite¡­


    However, it underestimated the strength of the Super Soldiers!


    Boom!


    It was met with a brutal arc of the bat, its body exploding into a shower of gore as the Master-Grade weapon lived up to its lethal reputation!


    No, if the Super Soldiers weren''t the ones wielding the Nail Bat, this wouldn''t have been the result of a single attack!


    After all, these Crypt Crawlers were still mid-tier Zombies!


    Crack! Smash!


    As, his hands sheathed in the Tier 4 Hunter Gloves, moved quickly as he didn''t allow Orion to take all the fun!


    His grip was like a death sentence, his palms delivering crushing blows that shattered exoskeletons and pulverized the zombies!


    The Crypt Crawlers Zombies, swift though they were, could not match the ferocity and precision of the Super Soldiers!


    Thud! Crunch!


    One by one, the Crypt Crawlers fell, their bodies crumpling to the ground in twisted heaps.


    The Prisoner miners watched, wide-eyed and awestruck, as the two Super Soldiers stood amidst the carnage, barely sustaining any injury on their bodies.


    "We''re done here¡­" Orion said as he nced at the three prisoners who were shocked at the result of the battle.


    Chris and the other two could only nod as they felt that they could no longer banter with these Super Soldiers. They were simply in a different league!


    The three could only exchange nces as they made a silent agreement.


    The journey back to the surface was uneventful, but the experience had changed the prisoners.


    They had seen the power of the Super Soldiers firsthand, and it had given them much to think about.


    ***


    Back at the estate, Shane wasn''t even worried about the three prisoners'' safety.


    The reason was simple: as the Super Soldiers killed the Zombies, they also looted them in the process. Because of that, Shane was able to receive some of the experience points they were getting!


    [ You have earned 6 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 6 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 6 Experience Points. ]


    ¡­


    [ You have earned 6 Experience Points. ]


    "Nice¡­ Are they killing Crypt Crawlers in the mining site?" Shane muttered while he was getting ready to enter the manor and see the third floor for himself.


    But first, a detour was in order¡ªto check on Leo the cksmith and the progress with the rare ores entrusted to him.


    Shane had previously bestowed upon Leo a treasure trove of ores: five pieces each of Starlight Silver, Abyssal Iron, and Phoenix Copper, each with properties as mystical as their names.


    [ Starlight Silver Ore: A luminescent metal that seemed to twinkle with captured starlight. Only an experienced eye could see its true value. ]


    [ Abyssal Iron Ore: Dark as the deepest chasms, with a weight that spoke of its density. Only an experienced eye could see its true value. ]


    [ Phoenix Copper Ore: Warm to the touch, its surface shimmering with a faint, me-like glow. Only an experienced eye could see its true value. ]

 Chapter 101: A.I. Cloud

    "Only an experienced eye could see its true value." Shane repeated.


    It was unfortunate that even with his level 10 Metalworking and Mining Skills, he still didn''t have that experienced eye to see the true value of the ores.


    Nheless, Leo was able to discern the true value of these ores, allowing him to gain confidence with the new items he could have from such precious materials.


    With Leo''s help, he was able to learn what they could do!


    [ Starlight Silver Ore:


    Description: A rare metal that shimmers with the ethereal glow of captured starlight, revealing intricate patterns of celestial origins to the discerning eye. Its purity and resilience hint at untold potential for crafting extraordinary artifacts.


    Effects: Crafted weapons from Starlight Silver Ore possess the innate ability to enhance precision, granting a higher chance of critical hits against foes. Armor forged from this ore offers enhanced agility and speed to the wearer, allowing swift maneuvers in battle. ]


    [ Abyssal Iron Ore:


    Description: As dark as the depths of the abyss, this ore exudes an aura of unyielding strength and imprable fortitude. Its weight foretells of its exceptional density, harboring the essence of ancient mysteries waiting to be forged into formidable armaments.


    Effects: Weapons crafted from Abyssal Iron Ore bestow increased defensive capabilities, providing a shield against enemy attacks. Armors fashioned from this ore offer heightened protection and resilience, reducing damage taken inbat. ]


    [ Phoenix Copper Ore:


    Description: Radiating a gentle warmth and adorned with a flickering me-like luminescence, this ore embodies the fiery spirit of the legendary phoenix. Its malleability and enchanting glow signify a transformative essence, promising the creation of weapons or armor imbued with resilience and vigor.


    Effects: Crafted items from Phoenix Copper Ore grant the wielder or wearer an elemental advantage, infusing attacks with a fiery essence that burns foes over time. Armor made from this ore provides increased resistance to fire-based attacks, shielding the user from mes and heat-rted damage. ]


    "What are your thoughts, Sir Shane?" Leo asked after Shane confirmed all the effects of the ores he obtained.


    Shane examined the appraised ores, each with its own unique allure and potential.


    Afterpletely understanding their purpose, he turned to Leo, the cksmith, as his mind raced with possibilities.


    "These Starlight Silver Ore weapons... they could turn the tide in a battle with their additional benefit. If my guess is right, it gives additional attack speed or maybe agility, and also critical hit rate. I''m thinking of a set of lightweight throwing knives, perfect for quick, silent takedowns. And if I''m going to make armor out of it, it will be a recon suit that allows for stealth and speed.


    But I already have the Crawler Set¡­ What do you think, Leo?" Shane asked after some thoughts.


    "With five ores, we can consider making a light chest te for two ores and the three others can be used for hidden weapons., Master Shane. The Starlight Silver''s luster will make the knives almost invisible in the night, and the recon suit will be as light as a shadow. I''ll ensure they''re both crafted to perfection." Leo replied after giving considering the sizes of the ores.


    To be honest, the ores were really quite a huge chunk.


    "Right¡­ That''s great, Leo. Now, this Abyssal Iron Ore, with its defensive properties... A shield against Zombies might be helpful. It doesn''t have to be a huge shield¡­ If there''s enough for light armor, something that can absorb the brunt of any attack, consider it as well.


    Remember that Anna might use it while foraging outside the estate." Shane suggested, as he also realized that the ores indeed have a good size.


    "For Anna, huh¡­ Very well¡­ The Abyssal Iron will serve well for such purposes. A shield that can withstand any onught and armor that will make the wearerfortable during foraging tasks or when doingplicated movements..." Leo nodded repeatedly as he listed the items that he had to make.


    Seeing that Leo understood, Shane continued.


    "Lastly, the Phoenix Copper Ore. Its fiery essence is perfect for offense. A sword, one that can ignite the surroundings that it slices through¡­ and I don''t think we need armor that has fire resistance anyway, so just focus on making fire swords."


    "That''s a good decision¡­ A sword imbued with the essence of fire... It will be a masterpiece, Sir Shane¡­ In any case, it''s not like there are fire-breathing Zombies, so armor with fire-resistance isn''t really that necessary¡­"


    "Haha¡­ Don''t jinx it now, Leo¡­" Shane immediately said.


    "Ahh¡­ You''re right¡­ You''re right, Sir Shane. I''ll work on these pieces of equipment now¡­ Hopefully, it won''t take that long. If you find better forging equipment in your Survivor Store, please give it to me."


    Shane nodded¡­


    "Yes¡­ I will let you know, Leo. For now, you canplete the tasks I assigned first. Let''s bring these visions to life and arm ourselves with better weapons." Shane said as he allowed Leo to continue with his work.


    Leo bowed slightly, a gleam of excitement in his eyes as he envisioned the challenge ahead.


    "It will be done, Sir Shane. Our warriors will be equipped with the finest that my forge can produce. Hahaha!"


    With their ns set, Shane left the forge.


    Soon, the sound of Leo''s hammer ringing out behind him, a promise of the mighty arsenal soon toe.


    ***


    After some time, Shanepleted his preparation and soon, he stood before the staircase leading to the third floor of the manor, a ce shrouded in mystery and danger.


    Previously, the Super Soldiers, despite their might, had failed to breach its defenses.


    It was dangerous to even enter.


    However, Shane was undeterred after he received theplete report from the Super Soldiers.


    Although it seemed scary at first, he felt that it would be fine if he reached that ce together with his A.I.


    With a deep breath, he ascended the stairs, each step resonating with determination.


    As he reached the top, he was greeted by a corridor lined withsers, the air was even crackling with the hum of electricity.


    Tazer traps, hidden in the shadows,y in wait for any intruder.


    "It was really just like what they said¡­ This is definitely not something a backwater manor can possess. The previous owner of this ce wasn''t as ordinary as I thought." Shane muttered after seeing the challenge in front of him.


    It was quite terrifying, but Shane was no ordinary intruder.


    He may not be d in a suit woven from special materials that help him get insted against the electric threats that lurked in every corner; he at least possesses a set of equipment that assassins would love to have.


    "Slowly¡­ I don''t need to hurry."


    He navigated thebyrinth ofsers with an agility that could only be achieved way above his current level.


    His movements were precise and calcted, and he certainly did not make a mistake as hecontinued on his way.


    Then, at the corridor''s end, he saw a formidable obstacle: a massive metal door, its surface bristling with an array of defensive mechanisms.


    "Wow¡­ Why do I feel like I entered a science fiction now¡­" Shane muttered as he recalled that this government made Project Z truly an advanced civilization. It waspletely different from what he originally thought after seeing the dpidated manor.


    Anyway, Shane surveyed the door, his eyes narrowing as he assessed its vulnerabilities. It was then that he called upon Cloud, his A.I. Assistant, now housed within the sleek form of a wristwatch.


    "Cloud, scan the door. We need an entry point." Shane said.


    This was the reason why he was confident that he would be fine getting into this ce. He didn''te unprepared!


    [ Scanning now, Shane. Please stand by. ]


    "Got it¡­ Take your time." Shane replied.


    The watch emitted a series of soft beeps as it interfaced with the floor''s securitywork.


    [ That red panel on the door three times. ]


    "Alright¡­" Shane replied as he did what he was told.


    After tapping it three times, nothing happened.


    However, Shane wasn''t impatient.


    Momentster, a small panel on the door''s surface clicked open, revealing a nest of wires.


    "Whoaaa¡­ How did you do that?" Shane muttered.


    [ We have located the central wiring hub. Connect me, and I will initiate the hacking sequence. ]


    "We can do that?" Shane raised his brows, but he still ced the watch near the nest of wires.


    His fingers deftly exposed the core wires. With a swift motion, he connected Cloud to the system.


    The A.I.''s presence within thework was like a whisper, bypassing firewalls and decrypting codes with an efficiency that only an Anima-forged intelligence could achieve


    "Awesome..."


    [ Hacking in progress... Security protocols areplex, but not beyond my capabilities. ]


    The door''s defenses began to falter, one by one, as Cloud''s algorithms tore through them. Lights flickered, rms silenced, and the once-imprable door yielded to Shane''s will.


    "Well done, Cloud. Let''s see what secrets this floor holds."

 Chapter 102: Secrets of the Chamber

    Clink!


    With a hiss of releasing locks, the door swung open, revealing the fortified room within.


    [ The third floor is yours, Shane. Proceed with caution. ] Cloud reminded.


    After taking a deep breath, Shane examined the room. He was quite excited to see what was inside, considering it was protected by such advanced weapon technology.


    "Mhmm¡­"


    The room was a stark contrast to the rest of the manor, a chilling disy of scientific ambition gone awry. It was aboratory, vast and cold, where the air hung heavy with the scent of chemicals and the metallic tang of blood.


    Rows of ss vessels lined the walls, each filled with a murky liquid that preserved the grotesque results of inhumane experiments.


    "What? Is this really part of the government''s research facility?" Shane was shocked.


    ''Is it a coincidence that this ce is my starting area? Or is it also arranged by my previous self?'' Shane couldn''t help but wonder as he felt that it was too surreal¡­


    "Incredible¡­ but also disgusting."


    There were huge vessels containing light green liquid everywhere. There were disembodied limbs floated alongside malformed figures, some with too many eyes, others with limbs where there should be none. In the center of the room, a full human body, suspended in stasis, bore the marks of countless surgeries, its chest an intricate web of scars.


    Shane''s gaze swept over the workstations cluttered with research papers, their edges yellowed with age. The handwriting was frantic, the notes of a mind teetering on the brink of madness.


    ''Just what are they researching here¡­'' Shane thought.


    Medical toolsy scattered, some stained with rust, others gleaming ominously under the flickering lights.


    This ce seemed to be hastily abandoned by the previous researchers as well.


    Books, ancient and leather-bound, were stacked haphazardly, their pages filled with medical knowledge and perhaps even some forbidden knowledge.


    "Let''s see¡­" Shane wasn''t in a hurry to examine the various items in the room. He first looked at the papers on the research tables.


    "Ahh¡­ It''s about that again¡­"


    Shane''s hands trembled slightly as he sifted through the papers scattered across theboratory''s workstations.


    The documents were a chaotic mix of hastily scribbled notes and meticulously detailed reports, all hinting at the grand and terrible scope of Project Z.


    "Project Z: Super Soldier Initiative¡­" Shane repeated the familiar government n.


    ''The goal is clear: to forge an invincible army. Enhanced strength, speed, and cognitive abilities are not just aspirations but necessities for the future of national defense. Our soldiers will be unstoppable¡­''


    The initial pages outlined the government''s ambitious n to create an elite force of Super Soldiers. Diagrams of enhanced muscture and augmented neural pathways promised a new dawn of military prowess.


    But as Shane flipped through the pages, the tone shifted. The diagrams became oveid with erratic annotations, the text scrawled with a sense of urgency and despair.


    "Mutation Logs: Day 23¡­"


    ''The serum''s effects were beyond our wildest predictions. Subject 17 exhibited unprecedented strength, tearing through restraints like paper. However, the cost is high¡ªcognition has plummeted, reced by a primal hunger. We''ve created monsters¡­''


    "Ohhh¡­" Shane''s eyes widened as he continued reading.


    These reports were in a leather-bound journal, its pages were already edged with wear.


    The entries were dated, starting with Day 23, detailing the unexpected side effects of the serum designed to enhance human capabilities. The subjects, once soldiers, were devolving into something else¡ªsomething primal and insatiable. The term "flesh-eating monsters" appeared repeatedly, a stark contrast to the clinicalnguage of the earlier pages.


    Amidst the chaos of the reports, one name recurred.


    "It''s here¡­ Sofia: Patient Zero¡­" Shane muttered as he read the familiar name once again.


    She was described as Patient Zero, she was an anomaly within the project. The notes spoke of her with a mix of reverence and fear, for she remained untouched by the virus that ravaged the others.


    Her blood samples, depicted in vivid color on the stained pages, held a key that the researchers were desperate to replicate.


    Shane then shifted his attention to a different book. It''s cover was red and seemed quite important to he swiftly checked it out.


    "Control Mechanisms and Enhanced Mutations¡­" Shane read the title before turning to its content.


    ''Today''s trials with neural inhibitors show promise. The subjects are more docile, manageable. But we need more control. Mutations have been induced to increase resilience. Subject 21 survived a direct artillery hit. The implications are staggering.''


    "What? Artillery hit? What kind of monster are you making?" Shane was shocked as he also recalled the Tyrant Zombie! In his mind, the Zombie could probably handle such firepower based on the others'' descriptions in the chat.


    Further into the journal, Shane discovered the researchers'' attempts to regain control over the monsters they had unwittingly created.


    Diagrams of neural inhibitors and pheromonal triggers filled the margins, alongside frantic calctions of dosages and exposure times.


    There were notes on mutations, deliberate and idental, that led to stronger, more resilient creatures. The words "unstoppable force" were underlined, a chilling premonition of the apocalypse that was toe.


    "Haaa~"


    Shane sighed as he recalled once again that this apocalypse was human-made. There wasn''t a divine intervention that led to such a result¡­ Or at the very least, that was what it looked like after reading so much.


    "Day 24¡­" Shane continued.


    ''We''re on the brink of something monumental. The mutations are stable, and the subjects are showing capabilities beyond human limits. But at what cost? Their humanity is slipping away. We''re losing them to the hunger. This was meant to be our greatest achievement; it''s bing our greatest regret.''


    The Day 24 entries were a mix of breakthrough and desperation. The researchers had found a way to induce controlled mutations, enhancing the creatures'' strength and ferocity. Yet, the cost was clear: the humanity of the subjects was disappearing, their minds lost to a ravenous hunger.


    Shane''s eyes moved over the pages, absorbing the horror of what had transpired within these walls. The experiments, the failures, the fleeting moments of hope¡ªall were documented here, a testament to the ambition that had led to the world''s downfall.


    Then, he read more passages where he found Sofia''s name again.


    ''Her blood could be the key to reversing the effects. Sofia''s immune response is unlike any subject in the program. We''re synthesizing a counter-serum based on her antibodies. If we seed, we could stop this epidemic before it''s toote¡­


    ''Day 47 - The situation is deteriorating. The subjects are escaping containment, and the facility is under threat. Sofia''s counter-serum is ourst hope. We''re initiating emergency protocols to secure the research. All else is secondary now.''


    As he delved deeper into the papers, Shane realized the gravity of what he held.


    ''Day 68: If anyone finds this, know that we didn''t mean for this to happen. Project Z was meant to protect, not destroy. Sofia''s counter-serum is in the vault. It is imperfect and also untested... I hope you can¡ª''


    Thest entry ended here. The other papers were rted to how they made the serum that started this all.


    There were also records of antibodies they collected from Sofia¡­


    This was more than a record of failure; it was a blueprint for salvation. If Sofia''s immunity could be understood, there was a chance to reim the world from the brink of extinction.


    Realizing the importance of the journals, Shane gathered the papers, tucking them securely into his pack.


    The secrets of Project Z would not remain buried in this forgottenboratory. They would be the key to humanity''s resurgence¡­


    Finally, after collecting the important research papers, he turned his attention to apparatus of unknown purposes. He also noticed their dials and gauges frozen at critical readings.


    Shane approached a desk in the middle of the many medical devices, he found another open journal amidst the scattered vials.


    Among the chaos, a single, leather-bound tome caught his eye. It even has a lock on it!


    Its cover was embossed with strange symbols that he had no idea what it could mean...


    ''I''ll open thister¡­'' Shane thought as he kept the strange journal first.


    Then, as he moved deeper, he passed a row of cryogenic chambers and they were still working!


    Although it wasn''t surprising since the defense mechanisms outside still worked, it was still quite exhrating seeing it with his own eyes!


    Inside these chambers, he could see figures were suspended in icy slumber!


    "Just who would expect that this manor would have such things inside¡­" Shane muttered as he still couldn''t believe that the manor that he had ignored for weeks contained these things!


    Anyway, he ignored the cryogenic chambers for now.


    At the far end of the room, a fortified chamber beckoned. Its door was ajar¡­ It was inviting yet foreboding.


    Nheless, seeing that there was a fingerprint scanner beside it, Shane used Cloud''s interface cable to connect to it.


    As he connected to the chamber''s security system, the A.I.''s algorithms danced through the defenses with a deft touch.


    [ ess granted. The chamber is open. ]

 Chapter 103: Technology

    [ ess granted. The chamber is open. ]


    Whoosh~


    With a hiss of depressurizing seals, the door swung wide, revealing the heart of theboratory''s secrets. Inside, amidst a nest of wires and pulsing lights,y the ultimate prize: a device of unknown origin, its purpose obscured by the dust of neglect.


    "Cloud¡­ Can you scan it or something?" Shane muttered as he didn''t immediately approach the unknown device.


    Before him stood a device, its design both alien and familiar, and seemed to be a masterpiece of pre-apocalypse technology.


    [ Yes¡­ ] Cloud replied.


    Then, the A.I.''s sensors bathed the device in a soft blue light, meticulously analyzing its structure andposition.


    [ Initiating scan... Analyzing materialposition and energy patterns. ]


    This action seemed as if it triggered the device as it felt like it hummed to life under the scrutiny of the A.I. Anyway, he must be imagining it as its surface patterns glowing faintly. It was as if responding to the presence of Cloud.


    [ Material unrecognized. Cross-referencing with Human technological databases... No direct matches were found. ]


    The A.I. worked continuously, its algorithms sifting through huge amounts of data in search of a clue to the device''s purpose.


    Shane could probably obtain a system response once he touched it, like many other items. However, touching an unknown device that seemed to be extremely important may not do well for him.


    Because of that, he patiently waited for the A.I. assistant toplete its investigation.


    [ Energy signature detected. It''s consistent with defensive shield technology, but far more advanced than any known human-made models. ]


    Finally, after several moments of intenseputation, Cloud delivered its conclusion.


    [ Scanplete. The device is an advanced defensive barrier generator. Capable of creating a protective field of significant strength and radius. ] Cloud reported.


    "Ohhh¡­" Shane eyes widened after hearing this.


    "A defensive barrier generator¡­ That sounds cool. Is it safe to approach it?"


    [ Yes. ]


    Shane heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this.


    Then, he finally decided to touch the device.


    As soon as he did this, the Apocalypse System seemed to have recognized this achievement!


    [Congrattions, Shane! ]


    [ You have discovered: The Aegis Force - A relic of defensive mastery. For uncovering this special item, you have been awarded:


    +500 Experience Points ]


    +10 Reputation Points ]


    [ The Aegis Force


    Description: The Aegis Core was a monolith of sleek metal and pulsating energy conduits, standing as a testament to the ingenuity of a lost age. Its surface was etched with intricate patterns that seemed to channel the very essence of protection. At its base, twenty socketsy dormant, awaiting the Power Cores that would awaken the device from its slumber. ]


    Defense Rating: Epic


    Durability: 90 days once fully charged


    Activation Requirement: 20 Power Cores


    Special Ability: Creates an imprable barrier within a 200-meter radius, shielding all within from danger. ]


    "A barrier!" Shane''s eyes lit up after hearing this¡­


    As his hand hovered over the cold metal, Shane couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. This item now belongs to him!


    The Aegis Force was more than a mere artifact¡­ It was a means to protect his territory.


    ''Unfortunately, I only have seven Power Cores in my collection¡­ I have to find more.'' Shane mused.


    It was indeed unfortunate that its potential was locked behind the need for Power Cores.


    Shane knew what he had to do. The search for the cores would be difficult, but he knew that it would be worth it.


    With the Aegis Force, he could create a sanctuary, a bastion against the undead!


    Anyway, Shane didn''t immediately take the core with him.


    His gaze swept across the room, taking in the myriadponents thaty discarded like forgotten treasures.


    "Mhmm¡­ These things¡­"


    His instincts as an Otherworldly Mechanic told him that these were not mere scraps, but more likely unused or extracted parts of the Aegis Force!


    He wasn''t sure if it was his talent, but he could feel the potential hidden within them.


    Gathering the parts, Shane''s hands moved with precision, which belied theplexity of the task. Or perhaps, this was also rted to his talent.


    [ Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ): The Survivor can easily create and modify any mechanical device, such as weapons, vehicles, automatons, and gadgets. The Survivor has limited ess to alien technology and materials that are unavable to other survivors. ]


    After gathering the items , Shane turned to Cloud once more, his curiosity piqued by the array ofponents he had gathered throughout the chamber.


    "Cloud, can you give me a detailed scan of these parts? I need to know if they''re what I think they are."


    [ Affirmative, Shane. Initiating a secondary scan now. ]


    Once again, the A.I.''s sensors whirred to life, casting a grid of light over theponents. One by one, Cloud identified the parts, its database cross-referencing the unknown technology with known defensive mechanisms.


    [ Scanplete. I have identified severalponents that are integral to defensive barrier technology. Here are the details¡­ ]


    "That''s fast¡­" Shane muttered as he checked them immediately.


    [ Enhanced Deflectors


    Description: Utilizes a prized energy field to deflect iing projectiles and energy sts.


    Potential Use: Could significantly increase the durability of any barrier by dispersing kic energy upon impact. ]


    [ Point Defense Matrix Disk


    Description: An automated system designed to track and neutralize iing threats in real-time.


    Potential Use: Ideal for a barrier''s active defense against high-velocity projectiles. ]


    [ Dynamic Shielding Fabricators


    Description: Capable of rapidly constructing and repairing barrier segments on the fly.


    Potential Use: Ensures the barrier remains intact even under sustained assault. ]


    [ Force Field Generators


    Description: Emits a powerful energy field capable of withstanding extreme forces.


    Potential Use: Forms the core of the barrier, providing a strong defensive perimeter. ]


    "Okay¡­" Shane stopped for a moment after seeing these items¡­ Without a doubt, these parts were indeed valuable!


    This was indeed a treasure trove! A perfect ce to use his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent!


    Now, Shane couldn''t help but think that his previous self had also nned for him to make this ce his starting region!


    After all, the Otherworldly Mechanic talent seemed to be only suited to such advanced ces like the A.I. Rebellion and Alien Invasion¡­


    He wasn''t really hoping much to use this in the Zombie Outbreak.


    However, it seemed that a god was on his side as he was able to find this ce!


    After taking a deep breath to calm down, Shane continued checking the otherponents. After all, he would certainly use them to make other devices!


    [ Quantum Cohesion Modules


    Description: Enhances the structural integrity of barriers at a molecr level.


    Potential Use: Could prevent the barrier from fracturing under stress.


    [ Energy Redistribution Conduits


    Description: Channels excess energy away from critical systems to prevent overload.


    Potential Use: Allows the barrier to adapt to fluctuating power levels and maintain stability. ]


    [ Harmonic Resonance tes


    Description: Absorbs and dissipates vibrational energy from sonic and seismic attacks.


    Potential Use: Adds an extrayer of protection against unconventional weaponry. ]


    Shane nodded after seeing these. He had gathered over 30ponents, and none of them were useless!


    After checking the otherponents like wires, metal casings, and others, he found three more interesting items meant to create barriers.


    "This is really interesting¡­" Shane mused.


    [ Thermal Nullification Coils


    Description: Neutralizes extreme temperature variations to protect the barrier''s integrity.


    Potential Use: Shields the barrier from thermal-based attacks and environmental hazards. ]


    [ Graviton Flux Stabilizers


    Description: Bnces gravitational anomalies to keep the barrier anchored in ce.


    Potential Use: Ensures the barrier does not copse under its own weight or external gravitational forces. ]


    [ Electromaic Pulse Suppressors


    Description: Shields sensitive electronics from the effects of EMPs and other electronic disruptions.


    Potential Use: Protects the barrier''s operational systems from being disabled by electronic warfare. ]


    "Hey, Cloud¡­ Is this really made by human researchers? This is quite incredible¡­"


    [ The origin of this technology is unclear. The craftsmanship andplexity suggest a level of expertise that is highly advanced. It is possible that human researchers, perhaps with external assistance or ess to unknown resources, developed this. ]


    Shane pondered the implications, the pieces of arger puzzle slowlying together in his mind.


    "If the government did create this, then the knowledge was lost or hidden. If they have such incredible defensive items, I don''t think this continent would be zombie infested¡­ Something must''ve happened. It''s almost as if we''re rediscovering forgotten secrets."


    Shane smiled at the thought.


    [ That is a usible hypothesis. It is also conceivable that this technology was developed in secrecy, away from the public eye and historical records. Also, the researchers'' early deaths may be the reason why this technology failed to see its day of activation. ]


    "Right¡­ You are from Anima¡­ What do you think of this technologypared to your A.I. civilization?


    [ By standards, the barrier technology here, while impressive, is considered elementary.]


    Shane''s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.


    "So, we''re dealing with tech that''s advanced for us but basic for others out there¡­ There''s so much more to learn and discover."


    After Shanepleted his chat with the A.I., he finally decided to activate his Otherworldly Talent!

 Chapter 104: Beacon

    He already had a good grasp of this Otherworldly Mechanic Talent. Although it wasn''t easy to activate as it required certain conditions to be met, he knew that it would be a game-changer once activated.


    After all, this talent could allow him to build or rebuild things without much effort as long as he possessed the requirements he needed to do so.


    As soon as he examined all the items, they all glowed with either blue or red. Just like before, the radiant blue segments indicated the device''s good continued while the red glow highlighted the areas in need of repair.


    "Amazing¡­" Shane nodded in satisfaction after seeing the 30 or so items with his talent activated.


    He realized that about 90% of them had blue indicators! This means that they can still be used since there were really few red parts!


    Just like that, the talent assisted him with the possible devices he could create with theseponents, and the system recognized them immediately.


    Ding!


    The system interface shimmered into view, presenting Shane with three distinct blueprints for different barrier generators, each a marvel of engineering that could provide sanctuary during chaos!


    [ You have learned three possible Barrier Devices that can be created through the scanned materials: The Bulwark Beacon, The Guardian Node, The Sentinel Sphere]


    [ The Bulwark Beacon


    Defense Rating: Master


    Durability: 30 days


    Activation Requirement: 120 Zombie Cores, 5 Reputation Points


    Special Ability: Generates a protective field with a 100-meter radius, capable of repelling up to mid-tier undead.


    Building Requirements: View Here. ]


    [ The Guardian Node


    Defense Rating: Exceptional


    Durability: 20 days


    Activation Requirement: 100 Zombie Cores, 4 Reputation Points


    Special Ability: Creates a barrier that electrifies upon contact, deterring low-tier undead and providing a safe zone for survivors.


    Building Requirements: View Here. ]


    [ The Sentinel Sphere


    Defense Rating: Exceptional


    Durability: 10 days


    Activation Requirement: 80 Zombie Core, 2 Reputation Points


    Special Ability: Projects a small, mobile barrier around the user, ideal for solo excursions into infested territories.


    Building Requirements: View Here. ]


    "Wow¡­" Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing each of them.


    Shane weighed his options, the blueprints glowing with potential.


    The Bulwark Beacon was a miniature fortress with its range, the Guardian Node was like an active protector in its offensive mode, and the Sentinel Sphere was like a personal guardian.


    Each had its merits, and Shane knew that in the right hands, they could turn the tide of survival.


    However, he wasn''t done checking them yet, so he decided to view the building requirements for each barrier.


    [ The Bulwark Beacon


    Building Requirements:


    Enhanced Deflectors: For deflecting projectiles and dispersing kic energy.


    Force Field Generators: To form the core of the barrier.


    Dynamic Shielding Fabricators: For rapid construction and repair of the barrier.


    Energy Redistribution Conduits: To adapt to power fluctuations and maintain stability.


    Quantum Cohesion Modules: To enhance structural integrity at a molecr level.


    Harmonic Resonance tes: To absorb and dissipate vibrational energy from attacks.


    Additional Parts worth 5 Reputation Points:


    Energy Amplification Lenses: To focus and intensify the barrier''s strength.


    Spectral Analyzers: For real-time threat assessment and barrier modtion.


    Required Power Cores: 7 ]


    "Ahhh¡­ So that''s why I need 5 Reputation Points¡­ There three missing things that weren''t here." Shane muttered after seeing the Energy Amplification Lenses, Spectral Analyzers, and Power Cores!


    In short, if he actually had those three items, he would probably only pay the Zombie Cores to build the barrier generator!


    ''Awesome¡­'' Shane felt excited after this discovery. He felt that with this talent, he would really be able to create a powerful fortress in the middle of this forest!


    Of course, Shane also checked the requirements of the other two barrier generators.


    [ The Guardian Node


    Building Requirements:


    Point Defense Matrix: An automated system to neutralize iing threats.


    Thermal Nullification Coils: To neutralize temperature extremes and protect integrity.


    Electromaic Pulse Suppressors: To shield operational systems from EMPs.


    Harmonic Resonance tes: To absorb and dissipate vibrational energy from attacks.


    Additional Parts worth 4 Reputation Points:


    Ionic Discharge Capacitors: For the electrification effect upon contact.


    Resonant Frequency Oscitors: To disrupt the neural pathways of approaching enemies.


    Required Power Cores: 5 ]


    "Ahh¡­ I only have three sets of Dynamic Shielding Fabricators¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the Dynamic Shielding Fabricators once again¡­ He had no issue with the harmonic resonance tes since there were enough in the chamber, so he didn''t mind if the generators required them.


    Then, Shane checked thest blueprint.


    [ The Sentinel Sphere


    Building Requirements:


    Graviton Flux Stabilizers: To keep the barrier anchored and mobile.


    Electromaic Pulse Suppressors: To protect against electronic disruptions.


    Energy Redistribution Conduits: For barrier stability during movement.


    Thermal Nullification Coils: To neutralize temperature extremes and protect integrity.


    Dynamic Shielding Fabricators: For rapid construction and repair of the barrier.


    Additional Parts worth 2 Reputation Points:


    Mobility Enhancement Gears: To ensure the user''s freedom of movement within the barrier.


    Adaptive Interface Matrix: To allow the barrier to respond to the user''sbat style.


    Required Power Cores: 2 ]


    As Shane was about to manually count the number of generators he could make with the materials he had, he immediately recalled his A.I. and asked about thebinations he could make if he had enough Reputation Points.


    [ You can make 3 Bulwark Beacons and 6 Sentinel Spheres. ]


    "What else?"


    [ 1 Bulwark Beacon, 2 Guardian Nodes, and 5 Sentinel Spheres. ]


    "Oh¡­ The Sentinel Spheres lessened. Is it because of the Thermal Nullification Coils? I don''t have enough of them, huh¡­" Shane muttered as he felt that the Bulward Beacons were more than enough for him to protect the estate.


    The Aegis Force was certainly the best barrier generator that he had right now, but it just required too much Power Core, and he had none of them.


    Well, he could probablypensate with Reputation Points but it seemed to be much of a waste. He''d rather buy Power Cores from other Survivors. He was sure that he would be able to find someone keeping one of them in their Inventory.


    With a decisive nod, Shane set to work.


    He started making the Bulwark Beacon!


    With the help of his Otherworldly Mechanic interface, the parts fused together, energy conduits connected with a satisfying click, and the Enhanced Deflectors aligned into a protective array¡­


    After some time, the Bulwark Beacon took shape, its elegant and formidable form.


    The Beacon was a tower of resilience, standing about two meters tall with a base that anchored it firmly to the ground. Its surface was a tapestry of silver and blue, with panels that pulsed softly, indicating the flow of power within. At its apex, a crystalttice emitted a soft glow, the heart of the Force Field Generators ready to spring to life.


    Ding!


    [ Crafting Sessful! ]


    [ You have created a Bulwark Beacon.


    For your ingenuity and resourcefulness, you have been awarded:


    +50 Experience Points


    +2 Reputation Points ]


    [ You are the first to craft a Master-Grade Device! ]


    [ You have obtained:


    +100 Experience Points


    +10 Reputation Points ]


    [ You can transfer your own creation to your Inventory. ]


    Shane stepped back, admiring the rewards he got and the Beacon itself.


    "This... this is more than I hoped for. It''s not just a machine; it''s a guardian of our estate!"


    Shane smiled seeing the result before he decided to test it.


    "Alright, let''s see what you can do."


    ***


    Gene, d in his weathered armor, stood vignt at the estate''s watch tower.


    His gaze was fixed on the horizon, where he could see some movements in the mountain.


    ''Is that another Giant Zombie?'' He mused.


    Rustle~


    The stillness of the day was suddenly broken by the rapid, rhythmic pounding of feet¡ªRunner Zombies, their gaunt figures sprinting towards the estate''s wooden walls.


    With a seasoned warrior''s calm, Gene gripped his crossbow, ready to intercept the oing threat.


    He did not consider alerting Shane since this was a challenge he could handle alone.


    As the first Runner Zombie neared the unprotected section of the perimeter, Gene braced himself forbat.


    But then, the ground beneath his feet hummed, and a pulse of energy rippled through the air.


    "What''s this? Is it a Zombie Wave?" Gene was momentarily rmed as he considered ringing the bell that Leo had created.


    However, something felt off with the direction of energy he suddenly felt.


    It was a sensation he had never felt before, a surge of power emanating from the manor itself.


    Thud! Thud!


    The sound of the Runner Zombies'' advance came to an abrupt halt.


    Before Gene''s astonished eyes, a dome of light materialized, its surface shimmering with an ethereal glow.


    The Runners collided with the barrier, their momentum halted as if they had struck an invisible wall.


    "This is¡­" He didn''t know what to say as he was extremely shocked by the situation.


    Gene watched, awe-struck, as the creatures wed futilely at the barrier.


    He had no idea that the Bulwark Beacon had already activated at the most opportune moment, casting its protective shield over the estate.


    In the safety of the barrier''s embrace, Gene put down his crossbow.


    Then, a silentugh escaped his lips.


    "Seems the manor has a few tricks up its sleeve..."

 Chapter 105: Offers

    Gene''s curiosity was piqued as he watched the Runner Zombies il against the unseen barrier.


    With a sense of curiosity, he descended the watchtower. His crossbow was left behind as it was the main weapon for whoever was assigned to man the watchtower.


    Thud¡­


    The ground met his boots. Then, he approached the gate, his hand steady as he utched it.


    Stepping beyond the safety of the estate''s walls, Gene stood about three meters from the undead, separated by the mysterious force field.


    Indeed, there was another three meters "safety zone" outside the wooden wall of their shelter.


    He then moved to the side, away from the Runner Zombies.


    Then, he reached out tentatively, his fingers meeting resistance as if pushing against a viscous curtain.


    With a grunt of effort, he pressed forward, the barrier giving way just enough to allow him passage.


    "What sorcery is this? It yields to the living but not the dead." He muttered softly, guessing that only those who weren''t Zombies could pass through the barrier.


    Graaghh!


    Once on the other side, the Runner Zombies, sensing fresh prey, lunged with a guttural snarl.


    Gene''s reflexes were swift; his Serrated Reaper de hummed as it sliced through the air, its edge finding the rotten flesh of the undead.


    One, then two, the Runners fell, and their threat ended as quickly as it had begun.


    With Gene''s current battle experience and set of equipment, these weak zombies were no longer a threat.


    ''Mhmm¡­ If the Zombies around will only be this weak, I think exploring the outside with Super Soldiers should no longer be a problem.'' Gene thought as he felt that over the past couple of days, the number of Zombies reaching their shelter had decreased a lot.


    At this point, their collection of experience points, zombie cores, food, water, and item upgrade crystals would greatly slow down.


    As he wiped his de clean, a sizzling sound filled the air.


    "Mhmm?"


    Gene turned just in time to see two Spitter Zombies emerge from the shadows, their mouths agape with acidic bile.


    They spat them out with deadly uracy!


    Gene''s eyes widened as he swiftly moved, diving back towards the barrier.


    "Not today, fiends!"


    The acid sshed harmlessly against the barrier, and protected Gene perfectly!


    The barrier actually allowed him to quickly slip through the barrier. It waspletely different from his earlier struggle when passing through the barrier!


    Once inside, he turned to face the Spitters, now seeming frustrated by the barrier that had saved him.


    Well, he couldn''t really tell their expressions, but he could feel that they would be frustrated if they had intelligence.


    "This barrier¡­ It''s so mysterious¡­ it knows friend from foe¡­"


    He marveled at the intelligence of the defense system. It was surely a silent ally in the fight against the Apocalypse.


    Gene knew that with such defenses, the estate was more than a refuge; it was a fortress!


    ***


    In the heart of the manor, Shane''s focus remained undisturbed by themotion outside.


    Although Shane knew that Gene was battling against the two Spitter Zombies at this time, he wasn''t worried, since he also learned that the two Super Soldiers were rushing in his direction to help.


    All of that was reported by Cloud, his A.I. Assistant.


    Anyway, Cloud''s updates on the battle outside were a mere background hum to his focused task.


    The fact that the Super Soldiers were en route to assist Gene allowed him to concentrate on his work without concern.


    Because he crafted the Bulwark Beacon, he could either make 2 more of them and 6 Sentinenl Spheres or 2 Guardian Nodes and 5 Sentinel Spheres.


    [ Crafting Sessful! ]


    [ You have created a Sentinel Sphere.


    For your ingenuity and resourcefulness, you have been awarded:


    +30 Experience Points ]


    ''There''s no reputation points this time¡­ Is it because I only crafted an item below Master-Grade?'' Shane mused as he saw the notification from the system.


    In any case continued to make two more of them.


    In the end, with the Bulwark Beacon and the three Sentinel Spheres, Shane just spent a total of 360 Zombie Cores and 11 Reputation Points!


    That was certainly not a small amount!


    The Sentinel Spheres were soon in front of Shane¡­


    Each Sphere was a seamless orb, its surface attice of energy lines that glowed with a soft, pulsating light.


    The outer shell was crafted from a lightweight, yet incredibly durable, alloy, allowing for both mobility and defense.


    "Let''s see how well you perform." Shane muttered to himself.


    As Shane activated the first Sentinel Sphere, it came to life with a gentle hum, the energy lines brightening as they traced aplexwork across its surface.


    Then, it hovered effortlessly above the ground, ready to shield its bearer from harm.


    He observed the floating Sentinel Sphere hovering in front of him before he extended his hand. Soon, the Sphere connected somewhat to Shane and formed a bubble around him!


    "Impressive. Just like its name¡­ It''s really a Sentinel Sphere¡­ Now for a real test."


    cing the Sentinenl Sphere on his chest instead of cing it in his hands, Shane felt the device sync with his movements.


    "Ohh~"


    It was as if the Sphere had be an extension of himself, its barrier moving with him, a personal shield against the dangers of the world outside.


    He took a few steps, then broke into a sprint. The Sphere matched his pace, its barrier undisturbed by the increased speed.


    Shane performed a series of quick dodges and rolls, the Sphere''s barrier would actually adapt his form!


    Although the toughness of the barrier wasn''t as great as the other barriers, this would still be helpful in many situations like ambushes or when being sniped!


    "It''s like dancing with a shadow. It follows my lead perfectly. It''s worth the price!"


    Shane smiled as he nned on how to use it. He wanted to have the other Sentinel Sphere as his backup, and the third one would be left in the estate.


    He wanted to give his Mr. Wadsworth and allow him to decide who would use it.


    "Alright¡­"


    Satisfied with the Sentinel Spheres'' performance, Shane knew they would be invaluable assets in the battles toe. They were more than just protective devices; they were symbols of the resilience and ingenuity that humanity still possessed!


    "With these Spheres, we''re not just surviving; we''re fighting back¡­ I think it''s time to be on the offensive¡­"


    After settling all of these, Shane then recalled the need for the Power Cores.


    It must be remembered that the Reputation Points he used were just enough to fill the Barrier Generators.


    The Bulwark Beacon could onlyst for 30 days with 7 Power Cores. The Sentinel Spheres could onlyst for a maximum of 10 days with 2 Power Cores. It may also lessen if the shield receives more stress than its normal capacity.


    With the Barrier Generators requiring a steady supply of Power Cores to maintain their protective embrace, Shane knew he had to act swiftly.


    He didn''t immediately make a request in the Regional or World Chat since he would be drowned by private messages.


    Instead, he decided to message the four people who had sold four Unhatched Pet Eggs to him before. They were Raze, Caelum, Aria, and ra...


    [ Shane: I trust you''re well. I''m currently sourcing Power Cores and would appreciate your assistance. Our previous dealings were swift, so I''m informing you again. In return, I can provide Item Upgrade Crystals. Let''s discuss this further if you''re avable. ]


    After sending this message to all four of them, they immediately sent a reply!


    [ Raze: Shane, always a pleasure. I''ve got a couple of Power Cores in stock, been saving them for a rainy day. Your offer of Item Upgrade Crystals has certainly piqued my interest. How about we trade one Core for five Crystals? Let me know if that works for you. ]


    [ Caelum: Good to hear from you, Shane. Power Cores are hard toe by these days, but I might have a few I can part with. Your Item Upgrade Crystals are quite themodity. I''m thinking of a one-to-four trade, Core for Crystal. If that''s agreeable, we have a deal. How many do you need?


    If you need a lot, we can still negotiate. ]


    [ Aria: Hey Shane! Luck is on your side; I recently came across a stash of Power Cores. They''re not easy to get, as you know. I''d be willing to trade, but those Item Upgrade Crystals better be top-notch. There was recently lower-ss Item Upgrade Crystals being circted. How about six Crystals per Core?


    We can negotiate if needed. ]


    [ ra: Shane, your timing is impable. I do have 10 Power Cores, but they''re in high demand. I value our past trade, so I''ll give you a fair deal. Three Item Upgrade Crystals for one Core sounds about right. If you''re in agreement, let''s set up the exchange. ]


    "Ohhhh¡­" Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing their replies.


    Well, they don''t really have a reference to use when exchanging items. After all, there are no system-managed stores selling Power Cores for Item Upgrade Crystals.


    In the end, Shane had to negotiate for a better price.

 Chapter 106: New Person

    Shane''s decision was made quickly. After all, he had to be fair in this negotiation. He needed to have a simr trade offer to all four of them just in case these four also knew each other.


    Anyway, ra''s offer had been the most favorable, and Shane, ever the prudent one, extended the same terms to the other survivors.


    He felt that the market for the Power Core wasn''t that big yet, and he believed that it was a generous offer considering he could still use the Regional Chat or the World Chat to find other willing customers for the offer.


    The negotiations were brief, the other survivors recognizing the value of Shane''s proposition.


    [ ra: It''s a deal, Shane. I''m d we coulde to an agreement so quickly. Ten Power Cores for thirty Item Upgrade Crystals. I''ll prepare the cores for transport. Contact me when you''re ready to proceed with the trade. ]


    ra, with her stockpile of10 Power Cores, agreed to the trade, and Shane parted with30 Item Upgrade Crystals¡ªa small price for such a crucialponent.


    [ Raze: Shane, you drive a hard bargain, but I can''t say no to those crystals. They''ll upgrade my gear nicely. You''ve got yourself a deal. I''ll send over the two Power Cores. I''ll request the trade for the exchange now. ]


    Raze''s contribution was smaller, onlytwo cores, but every core was a step towards security, and Shane dly exchangedsix crystalsfor them.


    [ Caelum: Your terms are eptable, Shane. I appreciate the straightforward nature of this trade. Eight Power Cores for twenty-four Item Upgrade Crystals it is. I''ll have them ready for you by tonight. We can finalize the details then. ]


    [ Aria: Alright, Shane, you''ve convinced me. Three Crystals per Core is a fair trade. I''ll part with my eight cores, and in return, I expect those shiny crystals to be of the highest quality. Just send me a trade request if you have the crystals already.]


    Caelum and Aria, each in possession ofeight Power Cores, decided not to bargain too much since they felt that they would have more transactions with Shane in the future if they had such swift trades like this one.


    They believed that it would benefit them in the long rin!


    Shane also did not think that he had wasted a lot of Crystals at all. It hastened the fortification of his estate after all.


    The48 crystalsShane spent for their cores were a testament to his foresight. The crystals would enhance the four''s gear, but the cores would safeguard the future of Shane''s camp.


    In total, Shane had spent84 Item Upgrade Crystalsfor a trove of28 Power Cores. It was a significant expenditure, but the returns were immeasurable!


    With these cores, Shane could activate the Aegis Force, a defensive system that required20 Power Coresto awaken from its dormant state.


    Yet, Shane chose restraint over haste. The Bulwark Beacon, with its radiant dome of protection, was more than sufficient against the current threats.


    From the Runner Zombies'' reaction a few moments ago, he knew that the defense it had was already enough. Its presence was a deterrent to the lower-tier and mid-tier Zombies that roamed the wastnds.


    "We''ll hold on to these cores. The Aegis Force is our ace in the hole¡­ I''ll probably activate it when the next Zombie Wavees or when the stakes are highest." Shane muttered as he felt satisfied with his decision.


    The manor was now looking like a real fortress, its defenses bolstered by the Super Soldiers and the Barrier Generator!


    However, he knew that it was still not enough! He had to continue making the estate stronger!


    ***


    That day quickly passed and dawn broke over the estate with a gentle rustling of the leaves. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees.


    Gene, their only Knight, was already up, his armor donned, and he nned to rece the current soldier in the watchtower.


    He stood on the tower, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the undead.


    Inside the warehouse, Mr. Wadsworth, the butler, moved with silent efficiency, preparing the morning tea with practiced hands.


    The aroma of the brew mingled with the fresh morning air, a subtle reminder of the world that once was.


    The six Super Soldiers, were also patrolling the grounds tirelessly!


    Because of their physique, they only needed less than two hours of sleep to be filled with energy again!


    Their steps were heavy, their eyes alert. Each movement was a sign of discipline and strength!


    They truly deserved to be called Super Soldiers!


    "Mhmm¡­ What a pleasant smell~" Anna muttered after smelling tea that the butler was brewing.


    "Ugh¡­ I can''t be distracted. I still have things to do."


    She was the physician whose knowledge of herbs was the highest in the shelter. She swiftly gathered her tools for foraging. Her garden, a patchwork of wild and mystical herbs, was a source of healing and hope for everyone.


    For now she looked at the herbs in her garded to see what type of nts she had to take note once outside.


    She checked the nts with tender care, selecting the ones ready to be harvested and slowly filling her basket with nature''s bounty.


    Whom~


    As the morning progressed, agray fogbegan to roll in, enveloping theestate''s front in a cloak of mist. It was mystical, an ethereal nket that seemed to have life of its own¡­


    But there was no fear among the inhabitants, for they knew this sign well¡ªit was the effect of Shane''s Territory Lord Title.


    The fog swirled and danced, and from its depths, a figure emerged. A lone survivor, drawn to the estate by the promise of sanctuary, stood at the gates.


    The fog seemed to part for them, a path cleared by an unseen hand.


    "Ohhh¡­ Another traveler! State your business." Gene said as he looked at the person and the situation behind. He wanted to ensure that there are no other zombies following him.


    The figure, weary yet hopeful, looked up at the towering Knight.


    "I seek refuge. I''ve heard tales of a ce, where the dead do not im dominion. Is this the ce of the Foreign Survivor?"


    "Indeed, it is¡­ You are safe here. But we just have to ask a few questions¡­"" The butler suddenly said from behind the wooden walls. Well, he already had the authority to deal with this matter. After all, Shanecouldn''t just meet with all the people visiting his shelter.


    At this time, two of the Super Soldiers also ceased their patrol, escorting the neer¡­


    ***


    The man who emerged from the mist bore the unmistakable stance of a soldier, his posture was great despite the weariness that clung to him like the foghe''d traversed.


    His name was Captain Lucas Sterling, a title earned through years of service and a few battles against the undead that now roamed the earth.


    He couldn''t remember when it was, but Lucas had been leading his squad through the ruins of a once-bustling city when they met several high-tier Zombies at the same time and it was such a scary sight!


    In the chaos, Lucas fought with the ferocity of a man who knew no defeat. His rifle had been an extension of his will, each shot a deration of resistance!


    However, the fog descended upon them and seemed to have saved his group!


    It was unlike any mist they had encountered¡ªthick, almost sentient, and it swallowed the sounds of the world whole. After sensing that it had eaten him whole, he no longer had a chance of meeting with his friend again.


    At first, he felt like he was simply lost but as the fog grew denser, his senses dulled, and a strange lethargy took hold.


    Thest thing he remembered was the silhouette of a figure, its figure distorted by the mist, and then nothing.


    When Lucas awoke, he heard several instructions from a mysterious voice¡­ These instructions were drilled into his head, and he couldn''t dismiss them!


    Then, a few moments after that, he found himself standing before the estate as the fog receding like a tide.


    Of course, Lucas''s hand instinctively went to his side, seeking the rifle that was no longer there. In its ce, he found the familiar shape of his army knife, its handle worn from use. It was a smallfort, a reminder of his identity and his duty.


    ''This is...''


    Lucas was a tall man, with a rugged countenance carved from years of warfare. His hair was a sandy brown, cropped short out of necessity rather than style, and his eyes, a piercing blue, scanned his surroundings with a soldier''s vignce.


    His uniform, though worn, still bore the insignia of his rank, and his boots, scuffed and stained, told tales of the many miles they had marched.


    "I''m willing to be questioned! But I also wish to meet with the Foreign Suvivor. I also have some questions..."


    His voice was rough, and he seemed confused as he took in the sight of the estate''s walls.


    The patrolling Super Soldiers and the faces that peered at him with a mix of curiosity and empathy had truly made him interested in the estate''s situation.

 Chapter 107: The Event!

    "I don''t understand. My team, the city¡ªwe were fighting, and then¡­"


    Lucas then continued telling his story in front of Shane, Mr. Wadsworth, and Alexa¡­


    The others were already outside working on their daily tasks. Perhaps his memory was hazy so he wasn''t able to recount most of what had happened before he was taken by the fog.


    Nheless, one was clear: this person was indeed an experienced soldier!


    "It''s the same for everyone, huh¡­ That fog was really scary. Right, we haven''t told you yet, but the fog has imed many, it happened to most of us here in the shelter¡­ Anyway, even if it''s scary, it also offers sanctuary." Alexa said as she shared her story, allowing Lucas to rx a bit.


    "So I''m not the first to arrive in such a manner. That''s great to hear. Although my memory is blurry, I know I have many friends as well. I hope I can still meet them someday." Lucas said with a hopeful smile on his face.


    Lucas''s gaze then shifted from Alexa''sforting presence to the figure of Shane, the enigmatic owner of the estate.


    Shane stood silently with an air of authority¡­


    Lucas could see his handsome features and his ck hair which was a stark contrast against the morning light filtering through the windows.


    His eyes, deep and ck, seemed to hold a well of knowledge far beyond his youthful appearance, which suggested he was in his twenties.


    ''This person is a Foreign Survivor that will save ournd. I wonder what kind of abilities he has.'' Lucas mused as he observed the man.


    Shane''s attire was unlike anything Lucas had seen before, even in his extensive military career. The tunic Shane wore clung to his form, moving with him like a second skin, its dark fabric blending with the shadows of the room. It was adorned with subtle patterns that seemed to shift and change, making Shane''s outline blur at the edges when he moved¡ªa garment designed for stealth and subtlety.


    ''It''s definitely not something that my generations'' technology could make¡­ Is it from the foreign world he came from?'' Lucas mused as he couldn''t help but feel mesmerized by Shane''s outfit.


    Over the tunic, Shane wore a chest te that shimmered with an iridescent sheen, as if woven from the exoskeleton of some fantastical creature. It looked lightweight yet imprable, a paradox of protection that Lucas could only marvel at. Draped over his shoulders was a cape that seemed to drink in the light, its fabric flowing like liquid night.


    Shane''s hands were encased in gloves that bore an intricate web of lines, each finger tipped with material that provided a grip as sure as any spider''s.


    A while ago, when Shane entered the room, he also noticed that the man''s boots made no sound as he walked, the soles leaving no trace on the wooden floor, a perfectplement to the silent grace with which he carried himself.


    At his side hung an unusually designed de, but its handle seemed to be intended for a quick draw. He also had a hatchet with a sparkle that spoke of a razor-sharp edge.


    Finally, he saw that Shane was tucked in a holster. There was a revolver, its design sleek and modern, a juxtaposition to the more mystical elements of his gear.


    "Wee to our camp, Lucas¡­ For now, can you show me the skills you have. You should''ve obtained them after you heard the mysterious voice." Shane said after confirming the man''s story.


    "Of course!"


    [ Demolition Expertise Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill that enables the soldier to handle explosives, set traps, and demolish obstacles with precision and efficiency. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% effectiveness of explosive devices


    +40% chance to disarm enemy traps or mines


    +40% speed of setting up and detonating explosives ]


    [ Firearm Mastery Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill that focuses on mastering various firearms, improving uracy, handling, and efficiency inbat engagements. It grants the following benefits:


    +30% uracy and precision with firearms


    +30% chance to score critical hits with ranged weapons


    +30% speed of reloading and weapon maintenance ]


    [ Field Medic Lv10 (Max): A vital skill that equips the soldier with medical knowledge and first aid expertise to treat injuries and ailments during missions. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% effectiveness of healing abilities


    +40% chance to find or create medical supplies


    +40% speed of administering first aid ]


    [ Adrenaline Surge Lv10 (Max): A unique skill that allows Lucas to harness bursts of adrenaline inbat situations, boosting strength, speed, and endurance. It grants the following benefits:


    +50% temporary boost tobat abilities during intense encounters


    +50% chance to recover quickly from injuries or fatigue


    +50% speed of adrenaline activation ]


    [ Close Quarters Combat Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill that specializes in closebat techniques, enhancing the soldier''s proficiency in meleebat and hand-to-hand confrontations. It grants the following benefits:


    +50% damage dealt in closebat


    +50% chance to parry or counter enemy melee attacks


    +50% speed of executing close-quarters maneuvers ]


    "What are five of your survival skills?" Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing all Lucas'' abilities!


    ''My Territory Lord talent is awesome! With this, my camp had be even stronger! Even if we have another Zombie Wave, it would be a piece of cake!'' Shane''s thought as he ready the details of the Adrenaline Surge.


    It could provide a 50% boost inbat abilities, and it was certainly something he would want to possess!


    Without hesitation, Shane decided to give the second Army Set to this personter!


    The Army Boots, Army Pants, Army Vest, and Army Helmet would perfectly fit this neer.


    "Ahem¡­ Alright¡­ You need to get used to this ce. Mr. Wadsworth, please tour him for a bit." Shane said as he smiled at Lucas.


    "Do you have any questions?" He asked.


    Lucas hesitated for a moment before he answered.


    "Your gear¡­ it''s unlike any military issue I''ve ever seen. It''s like you''re prepared for a different kind of battle. May I ask where you managed to get them? Is it from a foreign world?" He asked.


    ''Oh? This person is inquisitive. He''s unlike the others. Is it because he''s a soldier?'' Shane thought for a moment.


    With a slight smile, he gave a nod, acknowledging the soldier''s observation.


    "Foreign world? Probably¡­ I''m not even sure how the world has changed, Lucas Sterling. I can''t exin the origin of things that we get from the Zombies either. Anyway, we know that we face threats that require more than just conventional arms. Here, we adapt, we innovate, and we equip ourselves with whatever gives us the edge." Shane exined.


    Lucas took in Shane''s appearance, the mystique of his equipment, and the confidence with which he spoke.


    It was clear that Shane was a man who not onlymanded respect but was also deeply respected by those under his care. He was certainly a great leader.


    "I may not understand all that I see here, but I recognize strength when I see it. I will be in your care, Sir Shane¡­"


    Shane''s response was a simple, knowing smile.


    "Once again¡­ Wee to our camp¡­ Allow me to guide you around here." Mr Wadsworth said with a hopeful smile on his face. He knew that this person was certainly incredible. With his strength, their estate''s security had increased by a huge level!


    And with those words, Captain Lucas Sterling, the soldier forged in the fires of apocalypse, joined the ranks of the estate''s defenders.


    ***


    Just like that, several days had quickly passed and the day of the Regional Auction Event had arrived!


    It was an event arranged by the Apocalypse System where they would transport the top 1000 Survivors to conduct an exclusive Regional Auction!


    Shane''s eyes lit up as soon as he saw the system''s message! Finally! After several days of preparation, the event that he had been waiting for had finally arrived!


    Ding!


    [ Attention, Survivors!


    The day you have all been eagerly anticipating has finally arrived. The Lord of the Realms is proud to present the Regional Auction Event¡ªan exclusive gathering of the top 1000 Survivors of your region. Prepare yourselves for an experience unlike any other, where strategy, wealth, and foresight will pave the way to unimaginable rewards.


    Event Details:


    Date & Time: The event willmence today at 1200 hours, system time.


    Location: The top 1000 Survivors will be teleported to the Grand Auction Hall, a secure and neutral zone created specifically for this event.


    Duration: The auction willst for 6 hours, with a possible extension based on Survivor engagement.


    Auction Catalog:


    A diverse array of items will be up for bid, including but not limited to:


    Rare Artifacts: Items imbued with powerful abilities that can turn the tide of battle.


    Exclusive Gear: Armor and weapons crafted from materials unknown to the current world.


    Mystical Components: Essential for crafting and enchantments, theseponents are coveted by all.


    Survival Resources: Bulk supplies of food, medicine, and other necessities for thriving in the apocalypse. ]

 Chapter 108: The 30th Day

    [ Participation Rules: ]


    Eligibility: Only the top 1000 Survivors, as determined by the system rankings, are eligible to participate.


    Currency: The Auction will operate using the system''s currency. Ensure your ounts are funded prior to the event.


    Bidding: All bids are final. Retracting a bid will result in penalties.


    Security: The Grand Auction Hall is monitored by the system to ensure fair y and safety for all participants.


    Transportation:


    Teleportation: Eligible Survivors will receive a teleportation prompt 15 minutes before the event starts. epting the prompt will transport you directly to the Grand Auction Hall.


    Return: At the conclusion of the event, Survivors will be teleported back to their original locations.


    Additional Notes:


    Pre-Event Inspection: This is a reminder for participants to check their equipment andmunication tools before the event starts. It''s crucial to ensure that all gear is in optimal condition and that devices to be given by the Administrators are working without interference.


    Alliances: Participants are allowed to form alliances with other survivors to increase their chances of securing desired items. However, it''s important to remember that the Auction is inherentlypetitive. Alliances may be strategic, but they can also lead to conflicts of interest, as ultimately, each survivor or group aims to outbid others for the items they want.


    Confidentiality: The details of the auction items and the bids ced on them are to be kept secret until the event concludes. This means that participants should not disclose information about the items they intend to bid on or the amount they are willing to spend, as this could influence the bidding strategies of other participants and affect the Auction''s oue. ]


    [ Prepare to embark on an auction adventure that promises excitement,petition, and the chance to acquire treasures that could change your fate in the apocalypse. May the shrewdest bidder win! ]


    "The time hase¡­" Shane whispered to himself, his eyes scanning the lengthy notifications from the system. The system even gave them additional notes or reminders.


    He couldn''t help but feel excited about this.


    Shane had been preparing for this event and knew that he would qualify to this event. After all, he already some decent idea about the current levels of many Survivors here.


    He then readied himself for the uing Regional Auction Event.


    ''I leveled up quite a few times and even collected plenty of Zombies Cores over the past few days¡­ I should have enough money to bid¡­'' He mused.


    His heart raced with the thrill of the unknown treasures that awaited, and the strategic ys he would soon have to consider.


    ''As for the clothes I''ll be wearing¡­'' Shane paused for a moment as he recalled the chats he read a while ago. Most of them were nning to actually wear their best sets to attract ns from recruiting them.


    Apparently, many ns had already been established over the past few days. It seemed that they rushed this before the Auction so they could gather more cores together and win more important bids.


    At the very least, Shane noticed more than 30 ns recruiting Survivors above level 10 in the Regional Chat.


    After a moment of contemtion, he opted for hisArmy Set, a collection of gear that was reliable and formidable. Well, it wasn''t as great as his Crawler equipment set, but it was definitely quite impressive after upgrading them all to Tier 4!


    [ Army Helmet ( Tier 4 ): A rugged and impact-resistant helmet engineered for battlefield scenarios. The Army Helmet offers superior head protection with a durable shell, padded interior forfort, and an adjustable chin strap for secure wear.


    Featuring a modr design for attaching night vision devices ormunication equipment, this helmet is essential for safeguarding the Survivor''s most vital asset inbat situations.


    Effects:


    +30 Physical Defense, +25% Headshot Protection, +25% Vision Range


    Special Effect - "Tactical Insight (Active Skill ): Grants the Survivor enhanced situational awareness, revealing enemy positions or weak points for a limited time. ]


    [ Army Boots ( Tier 4 ): Sturdy and reliable boots designed for the rigors ofbat. The Army Boots provide excellent ankle support, durability, and traction on various terrains. Made of reinforced leather and tough rubber soles, these boots are essential for long marches and swift maneuvers in the field.


    They offer protection against environmental hazards and ensure the Survivor''s footing remains secure during intense engagements.


    Effects:


    +30 Physical Defense, +15% Movement Speed, +20% Environmental Hazard Resistance


    Special Effect:


    Swift Stride ( Passive Skill ): Enhances the Survivor''s agility, granting a chance to evade iing attacks during movement. ]


    [ Army Pants ( Tier 4 ): Durable and functional pants tailored for military operations. The Army Pants feature reinforced stitching, multiple pockets for storage, and adjustable waistbands for afortable fit. Constructed from ripstop fabric, these pants offer resistance to tears and abrasions, making them ideal for rugged terrain and unpredictable encounters.


    Stay agile and prepared with the versatile Army Pants as part of your uniform.


    Effects:


    +15 Physical Defense, +20% Inventory Capacity, +15% Resistance to Tears and Abrasions


    Special Effect:


    Tactical Resilience ( Active Skill): Temporarily boosts the Survivor''s resilience, reducing iing damage for a short duration.]


    [ Army Vest ( Tier 4 ): A versatile and protective vest designed forbat readiness. The Army Vest provides essential storagepartments, adjustable straps for a customized fit, and integrated ballistic panels for added defense against projectile threats.


    With MOLLE ( Modr Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment ) webbing for attaching additional gear and essories, this vest enhances the Survivor''s tactical capabilities while ensuring vital organs are safeguarded in high-risk situations.


    Effects:


    +25 Physical Defense, +20% Ballistic Protection, +20% Tactical Gear Capacity


    Special Effect:


    Guardian Shield ( Passive Skill ): Creates a protective energy shield around the Survivor periodically, reducing iing projectile damage. ]


    Shane''s decision was strategic; he wanted to keep his true strength under wraps, to maintain an element of surprise for when it truly mattered.


    After all, with the current grade of his Crawler Set, anyone would be able to tell how magical they are. He doesn''t have to gather unwanted attention from others.


    Although the Army Set also seemed a lot more mysterious because it had be Tier 4, it still appeared a lot more typical.


    "Not bad¡­"


    Seeing the effects of each of them, Shane believed that the Army Set was more than adequate for the Auction, providing protection without drawing undue attention to his prowess.


    As the morning progressed, Shane recalled that the estate would soon wee a new arrival.


    Well, five days had already passed after Lucas'' arrival.


    Shane Territory Lord Title did not disappoint as the gray fog soon appeared outside the estate and heralded a new inhabitant of their camp.


    Only the three prisoners, apanied by a Super Soldier and about to work at the mining site, were slightly startled at the gathering of the mysterious gray fog.


    After some time, the fog coalesced at the edge of the estate, and from its depths, a figure emerged.


    Thud!


    The man who stepped through the fog was of average height, with a sturdy build that spoke of a life spent working with both mind and hands.


    His hair was a dusty blonde, tousled and unkempt, and his eyes, a sharp gray, scanned his surroundings with a mix of confusion and awe.


    Gene, the Knight who was already familiar about this setting, immediately asked for the man''s name.


    "Wee, Survivor! Tell us your name..." Gene shouted from the watchtower.


    The man who was still feeling a bit confused, immediately calmed down after hearing someone else''s voice.


    "I''m Eliot Mercer, an engineer by trade and a problem-solver by nature." He spoke clearly, introducing himself with a hint of intelligence in his words and gestures.


    Before he was taken by the gray fog, Eliot had been a pioneer in sustainable infrastructure, designing systems that were meant tost generations.


    However, when society fell because of the zombie outbreak, he had to adapt¡­


    After Mr. Wadsworth allowed Eliot to enter and be investigated, he recounted hisst moments before the fog imed him.


    He had been leading a team of survivors, fortifying an old factory into a makeshift fortress. They were scavenging for parts, transforming scraps into barricades when the fog rolled in like a silent tide.


    ''Perfect¡­ You''re finally here!'' Shane''s eyes lit up after hearing the man''s story!


    Eliot recalled how he had been working on a generator, his hands coated in grease, when the world around him faded into gray.


    "One moment I was tightening bolts, the next, I''m standing in a ce filled with gray fog¡­ Then my mind became hazy and I didn''t know how much time had passed¡­"


    Well, his story inside the fog was basically the same. He also heard the mysterious voice giving him instructions.


    "It''s my ability to bring you here. The fog has a way of guiding those who can serve a greater purpose here. Your engineering skills are invaluable, Eliot." Shane exined.


    An engineer!


    They finally have someone who could help him rebuild the estate! Although he actually had the skills for construction with his woodworking and metalworking skills, he still needed the knowledge of such an expert!

 Chapter 109: Event Rules

    Eliot''s arrival was timely.


    The estate was now a decent sanctuary. They were surrounded by a wooden wall, a watchtower, an oddly advanced barrier, and plenty of traps, mostly made of steel. There was an orchard, several buildings they could use, and they also had decent weapons in their arsenal.


    They also do notck some basic resources right now, thanks to Shane''s ability to gather Zombie Cores and Upgrade Crystals.


    The estate was certainly a ce of growth and development.


    With Eliot''s expertise, the foundations of their stronghold could be strengthened even more.


    To be honest, if Shane could really provide the items they needed, Eliot could already envision wind turbines on the hills, sr panels lining the rooftops, and perhaps, one day, a grid that could power the entire estate with clean energy.


    Eliot then listened to Shane''s rough n about the estate.


    Although he could tell that Shane had no proper background in engineering, his idea about how he would develop a fortress was undoubtedly great. He could tell that Shane had an appropriate vision of the fortress he wanted to create!


    ''Based on this design, it seemed he already has some sort of cannon or artilleries in his possession¡­ No, perhaps he''s just about to acquire them. This is good.''


    "I''ve spent my life building things thatst. If I can help develop thisnd, make it a beacon of civilization, then that''s what I''ll do." Eliot said in the end.


    Shane nodded, pleased with the serendipity of Eliot''s arrival.


    The engineer was more than just another mouth to feed; he was a key piece in the puzzle of building the stronghold.


    "Wee to the estate, Eliot. Let''s build a future worth living for."


    And with that, Eliot Mercer, the engineer who once dreamed of changing the world, found a new purpose in the aftermath of its fall.


    Together with Shane and the other survivors, he wouldy the groundwork for a stronghold of hope in andscape scarred by despair.


    Of course, Shane also checked the skills of this new inhabitant..


    [ Structural Reinforcement Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill dedicated to fortifying shelters, barricades, and safe zones against zombie assaults, utilizing innovative construction techniques and materials. It grants the following benefits:


    +50% durability of fortified structures


    +50% chance to reinforce weak points in defenses


    +50% speed of erecting barricades and defensive barriers ]


    [ Electrical Expertise Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill that empowers the engineer to manipte electrical systems, power sources, and traps to enhance survival strategies in a post-apocalyptic environment. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% efficiency in setting up electrical traps and defenses


    +40% chance to restore power to abandoned facilities


    +40% speed of repairing electrical equipment ]


    [ Reinforced Foundations Lv10 (Max): A skill that specializes in enhancing the structural integrity of buildings, bridges, and elevated tforms to withstand the onught of zombie attacks and natural disasters. It grants the following benefits:


    +60% stability of constructed foundations and support structures


    +60% resistance to structural copses during emergencies


    +60% speed of reinforcing building foundations ]


    [ Demolition Specialist Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill that equips the engineer with expertise in controlled demolitions, structural dismantling, and debris clearance to repurpose materials, clear obstacles, and secure strategic locations in zombie-infested areas. It grants the following benefits:


    +50% precision in demolishing structures and obstacles


    +50% chance to salvage valuable materials from demolished buildings


    +50% speed of clearing debris and creating pathways ]


    "Ohh¡­ You also have that skill¡ªAh¡­ It''s slightly different." Shane corrected himself as he recalled that Lucas had quite simr skill. It was the Demolition Expertise, but that one was quite different since it was mainly for battle. Furthermore, Lucas'' skill only provides an additional 40% boost.


    On the other hand, Eliot''s Demolition Specialist skill was really targeted at the controlled demolition of buildings.


    "Alright! Mr. Wadsworth, please bring him to the warehouse. Let him see our current materials so he can make some ns. Right, we''re also getting a steady supply of metal since we have dedicated miners at the moment, so our supply for that will continue to increase."


    "That''s good to hear¡­ I noticed that we can easily get stones and lumber as well. This is great." Eliot nodded as he was soon guided by the butler to check the warehouse.


    Well, Shane had actually acquired some decent building materials a few days ago, thanks to the Survivor Store.


    [ Concrete Mix Bag: Heavy-duty concrete mix bags for constructing sturdy foundations, walls, and barricades in post-apocalyptic environments.


    Price: 10 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 50/50 ]


    [ Reinforced Metal Bars: Heavy-duty reinforced metal bars for enhancing structural integrity, creating barriers, and fortifying safe zones against zombie incursions.


    Price: 8 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 30/30 ]


    [ Toolbox Set: Portable toolbox set with essential tools for construction, repairs, and maintenance tasks in survivor camps and outposts.


    Price: 18 Zombie Cores per set


    Quantity: 3/3 ]


    Of course, Shane wasn''t able to purchase all of them since even if he possessed plenty of Zombie Cores, he still had to worry about the Regional Auction. He needed plenty of Zombie Cores for that.


    He was even hesitating to open the Survivor Store or even Reputation Store right now since he might want to purchase items once again, and he may end upcking enough Zombie Cores in the uing Auction.


    He couldn''t allow that to happen!


    ***


    Then, an hour before the event, as Shane was waiting for the time to pass, another notification from the system appeared!


    He was helping the Super Soldiers cut down some trees when the notification with attached devices from the system appeared.


    Ding!


    [ System Notification: Congrattions, Survivor Shane! ]


    You have been selected to participate in the prestigious Regional Auction Event. Your survival skills and strategic prowess have earned you this exclusive opportunity. Prepare to engage in the ultimate bidding war!


    [ Introducing the Conversion Device ]


    As part of the auction preparation, we are pleased to introduce the Conversion Device¡ªapact apparatus resembling a scanner that you may be familiar with. This innovative tool will transform your valuable possessions into the System''s Currency or Points, which are essential for participating in the Auction.


    How It Works:


    Valuable Items: Items like a Zombie Core are worth 1 Point each. Item Upgrade Crystals are worth 5 points, etc.


    Non-Valuable Items: Common items such as Bread have no point value and will not yield Points.


    Important Reminder: Once an item is scanned by the Conversion Device, the process is irreversible. Whether valuable or not, the item will either convert into Points or vanish without a trace. Unused Points remain valid and can be saved for future auctions.


    Value to Points: The more valuable the item, the higher the Points you will receive. Choose wisely and increase your bidding power!


    [ Introducing the BidLink Communicator]


    In preparation for the Regional Auction Event, we are excited to unveil the BidLink Communicator¡ªa state-of-the-art device that will revolutionize your auction experience.


    The BidLink Communicator is a sleek, handheld device with an intuitive touch interface. Itspact form factor is engineered for convenience, allowing Survivors to carry it effortlessly throughout the event.


    Features:


    Numbering System: Each device is assigned a unique identifier, linking it to your Survivor profile for a seamless bidding process.


    Real-Time Bidding: Engage in the auction with live updates, ensuring you never miss a beat during the bidding war.


    Secure Connection: Encrypted channels provide a safemunicationwork, protecting your bids from prying eyes.


    Voice and Text Input: ce your bids using voicemands or text input for flexibility and ease of use.


    Auction Catalog ess: Browse the auction items, view detailed descriptions, and n your strategy with the integrated catalog feature.


    Bid History Tracking: Keep track of your bids and the auction''s progress with aprehensive bid history log.


    Usage Guidelines:


    Registration: Upon arrival at the Grand Auction Hall, your BidLink Communicator will automatically register and sync with the auction system.


    Bidding: To ce a bid, simply activate the device, select the item from the catalog, and enter your bid amount. Please take note that this will still depend on the bidding event you''ll be joining since there could be a different rule for the bidding process.


    Notifications: Stay informed with instant notifications about the status of your bids and any uing items of interest.


    [ Prepare to engage in an unparalleled auction experience with the BidLink Communicator at your side. Bid with confidence, and may the best Survivor win! ]


    [ Good luck, Survivor! You have an hour to convert your current valuables to Points! May your acquisitions pave the way to continued survival and triumph. ]


    "So it is like that¡­" Shane muttered after reading the long system notification about the bidding process. He finally understood what the previous notes from the system meant, especially the Pre-Event Inspection.


    They seemed to be referring to these two devices to check that they were working correctly.


    Without hesitation, Shane took out the Conversion Device...


    Then, after some thought, he decided to scan his pocket knife, which was already a Master-Grade.


    He already knew that the Zombie Core was worth 1 Point and the Item Upgrade Crystal was worth 5 Points¡­


    Now, he was curious how many points he''d get from this valuable item.

 Chapter 110: Points Collection

    Shane moved decisively as he retrieved the Conversion Device from his system inventory.


    He did not hesitate for a moment before cing his Master-Grade pocket knife under the scanner.


    The Zombie Core was worth a single point, and the Item Upgrade Crystal five, but the value of his cherished knife was a mystery.


    Ding!


    [ Conversion Complete ]


    [ Your Master-Grade Pocket Knife has been valued at 280 Points. ]


    [ The points have been sessfully credited to your ount. ]


    At the same time, the pocket knife had also vanished¡­


    "Wow, two hundred eight points for the knife alone¡­" Shane eximed, a mix of surprise and satisfaction in his voice.


    However, he paused for a moment as he calcted. From Common to Umon, he needed 1 Item Upgrade Crystal. From Umon to Rare, he needed 2 of them. Then, to reach Exceptional Grade, he needed to spend 10 more Item Upgrade Crystals. Then, to reach the Master Grade, he needed 30 Item Upgrade Crystals.


    Reaching above that, or Epic Grade, required 100 Item Upgrade Crystals but Shane felt that it was too overkill at the moment so he didn''t bother upgrading his items too much.


    After all, he might find items worthy of spending that many Crystals soon.


    In any case, he needed 44 Item Upgrade Crystals to advance an item from Common to Master Grade.


    44 Crystals are worth 220 points¡­ So, having the 280 points with extra 60 points was certainly a good deal!


    After all, he believed that they would probably not have some price if he scanned a Common Item!


    ''So it''s better to use the Crystals, huh¡­'' Shane mused.


    To test this theory, Shane got one of the Joker cards in his deck of cards that were barely being used these days.


    Then, he used the conversion device to see its worth.


    Ding!


    [ Conversion Complete ]


    [ Your Common-Grade ying Card has been valued at 0 Points. ]


    "It''s useless, huh¡­" Shane repeated as he conformed that the card had zero value.


    However, he wasn''t disappointed at all. Instead, he was actually happy to find this out!


    "This could really tip the scales in my favor."


    Since he still had plenty of time, he decided to get another card.


    It was Ace of Hearts.


    Without hesitation, he used his 44 Item Upgrade Crystals to upgrade this ying card from Common Grade to Master Grade!


    The reason for doing this was simple: once he upgraded it to Master Grade, he would scan it once again with the Conversion Device and see if he''d only get 220 Points or points simr to the value of the Item Upgrade Crystals.


    After upgrading the card frommon to umon, Shane received a notification from the system.


    [ Upgrade Sessful ]


    [ Common ying Card has been upgraded to Umon Ace of Hearts Card. ]


    [ Item Description is now avable on the specific item. ]


    [ Ace of Hearts Card ( Umon ): A barely used Ace of Hearts card, symbolizing love and passion. This card is said to bring luck in matters of the heart.


    Effects: +5 Luck in romantic encounters. ]


    "Ohh¡­ So it can really have such effects. I guess different cards would have different effects, huh¡­" Shane muttered as he realized that he still had plenty of things yet to discover.


    Anyway, Shane continued with his upgrading process and it didn''t take long before the card reached the Master-Grade.


    Before scanning it, Shane couldn''t help but feel curious about its effects.


    [ Ace of Hearts Card ( Master ): A mysterious Ace of Hearts card exuding a mystical energy that binds souls together. Those who possess this card are said to find true love and loyalty.


    Effects: +10 Luck in romantic encounters, +10 Charisma when interacting with fellow Survivors, +15% boost to healing effects and recovery rates.


    Special Effects:


    Ethereal Gambit: A passive ability that temporarily phases the user out of reality, rendering them invulnerable and invisible for 3 seconds when they are in grave danger. ]


    "What? Isn''t this so good?"


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing the effect of the Card¡­ He even felt like it was a waste to convert it now to mere Auction Points.


    The effects were certainly amazing, especially with the boost in healing effects and recovery rates. It was something he needed for the next Zombie Wave.


    However, the Special Effect was too incredible!


    The passive effect that could save him from certain death was invaluable!


    After some hesitation, Shane decided not to convert it. Instead, Shane upgraded another card, and this time, he didn''t check its effects. Instead, he directly converted it so he wouldn''t regret the conversion!


    Ding!


    [ Conversion Complete ]


    [ Your Master-Grade Two of Hearts Card has been valued at 270 Points. ]


    "I knew it¡­"


    With this result, Shane confirmed that converting an upgraded item was better than converting an Item Upgrade Crystal.


    He then checked his Item Upgrade Crystals in his inventory and confirmed that he could do it a few more times.


    Just like that, he repeated the same process. In any case, he really saved a lot of these crystals for this asion.


    [ Your Master-Grade Three of Hearts Card has been valued at 280 Points. ]


    [ Your Master-Grade Two of Spades Card has been valued at 270 Points. ]


    [ Your Master-Grade Two of Diamond Card has been valued at 275 Points. ]


    Shane then stopped for a moment as he opened his status once again. Well, he recalled some other items that he could try to convert and see their value.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets


    Level: 19


    Vitality: 195/195


    Spirit: 2,000/2,000


    Strength: 56


    Agility: 56


    Luck: 20


    Perception: 20


    Inventory: Memory Sphere x21, Item Upgrade Crystals x55, Zombie Cores x205, 100L Water, Bread x10, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Leader Blood, 100mL Giant Zombie Blood, Acid Pouch x14, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x667, Spirit Breakthrough Bottle x1, Spitter Tongue x8, Special Item Upgrade Crystals x2, Recruitment Stone x2, Decayed Giant''s Tooth x1, Giant''s Hide x1, Titan''s Elixir x1, Giant''s Heart x1, Strength Enhancement Bottle x3, Agility Enhancement Bottle x6, Special Spicy Instant Noodles x10, Crowbar x1, Zombie Repellent Candle x1, Leader''s Crown x1, Crawler Grasp Gloves x1, Crawler Fang Daggers x2, Shroud of Shadows Cape x1, Enchanted Chitin te x1, Shadowmeld Tunic x1


    Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Fishing, Woodworking, Metalworking, Axe Mastery, Lockpicking, Leadership, Parkour, Hacker, Controlled Body Heating, Fast Swimmer, Taunt, Mining


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ), Traceless Breath ( Rare Talent )


    Reputation: 11


    Shane looked at this current status with satisfaction before turning his attention back to his items.


    His eyesnded on an Acid Pouch, a Spirit Enhancement Bottle, a Spitter Tongue, and a packet of Special Spicy Instant Noodles. One by one, he scanned them, watching as they transformed into valuable points for the auction.


    [ Your Acid Pouch has been valued at 60 Points. ]


    [ Your Spirit Enhancement Bottle has been valued at 50 Points. ]


    [ Your Spitter Tongue has been valued at 60 Points. ]


    [ Special Spicy Instant Noodles has been valued at 10 Points. ]


    ''Mhmm¡­ I think these Spirit Enhancement Bottles would give me plenty of points.'' Shane thought as he decided to convert a hundred Spirit Enhancement Bottles!


    In any case, after drinking one of his Spirit Breakthrough Potions, his limit of 1,000 Spirit Points broke through, and his new limit was 2,000 points. However, he received a notification that he would need five Spirit Breakthrough Potions to exceed the limit once again!


    With that in mind, he knew that these Spirit Enhancement Bottles right now would be better to be converted for the auction. After all, he could collect more of them in the future!


    [ Your Spirit Enhancement Bottle has been valued at 50 Points. ]


    [ Your Spirit Enhancement Bottle has been valued at 50 Points. ]


    [ Your Spirit Enhancement Bottle has been valued at 50 Points. ]


    ¡­


    [ Your Spirit Enhancement Bottle has been valued at 50 Points. ]


    Afterpleting the hundred conversion, Shane checked his current points.


    "Mhmm¡­ Only 6,555 points, huh¡­ I guess I just have to continue. It''s probably fine to leave a few Spirit Enhancement Bottles.


    With that in mind, Shane converted 500 more Spirit Enhancement Bottles, leaving him with only 66 bottles.


    Thanks to that, he finally had a decent amount of Points in his perspective.


    31,555!


    It was a substantial sum, yet a gnawing sense of ambition urged him to seek more.


    ''I need more¡­'' Shane mused.


    He then convened with his fellow survivors, as they gave their suggestions about the items he could try to convert into points. Despite the wealth of ideas, none resonated with Shane until a spark of inspiration struck him.


    He made his way to the manor''s third floor, a ce shrouded in enigma, where items of the pasty dormant within cryogenic chambers!


    The air was thick with the chill of preservation.


    ''I''m finally back here¡­'' Shane mused as he had been busy dismantling theser and electric defenses of this floor for several days.


    The reason was obvious: he wanted to incorporate the security defenses of this floor into the outside.


    He already confirmed that there were some batteries being used on this floor, which was why he could make them work.


    They were none other than the Power Cores!

 Chapter 111: Estates Status

    Shane''s eyes methodically moved from one cryogenic chamber to the next.


    Each container held remnants of a government project that shouldn''t have existed in the first ce.


    After Shane had entered this ce several days ago, he alreadypleted a full examination of this ce.


    The documents he had found scattered around the manor, along with the assistance of Cloud, his A.I. assistant, had revealed the true nature of these relics. They were not mere biological curiosities but the building blocks for Project Z''s monstrous creations.


    The room, lined with chambers, held within it the grotesque potential of the apocalypse¡ªorgans and parts harvested or even created for the purpose of enhancing zombies under the control of some unseen hand.


    Among these, Shane found several Light Orbs pulsating with an eerie glow, once powering the dreaded sher Zombies. He was quite familiar with these Orbs as he had already looted them from the sher Zombies before.


    ''I''m sure most of the items here have better use than being converted to points. However, I don''t have the skills to use them yet¡­ I don''t have the people who can help me either. It''s better to convert some of them to points, especially if the rate is high.'' Shane thought as he brought out his Conversion Device.


    With a heavy heart but a pragmatic mind, Shane had also decided to convert half of these macabre treasures into points for the auction.


    Currently, there are 24 containers or cryogenic chambers holding various organs or parts for the research¡­ He thought that taking 12 of them should be more than enough if the value was high.


    As for 12 that would remain, he still believed that there was a possibility that these parts might be invaluable should they master the art of crafting from Zombie Parts.


    ''I''m sure that will happen¡­'' Shane thought.


    Shane then opened the first Cryogenic Chamber and used the Conversion Device. Well, he was worried that the whole container, together with the organ, would be taken out, so he decided to use this method instead.


    Ding!


    [ Conversion Sessfu]


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing that the organ and the liquid containing it disappeared.


    [ Your Tyrant''s Origin Eye has been valued at 7,580 Points. ]


    "What? So high!" Shane was stunned as soon as he saw the result. The eye was actually valued simrly to 7,580 Zombie Cores!


    That was incredibly high!


    ''Just how are you calcting these points? Cores are too cheap, but some random Zombie parts are too high?'' Shane was kind of speechless at the algorithm of this Conversation Device.


    He even had the urge to ask Cloud to hack this device, but he was worried that he might get disqualified if Cloud didn''t do well in hacking it.


    Anyway, now that he learned that organs are here were valued really high, Shane excitedly continued with his conversion.


    [ Your Lurker''s Origin w has been valued at 6,050 Points. ]


    [ Your sher''s Origin Light Orb has been valued at 3,050 Points. ]


    [ Your Jumper''s Origin Achilles Tendon has been valued at 6,800 Points. ]


    [ Your Tanker''s Origin Hide has been valued at 9,000 Points. ]


    [ Your Spitter''s Origin nd has been valued at 5,500 Points. ]


    [ Your Lurker''s Origin Retina has been valued at 6,300 Points. ]


    [ Your sher''s Origin Bioluminescent Skin has been valued at 4,250 Points. ]


    [ Your Tyrant''s Origin Spinal Fluid has been valued at 7,580 Points. ]


    [ Your Crusher''s Origin Jawbone has been valued at 8,500 Points. ]


    [ Your Hunter''s Origin Vocal Cords has been valued at 6,050 Points. ]


    [ Your Tanker''s Origin Heart has been valued at 10,000 Points. ]


    The points were instantly transferred to Shane''s ount, and as each part was converted, it vanished together with the liquid containing them, leaving behind the chambers itself.


    [ Total umted Points: 87,215


    Shane stood back, the weight of his actions settling in. A part of him felt a bit regretful since he felt that these things would be better used in the future¡­


    No, he believed that he would regret converting these parts in the future.


    However, he just couldn''t wait for that future yet. The Regional Auction was about to start, and he needed to get all the good items here!


    ''Well, I at least preserved 12 of them, and some of them are copies of other parts I converted.'' Shane silently thought tofort himself.


    He then looked at the 12 empty chambers and sighed.


    He had stripped the remnants of their former horror and turned them into a currency that could very well ensure his survival in the days toe.


    "This should give me an edge¡­" He whispered to himself with a mix of resolve and regret in his voice.


    ***


    "The atmosphere here looks great¡­" Eliot muttered as he followed behind the butler.


    While Shane was busy converting various items into Points he''d use in the auction, Mr. Wadsworth, the estate''s butler, guided Eliot around the manor.


    As they walked around, Mr. Wadsworth showed how they repaired the crumbling part of the manor house. The wooden beams, stones, and steel to support the part where the foundation was broken were quickly examined by Eliot.


    "We''ve propped up the broken pir with fresh timber and steel¡­" The butler said with a hint of helplessness in his voice.


    Well, it was a bit crude, but it had at least done its part.


    Eliot nodded, his eyes tracing the intricatework of supports that held the manor''s broken foundation together.


    "It''s already impressive¡­" He remarked. "It can still be improved, but with your limited resources, it''s not that bad if you think about it."


    They continued their tour, stepping out into the crisp air where the wooden wall stood sentinel.


    "Looks great¡­ You guys must''ve taken a lot of time to build this wall." Eliotmented.


    "Ahem¡­ We have some Super Soldiers here, so it''s not really that time-consuming. Right, you''ll meet themter."


    Mr. Wadsworth said before he gestured towards the warehouse, its doors firmly shut.


    ''Super Soldiers?'' Eliot thought before his eyes shifted to where the butler was pointing at.


    "That''s our warehouse¡­" Mr. Wadsworth said as he led the way.


    The butler then guided the engineer to the warehouse, where he found the concrete mix bags, nails, lumbers, steel bars, and various things like training swords, arrows, wooden pikes, and other materials meant to rece the traps outside once broken.


    After visiting this ce, they continued to other ces in the estate.


    The serf''s house, now repurposed into living quarters, had someone inside.


    They saw Harper, who seemed to be busy with something, so they moved elsewhere. They moved to the left side of the estate, where they saw the mill.


    The mill''s sails weren''t moving, and obviously, it wasn''t grinding any grain. The granary stood nearby but was also empty for obvious reasons: there was no grain to harvest.


    "The smithy is here¡­ Our cksmith should be busy working, but we can take a look. I''m sure that both of you will work together soon. It''s better to get to know each other now." Mr. Wadsworth said as they approached the building where the ng of hammer on anvil rang out.


    Inside, they found Leo, muscles glistening with sweat as he worked the furnace.


    "Without him, the estate''s foundation would be weaker."


    They didn''t take too much of Leo''s time as they knew he was busy. After some brief introduction, they went to see the beautifuldy tending the nts around the estate.


    Alexa''s hands were buried in the earth as she tended to the garden. "Ohh¡­ The new guy is here¡­" She said with a smile, offering them a ripe tomato.


    "We grow what we can here." Alexa added to the impressed engineer.


    "Ohh¡­ They taste good! Thank you, Alexa¡­" Eliot said as he actually felt a little hungry by now.


    "Right, there''s still an hour before the meal. If you''re really hungry, you can take some bread for now. If the butler hadn''t mentioned it yet, rations like bread and water were given every eight in the morning. Lunch will be around 12:30 pm, and dinner will be at 7 pm. " Alexa said as she gave Eliot a piece of bread.


    "Thank you, Miss Alexa¡­" Eliot said as he epted Alexa''s offer. The butler simply nodded at this. He was actually nning to tell thister.


    Anyway, after this matter was settled, they continued touring the estate.


    They went to the clinic, where they saw Anna, who was engrossed in her work. She was mixing herbs and liquids with a practiced hand.


    "If you''re wounded, no matter how small it is, you have to let me know¡­ We can''t have sick people here as weck medicine¡­" She said without looking up.


    "Yes, Miss Anna¡­ I will not ignore even small wounds." Eliot answered with a surprisingly high tone, which surprised the butler a little.


    After that, the tour had basically ended¡­


    Nheless, Mr. Wadsworth still wanted to show something¡­ The Super Soldiers.

 Chapter 112: The 1,000 Survivors

    Soon, their tour led them to the orchard, where the sound of wood striking wood drew their attention. Lucas, the soldier who had joined their ranks five days prior, was engaged in a sparring match with a Super Soldier whose size dwarfed his own.


    The twobatants moved with a grace that contradicted their weapons'' simplicity.


    "Training is essential¡­ No matter what, this world is infested with zombies, so you should still consider training your body from time to time, Eliot." Mr. Wadsworth muttered.


    "Lucas has been a valuable addition to our defenses. He wasn''t that good with a sword several days ago, but he had to train using one since our ammunition is limited."


    "Ahhh¡­ Is he a soldier?" Eliot asked after seeing Lucas'' attire.


    "Yes¡­ If you want to learn how to shoot a gun, you can ask himter¡­"Mr. Wadsworth answered.


    Eliot then watched Lucas and the Super Soldier inbat.


    He could tell that the Super Soldier was not giving his all.


    Nheless, he was fascinated as the two fighters exchanged blows. Their movements were fluid despite theirrge frame... It was especially the case with the Super Soldier whom he thought to be stiff with his huge build.


    "They''re amazing¡­ It feels as if they were both talking with their swords¡­" Eliotmented with a chuckle.


    Mr. Wadsworth nodded. "In a way, they are. It''s thenguage of survival."


    As the two of them left the orchard, the final stop of their tour brought them to the church. Its pews were long gone as they were already dismantled and transformed into divisions for the sleeping quarters.


    There wasn''t anyone here, but Eliot could tell that this ce would be busy at certain times of the day.


    "This is more than a shelter¡­" Mr. Wadsworth said, his voice soft. "It''s a home. And as long as we stand together, we will endure."


    Eliot looked around, taking in the surroundings¡­ Then, he recalled the estate''s situation, and a n to rebuild or strengthen it was slowly forming in his head.


    He knew then that he had found his ce among them, and together, they would face whatever the future held¡­ and he was the one going to help Shane build the strongest fortress!


    ***


    The air was filled with anticipation as Shane stood alone in the third floor''s room.


    ''It''s here¡­''


    Shane took a deep breath as the final seconds of themencement of the Regional Auction Event ticked down.


    As soon as the time was up, Shane received a series of notifications from the system.


    Ding!


    [ Triumph Awaits! ]


    [ Congrattions, Shane! You have achieved the Top 1 position among the 1,000 selected Survivors!


    As a reward for your unparalleled skill and tenacity, you have been granted an additional 100 Points! ]


    [ Prepare to witness the unveiling of the Top 10 Leaderboard, where your name will shine above the rest.


    But first, select a Nickname to be immortalized on the Leaderboard before entering the Grand Auction Hall. ]


    [ You cannot create your Nickname, but you can change the current selected Nickname. This is to ensure that no one has the same Nickname. ]


    [ Current Nickname: Crimson Vanguard ]


    [ Do you want to change your Nickname? ]


    Shane''s fingers hovered over the input field and pressed Yes.


    ''Crimson Vanguard is too cringe¡­ At least find something different.'' Shane thought.


    A nickname was more than a moniker; it was a legacy, a banner under which he would fight and possibly triumph. He couldn''t be careless about this.


    Well, perhaps his inner child was reigning on him right now, so he wanted something better.


    [ Current Nickname: Zenith Revenant]


    [ Do you want to change your Nickname? ]


    Shane continued pressing Yes and had various names appear like Nova Sentinel, Eclipse Marauder, Phantom Rift, Long-legged Ronin, Fluid Specter¡­


    "Specter?" Shane paused for a moment before he shook his head. Although the Specter sounded cool, the fluid doesn''t seem to do its part.


    After some time, he finally randomized a decent one.


    After a moment of contemtion, he epted this name as it resonated with his journey thus far¡­


    With the nickname set, the Leaderboard materialized before his eyes, a digital pantheon of the apocalypse''s finest:


    Shadow Strider - Level 19


    Raven Guard - Level 15


    Iron Maven - Level 15


    de Whisper - Level 15


    Ghost Warden - Level 14


    Fury Singer - Level 14


    Silver Reaper - Level 13


    Storm Crafter - Level 13


    Beast Binder - Level 13


    Echo Sage - Level 12


    "What? So I''m four levels ahead?" Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing the Leaderboard!


    This was certainly an eye-opener. He finally knew how ahead he was from other Survivors!


    "I wonder who these guys are¡­" Shane muttered as he tried recalling the names of the people who had dared to reveal their levels in the chat.


    If he wasn''t mistaken, two of the three Level 15 were most likely Raze and Travis¡­ Those two were really incredible with their talents.


    Anyway, he couldn''t help but smile seeing their selected names.


    Each of them was certainly filled with their survival story. They were survivors who had carved their path through the hordes of undead to stand among the elite.


    He couldn''t wait to see them!


    Shane''s eyes lingered on each of their names, acknowledging their presence as both allies and rivals. Of course, he also wanted to remember them.


    Click¡­


    As the clock struck the appointed hour, a pulse of light enveloped Shane, the world around him blurring into streaks of color and sound.


    Whom~


    When his vision cleared, he stood outside the Grand Auction Hall, a vast amphitheater of marble and gold that hummed with the collective breath of a thousand Survivors who had all arrived at the same time!


    The ce was suddenly filled with life! There was also a low murmur of voices as everyone was excited and some of them even started finding people they knew.


    ''Hmm¡­ What a strange sensation¡­'' Shane thought.


    As he stabilized himself and confirmed that he was fine, he looked around outside the Grand Auction Hall. The first thing that struck him was the sea of survivors, each d in attire that told a story of their journey and their role in this new world.


    The air was abuzz with the low hum of conversation and the rustle of movement as people milled about, sizing up theirpetition.


    To his left, a group d inHunter Setsstood tall, their gear a blend of camouge and utility. The fabric was a patchwork of forest hues, designed to blend seamlessly with the wilderness. Quivers brimmed with arrows, and bows were slung over shoulders, the wood polished to a shine.


    Their boots were silent on the ground, a testament to their stealth and agility.


    "Hunter Set, huh¡­ I guess they spawned in a nearby forest as well." Shanemented after seeing their attire.


    Nearby, individuals inScavenger Setsrummaged through their packs, making sure they brought everything... Their outfits were a motley collection of materials, each piece telling the tale of a scavenged find.


    Pockets were stitched haphazardly onto jackets, filled with gadgets and trinkets of uncertain use but undeniable value.


    "That looked bad¡­ But I know they have great effects, especially on looting bonuses and movement speed." Shane mused aloud.


    In the center, he saw a few wearing theoriginal Survivor Sets, the standard of those who had entered the Zombie Outbreak.


    These sets were practical, with reinforced padding at vital points andyers that could be adjusted for temperature. The colors were a muted blend, not quite military, but every bit as functional, with belts and straps to carry the essentials of survival.


    "Wait¡­ What?"


    What caught Shane''s attention, however, was the presence of those inMiner Sets. That''s right!


    He didn''t even knew this set existed until now! He thought those in the chats were just joking around!


    It was an unusual choice for the auction, but the thick, reinforced fabric spoke of hours spent delving into the earth''s depths. Helmets with mounted lights, gloves with reinforced grips, and boots that looked like they could kick through stone. These survivors carried pickaxes and shovels, tools turned weapons in these desperate times.


    "Should I hire them as my miners instead?" Shane couldn''t help but think of them as greatborers. Nheless, he knew that they were probably in a tough situation.


    Most likely, they were trapped in an underground mine!


    ''What a terrible starting point¡­'' Shane thought to himself as he recalled how lucky he was for having a dpidated manor in his starting area.


    Anyway, among the crowd, Shane also noticed a more specialized attire. He couldn''t help but think that this person was Travis¡­ The man who had dreamed of creating a huge fortress to help all helpless Survivors.


    The man who dared to expose his Legendary Dragon Blood Talent!


    ''What an initimidating set¡­ I wonder what it is¡­''


    As Shane thought of getting closer to listen to their conversations, a system notification appeared.


    Ding!


    [ Code of Conduct at the Grand Auction Hall ]


    [ Esteemed Survivors,


    As we stand on the precipice of the Grand Auction Hall''s grand event, it is imperative to remind all participants of the sacred rule that governs our gathering: No Fighting Is Allowed. ]

 Chapter 113: The Auction ( Part 1 )

    [ No Fighting Is Allowed. ]


    [ The Grand Auction Hall is a beacon of civilization and order amidst the chaos of our world. It is a ce where strategy, wit, and foresight reign supreme¡ªnot brute force. To ensure a fair and honorable environment for all, the following disciplinary measures are in ce:


    First Offense:


    Any act of aggression orbat within the confines of the Auction Grounds will result in the immediate forfeiture of all your umted points. This penalty is non-negotiable and will be enforced without exception.


    Second Offense:


    Should any Survivor choose to disregard this warning andmit a second vition, they will face the ultimate sanction: teleportation back to the Apocalypse World and banned from future Auction Events.


    Additional Guidelines:


    Verbal Altercations: Disputes must be resolved through dialogue or mediation. Raising one''s voice is permitted only in the spirit of the auction.


    Security Protocols: Surveince by the system''s overseers will be constant. Any sign of misconduct will be addressed posthaste.


    Let us remember: The Grand Auction Hall is more than a marketce; it is a testament to our collective will to rise above the savagery. Here, we trade not only in goods but in the currency of hope and coboration. ]


    [ May the auctions proceed with integrity and honor. Bid boldly, bid wisely, and may the spirit of camaraderie prevail over all. ]


    A tall figure wearing a Doctor''s Garb leaned against a pir, chuckling softly to himself. "We will be civilized folk today, it seems¡­" He mutterd, the light catching the glint of amusement in his eyes.


    It seemed that he was expecting this ce to be chaotic, but this sudden announcement from the System broke it all.


    Nearby, a woman with a tool belt wrapped around her waist nodded thoughtfully. "Order is what we need, not more chaos. Losing points would be¡­ unfortunate¡­" She said, her voice tinged with the gravity of understanding.


    "What a bummer¡­"


    A whisper, almost lost in the din, came from a lean figure whose hands rested casually on the hilts of her twin des. "I thought I could loot more here¡­ Well, it''s still good that they reminded us about that instead of surprising us once we killed someone¡­" She muttered to apanion beside her, her stance rxed yet ready.


    Shane heard thesements and he wasn''t too surprised that there are many people expecting that a battle could happen here.


    Well, all of them probably knew that it was possible to loot human corpses as well.


    "Mhmm?" Shane shifted his attention to elsewhere¡­


    Cloud actually detected this person as half-human!


    **


    A man with eyes like an eagle surveyed the crowd, his gaze sharp and calcting.


    "Are they serious about the rules? Tsk¡­ I wonder how they''ll keep watch over us all¡­" He pondered aloud, skepticism threading through his tone. It was as if he wanted tomit a crime and challenge the system where he would be seen.


    Just then,ughter bubbled up from a group gathered around the area leading to the market...


    "Hahaha! Since fighting is not allowed, then we can safely take all the items here!" He dered, his confidence infectious.


    A seasoned warrior, scars etched into his skin like a map of battles past, spoke in a low rumble to hisrades. "Keep cool, everyone. Points are precious, and we can''t afford to lose them¡­ We''ll work together and show that the ROTK n is the best!" He reminded them, his voice the calm in a storm.


    "Hmph¡­ Is that the ROTK n? Then that warrior must be Ss¡­ That person with Legendery Talent¡­"


    "Yes, I wonder if he already met with Travis¡­ That guy was also proud of his Legendary Talent."


    "Don''t be like them¡­ You have to ensure that your talent will not be know by anyone."


    These words were spoken by other Survivors who were also observing and familiarizing with other people.


    Nheless, all of this ruckus didn''t matter to one of the top yers in the First Region.


    A red-haired woman with a mark of a baby dragon on her hand simply headed straight to the Bidding Market.


    "I came to bid, not to brawl. There''s been enough fighting out there¡­ Let''s quickly find some decent items¡­" She spoke softly as if she was talking to someone else. Needless to say, she was Raze Curtis, and the mark on her hand was the baby dragon she could call out anytime.


    As she was walking, she noticed a familiar figure¡­


    The woman was wearing a beautiful dress, as if she were about to go to a ball!


    Although she didn''t seem like a Survivor who was fighting against Zombies in the Fiend Continent, she appeared to be someone who was going to attend a ball¡­ No, she seemed to be prepared to go to the Auction event!


    She certainly fit the asion if not for the fact that they were all fighting against Zombies once they were outside this ce!


    She was definitely rissa, one of the first few Survivors who had quickly reached level 2. She had a Telekinesis talent and Raze recognized her since she chatted before that she had obtained a beautiful red dress in the chat!


    Raze then heard her say something as if she wasining.


    "Teleported back and banned in the even just for fighting? That''s harsh. But fair, I suppose¡­" rissa muttered.


    As everyone confirmed that the ce they had entered seemed to be divided into three areas, the Grand Auction Hall, the Bidding Market as the signage says, and the Survivor Hall, another notification appeared.


    [ Wee to the Triad of Auction Events! ]


    [ Survivors, the moment has arrived to showcase your acumen in the art of bidding. Three distinct auction events await your participation. Here are the rules and details for each event:


    Market Bazaar Bidding:


    Location: The expansive market area.


    Procedure: All items are disyed in stalls for your perusal. ce your bids on any item of interest.


    Duration: Bidding for each itemsts 2 hours.


    Winning: The highest bid at the end of the duration secures the item.


    Grand Auction Hall G:


    Location: The majestic Grand Auction Hall.


    Main Event: This is the centerpiece of today''s activities, featuring 100 premium items and will start at 1300 hours


    Duration: The event will span 3 hours.


    Participation: All Survivors are wee to bid in this prestigious event.


    Survivor''s Exchange:


    Location: Adjacent to the Auction Hall is the dedicated building for Survivor-to-Survivor auctions.


    Process: Survivors can offer their personal items for auction to their peers.


    Catalog Inclusion: Once an item is registered for auction, it will be listed in the catalog.


    Duration: Bidding for these items will be open for 1 hour.


    Additional Information:


    Bidding Increments: Minimum bid increments will be specified for each item.


    Payment: All winning bids must be settled immediately with the System''s Currency or Points.


    Item Collection: Items won can be collected at the designated pickup area post-auction. ]


    [ Prepare for a day of strategic bidding and seize the opportunities that lie within. May the best Survivor prevail! ]


    "Ohhh¡­ So it was like that¡­ No wonder this ce looked so big." Shane muttered as he heard several gasps from other Survivors around him.


    For him, the rules were clear-cut, a game within a game, and he felt a thrill at the challenge they presented.


    The first event, the Market Bazaar Bidding, appealed to his strategic mind. He could already envision himself weaving through the stalls, cing bids with a decent item. Well, his A.I. Assistant would be keen for undervalued treasures that others might overlook!


    ''I''m sure there are hidden treasures there¡­'' Shane thought.


    Nheless, he knew that the main event in the Grand Auction Hall was where he would shine, he was sure of it.


    With the points he had amassed, he was in a prime position to im some of the most coveted items. He could feel the anticipation building, as he and a thousand others prepared to enter the grandeur of the hall.


    The third event, the Survivor''s Exchange, intrigued him the most.


    ''I don''t think there will be plenty of people who will participate in this event. After all, if they have unused items, they''ll just convert them already¡­ Ah, wait¡­ Perhaps we could resell items here?'' Shane thought as he realized the others might use this opportunity to win items in the Grand Auction Hall even if they didn''t need them to resell them.


    However, Shane shook his head as this was too risky if no one decided to buy it.


    Anyway, this event was a wildcard, an opportunity to see what personal items others deemed valuable enough to auction.


    It was also a chance to gauge the needs and desires of his fellow survivors, information that could be as valuable as the items themselves.


    Around him, others expressed their thoughts in hushed tones and excited whispers.


    However, none of it matters now as Shane headed to the Grand Auction Hall!


    As soon as he entered and found a seat, he didn''t wait long before it started!

 Chapter 114: The Auction ( Part 2 )

    The area outside the Grand Auction Hall was a hive of activity, with the Drakeheart Vanguard n making their presence known.


    Travis, known as de Whisper on the Leaderboard, moved through the crowd with an air of authority, nked by two of his trusted n members.


    It was a point of pride and frustration that only four of their twenty members had made it into the top 1000. It was surely a testament to the fiercepetition they faced.


    "n Leader, those three at the top¡­ any idea who they might be?" asked Justin, now bearing the moniker Gray Fang that was provided by the system.


    His tone was casual, but there was a hint of curiosity in his voice. He knew how great their n was. Most of the members always helped Travis gain more experience points. In exchange, they would receive Travis'' blessing as a Half-Dragon and would grow stronger with him.


    Justin could only imagine that the other three Survivors were also members ofrger ns and had more people helping them gather experience points.


    After all, they just couldn''t think that a single person had the capacity to kill hundreds of Zombies a day. It would be so tiring!


    Travis shook his head, his mind racing through the list of names he''d seen in the Regional Chat. He recalled a few of them who had legendary talents like him, but after seeing the nicknames on the Leader Board, he just couldn''t guess it.


    "I don''t know either¡­" He admitted. "But they must have some legendary talents to rank above me."


    As they navigated the crowd of survivors, Travis''s gazended on a solitary figure standing apart from the rest.


    The man was d in an Army Set.


    He had seen this set before, and it was pretty average. It wasn''t too good or too bad, but something was different as soon as he saw it.


    It was unlike any standard issue gear; it had been upgraded, the materials were refined, and the craftsmanship was exquisite.


    ''Did he spend all of his Item Upgrade Crystals to advance this set?'' Travis thought as he felt that it was too wasteful.


    He believed that upgrading the Survivor Set would be better than the Army Set. "Tier 3? No, is that Tier 4?" Travis murmured, his interest piqued.


    Without hesitation, he approached the man, his intent was clear.


    He didn''t even wait for hispanions as he was afraid that the man would walk away and disappear from his sight¡­


    "Ahem¡­ That''s quite the set you''ve got there¡­" Travis began, his voice smooth and persuasive. "I''m Travis, also the de Whisper in the Leaderboard. I''m the n Leader of the Drakeheart Vanguard, a small n we recently built. So, I''m just wondering if we can strike a deal for that gear¡­"


    The man turned, and Travis found himself looking into the eyes of Shane, known as Shadow Strider. However, he obviously had no idea about Shane''s identity.


    There was a calm aura in Shane''s gaze, and Travis knew instantly that this would not be a straightforward negotiation.


    "I appreciate the offer¡­" Shane replied, his voice steady as he continued.


    "But this set isn''t for sale. It''s seen me through more than you can imagine." He exined.


    Travis raised an eyebrow, a challenge flickering in his eyes.


    "Everything has a price. Name yours. Aside from Item Upgrade Crystals, my n can produce many things. However, if we can trade with Points, it would be faster¡­ You can also negotiate if you need something¡­ We canplete the transaction outside."


    Shane shook his head, a small smile ying on his lips. "Not this. It''s not about the points or currency. Some things are worth more than what can be measured."


    The two stood there for a moment, the atmoshphere was charged with the unspoken understanding of warriors.


    Travis finally nodded with a gesture of respect.


    "I see. Well, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me."


    As Travis walked away, Shane couldn''t help but feel amused by the situation. He hade to the auction with a clear goal, and parting with his gear was not part of it.


    He adjusted his Army Set, feeling the weight of its protection, and turned his attention back to the Grand Auction Hall.


    Thud¡­


    As Shane stepped into the Grand Auction Hall, his eyes immediately drawn to the ten items on disy in the entrance hall.


    It was quite noisy due to the various conversations being held in this area. After all, they all admired the disyed items, and several groups seemed to be aiming to obtain one or two of these items as Shane heard them calcting the Points that they might use and the fact that they were transferring points right now.


    Anyway, each item was encased in a ss box, bathed in a soft light that seemed to underscore its importance.


    "Do you know if they''ll sell many of these items?"


    "I''m not sure¡­ The catalogue isn''t up yet. However, they shouldn''t be selling too many of them. They''re too special."


    "That''s true¡­ But I hope they won''t be too expensive."


    "Let''s hope that it wouldn''t exceed 500 Points."


    "What? Are you telling me that you have 500 Points? Dream on!"


    "Hahaha!"


    Survivors gathered around, their conversations a mix of awe and spection. Even Shane, who had seen incredible things in his third floor, felt a jolt of surprise at the sight.


    The first item that caught his eye was a methrower, its sleek design belying its destructive potential. The card on its ss box read:


    [ Inferno Wielder ¨C methrower: Unleash the fury of fire upon the undead. This state-of-the-art methrower is designed for maximum burn with minimal blowback, ensuring you can clear a path through even the densest of hordes. ]


    Well, the introduction didn''t provide them with information about how long it couldst and how to refill its fuel once used up. It would be great if they would also sell its fuel¡­


    Next to it was a Machine Gun where the most Survivors are currently gathered.


    Its barrel gleamed under the hall''s lights and Shane knew that he must have this weapon. He looked on its card again and the description stated:


    [ Thunder''s Roar - Machine Gun: When the horde approaches, make your stand with the thunderous might of this machine gun. With a high rate of fire and unparalleled stopping power, no low-tier and mid-tier zombie will stand in your way. ]


    Again, there was no mention of its ammunition, so Shane was hoping that once the auction started, there would be clearer information about the items being sold. If possible, he wanted system-like details that they would normally get.


    Anyway, Shane continued looking around, as if it would also allow him to n what items he should focus onter.


    The next item he saw was a crossbow with bolts that shimmered, and a purple light was disyed with the note.


    [ Silent Reaper ¨C Crossbow: Silence is deadly with the Silent Reaper. This crossbow delivers lethal bolts that can pierce through multiple targets, perfect for taking down zombies without drawing more to your location. ]


    Beside it was a Laser Rifle that stood proudly, its futuristic lines speaking of advanced technology.


    [ Photon Striker - Laser Rifle: Harness the power of light with the Photon Striker. Thisser rifle cuts through the undead with precision and speed, leaving nothing but ash in its wake. ]


    ''This would surely be too expensiveter.'' Shane mused as he turned his attention to another item.


    He saw a Chainsaw with teeth that looked capable of tearing through steel as easily as flesh/


    [ Ripper''s Edge ¨C Chainsaw: The Ripper''s Edge is not for the faint of heart. Feel the raw power as you tear through zombie flesh and bone, making survival not just possible, but probable. ]


    "This looks like a fun item for the Super Soldiers. They can kill more Zombies a lot faster and help cut down trees a lot faster."


    Then, Shane saw an Acid Gun that promised a gruesome death for any undead caught in its spray!


    [ Corrosive Torrent - Acid Gun: Dissolve the undead threat with the Corrosive Torrent. This acid gun projects a stream of highly corrosive liquid that eats through zombies or any person, like acid through paper. ]


    "I don''t like this Acid Gun¡­" Shanemented as he shook his head.


    Nheless, he truly liked what the other items were.


    [ Eagle''s Gaze - Sniper Rifle: With the Eagle''s Gaze, take out the undead from a distance. Its high-precision scope and powerful rounds mean you can reim thend one shot at a time. ]


    [ Storm''s Touch - Shock Baton: Close-quartersbat has never been more electrifying. The Storm''s Touch delivers a high-voltage shock to stop zombies dead in their tracks. ]


    [ Apocalypse''s Herald - Rocket Launcher: When subtlety is not an option, the Apocalypse''s Herald speaks with explosive authority. Clear out clusters of zombies with a single, well-ced rocket. ]


    [ Void''s Fury - sma Cannon: The Void''s Fury is the ultimate in zombie eradication technology. Emitting a concentrated beam of sma, it vaporizes anything in its path, leaving only shadows behind. ]


    Thest item that was posted was truly a game-changer! Shane couldn''t help but wonder if there would be anyone who could take these items from him!

 Chapter 115: The Auction ( Part 3 )

    ''These things are mine¡­'' Shane thought as he finally entered the Auction Hall.


    As soon as he entered and found a seat, he didn''t wait long before it started!


    The auctioneer, a figure of elegance and authority, took to the stage, and the hall fell silent. "Wee, esteemed Survivors¡­" the auctioneer began, her voice echoing through the chamber.


    "Today, you vie for treasures that could alter the course of our shared destiny. Bid with wisdom, bid with courage, and may fortune favor the bold."


    Shane, surrounded by other strong Survivors, felt a surge of adrenaline.


    This was it¡ªthe moment where preparation met opportunity, and he was ready to seize it with both hands.


    As Shane gazed at thedy wearing a red dress on the stage, he couldn''t help but feel curious whether she was also a resident of the Fiend Continent or perhaps another Survivor like them. Well, he wouldn''t be surprised if it was just an image that was created by the Apocalypse System.


    Anyway, the auctioneer was a striking woman with an air of sophistication. She radiated an aura of confidence as she addressed the audience once more.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, Survivors of all walks¡­" she began, her voice a melodic timbre that resonated through the hall.


    "Before wemence, a gentle reminder to utilize your BidLink Communicators for the bidding process. Simply select the item from the catalog that will appear, enter your bid, and confirm your bid by epting the prompt that will appear. Our system ensures a fair and transparent auction, so bid with confidence."


    The crowd listened intently as she demonstrated the device, her fingers deftly navigating the sleek interface.


    After confirming that everyone understood the process, she continued.


    "And now, without further ado, let us begin with our first item¡ªone of the highly sought-after items, a beacon of hope against the darkness that encroaches upon your world!"


    The ss case in the center of the stage illuminated, revealing themethrower that Shane had seen outside...


    Soon, their BidLink Communicator showed the item description.


    [ Inferno Wielder ¨C methrower ( Exceptional ): Crafted from the remnants of a world gone by, this methrower is a marvel of engineering, capable of unleashing a torrent of fire at your enemies, humans, or undead!


    Effects: +50% Burn Duration, +30% Range


    Special Effect:


    Hell''s Fury - Ignites the surrounding area, creating a barrier of me that repels iing hordes.


    Cost: 5 Zombies Cores/minute


    Basic Requirement: Liquid Fuel ( Rmend 90% Diesel and 10% Gasoline ) ]


    "The bidding shall start at 40 Points¡­" The auctioneer announced, her eyes sweeping across the sea of faces before her.


    Shane felt his pulse quicken.


    The methrower was a powerful tool, one that could turn the tide in any skirmish against the undead. It was also quite interesting that he could load it up with Zombie Cores so they could use its Hell''s Fury effect!


    It was obviously not amon methrower!


    He gripped his BidLink Communicator, his mind already calcting the value of such an item.


    Around him, murmurs of excitement and strategy filled the air as other survivors prepared to ce their bids.


    Nheless, the hall didn''t have all the 1,000 Survivors¡­ Only about 600 of them had actually entered to participate. It appears that some of them who don''t have plenty of Points decided to enter the Market Bazaar Bidding instead!


    It wasn''t too surprising.


    After all, once a bid was ced on the items they selected, the others only have 2 hours topete with the first bidder before the highest bidder takes it away.


    Since the Grand Auction Hall would take 3 hours toplete, they would have a high chance of obtaining items in the Market!


    Anyway, Shane believed that the best items would still be in this Grand Auction Hall so he decided to visit this ce first.


    Ding!


    A bell rang out and the auctioneer''s voice cut through the anticipation¡­ "Let the bidding begin!"


    Shane entered his bid, the first of many he nned to make today.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 50 Points ]


    He was assigned the number 1101 by the BidLink Communicator.


    As the numbers on disy began to climb, he settled into the rhythm of the auction¡­


    [ Bidder 1159 bids 51 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1825 bids 55 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1242 bids 58 Points. ]


    ¡­


    [ Bidder 1456 bids 73 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1125 bids 75 Points. ]


    Shane saw the current bid and felt that it was slow to climb up¡­.


    75 Points was basically 75 Zombies Cores, a price simr to 5 Cast Iron Skillet!


    There was no way this methrower would just be that cheap!


    After realizing that the other survivors were simply observing the limits of others, Shane decided to step up the bidding.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 500 Points ]


    "¡­"


    The hall, previously filled with the soft tter of incremental bids, fell into a stunned silence as Shane''s bid echoed through the space.


    The number500glowed boldly on the disy, casting a new light on the proceedings. Murmurs erupted among the survivors, their expressions a mix of disbelief and intrigue.


    "Who is thisBidder 1101?!" a voice called out from the back, the question hanging in the air like a challenge.


    "Crazy! That''s worth100 Item Upgrade Crystals!" another eximed, their tone a mixture of admiration and envy.


    "What the heck! Why did you do that! The methrower should just be worth 100 Points!" someone else gasped, their eyes wide as they stared at the disy, as if it might change if they looked hard enough.


    Travis, the n Leader of the Drakeheart Vanguard, frowned with his arms crossed, his brow furrowed as he assessed the situation. "This changes the game¡­" he muttered under his breath. "Whoever this is, they''re here to y hard."


    Another n leader, a woman known for her strategic mind, tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Bold move. Either a bluff or they have resources we''ve underestimated¡­" she whispered to her second-inmand. She was the same woman who was disappointed at the rules stating that fighting was prohibited.


    Her name was Natalie Cross, the nd Leader of the New Haven.


    Another young n Leader clenched his fists as he saw the bid... It was simply too high. Even with his 40 members in his n, he was only able to gather less than 3,000 Points!


    "We can''t let this stand. We have to respond¡­" He said, though uncertaintyced his words. His name was Hayden, and he created the Blue Moon n as it was rted to the Talent that he had obtained.


    Shane, sitting calmly amidst the storm of reactions, felt a small smile creep onto his face. This was exactly what he had hoped for¡ªa chance to shake the foundations of the auction and assert his presence. This would allow him to take more items from the Auction Hall.


    He watched as the other bidders hesitated, their fingers hovering over their own devices, second-guessing their next move.


    The 500 points were simply too high, and this was just the first item in the Auction Hall! They would still see 99 more items!


    They were unwilling to spend most of their Points on the first item!


    "Whatever, this Bidder 1101 won''t be able to bid again. Even if he could, he shouldn''t have enough to fight against us!"


    Everyone had such thoughts as they decided not topete for now.


    The auctioneer, maintaining herposure, nced at the disy and then out at the crowd. "Bidder 1101 leads with 500 Points. Do I hear any further bids?" she asked, her voice steady but tinged with the excitement of the moment.


    The hall remained in a tense silence, the only sound being the soft hum of the BidLink Communicators as the survivors waited for someone to outbid Shane. But the silence stretched on, and it became clear that no one was willing to match his bold move.


    "Going once¡­ going twice¡­ and sold to Bidder 1101 for 500 Points!" The auctioneer finally dered, her gavel striking the podium with a finality that resonated through the room.


    Shane''s small smile widened just a fraction.


    He had secured the first item, setting a precedent for the rest of the auction. But before the crowd could fully process the oue, the auctioneer had another surprise in store.


    "Ladies and gentlemen¡­" She announced as she looked at the Survivors for a moment before she continued.


    "In light of this first bid for this event, the administrators of the hall have decided to offer an additional 10 methrowers for sale outside the hall, each at the winning bid of 500 Points. This is a one-time event and will not be repeated for other items."


    A collective gasp swept through the survivors.


    "It''s a good thing that we didn''tpete to make it higher."


    "Hmph¡­ It should''ve been 100 Points. He shouldn''t have increased the price too much!"


    Some were happy with the additional methrowers, but the others shook their heads in disbelief. They exchanged nces, weighing their options.


    Anyway, the tension eased into a flurry of activity as a few Survivors rushed out to secure their own methrower at the set price.

 Chapter 116: The Auction ( Part 4 )

    "Should I purchase more?" Shane thought for a moment before shaking his head. Although he could purchase more of them, he felt that he could still get better items if he stayed here.


    Furthermore, he believed that the methrower wouldn''t be sold out yet.


    Amidst themotion, Travis, the n Leader of the Drakeheart Vanguard, leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face.


    "Clever move¡­" He said to his n members. "It draws out the big spenders early."


    He muttered while looking at the group of people heading outside to purchase the methrower. He didn''t have any ns of joining them at all.


    Ding!


    The auctioneer allowed the crowd a moment to digest the news before continuing.


    "Now, let us proceed to our second item¡­" She said, her voice carrying over the renewed buzz of conversation.


    "This is a Recruitment Stone¡ªa rare artifact that guarantees the summoning of a human inhabitant from the Fiend Continent with a 50% Loyalty rate. A valuable ally in our struggle for survival."


    At the same time, the Item Description also appeared on their BidLink Communicator.


    [ Normal Recruitment Stone: A single-use item that a Survivor can trigger in order to recruit a helpful but typical inhabitant of this continent. The summoned person will have a guaranteed 50% Loyalty to its summoner.


    Note: This item cannot be upgraded. ]


    ''This is a lot better than the one being sold in the Reputation Store.'' Shane thought after seeing the item description.


    The one he had seen before in the store was Random Recruitment Stone. Although both of them could summon someone with 50% loyalty, the one being sold here seemed to be a safer choice.


    Anyway, the bidding started as the auctioneer announced that the starting price was 50 points. Soon, the Survivors began cing their bids.


    [ Bidder 1364 bids 55 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1798 bids 57 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1237 bids 60 Points. ]


    ¡­


    [ Bidder 1256 bids 70 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1521 bids 90 Points. ]


    Shane thought for a moment before deciding not to bid on this one.


    He still had 2 Recruitment Stones he hadn''t activated yet since he still had to find a better way of procuring food. Although they could live right now thanks to bread and various items, crops, herbs, and asional ingredients or even seasonings that would appear in the store, it wasn''t a long-term solution if they wanted to have more people in the estate.


    Soon, it was won by a female n Leader as he heard the crowd congratting her.


    She managed to win the Normal Recruitment Stone for only 190 points. It was quite low in his eyes, but it was a decent amount for the others.


    ''Still¡­ That price is too low¡­ Are they worried that the person will just be another mouth to feed and might even betray them?'' Shane mused.


    The third item was unveiled, and a collective intake of breath swept through the crowd as theBio-Barrier Generatorwas presented.


    The description on the BidLink Communicator read:


    [ Bio-Barrier Generator: This advanced device emits a protective dome of bio-energy, creating a safe haven from the undead. It''s powered by renewable bio-fuel, making it essential for long-term survival.


    Effects: Creates a barrier with a radius of 20 meters,sting up to 12 hours on a single charge.


    Special Effect:


    Sanctuary Pulse: Emits a pulse that calms the nerves and boosts morale of all within its range, providing a much-needed respite from the apocalypse. ]


    "Wow¡­ Isn''t this a shield!"


    "It is indeed a shield¡­ No, a barrier like those is sci-fi movies!"


    "This is what I''ve been looking for!"


    "Our Neo Human n needs this! No one should take a bid!"


    "What? Do you think that the Cockroaches n will allow that?! This is ours!"


    The auctioneer didn''t care about their remarks as she continued.


    The starting bid was set at 100 Points, and the numbers began to climb as survivors recognized the value of such a sanctuary.


    [ Bidder 1385 bids 105 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1422 bids 110 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1578 bids 120 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1104 bids 500 Points. ]


    Thest bid came from Travis¡­ The sudden increase in price seemed to copy Shane''s attempt to take the item immediately.


    This time, however, the other n Leaders decided to fight for it! Unlike the methrower, which could only be equipped by a single person, this barrier could protect a whole area!


    [ Bidder 1112 bids 550 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1104 bids 600 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1112 bids 610 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1109 bids 620 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1104 bids 630 Points. ]


    ¡­


    [ Bidder 1104 bids 690 Points. ]


    Soon, the bidding was climbing up very slowly. They were only increasing the bid by 10 points!


    Shane watched the bids increase, contemting the strategic advantage the Bio-Barrier Generator could offer. He already had several Barrier Generators, so he doesn''t really need this one anymore.


    However, he recalled that he still had other areas he needed to im around his estate, and the Iron Mine was just one of them.


    With this in mind, he knew that he had to get more Barrier Generators!


    He decided to join the fray.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1,000 Points. ]


    This amount was certainly not much, considering Shane''s current Points. However, it was obviously different from others.


    As soon as he did this, everyone was shocked again!


    "He still has points with him?!"


    "One thousand points! That''s crazy!"


    "That''s 200 Item Upgrade Crystals! He also spent 500 Points on the first item.""


    "There''s no way he used an Item Upgrade Crystal¡­ Perhaps he found a treasure trove? I heard that gold bars could also be converted to Points."


    "Right¡­ I read that in the chat too!"


    "Isn''t he too lucky?!"


    The other Survivors couldn''t help but express their dissatisfaction whenever theypared their points to Bidder 1101.


    Several n leaders hesitated as they felt that if they fought now, they wouldn''t have enough points to purchase the Machine Gun and Laser Rifleter on.


    After all, the barrier was still a defensive item. What they needed right now was an offensive item that could allow them to kill zombies instead of keeping them at bay.


    After some hesitations, they gave uppeting against Bidder 1101.


    "Going once¡­ going twice¡­ and sold to Bidder 1101 for 1,000 Points!" The auctioneer announced as her gavel struck the podium to confirm the sale.


    The fourth item was then brought to the stage, and the auctioneer immediately introduced it.


    It was aHolographic Decoy Projector!


    Once again, it was another defensive or support-type item!


    [ Holographic Decoy Projector ( Exceptional ): Confuse and distract the undead with this cutting-edge projector. It creates realistic holograms that mimic human activity, drawing zombies away from actual survivors.


    Effects: Can project up to 5 decoys simultaneously, eachsting for 10 minutes.


    Special Effect:


    Echo Mirage: The decoys emit lifelike sounds, further enhancing their ability to divert zombie hordes. ]


    The bidding for the Holographic Decoy Projector started at 80 Points, and Shane observed as the bids steadily increased.


    [ Bidder 1603 bids 85 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1710 bids 90 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1834 bids 120 Points. ]


    Shane weighed his options. While the projector was an ingenious device, its usage was too limited and with his current strength, he doesn''t want to distract the zombies and wanted their attention instead!


    Because of this, he opted to pass on this item, saving his resources for something that might be more critical to his survival strategy.


    The projector was eventually won by a young person who seemed like an up-anding Survivor for 345 Points¡ªa fair price for such an innovative piece of equipment.


    ***


    The auctioneer''s voice rang out once more¡­


    "Our next lot is a vital resource in these trying times¡ªfuels! They are essential for powering generators, vehicles, and heating systems, fuel is the lifeblood of any survivor''s camp."


    Soon 10 Gallons of Diesel, 10 Gallons of Gasoline, and another 10 Gallons of Propane were sold!


    [ Diesel: It is a heavy, oily fuelmonly used in diesel engines. It is less vtile than Gasoline and is often preferred for its efficiency and torque. Diesel is derived from crude oil through a refining process and is widely used in transportation, industry, and agriculture. ]


    [ Gasoline: This fuel, also known as petrol, is a highly mmable fuel used in spark-ignition engines such as those found in cars, motorcycles, and small engines. It is a refined product of crude oil and is a crucial energy source for modern transportation. ]


    [ Propane: It is a colorless, odorless gasmonly used as a fuel for heating, cooking, and powering vehicles and appliances. It is stored in pressurized tanks as a liquid and vaporizes into a gas when released. Propane is known for its clean-burning properties and versatility as an energy source. ]


    These items were certainly incredible and something that Shane needed!


    Shane didn''t feel shy about taking all of these fuels, so he decided to go all out!


    Shane bought the 10 gallons of Diesel for 780 Points. He bought the 10 gallons of Gasoline for 620 points, and finally, he was able to obtain the propare for 1,120 points after one crazy n Leader tried topete against him!

 Chapter 117: The Auction ( Part 5 )

    "That guy¡­ Is that Shane?" Raze looked at her BidLink Communicator as the name of the first person who had reached level 2 came to her mind.


    Bidder 1101 also seemed to fit Shane since he was first in most cases.


    Of course, she wasn''t too sure if that was him, but her intuition told her so.


    She couldn''t help but want to send a private message to him and ask if he was Bidder 1101. However, she felt it would be rude to pry on his secrets.


    Anyway, she decided not topete on the first few items as she had limited Points. She was only able to save 4,240 Points and it was all thanks to the treasure trove she found in the sewers.


    Apparently, she found a few shelters made by previous inhabitants of the city, who had decided to hide in the sewers. They still, unfortunately, perished, most likely because of the Zombie Rats that could easily pass through normal barricades and attack you at night.


    Anyway, as the bidding for the fuel concluded, the auctioneer introduced the next item. It seemed that she was finally starting to introduce other resources crucial for establishing a secure and sustainable camp.


    [ DIY Shelter Set:This collection of construction materials is perfect for erecting sturdy shelters, crafting fortifications, and creating a safe haven for survivors.It includes lumber, nails, tools, and waterproof tarps.This set is also for rapid assembly. The materials are pre-cut and designed for quick and easy assembly, reducing construction time by half.


    Note: This set could create only 20 square meters of shelter. ]


    This set wasn''t too popr since 30 days had already passed since they entered the apocalypse. It means that all of them already possess a shelter.


    Furthermore, they were among the top 1,000 Survivors, so it was guaranteed that they already had a decent situationpared to others.


    In the end, this DIY Shelter Set was only purchased for 165 Points.


    Well, there were still about 5 Survivors who fought for it for some reason.


    As for Shane, he obviously had no use for it since he already had lumbers, nails, and various tools, thanks to his cksmith and the natural resources near his camp.


    However, the next item that was introduced was something that most of thendowners, like Shane, needed.


    [ Harvester''s Hoard Set: A set of agricultural supplies. Ensure your camp''s food security with thisprehensive kit of agricultural tools and seeds. It contains a variety of heirloom seeds, fertilizers, and basic farming tools. The seeds are also gically enhanced for high yield and disease resistance, promising a bountiful harvest.


    Note: Even if the seeds are gically enhanced, there are still chances that they won''t grow if the soil is too poor and other basic requirements aren''t met. ]


    The starting bid price for this Harvester''s Hoard Set was actually 50 Points only. However, Shane didn''t hesitate to put a higher price once again, leaving all the others speechless!


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1,000 Points ]


    Someone was actually monitoring Bidder 1101''s bids and already knew how many Points he had spent so far!


    "That''s 5,020 Points already, and not even 10 Items were auctioned off! This guy is too hasty! Can''t he wait for some better items to be sold?"


    "That''s true. He''ll surely regret spending all his money at the start of the event."


    "Right, the real good items weren''t shown yet."


    The other Survivors could onlyfort themselves that Bidder 1101 would no longer be theirpetitor at theter part of the event. check-out-MvLeMpYr


    Well, there was certainly nothing wrong with this idea since none of them could fathom that someone would be so lucky enough to get more than 80 thousand Points!


    "Is he really getting hasty?" Raze couldn''t help but question this as she had a bad feeling about this Bidder 1101¡­


    After all, if he could umte that many Points, he should be smart enough to properly use it for better items.


    Anyway, the auction continued, and surprisingly, Bidder 1101 stopped bidding for a while.


    The items that were being sold were also quite decent, so many of the bidders felt that Bidder 1101 had already spent most of his money.


    [ Scout''s Reconnaissance Drone: Apact and agile drone equipped with a camera and sensors for scouting and surveince missions. Provides real-time aerial footage, scouting reports, and enemy detection capabilities to aid in strategic decision-making.


    Special Feature: Night Vision Mode - Enables vision enhancement for nocturnal operations. ]


    The starting bid for this item was 40 Points, but it was sold for 440 Points. After this, was the Mechanic Toolkit.


    [ Mechanic''s Tool Kit: Equip yourself with this versatile tool kit for repairing vehicles, fortifications, and equipment in the wastnd. Packed with wrenches, screwdrivers, duct tape, and spare parts, this kit can help you maintain and improve your survival gear. ]


    It was sold for 220 Points.


    [ 5 Sets of Medic''s First Aid Kit: Aprehensive first aid kit is a must-have for any survivor in the dangerous world of the apocalypse. Packed with bandages, antiseptic sprays, painkillers, and essential medical supplies, this kit can help treat injuries, infections, and ailments on the go. ]


    This was quite a useful item, but in the end, Shane did not bid for it since he already had a Medical Gift Pack before. Furthermore, Anna has already made better medicines in case someone got injured in their shelter.


    Anyway, Shane still opted not to bid after several weapons were auctioned off.


    [ Ranger''s Survival Axe ( Master ): A versatile survival toolbining an axe de with a hammerhead and pry bar for various tasks. Ideal for chopping wood, breaching doors, and self-defense, this rugged axe is a reliablepanion in the wilderness.


    Effect: +40% Chopping Power, +20% Durability


    Special Effect:


    Overhead Strike: Provides guaranteed critical hit, which deals double damage and ignores the target''s defense.


    Cost: 100 Spirit Points ]


    This weapon was actually what Raze wanted. It was suitable for her fighting style and it was also a useful too for everyday use since she wasn''t part of any n and was still roaming the continent alone, or together with her dragon partner, Roan.


    After a fiercepetition, she was able to purchase the item for 780 Points!

 Chapter 118: The Auction ( Part 6 )

    The axe was certainly quite incredible¡­ Its guaranteed Critical Hit was also incredible. However, he already had quite a decent number of melee weapons.


    Right now, what he wanted to purchase was something like a gun or anything that someone could use on the watchtower that they had made.


    He was nning to create four more watchtowers to guard several corners of his territory, so he needed plenty of long-range weapons.


    Several items like katana, club, and dagger appeared but Shane ignored them for now and allowed the others to get them. Anyway, he could just purchase them in the Survivor Store and upgrade them with the Crystals if he wanted items like these.


    [ desmith''s Katana ( Exceptional ): A traditional katana forged from high-quality steel for exceptional sharpness and strength. This elegant and deadly sword is a lethal weapon in skilled hands, capable of slicing through zombies with precision.


    Effects: +50% Cutting Ability, +30% Bnce


    Special Effect: Swift Strike - Increases attack speed for quick and deadly strikes for 20 seconds.


    Cost: 80 Spirit Points ]


    [ Brute''s War Club ( Exceptional ): A heavy, blunt weapon crafted from reinforced steel and wood, designed for crushing blows and meleebat. The war club delivers devastating impact damage, ideal for breaking bones and skulls in close-quartersbat.


    Effects: +40% Impact Force, +20% Stun Chance


    Special Effect: Bone Crusher - Increases damage against armored or undead foes for 20 seconds.


    Cost: 75 Spirit Spoints ]


    [ Assassin''s Hidden Dagger ( Exceptional ): A concealed dagger with a retractable de and ergonomic grip, perfect for stealthy assassinations and closebat encounters. Thispact weapon is ideal for silent takedowns and surprise attacks.


    Effects: +50% Critical Hit Chance, +30% Stealth


    Special Effects: Poison de - Allows for applying toxic substances for additional damage.


    Cost: 200 Spirit Points ]


    These items were undoubtedly incredible, and Shane even learned that the Bnce effect of the katana was actually used to counter any Knockback effects of certain items.


    This was a great thing to know, so once he encountered the Crusher Zombies that were said to be like bulldozer zombies in the Regional Chat, Shane knew what to look for to deal with them.


    Anyway, after these items were sold, an item finally caught his attention.


    [ Gunslinger''s Dual Revolvers ( Exceptional ): A pair of sleek revolvers with quick-draw holsters, perfect for rapid-fire shooting and close to mid-rangebat. These dual pistols offer versatility and firepower, allowing the wielder to engage multiple targets with speed and style.


    Effects: -50% Recoil, +35% Pierce Rate


    Special Effects: Dual Wield Mastery ¨C A passive ability that increases uracy and stability when dual-wielding. ]


    There were no effects like Burn or Ice on it, but Shane didn''t mind it at all. The Dual Wield Mastery and the minus recoil were already quite useful!


    "Together with this, Dual Revolvers will be a set of ammunitions! So please consider this when you''re bidding!" The auctioneer added.


    [ Revolver Ammo Pack: An ammo pack containing rounds specifically tailored for revolvers, offering reliable firepower and stopping power in close to mid-rangebat. These bullets are suitable for quick-draw situations and dual-wielding tactics.


    Quantity: 100 Rounds per Pack ] x5


    Indeed! There were 5 Revolver Ammo Packs that would give them a total of 500 rounds!


    That was already an insane amount!


    Shane''s eyes also observed the revolver itself, their sleek design also suited his taste.


    The additional ammunition was a significant bonus, and he knew the value of such firepower in this world overrun by the undead.


    "Let us begin the bidding for these exceptional revolvers and ammunition packs at100 Points!" The auctioneer announced, her voice rising above the excited chatter.


    The bids started to fly in immediately, each one higher than thest, as the survivors recognized the rarity of the offering.


    [ Bidder 1312 bids 150 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1468 bids 200 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1534 bids 300 Points. ]


    Shane waited, his finger poised over the BidLink Communicator. He watched the numbers climb, gauging the determination of hispetitors.


    [ Bidder 1675 bids 500 Points.]


    [ Bidder 1742 bids 750 Points.]


    The pressure in the room was intense, as if a tangible force that seemed to press upon everyone was within the hall.


    Shane leaned forward, his eyes locked on the disy.


    [Bidder 1101 bids 1,000 Points.]


    A murmur swept through the crowd, and the other bidders hesitated, their confidence waning in the face of Shane''s aggressive strategy.


    Travis, the n Leader of the Drakeheart Vanguard, watched with a calcting gaze. "He''s going all in again¡­" he remarked to his n members. content-source-MVLeMpYr


    "Let''s see how far he''s willing to go."


    [ Bidder 1104 bids 1,200 Points.]


    Shane didn''t flinch. He entered his next bid with a calm certainty that seemed to echo through the hall.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1,800 Points. ]


    It was another insane amount, and none of them could guess how many points this person has!


    The hall fell silent as the auctioneer called out.


    "Bidder 1101 leads with 1,800 Points! Will anyone challenge this bid?"


    One by one, the other bidders backed down, their devices going dark.


    Natalie Cross, the female n Leader who had won the Recruitment Stone earlier, nodded in respect¡­


    "This person is really rich¡­ I hope he identifies himself in the chat." She muttered.


    The young man who had secured the desmith''s Katana shook his head in disbelief.


    "Incredible¡­" he whispered. "I wonder if he''s going to keep this up until the 100th item..."


    As the auctioneer struck the gavel, confirming Shane''s victory, a round of apuse broke out.


    Well, there was nothing they could do as they had no idea who that person was. Nheless, whoever he was, they knew that it was better to befriend this person and learn his secret to obtain more Points.


    Furthermore, since he had Revolvers with 500 rounds, none of them would dare to curse him right now as they might be remembered by this mysterious person!


    Anyway, Shane not only won the revolvers but also asserted his dominance in the auction.


    The other survivors now knew that Bidder 1101 was a force to be reckoned with, a yer with the points and the will to secure the best tools for survival.

 Chapter 119: The Auction ( Part 7 )

    The auctioneer''s voice rose above the ruckus of the crowd¡­


    "Next up, we have theSniper''s Silent Crossbowand apanyingQuivers. A weapon of precision and stealth, ideal for those who strike from the shadows!"


    [Ranger''s Silent Crossbow: A silent and deadly crossbow designed for stealthy takedowns and silent eliminations. This weapon is equipped with a scope and specialized bolts for long-range engagements, making it ideal for silent sniping in urban or wilderness environments.


    Effects: +50% Stealth, +30% Armor Pration, +10% Stun Chance


    Special Effects: Whisper String ¨C Passively reduces noise and detection when firing. ]


    [ Silent Crossbow Bolt Quiver:


    Description: A quiver filled with specialized bolts Ranger''s Silent crossbows, featuring silent flight and piercing capabilities for stealthy sniping and silent takedowns. These bolts are designed for uracy, range, and lethality in various scenarios.


    Quantity: 30 Bolts per Quiver ] x5


    The disy screens lit up with the item''s details, and Shane''s eyes narrowed in interest.


    The+50% Stealthand+30% Armor Prationwere exactly what he needed to have in order to equip the one who would be stationed on the watchtowers he nned to make.


    "Let''s start the bidding at100 Points¡­" The auctioneer announced, her eyes scanning the room for the first bid.


    [ Bidder 1324 bids 110 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1483 bids 120 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1621 bids 150 Points. ]


    The bids came in quick session, but none matched the determination in Shane''s eyes.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 300 Points. ]


    A hush fell over the crowd as Shane''s bid appeared on the screen. Whispers broke out among the survivors, all wondering if anyone would dare to challenge him.


    They were no longer surprised at his bid and they were only curious now how much he would willingly pay for this crossbow.


    [ Bidder 1754 bids 320 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1892 bids 350 Points. ]


    ¡­


    [ Bidder 1104 bids 475 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 500 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1109 bids 875 Points. ]


    Shane, without hesitation, ced his final bid.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1111 Points. ]


    The auctioneer smiled, "Bidder 1101 leads with 1,111 Points. Going once, going twice¡­ Sold!"


    The apuse was scattered, some admiring, some envious. Travis, the n Leader of the Drakeheart Vanguard, nodded in acknowledgment. "He''s building an arsenal," hemented quietly.


    The auctioneer continued, "Our next item is theDemolitionist''s Grenade LauncherwithAmmo Crates. For those who prefer a more¡­ explosive approach to crowd control."


    The crowd leaned in as the details of the grenadeuncher and its shrapnel rounds were disyed.


    [ Demolitionist''s Grenade Launcher: A heavy-duty grenadeuncher capable ofunching explosive projectiles at enemies or clusters of zombies with devastating impact. This weapon is effective for area denial and crowd control, making it a valuable asset in chaotic situations.


    Effects: +40% st Radius, +20% Explosive Power


    Special Effects: Shrapnel Rounds ¨C Passively increase damage and fragmentation upon detonation. ]


    [ Grenade Launcher Ammo Crate: A heavy-duty ammo crate containing explosive rounds for grenadeunchers, capable of delivering devastating sts and area damage to enemies and zombie hordes. These shells are essential for crowd control and explosive engagements.


    Quantity: 20 Shells per Crate ] x5


    "Starting bid is at200 Points!" The auctioneer dered.


    [ Bidder 1345 bids 210 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1510 bids 250 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1683 bids 300 Points. ]


    Again, Shane waited, letting the anticipation build before cing his bid.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1,000 Points. ]


    It was no longer gasps and murmurs that filled the hall but a collective sigh as soon as he ced his bid once again.


    Shane''s aggressive bidding was bing the talk of the auction.


    "This is already too much¡­"


    "Sir Bidder 1101, can you at least give us a chance topete on this item?"


    "We don''t want to be enemies with you¡­ We should help each other during this time. You can''t just take all the weapons here and leave us weak."


    "That''s right¡­ The second Zombie Wave will definitelye after this Auction Event. We have to acquire weapons as well."


    "Please stop hoarding all the best items, Sir!"


    They knew that threatening this Bidder 1,101 would only lead to further problems.


    Because of that, they tried to appeal to him instead. The Grenade Launcher was simply too good! If they had that together with its ammo crate, they would surely win the next Zombie Wave they would face!


    After these pleading statements, the others started bidding again, hoping that Bidder 1,101 would stop already!


    [ Bidder 1820 bids 1,050 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1115 bids 1,100 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1125 bids 1,120 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1103 bids 1,190 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1107 bids 1,250 Points. ]


    Several more bids came, and they all felt relieved to see that Bidder 1,101 was no longer there. There were only 30 seconds left as well for the bidding to end.


    Soon, the bid reached 2,900 Points, and it was actually from the Cockroaches n!


    "I''m Winged Python and Bidder 1125! The n Head of the Cockroaches n! Please give this Grenade Launcher to us! If you''re in trouble and near our camp, Just ask us for help and we wille to you!"


    Apparently, this was almost all of their umted Points after one of them purchased the methrower outside.


    They only have 13 Points left, to be exact. If someone bids again, they''d most likely lose this chance at this point.


    However, Shane didn''t care about that. The Grenade Launcher was simply too amazing¡­ With this weapon, with the addition of his other defensive items like his barriers and offensive items like this grenadeuncher, he could literally call his camp a fortress!


    "This is mine!"


    Shane entered his final bid, a number that silenced thepetition.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 3,600 Points. ]


    "You¡­" The leader of the Cockroaches n could only eat his words as he slowly sat down.


    The auctioneer''s gavel came down!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    "Sold to Bidder 1101 for 3,600 Points!"


    The others could only exchange looks as their respect and annoyance for Bidder 1,101 grew even more.


    "He''s not just surviving; he''s nning to thrive¡­" Travis murmured.

 Chapter 120: The Auction ( Part 8 )

    Just like that, the Survivors calcted that Bidder 1,101 had already spent more than 10,000 Points!


    That was an insane amount, and many of them didn''t even gather half of it! They could only imagine what kind of fortuitous event he had encountered over the past few weeks!


    Nheless, many of them just gritted their teeth as they also don''t want to oppose or be enemies with this type of wealthy Survivor.


    Of course, there were still plenty of items to be sold, so some of the n Leaders heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that Bidder 1,101 shouldn''t have many Points at this stage. Even if he does, he shouldn''t have enough topete with them.


    The other items to be sold, like the Machine Gun, Laser Rifle, Chainsaw, Acid Gun, Rocket Launcher and others, would surely be obtained by them!


    In the meantime, Shanefortably leaned back on his chair as he was satisfied with his purchase just now.


    His strategy was clear¡ªequip himself with the best, and survival would follow. The auction was far from over, but he had already made his mark.


    He couldn''t help but smile as he believed that Lucas would surely love the weapons he would bring back to the estate.


    He would already retire his current pistol and use the double revolvers as his second weapon, and he would use his electric shock de as his main weapon since it doesn''t use ammunition.


    As for his hatchet, he would still carry that small weapon since it was also considered a tool and could be used in many types of situations.


    ''It''s probably a good idea to bring a couple of Super Soldiers with me when exploring the outside¡­'' Shane also thought as he imagined these Super Soldiers carrying the heavy methrower and the Bio-Barrier Generator as they ventured outside their camp.


    He was already excited to return to his camp!


    However, the event wasn''t over yet, and he still had plenty of things to take with him!


    ***


    As the auction progressed, Shane''s discerning eye evaluated each item that came up for bid.


    The items that followed were actually set of clothes.


    They were the upgradedHunter,Scavenger, andRanger Sets.


    All of them are Tier 3 items, and for sure, the Survivors still fought for them.


    Theywere indeed impressive, as their enhancements were evident in the gleaming fabric and reinforced stitching.


    Yet, Shane decided against bidding; he preferred to wait for the chance to acquire them at the Survivor Store. It had a daily refresh, so he had a very high chance of finding these items. They would even be offered at a more reasonable cost since they weren''t an upgraded version yet.


    The unupgraded version was what he wanted since he could simply do the upgrade himself and not pay more. These sets of clothes were sold for around 350 to 450 Points each and were surely too pricey.


    "Mhmm¡­ When will the weapons and other resources appear?" Shane muttered to himself.


    Apparently, after the set of clothes was sold, a series of practical items appeared on the block¡ªa set of knives,a bicycle, evena portable toilet, and others¡ªall fetching prices below 200 Points. These were useful, certainly, but not what Shane was holding out for.


    ''Wait¡­ are the toilets we''re usingfortable for others?'' Shane suddenly thought to himself. Their estate had many toilets that they had repaired. There were two in the church, one near the previous serf''s houses, in the smithy, in Anna''sboratory, even in the warehouse¡­


    They onlycked water, as he still had to use the water he was looting from the Zombies. Well, he had no other choice since the well and the river had already dried up.


    ''Is there another way to find sources of water? Should we try to clear the well or dig deeper?'' Shane thought for a moment as he believed that stacking their container with water from his loot would not be good for the long run¡­


    ''Right¡­ Since the estate is pretty much a fortified stronghold, once I returned with these items, I should find another water source soon.


    As he was thinking of this, the moment he had been waiting for arrived.


    TheMachine Gunwas unveiled on the stage, its sleek barrel promising a rain of bullets and a roar of power!


    It also had an apanying ammo, a substantial cache that would keep the weapon fed for countless battles! This was simply too enticing and everyone wanted to have this weapon for sure!


    [ Thunder''s Roar - Machine Gun ( Exceptional ): A formidable heavy machine gun with high-caliber rounds and sustained fire capabilities, ideal for suppressing enemy targets and unleashing a storm of bullets. This weapon is designed for firepower and suppression in intensebat situations. Its sturdy build and rapid-fire capability make it a cornerstone of any survivor''s arsenal.


    Effects: +40% Rate of Fire, +25% Reload Speed, +20% Ammo Capacity


    Special Effects: Overheat Resistant: A passive ability that reduces heat buildup and cooldown time during extended firing. ]


    The auctioneer''s voice cut through the growing excitement! "We shall start the bidding at200 Points."


    The bids flew in, fast and furious, as survivors vied for the weapon.


    "Haha! This is it! This machine is ours! The Cockroaches n!"


    [ Bidder 1125 bids 1,500 Points. ]


    "This belongs to the Blue Moon n¡­"


    [ Bidder 1456 bids 2500 Points. ]


    "Haa¡­ Stop shouting. Our Drakeheart Vanguard would take this weapon. Thank you, everyone. exclusive-content-MvLeMpYr


    [ Bidder 1104 bids 4,000 Points. ]


    "What?!"


    "Four thousand points!"


    "This is crazy! So you have that much, and you didn''t fight Bidder 1,101! You''re weird!"


    "Hmph! If I did that, I wouldn''t be able to take this weapon away." Travis said as he silently prayed that Bidder 1,101 would no longer bid¡­


    Then, as soon as he saw another bidder, his heart skipped a bit for a moment!


    [ Bidder 1102 bids 4,500 Points. ]


    "This.." Travis paused for a moment as this was the first time he had seen 1,102 make a bid!

 Chapter 121: The Other Event

    It was the same for others, and many of them even thought that they saw 1101 just now.


    It took them a few seconds to realize that it was anotherpetitor.


    At this time, they couldn''t help but feel curious as to who this person was. After all, 4,500 Points was not a small amount!


    That could be equal to 900 Item Upgrade Crystals!


    Noticing a pause in the bidding war, the auctioneer spoke.


    "Bidder 1102 leads with 4,500 Points! Is there anyone else nning to fight for the machine gun that could protect your shelter?"


    As soon as she finished speaking, another bid came, and it was from Travis once again.


    [ Bidder 1104 bids 4,550 Points. ]


    He only added 50 Points as if to tell that he was nning to see this until the end.


    Well, the Machine Gun was simply too valuable. Unlike the methrower, swords, and barriers, this weapon could easily suppress a horde of zombies, even if you were alone!


    Of course, this new Bidder and some other rich ones weren''t nning to give up the Machine Gun either!


    [ Bidder 1102 bids 4,650 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1233 bids 4,750 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1109 bids 4,850 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1104 bids 4,970 Points. ]


    "Whoa! This is intense!"


    "Just how many points did these people gather!"


    "How did they do this?! Ugh¡­ I think I should be joining these nster."


    "Just pray that you''re near their camp¡­ Also, consider introducing yourself to themter. Just in case you meet outside."


    "Right, they must have arge number of members supporting behind them."


    "There''s simply no way for lone Survivors to gather this many Points."


    Shane watched, his expression unreadable, as the numbers climbed.


    He was actually also impressed by the number of Points they had gathered. After all, without the help of the mysterious research room on the third floor of the manor, he would only have less than seven thousand points. brought-to-you-by-MvLeMpYr


    ''Ahh¡­ There''s also that talent that can guarantee Item Upgrade Crystals in every 10 Zombies killed.'' Shane suddenly recalled the message he read before in the Regional Chat.


    If her talent was properly used by arge n, they would surely obtain tons of these Crystals to be converted to Points.


    Anyway, Shane bided his time, waiting for the right moment to strike.


    [ Bidder 1102 bids 5,100 Points. ]


    As soon as the bid reached over five thousand points, Shane knew that it was finally his time.


    Then, with a calm press of a button, Shane made his move.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 6,000 Points. ]


    A hush fell over the crowd.


    The other bidders hesitated, the enormity of Shane''s bid sinking in.


    Over 16,000 points! They just confirmed Bidder 1101 had this many Points after adding up all the items he just purchased!


    It was something that Travis, together with his whole n and other people working for him, failed to umte!


    Asad, also known as the Raven Guard and Bidder 1102, sighed after seeing the bid. He really underestimated Bidder 1101''s wealth.


    ''I only managed to get this 8,000 Points after converting all those important medical supplies in the hospital together with my umted Zombie Cores. I wonder how did this guy obtain so much¡­'' Asad muttered as he looked around the hall. He tried observing the expressions of other people but he couldn''t find a clue.


    Furthermore, he wasn''t bidding a while ago as he was looking for Bidder 1101¡­ He wanted to observe the crowd to see who was still pressing on their BidLink Communicator¡­


    However, he failed to find the Bidder as he seemed to be very stealthy when inputting his bid into the device.


    "It''s over¡­ This 1101 will take everything from us."


    "Please be fair! Give a chance to others¡­"


    "Right, please give up some of the important weapons, Sir! There is still a Market Bazaar outside, and you might find better items there."


    "Yes! Please go outside now!"


    The other Survivors couldn''t help but plead at Bidder 1101. They were also watching the crowd''s expression to see if they could find this mysterious and wealthy Survivor.


    Anyway, Travis, watching from his seat, had already given up¡­


    "He''s not messing around¡­" He said as admirationced his tone.


    He couldn''t help but desire to meet this Bidder 1101!


    Natalie Cross, who had also given up on the bid after reaching 4,000 Points, leaned forward, her eyes locked on the disy.


    "That''s hard to beat¡­ I hope this Bidder can reveal himself..." She murmured.


    Several seconds passed, and no other Survivors raised their bid.


    The auctioneer called out once more¡­ "Bidder 1101 leads with 6,000 Points! Going once, going twice¡­ Sold to Bidder 1101!"


    The hall erupted in apuse, some genuine, some grudging.


    Shane had secured the Machine Gun, a significant victory. His reputation as a serious contender was solidified, and the other survivors could only take note of it.


    ***


    In the meantime, as the echo of the final bid for the Machine Gun faded, Raze felt a twinge of discontent stir within her.


    The Grand Auction Hall, with its frenzied bidding and disys of wealth, was bing too much for her to handle.


    She had already secured a Master-Grade Ranger''s Survival Axe, a prize in its own right, but she felt that if she stayed here for long, she would just die out of envy from these wealthy Survivors.


    ''Haa~ I wish I have these many Points as well.'' Raze thought as she stood up from her seat.


    With a determined stride, Raze exited the hall, the heavy doors closing behind her with a resounding thud.


    Her next destination was obvious.


    "Let''s see if I can get lucky here¡­" Raze muttered after seeing the other area where she could also obtain items. Although she probably needed some luck here, she believed that with the help of her Baby Dragon''s instinct, she might be able to find decent items!


    "Oh... This ce looks better." Raze muttered after seeing the site.


    The Market Bazaar outside was a stark contrast to the opulence she had left behind.

 Chapter 122: The Store

    "Let''s take a look¡­" Raze muttered as if she was simply talking to herself.


    Within the Bazaar, the air was filled with the calls of vendors and the scent of a hundred different wares, from exotic spices to practical gear.


    It felt quite exciting just being here. It waspletely different from her everyday life in the Fiend Continent. Because of that, Raze truly had some urge to converse with other humans like her.


    Anyway, she entered the Bazaar and was weed by various food and drinks that could be saved in a shelter for a very long time, like canned goods and noodles, and some of them even seemed like MREs of the military.


    She recognized these MREs since she had an uncle in the military abroad who would sometimes send these packs for her.


    She took a quick look at their price and noticed that a single MRE had a 5 Points bid on it.


    It wasn''t too high or low, so there might be someone else who would bid on this specific MRE. Anyway, she also noticed that there was a timer showing that it only had 1 hour and 34 minutes left before thest bidder could win this MRE.


    This method of winning an item waspletely different from the Grand Auction Hall¡­


    "Mhmm¡­ I think like this method more." She muttered to herself, as she would surely have a better chance of obtaining items with this method.


    Raze then excitedly meandered through the stalls, her eyes scanning the goods on disy.


    The bazaar was a treasure trove of the unusual and the mundane, each item holding the promise of utility or mystery.


    Raze''s left hand rested on her right hand''s tattoo, the touch of it both afort and a reminder of her purpose here.


    "I know¡­ I''m looking for your food as well." Raze whispered. Unfortunately, finding food for her baby dragon was not easy.


    Luckily, it wasn''t only food that caught Roan''s interest.


    As she passed a humble peddler''s stand, a curious sensation prickled at her skin. Her dragon tattoo, usually inert and merely decorative, began to thrum with a strange warmth.


    ''Roan? Did you find something?''


    She paused for a moment, and then, her gaze was drawn to a simple wooden ne hanging amongst trinkets and baubles. It was unremarkable, carved from in wood and strung on a leather cord, yet it called to her.


    "Oh? Did you find something? Hehe¡­ You felt something, right?" The peddler asked, his eyes twinkling with hidden knowledge.


    "All my items here are special. Not anyone would see their value. Only the fated ones! Right, you''re looking at this ne¡­ It''s been with me for ages, waiting for the right one."


    The peddler said like a normal scammer. Raze truly felt suspicious of how this peddler acted, but since Roan was telling her to take it, she certainly had no other choice.


    Furthermore, she noticed that no one was bidding on this item as well.


    Raze reached out, her fingers brushing against the wood. The warmth intensified, spreading up her arm. "How much do you think should I take this?" She inquired, her voice steady despite the oddity of the situation.


    "Ahem¡­ The market is huge, and you might forget this item, especially once you see other items and start bidding on them. I suggest that you put a high price, like 50 Points¡­ That way, even if you forget to check on it again, you have a high chance of winning it." The peddler replied, a sly smile ying on his lips.


    "Right¡­ If I bid low, I have to check this again before 2 hours and ce another bid if someone ced a higher bid." Raze nodded slowly as what the peddler said certainly made a lot of sense.


    However, she wouldn''t just blindly follow the man''s suggestion.


    Raze opened her BidLink Communicator and linked it with the peddler''s catalog, and soon, she ced her bid on her selected item.


    She ced 15 points on it!


    "Ah¡­" The peddler was struck speechless after seeing Raze''s bid. It was a lot lower than he expected!


    ''Did I get too greedy? No, maybe this girl is just too poor.'' The peddler could only think of this as he smiled at his customer.


    "This is good as well. It''s really up to you." The peddler said as he shifted the position of the wooden ne to be in front of the items he was selling.


    It was as if he was telling the other bidders that this wooden ne was important and that they should bid on it as well!


    Of course, Raze easily understood what the peddler wanted to happen. However, it was his store and she couldn''t tell him how he should position his wares.


    Anyway, Raze could only sigh as she stood up and left. The Bazaar was indeed huge, and she had plenty of things to see.


    Thankfully, there was food being sold that didn''t require two hours to be imed!


    Just a single point could give her a healthy meal, including drinks! It was unfortunate that you could only purchase these once and couldn''t buy many of them to bring them to the Fiend Continent.


    As Raze was walking, she noticed several other Survivors looking at a specific building.


    "Mhmm?"


    Raze''s curiosity was piqued as she approached the grand edifice that stood out amidst the makeshift stalls and mats of the bazaar.


    Indeed! The building was an anomaly here¡ªa two-story structure with an air of luxury that seemed almost out of ce in the ambiance of the marketce.


    The facade was adorned with intricate carvings that depicted scenes of barter and trade, hinting at the building''s purpose.


    As she stepped through the ornate double doors, a bell chimed softly, announcing her arrival.


    Cling~ Cling~ Cling~


    Inside, the store was a cavern of wonders. Items of all kinds lined the shelves and disy cases, from practical survival gear to relics of the old world that seemed to whisper of ancient times.


    ''Ohh¡­ This ce also smells good.'' Razemented in her mind.


    The air was filled with the scent of old leather and polished wood, and a soft, golden light bathed everything in a warm glow.


    At the counter, a well-dressed proprietor with a keen eye appraised each customer, buying and selling with a shrewdness that spoke of years in the trade.


    ''This ce looks like a premium store or something¡­''


    Raze watched as a few Survivors argue at the set of binocrs, their voices never rising above a congenial murmur yet carrying an undercurrent of firmness.


    The two Survivors didn''t want to pay too much for the binocrs they found, so they could only try to convince the other to give up at a certain price point.


    Anyway, Raze already knew that something like this could happen if the two bidders of same items met.


    hosted-on-MVLeMpYr


    Because of that, Raze simply ignored them and wandered the aisles, her dragon tattoo asionally warming slightly as she passed certain items¡ªa sign that there was more to some of these trinkets than met the eye.


    ''I know¡­ All of them are special, Roan¡­ However, I''m not rich!'' She said to the baby dragon.


    She then paused before a ss case containing a wooden ring.


    Raze couldn''t help but recall the wooden ne a while ago!


    The design was closely simr to this ring! Both of them were simple, yet they held a presence that drew her in.


    "Ah, I see you have an eye for the unique¡­" One of the store managers said, appearing beside her.


    "This piece is quite incredible¡­ I heard it had mysterious powers. Only the fated one can truly appreciate their value. Right, I also heard from the owner that it should be a set of equipment. Yes, it''s said they''re linked, part of a set that grants the wearer protection against something... Well, I can''t really say since I''m not the fated one.


    But the effect could even be better than that." The manager said as he tried to make the item more interesting.


    Thankfully, he saw how Raze''s eyes lit up after hearing his sales talk.


    Just like that, Raze''s interest deepened.


    "How much do you think this one would sell?" She asked, her gaze locked on the wooden ring. Since there are no other bids again, she had no idea how many Points she should ce on this one.


    "I think that you may want to start at a lower price¡­ How about 100 Points? It is very low, but it will ensure that the other bidders don''t think that this might be very special and fight for it randomly just to mess with the original bidder." He replied with a smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes.


    ''Again with this smile¡­'' Raze thought as she shook her head. There was no way she would fall on such an obvious trick to make the customer pay more for useless items!


    After some thought, Raze ced a 10 Points bid and witnessed the manager''s shocked expression.

 Chapter 123: Skillful Peddler

    The manager was shocked to see that Raze had truly ced the minimum bid on the item. That was very disappointing, but he still had two hours to get others to ce a higher bid on this specific ring.


    He swiftly concealed his dismay and thanked Raze for patronizing their shop. This time, however, the manager no longer bothered Raze and hoped that the ring would sell for at least 50 Pointster on.


    Anyway, Raze continued to explore the store to find other valuable items.


    Then, she overheard snippets of conversation from other survivors who had ventured into the store.


    "Thepasses here¡­ they''re rumored to guide you to hidden caches, not just the cardinal points¡­"whispered a Survivor. His eyes gleaming with the prospect of untold riches. this-chapter-is-MVLeMpYr


    "Look at these boots¡ªsupposedly, they make no sound, perfect for sneaking past hordes¡­ And this stat boost¡­. This is better than the ones appearing in the store." Another marveled.


    Raze''s gazended on a disy ofpasses, each with an ornate needle spinningzily under ss domes. After the other Survivors left, she stepped forward and took a look.


    She picked one up, feeling the weight of its potential in her palm.


    She then read the information written on its disy board.


    [ Mysterious Compass:It is said to point to the nearest unimed resource within a 3-mile radius.


    Note: Some treasures are guarded and this Compass only works with a 50% chance. ]


    ''Another scam?'' Raze thought as she read the description of the item. With that probability rate, it felt like thepass was merely guessing!


    She then looked at the sixpasses being sold and confirmed that each of them had 15 Points bid on them.


    ''It''s cheap so I guess I can try one.'' Raze thought as she ced a bid, a mere 20 Points¡­


    The words of the previous manager had actually stuck with her. Apparently, the bid should just be enough to pique interest but not so high as to draw undue attention.


    Raze turned to the boots that were mentioned. There were 10 pairs of them lined up in various sizes. She lifted a pair to check and felt the leather supple and cool to the touch.


    [ Sigma Tread Boots: It grants the wearer silent movement to avoid detection. It also enhances agility with every step, with a maximum enhancement of 5 points!


    Note: If you stop walking, the 5-point additional Agility will be removed. ]


    "Wow¡­" Raze''s eyes lit up after seeing that bonus increase in Agility just by using the boots! That was definitely an incredible effect! That was like leveling up several times for free!


    Although it could disappear the moment she stopped walking


    Raze couldn''t help but wonder why the Grand Auction Hall wasn''t selling these type of items that grants increase in Status Points!


    ''Did I leave the auction hall to early?'' She thought for a moment as the Hall might still sell items with such effect at theter part of the event.


    Anyway, Raze considered it for a moment as she looked at the bid prices, which reached about 40 to 60 points.


    They were certainly attractive, so it wasn''t surprising to see these bids.


    After some hesitation, Raze decided to bid 80 points for the boots that fit her size.


    Then, continued exploring the store.


    The store was filled with items with hidden potential, and each of them could surely help in many situations in the Apocalypse world.


    Raze''s eyes danced over weapons that hummed withtent power, garments that shimmered with magical potential, and gadgets that promised survival against the odds.


    Some of them seemed to be items created by Advanced Technology but some of them really looked magical. Raze couldn''t help but admire thebination of these items in the store.


    Raze then came across a cloak that seemed to absorb the light around it.


    [ Night Cloak:Envelops the wearer in darkness, rendering them invisible at night. Increases evasion by 20%. ]


    Again, Raze only read the most important effect of the cloak in its description. Anyway, she was already satisfied with this knowledge.


    Without hesitation, Raze bid 80 Points after seeing that the first bid was only 30 points. Well, her instincts were telling her that this could be the edge she needed in the nights toe.


    Further down the aisle, a set of gauntlets caught her eye, their metal etched with symbols of strength.


    [ Titan''s Grasp Gauntlets:Increases the wearer''s grip and arm strength tenfold. Ideal for scaling walls or crushing zombie skulls. ]


    It was quite interesting, but after seeing that someone had ced a bid on it for 400 Points, She immediately backed out.


    That was simply too much!


    ''Or maybe he''spleting the Titan Set?'' Raze thought as she knew that the 400 Points wasn''t a small amount. Whoever ced this bid was definitely serious about taking these gauntlets.


    A few more minutes slipped by as Raze continued her exploration, the store revealing its secrets one by one.


    She found a quiver that provided buff in each arrow and a water sk that purified any liquid within.


    That water sk was already at 600 Points, so Raze decided not to join the bid.


    Anyway, the time she spent here was truly an eye-opener. The items she found were all useful for survival and could be used in many ways, like even killing others.


    Raze couldn''t bid to all of them with her limited points, but she was already quite satisfied with this.


    As Raze stepped out of the store, the air was suddenly pierced by a rising discord.


    "Awesome! Is this true? How many is he selling?"


    "Not sure¡­ But they are all legitimate for sure!"


    "Let''s hurry and bid while the bigshots are still in the Grand Auction Hall!"


    "Right! Let''s bid on them! Hurry!"


    "Rx¡­ There are two hours for that as well. Furthermore, the bigshots wouldn''t want most of these items¡­"


    Raze listened to their conversation, and she soon realized what was going on. Someone was selling Skill Scrolls!

 Chapter 124: Razes Exploration

    A crowd had gathered around a new figure in the bazaar¡ªa peddler who had unfurled his wares upon a worn mat; each scroll seemed to glow as if to attract each passer-by along the road.


    The peddler''s voice cut through the din¡­


    "Step right up, brave Survivors! Behold the scrolls that can turn the tide of your fate!"


    His hands danced over the scrollsid out before him, each one inscribed with runes that pulsed with potential.


    Raze edged closer, her curiosity piqued by the assortment of skills on disy. MVLeMpYr-reader


    The peddler only ced the name of the Survivor Skill, and there were no exnations whatsoever. However, it wasn''t that important.


    After all, just by learning the name of the skill, they could already tell what kind of ability they''d get once they used the scroll.


    Anyway, the peddler continued to exin that the scrolls tied with green ribbons were Basic Survivor Skill Scrolls. The ones with blue ribbons were Intermediate Survivor Scrolls, and finally, the red ones were Advanced Survivor Skills.


    This division of skills caught most of the Survivor''s attention as they didn''t know that there was a clear separation of skills. Well, they weren''t too focused on such skills since many of them thought that the Survivor Skills were simply abilities that could be easily obtained or learned through survival.


    They believed that they were all simple skills that Survival Experts could learn through practice.


    However, after seeing the intermediate skills, they knew that they werepletely wrong. Some of the skills here were something they would never had the ability to learn unless they had the scrolls that the man was selling!


    "This is it! The scrolls are mine!"


    "Awesome! This is what we need!"


    "I think that the Grand Auction Hall has better Skill Scroll for sale, but this ain''t bad."


    "Right! These Skill Scrolls looked really good."


    The crowd expressed their opinion as they saw the Survivor Skills being sold.


    The basic skills were quite familiar to them, and some of them even have one or two ofthese skills already.


    The only problem was the fact their skill levels were only at level 3 or 4 so the effects weren''t too obvious in most cases.


    Some of the Basic Survivor Skills were First Aid Skillto mend wounds,Lockpicking Skillto ess forbidden ces,Trap Disarming Skillto evade deadly surprises, andElementary Crafting Skillto create tools and weapons from the ruins they''ve scavenged.


    The intermediate skills, on the other hand, were more specialized. They were Survivors'' abilities that could surely increase the level of survival against the zombies.


    Some of them were Eagle''s Eye Skill thatenhanced perception, allowing one to spot threats and resources from afar.Urban Forager Skill was also boon in the concrete wilderness, revealing hidden caches of food and supplies.Marksmanship Skill could alsoturn a Survivor into a deadly sniper, whileSwordsmanshipSkill promised mastery over the de.


    Of course, there are also other specialized weapon mastery skills like Cane Mastery, Axe Mastery, Dagger Mastery, Spear Mastery Skills, and others that are being sold¡­


    Anyway, Raze noticed that these intermediate skills also contained plenty of fighting skills, like Boxing, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and even Wu Shu. They were all quite interesting since many of them doesn''t know such abilities and only survived till now thanks to the unique talent they received from the system and the fortunate areas where they started.


    Nheless, despite the incredible set of intermediate Survivor Skills being sold, it was the two Advanced Level Survivor Skills that drew gasps from the crowd.


    Furthermore, they were the only scrolls with a little description on them.


    The first was a scroll marked with a me encircled by a shield¡ªInferno Aegis.


    [ Inferno Aegis Skill Scroll:A skill obtained from a rare Lava Zombie. It grants the Survivor the ability to summon a barrier of fire, incinerating weaker undead that dares to breach its perimeter. It also had unknown effects once the skill was learned. ]


    [ The starting bid for this item must be 200 Points. ]


    None of themined about the steep price of the item. After all, the skill was already something that they could call a magical ability. Summoning a fire with your own hands was definitely a man''s dream!


    It was only worth 200 Zombie Cores! That was definitely not enough, considering the power that it could give them!


    It must be at least 2,000 Points!


    The second scroll bore the image of a storm cloud pierced by an arrow¡ªTempest''s Precision.


    [ Tempest''s Precision Skill Scroll:A skill obtained from Electrocuted Zombie. It bestows upon the Survivor the power to harness electricity, granting unerring uracy and speed. It also had unknown effects once the skill was learned. ]


    [ The starting bid for this item must be 200 Points. ]


    Raze''s eyes lingered on the scrolls. The power they offered was undeniable, but so was the cost. Just seeing the crowd''s reaction, she knew that these scrolls would be sold for more than 2 or even 3 thousand points.


    As expected, as soon as the peddler allowed the others to bid, the war started.


    Advanced skills were rare, and the bidding would certainly be fierce¡­


    Anyway, she weighed her options, her Points, and thepetition.


    She decided not to bid on the two Advanced Skills¡­


    Instead, she started bidding on Intermediate Skills, cing 200 Points on the Axe Mastery scroll. It was a bold move, but the skill aligned with her new weapon, the Master-Grade Ranger''s Survival Axe!


    Forthe other Survivor Skills that she might need in the future, Raze hesitated. Skills like Markmanship, Swordsmanship, and others seemed to be very useful but she had to save her points since she still had to check the Wooden Ring and Wooden Ne¡­ She had to have enough points to fight for them.


    Of course, the peddler didn''t stop speaking as he continued to invite everyone to start their bid.


    ''I can''t stay here¡­ I''ll be back to you after an hour.'' Raze thought.


    As the peddler extolled the virtues of each scroll, Raze continued her exploration.

 Chapter 125: Distracted

    In the Grand Auction Hall, the atmosphere was quite tense as they justpleted some intensepetition...


    Boxes of MREs were just sold for about 450 to 550 Points per box, and only 5 Bidders were able to obtain them.


    They were Bidder 1101, who obtained 24 boxes; Bidder 1250, who obtained 8 boxes; and Bidder 1104, 1114, and 1134, who obtained 4 boxes each.


    Each box contained 40 MRE packs, so it was certainly expensive. Nheless, having a different food aside from bread and biscuits was definitely an achievement for many of them.


    After these boxes of MREs, the 47th item¡ªa formidable set of 10 Ballistic Shields¡ªwas then imed by Travis, the esteemed n Leader of the Drakeheart Vanguard.


    These shields, renowned for their bulletproof resilience and the ability to repel the corrosive Acid Spit of Spitter Zombies, fetched a hefty sum of 1,700 Points. Despite the steep price, their Rare Grade status and potent defensive capabilities justified the investment.


    As the fervor of the previous bid settled, the auctioneer, a vision of poise in her crimson gown, introduced the next item with undiminished vigor. It felt like this beautiful auctioneer wasn''t getting tired and was as energetic as ever!


    "Behold, the Spiked Mace! A weapon of exceptional might, capable of crushing the skulls of even the dreaded sher Zombies!" Her announcement reverberated through the hall, as the BidLink Communicators of all attendees lit up with the weapon''s details.


    [ Scrapper''s Spiked Mace (Exceptional):A fearsome mace adorned with lethal spikes, its metal head engineered for maximum impact. This weapon is a terror on the battlefield, shattering armor and bone alike.


    Effects:+50% Armor Pration, +30% Crushing Power


    Special Effect:Disarm - A heightened chance to disarm or incapacitate foes. ]


    "The bid starts at 50 Points!" dered the auctioneer.


    With this announcement, bids flew in rapid session, the numbers climbing as Survivors vied for the mace''s brutal efficiency.


    [ Bidder 1505 bids 75 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1237 bids 80 Points. ] chapter-hosted-on-MVLeMpYr


    [ Bidder 1249 bids 85 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1975 bids 150 Points ]


    Thepetition was fierce, but ultimately, it was Bidder 1110 who secured the Spiked Mace for 450 Points¡ªproof that although it was a close-range weapon, it was still a coveted item.


    Shane, observing from the sidelines, refrained from entering the fray for now.


    He doesn''t want to waste too many Points in melee weapons for now since he already has six Super Soldiers that could take care of their closebat.


    Furthermore, his intuition told him that greater treasuresy ahead, and he had to be patient for now.


    His foresight proved urate when the auctioneer unveiled the next item with a flourish.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, what we have next is a rarity that could redefine your survival strategy¡­" she announced, her voiceced with excitement.


    "A rare Intermediate Survivor Skill Scroll! Take a look!"


    The hall hushed as the scroll was presented, encased in a protective cylinder of ss. The scroll was emzoned with the symbol of a phoenix rising from the ashes¡ªa sign of rebirth and newfound power.


    [ Resurgence Skill Scroll ( Intermediate ): A passive skill that empowers the Survivor with the ability to recover swiftly from injuries, rising from near-defeat with renewed vigor and a temporary boost to all abilities.It provides rapid health regeneration if your health reaches a dangerous level, and for 30 seconds post-recovery, all attributes will increase by 10 points. ]


    "What? A passive healing skill?!"


    "This is a cheat! How could anyone have this skill!"


    "I''m sure there''s a talent simr to this one. I didn''t expect that there''s also a skill for this."


    "This is not good."


    "Hmph! Don''t get too excited. This healing ability won''t help you if you get infected by the virus." Travis finally spoke after noticing that his n members were also feeling a bit too excited.


    "Ahh! You''re right¡­ Before you get injured to a dangerous level, you might have turned into a zombie already."


    "Yes¡­ So don''t think too highly of this skill. There''s a reason it is only an intermediate skill and not an Advanced one.


    As for the starting bid, it was a mere 200 Points for a skill that promised a second chance in the direst of circumstances.


    Shane''s pulse quickened.


    Although it was true that the skill had limited effects, it doesn''t change the fact that it could be a lifesaver!


    ''I''ll take it then¡­''


    This was the moment he had been waiting for.


    As bidding started, the price quickly reached 400 points.


    After considering the amount he wanted to waste for this item, he ced his bid with confidence, entering thepetition as the scroll''s value became the center of a heated bidding war.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1000 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1201 bids 1050 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1300 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1405 bids 1350 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1550 Points. ]


    The bids escted, each Survivor was eager to im the scroll''s life-saving prowess.


    Shane aldready expected that this would be easily so he backed out. determined and strategic, continued to bid, his resolve unwavering.


    [ Bidder 1405 bids 1650 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1850 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1405 bids 1950 Points. ]


    The tension in the hall was intense as the air filled with the collective breaths of those gathered. Shane, with a steely gaze, ced one final bid¡ªa bid that he believed should be more than for this skill and would very well ensure his dominance in the trials toe.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 2,300 Points. ]


    A hush fell over the crowd as the auctioneer called for any further bids. Seconds stretched into eternity until, atst, the gavel fell, and the Resurgence Skill Scroll was dered Shane''s for 2,300 Points.


    The hall erupted in murmurs and apuse, some in admiration, others in envy.


    Shane, however, remained focused. The scroll was but one piece of his grander vision¡ªa vision that would see him rise above all as the ultimate Survivor, or the one who will end the Apocalypse!


    As the auction continued, with each new item unveiled, Shane''s legend within the Grand Auction Hall grew.


    TheSharpshooter''s Laser Sniper Riflewas next on the block, it was a marvel of technology that assured lethality at a distance with its energy-based attacks. Shane''s eyes narrowed as he assessed the weapon''s capabilities as soon as it appeared in the BidLink Communicator.


    [ Sharpshooter''s Laser Sniper Rifle ( Exceptional ):An eliteser sniper rifle that harnesses advanced technology for precision and energy-based assaults. Itsser beams are unerringly urate, capable of piercing the toughest armor and vaporizing foes.


    Effects:+50% Energy Efficiency, +30% Armor Pration


    Special Effect:Beam Focus Mode - Intensifies theser beam for amplified damage and enhanced pration. ]


    Apanying the rifle wereLaser Sniper Cell Chargers, essential for maintaining the weapon''s formidable power supply. Shane knew the value of such a weapon; it was a game-changer.


    [ Laser Sniper Cell Charger:A dedicated charger forser sniper rifles, essential for powering and recharging the energy cells vital for the rifle''s operation.


    Quantity: 10 Cells per Charger ] x10


    All of them in the Hall wanted this weapon, but only one was being sold.


    As the biddingmenced, Shane entered the fray with a calcted bid. However, the bids escted quickly, but Shane was resolute. His final bid of 4,900 Points was met with silence, and the gavel fell.


    TheSharpshooter''s Laser Sniper Rifleand its chargers were his!


    The triumph was short-lived, however, as the next item¡ªaMarksman''s Precision Sniper Rifle¡ªwas introduced. Its reputation for unmatched uracy and stopping power made it a coveted prize.


    [ Marksman''s Precision Sniper Rifle ( Exceptional ):A sniper rifle of the highest caliber, engineered with precision for long-range engagements. Its uracy is unrivaled, ensuring that threats are neutralized from afar.


    Effects:+50% uracy, +30% Damage


    Special Effect:Enhanced Scope - Offers superior magnification and target tracking for pinpoint shots. ]


    The apanyingHigh-Caliber Sniper Roundswere the perfectplement to the rifle''s precision.


    [ High-Caliber Sniper Rounds:Precision-engineered sniper rounds designed for long-range engagements. These rounds are optimized for their trajectory and impact, ideal for taking down distant targets.


    Quantity: 50 Rounds per Box ] x10


    Shane made his bid until it reached 3,000 Points, when a sudden vibration from his BidLink Communicator caught his attention.


    A private message shed across the screen, its contents urgent and personal.


    ''Right¡­ The BidLinkmunicator is linked to our Friends list.''


    Shane was distracted by this as he read the message. Because of this momentarypse, it cost him the opportunity to bid on the Marksman''s Precision Sniper Rifle.


    The final bid went to another Survivor, and Shane could only watch as the rifle slipped through his fingers.


    ''Ugh¡­'' Shane shook his head at this.


    Nheless, he could only move on.


    Apparently, the message was from Raze, his friend and fellow Survivor, who had encountered an unexpected situation in the bazaar.


    She needed his assistance immediately.


    ''She''s not someone who would easily ask for help¡­ I wonder what happened.''


    With a mix of frustration and concern, Shane replied to her message to ask what was truly going on.

 Chapter 126: Suggestion

    In the bustling heart of the Market Bazaar, Raze weaved through the crowds of Survivors with an observant eye.


    reading-here-on-MVLeMpYr


    Her eyes, sharp as her instincts, kept a vignt watch on the BidLink Communicator. Each item she had bid on still bore her name as the highest bidder¡ªso she was able to rx for a bit.


    This allowed her to have some time to explore a few more stalls, mostly those without many people hanging around.


    After a few minutes of window shopping, her heart raced for a discovery thaty just beyond the next row of stalls.


    There, amidst a sea of ss vials and mystical brews, was theDragon Booster Potion¡ªa rare concoction noted by the seller that could elerate a dragon''s growth exponentially.


    ''Amazing! Is this even true?!''


    Raze''s breath hitched at the sight. The red potion shimmered with otherwordly glow in her vision!


    It was definitely what she needed as a key to unlocking her dragon''stent might.


    Even Roan, who was currently a tattoo mark on Raze''s arm, felt excited as soon as he sensed the potion!


    "I need this." She whispered, her voice filled with awe and determination to obtain the potion. But her hope was doused as quickly as it had red¡ªthe current bid stood at a staggering 3,000 Points. The number loomed over her like a mountain, insurmountable and cold.


    ''W-what? Just who would ce this bid!'' Raze''s eyes widened as she saw it.


    However, she shook her head after a moment as she recalled that her talent was only an Epic one. There must be some other Epic and even Legendary Talents that would allow them to obtain Dragons as their pets.


    Furthermore, Travis, with his Dragon Blood Talent, might eve


    "It''s beyond my reach¡­" She conceded, the weight of reality pressing down on her shoulders.


    It felt as if the potion was a dream slipping through her fingers, a dream that could change everything.


    "I need to do something¡­"


    In a moment of bold resolve, Raze turned to the one person in the bazaar who might tilt the scales in her favor¡ªShane. They had never met, but they already made a few transactions together and she knew his generosity ever since the beginning of the apocalypse. With a hesitant hand, sheposed her message, an offer of future gains for his immediate aid:


    [ Raze: Shane, I need your help! I ]


    [ Raze: I found this potion in the Bazaar that will help my dragon''s growth rate improve permanently. I don''t think I''ll get another chance to get this rare potion. Unfortunately, I''mcking some points now. Is it alright to ask for your help? In exchange, I will send you Dragon Blood once my dragon grows older. Right now, he''s still basically a baby dragon and his blood isn''t too valuable yet.


    ]


    The reply came swiftly, a beacon in the dimming light of her hopes:


    [ Shane: It''s fine, but I can''t send you Points. We have to be in the same n so we can share Points. ]


    Raze''s heart skipped a beat. Shane''s willingness to help without hesitation or question spoke volumes of his character. She hesitated, her fingers hovering over the keys, before revealing the daunting figure:


    [ Raze: Uhmm... Are you not going to ask how many points I''m trying to ask for? Shane, the current potion is being sold for 3,000 points right now. As for the n, I''m willing to join your n. ]


    Shane''s next message came swiftly once again, lifting her spirit higher than she dared to hope:


    [ Shane: Should I send you 5,000 Points? I have to get more of those Dragon Blood then. ]


    A deal was struck, a partnership forged in the fires of necessity and mutual benefit:


    [ Raze: Really! Sure! I can extract a drop of blood from my Dragon Pet about two times a week! You can use the blood as it is to heal injuries or cure diseases. But you can''t use it as a vine against Zombie Virus. It won''t work.


    I already tried it on someone¡­ You can also dilute it or add it to other potions or vials to make them stronger. ]


    ''What?''


    As soon as Shane read this message, his immediate thought was to increase the potency of his Project Zero''s Super Soldier Vial. Those gene-altering vials could already make incredible Super Soldiers.


    What if he added a drop of Dragon Blood on it! Would that allow his Super Soldiers possess draconic powers?


    Shane couldn''t help but smile after reaching this thought. He was hoping that the vial would no be unusable if ever tried doing it!


    ''Well¡­ I hope it works. I only have four of those vials left.'' Shane mused as he replied to her message.


    [ Shane: I''d like to help with the potion, but we need to be in the same n to share Points. I don''t have a n yet. ]


    [ Raze: You should start one. You''ve got everything it takes, Shane. ]


    Shane wryly smiled as he recalled the requirements to create a n. He needed 100 Zombie Cores, 5 Reputation Points, and 5 other party members to quality.


    He both have cores and reputation points but not the party members.


    [ Shane: I need 5 members to form a n, though. ]


    [ Raze: If you don''t have anyone in mind. I can bring in four of my friends. They all possess Epic Talent, like me. We were thinking of creating our n, but we''ve spent our Reputation Points. We''ve got the Zombie Cores, just not the 5 Reputation Points needed. ]


    [ Raze: They''re all trustworthy people and I''m sure you''ll easily get along with them. We were all surviving in different areas, and we only managed to meet because we were all looking for a certain item. ]


    [ Shane: Can you introduce me to your friends? Do you think they''ll agree to be in my n if ever? ]


    [ Raze: Of course! There''s Lyra, the sharpshooter whose arrows never miss their mark. Then we have Jaxon, a tactician who can predict enemy movements like he''s reading the future. Next is Kael, a medic with healing hands that work miracles. Andstly, there''s Tessa, a scout who can move unseen and unheard. They''re all trustworthy and exceptional in their skills.


    ]

 Chapter 127: The Strider

    Shane pondered the names and their supposed Epic Talents, envisioning the formidable n they could be. With Raze''s friends, they could certainly build a decent n. He only had to worry whether he could really trust these people.


    He couldn''t help but think that they might also dislike the fact that an unknown guy would suddenly be their n Leader.


    your-NovelBin-story


    [ Shane: They sound like amazing Survivors that I''d want in my n. We should meet up. How much time is left for that potion? ]


    [ Raze: Awesome, I''ll send them a message. There''s still 1 hour and 51 minutes left. ]


    [ Shane: That''s more than enough. We''ll meet up after the Auction here in the main hall. ]


    [ Raze: Cool! I will message them! Can I tell them that you''re the one who first reached level 2 and unlocked the Chat Function? And¡­ I think you''re in the Top 10 Leaderboard, right? Can I also let them know about that? ]


    [ Shane: I don''t mind you telling them that I''m the first to reach level 2¡­ But how can you be so sure that I''m on the Leaderboard? ]


    Shane asked curiously.


    [ Raze: Heh¡­ It''s a woman''s instinct. You are using Item Upgrade Crystals for trades. You have 5,000 points you can spare for me¡­ and I am in the Top 10 Leaderboard. How can you not be?! ]


    At this reply, Shane was a bit surprised for a moment before he swiftly checked the Leaderboard once again.


    Shadow Strider - Level 19


    Raven Guard - Level 15


    Iron Maven - Level 15


    de Whisper - Level 15


    Ghost Warden - Level 14


    Fury Singer - Level 14


    Silver Reaper - Level 13


    Storm Crafter - Level 13


    Beast Binder - Level 13


    Echo Sage - Level 12


    After some hesitations, Shane replied to her message.


    [ Shane: Are you Raven Guard? ]


    [ Raze: Close! I''m Iron Maven! I''m actually surprised that I got ranked so highly. I think it''s because I already killed several Tyrant Zombies. They give a lot of experience points. Roan, my baby dragon, had also killed an uncountable number of Zombie Rats.


    They could probably pile up a mountain if they''re not disappearing after looking at them. And¡­ Are you the Shadow Strider? ]


    ''Incredible¡­ Her dragon must be very strong then¡­'' Shane nodded at this as he also couldn''t help but feel excited about her joining his n.


    In any case, now that he thinks about it, he shouldn''t worry too much about them acting up since his Super Soldiers and his trusted aids would soon have mighty weapons in their hands. Even if they were to go to his current territory and think of doing something ill-disciplined, they probably wouldn''t escape from the butler''s watchful eyes.


    [ Shane: Hehe¡­ I''m still participating in the auction here, I''ll contact youter. ]


    Shane replied without confirming whether he was Shadow Strider or not. Nheless, Raze still smiled at this as she felt that she truly won a jackpot.


    [ Raze: Thank you! I''ll let the others know and we''ll wait outside the main hall after the Auction there is over. ]


    As Raze concluded their conversation, she immediately contacted her four friends and informed them what had happened. She would do her best to convince them!


    Raze''s fingers danced across her chat board with urgency, the screen''s glow casting her face in a web of light and shadow.


    She crafted her message carefully, as she didn''t want to appear to be too forceful on her decision.


    [ Raze: Lyra, urgent news. I decided to form a n with Shane. he''s the very first Survivor in our Region to reach level 2 and he''s also suspected to be the Shadow Strider. I needed his help, and helping him create a strong n will be a part of my contribution. He''s an amazing guy. You can add him as a friendter.


    If you''re interested, let''s meet outside the Grand Auction Hall after the auction there ends. Be ready. ]


    Raze sent the others with the same message and just changed the name from Lyra to Jaxon, Kael, and Tessa.


    As soon as she sent all the messages, Raze heaved a sigh of relief as she waited for their response.


    ***


    In the Grand Auction Hall, amidst the din of bids and the auctioneer''s rhythmic tempo, Lyra''smunicator buzzed discreetly.


    She nced at the message, her sharp eyes flicking up to scan the crowd¡­ Beside her, Jaxon, leaned in toplete his bid before his own device signaled Raze''s update.


    Lyra and Jaxon looked at each other. Since they will meet outside after the event, it means that Shane, the suspected Shadow Strider must be here!


    "Interesting¡­ I didn''t think that Raze would have such a contact." Lyra muttered.


    "Yes¡­ I guess the strong flocks together." Jaxon muttered as he knew that Raze may not be the strong alone but with her dragon, she was certainly a force to be reckoned with.


    After a few moments, the two of them replied to Raze.


    [ Lyra: Received. I''ve got my eye on a few items, but I''ll be there. ]


    [ Jaxon: Understood. I''ll wrap up here soon. ]


    Their responses were swift as they both felt excitement to be with the strongest Survivor of their Region! Who would decline such an offer?! Only those crazy ones would!


    Meanwhile, in the vibrant chaos of the Market Bazaar, Kael browsed the medicinal herbs, his hands deftly assessing their quality. Tessa wasn''t too far from him as she looked among the stalls, her eyes keen for hidden treasures that could aid their survival.


    The ping of Raze''s message drew them out of their reverie, aligning their focus on the great opportunity that justnded on theirps.


    [ Kael: Message received. I''ll gather what supplies I can before joining you. ]


    [ Tessa: I''m on it. There''s potential here in the Bazaar, but the nes first. ]


    In the meantime, after Shane concluded his conversation with Raze, the next item that had appeared caught Shane''s attention. It was only an Intermediate Survivor Scroll, but it was actually a Chemist Skill!


    He may not want to have anything to do with chemistry, but Anna might need this skill. Well, he wasn''t sure if Anna could use this, but he would certainly try...


    After winning it for 620 Points, Shane''s thoughts were finally drawn to an important matter: the name of the n he was about to build!

 Chapter 128: Last Auction ( Part 1 )

    While Shane was pondering about his n Name, the Grand Auction Hall buzzed with excitement as the next item was announced.


    They saw that the staff brought quite a huge item to the stage, so they all had various guesses about the item.


    The crowd leaned in, their eyes wide with anticipation. The auctioneer, a master of ceremonies, knew how to work the room, her voice rose above the murmurs.


    "Survivors, brace yourselves for the next wave of power at your fingertips!" She called out, her hands gesturing towards the first item on disy¡­


    Then, with a wave of her hands, the staff unveiled the item for everyone to see! It turns out that there were actually three of the same item in the stage!


    "Introducing theRipper''s Edge ¨C Chainsaw, a tool not just for cutting through the forest, but for carving a path to survival!"


    The audience smiled after seeing this.


    "It''s finally here¡­"


    "Right¡­ It''s the one disyed outside."


    "They should''ve sold these things earlier. Now I barely have points I could use."


    "Don''t worry. Those top Survivors already used their points. It''s our time to shine."


    "Did you not notice that some of those guys with Tier 3 Set had already left¡­ They should''ve lost their Points by now."


    "That''s true! I noticed that the one wearing the Samurai Set and the expensive Legionnaire Set had already left."


    "Oh! So you saw them too! Then we might have our chance at thest part of the event!"


    "Hmph! Tell that to Bidder 1101¡­ I''m sure he''s still here."


    The crowd couldn''t help butment, as many of them hadn''t won any item yet.


    Soon, the information of the Chainsaw appeared in their BidLink Communicator.


    [ Ripper''s Edge ¨C Chainsaw ( Rare ): A monstrous chainsaw, its teeth etched with runes of destruction. It roars to life with a pull, eager to rend metal and flesh alike.


    Effects:+70% Cutting Power, +20% Durability


    Special Effect:Bloodlust - The more it cuts, the sharper it gets. ]


    As soon as the bidding start, the crowd quickly ced their bids, the numbers climbing as the Chainsaw was even activated by the staff on the stage, its engine growling like a beast in chains!


    "Ohh! That sounds awesome!"


    "It looks sharp!"


    "This Chainsaw is mine!"


    [ Bidder 1191 bids 200 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1891 bids 250 Points ]


    [ Bidder 1991 bids 300 Points ]


    The bids soared, each Survivor envisioning the Chainsaw in their hands as they fought against a Zombie Horde!


    Finally, with a decisive m of the gavel, the first Chainsaw was sold for 1250 Points to Bidder 1156.


    "I did it¡­" A ck-haired man wearing goggles said after securing the Chainsaw. His name was Mark and this Bidder was the n Leader of the Tree House n.


    He was also Echo Sage, the level 12 and Top 10 in the Leaderboard!


    As soon as he won this item, he immediately knew that it was time to leave this ce since he no longer had any points he could use. Although he also wanted the Sniper Rifle and other firearms to be sold, he was able to tell that there was no way for him to obtain such a highly sought-after weapon.


    He was already satisfied with this Chainsaw.


    Soon, the second and third Chainsaws were also sold.


    One of them was obtained by the mysterious Bidder 1101 once again for 1290 Points, and thest Chainsaw was obtained by Bidder 1999 for 1480 Points.


    Several more items were sold and many of them were actually Skill Scrolls. However, Shane already had some of them, or even if he did not, they weren''t too great. Skills like Psychological Resilience, Trap Setter, Parkour Proficiency, Tactical Tinkering, and others weren''t alluring to him at all.


    Anyway, it didn''t take long before only six items were left!


    Without missing a beat, the auctioneer unveiled the next item, theCorrosive Torrent - Acid Gun, its sleek design contradicting its deadly nature¡­


    "Behold theCorrosive Torrent - Acid Gun! When bullets fail, let acid rain upon your foes!" She eximed, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief.


    [ Corrosive Torrent - Acid Gun ( Exceptional ):A gun that doesn''t shoot bullets, but a stream of concentrated acid. It''s a silent promise of dissolution to any who stand against you.


    Effects:+80% Corrosion Rate, +25% Range


    Special Effect:Acid Rain - A charged shot that creates a pool of acid, perfect for area denial. ]


    [ Acid Canisters:These specialized ammunition canisters are the lifeblood of theCorrosive Torrent - Acid Gun, containing a highly potent and corrosive substance within. When loaded into the weapon, these canisters enable yers to unleash a torrent of concentrated acid upon their enemies, dissolving all obstacles in their path.


    Quantity: 30 shots per canister ]x30


    The Survivors'' excitement reached a fever pitch as the acid gun was disyed, its reservoirs glinting with the promise of chemical annihtion!


    [ Bidder 1178 bids 400 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1345 bids 450 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1178 bids 600 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1500 Points. ]


    The bids climbed relentlessly until Bidder 1101 bids again.


    This time, however, something unexpected happened.


    [ Bidder 1166bids 2,000 Points. ]


    "Please, Bidder 1101! I really need this weapon! I need the acid gun and its acid canisters." This voice came from a woman, and it was none other than Lyra!


    NovelBin-story


    Of course, Shane doesn''t know about this yet, but with her pleading voice, she felt that it was a matter of life and death for her. She must be really desperate unlike him.


    Because of that, he decided not to bet.


    However, even if he did not, it doesn''t mean that the others would care!


    They still continued bidding against her.


    [ Bidder 1245 bids 2,300 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1178 bids 2,350 Points. ]


    Of course, Lyra or bidder 1166 wouldn''t stop either!


    [ Bidder 1166bids 3,000 Points. ]


    With this final bid, the gavel fell, and Lyra won the bid!


    ''Thank you, Bidder 1101 for giving up!'' Lyra thought as she knew that even with all her gathered points, there was no way for her to beat the bidder!


    She was lucky that Bidder 1,101 wasn''t too inclined to get this item. If he was, then no matter how she pleaded, she was sure that it would fall on deaf ears as it had happened in the previous items where Bidder 1101 was also called out by the others.

 Chapter 129: Last Auction ( Part 2 )

    After this item was sold, the crowd fell into a hush as the auctioneer continued with her task. With a flourish, she unveiled a pedestal upon which rested a stone glowing with an inner light, its surface etched with unknown runes and everyone knew about this stone already.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, what we have here is not just a normal Recruitment Stone that you have seen before¡­." She began, her voice imbued with a sense of excitement.


    "This is theEpic Recruitment Stone, a relic capable of calling forth individuals of exceptional skill and valor to your side."


    [ Epic Recruitment Stone: A mystical stone that resonates with the potential of those who wield it. It can summon warriors, strategists, and leaders ofmerce alike, each ready to pledge their service to your cause.It guarantees a Summon with amazing talent!


    Note: This item cannot be upgraded. ]


    The crowd murmured, eyes wide, at the possibilities such a stone presented.


    "The bidding price will start at 500 Points!"


    Bids began tentatively, as if the Survivors were still grappling with the stone''s potential.


    [ Bidder 1253 bids 505 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 2001 bids 550 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1992 bids 600 Points. ]


    ¡­


    [ Bidder 1192 bids 1950 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1253 bids 2010 Points. ]


    The numbers climbed steadily, each bid proof that everyone wanted to have apanion!


    Finally, with a decisive bid that silenced everyone in the hall, the stone was sold for 3,500 Points to Bidder 1,101!


    This time, the crowd no longer had energy to be amazed and they could only me their terrible luck of not being able to get better Survivor Talent or a better location where they could gather Points.


    But the auctioneer was not done yet. She signaled to her assistants, who brought forth a pedestal bearing a stone that pulsed with a light! It waspletely different from all the other Recruitment Stones they''ve seen.


    "And now, for the crown jewel of our collection¡­" she announced, her voice rising to match the grandeur of the moment. "Behold theHero Recruitment Stone! This is the stuff of legends, capable of summoning a hero whose name will echo through the ages! It''s your chance to obtain it!


    [ Hero Recruitment Stone:A legendary stone imbued with the power to call forth a hero of unparalleled might. This hero will possess abilities that transcend the ordinary, a beacon of hope in the darkest times.


    Note: This item cannot be upgraded. ]


    The hall erupted into cheers and gasps. The Survivors leaned forward, their expressions a mix of awe and desire.


    "A Hero Recruitment Stone!"


    n Leader Natalie of the New Haven stood poised, her gaze sharpening as she considered the stone''s potential to bolster her forces.


    "This could shift the tides¡­" She whispered as she looked at her remaining points. 2780 Points! She couldn''t help but grit her teeth after seeing this. She should''ve worked harder and forced her n members to work better so she could''ve obtained more Points!


    Not too far from her, n Leader Borin of the ROTK n leaned forward, his armored hand clenched in anticipation.


    "With this¡­" He rumbled, a grin breaking across his weathered face, "We could forge a path through the Dead Zones."


    He was referring to a zone where there was a sea of Zombies. Furthermore, they weren''t going out of this Dead Zone as if they were being controlled by an even more powerful Zombie. He couldn''t help but want to clear up this area.


    From the shadows of the upper balcony, n Leader Caius of the Shadowbinders watched, his eyes gleaming with intrigue. "A hero, is it?" he mused to himself, dreaming about the possibilities that it could give him... "A valuable asset¡­ or a formidable foe."


    But Caius still sighed as he only had 3,000 Points left that he nned to use in the Bazaarter.


    p!


    n Leader Dra of the Serene Garden sped her hands. Her expression was one of tranquil resolve. "A Hero, huh¡­ This might be the only chance we can obtain something like this." She spoke softly as she checked her BidLink Communicator only to see 910 Points in it. She already spent her Points on some of the Legionnaire Sets that was auctioned off so she couldn''t reallypete on this one.


    Nheless, she was curious whether Bidder 1101, whom she suspected of being the Shadow Strider, would take this item as well.


    ''I''m sure that Bidder 1101 is that Top 1 Ranker. I just have to find him.''


    Meanwhile, standing tall amidst the crowd, n Leader Travis of the Drakeheart Vanguard fixed his gaze upon the stone, his voice booming with conviction.


    "This Hero Recruitment Stone is important to us. Please, Bidder 1101 or maybe Shadow Strider. Please allow us to obtain it. I am de Whisper. As a fellow Ranker, I hope you can be magnanimous. You are already strong!"


    Well, he certainly tried copying Lyra and the others and pleading to the mysterious bidder. However, there was no answer for him, and it will only be known once the bidding started.


    [ Bidder 1107 bids 2,450 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1119 bids 2,850 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1104 bids 3,350 Points. ]


    ¡­


    [ Bidder 1102 bids 4,150 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1115 bids 5,010 Points. ]


    It turns out that there were still plenty of Survivors with over 3,000 Points!


    Well, this was also Shane''s fault as he purchased the items they had also targeted, allowing them to save a lot of Points!


    The bids surged like the tide as everyone wanted to obtain it.


    However, it didn''t take long before only three Survivors started bidding.


    Shane, caught in the moment, found himself raising his own BidLink Communicator, his finger hovering over the bid button.


    [ Bidder 1101 bits 7,500 Points. ]


    A collective sigh was heard after this bid came.


    your-chapter-source-NovelBin


    The hall fell silent as the auctioneer called once, twice, and then for the final time.


    The gavel fell, and the Hero Recruitment Stone was sold to Shane for 7,500 Points. A cheer rose from the crowd, a collective acknowledgment of the game-changing acquisition Shane had made.


    The auctioneer smiled, her eyes reflecting the grandeur of the sale.


    "Congrattions, Bidder 1101! You''ve secured a legend this day. May your hero lead you to a future bright with promise."


    After winning this bid, Shane finally decided to leave the Grand Auction Hall¡­

 Chapter 130: Last Auction ( Part 3 )

    As soon as Shane stood up to leave the Auction hall¡­ Four people turned their attention to his leaving figure: Natalie from the New Haven n, Dra from the Serene Garden n, Travis from Drakeheart Vanguard, and Asad or the Bidder 1102, also known as Raven Guard and the Top 2 in the Leaderboard.


    These four had been observing the crowd ever since Bidder 1101 showed his incredible wealth.


    After that, they targeted a few people they suspected to be Bidder 1101, and of course, Shane was one of them after noticing how calm he was and the Army Set he was wearing. They were sure that the Army Set wasn''t just Tier 2 or Tier 3 with the subtle aura it was emitting. It was definitely Tier 4 or even higher.


    ''He left without waiting for thest item?'' Travis was confused as he was already about 75% sure that he was Bidder 1101 with how calm he was and the timing that he was looking at his BidLink Communicator.


    The man''s sudden decision to leave had certainly confused him.


    It was the same for Natalie¡­


    "That guy is leaving too early¡­ Is he not nning to see thest item at least?" She muttered as she felt a bit confused. Since there weren''t a lot of items left, it was normal to at least stay a little more just to see what kind of item would be sold.


    After all, it was normal to save the best item for thest part of the event.


    This made her curious about the man in the end.


    ''Then¡­ If Bidder 1101 didn''t ce his bid. Then it must be him.'' Natalie thought as she turned her attention back to the auction.


    As for Dra and Asad, they merely observed Shane''s movement as if they were trying to confirm something from how he moved.


    After a few moments, their eyes also turned to the auctioneer in front.


    The auctioneer, undeterred by the departure of one of the day''s most prominent bidders, called the hall to attention.


    "We are nearing the end of our event, but not before these final treasures find their new owners!" She announced, her voice a siren''s call to the eager Survivors.


    "Survivors! Our next item is a marvel of survival ingenuity¡ªtheSeeker''s Boomerang."


    [ Seeker''s Boomerang ( Exceptional ): A meticulously crafted boomerang, designed not just to return to the thrower, but to seek out targets with uncanny precision.


    Effects: +60% uracy, +25% Range


    Special Effect:


    Homing Throw: The boomerang locks onto a target, ensuring it will strike even the most elusive of foes.


    Stun: The boomerang stuns the target for a short duration, preventing them from moving or attacking. ]


    The crowd nodded in approval, recognizing the value of such a weapon in a world where ammunition could be scarce. The bids began, each Survivor imagining the boomerang in their hand¡­


    In the end, Borin of the ROTK n sessfully took this weapon for 2,190 Points. To be honest, it was a very expensive price. After all, the first methrower was only 500 Points.


    However, in thisst part of the auction, everyone who hadn''t won any item yet was quite desperate, making them spend more.


    Aside from that, the boomerang actually had two passive Special Effects, which weren''t normally found in Exceptional Grade items.


    In the end, Borin was still happy with this since he believed that it might gain more effects once he upgraded it to Master Grade.


    The final item was then brought forth, a small vial containing a clear liquid. The auctioneer introduced it as the result of tireless research and experimentation.


    "And now¡­" The auctioneer announced, "a beacon of hope in our relentless fight¡ªthe15-Day Respite Serum."


    [ 15-Day Respite Serum:An experimental vine offering temporary immunity to the Zombie Virus. It''s not a cure, but it grants a precious window of safety.Provides 15 days of immunity to the Zombie Virus, allowing for safe travel and recovery operations.


    Note: This item can not be upgraded. ]


    "A vine?!"Travis was shocked and stood up in surprise after reading his BidLink Communicator. However, realizing that it was only a temporary vine, he immediately calmed his breath as he knew that although this was incredible, it would still have a very limited use.


    Nheless, it was still something that everyone would want to have in case of emergency. powered-by-NovelBin


    "So a vine appeared in the end."


    "Maybe someone with Alchemist Talent canplete it?"


    "That''s a sound idea¡­ Maybe he can make more of it and sell to us?"


    "I wouldn''t mind that happening."


    "That''s right¡­ Since there''s only one of them, I hope the winner will use it for research instead of just consuming it."


    "Good luck finding a selfless person then."


    "Anyway¡­ I will take this serum and will research it for everyone''s survival. Please don''t fight it for me."


    "Heh¡­ I will do the same. I will also use my time to make the serum better."


    A murmur of disbelief swept through the hall, followed by a surge of excitement.


    Some of them even started suggesting what to do with the item.


    Anyway, the Auctioneer wasn''t finished yet and announced that there were five of these vials being sold!


    "You heard me right! We''re selling five of these vials for this final part of the auction!"


    Thanks to that, the final item for this event had truly be lively.


    The bidding was fierce, each Survivor acutely aware of the serum''s potential to provide a much-needed reprieve.


    In the end, the first serum was sold for 4,500 Points to a mysterious who had barely participated in the event. It was Bidder 2,024 and this price was certainly incredible.


    The next serums were then taken by the Shadowbinders n, and they even announced it in public to celebrate¡­


    The others were then won by some individuals who didn''t belong to any ns at all by around the same price.


    Some of therge ns, like the Drakeheart Vanguard, didn''t have the chance to take them away because they were alreadycking Points at this part of the event. Nheless, they weren''t regretting this matter deeply as the 15-day immunity to Zombie Virus wouldn''t be that useful if they had an incredible stronghold that could hold back the zombies¡­

 Chapter 131: Meeting

    With the conclusion of the bidding, the auctioneer stepped forward, her expression was one that was filled with gratitude.


    She doesn''t know when will she host this kind of event again so she was had really given it all.


    "Thank you, esteemed Survivors, for your spirited participation. May the items you''ve acquired today serve you well in the days ahead. Until we meet again, stay vignt and thrive."


    As the Survivors filed out, the hall echoed with the chatter of deals they had made and some of them even made some guesses about the identity of Bidder 1101.


    ***


    In the meantime, as Shane stepped out of the Grand Auction Hall, the mor of the auction faded behind him.


    After reaching the outer hall, he paused for a moment, noting the array of methrowers that had been sold after he purchased the first methrower¡­.


    Nheless, the other disyed items still lined the corridor, untouched and pristine. It seemed that they would still be used in future auctions.


    He pondered these possibilities as he walked outside.


    Finding a quiet spot near a stately pir, Shane pulled out hismunicator.


    The gentle burble of a nearby fountain provided a soothing backdrop as he typed a message to Raze, informing her of his location.


    [ Shane: I''m by the pir near the fountain outside the Grand Auction Hall. ]


    Raze, who had been waiting for Shane''s message, read the message and scanned the dispersing crowd for Shane.


    Her eyes caught sight of him, and for a moment, her breath caught in her throat. There he stood, the man who had be her unexpected ally, his figure outlined against the marble pir.


    He was dressed in an army set that seemed to resonate with a subtle but unmistakable aura, suggesting it was of a higher tier than most.


    His ck hair was a stark contrast to the pale stone behind him, and his eyes, when they met hers, were a deep, fathomless ck.


    ''This guy looked cooler than I expected¡­ So this is the Top 1 Ranker¡­'' Raze thought to herself after seeing Shane¡­


    Although Shane didn''t confirm it, she had a very good instinct¡­ To be honest, even Roan felt cautious around him. Something that Roan had only done when they met the Tyrant Zombie before.


    ''There''s no doubt about it then.'' Raze thought as she look a deep breath.


    There was a strength in his stance, a calm assurance in the way he carried himself that spoke of his battle experience.


    Raze approached, her heart beating a rhythm she hadn''t expected.


    "Shane?" She called out, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.


    Shane turned, and a smile touched his lips¡ªa smile that seemed to transform his handsome features into something almost otherworldly.


    "Raze," he replied, his voice carrying over the sound of water from the nearby fountain. "I see you got my message."


    They stood there for a moment, two Survivors brought together by circumstance and need. Raze felt a surge of gratitude for this man who had agreed to help her without a second thought, and she knew that this alliance would be the beginning of something significant.


    "Yes¡­ I''m notte, right? The others are on their way¡­ I already sent a message to them." Raze said, her eyes shifted to the area where the other people are... "Lyra and Jaxon were inside the Grand Auction Hall. You probably met them already. Kael and Tessa were just exploring the bazaar and should be here in no time."


    As they conversed, the sound of approaching footsteps heralded the arrival of Raze''spanions.


    First to emerge from the crowd was Lyra, her presence wasn''t strong but her movement was graceful. She was tall and lithe, with auburn hair that perfectly fit her fair skin. Her archer''s poise was unmistakable, even in the way she walked¡­


    Jaxon followed, his demeanor was calm and analytical. He was of medium build but carried himself with the assurance of a man who had outmaneuvered death more times than one could count. His attire was that of a tactician, pockets and beltsden with tools and gadgets that spoke of a mind always at work.


    From the direction of the bazaar came Kael, his approach less conspicuous but no less assured. His hair was a tangle of chestnut waves, and his hands bore the stains of herbs and potions. It seemed that he really went to check plenty of herbs and potions today.


    There was a gentleness to his features that probably shows her talent¡ªa healer whose very presence seemed to ward off the gloominess of the apocalypse.


    Beside him was Tessa. Her movements were subtle, and her figure was wrapped in cloaks that would surely blend in the darkness. Her eyes, a piercing blue, scanned the surroundings with the vignce of one who knew the value of stealth. She was the embodiment of the scout and was actually Raze''s first friend among the four.


    As they converged around Shane, each offered a nod of respect. Lyra''s gaze lingered on Shane''s army set, noting its quality with an archer''s keen eye.


    "Impressive gear¡­" Shemented as she was curious whether he was really the Shadow Strider that had appeared in the Leaderboard.


    Although Shane looked cool in his Army Set, she could think that he was the Shadow Strider.


    ''Well, I can''t be expecting him to look like a Death God or something with that nickname¡­'' Lyra shook her head as she remembered that the nicknames were randomized. It doesn''t really mean that Shane walks into the shadow and has to appear wearing a dark cloak and hiding his face with a ck mask.


    Jaxon, on the other hand, extended a hand and was d that Shane epted it.


    "A pleasure to meet the man of the hour¡­" He said, a slight smile ying on his lips. He wanted to test Shane''s strength, and he confirmed that this man was indeed above his level!


    Kael offered a warm smile, his healer''s aura providing a sense of ease. "Your reputation precedes you¡­" He said mysteriously, his voice soft yet resonant.


    Tessa remained silent, her nod sufficient.


    Her eyes, however, spoke volumes, acknowledging Shane''s strength as a fellow warrior of the wastnd.

 Chapter 132: Clan Name

    The group had already spent quite a lot of points, so they weren''t in a hurry to explore the Market Bazaar.


    Instead, as the others were busy exploring the area, they all just gathered around the fountain. The sound of cascading water mingled with their conversations.


    Shane, standing tall in his military garb, introduced himself.


    "I''m Shane and Raze probably mentioned already, but I''m the first to reach level two, and she''s the second at that time, so we kind of know each other."


    Shane said with a nod, his ck eyes scanning the faces of his future nmates. All of them looked really capable, from their set of clothes up to the weapons they kept on their bodies.


    Even with Cloud''s help, he could tell that they were not severelycking in terms of Auction Points or even Zombie Cores outside.


    Raze then stepped forward and looked at everyone.


    "We''re here to forge a new path, with Shane as our n Leader¡­ His resources are vast, and his strength as a Survivor is unmatched." She mentioned this, although she hadn''t seen Shane fight yet. She just knew that he was strong since Roan was telling her so. There was no way her baby dragon would make a mistake assessing someone''s strength.


    At the very least, Roan had never made a mistake yet.


    "Right¡­ I also have a small territory in my area, and there are a few locals on thend helping me manage it. We''re almost on the path of self-sustainment. I would be great if you guys could find mynd once we created the n." Shane suddenly said.


    "Incredible! Is it some sort of fortified territory?" Kael asked.


    "That sounds amazing¡­ I didn''t even know where to find those locals you mentioned. I read about them in the chat, but I''ve never seen them." Jaxon added.


    Shane smiled at this and nodded.


    "Yes¡­ You can say that it''s fortified territory with the watchtowers, traps, walls, and even the automated defense system we recently installed."


    The revtion of Shane''s fortified territory, a haven amidst the chaos, drew expressions of intrigue from the group.


    Lyra, with her keen archer''s insight, voiced the question that everyone also wanted to know.. "Are you the Shadow Strider?" she asked, her gaze piercing.


    "Ahem... You don''t have to answer that. However, once we enter your n, we must know your secrets. We will also share our current rank in the Leaderboard." Lyra added after realizing that it might be rude.


    Shane''s response was a simple shake of the head, his demeanor unchanging. "There''s no need for secrets among us. Yes, I am Shadow Strider, the one who stands at the top of the Leaderboard."


    His admission was met with a collective intake of breath, as the implications of his identity dawned upon them. They exchanged looks of newfound respect and understanding, as the pieces of the puzzle fell into ce.


    Lyra, breaking the brief silence, spoke again. "In the spirit of transparency, I''m known as Falcon Aim, currently ranked 15th. Although only the top 10 appear in the Leaderboard, the system will also notify us of our rank."


    Jaxon adjusted his sses while showing a small smile on his face. "I operate under the moniker of Chess Master, holding the 20th spot."


    Kael, with a modest nod, added, "I''m Green Hand, ranked 105th¡­ I''m still alive, thanks to Raze and Tessa''s efforts to save me before. Without them, I probably won''t even reach the top one thousand in this ranking."


    Tessa, ever the silent observer, finally spoke, "And I am Night Whisper, ranked 25th. I have a talent rted to being an assassin, so you can count on me to do tasks rted to assassinations."


    They were actually really impressive, and Shane knew that very well. Tens of thousands of them were in Region 1, and they were all in the top 100 except for a single person who was also a medic!


    That was undoubtedly notable already!


    The group stood in a circle, each in their own thoughts, as the revtion of their ranks created a bond of mutual respect and shared ambition.


    Shane then broke the silence as he got back to the topic on hand.


    "Now, we must decide on a name for our n¡ªa name everyone could agree with."


    "You''re right¡­ But we can''t think for too long." Raze said, as she still needed to borrow the Points from Shane in order to bid on the potion she needed for Roan''s quick growth.


    The fountain''s rhythmic sound seemed to pause as they contemted, each mind racing with options.


    "What about ''Apex Survivor''?" suggested Jaxon, his strategic mind envisioning their rise.


    Lyra tilted her head, considering the name, but then shook her head slightly. "It''s strong, but it feels solitary. I don''t think it will attract people from joining us. Also, let''s try to be a bit humble?" She countered, her eyes scanning the faces of her allies.


    Kael stepped forward, his healer''s intuition guiding his words. "Perhaps ''Harbingers of Hope''? Our n could be a symbol of renewal amidst the chaos." He offered. This was actually the name of the n he wanted to create if he was the n Leader.


    Tessa considered for a moment before she added her thoughts. "I was thinking ''Night''s Vanguard''. It speaks to our readiness to face the darkness and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Shadow Strider''s name also fits this n name." She suggested.


    Shane nodded at each suggestion, weighing them with care. "Both are good, but we need something that unites us all under amon cause¡­" He said, his gaze settling on Raze.


    Raze, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. "What about ''Eclipse Revenants''? It speaks to our ability to overshadow our enemies and rise again, no matter the odds¡­"


    This suggestion didn''te out of nowhere. She had been thinking of this ever since she suggested the n creation to Shane a while ago.


    The group fell silent, the name resonating with a sense of power and mystery.


    It was Shane who broke the silence with a decisive nod.


    "Eclipse Revenants..." Shane repeated, the name rolling off his tongue with an undeniable appropriateness.

 Chapter 133: Shanes Clan

    "It''s not bad¡­ It somehow captures our resilience, ourbined strength, and the shadow we''ll cast over those who stand against us." Kael muttered after hearing Raze''s suggestion.


    Lyra and Tessa exchanged a nce as thetter added. "It has a nice ring to it. I like it¡­"


    Everyone else also murmured their agreement. The name seemed a lot better than the other ns they''d heard of or read in the Regional Chat.


    Cockroaches n, ROTK n, New Haven n, and Edgy Lords n certainly don''t sound as good as the Eclipse Revenant.


    "Alright¡­ Then it''s settled. We''re forming the Eclipse Revenant¡­" Shane said as he opened the n window of the Apocalypse System.


    [ You have fulfilled the basic requirements to create a n. ]


    [ Do you wish to create a Survivor n? ]


    "Yes¡­" Shane answered without hesitation.


    [ Please name your n. Remember that you can not change the name of your n once it is established. ]


    "Eclipse Revenant"


    Shane filled in the n Name as the system instructed.


    [ Please confirm your n Members: Raze, Lyra, Jaxon, Kael, and Tessa. ]


    [ Once you confirm that they are part of the n, an invitation to join will be sent to them. ]


    "Yes."


    Then, notifications appeared on the other people beside him. The notification includes a message that they were invited to be part of Shane''s n formation and agreeing that he was the n Leader.


    After all the others confirmed, the air hummed with the magic of registration.


    Ding~


    A chime sounded, and a voice echoed in his mind:


    [ Congrattions, n Leader Shane of the Eclipse Revenant! ]


    [ Your n has been sessfully registered! ]


    [ For creating a n in this forsaken world, you and your n members are awarded the following:


    n Banner: A ssic banner bearing the emblem of any item of your choice.


    n Skills: Unique skills that will enhance your team''sbat and survival capabilities as a cohesive unit.


    n Hall Blueprint ( Locked ): If you have ns to construct a fortified hall, a sanctuary for your members, and a bastion against the undead, you have to unlock this for 1 Reputation Points.


    Exclusive Quests ( Locked ): If you want to ess n-rted missions with rewards that will bolster your n''s might and renown, you have to unlock this for 1 Reputation Point.


    Weekly Core Bonus: Each member will receive a weekly bonus of Zombie Cores, fueling your continued growth and prosperity. ]


    [ May the Eclipse Revenant soar high and strike true. The world watches your ascent with bated breath. ]


    They were finally bound by the n System! They were the Eclipse Revenants, a n destined to leave their mark on this new world!


    Shane, now not just a Survivor but a n Leader, navigated to the n Window with a sense of curiosity.


    [ n Name: Eclipse Revenant


    n Leader: Shane, the Shadow Strider


    n Level: 1


    n Description: None


    n Mission: Locked


    n Buildings: 0


    n Skills: 1


    n Members: 5 ]


    Beside this set of information was the n Banner of the Eclipse Revenant. It was currently nk so Shane checked it out.


    The options for the n banner were indeed limited, a reminder of theirte entry into the world of ns.


    Nheless, Shane was unbothered as he felt that the design of the banners wasn''t that important. Even if it was just a white g, it would be dreaded by the people if they built their reputation or infamy.


    But Shane''s eyes caught the image of a moon. It was perfect¡ªa symbol of their name and the stealth and mystery they embodied.


    He decided not to ask his members and selected it, and against the backdrop of a pristine white banner, the moon stood out, bold and enigmatic.


    Everyone also noticed this and all smiled at the banner that their n Leader selected.


    "Ohhh¡­ This looks neat." Tessa muttered after seeing the simple yet enigmatic n Banner.


    "Mhmm¡­ Not bad, nd Leader." Jaxon added.


    "Ahem¡­ n Leader, are you Bidder 1101¡­" Lyra suddenly said out of nowhere.


    However, Shane justughed it off as they would know the truthter on anyway.


    For now, he was focused on something else.


    Apparently, as soon as he selected a banner, Shane received a message from the system.


    [ You have obtained a n Banner for free! Erecting this banner in your n Hall will provide a surprising effect! ]


    [ The n Banner was transferred to your Inventory System. ]


    It seemed that he really had to build a n Hall.


    ''I guess I have to clear a bit more area to build this hall.'' Shane thought for a moment. However, he would have to discuss with others in case they want to build the n Hall elsewhere.


    Well, if they have a better location, he certainly wouldn''t mind epting their suggestions.


    Next, Shane and his n members discovered the n Skill they had been granted. It was a Level 1 Skill, aptly namedLunar Cohesion.


    [ Your n randomly obtained one out of 500 n Skills ]


    [ Lunar Cohesion ( Level 1 ): This skill binds the n members under the moon''s watchful gaze, enhancing their teamwork and fortitude.


    Effects:+5% to all members'' defense when in close proximity, +10% night vision, and a +5% speed boost during night operations. ]


    "Is it rted to the n Name and the Banner we selected?" Raze muttered everyone''s thoughts.


    However, since this was randomized from one out of the 500 n Skills, they couldn''t help but think that it was fate.


    "I guess we''re meant to be a n that is strongest at night¡­" Tessa, the Assassin, was certainly happy at this result.


    The n members nodded in approval, recognizing the tactical advantages this skill would provide, especially during their nocturnal endeavors.


    As for the weekly core bonus, the n was pleased to learn of the additional support they would receive.


    Shane, as the n Leader, would receive three Zombie Cores per week. It was very low, but it was better than none at all.


    The members, each contributing to the n''s sess in their own way, would receive one Zombie Core per week¡­


    Nheless, this would still increase as their n Level rises up.

 Chapter 134: Internal Trades

    "I just checked the map, and everyone is marked as green dot while the n Leader is marked as yellow dot." Tessa suddenly said as she opened the map.


    This reminder made everyone else open their maps as well and confirmed what she said.


    Indeed, they could see their spot as a blue dot while their nmates were a green dot, and Shane was marked as a yellow dot.


    "This is a lot better than I expected." Shane muttered after seeing the new marks on the map. He felt quite happy about this since the people in his estate weren''t actually included in this mapping system.


    It was quite refreshing to see other dots on the map from now on.


    After this, everyone added Shane as their friend so they could contact each other privately starting from today.


    Shane then recalled that he had 5,000 Points to give to Raze in exchange for her young Dragon''s blood.


    Now that they were united under the n''s banner, Shane could finally share his Points with hisrades.


    Having expended 44,641 Points at the Grand Auction Hall, a substantial sum of 42,574 Points remained at his disposal.


    It was still quite a lot, and he probably won''t be able to use all of them in the Market Bazaarter.


    Anyway, Shane no longer wasted his time as he transferred the promised 5,000 Points to Raze.


    "Shane, you have my gratitude! Rest assured, the Dragon''s Blood will be yours once Roan has recuperated¡­" Raze pledged earnestly.


    "Take care not to overdraw his blood. His well-being is more important." Shane cautioned, his concern for the dragon''s health outweighing his need for its blood. After all, her dragon wouldn''t go anywhere, so they wouldn''t have to hurry to acquire the dragon''s blood. It may even hinder the dragon''s growth speed if they were taking too much of them.


    powered by mvle-mp|y|r


    "Ahh? You can borrow Points from our n Leader?" Lyra was surprised.


    "Ugh¡­ So he''s really Bidder 1101¡­ You really have unlimited Points! Someone calcted that you spent over 40 thousand points in the Grand Auction Hall just now." Jaxon said as he recalled the words of one of the n Leaders inside the Auction Hall.


    "Forty thousand points?! How is that possible?!" Raze, Tessa, and Kael who were outside the Grand Auction Hall, were surprised after hearing this.


    When Raze left Auction Hall, Bidder 1101 hadn''t spent 10 thousand points yet. It was quite amazing that he actually reached over 40 thousand points! That was really incredible!


    With the revtion that Points could be shared or exchanged with their n Leader, the others hesitated for a moment before they tried to propose trades.


    Shane didn''t dislike this idea especially if they would offer something valuable.


    Of course, he wasn''t worried that they would scam him because they should be aware that messing with the Top 1 in the Leaderboard was not a good idea.


    Messing with someone who most likely had a Legendary Talent and immense wealth, would only be done by Survivors who weren''t valuing their lives.


    Anyway, the four quickly brainstormed their offerings¡­ They wanted something unique and valuable that they could somehow obtain upon their return to the Fiend Continent.


    After a few moments, they were able to decide what they could offer.


    Lyra was the first to speak.


    "To be honest, I''vee across a trove ofAnti-Zombie Crystals¡­" She began, her voice steady. "If you spend a couple of Spirit Points and throw them to a Zombie Horde, it will explode and the st could cover 10 meters, turning all the Zombies into crystals. I found them in a government research facility. It seems to be a weapon they developed against the Zombies, but they weren''t used."


    Aside from Jaxon, everyone was shocked as soon as they heard this.


    "Anyway, there were ten crates of them, and I used four crates to convert them into 6,000 Points. You can say that each Anti-Zombie Crystal is worth 50 Points since each crate contains 30 of them. To be honest, I don''t really want to convert them into Points since they are too precious. I think it would be great if the n Leader could make use of it instead.


    I will sell five crates for only 5,000 Points. That''s a discount of 2,500 Points. Since that''s a huge discount, I hope you can allow me to live in your territory."


    "Five thousand points for those Crystal Bombs? Can I still loot the Zombies after using it on them? And yes, I invite everyone to enter my territory since you''re all my n members." Shane replied.


    "Ahem¡­ Yes. You don''t even have to break the crystals for that to loot them¡­ Thank you, Shane. We don''t really have a territory in our current area so even sleeping at night is quite challenging. It would be great if we could finally live in yournd." Lyra exined.


    "Very well, let''s do the trade¡­" Shane replied.


    Jaxon then presented his offer. "TheGhost Orchid, ording to the appraisal, blooms only once a month under a full moon. It gave me 2,500 Points each. I found two of them and earned 5,000 Points for that. If you can let me borrow 3,000 Points, I will give you two of those Ghost Orchids."


    Jaxon then paused for a moment after seeing Shane''s confused gaze before he recalled that not everyone had seen it.


    "Right, these Ghost Orchids weren''t just decorations. It triggered the Apocalypse System when I took them, and it exined that this orchid could grow from the nutrients brought by the blood of Zombies and humans mixed together.


    Then, if a certain potion was created using the orchid as a main ingredient, it would have an effect that could kill the Zombies that were active at night, like the Lurker Zombie, Stalker Zombie, and others. I priced it lower because the potion is probably hard to make since I don''t even have the name of that potion or the full ingredients to make it."


    Shane nodded at this since he also had no idea that there was a potion for that. Anyway, 3,000 Points was quite reasonable, considering that it could be traded for 5,000 Points. Furthermore, he would only get them next month once the full moon appeared.


    In the end, he decided to agree to it, and he could only hope that Anna would have the capability to turn it into a potion with her various level 10 skills rted to herbs and medicine.


    Kael then leaned forward as he offered what he had found before. "I''ve located a bush ofSpectral Berries. Just eating a single piece is enough to confuse a Zombie for about 10 minutes... I need to wait for another week to get them. Right, once the berry is harvested, it can onlyst for two days, so you have to put it in your inventory and not in your pockets. Each berry is worth 130 Points.


    How much can you give me?"


    "Mhmm¡­ How about 20 Berries for 2,000 Points?" Shane asked.


    "I can give you 25 for 2,000 Points¡­ Deal!" Kael said, giving a generous trade to Shane.


    Tessa wryly smiled as she made thest offer. "As for me¡­ I want to borrow Points as well, but I can''t really think of anything to offer to you. I only have ''unknown but safe meat'' in my inventory."


    Tessaughed at this before shaking her head. Then, she continued.


    "Well, if ites to it, you can request some assassination tasks from me. With my talent, skill level, and set of weapons, I can assure you that I can kill them during the night¡­ zombie or not. No one would know who killed them, just you and I." She said with confidence.


    Shane listened intently and was quite interested in her offer.


    "That proposal is as intriguing as it is valuable. I don''t know when I will ask you to assassinate someone, but I think I''ll need it. How about 2,000 Points for two assassination requests?" Shane offered.


    Although he probably could kill anyone he wanted with his Super Soldiers and newly acquired weapons, he could tell that Tessa''s system-given Talent was really special. Furthermore, the fact that she was confident that no one else would know was quite reassuring.


    Lastly, she was also ranked 25th in the Rankings, so there was no point in doubting her ability.


    Just like that, Shane spent 17,000 Points. Because of this transaction with his n Members, he was only left with 25,571 Points¡­ That was still quite a lot, so he wasn''t too worried about it.


    After these transactions werepleted, the newly christened n members left to visit the Market Bazaar. They could finally walk around confidently since they had Points they could use to spend!


    Of course, Shane did the same as he made his way to the Market Bazaar, a ce wheremerce thrived in a unique blend of traditional selling and timed auctions.


    Here, each vendor''s goods would go under the hammer for two hours following an initial bid, creating a thrilling race against the clock for potential buyers.

 Chapter 135: Perception

    In this mysterious space where the system brought the one thousand Survivors of Region 1, the sun hung low, casting long shadows that danced between the stalls and the throngs of people.


    As Shane stepped into the Market Bazaar, the surroundings were immediately filled with the noise created by both buyers and sellers.


    The Bazaar seemed to be filled with desperation and determination¡­ The sellers seemed desperate to have their wares sold at a higher price, while the Survivors simply wanted to obtain cheap items that they could use for survival once they returned to the Fiend Continent.


    The vendors were a colorful array of characters, each shouting over the other, vying for the attention of passersby.


    "Rare ammunition, just in from the Dead Zones!" one bellowed, his voice rough as gravel.


    "Medicines and bandages! Trade your points before it''s toote!" cried another, her eyes scanning the crowd for signs of the injured or the ill-prepared.


    Of course, they weren''t selling vines here, so there were only a few people looking at the medicines and bandages. After all, in most cases, when dealing with zombies, you won''t have a chance to heal your injuries as you would have been turned into a zombie already.


    They''d rather look for armor and weapons in this case.


    In each battle, you had to be careful since being infected was a dead end.


    Survivors, d in their best clothes or armor and carrying weapons of all makes, moved between the stalls with purpose.


    Some were lone wolves, eyes sharp and calcting as they don''t have plenty of Points they could use. Inparison, others moved in packs, theirughter and banter a stark contrast to the solemn nods of their solitary counterparts.


    Shane could see everyone with their BidLink Communicators out.


    Bids were ced with urgency, as some items'' time limits were about to end.


    "I''ll raise it! Quick. Quick¡­ Register now¡­" A Survivor shouted, mming his hand on his BidLink Communicator.


    He was currently at a stall selling mechanical parts.


    Beside him was another stall where a transaction was justpleted.


    "Sold¡­ This crossbow has been sold to the Mad Oracle!" Announced by the vendor before a woman with a steely gaze nodded as she confirmed her identity with her BidLink Communicator before disappearing.


    Apparently, the bidders here wouldn''t be identified using the Bidder Number at the Grand Auction Hall. Instead, their nicknames given by the system would be used!


    Of course, as long as you''ve won the item, you don''t have to immediately take it like what Mad Oracle did. You can just wait for some time and continue monitoring the other items where you''ve ced a bid.


    Anyway, conversations were a blend of haggling and storytelling.


    Well, there were still some Survivors who were asking for a lower starting bid from the sellers. Some sellers would give in, while others do not.


    "They say there''s a mysterious alchemist at the corner of Versailles Streets¡­ He''s selling various concoctions and some of them are pretty useful." one Survivor shared with a group huddled around in a nearby stall.


    "I also checked that ce. Each potion is now above a thousand Points. Don''t bother¡­ Just find some weapons instead." another Survivor added, his voice tinged with the weariness of experience.


    Shane didn''t listen too much on their conversation as he looked at the stalls.


    The wares on disy were as diverse as the Survivors themselves. There were tablesden with gadgets and gizmos, some blinking with lights, others silent and inscrutable. hosted on m-v_l-e _m-p_y-r


    Weapons gleamed under the makeshift lighting, from des that promised silent kills to some questionable firearms that boasted unrivaled firepower.


    Indeed, they were really questionable firearms in his eyes. They seemed to have been tinkered from various working parts and were connected together by a gunsmith.


    The firearms weapons don''t look trustworthy at all. It felt as if it would kill its owners once it malfunctioned.


    Nheless, Shane still saw that there were various Survivors bidding for them, hoping to get lucky.


    "Mhmm¡­ The MREs are more expensive here, but they have a lot more choices." Shane muttered after seeing the varieties of MREs being sold in the Bazaar.


    Guided by his A.I. Assistant, Shane navigated through the maze of stalls and vendors, his senses alert for any object of unusual worth.


    He hoped to stumble upon a relic or artifact that eluded the untrained eye, a treasure veiled amidst themonce.


    s, despite his meticulous search and the A.I.''s calcted suggestions, nothing within the Bazaar managed to pique his interest. The items, though varied and many, were all too familiar orcked the luster of the extraordinary.


    Disappointed but not disheartened, Shane decided to delve deeper into the market.


    ''This ce isrger than I thought it would be.'' Shane thought as he realized that the Bazaar seemed quite endless!


    It was then that he noticed a small, inconspicuous stall at the very edge of a street, shrouded in shadows and seemingly ignored by the bustling crowd.


    ''Weird¡­ Why''s no one bidding on his wares? Is he a scammer?'' Shane mused as he approached the stall.


    The stall''s keeper, an elderly figure with eyes that hinted at a lifetime of secrets, beckoned Shane closer. "Looking for treasures, young man?" the keeper croaked, a knowing smile ying on their lips.


    Shane''s curiosity was instantly ignited. "Yes, I am¡­ But I can see that none of your items had a bid on them¡­" He replied, stepping into the dim light of the stall.


    "Haha¡­ If you managed to see through the disguise of this stall, then your Perception must be 20 Points or higher, so don''t think too much¡­ You''re just better." The keeper thenughed in a very unusual way before he continued.


    "Ahem¡­ Anyway, you''vee to the right ce, young man." The keeper whispered as he presented his collection of items that shimmered with an otherworldly glow.


    "These are not your ordinary trinkets. Each of them has incredible use. You are only allowed to bid on one item. Choose wisely..."

 Chapter 136: Reinforcement

    In the small confines of the stall, Shane''s attention was captured by an assortment of artifacts, each with its own aura of mystery. There weren''t actually a lot of items being sold.


    The first thing that caught his eye was an amulet with five copies of it. It was a delicate charm with a luminous fragment of what was described as soulstone at its core, set in twisted silver that seemed to pulse with life.


    [ Soulstone Shard Amulet: This amulet contains a fragment of a powerful soulstone, imbued with ancient sorcery. The shard resonates with the user''s spirit, enhancing their abilities and granting protection against disease and curses.


    Effects: +1,000 Spirit Points, +30% Soul Protection


    Minimum Bid: 1,000 Points ]


    "One thousand points for a minimum bid?" Shane frowned at the rtively high price, but seeing that it could increase the Survivor''s Spirit Points by a thousand, that''s definitely incredible!


    Furthermore, it doesn''t feel like there would be other people entering this shop, so the minimum bid was most likely the purchasing price of this item as well.


    Shane took a deep breath as he already felt inclined to bid on this item.


    However, the fact that he could only bid on one item made him stop for a moment.


    The next item he saw was a dozen of pocket watches. The intricate pocket watch was made of a strange alloy, its hands moving in a seemingly erratic pattern that felt as if it defied the flow of time.


    [ Loot Keeper''s Timepiece: Crafted by an unknown being, this timepiece allows the wielder to manipte the loot you''ll get from the Zombies!


    Effects: 5 Times Loot ( Once per day )


    Minimum Bid: 1,500 Points ]


    "What?" Shane''s eyes widened as he saw the description.


    He could do a five times loot once per day! Perhaps, to other Survivors, this wasn''t too big of a deal since it would only help them loot a few more times in a day.


    However, for Shane, who possessed the Complete Loot Talent, this item was certainly a big deal!


    After all, if he had this item when he killed the Giant Zombie, then he would have ten Spirit Breakthrough Potion, five Giant''s Heart, five Giant''s Hide, and five Titan''s Elixir!


    That was definitely a huge achievement!


    "This is too amazing¡­ Can''t you let me buy more than one item?" Shane asked the keeper.


    "That''s the rule of this shop, young man. You should be satisfied that you could get even one of these precious items." The keeper said as he shook his head at Shane''s question.


    Shane already expected this reply but he still sighed after hearing the answer.


    Anyway, he could only continue looking at the disyed items.


    He also saw a few cloaks hanged at the side of the stall.


    The cloak seemed to shimmer at a certain angle, showing that its fabric wasn''t normal at all. Furthermore, Shane could tell that it could most likely blend into the surroundings once fully used.


    [ Ethereal Cloak of Shadows: Woven from the essence of the night itself, this cloak grants the wearer the power of near-invisibility, making them a whisper in the darkness.


    Effects: +25% Stealth, +10% Movement Speed


    Special Effects:


    Perfect Shadowmeld: When activated, the wearer fades into the shadows, bing undetectable to the naked eye until the used Spirit Points disappear.


    Cost: 1 Spirit Points per second


    Minimum Bid: 1,500 Points ]


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing this. It must be remembered that he currently had a Lesser Shadowmeld Skill he could use with the help of his Shroud of Shadow''s Cape, an item he looted from the Crypt Crawler Zombies.


    The Lesser Shadowmeld only works perfectly when used in a stationary state. However, the Perfect Shadowmeld of this cloak could work even while moving and it only costs 1 Spirit Points per second! It was definitely a bargain! m|v|l|e m|p|y|r original content


    "What should I do¡­ All of these items are perfect!" Shane sighed as he really wanted to purchase all these items. They were simply too good! They''re certainly a lot better than most of the items sold in the Grand Auction Hall!


    Anyway, there were two other items that caught Shane attention.


    There was a pair of gauntlets, each iid with engravings he had no idea how to read, and the metal they had was glowing faintly under his observation.


    [ Gauntlets of Titan Strength: Forged from a mysterious meteorite, these gauntlets bestow upon the bearer the legendary might of the titans, allowing them to shatter obstacles with ease.


    Effects: +70% Physical Strength


    Special Effects:


    Unbreakable Grip: When activated, the wearer will have the gripping power of a titan.


    Cost: 5 Spirit Points per second


    Minimum Bid: 1,900 Points ]


    Finally, there was a clear crystal orb that seems to contain swirling mists within¡­ It was quite interesting to watch.


    Shane immediately checked its description as he was curious whether this crystal orb was some sort of witch''s item that they would use to guess the future or fate of their targets.


    As soon as he read it note on it, he couldn''t help but smile as he was indeed correct!


    [ Oracle''s Crystal Orb: Once belonging to an ancient seer, this orb reveals glimpses of the future, offering guidance and insight to those who dare to peer into its depths.


    Special Effects:


    Foresight: Once activated, the crystal reveals hints of future dangers.


    Cost: 1,000 Spirit Points per use. ]


    Minimum Bid: 3,500 Points ]


    "This is too ambiguous¡­" Shane muttered as he decided not to purchase this orb.


    The stall keeper watched with a gleam in their eye as Shane deliberated.


    Once again, he reminded his customer.


    "Choose wisely, young man¡­" He intoned. "For each artifact carries a destiny of its own."


    However, at this time, Shane wasn''t listening to him.


    Instead, he had already opened his Chat Board and as he found the names of his n members, he immediately started sending them a message!


    [ Shane: Everyone, can you see me on your map? Can you try to go to my ce? I''ll exin more once you arrive here. ]

 Chapter 137: Strategy and Return

    The Market Bazaar was abyrinth ofmerce, a ce where the ordinary and the extraordinary items gathered.


    Ding!


    The members of the Eclipse Revenant soon received Shane''s message.


    They hadn''t parted for long but it seemed that their wealthy n Leader already needed them. Obviously, this confused everyone.


    Nheless, it could be very important, so they decided to confirm the situation.


    Raze and the others, upon receiving his summons, swiftly concluded their dealings, their curiosity piqued by the urgency in Shane''s message.


    They navigated through the crowds of Survivors, their eyes fixed on the glowing yellow dot that marked Shane''s location.


    The bazaar was filled with events since the Grand Auction Hall''s matter was already over. However, the members of the Eclipse Revenant n moved with a singr focus as they were drawn to their n Leader.


    As they converged on the designated spot, everyone greeted each other.


    "Everyone''s fast¡­ Did you manage to bid on some items already?" Raze asked.


    "Yes¡­ We''re done! I found something that will help me go to Shane''s territory a lot faster." Jaxon replied.


    .


    "I only ced a bid on two items¡­ I''m just looking for better shoes now." Tessa replied.


    Lyra and Kael, on the other hand, also ced a bid on a few items. They were articles of clothing with decent effects since they rarely appear in the Survivor Store.


    "But¡­ Where is Shane? I think there''s something wrong with the map." Kael expressed his concern.


    Apparently, all of them are thinking about this same matter.


    In the ce where their n Leader was supposed to be, they were met with an unexpected sight¡ªa barricade of bricks, seemingly imprable and out of ce amidst the vibrant chaos of the bazaar.


    No vendor hawked their wares around this spot, and no other survivors lingered. It felt like it was a void in the fabric of the marketce.


    "I''ll send him a message. Maybe he''s underground or something." Raze muttered as she could only guess that Shane was indeed in the same spot but on a different level or floor.


    "Is there an underground market?" Lyra asked. She had never heard about it.


    "No¡­ I''m just guessing that he might''ve found an underground store so he''s telling us to follow him." Raze muttered as she sent a message to Shane.


    Raze''s message was simple.


    She was telling Shane where they were and what they were seeing in front of them.


    Shane''s reply, however, was a revtion.


    [ Shane: There is a secret store here¡­ It can only be seen by those with at least 20 Points in their Perception Stat. Can you try to pass through the barricade? I''m guessing that it''s only an illusion, and people could pass through it. ]


    Raze was shocked after reading this reply.


    It was unexpected. She didn''t expect that there would be this kind of "event" at the Market Bazaar!


    "This is amazing¡­ We should try it." Raze muttered as she exined the matter to the others.


    A hidden path, visible only to those with heightened perception, was discovered by their n Leader!


    "Haha! As expected of our n Leader¡­" Kaelughed as he felt that this was indeed something that could only be done by the top ranker.


    "He''s Shadow Strider after all." Tessa nodded as she somehow felt excited about this.


    At this time, Roan, who was still in the form of a tattoo mark, reacted.


    The baby dragon actually peered at the barricade and his draconic senses pierced through the illusion.


    At this time, Raze simply wanted to follow Shane''s instructions to try and pass through the illusion. They didn''t think of breaking the illusion itself.


    However, Roan felt like he was being challenged and did something unexpected.


    The bricks began to shimmer, their solidity wavering like a mirage under his gaze.


    Raze and the others watched in awe as the barrier dissolved before their eyes, revealing a stall that beckoned them forward. They also saw Shane and its Keeper on his side!


    "Whoa~ It''s the n Leader!" Lyra eximed.


    "He really found a secret shop¡­ Awesome!" Jaxon added.


    In the meantime, Shane also didn''t expect for them to break the illusion itself. He didn''t even think that it was possible!


    "What? How did you do it?!" The Keeper, on the other hand, noticed that the illusion had disappeared and was very surprised. He didn''t expect that this would happen at all.


    He immediately waved to the group to enter his stall so he could reactivate his illusion!


    Raze and the others obviouslyplied as they stepped through the phantom wall¡­


    Here, the air was still, the silence a stark contrast to the riotous market they had left behind.


    Indeed, entering the stall was like isting themselves from the Market Bazaar!


    Everyone actually noticed that the storefront was unassuming, yet it exuded an aura of ancient mystery.


    The sign above the door was a simple rune, glowing softly with an inner light. It looked shabby, but because it was hidden in such an incredible way, they knew that this shop wasn''t simple.


    Inside, the store was a treasure trove, as they had expected. Shelves lined with various artifacts that seemed quite normal, looking at their appearance, but as they saw their descriptions, they were certainly as incredible as they had expected in this mysterious store.


    The Keeper of the store, a figure shrouded in robes, greeted them with a nod.


    Although the method of their entry was different from how he envisioned it, the Keeper still epted them as his new customers.


    "Wee, seekers of the hidden¡­" The Keeper said with a calm and aged voice.


    "You have passed the test of perception. What you seek, or perhaps what seeks you, awaits within these walls. Keep in mind that you can only bid on a single item."


    With that said, he allowed the customers to check his wares and waited on the side.


    ***


    Shane''s n members, still adjusting to the sudden shift from the bustling bazaar to this ce of hushed secrets, gathered around as Shane began to outline his n.


    "Listen closely," Shane said, his voice low but carrying in the stillness of the shop.


    "Each of us can only ce a bid on one item. We need to strategize to ensure we secure the artifacts that will best serve our n. Yes, I''m not nning to just keep all of these items for myself. If you have a need for them, you can ask meter so you can borrow them."


    He paused, making eye contact with each of hispanions in turn.


    "I''ll bid on theLoot Keeper''s Timepiece. Its ability to the loot rate is perfect for me..."


    Raze, her eyes reflecting the flickering light of the shop, nodded. "I''ll bid on the Soulstone Shard Amulet then. The boost in spirit and protection is what I need. If possible, I want to borrow it for a day as I''m nning to fight another Tyrant Zombie soon..."


    Shane nodded at this and added.


    "Aside from that, I actually want to have a couple of Ethereal Cloak of Shadows, and two Gauntlet of Strength¡­"


    Kael, his hands already itching to feel the weight of new power, spoke up next. "Alright... I will bid on the Cloak. That''s the one I want to borrow someday."


    Tessa also spoke. "I''ll bid on the other Cloak. Once I reach level 15, I n to attack a Crypt Crawler''s den. Allow me to borrow that Cloak at that time."


    Jaxon, his gaze lingering on the gauntlets, finally said. "I guess that two of us will bid for the Gauntlet of Strength."


    Lyra nodded at this, but she still had a question in her mind.


    "n Leader, why aren''t you nning to bid on the Crystal? It can detect future danger¡­ Although it''s expensive and requires a 1,000 Spirit Points for each use, I think it''s not a problem for you."


    At this question, everyone looked at Shane.


    Thetter wryly smiled at this and exined.


    "I don''t think it''s reliable. We will still have to decipher it since it only says there that we''ll get hints of future dangers. I don''t think getting a hint should be that expensive. Let''s just aim to get stronger so we can pass through any dangers in the future." Shane replied.


    The n Members were then satisfied with the arrangement they made as Shane spoke up once again.


    "I''ll transfer the Points to each of you¡­"


    The transaction didn''t take that long, and soon, all of them were able to ce their bid.


    "May your choices lead you to the destiny you seek¡­" The Keeper murmured as he looked at the items where they ced their bid.


    Anyway, they still had to wait for two hours, so everyone dispersed after this matter was finally settled.


    Time quickly passed, and the event for Survivor''s Exchange alsosted for an hour.


    However, they didn''t attend this event since none of them had ns of trading their acquired items.


    Then, it didn''t take long before everyone returned to the Fiend Continent!

 Chapter 138: The Estate

    Meanwhile, after Shane, their indomitable leader, was summoned to the Regional Auction Event, the air in the estate was somehow filled with tension.


    After about an hour, everyone who had left the estate to forage, mine, or hunt had already returned¡­ There were no more outside tasks to ensure everyone''s safety while Shane wasn''t here yet. After all, Shane was still considered the strongest person in the estate.


    Without him, the estate''s defenses would weaken by a huge percentage.


    Lucas, whose military past was etched into the lines of his face and the way he carried his revolver, patrolled the orchard with a calm yet prepared movement...


    His eyes scanned the walls, making sure that they were all in good condition. He also listened carefully in case Jumper Zombies came and passed through them.


    Of course, he also silently prayed that the only intruders for now would be the asional stray bird or the rustling leaves carried by the wind.


    "I don''t really think we should worry about low-tier Zombies right now¡­ I wonder if there will be mid-tier Zombies visiting us this time¡­" Lucas muttered as he continued observing the surroundings.


    Gene, the young knight with hair like gold, stood sentinel at the estate''s main entrance, wearing his full armor and weapon.


    The Serrated Reaper de, a gift from Shane, rested in his hands. Over the past few days, he had already mastered using this de to the point that he could kill multiple Runner Zombies without being dirtied by their blood.


    Furthermore, he was now confident that he could even defeat a Super Soldier if they weren''t carrying weapons.


    Of course, he was also prepared to fight higher tier Zombies who dared threaten their sanctuary.


    High above, in the watchtower, and higher than most of the threes in the forest, Leo''s silhouette could be seen.


    The crossbow, seemingly designed for hunting game, was now a tool of defense on his hands.


    The bell beside him, silent for now, was ready to ring a warning that would rally the estate to arms.


    "It''s actually cool here¡­ This is a good ce to rx." Leo muttered as he leaned on the wooden pir. Most of his time was spent in his smithy, so he was no longer used to the cold breeze that he could feel at the watchtower¡­ It was definitely a nice change of pace in his daily life in the estate.


    He then looked at the area where he noticed some movements and confirmed that it was just a walker zombie.


    There was a trap ahead of it, so he wasn''t too concerned about this.


    Instead, he focused on other areas where he noticed some movements in the branches of trees. He wasn''t too sure, but it seemed that a huge zombie capable of knocking down trees was lurking around the estate about 300 meters away from them. It wasn''t too far from them at all.


    Nheless, it was moving in a different direction, so he didn''t alert the others until now.


    In the meantime, at the main ground of the estate, Harper''s voice echoed¡­


    "Not like that! Follow my movement!"


    He was instructing the three prisoners¡ªChris, Jake, and Liam¡ªin the art of efficient mining!


    With his level 10 Mining Skill, Harper was the only one who could teach them properly!


    During this time, the clinking of their tools against rock provided a steady rhythm. It was proof of Harper''s efficient teaching method.


    Apparently, Harper was disappointed at the ores they had mined, so he had no choice but to teach these Prisoners again.


    "Good! Continue doing this movement¡­ Do not be too stiff! You must see its flow!" He continued.


    Not too far from them, the huge manor seemed to be getting busy.


    The six Super Soldiers were moving precisely and deliberately as they worked alongside Eliot Mercer, the engineer whose recent arrival had been a stroke of fortune.


    Under Eliot''s instruction, they started clearing up the location so he could reinforce the manor properly and make it even better!


    With the strength possessed by the Super Soldiers, they quickly fortified and repaired the some parts of the manor, ensuring that the ce''s defenses would hold against both the undead and the living.


    Clink¡­ Clink¡­ Clink¡­


    In the kitchen, appealing scents wafted through the air as Mr. Wadsworth, Alexa, and Annabined their expertise.


    The herbs and spices they had foraged were transformed under their skilled hands into a culinary masterpiece. It was more than a meal; it was a feast fit for their returning leader¡­


    They all felt that Shane might be hungry once he returned, so they were also hoping to please him with great food once he returned.


    However, as the Mr. Wadsworth was thinking of making the food a bit spicier, they all heard the ringing bell outside.


    The estate, once a haven of safety, was suddenly thrust into chaos!


    As the sun hung high in the sky, a horde of Jumper Zombies, with their terrifying forms, rushed towards the estate with unnatural agility.


    Leo, ever vignt in the watchtower, was the first to spot the aberrations in the distance. His heart raced as he grabbed the bell, its ngs resounding through the estate like the tolling of doom.


    ng! ng! ng!


    "There''s a group of Jumper Zombies!" He shouted, his voice carrying the urgency of the threat.


    The nonbatants, their faces tensed for a moment as they, scrambled to safety, clutching at any weapon within reach.


    Although they were nervous, it was only because the existence of zombies was terrifying in itself. However, they weren''t panicking because they knew the strength of the Super Soldiers, and most of them were also carrying weapons like guns and swords in their hands. .


    Outside, the estate''s defenses held strong against the first wave.


    Gene and Leo observed how the Jumper Zombies would pass through the traps they ced.


    "Ohhh¡­ They''re rushing¡­"


    "Just die¡­"


    The two of them then saw how great their traps were.


    Wooden traps, cleverly hidden among the foliage, snapped shut on unsuspecting limbs, while metal contraptions ensnared others.


    Pitfalls, disguised by a thin veneer of leaves and branches, swallowed several of the undead whole. Ten of the creatures were neutralized, their thrashing bodies could be seen from the watchtower¡­


    It was a testament to the estate''s preparedness against zombies!


    Nheless, the remaining twenty were relentless. They leaped with terrifying speed, scaling the wooden walls that had once seemed imprable.


    In just a few seconds, the estate''s perimeter was breached!


    Lucas, stationed at the orchard, fired his revolver with deadly uracy!


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Each shot finds its mark in the head of an advancing zombie. His military training was evident in the calmness of his demeanor, even as his heart pounded against his ribs.


    ''Jumper Zombies, huh¡­ I think there''s something wrong¡­'' Lucas mused as he recalled Anna telling them that Jumper Zombies rarelye in arge group based on her memories.


    Woof! Woof! Woof!


    At this time, Lucky, Anna''s dog, called his attention and dashed towards an area near the orchard!


    Apparently, there were other zombies trying to breach the ce in the blind spot of the watchtower!


    He swiftly left the main entrance to the others and decided to follow Lucky!


    Gene, near the main entrance, brandished the Serrated Reaper de with experienced movement¡­


    The de hummed through the air, cleaving through decaying flesh and bone as he fought against the Jumper Zombies¡­


    Atop the watchtower, Leo switched from the bell to his crossbow, sending bolts flying into the fray. Each one would hit the Zombies but they weren''t being killed. However, it was still enough to halt a Jumper Zombie mid-leap, sending it crashing to the ground!


    Bang!


    Finally, as Gene was feeling overwhelmed, the Super Soldiers, armed only with their Rare-Grade Crowbars, charged into battle!


    Haa!


    Their movements were quick as they worked together to dispatch the Jumper Zombies with brutal efficiency.


    Their crowbars, seemingly humble tools, were wielded with the precision and lethality of ancient weapons!


    The estate was filled with the sound of metal cleaving through rotten flesh and splintering bone.


    Cassius, the leader of the Super Soldiers, led the charge. His crowbar swung in wide, sending a Jumper Zombie reeling back, its body crumpling under the unstoppable force.


    Boom!


    Mara, the unit''s second-inmand, moved the fastest among the group¡­


    Her crowbar was a blur, striking the heads of the Jumper Zombies!


    If they were mid-air in their jumps, she targeted the joints, the weak spots, dismantling the zombies with an almost clinical efficiency¡­


    Then, two other Super Soldiers stood back-to-back, as they waited for the Jumper Zombies¡­ Theirbined might forming an imprable wall of defense!


    The zombies that ventured too close were met with a swift end, their grotesque forms copsing like puppets with severed strings!


    Gene even had to back away as he was worried that one of the Jumper Zombies would juste flying at him, thrown by the Super Soldiers or sted by their crowbars!


    Together, the Super Soldiers were an unstoppable force!

 Chapter 139: No Wonder

    Lucas, his breath ragged and his heart pounding, watched as Lucky, the loyal caninepanion of Anna, darted towards a neglected corner of the estate.


    His instincts screamed that something was amiss, and as he followed, the sight that greeted him chilled his blood.


    Three very abnormal Zombies, whose forms were more exaggerated than usual, gnawed at the essence of the Bulwark Beacon''s barrier.


    It was no wonder the barrier failed to stop the other Jumper Zombies!


    Lucas could still feel the essence of the barriers from these Zombies!


    ''What are these zombies anyway? I have never seen this kind before¡­'' Lucas clenched his fist as he wasn''t sure whether he could stop them¡­


    For now, he could only hope that the Super Soldiers would quickly deal with the Jumper Zombies and help him here¡­


    After reaching this thought, he suddenly froze¡­


    "Am I scared?!" Lucas muttered. He was both shocked and unconvinced by his cowardly thoughts!


    He knew very well that these three were no ordinary foes; they wererger than normal Zombies, each muscle screamed with unholy strength.


    From their movement and how they behaved, he could also tell that these Zombies had intelligence¡­ The fact that they were able to silently destroy the barrier was proof of that.


    Nheless, what truly bothered him was the fact that the essence of the Bulwark Beacon''s energy seemed to have been consumed by these unknown types of Zombies!


    The Bulwark Beacon, Shane''s safeguard that should havested thirty days, was being consumed before its time.


    "Tsk¡­ We should really have more watchtowers! These Zombies are smart!" He couldn''t help butin as he looked at his surroundings to n how he would fight these zombies¡­


    "I just have to be careful¡­ I can do this¡­" Lucas''s voice was a whisper lost in the wind. In any case, he was also wearing his Army Set, so he had decent durability and speed!


    Lucas raised his revolver, the familiar weight of which was a smallfort against the looming threat. He fired, once, twice, thrice¡ªeach shot was aimed at the Zombie''s heads, aiming to destroy their brains¡­


    Unfortunately, the bullets, which would have felled normal undead, barely slowed the monstrous trio. Their skulls were simply too thick!


    Instead of killing them, Lucas had just made them even angrier!


    They turned their attention to him, their eyes devoid of soul, yet filled with a ravenous hunger.


    Lucas backpedaled, firing until the click of an empty chamber echoed his disappointment...


    Although he was physically strong with the help of his set, he knew that fighting three of theserge zombies were just too much for him alone!


    Graahhh!


    They were upon him! They leapt at him at the same time, ensuring he had nowhere to hide!


    Lucas could only grit his teeth, hoping that his gunshots caught the attention of the Super Soldiers¡­ At the same time, he was hoping that Lucky would escape now!


    Lucas then dodged to the side, but he stumbled and was grazed by one of the Zombies.


    There was a gash in his side, his blood a stark crimson against the earth.


    "This is it, huh¡­"


    It was the end, he thought, but fate had other ns.


    Mr. Wadsworth, the butler, emerged like a specter as the Zombies were about to split him apart!


    Bam! Bam!


    The butler had used one of the barriers in his possession!


    The Sentinel Sphere, a marvel of engineering and one of Shane''s ''creations'' was already activated with a hum.


    A dome of energy sprang up around him, repelling the undead with a force that sent them reeling.


    "Get up, Lucas! This isn''t your time!" Mr. Wadsworth''s voice was amand, a lifeline thrown in the tempest.


    Lucas immediately felt courage as soon as he heard Mr. Wadsworth''s voice!


    Needless, it was one of Mr. Wadsworth''s skill working!


    [ Loyal Retainer (Lv10 - Max): Mr. Wadsworth''s unwavering loyalty makes him a steadfastpanion. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% resistance against mental maniption or betrayal.


    +40% effectiveness in inspiring trust and camaraderie among allies.


    +40% chance to rally others during critical moments. ]


    With the help of this skill, Lucas grasped the Master-Grade Gideon''s de in his possession.


    Its edge gleamed with the sharpness that reassured Lucas once more.


    After taking a deep breath, he targeted the nearest zombie.


    Lucas, his breathsing in ragged gasps, faced therger zombies with a mind that these zombies were as good as the Super Soldiers!


    The Master-Grade Gideon''s de in his hand felt like an extension of his will as he focused on his breathing¡­


    The Sentinel Sphere''s force field shimmered around the butler, making him a perfect vanguard in this situation¡­ Although this butler was quite old, he truly was a reliable one!


    Whoosh~


    The first of the monstrous Jumper Zombies was too focused on the butler and it almost failed to notice Lucas¡­


    The moment it did, the Zombies just instinctively smashed its hand, but Lucas sidestepped, the ground beneath him cracking from the force of the creature''s missed strike.


    He pivoted, bringing the de around in a sweeping arc that connected with the zombie''s neck.


    Ssaaakkk---


    The sound was sickening, a wet crunch that echoed through the silent estate as the creature''s head was severed from its body, tumbling to the ground in a grotesque ballet.


    ''A Master-Grade indeed! This is better than using firearms!''


    .


    The second behemoth roared, a sound that was more felt than heard, and charged with its arms outstretched, seeking to crush Lucas in its grasp since it could do much against the butler!


    Lucas ducked low, feeling the rush of air as the zombie''s arms passed overhead.


    He thrust upward, the de piercing the soft underbelly of the beast!


    With a twist and a pull, he eviscerated the creature, its innards spilling like a macabre offering upon the earth.


    The third and final Jumper Zombie was upon him then, its eyes alight with a malevolent intelligence. It felt as if it actually feinted to the left to bait him!


    Nheless, Lucas mirrored the movement and was really careful!


    The zombie leaped, aiming to pounce from above, but Lucas was ready. He rolled forward, the world narrowing to the point of his de and the heart of the beast!


    He rose at the exact moment, and his momentum carried him upward. Then, he drove the de deep into the zombie''s chest!

 Chapter 140: Attacks!

    Ssaakk~


    Lucas'' de was no doubt sharp as it was already a Master-Grade weapon after Shane upgraded it.


    Nheless, despite its sharpness, there was a moment of resistance from its muscles¡­


    It was like a test of will between the living and the undead¡­


    However, Lucas hadn''t given his all yet!


    With a roar, his de broke through, silencing the abomination''s heart!


    Lucas stood amidst the carnage, the Master-Grade de dripping with the blood of the zombie. His chest heaved as he fought to catch his breath, and his eyes also started scanning the orchard for any further threats.


    Whom~


    At this time, the Sentinel Sphere''s energy also waned, its job done, and Mr. Wadsworth stepped forward, his own face showing relief and admiration.


    "You''ve done well, Lucas¡­" The butler said with a smile, his voice steady despite the adrenaline that coursed through them both.


    "Do you know what type of Zombie they are?" Mr. Wadsworth asked.


    "Yes¡­ It''s said I eliminated a Violent Leaper Zombie¡­ I don''t n to loot it yet since they look special. I will let Sir Shane loot them instead. It shouldn''t be that long before he returns¡­" Lucas replied.


    Stay with m _v _l _e _mp _y _r.


    "You''re right¡­ Sir Shane''s looting ability is unmatched. I heard he could loot everything he could."


    "That''s indeed amazing¡­ How''s the battle in front?"


    "It''s already done¡­ However, we can''t be toocent yet. For now, let''s wait for the Bulwark Beacon to be reactivated, as I already instructed Anna to rece the Power Cores." Mr. Wadsworth said as Shane left him five of the Power Cores in their possession.


    Although the Bulwark Beacon requires 7 Power Cores, it would still work with 5 Power Cores, but the duration of the barrier it could create would be shorter by a considerable degree.


    ***


    After some time, the estate''s Bulwark Barrier hummed back to life, its renewed energy pulsing through the air as the Power Cores were slotted into ce.


    The fallen Jumper Zombies, now lifeless husks, were dragged to the training ground, a grim harvest awaiting Shane''s return.


    Indeed. Shane will loot all of themter on.


    As the time passed and the sun started casting long shadows across thend, a new threat loomed.


    A group of ten, led by a man known asStroud, with an Exceptional Grade talent called Aura Master, approached the estate with malevolent intent.


    The scouts of his team had actually noticed the traces of numerous Jumper Zombies attacking a certain area¡­ These scouts had then investigated and seen the aftermath of the battle and smelled opportunity in the air.


    Stroud, a tall figure with blue eyes that seemed to pierce throught the disguise of the surroundings, surveyed the estate with his Danger Sense, a Survival Skill that he had recently learned.


    "The ce is riddled with traps¡­" He whispered to his cohorts.


    "But the main gate¡­ it''s clear." He added.


    His voice was a low growl and he couldn''t help but feel excited after discovering this.


    Well, it would make sense if the main gate was clear since the people in the estate would regrly use this area, so setting a trap in this part could endanger them if they weren''t careful.


    Stroud then looked at the members of his group who had discovered this hidden stronghold of Survivors.


    They were his two scouts. One of them had a Rare Talent called Lesser Invisibility. It allowed him to move unseen in a short duration. The other one was a lean figure with True Enhanced Senses Talent that was perfect for locating targets or enemies.


    "The Main Gate is indeed clear¡­ We can go in with brute force."


    "Yes¡­ We just have to be mindful of the crossbow and the gunners of the stronghold. Well, from what we heard, they were just pistols, and there are probably only two Survivors there with guns."


    The two scouts reported respectively.


    "Guns, huh¡­" Stroud then looked at one of his strongest members, Max.


    He was a hulking brute with veins like steel cables¡­ Seeing their leader''s gaze, he flexed his fists¡ªhis talent, Warrior, made him a juggernaut in human form!


    If not for the fact that his talent would only manifest fully after reaching level 10, he would''ve been included in the top 1,000 and joined the Regional Auction Event.


    Unfortunately, it hadn''t been long since he reached level 10, so he wasn''t able to be part of the rankers.


    Seeing that Max was ready, he looked at his otherpanion.


    "La, support Max as always." Stroud said to the only woman in the group and also his woman.


    La actually has a Master-Grade Talent called Telekinesis¡­


    She already expected this instruction and nodded softly.


    Currently, her eyes were closed in concentration¡­ She then levitated small stones around her as if to check her current skills before canceling them.


    "I can''t stop all the bullets¡­ However, if I have a clear sight of the shooter, I can do something about it." She said with confidence.


    After their n was made, they immediately checked their equipment and started moving out of their hidden spot.


    As they moved, their footsteps were silent as they were all equipped with the same scavenger shoes that could lessen the noise they were making.


    The watchtower, a sentinel of the estate, would still see them in a few moments, but they were undeterred.


    Before that happens, they rush to the wooden gate of the stronghold!


    With Max in front, who could tank a certain amount of bullets, and La, who could stop bullets with her incredible Talent, they didn''t have anything to be afraid of as they were certain of their victory!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Soon, their movements became faster and their presence was finally sensed by the person on top of the watchtower!


    As they reached the main gate, Stroud raised his hand, and the air around him shimmered with power. "We will take this stronghold today!" He dered, his Aura Master talent activated as his sword radiated an invisible force that bolstered his allies.


    A couple of his members also pointed their guns at the watchtower and fired at it!

 Chapter 141: Return

    Although it would be difficult for them to shoot from their angle, it was enough to deter the person in the watchtower!


    Or, at the very least, that was their n. They wanted to use suppression fire in order to get Max near the gate and destroy it without any interference from the crossbowman on the tower.


    Thud! Thud!


    However, something unexpected happened, it was blocked by a barrier that shouldn''t be there!


    The two Scouts, including the leader didn''t notice this barrier at all!


    "What''s that?" Stroud muttered as he felt bothered by the barrier.


    "It''s fine! I''ll destroy it!" Max shouted, filled with confidence in his current physique and talent.


    At this time, the person in the watchtower used the bell to warn its allies!


    As he saw that the barrier sessfully stopped the bullets from hitting him, his confidence grew as he pulled his crossbow and shot at them!


    Twang!


    It was aimed at the huge guy in front and was pointed perfectly on their head! Even the man in the watchtower felt surprised by his uracy, but as the bolt was about to hit Max, it suddenly stopped mid-air!


    La used her Telekinesis to stop the arrow bolt from hitting herpanion!


    Then, the others with handguns got to the main gate, hoping to weaken its defenses or barrier before Max shed with it.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The four with handguns fired in unison, the sound of gunshots tearing through the silence in the forest.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    The bullets, however, were still met by an unseen barrier, the Bulwark Beacon''s force field deflecting them with ease!


    Then, while this was happening, the estate''s defenders rallied. Their earlier battle with the undead had prepared them for such an emergency.


    Lucas, stood at the forefront, the Master-Grade Gideon''s de ready in his left hand, and the pistol on his right hand.


    "Come!" Lucas roared as he waited for their barrier to break.


    In the meantime, outside their estate. The Bulwark Beacon''s barrier actually held firm, its force field stood strong against the barrage of the group of invaders!


    Max, the Warrior, his muscles bulging with each stride, charged at the barrier with a roar that echoed through the trees.


    NovelBin,mp|y|r hosted


    Boom!


    His fists, hardened by his gauntlet, pounded against the energy shield. The force field flickered under the assault but held strong, a testament to its design and the power coursing through its veins.


    It also shows how strong those three Violent Leapers were!


    Nheless, seeing that Max was having a hard time than they expected, the others joined in, as they aimed their weapons at the barrier.


    "Tsk¡­ This is taking too much time¡­ Step back!"


    Stroud, the Aura Master, finally stepped forward.


    His presence wasmanding amidst his restlesspanions.


    He extended his hands, and his Aura coalesced into his de.


    Then, with a wave of his hand, he sliced at the barrier and met with some resistance¡­


    The barrier wobbled, and it seemed that he was just short with a little strength to cut through it.


    Yet, the barrier stood defiant. Its force was still unwavering, leaving up to its name as a beacon of the estate''s resilience.


    Stroud''s brow furrowed as he realized the stronghold''s defenses were far from weakened. Doubt crept into his mind, the seed of retreat taking root.


    ''Although it is true that they''re attacked by numerous Jumper Zombies, it doesn''t mean that they were really weakened.'' Stroud thought as he felt something was off.


    ''However, ording to the scouts, they only sensed more than 10 people in the estate. They shouldn''t be doing well right now if they faced 30 or so Jumper Zombies¡­ This should still be a perfect opportunity.


    He tried to reason in his mind, but the fact that the barrier was still strong, he couldn''t help but rethink their ns.


    He then looked at hispanions and was about to voice his opinion.


    However, before he could call for withdrawal, the wooden gate creaked open.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Several shots rained on the invaders as the people of the estate defended themselves.


    However, La showed her Master-Grade Telekinesis as she stopped all the bullets aimed at them!


    Nheless, La was also pushing her limits, so herpanions quickly acted to protect her!


    Lucas, seizing the moment, charged through the opening, his de humming through the air!


    Gene was beside him as they targeted the tall man who was in front of the invaders!


    Since guns didn''t seem to be effective, they had to adapt and use their swords instead!


    The Super Soldiers also erupted from their hiding ces as they joined the battle!


    Max, caught off guard, swung wildly, his strength formidable but unfocused.


    Gene and Lucas dodged on the side, and as soon as they did it, Cassius, one of the Super Soldiers, took his chance to tackle Max!


    "Tsk¡­"


    Gene frowned at this as he wanted to fight the vanguard of the invaders. However, now that he was entangled by Cassius, Gene had to switch his targets!


    Lucas thought the same as the battle continued!


    The Super Soldiers were also behind them, their crowbars ready to crush their enemies!


    Stroud, realizing the tide had turned, rallied his forces.


    "To me!" he bellowed, his Aura then started ring with renewed intensity. Then, he released his Aura de in hopes of cutting Lucas! However, with his Master-Grade Gideon''s de, he deflected the attack!


    His Aura de, which had never failed him, even against strong Zombies, was easily dealt with!


    Stroud, with a sense of desperation creeping into his calcted demeanor, reached into his cloak and produced a small canister.


    With a swift motion, he activated the device, releasing a cloud of sleeping gas¡ªa treacherous mist that began to seep through the battlefield.


    This was one of his best purchases in the Survivor Store!


    The wind seemed to have be his ally as it carried the sleep-inducing vapors towards the estate''s defenders.


    "Retreat!" hemanded, his voice cutting through the chaos as he made the difficult decision to abandon Max. The Aura Master knew when a battle was lost, and survival was paramount.


    However, amidst the turmoil, a new figure appeared inside the estate¡ªShane, the leader of the Eclipse Revenant n and the owner of the estate, had finally arrived!

 Chapter 142: Secret Room

    Just some time ago, as the Regional Auction Event waspleted, Shane''s anticipation of a swift return to his estate was abruptly reced by bewilderment as he found himself in an expanse of unending white.


    "Mhmm? Did I get teleported to a different area? Is there a mistake?" Shane thought as he felt a bit nervous after seeing the unusual surroundings.


    The room, if it could be called that, was devoid of corners and edges, a seamless void that seemed to pulse with a gentle luminescence.


    Ding!


    [ You have entered the Auction Administrator''s Room. ]


    The message from the Apocalypse System hung before him, its words clear and yet unfathomable.


    He had no idea there was this kind of ce and that he could enter it.


    ''Administrator''s Room? Is it a bug? Why am I even doing here?''


    Before he could process this anomaly, a figure magically emerged from the whiteness¡ªit was a figure of ethereal beauty.


    She was an elf, her skin aglow with a soft radiance that rivaled the room''s own light. Her hair was a cascade of silver, falling in waves that shimmered with each graceful step she took towards him. Her eyes, a deep emerald, held the wisdom of ages and the warmth of a kindred spirit.


    She was d in robes of gossamer, which fluttered around her like a gentle breeze, and upon her brow rested a circlet that seemed to be forged from moonstone itself.


    "An elf¡­" Shane muttered as there were indeed some vague memories of elves in the Memory Spheres he had opened.


    He would not mistake this at all.


    Then, Shane was stunned as she did something unexpected.


    "You¡­"


    The elf suddenly kneeled before Shane, her smile was one of genuine honor, as if his presence was a blessing upon this sanctified ce.


    "Wee, Blessed One of the Fairy Realm, I''m Syndra. I am the Administrator of this Special Realm." Syndra said as she introduced herself with a humbleness that belied her noble bearing. Her beautiful voice was also a melody that resonated with the very air around them.


    Shane, taken aback, could only echo her words in a whisper¡­


    "I''m Blessed One?"


    He couldn''t recall how he was blessed until memories of a title once earned in a different timeline, ''Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor,'' flickered through his mind¡­


    [ Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor: The Survivor gains the ability to travel to the Fairy Realm for 8 hours once a week. The Survivor also gains bonus points for Strength, Agility, Luck, and Perception. The title also provides immunity to Fairy Charms.


    Requirements: Be a Lone Foreign Survivor of the Fairy Realm''s Apocalypse. ]


    He didn''t expect that this title could also be felt by someone from the Fairy Realm!


    "Yes¡­" Syndra confirmed, her gaze never leaving Shane''s. "I do not know how you received the blessing of the Fairy Queen, but I can feel that you have made a great contribution to the Fairy Realm."


    He had many questions about this since she was an Elf and not a Fairy¡­ However, it doesn''t seem to be appropriate now, as they could have some special connection.


    Anyway, as Shane''s confusion grew, he demanded an exnation.


    "Then¡­ Tell me why you brought me here?" He asked curiously.


    Syndra rose; her movement was quite elegant and attractive, and Shane even gulped as she had gotten too close.


    Although he had seen a number of beautifuldies in his estate and his n, this elf was undoubtedly on a different level¡­ Furthermore, this elf must''ve taken more baths than the others he had encountered!


    Her scent was way more attractive than he had imagined!


    ''Ugh.. I need to calm down¡­ Is her Charm Points reaching 50 or something?'' Shane thought as he shook his head to erase his random thoughts.


    Anyway, Syndra didn''t mind Shane''s unusual movements as she exined what she knew.


    "You have been summoned here not because I just wanted to meet you, but to be honored¡­" she said, her voice as clear as the air around them. "The Fairy Queen has blessed you, and as her devout follower, I cannot ignore the signs of her favor."


    She paused for a moment before looking at Shane''s eyes.


    "She might''ve even predicted that you woulde here, so she gave you that blessing to let me know that I should be helping you."


    ''That was too far-fetched¡­ But since you''re going to help me in some way, I won''t be declining that.''


    Shane, still grappling with the surreal nature of his surroundings, watched as Syndra reached into the folds of her ethereal robes and produced three items, each radiating with otherworldly energy.


    They were a pouch, a vial, and a piece of wood¡­


    "Take this¡­" Lysandra continued, presenting a small, intricately embroidered pouch.


    "It contains five Elf Recruitment Stones. With these, you can call upon the valiant elves of the Fairy Realm to aid you in your endeavors."


    Shane''s eyes widened after hearing these!


    ''Thank you, my past self! You did a great job clearing the Fairy Realm!'' Shane thought as he nervously took the pouch, feeling the weight of the stones within.


    They pulsed with a gentle warmth, as if alive with the magic of the realm they represented.


    Five Elf Recruitment Stones! That was something he had never thought he would have since elves weren''t supposed to be in the Zombie Outbreak!


    Nheless, his surprise wasn''t over yet.


    "And what of the other gifts?" Shane inquired, his curiosity piqued by the generosity of the Fairy Queen''s servant.


    Syndra smiled, her eyes reflecting the depth of her reverence for the Fairy Queen.


    "The second gift¡­" she said as she handed the vial filled with a luminescent liquid, "is the Elixir of Purification. It will purify anyone¡­ It doesn''t matter if they''re human or not."


    Shane was slightly disappointed with this exnation, but Syndra didn''t want to rify further. He could only thank the Administrator for the gift he received.


    Anyway, it was Purification Liquid, so it could probably cure disease or perhaps¡­


    "Ahh¡­ Is it a vine?" Shane muttered as he reached this thought.


    Shane held the vial up to the light, watching the liquid dance and shimmer within. It was a very interesting potion.


    "The third is a wooden charm¡­" Syndra said as she handed the amulet carved from a single piece of moonwood¡­


    "It is the Charm of Whispering Winds. This charm will help you in many ways. You can learn how to use it when you return to the Fiend Continent."


    Shane epted the amulet, feeling a thrum of power run through his fingers. Since she doesn''t want to exin the use of the items in more detail, Shane decided to ept it and study them once he returned.


    "These are generous gifts, Administrator. " He said, his gaze meeting Syndra''s.


    "But why bestow these upon me? Do I have to do something in return?" Shane asked cautiously.


    Syndra''s gaze was unwavering. After a few moments, she replied with a voice that was like a soft chime in the stillness.


    "Nothing¡­ The Fairy Queen seeks nothing but the bnce of all realms. Your existence here must be one of her ns, so I just wanted to help. There is no debt, Blessed One, only the hope that you will continue to be a force of harmony in this fractured world."


    Shane nodded at her mysterious voice¡­ Although he didn''t fully understand what she was trying to say, a sense of responsibility settled upon his shoulders.


    "Thank you for these gifts and the trust the Fairy Queen has ced in me¡­ I will use them to save the Fiend Continent." He vowed.


    Syndra was satisfied with this answer and nodded at him.


    Soon, Shane''s surroundings in the Administrator''s Room began to dissolve, he felt a sensation akin to floating as the very fabric of reality thinning around him.


    The image of Lysandra, the ethereal elf, seemed to fade like a wisp of mist, her final smile imprinted in his memory as a symbol of the Fairy Queen''s favor.


    In an instant, the white void copsed into a tunnel of swirling colors, a vortex that pulled at his very essence.


    He could feel the rush of dimensions passing by, a journey through the unseen corridors of space and time.


    And then, as suddenly as it had begun, the sensation ceased, and Shane found himself standing amidst the familiar grounds of his estate.


    The scene before him snapped into focus with rming rity.


    The remnants of battle could be easily seen; his people were in disarray, and the air was thick with the ominous fog of Sleeping Gas, ording to Cloud!


    Without hesitation, Shane reached into his gear and produced the Bio-Barrier Generator, a device designed to shield against such insidious threats. it was one of the items he bought from the Grand Auction Hall!


    With a swift activation, the generator hummed to life, emitting a protective dome that enveloped the area.


    The sleeping gas soon hit an invisible wall, halting its advance and nullifying its potency!

 Chapter 143: Retrieve the Loot

    Shane''s subjects, caught in the midst of escape, found themselves able to breathe freely once more, the danger of slumber was quickly averted.


    However, Lucas actually failed to hold his breath a while ago and had to be carried away by one of the Super Soldiers. As for Gene, he was already a little groggy after inhaling some of the sleeping gas.


    The estate was silent, the tension thick as Shane weighed the fate of the invaders. His hand rested on the grip of his newly acquired double revolver, the metal cool and reassuring against his skin. The Super Soldier Vials glinted in the moonlight, their contents too valuable to waste on those who had sought to harm his home.


    With a steely gaze, he made his decision. The invaders could not be left alive to threaten his people again. He raised the revolver, its twin barrels promising swift retribution.


    [ Gunslinger''s Dual Revolvers ( Exceptional ): A pair of sleek revolvers with quick-draw holsters, perfect for rapid-fire shooting and close to mid-rangebat. These dual pistols offer versatility and firepower, allowing the wielder to engage multiple targets with speed and style.


    Effects: -50% Recoil, +35% Pierce Rate


    Special Effects:


    Dual Wield Mastery: A passive ability that increases uracy and stability when dual-wielding. ]


    What was incredible about this weapon was the fact that it would automatically give him the proficiency to use two guns at the same time.


    Of course, it would be awesome if the effects were giving elemental boosts, explosive burst, or other mystical powers.


    Nheless, Shane felt that this passive ability was a lot better than any mystical effects, especially when dealing with other humans.


    But before he could pull the trigger, Leo''s voice cut through the night, urgent and clear.


    "That woman has Telekinesis ability!"


    The cksmith shouted¡­ He was quite lucky that he was on top of the watchtower, which allowed him to be almost unaffected by the sleeping gas.


    As soon as he saw Shane about to kill the invaders, he wanted to remind him that they could be useful when they''re alive than not.


    Nheless, the decision would still be up to their leader, so he didn''t say anything more than that¡­


    As Shane heard the cksmith''s voice, a split-second decision was made.


    Shane''s mind raced.


    A talent like Telekinesis was rare and potentially valuable.


    In an instant, his n changed. He would spare her¡ªfor now.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The revolver was fired, a chorus of thunderps shattering the silence in the silent forest!


    Shane''s aim was perfect; his mastery of firearms was already level 10, so no one could doubt his shooting abilities.


    Each shot found its mark as the invaders started falling one by one, their threats were quickly extinguished in a hail of lead!


    Everyone except for the woman with Telekinesis died! The others tried using their talents to protect themselves, but with an additional 35% Pierce Rate and special bullets that he obtained in the auction, they had to use Master-Grade Shields in order to protect themselves!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The woman nowy on the ground, clutching her wounded leg, her ability to flee or fight stripped away!


    She didn''t cry in pain as she gritted her teeth to bear the pain.


    At this time, the Super Soldiers also caught up to them and they immediately surrounded La, the injured woman¡­


    As for Max, the vanguard of these invaders, he was still actually alive as he was only subdued by a couple of Super Soldiers.


    Shane stood calmly at the gate of the estate, the revolver still smoking in his hand¡­


    After confirming that none of his subjects were injured, he ordered Cassius and the others to carry the bodies of the survivors and for Anna to heal the woman''s injury.


    Of course, there would be Super Soldiers guarding Anna, just in case. He nned to talk to herter since he was a bit excited to loot these people and the pile of zombies he had seen in front of the manor a few moments ago.


    La, the woman with Telekinesis, could only look up at Shane, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and respect as she got carried away by the Super Soldier...


    She knew she had been spared for a reason¡­ However, once she became useless, there was no doubt that she would be killed like the others.


    Needless to say, she didn''t want to die yet!


    For now, she could only hope that the reason that she was spared was because the man actually took a liking to her beauty.


    ''He must have been attracted¡­ I just need to stay attractive¡­'' La thought as she was able to


    If that was the case, she believed that she might even possess a decent position in this stronghold.


    ***


    It didn''t take long before all the bodies were taken inside the estate.


    Of course, Shane didn''t immediately extract them as he decided to take out the MREs he had purchased in the Auction Hall.


    "Mr. Wadsworth, please prepare this for everyone¡­ Right, Lucas should know how to prepare this if you have questions, just ask him.


    It was at the same time that Lucas woke up, and as soon as he saw the boxes of MREs, he couldn''t help but feel nostalgic.


    Although he didn''t really like the MREs, they were still a lot better in their situation. Furthermore, Alexa and Anna had already gathered some seasonings, so these MREs could still be improved if prepared by their chef.


    "Leave it to me!" Lucas replied with a hint of excitement in his voice.


    After this was settled, Shane finally set his eyes on the Jumper Zombies and started his loot!


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Bread x1, Strength Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    "Strength Enhancement Bottle? Not bad!" Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing this. There were 30 of these Jumper Zombies, and he was hoping that all of them would give one!


    With this in mind, he continued with his loot!


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Bread x1, Strength Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    Shane left the Violent Leaper Zombies for now as he looted the thirty Jumper Zombies!


    Just like that, he obtained a total of 300 Experience Points, 30 Strength Enhancement Bottles, and others¡­


    "I still didn''t level up¡­" Shane sighed as he really felt disappointed about this.


    It had been over a week since he reached Level 19, but he was still stuck and couldn''t level up. At this time, he really couldn''t help but think how would the other Survivors reach level 20 since they only gets 1 or 3 Experience Points in each zombie.


    Anyway, he finally decided to loot the threerge zombies. Mr. Wadsworth mentioned that they were Violent Leaper Zombies. They were defeated by Lucas and him after working together.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 17 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x2, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL Violent Leaper Blood, Leaper''s Bandana x1 ]


    "Oh? I got an item¡­" Shane''s eyes lit up since looting items from Zombies was quite difficult, even with his 100% Drop Rate.


    There were simply too few of these Zombies who had items with them.


    Seeing such a result, he quickly looted the others with excitement that could be clearly seen on his face.


    [ You have earned 17 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x2, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL Violent Leaper Blood, Pair of Spiked Shoulder Pads x1 ]


    [ You have earned 17 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x2, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL Violent Leaper Blood, Serrated Machete x1 ]


    Shane actually obtained three items from the special Zombies he had just looted!


    Furthermore, he was able to obtain meat!


    From their previous experience, this meat could certainly taste good with Alexa''s cooking abilities, so he was no longer worried about the origin of this meat.


    To be exact, he didn''t really want to know its origin at this point!


    After this, Shane finally turned his attention to the eight corpses of the Survivors.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, 100mL Human Blood ( O+ ), Danger Sense Skill, Aura Master Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Aura Master ( Exceptional ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Aura Master Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 3 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    "Aura Master¡­ No wonder I have to shoot this guy two more times than the others."


    Shane muttered as he thought that the man''s durability was brought to him by his clothes.


    It was actually thanks to his impressive talent!

 Chapter 144: New Loot

    "What a pity¡­" Shane muttered as he felt that this Aura Master Talent was incredible¡­ It was also an Exceptional Grade, and it was certainly higher than his current Traceless Breath Talent, which was only a Rare Grade.


    Nheless, the notification from the Apocalypse System hasn''t ended yet!


    Ding!


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first Survivor to reach level 20. ]


    [ You have earned 10 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Choose an additional reward: Reputation Points x100, Zombie Cores x1,500, Mystery Egg x4 ]


    "Wow¡­" Shane muttered as he saw the generous rewards.


    Shane looked at the Mystery Egg for a moment before he shook his head. He already has a total of five pets, and they are all in his Fairy Realm at the moment, as they are still newborns.


    Adding four pets may sound like a really good idea, but in the end, he chose the 100 Reputation Points since there are many things he wanted to buy in that Reputation Store!


    He believed that he had a higher chance of getting eggs than getting Reputation Points!


    After selecting the Reputation Points as his reward, he received another notification.


    [ You have obtained three Gift Pack vouchers! ]


    [ You can select three Gift Packs from the options below. You can''t select the simr Gift Packs. ]


    Shelter Gift Pack


    Medical Gift Pack


    Survival Gift Pack


    Water Gift Pack


    Energy Gift Pack


    Stealth Gift Pack


    Transport Gift Pack


    Entertainment Gift Pack


    Weapon Gift Pack


    Food Gift Pack


    It appears that the reward he obtained first was for being the first level 20. This time, however, was the reward for reaching this level.


    Shane thought for a moment before deciding to select the Water Gift Pack, Food Gift Pack, and Transport Gift Pack. It didn''t take him that long so choose this.


    Just like before, the Water Gift Pack contains a water filter, filled water bottles, purification tablets, and a copsible bucket.


    The Food Gift Pack contained easy-to-open canned goods, instant noodles, tea bags, gran bars, and mayonnaise.


    Lastly, the Gift Pack that he was really interested in, was the Transport Gift Pack. It contained a folding bicycle, a helmet, a lock, and a repair kit.


    He was really interested in this bicycle. Furthermore, the estate''s size was actually quiterge with the addition of the orchard, so this bicycle could also be used by the one patrolling the estate¡­


    Of course, the Super Soldiers weren''t allowed to use this bike because of their weight and size.


    Ding!


    [ Your Territory Lord Title has been upgraded. ]


    [ All residents in your territory who have been epted will receive an extra 10 Loyalty Points. ]


    [ You now have ess to view each resident''s Loyalty Points. ]


    [ Every individual residing in your territory will obtain 1 additional Loyalty Point every 24 hours. ]


    "What? Isn''t this incredible?" Shane eximed as soon as he finished reading the upgraded version of his Legendary Talent!


    This would basically allow him to convert people to be his subjects!


    As long as he keeps his prisoners alive and gives them the status of being residents of his territory, then it wouldn''t take very long before he could ensure that he would have a huge number of subjects in the future.


    Shane waited for a moment as he wanted to ensure that his other Talents won''t have an upgraded version.


    After three more minutes, Shane could only sigh as his Complete Loot, Otherworldly Mechanic, and Traceless Breath Talents had truly failed him!


    "Right¡­ The Memory Spheres!" Shane muttered as he checked his inventory and took out two Memory Spheres.


    Just like what Cloud had informed him before, the privilege of essing his fifth and sixth Memory Spheres was indeed granted after reaching level 20!


    These spheres, crystalline and pulsing with a light that seemed to hold the very essence of his past lives, were keys to unlocking the vast knowledge he had umted across the two other apocalyptic events he had faced..


    As Shane activated the fifth sphere, a torrent of memories flooded his senses¡­


    This time, it was already a few months after he entered the A.I. Rebellion. Shane closed his eyes as he allowed the memories to flow in his mind.


    Finally, aside from the memories of the camp he had stayed at, he vividly remembered the uprising of artificial intelligence, where machines that humans had created to serve them rebelled against their makers.


    To be exact, the Anima that came out of nowhere triggered the current A.I. civilization of the and used them as their additional forces.


    It allowed them to control the faster than relying on their own forces!


    He recalled the strategies he had learned and devised to outsmart the A.I., exploiting their logical patterns and predicting their algorithms. He also had the memory of leading a ragtag group of survivors to dismantle a branch of A.I.


    hub, using a virus that he had helped engineer¡­ These memories brought a sense of grim satisfaction after they conquered one of the fortresses of Anima in just five months!


    Aside from this, Shane was also engulfed in the memories of the Fairy Realm¡ªa ce of ethereal beauty and ancient magic. He witnessed again the invasion that had torn through the human world. The orcs, elves, goblins, and such fought against the humans who were relying on their firearms¡­


    Luckily, the humans here had also learned how to use Magic Devices or Mystical Artifacts in order to fight the magic of elves, the brute force of the orcs¡­


    ''Weird¡­ How did I befriend the Anima and obtain the blessing of the Fairy Queen if they''re my enemies?'' Shane muttered to himself as he absorbed all the memories.


    Shane remembered standing shoulder to shoulder with other Survivors while his sword was alight with enchanted mes as they pushed back the tide of darkness.


    In just five months, he had learned thenguage of the fairies, negotiated with mythical beasts, and forged alliances with other human Survivors that had seemed impossible.


    Ding!


    [ Memory Sphere absorptionplete. ]


    [ You have obtained Part 5 of 25 Memory Fragments ]


    [ You have obtained Part 6 of 25 Memory Fragments ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Weapon Master ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Alchemy ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Lesser Mind Control ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Aura of Protection ]


    [ Weapon Master Lv10 (Max): The Survivor is proficient in using a wide range of weapons, from melee to firearms, with expert precision and efficiency. They can disarm foes, create improvised weapons, and strategizebat scenarios effectively. ]


    [ Alchemy Lv10 (Max): The Survivor can craft powerful potions, elixirs, and explosives from various ingredients found in the environment, providing healing, buffs, or offensive capabilities. ]


    [ Lesser Mind Control Lv10 (Max): The Survivor can somehow influence the thoughts and actions of others, turning enemies against each other, gathering information, or avoiding confrontations through mental maniption. ]


    [ Aura of Protection Lv10 (Max): The Survivor emits a protective aura that shields them from harm, deflecting attacks, curses, or environmental hazards while providing a sense of security to allies within its range. ]


    "Now¡­ This is perfect¡­"


    It didn''t end there; after Shane had acquired these new skills from his memories, he had obtained something even better!


    [ You have obtained a new Talent Slot! ]


    "What?"


    It means that he could finally ept new talent!


    At this point, the previous notification that he didn''t answer had automatically epted the offered talent because of the new slot that had opened up.


    Just like that, Shane obtained the Aura Master Talent after absorbing the two Memory Spheres!


    Shane felt overwhelmed by the multiple good news he had received in just a few minutes!


    It happened too quickly!


    Shane then tried to use this Aura Master as he slowly tried to sense his aura.


    "Huuu~"


    Shane took a deep breath as hedelved deeper into his newfoundAura MasterTalent¡­


    This was the first time he had to use it, so he still had to condition his mind.


    Whom~


    After a while, a wave of energy surged through him.


    Colors danced before his eyes, swirling and merging in a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues. With a focused mind and a steady heart, he extended his senses, reaching out to the invisible threads of energy that surrounded him.


    As he concentrated, a soft glow enveloped his body, shimmering like a protective veil.


    Of course, this sounded so fancy, but he was the only one who could see the aura he could gather¡­ This was why Shane had initially thought that the leader of the invaders had high-grade clothing instead.


    The air around him seemed to hum, responding to his newfound mastery.


    Shaneclosed his eyes, allowing the energy to flow through him, intertwining with his essence.


    "This is so cool¡­ No wonder he got so arrogant¡­" Shane muttered as he clenched his fist with a mold of aura he concentrated into his hand¡­


    With this talent, his Survival would increase by another level once again!


    However, this might actually not be the best talent he could obtain right now!

 Chapter 145: New Status

    There are still seven other survivors'' corpses he could loot, and they might possess better talent.


    Nheless, Shane wasn''t in a hurry.


    Slowly but surely, he began to shape the aura around him, molding it with precision and finesse. The aura that he could only see retreated and moved around his body, and a sense of tranquility settled in his soul.


    With each breath,Shanefelt the power of the aura coursing through him, a potent force waiting to be unleashed.


    ''This is really incredible¡­'' Shane muttered as he turned his attention to the other bodies waiting to be looted.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, 100mL Human Blood ( O+ ), Firearm Mastery Skill, Lesser Invisibility Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Lesser Invisibility ( Rare ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Lesser Invisibility Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 4 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    "Lesser Invisibility, huh¡­" Shane muttered as he felt that this could be an awesome Talent. However, since it was only a Rare Grade and was even called ''Lesser'', he believed that his Crawler Set was already better because of its various abilities to hide in the shadows.


    Chane decided to ignore this loot and was already happy with the Experience Points and the Reputation Points he earned.


    He then continued with his looting process as he gets the same Experience Points and Reputation Points. It was the same with the loot except for the looted Skill and Talent.


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, 100mL Human Blood ( A+ ), Rope Mastery Skill, Grappling Hook Talent ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, 100mL Human Blood ( O+ ), Tracking Skill, Intuition Talent ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, 100mL Human Blood ( B+ ), Weather Sense Skill, True Enhanced Senses Talent ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, 100mL Human Blood ( B+ ), Climbing Skill, Spider Grip Talent ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Spider Grip Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 4 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    Shane refused this easily.


    Nheless, he was quite impressed that he was able to obtain various skills that require specific Talents to obtain. Just like the Weather Sense, without the True Enhanced Senses, it would have felt impossible to obtain this skill!


    As he continued, the two other Survivors he looted didn''t give him any new skills or interesting talents, as they were only Umon Talents.


    Of course, the other Rare and Exceptional Talents here didn''t rece any of his current talents as he felt that they weren''t worth it.


    After this, Shane decided to check his current status.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets


    Level: 20


    Vitality: 220/220


    Spirit: 2,000/2,000


    Strength: 57


    Agility: 57


    Luck: 20


    Perception: 20


    Inventory:


    Misceneous Items: 18


    Potions: 5


    Weapons and Equipment: 10


    Blood Collection: 6


    Auction Items: 23


    Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Fishing, Woodworking, Metalworking, Axe Mastery, Lockpicking, Leadership, Parkour, Hacker, Controlled Body Heating, Fast Swimmer, Taunt, Mining, Weapon Master, Alchemy, Lesser Mind Control, Aura of Protection, Danger Sense, Rope Mastery, Tracking, Weather Sense, Climbing


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ), Traceless Breath ( Rare Talent ), Aura Master Talent ( Exceptional )


    Reputation: 124


    "I received a 25-point increase?"


    Shane muttered after seeing his current Vitality Points. That was certainly a huge increase, as if he just leveled up five times.


    Nheless, the biggest change was actually his inventory. There were already five tabs where his items were properly organized.


    Without hesitation, he checked the misceneous items.


    [ Misceneous Items:


    Memory Sphere x19, Item Upgrade Crystals x95, Zombie Cores x238, 116.5L Water, Bread x10, Acid Pouch x13, Spitter Tongue x8, Special Item Upgrade Crystals x2, Recruitment Stone x2, Decayed Giant''s Tooth x1, Giant''s Hide x1, Giant''s Heart x1, Zombie Repellent Candle x1, Special Spicy Instant Noodles x10, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x3, Water Gift Pack, Food Gift Pack, Transport Gift Pack ]


    Just like what was indicated, there were indeed 15 different items here.


    Of course, Shane didn''t stop here as he continued.


    [ Potions:


    Spirit Enhancement Bottle x65, Spirit Breakthrough Bottle x1 ,Strength Enhancement Bottle x33, Agility Enhancement Bottle x6, Titan''s Elixir x1 ]


    [ Weapons and Equipment:


    Leader''s Crown x1, Crawler Grasp Gloves x1, Crawler Fang Daggers x2, Shroud of Shadows Cape x1, Enchanted Chitin te x1, Shadowmeld Tunic x1, Leaper''s Bandana x1, Pair of Spiked Shoulder Pads x1, Serrated Machete x1, Crowbar x1 ]


    As for the Auction Items, they were indeed just the items he had recently won in the event.


    Shane liked these changes as he could easily find the items he was looking for.


    Anyway, as the aroma of cooking food wafted through the shelter, Shane settled down at the makeshift dining area.


    The light orb they have provided a stable light in the darkness of the night.


    Nheless, there were still flickering torches around the area, casting shadows over the building.


    Around the table sat the diverse group of survivors, that Shane had gathered for a while.


    As they were seated, they started talking to Shane to report a few things and to also get advice from him¡­


    Harper was the first one to speak with a whisper.


    "You know, Shane¡­ I''ve been secretly digging tunnels to expand our shelter as you instructed. But I just found some interesting veins of minerals down there. Might be useful for crafting or trading. I might need other people to help me from now on."


    "Good work, Harper. We''ll need those resources. Keep an eye out for anything unusual. I''ll make an arrangement for the others to help" Shane replied.


    Apparently, the reason Harper wasn''t really focusing on mining their iron mine and mostly staying in the crafting house was because of this.


    Harper had been secretly instructed to create a tunnel as their emergency escape route! This differed from the secret door they had prepared on their wooden wall!


    It wasn''t a secret door but a tunnel that not even many of the residents here knew about!


    Anyway, now that the loyalty of the people living here would increase by 1 point per day, he would no longer have to worry about the prisoners or the super soldiers to suddenly revolt against his rule!


    After noticing that Harper and Shane were already done, the cksmith spoke. This time, he wasn''t whispering, allowing everyone else to hear their conversation.


    "Shane, I''ve been forging weapons and repairing armor. Our defenses are stronger now. But we need more raw materials. As for the items you requested for the Starlight Silver Ore, Abyssal Iron Ore, and Phoenix Copper Ore, I would need a few more days."


    "I understand, Leo. For the raw materials, just salvage what you can from our current resources. I believe that the mining speed or iron ores would increase once those three prisoners got better..." Shane replied.


    He wasn''t in a hurry to obtain the unique items made from those special ores because of the items he had just recently received.


    Anna wasn''t able to meet Shane most of the time since she was always in her smallboratory making potions or growing herbs that they might need.


    Because of that, she decided to inform Shane of something important.


    "Shane, I''ve been treating a lot of minor woundstely. We''re lucky to have some medical supplies left. But we need to find antibiotics soon."


    "Right¡­ Antibiotics... I hope the Survivor Store will have that. For now, if anyone shows symptoms, iste them immediately." Shane replied as he silently hoped that the Strength Enhancement potions in his possession could actually help the sick in case of emergency.


    Anyway, at this time, thest dish was finally served by Alexa¡­


    "Whoa~ This looks delicious!" Gene said after seeing the hot and still-smoking meal being served to them.


    "So we''re having a feast today¡­ I guess Sir Shane obtained a huge haul in the auction he attended." Lucas added.


    "There''s no doubt about it." Mr. Wadsworth added.


    Shane justughed it off as he would soon show them all the items he had obtained. He was sure that everyone would be ecstatic since just the MREs alone had already impressed them.


    Alexa then turned to Shane after she ced thest dish she had prepared for everyone.


    "Shane, I''ve been experimenting with vors. Tonight''s feast includes the MREs you brought, but with my secret spice blend."


    Shane was certainly excited by this as he looked at the meal.


    "Alexa, you''re a culinary genius. Let''s enjoy this rare moment. Everyone, let''s eat!" Shane said to everyone.


    And so, in the flickering of the torches, they ate joyfully--bound by their shared struggle and the hope that they could reim their world from the relentless undead.

 Chapter 146: Announcement

    On the next day, as Shane was prepared to start with his routine by checking the Survivor Store and the Reputation Store, a notification from the Apocalypse System suddenly startled him.


    [ Attention all Survivors! Prepare yourselves for the ultimate test of courage and skill as we announce the impending arrival of the secondZombie Wave! ]


    In just 15 days, a relentless tide of undead horrors will descend upon ournds, threatening to engulf everything in their path. This time, the stakes are higher, the challenges greater, and the rewards more tantalizing than ever before.


    Survivors, mark your calendars and steel your resolve, for you must endure a grueling 12-hour onught of Low-Tier and Mid-Tier Zombies. Your survival instincts will be put to the ultimate test as you navigate through a nightmarishndscape teeming with relentless foes! ]


    "Ahh¡­ It''s finally here¡­" Shane muttered as he continued looking through the notification from the system.


    [ But that''s not all! In a twist of fate, the intensity of theZombie Wavewill now be directly linked to the size of your camp or shelter. Therger your sanctuary, the more formidable the undead horde that wille knocking at your door. It''s a race against time and numbers, where every decision you make could mean the difference between survival and sumbing to the darkness.


    Gather your fellow Survivors, fortify your defenses, and hone your skills to perfection. The fate of ourmunity rests in your hands, and only by standing together can we hope to weather this storm of the undead.


    Prepare yourselves, for the secondZombie Waveapproaches, and only the bravest and most cunning among us will emerge victorious.


    May your aim be true, your wits sharp, and your courage unwavering in the face of this impending apocalypse. Stay vignt, stay united, and may the spirits of the fallen guide us through the darkness that lies ahead. ]


    [ Good luck, Survivors. The countdown to theZombie Wavebegins now! ]


    Within this shelter, it wasn''t just Shane who received this notification. La and Max from yesterday''s invasion had also received simr messages, including the three other Prisoners who were now miners of this camp, Chris, Jake, and Liam.


    They were all surprised at this notification, but they also knew that it was about time for the system to arrange another Zombie Wave.


    ''I need to inform everyone about this¡­'' Shane muttered. He had to do this so everyone would be aware of his ns to protect this camp.


    Soon, the shelter hummed with anticipation as Shane stood before the assembled outside the church.


    The morning light casted a solemn glow on their faces as they were curious why Shane had gathered them.


    Then, Shane cleared his throat, addressing the room.


    "Listen up, everyone," Shane began. "We''ve got fifteen days until the second Zombie Wave hits. We''ve faced worse odds, and we''ll survive this too. But we need to be prepared."


    Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some of them had already experienced the Zombie Wave, but there are still many others who have not.


    Anna exchanged worried nces with Eliot, the engineer. She recently heard from Eliot that they might need three months to fully prepare the estate to a formidable fortress.


    However, it appears that the engineer wouldn''t have enough time at all.


    Harper, on the other hand, clenched his fists as he felt that the secret tunnel must really be made already.


    Shane then pointed the Bio-Barrier Generator that he had activated yesterday. Of course, it was already deactivated since it consumes fuel and the Bulwark Beacon was already active...


    "You''ve probably seen this Bio-Barrier. It will help us protect against toxic gasses in case were attacked by bio-hazards."


    Many of them were interested on this barrier as it helped them stay awake from the Sleeping Gas that the invaders used against them.


    That was definitely a huge weakness on their part, so they were thankful to Shane for bringing such a precious item.


    Then, Shane showed them the methrower¡ªa menacing weapon that elicited both awe and fear. This included the gallons of gas, diesel, and propane¡­


    "Lucas, you know how to use this right? I want you to teach Gene and the others¡­" Shane said, addressing the ex-soldier.


    "Fire is our best friend against the undead. So I want to a few of you to learn how to use this weapon in case necessary. I won''t be using this one."


    Lucas''s eyes gleamed.


    "A real methrower! Awesome! This will make those zombies crispy. With that size, I think that the Super Soldiers should learn this instead."


    "Oh? Then, pick one of them and teach them how to use it. Ahh¡­ Just in case, let the others know how to use it as well¡­ Just general knowledge on how it works will do."


    "Leave it to me!"


    Shane moved on to the Silent Reaper Crossbow.


    "Leo, you need to make a decent holder for this weapon... This crossbow fires bolts dipped in a special toxin. Keep in mind that the next watchtower that Eliot builds will use this weapon and will stay there most of the time."


    Leo nodded, his fingers itching to test the weapon.


    "Alright¡­ I''ll make a good holder for it¡­"


    Then came the Demolitionist''s Grenade Launcher¡ªa hefty piece of hardware. As soon as Shane pulled it out, it actually surprised many of them¡­


    This was definitely a weapon that could change the tide of battle!


    "Lucas¡­" Shane said, handing it over¡­ "You know explosives. Use these wisely¡­ We only have five crates with 20 shells each¡­ That''s a total of 100 shells. It''s not a lot."


    "Yes!"


    Lucas then cradled theuncher like a long-lost lover. "This is beautiful. This must be very expensive!"


    Shane smiled after seeing his reaction. However, he wasn''t over yet!


    Finally, a Machine Gun emerged in front of Shane. Its metallic sheen caught the light, and Lucas''s eyes widened.


    "Leo, Eliot¡­ I need a stronger tform to hold this weapon¡­ Both of you should work together for a special tower or tform that will hold this weapon." Shane instructed before he turned to Lucas¡­


    Shane said¡­ "You will use this too if I''m busy¡­ However, I''ll be the main user of this weapon¡­"


    Lucasughed, gripping the weapon. "I''m in heaven. I will also take care of their maintenance."


    As the survivors examined the new tools, Shane felt a mix of pride and dread.


    These weapons would save lives, but they also weighed heavy with responsibility.


    "Remember," Shane said, "we fight for each other. We fight for survival. And when that Zombie Wave hits, we''ll be ready."


    "Yes!" Everyone answered as they felt that they had to really fortify their estate within these 15 days!


    ***


    After this, he let everyone continue on their task after everyone had their morning breakfast.


    The breakfast was only a vored bar and a hot tea, but everyone was already satisfied with this morning''s rations.


    Shane watched them¡ªthe miner returning to inspect the tunnel, the cksmith going to the smithy, the chef concocting something aromatic.


    The morning''s rations might have been meager, but their determination was boundless.


    At this time, Shane beckoned Anna, the physician, to a corner.


    She followed, wiping her hands on her apron. "What''s up, Shane?"


    He unrolled the Chemist Scroll¡ªa special item he''d acquired in the auction. Its parchment glimmered with ancient symbols, promising untold power.


    "Anna, this scroll holds alchemical secrets¡­"


    Shane said as he showed its full item description. It was more detailed than what he had seen in the auction.


    [ Chemist Skill Scroll:This yellowed parchment bears intricate symbols, each representing alchemical secrets. When activated, the scroll unleashes abilities that defy naturalws. As a chemist, you''ll harness these skills to manipte matter, brew elixirs, and alter reality.


    Activating the scroll will allow you to obtain two Ancient Chemist Skills!


    Alchemy Mastery ( Passive ): Your understanding of chemical reactions transcends textbooks. Alchemical ingredients yield unexpected results, from healing potions to explosive concoctions.


    Elixir Brewmaster ( Passive ): Brew elixirs with mystical properties by only using Rare Grade ingredients. ]


    Anna''s eyes widened after seeing these... "You mean¡ª"


    "Yes," Shane interrupted. "We can create elixirs, poisons, and antidotes with this. But first, we need to activate it."


    Shane said. Although he could learn this as well. He refused to stay in theboratory to make potions or any other craft!


    He''d rather kill zombies to obtain more experience points and obtain more Memory Spheres than rot in theboratory!


    Luckily, he had amazing subjects and Anna was one of them.


    Anna''s fingers trembled as she traced the glyphs. "How do we activate it?"


    Shane leaned closer as he replied.


    "To activate it, you need only open the parchment and drop your blood at its center."


    Anna''s eyes widened. "My blood?"


    "Yes," Shane confirmed. "It''s a pact¡ªa binding of your essence to the scroll. Now, do it."


    Anna hesitated, then sliced her palm with a small knife.


    Blood welled up, and she pressed her hand to the scroll.


    ''That''s too much¡­'' Shane thought but he decided not to tell as the symbols red, absorbing her life force¡­


    And then it happened¡ªthe knowledge flooded her mind. Alchemical equations, elixir recipes, and secrets whispered by forgotten alchemists!

 Chapter 147: Recruitment

    Anna staggered, overwhelmed by the flow of information that went through her brain in a few seconds.


    "Anna¡­" Shane said while steadying her¡­


    "Are you alright?" He asked as holds her shoulders.


    Anna blinked a few times as if to confirm where she was before nodding at Shane...


    "I''m fine¡­ You''re right. I really learned Alchemy Mastery and Elixir Brewmaster Skills. It feels incredible, I feel as if I''ve learned it for about a decade."


    After this matter was settled, Shane allowed Anna to explore her new skills and left the ce.


    Shane settled into the quiet nook outside the manor. Soon, the digital glow of the Survivor Store illuminated his face.


    He finally browsed through the new listings of the Store.


    [ Reinforced Barricade (Rare): A sturdy barricade reinforced with steel rods and carbon fiber mesh. It can be deployed quickly to fortify any entrance or window, providing a robust defense against the undead hordes.


    Price: 30 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3/3 ]


    [ Healing Salve (Common): A jar of thick, green paste made from a blend of medicinal herbs and zombie marrow. When applied to wounds, it elerates healing and reduces the risk of infection.


    Price: 5 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 10/10 ]


    [ Night Vision Goggles (Umon): These goggles use advanced optics to amplify low light, turning night into day. Ideal for scouting missions or night watches, they ensure you''re never caught off guard in the dark.


    Price: 15 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ Zombie Lure (Common):


    Description: A small, throwable device that emits a sound frequency and scent that''s irresistible to zombies. Use it to distract and divert zombie swarms away from your location.


    Price: 3 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 20/20 ]


    [ Random Mutant Vegetable Seeds (Rare): A total of 50 Seeds from vegetables that have adapted to the new world. They grow quickly and are unusually nutritious.


    Price: 20 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ Radiation-Resistant Gloves (Umon): Gloves made from a material that resists radioactive contamination. Essential for handling hazardous materials.


    Price: 75 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2/2 ]


    Without hesitation, Shane purchased all the Healing Salve and spent a total of 50 Zombie Cores. He also wanted to purchase all the Random Mutant Vegetable Seeds, but that would be 200 Zombies Cores, and he doesn''t have enough Zombie Cores for that.


    Of course, the gloves, goggles, and the barricade also seemed useful and he wanted to take them all!


    "I have to get more Zombie Cores today¡­" Shane muttered as he had the whole day to hunt zombies! He needed to hunt hundreds of Zombies and obtain their cores before the duration ended or the items in the Store would refresh!


    Then, Shane checked the two items that would be avable for seven days.


    The previous ones had given him the Serrated Reaper de that Gene uses now and the Electric Shock de that he uses now. He was looking forward to see what kind of item he''ll get this time.


    [ Tactical Combat Drone ( Master ):


    Description: An autonomous drone equipped with a camera and a small-caliber gun. It can scout ahead, provide real-time surveince, and offer support during skirmishes.


    Price: 250 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    [ Mystic Amulet ( Epic ):


    Description: An ancient amulet that vibrates with arcane energy. It enhances the wearer''s natural abilities, providing a boost to physical strength, agility, and mental acuity.


    Price: 1,000 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    "What?" Shane''s eyes lit up as he saw the items being sold. This was the first time he had seen an Epic Item in the store!


    However, the price was simply too high!


    He wasn''t sure if he could kill a thousand zombies within seven days to obtain this amulet!


    "We can''t just stay here¡­" Shane muttered as he knew that he had to explore other areas if he wanted to gather this many Zombie Cores. He couldn''t wait for the Zombie Wave to arrive since that would be toote!


    Although there wasn''t any specific information about the boost that he would receive in his stats, he didn''t mind it at all! Since it was an Epic item, he wouldn''t be surprised if he got an increase of about 50 points or even more!


    Nheless, Shane had to build a team that would follow him outside the shelter. With the Grenade Launcher, methrower, Barriers, and others that were protecting the estate, he was confident enough that even if a Giant Zombie somehow attacked this ce, they would still stand victorious even without his presence.


    ''It''s time to use my Recruitment Stones¡­'' Shane muttered.


    Shane stood in the clearing, the weight of the pouch in his hand grounding him to the moment.


    The pouch was obviously from the Administrator, whom he had just recently met.


    The five stones within the pouch pulsed with a deep red glow, like the heartbeat of the forest itself. With a deep breath, Shane released the sp and poured the stones onto the palm of his hand.


    They were warm, almost hot, and they vibrated with unknown energy that Shane could feel resonating through his bones.


    [ Elf Recruitment Stone. ]


    [ Hint: The Elf Recruitment Stone is a single-use item that a Survivor can trigger in order to recruit a loyal Elf. They could be warrior, craftsman, mage, or ranger ]


    [ Do you want to activate the Elf Recruitment Stone? ]


    He closed his eyes and focused, feeling the connection between the stones and the energy it was emitting before he answered.


    "Yes¡­"


    As he triggered them simultaneously, a profound silence enveloped the clearing. The air shimmered, and the ground beneath him thrummed with energy.


    Crack¡­ Crack¡­ Crack¡­


    The recruitment waspletely different from what he knew. It wasn''t the Gray Fog at all!


    Instead, a massive oak tree at the edge of the clearing appeared from the ground and began to twist and groan, itsrgest branch unfurling like the hand of a giant.


    Leaves rustled and the branch split open, revealing a portal aglow with ethereal light.


    From within the luminous fissure, five figures stepped forth¡ªone after the other, their boots making no sound upon the fallen leaves!

 Chapter 148: Epic

    Shane then saw the mysterious gray fog outside the estate as if it was trying to wee or perhaps protest on the massive tree that had suddenly appeared in the estate!


    However, the mysterious gray fog could only move around the estate and failed to do anything!


    As the branch of the ancient tree unfurled, a portal of light split the air, and from it stepped five figures with distinct features.


    The morning sun caught their silhouettes, casting long, slender shadows upon the ground where Shane stood, waiting.


    The first figure was tall and lithe, with hair-like strands of silver woven into the light. His eyes, deep and blue as the clearest sky as Shane noticed him surveying the new world with a mix of curiosity and readiness.


    As a matter of fact, none of the elves seemed too surprised with their situation and were calmy observing the ce where they had arrived.


    Anyway, the elven man in front had a longbow carved from a precious and strung with a string that shimmered like silver string. It rested against his shoulder, while a quiver adorned with red feathers phoenix hung at his side.


    He saw Shane in front and smiled at him. Then, they all approached Shane.


    Shane stepped forward, his voice carrying the weight of his leadership. "I am Shane, your lord in this newnd. What names do you bear?" He asked.


    The man with silver hair replied.


    "Eldrin, at your service¡­" The first elf bowed slightly, his voice was deep and he seemed to be genuinely d to serve Shane.


    ''He must be a ranger then¡­'' Shane mused as he looked at Eldrin''s bow and quiver.


    "Thalion¡­" The second nodded, his gaze still surveying thend.


    Thalion was definitely a warrior with dark green hair braided with a vibrant-colored leaf. He had a short sword on his side and held it with his right hand, ready to withdraw it at any time.


    His gaze was sharp, missing nothing, as he assessed their surroundings with a strategic eye.


    Nheless, Thalion still had a short bow with him that was iid with patterns of falling leaves, and his quiver was filled with arrows.


    Following him was an elf whose presence was as serene as the forest''s whisper.


    "I''m Aranion, Lord Shane¡­" The third said, with a respectful incline of his head.


    His hair was a cascade of darkness, flowing freely down his back. Shane wasn''t sure, but it felt like this elf was the oldest of them all.


    His eyes felt as if he held the wisdom of the ages, calm and fathomless.


    His sword was pure ck, as if it was made of wood! It was unadorned yet threatening¡­


    "Far¡­ My lord, I think that you have an amazing camp here¡­" The fourth grinned as he looked in the direction where the Super Soldiers are¡­


    From his unkempt clothes, he seemed to bore the wildness of the untamed woods. His hair was like a tangle of branches and brambles. Nheless, his eyes were vibrant green, alive with the spirit of nature.


    His bow was gnarled and twisted, as if grown rather than made, and his quiver was a collection of various furs, each arrow fletched with the feather of a different bird.


    ''Two rangers and two warriors, huh¡­ Am I not that lucky? Why didn''t I get a mage?'' Shane mused as he turned his attention to thest elf.


    "You can call me Cirdan, lord Shane." Thest one acknowledged with a calm nod.


    His hair was like the first frost of winter, and his eyes were the grey of a stormy sea.


    His bow seemed to be made with ice crystal, while his quiver was a sleek silver that reflected the light of dawn.


    ''And the third ranger is here¡­'' Shane could only smile as he epted the group of elves.


    He didn''t get a craftsman or a mage, as it seemed.


    Shane nodded, acknowledging each in turn.


    "Wee, my elven kin. I would like to see your skills soon¡­ I''m nning to hunt zombies today and you guys will be joining me. However, just stay here for a while, look around the area, and get used to this new ce for a bit. Also, follow that old man if you want to have your rations for the day." Shane said as he pointed at Mr. Wadsworth, who had been watching Shane from the start.


    "I will give you 30 minutes to do anything you want¡­" Shane said as the others thanked him and followed the butler.


    Actually, the others also stopped what they were doing when the oak tree just suddenly appeared within the estate.


    They immediately tried to see what was going on, but when they realized that Shane was just summoning new members of theirmunity, most of them returned to their work, knowing that these guys would be introduced to themter on.


    ***


    Once again, Shane was left alone in the clearing¡­ He stayed here as his recruitment wasn''t finished yet!


    This time, Shane''s fingers closed around the Epic Recruitment Stone. Its surface was cool and pulsating with a strange energy that made him rx.


    ''Can I just make this stone a ne? This is really rxing.'' Shane thought for a moment but he quickly shook his head.


    He needed excellent people to serve me, and this stone would give him that. He couldn''t waste this chance and just satisfy his unimportant desire.


    With a breath that seemed to draw in the essence of the surrounding woods, Shane activated the stone.


    [ Do you want to activate the Epic Recruitment Stone? ]


    "Yes¡­"


    In an instant, the stone crumbled to dust, scattering to the winds as a thick, gray fog rolled in from the edges of the estate¡­


    It swirled and churned like a tempest was contained from its depths¡­ Then, a figure began to take shape at the entrance of the estate.


    The fog then slowly retreated as if it was respectfully making way as the figure stepped forward.


    Shane''s eyes widened as he saw the figure¡­


    ''Buddha? No, a monk?''

 Chapter 149: The Monk and the Hero

    "That''s definitely a monk¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the muscr figure of a man who was wearing a familiar robe with an earthly gold color.


    Shane could tell that the man was definitely a man, but there was an aura about him that spoke of more than mere mortality.


    ''Awesome¡­'' Shane couldn''t help but praise the Monk and thank the Epic Recruitment Stone.


    His presence was like a stillke, deep and calm, yet hinting at fathomless depths beneath.


    The other people in the estate had also noticed themotion. This was especially true for Gene, who was currently at the watchtower near the estate''s entrance gate.


    Gene had seen a monk before, so he was able to tell that this figure wasn''t a zombie with a bad sense of clothing.


    The fabric was like a muted gold that caught the light with every movement. His head was shaved, and his skin bore the weathered tan of one who had known the sun and wind.


    His eyes, when they opened, were a startling amber, glowing with an inner fire that spoke of discipline and ancient knowledge.


    Around his neck hung a simple wooden amulet, etched with symbols that none of them could understand. His hands, resting lightly at his sides, were calloused, the hands of a man who had known bothbor and the weight of a staff in battle.


    Indeed. The huge Monk had a long wooden staff resting on his shoulders as he looked around.


    As the fog dissipated, leaving the air clearer than before, the Monk bowed deeply to Shane, his movements fluid and full of grace.


    At this time, the gate was already opened by one of the Super Soldiers.


    "I am known simply as the Chaloem¡­ From where I came from, it means that apex." He said, his voice reverberated, and it seemed to carry the timbre of wind through mountain passes.


    "I havee to serve you, my lord, to offer my strength, my wisdom, and my staff in the trials toe¡­"


    ''It seems he knows about the Zombies and stuff¡­ He doesn''t looked confused. I guess he learned more things from the Gray Fog.'' Shane thought to himself.


    Then he stepped forward, extending a hand in greeting.


    "Wee, Chaloem. Your arrival is fortuitous. We stand on the brink of darkness, and your light will help us end this..." Shane said as he felt that the Monk''s arrival was truly perfect in their current situation.


    The Monk¡ªChaloem¡ªsped Shane''s hand, his grip firm and sure.


    "I will do my best to aid you¡­ However, you also need to know my capabilities so you can properly use me in appropriate situations." Chaloem said as he showed his skills to Shane.


    Of course, Shane didn''t reject that as he viewed the Monk''s skills.


    [ Martial Arts Mastery Lv10 ( Max ): A core skill that empowers the Monk with unparalleled expertise in martial arts, honing theirbat techniques and physical prowess. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% damage dealt in hand-to-handbat


    +40% chance to perform critical strikes with unarmed attacks


    +40% speed of executing martial arts techniques ]


    [ Zen Meditation Lv10 ( Max ): A spiritual skill that allows the Monk to achieve inner peace and focus, enhancing mental rity and resilience in the face of adversity. It grants the following benefits:


    +30% resistance to mental attacks and status effects


    +30% chance to enter a state of heightened awareness, boosting reaction speed


    +30% duration of beneficial buffs and effects ]


    [ Acrobatic Evasion Lv10 ( Max ): A nimble skill that enables the Monk to evade attacks with grace and agility, moving swiftly to avoid harm and outmaneuver opponents. It grants the following benefits:


    +50% chance to dodge iing attacks


    +50% movement speed during evasive maneuvers


    +50% effectiveness of defensive abilities inbat ]


    [ Ki Channeling Lv10 ( Max ): A mystical skill that allows the Monk to harness their inner energy, channeling it into powerful strikes and defensive maneuvers. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% damage dealt with ki-infused attacks


    +40% chance to disrupt enemy abilities with ki strikes


    +40% speed of regenerating ki energy for special techniques ]


    [ Healing Hands Lv10 ( Max ): Apassionate skill that imbues the Monk with the ability to heal wounds and restore vitality to themselves and others. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% effectiveness of healing abilities and recovery techniques


    +40% chance to cleanse poisons and ailments from allies


    +40% speed of administering healing techniques inbat ]


    "Incredible skills, Chaloem!" Shane was certainly satisfied seeing the five skills of the Monk! It was definitely incredible, and he knew that he deserved to be recruited by an Epic-Grade Recruitment Stone!


    ''This Ki Channeling is probably the one that made him so precious.'' Shane thought to himself since Ki was basically some form of energy that not anyone could have.


    "Alright. I''m almost done¡­"


    Shane then informed Chaloem, the monk, to stand beside him before he decided to pull out his finest Recruitment Stone.


    Yes, he wasn''t done recruiting yet!


    This time, he used the Hero Recruitment Stone that he purchased for 5,500 Points in the Auction!


    Shane''s fingers closed around the Hero Recruitment Stone, a small, unassuming gem that fits neatly in his palm.


    The blue stone, simr to other recruitment stones, pulsated with mystical power. However, unlike the Elf Recruitment Stone, which had glowed with ethereal light, this one seemed to absorb the very essence of the world around it.


    [ Hero Recruitment Stone. ]


    [ Hint: The Hero Recruitment Stone is a single-use item that a Survivor can trigger in order to recruit a Heroic Being. This hero will possess abilities that transcend the ordinary, a beacon of hope in the darkest times. ]


    [ Do you want to activate the Hero Recruitment Stone? ]


    "Yes¡­"


    As Shane activated the stone, the surrounding temperature dropped, and the estate seemed to be covered by a dark cloud.


    However, it was actually the familiar Gray Fog that swirled and thickened until it blotted out the sun!


    The ground trembled, and the leaves rustled in the sheer power brought by the fog!


    And then, from the heart of the mist, a figure emerged!

 Chapter 150: The Hero

    The figure stepped forward, and the fog clung to him like a shroud as if it was reluctant to release its prize!


    This was the first time Shane had seen this Gray Fog act, and it surely made him curious about it.


    However, his eyes were now focused on the Hero he had just recruited.


    Without a doubt, the man''s presence wasmanding. His every movement seemed so authoritative!


    "A hero indeed¡­" Shane muttered to himself as he saw the figure that the Gray Fog had spat out.


    The warrior wore no armor, but the air around him seemed to ripple with unseen force. Well, it was probably the effect of the Gray Fog, but his eyes were sharp as he scanned the clearing. It was as if he was assessing friend and foe alike.


    His long ck hair was tied in a tight ponytail, revealing a face etched with battle scars. His jaw was chiseled, his cheekbones high, and his lips set in a firm line.


    His skin bore the sun-kissed hue of a man who had spent years under open skies, and his arms were corded with muscle, a testament to countless fights he had won.


    He wore no cloak or robe; instead, his clothing was practical and battle-worn. A tunic of dark leather hugged his torso, its edges frayed from sword strikes.


    His trousers were tucked into knee-high boots, the leather scuffed and stained. Twin des, their hilts adorned with runes, rested across his back, their edges honed to perfection.


    Around his neck hung a pendant¡ªa single, crimson gem that glowed with an inner fire. It pulsed in time with his heartbeat, and Shane knew instinctively that this was no ordinary warrior¡­ He was definitely a warlord!


    This was a man who had probably carved his name into the annals of history, whose very presence shifted the bnce of power.


    The warlord''s eyes then shifted from the Super Soldier and locked onto Shane, and he inclined his head, acknowledging his new Lord.


    His voice, when he spoke, was a low rumble, like distant thunder.


    "I am called Shinja, the Stormde," he said. "I pledge my sword to your cause, my lord¡­"


    Shinja smiled brightly as he finally stepped into the world once again. To be honest, he didn''t care who would summon him as long as he could get out of the Gray Fog.


    He didn''t mind whoever he would have to swear his loyalty to as long as he could finally wield his weapon once again.


    He didn''t know how long had passed, but he could still vividly remember how he got into this situation.


    ***


    From the distant past, as the sun hung low on the horizon, it cast long shadows across the battlefield.


    The air was filled with the scent of blood.


    Shinja, warlord of the Ouroboros n, stood at the forefront.


    His twin des were ready to im lives as they were now being held by the strongest warlord of this era. Around him were his warriors, who were also as ferocious as him. They were outnumbered but unyielding in front of the enemies.


    The Azalea n, their rival, had been a thorn in their side for years¡ªraiders, marauders, and conquerors.


    Their warlord, a man known as Kurogane, was a master tactician, and his thousand-strong army had swept through thend like a wildfire. But today, the tide would turn.


    Today, the Ouroboros would rise.


    Shinja''s des were no ordinary weapons. Forged in the heart of a volcano, they bore the venom of a hundred deadly creatures. One nick, one scratch, and the poison would seep into the veins, paralyzing the victim before iming their life. Shinja had trained for years to wield them, mastering the art of silent death.


    Soon, the battle started¡ªthe battlefield was filled with screams, shing steel, and the thud of bodies hitting the earth.


    Shinja danced through the chaos, his des weaving arcs of death. He cut down Azalea warriors left and right, their armor no match for his poisoned steel.


    Blood sprayed, and the ground turned crimson.


    His warriors fought valiantly. They weren''t normally used to a field battle since most were hunters and more ustomed to jungle warfare¡ªbut their loyalty to the Ouroboros n could not be doubted.


    Shinja''s lieutenant, Utara, a woman with eyes like embers, led a charge against the Azalea''s nk. Her spear was a blur, and her battle cry echoed across the field.


    This move was his n, and because of it, the tide shifted!


    The Azalea warriors faltered, their lines breaking.


    Shinja spotted Kurogane, the warlord, atop a hill, rallying his troops. His armor gleamed, and his sword was a de of midnight.


    Shinja''s blood surged. The victory was within reach.


    He sprinted toward Kurogane, des shing.


    "Die!"


    The warlord turned, eyes widening as he saw the venomous steel. Their swords met, and sparks flew. Kurogane was skilled, but Shinja was faster and deadlier!


    He feinted left, then spun right, slicing through Kurogane''s armor.


    The warlord staggered, blood pouring from the wound. Shinja raised his des for the final strike. Victory was¡ª


    A scream cut through the chaos. Shinja''s lieutenant, Kaida, lunged at him from behind. Her eyes were wild, her de aimed at his back. Betrayal!


    Shinja twisted, parrying her strike. However, another de pierced his chest!


    "Kaida! Why?" Shinja asked, fully confused about the situation.


    However, Kaida''s eyes held madness. "Power, Shinja! The Azalea n promised me power!"


    Their des shed, and Shinja''s strength waned.


    The poison was taking hold. He stumbled, vision blurring.


    Kaida pressed her advantage, her de inching toward his heart.


    And then, the gray fog descended.


    Shinja''s world blurred, and he felt himself falling.


    The pain vanished, reced by strange weightlessness. He glimpsed Kurogane, still bleeding, still fighting for his life¡­ Then, he also noticed that Kurogane was being covered by the Gray Fog!


    Then darkness imed him.


    When Shinja awoke, he was no longer on the battlefield. The gray fog enveloped him, whispering secrets.


    He knew not how much time had passed, but the fog, or perhaps the Lord of the Realms, spoke of zombies, foreign survivors, and a world forever changed.


    Now, as he approached his new Lord, he couldn''t help but touch the scar on his chest.


    For some reason, he felt that he would still meet his old foe and the woman who had betrayed him...

 Chapter 151: Unknown

    As Shinja¡ªthe Stormde¡ªintroduced himself, Shane couldn''t help but smile as he felt that the name really suited the Warlord in front of him.


    Indeed, he could easily tell that he had summoned a warlord, a man who had carved his name in blood and fire.


    Shane extended his hand, and their grip was firm.


    "I am Shane," he said, "the lord of this shelter. And this is Chaloem, our monk. He had just arrived a few moments ago before you."


    Chaloem stepped forward, his eyes curious yet respectful.


    Shane actually felt d at the two''s presence.


    The monk''s presence was calming, a counterbnce to the storm that Shinja represented.


    It felt like a yin and yang that he had read before.


    Shinja sped Shane''s hand, the calluses on his palm telling tales of countless battles. "It''s my honor to serve you, Lord Shane¡­" he dered before he looked at the monk and gave him a nod.


    Chaloem bowed slightly.


    "A pleasure to meet you, Shinja."


    Of course, Shane didn''t forget to ask about the man''s skills.


    "Yes¡­ There''s quite a lot of them. However, only six skills have reached their peak." Shinja said, surprising Shane for a moment.


    "Alright, let me see those skills¡­" Shane replied.


    [ Warlord''s BloodlustLv10 ( Max): A fierce skill that taps into the Warlord''s primal rage, granting increased strength and ferocity inbat, inspiring fear in enemies and boosting morale in allies. It grants the following benefits:


    +30% damage dealt and critical hit chance while under the effects of bloodlust


    +30% chance to intimidate and weaken foes with the Warlord''s menacing presence


    +30% duration of bloodlust effects, fueling the Warlord''s relentless assault ]


    [ Dual de Mastery Lv10 ( Max): A fundamental skill that showcases the Warlord''s expertise in wielding two des simultaneously, unleashing swift and deadly strikes. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% damage dealt with dual de attacks


    +40% chance to strike multiple enemies with each swing


    +40% speed of executing dual de techniques ]


    [ de Storm Technique Lv10 ( Max): An aggressive skill that enables the Warlord to unleash a whirlwind of des, striking fear into enemies and causing chaos on the battlefield. It grants the following benefits:


    +50% area of effect damage with de storm attacks


    +50% chance to inflict bleeding or crippling effects on foes


    +50% speed of executing de storm maneuvers ]


    [ de Dancer Stance Lv10 ( Max): A fluid skill that allows the oerson to adopt a graceful and deadly stance,bining agility and precision to outmaneuver opponents inbat. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% evasion and mobility in de Dancer stance


    +40% chance to counter enemy attacks with swift de maneuvers


    +40% speed of transitioning between offensive and defensive stances ]


    [ Toxicology Expertise Lv10 ( Max): A skill that enhances the person''s knowledge of poisons, allowing them to identify, create, and modify toxic substances with precision and efficiency. It grants the following benefits:


    +50% effectiveness in crafting potent poisons and antidotes


    +50% chance to discover rare and exotic poison ingredients


    +50% speed of concocting deadly toxins and enhancing existing poisons ]


    [ Poison Veins Lv10 ( Max): This skill improves a person''s physiology, where their veins run thick with natural defenses against poisons. It grants the following benefits:


    Complete immunity tomon poisons and toxins


    +50% resistance to rare and powerful poisons


    Ability to self-cleanse and purge poisons from the bloodstream. ]


    "You''re a poison expert?" Shane asked as he didn''t expect that this person who seemed to only know how to use his de actually possessed an incredible skill!


    "Yes¡­ I''m also studying herbal medicines, and I have a few skills rted to them, but they''re only at lower levels, so there''s nothing to be concerned about." Shinja said as if having a body that was immune to poison wasn''t too much at all.


    Anyway, Shane asked a few more questions to the ''Hero'' that he had summoned, and because of this, he realized that the Gray Fog or even the Lord of the Realm seemed to favor people like Shinja¡­


    They actually received more guidance than the others! They know more about the Foreign Survivors, the situation of the Continent, and the Zombies!


    This was the case even though Shinja was from a different generation!


    Shane couldn''t help but feel d to have Shinja around. This man knew about some Zombies that he hadn''t even met yet.


    Anyway, after some time, the five elves arrived after Mr. Wadsworth briefed them of the situation.


    Eldrin, Thalion, Aranion, Far, and C¨ªrdan¡ªeach with eyes that held centuries of wisdom bowed at Shane as they acknowledged him as their lord.


    They didn''t seem to care about the monk and the Warlord, and as a matter of fact, these two were the most curious about these non-human beings!


    However, since Shane was present, they decided not to ask questions and remained silent.


    Anyway, they would soon know about these long-eared people that were serving their lord.


    And so, the Warlord, the monk, and the five elven warriors, together with Shane, left the estate.


    Well, he nned to explore past the trees, where he previously killed a Giant Zombie.


    He believed that he would be safe right now with the help of his summons.


    Soon, Gene watched the group leave the estate with a calm heart. Because of the weapons they received from Shanest night, none of them mind, even if he leaves this ce for several days at all!


    As long as they had water and food, they believed that this estate wouldst for a very long time!


    Soon, the group entered the mysterious forest where the Giant Zombie was previously lurking¡­


    As they entered this forest, its ancient trees seemed to start closing behind Shane and hispanions.


    However, with Shane''s Map Feature and Cloud''s detection, there was no way for them to get lost in this forest.


    Lastly, the five elves were actuallyfortable in this forest!


    This time, before Shane could even be warned by Cloud, the Eldrin, the leader of elves, warned him¡­


    "I can smell rotten flesh¡­ Zombies. There are two of them..."


    Shane smiled after hearing this, but Cloud''s warning made him frown.


    [ Scanning the surroundings... ] [ Scanplete. ]


    [ Two Unknown Zombies detected. ]

 Chapter 152: Forest Elves

    [ Two Unknown Zombies detected. ]


    "Unknown Zombies?" Shane frowned as he surveyed the area where Cloud detected the zombies. Unfortunately, several trees were still blocking his view, so he had no idea about the appearance of this zombie.


    Shane took a deep breath as he adjusted the straps of his Army Set. The weight of the gear wasforting, and he felt safer with this Tier 4 item since it really feelsfortable wearing thispared to the Crawler Set.


    Anyway, Shinja walked beside him, silent and watchful, his twin des glinting in the dappled sunlight. He wasn''t worried about the zombies detected by the elves at all.


    It was the same for Chaloem, the monk, who held his staff while tapping the ground rhythmically. They seemed unbothered by the two Zombies, as if they were waiting for something even stronger!


    Shane then nced at the five elves who were scattered around. They moved either through the branches of the trees or silently on the ground. Their bows were at the ready, and they waited for his instructions.


    After a few moments, Shane made his decision.


    "Eldrin and the other four¡­" Shanemanded, "if you can tell their location, surround those two unknown zombies. Try to attack these creatures from a distance. If they rush you, Thalion and Aranion will engage."


    The elves¡ªEldrin, Far, Cirdan, Thalion, and Aranion¡ªnodded, their expressions were solemn as this would be their first battle in this new world.


    Whoosh~ Whoosh~


    They spread out, and their movements were swift while they surrounded the two Zombies. Soon, they found a better angle to shoot these zombies from a distance.


    During this time, Shane, Shinja, and Chaloem followed them, but they didn''t get too near to avoid being sensed by the unknown zombies. They nned to let the Elves take care of this.


    Shane also wanted to see them in action, so he decided not to draw his guns at the moment.


    Soon, Eldrin, the one Shane assigned as the leader, signaled to the others, and they positioned themselves in a semi-circle while the others'' bows were drawn.


    And then, they saw them¡ªthe two seemingly powerful Zombies as huge and as muscr as the monk, Chaloem!


    Indeed! They have arge frame, and their skin seems to have been forged from dark steel.


    Their eyes glowed with malevolence, and their seemed to be guarding this particr area with the way they behave¡­


    Shane could tell that these were no ordinary undead; they were mostly likely variants of Survivor Zombies if Shane would guess¡­


    ''No¡­ Wait¡­ I think I know what they are.'' Shane''s eyes widened as he saw the zombie.


    "Tyrant Zombie!" Shane said in a muffled voice after recognizing them. It was thanks to the descriptions he read from the chat board!


    Nheless, the name or type of zombie wasn''t important to the others.


    The elves'' arrows were nocked, ready to eliminate the two zombies¡­


    Shane''s gaze locked onto the creatures.


    Tyrant Zombies¡ªthis very name would probably send shivers down his spine during the early days of the apocalypse.


    However, he was now feeling excited to hunt them.


    These Tyrant Zombies were probably considered to be the apex of the mid-tier Zombies, or perhaps it was already a high-tier Zombie.


    Soon, the battle erupted.


    Twang!


    Eldrin''s arrow flew first, striking one Tyrant in the chest. It didn''t pierce through its body, showing how tough this creature was¡­


    Far''s arrow followed, hitting the other in the shoulder¡­ This time, Far''s arrow shattered upon impact, and it made the Tyrant Zombie stumble¡­


    Nheless, Cirdan''s shot was precise, aiming for the head.


    Thud!


    However, it was once again ineffective against the Tyrant Zombies! They only managed to scratch the zombies!


    ''I have to give them Master-Grade weapons soon¡­'' Shane thought to himself as he knew that their weapons weren''t really that bad.


    The problem was that these Tyrant Zombies were too special!


    If those arrows hit the Spitter Zombies or Crypt Crawler Zombies, they would surely pierce through their bodies!


    Anyway, the two Tyrant Zombies didn''t like that the attack and immediately found the perpetrator!


    With a guttural roar, they rushed to the Elve''s spots!


    This time, Thalion and Aranion stepped forward, their swords unsheathed, ready to engage.


    Twang! Twang! Twang!


    The other elves didn''t stop firing arrows to slow down the two Tyrant Zombies!


    The Tyrants continued to roar, their dark steel bodies absorbing the arrows!


    They charged, their fists like wrecking balls as they crushed the stones and trees blocking their path!


    Eldrin and Far moved away while firing more shots.


    Finally, Cirdan''s arrow lodged in one Tyrant''s eye, but it kepting!


    ''So tough¡­ But it''s not like they could feel the pain¡­'' Shane thought as he wasn''t sure if these zombies could actually feel pain. However, they seemed to not care about their injuries at all!


    Boom!


    Thalion and Aranion met the two Tyrant Zombies, their des shing against the zombies'' unyielding flesh.


    It felt as if the forest trembled. The elves fought with a desperate grace, their movements synchronized. Shane watched, awe and fear warring within him. These were no ordinary zombies; they were nightmares given form.


    And so, the battle raged¡ªthe five elves against the two Tyrant Zombies.


    Arrows flew, swords shed, and the forest bore witness to their struggle.


    Shane could see that they were struggling, but he was not worried at all¡­ After all, he knew that the elves hadn''t used their Skills yet!


    As expected, as soon as they were in a pinch, Shane saw them use one of their abilities!


    Forest Guardian''s Wrath!


    The forest seemed to respond to the elves'' plight.


    Leaves rustled, branches swayed, and the very earth trembled as soon as this Skill was activated!


    Eldrin, Far, Cirdan, Thalion, and Aranion stood their ground as they felt their power and strength getting stronger!


    They were not just warriors; they were guardians of the ancient woods.


    As the Skill fully activated, the surrounding was filled with primal energy.


    The elves'' eyes glowed, reflecting the hues of the forest itself.


    Then, their arrows became like lightning and their swords like tempered fire!


    The real battle between the elves and the Tyrant Zombies starts now!

 Chapter 153: Treasure

    "Ohhh¡­ As expected of the elves." Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing these elves activating one of their finest skills.


    He somehow recalled from the memories he had absorbed yesterday that these elves were indeed incredible warriors who wouldn''t die easily, especially once they were in the forest.


    Then, with the power of theForest Guardian''s Wrathpulsating through their veins, the five elvesunched into an intense battle against the beefyTyrant Zombies.


    Eldrin''s arrows streaked through the air like guided lightning bolts, finding their marks with unerring uracy.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    This time, the arrows managed to pierce through the Zombie''s tough skin by about 2 inches deep! It was already a great achievement!


    Far''s short de, his secondary weapon, shed with precision, striking urately and leaving scorch marks on the zombies'' dark steel-like skin.


    Shane could really tell that the Forest Guardian''s Wrath was working effectively!


    In the meantime, Cirdan''s keen eyes locked onto weaknesses in the zombies'' defenses, exploiting every opportunity to inflict damage.He targeted their joints hoping to control its movement!


    After all, even if the Tyrant Zombie could not be killed easily, as long as they managed to make it stop moving, they would be able to easily win!


    Whoosh~


    This time, ThalionandAranionmoved in perfect harmony, with their swords moving like blur as they targeted the zombies'' heads, aiming to destroy their brains!


    Graaaghh!


    However, the Tyrant Zombies'' skull seemed to be tougher than steel!


    nk! nk!


    Their swords managed to cut their flesh but were stuck in their skulls!


    ''Just how strong was Raze''s dragon¡­'' Shane mused as he saw what had just happened.


    Raze was the first one to kill the Tyrant Zombie, who was hiding somewhere in the sewers. Although it took Raze several days to kill this Zombie, that was still impressive for a Survivor who wasn''t even level 10 at that time.


    Shane could only think that it was all thanks to the baby dragon that she had.


    ng! ng!


    After a while, the forest echoed with the sh of steel, and the guttural roars of theTyrant Zombiesas they faced the wrath of the empowered elves.


    As the battle raged on, the elves'' movements became a mesmerizing dance of death in Shane''s eyes¡­


    ''Ahh¡­ So that Forest Guardian''s Wrath, is not over yet?'' Shane thought as he realized that the empowerment from their skill was actually getting stronger and stronger!


    After more than five minutes, the elves became several times stronger!


    Their enhanced abilities allowed them to outmaneuver theTyrant Zombies, utilizing the forest''s energy to bolster their attacks and defenses.


    The Tyrants, once seemingly invincible, now found themselves outmatched by the sheer power and skill of the elves.


    Despite their monstrous strength, theTyrant Zombiesfaltered under the relentless assault of theForestGuardians.


    With each strike, the elves chipped away at the zombies'' formidable facade, exploiting every opening and weakness with precision and finesse. The Zombie''s bones may be harder than steel but the elves could slowly wear the zombies out!


    Soon, the elves hadpletely controlled the movement of the zombies!


    Finally, with a resounding sh of des and a final, zing arrow from Eldrin, theTyrant Zombiesfell¡­


    Thud!


    The two Zombies finally fell at the same time.


    At this time, Eldrin and Far, who made the final hit, received the notification from the Apocalypse System.


    [ You have eliminated a Tyrant Zombie. ]


    p! p! p!


    "You have all done well¡­"


    Shane then emerged from behind the trees and apuded the five elves for killing the strong Zombie.


    Shinja and Chaloem followed behind him. Shinja seemed unimpressed, but the monk also praised the elves by saying prayers to them.


    Eldrin and Far then reported to Shane that the Zombie was indeed a Tyrant Zombie.


    The next scene was, of course, something that Shane would always do¡­


    He wasted no time as he looted the fallen Tyrant Zombies, acquiring a variety of valuable items and resources that could prove crucial in their survival. This time, however, he used his Loot Keeper''s Timepiece that he could use once a day!


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 55 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Cores, 2 Bread, 100mL Tyrant Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Corrupted Hearthstone ] x5


    [ You have earned 55 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Cores, 2 Bread, 100mL Tyrant Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Corrupted Hearthstone ]


    "Hearthstone?" Shane muttered as he wasn''t sure what it was. This was the first time he had seen such an item. Then, Shane checked it out in his inventory to confirm its item description.


    [ Corrupted Hearthstone: A pulsating crystal infused with corrupted energy, said to be the heartstone of a fallen Tyrant Zombie. This ominous artifact exudes an aura of malevolence and decay, capable of corrupting the life force of those whoe into contact with it. It can be used for crafting mystical objects. ]


    "I guess we need someone who can really craft in the shelter soon¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the hearthstone¡­


    He didn''t dwell on it too much as he looked around the area.


    Indeed, after securing the spoils from the fallen Tyrant Zombies,Shane''s curiosity led him to investigate the area further, determined to uncover the mystery behind the presence of the formidable undead in that secluded spot.


    Perhaps it was his intuition but he believed that those Tyrant Zombies wouldn''t stay here without any reason.


    Soon, his keen eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any clues that might shed light on the puzzling situation.


    "Help me look for something unusual¡­"


    AsShanedelved deeper into his exploration, he enlisted the help of hispanions to scour the area for anything out of the ordinary.


    Together, theybed through the undergrowth and peered into shadowed corners, their senses alert for any signs of hidden secrets waiting to be unearthed.


    Luckily, their concerted effort bore fruit when a glint of metal caughtShinja''s sharp eyes.


    With a swift motion, he revealed a hidden alcove where a treasure chesty nestled among the roots of an ancient tree.


    This was no ordinary find¡ªit was a Bronze Treasure Chest! Without a doubt, it was more valuable than the Wooden Treasure Chest he had found in the Crypt Crawler''s Cave!

 Chapter 154: Source of Problem

    This time, even Shinja, the warlord, felt excited seeing the treasure chest. Well, anyone would probably feel excited opening one.


    Furthermore, it was guarded by two strong Zombies, so it must have precious items inside.


    At the very least, that was the logic that Shane learned in the games he yed in his teenage life.


    [ You have discovered a Bronze Treasure Chest. ]


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 5 Reputation Points. ]


    Eager to uncover the treasures thaty within,Shaneapproached the chest with cautious anticipation.


    After confirming with Cloud that there weren''t any traps, Shane touched the chest.


    It was cold.


    The bronze exterior gleamed in the dappled light. He saw intricate patterns etched into its surface, hinting at the wealth of wonders concealed inside.


    With a deft hand,Shaneunlocked the chest. It was quite easy with his Lockpicking Skill, so it was never a problem to begin with.


    Soon, it revealed a trove of treasures that sparkled in the dim forest light.


    As the lid creaked open, Shane and the elves couldn''t help but gasp.


    The group''s eyes widened in awe at the sight before them. Nestled within the chest were various treasures that glittered like stars in the night sky, each item more enchanting than thest.


    The one at the very front was a short and dark de, almost like a dagger.


    Then, there were dozens of vials of unknown potion or medicine¡­ Lastly, Shane found a dozen of Recruitment Stones!


    He didn''t think that he would be able to get more people just by opening a chest!


    In a few seconds, all these items vanished from the chest as he received a notification from the system.


    [ You have received Eclipse de x1 ]


    [ You have received Recruitment Stones x15 ]


    [ You have received Small Experience Potion x10 ]


    [ You have received Elixir of Satiety x10 ]


    [ You have received Elixir of Starvation x10 ]


    [ You have received Power Core x5 ]


    [ You have received Zombie Core x50 ]


    Shane felt incredibly d after seeing the items. They were definitely something he would want to have. Well, except for the Elixir of Starvation, which would make the consumer hungry for a certain duration!


    Nheless, this item will probably be used someday.


    For now, Shane decided to keep all of them in his inventory and continue their mapping of the area or the journey inside the forest.


    "Let''s go!" Shane said as he watched the Bronze Treasure Chest disappear. It was a pity that he wouldn''t be able to use it as a scrap material but he just shook his head to erase such random thoughts.


    With this matter being settled, Shane''s group pressed on, venturing deeper into the heart of theforest.


    Their path led them throughverdant grovesandshadowed des, but nothing could stop them.


    Their journey was simply interrupted by the appearance ofWalker ZombiesandRunner Zombies. At this stage, these feeble adversaries were no match for the formidable lineup of the group.


    With thebined might of the five Elves,Shinjathe Warlord, andChaloemthe Monk, they carved through the undead with effortless skills.


    As they continued their exploration, a sense of curiosity led them to stumble upon adpidated campnestled amidst the trees.


    ''A destroyed camp? No, it seems it was just abandoned¡­'' Shane corrected himself after noticing that the area doesn''t seem to have been destroyed or attacked by the zombies.


    The remnants of an old bonfire and scattered belongings hinted at its past inhabitant, now long gone. The previous people living in this camp had probably fled or perhaps tried to seek some food but were killed before being able to return.


    "There are no signs of people around. It must''ve been a couple of weeks when this ce was abandoned." Eldrin said afterpleting their investigation.


    She could only nod as he trusted the abilities of the elves.


    Anyway, the camp was certainly a haunting reminder of a Survivor''s struggle in a harsh world.


    There weren''t really valuable items around, and they weren''t in good condition at all except for the tent that was on the ground.


    Shane decided not to take it since some other survivors, who needed it more, might find it helpful if they stumbled upon this ce.


    They continued on their path and soon, Shane heard something¡­


    Whoosh~ Whoosh~ Whoosh~


    He looked at the elves and they all nodded at him!


    Apparently, amidst the quiet solitude of theforest, the sound of cascading water caught everyone''s attention.


    Following the melodic sound, they discovered a hidden gem¡ªapristine waterfallglistening in the dappled sunlight, its crystal-clear waters cascading over smooth rocks into a tranquil pool below!


    "This is it! The source of water!" Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing this. With such a lush forest, he just knew that there should be a water source nearby!


    The sight was mesmerizing¡ªa natural wonder untouched by time, a sanctuary of serenity in the midst of chaos.


    The elves were also smiling, seeing the precious source of life on their first day of exploration.


    Eldrin and the others could actually feel theck of water within the estate¡­ They were certainly worried at first since they were all relying on the mystical water that Shane could produce.


    The air was filled with the invigorating scent of fresh water and the gentle rustle of leaves, creating a harmonious symphony that enveloped them in tranquility.


    "Hmmm¡­ This is a good ce." Chaloemmented after taking a deep breath.


    As Shane marveled at the beauty before him, he noticed a huge rock blocking one of the paths of the water. Then, a realization struck like a bolt of lightning.


    Perhaps the river near his estate had run dry due to massive boulders blocking its flow, diverting the water from its natural course. The discovery shed light on the longstanding mystery, unraveling the source of the problem that had gued his small piece ofnd!


    ''This must be it!'' Shane''s eyes lit up as he knew what to do next!

 Chapter 155: Cleared

    While Shane was considering the best thing to do with those boulders blocking the water path, the elves and the others stood in awe, beholding the majestic waterfall in all its splendor.


    The sight of the running water felt refreshing to them, it was like nature''s resilience to the world that had sumbed to the zombies.


    ''Well, I have to make sure that it''s really leading to the estate first¡­'' Shane mused.


    Turning toEldrin, the leader of the elven unit, he issued amand with a hint of urgency.


    "Eldrin, take two other elves with you and investigate the path of the blocked canal. Confirm if it leads to our estate¡­"Shaneinstructed with a firm voice.


    Eldrin, with a nod of understanding, swiftly gathered a group of agile and perceptive elves, Far,Cirdan¡­


    Together, they set out on their mission. Their footsteps were light and barely made sound as they navigated the dense foliage and rugged terrain that bordered the obstructed waterway.


    As they reached the site of the blockage,Eldrinand his team moved swiftly as if they weren''t examining the surroundings.


    Perhaps this task would have taken a long time if it had been done by humans, but the sharp elven senses attuned to every detail and nuance of the terrain made it easy for them.


    Farscouted ahead, tracing the path of the dried river with precision, whileCirdan inspected the boulders that impeded its flow and if they weren''t thatrge, he would destroy them immediately.


    Well, they already knew what Shane nned to do, so if the path was really heading to their estate, then they should be clearing its path already.


    Eldrin, with his keen eyesight, scanned the surroundings, noting thendscape and anyndmarks that might indicate the river''s true destination.


    Each elf moved with purpose, their movements coordinated and efficient as they worked together seamlessly to find the path it was heading through.


    After a thorough investigation that spanned the length of the blocked river path,Eldrinsignaled to hispanions, a knowing gleam in his eyes.


    With a sense of certainty, he turned toShaneand delivered the long-awaited report.


    "LordShane, our findings confirm your intuition. This is indeed the dried river that leads directly to our estate¡­"Eldrinannounced, his voice filled with conviction.


    Shane''s heart swelled with pride and satisfaction as he beheld the diligence and expertise of his elvenpanions.


    They walked here for about two hours, but they only inspected for less than 20 minutes and they even moved back and forth!


    With their confirmation in hand, he knew what he had to do.


    "Chaloem¡­" Shane said as he turned to the Monk.


    He then issued a decisive order, tasking him with clearing the obstructed path and restoring the flow of water to theirnds.


    "It will be done¡­"


    Chaloem said as henodded solemnly, his gaze remained still as he looked at the boulders as tall as him, as he prepared to unleash his formidable martial prowessupon the massive boulders that stood as barriers in the river''s course.


    With a deep breath, he centered his focus, channeling his inner energy and harnessing the power of his Ki to augment his physical abilities to extraordinary levels.


    This was one of the Monk''s ability, Ki Channeling.


    As theElvesandShanewatched in anticipation,Chaloemstepped forward, his movements seemed slow but everyone knew that it was filled with power.


    ''Let''s see how strong you are¡­'' Shane thought to himself as this is the first time he would see the Monk in action.


    He was definitely excited to witness this.


    Whoosh~


    With a swift strike of his fists, he delivered a series of rapid blows that reverberated through the air like thunder, each impact was filled with raw power and Ki!


    The boulders quivered under the force of his strikes, cracks forming along their imposing surfaces asChaloem''s Ki-infused techniques began to take effect.


    With a primal roar,Chaloemunleashed a surge of Ki energy, enveloping his fists in a radiant glow as he channeled his inner strength into a final, decisive blow.


    Boom!


    The ground trembled beneath him as he struck thergest boulder with all his might, unleashing a shockwave of energy that shattered the obstruction into a cascade of rubble and debris.


    At the same time, the Monk also jumped back before he got caught by the rushing wave of water!


    Indeed, the river, freed from its rocky prison, surged forth vigorously!


    The water cascaded down to the newly cleared path towardsShane''s estate¡­


    "Incredible¡­ You managed to do that with bare hands." Shane was impressed as the Monk showed why he was an Epic Summon!


    He believed that not even the Super Soldiers would be able to destroy such huge boulders with their bare hands!


    Shaaa~


    The sound of rushing water filled the air, it was like a nature''s song that sooth everyone''s ears.


    TheElves also praised the Monk. They were in awe ofChaloem''s incredible disy of strength and skill, and he certainly deserves to be respected by the mystical race.


    ''Ahh¡­ I didn''t mention this to the others.'' Shane muttered as he recalled the situation in the estate.


    Well, the unexpected sight of the river''s resurgence would surely astonish the residents of the estate. Nheless, even if they were surprised, they would sure be happier to see such a blessinging to their estate.


    With the path clear and the river restored, Shane felt that they had alreadypleted a lot for this day¡­ However, he went here to explore the forest to obtain more Zombie Cores and purchase various things in his store, like the Drone and the Epic Item, Mystic Amulet.


    He needed to continue.


    "Alright, let''s follow this path..." Shane said as he looked at his map and before he chose a path to explore.


    He was nning to follow the other path of the river created by the waterfall.


    However, it didn''t take long beforeCloud gave his warning.


    This time, the A.I. was faster than the Elves since Cloud had already obtained quite plenty of their blood, making its detection range a lot wider!


    [ 10 Zombies approaching¡­ ] The A.I. Assistant warned.


    [ All sher Zombies. ]

 Chapter 156: Houses

    Shane''s heart quickened with excitement as soon as he heard this.


    After all, he had obtained Light Orbs from them! They were like wireless bulbs that were really useful during the night.


    Although they have torches, the light provided by the Orbs was a lot brighter and they were quite easy to arrange. Furthermore, they charge naturally with sunlight, making them more appropriate for their situation.


    "Zombies areing¡­" Eldrin said after smelling the rotten flesh of the creatures rushing them.


    "Yes, they''re sher Zombies¡­ They might blind you with their attacks, so be careful." Shane warned.


    Soon, the sher Zombies finally arrived, with their bloated bodies moving at surprising speed and their heads pulsating like orbs of light.


    These sher Zombies weren''t as fat as the Spitter Zombies, but they were already reaching that size. However, despite having such a round figure, these Zombies seemed really light as


    Their blinding shes could incapacitate even the most seasoned warriors!


    Shane quickly reached for his Sunsses, sliding them on just as the first wave of zombies burst through the foliage.


    He wanted to give these to others as well, but he didn''t have an extra. He could only prepare to attack once the others got blinded.


    Soon, the shers charged, their grotesque forms lurching toward the group.


    Shane''s vision darkened, the lenses of his sunsses filtering out the blinding light.


    But what about the others? Shinja, Chaloem, and the elves¡ªthey had no protection. He raised his revolver to shoot the approaching shers but something unexpected happened!


    To his surprise, the warriors in front of him didn''t falter. They seem to have their own methods of mitigating the effects of the blinding shes of the Zombies!


    Shinja''s des danced and sliced through the zombies with speed and precision! It was incredible and Shane noticed that the man actually had his eyes closed! It was incredible! He truly befitted being a Heroic Summon!


    On the other hand, Chaloem''s staff crackled with the force of Ki, knocking the undead back. He wasn''t closing his eyes, but he seemed to be using some sort of Ki Technique to block the shesing at him.


    As for the elves, they were actually blinded, but their ears could still pick up the zombies'' movements!


    The elves¡ªEldrin, Far, and Cirdan¡ªfired arrows in rapid session, each shot finding its mark. On the other hand, Thalion and Aranion waited for the other Zombies to get closer before cutting their limbs!


    "Don''t destroy the orbs! Just cut their connections on it!" Shane shouted as he saw one of the orbs get destroyed by one of the arrows!


    He was sure that the loot would be affected because of that.


    With a thud, the shers fell, their glowing heads extinguished.


    Shane blinked as he removed his Sunsses, his revolver was still in his hands and he hadn''t use it at all.


    The battle had been swift. It was efficient. Not a single zombie remained standing and no one was injured from their side..


    "Remarkable," Shane murmured, as he stored his sunsses in his inventory. "I didn''t think you can fight with such precision even with your eyes closed."


    Shanemented while looking at Shinja.


    Shinja sheathed his des, his eyes meeting Shane''s.


    "I''ve faced worse," he said. "These creatures are nothing."


    Chaloem nodded. "Their light tricks are no match for our resolve to clear this world from abominations."


    As expected of the monk, his words were filled with poise.


    Shane nodded at this as he looked at the elves. He was curious at how they mitigated the sher''s blinding light.


    The elves exchanged nces, their expressions unreadable.


    After a while, Eldrin, the leader, spoke. "We''ve seen many horrors, Lord Shane. These are but a minor nuisance."


    ''At the very least, I don''t think I can fight those Zombies with closed eyes yet. I probably need fifty-plus points in my Perception for that to happen.'' Shane mused.


    Shane marveled at their calm answers.


    These warriors were truly unordinary. He couldn''t help but feel happy that he was wealthy and lucky enough to be able to purchase or obtain their Recruitment Stones.


    Shane then looted all the 10 sher Zombies.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Core, 500mL water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL sher Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, 1 Light Orb ]


    ¡­


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Core, 500mL water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL sher Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, 1 Light Orb ]


    "Ten Light Orbs¡­ Our Shelter will be brighter at night thanks to these¡­" Shane muttered.


    Afterpleting this matter,Shaneand his intrepid group continued to follow the riverflow.


    As they moved, thendscape around them seemed to be more solemn instead of the previous vibrant nature they had experienced.


    The elves could tell this very well as they carefully sensed their surroundings.


    Nheless, they soon reached an area filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers. It was a beautiful sight. Their petals felt like they were painted in a myriad of colors from the sunlight filtering through the canopy above.


    Birds chirped melodiously in the branches, but they as they looked above, they noticed that these birds were actually trapped!


    Yes! There were bird cages above the trees, and as the elves wanted to save them, Shane stopped them.


    "It must be a trap or something¡­ Let''s ignore those for now." Shane instructed.


    As they continued along the tortuous path of theriver, a sense of anticipation grew amongShaneand hispanions as saw various traces of people living around here¡­


    Suddenly, hisA.I. Assistantalerted him. It signaled the detection of human life in the vicinity!


    It wasn''t long before they stumbled upon an unexpected sight¡ªa cluster of tree houses nestled among the ancient branches of towering trees!


    The tree houses also looked quite new, so Shane immediately knew that these houses were made by Foreign Survivors like him!

 Chapter 157: Tree Dwellers

    Deep within theforest, nestled among the ancient branches of towering trees, stood a cluster oftree housesthat served as the sanctuary for a small group of Survivors led byLilyandElsa.


    These two remarkable women did not respawn in this forest during the first day of the Apocalypse. They hade from arge city and decided to escape that ce to live in the forest.


    They had no choice but to do this since various ns were iming spots in the city, and they were taking decent Shelter and resources.


    At first, it was only the two of them in this area in the forest but because of their Exceptional Talents, they were able to naturally attract other people with like minds to work for them.


    Lily, with her striking emerald eyes and auburn hair, possessed a talent for manipting theWood Element. Her affinity with theforestwas evident in every movement she made. The harmony between herself and the trees could be felt as the leaves and small branches swayed at her presence as if they truly loved her existence.


    Elsa, her counterpart in leadership, had a cold beauty with her sapphire-blue eyes and flowing blue hair. Gifted with the power of theWater Element, she brought a sense of calm and bnce to their group, her presence was like a source of life for everyone.


    As the sun peeked over the horizon, casting a golden hue over the treetops,LilyandElsaawoke to the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant cries offorestcreatures.


    "Mhmm¡­ I can see several birds¡­ I hope we gather enough of them." Lily muttered as she stood up and looked at the window.


    They were capturing birds that weren''t affected by the virus to be a source of their meat and gather plenty of eggs.


    "Mhmm¡­ We need to find some salt soon." Elsa muttered as it had been a while since a pack of salt appeared in their Survivor Store.


    She stretched for a while before she stood up and hugged Lily from behind.


    Their day began as they used their elemental affinity to check the situation around them¡­ This time, Elsa also confirmed that her Spirit Points had been replenished so she could produce water once again. Although they were near the river, they were still using the water Elsa produced to ensure their safety.


    In the heart of their tree house, adorned with leaves and vines, Lily and Elsa prepared for the day ahead. They wanted to secure food for the day and to also ensure that their preparation for the next Zombie Wave waspletely finished.


    After all, they need weapons! They needed to hunt zombies as well to ensure that they had a steady supply of Zombie Cores.


    "Just make that we don''t enter the territory of those mysterious men before¡­ We should be fairly safe." Elsa muttered as she recalled therge men who had been patrolling the surroundings of the eastern side of the forest.


    Those men could''ve been mistaken as zombies with their bodies, but since they didn''t have rotten flesh, they believed they were drugged men or some sort of talent made them like that¡­


    Still, they were surely scary Survivors and, perhaps, difficult to deal with.


    The only good thing about that was they weren''t worried that there would be plenty of Zombies on that side since they would clear the lurking zombies over there every single day.


    ''I hope they won''t expand their territory. I don''t want any conflict on them.'' Lily thought as she finished fixing herself.


    With the first light of dawn filtering through the canopy, Lilystepped outside onto the wooden tform that served as their lookout, her gaze sweeping over theforestwith a sense of quiet focus.Elsajoined her after a few moments.


    Together, they oversaw the daily routines of their fellow Survivors who had decided to live in the tree houses. These Survivors only had Rare or Umon Talents, but they were useful in many ways.


    It was a diverse group of individuals who had found sce and safety within the embrace of the forest trees¡­


    Lily and Elsa epted those even with the simplest talents like Tailor, Lumberjack, and Chef¡­ However, there were also, of course, who were good inbat. They have talents like Archer, Legionnaire, and Trap Expert, who were always patrolling their surroundings.


    As the day unfolded,LilyandElsamoved among their people as they helped gather food and supplies from theforest or fortify their defenses against potential threats.


    In the evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon,LilyandElsagathered their people around a crackling fire. They all discussed the future of their Shelter, while the flickering mes cast a warm glow over their faces.


    "We can''t always stay here¡­ The Zombie Wave that''s about toe will tear us apart." Their tailormented.


    "Right¡­ We''ve seen the first Zombie Wave, and it may not be easy, but as long as we were able to hide or escape from them, we could survive. However, we will be dealing with mid-tier Zombies now. Our wooden houses, barricades, and weapons won''t be enough against those Jumper Zombies." The Archer among them said.


    Elsa knew this very well, so she didn''t disagree with them.


    "Then our next choice is to create an underground shelter since we can''t fight the zombies anyway.." Elsa said.


    They then discussed the possibility of this happening for the whole night.


    Several dayster, as they went about their routine work, an Archer reported the presence of multiple people entering their territory. It wasn''t too surprising, but his next words surprised them. Apparently, their visitors were apanied by five Elves!


    The news brought a hush over the group, a sense of unease mingling with curiosity.


    "Elves? Is that some sort of Talent or Survivor Skill? That is unexpected. We must approach this cautiously." Lily muttered.


    "They may not be enemies. Let us remain calm and extend our hospitality as we have done before. These elves might''ve been bought at the Auction recently. They probably sold ves there." Elsa added.


    ***


    Soon, Elsa and Lily, apanied by their escorts, approached the group of visitors.


    These people had actually decided to wait near the river and simply watched them. They didn''t draw their weapons and simply waited for someone to notice them.


    Because of their actions, Elsa and Lily were relieved. They appeared friendly and not hostile, so she signaled for the others who were hiding to rx for a bit.


    Of course, it was Shane''s group and they already knew about the traps and the other people who were hiding from different spots.


    "Greetings, travelers. What brings you to our humble abode?" Elsa started as she stopped about 10 meters away from them.


    "Ahem¡­ Wee to our camp. We are always open to meeting new faces in these trying times. However, you should be aware of how dangerous you look right now." Lily said as she looked at the huge man wearing ancient clothes of some eastern tribe. He seemed to be a warlord there!


    There was also a huge Buddhist Monk and although he seemed calm, his size could probably tear down a tree with his bare hands!


    Furthermore, the five elves behind them seemed really well-equipped.


    Luckily, their leader seemed to be the young and handsome man at the center who were looking at them with a gentle smile on his face.


    ***


    Meanwhile, before they arrived, Shane had already observed the camp from a distance, intrigued by the talents and skills disyed by the inhabitants.


    Since his Territory Lord talent had evolved, he simply had to bring these people to his Shelter, and their loyalty to him would slowly increase.


    It seemed hical because it felt like he was hypnotizing them to be loyal to him, but it wasn''t like they would be his puppets. They would still have their own minds, but they were simply loyal to him.


    Nheless, although he knew that there could be some ethical problems with this method, he knew that it was for the better.


    He saw the potential for coboration and mutual benefit in joining forces with them.


    ''I wonder what talents and strengths these people possess¡­'' Shane mused.


    After some contemtion, Shane made his decision to make their presence known, and soon, they were approached by the representatives of this camp while guns were pointed at them from hidden locations.


    ''Well, I''d probably done the same if approached by such an intimidating group.'' Shane thought as he decided to ignore those people who were hiding.


    With Cloud and Elves with him, there was no way they would miss such actions.


    "Greetings! My name is Shane, and I oversee a shelter nearby. It''s quite remarkable that you''ve endured through these times. Rest assured, we have no intention of seizing your space. Nevertheless, we are extending our domain and would be fortunate if you''d entertain the idea of joining us. Naturally, there''s nopulsion, nor will there be any repercussions should you decline.


    Yet, we must clear out any zombies in the vicinity, as part of our mission to gather Zombie Cores."


    Shane said after asking Cloud what he should say to ensure that these fragile-looking Survivors wouldn''t get too scared of him.

 Chapter 158: Cave Dwellers

    Elsa and Lily exchanged nces after hearing Shane''s words.


    They didn''t have to discuss this matter for long, and they knew what they had to say. Both of them knew that they had to politely decline Shane''s invitation to join the shelter.


    However, considering that they might not like their answer, they knew that they also had to express their gratitude but emphasizing their contentment with their current situation.


    After taking a deep breath, they formted their words carefully and replied.


    "We appreciate the offer, Shane, but we''re managing well here." Lily said with a smile.


    "Yes¡­ Thank you for thinking of us, but we prefer to stay independent for now." Elsa added.


    Shane respected their decision, understanding the challenges of building trust in such uncertain times. Well, he would actually be even more surprised if they just agreed on him. It was also good that they were being cautious. It was no wonder they survived up until this point.


    Nheless, he still had other tasks to do.


    He informed them once again that his group would be clearing out the nearby zombie threats for the safety of all survivors in the area and also to gather resources.


    "Alright, we will be leaving this ce then¡­" Shane said as the group in front of him were all warily looking at Shinja, who had a frowning face. Although Shinja wouldn''t harm them, they were surely not taking any chances.


    Shane could tell from the faces of the representatives of this shelter that they weren''t weed at all.


    Nheless, as they were about to leave something, one of the female representatives spoke.


    "Shane, if you''re nning to gather resources. You might consider the nearby tunnel. It was previously a gold mining site. There are many Zombies there and your group might have a chance against them." Lily suddenly said.


    Elsa was surprised to hear her partner say this as she believed that Lily wanted to harm them. However, looking at the monk, the warlord, and the elves behind Shane, Elsa realized that they were indeed a strong group and they might really seed.


    "A previous gold mining site?" Shane repeated as he wanted to know more about it.


    Elsa then exined how they discovered that cave and informed Shane about the zombies they might encounter inside.


    This cave was only about 400 meters away from them, and it certainly piqued Shane''s curiosity. Elsa and Lily''s team had only visited the vicinity of the cave, so it remainedrgely unexplored.


    However, they were still aware of the three Zombies that they could encounter within that cave. They were the Crypt Crawler Zombies, Cave Dweller Zombies, and Screamer Zombies.


    Shane knew about the Crypt Crawler Zombies but not the Cave Dweller and Screamer ones.


    Elsa then exined the Cave Dweller Zombies were dwarf-sized zombies who had adapted to the darkness of the cave. With heightened senses and agility, they were formidable opponents in low-light conditions.


    "However, they were still dwarves in my eyes¡­ As long as you hit them, they''ll die easily." Elsa said with a confident tone.


    On the other hand, the Screamer sounds like trouble to them.


    These zombies emit eerie, high-pitched screams that disorient and confuse survivors, making it challenging to locate and eliminate them.


    "They''re tough, but their scream will notst forever¡­ Just stay strong and wait for it to be over before killing them. They''ll scream for about 20 to 30 seconds and will charge for 10 seconds before they can scream again. It''s something that we learned in the Regional Chat."Lily added to the exnation.


    "Thank you for this information¡­" Shane replied as he was certainly grateful for the information they shared with them.


    After some thought, Shane decided to show his sincerity by giving them 10 Spirit Enhancement Bottle!


    "Are you serious?" Elsa''s eyes widened as she saw the Spirit Enhancement Bottles. If she consumed them, she would be able to produce at least ten more gallons of safe drinking water! After all, her Spirit Points would increase by 5 points by each potion!


    Of course,she doesn''t have ns to take all these bottles, as that would be unfair. Nheless, these bottles weren''t something they could pass up!


    Lily looked at the bottles and could tell that they weren''t tampered and there was no problem with their contents.


    "We''re not going to refuse them." Lily immediately said before Shane could reply. Well, she had the worst looting ability among the group. Perhaps, she only had a 1 out of 100 chance of getting a Spirit Enhancement Bottle, while the others were at most 10 to 15 out of 100!


    These Spirit Enhancement Bottles would be very helpful for her growth!


    Nheless, Shane found these bottles quite easy to acquire. So after hearing their confused words, he smiled at them and replied.


    "I''m serious. Those bottles are all for you. Please take them." Shane said. This was his way to express his gratitude toElsaandLilyfor the valuable information regarding the abandonedgold mining sitethat was infested with various types ofzombies.


    With a sense of cautious anticipation,Shaneled his group on the way through the rugged terrain in search of the elusivecave.


    After a quick trekking through the wilderness, navigating barely used paths and oveing obstacles, they finally stumbled upon the entrance to thecave.


    The eerie silence that enveloped the area was certainly chilling, hinting at the dangers that awaited them in the dark depths.


    As they cautiously approached thecavemouth, their eyes widened in surprise at the sight before them.


    A group ofdwarf-size zombies, unmistakably theCave Dweller Zombiesdescribed byElsaandLily, emerged from the shadows of thecaveentrance. These grotesque creatures moved with surprising speed and agility, their unusual forms a stark contrast to the once-human features now distorted by the horrors of theapocalypse.


    One of theCave Dweller Zombiesseemed to be chasing after something that had fled from thecave, its growls echoed through the cavernous space.


    As the creature turned to retreat back into the depths of thecave,Shaneand his team exchanged wary nces, knowing that they were about to confront an unusual foe in a tighter space.


    ''Those small zombies and the tight space in the cave¡­ They certainly have the advantage." Shane muttered.


    With weapons drawn and hearts pounding,Shanesignaled for his team to advance cautiously into the darkness, ready to confront the enemies that lurked within the abandoned mining site.


    The damp, musty air of thecaveenveloped them as they ventured deeper, their footsteps echoed off the walls as they braced themselves for the inevitable sh with theundeadthat awaited them in the shadows.


    ***


    AsShaneand his team entered and walked deeper into the abandonedmining site, the oppressive darkness of thecavesurrounded them, broken only by the dim glow of their light orbs, the one that Shane had looted from the sher Zombies just a while ago.


    ck¡­ ck¡­ ck¡­


    The faint sound of scuttling echoed through the tunnels, signaling the approach of theCave Dweller Zombies!


    Suddenly, twelve of the outrageous creatures emerged from the shadows, their small figures moved with unnatural speed towards the group!


    "Eldrin¡­" Shanemanded.


    The elves, armed with short des that gleamed in the flickering torchlight, sprang into action with better agility that was certainly fitted to their delicate appearance.


    Within the tight space of the tunnel, Shane believed that these elves would be able to move better than Shinja and the Chaloem.


    Their movements were like a blur as they engaged the Cave Dwellers, who were used to the darkness and could use the tunnel walls to their advantage!


    The first Cave Dweller lunged forward with a snarl, its wed hands reaching out to grab at Eldrin. With a swift sidestep, Eldrin narrowly avoided the attack, countering with a well-aimed strike that severed the creature''s arm.


    As it howled in pain or probably frustration, the other elves closed in from all sides, their des targeted the limbs of the small zombies!


    Most of them may be bow users, but they can certainly use their des really well!


    Shane watched the whole duration of the battle as the elves moved gracefully throughout the whole fight, dodging the Cave Dwellers'' frenzied attacks with abination of acrobatic flips and nimble footwork.


    ''Awesome movement technique¡­ I hope I have something like that in my next Memory Spheres'' Shane mused.


    The elves'' strike was truly calcted and precise, as they dispatched the Cave Dwellers a lot easier than Shane had imagined.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Soon, the Cave Dwellers dropped one by one!


    The Cave Dwellers, despite their speed and ferocity, were no match for the skill and coordination of the elven warriors.


    Thud!


    With a final, decisive strike, thest of the creatures met its end, leaving thecaveeerily silent once more!


    However, before they could get some rest, Eldrin and the other elves'' eyes widened and warned hastily...


    "Cover your ears!"

 Chapter 159: Loot

    ''Mhmm?''


    A subtle shift in the atmosphere alerted the keen senses of the elven warriors after thest of the Cave Dweller Zombies fell.


    The elves, attuned to the rhythms of nature and the subtle nuances of their surroundings, felt a disturbance in the air¡ªa faint ripple that indicates an impending danger.


    Eldrin, with his sharp instincts honed by years of training and experience, was the first to detect the faint tremors that signaled the approach of the unseen threat.


    The others followed as they looked into the darkness deep within the cave. A sense of unease settled over the group as the elves exchanged knowing nces¡­


    The elves, with their heightened awareness and uncanny intuition, soon realized what was going on¡­


    "Cover your ears!" Eldrin''s voice rang out, a sense of urgency underscoring his words as he prepared for the attack.


    The air around them seemed to vibrate with an unseen force as Screamer Zombies gathered their energy. And then, it came¡ªa piercing screech that reverberated through the tunnel, sending shockwaves of pain and disorientation through the group.


    "Screeechh~"


    The ear-splitting sound wave attack of the Screamer Zombies echoed off the walls of the cave, intensifying in its ferocity as it assaulted their senses.


    "Aakk¡ª"


    Shane, caught off guard by the unexpected nature of the attack, found himself defenseless against the onught of sound that threatened to overwhelm them.


    Even if his hands were covering his ears, it wasn''t enough at all. He even activated his Sentinel Sphere but it wasn''t effective at all!


    The elves, known for their resilience and adaptability in battle, exchanged concerned nces as they struggled to withstand the unusual attack from the Screamer Zombies. Although they could endure it, it felt difficult to move!


    If they didn''t kill the Cave Dwellers fast enough, they would''ve been in serious trouble!


    Luckily for them, the Screamer Zombies could not move or do other attacks as they did this¡­


    Eldrin then looked at the others.


    Even Shinja, the seasoned warrior, furrowed his brow in frustration at the unconventional and formidable enemy they faced.


    However, amidst the chaos, Chaloem, the monk with a serene demeanor, stepped forward with a determined expression.


    Closing his eyes in concentration, he sped his hands together in a gesture of prayer before extending his palm towards the wave of sound attacking them...


    With a sudden surge of energy, Chaloem unleashed a Palm Technique infused with his inner Ki, creating a barrier of spiritual energy that shimmered in the dim light of the cave.


    Whom~


    The protective shield absorbed the brunt of the sound wave attack, dispersing its harmful effects and shielding the group from harm!


    The sound wave attack that would normallyst for quite a while suddenly stopped after this move!


    "Now!"


    Emboldened by Chaloem''s disy of skill, the elves rallied together, they rushed towards the stunned Screamer Zombies!


    As they got nearer, they confirmed the presence of twelve formidable Screamer Zombies that emerged from the shadows.


    Even Shane was quite surprised, as Cloud hadpletely failed to sense their presence.


    "Cut their throat! Don''t let them scream again!" Eldrinmanded.


    He darted between the zombies with a flurry of quick strikes, his des slicing through the throats of the nearest Screamer Zombies with incredible uracy.


    Beside him, Thalion also assisted him as he struck the stunned Zombies.


    The other elves also followed, their movements were swift and coordinated as they all closed in on the Screamer Zombies¡­


    None of them used their bows in this situation, as they all used their short des. They started cutting down the undead foes with swift and deadly efficiency!


    Chaloem also didn''t stop helping the elves as he unleashed a shockwave that seemed to be capable of stopping the other Screamer Zombies from attacking. His palms crackled with Ki energy as he delivered a few more shockwaves, creating openings for the elven allies to exploit.


    Thud!


    As thest of the Screamer Zombies fell to the ground, defeated by the skill and prowess of the elven warriors and the monk, a haunting cry echoed through the cavern.


    It was as if the souls of the undead creatures cried out in a final, desperatement, creating momentary disorientation among the nearby people.


    ''Even their spirit can scream like that?!'' Shane couldn''t help butin after being attacked by that.


    Though momentarily shaken by the eerie sound that filled the air, the elves and the others stood their ground as they endured the final attack of the now-defeated Screamer Zombies.


    As the cries faded into the darkness, the souls of the defeated Screamer Zombies dissipated, leaving behind an eerie silence that hung heavy in the cavern.


    With the battle won and the undead threat removed, the elves stood triumphant while their short des were stained with the blood of their fallen foes¡­


    Now, it was time for Shane to get his loot.


    "Please watch the surroundings while I loot them." Shane said as he first checked the dwarves or the Cave Dweller Zombies.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x2, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL Cave Dweller Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Miners'' Helmet x1]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x2, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL Cave Dweller Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Miners'' Helmet x1]


    To Shane''s surprise, all twelve Cave Dweller Zombies dropped Miner''s Helmet! It was a decent haul.


    Furthermore, they all dropped a unit of Unknown Meat!


    Now, his eyes turned to the Screamer Zombies. He was also hoping that they would drop some decent items.


    Shane then approached their bodies and with a pat using his gloved left hand, he received the familiar notification.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x2, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL Screamer Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Silent Bell x1 ]

 Chapter 160: New Visitors

    "Silent Bell?" Shane muttered as he was curious about this item. Anyway, he still continued looting and realized that he had gotten a different item this time.


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x2, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL Screamer Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Torn Eardrum x1 ]


    "Torn Eardrum?" Shane frowned after seeing this item being looted. He certainly had no interest in the eardrum of the Screamer Zombie, but it must have a value since it could be obtained from them. He also guessed that its drop rate wouldn''t be very highpared to others.


    ''It must be an alchemy ingredient or something. I''ll let Anna handle it.'' Shane mused.


    Since Anna had now possessed the skill rted to Alchemy and Potion Brewing, she might be able to help him take care of it.


    Anyway, Shane continued looting the other 10 Screamer Zombies and got a few more new items and of course, he also checked their description in the Inventory.


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x2, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL Screamer Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Discordant Harmonica x1 ]


    While the Silent Bell was capable of producing a soundless chime that disrupts mystical attacks, the Discordant Harmonica could be used to y haunting melodies that affect the emotions of listeners.


    After this loot, he obtained a Silent Amulet that could emit a dampening field, capable of reducing the intensity of sound attacks in a small area around the wearer.


    Then, the eight remaining items were actually Whispering Cloaks!


    After checking the item description in his Inventory, Shane was ted!


    It was a cloak made from the hide of the Screamer Zombies that absorbs sound waves, reducing the impact of iing sound attacks!


    There were also eight of them in this group, so it was perfect for them!


    The group marveled at the eerie yet intricate appearance of the cloaks.


    "It''s really made from their hide¡­" Shane muttered as he felt a bit disgusted wearing these cloaks if he thinks about the grotesque forms of those Screamer Zombies. They were surely not pleasing to the eye.


    However, their effects were incredible, and with the addition of the Silent Amulet in his hands, they would have no problem facing the attacks of the Screamer Zombies! In the end, he decided to take the lead and wear them.


    Even the elves hesitated for a bit after learning the origin of the cloaks, but after seeing Shane wearing them, they could only grit their teeth and follow his lead.


    Shinja also did the same, as it surprisingly fit his size like a magic.


    However, the Monk shook his head.


    "I don''t have to wear it, Sir Shane¡­ I am capable of enduring those noises they could make. It can be part of my training too." Chaloem suddenly said as he refused to wear the cloak.


    Well, he was indeed able to endure the attack and even send a few Ki shockwaves to the Zombies¡­ Shane had no doubt that the Monk would not be in trouble.


    Anyway, each cloak was a dark shade ofmidnightck, with wrinkles along the fabric that seemed to pulse in response to surrounding sounds.


    The inner lining was a deep crimson, reminiscent of blood, adding to the unsettling yet protective nature of the cloaks. There were also engravings etched in silver thread that adorned the hems of the cloaks.


    After Shane confirmed that the cloaks were also draped around the shoulders of his team, except the Monk, the group finally ventured deeper into the abandonedmining site.


    ''It''s cool¡­'' Shane mused as he realized that theWhispering Cloakswere also absorbing the echoes of their footsteps and the distant rumblings of the underground tunnels.


    ***


    Meanwhile, outside themining site, in a clearing not far fromElsaandLily''streehouse camp, a scene of chaos unfolded.


    A female archer, her ck hair streaming behind her in the wind, sprinted across the clearing withplete haste.


    Her emerald eyes zed with determination as she notched an arrow, aiming it at one of the lumberingTyrant Zombiesthat pursued her!


    "Shit! Why are there Tyrant Zombies around here?! Are we still far from him?!" The woman shouted.


    Beside her, a schrly man with spectacles perched on his nose stumbled over the uneven ground, clutching a leather-bound tome to his chest. His schrly robes billowed around him, his clothes were frayed and stained with dust from their frantic flight.


    Despite his schrly appearance, his eyes held a fierce intelligence, scanning their surroundings for any possible escape route.


    Twang!


    The female archer released an arrow with incredible uracy, striking the Tyrant Zombie in its rotting chest with a resounding thud.


    The creature was hit and staggered back, but it wasn''t enough!


    The Tyrant Zombie emitted a long and loud growl that reverberated through the clearing! The schrly man fumbled with his tome, muttering incantations under his breath as he attempted to conjure a protective barrier against the relentless advance of the second Tyrant Zombie.


    This was the item he had purchased in the Market Bazaar at the previous auction event!


    Whoom~


    Asthe schrly man''s incantations finished, a shimmering barrier materialized around him, deflecting the attacks of the Zombie.


    At the same time, one of the pages of the tome had also disappeared.


    Beads of sweat dripped down his forehead as he poured every ounce of his Spirit Points into maintaining the protective shield.


    Meanwhile,the female archer swiftly notched another arrow, her emerald eyes remained focused as she took aim at the vulnerable spot on the undead creature.


    Twang!


    With a fluid motion, she released the arrow, and it hit the eye of the Tyrant Zombie, causing it to recoil in agony, buying them a precious moment of respite.


    "Ugh! Why did these special zombies appear now that we''re about to reach Shane?! We even traveled the whole night!" She shouted in frustration as she saw the Zombie still alive. If they weren''t tired and were able to prepare several traps, they were certain that they could kill this Tyrant Zombie.


    However, they didn''t have that luxury as these Tyrant Zombies came out of nowhere.


    "Don''t worry¡­ The map says that the n Leader is near¡­ I''m sure we''ll be fine."

 Chapter 161: Assistance

    Under the warm sunlight,LyraandJaxon, members of the Eclipse Revenannts,deftly orchestrated a n to lead the two Tyrant Zombies towards theareawhereShanewas located¡­


    Fighting those two Zombies right now was just too difficult for them.


    Drawing upon their experience and sharp instincts, they navigated the rugged terrain, each step was careful as they guided the undead threats closer to their intended destination.


    "I already send a message to n Leader¡­ He''s not replying yet." Lyra said.


    "He must be very busy right now. Let''s just trust him.." Jaxon said that he had also checked his message board and confirmed that Shane hadn''t read his message yet.


    LyraandJaxonhad no other choice as they employed a series of well-timed distractions and baiting techniques to lure the Tyrant Zombies toward Shane''s locations.


    Tap¡­ Tap¡­ Tap¡­


    The rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed through the clearing as they skillfully drew the attention of the creatures, their movements weren''t very fast but it was synchronized in perfect harmony making the two zombies unable to catch them.


    "What? I''m seeing a cave in front!" Lyra eximed as she didn''t expect that Shane''s shelter was inside the cave. She was worried that it was filled with traps that Shane and his team made to deal with the zombies!


    They may not die from the Zombies but their lives would be in danger from the traps that were arranged by their n Leader!


    Jaxon, the one who always strategizes duringbat, assessed the location where Shane''s dot could be seen.


    It was indeed inside the rocky hill where the cave entrance was located.


    "I think that Shane''s location was moved some time ago. It''s in the same areast night¡­ He must be exploring this ce instead. I don''t think it''s his shelter. Did he told us that his territory had palisade walls?" Jaxon said as he analyzed the location.


    As they neared the mouth of thecave, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. The two of them were a bit nervous as they considered whether to enter the cave or not.


    After some time,Lyracast a quick nce atJaxon, a silent exchange of reassurance passing between them as they decided to press on!


    Of course, for onest time, amidst their efforts to lead the Tyrant Zombies toward thecave,LyraandJaxonhad attempted to contactShhrough a private message, seeking to alert him of their imminent arrival.


    They didn''t wait for Shane to reply, and they decided to fight just outside the cave entrance!


    ***


    As Shane and his team were killing several more Cave Dweller Zombies, an alert from Cloud, his A.I. Assistant, rmed him.


    [ Two humans have been detected at the entrance of the cave. They''re together with two Tyrant Zombies. ]


    "Together? You mean they''re fighting the Zombies, right?" Shane asked, as his initial thought was that the Tyrant Zombies were being friends with the humans.


    [ Yes. ] Cloud answered with his mechanical voice.


    Shane then looked at hispanions.


    The five elves just killed a dozen of Cave Dweller Zombies. Chaloem, the monk, had just killed six Screamer Zombies while Shinja, the warlord, was looking at the tunnel further inside the cave.


    It must be where the boss zombie was located.


    Unfortunately for Shinja, Shane wanted to fight against this boss zombie as he wanted to fight with his full strength.


    Then, for some reason, Shane had the urge to look at his Map. Without hesitation, he opened the System Feature and found two green dots outside the cave!


    They were members of his n?


    ''So fast? Who are they?'' Shane thought but he knew that this was an emergency.


    "Shinja, can you take care of the problem outside? There are two Tyrant Zombies there. They''re fighting against two Survivors. They''re my friends! Take care of them!" Shane ordered.


    Shinja didn''t hesitate after being ordered. He nodded and sheathed his two des before he rushed outside.


    ''They should be fine¡­'' Shane thought as his gaze followed the warlord''s silhouette until it disappeared from the orb''s light.


    ***


    ''The n Leader''s friends, huh¡­'' Shinja repeated in his mind as he felt curious about them.


    Soon, the rhythmic shing of steel and the guttural roars of the Tyrant Zombies grew louder as Shinja approached the fray.


    Outside, Lyra and Jaxon were fighting frantically, their tactics weren''t perfect, but Shinja could tell that they''d already killed plenty of people, or perhaps, zombies.


    Although they weren''t doing much damage to the Tyrant Zombies, they moved with a fluidity that belied the danger they faced. They weren''t making too many errors for the Tyrant Zombies to take advantage of.


    The zombies'' skin, dark as forged iron, seemed impervious to the duo''s weapons, and their muscr forms towered over the humans, casting long shadows on the ground.


    Shinja emerged from the cave, his presence could easily be felt and the two Survivors had also noticed his arrival...


    However, Lyra and Jaxon weren''t in a position to look at the man yet! Nheless, they could tell that the one that had arrived was not a zombie!


    "Mhmm¡­ Not bad."


    Shinja said as he assessed the situation in a heartbeat¡ªthe two friends of Shane, their backs nearly against the cave wall, fought with desperation but their moves were still very calcted.


    Without a word, he drew his des, the sunlight glinting off the polished steel.


    The Tyrant Zombies, who had decent intelligence among all other zombies, turned their attention to the new threat, their primal instincts recognizing the danger Shinja posed.


    With a roar, they charged, but Shinja was ready.


    "Come at me, deranged monsters."


    Shinja muttered as he raised his hand and shed at the zombie''s bodies.


    His des struck with lethal precision, almost cutting off the shoulders of the Tyrant Zombies! Their armor-like skin was nothing to him at all!


    "Sir! We''ll help you!"


    Lyra and Jaxon seized the opportunity.


    They redoubled their efforts, attacking from the sides, and their weapons found the openings Shinja created. To be exact, they targeted the wounds that Shinja created since they could not pierce through the Tyrant Zombie''s skin!

 Chapter 162: Boss Zombie

    "Graaahhh!"


    The Tyrant Zombies, for all their strength and resilience, were not prepared for the ferocity of thebined assault¡­


    They soon stumbled, and their movements started bing erratic as the poison from Shinja''s des began to take effect.


    Well, as a Poison Expert, Shinja had several poison bottles in his possession.


    After he learned how the Zombies fight and what they were capable of, he knew what kind of poison he should use. It was a special poison that made the blood coagte or turn into solid! Furthermore, it was a top-quality poison, so it was able to take effect very quickly and spread throughout the Zombies'' bodies!


    The Zombies may not feel the pain, but that would also be the cause of their own doom! As they moved and exerted more pressure on their bodies, the poison would spread faster!


    Their roars turned to grunts, and then to whimpers, as the life ebbed from their monstrous forms!


    Lyra and Jaxon knew that something was wrong to the Tyrant Zombies but they just attributed it to the strength of the warrior who had assisted them.


    With a final, concentrated effort, Shinja, Lyra, and Jaxon brought the Tyrants down.


    Thud! Thud!


    The creatures copsed, their bodies hitting the ground that echoed through the clearing. Silence fell, broken only by the heavy breathing of the two Survivors.


    Now that they saw the two creatures lying down, the adrenaline started dissipating, and they immediately felt tired and wanted to rest!


    "Ahhhhh! Finally!" Lyra eximed as she sat down on the ground without any care for her posture.


    It was the same for Jaxon, but he remained looking at the tall man who had helped them.


    Jaxon couldn''t help but observe this mysterious man.


    The man had no armor, but it felt like a diator''s armor would suit him because of his size.


    His long ck hair was tied in a tight ponytail, revealing a face etched with battle scars. His jaw was chiseled, his cheekbones high, and his lips set in a firm line.


    ''Tsk¡­'' Jaxon couldn''t help butpare himself to the man. Since he only had an average face, he couldn''t help but envy such a charismatic man. Nheless, he didn''t feel insecure since as long as he developed his talent, he would soon be captivating too¡­


    Anyway, Jaxon noticed the man''s copper skin and knew that it was probably a lot tougher than the Tyrant Zombies. His clothes, on the other hand, were practical and battle-worn. It was a tunic of dark leather that hugged his torso, its edges were even frayed from sword strikes.


    The man was also wearing trousers, which were tucked into knee-high boots. Finally, the two des, their hilts adorned with mysterious engravings, rested across his back.


    Finally, Jaxon admired the ne that the huge warrior was wearing.


    "Ahem¡­ Thank you for saving us, Sir. I''m Jaxon¡­" Jaxon said.


    Lyra jolted at this as she recalled that he hadn''t thanked the man yet.


    "Right! I''m Lyra¡­ Thanks for saving us!" Lyra said as she also observed the man for a moment.


    Shinja turned to Lyra and Jaxon, nodding in respect. "You fought well," he said with his firm voice, making the two feel proud of themselves.


    Lyra managed a weary smile. "Thank you. We wouldn''t have made it without you."


    Jaxon looked toward the cave, where Shane was...


    "We owe you our lives," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.


    "Ahh,,, Do you know Shane? He must be inside the cave right now¡­ Is this your shelter?" Lyra asked.


    With this, Shinja exined that Shane ordered him to go save the two as Shane was still busy dealing with the Zombies inside.


    Well, this ce was indeed not Shane''s shelter, and it was still elsewhere.


    "Is he going to be fine without you?" Jaxon asked.


    "Yes¡­ There''s nothing to worry about. Just rest for now while I guard this ce.


    ***


    In the meantime, Shane swiftly gathered the spoils from the defeated Cave Dweller and Screamer Zombies.


    He obtained many more Miner''s Helmets, and as for the Screamer Zombies, they have constantly provided him with cloaks.


    If this continued, he would probably be considering selling some of them through the trade options.


    Anyway, with his taskplete, he directed his attention to the final passage that had a vast cavern ording to others.


    Cloud, his A.I. Assistant, had detected another formidable Zombie presence there, encircled by the menacing Crypt Crawler Zombies.


    Eldrin, Thalion, Aranion, Far, and Cirdan, the reliable elves, also sensed the ominous aura emanating from within.


    They could also feel the might of the menacing Zombie, bolstered by its Crypt Crawler guardians.


    Meanwhile, Chaloem, the Buddhist Monk, stood in tranquil readiness, his demeanor unshaken by the potential threat.


    He simply awaited Shane''smand with the calm certainty of a seasoned warrior.


    Soon, the cavern loomed before them.


    Shane and his group, with their weapons ready, advanced with caution.


    This time, Shane wasn''t using his revolver and brought out his Electric Shock de with him¡­


    The air grew colder as they got nearer to the cavern.


    Cloud''s sensors picked up more details in the cavern and immediately reported them to Shane. It includes the position of the Crypt Crawler Zombies, which were mostly on the ceiling.


    As they entered the cavern, a chilling sight greeted them.


    Crypt Crawler Zombies, their limbs grotesquely elongated, clung to the walls and ceiling. Their skin was ashen with stretched skin over their tiny frames.


    This was the first time the elves saw such creatures, and they couldn''t help but feel disgusted.


    They had huge, gaping mouths filled with rows of serrated teeth snapped hungrily.


    Their eyes, devoid of pupils, seemed to track every movement with a predator''s focus.


    "They''re more horrifying than the trolls¡­" Eldrinmented.


    However, in the shadowy recesses of the cavern, Shane''s eyes settled on the figure thatmanded the space with an ominous presence.


    ''The boss zombie¡­'' Shane thought¡­


    This Zombie stood apart from its grotesque minions, its stature was colossal. It was like a titan among the undead. It was not as big as the Giant Zombie, but it was bigger than the Tyrant Zombies!

 Chapter 163: The Minions

    This ''boss zombie'' was draped in tattered clothes of what once might have been noble garments, now reduced to mere rags that hung from its girth. Its flesh, a sickly hue of greenish-gray, was pulled and stretched over bulging muscles that rippled with each subtle movement. This Zombie appeared both unnatural and terrifying.


    Nheless, seeing that they were about to sh, Shane activated one of his Survivor Skills. It was the Aura of Protection. This skill requires Spirit Points to be used, so he was only using it now¡­


    To be exact, he had to use 50 Spirit Points per minute when using this since he was emitting an aura. It wasn''t a veryrge number, but if he had to use other Survivor Skills or his Item''s Skills, then he would really have to be careful.


    Well, this was the reason why he brought the Elves and the others with him. It was to save his Spirit Points for this critical junction!


    With the Aura of Protection active, he would be able to protect himself and the small area around him!


    "Mhmm?" Eldrin and the other elves noticed something different from their young lord.


    "It''s an Aura quite simr to the one that the monk uses¡­" Thalionmented as he felt curious about their young lord.


    "Amazing, Sir Shane¡­" Chaloemmented as he looked at the spherical aura around Shane. The elves may not see it but they could feel this sphere around Shane. However, the monk could literally see this protection because of his mastery over Ki.


    "Don''t get too far from me if you want to benefit from my protection skill." Shane said as he looked at the Crypt Crawlers who seemed to be waiting for signal.


    This was very different from the previous Crypt Crawlers that he had seen. They were supposedly creatures who only acted on their instincts. The moment they entered the cavern, they should''ve pounced on them based on his experience.


    ''That boss zombie is controlling them for sure¡­ We have to be careful.'' Shane said as he tightly held his Electric Shock de.


    After hearing Shane''s words, the group formed a tight circle, their backs to one another.


    As if on cue, the Zombies finally made their moves!


    The Crypt Crawlers descended, their movements weren''t silent as various rocks dropped with them¡­


    However, with the Aura of Protection, Shane didn''t worry about those small rocks dropping at them.


    Eldrin nocked an arrow, Thalion and Aranion readied their swords, Far and Cirdan prepared to lend support, and Chaloem stood serene, his inner peace a stark contrast to the chaos around them.


    "Fight!" Shanemanded, his voice echoing off the cavern walls as he tightly held his sword. With his Weapon Master Skill, he was confident that he would be able to fight against these Zombies quite easily.


    Boom!


    The battle erupted into a frenzy. Eldrin''s arrows found their marks, piercing the Crypt Crawlers'' flesh. Thalion and Aranion''s des hummed through the air, severing limbs with each swing.


    Far and Cirdan moved quickly as they opted to use their short des instead of bows¡­ Nheless, their strikes were still precise and deadly.


    On the other hand, Chaloem''s staff whirled, moving incredibly fast as he deflected attacks and countered them with lethal force.


    Boom!


    Shane didn''t remain idle as he carefully observed the battlefield. Soon,Shane''s keen eyes caught a glimpse of a Crypt Crawler Zombie stealthily creeping up behindAranion¡­


    ''Not on my watch¡­''


    With a swift and decisive movement,Shaneactivated hisElectric Shock de''sSurge of Powerskill, one of the weapon''s skills, channeling a surge of electricity that coursed through his veins, empowering his every strike.


    [ Surge of Power: The Electric Shock de channels a surge of electricity into the wielder, boosting attack speed and damage output for a short duration. It has a +100% chance of increasing attack speed and damage.


    Cost: 110 Spirit Points ]


    A surge of energy envelopedShaneas he lunged towards the unsuspecting Crypt Crawler Zombie, his movements enhanced by the electrifying power of his de.


    "Haa!"


    With a resounding sh, theThunderous Strikeskill was unleashed as the de made contact with the creature, releasing a deafening shockwave that reverberated through the cavern, stunning the undead foe in its tracks. It was the other skill of the de.


    [ Thunderous Strike: The de releases a thunderous shockwave upon impact, stunning enemies in its vicinity and disrupting their movements. It has a +120% chance of causing electric damage.


    Cost: 100 Spirit Points ]


    With these two weapon skills, with the addition of the 35% Critical Chance and 20% Attack Speed, the Crypt Crawler Zombie was nothing in front of him!


    Boom!


    The Zombie recoiled from the impact, its movements momentarily disrupted by the overwhelming force of the electric shockwave.


    Seizing the opportunity,Shanepressed his advantage, his de crackling with potent electric energy as he delivered a series of lightning-fast strikes against the creature.


    All four of his strikes hit perfectly, the electrifying energy coursed through the Crypt Crawler Zombie''s decaying form, sapping its strength and making it unable to even counter!


    Aranion, momentarily spared from the sneak attack, turned to witness Shane''s disy of sword mastery!


    Seeing that the Zombie was no longer able to move, his own de shed in tandem with his leader''s, decapitating the Zombie''s head.


    Well, they were told by Mr. Wadsworth that the Zombies could still live even with so many injuries if their brains were still connected to their bodies.


    Because of that, he still decided to "finish off" the Zombie that Shane had attacked, not knowing that its brain was already fried because of Shane''s weapon.


    "Thank you!" Aranion said as he nced at Shane.


    Shane, on the other hand, realized that the cavern had be silent.


    "Hmm?"


    In the aftermath of the intense battle, as the lingering echoes ofbat gradually faded, his gaze swept across the cavern, taking in the scene of their victory.


    Then, his eyes fell uponChaloem, who stood amidst a circle of fallenCrypt Crawler Zombies, his staff raised in a defensive stance, while a serene expression of focus etched upon his features.

 Chapter 164: Last Hit

    Chaloem''s robes billowed around him, with the Ki he was channeling around him. It was a stark contrast to the grim aftermath of the battle, stained with the remnants of blood and gore from the defeated undead foes.


    ''That looked cool¡­'' Shanemented in his mind.


    The monk''s staff, a weapon of both defense and offense, bore the signs of battle. Its surface was marred with scratches and scuff marks from the shes with theCrypt Crawler Zombies. Yet, despite the visible signs ofbat, Chaloem wasn''t heavily breathing as if the battle was just a walk in the park.


    Surrounded by the corpses of the defeated zombies,Chaloemexuded a sense of quiet power and inner peace. He, indeed, had the nature of both a warrior and a monk¡­


    Shane wanted to start looting immediately after seeing the number of corpses around. Crypt Crawler Zombies had given him plenty of items before, so he was certainly looking forward to having them again.


    However, after a few seconds, a deafening roar echoed through the cavern, signaling the emergence of the behemoth zombie, its towering form casting a long shadow over the fallen Crypt Crawler Zombies.


    ''Right¡­ You''re also here¡­'' Shane thought as he nced at the huge zombie.


    This undead monstrosity,rger than most of the foes he had faced before, lumbered forward with a malevolent gleam in its eyes¡­


    "Graahh~"


    It growled while moving slowly to them¡­ Its every step would also shake the ground beneath their feet.


    "We''ll test it out¡­" Eldrin said as he readied his weapon. He wanted Shane and Chaloem to watch and wait for an opportunity to kill the zombie. Well, he could tell that it would be quite difficult to kill this zombie with the weapons they have right now.


    Sensing the imminent threat, the other elves also sprang into action, their movements were coordinated as they prepared to face this formidable adversary.


    Eldrin, once again, notched an arrow. However, the arrow this time was special. It was imbued with ancient Elven Skills, his keen eyes narrowed in focus as he unleashed the first of their preemptive strikes.


    Elven Skill:Starlight Cascade¡­


    Whoosh~


    Eldrin''s arrow soared through the air, leaving a trail of shimmering starlight in its wake as it homed in on the behemoth zombie''s vulnerable spot, its neck!


    The zombie wanted to dodge or perhaps catch the arrow but it was too slow and was hit by the arrow!


    Thud!


    Upon impact, the arrow burst into a cascade of radiant energy, enveloping the undead giant in a dazzling disy of light that momentarily disoriented its movements.


    Meanwhile,Thalion and Aranion infused their des with the power of another Elven Skill, they dashed toward the zombie with a boost provided by their shoes as they unleashed a flurry of strikes against the behemoth zombie''s body!


    Elven Skill:Moonlit Dance


    Well, even without the moonlight, the skill still took effect, and as their de hit the knees and the heel of the zombie, they hoped it would drop to the ground.


    Thalion''s de left a trail of light as if each strike was guided by the ethereal glow of the moon''s rays.


    Of course, it wasn''t just a disy. It enhanced his sword''s sharpness and attack speed inbat!


    With a series of deft maneuvers, he darted in and out of the behemoth zombie''s reach, exploiting its size andck of agility tond precise blows against its undead flesh.


    Aranion followed suit, but their swords were barely able to prate the zombie''s tough skin and muscles!


    The other two elves had also decided to use their arrows this time and shot at the zombie''s eyes, hoping to blind it.


    As the elves executed their preemptive strikes with skill and finesse, the behemoth zombie roared in rage, its massive fists swinging with deadly intent as it sought to crush its tiny foes.


    Boom!


    The sheer power and ferocity of the undead giant were unmatched. Its every movement seemed to shake the cavern with its overwhelming strength!


    Shane watched the zombie try to catch the elves moving around its body with their quick feet.


    Bang! Bang!


    With each thunderous blow, the ground trembled beneath their feet, sending shockwaves rippling through the cavern as the behemoth zombie unleashed its full might upon the elves¡­


    "They''re doing really well. But their weapons were not enough." Shane muttered as he realized that he really needed to provide Master Grade weapons to these elvester on.


    Anyway, despite the elves'' valiant efforts and strategic use of Elven Skills, the tide of battle had turned in favor of the undead behemoth. This zombie was not getting tired after all.


    As the sh of steel and flesh reverberated through the cavern, Shane had already considered using his Laser Sniper Rifle.


    However, before he could pull it out from his inventory, Chaloem finally made his move.


    "Clear the path¡­" Chaloem said, indicating that the elves should retreat now.


    The monk stepped forward with a calm but resolute gaze¡­ He already had a rough idea of the zombie after the Elves forced it to show its might.


    Despite the vast difference in size and strength between himself and the colossal zombie,Chaloemexuded an aura of certainty¡­


    ''This monk is really reliable¡­'' Shane thought as he felt at ease seeing that this big guy was always calm.


    With a strange but rhythmic breath,Chaloemchanneled his inner Ki energy, a radiant aura of power enveloping his form as he prepared to face the undead behemoth head-on.


    At this time, the elves had already made a path for the monk¡­


    Huuu~


    As Chaloem finished his Ki Channeling, a surge of power coursed through his body, enhancing his speed and strength to levels beyond mortal limits.


    With a swift pounce, he unleashed a single but concentrated blow against the behemoth zombie. It was filled with his Ki, and the impact resonated with the force of a thunderp.


    Bang!


    The huge zombie''s chest caved in!


    However, it didn''t end there!


    With a series of kicks and punches, he targeted the zombie''s vital points, aiming to incapacitate the Zombie!


    "Nice! Leave the finishing blow to me!" Shane said as he felt that he needed the first kill reward for this Zombie!

 Chapter 165 Smaller One

    Chapter 165 Smaller One


    Shane also wanted to get some action against this unknown Zombie¡­ Seeing that it was already weakened, he decided to make his move.


    The Zombie was barely moving, and as the Monk backed away, he saw an opening as it knelt to the ground afterChaloem''s relentless series of attacks.


    This time,Shanedrew hisMaster-Grade Hatchet. It had a gleaming edge shimmering in the dim light of the cavern as he activated one of its effects.


    He decided to use this weapon instead of the Electric de Shock because of its sharpness, which surpassed the de.


    Shaneheld the hatchet tightly and lunged forward. His muscles tensed up as he brought down the hatchet with all his might upon the behemoth zombie!


    Whoosh~


    The de shed deep into its undead flesh with a sizzling sound as Shane activated its Fire Effect!


    The hatchet''s incredible sharpness and the searing fire effect it carried sliced through the Zombie''s flesh, causing mes to erupt from the wound and engulf the creature in a ze of fiery destruction!


    Despite the ferocity ofShane''s attack, the undead behemoth refused to fall immediately, its undead resilience allowing it to endure the onught of mes and steel.


    However, its flesh and bones were slowly copsing, and it was unable to hold on.


    Boom!


    The cavern trembled as the beast let out a final roar, its massive form copsed to the ground in a cloud of ash and smoke, signaling the end of its reign of terror.


    "Whew¡­ What a tough zombie¡­" Shane muttered as he didn''t expect the Zombie to still have so much energy after receiving those Ki attacks from the Monk.


    Eldrin and the others also heaved a sigh of relief at seeing that the boss zombie had finally been defeated.


    "Mhmm?"


    However, Shane felt confused as he waited for the system notification to appear¡­ After waiting for a few more seconds, it still didn''t appear, and this time, Shane felt a chill run down his spine. It felt like something ominous was about to happen.


    Crack¡­


    Just as theMonk and the others began to catch their breath and celebrate their hard-fought victory, a sudden sense of unease crept over them.


    "Something''s wrong¡­" Shane announced.


    Then, a chilling silence descended upon the cavern, broken only by the sound of theirbored breathing and the crackling of the dying mes.


    And then, from the smoldering remains of the fallen behemoth, a small figure emerged!


    Crack!


    From the chest of the Zombie, a hand came out and slowly extricated itself from the corpse of the huge Zombie.


    "This¡­" Shane''s eyes widened as he didn''t expect the Zombie to give birth or, perhaps, have another Zombie within its body!


    The small Zombie, norger than a child, staggered forward with an eerie gait, its eyes glowing with killing intent as it fixed its gaze upon them¡­


    With a collective gasp, everyone readied themselves for yet another battle¡­


    Although they haven''t started the fight yet, they could all feel that this smaller Zombie was a lot more dangerous than the huge one¡­


    "Get ready¡­" Shanemanded. Everyone immediately held their weapons as they braced for the final confrontation with this unexpected and formidable foe.


    After a few moments, the smaller Zombie did something unexpected.


    From how it motioned, Shane thought that it would spew some poison or acid¡­ However, something more terrifying urred.


    The small Zombie let out its grotesque tongue, the slimy appendage unfurling to a length of about 10 meters, and it tried to reach for Eldrin!


    However, the elf was fast enough to avoid it and jump back.


    It was a horrifying disy of its unnatural abilities!


    "Tsk! That scared me for a bit." Eldrin said as he signaled for the other elves to attack.


    The battle began just like that as the five elves unleashed a volley of attacks against the small Zombie. Eldrin''s arrows flew quickly, and Thalion and Aranion''s des then defended against the long and sturdy tongue of the Zombie!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    To their surprise, its tongue was able to stop their des!


    Far and Cirdan''s also switched to their bows, hoping to pierce the undead creature''s defenses. However, to their dismay, the small Zombie seemed impervious to their assaults, shrugging off their blows with an unnatural resilience.


    Their attacks were something that not even therge Zombie could have afforded to ignore.. This Zombie''s toughness caught them off guard!


    Soon, they realized that the Zombie''s tongue could extend even more and their swords could no longer hold on!


    nk! nk! nk!


    Their des were shattered, and they were hit by the Zombie''s tongue like a whip! N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Aaackk!


    Eldrin was hit by the Zombie''s tongue, and he was thrown away by almost five meters.


    Thud!


    He hit Aranion, who tried to catch him and they both fell to the ground!


    It was too strong!


    The elves realized that their attacks were futile against this seemingly invincible foe.


    The small Zombie barely left it position as it remained standing on therge corpse of the Zombie.


    From its position, its elongated tongueshed out like a whip, striking with deadly uracy and forcing the elves into a desperate struggle for survival.


    It was a pity that their skills were still in cooldown. They couldn''t use their Forest Guardian''s Wrath yet!


    Just when it seemed that the elves were about to be defeated,Chaloem, with his billowing orange robe, stepped forward with a fierce look in his eyes.


    "That''s enough, despicable creature¡­" Chaloem said as he drew upon his innerKi energy, before he pounced at the Zombie.


    Then, with his wooden staff, he unleashed a devastating series of strikes against the Zombie!


    However, its tongue managed to coil through his staff!


    It didn''t end there. To Chaloem''s surprise, the tongue emited a foul-smelling liquid that he had to quickly release his staff!


    He wasn''t sure what liquid it was and he didn''t feelfortable touching it either.


    Nheless, Chaloem was quick with his decision¡­ He decided to fight unarmed and show his Martial Arts Mastery!


    Soon, hisbat skills were on full disy as he attacked the small Zombie and sent it to its knees.


    "Hmph! You''re sturdy but not quick enough¡­"


    With a swift and powerful kick,Chaloem''s Ki-enhanced attack struck the Zombie''s belly, sending a shockwave of energy rippling through the air and finally staggering the small Zombie.


    The Monk''s timely intervention saved hisrades from certain doom, buying them a precious moment of respite in the midst of the upsetting battle.


    As the small Zombie recoiled fromChaloem''s onught, theelves regrouped and wanted to fight once again.


    But this time, Shane felt something off.


    He wasn''t sure, but it felt as if his new skill, Danger Sense, was actually working right now!


    He couldn''t ignore it as it felt like it was warning him of imminent danger. He then focused his attention on the small zombie that had been temporarily incapacitated byChaloem''s powerful strikes.


    "Mhmm?"


    Suddenly, a sense of foreboding gripped him as he witnessed the undead creature emitting dark liquid from its twisted orifices, a clear sign that something was about to happen and it sent a chill down his spine.


    ''I don''t care anymore¡­''


    Realizing that time was of the essence and not wanting to wait and see what horror awaited them,Shaneswiftly made a decision.


    With a fluid motion, he retrieved hisSharpshooter''s Laser Sniper Rifle, a weapon he bought in the auction that he had saved for moments of dire need.


    "Move back¡­" Shane reminded his team, as he didn''t want any of them to get caught in the line of fire.


    Taking aim withplete focus,Shanecalibrated his shot with the help of his weapon mastery skill.


    Before the mysterious small zombie could finish what it was trying to do, Shane squeezed the trigger!


    Click!


    A brilliant beam ofser light erupted from the barrel of the rifle, streaking through the air, and it headed urately towards the small zombie!


    Thud!


    The searing beam of energy struck the undead creature''s head with pinpoint precision, engulfing it in a blinding sh of light and unleashing a powerful st that reverberated through the cavern!


    The beam didn''t just st the zombie''s head, but it also pierced through the rocky wall!


    The small zombie didn''t even let out a screech as the heat spread and half of its body was soon consumed by the intense energy of theser rifle!


    Indeed, its head disintegrated into nothingness as the force of the st obliterated it from existence while half of its body started turning into ashes.


    The five elves and the Monk couldn''t help but look at Shane and the weapon in his hands. They didn''t expect him to carry such a terrifying weapon!


    With the threat finally eliminated, a heavy silence descended upon the cavern, broken only by the faint crackle of residual energy dissipating into the air and the sound of the notification brought by his System.


    [ You have eliminated a Flesh Puker Zombie ]

 Chapter 166: Loot and Rewards

    "Flesh Puker?" Shane repeated the name of the unpleasant zombie.


    Seeing that it was able to extend its tongue a while ago, he guessed that its name would be Licker Zombie or something along that line. However, he recalled that this zombie actually came out from the body of the huge zombie a while ago¡­


    He couldn''t help but guess that this Flesh Puker created that huge zombie! Perhaps it was from the flesh it could produce!


    ''That''s an interesting zombie¡­'' Shane mused as he checked the other notifications he received.


    [ You have eliminated a Flesh Puker Zombie ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate Flesh Puker Zombie, a high-tier zombie! ]


    [ Hint: Only the first elimination of each Mid-Tier and High-Tier zombie can provide special rewards! ]


    [ You have obtained the following rewards: Spirit Breakthrough Potion x2, Experience Boost Potions x2, Zombie Cores x50 ]


    "Mhmm? I obtained all of them?" Shane muttered after seeing his reward.


    It must be remembered that his first elimination rewards would only let him choose one among the selections.


    However, this time, he actually obtained all the rewards!


    "Incredible¡­ One more Spirit Breakthrough Potion and I can finally breakthrough¡­" Shane muttered after seeing his rewards. Well, he could actually try in the World Chat or Regional Chat if they have this potion. Since he only needed one, he should be able to find it and purchase it for a decent price.


    As for the Experience Boost Potions, they were actually really enticing, and he nned to use one of them during the Zombie Wave as he would surely level up quickly with its help.


    Anyway, he looked at the others as he recalled to check whether they were injured or not.


    "We''re fine, Sir Shane¡­"


    Eldrin and the other elves simply breathed a collective sigh of relief after confirming that the zombie was already dead and there were no more creaturesing out of its chest¡­


    Whew~


    The tension of the distressing battle slowly receded away as they stood amidst the aftermath of their hard-won victory.


    It was the same for the Monk as he assured the young lord of his safety.


    Shhen lowered his rifle as he decided to start looting the zombies.


    "Keep on guard while I''m looting them¡­" Shanemanded as he stored his weapons in his inventory, except for the hatchet and the revolver that he could easily pull out in case of emergency.


    "It''s a pity I already used the x5 loot effect." Shane muttered before he touched the remains of the Flesh Puker Zombie.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 55 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x2, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL Flesh Puker Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Toxic Flesh Shard x1, Mutant Whip x1, Mushroom of Carnivorous Growth x5, Putrid Hide Armor x1 ]


    "What?" Shane couldn''t help but regret the fact that he had already used the x5 loot effect that he could only use once a day.


    Nheless, he was still happy with the items he looted.


    He didn''t immediately check the descriptions of these items as there were still many Crypt Crawler Zombies around.


    He decided to quickly loot them first so they could finally leave this ce.


    However, as he was about to do just that¡­ Shane noticed that the elves and the Monk were looking at the area behind him.


    Shane quickly turned his head only to realize that there was actually a Bronze Treasure Chest from where the huge zombie was!


    Apparently,after the Flesh Puker Zombie was looted, the huge zombie had also dissipated, and it seemed to have left this treasure!


    [ You have discovered a Bronze Treasure Chest. ]


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 5 Reputation Points. ]


    "I''m so lucky today¡­" Shane muttered as he opened the treasure chest, hoping that he''d get the same loot as before!


    However, instead of finding the Recruitment Stones, Potions, and others he had gotten before, something different appeared.


    To be exact, it was quite simr to the items he received from the Wooden Treasure Chest he had found before.


    [ You have received Starlight Silver Ingot x10 ]


    [ You have received Abyssal Iron Ingot x10 ]


    [ You have received Phoenix Copper Ingot x10 ]


    [ You have received Sunfire Gold Ingot x10 ]


    [ You have received Power Core x10 ]


    [ You have received Zombie Core x100 ]


    It was the familiar Starlight Silver, Abyssal Iron, and Phoenix Copper!


    However, this time, they were already Ingots instead of Ores that still needed to be processed by his hardworking cksmith!


    Furthermore, their numbers increased, and there were also Sunfire Gold Ingots on the list!


    Anyway, after opening the chest, all the items were transferred to his inventory.


    After that, the Bronze Treasure Chest disappeared just like before.


    Then, Shane finally turned his attention to the Crypt Crawler Zombies.


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x2, Zombie Cores x2, Bread x2, 500mL Water, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Rare Recruitment Stone Fragment x1 ]


    "Mhmm? Rare Recruitment Stone Fragment?"


    Shane muttered as he checked it quickly in his inventory. There, he realized 10 Fragments to form a single Rare Recruitment Stone!


    "Not bad!"


    With this, he continued looting the Crypt Crawler Zombies.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes." Shane answered without hesitation.


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x2, Zombie Cores x2, Bread x2, 500mL Water, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Rare Recruitment Stone Fragment x1 ]


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x2, Zombie Cores x2, Bread x2, 500mL Water, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Rare Recruitment Stone Fragment x1 ]


    ***


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x2, Zombie Cores x2, Bread x2, 500mL Water, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Rare Recruitment Stone Fragment x1 ]


    He couldn''t help but smile at seeing that all of them had dropped a fragment, allowing him to form a singleRare Recruitment Stone!


    After seeing this, Shane''s attention was finally brought to the items he looted from the Flesh Puker Zombie just now.


    [ Mutant Whip ( Rare ):Awhip crafted from sinewy tendrils taken from the Flesh Puker Zombie, capable of delivering powerful strikes and causing debilitating effects on enemies.


    Effects: +25% Lacerating Damage, +15% Critical Chance ]


    [ Putrid Hide Armor ( Master ): A set of armor made from the toughened hide of the Flesh Puker Zombie, providing moderate protection against physical attacks but emitting a foul stench that repels weaker foes.


    Effects: +15% Poison Resistance, +20% Defense


    Special Effect: Noxious Aura - Releases a lingering toxic cloud when struck, poisoning nearby enemies and reducing theirbat effectiveness. ]


    "I wonder who would be willing to wear this armor¡­" Shane muttered to himself.


    As for the Mutant Whip, he could actually use it with his passive skill, but he probably won''t be using it with his Sniper Rifle and other better weapons in his possession.


    Finally, Shane put his attention to the two unusual items in his inventory: the Mushroom of Carnivorous Growth and Toxic Flesh Shard¡­


    [ Mushroom of Carnivorous Growth: This unique mushroom, harvested from the Flesh Puker Zombie, possesses a remarkable ability to rapidly multiply and grow into a bountiful food source for the shelter. Despite its carnivorous nature, when cooked, it transforms into a delectable dish that not only nourishes but also grants those who consume it enhanced vitality and regenerative properties.


    Edible Qualities: When prepared, the Mushroom of Carnivorous Growth yields a hearty meal that boosts health regeneration and provides a temporary protective aura against toxic influences. Its savory taste belies its potent healing properties, making it a prized addition to the survivors'' rations during challenging times. ]


    "This is it!" Shane was stunned as soon as he saw the mushroom''s description!


    The elves and the Monk were a bit surprised after hearing Shane exim. Nheless, they didn''t ask questions and maintained their position as they guarded him.


    "We must nt it in the shelter¡­ No, I should probably nt one of them in the Fairy Realm¡­" Shane said as he was already nning on what to do.


    Anyway, he turned his attention now to thest item.


    [ Toxic Flesh Shard: The Toxic Flesh Shard extracted from the Flesh Puker Zombie may seem hazardous at first nce, but when properly processed and treated, it reveals its hidden potential as a unique culinary ingredient.


    When ingested in controlled quantities, the Toxic Flesh Shard imparts a subtle, revitalizing effect on the consumer, enhancing their resilience and fortitude against toxic threats.


    Edible Qualities: Through careful alchemical preparation, the Toxic Flesh Shard can be incorporated into specialized dishes that grant temporary immunity to poison, bolstering the consumer''s defenses and providing a valuable edge in survival situations.


    Despite its origins, this unexpected delicacy serves as a testament to resourcefulness in the face of adversity, offering both sustenance and protection to those who partake. ]

 Chapter 167: Water

    "This is perfect¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the descriptions of the two edible loots he had obtained from the Flesh Puker Zombie.


    While the mushroom must be nted in hopes of spreading them and bing their source of food, the Toxic Flesh Shard requires a higher level of processing in order to consume it. This Shard must be provided to Anna and let her process it.


    "Alright¡­ We''re good to go." Shane said after confirming that they could no longer find any zombies or treasures in this abandoned mining site.


    He should probably try on the next day to see if the zombies, including the Flesh Puker Zombie, would respawn in this cave again.


    For now, he had to meet the members of the Eclipse Revenant outside the cave.


    The elves also took a quick look at the surroundings and confirmed that everything was safe before they followed Shane.


    Soon, Shane and his team emerged from the dimly lit cavern, their weapons still coated in the remnants of their hard-won battle.


    As they stepped into the waning light of day, they were greeted by the sight ofLyraandJaxon, members of theEclipse Revenant, standing alongsideShinja, the formidable warlord who was sent by Shane to save the two from the Tyrant Zombies thaty lifeless behind them.


    "n Leader! You''ve arrived atst¡­" EximedLyra, her relief was evident as she locked eyes withShane, gratitude shining through her gaze.


    "Ahh¡­"


    Awestruck by the ethereal figures that stood behindShane,Jaxon''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    "Wait... Are those Elves?" he stammered, his voice tinged with wonder at the sight of the enigmatic beings with their elegant features and otherworldly presence.


    With their long ears, long hair, fair skin, and the aura they emit, he was sure that they weren''t humans!


    Shane couldn''t help but smile after hearing this.


    "I hadn''t anticipated your swift arrival. It''s good to see you both safe and sound."Shaneremarked, his tone filled with genuine amity.


    He also gave a nod of gratitude towardsShinja, who had saved the two.


    In response toJaxon''s curious query,Shaneexined, "Indeed, they are elves I summoned through aRecruitment Stone. But let me secure the spoils from these fallen Tyrant Zombies before we return to the estate."


    After saying this,Shurned towards the two Tyrant Zombies and started looting them¡­


    [ You have earned 55 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x2, Zombie Cores x2, Bread x2, 100mL Tyrant Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Corrupted Hearthstone x1 ]


    [ You have earned 55 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x2, Zombie Cores x2, Bread x2, 100mL Tyrant Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Corrupted Hearthstone x1 ]


    "Right¡­ I hope Anna can process these Hearthstones as well." Shane muttered after seeing the familiar loot items he obtained from the Tyrant Zombies.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in the Springriver Manor, after Shane and his team left, Gene stood sentinel atop the watchtower while holding the crossbow in his hands, ready to shoot any intruders of their territory.


    His gaze swept over the estate with practiced vignce.


    Below, at the clearing in front of the manor, Lucas was teaching the others how to wield the new weapons that Shane had brought from the auction.


    "Now! Let me show you how this is done¡­"


    His voice carried the weight of experience as he demonstrated the use of the methrower after he taught them how to use the Grenade Launcher a while ago.


    With a deft flick of the ignition, Lucas unleashed a torrent of mes upon a dummy in the clearing.


    Whooosh~


    The fire roared to life, consuming the target with a ferocity that left the onlookers in awe.


    "This is incredible¡­"


    "So hot!"


    "Anyone would die from that!"


    Leo, Mr. Wadsworth, Harper, and the others, including the prisoners, were in awe after seeing the methrower in action.


    The heat it radiated outwards was incredible, and they knew that it would quickly kill the zombies, especially if there was a horde of them¡­


    They couldn''t help but appreciate the power they now wielded against the undead.


    Gene''s attention then shifted as he heard the sound of hammering close by, noticing the progress on the third watchtower.


    Eliot, alongside the Super Soldiers, was already halfway in the construction!


    ''That''s fast¡­ As expected of the Super Soldiers. They''re reliable.'' Gene thought as he couldn''t help but smile, seeing how hardworking they all were.


    The structure rose steadily as time passed. It would be a new sentinel that would stand guard over their growing sanctuary.


    As Gene reached for his binocrs, intent on surveying the forest''s edge, a sound unfamiliar yet wee reached his ears¡ªthe rush of water.


    ''Flood?''


    He paused, the binocrs forgotten, as the once-dry riverbed began to fill.


    His eyes lit up as the water cascaded through the channel, clear and vibrant, heralding a change none had anticipated.


    "W-what? Where did ite from?!" Gene was obviously not mad that water flowed to their dried river or canal¡­


    Of course, he wasn''t the only one who noticed this.


    The estate burst into life at the sound.


    Anna emerged from the infirmary, her eyes wide with wonder.


    "Water," she whispered, the implications for health and hygiene already running through her mind.


    Alexa, abandoned her kitchen, a broad smile spreading across her face. "Fresh water! Anna, can you check if it''s clean? I''m thinkin of making soups, the stews¡­ Oh! The possibilities!" she eximed, her culinary imagination ignited.


    Mr. Wadsworth, the butler, adjusted his sses, observing the river''s revival with a dignified nod.


    "As expected¡­ It was really just a blocked waterway¡­" he remarked. "This will certainly ease the daily toils."


    Eliot, the engineer, downed his tools and approached the river, his mind racing with ns for irrigation, power generation, and more.


    "This changes everything," he said, his voice tinged with excitement.


    The residents gathered, their faces alight with joy as the river flowed once more. Laughter and chatter filled the air, a moment of pure tion amidst the struggle for survival. They didn''t know how or why the water had returned, but in that moment, it didn''t matter.

 Chapter 168: Plans

    In the midst of this, Anna, the physician and alchemist of the shelter, hastened to test the water''s safety. But before she could act, Lucky, her faithful dog, had alreadypped up the water.


    "Wait!"


    Her eyes widened in rm, and she called out to him, but it was toote; Lucky had quenched his thirst. She watched anxiously, counting the minutes. Five passed, and Lucky remained unaffected.


    "Thank goodness," she sighed in relief. "Still, a second test is in order," she murmured.


    Anna collected a sample of the water in a clean vial, holding it up to the light. She added a few drops of a reagent from her kit and watched for a color change, indicative of contamination. The water remained clear, a positive sign. She then ced a strip of testing paper into the vial; it too, showed no signs of impurities.


    Of course, this ''paper'' was something she made from a special leaf.


    Satisfied, Anna dered, "The water is safe for consumption."


    The news spread quickly, and a collective cheer rose from the crowd, echoing the newfound hope that flowed with the river.


    ''This must be Shane''s work¡­ Did they actually reroute the water? I wonder how they did that¡­'' Anna thought for a moment, but in any case, the method was not important to her. Such matter would be handle by the lord of this territory after all.


    ***


    Mr. Wadsworth, the embodiment of decorum and diligence, shared in the collective joy over the safe drinking water before returning to his duties, to meet the prisoners.


    With a trayden with sustenance, he approached Max''s quarters while a Super Soldier was at his side for security.


    "Good morning, Max," Mr. Wadsworth greeted, his voice calm and reassuring as he set down the food.


    "I trust the amodations are to your satisfaction?"


    Max, whose presence was as formidable as his talent, nodded grudgingly.


    Mr. Wadsworth didn''t mind this and continued, "Our shelter, as you''ve seen, is a stronghold that could not be breached so easily. Under Shane''s leadership, we''ve thrived amidst chaos. Loyalty here is not just rewarded; it''s celebrated."


    He poured a ss of water, the rity of which mirrored the transparency with which he spoke.


    "Swear fealty to our lord, Shane, and you''ll walk free among us. Your talents could greatly aid our cause, and in turn, you''ll gain a family, a purpose."


    Max''s eyes, previously hard as flint, softened slightly, considering the proposition. To be honest, he doesn''t even know if he had any other choice¡­ He also wanted to belong to Shane''s shelter and survive the apocalypse.


    However, he was simply worried that due to his position or how he tried to invade this shelter. He knew that it would not be easy and that other people here would probably not like him at all. Furthermore, they probably wouldn''t trust him as well and perhaps bound him like a ve instead.


    Seeing that Max was deep in his thoughts, Mr. Wadsworth smiled and decided that it was enough for today. It was much better that the man didn''t just immediately agree and seriously consider this matter.


    With a respectful nod, Mr. Wadsworth then excused himself to attend to La.


    Her room, bathed in the soft glow of sunlight, seemed to quiver with the unseen force of her talent.


    She could still use her Telekinesis and could probably overpower Mr. Wadsworth but with the Super Soldier beside him, La had to be aware of her position.


    "La," he began, offering a te of food, "ourmunity had many incredible talents, each of them as vital as the other. Your gift of Telekinesis could be a game-changer if used properly. We ask only for loyalty, and in return, you''ll find freedom and respect here."


    ''Loyalty¡­ How can you even tell whether I''ll betray you or not?'' La thought for a moment as she turned to the old butler.


    La''s gaze, sharp and assessing, met his.


    "And if I refuse?" she inquired, her voice steady.


    Mr. Wadsworth met her gaze unflinchingly. "Then you remain a guest, albeit within confines, until trust can be established. But I believe in the potential of unity, and I hope you''ll see that too."


    Leaving the food with her, Mr. Wadsworth departed, his steps measured, his mind already nning the next task in the never-ending cycle of service to the shelter.


    The fate of the two prisoners nowy in their own hands¡­


    For now, it was enough to give them hope of getting freed instead of instilling in them the fear of being imprisoned and enved forever.


    With this method, Mr. Wadsworth knew that they wouldn''t cross the line and remain silent and observant of the situation instead.


    He may not have been a prison guard before, but he had dealt with numerous kinds of people and knew how he should address them.


    ***


    Meanwhile, Alexa, the chef of the shelter, watched the clear water dance in the sunlight, a vision of life and the possibility of their shelter''s growth.


    She had always dreamed of a garden where she could grow her own herbs and vegetables, and now, with the new water source, that dream could be a reality.


    She began to n.


    First, she would need to test the soil of the area she wanted to use, ensuring it was fertile enough for nting.


    Then, she would select the seeds¡ªbasil, thyme, rosemary, and more. The thought of fresh tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce made her heart race with excitement.


    With the help of Eliot, the engineer, she sketched out an irrigation system that would bring water from the river to the garden.


    They discussed theyout, considering sunlight and shade, and how they could protect the nts from any lingering threats.


    "This is cool! I think Shane and the others did this while they were exploring outside¡­" Shemented as they were making the n.


    "I think so too¡­ I wonder what they''re doing right now." Eliot nodded.


    As the ns took shape, Alexa''s kitchen buzzed with anticipation. Fresh ingredients meant new recipes, healthier meals, and a touch of normalcy in their chaotic world.

 Chapter 169: Return to the Estate

    Meanwhile, as Shane and his extensive entourage approached the estate, the murmur of flowing water greeted them¡ªit was the confirmation that Shane needed.


    "Mhmm¡­ I wonder how they reacted." Shane muttered as he knew that the residents must''ve been surprised that their dried-up canal was suddenly followed with water.


    The elves also smiled after noticing this change in the state.


    With their team''s efforts, they indeed cleared up the once-blocked waterway leading to their territory...


    Shane nced at his team once again¡­


    "Good job, everyone¡­" He said.


    The five elves, with their serene demeanor, the stoic warlord, and the contemtive monk, smiled and they could tell that Shane was genuinely happy this time.


    Lyra and Jaxon, the members of Eclipse Revenant and neers to this sanctuary, felt a surge of excitement as they heard the running water. It confirmed their intuition that Shane''snd was filled with resources.


    Nheless, the surprise wasn''t over yet.


    Their eyes widened as the estate came into view, its formidable four-meter palisade standing like a sentinel. A couple of sturdy watchtowers loomed ahead, and vignt guards were scanning the horizon.


    "Hey¡­ Is that a machine gun?" Lyra whispered as she saw one of the watchtowers had an arranged machine gun!


    "That''s true¡­ Not just that¡­ I can tell that the ce is filled with traps." Jaxon muttered.


    There were traps that could be easily seen, and they were certain that those were for zombies¡­ If there were hidden traps, those were most likely meant for other people.


    It was clear that safety here was not left to chance.


    As they neared the gate, a signal was sent to the watchtower, and with a creaking of heavy wood and iron, the entrance yawned open.


    However, Jaxon didn''t, with a higher perception than Lyra, notice something else as he jolted.


    "What was that?" He muttered.


    Lyra was confused, but Shane, who had noticed his reaction, smiled and exined.


    "Don''t mind it. It''s the barrier that has to be lifted for a moment so we can enter." Shane exined¡­


    Jaxon''s eyes lit up after hearing this.


    "So that was a barrier!"


    This barrier added security in the small fortress they made, and it also gave a peace of mind to everyone! The two didn''t expect that he would have such a highly advanced equipment!


    "Ahh! Is that the Bio-Barrier Generator you bought in the auction?" Lyra asked, recalling one of the items that Shadow Strider purchased for 1,000 Points.


    Although she couldn''t purchase it as well in the event, she had no specific territory to ce it, and there were other items she had to buy at that time.


    "It''s not that¡­ However, that barrier is also active since it protects us from virus or poison that travels through the air." Shane replied.


    Lyra and Jaxon then turned their attention to the gate that had just opened.


    What awaited them was a sight both imposing and reassuring¡ªtwo towering figures, Super Soldiers, armed with massive metal bats that gleamed in the sunlight.


    The existence of the Super Soldiers was already mentioned to them by Shane. However, they were still quite nervous seeing such intimidating humans waiting for them at the gate.


    Nheless, their presence as an ally would surely put them at ease while sleeping at night.


    "So they''re the Super Soldiers you mentioned, Shane." Lyra muttered as she observed the Super Soldiers.


    These were Shane''s vanguards, the first line of defense, and they knew that there were still four of these soldiers in the estate.


    "Yes¡­ They''re very reliable. If you want to train yourbat skills, you can ask them to train you if they''re not busy." Shanemented.


    Lyra and Jaxon exchanged a nce, their initial apprehension giving way to admiration.


    As they saw the estate, they realized that it was a ce not just of refuge but of order and might!


    "I hope Raze and the others would hurry here." Lyra muttered.


    "That would be great¡­ We will start doing n Missions when that happens." Jaxon replied.


    As they entered the estate, they were soon weed by a man wearing a familiar uniform of a butler.


    Mr. Wadsworth, the epitome of grace and efficiency within the estate, greeted the returning group with a nod and a subtle smile.


    "Wee back, Master Shane, and esteemed guests¡­" he said, his voice smooth as silk.


    Shane, dusting off the remnants of the journey, introduced Lyra and Jaxon.


    "This is Lyra and Jaxon¡­ These two are Foreign Survivors like me. Right, we made the Eclipse Revenant n, and they''ll be staying here¡­" he exined, gesturing towards them with a weing hand.


    "Mr. Wadsworth, could you coordinate with Eliot to prepare living quarters?"


    Shane asked, but he paused for a moment as he recalled something¡­


    "We''ll need space for more, probably about thirty¡­but let''s start with amodations for these two. Prioritize Lyra and Jaxon for now¡­" Shane instructed, his mind already racing ahead to the myriad tasks at hand.


    "Of course, sir," Mr. Wadsworth replied, his mind cataloging the necessary arrangements. "I shall see to it immediately."


    Shane nodded, satisfied.


    The reason he was not using the other Recruitment Stones yet was simple¡ªhe must ensure their resources could sustain their growth.


    Food, shelter, and basic amenities¡­ all must be in ce before he expands further¡­


    With the matter settled, Shane excused himself to find Alexa.


    He presented her with the Unknown Meat he looted a while ago.


    This safe meat that was dropped by the Zombies may be questionable in many ways but as long as it was safe to eat, it was not a big deal for them¡­


    "Please make us a good meal today¡­ If I find something you need in the Survivor Store, I''ll give it to you¡­" Shane said.


    Alexa epted the meat with a gleam in her eye. "I''ll make sure this goes to good use¡­ If you find better clothes or maybe a chef''s uniform, that would be great..." Alexa replied while already pondering what kind of meal she''d make with the meat.

 Chapter 170: Testing

    Shane felt slightly exhausted after his day-long task, so he retreated to his small room.


    This time, he finally decided to spend his hard-earned money or Zombie Cores.


    Just from the two Treasure Chests that he opened a while ago, he already managed to obtain 150 Zombies Cores!


    He also obtained Zombie Cores from 10 sher Zombies, numerous Caver Dweller Zombies, Screamer Zombies, Tyrant Zombies, and Crypt Crawler Zombies¡­ That gave him a total of 174 more Zombies Cores, including the ones he obtained from killing the Flesh Puker Zombie.


    So when Shane checked his inventory, he couldn''t help but smile seeing 562 Zombie Cores.


    Needless to say, he finally feltfortable spending his ''money'' with this much savings.


    Once again, Shane opened his Survivor Store to see the items being sold.


    The first thing he purchased was, of course, the Drone!


    [ Tactical Combat Drone ( Master ):


    Description: An autonomous drone equipped with a camera and a small-caliber gun. It can scout ahead, provide real-time surveince, and offer support during skirmishes.


    Price: 100 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    He decided not to check the item after purchasing it since he wasn''t done purchasing items yet.


    There were two items in his Survivor Store that couldst for 7 days. One of them was the Drone and the other was the Amulet worth 1000 Zombie Cores!


    That was quite expensive, but because he was the first to reach level 19, he was able to receive a decent reward. It was the 90% Off Voucher!


    [ 90% Off Voucher used! ]


    [ Mystic Amulet ( Epic ):


    Description: An ancient amulet that vibrates with arcane energy. It enhances the wearer''s natural abilities, providing a boost to physical strength, agility, and mental acuity.


    Current Price: 100 Zombie Cores ( Before: 1,000 Zombie Cores )


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    Needless to say, Shane purchased this Amulet¡­


    After this, he also bought the other items in the store like the Healing Salve, Night Vision Goggles, Zombie Lure, Random Mutant Vegetable Seeds, the Radiation Resistant Gloves, and finally, the Reinforced Barricade.


    After that, Shane turned his attention to the Drone and pulled it out of his Inventory.


    ''Let''s see what you can do¡­''


    Shane muttered as he looked at the Tactical Combat Drone.


    The Drone, sleek and menacing,y inert on the table. Its matte ck exterior was punctuated by red scanning lights that blinked to life as Shane activated it.


    ''This is pretty cool¡­''


    "Cloud, is there a chance that you can help me control this thing?"


    [ I can scan and analyze it to see how it works and provide you guidelines on how it works. However, taking control of this device will be difficult unless I can connect to it. ]


    "Oh? Can you not connect to it? Do I have to do something?" Shane asked curiously. With the knowledge he obtained from the Memory Sphere, he had a rough idea of what Cloud could do, so he asked the A.I.


    [ The wristwatch where I am now can be connected to the controller''s charging port with a cable. It has to be done this way since the drone model is too old. ]


    "Got it¡­ However, let me try it manually for now." Shane replied as he looked at the small-caliber gun attached to its underbelly. It was already a marvel of engineering for him. Shane couldn''t help but appreciate howpact yet deadly it was.


    With a hum, the Drone lifted off, its camera swiveling to survey its surroundings.


    Shane piloted the Drone through the room, getting a feel for its controls.


    It responded with precision, darting from corner to corner, its camera feeding real-time images to Shane''s handheld monitor.


    ''This is pretty cool¡­'' Shane muttered as he felt quitefortable controlling it. Perhaps it was thanks to his various skills rted toputers.


    Satisfied with its performance, hended the Drone, its mission within the roomplete¡ªfor now.


    "This is good for scouting that area above the waterfalls." Shane muttered as he felt that the area above would have surprises he needed to discover.


    Next, Shane picked up the Mystic Amulet that was worth 1,000 Zombie Cores!


    Although he only purchased it for 100, it doesn''t mean that its value was lowered.


    "This looks good¡­" Shane muttered as seeing the item. He was expecting arge amulet with a bad design. However, seeing it now made him really a fan of it.


    It was a thing of beauty: a circr pendant of deep emerald, set in ace of silver that seemed to pulse with an inner light. It felt magical!


    There were also engravings etched along its edge and as Shane sped it around his neck, a warm sensation spread through him.


    His senses sharpened, his muscles tensed with newfound vigor, and his mind cleared as if fog had been lifted.


    "Wow¡­ This feels really great¡­" Shanemented on the sensation he felt as soon as he wore it.


    He felt the amulet''s power coursing through him, enhancing his natural abilities.


    Shane flexed his fingers, feeling the strength that flowed within. He knew that with this amulet, his chances of survival¡ªand victory¡ªhad just increased exponentially.


    With a nod of approval at his reflection, Shane tucked the amulet under his shirt, its presence was now a secret wellspring of power. He could not let anyone know about this.


    The day had been long, but these new tools rekindled his excitement.


    Tomorrow, he would test them in the field, against the undead hordes that awaited.


    For now, he allowed himself a moment of rest¡­


    ''Ahh¡­ Right! It''s not time to rest yet.'' Shane muttered as he recalled that he still had something to do.


    He would be away for eight hours, so he decided to visit Anna to give the Toxic Flesh Shard to her to experiment on. He also informed her about its purpose, but she actually knew about it already thanks to the alchemist skill she had obtained.


    After settling this, Shane then visited Leo in the smithy¡­


    There, he gave him the ingots he looted!


    After doing all of this, Shane decided to visit the Fairy Realm to meet his lovely pets and, perhaps, nt some seeds!

 Chapter 171: The Ingots

    Leo took the ingots from Shane and was amazed by what he saw!


    [ Starlight Silver Ingot x10 ]


    [ Abyssal Iron Ingot x10 ]


    [ Phoenix Copper Ingot x10 ]


    [ Sunfire Gold Ingot x10 ]


    "Ohhhhh¡­ So I no longer have to process ores this time¡­ You found treasures, Shane!" Leo''s eyes lit up after seeing the ingots Shane ced in front of him.


    "I indeed found them in a treasure chest. Make some weapons or armor or whatever you think is better out of them¡­" Shane replied.


    "You want me to decide what I''ll do with them?" Leo asked with a hint of excitement in his voice.


    "Yes. You''re the expert¡­ I''ll let you handle them¡­ Just think that they will be equipped by those elves and other Survivors¡­ Right, for the Sunfire Gold Ingot, try to make a weapon with the monk and the warlord in your mind as their owner."


    "Hooo~ This is quite challenging. It would be great if you can find another cksmith who can work as my assistant. This will be a lot of work."


    "Don''t worry¡­ I will be recruiting a lot of people soon. We just need to finish their living quarters and other basic needs." Shane replied.


    The two chatted for a little while more before Shane left forge to return to his small room.


    Soon, Leo was alone in his smithy.


    As he looked at the ingots in front of him, he couldn''t help but smile and excitedly inspected each of them.


    [ Starlight Silver Ingot:


    Description: A rare metal forged from Starlight Silver Ore, emitting a soft, silvery glow reminiscent of distant stars. Its lustrous surface reveals intricate celestial patterns that seem to shift with the beholder''s gaze, hinting at its mystical origins and the potential for crafting legendary artifacts.


    Effects: Weapons crafted from Starlight Silver Ingot possess a celestial grace, granting the wielder enhanced uracy and the ability to strike with precision, increasing critical hit chances. Armor forged from this ingot bestows agility upon the wearer, enabling swift movements and quick reflexes inbat. ]


    "It''s really meant to be used for weapons or pieces of equipment for high dexterity¡­ The elves would surely like weapons made of these ingots¡­" Leomented as he already had a rough idea about the elven''s abilities.


    [ Abyssal Iron Ingot:


    Description: Forged from the depths of the abyss, this dark and foreboding metal exudes an aura of solid strength and imprable fortitude. Its weight hints at its exceptional density, harboring the essence of ancient mysteries waiting to be unleashed in the form of formidable armaments.


    Effects: Weapons crafted from Abyssal Iron Ingot bestow a sense of resilience to the wielder, granting increased defensive capabilities and the ability to withstand enemy assaults. Armor fashioned from this ingot offers unparalleled protection and resilience, reducing damage taken in the heat of battle. ]


    "These are for Super Soldiers I guess¡­" Leo muttered as he actually wanted to provide helmets that could also protect the necks of these Super Soldiers. After all, he had a hunch that their weakness was actually their heads or necks.


    [ Phoenix Copper Ingot:


    Description: Radiating a warm, fiery glow and adorned with flickering me-like patterns, this copper ingot embodies the essence of the legendary phoenix. Its malleability and enchanting luminescence suggest a transformative power, promising the creation of weapons and armor infused with fiery resilience and vigor.


    Effects: Items crafted from Phoenix Copper Ingot channel the elemental power of fire, imbuing attacks with a burning essence that deals continuous damage to foes over time. Armor crafted from this ingot provides increased resistance to fire-based attacks, shielding the wearer from mes and heat-rted damage. ]


    "Mhmm¡­ I can make plenty of arrowheads with these ingots¡­" Leo muttered as he felt that it would be perfect for the Phoenix Copper to be arrowheads with their burning essence.


    Lastly, Leo looked at the new type of metal that Shane brought to him.


    [ Sunfire Gold Ingot:


    Description: Crafted from the rarest of ores infused with the essence of the sun''s fiery wrath, the Sunfire Gold Ingot gleams with a radiant golden hue that seems to pulse with an otherworldly heat.


    Its enchanting glow instills a sense of confidence and power in those who wield it, as if the mes of the sun itself dance within its core, ready to incinerate any undead abominations that dare to cross its path.


    Effects: Weapons or charms forged from Sunfire Gold Ingot are imbued with a potent anti-undead enchantment, making them particrly effective against zombies and other unholy creatures. The mere touch of these weapons sears the flesh of the undead, causing them to wither and crumble into ash with each strike.


    Those who bear armor or essories made from this ingot find themselves shielded from the dark energies of the undead, granting them increased resilience and protection against necrotic powers. ]


    "No wonder¡­ So it''s really a gold meant to kill Zombies." Leo muttered as he realized why the Monk and the Warlord would be prioritized with the weapons to be made with this gold.


    However, it seemed that making them as a weapon would not be ideal¡­


    "I hope making essories with them would be a better choice. I should experiment in one ingot first." Leo muttered as he also couldn''t help but think that he really needed an assistant since his work was just growing by the day.


    ***


    In the meantime, while Leo was inspecting the ingots, Shane was already in his room and triggered his Title Effect!


    [ Do you wish to activate the Title''s Effect? ] The system prompt inquired.


    "Yes." Shane affirmed.


    [ You will be transported to the Fairy Realm. The duration will be 8 hours ]


    In an instant, the fabric of space seemed to twist and warp around him. It was the familiar sensation that he was already used to.


    Just as the message said, he was indeed transported through some enigmatic form of spatial sorcery.


    Whom~


    A sudden disorienting darkness engulfed his senses¡­ Before, this feeling made him lightheaded and unsteady but since his level was already high, he no longer felt such difort.


    When he finally reopened his eyes, a vast meadow stretched out before him and he was immediately weed by his pets!

 Chapter 172: Assistance

    Caw! Kru! Kyu!


    There, his beloved pets rushed to greet him with their cutest sounds¡­


    The first thing that he noticed was, of course, their size! Their growth was astonishing.


    Frostbite, the Frost Wyrm, now boasted a crystalline hide that shimmered like diamonds under the fairy realm''s mysterious sun. Its small wings fluttered gently, stirring a cool breeze that carried the scent of winter.


    Sylvan, the Basic Spriggan, had sprouted to a decent height, its bark-like skin now etched with glowing runes. Moss and small flowers adorned its shoulders, and its eyes, deep and green, held the wisdom of the forest.


    Sparky, the Thunderbird, crackled with electric fervor. Its feathers seemed to be capable of summoning lightning bolts. They sparked with energy, and its eyes shed with the intensity of a tempest.


    ze, the Fire Elemental, was a dancing inferno, its form was more defined and fierce. mes licked at its core, casting a warm, inviting glow, while its movements left trails of embers in the air.


    "Awesome¡­ You guys are supposed to bemon pets¡­ But you look so awesome now." Shanemented.


    When he hatched them, they were only the size of his palm. However, they have already be five times bigger!


    Shane then shifted his attention to his side.


    There wasEmberwing, the Fire Kea. Its plumage was now a brilliant spectrum of reds, oranges, and yellows, like the dying light of a sunset.


    It looked really beautiful, and Shane could tell that this bird had really grown a lot, as if it was already two years older!


    It then soared above him and circled a few times to show its excitement¡­ Its call was also a melody to Shane''s ears.


    Before Shane could take it all in,Axis, the Fairy and caretaker of this enchantednd, appeared.


    Her wings, delicate and iridescent, fluttered rapidly as she hovered before Shane, a smile gracing her lips.


    "Wee back, Shane," Axis greeted, her voice a chime of crystal bells.


    "As you can see, yourpanions have thrived in this realm, growing beyond the bounds of time as we know it¡­ I''m not sure what kind of enemies you''re dealing with in your world right now, but I think they''re ready, especially Emberwing¡­ She obtained a few more skills here." Axis said with a hint of smugness on her face. Well, she was certainly proud of the result of her care for Shane''s pets.


    "Are they ready to fight zombies?" Shane muttered as he felt quite excited to see what they could do.


    Shane reached out, his hand brushing against Frostbite''s cool scales, feeling the pulse of life beneath. He shared a silent moment with each of his pets, their bond unspoken but as strong as the magic that enveloped them.


    In this specialnd of the Fairy, where a special type of energy called Mana exists, Shane felt that he could do something more in this ce.


    After checking the abilities of his pets and confirming that they all have the strength needed to help him out in the real world, Shane felt satisfied.


    "Can I let them stay here for a little longer? I want to bring them out just before the next Zombie Wave¡­ I want them to be in their full strength." Shane suggested after some thoughts.


    "That''s fine! I can make them stronger¡­ They might even learn some new skills with my help!" Axis said proudly. She felt like a mother to these mystical creatures as well, so she wanted to make them really strong and survive the apocalypse outside.


    "That''s good to hear¡­ This time, can you help me with these?" Shane asked as he showed two packs of Random Mutant Vegetable Seeds. It contained 50 seeds in each pack, and he still had three other packs he nned to grow outside. After all, he could only visit this realm every day. He still had to make


    "You''re finally going to use thisnd properly¡­ Alright! I will help you nt them!"


    Axis said as she excitedly took all two packs of seeds from Shane''s hands and opened them¡­


    Then, to Shane''s surprise, the tiny Fairy gobbled them all before spewing all the seeds to the ground! They were even all lined up perfectly!


    ***


    Meanwhile, back in the estate, Jaxon''s discovery of Shane''s absence from the map caused a ripple of concern. He was simply searching for Raze''s location when he noticed that the yellow dot representing Shane or the n Leader of the Eclipse Revenant disappeared!


    "Lyra! Look at the map, Shane was gone!" Jaxon''s voice cut through the tranquility of the evening, prompting Lyra to abandon her nourishing soup mid-sip.


    "What?!"


    Her eyes darted to the map, confirming the yellow dot''s disappearance.


    "Weird¡­


    She was indeed surprised, but her trust in Shane''s capabilities quelled any rising panic.


    She immediately checked to see that Shane was still in the chat and friend list! It means that he was still alive!


    "Right¡­ He''s indeed in the chat¡­ Did he disappear using a special skill? Or maybe it was his talent?" Jaxon murmured as he thought of the possibilities.


    "I think it''s better to ask someone." Lyra added.


    Since they were seeking answers, they turned to Mr. Wadsworth, the butler, whose calm demeanor suggested a man unfazed by the mysteries of their world.


    "Mr. Wadsworth, where might Shane be? His presence seems to have vanished from our map¡­" Lyra inquired, her toneced with curiosity rather than rm.


    The butler adjusted his sses, a gesture that seemed to prelude his well-measured words.


    "Ah, Master Shane did mention an errand of importance. He shall not return until the stroke of midnight¡­" he informed them, his voice was as smooth and calm as before.


    Jaxon and Lyra exchanged a nce, their curiosity piqued, but their worries were appeased.


    They decided to await Shane''s return and hoped that he could satisfy their curiosity.


    Anyway, once their meal concluded, they approached Mr. Wadsworth again.


    "We wish to contribute to the estate. What tasks can we take?" Jaxon asked, his hands ready to work¡­ He didn''t want to be a burden on this estate after all.


    Furthermore, he felt that there was something terrifying hiding in this estate, and he wanted to investigate a little.

 Chapter 173: The Estates Night Activities

    Mr. Wadsworth didn''t know what was on their mind. Nheless, he considered their offer, his mind cataloging the estate''s needs.


    However, he also recalled Shane''s instructions¡­


    "Master Shane mentioned that the two of you just needed to rest for now. Your willingness is most appreciated." He replied.


    "We''re still full of energy and still quite early to sleep¡­ You can just tell us where we can help." Jaxon replied.


    Mr. Wadworth smiled at this as he realized that Shane''s friends were easy to get along with¡­ With a nod, he thought of an answer.


    "There are several areas where your skills could be of great service," he began, his gaze sweeping over the pair. "For instance, our defenses can always be bolstered. Assisting in the maintenance of our palisades and traps would be invaluable as well. Furthermore, our gardens are expanding, thanks to the newly restored water source.


    A hand in tending to the crops would not go amiss¡­ If you want to venture outside, we have three miners right now, and you might want to consider joining them to protect them while they do their jobs. Currently, two Super Soldiers were guarding them whenever they mine¡­ It would be great if the two of you could take their escorting task¡­ But mining is only done during the day¡­"


    Lyra nodded, her spirit lifted by the prospect of meaningfulbor. "So you have a mining site nearby. That''s cool. We''ll start escorting them first thing in the morning," she dered¡­


    "And," Mr. Wadsworth added, "if you have any particr talents or expertise, do let us know. We strive to utilize every individual''s strengths to their fullest here."


    Lyra and Jaxon then exined their skills or their talents.


    Learning that Lyra had Talent as a sharpshooter, Mr. Wadsworth knew that she would be the best sentry on the watchtower.


    Jaxon, on the other hand, who had an incredible sense and was dubbed a Tactician, would certainly be a huge help to Eliot. He was an engineer who could build things butcked good insight on making an imprable fortress.


    Perhaps, with Jaxon''s knowledge inbat, he would be able to make decent suggestions and create a better way to defend the estate from the second Zombie Wave.


    Of course, this matter would still be discussedter as they also needed Shane''s opinion.


    ***


    For now, Lyra and Jaxon ventured out to breath some fresh air.


    The estate sprawling before them bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun.


    "This is a beautiful ce¡­" Lyramented.


    "Yes¡­ However, I think there''s a hidden danger in this estate¡­" Jaxon said.


    Lyra knew that he wouldn''t just say this without any reason so she turned to him with a serious look on her face.


    "Is that true?" She asked.


    "Yes¡­ Let''s look around."


    Jaxon had a Talent called Foresight. It was a talent that often tingled at the edges of his consciousness, and it was unusually prickly tonight, suggesting an unseen anomaly within the estate''s peaceful surface.


    Lyra didn''t hesitate and agreed to this. The hidden danger might be rted to the zombies, the shelter, the virus, or anything that could harm them, so they had to take this seriously.


    They toured the grounds, inspecting each building with a meticulous eye.


    The warehouse stood secure, its contents undisturbed. The mill''s wheels turned steadily as the river flows, the smithy''s fires glowed attractively, and the orchard''s trees seemed bountiful. They also confirmed that there were no problems in the palisade¡­


    Then, they also checked the living quarters and confirmed that there was nothing to worry about after confirming that his Foresight wasn''t activating.


    However, as they approached the manor, the sensation that his Talent showed him intensified. It was a foreboding that wed at Jaxon''s instincts.


    "I think there''s a problem with this manor¡­" Jaxon said.


    "It looked like it''s being repaired." Lyra replied.


    "Yes¡­ The first floor seemed to have copsed¡­ Anyway, let''s ask the butler about this manor." Jaxon suggested.


    Soon, he voiced his concerns to Mr. Wadsworth, who listened attentively but offered little in the way of exnation.


    "Master Shane prohibited anyone on entering the third floor of the manor¡­ He has his reasons for the restrictions since it''s rted to our safety¡­" Mr. Wadsworth said, his tone neutral.


    "So the third floor is off-limits¡­ Got it, we will respect his wishes."


    Lyra, sensing Jaxon''s frustration, ced a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Let''s trust Shane," she reminded him gently. "Whatever the reason, it''s for the good of the estate."


    With their curiosity piqued but contained, they redirected their energies toward the training grounds where the Super Soldiers honed their skills.


    The sight that greeted them made them a bit excited¡ªa monk and a Super Soldier squared off, their stances poised forbat!


    The monk, cloaked in robes that seemed to defy his nimbleness, stood poised before theSuper Soldier, whose bulging muscles hinted at unstoppable force.


    This would be a sh of discipline pitted against raw might!


    "I want to see the end of this¡­" Lyramented as she looked at thebatants like two Tyrant Zombies about to face each other!


    "I think that Super Soldier will win¡­" Jaxon muttered.


    "Did you use your Foresight?" Lyra asked.


    "I wish¡­ But it works passively." Jaxon replied with a helpless smile on his face. Although his Talent was great, the fact that he could not control it made it really hard for him on many asions.


    Anyway, it didn''t take long before the two stood transfixed, spellbound by the unfolding spectacle.


    The Monk glided smoothly to get closer to his opponent. His movements were almost spectral, barely disturbing the ground beneath him.


    In stark contrast, theSuper Soldieremanated a primal energy. It felt as if every muscle vibrated with the promise of devastation.


    As thebatants got closer to each other, the tension hung heavy in the air.


    The Monkmade the first move, a lightning-fast jab aimed at the Super Soldier''s torso.


    It was a feint, designed to draw the Soldier''s guard down.


    The Soldier, however, was not easily fooled. He parried the strike with a swift downward sweep of his arm, the force of the block sending a tremor through the ground!


    Boom!

 Chapter 174: Wooden Ring

    "What?" Lyra was surprised as she felt the shockwave from the simple sh of the two¡­ No, to be exact, she thought that it was only a simple sh but it actually contained a lot of power! Perhaps she could do the same with her skills, but she would have to use 50 Spirit Points in the process!


    However, the surprise didn''t end there as the attack seemed to be nothing in front of the twobatants.


    Chaloem was undeterred as he flowed into his next attack, a spinning heel kick aimed at the Soldier''s head.


    The Super Soldier ducked under the kick, feeling the rush of air as the Monk''s foot passed inches from his scalp.


    He countered with a powerful uppercut, but the Monk leaned back, the punch grazing his chin as he maintained his bnce with feline grace.


    The Super Soldier pressed on, throwing a series of rapid punches. Each strike was a thunderous drumbeat, the impact absorbed by the Monk''s forearms as he deflected them with circr motions, the essence of his martial discipline!


    Lyra and Jaxon''s eyes lit up after seeing this¡­


    As a matter of fact, Shinja, who was watching this battle from the roof the church, also felt interested in the Monk''s movements.


    After all, they have different fighting style and he knew that he might be able to learn a thing or two from such a warrior.


    The Super Soldier''s fists were like hammers, but the Monk was water, yielding yet unyielding¡­ It was a unique fighting style that Shinja had never encountered on the battlefield before.


    Nheless, as the battle continued, the Monk seized an opening, his palm striking like a cobra at the Soldier''s chest.


    Bam!


    The Soldier''s muscles tensed, absorbing the blow that would have felled a lesser man. He retaliated with a roundhouse kick, but the Monk dropped to the ground, spinning on his back and sweeping the Soldier''s legs from under him.


    It was very swift!


    The Soldier hit the ground with a force that cracked the earth beneath him. Yet, he was up in an instant, after just pping the ground with his hands! It was a testament to his resilience.


    The Monk, too, rose, and they stood once more, a mutual respect glimmering in their eyes.


    Well, everyone watching the battle was in awe. This includes Gene and Lucas, who were in the watchtowers.


    Although they have firearms equipped and probably wouldn''t engage in closebat, they were still hoping that they would be as strong as these two¡­


    Without a word from the twobatants, theyunched into each other again¡­


    It was a whirlwind of strikes, blocks, and evasive maneuvers.


    As the battle reached its peak, the Monk''s hands were already blurred, striking at pressure points, but the Soldier''s skin was like armor, each nerve ending fortified against pain!


    Chaloem actually felt pressured as well, realizing that hitting the pressure points of these Super Soldiers weren''t enough to incapacitate them¡­ It seemed that he would have to use Ki in order to win!


    However, he felt that using Ki was cheating and didn''t want to do it¡­ In the end, Chaloem just decided to repeatedly hit the Super Soldier until it gave up or admitted defeat.


    As the duel reached its climax, the Monk unleashed a flurry of punches, each one a pinpoint burst of his raw energy¡­


    The Soldier responded with a barrage of his own, his fists like cannonballs. They were two forces of nature colliding, a spectacle of raw power and disciplined precision.


    Finally, as the dust settled, they stepped back, their chests heaving, the ground around them a web of cracks and divots.


    Then, the Monk bowed, a gesture of honor.


    The Super Soldier, however, kneeled to the ground and coughed out blood¡­ Yet, he was still smiling and nodded to the Monk¡­ His respect was earned in the crucible ofbat.


    The others who were watching apuded the two after seeing such a disy of strength.


    They had both proven their spirit. Their martial prowess was definitely at the top within this estate.


    "That was incredible¡­" Lyra really wanted to record that battle. If she could post it in the Regional Chat, it would be even better!


    "So awesome¡­ I wish I could also get a Recruitment Stone and summon someone like him¡­" Jaxonmented as he looked at the kind and always-smiling Monk.


    "Haa~ Did you forget how much he bought those Recruitment Stones? That is 3,500 for the Epic one and 5,500 for the Hero type. There is no way we could gather that much¡­" Lyramented.


    At this time, she then heard Alexa, the chef of the estate, calling for everyone, except those who were on duty as sentries, to have their dinner finally.


    ***


    Meanwhile, Raze, a member of the Eclipse Revenants with fiery red hair flowing behind her, stood alongside Roan, her loyal dragonpanion, on the crest of a hill that offered amanding view of the unsuspecting Survivor camp below.


    ''So you''re indeed hiding here¡­'' Raze muttered with a cold voice as she observed the Survivors.


    The campfire below crackled softly, casting flickering shadows over the group of survivors who were oblivious to the impending danger lurking above them.


    Raze''s gaze hardened, and as she surveyed her targets, her Epic Talent as a Dragon Knight urged her to start the fight¡­


    She hade here not to be friends with these Survivors but to kill them.


    To be exact, she was driven by a sense of justice and retribution as a Dragon Knight.


    A while ago, a request from the Regional Chat caught her attention. It was to eradicate these treacherous individuals for the heinous actsmitted against one of the Survivors'' loved ones¡­


    The crime theymitted certainly angered many other Survivors, but after learning the skills and levels of these people, no one decided to help the man even if he offered a Rare Survivor Skill Scroll.


    In the end, since these people would be along the way as she headed to Shane''s territory, she decided to ept the task¡­


    After taking a deep breath, Raze wore the wooden ring and the wooden ne she won in the Auction, and soon, a surge of energy coursed through her!

 Chapter 175: Razes Hunt

    ''I can only use this for a short time but that''s more than enough to kill these trash¡­'' Raze thought as she wore the essories she purchased in the Market Bazaar.


    In a few moments, the connection between her and Roan, her faithfulpanion, intensified, their bond strengthening as if awakened by the ancient power of the artifacts.


    As the draconic aura enveloped her,Raze''s eyes gleamed with excitement followed by primal ferocity¡­ These two wooden items were actually made out of a specific wood that could help someone like her have a stronger connection to her Dragon. Furthermore, Roan also grew in size after she equipped these items!


    To be exact, these items could be used by all those Survivors with Talents rted to Dragon Warrior, Dragon Knight to be, Half-Dragon, Dragon Heir, Draconic Spirit, and others. She was truly lucky to be able to win such precious items.


    Raze''s fingers closed around the Drakonar Si Ring and the Wyrmheart Locket Ne¡­ They were artifacts that she had to activate with her blood and Roan''s blood.


    Their surfaces were etched with runes that she could not understand, but she could tell that it was a dragon''snguage.


    [ Drakonar Si Ring ( Epic ): A ring of power for those with dragon blood or affinity. It enhances the bond between the Dragon and its partner, granting increased synergy and strength.


    Effects:


    Bond Amplification: Strengthens the connection with your dragon by 150%, enhancingbat coordination.


    Dragon''s Might: Temporarily boosts physical strength and resilience thatsts 5 minutes, with a cooldown of 3 hours. ]


    [ Wyrmheart Locket Ne ( Epic ): A ne that resonates with the heartbeat of dragons. It amplifies draconic presence and imbues the wearer with a fearsome aura.


    Effects:


    Aura of the Wyrm: Emits a draconic aura that intimidates lesser creatures and consumes 30 Spirit Points per minute.


    Mental rity: Sharpens the mind for strategicbat nning thatsts 5 minutes, with a cooldown of 3 hours. ]


    The effects of these two items were already more than enough to allow her to be confident when facing this group of criminals. Furthermore, she was still equipped with her sword, letting her to maximize her talent.


    With a silent nod to Roan, the duo descended from the hill. Their purpose was clear: it was to eliminate all these people! No one could escape from her!


    Roan unfurled his wings, the sound like the rustle of leaves in a fierce wind.


    Then, Raze mounted herpanion, her figure was now truly like a Dragon Knightpared to when she was still struggling in the sewers of arge city.


    As Raze and Roan sloped the hill, the dragon''s mighty roar shattered the silence of the night.


    The Roar wasn''t just a loud noise but it contained the aura of true Dragon!


    The campfire''s gentle glow was eclipsed by the fearsome sound, sending shivers through the air.


    "Enemy attack!"


    The eight figures around the fire convulsed as the roar''s vibrations coursed through them¡­ Their leader, Oliver, looked up in the dark sky and saw the presence of winged creature descending on them!


    "They''reing¡­ Transform now!" As he said this, everyone didn''t hesitate as they all triggered their Talent! Their bodies then started contorting in a grotesque metamorphosis.


    Apparently, this group of people were able to meet with the help of the Regional Chat. They all gathered everyone with Talents rted to being a Werewolf or a Lycanthrope!


    It could be an Umon, Rare, Exceptional, or even Master Talent.


    Oliver, with the Master Talent called Silver Werewolf, was the leader and had the longest duration of the transformation. He was also the quickest in terms of movement and regeneration. Nheless, even if he wasn''t the strongest in terms of physical strength, he was still the leader because his silver hide made him the toughest among everyone.


    ''That''s definitely a dragon¡­ Some of us might die here but we must kill this creature! Eating a Dragon''s flesh will definitely benefit us!'' Oliver thought as he swiftly transformed.


    At this time, bones snapped and reformed, elongating and twisting as coarse fur sprouted across their skin.


    Their faces elongated into snouts filled with razor-sharp teeth, and their fingers stretched into ws capable of rending flesh from bone.


    Raze saw all of these transformations, but she was unfazed!


    The eyes that once held human intelligence now glowed with a feral, predatory light. The transformation wasplete; the humans were no more, reced by monstrous werewolves!


    Awooohh~


    Their howls were a cacophony of rage and hunger!


    Raze, her figure a silhouette against the moon,nded amidst the werewolves with a thunderous impact.


    Boom!


    The ground beneath her cracked, sending a shockwave that threw the creatures off bnce. The campfire was also destroyed at the same time!


    In her hand, she wielded her elemental sword, the de alight with dancing mes that cast a fierce, flickering light upon the scene.


    The werewolves recovered, lunging towards Raze with bared fangs.


    "Haha! A Dragon and its Rider¡­ Eat them both!"


    "The Dragon Heart is mine!"


    "I want a bucket of its blood!"


    "Then I''ll take the Rider then! Kekeke!"


    "Let''s finish her off first before we split the loot!"


    Raze heard all these taunts, but her eyes simply looked cold as she stared at her targets. They all pounced at her, hoping that she would be distracted and reveal an opening.


    However, with her current Agility, she felt unfazed.


    She moved like a wraith, her steps swift, dodging the snapping jaws with a nimbleness that belied her armored form.


    Whoosh~


    Her sword sliced through the air, a fiery arc that seared fur and flesh. She targeted limbs and throats with her Rare Sword¡­ It was only a sword she purchased in the Survivor Store, but with her Dragon Knight Talent, any sword she held would be an elemental sword!


    One werewolf,rger than the rest, charged at her, its eyes aze with malice.


    "Are you the leader?! Roan! Take care of the rest!" Raze said as she met its assault head-on, parrying its ws with her sword before thrusting the burning de into its side.

 Chapter 176: Rewarded

    Everything happened so quickly as the Silver Werewolf howled in agony, the smell of scorched fur filling the air!


    However, Raze wasn''t over yet as she spun, her sword tracing a deadly circle around her, fending off the other two Werewolves from its onught of ws and teeth.


    Three Werewolves attacked her while the others focused on the young Dragon.


    Each swing of her Fire Elemental Sword was urate, each stab and slice were calcted to incapacitate and disarm.


    The werewolves, though fierce, were no match for the Dragon Knight''s prowess, even if the moon was up!


    Raze''s movements were fast, her Elemental Sword could barely be parried by the ws of the Werewolves!


    Whooosh~


    She ducked under a swipe, her de finding the underbelly of another werewolf, the fire searing the wound instantly.


    Another leaped at her from behind, but she pivoted, driving her sword upward through its chest, allowing the mes to consume its heart.


    Just like that, only the Silver Werewolf was able to recover and not die immediately!


    Raze knew that they had incredible regeneration skills, so she knew that she could not stop her offensive moves¡­


    Soon, the field was consumed with fire as Raze and Roan unleashed their elemental prowess¡­


    Raze remained almost untouched by the werewolves'' desperate attacks. After getting used to the movements of the Silver Werewolf, she was able to continuously wound her opponent until it was no longer able to regenerate!


    At this time, Raze''s Dragon''s Might, Aura of the Wyrn, Mind rity, and Bond Amplification had also ended¡­


    Thankfully, it was the same moment thest Werewolf fell, its body was smoldering while Raze stood beside it.


    Her breathing was steady while her sword was still aze. This time, Roan also became smaller. With this size, Raze would not be able to ride him anymore.


    The night reimed its stillness, the only evidence of the battle the scorched earth and the Dragon Knight standing victorious under the cold gaze of the moon.


    ''This is the price formitting such terrible acts¡­ If you''re going to kill someone, you should just do it and notmit those unspeakable acts in front of their lover¡­'' Raze sight as she collected the ears of the Werewolves before sending it to the Requestor.


    After the Requestor confirmed that the Werewolves'' ears were indeed from the criminals he was looking for, he sent the Rare Survivor Scroll to Raze through the trading system¡­


    Raze smiled after seeing it in her inventory, but as she was about to thank the Requestor, she realized that he had already disappeared.


    "Mhmm?"


    Raze frowned at this, as there were two possible reasons why the name of the man had disappeared from her friend list. It was probably because she was removed from the Friend List or the man was already dead.


    Raze could only sigh at this and could only hope that the man still chose to live even afterpleting his vengeance.


    "That''s no longer my concern¡­" Raze muttered as she started looting the Werewolves she and her Dragon killed.


    With her second Seeker title, she would gain an additional 2% Experience Points that helps her increase her Level and Skill a lot faster¡­


    After this, she finally checked her Rare Survivor Skill Scroll.


    She took it out of her Inventory and carefully unfurled the Rare Survivor Skill Scroll¡­The parchment glowed with an ethereal light, hinting at the extraordinary power it contained within.


    Then, the Apocalypse System notified her of its contents.


    [ Seven Shadow Steps: Harness the darkness of the night to execute the elusive Seven Shadow Step technique. This advanced short-distance movement skill allows the user to meld with the shadows, swiftly traversing the battlefield with unparalleled speed and stealth.


    Mastering this skill grants the ability to move undetected under the cloak of darkness, evading enemies and striking from unexpected angles.


    Effects: Activate the Shadow Step to move unhindered and undetected for a maximum of seven steps, not leaving behind any trail.


    Enhance movement speed and agility during nighttime, ensuring unmatched mobility and evasion capabilities. ]


    "Ohhh¡­"


    As Raze pondered the newfound skill bestowed upon her, a thought crossed her mind.


    "This is perfect for him¡­"


    The Shadow Step technique was tailor-made for Shane, the enigmatic Shadow Strider and n leader of the Eclipse Revenant. His nickname and mastery of stealth would undoubtedly elevate this skill to new heights of lethality and finesse.


    A mischievous grin yed on Raze''s lips as she envisioned the possibilities.


    "Perhaps I can barter this Rare Skill Scroll for a sum of 100 Item Upgrade Crystals¡­" she mused, a hint of amusement coloring her voice.


    With a chuckle, she securely stowed the parchment in her inventory¡­ It would have to wait until it was in the skilled hands of Shane to unlock its true power¡­


    Raze knew that this Seven Shadow Steps Skill would just be wasted on her, who would soon be riding her Dragon almost 90% of the time¡­


    ***


    With all of this matter settled Raze''s attention turned to theMysterious Compassshe had secured from the Auction.


    During the auction, the description of this item only said that it could point to the nearest unimed resource within a 3-mile radius.


    There was also a note saying that some treasures are guarded and this Compass only works with a 50% chance as well.


    However, after obtaining it in the auction, Raze was able to see its full description.


    [ Mystical Compass ( Rare ): A unique artifact that could lead intrepid adventurers to the nearest unimed resource shrouded within a 3-mile radius. When activated, thepass trembles with mystical warmth, aligning its needle to point unerringly toward the coveted bounty that lies in wait.


    Effects:


    Search: If you are within 100 yards, this effect can be activated to utilize the Compass to reveal the location of valuable resources, be it hidden caches of rare materials, forgotten relics of power, or lucrative mineral deposits. It consumes the durability of the item in each usage.


    Navigate: If you are within 1 mile, the artifact can provide assistance in steering through the terrain and guide you towards undiscovered riches, offering a chance to im these treasures for yourself.


    Duration: 5 minutes


    Cooldown: 24 hours]

 Chapter 177: Razes Search

    The Search effect of the item was truly helpful, but it consumed the Durability of the Compass itself. Currently, she doesn''t have any Appraisal Skills that could determine the Durability of an item, so she was hesitant to use the Search effect repeatedly.


    She also had no crafting abilities to repair damaged items. Nheless, she didn''t mind using this item now since her Navigate was actually pointing to a spot near this ce.


    Clink¡­


    The device, ornate and enigmatic, was said to guide its bearer to riches yet untouched by human hands. The Auctioneer at that time confirmed that thepass would not lead to treasures in the pockets or those being worn by other humans.


    She held it aloft, watching as the needle swung with a will of its own, settling in a direction with an assuredness that indicated her to follow.


    ''It''s working¡­ It should be somewhere here¡­''


    Thepass led her through the underbrush while the moon cast spotted shadows on the forest floor¡­


    ''I think I''m getting closer¡­''


    "Roan¡­ Do you sense anything?" She asked the baby dragon who had just caught a small lizard¡­ This action made Raze a bit surprised since Lizard didn''t seem to have caught the virus for some reason.


    After all, there were Zombie Rats, Dogs, Cats, and Alpacas, ording to the Regional Chat, so she felt a bit curious as to why a Zombie Lizard didn''t exist.


    Anyway, this wasn''t important right now.


    The needle remained steadfast, pointing to a promise of hidden bounty. Raze''s steps were silent, her senses alert for any sign of the treasure¡ªor the dangers that might guard it.


    After traversing the terrain that was already being filled with mist, thepass''s dance slowed, and Raze found herself before an aged oak.


    "This is huge¡­" Raze muttered as she looked at the top of the tree. Then, she looked at the familiar item that thepass had found for her.


    There, nestled at its roots,y aWooden Treasure Chest.


    It was a simple thing, unassuming in its appearance, but thepass''s insistence spoke of the value hidden within.


    She wasn''t unfamiliar with the Treasure Chest as she also discovered one of them in the sewers.


    Nheless, she felt that this Wooden Treasure had better items inside because of its location.


    Raze approached, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, aware that treasures such as these were often protected by more than locks and hinges.


    Luckily, Roan was with her, and she confirmed that there weren''t any traps around¡­


    [ You have discovered a Wooden Treasure Chest. ]


    [ You have earned 3 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    ''Reputation Points¡­ Not bad¡­'' Raze felt happy even just by this reward.


    Then, seeing that it was locked and since she didn''t have any Lockpicking Skills, she asked Roan to destroy the lock for her.


    It was done easily since Roan could even chew some steel if he wanted.


    With a cautious touch, she lifted the lid, half-expecting a trap to spring forth.


    Instead, the chest opened with a creak, revealing its contents bathed in the soft glow of golden light..


    Inside, the chest was lined with a collection of gold coins from a bygone era, each stamped with the visage of a forgotten monarch and a few scrolls sealed with a wax emblem that hinted at arcane knowledge.


    But what caught Raze''s eye was a set of vials filled with a liquid that shimmered in blue light, its properties unknown but undoubtedly powerful.


    Soon, these items disappeared, and what reced them were the notifications she received from the system.


    [ You have received Versailles Gold Coin x200 ]


    [ You have received Scroll of Vitality x2 ]


    [ You have received Scroll of Precision x2 ]


    [ You have received Scroll of Insight x5 ]


    [ You have received Frostfall Potion x6 ]


    [ You have received Mistcloak Potion x6 ]


    Raze was a bit surprised as she realized that the Wooden Treasure Chest was quite bountiful!


    "I really got lucky this time, huh¡­ This is probably the fullest treasure chest among the wooden ranks¡­" Raze muttered as she opened her inventory to see their item descriptions as well.


    The gold coins seemed useless at this time, but she could consider trading them for Auction Points at the next auction event.


    On the other hand, she realized that the scrolls and potions weren''t actually items that could provide permanent effects.


    The Vitality, Precision or uracy, and Insight Scrolls were only able to provide effects for a limited duration.


    [ Scroll of Vitality: Enhances the user''s stamina and endurance, allowing for prolonged exertion in challenging situations. The effect of the scroll''s magic willst for 6 hours.]


    "That guy who wanted to build a harem in the Regional Chat would probably want this item no matter the price." Raze shook her head as she recalled the chats she read previously when she had nothing to do.


    She decided to forget about that person for now as she checked the other scroll.


    [ Scroll of Precision: Improves uracy and aim, granting the user sharper focus and better marksmanship inbat. The effect of the scroll''s magic willst for 6 hours. ]


    Raze smiled after seeing this¡­ She actually tried using an arrow before. She tried borrowing Lyra''s crossbow at that time.


    However, she realized that she had the worst aim, and it wasn''t something that her Strength and Agility stat could help her with.


    "Can I finally be an Archer with this? Even just for a short period?"


    Razemented as she really wanted to be a long-range fighter once she was able to ride Roan for a long period.


    After all, she didn''t like getting too close to some nasty zombies.


    Anyway, she turned her attention to the next scroll.


    [ Scroll of Insight: Heightens the user''s perception and intuition, enabling them to detect hidden dangers and uncover secrets others might overlook. Practicing Survivor Skills with Scroll of Insight activated will also improve the practiced Skills five times faster. The effect of the scroll''s magic willst for 6 hours. ]

 Chapter 178: Reminder

    "Mhmm¡­ I think Shane will like all these items¡­ I bet he can give me more Item Upgrade Crystals with these¡­" Raze muttered as she knew that she didn''t need these scrolls.


    After all, with Roan by her side, her current Strength and Agility Points were already higher than those who were on the same level as her.


    It was because she was connected to her dragon and gained bonus points. As for the Scroll of Insight, it was only slightly useful since her Skills were leveling up quite quickly already. It was all thanks to her strong connection with Roan.


    Anyway, she checked the potions as well.


    [ Frostfall Potion: This vial contains a cool, icy blue liquid that numbs the tongue when sipped. Ingesting the Frostfall Elixir grants resistance to cold temperatures and reduces frost-based damage.


    Effects: Provides temporary protection against freezing conditions and lowers the impact of icy attacks. ]


    [ Mistcloak Potion: A misty blue potion that creates an illusion of shifting fog. Consuming the Mistcloak Elixir grants temporary invisibility in misty or foggy environments.


    Effects: Cloaks the user in a veil of mist, rendering them partially invisible to enemies and facilitating stealthy maneuvers in obscured conditions ]


    "Mhmm¡­ So those Potions being sold in the chat were probably found in these Treasure Chests." Raze muttered as she recalled some incredible potions being sold in the chat¡­


    She thought that those potions were actually made by some crafting expert, but now that she thinks about it, she realizes they might''ve been looted in these chests as well.


    At this time, she also considered what items she''d ask Shane in exchange for these things. She knew very well that Shane had a lot of people working under him.


    It means that he needed a lot of resources¡­


    ''Right¡­ He has that methrower¡­ Roan needed to be burned by an intense me¡­ Maybe we can borrow that as well. He has plenty of fuel anyway¡­'' Raze thought.


    Anyway, afterpleting her loot, she had the urge to check the current Chats. After all, it has been a few hours since she checked the chat.


    "Mhmm?"


    Raze scrolled through the Regional Chat, where survivors shared their tales of survival and she couldn''t help but raise her brows after seeing one of the long chats.


    Among the messages, one stood out starkly¡ªament from Kendra¡­


    [ Kendra: Hey everyone, so the other day, we ran into this massive Giant Zombie. It was like nothing we''d ever faced before. My Ice Phoenix, my loyal partner from the start, stood by me as we prepared to fight. The battle was intense. My Phoenix unleashed its icy mes, trying to fend off the Giant Zombie. But the zombie was too strong.


    Itnded a fatal blow, and my Phoenix... it couldn''t survive. ]


    [ Kendra: I just watched helplessly as mypanion faded away... It was not a nice feeling. The loss is tough, but it''s a reminder of how dangerous this world can be. So, please, take care of your partners if you have one. They will not respawn once they die. They''re more than just creatures; they''re our friends in this crazy world.


    ]


    "This¡­"


    This chat resonated deeply with Raze since she also had a mystical creature partner. After reading this chat, she couldn''t help but look at Roan, who was innocently looking at her.


    Indeed, she really had to take care of Roan as she didn''t want to be a Dragon Knight without a dragon by her side.


    If she was not mistaken, Kendra was a Phoenix Knight¡­ However, now that her Phoenix was gone, Raze couldn''t help but wonder what would happen to her.


    Raze sighed at this as she read the chats that followed.


    [ Brylle : Kendra, I''m so sorry¡­ Your loss is felt by all of us. I''m a Wolf Packmaster so I know how it feels. ]


    [ Hazel : Let''s honor the fallen. We risk it all every day, and it''s never easy to lose a partner. Stay strong.


    [ Stephanie: You took on a Giant Zombie with a phoenix? That''s gutsy. Maybe too gutsy? You should''ve run in the first ce. ]


    [ Anabelle: @Stephanie, show some respect. Kendra, you''re brave. Your Phoenix''s sacrifice won''t be forgotten.


    [ Rogene Mar : As a fellow Phoenix Rider, my heart goes out to you, Kendra. We soar high, and sometimes we fall hard. But we rise again¡­ Who knows, maybe you can find a Phoenix Egg¡­ ]


    [ Justine: That''s zero chance. There was no way she could find Phoenix Egg. Even if someone from the chat has one, they would not sell it. I bet she doesn''t even have the money to buy even a Common Pet Egg. This is a reminder for all of us. Ourpanions are mighty, but they''re not invincible.


    We must always be vignt. ]


    [ Shi Rose: Guys, do you know the real identity of Shadow Strider? ]


    [ Josephine: Read the mood, Shi¡­ My deepest sympathies, Kendra. ]


    [ Shi Rose : Ok. We''re all fighting to survive. Kendra, your Phoenix died a hero. Stay strong¡­ Now, can someone tell me if you have an idea about Shadow Strider? The rank one in the leaderboard? ]


    [ Regine : Is there any way to bring back a fallen creature? Are any alchemists or necromancers out there with answers? ]


    [ Gtea : @Regine, once a creature passes, it''s part of the natural cycle. No spell can restore the bond they had. ]


    [ Kelly : Your warning is heard, Kendra. As for the Shadow Strider¡­ He''s the Top 1. He probably knows something. Just ask him. Maybe he can revive a Phoenix. ]


    [ Terrence: Might as well ask him if he can revive your mother¡­ This is a harsh world. The beauty of our bonds makes their loss even more painful. Don''t keep your hopes up¡­ ]


    [ Storm : I''ve been where you are, Kendra. Lost my drake not long ago. It leaves an emptiness. If you need to talk, I''m here. ]


    [ Travis: Tonight, we raise our weapons in memory of Kendra''s Phoenix. May its spirit soar eternally in our hearts. Kendra, our Drakeheart Vanguard n will still ept you even if you lost your Phoenix. Send me a PM if you are interested. ]

 Chapter 179: New Survivor

    "Wow¡­ He still has the nerve to recruit someone¡­ But I wonder if she''ll join Travis'' n¡­" Raze muttered as she felt that since the Phoenix Knight lost her Phoenix, there wouldn''t be any n that would offer a n Invitation.


    Travis''s offer to join his decently popr n was certainly an important matter for Kendra. Raze also knew that Travis had a good reputation since he wanted to create a huge shelter that could save thousands of lives.


    Anyway, Raze checked herpass once again and confirmed that there were no more treasures around.


    With this matter settled, she decided to continue on her way to Shane''s territory. She wasn''t in a hurry like Lyra and Jaxon since she wanted to level up as well. With her estimation, she believed it would take three or more days to arrive there at her current pace.


    ***


    Several days had quickly passed¡­


    In the thriving heart of Springriver Manor, the days unfolded with a new rhythm¡­ It was all because of the flow of water.


    The once-dried river now had rushing water as it flowed through the estate, a lifeline that had rejuvenated thend and its people.


    The daily rituals of bathing,undering, and the simplefort of running water had be cherished acts of normalcy in a world turned upside down.


    At this time, the zombies in the area were easily eliminated, thanks to the Chaloem and Shinja, who would always patrol the surroundings¡­ Well, at this time, the Super Soldiers were converted intoborers, and they were perfect for it since they had stamina that even the Epic and Hero Recruits didn''t have.


    On the other hand, Eliot, the estate''s engineer, had be the busiest person in the estate.


    Histest triumph, the restoration of the mill, stood ready to grind grain into flour, promising fresh bread and sustenance.


    Shane was lucky to obtain some sacks of grains and flour through trading in the Regional Chat¡­ He only used Item Upgrade Crystals, which were still very rare among the Survivors.


    Well, theck of these Crystals was quite obvious for Shane since he realized in the previous Auction that even those within the top 1,000 Survivors in rankings only had Rare-Grade items, with a few Exceptional-Grade items.


    As for the Master-Grade Items, they were extremely rare, and not even everyone in the top 10 could have them¡­


    Crack¡­ Crack¡­


    Eliot stretched his body, and Lucky even felt rmed after several poppings of his tendons and ligaments.


    He had been exhausted over the past few days¡­


    "The weather is looking good today¡­ We should finish the remaining houses." Eliot muttered as it had been difficult over the past couple of days after it rained.


    ording to Shane''s instructions, his hands, guided by knowledge and a will to build a livable fortress, had also raised wooden houses where the Peasant''s Huts were previously located.


    With the Super Soldiers and the elves lending their strength, the new dwellings rose quickly¡­


    They built two-story buildings mostly using wood and stones... And it was easilypleted as well, thanks to the chainsaw that Shane had given them.


    It had be a lot easier to gather lumber thanks to that Chainsaw.


    Meanwhile, Lyra and Jaxon, the newest members of this estate, had found their ce among the ranks. Just like Mr. Wadsworth suggested, they now stood watch over the Iron Mine, guarding the three prisoners who were working tirelessly.


    Of course, it could still be dangerous for them, and that was why Shane had provided them Item Upgrade Crystals to strengthen their weapons as an advanced payment for them.


    After all, since they freed the Super Soldiers from their escort mission, they were able to help more in the estate''s rebuilding project.


    Thud. Thud¡­


    At this time, Shane emerged from his quarters.


    His current quarters were now on the second floor of the manor since Eliot had already fixed the manor.


    Aside from that, he wanted to stay near the barrier generator of the estate, so he really wanted to stay in this area.


    "Mhmm¡­ Everyone looked busy¡­" Shane muttered as he looked around¡­ He was able to hear the sound of the hammer in the smithy, the sound of the chainsaw outside the estate, Harper''s digging, Alexa''s cooking, and Lucky''s barking¡­


    Well, he just finished shopping in the Survivor Store so he was a bitte and everyone had already finished their breakfast.


    Today was actually a lucky day as the items sold were quite decent. It provided him with the necessities for daily life, like soaps, nkets, shlights, and others.


    As he walked through the estate, he saw Mr. Wadsworth and Anna tending the garden with their hands¡­


    It felt peaceful¡­ There was a sense of unity in his estate, and he really liked it.


    Shane''s gaze had then settled on the neer, a man whose hands were already stained with the earth of Springriver Manor.


    Well, he was currently checking the soil at the plot ofnd near the orchard.


    This was no ordinary survivor; this man was a Farmer, drawn to the estate by Shane''s Legendary Talent: Territory Lord.


    The man''s name wasEwan McAllister, and he stood with a contemtive expression, analyzing the soil with an expert eye.


    ''He''s taking it seriously, huh¡­ I guess those mushrooms and other seeds would grow well with him as their carer.'' Shanemented.


    Ewan was a sturdy man in his thirties, his build speaking of years spent working thend.


    His hair was a sun-bleached brown, and his skin bore the wrinkles of countless days under the open sky. At this time, He wore simple clothes, a id shirt rolled up at the sleeves, and durable trousers that had seen better days.


    After some thought, Shane decided to approach the man¡­ He was quite busy yesterday and hadn''t seen his skills yet. He was curious about what kind of Farming Skills does this person have.


    However, as he was about to do so, Gene rang the bell, warning them of approaching humans¡­


    ng! aaang! ng!

 Chapter 180: Farm

    Before the world had descended into chaos, Ewan had been a fourth-generation farmer from a small town in a province¡­


    His family''s farm had been his life, and he had been known throughout the small county for his innovative techniques and the quality of his produce. He had a knack for understanding thenguage of the earth, knowing just when to nt and when to harvest.


    However, as he was about to deliver crops to a neighboring town¡­ His group was attacked by the Zombies. He was lucky enough to be saved by the mysterious gray fog but the rest of his team were eaten alive or even turned into zombies as well¡­


    Now, as he stood on the new soil of his unexpected home, Ewan felt a spark of the old passion ignite within him. He saw potential in thend, a chance to bring forth life from the earth once more. He knelt, letting the soil run through his fingers, feeling its texture and its moisture as he considered what kind of crops he should nt here.


    "Mhmm?" Ewan heard the ringing bell of the watchtower and tried to recall what it meant.


    Yesterday, Mr. Wadsworth had informed him about the various meanings of these sounds¡­ It could be an rm for approaching zombies, humans, or even a natural disaster¡­ Well, he only recalled the bell that was meant for a horde of zombies that was approaching and the one that meant for disaster should be followed by a continuous bell


    It means that the sound just now was probably meant for "approaching humans" or "only a small number of zombies ahead".


    This time, however, Shane approached, extending a hand in greeting. "Ewan McAllister, right? I''ve heard of your arrival. Wee to Springriver Manor," Shane said, his voice warm with the hospitality of a gracious lord.


    Indeed. Shane was unfazed by the ringing bell and continued his conversation with Ewan, the newly arrived farmer whose concern was etched inly across his face.


    "Sir Shane, I think we''re being attacked by the zombies¡­ I heard the bell, am I wrong?" Ewan''s voice carried the weight of worry, his eyes searching Shane''s for confirmation.


    "You''re right, Ewan. The bell signals a group of zombies, fewer than twenty, encroaching on our estate," Shane replied, his tone steady and reassuring.


    "Then, shouldn''t we seek shelter or arm ourselves to assist in the defense?" Ewan''s hands twitched with the instinct to fight or flee.


    Shane offered a calm smile and a shake of his head, a gesture that spoke volumes of the confidence he had in his people.


    "Would you like to witness how we handle such threats?" he proposed, an invitation hanging in the air between them. Shane wasn''t too interested in the fight since Cloud only detected Jumper Zombies¡­ At this time, even Gene and Lucas working together would be more than enough with their methrower, Guns, and Crossbows.


    However, it was obviously not the same for the newly arrived farmer who was still filled with worry.


    "Can we do that safely?" Ewan''s eyes were wide with a mix of curiosity and caution.


    "Absolutely. There''s an empty watchtower from where we can observe the defense. The Elves are on duty now; they''re quite adept at dealing with such incursions¡­" Shane exined, gesturing towards the structure that stood like a silent sentinel over the estate.


    It was the tower close to Gene at the front of the manor.


    Eager to understand the security of his new home, Ewan nodded, and together, they ascended the watchtower''s spiraling staircase.


    From their vantage point, they had a clear view of the approaching menace¡ªJumper Zombies, their grotesque forms bounding towards the estate with unnatural agility.


    Of course, Ewan had no idea about the difference between the Zombies, so Shane had to exin more about them.


    "Aren''t we going to support them from here?" Ewan asked.


    "We can¡­ I will make a move if it''s necessary." Shane said to ease the man''s mind.


    Below, the five Elves readied themselves, their expressions serene yet focused.


    As the first of the undead leaped, an Elf stepped forward, his bowstring hummed as it released an arrow that found its mark with lethal precision.


    Thud!


    Just like that, one of the Jumper Zombies had its brain shattered midair and dropped to the ground, lifeless.


    Another Elf moved like a shadow, and his twin des moved swiftly as he dispatched two zombies with swift, decisive cuts. In just a few moves, he severed the heads of two zombies, effectively eliminating them.


    nk! nk! nk!


    The chaotic battle unfolded before Ewan''s eyes¡­ It was a brutality that he couldn''t really stomach and he even wanted to vomit.


    However, he knew that he had to stay strong, as he believed that there might be a day when he would have to protect himself.


    "They''re amazing¡­ Their coordination is perfect." Ewan mutterd as he felt impressed by the group of elves.


    All of the five elves yed their part, their coordinated movements was definitely a proof of their training and their unity as a team.


    The Jumper Zombies, formidable as they might be individually, were no match for the coordinated strikes of the Elven defenders.


    Thud!


    As thest of the zombies fell, the silence that followed was profound.


    Ewan exhaled, a breath he hadn''t realized he''d been holding.


    "This ce¡­ it''s truly safe," he murmured, a newfound respect for his protectors dawning within him. He had never even heard about elves, but whatever they are, they certainly earned his respect.


    Shane nodded, watching as the Elves sheathed their weapons and returned to their posts.


    The Super Soldiers then came out and carried the Jumper Zombies for Shane''s looting sessionter on.


    "Safety is our priority here at Springriver Manor. You''ll find that we''re well-prepared for any threat," he assured Ewan, his gaze returning to the horizon, ever vignt.


    Ewan, now reassured of his safety, descended the tower with Shane, his mind already turning to the soil he would soon cultivate, the crops he would grow, and the life he would build in this sanctuary amidst the chaos of the world outside.

 Chapter 181: Trade Offer

    "I''m finally here¡­" Raze wryly smiled after seeing the shelter camp owned by Shane¡­


    She had encountered so many things over the past few days that dyed her arrival here. She met several strong Zombies and even a group of them woulde from time to time¡­


    During the night, she would also encounter a few sher Zombies that would interrupt her sleep. Luckily, Roan was always with her, and as long as she didn''t meet the Giant Zombie, she should be rtively safe.


    Nheless, she gained plenty of rewards because of this as well.


    As Raze approached the Springriver Manor, the sight that unfolded before her was one of strength and order.


    The palisade stood tall and imposing, a wooden bulwark that would surely work well against all the low-tier Zombies.


    Her eyes followed the perimeter, noting the long-eared people who moved silently as they patrolled the surrounded and eliminate some Crawler and Walker Zombies that had somehow reached this area¡­


    Their vignce was apparent in every step they made... They also noticed her arrival, but it seemed that they had already been notified about her presence.


    Ahead of her, the watchtowers, strategically ced, offered a clear view of the surroundingnds, manned by keen-eyed sentinels.


    Roan, ever-present though now in the form of a tattoo upon her hand, stirred with a warning.


    "Be wary, Raze. A barrier protects this ce," his voice echoed in her mind, a reminder of the unseen defenses that safeguarded the estate.


    "Barrier? Is that the one he bought at the auction? That''s amazing¡­ Thank you for letting me know, Roan¡­" She muttered to herself as she already felt safe after knowing the existence of a Barrier.


    Roan seemed to have inherited the memories of his ancestors through their mysterious gics, so even though Roan was young, he could easilymunicate with her.


    "Mhmm¡­ This shelter looks good¡­ I wonder how it will fare against the second Zombie Wave¡­"


    As she neared the gates, they swung open as if in recognition of her arrival.


    Shane had been expecting her. Well, Raze informed him about her journey through their private messages.


    As soon as she saw through the gate and the barrier was lifted for her to pass through, the estate buzzed with activity, the air alive with the sounds of amunity hard at work.


    Raze was ushered into the manor, where the butler¡ªa man of impable posture and polite demeanor¡ªhad prepared a weing reprieve.


    Tea steeped to perfection, and an assortment of snacks wereid out, a gesture of hospitality that did not go unnoticed.


    "Wow¡­ You''re thriving here, huh¡­" Raze muttered as she knew that the tea was really good and that the assorted biscuits were definitely great.


    ''Is it from the MREs?'' She mused¡­


    "I must say, I''m impressed," Raze admitted, taking in thefort and security that the manor exuded. "This is a rare haven in these troubled times."


    "I''m lucky to have very capable subordinates¡­" Shane replied as he actually felt that his tasked had lessened to almost none, and he would only have to wait for the zombies to be extracted in front of the manor!


    After thinking about it, he was indeed living a decent life thanks to others'' efforts¡­


    "Haha¡­ That''s probably your talent then¡­" Raze muttered as she took another sip of her tea.


    Over tea, she recounted her travels to Shane''s estate, the challenges faced, and the victories won¡­ Of course, she didn''t just share this story out of boredom but also to inform Shane about the sources of the items she wanted to trade on him¡­


    "Ahem¡­ Here are the items I got¡­ you might be interested in them¡­ Right, I''m only interested in the Item Upgrade Crystals¡­"


    Razeid out her collection of items on the table like an experienced merchant, each one a valuablemodity in the world they now inhabited. She doesn''t need many of these items but Shane, who had many people under hismand, might them more useful and valuable¡­


    "Ohh¡­ Let me check them quickly¡­" Shane muttered as he quickly assessed the items.


    TheSurvivor Skill Scroll: Seven Shadow Stepswas a technique that allowed the user to move through shadows, a skill invaluable for stealth and evasion for no more than seven steps. TheFrostfall Potionspromised resilience against the biting cold, while theMistcloak Potionsrendered one nearly invisible to the naked eye.


    TheScrolls of Insightwere perhaps the most intriguing, offering wisdom that could sharpen the mind for strategic nning. TheScrolls of PrecisionandScrolls of Vitalitywere equally beneficial, enhancing one''s uracy inbat and bolstering the body''s natural vigor.


    Of course, Raze introduced them as well while pointing each of them one by one¡­


    Shane listened intently as Raze detailed the effects of each item. When she finished, he nodded, understanding the value of such items in these perilous times.


    "Raze, your collection is impressive. The Seven Shadow Steps alone is a rare find¡­" Shane acknowledged, his eyes reflecting his interest. "As for the Item Upgrade Crystals, I believe we cane to a mutually beneficial agreement. How many are you seeking for the lot?"


    Shane asked. It was better to ask for the wholesale price at this point since there are too many of them being sold.


    Raze''s eyes gleamed with the prospect of acquiring Master Grade or even Epic Grade items.


    "Ahem¡­ I''m looking for enough crystals to enhance a weapon to its fullest potential... if that''s possible. I trust your judgment on what''s fair," she said, her tone suggesting that she was open to negotiation but also knew the worth of her offerings.


    Shane considered for a moment, calcting the value of the items against the rarity of the crystals. "I can offer you one hundred fifty Item Upgrade Crystals. You only need 143 Item Upgrade Crystals to upgrade a Common Rank Item to an Epic Rank¡­ However, I have to pay it in installment."


    "They are not easy toe by, but I believe this is a fair trade for what you''ve brought to the table," he proposed.

 Chapter 182: Giant

    Shane felt that his offer was certainly generous already, considering the fact that Raze probably needed to kill 1,500 Zombies just to get enough Item Upgrade Crystals. That was surely quite a lot, and she would probably need months to gather that much¡­ It means that she wouldn''t have a high-grade weapon before the second Zombie Wave arrives.


    Raze weighed his offer, the number aligning closely with her expectations. "Why don''t you just make it 150 Item Upgrade Crystals?" Raze asked.


    Shane chuckled and agreed with her. Anyway, that was just 7 Zombies more.


    "Alright¡­ I can do that."


    "Great! A hundred and fifty crystals it is, then. You have yourself a deal, Shane," she immediately took the deal, extending her hand to seal their ord.


    After they shook hands, Shane transferred 50 Items Upgrade Crystals first, and the other hundred would be paid daily as they hunted Zombies¡­


    Based on his estimation, they could eliminate about 50 zombies a day since they now had arger group that could roam outside the estate.


    With this sessful trade, Raze''s arsenal would soon grow stronger, while Shane''s estate had gained valuable assets¡­


    Shane had then offered Raze to wash and have some good rest first¡­ She had been on the outside for several days and was sleeping on the road.


    He even offered one of the rooms on the first floor of the manor since it had a single-size bed and was decorated as well. It was definitely a good chance for once and provided a nice ambiance while she rested¡­


    "I will ept that offer..." Raze replied.


    Raze then took a bath, changed into clean clothes, and slept¡­ She had already eaten while she was on the road, so she wasn''t hungry.


    As soon as she fell asleep, she didn''t wake up until the next day in the afternoon!


    It appears that thefortable bed and ce had truly affected her and she was able to sleep without any worries after a long time!


    "What?" Raze was shocked when she heard from Roan how much time he had spent sleeping!"


    As soon as she got out of bed, she immediately felt hungry, and luckily, Mr. Wadsworth had assisted her kindly as she filled her stomach¡­


    After thanking the butler, she decided to explore the estate as the butler suggested.


    The estate, under Shane''s guidance, had blossomed into a bustling hub of activity.


    ording to the butler, Shane had used 17 of his Recruitment Stones this morning and had brought a diverse array of skilled individuals to the fold.


    "Seventeen Recruitment Stones¡­ That''s quite a lot. I wonder where did he get that¡­ Furthermore, he''s not even worried about their supplies¡­ His resources must be stacked." Raze muttered as the necessities required to upkeep 17 more people were not low.


    Anyway, as Raze walked around to familiarize himself in the estate, she realized that there were several cooks who busied themselves in the kitchens, their aromas wafting through the air so she immediately noticed it.


    There were also cksmiths that hammered away in the smithy, sparks flying as they shaped metal into tools and weapons.


    At another site, tailors, with their nimble fingers, stitched and sewed fabrics into garments and armor, ensuring everyone was clothed and protected.


    Farmers also tended to the burgeoning plots ofnd, their hands deep in the soil as they nurtured the crops that would sustain themunity.


    ''I wonder what kind of crops they''re nting¡­'' Raze mused as she was more interested in the source of food.


    After all, she was always eating bread or whatever fruits or crops she could get from the wild¡­ If there were food being sold in the Survivor Store, she would also purchase it but that rarely happens.


    Anyway, she also noticed some carpenters with a saw or a hammer in hand. They constructed new dwellings, and with the help of the foreman or probably the engineer, their structures rose steadily, expanding the estate''s capacity.


    ''This estate is really busy¡­ I guess with the barriers they set up, there''s really nothing to worry about¡­'' Raze mused.


    Well, these recruits, though not as extraordinary as those summoned by Shane''s Title Effect, brought with them at least a single skill. ording to their skill, they were then brought to the kitchen, smithy, construction team, and others.


    Their presence had surely injected a sense of normalcy and growth into the estate¡­


    As Raze strolled along the riverbank, she took in the sight of the waterwheel turning steadily, powering the mill that ground grain into flour.


    The small farm was a patchwork of green, where vegetables sprouted promisingly from the earth. It seemed that Shane or his people had collected those vegetables in the wild and nted them here¡­


    There were also houses in various stages of construction that dotted thendscape. They were future homes for those who sought refuge within the manor''s walls.


    "Now¡­ That''s scary¡­" Raze muttered as she looked at the four towers surrounding the estate.


    The watchtowers stood sentinel, their heavily equipped guards surveying the horizon.


    Raze''s eyes caught the glint of sunlight on a sniper rifle, its bearer poised and ready to defend against any threat. It was a stark reminder that safety was hard-won in these times.


    Of course, the one in this tower was Shane himself with his Sharpshooter''s Sniper Rifle!


    It seemed that he was observing something far from the estate through the scope of the rifle¡­


    "This ce looks really safe¡­ I''m sure this camp will thrive if this continues," Raze mused, her voice a whisper carried away by the breeze.


    The estate was more than a shelter; it was a fortress, a ce where life could flourish amidst the ruins of the world. She knew that Springriver Manor was not just a ce to survive but a ce to live.


    At this time, as she was about to call Shane''s attention¡­


    She heard a crackling and realized that the trees were falling apart! The noise was getting closer and closer!


    Soon, she realized that a Giant Zombie was approaching the estate! At this time, the bell rang, warning everyone of the disastering to their estate!

 Chapter 183: Threat

    Crack! Crack!


    Raze''s attempt to call for Shane''s attention was abruptly shattered by the sound of splintering wood and the earth trembling beneath her feet.


    She turned towards themotion, her warrior instincts kicking in as the trees in the distance began to topple one by one, heralding an approaching menace.


    Graaggghhh~


    A Giant Zombie emerged from the forest, its grotesque form towering above the treeline.


    It was a behemoth of rotting flesh and exposed bone, a monstrosity that seemed to defy thews of nature.


    ''What a huge Zombie¡­ No wonder that Phoenix died in its hands¡­'' Raze thought as she recalled Kendra''s story¡­ She also wouldn''t want Roan to face this kind of zombie. She felt once it caught Roan, it would easily tear him apart!


    There was no way she would allow that to happen¡­


    ''I wonder how they''ll kill this thing¡­'' She mused for a moment as she looked around.


    Although everyone heard the warning, most of them were still at ease, as if they already knew the oue of this siege against their shelter.


    Raze then turned her attention back to the Giant Zombie¡­


    Its eyes, if they could be called that, were hollow pits of darkness, and its gaping maw was a chasm of decay.


    The creature''s steps were ponderous, each one was probably leaving a small crater in its wake as it moved inexorably towards Springriver Manor.


    The estate''s warning bell stopped after some time, as it was enough to inform everyone about the threat¡­


    At this time, Raze also recalled that the estate had an invisible barrier surrounding the shelter. She didn''t notice it but Roan had informed her about the existence of this barrier.


    Boom!


    The Giant Zombie probably didn''t see the barrier as well and it collided with it with a thunderous impact!


    The impact sent shockwaves through the air, but the magical shield held firm, repelling the creature''s assault.


    From atop the watchtower, Shane took aim with his Sharpshooter''s Laser Sniper Rifle, the weapon''s advanced targeting system locking onto the zombie''s head.


    Bzzz~


    The first shot seared through the air, grazing the creature''s skull and leaving a charred trail across its flesh.


    The Zombie was actually lucky as it had missed a step and was able to dodge the firstser charge!


    Undeterred, Shane adjusted his aim and fired again.


    Bam!


    This time, theser found its mark, piercing the Giant Zombie''s head and burning through its brain. The behemoth stumbled, then fell with a ground-shaking thud, its reign of terror ended as swiftly as it had begun.


    Raze couldn''t help but feel so impressed¡­ Perhaps, if the Sniper Rifle didn''t have very limited ammunition or charge, she would''ve purchased this item as well.


    "Mhmm?"


    Nheless, the threat was not over. Roan, now alert and ready, hissed a warning to Raze. "More areing," he said, his voice a low growl.


    Raze''s eyes wanted to find these Zombies so she swiftly stepped into one of the watchtowers that doesn''t have a man guarding it¡­


    Soon, she spotted a group of Jumper Zombies bounding towards the estate with unnatural speed.


    They didn''t even get close before Chaloem, the Buddhist Monk d in his vibrant orange robe, stepped forward.


    "A monk, huh¡­" Raze muttered as she felt curious at what he was about to do against the Jumper Zombies.


    Ha!


    Chaloem got ready in his fighting stance. His presence was seemingly calm amidst the storm, his handsing together in a gesture of peace before unleashing his power.


    Haaa!


    Chaloem''s movements were a blur as he charged towards the group of zombies! What was even more amazing about him was that he chanted a mantra while doing so!


    His palms emitted bursts of radiant energy, which was his Ki, striking the Jumper Zombies mid-leap and sending them crashing to the ground.


    His robe fluttered around him, untouched by the chaos, as he moved smoothly, his movement technique made him look really untouchable by the Zombies!


    One by one, the Jumper Zombies fell before Chaloem''s might. His technique was a blend of martial prowess and spiritual discipline¡­


    As thest of the undead was defeated, Chaloem returned to his meditative stance, his breathing steady, his spirit unshaken.


    Just like that, the estate had easily weathered the storm, its defenses proven once again.


    If it was another n who had faced such a powerful attack, they would probably fail to win without casualties on their side.


    However, the top 1 in the Leaderboard Ranking truly deserved his spot¡­


    "No wonder you''re at the top, Shadow Strider¡­" She whispered.


    Raze was in awe at the disy she had seen just now. This was indeed a safe haven, a fortress against the undead, and she knew that here, under Shane''s leadership, they would be able to thrive!


    At this time, Shane descended the spiraling stairs of the watchtower, his mind already on the task ahead¡­


    The fallen zombies outside the estate''s barrier held valuable loot, and he was excited to see them, especially because he could use his x5 loot today on the Giant Zombie!


    There was no way he wouldn''t look forward to this¡­


    As he passed Raze, he offered a brief but warm greeting, acknowledging her presence with a nod. "Good morning, Raze. I''ll be outside for a bit," he said, his voice carrying a hint of excitement as Chaloem was already gathering the corpses outside so he could easily loot themter.


    Raze waved at him and watched him go¡­


    As she thought of looking for Lyra and Jaxon, her thoughts were interrupted by Roan''s sudden unease.


    "Someone is watching us¡­ They''re dangerous, be alert¡­" The dragon''s voice echoed in her mind, a tremor of apprehension beneath his words.


    Raze''s instincts, honed by many battles, red to life.


    She scanned the surroundings and followed the directions that Roan pointed out. Soon, her gaze was drawn to the manor''s rooftop.


    There, silhouetted against the morning sky, stood a figure exuding an aura of power and menace.


    If she wasn''t mistaken, the butler mentioned that this person was Shinja, the Warlord and the Hero that Shane had summoned.

 Chapter 184: Elixir

    His stance wasmanding and his eyes fixed on Raze. Even from this distance, she could feel the intensity of his gaze, like a physical force pressing against her.


    "What? Does he have a crush on me?" Raze joked to herself as she informed Roan to stay calm¡­ This Hero must be assessing her and didn''t mean any harm.


    She had also heard about this person from Lyra and Jaxon through their private chat.


    Shinja was a legend among warriors, a master ofbat whose reputation was both feared and revered. The reason was simple: this person was an expert inbat but at the same time, he was also a Poison Expert.


    Surely, no one would want to mess with a Poison Expert¡­


    If possible, they would surely try to befriend such a man.


    Anyway, Raze sighed as she tried to remain calm and observe the Hero¡­


    It was her first time seeing someone who was summoned by a Hero Recruitment Stone after all.


    Shinja wasn''t wearing any metal armor and was only wearing old battle clothes from an ancient era, so it wasn''t difficult to guess that he was the Warlord that the two others had mentioned to her.


    His presence on the rooftop was certainly reassuring to many as he monitored the whole situation of the estate and could act quickly if someone needed help.


    "Calm down¡­ He''s not challenging us into a fight¡­" Raze muttered.


    Well, Raze felt Roan''s presence stir within her, the dragon''s mark on her hand warming slightly. Despite his youth, Roan''s instincts were sharp, and his reaction to Shinja was a clear sign of the warlord''s formidable nature.


    As Shane ventured beyond the barrier to retrieve the spoils of their defense, Raze remained within the safety of the manor''s walls and ignored Shinja¡­


    ''It must be his first time seeing a beauty like me¡­'' Raze thought to herself.


    ***


    In the meantime, afterpleting the grim task of collecting the zombie remains, Chaloem let Shane engage in his looting endeavors and set out to explore the forest.


    Unbound by specific directives from Shane, save for patrolling the vicinity, Chaloem embraced the freedom of his mission.


    "Is there really no other way but to kill these poor souls?" Chaloem muttered to himself as he truly wanted to save these Zombies as well.


    However, right now, these Zombies are simply virus carriers and had to be eliminated before they could spread the incurable disease of bing a living dead.


    He treaded through the verdant expanse of the forest, and his path eventually led him to a clearing where a Super Soldier was diligently operating a chainsaw and methodically felling trees.


    Thud¡­


    As the tree fell, it was quickly taken and further polished by another Super Soldier. It quickly happened before another, equally robust, Super Soldier hefted the timber, transporting it back to the estate.


    They were the construction team''s muscle, while Chaloem''s duty was to safeguard the perimeter.


    With a nod of mutual respect, Chaloem acknowledged the Super Soldiers''bor and continued his patrol¡­


    His thoughts about saving the Zombies were still lingering in his mind. He could only hope that Shane was also thinking of helping them¡­


    However, at this time, Shane was excitedly looking at this loot.


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x5, Zombie Cores x5, 100mL Giant Zombie Blood, Spirit Breakthrough Bottle x2, Decayed Giant''s Tooth, Giant''s Hide, Titan''s Elixir, Giant''s Heart ]


    This time, Shane had already activated his pocketwatch.


    [ Loot Keeper''s Timepiece: Crafted by an unknown being, this timepiece allows the wielder to manipte the loot you''ll get from the Zombies!


    Effects: 5 Times Loot ( Once per day ) ]


    With this item, he was able to obtain more notifications about the loot he obtained.


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x5, Zombie Cores x5, 100mL Giant Zombie Blood, Spirit Breakthrough Bottle x2, Decayed Giant''s Tooth, Giant''s Hide, Titan''s Elixir, Giant''s Heart ]


    ¡­


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x5, Zombie Cores x5, 100mL Giant Zombie Blood, Spirit Breakthrough Bottle x2, Decayed Giant''s Tooth, Giant''s Hide, Titan''s Elixir, Giant''s Heart ]


    Just like that, he obtained enough Item Upgrade Crystals to pay Raze. Well, he nned to pay her 20 Crystals per day for the next five days so Raze could have an Epic Grade item before the next Zombie Wave.


    After doing this, he then looted the Jumper Zombies that Chaloem had eliminated.


    [ You have earned 8 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 1 bread, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    ¡­


    [ You have earned 8 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: 1 Item Upgrade Crystal, 1 Zombie Core, 500mL water, 1 bread, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle ]


    After doing this, Shane received a surprise!


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ You have unlocked the Full Survivor Leaderboard and n Leaderboard ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first Survivor to exceed level 20. ]


    [ You have earned 5 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Choose one additional reward: 10 Reputation Points, 200 Zombie Cores, 1 Mysterious Vial ]


    Shane wanted to immediately see the Leaderboard as he was curious if he would actually see the names or their nicknames that had been arranged before. However, as he was given a choice for additional reward, he didn''t hesitate to select the Potion even if it was unnamed!


    Shane tapped the potion icon, and it shimmered into his inventory¡­ Thankfully, its details was revealed as soon as he saw it in his Inventory!


    [ Necrotic Empowerment Elixir


    Description: A rare potion brewed from the essence of the undead. When administered to a zombie, it catalyzes a terrifying transformation, enhancing their innate abilities and morphing them into a more formidable adversary.


    Effects:


    Mutation: Transforms a standard zombie into an elite variant with increased strength, speed, and resilience.


    Enhancement: Boosts the zombie''s offensive and defensive capabilities by 50%.


    Frenzy: Grants the zombie a temporary state of heightened aggression, increasing its attack speed by 25%.


    Duration: The mutation is permanent. The enhancement and frenzy effectsst for 30 days


    Warning: Use with caution. Enhanced zombies pose a significant threat to survivors and can turn the tides of battle. ]


    "Huh?"

 Chapter 185: Leaderboard

    ''I''ve been getting weird potionstely¡­ Is this some sort of a sign?'' Shane thought as he recalled the Elixir of Starvation.


    That Elixir starves anyone who consumes it. They would feel hungry no matter how much they eat. Nheless, it had an effect that enhanced metabolism and would allow you to eat even poison, dirt, or contaminated food without experiencing negative effects. However, once the Elixir''s effect was gone, all the negative effects would appear in the body, and the Survivor would take damage.


    The Necrotic Empowerment Elixir, on the other hand, seemed to be the most unusual Elixir out there. Why would he need something like this?


    Shane shook his head for a moment but immediately, he recalled something.


    He was informed by his previous self about his mission in this apocalypse. It wasn''t to survive this apocalypse like a game but to end it like a real survivor!


    ''Since this one can be used to enhance zombies, then maybe an expert in this field could study this elixir and find something that could help remove their "zombification" or, perhaps, create a poison that could just kill all the zombies¡­


    After all, in the many endings of the Zombie Apocalypse that he knew, the ending could be the creation of a vine, eliminating all the zombies, being killed by the zombies, or perhaps, being able to live in istion without being bothered by the zombies ever again¡­


    "Then, this elixir will also go to Anna¡­" Shane muttered as he recalled that he had already given her so many tasks. She was already in herboratory most of the time¡­


    Well, it wasn''t easy getting a physician with an alchemist skill after all.


    ''Ahh¡­ She probably needs some medical devices for this.''


    Shane recalled as he realized that it also wouldn''t be easy for her to study this Elixir without the apparatus that could help her do so.


    For now, Shane decided to open the leaderboards.


    Shane''s eyes scanned the holographic disy as it sprang to life, revealing the ranks of the apocalypse''s most formidable survivors.


    As he opened the Survivor Leaderboard, he was asked whether he would like to show his real name r not.


    Opting for anonymity, he chose to be known only by his moniker.


    Just like that, the Survivor Leaderboard unfurled before him:


    1. Shadow Strider - Hidden - Level 21


    2. Raven Guard - Hidden - Level 16


    3. Iron Maven - Hidden - Level 16


    4. de Whisper - Hidden - Level 16


    5. Ghost Warden - Hidden - Level 15


    6. Fury Singer - Hidden - Level 15


    7. Silver Reaper - Hidden - Level 14


    8. Storm Crafter - Hidden - Level 14


    9. Beast Binder - Hidden - Level 14


    10. Echo Sage - Hidden - Level 14


    11. Cherry Vanguard - Hidden - Level 13


    12. Mystic Bandit - Hidden - Level 13


    13. Arcane Archer - Hidden - Level 13


    14. Terra Tempest - Hidden - Level 13


    15. Phantom Pdin - Hidden - Level 13


    16. Nine Seer - Hidden - Level 13


    17. Ember Enchanter - Hidden - Level 13


    18. Nightshade Nomad - Hidden - Level 13


    19. Frost Beaten - Hidden - Level 13


    20. Thunder ss - Hidden - Level 13


    ''I''m still five levels ahead, huh¡­'' Shane nodded in satisfaction.


    With a sense of aplishment and curiosity, Shane navigated to the n Leaderboard, where the collective might of the apocalypse''s greatest factions was disyed:


    1. Shadowbinders - Level 2


    2. New Haven - Level 2


    3. Blue Moon n ¨C Level 2


    4. ROTK n - Level 2


    5. Drakeheart Vanguard - Level 2


    6. Thunder Tribe ¨C Level 2


    7. Serene Garden - Level 2


    8. Tree House n - Level 2


    9. Crimson Coalition - Level 2


    10. Silver Sentinel Alliance - Level 2


    11. Nightfall Nexus - Level 1


    12. Phoenix Phnx - Level 1


    13. Irond Imperium - Level 1


    14. Mystic Mirage - Level 1


    15. Celestial Circle ¨C Level 1


    16. Ember Order - Level 1


    17. Sapphire Syndicate - Level 1


    18. Verdant Vanguard - Level 1


    19. Wraith Walkers - Level 1


    20. Eclipse Revenant - Level 1


    "Eh? We''re top 20?" Shane muttered but immediately recalled that they had never done any n Mission yet¡­


    Shane then noticed that the top 10 of the n was already level 2, so he couldn''t help but guess that they were given a reward for creating their n quicker than the rest.


    Anyway, Shane could actually extend the leaderboard and find more Survivors and ns. He felt that this leaderboard function was interesting and might have to check it from time to time.


    Shane then proceeded to return to the estate as he thought of changing into his Crawler Set before going outside to hunt more zombies¡­


    For now, however, Shane decided to open the Regional Chat to pass the time and to keep updated¡­


    [ Tracy: Guys, do you think poison is effective against Runner Zombies? ]


    [ Carlo: Of course, not... However, plugging your ears with a wet cloth can work well against Screamer Zombies... ]


    [ Febby: Interesting tip, Carlo. But that''s so random. I remember using that when my wife was angry¡­ Haha¡­ I miss her¡­ Anyway, has anyone tried fire against Frost Zombies? ]


    [ Mnin: What? There''s a Frost Zombie? No¡­ I think that Zombie was just hit by some sort of Liquid Nitrogen... ]


    [ Mia: Fire''s a no-go, Febby. And there is a Frost Zombie, Mnin¡­ Is that even your real name? Anyway, Frost Zombies can absorb the heat. Better off with electric shocks. ]


    [ Jasper: Yes¡­ There is a Frost Zombie. I got the First Kill reward for it¡­ Hehe¡­ ]


    [ Mnin: Huh? First Kill reward? What''s that? I killed a Zombie Dog for the first time yesterday, but I didn''t get a reward. It''s the same with the others. Howe you have that reward?


    ]


    [ Jasper: Hahaha... You''ll know someday when you get better. However, electric shocks will really work well against Frost Zombies. Right, I don''t have that... Got to upgrade my gears then... ]


    [ Febby: Thanks, Mia. Jasper, if you need a good electric coil, I''ve got a spare. ]


    [ Tracy: Anyone else notice that the zombies are avoiding the old church ruins in the Mist City? ]


    [ Carlo: Yeah, Tracy. There''s something about that ce. My guess? Some residual holy ground effect. ]


    [ Mia: Could be worth investigating. Might find some relics that repel them. ]

 Chapter 186: Craft

    [ Jasper: Relics? Count me in. I''ll join you, Mia. ]


    [ Febby: Keep us posted on that. Could use some extra protection around the base. ]


    [ Tracy: Will do. Also, has anyone seen a zombie with glowing eyes? ]


    [ Carlo: Glowing eyes? That''s a new one. What did it do? ]


    [ Mia: Saw one too. It was faster and stronger. Took more than a few shots to bring down. Or so I thought, it just escaped after I got closer¡­ It seemed to be intelligent.]


    [ Jasper: Glowing eyes might indicate a mutation. We should be careful. But that might just be another Survivor with a specific skill. Do you remember the Zombie Mask? May he used something simr¡­ ]


    [ Febby: Zombie Mask¡­ That thing appeared in my Survivor Store. Agreed. Let''s keep an eye out for any more of those. That might just be a Survivor. Hahahaha¡­ He''s probably gritting his teeth right now if he''s reading our chat. ]


    [ Tracy: On a lighter note, who''s up for a scavenger hunt tomorrow in the Mist City? It''s being taken over by the Shadowbinder n and New Haven n¡­ Let''s hunt there while they haven''t closed off the city yet. ]


    [ Carlo: Count me in! Need to stock up on supplies anyway. ]


    [ Mia: I''m in. Could use a break from zombie bashing. We should make a n already¡­ We''re the only ones active in the chat nowadays¡­ ]


    [ Jasper: Scavenger hunt it is. Let''s meet at dawn? As for making n, I think it''s better if we join a n that had a lot of freedom¡­ ]


    [ Febby: Dawn works for me. See you all at the east gate. Mia, all the others were probably busy since the Zombie Wave woulde in less than ten days. ]


    [ Tracy: I''m just going to run away from this Zombie Wave again. I just need to stay alive. Although it''s filled with opportunity, not being able to kill a single Zombie and survive will give me a reward too. ]


    [ Carlo: Huh? What the heck? There''s a reward for such cowardice? ]


    [ Febby: This is the first time I''ve heard that. ]


    [ Shane: Me too¡­ ]


    [ Raze: Seconded. ]


    [ Travis: Oh¡­ You two were reading their chat as well. ]


    [ Tracy: ¡­ ]


    ***


    "Hmph¡­ Mist City, huh¡­ No wonder those two ns had been requesting so many weapons¡­ They''re probably in a tough spot. I''m sure that city is filled with strong Zombies¡­"


    Herman leaned back in his chair, the soft glow of the Regional Chat fading as he closed the window.


    He was one of the first Survivors who had unlocked the Regional Chat¡­ To be exact, he was the fifth person to do so, while Shane and Raze were the first and second, respectively.


    "Not even any news around my area¡­" Herman muttered.


    The chatter of survivors, their strategies and stories, had be his daily routine, since he didn''t really have any other entertainment he could enjoy in his workshop.


    Well, he wasn''t one for the front lines; his battleground was the crafting table, where magic and metal met under his skilled hands.


    In the solitude of his workshop, surrounded by the hum of mysterious energies and the scent of molten ore, Herman was a master of his craft and known by many.


    With his Epic Talent: Magic Crafting, there was no doubt that he had gained a reputation.


    Nheless, for him, Magic Crafting wasn''t just a talent¡ªit was an art, and he was its devoted artist. Even before he had entered this apocalypse, it was already his dream to be able to create things¡­


    In this world, his creations ranged from theUmonto theRare, and asionally, when fortune smiled upon him, theExceptional Grade would appear.


    Today, a new challengey before him: a Kris de. It was requested by Caius the n Leader of the Shadowbinders n.


    The Kris de that he was about to make was not just any de with 10 or so undtions, but one imbued with mystical energy potent enough to turn the tides of battle.


    Well, this energy would, of course,e from an ore that he needed to process¡­


    Anyway, most of his clients had been specific, seeking a weapon that could slice through the undead as easily as possible¡­


    Herman''s fingers danced over the array of crystals and powders, selecting each with deliberate care.


    The forge''s heat washed over him. It was a familiar sensation as he began the meticulous process of forging.


    At the same time, his Magic Crafting Talent had also notified him of the current process.


    [ Crafting Attempt: Kris de


    - Item Grade: Rare ( with a chance for Exceptional )


    - Sess Rate: 60% for Rare Grade 2% for Exceptional Grade


    - Materials Used: Garcanite Metal, Tank Zombie''s Bone Power, Nightshade Extract


    - Item Upgrade Crystals Avable: 10 ]


    This notification was something he could see because of his talent.


    Anyway, his crafting soon started¡­


    The Garcanite Metal melted into a silvery pool, its surface mirroring the intense concentration in Herman''s eyes.


    He activated one of his Talent-Rted Skill about Crafting and the Tank Zombie''s Bone Power disintegrated into a shower of sparks, each one absorbed by the molten metal.


    The Nightshade Extract followed, its dark essence swirling into the mixture, promising a de that could paralyze as well as pierce.


    With a steady hand, Herman poured the metal into the mold, the shape of the Kris de emerging as the liquid cooled.


    He held his breath, watching for the significant signs of an Exceptional creation.


    The air crackled with mystical energy, the de''s edge gleaming with a deadly light.


    Herman lifted the weapon, turning it in his hands. It wasat least a Rare Item, without a doubt, but had he hit the elusive 2%?


    He inspected the de, hoping that it was an Exceptional item.


    Soon, Herman disyed a small smile.


    The Kris de was Exceptional, a masterpiece forged by luck and skill.


    He wrapped the de carefully, ready to deliver it to a client who would soon discover just how fortunate they were to wield such a weapon.


    Of course, the price had also increased because of this...


    Then, exactly as he finished his job, he heard a knock on his door.


    He knew who it was, so he quickly permitted her to enter.


    "Diana Wells... What is it this time?"

 Chapter 187: Diana

    Diana Wells stood in the doorway, her ck hair cascading down her back, framing a sharp yet alluring face with piercing ck eyes.


    Her attire was that of a craftswoman¡ªpractical, stained with the evidence of her trade, and worn with a sense of pride. She doesn''t look clean with her clothes, but her dignified aura as a craftswoman could be easily felt.


    Herman''s gaze lingered on her for a moment, recognizing the urgency in her posture.


    "What''s the matter, Diana? You look like you''ve seen a ghost," he said, half-jokingly.


    "There''s someone outside, Sir Herman. He''s asking for you. He says he needs a weapon to take down a Tyrant Zombie," Diana replied. Apparently, this request made her a bit surprised, so her voice had some skepticism and intrigue.


    Herman raised an eyebrow. "A Tyrant Zombie, you say? And who might this brave soul be?"


    "He''s not one of us, not a Survivor," Diana exined. "I just confirmed that he''s from thisnd, and he''s been living out there on his own. Intriguing, right? Ahh...He''s saying that he''s heard of your talents and came as fast as he could. He introduced himself as Eldric."


    As she said this, she also felt skeptical¡­ After all, she didn''t know how someone without a system like them would hear about Herman''s skills. It was quite unbelievable. Nheless, it wasn''t her job to judge their clients. If they had money or perhaps an item they could use to pay them, then there was no doubt that Herman would ept the job.


    Since Herman was the one he requested, Diana would let the man decide on his own.


    "A resident, huh¡­"


    Interest piqued, Herman wiped his hands on a cloth and stepped outside. There, he was met by a rugged figure, his clothes a patchwork of leather and scavenged armor, his face weathered by the harsh reality of the apocalypse.


    This wasEldric, a lone wolf of the wastnd, his green eyes a stark contrast to the dirt and grime that marked his visage. Behind him were other Survivors in the sl


    "Eldric, is it?" Herman extended a hand. "I''m told you''re in need of my services."


    Eldric nodded, a gesture of respect. "I am. I''ve been tracking a Tyrant for days. It''s smarter, stronger¡­ I need something special to stop it."


    "And you can pay?" Herman asked, his business sense kicking in despite the unusual circumstances.


    "With materials, yes. I''ve collected quite the stash from the zombies I''ve taken down. Metals, crystals¡­ things that are hard toe by these days," Eldric replied, his voice carrying the weight of countless battles.


    Herman considered the offer for a moment before nodding. "Show me what you''ve got, and we''ll talk."


    Eldric produced a bag, heavy with the spoils of survival. Herman''s eyes widened at the sight of the rareponents, a craftsman''s dream!


    "It''s a deal, Eldric. I''ll craft you a weapon worthy of your challenge," Herman dered, shaking Eldric''s hand firmly. He didn''t have to appraise the items one by one, and he knew that they were all valuable. He didn''t even mind giving me a set of armor as well!


    As Diana watched the exchange, she couldn''t help but feel a sense of wonder. After all, Eldric shouldn''t be hunting stronger Zombies¡­ He should be escaping from them instead.


    ''Is he looking for revenge? Or maybe a loot he wanted to have?'' Diana mused to herself as she shook her head.


    Anyway, she also had other tasks she needed to do, so she swiftly returned to her small workshop.


    Time quickly passed, and on the next day, as the sunlight reached their shelter, her morning began with the tter of her tools as she set up her workstation, the forge''s embers greeting her with a warm glow.


    Because of their limited food, they could only eat once or rarely twice a day. If you have your own stack of food, that would be even better as you could have them aside from the food provided by the Shelter.


    Nheless, it wasn''t a big deal for her since as she levels up, her strength and agility increased, making it easy for her to stay alive just with enough food. Furthermore, she would be the next person to loot zombies and gain experience since it was a rotation in this shelter.


    The shelter''s guards, a motley crew of survivors, each with their own tale, would often pass by her open workshop, sharing news or seeking repairs.


    "Morning, Luke. That shield of yours holding up?" Diana asked after seeing the man walking with a piece of bread for her snack¡­


    "Barely. Took a beating from a Brute Zombie yesterday. Think you can reinforce it?" Luke replied as he gave Diana a piece of bread.


    "Leave it with me. I''ll add some spikes to give those zombies something to think about." Diana replied that she would keep the bread forter. She wasn''t that hungry yet.


    Her afternoons were spent in the meticulous crafting of weapons and armor, the rhythmic hammering aforting beat amidst the chaos of the world outside.


    asionally, she''d pause to share a meal with the others, their conversations a blend of strategy and sce.


    "How''s the food supply looking, Mira?" Diana asked.


    "Better since we raided that supermarketst week. Found a stash of canned beans. Only one from our raid team died¡­ Luckily we raided it immediately since I heard that the Blue Moon n had taken that ce as part of their territory¡­"


    "Someone died, huh¡­ It''s really getting harder and harder to survive. But¡­ Beans again? Well, at least we won''t be going hungry." Diana muttered since they couldn''t really nt vegetables in their territory.


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, Diana would often find herself atop the shelter''s walls, watching the night encroach upon their safe haven.


    It was there she''d exchange nods with the night watch, their silent understanding a sharedmitment to protect what they had built.


    "Quiet night, Tomas?" Diana asked the guard.


    "For now. But you know how it is. It''s the quiet ones that get you." Tomas replied.


    "I didn''t hear anything from Herman a while ago¡­ Is he still busy?" Diana continued.


    "Yes¡­ He was still making that weapon for that scavenger¡­" Tomas replied as he stepped back, hiding himself from the shadow as if he didn''t want to show his face.

 Chapter 188: Flesh

    Diana noticed that something was off from how Tomas was acting, but she didn''t think much of it.


    She continued her walk as she looked at the ruined buildings outside their shelter.


    It was during this stillness of the night, when the forge was cold and the shelter silent, that her thoughts would drift to the family she once knew.


    She thought of her mother and her step-brother¡­


    Before the apocalypse had begun, both of her parents had already died, and she was left with her step-brother, whom she had rarely talked to¡­


    They were like two ships passing in the night, only acknowledging each other''s presence when the tides of family gatherings forced them into the same harbor.


    And now, in a world where every day could be theirst, Diana wondered if those missed opportunities would remain just that¡ªmissed.


    She found herself whispering his name into the darkness, a single wordden with questions and what-ifs.


    "Shane¡­"


    After muttering this, she shook her head as she also didn''t want to look for him since the man wasn''t looking for her either.


    Anyway, she finally felt sleepy and thought of returning to her room.


    However, as she was about to do so, the silent night was pierced by a sudden, desperate cry, jolting Diana from her contemtive silence.


    Her heart raced as she sprinted towards the source of themotion¡­


    As she rounded the corner, the scene that unfolded before her was one of horror and disbelief. Tomas, the guard she had just spoken with, was no longer the man she knew.


    His face, once hidden in shadow, was now a disturbing flesh filled with infection while his eyes glowed with a feral hunger.


    She recognized the man easily because of the shield and the pants on his body. Nheless, she couldn''t help but feel a chill down her spine as she realized that if she stayed there for a long time, she would be the one targeted by Zombie Tomas!


    Indeed, she had been conversing with a ticking time bomb, unaware of the danger lurking beneath Tomas''s concealed visage.


    ''But the zombification took a long time as well¡­ I wonder why is that¡­'' Diana mused as she slowly retreated. In any case, she saw that there were already several people hurrying to subdue the Zombie.


    Her talent wouldn''t help her kill that Zombie, so it was better to retreat and lessen the casualties.


    Soon, chaos erupted as Tomas, driven by an insatiable appetite, lunged at the nearest survivors.


    His once-friendly banter turned into guttural snarls as he tore through the defenses they had so carefully constructed. The night watch, caught off guard, fell one by one to his aggressive assault.


    Diana''s mind reeled with shock seeing such a brutal scene.


    Survivor-Type Zombies were the most difficult to handle after all!


    The shelter, a haven of safety and solidarity, was now a battleground. Survivors scrambled for weapons, their cries of battle mingling with those of anguish. Because of the noise and the destruction of the wall, some other zombies started hurrying to their area!


    ''Not good! It will be total chaos if other zombies start entering our shelter.''


    Diana, her instincts kicking in, grabbed her hammer, the tool of her trade now a weapon of necessity.


    Tomas''s rampage continued, his former humanity erased by the virus that now controlled him.


    He moved with terrifying speed, and his attacks were brutal and quick! The elite Survivors hadn''t arrived yet! The guards'' numbers had already dwindled as he cut through their ranks.


    And then, Zombie Tomas'' blood-red gaze found Diana.


    Time seemed to slow as he advanced towards her, each step thudding ominously against the ground. Diana steadied her breath, gripping her hammer tightly.


    "There''s no way I''m gonna survive this¡­ I''m going to die¡­" Diana thought but she at least wanted to try¡­


    As she took a deep breath, her hands steadied despite the fear that threatened to overwhelm her¡­ The hammer, a tool that had served to build and protect, was now her only chance to live.


    Bam!


    She swung with all her might, but the undead monstrosity before her was impervious to pain!


    As Tomas bore down on her,Diana''s thoughts shed to her step-brother Shane, to the family she had lost, to the life she had once known. She would not let this be her end¡ªnot here, not now.


    Crash!


    The sound of splintering wood and shattering bone filled the air as Eldric burst onto the scene, the Kris de in hand¡ªa weapon of exceptional make, gleaming with a malevolent light that seemed to hunger for undead flesh.


    Herman''s craftsmanship was evident in the de''s every curve and edge, a masterpiece forged for this very moment.


    Eldric moved like an experienced warrior, his presence a beacon of hope in the encroaching death!


    The de hummed through the air as he waved it in front of the zombie!


    With a swift, fluid motion, Eldric intercepted Tomas''s lethal advance, the Kris de finding its mark in the creature''s grotesque form.


    Sssshhhlick!


    The sound was sickening yet satisfying, as the de cleaved through rotting flesh and severed the sinews that bound the monster to its unholy existence.


    Eldric''s strike was powerful, and for a moment, time stood still as the Zombie''s momentum carried it forward before copsing in a heap of lifeless decay.


    Thud!


    Diana, her breathing in ragged gasps, looked up at her savior.


    Eldric''s eyes met hers, a silent understanding passing between them.


    They were survivors and fighters, and in this moment, they were victorious.


    The shelter, though scarred by the night''s events, would live to see another dawn.


    And as Diana watched Eldric wipe the blood from his de, she thanked her once again¡­


    "Is that the weapon Herman made for you?" Diana asked.


    "Yes¡­ He gave it to me just a while ago¡­ It''s an Exceptional Grade weapon¡­ He also gave me a few essories." Eldric replied with a smile.


    He was thankful to Diana since she was the one who permitted his entry to meet Herman.


    After some thought, Eldric spoke and revealed his true purpose foring here.


    "To tell you the truth, the Zombie that I''m about to kill isn''t a Tyrant Zombie¡­ It was called Flesh Puker Zombie."

 Chapter 189: Empty

    "Mhmm?"


    Diana''s confusion was evident as she tried to understand what Eldric wanted to share. "A Flesh Puker Zombie?" she repeated. This time, her voice was tinged with curiosity. She had no idea about this zombie at all, but she could tell that this zombie was definitely strongpared to a Tyran zombie.


    Eldric, on the other hand, nodded, showing his grim expression. "Yes, it''s a formidable foe. It''s covered in a thick hide of flesh that acts like armor. It''s not just strong; it''s resilient. This Kris de," he said, lifting the weapon slightly, "is my best chance at taking it down."


    Diana''s eyes traced the contours of the de, recognizing the craftsmanship that only Herman could provide. It was indeed the one meant for the leader of the Shadowbinder n, but it seemed that Herman decided to give it over to Eldric''s capable hands.


    "Why tell me this?" Diana inquired, her brow furrowed.


    Eldric''s gaze met hers, steady and serious. "Because I need your help, Diana. After I y the Flesh Puker, I''ll need to harvest its core... It''s a shard to be exact¡­ It''s a delicate process, and without a skilled craftsman, the core could be ruined. I''ve seen your work, and I heard a lot about you from Sir Herman. You have the expertise I need.


    I can also protect you as long as we don''t enter the territory of those stronger zombies¡­ I just needed someone I could trust. You''ll also level up faster that way."


    Diana hesitated, torn between the safety of the shelter and the call of adventure. "I¡­ I can''t," she finally said. "My ce is here, with the survivors. The skill I know is only to forge and repair, to keep us armed and protected."


    Eldric nodded, a hint of disappointment in his eyes, but he respected her decision. "I understand. Your skills save lives here every day. If you change your mind, you know where to find me."


    With that, Eldric turned and strode towards the forest, the Kris de secured at his side.


    The night enveloped him, but his mission was clear. The Flesh Puker Zombie was out there, and he would rather face it alone than have someone else he couldn''t trust to work with him.


    Diana watched him disappear into the darkness, her heart heavy with the weight of his request. She knew the importance of her role within the walls of the shelter, yet part of her longed for the thrill of the hunt to get stronger and, perhaps, look for the people she wanted to meet someday.


    As the night wore on, Diana returned to her forge¡­ She no longer felt sleepy because of what had happened, so she decided to start working¡­


    Soon, the mes started casting dancing shadows across the walls¡­ As she started her job, her hammer felt heavier in her hands¡­ She couldn''t help but think of her decision just a while ago.


    ***


    In the meantime, Eldric didn''t take that long before he arrived at his destination. He only had to walk for about 5 hours before he was able to find the cave he was looking for¡­


    Thud. Thud. Thud.


    Eldric''s footsteps echoed through the tunnel as he ventured deeper into the cave. Kris de was already withdrawn and ready to meet any opponent that woulde.


    Inside the cave, the air was thick with the stench of decay, a pungent reminder of the abominations that lurked within. Nheless, he didn''t care at all!


    The first to greet him was the Crypt Crawlers, their limbs twisted and elongated, skittering across the cave''s ceiling with a sickening grace.


    Their eyes, devoid of life yet burning with hunger, fixed upon Eldric as they descended.


    Eldric rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the grasp of crooked fingers that sought to grab him. He swung the Kris de in a wide arc, its edge humming through the air and severing the limb of the nearest Crypt Crawler. ck liquid and other matter sprayed across the cave walls as the creature let out a guttural hiss, retreating momentarily.


    But there were many, and Eldric was one.


    He pivoted on his heel, ducking another swipe, and thrust the de upward, impaling a Crypt Crawler that had aimed to pounce from above. With a twist of the de and a kick, he sent the creature tumbling into the abyss below.


    After killing several Crypt Crawlers, next came the Cave Dwellers. They were dwarf-like in size, but they were strong. Their muscles were coiled like springs. Three of them charged, their battle cries echoing off the stone as they swung crude weapons forged from the bones of their victims.


    Eldric met their charge head-on, the Kris de deflecting a bone club before slicing through the shoulder of its wielder. He danced back, avoiding a swipe from a rusted axe, and countered with a precise stab to the heart of another.


    "Tsk¡­ These weaklings are too annoying!"


    The Cave Dwellers were relentless, but Eldric''s resolve was irond. He did not retreat, and he remained pushing forward. The swing of his de could sever a zombie''s head so easily!


    Screehhh~


    The Screamer Zombies were thest to join the fray. Their wails were a sonic weapon that threatened to disorient and debilitate.


    Eldric felt the vibrations in his chest, the sound wing at his senses.


    He gritted his teeth, focusing on the rhythm of his heartbeat, using it to ground himself against the auditory assault.


    He charged, closing the distance, and with a leap, he brought the Kris de down in a devastating overhead strike that silenced one Screamer mid-cry.


    Another Screamer lunged, its mouth agape, a scream was surely umting...


    Eldric sidestepped, the sound wave missing him by inches, and he only felt a little dizzy on one side... Nheless, it was enough as he retaliated with a swift cut across the creature''s throat, its scream turning into a gurgle as it fell.


    With the cave''s defenders dispatched, Eldric pressed on, his body aching, but his spirit was unbroken.


    Soon, he arrived at the heart of the cave, their of the Flesh Puker Zombie¡­


    But to his dismay, he found it empty¡­


    "No way¡­ Where did it go?!" Eldric was in disbelief.

 Chapter 190: Shelter

    "No¡­ It shouldn''t leave its nest¡­ Did someone beat me to it? Ughh¡­ There''s no way these Foreign Survivors, who had onlye here for a little over a month, were already stronger than me¡­ That''s impossible." Eldric shook his head as he believed that the Foreign Survivors were still adapting to this world.


    Although he heard a mysterious voice telling him that the Foreign Survivors would lead and protect this world, he wasn''t someone who would rely on someone else to stay alive¡­ He had been living here and had survived the Zombies for a long time, so he knew what he had to do, and no one could tell him so¡­


    He even felt as if the number of Zombies had grown a lot after their arrival, so he really didn''t want to get closer to them as much as possible since they could somehow attract tons of zombies.


    Anyway, Eldric didn''t give up¡­


    He scanned the shadows, the Kris de at the ready, but after searching for a while, there was still no sign of the creature.


    A sense of unease settled over him. Where had the Flesh Puker gone? Had it sensed his approach and fled, or was it lying in wait, preparing to ambush him when he least expected it?


    Eldric knew he could not let his guard down. The Flesh Puker was out there, somewhere, and he would find it.


    For now, he had to find another Flesh Puker Zombie. If this ce wasn''t good, then there must be other ces.


    As he walked around to find a ce to rest, he felt something off and quickly held his weapon to be on guard.


    Twang


    Suddenly, he heard the sound of an arrow being released, and in an instant, he heardnd close to him¡­


    Thud!


    The arrow quivered in the ground, a mere inch from Eldric''s boot, its fletching still fluttering from the flight.


    His heart skipped a beat, not from fear, but from the realization that the one observing him wasn''t a zombie but a human.


    He raised his eyes to the treetops, where the silhouettes of several figures could be seen.


    If Shane had been here, he would have recognized them as Lily and Elsa¡­


    Lily''s stance was rxed yet alert, the mark of someone who wielded the power of nature itself¡­ She was the one with Wood Element Affinity Talent. Elsa stood beside her, secretlymanding the water beneath Eldric... She was the one with Water Element Affinity Talent.


    "I mean no harm," Eldric immediately called out, his voice steady despite the tension. "I''m searching for a Flesh Puker Zombie. It''s vital that I find it... I thought it was in a nearby cave but it''s not. If you don''t want me here, I''ll leave."


    The camp stirred, whispers carried on the wind as the survivors peered down at the stranger in their midst. Lily and Elsa exchanged a nce, a silent conversation passing between them before they signaled the archers to stand down.


    "There was only one cave nearby, and it was raided a few days ago," Lily exined as she felt that it was a good thing that it was raided since he felt that this person would just die if he had gone there... "Another camp, to the east, they took what was left."


    Elsa nodded and continued to exin. "If the Flesh Puker was there, it''s long gone. You might find answers with them."


    Gratitude flickered in Eldric''s eyes as he sheathed the Kris de. "Thank you. I''ll seek them out at first light. Can I stay nearby to rest?"


    "Yes¡­ We''re using an Anti-Zombie Aroma, so weaker zombies would note here¡­ Just don''t do anything funny since we have sentries guarding this 24/7¡­"


    Eldric just smiled at this as he took a spot in a nearby tree that was probably used by the previous sentries as well.


    The night passed quickly, and thankfully, Eldric was still able to open his eyes¡­


    ''The people of this camp are kind¡­ I should do some transactions with them someday¡­'' Eldric muttered as he prepared to leave¡­


    "Thank you for guarding me¡­" Eldric said as he left the area.


    As the sun crested the hills, Eldric''s journey brought him to the camp that Lily and Elsa had spoken of.


    It was quite difficult to find at first, but as soon as he found some traces in the ground, trees, and rocks, the traces of the camp became more apparent to see, and soon, he found the fortress.


    "Awesome~ This looked more fortified than Herman''s shelter¡­" Eldric muttered as he also silently prayed that the people inside weren''t terrible ones.


    Anyway, the shelter was truly fortified, not just by walls, but by the people living there¡­


    He saw some workers cutting trees, breaking rocks, digging trenches, and others! Furthermore, he saw some of their bodies to be absurdly big.


    "What are those? Are they still humans?" Eldric muttered, but he suddenly felt threatened as he looked at the watchtower.


    Someone was actually observing, and it seemed that they had a weapon better than crossbows!


    ''That''s a rifle!'' Eldric''s eyes lit up as he recognized that fabled weapon!


    This shelter is the real deal¡­


    Then, Eldric took a deep breath as he had to do this right.


    He approached the gates slowly with his weapon still sheathed. He doesn''t have ns of drawing it out.


    Then, he was noticed by the other workers, who simply looked at him for a moment before returning to their work.


    ''They don''t care about me, huh¡­'' Eldric wryly smiled since if he was seen by the Scavengers, they would immediately bow at him¡­


    He would only get treated like nothing in front of these Foreign Survivors.


    "Ie in search of the drops of a Flesh Puker Zombie," he announced. "I believe it may have been here."


    The guards eyed him warily¡­ Nheless, he was ignored for a moment¡­


    As he was getting impatient, the guard seemed to have received instructions and allowed his entry¡­


    "You mentioned the Flesh Puker Zombie¡­ The estate''s butler would like to talk with you¡­ We won''t be taking your weapon, but if you n to mess around, you''ll realize you''re in the wrong ce." one guard said as he opened the gate¡­

 Chapter 191: Skilled

    Inside, Eldric found a camp alive with activity. cksmiths hammered at anvils, gardeners tended the flowers and herbs, while the warriors sharpened their des or practiced their techniques, each one a proof of this shelter''s will to live, to fight, to thrive.


    ''There''s no children, huh¡­'' Eldric thought after looking around the estate.


    He had been to several shelters, but he had never seen any children ying around. He couldn''t help but feel that the spread of the virus had gotten stronger and that it somehow stopped women from getting pregnant¡­


    This was a huge concern since this might be thest generation of Survivors¡­


    Soon, he entered the manor''s reception room and met the butler. Of course, there were a couple of Super Soldiers guarding him and they were really intimidating.


    Nheless, he knew that most of these Foreign Survivors were reasonable people¡­ He decided to just stay calm and act ordingly.


    "Mr. Wadsworth, I''vee in search of the Flesh Puker Zombie''s Core¡­ I heard it was called the Toxic Flesh Shard," Eldric began, his voice echoing the urgency of his quest. He actually wasn''t sure if he got the name correct but that was what he read in the research papers when he looted an abandonedboratory.


    The butler adjusted his sses, a flicker of recognition in his eyes.


    "Ah, the Flesh Puker Zombie. Yes, Master Shane and hispanions have indeed bested such a creature. The shard you seek was entrusted to Anna, our esteemed alchemist, for her research."


    Eldric''s heart quickened at the prospect of acquiring the shard. "I require it for its unique properties. It''s said to grant immunity to poison when properly prepared. I''m willing to pay for it¡­"


    Mr. Wadsworth nodded, understanding the gravity of the request. However, this matter had to be known by the lord of this estate.


    "That name of the owner of this estate is Shane Wells?" Eldric repeated as he found this name quite familiar.


    "Yes¡­ Please stay here for a moment.


    Mr. Wadsworth then quickly left to inform Shane about the situation while Eldric was left contemting.


    In Shane''s room, Mr. Wadsworth found Shane watching the drone''s perspective using its handheld device¡­


    Although the drone was said to be capable of detecting danger itself, Shane could still control it to some extent¡­ It seemed that he was searching for something¡­


    Anyway, the butler exined why he hade and to his surprise, Shane didn''t mind it at all.


    "If the Toxic Flesh Shard isn''t processed yet, he can use something to trade for it. Anyway, it only grants temporary poison immunity." Shane answered as he allowed the butler to handle this.


    "Right, test his skills and try to make him join our shelter if he''s good." Shane said. In any case, with his Territory Lord talent, he could increase the loyalty points of the people as long as they continued to stay in his territory for a long duration.


    The butler did as he was told and returned to the visitor.


    Together, they approached the onlyboratory in the estate.


    With Shane''s permission granted, they entered the realm of beakers and bubbling potions, where Anna presided over her domain.


    "Anna, this is Eldric. He wishes to procure the Toxic Flesh Shard¡­" Mr. Wadsworth introduced.


    Anna, her eyes weary from hours of meticulous work, looked up from her studies.


    "The shard? I''m afraid it''s already been used. Its properties were¡­ quite remarkable." She replied. She wasn''t even curious about Eldric''s identity. She knew that Shane could summon people out of nowhere, so she thought that Eldric was another summoned being this morning.


    Eldric''s shoulders slumped, the disappointment evident in his posture.


    "Used? Then, my journey here was in vain. I need it''s poison immunity¡­ It''s essential to enter a Toxic Zombie''s Den¡­"


    "Is there something like that? In any case, I made pills from that shard that could grant temporary immunity to poison¡­" Anna replied, a spark of empathy in her tone.


    "While the shard itself is gone, my notes on its properties remain. Perhaps there''s another way to achieve the immunity you seek. We have another poison expert in this estate anyway." She said with a faint smile on her face.


    ***


    Shinja, the Warlord and Poison Expert, stood vignt atop the watchtower, his keen eyes surveying thend that stretched out before Springriver Manor.


    The Walker Zombies, amon nuisance, ambled towards the estate, only to be swiftly dispatched by the patrolling elves whose arrows flew urately and deadly.


    As thest of the Walkers crumpled to the ground, Shinja''s gaze drifted to the rhythmic fall of trees in the distance. The Super Soldiers, with their chainsaw roaring, were clearing the area for future expansion and also for the lumber to be used for the construction of more buildings.


    But peace was a fleeting luxury.


    Shinja''s sharp eyes caught movement near the river¡ªa pair of Spitter Zombies inching closer to the water''s edge.


    Their venomous bile posed a grave threat to the purity of the estate''s water supply.


    It could not be contaminated!


    He knew he had to act quickly.


    "Gene!"Shinja barked, his voice carrying the urgency of the situation. "Inform the patrolling elves¡ªSpitter Zombies near the river. They must be stopped before they taint the water."


    The Gene nodded, understanding the gravity of themand, and dashed off to ry the message.


    However, he also noticed the presence of a few more Spitter Zombies in a different direction. He had to help them¡­


    He nned to ask Lucas to stay in the watchtower for now but as Shinja prepared to descend from the watchtower, his attention was snagged by an unusual sight.


    Mr. Wadsworth, the manor''s butler, was apanied by a stranger¡ªa visitor who had just arrived in the estate about an hour ago.


    Curiosity piqued, Shinja watched as the two men conversed, their gestures indicating a matter of some importance.


    The visitor, with a de at his side, that Shinja recognized as the work of a master craftsman, spoke with a fervor and seemed to be quite excited.


    Soon, Mr. Wadsworth exined that they hade here to ask him to test Eldric''sbat skills!

 Chapter 192: Preparation Complete for the Zombie Wave

    Shinja''s gaze narrowed as he assessed the visitor, Eldric, who stood with a confident poise that showed that he was indeed a veteran...


    He could that this man had been to numerous battles just like him.


    ''No wonder he''s told to fight me¡­''


    Shinja thought as he looked at Eldric''s side.


    The Kris de was indeed a fine weapon, its craftsmanship unmistakable even from a distance.


    "Very well," Shinja agreed, his voice sounding confident and unworried.


    Well, just now, he saw Shane''s Drone going in the direction of the Spitter Zombies¡­ It means that Shane knew of their presence as well. Because of that, he no longer had to worry about them. He was confident enough that Shane would deal with this problem.


    "Mhmm¡­ If Master Shane wishes for me to test your spirit, then so be it."


    Eldric''s grip on the Kris de tightened, a silent acknowledgment of the challenge ahead. He could tell that Shinja was a strong warrior even if the butler hadn''t introduced him.


    Shinja then thought for a moment as he considered how to fight Eldric. Then, in a gesture of respect, he chose to mirror his opponent''s armament, selecting a single sword from the manor''s armory¡ªa de less ornate than his usual choice, but no less deadly.


    His two swords were both poisonous. Using it in a test would not be beneficial at all. Just a single scratch on Eldric could cause death.


    There was no need to go that far.


    "If Shane sees potential in you, then our camp could benefit from your skills," Shinja stated, a hint of intrigue coloring his words.


    "I''ve note to join any ranks," Eldric replied, his tone firm yet devoid of hostility. "But I wee the opportunity to prove my worth."


    "Then let the recruitment begin," Shinja said, the corners of his mouth lifting in a rare smile.


    The two warriors faced each other in the open courtyard, the morning sun casting long shadows upon the ground.


    Some on the not-too-busy people gathered around. Theysilent audience to the impending duel.


    With a nod from Mr. Wadsworth, the battlemenced. Shinja advanced with slow but calcted pace, his sword held in a guard position. Eldric mirrored the approach, the Kris de reflecting the light of the sun in a dazzling disy.


    Shinja struck first, a swift thrust aimed at Eldric''s midsection. Eldric sidestepped, the de passing harmlessly by, and countered with a sh towards Shinja''s nk.


    The Warlord parried with ease, the sound of steel ringing through the air.


    Cling~


    They circled each other as they started to consider how to approach their opponent after seeing their speed.


    Shinja feinted left, then pivoted right, his de arcing towards Eldric''s shoulder.


    But Eldric was quick, ducking under the strike and attempting to sweep Shinja''s legs. The Warlord leaped, turning Eldric''s maneuver into an opportunity tounch a downward strike.


    Eldric rolled away, the grass staining his clothes as he narrowly avoided the de''s strike. He rose swiftly, the Kris de shing in a diagonal line aimed at Shinja''s chest. Shinja retreated, his back foot catching on a stone, but he recovered with the grace of a cat, using the momentum to spin and deliver a counterattack.


    The des met with a ng that echoed off the manor''s walls, sparks flying from the point of impact.


    ''That sword is a trouble¡­'' Shinja thought to himself after realizing that the Kris de in Eldric''s hands was a lot better than he thought.


    Although the sword that Shinja was using looked simple, it was still a sword that was made by their best cksmith and it had the same stats as Rare Items!


    It means that Eldric''s weapon was probably Exceptional or even a Master Grade!


    Nheless, Eldric pressed the attack, a series of rapid strikes that forced Shinja back step by step. Shinja started being careful as well realizing that his sword might break¡­


    Nheless, the Warlord''s defense was like iron, each attack was deflected.


    Of course, it was all because of one of his perfected skills.


    [ de Dancer Stance Lv10 ( Max): A fluid skill that allows the person to adopt a graceful and deadly stance,bining agility and precision to outmaneuver opponents inbat. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% evasion and mobility in de Dancer stance


    +40% chance to counter enemy attacks with swift de maneuvers


    +40% speed of transitioning between offensive and defensive stances ]


    Even if he wasn''t dual-wielding, this skill was still active as long as he maintained his stance!


    Shinja''s eyes gleamed with the thrill of the fight, his movements bing more fluid, more unpredictable.


    After reading Eldric''s battle style, he unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one a feint, each one a test of Eldric''s reaction.


    And then, with the speed of a striking viper, he lunged, his de aiming for a decisive blow.


    But Eldric was ready. With a twist of his wrist, he redirected Shinja''s sword, creating an opening. He thrust forward, the Kris de seeking victory.


    Yet, Shinja''s experience shone through; he sidestepped at thest moment, the de grazing his tunic but not his skin¡­ Then, Eldric stepped back five times as he was actually kicked by Shinja!


    Furthermore, Eldric could tell that Shinja held back from that strike!


    The two warriors paused, their breathing heavy, their respect for each other''s skill evident in their stance.


    They had both proven their worth, their prowess undeniable.


    "This is enough¡­" Mr. Wadsworth dered, telling them to sheathe their swords.


    "Your skill is clear, Eldric. Whether you join us or not, you have my respect." Shinja said with a hint of smile on his face.


    Eldric nodded, acknowledging thepliment. "And you have mine, Warlord. Today''s battle will not be forgotten."


    ***


    In the meantime, from the manor''s highest balcony, Shane observed the duel with a keen eye.


    Eldric''s skill had not only impressed the seasoned Warlord Shinja but had also caught Shane''s strategic mind.


    "He''ll be invaluable in theing Zombie Wave," Shane mused to himself, a smile ying on his lips.


    The Zombie Wave was an inevitable tide, and warriors like Eldric were rare finds¡­


    ''He''ll be a useful tool¡ªNo, ally¡­''


    As thebatants sheathed their swords and the crowd dispersed, Shane shifted his attention to histest acquisition.


    The Reputation Store had been generous, offering an item that could very well change the course of the next battle.

 Chapter 193: Called

    Several days had quickly passed after the duel.


    Eldric, finding a sense of purpose within the manor''s walls, dedicated himself to be trained under Shinja''s watchful eye. The Warlord''s expertise in bothbat and poisons was unparalleled, and Eldric absorbed the lessons with the eagerness of a true warrior. This was all because of his desire to conquer the Toxic Zombie''s den.


    Of course, Shane didn''t mind him staying here in the estate as Eldric''s loyalty would increase each day.


    The five elves, on the other hand, were also dedicated to their tasks of keeping the river safe.


    Every day, they ensure that not a single Spitter Zombie could taint the life-giving waters. For some reason, this specific type of Zombie was attracted to the river and would always want to take a bath there.


    Meanwhile, the Super Soldiers had transformed thendscape with their relentless work. Where once stood a dense forest nowy opennd, ready for expansion.


    The sound of chainsaws had be a familiar sound of progress every morning, and the new palisade that slowly rose from the cleared ground was a testament to their hard work¡­


    Farmer Ewan, alongside the newest members of themunity, toiled in the fields, nting seeds that would soon sprout into a bounty of vegetables. The Harvester''s Hoard Set, a wise investment by Shane, provided them with the necessary tools to cultivate hope in the form of sustenance.


    [ Harvester''s Hoard Set: A set of agricultural supplies. Ensure your camp''s food security with thisprehensive kit of agricultural tools and seeds. It contains a variety of heirloom seeds, fertilizers, and basic farming tools. The seeds are also gically enhanced for high yield and disease resistance, promising a bountiful harvest.


    Note: Even if the seeds are gically enhanced, there are still chances that they won''t grow if the soil is too poor and other basic requirements aren''t met. ]


    This set that he bought in the Auction House had finally be useful.


    As for Max and La, the prisoners who had once been detained in their rooms had finally reached the level of loyalty that Shane feltfortable with.


    Their loyalty was now at 60 Points after checking their profile in his Territorial Information under the Residents Tab.


    Their loyalty allowed Shane to integrate them fully into the estate''s daily life. Since they were no longer prisoners, La''s Telekinesis had been very useful in the construction while Max, the warrior, helped the Super Soldiers in theirbor tasks.


    Shane, the leader of this burgeoning society, watched over his domain with a leader''s pride.


    Well, to be exact, he was always watching the estate using the drone as it had a better view sometimes.


    The secret weapon he had secured from the Reputation Store remained hidden, its power reserved for the moment when it would be needed most.


    For now, he focused on fortifying the estate, strengthening the weapons, and preparing for whatever the future might hold.


    "I guess I can safely leave this ce after the next Zombie Wave and be sure that they''ll prosper even without my presence¡­" Shane muttered.


    This was what he really nned to do, and that was why his presence in the estate was barely seen.


    He wanted to see how the estate would operate after giving them simple instructions.


    Thankfully, everyone knew what they were capable of, and all the fields were properly taken care of, and the estate was functioning effectively.


    Shane then went outside his room to greet the next person who was summoned by the mysterious gray fog.


    Soon, several people stopped what they were doing after seeing thegray fog crept along the ground outside the estate¡­


    Some of those who knew about this phenomenon exined that it was signaling the workings of Shane''s special power¡­ Well, it wasn''t wrong.


    After a few moments, the person that the fog summoned stepped out¡­ It happened swiftly as the fog swirled and churned, and from its midst emerged a figure that was as unexpected as it was intriguing.


    A round or perhaps obese man, with a ruddyplexion and a barrel clutched in his arms, stumbled out of the mist. There was also a huge rucksack on his back.


    His clothes were stained, and his hat askew, giving him the appearance of a tavern regr rather than a summoned ally.


    ''This guy¡­''


    Shane''s brow furrowed in confusion; this was not the sort of recruit he was ustomed to.


    The ones his Title would summon were always useful in some fields¡­ He couldn''t help but feel curious as to what kind of benefit this person would bring to him.


    "Good morrow, Lord!" the man bellowed after being allowed to enter the estate. His voice booming and surprisingly clear for someone who seemed inebriated.


    "Name''s Bartholomew, but you can call me Bart. And before you judge a book by its cover, let me assure you, I''m more than meets the eye!"


    He said proudly as if he could read his thoughts. Well, he was certainly aware of how he looked.


    Shane smiled hearing this since he wasn''t looking down on this person at all. He was mearly curious since he couldn''t guess what kind of field he would be helpful with.


    Shane crossed his arms, his interest piqued despite the odd introduction. "


    Go on, then. What skills do you bring to our estate?" He replied with the same energy as the man.


    Bart set the barrel down with a thud and wiped his hands on his trousers.


    "I, sir, am a master brewer! This barrel here," he said, patting it fondly, "contains my finest ale, crafted from a recipe passed down through generations. But that''s not all!"


    He leaned in closer, a conspiratorial glint in his eye.


    "I''ve traveled far and wide, collecting rare ingredients that can turn a simple brew into a potion of sorts. My ales can warm the coldest night, lift the heaviest spirits, and, if I may say, even bolster the strength and resolve of those who partake. You can use this or also¡­ sell them for money! Gahahaha!"

 Chapter 194: Brewed

    Shane''s skepticism began to wane as Bart''s enthusiasm proved infectious.


    "You''re saying your brews can aid us in battle?" He asked, amused by this revtion.


    Furthermore, he also felt a bit excited since even in the Auction, Survivor Store, or even the sellers in the Regional Chat, Shane had never seen any beer, wine, or simply any alcoholic drink for sale!


    For sure, the others also wanted to drink beer on some nights, but none of them were talking about it since they just didn''t want to feel down.


    If this man could really brew some good ale, then perhaps he could


    "Exactly!" Bart eximed.


    "I''ve concocted ales that can sharpen a warrior''s focus, quicken a scout''s step, and steady a surgeon''s hand. Why, with the right herbs and a touch of magic, there''s no telling what my brews can do!"


    "Oh?"


    Shane considered the possibilities.


    A brewer with Bart''s talents could indeed be an asset, especially if his concoctions held the power he imed.


    "Very well, Bart. You''ll have a chance to prove the worth of your ales. If they''re as good as you say, you''ll find a wee ce among us. I''m Shane Wells, the lord of this estate, the Springriver Manor¡­" Shane said with a chuckle.


    Of course, even if his brews weren''t as effective as he said, he still had a part in this estate. After all, as long as he could make an ale, even just a normal one, he would be a nice addition to their poption. Furthermore, he knew that he would be able to easily sell it in the Regional Chat or even in the World Chat very easily.


    Bart''s face split into a wide, toothy grin.


    "You won''t regret this, Lord Shane. Bartholomew''s Brews will be the toast of Springriver Manor!"


    Shane then invited the man inside the manor and introduced Mr. Wadsworth. He asked Bart if he wanted to rest first or eat first, but Bart just wanted to get started. He wanted to start brewing since he only had a few alcohols left in his bag!


    Shaneughed at this as he felt that he understood the man already.


    Soon, in the quiet of an empty room of the manor, Bartholomew, known as Bart, set about his craft with the fervor of a man possessed by passion.


    Shane watched, intrigued by the brewer''s meticulous preparation. He even invited Anna to watch just in case she was interested.


    Of course, Anna agreed since it was also a nice pastime.


    Bart began byying out his equipment¡ªa collection of pots, pans, and mysterious vials, each with a purpose in the ''alchemical-like'' process that he was about to conduct.


    He filled arge cauldron with water from the estate''s water source. Then, after adding a drop of "special water", the liquid began to heat over a newly kindled fire.


    "First, we must awaken the water,"Bart exined."It''s not just water; it''s the lifeblood of the brew."


    As the water reached a rolling boil, Bart added his grains, a mix of barley and wheat, along with a handful of mystical herbs whose names he kept secret.


    The concoction simmered, the grains releasing their sugars, the herbs their magic, infusing the liquid with a golden hue and a fragrance that promised robust vors.


    "Now, we coax the sweetness from the grains, and the herbs lend their essence to the brew,"Bart narrated, stirring the mixture with a wooden spoon carved from a purple branch of a tree. It was quite an interesting spoon.


    They had to wait for a while during this time, so Shane decided to ask Bart about his skills.


    "Of course! Let me show you my skills!"


    [ Master Brewer Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill that enables the skill user to possess mastery in the art of ale brewing, allowing him to create a wide range of potent brews with versatile effects. It grants the following benefits:


    +30% effectiveness of all brewed concoctions


    +30% duration of brewed effects


    +30% chance to create bonus effects in ales ]


    [ Ale Connoisseur Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill for the user''s expertise in consuming various ales. It grants him unique benefits and resistance to intoxication. It provides the following effects:


    Immunity to Intoxication: Bart is immune to the negative effects of alcohol consumption.


    Enhanced Tolerance: +50% resistance to poisons and toxins.


    Hangover Resistance: +50% reduction in recovery time after consuming alcohol. ]


    [ Drunken Master Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill to harness the power of inebriation inbat, turning his intoxication into an advantage. It offers the following effects:


    Drunkard''s Reflexes: +50% increase in agility and evasion while drunk.


    Tipsy Tactics: +50% boost to strategic thinking and improvisation in battle when under the influence.


    Ale-Enhanced Combat: +50% increase in attack speed and damage output when intoxicated. ]


    "Gahaha! That''s my only maxed skills, Lord Shane¡­ The other skills I have weren''t as great as these skills."


    "Master Brewer, Ale Connoisseur, and Drunken Master¡­ They''re all incredible skills Bart." Shanemented after realizing that this man could also fight. His Drunken Master was level 10 after all!


    "Hahaha! I still can''t survive alone with these meager skills." Bart said, although he was feeling proud after hearing Shane''s reaction.


    After an hour, Bart removed the cauldron from the heat, allowing the wort to cool.


    He then transferred the liquid to a fermentation vessel, a process he performed with the precision of an experienced brewer.


    "Hoho¡­ My skills haven''t rusted yet¡­" Bartmented as he added the yeast, the final ingredient that would breathe life into the ale.


    "The yeast, tiny as it may be, is the soul of the ale. It feasts on the sugars, dancing in the liquid, transforming it from mere water to a potion of vigor,"he said, his eyes twinkling with excitement.


    "Ahem¡­ However, I don''t have many of them. If you can find yeast for me¡­ That would be amazing." Bartmented.


    Shane and Anna knew that yeast was indeed important for every beer, so they nodded at the man.


    Soon, the room was filled with the bubbling sound of fermentation as the yeast worked its magic.

 Chapter 195: The Night Before the Zombie Wave

    Well, no matter how mystical his ingredients were, the process of brewing still takes a lot of time.


    Nheless, the ingredients he had obtained helped shorten the waiting time a lot.


    It only took a day of fermentation which should never be possible if Bart followed the normal process.


    Nheless, with all the magical and unusual things happening around Shane, he was no longer surprised that such a cheat-like ability existed! Even a Dragon exists in this world!


    Anyway, the liquid within the vessel transformed, bing clearer, the vors melding and maturing into something more than the sum of its parts.


    Finally, it was time for bottling. Bart siphoned the ale into ss bottles, each one sealed with a cork made from the bark of a tree that grew only in the moonlight. Hebeled them with care, writing the name of the brew and the date of its creation.


    It was not necessary as they were going to be consumed soon, but it was his habit. Anyway, he was about to make a total of 15 bottles of ale. It wasn''t too bad, considering his limited resources.


    "And now, we wait,"Bart dered."In two days'' time, the ale will be ready. Its effects will be worth the wait¡ªstrength, rity, and a warmth that will fortify you against the madness spreading in this world¡­ Kekeke¡­"


    Shane nodded, impressed by the brewer''s skill and the potential of the ale''s power. The estate had gained not just a master brewer but a craftsman whose drinks might help them in the next Zombie Wave.


    As Bart tidied his workspace, the room still fragrant with the scent of brewing, Shane couldn''t help but feel that the estate had be a little richer, a little stronger, and certainly more spirited with Bart''s arrival.


    ''I should probably take some of them once I leave the estate.'' Shane thought as he left the room.


    ***


    Days quickly passed as the estate continued to expand, and its defenses had be even stronger.


    Tonight, the atmosphere in the estate was thick with anticipation as the residents have gathered around the campfire. The ce was still bright because of several Light Orbs from the sher Zombies, but the light provided by the huge bonfire was a lot more calming for the others.


    The flickering mes cast a warm glow on the faces of those assembled, from the battle-hardened Super Soldiers and Elves to the farmers, miners, kitchen workers, and all others¡­


    Shane stood before them, his expression solemn yet resolute. He wasn''t a great speaker but he at least knew that he had to let everyone know of what was about to happen and what should they expect.


    "Friends, tomorrow we will face a challenge unlike any before," Shane began, his voice steady and clear. "The Zombie Wave will test our strength, our unity, and our will to survive. But remember, we''ve prepared for this. Each one of you has contributed to the safety and growth of this estate, and now, we must stand together to protect it."


    He looked around the circle, making eye contact with as many as he could.


    "The horde will be vast, drawn to the sanctuary we''ve built. But that''s because we''ve built something worth defending. Our walls are strong, our warriors skilled, and our resolve unbreakable." Shane said.


    Previously, he was actually concerned about the System''s message rted to the size of the horde.


    The system mentioned in the global announcement that the Zombie Wave would now be directly linked to the size of the camp or shelter. Therger your sanctuary, the more formidable the undead horde you''d face, as it said.


    Shane knew very well that his camp could already be consideredrge, so he was expecting a massive Zombie Wave.


    Nheless, after realizing how much firepower they have, he actually felt excited about this Zombie Wave since he would earn plenty of experience points and might level up several times!


    Furthermore, the amount of resources he''d get would probably be unimaginable to many Survivors. Finally, he was hoping to get the Top 1 Zombie Wave Clearer and obtain hidden rewards as well!


    Shane paused, allowing his words to sink in.


    "We''ve trained for this. We''ve fortified our defenses, stocked our supplies, and we have strategies in ce. Each of you ys a crucial role in theing battle, whether you wield a sword or a shovel. Your efforts during and after the wave will be the difference between victory and defeat.


    It will onlyst for 12 hours but that could feel eternity during the horde''s invasion¡­ Furthermore, there could be other Survivors that would try to lead their Zombies to our location. We can''t be toocent."


    A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. The fact that other Foreign Survivors could try to sabotage them was a bit concerning to them.


    Nheless, Shane continued,


    "Tonight, rest well. Tomorrow, fight bravely. And remember, we''re not just fighting for survival¡ªwe''re fighting for our home. Together, we will endure. Together, we will triumph. And when the sun rises on the day after, it will shine on a stronger, more united estate!"


    As Shane concluded, the fire seemed to burn brighter, reflecting the courage that zed in the hearts of all who listened.


    As the embers of Shane''s speech still glowed in the hearts of the estate''s residents, Alexa and her team of kitchen helpers emerged from the shadows, their armsden with the fruits of theirbor.


    The air was soon filled with the rich aromas of a feast crafted with care and generosity.


    "Tonight, we dine as warriors and kin,"Alexa announced, her voice carrying over the crowd as her helpers began distributing the food. The MREs, usually reserved for dire times, were opened and shared. The Unknown Meat, a mysterious but hearty ingredient, was transformed into savory dishes that warmed the belly and the soul.


    The Mushroom Soups, thick and vorful, weredled into bowls, steam rising and mingling with the night air. There were also other meals that they could choose, and everyone was excited!


    The crowd became even more spirited after seeing this as each of them took their share¡­


    And for those key figures in the estate, like Shinja, Leo, Anna, and others, a special treat¡ªa ss of Bart''s ale was given to them!

 Chapter 196: Last Members

    Kael and Tessa heard that the eastern forest was a maze of shadows, a ce where danger lurked behind every twisted tree and within every silent de.


    Kael, with his medic''s satchel slung over his shoulder, moved swiftly, thanks to his Rare Shoes. His eyes scanned the underbrush for threats and confirmed that nothing was there before they continued.


    Beside him, Tessa''s nimble form moved swiftly, her Night Assassin talent rendering her nearly invisible in the dim light.


    They were bound for Shane''s estate, guided only by a map that could only point to Shane''s location.


    "We should be there in two more hours. We''re doing fine." Tessa suddenly said, seeing that Kael was a bit nervous. Kael actually took a lot of time in his task to get Spectral Berries, so they weren''t able to visit Shane''s estate immediately.


    "That''s good. But you have to remember that we still have to rest. We can''t move tirelessly for the next two hours." Kael reminded.


    The urgency of their mission lent speed to their steps. They were in a hurry since they needed to get to Shane''s estate before the start of the Zombie Wave.


    However, the forest had its own agenda.


    "Halt,"Tessa hissed, her hand shooting out to stop Kael in his tracks.


    Before them stood three hulking figures¡ªSpitter Zombies, their skin an unnatural shade of green, bloated bodies swaying slightly as they sensed fresh prey.


    "Eeeww¡­ These creatures are nasty¡­ Should we avoid it or fight?" Tessa asked. Since they could outrun such fatty zombies, they have an option to escape. However, getting attacked by an acid spit from behind could be a problem.


    "I think it''s better to kill them right now¡­ If they dropped an Acid Pouch, we will be rich¡­" Kael replied¡­


    This time, his Healing Hands glowed faintly, ready to mend wounds yet to be inflicted.


    Tessa drew her twin daggers, the des whispering death as she prepared to strike.


    "Alright¡­" Tessa replied as she also realized that they were already surrounded by the Spitter Zombies.


    The first Spitter lurched forward, its mouth gaping wide as itunched a stream of acid towards them.


    Tessa rolled to the side, her movements were swift even within such a rugged terrain, while Kael raised a barrier of healing energy that sizzled as the acid sshed against it.


    This was the reason why Kael was brave enough to face them. His talent allowed him to defend such attacks!


    "Now!"Tessa called out, darting behind the creatures with supernatural speed. Her daggers found their mark in the soft flesh of the nearest zombie''s neck, dark blood oozing from the wound.


    Kael followed suit, his hands glowing brighter as he channeled his talent into a burst of healing light that seared the undead flesh like sunlight.


    The Spitter shrieked, its acidic saliva dripping harmlessly to the ground as it turned to face its assants.


    The second Spitter joined the fray, its aim more precise as it spat a glob of acid towards Tessa. She twisted away, but not before the corrosive liquid grazed her arm, leaving a searing wound in its wake.


    Kael was at her side in an instant, his hands enveloping her injury in a cocoon of healing warmth. The pain receded under his touch, but there was no time for relief as the third Spitter advanced.


    Together, they fought¡ªabination of de and healing light against rotting flesh and venomous spit.


    Each strike from Tessa was deadly against humans, but she had to double her efforts against the Zombies


    The battle continued and each moment felt like an eternity as they parried and struck. They realized that these Spitter Zombies were stronger than the ones they had encountered in the city ruins!


    Bang!


    Kael''s barrier flickered as he sustained a hit to his side, acid burning through cloth and skin alike. But his resolve did not waver; he healed himself just enough to keep fighting.


    Tessa moved like a wraith, her injuries fueling her fury as she dispatched the second Spitter with a swift cut across its bloated belly.


    Luckily, the acid wasn''t infectious and could not turn them into Zombies¡­ Nheless, it hurt a lot when they were hit.


    Soon, the creature copsed with a gurgled moan, its acidic blood pooling on the forest floor.


    The final Spitter loomedrge before them, its eyes gleaming with malice. But Kael and Tessa worked together to defeat them¡­


    With a finalbined effort¡ªa sh from Tessa''s dagger and a st from Kael''s healing hands¡ªthest Spitter fell, its body felt like it was dissolving into a puddle of green sludge.


    "At least your Healing Hands can still stop these things from exploding." Tessa muttered as she confirmed that none of the "healed" Spitter Zombies exploded.


    "Hehe¡­ That''s why I''m confident when facing them." Kael replied.


    The two rested for a while before looting the Spitter Zombies¡­


    "Oh! They provided more experience points here!" Kaelmented after realizing that she got 20 Experience Points from it!


    Tessa also looted the other one and got simr Experience Points! They didn''t get the acid pouch, but they were still happy about it.


    "You can loot thest one, Kael¡­" Tessa said as she knew that Kael needed to level up faster so that his healing abilities could get stronger.


    After looting thest one, the two continue on their way to Shane''s estate.


    However, before they could even get far, they were soon surrounded by several Jumper Zombies and Spitter Zombies as if they were waiting for them!


    "This¡­"


    Kael''s mind raced, calcting their slim chances of survival, while Tessa''s grip on her daggers tightened, her resolve hardening against the fear that threatened to take hold.


    "Looks like this is it," Kael muttered, his hands already glowing in preparation for what seemed like their final stand.


    He hadn''t fully recovered his Spirit Points yet, so he knew that he could only have his Healing Hands four more times. That was obviously not enough for this battle!


    Tessa''s eyes narrowed, her voice barely above a whisper,"Not today. Not without a fight."


    The two exchanged nces and nodded with the same determination in their eyes.

 Chapter 197: The New Day

    As they were about to fight and kill as many Zombies as they could, something unexpected happened.


    They heard the sound of moving branches and rusting of leaves!


    Soon, they saw human figures moving nimbly on the trees!


    ''Is there a nearby Survivor Camp here?'' Tessa thought as it seemed that fate had other ns for the two of them.


    A sudden, melodic war cry pierced the air, and like a sh of lightning, a group of elves burst onto the scene.


    Indeed! As soon as they got closer, Kael and Tessa were able to see their faces! They have perfect skin, long ears, and beautiful faces, even though they were all male!


    Their elegant forms were a stark contrast to the grotesque zombies, their movements were quick as if they practiced this thousands of times as they engaged the enemy.


    Arrows flew from elven bows with deadly uracy, finding their marks in the eyes and throats of Jumper Zombies that leaped with futile aggression.


    The Spitter Zombies'' acid was met with swift dodges and counterattacks, as elven des hummed through the air, cleaving undead flesh with each graceful arc.


    However, because they don''t have Kael''s healing hands, these Spitter Zombies would still explode!


    Bang! Bang!


    "Kael¡­ Help them¡­" Tessa reminded.


    "Ahh¡­ Right!"


    Kael and Tessa watched in awe as the elves moved like a force of nature¡ªunstoppable and fierce. The forest floor was soon littered with zombie remains, the threat diminishing with each passing second.


    The leader of the elves, a tall figure with hair like spun silver, approached Kael and Tessa once thest zombie fell.


    "We will be looting all the Jumper Zombies since we killed all of them¡­ You can loot the Spitter Zombies that didn''t explode."The leader of the elves said.


    This elf was Eldrin, and since he wasn''t speaking to Shane, his voice sounded strict instead of humble.


    "No. You can just loot all of them. You saved our lives. It''s your right to take all of them." Tessa immediately said as she wanted to be on their good side. After all, these elves could be the original residents of this continent! They must have a strong base to survive this long in this zombie-infested world.


    They might even possess a vine and this excited her!


    Kael also nodded his thanks, his relief could be seen on his face.


    "Indeed. We owe you our lives¡­"He said.


    "No¡­ You have made it easier for us since the Spitter Zombies no longer explode after you use your skill on them."


    Tessa sheathed her daggers, her eyes meeting those of the elven leader¡­


    "We''re headed in this direction,"she informed him."Do you think we''re going to encounter more zombies in this area? Can you guide us?" Tessa asked.


    This time, Thalion finally spoke up.


    "Are you Tessa and Kael?"


    "Ahh¡­ You know us?" The two were shocked as they didn''t expect to be called out so suddenly.


    "T-that''s us¡­"


    Thalion smiled and nodded at the humans.


    "Then, you''re heading to the lord''s estate. We will be guiding you even if you don''t make a request¡­"


    "Lord''s estate? You mean¡­" The two of them finally realized that Shane had sent these mystical beings to fetch them up! The two of them exchanged nces as they felt quite excited being together with such strong allies!


    Thalion, realizing that they indeed knew Shane''s identity, nodded at them.


    With a nod as graceful as a bowing willow, the elf signaled for them to follow.


    "We shall escort you,"he promised."No harm will befall you under our watch." As Thalion said this, Eldrin and the others had already finished looting the corpses, even the Spitter Zombies that Tessa and Kael rejected.


    And so, with their new allies leading the way, Kael and Tessa resumed their journey to Shane''s estate.


    The path ahead was still fraught with danger, but together with the elves'' aid, it had be a lot easier for them to handle.


    ***


    In the meantime, As Shane stood on the ramparts of his estate, his gaze fixed on the direction where the elves had left off.


    Well, he doesn''t have much to do aside from waiting for the officialmencement of the next Zombie Wave. There should be a message from the System that would let them know about it anyway.


    As he thought of checking the Regional Chat to pass the time, he felt the familiar atmosphere gathering around his estate¡­


    Soon, the air before him shimmered with a mysterious gray fog that would always send him talented people in his territory.


    From within the mist emerged a figure, regal and poised, her armor gleaming even in the dim light.


    "Ohhh¡­ A female warrior?" Shane thought.


    The figure that had appeared was a woman of noble bearing, her hair a cascade of raven locks, her eyes were momentarily confused, but as soon as she realized what was going on, she became focused again. Upon her breastte was the emblem of probably a noble family she belonged to or used to serve.


    ***


    ''A palisade with several watchtowers and guards¡­ They''re even possessing some unknown weapons¡­ This is indeed a Foreign Survivor''s territory as the voice said.'' The woman thought after analyzing her surroundings.


    Her name was Lady Seraph, and she had been a guardian of the Ainz Family before chaos had imed the continent.


    Luckily, the fog had enveloped her just as the undead had breached the castle gates where she fought valiantly, preserving her from certain death.


    Years had passed in what seemed like an instant, and now she found herself in this new reality, standing before Shane, the Foresign Survivor she had to assist in order to save this continent.


    The fog had chosen him as her new liege, and she felt an inexplicable bond to this ce and its master.


    "I am Seraph,"she announced, her voice carrying the weight of her former station."Once a protector of kings, now sent by fate to serve you."

 Chapter 198: The Last Warning

    ''Seraph¡­ Did she mean that she was previously serving Kings? Whoa¡­ A Royal Guard? I got an incredible recruit once again¡­''


    Shane then descended from the ramparts to meet this unexpected ally.


    "Wee to our refuge,"he said, extending his hand in greeting."Your skills will be invaluable in the uing Zombie Wave."


    Lady Seraph took his hand, her grip firm and sure."I am ready to stand against them¡­"


    Of course, since the Zombie Wave wasing, he immediately asked for her current set of skills. He wanted to know whether to ce her in the frontlines or the backlines.


    They also have watchtowers, and she might be able to rece the ones who were currently stationed there.


    "Sure¡­ I heard from the voice inside the fog that I could show my skills to Foreign Survivors¡­ Let me check¡­" Seraph muttered as she triggered the system and soon, she showed all of her skills to Shane. Unlike the others who only showed their Level 10 Skills, Seraph didn''t mind showing her low level skills to Shane!


    [ Guardian''s Vignce Lv10 (Max): A defensive skill that heightens the Royal Guard''s awareness and vignce, allowing her to protect allies effectively. It offers the following benefits:


    +40% chance to intercept and protect allies from iing attacks


    +40% increase in perception and detection of threats


    +40% speed in reacting to imminent dangers ]


    [ Sword Mastery Lv10 (Max): A specialized skill that showcases the Royal Guard''s mastery of swordsmanship, granting precision and power inbat. It offers the following benefits:


    +30% uracy and damage with swords


    +30% chance to parry iing attacks


    +30% speed in sword techniques execution ]


    [ Bodyguard Instincts Lv9: A skill that sharpens the Royal Guard''s instincts and reflexes when ites to protecting her assigned charges. It provides the following benefits:


    Protective Reflexes: +20% increase in reaction speed to threats against those she guards.


    Vignt Watch: +20% boost in perception and detection of potential dangers.


    Swift Shielding: +20% speed in shielding and defending allies in critical situations. ]


    [ Loyalty''s Shield Lv8: A skill that symbolizes the Royal Guard''s unwavering loyalty and dedication to those she guards, providing enhanced protection and support. It provides the following benefits:


    Unyielding Defense: +25% increase in defense when defending allies she is sworn to protect.


    Loyal Guardian: +25% resistance to status effects that may hinder her ability to safeguard her charges.


    Stalwart Companion: +25% boost in morale and fighting spirit of allies under her protection. ]


    "Incredible¡­" Shane muttered after seeing those four skills."


    "Yes¡­ Then, these are my other skills that are still Level 6 and below¡­"


    [ Equestrian Mastery Lv6: A specialized skill that showcases the Royal Guard''s exceptional skill in horseback riding, providing speed, agility, and control in mountedbat. It offers the following benefits:


    Swift Steed: +18% increase in speed and maneuverability while riding a horse.


    Mounted Combat Expertise: +10% uracy and damage with mounted weapons in battle.


    Graceful Dismount: +10% speed in mounting and dismounting from a horse. ]


    [ Archer''s Precision Lv5: A skill that highlights the Royal Guard''s expertise in archery, granting uracy, range, and lethality with ranged weapons. It provides the following benefits:


    Deadly uracy: +15% uracy and critical hit chance with bows and arrows.


    Sharpshooter: +15% range and effectiveness of ranged attacks inbat.


    Rapid Reload: +15% speed in reloading and firing arrows with precision. ]


    [ Potter''s Craft Lv5: A skill that showcases the Royal Guard''s talent in pottery, allowing her to create and utilize pottery-based tools and objects for various purposes. It offers the following benefits:


    Artisanal Creations: +15% effectiveness and durability of pottery items crafted by the Royal Guard.


    Versatile Pottery: +15% adaptability in using pottery for defense, utility, and creative solutions.


    Swift Crafting: +15% speed in creating and utilizing pottery-based tools in different situations. ]


    "So you can ride a horse like a knight¡­ and you have archery skill! It''s perfect!" Shane said in excitement but immediately paused after seeing thest skill. He didn''t expect to see a Pottery Skill after seeing thosebat skills that she had.


    Nheless, he doesn''t mind the hobby of his subordinate. He even felt that it was a good thing that they had other things they liked aside from fighting.


    "You have incredible sword skills, Lady Seraph¡­ However, we already have strong Super Soldiers that could take the frontlines. They will be led by a Warlord and supported by a Monk. They were also Elves who would be assisting every side of the estate. It would be great if you could instead protect Manor by being stationed at its nearby watchtower." Shane exined.


    "Mhmm¡­ That''s fine by me. I don''t have much experience against Zombies, and getting grazed by them could turn me into a Zombie as well." Seraph replied as she looked at the watchtower near the Manor.


    From within the mysterious gray fog, Seraph was informed about the danger brought by the Zombies. Being infected by the virus meant certain death since there were still no reliable vines that were developed.


    In a battle where she could never get injured, scratched, bitten, or possibly even tainted by infected blood, she had to be very careful. Since her first time would be against a horde of Zombies. She knew that she had to consider observing first.


    "That''s good to hear¡­" Shane said as he finally had another person who had decent archery skills. Of course, he also nned to give her a pistol she could use in case of emergency.


    Then, as Shane was thinking of feeding the Royal Guard first, the notification from the system finally came!


    [ Attention, Survivors! ]


    [ Prepare for the Onught of the SecondZombie Wave! ]


    [ In just 1 hour, theZombie Waveevent will unleash chaos for the next 12 hours, putting your skills and survival instincts to the ultimate test. Brace yourselves as hordes of Zombies descend upon you from all directions, forcing you to fight, hide, or run for your very lives. ]


    [ Survive the Unpredictable Challenges:


    Encounter varying levels of difficulty based on your location, team size, and progress.


    Navigate through the relentless onught to earn valuable experience, rare loot, and prestigious achievements. ]


    [ Gear up, fortify your defenses, and stand united, for theZombie Waveapproaches, ready to push you to your limits. Will you emerge victorious or be another victim of the relentless undead horde? Prepare now, Survivors, for theZombie Waveis imminent! ]

 Chapter 199: The Blood

    The journey was quite long, but as Kael and Tessa, nked by their elven escorts, reached the final hill, the sight that greeted them was one of formidable security and unexpected warmth.


    "We''re finally here¡­" The two of them said at the same time as they hurried with their steps. The elves could tell what they were f


    Before them stood Shane''s estate, a stronghold that seemed to be capable of blocking even the Tyrant Zombies they''d seen before.


    The fortified palisade loomed high, its sturdy logs interlocked to provide protection.


    There were also traps of the ingenious designy hidden among the underbrush or exposed along the trees, ready to ensnare unwary invaders.


    Well, most of the traps don''t have to be hidden since Zombies weren''t capable of critical thinking¡­ They just mostly act on their instincts, so some of the traps could beid bare.


    Then, several watchtowers dotted the perimeter, manned by sentinels whose vignt eyes scanned thendscape, their hands steady on firearms and crossbows that gleamed with deadly intent.


    Kael''s eyes widened in admiration as soon as they had gotten closer and observe the estate carefully.


    "I''ve never seen anything like it¡­ Did he built this from the scratch or did he just found this ce and just renovated it?"he murmured, his warrior''s heart recognizing the strategic genius of the estate''s defenses.


    Tessa''s lips curved into a smile of relief."It''s like a fortress,"she said."We''re safe here."


    As they approached, the gates swung open with a loud creak, revealing the heart of the estate.


    Inside, they were met with cheers and open arms as Raze, Lyra, and Jaxon rushed forward to embrace their long-lostpanions.


    "You made it!"Raze eximed, her eyes shining with joy.


    Lyra''sughter mingled with the mor of greetings."We were starting to worry,"she teased.


    Jaxon pped Kael on the back, a grin splitting his face."The Eclipse Revenant n is whole again,"he dered proudly.


    Although it hadn''t been long since the n was made, they couldn''t help but feel connected to it, especially after learning that they could live in such a well-protected shelter.


    At this time, the elves stood back, observing the reunion with quiet respect.


    Then, Eldric, the leader of the small team, reported thepletion of the mission to Shane while the others returned to their stations¡­


    ***


    Meanwhile, in the well-lit confines of the estate''sboratory, Anna, the physician and alchemist, was a study in concentration.


    Theboratory she was at had five Light Orbs from the sher Zombies to ensure that she had all the lights she needed since her task was very sensitive and crucial.


    Vials and beakers cluttered her workspace, each one filled with substances bothmon and rare, but it was the vial of Dragon Blood that held her rapt attention.


    The blood was a vibrant crimson, its surface shimmering with an inner fire.


    This blood was part of Raze''s payment for the five thousand points she borrowed from Shane before.


    It was also a key ingredient in a concoction that could bolster their strength and, perhaps, even obtain immunity from the virus.


    The potion it could create was said to grant enhanced strength, elerated healing, and temporary immunity to disease and the zombie virus itself!


    But Dragon Blood was vtile. The first two drops had yielded potions of only 40% efficacy, a far cry from what Anna sought. These potions were still usable, and she was able to make 10 of them with just two drops.


    It was difficult but she had to try again.


    She also needed to tame its power without diluting its essence. After all, if Dragon Blood was directly consumed, it might kill humans instead of helping them.


    With meticulous care, she added a drop of blood to the solution she had been perfecting for days. The mixture hissed and bubbled as if protesting the intrusion.


    Anna watched, unblinking, as she stirred in a pinch of powdered silverleaf¡ªa rare herb known for its calming properties.


    Next came the essence of moonflower, harvested under a full moon for its purity. Its luminescent sap glowed faintly as it met the Dragon Blood, their energies intertwining in a delicate dance.


    Anna then introduced a sliver of sunstone to the brew. The gemstone, said to have bathed in sunlight for a hundred days, served as a counterbnce to the moonflower''s cool touch.


    Finally, she whispered an incantation¡ªa word of binding taught to her by an ancient tome¡ªto seal the potion''s power safely within its liquid confines.


    As the final ingredient settled, the potion''s color deepened to a rich ruby hue. It seemed that she could only get three bottles this time. Nheless, the efficacy must''ve increased by a lot!


    Anna held her breath as she decanted it into a crystal sk, her hands steady despite the fatigue that tugged at her bones.


    Theboratory was silent save for the crackle of the fireside and Anna''s measured breathing.


    She held up one of the sks to the light, watching as it glowed beautifully.


    This potion was her masterpiece¡ªa testament to her skill and determination.


    "Shane will be surprised¡­ I did it before the Zombie Wave¡­"


    And as shebeled it with care, she allowed herself a small smile. Her work would not be in vain; this potion would be their edge in the battle toe.


    Of course, after creating such a promising potion, Anna immediately visited Shane and showed one of the potions to him¡­


    Shane, who was talking to Mr. Wadsworth about the possible actions in the worst-case scenario of the Zombie Wave, was immediately overjoyed just seeing Anna''s face.


    After all, she looked so happy, and it must be a piece of good news!


    Soon, Anna shared the good news, and he was able to check the potion.


    [ Dragon''s Veil Elixir: A potent potion crafted from the rare essence of Dragon Blood. This elixir is a coveted treasure for adventurers seeking enhanced abilities and protection against the looming threat of the Zombie Virus and other diseases.


    Benefits:


    Enhanced Abilities: Temporarily boosts Strength and Agility, empowering the consumer for challenging quests and battles.


    Viral Resistance: Provides 30 days of immunity to the Zombie Virus and other diseases, safeguarding against the relentless spread of infection.


    Strength Boost: Offers a permanent minimal increase in strength, fortifying the consumer''sbat prowess.


    Agility Boost: Grants a permanent minimal enhancement in agility, allowing for swifter movements and nimble maneuvers. ]

 Chapter 200: Zombie Wave ( 1 )

    Shane then learned that there were three of these Dragon''s Veil Elixirs and 10 Lesser Dragon''s Veil Elixirs.


    After some thought, he decided to give one to Anna and the other to Shinja. As for the 10 Lesser Elixirs, they were given to Gene, Lucas, Leo, Mr. Wadsworth, and others¡­


    After consuming the potion, Shane then checked his current status.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets


    Level: 21


    Vitality: 225/225


    Spirit: 2,000/2,000


    Strength: 208


    Agility: 122 ( +34 )


    Luck: 21


    Perception: 21


    Shane smiled after seeing his current status points.


    His strength increased this much after consuming 30 Strength Enhancement Bottles. At the same time, his agility increased after consuming 6 Agility Enhancement Bottles. The +34, on the other hand, was the boost he obtained from wearing the Crawler Set.


    As for the additional point in the Luck and Perception Stat, it seemed to have appeared after reaching level 21¡­


    Satisfied with his current stats, Shane then went outside with everyone to await the Zombie Wave.


    Soon, themencement notification from the System appeared!


    [ Attention, Survivors! ]


    [ As the clock strikes 10 AM, a new chapter unfolds in our realm - theSecond Zombie Wavehas officially begun! Prepare yourselves for a relentless onught of undead foes as you embark on a journey of survival and valor. ]


    [ Reminder:


    In addition to the familiar low-tier and mid-tier Zombies, be on high alert for the rare appearance of aHigh-Tier Zombie, a formidable adversary that will test your mettle like never before.


    Navigate the chaos, stand united with yourrades, and brace for the trials ahead. Every second counts as you fight for your survival and strive to emerge victorious against the odds.


    Conquer theZombie Waveto earn valuable experience, rare loot, and coveted achievements. Will you rise to the asion and secure your ce among the legends of survival? ]


    [Let your courage shine as you face the horde! TheZombie Waveis here - are you ready to prove your worth and emerge as a beacon of hope in the face of darkness? The fate of the continent rests in your hands, brave Survivors. Prepare for battle and show the undead what you''re made of! ]


    "Wow¡­" Shanemented after seeing this game-like announcement from the System. It was full of encouragement and it seemed to be trying to make this event thrilling as if this event wouldn''t kill anyone at all.


    Anyway, Shane immediately consumed the Double Experience Potion he was saving for the moment he heard this. It was the same for Raze, who actually managed to obtain a simr potion!


    However, Raze''s Double Exp Potion could onlyst for 9 hours, while Shane''s potion couldst for the whole duration of the Zombie Wave, 12 hours.


    Anyway, the atmosphere in the estate was filled with nervousness with a bit of anticipation as the System''s announcement was repeated by Raze to the crowd who didn''tget receive the notification.


    In an instant, the once tranquil grounds transformed into a hive of activity, every defender bracing for the onught.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    The first sign of the impending wave was auditory¡ªa sound of shuffling and rushing footsteps that grew louder with each passing second.


    The Walker Zombies'' relentless march was punctuated by the frenzied sprints of the Runner Zombies, their rapid approach sending a shiver down the spines of all who heard.


    Atop the northern watchtower, Lucas peered through his binocrs, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the approaching threat.


    "About 1000 Walker Zombies in the north¡­ 500 Runner Zombies in the east!"he called out, his voice carrying over the ramparts. He couldn''t help but sucked a deep cold breath after realizing the scale of the first batch of zombies.


    However, it didn''t end there.


    Gene, stationed on the southern tower, made his own grim report."1,000 Zombie Wolves on the south!"His tone was grave, but there was a spark of determination in his eyes.


    The Zombie Wolves seemed menacing, but the fact that they were moving closely together had given him hope!


    After all, the Grenade Launcher would be perfect for them!


    Raze''s eyes narrowed after hearing the reports. It was the same for the other members of the Eclipse Revenant! After all, their first batch of Zombie Wave about a month ago only had 30 to 50 zombies!


    However, they were actually facing about 2,500 Zombies right at the start of this second Zombie Wave! The difference was huge! Furthermore, they knew that it would increase each wave and they wouldn''t be surprised if thest wave would consist of 10,000 Zombies!


    "This is crazy¡­" Kael muttered as he realized that the start of the Zombie Wave was already so much! At most, he was expecting only 300 to 500!


    "We should be fine¡­ As long as we don''t panic, we will be fine¡­ However, why are we facing such a massive Zombie Wave at the start of the event? Is it because of his Hero?" Raze muttered.


    "Right¡­ An Epic Summon and Heroic Summon are in this estate¡­ The System could tell that this ce would be tough to destroy." Tessa wryly smiled as she couldn''t help but feel a little nervous.


    Anyway, the estate''s defenses sprang to life as the first wave of Runner Zombies collided with a field of hidden traps.


    The sound of snapping ropes and nging metal filled the air as hundreds of undead were ensnared, impaled, or decimated by cleverly concealed devices. It was all thanks to the wooden and metal traps that Leo and Harper had prepared¡­


    Those few who managed to navigate the deadly maze found no respite at its end.


    A volley of bolts rained down from above as three elven archers and three crossbowmen, led by Seraph''smand, unleashed a storm of death upon them.


    Each shot was precise, and each arrow and bolt found its mark with lethal efficiency because the zombies were also clustered!

 Chapter 201: Zombie Wave ( 2 )

    The ramparts became shing points as each defender yed their part in repelling the horde.


    The elves'' arrows hummed through the air, their tips glowing with enchantments that set undead flesh aze.


    Seraph''s crossbowmen reloaded with practiced ease, their bolts coated in a toxin that paralyzed any limb it pierced!


    The toxins they used were the ones that Shinja had created that were capable of solidifying blood! The Zombies may not be able to feel pain or die from ingesting poison, but they still possess ck or sometimes green blood in their bodies.


    Below them, the ground was littered with fallen zombies¡ªevidence of both the estate''s formidable defenses and its inhabitants'' relentless assault.


    As Lucas and Gene continued to survey and call out positions, their reports became a guiding rhythm for theirrades'' deadly dance.


    Of course, they also had weapons in their hands and would shoot their guns from time to time in case it was necessary.


    ***


    Shane watched as the battlecontinued¡­ He wanted to be in the frontlines as well but with his Perception, his A.I., and other skills, he knew it was better to stand behind and provide assistance to any area''s that had been breached or needed support.


    Then, almost without warning, an unforeseen peril breached their defenses.


    Five Runner Leader Zombies, their presence undetected by Lucas and Gene, surged towards the gate with rming speed. Shane''s A.I. Assistant Cloud red an alert, but it was a fraction toote¡ªthe gate shuddered under the impact of the zombies'' assault!


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    The gate was shattered into pieces. However, they weren''t able to get inside immediately!


    After all, Shane had modified the Barriers, and it was protecting the inside of the estate!


    To be exact, it was the Aegis Force that was working right now as their Barrier!


    [ The Aegis Force


    Description: The Aegis Core was a monolith of sleek metal and pulsating energy conduits, standing as a testament to the ingenuity of a lost age. Its surface was etched with intricate patterns that seemed to channel the very essence of protection. At its base, twenty socketsy dormant, awaiting the Power Cores that would awaken the device from its slumber. ]


    Defense Rating: Epic


    Durability: 90 days once fully charged


    Activation Requirement: 20 Power Cores


    Special Ability: Creates an imprable barrier within a 200-meter radius, shielding all within from danger. ]


    It was the Barrier Generator that he had found on the third floor of the Manor!


    It was the firstyer of their Barrier, followed by the Bulwark Beacon that was previously covering arger area even outside the estate.


    However, right now, the Bulwark Beacon was modified and was only protecting a smaller area where the nobatants were staying, like Mr. Wadsworth, Anna, Eliot, and the others. Although they do have weapons in their hands, they would only go out to fight against the Zombies if it was truly necessary.


    As the Runner Leader Zombies acted confused after being unable to enter, in that critical moment, Cassius, one of the six Super Soldiers, sprang into action.


    With a methrower in hand, he unleashed a torrent of fire upon the five Runner Leader Zombies. The inferno enveloped them in a dance of destruction, their forms silhouetted against the mes!


    Simultaneously, Mara, As, and Orion¡ªthe other Super Soldiers¡ªthrew their spears and hitting their targets urately!


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The weapons whistled through the air before tearing through zombie flesh, leaving gaping wounds that extinguished any semnce of life within them.


    Thebined strength of me and spear eradicated the five powerful Zombies just like that!


    A few of the estate''s defenders who had seen what had happened cheered as the five Runner Leader Zombies fell!


    ***


    In the meantime, on the other side of the estatey the orchard... At its edge, was now transformed into a strategic battleground where a couple of watchtowers stood behind the palisade.


    Indeed, the wooden wall stood tall, while two watchtowers surveyed the terrain... For this, Shane decided to station La and Max at each of them.


    Atop the rampart, Chaloem, the formidable Monk, stood alongside the members of the Eclipse Revenant.


    Raze was there with Roan, her majestic Dragon Companion whose scales shimmered even amidst the chaotic atmosphere.


    Lyra, the Sharpshooter, narrowed her eyes in concentration as she looked ahead; Jaxon, whose Foresight Talent granted them an edge, nervously took a deep breath as he saw the endless zombies; Kael, whose Healing Hands were ready to mend, also felt tense as their situation; and Tessa, the Assassin, whose presence was as silent as it was deadly, didn''t show any expression at all.


    Behind them was the watchtower where Max manned the Machine Gun from his vantage point!


    Brrrt~


    His steady hands and focus allowed him toy down a relentless barrage of fire upon the encroaching Zombie Wolves.


    Shane deliberately allowed the man to use this weapon because it wasn''t easy to control the machine gun. However, with Max''s physical strength, it was easy for him to control the powerful firearm.


    The mechanical thunder of gunfire melded with Roan''s fiery breath, creating a formidable wall of death that no undead beast could prate!


    The Zombie Wolves snarled and snapped at the air as they sought to scale the palisade, but they were met with a hailstorm of bullets and dragon fire. Lyra''s sharpshooting skills ensured that any wolf that dared leap towards them was swiftly taken down mid-air.


    Jaxon''s foresight proved invaluable, calling out potential breaches before they could happen. Kael moved through their ranks, his hands glowing with healing energy, ready to soothe any wound that might befall his allies.


    Tessa moved like a shadow among them, her des shing in swift arcs as she dispatched any Zombie Wolf that darede too close to their defenses.


    As for Chaloem, he was using his Ki Techniques to shoot an invisible force that could stop any Zombie Wolves from leaping through the walls!


    Together, they were an unbreakable force.


    The Barrier that was protecting them had even remained untouched¡ªa proof of their incredible cooperation and prowess in battle!


    Nheless, Shane noticed a problem in their current area. Although there weren''t any Zombie Leaders or Tier 2 Zombies in their spots, there were still too many zombies they had to deal with.


    Shane could see the toll it was taking on them since even the strongest warriors had their limits.


    Determined to prevent their fatigue from turning into vulnerability, Shane made a decisive move. He retrieved the Grenade Launcher.

 Chapter 202: Zombie Wave ( 3 )

    It was the Grenade Launcher that Shane won in the bidding for only 3,600 Points. Together with this weapon, Shane also had five crates of ammunition.


    [ Demolitionist''s Grenade Launcher: A heavy-duty grenadeuncher capable ofunching explosive projectiles at enemies or clusters of zombies with devastating impact. This weapon is effective for area denial and crowd control, making it a valuable asset in chaotic situations.


    Effects: +40% st Radius, +20% Explosive Power


    Special Effects: Shrapnel Rounds ¨C Passively increase damage and fragmentation upon detonation. ]


    [ Grenade Launcher Ammo Crate: A heavy-duty ammo crate containing explosive rounds for grenadeunchers, capable of delivering devastating sts and area damage to enemies and zombie hordes. These shells are essential for crowd control and explosive engagements.


    Quantity: 20 Shells per Crate ]


    In short, Shane had 100 Shells for the Grenade Launcher, and it should be more than enough to handle a huge horde of Zombies!


    It was certainly a heavy-duty weapon designed for moments just like this!


    With a calcted aim and steady hands, Shaneunched a barrage of explosive assistance towards the densest clusters of Zombie Wolves!


    The first grenade arced through the air,nding amidst a snarling pack and erupting in a concussive st that sent bodies flying.


    Boom!


    The second and third followed in quick session, each explosion created destruction that significantly thinned the enemy ranks.


    Boom! Boom!


    Shane''s fourth shot was a masterpiece of timing, detonating just as a group of Zombie Wolves attempted to scale the palisade, obliterating them before they could reach the top. The fifth and sixth grenades found their marks with equal precision, leaving craters where once there had been threats.


    Chaloem, Raze, and the others knew what Shane was trying to do, so they ensured not to get in his way¡­


    Thanks to his suppression, the pressure on their side had alleviated a lot and gave them a moment of respite.


    [ You have eliminated a Zombie Wolf. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Zombie Wolf. ]


    ¡­


    [ You have eliminated a Zombie Wolf. ]


    Shane then received numerous notifications as his Grenade Launcher killed so many of such zombies at the same time!


    ''I should probably kill a few more¡­'' Shane thought as he recalled that there were about a thousand Zombie Wolves in this area¡­


    With each pull of the trigger, Shane''s efforts bore fruit¡ªthe number of Zombie Wolves dwindled rapidly, their advance halted by the rain of fire and shrapnel.


    His intervention provided a much-needed break for Chaloem and his team, allowing them to regroup and catch their breath without lowering their guard.


    As the smoke cleared and the echoes of explosions faded, Shane looked at La at the other watchtower and gave her a signal. After that, he returned to his post, his heart lighter, knowing he had given hisrades a better fighting chance.


    "This is perfect¡­"


    La, with her formidable telekic abilities, had been waiting for a perfect chance to join the battle.


    At this time, her gaze was fixed on the horde below, her mind attuned to the ebb and flow of the battlefield.


    As Shane departed, having unleashed a devastating volley from his Grenade Launcher, La knew it was her turn to contribute to the defense.


    With a deep concentration, she extended her will outward, seizing control of ten wooden spikes and twenty arrows from the stockpile. They floated in the air around her, suspended by an invisible force. With a flick of her wrist, they shot forward like missiles, each one guided by La''s precise control.


    The wooden spikes spiraled through the air, impaling Zombie Wolves with perfect uracy. The arrows followed in a swift barrage, finding their marks in undead flesh. Each projectile served as an extension of La''s intent, striking down foes with unerring meticulousness!


    But La was not done yet. She turned her attention to the traps they had methodically prepared outside the estate''s walls. With a push of her telekic power, she triggered the mechanisms hidden amongst the foliage!


    Clink!


    The ground trembled as a dozen trees, rigged to fall at hermand, toppled over!


    The Zombie Wolves caught beneath them had no time to react as the massive trunks crashed down with earth-shaking force. The sound of splintering wood and crushing bone filled the air as the trees served as colossal tombstones for the fallen undead.


    La''s actions thinned the horde significantly, providing a momentary lull in the onught!


    After this, La used most of her Spirit Points already and needed to rest.


    Thankfully, Shane had prepared several Spirit Enhancement Potions for her!


    ***


    At the same time that this was happening, in the quiet shadow of the manor''s back, Shinja the Stormde stood vignt.


    As a warlord, poison expert, and wielder of dual des, he was a force to be reckoned with.


    At this moment, his eyes were fixed on the horizon, searching for any sign of the undead.


    Soon, the stillness was broken by the approach of a solitary figure¡ªa zombie unlike any other. Its towering form was draped in what appeared to be a ck trenchcoat, but as it neared, Shinja realized that this was no garment. The coat was an extension of its very skin, a part of its grotesque anatomy. Its torso glowed an eerie green, and its eyes were dark voids that seemed to swallow the light.


    ''No wonder Shane sent me here¡­'' Shinja thought as he felt that aside from him, no one else could face this type of Zombie.


    ''This is not a Tyrant Zombie.'' Shinja thought as he felt quite excited.


    The Zombie was something new, something Shane had never mentioned before.


    ''Is it one of those High-Tier Zombies?'' Shinja guessed.


    Its long ws were sharp as knives, and before he could analyze further, it charged towards Shinja with a burst of unnatural speed, it became clear that this creature was a formidable adversary!


    Bam!


    The zombie lunged at Shinja, ws outstretched to rend flesh from bone.


    But it collided with the invisible Aegis Force Barrier that protected the manor, its momentum halted by the powerful shield!

 Chapter 203: Zombie Wave ( 4 )

    "Ho~ Interesting," Shinja muttered with a smirk. He saw this not as a threat but as an opportunity¡ªa chance to test his strength against this unknown foe.


    With a swift move, Shinja unsheathed his twin des, their edges gleaming with a deadly concoction of his own making.


    He stepped beyond the barrier''s protection, entering the domain of danger willingly.


    The Unknown Zombie recovered from its collision and turned its dark gaze upon Shinja.


    Graagh~


    It snarled, revealing rows of jagged teeth as it prepared to strike once more.


    Shinja was ready, his des poised forbat!


    "Come!"


    Soon, the warrior and the monster faced each other down.


    With a sudden explosion of movement, they shed¡ªthe sound of steel against hardened skin echoed through the manor grounds as Shinja fought against the very first High-Tier Zombie of this Wave!


    The Zombie''s limbs, shrouded in its own ckened skin that draped like a trenchcoat, moved with the very unusual grace of a true predator.


    Its torso glowed a sickly green, and its long ws gleamed with a poison that was seemingly as strong as the poison that Shinja could make.


    "Hmph!"


    Shinja stood his ground, his twin des didn''t budge as he parried the ws of the Zombie.


    The Zombie lunged forward, its ws swiping through the air, aiming to crush Shinja''s head!


    Shinja''s reflexes were lightning-fast as he parried with one de and struck with the other, each movement was swift and he grazed the Zombie with his attack!


    He used a potent poison on his de but it seemed that it wasn''t good enough when used against a Higher-Tier Zombie!


    They moved swiftly, and anyone who would try to watch them would surely miss their blurry movements.


    Shinja weaved and dodged as the Zombie''s attacks came faster and more furious. He was also thankful to Shane since he was given a Master-Grade Armor Set! This allowed him to fight without getting worried about being infected by Zombie Virus from scratches and wounds!


    Because of his armor, Shinja''s des found their mark time and again, slicing through the dark limbs and drawing ck blood.


    But this was no ordinary foe; each wound Shinja inflicted seemed only to fuel the Zombie''s rage.


    Roar~


    It roared in fury, its eyes burning with an unholy light as it redoubled its efforts to tear him apart.


    Shinja realized brute force would not suffice; he needed to outsmart this abomination.


    ''Let''s end this¡­''


    With a feint, he drew the Zombie''s attention to his left before spinning away and delivering a powerful strike to its nk.


    The creature stumbled, thrown off bnce by the unexpected maneuver.


    Seizing the moment, Shinja leapt high into the air, his body silhouetted against the bright sky¡­ As he descended, he brought his des down in a devastating arc aimed at the Zombie''s neck!


    Thud!


    The impact was massive¡ªthe twin des cleaved through muscles and bone with a spray of vile fluid. The head of the high-tier Zombie toppled from its shoulders,nding with a thud on the ground as its body crumpled lifelessly!


    [ You have eliminated a Hunter Zombie ]


    Shinjanded gracefully, his breathing steady despite the exertion. He wiped his des clean on the fallen foe''s trenchcoat-skin before sheathing them once more.


    The back of the manor grounds was silent but for the distant sounds of battle¡­ After confirming that there were no more Zombies around, Shinja carried the body of the Hunter Zombie back to the estate grounds since he was sure that Shane would like to loot this powerful Zombie.


    ***


    At the same time that this happened, Shane also received an unusual notification from his system.


    Well, the sessful kill of his summon was also his own achievement!


    [ Shinja has eliminated a Hunter Zombie. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Hunter Zombie, a high-tier zombie! ]


    [ Hint: Only the first elimination of each Mid-Tier and High-Tier zombie can provide special rewards! ]


    [ You have obtained the following rewards: Spirit Breakthrough Potion x2, Experience Boost Potions x2, Zombie Cores x50 ]


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing this!


    He didn''t expect to see such a reward. He even obtained two more Experience Boosts Potions!


    Nheless, what truly made him happy was the Spirit Breakthrough Potions! He finally obtained a total of five of them!


    With this, his limited 2,000 Spirit Points would no longer be a problem! He was hoping that his next limit would be 5,000 or even more!


    However, he doesn''t have the time to open the five vials of potions right now. Well, he realized that the powerful zombies had started appearing!


    Indeed¡­ Shane''s keen senses, together with his A.I. assistant, picked up a new threat¡ªthe emergence of Leader Zombies.


    Chaloem''s side was now facing the formidable Alpha Wolf Zombie, a zombie that he had only read about on the Regional Chat.


    Meanwhile, at the front lines, three gargantuan Spitter Zombies made their presence known, their very steps causing decay and destruction.


    These Spitter Zombies were a terror to behold, their massive forms oozing with corrosive acid that sizzled and smoked upon contact with the earth.


    nts wilted and died in their wake, and even lesser zombies were not spared from their deadly path. Just by walking, they were killing their fellow zombies!


    Shane knew that ordinary measures would not suffice against such foes.


    "They must be the leader-type of the Spitter Zombies¡­ Isn''t this creature already a high-tier Zombie? I thought they''d just rarely appear. Why did three of them appear at the same time?" Shane gritted his teeth as he felt that his Sniper Rifle wouldn''t work on these types of Zombies.


    With a determined look, he called upon his trustedpanions¡ªhis Pets.


    Emberwing the Fire Kea, ze the Fire Elemental, Frostbite the Frostwyrm, Sylvan the Basic Spriggan, and Sparky the Thunderbird answered his summons!


    Though small in stature, each norger than a child, they were mighty in spirit and power. As Shane issued hismand to engage the Spitter Zombies, they took flight with a fierce cry that echoed across the battlefield.

 Chapter 204: Zombie Wave ( 5 )

    "Go!" Shane eximed as he scanned the sky, confirming that there weren''t any flying zombies in this Zombie Wave as well. He was actually a bit worried that once his pets flew into the sky, they would get swarmed by some Eagle Zombies or something simr.


    Kuu!


    Emberwing, his first pet from a Mysterious Egg, led the charge, its fiery plumage zing like aet as it swooped toward the first huge Spitter Zombie!


    Then, It unleashed a torrent of mes from its beak, searing through the acidic mist that surrounded its target.


    ze followed suit, its elemental form shifting and dancing like a living inferno. It weaved through the air, leaving trails of fire that licked at the Spitter Zombie''s hideous form¡­


    Shane had no idea whether these fire attacks would work against the huge Spitter Zombie, but he just wanted to keep those three busy until the pressure on their side was alleviated.


    "Hang on¡­" Shane muttered. At this time, the huge Spitter Zombie that he was seeing was definitely not the Chief Spitter Zombie that they encountered before.


    Chief Spitter Zombie had given him 100 Experience Points before and it was only a mid-tier zombie. If his guess was right, the one in front of them must be the high-tier version of that Zombie!


    "Kyu!"


    At this time, Frostbite also soared high above, its icy breath crystallizing the air into a blizzard of razor-sharp frost shards. It dove down upon the second huge Spitter Zombie, coating it in a sheath of ice that crackled and groaned under the strain.


    Sylvan moved with a grace that showed its earthy nature. The Spriggan then summoned vines and roots from beneath the ground, entangling the legs of the third huge Spitter Zombie and halting its corrosive march.


    To Shane''s surprise, the vines that the Spriggan Summon took plenty of them before they got corroded!


    Sparky darted through the chaos like a true lightning entity¡­


    It unleashed bolts of electricity that crackled across the battlefield, striking each huge Spitter Zombie with pinpoint uracy and leaving scorch marks where they hit!


    Shane then realized that the lightning seemed much more effective against the huge Spitter Zombies!


    "This is it¡­"


    The battle raged on as Shane''s Pets fought valiantly against their oversized adversaries.


    Emberwing''s mes met acid in explosive reactions; ze''s fire elemental form danced around acidic projectiles; Frostbite''s frost breath shed with sizzling decay; Sylvan''s vines strained against dissolving flesh; and Sparky''s electric fury shocked and stunned them¡­


    "Thalion! Take this!" Shane shouted to the Elven Warrior.


    Thalion turned to Shane and saw a mysterious weapon¡­ Without hesitation, Shane threw it and was easily caught by Thalion.


    This weapon was none other than the Master-Grade Electric Shock de!


    "Help my pets kill those threerge Spitter Zombies!" Shane instructed¡­


    Thalion didn''t hesitate to agree as he moved forward to assist the pets.


    Together, they were a symphony of elemental wrath!


    The Spitter Zombies fought back with ferocity, but they were outmatched by thebined might of Shane''s Pets and Thalion''s sword skills!


    With Thalion''s current Spirit Points, he was able to use three Thunderous Strikes and one Surge of Power of the Electric Shock de!


    [ Thunderous Strike: The de releases a thunderous shockwave upon impact, stunning enemies in its vicinity and disrupting their movements. It has a +120% chance of causing electric damage.


    Cost: 100 Spirit Points


    Surge of Power: The Electric Shock de channels a surge of electricity into the wielder, boosting attack speed and damage output for a short duration. It has a +100% chance of increasing attack speed and damage.


    Cost: 110 Spirit Points ]


    As the battle reached its peak, Shane watched with pride as Emberwing delivered a final burst of me that engulfed one Spitter Zombie entirely.


    ze merged with Frostbite''s icy assault to create a steam explosion that tore through another!


    "You can do that?" Shane was shocked after seeing such a formidablebination attack.


    Then, Sylvan''s roots constricted with such force that they crushed thest Spitter Zombie''s limbs, while Sparky''s relentless electrical storm fried its neural pathways. Thalion followed it up with Electric Shock, killing itpletely!


    One by one, the huge Spitter Zombies fell until none remained standing. The ground was scorched as the three of them copsed to the ground.


    [ You have eliminated a Spitter Monster Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Spitter Monster Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Spitter Monster Zombie. ]


    "I knew it!"


    [ Emberwing has eliminated a Hunter Zombie. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Spitter Monster Zombie, a high-tier zombie! ]


    [ Hint: Only the first elimination of each Mid-Tier and High-Tier zombie can provide special rewards! ]


    [ You have obtained the following rewards: Spirit Breakthrough Potion x3, Greater Instant Experience Potions x2, Zombie Cores x80 ]


    "Perfect timing!"


    Shane eximed as he saw the reward¡­ He felt that he was already about to level up over the past few days, and the appearance of the instant exp potions was just the perfect time!


    Without hesitation, he quickly drank the two Potions!


    ***


    In the meantime, as Bart took over the watchtower with his dual revolvers, La descended with purpose, her mind already weaving through the strategies she would employ.


    Well, Shane arranged for her to be a temporary sentinel since her main position was on the frontlines.


    Anyway, she unsheathed her six knives, each forged from the rare and radiant Starlight Silver by cksmith Leo¡­


    "Beautiful¡­" Shemented, seeing their edges gleaming with a light that seemed to pierce the darkness itself!


    Joining Chaloem and the valiant members of the Eclipse Revenant at the rampart, La stood as a formidable ally.


    With a deep breath, she reached out with her telekic powers, each knife lifting into the air and orbiting around her like celestial bodies.


    The Zombie Wolves surged forward in a relentless tide, their eyes glowing with hunger and malice. But La was undeterred. With a flick of her fingers, she sent the knives slicing through the air, each one guided by her formidable will.

 Chapter 205: Zombie Wave ( 6 )

    Indeed, the knives made of Starlight Silver were being controlled by her will of mind.


    The Starlight Silver was more than just a metal; it was a curse to the undead.


    [ Effects: Crafted weapons from Starlight Silver possess the innate ability to enhance precision, granting a higher chance of critical hits against foes. Armor forged from this ore offers enhanced agility and speed to the wearer, allowing swift maneuvers in battle. ]


    Since Leo crafted weapons on the Starlight Silver Ingots he obtained from Shane, La''s uracy and critical hit rate were incredible.


    [ Starry Night Knives ( Master ): Crafted from the elusive Starlight Silver, these seven ethereal-looking throwing knives shimmer with a spiritual glow, embodying the essence of precision and strength. When wielded in battle, these des bestow upon the user a sense of otherworldly uracy and the potential for devastating critical hits.


    Effects:


    +30 Physical Attack, +80% uracy, +50% Critical Hit


    Special Effects:


    Burn Effect: Upon impact, the des unleash a scorching burn effect, engulfing the target in mystical mes that inflict additional damage over time, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. ]


    Wherever the knives struck, they left trails of searing light that burned through fur and flesh. Zombie Wolves fell in droves, their bodies cleaving in two under the unstoppable force of La''s telekic assault.


    But La''s power was not limited to offense alone.


    While she used four of the flying knives to attack the wolves she used the three others for defensive maneuvers.


    With these three knives, she wove a protective barrier around her allies, deflecting ws and teeth with the swiftness of her knives just in time to thwart each attack.


    As the battle continued, La''s knives danced like a deadly whip and impressed even the Epic Summon, Chaloem.


    The knives were moving faster than the eye could follow!


    Chaloem was guessing that La must''ve received a lot of help from Shane¡­ After all, just a nce from La, Chaloem could tell that all of her clothes were Master-Grade! It was as if she wasn''t a captive a few days ago.


    Anyway, he was also impressed at this esper.


    Her flying knives were everywhere at once¡ªstriking, defending, and turning the tide ofbat in favor of them.


    With each fallen wolf, La''s confidence grew stronger.


    Her control over her telekinesis was getting more deadly, each knife had be an extension of her thoughts and desires.


    The Eclipse Revenant members fought with confidence, inspired by La''s disy of power. With such a formidable esper on their side, they felt that they had nothing to worry about¡­


    Together, they held the line against the Zombie Wolves¡­ Not even the Alpha Wolf was able to stop them!


    ***


    In the meantime, while the battle was raging at the perimeter of the estate, the nonbatants huddled together in the dimly lit Church, their faces etched with a hint of nervousness since they couldn''t see what was going on outside.


    They could only pray to whoever god they believed in and hoped for the best.


    Ewan''s team of farmers clutched makeshift weapons¡ªpitchforks, shovels, and even a few swords that Leo had made with excess metal.


    Alexa, the head of the kitchen team, had a meat cleaver strapped to her waist, ready for whatever horrors mighte their way.


    Anna, the Physician, had her medical bag slung over her shoulder, filled with bandages, antiseptics, and various potions she made. She had a small space in the Church where she could treat anyone who gets injured.


    Mr. Wadsworth, the butler, stood near the entrance, peering out through the stained ss windows. His spectacles perched precariously on his nose, he muttered to himself, "This is madness. Absolute madness."


    Harper, the expert miner, leaned against the wooden pews, his pickaxe propped beside him. He''d seen enough danger in the mines, and he wasn''t afraid to fight alongside Shane and the others, but this was a whole new level of terror. Since there would be plenty of Mid-Tier Zombies, Shane decided not to include them in the battle.


    And then there was Lucky, Anna''s loyal dog, who had somehow managed to dig a hole in the church floor and escape!


    Anna''s cry echoed through the nave as she bolted after him. "Lucky! Don''t!"


    Harper lunged for the window, but Anna was already through, her white coat billowed as she jumped through it!


    "Anna, wait!" he shouted, but she was gone, disappearing from his sight.


    The others exchanged worried nces. Mr. Wadsworth cleared his throat. "Fear not, my friends," he said, his voice quivering. "The manor''s barrier remains intact. No zombies have breached our defenses."


    He knew about the Aegis Force and the Bulwark''s Beacon, which was protecting the estate, and the Bio-Barrier Generator, which was protecting the Church. They would be safe here.


    But even as he spoke, the ground trembled, and the air grew thick with tension. The Super Soldiers, Elves, and other defenders fought valiantly outside, but the sheer number of undead threatened to overwhelm them.


    Meanwhile, Anna followed Lucky who had run to the frontlines where the Super Soldiers and other are! Her heart was pounding in anxiousness as she couldn''t let Lucky die!


    As she followed Lucky, she saw the battlefield and the scene before her was a nightmare¡ªa writhing mass of rotting flesh, gnashing teeth, and grasping hands.


    Lucky darted through the chaos, barking at the zombies as if he were invincible.


    Anna''s physician instincts kicked in. She scanned the battlefield, assessing injuries, infections, and¡ªthere!


    A wounded Elf, bloodied and staggering!


    ''Why aren''t you sent to me?!'' Anna eximed in her mind as she knew that there were assigned individuals to carry the injured to her post.


    Anna sprinted toward him, dragging him to safety behind a toppled cart. Fortunately, the injury came from an acid and not from a zombie bite or scratch. She could still save the elf with her medicines!


    At the same time, Lucky continued his reckless charge, weaving between legs and snapping at zombie''s ankles.


    Although Lucky was somehow unable to turn into a zombie, she couldn''t help but worry.


    Nheless, Anna''s fear for him was eclipsed only by her determination to save lives.


    She tore a strip of fabric from her coat and bound the Elf''s wound, her hands steady despite the chaos.

 Chapter 206: Zombie Wave ( 7 )

    Anna actually left herrge bandages in the Church and only carried a small bag with some medical supplies that could fit in it.


    As this was happening, the others at the rampart and the Super Soldiers behind the barrier at the open gate had already noticed Anna''s arrival.


    For some reason, her appearance actually made others relieved. With a Physician and Alchemist near them, they immediately recalled that as long as they didn''t get infected by the virus, they would still live!


    ***


    During this time, Shane''s gaze swept across the battlefield...


    The methrower roared, its fiery tongue licking at the encroaching undead. The elves and crossbowmen, their quivers full, sent arrows humming through the air, each shaft finding its mark.


    Leo and his helpers made a total of 7,500 arrows, so they didn''t have to worry about their ammunition.


    The Super Soldiers, their muscles taut, swung their weapons with practiced movement, cleaving through rotting flesh.


    Lady Seraph, Gene, and Lucas also started fighting from a distance¡­ In any case, they obtained a lot of ammunition for their revolvers.


    And then there was Eldric, the man who imed to be the Strongest Scavenger. His Kris de could easily pass through the bodies of the Zombies, and just like the other Super Soldiers, he had also stepped out of the barrier to fight at close range!


    He fought ferociously as if each strike was fueled by the memory of lost loved ones¡­


    ''We''re winning¡­ If this goes on, the first wave would be aplete victory.'' Shane thought as he decided to keep his Grenade Launcher.


    Instead, he pulled up his Sharpshooter''s Laser Sniper Rifle to help anyone who needed assistance.


    Well, he was confident that they''d win since the Aegis Force was still holding on, and even if it got destroyed, they still had the Bulwark Beacon''s protection.


    Then, as he surveyed the battlefield, his eyes fell upon Anna.


    She knelt beside Thalion, her hands deftly binding wounds in a practiced motion.


    Anna shouldn''t be here, but Shane didn''t mind her presence at all. As he thought of asking Anna if she needed anything, something unexpected happened.


    Cloud, his ever-watchful A.I. Assistant, reported.


    [ Unknown Zombie detected 250 meters ahead. ]


    "Mhm?"


    Shane''s gaze shifted, and there it was¡ªan outrageous zombie aberration.


    ''There''s no record of this one, but it has some semnce of a Screamer Zombie.


    To be exact, it seemed to be a leader type of the Screamer Zombie. It seemed more twisted,rger, more malevolent.


    Its mouth yawned impossibly wide, and Shane saw a ck chasm lined with jagged teeth.


    Its body waspact, sinewy, like a coiled spring ready to unleash devastation.


    ''What a nasty Zombie¡­'' Shanemented in his mind.


    It even seemed that this zombie wasn''t mindless just like the others.


    It stayed on its spot as if assessing the surroundings.


    Its eyes glowed with an intelligence that chilled Shane to the bone.


    Acidic saliva dripped from its maw, sizzling as it hit the ground.


    Soon, this Unknown Zombie moved. Its elongated limbs started inching forward while its joints popped like snapping bones.


    As the distance closed, the ground seemed to tremble.


    After reaching about 100 meters¡­


    The Unknown Zombie''s body started trembling, and Shane knew that something was about to happen.


    Without hesitation, he aimed his Laser Sniper Rifle and shot!


    Bang!


    The shot hits the Unknown Zombie, but because Shane is in a hurry, he decides to hit its head instead of its neck!


    The head of the Unknown Zombie seemed to be just filled with liquid, and it didn''t die or pause even a second after being shot!


    Instead, it released a sonic wave in its mouth that made the Aegis Force Barrier tremble!


    Screeech~


    The barrier hummed, strained by the powerful attack.


    Thankfully, the Bulwark Beacon was still there and protected everyone from the Sonic Attack!


    Yet even the Bulwark Beacon showed signs of stress, hairline fractures spiderwebbing across its surface.


    Shane''s mind raced¡ªthis was a battle of attrition, and the Unknown Zombie was aiming for the barrier that was protecting their palisade and the warriors and archers on the rampart.


    Desperation fueled Shane''s next move.


    He adjusted his aim, hisser sight tracing a path from the creature''s head to its throat. He squeezed the trigger once more, and the shot struck again.


    Bang!


    The Unknown Zombie''s throat exploded, a gory fountain of liquid erupting.


    But the creature didn''t falter. Instead, it unleashed another sonic assault through the torn hole!


    "This¡­"


    Just like that, the barriers shattered like ss.


    The ramparty exposed, and the defenders staggered, their ears ringing from the onught.


    Shane''s gaze fell on Mara, the current wielder of the methrower.


    Without hesitation, he barked orders. "Mara! Hell''s Fury! Now!"


    Mara''s eyes widened, but she obeyed.


    "I''m on it!"


    She ced the zombie cores she needed and triggered the methrower''s most potent setting¡ªa torrent of fire that roared forth, creating a wall of searing heat. The mes danced a barrier of their own, pushing back the Unknown Zombie and shielding the defenders.


    [ Inferno Wielder ¨C methrower ( Exceptional ): Crafted from the remnants of a world gone by, this methrower is a marvel of engineering, capable of unleashing a torrent of fire at your enemies, humans, or undead!


    Effects: +50% Burn Duration, +30% Range


    Special Effect:


    Hell''s Fury - Ignites the surrounding area, creating a barrier of me that repels iing hordes.


    Cost: 5 Zombies Cores/minute


    Basic Requirement: Liquid Fuel ( Rmend 90% Diesel and 10% Gasoline ) ]


    The air shimmered with heat and stopped the horde from advancing!


    But Shane didn''t stop as he emptied his Laser Charges on the Unknown Zombie!


    Soon, it was filled with holes! The Unknown Zombie writhed, its flesh blistering and melting.


    Shane''s heart pounded; they were on the brink, but they would not yield!


    As the fire consumed the creature, Shane received a notification from the system confirming his kill!


    [ You have eliminated a Siren Zombie. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Siren Zombie, a high-tier zombie! ]

 Chapter 207: Zombie Wave ( 8 )

    [ You have eliminated a Siren Zombie. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Siren Zombie, a high-tier zombie! ]


    [ Hint: Only the first elimination of each Mid-Tier and High-Tier zombie can provide special rewards! ]


    [ You have obtained the following rewards: Spirit Breakthrough Potion x3, Greater Instant Experience Potions x2, Zombie Cores x80 ]


    As soon as the Siren Zombie was killed and the wall of fire was triggered, Shane knew that they were already about to win¡­


    Without any more hesitation, he consumed the Spirit Breakthrough Potions, followed by all the Greater Instant Experience Potions. He had done this quickly as the battle wasn''t over yet. It only paused for a while, thanks to the Hell''s Fury of the methrower.


    [ You have consumed enough Spirit Breakthrough Potions. ]


    [ You have surpassed the limit of your Spiritual Powers. You have obtained a new capacity. You now have a 10,000 Spirit Points Capacity. ]


    [ Normal Spirit Enhancement Potions would no longer replenish or increase the Spirit Points of the Survivor. ]


    "Mhmm? Ten thousand points?!" Shane''s eyes lit up, which meant that he basically no longer had to worry about using Weapon Skills or monitor how many more times he could use a skill!


    Then, this time, he received the notifications rted to the Experience Potion!


    [ You have consumed the Greater Instant Experience Potion. ]


    [ You are under the effect of the Double Experience Boost. You have obtained 1,000 Experience Points! ]


    [ You have consumed the Greater Instant Experience Potion. ]


    [ You are under the effect of the Double Experience Boost. You have obtained 1,000 Experience Points! ]


    ¡­


    [ You have consumed the Greater Instant Experience Potion. ]


    [ You are under the effect of the Double Experience Boost. You have obtained 1,000 Experience Points! ]


    Shane actually consumed the Greater Instant Experience Potions that he had also received after getting the first kill on the Spitter Monster Zombie! Because of that, he gained so much experience points!


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Survivor Store has been upgraded. ]


    [ Hint: Survivor Store now has three options. Weapon Store, Nourishment Store, Random Store. This will take effect on the next day. ]


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first Survivor to reach Level 23! ]


    [ You have obtained three Upgraded Gift Packs as a reward: Rare Weapon Gift Pack, Rare Energy Gift Pack, and Rare Food Gift Pack. ]


    [ Hint: Only the first 50 Survivors to reach level 23 will be rewarded. The reward will still depend on how long the Survivor took to reach this level. ]


    "This is awesome¡­" Shane muttered as he couldn''t properly express himself but he was certainly overjoyed by this result!


    He didn''t know that consuming those experience potions while his boost was active would give him more experience points!


    Thanks to that bug, he was able to get two more levels!


    ''Now... Let''s finish this up...'' Shane thought as he looked ahead.


    The Zombie Wave wasn''t over yet.


    The Hell''s Fury of the methrower was about to disappear, and he had to control the situation again.


    Shane''s eyes swept across the field, assessing the situation. The once overwhelming horde had dwindled¡ªno more formidable foes remained.


    It was time to finish this.


    "Clear the remaining zombies!" Shane''s voice cut through the chaos, rallying the troops. The six Super Soldiers and the five elves shifted seamlessly from ranged attacks to closebat. des gleamed in the sunlight as they strode into the fray.


    Mara, the methrower wielder, switched to herbat knife since the fuel had also been consumed.


    Her movements were swift and precise as she was using a knife made from the Abyssal Iron.


    Cassius, on the other hand, twirled his twin des as he led the other Super Soldiers...


    The pets, on the other hand, didn''t wait for Shane''s signal as they also started moving!


    Frostbite, the wyrm, coiled around a group of zombies, freezing them solid before shattering their icy forms with a single swipe.


    One the other side of the estate, Chaloem''s team also started finishing up the Zombie Wolves.


    Lyra, the Sharpshooter, holstered her crossbow and drew her sword.


    She wasn''t nning to let La eliminate most of the Zombie Wolves!


    With her sharp de, she started severing the limbs or heads of the wolves!


    "Good¡­" Shane muttered as he nced at the swarming Zombies.


    Orion, another Super Soldier, spun like a whirlwind, his dual axes leaving trails of destruction.


    And Lady Seraph, the Royal Knight, fought with her sword and seemed to have gained more confidence in her skills after killing at lot of Zombies.


    The elves were equally formidable. Their slender forms belied their strength.


    They stored their bows and arrows and pulled up their short des as they leaped into the fray!


    Gene, who was still on the watchtower, dispatched zombies with his crossbow or revolver from time to time.


    Lucas, who was also a sentinel at this time, continued supporting the others from his current spot.


    But then it happened¡ªa fast Jumper Zombie slipped through their defenses, its elongated limbs propelling it forward!


    This Jumper Zombie seemed to be a variant version, as its whole skin was rotting ck!


    Anna, the Physician, stood frozen, her eyes wide. The creature was upon her, its gaping maw ready to tear into her.


    "You¡­"


    And then Shane was there¡ªhis Laser Sniper Rifle aimed perfectly!


    Bang!


    The shot echoed, and the variant of Jumper Zombie crumpled, its threat extinguished!


    [ You have eliminated a Violent Hurdler Zombie. ]


    Anna''s breath hitched, and she looked up at him. Gratitude could be seen in her eyes.


    "Thank you, Lord Shane!"


    Then, Shane''s gaze met hers, and for some reason, Anna felt that time seemed too slow. This had never happened before.


    Anna''s heartbeat thundered in her chest, and in that moment, something shifted.


    In her eyes, the battlefield faded, and all that remained was Shane¡ªthe hero who had saved her.


    However, as she was lost in her thoughts, she suddenly heard the bark of her dog!


    "Lucky!"


    She immediately turned in the direction of the dog and realized that he was still alive!

 Chapter 208: Zombie Wave ( 9 )

    Anna''s gaze shifted from Shane to Lucky, her loyal dog.


    The dog had finally returned while something clutched in its mouth.


    Her heart raced as she knelt beside him, her fingers brushing against his fur.


    What had he found? What had he brought back from the chaos of battle?


    And then she saw it¡ªan object glinting in the sunlight¡­


    It was a blue stone!


    "Where did you get this?" Anna asked. However, as she held the blue stone, information about it appeared in her vision.


    ***


    Anyway, as the battle outside was starting to fade, Shane descended from his vantage point and made his way to Anna and Lucky.


    There, he saw a mysterious blue stone that shimmered with an otherworldly glow.


    Anna, on the other hand, seemed silent since she probably analyzed the stone¡­


    Then, her eyes widened as she confirmed its nature¡­


    "Shane¡­ This is an Evolution Stone. It is a catalyst that could transform creatures or pets into something greater."


    Shane''s mind raced.


    "Evolution Stones? It''s the first time I heard that." Shanemented as he took the stone that Anna handed over.


    [ Evolution Stone: Legendary Evolution Stone is a Soul Catalyst of unparalleled power, said to hold the key to unlocking the hidden potential within creatures and pets. Radiating a mesmerizing azure glow, the stone exudes an aura of ancient mystique, hinting at the transformative energies it harbors within.


    When a target is infused with the essence of this mystical stone, the targeted beings will undergo a transformative evolution, transcending their current state to reach new heights of strength and prowess. ]


    [ Hint: This is a single-use item. ]


    "Awesome¡­"


    Evolution Stones were game-changers¡­


    They could unlock hidden potential, alter forms, and grant new abilities. His five loyal pets¡ªEmbering the Fire Kea Bird, ze the Fire Elemental, Frostbite the Frostwyrm, Sylvan the Basic Spriggan, and Sparky the Thunderbird¡ªshed through his thoughts.


    "No¡­ Since Lucky found it, should I give it to him?" Shane hesitated.


    Their loyalty deserved reward, but the decision weighed heavily on him.


    Anna, however, shook her head. "I don''t want Lucky to turn into something else," she said firmly. "You can use the Evolution Stone on others."


    Shane looked at her for a moment as he felt a bit conflicted about this, but in the end, he still nodded, grateful for her words.


    He pocketed the stone, its cool surface making him a bit more rxed.


    Instead of rewarding Lucky, he turned to Anna. "What do you want in exchange for this stone?"


    Anna didn''t think she would be asked by that and hesitated, her gaze thoughtful.


    "No¡­ I received the Chemist Skill Scroll from you before," she said. "Two new skills¡ªthat''s enough."


    She was referring to the passive skills given by that scroll. It was the Alchemy Mastery and Elixir Brewmaster.


    Shane respected her choice, but he decided to give her somethingter on.


    Anyway, he felt that the bond between them had deepened through this exchange.


    With a nod, he turned back to the battlefield. The remaining zombies had to be eliminated, and they had to do it untilter. Even Anna decided to get closer to the battlefield with her revolver, but Shane didn''t stop her. Anyway, there weren''t many Zombies around anymore.


    But at this moment, as he fought alongside Anna, he knew that sometimes the greatest rewards were not magical artifacts or newfound abilities¡ªit was the trust and camaraderie forged in the crucible of survival.


    ***


    Meanwhile, not too far from Shane''s estate, another camp was being attacked by the Zombies.


    The small shelter camp perched atop the trees trembled as the Zombie Wave descended upon them. The makeshift tree houses, once a refuge, now felt like fragile nests in the face of relentless undead hunger.


    Lily and Elsa, the leaders, stood at the forefront, their exceptional talents their only hope.


    Lily, with her Wood Element Affinity, summoned roots and branches to fend off the climbing zombies. Vines snaked around their limbs, immobilizing them, while wooden spikes impaled others. Her eyes glowed with fury as she channeled her power, the very trees bending to her will.


    The others who had various weapons like revolvers, bows and arrows, and spears would also help her.


    Elsa, on the other hand, wielded Water Element Affinity. She conjured torrents of water, cascading down upon the zombies attempting to leap onto the tforms. The water swept them away, their decayed bodies tumbling into the ground below.


    Elsa''s breaths came in ragged gasps, but she held her ground, her blue eyes aze with resolve.


    The other survivors fought alongside their leaders. Some had Umon Talents¡ªminor abilities that still made a difference. A young man named Alex could manipte shadows, creating pockets of darkness to confuse the zombies.


    It was only an Umon Talent, so he could only control a small shadow and couldn''t even use it against multiple zombies. Furthermore, he didn''t have enough Spirit Points to control it for a long time!


    Then, a girl named Mia had the power to mend wounds, her hands glowing with healing energy. However, she had to transfer this wound elsewhere¡­ Because of that, the various birds in the cage near her would be the ones to receive the wounds of herpanions¡­ This would instantly kill them but it was better than staying injured!


    "Don''t give up! There are only 40 more Zombies!" Lily shouted¡­


    She didn''t expect that they would be swarmed by about a hundred of Zombies at the start of the Zombie Apocalypse! It means that at the end or at thest wave of zombies, they might encounter 500 or more at the same time! That wasn''t good!


    "Do not worry! We saved up enough Spirit Enhancement Potions! We will be fine!" Elsa added as she observed the battlefield carefully.


    Thankfully, their shelter still had others with Rare Talents that coiuld help them out.


    Jake, the engineer, rigged traps¡ªmakeshift snares and pitfalls that sent zombies plummeting to the forest floor.


    His sister, Maya, controlled electricity, zapping the undead with bolts of lightning for 50 Spirit Points. She could only use this weak lightning 5 times, so she had to be very careful about it. Well, she only had 250 Spirit Points after all.


    "We''re going to be fine¡ª" Lily wanted to encourage everyone but something unexpected happened.

 Chapter 209: Zombie Wave ( 10 )

    Lily knew very well that they would most likely get eaten or turned into zombies if they stayed here in their tree houses.


    She was even worried that the trees would soon fall down once therger or stronger zombies appeared.


    The camp''s defenses were strained. The wooden tforms creaked, and the ropes holding them groaned.


    The zombies wed at the trunks, their rotting fingers leaving streaks of decay. They all fought with desperation, des and makeshift weapons shing against undead flesh¡­


    ''This is getting bad¡­ But as long as we survive this first wave, we can change location¡­ The cave that was cleared by Shane''s team must be a good ce since it''s narrower and a lot easier to protect.'' Lily thought for a moment.


    However, as she tried to encourage her fellow survivors, a problem finally appeared.


    It happened¡ªarge version of Jumper Zombie leaped, its elongated limbs propelling it toward the tree house where Lily and Elsa stood.


    It seemed to be abination of the Crypt Crawler and Jumper Zombie!


    Panic surged through the camp as they saw the unknown Zombie.


    The two leaders exchanged a nce, their powersbining.


    Lily''s roots shot upward, entangling the mutated form of Jumper Zombie mid-air, while Elsa summoned a water spout that crashed into it, drenching it in liquid force!


    Ssh~


    But the creature was persistent.


    It thrashed, its jaws snapping as it tried to destroy its bindings.


    Soon, the wooden tform splintered. And then, from the shadows, a figure appeared¡ªJake, the engineer, wielding a metal pipe.


    He swung with all his might, the pipe connecting with the Jumper Zombie''s skull before it exploded!


    All the gunpowder he had saved for critical juncture was used up with that special attack!


    The creature fell, and its threat was extinguished!


    The camp erupted in cheers, but the danger wasn''t over.


    The survivors regrouped, as they fought against the remaining Zombies¡­


    It took another half an hour before thest Zombie of the first wave was killed!


    Nheless, they remained vignt as their eyes scanned the forest canopy. They knew that there could be more zombies toe.


    Luckily, after a while, they no longer heard the grunts or roars of zombies and confirmed that they had survived the first wave.


    Lily wiped the sweat from her brow, her gaze lingering on Elsa. It was a close call.


    Just on this first wave, they used up a lot of resources, and Jake even had to use his modified metal spear.


    Suddenly, the tree houses quivered as it seemed to be reminding them that the foundation of the trees had weakened.


    Well, after the first wave, the once-sturdy tree houses now felt like precarious perches, their wooden tforms groaning as the undead wed at the trunks a while ago.


    Lily and Elsa, the leaders of this desperate refuge, exchanged a nce¡ªa silent acknowledgment that their time was running out.


    "We can''t stay here," Elsa dered, her voice firm. The camp had been their sanctuary, but it was no longer defensible. The zombies would keeping, wave after wave, and the survivors were outnumbered. The Zombie Wave willst for 12 hours and they only survived the first hour. They had to endure about ten or even more waves of zombies!


    Lily''s mind raced. "Where should we go?" she asked, scanning the forest canopy. "Should we try going to the cave?"


    She said while also exining how the narrow path could save them¡­ It might allow them to win against the wave since they would only have to face five or six zombies at the same time.


    But the others had heard their conversation.


    A hushed murmur spread through the camp, and a young man named Alex stepped forward. "I think we should try to go to Shane''s camp," he suggested. "They have Elves and even a terrifying Monk on their side."


    Lily and Elsa exchanged another look.


    Shane''s camp¡ªthe name resonated with hope.


    They had been invited there before, but pride and self-reliance had kept them apart. Now, faced with the relentless onught of the undead, they seemed to have no choice. That was a tempting suggestion, and to be honest, the two leaders also had these thoughts at the back of their minds.


    However, they were just worried that Shane would be greedy, and perhaps, he would request for the two of them to serve him, especially during the night.


    Nheless, this was a matter of life and death¡­ It wasn''t just their lives on the line but also the people that trusted them.


    After some hesitations, Lily nodded.


    "We agree," Elsa said, her voice steady. "We''ll go to Shane''s estate."


    Just like that, the survivors moved with urgency. They packed their meager belongings, descended from the tree houses, and looted the zombies on the ground.


    Of course, most of the looting tasks were done by Lily and Elsa since they were the ones who had truly worked a lot in the first wave.


    It was followed by Jake, then by Alex, and so on¡­ They all gained an increase in experience but not enough to level up just yet. Nheless, they obtained precious food, weapons, and even Zombie Cores that would help them purchase a few important items in the Survivor Store¡­


    Anyway, this was all done in a hurry since the next wave would probablye any minute soon¡­ They would surely follow their traces, so they had to move quickly.


    Thankfully, they all had decent Agility and Strength, and the terrain didn''t bother them. They had also brought supplies¡ªweapons, food, and other essentials, so even if they get ambushed or hungry, they had the resources to respond.


    As they made their way through the forest, Lily''s heart raced.


    Shane''s camp was theirst hope. The Elves and the Monk¡ªthe very thought of their formidable allies spurred her on.


    She nced at Elsa, who nodded in silent determination.


    Whatever Shane would request from them, they would have to ept it in return for protecting them.

 Chapter 210: Zombie Wave ( 11 )

    In the meantime, while Shane''s territory was able to defend the first Zombie Wave, the others weren''t so lucky.


    In therge ruined city on the north side of the forest where Shane''s manor stood, an abandoned mall was made by the Crimson Coalition n as their stronghold.


    Although it looked like a crumbling fortress where survival looked impossible with its cracked tile and shattered windows, the thick walls and a sturdy foundation had kept them alive, and the scavenged supplies within its decaying stores sustained them through several nights of terror.


    "Hmph! These Zombies are getting annoying! Why are there too many of them in the first ce?! Did we take too manyborers?! We should''ve just killed them from the start. Keeping them is a bad move!" A man with a huge stature and tattoo marks all over his body spoke, frustrated at the number of zombies swarming them.


    He was Jaden, the n Leader of the Crimson Coalition, the top 9 in the n Leadering Board Ranking that Shane had previously seen.


    Anyway, this man possessed an Epic Talent known as Diamond Skin.


    His flesh was impervious to basic damage¡­ It was like a crystalline armor that deflected zombie ws and teeth.


    With this talent, he had never be worried about being turned into zombies!


    At this time, he stood at the front lines, his eyes steely as he looked at the zombies. Beside him were the four main members of the n. They were his loyalrades who fought shoulder to shoulder, their talents were also perfect for supporting him and utilizing his frontline position.


    There were other entries in the mall but he wasn''t too worried since the two other spots were guarded by two more Survivors with Epic Talents.


    Graah~


    Suddenly, waves of zombie descended upon the mall like a malevolent tide.


    Runner Zombies sprinted, their decayed legs propelling them forward. Jumper Zombies leaped, their elongated limbs reaching for the catwalks and balconies where the n had taken refuge.


    The air reeked of rot, and the flickering fluorescent lights cast eerie shadows on the cracked linoleum. It was as if the power cores they had just recently reced were about to be emptied.


    "Haa! Come here, you pieces of trash!"


    Jaden swung his de¡ªa serrated machete that was imbued with Sharpness and Durable Effects.


    He doesn''t have de Mastery or de Techniques and was just using his brute force.


    In any case, his Diamond Skin repelled the zombies'' attacks and he wasn''t too worried.


    Even if he getspletely buried by the Zombies, his four loyal friends would help him¡­


    However, he underestimated the number of Zombies once again! They just kepting.


    Hisrades fought alongside him.


    Kira, the swift archer, picked off runners with her crossbow. Malik, the brawler, used his brute strength to crush skulls. And Hanabi, the fire mage, conjured mes that consumed the undead.


    Hanabi only had about 300 Spirit Points, so she carefully selected her targets. She can''t waste her limited Fire Balls!


    "What''s going on?! Why are there five of them at the same time?!" Jaden was shocked as he looked ahead.


    They were already winning but the tide had shifted so suddenly.


    sher Zombies emerged¡ªthey were bloated, their skin translucent.


    Their heads glowed with an unnatural light, and when they opened their mouths, blinding shes erupted.


    The n members staggered, disoriented.


    Luckily, Jaden''s Epic Talent protected him, but hisrades were vulnerable.


    Soon, the mall echoed with screams.


    However, Jaden wasn''t referring to the sher Zombies just now¡­ They were weak zombies in his eyes. What truly worried him was the five Zombies behind the squad of sher Zombies!


    They were the Chief Spitter Zombies¡ªfive of them, their elongated necks were even writhing. It was as if they were so excited to kill them!


    "Dodge!"


    Jaden shouted, hoping his friends could dodge.


    Just now, the Chief Spitter Zombies spat acidic bile that was capable of melting through barricades and flesh alike.


    The walls they created crumbled, and the floors trembled.


    The n members fought back, but it was toote.


    Even if they called for reinforcements, it would be difficult for them since even Jaden''s Diamond Skin would notst for three more minutes!


    The mall was no longer a sanctuary¡ªit was a tomb for them!


    "I miscalcted¡­ I should killed those people instead of enving them!"


    Jaden watched in horror as hisrades fell.


    Kira''s crossbow snapped, Malik''s fists were corroded, and Maya''s mes fizzled. The Chief Spitters closed in, their eyes gleaming with malevolence.


    Jaden swung his machete, but their acidic spray burned through his Diamond Skin.


    Soon, he also copsed, and his body then started dissolving.


    "I¡­ can''t¡­ die¡­"


    However, as the mall crumbled, the Zombie Wave consumed them all.


    Just like that, the Crimson Coalition n vanished from the leaderboard, their legacy was reduced to nothing.


    Jaden felt his life receding and knew that he would soon die.


    At this time, he couldn''t help but me Shadow Strider¡­ If that person hadn''t monopolized the decent weapons in the Auction Hall, he would''ve survived this ordeal!


    ''I should''ve gotten that Machine Gun¡­ If I had that, we wouldn''t be in this situation. That person is greedy! Even that Grenade Launcher¡­ He should''ve left it with us.'' Jaden thought of this as he couldn''t help but express his frustration over the failed auction.


    There, he obtained some Rare or Exceptional Items from the Market Bazaar. They weren''t as incredible as the Machine Gun or Grenade Launcher but it would''ve been amazing if he obtained such weapons as well¡­


    ''I hope you also die, Shadow Strider¡­''


    Jaden''sst thought, however, was of hisrades¡ªtheir sacrifice, their loyalty. He couldn''t help but feel regretful that their journey hade to an end just like that.


    After a few more seconds, darkness finally imed him, and the mall copsed, burying the n beneath its rubble.


    In the aftermath, the Zombie Wave moved on, leaving nothing but silence and decay.


    The first n to be annihted was the Crimson Coalition¡­ and it was even announced by the System.

 Chapter 211: Zombie Wave ( 12 )

    [ System Announcement ]


    [ Attention all survivors! ]


    [ We regret to inform you that theCrimson Coalition nhas been annihted by the relentlessZombie Wave. As the first n in your region to fall victim to this catastrophic event, their demise serves as a solemn reminder of the grave threat we all face.


    In the wake of this tragic loss, it has be evident that theZombie Wave, which sought to decimate theCrimson Coalition n, will now be dispersed evenly among all surviving camps, ns, and individuals who are within the same region.


    This dispersion of Zombie Hordes will only apply if a whole n gets annihted.


    Nheless, ten additional minutes of dy will be provided before the second horde of Zombies arrives.


    Prepare yourselves, stay vignt, and stand united in the face of this impending danger.


    May we honor the fallen and forge ahead in the fight against the encroaching darkness. ]


    "Mhmm?" Shane was surprised as soon as he read the notification.


    He was currently looting the Zombies that they''d defeated when this announcement arrived.


    He knew about the Crimson Coalition since he saw them on the Leaderboard, and they were actually 9th in the rankings.


    It means that they should be quite a decent n.


    "I wonder how they got annihted by the first horde¡­ Did they underestimate the number of Zombies that will attack them?" Shane thought as he felt that this was too early.


    Although he was expecting that there would be a lot of people who would fail to survive this Zombie Wave, he was surprised at how it happened so quickly.


    "It''s a bit troubling that the Zombie Wave meant for them will switch to us¡­" Shane muttered as he realized that if there were more ns to get annihted by the Zombie Wave, they would have tougher hordes of zombies to face until the event was over.


    Shane could only sigh at this as he continued looting the Runner Zombies.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Stale Bread x1, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    ¡­


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Stale Bread x1, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    Shane wasn''t checking the looted items that much, as there were too many of them. He even allowed the others to take the loot of most of the low-tier Zombies, but the mid-tier Zombies must be his, unless the time was too tight already.


    Indeed, he allowed the others to loot all the Walker Zombies or Crawler Zombies if there were. Especially the members of the Eclipse Revenant who had worked together to defend their east wall against the Zombie Wolves.


    Soon, he shifted to some Jumper Zombies.


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, Strength Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    "Nice¡­ They''re still providing Strength Enhancement Bottles¡­" Shane muttered as he knew that he would be extremely strong once he consumed all these Strength Enhancement Bottles again.


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, Strength Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    ¡­


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, Strength Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    There weren''t any changes in the loot after the 30th Jumper Zombie, so Shane was smiling from ear to ear. He couldn''t wait to consume all of them.


    Finally, Shane also looted the special zombies!


    He started with Violent Hurdler Zombies, who had actually tried to kill Anna a while ago.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 25 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x12, 500mL Water, Bread x10, Uknown Meat ( Safe ) x5, 100mL Violent Hurdler Zombie Blood, Strength Enhancement Bottle x2, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2 ]


    "What a generous one¡­ You''re not even a high-tier Zombie." Shane muttered after seeing the bountiful harvest.


    Shane then continued looting the five Runner Leader Zombies who had destroyed their gates a while ago.


    [ You have earned 35 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Cores x3, 500mL Water, Bread x5, 100mL Runner Leader Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2 ]


    Just like the other leader-type zombies, they had given him a Reputation Point each! Just like that, he gained 5 additional Reputation Points, but it hasn''t ended yet.


    He looted the three Spitter Monster Zombies, the lone Siren Zombie, and the Hunter Zombie!


    Since the Spitter Monster Zombies were all high-tier Zombies, he was certainly looking forward to their loot!


    [ You have earned 55 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x5, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x5, 100mL Spitter Monster Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Toxic Fangs x2, Spitter Venom Sac x2, Mutagenic Serum x1, Bile-Coated Armor x1 ]


    Shane found this loot interesting, especially the Mutagenic Serum. However, he didn''t immediately checked them as he looted that others.


    [ You have earned 55 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x5, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x5, 100mL Spitter Monster Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Mysterious Egg x1, Bile-Infused Gauntlets x1, Mutagenic Serum x1, Bile-Coated Shoulder Pads x1 ]


    ¡­


    [ You have earned 55 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x5, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x5, 100mL Spitter Monster Zombie Blood Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Ooze Bomb x2, Spitter Venom Sac x2, Mutagenic Serum x1, Slime-Coated Boots x1 ]


    Shane smiled, seeing that all high-tier Zombies had given different loot!


    Finally, Shane looked at the Hunter Zombie that Shinja hunted alone at the back of the Manor¡­


    This Hunter Zombie was also a high-tier one and seemed to like moving alone.

 Chapter 212: Zombie Wave ( 13 )

    This was certainly a dangerous Zombie, and Shane felt relieved that he had sent Shinja there. If they failed to notice this Hunter Zombie entering the estate, it would surely cause chaos, especially if they were attacked from behind or if it entered the shelter of the nonbatants.


    Anyway, Shane decided to take out his Loot Keeper''s Timepiece this time. Although stronger zombies might appearter, he felt that he should use it now.


    After activating the Timepiece''s effect, Shane looted the Hunter Zombie with a hint of excitement in his voice.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes." Shane replied.


    [ You have earned 55 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x5, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x5, 100mL Hunter Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Shadowcloak x1, Silent Strider Boots x1, Hunter''s Heart Amulet x1, Great Hunter Bow x1 ] x5


    With the activation of the Timepiece, each item was multiplied by five!


    He knew very well that these were great items!


    He immediately checked these items and realized that they were already Exceptional Items! It means that he only had to use 30 Item Upgrade Crystals each to advance them to the next level, Master Grade!


    Without any more hesitation, Shane spent all the required Item Upgrade Crystals since he was able to obtain thousands of Crystals just now.


    He was incredibly rich, and he didn''t mind spending some of them immediately.


    After his upgrade waspleted, he checked their current description.


    [ Shadowcloak ( Master ): The Shadowcloak is a precious garment woven from the mystical shadows of the night itself. It drapes the wearer in an ethereal veil, granting incredible stealth and invisibility.


    Effects: +50% Stealth, +30% Evasion, +20% Critical Damage, +10% Movement Speed


    Special Effects:


    Shadow Step: Allows the wearer to teleport a short distance through shadows, evading enemies and repositioning strategically. Distance Limit: 10 meters


    Cost: 500 Spirit Points


    Night''s Embrace: Enhances the wearer''s senses in darkness, granting night vision and heightened awareness of surroundings.


    Cost: 50 Spirit Points/minute ]


    [ Unstackable Item ]


    Needless to say, Shane immediately wore the Shadowcloak¡­


    However, as soon as he did so, something unexpected happened.


    [ Your Master Grade Shadowmeld Tunic''s effects have been disabled. ]


    "Ahhh¡­" Shane was shocked as he realized what had happened.


    "Unstackable?! Seriously?"


    He didn''t notice it a while ago, but now that the Unstackable Effect was triggered, he recalled how annoying this effect was!


    Simr to other games he had yed before, Unstackable Items meant that it could only be stored one by one, or in this case, he could only wear the Shadowcloak if he didn''t wear any other upper-body clothing.


    Shane wryly smiled after realizing this, but he still wanted to see how it would look on him.


    Although he wouldn''t get free stats while wearing this, the special effects it had would stillpensate for that.


    Shane''s then unsped the buckle of his tunic to wear the cloak.


    Shane then looked at the Shadowcloak. Its fabric seemed to be dark silk that seemed to be capable of trapping lights¡­


    Shane hesitated for a moment, before shrugged off his tunic, leaving his upper body bare.


    As he wrapped the Shadowcloak around himself, it seemed toe alive.


    The fabric clung to his skin, melding seamlessly with his flesh.


    ''Ahhh¡­'' Shane didn''t feel scared, but he was a bit surprised that it would do that.


    Anyway, it was like wearing shadows¡ªthe cloak shifted and flowed, its edges blurring into the air. Shane''s face disappeared beneath its hood, his features obscured by an otherworldly veil.


    "Awesome¡­" Shane muttered.


    It felt like it wasn''t just a cloak¡ªit was a transformation!


    The fabric lengthened, cascading down his back like a flowing trenchcoat.


    Its folds felt like they were alive as it moved on its own, and Shane felt power surge through his veins. The Shadowcloak was more than mere clothing; it felt like his second skin!


    He even had four of them in his inventory!


    For sure, Tessa would want this item as someone with Night Assassin Talent!


    Shane smiled at this thought as he decided to check the other items.


    [ Great Hunter Bow ( Master): The Great Hunter Bow is a masterpiece of precision and power, crafted from the sinew of unknown creatures of the night and the wood of ancient trees. If fired by this bow, each arrow, evenmon ones, would be urate!


    Effects: +40% Damage, +20% Critical Chance, +25% Range, +15% Reload Speed


    Special Effects:


    Eagle''s Gaze: Grants the archer''s enhanced vision to spot weak points on enemies, increasing critical damage against specific targets.


    Piercing Shot: Arrows fired from this bow have a chance to pierce through multiple enemies, dealing damage in a straight line.


    Cost: 10 Spirit Points ]


    "Awesome¡­ The elves and the others would love this¡­" Shanemented that the Piercing Shot had only 10 Spirit Points. It means that they would be able to use this master-grade skill a lot of times!


    [ Silent Strider Boots ( Master ): The pair of Silent Strider Boots are crafted from the hides of elusive dark creatures, imbued with enchantments that dampen sound and leave no trace of their wearer. They allow for swift and silent movement.


    Effects: +30% Movement Speed, +20% Stealth, +10% Dodge Chance, +15% Jump Height


    Special Effects:


    Ghost Walk: This ability grants the wearer temporary intangibility, allowing them to pass through obstacles and enemies for a short duration.


    Cost: 100 Spirit Points/5 seconds


    Nimble Escape: Increases the wearer''s agility and evasion, making them harder to hit inbat situations.


    Cost: 45 Spirit Points ]


    Shane had several boots already. They were the Survivor Boots from the System Gift, Silent Step Boots from Screamer Zombie, Stalker Boots from the Crypt Crawler Zombies, and other boots he found in the store.


    Nheless, he liked the Silent Strider Boots, which could provide him with Ghost Walk and Nimble Escape in very tight situations.


    Although he already had several life-saving items with him and a strong group of warriors and pets, it wasn''t bad having additional safety measures.


    As hepleted all of this, he nned to see the others'' condition, but unfortunately, the second horde had finally arrived!

 Chapter 213: Zombie Wave ( 14 )

    "The second horde is here!" Gene shouted after seeing the Zombies spawn about 200 meters from their estate out of nothing.


    The castle ramparts buzzed with anticipation as the second horde of the Zombie Wave must be stronger than the ones they just faced.


    "How are your weapons¡­ your ammunitions?" Eldrin, the leader of the Elves and a Ranger, asked his fellow elves.


    "I retrieved just about 60% of my arrows. The others were destroyed." Far replied.


    "I didn''t count¡­ However, my crossbow is in good condition. There''s no sign of breaking. This one was given by Lord Shane and has been upgraded." Cirdan said as he looked at the smoke that the marching zombies were creating.


    Thalion and Aranion also gave their replies, confirming that their weapons were still in a good condition and that they were ready to fight once again.


    At this time, everyone felt ready¡­


    Arrows were nocked, crossbows primed, and des sharpened. The new wooden gate, hastily constructed after thest onught, was already erected since Leo had prepared a spare gate¡­ It may be a fragile barrier against the undead tide, but it was better than nothing.


    "Let theme¡­ Don''t trigger thest set of traps we''ve prepared." Shane reminded


    From his spot, his Laser Sniper Rifle was cradled in his arms, as he surveyed the cleared forest.


    Suddenly, Aegis Force Barrier hummed, its translucent energy shimmering around the estate before it disappeared.


    The Power Cores had just been reced by Mr. Wadsworth, and the defenders knew that this was their additional line of defense, so they all felt relieved seeing its activation.


    "Ahh?"


    "This smell¡­"


    "Wait¡­ I suddenly feel hungry¡­"


    "Why now?"


    In the midst of preparing to face the looming threat of the second zombie horde, a tantalizing aroma drifted through the estate.


    The scent of savory meat being cooked to perfection, infused with a medley of aromatic herbs and spices, stirred the senses of all present.


    "I''m salivating¡­" Bart, who was still sipping with his ale, softly muttered after inhaling the enticing aroma of the food being cooked.


    The others had somewhat simr reaction to this.


    The elves, with their heightened sensitivity to smells, were actually the first to catch the alluring scent. However, because of their tasks and professionalism, they decided to ignore it and just showed a longing nce at the kitchen area of the manor.


    This was followed swiftly by the Super Soldiers and then the rest of the fighters. All of them had eaten their fill this morning, but as the fragrance enveloped the area, a collective rumble of hunger resonated among the group.


    It was as if they didn''t see any grotesque or unappetizing rotten flesh of zombies just now!


    "Someone''s cooking... Is this some form of encouragement by Lord Shane?" remarkedChaloem, the esteemed Monk, his keen senses detecting the source of the enticing smell.


    "Ugh... I''m not sure if this is effective. It might even cause trouble." confessedLady Seraph, the valiant Royal Knight, despite the recent battle and the grim sights she had witnessed. Her appetite remained undiminished.


    Echoing her sentiments, the others expressed their own newfound hunger, their mouths watering at the promise of a satisfying meal.


    Just as the aroma reached its peak,Shane made an announcement.


    With a loud voice, he told everyone that once they sessfully repelled the second horde, a feast awaited them. They would partake in this special meal to replenish their strength and spirits.


    This feast was meticulously prepared byAlexa, utilizing the recently acquiredUnknown Safe Meat and various ingredients, ensuring that each bite would be a taste of sess and a break from the chaos of battle.


    Because of this simple yet enticing reward, everyone felt motivated in the second horde!


    "So a good food can really boost morale¡­" Shane muttered as he saw the battle that ensued.


    They had faced about 500 Runner Zombies with their decayed legs, propelling them forward. There were also 500 Jumper Zombies with their elongated and strong limbs reaching for the ramparts, and a 100 sher Zombies with their blinding shes disorienting the survivors. These are the zombies attacking the front of the estate.


    The number seemed smaller than the previous horde, but that''s more problematic for Shane.


    After all, this normally means that there be more special zombies in this horde! As expected, the true threat emerged a few minutes after the sh¡ªthe Tyrant Zombies.


    There were twenty of them, towering and moving a bulldozer, with their eyes burning with malevolence.


    From Shane''s point of view, they were like the generals of the undead, orchestrating the horde of Zombies.


    Shane''s jaw clenched. These Tyrant Zombies were not mindless creatures that only acted on instinct, unlike the others¡­ At some point, they were cunning, deliberate, and lethal as they knew how to pick up things to throw or use terrain to their advantage. It was a simple form ofbat intelligence, but it could be very deadly.


    In the meantime, at the eastern side of the estate, the previous thousand wolves was reced by the Cave Dwellers. More than 2,000 dwarf zombies, swarmed out of nowhere!


    Their eyes glowed with blue light, their bony fingers scrabbling at barrier¡­


    Their sheer numbers were overwhelming, and it was difficult topletely clear them up! They might need Shane''s Grenade Launcher once again to clear the area.


    Chaloem and the Eclipse Revenant fought valiantly, their des weaving patterns of death. But the dwarves kepting, their low growls echoing through the night. The castle trembled, its ancient stones cracking under the onught.


    Shane made a decision.


    He signaled to Mara, the methrower wielder to help the eastern side...


    He also threw a pouch of Zombie Cores to her so she could use the Hell''s Fury against the Cave Dweller Zombies.


    Soon, mes erupted, a wall of searing heat that engulfed the Cave Dwellers. Their screams or roars were drowned out by the inferno, their bodies reduced to ash!


    However, Shane didn''t bother much about them as he looked at the advancing Tyrant Zombies!

 Chapter 214: Zombie Wave ( 15 )

    However, Shane didn''t bother much about them as he looked at the advancing Tyrant Zombies!


    He knew very well how tenacious these Zombies were, so he had to make his move while they were still quite far.


    Shane adjusted his Laser Sniper Rifle, his finger on the trigger. He aimed for their heads, knowing that anything less would be futile.


    Shooting their body or limbs would just be a waste of ammunition, and they''d just be more cautious once they got used to his firing speed.


    Thankfully, the reloading time of the Laser Sniper Rifle was quick¡­ He could easily fire three shots in session before he had to wait for 10 seconds to cool it down.


    The shots rang out¡ªone, two, three.


    The three advancing Tyrants staggered, but they didn''t fall. Their decayed flesh smoked, but they kepting! Half of their face was already destroyed! It means that about half of their brains had also been hit!


    ''It seems I have topletely destroy their brain, huh..''


    Shane continued firing and the sound of his Laser Sniper Rifle had even boosted the morale of his defenders!


    ***


    The Aegis Force Barrier trembled as the Runner Zombies crashed on it.


    Their bodies sttered as they got pressed on by the Runner Zombies behind them¡­ This was the reason why the Barrier was also getting strained.


    The defenders on the rampart knew that it wouldn''tst long, so they had to quickly alleviate the pressure on the Barrier. So even if it copsed, the swarm of Zombies would be more bearable for them.


    Crack¡­ Crack¡­ Crack¡­


    As the Barrier started getting cracks, the Zombie Wave surged forward as if they could tell that it was about to get destroyed. The elves, the Super Soldiers, team of crossbowmen, and other fighters were getting pressured.


    But amidst the chaos, they heard it¡ªthe unmistakable hum of Shane''s Laser Sniper Rifle.


    Whoosh~


    Far, the Elf Ranger, squinted against the onught. "That light again¡­ It''s chilling¡­" He muttered, his eyes tracking the sh from above.


    There was no such weapon in the Fairy Realm, so seeing such an advanced weapon made him recall how ignorant he was regarding this world.


    Thalion, the Elf Warrior, grinned. "That''s called Laser Beams," he said. "Those Tyrants don''t stand a chance."


    Lady Seraph, the Royal Knight, adjusted her stance¡­


    "It''s indeed a beam of light," she murmured. "I wonder if I can survive such attack¡­"


    Soon, the Tyrant Zombies staggered, their decayed forms absorbing the impact of the shots. But they didn''t fall¡ªnot yet.


    Their eyes glowed with malevolence, they seemed to be filled with hatred as they advanced.


    There were still twenty of them moving forward! Their vitality, or perhaps, undead body, was too strong!


    Nheless, Shane didn''t stop as he knew very well that he was doing damage against the moving Tyrant Zombies!


    Boom!


    Suddenly, the Barrier finally copsed! It''s not because of the strength of the Runner Zombies but actually from the Cave Dweller Zombies who had pickaxes or various things on their hands!


    However, it doesn''t matter what caused the destruction of the barrier¡­


    At this time, the wooden gate shuddered under the onught of Runner Zombies, their decayed legs pounding against the wood.


    The Jumper Zombies leaped, their elongated limbs reaching for the catwalks and balconies where the defenders stood.


    It didn''t end there¡­ The sher Zombies attacked with their blinding orbs in their heads!


    They shed all at the same time, disorienting the survivors.


    As the barrier was destroyed, the air suddenly reeked of decay assaulting their noses¡­ The elves had to use their affinity to nature once again to ensure they do not get affected by the foul odor¡­


    "Quick¡­"


    Shane''s Laser Sniper Rifle cooled down, and he fired again.


    Three consecutive shots¡ªprecise, calcted. He had already familiarized the movements of the Tyrant Zombies¡­


    Once again, the Tyrants stumbled, their flesh smoking. But they just kepting!


    Shane''s heart raced; he had emptied two Laser Sniper Cell Chargers already¡ªthirty shots fired, and still, there were eight Tyrant Zombies moving forward!


    "It should be fine¡­ My Pets'' Spirit Points had already recovered¡­ They can fight again¡­" Shane muttered as he gave the pets the signal to attack!


    Meanwhile, the Elves, who were swift and the most agile among his fighters, moved to eliminate the sher Zombies¡­


    Their eyes were shielded from the sher Zombies'' blinding shes, using their own techniques¡­


    While the others have Sunsses that could protect them from the shes, Shane didn''t have enough of them since they weren''t thatmon in the Survivor Store either.


    Lady Seraph''s team, on the other hand, targeted the Runner Zombies¡­ Their arrows continuously killed the Zombies¡­


    The Super Soldiers, on the other hand, focused on those leaping Jumper Zombies, ensuring that no zombies could interrupt the range units.


    Nheless, the Tyrant Zombies were their greatest challenge¡ªtheir thick skin and muscles defied the normal arrows, and their massive forms could easily absorb impact.


    "Focus on the Zombies in front¡­ I''ll deal with all of the Tyrant Zombies behind!" Shane instructed as he could see that the others were getting worried about those huge and muscr Tyrant Zombies.


    Huuu~


    Shane reloaded the Laser Sniper Rifle with another Cell Charger¡­ He then adjusted his aim, his finger on the trigger.


    He was already familiar with how the enemies moved. He looked at the injured Tyrant Zombie and then, he fired.


    The Tyrant Zombie''s head, erupted in smoke!


    "Another one down¡­ Seven more to go¡­" Shane muttered as he saw how the Tyrant Zombie copse to the ground.


    At this time, the others focused on what was in their front¡­ They didn''t care about the Tyrant Zombies andpleted trusted Shane!


    Shane didn''t disappoint them as he squeezed the trigger¡ªonest shot¡­


    Bang!


    The final Tyrant Zombie staggered its decayed flesh, smoking. And then, finally, it fell to the ground¡­


    Just like that, Shane eliminated all the Twenty Tyrant Zombies with his Laser Sniper Rifle!


    However, Cloud immediately warned him about the approaching Survivors!

 Chapter 215: New Horde

    The zombies from the second horde hadn''t beenpletely defeated yet when Shane heard Cloud''s warning.


    "Are they bringing their horde to us?" Shane frowned as he already knew about this tactic. It was something that happened in the first Zombie Wave where they cleared the zombie horde meant for other Survivors.


    Anyway, Shane didn''t panic since they were even prepared to face Zombie Waves for ten or more hours.


    Soon, the Elves also noticed the movement of the rushing zombies from afar. Their senses were as sharp as ever.


    It was followed by Gene and Lucas, who were both on the watchtowers. They then used their binocrs and saw the approaching group of Survivors and the zombie horde behind them!


    "This¡­" Gene was shocked at what he saw.


    Shane''s warning at them had been correct¡ªanother group of desperate Survivors, fleeing the surge of Zombie Wave, had sought refuge at their stronghold. That shouldn''t be a problem in normal cases since they have epted other people already.


    However, these neers were not mere refugees; they carried danger with them, a horde of undead chasing after them!


    ng! ng! ng!


    Gene swiftly swung the bell''s pper with urgency.


    The metallic ngs reverberated, alerting everyone within the ramparts. The defenders¡ªSuper soldiers, Elves, and all the battle-hardened survivors¡ªmade haste to eliminate the remaining zombies from their wave.


    A few of them were a bit nervous¡­ Since they felt that if they faced the horde meant for others, they would waste plenty of time, and they may no longer have a chance to eat since their next horde might arrive before they could eliminate the ones brought by the fleeing Survivors!


    "Hmph! We''re going to kill all of them!" Lady Seraph shouted to boost their morale as she noticed her team feeling nervous¡­ They had certainly prepared for this scenario, but reality still sent shivers down their spines. It would be a problem if they didn''t get the 15 to 30 minutes of rest they needed every after a horde was cleared...


    "Let''s quickly finish them up¡­" Shane shouted as he made his move.


    He sprinted toward ramparts and looked at the remaining zombies of their horde¡ªlimping, decayed, and some shers who were hoping to blind him¡­


    He ordered to quickly eliminate those clinging at their palisade while he focused on those behind them.


    Shane''s Grenade Launcher materialized in his hands as he took it out from the system inventory.


    He aimed and swiftly calcted trajectories and fired.


    Bang!


    The explosions rocked the ground while debris rained down.


    The st radius was huge and those closer zombies disintegrated, their bodies torn apart!


    It didn''t end there as Shane continued triggering the Grenade Launcher¡­


    Boom! Boom!


    After this, almost all the remaining enemies, whether they were sher, Jumper, or Runner Zombies, they were all decimated!


    Only a few of them managed to barely hang on to their life.


    Shane then looked at the elves, and they immediately knew what to do¡­


    The elves¡ªswift and agile¡ªdarted among the wreckage.


    The two Warriors went down to kill those who were still moving while the three Rangers used their bows and arrows.


    Twang! Twang!


    Their arrows found their marks and swiftly eliminated the Runner and Jumper Zombies¡­


    The Warriors, on the other hand, had to slice off the heads of the sher Zombies so their orbs won''t get destroyed. That way, Shane would be able to loot themter.


    Of course, Shane''s Grenade Launcher had already destroyed many sher Zombies'' bodies, but it didn''t matter as long as they got 20 or more light orbs so they could use it in the nearbyIron Mine as well.


    The Super Soldiers, on the other hand, quickly moved as well to get the remaining arrows below or to carry some of the zombie''s body inside the estate to be looted by Shane or others.


    After a while, the Survivors from the Tree Houses, led by Elsa and Lily arrived.


    Shane recognized them, so he was a bit unsure of what to do with them¡­ He was initially nning to deny them entry, but looking at their weary faces and pleading eyes. He felt a bit different. Furthermore, he realized that there were only 10 of them right now¡­


    It means that during this Zombie Wave, about half of them had died in the process of fleeing.


    Cassius then waited for Shane''s instructions on whether to open the gate or not.


    After taking a deep breath, Shane made his decision¡­


    "If you want to receive our protection, you have to tell uster all your skills and talents. Furthermore, you will be checked by our physician to see if you have any form of injuries and have already been infected by the Zombies." Shane shouted for the ten people to hear.


    Lily and Elsa didn''t think that Shane''s demand was huge at all. As a matter of fact, Lily and Elsa, the two beautiful leaders of the tree houses shelter, were prepared to offer their bodies to Shane if he requested.


    That was why the two of them felt a bit surprised after hearing his words¡­ They didn''t even have a chance to plead with him to take them inside the estate''s walls!


    "We agree to all your demands! Please help us!" Lily shouted.


    The others, on the other hand, were surprised as they saw the estate.


    Their eyes widened as they took in the stronghold¡ªthe barricades, the cracked Aegis Force Barrier, the huge Super Soldiers, the watchtowers, and the elves moving swiftly were a sight to behold.


    They ran without any breaks for less than an hour, and what they just wanted now was a safe ce to rest. The secured walls of Shane''s estate were certainly a perfect ce to do so.


    Seeing that they have no objections.


    Shane signaled Cassius to open the gates...


    "Wee," he said, his voice steady. "You''re safe here."


    The neers¡ªworn, traumatized¡ªnodded and weakly thanked Shane''s decision to save them... Seeing the opening gates, some of them started tearing up as they realized that they still had a chance to survive...

 Chapter 216: Examine

    After Shane allowed the entry of the ten survivors led by Lily and Elsa, he shifted his attention to the moving Zombies.


    As Shane surveyed the approaching horde, his gaze fell upon the tide of Runner Zombies numbering around 400¡­ Their erratic movements hinted at their frenzied state.


    In front of them were approximately 100Violent Sprinter Zombies, their speed and ferocity posing a significant threat to the defenders. Their force would most likely empty their barrier''s energy once again if they managed to crash their bodies into the Aegis Force¡­


    Yet, it was the ominous presence of theSurvivor Zombies, a formidable force of 10, that sent a chill downShane''s spine.


    Indeed, despite the formidable numbers and varying sses of zombies, it was the small group of about 10Survivor Zombieslingering at the rear of the horde that gaveShanepause.


    Unlike their more mindless counterparts, these zombies retained a semnce of their former selves, their movements deliberate and calcted, and although very far, Shane could tell that their eyes were fixed on him¡­ It was as if they could tell that he was the leader of the group.


    Eldric, the self-proimed strongest Scavenger, held his Kris de tightly. His eyes scanned the horizon. "We''re not getting rest this time, huh¡­" He murmured.


    Lady Seraph, the Royal Knight, cracked her knuckles as she felt that her hands were already getting numb from holding the crossbow¡­


    "Lord Shane, I''ll be switching to my sword¡­"


    "Go ahead!" Shane replied as he didn''t really mind. After all, the number of her arrows may have dwindled a lot, so it was better for the elves and others to use them.


    At this time, Lucas then reminded Cassius to use his other weapon. Well, Cassius'' Nail Bat was already heavily bent after being used so much. He could use other swords or spears that Leo had made but there was something better.


    "Cassius, use that one instead!" Lucas said, pointing at the Chainsaw that was ready below the rampart.


    "Haha! You''re right!" Cassiusughed as he excitedly took the item.


    Soon, the Zombies reached their estate!


    Shane adjusted his stance, his Laser Sniper Rifle cradled in his arms.


    "We can''t underestimate them," he warned. "They seemed more violent after chasing those Survivors¡­ Everyone, don''t becent just because their numbers are low."


    Graaagghhh~


    At this time, the Runner Zombies surged forward, their decayed legs pounding against the palisade. The Violent Sprinters, on the other hand, focused on the wooden gate!


    Their frenzied movements were unsettling, but it was the Survivor Zombies that bothered Shane, so he kept his eyes on them¡­


    They were normally very strong Zombiesparable to Tyrant Zombies since they were different. They were the result of Survivors with Talent who turned into Zombies.


    Their eyes held intelligence or memories that made them more dangerous.


    As the battle began, arrows flew, hitting the heads or bodies of the zombies at the front¡­


    And then, Shane''s Laser Sniper Rifle hummed. He aimed at the Survivor Zombies, who seemed to be strategizing how to bring them down! He had to act quickly!


    ***


    Meanwhile, inside the Springriver Manor, Anna weed the neers with Mr. Wadsworth.


    The ten Survivors who had fled the Zombie Wave was epted by Shane but they still had to do something.


    Anyway, among them were familiar names, as Shane had mentioned them before. They were Lily and Elsa, who had decent talents.


    Lily, with Wood Element Affinity, looked listless. Her eyes were still haunted by the horrors they had witnessed. It also seemed that not all of them managed to survive.


    Elsa, with Water Element Affinity, also looked weak and just barely hanging on.


    Soon, Anna learned their names and talent as they introduced themselves. Some of them had talents like Tailor, Miner, and ountant¡­ They weren''t that great, but there were two of them who caught her attention. They were Jake and Alex.


    Jake, was another Construction Engineer with dirt-streaked sses.


    Alex, the young man with a perpetual frown, had an umon talent called Shadow Mover. His talent only allowed him to control a head-size shadow to either block the target''s vision or to confuse them.


    Anyway, as they entered the newly constructed building meant for lodgings of new recruits, Anna started to carefully observe their bodies.


    Their clothes were torn, and their breaths were ragged and they really needed a rest... Unfortunately, they have toplete her check-up.


    "I know you''re tired but you have to cooperate with me¡­" She said.


    Her white coat was stained with blood, her hands calloused from many examinations, so the others somewhat felt nervous...


    However, they knew that it was necessary.


    Anna had to carefully check their bodies for bites, scratches, or any injuries caused by the Zombies. Any injury left unchecked could spell doom.


    The Zombie Infection could be swift¡ªa single scratch, a drop of infected blood, and a survivor could turn.


    Mr. Wadsworth, the butler, stood by her side.


    "I hope that everyone remains silent unless you''re asked by the doctor so we can be quick."


    His silver hair was impablybed, and his demeanor was definitely calm.


    His eyes scanned the neers, assessing their weariness, their fear. He knew that danger could wear many faces, so he was also being vignt around them.


    Anna led them to an isted room in the newly built building while she allowed others to sit or rest before they were called.


    The survivors sat on wooden benches, their eyes darting between Anna and Mr. Wadsworth.


    Soon, Anna worked methodically.


    She checked each person, her gloved hands gentle yet thorough.


    This time, she chose to examine the two leaders.


    Lily winced as Anna probed her shoulder¡ªa deep bruise from a zombie''s grasp. There was no torn skin, so she was still fine.


    Next, Elsa thenflinched when Anna examined her ankle¡ªa twisted joint from a fall. It was amazing how she was still able to continue running after so long. Of course, aside from examining their injuries, Anna also treated them with her prepared medicines¡­


    After a while, Jake entered the room. Soon, he also winced as Anna cleaned a gash on his forearm. He exined that it was a jagged rock''s handiwork. Anna didn''t think too much of it as she treated the injury.


    And then there was Alex. His eyes darted, and his jaw clenched after Anna looked at him.


    Soon, Anna peeled the front of his shirt, revealing a long scratch across his chest!

 Chapter 217: Injury

    "Branches," Alex mumbled. "I stumbled."


    He replied softly as if he was afraid to be misunderstood.


    However, as Anna was looking at the scratches, her instincts screamed.


    She had seen many types of injuries and he had a bad feeling about this. Furthermore, it wouldn''t be surprising if someone would try to hide their wounds from the Zombies...


    Anna stayed silent for a while before she started cleaning the injury. It certainly doesn''t show that Alex was infected by the Zombies since the injury seemed just like a normal one on the surface.


    However, as Anna looked at her patient, she could tell that Alex''s eyes held secrets¡ªfear, perhaps guilt.


    She then pressed her fingers against the scratch, watching his reaction. He winced, but it was more than pain¡ªit was something else.


    "Branches," he repeated. But his voice doesn''t sound convincing.


    "We were being chased by the Zombies and we didn''t have the time to clear the branches. Believe me."


    As he said this, Anna exchanged a nce with Mr. Wadsworth.


    The butler''s expression was unreadable, but his hand rested on the hilt of a hidden de. In his life before the mysterious gray fog saved him, he had faced traitors numerous times¡ªthose who would risk the manor''s safety for their own survival.


    He knew what to do with these types of people.


    Anna understood what the butler wanted to do, so she quickly turned to the patient.


    "Alex," Anna said softly. "We need the truth. That way, I might find a way to cure you."


    His eyes met hers, and she could tell that Alex had be hesitant. However, Anna remained calm as she waited for him to speak.


    Thankfully, her patience was rewarded as Alex''s eyes only had a flicker of defiance before it was followed by resignation.


    "It wasn''t branches," he confessed. "It was a zombie. I fought it off, but it scratched me. B-but I think I''m not infected. I''m not bitten by the Zombie! I don''t think their nails had the virus anyway¡­ Even if it hurts a little, I think it''s just a bacteria¡­ Nothing to be concerned about.


    Elsa had a minor healing ability, and once she recovers her Spirit Points, she should be able to help me.


    Anna''s heart sank after hearing this.


    There was no way she could ignore this matter, as it could cost the safety of their estate.


    She had to make a quick decision... She nced at Mr. Wadsworth, who nodded imperceptibly.


    Anna then treated the injury with basic medicine before she informed him of what was about to happen.


    "Quarantine," Anna ordered and turned to the butler. "Please take him to the istion ward. We have to ensure that the injury won''t turn him into a Zombie."


    Mr. Wadsworth decided to do this personally as he nned to use the small house where La and Max were previously confined.


    As Alex was led away, the others felt confused. However, a few of them could immediately tell what was going on.


    Alex would probably get executed or imprisoned for some reason.


    Anna then went out of the room and her gaze lingered on the others.


    "If you have hidden injuries, you have to immediately let me know no matter how small it was." She announced while looking Alex, who was taken away.


    The others could only nod and watch silently, showing their expressions of fear and relief.


    ***


    Meanwhile, the battle outside the gate had been nothing but fierce. The Zombie Wave meant for Elsa and Lily''s camp came crashing against the Springriver Manor''s defenses.


    Thankfully, the Zombies Wave wasn''t that strong.


    Shane, with his Laser Sniper Rifle now down to itsst four Cell Chargers, eliminated all the Survivor Zombies.


    However, he knew that it was worth the price.


    The Survivor Zombies he saw seemed too intelligent. Well, it was quite expected since he already faced them before. But the 10 just now seemed to be more dangerous than the Survivor Zombies he had seen before.


    As the dust settled and thest zombie fell, Shane wiped sweat from his brow.


    The Super Soldiers stood alongside him, their bulging muscles still pristine and without any signs of injuries from the zombies...


    "Everyone except for the Super Soldiers will take a break," Shane announced, his voice echoing across the ramparts.


    "Have a quick meal that Alexa prepared. Once you''re done, immediately return to your position."


    The survivors, with their faces etched with exhaustion, nodded gratefully.


    "Thank you, Sir Shane! We will be quick!" Lady Seraph said as she also needed a quick respite.


    "I will just bring my food here while waiting for the third Zombie Horde." Eldric, the scavenger, replied.


    Soon, they filed toward the makeshift dining area, where Alexa hadid out simple rations together with special meals for those who wanted to try.


    The elves, however, weren''t too tired or hungry. They exchanged nces and approached Shane.


    "We''ll assist you," Thalion said, and it seemed that he wouldn''t ept any rejection for this.. "We''re not ready for a break yet. We''re still full of energy. Tell us what we can do to help you."


    The other elves nodded at this, sharing the same sentiment.


    Shane nodded. "Alright," he said. "Gather mid-tier Zombies in one location so I can loot them quickly."


    The elves and the Super Soldiers then moved quickly to follow hismand.


    They herded the fallen zombies¡ªRunners, Jumpers, and shers¡ªinto a pile.


    Soon, Shane knelt beside them, his gloved hands touching them a little before triggering the system.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 5.5 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Stale Bread x1, 100mL Runner Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    This was themon loot for the Runner Zombies.


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x1, 500mL Water, Bread x1, 100mL Jumper Zombie Blood, Strength Enhancement Bottle x1 ]


    This was the loot he obtained for the Jumper Zombies, and then he looted the sher Zombies.


    [ You have earned 10 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x2, 500mL water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, 100mL sher Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Light Orb x1 ]

 Chapter 218: Metal

    Once again, Shane obtained a lot of Unknown but safe meat from the sher Zombies. Then, he also gained hundreds of Strength Enhancement Bottles!


    At this point, he was worried that he would get addicted to this drug, which could make him stronger!


    Anyway, now that he had a lot of these


    Of course, Shane didn''t loot all of Jumper Zombies as they could give a decent experience to others. There were also too many of them, and he didn''t mind giving them to others.


    Then, after feeling satisfied, he also started looting the Zombies they had killed earlier.


    They were the 20 Tyrant Zombies that he had also eliminated using his Laser Sniper Rifle.


    Shane then swiftly looted these zombies and obtained incredible rewards.


    [ You have earned 55 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x2, Zombie Cores x2, Bread x2, 100mL Tyrant Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Corrupted Hearthstone x1 ]


    Then, after he looted the 17th Tyrant Zombie, Shane received a notification from the system!


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ You are now level 24. ]


    [ You have obtained 90% Off Vouchers x3 ]


    "Three 90 percent off vouchers? Not bad¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the simple reward that was given to him after advancing to a new level.


    He wasn''t disappointed with this, and he was even quite d. After all, his level 22 reward had given him a lot more options in the Survivor Store, and he knew that he would be spending tons of Zombies Cores because of that.


    The vouchers he obtained just now would be a great help for him in saving more cores.


    Finally, he started looting the 10 Survivor Zombies.


    [ You have earned 60 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Cores x2, 500mL Water, Bread x5, Revolver ( Umon ), Deadly Punch Skill, Smelly Breath Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Smelly Breath Talent ( Umon ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Smelly Breath Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 4 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    With this, Shane looted skills like Climbing, Mining, Tracking, Firearm Mastery, and others that he already had, so it was quite disappointing. It was the same with the talents since they were only Umon or Rare ones. They weren''t impressive at all.


    Even the random items were quite simple, like a revolver, a piece of clothing, a bag, or even some essories.


    Nheless, thest Survivor Zombie he looted was quite special.


    [ You have earned 60 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Cores x2, 500mL Water, Bread x5, Polymorphium Metal x5, Mining Skill, Random Luck Talent ]


    The Polymorphium Metal had certainly intrigued Shane so he quickly checked it in his inventory.


    [ Polymorphium Metal: This is an epic and mysterious raw material coveted by master cksmiths for its unique properties. Found only in the deepest caverns of the world, this enigmatic metal possesses the extraordinary ability to change its shape and form in response to external stimuli.


    Remarks: Crafting withPolymorphium Metalrequires a certain level of skill, as the metal itself seems to possess a will of its own. Only the most talented cksmiths can harness its potential, unlocking the true extent of its capabilities.


    Hint: Weapons forged fromPolymorphium Metal could shift it form. From a razor-sharp sword to a mighty warhammer, or even a defensive shield in the blink of an eye. The wielder''s will bes the catalyst for the metal''s transformation, granting them unparalleled flexibility and strategic advantage on the battlefield. ]


    "A weapon that can change its shape?" Shane''s eyes widened after he saw its description!


    There were even five units of this metal! He just hit a jackpot!


    As expected, these Survivor Zombies were generous!


    He wanted to take a quick look on it, so he swiftly retrieved the item from his Inventory.


    Soon, he held a stone that was the size of three adult''s fists.


    His fingers brushed against it, and it had a cool, metallic surface.


    It actually seemed like an unassuming piece of metal. He could barely hold it with one hand but with his current strength, it was quite easy to life.


    "What is it?" Eldrin asked, peering over his shoulder. This elf seemed really curious as he could feel something off from this metal.


    Shane turned it in his hand. "A polymorphium metal¡­ It''s also the first time I''ve seen this" he said. "It can change shape¡ªmorph into different forms. Imagine the possibilities."


    The elves exchanged nces. "That''s very interesting¡­ It could be a useful tool for cksmiths or carpenters as well." Thalionmented after some thoughts.


    "I''m thinking of making weapons out of this but that made sense."


    Shane then shrugged. "We''ll find out," he said. "But for now, let''s keep it close. I still have to ask if Leo can work on this one. It has a high requirement before it can be forged."


    The elves were curious about this metal since even in their Fairy Realm, there was nothing simr to this kind of item.


    Anyway, after the Zombies were looted, Gene soon approached Shane and whispered the news to him.


    "What?" Shane was shocked.


    There were actually two individuals from the Survivors they rescued who were injured by Zombies and had the possibility of turning!


    These two are Alex and Rahman...


    Alex had scratches of zombies on his chest while Rahman''s ankles was held by a Crawler Zombie to the point that it started bleeding. It could be seen that the Crawler Zombie''s hands dug deep into Rahman''s ankles!


    They were currently isted, and they wanted to ask Shane what to do with them.


    "Alex and Rahman," Shane repeated, his mind racing.


    He knew that he could not ignore or take this matter lightly. The undead''s curse or virus could be swift and unforgiving.


    "Take me to them." Shane said as he also started talking to Cloud.

 Chapter 219: Respite

    Cloud had already studied the blood of numerous variants of Zombies, including the human blood. Shane wanted to know whether the A.I. had the capability to know whether the virus actually infected the Survivors they were about to meet.


    [ I will check their condition, but I can''t guarantee to get an urate result. ]


    "What are the chances?" Shane asked.


    [ If the Zombies that infected them were in my database, I have a 76% chance of knowing whether they got infected or not ]


    "That''s not really bad. I''ll take that." Shane replied as he felt more confident meeting these injured survivors.


    Soon, Shane made his way to the isted rooms where Alex and Rahman were being held.


    Their condition was a matter not to be taken lightly, as the progression of the zombie virus could be swift and merciless.


    Stepping into the quarters,Shane''s eyes scanned the room meticulously, taking note of the surprisingly decent amodations whereAlexandRahmanwere confined.


    ''I didn''t know they fixed this ce already. Is this supposed to be a guest room?'' Shane mused.


    There was amplight made from the orb of the sher Zombie that bathed the room in a warm glow. The room was also decorated with various things that had been recovered in the manor''s storage room. There were some old paintings and some furniture that had been repaired.


    AlexandRahmay onfortable beds with plush nkets, their faces disying a mix of relief and apprehension atShane''s arrival.


    ''Is this prepared by Anna?'' Shane mused as he realized that the air was infused with a faint scent ofvender, a subtle attempt to mask the underlying tension that permeated the room.


    Well, it was quite effective since the scent was indeed quite calming.


    Drawing closer to the two survivors,Shaneobserved them intently, searching for any revealing signs ofzombification.


    Despite their injuries, there were no immediate indications of the transformation taking hold. Their breathing was steady, and their skin, though marked by wounds, retained its natural color.


    "Cloud¡­ Help me here¡­ Do you notice any signs of zombification?" Shane asked.


    [ Scanning¡­ ]


    AsCloud continued with the investigation, he couldn''t help but admire the efforts made to provide a semnce offort in their temporary confinement.


    This was certainly a good thing since these people wouldn''t feel too angry about their treatment once it was confirmed that they were not infected.


    [ Scanplete. ]


    [ No zombification has been identified. However, 72 hours of observation is required since Survivors from Earth appear to have a strong resistance against the virus itself. ]


    Cloud reported after doing some calctions.


    "Seventy-two hours, huh¡­ Do we have some sort of mutation?" Shane muttered to himself, but he immediately paused.


    There was certainly some sort of mutation in their bodies! After all, they could gain survivor skills that could help them survive longer and mysterious talents that could make them special from other survivors! There was also a leveling system that made them stronger.


    With that in consideration, it wasn''t surprising that they were already considered mutated humans at this point.


    "That''s alright, Cloud. We will just continue observing them for now."


    Shane observed Alex and Rahman for a bit more, and from their eyes, he noted the absence of immediate zombification signs.


    Of course, he was also quite puzzled by the dyed transformation, if they would really turn into a zombie. However, this might turn out to be their biggest in finding


    Nheless, theck of direct zombie bites, he contemted the potential oues. Although hopeful that they might not turn at all, the risk was too great to ignore.


    After careful consideration, Shane assigned two farmers under Ewan. They would stand guard over Alex and Rahman, with strict instructions to notify Mr. Wadsworth, the butler, at the first sign of infection.


    "We will watch them, Lord Shane!"


    "We won''t take our eyes off of them."


    Vignce was paramount in containing any potential threat. They knew how important this task was. Of course, Shane gave the two some food and even a Spirit Enhancement Potions.


    After that, to bolster the others'' readiness, Shane also distributed some Spirit Enhancement Potions and Strength Enhancement Potions among them, ensuring they were equipped to utilize their Survivor Skills, Talents, and Weapon Skills effectively in the uing challenges. He gave these potions to the elves, the members of the Eclipse Revenant, the Super Soldiers, and the rest of the defenders.


    With preparations in ce, Shinja, the warlord entrusted with guarding the manor''s rear, approached Shane.


    "Mhmm? Is something wrong?" Shane asked. Shinja approached him with weariness visible in his eyes. It seemed that it was from the intensity of his recent battle.


    "I eliminated two other Hunter Zombies. I left them at the back of the manor," Shinja stated, his voice carrying a tinge of fatigue from the encounter.


    Shane''s brows furrowed in concern as he processed the information.


    The emergence of more high-tier Zombies posed a significant threat. The safety of his allies, including Shinja, was important.


    "Again? And two more high-tier Zombies at that? Are you alright?" he inquired, his worry evident as he addressed Shinja''s well-being.


    With a stoic nod, Shinja reassured Shane of his condition, his demeanor reflecting a blend of exhaustion and resilience.


    "I''m fine... It was tough dealing with two of them, but it''s alright¡­ I''m going to use these potions you gave us¡­ Well, I can probably deal against five of them at the same time." He affirmed, his words tinted with a hint of pride at oveing the formidable adversaries.


    "That''s incredible¡­ However, I will ask another person to help you guard the back of the manor. How about La?"


    "That Psychic? I heard she got new weapons." Shinjamented¡­


    "Yes, they''re made of Starlight Silver¡­ I''m sure that she won''t be a burden if she stays in a distance." Shane replied.


    "If that''s the case, I guess it would be a lot easier for me¡­" Shinja smiled and finally agreed with Shane.


    "Alright, take some rest while the third horde hasn''t arrived them. I''ll also check the corpses now¡­ " Shane said as he made his way to the rear of the manor where the defeated High-Tier Zombiesy.

 Chapter 220: Tremble

    Approaching the twoHunter Zombies,Shaneobserved the aftermath of the battle.


    Simr toShinja''s previous encounter, the creatures met their demise throughdecapitation, which shows that Shinja had truly learned how to effectively eliminate them with his formidable skills.


    As he surveyed the scene, he could somewhat understand how the battle started and ended. Well, he knew about Shinja''s skills, as they had been shown to him before, so he was able to make a decent guess.


    Just a while ago, he had looted the Hunter Zombie using the Timepiece that multiplies his loot by five. Thanks to that, he had gained a decent amount of items.


    It was unfortunate that he could not use the Timepiece again, but he was still happy since these two were still high-tier Zombies.


    [ You have earned 55 Experience Points. ] x2


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x5, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x5, 100mL Hunter Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Shadowcloak x1, Silent Strider Boots x1, Hunter''s Heart Amulet x1, Great Hunter Bow x1 ]


    Shane was already wearing the Silent Strider Boots, which have Ghost Walk and Nimble Escape Skills. As for the Shadowcloak, he had actually decided not to wear this item since his Armor and Tunic would lose their effects.


    His Shadowmeld Tunic and Enchanted Chitin te were both from the Crypt Crawler Zombies. The armor te provides him 5 Points regeneration per minute while the tunic provides him jumping boost, evasion, and stealth aside from its Shadowmeld effect.


    These skills were a lot more useful during the Zombie Wave.


    Nheless, if he decided to leave this stronghold to explore the world, he would probably use the Shadowcloak from the Hunter Zombie instead.


    After looting these zombies, Shane checked the others'' condition.


    During this time, he confirmed that Max still had plenty of bullets for his Machine Gun, the members of the Eclipse Revenant only needed the Spirit Enhancement Potions, the elves just needed more arrows with their Great Hunter Bow, and the other fighters had no injuries whatsoever aside from having some muscle pains that Anna could easily cure with her set of medicines.


    Soon, everyone returned to their positions.


    As the third horde of theZombie Waveapproached theSpringriver Manor, everyone already feltposed, and they were no longer feeling nervous.


    GeneandLucasstood vignt atop their respective watchtowers, their eyes scanning the horizon for the signs of the impending threat.


    In the distance, the unmistakable silhouettes of Runner and Jumper Zombies emerged, their movements were familiar, and it seemed that they would have the same set of zombies but with arger number.


    "Here theye¡­" Gene muttered as he looked at the zombies with his binocrs.


    Once again, amidst the ranks of the Runner and Jumper Zombies, a group of hulking Spitter Zombies lumbered forward, their bloated forms struggling to keep pace with their more agile counterparts.


    However, their presence was terrifying than ever as they leaked acid all over the ce.


    The grotesque sight of their bloated bodies oozing with toxic bile added a certain horror to the unfolding scene¡­


    "There are no high-tier Zombies in sight¡­" Lucas reported.


    As the defenders of theSpringriver Manorbraced themselves for the inevitable sh, a few of them started praying, hoping for their sess.


    With weapons at the ready and tactics in ce, the defenders stood united against the zombies¡­


    Soon, the third zombie wave shed against the barrier of the castle.


    ***


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the tired defenders ofShane''s shelter, a sense of impending dread settled over the makeshift fortress.


    Everyone was exhausted physically and mentally after long hours of battle. The 15 to 20 minutes break that they could sometimes have were not enough at all.


    Five hours had slipped by since the third harrowing sh with the undead, leaving a mere five hours remaining until the end of the relentlessZombie Wave.


    With each passing moment, the defenders grew increasingly aware of the dwindling resources at their disposal.


    The absence ofPower Coresto fuel their barrier generators, theAegis Force, and theBulwark Beaconleft them vulnerable to the relentless onught of the undead.


    The looming threat of the nextZombie Hordesbore down upon them like a heavy weight, their defenses teetering on the brink of copse.


    Amidst the grim atmosphere of impending doom,Alexa, their steadfast chef, emerged with a steaming pot of instant noodles¡ªa humble reprieve amidst the chaos that surrounded them.


    Nheless, these noodles were not underestimated because they came from the Survivor Store.


    The savory aroma wafted through the air, offering a brief respite from the harshness of battle as everyone gathered to partake in the nourishing meal that promised to replenish their stamina and rejuvenate their weary bodies.


    "We haven''t used thest set of traps in ce¡­ We should be fine even without the barrier this time¡­ We can also repair the traps once we clear the next horde quickly." Lady Seraph said as she knew about the arranged traps that cksmith Leo and Engr. Eliot had arranged.


    "I hope we''ll just face those Jumper and Runner Zombies again¡­ Zombie Wolves were okay too." Thalion agreed¡­"


    "Haa! Those Cave Dwellers were too tough! Their skin were like made of alligator''s leather! I think my sword has be dull already." Eldricmented.


    As they savored theforting warmth of the noodles, small talks rted to the zombies they faced filled the air, a fleeting moment of normality in the midst of chaos.


    Stories were shared,ughter rang out, and a sense of unity blossomed among those who stood shoulder to shoulder against the tides of darkness.


    Well, this was their only moment of respite and now that the barrier was gone, it was possible to have casualties soon. It wouldn''t be surprising if some of them died before the end of the Zombie Wave.


    Nheless, Shane already confirmed that Lily and Elsa''s team had rested enough and they would soon join the defense. Because of that, Shane felt more confident that they would be able to clear this Zombie Wave.


    However, tranquility was short-lived as the earth began to tremble beneath their feet, a foreboding sign of the approaching horror.


    GeneandLucas were already perched high in thewatchtower and ryed a chilling report that sent a shiver down the spines of all who heard it.

 Chapter 221: The Seventh Horde

    The seventh horde was unlike any they had faced before¡ªnot a vast horde of lesser undead, but four toweringGiant Zombieswhose colossal forms loomed ominously above the canopy of trees!


    Indeed, these Giant Zombies'' heads could be seen above the trees!


    "This¡­" Gene and Lucas were momentarily speechless but they still reported what they had seen.


    They were both aware that Shane had previously defeated a Giant Zombie when he explored further away from their estate. He was together with the Elves and the two powerful summons.


    As everyone here their report, Max, who was on the watchtower on the other side of the estate, also reported the presence of a single Giant Zombie¡­


    "Shinja¡­ We will be focusing our force against these Zombies. I want you to ensure that no other zombies would get in the way." Shane immediately said to Shinja.


    Although Shinja would probably be a huge help for them once he joined, Shane was worried that no one else would be able to handle any Hunter Zombies that might sneak inside their estate.


    It would be a disaster if such a high-tier Zombie were able to cause havoc inside their territory, especially now that their estate had no working barriers.


    "I understand¡­ I will keep monitoring the whole estate and ensure that no other zombies reach our shelter." Shinja replied


    Boom~


    The ground rumbled beneath their feet as theGiant Zombiesdrew nearer, their massive frames silhouetted against the darkening sky¡­


    As Shane looked at them, these Giant Zombies were definitely different from the one he had defeated before. The eyes of these Giant Zombies were glinting with malevolent intent. As if they couldn''t wait to crash their shelter.


    "Lily and Elsa, bring your team to the other side and help the Monk''s team to fight the Giant Zombie. We will be fine here." Shane instructed.


    "I understand."


    "We will follow yourmand." The two replied in unison.


    "Great¡­ Once you defeated the Giant Zombie, tell Chaloem toe here." Shane said, but the two seemed confused. Shane then realized that they did not know this person, so he quickly exined.


    "Chaloem was the Monk you''ve seen a while ago."


    With this rification, the two of them nodded and immediately left the area while their team followed. They also didn''t want to face the four Giant Zombies, so it was a win-win situation for them.¡­ They could only hope that Shane had a trump card to deal with this.


    Meanwhile, Lady Seraph and the other defenders exchanged nervous nces. Nheless, they didn''t show signs of wanting to flee. They were steeling themselves for the imminent sh with foes whose sheer size posed a threat unlike anything they had encountered thus far.


    As the echoes of their approach grew louder, a sense of tension in the atmosphere settled overShane''s shelter.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The Giant Zombies started moving closer.


    As the shadows lengthened and the ominous silhouettes of the Giant Zombies loomed closer,Shane''s voice rang out for everyone to here...


    "We can''t allow these Giant Zombies to reach our walls and destroy them! Another horde awaits us after this battle! We need to move! Prepare yourselves!"Shane thenmanded the five elves and the six Super Soldiers to stand as one against the towering undead behemoths threatening their estate.


    Indeed,Shanedirected the elves and Super Soldiers to form a strategic line, positioning themselves a hundred meters from the massive adversaries.


    The elves, armed with the newly acquiredGreat Hunter Bows, expected this move since they already lost their Barrier. They could not let such a huge zombie get close to their wooden walls.


    Anyway, their weapons were enhanced to deliver devastating blows with a +40% Damage boost, +20% Critical Chance, +25% Range, and +15% Reload Speed, in addition to the formidable Piercing Shot Skill at their disposal. They were confident that they would do more damage against these Zombies.


    In contrast, the Super Soldiers stood in front while their hands encased in Gauntlets forged from the Abyssal Iron, each pair meticulously crafted by the skilled hands ofcksmith Leoto a Master-Grade quality.


    The gleam of the dark metal wasn''t just a decoration; it provided formidable strength and resilience against any corrosion¡­


    As the tension grew,Shanestepped to the forefront, cloaked in theEthereal Cloak of Shadowsthat granted him the elusive Perfect Shadowmeld Skill, blending seamlessly with the darkness around him. His hands encased in theGauntlets of Titan Strength, imbuing him with an additional 70% of his already formidable might¡­ These two are the items he had obtained in the secret shop before.


    As for the Sniper Rifle, however, Shane had given it to Lucas for now. It must be remembered that Lucas had a level 10 Firearm Mastery as a previous soldier. Shane trusts that this man would be able to find the perfect timing to fire the limitedser charge that they have.


    "Alright¡­ The five elves will take the Giant Zombie on the left¡­ The six Super Soldiers will split into two groups to deal with the other two¡­ I will handle thest Giant Zombie. Lucas will support us with the rifle if you''re in a tough spot, so don''t lose hope." Shane reminded.


    With a shared nod of understanding, the defenders braced themselves for the impending sh¡­


    Soon, as the trees blocking the path of the Giant Zombies were felled, everyone''s eyes were fixed on the Giant Zombies.


    The Giant Zombies then momentarily looked at the people blocking their path before they rushed at them!


    As the earth trembled beneath the weight of the Giant Zombie''s advance, everyone tightened their hold on their weapons¡­


    As they got closer, the sh began with a thunderous roar as arrows loosed from the Great Hunter Bows of the elves hit one of the Giant Zombie''s vital parts, but it waspletely ignored! It was as if the arrow couldn''t hit deeper enough to cause serious damage!


    The Super Soldiers, on the other hand, surged forward; their Abyssal Iron Gauntlets shed against the grabbing palms of the Giant Zombies, delivering powerful blows that reverberated through the battlefield.

 Chapter 222: Missing Apocalypse

    Shane then focused on the Giant Zombie that he had assigned to himself.


    "I already defeated one before¡­ I can do this¡­" Shane muttered to himself as he felt a little nervous facing such a huge Zombie. No matter how strong he was, facing against an opponent that was five times or more of his size, was still quite nerve-wracking. After all, a single mistake, might cost him his life.


    Although he had a high Vitality and Strength, he knew that getting stomped by this Giant Zombie would still hurt or probably kill him¡­ He didn''t want to test it out.


    As everyone charged forward to fight their designated Giant Zombie, Shanenoticed that the Giant Zombie that was left alone was also looking at him. It was as if he knew that Shane was the one assigned to fight against him!


    "I guess you''re not just big, huh¡­ You have intelligence¡­"


    With hisGauntlet of Strengthsecurely fastened and hisMaster Grade Hatchetgripped tightly in his hand,Shanesteeled himself for the daunting challenge ahead.


    The Giant Zombie loomed overShane, its massive form casting a shadow that seemed to engulf him in darkness.


    "Let''s do this¡­" Undeterred by the creature''s sheer size and strength,Shanegripped his weapon tightly and made his move¡­


    He wanted to ensure that this Giant Zombie would not ignore more and try to bypass him to destroy the estate.


    With a stomp,Shanedarted forward, his footsteps light and nimble as he closed the distance between himself and the towering undead foe.


    The Giant Zombie swung a massive fist inShane''s direction, but with a deft sidestep and a quick leap,Shaneevaded the attack,nding gracefully on the creature''s outstretched arm before springing off with acrobatic finesse.


    Of course, Shane had Parkour, Aura of Protection, and Climbing Skills, so he was able to do this effortlessly¡­ Without such skills, other might have trouble copying his move.


    Taking advantage of his smaller size and enhanced agility,Shanedanced around the Giant Zombie, as it tried catching him!


    Thankfully, his Parkour Skill worked to its limit as he was able to dodge the Zombie''s attempt to grab him! Furthermore, his Gauntlet of Strength had an Unbreakable Grip skill!


    As Shane got a better position, he started using his hatchet!


    He didn''t bother saving his Spirit Points on this one!


    Each swing of his hatchet, he unleashed its effects! Each strike was imbued with the Ice and Fire effects, the weapon crackling with elemental power as it bit into the undead flesh of his opponent!


    As the Ice effect took hold, the Giant Zombie shuddered as a frosty chill enveloped its decaying form, slowing its movements and leaving it vulnerable toShane''s relentless assault.


    The Fire effect followed suit, engulfing the creature in mes that caused it to thrash but not enough to cause a huge burden to the Giant Zombie¡­ After all, it doesn''t really feel the pain!


    Thanks to that, the fire easily spread! It had even affected a nearby Giant Zombie as it thrashed its hand!


    Shane continued to draw from hisSpirit Points as he unleashed a series of elemental attacks, each strike infused with the power of ice and fire, driving the Giant Zombie back!


    "Not yet over!"


    Shane gained more confidence after realizing that his agility and strength were higher than this Giant Zombie!


    With each calcted move,Shaneexploited the creature''s vulnerabilities, striking the joints of the Giant Zombie to make it kneel! Then, with the sharpness of his hatchet, he started to whittle away its formidable defenses.


    Despite the odds stacked against him,Shanefought with extreme focus as he didn''t even notice the battle around him!


    He was focused on bringing down the Zombie in front of him!


    With a final, decisive blow,Shanedelivered a devastating strike that shattered the Giant Zombie''s skull!


    However, it wasn''t enough to prate its brain, so he had to burn its brain to crisp topletely kill kit!


    Boom!


    At the same time that the Zombie dropped to the ground, he received a notification from the system.


    [ You have eliminated a Giant Zombie. ]


    "I did it¡­ That was easier than I thought¡­" Shane muttered but he would probably receive hatefulments if he said that in the Regional Chat. After all, the Giant Zombie wasn''t easy to kill, especially if it was a one-on-one duel!


    Shanestood victorious, his chest heaving with exertion, but his spirit undaunted.


    With a nod of satisfaction, he turned his gaze to the ongoing struggle around him, ready to lend his strength and skill to hispanions.


    After seeing that they were doing fine and were already about to win, Shane decided to loot the Giant Zombie.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]x2


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x5, Zombie Cores x5, 100mL Giant Zombie Blood, Spirit Breakthrough Bottle x2, Decayed Giant''s Tooth, Giant''s Hide, Titan''s Elixir, Giant''s Heart ]


    As soon as hepleted this looting process, Shane wanted to celebrate, but to his surprise, he finally leveled up!


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ You have unlocked the Auto-Loot Function within a 5-meter radius. ]


    [ Hint: It only works for targets eliminated by yourself or your subordinates. It doesn''t work if the target of the Auto-Loot is killed by nmates. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first Survivor to reach level 25 ]


    [ You have earned 10 Reputation Points. ]


    [ You have obtained three Upgraded Gift Packs as a reward: Rare Entertainment Gift Pack, Rare Medical Gift Pack, and Rare Transport Gift Pack. ]


    "Awesome! Auto and another set of Rare Gift Packs¡­" Shane was delighted to see the items he just obtained by leveling up.


    However, it didn''t end there as A.I. Cloud suddenly spoke.


    [ Congrattions on reaching Level 25. You have unlocked the ability to activate 2 Memory Spheres, along with a message from Shane Wells, who had chosen the Fairy Realm Collision. ]


    Shane''s curiosity was piqued as he pondered the significance of the message.


    "Tell me the message, Cloud..."


    [ "Be wary of the other Apocalypse Ender. The one who ended the missing ninth apocalypse: Vampire''s Rise." ]

 Chapter 223: The Ninth Apocalypse

    A few moments ago, while Shane was busy with the notification he had received from the system, his team was actually doing well in the battle.


    The reason was simple: Shane''s Aura of Protection was still active.


    [ Aura of Protection Lv10 (Max): The Survivor emits a protective aura that shields a small area from harm, deflecting attacks, curses, or environmental hazards while providing security to allies within its range.


    Cost: 50 Spirit Points/minute ]


    Lastly, Shane was actually wearing his Leader''s Crown!


    [ Leader''s Crown ( Master ): Amanding headpiece fashioned from the crown of a fallen Crypt Crawler Leader. Its jagged design intimidates foes, while the embedded gems enhance the wearer''s cognitive abilities.


    Effects: +40% damage resistance against headshots, +30% improved vision in low light conditions.


    Special Effect:


    Command: Increases the wearer''s influence over allied units, boosting their morale andbat efficiency. Grants +20% to allied attack speed and critical chance.


    Cost: 15 Spirit Points/minute ]


    With the effect of these two items, everyone was able to fight against the Giant Zombies surprisingly well!


    A group of three Super Soldiers led by Mara was able to bring down Giant Zombie with their Abyssal Iron Gauntlets!


    They targeted Mara and distracted the Zombie while the other two worked together to destroy the knees of the Zombies!


    They delivered powerful blows with practiced movement!


    Meanwhile, another group of three Super Soldiers that was led by Cassius, engaged in a fierce skirmish with a second Giant Zombie.


    Cassius, known for his brute force techniques, even dared to grab the Giant Zombie''s wrist with his two arms to drag it down!


    The two others also grabbed the ankles of the Giant Zombie to put it out of bnce!


    Once it was down, it would be a lot easier to slowly break the Giant Zombie!


    Together, they unleashed powerful punches as their gauntlets struck the joints, eyes, and ankles of the Zombie to ensure that it wouldn''t have any more strength to stand up!


    Not far away, the five Elves, led by Eldrin, shed with a third Giant Zombie. TheirGreat Hunter Bowshummed as they rained arrows upon the undead behemoth''s head!


    Eldrin guided hisrades as they coordinated their attacks to ensure maximum damage!


    With the high Critical Rate, they were able to cause massive damage just from a volley of arrows!


    The Elves whittled away at the Giant Zombie''s defenses and slowly brought it down!


    ***


    It was at this time that Shane was able to listen to the message he left for himself.


    "What?" Shane was stunned as soon as he heard the message from the Cloud¡ªNo, to be exact, a message from him, who had chosen the Fairy Realm Collision or the second Apocalypse in his choice.


    "Be wary of the other Apocalypse Ender. The one who ended the missing ninth Apocalypse: Vampire''s Rise." Shane repeated as he realized that the mystery of their selection grew deeper.


    "Cloud, is that all? No other exnation?" Shane asked¡­ At this time, he also recalled the first message he received for himself. It was the message telling him not to survive the Apocalypse but to end it!


    ''It seems that there''s a huge consequence if I fail to end an Apocalypse and just survive it.'' He mused.


    [ That is all the message you left after reaching level 25. If you want to hear all the other messages that you''ve arranged for yourself, then level up quickly. ] Cloud replied.


    "Why did I even do that? Ugh¡­" Shane shook his head as he could only think that it was to encourage him to level up instead of justzying around after bing strong.


    Anyway, the message was truly an eye-opener for him.


    After all, he had never considered that there was a ninth apocalypse.


    He recalled that there were A.I. Rebellion, Alien Invasion, Demon Invasion, Dragon Awakening, Fairy Realm Collision, Magic War, Ragnarok, and Zombie Outbreak.


    There were a total of eight of them.


    Now that he thinks about it, Vampire-Themed Apocalypse should also have a ce in the options, but it wasn''t there at all.


    ''Right, are there other Apocalypses I''m missing out?'' Shane mused as he tried to recall the different kinds of End of the World themes aside from the ones he already knew about¡­


    He then recalled some Asteroid-Themed Armageddon or Nuclear Holocaust that caused resource depletion.


    ''Ugh¡­ I''m thinking too much¡­'' Shane shook his head as he should just prepare little by little.


    Now that he knew about the existence of other Apocalypse Ender, he had to prepare himself. Since he received a warning about this Ender, he could only guess that this person would cause trouble or even hunt him because he had somehow ended the two other Apocalypses.


    ''Will they even know about me? When will I encounter this person anyway?''


    At this time, he recalled the Elf Administrator¡­


    Since he had received rewards from the two other Apocalypses, the other Ender might have a way of detecting his abnormality, just like how the Elf Admin detected his connection to the Fairy Realm.


    ''I wonder what kind of skill that person had if he could end the Vampire''s Rise¡­ Why did it not appear in the options at first? Does it mean that he ended the Vampire''s Rise Apocalypse before we even started the Apocalypse?'' Shane mused as he couldn''t help but think that there were other batches of humans or perhaps even another that had encountered the same deal with them!


    "Ugh¡­ It''s too much spection¡­ I should focus on the matter at hand." Shane muttered to himself as he looked at the defeated Giant Zombies.


    Indeed, as he surveyed the battlefield, a surge of pride swelled within him as he confirmed that thebined efforts of hispanions bore fruit.


    They managed to defeat high-tier Zombies by working together!


    "Everyone, I would like you to gain experience points as well, but I need to level up faster. I will be looting them for now. Later on, you can continue looting the low-tier and some mid-tier Zombies." Shane said to the group of elves and Super Soldiers who had just won the battle.

 Chapter 224: Unknown Zombie

    As they heard Shane''s demand, the Elves and the Super Soldiers didn''t mind.


    After all, they knew that if Shane got stronger, the estate would be safer. They also knew about Shane''s unique ability, which allowed him to get more items if he was the one looting the Zombies.


    Although Shane wasn''t telling them about his mysterious talent, they were already somewhat aware of it as they had observed him for some time.


    As Shane was about to loot the Zombies, a rushing figure suddenly arrived at the rampart of the estate.


    He was Chaloem, the monk assigned to lead the defense at the other side of the estate.


    His arrival here was supposed to assist them against the Giant Zombies. However, it must be done once they defeat the Giant Zombie on the other side.


    "I guess they already defeated the Giant Zombie there, huh¡­ Not bad." Shane muttered as he felt relieved at this news. Visit m,v le,mpyr today


    Shane then looted the three Giant Zombies, and they all gave him simr loot.


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]x2


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x5, Zombie Cores x5, 100mL Giant Zombie Blood, Spirit Breakthrough Bottle x2, Decayed Giant''s Tooth, Giant''s Hide, Titan''s Elixir, Giant''s Heart ]


    "I think I have enough Breakthrough Bottles once again..." Shane muttered after realizing that he had gained eight more of them just like that. As for the Giant Zombie on the other side, he would allow Raze or any one of them to loot that Zombie since they also needed to level up¡­


    Next time, he wanted the Solo Leaderboard Rankings to be filled with the members of the Eclipse Revenant, so they would have to loot as much Zombie as they could.


    However, Shane went silent as realization crept into him¡­ They still have several hours before the end of the Zombie Wave. It means they would face a horde of zombies that was more dangerous than this!


    Perhaps they might be dealing with 10 Giant Zombies or possibly a bunch of Flesh Puker Zombies with their Flesh Armors on!


    Shane had to prepare for the worst!


    ***


    A few moments ago, whileShaneand hisrades were fighting against the Giant Zombies at the estate''s front and eastern perimeter,Shinja andLa themselves face to face with a singr, formidable adversary.


    Shinja was still armed with his twin poison des, and he held it tightly after seeing the opponent.


    "This is unusual¡­"


    He felt a flicker of uncertainty at the sight before him. After winning against a group of Hunter Zombies in the past few hours, he was puzzled at the sight of a single Hunter Zombie this time¡­


    "Mhmmm?"


    AsShinjaclosely assessed the situation, he realized that the seventh horde should not have weakened in intensity.


    On the contrary, each wave of zombies typically grew stronger leading up to the final horde...


    Sensing the anomaly, he cautionedLa, who had six knives floating around her. It was the six Starry Night Knives that she had used to kill the Alpha Wolf with Chaloem and the others.


    "It''s not a Hunter Zombie,"ShinjaalertedLa, his voice hinted the danger they were facing right now.


    The unknown Zombie in front of them bore a striking resemnce to its hunter counterparts, yet its arsenal differed significantly!


    Boom!


    A long stee-like whip attacked them, and they were able to dodge it thanks to their quick reflex¡­


    Instead of razor-sharp ws that the Hunter Zombies used, it wielded elongated steel-like tongues with a range that defied expectation, capable of striking targets up to two or more meters away!


    ''It''s using its tongue?!'' La was surprised as she had never seen anything like this before.


    As the unknown Zombieunched its second assault, they finally saw it clearly¡­


    The Zombie opened its mouth, and with a swift and unexpected movement, its tongue came out so quickly, aiming at the two in hopes of slicing them apart!


    ShinjaandLasprang into action, narrowly evading the attack once again¡­


    The ground quaked and erupted in a violent explosion upon impact, the force of the attack sending shockwaves rippling through the battleground.


    This time, they were able topletely tell the speed and strength behind that attack.


    "I guess this one is stronger than two or three Hunter Zombies, huh¡­" La muttered.


    "That''s true¡­ The tongue is also filled with toxins, so make sure not to get scratched by it. Keep your distance." Shinja said as he recalled the Flesh Puker Zombie''s method of attack. However, this Zombie doesn''t have any simrities with the Flesh Puker at all.


    Anyway, the twoexchanged a knowing nce, a silent agreement passing between them as they prepared to confront this unknown Zombie.


    La then stepped back while Shinja made the first move to attack as he nned to use her as his support.


    Thankfully, the Zombie''s tongue had a reach limit, and he could use it to his advantage.


    Bam!


    Shinja deftly parried the razor-sharp tongues of the creature, countering with quick shes that approached the limit of his strength!


    Shinja was truly going all out in this battle!


    Meanwhile,La''stelekicprowess came to light as shemanded her six Silver Night Knives!


    With a flick of her wrist and a focused gaze at her target, the knives shed through the air¡­ Their silvery des glinted in the dim shadows of the battlefield.


    "Let''s make this quick¡­"


    Guided by herpsychicabilities, they struck the unknown Zombie''s body¡­ She made sure to only hit the Zombie''s possible vital part¡­


    However, this Zombie was still quick with its tongue¡­ It was able to parry Shinja''s de while also blocking the knives!


    "Your tongue is more flexible than I thought." Shinjamented as he felt the toughness of that tongue.


    The sh then continued, and as Shinja used his destorm Technique and Warlord''s Bloodlust, he was able to force back the Zombie!


    As the battle reached its peak, a final, decisive blow fromShinjaandLasealed their victory over the formidable foe.


    With a resounding crash, the creature fell, defeated atst by thebined might of their skills and weapons¡­ However, the victory came at a cost.


    In the aftermath of the battle,ShinjaandLasurveyed the scene before them.


    Their weapons shattered and broken at their feet¡­ It was all because of the unusual corrosive effects of the Licker Zombie!

 Chapter 225: Various Clans

    [ You have eliminated a Licker Zombie. ]


    [ The reward for the first elimination of the High-Tier Zombie is given to Shane Wells. ]


    This was the message that Shinja had received when the Zombie fell to the ground.


    "This thing is definitely not licking¡­" Shinja mused as he looked at the broken pieces of metal around him.


    Unfortunately, the dual poison des that had servedShinjafaithfully for a very long time and the six Silver Night Knives that had shown the full might ofLa''stelekicabilities were now broken pieces of metal.


    They were all sacrificed in the heat of battle to secure their hard-won victory.


    Despite the loss of their weapons,ShinjaandLawere still d with the result of the battle.


    "You did well, La¡­" Shinjamented to his partner this time. La''s precise control over her floating knives was incredible and had truly helped him corner the Licker Zombie.


    "I had a lot of practice acting as Sir Chaloem''s support before this." La replied that she also thought that she did really well in the battle. She knew that she coordinated really well with Shinja despite being their first time fighting together.


    With a shared nce of mutual respect and understanding, they knew that their bond grew stronger¡­


    ''Although this person looked older, he doesn''t look that bad¡­'' La thought to herself as she waited for Shinja to collect the body.


    It seemed that Shane would have to loot itter.


    "We should probably get a recement for our weapons from Sir Leo¡­" La suggested.


    "That''s true¡­ But I can''t use a lower-tier weapon, so I hope that Lord Shane can lend me a decent weapon." Shinja said as he decided to meet Shane and directly request a decent weapon from him.


    ***


    In the meantime, while Shane was able to deal with the seventh horde, the others weren''t so lucky.


    Several Level 1 and even Level 2 ns had already been defeated. Though they were notpletely eradicated, they had to scatter and leave their current territory in order to continue surviving until the time limit was over.


    Some of them even had to bring the Zombies chasing them to other shelters. They may cause trouble to other Survivors, but it was a good solution to a problem that may result in their deaths.


    Fleeing from the Zombie Wave may not get them any decent rewards but being able to survive was still considered a victory for them.


    At this time, in anarenathat served as the stronghold for theDrakeheart Vanguard n,Travis, the Half-Dragon leader, stood alone against the leader of the seventh zombie horde while the others were dealing with the Zombie Dogs, Runner Zombies, and Spitter Zombies in entry points of the arena.


    Apparently, their numbers in this shelter had increased once again, exceeding two hundred survivors in total.


    "Let''s see what you''ve got!"


    Travis shouted as he imbued it with his Dragon''s Roar that also gave a status and moral boost to his allies while it caused negative buff like fear and stun to enemies¡­


    In front of him, however, was a formidableTyrant Zombie, a towering monstrosity that could not be affected by a mere level 4 Survivor Skill.


    Nheless, with scales gleaming in the dim light of thearena,Travisfought against the Tyrant Zombie with all his might!


    He doesn''t have the time to worry about the others.


    Within this shelter, they should have enough force to fight against the seventh horde.


    After all, from their poption of over two hundred, they have a hundred and twenty people who possess talents suited forbat.


    The remaining members, though invaluable in their own right for their contributions to production and other essential tasks,cked the prowess needed to engage directly in the front lines.


    Seeing that the Tyrant Zombie wasn''t moving,Travisdecided to make his first move.


    "Haa!"


    With a ferocious roar, he dashed forward to the Tyrant Zombie!


    ***


    As it got closer to the end of the second Zombie Wave, simr events were happening in various regions.


    TheShadowbinder n, under the leadership ofCaius, found themselves locked in a desperate struggle for survival.


    Their base, which was nestled in the shadows of anancient forest, was already surrounded by numerous Zombies, and they were running low on resources and morale, as many of their members had already died in the process.


    As the undead horde closed in on their sanctuary, Caius marshaled his forces, who all had the talent was rted to Darkness¡­ This was one of his requirements for people joining his n, after all.


    His n only epted Survivors with Talents rted to Dark Sorcerers, Necromancers, and Shadow Arts. It didn''t matter whether it was Umon or Rare as long as it matched the n''s theme.


    "Aim for a sure kill! It didn''t matter if takes time, but make sure that each time you fired your guns, or released your skills, you must bring down one of them!


    Meanwhile, in the heart of thedeste wastnds, theROTK n, led by theBorin, braced themselves for the onught of theeight-zombie horde. Their shelter, a fortress made of steel and iron, stood like an imprable fortress.


    They had about a three hundred people in their Shelter and, but during the Zombie Wave, only 100 of them were left!


    "We''re going to flee at this rate¡­" Borin muttered.


    He surveyed the battlefield with a keen eye, and he knew that they were losing. Thest wave would surely be unbearableter on.


    However, despite that, he still issued orders to his troops to fight with all their might...


    With disciplined movement, the ROTK n members formed a phnx of shields and spears, a wall of steel that stood between their shelter, and the horde of zombies that hungered for their flesh! Each member of the ROTK n appeared like a seasoned warrior!


    But it was actually all thanks to their n Members who were able to extract Steel and Iron, and several cksmiths working together¡­


    "We will be the one getting the first ce for this Zombie Wave! Kill!"

 Chapter 226: Final Act

    Apparently, the various n Leaders found an Information Guild in the previous Auction Event.


    To be exact, one of the leading ns found a hidden shop in the Market Bazaar. However, instead of selling items or weapons, they were selling information instead.


    Thanks to this, they were able to purchase information about the High-Tier Zombies, Hidden or Event Pet Eggs, locations with Treasure Chests, and, of course, hidden rewards in the Zombie Wave.


    After paying some Points to the Information Broker, they also learned that the current Zombie Wave would reward incredible items to the individuals and the ns that would do well!


    ording to the Information Broker, there would be vines to be rewarded! Once they obtain these vines that grant permanent immunity to the Zombie Virus, the survivors with closebat skills will have more confidence in facing higher-tier Zombies!


    Because of this, everyone wanted to do well in this Zombie Wave.


    Borin then took out his Seeker''s Boomerang. It was the item he had won in the previous auction.


    [ Seeker''s Boomerang ( Exceptional ): A meticulously crafted boomerang, designed not just to return to the thrower, but to seek out targets with mysterious precision.


    Effects: +60% uracy, +25% Range ,


    Special Effect:


    Homing Throw: The boomerang locks onto a target, ensuring it will strike even the most elusive of foes.


    Stun: The boomerang stuns the target for a short duration, preventing them from moving or attacking. ]


    With this weapon in hand, he was able to easily crush the brains of the Low-Tier and some Middle-Tier Zombies!


    ***


    In adistant territorysettled among the ruins of a once-great city, theNew Haven n, led by the charismaticNatalie, faced their own trials in theseventh zombie horde.


    "Just hold on! It''s just a couple more hours before the end of the Zombie Wave!"


    Their shelter offered refuge to all who sought sanctuary within its walls.


    At this time, the central building of their territory was filled with physicians, engineers, and various workers production workers.


    The walls of their territory, on the other hand, were filled withbatants of the n.


    "Do not be afraid of the Jumper Zombies! Stick together and target their heads! You can cut off their feet to stop them from moving! Just remember what we''ve trained over the past couple of weeks!


    Natalie rallied her n with words of encouragement and optimism in their current situation.


    As the undead horde closed in on their haven, the members of theNew Haven nworked tirelessly to fortify their defenses and prepare for the onught¡­


    ***


    "We''re almost there¡­" Shane muttered as he looked at the time.


    Amidst the tense atmosphere atShane''s estate, the looming threat of the tenth zombie horde cast wariness over the defenders.


    Starting from eight zombie horde, the undead masses seemed to converge at the front entrance of the estate. They no longer bothered sneaking an attack on the other sides of the estate.


    Of course, it was better for Shane since he was able to gather his forces, but it was also quite worrying if they suddenly sneaked an attack elsewhere.


    With the undead horde fixated on breaching their defenses,Shanearranged a strategic realignment of his forces.


    Monk Chaloem, an epitome of martial expertise, now stood shoulder to shoulder withShinjaat the forefront of the defense¡­


    The arrival ofRazeand theEclipse Revenantalso became a great addition to their forces.


    After all, Shane could finally benefit from the n Skill!


    [ Lunar Cohesion ( Level 1 ): This skill binds the n members under the moon''s watchful gaze, enhancing their teamwork and fortitude.


    Effects:+5% to all members'' defense when in close proximity, +10% night vision, and a +5% speed boost during night operations. ]


    Previously, Raze and the others were able to benefit from this as soon as the moon appeared. However, Shane was a bit far from the others, so he didn''t benefit from it.


    Nheless, now that they''re here, he gained the special effect immediately and confirmed that his Night Vision has improved.


    Meanwhile, armed with his trusty machine gun, Max assumed his post in the watchtower, recing Gene, who was previously stationed there.


    "I guess I''m still alone here, huh¡­" La muttered as shemaintained her watch at the eastern nk of the estate. She was the one tasked to monitor this area for any potential surprise attacks.


    At this time, her iron knives glinted in the dim light as she tried getting used to it. It was heavier and a bit difficult to control with their different weight or bnce. She certainly would have a hard time using these flying knivespared to the knives made of Starlight Silver¡­


    She could only appreciate Leo''s precise works on destroyed knives.


    "I should''ve taken care of them¡­" She mused.


    In the meantime, Shanestood silently before the open gate¡­ There was no point closing this gate anymore since the barrier was already gone for a while.


    Shinja and Chaloem were standing in front of him as they were worried that a Zombie that could snipe from a distance was hiding somewhere.


    "Mhmm? I think they''reing¡­"


    His gaze then swept over the horizon as he felt the enemies'' arrival.


    "They''re Tyrant Zombies? No¡­ Those are¡ª"


    As the first ranks of the undead emerged into view,Shane''s instincts surged.


    Soon, Cloud, his loyal A.I.panion, ryed crucial information¡ª100 Survivor-Type Zombies were approaching!


    "I knew it¡­" Shane muttered as he suddenly felt a headache¡­


    After all, he knew for a fact that Survivor Zombies had a certain level of intelligence! They weren''t just going to move based on their instincts!


    It means that they have higherbat abilities than Tyrant Zombies in terms of skills.


    He knew that if they fought against these hundred ferocious zombies, there would be a huge casualty on their side! He had no doubt about!


    "We''ll change the n! We will use the final trap here!"


    Shaneknew all too well the ferocity and resilience that characterized these Zombies, so he had no other choice but to use their trump card!

 Chapter 227: The Trap

    In a moment of dire necessity,Shanemade the critical decision to use their final trump card against the overwhelming tide ofSurvivor Zombies¡­


    Although he knew that they could still win against such zombies, they would surely get casualties, or some of his people would surely turn into zombies.


    "Not a bad decision¡­" Shinjamented that he could tell that dealing with Survivor Zombies was indeed too difficult, especially now that they didn''t have a barrier that could protect them from a distance.


    "Then this will be a quick battle, I guess¡­" Chaloem nodded as he readied for battle. He knew about Shane''s final trap, which was meant to fight against any type of zombie. Once the opportunity came, he nned to show everyone how strong a monk like him could be.


    That way, he might have a chance of converting some people to his belief.


    "I hope that this is the right decision.


    Anyway, the sheer number of Survivor Zombies left Shane with no choice but to drastically alter their tactics to ensure his people''s survival. In any case, the final Zombie Horde would also be slightly affected by this trap.


    As soon as Lucas heard Shane''s words, he immediately perked up.


    He was entrusted with this crucial task¡­


    To trigger this trap, he had to use his Laser Sniper Rifle from his vantage point to fire a target!


    Soon, he braced himself to trigger the explosives that would unleash a maelstrom of destruction upon their foes!


    As theSurvivor Zombiesclosed in, their gnarls and stinking flesh soon assaulted the defenders. Everyone held their weapons tightly as they waited for the trap to activate.


    For those with long-range weapons, they also waited for a while. They waited until the Zombie reached the zone where they had to stay.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, Lucas'' rifle was shot, and the detonation of the trap rang out like a thunderp, shattering the atmosphere created by the Survivor Zombies as theGrenade Launcher''s ammunition erupted in a fiery ze of chaos!


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    These grenades, however, were not triggered like mines under the feet of the zombies. Instead, they destroyed something else from a distance!


    The earth trembled beneath the force of the explosion, sending shockwaves everywhere¡­


    It disrupted the Survivor Zombies for a moment, as they probably felt that something was about toe.


    As the fiery tempest subsided, a deafening roar filled the air as the makeshift dam constructed from the river''s flow gave way, unleashing a torrent of water that flooded the battlefield!


    Indeed, the dam that the Super Soldiers had made before deliberately copsed! Needless to say, Shane controlled the flow of water from the dam!


    The once-dry ground was transformed into a quagmire of mud and debris!


    The drenched terrain hindered the advance of theSurvivor Zombies!


    "Now!" Shane shouted.


    The Survivor Zombies don''t have any skills that could help them ignore the swamp they''ve entered. No matter how dangerous they were, as long as their feet were held up by the quagmire, they could do nothing about it and could only try to slowly advance.


    They became sluggish and seemed disoriented¡­


    Just like that, the terrain had changed, and the zombies found themselves ensnared by the swamp before them¡­


    "So it was like this¡­" Lady Seraph, who had no idea about this trap, nodded in understanding.


    "Good move¡­ The n Leader had truly prepared for the worst, huh¡­" Raze muttered as she saw her small dragon nodding its head.


    "This is amazing¡­ Those Survivor Zombies were no match against us at this rate." Jaxon said as he agreed to Raze. Shane had truly nned their tactics really well.


    Even among the elves, a sense of satisfaction washed over them as they saw the devastating results of their audacious gambit.


    It was a good thing that they had some experts around, so the swamp wasn''t too big or small. It was just enough to stop the charging Zombies!


    Thalion and the others watched in awe as the battlefield was transformed into a watery grave for their undead opponents!


    As the echoes of the explosion faded into the distance, the surrounding was suddenly filled by the distant moans of the trappedSurvivor Zombiesstruggling in the murky depths.


    They found themselves getting deeper and deeper as they moved to escape!


    "Our leader is indeed impressive¡­ Now, let''s clean this up!" Eldric shouted as he raised his Great Hunter Bow¡­


    ***


    The defenders ofShane''s estate wasted no time in capitalizing on their advantage.


    With the 50 Survivor Zombies trapped in the treacherous swamp, the time hade to unleash a barrage of ranged attacks to ensure their adversaries met their ultimate demise.


    Twang! Twang!


    Shane watched as the elves notched their arrows and let fly a volley of deadly projectiles that found their marks easily against the Zombies...


    Lady Seraphand her team, armed with crossbows, joined the fray, as they fired at the nearest Zombies, felling some of them in a few volleys.


    [ You have eliminated a Survivor Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Survivor Zombie. ]


    ¡­


    [ You have eliminated a Survivor Zombie. ]


    A series of notifications soon appeared as Shane grinned at this sight.


    Gene and the others also joined in as they wielded their pistols.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Their shots rang out like thunder and even disrupted the elves and others because of how loud their pistols were...


    Nheless, because of the close distance, each shot wasn''t wasted and hit a zombie or two. With their help, they were able to whittle down the ranks of the undead horde¡­


    I didn''t end there as Shane was in awe seeingChaloemharness the power of hisAura, channeling its potent energy into devastating palm strikes that unleashedsomething simr to invisible AuraBullets capable of shattering the muscles of the Survivor Zombies!


    Of course, Shane didn''t stand still as he decided to join as well... This time, the Electric Shock de was already in his hands he soon triggered its effect on the swamp!


    Just like that, Shane and his team eliminated the 50 Strong Survivor Zombies!

 Chapter 228: Sharing Problem

    [ Thunderous Strike: The de releases a thunderous shockwave upon impact, stunning enemies in its vicinity and disrupting their movements. It has a +120% electric damage. ]


    With this skill that was only worth 100 Spirit Points for each usage, Shane decided to use it repeatedly for five times to ensure that all the Survivor Zombies died!


    After confirming their deaths, Shane issued his instructions.


    "We''re done here! Lily and Elsa, please help me make a path so I can loot the Zombies." Shane said to the two with Wood and Water Element Affinity.


    The two immediately nodded and swiftly went to work to make a path for Shane.


    "The others should take a rest since thest Zombie Horde wille soon¡­ We should expect a strong Zombie Horde¡­" Shane reminded.


    After a few seconds, Lily and Elsa informed Shane that the path had been made¡­


    "The bridge will onlyst for 5 minutes." Lily reminded.


    "That''s more than enough." Shane replied as he saw how the wooden bridge could fit a single person, and it was connected to all the Survivor Zombies in the swamp.


    "Great¡­"


    Without any more hesitation, he immediately looted the 50 Survivor Zombies¡­


    Of course, it was finally his time to use the new function he obtained from the system after reaching level 25.


    It was the Auto Loot Function!


    Soon, Shane started looting the Survivor Zombies¡­


    [ You have looted 8 Survivor Zombies ]


    [ You have earned 480 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 8 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x16, Zombie Cores x16, 4L Water, Bread x40, Lockpicking Skill, Mining Skill, Electric Shock Skill, Sword Dash Skill, Shield Bash Skill, Taunt Skill, Firearm Mastery Skill Fishing Skill, Stealthy Breath Talent, Telekinesis Talent, Shadow Mover Talent, Enhanced Hearing Talent, Great Instinct Talent, Treasure Seeker Talent, Appraiser Talent, Sword Master Talent ]


    "This¡­" Shane was surprised to see the massive loot. It was quite difficult to process them.


    ''Should I remove the Traceless Breath now?'' He mused.


    He also noticed that he had only looted 8 Survivor Zombies since his Auto-Loot Function could only cover 5 meter in radius¡­ He still had to get closer, and he did just that.


    [ You have looted 12 Survivor Zombies ]


    [ You have earned 720 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 12 Reputation Points. ]


    "This is quite a lot to process¡­" Shane muttered.


    He saw the several Skills and Talents that were looted once again and the questions rted to having his current talent removed to amodate the new ones.


    However, he ignored these messages for now as he decided to check them carefullyter. After all, they might be better than his current Traceless Breath and Aura Master Talent. He doesn''t want to just reject all the Talents and miss a great one.


    Soon, he realized that there were 6 Survivor Zombies that he could not loot with his Auto-Loot Function.


    Because of this, he knew that they were killed by Raze and the others.


    He immediately called them and allowed them to loot these 6 Zombies. He didn''t mind it at all, although he would lose 360 Experience Points.


    Then, asShanemeticulously surveyed the items he looted that were now in his Inventory, a sudden sense of unease washed over him asLucas'' rang the bell!


    He then shouted an urgent warning to everyone!


    "An approaching horde of zombies! Please return to the estate''s perimeter now!"Lucas'' voice rang out, a note of urgency could be felt from his words as he continuously sounded the bell that could rm throughout the estate.


    "Mhmm?"


    Perplexed by the unexpected turn of events,Shanefurrowed his brow in contemtion.


    "Is this the final Zombie Horde? It''s arriving sooner than I anticipated¡­" He pondered aloud, as he knew that not even 5 minutes had passed.


    However, he soon realized what was going on after Lucas continued with his report.


    "Three fleeing Survivors are leading the Zombie Wave straight to us," he dered, his voice tinged with urgency and dread as he ryed the ominous news toShane.


    With this confirmation,Shanewasted no time in issuing hismand.


    "Shoot the three Survivors! We cannot let them reach our walls¡­" Shane ordered.


    Lucas felt a bit surprised, but Shane was right.


    He immediately realized that Shane hoped to disrupt the impending sh of the Zombies against them. By targeting the fleeing Survivors before they could bring their undeadpanions any closer, they were hoping that the Zombie Horde would also disperse and leave them alone!


    "I''m on it¡­" Lucas muttered as he aimed at the Survivors with his rifle¡­


    Bang!


    As the sound of gunfire echoed through the estate grounds, one of the fleeing Survivors fell!


    It made the two hesitate for a moment and, perhaps, go to a different area¡­ However, it was only for a moment as they decided to charge to their estate still!


    It seemed that they wanted to truly bring harm to their estate!


    Bang! Bang!


    Lucas continued shooting the two, and he was sessful¡­


    Soon, the Zombies chasing them immediately jumped at their corpses and ate thempletely! They didn''t leave behind any human flesh to give it a chance of bing a Zombie at all!


    At this time, Shane and the members of the Eclipse Revenant had already returned to the estate.


    "Are they stilling?" Shane muttered as he stood at the rampart and saw the scene¡­ After the Zombies ate the three people they were chasing, they actually turned their attention to their estate and started moving forward!


    Just like that, a new Zombie Horde had to be eliminated!


    Despite their efforts, the undead tide marched towards the estate!


    "Ugh¡­ They really brought us some problems¡­" Shaneined as he could only curse those three Survivors in his mind.


    The approaching horde soon came into view as the defenders of the estate returned to their position.


    The Zombies Horde they were facing now had about300Cryptic Crawler Zombies, 200Zombie Wolves, and 5 CryptCrawler Leaders at the very back.


    Shaneand hisrades braced themselves once again for another battle!

 Chapter 229: Stench

    "It''s a good thing that we defeated the zombie horde quickly¡­" Eldricmented as he confirmed that his fellow elves and the others still had full energy. The new horde brought by escaping Survivors should be easily dealt with.


    However, that was only possible if they had enough ammunition.


    "We no longer have arrows¡­" Far reported.


    "We don''t have any more bullets either¡­" Gene said.


    It was the same for the other elves and crossbowmen led by Lady Seraph.


    "This will be a closebat then¡­ We have to stand our ground¡­" Lady Seraph said as she gave the crossbow to others to store it away.


    Everyone readied their weapons as the zombies got closer. They were mostly swords, shields, and spears made by Leo.


    As expected, the Crypt Crawler Zombies knew that the swamp was a death zone and immediately avoided it.


    The other Crypt Crawler zombies that were following their movement immediately shifted their path as well, avoiding the obvious trap.


    However, it wasn''t the same for the 200 Zombie Wolves since they didn''t have an Alpha Wolf leading them. They all dashed to the swamp and had their movements slowed!


    As soon as the Crypt Crawler Zombies were about to reach them, Shane gave his order!


    "Throw the lures!" Shane shouted.


    Without any hesitation, the ones holding the Zombie Lure immediately acted and threw the lure to the ground about 15 to 20 meters away from them.


    [ Zombie Lure Ball ( Master ): A small, throwable device that emits a sound frequency and scent that''s irresistible to zombies. Use it to distract and divert zombie swarms away from your location. It works well against Mid-Tier Zombies and slightly works against High-Tier Zombie if multiple lures are gathered. ]


    With 20 of these items that he bought in the Survivor Store, they were able to stop the scary advance of the Zombies!


    The ones in front stopped running to chase after the lure, and because of that, the ones behind stumbled in their steps and crushed the ones in the front of them!


    This created a domino effect as Zombies in front that were lured by the Lure Balls were crushed to death!


    Just like that, they managed to weaken the stampede of Zombies and fight them easily!


    "Hahaha! This is a good strategy¡­ It''s a pity that you don''t have enough Lures¡­" Chaloemmented as he stepped forward and channeled his Aura.


    Chaloem, the Monk whose mastery ofAurawas unmatched, channeled his inner strength¡­


    Then, as the first Crawler Leader Zombie approached, he unleashed devastating palm strikes infused with the power of hisAurathat shattered the chest of the first Leader Zombie!


    The others also made their move¡­


    Shinja, the Warlord, led the charge of the Super Soldiers to weaken the momentum of the Crawler Leader Zombies and those who were following behind them!


    His new des carved marks against theZombie Wolves, who had managed to cross the swamp by stepping on their fellow wolves, and those Crawler Zombies who had stumbled on the ground!


    Shane smiled, seeing that they were able to control the situation.


    Each of them yed their part in the defense...


    Max, with his machine gun, picked off the encroaching undead from the watchtower.


    He was the only one with remaining ammunition since Shane purchased a lot of them in the Auction.


    Brrt~


    His machine gun unleashed a storm of bullets that cut through the center of the enemy ranks¡­


    On the other hand, Lady Seraphand her team waited for the barrage of bullets to stop before they charged forward and joined the fray.


    Then, Elsa and Lily worked together to increase the coverage of the swamp, allowing the ones in the front lines to have a breather as they slowed down the Zombie Wolves'' movement¡­


    Time quickly passed, and as Shane joined the battle, he was about to show everyone his hatchet skills! Well, with his thousands of Spirit Points spamming his Fire and Ice Abilities, it wasn''t a problem for him!


    [ You have eliminated a Zombie Wolf. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Leader Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Zombie Wolf. ]


    ¡­


    [ You have eliminated a Zombie Wolf. ]


    Soon, as the final undead creature fell, a moment of hard-earned victory washed over the battlefield as the defenders stood triumphant amidst the remnants of their fallen enemies.


    "We did it! Haha!" Lily and the others couldn''t help but celebrate as they confirmed that there was only about half an hour before the end of the Apocalypse.


    However, their triumph was short-lived as a new challenge emerged.


    For some reason, the Zombies they killed released a putrid stench!


    This had never happened before. Although the zombies were naturally stinking, they would release such a putrid stench from their deaths!


    It seemed that they were actually quite a special zombie!


    The others immediately backed away as they couldn''t handle the stench of decaying zombie flesh.


    Shane clicked his tongue as he saw how it started assaulting the senses of the weary defenders and threatening to overwhelm them with its noxious odor.


    Thankfully, Shane still had his Sentinel Sphere with him.


    [ The Sentinel Sphere


    Defense Rating: Exceptional


    Durability: 10 days


    Activation Requirement: 80 Zombie Core, 2 Reputation Points


    Special Ability: Projects a small, mobile barrier around the user, ideal for solo excursions into infested territories. ]


    With this item, Shane had no issues getting closer to the defeated Zombies. He immediately activated this item and protected him from the putrid air.


    Then, with a jumping strength boost from his shoes, he easily jumped on top of the Crypt Crawler Leader¡­


    ''The Zombie Wave hasn''t ended yet. I have to do this quickly.'' Shane thought as his Auto-Loot Function was triggered.


    [ You have looted 5 Crypt Crawler Leader Zombies, 16 Zombie Wolves, 18 Crypt Crawler Zombies ]


    [ You have earned 505 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 5 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x67, Zombie Cores x67, 19.5L Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x16, Unknown Meat ( Unsafe ) x10¡­

 Chapter 230: Final Horde

    Noticing that Shane wasengrossed in his looting task from the fallen Zombies,Shinjamade his way back to the makeshift resting area settled not far from the protective ramparts.


    This designated spot served not only as a ce for respite but also as amunal gathering point where weary defenders could regroup and replenish their strength. Needless to say, there were also food and drinks in this area where everyone could quickly quench their thirst or satisfy their hunger.


    The others had also started settling somewhere and waited for the signal for thest Zombie Wave.


    Shinja looked around and noticed the bustling activity unfolding around him, each individual attending to their respective tasks with a sense of urgency... Well, they had no idea how long they could rest since the final horde could arrive at any moment. They were all just waiting for Lucas to ring the bell.


    Nheless, many of thebatants sought outAnna, the resident physician, to undergo some quick examinations. Apparently, most of them are wary of any potential contamination from the blood of the fallen undead that may have inadvertently sttered upon them during the heated battle.


    The zombie blood could''ve sshed on their faces, mouths, or even eyes, so they were worried that they were about to turn into zombies. Of course, Shane already knew that the Survivors had a very high resistance to the virus unless they were bitten, but he didn''t mind them being cautious.


    Anyway, not all of them are waiting to get checked by the gorgeous physician. Some of them diligently inspected their weapons for any signs of wear or damage, ensuring that their arsenal remained in peak condition for the final wave¡­ It would be a huge regret if their weapons broke at this final juncture.


    Meanwhile, a dedicated contingent of defenders remained stationed atop the ramparts¡­ Most of them were the Super Soldiers scanning the horizon for any signs of encroaching danger¡­


    "Now¡­ Let''s see what we have here¡­" Shinja muttered to himself.


    His gaze fell upon the replenished provisionsid out on themunal table.


    The aroma of cooked meals had already dissipated since they had all eaten Alexa''s cooked food a while ago. This time, it was reced instead by a selection of Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) packs, each offering a different culinary delight to sate the hunger of the defenders.


    Surveying the array of options before him,Shinja''s eyes settled upon the assortment of MRE packs, each bearing a unique menu that tantalized the senses.


    Most of them had unusual names, but that didn''t change the fact that they must be tasty! Actually, he has already tasted two types of MREs. They were Menu 1, the ''Chicken, Egg Noodles & Vegetables in Sauce'' and Menu 3, the ''Beef Gash ( Beef with Brown Rice, Spinach, Carrots, Tomatoes, and Smoked Paprika )''. These two MRE packs were incredible!


    As he looked at the list, he realized that there were new menus.


    From savory offerings such as Menu 8, the Beef Ravioli in Meat Sauce, and Menu 9, the Maple Pork Sausage Patty, to heartier fare like Menu 12, the Southwest Style Beef and ck Beans with Meat Sauce, the choices were as varied as they were enticing.


    Unexpectedly, a voice broke the quietude of the dining area, drawingShinja''s attention to the attentive figure ofAlexa, who stood ready to assist despite herck of obligation.


    It seemed that she had nothing to do, so she decided to assist those who wanted to eat.


    "What would you like, SirShinja? I can prepare it for you," she offered.


    With a thought nod,Shinja made his choice¡­


    "I''ll have Menu 13¡­ Meatballs in Marinara Sauce," he replied. He hadn''t tasted this yet, but he felt that the name sounded good¡­


    ''These MREs are incredible¡­ I should try Menu 14, the Mexican Style Chicken Stew, or if the sauce tastes good, I can try Menu 17, the Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions in Marinara Sauce¡­'' Shinja thought for a moment.


    AsAlexaset about preparing the requested meal, a brief moment of peacefulness enveloped the resting area, offering a fleeting respite from the tiring Zombie Wave that awaited them¡­


    ***


    As the defenders ofShane''s estate rested for a few minutes, a sudden shift in the atmosphere urred.


    The temperature dropped as it was followed by the arrival of an ominous storm on the horizon.


    Dark clouds loomed overhead, blocking the moonlight, casting a darkness across the once tranquilndscape.


    Thankfully, they had acquired plenty of Light Orbs from the sher Zombies so they no longer had to worry about the darkness¡­


    Suddenly, lightning arced across the sky, illuminating the night with jagged streaks of electric blue!


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Several thunderous roars from the sky followed.


    After a few moments, the first droplets of rain began to fall, their disjointed rhythm growing in intensity as the storm unleashed its fury upon the unsuspecting estate.


    SShhhhaaahhh~


    It was as if the world was hinting to them that the arrival of the final horde was getting closer, it unleashed a surge of rain that pounded against the earth with incredible force, turning the soil into a quagmire of mud!


    Indeed, the swamp they had created grewrger because of this!


    It was then followed by the howling wind that whipped through the trees¡­ It even carried with it a wind that sounded like a mournful wail¡­


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    As the tempest raged on, the final batch of zombies made their ominous approach!


    Their arrival created earth-shaking tremors, and they soon realized that these tremors were caused by their every step.


    Despite the torrential downpour and the unrestrained storm that raged around them,Shaneand hisrades braced themselves for the final horde!


    To their surprise, the number of zombies that emerged from the storm was not asrge as they expected, but rather a mere two figures that loomed in the distance!


    "This..."


    Shane immediately felt nervous as he saw the two towering figures emerge from the darkness...


    They were definitelyrger than the Giant Zombies before!


    "How do you expect us to beat that?!"

 Chapter 231: Successful Change

    "Isn''t that a bit too big?!" Shane felt nervous after seeing the towering zombies shrouded in the darkness brought by the storm.


    ''Giant Zombies? No¡­ It''s definitely bigger than them¡­'' Shane thought as his mind raced for the strategy they''ll use to win against these two Zombies.


    These were no ordinary high-tier zombies; Shane guessed that these two were actually Giant Leader Zombies he had never seen before!


    AsShanesurveyed the approaching monstrosities, a chill ran down his spine as he tried recalling all the items in his inventory that might be able to help him in this situation.


    However, although some of the items in his inventories were surely helpful, the size of the enemies was just too big to heavily affect them!


    Not even the Dragon''s Veil Elixir, weapons made by mystical ores, or their three remaining Laser Rifle Charges could kill these Zombies.


    "Same strategy¡­ Let''s take away their movement abilities¡­ Crush their knees, break their ankles, cut off their heel¡­ Do everything you can to stop them from advancing!" Shane shouted.


    With thunder rumbling in the distance and rain cascading down, the defenders sprang into action, their weapons raised in a valiant attempt to bring down the zombies¡­


    "Elsa, let''s do that trap again!" Lily said to her partner.


    "Got it!" Elsa felt more alive as she used all of her Spirits Points to control the Water Element and create a soft ground with Lily in hopes of shaking the bnce of the two Giant Zombies¡­ However, it unfortunately didn''t work because it wasn''t deep enough!


    The other then focused their attacks on the vulnerable joints and appendages of the towering undead behemoths. Just like what Shane instructed them to do, the defenders aimed for the knees, ankles, and heels of the Giant Leader Zombies, seeking to cripple their massive frames and render them immobile.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Unfortunately, their efforts were met with fierce resistance, as the undead giants thrashed and roared in fury! Even if they were able tond their attacks, swords or spears, it wasn''t deep enough and they could just barely tore through its skin!


    They were not reaching the Zombies'' bones at all!


    Amidst the chaos of battle, three braveSuper Soldiers, took a daring stand against zombies¡­ They charged ahead with their swords shing in the dim light as they sought to embed their weapons into the flesh of the Giant Leader Zombies.


    "Haaa!!!"


    With a disy of immense courage that surprised many of those who were at the back, theSuper Soldierspressed forward. Their des struck the rotting hide of the zombies!


    Thud! Thud!


    Yet, as they injured one of the Zombie''s feet and made it kneel, the ground trembled beneath their feet as tragedy struck in a swift and merciless blow.


    In a moment of fatal misjudgment, the threeSuper Soldiersfound themselves ensnared in the grasp of the towering enemies!


    "Save them! Attack with full force!"


    "Hurry! Don''t save your Spirit Points! Just attack with all your might!"


    "Max, use your remaining bullets to save the Super Soldiers!"


    "They''re going to die!"


    Their valiant efforts to immobilize the giants proved to be a mistake!


    With a deafening roar, the Giant Leader Zombies brought their massive fists crashing down upon the brave warriors. Their incredible strength crushed the bones and organs of the Super Soldiers!


    "You--!"


    Everything happened so quickly, and Chaloem didn''t even have a chance to release his Aura Fist¡­ Shinja also tried to use his new poison de, but even after scratching the zombies, they weren''t taking effect!


    As the defenders looked on in horror, helpless to intervene in time, the threeSuper Soldierssumbed to the overwhelming might of the undead behemoths, their sacrifice made them fully aware that even with their preparations, they could still be killed by the unforgiving Zombie Wave!


    Thud! Thud!


    Their bodies weren''t eaten by the Giant Leader Zombies as they threw them to the ground¡­


    Their bodiesnded on the swamp, broken and lifeless.


    However, their deaths also made the others feel more motivated to kill these Zombies!


    As the storm raged on around them, the defenders of the estate decided to overwhelm the enemies with their numbers¡­


    "Not good¡­" Shane felt that there would be more casualties


    Meanwhile, as Shane was considering his next move, something unexpected happened.


    Suddenly, a blinding sh of light illuminated the sky above, drawing everyone''s gaze upwards.


    Shane noticed a figure flew to the sky, and it came from the Manor!


    "This¡­" Shane''s eyes lit up as he immediately knew what was going on!


    A few others also noticed the disturbance in the sky as they were all vignt in case another high-tier Zombie arrived¡­


    Nheless, through the heavy rain and dark clouds, a magnificent creature descended from above. Because of the darkness brought by the storm, the light that came from above was easily noticed.


    "Sparky¡­ You''re finally done.thought you wouldn''t reach in time," Shane muttered with a smile.


    Sparky, the Thunderbird, had evolved!


    Apparently, the Evolution Stone that Lucky found and given to Shane by Anna was then used to evolve Sparky and not Emberwing!


    Shane decided this since he felt that lightning would be more useful than fire at this current Zombie Wave!


    Shane looked at Sparky''s figure and couldn''t help but feel impressed.


    Its once sleek feathers now glowed with a radiant golden aura, crackling with raw energy. The transformation imbuedSparkywith immense power, elevating it to a new level of existence.


    Above the Manor, the other pets seemed to be weakened, and they appeared to have been injured by themotion that Sparky made.


    With a deafening roar that echoed through the battlefield, theThunderbird, or whatever it had evolved to,swooped down towards the Giant Leader Zombies with incredible speed that surprised even the young Dragon, Roan¡­


    Sparky''s talons shimmered like lightning bolts as it struck the head of one of the Giant Leader Zombies¡­


    Boom! Boom!


    It unleashed a barrage of electrifying attacks that sent shockwaves to the injured Zombie!

 Chapter 232: Cleared

    "Is that your pet, Shane?" Raze asked after seeing the graceful yellow bird in the sky¡­


    It wasn''t asrge as Roan, but it was certainly getting close to the size of the young dragon¡­


    "Yes¡­ It''s good that the Evolution Stone worked in time¡­ I think that we should be able to win at this rate. I''m counting on you, Raze¡­ Roan¡­" Shane said as he looked at the Epic Dragon Knight and her dragon.


    "Leave it to us!" Raze said as she decided to trigger the effect of her ring and ne that could temporarily boost her strength and her dragon!


    They were the Drakonar Si Ring and Wyrmheart Locket Ne!


    These two items had several effects that were extremely important for a Dragon Knight like her. These skills are the Bond Amplification, Dragon''s Might, Aura of the Wyrm, and Mental rity¡­


    Seeing that Raze had a strong backup in the form of Sparky, she felt more confident getting closer to her Dragon!


    Boom!


    Raze immediately targeted one of the Giant Leader Zombies while riding Roan!


    The Giant Leader Zombies, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of these majestic beings, found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer force and power of the EvolvedThunderbird and the Dragon Rider!


    While Roan could release fire-based attacks, Sparky could use lightning-infused attacks that could pierce through their tough exterior, causing cracks to form in their imprable skin.


    AsShanewatched in awe, his heart swelled with pride and hope.


    With Sparky''s appearance, everyone felt motivated¡­ Then, seeing how Roan suddenly became a Dragon that could be ridden by Raze, they all felt that they had everything in control.


    "I guess I made a good decision¡­" Shane muttered as he really considered which of his pets should get the Evolution Stone. In the end, he felt that choosing Sparky was truly the right choice, considering how effective those lightning-based attacks are.


    Rooaarr!


    The tide of battle had shifted, thanks to the evolution ofSparky!


    "Everyone! Assist them and bring down these zombies!"Shanerallied everyone tounch a final assault on the weakened Giant Leader Zombies, knowing that victory was within their grasp with the Thunderbird and Dragon Knight fighting alongside them¡­


    As theEvolved Thunderbird,Sparky, continued to rain down, electrifying attacks on one of the Giant Leader Zombies,Shanesprang into action.


    With a swift activation of his shoe''s jumping boost, he propelled himself toward the towering creature; his parkour, aura, and climbing skills helped him effortlessly to reach its shoulder¡­ Despite how the Zombie thrashed to send him away, he didn''t fall down!


    In a moment of desperation,Shanescaled the massive body of the Giant Leader Zombie, dodging its iling limbs and attempts or grab him!


    As Shane reached the Giant Leader Zombie''s head, he unsheathed hisElectric Shock de! Its de crackles with electric energy to deliver the final blow.


    "Haaa!"


    With a mighty leap,Shaneplunged theElectric Shock dedeep into the skull of the Giant Leader Zombie, unleashing a surge of electricity that coursed through its undead brain.


    Shane burned out three thousand Spirit Points just for this attack! Shane didn''t expect this either, but considering the size of the Zombie, it seemed that it was just fine to use this many Spirit Points.


    It didn''t end there as Sparky struck with its lightnign talons once more before the Zombie convulsed and let out a deafening roar before copsing to the ground, defeated atst!


    [ You have eliminated a Giant Leader Zombie. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Giant Leader Zombie, a high-tier zombie! ]


    [ Hint: Only the first elimination of each Mid-Tier and High-Tier zombie can provide special rewards! ]


    [ You have obtained the following rewards: Spirit Breakthrough Potion x3, Greater Instant Experience Potions x2, Zombie Cores x80 ]


    "Finally¡­" Shane smiled after seeing the rewards from the system.


    Those Greater Instant Experience Potions were incredibly useful and because the Double Experience Boost was about to be gone, Shane immediately used them up!


    [ You have consumed the Greater Instant Experience Potion. ]


    [ You are under the effect of the Double Experience Boost. You have obtained 1,000 Experience Points! ]


    Seeing that it still had the same effects, Shane quickly consumed the second one.


    Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield,Warlord ShinjaandMonk Chaloemcoordinated their attack on the second Giant Leader Zombie as soon as Dragon Knight Raze opened an opportunity for them!


    With Raze''s stinging attacks, the Giant Leader Zombie only had its eyes on her and the Dragon she was riding! It had no time for the little ones aiming at its feet!


    Shinja took a deep breath and held his dual des before charging forward and striking at the exposed vulnerabilities of the injured creature.


    "Haa!"


    Monk Chaloem, channeled his powerfulAura and encased his hands in a radiant aura before striking the zombie!


    Bam!


    This strike didn''t just affect a part of the Giant Leader Zombie, but it actually weakened the Zombie''s overall defense and sapped its strength.


    With this move, he made it easier for the others to injure the Giant Leader Zombie!


    "Now¡­ It''s time to end this¡­" Monk Chaloem muttered.


    With a target in his mind, he focused his aura in his palm once again and struck Zombie''s knee!


    Crack!


    As thebined forces ofeveryone converged on the second Giant Leader Zombie, their coordinated efforts proved to be too much for the Zombie to withstand.


    With a final, decisive blow from Shinja''s des and a burst of radiant energy from Chaloem''sAura Skills, followed by a Fire Breath from Roan, the creature crumbled to the ground, defeated and lifeless.


    [ You have eliminated a Giant Leader Zombie. ]


    The battlefield fell silent except for the thunderstorm behind them¡­


    Raze, Shane, Shinja, Chaloem, and everyone who had participated stood amidst the wreckage...


    After some time, as the storm clouds parted and basked them with the moonlight, the Survivors heard the announcement of the System confirming the end of the Zombie Wave!


    [ Congrattions! You have sessfully survived the Second Zombie Wave! ]

 Chapter 233: Successful Loot

    "There it is¡­" Shane heaved a sigh of relief after hearing the notification confirming the end of the Zombie Wave. It was the same for the members of the Eclipse Revenant, La, Elsa, Lily, and other ''Foreign Survivors'' in the camp.


    Shane then confirmed the notifications first, as he wasn''t in a hurry to loot the Giant Leader Zombies.


    [ Congrattions! You have sessfully survived the Zombie Wave! ]


    [ You have earned 2,000 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 500 Zombie Cores. ]


    [ You have earned 10 Reputation Points ]


    [ Additional Rewards are being calcted¡­ ]


    [ You have achieved the Top 1 in the Zombie Wave Individual Ranking! ]


    [ Hint: Only the Top 10 will receive special rewards, while the rest will receive the standard reward. ]


    [ You have earned 100 Reputation Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1,000 Zombie Cores. ]


    [ You have earned 50 Item Upgrade Crystals. ]


    [ You have obtained a Random Exceptional Gift Pack. ]


    "Awesome!" Shane couldn''t help but smile after seeing the rewards! The most important of them were the Reputation Points, which were the most difficult to gather in his opinion. After all, he could only get them from the Survivor Zombies, Leader Zombies, and some special quest or discoveries.


    Nheless, the rewards didn''t end there as the notifications continued to flood him!


    [ Your n achieved the Top 1 in the Zombie Wave n Ranking! ]


    [ Your n Level increased to Level 2, and all functions were unlocked. ]


    [ n Quest has fully unlocked. ]


    [ n Member Limit has increased to 20 ]


    [ All members of the n have earned 50 Reputation Points each. ]


    [ All members of the n have earned 500 Zombie Cores each. ]


    [ All members of the n have earned 25 Item Upgrade Crystals. ]


    [ All members of the n have obtained a Random Rare Gift Pack. ]


    Raze and the others also received this reward and immediately made them exim in happiness!


    "Ohh! We did it! I''m also top 9 in the Individual Ranking¡­" Raze''s eyes lit up after seeing the messages from the System.


    Unfortunately, only the top 10 could receive special rewards, so the others could only congratte Raze. Of course, the others already felt happy about the standard reward since they gained a reward for being part of the Top 1 n.


    Shane also felt incredibly happy as he also received special rewards forpleting hidden missions.


    [ You have defeated the Zombie Wave by killing less than your subordinates! ]


    [ You have cleared the hidden mission. ]


    [ You have received a Master Recruitment Stone. ]


    [ Hint: The Master Recruitment Stone is a single-use item that a Survivor can trigger in order to recruit a helpful inhabitant of this continent. ]


    "Ipleted another hidden mission, huh¡­"


    [ You have defeated all the Zombies even after fighting against two more hordes of Zombies. ]


    [ You have cleared the hidden mission. ]


    [ You have received a Master Recruitment Stone. ]


    "Two Master Recruitments Stones¡­ Awesome!" Shane couldn''t help but celebrate after getting his reward¡­


    "Shane, are you not going to loot them?" Raze suddenly asked as he was checking his rewards.


    "Ahh¡­ I''m on it¡­" Shane said as he hurriedly looted the two Giant Leader Zombies.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes." Shane replied as he waited for the rewards.


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x10, Zombie Cores x10, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x30, Unknown Meat ( Unsafe ) x10,100mL Giant Leader Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Vitality Enhancement Bottle x1, Agility Enhancement Bottle x1, Leader Spine Club x1 ]


    "That''s a lot of meat¡­ I guess that also made sense." Shane muttered as the zombie was indeed too huge, so receiving 30 units of meat should be fine.


    Shane didn''t take too much time checking the looted items, as he also looted thest Giant Leader Zombie.


    Though he obtained simr Exp Points and Reputation Points, there were some differences about his looted items.


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x10, Zombie Cores x10, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x40, 100mL Giant Leader Zombie Blood, Vitality Enhancement Bottle x3, Leader Spine Club x1, Corrupted Necrosteel Ingot x5 ]


    Now, Shane decided to check the new items in his inventory.


    [ Leader Spine Club ( Master ): Crafted from the colossal vertebrae of the Giant Leader Zombie, this massive Club exudes a menacing aura, instilling fear in its target. The Club''s jagged spikes and rough textures make it a formidable weapon capable of crushing through bones and flesh with brutal efficiency.


    Effects:


    +220% damage against all types of Zombies, +40% against non-zombie targets.


    +15% Critical Chance, -10% Attack Speed


    Increased Knockback Effect on enemies, staggering them with each strike


    Special Effects:


    Bone Shatter: The Enormous Spine Club is infused with the essence of destruction, causing devastating impact damage that can shatter the bones of zombies on critical hits, rendering them temporarily immobile.


    Cost: 100 Spirit Points


    Regeneration Surge: When the Enormous Spine Club draws blood from the undead, it triggers a slight regenerative surge that heals the Survivor over time, providing a lifeline in the midst of battle.


    Cost: 80 Spirit Points ]


    "It''s almost perfect¡­ If not for that negative attack speed." Shane muttered as he felt that this Club was just too strong. He might as well change his main weapon to a Club!


    After all, he had a Weapon Mastery Skill, and it should allow him to negate the effect of negative attack speed.


    Then, Shane proceeded to check the ingots¡­


    [ Corrupted Necrosteel Ingot: Forged from a mysterious source, the Corrupted Necrosteel Ingot is a rare and vicious material tainted by mystical energies. This material is said to be a fusion of necromantic magic and ancient steel, granting it unparalleled strength and mystical properties.


    Effects:


    When used for weapon crafting, it provides effects rted to curses or negative energy.


    When used for armor crafting, it grants an increased resistance against corrosion, corruption, and knockback. ]


    "An alchemy material, huh¡­ I hope Leo can also do something about this¡­" Shane mused as he felt really excited for the future.


    "Alright, everyone... It had been a long day but you have to clean yourselves before resting... The food has already been prepared, so just clean yourselves now... Mr. Wadsworth confirmed that the river isn''t contaminated..." Alexa announced, seeing that the fighters had already rested for a bit.

 Chapter 234: Aftermath of the Zombie Wave

    In the meantime, asShaneand his team basked in the glow of sess, celebrating their hard-fought victory over theZombie Wavewith a feast of food and ale prepared byBart, a somber atmosphere shrouded another shelter in an abandoned city.


    Despite surviving the Zombie Wave, the toll of the battle weighed heavily on the survivors within the massive arena.


    Indeed, it was within the shelter owned by the renowned Drakeheart Vanguard n. Apparently, the aftermath of the Zombie Wave revealed a devastating truth - nearly half of the survivors had perished in the brutal battle.


    The once bustling shelter now had a tense atmosphere, reminding them that this was a merciless apocalypse they were facing.


    Some of them were getting treated for their wounds, the others were recuperating in a clean area, and there were also those who had already started eating after being starved for some time.


    Among the survivors,Travis, the nd Leader, found himself grappling with disappointment and disbelief.


    "What''s going on? I didn''t get first or second ce in the individual rankings! There must be something strong¡­ Just how did someone surpass me."


    Despite single-handedly dispatching over a thousand zombies and unleashing the power of hisDragon Blood Talent''s Phase 2by consumingEnhancer Potions,Traviswas shocked to discover that he had only ced third in theIndividual Ranking.


    To be exact, he consumed 6 Enhancer Potions worth 5 Reputation Points each! He also bought a special weapon and upgraded it to Master Grade to have a better chance of reaching a higher rank. He had spent a lot of materials hoping that he would get first ce in this Zombie Wave.


    Unfortunately, it wasn''t enough.


    His n, theDrakeheart Vanguard, fared even worse, ranking eighth in then Rankingdespite their valiant efforts in defending their shelter.


    "Is the Shadow Strider again?" He mused. He couldn''t help but think of this mysterious Survivor to get the first ce.


    "Just how strong is he?" Travis wryly smiled as he could only imagine how strong this Survivor was.


    Travis''s gaze then swept across the battered arena, noting the damage and loss that had befallen their home.


    Despite the grim outlook, a glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes as he clung to the possibility of redemption¡­


    "Right¡­ This is not over¡­ I guess it''s time to move to a different Shelter." Travis muttered as he gathered his team, who was nning to rebuild their base.


    There was no need to be heavily attached in this area¡­ They could go to other ces with plenty of resources¡­ After all, this city''s resources were also about to bepletely empty, so it should be a perfect time to move.


    ***


    Then, under the vast expanse of thedesertnight sky,Asad, also known as Raven Guard, looked at the destend filled with sand.


    There was no one else in this area. He was a solitary figure traversing thisndscape¡­ He actually found this more enjoyable.


    He faced the Zombie Wave alone, unbound by any n allegiances or the confines of a permanent shelter. He just goes wherever his feet brings him¡­


    "It''s getting cold. I should make my shelter now¡­" He muttered¡­


    The chill of thedesertnight seeped into his bones. His high strength couldn''t fight against this level of cold.


    Thankfully, the moon cast an ethereal glow, helping him to set up tent easily.


    "I got second ce in the individual ranking, huh¡­ That Shadow Strider must be the first again¡­ However, I didn''t get a reward for the n ranking since I don''t have one." Asad thought as he started considering whether he should finally join or create a n so he wouldn''t miss those rewards.


    AsAsadlooked at thedesert, his immediately thought of an idea.


    His keen eyes scanned the horizon and saw the oasis that he avoided a while ago since he didn''t want that oasis to be damaged during the Zombie Wave. It seemed to be a suitable location to establish his territory and use hisRecruitment Stones.


    Asad then checked his inventory and confirmed that he had 6 Recruitment Stones that weren''t too special, 2 Rare Recruitment Stones that could recruit individuals with decent talents, and 1 Special Recruitment stone that guaranteed a 100% strong and loyal servant.


    "If I use these recruitment stones¡­ I''ll be forced to lead them. Is that fine?" Asad asked himself for a moment before sighing¡­


    "If I want to reach Shadow Strider''s level, I should do this before the others could catch up to me." Asad muttered as his decision was made. If he wanted to reach or surpass Shadow Strider, he had to gain loyalpanions that would make things easier for him.


    ''Just wait for me, Shadow Strider¡­ You will soon see your name in the second ce¡­'' Asad chuckled as he believed that his Legendary Talent would certainly help him to catch up.


    After all, he was a Necromancer!


    He was simply limited because of his terrible 220 Spirit Points, so he could only summon a few Zombie Warriors since they were worth 50 Points. However, after receiving his rewards and leveling up, he was now capable of summoning an undead worth 300 Points, a Sktal Knight!


    "I just need to be patient¡­ I just need to buy more Spirit Enhancement Bottles. Once I get 1,000 Spirit Points¡­ I''ll be able to summon a Lich someday¡­"


    ***


    At this time, within Shane''s estate, everyone had already fallen asleep since they all got tired after a long battle¡­ Furthermore, Bart''s ale had taken effect on their bodies.


    However, Shane was still awake in his bed, checking the Regional Chat.


    Joey: "Looking to trade my methrower for high-tier armor. Send me a PM if interested!"


    vio: "Just found a cache of medical supplies. Willing to trade for food rations! Canned goods are my priority."


    Borin: "Selling a set of enchanted daggers, perfect for closebat. PM for details!"


    Natalie: "Any intel on the rumored hidden bunker in the Northern Wastnds? Willing to pay in Zombie Cores for urate coordinates!"


    Dra: "Huge shoutout to Serene Garden n for clearing the Zombie Wave without any casualties! We Rank 1! Drinks on me at the Safehouse Tavern tonight!"

 Chapter 235 : Chat

    "Dra?" Shane repeated the name on the chat as he recalled that she was the n Leader of the Serene Garden¡­


    "None of their members died, huh¡­" He muttered as he imagined that the Serene Garden only had Survivors with Master Grade and above talent. It was probably a quality-over-quantity policy in that n.


    Anyway, Shane continued checking the Regional Chat as he was curious about the ces around here. Well, he was thinking that once the estate''s defenses had been repaired, he would finally leave this shelter and explore the continent.


    That way, he would find more information about Project Zero, the vine, and perhaps, he might even find Sofia or her remnants¡­ He needed to end this Apocalypse, after all.


    James: "Looking to trade my extra machine gun ammo for a sturdy backpack. Any takers? I need that backpack that has a weight reduction effect, one that''s good for hiking¡­ Just PM me if you have one."


    Emily: "Just survived a close encounter with a Berserker Zombie in thest horde. My heart is still racing! It''s a High-Tier Zombie! I didn''t manage to kill it, but after the time ended, this Zombie was taken by a gray fog. Does anyone know how to kill that thing? I want to kill it someday¡­"


    Mark Paul: "Selling a rare Unhatched Egg¡­ Perfect for those who don''t have pets yet. DM for details!"


    Hannah: "Does anyone have tips for navigating the Sewer Tunnels in Sector 5? We need to avoid the Zombie Rats! They''re weak, but if there are too many of them, I don''t think we will survive that one. We escaped here during the Zombie Wave¡­ Now, we needed help to leave this ce alive¡­"


    Emily: "Find Zombie Lures or trade tons of them so you can escape. Good luck, Hannah¡­"


    Hannah: "That''s a nice suggestion¡­ I hope someone will sell a bunch of Zombie Lures."


    Antonio: "Everyone. I''d like to announce that our n, Silver Sentinel was top 10 in the ranking in this Zombie Wave¡­ If you want to join us or change ns, we can help you. If there''s a penalty for leaving the n, we will cover it for you. Just send me a message."


    Jacob: "I''m In search of a reliable melee weapon. Willing to trade crafting materials or food supplies! All my weapons were destroyed from thest Zombie Wave. Survivor Store and Reputation Store don''t sell any weapons. Please help me."


    Shane paused for a moment as he felt that he could fulfill the Unhatched Egg, the Bag, and the Weapon requests.


    He nned to send them a message to give them an offer, but he suddenly felt sleepy. Because of that, he decided to just leave them be and continued scrolling through the chat while yawning.


    Jill Luis: "Just encountered a group of Spitter Zombies near the abandoned hospital in Sector 4. Stay alert out there, folks! I think something is happening. It''s very weird that only a specific type of Zombie is gathering in that ce. Be careful."


    Oliver: "I found a bunch of guns in an abandoned police station. They''re not purchased in the Survivor Store or Reputation Point Store, so they weren''t in perfect condition. There''s also limited ammunition. I''m trading all of them in exchange for Talent Expansion Scroll."


    Liam: "Looking for fellow Survivors who had traveled around Sector 15¡­ We''re nning to find a different shelter since our current one is gone. I want to make sure that Sector 15 doesn''t have Toxic Zombies or Frost Zombies¡­ This Sector 4 is hell."


    "Sector 4?" Shane repeated as he read the message. It appears that Sector 4 was really challenging. He might consider checking this area since he wanted to see what kind of loot they would give him.


    Apparently, Region 1, where they are currently, was still divided by 20 sectors. ording to the map, Shane was still in the Sector 1.


    ''Should I try going to Sector 4¡­ That ce looked more interesting.'' Shane thought but he still had to consider a few things about thister on.


    Ves: "Can you see our bonfire celebration near the Blue Lighthouse? Come and join us¡­ We honor those we lost in the Zombie Wave. Remembering our fallenrades. If you''re near us, drop us a message¡­ The Ember Order wees you¡­"


    Ava: "Trading a set of advanced medical supplies for a high-quality firearm. DM if interested!"


    Noah: "My Pet died¡­ Does anyone know where to find a Turtle Pet? It had the effect of taking damage from its owner¡­ My pet died protecting me."


    Ves: "That''s sad, Noah¡­ Our Ember Order n had ways of getting specific pets. We don''t have Turtle right now, but we will soon have."


    Just like that, Shane fell asleep while reading through the messages in the Regional Chat¡­


    "Ugh~ I feel so refreshed¡­"


    As Shane rose from his slumber, the tantalizing aroma of Alexa''s cooking beckoned him to the kitchen¡­


    He quickly washed for a bit to clean himself before going outside to where a hearty meal awaited. The savory scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air, aforting smell that made it feel like they didn''t encounter a life-and-death situationst night.


    "Good morning¡­"


    Greeting Alexa with a grateful smile, Shane took his te and savored each bite of the delicious breakfast, feeling a sense of gratitude for the simple pleasures brought by hispanions...


    The warmth of the meal and the functioning estate, even without his orders, was truly a blessing.


    Stepping outside after breakfast, Shane gazed out at the mist-shroudedndscape surrounding the estate.


    "The mist is too thick¡­ I hope it''s just a normal phenomenon." He muttered.


    Then, after looking around the estate, he decided to finally check his Survivor Store.


    Shane made his way to the reception area of the estate, where he decided tofortably sit before opening his Survivor Store.


    Just like the announcement that he got, the Survivor Store was meticulously organized into three distinct tabs, The Weapon Store, Nourishment Store, and the Random Item Store.

 Chapter 236 : The Upgraded Store

    Shane checked the information disyed in each tab.


    Weapon Store: It disys an array of firearms, melee weapons, and ammunition. This section catered to those seeking to arm themselves for the dangers that lurked everywhere.


    Nourishment Store: Stocked with preserved food rations, cooking supplies, and medicinal herbs, this tab provided sustenance and healing for weary survivors braving the harsh realities of their world.


    Random Item Store: A treasure trove of misceneous goods, ranging from trinkets salvaged from the past to valuable resources needed for crafting and survival, this section offered surprises and essentials alike.


    As Shane checked each tab, he confirmed that all of them only had five items each. Four of them had 24 24-hour limit, while one of them had a seven-day limit.


    Opening the Weapon Store tab, Shane couldn''t help but smile seeing new and old items.


    He found the familiar lure, which he immediately purchased.


    [ Zombie Lure (Common):


    Description: A small, throwable device that emits a sound frequency and scent that''s irresistible to zombies. Use it to distract and divert zombie swarms away from your location.


    Price: 3 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 20/20 ]


    They seemed useless when they were onlymon rank, but once he upgraded them, they would be valuable resources. He nned to leave most of them to Mr. Wadsworth so they could use them someday once he left the estate.


    Anyway, the other four were quite familiar.


    [ Emergency re Gun: A re gun that shoots bright res into the sky. It can signal for help or distract zombies.


    Price: 15 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3 ]


    [ Backpack: Arge and spacious bag that can store more items and materials. It is made of nylon and has zippers and straps. It also provides some resistance to weight-based attacks from Crusher Zombies, reducing the damage and knockdown effect.


    Price: 15 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2/2 ]


    [ Scavenger''s Knife ( Umon ): A sharp and sturdy knife that can be used as a weapon or a tool. It can be used by a survivor who wants to cut, stab, or slice zombies or other materials, but with limited durability and reach. It has a +80% chance of causing bleeding.


    Price: 10 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    These were the 24-hour weapons being sold. However, for the 7-days expiration weapon, it was something new.


    [ Viral Edge Machete ( Master ): This serrated machete is coated with a viral agent that infects zombies upon contact, causing them to turn on their own kind. It''s a deadly weapon that spreads chaos among the undead ranks.


    Price: 350 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2/2 ]


    "This¡­" Shane couldn''t help but feel stunned after reading the description of the item being sold. The fact that it could turn the Zombie into their fellow Zombie was something he didn''t expect at all.


    There was no way he wouldn''t purchase this weapon!


    Lastly, he noticed that this item was also being sold with another copy! This was also surprising considering that all 7-day items that he had seen were sold as one out of one.


    Without hesitation, Shane spent 700 Zombies Cores to get two of them!


    After nodding in satisfaction, Shane opened the next tab, the Nourishment Store where he found interesting items.


    [ Herbal Medley Tea:A blend of aromatic herbs known for their healing properties and calming effects. This herbal tea soothes the mind and body, aiding in rxation and recovery.


    Price: 8 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 12/12 ]


    Canned Chili: A hearty and spicy chili packed in a durable can, perfect for a hot meal in the midst of chaos. This savory item warms the soul and fills the belly.


    Price: 3 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 8/8 ]


    [ Healing Salve (Common): A jar of thick, green paste made from a blend of medicinal herbs and zombie marrow. When applied to wounds, it elerates healing and reduces the risk of infection.


    Price: 5 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 10/10 ]


    [ Special Spicy Instant Noodles: A quick and tasty food that can restore health and energy to the user. It is a pack of noodles with a spicy sauce and can be cooked with water and heat. It can heal the user by a moderate amount, and can also boost the user''s speed and damage for a short time. Its smell can also be used as a nice distraction from certain zombies with a strong sense of smell.


    Price: 2 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 10 ]


    As expected, the items were unranked or unupgradeable except for the Salve.


    Anyway, Shane was new to the tea and the chili, so he immediately purchased them. Well, he actually bought all of them since they were all cheap.


    He had thousands of Zombies Cores, and he would not be able to spend all of this even if he had a spending spree over the next few days.


    Finally, Shane checked thest the food item that had a 7-day cooldown¡­


    "Oh¡­"


    It was actually quite interesting¡­


    [ Mutant Mushroom Soup: A bowl of savory soup made from rare mutant mushrooms that have adapted to the post-apocalyptic environment. Consuming this soup grants a permanent increase in the Perception Stat.


    Price: 250 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 4/4 ]


    "A permanent increase in Perception Stat!" Shane knew very well how incredible this effect was.


    With higher perception, there would be a higher range of detection.


    Needless to say, Shane purchased all four of them without hesitation.


    Feeling quite satisfied with how this spending spree was turning out, Shane finally checked thest tab. The Random Item Store¡­


    Because of how incredible the 7-day cooldown items were, Shane immediately checked this special item before anything else.


    He ignored the four items that had a 24-hour limit and saw a special item.


    [ Adrenaline Injector ( Rare ): An emergency syringe filled with a potent mix of stimnts and pain suppressants. When injected, it boosts stamina and temporarily enhancesbat abilities by 300% for 10 minutes.


    Price: 125 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3/3 ]


    "An emergency syringe, huh¡­" Shane found this item interesting, and he knew that he could even resell or trade this item for something he needed if he wanted to.


    After all, this could be considered a life-saving item!

 Chapter 237: Shanes New Items

    A 300% percent boost, even if it was only for 10 minutes, could surely save lives!


    After all, as they level up, their strength and other stat also grew higher¡­ Having a temporary 300% boost was simr to leveling up more than ten or twenty times!


    Considering that leveling up was incredibly difficult, especially at levels 10, 15, 20, and so on, this syringe was definitely a valuable item.


    Thankfully, it was inexpensive. It was only worth 125 Zombie Cores for each of them, so he didn''t have to use his Vouchers yet.


    After purchasing them all and spending 375 cores, Shane started looking at the four other items being sold.


    [ Hunter Stealth Cloak ( Exceptional ): This advanced cloak utilizes stealth technology to render the wearer nearly invisible to both zombies and human threats. Perfect for sneaking past dangerous areas undetected.


    Price: 180 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    "Mhmm? Hunter? Is it from the Zombie?" Shane muttered as he recalled the Hunter Zombies that Shinja and La eliminated.


    What he actually obtained from the Hunter Zombie was a Shadow Cloak¡­ It was a Master-Grade item and had incredible effects. It had two skills called Shadow Step and Night Embrace. However, that item was Unstackable.


    He couldn''t wear his tunic or armor while wearing that cloak¡­


    Nheless, the item he was seeing right now didn''t seem to have the same limitation, so he still decided to purchase it.


    Shane then continued checking the three other items.


    [ Sr-Powered Lantern ( Umon ): Antern equipped with sr panels for recharging during the day and emitting light at night. It is a reliable light source for exploring dark areas without attracting unwanted attention.


    Price: 40 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 4/4 ]


    [ Portable Water Filtration System ( Umon ): Apact device that filters and purifies water from any source, ensuring safe drinking water for survivors. It can help to stay hydrated and healthy in the harsh post-apocalyptic environment.


    Price: 25 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 6/6 ]


    [ Signal res ( Umon ): Bright, colorful res for signaling for help, marking locations, or distracting enemies. These res provide a visual signal visible from a distance both day and night.


    Price: 30 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    "They''re all not bad¡­" Shane muttered as he bought all of these items.


    Shane also wanted to check his current inventory to look for anything he had missed, just in case there were still important items here that he had to leave to others before moving out of the shelter.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets


    Level: 25


    Vitality: 500/500


    Spirit: 10,000/10,000


    Strength: 400


    Agility: 460 ( +60 )


    Luck: 21


    Perception: 25


    Inventory:


    Misceneous Items: 45


    Potions: 13


    Weapons and Equipment: 31


    Blood Collection: 15


    "This stat cap once again¡­" Shane sighed as he felt truly disappointed that he couldn''t just consume all of his Strength, Agility, and Vitality Enhancement Potions he had collected.


    He actually received a message from the system that his Physique had already reached the limit of his current level. In order to increase his current stats, he had to level up, which was obviously easier said than done.


    Despite that, however, his items'' stat boosts were able to ignore the level cap!


    The 60 Agility Points increase he had from his Crawler Grasp Gloves, Crawler Fang Daggers, and Shround of Shadows Cape was still working!


    Apparently, after getting so much Item Upgrade Crystals, he upgraded these Master-Grade items to Epic-Grades! That was 100 Item Ugprade Crystals each!


    [Crawler''s Grasp Gloves ( Epic ): Crafted from the enhanced fibers of Cryptic Crawler exoskeletons, these gloves provide the wearer with unmatched grip and tactile sensitivity. The inner lining is embedded with micro-fments that stimte the wearer''s reflexes, allowing for precise and swift movements.


    Effects: +20 Agility, +90 Physical Damage


    Special Effect:


    Enhanced Stealth Grip: Leaves no fingerprints or traces on surfaces, ideal for covert operations. Additionally, injuries made with this weapon could not be healed by skill or items for 3 hours. ]


    [ Crawler Fang Daggers ( Epic ): These twin daggers are masterfully honed from the fangs of the deadliest Cryptic Crawlers, retaining their innate venom. The hilts are designed to fit perfectly in hand, ensuring each strike is both swift and deadly.


    Effects: +20 Agility, +100 Poison Damage


    Special Effect:


    Perfect Venomous Strike: A sessful hit has a chance to inject a paralyzing toxin, immobilizing the target temporarily. ]


    [ Shroud of Shadows Cape ( Epic ): Woven from a fabric that seems to drink in the darkness, this cape cloaks the wearer in shadows. The outeryer is treated with a rarepound that diffuses light, rendering the wearer nearly invisible in low-light conditions.


    Effects: +20 Agility, +50% Movement Speed


    Special Effect:


    Perfect Shadowmeld: When activated, the wearer fades into the shadows, bing undetectable to the naked eye until the used Spirit Points disappear.


    Cost: 1 Spirit Points per second ]


    With such Epic Weapons in his possession, Shane felt a lot more confident going outside.


    At this point, he no longer needed the Ethereal Cloak of Shadows, which also had Perfect Shadowmeld. He had bought it in the secret shop before, and he was considering just selling it to his n members.


    Anyway, Shane continued checking the loot he had obtained yesterday during the Zombie Wave.


    ***


    After some time, as Shane meticulously organized his inventory, ensuring that each item was ounted for. Then, he was interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Mr. Wadsworth¡­


    "LordShane, there is a visitor at the gates¡ªa mysterious figure iming to be a wandering merchant seeking to trade with Foreign Survivors,"Mr. WadsworthinformedShanewith a tone of cautious intrigue.


    "A merchant?"


    The notion of a stranger arriving with goods to barter piquedShane''s curiosity, especially given the merchant''s selective preference for trading with someone like him.


    Intrigued by the prospect of this unusual encounter, Shane suddenly became suspicious. After all, the timing of the merchant''s arrival was too perfect.


    Could this be an event made by the System?


    Shane considered this, and he couldn''t help but smile at it.

 Chapter 238: Guest

    "Right¡­ Did they check on the merchant already?" Shane asked as he looked at the butler.


    The butler knew the protocol, so Shinja or some others must''ve asked the merchant a few questions already. This was especially for Chaloem, who had a higher sense of detecting evil.


    "Yes... Sir Shinja and Sir Chaloem confirmed that the merchant was not dangerous. He was simply filled with herbs that hid him from the zombies." Mr. Wadsworth said.


    This means that the merchant must''ve only reached this ce thanks to the herbs he was using to avoid being detected by the Zombies. That was quite interesting.


    "Then let me see him... I''m interested." Shane said as he finally stood up¡­


    He remained wearing his Crawler Set since he really liked their effects and followed Mr. Wadsworth.


    As Shane ascended the rampart to catch a glimpse of the mysterious figure waiting beyond the estate''s gates, he beheld the sight of an elderly man cloaked in tattered robes, his weathered face obscured by the shadows cast by the hood of his cloak.


    The merchant stood expressionless, but he could tell that the merchant was unafraid of whoever was behind the wooden gate! He remained unbothered while a sizable ransack slung over his shoulder, bulging with an assortment of goods and trinkets.


    Shane smiled as he felt that this was another kind of NPC Merchant from the system.


    ''Mhmmm¡­ I wonder what he''s selling.''


    Despite his advanced age, there was an undeniable aura of steadiness about the merchant. It was a proof that this person was also strong despite Shinja and Chaloem''s im that he was weak.


    Soon, the merchant noticed Shane at the rampart and his weather-beaten hands deftly adjusted the straps of his ransack, revealing glimpses of mysterious herbs and artifacts peeking out from within, hinting at the treasures he carried and the stories they held.


    "Ohhh¡­"


    Shane''s curiosity surged as he observed the cloaked merchant¡­


    "Gene, kindly open the gates and wee our esteemed guest into our estate¡­ He must''vee from afar, so don''t make him wait for too long. That bag must be heavy."Shaneinstructed, his voice showed a hint of hospitality and curiosity to their guest.


    "Mr. Wadsworth, please guide the merchant to the reception room and haveAlexaprepare a selection of food and beverages for our visitor¡­" Shane continued.


    It was quite obvious that he was eager to see into the mysterious items that the wandering merchant carried within his ransack.


    As the cloaked figure was ushered into the weing embrace of the estate,Shane soonfound himself seated across from the merchant in the cozy confines of the reception room of the manor.


    He was quite proud of this ce after it was renovated, and he knew that it was the perfect ce to ept visitors.


    At this time, however, he was also surrounded by his trustedpanions,Raze, and the members of theEclipse Revenant¡ªLyra,Jaxon,Kael, andTessa.


    All of them were quite excited since they''ve never seen or heard about this wandering merchant, even in the Regional Chat.


    They were now eager to discover what treasures the old man had brought to their doorstep.


    "Thank you for this drink¡­ I''ve been traveling for quite a while, even before the sun rose."


    Gulp~


    Expressing his gratitude for the refreshments provided byAlexa, the merchant took a moment to quench his thirst before unveiling his wares.


    With a gentle smile, he introduced himself.


    "First of all, I am Darwin¡­ Just a nomad whose travels led me to unearth various things, including rare and precious gems or materials I found in some forbidden areas."


    AfterDarwinunfurled a collection of shimmering gems, gasps of awe and wonder from the audience filled the room.


    "This looks familiar¡­" Raze muttered.


    "I''ve seen them before." Lyra also nodded as she realized what kind of precious stones they were.


    "Right¡­ They''ve also been sold in the bazaar before. But I didn''t bother bidding on them with their steep price." Tessa added.


    Shane also smiled after seeing this.


    Each gem radiated with a unique glow, pulsating with an otherworldly energy that hinted at their extraordinary properties.


    It only took a few seconds for them to realize that these were no ordinary gems¡ªthey wereRecruitment Stonesof various levels!


    "Ugh¡­ I think Shane would need these more since he''s the one who wanted to recruit plenty of people to manage hisnd." Kael said.


    Then, Raze spoke.


    "I am actually interested in acquiring some of them as well. Just think about it¡­ If the Recruitment Stones summoned an incredible person, you can obtain a strong servant waiting for you. If they''re not too good or just average, you can just have this person work for the n or for the estate.


    It shouldn''t be a bad idea to have a servant or two following you¡­" Raze exined as she knew that Roan was growing up. It was getting tiring to clean Roan or to feed him some time.


    With some reliable servants, they could be their life-saver as well if they were in a pinch.


    "Just think about that monk in the ramparts yesterday¡­" Raze added.


    "Ahhh¡­"


    They had all seen Chaloem in action yesterday! That monk was monstrous! He was like a human version of the Tyrant Zombie, and they all agreed that they wouldn''t get on his bad side.


    Thinking about it, there was no way they would reject a person of his caliber if he asked to join them!


    "Ahem¡­ Well, of course, it''s a different topic if we''re talking about Chaloem. That man came from an Epic Recruitment Stone after all." Tessa added.


    As an assassin, she was used to act alone when killing a target. However, if Chaloem was her partner, that was a different story.


    The room buzzed with excitement as theEclipse Revenantmembers exchanged whispers and furtive nces, their eyes alight with the prospect of recruiting other people...


    Darwin smiled after seeing their reaction to the first items he showed. ''It seems that it''s a good decision to show them these stones first.'' He thought.


    Then, Darwin introduced the seven different types of recruitment stones that he had brought to them.

 Chapter 239: Is it a Scam?

    There were a total of 30 stones on the table, and they were arranged in different colors.


    There were 10 ck stones, 6 red stones, 4 blue stones, 4 green stones, 2 bright yellow stones, 2 dark yellow stones, and 2 white stones.


    Each stone or gem was unique in its own way¡­ Their shape and sizes differ as if to tell that the people they could summon from these stones also differed.


    The first stone that Darwin presented was the Normal Recruitment Stone, a modest ck gem that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it.


    "This Normal Recruitment Stone," Darwin exined in a voice tinged with wisdom, "summons ordinary individuals with two or three skills. While they mayck extraordinary abilities, these individuals serve as a reliable workforce, ready to lend their expertise andbor to the Foreign Survivors.


    Treat them well, provide them with sustenance and protection from the threat of zombies, and they will prove to be steadfast allies in your journey." He exined.


    Everyone was aware of this Normal Recruitment Stone, so they weren''t too surprised. They also had a rough idea about what kind of people they could summon from this stone.


    Nheless, they didn''t stop the old merchant''s exnation.


    Shane and the others just nodded in understanding as they listened silently.


    Seeing their reaction, Darwin proceeded to unveil the second stone--the Special Recruitment Stone, distinguished by its vibrant red hue.


    "The red stone before you is the Special Recruitment Stone," Darwin said, his gaze sweeping across the group.


    "It has the power to recruit individuals with special talents and skills, elevating them above the ordinary. However, be mindful¡­ The loyalty of these summoned individuals may be fragile if the one who activates the stonecks the needed level to tame them. Take note of it in case you n to give this item as a gift to lower-level individuals¡­" He exined.


    "Is that so? What level do you suggest before we use that stone?" Raze asked everyone''s questions in their mind.


    "Mhmm¡­ I suggest you reach level 30 at the very least. Even if you''re not at that level, if you have strength that''s simr to that level, then there shouldn''t be any problem.


    "That''s interesting¡­ But I guess you''re right¡­ It''s difficult tomand someone who is stronger than you." Tessamented.


    After hearing this, Raze and the others looked at Shane.


    Shane wryly smiled at this as he could tell what they were thinking. They must be curious about his strength since he was able tomand Monk Chaloem and Warlord Shinja. Those two were incredibly strong after all.


    Nheless, everyone was eager to delve deeper into the mysteries of the remaining Recruitment Stones, so they shut their mouth and gestured for Darkwin to continue.


    The next stone was a blue one, and it was called Random Recruitment Stone¡­ -l-em,py-r


    Unlike the other two, this stone had an unpredictable nature, capable of summoning individuals with an assortment of skills and attributes, offering a diverse array of talents to aid the Foreign Survivors in their quest for survival. It could summon a strong individual or an incredibly useless one with terrible loyalty points.


    "You need a higher luck to use this¡­ I suggest using any skill or item that increases luck before you consider using this." Darwin suggested.


    "Higher luck, huh¡­" Everyone muttered at the same time as they were all not confident with their luck.


    Certainly, they obtained decent Talent and Skills, but that was not enough to say that they were lucky. Raze and others knew very well that their luck wasn''t good after looting hundreds of zombies.


    As for Shane, he had a Luck Stat activated, so he could really tell how trashy his luck was.


    If not for his Complete Loot Talent, he''d probably just loot Zombie Blood every time.


    Darwin smiled as he showed the green stone next¡­ He doesn''t know what they were thinking, but his customers probably had terrible luck this time as well.


    "Ahem¡­ This is a Rare Recruitment Stone¡­ It summons individuals of excellent rarity and prowess. Their unique abilities in certain fields distinguished them. You can say that professionals mostlye from this stone."


    "Professionals?" Kale repeated¡­


    "Yes¡­ They could be a knight, a diator, an assassin, a skilled chef, an expert mason, or any other expert in a certain field of work¡­ You can''t underestimate the people that could be recruited using this stone. That''s why the price for this is normally 450 Zombie Cores, but I can sell it to you for only 300 Zombies Cores."


    "Oh! A discount for us? Then, how much for the normal, special, and random Recruitment Stones?" Raze immediately asked. The others also nodded as they wanted to see whether they had enough money or zombie cores.


    "Right¡­ I''ll give them discounts as well, so I can sell the Normal Recruitment Stone for only 60 Zombie Cores. The Special one is only 100 Zombie Cores, while the Random stone is worth 200 Zombie Cores." Darwin listed.


    Shane and the others had no idea about the original price of the Recruitment Stones in the first ce, so they couldn''t really tell whether they were getting a discount or getting scammed.


    Nheless, they all thanked the old man for lowering the price while also opening their Regional Chat to ask questions.


    To Shane''s surprise, as soon as he opened the Regional Chat, he noticed that Raze had already had a chat asking about the question he was thinking.


    The others also looked surprised as they looked at Raze¡­


    Thetter could only smile as she focused on the replies.


    [ Raze: Does anyone know the price of Normal, Special, and Random Recruitment Stones in terms of Zombie Cores? I met a merchant selling a Random Recruitment Stone for 200 Zombie Cores. Is this a good deal? ]


    [ Travis: The Random Recruitment Stone is like a lottery ticket, so it can be expensive since there''s still a small chance of getting an epic-level Recruit. For 200 Zombie Cores, that''s already eptable. ]


    [ rissa: I want to buy 2 Random Recruitment Stones Raze¡­ ]


    [ Herman: I need people who have cksmithing Skills. Can I get them in the Recruitment Stones ]


    [ Mark Sol: Raze¡­ Do you have a boyfriend? ]

 Chapter 240: System Update

    Everyone in the room went silent for a moment as Darwin looked at his customers, who were looking dazed.


    Nheless, he was already used to seeing such things since he was always dealing with Foreign Survivors¡­


    It seemed weird at first, but he was already used to this phenomenon.


    [ Mark Sol: Raze¡­ Do you have a boyfriend? ]


    "¡­" Shane and the others were a bit amused by this question but Raze frowned at and shook her head slightly.


    Anyway, the chat continued.


    [ Gtea: Do you n on reselling, Raze? How much for the Normal Recruitment Stones? ]


    [ Oliver: Raze¡­ Which merchant is it? Can you introduce me to them? I need a Talent Expansion Scroll. Can you ask if he has one? ]


    [ Ves: Our Ember Order n was also visited by an old merchant. Unfortunately, one of our members fired an arrow at his feat while he was waiting to meet the Leader of the shelter and left. We could no longer find him. I think you''ve met the one my stupid soldier chased away, huh? ]


    [ Gtea: Please send me a private message for the prices. You can take amission fee. Let''s just do a tradeter. I need Normal Recruitment Stones. ]


    [ Hannah: Don''t buy them Raze. The price is not important, they''re just mouths to feed. Recruiting people through those stones wasn''t ideal since they might turn against you if you don''t feed them. We all know about food scarcity, so think about it carefully. ]


    [ Travis: I think that Normal Recruitment Stones shouldn''t be worth more than a hundred Zombie Cores, while the Special Recruitment Stones should be about 150 to 200 Zombie Cores. ]


    [ Raze: Thank you, Travis. For the others, thanks for replying, and I''ll consider your advice. ]


    "Ugh¡­" Raze wryly smiled after seeing that aside from Travis, there were no other helpful replies. She didn''t really need their replies and only wanted answers like Travis.


    ''But why is this person always online? Does he have nothing to do?'' Raze mused as she realized that whenever she opened her Regional Chat, this person was always there trying to recruit people or show how great his n was.


    As expected, as soon as Raze sent her reply, Travis responded.


    [ Travis: You''re wee, Raze¡­ We have recruited one of the best informants just today. He''s really good and knows plenty of things on the continent. Do you want to join us? I still have one more open spot for you. Let''s survive this Zombie Apocalypse together! ]


    At this time, Raze and the others just closed the message board.


    Anyway, if what Travis said was right, then the prices of the old man were indeed eptable.


    "Ahem¡­ Sorry for that, Sir Darwin¡­ Can you please continue introducing the other Recruitment Stones?" Shane said as he gestured for the old merchant to continue.


    "Of course¡­ The next will be the Master Recruitment Stone¡­ These stones were known for summoning seasoned veterans and skilled practitioners in various fields. It''s quite simr to the Rare Recruitment Stone, but the people brought by these stones were better¡­ You can think of them as 20 to 30 levels higher than the ones recruited from the Rare Recruitment Stones.


    Furthermore, these normally would normally have their weapons and tools with them, unlike the ones in the Rare Stones who only had their clothes after being recruited."


    Darwin exined. He seemed to be better than the Apocalypse system when exining things.


    "This is only 500 Zombie Cores and I''ll only offer this price to you because of your hospitality when receiving me." Darwin said with a smile.


    Then, he introduced the Epic Recruitment Stone¡ªthe simr item that recruited Monk Chaloem.


    It was quite expensive even with its discounted price since it was worth 1,200 Zombie Cores. That was certainly expensive but was probably worth it.


    Just like what Shane knew about it, it could summon warriors, strategists, and leaders ofmerce alike. Their loyalty points were usually high at the start, but it could easily go down if the person they followed had ideals that greatly contradicted their nature¡­ At the very least,it guarantees a Summon with amazing talent!


    Finally, they thought that Darwin would show them the Heroic Recruitment Stone. They believed that the white Recruitment Stone was like the one that Shane used to summon Shinja¡­


    However, they were all surprised to know the truth.


    It was actually a Zombie Recruitment Stone!


    "Zombie Recruitment Stone? Why do you even have that?" Shane and the othersmented.


    "Is it for practicing? Can we use our skills in the Zombies and advance their level faster?" Raze asked as she recalled that her Survivor Skills were only at level 3 or 5 while Shane''s recruits mostly have level 10 or maxed skills.


    The only thing thatforted her was the fact that with Roan''s help, her Skill Limit wasn''t just level 10 but level 15.


    "Who would buy this thing?" Kael muttered in surprise.


    "Can we actually recruit them with these stones? Will they be able to fight for us? That''s interesting¡­" Tessa added as she couldn''t help but imagine summoning a Tyrant Zombie and controlling it to fight for them!


    As Shane and the others were curious about this Zombie Recruitment Stone, a message from the System interrupted their thoughts. All Foreign Survivors on the Continent received the same message!


    [ Attention Survivors,


    I have important information regarding the three uing events in the post-apocalyptic world you all have chosen.


    The first event is the Regional Server Merge.


    In a bid to foster greater coboration andpetition, the merger of Regional Servers is imminent and will take ce within 5 days. This consolidation will bring together survivors from various regions, offering new alliances, rivalries, and opportunities for cooperation. Prepare to interact with a broadermunity and adapt to this unified server environment.


    The second event is the Boss Raid Challenge.


    Prepare yourselves for the ultimate test of skill and teamwork as a Boss Raid Event is scheduled tomence in 30 days.

 Chapter 241 : Brave

    Shane and everyone else on the continent received the same notification from the system.


    "Regional Server Merge¡­ Boss Raid¡­" Shane muttered as he continued examining the announcement.


    [ ¡­ In the Boss Raid Event, a formidable Zombie awaits your team. It requires yourbined strength and strategy to ovee such a foe. Gear up, strategize, and stand ready to face this challenge. More details about this event will be announced at the date of itsmencement.


    Finally, be prepared for the third Zombie Wave.


    Once the Boss Raid Event was concluded, the third Zombie Wave is set to surge in just 15 days. It will finally be a weaker Zombie Wave, and it aims to make everyone rich! However, they can still be dangerous if you''re not careful. They can still overrun your defenses, so ensure you are fully prepared to repel this relentless onught.


    Stay vignt, fortify your positions, and work together to survive.


    Remember, your survival depends on effective coordination, resource management, and courage in the face of danger.


    Prepare wisely, bolster your defenses, and may fortune favor the brave as you confront these impending challenges. ]


    Just like before, the announcement ended with some encouraging words as if they truly care about the Survivors who were risking their lives in the continent.


    "This is a huge update¡­" Raze muttered.


    "This Regional Server Merge will definitely change the current leaderboard ranking." Kael muttered.


    "Oh¡­ Now that you said it, does it mean that our n Leader, Shadow Strider, will no longer be on the top next time?" Tessa added with a teasing tone.


    "Haha! There''s no way someone will beat our boss. Our n will easily fall behind since there are too few of us. However, for the individual ranking, I think our n Leader will still be the best!" Lyra added.


    "Ahem¡­ You won''t get anything from me even if you praise me, Lyra." Shane said while shaking his head.


    "It''s my ranking that will surely go down. I''ll have to raid a few dungeons to level up faster." Raze said she only leveled up a few times in the previous wave.


    Darwin, on the other hand, silently listened to their conversations and smiled.


    "It seems that something interesting had just happened." Darwin said.


    "Right¡­ We apologize for that. There''s an announcement that we heard about as Foreign Survivors, and it''s quite important. Now, let''s get back to business." Shane said as he then turned to Raze and the others.


    "I am nning to purchase all of these Recruitment Stones. You can buy the recruitment stones you want, and I''ll take all the remaining ones." Shane said.


    Of course, this made everyone excited. They knew that Shane possessed the wealth to purchase all of these Recruitment Stones. So now that they have the chance to select first, they were definitely excited!


    Kael nodded in acknowledgment ofShane''s decision.


    "Ah, the generosity and foresight of our esteemed n Leader. Your wealth and wisdom know no bounds," he remarked as if to curry favor with Shane.


    "If you need to borrow many, just say it." Shane replied.


    "Hahaha!" The othersughed as they could also tell that Kael was being too obvious.


    "Ahem¡­ It''s not like that at all. I still have some Zombie Cores with me. I didn''t spend them all in my Survivor Store." Kael hastily replied.


    "Very well¡­ Let me choose. I want one of the Epic Recruitment Stones and two of the Normal Recruitment Stones for 1,320 Zombie Cores." Raze suddenly said. She doesn''t have a big reason for selecting this. It was simply because the epic one was the most expensive item among them all, and she the two normal stones might give her maids or nanny to take care of Roan...


    Anyway, even if not, it wasn''t a big deal for her.


    Lyra then joined the conversation and opted for two SpecialRecruitment Stones. She was eager to enlist individuals of good talent, and she was hoping that they were warriors! As a Sharpshooter, she really needed someone who could stay beside her and fight for her in meleebat.


    "Mhmm¡­ I can probably buy this bright yellow stone¡­" Tessa added as her gaze remained on the Master Recruitment Stone¡­


    "If the one I recruited isn''t suited for what I n them to do, can I just let them work here in the estate? I''m just concerned since they will be an additional mouth to feed." Tessa asked Shane.


    "Of course, it''s fine¡­ You''re part of the n. Please think of this ce as our home. As long as the one you recruited would work here, food wouldn''t be a problem." Shane replied.


    Raze smiled at this and also shared her thoughts. "That''s what I nned as well. Most of the people helping us here were summoned by Shane¡­ It''s also time to help him with our people."


    Jaxon then mirroredLyra''s decision and chose to acquire two SpecialRecruitment Stones. He was envisioning to obtain a cadre of skilled allies who would stand by his side.


    Lastly,Kael, with some unease and excitement, decided to invest in two RareRecruitment Stones. He had a bit more Zombie Cores, and he was also drawn to the allure of individuals possessing rare and invaluable skills that could prove useful...


    "This purchase may deplete my savings, but the potential gains far outweigh the cost¡­" he remarked with a wry smile. There was a sense of satisfaction evident in his eyes as he embraced the decision he made. There was no backing out.


    As the group finalized their selections, they gathered the money or Zombie Cores they needed before giving it to Shane instead...


    In the end, Shane received 2,820 Zombie Cores from the members of his n for the stones they bought¡­


    Overall, the 30 Recruitment Stones were worth 7,820 Zombie Cores.


    Perhaps, if not for the Zombie Wave, Shane wouldn''t be able to purchase them.


    Nheless, before paying the Zombie Cores to the old merchant, Shane curiously looked at Darwin and asked a crucial question.


    "Sir Darwin¡­ May I ask how are you protecting your wares? Are you not afraid of getting robbed?"

 Chapter 242 : Braver

    Shane''s inquisitive gaze lingered onDarwin¡­


    "Hahaha¡­ So you were curious about that. I didn''t expect such a question." Darwin replied with a chuckle. He didn''t seem bothered at all. It was as if he wasn''t seeing any threat from Shane and the others, even if he was inside their territory.


    This obviously made the others to be curious as well.


    "I am genuinely curious, Sir Darwin¡­ You seem to have used a specific scent or herb to avoid being detected by the Zombies. But in a world filled with uncertainty and treachery, do you not fear the threat of robbery?" Shane asked.


    To be honest, he was also curious about what Darwin used to avoid being detected by the zombies, but he was more curious about the strength of the old man.


    If he had a level as well, Shane would certainly wish to know so he couldpare himself.


    Darwin then paused for a moment. He looked at Shane''s eyes as if trying to see whether this person would rob him.


    Raze and the others were also intrigued byShane''s query as they fixed their gazes uponDarwin, awaiting his reply.


    After a few moments, Darwin gently nodded as if satisfied with Shane''s eyes.


    With a knowing smile, he alsochuckled softly before giving a response.


    "Ah, my dear friends, if you''re concerned about my safety, fear not. This is a normal matter in the realm ofmerce. One must wield more than steel to protect what is rightfully theirs. As an elder in the trade, I have a few sets of skills that will aid me inbat, and I''m also a good escape artist.


    If there''s a time I can''t protect my wares, I know I can escape, and I''ll return taking back what''s mine tenfold."


    As he said this, Shane and others could feel that Darwin wasn''t just joking around.


    It seemed that this person was truly mysterious.


    Shane could only think of a few possibilities. Darwin was incredibly strong but was hiding it for a purpose. Aside from that, Darwin must have had a very powerful background that could protect him in case he was mistreated. Of course, it could be both, and this person should be messed with.


    As the conversation concluded in this part,Shane seized an opportunity to broach the topic of discounts¡­


    Well, it should be normal to ask for discounts as well, considering how much they''re spending on this transaction alone.


    ''I should give it a try at the very least¡­'' Shane thought. In any case, nothing would be lost if he tried haggling.


    "Given our intent to acquire all theRecruitment Stones,"Shanestarted, "would it be possible to extend a discount as a gesture of goodwill?"


    Darwin, his eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement, metShane''s request with a gracious nod. "Ah, I''ve already given huge discounts on these stones. That''s already the lowest I could go. However, since you are generous and offered me some refreshments... I''ll offer you something different since I am not withoutpassion."


    Darwin then looked at his ransack and added.


    "I may not give you any more discounts, but I can lower the price of my other items for you." Darwin said like a true merchant.


    Once again, Shane and the others wouldn''t really know if Darwin had already lowered the price or not since they do not have the basis for the prices anyway.


    Shane could only give up haggling as he paid for the Recruitment Stones. After that,Darwinunveiled a trove of additional items from his ransack¡­


    Thankfully, this old man was also selling Power Cores! This was what they needed right now to activate their barriers once again!


    After all, only the Bio-Barrier Generator was working at the moment!


    ***


    In the meantime, whileShaneand hispanions immersed themselves in the treasures offered byDarwin, the bustling estate hummed with activity as each member engrossed in their respective duties and responsibilities.


    Most of them repaired what had been damaged in the previous Zombie Wave. Then, those who finished tending the nts and trees, also helped with the construction.


    Of course, Harper still had a small group enter the mining site with Chaloem''s protection to mine some iron ores. They needed more steel and iron in order to strengthen the defense of the estate.


    Then, behind the church, where there was a small warehouse that had been recently built, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a jolly and rotund man known asBartholomew, affectionately calledBartby his peers.


    Bartcut a striking figure with his jovial demeanor and round presence. Nheless, this person could not be underestimated since he had a remarkable talent for both the art of alcohol brewing and the mysteriousbat style known asDrunken Fist.


    Despite his outward appearance resembling that of a typical tavern patron,Bart''s expertise in crafting exquisite ales and his mastery of theDrunken Fistmade him really famous. Well, all of them wanted to taste Bart''s ale and various brewed alcohols after all.


    On this particr day, as Bart was thinking of checking the warehouse where he stored a few bottles of alcohol and his domain of fermentation, where a hundred bottles of ale awaited their maturation, he saw something perched on the chairs near the warehouse.


    With a mischievous glint in his eye and a jug of ale in hand,Bartwalked silently to approach what he had just seen.


    It was a sh of feathers and a crackling surge of electricity¡­


    ''Sparky was it?'' Bart thought to himself as he looked at the creature.


    Sparky, the evolved thunderbird, had truly dazzled all who beheld him.


    As he got closer, Bart couldn''t stop showing his emotions. With a boisterousugh and a hearty cheer,Bartdashed towards the Evolved Thunderbird! He waspletely undaunted by the electrifying creature before him! Powered by m|v|l|e|mpyr


    "Hey there, ye feathered rascal! Come hither and share thy bounty with ol''Bart!" He bellowed, his voice echoing through thewarehouseas he chased the elusive thunderbird.


    Bang! Bang!


    Unfazed by the crackling bolts of lightning thatnced through the air, Bart''sughter rang out as hepletely ignored the lightning bolts as if he were immune to them!


    As he closed in onSparky,Bart''s nimble footwork and unorthodoxDrunken Fisttechniques came into y as he tried catching the bird!


    He actually wanted to pluck some of its feathers!

 Chapter 243: Unexpected Items

    La was stationed in the eastern watchtower and saw what their brewmaster was doing¡­


    "What''s going on? Is he going to be alright?" La was unsure whether to report what was happening since Bart seemed to be having fun with the evolved Thunderbird.


    On the other hand, Sparky kept releasing several electric sparks in Bart''s way¡­ These sparks would also miss Bart from time to time, and even if thetter got hit, he would bepletely unaffected.


    Because of that, La wasn''t sure if Sparky was also trying to y with Bart.


    In the end, La decided to ignore them since even if Bart got hurt, it would be his own fault for messing with the evolved Thunderbird who had managed to even several injure a Giant Leader Zombie.


    ***


    Bang! Bang!


    At this time, Bart avoided another series of strikes from the evolved Thunderbird.


    He was simply too agile for his current size! Soon, he found an opportunity to grab Sparky''s tail feathers!


    With a skillful maneuver, he lunged towards the Thunderbird, his hands outstretched in a yful attempt to pluck a few feathers from the majestic creature''s resplendent plumage!


    However, Sparky was faster and before Bart could grab its tail, it suddenly changed its direction and circled Bart! Sparky didn''t fly high either, as if it was trying to lure Bart and give him false hope!


    "Hahaha! Think I can''t catch ye?!" Bart justughed it off as he continued his chase.


    Bart and Sparky engaged in a whimsical game of pursuit and evasion¡­


    This unfolding scene of joyous chaos and unbridled fun had, of course, resulted in various reactions.


    Some of those who had seen them giggled at the sight of two unusual partners. However, there were also those who sighed, seeing how the man had a lot of free time to y with the lord''s pet¡­


    Nheless, despite the different reactions of the residents in the estate, Bart''s infectiousughter filled the estate with warmth and brought a touch of whimsy to the heart of the estate.


    ***


    As Bart yfully pursued Sparky, the thunderbird, through the estate in a whimsical game of feather-plucking, Darwin''s business dealings with Shane''s party neared their conclusion.


    The group had acquired a diverse array of treasures from the enigmatic merchant, ranging from Power Cores and Rare Weapons to garments and even a selection of vegetable seeds¡­ Darwin truly had various items with him.


    As the transactions drew to a close, a moment of contemtion passed over Darwin''s features. ''


    Shane noticed this and it prompted him to inquire about it¡­


    "Is there something on your mind, Sir Darwin?" Shane queried, his gaze steady as he awaited the merchant''s response¡­


    With a wry smile that hinted at both surprise and admiration, Darwin acknowledged replied slowly.


    "You have expended a considerable sum of wealth today, surpassing 12 thousand Zombie Cores in total. This level of patronage is truly remarkable, exceeding even my expectations," Darwin remarked, his toneced with a blend of respect and amazement at the generosity disyed by Shane and hispanions.


    "I probably have to visit 20 or more Shelters before I could reach such a sale.


    This was really impressive to the point that he would surelye to this shelter the first thing he got his supplies.


    ''As expected to a shelter with a Heroic Summon¡­ They''re incredibly rich.'' Darwin thought.


    Shane smiled after hearing this since he could understand Darwin. They were indeed notcking in Item Upgrade Crystals and Zombie Cores thanks to the recent Zombie Wave.


    Then, Shane seized the opportunity to jest with Darwin about the possibility of further discounts or a potential cashback offer, his wordsced with a yful charm that elicited a chuckle from the seasoned merchant.


    Raze and the others couldn''t help but realize why their leader was so rich¡­ He was actually so frugal.


    However, Darwin''s response was quite promising. He decided to offer something beyond mere discounts¡­


    "Oh¡­ I''m excited." Shane replied as this revtion piqued everyone''s curiosity. They thought that the transaction had already concluded, and they just had to let the old man leave.


    "Although I can no longer give you any discounts, I can show you something else." Darwin began, his voice tinged with a note of mystery.


    "I have in my possession an item of unparalleled value, one that I am prepared to offer to you as a token of our growing partnership. You have to remember that I won''t just sell this to anyone." He continued.


    This made everyone more excited. Although some of them no longer had the money of cores to purchase more items, they were still eager to know what the old man was selling.


    "I hope it''s not too expensive, old man..." Jaxonmented while thinking about how he only had 29 Zombie Cores in his inventory.


    "Haha... That''s true... Our leader had already spent a lot of money... Their price shouldn''t be too expensive." Raze said with a chuckle. Aside from Shane, no one else had Zombie Cores left in their pockets.


    Darwinughed as he nodded.


    He soon unveiled three items from his inner jacket; each of them seemed precious.


    The first and second items were identical and Darwin introduced them as Talent Expansion Scroll!


    This surprised everyone since they had never considered that an item from the Reputation Store of the System could also be sold by this old man!


    As for thest item, it was actually a map of a specific region.


    "I will sell these Talent Expansion Scrolls for only 250 Item Upgrade Crystals each. That would be a total of 500 for these two."


    Obviously, Raze and the others were surprised to hear this. That was simply too expensive! To advance a Common Grade item to an Epic Grade item requires a total of 143 Item Upgrade Crystals!


    500 Item Upgrade Crystals could already make 3 Epic Grade Items if the advancement had a 100% sess rate!


    "Too expensive!" The five other members of the n eximed at the same time.


    However, since Shane almost had the same number of Zombie Cores and Item Upgrade Crystals a while ago, he had no issue with it!

 Chapter 244: Item Upgrade Crystals

    ''Right¡­ How many Item Upgrade Crystals do I have anyway?'' Shane thought as he recalled that he was indeed nning to upgrade some of his items to Legendary Grade.


    Well, from Master to Epic, he only needed 100 Item Upgrade Crystals. However, from Epic to Legendary, he had to spend 1,000 Item Upgrade Crystals!


    The difference in price was simply too huge, so he had never had a single Legendary Item yet.


    Checking his inventory, he soon realized that his Item Upgrade Crystals were already too many!


    [ Inventory: ]


    [ Misceneous Items: Memory Sphere x16, Item Upgrade Crystals x11,896, Zombie Cores x6938¡­


    "Well¡­ There''s nothing to worry about." Shane mused to himself after seeing how rich he was.


    Then, Shane''s gaze lingered on the ancient map spread before him; its faded parchment made it look really fragile, and he was worried that it would get torn if he held it.


    ''Is he not worried that one of us has Enhanced Memory Talent and memorizes the map?'' Shane thought to himself.


    "Can you tell us more about this map?" Shane asked as the old man started rolling it once again.


    Everyone in the reception hall had already be interested in this map, which wasn''t surprising. After all, no matter what kind of map it was, it would definitely bring them some benefit since it was being sold for a high price! It could be a treasure map or even a map that leads them to a sanctuary or a ce rich in resources and away from the zombies.


    With a knowing glint in his eyes,Darwinbegan to unravel the secrets concealed within the map.


    "This is a very detailed map with notes of a certain Researcher at the back. I don''t really care if you managed to recognize the drawings on the map since the important things is at its back¡­" Darwin said as he paused for a moment to look at everyone''s reaction.


    Seeing their nodding gesture, he continued.


    "The notes will tell you more details about the location of aboratory and the treasures you can find inside. They''re definitely priceless¡­ How is it? Interested now? Normally, I won''t sell these items unless you guys have already reached the third level of Evolution..." Darwin said mysteriously.


    "A treasure indeed¡­ But the third level of Evolution?" Kael muttered.


    "This is quite exciting¡­"


    "But if there are treasures there, Darwin would''ve taken them already."


    "That''s true¡­ It only means that it''s filled with danger¡­"


    "Just like what he said, we have to reach that third Evolution. What was that anyway?" Raze asked in the end. Everyone was actually curious about this third Evolution.


    The prospect of venturing into this domain stirred a mixture of apprehension and fascination amongShaneand hispanions.


    Of course, the allure of untold rewards wouldn''t make them go crazy and just buy this map without much thought.


    Shane knitted his brows before he spoke again.


    "Before that¡­ Can you tell us whether this map is near us or in a different continent? It might just be a useless map if we can''t even go there."


    Darwin nodded at this since he wasn''t nning to keep it in secret anyway.


    "I can tell you that this map is in Sector 20 of this region... It leads to a secret base of an old organization that tried to stop the spread of the Zombie Virus but instead created mutations of the Zombies, making matters worse. There are stronger Zombies in this Sector...


    However, you will get an unexpected reward if you manage to enter theirboratory as the notes mentioned here." The old merchant said as he revealed the area.


    He didn''t mind it at all since without the notes at the back of this map, they would never find it at all.


    "I see¡­ It must be filled with danger since you didn''t take the treasures yourself. That''s understandable. Now, can you tell us about the Evolution?" Shane asked.


    "If you don''t know about it, you haven''t reached your body''s limit yet. I can tell you now that you need a Spirit Breakthrough Potion in order to evolve... That piece of advice is free... Anyway, although I don''t think that you''ve reached that point yet, I can tell that you have killed a lot of Zombies to get this rich. So I''m selling this map now...


    Just remember that you only think of reaching the third Evolution before exploring this ce. Ahem¡­ That''s enough for free advice. This map is worth only 500 Item Upgrade Crystal. If you will buy all these three items, I will give you a discount. I will sell it for 900 crystals only." Darwin said.


    The others do not have that many Item Upgrade Crystals, so they were no longer listening to the two.


    Raze felt excited after hearing about the possibilities of Evolution.


    ''Is it rted to reaching a level? Perhaps it''s only for level 30? No¡­ He said it''s Spirit Breakthrough Potion¡­ I think I read that in the chat before, but they also don''t know how to use it.'' Raze muttered.


    The notion of reaching one''s evolutionary pinnacle and transcending the limits of mortal form resonated with the members of the Eclipse Revenant!


    They knew for a fact that being able to evolve would surely make them stronger!


    On the other hand, after securing the three items fromDarwinin exchange for 900 Item Upgrade Crystals,Shaneand hispanions felt a surge of anticipation and excitement coursing through their veins. They had gained a lot in this transaction, and they were all looking forward to the Recruitment Stones they were about to use.


    Soon, Darwin bid them farewell and departed from the estate¡­ Those in the watchtower observed his figure gradually receding into the mist-shroudedndscape until he vanished from their sight.


    Then,Shanereturned to his room and carefully unfurled the aged map¡­


    He read it thoroughly and soon, he realized why this map was so expensive!

 Chapter 245: Rewards

    Shane''s eyes were drawn to the notes penned by the Researcher whose identity was revealed as a prominent figure within the ranks of the New Government dedicated to halting the spread of the Zombie Virus¡­


    "I am Dr. Marcus Holloway, a devoted servant of the New Government''s cause tobat the insidious gue of the Zombie Virus and a dedicated Bio-Weapon Researcher.


    I am writing this to get someone to continue our research and let the technologies we''ve created be known to everyone¡­ I hope that someday, humanity will be strong enough to use these technologies¡­"


    Shane paused for a moment as he read this part¡­ Indeed, Darwin seemed to have given him a very precious map¡­


    In his meticulously penned notes, Dr. Holloway detailed the location of theunderground research facility, hidden beneath the decaying facade of anabandoned warehousein the heart ofSector 20.


    The entry point, obscured by the overgrown foliage and crumbling masonry, was marked by a series of symbols etched into the stone, it was a proof to the secrecy and subterfuge that shrouded the facility from prying eyes.


    "To breach the facility''s defenses, you must undo a series of puzzles and traps designed to test both mind and physical prowess. Only those with enough strength and keen intellect shall ovee these trials and gain ess to the inner sanctum where the Bio-Armor, our most prized creation, lies in wait."


    Shane''s eyes lit up after reading this part¡­


    "Bio-Armor! This is cool!"


    His knowledge about the Bio-Armor was actually thanks to the memories he got from the Fairy Realm Collision. From thetest memories that he had, the Shelter where he was assigned was actually filled with Mutant ck Beetles. Well, the setting of the Fairy Realm was actually still on Earth, but it was merging with the Fairy Realm¡­


    Firearms, nuclear weapons, and various things don''t work in this apocalypse. It was because of the Fairy Realm''s influence that was affecting the Earth¡­


    To be exact, the Fairy Realm was already about 70% in its integration on Earth. Nheless, humans slowly adapted to it and were able to use the Fairy Realm''s uniqueness to their advantage. New weapons were developed, and one of them was the integration of mutated creatures into humans.


    The Mutant ck Beetles, for example, had be a source of their Shelter''s most basic armor! If enough essence of the Beetles were looted, it could help the crafters create a Bio-Armor!


    If his experience in the Fairy Realm Collision was right, then this would be a game-changer if he obtained it!


    ''If it can be enhanced with Item Upgrade Crystals, then it would be perfect.'' Shane thought.


    AsShanedelved deeper into the notes, he uncovered a trove of information regarding the other treasures concealed within the research facility''s hallowed halls.


    The Researcher further exined that theBio-Armor was actually a fusion of cutting-edge technology and biological enhancements that mirrored the regenerative properties of theFlesh Puker Zombies'' armorbut in a refined and perfected form.


    TheBio-Armor, as described by Dr. Holloway, possessed the ability to enhance its wearer''s strength, agility, and resilience to levels far beyond human capabilities, granting them a formidable edge inbat against the mutated zombies that lurked everywhere, especially in the Sector 20.


    Of course, Dr. Holloway also further exined the other items Shane could obtain in the facility, and he felt truly excited! He also gave some encouraging words at the end of the notes, hoping that it would help the Survivors decide to risk their lives entering this ce¡­


    "I should go there¡­" Shane muttered as he knew that he had to leave this Shelter soon.


    Nheless, Shane was still worried that this note was actually written with malicious intent. After all, the Researcher might actually be the one who was evil and was nning to send people to that ce to unleash another catastrophe that would engulf the continent.


    However, just as he thought of this, the system actually recognized this as some sort of achievement!


    It seemed that acquiring the map and the clue rted to the hidden Research Facility was part of the main quest to end this Apocalypse!


    [ Congrattions, Shane, on unlocking the secrets of Dr. Marcus Holloway''s notes and delving deeper into the mystery of the Zombie Virus! ]


    [Your wealth and thirst for knowledge have brought you closer to unraveling the mysteries that shroud Sector 20.


    As a reward for your exceptional discovery, you have been granted the following:


    +1,000 Experience Points: Your expertise and insight have grown exponentially as you delve into the intricate details of the underground research facility.


    +200 meters Territorial Expansion: Your influence and reach have expanded as you venture further into uncharted territories, solidifying your presence in this ever-evolving world.


    Enjoy new stories from m-v l''e-NovelBin


    May these rewards bolster your resolve and serve as a testament to your courage and intellect. Continue your quest with unwavering determination, for the fate of humanity rests in your hands. Good luck, brave adventurer! ]


    Ding!


    [ Your Territory Lord Title''s Effect has been upgraded. ]


    [ Residents of your territory will now gain 2 Loyalty Points per day. ]


    "Whoa~" Shane couldn''t help but feel excited after seeing this. He didn''t expect to gain such benefits just by spending Item Upgrade Crystals!


    ''No¡­ It''s not just Item Upgrade Crystals. If I hadn''t spent more than ten thousand Zombie Cores, we wouldn''t have had this offer to buy the map with notes from this Researcher¡­ If I''m not mistaken, there are already other Shelters visited by the old man.'' Shane thought to himself as he realized how difficult this hidden quest was.


    It would not be triggered without any wealth at all!


    Without his Complete Loot System, he was sure this hidden quest would remain unknown for several months or even years!


    After all, the memories he had obtained from his Memory Spheres were already about four years into the two other Apocalypses!


    Anyway, now that he knew what he had to do once he left the estate, he should immediately start preparing for his journey¡­


    Before that, however, he realized that there was another message that he had missed!


    [ You have leveled up. ]

 Chapter 246: Preparing to leave the Estate

    Lucas, a seasoned soldier from the modern era, stood alert at thewatchtoweroverlooking theentrance gateofSpringriver Manor.


    As the mist enveloped the surroundings, he observedLord Shanebidding farewell to the mysteriousMerchant, whose figure dissolved into the mist, leaving a sense of intrigue¡­


    ''That old merchant must be strong¡­'' Lucas muttered as he realized that this merchant had just avoided several Zombie Traps like it was nothing!


    It was no wonder their Lord Shane didn''t bother to warn the old man about those traps.


    Clutching hisMaster-Grade Ranger''s Silent Crossbow,Lucasmaintained his post, scanning the vicinity for any signs of disturbance. Although the Zombie Wave was justpleted, there were still several Zombies like Jumper, Runner, and Walker Zombies that would reach their shelter from time to time.


    As for the Spitter Zombie that gets attracted to the water, they would be dealt with by the elves stationed upstream.


    Well, if they ever noticed some impurity in the river as well, they would wave a g to signal those in the shelter to temporarily avoid using the river water and change to their stored water until it was clear again.


    Perhaps, only the elves could do this job because of their natural affinity to nature¡­


    Of course, Lily and Elsa should also be capable of appraising the water, but they have other things to do.


    At this time, Lucas'' keen eyes surveyed the estate, taking note of the hard-workingSuper Soldierboring to fell trees with precision and efficiency. The rhythmic buzz of the chainsaw echoed as one soldier expertly harvested the lumbers while another transported the logs to thewarehouse, their teamwork seamless and coordinated.


    ''It''s a pity that we lost 3 Super Soldiers. I hope Lord Shane can recruit more of them soon.'' Lucas thought to himself.


    After all, each Super Soldier was probably equal to a hundred normal soldiers, in his opinion. They had incredible stamina, only needed to eat a single time each day, and also worked efficiently.


    They weren''t just perfect soldiers but also perfectborers.


    With these Super Soldiers, the estate''s defenses were always high.


    Across the grounds,Lucas then noticed Monk Chaloemshowing his formidable strength¡­


    Channeling his inner aura and employing a Monk Fist technique, he started shattering boulders with effortlessly!


    Boom! Boom!


    The resounding impact of each strike reverberated through the estate¡­ After breaking these stones, a few people collected them and transported them to the estate with a wheelbarrow.


    These people were those who were normally working on the vegetable farm.


    Turning his attention elsewhere,Lucasobserved those newly arrived from another shelter helping with the fortification of the defenses of the manor...


    More traps were set, trenches were dug, and some ventured out to fend off encroaching zombies¡­ Most of the zombies were only Crawler and Walker Zombies, so they were easy to deal with.


    "Hmm? What''s going on?"


    Suddenly, a remarkable shift urred as the once-obscured area surrounding the estate emerged from the dissipating mist, revealing a fresh rity that captivated all who saw it.


    "The mist dissipated¡­"


    "What happened? Is it a warning or something?"


    "I think that another barrier was activated."


    "Right¡­ However, it was too subtle¡­ I think it''s not that¡­"


    Whispers of spection circted among the residents who were near the estate. To be honest, Lucas also thought that it was an activation of a new barrier, but it was certainly quite different.


    Little did they know that Shane''s actions had triggered this event. It was all thanks to the reward he obtained for obtaining the old map.


    The estate expanded its territorial reach by an additional 200 meters!


    ***


    Meanwhile, Shane didn''t care about all of this as he looked at the message that had appeared in front of him.


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ You have obtained 100% OFF Voucher that can be used in both the Reputation Store and Survivor Store. ]


    [ Hint: The Voucher will expire within three days, so use it immediately. ]


    There weren''t any new features or gift packs after reaching level 26, but the 100% OFF Voucher was definitely wee¡­


    Shane would surely use this Voucher for the most expensive item he could find in the Reputation Store.


    Well, the items in the Survivor Store could be bought by Zombie Cores, but the Reputation Potions, although he had hundreds of them, weren''t so easy toe by.


    After getting the Voucher, he immediately opened his Reputation Store!


    Then, after some contemtion, he picked one of them and used the Voucher!


    [ Expert''s Tattoo: A permanent and artistic mark on the Survivor''s skin that can impress or intimidate others. It has a 100% chance of unlocking top-grade Mystical Survivor Skills. The tattoo''s design will depend on the unlocked Survivor Skill.


    Price: 70 RP ]


    "This is perfect¡­" Shane had seen several tattoos being sold in the Reputation Store. However, this was the first time he had seen the Expert''s Tattoo, and it was perfect for his 100% Off Voucher!


    There was no way he would miss this!


    [ Do you wish to use your Voucher for the purchase? ]


    "Yes¡­" Shane replied.


    [ Please select the Voucher you want to use. ]


    [ 75% OFF ( x3 ), 90% OFF ( x4 ), 100% OFF ( x1 ) ]


    After some hesitation, Shane decided to use the 100% voucher since it had an expiration date, unlike the other ones.


    [ You have used the 100% Off Voucher. ]


    [ The Expert''s Tattoo Mark will be integrated into the Survivor. ]


    [ Congrattions! You have obtained a random Expert-Level Tattoo Mark. ]


    After getting these notifications, Shane shifted his focus to his left hand, where a soft light caught his attention.


    Needless to say, the mystical tattoo was to manifest at the back of his left hand.


    ''It''s better than manifesting on my face¡­'' Shane thought as he didn''t like the idea of covering his face with tattoo marks. It was simply not his thing.


    The gentle radiance emanated from his skin for a few more seconds until it enveloped his palm¡­


    Then, it gradually dissipated to reveal the distinctive mark etched upon it.


    The tattoo depicted very detailed three pieces of cogs together¡­


    ''What kind of Survivor Skill is this?''

 Chapter 247: Highest Proficiency

    [ Mechanical Proficiency Lv20 ( Max ): Ability to repair and maintain various vehicles and machinery, keeping essential equipment operational in a resource-scarce environment. ]


    Shane suddenly felt disappointed after seeing this Survivor Skill. However, the fact that its max level was actually 20 instead of 10 also surprised him a little bit.


    However, before he could further regret the choice he made, something unexpected happened.


    [ Your Otherworldly Mechanic Talent has fully integrated with your new skill. ]


    [ Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ): The Survivor can easily create and modify any mechanical device, such as weapons, vehicles, automatons, and gadgets. The Survivor has full ess to alien technology and materials that are unavable to other Survivors. ]


    [ The requirement to trigger the talent has now lowered by 90%. ]


    [ The cost of repairs has now lowered by 50%. ]


    [ The prices of items in the Anima Store have decreased by 50%. ]


    "This is it..." Shane''s hands trembled as he saw the new notification from the system


    Previously, he only had "limited" ess to alien technology, ording to the description of his Legendary Talent. This matter was always in the back of his mind, thinking how he could have full ess to such technology.


    However, by obtaining the Mechanical Proficiency from the tattoo just now, everything was finally resolved!


    ''Why is this information not in the Memory Sphere? I should''ve looked for this skill if I knew about it.'' Shane thought.


    Nheless, the fact that the activation requirement for this talent had lowered by 90% had truly ted him!


    After all, now that he was nning to explore outside the estate, he would encounter more machinery and various devices, especially in theboratories of the government.


    Shane then checked the other items in the Reputation Store and didn''t find anything like Talent Expansion Scroll or any other unusual but useful items.


    Because of that, he finally turned his attention to the Recruitment Stones in his possession.


    [ Inventory:


    Misceneous Items: ¡­Normal Recruitment Stone x8, Special Recruitment Stone x2, Random Recruitment Stone x4, Rare Recruitment Stone x56, Master Recruitment Stone x3, Epic Recruitment Stone x1, Zombie Recruitment Stone x2¡­ ]


    "Ugh¡­ I actually have so many Rare Recruitment Stones right now." Shane thought as he recalled how he obtained Rare Recruitments Stone Fragments from the Crypt Crawler Zombies.


    He recalled that ten fragments could produce a single Rare Recruitment Stone, so it was no wonder he got so many! After all, the 7th Zombie Horde involved Crypt Crawler Zombies, which Monk Chaloem and the Eclipse Revenant defeated.


    Shane then considered for a moment as he didn''t n to use all of them right now.


    After all, his Territory Lord Title Effect would still work in his estate even if he wasn''t here. This means that even if he were in Sector 20, the estate''s poption would continue to grow.


    Aside from that, Shane might have to create another shelter, and he might need people to work with him immediately to manage his shelter.


    The Rare Recruitment Stones were definitely perfect for that.


    With this in mind, Shane decided to activate all Normal Recruitment Stones, Special Recruitment Stones, and Random Recruitment Stones.


    As for the Rare Recruitment Stones, he decided to activate 6 of them¡­ Then, after some hesitation, he also included one of the Master Recruitment Stones, leaving him with only 2 in his Inventory.


    Well, aside from the one sold by Darwin, he actually obtained the other 2 Master Recruitment Stones from clearing the two hidden missions in the Zombie Wave.


    "I''m ready¡­"


    Shane then went outside the estate since he wanted to see the people be summoned by the mysterious gray fog. He also wanted Cloud to analyze this mystical fog that would surely cause a huge scene with the number of Recruitment Stones he was about to use.


    First, Shane activated the eight Normal Recruitment Stones.


    [ Do you want to activate the 8 Normal Recruitment Stones? ]


    "Yes¡­"


    Find exclusive stories on m_v l|e-NovelBin


    After he gave his answer to the system prompt, the familiar effects of summoning or recruiting people started¡­


    The stones hummed with power before dissipating in Shane''s hands¡­ Then, the mysterious gray fog descended upon the periphery of the estate, shrouding the surroundings in an eerie veil of mist.


    The expansion of the territory by 200 meters had inadvertently shifted the convergence point, causing the manifestation of the recruited individuals to be further away!


    Shane couldn''t help but scratch his head after realizing that just now.


    He initially thought that they would still appear just outside the gate of the estate.


    Quickly, he sent Gene to guide the neers.


    "Yes, Lord Shane!"


    Gene quickly ran towards the area where the gray fog was converging¡­


    Woof! Woof!


    Lucky, seeing Gene ran, immediately followed him as if to protect him.


    Shane didn''t bother with this as he used his binocrs to see the summoning ritual that was happening.


    From within the mystical gray fog, figures began to materialize, stepping forth just outside the territory of hisSpringriver Manor.


    Eight silhouettes emerged from the haze, their forms gradually taking shape as the fog spat them out¡­


    ToShane''s astonishment, the newly arrived group bore a striking resemnce to one another. Their features, or maybe even their clothes, hinted at the familial bond of the group.


    ''Is it an effect of summoning all Recruitment Stones at once instead of one by one?'' Shane muttered.


    Soon, Gene reached them, and Shane signaled to Gene to get the group closer.


    As they were walking, Gene had already interviewed them and asked a few questions about their origin.


    As soon as they reached the gate of the estate, Gene introduced the group to Shane instead!


    Just like what Shane thought, the eight were all rtives! They were members of the esteemed Tanner Family, known for their generations of skilledcksmithing expertise!


    "Perfect! They can help Leo¡­" Shane muttered.


    Currently, Leo was the expert cksmith of the estate, and his helpers didn''t have much experience to contribute to the smithy.


    This time, however, it wouldpletely change with the Tinner Family''s arrival!

 Chapter 248: Another Master

    ''I guess I''m quite lucky today¡­'' Shane muttered after realizing that a lot of good things had happened today.


    Shane immediately weed this group and introduced them to Leo so they could have a ce in the smithy. Now, Shane felt truly relieved since Leo would not be the only one to carry the burden of all things rted to ironworks.


    After this matter was settled, Shanedecided to activate the two Special Recruitment Stones¡­


    This time, the mysterious gray fog appeared rather quickly, as if expecting Shane to continue with his recruitment process.


    "Cloud¡­ Are you watching this carefully?" Shane muttered.


    [ Yes¡­ There is a high chance that it is being controlled by a higher being or it has its own sentience. ]


    "That''s what I thought as well. I''m sure that the fog isn''t just some sort of decoration¡­" Shane nodded.


    As the fog of the recruitment ritual began to dissipate, two figures emerged hand in hand¡­


    ''A couple?'' Shane thought with interest. The couple, appearing to be in their early thirties, stepped forward and looked at the estate''s wall from a distance.


    This time, Mr. Wadsworth was already waiting for them and gestured to go straight using the paved road to reach the estate.


    It didn''t take long before they were able to enter the estate and bowed toLord Shane¡­


    "Greetings,Lord Shane," the man began, he seemed to be very satisfied at the shelter that was assigned to them.


    "I amAdrian, and this is my wife,Lysandra. Together, we are seasoned sculptors¡­ We are eager to show our craft within your manor."


    Adrian''s words were echoed byLysandra as she looked at Shane, the Foreign Survivor, with intrigue¡­


    "Lord Shane, we specialize in the sculpting of stone and metal, shaping raw materials into works of art or beauty," she exined¡­


    On the other hand, Shane was a bit stunned as he didn''t expect that his luck had already ended.


    If he wouldpare the two from the Gift Packs selection, they would be the Entertainment Gift Packs. They weren''t really that necessary for his manor to function. Nheless, they could certainly add a level of sophistication to the estate in case there were visitors like Darwin entering the estate.


    ''Well, we have a decent source of water and plenty of food thanks to the vegetable nts, mushrooms, and natural herbs. It should be fine to have a few more mouths to feed.'' Shane thought.


    Shane epted them and nodded in appreciation of their introduction.


    "Wee,AdrianandLysandra, to the Springriver Manor," he greeted them warmly. "I''m sure that your skills and artistry will enrich ourmunity¡­ Mr. Wadsworth wille up with ideaster so you can fully manifest your specialized talents." Shane replied.


    Then, AdrianandLysandraentered the estate and started looking around with a couple of guides. Shane had actually decided to assign Lily and Elsa to the task of guiding the neers.


    "Next¡­"


    After the arrival of the sculptors,Shane''s attention turned to the next phase of recruitment¡­


    Without any more hesitaion, he set in motion the activation of six Rare Recruitment Stones¡­


    [ Do you want to activate the 6 Rare Recruitment Stone? ]


    "Yes!"


    As the stones surged with power, the gray fog surrounding the estate swelled in size...


    It didn''t take long before six knights, who seemed to bepanions of Lady Seraph, suddenly appeared!


    "Eh?"


    Shane noticed Lady Seraph''s reaction in the rampart as he couldn''t help but feel surprised.


    He was just thinking that the group might know Lady Seraph because of their armor, and it appears that that was actually the case!


    ''So this is possible¡­'' Shane felt amused at this, but this also made him happy since he now realized that activating Recruitment Stones together was better than activating them one by one.


    Or, at the very least, he felt that it was a lot better in his case.


    Soon, the gant figures of the Royal Knights got closer to Shane.


    d in gleaming armor and bearing weapons of top-ss craftsmanship, they strode forth like true nobles, and as they got nearer, they pledged allegiance toShane!


    "Ohh¡­"


    Shane felt satisfied with this, and he even confirmed that they really knew Lady Seraph!


    "Perfect¡­ You can guide them, Lady Seraph, and form a team together." Shane instructed as their connection to the female Royal Knight was truly a bonus as it made things easier.


    Satisfied by this turn of events, Shane allowed them to catch up while Lady Seraph tours them around the estate.


    Finally, Shanedecided to activate the Master Recruitment Stone, a rare and coveted artifact that held the key to summoning beings with incredible skills like Monk Chaloem.


    After taking a deep breath, Shane triggered the Master Recruitment Stone and answered the same prompt that had appeared.


    Soon, the recruitment stone disintegrated from his hands.


    As expected, the gray fog swirled and coalesced into a deep darkness, enveloping the surroundings of his territory¡­


    Soon, as the darkness receded, a lone figure stood at the ce where the gray fog converged¡ªa young girl wearing some ancient Eastern clothing simr to shrine maidens!


    Monk Chaloem, who had also emerged from the Master Recruitment Stone, regarded the girl with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.


    ''A young girl?''


    Shane, taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, found himself at a loss for words as he beheld the mysterious child before him.


    She was probably just in her 8th grade! Shane couldn''t help but feel stunned about this.


    "No... This girl must be special,"Shanemurmured.


    After all, she came from the Master Recruitment Stone like Monk Chaloem.


    There must be some unseen power and potential radiating from the young girl.


    As the young girl approached Shane, a sense of reverence and wonder washed over the gathering of people at the estate''s entrance.


    With a serene smile, she introduced herself in front of everyone¡­


    "Greetings, Lord Shane," she began. "I am Aya, a Shaman from an ancient bloodline¡­

 Chapter 249: Aya

    "Aya?" Shane repeated after hearing the little girl''s name. The summoned human from the Master Recruitment Stone waspletely different from what he had expected.


    "Yes¡­ That''s my name. I am entrusted with the knowledge of the sacred talismans¡­ Unfortunately, before the mysterious gray fog saved me from the Zombies in the Temple, I only learned six types of Talisman, so please don''t expect too much from me."


    Aya humbly said, afraid that Shane would expect a lot from her Talisman Skills. She couldn''t help but recall what happened to her Temple.


    ***


    Aya could no longer tell how much time had passed when she was still living in the secludedTempleatop the mist-shroudedmountain¡­


    Shespent her days as a devoted shrine maiden, honing her skills in the ancient art ofTalisman Craftingunder the watchful guidance of thetempleelders.


    TheTemple, perched on the summit, was a ce of solitude and sacred knowledge, essible only to those who dared to navigate the treacherous paths that led to its sacred ground. Going up or going down this mountain was incredibly challenging unless you have trained a lot.


    As the youngest apprentice in generations to possess the rare gift ofTalisman Crafting,Aya''s days were filled with quiet contemtion and diligent practice.


    With a steady hand, she would inscribe intricate symbols of mystical spells onto wooden ques and enchanted papers as if she were weaving threads of magic into each item.


    One fateful night, asAyasat in the dim glow of flickering candles while also engrossed in the delicate art ofcalligraphywith her new brush, a sudden disturbance shattered the tranquility of theTemple.


    "Fight them!"


    "Hide the children to the vault!"


    "Let''s all escape!"


    "No! These demonic creatures are everywhere! We need to get their attention to let the children escape!"


    "We can only fight!"


    "The Priestess will lead the battle!"


    Aya heard these yells and some even started crying for help! Then, it was followed by the distant echoes of growls, and shuffling footsteps, sending a chill down her spine.


    She knew that they were under attack but the growls made her feel that it was demons who were attacking them.


    Rising to her feet,Ayamoved to thehall''s entrance while her senses remained sharp and alert. Before long, the night sky was filled with bloodcurdling roars of monstrous creatures that descended upon theTemplelike a tide.


    Soon, she saw the creatures that the temple elders were fighting! They were humanoid creatures that seemed to havee from hell, and they all had varying sizes!


    From a normal size human up to those sizes of trees!


    These terrifying hulking Zombiesid siege to the sacred sanctuary!


    TheTemple''s knights, fought with all their might to protect the priestess!


    Soon, a few of these knights urgedAya to get to safety and guarded her!


    Aside from the Priestess of the Temple, she was the second most important within the Temple, so the Knights did their best to protect her!


    They knew that her knowledge and gifts were too precious to fall into the hands of the unholy horde.


    During this time, there were many sacrifices made by theTemple''s guardians while they slowly retreated to shieldAyafrom harm.


    However, there were just too many undead creatures! The worst thing about this was the fact that their fellow friends would also turn into undead creatures after some time!


    This made the battle a lot harder for the knights!


    As the tide of undead closed in, the shrine maidens and monks stood in a circle, their voices raised in prayer, hoping that their deity could save them.


    Just as all hope seemed lost, a swirling vortex of gray fog descended upon theTemple, it was like a mystical shroud that was sent to them by their deities!


    In just a few moments,Ayawas swept away from the chaos, as if she was grabbed by unseen hands that carried her to safety, leaving behind atemplecovered in tragedy and sacrifice.


    ***


    Aya sighed after recalling what had happened to her¡­ She was still hoping that most of the Temple Knights and others were doing fine.


    Anyway, she was now looking at the Foreign Survivor, who was supposed to be the chief or lord of the shelter assigned to her by the Gray Fog.


    "I didn''t expect that a child would appear from my Master-Grade Recruitment Stone¡­" Shane muttered.


    "I might be talentedpared to how I look." Aya replied with a knowing smile. She also knew that she was quite special before the voice she heard from the fog and the skills she obtained.


    Shane continued observing her.


    Her appearance was definitely that of a child, but she was trying to act or show how mature she was with how she spoke and acted.


    d in intricate robes adorned withnguage Shane wasn''t aware of, she exuded a noble aura, befitting the title of a Shaman even though she was young¡­


    "Interesting¡­" Shane muttered.


    Intrigued by Aya''s presence, Shane weed her with a respectful nod.


    "Wee to Springriver Manor, Aya," he replied, his gaze reflecting a mixture of admiration and intrigue. "I am honored by your arrival and eager to learn more about your skills."


    "I''m also excited to help your shelter. However, I only knew six kinds of talismans before the zombies attacked our Temple."


    "Six talismans¡­ I''m sure it''s already impressive that you learned so much despite your young age. Can you tell me more about these things?" Shane asked.


    "Of course!"


    With a gentle smile, Aya began to inform Shane about the six types of talismans she had mastered before she was taken by the fog.


    They were the Talisman of Lightning, Talisman of Healing, Talisman of Warding, Talisman of Strength, Talisman of Insight, and Talisman of Illumination.


    Shane immediately felt curious about these talismans he had never heard of. Of course, he could tell just from their names that they would be very useful, especially for the Warding and Healing Talisman.


    With this in mind, he nned to stay in the estate for a little while until he obtained a few of these talismans in case they could help in his journey...

 Chapter 250: The Talisman

    Shane then decided to guide Aya personally around the estate. Shane arranged for the young girl to stay in the manor house near Anna and Alexa''s living quarters.


    After that, Shane introduced her to the tailor of the estate¡­ They were ones brought by Lily and Elsa, and they had been diligently making clothes from the fabrics they obtained from the Survivor Stores.


    Most of these clothes were just for daily use orfortable ones to get better sleep.


    Of course, Shane also took this time to let them know to make clothes for Aya as well. Seeing how little and cute Aya was, everyone in the room immediately agreed, and they even nned to make several more shrine maiden''s clothes for her.


    Then, as Shane brought her around the estate, Eliot happened to be on their way and he also introduced Aya to the engineer.


    "Ohhh¡­ This youngdy is from the Master Recruitment Stone? Impressive¡­ Are you nning to make a Temple now? Ahem¡­ I''ve never tried building a temple before but I can make a n."


    Eliot suddenly said as he thought that Shane had brought Aya to him to inform him about his n to build a temple.


    Well, they already had a monk in the estate, so Eliot was already considering building this a sacred Temple as well, anyway. Furthermore, he met the two sculptors Aldrian and Lysandra as well¡­ From their conversation, he realized that the sculptures they could make weren''t just those for small decorations in rooms, but they could also make life-like statues!


    With those two talented sculptors, he knew for a fact that the temple would surely be sessful!


    Now that theirnd had expanded, they could surely consider making one!


    Shane was stunned as he had never actually considered that¡­ He was simply here to introduce Aya.


    However, he immediately looked at the youngdy to see if she wanted to proceed with that idea. She realized what Shane was thinking, but she only shook her head.


    "I don''t need to be in the temple to create my Talisman. As long as we have the materials like the ink, brush, and enchanted papers¡­ Then I can make them¡­ If I''m in a quiet ce where I can concentrate, then that''s even better." She exined.


    Shane nodded at this as he already had some sort of idea on how to make these enchanted papers.


    Well, he had actually given dozens of Spirit Enhancement Bottles to Anna¡­ After she became an Alchemist, her Brewmaster Skill wasn''t being used to its fullest.


    Because of that, Shane decided to give her various potions she could get from the Survivor Store and from the loots he obtained from the Zombies. Thanks to that, she even managed to create the Dragon''s Veil Elixir.


    Well, aside from the Enhancement Bottles, Shane also gave Anna some of the Spitter Venom Sacs, Mutagenic Serums, and some of the potions he obtained from Raze.


    Well, he was hoping that she could analyze them to create something better or learn how to make such potions.


    "You heard that¡­ Let''s consider making a Temple if we have a few more people like Aya and Chaloem." Shane exined. He was aware that having faith in something could also help with the morale of the Survivors, especially once he was gone.


    After the tour, Shane and Aya returned to the Reception Hall and he finally asked the youngdy about the Talismans that she could make¡­


    "Now¡­ Can you tell me more about the Talismans you can make?" Shane asked.


    Aya nodded at this as she started sharing what she knew about her craft.


    "LordShane, allow me to introduce you to theTalisman of Lightning. This is my most powerful Talisman that could burn even a ck bear in the mountains. I could only make a Talisman that releases a lightning though¡­ It was the weakest one. My elders could actually my a better one which enhances the speed and agility of the wearer instead¡­"


    "Oh? There are levels on this Talisman? It can release lightning or it could enhance its wearer¡­" Shane curiously asked.


    "Yes¡­ I could only make the lowest one. As for the ones made by my elders, they could make their wearer obtain reflexes at the level of lightning itself for a short duration. It can be a valuable asset in moments requiring swift action." Aya exined¡­


    "Fascinating! How does it work exactly?"


    "The one that enhances the wearer? I only know that it channels the energy of lightning to enhance one''s speed and reaction times, providing a burst of agility when faced with trials. It''s like having the power of a thunderbolt at your fingertips. I don''t really know."


    "Right¡­ It''s fine¡­ And what about theTalisman of Healing?"


    "Ah, theTalisman of Healingis a symbol of restoration and vitality. It elerates the body''s natural healing processes, soothing injuries and rejuvenating the user¡­"


    Shane then continued learning from the youngdy.


    He learned that the Warding Talisman creates a protective shield like the Sentinel Sphere¡­ However, this barrier was weaker and shorter in terms of duration. In his mind, the Sentinel Sphere was still a lot better, even if he had to use Power Cores.


    The Strength Talisman was also quite simple, and it just fortifies one''s resolve and physical prowess. People would also be fearless with this Talisman!


    It seemed to have an effect simr to the Spicy Instant Noodles from the Survivor Store.


    TheTalisman of Insight, on the other hand, was quite intriquing and the most difficult to make among all the Talismans Aya could make.


    "It sharpens intuition, grants rity of thought to make good decisions, and if you''re lucky, it sometimes offers glimpses into the future."


    "Glimpses into the future?" Shane asked.


    "Yes¡­ It''s written in the book, but no one had ever had such experience, so don''t think too much of it."


    Finally, Aya exined that the Talisman of Illumination could simply create light. However, ording to the textbooks, it also guides the souls of the dead, so using it might attract bad spirits.


    Shane couldn''t help but feel intrigued by these Talismans.


    ***


    Just like that, five days had quickly passed, and the Regional Server Merge had finally started¡­

 Chapter 251: Server Merge Update

    Five days had quickly passed after Darwin visited the estate where Shane used a lot of his Recruitment Stones¡­


    There were a lot of new people in the estate, and it became very lively.


    Thankfully, Jake and the others from the Tree Houses before didn''t turn into Zombies¡­ It appears that they had to receive severe injuries from the zombies before they turned into one.


    Because of that, all the people in quarantine could join the estate''s workforce.


    With so many additions to their workers, a lot of things had happened in just five days. They tirelessly worked to fortify the property against possible threats from various zombies.. Right now, they had arranged traps even for Hunter Zombies, who liked to sneak inside the estate without making anymotion.


    After, Shinja couldn''t simply guard every corner of the estate. They had to adapt and ensure that such a high-tier Zombie would fail to enter their territory.


    Within the estate walls, Shane barely issued amand and allowed the professionals to do their work...


    He was simply supplying as many resources as he could give to everyone.


    Shane felt really satisfied with Ewan and his group of farmers as they worked with their skilled hands to make their estate self-sufficient at this point.


    Aside from that, during these five days, Mr. Wadsworth also decided to only use the barriers during the night to save their Power Cores¡­ They realized that with their level of strength, they don''t really have to worry that much unless they were facing a Zombie Wave.


    ''I''m still worried that the estate would be exposed to other Survivors after the Regional Server Merge thought¡­'' Shane thought as he wasn''t really sure how the server works here.


    He could only tell that once that happened, more Survivors would appear and they were definitely not simply Survivors. After all, they would''ve survived two Zombie Waves to reach this event, and everyone who could do that had some level of skills.


    Anyway, Shane watched as Eliot led the creation of numerous buildings.


    Temporary living quarters sprung up like mushrooms, offering space and protection to those who were still sharing rooms. With these living quarters, Shane believed that it would help with the mood or morale of the people.


    He even gave all the contents of his Entertainment Gift Packs to Mr. Wadsworth to be distributed or shared with others so they could also have some fun.


    After all, Shane knew that he had to take care of everyone''s mentality as well. They couldn''t just think of work 24/7 and they had to live their life as well.


    Clink¡­ Clink¡­ Clink¡­


    What Shane really liked around the estate was the sound of metal being hammered.


    Indeed, he liked the ng of hammers and the hiss of molten metal as the smithy became a hive of industry.


    cksmiths, under the lead of Leo and the Tanner Family, worked tirelessly, forging weapons and armor to arm the defenders against the daily threat of zombies. Of course, this also includes some high-level traps.


    With the miners getting better, des were continuously made honed to a razor''s edge and shields were crafted with care¡­


    Well, because the Spitter Zombie''s poption seemed to be growing, they had no other choice but to adapt and create more shields.


    After all, not everyone was like Shane and Chaloem, who could manifest aura to protect their bodies.


    Then, in the orchard and vegetable garden, everything was also going well.


    Anna, with her alchemy knowledge, also assisted the farmers with the crops, ensuring a plentiful harvest to sustain the estate''s inhabitants...


    At this time, fruits started to ripen on tree branches, and vegetables thrived in the fertile soil.


    During these five days, Shane also witnessed how the estate defended against the sporadic attacks of the Zombies.


    Shane observed how everyone resisted the Zombies, no matter how weak or strong they were. Shane couldn''t help but smile, seeing how everyone was taking this matter seriously.


    As the sun dipped below the horizon, a message from the system finally appeared. It was the notification that Shane had been waiting for!


    [ Dear Esteemed Survivors,


    We are thrilled to announce a crucial update that will reshape our post-apocalyptic world as we know it. In the next phase of our evolution, five regional servers are set to merge, creating a unified and vibrantmunity of survivors. This merger will foster coboration,petition, and friendship on an unprecedented scale.


    Key Details of the Regional Server Merge:


    Five servers will be consolidated into one, uniting survivors from diverse regions into a single dynamic environment.


    The introduction of the new Survivor Leaderboard and n Leaderboard, or to those who can open them, will now showcase new individuals and groups within our survivormunity.


    Market Activation:


    With the server merge, survivors will gain ess to the Market, a hub for trading various items, resources, and equipment.


    Please note that fees will be applied to all transactions conducted within the Market, ensuring a fair and regted trading environment.


    Changes to Private Trading:


    As part of this update, Private Trading with your friends will now incur transaction fees, with a higher fee structure than the Market transactions. The Friends limit was now raised to 25.


    This adjustmentes following the end of Free Trade, aligning with ourmitment to a sustainable and bnced economy within our survivor society.


    Prepare yourselves for this monumental shift in our world, as we embark on a new chapter of cooperation,petition, and prosperity.


    Stay vignt, stay united, and together, we shall thrive in the face of adversity. ]


    Shane and all the other Survivors in the estate were drawn to the announcement of the Zombie Apocalypse System.


    To be honest, Shane wasn''t too surprised by the activation of the Market.


    After all, he had seen this before in the memories of his previous apocalypses.


    As a matter of fact, he knew about the Boss Raid that was previously announced as well.


    It was earlier hinted by the system that it would be a teamwork battle. It was written as if you''d be the one to build a team.


    However, it was not!

 Chapter 252: Time to Leave the Shelter

    The truth was that this Boss Raid that would happen in the next 25 days would not be controlled by the participants.


    The system would be the one controlling the team creation for the Survivors to bnce the event.


    Anyway, Shane decided to check the Market first as he was curious if there were changes.


    As soon as he did, he noticed that the Market was basically the same in other Apocalypses.


    The interface disyed the options to Sell or Buy. These two tabs in the interface also had simple instructions or tutorial on how to use them, but Shane didn''t bother reading them.


    Shhen clicked on the Sell option, revealing a list of items from his Inventory that were eligible for sale.


    Those that didn''t appear like the Zombie Blood and Human Blood in his Inventory meant that they could not be sold.


    Nheless, among those that could be sold, aSpirit Enhancement Bottlecaught his eye. He clicked on it and it prompted theMarketsystem to suggest a price of200Zombie Cores.


    However, it was ultimately up toSho set the final price.


    "Hmm?" Shane''s eyes widened as he saw the fees that were written.


    From that 200 Zombie Cores,80 Zombie Cores would be deducted from him for thetransaction fee!


    With an easy calction, it represented a staggering40% fee!


    "Whoa¡­ I''ll only get 120 Zombie Cores?" This was daylight robbery!


    This left him momentarily stunned, realizing that the cost of transactions in this new marketce would indeed be significant.


    Shane shook his head as he realized that this would certainly make all the transactions in the market to be very costly. After all, in order to even with the fees, the sellers would probably raise the prices of their items.


    ''Ahh¡­ Not really¡­ They might lower it instead since there would be a lot ofpetition as well.'' Shane muttered as he felt that those desperate right now might just want to get Zombie Cores so they could buy some things in their Survivor Stores before they get refreshed.


    Anyway, Shane couldn''t tell what would happen for now.


    Shanesighed as he canceled the attempt to sell one of his Spirit Enhancement Bottle.


    He then turned his attention to the Buy option, eager to explore the array of items avable for purchase.


    Upon opening the Buy section,Shanewas greeted with a disy of30 itemsalready on sale. Even the names of the sellers were included.


    This was normal since he knew that there would be reputation rankings in the Market as well.


    Those with high Reputation numbers beside their names would show how trustworthy and great they are as buyer or sellers. This also includes the increase in the item listing limit.


    After all, everyone had only 20 items they could list in the Market. Once your reputation increased a certain level, the limit would continuously increase until it waspletely removed.


    For now, however, this feature hasn''t been fully activated yet. It would only show up once 10,000 Transactions were made in the Marketce.


    In a matter of moments, Shane noticed that the number surged to300 itemsacross3 pages, showcasing the bustling activity within theMarket.


    Everyone was probably excited to list all their unused items to see if there were people who might be interested in their trash.


    As expected, just within seconds, the listings multiplied exponentially, surpassing4,000 itemsdistributed over40 pages¡­


    "Everyone''s really excited¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the diverse offerings and bustlingmerce in this virtual marketce.


    The sheer volume of goods avable for purchase leftShaneastonished and intrigued¡­


    He paused for a moment and then decided to browse the items being sold, realizing the vast opportunities thaty before him in this dynamic digital economy.


    ''Let''s see what kind of items they''re selling¡­'' Shane muttered as he knew that most of the Survivors were also doing the same thing.


    As Shane delved deeper into the Market, he found himself immersed in a sea of listings, each offering a glimpse into the diverse array of items avable for trade within this marketce.


    Among the numerous listings, he came across a myriad of intriguing items being sold by some known Survivors in Region 1. Of course, the names disyed were the nicknames of the sellers.


    Seller: Fury Singer


    Item: zing Sword of Fury


    Description: A Rare Item obtained from a Random Gift Pack.


    Price: 650 Zombie Cores


    Seller: Nine Seer


    Item: Shadowcloak Armor


    Description: An Umon Item dropped by a Zombie Dog.


    Price: 850 Zombie Cores


    Seller: Phantom Pdin


    Item: Dog Fire Talisman


    Description: An Umon Item dropped by a Zombie Dog.


    Price: 900 Zombie Cores


    Seller: Silent Striker


    Item: Squatter Boots


    Description: An Umon Item dropped by a Jumper Zombie.


    Price: 2,500 Zombie Cores


    Seller: de Whisper Find exclusive stories on m_v l|e-NovelBin


    Item: Inferno Gauntlets


    Description: A Rare Item dropped by a Lava Zombie


    Price: 680 Zombie Cores


    Seller: Phantom Pdin


    Item: Frostforged Battle Axe


    Description: A Master Item forged by an Expert Survivor cksmith.


    Price: 1,500 Zombie Cores


    As Shane scrolled through the listings, he marveled at the variety of equipment and artifacts avable for purchase.


    "So Zombie Dogs could drop those items, huh¡­" Shane muttered.


    From interesting weapons to enchanted armor, each item was certainly useful to many Survivors, but right now, they weren''t good in front of his eyes. He still had to use his Item Upgrade Crystals if he wanted them.


    Of course, the prices of the items were also ridiculous in his eyes. Everything was a mess in their pricing.


    Even if he liked them, he wouldn''t purchase them yet.


    ''I''ll wait until the excitement dies down¡­'' Shane muttered. He knew that the prices would be adjusted soon, once the sellers realized that their prices were too outrageous.


    At most, he believed that only those who were desperate would consider buying these overly-priced items in the Market.


    On the next day, as the morning sun greeted them, Shane woke up filled with energy.


    It was finally time to leave the estate.

 Chapter 253: Barbecued?

    AsShaneprepared to depart from the estate, he reflected on the recent days when theSpringriver Manorhad operated smoothly even without his instructions¡­


    With a sense of pride, he acknowledged that themunity thrived independently as each member was contributing to its prosperity.


    It was finally his time to leave the estate. However, he didn''t n to make it a big deal since he wasn''t nning to abandon this shelterpletely. There was no huge party or speech in front of everyone.


    It was enough to inform the key members of this estate about his departure.


    Aside from that, he also believed that his journey wouldn''t take that long.


    To be exact, with the memories he unlocked, as long as he was able to get the materials he needed and perhaps enough money to purchase various items in the Anima Store, he would be able to create the Teleportation Portals that the Anima Civilization had used to attack their at that time.


    Once he was able to create these portals, traveling around different shelters would be very easy despite the distance.


    After cleaning himself and having his breakfast,Shanedonned his formidableTier 5 Army Clothes¡­


    They were his Army Helmet, Army Boots, Army Pants, and Army Vest. From Tier 4 to Tier 5, he had to spend 150 Item Upgrade Crystals if he wanted to upgrade them!


    This means that he spent 600 crystals just to obtain his current set, which barely changed in terms of appearance.


    However, once they check the status of his clothes, they would realize how wrong they were. In any case, Shane liked this fact. After all, he actually upgraded his Chitin te to Legendary, and it became too attractive and even provided some glow effects!


    The attention he''d get wearing that item was just too much.


    However, it seemed different for the items the items ranked with Tiers. Their external appearances would barely make some changes if they were upgraded from Tier 1 to Tier 5¡­


    On the other hand, from Common to Legendary, the items would have huge changes, not just in their effects but also in their appearances.


    ''It must be the difference between those two rankings.'' Shane thought as he recalled this matter.


    Of course, this was simply his opinion and he might have to consider upgrading more items to confirm his thoughts.


    "Mhmm? Are those two¡ª"


    As he stepped outside, he was taken aback to find two figures engaged in an early morning drinking session near thechurch!


    To his surprise, among the drinkers wasBart, the estate''s alcohol brewer, apanied by a newly recruited Survivor namedKeh. He wasn''t summoned by a Recruitment Stone but he arrived because ofShane''sTerritory Lordtitle.


    These two Survivors somehow shared the same build as they both looked around.


    Keh may look like a drunkard right now, but he was actually a distinguished professor in a renowned academy before he was taken by the Fog.


    Observing the pair indulging in alcohol at such an early hour,Shanecouldn''t help but shake his head, bemused by their unconventional morning ritual.


    Nheless, since he was reassured byMr. Wadsworth about their dedication to their duties,Shanedismissed any concerns, knowing their roles didn''t requirebat prowess. As long as they were doing their job, they should be fine¡­


    ''But I should still tell them not to overdo it.'' Shane thought as he approached them.


    However,Shane''s astonishment peaked when he noticed a familiar sight¡ªthe jug of alcohol they were using had three distinct yellow feathers! It was as if it could add vor to the alcohol itself!


    Anyway, the feathers bore an uncanny resemnce to his Evolved Thunderbird.


    "Sparky?!"Shaneeximed as his eyes widened in shock.


    He certainly didn''t see his Evolved Thunderbird in the past few days. He thought that his pet was just ying around with Emberwing and the others. Sparky could also be helping the elves scout some areas, so he wasn''t too worried when he overlooked his pet while he was busy¡­


    However, he didn''t know that his pet had be appetizers from these two drunkards!


    ShaneapproachedBartandKeh¡­


    He immediately calmed himself as he might be overthinking this matter.


    "Ahem¡­ Bart, what''s the story behind these feathers?"Shaneasked while trying to calm his voice. He didn''t want to assume that his Sparky had been barbecued by these two guys and eaten already.


    He wouldn''t know how he would react to that.


    "Ahh¡­ Lord Shane!"


    Bart, already somewhat inebriated, smiled and chuckled heartily beforeunching into an exnation.


    He revealed that he had acquired a handful of feathers fromSparky, utilizing them as a unique vor enhancer for his homemade brews.


    With a mischievous grin,Bartextended an invitation toSho partake in the vorful concoctions.


    "Sparky is still alive?" Shane asked.


    "Yes! Don''t worry, I got permission from Sparky to take some of his feathers. I mean¡­ I didn''t pluck these feathers from him. He left it for me after ying with him for a while. That bird might be feeling lonely¡­" Bart said which made Shane heaved a sigh of relief.


    Politely decliningBart''s offer,Shaneshook his head with a smile.


    "I''ll be going now¡­ Don''t eat Sparky, Lucky, and those others pets¡­ " Shane replied as he was d to know that Sparky hadn''t eaten yet.


    "Haha¡­ Of course, of course! If you''re not joining, then take this, Lord Shane!"


    Despite Shane''s reluctance to join in the early morning drinking session,Bartinsisted on sharing the fruits of hisbor withShane, presenting him with three bottles of the specially infused alcohol, each imbued withSparky''s distinctive and electrifying essence.


    "Electrifying taste, you said?" Shane repeated with a helpless smile on his face.


    Grateful for the gesture,Shaneepted the bottles with a nod of thanks, recognizing the sentimental value behindBart''s gesture.


    As he made his way towards the estate''s entrance, he encounteredMr. Wadsworth,Shinja, andRazeawaiting his arrival¡­

 Chapter 254: Previous Number 1

    "Please, be safe, LordShane¡­"Mr. Wadsworthsaid, his voice tinged with concern and respect forShane''s leadership.


    It hadn''t been that long, but with Shane''s lead, the estate had truly prospered, and he could tell that they were heading in the right direction. It was only a matter of time until their Springriver Manor would be a formidable fortress that could fight against any type of Zombies.


    "Thank you, Mr. Wadsworth. Please take care of the estate while I''m gone. We have experts in various fields, so consult them if you need anything. As for the resources from the Survivor Stores, just rely on Lily, Elsa, and La... They seem to have better items being sold in their Survivor Stores.


    As long as you have enough Zombie Cores, go ahead and purchase from their stores." Shane said.


    The butler already knew about the concept of Survivor Stores from Foreign Survivors like him so he didn''t need to exin it too much.


    Then, Shane turned to Raze. Roan was nowhere to be seen, so he seemed to have returned as a Tattoo Mark on Raze''s arm.


    "Here is another payment." Raze said as she gave a bottle containing 10mL of Roan''s Blood. Indeed, it was Dragon Blood, and Shane hadn''t expected to have it.


    "I''ll keep this." Shane said as he epted the battle. Although he already has an extra Dragon''s Veil Elixir, pure Dragon''s Blood could still be used elsewhere.


    "We''ll be venturing into the surrounding areas for exploration. There are intriguing dungeons that have caught our attention¡­ However, we will still return to this ce from time to time."RazeinformedShane.


    "That''s good. You need to level up as well." Shane replied.


    "Yes¡­ Thank you for upgrading our items, n Leader... We''ll work hard developing this shelter." Raze said, as Shane had actually helped them obtain some Epic Tier Items. They were something that could not be purchased anywhere yet, so they knew that they had an advantage in case they met other survivors.


    Finally, Shinja spoke up.


    "In theing days, I n to assistEldricin his mission to eradicate a den ofToxic Zombies¡­ If you''re going to Sector 3, we might actually meet each other."Shinjasaid.


    Shane already knew that Eldric wanted to clear this den. In the first ce, Eldric decided to stay in their estate to learn some poison techniques from Shinja. Now, Eldric had already learned enough to survive the Toxic Zombies and with Shinja helping him, their sess rate would be higher.


    Shane then looked at the map to see the Sector 3.


    "Sector 3, huh¡­ I don''t think I''ll pass through that area¡­" Shane said as he shook his head.


    "I see¡­ Eldric mentioned that we''ll be carrying plenty of treasures in that den¡­ We''re nning to bring them here to the estate. So I''m thinking of taking the four remaining Super Soldier Serums. I want to convert four people to serve me." Shinja said after some thought.


    Shane was a bit surprised after hearing this, and if Shinja doesn''t have 100 Loyalty Points, he would probably doubt his decision for a moment.


    However, Shane also knew that it was better to convert people now.


    "Alright¡­ You can have three of those Serums¡­ Mr. Wadsworth will take the remaining one. I want you to use that one serum in case of emergency." Shane instructed.


    After settling all of this, Shane waved to Gene and Lucas at the watchtower and finally left the estate alone.


    He decided not to bring anyone on this journey of his.


    As Shane left the estate, he suddenly felt something off¡­


    "Mhmm?" Shane frowned.


    There seemed to be some slight changes in the terrain!


    "What''s going on?" As he muttered this, A.I. Cloud gave a prompt reply.


    [ There weren''t changes in the terrain itself, but trees and nts grewrger after the Regional Server merged. ]


    ***


    In the meantime, in a ruined city in Sector 1 of the previous 2nd Region, Alexander Thorn, the former topSurvivor of the 2nd Region, sat in disbelief as he essed the SurvivorLeaderboard.


    The leaderboard was a feature unlocked only upon reaching level 21. He didn''t notice thisst night as he was too busy messing with her girlfriends¡­


    Right now, his eyes widened in astonishment as he beheld the unexpected revtion disyed on the screen.


    "Level 26?!" Alexander eximed, his voice tinged with surprise and bewilderment.


    How could someone have surpassed his achievements and ascended to such a high level faster than him?!


    In his previous regional server, he was at the highest level, and the second was only level 17. The gap was too huge!


    Because of that, in the server merge, he was expecting to still be on top, but he waspletely wrong!


    "This is absurd¡­ What kind of Talent does he have?" Alexander muttered.


    Despite killing zombies 24/7 with his loyal pack of white wolves, summoned through his unique Talent,Pack Master, Alexander struggled to understand their huge disparity in levels.


    Currently, his Spirit has reached 1,000 points thanks to various hidden rewards and potions he obtained. He even collected some mysterious crystals that enhanced his Spirit.


    Thanks to that, he could summon a total of 5 White Spirit Wolves as a Pack Master.


    A single White Spirit Wolf could fight 10 Jumper Zombies at the same time. They also don''t get tired, and they don''t turn into zombies once they are bitten. They would just disappear once they obtained too many injuries.


    Soon, he found other Survivors who had Talent rted to recovering his Spirit Points so he could easily hunt Zombies.


    Thanks to the fast recovery, he could summon up to 8 White Spirit Wolves!


    "Just who is this Shadow Strider?" Alexander muttered.


    Explore more stories with m,v l''e-NovelBin


    Currently, he was d in clean leather armor adorned with intricate engravings¡­ Although he wasn''t as handsome as Shane, he certainly looked more masculine with his rugged build and tall height.


    At this time, his shelter was on top of a ten-story building¡­


    As he overlooked the abandoned city, excitement filled his eyes.


    "I need to hunt more zombies. I can''t rx anymore¡­"

 Chapter 255: Traveling

    It had been two days since Shaneembarked on his solitary journey to find a method of how to end the Zombie Apocalypse. Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin


    During this time, Shane was able to survive alone every night thanks to the Zombie Repellent Candles and his new Master-Grade Tent that he obtained from the Rare Shelter Gift Pack that he recently obtained. This was from his previous Rare Random Gift Pack, and he was quite satisfied with it.


    During this time, as he ventured further into the unknown,Shane''s senses sharpened, attuned to the subtle signs of danger that lurked around every corner.


    It was his Survivor Skill: Danger Sense, that was fully working. With his skill and Cloud''s detection, he was able to kill Zombies easily with his Crawler''s Grasp Gloves.


    With his overwhelming strength and speed, he realized that using his strength as his weapon was more effective than his weapons.


    [ You have eliminated a Jumper Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Runner Zombie. ]


    Shane diligently eliminated all the Zombies that entered his detection range since it would also help him get used to his new fighting method.


    Well, to be exact, he was relearning the Martial Arts that he had practiced during his survival in the A.I. Rebellion.


    This Martial Art was called Jade Body Art, and it was one of the many Martial Arts thatbatted some A.I. Robots that hadsers and explosives as their main weapons.


    Although he obtained memories of himself using this Jade Body Arts, just memories of it weren''t enough as he had to get his body used to its movement. He had to repeatedly use it in order to familiarize himself once again.


    Thanks to this, it allowed him to obtain better defense against the Zombies¡­


    ''The problem is that I don''t have the Gene Solution to mutate my physique¡­ But having an Aura and this high-level Strength and Agility should cover this problem.'' Shane thought as he recalled that the battle against the A.I. had first started by using the same technology as the Anima against them.


    However, the main solution was still the mutation or evolution of humans. The Gene Solutions allowed them to practice techniques that could fully maximize their high Strength and Agility¡­


    ''But I''m still wondering how in the world I became friends with Anima¡­ All my memories about them were just fighting their androids or stealing their mechframes.'' Shane shook his head as he decided to just focus on this Zombie Apocalypse.


    Anyway, it was on the third day of his journey thatShane''s path intersected with other Survivors¡­


    [ Four survivors detected¡­ ]


    [ Eight unknown zombies detected¡­ ]


    A.I. Cloud reported.


    Shane quickly moved in the direction that Cloud pointed, and soon, the distant sounds ofmotion and distress echoed.


    Drawing closer, he came upon a group of four survivors locked in a desperate battle against a group of eight Crusher Zombies. Their huge forms and distinct arms could not be mistaken. Although they weren''tmon zombies in his shelter, he knew about the Crusher Zombies as mid-tier ones, thanks to Raze and the others.


    The four survivors, d in the distinctive Hunter Set, stood in a circle as they were surrounded by the zombies.


    Nheless, they didn''t stay still and moved ordingly to find a better position. They were coordinated and they wielded short des and bows with a practiced ease.


    From their current strength and agility, Shane believed that their strengths should be around 50 points. It doesn''t mean that their levels had already reached 35 or so, but they must''ve also obtained Strength or Spirit Enhancement Potions that greatly improved their fighting capabilities.


    Each member of the group didn''t seem to be having a hard time at first. However, as the Crusher Zombies got closer and closer to them, their defenses were slowly weakening.


    Apparently, amoning the eight Crusher Zombies they only managed to heavily injure four of them. These four had arrows all over their bodies and oozing with ck blood. They were already about to copse and just needed a few more strikes to kill them.


    However, the other four Crusher Zombies were still doing well and they could easily grab or defend themselves from their arrows as if they had gotten used to their fighting styles!


    ''Are they not high-tier Zombies? How can they adapt so quickly?!'' Shane was shocked seeing this.


    Although the Crusher Zombies weren''t a threat to him, he still couldn''t help but feel surprised seeing them learning how to adapt against the poor Survivors.


    It wasn''t just intelligence¡­ They also possessed incredible brute strength¡­ Theirrge hands seemed capable of crushing anything that dared to cross their path.


    As the battle raged on,Cloud alerted him that the four could die at any moment now¡­


    After some thought, Shane sprang into action¡­


    "I''ll help! But the zombie loots are all mine!" Shane shouted as he appeared out of nowhere.


    The group of Hunter Survivors were surprised at first, but after hearing Shane''s words, their leader immediately replied.


    "You can loot them all. Please help us." The leader said without hesitation. He was skeptical about the man''s strength, but since he was willing to help, they might be able to use this person to get an opening to escape the encirclement of the Crusher Zombies.


    "Very well¡­" Shane was satisfied with their reply and decided to use his Epic Hatchet for now¡­ This time, he didn''t n to let the others know about his current strength yet.


    Shane''s heart pounded with adrenaline as he gripped hisEpic Hatchettightly¡­ Although he was confident with his strength and skills, he still couldn''t help but feel excited and nervous at the same time.


    Seeing the Shane only had a hatchet as his weapon, the four Survivors felt a bit disappointed. However, they didn''t show it in their face since the stranger was still helping them distract the Zombies.


    Ha!


    Shane surged forward to the nearest Crusher Zombie, which was still facing the four other survivors.


    The group of Hunter Survivors watched in awe asShane''s hatchet sliced through the neck of the Crusher Zombie, beheading it with one swift and clean move!


    In just a couple of seconds, the first Crusher Zombie fell!

 Chapter 256: Chance

    [ You have eliminated a Crusher Zombie. ]


    Its terrifying head with a huge mouth was severed from its massive shoulders in a spray of dark blood.


    Without waiting for its body to drop, Shanecharged forward to the next Crusher Zombie!


    His eyes were locked onto the next target as he wanted this battle to be swift.


    With his Army Boots'' Swift Stride effect, he closed the distance between them, his hatchet hummed through the air as it cleaved through flesh and bone of the other Crusher Zombie.


    Well, he was actually aiming for the Zombie''s head, but it was a bit too tall, so Shane sliced theZombie from its shoulder instead.


    Pang! Pang! Pang!


    One of the Crusher Zombies who had noticed Shane''s actions threw the crushed bits of sword in its hand to Shane! It was the weapon of the other Survivors who had his weapon grabbed and crushed by the Zombie!


    However, Shane had an Aura of Protection, and it works passively! Unfortunately, it wasn''t too strong yet, and it was crushed after another Crusher Zombie threw whatever into its hands!


    Thankfully, Shane still had anotheryer of protection! It was his Army Vest with Guardian Shield Effect that had been boosted a lot after it was upgraded to Tier 5!


    The Guardian Shield was like the Sentinel Sphere that had a small area of protection around his body.


    Shane smiled, seeing this since even the flying knives made of Starlight Silver couldn''t pass through this defense.


    With such an overwhelming speed and strength, together with his Tier 5 items and Epic Hatchet, the battle became too easy¡­


    [ You have eliminated a Crusher Zombie. ]


    ¡­


    [ You have eliminated a Crusher Zombie. ]


    One by one, the Crusher Zombies met their end at the hands ofShane.


    The group of four Survivors, who were all wearing Hunter Set, stood in shock a few meters away from their previous spot.


    Well, while Shane was fighting, they actually nned to escape as they believed that Shane would surely die after a few moments.


    They didn''t expect that he would actually win!


    "A Ranker!" One of them spoke after realizing that the stranger who helped them was too strong.


    They were only level 19 right now, and they were within the Top 100 before the Regional Server Merge. However, after the merge, they dropped to around Top 300 to 400.


    To be honest, they thought that they were truly doing well, considering how they were able to kill numerous Survivors who had attended the previous Auction and obtained their precious items that could not be found in the Survivor Store.


    The four of them always worked together to hunt both Survivors and Zombies for better resources.


    However, they suddenly felt an urgency to increase their levels, so they decided to venture out of theirfort zones¡­


    After all, they had barely survived their Zombie Waves. They just managed to live until now, thanks to the shelters they found along the way while they were escaping. Those shelters bore the assault of the Zombie Hordes that were supposed to attack them.


    The four looked at each other and immediately noticed that the person who had helped them had an amazing set of clothes and weapons.


    Seeing that the man had already defeated all the Zombies, they immediately expressed their gratitude.


    "Sir! Thank you so much for saving us! I''mMichael... May I ask for your name?"Michael''s voice rang out, filled with relief and admiration.


    Shurned to face the group, his expression unreadable as he replied¡­


    "I''m just a passerby. No need for thanks." With that, he began to inspect the loot left behind by the fallen zombies¡­


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 20 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x2, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ), 100mL Crusher Blood, Crusher Gloves x1 ]


    ''Oh¡­ An item! I haven''t used my Loot Keeper''s Timepiece yet¡­ Should I use it now?'' Shane thought as he looked at the seven other Crusher Zombies¡­


    Over the past couple of days, he only used the Timepiece that could give him five times loot on Jumper Zombie and Runner Zombie. After all, it could only be used once per day, so he had to use it before the end of the day.


    It was still early in the day, so he might still encounter a stronger Zombie, but after some hesitation, he decided to pull it up and activate the Timepiece for his next loot.


    However, asShanefocused on the loot, his back turned to the survivors.Michand the others exchanged knowing nces, and surely, they wouldn''t miss this opportunity presented to them! Experience exclusive tales on m v|l e''-NovelBin


    A sinister glint appeared in their eyes as they silently plotted to kill him and seize his belongings for themselves.


    His items were simply too precious! Perhaps, it was their fortune to meet this person and finally reach a higher level!


    With a sudden rush of adrenaline, theyunched a coordinated assault onShane.


    They could not becent, and they had to work together! They didn''t even use their bows and arrows as Shane would hear their weapons creaking!


    They were fully aware of his formidable strength and hoped to catch him off guard, especially after his recent battle with theCrusher Zombies. This person must''ve exhausted his strength, but he might still be able to run away!


    They have to hold him down!


    As the group closed in onShane, they acted naturally as if they were simply nning to check the corpses of the Zombies.


    Soon, they were in range to attack and quickly aimed their weapons at him!


    However, as their weapons reached Shane, a strange turn of events unfolded!


    To their astonishment, their weapons mysteriously halted a few inches away fromShane''s back, as if an invisible barrier shielded him from harm.


    "Use your skills! Don''t save your Spirit Points!" Michael shouted.


    Confusion and fear flickered across their faces, but Michael''s words brought them back to reality! There was no turning back!


    Shane''s demeanor shifted as his eyes turned cold as he looked at his attackers¡­ Cloud had already informed him of their attacks, so he wasn''t surprised at all.

 Chapter 257: Status

    Michael''s team had a maximum of 300 to 400 Spirit Points thanks to the various potions and rewards they obtained from the system and Treasure Chests.


    They actually had decent luck with regards to obtaining Bronze to Silver Treasure Chest and obtained rewards that could increase their overall strength.


    Anyway, this number of Spirit Points was already considered quite a lot, so they were able to kill several Zombies and Survivors alike.


    However, they had already used most of their Spirit Points against the Crusher Zombies.


    Because of that, they had limited skills or weapon skills they could use against Shane.


    ''Are they stupid?'' Shane couldn''t help but think of this as he realized that these people were too much in a hurry to court death. They didn''t even think of recovering first before finding an opportunity to kill him.


    It could be said that they were too obvious¡­ They easily assumed that his guard was off which was a big mistake!


    Without a word,Shanemoved to protect himself and eliminate the four!


    He didn''t even have to use his firearms for this!


    He simply used his overwhelming movement speed and precise Axe Master as he swiftly decapitated each member of the group without any wasted movement!


    Despite theirbined efforts and the ''element of surprise'' on their side, they stood no chance againstShane''s overwhelming speed and strength!


    Thud! Thud!


    [ You have eliminated a human survivor. ]


    [ You have eliminated a human survivor. ]


    Just like that, Shane killed four humans without any mercy. At this time, he was no longer bothered at their deaths since he already absorbed nine memory spheres containing brutal actions he had done in the past.


    It was especially the case during his first Apocalypse, where he couldn''t really trust anyone to stand behind him.


    Right now, however, he already had the strength enough to test the people he was meeting whether they could betray him or not if a ''perfect'' opportunity had appeared.


    Anyway, Shane continued with his looting session with the Crusher Zombies and he indeed used his Loot Keeper''s Timepiece this time.


    [ You have earned 20 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x2, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ), 100mL Crusher Blood, Bonecrusher dex1 ] x5


    Just like that, he obtained five Bone Crusher des!


    Shane then quickly checked these items.


    [ Bonecrusher de ( Rare ): A sword crafted from the sharpened bones of a Crusher Zombie, designed to slice through enemies while retaining the crushing force of its origins.


    Effects: Knockback +20%, Bleeding Damage +20%, Crush Rate +10%, Strength +2 ]


    ''There''s even two additional Strength¡­'' Shane muttered as he quickly checked his Status.


    Strength: 402 ( +2 )


    Seeing this, Shane realized that the effect wasn''t stackable. Since he was holding five swords, he thought he could get 10 additional strength.


    Anyway, he wasn''t too disappointed about this since it made sense that it wouldn''t work like that.


    Then, he continued to loot the other Crusher Zombies and obtained various weapons from them! Indeed, all of the items he looted were weapons except for the first one that gave him gloves!


    [ Crushbone Club ( Umon ): A reinforced club made from the reinforced bones of a Crusher Zombie, ideal for smashing through defenses and enemies alike¡­


    [ Crushw Crossbow ( Umon ): A crossbow modified with the razor-sharp nails of a Crusher Zombie, capable ofunching bolts with tremendous force to pierce through armor and flesh¡­


    [ Pulverizer Axe ( Umon ): An axe infused with the essence of a Crusher Zombie''s crushing strength, allowing survivors to chop through barricades and enemies with devastating force¡­


    These weapons were only Umon Grade, but they were still quite decent since, once upgraded, they would all have Crush Rate, which works as a way to destroy the weapons of others.


    Finally, Shane turned his attention to the four Survivors.


    They do not have many items in their possession as they probably kept the important ones in their Inventory.


    Because of that, Shane could only store their bows and arrows and some broken pieces of their des.


    Then, after taking their possessions, Shane finally started looting them.


    Supposedly, at the beginning of the Apocalypse, looting other humans or Foreign Survivors wasn''t possible. It was perhaps to discourage our Survivors from killing each other and hasten their poption drop.


    It was only recently that Shane was able to loot humans and even loot their blood, skills, and talent.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, 100mL Human Blood ( O+ ), Fishing Skill, Night Hunter Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Night Hunter ( Rare ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Lesser Invisibility Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 7 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    Currently, Shane already has a total of 6 talents.


    To be honest, after Shane obtained the two Talent Expansion Scrolls from Darwin, he was able to easily loot and obtain decent talents thanks to their collection of human corpses after the Zombie Wave.


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets


    Level: 26


    Vitality: 500/500


    Spirit: 10,000/10,000


    Strength: 402 ( +2 )


    Agility: 460 ( +60 )


    Luck: 21


    Perception: 25


    Inventory:


    Misceneous Items: 45


    Potions: 13


    Weapons and Equipment: 36


    Blood Collection: 16


    Auction Items: 1


    Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Fishing, Woodworking, Metalworking, Axe Mastery, Lockpicking, Leadership, Parkour, Hacker, Controlled Body Heating, Fast Swimmer, Taunt, Mining, Danger Sense, Rope Mastery, Tracking, Weather Sense, Climbing, Deadly Punch¡­ +


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ), Traceless Breath ( Rare Talent ), Aura Master Talent ( Exceptional ), Lucky Find ( Exceptional ), Telekinesis ( Rare )


    Reputation: 402


    After a very long deliberation, he had actually selected Lucky Find and Telekinesis to add to his collection of Talents.


    Although his Telekinesis wasn''t as good as La''s Talent, having this ability was still convenient, especially whenpleting simple tasks.

 Chapter 258: New Shelter

    Shane wryly smiled after seeing his numerous Survivor Skills. After the Zombie Wave, he obtained twelve more new Survivor Skills that could not be seen in the initial status screen as there were too many of them.


    Of course, four of them came from the Memory Spheres that he had recently absorbed.


    Anyway, he still has to click or touch the plus sign before viewing them. These skills were Trap Setting, Foraging, Archery, Survival Cooking, Horseback Riding, Survival Instincts, Scavenging, Lesser Beast Taming, Phantom Dash, Ghost Stride, Boosted Thrust, and Horizontal sh.


    Thest four skills, which were Phantom Dash, Ghost Stride, Boosted Thrust, and Horizontal sh, had actuallye from Fairy Realm and A.I. Rebellion.


    The Phantom Dash and Ghost Stride were skills that Shane learned in his 11th month in the Fairy Realm Collision Apocalypse, while the Boosted Thrust and Horizontal sh were from A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse.


    Anyway, Shane decided not to take the Night Hunter Talent. After all, he already had so many items that improved his night hunting¡­


    Then, continued looting the other three, and unfortunately, the Survivor Skills he looted from them were skills he already had.


    As for their talents, Enhanced Hearing ( Rare ), Professional Athlete ( Rare ), and Eagle Eye ( Rare ) weren''t that enticing for Shane.


    "No wonder they all had Bows and Arrows. Their talents were entirely fitted to be a Hunter." Shane muttered to himself after realizing their sets of talents.


    Anyway, although Eagle Eye was quite good, he''d rather have Telekinesis or Traceless Breath since he had his A.I. for detection.


    Although the range wasn''tparable to the Eagle Eye, it could still improve.


    After this was all done, Shane realized that it was already time to eat, so he decided to just open a couple of Gran Bars to fill his stomach before continuing on his journey.


    Well, although he could always cook without any worry for a sneaking Zombie, he felt that it was tooborious.


    ***


    Tak! Tak! Tak!


    AsShanemade his way towardsSector 7, his path intersected with the rhythmic sound of an axe striking wood in the distance.


    ''Is there a shelter nearby?'' Shane mused as he recalled from the Regional Chat that there shouldn''t be a shelter here. Continue your journey on m|v-l''e -NovelBin


    Well, he had been using the help of the other Survivors to navigate around.


    Intrigued by the noise, he approached the source cautiously. Of course, his senses were on full alert to any potential threats lurking in the vicinity.


    Upon reaching the clearing where the sound originated,Shane''s eyes widened as he observed a pair of survivors diligently felling trees and transporting the wood to an unseen shelter.


    There were a total of six of them working together¡­


    "So, there''s a shelter hidden in this area¡­"Shanemurmured to himself, his curiosity piqued by the discovery.


    It seemed that they didn''t want their presence known since he didn''t see anyone in the chat advertising their Shelter¡­


    Well, it was quitemon to advertise their Shelter and get payments from the people in exchange for protection while they stayed in their area.


    This offer was mainly given to travelers who would just pass by, but for those who nned to stay for good, payment may not be necessary if they were epted, but they had to work for the Shelter with a contract.


    "Hmm?"


    However, a sense of unease washed overShaneas he checked the reports of his A.I., Cloud, for further analysis.


    To his surprise, the readings indicated that the individuals he had encountered were not human but something different.


    [ Eight unknown beings detected¡­ ]


    [ Scanning for more information¡­ ]


    [ Eight non-humans detected¡­ ]


    "Non-humans? Elves?" Shane muttered.


    [ Scanplete. ]


    [ No life force was detected. The possibility of Puppets or simr objects or races can considered. ]


    "Puppets? No, perhaps they''re Zombies? Is there someone controlling them? ANecromancer?"Shane''s mind raced with possibilities as he considered the implications of the mysterious presence in the area.


    Although there were Necromancers who were active on the chat, they were allining how their Talent was terrible since they could only summon one or two Skeleton Warriors to fight for them.


    These Skeleton Warriors weren''t even that great and were only equal to a Runner Zombie in terms of strength. They could be used to deal with Walker and Crawler Zombies, but that was it.


    ''Those puppets or workers seemed like humans with the way they moved. They must be higher level.'' Shane thought as he looked at them carefully. Now that he observed them carefully, he realized that they were all wearing covers on their faces as if to hide their true identity.


    Well, he thought that they were simply trying to protect their skin from the sunlight or from the dust.


    "Whatever¡­ Let''s see what''s going on for now." Shane thought.


    He was definitely determined to uncover the mystery¡­


    Soon, he saw a couple of "workers" carrying lumbers back to their Shelter or base.


    Without hesitation, he trailed the non-human workers discreetly, following them to their base of operations.


    The journey didn''t take that long as they were actually just behind a few rock formations where strange glowing herbs were growing¡­


    For now, Shane decided not to investigate these herbs and focused on the task at hand.


    "Mhmm?" Soon, Shane was shocked at what he saw.


    From his high vantage point, he saw a bustlingmunity of non-humans or puppets within the Shelter!


    He was able to confirm this since A.I. Cloud could tell that they weren''t human Survivors!


    In a moment, a chill ran down his spine. The owner of this Shelter was definitely powerful!


    He must possess a Legendary Talent as well! It was possibly a Necromancer, a Puppeteer, or something even more sinister that he didn''t know¡­


    For now, Shane considered whether he should just leave this ce or try to get in contact with them¡­


    ''Should I ask in the Regional Chat?'' Shane thought as he felt that some other exploring Survivors might''ve encountered this strange shelter as well.

 Chapter 259: New Opponent

    Shane was about to ask a few questions to the Regional Chat. He wanted to know whether they''d also encountered this Shelter around this sector. After all, it looked really strange, so there must have been some other people who had seen this Shelter.


    However, as he was ab out to do so, a message from the system came. Explore more stories with m,v l''e-NovelBin


    [ You have discovered a Wild Shelter! ]


    [ Congrattions, Survivor Shane! Your keen instincts have led you to the discovery of a mysterious Shelter! ]


    [ You are the first to find a Shelter unlike any other - a sanctuary tainted by the presence of a Wild Necromancer. This Shelter, not belonging to a fellow Human Survivor but controlled by a malevolent Special Entity, harbors dark forces that threaten the very fabric of humanity. ]


    As soon as Shane read this message from the system, he was immediately stunned. He didn''t expect that there was such a ''feature'' in this Zombie Apocalypse.


    After all, based on his memories from the previous two Apocalypses, there weren''t such ''Wild'' entities. In the A.I. Rebellion, there were only the Anima, the Foreign Survivors, and the native residents of the world they entered¡­ It was quite the same for the Fairy Realm Apocalypse.


    There were only the various creatures in the Fairy Realm, the Foreign Survivors, the native residents they could recruit¡­


    There weren''t any other entities that could be considered wild.


    ''Is it considered wild because it attacks both humans and zombies?'' Shane thought for a moment since this was certainly quite a new thing for him.


    Nheless, as he observed the ce within the Shelter, the mist was quite thick with an eerie chill, the walls they created pulsated with dark energy, showing that the leader of this Shelter was definitely a practitioner of the Dark Arts or necromancy.


    As he thought of this, he continued reading the other notifications.


    [ Beware, Survivor Shane, for the forces of the Wild Necromancer are formidable! You may want to build a strong team of Survivors before attacking it. ]


    [ Rewards for Discovering the Shelter:


    Experience: +100 Points


    Rare Artifact: Soulbound Talisman


    Zombie Cores: 250


    Reputation Points: 50 ]


    [ Hint: You will gain incredible rewards if you manage to destroy this Wild Shelter! ]


    The rewards and the hint given had surely roused Shane''s interest.


    "A Rare Artifact and Reputation Points?" Shane nodded as he epted the free items. Although the Experience was too low, the Talisman and the other rewards were definitely much appreciated¡­


    ''Since I''m the first discoverer, there''s no point asking the Regional Chat.'' Shane muttered after he finished checking the announcements from the system.


    ''Let''s observe this Wild Shelter for now¡­''


    Soon, Shane found a better area to observe the Shelter.


    Well, he wanted to have a proper estimate of its strength before he considered whether to attack it or not.


    From his vantage point overlooking the Shelter,Shanenoticed more details about its defenses. He couldn''t help but find this interesting since he knew that it was made by a professional, and he felt that he would gain inspiration for his next Shelter if he ever decided to create one.


    A couple of hours had passed, but Shane was still patiently observing the situation.


    He studied the movements of the non-human inhabitants or undead and their synchronized movements to repel the Zombie threats that periodically wandered too close¡­


    "Incredible¡­ They''re really killing the Zombies¡­" Shane muttered as a sense of awe mingled with apprehension within him.


    ''Necromancy¡­ What a nice talent.'' Shane mused as he couldn''t help but imagine himself using the Necromancy Talent. ording to the Regional Chat, the number of Zombies they could summon was also dependent on their Spirit Points. He would surely benefit from that!


    nk! nk! nk! The Shelter''s defense was definitely not what he had expected¡­ He thought that the Wild Necromancer was only controlling Undead Creatures, and that was all. However, he waspletely wrong!


    There were automated turrets concealed within the surrounding foliage that sprang into action at the slightest hint of danger!


    Even Crawler and Walker Zombies would be shot but turret!


    There was no question about their precision targeting and rapid firing!


    If there were stronger zombies, it would unleash a barrage of deadly projectiles at any mid-tier zombies. The turrets'' firepower was formidable, capable of mowing down the undead so swiftly!


    ''This is crazy¡­ Automated Turrets! Why is he so advanced right now? Did I discover them too early? Are they supposed to be the final boss or something?'' Shane couldn''t help butment while shaking his head.


    Even with his various skills, like Aura of Protection, Boosted Steps, and Phantom Dash, he felt that he would still die from that Turret!


    Perhaps, he would be able to stop a few bullets with his Tier 5 Army Vests, but numerous bullets would surely be different and he didn''t want to test that yet.


    As he thought of giving up for now, he saw the movements of a horde of zombies not too far from the Wild Shelter...


    ''Let''s see what will happen for now.''


    As the first wave ofSpitter Zombieslurched towards the Shelter, they immediately started spitting acid or corrosive projectiles!


    The acid spit arced through the air, while the automated defenses responded quickly.


    Brrrrtttt~


    Streams of concentrated fire rained down upon the grotesque creatures¡­


    However, their acidic attacks were stopped by the undead creatures controlled by the necromancer to protect the automated turrets!


    These poor undead received significant damage in their bodies but they had done their part. They protected their weapons!


    The Spitter Zombies fell one by one, and just like Shane knew about them, they also exploded after they died!


    This explosion created a huge st, creating dust and smoke.


    If not for the A.I.''s Detection, Shane almost failed to notice that several Jumper Zombies started getting closer to the Wild Shelter!


    With acrobatic leaps and bounding strides, they closed in on the Shelter with rming speed!


    Shane couldn''t help but feel excited about this! After all, he felt that he might benefit if the Wild Shelter was damaged or, at the very least, they managed to destroy the Automated Turret!

 Chapter 260: Discovered

    ''You can do it!'' Shane thought.


    This was probably the first time he was looking forward to the sess of the Zombies. Shane couldn''t help but chuckle at this thought.


    Nheless, since he was also nning to conquer this Shelter, he really wanted to see everything it got! He even wanted to see the Wild Necromancer itself to get into action.


    ''Do they only have a single Automated Turret? Are there more?'' Shane mused as he looked at the Shelter''s next move against the horde of Zombies encroaching in.


    If two more Automated Turrets suddenly sprang up, then he would surely leave this Shelter alone. He''d return and attack this Shelter once he had gained more ess to the Anima Store and obtained incredible pieces of machinery or mechanical weapons.


    Graahhhh~


    Yet, before the Zombies could reach the walls of the Shelter, the other defenses it had were finally revealed.


    Familiar traps concealed beneath the soil sprang to life, ensnaring theJumper Zombiesin a web of steel and spikes.


    Meanwhile, strategically ced mines detonated in a series of thunderous explosions, sending shockwaves rippling through the group of Jumper Zombies.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    ''Mines, huh¡­ As long as I managed to enter, I should probably be fine from this threat.'' Shane sighed. He couldn''t help but want to have explosive mines as well. His desire to obtain the resources of this shelter and the reward from the system was getting stronger and stronger.


    This Shelter was simply too good. If he also looted the Necromancy and controlled numerous undead creatures, then it would be perfect. Just imagining being able tomand soldiers that didn''t fear death, he knew it would be an incredible experience.


    However, he knew that it would not be easy.


    In a matter of moments, the threat posed by theSpitter ZombiesandJumper Zombieswas decisively neutralized.


    In the end, the Shelter stood unscathed¡­ Aside from the Spitter Zombie''s long-range Spit Attack, they didn''t manage to do much¡­


    Nheless, Shane knew that long-range attacks wasn''t the best method of conquering this Shelter¡­


    He needs to get closer.


    ''Should I use my 2 Master-Grade Recruitment Stones now?'' Shane considered for a moment before shaking his head.


    After all, the two that could arrive may not be powerful beings like Monk Chaloem but like Aya, who was only good as a support.


    ''With my other items that grant me speed and stealth in the darkness, I could probably enter the castle easily¡­ However, once I entered, I didn''t know what to expect.'' Shane sighed.


    Nheless, he truly marveled at the ingenuity and resourcefulness of those who had devised such sophisticated defenses; their ability to repel the horde of Zombies so easily inspired him a lot.


    As he continued to observe from the shadows for four more hours,Shaneslowly gained confidence¡­ It appears that although their defense was good on the outside, he felt that once he entered it, he would be able to massacre everyone with his current set of skills.


    This time, however, he had to change his set of clothes and weapons.


    Instead of using the Army Set, he opted to use the Crawler Set.


    His preparations didn''t end there. He also took out 4 Zombie Lures and his Adrenaline Injector was also at the ready¡­


    He was waiting until it waspletely dark before he made his move!


    ***


    Meanwhile, as Shane was busy finding a way to conquer the Wild Shelter that had appeared, his Shelter had finally been found by other Survivors.


    As the sunlight was about to get covered by the mountains, a group of Scouts arrived at the outskirts of Springriver Manor, their eyes widened in awe at the sight of the heavily fortified shelter that loomed before them.


    "It must be a Shelter of a Ranker¡­"


    "Only those in the Top 20 could be such one."


    "Let''s return and report this matter to boss¡­ I''m sure he''ll be happy."


    "Not yet¡­ Let''s observe and gather more information. The boss will ask more about it once we return. It''s better if we could answer his questions."


    Everyone agreed with the scout who spoke, and soon, they moved separately to investigate before returning to their meet-up ce.


    They observed towering walls, sturdy watchtowers, the residents who were working tirelessly just outside the walls toy foundation for the next buildings, and bustling activity within thepound made them truly impressed.


    While they were searching for a better Shelter, this one was already expanding!


    Soon, they gathered up, and they all couldn''t believe what they''d found out. After an hour of observation with their Scouting Skills, they realized that the Shelter several advanced weapons like Rifles, Machine Gun, and there was even someone who had a pet dragon and was training it to breathe fire!


    "That woman with the Dragon must be the Shelter Owner." One of the scouts said. They all agreed to this since they knew that it was definitely a Dragon¡­ If someone could have that, they would certainly deserve to possess such a shelter.


    Soon, the scouts returned to their base to make a report.


    In a small tent that was currently set up beside a huge tree, the scouts looked at the man in front of them with reverence.


    This person was the one they called boss in the field. He was d in weather-worn leather armor and bearing the scars of countless battles. Nheless, they knew that this armor was an Epic One and was still working greatly ifpared to lower-grade items.


    Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin


    "Sir Tundra, we''ve discovered a potential shelter northwest of here," the scout reported, his voice tinged with a note of excitement. "It seems well-fortified, with a poption of about 50 and watchtowers guarding its perimeter. It will be a perfect shelter for us once we take over."


    Sir Tundra, a man of few words but decisive actions, nodded thoughtfully as he mulled over the scout''s report.


    ''A pet Dragon, huh¡­ It might be difficult, but not too much¡­ We could also try to negotiate first and do it inside their Shelter¡­ and if they didn''t like our offer, we could attack them from the inside while the others will attack from the outside.'' Tundra gently nodded as he started thinking of various methods to take the Shelter for his.

 Chapter 261: Infiltration Technique

    Tundra, the leader of the small group of Survivors, was a careful person. After all, ording to the previous rankings in the Region 1 Survivors Leaderboard, he was only ranked 87. There were tens of people stronger than him¡­


    Nheless, that rank, with tens of thousands of them, was certainly among the top. Because of that, he knew that as long as he was careful and had properly assessed his target, he shouldn''t get into big trouble.


    ''Just like before, we just have to properly assess their strength and we will be fine.'' Tundra thought to himself. Although the Shelter Owner was probably in the top 20, he knew that their difference in level shouldn''t be that big and as long as he employed proper strategies, he should be fine.


    He had rugged features, but he still had great and wless skin¡­ It seemed that it was rted to him being a high level Survivor or it was also rted to his Skill or Talent. He was also wearing his Survivor Set, but they were all Tier 3 already.


    After considering it for a while, he made up his mind to investigate the newfound Shelter personally. Although his friends and other subordinates were reliable, in terms of appraising or detecting the strength of fellow survivors, he could be considered the best.


    "Gather the others. We shall approach this Shelter under the cover of dusk¡­" Sir Tundramanded, his voice carrying the weight of authority born from experience.


    "Once Jillian and I entered the estate, wait for the signal re to attack. If there''s no signal re, do not do anything unnecessary. Let us tread cautiously. We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past." He added.


    The others were certainly confident that they could take over the Shelter. They had recently obtained weapons from their store and also some decent rewards after the Zombie Wave.


    However, they all still listened to Tundra since they knew about the Talent of their leader.


    [ Terrorist ( Epic Talent ): Survivor Terrorist possesses a chilling ability to nt invisible bombs on those they touch. The strength of these invisible bombs is directly tied to the level of expertise and experience that the Terrorist have acquired as a Survivor. The higher the level, the more devastating the explosive power contained within.


    If not triggered within 24 hours, however, the bomb will dissipate harmlessly from the target. ]


    As the group of Survivors heard their Leader''s n, everyone felt quite excited. After all, the Shelter they found seemed promising.


    There was a huge wall, watchtowers, a source of water, fruit-bearing trees, farnd, and various infrastructures¡­


    They knew that once they were able to im this territory, they would thrive. Even if they were able to enter it peacefully, they could always take control of the territory slowly until it became theirs!


    Sir Tundra then led them towards the distant Shelter¡­ After some time, Tundra and Jillian separated from the group and started approaching the Shelter slowly while raising a white g, showing that they didn''t mean harm.


    Well, he believed that the people from this Shelter would just randomly attack them without any form of conversation. Once they started one, he was sure that they would be able to take advantage of the situation to allow them to enter the small fortress. Continue your journey at m_v--NovelBin


    ***


    AsTundraandJilliancautiously approached the shelter, their movements were careful and they seemingly wanted to be noticed immediately by the ones stationed at the watchtower.


    After all, they didn''t want to spook the guard and just started shooting at them. Anyway, Tundra looked at Jillian.


    She had tanned skin and long ck hair, which was quitemon to see. However, her great shape made her stand out for obvious reasons. As walked besideTundra, her great figure was even more entuated. Lastly, her piercing emerald eyes, which seemed really confident, scanned their surroundings with a keen awareness thatplementedTundra''s strategic mindset.


    Nheless, the reason Tundra brought her wasn''t just for decoration. It was because of her talent.


    [ Famous Bard ( Epic Talent ): A Survivor who wields the power of music and storytelling to inspire allies, manipte emotions, and cast magical effects through their performances. Their melodic tunes can heal wounds, boost morale, or even charm enemies.


    Famous Bard''s captivating performances not only entertain but also provide strategic benefits inbat and diplomacy, making them a unique and valuable addition to any survivor group. ]


    With such a talent, Tundra knew that as long as they were able to obtain a safe shelter like the one in front of them, they would be able to survive this Apocalypse with a lot more ease.


    As they neared the shelter, a sudden glint of metal caught their attention, and they found themselves in the sight of a crossbow aimed from the watchtower above.


    ''Alright¡­ Good response¡­'' Tundra thought as this was what he had expected.


    Despite the lethal threat posed by the weapon, the fact that it did not unleash its deadly payload signaled a willingness to engage in dialogue rather than bloodshed. Everything was going ording to his n as of the moment.


    Tundra''s heart quickened with the thrill of the unexpected opportunity thaty before them. After clearing his throat, he immediately announced his presence¡­


    "Wee in peace, seeking aid in our time of need,"Tundracalled out, his voice carrying a note of sincerity. He had to appear genuine. Thankfully, he had done this a few times already.


    "Our supplies are dwindling, and we humbly ask for your assistance. We may not have many Zombie Cores we could use to pay you, but in return, we offer our skills andbor to contribute to the well-being of yourmunity. Please, consider helping us¡­ If it''s not possible, please allow us to rest in the safety of your walls. I promise you that we''ll leave the next day in the morning¡­"


    He knew that this worked every time since if they were kind, they would be allowed to enter, but if not, they would still be allowed to enter to get robbed or killed. It was a gamble, but he was confident since his Talent was simply that great.

 Chapter 262: Is This a Trap?

    As long as he was allowed to touch the people of this Shelter, he would allowed to nt five bombs, which were worth 100 Spirit Points each.


    It was just barely enough for his 550 Spirit Points.


    AsTundra''s words hung in the air for a few minutes, a figure emerged at the ramparts, his silhouette outlined against the moonlit sky.


    Tundra finally smiled as he knew that the boss had finally appeared... This was a good thing for them.


    However, as he looked at the figure carefully, it didn''t seem to be the woman who had a pet Dragon, ording to the scouts'' report.


    Anyway, he wasn''t too disappointed after hearing the man''s words.


    "Tell us your names and your Talents¡­ You can call me Mr. Wadsworth. I''m a butler of this Manor." the man introduced himself, his voice filled with curiosity and caution.


    Tundra expected this much and replied.


    "I''m Tundra, and this is my wife, Jillian¡­ I have a Master-Grade Enhanced Body Talent¡­ It makes my body a little stronger than others. My wife, on the other hand, has a Rare-Grade ssical Bard Talent." Tundra lied without any changes in his expression.


    Unfortunately, his Terrorist Talent doesn''t just sound too dangerous but also really threatening if they learned how it works. Aside from his trusted aides, he didn''t dare to tell this to others.


    Anyway, if he was tested, he could rely on his Epic Leather Armor to act the lie. By simply wearing the armor made of Bear''s Leather, it could provide him with ten additional Strength Points, and as long as he used 50 Spirit Points to trigger the Bear Force, he could enjoy an additional 30% of his strength for a short 30 seconds. That should be enough time to make his lie work.


    "Interesting talents¡­ Especially the Bard one¡­ It seems that our Shelter will be very lively soon¡­ Since you havee to our gates seeking refuge and aid, we could certainly make some arrangements. Follow me, and we shall discuss the terms of your stay within our walls."


    Hearing this, the two immediately felt relieved. The both of them quickly expressed their gratitude to the butler¡­


    "Thank you, Mr. Wadsworth. We do not know how we could survive this night if not for your help..." Tundra said.


    "We will surely repay your kindness¡­" Jillian added.


    Soon, TundraandJillian saw the gates open and followedMr. Wadsworthinside the Shelter. It didn''t seem impressive from the outside, but they must have several secrets to survive the Zombie Wave, even with 50 or more Survivors in the Shelter.


    After all, they knew that the Zombie Wave''s strength depended as well on the number of people gathered in an area.


    With so many people here, they must''ve faced a veryrge Zombie Wave but everything seemed fine. Some structures were even built outside the shelter''s walls. However, since it was already dark, everyone had stopped working.


    As soon as they entered, the first thing they noticed was the bright surroundings¡­


    There were Light Orbs glowing in various corners! Just from their point of view, they could already see 20 or so Light Orbs!


    ''So rich!'' Tundra didn''t think that these Light Orbs were looted. It must''ve been bought through various means.


    He knew about these orbs as well since he sold one of them in the private trading before the Market was activated.


    He sold one for 80 Zombie Cores!


    That was certainly considered a huge amount of money. After all, everyone could easily make a torch with so many trees where they could collect sap.


    Jillian couldn''t help but feel surprised as well. Since the scouts observed the shelter during the day, they certainly didn''t notice about these Light Orbs.


    Right now, the price of the Light Orbs hasn''t lowered, but it has even increased as people have started possessing more Zombie Cores and as they got richer, they started wanting to obtain a better life in the Apocalypse.


    Especially now that the Regional Merge has beenpleted, there were a lot more people trying to obtain items to better their lives. Things like food condiments, unknown meat,fortable clothes, and even a chessboard with pieces crafted by a Master Craftsman were being sold!


    Indeed, entertainment items were already being sold for a high price in the Market.


    Because of this, they knew that the shelter owner must be really rich to afford these luxurious orbs.


    Soon, the two of them saw the Manor and even felt more impressed. Despite not being able to see other people, they could hear several people in various buildings, especially the church.


    However, this Manor seemed to be silent as the boss of the Shelter probably lives here.


    ''Are we going to meet that Dragon Tamer now?'' Tundra thought to himself.


    "Wow¡­"


    AsTundraandJillianstepped into the reception hall of theManor, they found themselves enveloped in an atmosphere of luxury andfort that stood in stark contrast to the rugged existence they had endured in the wilderness.


    The walls were adorned with intricate paintings. There were plush couches indicating their softness and the air was filled with warmth, unlike the chilling cold in the forest¡­


    As they continued to observe, they also saw the floor immactely clean, and a spread of delectable snacksid out before them¡ªall of these elementsbined to create an environment that felt like a haven after their days of hardship.


    "I don''t think we deserve such treatment¡­" Tundra said, realizing that there were five Light Orbs just inside this Reception Hall, making it really bright and lively.


    "Indeed... You even prepared some food for us." Jillian added.


    At this time, no one knew if their words were genuine or not.


    However, the butler simply smiled as he looked at the two.


    TundraandJillianexchanged nces as they were both liking this ce more and more. Their desire to lord this shelter increased even further,


    As they settled into thefortable seating, Mr. Wadsworth, the butler of the Manor, finally broke the silence that had enveloped them...

 Chapter 263: Schemes

    "Wee, Mr.TundraandJillian, to our humble abode," Mr. Wadsworth began. His voice was also warm and weing, so it made the two feelfortable.


    "Just like what you''ve requested, we are pleased to offer you sanctuary within our walls¡­" As he said this, the two were obviously happy.


    "That''s great! Mr. Wadsworth. You must be a special butler if you can make such a decision by yourself." Tundra probed.


    After all, he felt that such a significant matter of letting strangers enter their territory must be consulted with the Shelter''s owner. It was quite weird for a butler to make all the decisions.


    He had to probe what was going on¡­


    ''Are they simply trying to protect that girl?'' Tundra mused.


    Jillian also thought the same, as the woman was probably heavily reliant on her Dragon and was very weak without her pet. This only ignited their desire to meet the Shelter Owner even more.


    In the meantime, Mr Wadsworth smiled after hearing his probing question. He didn''t mind it at all.


    "You can rest assured that I have the position to make such an important decision for the Shelter. As a matter of fact, we also wanted you to bring your friends if you have some people in mind. We promise that we will also give them food and Shelter as long as they work for us. Well, we''re trying to expand our territory, and we really need some hands right now." Mr. Wadsworth said kindly.


    Tundra and Jillian were actually startled after hearing that they could bring their friends. After all, they indeed brought their subordinates to attack this Shelter. It was such a perfect opportunity.


    Nheless, after thinking about it, the two of them thought that the butler already knew about the ambush lying in wait and started getting nervous.


    However, after hearing that the butler simply wanted to gain moreborers, the two gently nodded. They noticed that the estate was building so much infrastructure at the same time that they needed several people.


    "You want us to be yourborers? We don''t mind it! As long as you can give us food and Shelter!" He said as if he was genuinely concerned about his food. While,in fact, Tundra was already celebrating in his mind as this mission seemed to have be a lot easier!


    Then, the butler continued to exin the conditions for letting them in aside from their work hours.


    Mr. Wadsworth''s offer came with a condition that involved monitoring their activities for a period of 20 days, a condition meant to ensure the safety and security of the Shelter''s residents against the new recruits.


    It sounded reasonable to the two as they might implement this method as well when recruiting people from the outside.


    Anyway, aside from that, they knew that while this level of scrutiny might seem stringent to some,Tundrasaw it as an opportunity rather than a hindrance.


    With his eyes filled with expectation, he weed the arrangement, knowing full well that once his men joined them, their path to dominance within the Shelter would be paved with ease.


    "Thank you for your generosity,Mr. Wadsworth,"Tundrareplied, a smile ying on his lips as he envisioned the unfolding of his carefullyid ns.


    "We ept your terms dly. Rest assured, our presence here shall only bring prosperity and protection to thismunity. I have a few friends of mine that I can message now. They shouldn''t be that far." He added.


    "Very well, we''ll also wee these people as long as they do not mind doing physicalbor to help reconstruct our estate¡­" Mr. Wadsworth said.


    As the deal was sealed with a handshake and a nod of agreement,Tundra''s mind raced with better strategies.


    His excitement grew with each passing moment.


    ''Should we just wait until the 20-day monitoring is done? That way, we could also investigate the strengths of other survivors¡­ We might also discover some escape routes that we can use.'' Tundra thought for a moment. It seemed that they would just benefit more if they waited for the monitoring to be done in 20 days.


    They could familiarize themselves more with the estate, and they would also discover the other defenses of the estate.


    In the meantime, Mr. Wadsworth simply smiled as he looked at Tundra, messaging his friends.


    ''Mhmm¡­ An additional 40 points in loyalty should be great¡­ However,I should show them a few more things during these days to increase it further¡­'' The butler thought as he knew the scheme of this person all this time.


    They weren''t aware of it but the Elves had been observing them ever since they entered the forest. Sparky, the Evolved Thunderbird, would always roam the skies and report to the elves who could understand hisnguage.


    Because of that, the others immediately suggested eliminating them if they ever thought of harming them. However, Mr. Wadsworth knew about Shane''s ability to increase loyalty. It was something mentioned to him and Shinja.


    ording to Shane, as long as they stayed inside the Territory''s perimeter, their loyalty would slowly increase. To be exact, it was 2 points of Loyalty per day.


    He couldn''t really understand it at first but after Shane exined that it was simr to hypnotism, Mr. Wadsworth immediately understood that this information could not be spread around.


    Anyway, this was the main reason he wanted Tundra''s group to stay within 20 days¡­ Although 40 Loyalty Points didn''t sound big, he knew that as long as they stayed here peacefully for that duration, they would realize that fighting against them would be futile.


    ***


    Meanwhile, as Mr. Wadsworth was plotting against Tundra and his group, Shane had alreadypleted his preparation to conquer the Shelter.


    Shanestood on the outskirts of theWild Shelter¡­ He was doing his final calctions as he steadied his breath.


    ''As long as I capitalize all my strengths and high-grade items, I should be fine.'' Shane thought to himself.


    d in his formidableCrypt Crawler Set, he felt the surge of power coursing through him and felt more confident.


    Well, the Crawler set not only enhanced his Agility, Movement Speed, and Physical Damage but also bestowed upon him an important stealth skill called Perfect Shadowmeld¡­ It was a perfect skill for tonight''s raid that was granted by hisShroud of Shadow Cape.


    With a deft hand,Shanedeftly deployed his fourZombie Lures. "Please take effect¡­"


    Shane thought as he knew that the zombies and the ones summoned by the necromancer could be different.


    Thankfully, everything was going ording to his n.


    These lures were just simr to tennis balls, but as they were thrown, they emitted smoke, and for some reason, it was enough to draw the attention of the undead sentinels that patrolled therampart, diverting their gaze away from his approaching assault.


    Seizing the opportunity, heunched himself forward while his Perfect Shadowmeld was active. He was hoping that these Undead Beings controlled by the Necromancer could not sense him.


    As he got closer, his sights set on the threat of theAutomated Turret¡­ He had to quickly do something about it before it could target him. Although he felt confident blocking or dodging a few bullets, it may not be the same if hundreds of them came at him.


    As he neared the area where the Turret was,Shane''s next movement was almost instinctual, it was honed by numerous battles he had experienced from various Apocalypses.


    "There''s no guard¡­ Perfect!"


    He directed his focus toward the vulnerable underbelly of the Turret, where its tform connected to the structure. Instead of obliterating the Turret outright, an idea sparked inShane''s mind¡ªhe nned to take it for himselfter on! He was also hoping that repairing itter would trigger Anima Store!


    After all, he really wanted to make use of his Otherworldly Talent. He was simply unfortunate to get deployed in an abandoned Manor in the middle of nowhere, so his Mechanic Skill was pretty useless¡­


    This time, however, he knew that everything would change.


    With a swift and calcted strike,Shargeted the support structure of the Turret''s tform!


    He mainly used his Hatchet to ensure that this would be quick!


    nk!nk! nk!


    Shane delivered a series of blows that weakened its foundation. As the structure groaned under the force of his assault, the tform gave way with a resounding crash, sending the Turret toppling to the ground, creating a crashing sound of metal and debris.


    While rendered unusable in its current state,Shanesaw the potential for repurposing this formidable weapon to serve him after eliminating the Wild Necromancer.


    As the dust settled around him,Shanestood at the rampart, observing the reaction of the Necromancer hidden somewhere inside the Shelter.


    Soon, the Zombie Lure''s effect disappeared, and the undead finally started looking at Shane¡­ Although the effect didn''t evenst for a minute, Shane was already satisfied with this result, considering that the Undead Beings that were lured weren''t normal Zombies.

 Chapter 264: Black Crystal

    ''There''s no other Turret or defensive mechanism being triggered¡­ Is this the only thing they have?'' Shane thought while his gaze was fixed on the toppled Automated Turret.


    He couldn''t help but feel a bit happy seeing how the Turret still looked really good as it barely incurred damage. His actions had not only neutralized a significant threat but had also secured a valuable asset that could benefit him in the future.


    Then, looking at the cloaked Undead Creatures, a faint smile yed upon his lips¡­


    "Come¡­ Let''s see what you''ve got." Shane muttered as he looked at them, charging at him.


    Graahhh!


    They seemed enraged seeing that he had destroyed their Turret¡­Their figures covered in thick clothes were also oozing with the stench of death and now that Shane had gotten near, it was truly quite terrifying...


    With a total of 12 of these malevolent entities bearing down upon him,Shane''s instincts kicked into overdrive, his grip tightened on his trustyEpic Hatchet¡­


    Although he could eliminate them with his fist, he didn''t feelfortable getting sttered by their bodily fluids or any rotten flesh.


    With his Epic Hatchet''s Fire Effect, he could burn their flesh and avoid such disgusting matter. He also didn''t worry that his weapon would fail since he could tell from their movement that these Undead Creatures were barely at the level of a mid-tier Zombie.


    The first of the undead creatures lunged at him with unnatural speed!


    It turns out that they weren''t great at running but were quite decent at jumping.


    Rooarr!


    Its wed hands reached out to rend his flesh and bone.


    However, with Shane''s reaction speed, he wasn''t too worried at all. He was even monitoring the movements of all the Undead Creatures.


    With a deft sidestep,Shaneevaded the attack so easily. He had no wasted movements as his steps were precise, and he positioned himself perfectly for the impending sh. With a wave of his Hatchet, he cut the Undead Creature''s arms, revealing that it was quite simr to the physique of the Runner Zombies that he was familiar with¡­


    [ You have eliminated Undead Soldier. ]


    ''Undead Soldier?'' Shane felt surprised, but he didn''t think too much about it.


    As the next creature closed in, he spun on his heel, bringing his Hatchet down in a sweeping arc that cleaved through its form, cutting it in half.


    His simple yet deadly movements continued as the rampart was filled with the metallic scent of blood, andShanedidn''t even miss his every strike! Each time his weapon was swung, anUndead Creature would surely be eliminated..


    nk!


    With each strike of his Hatchet, he dispatched another of the undead beings, and they couldn''t even touch a single strand of his hair¡­


    Dodging, feinting, and parrying with finesse,Shanemoved gracefully as if everything was a child''s y.


    [ You have eliminated Undead Soldier. ]


    [ You have eliminated Undead Soldier. ]


    However, as he killed the 7th Undead Soldier, a stronger Undead Creature emerged out of nowhere.


    This creature lunged from the shadows to his left, its bony fingers inches away from his throat. With a swift step back,Shaneavoided the deadly grasp¡­


    ''A lich? No, a Skeleton Knight?'' Shane thought but he couldn''t think too much about it as the battle hasn''t ended yet.


    He then retaliated with a swift Horizontal sh of his Hatchet that sent the creature reeling.


    Boom!


    To his surprise, the Undead didn''t get sliced in half as he thought, and he was only thrown far away, so he didn''t die. He knew it as there was no notification confirming its death.


    It was really strong, or at the very least, its armor was definitely not an average one!


    Anyway, Shane hadn''t eliminated all the normal undead creatures yet so he quickly made his move before the Skeleton Knight recovers. Shane''s movements became faster as he fully utilized his bonus movement speed. His Epic Hatchet shed in the dim light as he surged forward. He felt that they were moving too slowly, so he decided to pick up his face to end this battle quickly.


    [ You have eliminated Undead Soldier. ]


    One by one, the undead beings fell before his Hatchet''s might; their mid-tier level of strength was no match for the sheer ferocity of his attacks.


    With a final, decisive blow,Shanedispatched thest of the Undead Soldiers¡­


    Calming his breath, he surveyed the battlefield strewn with fallen undead¡­


    Then his eyes shifted to the previous Skeleton Knight¡­ He realized that there were already three of them standing side by side¡­


    Jumping down from the Rampart, Shane dashed towards their group! He didn''t hesitate to eliminate them at all!


    In the meantime, he was also observing the Wild Necromancer that had been detected by Cloud a few seconds ago. Well, since the Wild Necromancer wasn''t nning to show himself yet, Shane decided to just observe him.


    In any case, he hasn''t used his injection yet. He wanted to see if there are other things he needed to know about this Shelter.


    nk. nk. nk.


    AsShanefaced off against the three formidableSkeleton Knights, he could finally observe their gleaming armors that were radiating with an eerie glow in the dim light of theWild Shelter.


    He knew that this battle would test his skill, and it might even force him to bring out astronger weapon.


    A while ago, he only managed to nick the armor of the Skeleton Knight¡­


    He didn''t believe that his trustyEpic Hatchet waspletely ineffective against their imprable armor. There must be a limit.


    Nheless, Shanequickly assessed his opponents, searching for any weakness he could exploit in their formidable defense.


    As the first Skeleton Knight charged towards him,Shaneswiftly dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the sweeping arc of its mighty de.


    With a keen eye for detail, he noted the joints and gaps in the knight''s armor. They were areas left vulnerable to his attacks.


    ''This is it¡­ I don''t have to use my other Sword at all.


    Seizing the opportunity,Shanelunged forward, his Hatchet struck the shoulder or the exposed joint of the knight''s armor, eliciting a resounding ng as the blownded.


    nk!


    Just like that, its right arm was cut off!


    The Skeleton Knight staggered back, its unearthly form recoiling from the unexpected strike, butShanewasted no time in pressing his advantage.


    His next strikes'' target was already quite obvious. He targeted the weak points in the knight''s armor, each blow aimed with at their joints as he sought to dismantle his opponent piece by piece.


    [ You have eliminated an Undead Skeleton Knight. ]


    [ You have eliminated an Undead Skeleton Knight. ]


    Thest knight''s movements grew sluggish as its armor began to splinter and crack under the force ofShane''s forceful strikes!


    Soon he also received the message he had been waiting for¡­


    [ You have eliminated an Undead Skeleton Knight. ]


    However, it didn''t end there as three more Skeleton Knights appeared out of nowhere.


    ''This¡­ Can you only summon Three Skeleton Knights?'' Shane thought.


    He also recalled that he yed about 6 Undead Soldiers before one of the Skeleton Knights appeared to disrupt him.


    If that was the case, it seemed that this Wild Necromancer wasn''t all that great!


    The other threeSkeleton Knightsclosed in, their des shing in the darkness as they sought to overwhelmShanewith theirbined might.


    It seemed really dangerous but it was too slow in Shane''s eyes.


    Undeterred by their simple sword techniques,Shanecontinued to evade their attacks with a movement technique he learned in the A.I. rebellion. His movements focused on exploiting the vulnerabilities in their armor.


    He could probably destroy their armors in four or more strikes but he felt that it would be too tiring to do so. With each strike, he was able to hit their joints or remove their limbs!


    Without any errors, his Hatchet found its mark as he eliminated them methodically.


    This happened four more times¡­


    [ You have eliminated an Undead Skeleton Knight. ]


    [ You have eliminated an Undead Skeleton Knight. ]


    To be exact, he eliminated four sets of three Undead Skeleton Knights working together!


    Boom!


    As the final blow fell, thest of thefifth set of Skeleton Knightscrumbled to the ground, its armor shattered and broken as they died. It seemed that their armor was actually part of them.


    ''They should''ve learned to put that armor all over their bodies instead of just their torso.'' Shane thought.


    After a few breaths, Shane''s raging heart started to calm down.


    ''Are you going to escape or summon another Undead?'' Shane thought as he monitored the Wild Necromancer.


    ''Give me more experience points, please!'' Shane thought as he could actually loot these Undead Summons. A moment ago, he noticed that there was a ck Crystal on the ground where the Undead Summons dissipated. Then he touched one of them a while ago and had a notification that he could loot them!


    With a sense of satisfaction, he waited for the Wild Necromancer for his next moves, only to be stunned by the person''s next actions.

 Chapter 265: Looted

    Shane was shocked seeing the Wild Necromancer turn around and start fleeing!


    "What? You''re really escaping?" Shane was surprised.


    He thought that it was about to summon a stronger Undead!


    "Tsk¡­ You''re not escaping¡­"


    As the Wild Necromancer made a sudden decision to flee rather than face himin a battle to the death, Shane quickly triggered his Perfect Shadowmeld!


    [ Perfect Shadowmeld: When activated, the wearer fades into the shadows, bing undetectable to the naked eye until the used Spirit Points disappear.


    Cost: 1 Spirit Points per second ]


    It costs a lot to use it, and perhaps, without a huge Spirit Reserve like him, no one would dare use this skill recklessly.


    Nheless, he had to do this to catch the Necromancer by surprise.


    He had not anticipated the Necromancer''s quick retreat, but he knew that he had enough skills to not let this elusive foe slip away.


    Whoosh~


    In a split second, Shane''s body integrated with the shadows, and this action surprised the Wild Necromancer.


    After all, he was also monitoring Shane''s movement, and disappearing from his senses was definitely not good news. He tried looking around, but he couldn''t see or notice any movements from Shane. This made him worry a lot, but he could only move and escape this ce since he could always create another shelter for himself.


    He was only about 40%plete in his Shelter, and it barely had traps or defenses installed. He was truly unfortunate that there was already a strong Survivor who was able to infiltrate his base in this


    ''If I have 2 or 3 more days to prepare¡­ My Shelter would be strong enough to stop you¡­'' The Wild Necromancer could only think of this as he did his best to


    The Necromancer knew that he was being chased and he had to be careful.


    Nheless, Shaneremained quiet while in pursuit of the fleeing Necromancer, his footsteps were soundlessas he exited the Wild Shelter to follow his target¡­


    It didn''t take that long before he closed the distance between them.


    Utilizing the benefits of hisCrypt Crawler Set,Shane''s agility and movement speed were greatly enhanced, allowing him to swiftly navigate the the terrain.


    Thankfully, the neon glow of the Necromancer''s robes flickered in the dim light ahead. It seemed to be some sort of defensive ability of the robe, but it was ultimately helping Shane locate his target. Explore stories at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    As the gap between them narrowed,Shane calmed his breathing¡­


    With a deft flick of his wrist, he unleashed hisMaster-Grade Mutant Whip!


    It was an item he looted when he had first killed a Flesh Puker Zombie!


    Pah!


    Its coiled formshed out towards the fleeing Necromancer.


    The barbed tendrils of the whip snaked through the air, seeking the left foot of the Necromancer with perfect timing!


    With a satisfying thud, the whip found its mark, ensnaring the Necromancer in its unforgiving grip and halting his movement.


    Bam!


    The Necromancer stumbled and fell!


    It then tried to remove the whip by cutting it with his dagger but Shane used his Phantom Dash. It was a Skill that allowed him to dash at a short distance.


    Almost in an instant, Shane was able to kick the dagger in the Wild Necromancer''s hands and pull out his Hatchet! At this time, his Perfect Shadowmeld was already automatically canceled as he was already too close to the enemy, and he had already attacked.


    Anyway, he didn''t let the Necromancer react in time, and he quickly rammed it down to his head!


    Bang!


    [ You have eliminated a Wild Necromancer. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Special Entity within the Fiend Continent! ]


    [ You can select one reward: Instant Experience Potion x3, Zombie Cores x200, Random Survivor Skill Scroll ( Guaranteed New ) x1 ]


    Everything happened smoothly and Shane couldn''t help but smile seeing the message from the system.


    ''I did it¡­ It''s a lot easier than I thought¡­ That turret was the only troublesome in that Shelter.'' Shane thought as he looked at the body of the Necromancer.


    "You thought you could escape me, huh¡­"Shanemuttered as he decided to remove the Necromancer cloak to see his face¡­


    As he did this, he received a notification to loot the person but he ignored it for now. Since the moonlight wasn''t too bright, Shane pulled out one of his Light Orb in his Inventory and see the person''s face clearly.


    To his surprise, the man appeared quite normal and the only difference was the numerous tattoo marks on his body.


    Shane then took out the cloak, robe, and dagger of the Necromancer before he turned his attention to the message.


    First, he considered what to select in his reward for the first kill of the Special Entity.


    He certainly liked the Instant Experience Potions but the Random Survivor Skill felt a lot more enticing for him. Although he had plenty of Skills already, it wasn''t too bad to obtain more.


    After all, it was a guaranteed new Skill.


    With a sigh, Shane decided to take the Random Survivor Skill Scroll ( Guaranteed New )¡­


    He ignored it for now and looted the Wild Necromancer''s corpse.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Orb of Undead Summoning ( Low ) x5 ]


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing this.


    It was his first time looting such an Orb, after all.


    Quickly, he checked its description inside his Inventory System.


    [ Orb of Undead Summoning ( Low ): A single-use mysterious orb that pulses with dark energy, used by the Necromancer to summon and control undead minions. The orb is said to amplify the Necromancer''s powers andmand over the undead if consumed.


    Effects when activated: Undead Summoning: Randomly summon a low-tier Undead.


    Effects when consumed: Effective only with those with Necromancer Talent: +10 Dark Spirit. ]


    "This is a lot more interesting than I thought¡­ It''s a shame that it''s only a single-use item though¡­" Shane muttered.

 Chapter 266: Shared Experience

    Shane decided not to test the Orbs since they were only single-use items and he only had five of them.


    It was too much of a waste to try one of them and see how good or bad they were. Anyway, he could assume that they weren''t that great since they could only summon low-tier Undead Creatures.


    He believed that any of the Survivors who had reached this point should be more than capable of dealing with such Creatures.


    Anyway, he also felt a bit disappointed as he thought that he''d get to loot more from the Necromancer. One Item Upgrade Crystal and five orbs seemed a bit too stingy but after realizing that he also took his Cloak, Robe, and Dagger, Shane finally feltfortable seeing that the Necromancer was vanishing into shattered light.


    Shane then returned to the Wild Shelter to take everything there.


    As he returned, he confirmed that all the Undead Summons had disappeared and from where their bodies had disappearedy a ck crystal.


    There were a total of 24 of these dark crystals waiting to be collected.


    As he stored them inside his Inventory, he finally learned what they were.


    [ Dark Spirit Crystals: A special-type Crystal for those with Talent rted to Darkness. Consume to obtain 5-10 Dark Spirit Points. ]


    "Huh? This is totally useless." Shane shook his head as it wasn''t possible for him to consume this item since he doesn''t have Dark-Rted Talent.


    Even if he forcibly consumes this, it might just make him sick. Furthermore, even if he obtained Dark Spirit Points, it would be useless as well since he doesn''t have a Skill or Talent where he might need it.


    ''Well, someone might need this¡­'' Shane muttered as he recalled that there should be other Survivors that had talent in Necromancy, Dark Alchemy, and other Dark Magic, ording to the Regional Chat when he was reading them when he was bored.


    He even learned that there were truly many Survivors with simr Talents and most of them just varied in the grade of their Talent.


    With the ck Crystals secured, Shane turned his attention to the main building of the Shelter, the former room of the Necromancer.


    Stepping into the room, Shane felt the cold and eerie silence that seemed to really show how it differed from other shelters.


    Then, Shane''s gaze fell upon a solitary crystal on a raised podium at the center of the chamber. This crystal, unlike the others, shimmered with a soft blue light. Its circr form also made it truly attractive, making it perfect for a pendant or any form of jewelry.


    Nheless, Shane knew that this item was not simple.


    Furthermore, this crystal was from a Wild Shelter owned by a Necromancer. There was no way it was simply a decoration.


    Instinctively sensing some energy within the crystal, Shane cautiously approached and extended his hand towards it¡­ Find more chapters on m_v l|e-NovelBin


    Using Aura Master Talent, he created an additional protection in case his current Crawler Gloves wasn''t enough¡­


    As he made contact with the cool surface of the crystal, a sudden burst of light erupted, but it wasn''t harmful. It just bathed the room in a soft, ethereal glow.


    In that moment, a notification from the System materialized before Shane¡­


    [ You have obtained a Beginner Shelter Crystal. ]


    [ Beginner Shelter Crystal: A crystal imbued with the essence of the Shelter, possesses the power to im a small piece ofnd for its wielder. Once activated, the crystal will slowly repel zombies and undead creatures from the designated area until it reaches full energy capacity. It will also help with Production Speed, Culture Points, Building Durability, and Defense.


    Once the crystal''s energy is filled, lower-tier Zombies will be less likely to attack your Shelter, and you can activate the special effect of the crystal to protect yournd.


    Current Energy: 30%


    Shelter Crystal Effect: Unavable ]


    [ Do you want to retrieve the Beginner Shelter Crystal and make this Shelter unprotected? ]


    [ Hint: Energy Fill will revert back to zero once the crystal is removed. ]


    As the message faded away, Shane felt a surge of excitement and curiosity wash over him.


    "Interesting¡­ Although I can imnd as a Territory Lord, it had to be an established piece ofnd before I can im it." Shane muttered.


    After all, with the Shelter Crystal in his possession, he could just im a piece ofnd anywhere he wanted!


    This was definitely a precious item!


    Even if he doesn''t need this item, he would be able to sell it for a very high price!


    Anyway, he agreed to retrieve the Shelter Crystal since there was no way he would stay in this ce.


    After doing this, he noticed that the rampart and the main building started cracking!


    This rmed Shane for a moment, so he quickly left the ce.


    However, the structures only cracked, and they didn''t copse.


    ''It seems that the building durability effect just disappeared, so the quality of the structures has degraded.'' Shane mused as he recalled the effect of the Shelter Crystal.


    Anyway, after doing all of this, Shane decided to start moving¡­


    Although it was already night, he still doesn''t feel tired or sleepy. Because of that, he continued on his way in the direction leading to Sector 20¡­


    ***


    After an additional 5 days of travel, Shane atst arrived at Sector 11. It was a significant milestone on his journey... After all, he calcted that he was only a few Sectors away from reaching Sector 20. Furthermore, thisSector was a crucial waypoint on his route. There were also plenty of Survivor Shelters here ording to the Regional Chat.


    Anyway, he was able to reach this far, thanks to his exceptional physical condition. With his max Strength and Agility, it enabled him to maintain a stable pace for extended periods without rest.


    Furthermore, he actually managed to level up a couple of times thanks to his hunting and his subordinates in the Springriver Manor¡­


    ''I gained a lot of shared experience points in the past two days, I wonder what happened to them.'' Shane thought as he looked at this Territorial Information, confirming that the poption didn''t go down and it even increased.

 Chapter 267: New Zombie

    [ Springriver Manor


    Territorial Information:


    Special Infrastructure: 1 Manor House, 1 Church, 3 Warehouse, 2 Granary, 1 Mill, 1 Smithy, 1 Marketce, 1 Stable, 1 Iron Mine, 5 Watchtower


    Wall: Fortified Palisade


    Resources: Wood, Iron


    Poption: 78


    Culture: 995


    Remarks: Thriving Estate ]


    It appears that the simple infrastructures like the houses, huts, outposts, or resting areas weren''t part of the Special Infrastructure and not included in the count.


    "Seventy-eight, huh¡­ That''s quite a lot. Did they find another Shelter and conquer a zombie nest?'' Shane mused as he couldn''t help but guess how they suddenly started giving him a lot of experience points.


    Of course, he wasn''tining since he finally reached level 28.


    Reaching Level 27 gave him three Survivor Store Item Refresh Vouchers, while Level 28 gave him five Reputation Store Item Refresh Vouchers.


    [ Survivor Store Item Refresh Voucher: This item allows the survivors to trigger an immediate update of the merchandise avable in the Survivor Store. With a simple redemption, survivors can unveil a fresh array of weapons, armor, tools, and consumables, ensuring they have ess to thetest and most sought-after items to boost their chances of survival in the post-apocalyptic world.


    Say goodbye to waiting and hello to a whole new inventory at your fingertips!


    Limitation: Single-use only. ]


    [ Reputation Store Item Refresh Voucher: This tiny piece of paper can instantly refresh the offerings in the Reputation Store, unveiling a new selection of rare and valuable items without the need to wait for the usual cooldown period.


    By redeeming this voucher, survivors can ess exclusive gear, supplies, and enhancements to aid them on their journey through the wastnd, enhancing their reputation and standing among fellow survivors.


    Limitation: Single-use only. ]


    Anyway, Shane hadn''t even purchased anything for this day yet, so he decided to keep it and check the storeter.


    He finally decided to look into the matter at hand.


    Upon reaching a vantage point atop a hill overlooking a sprawling abandoned city, Shane witnessed a scene of destion before him. Nheless, three Survivor Shelters dotted thendscape below¡­


    The first shelter in the east seemed to be controlling a shopping mall, the one in the west controlled the prison, and the other shelter in the north used the school piled with numerous broken cars as its wall.


    "Mhmm?"


    As Shane scanned the city, his keen eyesight caught sight of a peculiar sight - a new breed of Zombie unlike any he had encountered thus far¡­


    "This muscr Zombie looked like Tyrant Zombie but not a Crusher Zombie because of its hands¡­ That oozing ck blood as well¡­ It must be the Juggernaut Zombie¡­ A zombie considered a Field Boss¡­" Shane muttered as he realized that it was going to the Prison Shelter.


    He hadn''t met this Zombie ever as it was in Sector 1 or the nearest sectors at all.


    Nheless, unlike the Tyrant Zombie, who was like a perfect athlete with arge body, this Juggernaut was a bit unbnced, it wasn''t capable of doing long jumps and running very fast because of its legs¡­


    Furthermore, it always seemed to be smiling with almost alwaysplete teeth, ording to the Regional Chat. It was the biggest indicator of the Juggestnaut Zombies.


    Though he couldn''t see its face yet, he had a feeling that he was right.


    Anyway, despite its smiling face, this Zombie possessed surprising strength and agility, capable of evading attacks with its bizarre, jittery movements and delivering powerful strikes with its oversized, floppy shoes.


    AsShaneobserved this strange Zombie heading to the Prison Shelter, Shane decided to go down the hill.


    At this time, Shane was actually wearing his Army Setinstead of the Crawler Set because of his location. He deemed that the Crawler Set was only good in tight spaces, jungle, or during the night¡­


    However, in this urban area, he believed that the Army Set would be decent, considering their effects on him.


    ***


    As Shane cautiously trailed the irregr Juggernaut Zombie toward the Prison Shelter, he couldn''t help but feel excited after noticing thatit was equipped with various items!


    This Juggernaut was equipped with mystical items! Those armor, gauntlet, and iron boots were definitely items that would be left behind once they were looted!


    Anyway, the towering figure of theJuggernaut Zombiefinally drew the attention of thePrison Shelter''s inhabitants, who were no strangers to the threats of thezombies.


    ToShane''s surprise, theJuggernaut Zombiestood an imposing 7 meters tall now that he had gotten closer. It was dwarfing the surrounding structures and casting a long shadow over the destendscape.


    AsShaneobserved from a safe distance, thePrison Sheltersprang into action¡­


    "I wonder how they''ll kill that thing¡­" Shane muttered as he felt that the skin of this zombie was probably as tough as iron¡­


    Soon, its defenders mobilized to confront the approaching threat.


    Armed with an array of weapons ranging from guns and rifles to enchanted artifacts imbued with mystical power, the residents of the shelter formed a line of defense against the towering intruder.


    ''Those glowing projectiles must be from Upgraded Items¡­'' Shane mused.


    Soon, the surrounding was filled with banging noise as spells were cast, bullets flew, and the resounding echoes of gunfire reverberated through the air.


    ''They have plenty of bullets, huh¡­ However, as expected, the Juggernaut''s skin was too tough¡­'' Shane couldn''t help but frown as he might need an Epic or Legendary Weapon if he wanted to defeat this Zombie in one or two strikes.


    Anyway, the defenders of thePrison Shelter, united to protect their home, unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks upon theJuggernaut Zombie, aiming for its vulnerable points and exploiting any weaknesses they could discern.


    They targeted its eyes, knees, or joints, but unfortunately, it wouldn''t be easy¡­


    Despite their coordinated efforts and formidable arsenal, the Juggernaut Zombie proved to be a formidable opponent, shrugging off bullets and spells! At most, they just slowed it down!


    ''They''re going to get destroyed if this continues...'' Shane muttered, but he wasn''t thinking of helping. If this Shelter survived for a long time, he knew that they still had some tricks up their sleeves.

 Chapter 268: Masked Man

    "Show me what you''ve got¡­"


    Despite the dire situation, Shane remained calm.


    He knew the Prison Shelter had withstood two previous Zombie Waves and was confident they had a trump card.


    He wasn''t nning to intervene; instead, he waited patiently for the inhabitants to reveal their full might.


    As the Juggernaut Zombie drew dangerously close, the inhabitants of the Shelter made their move. Five men, each riding a massive wolf, charged out from the gates.


    "I knew it¡­ They''re not simple¡­ I wonder which n owns this Shelter." Shane muttered as he soon noticed their weapons¡­


    It wasn''t a spear or swords but chains!


    Chains clinked and rattled in their hands, and they seemed to be glowing with power, showing that they must be Exceptional-Grade or even a Master-Grade weapon!


    Their n was clear: they intended to bring the Juggernaut down. After all, if it continued on its path, the walls they repaired for a long time would be destroyed once again.


    The wolves, powerful and swift, dashed towards the Juggernaut with their riders holding the chains tightly.


    Awoo~


    The ground trembled under thebined weight of the wolves and the Juggernaut''s thunderous steps. The surrounding was filled with tension and Shale felt excited.


    He didn''t expect that watching this battle would make him thrilled.


    The first rider, a burly man with a scarred face, swung his chain with perfect timing¡­


    The chain wrapped around the Juggernaut''s massive leg as soon as it stepped forward, and the wolf dug its ws into the ground, pulling with all its might.


    The Juggernaut roared in anger, its movements momentarily hindered but it was not enough to bring this creature down!


    The second and third riders followed suit, their chains snaking around the Juggernaut''s other leg and its waist. Thebined Strength of the wolves and their riders began to slow the behemoth down.


    The Juggernaut thrashed wildly, trying to shake off the chains, but the riders held firm. The heavy weight of therge wolves had truly helped them a lot!


    ''I wonder what kind of talent is this¡­ Are they all possessing Wolf Rider Talent?'' Shane thought to himself. However, another idea popped up in his mind¡­


    These wolves may actually be their Pets! Perhaps they also obtained Evolution Stones and made them this huge and powerful!


    Of course, there could also be a Wolf Summoner capable of lending their wolves to others.


    Anyway, the fourth rider, a nimble woman with fiery red hair like Raze, aimed for the Juggernaut''s arm. Her chain wrapped around its forearm, and her wolf growled fiercely, adding its Strength to the effort.


    Shane noticed that as soon as the wolves growled, their riders seemed to have obtained Strength that was probably 80 to 100 points!


    That was definitely incredible!


    Soon, the Juggernaut''s arm was pulled back, limiting its ability to strike.


    Finally, the fifth rider, a young man with a determined look in his eyes, targeted the Juggernaut''s neck. His chain looped around the thick neck, and his wolf strained against the weight. The Juggernaut''s movements became more restricted, its roars of fury echoing through the battlefield.


    With the Juggernaut partially immobilized, the inhabitants of the Shelter unleashed their full might. Archers on the walls fired arrows tipped with explosive charges, aiming for the Juggernaut''s vulnerable joints. Mages chanted incantations, sending bolts of lightning and fire towards the beast.


    The Juggernaut staggered under the relentless assault, its armor cracking and splintering. Thebined efforts of the riders, wolves, archers, and mages began to take their toll. The Juggernaut''s roars grew weaker, its movements more sluggish.


    In a final, desperate attempt, the Juggernaut tried to break free, but the chains held fast. With onest coordinated effort, the riders and their wolves pulled with all their Strength.


    Graaahhh!


    The Juggernaut tried to resist, but after a few tries, it finally toppled forward, crashing to the ground with a resounding thud.


    Boom!


    The earth trembled as soon as it fell down.


    Then, a cheer erupted from the Shelter. They had done it¡ªthey had brought down the Juggernaut Zombie.


    Although it was still alive, they had a higher chance of killing this Zombie now!


    Shane watched with a satisfied smile. This Prison Shelter was definitely strong. They certainly deserved to reach this level.


    "Whoa! This thing is huge! I wonder if we can take its armor and club¡­ Even if we can''t use it, we can use its scrap metal."


    "Haha! That sounds a great idea!"


    "Boss, kill this thing already!"


    "I hope you get another Evolution Stone."


    "I will be the next user of the Evolution Stone so bear that in mind!"


    "Hahaha!"


    After the Juggernaut crashed to the ground,batants began pouring out of the Prison Shelter to finish the battle.


    Among them was a tall warrior wielding a weapon that glowed with a fierce red light¡ªa Master-Grade Sword, Shane surmised.


    Twang!


    Just as this warrior prepared to deliver the final blow to the Juggernaut Zombie, an arrow whizzed through the air.


    Thud!


    The man deftly blocked it with his sword and turned to face the source.


    He couldn''t help but frown at their sight.


    Approaching rapidly was a group of Survivors he was familiar with. They were from the School Shelter, clearly intent on iming thest hit reward for themselves.


    The others obviously realized this as well, as they immediately held their weapons and wereready to fight¡­


    The tall warrior from the Prison Shelter, his sword still glowing ominously, stood his ground.


    "This is our kill, Eve¡­" he dered, his voice wasn''t loud but he was resolute.


    The leader of the School Shelter group, a tall woman with a bow slung across her back, stepped forward. "We all have a stake in this fight, Chris." she retorted. "We already injured this Zombie, so it was already weak when it arrived here. The final hit should be mine¡­" Eve said.


    To be honest, Chris needs three or four strikes to kill this Zombie based on its toughness and size. It would be difficult to get thest hit with the presence of the archers from the School Shelter.


    Nheless, before the situation could escte further, Shane decided it was time to intervene. He stepped forward, wearing a Zombie Mask he had just bought.

 Chapter 269: Mysterious Zombie

    Shane previously bought a mask when it was only a Rare Item, but he decided to upgrade it to a Legendary Grade!


    [ Zombie Mask ( Legendary ): A scary and realistic mask that resembles a terrifying zombie''s face. It can be used by the user to disguise themselves as a zombie, and to scare or prank others. It can fool almost all zombies into ignoring the user, and can also increase the user''s stealth and damage aside from providing three skills.


    Effects: Stealth +50%, Physical Damage +300


    Special Effects:


    Undying Metamorphosis ( Active ): Embrace the essence of the Zombie and undergo a chilling metamorphosis, turning the wearer into a formidable undead entity. Cost: 200 Spirit Points/3 minutes.


    Dreadful Roar ( Active ):Unleash a bone-chilling roar that echoes through the battlefield, striking terror into the hearts of enemies and causing nearby zombies to tremble in fear. Cost: 100 Spirit Points for each use.


    Veil of Oblivion ( Passive ):Envelop the surroundings in an invisible shroud of mystical aura that clouds the minds of zombies, rendering the wearer invisible to their undead senses.]


    As the argument heated up between the two, Shane decided it was time to intervene.


    He donned his zombie mask, feeling its power surge through him. Instead of mediating, and stopping the two from fighting, he had a different n¡ªhe would steal thest hit himself.


    Although he wasn''t thest first killer of this Zombie, he really want to find out what kind of loot he would obtain from the Zombie.


    Activating theUndying Metamorphosis, Shane transformed into a zombie-like being.


    His skin turned a ghastly gray, and his eyes glowed with an eerie light. The transformation was swift and terrifying.


    He then unleashed theDreadful Roar, a bone-chilling sound that echoed across the battlefield, striking fear into the hearts of everyone present.


    Roooaarr~


    Both groups froze, their eyes wide with shock and terror. The warriors from the Prison Shelter and the School Shelter stared in disbelief at the monstrous figure that had appeared before them.


    "What is that?!" one of the archers from the School Shelter eximed, her voice trembling.


    "Is it another zombie?" a warrior from the Prison Shelter muttered, his grip tightening on his weapon.


    Taking advantage of their stunned state, Shane moved with lightning speed. Although he transformed, he could still use his Survivor Skills!


    He used Phantom Dash, followed by Ghost Stride!


    Seeing the Zombie move too quickly and aim for Chris, everyone realized that it wasn''t a mid-tier Zombie! It must be a high-tier one since it was as if the Zombie knew the leader of their Shelter and ignored everyone to attack him!


    "Protect Sir Chris!"


    "Shields! It must be simr to a Tyrant Zombie but a smaller version!"


    "He''s holding a hatchet! Careful! He might throw it!"


    "A zombie using a weapon, huh¡­ Kill him!"


    "We need to get the first kill on this Zombie!"


    Everyone was prepared as they waited for the Zombie to sh with their defenders holding shield. They knew that Zombies had higher strengthpared to them. That was why most of their tactics against strength-type zombies revolved around shielding or controlling the Zombies movement before aiming for a kill instead of overpowering it.


    However, as they thought that the Zombie was nning to attack them, the Zombie leaped towards the head of the Juggernaut Zombie!


    ''Nice try¡­'' Shane thought as he noticed everyone''s movement. Only those from the School Shelter tried shooting him with arrows but they all didn''t damage him at all.


    Apparently, his transformed state granted him an additional 50 points in Strength and Agility that wasn''t recorded in the description of the item!


    Shane held his hatchet tightly and with a powerful strike from more than 450 Strength Points, he delivered the final blow on the Zombie! Furthermore, his Legendary Mask grants him 300 points in physical damage!


    Boom!


    The Juggernaut let out a final, earth-shattering roar before copsing into a lifeless heap.


    [ You have eliminated a Juggernaut Zombie. ]


    The battlefield fell silent, the only sound being the heavy breathing of the stunnedbatants.


    Everyone was confused as to why a Zombie would kill another Zombie!


    Confusion spread among the survivors as they tried toprehend why a zombie would kill another zombie.


    They had no idea that the Zombie wielding a hatchet was actually another survivor like them, cleverly disguised.


    "Kill this thing!" Chris ordered, his voice cutting through the silence. The five Wolf Riders immediately acted as they wielded their chains to die down the unknown Zombie¡­


    "Shit! He looted the Juggernaut Zombie!" Eve shouted as she noticed that the Zombie kneeled down and touched the head of the Juggernaut Zombie.


    As soon as he did this, the Zombie started to slowly dissipate!


    It only means that he looted a Zombie!


    Everyone also realized this, and they had no idea how a Zombie Survivor could actually do it!


    Eve looked at her n Members. One of them had looked like a Priest and had a glowing eyes. He was looking at strange Zombie and shook his head.


    "It''s not an illusion or a disguise¡­ My True Sight Talent only says that it''s an unknown Zombie! It must be a Zombie that could loot another Zombie, or it''s a disguised Survivor that can hide from my Epic Talent." The man said as he also couldn''t believe that the one who had stolen the kill from them was a Zombie.


    If it was truly a Zombie, it might actually be a Zombie that was on a tier above the high tier!


    "What?" Eve was shocked as she listened to her n Member. This man had never failed her when it came to identifying zombies, including their possible skills.


    However, the one in front of them was actually unknown, and the True Sight could pierce through its secrets¡­


    "Tsk¡­ Let''s think about itter."


    Well, there was no time to think about it. They had to try to kill it nheless!


    Chaos erupted as everyone began to attack the mysterious Zombie.


    "Ahh¡­ This is getting getting dangerous."

 Chapter 270: The Tunnel

    Shane, hidden behind his zombie mask, knew he had to act fast. Although he could probably overpower them, he knew that there was no need to overstay. In any case, he had no grudge against these people.


    Activating hisGhost Stride, he moved with swiftness, and none of the arrows and chains hit his body!


    "What?!"


    "It''s moving too fast!"


    The survivors'' attacks missed him by inches as he darted through the battlefield.


    "Aim for the terrain! Block its path!" Chris shouted. He was also shocked at the Zombie''s movement and could only think of a few method to kill or capture the Zombie.


    However, aside from moving like a ghost, the Zombie suddenly made an unexpected dash!


    Shane actually usedPhantom Dash, a burst of speed that made him almost invisible to the naked eye.


    He weaved through thebatants, evading their grasp, weapons, and arrows! Then, Shane was able to get cover from a nearby building and disappeared from there¡­


    Nheless, the people followed him only to fail to even have a glimpse of his shadow¡­


    He had disappearedpletely like a true ghost!


    The survivors were left bewildered, they couldn''t understand how they had lost that Zombie!


    "Whew¡­ That was quite exciting¡­" Shane muttered.


    His heart pounded as he made his escape, his mind racing with the thrill of the chase.


    He navigated the ruined streets with ease, and his knowledge of the terrain, thanks to the Map Function, gave him an edge.


    Indeed, Shane''s Agility was simply too high at this point that he could not be chased even by the Wolf Riders.


    Soon, he found himself at the entrance of an abandoned hospital¡­ The entrance was already destroyed, so he was able to enter easily.


    ording to Cloud, there was also no Survivor Shelter inside since it couldn''t sense any presence of life. Instead, the A.I. only noticed a few Zombies¡­


    Shane took a moment to catch his breath, his mind reying the events of the battle.


    [ Scanningplete¡­ ]


    [ A huge underground tunnel has been detected. ]


    [ More than 1,000 Zombies has already been marked and still counting¡­ ] A.I. Cloud reported once again.


    "Underground tunnel? That''s interesting¡­ Find an entrance for that." Shane instructed as he undid his Transformation since it was spending 200 Points per 3 minutes.


    Then, after he returned to his original physique, Shane decided to remove his Army Clothes and wear his Crawler Set.


    They were his Shadowmeld Tunic, Enchanted Chitin te, Shroud of Shadow Cape, Crawler''s Grasp Gloves, and Crawler Fang Daggers tied on his waist for their important added agility effect.


    Enjoy exclusive chapters from m-v l''e|-NovelBin


    However, after some thought, he decided to remove his Shroud of Shadow Cape and wore his Ethereal Cloak of Shadows instead.


    Well, it had a higher Stealth Boost and Movement Speed Boost. He also felt that it was a lot more durable.


    The hospital was eerily silent, the only sound being the distant drip of water and the asional scuttle of Zombie Rats could be heard.


    He had managed to steal thest hit on the Juggernaut Zombie, securing the valuable reward for himself. But now, he had to stay hidden until the heat died down. The survivors would be on high alert, and he doesn''t want to be seen by them even without his transformed state.


    Anyway, he decided to check the notification of his loot.


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x10, Zombie Cores x10, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x20, Unknown Meat ( Unsafe ) x10,100mL Juggernaut Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Vitality Enhancement Bottle x2, Agility Enhancement Bottle x2, Enhanced Stimnts x30 ]


    "What?" Shane was shocked seeing the loot. It wasparable to the Giant Leader Zombie''s loot!


    Furthermore, it had Enhanced Stimnts! Even if he hadn''t seen its description yet, he already had an idea what it was. It was no wonder that Eve and Chris would fight to loot the Zombie!


    Since he had a Complete Loot talent, he was able to obtain 30 stimnts. For those who didn''t have, they could probably get at least five or more of them!


    [ Please move to locate the entrance to the tunnel a lot quicker. ] Cloud insisted.


    "Right¡­ Right¡­ I''m moving." Shane said. He knew the limitations of the A.I. as well when searching for things, so he didn''t argue.


    As he moved deeper into the hospital, Shane remained cautious through the darkened halls, his senses on high alert.


    Suddenly, a rustling noise caught his attention. He turned to see a group of Zombie Rats, about ten of them, emerging from the shadows.


    "Zombie Rats¡­ Can they even pierce through my skin?" Shane mused for a moment as he would really rarely bleed at this point unless he got struck by Giant Zombie. Anyway, he decided not to experiment since the stunk of the Zombie Rats might stick on him.


    They were rotten and disgusting after all.


    Indeed, these creatures were grotesque, their eyes glowing red but had tails as tough as iron¡­


    Shane tightened his grip on his hatchet, ready for the fight.


    The first rat lunged at him, its teeth bared.


    ''Slow¡­''


    Shane swung his hatchet with ease, cleaving the creature in two. There was no Survivor Skill like Horizontal sh involved in that. It was just his pure strength and the sharpness of his weapon.


    [ You have eliminated a Zombie Rat. ]


    He didn''t have time to think too much as two more rats charged at him from either side. He spun around, his hatchet slicing through the air and cutting down both Zombies in quick session.


    The remaining rats had no thoughts of retreating at all, as they did not have fear or a strategic mind. They simply act on instinct in front of human flesh and attack in a frenzy.


    Shane''s movements could barely be caught by the Zombie Rats as he dodged or sliced. He dispatched each rat efficiently until bodies piled up around him.


    One particrlyrge rat leaped at his face, but Shane was ready. He sidestepped and brought his hatchet down in a powerful arc, splitting the creature''s skull.


    [ You have eliminated a Zombie Rat Leader. ]

 Chapter 271: New Talent

    The Zombie Rat Leader was already too weak. It couldn''t even pose a challenge to him as he probably wouldn''t get injured if he allowed it to bite him.


    Nheless, it doesn''t mean that he would ignore the possible items he could loot from them.


    [ Do you want to retrieve its loot? ]


    ''Yes¡­'' Shane replied.


    [ You have earned 33 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x3, Zombie Cores x3, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x5, 100mL Zombie Rat Leader Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Infected Fang Ne x1, Rodentbane de x1]


    "A reputation point is always wee¡­" Shane muttered after seeing his loot. Furthermore, he also couldn''t help but feel d to see two new items.


    Your journey continues at m v|l-e''-NovelBin


    Unfortunately, the Infected Fang Ne actually provided debuff to the wearer! ording to its description, it was a ne made from the fangs of infected rats, which was said to carry a curse that brings sickness and decay to those who wear it.


    "Why are there so many useless items being dropped nowadays?" Shane shook his head as he recalled some of the items and even elixirs that he obtained that he still couldn''t find a use. Anyway, that was certainly a problem with the Complete Loot item since he could obtain useful or useless items altogether.


    Shane then looked at the surroundings.


    The battle had been swift, but he realized that the Zombie Rats were actually able to damage the surrounding hallway. They were definitely quite strong, but not for him.


    Then, he wiped the blood from his hatchet before he continued looting the normal Zombie Rats.


    [ You have earned 12 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Cores x1, 100mL Zombie Rat Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, gue-Ridden Pelt x1 ]


    As Shane checked the Pelt, he realized that it was also a terrible item to have.


    The Pelt was actually infused with a contagious gue that spreads sickness and decay to those whoe into contact with it. Once again, Shane had no idea where to use such an item. Nheless, someone might start looking for it, and perhaps he could sell in the market.


    To be honest, if he actuallycked some Zombie Cores, he would certainly have plenty of random things he could sell in the Marketce.


    He then looted all the other Zombie Rats and confirmed that he all looted their Pelt. Perhaps, if it was purified, the pelts could be sold for a higher price. Some craftsmen should be interested in working on its leather.


    As he was thinking of further exploring the hospital, Cloud finallypleted scanningthe surroundings.


    [ Shane, I''ve located the entrance to the Underground Tunnel. It''s just ahead. You can follow my guide. ]


    "Nice¡­ Since this tunnel leads to a massive horde of zombies, it''s perfect for farming experience and random loot." Shane muttered as he wasn''t scared at all.


    ording to Cloud, most of the Zombies were only Crypt Crawler Zombies, Zombie Rats, Cave Dweller Zombies, sher Zombies, and a few unknown Zombies¡­ Even if there are High Tier Zombies, he wouldn''t be scared at all.


    "Good work, Cloud. Let''s head there now."


    He moved through the hospital, following Cloud''s directions.


    The entrance to the Underground Tunnel was hidden behind a copsed wall. Shane squeezed through the narrow opening and found himself in a dark, damp passageway.


    Shane couldn''t help but think why there were trapped zombies here¡­


    "There must be another entrance¡­" Shane muttered.


    He just believed there could be another entrance that the Zombies used to enter this tunnel. The other reason was most likely because this was previously a shelter, but they soon got infected by the Zombie Virus.


    As he entered the tunnel, he immediately used his Aura Mastery Talent to protect himself from the smell of decay! Their incredibly foul smell was definitely some form of biological attack already!


    Thankfully, the Aura around his body was enough to protect him¡­ Soon, he heard the distant moans of zombies that echoed through the tunnel.


    Shane''s heart pounded with excitement. This was his chance to gather valuable resources.


    Just now, Cloud reported that it had detected 14 Crypt Crawlers and 20 Zombie Rats ahead!


    With his hatchet at the ready and Cloud guiding him, Shane rolled two Light Orbs on the tunnel to illuminate the surroundings¡­


    The orbs cast a bright, steady glow, revealing the terrifying forms of the Crypt Crawlers and Zombie Rats lurking in the shadows.


    The Zombie Rats were the first to react, their glowing eyes fixating on Shane.


    Shane didn''t bother to be sneaky or use his Perfect Shadowmeld Skill against them. The enemies were too weak for him.


    They charged at him in a frenzied swarm while he stood his ground, his hatchet was ready to massacre them.


    As the first rat leaped at him, he swung his hatchet in a wide arc, cleaving the creature in two. He moved with practiced ease. Each swing would kill a zombie or two!


    To hasten their deaths, Shane also used one of his swords that was made from the Phoenix Copper Ingot that he had obtained before.


    From this ingot, Leo had actually made a sword for him! After all, the effect of this sword provides burn damage to its enemies.


    [ Light mede (Master Grade): Crafted from the rare and mystical Phoenix Copper, this light sword gleams with a fiery luster as if infused with the essence of the legendary phoenix. The de is etched with intricate patterns that seem to flicker like mes when wielded.


    Effects: +20% Burn Damage, +40% Critical Rate


    Special Effects:


    Inferno Burst: With a swing of the de, the wielder can unleash a torrent of fire, manifesting as powerful fireballs that scorch enemies in their path. The fireballs explode on impact, engulfing the target in searing mes. Cost: 120 Spirit Points ]


    Nheless, Shane didn''t equip this sword for his left hand. Instead, he decided to use his Telekinesis Talent to wield this sword!


    Although the Telekinesis talent that he recently obtained was only a Rare Grade, it was more than enough for him to lift a sword as long as it would stay around 5 meters from him!

 Chapter 272: Mission

    Shane wasn''t used to this Talent yet. After all, this Talent doesn''t just require Spirit Points to be used but also needs plenty of concentration to control the sword.


    If he could just pass the control to his A.I., that would probably be great, but it wasn''t possible.


    Nheless, he needed to start practicing this Talent¡­ Thankfully, the sword was truly tough, and even if the Crypt Crawler Zombies tried biting or wing it, it remained tough, and they could even burn it instead!


    At the same time, Shane used his hatchet to eliminate the other zombies.


    [ You have eliminated a Zombie Rat. ]


    One by one, the Zombie Rats fell. Shane''s movement was quick as he dispatched the rodents.


    He sidestepped their swipes, countering with swift strikes that left no room for error.


    Within moments, the ground was littered with the lifeless bodies of the Zombie Rats.


    Next came the Crypt Crawlers. A few of them were already killed by his flying sword while the remaining ones were also injured.


    These creatures wererger and more menacing, and their bodies were covered in hard skin. The mede actually needed plenty of momentum to pierce through it.


    Anyway, these Crypt Crawlers moved with a disturbing, jerky motion as their legs skittered across the tunnel floor.


    Shane didn''t hesitate. He charged at the nearest Crypt Crawler that was injured by the mede¡­ Then, he raised his hatchet high.


    Whoosh~


    With a powerful swing, he struck the creature''s head, the de biting deep into its skull. The Crypt Crawler let out a shrill screech before copsing.


    The remaining Crypt Crawlers advanced while their jawbones started clicking ominously.


    This time, Shane decided to use the effects of his items!


    Shane released the Inferno Burst, which summoned two fireballs and sted the Zombies in front! That was 120 Spirit Points used!


    Boom! Boom!


    Shane then rushed forward while his hatchet was burning with the use of its Special Effect. He ducked under a swipe from one Crawler, bringing his hatchet up to sever its leg. The creature stumbled, and Shane finished it off with a swift blow to its head.


    Thud!


    With the Burning Effect of the hatchet, each strike was lethal for the Zombies.


    The Crypt Crawlers'' tough skins offered little resistance against his powerful swings. One by one, they fell, their bodies twitching in their death throes.


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    As thest Crypt Crawler copsed, Shane took a moment to catch his breath. The tunnel was now silent, the only sound being the distant drip of water. He surveyed the carnage around him, satisfied with his victory.


    There were no injuries whatsoever.


    Shane then proceeded to loot them and obtained the familiar items. The only difference was that the Zombie Rats didn''t provide Bread and Water, unlike the Crypt Crawler Zombies.


    ''I heard that the Zombie Rats drops bread before¡­ Was it because of the Patch?'' Shane thought. Of course, the Patch that he was talking about was the update that the system brought, the Regional Server Merge.


    [ Zombies detected. ]


    [ 20 Zombies Rats ahead. ]


    Shane''s eyes lit up with anticipation. "Good work, Cloud. Let me take care of them¡­


    Just like that, Shane eliminated more Zombie Rats as his experience points kept increasing.


    With his hatchet still ready, Shane moved deeper into the tunnel to eliminate more zombies.


    ***


    In the meantime, while Shane was exploring the Underground Tunnel that was filled with Zombies, the people in the abandoned city were still searching for the Survivor-Like Zombie.


    Eve from the School Shelter and Chris from the Prison Shelter were still reeling from the encounter with the strange zombie that had stolen their kill of the Juggernaut Zombie.


    They decided to seek answers from other survivors through the Regional Chat.


    [ Eve:Did anyone else see that strange zombie that will KS your zombie? It had a golden hatchet and moved like no other zombie I''ve seen¡­ ]


    [ Chris:I also saw it with Eve and it was weird. It even blocked an arrow! Lastly, it looted the Juggernaut Zombie it killed. We could no longer loot it after it left. Does anyone have any idea what that was? ]


    [ Liam:I''ve seen plenty of weird zombies¡­ They didn''t act like a regr zombie. Could it be some kind of evolved zombie? ]


    [ Travis:Maybe it''s a new type of zombie we haven''t encountered before. But why would it kill another zombie? Maybe it was just a disguise¡­ Did you follow it? ]


    [ Chris: The Zombie is too fast. We don''t know where it is hiding right now. However, our members with Talents rted to sight couldn''t find anything wrong with it. It can''t be disguised or if it is, it must be a Legendary-Grade disguise, which is unlikely at this point. ]


    [ Travis: If not a disguise made by an Item¡­ It could also be a Zombification Talent or something. ]


    [ Eve:That''s what we''re trying to figure out. It seemed almost¡­ intelligent. It must be Survivor. ]


    [ Raze:It had a golden hatchet? I haven''t seen anything like that¡­ But it sounds like something out of a nightmare. Be careful out there, everyone. ]


    [ Lyra: What was that Golden Hatchet? Can you describe how it looked? ]


    [ Travis: If that Zombie fled from you guys, it''s definitely intelligent. Just be on the defensive for now, and don''t wander alone. It must be strong and fast if it is able to steal a kill from you. ]


    [ Alex:Can anyone spare some meat? The meat in the Marketce is too overpriced. 5 Zombies Cores for 1 unit of meat is what I can do. We''re running low at the East Outpost of Hill City in Sector 4. ]


    [ Nina:Just eat bread if you''re poor, Alex. ]


    [ Travis: If your Talent is Rare or even above that, our Drakeheart Vanguard n will ept you. Send us your location, and we will pick you up. ]


    [ Natalie: New Haven n is still recruiting new members. ]


    [ Lancelot: Overlord n that is previously Rank 3 n in Region 2 is also recruiting¡­ We are Rank 5 right now, but we will take the Rank 4 soon. ]

 Chapter 273: Moderate

    [ Travis: Overlord n''s stronghold is very far from Sector 5, so there''s no conflict of interest. Those near Sector 5 must choose our Drakeheart Vanguard n since we have already expanded our territory and cleared 3 Zombie Nests. If you want to reach level 20 before the Boss Raid, you have to consider joining us. ]


    [ Lancelot: There''s still several weeks before the Boss Raid. But if you join us, you will reach level 20 in just a week. We have ess to 5 Zombie Dungeons or Nests or whatever it was called. It will be an easy level-up. ]


    [ Eve:Hey¡­ Back to the strange Zombie¡ªdoes anyone have any theories? Could it be a survivor in disguise? We''re still searching for that sneaky Zombie. ]


    [ Raze:That''s a possibility. But why would a survivor disguise themselves as a zombie? It must be a curse or a talent that he had. ]


    [ Natalie:Maybe that disguise is meant to infiltrate zombie hordes or nests? It could be a strategy to gather intel or resources. ]


    [ Travis:If that''s the case, we need to find out who it is. They could be a valuable ally¡ªor a dangerous enemy. What is your location again? ]


    [ Chris:Agreed. Keep an eye out for anyone acting suspiciously or wielding a golden hatchet.


    [ Liam:Will do. Let''s stay vignt, everyone. ]


    After this topic was concluded, various chats kepting up¡­


    [ Emma:Does anyone have Healing Salve? We have injured people here. The ones in the Marketce are worth 80 Zombie Cores each! It''s just too much. If someone can suggest another healing item that has simr effects, that would be highly appreciated.


    [ Tom:I have some bandages and antiseptics. 5 Zombie Cores each. Search it in the Marketce. ]


    [ Raze: I can sell you Healing Salve¡­ If you buy in bulk, you''ll get a discount. Send me a private message. ]


    [ Zara:Can anyone help with fortifying our Shelter? We''re in Sector 7. We can pay 1 Zombie Core per hour of your work. We need more hands. ]


    The Regional Chat buzzed with activity as survivors shared their thoughts and resources.


    Of course, even if the topic was already covered by new chats, the leader of the various ns were still thinking about the strange Zombie that could wield a Golden Hatchet.


    After all, the fact that it could one hit kill a Juggernaut Zombie says that its strength or its weapon was definitely not a Master-Grade one. Some of them had already yed this Juggernaut Zombie and they knew that Master-Grade weapons could only tear through the skin of the Zombie. With that weapon, they needed to attack the Zombie dozens of times to even reach its bones.


    "If it''s a Zombie, then the first kill reward for that must be very generous." Natalie from the New Haven n muttered as she couldn''t help but feel curious about this Zombie.


    On the other hand, Travis also found this interesting¡­


    "It must be disguised, Survivor¡­ Is it rted to Zombie Coat¡­ or maybe Zombie Mask? Is there a Zombie Set that I''m not aware of?" Travis muttered as he recalled Zombie Coat and Zombie Mask appearing in his Survivor Store. However, after trying them, they are able to provide a decent disguise against fellow survivors. It only works well with other Zombies.


    Nheless, if there was actually a Zombie Set that must bepleted first, then that would make a lot of sense.


    Because of this, Travis ordered all the people in his Shelter to monitor their Survivor Stores and immediately inform him if they found any items that could be paired with Zombie Coat and Zombie Mask.


    "Whatever that item was, I must obtain it..." Travis muttered as he felt that he would be able to put it to better use once he managed to possess such an incredible item.


    ***


    In the meantime, within the reception hall of the Springriver Manor, Raze and the rest of the members of the Eclipse Revenant had just closed their Regional Chat Board.


    They felt interested after they talked about the Zombie that was wielding a Golden Hatchet. A weapon that was closely rted to Shane, their n Leader.


    After recalling that Shane had possibly stolen a kill, all of them couldn''t help but chuckle at their leader''s random actions. Anyway, they were still unsure if it was really Shane, but the possibility was high. After all, that Golden Hatchet was definitely a Legendary Grade for being able to one-hit kill the Juggernaut Zombie.


    It was an item that could be rarely seen. Furthermore, Shane was the only one rich enough to spend so many Item Upgrade Crystals for a beginner''s item. He could''ve upgraded a special weapon he looted from Zombies or purchased in the Reputation Store and Auction Hall, but he had still chosen the small hatchet¡­


    Aside from Shane, they couldn''t think of any Survivor rich enough to do that.


    "Alright¡­ We''re going toplete the two n Missions today." Raze, the Dragon Knight, said as she looked at everyone.


    "Right¡­ Let me check the n Missions again." Lyra, the Sharpshooter, replied as she opened the n Information.


    In the n Missions Tab, there were two active Missions.


    [ Mission 1: "Crypt Crawler Extermination"


    Objective: Eliminate the infestation of Crypt Crawlers in the nearby abandoned Salt Mine


    Details:


    Threat Level: Guarded


    Target: 30 Crypt Crawlers, 1 Crypt Crawler Leader, 1 Unknown Zombie


    Location: Abandoned Salt Mine near the waterfalls.


    Completion Rewards: Zombie Cores x30, Wooden Treasure Chest x2, Rare Crafting Materials, n Experience Points +100, n Skill Proficiency +10 ]


    This mission was certainly doable, but the unknown Zombie bothered them for a bit.


    [ Mission 2: "Nocturnal Marauders"


    Objective: Hunt down the Siren Zombies terrorizing the outskirts of the Springriver Manor.


    Details:


    Threat Level: Moderate


    Target: 3 Siren Zombies


    Location: Forested area near the manor.


    Rewards: Zombie Cores x30, Bronze Treasure Chest x2, Rare Talisman Ingredients, n Experience Points +200, n Skill Proficiency +10 ]


    "Ughh¡­ Siren Zombies¡­ They''re tough¡­ And it''s only a Moderate Threat?" Tessa, the Night Assassin, muttered in frustration.

 Chapter 274: Threats and Mission

    Kael, the Healer of the n, also nodded at this realization. He had seen the Siren Zombies in action before, and it was definitely terrifying, even when it was alone. This time, however, they would be facing 3 Sire Zombies!


    Nheless, he immediately selected the Threat Level information to see how problematic it was.


    [ Threat Levels ]


    [ Minimal: Threats that pose minimal risk and are easily manageable. In this level, zombies are sparse and easily dispatched, posing little threat to survivors. ]


    [ Guarded: Threats that require caution and preparation to handle effectively. At this level, zombies are concentrated in specific areas, requiring caution but manageable with proper tactics.]


    [ Moderate: Threats that present a reasonable level of danger and may require some effort to ovee. A significant number of zombies are present, increasing the risk to survivors and necessitating strategic nning.]


    [ Elevated: Threats that are more serious and demand heightened awareness and readiness. The Zombie Tiers are higher or possibly withrger hordes and increased aggression, demanding keen vignce.]


    [ High: Threats that are significant and potentially twice more dangerous than the previous threat level, requiring immediate attention and decisive action. ]


    [ Severe: Threats that are critical and pose a severe risk, necessitating urgent andprehensive responses. Threats at this level require several ns to work together, as it could destroy a whole region. ]


    [ Extreme: Threats that are of the highest severity, with imminent and catastrophic consequences if not addressed promptly and effectively. This level of threat is something that has to be taken care of by all avable ns, as it could destroy the whole continent. ]


    "Well¡­ I guess it made sense now¡­" Tessa muttered after reading about severe and extreme threats.


    "Listen up," Raze''s voice cut through their conversation.


    "We''re working together on this first mission. Crypt Crawlers have infested the abandoned Salt Mine nearby. We''ll clear them out and take this mine¡­"


    Jaxon nodded. "The Salt Mine is really a good find. I wonder why Shane failed to locate it before."


    Lyra adjusted her crossbow and nodded. "It must be from the new patch. Who knows? Anyway, Crypt Crawlers are nasty creatures. Venomous too. Even if you don''t turn into a zombie, you''ll die from their venom."


    Kael nodded. "We''ll need extra potions. Their bites can turn you while their ws can poison you..."


    Raze nodded at the group.


    Jaxon then studied the map that they currently have. It wasn''t the map of the abandoned mine but based on the terrain, he could tell that this would be a small mine unlike the Iron Mine that they now owned.


    "As long as we''re prepared, we should be just fine."


    Soon, the group left the Springriver Manor after they informed Mr. Wadsworth.


    It didn''t take them that long to find the entrance to the abandoned Salt Mine. It was a huge crack in between arge boulder. It was as if the crack appeared there as soon as the mission came out. All of them could remember that there shouldn''t have been a crack or entrance there before.


    "Alright¡­ Come out now." Raze said as she looked at the tattoo mark on her right hand.


    Soon, the dragon tattoo lit up, and in an instant, a young dragon formed in front of her as the tattoo mark vanished.


    Growl~


    Roan, Raze''s young dragon, stretched his wings as if feeling relieved that he was finally out.


    His scales shimmered like molten gold, and his eyes seemed more intelligent... Roan had really grown a lot after being able to obtain the Drakonar Si Ring and Wyrmheart Locket Ne.


    "Roan¡­ Can you lead us inside? I''ll boost you with the ring and ne, so you don''t have to worry."


    The young dragon then nodded as it soon led the way.


    Unlike Shane with A.I. Cloud, this group could only rely on their own perception, so it was better to allow Roan, who had the highest perception among them, to scout the surroundings first.


    The team followed Roan into the mine entrance as Raze and Kael took out their torch while the others took their Light Orbs out... The reason for using the torch was actually simple: to generate heat. It was a bit too cold in this mine, after all.


    As they entered, the air grew colder as they descended into the earth.


    The mine''s walls dripped with moisture, and the sound of dripping water echoed through the tunnels. It certainly sounded eerie as they couldn''t even hear the groans or moans of the zombies yet.


    Nheless, they didn''t have to wait for too long.


    After a few more minutes of walking, the Crypt Crawlers Zombies emerged from the darkness¡ªhunched, insect-like creatures with incredibly hard skin, almost like shells...


    Their eyes glowed malevolently, and their mandibles clicked in hunger.


    "Don''t use Fire Breath, Roan¡­ That might toast us¡­" Raze immediately said after seeing that Roan was about to breathe fire.


    Swoosh~


    As she said this, Lyra''s crossbow bolts flew, each one hitting the heads of the Crypt Crawlers.


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    The power of the crossbow could not be questioned at all as it managed to pierce through the zombies'' skulls.


    Kael would then cast a weak healing blessing to hurt the Zombies, and this would give an opportunity for others to attack.


    Tessa, the night assassin, moved silently, her daggers slicing through the Crypt Crawlers'' exoskeletons.


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    "Whew~ An Epic Grade Dagger is the best¡­" Tessa couldn''t help but feel excited after her sessful kill.


    As they continued, Jaxon''s foresight warned of ambushes. With his assistance, they deflected several surprise attacks¡­


    Soon, they reached a cavern that was probably the end of the mine where a group of Crypt Crawler Zombies could be seen.


    Once again, a battle erupted.


    Raze, with her sword, also engaged in closebat while holding her torch in her left hand.


    Her Dragon Knight Talent was triggered as she fought like a true knight¡­


    She aimed at the silent Crypt Crawler at the very back of the group!


    Needless to say, it was the Crypt Crawler Leader¡­


    "Roan, help the others¡­ I''ll take care of this Leader Zombie!"

 Chapter 275: Completed

    With Raze''s current abilities, it shouldn''t be easy to deal with a leader zombie without Roan''s assistance.


    Nheless, she didn''t back out and aim to fight it alone. She wanted to see whether she had enough skills to fight against a mid-tier Leader Zombie alone.


    Graahh~


    The Crypt Crawler Leader''s mouth was huge. The creature''s eyes also glowed in red, and its hiss echoed through the cavern¡­


    Raze tightened her grip on her enhanced de.


    Pouring Spirit Points into it, the sword hummed in response, and its burning effect started activating... She had faced formidable Zombies before¡ªAlpha Wolf, Tyrant, and even a Giant Zombie¡ªbut this Crypt Crawler Leader was different since they were fighting in a limited space, and it was also faster as it was currently in its home ground.


    The creature then pounced towards Raze, but she didn''t fight back and dodged it. As she moved, her boots scraping against the rocky floor. She studied her opponent and found a few spots where she could pierce the Zombie. Furthermore, as she avoided its strikes, she realized the rhythm of its attacks.


    ''It''s fast but it can''t turn around quickly¡­'' Raze mused as she realized one of the weaknesses of the Zombie.


    After learning this, she immediately knew what she had to do¡­


    ng!


    After blocking its grab, Raze waited for its another attack and ducked under a swipe!


    This was an opportunity as her de sliced across its abdomen. Green and ck liquid and other matter sprayed out, but the creature didn''t falter.


    Find exclusive stories on m_v l|e-NovelBin


    It wasn''t enough to kill a Leader Zombie.


    Again and again, they shed¡ªsword against its tough body!


    "Why are you so tough?!" Raze couldn''t help butin since the Zombie was already bleeding all over its body but it was simply not dying at all. She also wanted to destroy its brain but its skull was too tough and Raze was smaller too. Reaching the skull wouldn''t be easy since the Zombie was still quick and could avoid fatal strikes!


    It was definitely intelligent, unlike the other Crypt Crawlers who had no idea how to protect themselves and could only advance and attack.


    ''Something feels wrong¡­ This Zombie feels too strong¡­'' Raze couldn''t help but frown. However, the mission only said that they would be fighting a Crypt Crawler Leader Zombie. So she shouldn''t be struggling like this¡­


    ''Wait¡­ Where is the unknown Zombie?'' Raze thought as she recalled the missing Zombie¡­ She just thought that it might be in another cavern or tunnel, but it seemed that this Zombie was just hiding right now.


    At this time, Raze''s muscles felt sore, and her breath ragged.


    As the others also continued with their fight, Roan''s roar made the mine walls tremble as dust started raining down.


    This time, the Crypt Crawler Leader''s jaws closed in, inches from her face.


    She twisted, avoiding the lethal bite, and drove her de into its side.


    The creature screeched, its legs thrashing in pain or perhaps, it was already copsing.


    But it wasn''t done.


    The Crypt Crawler Leader screeched!


    Raze''s vision blurred, her ears started ringing from the sound wave attack of the Zombie.


    Thankfully, her Survivor Skill, called Knight''s Will, protected her from falling unconscious.


    ''Tsk¡­ That surprised me¡­''


    She had to end this. She focused after staggering back and avoided another attack.


    Then, she used one of her Knight''s Skill called Dragon Rider''s Fury as the me of her de started bursting with hotter fire!


    Then, pounced towards the Zombie, driving the de into the creature''s head!


    Her jump was perfectly timed when the Zombie tried to back away!


    Bang!


    Just like that, Raze reached her target, and the Crypt Crawler Leader convulsed. The glow in its eyes started fading.


    Thud!


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Leader Zombie. ]


    As the creature copsed, Raze staggered back. Her ted armor was dented, and her skin was bruised. Nheless, she had won.


    She looked around, and the others were also finishing up the remaining Crypt Crawler Zombies¡­


    Soon, Roan approached her. The young dragon''s golden eyes held approval. Raze patted his scaled neck.


    "Good work, partner."


    It didn''t take long before the battle ended.


    Lyra grinned as she knew that the Experience Points of these Zombies would be quite decent.


    "Not bad for a day''s work." She said.


    Kael tended to a minor wound and nodded.


    Tessa, on the other hand, wiped her daggers and looked around. After all, she knew that this wasn''t all to it.


    Jaxon gazed into the darkness and frowned. With his Foresight, he could somehow feel the presence of the final Zombie.


    "There''s a hidden path there¡­ Deeper in the mine. That''s probably where we could find the Unknown Zombie."


    Raze nodded. "We''ll explore further. But for now, let''s loot these Zombies and rest since we use many of our Spirit Points."


    Everyone agreed since their Spirit Points hadn''t even exceeded 1,000 Points, unlike Shane, who had already reached 10,000 Points.


    Thankfully, the mission doesn''t have a time limit, and they could take their time to rest and tend to their wounds.


    Raze nodded. "Let''s proceed. Roan will guide us."


    Roan, the young dragon, led them through the narrow tunnel.


    As they got closer, they noticed that the walls had changed from being rocks to well-cemented ones! Everyone was confused, but there was no time to think about this change.


    The group moved in silence as they felt curious what kind of Zombie they''d face this time.


    And then they saw it¡ªa well-dressed zombie. Its tatteredb coat hung over a crisp white shirt, and round eyesses perched on its nose. The creature''s skin was pale and almost rotten as veins visible beneath the surface. Its eyes, though vacant, held a spark of intelligence.


    "What the heck..." Lyra whispered. "What kind of zombie wears sses?"


    "This is ridiculous¡­ Perhaps a scientist?" Kael muttered after realizing that the room was like aboratory¡­


    Tessa''s daggers glinted. "Whatever it is, it''s not attacking."


    She was ready to kill this Zombie, but something unexpected happened.


    At first, the Zombie was simply looking at them. Then, without a word, it fled through another secret tunnel.


    Raze''s instincts red. "After it!"

 Chapter 276: High-Tier

    Everyone quickly moved as they tried to follow the weird-looking Zombie¡­


    However, they noticed that the path it used to escape was so narrow that it could only fit a single person. If there were traps or if the Zombie decided to attack instead, they would be in danger.


    They hesitated for a moment as they were unsure what to expect after following the Zombie in the hole. They don''t even know how extensive this small path was or where it would lead them.


    It was too dangerous to chase the Zombie.


    "Wait¡­ Let''s hurry and leave this ce!" Jaxon immediately shouted. With his Foresight Talent, no one doubted his words as they immediately acted!


    As they did so, the walls of theboratory trembled, and rocks started dislodging. Raze and the others were barely able to grab something in theboratory room before they dashed to the exit!


    Boom!


    Just in the nick of time, the cavern orboratory copsed behind them, dust and debris filling the air. Thankfully, this copse only urred in the base of the Unknown Zombie. The previous cavern or the salt mine was still in good condition¡­


    "This cavern is stable¡­ We''re safe here." Jaxonmented as he looked at his group. Everyone was truly surprised by that copse.


    Luckily, no one was hurt as they all emerged with only some specks of dust on their clothes.


    Then, looking behind them, they saw the entrance to the hidden path sealed shut, as if it had never existed.


    Jaxon leaned against the wall, catching his breath. "What was that Zombie? It looked¡­ half-infected¡­"


    Half-Infected¡­


    Everyone repeated in their minds, and they couldn''t help but agree with Jaxon''s words. The Zombie they met seemed not Zombie at all. It was too intelligent. At most, it looked like a human with skin disease.


    After all, it was wearing a neatboratory coat and even surgical gloves¡­ Its sses were also quite convincing and probably being used by the Zombie.


    Raze shook her head as it was the first time she saw something like that.


    She couldn''t help but recall about the Zombie with the Golden Hatchet.


    ''Is that another disguised Survivor? No¡­ That''s too unlikely since the mine had just opened and it matches with the Unknown Zombie written in the mission.''


    With a sigh, she looked at everyone and spoke up.


    "I don''t know what that is. But it knew something we didn''t."


    Lyra scanned the cavern. "And why did it flee?"


    Kael''s eyes narrowed as he thought of an answer.


    "Because it''s intelligent enough to know it will not win against us."


    As he said this, Raze noticed something. She was actually worried that they would fail the mission for not being able to kill that Unknown Zombie.


    However, as she checked the Mission Tab in their n Information, an update urred!


    "Wait¡­ Check your n Missions now." Raze said.


    [ Mission 1 ( Crypt Crawler Extermination ) has beenpleted. ]


    [ Your n has eliminated all the Crypt Crawler Zombies! ] Discover hidden content at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    [ Your n received the following rewards: Zombie Cores x30, Wooden Treasure Chest x2, Rare Crafting Materials Crate x1, n Experience Points +100, n Skill Proficiency +10 ]


    [ All the items have been added to the n Inventory. ]


    "R-right¡­ The mission was only to eliminate all the Crypt Crawlers! That Unknown Zombie was not included in the extermination mission, so it''s not really necessary to kill it... It was enough to find the Unknown Zombie. We don''t have to chase after it!" Kael eximed as he saw the notification.


    "Indeed¡­ So it was actually like that." Tessa added, feeling relieved that the mission waspleted. It means that within 24 hours, there would be a new n Mission that they could clear.


    "I think we should get some people to mine the salts here¡­ I hope Eliot and Leo could do something about this ce." Raze said as she knew that this salt mine was basically more precious than a gold mine at this moment.


    They just needed Leo and Eliot''s team to work together with the construction or mining rail and the mine carts¡­


    "Right¡­ This is definitely too much for a shelter. We can start selling salt soon." Kael said, as he actually needed plenty of Zombie Cores right now. It was rted to his Healing Hand Talent that could still be awakened or improved.


    However, he needed some expensive potions to do that, so he had to save a lot of Zombie Cores.


    And so, the members of the Eclipse Revenant left the Salt Mine¡­ They were now nning toplete the second mission and eliminate the Siren Zombies.


    ***


    Meanwhile, within the Underground Tunnel, Shane finally had the time to check the messages he had¡­


    He scrolled through the messages, his eyes catching on Raze''s name.


    The Dragon Knight was efficient¡ªno wasted words.


    [ Raze: Shane, we encountered a strange zombie. It''s wearing ab coat, surgical gloves, and sses. It''s weird, as it acts like a human. Half-Infected, maybe? Thoughts? Also, Chris and Eve in the Regional Chat are searching for a Zombie wielding a Golden Hatchet¡­ ]


    Shane gently nodded after reading this message¡­ Raze also exined how theboratory copsed and they barely obtained various materials in theboratory that were only Zombie parts which they had no idea where to use at the moment.


    "Mhmm? Half-Infected? That''s a new concept¡­"


    The well-dressed Zombie was indeed an anomaly. The virus had mutated countless times and Cloud knew this very well, but this¡ªthis was different.


    A scientist? A researcher?


    "Half-Infected, huh¡­" Shane muttered as she replied to Raze, telling her to give the Zombie Parts to Anna and that she would research it.


    Anyway, he truly liked the concept of the Half-Infected. If they truly existed, then they were neither fully human nor fully undead.


    ''How are they fighting the Zombie Virus? Did they have some sort of immunity? This is definitely interesting¡­ It might even help me end this Zombie Apocalypse¡­ It''s a pity that theboratory was destroyed.'' Shane thought as he shook his head.


    Anyway, Shane had to continue with his exploration right now¡­


    After all, he finally encountered his first High-Tier Zombie in this tunnel, it was the Licker Zombie!

 Chapter 277: The Tunnel

    It wasn''t his first time seeing this high-tier abomination.


    The Licker Zombie''s elongated tongue flickered as if it was tasting the air. Its half-exposed brain pulsed steadily and it was a very outrageous proof of the virus''s cruelty.


    ''The previous Licker Zombie I encountered doesn''t have this feature¡­ Did he get injured, which made its brain visible?'' Shane thought, as if he couldn''t help but feel that having an exposed brain would make things a lot easier for them.


    Nheless, this virus was definitely incredible. If it was a human with an exposed brain, they should definitely be incapable of surviving for a prolonged period even if they were Survivors with higher stats.


    ''I hope this will be quick¡­'' Shane thought as he felt the presence of other Zombies moving to his location.


    Shane drew his weapon once again, his Legendary Hatchet¡­ It was an incredibly light weapon with unparalleled sharpness among his weapons. It was also short and perfect forbat in tight spaces.


    Well, he couldn''t really use his firearms in this tunnel as he might pass out from the soundwave that would follow after. Although he had incredible strength, he didn''t want to try testing his limit while he was here alone.


    Soon, the Licker Zombie pounced on him, which was quite surprising... He thought it would just use its tongue like the other Licker Zombie and use it like a whip.


    Anyway, Shane just sidestepped and avoided the attack like normal. However, he struck with his hatchet, slicing a part of its shoulder in the process. No weapon skill was involved, just a quick hack of his weapon!


    The Licker screeched, its barbed tongue rushed towards Shane!


    Bang!


    Shane managed to deflect this attack with the t side of his hatchet and this tongue hit the wall of the tunnel instead!


    The mine''s walls trembled from the impact!


    Shane stepped back a couple of times but his eyes remained on the Licker Zombie¡­ Then, in an instant, its elongated tongue flickered¡­


    In a blink of an eye, its whip-like tongue was shing at him!


    Whoosh~


    Perhaps, Shane''s Survival Instincts kicked in as he was able to sense iting and its direction!


    He then used his Phantom Dash!


    This Skill used a bit of his Spirit Points, but he didn''t care!


    His body blurred, almost ethereal.


    The tongue missed by a hair''s breadth¡­


    ''You''re still too slow!'' Shane then reappeared behind the creature, his hatchet arcing downward.


    The de bit into the Licker''s spine, but it twisted, its carapace deflecting the blow!


    ''So tough?!'' Shane was surprised as he realized how strong Shinja was since he was capable of cutting this Zombie with much ease.


    Nheless, the fight wasn''t over yet.


    Survival Instincts surged as he sensed that Licker Zombie''s attempts to kill him.


    Shane sidestepped, avoiding the Licker''s second tongue!


    ''This¡­ You can do that? Are you a Licker Leader Zombie or something?!'' Shane was shocked seeing this second tongue that could''ve killed him if not for his Survival Instinct and Danger Sense working together!


    He didn''t really expect that to happen!


    After taking a safe distance, Shane circled, waiting for an opening.


    He was worried that there would be a third tongue although it was unlikely.


    Suddenly, the creature moved again, its two tongues snapping.


    Shane then used his Horizontal sh, a Survivor Skill that used some of his Spirit Points!


    Bang!


    His hatchet cut through one of its tongue!


    It was hard but it was actually possible to cut their tongue as long as he uses his Survivor Skill!


    The Licker screeched, its bodily fluids started spraying.


    But it wasn''t done.


    The Licker reared back, its exposed brain throbbing.


    Shane squinted as he saw its tongue slowly regenerating!


    ''You can do this? Just what kind of mutation did you get¡­'' Shane was shocked. He knew for sure that this was not simr to the Licker Zombie that Shinja had encountered before.


    He had to end this. Once again, he used his Phantom Dashed¡­ This time, however, he didn''t appear behind or beside the creature. Instead, he appeared above the creature!


    "Haa!"


    His hatchet descended, aiming for the brain.


    Shane almost missed, but thankfully, with his high level agility, he was able to change the direction of his weapon even if he had to injure his muscles¡­


    Sssaakk!


    Just like that, Shane was able to hit Zombie''s Brain!


    The Licker convulsed, its glowing eyes started fading.


    [ You have eliminated a Licker Leader Zombie. ]


    ''That was tougher than I expected¡­ It''s a pity I can''t use my revolvers¡­'' Shane muttered. He was referring to his Gunslinger''s Dual Revolvers that he bought in the auction.


    He was recently able to purchase their ammunition which could be used once again.


    Anyway, Shane proceeded to loot the Zombie.


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    Continue reading at m|v-l''e -NovelBin


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x5, Zombie Cores x5, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x10, Unknown Meat ( Unsafe ) x10,100mL Licker Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Vitality Enhancement Bottle x2, Agility Enhancement Bottle x2, Stimnts x10 ]


    "Mhmm? Stimnts again? Is this loot popr in this region?" Shane muttered as he realized that instead of getting weapons or pieces of equipment, he was highly likely to obtain a drug from the zombies instead!


    ''Well¡­ I''m notining¡­'' Shane mused as he looked at the loots he obtained.


    Shane then continued on his path as he explored the Underground Tunnel.


    After several hours, Shane believed that he was about to level up!


    He had just killed hundreds of Zombie Rats, Cave Dwellers, Crypt Crawlers, and a few Spitter Zombies along the way!


    At this time, Shane''s hatchet dripped with the acidic liquid of the Spitter Zombies. He had just finished another round of battle as he moved deeper into the Underground Tunnel. After looting all of the zombies with his Auto-Loot, he immediately continued.


    ''Just how long is this Tunnel?'' Shane couldn''t help but rush on his task¡­


    Nheless, he was able to eliminate every Zombie that came in his path. They were all experience points, and he needed them all!


    Crypt Crawlers had fallen before him; their hard skin was no match for his weapon. Zombie Rats had scurried at his presence¡­ At some point, he even felt that their beady eyes were reflecting fear of him¡­


    There were also more Spitter Zombies, including those Spitter Leaders¡ªthose vile creatures¡ªwho had spat their corrosive bile, only to be silenced by Shane''s Hatchet¡­


    Of course, after almost nonstop battle, even with his very high strength and agility, Shane could still feel fatigued.


    His breath came in ragged gasps, but he pressed on.


    The tunnel wasn''t like abyrinth anyway¡­ He was simply following a single snake-like path¡­


    Soon, however, Shane''s A.I. Cloud had detected something¡ªa faint signal amidst the chaos.


    [ Three Human Survivors found. ]


    [ They are fighting against ten Spitter Zombies. ]


    They also somehow sensed his presence!


    "Sir! Please help us!"


    "Is there anyone there?! We''re already too tired¡­ Please help us!"


    "You can take all our belongings! Just help us and allow us to see another day!"


    "Sir! Please! We''ve been fighting here for several hours! We''re trapped!"


    Shane then took a deep breath and decided to use his injector!


    [ Adrenaline Injector ( Rare ): An emergency syringe filled with a potent mix of stimnts and pain suppressants. When injected, it boosts stamina and temporarily enhancesbat abilities by 300% for 10 minutes. ]


    Since he was also tired right now, he had no other choice but to use this¡­ Furthermore, it would be safer for him since even if the trapped Survivors betrayed him, he would be able to kill them as well!


    After using the Injector and confirming that it''s effect had taken ce, he Phantom Dashed!


    The Spitter Zombies noticed him and attacked him!


    However, their acidic projectiles were missing by inches. Shane spun, his hatchet cleaving through bodies!


    One down. Two down. The third Spitter screeched, its bodily fluids spraying everywhere!


    "Run! They will explode!" Shane reminded¡­


    He then continued to eliminate the remaining Zombies!


    He sidestepped, avoiding another attack from the Zombies!


    His hatchet continued shing and another creature copsed.


    And then he saw them¡ªthe other survivors. Their backs were against the wall, surrounded by two other Spitter Zombies!


    Shane charged but he was too far!


    He had no choice but to throw his hatchet in an arc!


    Bang!


    The Spitters screeched as they both got hit by Shane''s hatchet, their acidic spit sshing everywhere!


    "Get behind me!" Shane shouted as he knew that all the SPitter Zombies were about to explode!


    Luckily, they all obeyed, and he formed a circle behind him!


    Boom!


    A powerful explosion urred as 7 or so Spitter Zombies exploded all at once!


    Thankfully, Shane Aura Protection was strong enough to withstand the blow! However, it ate up over 2,000 Spirit Points to protect everyone!


    "There are still remaining zombies!" Shane noticed three more Spitter Zombies still alive after the explosion...


    However, these three were no longer a problem for him...


    He swiftly picked up and used his hatchet to eliminate them.


    When thest Spitter Zombie fell, Shane wiped his brow...


    ''That''s harder than I thought...''

 Chapter 278: Tunnel

    "Awesome!"


    "Those skills are fire! How are you so strong?!" Continue your saga on m|v-l''e -NovelBin


    "Hey, you must be in the top 20 in the Leaderboard¡­"


    The survivors celebrated after they confirmed that they had won. Gratitude was evident in their eyes, and Shane could tell that their reactions were genuine.


    He could tell that through his Survival Instinct and Danger Sense¡­ They werepletely unlike the many other groups of survivors he had encountered before who had thoughts of stealing his loot or aiming to kill him while he was busy.


    "What''s your name, hero? I''m Stan¡­ These are my colleagues, Jorvik and Clint¡­" The smallest in the group of three asked.


    These three were wearing mining uniforms with their safety helmet and axe with them.


    "I''m Shane¡­ I''m quite curious why you guys decided to explore this ce just with the three of you." Shane replied.


    Stanughed after hearing this.


    "There''s no way we''d like to explore this zombie-infested tunnel¡­ We''re just unlucky." Stan replied.


    "Oh¡­ You can go ahead and loot the Zombies first. You can also take all the ones we''ve killed. Anyway, we''re probably dead by now without your help." Jorvik said.


    Shane smiled at this and replied.


    "I''ll take that offer since I have to level up quickly. If I looted some materials from the ones I didn''t kill, I''ll pass it to you¡­"


    As he said this, he immediatelypleted the loot.


    "Mhmm?" Stan was curious seeing Shane just standing there.


    "Oh¡­ I''m done looting¡­ I''m just checking all the items I got." Shane said as he was indeed checking his inventory right now. To his surprise, the Spitter Zombies he had killed just now were quite generous.


    [ You have earned 33 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x3, Zombie Cores x3, 500mL water, 100mL Spitter Zombie Blood, Acid Pouch x2, Spirit Enhancement Bottles x2, Fine Crossbow x1 ]


    The number of the crystals and cores wasrger than he expected, and they even gave him one crossbow for each!


    This was definitely a decent loot. If he could continue looting several crossbows, he could equip several squads and and build a brigade of crossbowmen soon.


    "What? You''re done looting?" Jorvik asked as he couldn''t believe it.


    "That was fast¡­ Do you have some kind of invisible hands like our Leader?" Clint asked.


    "Hey¡­ You''re not supposed to say about our Leader''s invisible hands." Stan said while shaking his head.


    "Ahhh! My bad¡­ My bad¡­ Please forget about that, Sir Shane. Once again, thank you for saving us." Clint replied.


    "Right¡­ In any case, what I did was Auto-Loot it''s something you''ll get once you reached level 25." Shane exined.


    "Auto-Loot!" The three of them repeated at the same time. This was definitely and interesting loot.


    However, the requirement of reaching level 25 was just too much for them.


    "As expected, you must be a ranker¡­ There were only three people who had reached above level 25¡­ Hahaha¡­ You also messed up, Shane." The three thenughed as they confirmed that Shane was definitely one of the top rankers in this apocalypse.


    Shane was also stunned at this, as he recalled that there weren''t many Survivors who could reach that level yet.


    "The three of us are only level 15, and we''re already quite decent in our shelter¡­ To be exact, you would still find level 9 or 10 in our shelter, especially the ones in the production ss." Stan said as he exined about the shelter where they came from.


    Apparently, Stan was the group leader of the mining team of this shelter to find more iron ore¡­


    Well, Shane could see that they were hard workers as their faces were etched with dirt and their eyes weary but unyielding.


    Stan then exined that they had been mining as usual¡ªwhen the earth had betrayed them, revealing this hidden path.


    It had led them to an underground tunnel that seemed to be man-made.


    Jorvik, the burliest of the group, wiped the sweat from his brow. His beard was matted, and his hands calloused. He showed his pickaxe to Shane and chuckled.


    "Never thought I''d be fighting zombies with a pickaxe¡­" He grumbled.


    Shane nodded. "Life takes unexpected turns."


    It seemed that they had gone too far with their mining, which led them to reach this Tunnel under the abandoned city.


    Clint nodded at this. He dusted his miner''s helmet on his head as he noticed that the shlight on it was barely giving him some light.


    "We originally thought that this tunnel could give us plenty of coal, but it seemed that we were too much."


    Stan then exined everything that had happened to show their sincerity to Shane¡­


    "Zombies swarmed us. We barely made it here. We used up all of our Zombie Lures as well. We''d like to pay you, but we only have 20 Zombie Cores that we''ve gathered for today. Normally, we would give half 80% of it to our Leader for our n and Shelter''s operations but we could give them all to you right now."


    "Ohhh¡­ I don''t need it¡­ You can just keep your Zombie Cores¡­ However, I might have to ask for your help since it will be nighttime soon. There would be stronger Zombies out here, so if it''s possible, can I rest in your shelter for tonight?" Shane asked.


    "Of course!" The three of them answered in unison. They really wanted to help Shane, even for a bit.


    Soon, they tended to their wounds using ointment and bandages since Healing Salve was expensive. Anyway, most of the injuries they obtained were from the Spitter Zombie''s acid and not from being bitten by the Zombies.


    Shane offered them a protein bar from his backpack.


    "Food," he said¡­ He felt a bit bad if he was the only one eating while walking, so he offered a protein bar to each of them.


    Stan and the others were also hungry at this point, and even if they were feeling ufortable to get too much help from Shane, they still epted the bar¡­


    "We''re in your debt."

 Chapter 279: Sanctuary

    The group then started moving to leave through the hole leading to the mining site where the three hade from.


    Of course, because of the hole they created that led to the underground that was infested with zombies, they also needed to report this to the Shelter Leader to ensure that they would not be surprised if Zombies started pouring out from it.


    They also decided to leave it as it was since it would have to be decided by their Shelter leader before they could consider closing that hole.


    After several minutes of walking, Shane realized that they had indeed left the city underground.


    As soon as they were out, Shane saw a mountain¡­


    Soon, they followed an old track leading to the Shelter that their n was using right now.


    While they were walking, Stan exined what to expect in their Shelter¡­


    ''Only about 200 people? Isn''t that a lot?!'' Shane was shocked after hearing from Stan that they only have about 200 poption!


    Nheless, he hadn''t been in many Shelters, so he was probably just out of touch and needed to know more.


    Soon,842407


    Explore hidden tales at mvl


    Instead, they had arrived at the Shelter¡ªjust a couple of kilometers away from the city, yet a world apart.


    The Miners led Shane to their Shelter. Shane was shocked to realize that they were about to enter another cave that was blocked by a huge boulder. This boulder then started opening up and it seemed that someone was actually watching them.


    "This looked amazing¡­" Shane muttered as he saw the entrance where there were two people or guards waiting for them.


    The people at the entrance nodded at their appearance. They weren''t too surprised about their filthy clothes as it seemed normal around here.


    Shane nodded to the guards. He had already learned from Stan that they were here to ensure that they weren''t bitten by a zombie or injured by one.


    Checking for injuries didn''t take that long¡­ It was quick, as it seemed that the talent of the guards was rted to finding injuries. Shane had no idea what talent that was, but it was certainly interesting.


    Then, as Shane thought that he was about to enter a cavern, he was surprised by what he had seen instead.


    "Incredible¡­ This is much better than how you described it, Stan." Shane said as he realized that they weren''t entering a cave. It wasn''t even a cavern.


    Instead, it was most likely a hollowed mountain since there was no ceiling above! The sky could be fully seen while they were surrounded by 10 to 15-meter-tall rocks!


    The Shelter was also so huge and could probably fit 5 or 7 football fields.


    Shane stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the scene in front of him.


    The sanctuary was vast, and its walls seemed to be a natural formation of rocks, and they weren''t just put together. This ce even looked like a mountain from the outside.


    People bustled¡ªcooking over open fires, tending to wounded, and sharpening weapons¡­ And the air smelled of sweat, smoke, and various food¡­


    "That''s our leader." Stan pointed at the man who had taken over this great location to build a shelter.


    Although they probablycked resources at first, Shane could see how this ce had been modernized or improved.


    There were many thatched houses, wooden houses, and some houses made of rocks. There are even some buildings that are formed to ensure that even if the Zombies manage to enter, they will be able to defend the ce.


    ording to Stan, his name was Magnus. His frame was huge, and his presencemanded respect. Shane could see Shinja in his figure.


    He was adorned with iron tes, and each one etched with symbols that hinted that it was Exceptional Grade at the very least...


    His eyes met Shane''s, and recognition flickered¡­


    "This visitor¡­ I''ve seen you in the Auction before¡­" Magnus said¡­


    "Ohh¡­ I didn''t notice you, Sir Magnus¡­" Shane nodded before he continued. "I also didn''t expect to ask a favor in the Irond Imperium n. Rank 17 on the n Leaderboard."


    At this time, Stan exined what had happened to them and how they were saved by Shane.


    "So it was like that¡­ Don''t worry, you can stay here as long as you can. As a matter of fact, I''d be more than happy to see a powerhouse in our Shelter." Magnus replied.


    "Ohhh¡­ Is there something bothering you?" Shane asked as he got the hint from Magnus.


    Magnus grinned. "Well, you know of the Regional Server Merge¡­ Zombies lurking around us became stronger after it happened. We''re previously Rank 13 and even reached Rank 9 before the merge. However, we''re only Rank 17 right now, and we might even lose in the top 20 Ranking at this moment."


    Magnus then exined that they were expecting a Giant Zombie to attack their Shelter soon. When that happened, they would probably have to leave this Shelter and the houses they had made together.


    "So you haven''t encountered a Giant Zombie before? I mean, during your Zombie Wave?" Shane asked.


    This question stunned Magnus and the three behind him.


    "Ahem¡­ Of course, not¡­ I don''t think any shelter could survive that Giant Zombie¡­ Or perhaps if there are several people with Legendary Talents in one Shelter, then that''s possible. However, those with Legendary Talents wouldn''t normally stay together as they needed to grow quickly.


    If there are two Legendary Talent holder, then the resources would be split into two, and their growth would be slow." Magnus exined.


    Apparently, this was quite a normal arrangement in various Shelters since only Shane probably had a Complete Loot Talent, to the point that he could fully loot max experience points as well.


    He actually realized this since he heard from many others that their loot with Leader Zombies wasn''t even above 30 points!


    Furthermore, his lowest loot of experience points was 10, while the others were 1. This difference would be huge if they had looted the same number of zombies.


    Anyway, Shane soon learned that the Giant Zombie''s behavior was being monitored by one of their Epic Talent Holders¡­


    Based on his estimate, their Shelter would be attacked in the next couple of days.


    "Mhmm¡­ If that''s the case¡­ Then, we still have plenty of time." Shane muttered.

 Chapter 280: Teach Me

    Two days would still give them a considerable amount of time to prepare against the expected Giant Zombie.


    For now, Shane was given a vacant thatched house and paid for 2 Zombie Cores that were good for one day. Apparently, the Irond Imperium was also advertising their low-cost amodations to the Regional Chat, and if he decided to ask in the chat, there should be several people who could provide testaments for him.


    Of course, there was also some chance that he could get robbed or killed while he was staying here. After all, governmentws basically do not exist in this Apocalypse World. There weren''t any police or organizations that would help him if he got mistreated in this ce.


    Nheless, Shane believed that he could trust these people since his Danger Sense and Survival Instinct weren''t telling him to avoid this ce.


    Lastly, he also had his A.I. Cloud that could monitor his surroundings 24/7, so he wasn''t worried even if there were people who would attempt to rob him.


    As he was able to refresh himself after a shower using his own water, he changed into new clothes and went to his bed to check his current Store.


    ''Ahh¡­ It''s a straw bed?'' Shane frowned as he decided to take out his Single-Size Bed in his Inventory. Then, he also took out his Zombie Repellent Candle as a habit for sleeping outside for several days.


    However, realizing that he was inside a shelter, Shane return the candle and just sat on his bed.


    ''Right¡­ I haven''t checked the new items yet¡­'' Shane muttered.


    This time, he decided to open his Survivor Store... There were three tabs on this Store, but he first opened the Weapon Store.


    After all, the 7-day item should''ve been refreshed by now.


    "Ohh¡­ Is it an Ammunition Day today?"


    Shane was surprised to see the first four items.


    [ Steel-Tipped Arrow Bolts (Common): Sturdy arrow bolts designed for crossbows, featuring steel tips for improved pration and damage. These bolts are essential for silent takedowns and efficient zombie elimination.


    Price: 8 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 30/30 ]


    [ 9mm Pistol Rounds Box (Common): Standard 9mm ammunition suitable for pistols, offering reliable performance and moderate stopping power against zombies. Ideal for close to mid-range encounters, ensuring precision and efficiency. Each box contains 24 rounds.


    Price: 20 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ 12-Gauge Shotgun Shells ( Umon ): Shotgun shells loaded with 12-gauge pellets, delivering devastating close-range firepower against groups of zombies. These shells are effective for clearing tight spaces and taking down multiple targets. Each box contains 5 Shotshells.


    Price: 25 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ Rocket-Propelled Grenades ( Rare ): High-powered rockets for RPGunchers, delivering devastating explosions and heavy damage torge targets or fortified structures. These rockets are a game-changer in dire situations.


    Price: 70 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3/3 ]


    "Whoa¡­" Shane paused after seeing the four items. Although he doesn''t have a host, a Shotgun, or an RPG Launcher, he still feelspelled to waste his money and purchase them.


    Then, Shane had an idea.


    ''I can ask La and the others if they have RPG Launchers in their stores.'' Shane muttered as he felt that even if he did not have a chance to use it, his Springriver Manor might have a way of using it.


    For now, Shane decided to purchase them all.


    As for the final weapon item, which was a 7-day avability item in the Store, Shane decided to purchase it without hesitation.


    [ Razorback Hatchet ( Exceptional ): A versatile hatchet crafted from reinforced steel, the Razorback Hatchet features a super sharp edge for increased cutting power and a durable handle for precision strikes. Thispact weapon is ideal for close-quartersbat and survival situations. It had two mystical effects upon usage.


    Price: 350 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    Finally, he would be able to wield two hatchets at the same time.


    Although he also had a simr survivor hatchet since he had obtained a couple of Weapon Gift Packs before, he was more inclined to have a different version of the hatchet for different effects!


    This Razorback Hatchet would be perfect for that!


    As soon as he bought it, he checked the next tab. The Nourishment Store was where he could find various types of food. They could be a whole meal in a bowl, instant noodles, canned goods, tea bags, healing salve, or some other consumable items.


    Since most of them were only 3 to 5 Zombie Cores, Shane would always purchase them since having plenty of food wouldn''t just help him but also his futurepanions.


    He had so many recruitment stones in his Inventory after all.


    Once he used these stones, he would have to feed them, so having plenty of stocks would be helpful for him in the future.


    As for the 7-day item of the Nourishment store, it was an elixir that was quite expensive.


    [ Energy Elixir ( Rare ): A revitalizing potion that replenishes 50% of Spirit and boosts mental rity, allowing survivors to push past exhaustion and stay focused in dire situations. The Energy Elixir could not be consumed multiple times a day to avoid overdose and provide negative effects instead.


    Price: 250 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3/3 ]


    It was too expensive since it was only 50% recovery. However, since he had 10,000 Spirit Points, it means that it could recover him as much as 5,000 Spirit Points. That was certainly a lot for him but not for those with only 500 to 1,000 Spirit Points.


    ''Let''s keep it there for now.'' Shane thought as he would still think about whether he needed this or not since he had plenty of the Spirit Enhancement Bottles with him. Furthermore, he doesn''t even spend that much Spirit Points in a day unless he faces a Zombie Wave.


    Finally, he checked thest Store tab, the Random Item Store.


    Here, he saw some construction materials, a sr-powered radio, and some familiar items. As for the 7-day item, it was actually a Tier 3 Miner Pants.


    Shane decided to purchase this item since a miner here would probably want it. He could sell it for somethingter on.


    On the following day, Stan and his friends, Jorvik and Clint, looked for him to have a meal together. Experience tales at mvl


    They also introduced Shane to several people and to Shane''s surprise, they seemed so excited to introduce him to some girls in the Shelter!


    ''These guys¡­'' Shane couldn''t help but shake his head as he didn''t expect that these people would have such a mood, considering that they might be attacked by the Giant Zombie tomorrow or maybe the day after tomorrow.


    ''Well, it''s not bad getting to know other people.'' Shane smiled as he just go with the flow. In any case, he still had plenty of timeter this after to set up their defense against the Giant Zombie¡­ Magnus would arrange for the payment for his help once he seeded in defending this Shelter.


    "So¡­ Who caught your eyes? We''ll help you." Stan said with a grin on his face.


    "Hehe¡­ You''re young and handsome, Shane. I''m sure you have a chance on Melissa¡­" Jorvik said.


    "No¡­ Melissa''s thirty-three¡­ I can tell that Shane is only twenty-two or twenty-three¡­ I think Ang, Karen, or Ryza would be a better fit." Clint added as they had already started guessing which woman Shane would end up with.


    "Wait¡­ I think Shane''s looking at that girl¡­ She''s only neen¡­ She''s perfect for him!" Stan said.


    The two agreed as they noticed that Shane nced at a woman named Lysandra.


    Lysandra was young, but she had survived the Apocalypse for several days before she arrived at this Shelter. She also didn''t want to stay in the Shelter and be protected as she always wanted to go outside and level up to get stronger.


    As a matter of fact, she was indeed one of the bestbatants in this Shelter.


    "Wait¡­ It''s not like that¡­ I''m just curious since she''s carrying a shotgun, a revolver, and a sword¡­ I think that looking at her is pretty normal¡­" Shane said as he finished their breakfast. It was a meat soup vored with milk and mushroom.


    The taste was a bit surprising since it really tasted good. It seemed that they had ess to salt and various spices as well.


    As he said this, Lysandra also nced at Shane.


    Her hair was tied tightly at the back of her head, revealing a perfect jawline.


    Shane finished their breakfast and as he pushed the empty bowl aside, Lysandra stood up and approached Shane.


    "You look really strong," Lysandra said, her voice low. "Can you teach me how to fight?"


    Shane hesitated.


    He was curious about her... After all, A.I. Cloud barely sensed her presence. She moved like an assassin.


    ''Is it her talent¡ªan erasure of existence?'' Shane mused as he found this interesting.


    Still, he agreed.


    "I can teach you," he said. "But it won''t be easy."


    As he said this, Lysandra smiled even more¡­

 Chapter 281: Lysandra

    There were several reasons why Shane agreed to teach Lysandra¡­ First, he was curious about her skills and talent. After all, even A.I. Cloud failed to sense her presence. The other reason was that he needed to know more about this shelter since,ter on, he would be helping them fight against the Giant Zombie.


    He needed someone who would tell him more about that, and this woman who belonged to thebat team of the shelter would be good enough to provide him with information. Aside from that, he also needed to practice some of his survival skills since he was nning to use double hatchets as his main weapon.


    "Great! It''s my first time seeing a very strong Survivor¡­ My instinct was telling that you''re at least in the top 100 Survivors in the Leaderboard." Lysandra said.


    As she said this, Stan and his group smirked but didn''t say anything. Needless to say, they knew that Shane was at least Level 25 since he had an Auto-Loot Function, as he had previously exined to them.


    They simply couldn''t imagine how many Zombies he had killed just to reach that level.


    On the other hand, Lysandra was only Level 17 or 18 in their opinion. That gap was definitely huge! Although she was definitely skilled with her shotgun and revolver, Shane was simply on a different level.


    Nheless, they were excited to witness their match so they decided to follow the two.


    At this time, most residents of the estate were doing their daily tasks. However, Shane and Lysandra''s match still caught their attention as several people started watching them.


    At this time, the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the open training ground within the Irond Imperium n''s shelter. Well, it was still early in the morning.


    The air crackled with anticipation as Lysandra and Shane faced each other, their elemental abilities ready to ignite.


    Lysandra, her ck hair pulled back in a tight braid, gripped the hilt of her slender sword. Her blue eyes locked onto Shane, and it was filled with the desire to fight a strong Survivor.


    She wore a simple tunic, practical for movement, and her stance exuded confidence.


    "What weapon is that?" Shane asked.


    "Mhmm? This is a Royal Knight Sword¡­ I bought it in my Survivor Store as an Umon Grade but I upgraded it to Exceptional Grade." Lysandra answered.


    "Exceptional Grade, huh¡­ That''s perfect." Shane muttered as he also had two Exceptional Grade Hatchets with him. They all came from his Weapon Gift Pack.


    Well, using his Legendary weapons would be too unfair, after all. He would feel so much better beating Lysandra with his skills instead of his cheat-like weapons.


    Shane then showed his two hatchets and swung them in wide arcs. He was trying to get used to their lightness and bnce.


    At this time, he was wearing his Army Set since it wasfortable to wear in closebat battles.


    "Is this alright?" Shane asked after seeing Lysandra staring at his weapon.


    "I didn''t expect that you use hatchets¡­ This will be fun! Are you ready, Shane?" Lysandra asked as she held her sword tightly.


    During this time, a crowd had already gathered around them. They were fellow survivors and even residents of this continent who had been recruited using the Recruitment Stones or other means. However, they were all excited to witness this entertainment as their breaths held in anticipation.


    Soon, someone came forward. He seemed to be abatant of the shelter since he was also carrying a gun and a sword with him.


    "I am the referee of this friendly match¡­" He said¡­


    The rules remained the same: no lethal strikes, but everything else was fair game. The winner would earn respect, and the loser¡ªwell, the loser would endure good-natured ribbing for weeks.


    Lysandra stepped forward, her sword pointed at Shane.


    Shane grinned as he readied his hatchet. They circled each other, the tension palpable.


    "You can start now!" The referee said¡­


    However, Lysandra just smiled and asked Shane instead.


    "Ready?" Lysandra asked, her voice steady.


    "Always," Shane replied.


    As Shane replied, Lysandra attacked, her de slicing through the air.


    Whoosh~


    Shane deftly parried with one hatchet, sparks flying as metal met metal.


    ng~


    He countered, the other hatchet aiming for her side. It was a basic sh without any Survivor Skill included.


    However, Lysandra was fast. She twisted, narrowly avoiding the blow, her braid whipping behind her.


    Shane pressed forward as he felt a lot morefortable with double hatchets¡­


    Lysandra stepped back, but she still used her sword to counter Shane''s attack pattern¡­


    ''She must''ve learned a sword technique¡­ Her movements weren''t simple¡­'' Shane thought as he could tell Lysandra''s sword style was definitely not made out of instincts but through years of practice.


    She feinted left, then spun right, aiming for Shane''s exposed nk.


    But he anticipated her move, blocking with both hatchets.


    Bang!


    The impact reverberated through his arms, but he held his ground.


    ''It a lot stronger than I thought¡­'' Shane muttered, and he was definitely praising Lysandra''s strength.


    After all, he had a maxed-out Strength stat. On the other hand, her strength shouldn''t even be half of his current strength.


    However, for some reason, Lysandra''s sword skills made him ufortable. It seemed to be rted to the sword skill that she was using.


    They separated briefly after this sh. Shane still had steady breathing, but Lysandra did not. She looked at Shane, shocked at his aura¡­ He wasn''t even sweating at all.


    However, her tunic already bore a shallow cut, blood seeping through the fabric. It wasn''t much for her since she could easily heal this shallow injury.


    Then, Shane''s arm, which was supposedly grazed, doesn''t have a thin line of red at all. Shane was actuallypletely unharmed from her attacks.


    Lysandra''s eyes narrowed.


    ''This guy¡­ Does he have a Diamond Skin Talent? Isn''t that a Legendary Talent? Or is that a Golden Skin Talent?'' she mused.


    Anyway, she needed an opening as she wasn''t finished yet. She wanted to try once again¡­


    After taking a deep breath, she attacked once again. This time, she was nning to use her Sword Art!

 Chapter 282: Recruitment

    ''I can do this¡­'' Lysandra said in her mind as her Sword Art wasn''t perfected yet. This Sword Art was called Whispering de. She had obtained this technique from a Wooden Treasure Chest. Unfortunately, this sword art was difficult to master, and she hadn''t even perfected it in thefirst phase.


    Nheless, she believed that her proficiency would increase if she continued using it in battle, especially against stronger opponents.


    As she started using her Sword Art, Lysandra''s movements didn''t be faster, but they suddenly became more fluid.


    She flowed like water, and it was as if she was tracing intricate patterns.


    Each stroke was graceful yet deadly¡­


    The crowd who were watching had seen these movements from Lysandra before, so they weren''t that surprised. Most of them knew that she had obtained this from a Wooden Treasure Chest¡­ It was a pity that only one person could learn this technique.


    Nheless, the Whispering de certainly deserved its name because of its swiftness that was akin to a whisper¡­


    Whoosh~


    She sliced through the air, aiming to strike Shane.


    ''Awesome¡­''


    Shane met her head-on as he decided to match her speed.


    ng! ng! ng!


    Hatchets shed with the sword as sparks erupted everywhere..


    But Lysandra didn''t stop, her de deflecting each strike.


    She spun, the Whispering de tracing arcs of light and she started getting faster and faster¡­ She also felt thankful to Shane as he was allowing her to push herself to the limit!


    Shane smiled as he decided to be on the defensive side...


    "I guess you''re just looking for a strong opponent where you can fully show everything you got¡­ Come!" Shane said as he understood what Lysandra was trying to do. Nheless, he decided to help her.


    As the battle went on, the crowd gasped¡ªno one had seen such mastery.


    Lysandra pressed on, not knowing that Shane waspletely doing fine with her relentless attacks...


    Soon, she shifted her sword and aimed for Shane''s heart. She wasn''t trying to kill him, and she only wanted to see Shane''s reaction¡­


    Then, before she could even fully thrust her sword, Shane already sidestepped while his hatchets moved¡­


    One grazed her arm, drawing blood. It was shallow, and Shane perfectly controlled it.


    Nheless, Lysandra still winced, but she didn''t stop.


    She felt that her Sword Art had reached another level!


    ''I can do it!'' She dered in her mind!


    Then, her Whispering de became more forceful; her sword strikes became faster and faster, and all her attacks contained more pressure!


    However, Shane sidestepped and dodged all of the iing attacks.


    His hatchets could somehow parry all of her attacks that were already a blur in everyone else''s eyes!


    "Awesome! Who is that handsome guy?!"


    "He''s actually doing great against our swordwoman¡­"


    "Right¡­ He must be a Ranker for sure."


    "Perhaps he can beat a Tyrant Zombie alone. What do you think?"


    "Is he a new recruit? Where did hee from?"


    Many from the crowd started guessing Shane''s identity since they knew so few who could fight against Lysandra with her full strength.


    Anyway, none of this mattered to Shane.


    He aimed for her legs, but she leaped, avoiding the strike. Her de descended, aiming for his shoulder.


    Shane then raised his hatchet, intercepting the blow.


    Bang!


    The sh sent shockwaves up his arms, but he grinned.


    "Not bad... You''re really doing great with your current speed and strength."


    "Ohh¡­ Really?"


    Lysandra responded with a was a fierce smile. She adjusted her grip on the sword as her muscles tensed. With a sudden burst of strength, she pushed forward, driving Shane back. His boots scraped against the ground, and for a moment, he felt as if she had higher strength¡­


    ''No¡­ Was it a knockback effect of the sword?'' Shane thought as he couldn''t believe that he got pushed back by her attack.


    After all, if it was the Knockback Effect, it was something he couldn''t defend against with his current set of equipment that had no resistance against such effects.


    But then he gathered himself.


    With a roar, he swung both hatchets, aiming for Lysandra''s head. Of course, he wasn''t trying to kill her. His hatchets were currently covered with his Aura, and if she was hit, her head wouldn''t get severed, but she would be blown away instead.


    However, Lysandra was still quick as she ducked, rolling to the side. The des missed by inches, cutting through the air.


    And then, as Shane nced at her, she was already on her feet, sword raised.


    "It''s my win¡­ But you did really well. May I ask what your level is right now?" Shane asked.


    Lysandra''s eyes widened as she heard this. She knew she hadn''t lost just yet.


    It was the same for those who were watching. They couldn''t understand why Shane was so sure that he had won when it wasn''t clear.


    "Hey¡­ You should at least knock me down or---" destroy my weapon¡­ This was what she wanted to say, but Lysandra''s words didn''t finish before she kneeled to the ground, and as she looked down, she saw drops of blood¡­ She immediately realized that her nose was bleeding.


    "Here¡­ Drink this¡­" Shane said as he gave Lysandra a bottle of green liquid.


    Lysandra wasn''t able to react yet as she just stared at Shane for a few seconds. She was trying to remember how she got wounded to the point that she could barely stand.


    "Don''t think too much¡­ I just failed to control my strength since you''re too good." Shane said, still trying to hand over the bottle.


    At this time, Lysandra finally snapped out of it.


    She immediately epted the bottle and drank it.


    Gulp!


    "Thank you for the lessons, Shane¡­" Lysandra said after drinking the potion.


    Then, to her surprise, all her injuries, fatigue, spirit points, even satiety, and old injuries were somewhat recovered. She felt incredibly powerful right now! As a matter of fact, she felt really stronger!


    "How was it? That''s a decent potion, right? Can you tell me about the sword technique you used and the talent that you have? And do you want to join my n?" Shane asked.

 Chapter 283: New Member

    Lysandra was surprised by Shane''s sudden offer. She simply wanted to challenge Shane because among her set of Survivor Skills, it included Combat Sense, which allowed her to notice Shane''s strongbat ability.


    This Combat Sense didn''t just help her duringbat but also in assessing other people''s abilities. In short, she knew whether she had a chance of winning against her opponent or not. This was the main reason why she had chosen Shane to teach her or at least show her how much more she could improve.


    Just from the moment she saw Shane, she knew that he was the right person for the task.


    Of course, she also had another Skill called Survival Instinct that she had obtained after being critically injured once and surviving it.


    In total, she had obtained 5 Survivor Skills after being in so many life and death situations¡­ However, Shane''sbat ability was still several times higher than hers.


    "You want to learn about my skills and Talent? As for the n, can you tell me the name of the n?" She asked.


    This Shelter had over 200 people. On the other hand, A level 2 n could only ept 20 people. It means that there was a high chance that Lysandra wasn''t part of the n as she was quite low in level. Furthermore, even if she was a part of a n, it might just be a secondary n of the Irond Imperium.


    Well, this wasn''t an umon thing after all. Based on his past memories, it''s normal for shelters to have 5 to 8 ns, but only one of them was the main n, where all of their elites gathered.


    "Yes¡­ My n is called Eclipse Revenant. Unfortunately, my n isn''t doing a lot of n Missions. There''s also a few members as well. However, there are a lot of benefits from it.


    "Eh? Eclipse Revenant? Mhmm¡­ It''s my first time hearing it. I guess you''re not recruiting in the Regional Chat either. Is it some sort of elite-only n?" Lysandra said with augh. However, she actually liked the fact that she was invited to another n.


    "Mhmm¡­ Since you have an amazingbat skill and I''m not really tied in the Shelter since I''m just doing my part here, I don''t really mind joining your n¡­ I heard that I''ll also obtain weekly Zombie Cores for that." Lysandra replied.


    To be honest, she was also quite interested in being part of a n. However, because of the limited number of people who could join in a n, she either had to be strong to be invited or she had a group of friends who could be her connections.


    Unfortunately, she tried looking for her friends or even family members in the Regional Chat, but none of them had probably chosen the Zombie Apocalypse¡­ She also could hardly befriend the people here since most of them just liked her appearance.


    ''I only had Zombie Apocalypse, Ragnarok, and Demon Invasion in my options¡­ I hope that they had better options¡­''


    This was what she thought after several weeks of not getting any message from her family and friends.


    "Alright¡­ I can tell you my skills and talents but you also have to share yours. Then I''ll join your n." Lysandra finally said as she believed that with Shane''sbat abilities, she would benefit if she stayed closer to him.


    Soon, the two of them started walking around the Shelter while discussing about their skills and talents. This way, their trust in each other deepened. Of course, Shane didn''t reveal all of his Skill and Talents since there were simply too many of them.


    He simply said that one of his Talents was Aura Master Talent.


    "Talents? Does it mean that you have more of them?" Lysandra asked.


    "Yes¡­ There''s a Talent Expansion Scroll that allows you to open up another space for a Talent." Shane replied.


    "Right¡­ I''ve seen it in the Marketce being sold¡­" She replied.


    "What? Someone''s selling that?" Shane was shocked as this Expansion Scroll was incredibly rare and useful! After all, getting another Talent would allow you to get stronger and obtain a higher survival chance in this Apocalypse!


    It was too much of a waste to sell it!


    Lysandra realized what Shane was thinking, so she immediately replied.


    "Well, it''s not like you can obtain a new Talent easily. I''m not sure, but I heard you can only get it as a reward for being in the Top 1 in the Leaderboard¡­ There''s also a small chance of getting it as a reward afterpleting a hidden mission. It could also be found in Golden Treasure Chest¡­ In short, getting a new Talent isn''t an easy feat even if you get a Talent Expansion Scroll."


    "Ahhhh¡­"


    Shane nodded after hearing this. After all, he was probably the only one with the Complete Loot Talent. Because of that, other survivors had no idea that Talent was actually lootable.


    Shane then invited Lysandra to join the n.


    "Oh¡­ I got the invitation." Lysandra said as she looked at the message.


    [ Shane has invited you to join the Eclipse Revenant ( n Level 2 ) ]


    [ Do you wish to join the n? ]


    "Yes!" Lysandra answered without hesitation.


    Although she was thankful to this Shelter for epting her, she was also paying them back by hunting outside the Shelter and protecting this ce. She believed that she was doing her part and wasn''t just benefiting from them.


    Because of that, she wasn''t too hesitant to leave this ce if she needed to.


    Of course, she was also worried that thefort provided by this Shelter would be forever gone, but she believed that if she wanted to get stronger and survive this Apocalypse, then she should follow Shane.


    "Great¡­ Now, I''ll be setting up a defense to help this ce fight against the Giant Zombie. You can see the members of the n and ask them questions if you want¡­" Shane said as he headed towards the stone wall of the Shelter.


    "I can do thatter¡­ But how are you going to set up a defense against a Giant Zombie? Do you have some kind of Machine Gun or something?" She asked.

 Chapter 284: Automated

    Shane smiled after hearing what she had just said.


    Apparently, she was close. He certainly obtained an Automated Turret from the Wild Shelter before.


    However, because of his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent and his ess to Anima Store, he turned it into something that should only exist in the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse. It was something that shouldn''t exist in the Zombie Outbreak!


    Nheless, he was now aware of the existence of the other Apocalypse Ender, the one who ended the Vampire''s Rise. Whoever managed to end that Apocalypse must possess a very high level. If he encountered this person now, he was most likely guaranteed to lose.


    With that in mind, Shane had to learn how to take advantage of all of his skills and talent.


    As he reached the stone wall of the Shelter, Shane observed the surroundings for a moment.


    The stone wall doesn''t have any form of Barrier. It seemed that the Irond Imperium relied on the natural formation of rocks here as camouge or defense against zombie attacks.


    Enjoy exclusive chapters from mvl


    He also noticed that it was pocked with moss and battle scars. Beyond ity the forest and mountains¡ªa vast region where the Giant Zombie would soon emerge.


    The Shelter''s defense was toocking. It was indeed a lot better to escape this Shelter instead.


    "Are you curious why we looked so defenseless?" Lysandra asked after noticing that Shane was frowning at the sight of their wall.


    The Giant Zombie was no ordinary foe. There was no way this Shelter couldst for even a minute if it started attacking them. However, it should be the same if they faced a Zombie Wave with their current number.


    "Yes, I''ve been curious how you were able to survive this long with this many Survivors in one ce. The number of Zombies in the Wave should be rtive to the number of people in one ce."


    "You''re right¡­ We actually have a decent defense here¡­ One of them is the moss you''re seeing in our stone wall. Low-Tier Zombies would normally be confused or sometimes even attack their own kind if they were too close to the mystical moss that only grows in this part of the forest.


    Our leader here tried selling it to other areas, but in the end, it couldn''t grow elsewhere and would normally die within a few hours." Lysandra exined.


    "That''s interesting¡­" Shane felt impressed knowing this. As expected, there were plenty of things he didn''t know about this continent. It was a good thing to explore other sectors to really broaden his horizon.


    "Yes¡­ Aside from that, Magnus and his elite team had decentbat skills when they were together. Previously, we only had trouble when we fought against a High-Tier Zombie, where over 20 people died in the process." Lysandra added.


    "Oh? You only fought against one High-Tier Zombie?" Shane was surprised.


    "Yes¡­ Isn''t that too early at this point? We''re just in our Second Zombie Wave after all."


    "R-right¡­" Shane wryly smiled as he realized that perhaps it wasn''t just about the number but about the strength of the people in the Shelter. Since they were a bit too strong, they had encountered more than 10 High Tier Zombies at that time!


    ''Do we really deserve so face that much force?'' Shane wryly smiled as he recalled thest Zombie Wave.


    Anyway, it was time to set up their defense¡­


    His fingers brushed the rough stone, tracing the grooves left by the battles that had urred in this wall.


    The Irond Imperium n had survived for quite a long time. However, they certainly wouldn''t survive the Giant Zombie at this rate, they needed innovation.


    Shane turned around, eyes scanning the Shelter''s interior.


    At this time, tens of people noticed that someone was on top of the wall. They only nced at him for a moment and continued on their work¡­Although they knew that they would have to leave this ce soon, their work didn''t stop since that was the only thing they could do¡­ They were simplypleting their purpose in this Shelter.


    After some calction, Shane then reached into his Inventory¡­


    After opening his Inventory, he withdrew it¡ªa sleek, machinery marvel that seemed out of ce in this apocalyptic world.


    Needless to say, this mechanical wonder was from the item he obtained in the Wild Shelter. Its original form was the huge Automated Turret before!


    Currently, it has been improved by his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent, and he also spent a total of 200 Zombie Cores, 10 Power Cores, and 10 Reputation Points to modify it!


    Thud!


    As soon as it was taken out, it stood as tall as a man while its base was anchored to the ground.


    Clink¡­ Clink¡­ Clink¡­


    Turret made some creaking noise at first as it adjusted its two barrels¡­ Soon, its various functions started working as its sensors scanned the environment.


    "This¡­" Lysandra was shocked as soon as she saw this seemingly out-of-ce piece of technology! It seemed too advanced. She wouldn''t even be surprised if this machine came from a spaceship of some aliens!


    Shane had positioned the Automated Turret at the wall''s highest point¡­ Its twin barrels swiveled, tracking his movements. He then essed its control panel¡­ Soon, Shane''s fingers danced across holographic buttons. The turret''s A.I. interface flickered to life, like a digital eye observing him.


    "Designation: Sentinel," Shane murmured. "Your purpose: Defend."


    The user interface then epted its task.


    [ Designation epted. ]


    "Cloud, help me input the information about the enemies." Shane said.


    [ Affirmative. ]


    With that, Shane allowed his watch to take over the machinery system.


    "Right, can you load incendiary rounds for the main enemy... Set targeting parameters to prioritize the Giant Zombie''s head and limbs." Shane said as Cloudplied.


    In any case, there were two types of ammunition for this weapon: Energy Bullets and Incendiary Rounds.


    Energy Bullets don''t consume too much energy from the Power Cores but Incendiary Rounds would consume a lot. Nheless, it was the most destructive.


    Shane stepped back, watching as the Sentinel calibrated itself with Cloud''s assistance¡­


    Soon, it projected a holographic field, mapping the Shelter''s surroundings in order to protect the Shelter¡­


    ''Now, what would I request as payment for this help?'' Shane mused as he recalled Magnus''s offer.

 Chapter 285: Message

    Shane''s help was certainly not for free. Magnus had previously mentioned the skill of his right-hand man. It was something that really caught his interest. He might consider it as one of the payments he would be askingter¡­


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    In just a few moments after setting up the turret, Magnus and his subordinate arrived¡­


    They seemed to have jumped from below. Your journey continues with mvl


    ''Ohh¡­ They''re using the Jumper Shoes. Did they upgrade it to Tier 4?'' Shane mused as he just noticed that they were actually using the Jumper Shoes that could be looted from Jumper Zombie.


    Furthermore, they jumped more than 8 meters high, so they must''ve used the Leap Skill, which costs about 60 Spirit Points per usage¡­


    "Sir Shane¡­ Is that¡­ Is that something that you can buy in the Survivor Store? No, is it in the Reputation Store?" Magnus asked as he marveled at the sight of the armament in front of him.


    He couldn''t describe it other than being too advanced for the setting! Even in their previous world, they shouldn''t have such an incredible weapon of war.


    However, now that he thinks about it, advanced weapons might really be what they need to obtain from now on. They were too focused on getting proficient with the Survivor Skills or leveling up¡­ Perhaps they should really focus on getting rich to obtain such weapons or, perhaps, find weapon engineers!


    "It''s not from those stores¡­ I have my own source for this weapon, and I''m not willing to tell you about it. Anyway, I''m nning to use this to fight against the Giant Zombie. Once I leave this ce, you have to think about other methods you can use to defend this ce." Shane replied.


    "Of course¡­ But before that, is it alright if I appraise this weapon?" Magnus asked.


    "Mhmm¡­ If you do that, you''ll learn about its weaknesses as well. That''s not good." Shane answered as he shook his head.


    Magnus expected this much since he also didn''t want others to know the skills and cooldown of his Enhanced Moon de.


    "How about I pay you with two Zombie Recruitment Stones?" Magnus asked


    "Huh? Why would I need those recruitment stones?" Shane asked in confusion.


    "To train your skills and loot them, of course¡­ You may not know this, but your Survivor Skill proficiency levels will go up faster if you use them against the Zombie summoned by this item. Furthermore, if you managed to summon a high-tier zombie, it was said that they would drop everything that could be looted from them! It''s a 100% Drop Rate!" Magnus exined with enthusiasm.


    He needed Shane to like this item after all.


    As for them, they still have other Zombie Recruitment Stones, and none of them have wanted to summon one.


    After all, if they get unlucky and summon a high-tier Zombie, it would be disastrous for them. It was simply too difficult to kill any of the high-tier Zombies.


    With this in consideration, they nned to wait until they were stronger, or perhaps when they obtained a lucky charm before trying one of the stones.


    "So there''s a feature like that¡­ Fine, give me those two recruitment stones first." Shane replied after some thought.


    In any case, he believed that advanced weapons would soon appear. The fact that a terrible Wild Shelter already had an Automated Turret, means that there could be more Wild Shelters out there with more advanced weapons. It was only a matter of time before their existence was known.


    "Thank you!" Magnus replied as he handed over the Zombie Recruitment Stones.


    After that, Shane allowed him to check the item.


    [ Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret ( Exceptional )


    The Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret is a masterpiece of defense technology thatbines three weapon technologies. This turret is also equipped with dual weaponry systems. This is an autonomous turret that is perfect for dealing with a huge wave of Zombies.


    Specifications:


    - Energy Bullets: The turret''s primary ammunition type, energy bullets, are highly concentrated beams of pure energy that can pierce through armor and disintegrate obstacles with ease. These devastating shots are effective at neutralizing both organic and mechanical threats.


    - Incendiary Bombs: These explosive projectiles unleash a torrent of searing mes upon impact, engulfing targets in a zing inferno and causing widespread destruction.


    Features:


    - Advanced Targeting System: The turret possessed an advanced targeting system that can track and engage multiple threats simultaneously with pinpoint uracy.


    - Autonomous Operation: Capable of independent decision-making and target prioritization, the Sentinel Mk-IV can adapt to changing battlefield conditions.


    - Remote Control Compatibility: For enhanced tactical flexibility, the turret can be controlled remotely by operators, allowing for precise targeting and strategic positioning.


    Power Cores: 10/10


    Note: The Sentinel Mk-IV is a rare and valuable asset that can turn the tide of any conflict in favor of those who wield its formidable power. However, it uses a lot of Power Cores for its operations.]


    "This is incredible¡­ Are you really not nning to sell this item to us? You just name a price¡­" Magnus said as he read the item description. It was truly a marvelous technology that could surely help their shelter defend it even against high-tier Zombies!


    "That''s impossible¡­ However, if I have some extra and nning to sell one, you''ll be the first to know." Shane replied that he didn''t know whether their Ironcal Imperium n would be useful to him soon.


    Suddenly, dark clouds started to gather above them. Lightning and thunder followed as the rain was threatening to fall.


    "We need to take cover¡­" Shane said before Magnus could ask once more.


    Soon, the rain fell in a relentless curtain, drumming against the shelter''s stone walls and roofs. The inhabitants of the shelter scurried to their homes, seeking refuge from the downpour.


    However, those stationed in watchtowers and guard posts tightened their grips on weapons, eyes scanning the mist-shrouded forest. After all, the effect of the most weakens by more than 50% during this time.


    Suddenly, a person from below sprinted toward Magnus¡­


    "Sir Magnus! Hurry! Look at the World Chat!"

 Chapter 286: The Workshop

    As the rain soaked through his tunic, Shane debated returning to his house or visiting Dn''s Workshop. It was the workshop of Magnus'' righthand in this Shelter.


    He wanted to immediately see the reward he would be getting. He would have choices there after all.


    However, as they went down the stone wall, a figure came to approach their group.


    "Sir Magnus! Hurry! Look at the World Chat!"


    Magnus frowned, wiping rain from his brow.


    He opened his Chat Board, and needless to say, everyone followed suit. They were all curious as to why this person seemed to be nervous or panicking.


    ''Since it''s in the World Chat, it means that it''s only a piece of information from another Survivor and not the system¡­ I wonder what made him panic...'' Shane mused as he opened the World Chat.


    Stay connected via mvl


    [ Sebastian: There isn''t a World Ranking yet, but I''m probably the strongest Survivor right now. I am here to tell you about the phenomenon that is going on right now without any system announcements. It''s all about the existence of the Wild Shelters¡­ You probably have no idea about this but they are enigmatic structures that have sprouted across continents like mushrooms.


    They seemed to have been sent here to battle against the Zombies¡­ including us. Who are they? I don''t know, but they''re not from Earth. Not even close. They can''tmunicate with us¡­ ]


    [ Sebastian: I''ve seen them. My n and neighboring Survivors encountered them as well. They were human-like beings, but they were not humans for sure. I''m telling everyone about them since I don''t want any more Survivors to fall from their tricks. Do not enter their Shelters alone. If you''re strong enough, kill them since they were all lootable.


    I''ll call them Wild Alien Survivors for now. ]


    [ Sebastian: You must be thinking of finding them and destroying their Shelter, but you have to make sure that you''re capable of blocking bullets,sers, or even RPGs when facing them. I think that we''ve already entered the next phase of this Apocalypse. ]


    Shane was stunned as soon as he read the message. He already knew about this, but it seems that the scale of Wild Shelters was really worldwide, as he had expected.


    "Wild Shelters?" Magnus frowned¡­ The man beside him was also quite surprised after reading the message.


    "We really have to get our level higher as quickly as possible. I think that if we can raid these Wild Shelters, we will be able to solve ourck of resources and weaponry." Magnus muttered.


    To be exact, this was probably what everyone was thinking.


    Even if Sebastian warned them about the strength of these Wild Shelters that had appeared like mushrooms, everyone''s desire to obtain a better lifestyle and weapons could not be imagined.


    "Wild Shelters¡­ I hope I can find one near here." Shane muttered.


    Magnus and the others heard this, but they obviously believed that Shane had the strength to conquer one.


    "Ahem¡­ Do you mind working together if we find a Wild Shelter nearby? I''m sure that taking over a Shelter with more people will make things a lot easier for you, especially if there are many inhabitants of unknown races there." Magnus said.


    "I''ll think about it for now¡­ If you find a shelter, I''m also willing to help." Shane replied.


    As the rain started getting stronger, they hurried to a shelter.


    "I''d like to look around the Shelter¡­ Right, can I visit Dn''s Workshop now?" Shane asked.


    "Of course¡­ You can do that. I already informed him about you." Magnus replied.


    Without any more hesitation, Shane decided to visit the workshop. As for Lysandra, she decided to patrol the area since she still had a duty to do while staying here.


    ***


    "This looks¡­ normal¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the workshop. If not for the name outside, he wouldn''t know that it was an important ce in the Shelter.


    Apparently, Dn''s Workshop was one of the main reasons that this Shelter remained strong.


    Dn, the cofounder of the Irond Imperium had an Epic Talent called Tattoo Artist. It was unfortunate that he had a weak fighting capabilities but with his support, the elite members of the n had be really strong thanks to him.


    Well, his Tattoo Marks could grant Survivor Skills. Although he could only make three types of Tattoos right now, it was only because his level was low and his proficiency wasn''t perfected yet.


    His potential hadn''t been fully explored yet.


    Anyway, the workshop''s exterior was quite normal. It was simply close the underground tunnel they had created as their emergency escape route if they really had to leave this ce. It shows how important Dn was.


    Upon enteringDn''s Workshop,Shanewas greeted by a myriad of intricate and mesmerizing Tattoo Designs adorning the walls. Each design was definitely made by a creative mind.


    Currently, the room was filled with the smell of ink and metal, creating an ambiance that resonated with the spirit of theShelter.


    At the end of the room was the person he was looking for. He was Dn, the righthand man of Magnus¡­ He stood at a workbench covered in various tattooing tools and inks. His rugged appearance and calm gaze were just like how Magnus described this person.


    His arms were covered in the same Tattoo Marks that he offered to survivors, each symbolizing a different Survivor Skill.


    AsShanemade his presence known,Dnturned towards him, his expression momentarily confused before recognition dawned in his eyes.


    "Ahh... Are youShane? I heard about you fromMagnus. He mentioned that you can get one of my three Tattoo Marks..."Dn''s voice was gruff yet weing¡­


    He knew almost everyone in this Shelter, so seeing a different face made him recognize Shane as the visitor.


    "Yes. I heard that each Tattoo Mark of yours grants Survivor Skills. One of them grants Enhanced Senses, ording to Magnus. I''d really want to have that." Shane replied¡­ Although Enhanced Senses seemed to be a basic skill, he really needed it.


    After all, he realized that he couldn''t obtain Survivor Skills through the normal method of repeated practice, unlike the others!

 Chapter 287: Tattoo Marks

    Other Survivors could somehow learn new Survivor Skills through a process that the others called Repeated Practice. This could be done just with your own experience and with the help of your current Talent.


    This was the reason why many Survivors developed skills rted to the Talent they possessed.


    Unfortunately, for some reason, Shane couldn''t do that¡­ Continuous cooking, wood crafting, mining, or even dancing won''t allow him to acquire the skills rted to those activities. However, once he obtained them, he could at least increase their proficiency with Repeated Practice.


    Because of that, he was really interested in Dn''s Workshop, which could allow him to acquire new skills just by adding some tattoo marks.


    Currently, he only has one tattoo mark and it was on the back of his left hand. It was the level 20 Mechanical Proficiency Skill that allowed him to trigger his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent a lot easier.


    "So you want that Enhanced Sense. That''s a good decision." Dn nodded as he looked at Shane carefully.


    Dn had grey eyes, and he seemed quite tired. His dark, unkempt hair fell across his face, which made Shane aware that this person must be working a lot every day.


    He was also wearing a simple coat that wasn''t high-grade but enough to keep himself clean.


    ''Is he trying to get his proficiency to reach the highest level?'' Shane mused.


    "Right¡­ How much does it normally cost?" Shane asked.


    "Mhmm¡­ It depends on what Tattoo you want to have. But it should be at least 80 Zombie Cores because it spends a lot of Spirit Points to make one. Furthermore, unlike the ones that you can purchase in the Reputation Stores, my Tattoo Marks are only temporary. They could onlyst for 30 days."


    "Ahh¡­ I didn''t hear about that from Magnus." Shane was surprised.


    Stay tuned with mvl


    "Is that so? In any case, as long as you use the Skill, you may not need the Tattoo Marks anymore¡­ After all, you have about a 20 percent chance of learning the Skill itself once it disappears. Anyway, that''s the reason why my price is cheap. If my Tattoos could permanently give Survivor Skills, it won''t be worth 80 Zombie Cores. It would be worth more than that." Dn exined.


    Shane nodded at this since it certainly made a lot of sense.


    "Anyway, it''s basically permanent for the members of the Irond Imperium n since they''re my priority. If you''re a member, the fee will only be 5 Zombie Cores¡­ The ones who were paying 80 Zombie Cores and above were only those who weren''t part of the n." Dn exined¡­


    This was certainly a nice recruitment strategy. He didn''t think that they were ripping off other people at all. This was simply a benefit of having a better Talent and ability to take advantage of what you have. It''s not easy to survive in this apocalypse after all.


    "That made sense¡­" Shane nodded.


    "Since you''re also saving us against the Giant Zombie, you can juste here and visit us so I can ce the Tattoo again for free. There''s no need for payment. If you''re lucky, you may not even have to return as you might just learn the Skill itself." Dn replied.


    Seeing that Shane understood the limitation of his Talent, he gestured towards a series of sketches on the wall, each representing one of the threeTattoo Designshe could create.


    AsShanestudied them intently,Dnbegan to exin the unique abilities granted by each mark.


    "Alright,Shane. Let me walk you through the threetattoo designsI offer,"Dnstarted, his voice steady and with a hint of excitement. It seemed that he was really proud of it.


    Dnpointed to an intricate design of an eye surrounded by swirling patterns.


    "This mark grants you heightened senses ¨C sharper vision, keener hearing, and heightened awareness. It allows you to detect dangers before they even approach, giving you a crucial advantage in this world of chaos. It''s the Enhanced Senses that you wanted."


    Shane nodded after seeing it. The design wasn''t pleasing, but he could ept it. Although he already had a Perception Stat and various skills like Danger Sense, he knew that it wasn''t just enough. He really needed this one. He even guessed that if he had obtained this Skill, his Perception stat would have increased rtively high.


    Moving to the next sketch,Dnshowed a depiction of armor-like patterns covering a fire.


    "The Bronze Skin mark enhances your resilience, turning your skin into a protective shield. It reduces the impact of attacks and increases your durability, making you tougher to bring down in a fight. This is actually my tattoo mark that had the lowest duration. It onlysts for 15 days. However, the good thing about this is that I can ce two of these tattoo marks at the same time."


    "Two of them?" Shane repeated.


    "Yes¡­ However, it doesn''t mean that the two of them will work at once. The other Bronze Skin mark would only activate if the other were removed." Dn looked at Shane''s reaction before he continued.


    "Ahem¡­ It''s my Talent''s ability to dy the activation of the tattoo mark..." Dn said with a proud smile.


    Shane nodded after hearing this.


    This was certainly a great ability, and he couldn''t help but feel d that he had left the Shelter to explore the continent.


    Seeing that Shane seemed impressed, Dn felt satisfied as he continued.


    Finally,Dn showed a design showcasing intricate sword motifs tangled with the wind.


    "This mark bestows upon you the art of Sword Mastery. It enhances yourbat skills with ded weapons, granting you precision, speed, and uracy. With this mark, you can be a formidable warrior on the battlefield. I believe that once you have this mark, you''ll obtain the real Skill by more than forty percent if you use it every time.."


    Shanelistened intently as he started liking all the skills that Dn could offer.


    Enhanced Senses, Bronze Skin, and Sword Mastery¡­


    They were all really nice Skills, but in the end, Shane decided to just go with the Enhanced Senses.

 Chapter 288: In Action

    Explore more at mvl


    Shanewatched intently asDnprepared his tools with meticulous care as he made his choice¡­


    "You might need this new skill to kill the Giant Zombie, so let''s not wait until you kill one before giving the Tattoo on you. Let''s do it now¡­" Dn said as he gestured for Shane to sit while he prepared the ink.


    As Dn did this, there was a sense of anticipation building within Shane.


    He never had a tattoo, even in his previous life, so he was a bit curious as to how this would go.


    To his surprise, there was no special apparatus or device as he had expected. Dn''s Talent seemed to be the culprit as a pen-like device appeared in his hands. Apparently, only the inks he was using weren''t made of his Talent.


    Anyway, Shane didn''t feel any problem with that. Since his Danger Sense and Survival Instincts weren''t telling him to escape, he allowed Dn to continue.


    Soon, the workshop hummed with an energy that was both calming and electrifying asDn''s hands moved¡­


    Shane could tell that every second, Dn seemed to be using up his Spirit Points.


    ''This is really an interesting talent¡­'' Shane mused as he watched the man work.


    Dn''s expertise was evident as he selected the perfect blend of inks, each hue carefully chosen to imbueShane''s Tattoo Mark with the essence ofEnhanced Senses.


    The room was thick with the scent of ink and herbs, adding to the mystique of the moment.


    With a steady hand and firm focus,Dnbegan the process, his movements were steady.


    The sound of the needle piercing skin filled the room, a rhythmic melody that was already familiar to everyone in the shelter.


    As the Tattoo Mark took shape onShane''s right arm, a tingling sensation spread through his body, a subtle reminder of the power being etched into his skin.


    The design itself was intricate and mesmerizing, intertwining symbols that seemed to pulse with a life of their own.


    Minutes stretched into hours asDnworked his magic, each stroke of the needle adding depth and meaning to the Tattoo Mark.


    Shaneclosed his eyes as he felt the mysterious energy running through his body¡­


    He knew that it was the new Survivor Skill trying to integrate into his body, so he wanted to feel it carefully.


    Finally, as thest line was drawn, a sense of calm washed overShane. The Tattoo Mark glowed faintly, a sign that the new ability had now resided within him.


    With a nod of approval,Dnstepped back, his gaze meetingShane''s with a knowing look.


    This time, however, Shane was looking at the blue screen in front of him.


    [ You have obtained Enhanced Senses ( Lv 3 ). ]


    [ Description:Enhanced Sensessharpen your perception and awareness, allowing you to detect hidden threats, sense danger, and uncover hidden clues with heightened uracy. This skill grants you the ability to see in low light conditions, hear faint sounds from a distance, and pick up on subtle scents that others might miss.


    Your reflexes are also improved, giving you an edge inbat situations by allowing you to react faster to iing attacks.


    Remarks: 60 days left ]


    ''It''s indeed a temporary skill¡­ But it''s actually sixty days and not thirty like he said¡­'' Shane mused.


    "You now possess the gift ofEnhanced Senses¡­"Dnsaid, interrupting his thoughts.


    "It''s a passive ability, but it will get triggered if you always try to focus on your senses... Like looking through darkness, eavesdropping, or other activities¡­" Dn added.


    "Thank you¡­ But why did I get 60 days duration for my Enhanced Senses?" Shane asked.


    "Hahaha¡­ That''s a good joke¡­ Alright, you can leave my room now. I''m too tired already. Making a tattoo consumes not just my Spirit Points but also my energy. I need to rest for a bit."


    As Dn said this, he gestured for Shane to leave the workshop.


    Shane could only ignore the matter at hand and left the room with a helpless smile on his face.


    ***


    The rainsted for the whole day, and as they expected, more Zombies starteding to their shelter as the effect of the moss on the stone wall dissipated.


    Despite that, Shane''s Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret didn''t get any action. It was simply because the zombies it had detected were too weak¡­


    With Cloud''s modification in its program, it would be able to save a lot more power as it would ignore weaker types of Zombies. After all, Cloud''s database was already quite impressive, and it could identify all the weaker types of zombies.


    On the next day, Shane checked his Survivor Store and purchased what he needed. There weren''t any exciting items aside from the Bottle of Holy Water. It was the first time he had seen it.


    [ Bottle of Holy Water: A sacred vial containing pure, blessed water imbued with divine energy. This potent elixir is known for its ability to ward off evil entities and purify the unholy. Use it wisely in your quest for righteousness.


    Price: 50 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2/2 ]


    After obtaining this item, he soon heard the Automated Turret activation!


    ***


    Magnus had been standing atop the stone wall ever since he heard the report of the iing zombies¡­ There were Jumper Zombies among them, so he was worried that they could climb up their wall, so he had to rush here and give support.


    Soon, several more zombies starteding, and it was as if there was a mini Zombie Wave going on.


    However, he knew that it was because of the Giant Zombie that was moving far behind them!


    As he started to get worried, he heard some creaking noise nearby.


    The eerie sound of the automated turret''s warning xon pierced the air, signaling the imminent threat approaching their shelter.


    In the distance, three massive Tyrant Zombies lumbered towards the shelter, their heavy footsteps shaking the ground with each stride.


    Magnus''s jaw clenched as he watched the towering figures draw closer, he didn''t expect their appearance here¡­ This was more terrifying than the previous Zombie Wave!


    With those three, all of his elite members must work together for them to survive.


    Thankfully, he soon witnessed the Automated Turret in action!

 Chapter 289: The Zombie Threat

    The Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret started working, and they could hear its gears and system activating.


    After a few moments, its targeting system locked onto the nearest Tyrant Zombie with perfect uracy!


    With a resounding thud, the Turret unleashed a burst of energy bullets that streaked through the night sky like shooting stars, homing in on their massive targets.


    The first Tyrant Zombie staggered as the energy bullets struck its body, tearing through its decaying flesh with explosive force. The creature let out a guttural roar before copsing to the ground in a heap of twisted limbs and dark ichor. It failed to recover itself as it was a perfect target for the Turret!


    Thud! Thud Thud!


    [ You have eliminated a Tyrant Zombie. ]


    Just like that, the powerful Zombie that was incredibly difficult to kill more than a month ago was already killed in just four shots of Energy Bullet!


    ¡¯That¡¯s fast¡­¡¯ Shane thought as he looked at the Turret from the ground.


    Well, this Turret was meant to destroy a mechanical suit of Anima, so the flesh of the Zombies was still too soft for it!


    Creak¡­


    Then, the automated Turret swiftly repositioned itself, targeting the next approaching Tyrant Zombie. Another barrage of energy bullets erupted from its sleek barrel, striking the monster again and again!


    This time, the element of surprise was no longer there so the Tyrant Zombies somehow managed to dodge more energy bullets from the Turret¡­


    It was able to get so much closer but thankfully, the outside of the Shelter was also filled with Traps¡­ After the creature stumbled, it was immediately rained by energy bullets!


    Soon, its terrifying form was convulsing as it sumbed to the onught of firepower.


    [ You have eliminated a Tyrant Zombie. ]


    As the third Tyrant Zombie charged forward, the Sentinel Mk-IV locked on once more, unleashing a final salvo of energy bullets that tore through the creature¡¯s thick hide, bringing it crashing down in a cloud of dust and debris.


    [ You have eliminated a Tyrant Zombie. ]


    Everything happened so quickly and the threat of the Tyrant Zombies was quickly eliminated just like that¡­


    Silence descended upon the Shelter as thest echoes of the Turret¡¯s deadly barrage faded into the night.


    Shane stood in awe of the Sentinel Mk-IV¡¯s efficiency, grateful for its swift and decisive action in defending their Shelter against the Zombies.


    "Ahahah! Incredible! The Tyrant Zombies are dead! Focus on eliminating those filthy low-tier Zombies!" Magnus immediately knew what to do since they were in the momentum. He immediately gathered his forces and dealt with the remaining Zombies.


    Soon, every Zombie was killed and they didn¡¯t even touch the corpses of the Tyrant Zombies. Stay connected through §Þ??


    "Sir Shane, you can go ahead and loot the Tyrant Zombies that you Turret killed. I¡¯m really thankful for what you¡¯ve done. We may be capable of killing those Zombies but certainly not without much effort, like how the Turret killed them. There might even be a casualty in my team of Elite Survivors." Magnus said as he sincerely looked at Shane who was overlooking the battle on the stone wall.


    "Thank you¡­ I also needed some materials from the Tyrant Zombies, so I¡¯ll go ahead and loot them." Shane said.


    "Oh¡­ If you needed materials, then it might be difficult since they¡¯re really quite stingy at times. If you don¡¯t mind not getting your Experience Points, I have someone in our Shelter who has a Golden Hands Talent. All his loot has at least 50% gain¡­" Magnus exined. This was actually a secret of their Irond Imperium n.


    After all, having someone capable of looting materials from zombies almost every time would be a source of their wealth. Magnus or his whole n wouldn¡¯t want others to know this since some ns or individuals might target them to kill them in order to halt their wealth makers.


    Shane was actually surprised that Magnus had revealed it now. It seemed that he was really sincere on building connections with him.


    "That¡¯s amazing¡­ However, I also have some tricks. I¡¯ll go ahead and loot it myself. Thank you for the offer, Magnus." Shane replied.


    Magnus smiled, seeing this as he realized that Shane was indeed not blinded by greed. It seemed that he really had other methods of acquiring materials, or he just didn¡¯t care at all.


    As soon as Shane was outside the Shelter, he quickly moved and looted the three Tyrant Zombies.


    [ You have earned 55 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x2, Zombie Cores x2, Bread x2, 100mL Tyrant Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Corrupted Hearthstone x2 ]


    "Ohh¡­ Wow¡­" Shane muttered as he realized that he got 2 Hearthstone in just a single retrieval of loot.


    He then repeated the looting process with the two other Tyrant Zombies, and he obtained a total of 6 Hearthstones just like that!


    ¡¯Perfect¡­¡¯ Shane smiled as he couldn¡¯t help but smile seeing the Hearthstones in his Inventory.


    Currently, he has a total of 22 Corrupted Hearthstones in his possession, and he certainly cannot help but feel excited to use them soon.


    After all, he was already aware of how he could fully utilize these precious stones.


    However, as night fell and cast its shadow over thend, a sense of dread permeated the air as a hulking silhouette emerged on the horizon.


    ¡¯It¡¯s here¡­¡¯ Magnus thought as he looked at the horizon¡­


    The Giant Zombie, a towering behemoth of decaying flesh and bone, loomed ominously near their shelter, its malevolent gaze fixed upon their fragile refuge.


    What he could see was a shadow of the Giant Zombie and the red eyes staring at them¡­


    "We¡¯re going to make it¡­" Shane said as he noticed that Magnus was indeed nervous.


    Well, they were unlike him, who had already defeated Giant Zombies several times! Nheless, he doesn¡¯t n to tell that as the Zombie in front of them might be different or a variant version of the Giant Zombie, who knows.


    "I hope so¡­ I trust you, Shane¡­" Magnus replied.


    "Yes¡­ I already received the reward so rest assured that I¡¯ll deal with it." Shane said as he showed his Tattoo Mark.

 Chapter 290: Penetration

    The Enhanced Senses Tattoo on his right shoulder was already set and had given him the Skill he needed.


    Magnus smiled at seeing this, as he knew about it already. To be honest, Dnined to him that it took twice the amount of time he usually would to ce tattoos on others.


    That certainly rmed Magnus as it showed just how strong Shane was. After all, the higher the level, the higher the difficulty when cing tattoo marks.


    Dn simply didn¡¯t admit it to Shane as he didn¡¯t want to appear too weak in front of him. After all, he was already level 20¡­ He was always the priority of the n when it came to looting since they all wanted him to increase the number of Tattoos he could make and to improve his efficiency.


    However, despite having all those special treatments, he had almost failed to ce a tattoo mark on Shane¡­ He could only feel d as his proficiency increased a lot after his session with Shane.


    Magnus smiled as he recalled this.


    "I trust you, Shane¡­ We¡¯ll handle all the other Zombies around it. Please kill that Giant Zombie." Magnus said.


    Although he had grenades as his trump card, he knew it could only injure the Giant Zombie at most. Defeating it would still be quite difficult, especially with the other Zombies apanying this Giant Zombie.


    Shane nodded at this as he looked at the Giant Zombie that was approaching them. This time, he decided to pull out his Gunslinger¡¯s Dual Revolvers.


    Though these Revolvers didn¡¯t have some fancy effects like his other weapons that could burst out fire and ice, it had a very useful ability that other firearmscked, and it was the Pierce Rate and the Pration Rate of the projectiles.


    Needless to say, the Gunslinger¡¯s Dual Revolvers doesn¡¯tck those two.


    For now, however, Shane hasn¡¯t aimed for them yet as he has allowed the Turret to work on it. He was also curious if this Turret was good enough to fight against the Giant Zombies.


    Soon, the Giant Zombie¡¯s massive form cast a long shadow over thendscape, its heavy footsteps sending tremors through the earth with each ponderous stride.


    If they couldn¡¯t halt or vanquish this colossal undead monstrosity, their shelter would be crushed beneath its unstoppable advance.


    After it entered the range, Shane turned his gaze towards the Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret.


    To be exact, most of the defenders in the wall looked at it as if it was their only hope against the approaching terror.


    Soon, the Turret hummed to life, its targeting systems locking onto the Giant Zombie with calcted precision. A sense of anticipation hung in the air as everyone braced themselves for the impending sh.


    Bam¡­ Bam¡­ Bam¡­


    As the Giant Zombie drew closer, its towering frame blotting out the moonlight¡­ It was also the same time that the Sentinel Mk-IV sprang into action. With a thunderous roar, the Turret unleashed a barrage of energy bullets at the colossal undead creature, each shot aimed at crippling its massive form!


    Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The Giant Zombie staggered under the onught, its gray and rotten flesh tearing and smoldering from the impact of the energy bullets.


    However, the first barrage was only enough to tear its skin and some of its flesh. The attacks weren¡¯t enough to reach its bones, much less to pierce through its body.


    Despite the fierceness of the Turret¡¯s assault, the undead giant pressed forward, its terrifying advance threatening to crush everything in its path.


    Shane¡¯s heart raced as he watched the battle unfold, his gaze fixed on the Giant Zombie as he tried to calcte whether they would be able to kill the Zombie before it got closer.


    ¡¯I should probably help to make this faster¡­¡¯ Shane thought as he readied to fight.


    As Shane watched the relentless assault of the Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret on the Giant Zombie, a sense of urgency gripped him. He knew that relying solely on the Turret¡¯s firepower might not be enough to bring down the towering undead menace.


    With swift movements, he unholstered his Gunslinger¡¯s Dual Revolvers, their polished barrels gleaming in the dim moonlight.


    As the Giant Zombie closed in, Shane knew it was the perfect time to help his Turret. It was close enough to ensure his 100% uracy Rate with his level 10 Firearm Mastery.


    He had to take matters into his own hands!


    With a swift and practiced motion, he aimed both revolvers at the creature¡¯s towering head, focusing his gaze on the target despite the noise made by the Turret close to him. Stay updated with §Þ??


    Bang! Bang!


    As Shane squeezed the triggers, the deafening roar of gunfire filled the night air, the sharp blows of the revolvers blended with the thunderous sound of the automated Turret¡¯s assault.


    Bang! Bang!


    Shane didn¡¯t stop shooting as he hadn¡¯t heard the notification from the System that he had killed the Zombie yet.


    Each bullet fired from Shane¡¯s revolvers found its mark, tearing through the Giant Zombie¡¯s decaying flesh¡­


    The creature staggered under thebined onught. Its monstrous form seemed to be unable to withstand the pain of getting shot in its brain!


    Of course, Shane knew that this Zombie shouldn¡¯t be feeling pain. However, because its brain was damaged, it started to lose control of its body.


    Well, this is the only problem with his gun, which had a high pration rate. It doesn¡¯t instantly destroy the brain¡¯s functions. He could only pierce through its brain, but with the Zombie having such a huge brain, it was only considered slightly injured with his small bullets.


    However, no matter how small his bullets were, as long as he continued firing, the damage to its brain would berge enough to kill it after some time!


    Magnus actually wanted to remind Shane that normal firearms, especially low-caliber guns, would not be enough to kill a Giant Zombie.


    However, seeing how Shane could pierce through the Giant Zombie¡¯s skin, flesh, and skull, Magnus immediately shut his mouth.


    ¡¯Incredible¡­ Is he using a Master-Grade Weapon? No¡­ This is simply too powerful. Is it an Epic Weapon? Maybe a Legendary weapon?¡¯ Magnus thought as he looked at Shane¡¯s gun.

 Chapter 291: Offer

    Magnus couldn''t help but feel impressed at what Shane was doing right now.


    After all, his Exceptional Grade rifle could only pierce its skin while its bullet would get stuck on its flesh! He knew this very well since they had previously killed a heavily injured Giant Zombie before. It was a giant zombie that seemed to have destroyed a nearby shelter but suffered serious damage in the process.


    They were the ones who ended this Giant Zombie, and it was not easy. It took them quite a while, but they knew how tough it was. Of course, this matter wasn''t disclosed since they realized in the end that the Giant Zombie was being chased by the Prison Shelter nearby, and they ultimately stole the kill.


    Anyway, Magnus'' desire to obtain Shane''s Turret and Revolvers increased just now. However, he knew that lone travelers like Shane were truly talented, and it was better to befriend such a figure than to offend them. After all, he had no idea what kind of unusual weapons he could take out in his Inventory at this point.


    Creak¡­ Creak¡­


    Noticing the Giant Zombie''s resilience to the Energy Bullets, theSentinel Mk-IVswiftly adapted, changing its ammunition toIncendiary Bombs.


    Soon, explosions of searing mes engulfed the giant undead while Shane continued shooting with his guns.


    The Giant Zombie didn''t seem to be capable of feeling pain but it seemed as if it was annoyed by the me that was ultimately slowing its movements and blocking its sight.


    Together,Shaneand the automated Turret unleashed their projectiles as they slowly killed Giant Zombie.


    Just one more step before it could reach and destroy their stone wall, the creature roared in agony as it struggled to withstand the onught, its towering frame shuddered under the ferocity of the attack.


    Soon, it bent its knee and struck the stone wall for once!


    Boom!


    The Shelter trembled but thankfully, it was durable enough to withstand the final attack of the Zombie.


    With ast, thunderous volley of bullets and mes, the Giant Zombie finally sumbed to their barrage.


    It let out a cry of defeat before copsing to the ground in a smoldering heap, its once formidable form reduced to a charred husk!


    [ You have eliminated a Giant Zombie. ]


    Of course, the battle didn''t end there as the Elite Survivors of the Irond Imperium cleaned up the battlefield and eliminated the remaining Zombies that were following the Giant Zombie''s movement.


    ''So that''s the Bronze Skin, huh¡­'' Shane muttered as he saw a group of Survivors charging forward while wielding their swords with ease. For sure, these elites had the three Tattoo Marks: the Enhanced Sense, Bronze Skin, and Sword Mastery.


    He also wanted to obtain all of these Skills, but ording to Magnus, it was ultimately better to just get one of the Tattoo Marks, as putting more would do more harm than good. Magnus didn''t borate on it, and he also didn''t ask Dn about it, but he could guess the reason why.


    If he wasn''t mistaken, cing more tattoo marks wouldn''t just put more burden on your body but also weaken the effect of skill. The duration may also be affected by that. Anyway, he decided to leave it at that as he also didn''t n to get skills through this method. He was simply curious about it.


    His most reliable method of acquiring skills was still through his looting process.


    Hum~


    TheSentinel Mk-IVhummed quietly beside him; its task was alreadyplete, and it also had to cool down so it didn''t join the battle that followed.


    After some time, the mini Zombie Wave they encountered was finally quelled!


    "We did it, everyone!" Magnus announced.


    "Hahaha! That Giant Zombie really scared us, but it still died from that machine gun!"


    "Our Shelter is strong!"


    "For the n!"


    "For the Irond Imperium!"


    "We''ll follow you, Lord Magnus!"


    "Thank you, Sir Shane!"


    Everyone celebrated as soon as they realized that they could live for another day.


    Soon, it was the looting time.


    Since Shane was already nning to leave this Shelter, he decided to take back his Automated Turret as well and store it in his Inventory.


    After doing all of that, he went to loot the Giant Zombie. Of course, Shane activated his Loot Keeper''s Timepiece, which could be used once a day to get five times the normal loot.


    As he triggered the looting prompt, Shane excitedly looked at the items he had just obtained.


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x10, Zombie Cores x10, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x30, Unknown Meat ( Unsafe ) x10,100mL Giant Leader Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Vitality Enhancement Bottle x2, Agility Enhancement Bottle x2, Leader Spine Club x1 Corrupted Necrosteel Ingot x3 ] x5


    ''Whoa~ That''s a lot¡­'' Shane muttered after seeing the loot.


    At this time, Magnus noticed Shane''s reaction and realized that he seemed to have looted a decent item.


    Without wasting any time, he immediately approached Shane.


    "Ahem¡­ How was it? Can you consider selling some to us? As you know, the Marketce right now is still a bit unstable¡­ I can also tell that you''re notcking in Zombie Cores. It''s also difficult to trust private trading right now. How about we do some trade here instead?" Magnus asked.


    "Oh? You still have something valuable here?" Shane asked with a smile. He didn''t immediately reject the idea of trading.


    Upon checking his Inventory, he had a total of 6 Leader Spine Clubs, and he had no way of using all of them. Furthermore, the other 14 clubs that he had obtained before were already given to Mr. Wadsworth as secondary weapons or materials for Leo to modify.


    Lastly, Shane doesn''t use Club as his main weapon, so he doesn''t need too many of them.


    Magnus smiled after hearing Shane''s question. It shows that Shane was open for negotiation.


    "Of course¡­ Allow me to see what you can sell to me, and I''ll make an offer.".


    Shane nodded at this and showed the Club. Explore hidden tales at §Þ??

 Chapter 292: Talented

    ''What a nice-looking club¡­'' Magnusmented in his mind as he saw the item. It looked really good in terms of appearance, and it also had some sort of aura as he got close to it.


    He was quite excited to appraise the item.


    [ Zombie Spine Club ( Exceptional ): Crafted from the reinforced spines of a Giant Zombie, this club exudes a sinister aura, instilling fear in the hearts of enemies. The jagged edges of the spines enhance the club''s impact, making each strike devastatingly effective. The handle is wrapped in a tanned zombie hide for a secure grip, allowing the wielder to swing with precision and power.


    Effects: +10 Strength, +400 Physical Damage


    Special Effect:


    Cursed Thorns: After a sessful strike, the club will leave thorns on the body of the target and inflict a curse, weakening their defenses temporarily and causing lingering damage for 30 seconds. Cost: 100 Spirit Points. ]


    "Ohh~ This is a nice weapon¡­" Magnus praised as he saw the effects. It was definitely something that he would love to have.


    The Cursed Thorns, which cost 100 Spirit Points per usage, was definitely worth the price. It means that he could use its effect five times with his current 520 Spirit Points.


    "So¡­ What do you think? You should know how valuable an Exceptional Grade item is at this moment." Shane said after seeing how satisfied Magnus was.


    Explore more at §Þ??


    "Ahem¡­ You are right, Shane¡­ To be honest, I have two things in mind to offer. One of them is information about the location of a Golden Treasure Chest guarded by some high-tier Zombies, and the other is a Rare Gift Pack Voucher. This voucher allows you to get any of the 10 Rare Gift Packs. These two items are my offer."


    Shane went silent for a while as he heard this.


    The information about the Golden Treasure Chest was valuable, but Magnus must''ve tried obtaining it but failed. This means that the treasure chest was probably guarded by powerful zombies, or it is in a ce that would cause conflict among other survivors.


    Nheless, with his current skills and equipment, he was confident enough to obtain this chest wherever it was located. As for the Rare Gift Pack Voucher, Shane also needed it.


    After all, the Energy Gift Pack of this Rare version actually has Power Cores in it!


    This was also the reason why he had plenty of Power Cores aside from those he purchased from Darwin!


    However, with the Barrier Generators in his shelter, he knew that he needed more Power Cores for the third Zombie Wave.


    During that time, they might have to use all two or even three Barrier Generators at the same time in order to Survive.


    After taking a deep breath, Shane replied.


    "Mhmm¡­ Although I liked your offer, I don''t think that''s fair." Shane said.


    Seeing Magnus frown and was about to speak, he added.


    "How about you throw in some Zombie Cores as well." Shane said with a smile.


    Although he had a lot of Zombie Cores in his possession, it didn''t hurt to possess more. After all, he also spent a lot whenever he could find a decent item in the Survivor Store.


    Magnus finally revealed a smile after hearing this from Shane. He also wanted to offer Zombie Cores, but it would be better if Shane actually brought it up.


    Afraid that he was going to change his mind, he immediately agreed andpleted the trade.


    He gave Shane a small map containing some instructions on how to locate the Golden Treasure Chest. Magnus also reminded him that it was actually guarded by 3 High-Tier Zombies at that time, and there could be more that were hiding. Magnus then gave Shane the Rare Gift Pack Voucher together with the 100 Zombie Cores.


    That was already quite a lot¡­ Shane knew that Zombie Cores were challenging to obtain, and the 100 Cores probably took a huge chunk in Magnus'' savings.


    ''Ahh¡­ I forgot that they have someone with Golden Hands Talent¡­ Anyway, this should be enough.''


    "Right, I heard that you already recruited Lysandra¡­ It''s a pity since I''m nning to let her join our n when we reach Level 3. However, I respect her decision, and as a parting gift, I won''t tell Eve and Chris that you''re the ''Zombie'' who stole thest hit from that Juggernaut Zombie¡­" Magnus said with a knowing smile on his face.


    Shane was immediately shocked as soon as he heard this.


    ''How did he---'' He couldn''t but pause as he saw Magnus'' face. It seemed that he was indeed caught by how he reacted.


    Nheless, he couldn''t recall any actions that he did that would make him too suspicious¡­


    ''Wait¡­ Did he just make a connection after knowing that the path that Stan''s mining team opened led to the city''s underground tunnel? That''s not even enough to point it to me¡­ Ahh¡­ Is it the hatchet? Although I didn''t use the golden one, it must''ve given him a clue. After all, it was too much of a coincidence that a hatchet user appeared¡­ Ugh!


    I didn''t know this guy was monitoring the Chat when Eve and Chris were looking for me.'' Shane''s mind raced as he shook his head.


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about." Shane replied.


    "Ahahaha¡­ You''re right¡­ I''m just saying nonsensical things. Right, once the weather is clear or when you feel like it, you guys can just leave. I already informed the guards. For now, I want to practice with this new weapon." Magnus said as he finally left with augh while swinging the club.


    ***


    On the next day, Shane and Lysandra left Irond Imperium''s Shelter early in the morning.


    "Sir Shane¡­ Where are we headed? Are we going to return to your Shelter?" Lysandra asked.


    Shane shook his head as he forgot to discuss this with herst night. He only mentioned that they''ll go east.


    They were currently on a cemented road that was leading to another sector. At this time, they could see some broken cars and various vehicles on the road. They had all been looted and destroyed by the passage of time as nature seemed to be closely taking them.


    "We''re heading to Sector 14 for now¡­ Anyway, your Talent is amazing, so you really have to make use of it¡­" Shane said as he recalled her Epic Talent, Quick Learner.

 Chapter 293: Finding Treasure

    Shane knew about the Quick Learner talent as he had a chance of obtaining it before when he had looted them from Survivor Zombies.


    However, the Quick Learner Talent that he had encountered was either Common or Umon grade only.


    Needless to say, that level of talent was nothing in his eyes, considering his current set of talents.


    Anyway, this Quick Leader Talent allowed Lysandra to obtain a skill called Assassin''s Breath. This Survivor Skill made her breathing different from other Survivors to hide her presence. This was the reason why Cloud needed a few more secondspared to others in order to sense her presence.


    [ Quick Learner ( Epic Talent ): The Survivor have an unparalleled capacity for rapid acquisition and mastery of new skills, knowledge, and abilities. This talent enables the Survivor to adapt swiftly to various situations, allowing them to excel in diverse environments and challenges.


    The Quick Learner can absorb information like a sponge, processingplex data and techniques with remarkable speed and uracy. ]


    Then, when Shane revealed his Aura Master and Telekinesis Talent to her, Lysandra felt that Shane really trusted her, so she further exined that her Quick Learner Talent had four distinct abilities.


    They were Adaptive Mastery that could help herplete tasks even if they were new to her. The other skills were Enhanced Retention, Rapid Analysis, and finally, the most important ability called Skill Synthesis.


    With this set of abilities tied with the Talent, there was no doubt that Lysandra could be considered one of the best Survivors with very high potential.


    The only problem with her right now was herck of Spirit Points.


    Currently, she only has 430 Spirit Points.


    That was certainly a good number, considering that only 5 Spirit Points get added every level up. It means that she shouldn''t even have 200 Spirit Points with her current level.


    This showed that she was still able to consume some Spirit Enhancement Potions, which led her to reach the 430 points.


    "It''s a bit difficult to learn other Skills, but as long as I fulfill some of the conditions, I can learn those Survivor Skills, even if they''re talent-specific skills." Lysandra said.


    "I see¡­ Don''t worry, you''ll get plenty of chance soon." Shane said.


    "Right, I don''t know much about his path, but ording to the others, I heard that this would lead us to a Ryzen Canyon¡­ The only way to continue would be to pay the Nightfall Nexus n to pass through it." Lysandra exined.


    "Ahh? There''s something like that?" Shane was a bit surprised as she didn''t know that a n had decided to take control of the bridge and earn from it.


    Shane knew very well that there were many ns or even Individuals who were moving from ce to ce to find Treasure Chests, better Shelters, ces with rich resources, areas with weaker Zombies, and many other reasons.


    It seems that the Nightfall Nexus n, the previous Rank 11 in the Region 1 n Rankings, knew this very well and took hold of the bridge as their source of ie.


    "How much to cross the bridge?" Shane asked.


    "I heard that it cost 50 Zombie Cores weeks ago. I''m not sure if it changed." Lysandra replied.


    "Mhmm¡­ I guess there weren''t a lot of people passing that area, so they made it expensive for quick money instead¡­ In any case, I''m still nning to recruit another person to the n so we can activate the n Skill. So keep it in mind once we visit their area, we might find someone suitable." Shane said. After all, the n Skill they have would only fully activate with at least three people.


    "Later, I will use my Phantom Dash repeatedly, so try and learn it." Shane added.


    "I''ll try my best, n Leader¡­" Lysandra replied with a hint of excitement in his tone.


    "Good¡­ In any case, we will be exploring a caveter before we go to the canyon. It''s a cave where a Golden Treasure Chest should be located. ording to Magnus, at least three high-tier Zombies guarded it, so I just need you to stay back and allow me to deal with it." Shane added.


    This state surprised Lysandra. After all, she didn''t know that Shane was nning to take a Golden Treasure, and she had no idea that Shane was strong enough to deal with three high-tier Zombies!


    Lysandra could only agree as she followed Shane.


    ***


    AsShaneandLysandraventured deeper into thewilderness, they soon located a hiddencaveconcealed by a massive boulder. There were several marks all over the ce that showed signs of human interference.Shane realized thatMagnusand his team were likely behind this simple yet effective cover-up.


    With Shane''s current strength, he was able to move the boulder, which was much to Lysandra''s surprise.


    "Stay here and guard the entrance,"ShaneinstructedLysandra, his tone firm yet reassuring. There was no hint of nervousness at all.


    "Got it... Good luck in there¡­"Lysandrareplied. Anyway, she didn''t want to face high-tier Zombies as well. They were simply too strong for her current level.


    She would just be a burden if she fought together with Shane in that tight space. She might as well guard this area. Anyway, with her Assassin''s Breath, Zombie''s would have difficulty sensing her presence while she was out here.


    Seeing how cooperative she was,Shane smiled as hestepped into the cavern, hisLight medeat the ready.


    The musty air of the cave enveloped him as he advanced further using his Light Orb.


    With his Enhanced Senses, he was keenly attuned to the faint sounds of shuffling and scraping echoing from the shadows.


    ''Crypt Crawlers¡­'' Shane thought before Cloudpleted its analysis.


    [ Scan Completed. ]


    [ Ten Crypt Crawlers have been detected. ]


    Shane then continued moving, and as he rounded a corner, his eyes fell upon a group ofCrypt Crawler Zombies as he had sensed.


    These humanoid monstrosities, with limbs elongated like arachnids, skittered towardsShanewith evil intent¡­ Without hesitation,Shanesprang into action, and hisLight medelit up the whole tunnel!

 Chapter 294: For the Treasure

    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    With a single swing of his sword, it contained the force that wasing from a Survivor with more than 400 Strength.


    Currently, he could even fight against these Zombies with his bare hands, but that would rapidly consume his stamina.


    Because of that, he just decided to use the Light mede''s sharpness and hotness to kill these Zombies.


    With his mede that was made of Phoenix Copper, he easily faced the Crypt Crawlers head-on. His movements weren''t fancy. No movement techniques were included, and it was purely his natural speed and strength that were being used. He was even fighting with a light orb on his other hand!


    Whoosh~


    Each swing of his de sent arcs of searing light cutting through the air, illuminating thecavewith a fiery brilliance.


    The Crypt Crawlers screeched in agony as the mes consumed them, their already twisted forms writhing in pain before dropping to the ground, lifeless.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    [ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]


    One by one, the Crypt Crawlers fell beforeShane''s de. Their previous terrifying momentum was reduced to nothing as they failed to even tough Shane.


    With a final wave of his de,Shane killed thest of the Crypt Crawler Zombie.


    Shanewas unscathed in the battle, so he quickly looted them all.


    [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x2, Zombie Cores x2, Bread x2, 100mL Crypt Crawler Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Pair of Crawler''s Grasp Gloves ]


    Shane smiled after seeing the loot as he realized that he would get the Crypt Crawler Set once again.


    And he was right! After looting all the Zombies, Shane obtained another breastte, gloves, daggers, cape, and shoes that had elements of Crypt Crawlers on them.


    ***


    Soon, Shanedelved deeper into the cave.


    There were several paths, but he followed the notes written in Magnus'' map, saving him some precious time. After a while, the air grew colder and the walls seemed to close in around him, their rocky surfaces glistening with moisture.


    Stctites hung ominously from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows that danced across the uneven floor.


    Plop¡­ Plop¡­


    The faint sound of dripping water echoed through the chamber, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the underground domain.


    ''Am I still far from there?'' Shaneined in his mind as he was getting impatient. During this time, he encountered several Crypt Crawler and Cave Dweller Zombies. All of them were killed, and they added experience points and resources to his inventory.


    Thud¡­


    After navigating through a series of twisting passages and narrow tunnels,Shane''s keen eyes caught sight of a faint glimmer at the farthest reaches of the cavern.


    Pushing forward a little more, he finally confirmed that it was the coveted Golden Treasure Chest, its ornate design gleaming in the dim light like a beacon of riches waiting to be imed.


    ''It''s obviously a trap¡­'' Shane thought as its position was definitely suspicious.


    Then, just like what he expected, his A.I.,Cloud, sounded a warning.


    [ Scan Completed. ]


    [ Six High-Tier Zombies have been detected. ]


    "Six?" Shane wryly smiled after hearing this. High-tier Zombies were no joke¡­ If he wasn''t careful, he could really die fighting against them.


    After a few moments, Cloud made another report.


    [ Three Hunter Zombies and three Licker Zombies detected. ]


    The Hunter Zombies were surely strong, and even Shinja was troubled fighting them. He even needed La''s help once they worked together. With the addition of the three Licker Zombies, he knew that fighting all of them at once would be very tough.


    "This looks bad..."Shanemuttered under his breath, his mind racing of various ns in order to kill all of these Zombies.


    After all, despite his heightenedPerception, the creatures remained undetectable!


    They were probably unmoving figures right now, making it difficult to sense them since they alsocked a heartbeat or breathing itself.


    If not for Cloud, he wouldn''t even notice their presence.


    Shaneprepared himself for the imminent confrontation, his grip tightening on hisLight mede. He considered nting his Turret, his Sentinel Sphere, his cape''s Perfect Shadowmeld Skill, Light mede''s Inferno Burst, and his Legendary-Grade Hatchet¡­


    ''Can I do this?''


    The odds were stacked against him, but he knew that retreat was not an option. The Golden Treasure Chest beckoned, its allure impossible to resist.


    Shane hasn''t stepped inside the cavern yet and remains in the narrow tunnel. He took his time to n since, ording to Magnus, the High-tier Zombies wouldn''t move unless he entered the spacious cavern.


    Furthermore, although they would be chasing him in the tunnel once the battle started, they would simply stop once after reaching the third chamber.


    It seemed that these Zombies were truly just guardians of the Golden Treasure Chest.


    After making up his mind, Shane finally decided on what to do and used his Adrenaline Injector that boosted hisbat strength by 300% for 10 minutes!


    With a surge of energy coursing through his veins, he immediately started. He then called upon his trustedpanion for the impending battle.


    Summoning hisSentinel Mk-IV Automated Turretwith a swift gesture,Shanepositioned it strategically to provide cover fire while he focused on the frontline assault.


    He nned to be the vanguard while it protected him from the back!


    In a calcted maneuver, he also unleashed hisSentinel Sphere, a resilient shield that would act as his shield against the impending onught ofHigh-Tier Zombies.


    With a flick of his wrist,Shanewielded his legendary hatchet¡­ Then, he manipted it effortlessly with hisTelekinesisand moved in front of him.


    Gripping hisLight medein his other hand, its ethereal mes casting a warm glow in the darkened cavern,Shaneexuded an aura of unwavering determination.


    Utilizing hisPerfect Shadow Meldto blend seamlessly into the darkness,Shhrew several Light Orbs on the ground before he advanced toward the unmoving Licker Zombie!


    He used his Phantom Dash to arrive in front of this Licker Zombie!

 Chapter 295: The Chest

    His Phantom Dash and Ghost Stride came from his Memory Sphere, and they were skills that he really used a lot in the Fairy Realm Invasion.


    After all, these two movement skills could help him whether he wanted to use them for escaping or for attacking.


    With the Phantom Dash at Level 10, he was able to reach 15 meters almost in an instant.


    As the Licker Zombie noticed a human''s presence,it was already toote!


    Shanewas already upon it, and hisLight medewas already about to strike.


    Boom!


    With a swift motion, he activated theInferno Burst, unleashing a torrent of scorching mes that engulfed the creature in an explosion.


    The cavern trembled with the deafening roar of the st as the Licker Zombie was consumed by the inferno, its twisted form writhing in agony before sumbing to the mes.


    [ You have eliminated a Licker Zombie. ]


    "One down¡­" Shane''s calcted strike had set the tone for the battle ahead, marking the beginning of his confrontation against theHigh-Tier Zombies.


    Shane didn''t have the time to loot the Zombie as he already felt the presence of the other Zombies rushing at him!


    Whom~


    At this time, he triggered his Sentinel Sphere to protect himself.


    He thenbraced himself for the onught that awaited him.


    The remaining three Hunter Zombies and two Licker Zombies, decided to work together to kill the intruder!


    ''Good, just focus on me!'' Shane smirked as he saw their movements.


    The Hunter Zombies used their des while the Licker Zombies used their whip-like tongues,shing out at him¡­


    With a swift mentalmand,Shane used his golden Hatchet to cut off the tongue of the Licker Zombie!


    Then, Shane was alerted by Cloud about the trajectory of his Automated Turret!


    ''Alright¡­ Follow me, Zombies!''


    Brrt~


    Energy bullets soon rained upon the High-Tier Zombies while Shane moved away from the line of fire!


    [ You have eliminated a Hunter Zombie. ]


    Its firepower was focused on the Hunter Zombies, who had better hiding skills. Well, as they showed up themselves, it was deemed by the A.I. to not let them hide again in the shadows or it would be very difficult to shoot at them again.


    ''Good¡­''


    The Turret''s support allowedSho concentrate on the immediate threats before him!


    As the closest Hunter Zombies closed in, it was hit by one of the Energy Bullet and stumbled¡­ This time, the Hatchet that had just severed the tongue of the Licker Zombie, immediately flew and went to cut off the head of the Hunter Zombie that was on the ground!


    Ssaaak¡­


    [ You have eliminated a Hunter Zombie. ]


    It happened so swiftly! Shane wielded his golden Hatchet, using hisTelekinesisto guide the weapon''s trajectory!


    This was all happening while the Turret was still raining them with Energy Bullets!


    Just like that, 2 Hunter Zombies and 1 Licker Zombie were eliminated!


    However, as the remaining Zombies got closer, the Turret had to stop and shift its focus on the Licker Zombies instead.


    Simultaneously, Shane''s Light mede moved in his other hand, its mes casting a mesmerizing glow as he parried the attacks of the other Licker Zombie.


    Its whip-like tonguesshed out in a frenzy, seeking to ensnare Shane to his death.


    However, Shane didn''t stand still as he moved with strange movement speed and agility, evading their strikes with a dancer''s grace.


    Needless to say, it was Ghost Stride helping him avoid the attacks of the Zombies!


    [ You have eliminated a Hunter Zombie. ]


    Once again, these Zombies, who had been ignoring the Turret killed another Hunter Zombie!


    ''This is actually easier than I thought¡­'' Shane mused as he didn''t expect that these Zombies would be too focused on him!


    They ignored his Turretpletely!


    ''Are they actually stupid high-tier Zombies?'' Shane couldn''t help but think of this since he had an impression that high-tier Zombies were intelligent.


    Anyway, the Turret then stopped shooting as it was already overheating. It needed at least 30 seconds to recharge. It could, of course, change its ammunition to incendiary bombs, but Shane would be caught up in the explosion as well, so it was not an option at this point.


    Nheless, 2 Licker Zombies weren''t a threat to him anymore.


    With a series of fluid movements using his Survivor Skills, Shanedecided to confront the two Licker Zombies head-on!


    Since they could use their tongue like a whip, he had to get closer to them!


    ng! ng! ng!


    As the battle raged on,Shanehad gotten used to the unusual movements of the Licker Zombies¡­


    Thankfully, they weren''t like the Licker Leader Zombie, who had three tongues that he had to be wary of.


    After finding an opportunity, he activated his Survivor Skill, Horizontal sh, a devastating technique that unleashed a wave of energy, slicing through the air that used up about 340 Spirit Points!


    Thud!


    The force of the attack struck urately, cleaving through the Licker Zombie with a swift and decisive blow.


    [ You have eliminated a Licker Zombie. ]


    This movement showed an opening to his right and it was used by the remaining Licker Zombie in an attempt to kill him.


    However, Shane expected this as he controlled his Hatchet with his Telekinesis!


    Shanedirected the weapon in a graceful arc, severing its head in the process.


    Thud!


    [ You have eliminated a Licker Zombie. ]


    ''I did it¡­'' Shane still feels very strong, thanks to his adrenaline injector, but he heaved a sigh of relief after confirming with his A.I. that there were no more threats around.


    Shane then looted all six high-tier Zombies and used his Lootkeeper''s Timepiece on of the Hunter Zombies before he turned his attention to the glowing chest nearby.


    ''Now¡­ Let''s see what you have here¡­'' Shane thought as he felt really excited this time. He hadn''t even seen a Silver Treasure Chest yet, but here he was, about to open a Golden Treasure Chest!


    He then approached the chest while also asking Cloud if there were any traps nearby¡­


    [ No signs of traps detected. ]

 Chapter 296: Golden Treasure Chest

    As Shane opened the Golden Treasure Chest, he received a familiar message from the system.


    [ You have discovered a Golden Treasure Chest. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Experience Point. ]


    Shane smiled after confirming that it was indeed a system-recognized chest and not a fake one.


    [ You have received a Blood Alchemy Book x1 ]


    [ You have received a Skill Fusion Talisman x10 ]


    [ You have received a Polymorphium Metal x10 ]


    [ You have received a Spectral Moonstone x10 ]


    [ All items have been transferred to your Inventory. ]


    "Whoa~" Shane was ted as soon as he saw the items he had just obtained. There were actually a lot of them!


    ''Is this because of my Lucky Find Talent?'' Shane smiled as he recalled one of his recently acquired talents. It was the talent he obtained around the same time as his Telekinesis.


    [ Lucky Find ( Exceptional Talent ):The Survivor possesses an extraordinary knack for uncovering valuable resources, hidden caches, and rare artifacts in the most unexpected ces.


    With a keen eye for detail and a touch of serendipity, the Survivor is adept at spotting hiddenpartments, secret passages, and concealed treasures that elude others.There is also a small chance of getting 100% more of the expected rewards! ]


    Anyway, Shane already had an idea about the Polymorphium Metal since he already looted it before. Unfortunately, it was an item that even Leo had trouble with.


    Nheless, once he was able to use this metal, he would be able to obtain a weapon that could shapeshift. Just how awesome was that?


    Shane knew that it was only a matter of time to find a way to create a weapon using this metal.


    With that, Shane checked his Inventory and read the description of other items.


    [ Blood Alchemy Book: The Blood Alchemy Book is a forbidden tome that delves into the dark art of utilizing Zombie Bloods of all types for alchemical purposes. This sinister grimoire details the extraction, purification, and infusion techniques needed to harness the unique properties of various zombie blood strains in order to obtain the skills of the Zombies. ]


    "W-what?" Shane was stunned after reading the description.


    He finally found the purpose of the Zombie Blood that he had been looting ever since he had arrived here!


    ''Zombie Skills! It''s a good thing I''ve kept most of the Zombie Blood from those High-Tier Zombies.'' Shane thought as he couldn''t help but feel excited after realizing how lucky he was.


    The Golden Treasure Chest was definitely the best treasure chest out there! The Wooden Treasure Chest that only gave some ores waspletely out of its league!


    Shane then excitedly turned to the next item.


    [ Skill Fusion Talisman: The Talismanis a mystical artifact capable of merging two or three distinct Survivor Skills into a single, more powerful ability. This special talisman resonates with the energies of the skills it seeks tobine, enabling survivors to transcend their limitations and unleash unprecedented mastery over their abilities.


    By channeling the essence of multiple Skill through this talisman, Survivors can unlock synergies, amplify strengths, and create devastating new techniques to ovee the challenges of the Apocalypse. ]


    ''So it''s called Skill Fusion Talisman here¡­'' Shane nodded after reading this.


    Needless to say, his Memory Spheres from the two other Apocalypses already made him aware of their existence.


    To be exact, there was a Skill Merger Priest in the Fairy Realm Collision Apocalypse in every human shelter. They charge a lot of money for every Skill Merging attempt, and even if the merge fails, the payment will not be refunded.


    On the other hand, the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse has a Skill Synthesis Fluid that could be used. Once the fluid was consumed, it would assist the Survivor with synthesizing the new Skill.


    Anyway, Shane was quite d that he had 10 of these Talismans since he still had no idea which Skills had a high sess rate of fusion. He would surely fail several times, so having more of these would be better, and he had no intention of selling them at all.


    Finally, he checked thest item.


    [ Spectral Moonstone: The Spectral Moonstone is a radiant crystal imbued with otherworldly energies that can bestow spectral-rted effects upon any item it touches. This mystical gem resonates with the ghostly realm, allowing yers to infuse their equipment with otherworldly powers.


    From granting invisibility to enhancing stealth, defense, or supernatural abilities, the Spectral Moonstone offers a versatile enhancement option for survivors seeking to harness the spectral forces in their weapons or pieces of equipment. ]


    ''Nice, I also got my first Enchantment Stone.'' Shane muttered.


    In the Fairy Realm Apocalypse, this was basically simr to an Enchantment Stone. There was also a varied sess rate for this based on the type of item being enchanted, so he was happy with ten moonstones in his Inventory.


    ''Right¡­ Already spent a lot of time here¡­ Lysandra might be getting worried now.'' Shane thought as he quickly confirmed that he didn''t miss anything before storing his turret in his Inventory and leaving the ce.


    ***


    In the meantime, while Shane and Lysandra were headed to the canyon that was currently blocked by the Nightfall Nexus n, there was a mysterious event in a far region of the continent.


    At this time, a group of Survivors cautiously approached an imposingcastleowned by theStone Mountain n, the Rank 9 n of Region 7.


    Their mission here was to conquer this ce and make this ce their own shelter.


    "What''s going on?" The leader of these invaders was shocked.


    As they crossed the threshold of thecastle, they were expecting a fierce battle to ensue, but it didn''t happen!


    To their shock and bewilderment, they were met with an eerie silence that hung heavy in the air. Although it seemed to be a trap, they had no choice but to continue.


    Then, as they ventured deeper into thecastlehalls, a chilling realization dawned upon them - all the Survivors living in this castle were nothing but dried-up corpses, including the renowned leaders of the n!


    It was as if all of their blood had been sucked dry!

 Chapter 297: Clues

    Fritz, the leader of the Warlords n, had decided to attack the Stone Mountain n after he heard that they had just fought against three Tyrant Zombies. He believed that they weren''t in a good state to fight them and this would be an easy win with their trump card ready.


    Indeed, his n was only Ranked 37, but he had the courage to fight them and take their territory because of an item that he had recently obtained after saving up their Reputation Points.


    They were able to purchase two Attack Drones that were now being controlled by other members of his n outside.


    As soon as they reported that there weren''t any signs of survivors, they slowly entered the castle gates and confirmed that the ce indeed looked abandoned.


    Of course, it could still be a trap, but after several scouts tried to assess the situation, they confirmed that there weren''t any signs of life inside.


    "Look at them¡­ Is this a Zombie''s doing?" Fritz muttered as he looked at the corpses of the members of the Stone Mountain n.


    "Blood-sucking Zombie? Is there a Zombie like that?"


    "I''ve never seen one, at the very least."


    "Why do they suck blood though?"


    "Just for fun¡­ Just like how they eat people¡­"


    "Leader¡­ I think that this had all happened at night. There are almost no signs of fighting except for the two Leaders of their n¡­" One of Fritz''s subordinates reported.


    The two Leaders of the Stone Mountain n had Talents called Earth Skin and Stone Skin. The two had then decided to build the Stone Mountain n together.


    With their talents, they were undoubtedly included among the top survivors who had incredible defenses.


    ''So they''re the ones who could only react against their attacker¡­'' Fritz mused as he could see that the two leaders were still filled with injuries before being drained with blood. They were unlike the other people who only had one injury on their bodies that ultimately drained their blood.


    "For those who still have a Message Load left, ask the World Chat or the Regional Chat if they encountered a simr event---Wait, let me try to find out if they can be looted." Fritz said as he tried looting one of the corpses.


    He touched one of them and waited for the System Prompt to appear.


    However, after waiting for a few seconds, it didn''t appear.


    Fritz shook his head as he signaled for his team to spread the news in the Regional Chat and send private messages to their friends and ask about this.


    After all, if they want to take this castle for themselves, they must be aware of the enemy that was hiding in this ce. They don''t n to die in the same way!


    [ Alice Mae:We have recently found dried-up corpses of Survivors, about 50 of them... It was eerie. Does anyone here know a type of Zombie capable of doing that? ]


    [ Charlie:That sounds creepy,Alice. I haven''t encountered any Zombie with that ability. Do you think it was some kind of curse? Maybe a Talent of another Survivor? ]


    [ Alice Mae:That''s what we''re trying to figure out,Charlie. ]


    [ Travis:A Vampiric Ability of a Survivor? That''s probably a good suggestion. However, if it''s a Survivor, I don''t think that he''d be able to do that against 50 other Survivors. If it''s their Talent, it must have a limit since it uses Spirit Points. Furthermore, there should be a cooldown for this blood-draining skill as well. If he''s alone, he shouldn''t be able to win against 50 Survivors.


    ]


    [ Alice Mae:That''s a nice analysis, Travis. It was definitely a strange experience. Has anyone else encountered anything like this before? ]


    [ Natalie:We once explored an abandoned mine and found dried-up corpses as well. The items of the Survivors weren''t stolen. ]


    [ Raze:Wow¡­ You have an interesting topic here. Anyway, I haven''t seen a Zombie that could drain someone''s blood yet. They only bite and rip things apart. It must be an unknown high-tier Zombie or maybe a Survivor with Vampire''s Blood Talent. ]


    [ Frank:Hey, sorry to interrupt, but has anyone seen my pet White Tiger around? He''s been missing since this morning in Sector 13''s Maple City. I can tell from the System that he''s still alive, but I can''t find him. ]


    [ Travis: Did you check your map? ]


    [ Frank: Yes. My map only covers 500 meters, so maybe my pet is out of range. ]


    [ Raze: Pets won''t go too far from their owners. It must''ve been taken away by someone else. Just keep messaging here in the Regional Map, and they might see your message and ask for ransom soon. ]


    [ Travis: Haha¡­ Someone''s been doing that recently. Stealing someone else''s pet and returning it after a payment is made. Good luck! ]


    [ Grace:I heard there''s a Golden Treasure Chest hidden in theForest of Whispers. Is that chest still there? ]


    [ Liam: Yes¡­ There''s a Wild Shelter near that ce, and the chest is guarded by Hunter Zombies. It''s not easy to get it unless you have an army with you. Just stock up your ammunition for now. ]


    After an hour, Fritz''s members were still monitoring the chat and kept asking questions rted to the dried corpses.


    Alice Mae, one of Fritz''s subordinates, had already started a private conversation with Natalie, who had had a simr encounter.


    She was even willing to pay for the information, but Natalie decided not to ask for payment since she didn''t really know that much either.


    After all, she left the region where they encountered the strange scene. They weren''t as invested as Fritz''s n.


    In the end, Fritz decided to take over the castle. After all, the Zombie or Survivor who killed these people might have left already.


    "Let''s just fortify this castle¡­ Check the marketce to see if the one selling a Barrier Generator has listed another one. Immediately inform me if you see one since we''ll buy it no matter how expensive it is!"

 Chapter 298: The Alchemy Book

    AsShaneandLysandrawalked towards thecanyon, their surroundings painted a picture of destion and danger.The roads were filled with marks of battles, and there were even footprints from Giant Zombies.


    Nheless, Shane was quite rxed, and he was even engrossed in the contents of the Alchemy book he was holding. After all, he had A.I. Cloud that could warn him if there was any approaching danger.


    Lysandra didn''t know this, so her keen eyes would always scan the horizon, her senses sharp for any signs of lurking threats.


    As they got closer to their destination, her gaze swept across thendscape, searching for any hidden dangers that might lie in wait.


    Well, she had actually received a gift from Shane after joining the Eclipse Revenant n¡­ It was a free upgrade of one item to Epic Grade! This was the reason why she really wanted to show her strength and not make Shane regret his choice to invite her to his n.


    After all, she had only collected about 31 Item Upgrade Crystals ever since she had arrived here. These crystals were simply too difficult to obtain since low-tier Zombies rarely drop them. And even if she wanted to try looting a high-tier Zombie, she doesn''t have the skill to kill them alone. She had to work with many others, and obviously, she never got the chance to loot a high-tier Zombie.


    Anyway, for a Common Grade to reach an Epic Grade requires 143 Item Upgrade Crystals. That was certainly not a small amount of Crystals. Because of that, she didn''t immediately decide what item to upgrade and told Shane that she would still think about it.


    ''Maybe I can get a better weapon, or there might be a piece of equipment I can buy in the Survivor Store. Mhmm¡­ Now that I think about it, I should probably get a defensive item instead of a weapon. Mybat clothes, shoes, and essories weren''t being helpfultely.'' Lysandra mused as she nced at Shane, who was reading the book he had found in the Golden Treasure Chest.


    ''Alchemy Book, huh¡­ Is he nning to learn Alchemy? Won''t he waste his current talent if he learned that instead of focusing on what he''s good at?'' Lysandra thought to herself before shaking her head.


    Shane wasn''t an idiot. He must just be curious about the Alchemy Book¡­


    ***


    Shane, on the other hand, was already feeling excited after reading a few recipes listed in the book.


    "This is really awesome¡­ I can even get rich with this." Shane muttered as he had already considered selling some weak Survivor Skills that were listed in the book.


    After all, since this Blood Alchemy Book was found in a Golden Treasure Chest, he knew that there woulde a day when some other people would also obtain this same book. It may not happen in a few months, but it could happen in a year or two once everyone has gotten stronger.


    ''Well¡­ I still have to wait until everyone bes richer before selling them.'' Shane muttered. That way, he would be able to get the most out of it.


    After all, if he tried selling them now, they would just be sold for a dirt cheap price.


    Anyway, one of the listed recipes was one of the Jumper Zombie''s skills.


    [ Three-Meter Jump Skill ]


    [ Ingredients:


    5 liters of Jumper Zombie Blood


    4 tablespoons of Mud Seed


    400 grams of Mutated Chives Essence


    300 grams of Ocean Herb Powder


    2 cups of Moonlight Dew


    Instructions:


    Combine Jumper Zombie Blood, Mud Seed, Mutated Chives Essence, and Ocean Herb Powder in arge cauldron over low heat. Stir the mixture clockwise for 30 minutes until well blended. Add Moonlight Dew and continue stirring gently. Allow the mixture to cool to a lukewarm temperature. Soak your feet in the concoction for 1 hour. After soaking, allow the mixture to dry naturally on your skin.


    You will awaken the next day with the ability to jump three meters high effortlessly.


    Remarks: You will obtain a Permanent Three-Meter Jump Skill that can be used three times a day, but you can soak your feet for only 10 minutes to obtain a temporary Three-Meter Jump Skill. The duration could be 3 to 5 days instead, but you can use it five times a day. ]


    ''Interesting¡­ You can also modify it a bit and change the effect. Incredible¡­''


    This skill was actually not that great, but it was still quite useful. It could certainly be sold for a lot of money if he ever needed it. He could also use it for trade if he found some interesting items being sold in the Marketce.


    Anyway, Shane had a lot of high-tier Zombie Blood, so he ignored this page for now.


    He quickly flipped the page as he started looking for the recipe that had Giant Zombie Blood as the main ingredient. Giant Zombie was a powerful high-tier Zombie so the skill he could get from it would surely be not disappoint.


    "Ohhh¡­ This recipe looked really good." Shane muttered as he turned another page and realized that the recipe he found required two types of Zombie Blood.


    [ Titan''s Roar Skill ]


    [ Ingredients:


    200mL of Juggernaut Zombie Blood


    800mL of Giant Zombie Blood


    400 grams of Ancient Oak Moss


    1 Corrupted Hearthstone


    1 Vial of Mutagenic Serum


    Instructions:


    Mix Juggernaut Zombie Blood and Giant Zombie Blood in a cauldron made of stone. Stir in Ancient Oak Moss and let it steep for 3 hours. Grind the Corrupted Hearthstone into a fine powder and sprinkle it into the mixture. Pour the Mutagenic Serum with a steady hand. Heat the elixir until it reaches a simmer. Transfer the elixir to a sk and seal it tightly.


    Rest it for 6 hours.


    Consume the elixir to fortify your body with the resilience of a giant, enhancing your durability and vitality.


    Remarks: You will obtain a Permanent Titan''s Roar Skill without negative effects. Reverse the amount of Juggernaut Zombie Blood and the Giant Zombie Blood to get the Armored Dash Skill ]

 Chapter 299: Leaked

    Shane only had 100mL Juggernaut Zombie Blood and 600mL Giant Zombie Blood. Obviously, he could not obtain this Titan''s Roar Skill just yet.


    Thankfully, already had the Corrupted Hearthstone and Mutagenic Serum, so he was onlycking the Ancient Oak Moss.


    ''I hope someone''s selling that in the Marketce.'' Shane thought as he casually opened the Marketce.


    ''I hope someone''s selling blood as well¡­ or maybe I can ask the chat for that.'' Shane mused as he recalled that he was not the first killer of the Juggernaut Zombie.


    He was hoping that the first ones who had killed the Zombie had somehow looted its blood since it should have a high drop rate.


    Shane then quickly searched the Marketce and thankfully, there was already a category for Zombie Blood!


    [ Seller: Fury Singer


    Item: 2L of Jumper Zombie Blood


    Description: A pack of Zombie Blood looted from a Jumper Zombie.


    Price: 10 Zombie Cores ]


    [ Seller: Frost Beaten


    Item: 500mL of Zombie Rat Leader Blood


    Description: A pack of Zombie Blood looted from a Zombie Rat Leader.


    Price: 22 Zombie Cores ]


    "They''re cheap." Shane muttered after seeing the prices. It was certainly a good thing that the prices of the blood weren''t that much. Only those Leader Zombie Blood were expensive.


    Soon, he found what he was looking for.


    [ Seller: Ghost Warden


    Item: 100mL of Juggernaut Zombie Blood


    Description: A pack of Zombie Blood looted from a Juggernaut Zombie Blood.


    Price: 30 Zombie Cores ]


    ''Ghost Warden? Isn''t that Natalie''s pseudo name?'' Shane muttered as he recalled the auction. Ghost Warden, or Natalie Cross, was the leader of the New Haven n who had somehow be the Top 1 n after the Second Zombie Wave.


    ''As expected of that respectable n, they actually killed a Juggernaut Zombie already. However, instead of saving up the blood for possible future use, they actually sold it instead. Are they short in cash?'' Shane mused as he immediately purchased the item.


    After confirming the purchase, he received a message from the system.


    [ You have paid 30 Zombie Cores for the purchase of ''100mL of Juggernaut Zombie Blood.'' ]


    [ The item has been transferred to your inventory. ]


    After this purchase, Shane was lucky to find 2 Sellers of 100mL Giant Zombie Blood. They were also familiar names as they were in the Ranking. They were de Whisper, who was supposedly Travis, and Raven Guard, the lone wolf but had somehow maintained his position as top 2 in the Leaderboard.


    Now, Shane only needed to find the Ancient Oak Moss and he had no idea where he could find it so he decided to just send a message in the Regional Chat.


    If there were no replies from there, he would search the World Chat instead.


    ***


    In the meantime, as soon as Shanepleted his purchase of the 100mL Juggernaut Zombie Blood, Natalie Cross, the leader of the New Haven n, received a notification that an item she listed in the Marketce had just been sold.


    A few moments ago, Natalie Cross stood at the heart of the New Haven n''s new shelter, a fortress of steel and stone located within the remnants of a once-thriving city.


    ording to their investigation, this ce seemed to have been a city hall that had been turned into a shelter by previous survivors. However, for some reason, the people had to move away and abandon this cepletely.


    In her opinion, it was because of theck of food. Nheless, this ce was still in good condition.


    Anyway, Natalie was a tall and elegant woman. It could be seen from her bearing. After all, she was a police in the previous world before she got here.


    Whom~


    With piercing green eyes that seemed to see through to one''s soul, she stared at the barrier that had just been activated¡­


    Her brown hair, tied back in a practical braid, framed a face marked by both beauty and the harsh realities of survival.


    Hu~


    ''It''s finally up¡­''


    Natalie heaved a sigh of relief as soon as the barrier was activated. She obtained this barrier in the Reputation Store, and it was stronger than the ones they used during the second Zombie Wave.


    "We''re now ready to attack the Wild Shelter¡­" Natalie announced in front of everyone.


    Currently, she was d in a tailored leather jacket reinforced with Ker. She was the leader but also abantant.


    Her belt was adorned with various tools and weapons, including a sleek revolver and a finely crafted sword.


    Apparently, before the notification from the Market interrupted her thoughts, Natalie was deep in preparation.


    There was a Wild Shelter that had appeared nearby, and they saw that it was still not finished with its construction as they were building several watchtowers made of wood.


    ording to the conversations in the regional chat, the Wild Shelter was filled with danger but also opportunity.


    It was filled with precious items, food, other necessities, and even weapons! Because of that reason, she knew that they had to attack this Wild Shelter before it couldplete its preparations.


    She stood on a raised tform, surveying her elite force¡ªforty of the best survivors she could gather, each equipped with revolvers and des depending on theirbat style.


    "Remember," Natalie addressed them, her voice steady and clear, "the Wild Shelter is unlike anything we''ve encountered. Just follow the strategy that we''ve made. We will be clearing out the low-tier Zombies in the surroundings at seven¡­"


    As she finished speaking, a soft chime echoed from the system.


    She nced at it, her eyes narrowing as she read the notification.


    [ Your 100mL of Juggernaut Zombie Blood has been sold. ]


    [ You have received 24 Zombie Cores. ]


    "Someone really bought it¡­ But for what reason?" Natalie mused as she checked the one who had purchased it by checking the logs in the Marketce.


    Soon, he saw thetest transaction log.


    [ Shadow Strider purchased 100mL of Juggernaut Zombie Blood for 30 Zombie Cores. ]


    ''So it''s the Top 1 Survivor¡­ Did he already find the purpose of zombie blood?'' Natalie mused as she believed that this was a very important piece of information.

 Chapter 300: New Shelter

    The rain had finally ceased, leaving the air thick with humidity and the ground slick with mud.


    Thankfully, Shane and Lysandra were able to trek through the mud because of their decent shoes'' effects.


    At this moment, their eyes were fixed on the imposing structure ahead.


    Needless to say, it was the Nightfall Nexus n''s camp that had appeared before them. It was a small fortress of wood and steel.


    From the outside, they could see tall palisades that had encircled the camp, and watchtowers punctuated the perimeter, each manned by people armed with rifles.


    ''Ohh¡­ They have ess to high-caliber guns¡­'' Shane mused as he noticed their weapons. There were three Watchtowers in front, and all six guards were carrying a rifle.


    ''Did they raid a police station or something?'' As he thought of this, Lysandra slowed down her steps and waved her hand.


    It was to tell that they were not Walker Zombies but humans instead.


    As they approached the gate, two guards were already waiting for them. Soon, these guards stepped forward, blocking their path. The guards were imposing figures d in mismatched armor from whatever item of clothing they could find in the Survivor Store.


    Their eyes were sharp, scanning Shane and Lysandra for any signs of infection.


    "Who are you, and have you been bitten by Zombies?" one of the guards demanded, his voice gruff.


    Shane met the guard''s gaze, his expression was calm as he replied. "We''re here to stay for a night and use the bridge," he replied.


    "We''re not bitten or injured by any Zombies." Lysandra said.


    The guard''s stern demeanor softened slightly, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Customers, then. Not beggars looking for food. Great¡­"


    The other guard also smiled as their boss was simply too generous that there would be a few people here who woulde from time to time to beg for Shelter or food. Some of them were Survivors, but there were also those local inhabitants of this continent.


    "Alright¡­ I can tell from your eyes you''re not infected."


    He said to the two before he gestured to the gate behind him.


    "It''s 80 Zombie Cores to pass through the bridge behind the camp. If you don''t have enough, you can sell your items to the guards over there. If you want to stay for the night, it''s 3 Zombie Cores for a hammock or 10 Zombie Cores for a single bed. However, entering this gate behind me will cost you 1 Zombie Core already."


    ''Whoa, they could really earn a lot on this.'' Shane mused. Eighty Zombie Cores was simply too expensive!


    They were simply forcing their customers to sell their weapons where they could easily offer made-up prices.


    Furthermore, he recalled that a single-size bed was only worth 15 Zombie Core and a hammock was only worth 3 Zombie Core. However, using them for a single night would actually cost as much!


    Lysandra also sighed after realizing how expensive the price was. It was as if they didn''t want them to cross the bridge and spend all their money here.


    She already estimated that the price would be higher and it could reach 50 Cores. However, she didn''t expect that it was even more than that. The toll was steep, but they had little choice.


    "I wouldn''t be surprised if they''re running a gambling den here¡­" Lysandra muttered as she prepared to pay the fee of 2 Zombie Cores to enter their Shelter.


    However, Shane already reached into his pouch and handed over a Zombie Core to the guard. "Here. Let''s get this over with."


    The guard nodded, pocketing the cores.


    "Wee to the Nightfall Nexus n''s camp. Behave yourselves, and you won''t have any trouble."


    The other one actually heard Lysandra and was a bit amused.


    "How did you know that there is a gambling house here? Hahaha¡­ There are over 400 people here so there should be some sort of entertainment, right?" The guardughed as he signaled to open the gates for them.


    ''Seriously?'' Shane helplessly shakes his head after hearing this.


    Anyway, as the gate creaked open, Shane and Lysandra stepped inside, their eyes widening at the sight before them.


    The camp was bustling with activity, a hive of survivors going about their business.


    Makeshift tents and shacks lined the pathways, and the air was filled with the sounds of haggling,ughter, and the asional argument.


    ''Over four hundred people, huh¡­'' Shane repeated in his mind as he didn''t expect that this n could sustain such a huge poption.


    After all, the ce doesn''t seem to have a lot of resources around. It means that they were probably doing trade.


    ''No¡­ Marketce trade has a 20% transaction fee, while 50% for private trading¡­ It''s not possible to survive with trading.'' Shane mused.


    Anyway, after Cloudpleted the scan, he confirmed that there were indeed 439 people in the Shelter. It was a staggering number, given the harshness of the world outside.


    He couldn''t help but feel impressed with this n, although they were charging too much.


    The Nightfall Nexus n had built a thrivingmunity. Their leaders certainly have the resourcefulness to be a territory lord.


    ''Do they also have simr Talent?'' Shane mused.


    Anyway, Lysandra''s eyes darted around after entering, taking in the sights and sounds.


    "This ce is incredible," she murmured. "I didn''t expect to see so many people."


    Shane nodded, his mind already working on their next steps.


    "Let''s find a ce to stay for the night and see if we can gather any information about the path ahead. We need to be prepared for whateveres next." Shane said as he was actually hoping to find clues about the Ancient Oak Moss¡­


    Unfortunately, no one in the Chat or World Chat had an interest in this moss, so no one bothered to reply to his message.


    Well, it''s not surprising since a moss would typically be ignored unless it was simr to the Stone Catcher Moss used by the Irond Imperium to repel Zombies.


    They made their way through the camp, passing by vendors selling everything from food to weapons. The air was thick with the scent of cooking meat and the odor of metal.


    At this time, Shane heard Cloud''s report and gently nodded.


    ''So they''re not Survivors from Earth¡­ They''re local inhabitants like the wandering merchants or those summoned by recruitment stones¡­ This is interesting.''

 Chapter 301: Market

    Shane gently nodded as he realized that most of the merchants and many of the other people here weren''t actually people from Earth who had selected the eighth apocalypse or Zombie Outbreak.


    This wasn''t just a simple guess, as Cloud''s analysis could already determine the difference between Earth Survivors and this continent''s inhabitants. Well, it was all thanks to Cloud''s gene analysis after obtaining liters of blood from the scavengers who had tried to raid their shelter and the survivors who thought of iming his shelter.


    Anyway, as they approached a cluster of tents, a young woman stepped forward, her eyes seemed to be inspecting them carefully before she spoke.


    "Looking for a ce to stay?" She asked.


    Shane nodded. "We need a room for two."


    The woman smiled. "The rooms for rent are on the eastern side. That will be 10 Zombie Cores. Follow me."


    Shane and Lysandra followed and asked questions about the toilet and various other things. The woman answered all of their questions, and they even learned that this shelter was once owned by an old inhabitant of this continent!


    Apparently, the leaders of the Nightfall Nexus saved this shelter on time when they were being attacked by a horde of Runner Zombies.


    Weekster, the old leader passed the leadership to Lucian, the n Leader of Nightfall Nexus.


    "There were probably about 300 of us here, and the others were brought by the new leader¡­ This shelter was previously called Ashburn but was reced with its current name." The woman exined as they soon arrived to their destination.


    Shane then gave the woman a Zombie Core as a tip since he learned a lot about this shelter.


    He really didn''t expect that they could also take over a shelter from the residents of this continent.


    "Thank you!" The woman''s eyes lit up as soon as she got the Zombie Core just for assisting the two visitors. If she wanted to obtain one, she normally had to kill 5 to 8 Zombies in order to get a Zombie Core. Her luck was simply too terrible.


    Afraid that they might change their mind, she immediately bid farewell after informing the manager of the house about the visitors. Unfortunately, there was only a single room that they could rent, so Shane and Lysandra had to share it.


    Shane then handed over the payment and followed the manager to a small, sturdy tent near the edge of the camp. Inside, there was a single bed and a small table. It was simple, but it would suffice.


    Shane had his own bed in his inventory, and there was still space, so there was no problem¡­


    Lysandra didn''t mind this arrangement since she had experienced something even worse than this. Anyway, the two of them are truly quite dirty, so they immediately use themon toilet and bath. Since they weren''t sure where their water came from, Shane decided to use his own water in his inventory and even shared it with Lysandra.


    Then, Lysandra wore her Hunter Set while Shane wore his Army Set.


    "I''ll check the market for some food¡­ I noticed they have some skewers being sold and some that I haven''t seen before." Lysandra said as she fixed her holster.


    Shane nodded at this as he also nned to visit marketce as he was curious about what kind of weapons, clothes, or essories he could find here.


    "Mhmm¡­ This ce is really cleaner than I thought¡­" Shane mused as he walked around, confirming that there wasn''t any trash or foul smell around.


    Soon, he reached the market that they had previously passed by.


    This area within the Nightfall Nexus n''s camp was a bustling hub of activity. The streets were also well-lit since several Light Orbs were around to illuminate the surroundings. It showed that this shelter had truly been here for quite a while since they had already collected a lot of Light Orbs from sher Zombies.


    ''Let''s see¡­''


    Stalls lined the pathways, each one offering a variety of goods.


    Shane wandered through the market while his eyes were scanning the wares. He passed stalls selling clothes¡ªtunics, cloaks, and boots in various states of wear.


    essories like belts, pouches, and trinkets also glinted in the dim light. Simple weapons were disyed prominently like axes, hammers, spears, and swords. But none of them caught his interest.


    They were all Common-Grade items, and some were so poorly made they didn''t even have a grade.


    Shane wryly smiled as he was already used to high-quality items. At this time, it should be better to rely on the System''s Market Trading and the System''s Survivor Stores aside from looting them from Zombie.


    As he turned to leave, a small stall tucked away in a corner caught his eye.


    It was manned by a young teenager, no older than sixteen. The boy''s face was smudged with dirt, and his clothes were patched and worn.


    But his eyes sparkled with excitement as he held up a ck egg, cradling it gently in his hands.


    Shane approached the stall, and his curiosity was piqued. The egg was like the system-provided Pet Egg!


    It was about the size of a melon, and its surface was smooth and glossy. Dark veins pulsed beneath the shell, giving it an otherworldly appearance.


    "What''s this?" Shane asked, pointing toward the egg.


    The teenager''s eyes lit up.


    "Ahh! I was told that it''s a pet egg, sir! Found it myself, I did. It''s washed up by the river after thest storm. Never seen anything like it¡­" The young man replied excitedly, seeing that a potential customer had arrived.


    Shane raised an eyebrow. He was indeed right.


    "A pet egg¡­ Do you know what kind of pet?"


    The boy shrugged.


    "Dunno. Could be anything. But I''ve heard that this egg''s requirement to hatch was too high, and no one wants it for my price¡­ But if you want apanion, they hatch into creatures that bond with their owners. It will be perfect for you, sir¡­ Make ''em stronger with you! Some even say they have special abilities." Chapter Continue:

 Chapter 302: Nexus Shelter

    Shane wryly smiled at the young man''s answer, as he already knew this much.


    However, the fact that no one wants to buy this probably means that the egg wasn''t that great.


    "How much for the egg?" He asked.


    The kid knew very well that this egg was difficult to sell. Nheless, he had already confirmed from the Foreign Survivors that this was a real Pet Egg, but it had a very high requirement to hatch.


    Those who didn''t have much money wouldn''t think of buying this, but he knew that if he found a wealthy person interested in obtaining Pets, he could get rich because of it.


    The boy hesitated, ncing around nervously. "I¡­ I don''t really know. I was hoping to trade it for something useful. But I''m thinking of buying a weapon to protect myself. A sword is sold for about 20 Zombies Cores, while a gun was sold for 50¡­ So how about 70 Zombies Cores?"


    Shane considered the offer as this was indeed pricey. However, the Marketce sells them for 100 Zombies Cores and above, so it wasn''t that bad.


    To be honest, he still has a Mystery Egg that he looted from a Spitter Monster Zombie. He just hasn''t hatched it yet since he felt that he had no need for a pet yet.


    However, tomorrow, he could already enter his Fairy Realm, so he might as well hatch 2 Pet Eggs and train them inside with Axis'' help.


    Chapter Experience:


    Shane then reached out for his Inventory. Then, he gave the 70 cores and asked, "Will this do?"


    The boy''s eyes widened. "Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!"


    Shane handed over the cores and took the egg, feeling its warmth against his palms. He could sense a faint heartbeat on it.


    He nodded to the boy and turned to leave, the egg cradled carefully in his arms.


    [ Unhatched Pet Egg ( Rare ):


    Description: A glossy ck egg adorned with swirling patterns of ck roots, emanating a gentle warmth.


    Requirements: 100 Zombie Cores, 5 Power Cores, and 3 units of Polymorphium Metal to awaken the dormant creature within.


    Potential: Summons a mysterious and otherworldly pet that has an unknown special ability.]


    It was no wonder that no one was buying this egg. Zombie Cores weren''t easy to obtain as you need to kill three or more just to get one, depending on your luck.


    Furthermore, the Power Cores were also difficult to acquire and had plenty of other uses that were much more important than hatching an egg.


    Finally, there was a Polymorphium Metal, which was incredibly difficult to obtain. He was lucky that he obtained 10 of them recently from the Golden Treasure Chest.


    Many Survivors probably don''t even know that such a metal exists.


    Anyway, Shane decided to continue looking around after this.


    Shane wandered through the bustling Marketce as he confirmed that most of the Survivors here had at least Tier 2 Clothes and weapons that were at least Rare Grade.


    Soon, he reached an area where there was a thick scent of grilled meat and the chatter of survivors haggling over goods.


    As he turned a corner, a wooden sign caught his eye:"The Last Drop Pub". Intrigued, he decided to step inside.


    The pub was dimly lit, with rough-hewn tables and benches scattered around. A few patrons were having their drinks while their faces were shadowed by the flickering candlelight.


    This pub doesn''t have a Light Orb but they have several candlelights around.


    Behind the bar, a burly man with a grizzled beard polished a ss, his eyes narrowed as Shane approached. Obviously, he didn''t recognize Shane, so he felt a bit curious.


    "Wee," the bartender grunted. "What''ll it be?"


    Shane nced at the menu scrawled on a chalkboard. The prices were listed in Nexus Coins, a currency he didn''t possess. It seemed that this n was truly aheadpared to his n.


    ''They even made a currency of their own¡­ I wonder how it works.'' Shane mused.


    Anyway, he noticed that beneath the list, a note caught his attention:"1 Zombie Core for a bottle of house brew."


    "I''ll take a bottle of your house brew," Shane said, handing over a Zombie Core.


    He wanted to do this simply topare the ones brewed by Bart and the ones being sold here. After all, if they would soon enter the market with Bart''s alcohol, he should be aware of their possiblepetition.


    The bartender nodded, retrieving a dusty bottle from a shelf. He uncorked it with a practiced twist and handed it to Shane. "Enjoy."


    Shane took a mouthful and immediately regretted it.


    ''Urgh¡­''


    The alcohol burned his throat, leaving a bitter aftertaste. It was nothingpared to the smooth, rich brews crafted by Bart back at his shelter. He grimaced, setting the bottle down.


    The bartender''s eyes narrowed. "Did you not like it?" he asked, his tone edged with irritation. Everyone in the Shelter liked his drink.


    Shane met his challenging gaze and chose his words carefully. He didn''t want to cause a scene here.


    "It''s¡­ different from what I''m used to." He replied.


    The bartender''s frown deepened. "Different, huh? This should be the best one, and I haven''t heard anyone other than us selling these."


    "Ahh¡­ I just happened to loot one." Shane just said as he didn''t want to stay with the topic.


    He wanted to finish the drink but couldn''t, so he just left the pub without any more words¡­


    ''We''re going to get rich if we started selling Bart''s alcohol¡­ With how good it was, we could probably sell it for 20 Zombie Cores per bottle.'' Shane thought with a smile as he left the pub.


    On the other hand, seeing that Shane barely consumed the 1 Zombie Core bottle, the manager''s eyes turned cold.


    As soon as Shane closed the door, the manager spoke. "Follow that person¡­"


    ***


    Outside, Shane no longer found anything interesting, so after a while, he returned to their rented room.


    Lysandra was already there waiting for him with some hot skewers from unknown meat.

 Chapter 303: Realm

    Thankfully, the hawkers here still have some seasonings, so the food was still quite tasty. It was much better than he thought.


    Then, Shane considered whether he should hatch the egg that he had bought just now, but in the end, he decided to do it tomorrow in the Fairy Realm itself. In any case, he nned to let them mature inside the fairy realm as well.


    After some time, although they were already about to sleep, the camp outside still buzzed with activity¡­


    "Go ahead and sleep¡­ If we''re in danger, I''ll immediately know." Shane said as he noticed that Lysandra was still on guard. It seemed that she didn''t trust the people here as well.


    That was actually not surprising as they received numerous stares after walking around. It was all because of their clothing, which had higher tiers than what the others had. Nheless, Shane had an A.I. Cloud with him, and this A.I. could monitor their surroundings 24/7, so they should be fine.


    "Mhmm¡­" Lysandra fully trusted Shane''s words and fell asleep after a few minutes.


    Thankfully, the night passed without any idents, although Cloud reported that a few people were monitoring their rooms.


    "I guess they''re worried that we''re going to cause trouble¡­" Shane mused since he believed that although the two of them were wary of the residents here, these people were also wary of them. It wasn''t surprising that some people would monitor them in case they caused some trouble.


    Anyway, as the morning came, Shane immediately checked his Survivor Store and confirmed that there weren''t any interesting items being sold.


    Nheless, he still purchased some Zombie Lures and others like food that were being sold.


    After a quick breakfast, Shane then turned to Lysandra.


    "I''ll be away for about eight hours or maybe even less... I''ll try to be quick. Once I return, we will be crossing the bridge. Right, you might encounter some danger while I''m away, so take this to protect yourself."


    Shane said as he handed over his Sentinel Sphere and two of his Talisman of Lightning from Aya¡­


    After thinking for a bit, Shane decided to add more, and he gave Lysandra a Tier 4 Silent Step Boots.


    He believed that this was enough to escape this ce if she was ever cornered.


    "Sir Shane¡­ This is too much¡­" Lysandra said as shepleted her appraisal of the items. She realized just how precious they were!


    Especially the Sentinel Sphere, which she had never heard of until now.


    "It''s fine¡­ In any case, do you have an item in mind already?" Shane asked, referring to the item that Shane offered to be upgraded to Epic Grade for free for being a member of the Eclipse Revenant.


    After hearing this question, Lysandra hesitated for a moment since she already had one in mind. It was her only essory, a Ring she obtained after looting a Wolf Zombie.


    It was the very first "item" she obtained aside from Bread, Water, Zombie Cores, and Spirit Enhancement Bottles.


    At this time, she had already spent 13 Item Upgrade Crystals to make it an Exceptional Grade item. In short, she needed 30 crystals to make it a Master Grade and another 100 crystals to reach the Epic Grade.


    Shane wasn''t sure whether she''d encounter a danger while Shane was away so she might as well have one of her items reach an Epic Grade. Soon, she decided to give her ring to Shane.


    "This one¡­ Please make it an Epic Grade, n Leader." She said with a determined voice.


    "Very well."


    Shane replied as he took out the required Item Upgrade Crystals before he started the ritual.


    The process didn''t take a long time since the process had a 100% Sess Rate.


    Of course, Shane was interested in seeing its new effects, so he immediately checked it.


    [ Wolf Spirit Ring( Epic ): A ring crafted from the fang of a mighty wolf, radiating an aura of a wolf''s strength and ferocity.


    Effects: +20% Damage to Wolves, +15% Health Regeneration


    Special Effect:


    Howl: Summons two spectral wolfpanions with 300 Vitality Points to aid inbat. Duration: 300 seconds. Cost: 150 Spirit Points. ]


    Shane was satisfied with this since it deserved to be called an Epic Rank with such a good Special Effect.


    "Thank you, n Leader!" Lysandra immediately showed her appreciation as she couldn''t help but hug Shane in the process.


    It onlysted for a moment as Lysandra wanted to quickly wear the ring¡­


    "Alright¡­ You can go ahead and explore your new items for now. I''ll be going now."


    Shane said as he returned to his room to enter the Fairy Realm.


    [ Do you wish to activate the Title''s Effect? ]


    The system prompt inquired.


    "Yes." Shane affirmed.


    [ You will be transported to the Fairy Realm. The duration will be 8 hours ]


    In an instant, the fabric of space seemed to twist and warp around him. At this time, Lysandra had no idea that Shane was entering another realm and was still busy with her new Epic Grade item!


    Shane felt the familiar aura and scent of Fairy Realm as he entered the realm. The world around him had surely changed as he felt that this ce was truly rejuvenating.


    Currently, the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the gentle p of the fairy''s wings.


    "Wee back, Lord Shane!" a cheerful voice called out.


    Shane turned to see Axis, a small fairy with lustrous wings, flying around him in joyful circles. She seemed so excited about his arrival.


    Her smile was infectious, and her eyes sparkled with delight... Well, she was mostly left alone in this ce after he had taken out his Pets. It wasn''t surprising for her to act this way.


    "I''m back, Axis¡­" Shane replied, a smile tugging at his lips. "How''s the situation here?"


    Axis beamed, her wings fluttering excitedly. "Everything is flourishing, Lord Shane! Come, see for yourself!"


    Shane gently nodded as he followed Axis as she led him through his small piece ofnd.

 Chapter 304: Alone in the Shelter

    After walking around, Shane first saw the farm area that was vibrant, with rows of spices, herbs, fruits, and vegetables thriving under the gentle care of the fairy realm''s magic. All of these were also thanks to the seedlings that he obtained through the market and the auction.


    Of course, he would have to harvest them allter on. Well, he was actually hoping that he''d be able to nt grains soon, like wheat or even corn.


    Anyway, as he looked around, he saw theke shimmering in the sunlight, showing its crystal clear waters.


    Looking further ahead, he could see the trees surrounding his territory as their leaves rustled softly in the breeze.


    It was a very peaceful scene when Shane had to remove his clothes and take a bath at theke.


    It was truly refreshing, and he knew that if his stats weren''t at maximum already, he would surely increase his stats even a little.


    Anyway, after fully enjoying theke, Shane decided to start with the hatching process of his new Pet Egg.


    Shane ced the Pet Egg on a bed of soft grass and took a deep breath.


    A holographic interface appeared before him, listing the requirements for the hatching process.


    [ Hatching requires Zombie Core x5, Power Core x5, Polymorphium Metal x3 ]


    [ You have all of the requirements toplete this action. Do you wish to hatch the Egg? ]


    Shane nodded, his heart pounding with excitement. "Yes," he replied.


    As soon as he replied, the ck egg began to glow, its surface then started pulsing with energy.


    Cracks appeared along the shell, and a soft light emanated from within.


    Shane and Axis watched in silence as the egg slowly broke apart, revealing the creature inside.


    To Shane''s surprise, the creature that emerged was not what he had expected.


    He thought that it could be a type of bird, which was the mostmon pet based on the chat.


    They were also the ones who were quick to die since there were a lot of Survivors who needed food. If these birds were just flying around, there would be a huge chance that it''ll get shot by a gun or pierced by an arrow.


    Anyway, the one that had appeared was actually a small, metallic slime!


    It slowly oozed out of the shell as if it was still trying to get used to its surroundings.


    Its metallic slime glistened in the light as its surface reflected the colors of the surrounding environment.


    Axis gasped in delight. "A metal slime! How extraordinary!"


    "Oh? Metal Slime?" Shane repeated.


    "Yes! Even in Fairy Realm, it''s still very rare... You''re really lucky that you got this one. Do you have a lucky charm, Lord Shane?" Axis asked as she looked at the Metal Slime with interest.


    "I do have one¡­" Shane replied with a grin as he recalled his luck-rted talent.


    Shane observed the creature for a while before he reached out to touch the slime.


    It felt cool and smooth, almost like liquid metal. The slime quivered, then began to change shape, morphing into a small ck egg simr to where it came from before returning to its original form. It seemed as if it was trying to see what it could do to its body.


    Anyway, Shane checked its status to see its details.


    [ Unnamed Slime


    Species: Metal Slime


    Description: A shimmering blob of metallic goo, the Metal Slime glimmers with a lustrous sheen, reflecting light like a precious gem. This peculiar pet moves with a fluid motion, leaving a trail of metallic residue that glistens in its wake. Its metallicposition grants it unique properties, absorbing and reflecting energy in intriguing ways.


    Abilities: Reflective Aura, Transformative Essence, Metallic Resilience


    Growth Requirement: Expose it to metallic environments and engage it in battles against foes with energy-based attacks to aid its development. It can be fed with Zombie Cores. ]


    "Great¡­" Shane nodded as he confirmed that it could be fed with Zombie Cores. It means that making it stronger would be a lot easier.


    For now, however, Shane had to give it a name first to register it as his pet.


    "From now on¡­ Your name will be Silver!" Shane said while carrying the slime in his arms. The slime seemed to have liked its new name and squirmed for a bit.


    [ Soulboundplete. ]


    [ You have registered Silver, a Metal Slime, as your pet. ]


    ***


    After Shane left, Lysandra stood alone in the bustling camp of the Nightfall Nexus n¡­


    She had no idea where Shane was as he just disappeared after entering his room, leaving her in this shelter on her own.


    In any case, she had barely seen this cest night, so instead of waiting in their room, she decided to look around.


    ''It''s not like this ce would get suddenly attacked by Giant Zombies, right? I should be safe until Shane returns.'' Lysandra thought as she entered the marketce once again and saw various stalls.


    The shelter was actually like a maze of tents and makeshift structures, filled with the hum of activity and the asional burst ofughter from various Survivors.


    At this time, however, she noticed that there weren''t a lot of people. After asking one of the stall vendors, she realized that most of the Survivors had gone out to hunt Zombie. This happens every day until dusk.


    Feeling a bit restless, Lysandra decided to visit the pub she had seen earlier. It wasn''t because she wanted to drink this early, but because this pub also serves decent food, and she heard that she could gather information there.


    The Last Drop Pub was a dimly lit establishment, and its wooden sign was even creaking in the breeze. She pushed open the door and stepped inside.


    The scent of stale ale and low-quality smoke greeted her.


    The pub was sparsely popted, with a few patrons eating at the bar.


    Lysandra approached the counter, but as soon as she did so, her Danger Sense was triggered.

 Chapter 305: Shot

    With her Epic-Talent Quick Learner, Lysandra learned a total of eight Survivor Skills, four of which were passive abilities.


    Because of this, she was truly confident in her abilities and knew that she simplycked strength, agility, and vitality. In short, her level was simply too low, and that was only her problem right now.


    Despite that, however, she didn''t feel nervous after sensing the danger.


    After all, she had just obtained several things from Shane, and one of them was her new Wolf Spirit Ring, which was Epic Grade!


    ''Let''s see what kind of danger I''m in¡­'' Lysandra thought, as the danger that she sensed could be rted to a zombie infection or robbers in the shelter. It could really be anything at this point.


    As she turned to find a seat, she noticed a group of men watching her intently. However, she ignored it and found an empty seat.


    After ordering some food, the waiter soon served her food.


    It seemed that during the day, this pub was like a typical restaurant.


    ''Mhmm¡­ I can still sense some danger¡­ Is it rted to the food?'' She considered for a moment as she stared at her food. However, she had no skills rted to poison detection or something simr.


    At this time, the group of men who had been secretly observing Lysandra noticed how she was hesitating to eat her food.


    They immediately realized that the woman seemed to have noticed the powdered Sleeping Pill that they had mixed in her food.


    Because of that, they decided to do this by force¡­


    A total of six men stood up and surrounded Lysandra.


    Of course, she didn''t miss their movements as her hand instinctively moved to the hilt of her sword.


    "Well, well, what do we have here?" one of the men sneered, stepping closer.


    He was tall and burly, with a scar running down his cheek. "A pretty little thing all alone here."


    Lysandra''s eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"


    The man chuckled, and hispanions closed in, weapons drawn. "Just a little contribution to our cause. Hand over your valuables, and we won''t have to hurt you."


    Lysandra''s heart pounded.


    She knew she hadn''t offended anyone, yet here she was, surrounded by a group of thugs. She nced around, noting the exits and the positions of her attackers.


    There were five of them, each armed with a mix of knives and clubs.


    ''They''re not carrying firearms? What''s going on? Why are they so brave?'' She mused for a moment as she considered that their weapons had special abilities.


    However, she already considered that these people weren''t Survivors from Earth but were locals. Obviously, they wouldn''t have the full support of the Apocalypse System if that were the case. After all, these people, whom others like to call NPCs in the Regional Chat, could only ess their own stats, which would allow them to see their overall strength and skills.


    It was extremely limited since they did not have ess to Survivor or Reputation Stores, Pets, Market, Looting function, and others.


    ''Why are they so confident?''


    She couldn''t understand.


    However, she knew that she was also strong, so if they ever ced a trap, she should be fine as long as she used her Sentinel Sphere!


    Lysandra stood her ground, her hand tightening around her sword. She decided not to use her revolver yet since they were a bit too close.


    "I don''t want any trouble," she said, her voice steady. "But I won''t be robbed either."


    The leader of the groupughed, a harsh, grating sound. "You''ve got spirit, I''ll give you that. But spirit won''t save you."


    He lunged at her while his knife shed in the dim light of the pub¡­


    Lysandra reacted instinctively, drawing her sword and parrying the attack.


    ng!


    The sh of steel echoed through the pub. It would probably draw the attention of the other patrons if this was during the nighttime, but this morning, they were the only customers here!


    This means that no one will probably try to save her at this moment.


    The men circled her, and their movements soon showed some coordination. It showed that this wasn''t their first time to corner someone!


    Lysandra''s mind raced, calcting her next move. She couldn''t afford to be overwhelmed. With a swift motion, she kicked over a table, creating a barrier between her and her attackers.


    "Get her!" the leader shouted, his face twisted in anger.


    The men charged, but Lysandra was ready. She moved quickly as her sword shed swiftly, deterring those who wanted to get near.


    Nheless, they all wielded their weapons in order to suppress her.


    Lysandra deflected blows for a few moments, but soon, she activated her Sentinel Sphere!


    Thud!


    A hidden weapon thrown by their leader was suddenly blocked!


    ''It''s no wonder you''re confident¡­'' Lysandra''s eyes squinted as she noticed that the small de thrown at her was tinged with poison.


    Without any more hesitation, she decided to use her revolver!


    Their eyes widened as they soon realized that their greediness would actually lead to their death!


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    She shot them one by one as they fell to the floor, clutching their wounds. She didn''t kill them yet as she still recalled that killing was prohibited here.


    She didn''t want to be the enemy of the Nightfall Nexus n as much as possible. After all, he believed that the actions of this group weren''t the n''s idea.


    After taking a deep breath, Lysandra looked at the remaining men who hadn''t been shot¡­ They stood still as they slowly put down their weapons.


    At the same time, the bartender watched in stunned silence, his eyes wide with shock seeing that group of thugsy at the woman''s feet, groaning in pain.


    "Anyone else wants to try?" Lysandra asked, her voice was cold as she turned her attention to the newly arrived man. It was the manager of this store, and he seemed furious after seeing the current situation.

 Chapter 306: Recognized

    No one moved after seeing the manager''s furious eyes. He was either angry for his men''s failure or angry that they fought and created a mess in his store!


    This manager already knew that the man he had asked to be investigated was together with this woman who was most likely his wife or partner. He heard the man''s conversation with the bartender and knew that he actually looted liquor better than the ones they had in their shop.


    Because it seemed that the man was unwilling to share this liquor, the manager nned to intimidate him into handing over the liquor so they could use it as a reference.


    However, it obviously didn''t end well.


    The manager didn''t want to get involved with this, so he signaled to the bartender and left. Well, he saw that the woman was carrying a revolver, so he had to back off for now.


    The bartender, who had been watching from behind the counter, finally spoke up.


    "You handled yourself well. These men have been causing trouble for a while now."


    As he said this, a group of three people wearing the insignia of the Nightfall Nexus n entered the shop.


    Someone heard the gunshots here, and it attracted their attention.


    At this time, Lysandra had already sheathed her weapons.


    The bartender then exined that the thugs had gotten drunk and offended the beautiful woman, leaving her no choice but to defend herself and shoot them.


    Hearing this, the three men looked at the beautiful but dangerous woman.


    "Mhmmm¡­ It''s a good thing that you didn''t kill anyone. You''ll be working in the mining site for several days if you dare to break the rule." The man, who should be another Earth Survivor, warned Lysandra.


    This made her furious as she was the victim here, but it felt as if she was the one receiving the scolding!


    However, she also didn''t want to make them their enemies since they were still guarding the bridge, and they might ban her from crossing it if she tried to speak and offend them.


    After taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and realized that these guys were indeed trying to infuriate her with the way they smiled.


    It was as if they were waiting for her to make a wrong move in order to teach her a lesson.


    However, seeing that she didn''t react and simply nodded, the group of three just decided to bring those injured thugs elsewhere.


    ''This ce is too dangerous. We should leave this ce as soon as possible.'' Lysandra frowned, her eyes still scanning the room for any remaining threats. She somehow felt that this wouldn''t just end here.


    Her eyes then fell on the lone bartender.


    "I didn''te here to fight," she said, her voice softening. "I just wanted a meal¡­"


    The bartender nodded, a hint of respect in his eyes. "I apologize¡­ It seems that your husband visited this establishmentst night and offended the manager. Ahem¡­ Those people who attacked you just wanted to be in his good grace. It wasn''t his intention to harm you. How about this¡­ If your husband produced better liquor than the ones we have here, we''re willing to pay it even for a steep price."


    Lysandra confirmed that this matter was indeed unrted to the Nightfall Nexus with his reply.


    As for the liquor, she had no idea that Shane actually had one. She couldn''t even be bothered to argue that the man wasn''t her husband. Well, they were sleeping in the same room, and they were probably aware of that, so it was not easy to refute it.


    She also didn''t like exining herself to some random people.


    She could only nod at this and replied. "I''ll let him know."


    With that said, she finally left.


    She considered returning to her rented room to rest, but her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden re of an rm.


    The piercing sound of a siren echoed through the Nightfall Nexus n''s shelter, sending a wave of panic through the camp.


    "Zombies!" someone shouted.


    "We''re under attack!" another voice cried out.


    "Do not panic! The defenders are already on it!" a third voice tried to calm the crowd.


    "They will be defending this shelter!" others echoed, trying to maintain order.


    Lysandra''s heart raced.


    Shane hadn''t returned yet, and she knew the shelter couldn''t afford to fall.


    It would be terrible if Shane returned with the shelter already infested with Zombies.


    Without hesitation, she sprinted towards the wall to assess the situation. Although she somehow hated the people here, she knew that in order to live, she had to work with others.


    As she reached the top, she was met with a sight that made her blood run cold.


    An army of skeletons marched towards the shelter, their bones ttering with each step. There was also one figure d in a dark robe at the very back of this army.


    ''Something''s wrong here¡­''


    These weren''t zombies¡ªno virus could animate skeletons like this. This was something else entirely!


    Her first thought was to check her Regional Chat to ask if they also encountered this army of skeletons.


    However, as she checked it, everyone was busy asking about the Golden Treasure Chest found in the deepest part of theke and some other random things¡­


    Lysandra''s eyes then scanned the approaching horde as she knew that blunt weapons should be more effective against skeletons based on the games she had yed before.


    However, she didn''t have one with her.


    Anyway, the skeletons'' movements were slow, probably because of their shield and sword. Nheless, their empty eye sockets glowing with an unnatural light was quite scary¡­


    She knew this wasn''t rted to the Zombie Virus. This was dark magic, something she had read in the regional chat.


    ''I read that one Skeleton Soldier costs 50 Spirit Points¡­ There are over a hundred here¡­ Just what kind of Survivor is controlling this.'' Lysandra thought as she could only guess that this was some kind of Necromancy Talent from another Survivor.


    Thankfully, there were about 20 defenders with guns and swords at ready.


    The defenders of the shelter were already in position¡­


    Among them stood a tall man d in heavy armor, a massive hammer resting on his shoulder. His face was grim as he realized what was going on¡­ It was different from Lysandra''s guess.


    "That''s the leader of the Wild Shelter nearby!"

 Chapter 307: Battle against the Wild Shelter

    The leader of the guards held his hammer tightly as he realized the identity of the enemy.


    "I remember now¡­ That''s the leader of the Wild Shelter nearby!" He hissed, his voice was also filled with dread, making those other Survivors who heard his words nervous.


    As the news spread, they all realized they were in trouble.


    They had previously sent scouts to the Wild Shelter nearby and confirmed that it was a territory that was very difficult to conquer. After all, they have machine guns and various traps protecting their Shelter!


    Furthermore, the elites of their n had been sent on a mission to clear a Zombie Den! They haven''t returned yet, and it would most likely take plenty of time to return.


    "Not good¡­"


    "Battling against them in closebat will be tough."


    "The shelter owner is a Necromancer for sure."


    "Sir Marlon, they''re getting closer. We only have one full moon clip each!"


    Marlon, the leader of the guards, frowned.


    Lysandra''s heart sank. The revolvers may not have magazines, but they have moon clips. A full-moon clip holds six rounds, while a half-moon clip holds three rounds.


    In her opinion, this shouldn''t be enough to kill all those enemies in front of them. Furthermore, if they all used up their bullets, they''d get into trouble if their battle attracted zombies.


    In short, they have to target the leader if they want to win!


    Unfortunately, the leader was too far. Unless they have firearm mastery or uracy-rted skill and talent, they would just waste their bullets.


    "Let''s just treat them as normal walker zombies! However, engaging them in closebat can be tough with their shields and swords. We will focus on killing them from a distance using arrows, stones, and our guns! That Necromancer shouldn''t be capable of summoning more skeleton warriors. If we killed them all, he would surely retreat.


    Our elites will deal with its Shelter once they return." Marlon dered.


    He decided to just eliminate the skeleton soldiers instead of aiming for the leader. It may resolve the main problem, but it would help them dy this matter


    "We''ll protect this Shelter! Let''s show them the might of the Nightfall Nexus!"


    Marlon shouted, but this wasn''t just a cringeworthy battle cry. He actually used a skill called Alpha''s Roar that provided a boost to all allied units.


    The defenders braced themselves as the skeletons reached a certain distance to their palisade.


    Soon, arrows flew through the air, striking the skeletal warriors, but they continued their advance, undeterred by the damage. As expected, it was difficult to kill them with their shields that could stop arrows.


    However, it didn''t end there. After their arrows were used up and killed a dozen Skeleton Zombies thanks to some lucky shots struck their skulls, they swiftly picked up the stones they had prepared originally for Crawler and Walker Zombies as these stones could easily shatter the brains of the Zombies, especially those with at least 40 Strength.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Thankfully, before they used up all their stones, they destroyed about 20 Zombies in the process.


    "Those shields are really annoying." Marlon muttered as he signaled for his men to use their Revolvers.


    "Leave at least three rounds! Do not use all of your bullets!" Marlon added. He knew that it was good to use all their rounds.


    Soon, a series of gunshots reverberated throughout the surroundings, scaring those within the Shelter¡­ Thankfully, although they don''t have the best uracy, they were able to eliminate more than 50 of them! At this time, only about 25 Skeleton Soldiers remained!


    With such a low number, they were confident to deal with these creatures even in closebat. Furthermore, one of the officers of the Nightfall Nexus had already gathered somebatants in the Shelter, and they were already behind the gate waiting for it to be opened.


    Marlon and five of his men also went down from the rampart to assist in the battle. Lysandra was also invited, seeing that she actually had a weapon with her.


    As the gate opened, the defenders with shields rushed forward.


    Lysandra joined the fray as she was curious if these Skeletons were actually lootable. She wielded her sword and aimed for a Skeleton that had lost its shield¡­


    nk!


    The bone was actually tougher than she expected but after her second strike, she was able to shatter its bone¡­


    ''It can''t be looted, huh¡­ What a pity.'' Lysandra mused.


    At this time, Marlon''s hammer struck one of the Skeleton Warriors. His weapon swung with devastating force, shattering bones with each strike.


    "They''re brittle! Just avoid their rusted swords," He shouted.


    After all, they may not turn into a zombie, but they could die from tetanus from their rusty swords.


    All the Survivors were confident that they could win against so few Skeleton Warriors. Although they have powerful shes with their swords, their movements are predictable, and at this point, the Survivor''s agility could help them dodge their swords easily.


    They all knew that it was only a matter of time before they could eliminate all these Skeleton Warriors.


    However, as the battle raged on, Lysandra noticed something strange. Explore stories on M-V-L


    "Mhmm?"


    The skeletons that were previously destroyed started repairing themselves!


    Although they were still weak even after being repaired, they could still cause some trouble if they couldn''t stop this once and for all!


    Furthermore, the skeletons seemed to be drawn to a specific point on the wall, as if they were searching for something.


    She followed their gaze and saw a figure standing in the shadows, directing the horde with a wave of his hand.


    To her shock, the cloaked leader of the Shelter, who was supposedly behind the Skeletons, was already at the rampart killing those who were left!


    "Not good! The Necromancer was already up there!" Lysandra shouted to get everyone''s attention!


    Marlon and the other officers were shocked as they quickly nced at the rampart!


    Indeed, the cloaked figure was already there strangling thest guard at the rampart.


    "Kekeke¡­ You finally noticed me." The figure said as he looked down on them.

 Chapter 308: Defending the Shelter

    They had no idea how this person reached that ce when he was supposedly at the very back controlling his skeletons!


    It was as if he was waiting for their gates to open all along!


    Then, a strong breeze came, and the cloak hiding his face was removed.


    Now, they could clearly see a tall, gaunt man with pale skin and eyes that glowed with an unnatural crimson light. He wore dark robes adorned with strange symbols, and a sinister smile yed on his lips.


    "Who are you?" Marlon demanded while he raised his hammer as if he was ready to unleash a Skill.


    The man chuckled, his voice cold and mocking.


    "I am the leader of the shelter you guys scouted a few days ago. You may call me Mkar. I think this ce has a better spot, so I''m iming this today."


    Lysandra''s grip tightened on her sword. "Not good¡­ This guy looked so confident even after we killed all his Skeleton Warriors. He definitely has a hidden card."


    However, Marlon didn''t even bother to think about this as he immediately led a group of people to attack Mkar.


    "Kill him!"


    In his mind, Mkar was now near them and alone! It would be a great chance to kill him.


    However, as soon as Marlon''s group moved, Mkar''s smile widened.


    "Let''s see about that¡­"


    With a wave of his hand, more skeletons appeared, and the ones they''d killed became Zombie Warriors!


    Marlon was started with the appearance of the new batch of enemies. However, Lysandra decided to give her all.


    After all, the elites of the n weren''t here yet. They were the only defenders of this ce, and they had to win against this Necromancer no matter what.


    "I will handle the Skeleton Warriors and Zombie Warriors here. Defeat that Necromancer!" she shouted.


    With a swift motion, she activated her Epic Wolf Spirit Ring and everyone heard a howl!


    At the same time, two gray spirit wolves materialized beside her! This scene shocked the Survivors nearby!


    Most of them believed that Lysandra had a Pack Master Talent or something simr.


    Seeing this, Marlon knew that they could win!


    "You''ll be rewarded after this is over! Now, all the guards of the Nightfall Nexus! Show this Necromancer our n''s Unique Skill!"


    Marlon dered as he rallied his men.


    ***


    In the meantime, Lysandra focused on her battle.


    More than 30 Skeleton Warriors reappeared, and all the Survivors who were killed, a total of four of them, became Zombie Warriors controlled by the Necromancer from the Wild Shelter.


    The remaining Survivors weren''t fully prepared for this battle and only had Rare-Grade Weapons that could easily be stopped by the skeleton''s shield. It was also not enough to pierce through the Zombie Warrior''s bones!


    Nheless, the battlefield erupted into chaos as Lysandra and her spirit wolves charged into the fray. The wolves moved with incredible speed as they swiftly immobilized the summoned undead creatures.


    Awooo~


    Their fangs and ws tearing through the ranks of Skeleton Soldiers.


    [ You have eliminated an Undead Skeleton Soldier. ]


    Of course, Lysandra didn''t stand idly as her sword started cutting down any enemy that dared to approach.


    She looked at the few Zombie Warriors, reanimated by Mkar''s dark magic¡­ They were fighting against the other Survivors, and they seemed to be as strong as Runner Zombies. They shouldn''t be a big problem, but the fact that they were holding short swords was a bit troubling.


    ''Just hold on¡­'' Lysandra then eliminated the Zombie Skeletons as quickly as possible.


    [ You have eliminated an Undead Skeleton Soldier. ]


    After eliminating thest of them, Lysandra directed her wolves to attack the Zombie Warriors!


    Roooaaarrr!


    The spirit wolves lunged at the Zombie Warriors and thankfully, they were strong enough to rip apart the Zombie Warrior''s skin and flesh!


    [ You have eliminated an Undead Zombie Warrior. ]


    Find more adventures on M-V-L


    ***


    Lysandra and her spirit wolves rapidly moved, cutting down thest of the Zombie Warriors and Skeleton Soldiers on the ground.


    After some time had passed, the battlefield was littered with the remains of the undead creatures. Lysandra''s breath came in heavy gasps, but she felt a surge of triumph.


    At this time, the wolves finally dissipated as they were only active for 300 seconds. That already caused her 150 Spirit Points. Then, she used several sword techniques and was now left with a measly 70 Spirit Points from her original 430 Spirit Points.


    Nheless, they had still cleared the immediate threat.


    However, her relief was short-lived.


    As she turned her gaze to the rampart, her heart sank. Marlon''s team, who had been tasked with eliminating Mkar,y defeated.


    Their bodies were strewn across the stone while their weapons were scattered.


    ''Why are they so weak?! Ugh¡­ No, is that Necromancer really that strong?!'' Lysandra could help but feel frustrated at this point.


    She saw Mkar standing without any signs of injury amidst the carnage¡­


    "You''re really forcing me to use my precious items¡­" Lysandra muttered, her brow furrowing.


    Marlon was the highest-ranking officer of the Nightfall Nexus, remaining in the shelter. If he fell, the shelter''s defenses would crumble, and Mkar would conquer this ce soon if she didn''t kill this creature here.


    The others were also despairing, seeing that Marlon was already killed.


    "Let''s escape now¡­" One of the survivors said¡­


    "T-that''s right¡­ We''ll just reim this after the elites return."


    "It''s not our fault that they all brought their strong defenders¡­ If they left even one of the Legendary Talent Holder here, we would be fine."


    "What about those people inside the shelter. They''re still unaware of their situation¡­"


    The others started considering what to do before ultimate looking at Lysandra, who was certainly the strongest of them all.


    Lysandra heard them and sighed. She had no other choice.


    Reaching into her pouch, she pulled out two talismans¡ªgifts from Shane. They were the Talismans of Lightning, powerful artifacts capable of unleashing devastating strikes!


    She didn''t want to use this as much as possible. However, she had to end this now!


    Lysandra held the talismans tightly.


    With a deep breath, she focused her energy and activated the first talisman with only 1 Spirit Point used.


    Then, a bolt of lightning shot from her hand, arcing through the air towards Mkar.


    The Necromancer''s eyes widened in surprise as the lightning struck him!


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 309: Lucian

    "Aaahh!"


    Mkar failed to dodge the lightning strike from the Talisman. It was so fast that his defensive aura failed to materialize in time.


    "You---" Mkar tried to gather his strength as he believed that his opponent shouldn''t be capable of killing them


    But Lysandra wasn''t done.


    She activated the second Talisman, spending another Spirit Points, to send another bolt of Lightning toward Mkar.


    Boom!


    The energy buzzed as it illuminated the surroundings with its brilliance.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The second strike hit its mark, and Mkar screamed in agony, his dark magic faltering.


    Lysandra watched as Mkar staggered, his robes even started smoking from the lightning strikes!


    She knew this was her chance.


    She quickly pulled out her revolver and emptied her rounds!


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Mkar tried to summon his magic, but the injury from lightning strikes and the gunshots were too much.


    After getting hit by all of this, Mkar''s eyes dimmed, and with a final, desperate gasp, he fell to the ground, his body lifeless.


    [ You have eliminated a Wild Necromancer. ]


    The battlefield fell silent. The undead creatures he had created on the rampart also fell to the ground, lifeless.


    "He''s dead! Ahahaha! We''re saved!" One of the survivors cheered as he really thought that they had to escape. He was even getting ready to run away and leave the remaining people in the shelter!


    "The Lightning Woman saved us!"


    "Hooray for the Wolf Summoner!"


    "No, she must have a talent as a Lightning Lady! Those wolves were most likely item effects. I''ve seen one in the marketce!"


    "Fool! The Lightning came from those papers! It was also an item!"


    "That''s not important! She saved us, and it must be celebrated!"


    "Lightning woman! You can loot the leader and those in the rampart. You deserve it."


    The remaining Survivors agreed as Lysandra was the one who had contributed a lot to this battle. If not for her Gray Spirit Wolves and her Lightning Talismans, they would''ve been defeated today.


    If not for her, they would''ve most likely died if Mkar continuously summoned Undead Creatures!


    Lysandra''s adrenaline suddenly wore off after confirming her kill. She knelt to the ground while her heart swelled with pride and relief.


    Those talismans really saved her!


    "I''ve really done it." she whispered, her voice filled with relief.


    The remaining defenders gathered around her, their faces etched with respect and admiration.


    Lysandra turned to them and told them her name. She just couldn''t let them call Lightning Lady or WolfSummoner.


    "You fought bravely, Lysandra," one of them said, his voice hoarse.


    "We couldn''t have done it without you."


    "That''s true¡­ Even Marlon, that intimidating guy, just died."


    Lysandra nodded as she knew that it was really a close call. It was a good thing that Shane left her with some great items.


    "It''s all thanks to everyone''s help."


    Lysandra said as she proceeded to take the drops of the Undead Creatures and finally, she went to corpse of the Wild Necromancer.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 25 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Orb of Undead Summoning ( Mid ) x1 ]


    "So high! 25 Experience Points!" Lysandra eximed as this was her first time to get such a huge Experience Points in one looting. The highest she had was just 15 points!


    Well, she never had a chance to experience a double experience points, so it was natural.


    Then, she turned her attention to the Orb of Undead Summoning and checked its purpose.


    [ Orb of Undead Summoning ( Mid ): A single-use mysterious orb that pulses with dark energy, used by the Necromancer to summon and control undead minions. The orb is said to amplify the Necromancer''s powers andmand over the undead if consumed.


    Effects when activated: Undead Summoning: Randomly summon a mid-tier Undead.


    Effects when consumed: Effective only with those with Necromancer Talent: +25 Dark Spirit. ]


    "Ahhh¡­ It''s a pity¡­ I don''t have Necromancy Talent." Lysandra thought, but she also realized that she would earn a lot of money if she actually decided to sell this item in the Marketce. After all, she knew that there were a few Necromancers with various Talent Grades from Umon to Epic. As for a Legendary Holder, there wasn''t anyone who had at least informed the Regional Chat.


    "I wonder how much I should sell this item." Lysandra thought as she quickly checked the Market.


    She tried searching for an Orb of Undead Summoning and realized that Shane was actually selling them!


    [ Seller: Shadow Strider


    Item: Orb of Undead Summoning ( Low ):


    Description: A mysterious item dropped by a Wild Necromancer.


    Price: 500 Zombie Cores ]


    She knew from the other members of the n that Shane was Shadow Strider. After all, she had already chatted with Raze and the others, and they even weed her through Chat.


    "But isn''t this a bit too expensive¡­ five hundred cores? No wonder it''s still up for sale." She mused. Then, she recalled something¡­


    "Right, there''s a 20% Transaction Fee, so the steep price was quite understandable." Lysandra muttered. After all, 100 Zombie Cores would be gone if that was the case.


    ''Let''s just ask himter.'' Lysandra thought as she decided not to sell the mid-grade orb for now.


    After an hour, the survivors of the Nightfall Nexus n began to adjust and forget the threat they''d just experienced. They were simply hoping that the problem with their defense would be resolved when the elites from the Nightfall Nexus returned.


    Another five hours hand had passed since Lysandra and her spirit wolves had vanquished Mkar and his undead horde.


    The shelter was quiet now, but Lysandra had already arranged for a group of survivors to monitor the surroundings and patrol the area.


    Soon, the sound of approaching footsteps drew Lysandra''s attention. A guard immediately reported the arrival of the main force of the n!


    Indeed, the elites of the Nightfall Nexus n had returned!


    At their front was Lucian, the n leader, a tall man with piercing blue eyes and a threatening presence. His gaze swept over the palisade and confirmed the message he received that they were indeed attacked.

 Chapter 310: Offers

    "It''s a good thing that Lightning Lady is staying here. I thought that we were quite safe until the next Zombie Wave." Lucian sighed as he knew that he had to thank their visitor.


    As they entered, Lucian approached the remaining defenders, who were the weakest in their n.


    "What happened here?" he demanded.


    Although he had already received a report through Chat, he still wanted to hear it from them.


    The officer then reported everything¡­


    "So Lightning Lady''s name was Lysandra." Lucian repeated.


    "Indeed. It was Lysandra, leader. A woman from the outside. She fought bravely and used powerful talismans to defeat Mkar."


    Lucian nodded as he understood what had happened.


    "Where is she now?"


    The officer then gestured towards the area for the visitor''s tent.


    "She''s resting, leader."


    Lucian then made his way to the tent¡­


    After being allowed to enter, he found Lysandra sitting on a bed.


    "Lysandra," Lucian said, his voice stiffened a little as he didn''t expect it to be a gorgeous woman.


    "Ahem¡­ I am Lucian, leader of the Nightfall Nexus n. I have heard of your bravery and the role you yed in saving our shelter. For that, you have my deepest gratitude."


    Lysandra stood and gently nodded.


    She could tell that this person in front of her was indeed really strong. If he was here during the attack, she knew that he could handle the leader as well.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "I did what I had to do. The shelter needed defending. In any case, you shouldn''t leave this ce with only one elite guarding this ce. There are already so many Wild Shelters appearing, ording to the chat."


    Lucian nodded, his respect for her growing. "You''re right¡­ We obtained several items in our raid today that will help us with that. Anyway, as a token of our gratitude, I would like to offer you a reward."


    He handed her a pouch filled with 100 Zombie Cores.


    Lysandra hesitated, her instinct was to decline. "I don''t need a reward," she said. "I was just doing what was right."


    Of course, she really wanted it but didn''t want to appear like she liked the reward a lot.


    Lucian smiled gently. "Please, ept it. You have earned it."


    After a moment''s pause, Lysandra nodded and epted the pouch. "Thank you," she said quietly.


    After some time had passed, word of Lysandra''s heroism spread quickly through the camp.


    The elite members of the Nightfall Nexus n, impressed by her prowess, sought her out. They were curious about the skills she used.


    Since it was witnessed by dozens of people, some of them actually exaggerated it power so everyone wanted to meet her.


    They wanted to know if that was an item they could also purchase in the store.


    After some hesitation, she answered them that it was indeed through an item''s effects. As for the specific item, she still had to ask permission to the one who had given it to her.


    "You''re amazing¡­ Is it true that the one with you was your husband?" one of them said, extending a hand.


    "We could use someone like you in our n. Do you want to join us? Your husband can join us as well."


    Another nodded in agreement. "Join us, Lysandra. With your skills, we could achieve great things together."


    Lysandra appreciated their kindness, and replied. "I''ve already joined a n."


    This answer immediately changed their mood.


    "Can we ask what n is that?" One of them asked.


    Lysandra had to confirm with Raze if it was already to reveal her n and after getting an OK, she replied.


    "It''s called Eclipse Revenant."


    This answer confused everyone. Someone immediately went to visit their leader, Lucian, who was level 21 and had ess to the Leaderboard.


    Soon, they discovered that the Eclipse Revenant was only level 2 and wasn''t even in the top 50!


    "What a weak n, and she said she didn''t want to join us?" Lucian asked the one who was trying to recruit her.


    "Y-yes¡­ Is it really a weak n?" The officer asked.


    "Mhmm¡­ It''s weird. I''m guessing that there were only a few of them doing the n Mission." Lucian muttered.


    "Maybe they weren''t aware of how good those n Skills are?"


    Lucian nodded.


    "Or perhaps they just don''t care about n Skills since they''re strong." Lucian said but he shook his head after saying this.


    They would be too arrogant if that were the case. In this apocalypse that everyone could die if you get injured or bitten by a zombie, no one should becent.


    After surviving two Zombie Waves, they should already be aware of that.


    Anyway, he decided not to dwell on this but told the officer to try to recruit her by offering various rewards.


    This man then returned to where Lysandra was and tried to make another offer. With Lucian''s confirmation, he was able to offer her a guaranteed Exceptional Grade Weapon, Tier 3 Set of Clothes, and other benefits.


    This offer even made those who were listening feel envious.


    The offer was simply too good, and they all wanted to have such a privilege!


    Anyway, they believed that Lysandra definitely has an Epic Grade or even a Legendary Grade Talent so this was certainly natural.


    Unfortunately, she still declined the offer.


    "I am honored by your offer," she said, her voice firm but polite. "But I already belong to a n, and I want to explore more ces with my n leader. Staying here isn''t really for me."


    After a few more attempts to have her in their group, the officers finally respected her decision, though they couldn''t hide their disappointment.


    "If you ever change your mind," one of them said, "you will always have a ce with us."


    Lysandra smiled, grateful for their understanding. "Thank you. I will remember that."


    After some time, she was finally left alone by those people, and she didn''t even dare toe out as there were just too many people greeting her.


    Thankfully, it didn''t take that long before Shane reappeared in the shelter¡­


    He immediately found Lysandra and noticed that she was doing fine.


    "I''m back¡­ Let''s cross the bridge¡­" Shane said as he gave her a meat skewer that he cooked in the Fairy Realm.

 Chapter 311: Not Forgotten

    Shane left Silver or Metal Slime in the Fairy Realm together with ckie, a Rare Spriggan that came out of the other Pet Egg he obtained¡­


    As for the skewer in his hands, it came from his inventory''s Unknown Meat.


    He had only washed it in theke''s water and used the main tree''s leaves to cover and cook it and it actually turned out really well.


    Lysandra then nodded and epted the skewer from Shane. After taking a few bites, she realized that it was indeed savory meat! It seemed that Shane had gone to find expensive seasonings, and that was why he had disappeared.


    She also felt really energetic, as if there was a passive effect from that food.


    Anyway, Lysandra then stood up and started gathering her belongings.


    As they made their way towards the bridge, Shane noticed something unusual. People were greeting them warmly, their faces filled with admiration and respect.


    Some even offered small tokens of gratitude¡ªa piece of bread, a sk of water.


    "What''s going on?" Shane asked, puzzled by the sudden attention.


    Lysandra smiled. Her eyes were filled with a mix of pride and humility.


    "The Shelter was attacked by the leader of a Wild Shelter nearby. Its name was Mkar, a necromancer. I used the talismans you gave me to defeat him and his undead army."


    Lysandra exined as if it wasn''t a big deal, but Shane knew that the battle might''ve been too close considering the fact that almost everyone knew about her.


    Nheless, he decided not to pry too much¡­


    Instead, he felt surprised that those Talismans that he had never used yet were actually that strong.


    "So those talismans can kill Wild Necromancers, huh?" He muttered, more to himself than to Lysandra.


    "They were incredibly powerful," Lysandra confirmed. "Right, I looted mid-grade Orb of Undead Summoning from the Necromancer. I noticed that you were selling low-grade Orbs¡­"


    "Ohh? That''s nice¡­ You can summon a middle-grade Undead with that, right? It''s better not to sell it. You can use it in case of emergency. I believe you''re notcking with Zombie Cores anyway."


    "Got it¡­" Lysandra gently nodded. Anyway, she was indeed not in a hurry to sell her items.


    "By the way, what happened to the Shelter? Did you get the Shelter Crystal?" Shane asked and looked at Lysandra.


    However, Lysandra was simply looking back at him, confused by the question.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Shane realized that Lysandra hadn''t visited the Shelter of the Necromancer!


    Well, not everyone knew about this, so he couldn''t really me her.


    "It might''ve been stolen by someone already, but we can still try and see." Shane muttered to himself as he decided to postpone crossing the bridge.


    "We need to visit the Necromancer''s Shelter. Do you have an idea where it is?" He asked.


    Thankfully, Lysandra chatted with other officers and knew the rough location. She then gave the rough location of the Shelter on the map, and soon, they changed their direction and headed out instead.


    Soon, they navigated through the dense forest...


    The journey was uneventful as they didn''t encounter any Zombies along the way. It seemed that Mkar had cleared this area which wasn''t too surprising.


    Nheless, their senses remained on high alert. After some time, they emerged from the trees and found themselves facing Mkar''s Shelter.


    The Shelter was surrounded by wooden walls, which were sturdy and imposing. It was actually as high as five meters! That was already a very tall wall!


    However, what was threatening about this was the machine gun mounted on the wall, and three watchtowers from a distance¡­


    "Cloud¡­" Shane muttered as he signaled for his A.I. to conduct a thorough inspection through its sensors.


    [ No zombies or human lives have been detected. ]


    "That''s good¡­"


    Shane and Lysandra exchanged a nce, knowing that caution was still important despite not sensing anyone. After all, there could be traps here.


    Shane donned his Shadowcloak, the fabric melding with the shadows around him. He handed the Shroud of Shadows Cape to Lysandra, who wrapped it around herself, feeling the cloak''s magic envelop her.


    "Let''s move carefully," Shane whispered. "We don''t know what traps might be waiting for us."


    With the help of his A.I. Cloud, Shane identified various traps scattered around the perimeter.


    They navigated the ground carefully, avoiding hidden pitfalls and tripwires.


    However, as they approached the wall, the machine gun suddenly whirred to life.


    "Oh no¡­" Lysandra paled as soon as she saw it moving!


    Although no one was left in the Shelter after Mkar died, its machine gun seemed to be automated!


    No wonder no one dared to try and raid the Shelter yet!


    The machine gun swiveled, its sensors seemed to have detected their movement. Bullets sprayed towards them, forcing Shane and Lysandra to dive for cover.


    The gun then followed their movement as it was programmed to fire at anything that moved.


    "Lysandra! Use its Perfect Shadowmeld!" Shane reminded and thankfully, Lysandra was able to activate it without a moment''s dy.


    On the other hand, Shane used his Shadowcloak''s effect to also hide his presence. Paired with his Traceless Breath talent, he could no longer be detected.


    Instantly, their presence was erased, their forms blending seamlessly with the shadows.


    The machine gun continued to fire, but its sensors could no longer detect them.


    After waiting for a while, Shane started to move while he instructed Lysandra to wait.


    He was nning to dismantle the Machine Gun first!


    "Be careful." Lysandra whispered.


    Soon, Shane moved silently and invisibly, closing in below the machine gun¡­


    Then, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he had to be quick in his following actions.


    As soon as he opened his eyes, he pulled out his Electric Shock de and threw it up near the Machine Gun!


    Then, before the machine could swiftly fire, Shane used his Telekinesis to control the Electric Shock de and struck the machine gun!


    Boom!


    In an instant, Shane disabled the machine gun! However, he had to make sure that it couldn''t repair itself so he immediately climbed up using his Climbing Skill and touched the machine to dismantle it with his Otherworldly Mechanic ability!

 Chapter 312: Men

    As soon as Shane touched the machine, a familiar scene urred in front of him, and he was the only one who could see it.


    In his eyes, the damaged machine gun underwent a remarkable change, as if it had entered a game interface.


    There were glowing hues of red and blue illuminating variousponents of the machine, giving him clues about the condition of the machine.


    The radiant blue segments indicated the machinery''s good or usable condition, while the crimson glow highlighted the areas that were in need of repair.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Furthermore, a miniature holographic projection materialized, offering Shane an intricate 3D visualization of the mechanism, enabling him tomence the repair process.


    As he examined the array of options that materialized before him, he was presented with the choice to either Dismantle or Repair the mechanism¡­


    This time, he decided not to repair it and dismantled it instead.


    In an instant, the Machine Gun started dismantling as they floated in the air!


    Then, all of it, without missing anything, not even a screw, entered his Inventory!


    Finally, this Wild Shelter waspletely defenseless. After settling this, Shane opened the gate for Lysandra to enter.


    Once inside the walls, Lysandra found the Shelter eerily quiet. There was indeed no one inside this ce like what Shane told her.


    The watchtowers were empty, and the courtyard was deserted.


    Of course, Shane and Lysandra still moved cautiously while their senses were on high alert.


    Soon, they entered the main building, a structure made of dark wood and stone.


    Inside, they found a trove of supplies and treasures. Shelves lined the walls, filled with potions, scrolls, and various magical items!


    Lastly, there were Chests overflowed with gold and precious gems.


    "This must be Mkar''s hoard," Lysandra whispered, her eyes wide with amazement.


    Shane nodded, his gaze scanning the room. "Let''s take what we can carry. We need to be quick."


    Shane said as he picked up one of the gold coins.


    He then stored it in his Inventory, and as expected, it was the Versailles Empire''s Gold Coin! It was the same coin that Raze had given to him, together with other scrolls and potions!


    "Interesting¡­" Shane muttered as he saw a bag and used it to gather the items.


    They filled their bags with valuable items, prioritizing those that would be most useful in their journey. Potions that seemed to be capable of healing, enchanted weapons, and rare ingredients were among their haul.


    As they worked, Shane couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction¡­


    "Ahh¡­ n Leader, look at this." Lysandra suddenly said. Shane immediately nced in her direction and found what he was looking for.


    "It''s the Shelter Crystal. Great¡­"


    Shane said as he didn''t hesitate to touch it.


    [ You have obtained an Intermediate Shelter Crystal. ]


    [ Intermediate Shelter Crystal: A crystal imbued with the essence of the Shelter. It has the power to im a small piece ofnd for its wielder. Once activated, the crystal will swiftly repel zombies or other undead creatures from the designated area until it reaches full energy capacity. It will also help with Production Speed, Culture Points, Building Durability, and Defense of the Shelter.


    Once the crystal''s energy is filled, lower-tier Zombies and some mid-tier Zombies will be less likely to attack your Shelter, and you can activate the special effect of the crystal to protect yournd.


    Current Energy: 70%


    Shelter Crystal Effect: Sentinel''s Hawkeyes ]


    [ Sentinel''s Hawkeyes: Anyone stationed as a Sentinel in your Shelter''s watchtowers will have Enhanced Sight, Night Vision, and Detection. ]


    [ Do you want to retrieve the Intermediate Shelter Crystal and make this Shelter unprotected? ]


    [ Hint: Energy Fill will revert back to zero once the crystal is removed. ]


    "Nice¡­ It''s an Intermediate Shelter Crystal¡­" Shane was certainly happy to see this. He then shared the news with Lysandra and exined how the Beginner Shelter Crystal has no effects like the one they just obtained.


    After confirming that they looted everything here¡­


    They soon realized that a group of people were waiting for them outside the Shelter!


    Shane and Lysandra didn''t notice their presence, and only Cloud was able to sense it. It seemed that these people who were hiding had magical items that could avoid their detection.


    "Stay inside the shelter," Shane whispered to Lysandra. "I''lle up with a n."


    Lysandra nodded, her eyes sharp and focused as she tried sensing the enemies outside.


    However, not even her Danger Sense was activating.


    Soon, Shane shared his n and decided to use her as bait.


    Lysandra wryly smiled at this but his was certainly not a bad idea.


    Then, Shane silently moved to a vantage point within the Shelter.


    After a signal was received, Lysandra finally stepped out of the Shelter and walked a few meters before she finally felt the presence of twelve people, all armed and aiming their guns at her.


    "Don''t move¡­" One of the men said as he slowly came out of the bushes. Five other people followed him while the six remained hidden elsewhere.


    Lysandra remained calm while her hand moved to activate the Sentinel Sphere, a barrier generator she had received from Shane.


    Whom~


    A gleaming barrier suddenly enveloped her, protecting her from the immediate threat. It may not be enough to take several dozens of rounds from their guns, but it should be able to take a few.


    "Ho~ A barrier, huh¡­" one of the men sneered.


    "Give us all the items you got inside, or you''re dead," another demanded. He was a bearded man who was looking at Lysandra''s chest explicitly.


    "Do not think of trying to pull your weapon, or we''ll shoot you. That barrier can, at most, block 10 to 15 bullets.That''s not enough to protect you." a third warned, his finger twitching on the trigger. He didn''t want to kill this beautiful woman as well, so he was really hoping that she''d just follow their instructions.


    "Right... Where''s the man who entered the Shelter with you?" One of them finally asked.


    Lysandra, on the other hand, wasn''t listening to them. Her thoughts were elsewhere.


    ''Are they from the Nightfall Nexus? I can''t remember their faces,'' she mused.

 Chapter 313: Discovery

    Shane''s position on the rampart allows him to observe the group of people waiting for them.


    Furthermore, A.I. Cloud could also detect the location of the hidden ones, and this was extremely helpful, considering how Shane couldn''t even find them.


    It appears that they had some sort of magical item that was helping them hide their presence.


    Then, after Shane confirmed that these people had no good intentions from their conversation with Lysandra, he knew he had to act quickly and decisively.


    Thud!


    In an instant, Shane took out his Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret. It only had to position and start itself in two seconds before it found the ''enemies'' with Cloud''s assistance. Now, it was just waiting for Shane''s orders.


    "Once you''re clear, go ahead and eliminate those enemies who were hiding first." Shane muttered as he gave Cloud permission to activate the Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret.


    The Turret hummed to life, its sensors locking onto the targets below.


    As the Turret began to move, Lysandra heard it and realized that this problem would be resolved soon.


    "You picked the wrong people to mess with," She called out, her voice carrying a note of warning.


    The armed men looked up, their expressions shifting from confidence to fear.


    "Wait, we can talk about this!" one of them shouted, but it was toote.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret found its targets and opened fire.


    [ You have eliminated a Human Survivor. ]


    Bullets sprayed towards the ambushers, their cries of panic and pain filling the air. The Turret''s precision was unmatched, and the threat was neutralized within moments!


    They tried using various movement skills to hide or used shields to block the attack, but the Turret''s energy bullet was simply too fierce! Without having Master-Grade clothing or armor, the bullets could easily pass through their bodies!


    Shane then confirmed that all he eliminated were human survivors like them.


    [ You have eliminated a Human Survivor. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Human Survivor. ]


    ''Mhmm¡­ This Turret is really too strong. I can even make another one with the machine gun I just looted. Though I will use up some of my reputation points, it''s still a good deal.'' Shane mused as he realized that a new era or new phase of the Apocalypse was starting to unveil.


    He couldn''t help but imagine that sooner orter, most of the shelters would soon have automated guns that would protect their territory.


    Lysandra then lowered her barrier to save the Power Core of the item. Then, her eyes scanned the fallen attackers.


    "Do you think they''re from the Nightfall Nexus," she asked calmly.


    Shane had already taken the Turret back to his inventory and descended from the rampart.


    "We''ll see¡­ But the possibility is high..." Shane said as he didn''t dismiss the fact that these guys could also be some opportunists from other shelters looking to take advantage of the chaos.


    Anyway, Shane proceeded to loot them all.


    Although he wasn''t looking forward to their Skills and Talents because of how they were killed so easily, it was still better not to waste whatever item he could get from them.


    "Help me take their usable weapons. I''ll be the one looting their bodies though¡­" Shane said as he considered whether he should use the Lootkeeper''s Timepiece already.


    "Alright¡­" Lysandra replied as she proceeded to take the swords, daggers, and revolvers of these people. As for their clothes and essories, they were all damaged by the Energy Bullet from the Turret so they weren''t that useful anymore.


    After stripping them of their weapons, Shane proceeded to loot them.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Yes¡­" Shane replied as he started to loot the corpses using the Apocalypse System.


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, Concealment Ring ( Exceptional )x1, Fast Regeneration, Athletic Body Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Athletic Body Talent ( Umon ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Athletic Body Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 7 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    "Wow¡­" Shane paused for a moment as he got Fast Regeneration Skill!


    With this skill, minor injuries would no longer be a concern for him. This was incredible! His decision to loot them was right!


    Shane then continued looting the 11 other people, and most of them had given him skills he already learned. All of them were also carrying a Concealment Ring on them.


    Nheless, he still obtained two more new skills.


    They were Night Vigor and Concealment Skills!


    The Night Vigor seemed quite dangerous since it might affect Lysandra every night, but the most important thing was thest skill.


    Apparently, thest person he looted seemed to be the source of the Concealment Ring that they were using in order to hide their presence from his detections!


    Furthermore, he realized why they all had concealment rings!


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x1, Concealment Ring ( Exceptional ) x5, Concealment, Skill Infuser Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Skill Infuser Talent ( Epic ) was not added. ]


    It turns out that one of them had such an absurd talent. It seemed that this man could imbue his Skills to some items, essentially making magical items!


    Shane then turned to the question at hand.


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Skill Infuser Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 7 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    With this question, Shane sighed as he decided to finally remove one of his talents, which was only a Rare Talent.


    "Yes¡­ I will remove Traceless Breath."


    [ Skill Infuser Talent ( Epic ) will rece Traceless Breath Talent ( Rare ). Do you wish to proceed? ]


    "Yes¡­"


    [ Talent Recement started¡­ ]


    [ Congrattions! You have obtained a new talent! ]

 Chapter 314: Fusions

    [ Skill Infuser Talent ( Epic ): This Talent allows the Survivor to infuse any item you created with one or more of your Skills depending on the item made and the Spirit Points spent. The sess rate of the Skill Infusion depends on several factors, and failing could destroy the item. The greater the skills you choose to imbue, the moreSpirit Pointsyou must expend to activate this Talent. ]


    "Whoa~" Shane finished reading the new Talent he had obtained, and he was very satisfied with it!


    He had so many skills after all! It was a perfect talent for him! Furthermore, his current set of skills had gone some transformation after using four Skill Fusion Talisman!


    Previously, he obtained five Skill Fusion Talismans, and inside the Fairy Realm, while he had nothing to do, he decided to fuse several skills!


    First, he was able to fuse Tracking, Fishing, and Scavenging Skills into a Survivalist Skill.


    [ Survivalist ( Passive ) Lv10:A multifaceted skill perfect for those who thrive in the wild. The Survivalist excels in tracking down prey, fishing in various waters, and scavenging for resources. This Skill grants a50% boostin resource gathering and increases the chance of finding rare items. ]


    Aside from this, Shane also used the talisman to fuse the Lesser Mind Control, Leadership, and Survival Instincts to obtain Crowd Maniptor!


    [ Crowd Maniptor ( Active ) Lv10: This strategic Skill allows you to strongly influence the actions of your allies in battle while subtly controlling the morale of the enemies in your favor. The Crowd Maniptorcan enhance teamwork and coordination, granting a40% increasein attack efficiency for allies under your influence, making them more effective inbat scenarios.


    If used on a single target, the maniption had a 50% chance of failing. The amount of Spirit Points to be consumed depends on various factors such as the area, people, and resistance of targets. ]


    He actually didn''t expect such a result. It was a lot better to have such crowd maniption rather than single target maniption since he would be together with other people when fighting off against Zombie Waves!


    As for the third fusion that he made, he was able to create a movement skill with the Phantom Dash, Parkour, and Climb. These three skills had created Phantasm Rush!


    [ Phantasm Rush ( Active ) Lv10: This Skill boosts agility and stealth, allowing the Survivor to scale even vertical surfaces with ease while remaining undetected. This Skill grants a200% increasein movement speed while running and 250% while climbing and enhances your ability to evade detection, making the Survivor a ghostly figure in urban or rugged terrains.


    Cost: 50 Spirit Points/10 Seconds


    Cooldown: None ]


    This Skill was incredible, and Shane was happy that his Parkour and Climbing skills, which weren''t really being used, were finally disposed of.


    Well, Shane really had plenty of time in the Fairy Realm so he didn''t stop there. He decided to also fuse the Trap Setting, Woodworking, and Metalworking Skills!


    [ Trap Mastery ( Passive ) Lv10: This Skill allows the Survivor to adapt traps to different environments using high-level woodworking and metalworking knowledge. The Survivor can create traps suited for various terrains, ensuring maximum effectiveness regardless of the setting. The Skill increasestrap versatility, granting a100% increasein effectiveness based on the environment. ]


    It was a skill that he had somehow expected. To be exact, he wanted to obtain this Skill with this fusion.


    What he liked about this Skill was that he could still use the effects of the woodworking and metalworking even if he wasn''t explicitly using them to make traps!


    "Is everything alright, Shane?" Lysandra asked after noticing that he was still looking at his inventory or probably the status panel.


    Shane smiled as he passed one of the rings to her.


    "Here¡­ Wear it. It''s a Concealment Ring and Exceptional Grade at that. It''s quite decent." Shane exined.


    "Ohhh¡­ So this is why I can''t sense them." Lysandra finally nodded after hearing this.


    "I wonder where they got these rings¡­ Did they all drop one of these?" Lysandra asked as she wore the ring. As soon as she did, she realized that it had also disappeared from her finger!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    It truly deserved its name!


    "Yes¡­ So we have quite a lot of them." Shane replied as he decided not to reveal the Talent he had just obtained.


    On the other hand, Shane was already excited to try using the Skill Infusion Talent that he had just obtained. He was guessing that this Talent uses a lot of Spirit Points, which was why the man decided to steal from other Survivors instead of trying to get rich through the Marketce.


    Anyway, with the threat dealt with, Shane and Lysandra took a moment to catch their breath.


    The forest around them was silent once more and there were no Zombies around as well.


    After some time, Shane spoke.


    "Let''s get out of here,".


    "Mhmm¡­" Lysandra gently nodded¡­


    "We need to cross that bridge and continue our journey to Sector 20." Shane added.


    Lysandra smiled. "Agreed. We did not waste our time, at the very least. I think you managed to obtain some decent items, right?"


    Shane justughed it off as he led the way. As they entered the Nightfall Nexus, the guards there no longer asked for payment and allowed them to enter.


    It was under Lucian''s instruction.


    Shane coolly epted this arrangement and didn''t question their generosity. He was even hoping that they''d give them a free pass to the bridge.


    Thankfully, as they made their way back towards the bridge, Shane noticed that the usual fee for crossing was being waived. The guards simply nodded and stepped aside, allowing them to pass without question.


    "Lysandra¡­ You really did well for using those talismans. I guess we can consider the Nightfall Nexus n as a friend." Shane said as he stepped on the bridge.


    "We still have to be careful about them. I offended them for not joining their n. They even offered me plenty of benefits." Lysandra replied as she exined what had happened.


    "Ohhh¡­ Are you not tempted?" Shane asked after hearing the story.


    "Huh? They just want my Gray Spirit Wolves¡­ and you''re the one who gave it to me after you upgraded it to Epic Rank. As for those terrifying Talismans, they''re already used up." Lysandra said as she shook her head...


    Her n Leader was seriously too mysterious!

 Chapter 315: Potion

    The canyon bridge stretched before the two of them. It was a sturdy construction of wood and steel, and Shane couldn''t help but feel impressed. It seemed that the Nightfall Nexus wasn''t just guarding this ce but also taking care of it.


    It spanned about 200 meters, connecting the two sides of the canyon.


    "It looked safe¡­ I guess even vehicles could pass through here." Lysandra muttered. Of course, she wasn''t exaggerating it. Shane also believed that light vehicles could probably pass here.


    Despite its length, the bridge was well-maintained and fortified. It was proof of the Nightfall Nexus n''s dedication to protect this structure.


    As Shane and Lysandra stepped onto the bridge, the wooden nks creaked slightly under their weight. The view from the bridge was breathtaking, while the canyon below was a dizzying drop.


    "It''s a good thing this ce is protected by the Nightfall Nexus," Shane remarked.


    Lysandra agreed to this since this bridge was indeed important.


    "That''s true¡­ No Spitter Zombie or Giant Zombie could destroy this bridge with their acid or brute strength."


    She believed that if a Spitter Zombie or other super heavy Zombies decided to cross this bridge, it would be a disaster¡­


    After crossing the bridge, they were met by another camp of the Nightfall Nexus n. This one was much smaller, with only about 30 people stationed there to guard the ce.


    Defending this ce wasn''t all that difficult because of its elevated position, so they only had to worry about those Zombies who could jump or climb. Even if they appeared, there were still plenty of traps to take them down.


    As soon as they entered the camp, the guards greeted them with nods of respect. It seemed that they could recognize Lysandra,who had defeated the Wild Necromancer.


    One of the guards, a young woman who had seen Lysandra kill the Necromancer, stepped forward. "Wee. We''ve heard from the n Leader not to take any fees from you guys. Thank you for what you did. Do you need any help?"


    Lysandra smiled, her heart swelling with pride. "I just did what needed to be done. We also asked around about this area here, so we''re good for now. "


    The guard nodded.


    "If you need anything, just let us know. We''re here to help."


    Shane and Lysandra made their way through the small camp. Well, there wasn''t really anything to see here, so they immediately left the camp.


    ***


    In the meantime, while Shane and Lysandra were on their way to Sector 20, the Springriver Manor remained safe and had been as lively as ever.


    Anna, the physician and alchemist of Springriver Manor, stood in herboratory, surrounded by shelves filled with jars of rare herbs, vials of mysterious liquids, and some alchemy-rted scrolls.


    It had been two weeks since Shane left the Manor to explore Sector 20, and while his absence was felt, Anna knew she had important work to do.


    On her workbenchy the remaining three drops of Dragon Blood, a rare and potent ingredient. She had already used some to create the Dragon''s Veil Elixir, a potion that boosted strength, agility, viral resistance, and provided other benefits to the body. Shane already had a couple of them while the others were under Mr. Wadsworth''s care.


    Despite this sessful potion, Anna felt that the potion''s effects were too simple. A Dragon''s Blood definitely had many other uses, not just for strengthening.


    ording to the alchemy knowledge she had inherited from the scroll, she could create something far more powerful.


    Anna carefully measured the three drops of Dragon Blood into a crystal vial.


    She then gathered other potent ingredients that Raze and other members of the Eclipse Revenant n had given her. These included:


    Phoenix Mushroom: Known for its regenerative properties.


    Purple Dew: Collected from enchanted flowers that bloom under the full moon, enhancing magical potency.


    Essence of Nightshade: A rare extract from the Ghost Orchid that could amplify the effects of other ingredients.


    ording to Raze and the others, they came from a Bronze Treasure Chest that was rewarded to them afterpleting their n Mission. She wasn''t exactly sure what they were talking about, but nheless, they could acquire rare ingredients because of that.


    Afterpleting her preparation, Annabined these ingredients meticulously. With the Alchemy Skill she obtained, her skills in making potion had already reached a level that she could never imagine before.


    Soon, she started using her Spiritual Force to affect the process. The mixture began to glow, a soft, ethereal light emanating from the cauldron.


    As the potion simmered, Anna added more Spiritual Force. It was an amount that was several times higher than she could release. Thankfully, she was able to borrow one of the items that Shane had purchased in the Auction Store before.


    [ Soulstone Shard Amulet: This amulet contains a fragment of a powerful soulstone, imbued with ancient sorcery. The shard resonates with the user''s spirit, enhancing their abilities and granting protection against disease and curses.


    Effects: +1,000 Spirit Points, +30% Soul Protection ]


    To be exact, this item was bought together with the Loot Keeper''s Timepiece in the secret shop of the Auction Area.


    It was then borrowed by Raze before being returned to her so she could start doing high-level alchemy.


    Soon, the mixture bubbled and hissed, the colors shifting from deep crimson to a shimmering gold.


    She stirred the cauldron with a silver rod while her eyes focused on the transformation taking ce.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The final ingredient was a single drop of her own blood, a symbol of the alchemist''s bond with her creation.


    As the drop fell into the vial, the potion red brightly, then settled into a radiant, golden liquid.


    Anna carefully poured the potion into a ss bottle, sealing it with a wax stopper.


    She held it up to the light orb on her ceiling, marveling at the brilliance of the elixir.


    "I did it on the first try¡­" Anna muttered with a smile. This was no ordinary potion; it was a masterpiece of alchemical art.


    Anna then appraised the item and confirmed its name.


    It was Dragon''s Heart Elixir.

 Chapter 316: Recognized

    Unlike the Dragon''s Veil Elixir, this potion offered incredible benefits.


    [Dragon''s Heart Elixir: Unleash the fiery spirit of the legendary dragon with the Dragon''s Heart Elixir! This potent concoction, crafted from rare herbs and the essence of a dragon, pulses with an intense warmth that can be felt even before consumption.


    Benefits:


    Increased Strength: For a limited time, boost your physical power by 25%.


    Magic Resistance: Gain 50% resistance to any magic-based attacks.


    Temporary Flight: Harness the power of the dragon and experience the thrill of flight for 30 seconds.


    Regenerative Properties: Experience rapid healing, restoring 50% of your maximum health over the duration of the elixir''s effects. ]


    "Temporary Flight! Shane will be ecstatic once he sees this¡­" Anna couldn''t help but feel ted as she saw the effect.


    The potion provided enhanced strength that far surpasses the effects of the previous elixir. It also provides Regenerative Healing, which elerates the body''s natural healing processes. Furthermore, it has Magical Resistance that provides a shield against harmful spells and curses.


    Finally, the temporary flight. Although it was only 30 seconds, it was still one of the best effects that she had made from all the elixirs she concocted.


    Anna felt a surge of pride as she ced the Dragon''s Heart Elixir on the shelf, knowing that it would be a valuable asset for Shane and the others when they returned. She had pushed the boundaries of her alchemical knowledge and created something truly extraordinary!


    ''Well, if Shane''s willing to pay the fee, it should also be fine to send this item through private trading.'' Anna mused as she recalled that the Foreign Survivors had such a method to transfer items, but there was a steep price they needed to pay.


    After feeling satisfied with the creation of the Dragon''s Heart Elixir, Anna decided to rest.


    She took a moment to have a break since she still had two drops of Dragon Blood with her.


    "Mhmm?"


    Suddenly, she noticed that the sky outside darkened. She wanted to see if it was about to rain, but she saw something different instead.


    Instead of a storm, it was the familiar Mysterious Gray Fog that began to envelop the manor.


    This event, though rming to neers, was well-known to the residents of Springriver Manor. It was Shane''s Territory Lord''s talent at work, recruiting talented individuals every five days.


    Even in Shane''s absence, his power continued to affect his territory.


    "It''s starting again¡­ I hope we don''t get another drunkard." Anna muttered after recalling the professor who had arrived before Shane left.


    There were two others who appeared after Shane started his adventure, and these two were incredibly helpful in creating the secondyer of the palisade.


    Right now, the Springriver Manor has an outer wall and inner wall after their expansion.


    The inner wall was made of wood and steel, while the outer wall was made of stones, wood, and steel together, making it sturdier even without a barrier.


    Because of that, the watchtowers also improved, and they were now made of stones as well. Nheless, the Elves were still avoiding the task of being a sentinel in the watchtowers.


    They still prefer working in the forest, protecting the river from the Spitter Zombies, who always liked to take a bath.


    Anyway, Anna decided to go out and see the new recruit.


    She noticed that aside from her, the others also started taking a break to see which department would this new recruit be ced.


    ''We already have a lot of cksmiths¡­ You even have a whole family with you. Why are you still so excited?'' Anna wryly smiled as she saw Leo going out as well as if he was ready to employ the new recruit to his smithy.


    She also noticed Lucas in the watchtower using a binocr to identify the one who was about to be sent out by the Mysterious Gray Fog.


    As soon as she reached the rampart of the inner wall, she noticed Mr. Wadsworth and two Super Soldiers waiting at the entrance of the outer gate.


    ''He''s fast¡­'' Shemented in her mindn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Soon, the new recruit arrived.


    As the fog cleared, a figure emerged, riding an armored white horse!


    "What?" Anna eximed as she realized that this person was abatant.


    Then, she saw the knight mounted, and he had long red hair flowing behind him. This red hair was contrasting sharply with the gleaming silver of his armor.


    Anna couldn''t help but recall Shinja. This man definitely had an aura simr to that of a heroic figure!


    After getting closer to Mr. Wadsworth and the Super Soldiers, this man dismounted and removed his helmet.


    His helmet, tucked under his arm, revealed a chiseled face with sharp features and piercing green eyes that seemed to take in everything at once.


    However, Anna was more impressed with his white horse, which was fully armored.


    "Impressive¡­"


    Of course, it wasn''t only Anna who found the new guy to be interesting.


    As they entered the inner wall, Alexa, the chef, stepped out of the kitchen because of themotion. She did it while wiping her hands on her apron.


    "Who''s that?" she asked, her eyes widening at the sight of the knight.


    "That''s the new recruit. He''s definitely a knight. He might even know about Lady Seraph and the others." Maxmented after hearing the chef''s question. He was on his way to request a portion of food when Alexa came out.


    ***


    In the meantime, as soon as ric was driven out by the Gray Fog, he found himself being inspected by dozens of powerful figures inside the territory in front of him.


    He was barely able to feel their presence because he had just gotten out of the Gray Fog, which was still essentially protecting him from harm.


    As soon as the fog disappeared, however, he could only sense the three figures in front of him that were appraising him.


    ''I guess I''m lucky, huh¡­ I''m actually recruited by a powerful figure.'' ric mused as he realized that this shelter had several figures stronger than him.


    That was definitely better than being the strongest in the shelter!


    However, he was soon frozen at the figure that was standing on top of the huge manor¡­


    "Monk Chaloem?!"

 Chapter 317: Knight Alaric

    Mr. Wadsworth noticed ric''s expression after seeing Chaloem. However, he decided not to ask about it for now.


    Instead, he invited him inside the Manor while one of the Super Soldiers took the horse to the stable.


    As they led Sir ric into the Manor, Mr. Wadsworth started sharing a bit of information about the Springriver Manor and the fact that the Foreign Survivor who owns this ce was absent at the moment.


    ric listened attentively while also surveying his new home¡­ He noticed that aside from the formidable wall, there were also barriers the naked eye couldn''t see deployed on each wall.


    He also liked that a stream of water was running through the estate. As long as this water was protected from any form of contamination or they had a method to filter it, then this shelter would certainly thrive.


    He also noticed the orchard, the farm, the smithy, and various structures and felt really satisfied with this ce.


    "Now, can you tell me more about yourself? I want to ensure I''ll be putting you in the correct task." Mr. Wadsworth said.


    At this time, Bart and Keh had also arrived at the manor as they were curious about the new recruit.


    "This is Bartholomew, our brewer¡­ The man beside him is Keh, an educator¡­" Mr. Wadsworth calmly said as he introduced the two.


    ric smiled and greeted them before he began to share his story.


    "I was once a knight in a distantnd, sworn to protect my people from the undead creatures. We faced many battles, but none as fierce as the one that nearly imed my life. The zombies we fought had red eyes and moved with terrifying speed, crouching like hunting wolves. They were all fierce, and my squadron was almost annihted."


    He paused, his eyes distant as he recalled the traumatic battle. "There were only three of us left, fighting desperately to survive. Just when we thought all hope was lost, a monk appeared. He moved with incredible speed and power, annihting hundreds of zombies alone. His name was Chaloem."


    The three who were listening were in awe, their eyes wide with admiration. They didn''t think that this person was connected to that powerful monk.


    ''So that''s the reason he reacted like that after seeing the monk¡­ This is interesting.'' Mr. Wadsworth said.


    To be honest, he was quite confused about the timeline or the appearance of the Zombies. After all, they seemed to be present in the long past and in modern times.


    However, those who came from the past era seemed to describe thend as having been fully conquered by the Zombies already. But if that were the case, there wouldn''t be a way for humans to advance.


    ''There''s indeed something wrong with the appearance of the Zombies¡­ No wonder Sir Shane asked me topile everyone''s history before being taken by the Mysterious Gray Fog.'' Mr. Wadsworth said as he recalled Shane''s instructions.


    Apparently, Shane had been skeptical about the government''s research project that he had found. After all, if the Zombie Virus was created by modern-day gene researchers, then there shouldn''t be Zombies in the Middle age era!


    It was as if there was a deliberate maniption of history to mess it up, or perhaps there was another exnation for the appearance of the zombies in the past.


    Anyway, it was for Shane to discover the origin of the Zombie Virus and find a cure for it. He was only here to assist him as much as he could.


    Mr. Wadsworth smiled as he just continued noting the story that he heard.


    "After that event, my fellow knights and I decided to learn from Monk Chaloem. We followed him to the mountains, where he taught us the art of using Aura. It was a grueling training, but we emerged stronger and more capable."


    Sir ric''s expression darkened.


    "When we finally descended from the mountains, we found that the Zombie Outbreak had spread far and wide. We fought valiantly, but we were almost killed once again. This time, however, the mystical Gray Fog saved us, transporting me here."


    "Ohhh~ So you havepanions left in that fog?! Haha¡­ I hope they won''t get recruited to an enemy shelter. They''d definitely get killed by the leader of this shelter. He''s ruthless, you know?" Bartughed as if it wasn''t a big deal.


    Keh could only shake his head and hope that ric''spanion would also get recruited to this ce.


    As Sir ric finished his story, Alexa, the chef of the estate, arrived to inform ric that his weing food was ready. Two of her assistants had actually carried it to the manor''s reception room.


    "I don''t know how long you''ve stayed there in the fog, soe and have some food first," Alexa said as she brought food for the new recruit.


    "How about us?" Bart asked.


    "Haa¡­ You just finished your meal. Wait for your dinnerter. Right, give me three bottles of your wine, and I''ll give one of the MREs¡­" Alexa said.


    This MRE was directly given to her by Shane and wasn''t owned by the Manor, so Mr. Wadsworth didn''t mind it.


    "Ugh¡­ Two bottles!" Bart said to negotiate.


    "Deal!" Alexa immediately replied.


    ***


    After an hour had passed, ric had already started looking around the estate. He was apanied by Lady Seraph, who was basically the leader of the patrol groups.


    Though both of them were knights, they were apparently not colleagues as they were serving different lords.


    As they were chatting about their possible connection in the past, a figure stepped forward and blocked their path to the orchard.


    It was Monk Chaloem, his presence was calm and serene.


    "It seems fate has brought us together once more, ric," The monk said with his gentle voice.


    Sir ric''s eyes widened before a smile curved on his lips.


    "Sir Chaloem! I thought you didn''t recognize me. I never thought I would see you again."


    Monk Chaloem smiled, his eyes twinkling with warmth.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "The paths we walk are often mysterious, but they lead us to where we are needed most."

 Chapter 318: Neutral

    "Ahem¡­ Sir Chaloem¡­ Do you want to test this man as well?" Lady Seraph asked after seeing the monk blocking their path.


    Well, she had actually trained with Chaloem as well, together with the other knights she knew who had arrived in the shelterter than her.


    "You''re right, Lady Seraph. I think that would also help us fix the hierarchy in this territory." Monk Chaloem said as he also wanted to gauge the new recruit''s strength. If Knight ric was strong enough, perhaps he could help Raze and the othersplete various missions for the Eclipse Revenant n.


    Apparently, he had been invited by Raze to join them in their next n Mission. However, he couldn''t leave the estate for long, especially after Eldrin and Shinja left the estate to conquer one of the Toxic Zombie Dens.


    Since he knew that ric uses Aura as well, he believed that this person would be more suited to help the group of Foreign Survivors.


    ***


    The training grounds of Springriver Manor buzzed with activity as Sir ric and Monk Chaloem prepared for their practice match.


    The news had quickly spread since it was some sort of initiation for the neers who werebatants.


    The residents gathered around, eager to witness the sh between the two warriors.


    Both men stood at the center of the grounds. Their auras weren''t concealed at this point, as those who were quite near could feel the pressure emanating from them.


    "Who is going to win?" Bart asked Keh beside him.


    "It''s the Monk, of course. Did you not hear that Chaloem taught the knight how to use Aura?" Keh replied with confidence.


    "That''s true¡­ ric also didn''t have the time to adjust yet. He just came out of that gray fog after all." Chaloem muttered.


    "It''s not like he had to win. Chaloem just wanted to see his strength. It''ll probably end in just a few exchanges." Harper said while carrying a pickaxe on his shoulder. He had been creating a tunnel all this time and just had to take a breather for now.


    Cling~


    Sir ric then drew his well-polished sword as the de gleamed in the sunlight.


    In just a moment, his Aura red to life. It was an invisible energy that enveloped him, enhancing his strength and speed with fiery energy.


    Monk Chaloem, in contrast, stood calmly while his hands were empty. His Aura was also invisible, but it was sending waves of cool breeze. It was exuding a sense of tranquility, unlike a raging force from the Knight...


    With a nod of mutual respect, the battle began.


    ric charged forward, his sword slicing through the air with incredible speed. Chaloem watched the sword strike and dodged the strikes with a hair''s breadth.


    Then, he countered with a couple of palm strikes, each one infused with his Aura.


    Boom! Boom!


    The ground shook with the force of their blows, and a shockwave would even ur from time to time. ric''s attacks were powerful as each swing of his sword left a trail of crimson light.


    It seemed that his swords weren''t simple as well.


    Chaloem, on the other hand, would even parry the sword with his hands or knuckles! His Aura was more than enough to create a shield that deflected ric''s strikes.


    "So strong?!" Knight ric was shocked as he didn''t expect his sword to fail to cut Chaloem''s hands or even injure it!


    However, he hadn''t shown everything yet!


    As the battle intensified, both warriors pushed their limits.


    ric''s Aura Sword zed brighter, his attacks bing faster and more powerful.


    Chaloem responded in kind, as he also moved faster to parry or dodge all of his strikes!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The spectators watched in awe, their eyes were wide with excitement.


    Unfortunately, just as the battle reached its climax, the bell in the watchtower rang out!


    ng! ng! ng!


    It was urgent, and everyone looked at the watchtower.


    Apparently, the sound signaled an approaching horde of zombies.


    The residents'' excitement turned to rm as they realized the imminent danger.


    ric and Chaloem paused, their auras still flowing around them.


    They exchanged a nce, understanding the gravity of the situation.


    The practice match was over; it was time to defend the Manor.


    "To arms!" Lady Seraph shouted, her voice carrying across the training grounds.


    "A horde is approaching!"


    The residents sprang into action.


    The defenders immediately grabbed their weapons to prepare for the fight.


    ***


    In the meantime, as the Springriver Manor was under attack by a horde of Zombies, Shane, and Lysandra sprinted through the dense forest¡­


    At this time, the roars of six Giant Zombies echoed behind them, each step closer to their heels.


    There was no way to fight against these Giant Zombies. Shane even suspected that one of them a Leader Type Zombie, and it wasn''t easy to fight against them without powerful shields like Aegis Force.


    Thankfully, the two of them had high-tier essories and clothes that allowed them to move with incredible speed.


    Furthermore, although desperation fueled their speed, the terrain was unforgiving. It would be a matter of time before the Giant Zombies would catch up to them.


    Suddenly, they stumbled upon what appeared to be a massive, treacherous rocky mountain.


    "There''s no way around it!" Shane shouted, ncing back at the approaching monstrosities.


    Lysandra''s eyes widened as she noticed a faint shimmer in the air after seeing the mountain. However, there was no time to think about this¡­


    As soon as Shane noticed something was off, he could no longer step back¡­


    Whoosh~


    In just a moment, they plunged through the illusion of the rocky mountain and disappeared from the sight of the Giant Zombies!


    As for the two, the world around them shifted.


    The mountain was dissolved, revealing a hidden shelter nestled in a serene valley!


    Furthermore, the sounds of the zombies faded into the distance.


    It seemed that they entered someone''s territory!


    As soon as they realized what was going on, the system''s blue screen appeared!


    [ Congrattions! You''ve Discovered a Neutral Shelter! ]

 Chapter 319: Neutral Shelter

    [ Congrattions! You have discovered a Neutral Shelter! ]


    [ Survivor, your journey has led you to a sanctuary!


    You''ve found a Neutral Shelter, a safe haven for all survivors weary from the trials of survival. This refuge offers a ce to rest, make trades, and strategize for the challenges that lie ahead. Here, the Shelter Owner wees all, as long as you adhere to the shelter''s code of conduct. Respect the rules, and you''ll be rewarded with amity and safety. ]


    [ Rewards for discovering a Neutral Shelter:


    Experience Points: +100


    Reputation Points: 25 ]


    [ Special Reward for the first party to discover the Neutral Shelter:


    Versailles Empire''s Gold Coin x500


    The gold coins can be exchanged for special items within the shelter. ]


    [ Remember: Follow the rules. Respect is key! Abide by the Shelter Owner''s guidelines to ensure a harmonious environment. ]


    Shane and Lysandra exchanged triumphant smiles as the system notification shed before their eyes. They had not only escaped the Giant Zombies but also uncovered a hidden gem.


    "Versailles Empire''s Gold Coin¡­ This is the first time I''ve heard about this." Lysandra muttered after going through their rewards once again.


    On the other hand, Shane already had hundreds of these coins. The first time he had seen it was when Raze traded it to him. He recalled that Raze got them from a Treasure Chest.


    He had saved it in his inventory, but he didn''t really know where to use it.


    He thought that he would just be using them to convert as Auction Points once the next Auction Event was arranged.


    However, it seemed that they really found an interesting ce today.


    "Let''s see what this ce has to offer," Shane said as he stepped forward to approach the mysterious shelter.


    From the outside, they could see that it had tall walls like those from the castles. It was reaching over 20 meters! This was definitely not a simple shelter that could bepared to the ones he had seen before.


    Lysandra then followed Shane, and as she looked behind, she could no longer see the six Giant Zombies chasing after them but confirmed that everything had changed. It was as if they had entered a portal to this territory instead.


    As they approached the entrance, two imposing guards blocked their path.


    Their armor gleamed under the sunlight, and their expressions were stern.


    "Halt! This is the Ivory Gear Shelter! Entry requires 20 Zombie Cores per person," one of the guards announced.


    Shane''s face fell. "That''s expensive¡­" he muttered, ncing at Lysandra.


    Lysandra shrugged, her eyes scanning the guards. "We need to get inside. It''s worth it."


    Shane sighed and reached into his pack, pulling out a small pouch. "I''ll pay for both of us," he said, handing over 40 Zombie Cores.


    The guards inspected the cores before stepping aside. "Wee to the Neutral Shelter," they said in unison, allowing Shane and Lysandra to pass.


    As they entered, the shelter''s true beauty unfolded before them.


    It was a bustling haven filled with people from various regions, all coexisting in a fragile peace.


    Shane and Lysandra knew that their journey had just taken an unexpected turn, and it appeared that the Neutral Shelter held secrets and opportunities they had yet to uncover.


    ***


    At this time, within the shelter''s main building, Lord Kang Zhen, the owner of the Ivory Gear Shelter, sat behind a grand mahogany desk. He was currently scanning the documents rted to their logistics. More than a hundred papers were spread before him.


    Aside from his messy table, his office was still clean with a blend of elegance and practicality, with shelves lined with ancient tomes and maps of the surrounding territories.


    Kang Zhen sighed as he looked at one particr document. He couldn''t help but scratch his long ck hair tied neatly behind his head.


    ''Tsk¡­ This is tough¡­ We have to find a solution for this quickly.'' He thought¡­


    Kang Zhen had a well-groomed beard framing his stern face. He also had a scar of his right face that hinted about his countless battles and hard-earned victories.


    Knock!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    A knock on the door interrupted his concentration.


    "Enter," hemanded, not looking up from his work.


    A subordinate stepped in, bowing respectfully. "My Lord, two outsiders have entered the Neutral Shelter. They paid the entry fee and are currently within the premises."


    Kang Zhen finally lifted his gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly. They weren''t normally reporting this matter unless these people were special.


    "What about those two?" He asked.


    "We have checked twice, and one of them was above level 25." The subordinate answered. This news was certainly huge!


    Level 25 Survivors or higher shouldn''t exist yet!


    "Must be Legendary Title holder¡­" Kang Zhen frowned as he knew that anyone who could reach this level so quickly waspletely different from them.


    Anyway, their device to detect the level of Survivors was what allowed them to be a sessful Neutral Shelter¡­ Unfortunately, the highest it could cover was only level 25.


    "Just observe them for now. They''re Survivors from anothernd. As long as they''re not causing trouble, do not touch them."


    The subordinate nodded and left the room, leaving Kang Zhen alone with his thoughts.


    ''If one of them is at least level 25, it''s better not to provoke them¡­ Those with Legendary Titles are the most difficult to deal with.


    He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin.


    "Still, they''re too early to discover our shelter. I guess they''re fated toe here." he muttered to himself.


    Turning back to his documents, Kang Zhen''s expression grew more serious.


    "Haa~ We''recking supplies for healing potions¡­ Even if we had the recipe for Recovery Pills, we don''t have an alchemist to make them," he muttered, frustration evident in his voice.


    He sighed deeply, knowing that the survival of the Neutral Shelter depended on their ability to maintain their supplies.


    With no other choice, he decided to take action.


    He reached for a quill and parchment, drafting a notice to be posted on the mission board in the shelter''s za.

 Chapter 320: Perfect Opportunity

    [ Urgent Request from Lord Kang Zhen:


    The Neutral Shelter is in dire need of strong healing medicines. We require the expertise of an alchemist capable of producing Recovery Pills or equivalent healing potions. Those who can resolve the issue of ourck of medical supplies will be personally rewarded by the Shelter''s Lord, Kang Zhen. ]


    Satisfied with the notice, Kang Zhen sealed it with his emblem and called for a messenger. "Post this on the mission board immediately," he instructed.


    As the messenger hurried away, Kang Zhen leaned back in his chair once more, his mind already strategizing the next steps. The arrival of the two outsiders had piqued his curiosity, but for now, his focus remained on ensuring the well-being of his people.


    The Neutral Shelter was a sanctuary, and he would do whatever it took to keep it that way.


    ***


    Meanwhile, Shane and Lysandra wandered through the bustling streets of the Ivory Gear Shelter.


    It didn''t take long before they realized how great this ce waspared to the Nightfall Nexus Shelter.


    Their eyes were wide with amazement after realizing that over a thousand people were in this shelter!


    This was indeed a thrivingmunity!


    The shelter was a hive of activity, with people from various regions mingling and trading.


    Nheless, what Shane noticed here was that this ce was filled with trinkets or small machinery. From their signs, stalls, or even doors, all of them were using interesting pieces of machinery.


    ''Is this the reason why this ce is called Ivory Gear?'' Shane mused as he looked around.


    The air was filled with the hum of machinery and the chatter of merchants hawking their wares.


    They passed by numerous stalls and shops, each offering a unique array of goods.


    Trinkets and gadgets of all shapes and sizes were disyed, from intricate clockwork toys to sophisticated mechanical tools.


    One shop caught Shane''s eye, its sign reading "Advanced Prosthetics." Inside, they saw limbs and appendages that looked almost lifelike, crafted with a blend of metal and enchanted materials.


    Even Lysandra was stunned after seeing this¡­


    "Can we try to buy and sell these things in the Marketce?" Lysandra muttered to herself as she recalled that they were the first to discover the Neutral Shelter. This means that the unique items were all new to the survivors from Earth!


    Furthermore, she knew that there were many Survivors who had lost their limbs. There was a Legendary Talent holder who was good at healing and could regenerate lost limbs, but this person''s location was kept a secret. Even if you get their help, the fee would not be so cheap either.


    "That''s not a bad idea. You have to make sure that you''ll earn a lot, though." Shane muttered.


    "I''ll check themter¡­ This ce is really incredible¡­" Lysandra muttered as her gaze sweept over the advanced prosthetics.


    "It''s like a blend of mechanical engineering and magic." Shanemented.


    Lysandra nodded, equally impressed. "I''ve never seen anything like it. Their technology isn''t like the sci-fi scenes I''ve watched in movies, but this is definitely impressive."


    For now, they left the Advanced Prosthetics store and continued their exploration. Anyway, this ce should be safe, and they have plenty of timeter.


    Soon, they noticed a shop selling enchanted weapons and armor. The items glowed faintly, indicating the magical enhancements embedded within.


    ''That glow¡­ It must be at least Master-Grade.'' Shane mused.


    Another stall showcased mechanical pets, small creatures made of gears and springs, animated by some unseen force. They don''t seem to be able to fight Zombies, but they could be used for entertainment.


    ''Ahh¡­ They could also be used to lure Zombies, I guess.'' Shane thought.


    "Look at this," Lysandra said, pointing to a vendor demonstrating a mechanical bird. It pped its wings and chirped, much to the delight of onlookers.


    Shane smiled. "It''s interesting¡­ They can probably be used to attract a Zombie''s attention." He shared.


    They moved on, passing a cksmith''s forge where sparks flew as metal was hammered into shape. The cksmith, a burly man with a mechanical arm, greeted them with a nod. "Need anything repaired or custom-made?" he asked, his voice gruff but friendly.


    "Just looking around for now," Shane replied, admiring the craftsmanship on disy.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Further down the street, they found a shop specializing in magical artifacts. The shelves were lined with glowing crystals, enchanted scrolls, and potions of various colors.


    The shopkeeper, an elderly woman with a kind smile, weed them warmly.


    "Feel free to browse," she said. "We have items that can enhance your abilities or provide protection."


    Shane and Lysandra exchanged a nce, both realizing the potential of the items before them.


    "We''ll definitely keep that in mind," Lysandra said, her eyes lingering on a particrly vibrant crystal. The two of them noted this ce as well since they were nning to return here once they familiarized themselves with this shelter.


    Then, Shane and Lysandra strolled through the bustling za of the Ivory Gear Shelter¡­


    "This ce is lively¡­" Shanemented.


    The za was a hub of activity, with merchants calling out their wares and children ying near the fountain.


    As they walked, they overheard snippets of conversation from the passersby.


    "Did you hear? Lord Kang Zhen has posted a newmission on the mission board," one man said to hispanion.


    "Yes, it''s about theck of medical supplies. The reward is supposed to be quite substantial," the other replied.


    Intrigued, Shane and Lysandra made their way to the mission board, where a crowd had gathered.


    A town crier stood on a raised tform, reading aloud the notice from Lord Kang Zhen.


    "Hear ye, hear ye! Lord Kang Zhen seeks a solution to our shortage of medical supplies. Those who can provide strong healing medicines or an equivalent will be rewarded personally by the Lord himself! Theplete details will be posted on the mission board!"


    Shane''s eyes widened as he listened. He believed that he might be able to help.


    Of course, he hadn''t considered selling his limited number of potions. Instead, he could use his newly acquired talent and skill to resolve this!


    This might bring him some trouble, but the opportunity was too good for him to pass up. He knew that he just had to be careful about how he should approach this.

 Chapter 321: Crafting

    Shane and Lysandra then checked the mission board and found the full details of the mission¡­


    The reward that they could get from the Shelter''s Lord wasn''t noted, but everyone they met who was talking about it knew that it would be amazing.


    Unfortunately, these people only knew about white Diodia leaves. It was the most basic healing herb they could obtain, and everyone used it for almost any type of injury, even for a headache. It had healing properties, but it was too weak. Needless to say, this very weak healing herb wasn''t the solution that the Shelter Lord was looking for.


    "Do you think you can help?" Lysandra asked as she raised an eyebrow. She wasn''t sure how Shane would be able to help here since the Shelter Lord didn''t just need a temporary solution but a more stable one.


    "With my new talent and Fast Regeneration Skill, I might be able to infuse a token or any object with my healing ability," Shane exined.


    "It could be the answer to their problem and earn us some rewards."


    He knew that he would not be able to hide his talent from Lysandra, so he might as well tell it now. In any case, she was already part of the Eclipse Revenant, and she would certainly see him use this talent more.


    Lysandra''s eyes lit up after hearing this. She wasn''t exactly sure what kind of talent it was, but it seemed that Shane could transfer his skills to other objects.


    "That''s brilliant! If you can pull it off, it would definitely solve their issue. The Shelter Lord might even give you a Legendary Items for this."


    "That would be too much. I don''t think they have such a high-level item. However, as long as it''s something unique, I can ept it." Shane replied. "I just need to find out what kind of reward we could get. Let''s ask around and see if we can get more details." He added.


    After a few moments, they approached a nearby merchant who seemed well-informed about the shelter''s affairs.


    "Excuse me, do you know anything about the reward for solving the medical supply issue?" Shane asked.


    The merchant smiled knowingly. "Ah, you''re interested in themission, are you? Lord Kang Zhen is known for his generosity. The reward could range from rare artifacts to a significant amount of resources. I believe it all depends on the value of the solution provided. After all, Lord Kang Zhen himself is the best Mechanic in thisnd!"


    "Mechanic?" Shane and Lysandra repeated. Now that they think about it, it indeed made sense, considering how this shelter was filled with unique machinery or devices.


    "Yes¡­ That''s right! Any piece of his work could be sold for an extremely high price whenever it appears in the auction." The merchant excitedly shared as he mentioned various more things about the Shelter lord.


    Shane couldn''t help but smile as he realized that this mission was indeed perfect for him.


    Nheless, after hearing everything he needed, he expressed his gratitude by giving a gold coin to the merchant.


    "Hahaha¡­ You don''t really have to give such a tip, but I''ll ept it!" The merchant said as he pocket the coin.


    "Thank you for the information." Shane said, turning back to Lysandra.


    "We need to get to work. If I can infuse an object with my Fast Regeneration Skill, it could be exactly what they need. However, we have to make it a bit unique. Let''s try to acquire a rare wood around here, and I can use it to carve a token."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Lysandra nodded in agreement. "That sound''s a good n. However, can a simple wood really be imbued by such a spell?"


    "I''m not really sure, so I''m not nning to make too many of them yet. Let''s just find some rare pieces of wood and go from there."


    "Alright¡­ But don''t you think we should first find a ce to stay where you also carve your tokenster?" Lysandra asked.


    "That''s true¡­"


    Shane and Lysandra then wandered through the streets of the Ivory Gear Shelter, searching for a ce to rest.


    After a few inquiries, they found a charming hotel inn with a sign that read "The Golden Gear Inn - Free Breakfast Included."


    "This looks promising," Lysandra said, pushing open the door.


    Inside, the inn was warm and inviting, with polished wooden floors and a cozy firece. The manager, a middle-aged woman with a friendly smile, greeted them at the counter.


    "Wee to The Golden Gear Inn! How can I assist you today?" she asked.


    "We''d like to book two rooms for three nights," Shane replied. "How much would that be?"


    The manager''s smile widened. "Each room is 2 Versailles Empire''s Gold Coins per night. For three nights, that would be 12 coins in total for both rooms."


    Shane nodded and handed over the coins. "Here you go. We''ll take the rooms."


    The manager epted the payment and handed them two keys. "Your rooms are on the second floor. Breakfast is served from 7 to 9 AM in the dining hall. Enjoy your stay!"


    "Thank you," Lysandra said, taking her key.


    After settling into their respective rooms and taking refreshing baths, Shane and Lysandra changed into morefortable clothes. They both strapped on their weapons, knowing the importance of being prepared in this unpredictable world.


    "Ready to hit the market?" Shane asked as they met in the hallway.


    "Absolutely," Lysandra replied with a nod. "Let''s find those rare pieces of wood."


    They made their way to the bustling market. This ce was filled with the sounds of haggling and the scent of various goods.


    The market was filled with stalls and shops, each offering unique items. However, most of them were indeed mechanical items from toys, decorations, and to weapons.


    "We should split up to cover more ground," Lysandra suggested. "I''ll check the eastern side, and you can take the western side."


    "Sounds like a n," Shane agreed. "Stay safe."


    "You too," Lysandra said, giving him a reassuring smile before heading off.


    Shane then navigated through the market, his eyes scanning for any sign of rare wood.


    Well, Cloud couldn''t help much with this kind of appraisal yet.


    Nheless, Shane soon found himself in an area where craftsmen disyed their wares. Intricately carved furniture, wooden sculptures, and various tools were on disy, showcasing the skill and artistry of the local craftsmen.


    He approached a stall where an elderly craftsman was meticulously carving a piece of wood. "Excuse me, do you have any rare types of wood for sale?" Shane asked.


    The craftsman looked up, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Ah, you''re looking for something special, huh¡­ Are you a craftsman? Anyway, I might have just what you need. Follow me."


    Sensing that there seemed to be a business, the craftsman chose his words carefully.


    Shane then followed the craftsman to the back of the stall, where he revealed a selection of rare and exotic woods.


    "These are some of the finest pieces I have. Perfect for carving small sculptures or any other intricate work."


    Shane examined the pieces, and he was indeed impressed by their quality.


    "These things looked good. Can you give me the three different pieces of wood? I want the highest quality. Rest assured, once their quality passes, I will be buying more of themter." Shane said.


    The old craftsman happily obliged and introduced the three pieces of wood.


    "Of course, young man. Let me introduce you to some of the finest woods in my collection."


    He then carefully picked up a piece of wood with a deep, rich red hue. "This is Crimsonheart. It''s incredibly durable and resistant to decay. A piece like this would cost you 5 Versailles Empire''s Gold Coins."


    Next, he held up a piece with distinctive dark brown stripes on a golden-yellow background. "This is Drifterwood. Its bold aesthetic appeal and durability make it a favorite among craftsmen. It resists warping and twisting, making it ideal for intricate work. This piece is priced at 4 Versailles Empire''s Gold Coins."


    Finally, the craftsman presented a piece of wood with a rich, reddish-brown color and intricate grain patterns.


    "And this is Pixie Oak, one of the most sought-after woods for fine furniture and carvings. It''s exceptionally stable and resistant to decay even without adding chemicals. It ensures longevity even in humid environments. This piece will cost you 7 Versailles Empire''s Gold Coins."


    Shane was satisfied with this and purchased a piece of each of them.


    As he returned to the inn, he confirmed that Lysandra hadn''t returned yet, so he decided to start working. He chose not to make the design tooplicated since he nned to make plenty of them.


    Soon, he made a token carved with an open book and an eye at the center. Then, used his talent to fuse it with his Fast Regeneration Skill and used up only 50 Spirit Points in the process!


    [ Crimsonheart Healing Token: Carved from the rare Crimsonheart wood, this token radiates warm, vibrant energy. Its deep red hue symbolizes vitality and life, making it a cherished item among survivors. When activated, the token grants a surge of regenerative power, allowing the bearer to swiftly recover from injuries.


    Effect:


    Fast Regeneration: Restores 30% of maximum vitality instantly.


    Activation Cost: 2 Spirit Points


    Usage: 20/20


    Remarks: made by Shadow Strider ]

 Chapter 322: Healing Tokens

    ''Remarks¡­ Made by Shadow Strider¡­'' Shane read in his mind, and he couldn''t help but feel surprised about this.


    "There''s my nickname on it?"


    His mind raced as he realized that because of this, his identity as a craftsman would probably spread.


    ''I''ll be famous¡­'' He thought¡­


    However, he immediately recalled that this ce was a Neutral Shelter, and the people didn''t have Regional or World Chat to share information. In short, his Shadow Strider nickname wouldn''t spread outside this shelter, at least for now.


    ''Anyway, it can only be used 20 times, huh¡­ That''s still a lot better than a single-use potion or pill. After all, it only requires 2 Spirit Points to activate.''


    Shane then checked the Marketce to see the prices of potions, pills, or herbs that had healing properties. After adjusting the list by using the search function, he found several potions being sold for a decent price by a single person. It appears that this person probably has an Alchemy or Pharmacist talent or something simr.


    [ Seller: Hidden Patrol


    Item: Dilluted Health Potion x293


    Description: A weak healing potion concocted by a witch. It provides 10 Vitality Points.


    Price: 10 Zombie Cores per piece ]


    ''This¡­ It''s not even ten percent but 10 Vitality Points.'' Shane was a bit shocked when he saw the most popr potion being sold in the Marketce.


    As far as he knows, Anna could also make these potions. Furthermore, the main ingredient was actually a certain herb that could also be found in the forest. A single leaf could make a decent healing potion but since this was diluted, the effect was terrible.


    Anna didn''t even have to spend any Zombie Cores to make these since the ingredients were already in nature. She only needed the basic pieces of equipment like pot,dle, bottles, and others to produce them.


    With the 20% Transaction Fee of the market, it meanst that Hidden Patrol could earn 16 Zombie Cores per piece. This was certainly not a bad business, especially if the price to make a single potion was cheap¡­


    He then checked the next popr potion and confirmed that it was still made by Hidden Patrol.


    [ Seller: Hidden Patrol


    Item: Basic Health Potion x31


    Description: A normal healing potion concocted by a witch. It provides 50 Vitality Points.


    Price: 50 Zombie Cores per piece ]


    "Ah¡­" Shane''s eyes lit up as he realized that this person was selling his potion based on the vitality regeneration rate.


    It was actually one zombie core for one vitality point!


    ''Interesting¡­'' Shane thought.


    Anyway, with his Crimsonheart Healing Token, which was capable of providing 30% of vitality to the user 20 times, he couldn''t help but consider selling them for 250 or more Zombie Cores.


    ''But that''s a bit expensive, I guess.'' Shane mused as he decided not to think about it for now. Instead, the price could be negotiated once he met with Lord Kang Zhen or any of his representatives.


    For now, he decided to continue making tokens with simr designs but with Drifterwood and Pixie Oak.


    ''It''s really a different effect with different item, huh¡­'' Shane mused as he confirmed that although he infused the same Fast Regeneration Skill, the effect of the item was still different.


    [ Drifterwood Healing Token: Engraved from Drifterwood, this token possesses an earthy aroma and a sturdy build. Known for its connection to the wandering spirits, it offers a unique healing effect that draws upon the natural energies of the environment.


    Effect:


    Sustained Healing: Gradually restores 40% of maximum health over 10 seconds.


    Activation Cost: 3 Spirit Points


    Usage: 25/25


    Remarks: made by Shadow Strider ]


    "Ohh¡­ Sustained healing instead of the instant one¡­ However, it has a higher restoration rate and more number of uses." Shane smiled in satisfaction after seeing the result. Since the activation cost was higher and it was a sustained healing, he couldn''t help but think that this could have a lower price. However, the gap of the price shouldn''t be too big.


    ''Or is this supposed to have a higher price?'' Shane mused.


    Anyway, he left it at that and continued.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Next, he used the Pixie Oak to carve another token. Although his knife was already a Master-Grade, he realized that this piece of wood was harder to carve than the two others.


    Then, after making the token, he proceeded with the infusion and spent 50 Spirit Points to infuse the Fast Regeneration Skill once again.


    [ Pixie Oak Healing Token: This enchanting token is crafted from the magical Pixie Oak, known for its resistance to decay. When activated, it taps into the ethereal essence of the pixies, granting a burst of healing energy that revitalizes the bearer.


    Effect:


    Instant Remedy: Restores 50% of maximum health instantly and grants a 30% speed boost for 10 seconds.


    Activation Cost: 20 Spirit Points


    Usage: 10/10


    Remarks: made by Shadow Strider ]


    "Ohh¡­ It even grants Speed Boost?" Shane found this amusing. He imagined that this potion was indeed perfect to use during their escape.


    The only downside was the Spirit Points usage, which was higher than the first two tokens. Nheless, this was certainly a very good healing item!


    This would definitely be very expensive.


    Furthermore, as he tried to infuse the token with the Fast Regeneration Skill, he felt that the token could handle another infusion!


    After some hesitation, he opened his status to consider which skill he could infuse into the token.


    [ Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Axe Mastery, Lockpicking, Hacker, Controlled Body Heating, Fast Swimmer, Taunt, Mining, Danger Sense, Rope Mastery, Weather Sense, Deadly Punch, Alchemy, Weapon Master, Aura of Protection, Foraging, Archery, Survival Cooking, Horseback Riding, Lesser Beast Taming, Boosted Steps, Ghost Stride, Horizontal sh and Enhanced Senses. ]


    [ Fused Skills: Survivalist, Crowd Maniptor, Phantasm Rush, Trap Mastery ]


    ''Adding taunt will make it dangerous¡­ How about Ghost Stride? Uhmmm¡­ Danger Sense?'' Shane mused as he considered which skill he should infuse.


    ''A movement skill is good with the Speed Boost¡­ But since this is supposedly a support item, might as well add some defense.''


    After some hesitation, Shane decided to infuse the Pixie Oak Healing Token with Aura of Protection. This time, however, he spent 75 Spirit Points during the infusion!

 Chapter 323: The Witch

    [ Pixie Oak Safety Token: This enchanting token is crafted from the magical Pixie Oak, known for its resistance to decay. When activated, the Pixie Oak Token taps into the ethereal essence of the pixies, granting a burst of healing energy and a protective shield that envelops the bearer.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Effect:


    Instant Remedy: Restores 50% of maximum health instantly and grants a 30% speed boost for 10 seconds.


    Activation Cost: 20 Spirit Points


    Protective Aura: Grants a Protection Shield that absorbs iing damage for 30 seconds.


    Activation Cost: 40 Spirit Points


    Usage: 10/10


    Remarks: made by Shadow Strider ]


    "Amazing¡­ The number of uses didn''t even decrease." Shane muttered as he realized how great this item was.


    For only 40 Spirit Points, it would actually grant 30 seconds of protection!


    "Not bad¡­" Shane felt satisfied with this result.


    He then recalled chatting with Lysandra that he already purchased Crimsonheart, Drifterwood, and Pixie Oak, reminding her not to get these pieces of wood anymore.


    Without waiting for her reply, he nced at the remaining wood. Then, he started carving once again and stored them all in his Inventory.


    Crimson Healing Token x30


    Drifterwood Healing Token x30


    Pixie Oak Healing Token x25


    Pixie Oak Safety Token x5


    All in all, he has spent 4,625 Spirit Points, which is quite a lot. After all, if not for his Spirit Enhancement Bottles, his natural regeneration of Spirit Points was only about 5 Points per hour or 120 points per day.


    "Mhmm¡­ I need to find a better Spirit Regeneration item." Shane muttered.


    Since he nned on making plenty of these tokens to be sold to the Shelter Owner, he would undoubtedly need to obtain more potions.


    At this time, more than 5 hours had already passed because it took quite a lot of time to carve, even with his dexterity. Nheless, as he got used to it, he was able to make tokens a lot faster.


    Thankfully, he didn''t put too much work on the design. It was a simple open book with an eye at the center.


    Opening the Marketce, Shane realized that Hidden Patrol, the one who seemed to be a witch, was also selling Spirit Recovery Pills!


    Furthermore, he was selling them in huge quantities!


    "How is this guy able to get so many resources? Wait¡­ It''s described as a witch." Shane muttered as he recalled the witch would generally be assigned to women while wizard for men.


    Anyway, Shane couldn''t help but feel impressed as he believed that Hidden Patrol had a huge n backing her.


    Nheless, Shane was still curious how this person had so much time making various types of potions, pills, and others.


    [ Seller: Hidden Patrol


    Item: Basic Spirit Recovery Pill x1,205


    Description: A normal Spirit gathering medicine concocted by a witch. It provides 100 Spirit Points within 5 seconds.


    Price: 25 Zombie Cores per piece ]


    "Mhmm¡­ At the very least, it''s not one Zombie core for one Spirit Point." Shane muttered as he confirmed that it was a lot cheaper.


    [ Seller: Hidden Patrol


    Item: Enhanced Spirit Recovery Pill x210


    Description: A unique Spirit gathering medicine concocted by a witch. It provides 50% of Survivor''s maximum Spirit Points.


    Price: 75 Zombie Cores per piece ]


    As soon as he saw the description of his Pill, Shane knew that this was what he needed.


    After all, his 50% Spirit Points were 5,000!


    That amount requires fifty basic Spirit Recovery Pills or 1,250 Zombie Cores.


    Well, based on his observation in the Regional Chat and also from the other Survivors in his Shelter, the average Spirit Points was about 250 at this stage. This means that 50% of that was only 125 Spirit Points, so it was better to purchase the Basic Spirit Recovery Pill, which grants 100 Spirit Points, than the Enhanced Spirit Recovery Pill.


    After confirming that he still has plenty of Zombie Cores, he purchased 5 Enhanced Spirit Recovery Pills for 375 Zombie Cores.


    He decided not to get too much as he might find a better solution soon. Anyway, he doesn''t think that the price would get higher.


    ***


    After searching the Marketce for some time, Shane opened the Regional Chat to see what was going on in various sectors.


    Then, Shane leaned back in his chair, stretching his tired muscles¡­ At this time, the door to his room creaked open.


    Lysandra stepped in, carrying two pieces of wood wrapped in cloth.


    "Hey, Shane. Look what I found," she said, cing the pieces on the table. Shane only gave her 50 gold coins, so she didn''t buy a lot.


    Shane''s eyes widened as he nced at the two items. "What are these?"


    Lysandra unwrapped the first piece, revealing a wood with a bit of dark hue, like it had been stored in a damp area¡­


    "It looks ugly, but this is called Moonwood. It''s not that rare, although it is said to be imbued with lunar essence." She exined.


    "Not rare?" Shane repeated.


    Lysandra nodded and continued. "Yes¡­ It''s not rare since it''s not natural and has been treated to be one. I heard that the smoke from this type of wood could be soothing for tired bodies¡­ This soothing smoke must be the effect of the lunar essence they used. Right, I bought this piece for 20 gold coins."


    "That much?" Shane muttered, but he didn''t really mind as long as the effect of the infusion would be better than the ones he had.


    Lysandra then unwrapped the second piece, which had a deep blue hue. "And this is Starwood. This is also a treated wood normally used for making bows. It cost me 15 gold coins."


    Shane nodded since he noticed that some guards were equipped with bows and arrows. Although some of them also had guns, the arc trajectory of the bows was still useful in many cases. Furthermore, arrows could be retrieved, and it could save a lot of money.


    "They''re expensive¡­" he mumbled. Shane then ran his fingers over the smooth surface of the Starwood. "But they look amazing. These could be perfect for making more powerful tokens."

 Chapter 324: Completing the Craft

    Lysandra nodded after hearing Shane''s simple evaluation of the pieces of wood she bought...


    "I thought so too. I know it was a lot of money, but I think it will be worth it." She replied.


    Shane smiled, appreciating her effort.


    "Thanks for getting these. With these materials, I might be able to create something extraordinary."


    He then cleared up his table as he decided to start working with the Moonwood and Starwood.


    After a few minutes, Shane was able to create two tokens. This time, he didn''t focus on making healing-type tokens since they were too expensive.


    After some consideration, he decided to just use his Drifterwood Healing Token to negotiate with the Shelter Lord.


    The reason was simple: it was actually a lot cheaper!


    The Crimsonheart was five gold coins per piece, and the Pixie Oak was worth seven gold coins. On the other hand, the Drifterwood was only four gold coins each piece!


    As for the Moonwood and Starwood, which were worth 20 and 15 gold coins, respectively, they were certainly not the best option here. Even if he makes Healing Tokens out of them, it would probably be just for his n or recruits.


    "Eh?"


    After infusing the tokens with his Phantasm Rush and Aura of Protection, he felt that the pieces of carved wood were still capable of having another Skill.


    "I also want to see how many Spirit Points I''ll use this time¡­" Shane muttered as he decided to just add the Fast Regeneration.


    In the end, he realized that it consumed 150 Spirit Points! That was already quite a lot! There might even be some weak survivors who only had that many Spirit Points.


    Nheless, he confirmed this time that the first infusion was worth 50 Spirit Points. The second one was actually 75 Spirits, and the third one was worth 150 Spirit Points.


    Of course, ording to his Skill Infuser Talent description: "The greater the skills you choose to imbue, the more Spirit Points you must expend to activate this talent."


    This was why he was expecting to only spend 50 Spirit Points at this third infusion. However, it appears that aside from this rule, there was another rule about the cost increase rtive to the number of infusions made.


    ''Anyway, this effect is much better than I thought¡­ I''m really getting a lot stronger.'' Shane thought to himself as he looked at the effects of the tokens he had just created.


    [ Moonwood Haste Token: Crafted from a rare Moonwood, this Token gleams with a silvery hue that reflects the soft glow of the moon. When activated, it imbues the user with strong protection and provides a mysterious movement technique, allowing them to move with haste effortlessly. With its soft glow, it also grants a weak healing effect to the user.


    Effect:


    Phantasm Rush: Grants a boost in agility and stealth and increases overall movement speed by 140% for 30 seconds.


    Cost: 50 Spirit Points


    Protection Aura ( Passive ): Surrounds the user with a shield that deflects iing damage during the Phantasm Rush. Unstackable.


    Health Regeneration ( Passive ): Restores 5 Vitality Points per hour. Unstackable.


    Usage: 35/35


    Remarks: made by Shadow Strider ]


    "This is really good¡­" Shane muttered in excitement after seeing the first Token.


    The Phantasm Rush Skill he currently has in his set of skills also costs 50 Spirit Points, but it could onlyst for 10 seconds.


    On the other hand, the effect of the Phantasm Rush from the Token couldst 30 seconds! The only problem was that instead of a 200% base increase, it was only 140%...


    There was still a huge difference with the speed it could grant him. However, considering the fact that he doesn''t have to spend Spirit Points for the Protection Aura and Health Regeneration, it was still the best, in his opinion.


    He then passed it over to Lysandra so she could check it herself. Well, she looked really curious after seeing his reaction.


    ''It''s a pity that the regeneration is also unstackable. No matter how many tokens I have, it will only give me 5 points per hour.


    Then, he turned to the next item.


    [ Starwood Mighty Token: Forged from the rare Starwood, this token sparkles with strange light, reminiscent of the stars that illuminate the night sky. The Starwood Token is imbued with mystical energy, granting its user the ability to execute the Phantasm Rush wlessly and providing various benefits to the user.


    Effect:


    Phantasm Rush: Grants a boost in agility and stealth and increases overall movement speed by 150% for 20 seconds.


    Cost: 40 Spirit Points


    Protection Aura: Provides a shield that absorbs up to iing damage.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Cost: 20 Spirit Points


    Fast Regeneration ( Passive ): Restores 5 Vitality Points per hour. Unstackable.


    Usage: 30/30


    Remarks: made by Shadow Strider ]


    ''Mhmm¡­ This is eptable.'' Shane gently nodded as he saw the effects. Since it also consumed 275 Spirit Points per Token, he believed that it wasn''t that bad at all.


    After this, Shane spent some time carving new tokens and gave them simr effects.


    Moonwood Haste Token x30


    Starwood Mighty Token x30


    All in all, he spent 16,500 Spirit Points to make them all! As a result, he also consumed 3 Enhanced Spirit Recovery Pills that could grant him 50% of his maximum Spirit Points.


    Thanks to that, each pill could grant him 5,000 Spirit Points!


    Shane then instructed Lysandra to buy more Drifterwood in the previous shop he had visited. He then gave her 40 more gold coins to buy ten pieces of them.


    After all of that was arranged, Shane spent the rest of the day carving tokens. Anyway, even if the Shelter Lord decided not to purchase them and give them a reward, he could still sell them in the Marketce, and he knew that he would be able to earn a lot of Zombie Cores in the process.


    Of course, Shane wasn''t able to use all ten pieces of them and only used 20 pieces. Nheless, that still made him use 30,000 Spirit Points!


    In short, this made him consume six more Enhanced Spirit Recovery Pills! Each of them was worth 75 Zombie Cores, so he still spent 450 cores!

 Chapter 325: Quick Negotation

    Shane and Lysandra had theirplimentary breakfast before they decided to visit the Shelter Lord''s building in order to inform them about their solution for theirck of medical pills, potions, or items rted to health recovery.


    At this time, Shane had 630 pieces of Drifterwood Healing Token, and Shane knew that it was more than enough for Kang Zhen.


    This person may not even be capable of buying half of them, but Shane decided to have plenty of reserves.


    ***


    The next morning, Shane and Lysandra enjoyed theirplimentary breakfast at the inn. The dining hall was filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and brewed coffee, providing aforting start to their day.


    "Ready to present our solution?" Lysandra asked, taking a sip of her coffee. She only nned to apany Shane and would just act as his secretary or some sort.


    Shane nodded, finishing his meal. "Let''s do this."


    They made their way to the Shelter Lord''s building, the heart of the Ivory Gear Shelter''s administration. As they approached, they noticed a long line of people stretching out from the entrance.


    After listening to their conversations, it seemed that many hade to offer their solutions to the medical supply crisis.


    "Looks like we''re not the only ones with ideas," Lysandra remarked, observing the crowd.


    Shane nodded as he felt surprised. He didn''t expect that there would be a lot of people who would try to solve the shelter''s problem.


    ''Did they also make some pills or potions? No, perhaps they were just selling the potions they''d kept in their treasury¡­ This is interesting¡­'' Shane mused.


    However, as he continued to listen to the conversations around them he couldn''t help but feel amused.


    It was simr to Lysandra, who also heard their conversations as she joined the line.


    They heard various proposals: some of them had seeds of the main ingredients for a healing drug and thought of suggesting to the Lord to nt them, and others talked about trading with other neutral shelters using their trading caravans. A few individuals also whispered about secret locations of Zombie Dens where healing supplies could be scavenged.


    There were also those who nned to offer recipes for making healing pills or simr remedies.


    "It seems like everyone has a different approach," Shane said, ncing at Lysandra. "But it looks like we''re the only ones who actually brought the supply itself."


    Lysandra nodded. "That should give us an edge. Let''s hope Lord Kang Zhen sees the value in what we''ve done."


    After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the front of the line.


    A guard directed them to a waiting area inside the building. Momentster, they were ushered into a spacious room where Lord Kang Zhen sat behind arge desk, nked by his advisors.


    They all had tired faces as they seemed to be running out of patience with the various offers they just heard.


    Shane was actually surprised that Kang Zhen was there with his arms crossed, looking really irritated. Anyway, because of this, Shane liked the Shelter Lord more as he was actually willing to spend his time on this instead of just letting his Advisors make an appropriate solution.


    "State your business," one of the advisors said, eyeing them curiously.


    Shane stepped forward, holding up six pieces of the Drifterwood Healing Tokens. It was an exact number of the people present in the room, excluding the two of them.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "My name is Shane, and this is Lysandra. We have plenty of these Drifterwood Healing Tokens that can provide a decent healing effect. Each of them can be used 25 times, and we believe these can help solve the medical supply issue."


    Lord Kang Zhen leaned forward, his interest piqued. This was the reason why he clearly mentioned that he would ept any type of solution to their problem. It was for them to get this kind of creative solution that none of them had thought of.


    After all, they have already raided a lot of areas where herbs that could make medicinal drug grows. This means that what they needed was a different source of health recovery items or materials.


    "Show me." Kang Zhen said as he observed the handsome ck-haired man and the charmingdy behind him. Thedy wasn''t a peerless beauty like his wives, but she was certainly appealing with her aura and her curves¡­


    Kang Zhen shook his head as he erased his random thoughts.


    At this time, Shane had already handed over the Token to everyone. Then, he exined their effects so they couldpare them to see if they matched his description.


    Of course, he didn''t mention anything rted to the infusion of his Fast Regeneration Skill. He simply repeated the effects of the potion.


    As the advisors were the ones who had taken them first, they were the ones who had immediately reacted...


    "Amazing! Although the effect requires 10 seconds to take full effect, it can provide a huge amount of life force! This is marvelous!"


    "Indeed¡­ And as he said, it can be used for 25 times! A single token is actually equal to 25 Intermediate-grade Rejuvenation Pill!"


    "If we can have a hundred of these, we might be able to conquer thest three Zombie Dens, my lord!"


    "We can also continue that mining with this!"


    The advisors immediately expressed their opinion as they confirmed the effects of the Token.


    Seeing that it seemed to be a legitimate healing object, Kang Zhen nodded as he examined the Token¡­


    After some time, his eyes also lit up in excitement.


    "This is impressive. You have indeed brought a tangible solution."


    He looked up at Shane and Lysandra, a hint of a smile ying on his lips.


    "You have done well¡­ Now, I believe you can supply us with more of these. Tell us the price."


    Shane and Lysandra exchanged relieved nces. It seemed that they already passed through the first stage of earning profit.


    Shane smiled at the question, and instead of giving an offer, he answered with a question.


    "Although I have something in mind, I would like to know what you can offer for these healing tokens¡­ I trust that Lord Kang Zhen can give us a fair price¡­ What do you say?"

 Chapter 326: The Offers

    Lord Kang Zhen leaned back in his chair, considering Shane''s words.


    He could tell that these tokens were a lot more useful duringbat. After all, instead of uncapping a bottle and drinking its content, just pouring your Spiritual Energy into the token was a lot easier.


    It could be done while moving or while fighting!


    "Very well," he said, "I can offer you 800 gold coins for each healing token." He suggested.


    Of course, this was open for negotiation. His upper limit would be 2,000 gold coins each. However, if he immediately offered that, he was afraid that Shane would think that it was too little.


    However, instead of suggesting a higher price, Shane shook his head slightly.


    "Gold coins are useful, but only within these Neutral Shelters. I won''t be able to use them in other Survivor Shelters. I was hoping for something more versatile." Shane said.


    Kang Zhen nodded thoughtfully and turned to his advisors. "What other options do we have?"


    Well, since Shane didn''t want to tell them what kind of Item or currency he was looking for, they could only try to suggest what would take his interest.


    One of the advisors, a tall man with a stern expression, spoke first. "We could trade 200 Zombie Cores for each token. They are valuable and can be used in various ways."


    Again, this advisor offered his lowest estimate after getting a signal from Kang Zhen.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    With this offer, Shane didn''t reply and simply nodded his head. He certainly considered this as well but he felt that the 200 Zombie Cores were a bit too low.


    Another advisor, a woman with sharp eyes and a calcting demeanor, added, "We also have Spirit Stones. Ten Spirit Stones for each healing token would be a fair trade. They are highly sought after for their energy and can be used in many applications."


    "Spirit Stones?" Shane repeated.


    "Correct¡­ The Spirit Stones can replenish your Spiritual Energy. A hundred units of Spirit Energy for a low-grade while a thousand for a mid-grade¡­ There were top-grade stones as well, but we don''t have those here." The female advisor exined, seemingly surprised that Shane didn''t seem to be aware of this.


    However, as soon as Shane heard this, he couldn''t help but feel shocked.


    He knew the existence of the Spirit Stones in the Fairy Realm, but he didn''t expect that there would be something like this in the Zombie Outbreak!


    After all, the A.I. Rebellion''s setting doesn''t have anything rted to Spirit Stones or any magical things. It was purely alien technology or advanced technology.


    In that Apocalypse, all the power-ups, aside from the level-up System, were done with the help of memory or technique imprinting and through drugs or gic fluids of various kinds that alter genes to make people stronger.


    He initially thought that the Zombie Outbreak would also be quite simr to this and wouldn''t involve too many magical things, aside from the System''s magical help, like the Item''s magical effects through the upgrade crystals aid.


    However, it seemed that he had underestimated this Zombie Outbreak¡­


    ''Is this rted to the Neutral Shelter''s appearance?'' Shane mused.


    ''Anyway¡­ This is better¡­''


    Seeing that Shane was still not that satisfied, a third advisor, an elderly man with a long white beard, suggested, "We could offer rare alchemical ingredients. These are hard toe by and could be very useful for someone with your skills."


    "Oh? Can you tell me what these alchemical ingredients are?" Shane asked as he suddenly recalled something important.


    The advisor smiled and nodded. "We have almost everything here. You can check the Alchemy Warehouseter, and perhaps you can find something there that you want."


    "Ahem¡­ Then, do you have Ancient Oak Moss?" Shane asked as he recalled that he was still unable to produce the elixir he needed because he didn''t have this one ingredient!


    To be exact, he needed 400 grams of the Ancient Oak Moss in order to make the elixir of Titan''s Roar.


    It was the only item missing in the recipe! Furthermore, if their warehouse was really filled with many ingredients, then he might be able to concoct the other recipes listed in the Blood Alchemy Book!


    Seeing that Shane was interested in Alchemy Ingredients, everyone''s eyes lit up.


    Kang Zhen then immediately looked at their advisor handling the Alchemy ingredients. He doesn''t know much about this. It was also his first time hearing about the Ancient Oak Moss.


    Although they don''t have alchemists in their shelter, they at least have apprentice alchemists. They weren''t capable of making high-grade potions, but they were more than enough to make the most basic tonics that don''t require too many skills.


    The problem with this, however, was that they were wasting too many resources to make low-quality potions or pills that had a high impurity. They weren''t capable of maximizing the full effects of their precious ingredients.


    The advisor then looked at Lord Kang Zhen and assured him and Shane.


    "Yes, we have those Ancient Oak Moss and many other ingredients." The advisor replied.


    Shane and the Lord''s eyes lit up. It seemed that the deal was sealed!


    "I have plenty of these Healings Tokens with me. I''d like some of them to be traded with Zombie Cores, while the others would be for Spirit Tokens and Alchemy Ingredients. If you have other items you can think to offer, that might be great." Shane said.


    Everyone in the room was finally excited. If Shane was able to produce a hundred or even fifty of these Healing Tokens, they would be able to start clearing the areas with strong Zombies and some Zombie Dens around!


    A fourth advisor, a younger man with a schrly appearance, proposed, "What about ess to our advanced mechanical workshops? You could use our facilities to create even more sophisticated items. Of course, you can also ask our Artisans if you want to some devices."


    This offer also took Shane''s interest.

 Chapter 327: Completed Deal

    "That''s interesting¡­ Will I be allowed to use the resources of your Mechanical Workshop?" Shane asked.


    The advisor''s eyes lit up after seeing Shane''s interest and replied.


    "Of course! I can show you the workshopter and give you an estimated value or materials you can take for each Healing Token."


    Shane had already seen the marvelous works of the mechanics, or Artisans as they were called, and knew that his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent would be perfect for it.


    With this, he would be able to get enough mechanical gear in order to maximize his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent and trigger his Anima Store into appearing.


    Perhaps he could really use the powers of advanced technology in order to clear this Apocalypse.


    "That''s sounds great. We can discuss the trade for Healing Tokens for thatter¡­" Shane said, making the advisor feel proud of himself for thinking about this.


    Well, their Ivory Gear Shelter was known for its mechanical advancement, so he was proud of it.


    Finally, the fifth advisor, a woman with a gentle voice, said, "They''ve probably mentioned everything we can use to trade with you inrge quantities. However, we could also offer you safe passage and protection during your travels. This would ensure your safety as you move between Neutral Shelters that we know of and explore new areas."N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Shane and Lysandra nced at each other as they realized that this was certainly one of the best deals. Even if the transportation to another Shelter costs about 50 or more Healing Tokens in exchange, he didn''t really mind it. After all, they still did not have a world map and were only basing their route on the help of those in the chat and their rough estimate of the location of Sector 20.


    The two of them assumed that these Neutral Shelters hadn''t been discovered by other survivors yet. Because of that, they would be able to benefit a lot from the rewards they could get and also the fact that they would be able to map the area and share it with their n Members!


    "We can consider that as well," Shane muttered as he felt relieved. He knew that their visit to this Shelter would hasten their growth in terms of strength and wealth!


    Lord Kang Zhen liked this offer and felt it was reasonable. He hadn''t actually thought of this idea. Thankfully, he had advisors who were able to consider these simple things to him. On normal asions, they could just ask for about 5,000 gold coins for an escort mission to other Neutral Shelters, which would normally take weeks if they traveled by foot.


    However, if they epted Healing Tokens as payments instead, it would surely bring them more benefits.


    ''Good job¡­'' He thought as he looked at the advisor.


    He then looked back at Shane, waiting for his response.


    "These are all valuable offers. What do you think?" He asked.


    Shane considered the options carefully. "I like all of them, Lord Kang Zhen¡­ How about this? We will trade 100 Healing Tokens for 200 Zombie Cores each. We will also use 100 Healing Tokens for Spirit Stones¡­ However, I think ten low-grade Spirit Stones is a bit too low¡­"


    Shane actually felt that 200 Zombie Cores were also too low for the quality of his Healing Tokens. It also felt that they could offer more for that.


    However, instead of negotiating on this matter, he decided to just push their limit with the Spirit Stones deal.


    The woman who had suggested the offer, gently nodded and replied.


    "Although the number is small, the Spirit Stones were really expensive. After all, their effect was instantaneous. Furthermore, if you continuously use these Spirit Stones, the maximum capacity of your body will also slowly increase.


    Potions or Pills that recover Spiritual Energy don''t have this kind of effect at all¡­ However, since these Tokens were indeed valuable, how about 15 low-grade Spirit Stones instead."


    After hearing this new offer, Lysandra felt that it was reasonable. After all, Shane only needed to spend 50 Spirit Points to make these Drifterwood Tokens. For 4 Gold Coins, he could also get a piece of wood to make 30 of them.


    However, Shane still shook his head. He felt that it was still too low since his Token could be used for 25 times, and he also took a loss with the Zombie Cores trade.


    In the end, after some negotiations, Shane was able to get 35 low-grade Spirit Stones for 1 Healing Token!


    Shane smiled as he felt satisfied with this transaction.


    ''I thought 20 would be a good deal, but I didn''t expect I could get 35 instead¡­''


    ''I''d probably get a Haggling Skill for that in normal cases.'' He mused.


    They also discussed the matter with the Alchemy Ingredients, Mechanical Workshop, and the Escort Mission.


    Lord Kang Zhen smiled. "It seems we have a deal, then. You will have ess to our workshops, receive rare alchemical ingredients, and escort you to two other Neutral Shelters in exchange for your healing tokens."


    Shane epted this deal as he ultimately decided to spend a hundred or more Tokens on these three options.


    After all, he was nning to get all the Alchemy Ingredients in their warehouse, which were also listed in the Blood Alchemy Book. He knew that it would be cheaper here even if these ingredients appeared in the Survivor Store and Marketce.


    "As for those Healing Tokens in your hands, you can consider it as my gift," Shane said, referring to the six tokens he had initially handed over to be inspected.


    Lord Kang Zhenughed as he realized that Shane was indeed generous.


    "Then you also ept my gift!" He said with a loud voice, giving three pouches. It seemed to contain gold coins. However, as soon as the advisor opened, it actually contained taels of gold instead!


    Each pouch has 300 taels!


    "A tael of gold is worth a hundred gold coins." The advisor exined as he noticed that Shane seemed clueless about its worth.


    This means that Shane had just obtained 90,000 gold coins!

 Chapter 328: In Action

    ''We''re rich¡­'' Shane and Lysandra thought of this at the same time as they realized that they had really managed to get on the Lord''s good side.


    The two of them knew that the six Healing Tokens that Shane had gifted were certainly not worth this much, even if they were converted to gold.


    This means that Lord Kang Zhen really liked them and wanted to build a good rtionship, not just for their business transactions.


    Of course, Shane had no ns of declining this money. He knew that he also needed them since the items being sold in this Shelter could only be bought with these gold coins. Although he could use his Healing Tokens as payment, that was only possible if the transaction was done under Kang Zhen''s administration.


    As for the private shops or peddlers outside, it would be better to use gold coins.


    "Thank you for your generous gift, Lord Kang Zhen."


    Soon, Shane obtained 20,000 Zombie Cores after trading 100 Healing Tokens. Then, Shane also received 3,500 low-grade Spirit Stones for his other 100 Healing Tokens.


    This transaction was certainly not possible for other survivors, even if they had Skill Infuser Talent. After all, triggering this Skill takes at least 50 Spirit Points, while the average Spirit Capacity of Survivors wasn''t even at 400 yet. Furthermore, the recovery speed of Spirit Point wasn''t that high to begin with.


    You''d already be lucky to have 5 Spirit Points per hour like Shane.


    "Awesome¡­"


    Shane and Lysandra exchanged satisfied nces. They still have plenty of Healing Tokens that he ns to sellter, so they know that they will still get rich.


    After this, Shane gave Lysandra 50 taels of gold to look around outside and buy anything she fancies. They could be a change of clothes, food, essories, or anything that might catch her eye.


    As she left, Shane was then guided to the Alchemy Warehouse to get all the ingredients he needed.


    Shane followed the advisor through the winding corridors of the Shelter Lord''s building until they reached arge, reinforced door.


    ''Mhmm¡­ It''s not just a simple iron door¡­'' Shane thought to himself as his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent seemed to have been triggered and found variousplicated mechanisms everywhere.


    ''It seems they''re prepared not just against Zombies but also also Survivors.''


    The advisor then unlocked it with a heavy key and Shane indeed heard various gears clicking before they were able to open it. Then, they finally stepped into the Alchemy Warehouse.


    The warehouse was a vast, dimly lit space filled with rows upon rows of shelves, eachden with jars, vials, and containers of various sizes. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and potions, a heady mix of earthiness and medicinal aroma.


    It was a ce where mysterious Alchemy knowledge and modern necessity converged, creating a strange atmosphere.


    "Wee to the Alchemy Warehouse," the advisor said, gesturing around. "Feel free to look for the ingredients you need, and the servants will list them, and they''ll be the ones to pack it up for you." As he said this, he nced at the two servants following behind them.


    Shane nodded, his eyes scanning the shelves.


    Then, he pulled out his Blood Alchemy Book, flipping through the pages to the list of ingredients he needed. He hadn''t memorized the ingredients for them after all.


    The book was old and worn, but each page was still sturdy, like they were protected.


    ''Alright¡­'' Shane nodded as he turned the pages.


    He began his search, moving methodically through the aisles.


    "First, I''ll take the Ancient Oak Moss¡­"


    The two servants followed closely, and soon as they heard him, they guided him to where the moss was located.


    Shane found a jarbeled Ancient Oak Moss, its contents a deep green and slightly luminescent. There were a total of five jars of it, and four of them were carefully bagged by the servants to be give to Sher..


    Next, Shane found the ingredients for the Night Vision skill.


    He found a container marked Bat Wing, where the dried appendages were neatly arranged inside. He added it to his growing collection. As he continued, he discovered jars of Ginseng Root of various ages, from fresh and vibrant to aged and potent. Each had its own unique properties, and Shane selected a few of each.


    The shelves also held a variety of herbs, some familiar and others exotic. He picked up Mandrake Root, Lunarseed Oil, and Purplegait Flower, knowing theirbined properties could be used to obtain Screamer Zombie''s Skill, Wailing Howl.


    "These are perfect," Shane muttered to himself as hepleted another set of ingredients. Furthermore, with the amount he had taken, it wasn''t a problem to make more than a dozen Wailing Howl Elixirs.


    The advisor watched with interest. "You seem to know exactly what you''re looking for."


    Shane smiled. "I just know a few recipes. I still haven''t tried to make one potion. That''s why I need plenty of them to practice."


    As he continued to explore, he obtained almost every piece of ingredient in their warehouse. The advisor even admitted that most of them weren''t something they could use, but they knew that they were valuable because of the aura they were emitting.


    After a few moments, Shane came across a section dedicated to rare treasures.


    There were feathers from Mutated Vultures, ten horns from Horned Zombie, and even a small vial of Spitter Lord''s zombie blood.


    "Ahhh? Mutated Vultures? There''s even Horned Zombie and Spitter Lord Zombie." Shane was quite surprised at what he had just seen.


    "Kekeke¡­ So it''s your first time seeing these items, huh¡­ For some reason, vultures weren''t affected by the Zombie Virus. Even if they eat Zombies, they aren''t turning into one no matter how much Zombie Flesh or even blood they eat. However, they could still obtain significant power from the Zombie''s Flesh¡­ At the very least, that is what I''ve heard from the experts."


    "What about these horns from Horned Zombies and Spitter Lord''s zombie blood¡­ Did you encounter them here?" Shane asked.


    "Mhmm¡­ I''m not sure either. They were already here when I became in charge of the Alchemy warehouse. In any case, they must''vee from the previous Shelter Lord."


    Shane could only nod at this and decided not to dwell on it too much.


    After gathering all the ingredients he needed, Shane approached the advisor. "I think I have everything. Let''s make the exchange."


    The advisor nodded and led him to a counter where they carefully counted the ingredients and possible conversion for Healing Tokens.


    Soon, Shane spent a total amount of 90 Healing Tokens and received the precious ingredients, each one carefully packed andbeled before he stored them in his inventory.


    "Thank you for your help¡­" Shane said, securing his bag.


    The advisor smiled. "You''re wee. I hope these ingredients serve you well."


    As Shane left the Alchemy Warehouse, it was finally time to visit the Mechanical Workshop.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Outside the warehouse, he was met by a different advisor, who had previous suggested this offer. "Ready to visit the Mechanical Workshop?" the advisor asked.


    "Yes, let''s go," Shane replied, eager to see the advanced facilities. He wanted to see whether his Anima Store would give him discounted offers since he wouldn''t be touching junk items this time but mechanical gears made by Artisans of this shelter.


    However, As they walked through the bustling streets, an rm suddenly red, echoing through the shelter.


    Wiii~ Woo~ Wii~ Woo~


    Shane tensed up after hearing this, but the advisor remained unfazed.


    "Since the bell only sounded twice, the Zombies attacking us should be less than 300. It''s not a huge threat," the advisor exined calmly.


    "Shall we take a look?" he offered.


    Shane then looked to the area where the Zombies are converging and nodded.


    "Yes¡­ I would like to see how your Ivory Gear Shelter defends against the horde," Shane said, his curiosity piqued.


    "Hahaha¡­ That''s true. It''s actually perfect timing." The advisor said.


    They made their way to the outer wall, where a group of guards was already mobilizing.


    Clink! Clink! Clink!


    Suddenly, Shane heard some gears activating...


    Then, he watched in awe as the ramparts began to open up, revealing hidden mechanisms. Massive crossbows, each the size of a small cart, were raised into position as their bolts started gleaming in the sunlight.


    "Impressive," Shane muttered, his eyes wide with amazement. He could tell that these crossbows could fire continuously.


    The advisor smiled. "These are our Ballistae. They can take down multiple zombies with a single shot. It seems that we''re only dealing with low-tier Zombies with a few mid-tier¡­ There was no need to use special arrows."


    Shane couldn''t see beyond the wall, but he also heard the whirring of machinery and the nking of metal.


    The advisor then exined about the several turrets that emerged from concealedpartments along the wall. Each turret was equipped with rotating barrels, ready to unleash a hail of bullets on the approaching horde!

 Chapter 329: The Workshop

    "Those automated turrets are what we call Phnx Defenders." the advisor exined. "They can target and neutralize low-tier zombies easily..."


    Shane nodded, impressed by the Shelter''s defenses. "Your technology is remarkable. It''s a perfect blend of mechanical engineering and magical enhancements."


    He said this as he confirmed that the Ballistae they were using were also emitting some sort of energy, quite simr to Spiritual Force. It was quite intriguing. Nheless, he knew that these weapons were their precious items and could not shared with him easily, so he decided not to ask too much, as they might think that he was interested in finding the secret of their Shelter''s defense.


    The security of their Shelter could not bepromised after all since many lives depend on it.


    The advisor nodded. "Indeed. We''ve worked hard to ensure the safety of our people. Now, let''s watch how our defenses handle this horde."


    As the first zombies came into view, the Ballistae fired, and the massive bolt they fired suddenly shattered, or to be exact, scattered into many pieces while in the air and pierced through multiple targets at once!


    Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The turrets then activated, unleashing a barrage of bullets that tore through the ranks of the undead who had survived the Ballistae''s first volley of arrows.


    The coordinated attack of the two defensive systems was swift and efficient, reducing the horde''s numbers rapidly.


    Shane watched in awe as the Shelter''s defenses decimated the zombie horde. Within minutes, the threat was neutralized, and the rm fell silent.


    It happened so fast!


    "That''s really impressive," Shane muttered as he turned to the advisor. "Your defenses are incredibly effective."


    The advisor nodded, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Thank you. Now, shall we continue to the Mechanical Workshop?"


    "Yes, let''s go¡­," Shane agreed, eager to see more of the Shelter''s technological marvels.


    Soon, Shane and the advisor made their way through the bustling streets of the Ivory Gear Shelter until they reached arge, imposing building just behind the main building where the Shelter Lord was working.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The sign above the entrance read "Mechanical Workshop," and the sound of nging metal and humming gears could be heard from within.


    As they stepped inside, Shane was greeted by a scene of organized chaos.


    The workshop was a vast, open space filled with workbenches, tools, and half-finished projects. Artisans and engineers moved about with purpose, each focused on their tasks.


    The ce was thick with the scent of oil and metal, and the walls were lined with shelves holding an array of mechanical parts andponents.


    ''This ce looks cool.'' Shane thought to himself.


    "Wee to the heart of our technological advancements," the advisor said, gesturing around. "This is where our artisans create and innovate to give us better lives or to fight against Zombies. If their creations weren''t too practical for mass production or if the evaluators didn''t like them, they''d normally be dismantled to repurpose, or they''d be sold¡­"


    The advisor then continued to exin what was going on in the workshop so Shane would be aware of the things he could request and those that could not be traded.


    Shane''s eyes roamed the workshop, taking in the various projects. One artisan was meticulously assembling aplex gear mechanism, while another was welding pieces of metal together to form a sturdy frame.


    Nearby, a group of engineers huddled around a blueprint, discussing the finer points of their design.


    It was a very interesting sight!


    "This ce is incredible," Shane muttered. His admiration was evident in his voice.


    The advisor smiled. "Our artisans are some of the best. They work tirelessly to improve our defenses and create new tools for survival."


    As they walked through the back of the workshop, Shane observed the artisans at work closely.


    Even the advisor encouraged Shane to observe them. It seemed that the pieces they were making weren''t that secret.


    One was crafting a set of intricate clockwork gears, each piece fitting together with precision. Another was testing a small, steam-powered engine, its pistons pumping rhythmically. The level of skill and dedication was evident in every project.


    The advisor then led Shane to a section of the workshop where various devices were disyed.


    "Here, we have some of our more advanced creations¡­ They weren''t being mass-produced yet since only three Artisans were able to make them, but we might be able to produce more soon." he said, pointing to a table filled with gadgets.


    Shane''s eyes widened as he examined the devices. There was even a small que introducing, the item.


    The first was a Mechanical Grappling Hook, apact device with a sturdy hook and a retractable cable.


    "Ahemm¡­ This can be used to scale walls or reach otherwise inessible areas¡­ This was produced by a young Artisan when he thought that we might attack other shelters. However, Lord Kang Zhen believed that we can also use this when escaping against fast-moving Zombies like Runner or Sprinter Zombies," the advisor exined.


    Next, he picked up a Noise-Making Lure, a small device designed to emit a loud, distracting sound. "This is useful for diverting zombies or other threats away from your location."


    Shane nodded, impressed. "These are incredibly useful."


    The advisor continued, showing him a Portable Energy Generator. "This can provide power to various devices in the field. It''s lightweight and easy to carry. I believe you''re aware of Power Cores¡­ These generators could charge those Power Cores. They just need to consume Zombie Cores..."


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing this. After all, the Power Cores were so difficult to obtain! As a matter of fact, it appears that only Power Cores works in this world. Not electricity or nuclear power. In short, they were too valuable.


    Furthermore, there are several barriers in the Springriver Manor, and all of them require Power Cores, so this generator might resolve the issue with the power cores.


    Seeing Shane''s reaction, the advisor continued.


    "We only have three of these at the moment, and if you''re interested, I believe it''s just fair to sell each generator for 10 Healing Tokens." The advisor said, probing Shane''s desire to acquire the item.

 Chapter 330 Captured

    "Ten tokens¡­ I guess it doesn''t sound bad. I''ll think about it." Shane replied as he continued looking around. If he could get 3 of these generators for 30 Healing Tokens, he didn''t really mind it!


    After all, he had already obtained enough Spirit Stones so he couldfortably use his Skill Infuser Talent as much as he wanted!


    Shane''s attention was then drawn to a few other interesting devices¡­


    There was a Mechanical Lockpick, a tool designed to bypass even the mostplex locks with ease. "Perfect for gaining ess to secured areas," the advisor noted.


    However, Shane already had lockpicking skills, and he also had Cloud and his Hacker Skills if the lock had a higher level of technology.


    The next device was something that stunned Shane.


    It was a Steam-Powered Exoskeleton, a wearable suit that enhanced the user''s strength and endurance. "This can be a game-changer inbat or heavybor¡­ Well, not really much inbat, but it''s still usable." the advisor said.


    It appears that the exoskeleton was truly just made forbor.


    Nheless, Shane was still impressed as the exoskeleton was a marvel of engineering, with a series of articted joints and pistons designed to enhance the wearer''s strength and endurance.


    It was definitely meant to lift heavy things¡­


    The advisor was also proud of this creation as he exined the gear even more.


    Shane learned that the frame was made of lightweight steel, with leather straps and padding to ensure afortable fit. Tubes and valves ran along the limbs, connecting to a small steam engine mounted on the back. The engine hissed softly, releasing asional puffs of steam as the advisor tried to show that it was working.


    Shane approached the exoskeleton, his interest piqued. "This looks incredible," he said, examining the intricate mechanisms.


    The advisor nodded. "It''s one of our more ambitious projects. The Steam-Powered Exoskeleton is designed to assist with heavybor, and in some cases, it can still be used inbat, especially if it''s equipped with a heavy machine gun."


    "Mhmm¡­ I guess that''s possible." Shane muttered.


    "These things are a bit too expensive to make¡­ I can only offer these Exoskeletons for 30 Healing Tokens each." The advisor said.


    "After all, they''re not that suited inbat unless you equip them with firearms."


    Shane nodded, understanding the limitations. "Still, it''s an impressive piece of technology. The potential applications are vast."


    Shane could imagine the exoskeleton being used to build fortifications, transport supplies, and perform other critical tasks within the shelter. Despite its fragility inbat, it was definitely one of the best creations of the Ivory Gear Shelter''s artisans.


    "Would you like to try it on?" the advisor asked, noticing Shane''s fascination.


    Shane hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sure, I''d love to."


    With the advisor''s help, Shane donned the exoskeleton. The leather straps were adjusted to fit snugly, and the steam engine hummed to life as it connected to the various joints and pistons. Shane felt a surge of power as the exoskeleton amplified his movements, making even the heaviest objects feel light.


    "This is amazing," Shane said, lifting a heavy crate with ease. "I can see how this would be incredibly useful forbor tasks."


    The advisor smiled. "Indeed. While it may not be suited forbat, the Steam-Powered Exoskeleton is a valuable tool for ourmunity."


    There were still other items disyed in this section of the workshop, but none of them were as impressive as the ones that the advisor introduced.


    In the end, Shane decided to take three of the Steam-Powered Exoskeletons, three Portable Energy generators, ten Mechanical Grappling hooks, and twenty Noise-Making Lure.


    All of them were only worth 135 Healing Tokens!


    ***


    In the meantime, while Shane was busy with his task, Lysandra wandered through the bustling streets of the Ivory Gear Shelter¡­


    Just like before, the market was alive with activity, each stall and shop offering a unique glimpse into the shelter''s vibrant culture. The previous Zombie Horde''s attack was alreadypletely forgotten.


    She passed by a stall selling intricate jewelry made from gears and gemstones, another disying beautifully crafted leather goods, and yet another with an array of mechanical trinkets that moved and clicked with a life of their own. Enjoy exclusive content from empire


    Of course, it wasn''t only that.


    The aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, drawing her to a food stall where a vendor was grilling skewers of meat and vegetables. She couldn''t resist trying a few, savoring the rich, smoky vors.


    "Delicious," she murmured, licking her fingers clean. This shelter was indeed notcking in food. They seemed to have a decent source of meat and vegetables even though the shelter didn''t have farnd.


    She could only guess that they had obtained these through trades as well.


    Continuing her exploration, Lysandra found a shop selling ready-to-wear clothes. The shelves were lined with practical yet stylish garments, perfect for a Survivor like herself. She picked out a few changes of clothes, paying with the gold coins Shane had given her earlier.


    As she left the shop, her attention was drawn to amotion nearby.


    ''Mhmm? What''s going on?''


    Suddenly, she saw a group of twenty or so guards dragging five living zombies into a facility!


    These zombies were different from the usual mindless undead; they had a semnce of awareness in their eyes, although not too noticeable. Well, they could only growl as they were all chained down and had their mouths strapped.


    These Zombies all looked injured and couldn''t properly resist. Nheless, they were still very dangerous!


    ''They''re definitely Survivor-type Zombies. Why are they capturing these Zombies?'' She mused.


    She was certainly curious why these Zombies were captured and not immediately killed.


    ''I should tell Shane about this¡­''


    With this thought, she looked around and noticed that the crowd around her seemed unfazed, watching the scene with mild interest.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It was clear that this was amon urrence in the shelter, but for Lysandra, it was a first. She had to know more.


    Turning to a nearby onlooker, she asked, "Excuse me, what''s going on with those zombies?"

 Chapter 331 Shopping

    Lysandra could tell that the chains being used by the guards weren''t simple. It must be one of the specialties of this shelter. After all, Survivor-Type Zombies were quite intelligent and wouldn''t let themselves get captured. They would normally retreat if the odds weren''t that great.


    The man, a middle-aged merchant with a kind face, nced at her after hearing her question and then back at the scene.


    "Ah, they''re indeed capturing different types of Zombies every now and then... These ones they captured weren''t ced inside a cage, so they''re probably more intelligent and harder to deal with than the regr ones. Anyway, I heard that the guards bring them in for research and containment."


    "Research?" Lysandra echoed, intrigued.


    "Yes," the merchant nodded. "The shelter''s scientists and engineers study them to understand their behavior and find ways to improve our defenses. Who knows, they might even be studying how to remove the virus in their bodies. It''s dangerous work, but necessary."


    Lysandra watched as the guards secured the zombies inside the facility. They didn''t stay too long from the public''s eyes. Their movements were efficient and practiced, so they seemed to have done this a lot, just like what the merchant said.


    "I see. Thank you for exining." Lysandra replied.


    However, in her mind, she knew that it wasn''t as simple as that. Capturing one or two of the same kind should be more than enough, but they decided to capture five of them for research. Nheless, there was no point in asking the merchant since Kang Zhen and his administrators would probably not tell the truth to the public since they deemed it unnecessary.


    The merchant smiled. "No problem. It''s always interesting to see how neers react to our ways. Wee to the Ivory Gear Shelter."


    Lysandra nodded while her mind raced with thoughts.


    The shelter was moreplex and advanced than she had imagined, and she was eager to learn more about its inner workings.


    With a final nce at the facility, she continued her exploration¡­


    In any case, she believed that Shane was also taking his time in the Alchemy Warehouse and the Mechanical Workshop.


    Anyway, as she continued looking around the Ivory Gear Shelter, her curiosity led her to every corner of the bustlingmunity.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The shelter was quite mysterious since it had a blend of old-world charm and unusual cutting-edge technology¡­


    She wandered past a cksmith''s forge, where the rhythmic ng of hammer on anvil filled the surroundings.


    One of the cksmiths, a burly man with a mechanical arm, was crafting a set of finely detailed armor. She''d probably get interested in such armor if it doesn''t look too heavy and ufortable to move around.


    Nearby, she heardughter echoing through the streets. It was a group of children ying with mechanical toys.


    She had already seen this a while ago, but as she observed their mechanical animal toys, she knew that they were also highly advanced, even for just a toy.


    As she walked, Lysandra''s attention was drawn to a shop with a sign that read "Advanced Prosthetics."


    She had seen this ce together with Shane a while ago. Experience more on empire


    Intrigued, she stepped inside. The interior was bright and clean, with shelves lined with various prosthetic limbs and devices.


    The shop really showed the shelter''s technological prowess, each item a blend of mechanical engineering and magical enhancements.


    A young woman, who seemed to be the shopkeeper, greeted her. "Wee to Advanced Prosthetics. How can I help you today?"


    She asked while looking at Lysandra''s limbs. It looksplete, and she doesn''t seem to have any problems. However, she also considered that Lysandra had probably obtained high-end prosthetics that had human skin cover to hide her disability.


    Unaware of the shopkeeper''s thoughts, Lysandra nced around. "I''m just looking around. This ce is incredible."


    The woman nodded. "Thank you. We take great pride in our work. Each prosthetic is custom-made to fit the needs of the wearer. But recently, we''ve been making adjustable ones to provide faster service. As a matter of fact, about 30% of the soldiers in this shelter who needed prosthetics woulde to our shop."


    As she said this, she pointed to a few prosthetics made of gold and steel. They were very attractive to the eyes, so it was no wonder they were put at the entrance.


    "I see¡­"


    Lysandra simply nodded and moved to a disy case showcasing a variety of prosthetic arms. Some were sleek and simple, designed for everyday use, while others were moreplex, with built-in tools and even ded weapons.


    ''Whoa¡­ This will definitely be popr once other Survivors learn about it. One arm caught her eye; it was made of polished metal and adorned with intricate engravings. "This one is beautiful," she said, pointing to it.


    "That''s one of our more advanced models," the woman exined. "It''s designed forbat, with reinforced joints and a hidden de. It''s also enchanted to enhance the wearer''s strength and agility."


    Lysandra marveled at the craftsmanship. "It''s amazing how you''vebined technology and magic."


    The woman smiled. "That''s our specialty. We believe in creating prosthetics that not only restore functionality but also enhance the wearer''s abilities."


    As she continued to explore the shop, Lysandra found a section dedicated to prosthetic legs. One leg was designed for speed, with lightweight materials and a spring-loaded mechanism. Another was built for strength, with reinforced joints and a sturdy frame. Each prosthetic was a work of art tailored to meet the specific needs of its user.


    ''At this point, they might even start making an army of robots.'' Lysandra joked in her mind as she felt that they could just add a torso and start assembling these things to create powerful humanoid robots.


    Anyway, in another corner of the shop, she discovered a disy of prosthetic hands. Some were simple and functional, while others were equipped with tools and gadgets. One hand had a built-in lockpick, perfect for someone who needed to bypass security measures. Another had a smallpartment for storing items, cleverly concealed within the palm¡­


    Furthermore, the prices were actually so low!

 Chapter 332 Prosthetics

    The prices of the prosthetics were only about 80 to 90 gold coins!


    On the other hand, those prosthetics that were a bit too advanced would only be priced for about 3 to 5 gold taels!


    With 50 taels in her hand, she could purchase a lot of them and sell them in the Survivor''s Marketce since no one was selling prosthetics just yet.


    At this point, Lysandra couldn''t help but ask Shane through Chat if she could consider reselling prosthetics in the Market.


    After some time, Shane replied.


    [ Shane: You can go ahead and try to resell. Just make sure you profit a lot since they''re new. Don''t worry, even if it''s overpriced, no one willin about it. ]


    After seeing this reply from Shane, Lysandra smiled and nodded. She replied with gratitude as she made her ns.


    ''I should also ask the chat if they needed some prosthetics and what limb they''re missing.''


    As she thought of this, she opened her chat window and started asking.


    [ Lysandra: Hello guys¡­ I have tons of prosthetics here that I can sell. They''re easy to apply, even magical, in my opinion. Is there anyone here who needs one? ]


    She then sent this message three times to ensure that it would be noticed by other people.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in a distant part of the continent, Minerva was in the midst of a fierce battle against a group of Frost Zombies.


    These Zombies were difficult to deal with as they were basically a very mutated form of Zombie that could wield the element of ice, albeit they weren''t good at it.


    Perhaps, if they were able to use this ice properly and not just release it everywhere from time to time, they would be very tough to deal with.


    At this time, Minerva was moving swiftly, despite the fact that she was missing her left arm. She wielded her sword with her right arm, cutting down the Frost Zombie''s feet instead of the normal tactic of cutting up their heads or crushing their skulls.


    Well, these Frost Zombies had a very thickyer of ice helmet on their heads! Because of that, the tactic of eliminating them should be immobilizing them first since they could only release ice through their breaths.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    After cutting off the legs of the Zombies, it was time to crush their heads by throwing rocks at them from a distance¡­ She had to do this slow process because these Frost Zombies had abilities simr to Spitter Zombies.


    They also explode!


    Their skulls weren''t just tough to crack but also dangerous to do so!


    ''This is tiring¡­ But I must do this!'' Minerva thought as she threwrge rocks and smashing the heads of the Frost Zombies into pieces.


    Boom!


    It was then followed by an explosion of ice shards!


    [ You have eliminated a Frost Zombie. ]


    Some ice shards hit the trunk of the tree she was hiding in, but she was uninjured.


    She repeated this same process, and soon, as thest Zombie fell, Minerva took a moment to catch her breath.


    She wiped the sweat from her brow and checked her surroundings to ensure there were no more threats. After that, she quickly looted all the Zombies and obtained decent experience points and even ice cubes for a cold drink!


    She then quickly took out a wooden cup from her inventory and filled it with water. Then, she put an ice cube on it¡­


    As she waited for her drink to get cold, she noticed that there were several unread messages in her chat system.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Curious, she opened the Chat and saw multiple messages from her friends. For some reason, they were all urging her to check the Regional Chat.


    ''What''s going on? Is there another news about the Wild Shelters?'' She mused.


    Intrigued, she navigated to the Chat and found Lysandra''s message about the prosthetics.


    "This¡­"


    Minerva''s mind shed back to the harrowing experience during the first two weeks of their entry into this zombie-infested continent.


    She had been ambushed by a Zombie Dog, its teeth sinking into her left wrist. The pain had been excruciating, and she knew that the bite meant certain death as the Zombie Virus would soon take hold. She would surely be a Zombie¡­ She felt crying at that moment as it was guaranteed that she''d no longer meet her family because of it.


    However, in a desperate bid to save her, herpanion at the time had made a swift and decisive decision.


    With a single, clean stroke, they had severed her left arm just above the elbow, preventing the virus from spreading.


    The quick action had saved her life, but it had left her without a limb.


    Since then, Minerva had adapted to her new reality, but the loss of her arm had always been a significant handicap.


    The thought of having a functional prosthetic was something she had only dreamed of.


    As she read Lysandra''s message, hope surged within her. She immediately eximed in joy, her heart pounding with excitement.


    "This could change everything!"


    Without wasting another moment, she typed a response in the Chat:


    [ Minerva: "Lysandra, I''m interested in purchasing a prosthetic arm. Can you provide more details on the types avable and the prices? This could be a game-changer for me! ]


    Minerva''s mind raced with possibilities. The chance to regain some of her lost functionality was a beacon of hope for her bleak future!


    ''I must have this...''


    She eagerly awaited Lysandra''s response, but it seemed that there were also plenty of others who were requesting Lysandra''s help.


    As she waited, she decided to just continue reading messages.


    [ Travis: Hi Lysandra, I''m interested to know how advanced these prosthetics you''re willing to sell. Is it just a simple one like the ones we could have in our previous world, or is this something more advanced?"


    [ Natalie: Our New Haven n would like to purchase some of these prosthetics. Our guys who had lost limbs were a bit on the bigger side. Is this custom-made, or are there just sizes we have to work with? ]


    [ Frank: Hi Lysandra, do you have n? Which Sector are you in? If you''re in Sector 8, do you want to join our Double Eagle n? ]


    Minerva continued reading the chat, and as she started to get impatient, she finally received a response from Lysandra. Instead of a message, she received a Friend Request from Lysandra!

 Chapter 333 Perfect Trade

    "What? Eight hundred zombie cores?!" Minerva was shocked as he received Lysandra''s reply about the price of the prosthetics she needed.


    However, even though it was expensive, Lysandra guaranteed that these prosthetics would be magically connected to her nerves and would feel like a normal arm. Furthermore, if she spends a bit more than that, they could put a high-grade de into it!


    To be exact, she just needs to add 150 more Zombie Cores, and she would be able to obtain a prosthetic arm that could be considered a Master-Grade Item in terms of its effects and durability.


    [ Lysandra: Do you want it? ]


    Minerva immediately calmed down after seeing another message from Lysandra.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    [ Minerva: I want it. However, I don''t have that many Zombie Cores. To be honest with you, I only have 400 Zombie Cores with me. I have been saving it since I couldmission a friend cksmith to make me a sword arm for only 450 Zombie Cores. However, since your Prosthetic Arm would give me another chance to feelplete again, I really want to have it. ]


    [ Lysandra: That''s a pity. You can consider loaning from your friends. You can always message me if you have enough Zombie Cores. ]


    Minerva frowned after reading this message. She only have a few friends and they were also not doing good in their cores collection. There was no way she could borrow Zombies Cores from them.


    Aside from that, she wasn''t sure how many Prosthetics would be sold by Lysandra. She was also unsure whether Lysandra would still be selling them after she managed to gather enough Zombie Cores.


    Minerva quickly looked at her Inventory to see if there was something she could offer as a trade. After all, now that she thinks about it, if Lysandra just needed Zombie Cores, she would just be cing these Prosthetics in the Marketce and sell them for a high price. However, the fact that she was going to the chat to ask the others, it means that negotiation was possible!


    Without any more hesitation, Minerva gave a reply.


    [ Minerva: Is it possible to do a trade? ]


    ¡­


    Thankfully, it didn''t take that long before Lysandra gave a positive response.


    [ Lysandra: If you have items that had simr value, then it''s possible to do a trade. ]


    [ Minerva: Great. I have an item here that you might be interested in. It''s called a Talent Expansion Scroll. It allows you get another Talent. I have this for two weeks now but up until today, I haven''t got a chance to get a new talent so I haven''t used it yet. If I will trade this to you, can you give me the best Prosthetic Arm avable?


    ]


    [ Lysandra: Of course! If you''re using that to trade with me, then I can even give you a second Prosthetic Arm for free! Both of them will have the same quality, I''ll get best one for you. ]


    Lysandra and Minerva then chatted for a little more to get more details about the Prosthetics that was needed.


    After that, Lysandra ryed the information the shopkeeper.


    The shopkeeper, was actually also a knowledgeable and skilled Artisan. She listened carefully as Lysandra exined Minerva''s requirements.


    "I needs to be capable of handling both everyday tasks andbat situations¡­" Lysandra said. "What do you rmend for my friend?"


    The shopkeeper nodded thoughtfully as she absorbed the information.


    "I have two suggestions that should suit her needs perfectly."


    He led Lysandra to a disy case and pointed to the first prosthetic arm. "This is the Myoelectric-Controlled Arm. It''s activated by the user''s muscle signals, allowing for precise and natural movements. The arm is equipped with a reinforced frame for durability and has a built-in energy de forbat. It''s also lightweight andfortable for everyday use. This is worth 5 gold taels."


    Lysandra examined the arm closely. The sleek design and advanced technology were impressive. "This looks perfect for my friend. What''s the second option?"


    The shopkeeper moved to another disy case and revealed the second prosthetic arm. "This is the Hybrid Combat Arm. Itbines mechanical and magical enhancements for maximum versatility. The arm features a retractable shield for defense and a built-in grappling hook for mobility. It''s also enchanted to enhance the user''s strength and agility, making it ideal for bothbat andbor tasks."


    Lysandra''s eyes widened as she took in the details. The Hybrid Combat Arm was definitely the work of a great Artisan and perhaps even a magician at this point. It was designed to provide a significant advantage in various situations!


    "These are both incredible options. I think my friend will be thrilled with either one. Is this one also priced the same?"


    The shopkeeper smiled. "Well, because we still have to make some adjustments to fit the size for your friend. We have to add an additional 50 gold coins. If you want to take two of them, that would be ten taels of gold and 50 coins."


    "Yes¡­ Let''s go with that."


    "Then, we''ll prepare both arms. The readjustment will just take a few minutes."


    Lysandra thanked the shopkeeper and watched as she called for another worker and informed them of the things she needed.


    After that, Lysandra made a few more transactions, but aside from Minerva, who was quite poor in terms of Zombie Cores, some others simply agreed with her price or asked to be lowered by 50 or 100 Zombie Cores.


    With just a few transactions, she was about to earn 13,200 Zombie Cores! After all, some Prosthetics were only worth three taels of gold!


    "This is too much¡­ I have to share this with the n Leader." Lysandra knew that she was only able to obtain so much money, thanks to Shane. Because of that, it was only natural to return money to him.


    Seeing that it was still early, she checked her chat messages for onest time to see if there would still be someone interested.


    Apparently, although there were dozens of them who wanted to obtain top-ss Prosthetics, they would simply stop replying as soon as they heard her price.


    "Mhmm?" As she was browsing through her chat, she suddenly found an interesting message.


    ''So it''s a blind guy this time...'' She mused.

 Chapter 334 Lysandras Recruit

    As she was browsing through her chat, she noticed that there were plenty of messages asking her to join their n and promising her to receive various benefits.


    It appears that they were thinking that she was the Artisan making the Prosthetics!


    Some of them even came from the popr ns, which were always in the top rankings, with many active memberspleting n Missions every time they became avable.


    "Is it fine to tell them that I''m already part of Eclipse Revenant n?" She mused for a moment before she asked Shane about it.


    As expected, Shane didn''t mind if she revealed her n since knowing that wouldn''t really do anything.


    In the end, she sent another message in the Regional Chat, telling everyone that she was already a part of Eclipse Revenant n, and all thanked everyone who had invited her.


    After sending this message, she returned to the messages in her inbox and soon found one that caught her interest.


    [ Tieria: I lost my left eye. I''m not sure if you can help me. However, if there''s a way for you to provide me with a Prosthetic Eye or anything that could help me resolve my issue, then I am willing to trade with all my Zombie Cores and Item Upgrade Crystals, and if you''re recruiting members in your n, I''m also willing to apply. I just turned level 20 this morning.


    If I get to join your n, two of my subordinates from Epic Recruitment Stones will also follow me to your n. ]


    "Ohhh¡­ What an interesting offer from a blind guy¡­" Lysandra muttered.


    Anyway, she didn''t immediately reply since she had no idea if Prosthetic Eye even existed!


    For now, she ignored the message and looked around the shop.


    After a few moments, Lysandra''s attention was drawn to an object simr to an eye that was disyed in a ss case that was already gathering dust!


    It was also ced at the bottom of the shelf, showing how it was being ignored by most customers.


    "What about this one?" Lysandra asked as she pointed at the piece that seemed like an eye with wires acting as nerves.


    "Ah, that''s a special piece¡­ It''s a Prosthetic Eye, as you can guess," the shopkeeper said. "It''s an enchanted eye. Aside from giving normal vision, it''s capable of seeing in the dark and detecting Zombie''s Auras. It''s not too popr since it only works by consuming Spiritual Force. It requires 1 Spirit Point per hour. We have other Prosthetic Eyes that don''t consume Spiritual Force."


    Lysandra was impressed by the variety and ingenuity of the prosthetics. "You must have some incredible artisans working here."


    The woman nodded. "We do. Our team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what''s possible. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to live their life to the fullest, regardless of their physical limitations."


    Lysandra smiled after hearing her response... "As expected¡­ All your works are amazing¡­ Right, can I get this for three gold taels?"


    The shopkeeper smiled and shook her head.


    "I can give this to you for free as a gift since you bought a lot in our shop. In any case, no one wants this thing. If you need it, then you can have it."


    Of course, Lysandra didn''t dare to reject this offer.


    After thanking the woman for her time, Lysandra left the shop.


    She immediately sent a message to Shane, telling him about Tieria''s offer.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    [ Shane: So he''s willing to give all of that and even join our n together with his Epic Summons? Isn''t that great? Try to talk to him a little bit to see his character. Then you can invite him to join the n if you think he''s good. ]


    [ Lysandra: Can I invite other Survivors? ]


    [ Shane: Yes¡­ Everyone can invite, but I''m the only one who can kick a member out of the n. In any case, the n Hall is already being built in our shelter. Once that''s built, our n Level will rise quickly, and we will be able to invite more people. ]


    ''Ahh¡­ So a n Hall is actually being built in the Springriver Manor. I wonder when I could visit the ce.'' Lysandra mused.


    [ Lysandra: Alright¡­ I''ll be returning to the hotel now. Should I bring you food? ]


    [ Shane: That would be great. In any case, it seems that we''ll have to stay here for a while¡­ We''ll probably stay here until the Boss Raid event. ]


    ''Ah?''


    Lysandra was curious why Shane decided to stay here since it would still take a week before the Boss Raid event. However, she decided to just go ahead with his n since she was also liking this ce. Two of three days of staying here was certainly not enough.


    She then bought a few skewers and mushroom soups before returning to their hotel.


    After freshening up, she finally decided to reply to Tieria''s message.


    [ Lysandra: Alright¡­ 250 Zombie Cores, 20 Item Upgrade Crystals, and your team joining our n can be done. The Prosthetic Eye that we have here is quite special, and we don''t really want other survivors who could be enemies to obtain it. So, what region are you in? ]


    ***


    Tieria sat in a dimly lit room, his ck cloak draped over his shoulders, blending into the shadows. His sniper rifle, a sleek and deadly weapon, rested against the wall within easy reach.


    The rifle was custom-made, with a long barrel for precision shots and a scope that could pick out targets from incredible distances.


    Tieria''s eye scanned the messages on hismunication device, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw thetest one from Lysandra.


    Tieria''s face lit up with excitement.


    "Finally¡­" he muttered to himself as a smile spread across his face.


    Enjoy new stories from empire


    He then turned to his twopanions, his Epic Summons, who were more than just allies¡ªthey were his family.


    "It seems that we will have a new home, brothers..." Tieria said with a voice filled with hope.

 Chapter 335 Tieras Group and Shanes Alchemy

    "It seems that we will have a new home, brothers¡­" Tieria said to his twopanions. They were people he had summoned after using two Epic Recruitment Stones.


    Finding these stones in the first week of the Apocalypse wasn''t easy¡­ He was simply lucky that the ce where he had respawned was near a cabin in the woods. This cabin seemed to have been owned by a retired military officer because it still had a decent armory.


    In any case, that cabin had a secret underground bunker where he was able to find these high-caliber weapons. It was unfortunate that hiding there wouldn''t make him stronger or level up, so he had to always go out.


    The only problem in the area he respawned was that almost all Zombies around were mid-tier! It had been tough for him when he was still a level 1 Survivor since he was heavily relying on his weapon to damage the Zombies to their death¡­ Nheless, after getting used to the Sniper Rifle, he was able to be the first clearer of a Zombie Den and obtained an Epic Recruitment Stone.


    The only casualty at that time was his left eye.


    As for his second Epic Recruitment Stone, it was obtained from a Silver Treasure Chest that he had opened from the bottom of ake.


    "A new home, huh¡­" Hanzo, his first recruit, muttered after hearing Tieria''s words.


    He was a tall, muscr man with a rugged appearance. He carried a powerful assault rifle with a barrel slightly worn from so many battles. The rifle was equipped with a grenadeuncher, making Hanzo a formidable force in both close and rangedbat.


    "Are you sure about this, brother?" Argus asked.


    He had a lean and agile figure with sharp features. He wielded a high-caliber sniper rifle, simr to Tieria''s, but with a few rapid-fire modifications. Darius''s rifle had a suppressor attached, allowing him to take out targets silently and efficiently.


    Of course, aside from these main weapons, all of them also carried knives and pistols.


    Hanzo grinned as he recalled the previous n that tried to take advantage of the three of them.


    "I hope they aren''t stupid."


    Argus nodded, his expression serious. "As long as they don''t make the same mistake as thest n we''ve joined."


    Tieria chuckled, understanding their concerns.


    "Lysandra seems trustworthy¡­ Furthermore, if she had that advanced technology at her disposal, I''m sure she had strong people around her as well. In any case, she''s definitely rich if she''s selling those Prosthetics for about a thousand Zombie Cores each. This could be the fresh start we''ve been looking for."


    Hanzo and Argus exchanged nces, their skepticism giving way to cautious optimism. "Let''s hope you''re right," Hanzo said, slinging his rifle over his shoulder.


    Argus adjusted his sniper rifle, ready for whatevery ahead. "We''ll follow your lead, Tieria. Let''s make this work."


    Seeing that his brothers seemed fine with this arrangement, he then replied to Lysandra.


    [ Tieria: I can agree with this offer as long as the Prosthetic Eye is really special, as you said. I''m currently near the Oblivion Marsh¡­ The Gorge of Oath is in my north and the Sunken Castle in my west¡­ Well, it''s a three-day of travel. ]


    [ Lysandra: Got it¡­ I have a rough idea of your location. Unfortunately, I can''t invite you unless we''re close to each other. We are at Sector 15, and we''re heading to Sector 20. We''re nning to stay in our current area until the Boss Raid event starts. If you want to get the item now, we can still make a private trade, but you''ll have to pay the transaction fee. ]


    The two of them chatted for a little while as Tieria realized that Lysandra''s current location was a secret.


    Nheless, once they survive the Boss Raid event that will happen in a week, they should be able to meet in Sector 17¡­ Lysandra wasn''t even worried if he changed his mind and decided not to join her n.


    She seemed unworried about it, as if she didn''t care whether a Level 20 Survivor together with 2 Epic Summons, would join her n.


    ''Interesting¡­''


    After agreeing to pay the Transaction Fee that made him bleed a lot of money, Tieria finally obtained the Prosthetic Eye.


    After getting the item, he immediately checked its description.


    [ Hunter''s Prosthetic Eye: This artificial eye is a state-of-the-art ocr imnt designed for those who have lost their key sensory organ, an eye. Not only does it restore sight, but it also enhances the user''s perception of their surroundings, providing critical advantages in survival.


    Special Effects:


    Night Vision ( Passive ): The Prosthetic Eye allows the user to see clearly in low-light conditions, illuminating dark environments with a green-tinted glow.


    Zombie Detection ( Passive ): Equipped with advanced sensor technology, the eye can detect the presence of zombies within a 15-meter radius. ]


    [ Remarks: Can not be upgraded. ]


    "It can''t be upgraded, huh¡­" Tieria muttered as he read the description. He didn''t mind if it could not be upgraded as long as he could finally use his eyes.


    Then, he followed Lysandra''s instruction to just ce the Prosthetic Eye in front of his missing eye to make it work.


    ''She mentioned that it won''t be too painful¡­ It should be fine.'' He thought.


    However, as soon as he ced the artificial eye in front of his left eye, its nerve-like wires suddenly pierced through his skin!


    "Aaack!"


    It wasn''t too painful but since it happened too quickly, he felt surprised and rmed his twopanions.


    "I''m fine¡­ I can endure this difort¡­" Tieria said as he waved his hands. The pain he was feeling was indeed notparable to the time when he lost his vision.


    This was nothing!


    Unfortunately, he miscalcted the attachment of the eye as it actually took almost 45 minutes of excruciating pain!


    "Aaahhh!"


    As the final readjustment of the artificial eye urred, Tieria felt a lot more pain that seemed to be eating his brain away! Thankfully, thatst burst of pain onlysted for 10 seconds before disappearing.


    [ You have obtained an artificial eye: Hunter''s Prosthetic Eye ] Explore more stories at empire


    ***


    After returning to the Inn and eating with Lysandra, Shane returned to his room and opened his Regional Chat.


    Lysandra''s Prosthetic sale had already died down and no one was talking about it anymore.


    However, there was a subject that caught his interest¡­


    As he read through the Regional Chat, he noticed a few people mentioning the mysterious Survivor Killer. It was a chilling story¡ªa human hunting other humans instead of zombies. It doesn''t seem too unnatural with theck of resources, but they heard that this killer would torture these Survivors instead of just killing them.


    The chat buzzed with spection and fear as the survivors shared rumors and warnings about this monster-like human.


    Some dismissed it as a mere story, while others imed to have witnessed the Survivor Killer firsthand or their victims.


    [ Alice: I heard they wear a ck cloak with a coffin''s emblem. This is probably a n and not just a single person. Most of my friends had disappeared already. They must be in Sector 15. Be careful. ]


    [ Natalie: So they moved there already? I heard about them when they were still in Sectors 9 and 11. ]


    [ Travis: I think it''s just three people. One of them probably has Paralysis Talent, so you all have to be careful. ]


    [ Raze: Do you know these Survivor Killers? ]


    [ Travis: Probably¡­ I think I tried to recruit them, but they looked nasty, so I sent them away. Then, the next n they joined in waspletely eradicated a few days after they joined. I''m not sure if that''s connected. ]


    [ Raze: Can you tell us their names and appearance? ]


    [ Travis: As I said, I''m not sure if that was them, so I don''t want to tarnish their reputation. However, if that was their group, then you have to be careful of the Paralysis effect. ]


    "Survivor Killer, huh¡­" Shane gently nodded as he read the intriguing topic.


    In any case, he was safe within the Ivory Gear Shelter, surrounded by advanced technology and heavily-equipped guards.


    Surely, this Survivor Killer wouldn''t dare target a ce like this.


    Shane closed the chat, pushing aside his random thoughts.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He had more immediate concerns¡ªthe elixir he was about to create.


    The Blood Alchemy Booky open before him, its pages filled with various recipes to repurpose his collection of precious Zombie Blood.


    "Titan''s Roar Skill¡­ I''m going to get you." Shane muttered as he prepared all the ingredients in front of him. He had even purchased a cauldron and various containers in the warehouse a while ago, to ensure that he had the best equipment in his first attempt in Blood Alchemy.


    ''Let''s start¡­''


    Following the instructions for making the elixir meticulously, Shane mixed the Juggernaut Zombie Blood and Giant Zombie Blood in a stone cauldron.


    Then, the Ancient Oak Moss was drenched, infusing the mixture with its properties. He then ground the Corrupted Hearthstone into a fine powder and it was quite easy, thanks to his current strength. Soon, its dark energy blended seamlessly into the cauldron.

 Chapter 336 Upgrades before the Boss Raid ( 1 )

    The Blood Alchemy Book''s instructions weren''t thatplicated as it also had clear instructions. There was also room for errors since the sess rate was actually incredibly high¡­ Because of that, Shane wasn''t too nervous during the process.


    Furthermore, Cloud had also fully absorbed all the information inside the Blood Alchemy Book. Right now, instead of reading the book from time to time, he simply had to listen to Cloud and follow its instructions.


    Anyway, Shane soon added the Mutagenic Serum, and the Elixir simmered over the fire.


    As the hours passed, Shane watched the liquid transform. It glowed faintly, showing that it was indeed a magical concoction. When the time was right, or perhaps when Cloud instructed, he transferred it to a sk and sealed it tightly.


    The Elixir would have to rest for six hours since its potency was still growing.


    "Permanent Titan''s Roar Skill without negative effects," he murmured, reading the remarks¡­


    He could actually get the Armored Dash Skill if he just repeated the same process but the amount of blood between the two Zombies would be reversed.


    "Armored Dash sounds cool¡­" Shane muttered.


    After all, his movement skills were mostly used for escaping or for getting a better position inbat. However, the Armored Dash, as its name implies, was more of an aggressive attack than a movement technique.


    He couldn''t help but imagine using this skill in front of so many Zombies and crashing them with this ability.


    Unfortunately, Shane stillcked Zombie Blood.


    While waiting for the Elixir to bepletely finished, Shane decided to open his Marketce to see if there were people selling Giant Zombie''s Blood or Juggernaut Zombie''s Blood.


    Since he had just obtained thousands of Zombie Cores from Lord Kang Zhen, he certainly wanted to splurge a little.


    Thankfully, after several days of not checking the Marketce for these types of blood, someone finally posted them.


    Once again, the one selling them was actually Ghost Warden, with a few others from Raven Guard.


    It seemed that after several days had passed, they were able to hunt several of them¡­


    However, because they knew that someone was purchasing Zombie Blood of powerful Zombies, they seemed to have increased the price.


    [ Seller: Ghost Warden


    Item: 400mL of Juggernaut Zombie Blood


    Description: A pack of Zombie Blood looted from a Juggernaut Zombie Blood.


    Price: 90 Zombie Cores per 100mL ]


    [ Seller: Ghost Warden


    Item: 600mL of Giant Zombie Blood


    Description: A pack of Zombie Blood looted from a Giant Zombie Zombie Blood.


    Price: 105 Zombie Cores per 100mL ]


    "Did they just kill 4 Juggernaut Zombies?" Shane was surprised as he saw 400mL of blood from Juggernaut Zombie. It seemed that Natalie''s New Haven n was located in a ce with many Juggernaut and Giant Zombie.


    Previously, the price of Juggernaut Zombie Blood was only 30 Zombie Cores, but the price has already increased by 200%


    Nheless, Shane still decided to purchase all of them and spent a total of 990 Zombie Cores.


    The next seller was Raven Guard, the one suspected as Asad¡­ The one who was always in the top 2 in the Survivor Leaderboard.


    His price was actually a lot more expensive since he was probably hunting these Zombies alone while Natalies hunted them inrge groups, making it easier for them to kill these Zombies inrge quantities.


    [ Seller: Raven Guard


    Item: 100mL of Juggernaut Zombie Blood


    Description: A pack of Zombie Blood looted from a Juggernaut Zombie Blood.


    Price: 100 Zombie Cores ]


    [ Seller: Raven Guard


    Item: 300mL of Giant Zombie Blood


    Description: A pack of Zombie Blood looted from a Giant Zombie Zombie Blood.


    Price: 130 Zombie Cores per 100mL ]


    Well, he only had 100mL for Juggernaut and 300mL for Giant Zombie, so it wasn''t a lot. Nheless, it was better than nothing, so Shane still purchased all of them and spent another 490 Zombie Cores.


    In the end, he stillcked 300mL of Juggernaut Zombie for his Armored Dash Skill.


    ''Well, I can probably acquire them before the Boss Raid.'' Shane thought to himself since there was still a week before the Raid.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Shane then continued browsing the Marketce to find anything that might catch his interest.


    ''Ohh¡­ There are a lot of weapons options now. I guess everyone''s starting to get the hang of it.'' Shane mused as he noticed that numerous cold weapons were for sale.


    It appears that many Survivors had learned crafting or smithing, as numerous swords of various grades appeared in the Market.


    Shane doesn''t need these items but he certainly felt that the Survivors were starting to prosper with this many weapons being sold in the Market¡­


    The stage of the Apocalypses, where there was a hugeck of food and weapons, had already passed, and everyone was already farming for experience points and various loots.


    Shane then closed the Marketce after some time, and after confirming that he still had enough time, he felt that he could try using his Otherworldly Mechanic talent.


    His talent actually had many other uses aside from dismantling, repairing, and improving other items. There was a part where he could create apletely new machine, but it would cost a lot more Reputation Points since, aside from his materials, he would still buy other parts in the Anima Store. Your next chapter is on empire


    ''Well, if it''s too expensive¡­ I''ll just try to improve it then¡­'' Shane mused. Even though he had hundreds of reputation points right now, it hadn''t been easy to acquire them. It means that getting more of them might take a lot of time, so he doesn''t want to splurge too much.


    Nheless, he knew that the Boss Raid Event was important and needed some better weapons since he could not bring summons there. It is only an event for Survivors and their Soulbound Pets.


    Shane then ced three mechanical items on the table: the Mechanical Grappling Hook, the Steam-Powered Exoskeleton, and the Portable Energy Generator he had recently obtained.


    As if responding to his intent, his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent activated, oveying a holographic interface in front of him.


    The options were clear: Dismantle the items for materials or Improve them.

 Chapter 337 Upgrades before the Boss Raid ( 2 )

    There was no option for repair since none of them were damaged.


    Shane considered for a moment as he checked his Inventory and confirmed that he didn''t have plenty of raw materials. This was one of the reasons why repairing or improving items could be expensive.


    Shane selected the Steam-Powered Exoskeleton, and as he selected the "Improve" option, he was presented with three Improvement Route.


    [ Improvement Options:


    Enhanced Strength Module: Increase the lifting capacity and strength output of the exoskeleton.


    Effects:


    Boosts melee damage by 25%.


    Increases carrying capacity by 50%.


    Steam Efficiency Upgrade: Optimize the steam generation process to improve the duration of use before needing to refuel.


    Effects:


    Extends operational time by 30%.


    Reduces steam consumption by 20%.


    Adaptive Mobility Enhancements: Modify the exoskeleton''s joints and actuators for greater agility and speed.


    Effects:


    Increases movement speed by 15%.


    Enhances dodging ability, reducing damage taken from attacks by 10%. ]


    To Shane''s surprise, he can actually select all of these improvement options to get an even better effect.


    It was quite an interesting option, but selecting all of them would exceed 400 Reputation Points! On the other hand, he just needed 100 Reputation Points if he selected just one of them.


    ''Is it because most of the materials wille from the Anima Store?'' Shane wryly smiled as she certainlycked materials.


    Indeed, Shane could use the Anima Store to purchase additional materials that would enhance his upgrades. However, each purchase would cost Reputation Points, a valuable currency within this Apocalypse world.


    In the end, Shane chose not to upgrade the existing items. Instead, he decided to dismantle all three of them!


    He even brought out a few firearms, weapons, and other gear he bought in the workshop and dismantled all of them!


    He wanted to get a huge amount of raw materials to lessen his expenses when using the Anima Store. That way, the screws or bolts or any simple materials wouldn''t have to be purchased in the store.


    Soon, he watched as the materials floated, disassembling themselves like it was truly something from a game. Gears, wires, andponents separated, merging into a swirling vortex before vanishing.


    They had all entered his Inventory, storing the dismantled materials neatly.


    Now, for the new creation, Shane retrieved another Steam-Powered Exoskeleton¡­


    Once again, he was given an option to Dismantle or Improve the item.


    This time, as he selected the Improve option, he was actually given four new options aside from the three others. Furthermore, the first three options finally had a lower price! From the previous 100 Reputation Points, he only needed to spend 20 Reputation Points toplete the upgrade!


    "So it''s all about the raw materials that I''mcking. It''s good that the workshop has given me plenty of devices just now." Shane mused as he turned his attention to the four new options that had appeared.


    [ 4. Integrated Defense Shield: Install a defensive shield that can be deployed to absorb iing damage. This shield can be activated duringbat for added protection.


    Effects:


    Defense Shield: Provides a temporary shield that absorbs up to 300 points of damage. Activation cooldown of 60 seconds. ]


    [ 5. Sensory Augmentation System: Equip the exoskeleton with sensory enhancements, such as advanced thermal vision and advanced motion detector, to improve situational awareness.


    Effects: Experience more content on empire


    Grants thermal vision for detecting hidden enemies and resources in low-light conditions.


    Includes a motion detector that alerts the user of nearby threats within a 30-meter radius. ]


    [ 6. Power Core Conversion: Rece the steam system with apact power core, providing a cleaner and more efficient energy source. This upgrade allows for longer operational times and quicker recharge capabilities.


    Effects:


    Increases operational duration by 400%. ]


    [ 7. Ion Drive Engine Integration: Integrate advanced ion drive technology, allowing for instantaneous eleration and enhanced agility. This upgrade enables the exoskeleton to perform rapid movements and evasive maneuvers.


    Effects:


    Boosts movement speed by 350%.


    Ion Drive Boost: Provides the ability to perform short bursts of speed, enabling quick dodges or escapes. ]


    ''Now¡­ This is what an upgrade should be.'' Shane smiled as he looked at the new options that had appeared.


    He didn''t waste too much of his time and immediately improved the Exoskeleton!


    He selected Enhanced Strength Module, Adaptive Mobility Enhancements, Integrated Defense Shield, Sensory Augmentation System, Power Core Conversion, and Ion Drive Engine Integration¡­


    All of these upgrades only used up 155 Reputation Points with the Ion Drive Integration, which was actually the most expensive as it was worth 50 Reputation Points¡­


    Soon, with the help of the system, Shane obtained an item that could surely help him in the uing Boss Raid Event¡­


    [ You havepleted the upgrade with the Steam-Powered Exoskeleton. ]n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [ The item had changed into a Tactical Sentinel Combat Exosuit I. ]


    [ Tactical Sentinel Combat Exosuit I: The suit represents the advancement of exoskeleton technology, merging enhanced strength, mobility, defense, and sensory capabilities into a single, formidable package. ]


    [ Remarks: This item cannot be upgraded with Item Upgrade Crystals. ]


    "Awesome¡­" Shane smiled as he looked at the bulky yet impressive structure of the Exoskeleton or Exosuit now.


    He decided not to wear it for now and thought that he would have a lot of timeter. After all, he was still in the hotel room, and the floor was creaking because of the weight of the suit.


    As soon as he stored it, the pressure on the floor finally disappeared, making the person below his room heave a sigh of relief.


    Soon, the Elixir that had been resting for several hours was finally in itsplete state!


    ''Mhmm¡­ It says that I can just consume it to get the Elixir¡­'' Shane mused as he checked its description, confirming that the potion was safe to consume.


    [ Titan Roar''s Elixir: A potent potion crafted from rare and mystical ingredients, designed to empower the consumer with a powerful Titan''s Roar skill. It enhances the consumer''s vital organs, allowing them to project their voice with incredible intensity and power. ]


    Then, Shane raised the sk to his lips, hesitating for a moment.


    Then, with a deep breath, he drank the elixir.

 Chapter 338 Elixirs of Skills

    Soon, the power of the Elixir surged through him, fortifying his body and enhancing his vitality. He also felt a surge of strength building within his body¡­


    After a few moments, the effects subsided, and the burst of energy disappeared.


    [ You have consumed the Titan''s Roar Elixir. ]


    [ You have obtained the skill Titan''s Roar ]


    [ Titan''s Roar Lv5: Unleash a primal roar that echoes with the power of ancient titans, instilling fear in your foes and rallying your allies. The Titan''s Roar amplifies your voice to a thunderous level, causing shockwaves that can disrupt enemy formations and provide a temporary boost to your allies'' strength.


    Effects:


    Stun: Affects all enemies within a 30-meter radius, causing them to be stunned for 2 seconds. Cost: 100 Spirit Points.


    Ally Buff: Allies within the radius receive a 10% increase in attack power and defense for 30 seconds. Cost: 100 Spirit Points.


    Fear Inducement: Perceptive enemies affected by the roar have a 50% chance to flee in fear for 10 seconds. Cost: 100 Spirit Points. ]


    "Ohh¡­ It''s already a level 5 skill." Shane gently nodded, seeing that the level didn''t start at Level zero. It seemed that the Elixir that he made was a lot better than he had thought.


    Then, in the next five days within the Shelter, Shane had decided to focus on his Blood Alchemy.


    He had managed to create dozens of elixirs of seven different recipes.


    Shane concocted a Five-Meter Jump Elixir from Jumper Zombie and made eight of them. As for the Three-Meter Jump Elixir that had low requirements, he was able to make 10 Elixirs in a single refinement, so he made 40 of them in the end! He considered selling these things to others since he already have Five- Meter Jump.


    Then, with the blood of the Sprinter Zombie, he made nine Swift Dash Elixir. It was still notparable to his Phantasm Rush, so he didn''t really want to have this Skill. Instead, he considered selling these to his n members for a cheap price.


    After that, Shane also created the Elixir for the Underground Burrow Skill of the Crypt Crawlers.


    [ Underground Burrow Skill: An ability to dig underground and evade detection, resurfacing at a chosen location. ]


    It was an interesting skill, and he might even consider building a bunker because of this ability.


    Shane also found a recipe that could use the Licker Zombie''s Blood. However, the fact that it would actually stretch his tongue made him give up the idea of even creating one and selling it to the market. He felt that this Elixir must actually be erased in the book.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    In any case, Shane also made Force Punch Elixir from the Tyrant Zombie''s Blood and Crusher Zombie''s Blood.


    This Force Punch Skill was actually so powerful as it could create a powerful shockwave that could destroy the target''s internal organs once they were hit!


    It was a Skill that could really be dangerous and must not be handed over outside his n.


    ''I wonder what kind of Skill I''ll get if I fuse it with Deadly Punch?'' Shane mused but he shook his head.


    He wanted to find one more punching Skill before fusing it. After all, even though he could fuse two Skills, he could also fuse three skills and it might get a better result.


    In any case, the Skill requires 500mL of the Tyrant Zombie''s Blood and 600mL of Crusher Zombie''s Blood, so in the end, he only managed to create three of this Force Punch Elixir.


    Of course, Shane also decided to create Elixirs to be sold to the public to earn more Zombie Cores. Although he was already quite wealthy, it should be fine to be even wealthier.


    He had decided to make the Momentum Shift Elixir from the Runner Leader Zombie''s Blood!


    The Elixir only required 50mL of blood from the Runner Leader, and because of that, he was able to make 45 Elixirs!


    [ Momentum Shift: A skill that allows a sudden change in direction while running, making it difficult for enemies to predict movement. ]


    After listing some of these Elixirs in the Marketce for a very steep price that would need a group of people''s effort to buy one, he realized that Natalie was once again selling the Zombie Blood he needed for the Armored Dash Skill!


    Shane made this Elixir without hesitation, and because he had already adjusted with the Alchemy, he didn''t make a mistake in the process and made it in one go. After resting it for six hours, the Elixir was ready, and he consumed it immediately.


    He really wanted this ability!


    [ You have consumed the Armored Dash Elixir. ]


    [ You have obtained the skill Armored Dash. ]


    [ Armored Dash Lv5: Propel yourself forward with exceptional speed while encased in protective ting. This Skill allows you to charge through enemies, knocking them aside and absorbing minor damage from iing attacks.


    Effect: Increases movement speed by 50% and reduces damage taken by 30% during the dash.


    Duration: 5 seconds


    Cost: 100 Spirit Points


    Cooldown: 60 seconds ]


    Of course, Shane immediately wanted to try this Skill. He wanted to go outside and try it against a Zombie, but at this time, he heard hurried steps approaching him.


    After hearing a knock on his door, Shane opened it and was met by a familiar guard in Lord Kang Zhen''s office.


    "Sir Shane, the Lord wishes to see you¡­" The guard immediately said.


    "Oh? It must be important¡­ Very well, please guide me." Shane replied.


    ***


    As Shane stepped into the office of Lord Kang Zhen, he felt some pressureing off from the people inside. They weren''t hiding their aura at all, as if trying to intimidate him.


    ''Did I do something wrong?'' Shane thought for a moment, but he wasn''t too worried.


    In the center of the room, Kang Zhen sat behind his desk, nked by three formidable leaders of the Zombie Extermination Squads.


    The guard who had escorted him already introduced these people to him.


    ording to the guard, these three don''t have good tempers, and he could easily recognize them with their distinct mechanical prosthetics. Continue reading on empire

 Chapter 339 Argument

    One of the leaders of these Zombie Extermination Squads was Swain, a towering figure with a rough appearance. ording to his escort, his right arm was reced with a prosthetic that could shoot poison arrows.


    The next was Maurice, with a figure leaner than Swain but equally intimidating. This time, he had a left arm that could also be used as a de for stabbing.


    Lastly, Iseult, the lone female among them, had an advanced prosthetic right eye that glowed faintly as if it was trying to scan him.


    Although he had just heard about them from the guard, he could confirm that they were indeed easily recognizable with their Prosthetics.


    Seeing Shane''s arrival, Lord Kang Zhen spoke first¡­


    "Hello, Sir Shane... It''s been a while. I''m sorry for calling you here on short notice. We are nning to conquer a Zombie Den nearby filled with Stoneskin Zombies. Are you interested?"


    The sudden invitation didn''t surprise Shane that much considering the fact that he was meeting with three leaders of the Zombie Extermination Squads of the Shelter.


    "Stoneskin Zombies, huh¡­ I''ve never encountered them before. I wonder what I will get in exchange for my service¡­ Aside from that, is there a particr reason for inviting me?" Shane replied after considering his options.


    "Ahemm¡­ Of course, we can give you a reward. Aside from Zombie Cores, there are three Treasure Chests in this den. There were two Silver Treasure Chests and one Bronze Treasure Chest. I wish to borrow your strength to ensure this extermination task is conducted with low casualties. I can tell that you have the skills that will help us lessen the risk involved in clearing this den.


    In exchange, you will receive the Bronze Treasure Chest."


    The room fell silent as the proposal sank in.


    Shane nodded, contemting the offer¡­ He wasn''t too sure if that reward was already more than enough.


    However, while he was thinking, Swain crossed his arms, a skeptical look on his face.


    "With all due respect, Lord Kang Zhen, will one person obtain the Bronze Treasure Chest? Isn''t that a bit too much? We have 24 seasoned members across our squads. What can Shane possibly contribute?"


    Apparently, there were eight members in each squad¡­ They were probably thinking that the reward was not enough for them, so they couldn''t help but feel dissatisfied that their reward would lessen even more.


    Maurice chimed in, "Exactly. Aside from that, we''ve never worked with him before. The stakes are high, and we can''t afford to gamble on an untested ally. This is a dangerous mission, and we need every advantage."


    Iseult, though more reserved, added, "I agree. We''ve all faced countless zombies, and we know how brutal they can be. We need a n that guarantees sess, not a wild card."


    Shane just listened to their words as he felt a bit unsure of how to react to their sudden behavior. It wasn''t like he had requested to join in their mission. It may seem like he was trying to take part in the rewards he doesn''t deserve, but he knew very well why Lord Kang Zhen wanted his assistance¡­


    In any case, the tension in the room escted as the leaders debated Shane''s involvement. Of course, Lord Kang Zhen did his best to exin that Shane would be a great addition to their ranks and that it would help them lessen the casualties because of his strength.


    Kang Zhen also reminded the three leaders that the previous extermination tasks had over 30% casualty rare and they couldn''t afford to keep losing precious manpower.


    Swain still couldn''t take it.


    "We need someone who can hold their own in the heat of battle. No offense, Shane, but this isn''t a training exercise." Your adventure continues at empire


    Maurice also added. "We''ve lost too many good people to take risks. This isn''t just about treasure; it''s about survival."


    Now, they changed their stance as if they just really cared about Shane and didn''t want him to be injured.


    Shane, feeling the weight of their scrutiny, stood his ground. In any case, the Bronze Treasure Chest doesn''t sound too bad for a reward.


    In just a few more days, the Boss Raid will start and this mission will help him get back into shape after doing alchemy for about five days.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "I may be one person, but I have faced challenges that would make you rethink your doubts. If you give me a chance, I can prove my worth."


    They still felt unconvinced, but after a heated exchange of words, Lord Kang Zhen raised a hand to silence the room.


    "Enough! If there are doubts about Shane''s capabilities, let''s settle this the old-fashioned way. A duel."


    The leaders exchanged nces, the proposition doesn''t sound too bad at all.


    Kang Zhen continued, "Shane will duel one of you. If he can best his opponent, we proceed with the mission. If not, we will respect your concerns and seek another path."


    ***


    Soon, Shane and the others made their way to the training grounds, a vast open area surrounded by towering walls and guarded by several sentinels.


    News of the duel had spread quickly drawing a crowd of onlookers eager to witness the sh between the neer and one of the Extermination Squad Leaders


    As they arrived, Shane took in the sight of the training grounds. The dirt floor was marked with various battle scars, remnants of past training sessions¡­


    Guards stood at the edges to ensure the security of the ce.


    Lord Kang Zhen stood nearby, nked by Iseult and Maurice, observing the proceedings with keen interest. Apparently, they have decided to have Swain fight against Shane.


    "Remember," he announced to the crowd, "this duel will be fought unarmed. No firearms will be permitted. The goal is to demonstrate skill, strategy, and adaptability."


    Swain then stepped forward as he cracked his knuckles¡­ He was confident in unarmedbat, and he was actually a bit surprised that Shane had epted the terms of the duel.


    With a smirk, he stretched his arms and taunted, "Ready to get schooled, Shane?"


    Shane couldn''t help but chuckle as he realized that he probably wouldn''t get along with this guy.


    "Let''s see what you''ve got," Shane replied as he steadied himself and assumed a fighting stance.

 Chapter 340 Reputation

    Themotion was, of course, heard by Lysandra, who was still reselling Prosthetics thanks to Shane''s generosity as he had given her 100 more taels of gold.


    Her hard work had certainly bore fruit, as her business had truly made her rich after the past few days had passed.


    Just this morning, she received eight messages requesting specific Prosthetics to the point that she couldn''t help but feel too worried that they were getting too strong.


    She was quite lucky that she was able to get wealthy customers and sell them even ten times the normal price, and they still epted it.


    As shepleted another deal that made her earn 2,230 Zombie Cores, she heard amotion and immediately learned about Shane''s duel with one of the Zombie Extermination Squad Leaders of the Shelter. It was quite surprising since she knew that Shane wouldn''t just go around challenging anyone he saw.


    ''Is it a conflict? Or maybe just a practice match?'' She mused as she visited the training grounds.


    She soon noticed that Shane and his opponent were unarmed and realized that this was most likely just a friendly match. She also overheard the name of the person that Shane was fighting, and he was very famous.


    His name was Swain, and he had actually killed a Walker Leader and Runner Leader Zombies alone! It was certainly impressive since Swain only uses a dagger as his main weapon aside from his firearms.


    "Begin!"


    The referee, or perhaps one of the soldiers practicing in the area, announced.


    The crowd grew silent as the duelmenced.


    Swain charged forward as he seemed to be nning to catch Shane off guard!


    Seeing that Shane''s first reaction was to back away, Swain gained even more confidence as he released a series of punches towards Shane, who deftly sidestepped the initial strikes¡­


    "Hmph!"


    Swain then made a powerful right hook aimed at Shane''s jaw. He wanted to quickly finish the battle to show their gap in strength.


    However, Shane ducked just in time, feeling the rush of wind from Swain''s fist.


    ''Not bad¡­'' Swain thought as he continued to be on the offensive.


    Then, the two fighters exchanged blows, and Swain seemed to be attacking with all his might, and Shane was just barely dodging Swain''s attack with a hair''s breadth. Even if Shane was also throwing punches, it wasn''t aimed at defeating Swain but simply at stopping Swain''s momentum as he tried to keep moving forward.


    "Who is that person? How can he handle Sir Swain''s offensive?!"


    "Sir Swain should be level 19 already¡­ I heard he''s about to reach level 20¡­ Furthermore, his right arm is made of ck steel¡­ A single punch from him would surely knock his opponent¡­ It''s a pity that he can''t get a clean hit."


    "Hmph¡­ That Shane guy is just too fast¡­ He''s probably waiting for the Leader to exhaust himself¡­"


    "Right¡­ Even if that neer was blocking our Leader''s punches, he was only doing a soft block to reduce the force."


    Swain''s colleagues couldn''t help but sympathize with his situation, as dealing against fast opponents could really be troubling.


    Of course, many of those in the crowd could also tell that Shane was incredible. Those who had been observing him couldn''t help but sweat as Shane''s method of dodging appeared to always be on the brink of defeat!


    "You''re not going to win like this Shane!" Swain shouted.


    In Shane''s mind, he felt that he actually didn''t need to win and just show that he was capable of entering the Stoneskin Zombie''s Den. However, seeing that Swain just wanted to beat him instead of testing his capabilities, he felt that he should really just end this match¡­


    ''I just hope that this matter won''t blow out of proportion.'' Shane thought as he observed his opponent carefully as he considered how to end this duel.


    On the other hand, Lysandra wasn''t too worried after seeing their match.


    Swain, with his impressive height and muscr build, attempted to dominate the fight through sheer power. However, Lysandra knew that it wasn''t enough to win against her n Leader, who could destroy a boulder with a few punches.


    Soon, Swain threw a roundhouse kick, but Shane reacted quickly, blocking with his forearm and countering with a jab to Swain''s ribs.


    Bang!


    The crowd roared in approval as the intensity of the duel grew.


    Shane''s quick jab was then followed by a knee strike aimed at Swain''s midsection.


    Although thetter was in pain, he still caught Shane''s knee with his arm, using the momentum to spin and deliver a backfist!


    Thud!


    Shane blocked this strike, but he still stumbled slightly before he regained his bnce.


    ''Survivor Skill¡­'' Shane thought as he realized that Swain''s attack was heavier than he thought.


    ''Right¡­ This may be an unarmedbat, but it doesn''t mean that we can''t use Survivor Skills.'' Shane mused.


    Of course, using Force Punch that could destroy someone''s internal organs wasn''t a good idea as that would certainly kill the man.


    As the fight progressed, Swain''s confidence began to show signs of strain. Heunched a flurry of attacks, but Shane had found his rhythm.


    ''Let''s end this¡­''


    Shane then feigned a left hook, causing Swain to ovemit.


    At that moment, Shane pivoted, delivering a swift kick to Swain''s leg. This time, however, it was imbued with his Aura! This sudden strike made Swain momentarily lose bnce.


    Seizing the opportunity, Shane followed up with a swift strike on Swain''s jaw!


    Read exclusive adventures at empire


    The crowd erupted into cheers, sensing the shift in momentum.


    To Shane''s surprise, however, Swain suddenly burst with a powerful aura¡­


    He mustered his strength for onest assault, charging at Shane full force.


    Although it was fast, Shane, however, remained calm and focused. As Swain closed the distance, Shane stood on his ground and allowed the man to strike him!


    This confused everyone, including Swain who could kill a Walker Leader Zombie with this punch!


    ''Don''t me me!''


    Swain thought as he struck Shane''s chest!


    Bang!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As everyone thought that Shane would either have his body pierced by Swain''s punch or get sted away, something unexpected happened!


    The crowd gasped as Swain got thrown away and hit the dirt instead!

 Chapter 341 Shanes Wealth

    Shane was actually unaffected by the punch, and he didn''t even step back from the impact of their sh. This action obviously shocked everyone who watched, including Lord Kang Zhen himself.


    The Lord knew very well that if he was the one at the receiving end of that punch, he had to dodge it instead of blocking it.


    "Is that a form of barrier? However, I haven''t noticed any device activation just now. Then, it must be a powerful defensive skill." Kang Zhen mused.


    He didn''t mind how Shane used a skill since everyone could tell that Swain had also used three of his Survivor Skills just now.


    Lord Kang Zhen then stepped forward, raising his hand to signal the end of the duel. "Enough! This match is over!"


    The crowd erupted in cheers and apuse, chanting Shane''s name.


    Swain, still on the ground, looked up at Shane with a mix of respect and disbelief. Although he still felt that getting a whole Bronze Treasure Chest was a bit too much, he knew that he couldn''tin now that he had lost against him.


    "You''ve got skills, Shane," he admitted, pushing himself up with a grin. "Looks like we underestimated you. You''ve earned your ce here."


    Shane offered a hand to help Swain up, feeling a bit unsure how to react to his words.


    In any case, he was grateful that he earned the man''s respect and that was the most important since they had to clear the Stoneskin Zombie Den.


    As the crowd dispersed, Kang Zhen approached Shane with a satisfied nod. "You''ve proven yourself today. With your skills, our mission to conquer the Zombie Den will be a sess. If possible, I wish that our casualty wouldn''t exceed three deaths."


    Shane had no idea howrge this Den was, but considering there are three Treasure Chests, he couldn''t really guarantee that.


    In the end, he could only try his best.


    "I hope so¡­ I will do my best, Lord Kang Zhen." Shane replied.


    ***


    After some time, Shane informed Lysandra that he would be joining the mission to exterminate the Stoneskin Zombies. Of course, Lysandra wanted to join as well, but he told her to get richer instead with her buy-and-sell tactic.


    In exchange, Shane gave Lysandra his Sniper Rifle so she could still hunt from a distance and earn Experience Points. He even gave Lysandra two Special Recruitment Stones to summon helpers in case she needed them while he was away.


    Shane didn''t mind giving these two stones since Lysandra had just transferred 5,000 Zombie Cores to him! With these many cores, he would be able to buy anything that would pop up in his Survivor Store, and, of course, he could also feed his two pets in the Fairy Realm. After all, his Metal Slime, or what he named a Silver, eats a lot of Zombie Cores!


    Anyway, Shane could only hope that Silver had already gotten stronger once he entered his Fairy Realm soon.


    As they left the Shelter, they traveled for about 15 minutes before Shane was able to see something.


    "So there''s an abandoned town here¡­" Shane muttered after he saw a ruined town. The buildings in this ce had copsed and were slowly being overrun by nature. In any case, they were nning to visit this ce as they continued on their way.


    Soon, they arrived at their destination about 20 more minutes after they passed through the ruined town.


    As he stood at the entrance of the cave, he nced at the leaders of the squads: Swain, Maurice, and Iseult. Each of themmanded a team of eight, and all of them were actually wearing Army clothes!


    This was the reason why Shane had also decided to wear his Tier 5 Army Clothes instead of his Crawler or Hunter Set.


    At this time, A.I. Cloud suddenly made its report.


    [ Scan Completed. ]


    [ 14 Cave Dweller Zombies Detected. ]


    [ 32 Unknown Zombies Detected. ]n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The unknown Zombies must be the Stoneskin Zombies that he had never encountered until today.


    As Shane was about to ask them about their ns, Swain suddenly stepped forward.


    He then turned to Shane and spoke. "Stay at the back unless we need you," he ordered.


    Shane nodded as he decided to watch them fight. Since they were also working in a group, their teamwork might just get disturbed by his presence in front.


    The group then moved into the cave. The air suddenly grew cooler and the light started dimming.


    In this situation, a few of them decided to light the torches they''ve brought, and they even had enough extra to ce them at some corners.


    Soon, the sound of their footsteps echoed off the stone walls.


    ''The Zombies areing¡­'' Shane noticed but he didn''t warn them.


    As expected, Maurice immediately spoke.


    "They''re here! Get into position!"


    The Stoneskin Zombies, with their tough, rock-like hides, finally showed themselves.


    Swain then signaled for the squads to spread out, and soon, the sound of battle filled the cave.


    Shane watched as Swain, Maurice, and Iseult led their teams¡­


    Instead of wielding swords and spears, the squads wielded hammers and metal bats¡­ It seemed to be much more effective against the Stoneskin Zombies!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The sound of metal striking stone echoed through the cave as they smashed through the tough exteriors of the Stoneskin Zombies.


    "Haaa!"


    Swain''s hammer came down with a thunderous blow, shattering a zombie''s head.


    St!


    Maurice also swung his bat in a wide arc, sending another zombie crashing into the wall. Iseult, on the other hand, used mace as she struck down one zombie after another.


    Shane gently nodded as he watched their skills and coordination.


    It seemed that they''d been fighting against Stoneskin Zombies for a while now. Each blow was calcted, and only two to three strikes were needed to eliminate these mid-tier Zombies.


    Enjoy more content from empire


    With theirbined efforts, they easily overwhelmed the slow-moving Stoneskins Zombies.


    As thest of the Stoneskin Zombies fell, they suddenly heard Shane giving an offer.


    "There are 24 Stoneskin Zombies here¡­ Can I buy them for 5 Zombie Cores each? I want to loot all of them."

 Chapter 342 The Zombie Den

    Swain was about to order everyone to gather the corpses so the three leaders could either loot them or allow their subordinates to loot them instead, depending on their decision.


    Swain, of course, nned to loot these Zombies and get experience points. Since there are 24 Stoneskin Zombies, he should be able to get at least 8 of them, even though his squad alone killed 12 of them.


    However, before he could give hismand, Shane suddenly interrupted.


    "There are 24 Stoneskin Zombies here¡­ Can I buy them for 5 Zombie Cores each? I want to loot all of them."


    This sudden offer surprised everyone, including the squad leaders.


    "Huh? You said you want to buy them? Don''t you know that each of them would only give 3 Zombie Cores at most?" Iseult asked after hearing the offer.


    Although these Stoneskin Zombies may also drop other items like Item Upgrade Crystal, Stoneskin Shard, and other materials that could be used in crafting prosthetics, they weren''t all that expensive, or they were too rare to drop from these few Zombies.


    The offer of 5 Zombie Cores each was certainly quite tempting¡­


    However, the Experience Points that they could get from looting them were hard to calcte with Zombie Cores. After all, fighting against these Zombies would only improve their Skills and not their Levels.


    "What do you think?" Maurice asked Swain, showing his decision to ept Shane''s offer. Well, he didn''t mind not getting experience points at the moment since he would probably need stronger mid-tier Zombies or high-tier Zombies to get more Experience Points.


    Swain considered for a moment before nodding his head.


    "How about 6 Zombie Cores?" Swain asked as he looked at Shane curiously.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Shane was, of course, happy with this offer, and he didn''t even mind giving them 10 Zombie Cores for each of the Stoneskin Zombies.


    Well, the reason that he needed them was because of his Blood Alchemy. The Stoneskin Ability requires not just the blood of the Zombies but also their Stone Essence, ording to the book.


    With his Complete Loot Ability, he knew that he would be able to get all the items he needed!


    Furthermore, Stoneskin''s ability could seem to be a decent Survivor Skill that could bebined or fused with his Aura of Protection or other defensive skills.


    ''Right¡­ I only have 1 Skill Fusion Talisman¡­ I want tobine a few more Survivor Skills. I hope someone would be stupid enough to sell them in the Market.'' Shane thought.


    He already informed everyone in the n about the Skill Fusion Talisman and to check them in the Market from time to time. Once it appeared, they just had to quickly inform him, and he would buy it no matter the price¡­


    For now, however, he could only imagine what Skill he wouldbine once he got more of these Talismanster.


    Anyway, Shane acted as if the six Zombie Cores were already too much but with a sigh, he replied in agreement.


    "Fine¡­ I ept the six Zombie Cores. Since there are twenty-four of them, here''s 144 Zombie Cores."


    Seeing how Shane decided to pay them even before he started looting the Zombies, Swain couldn''t help but smile and ept it. He then shared the Zombie Cores with the other leaders.


    As for Shane, he immediately activated his Auto-Loot.


    [ You have earned 25 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x5, 800mL Water, Bread x10, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x5, 100mL Stoneskin Zombie Blood, Strength Enhancement Bottle x1, Stone Essence x2, Stoneskin Shard x2 ]


    "Oh¡­ They''re actually giving a lot." Shane was surprised since he hadn''t expected that the stone-like zombie would have the highest water drop so far. Furthermore, it also dropped a Strength Enhancement Bottle!


    If he gets more of these, he will be able to strengthen his n members even more. After all, their n Trade was already open!


    Soon, he looted all of the Stoneskin Zombies, and they continued on their way inside. They encountered Cave Dweller Zombies as well and more Stoneskin Zombies.


    Shane then bought all Stoneskin Zombies for 6 Zombie Cores while he didn''t show his interest in the dwarf-like Zombies or Cave Dwellers.


    ***


    As the group continued deeper into the cave, the narrow passages opened up into a vast cavern.


    The air was filled with the scent of damp earth but no oneined about it¡­


    Soon, they saw one of the items they were looking for. However, it won''t be easy for them.


    In the center of the cavern, coiled around a gleaming Silver Treasure Chest, was a massive Rock Python Zombie.


    Its scales, hardened like stone, seemed to be imprable for a moment.


    ''I wonder how they learned that this Den has 2 Silver Treasure Chests and 1 Bronze Treasure Chest.'' Shane mused instead of getting scared of the python Zombie.


    He was more interested in how they scouted this Den.


    ''In any case, I should be joining the battle this time¡­ Kang Zhen might reward me if there''s zero casualties¡­'' Shane thought as he recalled that Kang Zhen was hoping for at least three casualties.


    However, if the opponent was only at the level of this Python, then they might be able to avoid any casualty at all!


    Nheless, the size of it was definitely intimidating at first¡­


    This creature had clearly undergone significant mutations, making it an even more formidable guardian. However, Shane could tell that because it was too heavy, it was also moving slowly like the Stoneskin Zombies¡­


    Of course, that statement came from a survivor with maxed-out agility, so it was still different from the others. The others might have a hard time responding to this Zombie''s attackster.


    Swain, Maurice, and Iseult signaled their squads to spread out, preparing for the confrontation.


    The tension within the cavern could be felt as they approached the monstrous zombie.


    Suddenly, with a hiss that echoed through the cavern, the Rock Python Zombie dove at them, its massive body aimed to crush everyone in sight!

 Chapter 343 Drops

    ''You!'' Shane was shocked as the squad didn''t seem to have a proper n to subdue this huge Rock Python Zombie!


    Obviously, their hammers and metal bats were no longer effective against this type of Zombie! Shane could even tell that this was already a high-tier Zombie in terms of its durability. It waspletely different from other Zombies they''ve encountered so far!


    "Do not panic! That Zombie is only tough..." Swain shouted as he boosted everyone''s morale.


    Apparently, they weren''tpletely hopeless as Shane finally witnessed the Talents or Skills of these individuals!


    Furthermore, he also saw the advanced prosthetics in action!


    Iseult, the one who had a prosthetic eye, immediately gave an instruction! "Look at the green stone on its body! We have to destroy it!"


    Hearing this, Maurice and Swain blocked the Python''s momentum using the Prosthetic Arms power!


    Boom! Boom!


    They released two powerful punches that made the Python Zombie shake for a bit!


    It was enough for the other members of the group to try and destroy the green stone, but unfortunately, none of their javelins, arrows, and knives that were thrown could destroy it!


    Shane could tell that they were already using some sort of Survivor Skills or perhaps even their Talents, but that was just not enough.


    Clink! Clink! Clink!


    The green stone was just too durable, and it just made the Rock Python Zombie infuriated and charged at them once again.


    The squads fought bravely as their hammers, metal bats, and other weapons struck the Python''s tough scales. But the creature''s sheer size and strength made it a frightening opponent.


    Itshed out with its tail, sending several squad members sprawling.


    Maurice narrowly avoided a crushing blow, while Iseult''s squad struggled to keep the creature at bay.


    Seeing that their ns weren''t working at all, Shane knew he had to act. Although none of them were killed as of yet, a casualty might appear soon.


    ''That should be enough¡­'' Shane thought¡­


    He then activated the Concealment Ring that he had looted before and felt the familiar sensation of his presence fading into the shadows.


    Moving swiftly and silently, he edged closer to the Rock Python Zombie, his Legendary-grade Light mede made of Phoenix Copper had also appeared in his hands.


    As he approached, the Python reared back, preparing to strike at Swain.


    ''Perfect¡­''


    Shane seized the moment.


    With his new Five-Meter Jump Skill, he easily reached the Rock Python Zombie''s head and activated one of the Light mede''s Special Effects.


    [ Special Effects:


    Inferno Burst: With a swing of the de, the wielder can unleash a torrent of fire, manifesting as powerful fireballs that scorch enemies in their path. The fireballs explode on impact, engulfing the target in searing mes. Cost: 200 Spirit Points.


    Phoenix Rebirth: When the wielder''s health drops below 30%, a surge of Phoenix energy envelops them, restoring 20% of their maximum health and granting a temporary +30% damage resistance for 10 seconds. This effect can only ur once every 12 hours. Cost: 50 Spirit Points. ]


    Needless to say, Shane used the Inferno Burst!


    Boom!


    The de ignited with a brilliant, searing light, blinding everyone in the cavern.


    Shane''s attack was so sudden, and even the members of the Zombie Extermination Squad were unaware that Shane would actually make his move!


    Everyone was surprised!


    The de sliced through the Python''s stone scales and embedded deep into its flesh. The creature let out a deafening roar as the Phoenix Copper''s mes spread rapidly, engulfing its body. The fire burned with an intensity that even the Python''s stone-like hide couldn''t withstand.


    Shane wasn''t sure if it was feeling the burning pain on its body but he knew that the attack was working!


    The Rock Python Zombie thrashed wildly as if it was trying to remove the me, but the fire was only slowly consuming everything!


    Within moments, the creature''s struggles ceased, and it copsed to the ground!


    Thud!


    Most of its body was already reduced to smoldering ash.


    [ You have eliminated a Mutated Rock Python Zombie. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Mutated Rock Python, a top-tier zombie! ]


    [ Hint: Only the first elimination of each Mid-Tier and High-Tier zombie can provide special rewards! ]


    [ You can select one reward: Instant Experience Potion x10, Zombie Cores x120, 3 Random Rare Giftpack ]


    The cavern fell silent as they realized what had just happened.


    In a single strike, Shane was able to kill the Rock Python Zombie! Furthermore, this Zombie was stronger than the ones they''d encountered before, so it was probably a Rock Python Leader or a variant that they weren''t aware of.


    Swain, Maurice, and Iseult looked at Shane with a mix of relief and admiration.


    After some time, Swain smiled and expressed his gratitude.


    "Well done, Shane¡­ You saved us all."


    "I just did what I ammissioned to do," Shane replied as he turned his attention to the reward options. He didn''t think too much and selected the Instant Experience Potions.


    After all, he also felt that leveling up was getting too slow¡­


    ''Thankfully, the Boss Raid ising¡­ Leveling up in that event is faster than facing Zombie Waves.'' Shane mused as he recalled his Boss Raid experience from the two other Apocalypses.


    If he does it right andpletes all the hidden missions in the Boss Raid, it wouldn''t be impossible to level up ten times or more.


    "Shane, you can loot the Zombie since you killed it." Iseult said as she went on her way to look at the Silver Treasure Chest.


    Shane nodded at this andpleted the loot.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 75 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]N?v(el)B\\jnn


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x10, Zombie Cores x10, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x20, Unknown Meat ( Unsafe ) x10, 100mL Mutated Rock Python Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Vitality Enhancement Bottle x1, Agility Enhancement Bottle x1, Mutated Python Scale Armor x1, Mutated Python Pants x1, Mutated Rock Python Helm x1, Mutated Python Boots x1 ]


    As soon as Shane saw the drops, he immediately felt ted!


    ''A Mutated Python Set!''

 Chapter 344 Treasure Chest

    Shane had never seen anyone wearing a Python Set, so he certainly felt excited after seeing his loot. Furthermore, the one that he had gotten was actually a Mutated Version!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    In short, Shane could consider this set as a limited edition if this was all a game.


    He felt really excited to check their status, and if they were good, he nned to upgrade them to Tier 5.


    However, he didn''t have the time for that, as the rest of the squad members immediately surrounded him.


    They were all curious about what he had done just now!


    "Sir Shane, I didn''t know you were that strong¡­"


    "Is that Sword a Master Grade? No, perhaps an Epic Grade?"


    "Did you upgrade it to get that Fire Skill? Or is that your Talent? Was it simr to Vice Commander Mio''s Fire Imbuing Talent?"


    "Hey, I don''t think he knows Lord Kang Zhan''s right hand."


    Shane replied to all of them, sharing that his Light mede was something hemissioned to a cksmith. It wasn''t something that could be dropped by Zombies or Treasure Chests like what they initially surmised.


    As for the Vice Commander, it was his first time hearing about it so he asked them about this person.


    "Vice Commander Mio has a special talent¡­ She can imbue any item in her hands with Fire Element. It doesn''t matter if it is a firearm, a sword, or even just a normal rock¡­"


    "She had left the shelter to conduct a trade to another Neutral Shelter. She''d probably be back in a few days."


    Shane nodded after hearing this since he had also heard from Kang Zhen about this trade from other Neutral Shelters. He just didn''t expect that he had actually sent one of his close aides on the mission.


    "Her talent is definitely amazing¡­ However, I''m just utilizing the skill of my weapon instead of using my own skill or talent." Shane replied.


    After a brief conversation, Shane finally fully integrated himself into the three squads, and even Swain could only acknowledge Shane''s power, which was already beyond him.


    ***


    With the Silver Treasure Chest secured by Iseult, Shane and the squads continued on their way.


    Their spirit was certainly high after seeing how strong Shane was¡­ They were confident that they would be able to clear this Zombie Den as long as they did not get careless.


    The cave system was certainly huge, but for some reason, they were able to navigate the ce easily.


    Well, it turns out that Iseult''s Talent was called Pathfinder. To be exact, she had a Master-grade Pathfinder Talent¡­ After all, the other Pathfinders within the Shelter were only Umon or Rare at most in terms of their grade. Discover more content at empire


    As they ventured deeper, they entered another cavern, this onerger and felt more dangerous than the previous one.


    In the center of the cavern stood arge Stoneskin Zombie; around him were about 20 other normal Stoneskin Zombies.


    "Be careful, this one must be a Stoneskin Leader Zombie¡­" Maurice warned as he started wearing his metal gauntlets. It seemed that these gauntlets had very limited Durability, so he didn''t dare to use it early on.


    This time, however, he knew that he had to use it against the Stoneskin Leader Zombie.


    Clink¡­


    The leader''s eyes glowed as they entered its territory, and its rocky hide looked even tougher than those of its minions.


    They were guarding a Bronze Treasure Chest, and this must be Shane''s reward for joining this mission. Because of that, Shane wanted to get involved more in the battle.


    Swain, Maurice, and Iseult quickly assessed the situation. "We''ll handle the minions," Swain said, his voice steady. "Shane, can you take down the leader?"


    This question surprised the others as they didn''t expect Swain to actually make such a condition himself.


    Shane nodded as he felt natural that this person would use this tactic.


    "Leave it to me," he replied.


    He knew that taking out the leader would be crucial to minimizing casualties and ensuring their sess, so he didn''t really mind it.


    As the squads engaged the Stoneskin Zombies, Shane activated his Concealment Ring once more. His presence faded into the shadows, and he moved silently through the chaos of battle.


    The sounds of hammers and bats striking stone filled the cavern, but Shane remained focused on his target.


    The one he suspected as the Stoneskin Leader Zombie stood near the Bronze Treasure chest and was seemingly waiting for his minions to die before making a move.


    As Shane crept closer, his Legendary Light mede was also being held tightly.


    When he was within striking distance, Shane took a deep breath and activated the Inferno Burst once more, spending another 200 Spirit Points!


    Boom!


    Once again, the de erupted in mes and struck the unaware Stoneskin Leader Zombie! With a quick and powerful strike, Shane drove the de into the head!


    The Inferno Burst crushed the Zombie''s head! With such a powerful strike, almost half of the Zombie''s body had turned into a molten rock!


    Obviously, the Stoneskin Leader Zombie''s defense wasn''t as great as the Rock Python Zombie''s!


    [ You have eliminated a Stoneskin Leader Zombie. ]


    ''I didn''t get a first kill reward this time, huh¡­'' Shane mused as he saw the reward. Nheless, with this Zombie killed, he nned to loot it with Lootkeeper''s Timepiece and get 5 times more of his loot.


    However, the leader''s minions, sensing their leader''s death, turned their attention towards him, who was the culprit.


    ''Strange¡­''


    Shane found this interesting as it seemed that these Zombies had a strange connection with the Leader Zombie where as soon as it was killed, every one in itsmand would be informed.


    Nheless, before they could do anything to him, the squads took this opportunity as they counter-attacked and prevented the lesser zombies from reaching him.


    As thest of the Stoneskin Zombies were dispatched, the cavern grew quiet once more.


    Shane also received his Bronze Treasure Chest and was delighted with everything he obtained from it.


    [ You have discovered a Bronze Treasure Chest. ]


    [ You have earned 5 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 5 Reputation Points. ]


    [ You have received Skill Fusion Talisman x7 ]


    [ You have received Power Core x5 ]

 Chapter 345 Completed Task

    "Now¡­ This is generous¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the seven Skill Fusion Talisman.


    He had been saving hisst Talisman as he was worried that he might no longer have a chance to get another Talisman or perhaps, it would take him months to find one.


    After all, his experience with the two other Apocalypses made him recall that the Skill Merger in the Fairy Realm Apocalypse would cost a huge price, and he had to save money for several months to request a priest to do so. As for the Skill Synthesis Fluid in the A.I.


    Rebellion, that would also be difficult to acquire since it wasn''t just money that he needed to gather but also the ingredients for the creation of the fluid itself.


    On the other hand, Skill Fusion Talisman could be acquired through Treasure Chests. It felt a lot simple but also difficult at the same time since Treasure Chests weren''t that easy to locate since not all Zombie Den has one.


    In any case, Shane didn''t mind that the Bronze Treasure Chest didn''t drop any other materials, as he was already happy with the Skill Fusion Talismans he obtained.


    Seeing that Shane had finished looting the Treasure Chest, the members of the Extermination Squad didn''t ask about his loot. Aside from that, they also allowed him to peacefully loot the Stoneskin Leader Zombie¡­


    Without any more hesitation, Shane decided to use his Lootkeeper''s Timepiece before triggering the Looting Process.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "I do¡­" Shane replied.


    [ You have earned 75 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x5, Zombie Cores x10, 2L Water, 300mL Stoneskin Leader Zombie Blood, Spirit Breakthrough Bottle x5 ] x5


    "Nice timing!" Shane''s eyes lit up as he felt lucky that he had used his Lootkeeper''s Timepiece on this Zombie!


    After all, the Timepiece just allowed him to obtain 25 Spirit Breakthrough Bottle!


    After everything was settled in this cavern, the group continued with their task and eliminated the two leader-type Zombies in thest cavern. They were two Rock Python Leader Zombies this time¡­


    Furthermore, since this was thest cavern, Swain and everyone else no longer hesitated and used all their finishing moves. They didn''t care if they lost all of the Spirit Points in this battle!


    Here, Shane realized that the firepower of these people wasn''t that simple at all. Swain and Maurice seemed to have used the limit of their Prosthetic Arms as they unleashed a powerful beam of energy!


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    After that attack, two power cores dropped from within their Prosthetic Arms!


    ''An energy canon?!'' Shane was shocked to see such advanced Prosthetic Arms, and he couldn''t help but feel rmed by how Lysandra was selling Prosthetics left and right!


    After all, if those Prosthetics had such a powerful weapon, Shane wouldn''t agree to sell them. At the very least, they should just be satisfied with working artificial limbs!


    [ Shane: Lysandra, I just want to confirm that those Prosthetics you''re selling can''t fire an energy beam, right? ]


    [ Lysandra: Energy Beam? No¡­ Is that even possible? I think those with weaponized Prosthetics would cost more than seventy taels of gold¡­ They''re also not for sale; only Lord Kang Zhen''s army could have them. I heard that only support functions like detection, grappling hooks, or simple survival knives could be ced for those being sold to the public. ]


    "That''s good to know¡­" Shane muttered as he thanked Lysandra through the chat.


    Experience tales with empire


    Their missionsted for several hours, and they also took several breaks in order to ensure that everyone was at their full strength, just in case they miscalcted the strength of the Zombies. They even took another hour of break after finishing off the two Rock Python Leader Zombies.


    Of course, Shane also offered to purchase the two Rock Python Leader Zombies they killed¡­ However, they actually needed one of the Rock Python''s drops, so they decided to loot it themselves.


    Anyway, Shane instead drank the Instant Experience Potion while they were resting.


    Soon, they all left the Zombie Den and returned to the Shelter.


    He currently has 10 Instant Experience Potions, but as he drank one of them, he immediately leveled up to 29!


    [ You have consumed the Instant Experience Potion. ]


    [ You have earned 200 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Congrattions! You have reached level 29. ]


    [ You have earned 50 Reputation Points. ]


    [ You have obtained 90% Off Vouchers ( Reputation Store only ) x2 ]


    ''I actually leveled up¡­'' Shane nodded as he noticed that instead of just 100 Experience Points, his Instant Experience Points had actually given him 200 Points instead!


    Shane then continued to consume the other 9 Instant Experience Potions but he still didn''t level up to 30.


    Anyway, he was already happy with this result¡­


    Soon, they were able to safely return to the Ivory Gear Shelter, and after Lord Kang Zhen learned that there was no casualty in their mission, he was delighted and even gave Shane another 50 taels of gold as a reward.


    Well, it seemed that Swain and the others informed Kang Zhen of how useful he was during their raid.


    He was certainly thankful for that addition of taels of gold, but what he really needed now was Spirit Stones, so he could start mass-producing magical items.


    Although he had 3,500 low-grade Spirit Stones right now, he knew that he would be spending all of them very soon.


    In the end, Shane decided to sell another hundred of his healing tokens for 3500 low-grade Spirit Stones.


    Since the Boss Raid event is only two days away, he wanted to ensure that all the members of the Eclipse Revenant would be able to get a high score!


    ''The reward in that event would definitely be great. All of us need to be in the Top 20 at least.'' Shane mused as he started fusing his Survivor Skills to get better options once he started Infusing Skills on various weapons.


    Soon, Shane began his Skill Fusion as hebined his Controlled Body Heating and Weather Sense to obtain an Elemental Resistance Skill!

 Chapter 346 Skill Fusions!

    [ Elemental Resistance Lv5: Adapt to any climate or elements with this skill that regtes body temperature and enhances environmental awareness. Gain immunity to extreme temperatures and improved stamina during weather-rted challenges. ]


    "Elemental Resistance?" Shane nodded with a smile after reading the new skill. He didn''t consider that such a skill would actually appear by fusing those two skills.


    He just wanted to try to get rid of his Controlled Body Heating since he wasn''t using it anyway. The cold areas were probably in a different region, and it wasn''t too useful so far.


    On the other hand, his Weather Sense may have been really helpful during his journey, but it wasn''t that critical in his opinion. With these two ''useless'' abilities, he would be happy to obtain any other skills.


    This


    Shane''s Skill Fusion Spree continued.


    As he activated his next Talisman, he received the familiar message.


    [ Select the Survivor Skills you wish to fuse¡­ ]


    Shane then selected the Firearm Mastery, Axe Mastery, Weapon Master, and Archery¡­


    They were all weapon-type Survivor Skills, so he felt that there would be a huge change for this to be sessful.


    [ Are you sure you want to fuse these skills? ]


    "Yes¡­"


    [ Skill Fusion in progress. ]


    [ Skill Fusion failed. ]


    Crash~


    The Talisman in Shane''s hands was suddenly destroyed into many pieces before disappearing in his sight.


    "This¡­" Shane wryly smiled as he was indeed a bit too greedy. He shouldn''t have fused four Skills even if they were all rted to each other.


    In any case, even though he wasted one Skill Fusion Talisman, he at least learned that it was really impossible for 4 Skill Fusion.


    Well, it might not be possible for this current Talisman to be in his possession, but there might be a better version of it like the ones in the two previous Apocalypses he had cleared.


    In any case, he still has 6 Fusion Talismans, so this time, he decided to be very careful and only used two Survivor Skills.


    He soon fused Danger Sense and Boosted Steps to obtain Heightened Awareness.


    [ Heightened Awareness Lv5: Passively heighten your senses and agility to avoid threats. Gain the ability to sense hidden dangers and move with increased speed and agility, allowing for quicker escapes or evasive maneuvers. ]


    Then, he fused Survival Cooking and Foraging to obtain a Resources Handler Skill.


    [ Resources Handler Lv5: You have a 50% chance to transform gathered ingredients into delicious meals that grant temporary buffs. Sessful cooked food grants a 15% increase in Health Regeneration and Spirit Recovery once consumed. ]


    "This is apletely different skill¡­" Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing the Resources Handler Skill.


    After all, his Survival Cooking only guarantees that he won''t get poisons even if he cooks a tree bark. As for the Foraging Skill, it grants him the ability to tell which herbs or items should be foraged or not and how to perfectly preserve them.


    However, after fusing these two skills, he didn''t expect that a skill that would allow him to cook food with magical effects would appear.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''That fifteen percent in both Health Regeneration and Spirit Recovery is going to be a game changer.'' Shane mused. He knew how important this fifteen percent was.


    Shane then paused for a moment as he considered what to fuse this time.


    Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Axe Mastery, Lockpicking, Hacker, Fast Swimmer, Taunt, Mining, Rope Mastery, Deadly Punch, Alchemy, Weapon Master, Aura of Protection, Archery, Horseback Riding, Lesser Beast Taming, Ghost Stride, Horizontal sh, Enhanced Senses Five-Meter Jump, Titan''s Roar, Underground Burrow, Force Punch, Armored Dash, Momentum Shift.


    After checking the skills avable for fusion, Shane selected the Ghost Stride, Archery, and Firearm Mastery¡­


    A movement skill followed by two weapon-rted skills made him hope to obtain abat-rted ability that could help him fight while moving¡­


    Thankfully, the system skill gacha did not disappoint him!


    [ Skill Fusion in progress. ]


    [ Skill Fusion Sessful. ]


    [ You have obtained Shadow Hunt Skill. ]


    [ Shadow Hunt Lv5: Master the art of stealth and rangedbat. Use the skill to be nearly invisible while simultaneously hunting the enemies with a weapon of your choice without being detected. ]


    "Not bad¡­" Shane muttered as he continued to fuse his Axe Mastery, Weapon Master, and Rope Mastery this time¡­


    [ You have obtained Armament Expert Skill. ]


    [ Armament Expert Skill Lv10: You have mastered the art of wielding various weapons, seamlessly integrating your skills, especially with ropes and axes to be a formidable force on the battlefield. This skill enables you to have 20% Enhanced Damage, Tactical Maneuvering, and obtain a Versatile Combat Style. ]


    Shane smiled after seeing this skill.


    ''Armament Expert sounds good¡­ This passive skill even grants enhanced damage¡­''


    After appreciating the skill, Shane decided to do his final fusion for the day, which would be Force Punch, Deadly Punch, and Taunt Skill.


    [ Brawler''s Fury Lv10: Channel your aggressive taunting into a burst of punches. This skill allows you to unleash a rapid series of punches on a taunted enemy, and each hit increases in damage. The ninth punch will include 500% of your Strength. ]


    "Ninth punch¡­ That shouldn''t be difficult to achieve, but a target that wouldst for my ninth match wouldn''t be so many." Shane muttered as he knew that with his equipment and Strength, anyone who could receive eight of his punches wouldn''t be so many. After all, his Strength was already at its maximum, with his current level of two breakthroughs.


    In any case, the ninth punch would still be a very powerful trump card he could use in case of emergency.


    "Alright¡­ That should be enough for now¡­" Shane muttered as the Talisman actually consumed 100 Spirit Points per usage.


    As for the remaining 1 Skill Fusion Talisman, he decided to store it in his Inventory.


    He then checked his current Skill List.


    Survivor Skills: Lockpicking, Hacker, Fast Swimmer, Mining, Alchemy, Aura of Protection, Horseback Riding, Lesser Beast Taming, Horizontal sh, Enhanced Sense, Five-Meter Jump, Titan''s Roar, Underground Burrow, Armored Dash, Momentum Shift.


    Fused Skills: Survivalist, Crowd Maniptor, Phantasm Rush, Trap Mastery, Elemental Resistance, Heightened Awareness, Resources Handler, Shadow Hunt, Armament Expert, Brawler''s Fury.

 Chapter 347 Shanes Team

    On the next day, Shane visited the Fairy Realm and confirmed that Silver, his Metal Slime, was finally ready to be "used".


    [ Silver


    Species: Metal Slime


    Description: A shimmering blob of metallic goo, the Metal Slime glimmers with a lustrous sheen, reflecting light like a precious gem. This peculiar pet moves fluidly, leaving a trail of metallic residue that glistens in its wake. Its metallicposition grants it unique properties, absorbing and reflecting energy in intriguing ways.


    Abilities: Reflective Aura, Quick Transformation, Metallic Resilience


    Growth Requirement: Expose it to metallic environments and engage it in battles against foes with energy-based attacks to aid its development. It can be fed with Zombie Cores. ]


    Clink¡­ Clink¡­ Clink¡­


    Within his hotel room, Shane was looking at his metal ball rolling around him¡­ Then, it would suddenly turn into a gooey substance with an appearance simr to mercury before calming down again.


    "Here¡­" Shane muttered as he threw a couple of Zombie Cores for Silver to eat.


    Crunch¡­ Crunch¡­


    Just like that, the two Zombie Cores disappeared into its stomach¡­


    Thankfully, the Metal Slime had properly grown through Axis'' help. It could now transform into a weapon or into a small shield or even armor. Because of its size, however, it couldn''t cover that much when transformed into armor, but it would still be a huge help since the slime could move around his unprotected body.


    ''I hope that you''ll do great in the Boss Raid.'' Shane muttered as he knew that he had alreadypleted his preparation.


    At this time, he had also given all the members of the Eclipse Revenant various potions containing Zombie Skills like Five-Meter Jump. Aside from that, he also had given them items that he had infused with his skills, like the Healing Tokens and the Brawler''s Ring that had Brawler''s Fury skill and others.


    As Shane was checking his Survivor Store to purchase a spicy instant ramen, he suddenly heard a familiar notification from the system.


    To be exact, everyone in the continent had received this message.


    [ System Announcement: Boss Raid Event


    Attention, Survivors!


    A Boss Raid event willmence in three hours. Prepare yourselves for an epic challenge!


    Here are the Event Details:


    Survivors will be assigned to System-Arranged Teammates based on achievements, level, and abilities to ensure bnced teampositions.


    Each team will consist of three members. The leader will be automatically assigned to the member with the best status.


    At the start of the Boss Raid, Survivors will be transported to a special space with their team members. You will have 10 minutes of preparation before the Boss Raid starts.


    The Boss Raid will have a total of five stages. Significant rewards await those who clear all stages.


    After clearing a stage, Survivors have the option to quit the event. However, quitting is not allowed once a stage is in progress.


    Do not be hasty; there are hidden missions that can be cleared for additional rewards, so keep this in mind.


    Lastly, the team with the highest score will receive a special reward. Teams ranked second to twentieth will also receive rewards based on their cement.


    Good luck and survive! ]


    Shane''s eyes widened as he read the system announcement about the uing Boss Raid event.


    ''It''s finally here¡­''


    He felt nervous and excited at the same time.


    He was nervous because he wasn''t sure what kind of Zombie Boss he would have to deal with¡­ Furthermore, he also felt a little concerned if his members would be helpful or would just bring him down, but he was also excited since he knew that he would get a nice reward if he cleared this event.


    He knew this was a significant opportunity to prove his skills and earn valuable rewards.


    Shane then checked the Regional Chat, and as expected, everyone felt excited. They were all hoping that their teammates would really be decent.


    Well, it was natural to hope for strong teammates since this event would surely give them better rewards the more stages they clear. As for those who just wanted to survive, they were all just hoping to clear the First Stage and quit the event.


    After all, if they have the option to live longer, they would always choose it.


    "That''s enough¡­" Shane wryly smiled as he stopped scrolling the Regional Chat and closed his conversations with Raze and the others.


    With only a few minutes left before the event began, Shane decided to make his final preparations.


    He donned his newest Tier 5 set, the Mutated Python Set. The armor was a masterpiece¡­ Each piece designed for maximum protection and mobility.


    First, he slipped into the Mutated Python Scale Armor. The scales glistened with a dark, lustrous shine and he really liked this design.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The armor fits snugly, and its lightweight yet durable material allows for ease of movement.


    Next, he pulled on the Mutated Python Pants, which were reinforced with additional scales around the knees and thighs for extra protection.


    He then ced the Mutated Python Helm on his head. The helm was sleek, and the visor provided excellent visibility while shielding his face. Finally, heced up the Mutated Python Boots, which were designed to provide superior traction and agility.


    Fully geared up, Shane lookedpletely different. Of course, he also used his Hunter Stealth Cloak, which was a Legendary Grade item. Well, his Shroud of Shadows Cape was lent to Lysandra as she was still considered the weakest in the team. With the cape in his possession, he should be able to Survive.


    Anyway, Shane felt a surge of confidence, knowing he was ready for the event.


    As the countdown reached zero, the space around him twisted and warped.


    In an instant, Shane found himself in a new, unfamiliar environment. The system''s blue screen also appeared.


    [ Transfer Completed. ]


    [ Team #1 has been formed. ]


    [ Members: Shane Wells, Diana Wells, and Sandra Cross ]


    [ Shane Wells has the highest score in all metrics. He has been assigned as a Leader. ]


    [ The Leader is the only one who can decide whether to continue or quit after clearing each stage unless he''s dead. ]

 Chapter 348 Strategy

    Discover more content at empire


    "Diana?" Shane muttered.


    The system''s message announcing that he was the leader of the team didn''t surprise him a bit. After all, he was at rank one on the Survivor Leaderboard even after the merge of regional servers.


    What really shocked him instead was Diana''s sudden appearance.


    Indeed, Shane''s heart skipped a beat as he saw the names of his teammates. Diana Wells, his younger step-sister, was here.


    He hadn''t expected to see her in this event¡­ After all, why would she choose such a scary Zombie Apocalypse?


    Of course, Diana was also shocked as she gently nodded to her older brother.


    Although Shane was wearing a helmet that blocked most of his face, his voice and the announcement from the system made her sure that it was the Shane she knew¡­


    She didn''t expect to meet him at all as she thought that he was in another Apocalypse.


    "It''s good to see you, Brother Shane." Diana said, relieved that he was still alive. She was genuinely d to see him, although they weren''t that close.


    "Yes¡­ It''s a good thing that you''ve survived so far¡­ Where are you located?"


    Shane said, but he suddenly recalled that there was another person present. He then nced at Sandra Cross, the third member of their team, and nodded¡­


    "Let''s add each other as friends for now." Shane said as he added Diana to his friend list.


    "Yes¡­" Diana replied, and Sandra considered for a moment before adding the two as well.


    In this event, they have to have some level of trust with each other in order to get better results. It was better to befriend each other as early as possible.


    [ Attention Survivors!


    The first stage of the Boss Raid is set tomence in 10 minutes! Prepare yourselves for the challenge ahead and strategize your approach!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Event Details:


    First Stage Enemies: 3 Light Armored Zombies.


    Description: These formidable foes are the remnants of once-disciplined soldiers and SWAT officers, now turned into undead creatures in their old protective gear.


    Sentience: Low-level


    Objectives:


    Time Limit: You have 1 hour to defeat all Light Armored Zombies.


    Consequence: Failure to eliminate the Light Armored Zombies within the time limit will result in no rewards and a penalty for all participants. ]


    [ n wisely and prepare your gear! The fate of your survival depends on your teamwork and strategy. Good luck, Survivors! ]


    "Three Light Armored Zombies¡­"


    After reading the notification, Shane nodded and gathered Diana and Sandra close.


    "Alright, we need to strategize. This is our first time facing Light Armored Zombies, but from their name, we can assume they have decent protection. We might need piercing skills to get through their armor. What are your abilities?"


    Diana smiled and shared what he could do¡­ "I''m actually a craftsman. I can forge and repair weapons, but I only have two offensive skills. They don''t have an armor pration attribute¡­ Right, my main weapon is my hammer."


    Shane nodded, absorbing the information. "A craftsman, huh? That could be useful for maintaining our gear."


    "Yes¡­ I also have a couple of three Rare-Grade pistols with me¡­" Diana added.


    "Alright¡­ What about you, Sandra?" Shane asked.


    Sandra hesitated before speaking¡­


    "I have a Flight Talent. I can fly, but it consumes 10 Spirit Points per second. I only have 230 Spirit Points, so I can fly for 23 seconds. But I can''t push myself to the limit; it would hurt too much if I fell."


    Sandra wryly smiled as she revealed her talent. "I have crossbows, javelins, and devil-face mushroom powder with me¡­ I normally spread this powder in the air to solidify the Zombie Blood and make them unable to move. However, it only works on low-tier Zombies and some weaker mid-tier Zombies."


    "Ahh¡­ There''s something like that?" Shane asked, as he had never heard about this powder at all.


    "Yes¡­ I bought it from a wandering merchant before. He never told me about its limitations, and I almost died that time." Sandra replied as she recalled how she tried it on Crypt Crawler Zombies and failed miserably.


    Shane nodded at this, understanding why they were teamed up with a Rank 1 like him.


    They, indeed, have terrible fighting capabilities.


    "Alright, it''s clear why we''re together. It''s fine¡­ I don''t expect you to be strong fighters, but knowing your abilities helps. I''ll assist you both as much as I can."


    Shane then reached into his inventory and handed each of them a couple of items. "Here, take these. One is a Healing Token, and the other is called Pixie Oak Safety Token. Appraise them to see how they work¡­"


    Shane said as he provided the two with the tokens he hadn''t sold to Lord Kang Zhen yet.


    Diana and Sandra epted the items. They didn''t expect that they would be able to get some mysterious items from their leader.


    "Thank you, Shane," Diana and Sandra said, gripping the tokens tightly.


    After a few moments, they realized its effect and felt overwhelmed!


    First of all, the Healing Token was called Crimson Heart Healing Token, and with just 2 Spirit Points, they could recover 30% of their maximum health instantly!


    It was already surprising since the healing medicines, pills, or potions they knew would have taken a lot of time to take effect, and the recovery wasn''t even that great.


    However, the one they just received had an instantaneous effect!


    The Pixie Oak Safety Token, on the other hand, doesn''t just restore 50% of their maximum health but also grants a Protection Shield that couldst for 30 seconds! Though activation was costly, they wouldn''t mind that as long as they possessed another method to save themselves.


    Lastly, there was a remark from the system that it was made by Shadow Strider! There was no way they didn''t know about the number 1 Survivor!


    "You''re Shadow Strider!" Diana and Sandra said in unison, shocked at the realization that they had teamed up with the strongest Survivor ever!


    Shane gave them a reassuring smile. "Yes¡­"


    Diana and Sandra immediately felt relieved as they knew that they wouldn''t die today with him as their teammate!


    ''We''re saved!''

 Chapter 349 First Stage

    Seeing how the two visibly rxed after learning that he was the rank 1, Shane smiled as this was better than having two nervous survivors beside him. After all, that could be very dangerous, especially if they were using firearms.


    As they rxed, the two also continued sharing their battle styles.


    This time, Shane learned that Diana''s trump card was actually her exploding hammer. It had saved her several times already. She had even killed a Jumper Leader with this as she ced the hammer on its mouth before triggering its explosion.


    Though she was also a bit injured in the process, it was still a sessful Zombie Leader kill.


    "That''s dangerous if you''re too close to the explosion." Shane said in concern considering the fact that the explosion would include metal shards.


    "Yess¡­ So, I normally throw it or stick it inside a Zombie''s body." Diana exined.


    Shane nodded at this as he imagined how it worked.


    "Mhmm¡­ That''s a nasty strategy but definitely effective¡­"


    After sharing her trump card, Sandra also did the same. She shared how she carried several anvils and other heavy items in her Inventory. Well, because of the nature of system, she couldn''t just store any boulders she wanted. The items she could store in the Inventory must somehow be rted to the system.


    As for what she would do with these items, the answer was simple. She would drop them from above!


    As long as it had enough momentum, she would be able to kill any low-tier Zombies with a drop of her anvil.


    It may not be a good item within the dungeons'' limited space or forests with Vulture Zombies, she would still be able to use this strategy in many situations.


    "That''s quite a nice way to kill zombies¡­" Shanemented. This was the first time he heard of such a method. It was a pity that the items she could store in her Inventory were too limited.


    Sandra nodded at this, as she also knew that her method of fighting was quite different.


    "Yes¡­ As long as I don''t provoke Tyrant Zombies and other Zombies that could throw things at me, I should be fine."


    She then recalled something and added.


    "Right, my uracy isn''t a hundred percent since Zombies moved around, but after practicing for several weeks, I have a 70% uracy rate, even with Runner Zombies."


    Diana was impressed after hearing this.


    "Whoa~ But you can still drop an anvil on a sprinting Runner Zombie¡­ That''s amazing¡­"


    "Hehe¡­ I just practice a lot. Though I can''t practice too much since I don''t have enough Spirit Points." Sandra said with a helpless smile on her face. It was her huge problem. She doesn''t have Spirit Enhancement Bottles that could help her increase her limit or many other sources of items with the Spirit Recovery effect.


    Shane nodded at this as he decided to consider Sandra for his n, depending on her performance. As for Diana, it was already a guarantee that she''d be invited to join the n as long as she wanted to join.


    Time quickly passed, and the team was finally ready to face the first stage of the Boss Raid event.


    Tick¡­ Tick¡­ Tick¡­


    As the countdown reached zero, Shane, Diana, and Sandra felt a sudden pull, and in the blink of an eye, they were transported to a mysterious hall.


    The arena they found themselves in was vast, about the size of a football field, with soil covering the ground.


    The air was cold here, but not enough to be ufortable, and aside from them, the gallery was eerily empty.


    "Mhmm¡­" Shane squinted his eyes as he looked at a specific area where he felt a strange aura locking at him. However, it onlysted for a moment before disappearing.


    Anyway, in the center of the arena stood three Light Armored Zombies, their appearance was as expected. They were reminded of their former lives as SWAT officers.


    Their bodies were d in dirty, yet still recognizable, SWAT gear. The armor, though there were signs of damage, still clung to their decaying forms.


    As soon as they saw the three, their eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and their bodies immediately turned to face them.


    Tick¡­ Tick¡­ Tick¡­


    Soon, Shane heard the clock from the system, probably to time their stage-clearing duration.


    Graaahh~


    Without warning, the zombies dashed towards them. Without a doubt, their speed and agility were enhanced by some unseen force.


    Shane quickly noticed a faint shimmer around their bodies, indicating a forcefield of some sort. They were using something simr to Aura Protection, and he knew that this wouldn''t be an easy opponent¡­ for the other Survivors.


    Shane remained unfazed as he muttered.


    "Let''s deal with it as nned," Shane said confidently.


    The two nodded and fired their pistols at the enemies¡­ It wasn''t to kill them but to assess their strength and to have a contribution to this battle.


    nk¡­ nk¡­ nk¡­


    Enjoy more content from empire


    The two fired three bullets each, hitting the defensive force of the three Light Armored Zombies.


    That was enough for Shane and Cloud to have a rough idea about their defense.


    Then, Shane swiftly took out his Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret. As soon as it materialized, the turret''s sensors locked onto the approaching zombies. With a mechanical whir, it began to rain down Energy Bullets!


    Brrrttttttt~~


    With a turret that has a 600 rpm, it was certainly considered slow.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    However, what it released wasn''t just any bullets. It was energy bullets that could pierce through High-Tier Zombies.


    With just 5 seconds of firing, the three Light Armored Zombies were already full of holes. Their heads weren''t even there anymore.


    "This¡­"


    Diana and Sandra were speechless as they only knew that Shane or Shadow Strider would be fighting the Zombies alone, but they had no idea how he would do so¡­


    The appearance of the Automated Turret that shoots energy bullets was beyond their imagination.


    They don''t even have rifles at the moment!


    On the other hand, Shane was already using a weapon that could even be mounted on spaceships!


    ''How is this possible?'' Diana eximed in her mind.

 Chapter 350 First Stage Rewards

    ''How is this allowed?!'' Sandra screamed in her mind as she felt that this cheat-like technology shouldn''t exist.


    Nheless, she was able to use her Analyze Skill, which was already level 6, and confirmed that the Turret uses Power Cores. It means that it wasn''t something that could be used for an extended period. After all, she knew that Power Cores cost about 100 Zombie Cores or even higher in the marketce.


    Ding!


    [ Congrattions Team 1!


    You have sessfully cleared the first stage of the Boss Raid by eliminating the 3 Light Armored Zombies! Your teamwork and skill have set a remarkable example, and you are the first team to achieve this milestone!


    Rewards:


    Each member of Team 1 will receive a Wooden Treasure Chest and five Spirit Breakthrough Bottles as a reward for your victory! ]


    [ Your reward has been transferred to your Inventory ]


    [ You have received 200 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have received a set of SWAT Uniforms. ]


    [ You can now open the Boss Raid Leaderboard. ]


    The three of them smiled as soon as they confirmed their rewards.


    The Wooden Treasure Chest was their reward for being the first team to clear, while the experience points and uniform were awarded to them for winning the stage.


    As for the Leaderboard, they were the only ones there for obvious reasons. Nheless, it only shows their Team and their Team Leader''s name.


    On the other hand, Shane received an additional message from the system.


    [ As the Leader of Team 1, you have the following options:


    Rest for 10 minutes: Regain your strength and prepare for the next challenge.


    Quit the Boss Raid event: Withdraw from the raid and secure your life.


    Continue to the Second Stage: Press onward and face the next challenge head-on! ]


    [ You have 10 seconds to decide, or the first option will be selected. ]


    ''We''re given another option? We can actually rest for 10 minutes¡­ However, there might be a reward if we continue without resting.'' Shane thought to himself as he recalled that there was no such option during the Boss Raid Events in the previous Apocalypses he entered.


    Shane didn''t think too long since he also didn''t have time to do so¡­


    He then nced at his teammates and told them his concern.


    "We''re not going to rest¡­ We''ll continue to the Second Stage since we''re in good condition¡­" Shane said as he didn''t wait for the two to process his words before selecting the option to Continue to the next stage.


    [ You have selected to continue the raid. ]


    As he saw this message, the two other members were also notified that they were going to the second stage. Anyway, since they weren''t tired or anything, they didn''t really mind if the raid would be quick.


    "Alright¡­ Let''s do this¡­" Diana said. Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire


    "It''s up to you, Leader. If you''re confident, just do as you wish." Sandra with a smile on her face. She would benefit more if their team could reallyplete some hidden missions. Furthermore, Shane would do most of the work, so it was a win-win for her.


    Seeing their positive response, Shane smiled as he checked the other notification that he had ignored¡­


    As they were being transported to the next stage through a strange phenomenon, he read the notification with an ted expression¡­


    ''I did it!''


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first Survivor to reach Level 30! ]


    [ You have earned 50 Reputation Points. ]


    [ You have obtained 20 Spirit Breakthrough Potions. ]


    [ You have obtained 5 Double Experience Potions ]


    [ You have obtained a new title: Elite Survivor ]


    [ Elite Survivor: The Survivor gains five additional points to Luck and Perception Stat. All Survivor Skills below level 10 will be boosted by an additional level while the title is active.


    Requirements: Be the first person to reach Level 30. ]


    [ Hint: If a Skill or Talent that blocks the title effect appears, the additional level will disappear. ]


    ***


    In the meantime, while Shane and the others were at their second stage of the Boss Raid Event, the other teams were still dealing with the three Light Armored Zombies.


    The Team 5,posed of three unusual members, stood ready for the first stage of the raid.


    Travis, the legendary talent holder called Dragon''s Blood and the n Leader of the Drakeheart Vanguard, exuded confidence as he had prepared for this event for quite some time.


    Beside him was Alex, who possessed the Rare Talent called Leaper, allowing him to leap up to five meters. Lastly, there was La, a Master-Grade Telekinesis Talent Holder and a member of the Eclipse Revenant.


    As they were transported into the arena, simr in size and setting to Shane''s team, the three Light Armored Zombies awaited them.


    The zombies, once SWAT officers, looked at their opponents for a brief moment before their body started moving.


    Travis surveyed the scene, his eyes narrowed as he assessed their opponents.


    "Stay sharp, both of you. I''ll slow them down," He instructed the two with a calm voice.


    With a swift motion, Travis pulled out three Draconic Blood bottles from his belt¡­ It was much quicker than pulling something out from his System''s Inventory.


    The crimson liquid inside seemed to pulse with a life of its own¡­


    He then hurled the bottles at the approaching zombies, and upon impact, the liquid sttered across their armor, emitting a faint, fiery glow. Their light shield also dissipated, making them a lot more vulnerable.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Perfect¡­'' Travis smiled as he confirmed that the effect was immediate.


    The zombies'' movements became sluggish, and their once-rapid dashes also slowed down. The diluted Draconic Blood''s effect had taken hold, and its mystical properties started hindering their speed and agility.


    "Now, Alex, La, let''s finish this," Travismanded, as he wanted to see their fighting abilities as well. That way, he would have a proper grasp of their strength for the next challenge. After all, he nned to clear five stages of this Boss Raid event!


    Alex, with his Leaper talent, moved forward, covering the distance in a single, powerful leap. Hended behind one of the zombies and struck with his Exceptional Grade Dagger.


    Thud!

 Chapter 351 Rankings

    With such a powerful Zombie as his opponent, any weapons below Exceptional Grade wouldn''t do anything to this Zombie at all.


    The three of them knew this very well and that was why Item Upgrade Crystals were always in demand in the marketce¡­


    However, even if that were the case, it would still be tough to prate their armor. Thankfully, he had such a talent to leap and could exploit the gaps in their armor once he got closer.


    La, on the other hand, used the items that Leo crafted for him in the Springriver Manor.


    [ Starry Night Knives ( Epic ): Crafted from the elusive Starlight Silver, these seven ethereal-looking throwing knives can cut through metal even with the slightest force. When wielded in battle, these des bestow upon the user a sense of otherworldly uracy and the potential for devastating critical hits.


    Effects:


    +50 Physical Attack, +100% uracy, +150% Critical Hit, +100 Armor Pration


    Special Effects:


    Burn Effect: Upon impact, the des unleash a scorching burn effect, engulfing the target in mystical mes that inflict additional damage over time.


    Bleed: Any wound made by the knives could not be healed with low and mid-ss healing items. Bleeding will also increase by 200%. ]


    Using her telekinesis, she used her seven flying knives to strike at the zombies with incredible force. The impact had a burn effect and engulfed the three with fire as soon as they got hit!


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    "Oh! So strong!" Travis was excited to see the skills of his teammates. Although Alex could barely hurt the Zombies, he seemed to have decent agility. On the other hand, La may not have a decent physique and movement technique, but she couldpensate with her powerful weapons as someone with high-level Telekic Powers.


    ''She can actually control seven knives at the same time¡­ She can even throw them at such a fast speed. She''s definitely useful.'' Travismented in his mind as he had already considered asking her to join his n after this event was over.


    He just had to show how powerful he was to ensure that La would be the one to desire to join his n before even giving her an offer.


    Seeing that the Zombies weren''t in good condition, Travis dashed forward to quickly finish them¡­ After all, burning them would still take quite some time.


    Soon, his fists glowed with the power of his Dragon''s Blood. He delivered a powerful blow with each of their heads, and each strike was infused with the essence of the Dragon''s Blood, which was being triggered from his body.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The zombies, having their heads crushed, fell one by one.


    In a matter of moments, the arena was silent once more. The three Light Armored Zombies were defeated.


    "Good work, team," Travis said, a rare smile crossing his face. "Let''s keep this momentum going."


    As he said this, the message from the system appeared.


    [ Congrattions Team 5!


    You have sessfully cleared the first stage of the Boss Raid by eliminating the 3 Light Armored Zombies! Your teamwork and skill have set a remarkable example, and you are the fifth team to achieve this!


    Rewards:


    Each member of Team 5 will receive 10 Items Upgrade Crystals and 1 Spirit Breakthrough Bottle as a reward for your victory! ]


    [ Your reward has been transferred to your Inventory ]


    [ You have received 200 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have received a set of SWAT Uniforms. ]


    [ You can now open the Boss Raid Leaderboard. ]


    "10 Item Upgrade Crystals!" Alex was immediately delighted as soon as he saw the rewards. These crystals were just too elusive for him, who had terrible luck. A hundred Zombies may not even drop a single Item Upgrade Crystal for him!


    Most of his high-level items were bought in the Survivor Store or Marketce instead of doing an upgrade himself.


    He was simply too pitiful.


    On the other hand, La and Travis weren''t too concerned with this as they were more delighted to see the Spirit Breakthrough Bottles!


    Then, Travis noticed something¡­


    "Wait¡­ We''re not the first? We killed them in less than 30 seconds!" Travis finally noticed this and he couldn''t help but feel surprised.


    The two others also knew that they were quite quick at killing those three Zombies.


    In the end, the three of them quickly checked the Leaderboard.


    [ First-Stage Boss Raid Leaderboard. ]n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Rank 1: Team 1 ¨C Leader: Shane Wells


    Rank 2: Team 25 ¨C Leader: Asad Seife


    Readtest chapters on empire


    Rank 3: Team 12 ¨C Leader: Natalie Cross


    Rank 4: Team 15 ¨C Leader: Raze Curtis


    Rank 5: Team 5 ¨C Leader: Travis Troy


    As they were checking the rankings, the Leaderboard suddenly refreshed, and three more teams were added.


    Rank 6: Team 2 ¨C Leader: Lesley Cotton


    Rank 7: Team 7 ¨C Leader: Violet Faire


    Rank 8: Team 192 ¨C Leader: Marlene Dane


    As soon as Travis saw these three new names that had appeared, he immediately frowned as he recognized them. They were from another Region before the merge and had been trying to recruit him to their ns!


    At this time, Travis didn''t notice how La, who seemed aloof a few moments ago, was smiling a lot after seeing the names in the first and fourth ranking!


    They were all the core members of the Eclipse Revenant to which she belonged!


    Travis shook his head to clear his mind, as it wasn''t the time to think about other things.


    He looked at the options given by the system, and seeing that they were ready, he opted for the third option.


    "We will not rest and continue the challenge!" Travis said as they were soon transported to the second stage.


    They soon entered a mysterious swamp and received a message from the system.


    [ Attention, Survivors!


    You have 30 seconds to prepare for the second stage of the Boss Raid Event! Gear up and gather your courage, as you will face a formidable foe.


    Second Stage Enemy: 1 Armored Tyrant Zombie.


    Description: The Armored Tyrant Zombie is a terrifying behemoth. Once a human, now transformed into a monstrous creature that stands towering at 9 feet tall. Its body is encased in sturdy armor crafted from strange metal, providing it with formidable protection against your attacks.


    Sentience: Low-Level


    Objectives:


    Time Limit: You have 1 hour to defeat the Armored Tyrant Zombie.


    Consequence: Failure to eliminate the Zombie within the time limit will result in no rewards and a penalty for all participants. ]


    [ Good luck, Survivors! ]

 Chapter 352 The Second Stage

    ''Armored Tyrant, huh¡­''


    At this time, Shane had no time to celebrate his achievement of reaching level 30. As soon as he saw the opponent for the second stage of the event, he felt a bit unsure whether his Automated Turret could actually defeat this thing¡­


    After all, the Turret had technology that shouldn''t exist in this realm. Because of that, the Item Upgrade Crystals don''t work on it.


    If he wanted to increase the firepower of this Turret, it could only be done through his own Otherworldly Mechanic Talent.


    Gaaaarrrahhhh!


    The Armored Tyrant Zombie seemed really intimidating. This hulking monstrosity, d in reinforced armor, exuded an aura that was scarier than Giant Zombies.


    Shane quickly summoned his Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret, hoping to replicate their earlier sess. The Turret whirred to life, its sensors locking onto the approaching Zombie.


    After it locked into the target, Shane immediately gave permission to shoot!


    Brrtt!


    Without a moment''s dy, it began firing energy bullets, but to their dismay, the shots were ineffective against the Tyrant''s formidable armor.


    To be exact, there was anotheryer of invisible shield that stopped the energy bullets from hitting the Zombie. They were disappearing into nothingness before the bullets could even reach the Zombie''s armor or skin.


    Meanwhile, Diana and Sandra fired their pistols¡­


    Bang! Bang!


    It was only to ensure that they had participation in this stage.


    This time, however, Shane noticed that their bullets were capable of bypassing the invisible force field that had protected the previous zombies.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    ''It can block energy bullets but not physical bullets?'' Shane thought for a moment before Cloud confirmed this in his mind.


    Apparently, Cloud was able to analyze that Spiritual Force, Elemental Energies, and other mysterious abilities wouldn''t work on this enemy¡­


    In short, using high-caliber guns would be the best in this situation.


    However, theycked these weapons, and normal pistolscked the pration power needed to harm the Armored Tyrant Zombie, merely bouncing off its steel-like exterior.


    Realizing the Turret was useless in this situation, Shane knew he had to take matters into his own hands.


    He took out his Legendary Hatchet and threw it at the dashing Zombie!


    It was blocked by the invisible shield because of its fire element, but due to its sharpness, it was able to break the defense of the Zombie and strike its shoulder without armor!


    However, the injury was too shallow. Perhaps not even an inch!


    Shane knew that he had to change their tactics of breaking its defense if they wanted to win this battle quickly¡­ He then considered a few of his Skill, and his eyes lit up as he recalled the perfect Skill to try on this creature!


    ''Perfect¡­ I want to try this Skill already¡­'' Shane thought.


    "Stay back and cover me!" he shouted to Diana and Sandra.


    With a burst of speed, Shane activated his Phantasm Rush, charging forward with incredible velocity.


    He closed the distance in an instant. His fist then started to gather energy as he triggered one of his Fusion Skills, Brawler''s Fury!


    Boom!


    His first punch contained all of his strength, but because of the Armored Tyrant''s momentum, Shane had to step back as he felt his organs shaking from the impact¡­ Nheless, this punch was enough to stop the Armored Tyrant''s charge!


    But Shane wasn''t done.


    He smiled at the result of his first punch, and it only took him a moment to recover. Then, before the Armored Tyrant Zombie could grab him, he unleashed a rapid series of punches.


    The second and third punches were aimed at the Armored Tyrant''s abdomen and didn''t do much damage aside from pushing back the Armored Tyrant.


    The fourth and fifth punches hit the Tyrant''s palm after it tried to grab him. A few of the Armored Tyrant''s bones were broken because of that. The sixth and seventh punches hit the Zombie''s chest as it finally started feeling suffocated¡­


    Well, this is Brawler''s Fury, which was the fusion of Force Punch, Deadly Punch, and Taunt Skill!


    The Force Punch was a skill that targeted the internal organs of his opponent, while the Deadly Punch was more of a piercing punch.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Shane smiled, seeing that he had damaged the Zombie a lot. Finally, the Brawler''s Fury''s ninth orst punch struck the Armored Tyrant Zombie.


    It channeled 500% of his strength into a single, devastating blow!


    "Take this!" Shane roared as his fist connected with the Tyrant Zombie''s chest. Well, the Tyrant was a bit too tall to hit his face.


    Bam!


    The impact was tremendous, and the Armored Tyrant Zombie''s steel-like body finally crumpled under the force of Shane''s punch.


    The once-imposing creature copsed to the ground, defeated!


    Shane stood over the fallen Zombie, breathing heavily but triumphant. The attack just now consumed not just Spirit Points but also his stamina.


    [ Congrattions Team 1!


    You have sessfully cleared the second stage of the Boss Raid by eliminating the Tyrant Armored Zombie! You are the first team to eliminate the Boss of the Second Stage!


    Rewards:


    Each member of Team 1 will receive a Bronze Treasure Chest and five Spirit Breakthrough Bottles as a reward for your victory! ]


    [ Additional reward will be given if it is confirmed that your team is the fastest to eliminate the Armored Tyrant Zombie. ]


    [ Your reward has been transferred to your Inventory ]


    [ You have received 500 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have received an Instant Experience Potion. ]


    [ The Boss Raid Leaderboard has been updated. ]


    Continue reading stories on empire


    After receiving the rewards, Sandra and Diana had actually leveled up at the same time. They immediately checked their level-up rewards while Shane was looking at the same options that had appeared in front of him.


    Since he had only used 220 Spirit Points so far, Shane was still filled with energy, so he decided to continue after picking up his hatchet and storing his automated Turret.


    As for the corpse of the Zombie, they could not be looted like the previous Light Armored Zombies.


    "Ohhh... We can still see that First Stage Leaderboard... It seemed that many teams were still struggling." Diana muttered after she saw one of the tabs in the Leaderboard.

 Chapter 353 Third and Fourth Stage

    Experience more tales on empire


    Shane was curious about the leaderboard, but they didn''t have that much time left.


    "We''re about to be transported to the third stage. Get ready." Shane reminded the two.


    "Got it!"


    "I''m ready."


    Diana and Sandra said as they were already letting Shanemand them whatever he needed them to do.


    After the two battles, they knew very well how powerful this Rank 1 Survivor was! No, they were sure that they had only seen a fraction of his power, and they would be able to see more of his skills!


    Whoosh~


    Shane and his team, Diana and Sandra, had soon appeared on the third stage. It wasn''t an arena or a swap this time. Instead, the setting was a ruined city.


    Nheless, they weren''t anxious at all.


    This time, their confidence was bolstered by their previous victories.


    Soon, the system notification appeared, and they were faced with three Armored Hunter Zombies known for their speed and intelligence.


    As expected, the Sentience Level was actually a mid-level.


    Anyway, Shane wasted no time.


    He summoned his Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret, which immediately began targeting the Hunter Zombies.


    But this time, he didn''t rely solely on the Turret.


    Shane pulled out his Gunslinger''s Dual Revolvers and started firing.


    Bang! Bang!


    Well, he couldn''t use melee weapons or skills since the Turret was shooting the three Hunter Zombies.


    Diana and Sandra also provided support, keeping the zombies at bay by shooting at the Hunter Zombie''s legs...


    Thankfully, these Hunter Zombies weren''t immune to both types of bullets.


    The only problem was the fact that they were fast, and because of their mid-level intelligence, they were able to dodge the trajectory of the bullets and get closer to them!


    "I''ll deal with them¡­ Stay back!" Shane instructed the two as they would surely die if the Hunter Zombies got closer.


    With this, Shane used his Light mede and attacked the three Hunter Zombies who had already been shot by their firearms.


    Because of this, their movements slowed, and Shane, with his maxed agility, was able to deal with them all at the same time!


    Shane''s overwhelming power was evident as he cut through the Hunter Zombies with ease!


    Within a few seconds, their two enemies dropped to the ground!


    However, to his surprise, thest Hunter Zombie suddenly bloated!


    ''Not good!''


    Shane realized that something was off, and he immediately backed away!


    In just a split second, thest Hunter Zombie exploded!


    Boom!


    Diana and Sandra''s Pixie Safety Tokens were able to absorb the impact and left them unharmed.


    However, Shane''s Safety Tokens couldn''t handle the st and were destroyed in an instant!


    Thankfully, Shane had anotheryer of defense.


    Silver, his metal slime, from a thinyer of shield and took the st!


    Thankfully, Silver had a skill called Reflective Aura. With this assistance from his pet, Shane didn''t even have to test the durability of his Mutated Python Set.


    ''Whew~ I didn''t know there''s a Hunter Zombie that can explode¡­'' Shane wryly smiled as he believed that this explosion was done by the system deliberately. After all, the other Armored Hunters didn''t explode after dying the same way.


    Shane could only think that this was made to stop many Survivors from challenging the fourth stage of the Boss Raid event.


    Anyway, as the st was over, Shane confirmed thepletion of the stage after seeing the reward.


    Their rewards for clearing the third stage were substantial and weren''t just Silver Treasure Chest and Spirit Breakthrough Bottles, as he had expected. Instead, they received two more Bronze Treasure Chest!


    Currently, they have already received one Wooden Treasure Chest, three Bronze Treasure Chests, and one Silver Treasure Chest. As for the potions, it was a total of 15 Spirit Breakthrough Bottles!


    ''Fifteen Spirit Breakthrough Bottles¡­ I''m going to be stronger!'' Diana was ted at this sight. As for the Treasure Chests she obtained, she could only hope that they would be suitable for her.


    Sandra also felt great about this situation, as her thoughts before this event were that she wanted to survive. She had never thought that she''d be able to be so rich!


    ''I wonder how much I could sell these Treasure Chests and two more Instant Experience Potions¡­'' Sandra''s eyes lit up since aside from 800 Experience Points, she also obtained two tradeable Instant Experience Potions!


    Anyway, the two of them didn''t even notice Silver the Metal Slime as it immediately entered Shane''s armor to be anotheryer of defense.


    Then, Shane immediately informed them that they would be entering the fourth and there was no time to rest. He even gave them an additional Safety Token, just in case.


    Soon, moved on to the fourth stage, where a new challenge awaited them. The setting this time was actually another Arena. However, this Arena wasrger than the previous one.


    "This¡­" Diana shuddered after seeing their enemy.


    "What¡­ Ugh¡­ Shane, are you confident with this one?" Sandra asked as she looked at their opponent for the fourth stage of this event.


    It felt as if the system didn''t want anyone to survive this Boss Raid!


    Even Shane had to frown after seeing their enemy.


    Well, they were met with a sight that left everyone momentarily speechless.


    Standing before them was a massive Armored Giant Zombie, its towering form covered in thick, imprable armor.


    "Armored Giant Zombie¡­" Shane muttered, his eyes widening at the sheer size of the creature. Perhaps numerous high-ranking survivors would even die in this stage!


    Thankfully, as Shane checked the notification, it would actually allow the others to survive as long as they stay alive for 20 minutes!


    [ Attention, Survivors!


    You have 15 seconds to prepare for the fourth stage of the Boss Raid Event!


    Fourth Stage Enemy: 1 Armored Giant Zombie.


    Description: The Armored Giant Zombie stands at an extraordinary height of 12 feet, making it one of thergest threats around. Its body is an amalgamation of flesh and metal, showcasing the horrors of its transformation.


    Sentience: Mid-Level


    Objectives:


    Time Limit: You have 20 minutes to defeat the Armored Tyrant Zombie.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Consequence: Failure to eliminate the Zombie within the time limit will end the event and result in no rewards and a penalty for all participants. ]

 Chapter 354 The Fourth Stage

    The fact that the event could end after 20 minutes of their survival was definitely the system''sst resort in order to save those Survivors who would think of entering the fourth stage.


    "Stay back, you two¡­" Shane instructed, as he knew that this wouldn''t be easy.


    Cloud also confirmed that the Armored Giant Zombie emits an invisible force that could block physical and elemental attacks.


    Nheless, Shane still summoned his Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret¡­


    As soon as it locked the target, it then immediately started firing its Energy Bullets, including the Incendiary Bombs¡­


    However, all of it seemed to barely tickle the Armored Giant. The Turret doesn''t have enough firepower topletely destroy its invisible shield!


    Rooarrr!


    The Armored Giant Zombie let out a guttural roar, shaking the ground beneath its feet. Shane quickly regained hisposure, knowing that hesitation could be fatal.


    "Just avoid the Zombie¡­ I''ll take its attention." Shane instructed. His voice was calm as he knew that his Brawler''s Fury had a Taunt Skill included. As soon as he activated it and dashed toward the Zombie, his first punch, even if it wasn''t that strong, immediately attracted its attention.


    The Armored Giant Zombie ignored the Automated Turret that was still firing and focused on Shane, who was trying to break its leg!


    It tried grabbing Shane, but he was simply too fast¡­ Nheless, it was still quite tough to injure this Zombie. Shane actually needed a total of 6 punches with Brawler''s Fury in order to destroy its invisible shield or amor!


    Then, as soon as Shane struck the Zombie with his ninth punch, he finally managed to injure the Armored Giant Zombie!


    "Graaaaghh!"


    The Armored Giant Zombie''s right leg was smashed as thest punch didn''t just attack its skin and muscles but also its bones! There was even an internal shockwave that damaged its internal organs!


    This strike, however, infuriated the Zombie as it kicked Shane in a brief moment, and he couldn''t move immediately after releasing the ninth punch!


    Boom!


    This was actually the weakness of the Brawler''s Fury¡­ Although it was very strong, if it didn''t kill the enemy, they would have a couple of seconds to retaliate against Shane!


    Shane was then thrown more than 50 meters away, a bit further than where Sandra and Diana were.


    "Shane!"


    The two of them immediately called out in shock.


    The kick just now was definitely something they couldn''t withstand!


    If they were hit by that, it wouldn''t be surprising if they turned into meat paste! They could tell that much since they just felt how fast Shane flew from that strike!


    Diana couldn''t help but tear up as she imagined the worst-case scenario.


    Thankfully, as they rushed to his side, they confirmed that Shane was still breathing as he slowly stood up¡­ He was actually so tough!


    ''Is it his armor?'' Diana thought for a moment as she felt relieved. It seemed that her brother had many secrets.


    Then, Shane''s healing token swiftly activated and started curing any of his internal injuries from the impact.


    "I''m good¡­ I didn''t get a direct hit." Shane exined as he pointed at the metal slime that had suddenly appeared on its chest.


    The Metal Slime was still in very good condition as it slowly moved like it was greeting them.


    Crash~


    At this time, they heard the sound of the Automated Turret being destroyed as the Giant Armored Zombie crushed it with its fist!


    However, while Sandra and Diana felt shame for the loss of the precious Turret that seemed to havee from the future, Shane saw this as an opportunity!


    Boom!


    As soon as Armored Giant Zombie was about to target them after destroying the Turret, it actually exploded on its arm!


    The Zombie''s whole right fist was destroyed just like that!


    "Graaahhhh!" The Armored Giant Zombie certainly didn''t like that result as it dashed toward them¡­ It was really angry this time!


    Diana ran to the left while shooting while Sandra flew up¡­


    As for Shane, he charged forward!


    Shane also activated his Armored Dash as he targeted its left leg!


    [ Armored Dash Lv5: Propel yourself forward with exceptional speed while encased in protective ting. This Skill allows you to charge through enemies, knocking them aside and absorbing minor damage from iing attacks.


    Effect: Increases movement speed by 50% and reduces damage taken by 30% during the dash.


    Duration: 5 seconds


    Cost: 100 Spirit Points


    Cooldown: 60 seconds ]


    Aside from this Skill, Shane also got the support of his pet, Silver!


    Whoosh~


    As Shane dashed forward, Sandra actually took out a small bottle of green liquid from her inventory while mid-air¡­ Then, she threw on the face of the Armored Giant Zombie!


    St!


    This green liquid was actually a sticky bomb!


    With this action, she was able to block the Armored Giant''s face and hinder its momentum.


    Boom!


    It was at this time that Shane crashed into the Zombie''s leg! Discover exclusive tales on empiren/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The Zombie was forced to kneel, and Shane finally noticed what Sandra had just done.


    ''Good¡­''


    Shane then continued assaulting the Armored Giant''s Zombie, who had lost its shield and momentum!


    With his Five-Meter Jump Skill, he was able to leap and reach the Zombie''s head!


    It was able to remove the sticky thing that Sandra had just thrown, but Shane was given enough time!


    He then used his Light mede to target the Zombie''s head!


    Bang!


    He tried cutting through the Zombie''s head, but he was only able to leave a superficial wound! The sword''s me element didn''t even work very well!


    ''It doesn''t have pration or pration stat¡­'' Shane gritted his teeth as he took out his Legendary Hatchet and hacked through the Armored Giant''s neck that didn''t have any protection¡­


    Sssaaakk!


    It was easier to cut through its skin this time, but it was still too shallow!


    ''Fine¡­ I''ll use it...'' Shane thought as he decided to finish this quickly.


    He still had other methods, but it would just take too much time to kill this sturdy Zombie that had flesh like they were made of metal. He had no other choice but to use his suit!

 Chapter 355 One More

    Shane then used his Shadow Hunt to back away for a moment. After all, he needed a few seconds in order to prepare for thest sh.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As he stopped using the Invisibility effect of his Skill, Shane reappeared. He stood before the towering Armored Giant Zombie, its massive form casting a shadow over the arena although it was still kneeling.


    Shane also noticed that the Armored Giant Zombie''s barrier was slowly regenerating, which blocked all of the bullets fired by his two teammates.


    ''Ohh¡­ So he has that kind of trick¡­'' Shane thought as he noticed that the Giant Armored Zombie seemed to be trying to recover its invisible shield.


    No, to be exact, it will probably only recover if it wasn''t being attacked. After all, during his closebat, the barrier of the Zombie wasn''t regenerating at all.


    In any case, Shane was worried since that barrier could only repel their normal attacks and a certain level of magical attacks...


    Shane knew he needed to bring out his newest and most powerful item to turn the tide. After all, he also wanted to clear this stage as quickly as possible.


    With a determined look, he reached into his Inventory and pulled out the Tactical Sentinel Combat Exosuit I.


    It was an item that he had recently obtained and modified with the help of his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent.


    The Exosuit had multiple technologies and items that didn''t exist in this realm. They came from the Anima Store, which was connected to the civilization of the A.I.s in the other Apocalypse he had cleared.


    Its sleek, metallic frame was adorned with reinforced ting, and the joints were powered by advanced servomotors, allowing for enhanced strength and agility. The centerpiece of the Exosuit was its Ion Drive Engine, apact yet powerful energy source that hummed with incredible power. It was an engine that could be used by Spaceships after all.


    As soon as Shane activated the Exosuit, the Ion Drive Engine roared to life, emitting a low, resonant hum. The exosuit''s systems booted up, and a series of lights flickered on, illuminating the intricate circuitry embedded within the armor.


    Shane quickly donned the Exosuit, feeling the surge of power as it synchronized with his movements. After wearing it, he only increased his height by two feet. It wasn''t too big at all.


    "A full body armor?" Diana was shocked as she saw what Shane had just taken out¡­ It seemed that she had really underestimated her brother¡­ She thought that Shane''s trump card was already that Automated Turret that could shoot energy bullets and incendiary bombs at its target.


    He actually has this suit that seemed to havee from the Space Marines she had seen in various games!


    "How is he getting these things? Did I miss an event?" Sandra also felt overwhelmed at the sight of this advanced technology that shouldn''t exist in this ce.


    However, she also started getting worried. Since she knew Shane''s many secrets during this event, she was worried that Shane might silence her to ensure that his secrets would never be revealed to anyone just yet.


    ''I¡­ I have to join her n or Shelter¡­'' Sandra immediately thought as she believed that by being part of Shane''s circle would save her from trouble.


    On the other hand, Shane didn''t care about their reaction, as he focused on the Exosuit''s interface.


    The exosuit''s HUD (Heads-Up Disy) projected vital information onto his visor, including the status of the Ion Drive Engine and the integrity of the armor.


    The Armored Giant Zombie had probably sensed the threat with its mid-level intelligence and looked at Shane¡­


    Though it could no longer use its left leg to support its body, it let out a guttural roar and crawled forward!


    But Shane was ready. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance, the Exosuit amplifying his every step.


    Boom!


    The ground trembled beneath his feet as he moved with extraordinary agility.


    The kneeling Armored Giant Zombie swung its massive arm, but Shane deftly dodged the attack.


    Bang!


    Shane crashed at the Zombie''s abdomen and confirmed that his Exosuit was strong enough!


    He could see the creature''s Defense Shield flickering, struggling to maintain its integrity against the exosuit''s overwhelming power.


    "Time to end this," Shane muttered as he already had enough of this.


    He activated the exosuit''s ramming protocol, channeling all avable power into a single, devastating strike.


    The Ion Drive Engine surged, and the exosuit''s reinforced ting glowed with a fierce, blue light.


    Well, this Exosuit doesn''t have a weapon installed yet. Nheless, its durability would be put to the test with Shane''s next action.


    With a mighty roar, Shane rammed the Exosuit into the Giant''s face. The impact was cataclysmic, the force of the blowpletely shattered the Defense Shield and crumpled the Zombie''s steel-like armor.


    Shane''s Exosuit even managed to pierce through the Zombie''s skull!


    The Armored Giant Zombie even failed to let out a final, anguished cry as it copsed to the ground, defeated.


    Thud!


    Shane stood over the fallen Giant, his breathing was heavy, but the system''s notification had put a smile on his face.


    The Tactical Sentinel Combat Exosuit I had proven its worth, and Shane knew that he could still use it for the next stage.


    [ Congrattions Team 1!


    You have sessfully cleared the fourth stage of the Boss Raid by eliminating the Armored Giant Zombie! You are you are the first team to achieve this milestone!


    Rewards:


    Each member of Team 1 will receive a Golden Treasure Chest and five Spirit Breakthrough Bottles as a reward for your victory! ]


    [ Additional reward will be given if it is confirmed that your team is the fastest to eliminate the Armored Giant Zombie. ]


    [ Your reward has been transferred to your Inventory. ]


    [ You have received 1,000 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have received an Armored Giant Zombie Core. ]


    [ You have received a Tier 3 Armored Sentinel Set. ]


    [ The Boss Raid Leaderboard has been updated. ] Explore more adventures at empire

 Chapter 356 Latest Upgrades

    As soon as Shane received the three same options, he finally decided to take a quick 10-minute break. After all, the next stage was the final stage, and he needed to prepare a few things.


    Furthermore, he wanted to check the treasure chests that he had obtained. Aside from that, he could probably consume his Spirit Breakthrough Bottles to break his third limit. After all, he already had enough Spirit Breakthrough Bottles.


    Lastly, he also wanted to check the three Memory Spheres he had managed to unseal after leveling up to 30!


    He was curious about what kind of skills or knowledge he would get this time!


    Perhaps it might even help him fight against thest stage of Zombie.


    He turned to Diana and Sandra, who were watching in awe. "We will rest for 10 minutes¡­ You can check your rewards for now or prepare before thest battle." He said with a rare smile crossing his face.


    The two could only ept their fate as they hoped that thest stage wouldn''t be so unforgiving¡­ They were hoping that the Treasure Chests that they obtained could actually provide them something to increase their chance of survival.


    Well, even though they have received Shane''s Healing and Safety Tokens, they couldn''t help but feel worried about this event''s final stage.


    "Got it¡­ We''ll make preparations." Diana and Sandra said as the two focused on their inventories.


    In the meantime, Shane considered for a moment before he started with his Memory Spheres.


    As soon as he had taken out one of the unsealed Memory Spheres, he received the familiar message.


    [ Do you wish to absorb the Memory Sphere? ]


    "Yes¡­" Shane replied without hesitation.


    As soon as he replied with this, Shane was immediately immersed in the memories of his past or previous life in another timeline¡­


    After a few seconds, he opened his eyes.


    [ Memory Sphere absorptionplete. ]


    [ You have obtained Part 10 of 25 Memory Fragments ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Poison Resistance ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Triple-Enhanced Vision ]


    Shane absorbed the memories and skills he had just learned. After feeling satisfied, he continued.


    [ Memory Sphere absorptionplete. ]


    [ You have obtained Part 11 of 25 Memory Fragments ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Adrenaline Surge ] Experience tales at empire


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Vertical sh ]


    Shane wryly smiled as the memories of the 11th Memory Sphere were interesting¡­ This memory was just right on time.


    Anyway, this Memory Sphere also contained variousbat techniques, so he was really happy with it.


    Finally, he absorbed the 12th Memory Sphere.


    [ Memory Sphere absorptionplete. ]


    [ You have obtained Part 12 of 25 Memory Fragments ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Double Thrust ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Meditation ]


    Shane opened his eyes after a few moments as he browsed through the memories he had just obtained.


    He couldn''t help but sigh after getting through the memories of his previous self, who had to kill all the members of his n at that time.


    Apparently, the 11th Memory Sphere contained some information about the existence of the Vampire''s Rise Apocalypse Ender.


    Shane could only learn that this Ender had somehow gained the ability to interfere in another Apocalypse and kill another Survivor.


    In the 12th Memory Sphere, more information was obtained from the Ender, as it actually controlled all the members of his n during that time!


    Shane, with the help of Cloud, was able to survive that encounter that should have happened more than a year after the start of his Fairy Realm Invasion Apocalypse.


    In the end, he had no other choice but to kill all his n Members as they all became servants of that Ender.


    Nheless, some information was still missing. He still had no idea why the Ender targeted his n or how it was able to interfere with a different Apocalypse.


    Lastly, Shane had no clue how this Ender managed to clear another Apocalypse so quickly that he could already interfere with a different one. Everything seemed so suspicious.


    Nheless, he suddenly had a bad feeling about this information.


    In any case, Shane opened his information panel to see his current status.


    [ Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets, Elite Survivor


    Level: 30


    Vitality: 500/500


    Spirit: 7,520/10,000


    Strength: 400


    Agility: 400


    Luck: 26


    Perception: 30


    Inventory:


    Misceneous Items: 55


    Potions: 14


    Weapons and Equipment: 45


    Blood Collection: 25


    Survivor Skills: Lockpicking, Hacker, Fast Swimmer, Mining, Alchemy, Aura of Protection, Horseback Riding, Lesser Beast Taming, Horizontal sh, Enhanced Sense, Fast Regeneration, Five-Meter Jump, Titan''s Roar, Underground Burrow, Armored Dash, Momentum Shift, Poison Resistance, Triple-Enhanced Vision, Adrenaline Surge, Vertical sh, Double Thrust, Meditation.


    Fused Skills: Survivalist, Crowd Maniptor, Phantasm Rush, Trap Mastery, Elemental Resistance, Heightened Awareness, Resources Handler, Shadow Hunt, Armament Expert, Brawler''s Fury.


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ), Traceless Breath ( Rare Talent ), Aura Master Talent ( Exceptional ), Lucky Find ( Exceptional ), Telekinesis ( Rare )


    Reputation: 509 ]


    Shane felt satisfied with his current list of skills since he felt that he was really a lot stronger than his previous self in those two Apocalypses.


    Anyway, Shane then decided to consume all of his Instant Experience Potions. Then, he still didn''t level up even after that, but it was quite expected.


    This time, Shane decided to consume the Spirit Breakthrough Potions¡­ Well, he had already consumed some of them before, but it wasn''t enough.


    So this time, he just had to drink 15 of them to exceed his limit! Shane was really looking forward to this upgrade.


    Shane smiled as he recalled that breaking his limit, which allowed him to obtain a maximum of 10,000 Spirit Points, also meant that he couldn''t replenish his Spirit through the normal Spirit Enhancement Bottles. Instead, he obtained a decent rate of Spirit Recovery topensate for that.


    This time, Shane was curious about what kind of changes would happen.


    ''Arggghhhh¡­''


    Soon, Shane felt the changes in his body. It wasn''t a pleasant feeling, so he couldn''t help but sit on the ground to stabilize his condition.


    Soon, he received the messages from the system.


    [ You have consumed enough Spirit Breakthrough Potions. ]


    [ You have surpassed the limit of your Spiritual Powers. You have obtained a new capacity. You now have a 20,000 Spirit Points Capacity. ]


    [ Maximum Spirit Points Capacity has been reached. ]


    [ You can only improve the quality of your Spirit Points at this point. ]


    [ Your Strength and Agility have increased, and their limit has improved. ]


    [ Your Perception has greatly improved. ]


    [ Low-grade Spirit Stones will now have a weaker effect on your body. ]


    [ Fused Skills will now have lower Spirit Consumption. ]


    [ Survivor Skills cooldown has decreased by 15%. ]


    [ As long as the Survivor has 15,000 Spirit Points, the Survivor will be immune to Skills that create Fear, Mind Control, Illusion, or any simr effects that negatively affect the mind. ]


    Shane wryly smiled as he barely had ess to the low-grade Spirit Stones, but their effect had suddenly weakened.


    Nheless, he had recently obtained a Meditation Skill, which could allow him to recover Spirit Points a lot faster.


    Then, after checking his current Perception Status, he realized that it had indeed increased by a lot!


    Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets, Elite SurvivorN?v(el)B\\jnn


    Level: 30


    Vitality: 500/500


    Spirit: 7,520/20,000


    Strength: 500


    Agility: 500


    Luck: 26


    Perception: 155


    ''No wonder¡­'' Shane thought as he saw his Perception increase a lot. Well, it just felt like he couldpletely monitor his whole surroundings without the help of Cloud, his A.I. Assistant.


    Shane then nced at his two teammates and confirmed that they were busy organizing the items they had received from the Treasure Chests. It seems that aside from various raw materials or ingredients, they were also able to obtain a new set of clothes, weapons, and even a Pet Egg.


    These two don''t have a Pet like Shane because they were actually really poor and couldn''t afford to raise a Pet that consumes Zombie Cores or other special ingredients.


    Just like many others, their Pets died because of theirck of care. Well, that was indeed amon thing since low-grade Pets were certainly useless after they were born. Even if they could use a Skill, that could only happen once or twice a day. Feeding them three or more Zombie Cores a day was certainly not useful to many Survivors.


    They were only parasites for poor Survivors.


    On the other hand, high-grade pets may be useful even if they were just born, but they are incredibly difficult to find. In the end, only rich survivors could amodate pets in their daily lives.


    Shane wryly smiled as he recalled this before he started opening his Treasure Chests.


    Currently, Shane has a total of six Treasure Chests. There was one Wooden Treasure Chest, three Bronze Treasure Chests, one Silver Treasure Chest, and one Golden Treasure Chest.


    He first opened the lowest-grade treasure chest as he still had plenty of time.


    [ You have received Starlight Silver Ore x5 ]


    [ You have received Abyssal Iron Ore x5 ]


    [ You have received Phoenix Copper Ore x5 ]


    [ You have received Power Core x5 ]


    [ You have received Zombie Core x50 ]

 Chapter 357 Preparations for the Final Stage

    The items that Shane received from the Wooden Treasure Chest were quite familiar. It was simr to the first Wooden Treasure Chest that he had found before. These ores were certainly precious, but the problem was the fact that they still had to be processed.


    Unlike ingots, these ores had too many impurities, and they required a high-level refiner or cksmith in order to use them. Nheless, Shane was thankful for the items he had received.


    Then, he turned his attention to the Bronze Treasure Chest.


    His previous Bronze Treasure Chest gave him a weapon, recruitment stones, power cores, and various elixirs that he couldn''t use. Of course, those elixirs were definitely not simple, but he just didn''t know their purpose yet.


    Explore more adventures at empire


    It was simr to the Zombie Blood and various Zombie drops in his collection. He had collected numerous Zombie Blood, but only after a couple of months did he find its purpose in the Blood Alchemy Book.


    [ You have opened a Bronze Treasure Chest. ]


    [ You have received a Pump-Action Shotgun x1 ]


    [ You have received a Box of Ammunition ( Shotgun Shells ) x5 ]


    [ You have received a 9mm Pistol x1 ]


    [ You have received a Box of Ammunition ( 9mm ) x5 ]


    [ You have received a Machete x1 ]


    [ You have received a 2nd Part of Broken Map x1 ]


    Shane found this loot interesting. After all, it was quite different from the previous Bronze Treasure Chest.


    These guns were certainly useful for low-tier Zombies, but they had to be upgradedter on if he wanted to use them against mid-tier Zombies.


    "Broken Map?" Shane muttered after seeing the unusual item. He immediately checked the Broken Map, and its description was indeed a bit too mysterious.


    Aside from telling that the Broken Map was mysterious, it only informed him that it had a total of 6 parts that he needed to piece together.


    He then continued opening up more Bronze Treasure Chests and was able to obtain various materials this time.


    [ You have received Power Cores x20 ]


    [ You have received Zombie Cores x50 ]


    [ You have received Versailles Empire''s Gold Coin x500 ]


    [ You have received a 3rd Part of Broken Map x1 ]


    The final Bronze Treasure Chest, on the other hand, gave him some melee weapons aside from the materials.


    [ You have received an Exploding Throwing Knives x5 ]N?v(el)B\\jnn


    [ You have received an Exploding Machete x5 ]


    [ You have received Power Cores x10 ]


    [ You have received Zombie Cores x20 ]


    [ You have received a 4th Part of Broken Map x1 ]


    "Exploding Throwing Knives?" Shane muttered as he quickly checked it in his inventory and confirmed that they were just Rare Grades. It means that the explosion shouldn''t be that impressive.


    He wanted to see if he could upgrade it, and after a few moments, Shane couldn''t help but smile. He was able to upgrade them to Master Grade Exploding Throwing Knives. He just had to spend 40 Item Upgrade Crystals each for that!


    However, if he wanted to upgrade them to an Epic Grade, Shane had to spend another 100 Item Upgrade Crystals. He felt that it would be too much if all of them were upgraded.


    Instead, Shane decided to just upgrade one of them to Epic Grade.


    In the end, he had a total of four Master Grade and one Epic Grade Exploding Throwing Knives.


    "Diana, Sandra¡­ Did you also get exploding items?" Shane suddenly asked.


    "Yes!" The two answered in unison after hearing Shane''s question. They already finished opening all their Treasure Chests and had actually changed their clothes. Shane didn''t notice that!


    To his Surprise, they actually wore the SWAT Uniform that they had previously received after clearing the first stage of the Boss Raid!


    The uniforms, though slightly worn, fit them perfectly, enhancing their appearance with a professional edge.


    The dark, tactical gear was adorned with various pockets and straps, designed for both utility and protection. The SWAT insignia was still visible on the shoulders, a reminder of the uniforms'' origins.


    Diana''s uniform hugged her frame, the reinforced material providing a sleek yet sturdy look. However, despite her uniform, her Hammer was still slung across her back, ready for action.


    Well, her Survivor Skills were mostly rted to her Hammer, so she couldn''t just remove it. Nheless, she was still equipped with an appropriate firearm.


    Sandra''s uniform was simrly fitted and Shane saw her moving around with it and even tested a quick flight¡­


    ''I guess that uniform isn''t as heavy as it looks.'' Shane mused as she saw her pistols holstered at her sides, and she seemed very excited with her new look.


    "Do they have better status effects?" Shane asked, his gaze shifting between the two.


    "Yes," Diana replied, nodding. "They provide additional defense¡­ It''s an invisible energy shield that can absorb up to 600 points of damage if you wear the full set."


    "Aside from that," Sandra added, "the uniforms also boost our movement speed. They''re all Tier 2 Clothes, so they still have room for improvement."


    Despite being only a Tier 2 set, the SWAT Uniform actually had a better defense than many other sets like Survivor Set, Scavenger Set, Miner Set, Hunter Set, and others.


    Because of that, Shane curiously looked at this uniform in his Inventory.


    After all, they might be better than his Mutated Python Set.


    Overall, the SWAT uniform actually had seven items, unlike other sets with only 4 to 6 items. Just with this addition, Shane could tell that it was definitely unique.


    ''As expected from a reward from a Boss Raid event.'' Shane thought as he recalled that the Boss Raid rewards from other Apocalypses were mostly nutritions or geno fluids that enhance gics.


    In any case, it would really be amazing if he was able to inherit his gic mutations during the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse. Unfortunately, he could only have those memories from the Sealed Memory Spheres and obtain knowledge or skills instead of physical enhancements.


    ''Let''s see¡­'' Shane muttered as he started examining the seven items. They were helmet, vest, pair of glives, pants, boots, retractable shield, and belt.

 Chapter 358 The Fifth Stages Problem

    Shane carefully checked the item description as they might be useful for the final battle.


    [ SWAT Helmet ( Tier 2 ): A rugged helmet designed to withstand blunt force. It features a visor that protects the eyes from debris and enhances visibility in low-light conditions.


    Effect: Grants +20% damage resistance to the head, +10 Physical Defense ]


    [ Tactical Vest ( Tier 2 ): This heavily padded vest is equipped with multiple pockets for carrying gear and ammunition. It offers excellent protection against small-arms fire.


    Effects: Increases overall damage resistance by 15%, +10 Physical Defense ]


    [ SWAT Gloves ( Tier 2 ): Made from durable materials, these gloves provide a firm grip on weapons and equipment while protecting the hands duringbat.


    Effects: Boosts reload speed by 10%, +10 Dexterity ]


    [ Tactical Pants ( Tier 2 ): Designed for mobility and protection, these pants are reinforced at key areas ande with pockets for carrying essentials.


    Effects: Increases evasion chance by 10%, +10 Physical Defense ]


    [ Combat Boots ( Tier 2 ): Sturdy boots that offer excellent traction and ankle support. They are designed for long hours of wear in tough environments.


    Effects: Reduces stamina consumption by 15% duringbat, +10 Physical Defense ]


    [ Retractable Arm Shield ( Tier 2 ): Apact, retractable shield that can be easily attached to the forearm. When deployed, it provides a protective barrier against iing attacks. It can be quickly concealed when not in use.


    Effects: Absorbs 100 points of damage when equipped. ]


    [ Tactical Belt ( Tier 2 ): A heavy-duty belt designed to hold various tactical gear, including holsters and pouches, ensuring quick ess to weapons and supplies. ]


    Effects: Removes the Unstackable effect of an item. ]


    The items weren''t that incredible if worn individually. Part of it was because they were only Tier 2. Nheless, once they were all equipped, they would certainly be one of the best defensive sets out there.


    ''I''m sure that everyone who clears the First Stage will get this set¡­ I guess I can use this to blend in easily.'' Shane thought as he knew that everyone would most likely wear this set once they returned to the continent.


    After all, it was practical and had decent effectspared to other sets avable in Giftpacks and Stores.


    However, Shane was still shocked as soon as he noticed that the Tactical Belt''s effect was able to remove the unstackable effect on other items!


    It means that he would be able to wear his Shadowcloak while wearing the Tactical Vest! Because of that, he would also be able to use its high-level abilities, Shadow Step and Night''s Embrace!


    He actually really felt pity that he couldn''t use those two special abilities of that cloak. However, with his new belt, he would definitely be able to do it now!


    ''Ugh¡­ Right, I lent it to Lysandra.'' Shane suddenly recalled¡­


    Well, he thought that he wouldn''t have the chance to use the Shadowcloak since he had several upper-body clothes, some of which were even Tier 5, Epic Grade, or Legendary Grade.


    ''What a blunder... But I''m sure that Lysandra has noticed it.'' Shane mused.


    The only reason why Shane only learned about its effect now was because they were in a hurry and didn''t take any breaks.


    However, Lysandra''s team would probably take that 10-minute break in each stage.


    Anyway, after some consideration, Shane decided to upgrade them all to Tier 4 before he wore the SWAT Uniform as well. He only had to spend 12 Item Upgrade Crystals each, or a total of 84 Item Upgrade Crystals for that.


    However, if he wanted to upgrade them all to Tier 5, he would have to spend 1,050 Crystals since an upgrade from Tier 4 to Tier 5 costs 150 Crystals each.


    As he wore them, the hidden effect of providing an additional shield that could protect him from 2,200 points of damage suddenly appeared.


    ''That''s a lot higher than their 600 points defense.'' Shane thought.


    Anyway, the Mutated Python Set was actually Tier 5, so others might think that he was making a bad decision while wearing a Tier 4 Set. However, the Mutated Python Set focused on a bnced defense while giving insane agility. The Agility Boost may be gone this time, but his defense had increased topensate for that.


    "This is good¡­ The two of you,e here¡­ I''ll lend you both 84 Item Upgrade Crystals¡­ Thest stage will be very dangerous, and I want you to upgrade your SWAT Uniform."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Based on his experience, the death of his teammates would be calcted with the final reward. He couldn''t let any of them die in this event.


    "What do we have to pay in exchange?" Sandra asked.


    She knew that Diana and Shane were siblings from their previous conversation, so she knew that Diana might not have to provide coteral for this exchange at all.


    "How about joining my n?" Shane asked.


    "That sounds fair. I''m only in a Level 1 reserve n of Celestial Circle since the n is full. I''m supposed to join the main n if one of their members dies or bes useless." Sandra exined.


    The lowest Level 1 n could have ten members, while reaching Level 2 could only have 20 members, and so on.


    However, once the n Hall was built, there would be a huge boost in the members who could join. But building a n Hall was easier said than done. That was why there were several auxiliary ns being created so others could still benefit from the n Missions, Zombie Cores rewards, and others.


    "I''ll quit my n and join you." Sandra answered decisively. Well, who wouldn''t want to be with the Rank 1 Survivor that could be so generous?


    "I''ll join as well." Diana said with a smile.


    The two then joined Shane''s n and noticed that their Eclipse Revenant n seemed smaller than they expected. Anyway, they didn''t have time to check the other members as Shane gave the Crystals to them and got busy.


    Shane also opened all the other Treasure Chests, but all of them, including the Golden Treasure Chests, only contained the Broken Map pieces, Elixirs, and special ingredients he had no use for as of yet. Anyway, he was only missing the first part of the Broken Map toplete it.


    ''I''m sure it''s here somewhere.'' Shane thought. He didn''t mind notpleting the map yet.


    Soon, the time was up, and they had to enter the fifth stage¡­


    Stay connected with empire


    As soon as their surroundings warped and were transported by the system, they looked at the enemy; something unusual greeted them that made them speechless.


    What they witnessed was tenpletely dried-up Armored Juggernaut piled up, and sitting above them was a shadowy figure that seemed to be very bored¡­


    "Kukuku¡­ I''ve been waiting for you¡­"

 Chapter 359 Asad

    In the meantime, while the others were hurrying with their Boss Raid, Asad Seife and his team decided to take a 10-minute break even if they easily finished the first stage of the event.


    After all, he noticed that the stage ranking was based on how fast you eliminated the Boss Zombie and not how fast you entered that Stage. Of course, there could be a special reward if they entered without having a 10-minute break, but he believed that this break would allow them to have a proper look at their rewards and reconsider their options.


    As expected, as soon as they saw the SWAT Uniform, they immediately decided to change their current set of clothes. They wouldn''t be able to notice this if they just continued with the next Stage immediately.


    "This set is a lot better than I thought¡­'' Asad thought as he realized how great his defense had increasedpared to when he was still using the Dark Magician Set.


    Stay updated via empire


    Though that set grants him an additional 300 Spirit Points, he wouldn''t have a decent defense. It would literally decrease the physical and magical defense of his body, and he''d probably get killed once he got tackled by a strong Zombie.


    Perhaps, if he was in an advantageous or hidden position, he would be confident in putting on that set, but this time, he felt that this SWAT Uniform was perfect for the Boss Raid.


    As soon as they entered the second Stage, they saw a formidable Armored Tyrant Zombie as the Boss in the Second Stage of the event.


    Asad, the Rank 2 Survivor and a Necromancer, quickly analyzed the strength of the Armored Tyrant Zombie.


    At this moment, Asad has 2,800 Spirit Points. He believed that he had the highest number of Spirit Points after being able to find a treasure trove of Spirit Enhancement Bottles and Spirit Breakthrough Potions before.


    Anyway, Zombie Warriors would cost him 50 SP each, while Skeleton Knight costs 300 Spirit Points. As for the Lich, his strongest summon, they actually cost 1,000 Spirit Points! The good thing about the Lich was the fact that they could summon their own undead creatures.


    Anyway, Asad didn''t spend all of his Spirit Points and left 600 Points as his reserve.


    He only summoned six Zombie Warriors, three Skeletal Knights, and one Lich at hismand, spending a total of 2,200 Spirit Points. Anyway, he had enough Spirit Stones to recover his Spirit Points for the next Stage.


    "We''re only facing one opponent this time¡­ However, it''s actually a Tyrant Zombie¡­ and Armored at that."


    "They do not have the best agility¡­ We can do this¡­"


    Elias and Mira said.


    They were Asad''s two teammates and were equally unique.


    The first was Elias, who possessed the Talent called nt Friend. Elias could grow nts with remarkable speed, though his abilities seemed less useful in directbat against the heavily armored Tyrant Zombie. This was certainly the reason why he was able to group with a strong Survivor.


    With such talent, everyone believed, even the people in his n, that he should be carried in this Boss Raid in order to survive.


    However, he wasn''t as useless as it seemed. He actually carried special seeds that could grow inside the body of a zombie, potentially turning the tide of battle! It was his trump card!


    On the other hand, the second teammate was Mira, a Ranger with exceptional skill in archery. Her skills were as good as those of the Elven Rangers of Shane''s Shelter.


    Mira was confident that she could hit targets with pinpoint uracy, even from great distances.


    In a few moments, the arena became tense as the Armored Tyrant Zombie approached them; its massive form was certainly intimidating, but thankfully, Asad''s undead summons were incapable of feeling fear!


    Asad quickly assessed the situation and issuedmands to his undead minions.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Zombie Warriors, engage and distract! Skeletal Knights, nk, and harass! Lich, don''t waste your man with summoning spells and support them with dark magic!" Asad''s voice was calm and authoritative, his minions moved to obey hismands.


    Lich was actually the only undead summons he had that he didn''t need tomand since they had a certain level of intelligence. However, he still reminded the Lich not to summon some undead creatures just in case it would waste its limited mana.


    Soon Zombie Warriors charged forward and their decayed bodies collided with the Tyrant Zombie.


    nk! nk! nk!


    With this sh, everyone confirmed that the invisible shield of the Armored Tyrant was tough.


    Nheless, though their attacks werergely ineffective against its armor, they seeded in drawing its attention. The Skeletal Knights moved swiftly, striking at the Tyrant''s joints and weak points, while the Lich then cast several dark spells and confirmed the destruction of the Tyrant''s invisible shield!


    "Elias, now''s your chance!" Asad called out.


    Elias nodded, his hands moved swiftly as he nted the special seeds into the ground. With a surge of his Talent, the seeds sprouted and grew, their roots snaking towards the Tyrant Zombie. The roots found their way into the cracks and crevices of the Zombie''s armor, burrowing inside its decayed flesh.


    Mira, positioned at a distance, drew her bow and nocked an arrow.


    She took a deep breath as she focused on the Tyrant Zombie''s exposed areas. With a swift release, her arrow flew true, striking the creature''s eye!


    Bang!


    It was then followed by an explosion!


    Thebined efforts of Asad''s minions, Elias''s nts, and Mira''s arrows began to take their toll on the Armored Tyrant Zombie.


    Elias then continuously used the Spirit Stones that Asad lent him to ensure that the nts would not stop growing.


    The roots inside its body grew rapidly, causing internal damage and slowing its movements. The Skeletal Knights continued their relentless assault, exploiting the openings created by the nts.


    Asad saw an opportunity and transferred his Spiritual Energy or Spirit Points to his Summon.


    "Lich, unleash your full power!" hemanded.

 Chapter 360 Against the Vampire

    The Lich raised its skeletal hands, dark energy crackling around them.


    With an incantation, it released a powerful st of dark energy, striking the Tyrant Zombie and further weakening it.


    The Armored Tyrant Zombie, now severely damaged and slowed, struggled to maintain its footing. Asad only had one remaining Zombie Warrior and one Skeleton Knight at this moment, but they pressed the attack.


    Since the Armored Tyrant Zombie was brought down, everyone worked together to ensure that it would never get up!


    After some time, Asad, Elias, and Mira had finally won against the Armored Zombie Tyrant.


    As soon as they received their rewards, they realized that they only received 9 Item Upgrade Crystals and 1 Spirit Breakthrough Bottle since they took more than 8 minutes to defeat the Tyrant.


    Nheless, once their ranking on the leaderboard was confirmed, there could still be an additional reward. They just have to wait for everyone to finish their first stage event.


    "I leveled up!" Elias said after he received the fixed 500 Experience Points and an Instant Experience Potion reward for the 2nd Stage.


    Mira also increased his level while Asad remained the same.


    "Let''s rest for another 10 minutes¡­ We''ll clear this Boss Raid slowly but surely." Asad said as he took out his low-grade Spirit Stones to recover his Spirit Points.


    ***


    This time, however, Shane and his team seemed to be in a predicament.


    Sitting atop the gruesome pile of Armored Juggernaut Zombie was a shadowy figure, exuding an unsettling aura.


    The man chuckled as his voice echoed through the rocky arena.


    "Kukuku¡­ I''ve been waiting for you."


    Shane and his team exchanged confused nces as they looked at the message from the system.


    [ Attention, Survivors!


    You have 15 seconds to prepare for the Fifth Stage of the Boss Raid Event!


    Third Stage Enemy: 10 Armored Juggernaut Zombie.


    Description: The Armored Juggernaut Zombie is a towering monstrosity, d in heavy body armor that makes it impervious to most conventional attacks. Its body is an amalgamation of flesh and metal, showcasing the horrors of its transformation. It stands over 8 feet tall and its body is covered in thick, reinforced armor ting.


    Sentience: Mid-Level


    Objectives:


    Time Limit: You have 15 minutes to defeat the Armored Tyrant Zombie.


    Consequence: Failure to eliminate the Zombie within the time limit will result in no rewards and a penalty for all participants. ]


    "The heck?! We''re not fighting 10 Armored Juggernaut though¡­ Can''t the system tell that?" Diana was shocked as she stepped back. She suddenly felt the overwhelming aura of the mysterious person in front of them. This was definitely not a normal situation.


    "I don''t feel good about this." Sandra said as she looked at Shane nervously.


    Of course, Shane was also confused.


    The enemies for the fifth Stage were supposed to be the Armored Juggernaut Zombies, but it seemed someone had already defeated them and taken their ce.


    Something was definitely wrong.


    The man, noticing their shock and confusion, spoke again. "Alright¡­ I don''t have much time¡­ I need your life!"


    With a sudden, swift motion, he dove at Shane, his speed and ferocity caught them off guard.


    Shane found himself unable to move, paralyzed by an overwhelming sense of dread for a brief moment. He should have Fear Resistance at this moment though!


    Cloud, his A.I. Assistant, quickly analyzed the situation and confirmed his worst fears.


    [ Shane, the enemy is most likely a Vampire. Be cautious! ]


    ''The Ender?!''


    Despite the paralyzing fear, Shane''s Adrenaline Surged kicked in, allowing him to resist the Vampire''s fear effect.


    Rooaaarrr!


    With a Titan''s Roar to stop the Vampire''s advance, he swiftly summoned his Tactical Sentinel Combat Exosuit I. The Exosuit materialized around him, its Ion Drive Engine roaring to life!


    The Vampire''s eyes widened in surprise as Shane, now d in the Exosuit, regained his mobility.


    "Ohhhhh¡­ You have that thing, even if you''re this early! It''s a good thing I visited this ce first. You''ll be a huge problem if you continue growing." The man said.


    However, Shane couldn''t care less what it was saying.


    The exosuit''s HUD disyed vital information, and Shane felt the surge of power coursing through him.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Stay back!" Shanemanded Diana and Sandra, his voice amplified by the exosuit''s systems. He charged forward, the exosuit''s servomotors propelling him with incredible speed.


    Whoosh~


    This time, Vampire tried to use its magic but after Shane entered the suit, it could no longer affect Shane with his spells.


    ''Tsk¡­ I''m still too weak¡­ Forcefully entering this ce took too much toll on my body than I thought.'' The man grumbled as he looked at Shane on his Exosuit, charging at him. In normal cases, he would disdain this type of machine and could easily strike it down with his spells.


    However, the situation was quite different now. He had to use his Blood Energy if he wanted to take down this Level 30 Survivor¡­ To be honest, he was also shocked to see this person''s level. If he decided to enter another Apocalypse, perhaps it would have been toote to consume this man!


    The Vampire then bared his fangs as he prepared to counterattack.


    However, Shane didn''t want a head-on confrontation¡­


    With a powerful leap, he closed the distance and went to the Vampire''s side, and rammed the exosuit''s reinforced fist into the Vampire''s face!


    Boom!


    The impact was tremendous, sending the Vampire sprawling across the arena. However, it was too weak! Experience tales at empire


    The Vampire quickly recovered, and his eyes burned with rage.


    Heunched himself at Shane again, but the Exosuit''s advanced sensors and agility allowed Shane to dodge and counter¡­


    However, the Vampire immediately got used to the Exosuits movement¡­


    Despite the fact that the Ion Drive Engine was working to its limit, Shane soon felt the strong counter of the Vampire! His opponent actually had a physique as strong as the machine he equipped!


    Bang! Bang!


    Each strike from the Exosuitnded with devastating force, the Ion Drive Engine amplifying Shane''s strength.


    However, the Vampire seemed to be using a strange spell that made its body extremely strong!


    ''Not good...'' Shane felt worried seeing how the Vampire was able to put a dent in his Exosuit barehanded!


    ''You''re forcing me!'' Shane decided not to hide in his Exosuit anymore and overwhelm his opponent with a fighting style that would test his wealth!

 Chapter 361 Shane versus the Vampires Rise Ender

    Diana and Sandra watched in awe as the battle intensified. Their weapons were ready in case they needed to intervene.


    But Shane was holding his own in the battle. Hisbat skills and the Exosuit''s capabilities proved to be a formidablebination.


    However, after a few moments, they realized that the enemy had started parrying and dodging Shane''s attacks, and damage was slowly umting on the Exosuit''s armor.


    Shane quickly realized that his initial approach against the Vampire wasn''t enough.


    He needed to change his strategy and show just how resourceful and wealthy he was.


    ''You''re forcing me!''


    With a glint in his eye, he decided to use his Tactical Sentinel Combat Exosuit I in a new and unexpected way. Shane used his Armored Dash while inside the Exosuit!


    Bang!


    He was able to hit the Vampire before it could cast another Spell, and this enemy was thrown for over 10 meters!


    Of course, Shane could tell that it barely did any injury to the Vampire. Its body was simply too tough, and Shane couldn''t even see any scratch on it. Nheless, Shane could tell that the Vampire seemed to have hidden injuries and couldn''t perform to its best ability.


    The reason might be the 10 Armored Juggernauts Resistance, or perhaps it was weakened because it tried to enter the Boss Raid Event itself without the permission of the Apocalypse System. There could be various reasons but no matter what, this was definitely an opportunity that Shane didn''t want to miss.


    The Vampire, recovering from Shane''s assault, snarled and prepared to attack again.


    However, Shane expected this as he didn''t stop with hisbo¡­ He activated the exosuit''s enhanced mobility and charged forward, closing the distance between them in an instant. The Vampire''s eyes widened in surprise as Shane wrapped the exosuit''s powerful arms around him, pinning him in a tight embrace. The Vampire was expecting to be pummeled and was getting ready to crash the Exosuit''s arm.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He certainly didn''t expect to be suddenly embraced as he lost the momentum he needed!


    The Vampire struggled, his supernatural strength pushing against the Exosuit''s reinforced frame, but Shane held firm.


    "Let''s see how you handle this," Shane muttered as he disyed an evil grin.


    With a swift motion, Shane activated the eject function on the Exosuit''s control panel. The mechanism activated, and Shane wasunched out of the back of the Exosuit,nding gracefully a few meters away. The Exosuit, still gripping the Vampire tightly, remained locked in ce.


    "Now!" Shane said, informing Cloud to trigger the bomb!


    To be exact, they nned to detonate the Exosuit''s power cores and Ion Drive Engine!


    The Exosuit''s self-destruct sequence initiated, and a series of beeps filled the air. The Vampire''s eyes widened in realization, but it was toote.


    Boom!


    The Exosuit detonated in a massive explosion, the force of the st shaking the arena and sending debris flying in all directions. Even the corpses of the Ten Juggernaut Zombies were thrown all over the ce!


    Shane shielded his eyes from the explosion, waiting for the dust to settle.


    Diana and Sandra had safety tokens with them, and they were swiftly activated when they noticed the problem. Thankfully, they were far enough from the explosion so their tokens were able to endure the shockwave and they didn''t get any form of injuries at all.


    It was only Shane, who was a bit too near, who had suffered from injuries.


    Cough! Cough!


    As the smoke cleared, Shane saw the Vampire still standing, albeit heavily damaged.


    "Kukuku¡­ That was unexpected for a Level 30¡­" The Vampire said with a cough as he got out of the crater.


    It was true that he had weakened, but it was his Spirit or his ability to cast spells, and not his physique. To be exact, the weakening of his physique wouldn''t exceed 20%, while his Spiritual Force has decreased by more than 90%.


    Experience more on empire


    Nheless, the explosion may not have destroyed his steel-like skin, but he suffered internal injuries from that. If he didn''t consume blood, he would really lose to a low-level Survivor, and he couldn''t help but feel frustrated just thinking about that!


    He had to take this battle seriously¡­


    He had no idea how this person reached this level and became so powerful without even a year in this Apocalypse World. However, he couldn''t help but feel d that this man was still Level 30¡­ No matter what, he shouldn''t have obtained resources that could allow him to break his limit for a second or third time.


    "You''re tougher than I thought," Shane muttered and there was a hint of admiration in his voice.


    Anyway, he wasn''t done yet.


    Reaching into his inventory, he pulled out five Exploding Throwing Knives that he had recently upgraded¡­ There were only five of them but four of them were Master Grade and thest one was an Epic Grade.


    Without waiting for the Vampire to fully recover, Shane hurled the Master-Grade knives at his enemy.


    Of course, Shane used all of his Agility Points on this the speed of the knives exceeded the Vampire''s expectation!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The knives embedded themselves in the Vampires''s body, and it didn''t take a second before they exploded almost at the same time!


    Boom! Boom!


    A series of powerful sts urred, and each one of them tore through the Vampire''s already weakened form.


    Thebined force of the explosions was too much for the creature to withstand.


    Aaahhh!


    The arrogant Vampire, who thought that he could easily make the strongest Survivor of this world to be his Blood Servant, cried out in pain¡­


    The explosion of those knives might not hurt him in normal circumstances, but it was very different right now.


    He would really die at this rate! He swiftly backed away while also opening his belt bag, which could be considered a spatial bag.


    He wanted to take out the Blood Bags he had reserved to quickly recover¡­ He had really miscalcted this Level 30 Survivor!


    However, before he could take them out, a single knife that looked really dangerous was about to hit his head!


    It was definitely a lot stronger than the previous knives that were thrown at him!


    ''This guy! How many exploding knives does he have?! Did he upgrade these things himself? How could he have so many Item Upgrade Crystals to waste on these things?!'' The Vampireined as he knew that his opponent was definitely not normal.


    Thankfully, the Vampire was still agile and he was able to dodge the knife that was emitting a terrifying energy. However, even after dodging it, the bad premonition was still there as he realized that the knife was suddenly at the brink of explosion even after passing his body!


    Before he could get the momentum to dash away, this knife exploded in a manner that was stronger than those other four exploding knivesbined!


    Boom!


    The explosion sted behind him as he was thrown forward!


    Needless to say, the one waiting in front of him was Shane!


    He was already equipped with his two Legendary Grade items, his Light mede and Golden Hatchet!


    After pouring Spirit Points into his weapons, they suddenly glowed with a fierce light, ready tear apart this arrogant Vampire.


    With a swift motion, Shane used Vertical sh with his Light mede that sliced through the air with a fiery arc.


    The de connected, leaving a searing wound on the Vampire''s chest!


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing that he could finally tear through the Vampire''s body!


    The Vampire hissed in pain, but Shane didn''t relent. He followed up with a powerful Horizontal Strike from his Golden Hatchet, and the weapon''s golden edge was able to cut deep into the Vampire''s flesh.


    However, despite the injuries, the Vampire managed to escape Shane''s assault after the momentum of the st disappeared¡­


    "You''re forcing me!" the Vampire grumbled with his eyes burning with fury. Ever since the start of the fight, he had been caught by Shane''s continuous assault and failed to properly use his strength and spells¡­


    This time, he would no longer allow that, even if he had to pay a price!


    Suddenly, he released several invisible shackles on his body, and a dark, oppressive aura enveloped him. The might of a Level 80 Vampire was unleashed, his power surging to new heights.


    Shane could feel the immense pressure bearing down on him. It was even suffocating!


    Diana and Sandra, who was also quite far from the battle, dropped to the ground from the pressure!


    The Vampire''s pressure alone made it difficult for them to breathe!


    The Vampire then made its move!


    Shane didn''t have the time and could only use his Adrenaline Surge and Phantasm Rush to keep himself alive!


    Bang!


    Shane was hit in his stomach by the Vampire punch!


    Thankfully, his SWAT Uniforms passive effect took most of the damage...


    However, Shane knew that this wouldn''t be the end. He didn''t have the time to think as he just used all of his skills to survive!

 Chapter 362 The Vampires Concern

    Shane had many items and skills he could use, so if the Vampire wanted to kill him, it wouldn''t be easy!


    Aside from his Tier 4 Swat Uniform that could absorb a huge amount of damage, he also has a Safety Token, Fast Regeneration, Heightened Awareness, Aura Mastery, Enhanced Senses, and Triple-Enhanced Vision!


    He could use these skills to sense the iing attacks and protect his body with his Aura!


    After all, the Vampire''s attacks came with blinding speed, and each of his strikes pushed him to his limits.


    ''You''re tough, huh¡­''


    Then, the Vampire summoned a fog of darkness that made it more difficult for Shane.


    As the creature entered the darkness of the fog, its pale skin glimmered, and its crimson eyes shone for a moment...


    Shane even noticed a smirk curled upon its lips, revealing elongated fangs that glinted menacingly.


    ''Not good¡­''


    Shane''s heart raced, but he had to focus. Drawing upon his mastery of Aura, he started channeling energy around his body, forming a protective barrier like a thin film of light.


    "Your resistance is futile, human Survivor." the Vampire taunted, its voice smooth yet dripping with malice.


    Shane smirked back, steadying his breathing. "You picked the wrong fight tonight."


    With that, the Vampire lunged forward with blinding speed¡­ Shane''s Enhanced Senses and Triple-Enhanced Vision kicked in, sharpening his perception¡­


    Furthermore, Cloud also started assisting him! Even though its dark, his incredibly high perception could tell what was going on inside the dark fog!


    He could see the muscles of the creature coiling, the intent behind its attack clear as day. Just as the Vampire''s wed hand reached for him, Shane sidestepped, the wind from its passing brushing against his skin.


    In an instant, he used his Telekinesis Talent and controlled his Legendary Hatchet!


    The weapon soared through the air, cutting a deadly arc toward the Vampire. Enjoy more content from empire


    The creature twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the de as it embedded itself into the wall behind it.


    "Clever," the Vampire hissed, flicking its gaze toward the embedded hatchet. "But you''ll need more than tricks to defeat me!"


    Shane felt the adrenaline coursing through him as the Adrenaline Surge continued to pumped him with energy.


    His Aura red, enhancing his physical prowess. He charged forward, fists at the ready, and aimed a powerful punch at the Vampire''s midsection. The creature sidestepped again, but Shane anticipated the move. With a swift pivot, he unleashed a roundhouse kick that connected with the Vampire''s side, hoping to send it crashing against the brick wall.


    However, the Vampire''s strength was just too much and he only took back a couple of steps! Nheless, Shane was somehow able to fight back even after the Vampire released a powerful aura!


    ''I can do this¡­'' Shane thought as he gained a bit more confidence.


    However, the Vampire recovered swiftly, its eyes narrowing with rage. Although he wasn''t hurt, that fact that the Level 30 Survivor could easily keep up with him even though he was weakened had really infuriated him.


    It pounced once again, but Shane had already been warned by Cloud!


    He concentrated the Aura around him and solidified it into a shieldedyer that absorbed the impact of the Vampire''s ws. He could feel the force rattle his bones, but he pushed through, using the momentum to grab the creature''s wrist.


    In an explosive twist, Shane used his Telekinesis to wrench the hatchet from the wall, guiding it back into his hand mid-fight. With a quick flick of his wrist, the hatchet flew toward the Vampire, but this time, it was not merely a weapon; it was an extension of his will.


    The Vampire attempted to dodge, but the hatchet curved mid-air, slicing through the air and aiming to cut him in half. It grazed the Vampire''s arm, drawing a hiss of pain and a trickle of dark blood. The creature recoiled, fury radiating from its being.


    "Your tricks won''t save you!" The Vampire said, baring its fangs in a furious growl.


    Shane, on the other hand, seized the opportunity. The Aura surrounding him pulsed with energy, enhancing his strength and speed. He charged forward, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye.


    With a series of rapid punches, he struck the Vampire, each blow imbued with the power of his Aura and, of course, his Brawler''s Fury was used!


    Unfortunately, Shane missed the 6th punch, and the Brawler''s Fury was canceled because of it.


    The creature retreated, but the Vampire soon realized that Shane was just fast in his hands, but his movements seemed awkward.


    Realizing it was outmatched in hand-to-handbat, the Vampire decided to overwhelm him with his fast movement!N?v(el)B\\jnn


    This time, the Vampire was truly like a blur, and every time Shane tried to punch or use his hatchet with his telekinesis talent, he would only hit the air! As long as the Vampire''s movement was unpredictable, Shane could easily fail!


    ''This is just too much!'' Shane couldn''t help butin as he realized that the Vampire''s Agility was several times higher than him! It appears that the Vampire has also exceeded his body''s limit for several times.


    ''I''m going to die at this rate¡­'' Shane thought as he tried thinking what kind of trick he pulled off to survive this¡­


    ''Should I use all my Recruitment Stones and hope that one of them could fight the Vampire? No¡­ Think¡­ There should be something else.'' Shane gritted his teeth as he endured the assault of the furious Vampire.


    Thanks to his Strength and Vitality with both 500 points, Shane was able to endure a round of beating and only sustain a few injuries¡­ However, he couldn''t just get beaten up as he would really die at this rate.


    He wanted to use his various skills like Phantasm Rush and Armored Dash, but the Vampire could cancel these skills before they get fully activated!


    He was simply too fast!


    Just as Shane was about to endure another round of beating, a sudden distortion in the space around them caught the Vampire''s attention.

 Chapter 363 Advice

    It wasn''t something that Shane would notice, but the Vampire was different.


    His face paled as he realized what was happening.


    "The administrator¡­" he muttered with his voice filled with dread.


    Shane barely heard these words and was definitely confused.


    However, seeing that the Vampire''s assault had paused, Shane used this opportunity to break away while he held an Exploding Machete in his hands¡­


    As Shane was about to attack, he noticed that something was off.


    ''Hmm?''


    The Vampire seemed to be panicking!


    Indeed, the Vampire no longer cared about the strongest Survivor of this Apocalypse at all! His mission has failed as he took too much time!


    Knowing he couldn''t maintain his enhanced state for long, the Vampire made a desperate decision. He transformed into a bat, his form shrinking and bing more agile.


    With a swift motion, he created a small wormhole in the air and darted through it, disappearing just as the Administrator''s presence became intense.


    Shane watched as the Vampire vanished. However, his body remained tense and ready for any further surprises. He felt that there was another probleming at him¡­


    Soon, a mysterious figure came out of the spatial ripple that had urred.


    "Mhhmm¡­ He''s quick¡­" The figure murmured.


    The figure was a female elf with a graceful figure, d in a flowing white dress that seemed to possess some mysterious energy of its own.


    Her long, silver hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes made Shane recall the previous Administrator that he had met when he was about to leave the Auction Event.


    This female elf then looked at the wormhole where the Vampire had escaped and then at the ten Armored Juggernaut Zombies lying lifeless on the ground before shaking her head in displeasure.


    Turning her attention to Shane and his team, she spoke with a calm, authoritative voice. "It seems that there''s been a mistake. We will ensure that this won''t happen again. As an apology, you no longer need to defeat any Armored Juggernaut Zombies, and you will also receive the highest reward possible for this stage. I can also see that the Vampire left his storage belt¡­ You can take it as well."


    As she said this, the team looked at the brown belt, which seemed to have spatial storage ability. Shane had actually aimed for this during their battle and it was a good thing that the Vampire didn''t notice until he left. Nheless, that shouldn''t be included in his reward since he nned to obtain it all along.


    Anyway, Shane, still processing the sudden turn of events, asked, "Before that¡­ Who are you? And that Vampire? What is that creature? Why was it trying to kill me?"


    The elf smiled gently. "I forgot to introduce myself. I am Administrator Eva. That Vampire is an anomaly. We will ensure that he is eliminated soon. He probably thought of consuming your blood, but thankfully, you are stronger than he anticipated.


    Mhmm¡­ If you''re not satisfied with the rewards, then I''ll give you these as additionalpensation."


    With a wave of her hands, Administrator Eva took out a pouch containing 10 Recruitment Stones and handed it to Shane.


    The stones glowed with a faint, mystical light, and Shane could already tell what they were without appraising them.


    Shane epted the pouch. His mind was still filled with questions, but he was also relieved since the Vampire would be dealt with by the Administrator.


    ''They''re definitely Elf Recruitment Stones! This is perfect!'' Shane celebrated in his mind. The Elves that he had recruited before were incredibly useful as they could show incredible fighting prowess, especially in the jungle. Shane couldn''t wait to summon them!


    "Thank you, Administrator Eva." Shane could only reply as it seems that the Administrator doesn''t have ns to exin more.


    He could only hope that his future Memory Spheres would allow him to discover more about the identity of the Vampire'' Rise Ender.


    Eva nodded, her expression serene. "Good luck, Shane. The challenges ahead will test you even further. But I have faith in your abilities. Good luck."


    With that, the elf turned and disappeared back into the spatial ripple, leaving Shane, Diana, and Sandra to process what had just happened. They exchanged nces. Everything had just happened too quickly.


    However, as soon as the Administrator left, Shane and the others received numerous messages from the system. Shane then swiftly stored the Vampire''s belt in his inventory before looking at the notifications.


    Just like what she promised, they indeed received the highest reward possible for this 5th stage of the Boss Raid!


    [ Congrattions, Team 1!


    You have sessfully cleared the 5th Stage of the Boss Raid Event, conquering the formidable squad of Armored Juggernaut Zombies without a single casualty! Your teamwork, skill, and willpower have led you to this remarkable achievement.


    As a token of your victory, each member of Team 1¡ªShane, Diana, and Sandra¡ªwill receive:


    [ Gold Treasure Chests x2 ]


    [ Diamond Treasure Chest 1 ]


    [ Spirit Breakthrough Bottle x10 ]


    [ Exclusive rewards for being the First Clearers:


    Random Master-Grade Talent Scroll x1


    Talent Expansion Scroll x1 ]


    [ You have also obtained 2,000 Experience Points and 100 Reputation Points ]


    [ You will also receive the Juggernaut Set ! ]


    [ This exclusive set can be equipped individually but cannot be transferred to other Survivors.


    [ Once it is confirmed that your team was the fastest to clear the Fifth stage, you will receive an additional reward. ]


    [ Good luck, Survivors! Embrace your achievements with pride, and get ready for the next journey! ]


    As soon as they received this message, the three were soon transported to an empty room where they had to wait for all the other Survivors to finish their Boss Raid¡­


    The empty room was bright andfortable, and Shane felt that it was an area near the Administrator''s office. Nheless, he decided not to think too much of it.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "We really did it¡­" Diana muttered.


    "Yes! Just look at these rewards¡­" Sandra was also celebrating in her mind as she couldn''t wait to open the Diamond Treasure Chest!


    Perhaps all her life''s luck has been used after being able to join Shane''s group!

 Chapter 364 Various Rewards

    With the Experience rewards they received once again, Sandra and Diana actually leveled up once more. Bringing them both to Level 19.


    For support-type Survivors like them, it was already amazing to reach this level. After all, there are still plenty of Survivors at level 15 or even lower because their talents were simply not suited forbat.


    Thankfully, Shane also leveled after the umtion! Shane was happy about this level up but what he was waiting for, however, was the confirmation that their team got the fastest clear in all stages of the event.


    After all, aside from getting a special reward from each stage, another hidden reward would be given once his team was the fastest in all stages!


    He was just worried this time hidden reward would not be given since they didn''t really have the ''Clear Time'' on the fifth stage.


    ''But if the Vampire would be considered as the fifth stage boss, then that took us less than five minutes¡­ It''s still not a bad record.'' Shane mused as he shook his head to erase his random thoughts.


    There was no point guessing about this right now since the others would probably finish with their Raids in a few more hours.


    Shane then looked at his level-up reward.


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first Survivor to reach Level 31! ]


    [ You have earned 50 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Your Survivor Store and Reputation Store have been refreshed. ]


    [ You have imed all the items that are avable in the Survivor Store and Reputation Store. ]


    ''Ohhh!''


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing this reward.


    He actually obtained all the items being sold from those stores! Furthermore, they even refreshed it first, so the food he purchased this morning would be reced¡­


    Shane was excited to see the items he had obtained, so he immediately checked the stores and saw that everything had been grayed out, confirming that they''d all been transferred to his inventory.


    The Survivor Store was divided into three stores. Shane quickly checked the Weapon Store.


    [ Machete of the Fallen (Rare): A beautifully forged machete with a serrated edge, perfect for both shing and stabbing. This weapon is effective in close-quartersbat, with a special enchantment that enhances the wielder''s agility.


    Price: 70 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 0/2 ]


    [ methrower Fuel Canister ( Exceptional ): A refill canister for methrowers, containing a highlybustible mixture. When used, it unleashes a torrent of fire, incinerating zombies or anything in its path. Essential for crowd control in dire situations.


    Price: 30 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 0/20 ]


    [ Explosive Barbed Wire ( Rare ): A spool of barbed wire infused with explosives, perfect for setting traps. Once triggered, it creates an explosive barrier that can take down multiple zombies at once.


    Price: 90 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 0/10 ]


    Just from these three items in the Weapon Store, Shane already saved 1,640 Zombie Cores!


    The methrower wasn''t in his possession, so he had to transfer the Fuel Canister to Raze or La in the Springriver Manor.


    Shane then continued looking at the weapons.


    [ Electric Shock Grenade ( Exceptional ): A tactical grenade that emits a powerful electric shock upon detonation, stunning zombies and temporarily incapacitating them. Ideal for crowd control and creating escape opportunities.


    Price: 150 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 0/5 ]


    [ Sharpened Spiked Bat ( Umon ): A baseball bat reinforced with metal spikes, designed for maximum impact and gore. This weapon is perfect for meleebat, allowing for powerful swings and effective crowd control.


    Price: 30 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 0/3 ]


    "Electric Shock Grenade, huh¡­ Upgrading it to Master Grade should be good enough to make it usable against high-tier Zombies." Shane mused. Although the effect of the electric shock wouldn''t be so significant against the high-tier Zombies, even if it stunned them in three or five seconds only, that would be more than enough for him already.


    Lastly, Shane looked at the item that was supposedly avable for seven days in the store.


    [ Acidic Grenade ( Exceptional ): A grenade filled with a strong corrosive substance that eats away at zombie flesh upon detonation. This weapon creates a hazardous area, damaging any infected caught within its st radius.


    Price: 250 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 0/1 ]


    Shane found this item interesting since it was only an Exceptional Grade item, but it was actually too expensive. However, after realizing that it only affects the Zombies or those infected, he realized that this was indeed a powerful item. After all, he wouldn''t have to worry about his allies being affected even if he threw this in their midst.


    Shane then turned his attention to the Nourishment Store.


    They weren''t all that impressive and were actually quite simple. There were Canned Beans for 2 Zombie Cores each, Enhanced Energy Drink for 5 Zombie Cores, Stamina-Boosting Pills for 20 Zombie Cores, Mystic Herbal Tea that provides a healing effect for a period of time for only 30 Zombie Cores, and others


    Then, Shane checked the Random Item Store.


    Aside from the familiar Zombie Lure, Signal re, and Adrenaline Injector, Shane found three new items being sold.


    [ Signal Mirror ( Common ): A reflective mirror used for signaling other survivors over long distances. This simple yet effective tool can be a lifesaver when trying to attract attention ormunicate silently.


    Price: 10 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 0/15 ]


    [ Firestarter Kit ( Common ): A portable kit containing flint, tinder, and matches, essential for starting fires in survival situations. This kit is crucial for warmth, cooking, and signaling for help.


    Price: 15 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 0/12]N?v(el)B\\jnn


    [ Zombie Repellent Spray ( Rare ): A potent spray that emits a scent repugnant to zombies, allowing survivors to navigate through hordes without being detected. This spray has a limited duration but can be a lifesaver in sticky situations.


    Price: 75 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 0/5 ]


    After seeing these items, Shane didn''t feel too disappointed since they were basically free in the first ce, so he turned his attention to the belt bag left by the Vampire.


    He took it out of his Inventory and carefully picked it up, feeling the weight and sensing the magical aura emanating from it.


    ''Interesting¡­ Why is he carrying a belt bag in the first ce? Does he not have a System Inventory? But if he''s the Vampire''s Rise Ender, he should have a system, right? Or maybe the Ender isn''t from a foreign world?'' Shane couldn''t help but make a few guesses about the identity of the Vampire.


    He could already tell that this Ender couldn''t show all his might during their battle. The reason was most likely because this ce was different from the Vampire''s world or because this was a special area that was controlled by the Administrators¡­


    In any case, Cloud, his A.I. Assistant, quickly confirmed that the bag was indeed a Spatial Storage item, capable of holding numerous items within its enchanted space.


    With a deep breath, Shane opened the bag and began to check the items inside one by one. To be exact, his mind seemed to be able to sense everything that was inside.


    The first thing he noticed was a pile of Zombie Cores, and through his mental connection, he was able to confirm their exact number. The Vampire actually stored a total of 3,205 Zombie Cores!


    This was certainly a huge amount!


    Next, he found 230 item upgrade crystals and he couldn''t help but feel impressed by this amount. After all, this would allow him to upgrade a lot of items!


    As he continued to explore the contents, he discovered several Bloodstones. They were dark green gems with bright red sshes that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. Shane had no idea about these things, but he could tell that they were definitely useful. There was a total of 970 of them!


    But the loot didn''t end there.


    Shane continued to find so many interesting items inside!


    Vampire''s Fang Dagger x10


    Vampire''s Cape x2


    Corrupted Elixir of Eternal Youth x5


    Spellcaster''s Amulet x5


    Vampire Recruitment Stone x12


    Shane marveled at the incredible array of items he had found. Each one was valuable in its own right¡­ Of course, Shane found the Recruitment Stone for Vampires the most important among these selections.


    For now, however, he transferred most of the items in his System Inventory in order to get their descriptions.


    As he did so, he confirmed the effects of the items, especially the Corrupted Elixir of the Eternal Youth. Perhaps, if the word ''Corrupted'' wasn''t included in its name, he would really get excited about this elixir. However, he could tell that this wouldn''t be a good thing to consume¡­


    [ Corrupted Elixir of Eternal Youth: A potion that granted the drinker enhanced vitality and slowed aging, a highly sought-after item. However, it has a very strong negative effect that could change the race of the consumer. ]


    ''As expected¡­ Eternal Youth, huh¡­ Maybe I''ll be a Baby Zombie because of this.'' Shane shook his head as he looked at the description.


    Anyway, he checked all the items and considered where he could use them in the future¡­


    Time quickly passed, and soon, Shane finally heard one of the system''s confirmations that everyone hadpleted the second stage of the Boss Raid event and that Team 1 was indeed the fastest!


    Because of that, they obtained additional rewards!

 Chapter 365 Razes Team

    [ Congrattions, Team 1!


    Your team has been confirmed to be the fastest Raiders of the 2nd Stage. Each member of the team will receive the following rewards:


    Rare Skill Scroll x1


    Perception Stone x5


    Epic Recruitment Stone x1 ]


    [ Your rewards have been transferred to your Inventory. ]


    "Rare Skill Scroll!" Diana was excited as soon as she saw her reward. Of course, Shane was also happy about it since having plenty of skills would also help him to have better options once he obtained more Skill Fusion Scrolls.


    "Awesome¡­ I can finally have a powerful recruit!" Sandra muttered. Without a doubt, she wouldn''t be selling this Epic Recruitment Stone¡­ After all, lower-tier Recruitment Stones would only provide ordinary people with a few abilities rted to production, like crafting, arts, or various nonbat-rted professions.


    It means that they were people she had to feed and spend money on to be useful. On the other hand, she heard that Epic Recruitment Stone had a high chance of summoning people withbat-rted skills. Since she doesn''t have strongbat skills, Epic Recruitment Stones might be the best for her.


    As for the Perception Stone, the three of them had never seen them before so they quickly checked their Inventory to confirm their purpose.


    Soon, they learned that these stones could actually increase their Perception stat!


    Each stone can provide a single point for their Perception!


    Diana obtained the Perception stat after being able to smith a rare grade item. On the other hand, Sandra obtained this same stat as a reward after finding five Wooden Treasure Chests.


    In the end, the two of them have 5 Perception stats each and had no way of increasing them until now. Sandra doesn''t really need Perception Stone, but Diana needs them for her profession.


    "Shane, Sandra¡­ Do you need those Perception Stones? Can I buy them instead?" Diana asked after some contemtion.


    Shane''s Perception was already quite high, and an additional 5 points wasn''t a big deal anymore. Because of that, he didn''t really mind selling these five.


    However, he was curious about what Diana would use to trade with them. After all, it couldn''t be another item they just obtained as a reward.


    "I don''t mind selling my Perception Stones¡­" Sandra said, and Shane also nodded at this in agreement.


    "Great¡­ I''m currently working for a famous cksmith, and you might even know about this person. His name is Herman¡­ After working for him for some time, I obtained these four items." Diana said as she took out four gems.


    Of course, Sandra and Shane didn''t believe that these gems were just meant to be an essory.


    "They''re beautiful¡­" Sandramented as she looked at the four deep blue gemstones that were emitting a faint light at its center.


    "They are¡­" Diana said as she also liked these gemstones. Then, she smiled at the two and exined what they were.


    "They''re mid-grade Spirit Stones and could restore 1,000 Spirit Points each. Of course, aside from using them to recover Spirit Points, they could also work as an alternative for Power Cores. Herman said that they are also used for other purposes. Actually, I''ve never used them before since I''m not really spending too much Spirit Points."


    Shane gently nodded after seeing these stones. He didn''t really mind even if Diana would just give them her personally created items. He didn''t expect that she would actually produce these stones. Find exclusive stories on empire


    "I''ll ept it¡­ Here''s my Perception Stones." Shane said as he handed over the five stones and took two of the mid-grade Spirit Stones.


    Sandra also found these mid-grade Spirit Stones useful since they would help her sustain longer flight with her Talent. After all, the only problem with her flight ability was the fact that shecked Spirit Points.


    With this tradepleted, the three also decided to open their Rare Skill Scroll. Since there was no specific name on it, it seemed that they would obtain different skills. It could be random or possibly tailored for them.


    [ Do you want to activate the Skill Scroll? ]


    The question popped up after opening the item.


    Without hesitation, Shane replied.


    "Yes."


    [ You have used the Rare Skill Scroll. ]


    [ You have obtained a new Skill: Mental rity ]


    [ Mental rity Lv5: A passive skill that enhances cognitive functions, improving decision-making and reducing the likelihood of panic in dangerous situations. This skill also helps Survivors maintain focus duringbat. ]


    Shane then shared the new ability he obtained so he could make sure that they all had different skills.


    As expected, the skills were indeed not simr to his, but nheless, they were all passive abilities.


    Diana obtained Agile Hands, which boosts hand dexterity, while Sandra obtained Enhanced Vision, which could help her be a better scout as someone with flight ability.


    With these new skills, the three certainly felt excited as they couldn''t wait to get the other rewards¡­ Well, they knew for sure that if the others couldn''t beat their first and second-stage record, they should also be incapable of beating those three Armored Hunter Zombies in the third stage as quickly as them.


    ***


    In the meantime, while Shane and the others were waiting, the other teams continued on their Boss Raid. They were allpletely unaware that there was already a team that had finished thest or fifth stage of the event.


    Team 15,posed of Raze, the Epic-Grade Dragon Knight, with her young Fire Dragon Roan, and two other Survivors, had just finished a grueling battle in the third stage of the Boss Raid.


    The arena was littered with the remains of three Armored Hunter Zombies, their stealth capabilities having made the fight incredibly challenging.


    Raze wryly smiled as she looked at her scorched and dented armor from the intensebat. Beside her, Roan, the young Fire Dragon, let out a satisfied growl, his scales were still filled with residual heat from his fiery breath.


    The two other members of the team, though not as powerful, had yed crucial roles in their victory.


    The first was L, a Survivor with a Rare-Grade Scout Talent. Her keen senses and agility had been invaluable in tracking the very elusive Armored Hunters. She may be quite useless inbat, but her detection abilities weren''t that bad. The only problem was the fact that Roan was better in terms of scouting abilities.


    Anyway, the second was Jonas, an Exceptional-Grade diator who had a missing left arm ever since they entered this Boss Raid Event. It means that he had lost it in the ''real world'' and not in the Boss Raid event.


    Despite his missing limb, Jonas was still a formidable fighter, and his remaining arm could wield a massive sword with decent skill. His rugged appearance and battle-hardened demeanor spoke of countless fights and hard-won victories.


    After the battle, the team received their rewards for clearing the third stage and was given the options for their next action.


    They only had less than a minute to discuss, so the team gathered to consider whether to continue or not.


    The battle had taken its toll, and both L and Jonas felt that they had be incredibly useless in this third stage. They were already thinking of stopping this raid. They couldn''t properly say it to Raze, but to continue to the fourth stage weighed heavily on their minds.


    "We barely made it through that one," L said, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "If not for Roan, we might not have survived."


    Raze nodded with a thoughtful expression. "Roan''s senses and damage were crucial, but we everyone had also shown their worth¡­ The next stage will be even tougher. Should we continue after 10 minutes of rest?"


    Jonas, wiping sweat from his brow, looked at his teammates. "We need to decide if we''re ready to push forward. The fourth stage won''t be any easier, and we need to be at our best¡­"


    Raze squinted her eyes and nced at Roan, who let out a low growl...


    "Roan and I can still continue¡­ We haven''t shown everything yet. Can you consider it? We need to make sure we''re all on the same page. L, Jonas, what do you think?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    L took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Raze''s. "Are you confident event without the two us helping you deal damage to those Zombies?"


    "Mhmm¡­ Even if we face 10 of those Armored Hunter Zombies, I''m still confident since I still have a couple of trump cards left." Raze said after some thought. Well, she hadn''t used her Drakona Si Ring and Wymheart Locket Ne yet.


    Aside from that, she still had a Legendary Weapon with her that she had barely used.


    Seeing Raze''s confidence, the two could only sigh and agreed to Raze.


    "I''m in. We''vee this far, and I don''t want to back down now. But we need to be smart about it. We can''t afford any mistakes."


    Jonas nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. "Agreed. Let''s give it everything we''ve got."


    Raze smiled after hearing their reply and selected the option to rest for another 10 minutes.


    As soon as the time limit was over, Raze heaved a sigh of relief after seeing that the opponent was a lone Armored Giant Zombie! This Zombie might be tough, but she was confident that Roan could kite this Zombie to death!

 Chapter 366 Under Siege

    In the meantime, as all the ''Foreign'' Survivors had been sent to the Boss Raid Event''s space, all the summoned recruits, scavengers, or locals of the continent remained in their territories.


    Everyone was vignt and halted outside activities since the defense of their shelters had significantly dropped after their disappearance.


    This was true, especially within Shane''s territory.


    At the center of the Eclipse Revenant n''s territory, Springriver Manor had slowly be a fortress surrounded by sturdy walls, watchtowers, barrier generators, and several patrolling knights.


    Inside the manor house, the previous dull surroundings had be really elegant after one of their recruits revealed that they were actually a painter. This painter improved the overall ambiance of the surroundings and made it more elegant as he was also partly a designer.


    Of course, Mr. Wadsworth had also painstakingly maintained this ce, which was why the manor had be presentable enough to amodate even those with noble status.


    ''I hope nothing goes wrong while the Foreign Survivors aren''t here.'' Mr. Wadsworth thought to himself as Shinja, their strongest recruit, wasn''t here just yet. Although Monk Chaloem was also incredibly strong, the presence of the warlord was still a lot more reassuring than the calm and peaceful Monk.


    In any case, he started with his patrol in the surroundings, not just to appreciate the ce but also to ensure that everything was going ording to their ns.


    As the loyal butler, he took pride in overseeing every detail of the manor, ensuring that it remained a sanctuary for those who had pledged their allegiance to Shane together with his friends.


    Inside the estate, despite the disappearance of the Foreign Survivors, the atmosphere still buzzed with activity.


    The remaining Super Soldiers were no longer working asborers, but they started honing theirbat skills in the training yard¡­


    Nearby, the Elves who''d normally patrol outside started practicing their archery since they couldn''t go outside as per Raze''s instruction.


    Mr. Wadsworth nodded after hearing the sound of bowstrings being released¡­


    The cksmiths, on the other hand, busily hammered away at anvils, crafting weapons and armor to prepare their shelter for whatever dangers lurked beyond their borders. In the gardens, farmers tended to their crops, nurturing thend that had be their lifeline in this new world.


    The butler also noticed Keh, the professor, who was drinking with Bart while Sparky disturbed them from time to time.


    Normally, these two would be together with Tundra during their drinking session. However, Tundra was now at the Boss Raid Event.


    Mr. Wadsworth couldn''t help but smile after recalling this.


    Tundra was actually a powerful Survivor who wanted to take over this shelter with his dozen of subordinates.


    However, because of his arrogance, Mr. Wadsworth managed to let this person stay for a long time in the Shelter and convert his loyalty.


    Indeed, the loyalty boost effect that Shane''s title had didn''t just foster a strong sense ofmunity among the survivors, but it could literally affect the minds of the people staying here to be loyal to their leader without their knowledge.


    Thanks to that cheat-like ability, those who had once been outsiders or those who had dared to sabotage the n, now found themselves integrated into the very fabric of life at the manor¡­


    Mr. Wadsworth moved through the estate and felt that something was actually missing¡­


    "Children¡­ Itcks the presence of joyful children ying within the confines of the manor. I should ask Sir Shane to make some sessors too¡­" Mr. Wadsworth thought that once there were children within the estate, it would be more lively.


    He believed that Raze, La, or Anna would actually be a good option for the lord of the manor. However, he could only dream of this for now as he realized that these three candidates truly had poor fashion sense. He believed that they would have a hard time attracting the lord of the manor.


    At this time, the butler couldn''t help but think whether the tailors of the manor should start making better underclothing.


    Mr. Wadsworth wanted to imagine more about their bright future, but he suddenly felt something off.


    Soon, the peace within the manor was abruptly interrupted by the sharp ng of the rm bell from the watchtower.


    ng! ng! ng!N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The sound echoed through the estate¡­ Without a doubt, it was a signal indicating the arrival of enemies, the Zombies.


    Although they had a terrifying defense, he couldn''t help but feel worried every time they were being attacked. His heart raced as he rushed to the third floor of the manor to see the situation in the window¡­ Soon, his keen eyes scanned the horizon.


    Read new chapters at empire


    What he saw sent a chill through him.


    A dark mass was gathering at the edges of their territory, moving with an obvious sinister mission. It was definitely to bring them down¡­


    ''Weird¡­ There shouldn''t be a Zombie Wave today. ording to Shane and the others, the Zombie Wave should happen 15 days after the Boss Raid Event and not during the Boss Raid!


    Something was definitely off with this sudden situation¡­


    He then confirmed that these enemies weren''t just scavengers or other recruits but were definitely Zombies!


    ''Tsk¡­ I hope that high-tier Zombies were not present in this horde.''


    The unmistakable shapes of zombies emerged from the edge of their territory, shambling forward, driven by an insatiable hunger.


    However, as he observed their march, Mr. Wadsworth and the other soldiers, knights, and elves guarding the first wall noticed that this was no ordinary horde; the zombies appeared more organized, and their movements were synchronized as if guided by a leader.


    It waspletely different from the previous Zombie Waves they''ve faced.


    Soon, Lucas and Gene, who had binocrs, noticed that there seemed to be a leader in this horde! The elves also adjusted their sight and realized this.


    Apparently, at the forefront of the undead mass stood a figure cloaked in darkness¡­


    They had a sudden realization that this was most likely the mysterious beings that Raze and others had warned them about!


    What they were seeing was perhaps the silhouette of a Necromancer, an owner of a Wild Shelter!

 Chapter 367 The Manor

    Lucas and the others had a vague idea about the Wild Shelters. After all, the only Wild Shelter nearby was decimated by Raze''s group and a couple of Super Soldiers. Because of that, they only heard that these Wild Shelters were actually owned by Necromancers.


    In short, the Shelter size itself will depend on the strength of this Necromancer¡­ Seeing that the Necromancer in front of them could gather this many undead, they could easily tell that there must be a huge Wild Shelter nearby that they hadn''t discovered.


    This should be quite impossible since Sparky would always patrol the surroundings for any signs of Wild Shelters¡­ However, there was no point being confused right now. They have to immediately take their stance.


    Soon, everyone has received the information about the appearance of the Necromancer with its horde.


    Mr. Wadsworth''s breath was caught in his throat as he heard the identity of their enemy this time.


    Suddenly, he thought that this wasn''t just a random attack.


    ''Did he wait for the disappearance of the Foreign Survivors?'' Mr. Wadsworth shivered at this thought.


    ''This battle wouldn''t end in a small skirmish.''


    After all, the timing was simply impable. There was no way that this Necromancer would have such great timing!


    The butler''s mind raced. Today, with all the Foreign Survivors engaged in the Boss Raid Event, only the Super Soldiers, Elves, cksmiths, Farmers, and a few Knights remained to defend the manor. Would they be enough to withstand the oing storm?


    Without a moment''s hesitation, Mr. Wadsworth turned on his heel as he hurried to the location of their strongest barrier, the Aegis Force.


    He knew that Lucas and the others could handle the frontline defense, and they just needed the support of the barriers.


    Mr. Wadsworth had to ensure that they had enough Power Cores, or if the Power Cores were used up, he had to ensure that they would be swiftly reced.


    [ The Aegis Force


    Description: The Aegis Core was a monolith of sleek metal and pulsating energy frequencies. It is proof of the ingenuity of a lost age. Its surface was etched with intricate patterns that seemed to channel the very essence of protection. ]


    Defense Rating: Epic


    Durability: 90 days once fully charged


    Activation Requirement: 20 Power Cores


    Experience tales at empire


    Energy Level: 18/20


    Special Ability: Creates an imprable barrier within a 200-meter radius, shielding all within from danger. ]


    Whom~


    As soon as the Aegis Force was activated, it was sensed by everyone within the inner wall, and they all felt relieved by this invisible defense.


    Lucas then hurried to the Bulwark Beacon, a secondary barrier generator that could envelop a 100-meter radius. Though weaker than the Aegis Force, it would still provide crucial protection for the outer palisade, which was particrly vulnerable.


    After all, the Aegis Force could only cover 200 meters, which was just more than enough to protect the inner wall.


    Meanwhile, Gene prepared to activate the Guardian Nodes¡ªtwo powerful constructs that not only formed a protective barrier but also had the capability to unleash electric attacks on any foe that dared approach.


    Aegies Force, Bulwark Beacon, and the two Guardian Nodes. They were the estate''s barriers aside from the Bio-Barrier Generator, which hadn''t been activated yet. Well, they were hoping that they wouldn''t need such a barrier since if they had to use that, it meant that they weren''t in a good position already.


    "Let''s make sure the outer wall holds!" Lucas said as he quickly returned to the watchtower and held his rifle.


    Then, he nced at their first line of defense.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    On the ramparts of the outer wall, the defenders took their positions:


    Five Elves, led by the Elf Ranger Eldrin, stood ready with their bows drawn as they waited for the signal to rain arrows down on the approaching horde.


    On the other side, Seven Knights,prising the esteemed duo of Knight ric and Knight Seraph, both Royal Knights, stood firmly with their swords drawn, prepared to charge into battle once the barriers and suppression of arrows and bullets could no longer stop the undead creatures.


    Aside from that, there were also three Super Soldiers. One of them was equipped with a Chainsaw, another one was a methrower, and thest one was equipped with two huge spiked metal clubs.


    They took their ces alongside the knights, ready to provide cover and firepower.


    In the rear, Monk Chaloem, the Aura Master and the strongest among them, remained at the Manor''s roof to have a better view of the whole surrounding of the territory to ensure that they wouldn''t get ambushed from the other side of the estate.


    His presence here also soothed the increasing tension felt by the farmers and other regr workers. Well, his mysterious aura that could cover the whole estate radiated a calm atmosphere, making it difficult for anyone to panic¡­


    Clink¡­ Clink¡­


    From the watchtower, Gene and Lucas prepared their rifles, peering through the scopes at the horizon¡­ Their aim wasn''t the horde but the Necromancer that wasmanding all of them!


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    As the first wave of Zombie Warriors began their advance toward the palisade, everyone was already prepared for the sh.


    Suddenly, the ground shook as the Zombies surged forward. They weren''t as grotesque as the ones they would always see along the road. Furthermore, they were disorganized because of the Necromancer. However, the trapsid along the path immediately sprang to life!


    There were six types of traps that wereid out outside the wall.


    They were Spike Pits that could probably kill about five zombies each and immobilize another five Walker Zombies, Bear Traps that could stop those heavier zombies, Tripwire Traps that unleash arrows or des, me Barricades or wooden traps soaked in mmable oil, or Net Traps for those who tried to use the branches of the trees and made for Jumper Zombies. Lastly, there were Pendulum des.


    They were heavy metal des suspended above ground that were set to swing down once triggered.


    Just with these traps, they ensnared or killed hundreds of the undead before they could reach the walls!

 Chapter 368 The Seige

    "Yes! Keep it up!" Gene encouraged, watching as the traps worked effectively, but his relief was short-lived. He noticed that the Necromancer was activating some sort of spell and he didn''t feel good about it.


    Gene immediately informed Lucas about this, and they started firing at the Necromancer. However, they were simply too far¡­ As soon as the Necromancer noticed that he was being targeted, he summoned a couple of armored undead creatures or perhaps Death Knights in front of him and continued with his incantation.


    While this was happening, the remaining Zombie Warriors continued forward and were met with the Barrier of the Bulwark Beacon, which started to glow brightly in defiance of the oing horde.


    Then, as the zombies collided with the Barrier, arcs of electricity erupted from the Guardian Nodes, electrifying the encroaching foes.


    Bzzzttt!


    The Barrier snapped with energy as the electric force surged through the undead, sending them crashing to the ground where they only had charred remains!


    But the onught was far from over. The sheer number of Zombie Warriors was overwhelming, and they continued to pour forth from the back of the Necromancer.


    Eldrin signaled to his fellow Elves, and with a swift motion, they loosed their arrows, the projectiles found their marks among the advancing undead¡­ Furthermore, a single arrow didn''t just kill one or two Zombies, because of their special technique and the arrowheads made of special alloy, they were able to pierce six Zombies with a single release of their bows!


    It wasn''t something that could be done with the low-caliber guns that are being used by the Knights at the moment.


    With 40 arrows each on their quiver, they would be able to kill hundreds of undead creatures just with their squad!


    Nheless, the onught continued as they realized that even Ghouls were mixed with Zombie Warriors.


    "Aim for the heads!" Eldrin reminded them. After all, their arrows or bullets would just be wasted if they hit their bodies. If they really wanted to stop the horde, they had to aim for their heads!


    However, the Necromancer already knew all along that his 800 Zombie Warriors and 200 Ghouls would not be enough against their defenses¡­ At this time, he finallypleted his spell!


    The Necromancer raised his hands, summoning dark energies around him¡­ Soon, in a chilling disy of power, he conjured Bone Monsters that stood over three meters!


    They were undead constructs formed from the very remains of fallen Zombie Warriors to destroy the barriers!


    The Necromancer actually had two options in order to break their Barrier. Aside from summoning the Bone Monsters that could smash the Barrier, he could use the Corpse Explosion Spell to rattle his targets and destroy the Barrier. The number of corpses would also allow him to destroy the ramparts and perhaps kill most of the defenders standing on them.


    However, once he did that, his only force would beposed of five Lichs, three Death Knights, and some Zombie Warrior dregs. That wouldn''t be enough to deal with the people inside the huge shelter. This was especially true after sensing the presence of the Monk at the inner wall of the estate.


    "Get ready!" ric shouted as he saw the monsters about to crash the Barrier¡­


    As the Bone Monsters lumbered forward, their skeletal forms started cracking and creaking as they smashed the barriers without stopping¡­


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    As the Bone Monsters were about to seed, the energy of the Guardian Nodes surged, sending electric shocks coursing through their skeletal bodies. But the Bone Monsters were resilient, their forms absorbing much of the impact as the Bulwark Beacon''s energy was fading out¡­


    "We need to hold the line! Super Soldiers! Knights! Follow me!" Knight ric said as he decided to attack in closebat.


    The three Super Soldiers didn''t flinch or show any signs of hesitance.


    They swiftly leaped from the ramparts to cause chaos.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    One soldier wielded a methrower that would scorch anything in its path. Another soldier gripped a Chainsaw, the revving de ready to cleave through bone and flesh¡­


    Lastly, the third super soldier brandished two spiked metal clubs, ready to pummel the undead into oblivion.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    As they hit the ground, the soldiers erupted into action, unleashing a torrent of violence upon the approaching hordes. mes roared, and the chainsaw buzzed!


    As for the Bone Monsters, they let the organized Knights handle them.


    The eight knights, led by Knight Seraph and Knight ric, moved unhindered and activated their auras, increasing their strength, speed, and defense¡­


    nk! nk! nk! Your next journey awaits at empire


    The knights shed with the Bone Monsters, aiming to destroy its feet¡­


    With each swing of their des, they unleashed waves of energy, pushing back against the skeletal monster.


    The battlefield was soon filled with the scent of burning flesh and bones and the echoes of shing metal as the battle continued.


    But the Necromancer, watching the chaos unfold with a sinister grin, decided that he had seen enough¡­ He had to end this farce before the Survivors could return!


    He raised his staff and ordered the two Death Knights, d in dark armor and holding cursed weapons, to step forward.


    Additionally, five Lich emerged from the shadows, their skeletal forms exuding an aura of malice. They joined the fray with their dark spells, ready to turn the tide in favor of the undead.


    These five Lich were actually the reason why the Necromancer managed to obtain a huge number of Zombie Warriors. After all, each one of them would cost him about 20 Spirit Points even after reaching a high level. There was no way he would have more than 15 thousand Spirit Points.


    Thankfully, he was able to find a cemetery and use the Lich''s natural power to create undead creatures. This was why he dared to challenge this shelter that basically owns the whole region at this point. He knew that if he defeated this powerful shelter, he would be the ruler of this ce!


    With only one Death Knight remaining by his side for protection, the Necromancer observed the battle from a distance, confident that his minions would overwhelm the defenders.


    Even if the powerful Monk was present, he believed that the five Lich could deal with them.


    Thud!


    The Knights finally defeated one of the Bone Monsters after spending more than half of their energies!


    "Eldrin! We need to fall back!" Knight Seraph shouted, sensing the shift in the battle as the new foes surged forward.


    The pressure mounted, and it became clear that the defenders were being overrun.


    "All defenders, retreat to the inner wall!" Eldrinmanded as he realized that the Death Knight was able to fight both ric and Seraph at the same time!


    The super soldiers, the warriors, elves, and knights, though reluctant, knew they had no choice.


    The order was definitely the right decision as they suffered in the first barrage of Dark Spells from the Lich. They began to withdraw, skillfully fending off the zombies and Bone Monsters as they fell back.


    As for the Curses and Spells being thrown by the five Lich, their Auras could barely fend them off, and they wouldn''t be able tost long. They had to leave quickly!


    "Cover each other! Move!" Knight ric urged, rallying the defenders as they began their strategic retreat. Together, they formed a protective line, parrying blows and firing arrows to hold the undead at bay.


    As they reached the inner wall, the Aegis Force Barrier was there to protect them!


    The Bone Monster was strong but definitely not enough to destroy the Aegis Force. Perhaps, it needed an hour to do so! They knew about this since even the Tyrant Zombies struggled to destroy this Barrier.


    Finally, the defenders took a moment to regroup while their hearts were still pounding with adrenaline. They were tired, but their spirit wasn''t broken yet. They still have three trump cards they could use in case of emergency.


    One of the Trump Cards was obviously the numerous Talismans that Aya the Shaman had made for them!


    For now, however, they felt that as long as they rested enough and nned how to deal with the Bone Monsters, they''d be able to win!


    In the meantime, the Necromancer also took a moment to gather his strength. He closed his eyes and focused, drawing upon the dark energies around him to recover his Spirit Points.


    This respite was important for him.


    Once his power was restored, he would be ready to unleash his lethal abilities, including the Bone Spear and the Death Ray. He relies on these two spells to deal with the powerful Monk who was mysteriously watching him from the manor.


    As the seconds, the five slow-moving Lich finally approached the inner wall. They were also protected by the two Death Knights while the only Bone Monster surged forward.


    "Begin!"


    The Necromancermanded!


    With this instruction, his undead summons started to assault the defenders who had retreated behind the stone ramparts.


    Of course, the Necromancer also stepped forward... He was ready to join his minions in the assault.


    But as he took his first stride, a sudden chill ran down his spine.


    He sensed a powerful presence behind him, one that sent rm bells ringing through his mind.


    The neer was a tall man d in an outfit reminiscent of a warlord, and two des rested at his side¡­


    "Who dares to challenge me?" the Necromancer grunted as he faced the man.

 Chapter 369 Everywhere

    The man in front of him was Shinja, the Stormde, a legendary warrior who had just returned from a dangerous mission in the Toxic Zombie Den.


    After clearing that Dungeon with Eldric the Scavenger and oveing insurmountable odds against the Den filled with Toxic Zombies, he had finallye back to his shelter, only to find it under siege by this vile Necromancer.


    As for Eldric and the three new Super Soldiers that Shinja had converted, they were still behind since they were quite slow.


    "Who dares to challenge me?!" The Necromancer roared after sensing the threat that Shinja posed.


    However, Shinja had no ns to answer this enemy.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, Shinja raised his des, their edges also started to umte storm energy as he locked eyes with the Necromancer¡­


    "Die!" He dered to the furious Necromancer.


    With a swift downward sh, Shinja aimed to split the Necromancer into two¡­


    The surrounding area was filled with the de''s storm energy and his de seemed to have grown in size, and he covered five meters of range with that de!


    Caught off guard by the sudden assault, the Necromancer barely had time to react.


    He instinctively raised his hands, preparing to summon a protective barrier, but Shinja was faster. The des sliced through the air and destroyed the natural energy protection of the Necromancer! Then, it went straight for the head of the Necromancer!


    The Death Knight beside the Necromancer acted quickly and raised his de to defend its master¡­


    Bang!


    The energy de that Shinja released shed with the deathly aura of the Death Knights and its dark sword.


    However, Shinja seemed to have gotten a lot stronger after his mission. His strike also created a small lightning force around and stopped the Necromancer from casting another spell.


    It didn''t end there as Shinja boasts a few Level 10 Skills in his Arsenal! Two of them were Warlord''s Bloodlust and de Storm Technique!


    [ Warlord''s Bloodlust Lv10 ( Max): A fierce skill that taps into the Warlord''s primal rage, granting increased strength and ferocity inbat, inspiring fear in enemies and boosting morale in allies. It grants the following benefits:


    +30% damage dealt and critical hit chance while under the effects of bloodlust


    +30% chance to intimidate and weaken foes with the Warlord''s intimidating presence


    +30% duration of bloodlust effects, fueling the Warlord''s assault ]


    [ de Storm Technique Lv10 ( Max): An aggressive skill that enables the Warlord to unleash a whirlwind of des, striking fear into enemies and causing chaos on the battlefield. It grants the following benefits:


    +50% area of effect damage with de storm attacks


    +50% chance to inflict bleeding or crippling effects on foes


    +50% speed of executing de storm maneuvers ]


    The Critical Chance was triggered with this strike as his Bloodlust was activated. Furthermore, the attack itself contained the power of the de Storm and added additional damage with crippling effect!


    Boom!


    That single strike from Shinja crushed the Death Knight and continued hitting the Necromancer!


    "This! Impossible! Aarrghh!"


    The Necromancer still had so many Spells he could use. He also had other Cursed Artifacts in his possession. He could still activate Death Rays a few times and, perhaps, use Corpse Explosion! However, after confirming that everyone in the estate had turtled inside the inner wall, he became too confident and only left one Death Knight to protect him!


    "You¡ª"


    The Necromancer was furious and wanted to curse Shinja, but it was already toote!


    Thud!


    Shinja''s sword just cut through him!


    At this time, Shinja also confirmed the death of the enemy as he received a message from the system.


    [ You have eliminated a Wild Necromancer. ]


    The death of the Wild Necromancer happened so quickly! Because of that, the Bone Monster and the three


    Experience new stories on empire


    After seeing this, he nced at the estate that was being sieged.


    Apparently, only the Bone Monsters, Zombie Warriors, and Death Knights had disappeared after the death of the Necromancer.


    The five Lich were still active!


    Nheless, with the disappearance of the Death Knights, everyone could focus on these bone wizards.


    Shinja could tell that they no longer needed his help and just watched their battle from a distance.


    Then, also decided to loot the Necromancer.


    [ You have earned 250 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Dark Mage''s Staff x1, Dark Mage''s Robe x1, Orb of Undead Summoning ( High ) x1 ]


    Shinja had no use with the Staff and Robe since he wasn''t a Dark Mage or Necromancer. He also had no idea about the Orb of Undead Summoning, but he could tell that they were all important items.


    Nheless, this event of Necromancers attacking various shelters wasn''t just happening in Shane''s Springriver Manor. To be exact, all the Survivor Shelters that were within 50 kilometers of the Wild Shelters were also being attacked!


    During this time, some shelters were able to defend against the threat of the Necromancers while others had already fallen.


    Because of that, those Survivors who would be returning from the Boss Raid Event would be experiencing another battle.


    However, if their defenders managed to win against the threat of the Wild Shelter, then they would surely obtain not just the loot from the undead but also the wealth of the Necromancers once they attacked the undefended Wild Shelters.


    Well, some traps or maybe automated turrets must be installed in those Wild Shelters, but without a Necromancermanding the ce, it was just a matter of time.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ***


    In the meantime, while the Necromancers were causing havoc in the numerous Survivor Shelters, Shane and his team finally received a message confirming that they were the fastest to clear the third stage of the Boss Raid event!


    [ Congrattions, Team 1!


    Your team has been confirmed to be the fastest Raiders of the 3rd Stage. Each member of the team will receive the following rewards:


    Exceptional Skill Scroll x1


    Zombie Cores x300


    Tier 3 Explorer Set ]


    [ Your rewards have been transferred to your Inventory. ]


    Shane, Diana, and Sandra found these new rewards interesting¡­ The Perception Stone and Epic Recruitment Stone had disappeared, but they were reced by Zombie Cores and a new set of clothes!

 Chapter 370 Automatic

    Although the Exceptional Skill Scroll reward was also an item worth celebrating, their attention was still easily caught by the appearance of the new set.


    To be honest, they wouldn''t be surprised if they saw everyone wearing a SWAT Uniform once they returned to the apocalypse world. After all, it was practical,fortable, and definitely quite new to the feeling. People tend to like new things anyway.


    However, the Explorer Set was only rewarded to the team that cleared the third stage in the fastest way. This means that they would be wearing different clothing sets than the other survivors. That was definitely something to be excited about.


    Of course, they really wanted to know more about this set, so they swiftly checked it out. To their surprise, there were actually a total of 7 items in this Set simr to the SWAT Uniform.


    That was actually quite a lot since most other sets only had four or five!


    They all couldn''t help but feel happy about this since the Boss Raid Event''s Set items were actually a lot better than those Sets they could purchase in the Survivor Store or loot from the Zombies.


    Anyway, the set includes a hat, a jacket, a pair of gloves, pants, boots, a backpack, and apass suited for a true Explorer.


    Of course, Shane immediately checked their description to see how they couldpare to the SWAT set.


    [ Explorer Hat ( Tier 3 ): A wide-brimmed hat designed to shield the wearer from the sun and rain. Made from lightweight, breathable materials, it features moisture-wicking properties to keep the head cool and dry.


    Effect: Grants +30% resistance to environmental effects (sun, rain), +15 Movement Speed.


    [ Ventted Explorer Jacket ( Tier 3 ): This lightweight jacket is crafted from durable, weather-resistant fabric that allows for airflow while providing protection from the elements. It includes multiple pockets for carrying maps,passes, and other essential gear.


    Effect: Increases stamina recovery by 25% in the wilderness, +20 Physical Defense.


    [ Tactical Explorer Gloves ( Tier 3 ): Made from a blend of breathable materials and reinforced at the palms, these gloves provide a solid grip on tools and weapons while allowing for dexterity. The design ensuresfort during long treks.


    Effect: Boosts crafting speed by 20%, +15 Dexterity.


    [ Flex Explorer Pants ( Tier 3 ): Crafted from stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric, these pants are designed for maximum mobility andfort. They feature reinforced knees and several pockets for carrying essential items like res and tools.


    Effect: Increases evasion chance by 15%, +15 Movement Speed.


    [ Explorer Trekking Boots ( Tier 3 ): These breathable boots provide excellent ankle support and traction on various terrains. Made with a rugged sole, they are designed for long hikes and tough conditions.


    Effect: Reduces stamina consumption by 15%, +5 Physical Defense. ]


    [ Explorer Utility Backpack ( Tier 3 ): A spacious and durable backpack with multiplepartments for organizing gear. It includes hydration storage and is designed to distribute weight evenly forfort during long journeys.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Effect: Removes the Unstackable effect of an item. ] Find more to read at empire


    [ Exploration Compass ( Tier 3 ): A high-qualitypass that allows for precise navigation in the wilderness. It is durable, waterproof, and features luminescent markers for use in low-light conditions.


    Effect: Grants +80% navigational uracy. ]


    Unsurprisingly, the set didn''t grant too much Physical Defense. However, it provides various boosts like Movement Speed, Crafting Speed, and even Stamina Reduction effects. This set was certainly well-rounded and was indeed the best set for explorations.


    Furthermore, it also had an effect that removes the Unstackable Effect, simr to the belt of the SWAT Uniform, making it a set worth considering.


    "Right, it must have an additional effect once worn¡­" Diana recalled as she started wearing the new set one by one.


    Sandra also did the same.


    Needless to say, Shane didn''t watch them as he turned his back and also wore the new set.


    As soon as he wore theplete set, he received a notification that his Health Recovery had increased by 2 points per minute!


    "So high?!" The three of them were surprised after seeing this. After all, this was a lot better than taking medicine or health potions.


    As long as the injury wasn''t too heavy, then just this set would certainly keep them alive. Of course, there were still Bleed Damage, Burn Damage, and Poison Damage that they could suffer from, but with the 2 Vitality Points per minute, it would still be a game changer, especially if they don''t have other means of recovering.


    "I''d probably get rich if I sell this¡­" Diana muttered to herself. Although this effect was enticing, she''d rather have a stronger defense with the SWAT Uniform if he was outside her shelter.


    Furthermore, she was basically a cksmith, and she already had a Worker Set that could help her dexterity during work.


    As for Sandra, she was torn about whether she would keep using the SWAT Uniform or change into her Explorer Set. To be exact, although she liked the Explorer Set, it wasn''t aesthetic, and it didn''t suit her taste at all. It felt like the set was really made for a man.


    Of course, she didn''t dare to say it out loud, and it was only in her mind. In the end, she decided to just use this as an extra set and sell it to the Market or other members of the n if it was just collecting dust in her Inventory.


    As for Shane, he also felt that his Mutated Python Set, Crawler Set, and even his unused Bone Crusher Set were actually a lot more useful for him since he was always engaged inbat.


    Anyway, time quickly passed as the reward for the 4th Stage was also given!


    [ Congrattions, Team 1!


    Your team has been confirmed to be the fastest Raiders of the 4th Stage. Each member of the team will receive the following rewards:


    Master Skill Scroll x1


    Zombie Cores x600


    Item Upgrade Crystas x30


    1st Part of Broken Map x1 ]


    [ Your rewards have been transferred to your Inventory. ]


    [ There are no other teams that have challenged the 5th Stage of the Event. ]


    [ Congrattions! Your team has automatically be the fastest Raiders of the 5th Stage. ]

 Chapter 371 The End of the Boss Raid and the Vampires Rise

    "We did it!" Diana eximed in joy after seeing the notification.


    "Indeed¡­ That third stage was already too much for average Survivors. I''m actually surprised that there are others who managed to clear the fourth stage." Sandra added as she knew how difficult it was to clear those stages from the third to thest.


    If not for Shane''s strange weapon that was too advanced, there was no way she would be able to defeat those Zombies. She was simply too lucky!


    "Well, I don''t think that there''s another team who can survive that fourth stage. Remember that they only need to survive for 20 minutes in that stage.


    Although they will still lose if they can''t kill the Armored Giant Zombie and receive a penalty, they are at least alive." Diana replied that she felt that aside from Shane, there shouldn''t be any other survivor capable of defeating that towering Armored Giant Zombie.


    Shane silently agreed with Diana as he also felt the other Survivors would have a higher chance of surviving for 20 minutes than defeating that Armored Giant Zombie.


    In any case, he finally turned his attention to the rewards.


    The fourth stage''s fastest clear rewards include Master Skill Scroll, Zombie Cores, and Item Upgrade Crystals.


    Shane had just obtained a Mental rity spell, so he was hoping that the Master Skill Scroll would allow him to obtain an offensive skill this time.


    Then, he turned his attention to thest reward.


    [ Congrattions! Your team has automatically be the fastest Raiders of the 5th Stage.


    Each member of the team will receive the following rewards:


    Golden Treasure Chest x3


    Zombie Cores x900


    Item Upgrade Crystas x50


    Legendary Recruitment Stone x1 ]


    [ Your rewards have been transferred to your Inventory. ]


    [ You havepleted the Boss Raid Event. ]


    [ Final Reward is being calcted¡­ ]


    Ding!


    [ You have received seven level-up blessings as a final reward for your outstanding performance at this event. ]


    [ You have leveled up¡­ ]


    ¡­


    [ You have leveled up¡­ ]


    Shane and the others then heard the level-up notifications, and the two were truly stunned. They didn''t expect that they would level up a lot!


    Of course, Shane was the only one who was able to level up seven times, while the two only leveled up five times. It was perhaps due to the contribution in the battle as well.


    Just like that, the two of them reached level 24!


    "This¡­" Diana was speechless as she processed all the rewards that she had received at the same time.


    Reaching level 24 was something she didn''t expect at all. It was already the level of the owner of those huge Survivor Shelters they were aware of.


    Sandra also felt overwhelmed by the numerous rewards. It was simply incredible!


    On the other hand, Shane smiled as he knew that this would actually happen.


    Although he didn''t expect that he would only level up seven times, it was still something he was thankful for.


    In any case, they don''t have time to check their rewards as they are soon notified that they are about to return to the Apocalypse World. They only have a minute left before they get transported.


    "Shane, I can''t travel alone, so it might take time before I can reach your shelter." Diana immediately said. Although she leveled up a lot and gained new items, it might be difficult for her to travel alone.


    On the other hand, Shane wryly smiled as Diana probably hadn''t realized how potent those treasures she obtained.


    "Diana, I think you forgot about the Epic Recruitment Stone and the Legendary Recruitment Stone we just received. Just activate those two, and you''ll have a strong helper¡­" Shane reminded.


    "Right!" Diana''s eyes lit up after hearing this. She hadn''t considered this at all.


    Sandra also smiled and agreed to this.


    "That''s true¡­ Now that I''m also rich, then I''ll also buy an expensive pet this time." Sandra muttered as she nced at Shane''s body where the metal slime was located.


    Well, the only reason she didn''t have a pet was that she was previously having difficulty surviving on her own. Owning a pet was a luxury since they were quite weak during their early phase. They would only be useful once they''ve grown and obtained skills. Of course, that could only happen once they were fed enough Zombie Cores.


    With thousands of Zombie Cores in her Inventory, Sandra knew that it was time for her to obtain a pet.


    "Once again, thank you for carrying us, Shane¡­ I will just settle a few matters in my current shelter and follow you." Sandra said.


    Shane then informed them to chat with the other members of the n as well just in case they have questions about being part of the Eclipse Revenant.


    After a few more moments, they soon disappeared from their resting area and returned to their previous locations. All the Survivors returned at the same time and here, they learned that their shelters had been attacked!


    The others were lucky that their summons, recruits, pets, traps, and other defensive structures were able to protect their homes. However, those who were unfortunate returned in the middle of a destroyed shelter or worse, in the middle of the enemies!


    Because of this, no one had the time to check the Regional Chat to gossip about their rewards, as they all got busy for various reasons.


    ***


    In the meantime, a Survivor had appeared with a disgruntled figure in the eastern part of the continent.


    Apparently, as soon as the Boss Raid Event concluded, Statham, the Vampire who had attacked Shane, managed to escape from the persistent pursuit of the Administrator.


    Despite his injuries, a sly smile yed on his lips. He had survived, even while being suppressed by a far stronger opponent. At level 80, evading a level 100 Administrator was no small feat. It was a significant victory for him. Even if he ultimately lost, it showed how cunning and resilient he was.


    Statham took a moment to survey his surroundings, confirming that he was in a dense forest.


    ''I should be safe for a while¡­'' He thought to himself.


    The canopy above was thick, allowing only slivers of sunlight to pierce through. The air was filled with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, and the faint groans of low-tier Zombies echoed in the distance. Thankfully, these low-tier undead creatures posed no threat to him and hadn''t noticed his presence yet.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    At this point, even if he was heavily injured, he could still deal with a dozen of low-tier Zombies.


    His immediate concern was to find a source of blood to recover from his injuries.


    His only regret was the fact that he had lost his belt bag. He wasn''t sure where he left it, and perhaps it was already confiscated by the Administrator¡­


    "Those damn elves¡­ I''ll get my revenge on you soon¡­" Statham muttered as he gritted his teeth. He may not be capable of fighting them right now, but he already knew a method to be part of the "system."


    "Once I be an Administrator, you''ll be the first one I''ll fight and remove your authority¡­" As he said this, he felt the pain in his body and immediately shut his mouth.


    He still needs to recover. The Bloodstones in his belt bag were his emergency food¡­ After all, his System Inventory was currently limited after entering this Zombie Apocalypse World¡­ At the very least, he could only ess a few things in his Inventory, and they did not include his blood collection.


    As a Vampire, his strength and vitality were directly tied to his consumption of fresh blood. He nced at the Zombie''s direction and shook his head.


    Unfortunately, the blood of Zombies was useless to him. They were already contaminated and devoid of the life force he needed.


    After about half an hour, Statham''s keen senses soon picked up the faint, tantalizing scent of human blood.


    "Found it¡­"


    He followed the scent trail as it guided him through the forest.


    As he drew closer, the scent grew stronger, mingled with the smell of wood smoke and cooked food. It was unmistakable¡ªa human shelter.


    Whoosh~


    Transforming into a bat, Statham took to the air¡­


    His small form flew silently through the trees as he approached the shelter cautiously. He was too weak right now, so he had to be careful. He couldn''t repeat his previous actions of attacking a whole castle alone.


    Furthermore, it wasn''t night yet. His strength was already not at its peak, so he had to consider waiting for the night before taking action.


    For now, he just needs to scout the surroundings of the shelter.


    Soon, his sharp eyes scanned the area for any signs of defense. The shelter was a modest encampment surrounded by a makeshift wooden palisade. A few guards patrolled the perimeter, but their movements were sluggish and inattentive.


    He immediately noticed that this shelter had just been attacked by a horde of Zombies after sensing the remnant deathly aura in the surroundings.


    ''Perfect!''

 Chapter 372 Stathams Decision

    Perched on a branch, Statham excitedly observed the camp, assessing its defenses.


    Although he could tell that the shelter had recently been attacked, he was also not in good condition, so he still had to be very careful.


    After some time, he confirmed that the guards were armed but seemed poorly trained and ill-prepared for a serious threat. They were probably thinking that there wouldn''t be another attack since they had just fended one off...


    That certainly made sense since the Zombies around would still take quite some time before they could spawn.


    ''It won''t take long before the nightes¡­'' Statham muttered as he took his time to recover while observing the shelter. These Survivors had just survived the Boss Raid, and they must''ve received decent rewards. Furthermore, those Survivors even wore the same type of uniform as police officers.


    It seemed that they had a better defense with this set of clothes.


    After some time, he could see the flicker of a campfire in the center of the encampment, where a handful of humans sat, talking and eating.


    ''Go ahead and make your bodies delicious before I take your lives¡­'' Statham muttered.


    Their blood would be fresh and potent, perfect for his needs.


    Statham''s mind raced with various strategies to ensure that no one would be able to escape his attack¡­


    He needed to strike quickly and efficiently, taking what he needed without drawing too much attention. Just like before, he couldn''t let himself be surrounded since he had no idea what kind of Talent they were hiding.


    As the dusk fell, Statham knew that it was the perfect time to attack. His eyes were fixed on the weakest point in the camp''s defenses.


    As one of the guards wandered away from his post, Statham seized the opportunity.


    He swooped down silently¡­ His bat form allowed him to move undetected.


    Whoosh~


    Transforming back into his Vampire form just beforending, he grabbed the guard from behind, sinking his fangs into the man''s neck. The guard''s struggles were brief, and his life force quickly drained. It only took him less than 10 seconds to fully consume the life force of the guard.


    Nheless, the guard seemed to be only Level 10 and was barely enough for him¡­


    Still, after feeling the rush of fresh blood coursing through his veins, Statham''s injuries began to heal. His bleeding had already stopped, and some strength was slowly returning to him. Discover exclusive content at empire


    He then slowly dropped the lifeless body and moved swiftly through the camp, targeting isted individuals and draining them quickly¡­


    Thankfully, this shelter''s Barrier wasn''t working yet, or perhaps they didn''t have a barrier at all.


    Within minutes, he had taken enough blood to fully recover.


    However, the guards seemed to be using a signal from time to time, and as soon as they noticed that some of them weren''t replying, they were able to tell that something had happened to the other guards!


    Just like that, the camp was soon in disarray. Some of them even started panicking as they discovered the bodies of their fallenrades.


    Statham, on the other hand, felt his strength renewed from the fresh blood he had consumed. Then, it was followed with a surge of confidence.


    "Come!"


    He wasn''t done with the humans yet. The taste of their blood had only whetted his appetite, and he intended to drain everyst one of them.


    As he moved through the camp, he was able to drain two more Survivors and as he was ready to strike again, a sudden movement caught his eye.


    A couple appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, to intercept him. The woman had striking green hair, and the man had jet-ck hair. Both were d in SWAT uniforms, and they were eyeing him as if trying to look for his weakness¡­


    Statham had no ns of greeting them as he bared his fangs¡­


    Without hesitation, the two Survivors raised their pistols and fired at Statham.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The Vampire''s enhanced reflexes kicked in, and he dodged the bullets with supernatural speed, his body started twisting and contorting to avoid the deadly projectiles.


    It seemed that his Bloodlust, Charm, and Confusion weren''t effective against this couple¡­


    Statham''s eyes narrowed as he assessed his new opponents. He had no idea who they were, but their skill and coordination were evident.


    What he didn''t know was that these two were top rankers on the leaderboard. The man was Lancelot, the n Leader of the Overlord n, and the woman was Lesley Cotton, one of the strongest survivors of Region 2.


    Lancelot and Lesley moved in perfect sync as they started using the effects of their pistols¡­


    Statham could tell that the bullets aimed at him may look simple, but he knew that their pration ability was off the charts. He was able to tell this because of his Danger Sense Skill.


    ''Tsk¡­ I didn''t expect to meet two elite Survivors here¡­'' Statham frowned. Perhaps, if the Spirit Points of these two were at the peak, he would truly get into trouble.


    Lancelot''s shots could almost predict his movement as it would always follow his movement. Furthermore, the man always aimed at his vital points while Lesley used her agility to nk him¡­ Lesley wasn''t as good as Lancelot, but she was still fast and able to get a bit closer to the Vampire and shoot him!


    Statham realized he was outmatched.


    These two, if grouped together, were strong fighters, and engaging them in a prolonged battle would be a mistake.


    He needed to escape before they could corner him. In any case, he already recovered some of his strength. He''d rather not get himself injured even more until he was able to recover even half of his real strength¡­ Once he was back at his peak, it wouldn''t be toote to take his revenge.


    For now, he had to find a cave where he could hibernate.


    With a swift motion, Statham transformed into a bat and darted through the air.

 Chapter 373 Chat

    Lancelot and Lesley fired at him, but the bat was too quick. It was incredibly fast at it weaved through the trees and disappeared into the night.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Lancelot lowered his pistols, and his eyes scanned the darkness. "He''s gone," he said, his voice calm but alert.


    Lesley nodded, holstering her weapons. "That''s true¡­ But what the f*ck was that? Why is a vampire here? Is that some sort of Talent?"


    "It must be a Legendary Talent. We need to warn the others. That Vampire is dangerous, and he won''t stop until he''s satisfied. The other shelters might be in danger." Lancelot said as he knew that this Survivor with Vampire Talent wouldn''t stop just like that.


    Lesley agreed. Her expression was serious as she actually tried to use her Talent against the Vampire¡­ Her Talent was actually a Legendary Grade called Petrifying Gaze.


    Aside from those with equipment that had magic resistance or something simr, she had never met someone who could stop her Petrifying Gaze. Even Lancelot, who had the strongest defense among them, was still affected by the gaze, even if it onlysted for five seconds.


    Because of that, she knew that her Petrifying Gaze could also affect other Survivors with Legendary Talents. Even if the Vampire was strong, she expected that he would still get petrified, even if it was only for a second. However, even if he did not have any artifact that could stop her Talent, the Vampire was still able topletely ignore her petrification skill.


    That was definitely a dangerous criminal Survivor, and he must be killed immediately.


    Because of that, the two of them didn''t hide anything from the others and informed everyone in the Regional Chat about what had happened.


    Soon, the chat was talking about the Vampire.


    [ Miriam: What? A Vampire this time? I remember that we were warned about that strange Survivor with a talent to Transform into a Zombie. Now, we''re dealing with a Vampire. ]


    [ Travis: Interesting¡­ I wonder if this Vampire has Blood Servants like Lesser Vampires or Thralls in the books. Right, I recalled someone telling us about this Survivor with Vampiric Skills. I forgot their names. ]


    [ Alice Mae: That''s me and my team. We found fifty dried-up corpses before. I thought it was a Zombie that sucks blood, but it must really be a Vampire, like what Lesley said. ]


    [ Travis: Oh! I remember now. You guys found those corpses in that Castle you''re supposed to siege. You must be living in that Castle right now. Is that location good? ]


    [ Hector: Travis, why are you always online? Are you not trying to level up? Are you using some sort of ves bringing Zombies to you to get looted? ] Explore hidden tales at empire


    [ Travis: I pretend I didn''t read that. ]


    [ Liam: This is getting out of hand. First, we had to deal with Necromancers raising the dead from those Wild Shelters, and now Vampires? What''s next? ]


    [ Travis: Maybe we''ll also encounter Aliens invading us. ]


    [ Raze: Can you tell us where this Vampirest sighted? ]


    [ Lesley: It''s in our new shelter located at Sector 15 ]


    [ Lancelot: That Vampire seemed to be injured, so it might look for blood somewhere to recover. If my guess is right, he can''t drink Zombie Blood because they''re contaminated or something. ]


    [ Zara: We need to strengthen our defenses. If this Vampire can create Thralls, we might be facing an army soon. ]


    [ Natalie: We just fought off a group of Necromancers from three Wild Shelter. They were well-armed and organized. Is there anyone here who thought of how to deal with the Necromancers and their undead summons? They''re getting pretty annoying. However, their shelters have Automated Turret and are too tough to deal with. They can attack our camp, but we can''t attack their base¡­ ]


    [ Travis: Same here. We had a run-in with some Necromancers. They were summoning Ghouls and Skeleton Warriors. However, those Necromancers were also limited by their dark energy. You should''ve noticed by now that they''ll just escape once most of their summons are killed. You should aim to strike back this time.


    Endure their assault andunch a special squad to ambush them once they start retreating. ]


    [ Zara: That''s true¡­ It actually felt something off. Even though they knew that they would fail, they would still attack another shelter even if they lost a lot of their summons. They should''ve just waited to attack until they had a stronger force. It felt as if they were in a hurry. ]


    [ Lyra: Are you telling us that they have some sort of a mission? ]


    Thisment made everyone think as they voiced their opinions.


    Then, as they were chatting about the Vampire, the Zombie Transformer, and the Wild Shelter''s Necromancers, a Ranker who rarely sends any messages in the Regional Chat suddenly made ament and it stunned many.


    After all, this was the known Rank 2 Survivor in the Leaderboard!


    However, his message was the one that made them truly impressed!


    [ Asad: The Necromancers are most likely otherworlders like us and sent to this world to survive against the Zombies and against us. The one who sent them here must be different from the one who sent us here. ]


    As he said this, everyone immediately stopped chatting and considered this for a moment.


    This was certainly a new perspective.


    They had never considered other godly beings that could transport a huge number of people to another world. No, to be exact, they had no time to analyze this matter since they were ultimately too busy to survive.


    Nheless, this information may not sound helpful at first, but because of this, they wouldn''t just think of Necromancers as ''monsters'' that were sent to them by the system to kill.


    It seemed that they were just small pieces in arge chessboard that was going on!


    Being a pawn or a chess piece doesn''t seem to suit well with most of them¡­


    [ Travis: Our level is just too low¡­ Just level up and get stronger. ]


    [ Shane: That''s true¡­ Everyone must focus on reaching a higher level first. Also, don''t neglect your subordinates. This includes your friends, pets, recruits, and your n. They must improve with you. ]

 Chapter 374 Level Up Rewards

    After leveling up to 37, Shane received numerous rewards.


    [ You have reached Level 31. ]


    [ You are the first Survivor to exceed Level 30.]


    [ You have obtained 50 Reputation Points ]


    [ You have received an exclusive pistol: Golden Desert Eagle x1 and Box of Ammunition x3 ]


    "Desert Eagle¡­" Shane''s knowledge about guns was mostly from his memories during the A.I. Rebellion. Though the weapons there were highly advanced, he also had simr to these semi-automatic pistols during the beginning stage. He certainly liked this new weapon and was hoping that it would have a decent effect.


    It doesn''t have to be magical, like creating fire or ice, but a strong pration power was a good deal already.


    Without hesitation, Shane quickly checked the gun in his Inventory.


    [ Golden Desert Eagle: A stunningly crafted pistol with a radiant gold finish, the Golden Desert Eagle is a symbol of power and wealth. Renowned for its stopping power, this firearm is favored by elite marksmen. Its weight and bnce provide exceptional control, making it a deadly choice against the undead.


    Effect:


    Guaranteed Zombie Core Drop: Any Zombie killed with this weapon will drop a Zombie Core. ]


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing this. Although there wasn''t any magical, pration, or piercing effect from the Desert Eagle, this effect was definitely incredible. He may not have had trouble with Zombie Cores with his Complete Loot Talent, but the others weren''t the same.


    Thankfully, this item was transferable, and he could easily sell it or, perhaps, give it to Raze to get more Dragon Blood from Roan. After all, Roan was a genuine Dragon, and his blood could be used to make various potions.


    After confirming that the Desert Eagle was loaded, Shane found a holster in his Inventory and immediately wore it.


    Then, Shane continued looking at the notifications.


    [ You have reached Level 32. ]


    [ You have received Zombie Cores x100 ]


    [ You have received a Rare Food Gift Pack ]


    [ Do you wish to open the Gift Pack? ]


    "Yes¡­" Shane replied.


    [ You have received an Odd Mushroom Soup x15 ]


    [ You have received a Turbo Energy Drink x15 ]


    [ Odd Mushroom Soup: A fragrant soup made from rare mushrooms found in dark caves. Its vibrant color hints at its magical properties.


    Expiration: 7 days


    Effect: Restores 50% Health and Spirit and temporarily increases Magic Resistance by 15% for 5 minutes. ]


    [ Turbo Energy Drink: A neon-colored energy drink packed with caffeine and synthetic nutrients designed to provide a quick boost for intense activities.


    Effect: Increases Attack Speed by 20% for 10 minutes and grants a temporary 30% increase in Stamina Recovery during that time. ]


    "That''s a lot¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the contents of the Rare Food Gift Pack¡­ What he liked about this "Rare" pack was the fact that it contained different itemspared to the regr Gift Packs from the system.


    Furthermore, although he only got two types of items, there were actually plenty of them! Fifteen of them each, to be exact.


    Though one of them had an expiration of 7 days and wouldn''tst until the next Zombie Wave, he would be able to earn a lot if he decided to sell it.


    Anyway, he decided to continue checking the rewards he obtained for reaching the next level.


    [ You have reached Level 33. ]


    [ Your skills have improved significantly. All Survivor Skills below level 10 have increased by 1 level. ]


    [ You have received Item Upgrade Crystals x10. ]


    [ You have received 500 Experience Points. ]


    ''Not bad¡­'' Shane gently nodded after seeing this before he checked the next one.


    [ You have reached Level 34. ]


    [ You have obtained 50 Reputation Points. ]


    [ More Traveling Merchants will hear about your Shelter and visit it.


    The same effect will happen to any Shelter that the Survivor will own in the future. ]


    The reward for this level seemed simple, but it was definitely a good thing.


    After all, Darwin, the first traveling merchant to visit his estate, sold plenty of materials, including Epic Grade Recruitment Stones. He would always wee these merchants in his Shelter since they might bring more surprises.


    Then, Shane checked the next notification.


    [ You have reached Level 35. ]


    [ You are the first Survivor to reach this level. ]


    [ You have received an exclusive armor set: Vanguard Armor Set ( Tier 3 ). ]


    [ You have gained 1,000 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have received an Evolution Stone x1 ]


    [ Three Memory Spheres have been unlocked. ]


    "Another set¡­ There''s even an Evolution Stone." Shane immediately checked the Vanguard Armor Set, only to feel disappointed. It was a full heavy armor set.


    Although he had enough strength and wouldn''t get troubled to move with this set of armor, he knew that it wouldn''t suit his style. It was a bit too bulky.


    Furthermore, if he ever needed bulky armor, he already had a Tactical Sentinel Combat Exosuit I¡­ Although this time still needs more improvement, its defense and additional mobility should be a lot better than this Vanguard Suit.


    Nheless, this was still an exclusive set and obtainable only for the first level 35 Survivor. Even if he didn''t want to use it, he could sell it to someone who could appreciate it or perhaps, loan it to his n Members if one of them liked it.


    Anyway, he decided not to absorb the Memory Spheres yet and continued to check the other notifications.


    [ You have reached Level 36. ]


    [ You have received an Exceptional Skill Scroll x1 ]


    [ You have received a Skill Fusion Talisman x2 ]


    "Ohh¡­ It finally appeared." Shane muttered as he felt excited about this Talisman¡­ It was a pity that there were only two, but he still liked it a lot. He currently had a couple of Exception Skill Scrolls¡­ It means that there would be two more skills he could fuseter on.


    There was no way he wouldn''t be excited about that since he knew that the Vampire Rise''s Ender should still be alive. He needed stronger skills since he felt that the next time they met, the Vampire shouldn''t be suppressed anymore.


    What he would be fighting then was a fully prepared Vampire without any suppression.


    Finally, he checked thest level-up notification¡­


    [ You have reached Level 37. ]


    [ You have received a Special Beginner Shelter Crystal. ]n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [ You have received Item Upgrade Crystals x10 ]


    [ You have received Zombie Cores x100 ]

 Chapter 375 Past Memories

    After feeling satisfied, Shane finally decided to absorb the three Memory Spheres.


    Shane sat in a quiet corner of his room and used his Perception, Heightened Awareness, and Cloud''s Detection to confirm that the Ivory Gear Shelter was still safe and not being attacked by Zombies or such.


    He also noticed that Lysandra seemed to have a decent haul in this Zombie Raid and was actually looking at some weapons she had recently obtained.


    Seeing that she was busy, he decided not to bother her and proceeded to absorb the Memory Spheres.


    The first Memory Sphere in his hands glowed with a faint, ethereal light. He then took out the two other ones ording to the system''s arrangement.


    These were his thirteenth to fifteenth Memory Spheres, and he felt excited to finally absorb them. After all, the fifteenth Memory Sphere seemed iplete, and he couldn''t wait to find out what had happened next to his previously established n.


    Taking a deep breath, Shane focused on the first Memory Sphere and absorbed it.


    Instantly, his mind was flooded with memories from his time in the Fairy Realm, specifically during the fourth year of the event.


    In this memory, Shane found himself standing amidst the ruins of his n''s stronghold.


    The once-mighty fortress was now a deste wastnd¡­ It wasn''t just that, the air was still thick with the stench of death and decay.


    It was a horrible sight.


    His n had been wiped out by a powerful Vampire, and as Shane sifted through the memories, he realized with a jolt that this Vampire was called Statham. There was no doubt about it. It was the same adversary he had recently encountered.


    Shane couldn''t help but guess that Statham actually defeated more Apocalypse before going to the Fairy Realm Invasion¡­ Perhaps Statham was able to kill everyone in this Zombie Apocalypse World and other worlds and targeted the Fairy Realm Invasion in his fourth year.


    ''That guy must really get killed¡­'' Shane thought as he believed that if he didn''t select this Zombie Outbreak, Assad, the Rank 2 Survivor, must''ve been targeted instead by the Vampire and was most likely killed during this time.


    Shane could only imagine what had happened after Statham became unstoppable.


    Anyway, as he absorbed the memories, he learned that Statham''s power was overwhelming, and he had been systematically wiping out several ns, leaving a trail of destruction everywhere he went.


    Shane''s heart sank as he understood what had truly happened before.


    Statham had likely defeated all other Survivors in this Apocalypse, leaving Shane as the sole survivor.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Is that the reason I got the blessing from the Fairy Queen and had a bad ending?'' Shane mused. Slowly, the secrets of the previous Apocalypses he entered was unfolding in front of him.


    As the memories entered his mind, he soon recalled how determined he was to survive and avenge his fallenrades.


    He traveled alone through the treacherousnds of the Fairy Realm. One day, while traversing a dense forest, he noticed amotion in the distance.


    As he approached, he saw ten Lesser Vampires attacking an Elven Vige. This time, Statham''s force had already be so strong, and he had numerous blood ves.


    The Elves, though skilled warriors, were struggling against the then ten Lesser Vampires who could regenerate as long as their enemies were bleeding.


    Shane, despite being an enemy of the Elves, couldn''t stand by and watch them be ughtered.


    ''The enemy of my enemy is my friend¡­'' Shane thought of this for a bit.


    He pulled his cloak tightly around him, hiding his human features, and approached the vige.


    Speaking in the Elven Language, he called out to the defenders, "I am here to help. Let''s kill these monsters."


    The Elves, though wary, epted his aid¡­ After all, none of them expected that he could learn the Elven Language. To be exact, Cloud was also here with him in the Fairy Realm Apocalypse, and he assisted him with the foreignnguage.


    Shane''s powerful presence bolstered their morale, and they fought against the Lesser Vampires steadily.


    Using his knowledge of Vampire weaknesses, Shane coordinated their attacks, targeting the Lesser Vampires'' vulnerabilities. He was actually a magic swordsman in this realm, and he was able to fight against the Vampires while also having aplete grasp of the surroundings, so he could instruct the Elves who weren''t used to the battle style of the Vampires.


    They were even a bit stupid that they had no idea that the Vampires would recover by taking their blood!


    Nheless, even if the battle was fierce, with Shane''s guidance, the Elves managed to turn the tide. One by one, the Lesser Vampires fell, their bodies disintegrating into ash.


    The Elven Vige was saved, but before they could celebrate and thank Shane, something unexpected happened.


    A chilling presence descended upon them, and Shane frowned as he saw a Blood Knight approaching. The Blood Knight, a powerful Vampire warrior, hade to avenge the fallen Lesser Vampires.


    His crimson armor gleamed in the moonlight, and his eyes burned with fury. ording to Cloud''s report, this Vampire was a first generation Blood Knight, or in short, he was directly converted by Statham himself!


    The Elves, exhausted from the previous battle, looked to Shane for guidance. He knew they stood little chance against the Blood Knight, but he couldn''t abandon them now.


    "Stay behind me," Shane instructed, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him. He could only trust Cloud with his Battle Assistance Module and the various skills he had obtained as a Magic Swordsman.


    "We will fight together."


    The Blood Knight charged and didn''t bother talking to them at all.


    nk! nk!


    Shane met him head-on, their des shed with a resounding ng and it was the signal for the elves to also act¡­


    However, the force of the impact sent shockwaves through the ground and interrupted the elves to get a better position¡­ Nheless, Shane held his ground.


    Using his Magic Swordsman Talent, Shane used his magical swords to their limit!


    At this time, his cloak was no longer able to hide his Aura. Indeed, this action blew his cover as an Elf!

 Chapter 376 14th Memory Sphere

    Despite Shane''s identity as a human being revealed, the leader of the Elves decided not to pursue this matter.


    Since they were being assisted, the matter regarding his identity could be discussed once the problem in front of them was dealt with¡­


    After all, they also felt inspired by Shane''s bravery as he fought against the Blood Knight¡­ Soon, the elves joined the fray as their arrows and spells targeted the Blood Knight.


    The battle was intense as Shane pushed himself to his limits. In this battle, he showed incredible battle techniques, and he couldn''t help but hope that he could achieve this level of strength in this Zombie Apocalypse world.


    ''So I have such an outstandingbat style if cornered¡­'' Shane thought to himself as he hoped that he would reach this level as well. However, he could tell that Shane, in his memory, had several magical passive skills as a Magic Swordsman.


    Anyway, as he continued to sift through the memories, he confirmed that he was still the one who killed the Blood Knight and got thest hit reward.


    In the end, piercing the Blood Knight''s heart was the most vulnerable part of the Vampire. It seemed to be the only method of killing this Vampire...


    Furthermore, after it let out a roar and copsed to the ground, it didn''t turn into ash. Instead, its body remained on the ground, waiting to be looted.


    Breathing heavily, Shane looked around at the Elves, who were staring at him with mixed emotions...


    He knew he couldn''t stay long since the Elves would probably turn on him.


    However, what he didn''t expect was how they sheathed their weapons.


    "Thank you," one of the Elves said and stepped forward. "You saved us."


    From this interaction, Shane realized that it was the start of changes in the Fairy Realm Invasion Apocalypse.


    ording to the memories, he then lived together with the Elves, learned more about their culture, and even befriended some Trolls and Orcs in the process.


    [ Memory Sphere absorptionplete. ]


    [ You have obtained Part 13 of 25 Memory Fragments. ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Language Mastery ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Sword Mastery ]


    [ Language Mastery Lv10 ( Max ): This skill enables the Survivor to speak and understand not only human dialects but also the intricatenguages of non-human beings such as elves, orcs, goblins, and others. Additionally, the Survivor has a chance to persuade or intimidate non-human creatures as the skill level increases. ]


    [ Sword Mastery Lv10 ( Max ): The Survivor has mastered the art of swordsmanship and possesses supreme skill with ded weapons. This Mastery allows the Survivor to perform advanced techniques such as parries, counters, andbo attacks, increasing overall damage output. ]


    These two passive skills were certainly a great help for Shane, and he really liked them. However, he realized that the 13th Memory Sphere doesn''t include information rted to the A.I. Rebellion. Previously, a single Memory Sphere would contain both parts of the Apocalypse.


    "Maybe the 14th would contain memories from A.I. Rebellion only." Shane muttered to himself as he decided to absorb the next Memory Sphere.


    [ Do you wish to absorb the Memory Sphere? ]


    "Yes¡­" Shane replied without hesitation.


    After this, the Sphere glowed and dissipated. Only its light entered his body.


    Shane then took a deep breath and focused, allowing the memories to flood his mind.


    This time, the memories were from the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse¡­


    ''As expected¡­ Each Memory Sphere this time was focused on one Apocalypse.'' Shane muttered to himself.


    Anyway, he actually liked this Apocalypse a lot since the existence of incredible Artificial Intelligence that could rebel means that human technology had already advanced a lot.


    Perhaps there would be a lot of people who would get scared to choose this Apocalypse, scared by the thought of having robots everywhere. But if they think about it, it was truly a lot better than the Zombie Apocalypse, where you could die once scratched or bitten by a Zombie. Here, with the advancement of science, even losing a limb or two could be easily remedied.


    Getting scratched or bitten by a robot would just hurt and could be healed.


    This was the reason why he chose it first without hesitation. With a high-tech world where an A.I. could take over a world, there should also be high-tech medicine, high-techbat style, and others.


    Anyway, what truly stood out about this world was that humans, or survivors like him, could rely on Gic Engineering to enhance their abilities. They could just consume geno solutions to improve their physique and learn various skills through mutations.


    Anyway, the memory he absorbed showed a destendscape, but the sky was darkened by the constant presence of surveince drones.


    In this memory, he was on a mission to enter a ruin.


    To be exact, it was the ruins of a once-great city. Currently, ity across the horizon and was overrun by machines collecting metals that could still be recycled.


    Shane moved cautiously as he passed through the wreckage. Thankfully, just like how he has Magic Swordsman and Complete Loot Talent in the Fairy Realm invasion, he also had Traceless and Otherworldly Mechanic Talent in this A.I. Rebellion. Furthermore, his senses were heightened by the geno solutions he had consumed.


    Apparently, he had heard rumors of an ancient spaceship buried deep within the ruins, a relic from humanity''s past.


    To be exact, it was a thirteenth-generation spaceship and it was said to contain advanced technology and powerful geno solutions that could be used by someone like him... Determined to find it, Shane spent weeks in this treacherous terrain just to avoid the patrols of A.I. androids and automated sentries.


    After days of searching, Shane finally stumbled upon the underground entrance leading to the spaceship. No A.I. androids were present in this ce at all. It waspletely cut off from outside connections and perhaps, it was done deliberately by the government who had realized that the A.I. would soon start to revolt.


    In any case, the situation here wasn''t good.


    The massive structure was already partially buried under rubble, and its once-sleek exterior was now corroded and damaged. He carefully made his way inside the airship with the air thick with dust.


    The interior of the spaceship had long winding corridors and filled with various chambers. Each one filled with remnants of the previous era.


    Shane moved silently as his eyes scanned for any signs of the geno solutions he sought. As he ventured deeper, he came across a sealed chamber, its door marked with the emblem of the thirteenth generation.


    ''This is it¡­''


    Using his enhanced strength, Shane pried the door open and stepped inside. The chamber was dark, but with his tools, it was soon filled with light¡­ He could now see rows of storage units lining the walls.


    "I''m rich¡­" Shane muttered in excitement.


    Then, in the center of the room, a pedestal held a small, crystalline vial filled with a glowing liquid. Shane''s heart raced as he realized he had found the Geno Solution he had been looking for!


    He approached the pedestal and carefully picked up the vial.


    "This is it¡­"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The liquid inside had a faint light, and he could feel its power resonating through the ss. Next to the vial, he noticed a small, intricately designed box. Opening it, he found a Memory Crystal, its surface was also etched with ancient symbols.


    He was very familiar with this since these crystals were basically simr toputer storage drives. The Memory Crystal, however, wouldn''t just work for machines but also for humans with specific gic mutations.


    Shane obviously had this mutation in the ''begginer''s town'' at the start of the apocalypse.


    He then activated the Memory Crystal, and a holographic interface appeared, and he was the only one who could see it¡­


    It disyed information about the Geno Solution and the High-Grade Geno Arts it contained. The solution was designed to alter his physique, enhancing his body in order to amodate the Geno Art. Indeed, the sole purpose of the solution was to allow him to learn a specific High Grade Geno Art called Asura''s Mantra.


    Asura''s Mantra wasn''t a powerfulbat technique thatbined physical prowess with mental discipline. It also granted the user an almost imprable body partnered with power simr to Telekinesis... Of course, this Telekinesis was limited, andrge flying vessels couldn''t be moved or controlled.


    However, it would finally solve his problems when fighting against those drones who could almost always dodge bullets or evensers.


    ''It felt like something I could learn in magical worlds¡­'' Shane thought at the time.


    After all, most of the Survivor Skills he learned here weren''t too magical. Most of them were rted to gun fighting, scavenging, movement techniques, tinkering, bomb-making, or other skills that don''t have anything to do with magic.


    ''Well, that''s a High-Grade Geno Art for you¡­'' Shane thought as he decided to consume it now.


    He knew that mastering this art could give him the edge he needed to survive and fight back against the A.I. overlords!

 Chapter 377 Continuing the Journey

    Without a doubt, Shane needed to unlock his potential.


    He then opened the vial and consumed the Geno Solution. The liquid burned as it coursed through his veins, but he gritted his teeth and endured the pain.


    He could feel his body changing, his muscles strengthening, and his senses sharpening. The mutations were rapid and intense, but Shane''s willpower kept him focused. Thankfully, this wasn''t his first time consuming a Geno Solution, so he was able to prepare himself.


    Once the transformation wasplete, Shane activated the Memory Crystal again, this time topletely ess the knowledge of Asura''s Mantra.


    Soon, the information flowed into his mind¡­ Each technique and principle of the Mantra became clearer. He then spent hours in the chamber, practicing the movements and meditations, honing the new skill he had just learned.


    As he trained, Shane''s confidence grew. He could feel the power of Asura''s Mantra coursing through him¡­ It made his skin seem like a jade, and he felt like he was no longer a human.


    However, there were several levels in this Asura''s Mantra, and he knew that being at the first level was not enough.


    Thankfully, there were plenty of resources left behind here that he could use to improve his body.


    For several weeks, the ruins of the spaceship became his training ground, and he pushed himself to the limits. He was determined to master the art and only leave this ce once he had reached the fourth or even fifth level of the Mantra.


    However, before he could continue, he had to attend an Exclusive Auction for the Survivors¡­ In this ce, he was able to buy plenty of food and some better clothes before returning to the ruins of the spaceship.


    Weeks then turned into months, and Shane''s skills improved exponentially. He was now able to reach the fifth level of the Asura''s Mantra.


    Right now, he felt that he no longer needed the firearms to deal with these A.I. androids and drones¡­ They once posed a significant threat when meeting them, but at this time, they were mere obstacles in his path.


    Finally, Shane ventured out of the ruins, ready to take the fight to the machines to a new level. The memory faded, and Shane found himself back in his room. Then, the notification from the system confirmed that he had justpleted the absorption of the Memory Sphere.


    "Asura''s Mantra. That looked incredible¡­ As long as I have that Geno Solution, I can probably practice that Mantra." Shane muttered as he memorized the Mantra already. The only problem was that he needed the mysterious energy from the Solution¡­


    "Wait¡­ Do I really need that Solution?" Shane mused as he shook his head.


    For now, he looked at the notification to see the new Skills he learned.


    [ Memory Sphere absorptionplete. ]


    [ You have obtained Part 14 of 25 Memory Fragments. ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Phantom Sprint ]


    [ Phantom Sprint Lv10 ( Max ): The Survivor can dash swiftly and silently, blending into the shadows to evade detection. This skill allows for rapid movement over short distances, making it ideal for stealthy escapes or surprise attacks.


    Effect: Increases movement speed by 50% for 10 seconds and grants a 90% chance to remain undetected by enemies during that time. Cost: 100 Spirit Points ]


    "Ohhh¡­ I wonder what will happen if this gets fused with the Armored Dash." Shane muttered to himself as he still had some Fusion Scrolls with him.


    In any case, he proceeded to absorb the fifteenth Memory Crystal, which was the continuation of the memories he had with the Elves.


    Apparently, he started working together with the Elves and Orcs to fight against the Vampires. Apparently, the Statham didn''t just convert humans but also other races to be his thralls or servants¡­n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    In the end, they had to fight against Blood Elves, Blood Orcs, Blood Trolls, and others. The setting of the Fairy Realm Invasion hadpletely changed¡­ However, the fact that the humans were still being killed left and right because of the new enemy.


    Nheless, most of the memories he absorbed during this time were of his endless battles against the vampires, who were slowly overtaking the world.


    [ Memory Sphere absorptionplete. ]


    [ You have obtained Part 15 of 25 Memory Fragments. ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Nature''s Guise ]


    [ You have learned a Survivor Skill: Vortex Spin ]


    [ Nature''s Guise Lv5: An art of camouge, allowing the Survivor to blend seamlessly into natural environments. The skill enhances the Survivor''s ability to observe without being seen.


    Effect: Grants a 70% chance to be undetectable while stationary in natural environments. Grants 20 seconds of being undetectable in natural environments while moving. Cost: 120 Spirit Points. ]


    [ Vortex Spin Lv5: The Survivor can execute a spinning maneuver that allows them to quickly change direction while moving.


    Effect: Increases evasiveness, allowing the Survivor to dodge iing attacks. Cost: 80 Spirit Points. ]


    The Nature''s Guise was a decent skill, but it wasn''t too great since he already had Shadowmeld Skill from his items and other skills like Phantasm Rush. It would be better to Fuse this skill with otherster on.


    It was simr to the Vortex Spin. He already has Momentum Shift that acts almost simrly to the Vortex Spin.


    ''Well, they''ll be fusedter.'' Shane thought to himself as he checked his status.


    [ Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets, Elite Survivor


    Level: 37


    Vitality: 495/535


    Spirit: 12,420/20,000


    Strength: 507


    Agility: 507


    Luck: 26


    Perception: 155


    Inventory:


    Misceneous Items: 75


    Potions: 19


    Weapons and Equipment: 52


    Blood Collection: 27


    Survivor Skills: Lockpicking, Hacker, Fast Swimmer, Mining, Alchemy, Aura of Protection, Horseback Riding, Lesser Beast Taming, Horizontal sh, Enhanced Sense, Fast Regeneration, Five-Meter Jump, Titan''s Roar, Underground Burrow, Armored Dash, Momentum Shift, Poison Resistance, Triple-Enhanced Vision, Adrenaline Surge, Vertical sh, Double Thrust, Meditation, Mental rity, Language Mastery, Sword Mastery, Phantom Sprint, Nature''s Guise, Vortex Spin


    Fused Skills: Survivalist, Crowd Maniptor, Phantasm Rush, Trap Mastery, Elemental Resistance, Heightened Awareness, Resources Handler, Shadow Hunt, Armament Expert, Brawler''s Fury.


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ), Aura Master Talent ( Exceptional ), Lucky Find ( Exceptional ), Telekinesis ( Rare ), Skill Infuser ( Epic )


    Reputation: 1249 ]


    ***


    On the next day, after Shane and Lysandra bought the items being sold in their Survivor Stores, they finally decided to leave the Ivory Gear Shelter.


    Of course, Kang Zhen heard about their ns and immediately arranged an escort for the two. After all, Shane sold a hundred more of his healing tokens and some safety tokens to Kang Zhen, allowing them to have enough healing materials for the next four to five months.


    That was already enough for their alchemists to make the potion that they had been researching for a while now.


    Shane and Lysandra were already at the gates of the shelter an hour after having their breakfast.


    Kang Zhen himself sent off the two after introducing their five escorts.


    The five-man squad was led by a man called Captain Wei.


    "I''ve traveled to Long Lodge Shelter three times now¡­ Back and forth. As long as you follow my directions, we will be safe going there. The Zombies that we might encounter were mostly Spitter Zombies and a few Crusher Zombies from time to time¡­ If you want us to continue moving even during the night, then there will be a high chance of encountering Screamer and Hunter Zombies." Captain Wei reminded.


    Shane nodded after seeing the man with long ck hair.


    His experience in navigating dangerous territories had certainly made him an invaluable asset. He also carried a high-powered rifle and a machete¡­ Aside from that, Shane noticed that his left eye was actually a prosthetic eye.


    [ You''re being inspected by a low-grade Scanner¡­ ]


    [ Scanner has been automatically blocked. ]


    Cloud, his A.I. Assistant, reminded.


    "You don''t have to block it¡­" Shane whispered though it was already toote.


    Unfortunately, the low-grade Scanner of the prosthetic eye was a bit too weak to the point that Cloud didn''t really have to put much effort into it.


    Captain Wei also noticed that his Scanner wasn''t working on him, so he simply smiled and nodded at Shane.


    Anyway, the other members of the squad also had various skills that bnced theposition of their team. There was a scout, a medic, a tech specialist, and a weapons expert.


    Shane found this group interesting, especially with the existence of Liang, the Tech Specialist, and Bao, the Weapons Expert¡­


    Liang had several devices on him, including a drone and portable shield generators. These generators made him recall his Sentinel Sphere.


    As for Bao, he was actually carrying an M134 Minigun! It was a weapon that he didn''t expect to appear just like that.


    Shane finally realized why this group of escorts was able to travel from shelter to shelter without casualties¡­ They were certainly heavily armed!


    Nheless, when everything was settled, the group finally left after Kang Zhen left a few words of encouragement.

 Chapter 378 The Alpha

    As Shane''s group traveled through the uneven road filled with broken cars, fallen trees, and various obstacles, the atmosphere didn''t seem too tense, but everyone was focused.


    The escort team moved silently as they didn''t want to attract many types of Zombies at all. Although they already had plenty of experience on this type of mission, they were still being cautious.


    Each member was alert and ready for any potential threats.


    Soon, the scout, who was ahead of the group, felt something off. His keen senses noticed some disturbances ahead of them.


    He had to make sure what it was, so he swiftly used his various skills to keep himself undetected. After a few moments, the scout froze as his eyes narrowed. He spotted movement in the underbrush and confirmed the presence of Zombies with his detection.


    He then signaled to Captain Wei, who immediately raised his hand to halt the group. "We''ve gotpany," The scout whispered. His voice was barely audible, but the Captain heard him.


    "Zombie Wolves. Ten of them, and one Alpha."


    Captain Wei''s expression hardened. The existence of the Alpha Wolf was a bit troubling¡­ He could only hope that they could kill these Zombies without alerting the Giant Zombies that should leave around here.


    Indeed, Captain Wei knew that this area had three or more Giant Zombies lurking around. They couldn''t cause a hugemotion when dealing with this problem. Even if they couldn''t avoid it, they had to be swift about it and leave the ce as quickly as possible.


    After considering it for a moment, he decided not to change their path and just use their overwhelming offensive power to deal with the problem. Well, he also wanted to show Shane and Lysandra that they have a trustworthy escort.


    "Alright, everyone, get ready. Liang, deploy your drone. Bao, prepare the Minigun."


    Liang nodded, quickly activating his drone and sending it into the air... The small device buzzed quietly as it flew towards the pack of Zombie Wolves.


    Bao, meanwhile, set up his M134 Minigun, the massive weapon gleaming ominously, and Shane couldn''t help but feel excited to see it in action.


    Of course, Lysandra also made her preparations in case they needed assistance. She actually has the Gunslinger''s Dual Revolver with her since Shane was now using his Golden Desert Eagle.


    Soon, the Zombie Wolves emerged from the shadows, and they weren''t in a hurry to attack, thanks to the Alpha Wolf''s presence.


    The Alpha Zombie Wolf wasrger and more menacing than the others and it led the pack with a low growl.


    Seeing that the number of humans was low, the Alpha Wolf gave itsmand.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The wolves then moved at the same time with their decayed bodies¡­


    "Liang, target the Alpha," Captain Wei ordered. His voice was calm and he was ready to act as soon as the Alpha Zombie was dealt with.


    "Roger that," Liang replied. His fingers danced over the controls as he aimed for the Alpha Wolf.


    Buzz¡­


    The drone hovered above the Alpha Zombie Wolf, and with a precise drop, it released a grenade!


    Thud¡­


    Boom!


    The explosion was deafening, sending a shockwave through the forest and disorienting the pack. The grenade was obviously one of the finest creations of the Ivory Gear Shelter!


    It was something that Shane couldn''t trade with his Healing Tokens, no matter how many he offered.


    "Bao, now!" Captain Wei shouted as he also pointed his gun at the enemies. It was the same for the scout and the medic, who also had weapons of their own.


    Bao then unleashed a torrent of bullets from his Minigun, the weapon''s barrels spinning rapidly.


    Brrrrtt~


    The Zombie Wolves were torn apart by the barrage as their bodies disintegrated under the assault of the powerful Minigun.


    The Alpha Zombie Wolf, though injured by the grenade, lunged at Bao with all its might!


    Captain Wei, seeing the danger, sprang into action. Using his Leg Spring Skill, he anticipated the Alpha''s movements and intercepted it with a powerful strike from his short de!


    Although Captain Wei uses a rifle, he also knows how to use a short sword in this type of situation.


    The de cut through the Alpha''s decayed flesh¡­ It didn''t take that long before the heavily injured creature copsed to the ground, lifeless.


    The forest fell silent once more as the threat neutralized. Captain Wei surveyed the area, ensuring there were no more hidden dangers.


    "Good work, everyone," He said, his voice filled with pride. "Let''s loot them before we keep moving."


    At this time, Shane decided to speak.


    "I want the Alpha Wolf''s corpse. Can I pay it with five Healing Tokens?" Shane said. The Healing Tokens costs him basically nothing.


    If he wanted to, he could just pick up a branch, carve a token, and use his Skill Infuser Talent to infuse it with Fast Regeneration. It may not be as effective as the treated wood or rare wood, but it would still have healing effects.


    Then, it would only cost him at least 20 Spirit Points!


    Captain Wei didn''t think too much and just agreed to it. The other members of the squad even thanked Shane for being so generous. After all, they were already paid for this mission for a generous price because Lord Kang Zhen was the one whomissioned them. They didn''t expect that they''d get more benefits by staying with these people.


    Furthermore, although the Alpha Wolf was considered a high-tier Zombie, it was probably the weakest one among them. They weren''t looking forward to the drop of this Zombie at all.


    Shane smiled after seeing how quick the negotiation was and looted the Zombie.


    Of course, he did this after activating his Loot Keeper''s Timepiece, allowing him to obtain five times more of what he could initially obtain.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes."


    [ You have earned 75 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x5, 800mL Water, Bread x10, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x5, 100mL Alpha Wolf Zombie Blood, Wolf Pelt Cloak x1, Wolf yer Bow x1 ] x5


    ''This is perfect¡­'' Shane thought to himself as he felt that he hit the jackpot.

 Chapter 379 Fools

    The group continued on their journey and encountered a few more groups of Zombies but they didn''t experience any threat at all. Everything was under control.


    As night fell, the group found a suitable clearing to set up camp.


    Liang deployed the portable barrier generators, creating a protective field around their perimeter. The soft hum of the barriers provided a sense of security, and the team began setting up their tents.


    Lysandra then inspected these barriers for a bit as she felt quite impressed by the small objects that Liang had ced on the ground. These things weren''t being sold in the Ivory Gear Shelter at all.


    "These barriers should keep us safe from any wandering Zombies," Liang exined while adjusting the settings on the generators.


    "But just in case, I''ve also set up some wire traps around the perimeter." He added.


    Mei, the medic, tended to any minor injuries the group had sustained during the day. It was small bruises and wasn''t really a big deal¡­


    "Everyone, make sure to get some rest. We have a long journey ahead¡­" Mei advised. Her tone was gentle but firm.


    At this time, Shane and Lysandra sat by the fire¡­ Well, Shane was actually showing the Wolf Pelt Cloak, just in case she fancied it.


    "It''s a bit too thick¡­ I might consider this during the winter." Lysandramented as she touched the Cloak¡­


    Shane nodded¡­ "You can have one¡­ I still have some extra. It has a decent effect, and the effect stacks with your vest."


    "Is that so?"


    Lysandra then thanked Shane for this as she was indeed wearing the SWAT Uniform''s Vest. Having the additional defense of the Cloak would probably save her from the Acid Spit that they would be dealing with tomorrow.


    Indeed, they would have to pass through an area where numerous Spitter Zombie lurks. Having the Cloak might save her life.


    At this time, Captain Wei joined them as they finished their dinner.


    "You both did great out there¡­ Tomorrow, we will be passing through a kilometer-wide Spitter Zombie-infested area. It''s the quickest path, and it is a mid-level danger if I can rate it. In any case, we have Liang''s barrier to protect us from the Acid Spit, so we just need to be quick on this.


    You probably know this already, but those Zombies explode once they get killed, so we can''t kill them¡­" Captain Wei exined.


    "We will follow your directions, Captain Wei." Vale replied with a nod. He felt that Captain Wei was a good leader after all.


    They then chatted for some time before everyone fell asleep¡­ In any case, once a zombie gets near, their traps are triggered, and the barrier can also buy them some time to prepare.


    ***


    As dawn broke, they confirmed that there weren''t any Zombies lurking around their camp, and the group swiftly moved from their tents.


    Mei, the medic who loved to take care of other people, had also prepared a simple yet satisfying breakfast of bread and butter. She even brewed some hot tea, theforting aroma wafted through the camp.


    Of course, this scent was blocked by the barrier as well to ensure that it would not attract any other Zombie.


    "Eat up, everyone," Mei said, handing out cups of tea. "We have a long day ahead."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Shane and Lysandra gratefully epted their portions, savoring the warmth of the tea. Though the two of them had better food in their inventory, including the ones they had just bought in their Survivor Store, they decided to ept the good intentions of the medic.


    The rest of the team quickly finished their meal, knowing they needed their strength for the journey.


    After packing up their camp, Captain Wei gathered the group. "Once again, our next route takes us through an area infested with Spitter Zombies. We''ll use Liang''s barriers to block their acid spit and rush through the area. Stay close and follow my lead."


    The team nodded in agreement, their expressions serious.


    They then set off, moving swiftly through the forest.


    "We''re close¡­" Captain Wei muttered.


    As they approached the designated area, the air around them suddenly grew thick with the acrid smell of decay.


    Seeing Lysandra''s reaction, Shane swiftly took out a couple of gas masks. It was something he bought in the store for 40 Zombie Cores each.


    "Thank you¡­" Lysandra muttered as she wore the mask. Thankfully, it was quite effective. As for the others, they seemed to have a high level of resistance, so they didn''t mind it.


    Captain Wei also noticed Shane''s action, and he just realized that the two hadn''t actually received the Ivory Gear Shelter''s modification. It was a miss on his part, and he could only apologize to Shane for failing to consider this matter.


    Soon, their scout signaled for the group to halt.


    "We''ve gotpany," he whispered. "A group of Survivors were ahead, and they''re hunting the Spitter Zombies recklessly. Tsk¡­"


    The team crept forward, peering through the underbrush.


    Then, they saw eight individuals, all wearing SWAT uniforms and wielding strange crossbows. The Survivors were systematically eliminating the Spitter Zombies as their bolts pierced the creatures with deadly uracy. As for the explosions that followed, they would actually throw some sort of web on these Spitter Zombies to contain the explosion!


    As they all started appreciating theirbat style, one of the Survivors noticed Shane''s group and shouted, "This is now our n''s hunting ground! We are from the Mystic Mirage!" The man puffed out his chest, giving a threatening look at Captain Wei, who seemed to be the strongest in their group.


    "Fools¡­" Captain Wei muttered under his breath. He knew the danger of this ce all too well. Although the Mystic Mirage n members looked strong and capable with their technique, their reckless approach was bound to attract unwanted attention.


    As if on cue, a deep growl echoed through the area.


    The Mystic Mirage members froze and their eyes widened in fear.


    Soon, three Monster Spitter Zombies emerged, they wererger than the regr Spitters and Shane knew about these Zombies! He had encountered them in the previous Zombie Wave after all!

 Chapter 380 Surrounded

    Indeed, Shane knew these Monster Spitters as he fought against them before. They were Zombies stronger or at the same level as Chief Spitter Zombies.


    Their bloated bodies were somehow agile¡­ They moved steadily with their acid sacs that bulged ominously. It was even quite difficult to see whether they were about to spit an acid, unlike the normal Spitter Zombies.


    Because of that, it wasn''t easy to predict their next attack¡­


    "Fall back!" Captain Wei ordered. His voice was urgent as these Monster Spitters were the real reason he didn''t want to fight against the Spitter Zombies.


    This area shouldn''t be too dangerous with Liang''s portable barrier generator. However, with the presence of the Monster Spitters, they could only choose another path or fight their way out of here.


    "We need to get out of here before those things get here. Let''s try again after they leave or use the longest path."


    As he shouted this, the Mystic Mirage members also realized their mistake¡­ At first, they tried to shoot at the Monster Spitters, but it didn''t take long before they found out that they were in trouble.


    Soon, their leader also gave hismand as they turned to flee!


    However, it was already toote!


    The Monster Spitter Zombies charged while also shooting acid everywhere!


    It was like a mad zombie that was doing everything to crush its target¡­


    "Hurry! Run away!"


    "Shielders! Use your pets to block the acid spit! It''s fine even if they die! Use them to buy more time!"


    Apparently, the three Monster Spitters movements also surprised the group from Mystic Mirage¡­ They didn''t expect them to be that fast for their size. Acidic saliva dripped from their jaws, sizzling as it hit the ground.


    At this point, even Shane''s group would be implicated by this if they didn''t get far enough¡­ After all, it seemed that these people were deliberately sending the Zombies to them as well!


    Liang quickly deployed his barriers, creating a protective shield around Shane''s group. "Just within the barriers! The acids are being thrown everywhere¡­" he shouted. "We can''t let that acid touch us or we''re dead."


    Bao readied his Minigun, but Captain Wei shook his head. "No shooting! We can''t risk an explosion that''s too near to us."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The group then steadily moved away, as the reward for killing such a devastating Zombie was incrediblycking for the effort that they had to do in order to kill it. It was simply not worth the time to kill such a Zombie. Because of that, everyone decided to let this problem pass instead of fighting it head-on.


    On the other hand, seeing that Shane''s group was able to back away quickly, the Mystic Mirage members decided to scatter and broke their formation.


    One of them, a woman who seemed to be injured from an acid spit, fired her crossbow at the nearest Monster Spitter Zombie.


    She seemed to have used her talent and exhausted her Spirit Points as the bolt flew like it waset!


    Bang!


    The bolt struck Monster Spitter''s shoulder! But instead of killing the creature, it triggered a violent reaction!


    The Zombie''s shoulder exploded in a shower of acid, the corrosive liquid sttering everything in its vicinity!


    "Get down!" Shane yelled, pulling Lysandra behind the barrier. Although the barrier was strong, Cloud calcted that the explosion would actually reach them, and it may have the power to destroy their portable barrier!


    Because of this, Shane had to use his Aura of Protection and use up over 500 Spirit Points to cover everyone in his group!


    Boom!


    The acid hissed as it hit the barrier, but Liang''s technology held firm¡­ It was able tost for a moment, but another acid explosion urred, and this time, it finally failed, but thanks to Shane''s preparation, the Aura of Protection managed to save everyone!


    Apparently, the second explosion came from the other Monster Spitter, who was attacked by another Survivor from the Mystic Mirage n!


    The Monster Spitter Zombies roared in annoyance as their eyes locked onto the fleeing Mystic Mirage members.


    The Survivors tried to regroup, but they had already wasted too much time.


    Another explosion rocked the area as one of the Monster Spitter Zombies decided tounch an Acid st!


    The group of Survivors who were previously looking arrogant in front of Shane''s group were now in dire need of help as most of them had been caught by the st!


    It was only a matter of time before they gotpletely eliminated!


    Captain Wei assessed the situation quickly.


    "Don''t think of fighting¡­ We need to move now! Follow me and stay low."


    The group moved swiftly, using another barrier to shield themselves from the acid that was being scattered everywhere.


    With Captain Wei''s prosthetic eye, which seemed to have a strange ability, they navigated through the chaos, avoiding the stters of corrosive liquid.


    However, the Mystic Mirage members were being picked off one by one by the Monster Spitter Zombies.


    "Since the Monster Spitters left, the ones left in their area should only be those normal Spitter Zombies. Let''s use this opportunity to cross this region¡­" Captain Wei said that there was basically no other path near this area since it would be more difficult to climb the steep rocks.


    "Got it!" Shane replied as he also thought that this was a good idea.


    Soon, everyone started running as they ignored the Spitter Zombies who were chasing after them¡­


    As they reached the edge of the infested area, Captain Wei signaled for a halt.


    "Everyone okay?" he asked, his eyes scanning the group.


    "We''re good," Mei replied, checking over Shane and Lysandra. "No injuries."


    "Let''s keep moving," Captain Wei said. "We need to put as much distance between us and those Zombies as possible."


    The group then continued their journey. Of course, they moved with caution, knowing that the dangers of the Zombie Outbreak were ever-present.


    However, as expected, it wouldn''t be so easy to avoid a problem¡­ They indeed managed to pass through the Spitter Zombie''s territory, but they were soon surrounded by 20 or so Survivors who seemed to be members of the Mystic Mirage n!

 Chapter 381 Return Fire

    Captain Wei and his group breathed a sigh of relief as they finally passed through the Spitter Zombie-infested area.


    The acidic threat was behind them, and they were ready to continue their journey.


    On the other hand, Shane was already observing the figures of the other survivors who were slowly encircling them. Well, with his more than 150 points of Perception, there was no way he would miss these people who weren''t using some sort of device to hide their presence.


    They were purely relying on the obstacles blocking their sight in order to hide.


    Anyway, they were all wearing a SWAT Uniform they had recently obtained, so it was quite obvious that they were Foreign Survivors like him.


    As Captain Wei moved forward, the group of people who seemed to have bad intentions slowly showed. Soon, they were trapped by 23 members of the Mystic Mirage n.


    Their only escape was to head back to the Spitter Zombie-infested area.


    "Passing through our hunting ground''s area without our permission isn''t good, you know?" Their leader, a tall man with blond hair and amanding presence, spoke to the group.


    Then, the Mystic Mirage members, d in their distinctive SWAT uniforms, formed an arc around Shane''s group.


    "We don''t know that you own this ce¡­" Captain Wei said as he frowned. He didn''t like where this was going.


    The leader of the Mystic Mirage squad ignored Captain Wei''s words as he noticed one of his subordinates rushing at him and whispered something¡­


    The man''s eyes then turned cold as he heard the report of his subordinate! Apparently, they could no longer contact the squad who should be killing the Spitter Zombies!


    They had already disappeared from the n Members list, and those who were Friends on them also confirmed that they were no longer there!


    These people had probably left the n and removed their Friends from the Friend List, or they were actually dead!


    The leader believed that it was thetter since there was no way those group of people would dare to leave their n!


    He then stepped forward and looked at Shane''s group. This time, his eyes were already zing with anger. "You! Drop all your weapons now! How dare you attack our members?" he demanded, his voice carrying a Spiritual Force, making it evident that he used a skill, simr to Shane''s Titan''s Roar but a lot weaker.


    This time, Captain Wei stepped forward, his hands raised in a cating gesture. He realized that they had misunderstood something.


    "No¡­ We didn''t do anything to your friends. We just passed through the area," he tried to exin.


    But the Mystic Mirage members were not willing to listen. "Shut up! If you don''t want to drop your weapons, then try to survive against us!" the leader shouted, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.


    At this time, Shane also noticed that they were pulling out their des, and a few of them had drawn their revolvers. To be exact, there were three enemies with firearms, while the rest of them carried melee weapons.


    The tension in the air grew as the leader raised his hand, ready tomand his team to attack.


    At this time, Shane knew that a fight was inevitable. No matter what they say, it is no longer important. After all, he could also see the greed in their eyes. They wanted to loot them!


    ''But are they not afraid of Bao? He''s literally carrying a Mini Gun? Why are they so confident?'' Shane couldn''t help but feel confused. After all, that Mini Gun would surely intimidate a normal group of Survivors.


    It seemed that they had something that they were relying on¡­


    As expected, Cloud suddenly sent an rm, informing him about the presence of snakes! These snakes burrowed underground, so he did not notice them at all!


    As soon as they appeared, they targeted Bao and paralyzed him! The Minigun was no longer usable! Lysandra acted swiftly and tried to kill the snakes, but from the four snakes, she was only able to kill two of them before they retreated to the ground.


    "Shit!" Captain Wei panicked as he didn''t expect Bao to be taken out immediately¡­ It was truly unfortunate that their portable barrier couldn''t protect them from sneak attacksing from the ground!


    Thankfully, as the members of the Mystic Mirage got the signal to attack, Shane was able to act quickly! Without hesitation, he activated his repaired Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret!N?v(el)B\\jnn


    He had spent 75 Reputation Points to fix it the previous night, and now it was ready for action.


    The turret buzzed to life, its sensors locking onto the Mystic Mirage members.


    "What?!"


    "A turret!"


    "The Illusion! Hurry! Use our n''s Skill!"


    Apparently, the enemy n was not to be underestimated.


    They activated their n Skill, creating a series of illusions that distorted the battlefield. The illusions made it difficult to distinguish friend from foe, and Shane''s group found themselves disoriented.


    Their n Skill seemed a lot better than their Eclipse Revenant''s n Skill. Anyway, Shane had no time to feel impressed as he knew how to solve this issue.


    "Stay close and watch each other''s backs!" Captain Wei shouted as he notified Mei to heal Bao quickly.


    At this time, Shane''s A.I. Assistant, Cloud, was unaffected by the illusions.


    [ Targeting enemies¡­ ] Cloud announced, and the turret began firing even though their vision was still being confused by the illusion!


    The automated turret''s bullets tore through the illusions, striking the real enemies hidden within. Mei, who was about to get beheaded by one of the enemies, was immediately saved by a barrage of energy bullets fired behind her!


    The Illusion was still in effect, so Captain Wei and the others couldn''t help at this time.


    In the end, they decided to just shoot with their guns everywhere to intimidate the enemies! Shane also decided to wield the M134 Minigun and unleashed a hail of bullets where Cloud pointed him to shoot. Soon, his weapon''s roar drowned out the shouts and screams of the Mystic Mirage members!

 Chapter 382 Looted

    Shane couldn''t help but smile as he carried the Minigun that Bao had dropped¡­ The sheer satisfaction of carrying this weapon and shooting at moving targets was indescribable.


    "Wake up!" Shane shouted, but it wasn''t a simple shout. Behind this was the Titan Roar''s power that helped everyone realize that they were only in an illusion. The illusion itself was still there, but their minds soon became clearer about the situation they were in.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It wasn''t a big deal for Shane since he had recently obtained Mental rity skill, but it was different for the others.


    Captain Wei was thankful for Shane''s quick action as he immediately ordered the others. Although the illusion was confusing them of the real situation, they were already aware that it was only tricking their eyes, and they were still in the same location.


    "Take cover and return fire!" Captain yelled as he felt that the portable barrier generator was starting to copse.


    Liang nned to use his tech expertise to deploy his one and only EMP grenade to disrupt the enemy''s electronic devices.


    However, seeing that Shane''s turret also worked simr to a device, he decided to change his n and threw a sh Grenade instead, hoping that it would destroy the illusionpletely.


    Bang!


    His call was right! As soon as the grenade exploded with a sh, it canceled the Mystic Mirage''s Illusion n Skill and even disoriented those who had survived from Shane''s Minigun and Automated Turret!


    Furthermore, they realized that among the members of the n, 20 of them were already dead, and thest 3 of them were already a hundred meters away and fleeing from the chaos!


    The leader looked back, his eyes filled with rage.


    "This isn''t over!" He yelled at them before retreating into the forest with the two remaining Mystic Mirage members.


    However, it was just ignored by the group.


    Among the 20 Survivors, Shane had killed a total of 16! He knew this very well since he would get a notification from the System about how he eliminated a Survivor¡­


    On the other hand, Mei, the medic, didn''t care about these dead Survivors and those three who had escaped as she moved swiftly. She noticed that aside from Shane and Lysandra, everyone else was injured from the various skills thrown by the Mystic Mirage''s members while they were covered within the illusion.


    After all, everything happened so swiftly and even after being hit by Shane''s turret and minigun, the enemies still had strong vitality and were able to throw various skills or weapon skills before they ultimately perish¡­


    "Hang on¡­"


    Mei said she tends to any injuries sustained by her teammates.


    Her calm demeanor and quick actions kept the injured also calm and avoided panicking¡­


    Jin, the scout, was the most heavily wounded among them¡­ Apparently, most of his skills were rted to swift movement, stealth techniques, and escape skills. However, his defensive and offensive skills arecking¡­ After being surrounded, he had the most terrible ability to defend himself.


    Because of that, he was hit by the hidden weapons of the enemies, and thankfully, he had a heart mirror on his chest that saved him from a vital injury.


    Perhaps, if he didn''t manage to hide behind the Automated Turret quickly, he wouldn''t be so lucky.


    "We can''t let those three escape. They might just call for more people. Stay here, and I''ll follow them." Shane coldly said as he left the Automated Turret to protect the group before he started chasing the three Survivors.


    As for looting the people they had killed, Shane''s Auto-Loot Feature had quickly done that for him!


    He quickly browsed through these notifications and noticed three interesting results.


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, 100mL Human Blood ( O+ ), Danger Sense Skill, Petrification Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Petrification ( Common ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Petrification Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 7 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    Petrification Talent was definitely a skill that anyone would not miss. Turning someone else into a stone was such a god-like ability and it would surely change his fighting style as well.


    However, the fact that it wasn''t even a Rare or Exceptional Talent made Shane shake his head at it. It was such a pity that this divine-like Talent was only rated as Common.


    Perhaps he could only turn a rat into stone¡­ He might even struggle to do that and only affect some small insects. It was such a pity.


    Of course, Shane still considered this for a bit since he might be able to use this to Petrify a part of a human body at the very least. Perhaps petrifying a finger or an eye could greatly help him in battles.


    However, considering it was only amon skill, a single Master Grade Armor that has Magic Resistance could easily block this for sure.


    As a matter of fact, that was probably the case for him. Perhaps, his SWAT Uniform''s Damage Resistance and Increased Evasion already did its job when he was being petrified, but he just didn''t notice because it was too weak when used against other Survivors.


    Nheless, if he could petrify grenades or maybe a fuse of a bomb, it might also be life-saving.


    ''If it''s a Rare Rank, at least, I would not hesitate to take this and rece Lucky Find.'' Shane frowned while chasing the three escapees.


    At this time, he was using his Phantasm Rush to chase this group without being noticed. Well, he actually had another reason for chasing them, it was to determine the base of the Mystic Mirage n¡­


    He felt that this n was too evil after all. They actually just attacked them without any proper reasoning, and perhaps, those weaker Survivors had already been killed and looted by them.


    Anyway, they might still be far away from their base, so Shane was considering whether he should just try the Petrification Talent and remove Lucky Find, which had some minimal effects.


    However, his next exploration in the 20th Sector requires some luck so he was hesitant to remove it.


    As for Telekinesis, he felt that it was still very useful right now, so it could not be removed yet. As for the Complete Loot Talent, Otherworldly Mechanic Talent, Territory Lord Talent, and Skill Infuser Talent, there was no way he would consider removing any of them.


    After some hesitation, he finally decided to ept the Petrification Talent.


    ''Let''s try something new¡­''


    Although it was very low-rated, he felt that even a weak ability to turn something into stone could be very vital if used correctly.


    "Yes¡­ Remove the Lucky Find Talent."


    After answering the System, he immediately felt some changes in his body.


    Ding!


    [ You have reced Lucky Find Talent ( Exceptional ) to Petrification Talent ( Common ) ]


    Shane smiled after seeing this and nced at the group of Survivors who were still running around. They weren''t reaching their base just yet, so Shane nced at the next notification.


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, 100mL Human Blood ( A+ ), Acrobatic Skill, Contortionist Talent ]


    Shane ignored this Talent and continued checking the next notification.


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, 100mL Human Blood ( A+ ), Alchemy Skill, Pyrokinesis Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Pyrokinesis ( Umon ) was not added. ]


    Being able to control fire was definitely one of the strongest abilities out there. After all, its destructive ability could be easily imagined. In a world where you must kill to survive, this Talent was definitely very helpful.


    The owner of this Talent was just unfortunate. The Pyrokinesis had low rating, which made it difficult for him to kill Zombies, so he probably decided to be an alchemist instead.


    After some consideration, Shane decided not to take this Talent since, when ites to dealing damage, he won''t lose out to a small fireball at all. Perhaps, this Talent was only as strong as the methrower he had, or it might even be weaker.


    ***


    In the meantime, while Shane was busy, Captain Wei and the rest of the group found a secure spot to set up camp and wait for him.


    Liang deployed his damaged portable barrier generators once more, creating a protective field around their perimeter.


    He also set up several wire traps, ensuring that any intruders would be detected.


    "We should be safe here for a while¡­" Liang said, adjusting the settings on the barriers. "But stay alert. We can''t afford any surprises."


    At this time, Captain Wei sighed as he used the Healing Talisman to heal his body. As a leader, he had to always be in the best condition, so he decided to use the Talisman on him.


    After doing this, he turned to the woman that Shane had left with the team.


    "Lysandra, do you think Shane will be fine?"

 Chapter 383 Recruitment Stones

    Lysandra knew that Shane and his team were the top rankers in the recent Boss Raid Event. Her team only managed to clear the third stage, and they didn''t dare to enter the fourth stage at all.


    They only have one life, so needless to say, they didn''t dare to gamble.


    "Shane will be fine¡­ Even if you pit him against five Giant Zombies, he''ll definitely walk out alive." Lysandra said with confidence, as he knew very well that Shane was the Top 1 Survivor. He was the strongest Survivor out there and he had numerous tricks he could use to win almost any battle.


    ''Five Giant Zombies?''


    Captain Wei and the others repeated at the same time in their minds as they looked at Lysandra. Although the Automated Turret was incredibly useful against humans, it could be easily stomped by a Giant Zombie. After all, the Turret''s energy bullet was small, and it couldn''t immediately kill a Giant Zombie¡­ Even if it did, the Zombie''s huge body would crush this Turret if they copsed on it.


    Fighting against five Giant Zombies was a bit of an exaggeration in their opinion.


    Nheless, they believed that they were lovers, so it wasn''t too surprising that she would elevate Shane''s abilities.


    ''She must be proud of him¡­'' All of them thought along this line as they could tell that Lysandra truly looked up to him.


    In any case, their group stayed in this ce as they waited for Shane to return. The Automated Turret was with them anyway. Even if they encountered some threat, the Turret should be strong enough to protect them against most Zombies in this area.


    ***


    In the meantime, while chasing the three Survivors from the Mystic Mirage n, Shane was already checking the third Survivor Talent that caught his interest.


    Well, he wasn''t really expecting too much since these Survivors had been too easy to kill. It means that their Talents weren''t that great to begin with. Furthermore, their levels hadn''t even reach twenty while he was already a level 37 Survivor.


    However, despite not expecting a lot from them, he was still quite happy with the loot he obtained.


    [ You have earned 50 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, 100mL Human Blood ( O+ ), Mining Skill, Monkey Tail Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Monkey Tail ( Exceptional ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the Monkey Tail Talent? ]


    [ Hint: You can only have 7 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store asionally, and perhaps you''ll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]


    The Monkey Tail Talent caught him off guard. After all, this was already a mutation¡­


    "Cloud, did you notice a Survivor with a tail among the corpses?" Shane asked.


    [ Yes. He tried escaping, but I used the Turret to eliminate him. Two energy bullets on his body and one on his head killed him. ] Cloud promptly replied.


    He certainly couldn''t tell what was happening outside the illusion, but thankfully, Cloud was built differently.


    Then, an idea came into his mind¡­


    "So it''s like that¡­ How is he escaping at that time? Is he using that tail to grab on vines or branches?" Shane asked curiously.


    [That''s correct. ] Cloud replied


    Shane couldn''t help but chuckle at the thought of a human copying a monkey''s movement.


    Nheless, it was an Exceptional Skill, so it was definitely a useful ability. Perhaps, the tail could even hold a sword or any weapons.


    However, he wouldn''t know about this as he decided not to ept the skill.


    As for the other Survivor Skills and Talents, Shane wasn''t able to obtain something new from them. Most of the skills were a bit toomon.


    However, he was thankful enough to obtain Archery, Danger Sense, and Taunt Skill once again¡­


    It must be remembered that the Archery Skill was previously used to fuse with other skills to obtain the Shadow Hunt Skill. On the other hand, the Danger Sense was used to obtain Heightened Awareness andstly, the Taunt Skill was used to obtain the Brawler''s Fury.


    ''I can actually obtain those skills again.'' Shane gently nodded as he recalled that it was impossible in Fairy Realm. On the other hand, he hadn''t tried it in the A.I. Rebellion since he didn''t have Complete Loot Talent during that time.


    ***


    Anyway, the wait was finally over as Shane watched the three remaining members of the Mystic Mirage n retreat in their base without being noticed.


    ''So this is their stronghold¡­'' Shane thought as he observed the base of the n.


    It actually took them 40 minutes to reach this ce. The hunting ground that they found was actually that far.


    "Can''t they find a closer Zombie Den?" Shane muttered as he nced at the watchtowers and patrols around.


    The base of the Mystic Mirage n was indeed a heavily fortifiedpound nestled deep within the forest. There were high wooden palisades surrounding the perimeter, and more than ten watchtowers at each corner. They were manned by vignt guards carrying bows and arrows¡­


    The entrance was guarded by a massive gate and it was reinforced with steel and guarded by two sentries.


    Shane crouched behind a thick bush, using his Perception Skill to scan the area. His A.I. Assistant, Cloud, provided additional data, confirming that there were at least fifty people inside thepound. The atmosphere within was one of debauchery and revelry, with the n members indulging in food, drink, and other vices.


    "Is there some sort of celebration?" Shane muttered to himself.


    During this time, the three who had escaped them should''ve sent a message to their leaders already. They should be aware that a group of Survivors had killed their friends.


    To be honest, Shane was expecting that the people here were ready to march and take revenge on their fallenrades.


    ''What''s going on?'' Shane was confused as this waspletely different from what he had expected.


    ''Do they not care about those people we killed?''


    He couldn''t help but consider this thought. Perhaps there was some sort of internal conflict within this shelter that made some of them celebrate about the death of theirrades instead of arming up for revenge.


    Anyway, the fact that they tried to kill them was already a death sentence to them. One of those who had escaped had even left some words about their vengeance. There was no way Shane would just ignore that, considering that they already knew their faces.


    He then took a moment as he nned how to deal with this n. After all, the fifty or so people here had survived for a long time.


    Most of them weren''t even summons or recruits. This means that they have different Talents that he had no idea about. It wouldn''t even be surprising if they had several survivors with Epic Talents inside.


    Because of that, he had no confidence of eliminating all of them.


    After some consideration, he donned his Zombie Mask to avoid being known, even if some of them managed to escape from his grasp.


    Soon, he felt the familiar transformation overtaking his body¡­


    Just like that, his body morphed into that of a Hunter-Like Zombie¡­


    As for Silver, his metal slime, he decided to transform into a helmet to protect his head¡­


    At this time, his features was already unrecognizable.


    With his disguiseplete, he activated his Zombie Recruitment Stone¡­ They were the stones he had obtained from Merchant Darwin before.


    ''Alright¡­ Let''s see what surprise I''ll get this time¡­ If you''ll be a Crawler Zombie, I''ll have to get a refund from that merchant.'' Shane thought to himself as he waited for what was about toe.


    In just a few moments, Shane saw the mysterious gray fog and brought him tworge Zombies¡­


    ''Ohhh¡­ Is it a Crusher Zombie?'' Shane thought as he saw the silhouette¡­


    However, he soon realized that he had just summoned two Tyrant Zombies.


    "Tyrant Zombies!"


    The massive creatures appeared with a low growl, and their eyes also glowed with bloodlust


    Shane immediately jumped back as he observed the two unmoving Tyrants. He was worried that these two were untameable and would attack him instead.


    Thankfully, the Tyrant Zombies didn''t seem to have any intention of attacking him.


    Whew~


    Shane heaved a sigh of relief as he then instructed the two Zombies.


    "Attack the camp," Shanemanded¡­ Since had transformed into a Zombie, his voice was quite deep and hoarse at the same time¡­


    The Tyrant Zombies then looked at him as if making sure who he was before they obeyed and charged towards the stronghold with terrifying speed!


    ''Ahh¡­ I should''ve given them some weapon or defensive gears.'' Shane thought as he watched the Tyrant Zombies charged at the main gate¡­


    Boom!


    The guards at the gate barely had time to react before the Tyrant Zombies crashed through the entrance, their massive fists smashing the reinforced steel.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Panic erupted within the stronghold as the n members scrambled to defend themselves!

 Chapter 384 Rescue

    Using the chaos as cover, Shane activated his Phantasm Rush since he didn''t n to just let the two Tyrant Zombies do the work.


    He was confident that these two Zombies would not be enough to deal with these Survivors.


    Soon, his figure suddenly blurred as he moved with supernatural speed with the activation of his skill.


    As soon as he reached the palisade, he used his Five-Meter Jump Skill to vault over the wooden barrier!


    Thud¡­


    Just like that, Shane was able to infiltrate the stronghold of the Mystic Mirage n without being noticed.


    Inside thepound, he started observing the surroundings silently. His eyes scanned the chaotic scene of the Survivors trying to reinforce the palisade to stop the Zombies from entering their base.


    In any case, now that he was here, his Perception of the ce had gotten clearer. It was no longer being obscured by the strange barrier of the shelter.


    ''Just get their attention for now¡­'' Shane thought to himself as he nced in the direction where his summoned Zombies are.


    Rooaarrr!


    At this time, the Tyrant Zombies were wreaking havoc, one of their powerful attacks had even decimated some of the Mystic Mirage members.


    [ Your Tyrant Zombie has eliminated a Survivor. ]


    [ Your Tyrant Zombie has eliminated a Survivor. ]


    ¡­


    [ Your Tyrant Zombie has eliminated a Survivor. ]


    It was repeated for a total of seven times!


    Shane then found a corner and took advantage of the confusion. He pulled out five of Orb of Undead Summoning from his Inventory. They were his loot after raiding his first Wild Shelter before.


    [ Orb of Undead Summoning ( Low ): A single-use mysterious orb that pulses with dark energy, used by the Necromancer to summon and control undead minions. The orb is said to amplify the Necromancer''s powers andmand over the undead if consumed.


    Effects when activated: Undead Summoning: Randomly summon a low-tier Undead.


    Effects when consumed: Effective only with those with Necromancer Talent: +10 Dark Spirit. ]


    He doesn''t have Necromancer Talent, so he sold some of his Orb of Undead Summoning while keeping some for himself.


    ''I don''t need some good but just enough to give those Tyrant Zombies some breather.'' Shane thought as he activated the orbs.


    He immediately gave his consent to the notification he received, and soon, with a sh of dark energy, three Ghoul Tanks and two Zombie Warriors materialized.


    "Some Zombies have entered!"


    "Deal with them quickly! Find the hole they used to enter and close it up. Hurry!"


    "Wait¡­ Those are Ghouls and Zombie Warriors! They''re from the Wild Shelter!"


    "What?! They''re Undead Creatures?!"


    "There''s no Wild Shelter nearby, right? What''s going on?!"


    "Tsk¡­ Those three must''ve been followed by these Zombies! Idiots! They should''ve killed themselves."


    Soon, a few of the Survivors turned their attention to the low-tier Undead Creatures.


    The Ghoul Tanks were massive and had hard skin, so they may have weak damage, but it would take some time to kill them.


    Then, they charged to the nearest Survivors as they obeyed Shane''s instructions.


    The Zombie Warriors, on the other hand, moved faster than Shane had expected as they worked together with the Ghoul Tanks.


    ''They''re a lot faster than the Zombie Warriors I killed before.'' Shanemented in his mind as it seemed that the ones he summoned were a lot better than the normal low-tier undead creatures.


    Anyway, after doing all of this, Shane''s attention was finally focused on the unusual warehouse of thispound¡­


    He was able to sense something off in this area, so he wanted to check this ce immediately.


    Upon reaching the warehouse, Shane pushed open the heavy, creaking door.


    Everyone was busy, so no one noticed his actions.


    "This¡­" Shane was shocked.


    He already had some guesses after his Perception grasped the surroundings. However, to see it for real still made his blood boil.


    The sight that met his eyes was a stark contrast to the chaos outside.


    Inside, this dark room was a bit messy. It was not a ce where people should live. In any case, it was illuminated by flickering torches, and he could also see stacked crates and barrels on either side of the wall, but it was not the cargo that caught his attention; it was the haunting cries that she heard.


    As he stepped further inside, he was able to see it clearly.


    The Mystic Mirage n was not just a group of Survivors; they were truly evil. In the far corner of the warehouse, five captured women were bound and gagged, their faces pale and filled with fear.


    They were not in good condition¡ªbruises marred their skin, and their eyes were filled with despair.


    It was not hard to guess what was going on.


    Shane''s heart raced with fury as he took in the gruesome sight.


    He even recalled some of the things he witnessed during the A.I. Rebellion that he simply buried in his memories.


    ''Those scums¡­''


    Anger ignited within him as he decided to free these women.


    Of course, he removed his mask as he was afraid that he would scare them once they got a closer look at his face.


    They might die from a heart attack instead if that happened.


    He also quickly assessed the area, noting that there were a couple of guards patrolling outside the warehouse. It seemed that they had noticed that they were worried that a Zombie had entered the warehouse and wanted to check on the condition of their captured women.


    There was no time to waste. With a swift motion, Shane drew his golden hatchet.


    As soon as the two entered the warehouse, an arc of light urred from the darkness¡­


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    Just like that, two severed heads dropped to the ground.


    Shane didn''t even nce at the notification that he received from the system.


    He approached the women cautiously¡­


    Then, as they heard his footsteps, their immediate reaction was to flinch¡­


    Seeing this, Shane''s heart ached for their suffering.


    "I''m here to help you," he whispered softly, cutting through their binds easily¡­


    As the ropes fell away, Shane noticed that they were actually Master-Grade Rope that were mostly avable in the Survivor Store.


    The women didn''t immediately realize what was going on as their eyes widened with a mix of hope and disbelief.


    It took them a few moments to confirm that they were really being saved. Then, they immediately showed their gratitude to Shane.


    "Thank you¡­ please, we need to get out of here," one of the women gasped, trembling with fear.


    Shane gently nodded after hearing this. It was a good thing that they all wanted to escape this ce and live their life. He should be able to at least help them restart their lives.


    "Just stay here for now¡­ I''ll deal with the people outside andeter¡­" Shane said as he decided to give them some of his extra clothes, food, water, and even pistols for their protection.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    These pistols were looted or bought in the Survivor Store. This way, they would feel safer even if he was away.


    Then, Shane gave them the Healing Tokens but didn''t mention how to use them since he was in a hurry.


    Also, asking them whether they are ''Foreign Survivors'' or residents of this continent or summoned through a Recruitment Stone could be der.


    Once again, the group thanked Shane''s actions and knew that he could really be trusted. After all, they had even received firearms from him. There was no way they were being tricked by this person.


    "Wait for me¡­" Shane said as he nced toward the door. He already sensed that there were other guards who were about to check on this ce.


    Shane swiftly left and waited for them to enter before eliminating them once again.


    Just like that, two more members of the Mystic Mirage n have been killed!


    As soon as he had gotten outside, he immediately wore his Zombie Mask and transformed into a Zombie!


    Just like that, Shane worked together with his three remaining Zombie Warriors¡­ Apparently, in the time he left to save the five women, they had already killed the two Tyrant Zombies and the two Ghoul Tanks¡­


    "Tsk! A Hunter Zombie is here!"


    "Just where are theying from?!"


    "Find that hole in our wall already!"


    "Someone''s looking for that already. Just focus---Ahh!"


    Shane decided to act like a Zombie as he started to crush these Survivors! Using his 500+ Strength and Agility, they were unable to follow his movements at all.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Even without using his Brawler''s Fury or various Survivor Skills or even Weapons in his Inventory, he was able to effortlessly kill these people!


    None of them could lock unto him and use their skills or talents¡­ They would always miss Shane and die from his punches or tackles!


    "Call the n Leader! We can''t handle this guy! We already used those grenades on the two Tyrant Zombies!" The captain of the guards shouted.


    He actually had difficulty eliminating the Tyrant Zombies a while ago¡­ Now, there was another weird Hunter Zombie in front of him, and he could only hope that their n Leader could hurry up and kill this thing!

 Chapter 385 Shanes Assault

    While the Leader of the Mystic Mirage n was still nowhere to be seen, Shane''s Zombie form caused more havoc within the base of the n...


    He already had aplete grasp of theyout of the shelter, noting the locations of the strategic points to attack them¡­


    After all, there was no way he would stay in a single spot¡­ He kept on moving within the shelter in order to avoid getting surrounded and kill more Survivors.


    [ You have eliminated a Survivor. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Survivor. ]


    As he moved, he also activated his Auto Loot Function and took their items, Talent, and skills. Well, they mostly had Common or Umon Talents, and only a few of them had Rare Talents, so he mostly ignored them.


    "Stop that Hunter Zombie!"


    "Captain, it''s moving too fast!"


    "It can''t be stopped by ropes and other traps."


    "Ughh¡­ Just retreat and move together. We can''t kill it, but it won''t kill us if we stay together."


    "Just wait for the leader!"


    The Mystic Mirage members fought valiantly, but they were no match against the Hunter Zombie who seemed to have the strength of a Giant Zombie¡­ It was also incredibly fast, and they had no way of shooting it with their guns.


    Thepound was soon overrun, the once-fortified stronghold reduced to a scene of carnage and destruction.


    Amidst the chaos he created, Shane finally spotted the blond-haired Leader of the n. The man had already rallied the elite forces of his n to deal with Zombie Shane¡­


    It seemed that he had taken some time to organize this team as well.


    "Tsk¡­ Just one High-Tier Zombie and my camp had be like this?" The Leader couldn''t help but feel disappointed after seeing the scene before him.


    It was clear that their defenses were crumbling just because of a single Zombie.


    "Retreat! Fall back!" The Leader shouted to the ones who were still nning to block the Hunter Zombie. There were already too many casualties, and just barely half of their members were still alive. He had to act quickly!


    Shane, on the other hand, destroyed the watchtowers with his overwhelming strength¡­ He needed to do this as the ones stationed in the watchtower were equipped with heavy crossbows. He would still get injured once he was hit by thoserge bolts.


    As he did this, Shane''s attention was turned to the group of people who had used various Survivor Skills to scan him and find his weakness.


    With his heightened senses, he heard that the blond-haired man was called Gerald, the leader of the Mystic Mirage n.


    He had gathered three of his elite members ready to deal with him.


    Gerald was a tall figure with blond hair, wielding a shotgun and a short de that seemed to float beside him. It was thanks to his Talent, Invisible Third Hand.


    This Talent was only a Master Grade Talent, but it was still incredibly powerful with his method of usage.


    The three elites with him were equally formidable. Each of them were armed with shotguns and possessed unique defensive talents: Stone Skin, Iron Skin, and Earth Skin.


    Shane didn''t have to loot them to know their talents as he could clearly see the changes in their bodies. The only thing he didn''t know was what grade these Talents are. After all, if they are Legendary Talent, it wouldn''t be easy to pierce through their skins with just his physical strength, no matter how strong he was.


    "Spread out and nk him," Geraldmanded.


    His voice remained calm and cold even though he couldn''t inspect the Hunter Zombie in front of him... It''s probably a Variant of the Hunter Zombie¡­


    "This Hunter Zombie is not ordinary... It must be a Leader or Variant type."


    The elites nodded; they could also tell that much after seeing it destroy their watchtower with just four punches. That was definitely not something that other Hunter Zombies could do...


    After realizing that the Zombie was approaching them, they soon spread out to have a fan formation in front of the Zombie.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Their shotguns were ready and waiting for the Zombie to get closer. After all, this weapon had a destructive power, but the range it had was short. Their shotguns were all at Exceptional Grade and the shells they have were also special.


    They believed that even an Armored Tyrant Zombie would take a lot of damge from this weapon.


    Shane, realizing that the shotguns posed some threat to him, knew he had to act quickly and decisively. He could tell that the shotguns were enhanced by Item Upgrade Crystals with the glow emitting from their appearance, so he had to take this seriously.


    With a sudden burst of speed, Shane darted towards the nearest elite, the one with Stone Skin.


    This action surprised everyone in the shelter as this was their first time seeing a Zombie use such a skill!


    Previously, the Hunter Zombie was quick, but they could still follow its movement.


    However, just now, the Zombie seemed to have blurred, and in an instant, it arrived beside the Zombie!


    At this time, some other survivors are already chatting in the regional chat and asking for help from the nearest shelters!


    [ Kyle: We''re being attacked by a weird or variant Hunter Zombie¡­ We''re located at near the Blue Sinkhole! ]


    [ Travis: Mystic Mirage n? Did you bite more than you can chew? I told you not to be overaggressive when attacking a Zombie Den. ]


    [ Kyle: There''s no time for that! This Hunter Zombie is weird and can use skills! ]


    [ Travis: Sounds familiar. ]


    [ Natalie: Just ran away... Your shelter is done for. ]


    There were many other chats in order to get help from other camps, but perhaps before they could arrive, their shelter would already be destroyed!


    On the other hand, Shane didn''t care about this as he continued on his assault!


    The elite''s skin that he targeted took on a rocky texture, providing him with enhanced durability.


    "Hmph!"


    Shane''s ws then raked across the elite''s arm, and the stone-like skin absorbed most of the impact.


    ''Ohhh¡­ It must be a Master-Grade Talent with this durability.'' Shane mused.

 Chapter 386 Against the Clan Leader

    After fighting against dozens of Survivors, he already had a decent grasp of the Talent ratings. If he also adds his experience from the two other Apocalypses, it could be said that he could now easily rate such Talents based on the feedbacking from his skills.


    "Faster¡­" Shane muttered to himself as he knew that he had to increase his speed and pour more strength.


    Bang!


    The elite retaliated with a shotgun st, but Shane''s agility allowed him to dodge the shot, moving with inhuman speed.


    He circled around the elite¡­ Then, he decided to use more of his Survivor Skills!


    After all, he doesn''t n to let anyone escape after seeing the situation in that warehouse!


    Using his Telekinesis Talent to control his Legendary Hatchet, he attacked the one with Iron Skin who was attempting to attack him!


    Whoosh~


    The hatchet flew through the air, striking the elite''s exposed neck with a powerful blow. The Iron Skin elite staggered, blood pouring from the wound, and copsed to the ground. He was heavily injured but he wasn''t dead just yet¡­


    Shane then attacked the one with Stone Skin using his Brawler''s Fury!


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Each of his strikes gets stronger and stronger! The third strike cleanly hit the man''s chest and he was thrown away! He wasn''t heavily injured and even stood up immediately and charged!


    Gerald and the remaining elite also reacted swiftly.


    "Focus fire!" Gerald shouted, his Invisible Third Hand also guided the short de towards Shane. The de moved to stab the back of Shane''s head!


    After all, it was the Zombie''s only weakness. Stabbing on his heart or other parts of the body would only weaken the Zombie but not kill it.


    However, Shane wasn''t fighting alone. His summoned Zombies may have been killed already but he still had his A.I. Assistant constantly giving him advice.


    After being warned by Cloud, Shane twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the de.


    He then lunged at the elite with Iron Skin, whose body gleamed with a metallic sheen. He had actually recovered after drinking a potion just now¡­


    Bang!


    The elite fired his shotgun, but Shane anticipated the attack, using his Heightened Awareness to predict the trajectory of the attack!


    He closed the distance in an instant and his hatchet sliced through the elite''s arm. The Iron Skin provided some resistance, but the force of the blow was too much. The elite cried out in pain, dropping his weapon.


    "It''s not a coincidence! This is the Hatchet Zombie that previously stolen the Juggernaut Zombie''sst hit!"


    "Tsk¡­ I remember now."


    "This must be a Survivor with Zombie Transformation Talent¡­"


    Bang! Bang!


    At this time, Shane wasn''t able to dodge the bullets from the shotgun and was hit. Thankfully, he had Aura of Protection active¡­


    As soon as the Aura was broken, his Safety Token was activated as well.


    Even after the barrier given by the Safety Token was destroyed, Shane''s SWAT Uniform''s set effect was still active and protected him from harm!


    At this point, even if the SWAT Uniform''s effect was bypassed, his tough skin was more than enough to endure the pellets.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Shane then swiftly closed in to the leader as he felt that this person was a bit troublesome.


    However, Gerald''s de struck again, this time grazing Shane''s side. The attack was incredibly fast and Shane couldn''t help but realize that something was off from that weapon.


    ''That''s definitely not this man''s attack speed. It''s a weapon skill.'' Shane frowned as he realized that the de was most likely an Epic Grade or even a Legendary Weapon!


    Shane was injured and the pain was sharp. He could endure it but Shane had to turn to the enemy who was about to strike his side, he wouldn''t fall for the same trick!


    He turned his attention to the elite with Earth Skin, who had taken on a hardened, earthen appearance. The elite fired his shotgun, and the pellets tore through the air toward Shane.


    Using his Phantasm Rush, Shane had once again moved like a blur, dodging the pellets and closing the gap.


    He swung his hatchet with brutal force and the de cut through the elite''s defenses. The Earth Skin elite fell, his body crumpling to the ground! Shane also used his Telekinesis to pull out other des to finish off the other elites


    This was the power of his Legendary weapons!


    However, Shane realized that the condition of the weapons he used was already quite bad. Those three truly had tough skin.


    Now, only Gerald remained.


    The leader of the Mystic Mirage n red at Shane, his eyes filled with fury. "You think you can defeat me, Hunter Zombie? No, you''re also a Survivor with a Zombification Talent¡­ Just why are you attacking us? I don''t remember crossing paths with anyone like you." Gerald said while his shotgun aimed squarely at Shane.


    Shane didn''t respond¡­


    Although there were already many hints that told them that he was indeed a Survivor like them, there was no need to give them the satisfaction of learning the truth.


    As expected, as soon as Gerald noticed that he wasn''t replying, he felt infuriated. He dislike the fact that he was being ignored.


    Shane didn''t care about his feeling as he moved with lightning speed. Then, his damaged hatchet flew towards Gerald.


    It was in a bad condition but it was still usable.


    The Invisible Third Hand intercepted the hatchet, deflecting it with the short de.


    Gerald fired his shotgun, but Shane was already moving! He dodged the st and closed the distance.


    The two exchanged three more moves in the process!


    Gerald''s Invisible Third Hand gave him an advantage, allowing him to attack and defend simultaneously. It was a bit tricky since Shane was literally dealing with an invisible hand that would suddenly smack his face...


    But Shane''s strength was unmatched. He endured Gerald''s attacks and struck the man with his ninth punch of Brawler''s Fury!

 Chapter 387 Cleaning Up

    Shane was actually quite surprised that this n Leader was able to endure his eighth punch¡­ However, he confirmed from Cloud that this person had a Talisman that was used up to defend against his punch.


    Indeed, Gerald had several talismans on his belt a while ago, and every time he should get critically injured, a Talisman paper would vanish, and he would remain in perfect condition. It was incredibly magical, and he probably bought it in the Reputation Store or even in the Market Bazaar due to its rarity.


    ''It''s not only the de but also this talisman¡­ This guy is rich¡­'' Shane thought for a brief moment since he believed that the man''s de a while ago was an Epic Grade item.


    However, this de was thrown away a while ago during their battle, and Shane had to fight against the invisible arm, which felt a lot more difficult to deal with.


    Boom!


    Shane''s ninth punch cut through all the man''s possible defenses and finally struck his chest cleanly.


    Ooomphh!


    Gerald coughed out a mouthful of blood as his internal organs were shaken from that strike.


    He then staggered back, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. His invisible third arm was just destroyed by that punch! Furthermore, he had Epic-Grade silk armor on his body that should have stopped Epic-Grade weapons from hurting him!


    Gerald wanted to summon his Invisible Third Hand once again since it only cost 100 Spirit Points to cast one, but he realized that he already used up most of his Spirit Points from the activation of the Talismans he had.


    ''I''m dead¡­'' Gerald thought as he looked at the Zombified Survivor.


    "You¡­ you''re not just a Zombie¡­ I know you''re a Survivor¡­ Spare¡­ me¡­" Gerald whispered while his voice was fading.


    However, Shane didn''t n to spare this person at all.


    "No, I''m not," He replied with his Zombie-like voice¡­


    This answer obviously had a different impact since there was no way a Zombie would reply like that¡­ Gerald''s eyes widened after hearing it, and it seemed to have triggered his emotion.


    This bastard is indeed a Survivor!


    He wanted to say something more, but he soon copsed to the ground, his life was slowly fading away.


    However, Shane didn''t immediately leave as he still didn''t get the notification from the system that he had killed a Survivor!


    It means that this person was just acting! He was still alive¡­


    Shane then pulled his Golden Desert Eagle as he wanted to finish off this person.


    However, he suddenly felt something off as his Danger Sense or perhaps his Heightened Awareness realized some danger¡­n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Without hesitation, Shane quickly jumped away¡­


    As soon as he did this, an explosion followed!


    Boom!


    "You!" Shane was still caught by the st and was thrown away! He crashed into a nearby building, and although he wasn''t heavily injured with his Strength, Vitality, and Aura of Protection, he still felt dizzy from that explosion¡­


    ''Ugh¡­ That surprised me¡­'' Shaneined¡­


    ''What a pity¡­ I''m interested in that Invisible Hand.'' Shane thought to himself as he slowly stood up from the debris of the crashed building.


    There was simply no way of him looting a corpse that had exploded into millions of pieces. Well, the Invisible Third Hand must not be fated with him, so he could only ept what had happened.


    On the other hand, the group of people who had seen how Shane was thrown away, they immediately felt that it was an opportunity that they should not miss!


    "The leader has sacrificed his life!"


    "The Zombie must be shaken!"


    "Kill him now! Don''t let Sir Gerald''s sacrifice be in vain!"


    "Attack! Attack! Hurry!"


    Shane shook his head after hearing their battle cries. There were only six of them remaining.


    For him, the battle was already over¡­


    ''Good¡­ Come at me.''


    Shane smiled since he had to make sure that one could escape in this ce. It was a good thing that they have decided toe at him instead of fleeing from all directions.


    ''I guess I looked heavily injured just now.'' Shane thought to himself.


    However, with the death of the n Leader, there was no one else who could stop him at this point. These remaining people do not have a chance of even injuring him.


    After some time, Shane soon killed everyone else within the camp. There weren''t any mishaps at all.


    It was a lot easierpared to the elites and the n Leader since they also lost their morale mid-battle after realizing that he was still extremely strong¡­


    None of their attacks reached him, and Shane decided to continue using his Golden Desert Eagle and started shooting at them.


    He took a moment to catch his breath or inspect the surroundings to ensure that he didn''t miss anyone.


    His eyes then scanned the area and confirmed that only those female prisoners were alive in the camp.


    Satisfied with his victory, Shane deactivated his Zombie Mask, and his body returned to its human form.


    Then, after keeping his Zombie Mask inside his Inventory, he hurriedly made his way to the warehouse where the five women were being kept. Of course, he already finished looting the Survivors and obtained eight new Survivor Skills from them.


    ''I wonder what happened to these girls¡­'' Shane thought to himself as he pushed open the door.


    He had previously given the five women some clothes, food, and pistols to ensure their safety.


    As he entered the dimly lit space, the women, startled by the sudden intrusion, raised their weapons defensively.


    "It''s me¡­ Shane," he said quickly, raising his hands to show he meant no harm.


    They immediately recognized his voice as they heaved a sigh of relief¡­


    The women lowered their weapons, and a sense of cautious relief took over their tired bodies.


    "It''s you¡­ Did you really¡ª"


    "Yes, I just killed everyone in this shelter. Do you have another ce you can go?" Shane asked. It was as if killing everyone in the Mystic Mirage Shelter wasn''t a big thing at all!


    The five were unable to react immediately as they processed the whole thing. They actually heard themotion outside and knew that the battle just now wasn''t simple. There seemed to be other Zombies involved in the process!


    They were worried that the reason Shane managed to win against the whole n was by destroying the shelter''s walls and allowing the entry of numerous Zombies! This means that there could be a lot of zombies outside.


    However, it wasn''t important right now. The savior was in front of them, and they had to quickly answer.


    The women exchanged nces before shaking their heads.


    The woman with short ck hair stepped forward, her expression weary as she exined what happened to them.


    "We were previously from the Big Hero n¡­ It''s not a huge n, and it was previously ranked at 46 at its peak. However, everyone there has been killed by the members of the Mystic Mirage n except for the five of us. We have nowhere else to go."


    Shane nodded, understanding their plight. He didn''t consider it for a long time as he knew that he had to help them. He could tell that they deserved to be helped with what had happened to them under the mistreatment of the Mystic Mirage n.


    "Alright¡­ Let''s get to know each other for now. I''ll try my best to help you, but you have to be honest with me about your Talents gifted by the system and the Survivor Skills you have."


    Shane said as he needed to know their abilities.


    They introduced themselves one by one, sharing their names and abilities.


    The woman with short ck hair spoke first. "I''m Loreen. My Talent is Enhanced Reflexes. It''s just a Rare one, and it allows me to react quickly to threats. I also have basic medical skills."


    Next was a tall woman with auburn hair. "I''m ra. My Talent is Rare-Grade Elemental Maniption, specifically fire. I can control and generate mes. It could also use Water and Earth elements, but they consume a lot of Spirit Points, and I couldn''t use them inbat because of how terrible they are. I only have 180 Points.


    My main Survivor Skill is Advanced Combat Training."


    A petite woman with sses followed next. "I''m Laura. My Talent is Umon-Grade Telepathy. I canmunicate mentally with others and sense their emotions. But as you can tell, it''s weak. I can only use it to someone I can see within my 50 meters.


    My Survivor Skill is Stealth and other movement techniques."


    Shane gently nodded as he kept listening. This time, a woman with long blonde hair introduced herself...


    "I''m Olivia. My Talent is Rare-Grade Healing Touch. I can heal wounds and illnesses with a touch, but not myself¡­ It uses 60 Spirit Points each. I only have 190 Spirit Points at max, and I only have 16 Spirit Points at the moment. My Survivor Skills are rted to Foraging and Herbalism."

 Chapter 388 Long Lodge Shelter

    Although the Talents they have weren''t that amazing considering their low rating, they could still be helpful in some way.


    Shane gently nodded as he confirmed that these girls could contribute a lot, especially once they got integrated into a shelter. With their skills and Talent, it wouldn''t be difficult to ept them in his territory.


    Finally, the woman with dark skin and braided hair spoke. "I''m Nia. My Talent is Enhanced Strength and it''s a Master grade Talent... Supposedly, I can lift and carry heavy objects with ease, but I was injected by one of the alchemists of this n, and my Strength Stat became terrible... Anyway, my Survivor Skills are allbat-rted except for Engineering Skill I got from a Silver Treasure Chest."


    Shane frowned as he heard about the injection that Nia received.


    "Nia, can you tell me more about your situation?" Shane asked.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Yes¡­ I''m currently level 16 and I should have 95 Points in my Strength."


    "That''s a lot¡­" Shane muttered after calcting the amount she should only have at that level.


    Apparently, she should only have 25 points at Level 16.


    ''Interesting¡­''


    As Shane was guessing in his mind what she could''ve done to get that much, Nia decided to exin herself...


    "Yes¡­ With my Enhanced Strength Talent, I get a stronger body, and every time I level up, I will have additional Strength Points. It is random and could be from 3 points to 15 points. However, my Agility increase would be three times slower. At this time, my Strength is only 10 Points because of that injection I received¡­" Nia exined.


    "So it was like that¡­ You''re actually really strong. No wonder they decided to do that to you." Shane muttered as he realized why they had injected something to weaken her body.


    With this Talent, she must be stronger than the previous n Leader of the Mystic Mirage n.


    "I''ll do something about your current situation¡­" Shane muttered as he recalled that his Blood Alchemy Book had a potion that required Flesh Puker Zombie''s Blood.


    The skill was called Body Rejuvenation Skill and he believed that it might be able to help with Nia''s current problem.


    "Thank you, Sir Shane¡­" Nia said. Her voice was filled with gratitude as she could only pray that this mysterious person who could annihte a huge n alone would really be able to help her situation.


    If he really did that, Nia would surely do anything he wanted¡­ Furthermore, if she recovered, she knew that she would be able to assist Shane even more.


    "Alright¡­ Thank you for being honest with me. Your Talents and Skills are impressive¡­ For now, let''s focus on getting out of here safely and finding a more secure location. Ahh¡­ Let''s try to loot this ce before leaving¡­"


    The women nodded in agreement, knowing that searching for valuables was essential.


    ***


    After some time, Shane, along with the five girls he had rescued, made their way back to where Lysandra and the escorts from Ivory Gear Shelter were waiting.


    As they left the ruined shelter of the Mystic Mirage n, Shane began to exin their situation to the five.


    "We were being escorted by Captain Wei and his team to the next Neutral Shelter called Long Lodge Shelter¡­" Shane said as he began exining his n.


    Well, he was nning to create another shelter in Sector 20. With that in mind, Shane wanted to bring these girls with him as pioneers of that new shelter.


    Loreen and the others also shared some interesting information with him. Apparently, during the Boss Raid Event, the five of them were lucky enough to be grouped with some strong Survivors and managed to clear two Stages in the process. Of course, it means that they obtained the SWAT Uniform as well.


    However, as they returned tied up in the warehouse, that set was taken away from them after being threatened.


    Shane could only promise them that they would surely not receive such treatment as long as they don''t betray him.


    It took their group longer since they all had bad Agility Points, but Shane had messaged Lysandra already and informed her that they were returning.


    [ Lysandra: You captured some of them? ]


    [ Shane: No¡­ I rescued their prisoners¡­ I''ll exinter. ]


    After this conversation, Lysandra informed Captain Wei about Shane''s message since the man was already getting restless.


    Soon, as Shane''s group approached, Lysandra and the others noticed the five stunning women apanying Shane. They were all quite beautiful.


    Lysandra''s eyes squinted as she immediately made some guesses about their real situation as "prisoners" in that n.


    On the other hand, Captain Wei and his team exchanged puzzled nces.


    "It''s a long story," Shane said, anticipating their questions.


    "But just know that I saved them from the Mystic Mirage n that blocked us. Let''s continue to the Long Lodge Shelter now."


    Shane said as he decided to exin their situation while they were moving¡­


    As the group set off, spending the next couple of days navigating the treacherous terrain, everyone had already gotten to know each other and Captain Wei and the others even felt some desire to join Shane''s n to build his own shelter in a different region.


    After all, they knew how rich and strong he was. He could even pull out items that were a lot more advanced than the ones in the Ivory Gear Shelter.


    However, they were also indebted to Lord Kang Zhen and could not leave him at this moment.


    Anyway, during this time, their group encountered various types of zombies: Runner Zombies, Walker Zombies, Jumper Zombies, and asional Crusher Zombies.


    They weren''t as threatening with their current group as they managed to kill them all without taking casualties or any injuries at all.


    On the next day in the evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, they finally spotted the Long Lodge Shelter.


    "Finally!" Captain Wei couldn''t help but celebrate as he finallypleted another difficult mission.

 Chapter 389 Rewarded

    The Long Lodge Shelter was nestled in the middle of the woods... To be exact, it was perfectly camouged as well since the walls were actually made of stones that blended well with the surroundings.


    From the outside, Shane couldn''t tell that it was arge, imposing structure that had once been a prison.


    Indeed, ording to Captain Wei, this Shelter wasn''t built from scratch. Lord Han Zhuo, the owner of the Shelter, had just found this facility and turned it into a hidden fortress.


    Nheless, even if the walls of the Shelter blended well with their outer stones, Its watchtowers could not be hidden that loomed over the wall.


    Shane guessed that they weren''t really nning to rely on the camouged to avoid being attacked¡­ At most, it just offered a sense of security to those inside the Shelter.


    Furthermore, the main entrance wasn''t actually camouged as stones. It was a heavy iron gate, which creaked open as they approached.


    Captain Wei seemed to have sent a signal over to them¡­ He was also the one who started talking with the guards and paid the required fee to enter the Shelter. It seemed that Lord Kang Zhen had arranged all of this for them.


    As soon as Shane''s group entered the mysterious Shelter, Shane and the group received a message from the system!


    [ Congrattions! Your party has discovered a Neutral Shelter! ]


    [ Survivor, your journey has led you to a sanctuary!


    You and your team found a Neutral Shelter, a safe haven for all survivors weary from dangerous outside. This refuge offers a ce to rest, make trades, and strategize for the challenges that lie ahead. Here, the Shelter Owner wees all, as long as you adhere to the Shelter''s code of conduct. Respect the rules, and you''ll be rewarded with amity and safety. ]


    [ Rewards for discovering a Neutral Shelter:


    Experience Points: +100


    Reputation Points: 25 ]


    [ Special Reward for the first party to discover the Neutral Shelter:


    Versailles Empire''s Gold Coin x500


    The gold coins can be exchanged for special items within the Shelter. ]


    [ Remember: Follow the rules. Respect is key! Abide by the Shelter Owner''s guidelines to ensure a harmonious environment. ]


    Shane and Lysandra were familiar with this message as they both received simr rewards before. This means that this ce hadn''t been discovered by any other Foreign Survivors yet!


    Just like before, Lysandra''s eyes lit up as she believed that she might be able to be richer this time! After all, the specialty of the Ivory Gear Shelter was Prosthetics, which was rtively unknown still in the market. Thanks to that, she could sell them for more than ten times its price in the market.


    This time, she was excited to know what specialty she could find.


    "We just gained Reputation Points!"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Perfect¡­ I can finally buy that Tattoo Mark. I only have four Survivor Skills."


    "Me too¡­ I didn''t know we could get such Reputation Points by just entering another shelter."


    "That''s true¡­ I didn''t even know these shelters existed."


    "Shane, thank you for bringing us with you! We''ll definitely be useful to you!"


    Loreen, ra, Laura, Olivia, and Nia couldn''t help but express their surprise and gratitude after seeing the notification from their system. The 25 Reputation Points might be considered really low for Shane, but definitely not for these five girls who had been locked up in the warehouse for weeks.


    Shane couldn''t help but smile after seeing their attitude¡­ He was quite d seeing how they were recovering from their past.


    They didn''t have to tell him what had happened to them since Shane could easily guess that with how beautiful they were¡­ They were surely selected by those scums in the Mystic Mirage n for an obvious reason.


    There was no way he would allow such a n to exist, considering that his sister was somewhere here.


    "You can check your Reputation Storester¡­ Let''s go in¡­" Shane said as he invited everyone.


    Inside, the Shelter was also quite lively, simr to the Ivory Gear Shelter.


    People from various races mingled, sharing stories and resources.


    Nheless, as Shane observed, he could still notice some features of the prison''s old structures¡­


    ''This ce is huge¡­ Must be a prison for tens of thousands of people before¡­'' Shane mused.


    There was even a post on the wall about the lodgings that could be used for only two gold coins per night. As he observed the drawing on the post, he realized that they were cells that had been converted into living quarters. Well, with a window and its ownvatory, it was certainly a decent conversion.


    "Our mission here is over¡­ We''ll probably be resting for a week before returning to the Ivory Gear Shelter." Captain Wei said.


    "Thank you, Captain¡­" Shane said as he gave them additional safety tokens in hopes that they could really survive going back to their Shelter. In the future, if his allies were near this area, he would certainly rmend that Ivory Gear Shelter.


    Soon, Shane''s group started to explore the area and found a better ce to stay¡­ They found an inn after asking a few people.


    It was the East Pagoda Inn. They charge four gold coins per night in each room, and it includes breakfast. Shane rented three rooms for everyone since they were the only ones avable. The others would have to share while Shane decided to solo a room.


    They decided not to hang around outside and explore the area since they all felt really dirty after a long day of travel. After getting to their rooms, they all washed themselves, washed their clothes, and changed to a new set of clothes¡­


    They even borrowed some Zombie Cores from Shane so they could have some money to purchase some clothes in their Survivor Store. As for the gold coins, Shane decided not to give them more since they already had 500 gold coins from the system''s reward.


    Of course, in exchange for his kindness, they would have to work hard for the prosperity of the Shelter that Shane would build in the future.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 390 Lord Han Zhuo

    Nia, the dark-skinned woman among the rescued women, found herself resting in a clean and fragrant room. She was together with Olivia and Laura in the room.


    She was the first one to use the bath, and because the space was small, only one person could take a bath at a time.


    They nned to explore this Shelter together, so she decided to just browse her Survivor and Reputation Store for now.


    After opening her Survivor Store, she found some normal items like Cast Iron Skillet, Knapsack, Torch, and others. There wasn''t anything amazing, just like before.


    ''What a useless Survivor Store¡­ Why do others get awesome weapons or even Pet Eggs here? So unfair¡­'' Nia sighed as she was still hoping that she could find a potion that could cure her current status in the store.


    She was reading the Regional Chat from time to time and knew that the others were getting awesome items like shotguns, mystical potions, and other critical items that could save their lives.


    ''Ughh¡­'' Nia grumbled. Without much hope, she checked her Reputation Store.


    Then, as soon as she saw what was being sold, her jaw dropped¡­


    "Talent Expansion Scroll!" Nia eximed as she knew how important this scroll was. It was also being sold for 25 Reputation Points and she could afford it!


    [ Talent Expansion Scroll: A rare and magical scroll that can increase the number of Survivor''s Talent by one. It gives 1 Free Talent Slot that can be used to acquire any talent of the Survivor''s choice. It can only be used once.


    Price: 25 RP ]


    "Really?" Olivia, who was waiting for Laura, heard Nia''s excited voice.


    "Yes¡­ It''s being sold for 25 Reputation Points." Nia replied.


    "Incredible¡­ I''m sure Shane would like it." Olivia said with a hint of eagerness in her voice. They had all been thinking on how to repay Shane for his kindness. After all, if he decided to leave them there to live on their own, they wouldn''t me him at all as he had already shown kindness to them by rescuing them from that Evil n and had given them some items to start over.


    Shane had undoubtedly gone above and beyond, and they were even invited to join his Shelter. There was no way they would forget such kindness.


    "Yes¡­ I''m nning to give this to Sir Shane¡­ I''m sure he''ll be happy."


    Without much hesitation, she immediately bought the item and spent 25 of her 33 Reputation Points. Nia felt that this was appropriate since the 25 Reputation Points she had were also obtained with Shane''s help.


    Seeing the scroll appear in Nia''s hands, Olivia also checked her Reputation Store¡­ However, aside from the Tattoo Mark that could help her obtain a skill, the others being sold weren''t that important. They were simply materials that had strange effects like Silver Bracelet that could increase Agility or golden ying cards that could recover Spirit Points if being yed.


    They were things that could easily be reced by Rare or Exceptional Grade items that could be bought with Zombie Cores. They weren''t so special that she would consider using her limited Reputation points.


    In any case, after purchasing the Talent Expansion Scroll, Nia immediately thought of visiting Shane''s room. Since she was already done washing herself, she believed that Shane had also finished cleaning himself.


    As soon as she knocked on the door, she immediately heard Shane''s voice, which allowed her to enter.


    Shane was able to sense her presence all this time and was curious about why she had decided to visit him.


    Of course, as soon as he realized why, Shane was immediately excited.


    "Did you buy it?" Shane asked.


    "Yes¡­ It''s here." Nia replied as she showed Shane the scroll.


    "It''s really the Talent Expansion Scroll. Awesome." Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing the scroll. However, he immediately recalled that it requires 20 or more Reputation Points.


    "Ahem¡­ You must''ve used up most of your Reputation Points for that. Do you need anything? You can request anything, and as long as I can fulfill, I will do so." Shane said generously.


    After all, this Talent Expansion Scroll may not be useful to many since they probably wouldn''t have a chance of looting a Talent, but that was entirely different for him.


    With his Complete Loot Talent, it was guaranteed that he would be able to get one if he looted another Survivor.


    However, Nia shook her head.


    "You already help us so much¡­ You''re even willing to let us join your team. It would feel great if we could also contribute to you instead of just receiving things." Nia replied sincerely.


    It was really a bit difficult if she stayed to be the only receiving end of kindness. It would make her feel better if she found a sense of purpose for staying in hispany.


    Shane somewhat understood Nia''s train of thought and nodded. It would also be a good thing to let them know that the things he was giving to them weren''t free.


    After some thought, Shane nodded.


    "Alright¡­ I''ll ept this gift. However, if you need something, just let me know." Shane replied as he decided to keep the Talent Expansion Scroll in his Inventory.


    Nia then left Shane''s room, feeling relieved that he epted her gift. It felt that some of the burden on her shoulders was relieved.


    Of course, she shared what she had done to the other girls, and they also felt the need to quickly find something that would be useful to Shane.


    After all, there was also something at the back of their minds that made it difficult for them to fall asleep every night.


    Apparently, even though they weren''t expressing it, they were all afraid that someday, Shane may no longer find them helpful or necessary and decide to throw them away¡­


    Now that they felt the sense of security being together with Shane. They somehow didn''t want to be left on their own once again. No matter what, they needed to be ''necessary'' to Shane so they could stay in his group.


    ***


    In the meantime, after Shane and his group entered the Long Lod Shelter, Lord Han Zhuo sat in his office and read the letter he had just received from Captain Wei, who hade from another Neutral Shelter.


    His office was filled with various reports regarding the situation in the surroundings, including the Zombies being sighted, Survivors being found, Wild Shelters nearby, lists of herbs and materials they could gather, and others.


    There was also a huge map of the surrounding territories that could assist him in his n for future expansion...


    Beside him stood his trusted right-hand man, ude.


    Unlike the other guards in the shelter, ude was a genuine Knight who could use Aura. He was a tall man with blonde hair and white skin, a stark contrast to the predominantly ck-haired, tan-skinned, and shorter figures of the other residents.


    "It seems we have some interesting visitors today, ude¡­" Han Zhuo said after reading the handwritten letter from Lord Kang Zhen of the Ivory Gear Shelter.


    ude nodded... "I heard that one of them has exceeded level 25."


    Han Zhuo raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Our level detector came from the Ivory Gear Shelter. It has a limit of level 25. If it fails, it means the person is of a higher level¡­ Interesting¡­"


    "Indeed," ude confirmed. "It''s rare to encounter someone of such a high level this early¡­ They must be quite formidable."


    Han Zhuo leaned back in his chair, contemting the implications. "Well, Lord Kang Zhen mentioned that they might have something we need. I should meet them."


    ude hesitated for a moment before speaking. "No¡­ It shouldn''t be you who meets them first, my lord. Let me assess them. If they pose any threat, I will handle it."


    Although ude trusts Lord Kang Zhen''s rmendation, he couldn''t help but feel worried when meeting people whom they could not handle.


    If this person were level 50 or more, they would surely be capable of overtaking this shelter if they wanted to. After all, once a person reaches that level, a huge transformation happens.


    ude sighed as he recalled the information regarding the Level 50 and Level 80 Blessings.


    Although the chances of meeting a level 50 Survivor were very low, he couldn''t let the lord of the Shelter be in danger.


    Han Zhuo smiled, appreciating ude''s protective nature.


    "Very well, ude. But remember, we must also extend our hospitality. If they are truly as powerful as we suspect, they could be valuable allies."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ude bowed slightly. "Understood, my lord. I will ensure they are treated with respect and caution."


    Your next chapter is on empire


    As ude left the office to make the necessary arrangements, Han Zhuo returned his attention to the letter.


    "Healing Tokens and Safety Tokens, huh¡­" Han Zhuo muttered to himself.


    The arrival of these visitors could change the dynamics within the Long Lodge Shelter. He knew that in this world of chaos and uncertainty, every new encounter held the potential for both danger and opportunity.


    For now, he could only hope that this person who had a level higher than 25 could somehow help them in their current predicament.

 Chapter 391 The Specialty of the Shelter

    Lord Han Zhuo sighed as he recalled the existence of those mutated zombies who could fly. Their shelter had only been attacked once, but he knew that it wasn''t the end of it. Last week, their Neutral Shelter sessfully fended off the attack of twenty Winged Zombies.


    These Zombies had bat-like wings and were capable of flying up to 15 meters above ground. It wasn''t too high, but it was more than enough to pass through their walls.


    It wasn''t too difficult fending them off during the day since they could easily see them, but during the night, their torches and other source of light weren''t just enough.


    Lord Han Zhuo was hoping that they could obtain another source of light that could give them brighter surroundings. However, this new source of light shouldn''t be too bright, which could also affect their vision.


    After all, when they tried making more bonfires at that time, it actually did


    ''I thought this location was great¡­ I didn''t expect that we''d have such a problem after being able to develop here for several months.'' Lord Hand Zhuo sighed as he considered how to deal with this problem.


    After all, he knew very well that those Winged Zombies that had attacked them were merely scouts. One of their scouting team members was able to find their Den, which was located about two days away from their location, if they traveled on foot.


    However, it would only be merely 8 hours away or even less than that if the Winged Zombies decided to attack them¡­ After all, they could easily ignore the terrible terrain and pass through mountains and ridges with ease.


    Lord Han Zhuo pondered the need to create more weapons tobat the Winged Zombies in the sky. However, his resources were limited.


    Unlike the Ivory Gear Shelter, which boasted impressive mechanical technology, the Long Lodge Shelter specialized in making various explosives like dynamite and grenades.


    It hadn''t even been developed into something even more advanced.


    Now, he had to really consider developing a new weapon to fight the flying zombies using these resources. However, even if he started gathering his craftsmen now, it would still take a lot of time to aplish such a heavy task.


    It wasn''t easy to create anti-air weapons after all.


    Furthermore, if he took away several craftsmen, the creation of various weapons in the shelter would definitely slow down or even put to a halt.


    "Sir Jiang¡­" Han Zhuo called to the elder in the other room. This elder was his advisor and would normally just assist him with the inventory of their resources.


    "Yes, my lord?" Jiang responded, stepping forward.


    "I''m thinking of developing a new weapon tobat the Winged Zombies. Our explosives are effective, but we need something that can target them in the air, especially during the night. Any ideas?"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Sir Jiang thought for a moment. To be honest, he had also been thinking about this.


    After all, even if they wanted to attack the base of the Winged Zombies with their huge number, it would be a massive disaster if these Winged Zombies decided to attack their shelter while they were on their way.


    It would mean that they wouldck people or even weapons to fight them off. Because of that, they could only think of a way to defend their shelter.


    "We could modify our grenades to create aerial mines. If we can rig them to detonate at a certain altitude, it might be effective against the flying zombies. However, the problem with the darkness still exists¡­"


    Han Zhuo nodded, considering the suggestion.


    "We can resolve the problem with the lightter¡­ But that could work. We''ll need to experiment and see if we can make it reliable. Gather the craftsmen and engineers and start working on prototypes immediately."


    "Understood, my lord," Sir Jiang said, bowing slightly before leaving to carry out the orders.


    As Sir Jiang left, Han Zhuo returned to his thoughts. He still had to resolve the problem with the darkness during the night.


    ***


    In the meantime, Shane decided to leave his room and explore the marketce of the Long Lodge Shelter after receiving the Talent Expansion Scroll from Nia.


    As he stepped out into the bustling streets, he was greeted by the sight of various stalls and shops lining the pathways.


    The surroundings were filled with the sounds of haggling, and not too far from him, there was also a rich aroma of freshly baked goods.


    ''The smelled good¡­'' Shane thought to himself. Although the bread dropped by Zombies wasn''t bad, they weren''t tasty at all. It was just edible. However, the aroma of the freshly baked bread and other goods was definitely more than just edible.


    Nheless, Shane wasn''t in a hurry as he first wandered into a section wherebat gear was prominently disyed.


    Experience new stories on empire


    He was curious if he''d find useful items here.


    ''Let''s see¡­'' Shane muttered as he looked around.


    There were racks of sturdy clothes designed for battle, with reinforced stitching and pockets for carrying weapons and supplies. However, the SWAT Uniform or even his Explorer Set was a lot better than this.


    He could tell from the clothes being sold thatfort was clearly their secondary concern, as most of the garments were made from rough, durable materials meant to withstand the harsh conditions outside the shelter.


    He couldn''t me them for this decision.


    Moving on, Shane saw the stores selling pastries and various foods. The scent of freshly baked bread and sweet pastries was irresistible, and he couldn''t help but buy a few to snack on as he continued his exploration.


    He decided not to buy for the others as he knew that they would notice this store as well once they explored the shelter¡­


    Anyway, there were also stalls offering a variety of preserved foods, essential for long journeys or times when fresh supplies were scarce.


    Next, he came across a pharmacy and several alchemist stores.


    ''Alchemy¡­ Maybe I can find something here¡­'' Shane thought.

 Chapter 392 Selling

    Shane confirmed that the pharmacy stores sell basic medicines like pain relievers, antacids, cough medicines, and paracetamols¡­


    They were certainly basic, but they could be really more variable than potions made by alchemists.


    After confirming this, Shane decided to explore one of the alchemy stores. The sign above the door read "Mystic Elixirs."


    As he stepped inside, the scent of various herbs and potions weed him. The shelves were lined with bottles of different shapes and sizes, each containing a unique concoction.


    Shane quickly noticed that there were five potions being sold inrge quantities. However, there wasn''t a single health recovery potion among them. The potions avable were:


    Spirit Elixir - Restores Spirit Points.


    Fatigue Draught - Reduces fatigue and restores energy.


    Satiety Serum - Satisfies hunger and provides nourishment.


    Focus Tonic - Enhances concentration and mental rity.


    Vitality Brew - Boosts overall stamina and endurance.


    They could not provide any specific value or amount that he would receive, but Shane wasn''t expecting much from it.


    As Shane examined the potions, the shopkeeper, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a friendly demeanor, approached him after assisting two other customers who had arrived before him.


    "Wee to Mystic Elixirs," the shopkeeper said with a warm smile. "I see you''re interested in our potions. Can I help you with anything specific?"


    Shane nodded. "I''d like to buy one of each of these potions to see their effects."


    "Of course," the shopkeeper replied, quickly gathering the requested potions and cing them in a small wooden crate. "That will be 78 gold coins in total." Discover exclusive tales on empire


    The potion that made it this expensive was actually the Vitality Brew, which was worth 25 gold coins each. The Focus Tonic and the Satiefty Serum, on the other hand, were only worth 10 gold coins each. The Fatigue Draught was worth 15 gold coins andstly, the Spirit Elixir was being sold for only 18 gold coins each.


    Shane handed over the coins and took the small bag, thanking the shopkeeper before leaving the store. He was curious to see their effects on him but he could do itter¡­


    Next, Shane visited another alchemy store called "Arcane Brews." This store was smaller and less crowded. As he entered, he noticed that the shelves were sparsely stockedpared to Mystic Elixirs. Apparently, they were selling materials for alchemy, and only one potion was being sold in bulk here.


    The potion wasbeled Berserker''s Elixir. ording to the description, it provided a Berserk Effect, increasing strength and agility for 10 minutes¡­


    What was weird about it was the fact that they only sell in a bundle.


    They sell 5 Berseker''s Elixir for 115 gold coins.


    ''Weird¡­'' Shane thought, but he decided not to pry too much. After all, this might just be a marketing strategy, and he wasn''t too interested in learning about it.


    The shopkeeper, a young woman with bright red hair and a serious expression, approached Shane as he examined the potion.


    "Interested in the Berserker''s Elixir?" she asked. "It''s our specialty. Perfect for those who need a quick boost inbat."


    She could tell from Shane''s attire that he wasn''t from this Shelter at all. Shane was wearing his SWAT uniform after all. Compared to the others in the Shelter, he seemedpletely out of ce¡­


    Nheless, he didn''t care about his attire, and it may even work to his advantage if it was known that he wasn''t from here.


    Shane nodded. "I''ll take one."


    The shopkeeper quickly fetched a bottle and handed it to Shane. "That will be 30 gold coins."


    Shane paid for the potion and nned to leave the store since he was already satisfied with his purchases.


    However, the shopkeeper stopped her.


    "Traveler, I can tell that you''re from the outside. If you''re selling some herbs or any other materials you have there¡­ You can consider selling them to us." The young woman said.


    Shane paused for a moment as he considered whether he indeed had such materials he could sell.


    "Ahh¡­ I have some items here that you might be interested in." Shane said as he took out a few items. There were five Starvation Elixirs, five Crimsonheart Healing Tokens, five Drifterwood Healing Tokens, five Momentum Shift Elixir, and one Corrupted Eternal Youth Elixir.


    The young woman''s eyes widened in shock as she saw the items Shaneid out on the counter.


    She was only an apprentice of an Alchemist, so after sensing that they were higher-grade items, she immediately realized that she wasn''t in a position to deal with this.


    "Traveler, please wait here for a moment," she said, her voice trembling with excitement. "I need to call the owner to appraise these items."


    Shane nodded, watching as she hurried to the back of the shop. He could hear her calling out urgently, and momentster, an elderly man with a long white beard and a robe that glowed slightly arrived.


    His eyes sparkled with curiosity as he approached Shane.


    "Greetings, traveler," the old alchemist said¡­ "I am Master Wu Dahai. I understand you have some rare items for us to appraise?"


    "Yes," Shane replied, gesturing to the items on the counter. "I have five Starvation Elixirs, five Crimsonheart Healing Tokens, five Driftwood Healing Tokens, five Momentum Shift Elixirs, and one Corrupted Eternal Youth Elixir."


    Master Wu Dahai''s eyes widened as he examined the items. He picked up one of the Starvation Elixirs, holding it up to the light.


    "This elixir is strange¡­ However, with this Starvation Elixir, even if they would feel hungry no matter how much they eat, it had an effect that enhanced metabolism and would allow them to eat even poison, dirt, or contaminated food without experiencing negative effects." he murmured, clearly impressed.


    It might be useless to others but since it couldst for 12 hours, it would certainly help those who couldn''t find any food for some time¡­


    He also believed that once the effect disappeared, the person would remain satiated for a long time¡­


    "A valuable item indeed."


    He then moved on to the Crimsonheart Healing Tokens. "These tokens are infused with powerful healing magic. They can mend even the most grievous wounds," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "Such rare healing items are highly sought after."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Next, he examined the Drifterwood Healing Tokens. "These are simr to the Crimsonheart Tokens but are crafted from driftwood, making them slightly better¡­" he exined.


    When he reached the Momentum Shift Elixirs, Master Wu Dahai''s eyes gleamed with interest.

 Chapter 393 Earning

    Master Wu Dahai''s appraisal ability was quite mysterious as it actually allowed him to understand theponents of the materials he was appraising. However, because of this appraisal method, he would alsock some details that Shane and the other Foreign Survivors could see from the system description, such as the full description of their effects.


    As soon as he touched the bottle, the Master Alchemist immediately realized that the one in his hands wasn''t just some drug that could bestow powers to its consumer, but it also used Zombie Blood, which he had never considered before!


    After all, Zombie Blood was extremely toxic. They are contaminated, and there would be a considerable chance of bing Zombies once consumed if they didn''t die.


    Such an ingredient was just too risky to use!


    However, with the strange method used by the one who created this, the Zombie Blood''s potent corruption had be controlled and could even be used to bestow a Skill to others!


    "A miracle elixir¡­ These elixirs can give a Unique Skill! It also uses Zombie Bloods¡­ How incredible¡­" He couldn''t properly express how surprised he was and could only praise the bottles in front of him and the mysterious creator of this potion.


    All five of them had the same quality, and he could easily guess that the one who had made this was definitely a Grandmaster Alchemist! At the very least, the recipe used to create this was definitely made by a Grandmaster.


    "Ahem¡­ This is really incredible, young man¡­ You must be really lucky to have gotten these. Did you get them from ancient ruins?" The Master Alchemist said as he controlled his emotions.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "I was lucky¡­" Shane replied as he decided not to exin too much.


    After calming down, Master Wu Dahai finally picked up the Corrupted Eternal Youth Elixir.


    Once again, he realized theponents of the Elixir and not just its effects. His expression grew serious as he studied the dark, swirling liquid inside the vial.


    "This elixir is both a blessing and a curse," he said solemnly. "It grants the user eternal youth but at a terrible cost¡­ The corruption within can twist the mind and soul. If you don''t have enough power, you might turn into a monster."


    As he said this, Shane recalled the description of this Elixir.


    [ Corrupted Elixir of Eternal Youth: A potion that granted the drinker enhanced vitality and slowed aging, a highly sought-after item. However, it has a very strong negative effect that could change the race of the consumer. ]


    It seemed that what he meant by turning into a monster was the change of the race or possibly turning into a vampire. This item that he got from Statham the Vampire was surely mysterious.


    Master Wu Dahai set the Elixir down carefully and turned to Shane.


    "These items are extraordinary, traveler. They are worth a great deal. Are you willing to sell them to us?"


    Shane smiled. Since he decided to take them out, he certainly had an intention to get rid of them. However, he also needed to warn them about this Corrupted Elixir. After all, it might turn them into a Vampire, and there would be a huge chance that Statham would get connected to its consumers.


    After exining this to the Master Alchemist, he immediately nodded in understanding¡­


    "So you''re saying that we might attract trouble to this shelter if this was used carelessly." Master Wu Dahai said after hearing the source of this Elixir. What he said definitely made sense¡­


    "Don''t worry¡­ I won''t let anyone consume this Elixir¡­ As the name suggests, it''s really corrupted. At most, I''ll just study how it was made, and perhaps I could make a perfect version of it. Now, will you still sell it to me?" The Master Alchemist asked once again.


    "Yes, I am. What can you offer in return?"


    The old Alchemist stroked his beard thoughtfully.


    "We can offer you gold, of course, but we also have other rare items and potions that might interest you. Additionally, we can provide you with alchemical services, such as crafting custom potions or enhancing your existing gear."


    Shane gently nodded as he considered this. He doesn''t need any alchemical services or assistance to enhance his gear since he had enough Item Upgrade Crystals with him.


    "Well¡­ I''m curious about this Shelter''s specialty¡­" Shane started as he wanted to know whether this Shelter had a unique specialty like the mechanical gears of the Ivory Gear Shelter.


    "Are you talking about the grenades that Lord Han Zhuo sells to everyone?" Master Wu Dahai asked as he frowned. He could sell such items, after all. These special explosives were too dangerous and only the Lord''s association could sell them¡­


    "Grenades?" Shane asked. He didn''t expect that this Shelter would specialize in these weapons.


    "That''s right¡­ However, since you''re just a traveler, it would be difficult for you to get clearance to purchase them. You can probably tell that the restrictions on its distribution would be very tight." The Master Alchemist exined.


    Shane nodded since he would also restrict the distribution of such dangerous weapons if he were in the same position. Such weapons should only be used by his allies.


    "Since that''s the case, I''d like to trade with you with gold coins and also your Alchemical Products¡­" Shane said as he decided topromise for now.


    They soon started to negotiate, and after some time, Shane was able to obtain a total of 80 taels of gold, 30 Berserker''s Elixir, and 2 Double Experience Potions.


    Indeed, Shane was actually surprised that this Alchemist Possessed such items. In the end, he realized that these potions weren''t made by Wu Dahai and were items that were looted by the scout regiment of the Shelter.


    As they werepleting their transaction, the young woman, or the shopkeeper, couldn''t help but feel excited. She listened intently as Master Wu Dahai and Shane finalized the deal, and she couldn''t wait to see the Eternal Youth Elixir; although it was corrupted or imperfect, she couldn''t help but look forward to when it was fixed by the Master Alchemist!

 Chapter 394 Request

    By the time they finished, Shane had not only secured a substantial amount of gold and materials but also gained ess to the Alchemist''s services¡­ It was all thanks to the generous Master Alchemist.


    "You have toe to us if you still have other items to sell. I''ll do my best to satisfy you." Master Wu Dahai said as he took all the items. The items that really made this transaction expensive weren''t the Corrupted Eternal Youth Elixir or the Tokens, but actually the five Momentum Shift Elixirs¡­


    After all, the fact that it was able to give permanent Skills made it extremely valuable. After all, the other stalls or sellers he might find within the shelter could also sell elixirs that bestow power to the consumer. However, all of them were just temporary. The shortest duration wouldst for a few minutes, while the longest wouldst up to 30 days.


    Shane then left the shop feeling satisfied, knowing that he had also made a valuable connection¡­ Since Wu Dahai was a Master Alchemist, he would surely benefit from it in the long run.


    Since he still had plenty of time, Shane decided to continue walking around the shelter to fully understand it. At this time, Cloud had already finished mapping the surroundings and was able to assist him in locating the busiest area.


    It was the central za¡­


    This za had turned into a marketce, and Shane noticed a group of peddlers and vendors who hadid out mats on the ground to disy their wares.


    As he looked at the things they were selling, he realized that they were mostly ingredients for medicines, such as rare herbs, roots, beautiful stones, jades, and even exotic nts. The variety and uniqueness of the items caught his attention, and he spent some time browsing through the offerings. Well, he was looking for rare herbs that were also written in the Blood Alchemy Book.


    After all, it was much better to have stocks in case he needed more Survivor Skills.


    In the end, Shane was able to purchase some ingredients that were required to concoct potions that could help him obtain the skills of Lurker Zombies and Siren Zombies¡­ Once he had enough of their bloods, he would surely be able to concoct the potions that could duplicate their skills.


    ''Mhmm¡­ This should be enough¡­'' Shane said as he decided to stop his shopping spree.


    He then nned to go ahead and visit the Lord''s Office to see if there was a way for him to obtain explosives¡­ However, before he could leave, one stall in particr piqued his interest.


    ''Strange¡­'' Shane mused as he didn''t expect to find such a stall here.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    It was a stall operated by an old woman with a crystal ball, and a sign that read, "10 gold coins per divination!"


    Shane smiled, intrigued by the prospect of a divination. He approached the stall and handed over the coins.


    The old woman looked up at him with piercing eyes.


    "What do you wish to divine about?" she asked, her voice was raspy yet it was filled with a mysterious allure.


    Shane had plenty of money right now, so he didn''t mind splurging a bit for entertainment.


    Shane thought for a moment before replying, "Can you tell me where the Vampire''s Rise Apocalypse Ender is?"


    The answer to this question was definitely not something this old woman would know. He just wanted to start with a difficult question to see her limit. He would then ask questions again and again until the woman could give him a satisfactory reply.


    Shane then watched the old woman close her eyes and ce her hands on the crystal ball. She murmured some prayers or chants for a few seconds before she spoke¡­


    "Mhmm¡­ I can''t tell you the specific location." The old woman said while caressing the crystal ball.


    "But I can sense the person''s existence. This person lies in a ce where the shadows are deepest, and the surroundings are thick with the scent of decay. The person is guarded by those who have fallen but still walk among the living. Seek the ce where the sun''s light never reaches, and you may find what you seek."


    Shane was stunned for a bit as he didn''t expect such an answer... However, the description may sound prophetic, but it was very vague, and it gave him an unclear direction in which to start his search. In short, it was definitely a scam since he felt that he could also use such words if someone was asking him the same question.


    The old woman definitely had no idea where Statham was, and she was simply scamming her customer.


    ''Well¡­ That was fun¡­"


    He thanked the old woman and left the stall¡­


    The old woman smiled after seeing her customer leave and shook her head. It seemed that she realized that the man did not believe any of her words just now¡­


    ***


    As Shane returned to the inn, he noticed a figure waiting for him near the entrance of his room.


    The man stood tall and was very imposing¡­


    ''A knight? What is he doing here?'' Shane mused.


    The man''s armor gleamed faintly, so Shane could tell that it must be a Master Grade item at the very least.


    Shane approached cautiously, realizing that this was no ordinary encounter.


    "Can I help you?" Shane asked, breaking the silence. The knight had been observing him intently, and Shane had no idea who he was.


    The man finally spoke. His voice was deep and authoritative.


    "You''re incredibly strong¡­ I can tell. I want to make sure that you''re not here to cause trouble."


    Shane raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And you are?"


    "I am ude, Lord Han Zhuo''s Knight." The man replied.


    ude actually had an Inspection Skill that allowed him to gauge the level of anyone at his level or below him. Since he couldn''t determine Shane''s level, he easily guessed that he must be above level 35.


    Of course, this wasn''t as urate as the device that they could use since his skill could also be blocked by a special item.


    Nheless, he had an intuition that Shane was really strong.


    ''I want to fight him...''

 Chapter 395 Against Claude ( Part 1 )

    ''He wants to make sure I''m not going to cause trouble?'' Shane mused as he realized that their entry to their shelter had probably rmed Lord Han Zhuo. He could easily guess that they have the ability to see how dangerous or powerful the people who are entering their shelter.


    It was quite an interesting ability, and he felt that his base would also need it. After all, even though he had a title effect that increased the loyalty points of the people inside his shelter, it was still a slow process. If there were dangerous people entering his base, he must have a way of finding that out before it was toote.


    ''Knight ude, huh¡­''


    Shane gently nodded, understanding the Knight''s concern.


    "Don''t worry too much. I just n to stay here for a few days and then leave. My main goal is to visit Sector 20."


    ude''s eyes narrowed slightly.


    He didn''t expect that Shane would just reveal his ns. However, it might not be true, so he still wanted to test this person.


    "Is that so¡­ In any case, I would like to broaden my horizons. Can I request a duel? If you win, I''ll give you a map that could surely help you in your journey. If I win, how about staying here for a few weeks and helping us defend this shelter?"


    ''Few weeks? Are they also going to be attacked by the Zombie Wave?'' Shane thought to himself.


    Shane considered the offer for a moment. A map could be incredibly useful, and he respected ude''s straightforward approach.


    "A map? Okay¡­ Let''s fight!" Shane agreed without hesitation. He was confident in winning after all. With his current set of Stat, as long as he wasn''t attacked by a tank, RPG, or missiles, he felt that he would be able to survive with his strength and high-grade items, including his Exosuit.


    ude nodded, a hint of a smile ying on his lips.


    "Follow me. We''ll find a suitable ce for our duel."


    Soon, they visited a nearby training ground. The area was spacious, with a dirt floor and various training equipment scattered around.


    A few onlookers gathered, curious about the impending duel.


    On the other hand, Shane''s attention was drawn to several cages at the side of a nearby building.


    Inside these cages, he saw low-tier zombies pacing restlessly within the confines. But some others, perhaps mid-tier Zombies, had chains binding them and couldn''t move at all. They could only growl as they watched the people passing by.


    Shane was taken aback by the sight and turned to ude. "What''s with the caged zombies?" He asked.


    He recalled that Ivory Gear Shelter was also capturing Zombies, and it appears that this was amon thing.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Should I also have Raze and the others capture Zombies in our shelter?'' Shane mused as he shook his head to erase his random thoughts.


    ude nced at the cages and then back at Shane. "They''re just captured for experiments. You probably know that our shelter specializes in making explosives. We need those zombies to test our weapons."


    Shane nodded, understanding the necessity. After all, they probably wanted to make specialized explosives that only affect zombies or certain types of them.


    It must be an interesting project if they have explosives that are specialized to deal with Spitter Zombies to avoid their acid explosion in their deaths.


    Anyway, the zombies in the cages were a mix of different types: some were Runner Zombies who had their limbs twitching with pent-up energy. The others were Walker Zombies with their slow, methodical movements¡­ There were also a few Jumper Zombies with eyes that darted around as if ready to spring at any moment.


    Then, ording to Cloud, the ones bound heavily by chains were actually Screamer Zombies¡­ It seemed that the people here were also afraid of making noise, so they werepletely restricted from making any sound. Finally, there were also four Survivor Zombies bound like Screamer Zombies.


    The sight was unsettling, but Shane knew it was necessary to fight for their survival. If they were able to develop specialized weapons, then


    "Alright," Shane said, turning his focus back to the duel. "So what are the rules?"


    "Just one weapon," ude replied. "You can take out a gun or whatever you like, but I''ll use my sword." His confidence was evident, bolstered by his mastery of Aura, which he believed would protect him from any firearm.


    He believed that even if Shane pulled out a rifle or any high-caliber weapon, he would be able to defend himself.


    ''Ohhh¡­''


    Shane appreciated the man''s confidence¡­


    After some thought, he decided to find a weapon in his inventory that was not an Epic or Legendary-grade weapon yet.


    ''Let''s see¡­''


    After some consideration, Shane took out a Rare Grade Crushbone Club he had looted from a Crusher Zombie. It was with Crusher Gloves, Crushw Crossbow, Pulverizer Axe, Crushbone de, and others. It was basically from a set item.


    The club was heavy and intimidating, perfect for the duel ahead. After all, he doesn''t have ns of killing ude. Using a sharp de might severely injure the man.


    On the other hand, the club could just crush some muscles or bones, and it wouldn''t be life-threatening if immediately treated. Furthermore, with his Healing Token, he would be able to heal the man if it came to that point. He just needs to avoid crushing the man''s head.


    "So you''re a club user¡­" ude nodded in approval.


    He then took some distance away from Shane before he spoke again. "Let''s begin."


    Shane also nodded as the duel finallymenced.


    ude then released his Aura to protect his body and infuse it into his sword, making it sharper and heavier.


    ''Ohh¡­ So we can use Aura¡­'' Shane thought as he was nning to literally just use his club and strength to fight against ude.


    Upon realizing that it was allowed, Shane decided to use his Aura Mastery¡­


    Soon, his Aura of Protection expanded and also covered his club.

 Chapter 396 Against Claude ( Part 2 )

    ''So it''s like that¡­'' Knight ude''s eyes widened as he felt the existence of Aura from Shane. After all, it wasn''t easy to encounter another Survivor with such ability.


    ''This is a lot better¡­'' ude thought as he made the first move. He pounced toward Shane and made a horizontal sh¡­


    From Shane''s perspective, the attack seemed tock speed, although it was very quick from the outsider''s point of view.


    Boom!


    Shane parried the blow with his Club and even with the Aura activated, the impact sent vibrations up his arm.


    ''Ohh¡­''


    This time, Shane realized that even if he had the upper hand in terms of strength, his Aura maniption wasn''t as great as ude''s technique.


    Indeed, he realized from that sh that ude may have weaker strength, but the Knight could actually use his Aura to pierce through his defense by umting them in a single point.


    ''Impressive¡­ He probably realized the strength of my Aura upon my release.'' Shane thought, implying that ude must''ve tons of battle experience.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    In any case, the attacks didn''t stop as ude used his momentum to continue finding his weakness.


    ude''s strikes were swift as his Aura enhanced his speed and strength. Although ude had lower agility and strength, he had a better way of using his Aura to enhance his fighting capabilities and not just surrounding himself with Aura to protect his body.


    It waspletely different from Shane''s method of using Aura, which only aims to protect his whole body, including his internal organs.


    ''I should''ve asked Monk Chaloem to teach me proper technique.'' Shane thought for a moment. Although he had Aura Master Talent that allowed him to create Aura, it was only for manifesting or releasing it around his body. As for how he could adequately manipte them inbat, he had to explore it himself.


    Of course, Shane was able topensate for this with his quick reflex, speed, and strength as he countered all of the Knight''s attacks with calcted swings of his Club¡­


    He was observing ude''s Aura Technique and he also wanted to give a chance to this Knight since they were being watched by many people¡­


    ''Come on¡­ Show me everything you got.'' Shane thought as he cheered for the Knight to show what an Aura could achieve.


    However, Shane also slowly tried to win as each move blocking the Knight''s attack disrupted ude''s rhythm.


    It wasn''t some sort of trick but a Skill of the Club itself!


    [ Bonecrusher Club ( Rare ) ]: Forged from the massive bones of the Crusher Zombie, this formidable Club is a testament to raw power and brutality.


    Effects:


    Crushing Impact: Each swing of the Crusherbone Club delivers a devastating blow, dealing 15% more damage to enemies and creating momentum disruption. ]


    Actually, since it was only a rare item, Shane expected it to have only a single effect, such as adding agility, power, strength, critical points, crushing force, or some other effect.


    He didn''t expect that it would actually have an ability. Slowly, Shane was able to gain the upper hand even though he was just defending or parrying¡­ After all, the Crushing Impact was always triggered during their sh.


    The onlookers watched in awe as the twobatants shed.


    Everyone could tell that ude''s swordsmanship was truly high level since each strike was being done with graceful technique.


    Shane, however, was no novice. He had Sword Mastery Skill and could use this ability well with his Club.


    Furthermore, his experience in countless battles showed in his movements¡­


    ude noticed that the Bonecrusher Club was too tough and made it difficult for him to do somebination moves.


    Because of that, he attempted a series of rapid strikes, aiming to overwhelm Shane. But Shane anticipated the move, sidestepping and bringing his Club down in a powerful arc.


    ude barely managed to block the blow, the force of it driving him back a few steps.


    "Impressive," ude said, his breathing in short bursts.


    "But let''s see how you handle this."


    ude''s Aura suddenly burst, and heunched into a berserk-like attack. His sword which was filled with Aura, had some sort of illusion!


    Suddenly, it was as if Shane was dealing with five to seven swords at each exchange!


    Shane squinted his eyes as he couldn''t tell which one was true¡­ In the end, he decided to defend against all of them and to his surprise, all swords he met with his Club had the sound of metal against bone echoing through the training ground.


    It means that all those swords weren''t illusions! Perhaps it was a sword made of Aura, or the man was just too quick, which made it seem like he was dealing with seven swords at a time!


    ''Awesome¡­ No wonder he looked really proud of himself.'' Shane thought. If his opponent wasn''t him, he felt that the others would be defeated by such a technique.


    However, despite ude''s enhanced speed or strange ability, Shane was able to stop all of it effortlessly.


    After creating such a powerful move, the Knight felt tired or maybe too surprised that he didn''t manage to win. Because of that, Shane saw an opening¡­


    Realizing that he had seen enough, Shane nned to end this duel and take that map.


    Then, he swung his Club in a wide arc, and he aimed for ude''s midsection.


    ude gritted his teeth and twisted to avoid the blow, but Shane followed up with a quick jab, catching ude off guard. Although he was using a club, there was no rule that punching or kicking wasn''t allowed.


    Bam!


    The impact sent ude stumbling, and Shane noticed that ude was able to actually defend with his quick Aura maniption.


    ude actually managed to gather all of his Aura in a single point to defend against his punch!


    Shane felt that ude could still fight and pressed the advantage, delivering a decisive blow¡­


    However, ude swiftly recovered and managed to block Shane''s punch by using the t side of his de!


    Boom!


    From this strike, however, ude''s Aura was already flickering¡­ It was clear that Shane''s attacks were taking their toll.


    Then, ude just felt that his sword suddenly flew out of his hand as it was suddenly struck by Shane''s sword¡­


    Indeed, Shane had just disarmed ude, sending his sword flying across the ground.

 Chapter 397 Shanes Transaction

    Seeing his sword being taken away from his hand, ude stepped back, breathing heavily but smiling. "You''re as strong as I suspected. You''ve won the duel."


    Although he was exhausted just now, he still had enough Aura to ensure that his sword wouldn''t get taken away from his hands. As a matter of fact, even if he got trampled by a Juggernaut Zombie, there was no way for him to unhand his precious weapon.


    However, the fact that Shane was able to do it means that his Aura was a lot stronger than he had expected. Shane may have used his Aura in a very simple way, unlike his sophisticated method, but it was still a very solid method.


    Shane nodded as he lowered his Club. "You fought well."


    In terms of Aura and Sword Techniques, he could tell that Knight ude had a very deep foundation. It was only his brute force and speed that allowed him to win against the man.


    ude then retrieved his sword and sheathed it.


    "As promised, here''s the map." ude then handed Shane a rolled-up parchment. "This will guide you through the safest routes to Sector 20. Thank you for the duel. Your strength will be remembered here. But I still wish to ask you and meet the Lord of this shelter."


    Shane then epted the map as he felt a sense of aplishment. "Thank you, ude. I''ll make good use of this. As for Lord Han Zhuo''s request¡­ I don''t mind meeting up with him."


    "That''s great! You can follow me to his office." Knight ude said.


    Shane nodded as he kept his map in his Inventory and followed Knight ude. He didn''t mindmunicating or having deals with these people since they were neutral shelters and wouldn''t really harm him.


    It would also be better to assist these shelters for the sake of other Survivors, especially the members of his n.


    After all, he knew that the other Survivors like Raze wouldn''t just stay put in the safety of the shelter. Once they had gotten a lot stronger, they would soon explore the world, finding the cure to the Zombie Virus, or finding more ruins left by the previous government who had created Project Z.


    Anyway, ude escorted him through the main building as they navigated the bustling marketce until they reached arge, imposing building.


    It seemed to be the previous armory of the prison¡­


    Soon, ude led Shane up a flight of stairs and down a long hallway. Then, they stopped in front of a heavy wooden door.


    ude knocked, and a deep voice from within called out, "Enter."


    ude opened the door and gestured for Shane to follow.


    As Shane stepped inside, he took in the sight of Lord Han Zhuo''s office. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and walls lined with bookshelves filled with various items. Arge wooden desk sat in the center, cluttered with papers and maps.


    Behind the desk stood Lord Han Zhuo.


    Lord Han Zhuo had a shorter figurepared to ude but he certainly hadmanding presence befitting a Lord of the Shelter.


    His long ck hair was also tied back in a neat ponytail, and his sharp, piercing eyes seemed to take in everything at once. He wore a dark, intricately embroidered robe that spoke of both authority and practicality.


    "Wee, Sir Shane," Han Zhuo said politely to the person who had defeated his Knight in the duel.


    Of course, there was no way he would miss such a piece of important information. He had several people working for him, after all.


    Shane nodded respectfully. "Thank you for seeing me, Lord Han Zhuo."


    Han Zhuo gestured to a chair in front of his desk. "Please, have a seat."


    Shane sat down, feeling the weight of Han Zhuo''s gaze upon him. Shane could confirm that Han Zhuo was the one who ordered ude to test his strength.


    Seeing that Shane got seated, Han Zhuo continued. "May I ask what your level is?"


    The question came out of nowhere.


    Shane hesitated for a moment, then decided to be partially honest. "I''m above Level 30," he said, not revealing his exact level of 37.


    Han Zhuo nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. He thought that Shane would ask for something to give an answer.


    "I appreciate your honesty¡­ I do not wish to take too much of your time, so we''ll immediately get into business." Han Zhuo said as he looked at Shane. After seeing that he was listening intently and seriously, he continued.


    "We have a significant problem here, Shane. Our shelter is frequently attacked by Winged Zombies. To be exact, we''re expecting a huge attack from them very soon. These Wing Zombies are a bit special¡­ They can fly up to 15 meters high and are particrly dangerous at night when they are well-hidden.


    If it was your first time hearing about them, they also have human-like figures but with bat-like wings."


    Han Zhuo said as he saw Shane looking surprised.


    Well, Shane felt a bit surprised since it was his first time hearing about the Winged Zombies. He initially thought that only Zombie Vultures or other birds could be their flying enemies.


    "Winged Zombies¡­ Can you tell me more about them." Shane asked.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Han Zhuo nodded and described the situation.


    "Weck an effective method to deal with them, especially during the night. Our torches and other light sources are insufficient. We''re trying to create weapons that could reach them in the sky but it will take quite some time. After all, we can''t hasten the creation of such dangerous weapons.


    If our grenades didn''t explode in time or were caught and thrown back to us, we would be the ones in danger."


    There were plenty more things that could go wrong when developing new weapons, so Shane could understand it.


    These guys don''t have anti-air weapons at all. However, since they still have crossbows and even firearms, Shane believed that their main concern was indeed their vision during the night.


    ''There''s a solution for that¡­''


    "Let me see if I can help you¡­" Shane muttered as he essed the System''s Marketce through his interface.


    He quickly found that other Survivors were selling Light Orbs for varying prices, ranging from 20 to 30 Zombie Cores.


    [ Seller: Hidden Patrol


    Item: Light Orb x41


    Description: A luminous orb that emits a steady, soft light.


    Price: 23 Zombie Cores per piece ]


    [ Seller: Nine Seer


    Item: Light Orb x22


    Description: A luminous orb that emits a steady, soft light.


    Price: 29 Zombie Cores per piece ]


    [ Seller: Arcane Archer


    Item: Light Orb x17


    Description: A luminous orb that emits a steady, soft light.


    Price: 21 Zombie Cores per piece ]


    These three, Hidden Patrol, Nine Seer, and Arcane Archer, were the ones selling the most Light Orbs. The prices vary quite a lot even though they were selling the same thing, probably because of their dire need for Zombie Cores. Looking at it, perhaps Nine Seer doesn''t really care whether it was sold or not¡­


    Anyway, as Shane scrolled through Marketce, he even discovered something a bit special.


    [ Seller: Fury Singer


    Item: Light Blue Orb x12


    Description: It''s denser and contains a higher concentration of energy than the standard Light Orb


    Price: 40 Zombie Cores per piece ]


    There were actually Light Blue Orbs being sold...


    After some consideration, he decided to just sell these Light Orbs to Lord Han Zhuo. Of course, he would have to increase or standardize his price in order to profit.


    "I might have a solution," Shane said. "I can provide you with Light Orbs."


    Before they could ask, Shane took out one Light Orb from his Inventory. He actually only has three of them, so he really had to get the others in the Market ce.


    As soon as the Light Orb appeared, ude and Han Zhuo realized its value. The light it was giving off was gentle and wasn''t ring at all.


    It was surely perfect!


    "Incredible¡­ How long can itst?"


    "They naturally recharge themselves whenever they get sunlight. However, they weren''t too durable, so you had to protect them. They can still be destroyed if some stray bullets or skills hit them¡­" Shane exined.


    "That''s understandable. How many Light Orbs like this can you produce?" Lord Han Zhuo asked.


    "I can sell you 50 of them to you for 50 Zombie Cores each." Shane said after some thought.


    Han Zhuo frowned slightly. He realized that it was 2,500 Zombie Cores.


    "50 Zombie Cores is quite expensive. We have limited resources¡­ How about paying half of them with Zombie Cores, and the other half would be paid for some of our items? They can be our explosives and other materials that might interest you."


    Shane smiled as he realized this.


    He immediately calcted, and if he purchased 17 of Arcane Archer''s Light Orb, it would only cost him 357 Zombie Cores.


    Then, another 33 would be purchased from Hidden Patrol, which would be 759 Zombie Cores.


    In total, he would only have to pay 1,116 Zombie Cores, and he would get paid 1,250 Zombie Cores in addition to various weapons or items that would be worth 1,250 Zombie Cores!

 Chapter 398 Threat

    Shane didn''t think for long before he decided to nod in agreement since he also understood the shelter''s predicament. Using thousands of Zombie Cores in a single transaction was definitely not easy for Lord Han Zhuo since he was also managing hundreds of people, and they all needed gold coins and zombie cores to improve their items.


    "I like this offer¡­ I''m open to a trade. What kind of materials do you have?"


    Han Zhuo leaned back in his chair, feeling relieved that Shane didn''t mind trading with items. He then considered what to offer.


    "We specialize in making various explosives. We have dynamite, grenades, and other explosive devices that we mostly use for traps or closing tunnels. We also have some rare herbs and alchemical ingredients that might be of use to you."


    They also had alchemists, and they were able to create a weak potion that could at least heal 1 to 5 points in Vitality.


    Shane thought for a moment, weighing the options.


    "Alright, let''s make a deal. I''ll provide you with the Light Orbs in a few minutes¡­ For now, I want to exchange for your grenades and some of those rare herbs."


    Well, if possible, he wanted to obtain more ingredients he needed to create Armored Dash Potions¡­ After all, this Skill was just too useful¡­ If he had enough resources, he wanted to have all the members of his n have such important Skill. Of course, they would have to pay the price for that. At the very least, they should have 100 Loyalty Points on him.


    That was actually the reason why he also wanted to create another Shelter. It was because of his Territory Lord effect that boost loyalty points would get activated.


    In his mind, the five rescued girls and Lysandra would have to stay in his shelter for a month before he''d provide them with such high-grade potions.


    Han Zhuo smiled after hearing Shane''s agreement. He was pleased with this transaction and promised himself that he would just give first-rate quality herbs to Shane.


    "Excellent. ude will arrange the details of the trade. Thank you, Shane. Your assistance will be invaluable in defending our shelter."


    Shane stood up and shook Han Zhuo''s hand. "I''m d to help. Let''s get started."


    Soon, ude escorted Shane to visit their Alchemy Warehouse, where numerous alchemy ingredients and materials were being kept.


    Shane spent quite a lot of time here. A total of three hours was spent to gather materials and umte items worth 1,250 Zombie Cores.


    Of course, he alsopleted his trade in the Marketce during this time and gave the 50 Light Orbs to ude. Apparently, this area doesn''t have a single sher Zombies at all, making it impossible for them to obtain such precious loot.


    Furthermore, it wasn''t easy to drop either. Shane knew that those who obtained dozens of Light Orbs were most likelyrge ns that were located near the sher Zombie Dens.


    As Shane left the building, he felt a sense of satisfaction. Not only had he secured valuable resources for himself and his n, but he had also forged a beneficial alliance with the Leader of the Long Lodge Shelter.


    As for the things he was about to do with his grenades¡­ He also had some thoughts about it.


    After all, the location of the abandonedboratory that he was looking for was most likely underground. He felt that he would probably need dynamites to break numerous rocks and create a path for him.


    Of course, that could just be his imagination, but he had numerous experiences in the Fairy Realm Invasion where he wished he had dynamites or explosives to break through things, so he knew he would need these things.


    ***


    As Shane returned to his room, the others had also returned after going through the shelter. They confirmed that this ce had a steady source of food and various resources.


    Furthermore, this shelter didn''t even need to rely on other shelters and could live for years even if they were isted. It was because of their small farnd, water wells, and even animal husbandry that was being practiced here.


    ''So they could sustain their own even without looting Zombies¡­ I like it¡­'' Shane thought as he also liked his own shelter to be capable of self-sustaining.


    Their day ended just like this, and Shane was nning to stay here for another day before going to Sector 20¡­


    However, early in the next morning, around 3 am, the stillness of the pre-dawn hours was shattered by the ring of a siren.


    Eeenngggg~


    The sound echoed through the Long Lodge Shelter! It was a warning of approaching danger. Shane and his team were jolted awake, their instincts honed by countless battles kicking in immediately.


    An announcement was soon made by a person with a skill simr to Titan''s Roar¡­


    The urgency in the voice was unmistakable.


    "Attention! Fifty or more Winged Zombies are approaching! Allbat units, prepare for engagement!"


    Shane and his team quickly equipped themselves with their firearms and followed the crowd heading towards the defensive positions.


    Although they weren''t part of this shelter''s guards, they wouldn''t allow these Zombies to take over this ce.


    They wouldn''t mind helping as much as they could.


    As they moved through the shelter, Shane noticed the elite soldiers of Lord Han Zhuo uncovering the Light Orbs.


    Whom~


    These orbs, once activated, filled the entire shelter with a bright but gentle light, illuminating every corner and dispelling the shadows where the Winged Zombies could hide.


    ''Perfect¡­'' Shane thought as he realized that Han Zhuo didn''t dy at all and installed these light orbs in several ces.


    "It''s so bright! I didn''t expect that we would have such lights prepared."


    "Is this the rumored orbs from the sher Zombies?"


    "This is incredible¡­ It feels like it is already in the morning!"


    "Now, we will not have the problems about getting others abducted by these Winged Zombies¡­"


    The civilians were awed as they saw the Light Orbs.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Apparently, these Winged Zombies weren''t too stupid. They would actuallye at night in order to grab or abduct humans and eat them in different locations instead of staying where they are.


    With these light orbs, however, this tactic would no longer work!


    Soon, Shane also saw several people carrying their weapons.


    The shelter''s defenses were impressive.


    The elite soldiers, armed with crossbows and other ranged weapons, took their positions along the walls and in the watchtowers. Shane and his team watched as the soldiers prepared for the iing attack.


    Soon, the first wave of Winged Zombies appeared on the horizon, and their bat-like wings pped as they approached.


    The soldiers remained calm and focused.


    Under ude''s orders, their crossbows were aimed and ready.


    As the zombies drew closer, ude gave hismand to fire!


    Whoosh~ Whoosh~


    In an instant, the soldiers unleashed a volley of bolts, and each of them hit their target!


    Many Winged Zombies fell from the sky, and their bodies crashed to the ground! Of course, these Zombies didn''t die just yet and still had to be killed by the ones waiting on the ground.


    On the other hand, the Winged Zombies that weren''t critically hit were still able to get closer to the guards, but they ended up being defeated by the second volley of attack.


    Shane and his team didn''t even have to make their move. The guards were well-trained and efficient, dispatching the Winged Zombies with ease.


    At this time, it was only a matter of time to kill all of these Winged Zombies.


    Lysandra even suggested to head back and continue with their sleep¡­


    "Wait¡­" Shane said as he held something off. Needless to say, his Heightened Awareness was working. This Skill was from the fused Danger Sense, after all.


    "Is there still a threat?" Lysandra asked cautiously.


    "Yes¡­" Shane replied and soon looked in the direction where Cloud, his A.I. Assistant, told him.


    It seemed the battle was won, but a new threat was actuallying!


    From the darkness, another batch of Zombies appeared and he could tell that one of them was the Winged Leader Zombie¡­


    Unlike the others, this zombie was smaller and more agile, its movements almost too fast to track!


    ''A leader that isn''trger, but actually smaller¡­ Interesting¡­'' Shane thought as confirmed that this Leader was apanied by ten more Winged Zombies.


    Soon, the Leader Zombie exhibited a disturbing level of intelligence, directing its minions to target the Light Orbs, torches, and bonfires that illuminated the shelter!


    "Protect the lights!" ude''s voice rang out,manding his soldiers to focus their efforts on defending the light sources.


    The Winged Leader Zombie passed through the air and its ws shed at the Light Orbs.


    They were simply too fast!


    One by one, the orbs began to shatter, plunging parts of the shelter back into darkness.


    The soldiers struggled to keep up with the zombie''s speed, their crossbow bolts missing their mark more often than not.


    Shane knew he had to act quickly.

 Chapter 399 Whistle

    "We need to take out that Leader Zombie," Shane said to his group. The small Winged Zombie was too quick and had no way of flying.


    Although he had experience fighting against flying creatures during his time in Fairy Realm''s Invasion, this Winged Zombie was only half his size and was still quite different.


    "We will do our best!"


    "Yes! Just tell us what to do¡­"


    Lysandra, Loreen, and the other rescued girls were eager to help. They might not be the best shooter out there, but they have enough stat points to have better control of their bodies. As long as they were given instruction, they believed that they would be able to help.


    Although Shane would profit a lot if many Light Orbs were destroyed, Shane wasn''t that evil. They had to help this shelter and ensure that the casualties wouldn''t be so high. After all, they all have the same enemies: the Zombies.


    Soon, Shane gave some instructions, and they moved into position. Their firearms were ready as they all waited for Shane''s signal to act. Although their chances of hitting the Zombie were low, a rain of bullets that covered a certain direction might be the best option they have in this scenario.


    Shane was, of course, using his Golden Desert Eagle, aimed carefully, tracking the Leader Zombie''s erratic movements.


    As he made a prediction, Shane signaled the area where he nned to shoot so everyone could follow¡­ Soon, they pointed at the post nearby where a Light Orb was still working.


    As soon as the Winged Leader Zombie entered their range, Shane fired!


    Bang!


    The bullet grazed the Zombie''s wing, causing it to falter. His team followed suit. Their shots were coordinated and only had a dy of less than a second.


    The Leader Zombie screeched in fury, and its minions suddenly swarmed to protect it.


    But Shane and his team were prepared. Theirbined firepower soon overwhelmed the zombies!


    Although these Zombies were quick and tough, Shane''s Golden Desert Eagle wasn''t ordinary¡­


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    One by one, the Winged Zombies fell until only the Leader remained.


    This time, Shane''s eyes lit up¡­ No one had noticed, but he had just activated his Petrification Talent. It was only a Common Grade Talent, but it was enough to petrify the Leader Zombie'' left fist¡­The sudden hardening of its fist made it slightly deviate from its trajectory, and Shane didn''t miss this opportunity¡­


    Although he could hurt the Zombie with his Desert Eagle, the bullets weren''t just enough to pierce through its hard skull.


    In the end, Shane summoned one of his Exploding Throwing Knives and threw it to the Leader Zombie¡­ It tried to block with its hand, but Shane still had Telekinesis talent!


    When the Leader Zombie thought that it would be able to block the attack, the knife changed its direction and made an arc to hit the Zombie''s face!


    Boom!


    [ You have eliminated Winged Leader Zombie! ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate Jumper Zombie, a mid-tier zombie! ]


    [ Hint: Only the first elimination of each Mid-Tier and High-Tier zombie can provide special rewards! ]


    [ You can select one reward: Instant Experience Potion x10, Zombie Cores x100, Random Rare Giftpack x5 ]


    As soon as Shane heard this message, he sighed in relief.


    Then, he watched as the Zombies crashed to the ground, its body spasmed for a moment before finally going still.


    ''I''m actually the first killer¡­ This is awesome¡­'' Shane thought with a grin on his face. He didn''t expect that he would still get this ''First Kill'' reward during this time. After all, he believed that all types of zombies had already appeared and had been killed by some survivors.


    ''The Winged Leader isn''t really that strong¡­ I guess it''s about the location¡­ Its base is probably too far, and no other Survivors discovered their base yet.'' Shane mused.


    After some consideration, he decided to take all the Instant Experience Potion. They certainly don''t give enough experience anymore, but he needed to umte them since the Boss Raid Event could give thousands of experiences, and a guaranteed level-up would probably not happen in the next six months or so.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [ You have selected ten Instant Experience Potions. ]


    [ All items have been transferred to your Inventory. ]


    Shane then looked around and confirmed that this time, the shelter only lost 20 of the 40 Light Orbs that Lord Han Zhuo had ced. Apparently, they kept the other ten as their reserves.


    It seemed that they made the right call.


    "Whew¡­ Let''s loot!" Lysandra said as she looked at the zombies they killed. No matter how many times she did it, she was still looking forward to any looting attempt she made. Not knowing whether she''d get a high-grade item or not gives her some excitement she needed from time to time.


    The others also started celebrating as soon as they confirmed that the threat had already been repressed¡­ Most of the soldiers were actually unable to attack once the Winged Zombies flew just a couple of meters off the ground. After all, they mostly have arrows, and they are afraid that they''ll just hurt their own people if they miss their targets.


    Thankfully, Shane''s group was able to get in a better position with their firearms and eliminated the group of Winged Zombies who had been destroying their Light Orbs.


    Shane then decided to loot the Winged Leader Zombie and allowed the others to loot the normal ones.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes." Shane muttered.


    [ You have earned 75 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x10, Zombie Cores x10, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x20, Unknown Meat ( Unsafe ) x10, 100mL Winged Leader Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Vitality Enhancement Bottle x1, Agility Enhancement Bottle x1, Screeching Whistle x1, Contaminated Winged Zombie Heart x1, Gale de x1 ]


    Shane quickly checked the new item and confirmed that the screeching whistle could actually call for any living birds within a kilometer radius. Shane wasn''t sure where he would need this, but he was still thankful for the drop he just received.

 Chapter 400 Troubled

    As he thought of checking the other items he obtained, he noticed that a group of people were approaching him.


    Lord Han Zhuo approached Shane, and his expression was filled with gratitude and respect. He had definitely seen what he had justpleted.


    "Thank you, Shane. Your quick thinking and skill were crucial in defeating that Leader Zombie. I thought that we''d have to sacrifice more Light Orbs before we could kill that thing. I have to put those Light Orbs in a better location and protect them well. Can we purchase more of these orbs? I need about a hundred of them¡­ However, can we pay with Gold Taels and Zombie Cores this time?"


    "Gold Taels¡­ Of course, we can do that¡­ I can try to find more Light Orbs and get back to youter. I''m also d we could help." Shane replied.


    "That''s great to hear, Sir Shane¡­" Lord Han Zhuo said. They then ended their conversation since he still had to deal with the casualties in this battle.


    Nheless, because of this event, the people could no longer fall asleep, and soon, they smelled numerous tasty foods around the shelter.


    Many people, civilians or guards, started filling their stomachs as they just couldn''t help but get hungry from the smell.


    As the sun began to rise, casting its first light over the shelter, Shane already had his meal and was nning to look around the ces that Lysandra and the other girls suggested to visit. These stores they found were actually selling Pet Eggs and things that seemed to be dropped by Zombies like Spitter Zombie''s Acid Pouch, Jumper Zombie''s Tendons, and others.


    However, as he was nning to do this, he received an urgent message from Diana and Sandra¡­


    "This¡­" Shane was rmed as he read the message.


    Apparently, these two had decided to follow him instead of going to his Spring River Manor. Probably because they both had portable bicycles, a carriage, or any type of vehicle, they were able to actually get a lot closer than Shane thought¡­


    However, they didn''t follow Shane''s path, and they were now in trouble!


    ***


    A few days ago, after the Boss Raid Event, Sandra and Diana were able to meet each other. Currently, they stood at the edge of a valley, surveying the treacherous terrain ahead.


    Their system map showed that they had to pass through this terrain and travel for three more days before they could meet with Shane''s current group.


    Diana, Shane''s step-sister and a skilled cksmith, turned to Sandra¡­ "Let''s go¡­" she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.


    Sandra, the agile scout gifted with a unique Flight Talent, nodded in agreement.


    "I''ve rested enough anyway¡­ The two should be ready as well." Sandra replied.


    These two weren''t that strong. They have unique Survivor Skills and decent equipment and weapons, but they haven''t dared to go outside their shelter before.


    However, it was different now since they''d received their rewards in the Boss Raid Event. One of those rewards was the Legendary Recruitment Stones.


    "Gregor¡­ Ka¡­ Let''s go¡­" Diana called out. Soon, the two figures stood before them.


    The first was Gregor, a brawny man with a rugged beard wearing a blindfold. His axe restedfortably on his shoulder, and he walked without any issues even though he was blind.


    "You''re axe looked really old. Are you sure it willst long?" Sandra asked, as it looked like it was in terrible shape already.


    "I''ve hunted hundreds of grizzly bears with just this axe," he boasted, flexing his muscles. "I can hunt thousands of creatures with this axe¡­ The more blood it gets, the stronger it bes." Gregor replied.


    This was the first time Diana and Sandra had heard about this. They hadn''t asked about it before since they were polite about it. However, they didn''t expect that even if it looked rusted and chipped in numerous parts, it was actually magical equipment.


    The second was Ka, a formidable female warrior wielding a massive halberd.


    "I didn''t expect that¡­ Ahem¡­ Ka, is that halberd also magical? Can you tell me more about it?" Diana asked. Initially, she was only satisfied that they were incredibly strong and loyal, so she didn''t ask too much.


    This time, however, with their long journey, she felt inclined to know more about them and their life before they got summoned.


    "This halberd isn''t too special¡­ It''s just durable. Mhm¡­ I guess the only special thing about this is that it was a gift from a prince after I became a legionmander. I oncemanded ten thousand soldiers¡­" She said proudly, even reminiscing about her glorious life before the Zombies invaded the world.


    Soon, the group started to fully engage in conversation as they all learned numerous things about each other. This was all happening while navigating through the valley.


    However, as they traveled deeper into the valley, the atmosphere shifted.


    "Something''s off¡­" Ka muttered.


    Suddenly, the surroundings felt eerie... It was too silent, and it was definitely not a good thing since it meant that the Zombies around here were eliminated by some others and if they met, it wasn''t hard to predict that there could be conflict.


    During this time, it was just too difficult to trust somebody¡­


    Suddenly, shadows emerged from behind the rocky outcrops. They were a group of Survivors, and they were all exuding an aura of malice.


    "Look what we have here," The ringleader sneered, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "A little band of misfits. You won''t get far with that gear."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Sandra frowned, but she wasn''t panicking. There were only eight people, and they all wore SWAT Uniforms.


    She was confident of winning with their current weapons. However, she was a bit unsure about the Talismans they were carrying in their hands. Instead of carrying swords and guns, they were holding paper Talismans, and these things must''ve been looted with the system''s help or purchased from the Survivor Store or Reputation Store¡­


    "We''ll be on the defensive for now¡­ Let''s see how those Talismans work first." Diana said.


    "Shouldn''t we strike first before they can use it?" Sandra asked.

 Chapter 401 Calling for Help

    The leader of these bandits stepped forward while the Talisman in his hand glinted ominously as if it was ready to be activated.


    "Don''t resist, and wear the handcuffs we prepared for you." As he said this, the others tapped the handcuffs on their waist as they waited for Diana''s group to lower their weapons.


    However, there was no way they would let themselves be captured without a fight.


    Diana nced at Sandra and the others. They were all ready to start the battle.


    "Gregor and Ka will attack first¡­ Since you both can use Aura¡­ You should be fine¡­ We will support you behind." Diana whispered.


    The leader smirked as he realized that they wouldn''t be going down without a fight. He had already expected this much, so he didn''t mind.


    Then, a glint of menace appeared in his eyes. "Then you leave me no choice. Prepare to be... subdued!"


    As the ringleader raised his Talisman, the air crackled with energy, and the rest of the group moved to encircle them.


    "Silence!"


    The Talisman activated and at the same time, Diana and Sandra realized that they could no longer use their Talents and Survivor Skills.


    Sandra immediately felt a chill on her body since if this Silence Talisman had been activated while he was flying, she would definitely die once she dropped to the ground.


    However, it seemed that this Talisman still had some limitations. Perhaps it wasn''t a high-grade item since Gregor and Ka could still use their Aura!


    Diana then noticed that the others were also about to attack them with other Talismans. She had to act quickly¡­


    She turned to Gregor and Ka¡­


    "Gregor, Ka, attack first! Let''s see how those talismans work. Defend with your Aura. We''ll support you from behind."


    Both warriors nodded, and they fearlessly made their move.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Gregor gripped his axe tightly, the muscles in his arms flexed as he charged forward¡­ Ka shifted her stance, halberd in hand, as she prepared to unleash a long-range attack with her Aura.


    As Gregor charged forward, the leader''s smirk deepened. It seemed that he was waiting for it¡­ He looked at the charging Hunter and made his move.


    "Foolish choice!" he shouted, raising his Talisman high. "Let''s show them the power of our magic!"


    It was a signal for everyone to use a certain type of Talisman.


    Each Talisman usage would cost them 20 Spirit Points. It was a bit expensive, but it was because the Talisman was special. They were confident that with this set of items, they would be able to capture even the top 10 Survivors in the leaderboard!


    Then, among the eight people, four of them activated their paper talismans¡­


    "Bind!"


    As soon as they shouted, ck chains materialized from the talismans, coiling like snakes and slithering toward Gregor and Ka. These chains aimed to ensnare them!


    The chains were also oozing with ck smoke as if it would also poison its captured target!


    Simultaneously, the other four enemies, including the leader, unleashed their talismans.


    "Fire Ball!"


    Just like the name of the Talisman, fireballs erupted from the paper in their hands.


    It started with the burning of the Talisman, and the mes from it started spiraling and turned into fireballs! Just a single Talisman could actually produce a total of three fireballs!


    Then, they flew toward the two warriors!


    "Watch out!" Diana shouted, instinctively raising her pistol to provide cover. The fireballs arced through the air, a fiery storm seeking to engulf her allies.


    However, the two Legendary-Grade Warriors had already acted.


    Gregor, quick on his feet, swung his axe in a wide arc, slicing through the chains attempting to bind him. "I won''t be caught by some chains!" he yelled. Even a couple of chains that tried to wrap on him was not enough! His pure strength and Aura were able to overpower the magical bonds.


    Ka also released her attack, and her two Aura strikes hit two heads, smashing them into paste!x


    Thud! Thud!


    After killing two of them, she finally turned her attention to the fireballs and faced them head-on. With a jolt of her weapon, she angled her halberd and struck the first fireball!


    Bam!


    The impact caused a fiery explosion that sent mes scattering in all directions.


    The power of the fireballs was indeed very strong, like a cannonball but with her halberd and Aura, she believed that she could stop even a dozen of them at the same time.


    "Is that all you''ve got?" Ka taunted, and her confidence rose as she dodged or parried the remaining fireballs.


    Boom! Boom!


    Of course, the other two didn''t just watch their recruits.


    Diana and Sandra took aim, firing their pistols at the enemies wielding the talismans, hoping to disrupt their focus.


    Bang! Bang!


    Each shot rang out, as they sought to kill these bandits¡­


    However, after one of them was shot to death, the others immediately took cover!


    There were still five enemies alive!


    The leader was already having a bad premonition as he realized that the chains and fireballs weren''t enough to even defeat one of their enemies!


    He felt too unlucky to encounter them!


    Well, he was indeed unfortunate as he had no idea that he was dealing with two warriors who had been recruited with Legendary Recruitment Stones.


    However, they still have a few Talismans in their possession.


    Indeed, despite the chaos, the enemies pressed forward and activated another set of paper talismans.


    Several chains reformed, and their fireballs continued to rain down.


    "Die! Die! Do you think you can defeat us? We have tons of these Talismans! We''ve also called for reinforcements!" The leader shouted as he started feeling desperate. Nothing was going ording to n.


    A few days ago, he was also about to capture a few people who had been fleeing from them when they suddenly obtained powerful prosthetics¡­ A bunch of people who had lost their arms and feet should''ve been an easy win for him.


    However, it was toote when he realized that someone in the marketce had been selling strange prosthetics. When he was able to confront those groups again, he had been defeated and had to escape with his life.


    This time, he recalled the same event, and he wanted to ensure that he wouldn''t fail anymore or his n Leader might really kill him!


    "Then we''ll end this before your reinforcements arrive!" Sandra yelled back, her eyes narrowed as she focused on the leader.


    The Silence talisman was still in effect, and she couldn''t use her Survivor Skills yet. She could only rely on her weapons for now.


    She aimed carefully, determined to take him down¡­ However, the leader knew that he was the main target and always kept himself hidden.


    The battle raged on, with Gregor and Ka pushing against the chains while dodging or parrying the fireballs.


    Diana and Sandra provided cover fire. Their shots aimed to disrupt the enemies'' concentration.


    Their small group worked seamlessly as they picked off enemies one by one.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    As Ka and Gregor''s Aura started to dissipate, the victory of the battle soon became obvious.


    After killing most of the enemies, the tide seemed to shift in their favor as the number of talismans being thrown had lessened.


    There were only two enemies present: the leader and one of hispanions.


    Diana knew that they''d won this battle, but just as their spirits began to soar, the leader raised his Talisman high. His face was filled with desperation!


    "You will pay for this!" He yelled.


    Drawing his remaining Spirit Points, he unleashed a surge of dark energy that enveloped his remaining subordinate. Suddenly, this person burst with power and charged forward!


    Diana knew that something was off.


    "Don''t engage in closebat. Kill him from a distance!" Diana shouted and the two warriors threw their axes and halberd without hesitation!


    Thud! Thud!


    As soon as the person was struck, his body suddenly bloated and exploded!


    Boom!


    It was simr to the explosion of Spitter Zombie! It wasn''t too strong, but it was filled with nasty blood and flesh instead of acid.


    This time, as Sandra confirmed that the Silence effect was gone, she looked for the leader and realized that he was already far away. Nheless, this person still looked at their group.


    "Fools!" He shouted¡­


    "You may have bested my minions, but you''ve not seen thest of me!"


    With that, he turned on his heel and sprinted into the shadows, leaving his fallenrades behind.


    The group exchanged nces, catching their breath as the adrenaline from the fight began to disappear. They had won, but there was little time to celebrate!


    Suddenly, the earth trembled as they heard the sound of off-road cars rushing in their direction!


    A chill ran through the group as a new wave of danger started getting closer. Diana, still catching her breath, had to make a decision¡­


    The first thing she did was to send a message to Shane and ask for help!


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 402 Calling For Reinforcements

    While Diana was asking for reinforcement from Shane, Sandra immediately flew up with his Flight Talent.


    It didn''t take long before she realized the enemy reinforcements had met with the person who had just escaped. Then, with her Enhanced Vision fully activated, she confirmed the number of enemies¡­


    "Not good¡­" She whispered.


    From the depths of the valley, thirty more figures emerged, each one armed with rifles together with talismans on their bodies.


    She initially thought that these people were fully relying on their talismans. She didn''t expect that they could amass such a huge number of assault rifles.


    From this, she confirmed that their n was definitely a huge one, and they also had someone with an Epic or Legendary Talent that could help them acquire hundreds of mystical paper talismans.


    As soon as she returned to the ground, she immediately reported what she had just seen.


    The leader of the ''bandit group'' had returned, and he was not alone. His reinforcements marched in formation like true soldiers¡­ Each one was carrying an array of talismans and rifles.


    Even with two Legendary Recruits, they weren''t confident of surviving this one without any casualties.


    "Looks like they''ve got an endless supply of those things," Gregor grunted. Those Paper Talismans that could magically summon chains and fireballs were truly a problem.


    Facing a dozen of Fireballs might not be life-threatening, but more than twenty of theming at the same time would still eat up all of his Aura, and his life would surely be in danger.


    Nheless, he had to protect his young miss. Although he could probably escape if he started running now, he wouldn''t be able to forgive himself if he allowed his master to die here.


    "Let theme¡­"


    He then tightened his grip on his axe, readying himself for another fight.


    "Then, let''s kill them all!" Ka eximed, her eyes also focused on the approaching crowd. She already realized they were outnumbered, and they would most likely die here.@@novelbin@@


    However, other than fighting, she had no other way of resolving this situation. She just had to fight to her death. She believed that she would be able to take down most of them before she perished.


    Seeing their loyal recruits, Diana and Sandra immediately felt overwhelmed with gratitude. But they couldn''t just waste their life here.


    "Wait¡­ We need to escape. We can''t stand and fight this time!"


    Diana felt the weight of their situation pressing down on her.


    "We need to retreat. We can''t risk being overwhelmed," she said as she looked at her map, finding a better path to escape.


    Sandra nodded¡­ "It''s not toote to kill themter. We''ll regroup and find a better position. We can''t let them have the upper hand again."


    "Let''s go!" Diana ordered while her heart pounded as they turned to flee¡­ They were outnumbered, and it wasn''t shameful to run away from these enemies.


    They dashed through the valley, but their fleeing figures were still caught by the enemies.


    Behind them, the familiar voice of that hateful leader rang out. His voice was filled with triumph and contempt for his targets.


    "Run, you cowards! You can''t escape me! This time, you will face the full force of my n!"


    The ground shook as the reinforcements unleashed a barrage of paper talismans from the distance. They probably have zero confidence hitting them with their rifles, so they used their mystical talismans instead.


    Soon, the air was filled with the whistling sound of fiery projectiles.


    Diana and her group sprinted, dodging the chaos that erupted behind them.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Fireballs exploded against the ground, sending debris flying, and some chains snaked through the air, barely missing their targets.


    Thanks to Gregor and Ka staying behind, they were able to protect Diana and Sandra. Of course, now that Silence was no longer affecting them, Diana could use her new Skills to protect herself but it wouldst very long.


    They still have to be worried about their Spirit Points being depleted.


    "Keep moving!" Diana shouted, leading the charge as they navigated the unfamiliar terrain.


    After almost an hour of running, they reached a narrow pass. The group quickly ducked behind a rocky ledge, taking a moment to gather their thoughts.


    "We can''t keep running forever," Ka panted, scanning the area for a possible escape route. "We need to turn this around."


    "We need to regroup ande up with a strategy," Gregor added, his chest heaving. "They won''t stop until they have us."


    These two Legendary Recruits were getting exhausted as time passed. They felt that it was better to spend their energy fighting instead of running. After all, it would be toote to fight if their Aura waspletely depleted.


    Diana nodded as she also understood that¡­ However, it was just too difficult to fight against this many enemies equipped not just with high-caliber weapons but also those mystical paper talismans.


    Furthermore, since they were always being followed, he believed that there were also some talented scouts among their group, and it would be tough to set up an ambush against them.


    "Shane confirmed that he''s hurrying to our location¡­ Let''s just hold out for now¡­" Diana said as she took out her Tier 3 Armored Sentinel Set and gave it to Gregor.


    This set was a reward she received together with the other members of the team after they cleared the Fourth Stage. To be exact, it was part of the reward for being the first team to clear the fourth stage.


    Initially, they had no use for this since the armor set was heavy and wouldn''t suit their battle style at all.


    However, it was different for Gregor, who had a very high Strength Status.


    "Isn''t it more appropriate for you to wear this? I have my Aura to protect myself." Gregor said.


    "You need this more than I do right now. You''ll be the one in front." Diana said.


    "That sounds true but¡­" Gregor still hesitated since he felt that Diana was just too fragile.


    "I''ll be fine," she asserted. "You''re the strongest fighter among us, and you need to be ready for what''sing."


    Without any more hesitation, Gregor began to don the armor, the pieces clicking into ce as he transformed into a formidable figure, ready to face whatever awaited them.


    Seeing this, Sandra also did the same. She reached into her Inventory system and pulled out her own Tier 3 Armored Sentinel Set,posed of a sturdy helmet, breastte, arm guards, shoulder guards, cuisse, and greaves, all designed forbat.


    "Ka, you take this¡­" Sandra said as she had almost forgotten this set of equipment. After all, it was just too heavy and unsuited for her flight talent.


    With a nod of understanding, Ka epted the armor, swiftly donning it.


    Soon, both their legendary recruits were ready.


    Then, they used a Stealthy Power in the Survivor Store to hide their scent and presence¡­ After that, they moved to a vantage point overlooking the valley where the enemy''s reinforcements had gathered.


    The thirty enemies, armed with rifles and paper talismans, were forming ranks. Their eyes scanned the terrain for any traps that could''ve beenid out by their targets.


    "Stay low," Diana instructed, her heart racing as she observed the threat before them.


    "We''ll wait for them to spread out a little more. Then we''ll strike."


    As the enemies began to advance, Diana felt that the opportunity was about toe.


    "On my mark," she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    Gregor and Ka nodded, their expressions fierce and determined, ready to unleash the full force of their abilities.


    "Now!" Diana signaled, rising from her hiding spot and taking aim at the nearest enemy. The sound of gunfire erupted from her pistol as she fired, her shot finding its mark and sending an enemy sprawling to the ground.


    Furthermore, she continued using her Exploding Knives, throwing them at them and creating chaos!


    The sudden attack caught the ringleader''s forces off guard. Chaos erupted as they scrambled to respond, but Diana''s group had the advantage of surprise.


    After Diana and Sandra threw their Exploding Weapons, Gregor charged forward, his axe swinging overhead, cleaving through an enemy who was too slow to react.


    After all, the power of the Tier 3 Armored Sentinel Set had also enhanced his strength, making him a force to be reckoned with.


    Ka, emboldened by her new armor, swung her halberd, taking out another enemy before they could raise their rifle.


    The weight of the armor felt reassuring, and she felt more confident fighting in melee.


    Sandra and Diana provided cover fire as they picked off enemies from a distance.


    Thebination of their skills and the armor gave them a fighting chance against the onught.


    Needless to say, the enemy''s leader was furious at the sudden turn of events and allied his forces. "Don''t let them overwhelm you! Attack!" He shouted.


    The enemies regrouped, and chaos transformed into a coordinated assault.


    Paper talismans flew through the air, summoning chains and fireballs aimed at Diana''s group. The ce was soon filled with mystical energy as the talismans activated. Thankfully, the newly donned armor also had high resistance against both physical and magical attacks!


    They protected Gregor and Ka from the brunt of the magical assaults!


    However, Diana knew that this effect wouldn''tst long...


    "Shane, where are you?!" Diana couldn''t help but worry as she checked the map.

 Chapter 403 Strange Survivor Talent

    Diana saw from the map that Shane was moving quickly to reach their location. She just has to trust her brother and endure for the time being.


    "Our reinforcement ising! Just hold your ground!" Diana shouted as she took out all of her exploding knives and hatchet.


    The others also felt relieved that they really had helpersing to their rescue.


    With this news, everyone felt invigorated as they fought back with all their might. The sound of breaking chains and gunfire filled the surrounding area as they used everything in their arsenal.


    But just as they began to gain ground, the familiar hateful leader''s voice rang out again, filled with malice.


    "You think you can defeat us? You''re just prolonging your suffering. I have more tricks up my sleeve!"


    From behind his group, he took out his special paper talisman with golden characters written on it.


    "Amplify!"


    Just from its name, Diana could guess that the effect of this mystical Talisman could actually boost his allies.


    As expected, just by looking at the enemies'' eyes, she could tell that she had guessed it right. From their bloodshot eyes, she knew that the golden Talisman amplified the strength of his reinforcements. Perhaps even their Spirit Points had increased because of this.


    The ground shook, and just like that,rger chains and fireballs surged toward Diana''s group in overwhelming numbers!@@novelbin@@


    "Fall back!" Gregor shouted, realizing the tides were turning again.


    "We can''t take them all at once!"


    Diana''s mind raced as they found themselves on the defensive. "Retreat to the higher ground! We can regroup there!" shemanded.


    They quickly maneuvered back, climbing the rocky terrain as the enemy leader''s forces pressed forward¡­ Seeing that their targets were fleeing desperately, he knew that victory was already within his grasp.


    He saw that these women weren''t ordinary. They were also very attractive, and their n leader would surely reward him if he was able to capture them.


    With the special Seastone Handcuff that he had purchased in the Reputation Store, he could guarantee that any he caught would not be able to fight back at all.


    ''But those armors are just too annoying¡­ Where did they get those? Are they Master Grade Armor?'' The man thought as he looked at the full body armor worn by the axe and halberd users .


    With their armor shielding them from the worst of the attacks, they managed to ascend to a higher vantage point.


    Gregor and Ka truly made use of the Armored Sentinel Set.


    At this point, the enemy leader''s forces paused at the bottom of the hill, regrouping as they prepared for another assault.


    "We need to hold them off while we figure out our next move," Sandra said, catching her breath. "We can''t let them corner us."


    Diana nodded, her gaze fixed on the enemies below. "We''ll find a way to turn this around¡­"


    As she said this, she took out her remaining items to prepare¡­


    They did their best to hold on, but the number of bullets, fireballs, and ck chains was just too much!


    The enemies weren''t nning to wait for their reinforcement.


    Now that they had nowhere else to hide, they could just make ast stand in this area.


    "Ahh!"


    "What''s that?!"


    Gregor and Ka were prepared to sacrifice their lives, but just as the fireballs were about to rain down on their group, a roaring engine echoed through the battlefield.


    "This¡­" Even the enemies were rmed as they thought that they had missed a Giant Zombie¡­


    However, Diana immediately knew who it was¡­


    It was Shane, her brother!


    He suddenly burst onto the scene on his sleek motorbike. Dust and debris flew as he skidded to a halt in front of Gregor and Ka, who had been warned by Diana that he was their reinforcement! This motorbike was actually a part of the Rare Transport Gift Pack!


    Without missing a beat, Shane raised his hand, and a magical barrier enveloped the group, deflecting the iing fireballs!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Needless to say, it was Shane''s Aura of Protection, and he spent 1,000 Spirit Points on that to ensure its durability.


    ''So strong?'' Shane mused as he realized that his Aura of Protection was already about to copse. It only shows that the enemies were most likely using Master Grade level attacks!


    After adding 500 more Spirit Points, however, he was able to easily fix this problem. The attacks no longer threatened his defense!


    ''Tsk¡­ I have to get more of those Spirit Stones¡­'' Shane mused as he looked at his dome of Aura.


    Just like he intended, the almost invisible barrier only rippled from the bombardment, showing how tough it was.


    "That''s Shane, my brother. He''s our ally¡­ He''s here to save us." Diana reminded once again after seeing that Gregor and Ka were still being wary of Shane.


    Shane didn''t introduce himself and simply nodded at the two Legendary Recruits of his two friends.


    Nheless, he swiftly dismounted his bike and extended his arm.


    He had to kill these people who were trying to kidnap his sister.


    With a wave of his hand, he summoned the Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret. The Turret materialized with mechanical gears activating¡­ Its design waspletely modern, showing that it was truly an advanced weaponry.


    "Activate!" Shanemanded, and the Turret sprang to life, its sensors locking onto the enemy forces. This shout was also filled with Titan''s Roar, pressuring the enemies and stunning them for a brief moment. These few seconds disrupt the activation of their Paper Talismans and the Turret took its opportunity!


    Brrrtt~


    Soon, the Turret''s barrels rotated, and a barrage of energy bullets erupted, slicing through the air¡­.


    "Aahhh! It''s a machine gun!"


    "Crap! Use Earth Talismans hurry!"


    "Get the smokes scree---Aack!"


    "My arm! My arm! I''ll never forgive you!"


    "Let''s run! We''re going to die here!"


    The enemies scrambled to summon their defenses, but the Turret''s energy bullet was unstoppable to these people who only had defenses that were effective against physical damage.


    With the energy bullet''s mystical energy, it was too much for them to withstand two or three of them.


    Nheless, several Talisman Energy Shields flickered and shattered under the barrage of the Turret. Whether they hide behind trees or rocks, they would be utterly hit!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Just like that, the enemies fell one by one as the Turret fired.


    [ You have eliminated a human survivor. ]


    [ You have eliminated a human survivor. ]


    ¡­


    [ You have eliminated a human survivor. ]


    This same message repeated a few more times¡­


    Shane only had to maintain his Aura of Protection and stay in his position¡­ If he finds anyone able to escape the range of his Turret, that is the time he will make his move.


    However, this appeared to be an impossible task as the Turret was unstoppable at this point. Even with the smokescreen and various covers they used, one they were locked it would use everything it had to eliminate the target!


    Soon, Shane realized that the Turret started using incendiary bombs against those Survivors who had strange abilities to dodge or block the energy bullets.


    The enemy leader, watching in disbelief, tried to rally his four or five remaining forces.


    "Don''t let them intimidate you! We can still win this!" he shouted, but his words did nothing to them¡­


    Shane''s eyes narrowed as he focused on the leader with the most number of talismans in his hands.


    "Cloud¡­ Just end this¡­"


    [ Affirmative. ]


    Soon, the Turret fired a concentrated energy bullet and struck the leader''s defenses! Boom!


    The defense made of strange light immediately crumbled under the powerful attack. The Talisman they had been relying on waspletely destroyed in a sh of light!


    Indeed, no talisman, armor, or anything could stop it.


    The remaining enemies, seeing their leader''s defeat, faltered and began to retreat. However, it was already toote¡­


    "It''s done¡­ You really did it¡­ What is that motorbike? How can it be so fast?" Diana asked.


    "Finally¡­ Ahem¡­ Thank you for your immediate response, n Leader." Sandra said with a bow of gratitude. She really thought that it was already her end.


    However, at this time, Shane''s eyes locked on the leader, whoy motionless after being struck by thest concentrated bullet.


    There was a huge hole in his chest, and his heart was already gone. However, Shane''s Heightened Awareness was triggered.


    ''Will he explode? No¡­ I think I didn''t notice a system message when he died¡­ Is he still alive in that condition? How?'' Shane mused¡­


    But since something felt off, he knew he had to be cautious.


    There was only one possible reason why this person was still alive, even with a gaping hole in its body¡­


    ''It must be his Survivor Talent!''


    Cautiously, Shane approached the fallen leader, his pistol drawn and ready.


    He aimed at the leader''s head, intending to finish him off and ensure the threat was truly neutralized. But just as he was about to pull the trigger, the leader''s eyes snapped open!

 Chapter 404 Same Tactic

    Shane was spooked as soon as he saw the man open his eyes.


    The sight of a person with a huge and bloody hole in their body opening their eyes was definitely scary.


    Furthermore, with the color of their skin, blood, and the light in their eyes, Shane could tell that the man hadn''t turned into a Zombie yet¡­


    Nheless, Shane had no time to study this person closely, in a split second, the man''s hand shot up!


    There was already a pistol aimed directly at Shane. Thankfully, Shane was prepared!


    Time seemed to slow as both men prepared to fire.


    Bang! Bang!


    Even with Shane''s reflexes, it was difficult for him to dodge a bullet in such a close range. However, he had a Tier 5 Tactical Vest, which was part of the SWAT Uniform!


    Thud!@@novelbin@@


    Shane was hit on his chest, but the Physical Defense that he had was more than enough to ignore a single bullet. It might be different if he had to take several shots.


    Nheless, his shot might be a fraction of a secondter than the leader could fire, but his uracy was impable¡­ His bullet was right in between the man''s brows!


    Thud!


    Just like that, the man''s weapon ttered to the ground as he slumped back, lifeless.


    [ You have eliminated a Human Survivor. ]


    Shane''s heart pounded in his chest, the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Although it was barely a second, that battle made him really nervous because of how freaky it was.


    Anyway, he took a deep breath, steadying himself as he looted the man.


    He was curious if that was a Skill or a Talent just now.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes¡­" Shane replied while also signaling to Diana''s group that everything was fine now.


    Then, he turned his attention to the things he obtained.


    [ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x10, Low-Grade Spirit Stones x10, Bread x5, 500mL Water, Rare Food Giftpack x1, Mining, False Revival Talent ]


    [ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. False Revival Talent ( Epic ) was not added. ]


    [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to amodate the False Revival Talent? ]


    ''Epic False Revival? Sounds cool¡­ Is that how he managed to survive even after that critical injury?'' Shane thought to himself before agreeing to remove one of his current Talents.


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ), Aura Master Talent ( Exceptional ), Telekinesis ( Rare ), Skill Infuser ( Epic ), Petrification ( Common )


    "Yes¡­ I''ll remove¡ªWait¡­" Shane then recalled that he still had a Talent Expansion Scroll and immediately used it.


    As soon as he did this, the system notifications had changed.


    Ding!


    [ You have one more slot for a Survivor Talent. You have received False Revival Talent ( Epic ) ]


    [ False Revival Talent: It grants a unique ability to Survivors that gives them another chance at life. Upon death, the Survivor is not lost to the void; instead, they enter a temporary state of revival for 10 seconds. In this state, the Survivor must seek out and im the life of another Survivor through any means.


    This can be achieved through direct engagement or by influencing the oue of the conflict.


    If the Survivor sessfully eliminates an opponent within the 10-second window, they will be revived instantly at the location of their demise with perfect condition and a stronger body.


    If no Survivor is imed during the duration, the yer will sumb to their fate, losing all umted resources and progress in that life. ]


    ''Perfect¡­''


    Shane was then ted after seeing the Epic Talent. It may not boostbat ability, but it grants a second chance!


    It was just a pity that it was too quick. The 10 seconds may not be enough to kill someone. However, a second chance like that was certainly better than nothing.


    It still deserves to be an Epic Grade Talent.


    ''But it says here that after revival, I''ll get a stronger body¡­ Can I abuse this?'' Shane thought for a moment. Although he doesn''t have any suicidal thoughts, this side effect was a bit alluring. After all, if he found a bunch of people who deserved to die, he could just kill himself or find someone to do so to trigger the Talent, and then, he could kill those on death row¡­


    In any case, this Talent doesn''t seem to have a limit, so it should be possible to do it. However, the pain he''d feel was definitely not something he could prepare for.


    ''It''s definitely going to be painful¡­'' Shane thought to himself since, with his current Vitality and Strength, there was definitely no easy way to die. He might even survive a drop from the tenth-floor building, though he might be invalid.


    "Shane! Thank you so much for saving us! You were right on time!" Sandra said, feeling delightful at the sight of their reliable n Leader.


    Shane gently nodded as he smiled at her¡­


    "That''s true¡­ But you guys should''ve recruited more. You have plenty of Zombie Cores¡­" Shane said as he had to teach them not to be stingy if it was for their safety.


    "Right¡­ Just loot those other guys¡­ Looting this leader is enough for me." Shane added. He decided to let Diana and Sandra loot them so they could get more experience and items.


    After all, it is very difficult for Survivors with Support abilities to level up. Most of the time, they weren''t in the front lines¡­ Though, it might be different right now since they already have Legendary Recruits on their side.


    "Yes! Thank you, Brother! I think I''m also about to level up now¡­ This might just be enough." Diana said as she happily looted the others.


    Just like that, Diana leveled up after looting her tenth Survivor Corpse.


    During this time, Shane was surprised at his A.I.''s message, warning him about another Survivor about 300 meters away from them.


    "Mhmm?"


    As Shane scanned the area, his sharp eyes caught sight of a shadowy figure watching from a distance.


    ''No wonder I didn''t notice him¡­'' Shane mused as he looked at how far the spy was.


    He had two options: eliminate the scout or follow him back to his base. This was the same tactic he had used to kill the members of the Mystic Mirage n and rescue a few people.


    Shane wryly smiled after recalling this event. In any case, he wasn''t regretting saving those five girls.


    After a moment of consideration, Shane decided to follow the scout. He watched as the figure slipped away, then turned to his team.


    "We''ve got someone watching us," he informed them.


    "Really?! Where is he?" Diana asked, her eyes widening.


    "The scout already left. I''m tracking him right now¡­ He''s running in that direction," Shane said, pointing to the east.


    "Are we going to follow?" Diana asked as she considered if they could do it with just the five of them.


    "Yes¡­ I think it''s better to eliminate them all. Besides, we probably eliminated most of their elite Survivors. Furthermore, they have someone with an incredible talent who could make those Paper Talismans. I''m a bit curious about it." Shane said coldly, and Diana felt that her brother had truly be ruthless.


    She couldn''t me her brother for that since this world waspletely different from the peaceful Earth.


    Sandra gently nodded as she agreed with Shane. However, she also voiced her opinion.


    "Then¡­ Let''s see their base for now. If they are too many and have tall stone walls protecting them like a fortress, then we should just retreat. But if not, we can eliminate them."


    She suggested this since she also felt that going against hundreds of people would be too much for them, and even if they could win, it would just be too bloody, and surely, there would be casualties.


    Shane nodded in agreement.


    "That''s reasonable. Let''s do that."


    Soon, the group set off, following the scout''s trail through the rugged terrain.


    During this time, Shane also gave them more Healing Tokens and even a few Spirit Stones to recover their Spirit Points as quickly as possible.


    Diana and Sandra were already familiar with these items and quickly epted them.


    Then, moved swiftly and silently as they followed the spy stealthily¡­ They even used Stealth Power they bought in the Survivor Store.


    Then, after about four kilometers of chasing, they came upon a hidden base nestled in a secluded valley.


    The base was not as heavily fortified as they initially worried.


    Instead of high walls, it was surrounded by an electric fence that would zap any things or creatures that touched its barbed wires.


    Beyond the fence, they could see an extensive mining site filled with trailers that served as living quarters. The surroundings were also filled with the sound of machinery and the distant cries of workers.


    Shane''s eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. "It''s a mining site," he murmured. "And those aren''t just workers¡­ they''re ves."

 Chapter 406 Second Shelter

    "Dodge!"


    Shane shouted as he saw that they were being targeted by the enemies. There were five SUVs, and there were at least three people at the back pointing their guns at them.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Then, Shane immediately heard Cloud''s warning about the bullets fired at them. They weren''t normal ones and were enchanted by some sort of ability!


    Thankfully, Shane was still prepared.


    He tightened his grip, focusing his Spirit Points as he poured many of them into his Aura of Protection...


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Shane was able to block the attacks sessfully, but because of the strange bullets they used, the dome created by his Aura became slightly visible¡­


    Indeed, a faint glow surrounded him, and everyone could finally see the barrier that Shane had created. It was huge!


    It actually covered about 7 meters around him! And it made them realize how huge it really was.


    "It must be eating a lot of his Spirit Points." This was everyone''s thoughts, including hispanions.


    Nheless, Shane didn''t stop and activated his Telekinesis, lifting two pistols from his side. With a subtle correction of their angles, he aimed them at the approaching SUVs, ready for the showdown.


    As the enemies in the SUVs spotted Shane''s injured figure, they fired back once again¡­ This time, they seemed to have used other enchanted bullets.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Bright shes erupted from their weapons, but Shane was undeterred. With his Phantasm Rush and Agility alone, he was able to dodge the bullets. Then, by predicting their trajectory after seeing the barrels of the guns, he was able to perfectly execute his dodging maneuvers.


    He didn''t block every shot this time since it would consume his Spirit Points a lot faster. But it worked really well for him!


    The bullets whizzed past him, and then, with his Telekinesis still working, it allowed him to control his pistols for counterattacks. He pulled the triggers of the pistols, sending a barrage of shots toward the closest SUV.


    At the same time, hemanded his Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret to join the fray.


    The Turret was activated, and its own targeting system locked onto the moving vehicles. It unleashed a stream of incendiary rounds that erupted against the SUVs, sending sparks flying and causing the vehicles to swerve as they all got damaged to some degree.


    "Perfect¡­" Shane thought as he looked at the surviving enemies.


    Although that was an incredible attack from the Turret, the enemies weren''t defenseless.


    Just as Shane thought that he would end this battle, the enemies activated mysterious barriers that protected their front with a translucent wall.


    The bullets struck the barriers and ricocheted harmlessly away, leaving Shane momentarily frustrated. Yet, he could see the strain in the enemies'' faces; they were struggling to maintain their defenses under thebined fire of Shane''s pistols and the Turret''s energy bullets.


    "Haaa!"


    With his Titan''s Roar, Shane affected the enemies'' concentration and channelled his Aura to intensify his attacks.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    His pistols fired again, and this time, he pierced through the barriers, hitting the front of one SUV and causing it to shudder violently. The upants inside screamed as the vehicle sped off course while smoke billowed from the engine.


    It was then followed by the explosion of the cars.


    Boom! Boom!


    [ You have eliminated a Human Survivor. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Human Survivor. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Human Survivor. ]


    ¡­


    Shane received a few more of these messages¡­


    "Threedown!" Shane shouted while adrenaline coursed through his veins.


    But he knew the fight wasn''t over. He nced back at his team, who were shooting the enemies as well, although they weren''t too effective¡­


    "Scatter!" hemanded. "I''ll handle this!"


    With only two SUVs remaining, Shane turned his attention back to the enemies.@@novelbin@@


    His heart raced as he prepared for a bold move. He hadn''t tried this before but he was filled with confidence that he could do it!


    He then activated his Armored Dash, a technique that doesn''t just amplify his speed and strength but essentially transforms him like a Juggernaut Zombie for a brief moment!


    In an instant, heunched himself forward!


    "Aahh! This guy is crazy! Die!" The driver of the SUV in front was shocked for a moment after seeing Shane rush forward, attempting to sh with his vehicle. However, this shock turned into tion as he believed that he would achieve victory.


    "Brother!" Diana was also unable to understand what Shane was thinking. She knew that Shane was strong and could block an attack from Armored Zombies, but that wasn''t easy. Furthermore, she knew that Shane had an Exosuit on him at that time.


    However, Shane wasn''t wearing an Exosuit and shouldn''t be that strong physically, and they all couldn''t help but feel worried even though they knew how strong Shane was.


    As for Sandra, she unconsciously held her healing token and was ready to heal Shane if in case he was injured.


    Soon, the first SUV was directly in front of him, and Shane smashed toward it like a freight train!


    Bang!


    The driver barely had time to realize that he had made a mistake before Shane crashed into the side of the vehicle with incredible force, killing everyone inside!


    Boom!


    [ You have eliminated a Human Survivor. ]


    This message was repeated a few more times before it stopped.


    "Ahhh¡­" Diana was shocked after seeing what had happened.


    The impact sent the SUV spinning off the road, metal crunching as it rolled onto its side. Shane stood unharmed amidst the debris. He even seemed to be ready to do another dash with thest SUV!


    She then nced at thest SUV that had already stopped at the back. Diana could see the fear in their eyes, but Shane wasn''t done yet.


    Just like what she thought, Shane just steadied his breath and prepared for the final confrontation. He could hear the shouts of the enemies inside thest SUV. Their voices were filled with panic as they left the SUV and scrambled...


    Boom!


    Shane used his Armored Dash once again, but after seeing that everyone left the vehicle, he swiftly used his Momentum Shift and avoided the destruction of the innocent vehicle¡­


    ''Right¡­ It''s better to bring that with us so we can quickly return to Long Lodge Shelter.'' Shane thought, as he just recalled that the others don''t have motorbikes like him.


    "We surrender!" The remaining enemies shouted after seeing that Shane was just observing the vehicle and wasn''t truly out of his mind¡­


    From their voices, Shane could tell that they were all trembling with fear after witnessing the deaths of theirrades.


    Shane smiled and lowered his weapon a bit, assessing the situation.


    Although he had been ustomed to killing with the memories that he had received, he wasn''t very inclined to kill people who had surrendered unless they were truly evil¡­ After all, he could still convert the people who were within his territory.


    "Alright¡­ Diana, do you have something to tie them up?" Shane asked.


    "Yes, brother! I have some chains with me." Diana replied.


    Instead of finishing them off, he chose to capture them, knowing that their lives could still be valuable if they managed to change.


    With the enemies secured, Shane led them back to the base they had just cleared.


    The ce was filled with tension since this ce was just bombarded a while ago and every member of the cruel n was killed except for the ves¡­


    Nheless, the atmosphere quickly shifted as Shane stepped inside, towing the captured members of the n.


    The ves in the mines immediately recognized the group of people who were captured.


    "Are we being saved?"


    "Perhaps our owner will change today, huh."


    "That''s good¡­ I just hope that they''ll at least feed us three times¡­ No, even two times a day."


    "That man was followed by beautiful girls¡­ Maybe we''re lucky this time. I''m sure they have a good heart."


    "Hmph! Don''t get deceived by those appearances. Most pretty girls are evil."


    "Hey, don''t be that biased. Just hope for the better."


    "Let''s just pray for that then¡­"


    The captured ves were surely grateful that a change wasing. However, there was still uncertainty in their hearts since the change could be better or worse. Nothing was set in stone.


    As Shane looked at the ves and heard their whispers, he immediately realized what was going on.


    This time, the base was eerily quiet, filled only with the weary eyes of the ves¡­ They were all waiting on what was about to happen now that the ''boss'' had changed.


    Diana''s heart sank as she took in their disheveled appearances, the remnants of their captivity still visible in their expressions. It was the same for Shane and the others.


    The first thing that they felt was pity.


    "Is there a representative in your group?" Shane asked since he believed that if he managed to convince their leader, it would be a lot easier to proceed with his n.


    As expected, the ves cleared a path, showing the leader of the group. This person had a tall figure with sunken cheeks but had eyes that were filled with hope¡­

 Chapter 407 The New Settlement

    The one that had appeared had a tall figure with sunken cheeks but had eyes that were filled with hope. From Shane''s estimation, the man appeared to be in his thirties, but because of his condition, he looked a lot older than that.


    "I''m Mew, the leader here¡­ Are you going to tell us what will happen to us right now?" Mew, the leader of the 20 or so ves, said without any hint of nervousness.


    He just looked extremely tired of the situation.


    Shane wryly smiled after seeing the man''s expression before he spoke with sincerity. "Nothing¡­ You''re safe now. We''ve taken care of the threats here, but I can see you''re in need of help. What are your ns?"


    Instead of telling them what they should do from now on, Shane wanted to know the ns of these people.


    These words shocked everyone as they realized that the man in front of them was actually nning to just free all of them!


    Now that they were asked this question, they immediately started to think about their homes, rtives, and friends.


    Unfortunately, their homes were long gone, and they also wouldn''t dare to venture alone outside this camp. Their skills were all rted to production and notbat.


    "Where are we going to go?"


    "How about our food?"


    "Even if we want to go elsewhere, we''ll probably die along the way¡­"


    "Is there even another shelter that will ept us? We don''t even have money with us."


    "Let''s get something to sell here. We''re mining silver anyway, and they should have some value for crafting weapons or essories."


    "We''ll have to pray to be able to trade with honest people."


    The ves knew very well how bad their situation was since they had no ce they could call their home. If Shane really freed them, they might actually die a lot faster!


    After some moments of thought, the leader looked at hispanions and sighed.


    His voice was also filled with the burden of despair, and he said, "We have nowhere else to go. We''ve been trapped here for so long. There''s nothing left for us outside this camp. We were just hoping to find a way to escape this nightmare. We wanted to live better and perhaps, we could even get revenge against those Zombies who had taken everything away from us."


    Shane nodded, understanding their situation.


    "I want to help you," he said. "How about this¡­ I''ll be protecting this ce from now on.


    Instead of being workers or ves, however, you will be the residents of this new camp¡­ I will recruit more people here and will make this ce bigger and more like a small town¡­ With my abilities, I''m confident of being able to do that¡­ I think we can turn this small camp into something better¡ªa safe haven."


    "What do you mean by that?" Mew asked in shock.


    The others were also a bit confused since they didn''t expect Shane''s n at all.


    Shane then reached into his pack and pulled out the Beginner Shelter Crystal, a glowing orb filled with mystical power.


    [ Beginner Shelter Crystal: A crystal imbued with the essence of the Shelter. It possessed the power to im a small piece ofnd for its wielder. Once activated, the crystal will help repel zombies and undead creatures from the designated area until it reaches full energy capacity. It will also help with Production Speed, Culture Points, Building Durability, and Defense.


    Once the crystal''s energy is filled, lower-tier Zombies will be less likely to attack your Shelter, and you can activate the special effect of the crystal to protect yournd.


    Current Energy: 30%


    Shelter Crystal Effect: Unavable ]


    Shane also had an Intermediate Shelter Crystal and a Special Beginner Crystal he obtained when he leveled up to 36. However, he decided to just use this normal Shelter Crystal since the camp wasn''t too big in the first ce. He also didn''t n to expand it unless necessary.


    "This will allow me to im thisnd as my territory. With it, we can build a refuge for you and anyone else who needs help."


    The leader''s eyes widened. "You would do this for us?"


    "Absolutely, Mew¡­" Shane replied. "Everyone deserves a second chance, and together, we can create amunity here."


    With a nod, Shane activated the crystal.


    [ Do you wish to spend 1,000 Spirit Points to im this piece ofnd? ]


    This question popped out, and Shane didn''t expect anything like this at all. Nheless, with his current Spirit Points, it wasn''t really a big deal.


    Anyway, Shane also observed the image that had appeared. It showed the map of the surroundings, and there was a highlighted portion on it that included the silver mine and the fenced area of the camp.


    ''Interesting¡­'' Shane gently nodded as he realized that within this area, all the buildings he''d make would have better durability, and any productions here would be faster. This probably means that they would have a higher yield when mining.


    "Yes¡­" Shane answered.


    It was also his first time seeing how it works, so he was a bit expectant.


    [ Spirit Points deducted: 1,000.]


    [ Area imed sessfully. Zone established: 530 meters x 530 meters. ]


    [ Shelter Crystal activation in progress¡­ ]


    Soon, a wave of energy pulsed through the surroundings, illuminating the base in a warm, inviting glow. Suddenly, the fence glowed faintly, and itsted for a few seconds before returning to normal.


    However, it didn''t end there. An earthquake urred, and an area was torn apart. Before everyone could panic, however, a small one-story building made of stones appeared from the ground! It was quite simr to the base of the Wild Shelters that Shane had seen before!@@novelbin@@


    ''So it was like that!'' Shane was impressed.


    It seemed that the Shelter Crystal could really help with the construction of the first building.


    This building was also located at the very center of the piece ofnd that he imed and was quite close to the silver mine.


    [ Beginner Shelter has been established. ]


    [ Shelter Crystal has sessfully established the first building: Beginner Shelter Core.]


    [ Building effects: +15% Building Durability, +10% Production Speed within the territory.]


    [ Shelter Defense: Zombies and undead creatures of Tier 1 and below will be repelled within a 100-meter radius. ]


    [ Energy Charge: 30% ¡ú 31%.]


    [ Estimated time to full charge: 48 hours.]


    [ Warning: The Shelter Crystal must be ced inside the territory to maintain its effect. ]


    Shane read the messages carefully as he wanted to understand how to really manage his territory. With a nod, Shane checked his Territory Panel and confirmed that the additional of Silver Mine Camp aside from his Springriver Manor.


    [ Current Territory: Springriver Manor ( 100% ), Silver Mine Camp ( 15% ) ]


    After confirming everything, Shane turned to the shocked leader. "Mew, we''ll need to gather supplies and fortify this ce further. The mining should stop for now, and we''ll focus on rebuilding this camp. I can see that there''s a steady source of water here, and this ce had a good elevation¡­ This is really a perfect spot to settle.


    Ahem¡­ In any case, you''re no longer ves but residents of mynd."


    The leader''s eyes shone with hope after hearing this, and everyone finally cheered!


    They all expressed their gratitude to Shane for doing this for them. Then, Shane asked them about their talents and confirmed that only 12 of them obtained mining-rted skills even after working in the mines for so long.


    As for the others, their skills and talents were suitable in fields like farming, fishing, and other production field.


    After knowing a few things about these people, Shane had to arrange a few things immediately. The first thing was their food and clothes.


    Shane quickly took out some of his stocks. Aside from the bread, Shane brought out pots of soup he''d always buy in the Food Store, canned goods, and instant noodles.


    Everyone soon had a meal after they washed themselves.


    "Are you going to stay here until the next Zombie Wave?" Diana asked after recalling that the next Zombie Wave woulde in about a week.


    Shane initially nned to confront the Zombie Wave in sector 20. However, with the unimed Silver Mine here and a solid workforce, he just couldn''t ignore it.


    "Yes¡­ But don''t worry¡­ This ce will soon beparable to a fortress." Shane said with confidence.


    The others were curious about Shane''s n. However, Shane''s n was actually very simple. He just nned to recruit more people!


    Looking at this Inventory, he confirmed the number of Recruitment Stones in his possession.


    [ Normal Recruitment Stone x54


    Special Recruitment Stone x4


    Random Recruitment Stone x4


    Rare Recruitment Stone x2


    Master Recruitment Stone x1


    Epic Recruitment Stone x2


    Legendary Recruitment Stone x1


    Elf Recruitment Stone x10 ]


    Shane smiled after seeing the number of his Recruitment Stones¡­ There were a lot of them, and he had to thank a few events for that. The event included the recent Boss Raid, the Treasure Chests he opened, the Traveling Merchant, and the Elf Administrator.

 Chapter 408 The True Purpose of the Camp

    After thinking how many stones he would use today, Shane informed everyone about his ns. He told them to clean the surroundings and repair the broken fence and other buildings before he went to the gate of the camp.


    ''Mhmm¡­ I hope I get some good ones.'' Shane thought to himself.


    Soon, he stood at the gate of the Silver Mine Camp. The twenty Normal Recruitment Stones were in his hands.


    Read exclusive adventures at empire


    He''d decided to start by summoning twenty people with ordinary abilities to help strengthen the foundation of his growingmunity.


    The Normal Recruitment Stones were ck, smooth, and cool to the touch. Each one looked the same, and from his experience, it could summon individuals with production or manufacturing skills¡ªpeople who would be essential to rebuilding this ce.


    As soon as Shane activated the first set of stones, a dense gray fog swirled around the camp.


    ''Hmm¡­ No matter which ce, this gray fog still feels the same¡­'' Shane mused as he watched the phenomenon unfold before him.


    This fog moved like a living thing, creeping just outside the camp and settling in front of the gate¡­@@novelbin@@


    Of course, this event caught everyone''s attention, but because Shane had already informed them of what was going to happen, they didn''t panic and just calmly observed.


    "So this is how summoning works¡­"


    "I hope we get back our brothers."


    "That''s not how it works. This summoning can only call those who were saved by the fog."


    "I wonder if Lord Shane can also summon a better pickaxe¡­ I can''t mine with those poor-quality tools."


    "It''s not the time for that¡­ Look, they''reing."


    The others couldn''t help but anticipate what was about to happen as their eyes focused on the event outside the gate.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    Then, through the haze, figures began to materialize. Twenty in total.


    The new arrivals blinked in confusion as the fog dissipated, taking in their surroundings.


    All of them wore simple, rough-hewn clothing: faded tunics, trousers made of coarse cloth, and straw hats shielding their sun-worn faces.


    ''Farmers?'' Shane thought as he saw their appearance.


    Their hands were calloused, their skin tanned, probably from years spent toiling under the sun. Well, they all looked like typical peasants straight out of the old history books Shane had read.


    Dirt clung to their boots, and a few of them carried crude farming tools slung over their shoulders.


    One man, seemingly their leader, stepped forward.


    He was tall and had a tough build and deep brown eyes. His face, though weathered, seemed to be calm, and his confusion didn''tst for five seconds.


    He removed his straw hat respectfully and bowed slightly to Shane.


    "Sir," the man said in a deep, humble voice, "Are you the Foreign Survivor who summoned us?"


    As expected, they were also guided by the mysterious gray fog which informed them about the Foreign Survivors.


    Shane nodded. "Yes, that would be me. And you are?"


    The man straightened up after hearing this.


    Although their new home looked pathetic, it was still a good thing to stay alive, breathing fresh air, instead of just being in an inanimate state within the fog.


    "I''m Famas¡­"


    As he said this, he looked behind him to confirm the people who were together with him, and before he continued.


    "Most of us are farmers and ranchers... As long as you havend for us, we will farm or raise livestock for you, my Lord."


    "So you''re indeed farmers¡­ Perfect." Shane said with a gentle smile on his face. He was satisfied with this result.


    Everyone immediately lightened up after confirming that the Foreign Survivor looked happy after knowing what they could do.


    Another one stepped forward and also expressed his gratitude."I''m Jillian¡­ We may not be warriors, but we know how to cultivate crops and tend to livestock. We will do our best to assist you, my lord. Please kill all those Zombies for us!"


    Behind them, the other recruits¡ªmen and women alike¡ªnodded in agreement. They all looked sturdy and capable. Shane could see the confidence of those who had spent their lives cultivating the earth.


    Some carried wooden hoes or sickles, and a few had baskets woven from reeds slung over their backs.


    It was quite an interesting side.


    Shane then asked them about their past and confirmed simr stories regarding how the Zombies tried to kill all of them, only to be saved by the gray fog. However, they might''ve been saved but they had all witnessed the deaths of their rtives before that could happen.


    This was the reason they would love to work with the Foreign Survivors who had the power to eradicate the Zombies and save this world.


    Shane listened to their stories and encouraged them that their work here would surely help him.


    ''Good¡­'' Shane thought after seeing their satisfied expressions.


    He was relieved to have summoned such practical and skilled people.


    "We will be needing your skills, Famas, Jillian, and everybody else. Thisnd will be our home, and we''ll need to rebuild it from the ground up."


    Famas looked back at hispanions, then nodded at Shane. "We''re at your service, sir."


    "Diana," Shane called over.


    Diana may have a talent rted to smithing, but she was also good at handling people. "Can you show them to their living quarters? They''ll be staying in the trailers for now."


    Diana gave a nod and motioned for the group to follow her. "Come with me. I''ll get you settled in."


    As Famas and the others followed Diana, Shane turned his attention back to his inventory. This time, he he retrieved two Special Recruitment Stones from his pack. These stones were far more valuable, guaranteed to summon individuals with unique abilities¡ªpeople who could be key yers in the camp''s development.


    Shane gripped the stones, activating them simultaneously.


    The gray fog returned, swirling around the camp once again, denser this time.


    ''Someone with defensive skills should be good.'' Shane mused.


    As the fog cleared, Shane was taken aback by the sight of two small figures standing before him.


    "Eh?"


    A boy, no more than twelve, and a girl who looked even younger, perhaps ten years old, stood in front of him.


    They were simply too young! Shane couldn''t help but shake his head but since they came from Special Recruitment Stone, he knew that they must have incredible abilities.


    Looking at the carefully, their clothes were simple, though the fabric seemed to be high-quality. The boy wore a faded green tunic, his brown hair was messy, and his bright blue eyes gleamed with intelligence.


    ''Oh¡­ This boy doesn''t look confused at all.'' Shane thought.


    The girl, with pale skin and dark, braided hair, wore a simple dress and clutched a small wooden box in her hands.


    "Ugh¡­ aren''t they a little too young?" Sandra, who was standing close to Shane, scratched her head.


    She had the same thoughts as Shane. After hearing this, however, the boy seemed to be eager to show how useful he could be.


    The boy stepped forward first. His youthful face remained calm andposed before he spoke. "My name is Rylen," he said confidently. "I have the ability to find precious stones and minerals hidden deep within the earth."


    Shane''s eyes widened in surprise. "Wait¡­ seriously? You can do that?"


    It was too perfect with the Silver Mine in this new camp!


    After all, he hasn''t told the others about this yet, but the main drive that made him really like this camp was the fact that it was able to provide him silver!


    Silver may be a good item to make essories for, but for him, it would obviously be used to create weapons, specifically against the Vampires.


    Shane knew very well that Statham was just recovering his strength. Shane knew that this Vampire would soon attack him if he was able to recover and gather enough army to face him.


    This camp would be a very important site for him, and aside from needing people to protect this ce, he also needed people who could gather silver for him faster.


    Rylen nodded with a smile, seeing how Shane reacted.


    "Yes. I''ve never failed to find a vein of ore or gems, no matter how deeply buried. My ability is¡­ precise."


    Before Shane could respond, the young girl stepped forward, her gaze was shy but she was also determined.


    "And I''m Aria," she said softly, holding up the small wooden box she carried. "I can grow nts much faster than normal."


    Shane blinked, stunned by their abilities. "You¡­ can make nts grow faster?"


    Aria nodded. Her expression was earnest.


    "As long as I have Spiritual Force¡­ I can do it! Ahem¡­ I mean, I''ve tested it before. With enough spiritual force, I can grow crops and herbs¡ªanything you need. And it doesn''t take long."


    Shane ran a hand through his hair, still processing what he had just heard.


    This was simply too perfect!


    With such incredible abilities, he would really have to hire these underage recruits. He simply had no other choice. "You two¡­ your abilities are exactly what we need¡­"


    Rylen and Aria exchanged a nce, both of them clearly excited by the prospect of contributing. They could tell that the man in front of them was the Foreign Survivor of this camp.


    They felt d that even though the ce looked dpidated, they seemed to have a good leader.


    Shane knelt down slightly to meet them at eye level. "You might be young," he said with a smile, "but you''re both incredibly valuable to us. Wee to the Silver Mine Camp."

 Chapter 409 Rylen and Aria

    Rylen and Aria had always been curious children, and the treasures in their foster father''s mansion stirred their imaginations.


    The siblings had been adopted by Edward Lancaster, a renowned business tycoon who made his fortune in the global trade industry. But beyond his business empire, Edward had a more peculiar passion¡ªcollecting rare and ancient artifacts from all over the world.


    His huge estate housed one of the most impressive private collections anyone had ever seen, including ancient weapons, priceless pottery, and relics from long-lost civilizations.


    For as long as Rylen and Aria could remember, they had been enchanted by these collections of artifacts.


    Every day after school, instead of ying with toys like other kids their age, they would wander the halls of their foster father''s collection room. It was a massive gallery that spanned multiple floors, filled with relics of various kinds.


    The two of them, of course, have different likes¡­ Most of the time, Rylen was more interested in ancient weapons, while Aria liked paintings, pieces of jewelry, and colorful or shiny items.


    "Rylen, look at this one!" Aria called while holding up a tiny stone pendant etched with ancientnguage from a different country.


    "Don''t touch it! You know how fragile these things are," Rylen scolded, though he also wanted to reach out and trace the carvings of the pendant.


    Despite their fascination, Edward was strict when it came to handling the artifacts, so he asked his foster father, and they arranged for a private tutor to teach them about these precious items. Every afternoon, after their school lessons were finished, they would sit in their study, listening to their expert tutor discuss the significance of each artifact.


    Their kind tutor would always tell them these words¡­


    "Ancient artifacts are not just relics of the past. They are keys to understanding the people who came before us. Every jar, every painting, every weapon tells a story."


    The two of them absorbed these teachings as they believed that once they grew up, it would be their turn to care for their father''s collection. Of course, entailing that would be their job to acquire more relics of the past.


    They would often imagine themselves as explorers in ancient times, discovering hidden treasures and unlocking the mysteries of the past.


    Rylen, with his sharp mind, was particrly drawn to the stones and minerals in their foster father''s collection.


    Although it wasn''tparable to Aria''s fascination to shiny things, Rylen also found himself captivated by the gleaming surfaces of such stones and the idea that they might contain powers beyond the ordinary.


    After all, some of the stones in the collection were said to be from outer space.


    Aria, on the other hand, started liking botanical relics¡ªthe ancient seeds and dried herbs that their tutor exined could have once healed kings and queens.


    In any case, their life at the estate was sheltered andfortable. They wanted nothing, and though they were aware of the world outside, it always felt distant and unreal, like something out of the stories their tutor told them.


    But that illusion of safety was destroyed when the news about the spread of the zombie virus reached them.


    It started as vague information from the media. They only heard about strange outbreaks in remote areas, stories of people sumbing to a disease that reanimated the dead, and such.


    At first, it seemed too far away to be real. It felt too simr to the horror films Rylen and Aria had once watched with popcorn in hand.


    But soon, the virus spread faster than anyone could have imagined, and the reality of the situation became undeniable. Cities fell one after another, and chaos gripped the world.


    Edward Lancaster, with all his wealth and resources, had prepared for such a disaster. He owned a private yacht docked at a remote harbor, far from the infected zones.


    When the virus reached their city, Edward''s bodyguards hurried the children onto the boat, and their foster father promised to join them soon.


    Continue reading stories on empire


    But Edward never made it to the harbor. The situation in the city had escted too quickly, and he had been cut off from their escape route.


    Rylen and Aria clung to each other as the yacht set sail, watching the city disappear on the horizon.


    The once lively ports were now overrun by chaos¡ªpeople screaming, cars overturned, and the undead roaming the streets. For days, they traveled across the ocean, hoping to reach safety on the maind.


    Unfortunately, it wouldn''t be easy¡­@@novelbin@@


    One evening, as the sun set arrived, things began to go horribly wrong.


    A passenger on the yacht, who had been coughing for the past few hours, copsed in the middle of the deck. His eyes zed over with an unnatural light, and his skin turned into a sickly gray. Within moments, he had transformed, rising again with malevolent eyes.


    "I knew it! This guy has an injury on his ankle! He said it was just a scratch after falling down the stairs!"


    "It must be Zombie Infection! No way!"


    "We''re going to die here! W-we should use the lifeboats! Let''s leave this yacht!"


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The guards tried to kill the Zombie immediately, but this Zombie seemed impervious to bullets!


    Soon, the Zombie started spewing green gas that seemed to suffocate the people.


    However, this gas contained the Zombie Virus.


    Soon, the infection spread like wildfire. The medical team tried to quarantine the infected, but it was already toote. Even the bodyguards who had sworn to protect Rylen and Aria turned into Zombies!


    They have be so scary that Aria and Rylen can only run and cry.


    The two of them hid in the lower decks as the ship became overrun with zombies.


    Aria clutched Rylen''s hand tightly, her heart pounding in her chest. "What do we do? They''re everywhere!" she cried, her voice also started trembling with fear.


    Rylen, though terrified, tried to remain calm after realizing that Aria couldn''t stop shaking.


    "We¡­ We need to hide. Stay quiet, and maybe they won''t find us."


    They crouched in a small storage room as the sounds of growling and the shuffle of undead feet echoed above them.


    Rylen was also scared but he tried to think of a way out.


    He actually hoped that the Zombie would jump into the ocean to chase those in the boats or those who had decided to swim.


    Thankfully, that indeed happened, and there were only a few zombies left on the yacht.


    However, his hope didn''tst that long. They were soon sensed by a couple of Zombies, who turned out to be their previous guards.


    ''We''re going to die¡­" Rylen thought as he hugged Aria.


    But just as the door to their hiding ce creaked open and they thought their time hade, something strange happened.


    A mysterious gray fog began to seep into the room, swirling around them mysteriously¡­


    The zombies, just moments away from tearing them apart, froze.


    The entire scene seemed to slow down, and the fog thickened, enveloping Rylen and Ariapletely.


    When the fog cleared, they found themselves in a vast, unfamiliar space filled with gray fog¡­


    They didn''t know how long had passed, but it was here, in this strange space, that something had awakened within them. They felt a sudden surge of energy coursing through their bodies, unlike anything they had ever experienced.


    Rylen''s mind was flooded with an innate understanding of the earth''s treasures. He could sense them as if precious stones and minerals hidden deep within the ground were calling out to him.


    Aria, meanwhile, felt a profound connection to nature itself. She could feel the life force of nts, understanding in an instant that with enough Spiritual Force¡­ Although she hadn''t tried yet, she felt that she could coax them to grow at incredible speeds.


    Time passed vaguely in their minds before they heard a mysterious voice from the fog¡­ They informed them about the situation of the world, including the presence of the Foreign Survivors¡­


    Soon, the mysterious gray fog, thicker this time, wrapped them once more in its embrace.


    Then, they felt their bodies being transported, and when they opened their eyes again, they found themselves standing at the gates of a camp¡ªsummoned by Shane''s Recruitment Stones.


    Shane, the Foreign Survivor, knelt down slightly to meet them at eye level. "You might be young," he said with a smile, "but you''re both incredibly valuable to us. Wee to the Silver Mine Camp."


    The two children smiled, proud of their abilities.


    Shane stood up and waved to Sandra this time. "Sandra, please find a ce for Rylen and Aria as well. We''ll need to make sure they''refortable¡­"


    Shane said. Then, he felt that he really had to check the marketce this time to buy several things for these kids.


    Sandra smiled at the two children and gestured for them to follow. "I''ll get you both settled in. Come on."


    As the new recruits made their way into the camp, Shane finally decided to use his Legendary Recruitment Stone¡­ After all, he needs at least onemander-level subordinate in this camp.

 Chapter 410 Last Preparation Before the 3rd Zombie Wave

    This Silver Mine Camp would be his source of materials to acquire weapons that he''d use against the Vampires. Because of that, he really wanted to have plenty of cksmiths that could work together with Diana.


    Anyway, as Shane stood at the gate of the Silver Mine Camp, the Legendary Recruitment Stone pulsed in his hand.


    ''Please, no more kids¡­'' Shane prayed silently.


    Of course, this prayer would probably have no effects, but it was better than doing nothing¡­


    He then looked at the stone and felt that its energy was heavier than the others he had used before. He really felt excited doing this once again.


    Then, after taking a deep breath, he activated the stone.


    The familiar gray fog began to appear and surround the camp¡­ It then started thickening into a dense, storm-like mass, and the air around him felt colder as if a storm was about to appear¡­


    "This¡­"


    "Did something go wrong in the summoning?"


    "Why does it feel like there''s going to be a disaster¡­"


    "No¡­ It think the leader must be summoning a stronger recruit."


    "R-right¡­ But this looks dangerous."


    "We haven''t fixed the fence yet¡­"


    It seemed as if a tempest was about to descend upon the camp, but just as quickly, the storm calmed, and the fog began to dissipate.


    Emerging from the haze was a tall figure dressed in a dark, finely tailored suit that immediately brought to mind the image of a nobleman in the Victorian era.


    ''Interesting¡­'' Shane thought as he felt excited once again.


    As the man approached him, he could tell that this person moved with an air of confidence¡­ He was dignified, as though he was inplete control of his surroundings.


    His attire was also impable: a crisp white shirt with a high-cored waistcoat, a ck frock coat lined with silver buttons, and trousers that perfectly matched his leather boots. He even wore a pair of ck gloves, giving him an air of both elegance and practicality.


    Shane recalled his most trustworthy butler, Mr. Wadsworth. However, the person in front of him seemed more elegant.


    This person waspletely different from Shinja the Stormde, Chaloem the Monk, Seraph the Royal Knight, and Aya the Shaman¡­


    Shane''s eyes immediately went to the man''s face¡ªsharp, aristocratic features, high cheekbones, and a strong jawline. His hair, dark and slicked back, outlined his paleplexion, but it was his eyes that drew Shane in the most. They were a piercing steel-gray, filled with an intensity and intelligence that made it clear this man was no ordinary recruit.


    The figure adjusted his coat, then turned to Shane with a slight bow of his head. "Good afternoon, Sir. I presume you are the Foreign Survivor responsible for my summoning? My name is Spencer kely."


    Shane blinked, taking in the man''s appearance. Unlike his previous Legendary Recruit, Shinja, who had been a warrior through and through, Spencer didn''t appear to be built forbat. He seemed more like a nobleman or perhaps an intellectual.


    However, Shane had learned not to judge based on appearances alone. There was something about Spencer that made him think this man was just as dangerous, in a very different way.


    "I am¡­ My name is Shane Wells." Shane replied, stepping forward. "Wee to Silver Mine Camp. You don''t look like the typical survivor I''ve recruited, but I have a feeling you''re here for a reason."


    Spencer''s lips curled into a slight smile¡­


    "Indeed. While I may not possess the brute strength of a warrior, I do bring something equally valuable to your cause¡ªexpertise in weaponry." He nced around the camp briefly before returning his gaze to Shane.


    Find your next adventure on empire


    "I have spent my life studying and mastering the art of weapon crafting, particrly those of prized alloys and other precious metals. From des to firearms, I''ve dedicated my skills to perfecting weapons that canbat both man and monster alike."


    ''Ohh? A weapon craftsman? This is interesting¡­ He doesn''t look like one at all.'' Shane mused as he felt that the man looked like a seller of such items instead of their creator.


    Anyway, this was perfect for him. He didn''t have to ask him about the skills that he had since he knew that the man''s loyalty was already high. There was no way he would lie to him.


    ''It''s as if my prayer worked.'' Shane thought.


    Just like his initial ns, he wanted to utilize the silver mine for something more than just trade. With the growing threat of not only zombies but other supernatural creatures like vampires, silver weapons were bing a necessity.


    The other Survivors might also need this weapon in case they meet these Vampires. It would be a good thing if the other ns would be able to weaken Statham''s forces as well before they fight.


    "Silver weapons," Shane mused aloud. "That''s what we need, especially with the rise of vampires in the region. Can you craft silver bullets and des?"


    Spencer nodded. "That''s actually very basic¡­ Not only can I craft them, but I can also optimize them forbat against supernatural foes. Silver is a versatile material, but when refined properly andbined with the right techniques, it bes an even deadlier force.


    I''ve studied ancient methods of forging,bining them with modern innovations to create weapons that are both durable and effective. If you wish to arm your people against vampires or other undead creatures, I will be more than capable of providing what you need. I might even give apletely new weapon."


    Shane felt a surge of relief and excitement. After all, there was no way that Diana would be able to work on this alone.


    If there were an expert like Spencer, it would be a lot easier for them to produce the weapons they needed.


    Perhaps it would only take a month before they equipped everyone on their side, and then they could start exporting them as well.


    ''I just hope that Statham would stay quite during this time¡­'' Shane thought.


    Without the right weapons, they stood little chance against these more dangerous enemies.


    "That''s even better, Spencer¡­" Shane said, truly looking forward to this.


    "We''ve got ess to a silver mine here, and I''ve been nning to turn it into something useful. With your help, we can start producing silver weapons and ammunition. Once those Vampires appeared, they''d be surprised¡­"


    Spencer''s steel-gray eyes gleamed with understanding. "However, crafting silver weapons requires more than just raw materials. I''ll need a proper forge, specialized tools, and a workforce. If you can provide those, I will handle the rest."


    Shane nodded thoughtfully. "We''ve already started rebuilding this camp, and I can assign workers to assist you. They''re not skilled, but they should be able to learn from you. We''ll get you the forge and whatever else you need."


    "Understood," Spencer replied smoothly. "I will begin preparations immediately. If I may, I would also suggest starting with silver bullets. They are faster to produce and will provide your people with the means to defend themselves against vampires from a distance. After that, we can move on to des and other weapons."


    As for the gunpowder, Shane suggested that they''ll just use the dozens of ammunition boxes that they have.


    Shane couldn''t help but feel a sense of optimism. With Spencer''s knowledge and skills, they had a real chance of turning Silver Mine Camp into a stronghold capable of defending itself against zombies or even vampires.


    "Sounds like a n," Shane said, offering his hand. "Wee to the team, Spencer. Let''s make sure this camp bes a fortress."


    Spencer took Shane''s hand in a firm handshake. "It will be my pleasure, sir."


    Shane then decided to stop his summoning as they would still have to prepare plenty of food.


    On the next day, Shane woke up early, and just like his routine, he checked his Survivor Store and Reputation Store and purchased almost everything.


    After that, he decided to check his Chat board. Shane saw a message from the members of his n and some other people in his Friend List.


    He first checked the message from Lysandra. He assigned a mission to her and the five other girls before he left with his bike.


    [ Lysandra: Shane¡­ We already bought every item you need. ]


    ''Great¡­'' Shane nodded as he gave a reply.


    [ Shane: Good! Take everyone with you ande here to our new shelter. I will send someone to escort you back along the way. ]


    Lysandra seemed to be up early and immediately gave a reply.


    [ Lysandra: Thanks¡­ I didn''t really expect that you''ll establish a Shelter here. ]


    [ Shane: Well, this really a good spot¡­ It will only take a few days to reach the other Neutral Shelters from here. ]


    [ Lysandra: That''s true¡­ If we need resources, we can just establish a trade route with Long Lodge and Ivory Gear Shelters. ]


    [ Shane: That''s what I''m thinking, but that would still take some time. For now, we just need to fortify this camp. I''m thinking of confronting the next Zombie Wave here. ]


    [ Lysandra: I understand. Let''s do our best to make it a safe ce¡­ ]@@novelbin@@


    [ Shane: Right, before you leave, can you buy sets of clothes for the new recruits? Just buy 50 or more sets. Do you still have enough gold? ]


    [ Lysandra: I still have 450 gold coins and 10 gold taels with me. That should be more than enough. ]

 Chapter 411 Hope

    Toby wiped the sweat from his brow, pausing for a moment to admire the steady rhythm of his pickaxe as it struck the rock wall deep within the silver mine.


    He was only 22, but his experience as a miner made him seem older. Life in the Silver Mine Camp had been brutal before Shane took over.


    They had worked as enved people with no hope, no food, and no rest. They were barely getting the leftovers of their previous owners.


    During that time, the workdays had stretched for 16 grueling hours, with barely enough time to sleep, let alone eat. But now, things were different.


    He straightened up, feeling a strange sensation of satisfaction.


    His hands gripped the pickaxe with ease and his body moved efficiently thanks to his Pickaxe Mastery Skill.


    Every swing felt more natural, more powerful, and today, his Luck was on his side. Toby had struck a particrly rich vein of silver ore, which glittered in the bright Light Orb. Previously, they were only using a dim torchlight, which made it difficult for them to see their surroundings, and thus, it would increase the danger in the cave...


    However, Shane arranged for them a set of Light Orbs to make the ce as bright as the morning.


    ''Perfect!''


    The skill boosted his yield, and he felt a small surge of pride in knowing that he was making a real difference.


    ''Lord Shane said that there will be a performance bonus if I hit a jackpot like this¡­ Kehehe¡­ I just need to report to the manager.''


    Although this achievement wasn''tpletely his, he was still the one who had acted on it.


    As he thought of making a report, there was already a personing up to him.


    This manager was a beautiful but humble woman who had recently arrived at the camp. Her name was Loreen¡­


    Currently, there are three managers in the Silver Mine. Loreen was one of them, and ra and Laura were the other two. Seeing Loreen approaching him, he immediately knew that she was already aware of what he had found. It seemed that it was one of her skills.


    In any case, this was a good thing for everyone since no one could steal their achievement with such incredible managers around.


    Toby never expected mining to feel rewarding.


    It had always been a means to an end, a way to survive. But ever since Shane had arrived, everything had changed. They no longer worked to exhaustion; instead, the work shifts had been cut down to a manageable eight hours.


    Not only that, but they were fed regrly¡ªthree meals a day, something that seemed impossible in their former lives. And the food wasn''t just scraps or thin soup. It was real, hearty meals that gave them energy and strength.@@novelbin@@


    Toby could still taste the warmth of the soup he had eaten earlier that morning, and his body felt stronger than ever.


    ''I think it''s true¡­ Lord Shane was not joking around¡­'' He mused.


    Apparently, Lord Shane had even distributed diluted recovery potions to them on the first day, exining that they were mixed with dragon''s blood.


    Many of themughed it off. They believed that it was possible to have such recovery potions but not Dragon''s Blood that only came from the legends¡­


    Of course, Toby had also been skeptical at first, but after observing himself for the past few days, he felt a vitality return to his limbs, as though years of malnutrition and overwork had melted away. This would not happen with cheap or diluted recovery potion at all¡­ Explore hidden tales at empire


    His body, once thin and frail, was regaining its strength. For the first time in years, he wasn''t just surviving¡ªhe was living.


    The camp was different now too. When Toby had first arrived, it had been a grim, makeshift camp, trailer track, filled with gloominess.


    The fences were weak, and every time some Zombies would pester them, they all couldn''t help but worry. It felt like the zombies could tear through at any moment.


    But in just a few days, the ce had transformed under Shane''s leadership.


    Walking back toward the surface of the mine, Toby could see the changes happening all around him.


    The once-dpidated camp was turning into something that looked more like a fortress. The fences had been reinforced with thick wooden beams and metal ting.


    Shane had organized the workers and instructed them on how to fortify the camp''s defenses. They had even started setting up traps along the perimeter.


    Watchtowers were being constructed, allowing lookouts to see far into the distance, and guards had been recruited to protect them from the undead.


    What surprised him even more was the appearance of the two Automated Turrets at the center of the camp. It was mounted on top of the mysterious building¡­


    ''I wonder what''s in there¡­'' He mused.


    His eyes wandered to this building at the center of the camp. It had risen out of the ground, thanks to the Shelter Crystal that Shane had used. The stone structure looked really solid and made of ck stones¡­


    This time, he saw a group of workers transporting things inside¡­ It seemed that they were already using it as a storage facility for the mined silver.


    ''Right¡­ I guess you need a huge warehouse for this¡­''


    Rumors had spread that Shane nned to turn the camp into a hub for weapon production¡ªspecifically silver weapons. It was tobat the Vampires that would invade them in the future.


    Toby smiled to himself, knowing that the silver he was pulling out of the mine would soon be forged into bullets and des that might save their lives.


    "Hey, Toby! You hitting a good vein today?" called one of the other miners, a man named Molly, who had been working alongside him since the early days.


    "Yeah," Toby replied, holding up a chunk of silver ore. "Luck''s on my side today. This one''s rich." Toby said. He decided to keep quiet about Rylen''s ability because of the instructions given to him.


    Apparently, only three of them with Pickaxe Mastery had been informed about Rylen''s ability¡­ They were told about 18 spots where there might be huge chunks of ores. But they were only given a general direction and weren''t told how deep it could be.


    Nheless, Molly whistled in appreciation. "No wonder. With that Pickaxe Mastery of yours, you always seem to find the good spots."


    Molly actually had an important skill as well. It was called Ore Identification. Even if he couldn''t see the ore, as long as he touched it, he would be able to identify it.


    Toby shrugged, though he couldn''t help but feel a bit of pride. It wasn''t just the skill¡ªit was the fact that, for the first time in his life, he felt like his talents were being used for something worthwhile.


    Under Shane''s rule, they were no longer forced to work without end for nothing. They were working for themselves now, for a future that didn''t feel so bleak.


    The camp was safer, they were healthier, and there was hope.


    As Toby and Molly made their way back to the surface, they passed by Spencer kely, the camp''s mysterious expert.


    "Good afternoon, Sir Spencer¡­"


    Spencer was an odd figure in his suit, always looking out of ce among the rough miners and survivors. But Lord Shane had brought him in for a reason.


    Spencer was a weapons expert, and he had already started setting up a forge to begin crafting silver weapons.


    Toby had heard him discussing ns to make silver bullets, something that had the entire camp buzzing with excitement. After all, they all informed that everyone would be given a weapon for their own protection.


    The idea that they would soon have the means to defend themselves from Zombies or even other evil people was thrilling.


    Toby paused as he watched Spencer give instructions to a few workers setting up the forge before they continued toward the camp''s new mess hall.


    It was a sturdy wooden building that had also been constructed in record time. Inside, the smell of cooked meat and fresh bread filled the air.


    "I wonder where this meat came from¡­ It''s really been a while¡­" Gareth muttered. After all, they couldn''t hunt deer or even a bear in the forest.


    "That''s not important. It''s tasty and safe to eat. That''s enough¡­ But I guess it tastes like pork."


    Toby said as his stomach growled in anticipation.


    The food here was leagues better than anything he''d had while he was a ve. He grabbed a tray, filling it with roasted vegetables, bread, and a hearty stew.


    Sitting down with his meal, Toby reflected on how far they hade. In just a few days, their lives had gone from miserable and hopeless to something that felt almost... normal.


    There was still danger, of course. The next zombie wave was approaching, and the threat of vampires mighte soon. But now, they had a leader who cared for them, a fortress to protect them, and soon, weapons that could give them a fighting chance.

 Chapter 412 Trade

    Five days after Shane had taken over the Silver Mine Camp, the transformation of the simple settlement into a formidable fortress was undeniable.


    The tall palisade walls with electric wires on top of reinforced timber now encircled the camp, giving it a better sense of security than before.


    Furthermore, five watchtowers were now present. They were manned by guards who kept a constant watch over the surroundings.


    Beyond the walls, although it could not be easily seen, the ground was dotted with traps, cleverly concealed but deadly enough to stop any approaching zombies.


    However, the people here felt even more at ease whenever they saw the two Automated Turrets at the center of the camp. It was certainly scary if it was pointed at them, but seeing it pointing outside would make their hearts calm.


    Their presence alone had already given the camp a sense of imprability. Anyone approaching the camp from the outside would see that it was no longer just a simple mining settlement¡ªit was a growing stronghold.


    As the sun began to set, everyone was preparing for a hearty meal¡­ However, a group of travelers approached the gates.


    The guards in the watchtower immediately sent a signal to everyone. It was a bell that was meant to inform about human visitors¡­


    Of course, they were all still on guard just in case they were infected¡­


    Soon, dust-covered and bloodied people got closer to the gates. They looked like they had been through hell.


    The guards atop the walls raised their weapons, cautious at first¡­


    Then, with Lysandra''s assistance, she soon rxed when she recognized the emblem stitched onto the travelers'' clothes: the mark of the Long Lodge Shelter.


    The group also introduced themselves¡­


    "Stay there¡­ We need to confirm if you''re infected." Lysandra said. The group happily cooperated and allowed themselves to be checked by someone.


    "We will follow your instructions¡­" One of them said, clearly relieved that they''d finally found this shelter.


    The group was clearly in bad shape. Their clothes were torn, and dried blood covered their arms and faces. They had encountered trouble on the road.


    The leader of the group, a man named Vin, stood out from the others. He was tall with long, dark hair tied back in a loose ponytail.


    His clothes, abination of leather armor and travel-worn robes, were sttered with dirt and blood, though he carried himself with a sense ofposure that made him seem like someone ustomed to dangerous situations.


    "Well, this is a surprise," Vin muttered, wiping sweat from his brow as he gazed up at the surroundings.


    Hispanions, equally exhausted from the journey, murmured in agreement as they took in the sight of the fortified camp.


    The watchtowers were above them, each one manned with guards who looked ready to shoot at them.


    After confirming that they weren''t bitten or injured by Zombies, they were finally allowed to pass through the gates.


    As soon as they entered, their attention was immediately drawn to the Automated Turrets. The shiny, mechanical weapons sat on rotating mounts, hummed softly as they scanned the area for threats. It was clear that the leader of this camp had invested a lot into the camp''s defenses.@@novelbin@@


    "Lord Han Zhuo''s friend is definitely rich¡­" one of Vin''s men muttered.


    "No wonder he decided to entrust the mission to Sir Shane." Another one was added.


    Vin nodded but kept his focus ahead. His mind was already on the task at hand.


    The guards escorted the group to Shane''s trailer, the central hub where he now managed the camp''s affairs.


    Inside, the air was cooler, and the scent of wood and fresh food reced the stench of the outside world. Shane sat at a small table, his eyes scanning a map of the territory when the group was ushered in.


    "Hello¡­ I heard that you guys came from Long Lodge Shelter¡­" Shane greeted them as he stood up from his seat. His tone was neutral but edged with curiosity. "You look like you''ve been through hell. What happened?"


    Vin gave a short nod in response, gesturing to his raggedpanions. "I''m called Vin, I''m the seventh captain under Lord Han Zhuo''smand. Ahem¡­ We have a message from ourmander... Thankfully, we managed to survive against those Jumper and Licker Zombies. A whole bunch of them are on the road. We even lost two men."


    Shane''s eyes flicked toward the blood on their clothes and the exhaustion on their faces. He motioned for them to sit. "You''re lucky you made it this far. My men will get you some food and medicine. But I assume you''re not just here for a visit."


    "Right to business, huh?" Vin said, letting out a short, tiredugh. "You''re right. We''vee with a message from Lord Han Zhuo... He''s requesting something... A dozen Crypt Crawler Zombies. It was after he heard that they''remon around this area.


    If you also found a Juggernaut Zombie, he liked to have one alive as well."


    Shane frowned in surprise. "Crypt Crawlers? Juggernaut? Why would your lord want those things?"


    Vin sighed, leaning back in his chair. "It''s a strange request, I know. But from what I''ve heard, they''ve been experimenting on the undead in the alchemyb. It could be rted to the explosives or the weapons they wanted to make with Zombie''s help. Plus, we''ve been losing too many people recently, so Lord Han Zhuo was probably hoping to have someone reliable to work on this. Stay tuned with empire


    After all, we still have to be careful in case the Winged Zombies returns¡­"


    Shane leaned back in his chair as he considered the mission. The request was indeed unusual. Crypt Crawlers weren''t that tough zombies, but he couldn''t kill them.


    Capturing them wasn''t an easy task, and transporting them even less so. But the offer from the Long Lodge Shelter might be worth the trouble.


    "What''s the payment?" Shane asked after a moment.


    Vin shifted in his seat. "We''re offering 800 gold coins for each Crypt Crawler. If you captured a Juggernaut Zombie, you can request anything from the Lord."

 Chapter 415 Completed Machine

    This idea of creating a massive grinder didn''t juste out of nowhere. It was actually a defense mechanism he had seen before in the A.I. Rebellion. To be exact, it was used by the A.I. Androids to decimate the humans who had tried invading their territory.


    This time, however, Shane thought of using this same technology to massacre the Zombies.


    Nheless, although this was definitely a decent n to deal with a huge number of enemies, it wouldn''t be easy.


    ''But with my Otherworldly Mechanic¡­ It''s doable¡­''


    He could practically hear the grinding of metal and the stter of rotting flesh as he imagined the machine at work.@@novelbin@@


    Opening the Anima Store, Shane began scrolling through the inventory for the necessary parts for the grinder that he needed to create.


    As his fingers moved, a familiar sense of excitement took over him. It was always fascinating to see what the store had to offer. This time, he knew exactly what he was looking for.


    "Sawtooth Gears," Shane murmured to himself, stopping at an item listed for 500 Zombie Cores each. These razor-sharp gears would form the heart of the grinder, capable of cutting through zombie flesh and bone like butter. Of course, they weren''t just may of normal iron but an alloy made by alien technology.


    [ Sawtooth Gears ¨C A set of advanced mechanical gears made from reinforced ck goldfire steel, designed to withstand immense pressure. Perfect for building grinders or other heavy-duty machinery.]


    Cost: 500 Zombie Cores each


    Stock: 4 sets avable ]


    He clicked buy without hesitation, spending 2,000 Zombie Cores on the necessary gears. It was expensive but not too much.


    Next, he needed something to power the grinder¡ªa reliable engine that wouldn''t fail when things got hectic.


    "Energized Core Engine¡­" His eyes stopped at the listing. It was perfect, albeit expensive.


    [ Energized Core Engine ¨C Apact, high-powered engine fueled by at least 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Capable of running continuously for 48 hours before requiring refueling.]


    Cost: 500 Zombie Cores + 100 Reputation Points + 300 Experience Points ]


    Shane sighed at the cost. He had plenty of Zombie Cores, but Reputation Points were harder toe by.


    His Reputation Points may seem like a lot right now, as they had reached four digits already, but he had earned a decent number from quests or missions that rarely appear.


    As for the Experience Points, he didn''t mind losing just 300 points since, based on his calction, reaching the next level would need about 2,000 more points. He should have about a thousand points right now, so his level wouldn''t go down just yet.


    This was going to cut into his reserves, but he still stopped hesitating and clicked buy.


    Next, he needed a Chain-Saw Conveyor. Thisponent would pull zombies into the grinder, ensuring they couldn''t escape once caught in the machine''s deadly grip.


    This knowledge was, of course, with Cloud''s guidance¡­ After all, he had no idea how to really make this. He was just consulting Cloud about these purchases.


    [ Chain-Saw Conveyor ¨C A conveyor belt system lined with chainsaw des. Designed to drag targets into the grinder and ensure they are properly shredded.]


    Cost: 800 Zombie Cores + 275 Reputation Points + 500 Experience Points


    Shane frowned. "Experience Points again¡­"


    This wasn''t something he usually had to pay so now that he would spend Experience Points again, he felt a little pained.


    However, knowing that he''d get more of them in the uing Zombie, he felt that he would be able to rpense all of them¡­


    ''I just hope that this will be thest time I''m spending my Experience Points for this.'' He mused.


    While spending Reputation Points was one thing, Experience Points meant sacrificing his own progress. Anyway, he knew this machine would be vital for the camp''s defense, so after a moment of contemtion, hemitted.


    "Experience can be gained again. A destroyed shelter can''t," he told himself as he clicked buy.


    With the majorponents purchased, Shanepleted the rest of his shopping quickly, selecting various bolts, control systems, and an Auto-Repair Module to ensure the grinder could fix itself during battle if damaged.


    These final pieces cost him another 450 Zombie Cores and 228 Reputation Points, but it would keep the grinder operational even in the thick ofbat.


    After making his purchases, Shane closed the Anima Store.


    His inventory was now stocked with the parts he needed, but that was only half the battle. The real work was about to begin.


    For the next several hours, Shane worked tirelessly.


    His Otherworldly Mechanic Talent kicked into high gear, guiding his hands as he assembled the massive grinder piece by piece.


    Thankfully, with his strength and agility, which had already surpassed several limits, he was able to do the work more quickly than if others had helped him.


    The sawtooth gears had soon attracted several people''s attention as they were carefully installed at the inner wall that Shane was about to make.


    Well, he decided to create this grinder for those who would be able to pass through their gates or climb up his wall. He decided to do this just in case he would be dealing with Spitter Zombies. After all, he was worried that these long-range attackers could damage his grinder, even if it was made of special alloy.


    Experience more tales on empire


    Soon, the Chain-Saw Conveyor was mounted at the entrance to the grinder, it was designed to pull in any unfortunate zombie that got too close.


    Click¡­ Click¡­ Click¡­


    Soon, the Energized Core Engine hummed to life as Shane turned on the machine...


    He then looked at his creation.


    The entire device was installed just in front of the outer fence.


    "Mhmm¡­ It covers the whole northern side¡­ This should be good enough." Shane muttered. Since behind the camp was a huge mountain rock where the Silver Mine was located, they didn''t have to worry about the Zombiesing on that side.


    Shane''s idea was simple: let the zombies rush toward the camp where they would be met by their sides bombardment and hundreds of traps installed. But as they reached the walls, the weaker ones would be electrocuted to death, and those who still had some strength and pass through the gates would then be met by his new creation.


    The conveyor would drag them into the grinder''s sawtooth gears, shredding them to pieces before they could even breach the first line of defense.


    Anyway, Shane was still not over.


    He then deactivated the machine as the Auto-Repair Module was connected, ensuring that any damage caused byrger zombies¡ªor even mutant creatures¡ªwould be fixed on the spot.


    As Shane tightened the final bolt, he wiped the sweat from his brow and stepped back to admire his work.


    The machine was enormous, a steel monstrosity with rotating gears, des, and chains that literally scared some of the workers who had passed by.


    It was a masterpiece of engineering, one that could only exist due to his unique talent.


    He then activated the control panel and watched as the grinder roared to life.


    The gears began spinning, the conveyor started moving, and the entire machine seemed to be ready to destroy anything.


    Shane allowed himself a small, satisfied smile after seeing this.


    Just then, a system notification shed in front of him.


    [ Zombie Grinder sessfully constructed! ]


    [ Zombie Grinder: The Zombie Grinder is a massive, automated defense system designed to annihte hordes of undead. Equipped with Sawtooth Gears and a Chain-Saw Conveyor, the grinder pulls zombies into its deadly mechanism, shredding them into nothing more than a pile of gore and bones. ]


    [ Type: Defensive Structure


    Status: Fully Operational


    Effect: Automatically grinds any zombies within 8 meters. Can handle up to 200 zombies per minute. ]


    Shane nodded, pleased with the system''s confirmation. He wasn''t sure about the basis of 200 zombies per minute, but Shane assumed that it was calcted based on the lowest-tier zombies.


    Anyway, This grinder would make all the difference when the Zombie Wave hit.


    "I guess I''m done preparing¡­" Shane muttered to himself. The camp was now fortified like never before, and with his own strength to add, they should have been strong enough to deal with this Zombie Wave without any casualties.


    It must be remembered that Shane had several casualties, including some of his Super Soldiers in the previous Zombie Wave. He didn''t want that to happen once again.


    As the sun began to set, Shane returned to the main building, where Diana, Spencer, Laureen, Mew, and the rest of his core team were waiting. They had seen the massive grinder being installed and looked at him with awe and curiosity.


    "Is it ready?" Diana asked¡­


    Tomorrow would be the third Zombie Wave, so she couldn''t help but feel a bit nervous.


    Shane gave a firm nod.


    "It''s ready. When the zombiese, we''ll be more than prepared..."


    The others exchanged relieved looks, though the tension still lingered. Shane understood their worry. No matter how well-prepared they were, the Zombie Wave was always a test of survival. But this time, he knew that they had the upper hand.


    Now, it was time to ask Raze about the preparation of the Springriver Manor.

 Chapter 417 The Third Zombie Waves Announcement

    The day of the designated event has finally arrived.


    The Zombie Wave was only hours away, and everyone at the Silver Mine Camp knew it, so everyone had an early breakfast..


    On the other hand, Shane stood on top of the main gate, scanning the numerous traps they''d arranged...


    Around the camp, the preparations were alreadypleted¡­ Shane even ced three people to protect the Turrent mounted on the main building.


    The watchtowers were also manned by at least three people each to increase their firepower, and finally, the newly installed Zombie Grinder stood silently behind the fence. Once turned on, it was ready to shred anything that dared to approach.


    Suddenly, the familiar gray fog of Shane''s Territory Lord Talent began to swirl around the camp.


    ''Ahh¡­ Is it that time of the day already?'' Shane thought to himself as he realized that his Territory Lord Title''s effect had just been activated.


    ''I wonder if the Manor will also recruit a new person¡­'' He mused for a moment.


    Anyway, he could just ask Raze if another person was recruited to the shelter¡­


    He then turned his attention in front of the gate, watching as the fog thickened¡­ Its supernatural presence enveloped the surroundings for a few seconds before a hazy figure was seening out of the fog.


    Soon, a figure emerged from the fog.


    Shane narrowed his eyes, trying to make out the details. It was a young man, perhaps no older than 25, carrying a musket¡ªa weapon that looked severely outdated by his standards.


    ''That musket looked really bad¡­ Maybe that''s the legendary three rounds per minute?'' Shane thought with a helpless smile as he recalled some documentation he had watched before. Such a weapon wouldn''t be too useful when fighting against a massive wave of Zombies¡­


    Anyway, Shane could just give him a new weaponter. As long as he had an aim, it shouldn''t be difficult for him to quickly adjust to a new weapon.


    The man looked confused for a bit before looking at Shane, who was observing him.


    He had dark hair that was tied back, and he wore a tattered military coat that had clearly seen better days. He stepped forward, and the fog had soon disappeared.


    For a moment, there was wariness on his face as he looked around the camp, taking in the fortified walls and the people rushing to look at him¡­ However, after recalling the mysterious voice that he had heard a while ago, there shouldn''t be a problem. He could only hope that this shelter had enough food to feed another person.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    Shane descended from the gate and approached him, sizing up the new recruit.


    "Name?" Shane asked with a calm but authoritative voice.


    "Ibrahim," the man answered, standing a bit straighter now. "Ibrahim, from the southern ins."


    Shane had no idea where that in was, but he ignored it. He nced at the musket in Ibrahim''s hands. The weapon looked ancient, barely functional by his standards of the evolving technology they now had ess to.


    "Ibrahim¡­ I''m Shane, the Foreign Survivor¡­ Tell me about your skills."


    Ibrahim was unsurprised as he swiftly showed his three skills to Shane. They Self-Taught Marksman, Hunter''s Instincts, and Untrained Gunslinger Reflexes.


    [ Self-Taught Marksman Lv5: A specialized skill that grants mastery over all forms of firearms, with a focus on precision and efficiency. It provides the following benefits:


    +30% uracy with all firearms


    +15% range for long-range weapons like rifles


    +20% critical hit chance on headshots or vital shots]


    [ Hunter''s Instincts Lv5: A specialized skill that enhances Ibrahim''s awareness and ability to track and hunt down targets in any environment. It provides the following effects:


    Predator''s Sense: +20% boost to tracking efficiency and perception in the wild


    Keen Eye: +20% chance to identify weak points in enemies


    Stealth Mastery: +320% increase in stealth ability when hunting or ambushing ]


    Your journey continues with empire


    [ Untrained Gunslinger Reflexes Lv5 (Max): A specializedbat skill that focuses on fast, precise, and reactive shooting. It offers the following benefits:


    Quickdraw: +10% increase in firearm draw and reload speed@@novelbin@@


    Rapid Fire: +10% increase in attack speed when using semi-automatic or manual guns ]


    "Mhmm¡­ Two level 5 skills and one maxed out level 5 Skill¡­ Interesting." Shane muttered as he realized that there were Skills that had a maximum level of only 5.


    In any case, they were all still useful.


    "That''s good enough¡­ You''ll be a huge helpter. Anyway, that musket''s not going to do you any good here, Ibrahim. You''ll need something better," Shane said, gesturing for him to follow.


    Ibrahim was also smart enough to realize that Shane was the one with the authority and asked him a few questions. Soon, Ibrahim learned about this ce, including the names of the key figures in this shelter.


    They then made their way to the small armory, where Shane handed Ibrahim a modern rifle with a smooth design.


    This was purchased from Diana''s Stores a couple of days ago, where her Survivor Store sold 20 pieces of Assault Rifles. The ammunition was then purchased in Lysandra''s Store, and they were able to obtain plenty of it.


    "A new weapon?!"


    The young man''s eyes widened as he held the new gun, its weight was heavy, and it was reassuring in his hands.


    "This¡­ this is incredible," Ibrahim said while running his fingers over the rifle. He wasn''t used to such advanced technology, but he seemed eager to learn.


    Shane nodded. "Get familiar with it. You''ll need it when the wave hits."


    Ibrahim bowed his head slightly in gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Shane. I''ll do my best to defend this ce."


    With that, Shane left Ibrahim to Sandra to familiarize himself with the weapon and the camp¡­


    Then, Shane turned his attention to the other group that had arrived earlier this morning. It was the ten Elves he had recruited with the Administrators''s Elf Recruitment Stones.


    Apparently, all these ten were Rangers. They were a quiet, sharp-eyed group, each one with a bow slung across their back and a quiver full of arrows.


    Unlike the previous stones, the Elf Recruitment Stones at this time were only able to call upon Ranger without any Warriors at all.


    Anyway, even without the frontline warriors, the Rangers were more agile and specialized in rangedbat, which suited their location as well¡­


    They will not be stationed along the watchtowers since they will just stand there and waste their agility and fast movement speed. Instead, Shane decided to ce them behind him once he wore his Exosuit. That way, he would have a support once he goes in the front line.


    Shane then approached the leader of the group, an Elf named Kaelen.


    His silver hair was cropped short, and his forest-green eyes gleamed with loyalty.


    Kaelen''s bow had clearly seen many battles with how it looks but this was certainly better than the ones Shane currently has¡­ It was slung casually across his back like a normal bow, but Shane saw how it could destroy a stone¡­


    "I trust you and your men are ready," Shane said as he allowed them a few hours of rest a while ago. He also made sure to fill their stomach after familiarizing themselves with the surroundings.


    Kaelen nodded with a slight smile. "Rangers don''t need much to prepare. We''ve scouted the perimeter and added a few traps in the direction you''ve mentioned. When the wavees, we''ll be ready."


    Shane appreciated their efficiency. "Good. We''re counting on your eyes. Anything that moves out there, you spot it before it gets too close."


    The area they were talking about was the one in the nearby stream. Although that area was treacherous with how steep it was, Zombie could still use that area to climb up to their area.


    "We''ll do as you say¡­" Kaelen said.


    "Great¡­ Just hide your presence for now¡­ Right, you''ll also be recovering those arrows since we had limited arrows. Ahh¡­ Wait, let me check the Marketce again."


    Shane muttered as he was barely able to purchase enough Arrows in the past few days because everyone basically had the same thoughts: buying ammunition in the Marketce.


    Because of that, Shane could hardly buy a few quivers with at least 50 arrows each. Nheless, two thousand arrows should be good enough if they could recover them.


    After all, this Zombie Wave wouldst for 12 hours¡­


    "Alright¡­ I got a few more quivers of arrows¡­" Shane muttered after some time. He had just purchased them for 30 Zombie Cores each in the Marketce.


    He bought a total of 30 quivers just now.


    ''I should do this business next time¡­'' Shane thought to himself. In any case, he would also earn enough money once the Vampires started causing havoc. For sure, his Silver Weapons would cause a huge uproar at that time.


    After dealing with the elves, Shane was now just waiting for the announcement.


    The transformation of the Silver Mine Camp over the past few days was nothing short of remarkable¡­ He had done everything he could¡­


    [ Attention all Survivors! ]


    [ Prepare yourselves for the most formidable challenge yet, as we announce the arrival of the Third Zombie Wave! ]

 Chapter 419 The Zombie Wave ( 2 )

    Seeing that the Energy Bullets weren''t harming the Armored Tyrant Zombie, Shane then retreated for a moment as he took out his Exosuit from his Inventory¡­


    Indeed, he was nning to fight this Armored Tyrant Zombie not with his grenades or other legendary weapons but with his Exosuit¡­


    The reason was simple: he had several Survivor Skills that could help him, and he also had the strength and agility that he needed to win against such an opponent. He also didn''t want to use too much of his Spirit Points right now. He was basically saving his energy by using this Exosuit¡­


    Furthermore, he wanted a warm-up as well¡­


    Soon, he quickly donned the Tactical Sentinel Combat Exosuit I.


    The suit hummed as it powered on, wrapping around him like a second skin. This suit was a masterpiece of otherworldly engineering, designed for enhanced mobility and protection.


    Its armored tes locked into ce, and Cloud also linked itself to the machine¡­ It only took a few moments as they synced with his movements.


    A heads-up disy flickered to life inside his helmet, scanning the battlefield and locking onto the approaching Tyrant.


    "Support me from behind," Shane called out to the elves as he leaped out¡­


    Thud!@@novelbin@@


    Hended with a heavy thud, but it felt like nothing to Shane... Then, he approached the Tyrant Zombie.


    The suit amplified his strength, allowing him to cover ground faster¡­


    The Tyrant roared as Shane approached. It swung its massive, club-like arms, swatting aside thest of the trap-filled debris in its way.


    Crash!


    Seeing the Zombieing at him, Shane clenched his fists as the exosuit''s enhanced mechanics pulsed with power.


    "Let''s end this quickly."


    As he closed the distance, the ten elves followed closely behind¡­


    Their arrows now aimed directly at the Armored Tyrant''s weak spots¡ªjoints in its armor, exposed patches of rotting flesh, and its eyes.


    These three spots had be the elves'' targets¡­


    The Armored Tyrant dashed forward, swinging its enormous arm toward Shane, but it was slow in Shane''s eyes.


    He sidestepped effortlessly, and the Exosuit''s agility allowed him to dodge with ease. Swiftly, Shane activated the suit''s Energy Gauntlet. It hummed to life, and with a mighty swing, he delivered a punch straight to the Tyrant''s armored chest.


    Boom!


    The impact was enough to crack the armor ting, but the Tyrant barely staggered.


    ''This armor is tougher than I thought¡­'' Shanemented in his mind. Nheless, that punch just now was enough to break the passive armor of the Tyrant, including its te armor.


    He knew that his next attack would hit cleanly.


    The Zombie then roared loudly as if it was enraged by his attack¡­


    It raising its arm for another strike, but this time, the elves let loose a volley of arrows.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    They struck urately, piercing through the gaps in the Tyrant''s armor and lodging deep into its flesh. The creature let out a deafening scream, but it still advanced forward¡­ Shane used this opportunity and struck the Zombie''s chest!


    Bang!


    This strike was so strong as the Zombie''s flesh caved in! However, the Armored Tyrant was still strong!


    Shane then moved around the Tyrant, using the exosuit''s enhanced speed to stay out of its reach. He aimed for the exposed areas where the armor had cracked.


    Although he was confident with his defense, he didn''t feelfortable blocking this huge Zombie''s attack head on.


    Nheless, with each of his strikes against the Zombie, he chipped away at its defenses, and with every coordinated shot from the elves, the Tyrant weakened further.


    Finally, after a few minutes of dodging and attacking, Shane saw his opening. The Tyrant''s head, partially exposed, was finally lowered and became vulnerable target.


    It seemed that its knees were already giving out!


    Shane then activated the Pulse Cannon embedded in the exosuit''s arm. It was 200 Reputation Points worth of modification!


    A glowing ball of energy charged up, and with a swift move, Shane fired. The energy st hit the Tyrant square in the head, exploding on impact.


    Boom!


    The force of the st sent the Tyrant reeling, its head half-destroyed.


    "Whew~ That was strong¡­" Shane muttered.


    The creature wobbled, its once-terrifying form was now crumbling. Shane didn''t even made a follow up attack as it didn''t take long before the Armored Tyrant copsed to the ground, shaking the earth as it fell.


    [ You have eliminated an Armored Tyrant Zombie. ]


    Shane exhaled as the tension eased from his body. The elves and everyone watching cheered behind him after seeing the boss of the first wave copsed.


    "Well done," Shane said, nodding to the elves behind him¡­


    "That was just the start, though. Keep sharp. That was just a 40-minute battle¡­ " Shane reminded as not even an hour had passed just yet.


    Shane then swiftly looted the Armored Tyrant Zombies as he allowed the others to work together and loot the remaining Miner Zombies. This was also to help them level up. Discover more content at empire


    [ You have earned 110 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x10, Zombie Cores x20, Bread x2, 100mL Armored Tyrant Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x1, Corrupted Hearthstone x2 ]


    "Whoa¡­ What a generous amount." Shane muttered after seeing his loot. He actually received 20 Zombies Cores in one looting. This was the highest number of Cores he looted from a single Zombie.


    After all, the Winged Leader Zombies only gave him 10 Zombies Cores, the previous highest number of cores he looted at once.


    At this time, the Automated Turrets had also been deactivated to cool down for a while.


    Soon, everyone finished looting the Miner Zombies.


    However, as they were making their way back toward the camp to regroup and prepare for the second wave, amotion from the western edge of the camp caught their attention.


    Shane''s sensors flickered as he detected the movement¡ªtwo fast-moving figures emerging from the distant treeline.


    "Movement on the west side!" one of the guards called out from a watchtower.


    Shane turned his gaze to the figures in the distance.


    Two survivors were sprinting towards the camp¡­ With his Enhanced Vision, he saw their bodies drenched in sweat, and desperation could be seen on their faces.


    Behind them, hundreds of Crypt Crawler Zombies followed!

 Chapter 421 The Zombie Wave ( 4 )

    Lysandra immediately took over and invited the two to join their n, as she discussed with Shane a while ago¡­ This way, they would also benefit from their n Skill, and they''d be able to hunt more Zombies.


    Anyway, both Minerva and Tieria use guns as their primary weapon, so they are soon assigned to take a position at the back to protect most of the miners.


    Meanwhile, everyone just barely rested before the second horde arrived. Because of the unexpected horde of Zombies, they had to spend more time eliminating it instead of recovering¡­


    Thud! Thud! Thud!...


    As they heard themotion, many of them, still resting, immediately stood up and returned to their position. They heard the earth tremble as the horde approached.


    Nheless, because of Shane''s Healing Tokens and Safety Tokens, they were confident that they would be able to deal with this horde as well.


    The battle continued as they faced a horde of zombie dogs, with several Survivor Zombies included in them¡­ This battlested for more than 30 minutes but in the end, they were able to protect the wall and it barely had any damage.


    When the third horde arrived, their defenses were put to the test as Spitter Zombies surged forward. Each one was throwing streams of acidic saliva that sizzled on contact with any surface.


    Thankfully, there was a hint of silver ting on their walls, so the wood didn''t get too damaged.


    Behind these Spitter Zombies, who stayed at a distance, there were five Spitter Monster Zombies moving slowly.


    They were all bloated, with dark green skin, almost like a ball. What was terrifying about them was the distance of their spit.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Powerful jets of acid sttered across the camp''s outer defenses. Thankfully, the two Turrets were able to use the Incendiary Bombs to deal with the spit mid-air¡­


    Furthermore, the Beginner Shelter Crystal''s Defense and Durability Boost had also helped them endure the attack¡­


    Nheless, there were just too many of them. Their area was filled with the sound of bubbling acid against metal and wood.


    The once-sturdy outer barricades of the camp began to weaken under the corrosive attacks.


    Diana, who was watching from a central vantage point, issued swift orders to the forces supporting Shane on the front line.


    "Archer team, aim for the heads! It doesn''t matter if you pierce their skull¡­" Shemanded¡­


    "The Turrets will focus on the Spitter Monsters¡ªit will not let them reach the wall!"


    Just like that, the elves and the rest of the defenders released a rain of arrows from the watchtowers¡­@@novelbin@@


    Thankfully, the Spitter Zombies weren''t too tough¡­ They even seemed a lot easier to kill as arrows punctured the heads of Spitter Zombies.


    However, the problem with these Zombies was the fact that they could explode upon their death.


    Nheless, it didn''t matter to Shane as he had enough Safety Tokens to protect him.


    Brrtt~


    This time, the Automated Turrets switched their ammunitions and shot energy bullets into the approaching Spitter Monsters.


    Their massive frames made it quite easy for the Turrets not to miss their joints and limit their movements.


    Soon, the Spitter Monsters staggered under the barrage¡­


    "Perfect¡­" Shane muttered as he watched the progress¡­


    Thick greenish blood spilled from the bullet holes on their bodies¡­ Though they were still able to move for a little while, the sustained fire eventually brought them down, leaving their bodies piled up just outside the Grinder, ensuring the deadly machine remained untouched¡­


    Unfortunately, Shane''s SWAT Uniform was in terrible condition during the whole duration of this horde, so he had to change into his Rock Python Set, which could increase his Agility and Defense for the next Zombie Wave.


    Shane then looted the Spitter Monster Zombies


    [ You have earned 110 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x5, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x5, 100mL Flesh Puker Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Toxic Fangs x2, Spitter Venom Sac x2, Mutagenic Serum x1, Bile-Coated Armor x1 ]


    Needless to say, his Double Experience Points Effect was active so he had received a lot of Experience Points.


    [ You have earned 110 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x5, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x5, 100mL Flesh Puker Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Mysterious Egg x1, Bile-Infused Gauntlets x1, Mutagenic Serum x1, Bile-Coated Arm Guard x2 ]


    [ You have earned 110 Experience Points. ]


    ''So it''s like this¡­ I guess I now have a new set of clothes¡­'' Shane thought to himself.


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x5, 500mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x5, 100mL Flesh Puker Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x2, Ooze Bomb x2, Spitter Venom Sac x2, Mutagenic Serum x1, Slime-Coated Codpiece x1 ]


    ''Wait¡­ Slime-Coated Codpiece?'' Shane wryly smiled after seeing this, but he suddenly felt hesitant to wear this set.


    ''What would it look like?'' Shane mused. Well, he was also curious what kind of set effect he would obtain once he wore all of them. As long as he wouldn''t be a slimy creature, he should be able to tolerate it.


    Anyway, Shane decided to just wear his Rock Python''s Set for now, as it could increase his defense by a lot.


    Soon, the Zombie Wave continued.


    By the fifth horde, fast-moving Zombies started rushing at them.


    Runner Zombies sprinted toward the camp at breakneck speeds, nked by Violent Hurdler Zombies that hurled themselves over obstacles with incredible agility.


    Jumper Zombies leaped at the outer barricades, wing their way up with inhuman strength, while five terrifying Licker Zombies slithered along the ground, their long tongues were used like deadly whips. Each new wave of zombies pushed the defenders closer to their limits.


    Without hesitation, Shane wore his Exosuit back.


    He decided to ram it against the Zombies to stop their momentum!


    Boom!


    He was able to intercept the iing undead because of this move.


    While being surrounded by the Zombies, he punched through the skulls of Runner Zombies, using every ounce of the suit''s remaining energy to keep them at bay.


    "Bring it on!" Shane also felt his adrenaline as he fought hard.


    Of course, he wasn''t alone.


    The elves, positioned in the towers around the perimeter, rained arrows down in coordinated waves.


    Their only probably was the existence of the Licker Zombies. They were intelligent and vicious as they used their tongues to target the Elves and the gunmen on the towers¡­ They hadpletely ignored the Grinder!


    They immediately yanked two of the gunmen off their tforms before the elves could kill the creatures with well-ced arrows.


    Shane targeted the remaining Lickers swiftly, using his suit''s enhanced speed to close the distance. He struck them several times and crushed their heads with each. But as thest Licker Zombie fell, he felt the Exosuit''s power drain with a final flicker. Furthermore, it was also heavily damaged and needed to be repaired.


    Thankfully, this happened after they cleared the Zombie Wave.


    ''Fine¡­ Let''s do this¡­'' Shane muttered.


    The Tactical Sentinel Combat Exosuit shut downpletely, leaving Shane to rely on his own strength and skills. He had no time to repair it this time.


    Shane quickly regrouped with his team and informed them of the new n. "Exosuit''s done. We''ll have to handle this the old-fashioned way."


    As he said this, he used one of the Spirit Stones to recover his Spirit Points. Although he still has about 7,000 Spirit Points, it was always better to have them filled.


    "Cloud, how''s the turret? Can it still endure for another horde?"


    [ It can handle 30 minutes more of battle, but it has to cool down for the next 1 hour before you can use it again. You can consider adding a Heat Dissipation Module to improve the situation. ]


    "I''ll do thatter." Shane muttered as he recalled that the Module required 100 Reputation Points and 500 Experience Points.


    Anyway, now that he recalled it, he looked at the notifications on his system.


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    "Eh? I leveled up three times?! What happened?" Shane was shocked after seeing how he leveled up so much¡­


    After browsing through his notifications, he immediately realized what was going on. His recruits, Shinja and Chaloem, to be exact, were putting part of their experience points to him!


    Although the amount was only about 25% of the original experience points, the number had umted a lot because of the numerous Zombies in each horde.


    ''Right¡­ The Springriver Manor can already be considered a small vige. It has more than two hundred people after all.'' Shane mused with a grin on his face.


    He then swiftly checked his notifications and confirmed that his Level 38 and 39 rewards gave him five times his normal reward for his Stat increase. Your journey continues with empire


    On the other hand, the Level 40 Reward was incredible!


    Although it wasn''t as amazing as what he expected from Level 50 and Level 80 rewards, it was still perfect for their current situation, it was actually arge number of Spirit Stones and an Evolution Stone!

 Chapter 423 The Zombie Wave ( 6 )

    Shane watched the two in action.


    Since he would also leave this shelter after this Zombie Wave, he also wanted to properly assess the strength of the people who would be left here.


    Bam!


    Gregor hacked at the Giant''s wrist to ensure that it could no longer grab anyone. The Zombie began to il even more, but it was no longer a threat.


    It didn''t take that long before Ka delivered a decisive sh across its neck. It may not be enough to sever the head of the Zombie, but it was already a critical injury.


    The creature soon lost all of its momentum, and they could even just leave it to the Grinder to finish the job.


    But to make it faster, Ka''s halberd pushed further into the skull of the Giant Zombie¡­


    Ssaaakkk~


    Soon, the Giant Zombie''s body became limp and could no longer move. It was also at this time that Ka received a message about the confirmed death of the Zombie¡­


    Crunch~


    Nheless, the sound of bone and flesh being shredded filled the air as the Grinder tore through the massive body. Shane even had to stop the Grinder from making any more ground flesh.


    "Whew~"


    The defenders let out a collective sigh of relief as thest of the Giant Zombies fell.


    These Giant Zombies were truly scary because of their sheer size. They knew very well that if it was any other Survivor leading them, they would have a hard time dealing with it.


    They might have to escape this camp and fight the next Zombie Horde until the end of the Zombie Wave while moving or asking for other shelter''s assistance.


    Shane then surveyed the remains of the battlefield¡­ There was no casualty, and that was what mattered the most. Although the wall was destroyed in the process, it was still a good result.


    There were only a few injured, and the Healing Stones he distributed should have been more than enough to deal with this issue. For those who could move, Shane immediately instructed them to repair it.


    After giving hismands to the workers andbatants of the camp, Shane finally turned his attention to the three Giant Zombies he had just looted. He actually hesitated whether to use his Lootkeeper''s Timepiece but in the end, he decided to just loot these Giant Zombies naturally.


    [ You have earned 100 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 3 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystals x5, Zombie Cores x5, 100mL Giant Zombie Blood, Spirit Breakthrough Bottle x2, Decayed Giant''s Tooth, Giant''s Hide, Titan''s Elixir, Giant''s Heart ]


    The other two Giant Zombies dropped that same thing, allowing him to obtain more hide, which he could use to create leather armor.


    Anyway, Shane somehow felt hungry after all of this fighting. He had already sent most of his unknown but safe meat to be cooked by the assigned chefs.


    This will be his first meal since the start of the Zombie Wave.


    As soon as he arrived at the trailer that distributes food for everyone, Shane immediately took a set of meals to replenish his energy... It was a set of grilled meat and soup made of various vegetables, and there was even some food that could be found in MREs. Diana and the others seemed to find them in their Survivor Store and added them to the meal n.


    Anyway, Shane believed that the next wave would at least arrive in the next 20 minutes, so he decided to be quick on this so he could also assist with the temporary repair of the wall.


    This time, there were no Lily and Elsa, who could manipte wood and water, so it would be a lot harder to make the temporary wall. However, with their premade walls and other supports, they still have a way to make it work.


    ***


    In the meantime, as Shane and his team worked to repair the damaged palisade, patching gaps with sturdy, premade barriers, a figure observed their every move from the cover of shadow.


    This figure was able to avoid Shane and even Cloud''s detection as it wasn''t too suspicious at all.


    Apparently, the one observing them was a bat!


    Through its sharp, crimson eyes, Statham, the mysterious vampire lord, studied Shane''s defenses¡­


    He had deliberately woken up from his slumber during this Zombie Wave since he knew that it was the perfect time to cause trouble with little effort.


    "So, he''s this strong already¡­ much quicker than anticipated." Statham muttered, leaning back against the cold stone walls of the shelter he had taken over. Around himy the bodies of former survivors, drained of life.


    The stench of blood lingered in these walls, but he didn''t mind it at all¡­. His eyes were focused on the images fed to him by the bat, entranced by the aura Shane and his team emanated even from afar.


    A cold smile twisted Statham''s lips. "What kind of Legendary Talent could he possess to have grown so powerful so quickly?"


    Statham paused for a moment as he considered Shane''s talent as rted to his mechanic skills. After all, the Turrets, the Exosuits, and the Grinder were something that other shelters couldn''t possess at all.


    It was basically unique to Shane''s territory.


    However, mechanic-rted ability shouldn''t allow him to obtain so much speed, strength, and vitality.


    ''This is weird¡­ Is it possible that he has already obtained another talent¡­ And probably another Legendary at that?'' Statham frowned since it took him a long time to obtain his second Legendary Talent during his days in the Vampire''s Rise Apocalypse.


    Furthermore, he even had to side with the Vampires to obtain his second Legendary Talent.


    Statham could only envy Shane a little with his incredible luck.


    After all, just from a nce, his Vampiric instinct could tell that the life force of the man was incredibly high, possibly even higher than him, which was very confusing.


    "No matter. Once he''s mine, his strength will be mine as well." The thought of making Shane his Blood ve thrilled him, yet he needed to be cautious for now since entering his Zombie Apocalypse Realm had weakened him a lot.


    He initially thought that his weakened power was more than enough to conquer this world since Level 50 shouldn''t bemon yet...


    However, Shane''s appearance truly disrupted his ns, so he had to recover his strength. Rushing in unprepared could be disastrous, and he could no longer underestimate this mysterious rank 1 Zombie Apocalypse''s Survivor.


    Instead, he turned his attention to the other shelters in the area, to recover his power and increase his army.


    In terms of building an army, he was confident that he had a better ability than Shane, and it was only a matter of time before he could fight once again.


    Soon, he found his next target.


    "Mhmm¡­ This n looks strong¡­" Statham muttered as he licked his lips.


    The shelter that caught his eye was owned by the Thunder Tribe.


    ording to his scouts, this was a fierce n that was ranked among the continent''s top 20. Their elite members were known for lightning-based talents.


    He knew that this tribe would present a challenge, but if he could weaken them while they fought the Zombie Horde, they could be easy prey. Once they be his ves, his army''s strength would increase even further.


    Whoosh~


    Transforming into a bat, Statham''s form dissipated into a dark mist before materializing into the creature of the night.


    His wings spread wide as he took flight, soaring toward the Thunder Tribe''s stronghold that his scouts found for him¡­


    He arrived just as the 8th Zombie Horde surged against the shelter''s defenses.


    "Let''s watch for now¡­" He muttered as he observed the strength of the n.


    The tribe''s leader could wield bolts of blue electricity from his fingertips. He was the main attacker for the n as he stood steady on the walls alongside his vice leader, whomanded ck lightning.@@novelbin@@


    The two of them unleashed storm after storm upon the waves of Crusher Zombies, Jumper Zombies, and sher Zombies.


    The surroundings were filled with the scent of charred flesh because of this method ofbat.


    Nheless, it was very effective.


    "Go ahead and spend all your Spirit Points¡­" Statham muttered to himself as he watched the battle get intense.


    Your next journey awaits at empire


    He wasn''t just here to be cautious; he was here to conquer this territory.


    Silently hovering above the shelter, he bided his time as the Zombie Horde slowly wore down the Thunder Tribe''s warriors.


    Soon, their barricades cracked, and exhaustion began to creep into their lines.


    "Almost there¡­"


    Statham felt the perfect moment drawing closer. As the horde broke through their outer defenses and pushed the tribe to its limit, he finally descended and summoned all of his Blood ves, casting a dark shadow over the battlefield.


    The Thunder Tribe''s leader''s eyes widened as he noticed the vampire''s dark form appearing through the sky.


    "A vampire¡ªnow of all times?!"


    He felt so unlucky, but thanks to the warning from the Regional Chat, he at least made some preparations for this scenario!

 Chapter 424 The Zombie Wave ( 7 )

    The leader of the Thunder Tribe, Raidon, stood on the battered palisade, scanning the surroundings to confirm that the battle was finally over.


    However, he suddenly felt a chill and knew that danger was approaching.


    He immediately started looking around to find the problem and alerted his team.


    Then he saw it¡ªa shadow was rushing through the air, apanied by dark, winged shapes.


    There were Vampires!


    "A vampire¡ªnow of all times?!" He couldn''t help but curse¡­


    Furthermore, the sky suddenly turned dark, as if rain was about toe. This was definitely a huge problem since the Vampires were stronger in the darkness.


    However, there was nothing he could do but to fight back.


    Raidon signaled to his men.


    Thankfully, he made preparations in response to rumors on the Regional Chat. It was first read by his Vice Leader and he soon confirmed that the Vampire''s existence was real.


    Because of that, he at least made some preparations in case they got unlucky.


    He knew that Vampire''s weakness was certainly the sunlight, fire, and holy water, which he somehow read when he was young.


    Nheless, some of his members suggested using garlic, crucifixes, and silver weapons. There was also someone who suggested that they could be killed by a stake through their heart.


    These things weren''t confirmed just yet since they were in a different world.


    However, he considered all of their suggestions just in case.


    He had at least 20 elite Survivors with silver crossbows. He also bought holy water in the Marketce to bless the swords they had since they didn''t have ess to Silver Swords just yet. There wasn''t anyone selling them.


    Garlic wasn''t possible since they didn''t have them, and the crucifix seemed a bit too optimistic. Because of that, they decided to focus on making fire, silver weapons, and wooden weapons, and as for the Holy Water, they confirmed that it had healing effects, so they believed that it was possible to defeat Vampires with such power.


    From the ramparts, he ordered the lighting of every torch.


    "Quick!"


    The members of his n ignited torches and created simple bonfires along the wall''s edge. Those unable to wield weapons raised ming sticks, casting waves of heat against the undead and lighting up the dark.


    Statham, hovering just above the fortifications in his bat form, observed with interest.


    "So, they''ve been prepared¡­ Not bad." He mused after seeing their actions.


    His eyes narrowed as he watched the Thunder Tribe swiftly prepare to defend their lives with their various anti-vampire items. However, he could also tell that they were all exhausted and were feeling nervous.


    He could smell their fear!


    The sight thrilled him¡­


    But the Thunder Tribe''s leader was different. Raidon didn''t think he was going to be defeated¡­ He was simply annoyed by their appearance!


    "We will kill all the Vampires and face the ninth horde afterward. You''ll get plenty of restter on, so hang on!"


    Raidon''s warriors felt invigorated after hearing their captain''s roar. They stood shoulder to shoulder with torches, mes, arrows, and various weapons.


    As the vampires reached the walls, Raidon gave the signal, and twenty of his elite soldiers raised crossbows loaded with silver-tipped arrows, carefully taking aim.


    Swoosh~


    A rain of arrows followed!


    However, Statham waved his hand, and a huge red banner appeared, stopping all the arrows!


    He couldn''t maintain it for long, so he retrieved the banner afterward. Nheless, it was enough to let the Lesser Vampires get into position.


    Then, Statham dove closer, transforming mid-air, as he returned to his human form. He had about 30 lesser vampires, but he knew that they wouldn''t be enough after seeing how the leader of this shelter had prepared for them.


    With a wave of his hand, he summoned most of his thralls and blood ves, and soon, the ce was filled with snarling, blood-thirsty bodies.


    After doing all of this, he finally retreated. He wasn''t nning to fight head-on and just let his creations attack the shelter¡­


    Soon, the Thralls climbed over each other, forming a bridge over the rubble of the broken outer wall. As for the Blood ves, they were able to move faster and reach the humans on the rampart.


    "Loose!" Raidon yelled as another barrage of silver-tipped arrows flew through the air.


    The arrows struck the thralls and vampires alike with the arrows being fired. Soon, several Thralls and Lesser Vampire shrieked as the silver burned into its flesh, hissing and melting through like molten metal.


    However, it wasn''t just enough to kill them. He didn''t even mind if some Thralls, Blood ves, or Lesser Vampires were killed in the process. After all, once he converted those special Survivors, it would still be his big win in the end.


    "Go on¡­ Use everything you''ve got."


    Statham sneered as he watched several of his Thralls fall, struck through the heart by silver arrows and stakes.


    His creations were certainly being killed, but he could tell that their preparations wouldn''t be enough for the number of his summons.


    He knew that it would only take some time before they run out of fuel.@@novelbin@@


    In the end, Statham looked at the group of people behind the leader. They were the elites who could somehow use lightning abilities through various means.


    Their survival against his vampire horde would still depend on these people who had such amazing abilities.


    However, it didn''t take long before Statham became annoyed. He didn''t expect that even after more than 15 minutes, they still had silver arrows and various items!


    Seeing the ns''s resourcefulness infuriated him.


    "So, they think fire and silver alone will save them?" he muttered. Then, he signaled for his lesser vampires to press forward harder. This time, Statham decided to fully use his Vampiric Aura to boost everyone''s strength.


    This spent a lot of Spirit Points, but he was still happy about it. This will hasten his kill streak, but in the end, he might have to stop his hunt after this shelter is conquered. After all, as a Vampire, Spirit Stones and many other pills and potions couldn''t work on him.


    Nheless, Raidon was able to sense the unusual intensity of the vampires'' momentum.


    With this, he had no choice but to resort to another method ofbat. They had to get help with all the other Survivors in the shelter. Even nonbatants must act!


    Thankfully, they had prepared for this scenario, believing that they would have to do this in order to survivor thatst Zombie Horde¡­


    "We will kill all of them!"


    With this shout, he looked at his second-inmand, who lit an arrow with the me of a torch and fired it into the night sky. The signal arrow was a call for everyone, including the cooks, carpenters, medics, and all those nonbat units to engage into battle using their emergency weapons. Enjoy more content from empire


    Then, many of the defenders took up their fire-soaked arrows, and a new wave of ming projectiles flew to kill the vampires¡­


    The vampires screeched as the fire struck them, setting their clothing and even their skin aze, causing them to recoil with fear and pain.


    The few survivors blessed with elemental talents focused their strength, sending waves of elements toward the vampires.


    The wielders of the holy-water-coated swords then met the charging thralls in fierce closebat.


    "Hoo~ They actually obtained a lot of holy water¡­ I should target the ones making that next." Statham muttered.


    He saw how the holy water seared into the flesh of his creations, sending them shrieking as they slowly dissolved under its touch.


    Nheless, because of his Vampiric Aura, this was happening a lot slower that it should be. Before his thralls or lesser vampires die, they would be able to injure or even kill these people even at the cost of their lives.


    Statham clenched his fists, watching the reckless defense of the Thunder Tribe. The members of this n were also fierce and didn''t seem to consider their lives.


    His eyes glinted with frustration¡ªhe hadn''t expected this level of resistance.


    But since it was almost over and confirmed that there was nothing to threaten him, he finally decided to appear.


    He flew above the shelter and soon, he let out a high-pitched shriek!


    This shriek stunned many members of the Thunder Tribe. However, its purpose wasn''t just that¡­


    Soon, they realized that their bodies were weakening¡­


    They immediately panicked, but soon, they found out that their blood was being drained!


    Indeed, their injuries, no matter how small they are, were used by the Vampire as a path to take out their blood!


    Raidon''s eyes widened as this wasn''t mentioned in the Regional Chat!


    ''An ability like this shouldn''t exist!''


    There weren''t many of them who had some healing items, so they weren''t able to stop their blood from being drained.


    Raidon gazed at the flying Vampire, aware that the Vampire Lord had finally appeared before them.


    "Come and face me if you dare!" He roared with his sword drawn, holy water dripping from its de.


    However, Statham just smirked at him as he had already learned his mistake from facing Shane Wells...

 Chapter 426 The Zombie Wave ( 9 )

    To ensure Statham''s safe escape from the group of Draconic Survivors, he actually decided to leave a few thralls to ensure that no one would follow his path. After all, he had no idea about the skills of these people, so it was better to be safe.


    With the appearance of the Zombie Horde, Statham''s escape became smooth as the ones thinking of tracking him shifted their focus¡­


    There were also 14 Thralls who were blocking the path that Statham used to escape.


    "Kill the remaining vampires before the next horde arrives." Travis ordered.


    The nine elite Survivors acknowledged their mission and immediately made their move.


    The Thralls then felt the pressureing from their group as they instinctively recoiled at the Drakeheart Vanguard''s immense pressure.


    The few remaining people within the Thunder Tribe had their hopes rekindled after seeing this. They watched the newly arrived group tear into the remaining Vampire with ease¡­


    Travis didn''t even have to issue any moremands as he watched his subordinates decimate the Thralls.


    The Thralls were soon covered with emerald mes that slowly consumed them and everything in its path¡­


    The mes spread quickly, incinerating their bodies without being able to fight back at all.


    Needless to say, this was another Skill they had obtained after being able to receive Travis'' pure Dragon Blood.


    After all, there was no way normal fire could achieve this result against the minions of a powerful Vampire Lord...


    It didn''t take that long before all of these creatures were burned to ashes.


    "Tsk¡­ They''re not giving experience points? Isn''t that a bit too unfair?"


    "That''s true¡­ They should''ve dropped something at the very least."


    "Well, maybe because we killed them through a Dragon''s Fire¡­ Their existence was basically erased with this much power. Maybe killing them through other method might work."


    "We''ll have to test that¡­ We''ll just follow the Vampire''s traces."


    "That''s the reason our group was built anyway."


    Travis'' subordinates could only express their disappointment after getting no rewards. They''ve actually been searching for that Vampire ever since they heard rumors about this creature.


    There were two reasons for that. One of the reason was because a member of their n would benefit a lot if they were able to obtain the Vampire''s Blood Essence. It was rted to the talent they had.


    The other reason was due to n Leader Travis'' trusted informant, who had told him that finding the Vampire''s secrets could lead to the end of this Zombie Outbreak and win against the Apocalypse.


    ***


    In the meantime, a small bat had been watching how Travis'' team destroyed the Thralls he had left. These creations may not be that strong, but seeing how helpless they were against the fire, Statham knew that he had made the right decision.


    His eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of the Drakeheart Vanguard. He wanted to remember all of their faces since once he obtained the power he needed, it wouldn''t be toote for his revenge.


    He had heard rumors of the dragon-blooded warriors and knew that crossing swords with this group was no small matter.


    Still, his pride red at the audacity of these humans¡­


    They would soon be facing the next horde of zombies and it seemed to be huge. This Zombie Horde didn''t factor in the fact that the Thunder Tribe n had already lost their leaders and could no longer survive against this horde.


    Statham thought for a moment before he decided to use the remaining Blood Essence he collected to cause trouble.


    In the end, he decided to use his Bat Scout to send a message¡­


    Statham used another Vampiric Spell and soon ordered the bat to charge forward to the leader of the group¡­


    Screech~


    Travis noticed the presence of the weird bat flying toward him and felt something off.


    Of course, he immediately connected the bat to the Vampire, so he was alert.


    Realizing that his trick was sensed by Travis, Statham cut off his connection to the bat¡­


    As soon as he did this, the bat expanded in size and everyone else who had noticed this immediately dove and found a cover!


    Just as they hid behind anything they found, an explosion followed!


    Boom!


    The explosion was incredibly powerful, but thankfully, they had enough time to prepare!


    Travis hissed in pain, clutching his side as smoke rose from the wound, burned by the strange explosion of blood¡­ He red at the distance where Statham disappeared and cursed.


    "Next time, Vampire¡­ I''ll be hunting you soon¡­" Travis said with a sneer on his face.


    During this time, his wounds could also be seen recovering at an incredible rate.


    It was all thanks to his Dragon Blood!


    As everything calmed down, Travis dismounted from his horse and looked at the remaining survivors. "We got Raidon''s signal to call for help, but we''re still toote. Since Raidon is my friend, I will all be epting you to our shelter if you want."


    He paused for a moment to look at their reaction before he added.


    "We''ll stand with you until this battle is truly over."


    With this action, the poption of his n had increased once again.


    ***


    In the meantime, after several more hours of defending against the Zombie Hordes, the Silver Mine Camp under Shane''s control was finally reaching its limit...


    Shane surveyed the damage with a heavy heart¡­


    The walls were reduced to rubble, one lone turret barely operational, and the once-reliable Grinder now a smoldering hulk from overuse.


    His subordinates were battered and bruised as they had fought tirelessly, and though they had managed to beat back the fourteenth horde, they were now on the brink of exhaustion.


    ''Just one more horde¡­'' Shane muttered to himself.


    Actually, he was feeling great since he had leveled up a few more times thanks to his summons in the Springriver Manor that was giving him a part of their Experience Points.


    He was strong and he knew that very well. However, hispanions were too behind him interms of strength.@@novelbin@@


    ''It''s my fault why this wave is too strong¡­ The horde is just responding to my strength.'' Shane thought as this was quite simr to the problems he faces in the other Apocalypses.


    Anyway, he knew they couldn''t rest yet¡ªthe final wave wasing at them¡­


    Clutching a few remaining Spirit Stones, Shane passed them around to his most fatiguedpanions. The stones'' restorative energies filled them with Spiritual Force, mending their exhausted nerves and relieving them from their fatigues¡­


    After a few minutes, when they believed that the horde was about toe, Shane''s Heightened Awareness allowed him to sense the approach of the enemies before any of his sentries could.


    ''They''re here¡­ But why are they so few?'' Shane mused, confused by thest wave''s sudden decrease in their number.


    He was expecting that thisst wave would be thousands of Zombies with the strongest high-tier Zombies. However, it wasn''t like that at all.


    There were only three figures moving at the edge of his perception, closing in with a slow gait¡­


    ''What''s going on?'' Shane thought as he asked Cloud.


    However, Cloud had detected the same thing. There were only three Zombies, and there wasn''t anyone hiding in the ground or using stealth.


    ''Weird¡­''


    There was no horde, and there was no shambling mob behind them. Just three solitary beings¡­


    His A.I. assistant quickly assessed them, running through all known zombie types in the database, but came up with nothing.


    [ Unknown Zombies detected. ]


    Cloud finally concluded after confirming a few times¡­


    These three were an unknown breed, never seen before in any wave, and that uncertainty weighed heavily on him.


    However, this also excited him¡­,


    ''New zombies, huh¡­ I hope I can get the first kill reward from them.'' Shane thought as it had been a while since he got the First Kill reward.


    As these creatures got closer, Shane finally saw their appearance.


    ''So they''re all the same type of Zombie¡­'' Shane mused as he looked at their simr appearance.


    The three of them were terribly fat. But the most disturbing feature was their stomachs¡ªeach belly bore a huge, fanged mouth with a long tongue that flicked in and out like some horrific extension of themselves. Read thetest on empire


    "They''re definitely not ordinary zombies," Shane muttered, gripping his sword tighter as he scanned his skillset.


    He reviewed his set of skills as he considered how to face them... His Survivor Skills and Fused Skills would all have to work in unison for this fight.


    He needed agility and strength, a bnce of offense and defense if they were to stand a chance against this terrifying trio.


    Drawing a deep breath, he activated the Aura of Protection, extending a thin shield around himself and the closest fighters. Then, signaling his elves and other Legendary warriors to take defensive positions, he prepared to attack.


    "Stay sharp, everyone. Thisst horde isn''t normal..." Shane warned before he consumed his Mistcloak Potion...


    Then, as soon as he felt the effects of the potion, he initiated the Phantasm Rush to close the distance from the Zombies!

 Chapter 428 Rewards

    The loot seemed quite normal, considering how mutated the Butcher Master Zombie was.


    ''A cleaver¡­ and an apron?'' Shane wryly smiled after seeing thest part of the loot.


    Of course, he was still thankful for this since he knew that they must be special items, considering they came from a Special-Tier Zombie, a tier he had never seen before. Furthermore, he obtained more meat, and this would surely help with their food supply.


    After all, he just used his five times loot for that! It means that he obtained a hundred units of meat, five Item Upgrade Crystals, fifty Zombie Cores, and others.


    ''This a lot better than I expected¡­'' Shane mused.


    Anyway, just like what he had thought, there was no longer any Zombie Horde with the spare time they had left¡­


    Soon, Shane and everyone else received the notification from the system.


    [ Congrattions! You have sessfully survived the Zombie Wave! ]


    [ You have earned 4,000 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 800 Zombie Cores. ]


    [ You have earned 100 Reputation Points ]


    [ Additional Rewards are being calcted¡­ ]


    [ You have achieved the Top 1 in the Zombie Wave Individual Ranking! ]


    [ Hint: Only the Top 20 will receive special rewards, while the rest will receive the standard reward. ]


    ''Nice rewards¡­ That''s a lot of Zombie Cores¡­ Furthermore, they previously just rewarded the Top 10 in the individual rankings. I guess a lot of people deserve to survive this Zombie Wave, huh.'' Shane thought.


    Instead of shrinking the number of the rewards, they actually doubled it. Now, there were 20 people to be rewarded, which would surely be a huge help to many survivors.


    Anyway, Shane continued to look at the notifications he received from the system.


    [ Additional Rewards have been calcted¡­ ]@@novelbin@@


    [ You have earned 300 Reputation Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1,500 Zombie Cores. ]


    [ You have earned 100 Power Cores ]


    [ You have obtained a Random Exceptional Gift Pack x3. ]


    Shane smiled, seeing the additional reward. The first set of rewards seemed to be the reward for everyone who cleared the Zombie Wave. Then, this reward for his performance.


    It felt really good seeing how his hard work was being rewarded by the system.


    Then, another notification made him smile even more. This time, it was rted to the hidden mission rewards!


    [ Hidden Missions Cleared ]


    [ Efficient Commander: Sessfully defeated the Zombie Wave while relying on 70% of your team''s defenses.


    Reward: Legendary Recruitment Stone x1 ¨C A single-use item that a Survivor can trigger in order to recruit a helpful inhabitant of this continent. ]


    [ Fortress Guardian: Maintained shelter''s core despite multiple wall breaches.


    Reward: Reinforced Shelter Crystal ¨C Enhances shelter crystal to Intermediate Level, increasing defense and durability, with a stronger shield feature. ]


    [ Swift Execution: Eliminated the Giant Zombie before it breached the inner defenses.


    Reward: Perception Boost ¨C Permanently increases Perception Stat by 200 ]


    Shane was surprised to see three hidden missions being cleared. However, it didn''t just end there. He was truly ted after seeing the fourth hidden mission''s reward!


    [ Unyielding Vanguard: Survive the Zombie Wave with the shelter''s defenses breached but without retreating or allowing any survivors to fall. Eliminate at least 50% of the Wave''s Zombies personally without any outside assistance. Eliminate the first-ever Special-Tier Zombies in the Zombie Wave Event.


    Reward: Title ¨C "The Unbreakable"


    Title Effect: Grants a passive 10% boost to defense for all shelter structures and a morale boost that improves subordinate stamina by 15% within the area of effect. ]


    "That''s a lot of requirement¡­" Shane muttered to himself after reading the Unyielding Vanguard Mission. He couldn''t help but realize that this title reward was only for him. After all, he was already confirmed to be the first-ever killer of the Special Tier Zombie.


    ''This Title Effect really tells me to fight in a group and not alone, huh¡­'' Sh thought as he looked around.


    He noticed that Diana and the rest were also looking at the notifications from the system. All of them had their smiles from ear to ear, showing that they also received incredible rewards.


    He could ask themter about this during their meal. Of course, it wasn''t to show off his reward. He was simply quite curious about how different their reward was from his.


    Finally, the reward for the n Achievement had also been calcted.


    Shane then immediately checked the rankings.


    [ Your n achieved the Top 2 in the Zombie Wave n Ranking! ]


    [ Your n Level increased to Level 5. All functions were improved, and a new building blueprint is now avable. ]


    [ n Banner effect has fully unlocked. ]


    [ n Member Limit has increased to 100 ]


    [ All members of the n have earned 100 Reputation Points each, 1,000 Zombie Cores each, and 50 Item Upgrade Crystals ]


    [ All level 30 and below members of the n have earned 50 Low-Grade Spirit Stones ]


    [ All level 25 and below members of the n have obtained five Random Rare Gift Packs, two Double Experience Potion ]


    The rewards were incredible¡­ Minerva and Tieria looked really happy as soon as they read this part of the notification. They were just new members, and it hadn''t even been a day since, but they already benefitted a lot!


    To be honest, they couldn''t help but feel a bit shameful since it seemed as if they''d just been carried by Shane''s team. The two of them could tell that the shelter could definitely survive even without their presence.


    Anyway, Shane didn''t care about this, and he was happy that this Silver Mine Camp would have stronger recruits. After all, he would still have to visit the Sector 20.


    Shane smiled at this as he suddenly felt curious about the Rank 1 n for this Zombie Wave. They must be really strong.


    Anyway, since the event was already over, the system had just unlocked the Regional Chat. It gave everyone the chance to connect with other survivors.


    As soon as he opened it up, he confirmed that the chat was buzzing with messages.


    [ Aaron: Congrats to Drakeheart Vanguard! Travis, you guys snagged Rank 1! That was epic! Can you share what rewards did you get? ]


    [ Lisa: For real! I just saw that ranking update. Drakeheart Vanguard is killing it! ?? Major respect for taking the top spot, especially after this crazy Wave." ]


    [ Justin#12: How did you get that emoji by the way? ]


    [ Lisa: It''s Level 25 reward. Chat''s Full Function? ]


    [ Justin#12: It''s different for me. I got one additional slot in the Survivor Store Item stocks. ]


    [ Asad: Good job, Travis¡­ You guys really outdid yourselves. I was sure that it would be the Shadow Strider''s n to get it. But you all showed up big time. Well done! ]


    [ Travis: Thanks, everyone! We barely pulled through thest Wave, but my team showed up strong when it counted. Still, the Rank 1 was still Shane, the Shadow Strider. ]


    [ Raze: The rumors about you having Clones must be true, Travis¡­ We only got the Top 2 this time. Gotta give it to you all for keeping it together. Rank 1''s a huge deal! ]


    [ Travis: It''s amazing that you still managed to get Rank 2, Raze¡­ Other ns already had five to seven Shelters being controlled. I heard you only have two, with the second one just built in just a week or so. ]


    [ Raze: Wow¡­ You''re updated. ]


    [ Travis: Hehehe¡­ ]


    [ Zane: Alright, but who''s Rank 1 on the Individual board? Asad mentioned above that he was listed as Rank 2... What happened there? Are you also the Rank 1, Travis? ]


    [ Natalie: Good question! I was aiming for Rank 1 myself, so this mystery survivor must be seriouspetition. Huehue¡­ ]


    [ Travis: It''s obvious. The Rank 1 can only be Shane the Shadow Strider. ]


    [ Lesley: I took the third ce in the Individual Rankings. It''s a pity that the system was no longer showing the rankings. Anyway, I heard about Asad''s Necromancy. He is a powerhouse, so whoever''s in the first ce must have pulled off something insane¡­ ]


    [ Tyler: Anyone seen this yer in action? I feel like we''d know if someone that strong was around. Can you give us a hint about his Talent? Is he someone capable of building nuclear weapons or something? ]


    [ Violet: Either way, they must''ve faced brutal waves, way worse than what we got hit with. I wonder what kind of Zombies did they face¡­ ]


    [ Marlene: Yeah, ours weren''t nearly as bad as some of you higher ranks described. I swear it has to do with levels. We got lucky with the lower-tier zombies. ]


    [ Sasha: Same for us¡ªnothing like those Armoed Juggernauts or Armored Tyrant Zombies in the Boss Raid. Guess high rankse with a higher price. ]


    Thesest few people in the chats were those from other regions who got merged to their area as the Server was merged.


    Though they knew that Shadow Strider was the top 1 Ranker, they were clueless about his abilities, unlike the Rank 2 Asad, who was known for his Necromancy.


    Reading the chat, Shane chuckled, shaking his head.


    Continue reading at empire


    After reading for a while, he confirmed that the Zombie Waves he and his shelter faced were truly custom-tailored to their level and power.

 Chapter 429 Discovery

    ''The gap was too high¡­'' Shane mused to himself after realizing that some shelters only faced four or five High-Tier Zombies at their final horde. On the other hand, he had already faced a few of these High-Tier Zombies in the first horde!


    He couldn''t help but be surprised about this. Anyway, the system had probably identified theirbat strength to be that low, so the Zombie Wave they had faced was also that easy. This may seem good since they could survive the Zombie Wave. However, the rewards and the amount of experience points they''d get were also rtive to the difficulty they faced¡­


    This means that the rewards they received were definitely not as enticing as the ones his n received.


    Anyway, after scrolling through the messages, Shane decided to reach out to Raze, the current leader at his main shelter, Springriver Manor.


    Although he knew that the shelter was in good hands, he wanted to know if there were some unexpected results.


    [ Shane: How''s the situation there? ]


    [ Raze: No casualties. Thest Wave was four Armored Juggernaut Zombies. That was tough. Thankfully, we had Sir Shinja and Sir Chaloem. Everyone was too exhausted and depleted of Spirit Points at that time. They clutched it. ]


    As Shane read the reply, he started imagining how the shelter blocked those four Armored Juggernauts. It was definitely not an easy feat. Raze didn''t mention everything that had happened, but that was definitely an intense confrontation¡­ Nheless, he was really thankful for those two recruits. If not for them, they would be in huge trouble.


    [ Shane: That sounds dangerous. I''ll send more Spirit Stones in the n Trade soon. You also try to get and stock many of them. With everyone getting more Survivor Skills, it will be a battle of Spirit Points reserves. ]


    [ Raze: Spirit Stones? That''s good to hear. Alright, Shane¡­ We''ll start repairing the walls now¡­ If you have spare Power Cores, give it to us so our Barrier Generators can start working again. ]


    [ Shane: Alright, let me send you some. ]


    With that said, Shane opened the n Trade and provided the Power Cores they needed to at least activate their Barrier Generators so they could sleep peacefully even without the wall protecting their shelter.


    ***


    A couple of days after the event, Ibrahim woke just before dawn, his stiff joints reminding him of the intense battles they''d faced during the recent Zombie Wave.


    Although he was already fully recovered, it seemed as if his body still recalls the horrors of that day.


    Anyway, despite the soreness and the memories of near brushes with death, he felt a deep sense of pride¡ªa rare feeling in times like these.


    Experience tales at empire


    Rolling out of bed, he stretched, pulled on his boots, and made his way outside to join the early risers for breakfast.


    The smell of hot, simple meat soup together with the faint scent of freshly baked bread, made his stomach grumble as he entered the makeshift mess hall.


    Taking a seat among his fellow survivors, he dipped his bread into the soup and ate in silence, absorbing the calm of the morning. Since he was quite new, he was still not in a certain group of friends.


    Anyway, the kitchen team worked with whatever ingredients they could scrounge up, but Ibrahim found himself grateful for any warm meal these days.


    As he finished breakfast, Ibrahim noticed the camp buzzing with activity.


    The repairs weren''t just repairs anymore¡ªthey were reshaping the entire Silver Mine Camp. A new sturdy wall was under construction around the outer perimeter. Just by looking at it, he could tell that it was farrger than the previous one. The bottom half was built from solid concrete, forming a formidable base that would hold against the worst of the undead. The upper half, on the other hand, was a thick barrier of lumber with diagonal support that added a decently high stability to the wall and createdyered defense that could hold firm under heavy attacks.


    Aside from that, Ibrahim also noticed three additional Automated Turrets positioned along the perimeter. It means that there were now five Automated Turrets protecting this shelter!


    Furthermore, he also saw six watchtowers rise above the walls. There were guards on duty already stationed in each one, making this ce look really safe. The guards were mostly elves and they were scanning the distance for any signs of trouble.


    Ibrahim admired the setup; it felt like Shane had considered this arrangement with the previous Zombie Wave they faced.


    Shane had certainlybined their limited resources with strategic know-how. He could tell they weren''t taking any chances after the third Zombie Wave.


    ''I hope my rtives and even my friends would get lucky enough to be recruited in this ce.'' Ibrahim thought to himself. Although this ce was rtively new, it was already in a level that could ignore high-tier Zombies as long as they weren''t a horde of them.


    This ce was definitely a fortress itself.


    Anyway, Ibrahim also saw the hustle of carpenters and builders erecting structures that would soon be the new heart of their camp. There was a stable for their mounts, now containing a few hardy horses capable of outrunning most zombies.


    ''Wait¡­ Where did these horsese from?'' Ibrahim was surprised. Anyway, he wouldter realize that it hade from the Long Lodge''s Shelter.


    Aside from this, he also noticed that the barracks were being upgraded, ready to house their growing numbers and give soldiers a ce to rest between patrols. The newly built training ground was already bustling, with recruits practicing under the guidance of a couple of Elves.


    Aside from that, he also saw the trap-making workshop, filled with materials for crafting all manner of explosive, spiked, and snare traps.


    There was also a covered water well that offered a secure and reliable water source, and several sturdy residences could finally be seen beside the rows of trailer trucks, which many had been using as makeshift homes.


    The cramp trailer trucks would finally be more spacious.


    ''This shelter is getting really fixed fast.'' Ibrahim muttered to himself as he recalled the situation of the shelter when he first arrived.


    There were surely a lot of changes, and these changes were for the best!


    Anyway, after walking around, he confirmed that the main building had also been reinforced and expanded to act as themand center.


    Though the Zombie Wave had ended, the threat hadn''t.


    Because of this, Ibrahim was tasked to do a patrol, and of course, he had partner on this¡­


    Soon, he caught sight of Tieria, his patrol partner for the day, standing by the gates.


    He was deep in conversation with one of the watchtower guards. Ibrahim easily noticed his prosthetic right eye that gleamed from the sunlight. He actually thought that it looked ugly at first.


    After all, he had seen decent prosthetics that looked like a real eye before.


    However, after learning what it could do, he even had a thought of recing his perfectly working eye to obtain such new abilities.


    Now that he was looking at it once again, he felt that it had an otherworldly beauty to it¡­


    Well, it had a specialized lens that could zoom in on distant objects and calcte distance and trajectory with incredible precision. Ibrahim heard that it also had something light, Night Vision and Zombie Detector Mode.


    It was amazing¡­. Furthermore, it could also help with his aim. It could assist him in obtaining pinpoint uracy, making her one of the deadliest shooters in the camp.


    ''What a cheat-like ability¡­'' Ibrahim thought to himself.


    "Morning, Ibrahim," Tieria greeted him as he waved at the watchtower guard who was now leaving¡­ "Ready to clear the area?" Tieria asked as he turned to him.


    Ibrahim gave him a nod. "Yes¡­ Let''s get rid of any stray zombies before they get too close. Shane mentioned that we should head in that rocky area¡­"


    "That''s right¡­"


    The two then grabbed their gear¡ªrifles, knives, and a few emergency sh grenades¡ªand set off through the gate.


    At first, their patrol route took them along the edge of the new wall, where they could appreciate its sturdiness up close.


    Then, they started to get farther as they had to ensure that they eliminated Zombies even before getting their shelter sighted.


    As they moved through the nearby forested area, they soon heard the presence of something in the surroundings.@@novelbin@@


    They both looked at each other before nodding.


    They then moved in silence, scanning for any signs of Zombies lurking nearby.


    Tieria''s prosthetic eye was soon triggered as it zoomed in on a shuffling figure about 50 meters away. "Crawler Zombie at ten o''clock," He whispered, raising her rifle.


    "Let''s take it quietly," Ibrahim replied, gripping his knife. He crept forward, staying low and using the trees for cover.


    For some odd reason, the Crawler was too focused on the ground to notice him until he was right behind it.


    With a swift move, Ibrahim plunged his knife into the base of its skull, dispatching it quickly.


    Thud¡­


    Ibrahim wasn''t too excited about killing such a weak zombie, but he immediately felt excited when he discovered something on the ground.

 Chapter 431 The Memory Spheres

    Shane didn''t expect that they would find something around the area. After all, he had also patrolled this ce, but he had failed to find any signs of the secret door that they''d mentioned.


    ''Maybe it was sealed until after the third Zombie Wave?'' Shane mused to himself. He found it reasonable since the system seemed to be capable of doing just that.


    "Good call¡­ That ce could be very dangerous. We''ll need some preparations before thinking of opening that door. However, we should ensure that no one gets to discover that ce. Let''s cover it up first." Shane said as he considered who to inform to ensure that no one would stumble on it again.


    "We already covered it up with dirt and leaves. It shouldn''t be obvious for now." Ibrahim reminded.


    "Alright¡­ I''ll just send two elves to guard the area then¡­" Shane muttered as he gave a few instructions to Mew, the leader of the miners.


    Then, he continued to walk outside the mine to inform the elves¡­@@novelbin@@


    "Did you notice anything else, like signs or any words on it?" Shane asked the two.


    Ibrahim and Tieria looked at each other before shaking their heads.


    "We didn''t notice anything."


    Shane could only nod at this.


    "Mhmm¡­ If it''s one of thosebs, then it might have advanced security¡ªor worse, deadly traps. We''ll need to check it out soon but with a full team and the right gear." He paused for a moment as his gaze drifted toward the mine walls, lost in thought.


    "In the meantime, let''s keep it under wraps. We don''t want anyone stumbling into it unprepared."


    Shane said as he soon called the elves and informed them of the situation. Then, Ibrahim guided the two elves to the location.


    Ibrahim felt a surge of excitement. After all, it hasn''t been long since he had entered the shelter and he felt that he was already contributing a lot.


    Furthermore, the sense of aplishment for uncovering something as mysterious as a hiddenb sent a shiver down his spine. Though it might not be aboratory at all, just the thought of it made him look forward to the day they''ll explore it.


    He actually respected Shane''s caution in this matter since they only have a single life. They couldn''t be careless in handling this matter. There was no telling what dangers might be lying in wait beneath that metal door.


    "Once we finish reinforcing the defenses here in our camp, we''ll prepare a scouting team," Shane said, giving a final nod.


    No matter what, their main task for the next few days was to ensure that their camp was fortified.


    After all, aside from the lurking Zombies, there were still threats from Wild Shelters and from Statham the Vampire.


    The rest of the group agreed to Shane and made their way back to their tasks¡­


    This time, however, Shane decided to visit his room as he finally decided to absorb all the Memory Spheres he had obtained.


    He hadn''t done so yet since he had been very busy and barely had enough time to rest.


    Thankfully, the situation had already somewhat stabilized. Furthermore, since they might be exploring something dangerous beyond that metal door, he might need other skills.


    After entering this room, Vale decided to open his current status.


    [ Survivor Name: Shane Wells


    Title: A.I. Rebellion''s Chosen One, Fairy Realm''s Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets, Elite Survivor


    Level: 47


    Vitality: 640/780


    Spirit: 8,420/20,000


    Strength: 820


    Agility: 615


    Luck: 26


    Perception: 225


    Inventory:


    Misceneous Items: 128


    Potions: 24


    Weapons and Equipment: 68


    Blood Collection: 33


    Survivor Skills: Lockpicking, Hacker, Fast Swimmer, Mining, Alchemy, Aura of Protection, Horseback Riding, Lesser Beast Taming, Horizontal sh, Enhanced Sense, Fast Regeneration, Five-Meter Jump, Titan''s Roar, Underground Burrow, Armored Dash, Momentum Shift, Poison Resistance, Triple-Enhanced Vision, Adrenaline Surge, Vertical sh, Double Thrust, Meditation, Mental rity, Language Mastery, Sword Mastery, Phantom Sprint, Nature''s Guise, Vortex Spin¡­


    Fused Skills: Survivalist, Crowd Maniptor, Phantasm Rush, Trap Mastery, Elemental Resistance, Heightened Awareness, Resources Handler, Shadow Hunt, Armament Expert, Brawler''s Fury.


    Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ), Aura Master Talent ( Exceptional ), Telekinesis ( Rare ), Skill Infuser ( Epic ), False Revival Talent ( Epic )


    Reputation: 2150 ]


    He actually didn''t expect to level up once again after consuming the instant experience potions he obtained.


    Anyway, from level 38 to level 47, he obtained various rewards like gift packs, vouchers, tax-free transactions in the market, and many other system-rted items aside from the stat increase for leveling up.


    This morning, he even obtained all of the items being sold in the Survivor Store and Reputation Store for free because of the reward he obtained after reaching level 40.


    He obtained more firearms, pills, MREs, Zombie Lures, and some kitchenware in the Survivor Store, while in the Reputation Store, he was able to obtain the vials or ampules that made him recall the drug he used for the Super Soldiers in the Springriver Manor.


    At first, he wasn''t too sure about it with its short description in the store. However, since it''s free at the moment, he was able to obtain five pieces of them, and soon, he got ess to its full description.


    [ Titan Serum: A groundbreaking concoction designed to enhance physical abilities beyond human limits. Once injected, the serum rapidly integrates with the user''s physiology, unlockingtent potential and transforming them into a formidable force.


    Effects: Strength Boost, Enhanced Reflexes, Heightened Endurance, elerated Healing


    Side Effects: Satiety Debuff ]


    This item was incredible, but the debuff that makes the person hungry most of the time was quite a problem, especially for shelters without a steady source of food. Thankfully, Shane doesn''t have to worry about that with his current wealth and the resources they have.


    Anyway, Shane finally rxed in his room after washing his body.


    Then, Shane held the 16th of 25 Memory Spheres in his inventory.


    Soon, he saw the familiar notification he was familiar with.


    [ Do you wish to absorb the Memory Sphere? ]


    "Yes¡­"


    With a nod, the world around him seemed to blur, and just like before, his vision was swallowed by a wave of fragmented images.


    The memories spiraled back, converging on his time in the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse¡­


    This time, Shane had already confirmed the locations of various main headquarters of the Anima. They had a total of 12 main spaceships that were like a fortress in themselves, its sole purpose to enforce the Anima''s iron grip over the.


    As Shane settled into the memory, he found himself standing within the range of Izzet, one of these twelve immense spaceships.


    It was docked at the North Pole, and it wasn''t hidden at all. Its surface was filled with bright nodes and light-like frequencies that were pulsating faintly as if they were channeling some sort of energy.


    Shane immediately learned his mission as the memories came in like a flood in his mind. He actually had to take down Izzet''s energy core. With this, the Anima would lose one of its critical foothold, and humanity would gain a rare glimmer of hope.


    The memory continued as he infiltrated and entered halls of the ship.


    In this mission, while the main force of the human army was buying some time for him, he had to sessfully destroy his target.


    He was alone, with no backup and limited resources. All he had was an Ether Cloak, a stolen artifact crafted by a race once enved by the Anima. With it, he could evade detection, but it was a fragile reprieve. Even a single misstep could trigger the automated sentries and robotic enforcers patrolling the ship.


    Carefully, he moved down the corridor, shrouded by the Ether Cloak''s invisibility.


    As he rounded a corner, he saw another group of enemies. They were sentries with sleek metallic frames. Humanoid Androids, as they call.


    Shane held his breath as he slipped past them undetected. He couldn''t even bring any piece of a modern device with him aside from this cloak. Well, if he did, he would be detected without a doubt.


    It was such a frustrating task, but there was no one else who could pull this off besides him.


    Anyway, Shane continued moving, avoiding patrols and bypassingser grids as he neared the heart of Izzet.


    The memory was quite long, but Shane liked it a lot as he learned more about how good he was before.


    Finally, he reached the main core chamber after a series of challenges.


    ''So it''s like that...''


    Through the reinforced ss, he was able to see it¡ªthe Energy Core. Although the protection seemed careless with the Energy Core, Shane knew that this was just a trap.


    Anyway, Shane observed the massive orb of light, surrounded by golden ducts and wires that powered one of Anima''s operations on Earth.


    Nheless, Shane knew that destroying this Core couldn''t just be done by using force¡­ With the things he learned over the past year, Shane learned how to disrupt the core''s energy flow and make it self-destruct.


    Then, as he looked above the door of the core chamber, he read its name, Cloud''s Chamber.


    It seemed to be the name of the Core itself.

 Chapter 432 The Previous Apocalypse

    ''Cloud?'' Shane repeated in his mind.


    Soon, sweat beaded on his forehead as he began the intricate task of destabilizing the Core. He didn''t have to enter the sealed chamber itself as he was able to find the control panel hidden just beside the door.


    Shane then reached into the control panel and swiftly triggered the switches and dials.@@novelbin@@


    Each adjustment he made sent sparks flying as the Core''s protective shields flickered. But just as he thought he''d seeded, a problem suddenly came.


    Then, the memories that followed became really interesting for Shane¡­


    Shane felt something off as his gaze darted around, looking for any Androids or figures monitoring him. However, he didn''t notice anything suspicious.


    But as he was about to continue what he was doing, he heard the movements of various machines¡­


    Although detection wasn''t supposed to be possible with the Ether Cloak, the Anima''s failsafes had certainly found him after disrupting its energy flow.


    Soon, red lights shed as robotic enforcers converged on the core chamber.


    Shane clenched his jaw as what he did wasn''t enough to destroy the Core¡­ He hurriedly opened the sealed door with the remaining control that he had, and as it opened, he immediately dashed ducked behind the Core''s massive structure.


    The Ether Cloak shimmered, struggling to maintain its concealment as the Anima units scanned for any signs of intrusion.


    He knew that it wouldn''t take long before he''d get found.


    With no way out, he made a desperate decision.


    He primed a small explosive he had smuggled aboard. This was hisst resort since he couldn''t really bring any other modern device. Aside from this small explosive, he only had a few things like a knife, rope, and others.


    Shane started rigging it to the Core''s stabilization matrix. It was a one-way gamble; the st would cripple the Core, but his only chance of escapey in the seconds of chaos that would follow.


    As he nted the device, the memory began to blur once more, reality slipping away.


    Then, the memory sphere released him back into the present. Then, his body jolted as he sat up in his room, panting.


    ''Did I die there?'' Shane thought to himself but immediately shook his head. It was a silly thought. He then briefly nced at the system notification, confirming the absorption of the memory and the new skills he learned.


    Shane then took a deep breath and realized how crazy good he was in his past life. Infiltrating a huge spaceship without any reinforcements was definitely a suicidal move. If it was anyone else, they would surely not ept such a mission and would ratherplete basic missions like scavenging broken parts of androids in order to create Humanoid Mech Vessels to fight against the A.I.''s androids.


    Anyway, Shane continued with his task and started absorbing the 17th Memory Sphere. This time, it contained the memory of his struggle during the Fairy Realm Invasion.


    As soon as he agreed to the system notification, his senses were once again absorbed by the rush of memoriesing to his brain.


    Momentster, he found himself within a memory, his surroundings transformed into the lively, rustic Elf encampment.


    However, the encampment of elves wasn''t lively because of their cheerfulness. They were all preparing for battle.


    Shane could feel the tension as he approached the council tent, arge structure constructed from interwoven branches and covered with enchanted leaves that seemed to be filled with Elven''s Blessing.


    Pushing aside the entrance p, Shane stepped inside and nced at the room''s upants.


    Arge, circr table upied the center, each section marked by the distinctive presence of a representative from various races. Needless to say, he was the only human present among them.


    As he entered, the twelve individuals fell silent, ncing his way.


    Six elves assessed him with varied expressions. There were two High Elves with elegant robes lined with silver, and they observed him for a brief moment before giving a gentle nod.


    Obviously, the two of them acknowledged the contributions Shane had made in the past battles.


    The Forest Elf, who seemed to be equipped with living vines, gave a slight nod as well, having heard rumors of his loyalty.


    Furthermore, Shane could understand theirnguage, so it definitely helped add some points to their friendliness.


    The Dark Elf''s silver eyes met his with a cool detachment, and just like Shane had noticed them before, they were unreadable. Until now, based on the memories, he still had no idea if the Dark Elves liked him or not.


    The Moon Elf, who was paler than the high elves, cast a fleeting nce his way before focusing back on the table. Only the Winged Elf, with delicate wings, looked at him with open distrust. Shane could even see how her jaw tightened after noticing his presence.


    Across from the elves, a handful of the Fairy Realm''s other races watched him with equal interest and scrutiny.


    The Dwarf gave a slight nod of acknowledgment¡­ Apparently, the Dwarves and humans had forged a tentative alliance after skirmishing with the Vampires. The Ogre, a figure filled with muscle and dark green skin, seemed unimpressed, crossing his massive arms.


    The Kobold, draped in cloth adorned with runic symbols, gave him a curious but wary nce, while the Centaur warrior''s gaze was as stoic as stone.


    ''I guess my appeal was only effective to most elves¡­ Should I learn the Centaur''s and Kobold''snguage too?'' Shane thought to himself.


    Anyway, he moved to an open space by the table, taking a seat.


    Then, the discussion started almost immediately.


    "Humans were an easy target to Vampires¡­ They''ll get easily turned and be our enemies instead¡­ Isn''t it too dangerous to let him join us? Once he turned, all our ns will be known by that Vampire Lord.'' one of the representatives murmured quietly, though not quietly enough.


    Apparently, Elves and other races wouldn''t be easily forced to be vampires, unlike humans.


    Hearing that someone else wasn''t looking in favor of the human, the Winged Elf nodded in agreement as her wings quivered slightly.


    Before Shane could respond, the Moon Elf spoke, her voice was soft yet firm.


    "This human has risked much in aiding us. His strategies in the field have saved more than a hundred of our people already. There are no divisions in allegiance if we are to reim the World Tree."


    Well, in this life, Shane was already with Cloud, his A.I. Assistant, it wasn''t surprising that he was able to give decent strategies based on the strengths of each race and the known abilities of the Vampire.


    The High Elf closest to Shane dipped his head in agreement. "We face the Vampires, creatures who bend the veryws of life and death. If Shane''s knowledge can aid us in removing their grip from the World Tree, we must consider it an asset."


    Shane scanned the table, noting those who nodded and those who remained unconvinced. "Thank you," he replied.


    "The Vampires that hold the World Tree aren''t just after power¡ªthey want to twist the realm to their will, creating a new source for their dark energy. If we don''t act decisively, they''ll strengthen their blood magic and corrupt the Tree''s natural energy, making it nearly impossible to free."


    The Pixie, a small figure that shined in the torchlight, flew to the center of the table. "You say that, but even with ourbined forces, it''s difficult to reach them. And we''ve lost more with each attempt."


    The Druid, tall and robed made of interwoven branches and leaves, spoke up.


    "Perhaps the human''s tactics could lend us an advantage. The Vampires have adapted quickly, but theyck understanding of this fused realm''s natural defenses. Shane may bring insight they wouldn''t expect."


    This brought murmurs of agreement, and Shane continued. "The Vampires''mand over blood magic gives them an advantage in strength, yes, but it''s not foolproof. We''ve sessfully lured out and eliminated several of their Thralls by exploiting their dependence on proximity to their Blood Lord. If we can cut off their source of dark energy at the World Tree, we weaken them."


    The Centaur leader regarded Shane with a long, hard look before he spoke "And how do you suggest we confront the Vampire Lord himself? He resides within the Tree, hidden and guarded. If we are to strike, we must ensure he cannot return."


    Shane thought carefully¡­


    "The Vampire Lord''s link to the World Tree is a two-way dependency. The Tree sustains him, yes, but he''s vulnerable when he draws too much from it. If we can trigger that connection while attacking, it will drain his energy."


    The Forest Elf leaned forward, nodding. "A coordinated strike, then¡ªattack with full force at the moment he is most vulnerable. It could work, but it will require wless timing."


    The Ogre scoffed, but a slight smile crossed his face. "For once, the human speaks sense. I''ll follow, if he can prove this timing works in battle."


    Seeing the hesitant nods from around the table, Shane knew he had their attention. "Then let''s n this. We need every advantage we can get, and every single one of you brings a skill we can''t afford to overlook."


    Thanks to this, he learned all the abilities of these races and Cloud, learned them all.

 Chapter 433 New Skills

    Shane continued to absorb the memories, and it didn''t take that long before they ended. Then, once again, he obtained two more skills.


    After a few moments, Shane decided to absorb the rest of the Memory Spheres¡­


    "This feeling is amazing¡­" Shane muttered to himself after absorbing the 18th to the 21st spheres.


    Just like what he had expected, the 18th and 20th memory spheres unlocked fragments of his past life in the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse. It was an intense memory filled with battles against the androids¡­


    Furthermore, since he obtained Cloud, he became a known figure among the Survivors.


    He was in the heart of the rebellion as the deste Earth reshaped by the Anima had slowly changed with his and Cloud''s assistance.


    Indeed, Shane''s most reliable ally in this ruthless world was an unexpected one: Cloud, the very A.I. core that once powered the Izzet Spaceship in the world''s northern hemisphere.


    Shane remembered the moment he had found Cloud.


    After he sessfully destroyed the Core andpleted the mission that had resulted in the ship''s destruction, something attached to him. It was thest attempt of the Core to survive¡­


    Shane was actually caught by the destruction and Cloud had already gained some consciousness at that time and wanted to survive.


    Cloud wanted to transfer to another portable system but it couldn''t find anything simr to that. Without Shane''s permission, it instead transferred its consciousness differently and attached itself to Shane''s neuralwork, transforming Cloud from an enemy to an ally.


    Cloud and Shane then made a deal to coexist¡­


    With Cloud''s extensive knowledge of Anima systems, the two of them worked to create safe havens for human refugees and to stop Anima from invading them¡­


    The Anima have taken control of more than 80% of thend, but the rest had be humanity''s safe haven.


    Shane relived the memories of the first zones they had set up in Earth''s most remote regions, where machine surveince was thinnest. But as he remembered, the victories were always short-lived. Their makeshift sanctuaries were constantly under threat from roaming patrols of Anima androids.


    It wasn''t easy at the beginning of their mission¡­


    While Cloud could often scramble or misdirect detection systems, there were times the Anima''s insistent search algorithms would zero in, forcing Shane and the survivors to abandon their carefully constructed shelters and flee further into the wilderness.


    It took a lot of time and energy before Cloud became very strong and threatened the other main Spaceships of the Anima.


    However, the main problem about this A.I.''s Rebellion soon appeared.@@novelbin@@


    It was the fact that the Anima had other reasons to invade the world and take control of the world''s technology. ording to Cloud, they actually needed this''s resources to fight against a stronger species. The humans were just casualties of the battle between two advanced civilizations.


    It was the reason why, even after the Anima started avoiding Shane and Cloud, they were still ensuring that they would no longer take more resources from them.


    [ Shane¡­ ] Cloud''s calm voice echoed in his mind.


    They had just spent navigating ruins, dodging drones, and hacking into abandoned military stockpiles.


    [ The likelihood of survival in Zone 17 has dropped below eptable levels. We should reroute. ]


    "Again?" Shane asked in frustration. But Cloud was right. Each hideout was only temporary, and every move meant lives were saved.


    It was this moment when the memory faded, Shane¡­ Would only know what would happen next after absorbing thest four Memory Spheres.


    As for the 19th and 21st Memory Spheres, Shane still found himself among the Elves and other mystical races of the Fairy Realm.


    As he relived these memories, he recalled the toll that the battles against the Vampire invaders had taken. Unlike the methodical conflict of the A.I. Rebellion, the fight against the Vampires was brutal, often devolving into hand-to-handbat with creatures that possessed monstrous strength and near-immunity to death.Because of this, Shane''sbat skills had improved a lot.


    Unfortunately, although Shane was benefiting a lot, the elves and the other races had suffered greatly as their numbers dwindled by the day. Nheless, his contribution couldn''t be hidden among the elves and the other races. As long as he was on the battlefield, the focus of the Vampires was always him, and he would be able to survive even with all the attention he was getting.


    This showed how great he was in terms ofbat strength.


    "What an intense memory¡­ We''re lucky that Statham of today wasn''t too strong yet¡­" Shane muttered as hepared the current Statham to the one in the Fairy Realm Invasion. Perhaps, even without the World Tree''s power, Shane wouldn''t win against him.


    Shane remembered leading desperate battles within the dense forests. Just fighting against Vampire Knights was already taxing¡­


    Of course, he would still have a way to win with Cloud''s assistance... However, each victory felt too close¡­ The Vampires were only temporarily repelled and never defeated.


    Fighting against a horde of vampires would always leave behind a trail of devastation. Camps were obliterated, soldiers were being killed almost every moment, and powerful leaders from various realms lost their lives.


    It was such a tiring battle.


    He could see it in the eyes of hispanions¡ªthe fatigue, the constant wondering if they would be the next person to die.


    Though Shane fought beside them, risking everything, he could do little to prevent the ongoing casualties.


    Under Statham''s control with the World Tree, the Vampires were like an endless tide¡­


    Shane and his allies had given everything, yet it seemed as though their best efforts barely made a dent. At this time, Shane had no choice but to fully utilize Cloud''s ability to create a chance to fight against the Vampire''s growing army.


    As the final memory settled, Shane sighed.


    ''I wonder what happened in the end¡­'' Shane thought to himself, but he knew that he was getting closer to learning the truth.


    The two Apocalypses had each brought him close to annihtion and there were only four more Memory Spheres left¡­ He would definitely learn more of their secrets.


    Anyway, Shane soon started checking the new Survivor Skills he had learned. Some of them were new, while the others were just some variants of other Skills he currently possess.


    Because of that, he would definitely use his Skill Fusion Talisman.


    Anyway, there were a total of 14 new skills, so he couldn''t help but feel excited about it. Furthermore, with the level of advancement he obtained, he was able to get more information about the skills he obtained.


    As he read through them, he realized that some of the skills weren''t all useful in this realm.


    1. Pulse Hacking


    Type: Utility


    Effect: Temporarily disrupts small electronic devices within a 10-meter radius for 10 seconds. Can hijack basic AI-operated systems or drones, forcing them into standby mode or diverting their operations.


    2. Vital Sense


    Type: Combat


    Effect: Reveals weak points on enemies, causing +50% critical damage when striking vital areas. Highlighted points fade after 5 seconds or once hit.


    3. Silent Strike


    Type: Stealth


    Effect: Grants near-invisibility for 3 seconds, masking footsteps and scent. Activating Silent Strike enables undetected movements within 15 meters of any enemy but deactivates if the user attacks or runs.


    4. Ethereal Cloak


    Type: Stealth/Utility


    Effect: Temporarily conceals the user from detection, rendering them invisible to mechanical sensors and magical detection for up to 15 seconds. Movement reduces effectiveness by 50%.


    5. Blood Oath


    Type: Passive


    Effect: Increases group synergy by +10% when fighting with allies from the Fairy Realm, boosting team damage resistance and coordination.


    6. Nano Restoration


    Type: Healing


    Effect: Activates an emergency healing nanite system, restoring 25% of health over 10 seconds. Usable once per battle. Healing continues even if the user takes damage, but it will halt if he initiatesbat actions.


    7. Shield Piercer


    Type: Combat


    Effect: Enhances the user''s weapon strikes, allowing attacks to bypass 30% of an enemy''s armor. Active for 3 attacks after activation, with a cooldown of 30 seconds.


    8. Faerie Insight


    Type: Intelligence


    Effect: Detects hidden magical traps or barriers within a 20-meter range. Adds a +20% chance to unlock advanced magical puzzles and navigate mystical terrains safely.


    9. Adrenal Burst


    Type: Buff


    Effect: Temporarily increases Shane''s speed and strength by 25% for 8 seconds. Activates automatically when health drops below 20% or can be used manually with a 5-minute cooldown.


    10. Machine Tamer


    Type: Utility


    Effect: Allows temporary control over small robotic or AI-operated creatures,manding them to assist the user for up to 30 seconds. Can only affect one target at a time, with a cooldown of 1 minute.


    11. Arcane Veil


    Type: Defense


    Effect: Generates a shield that absorbs up to 100 points of magic-based damage for 10 seconds. Deactivates after absorbing full damage or upon recasting.


    12. Phantom Recall


    Type: Tactical


    Effect: Scans recent movement trails within a 50-meter radius, highlighting enemy paths and presence for 10 seconds. Useful for tracking and ambush setups.


    13. Energy Wave


    Type: Combat


    Effect: Unleashes a sweeping energy-infused attack dealing 150% weapon damage to enemies in a 5-meter arc. Cooldown of 20 seconds.


    14. Resilience Protocol


    Type: Passive


    Effect: Reduces iing physical and magical damage by 15% and slows fatigue umtion by 25%, allowing the user to endure prolongedbat without exhaustion.

 Chapter 434 Fusion of Spells

    Shane read through the list as a sense of amazement settled over him¡­


    ''I already have too many skills on me¡­ I really have to start fusing them.'' Shane muttered to himself as he also had more skills from the loots he had on the Survivor Corpses and from the Skill Scrolls from the rewards he obtained after the Boss Raid Event.


    He couldn''t help but imagine what kind of spells he''d get from that.


    Of course, before thinking of fusing them, it would be a pity if he didn''t see how they worked¡­


    He couldn''t wait to try them out, especially now that the shelter had already somewhat stabilized, giving him the perfect opportunity to explore his new capabilities without the immediate threat ofrge-scale danger.


    Furthermore, he nned on exploring that mysterious ce that Tieria and Ibrahim found, so he might need these new skills.


    Stepping out of his quarters and into the morning light, Shane walked through the camp, while thinking about the skills that required no immediate target.


    ''Let''s try this first¡­ It doesn''t cost too much Spirit Points¡­'' Shane muttered.


    Then, he initiated Adrenal Burst as he felt a rush of energy and his muscles tensed followed by his reflexes instantly sharpening.


    ''It''s quite simr to Adrenaline Surge, but this one costs a lot less and shorter¡­'' Shane thought.


    Then, he sprinted forward, covering about 50 meters in 2 seconds or so, leaving a gust behind him.


    Considering his Agility, this was actually quite slow¡­ However, if he went faster than that while the Adrenal Surge was active, it would injure his body instead, making it less desirable to be used.


    Furthermore, the problem with this surge was the huge decrease in stamina. Thankfully, Shane had a lot of it, so it wouldn''t affect him.


    Even after the Skill disappeared, his breathing was steady¡­ However, that would surely not be the same for the others.


    After that, Shane activated Silent Strike and stalked around a group of workers repairing a Watchtower.


    They seemed to be adding more support to it.


    His steps had barely made a sound as he circled them unnoticed, confirming his silent approach.


    ''It works¡­ probably because of their low Perception Stat. Mhmm¡­ I should try it on someone with more than 50 Perception Pointster.'' He thought to himself.


    Anyway, Shane decided to just go out of the camp since he would be able to really use them inbat.


    Moving further out, he spotted a lone Walker Zombie wandering at the camp''s edge. Deciding to test Vital Sense, he focused on the creature, and almost instantly, a faint outline appeared around key points in its skeletal frame and skull.


    Just like what the description said, he could indeed see the weakness of his target. Furthermore, while the Skill was active, it granted him a guaranteed 50% Critical Damage¡­ It was definitely a great ability with that inclusion. After all, even without this Skill, he already knew the weakness of the Zombies¡­ What really mattered in this Skill was the guaranteed Critical Damage.


    Guided by his enhanced perception, he silently approached and struck a clean blow to its temple with a branch he grabbed nearby, killing it off immediately.


    Boom!


    Its head just exploded from the strike, and the branch was also destroyed.


    [ You have eliminated a Walker Zombie. ]


    Shane looted it and got another of the usual items.


    Shane then switched to try the Energy Wave¡­ This time, he decided to take out one of his silver swords.


    He gripped this sword tightly as he recalled the effects of the Skill.


    [ Effect: Unleashes a sweeping energy-infused attack dealing 150% weapon damage to enemies in a 5-meter arc. Cooldown of 20 seconds. ]


    This was a skill he learned in the Fairy Realm''s Invasion, which was taught to him by the Ogres. It was a strange feeling using it right now¡­


    Anyway, after channeling energy through the weapon, he swung his sword¡­


    This motion unleashed a wind-like force¡­ It was a slicing arc discharged outward, cleaving the nearby tree and leaving an indented mark on a nearby boulder.


    ''That was strong¡­'' Shane muttered to himself. It felt that fighting against Zombies or even Vampires had be a lot easier. Furthermore, the Skill only used up 20 Spirit Points! He could do this thing for a long time before being exhausted!


    ''Well, that''s the benefit of clearing two other Apocalypses.'' Shane smirked at the thought.


    The force of it had really left him impressed. He felt a surge of confidence about what he could achieve in the battles ahead.


    Satisfied, Shane moved to the training ground, intending to try Machine Tamer and Pulse Hacking on nearby defense turrets or maybe the drones he recently obtained in the Reputation Stores.


    Apparently, they now have 12 Automated Drones that could help them in their defense.


    With Machine Tamer activated, he concentrated, and soon, even without Cloud''s help, the drone was activated, aligning itself to follow his lead. Then, a slight pulse from Pulse Hacking disrupted its sensors temporarily, turning them off.


    After running through the remaining skills, Shane finally released a breath.


    He was surely excited learning about all of these skills¡­


    This time, Shane decided to finally start Fusing his Skills once again.


    Shane then opened his Full Skill Tab¡­ After all, there were too many of them already, and the system hid the others so it wouldn''t be too difficult to see all the other details of his status panel.


    Survivor Skills: Lockpicking, Hacker, Fast Swimmer, Mining, Alchemy, Aura of Protection, Horseback Riding, Lesser Beast Taming, Horizontal sh, Enhanced Sense, Fast Regeneration, Five-Meter Jump, Titan''s Roar, Underground Burrow, Armored Dash, Momentum Shift, Poison Resistance, Triple-Enhanced Vision, Adrenaline Surge, Vertical sh, Double Thrust, Meditation, Mental rity, Language Mastery, Sword Mastery, Phantom Sprint, Nature''s Guise, Vortex Spin, Quick Draw, Dust Kick, Fast Learner, Keen Eye, Sturdy Stance, Quick Patch, Basic Throw, Scent Mask, Tension Control, Resource Gatherer, Pulse Hacking, Vital Sense, Silent Strike, Ethereal Cloak, Blood Oath, Nano Restoration, Shield Piercer, Faerie Insight, Adrenal Burst, Arcane Veil, Phantom Recall, Energy Wave, Resilience Protocol.


    Fused Skills: Survivalist, Crowd Maniptor, Phantasm Rush, Trap Mastery, Elemental Resistance, Heightened Awareness, Resources Handler, Shadow Hunt, Armament Expert, Brawler''s Fury.


    There were already a lot of them, so Shane decided to return to his ce and start using his 7 Skill Fusion Talismans.


    Shane sighed as he sat cross-legged in his room, contemting the skills he would fuse.


    Once the fusion was made, there was no turning back on it, so he didn''t want to be hasty in his decisions. He considered some reasonablebinations but also some weirdbinations that might be fruitful.


    Anyway, after a moment of contemtion, he began the fusion process, focusing on skills withplementary effects to maximize theirbined potential.


    He took one of the Talisman and the system allowed him to select the Skills he wanted fuse¡­


    [ Skill Fusion in progress. ]


    [ Skill Fusion Sessful. ]


    [ You have obtained Predator''s Edge Lv10 ]


    [ Fusion of Silent Strike + Keen Eye + Scent Mask ]


    [ Predator''s Edge: Enhances the user''s natural stealth capabilities, allowing them to move undetected with sharper focus and improved senses. Predator''s Edge provides a slight advantage in detecting hidden enemies in low-light environments and masking personal scent, making the user harder to track by sight or smell.


    Cost: 2 Spirit Points for 10 seconds ]


    "That cheap?" Shane muttered as he realized that he could actually maintain this Skill for a long time.


    Anyway, Shane continued as he fused several more Skills.


    [ You have obtained Force Breaker Lv10 ]@@novelbin@@


    [ Fusion of Shield Piercer + Vertical sh + Momentum Shift ]


    [ Force Breaker: A potent attack that lets the user shatter defenses with a single, powerful strike. Force Breaker grants the user increased momentum to pierce light and medium armor or shields, followed by a burst of speed to deliver additional strikes against exposed vulnerabilities.


    Cost: 30 Spirit Points per cast ]


    "Nice¡­ This is good against Armored Zombies¡­" Shane nodded as he was satisfied with this result. He expected something simr to this, but seeing how cheap the cost was, made him really happy. After all, the three spells that were used to fuse the new Skills were a lot more expensive.


    ''Mhmm¡­ I guess it''s time to improve the Aura of Protection¡­ It''s no longer that effective.'' Shane thought as he started once again. Enjoy more content from empire


    It was another sess and he swiftly checked the new Skill.


    [ You have obtained Aura Sentinel Lv10 ]


    [ Fusion of Aura of Protection + Vital Sense + Fast Regeneration ]


    [ Aura Sentinel: Creates a protective aura around the user, elerating natural regeneration while alerting them to threats within a 50-meter radius. Any hostile presence triggers a sensory alert.


    Cost: 50 Spirit Points. ]


    This decision to fuse his Fast Regeneration Skill also means that his new batch of Healing Tokens would change a lot¡­


    ''Ahh¡­ Now that I think about it, Rylen and Aria should''ve made enough tokens already. I should visit themter.'' Shane thought as he recalled the two kids he had recruited.

 Chapter 436 Warning

    Shane had never encountered any Lord Tier Zombies at all. The other tier that he knew was the Special Tier Zombies, and one of them was the Butcher Master Zombie.


    Nheless, if there was a Lord Tier indeed, he wondered whether one of them had already been killed and discovered their existence.@@novelbin@@


    Whoever did such a thing certainly deserved his respect.


    Thankfully, he wasn''t the only one confused with the appearance of the Lord Tier Zombies in the chat. They even forgot the threat of the Wild Shelters for a moment.


    After reading through the conversation, Micah was able to answer their confusion.


    [ Micah: Oh¡­ I''m not sure whether a Lord Tier Zombie has already been killed. However, we learned about this Lord Tier Zombie after the system warned us when we reached its territory. Something like ''You are about to enter the Lord Tier Zombie''s Territory¡­'']


    [ Raze: Do you think that this Lord Tier Zombie was defeated by those skeletons? ]


    [ Sasha: Right, isn''t that a bit too weak for a Lord Tier Zombie to get killed by skellies? ]


    [ Micah: Uhm¡­ Well, we didn''t really see what happened. We just noticed that the warning disappeared, and the Lord Tier Zombie was nowhere to be seen. We amassed a group of 120 Survivors for that mission and ended up nothing¡­ All our preparations had be useless. ]


    [ Natalie: I also know two locations of Lord Tier Zombies. I can sell their coordinates since we can''t handle them yet. I just like to remind you that I''ll only sell their locations to those who are ready. What I mean about that is that their team should be at level 50 at the very least. ]


    [ Raze: Level 50?! ]


    [ Travis: Level 50 to deal with the Lord Tier Zombie? ]


    [ Assad: Is this something you learned from the system? ]


    [ Natalie: To be exact, it was divined by one of my Seers. ]


    [ Micah: Wait¡ªThen we''re supposed to die if we really attacked that Lord-Tier Zombie? I thought 120 Survivors would be more than enough¡­ ]


    [ Natalie: Yes¡­ I think you were saved by those Necromancers. However, I believe that the Lord Tier Zombie wasn''t killed yet and just moved to a different location. ]


    "So it''s something like that¡­ Lord Tier, huh¡­" Shane muttered as the tier guide or threat level for the Zombies was different from the Fairy Realm and A.I. Rebellion.


    Anyway, after this part was cleared, the conversations rted to the Wild Shelter''s movement started once again. Many of them actually thought that these Wild Shelters would suffer greatly during the Zombie Wave. Considering they also harassed these Necromancers beforehand, they thought that these dark magicians wouldn''t be able to survive the Waves.


    However, it was certainly different as they gained more summons!


    Many of them could only guess that the Necromancers seemed to have used the Zombie Wave to increase their Dark Energy. They probably collected more blood, corpses, or anything they could use to summon more undead creatures than they could normally control.


    [ Nina: Maybe they''re preparing for something bigger. This is actually getting scary. Just imagine a horde of Undead Creatures controlled by Necromancer¡­ It will definitely cause a lot of trouble. Well, it''s more than a little concerning. ]


    [ Emma: If they are doing something big, we''d better be prepared. This kind of scale can''t be for nothing. Good luck, everyone¡­ I''ll be readying my team now. ]


    [ Tarek: All I know is they''re stepping on our territory. If they keep snatching up the Zombies, how are we supposed to level up? I''m not thrilled about dealing with Necromancers, but we might have to confront them soon. ]


    [ Patricia: Exactly. It might be time to coordinate. If we don''t do something, we''re just handing over all the experience points in our zones to them. ]


    [ Travis: Before everyone logs out¡­ I''ll just remind you that the system announcements haven''t appeared yet. Normally, the day after the Zombie Wave, we will receive an announcement telling us about the next events, whether there''s an Auction or a Boss Raid Event. We will also be informed of the next Zombie Wave. However, none of that happened yet. Something big mighte soon, so everyone should be ready. ]


    As Travis said this, everyone paused for a moment and nodded. There was indeed a pattern with the System Announcement before. However, this pattern was suddenly broken, and they couldn''t help but be nervous about it.


    After all, these announcements were helping them with their nning¡­ If there will be a Zombie Wave, they could prepare their defenses. If there was an auctioning up, they could gather their wealth. If there was another Boss Raid Event, then they would stock up their personal weapons and equipment in their inventory.


    Nheless, they already survived for a long, so after worrying a bit, they immediately calmed down and continued on with their tasks.


    In the meantime, Shane''s eyes narrowed as he absorbed the conversations¡­


    ''The Wild Shelters, Necromancers, Lord Tier Zombies, and System''s strange disappearance¡­'' Shane thought for a moment as he felt that he really had to deal with all the concerns in his shelter¡­


    He actually noticed the system''s silence after the Zombie Wave. However, he didn''t really think too much of it until Travis mentioned that it could be preparing something for them.


    Nheless, he also thought that the system must be done from giving them advantages by announcing the next things to happen.


    After all, the system might want them to grow with this method.


    Of course, this wasn''t just a guess and was based on his memories of other Apocalypses as well.


    ''Well, let''s worry about thatter¡­'' Shane thought as he decided to continue with the rest of the day. He assisted the mining site, helped the farmers, and other tasks to ensure that the shelter was running smoothly.


    He even ate together with them to strengthen their rtionship. After all, despite having the title of Territory Lord, which increased their Loyalty by 2 points, he still wanted to form true rtionships with his subjects and learn more about their conditions. Well, this way, he could improve their quality of life at the very least.


    Find more adventures on empire


    After all, no one knew what kind of Zombies they''d face soon, and there was also a Vampire Lord that could kill many of them...

 Chapter 438 Rewards

    The Earth Zombies may be very tough and could defend against sharp or piercing weapons. However, through the many experiences of the Survivors he had read from the chat, he knew that although they have tough skin, they have brittle bones within them¡­


    Lastly, Shane vaguely recalled that there was one Survivor who was able to actually see the debuffs of the Zombies and learn their weaknesses. It was indeed a great Talent, but it would undoubtedly be a Legendary Talent if it could see the strengths of the Zombies as well.


    "Blunt weapons would be best against these Zombies." Shane reminded. Because of this, the elves decided not to draw their des and kept them in their scabbard. Gregor still had his axe with him since he knew that even if the Earth Zombies had great resistance against sharp weapons, his strength would be more than enough topensate and cut them in half.


    The ground then seemed to surge and quake with the movement of the enemies.


    "Prepare forbat," Shane muttered as his team fell into formation with their weapons ready.


    These Earth Zombies might be new to them, but they had already dealt with some of the most terrifying Zombies during the Zombie Wave, so the battle wasn''t too difficult for them.


    The first Earth Zombie soon reached a range where it could pounce at them¡­


    "Raaarrr!"


    Its massive hands wanted to grab at them and take a bite of their bodies¡­


    Gregor simply waved his axe and almost cut the Zombie in half.@@novelbin@@


    "Mhmm¡­ They''re tough¡­ I''ll adjust." He muttered as he decided to use stronger force next time. Nheless, the Zombie was still killed after expending more force on his axe.


    Experience more content on empire


    Shane also met the first Earth Zombie and used the Spine Club he got from the Giant Zombie to crush the Zombie.


    Bam!


    [ You have eliminated an Earth Zombie. ]


    Then, he signaled for Gregor and one of the Elves to nk. Gregor charged forward, swinging his weapon in a wide arc that smashed into the Zombie''s rocky torso, sending shards of debris flying.


    Shane activated his Veiled Steps as he dashed to the side and delivered a forceful blow that cracked the Earth Zombie''s knee.


    Boom!


    The Zombie stumbled as pieces of dirt and rock scattered across the ground. He then followed up with another swing of his club to kill another Earth Zombie.


    Ibrahim then leaped over a smaller Earth Zombie,nding behind it with surprising agility and stabbing his de into the back of its neck.


    Needless to say, Ibrahim''s unusual movement was due to Shane''s assistance.


    After all, he decided to brew several more vials of potions for Three-Meter Jump Skill!


    In total, he made 18 potions with the help of his Blood Alchemy Book and gave them to the ones who didn''t have them yet.


    Shane wanted to make more Zombie Skill Potions, but since it took quite some time to brew them, he only made these Three-Meter Jump Skill Potions because the mobility they provided could help them survive or escape in tight situations. It was perfect forbat or even for fleeing.


    Crash~


    The creature then crumbled into a pile of rubble¡­


    [ You have eliminated an Earth Zombie. ]


    More Earth Zombies emerged from the depths of the tunnel.


    Tieria''s prosthetic eye glowed, quickly assessing their weaknesses¡­


    "We will save a lot of energy if we just aim for their joints instead of their tougher heads," He called out, "they''re less reinforced there! After immobilizing them, we can take time crushing their heads."


    Tieria said as he noticed that they were already using too much energy or stamina to crush the Zombies. Yes, they were indeed strong, but they had no idea just how many of these Earth Zombies coulde at them. If there were actually several hundred of them, they would surely die due to exhaustion.


    Gregor, who had been swinging his axe with a lot of force, realized this as well. Because of that, he started fighting with more calcted moves.


    "Undestood¡­" One of the Elves attacked to slice at an Earth Zombie''s elbow, causing it to drop its heavy arm like dead weight. The Zombies then stumbled after having off bnce.


    The other Elf also fought with the same speed and struck at the Zombie''s legs, reducing it to a just pile of rock that could barely move.


    As the battle continued, more and more Earth Zombies appeared.


    Then, Shane noticed an Earth Zombie inching closer to the Light Orbs they had left along the path¡­


    "Don''t let them block our exit or crush the orbs!" he shouted. Although the Zombies probably had no ns to destroy the orbs, they might identally crush them, which wouldn''t be good for his team.


    Shane then activated Armored Dash and rushed toward the advancing Earth Zombie!


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Several Earth Zombies who were blocking his path were destroyed into pieces with that move¡­


    Then, with a simple control of his Aura, he struck with his club!


    He attacked the creature''s chest, piercing through its dense outeryer!


    ''Ahh¡­ Did I put too much force?'' Shane thought as instead of crushing the Zombies, he put a hole on it instead.


    Nheless, with a wave of his hand, the Earth Zombie let out a low rumble as it copsed with the core in its head shattered.


    [ You have eliminated an Earth Zombie. ]


    Anyway, as they were all eliminating the Zombies for some time, Shane suddenly felt a stronger Zombie about toe.


    Boom~


    Suddenly, arger Earth Zombie emerged from the back. This one was significantly more reinforced, with dense stone armor covering its entire body.


    Without its Rock Armor, it should be about the size of a Tyrant Zombie.


    Then, it let out a roar to announce its presence!


    Roaar~


    To Shane''s surprise, this Roar seemed to have a debuff effect on them as their bodies suddenly felt heavier.


    It didn''t end there. The ground beneath them shook violently, causing loose stones to rain down from the ceiling!


    It was dangerous, so Shane activated his Aura Sentinel immediately to cover everyone up!


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    With the huge number of falling rocks, Shane drained a lot of Spirit Points to maintain the Skill!


    Just with that move thatsted less than 10 seconds, he spent a total of 820 Spirit Points!


    He wasn''t in a dangerously low Spirit Points, but that move certainly reminded him of how dangerous it could be to fight in a disadvantageous position. After all, this territory was indeed perfect for the Earth Zombies and not for them.


    ''Tsk...''


    They have to be very careful from now on.


    "Back up!" Tieria shouted as the Earth Zombies started getting more violent with the appearance of the suspected Zombie Leader...


    The Elvesunched volleys of arrows, but they barely made a dent against the stone armor of the huge enemy...


    These arrows they used were already upgraded to Master-Grade, so it means that their enemy would be a lot more difficult to kill without proper methods.


    Gregor, on the other hand, wanted to dash forward and fight therger Zombie. However, he couldn''t just leave behind the group, so he stood on his ground and protected the front gripping his weapon tightly¡­


    On the other hand, Shane could tell that the number of Earth Zombies had lowered already. Now, he felt a lot more confident moving alone as he knew that his team would no longer be pressured by the horde of Earth Zombies.


    "I''ll take care of therge Earth Zombie¡­ Cover me!" Shane yelled, activating Titan''s Roar to draw the creature''s attention.


    His powerful shout reverberated through the tunnel, momentarily stunning the Earth Zombies around. It gave Shane just enough time to close in using his Veiled Steps and swing his weapon with all his strength¡­


    "Ha!"


    Shane then struck the huge Zombie''s leg and sent it crashing to one knee. This move seemed easy but this was all thanks to Shane''s overwhelming strength!


    This all happened in just a brief moment to the point that the elves and the others barely had time to "cover" for him.


    "So fast¡­" Tieria muttered after seeing how Shane did all of that so swiftly. Even with his mechanical eye, he failed to follow Shane''s movement¡­


    ''Just what kind of Movement Skill is that?'' Tieria thought to himself and the others were actually wondering about this as well.


    After all, they couldn''t help but feel that Shane''s level was already more than 50 at this point.


    On the other hand, Shane smiled as he decided not to give the huge Earth Zombie a chance to fight back¡­


    He seized the opportunity and used Adrenal Burst. He then used his Armored Dash to gain momentum,unching himself at the creature''s exposed head.


    Bang!


    His body struck the Zombie''s head and it wasn''t enough to crush it. However, it was more than enough to push its head back¡­


    Then, with a mighty strike of his Spine Club, he struck through its stone armor, shattering its core on its chest!


    Boom!


    [ You have eliminated an Earth King Zombie. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate an Earth King Zombie, a special-tier zombie! ]

 Chapter 440 Toxic

    "Ahem¡­ Alright, just guard this door for me." Shane said afterpleting all of his preparations.


    The others could only believe their Leader and nodded. There was really nothing else they could do.


    Soon, the team positioned themselves by the entrance.


    Shane ced his hand on the cold metal handle¡­


    Creak~


    It was not locked.


    Then, his pulse steadied for a moment as he mentally prepared himself.


    As he opened the door, a plume of green gas hissed out, spiraling into the corridor like fog!


    Whoosh~


    "Ahhh¡­"


    The team instinctively held their breath seeing this!


    Their eyes widened as they saw the deadly miasma begin to spread.


    Shane didn''t hesitate as he stepped forward into the haze while the others behind him closed the door to stop the spread of the miasma.


    Needless to say, Shane felt a bit ufortable despite having Poison Resistance¡­ He still felt the poison prickle against his exposed skin, testing his limit.


    Shane didn''t go far from the door for a few moments as he observed the reaction on his body.


    He then looked behind him and confirmed that the door was sealed shut already.


    ''I hope they didn''t inhale too much of that.'' Shane thought. In any case, they all have decent resistance, especially the elves¡­


    Anyway, Shane immediately tossed several Light Orbs into the room¡­


    The Light Orbs rolled around as Shane confirmed the situation in front of him¡­


    Clink¡­ Clink¡­ Clink¡­


    For a few moments, he watched as they spread soft light across the chamber.


    The room was massive. He noticed the remnants of an apocalypse bunker that had decayed into a toxic den.


    There were crumbling walls that lined the area, and the floor was littered with discarded equipment and debris.


    Most importantly, the light revealed rows upon rows of undead. Their bodies were disfigured by years of poison exposure.


    ''They must be the Toxic Zombies¡­'' Shane mused.


    The Toxic Zombies were monstrous. Their skin was greenish-gray, mottled, and peeling as if corroded by the venom within them.


    However, it doesn''t mean that they were weak¡­


    Shane could see thick veins pulsing along their arms and necks, oozing with some green fluid.


    ''What a nasty mutation¡­'' Shane thought while shaking his head.


    These Toxic Zombie''s eyes glowed a dull, poisonous yellow, and patches of mold and fungus grew across their torsos¡­ The holes on their bodies also emit the constant mist of poisonous vapor that permeates the air.


    Nheless, they were as long as Walker Zombies. Even after noticing his presence, their movements were sluggish, as if they were burdened by their own poison, but Shane knew they were deadly up close.


    He didn''t want to push the limit of his Poison Resistance.


    Then Shane unsheathed his Gale de.


    It was the item he had obtained after looting the Winged Leader Zombie.


    Of course, it was already upgraded to the Epic Grade.


    [ Gale de ( Epic ): A one-handed double-edged de forged from rare, wind-infused metal. Light yet durable, the Gale de is designed for swift, precise strikes and carries the elemental force of a cyclone.


    Effects:


    Windstrike ( Passive Effect ): Each sh with the Gale de has a chance to unleash a razor-sharp wind arc, dealing 40% of weapon damage to enemies within a 5-meter range.


    Light as Air ( Passive Effect ): Reduces weapon weight, increasing the user''s attack speed by 45%.


    Stormguard Aura ( Passive Effect ): Protects the user''s body and grants 30% resistance to wind-based attacks and effects. ]


    It may not have activated abilities, but having three passive effects was still quite incredible. Anyway, he felt using this weapon was appropriate to control the miasma that was trying to stick to him.


    After all, despite having Aura Sentinel, the miasma was still able to pass through it¡­


    However, the Stormguard Aura had the perfect effect to protect him.


    ''This sword is really light¡­'' Shane thought as he wasn''t used to wielding such light weapons.


    Anyway, he would only use this Gale de if he was alone inbat.


    The reason was simple: the passive effect, or the Windstrike, was quite dangerous to anyone near him as it couldn''t recognize a friend or foe.


    Whoosh¡­ Whossh¡­


    Shane then waved the sword a few times to adjust to its weight. This movement even triggered the Wind-Strike, which showed how dangerous this weapon could be.


    ''At least I don''t have to spend Spirit Points using this weapon.'' Shane thought¡­


    Soon, a trio of Toxic Zombies staggered toward him¡­@@novelbin@@


    These three were spewing green miasma with their outstretched arms¡­ As they moved, they left streaks of toxic sludge on the floor.


    Shane then moved swiftly with his Spectral Tracker to close the distance.


    ''Let''s be quick¡­''


    His figure then seemed to blur as he darted forward! With a quick downward slice, his de cleaved through the neck of the first zombie.


    [ You have eliminated a Toxic Zombie. ]


    ''Not much resistance but¡­''


    Thud!


    The severed head dropped to the ground, sttering green sludge. Toxic gas spurted from the stump, but Shane dodged back, letting the miasma settle.


    He then looked at his Gale de and felt relieved seeing how it wasn''t being corroded.


    Read new chapters at empire


    However, he knew that the corrosion power of this Toxic Zombie was a lot stronger than the Spitter Zombies.


    Graahh!


    Another Toxic Zombie closed in on him with its mouth wide open, emitting a nauseating stench.


    "Ugh¡­ This is bad¡­"


    Shane sidestepped and used his Aura to unleash his Energy Wave¡­


    With the sword''s natural affinity, the Energy Wave felt like it was imbued with wind-infused energy trailing from his de as he struck¡­


    Thud!


    The strike sliced through the creature''s torso, sending chunks of decayed flesh tumbling away.


    [ You have eliminated a Toxic Zombie. ]


    The wind helped disperse some of the poison, giving him a brief pocket of fresh air.


    But the zombies who should''ve seen this didn''t care and acted on their instinct upon sensing the presence of a human¡­


    Just like that, more of them advanced, groaning as they dragged themselves toward him.


    "Fine! Bring it on!" Shane shouted.


    Shane adjusted his grip, surveying the horde. His Poison Resistance dulled the effects of the toxic mist, but he could still feel the strain on his lungs, and each breath started to take more effort.


    ''Did I already inhale too much?'' Shane thought as he felt a bit worried.


    Nheless, he didn''t stop and continued fighting.


    With a swift motion, he activated Vortex Spin!


    It seemed to be perfect for this Gale de as the skill also sent a cyclone of slicing wind out from his de, ripping through the Toxic Zombies around him.


    Limbs and decayed flesh flew outward, spraying the chamber with noxious residue.


    OF course, the more he killed, the more dangerous it became inside.


    The green mist thickened as more Toxic Zombies died¡­ The stench was nearly overwhelming as well. But Shane maintained his focus, with the help of his Unstoppable Will''s effect.


    Soon, a particrlyrge Toxic Zombie, with its bloated arms and leaking sludge, appeared behind the Toxic Zombies¡­


    ''Is that the leader? No¡­ Maybe the Toxic King?'' Shane smiled seeing this¡­ He just saw what kind of loot he could get from such a special-tier Zombie. There was no way he wouldn''t feel excited.


    At first, he didn''t really want to stay long here since he felt that the Poison Resistance was starting to reach its limit. He wasn''t immune to Poison after all. He was mainly relying on his high vitality and his poison resistance¡­ However, he just couldn''t stop his greed at the moment.


    ''I have to make this quick then¡­''


    Shane thought as he pushed forward using his Veiled Steps and ignored the Toxic Zombies¡­


    Then, Shane used Double Thrust¡­ With the Gale de being used, this movement almost seemed like a single stroke, but he had already struck twice!


    Furthermore, Shane also used Force Breaker and Adrenal Burst on those strikes! This allowed him to use an explosive force with a simple movement!


    The de pierced through the creature''s swollen arm and then its chest, shattering its core with a brutal force!


    Boom!


    The creature then copsed as its green liquid poured from its wounds.


    [ You have eliminated a Poison King Zombie. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Poison King Zombie, a special-tier zombie! ]


    [ Hint: Only the first elimination of each Mid-Tier and above can provide special rewards! ]


    [ You have obtained the following rewards: Spirit Breakthrough Potion x5, Instant Experience Boost Potions x5, Zombie Cores x800, Skill Fusion Scroll x1, Panacea Potion x3 ]


    Shane didn''t read this as he swiftly looted the corpse before eliminating the rest of the Toxic Zombies.


    As he continued his assault, the toxic mist seemed to thicken, and he knew that it was already enough¡­


    Shane took a deep breath, steadying his heartbeat and conserving his strength. Thankfully, The remaining Toxic Zombies were clustered tightly, so clearing them up didn''t take that long¡­


    Then, as he rushed to the door, the people outside seemed to have noticed what he wanted to happen and swiftly opened it for him so he could safely dash away.

 Chapter 441 The Vein

    As Shane left the Toxic Zombie section, the door mmed shut behind him, and he took out a canteen from his inventory, sshing cool water over his face and clothes, washing away the toxic residue that clung stubbornly to his gear.


    "Whew¡­ That was dangerous¡­" Shane muttered as he really felt that he was about to sumb to the poison.


    He then looked up to see Ibrahim, Tieria, and the others, who had damp scarves covering their noses and mouths as a precaution.


    ''Right¡­ There''s that method.'' Shane mused.


    "Are you alright?" Ibrahim asked. Concern was evident in his voice as he eyed the sludgy water that pooled at Shane''s feet.


    Shane gave a weary nod. "I''m good. But don''t even think about going in there without full Poison Immunity, or you''ll end up like one of those Toxic Zombies yourself."


    He only had Poison Resistance and not Immunity, so he didn''t dare to stay longer in that ce.


    Nheless, the group shuddered after imagining themselves being helpless as they turned into Toxic Zombies.


    Even without entering the room, they could actually tell how dangerous the Toxic Zombies were. Furthermore, after seeing Shane return covered in sludge, none of them even thought of exploring it...


    It was already more than enough to know about this hidden dungeon¡­


    "Anyway, I''ll probably have Shinja clear this ce sometime." Shane muttered as Shinja possessed the Poison Vein, which gives himplete Immunity to poison.


    It was such a blessed physique for this type of dungeon.


    Anyway, Shane then gathered his team together, giving a quick debrief, and ultimately, they agreed that the underground zombie den was a challenge best left for another time.


    They would need more than just one level 50 fighter; they''d need a whole squad at that strength to even dare to venture further inside.


    "I guess we''ll just build a small resting area around this ce to ensure that no other Survivors would dare to explore this ce and take our treasures." Shane muttered.


    Everyone nodded since they knew that it was only a matter of time before they could build a squad that could brave this dungeon.


    After that, they soon climbed up and closed the metal door.


    Then, everyone turned to leave after covering the door with dirt and leaves¡­ They could start fencing this ce on the next day.


    Returning to Silver Mine Camp, they didn''t have a moment to settle in before one of the miners came sprinting up to Shane.


    "Lord Shane!" the miner panted, his eyes were filled with excitement¡­


    This made Shane heave a sigh of relief since it didn''t seem to be bad news at all.


    As he waited for the man to speak, Shane confirmed that his guess was right.


    "Sir Mew is looking for you in the mine. He said it''s urgent!"


    "Oh? What''s going on?" Shane asked, intrigued.


    The miner nced around before leaning closer, whispering, "It seems we''ve struck something... unusual. This ce might be more than just a simple silver mine."


    A thrill ran through Shane as he nced back at his team, nodding to dismiss them to rest.


    Then he followed the miner down into the depths of the mine, curious about what they had uncovered.


    ''Is it another type of ore? Perhaps another dungeon?'' Shane mused as he continued moving.


    They walked through narrow corridors and past walls gleaming with silver veins until, deep in the heart of the mine, they reached a massive, open chamber.


    ''They really opened up something¡­'' Shane thought as he knew very well that there wasn''t anything like this yesterday.


    Anyway, the cavern was illuminated by a radiant, ethereal glow emanating from clusters of stones embedded in the walls.


    "Hmmm?"


    These stones were a vivid blue, shining with an inner light that illuminated the room.


    ''Beautiful¡­'' Hemented in his mind. He was still unsure what these stones are¡­


    Anyway, Shane immediately recognized Mew standing nearby with a handful of miners, all mesmerized by the sight.


    As he stepped inside the cavern, a system message appeared before him in a faintly glowing text.


    [ Congrattions! You have discovered the Spirit Vein within your territory. ]


    [ Spirit Vein: A rare and powerful underground formation born from the mutated energy of a world filled with life and death. The Spirit Vein is a reservoir of pure spirit energy. This potent energy, stored in crystalline Spirit Stones, can be harvested to fuel high-level skills, enchantments, and rituals.


    [ Spirit Veins are rarely found and fiercely coveted, as they provide a renewable source of spirit energy critical for advanced Survivors. ]


    [ Effects:


    Resource Type: Provides Medium-Grade Spirit Stones and, rarely, High-Grade Spirit Stones, significantly boosting spirit energy supply for those able to extract and utilize them.


    Regeneration Rate: Gradually replenishes Spirit Stones over time, making it a sustainable but limited resource.


    Environmental Influence: Causes minor spirit energy saturation in the surrounding area, affecting low-resistance entities with light fatigue over prolonged exposure. ]


    "Spirit Vein?" Shane muttered, scanning the chamber with interest¡­


    To be honest, he already had some sort of idea about the Spirit Veins'' existence. After all, he already used Spirit Stones before.


    He even has hundreds of Low-Grade Spirit Stones in his possession. However, he didn''t expect that his silver mine would actually produce such a great resource for him!


    Now, this made him decide to double, or even triple, the defense that he nned for this camp. He needed to ensure that this ce would never be taken by the Vampires or destroyed by the Zombies.


    This ce would make him the wealthiest Survivor, and he just needed some time to do it!


    After all, unlike the Silver Ores, which could hardly be sold unless they were already processed as swords or weapons, the Spirit Stones could be easily sold since everyone uses Spirit Points and wants to recover them safely.


    During his time in the Fairy Realm, there was also a concept of Spirit Veins, but because he wasn''t a Territory Lord of that time, he couldn''t have an ess to it.@@novelbin@@


    Perhaps the Spirit Veins were also within the A.I. Rebellion''s world, but because of the path he had taken, he didn''t have a chance to find them.


    "Ahem¡­ These aren''t your average Spirit Stones¡­ They''re Mid-Grade Spirit Stones like what the description said¡­" he murmured after picking up one of the smooth, cool stones from the floor. He marveled at its weight, feeling the energy within it.


    "These Spirit Stones were indeed more potent than the ones you distributed, Lord Shane." Mew whispered. He wasn''t looking down on the stones he received from Shane, but it was simply his genuine thought.


    "We weren''t sure at first, but when we got close, we felt the energy simr to the ones you have given to us¡­" Mew added. Well, he didn''t seem to receive the system''s confirmation that they found the Spirit Vein, unlike Shane''s system.


    Shane gripped the Spirit Stone tighter, sensing the raw, concentrated spirit energy inside.


    He really felt excited about this.


    "You''re right, Mew¡­ We''ll split our miners then¡­ Form a group that will mine these Spirit Stones. Don''t worry. I will recruit more peopleter, so there might be a few helpers who can help mine this Spirit Vein." Shane said. He decided to use most of his remaining recruitment stones to increase the number of residents of this camp.


    The miners felt excited after hearing that they might have more people here soon.


    Shane then continued to exin the importance of this Spirit Vein and his ns to protect it. For that, he needed to ensure the integrity of these tunnels and decided to reinforce the path¡­


    The miners let out murmurs of excitement as they began to understand the true weight of the discovery. If they could extract these stones safely and store them, the camp would not only gain immense resources but also strengthen its fighters significantly.


    Having stronger fighters means having a safer camp, after all.


    "Is it safe to just mine them? Do we need special equipment" Mew asked, casting a wary nce at the stones. He was actually worried that smashing them with a pickaxe would make these stones explode, and that was thest thing he wanted to happen.


    Of course, this wasn''t a baseless guess.


    "The energy here is¡­ overwhelming. Some of the younger miners felt faint after just a few minutes." He added.


    "Good question." Shane ran his fingers over the stone walls, focusing on the energy flow around them. "The energy here is dense, which could affect people without enough resistance to Spirit Energy. Make sure only experienced miners enter this area, and they should work in short shifts. And we''ll need to guard this area carefully¡­ I''lle up with a solution to mine them safely." he added, ncing back at Mew. Discover hidden tales at empire


    Anyway, Shane also had to make sure that no outsiders would know about this ce since if word spreads that they found a Spirit Vein, it could draw unwanted attention.

 Chapter 442 Projects

    After giving a few instructions, Shane continued to examine the stones.


    He mentally calcted the significant boost this Spirit Vein could supply to them. If managed well, it would elerate his camp''s growth and give them a strategic advantage against all their enemies.


    ''I hope I can make machines that can be powered by Spirit Stones.'' Shane mused.


    Then, Shane''s eyes lit up. Indeed, his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent should have a method to use the Spirit Stones as fuel¡­ Perhaps he just needed to pay more, and the Anima Store might give him something.


    ''I should explore thister on¡­'' Shane thought to himself.


    Anyway, before leaving, he turned back to the miners. "Let''s keep this quiet for now. We''ll reveal it only when we''re ready to defend this ce. Until then, consider this Spirit Vein our camp''s greatest secret."


    "Yes, Lord Shane!" The miners replied.


    ***


    Shane then realized that it was time to visit the two kids.


    After leaving the mining site, he turned to a small building behind one of the trailer trucks.


    Shane then entered this small workshop. Then, he couldn''t help but smile as he saw Rylen and Aria busy with their tasks.


    The two twelve-year-old kids or so were fully immersed,ughing softly while they carved small tokens from smooth acacia wood. Each token bore a simple tree design.


    This design wasn''t Shane''s decision¡­ However, Diana suggested this since she said that it embodies their camp''s endurance and growth amidst the apocalypse.


    Furthermore, the design wasn''t too difficult to carve as well.


    Noticing a personing in, Aria looked up¡­


    Her face lit up as she noticed him. "Oh! Brother Shane! You''re here!" she eximed, setting down her carving tool.


    Shane actually told them to just address him as their older brother instead of lord.


    "Yes¡­ How are you?"


    Shane asked as his eyes drifted to a carefully organized stash of tokens stacked in wooden trays along the workbench. There had to be at least five hundred of them. The sheer number was impressive, and it shows the kids'' dedication.


    "You two have been busy. That''s quite the stash!" he remarked with a grin.


    Aria beamed proudly. "Well, Sister Diana and some of the others stopped by to help every now and then. It''s been really fun," she said as her smile brightened even more.


    She already learned how to adjust to their situation and was no longer as shy as before. Well, as long as they don''t face those nasty zombies, she shouldn''t have a panic attack.


    "I see," Shane nodded, pleased to hear that the kids had found some friendship with the other survivors. "But listen, you don''t need to push yourselves too hard. There''s no pressure here¡ªif you ever feel like taking a break, feel free to head out and enjoy yourselves."


    Shane just wanted to be kind, but the two actually shuddered.


    It seemed as if they recalled the faces of the zombies outside.


    Rylen shook his head firmly. "It''s okay, Brother Shane. We want to help everyone who''s out there fighting against those nasty zombies. This feels like something we can do," he replied with a determined spark in his eye.


    Of course, the two of them also had unique skills, and they had to visit the mining site from time to time, but most of the time, they would end up here or in their living quarters.


    Shane couldn''t help but feel a swell of pride for them.


    Despite their age, they had found a purpose and were channeling their energy into something valuable for themunity.


    ''They''re young but notzy¡­ Nice¡­'' Shanemented in his mind.


    He reached over to pick up a few of the tokens, running his fingers over the carefully etched designs. They were sturdy and finely crafted, each imbued with a level of care that could onlye from people who enjoyed what they were doing¡­


    ''They''ve improved their skills. Did they get some woodworking skills after doing this for so long?'' Shane thought.


    Anyway, Shane decided to give them a gift for now.


    "Actually, I could use a couple of these right now," Shane said.


    Then he chose two of the best-made tokens and ced them on the workbench in front of Rylen and Aria. "You''ve done great work, and I think it''s time these tokens gave something back."


    "Hmm?" The two kids were confused.


    To be honest, they had no idea why they were making these tokens at all. They guessed that it would be used as some form of currency, but they kind of doubted it since everyone could easily make it.


    In the end, they decided not to think too much of it as it was hard to guess.


    However, after hearing Shane''s words, it seemed as if these tokens could give something to them.


    ''But isn''t this just a normal carved wood?'' Aria thought as she looked at Shane and confirmed that he was serious.


    Anyway, the kids watched curiously as Shane concentrated, channeling his energy into the tokens.


    Needless to say, Shane was already using his ability.


    He invoked his Skill Infuser Talent and focused on two skills: Aura Sentinel and Phantasm Rush.


    It can be used for protection, healing, and escaping. A perfect item for these two kids.


    Slowly, the tokens began to glow faintly as his energy flowed into them, and within moments, they shimmered with a barely visible, pulsing aura before returning to normal.


    "What¡­what just happened?" Rylen asked, his eyes wide with amazement.@@novelbin@@


    "These tokens are now infused with special abilities," Shane exined, handing each of them one of the tokens.


    "The one you''re holding has Aura Sentinel and Phantasm Rush Skills. These aren''t skills you''ll use every day, but they''re there if you ever need them. You should be able to see their abilities as well." Shane said that he knew that they should also have some ess to the system.


    The kids then nodded as they did what they were told.


    [ Acacia''s Mystic Protection Token: A finely carved token from acacia wood, bearing the engraved symbol of a tree. Infused with both


    Aura Sentinel


    and


    Phantasm Rush


    . Activated by spending a small amount of Spirit Points, this token could grant several effects.


    Effect:


    Sustained Protection: Envelops the user in a regenerative aura that alerts to any hostile presence within a 50-meter radius, all while boosting agility and stealth.


    Stealthy Move: The bearer gains heightened awareness of dangers nearby and bes a near-invisible figure in any terrain, able to scale surfaces with ease and rapidly retreat if needed.


    Activation Cost: 10 Spirit Points per minute Enjoy new adventures from empire


    Usage: 50


    Remarks: created by Shadow Strider ]


    "Awesome!"


    The kids were ecstatic, turning the tokens over in their hands and marveling at their craft that had turned into something incredible.


    Aria''s face lit up, and she quickly hugged Shane. "Thank you so much, Brother Shane! We''ll take good care of them!"


    Rylen nodded firmly, clenching the token in his hand. "I''ll make sure to keep it with me always."


    Shane gave them a warm smile, feeling content that they were happy¡ªand a little more protected. He then took the remaining trays of tokens and stacked them carefully in his arms.


    "Well, I''ll leave you two to get back to work¡­ Oh, you can also take your break now¡­" he said, heading for the door. "I''ve got some infusing to do myself. Thank you again for all of this¡ªit''s a big help."


    "Good luck, Brother Shane!" Aria called out as he left, and Rylen gave him a thumbs-up.


    Back in his room, Shane set the trays down and began the careful process of infusing skill after skill into the tokens.


    Anyway, now that he had unlimited ess to Spirit Points, he no longer had to worry about the terrible Spirit Recovery Rate of his body.


    Right now, he has the ability to abuse his Skill Infuser Talent thoroughly! There was no way he would miss this chance¡­


    ''I should probably ask the others to work on more tokens.'' Shane thought as he wasn''t initially in a hurry to make a lot of tokens since he knew that his limit Spirit Points wouldn''t allow him to make tons of them.


    However, everything had suddenly changed after the discovery of the Spirit Vein.


    Now, he could easily gather a lot of money by selling these tokens that could literally save the lives of Survivors. Well, of course, he had to consider the people who would deserve to obtain them if he ever nned to send them outside.


    For now, he had to supply his own camps.


    Shane then took his time, considering each skill he''d infuse and thinking of the situations where they''d be most useful.


    In the end, he decided to make 400 tokens with Aura Sentinel and Phantasm Rush since they were the most practical out there. Then, he made 50 items with Poison Resistance and Armored Dash, and the rest of the Tokens to have Underground Burrow and Predator''s Edge¡­

 Chapter 444 Silver Mine Camps Core Talents

    After tending to the thirty newly recruited artisans, farmers, andborers, Shane passed them over to others who could further assist them in their daily tasks.


    Then, Shane pulled out two Rare Recruitment Stones from his inventory. These stones were emerald green, just like the ones he purchased from the wandering merchant before.


    Shane had rarely used Rare Recruitment Stones before, so he was eager to see what kind of talents they would bring to his growing camp.


    ording to the description, these stones could help him summon a decent survivor with good talent. This description was vague but knowing that it wasn''t bad, terrible, or dangerous was more than enough.


    As he activated the first stone, a familiar gray fog began to swirl outside the camp¡­ Once again, the gray fog thickened and it obscured everything.


    Momentster, the fog receded, leaving behind a tall, silver-haired man in his early forties. He was d in sturdy, leather gear and carried a belt of small tools and strange vials hanging from it.


    ''Mhmm? Those vials¡­'' Shane immediately had a guess based on the man''s appearance. However, he decided to keep his silence and waited for the man to introduce himself.@@novelbin@@


    Anyway, this person seemed to assessing the ce he had entered as well. Based on his expression, it was as if he would leave this ce if he realized that his living conditions would be bad.


    Nheless, Shane could guess that he was someone ustomed to navigating difficult situations. His posture was that of a man who had seen much and survived it all through skill and grit.


    Anyway, it didn''t take that long before he introduced himself.


    "Name''s Aric Fletch," He said after approaching Shane. Aside from that, he also offered a steady, confident handshake.


    "Herbalist and Apothecary, at your service. Been dealing with rare nts, medicines, and poisons most of my life, so I''d say I can handle a bit of this apocalyptic nonsense."


    Shane couldn''t hide his satisfaction.


    He had Anna and other experts in Springriver Manor. However, hecked someone simr to Anna in this ce.


    Most of them are reliant on his Healing Tokens and the diluted blood of Roan.


    ''Perfect¡­'' Shane thought.


    An herbalist-apothecary was a rare find and would be invaluable for creating remedies, antidotes, and possibly even new forms of offense. With the unpredictable threats they faced, Aric''s skills could make all the difference.


    "Wee, Aric," Shane replied. "We have an increasing need for your expertise. There are toxins and strange gues spreading among the zombies¡ªand not many around here who can handle them. You''ll be a lifesaver." Shane said as he recalled the Toxic Zombie''s section in the Zombie Lord''s Territory.


    Aric nodded. He knew very well how rare his profession was.


    Although he was terrible when it came to fighting Zombies, he could be considered to be one of the best support for those who were in the front lines.


    "Just show me where to set up a workspace. I''ll need a proper herb garden, some specific nts if you have any, and a few quiet ces to gather samples from the surrounding woods." Aric demanded.


    Shane smiled, seeing how enthusiastic the man was as he immediately requested what he needed to work.


    With a nod, Shane asked Lysandra to assist Aric with the requests that he made.


    Shane no longer hesitated as he held up the second Rare Recruitment Stone, repeating the activation process. The gray fog appeared once more, and as it cleared, a short, muscr woman appeared, standing confidently with a hammer slung over her shoulder.


    ''Ahhh¡­


    Her curly hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and her clothes were covered in grime and burn marks. It was an unmistakable sign of a skilled craftsperson.


    "Magda Ironsmith," she introduced herself with a proud grin. "cksmith and Weaponsmith. I''ve crafted weapons for mercenaries and defenses for towns. I know my way around metal¡ªand if there''s anything that needs forging, I can probably make it better than it was."


    Unlike the ones recruited through normal Recruitment Stones, the ones in the Rare Recruitment Stones or higher had a better understanding of their situation. Shane liked these people who knew how to take initiative in such matters.


    ''Perfect¡­'' Shane muttered as their current cksmith would actually have another helper and this one was even a professional.


    ''Right¡­ The production of the silver weapons would be faster now.''


    Shane''s eyes lit up. A weaponsmith of Magda''s caliber was an incredible asset.


    ''This is perfect!''


    With her talent, the camp could produce high-quality weaponry, something they sorely needed. Magda''s arms looked strong, and Shane could tell she was no stranger to the demands of her trade.


    Read exclusive chapters at empire


    "Ahem¡­ Wee, Magda. We''ve been lucky with resources, but high-quality weapons are still in short supply. We''ll need your expertise to equip everyone here." Shane said. After all, he indeed has several more special alloys and ores in his inventory that haven''t been used yet.


    Magda showed a grin on her face after seeing how Shane reacted despite being the lord of a huge camp.


    "Alright¡­ Just point me to the smithy¡ªor the nearest scrap metal pile. It''s been a really long time since I entered a forge¡­ I''ll have something deadly forged up by the end of the day."


    ''Aric and Magda¡­ These two are indeed good recruits¡­ However, it seems that nonbants weremon among normal and rare Recruitment Stones.'' Shane thought to himself.


    Anyway, he was still happy with this result since he knew that these two would make an enormous difference in the camp''s growth.


    But he wasn''t done yet; he reached for the Master Recruitment Stone, a vibrant, yellow stone andpared to a Rare Recruitment Stone, this one had a higher density in terms of Spiritual Energy.


    Nheless, after activation, the gray fog returned, this time heavier than ever before. It one against gathered outside of the camp.


    It felt as if the gray fog was actually a forming storm cloud with the power it exuded.


    However, after reaching its critical stage, it simply dissipated¡­


    What reced the fog was a tall figure of a man¡­


    This person somehow remind Shane of Mr. Wadsworth, the butlerof the Springriver Manor and manager of the workers.


    This man was dressed in dark, elegant robes adorned with silver thread¡­


    "This is a fine shelter." The man muttered to himself.


    Shane observed the man who had midnight-blue eyes. It was strange eyes since it was as if he could see into one''s very soul. With his long, dark hair and graceful bearing, he looked more like a noble schr than a battle-worn survivor like the ones he knew.


    Of course, his aura was unmistakably powerful. However, what impressed Shane was how the man could control the auraing off of his body.


    "My name is Jules Ashwind," he announced in a smooth, deep voice. "You can think of me as a Schr of Magic Arts. My knowledge lies in ancient magic and protective wards. I believe I was summoned to help defend this ce and guide it toward prosperity."


    Shane was taken aback by Jules''s presence. He could sense that Jules''s power was leagues above most others he''d encountered.


    ''Magic Arts, huh¡­'' Shane felt that this Zombie Apocalypse was getting out of control. Nheless, he knew that this was happening for a reason.


    After all, this world was already amodating a powerful creature that should be here, the Vampire. Furthermore, there was also foreign Survivors who had entered their Apocalypse World which now they call as a Wild Shelters.


    Anyway, Shane was still d since his mastery of magic would not only strengthen their defenses but also offer a strategic edge they sorely needed.


    "Wee, Jules. I''m not sure how great you are, but we''ve been needing someone with your¡­ skillset. There''s much I want to discuss with you¡ªespecially about those Necromancers that shouldn''t be here.''


    Jules gave a slight nod. Although he was still unsure about the matters Shane mentioned, he knew what he had to do.


    "I will dly offer my expertise. I may also be able to teach those in your camp withtent magical abilities, should they exist."


    "That would be great. Please tell me which of them had talents so we can transfer them to you." Shane said after some thought.


    Just from these new recruits, Shane felt his camp evolving into something far greater than it had been. Aric''s expertise in remedies, Magda''s skill in weaponsmithing, and Jules''s magic mastery were exactly the talents he needed to expand his camp''s strength and survival chance.


    ''My Silver Camp is almost all set¡­''


    Shane muttered as these were the kinds of people who would help him transform this camp into a thriving stronghold¡­ He felt really excited right now.


    Shane considered his inventory. Two Epic Recruitment Stones and one Legendary Recruitment Stone remained.


    With these remaining stones, his camp''s future had never looked so promising.


    ''I''ll probablyck some recruitment stones once I build my third Shelter, but this should be alright.


    Shane muttered as he still had ns to build another Shelter in the north.

 Chapter 445 Becoming the Strongest Survivor

    Meanwhile, as Shane was trying toplete the foundation of his Silver Mine Camp before he left for Sector 20, the other top-ranking Survivors were also doing their tasks to strengthen themselves.


    Asad, known as the Raven Guard in the rankings, stood atop the watchtower of his fortress in the desert. The golden sands stretched endlessly around him, and he felt proud of being the strongest in this zone.


    His dark, flowing robes swayed lightly in the dry wind¡­ His Dark Magician Set was already tier 5 and this added to the strange aura around him.@@novelbin@@


    Anyway, he wasn''t focused on the scenery in front of him. Instead, his eyes examined the ancient map spread on the table before him. The map was aged and worn but detailed enough to mark a crucial location in an area he suspected to be Sector 20. It was a distant area that Asad and many other Survivors like him had never explored.


    A note scribbled on the map revealed the existence of an item capable of producing a Zombie Virus Vine¡ªa tool that could shift the tide of the apocalypse and bring him immense recognition in the Survivor Rankings.


    ''I''m sure that the system will reward if I really find this thing.'' He mused.


    But Sector 20 was far, dangerously so, beyond the boundaries of his current territory. The foundation he built up here with v plenty of money and time would just be wasted if he tried moving.


    Furthermore, moving his entire fortress and its intricatework of undead defenses seemed nearly impossible without drawing significant attention, especially from the remaining hostile forces.


    After all, he couldn''t just cancel the summoning of the thousand Undead Creatures he currently has. If he did that, he would have to redo everything, and it would take a lot of time with his limited Spirit Points.


    Well, with the Tome of the Dead that he obtained after the third Zombie Wave, he was able to control an unlimited amount of Undead Creatures. However, since he doesn''t have unlimited Spirit Points, the undead army that he had was still not a huge one.


    Furthermore, even if he doesn''t have a limit with the Undead Creatures under his control, his mind is incapable of controlling all of them at once.


    As Asad mulled over his options, a scout undead¡ªa raven made of skeletal fragments and blue mes, returned to him with an urgent message.


    "Master," the bird rasped, its spectral voice echoing faintly in his mind.


    "Hostiles approach. Seven Necromancers. They bear their armies of death."


    Asad''s eyes narrowed. Hostile Necromancers in his desert?


    Uneptable.


    ''The hidden Wild Shelters are finally on the move.'' Asad thought.


    He actually knew that there were Wild Shelter around since he was able to scout other Skeletons or Ghouls that he didn''t own killing Zombies. However, he couldn''t find their bases, as they were probably hidden beneath the sand.


    Looking for their base was basically impossible unless he risked getting his base''s defenses thinned. It was something he couldn''t do as he relied on his massive army to defeat any intruders.


    Thankfully, these Necromancers seemed to have realized how powerful he was already and gathered together in hopes of eliminating him. However, that was also what he was waiting for.


    "Prepare the defenses," Asadmanded as a smile appeared on his lips.


    It was perfect timing¡­


    "These Necromancers would be the answer to my problem." Asad whispered.


    Below, his fortress sprang to life¡ªor, rather, unlife.


    Undead workers dropped their tools, shambling into position. cksmiths left their forges to reinforce the gates with hastily crafted barriers. Skeleton archers took up defensive positions along the ramparts, and hulking flesh golems moved to the front lines, awaiting orders.


    "There''s really seven of them, huh¡­" Asad muttered as he looked outside.


    The seven Necromancers emerged over the dunes. Each of them was nked by their own undead armies. Their forces included Bone Behemoths, massive skeletons bound with cursed iron¡­


    There were also gue Hounds. They were quite simr to the Zombie Wolves. They were rotting, canine-shaped undead dripping with toxic green sludge.


    Aside from that, they also have Ghoul Swarms. They are probably the most troublesome undead because of their agility.


    Lastly, the Shadow Wraiths. They were dark, incorporeal entities that flickered in and out of sight. They were extremely scary against other Survivors, but in his opinion, these Shadow Wraiths were the easiest ones to deal with.


    ''I guess this will be a lot easier than I thought¡­'' Asad thought.


    The enemy Necromancers stood behind their forces, shrouded in dark cloaks and wielding glowing staves.


    One of them, a tall woman with an aura of searing malice, stepped forward. Continue your journey on empire


    "Asad¡­" she called mockingly. "You''ve grown toofortable in your fortress. The time hase for you to fall. You''re a disgrace among Necromancers!"


    To Asad''s surprise, these Necromancers were aware of his name. Furthermore, thenguage was something he had no idea about but he could actually understand them.


    "I''ve no idea how you know my name, but I''ll show you that I''m not a disgrace! I''m the strongest Necromancer!


    Asad then raised a hand, and the air around him grew colder.


    "You have made a grave mistakeing here," he replied. His voice wasn''t loud, but the weight behind it carried frightening intent.


    As soon as the battle started, the desert erupted into chaos as the two armies shed.


    Asad unleashed his army, which he called the Ebon Legions, a force of undead that could even withstand six hordes of the Zombie Wave. Aside from the normal Skeleton Warriors, Raven Familiars and others, he had some unique undead creatures within the Legion.


    These undead creatures were Shadow Stalkers. They were skeleton assassins cloaked in dark energy, striking with bone daggers.


    They were supported by Blight Hulks. They were massive undead amalgamations, stitched together from dozens of corpses, resistant to both magic and physical attacks. These Hulks were his answer whenever he saw Tyrant Zombies or Zombies with simr levels of physical strength.


    Then, with the reward he obtained in the previous Boss Raid Event, he could now use Bone Spires. They were stationary skeletal constructs that fired shards of bone-like artillery.


    Finally, he summoned Soulbound Phantoms. They were ethereal warriors, capable of phasing through enemies to attack their souls directly. They were his answers to his enemies''s Shadow Wraiths!


    Just one Soulbound Phantom could actually kill hundreds of Shadow Wraiths¡­ With dozens of them around, those Shadow Wraiths would have to flee if they wanted tost longer!


    "Come!" Asad shouted¡­ These seven necromancers were certainly thest enemies he had to control the desert fully.


    He wanted to be the king of thisnd, and they were thest obstacles!


    Asad watched as gue Hounds rushed forward. Their toxic sludge seemed really overwhelming as they started melting the first line of his skeletal warriors. In response, Asadmanded his Shadow Stalkers to intercept them¡­


    Then, the enemy''s Bone Behemoths smashed through barricades, but Asad''s Blight Hulks met them in brutal meleebat¡­ With these creatures fighting, the surroundings started trembling as each blow had a force that could shake the ground.


    At the same time, the enemy necromancers realized the strength of Asad''s army and ordered their Shadow Wraiths to nk Asad¡­ However, his Soulbound Phantoms intercepted them mid-air, killing dozens of them in the blink of an eye.


    High above, Asad''s Raven Familiars circled, feeding him real-time information about the battlefield.


    ''This is easy¡­'' He thought¡­


    With precisemands, he shifted his forces, exploiting weaknesses in the enemy''s strategy.


    After observing for a while, Asad finally stepped into the fray himself, wielding his Necrotic Lance, a weapon forged from the bones of a cursed dragon¡­


    With every strike, it drained energy from the enemy and reinforced his Spiritual Force!


    One of the enemy Necromancers, a wiry man with glowing green eyes, sent a wave of Exploding Ghouls toward Asad.


    The ghouls detonated on impact, leaving craters in the ground.


    However, Asad raised his hand, summoning a Soul Ward, a shimmering barrier that absorbed the sts and left him unscathed.


    "Your tricks are pathetic," Asad sneered, his free hand conjuring a wave of dark energy that disintegrated the remaining ghouls.


    One by one, the enemy Necromancers fell.


    Asad''s Blight Hulks crushed the enemy''s summons while his Soulbound Phantoms cleared up all Shadow Wraiths and Ghoul Swarms.


    Asad himself incapacitated the Necromancer''s leader with his Necrotic Lance, binding her with chains forged from her own undead energy.


    The remaining Necromancers, seeing their doom, wanted to flee, but in the end, they were all captured!


    Asad had no ns of killing them from the very start!


    Since he couldn''t recruit Necromancers through Recruitment Stones, he could only capture other Necromancers and make them his with his Mind-Controlling Ability!


    This was a perfect answer to his problem, especially with his mind-controlling ability, which could only be achieved by people practicing this Dark Arts!


    ''With these seven Necromancers under mymand, I''ll be the strongest Survivor!''

 Chapter 446: Invitations

    After some time, Asad stood amidst the wreckage; his army was obviously victorious, and the enemy waspletely defeated.


    The seven Necromancers were bound by his magic, their mystical staves shattered, and their powers were currently sealed.


    ¡¯This Tome of the Dead is really awesome¡­¡¯ Asad thought as he felt really powerful right now. He didn¡¯t even mind if a Zombie Wave suddenly targeted his territory.


    Looking at the seven Necromancers, he couldn¡¯t help but feel proud of himself.


    Asad knew that even if he wasn¡¯t the Rank 1 Survivor, it might be because of his own strength. He might have lower strength, agility, and vitalitypared to Shadow Strider. However, he believed that he should be the strongest in terms of their army.


    He believed that Shane or Shadow Strider shouldn¡¯t have any ability like him to create an unlimited army of creatures.


    ¡¯I wonder who will win if we fight against each other.¡¯ He mused.


    Anyway, Asad shook his head to erase his random thoughts and wickedly smiled at the Necromancers.


    "You dared to challenge a Necromancer in his domain," Asad spoke mockingly. His voice was cold as he was about to do something that should be forbidden.


    "Now, you will serve me¡ªor be consumed by my legions." Asad said. Although his Tome could brainwash the Necromancers forcefully, he would have to spend a lot of effort or Spirit Points to do that.


    The captured Necromancers, beaten and on the verge of death, had no choice but to bow.


    Thankfully, these Necromancers somehow had a desire to live. No, to be exact, it seemed as if they only epted his spell since he was a fellow Necromancer.


    The only thing he didn¡¯t like about this Tome¡¯s effect was that they would forget most of their past and only knew how to serve him better.


    It means that he couldn¡¯t ask them about their origin or other things that weren¡¯t rted to Necromancy.


    With his enemies subdued, Asad returned to his fortress.


    The map to Sector 20y on his desk¡­ He stared at it for a while before closing his eyes¡­


    Then, as soon as he opened his eyes, his decision was already made.


    ¡¯I should move and get more achievements recognized by the system¡­ I also have to find those Treasure Chests.¡¯ He thought.


    On the next day, Asad called for his most trusted recruits and undead generals.


    "We are leaving the desert to conquer another territory." Asad announced. None of them were surprised as they simply awaited his instructions.


    "But this fortress will not fall in my absence."


    He turned to the five strongest of the captured Necromancers. Each one was already bound by powerful oaths of servitude thanks to his Tome, so he wasn¡¯t worried about leaving them here.


    These individuals had shown skills andmanding abilities¡ªtraits Asad could mold and use.


    "You five will remain here," He said, pacing before them.


    "You are to maintain the defenses, manage the resources, and ensure that no one, living or undead, breaches these walls. Fail me, and your souls will fuel my legions." He spoke coldly. However, he couldn¡¯t really do that if he was too far away from them.


    The five Necromancers bowed their heads without showing any reluctance. Well, they were certainly happy not to have a boss supervising them every day.


    Of course, these five Necromancers may be capable of summoning undead creatures but they weren¡¯tparable to the ones he had.


    So to bolster the fortress further, Asad left behind a significant portion of his undead forces, including Blight Hulks to guard the gates, Bone Spires strategically ced as defensive artillery, Soulbound Phantoms to patrol the perimeter for intruders, and some Undead Laborers to keep production and maintenance ongoing.


    @@novelbin@@


    After arranging this, he believed that his fortress was still imprable. Unless he was attacked by huge and powerful Survivor ns like Drakeheart Vanguard, New Haven, Blue Moon n, and Shane¡¯s Eclipse Revenant, he believed this Shelter would still be fine until he returned.


    For the journey, Asad chose a smaller but highly mobile army since he could just save enough Spirit Points for huge and slow-moving undead and summon them once needed.


    Anyway, he took a dozen Shadow Stalkers for stealth and reconnaissance, four Blight Hulks for brute strength that will protect their backs, a handful of Soulbound Phantoms for support, and others¡­


    Apanying him were two of the seven captured Necromancers. They were those who were at least capable of summoning a Lich. After all, he believed that he needed the elemental abilities of the Lich in his journey.


    "You two will prove your worth," Asad said, his gaze locking on them. "If you falter, you¡¯ll join the ranks of my undead. Do not test me." Asad said sternly. After all, even if they were brainwashed to just follow him, it doesn¡¯t mean that they would not fear their enemies.


    "Yes, Master Asad," they replied in unison, their voices trembling slightly but steady enough to show their determination to survive.


    ***


    Soon, the desert stretched endlessly before them as Asad and his chosen forces departed the fortress.


    "I hope my decision is correct." Asad muttered to himself as he wasn¡¯t sure what kind of challenges he would face to reach Sector 20.


    After all, he was fully aware from the chat that the New Haven n was expanding its territory and was also advancing to Sector 20.


    The New Haven n was the worst opponent for him since he knew about one of their Survivors with Legendary Talent called Archbishop¡­ Enjoy new tales from empire


    This Survivor¡¯s talent could actually allow them to give blessings to a limited number of people to make them priests. In short, this n led by Natalie was capable of defeating his undead army since he believed that they had plenty of Priests among them.


    ¡¯There¡¯s no point worrying about that. Since they¡¯re fellow Survivors, they might even choose to join me instead of making me their enemy.¡¯ Asad thought to himself as he looked at above him.


    The zing sun reflected off the sand, creating an almost ethereal glow.


    But Asad was ultimately unbothered by the heat; his dark robes and necromantic aura seemed to repel the oppressive climate.


    Then, he observed his group with more than two hundred creatures¡­ Although there was a lot of them, they were really organized as the group moved as a seamless unit.


    There were no chatters or whispers as their path was marked by an eerie silence.


    Well, it wasn¡¯t surprising, considering the nature of his summons.


    Shadow Stalkers scouted ahead, vanishing into the sands to ensure the way was clear.


    The two Necromancers walked a respectful distance behind Asad, asionally raising undead sentries from buried remains they could find to secure their nks. Most of the remains were already skeletons, so they could only animate them.


    They weren¡¯t strong, but just enough to act as sentries in case the enemies approached.


    The journey to Sector 20 would take several weeks, and none of them knew what kind of obstacles they would face.


    They could be hostile Survivors, wandering zombie hordes, Wild Shelters, and others¡­ But Asad somehow felt excited about this journey.


    Asad then checked his Chatboard as he recalled the people he had chatted before. Apparently, he was searching for an advanced Shelter Crystal since the Necromancers he captured only had Beginner Shelter Crystals with them.


    Soon, he saw a message from Lesley Cotton, one of the strongest survivors, who had a Legendary Talent called Petrifying Gaze.


    [ Lesley: My friends noticed that you¡¯re leaving your territory. What¡¯s going on? ]


    Asad smirked after seeing this. He knew about the Desert Eagles that were flying above his fortress. They were the familiars of Lesley¡¯s subordinate. He could do nothing about it since they could fly too high, but nheless, they could only observe things outside the Shelter.


    Anyway, he had a friendly rtionship with Lesley and two other powerful Survivors.


    [ Asad: I¡¯m heading to Sector 20¡­ I think there¡¯s something good there. ]


    Asad said. He didn¡¯t mind revealing this, considering several other survivors seemed to be heading there.


    [ Lesley: This item in Sector 20 seemed popr. I heard it was a Diamond Treasure Chest. Some said it was a Vine¡­ I even learned from a wandering merchant that the strongest Zombie is out there. It¡¯s filled with opportunity but also danger¡­ You have to be careful. ]


    [ Lesley: Anyway, do you think there¡¯s a vine there? ]


    [ Asad: What I think is irrelevant. Whatever treasure is there, if it exists, I will im it. ]


    On the other side, Lesley couldn¡¯t help but smile after seeing this confident reply from Asad. Now, she had finally decided to head over to that Sector¡­


    Since some of the strongest Survivors are trying to move there with various clues that they found, she couldn¡¯t just allow them to take all the opportunities.


    ¡¯If I¡¯m thinking of this¡­ I guess even the Shadow Strider is heading to that ce as well¡­¡¯ Lesley thought as she couldn¡¯t help but frown at this unfriendly Survivor who wouldn¡¯t reply to her messages or invitation to an alliance.

 Chapter 447: The Clan鈥檚 Alliance and Shane鈥檚 Recruit

    Lesley Cotton, one of the strongest survivors and a member of the Overlord n, tried inviting Shane to join their Alliance several times. This Alliance of ns would allow them to share multiple resources they could produce and trade within the Alliance.


    This was only avable for ns who have reached level 5¡­


    Even if Lesley already mentioned that there were a total of 12 Survivor ns in this Alliance, Shane wasn¡¯t inclined to join at all.


    His reason was simple: he didn¡¯t like the requirements he had to submit. After all, it requires him to provide information about his n Members, including their Talents.


    Of course, Lesley and the other n Leaders would also allow Shane to ess their information. With this, everyone would know more about each other, and it would ultimately lead to great cooperation.


    Well, their exnation was indeed reasonable since it could indeed develop trust if they all knew about you and your team¡¯s abilities.


    However, Shane found many loopholes in this arrangement since he felt that others could easily sell that information to those outside the Alliance.


    Even if Lesley promised that they would take a Magic Scroll Oath to ensure that they would not leak the information, Shane was still ufortable and denied their offers. He had even forgotten about it after some time.


    However, Lesley and the other n Leaders of the Alliance were obviously offended by his dismissive actions, considering how they believed that their 12 ns would easily decimate Shane¡¯s forces if they worked together.


    ¡¯It¡¯s his loss anyway¡­¡¯ Lesley thought to herself as she believed that it was Shane who would be missing out on lots of opportunities.


    After all, some of the ns could produce precious potions, others had mining sites that supplied them with iron, and another n had control over a huge town. The remaining ones also had specialties on their own, and, as a matter of fact, their Overlord n alone could already supply cold weapons, and they were already at the final stages of manufacturing explosives¡­ Perhaps, in a few months, they could start producing firearms.


    Nheless, at this time, Lesley stood at the heart of the bustling camp that had be the hub of the Western Region¡¯s n Alliance.


    It was formed from twelve powerful Survivor ns. Needless to say, this Alliance represented the region¡¯s best hope against the apocalyptic tide of zombies threatening their territory.


    Lesley had been a key figure in forging this Alliance.


    It was all thanks to her strong presence, coupled with her Legendary Talent: Petrifying Gaze. It made her a force to be reckoned with.


    Though Lancelot officially led the Overlord n, it was no secret that Lesley was its backbone¡ªboth strategist and enforcer.


    Lesley nced at the twelve small buildings within this hub that they built. It represented the Alliance¡¯s twelve ns. The hub may be smallerpared to their own territories, but it was simply because it was hastily made at the center of their region.


    Anyway, the Overlord  was the strongest and most well-equipped, with Lesley and Lancelot at the helm. They were also currently Rank 4 in the Overall Rankings.


    As for the rest, they were all Rank 19 and above¡­


    This rank 19 was the Iron Forge n, which was renowned for its cksmithing and weapon production. It was then followed by Green Haven n who were more focused and considered experts in farming and food production.


    The Blood Talon n, on the other hand, were focused on their Ranger Army. They¡¯re abat-focused n skilled in melee and ranged attacks.


    @@novelbin@@


    There was also the Sky Riders n, a specialist in reconnaissance and scouting, using gliders and drones. Aside from them, the Shadow Dagger n had a legion of Assassins with them. They may be the smallest number, but they were also the best killers at night.


    The rest of the ns were the Arcane Dawn n, Crimson Shield n, Silver Lark n, Thunder Roar n, zing Sun n and finally, the weakest among all the ns, the River Flow n.


    The River Flow n was quite huge, with 150 members, but they were all level 15 at most. They weren¡¯t great inbat at all.


    However, most of them were women, disabled men, old people, and even weak children. However, their n Leader was quite special, simr to the Archbishop of the New Haven n, as this person could make his subordinates Healing Specialists.


    ¡¯Hmph¡­ We have to make him regret for disregarding our Alliance.¡¯ Lesley thought.


    Well, the reason why she recalled Shane was actually because of their uing project. Your adventure continues at empire


    Their project was actually quite ambitious: to be the first ever to kill a Lord-Tier Zombie.


    This feat would not only grant them a significant system achievement but also solidify their dominance in the survivor rankings.


    Furthermore, even if they didn¡¯t invite the Eclipse Revenant n, she knew that more ns would willingly work for them. That way, even if Shane was incredibly strong with his individual strength, he would still not be a match with their whole n Alliance.


    ¡¯I¡¯m sure that as long as we prepare enough, the casualties wouldn¡¯t be that big to kill that Lord-Tier¡­¡¯ Lesley mused.


    The Lord-Tier Zombie they targeted was actually located deep in the ckstone Canyon, a sprawling, treacherous territory that had imed the lives of countless survivors. In short, it was a dangerous ce for level 20 and below Survivors.


    Soon, Lesley met with all the various representatives of the n as they nned their project.


    The Alliance knew they weren¡¯t ready yet, but their preparations were methodical and filled with backup ns as well.


    The Silver Lark n, or the merchant n within the Alliance, had coordinated a tradework, ensuring a steady supply of weapons, food, and medical resources.


    The Green Haven n provided high-energy rations for stamina and spirit recovery during prolonged battles.


    The Iron Forge n produced reinforced weapons and armor designed to hopefully withstand the power of a Lord-Tier Zombie¡¯s attacks. Well, considering that the shield they made couldn¡¯t be destroyed by Armored Tyrant Zombie with five punches, they believed that it wouldst for a bit against the Lord-Tier. They just have to prepare a lot of them.


    Sky Riders n sent scouting parties into ckstone Canyon, mapping the terrain and identifying weak points in the zombie hordes¡¯ defenses.


    Then, the Shadow Dagger n infiltrated the outer edges of the canyon, gathering intelligence on the Lord-Tier Zombie¡¯s minions.


    With regards to the fighting method, the Blood Talon n and Crimson Shield n worked together to train alliance members in coordinated attacks and defensive formations.


    The Arcane Dawn n were also amassing their various items to provide support spells to enhance the survivability and effectiveness ofbatants.


    There was also the Thunder Roar n that was preparing explosives to copse strategic sections of the canyon, potentially trapping the zombie forces. Of course, it includes making an escape route if the Lord Tier Zombie is deemed to be stronger than they have thought.


    Then, the zing Sun n, known for their Traps and Defensive Formations, arranged advanced traps and defensive structures along the potential escape routes. These routes were, of course, the possible paths where the Zombies would escape, including their own path. It was to ensure the Lord-Tier Zombie could not flee.


    Needless to say, their Overlord n would be the center of this n.


    Lesley herself was the mainbatant of the battle n. Her Petrifying Gaze could paralyze even high-tier zombies for several seconds, a critical window for the Alliance to deal devastating damage. For a Lord Tier Zombie, petrifying them even just for a Second or Two was extremely important.


    Then, if she boosted her abilities with potions, then this single second may be two or even more¡­


    "We¡¯ll have one shot at this¡­" Lesley said that during a strategy meeting, her voice was calm, and it certainly gave hope to everyone.


    "The Lord-Tier Zombie will not give us a second chance. Our coordination must be wless." She continued¡­


    Then, the meeting progressed as they finished up their ns.


    ***


    Of course, despite their preparations, the Zombies roaming within the region weren¡¯t stopping at all. It was as if an unknown force was guiding them to stop their preparations to attack the Lord-Tier Zombie¡¯s territory.


    Zombie hordes, mostlyposed of Spitter and Jumper Zombies, continued to grow in number for some odd reason.


    Moreover, ording to the chat, another group from the Eastern Region, Travis¡¯ Drakeheart Vanguard, to be exact, was also attempting a simr feat. They seemed to be eyeing the First Kill reward as well.


    Thispetition only added urgency to the Alliance¡¯s ns.


    "We have to be the first killer¡­" Lesley thought¡­


    ***


    Meanwhile, as several ns couldn¡¯t wait to reach level 50 before attempting to kill a Lord-Tier Zombie, Shane was focused on his goals.


    He was now together with the three other people he recruited with his two Epic Recruitment Stones and one Legendary Recruitment Stone.


    One of the Epic Recruits was a Hunter named Vernon. He specialized in rangedbat and tracking skills.


    What Shane liked about him was one of his skills, called Eagle¡¯s Mark. This skill allowed him to possess 100% uracy within 5 miles!

 Chapter 448: Journey to Sector 20

    Aside from Vernon¡¯s Eagle¡¯s Mark, he also had Silent Pursuit, which could help him track enemies without leaving traces or being detected, and Explosive Volley. It was a powerful ability that let him fire multiple explosive projectiles at once.


    Even if he just carried multiple pebbles with him, they could be explosive pebbles in his hands! It was such an interesting ability if partnered with his Eagle¡¯s Mark.


    Perhaps the only reason he was only an Epic Recruit was due to his weak physical defense. A single punch or tackle from even a mid-tier Zombie might kill him. So Shane had to give him light armor that provided him a high defense.


    Needless to say, Shane gave him a Tier 5 Hunter Set, which was perfect for Vernon.


    He had seen Vernon¡¯s skills already, and he knew that he would be invaluable, especially for their journey to Sector 20.


    @@novelbin@@


    The other was Nia, who was actually from a mountain tribe before the Zombie took over their homes.


    She was a short woman wearing a green cloak covering her body.


    What was quite different about her was the equipment she was holding. It wasn¡¯t a sword, bow, or even a firearm. What she carried was a staff¡­


    Nheless, even if it seemed like a normal staff, Shane could tell that she wasn¡¯t that simple at all.


    To be exact, she felt a lot more threatening than Vernon.


    Well, Nia was actually a Druidess. It wasn¡¯t a Talent given by the System but her lineage even before the Zombie Outbreak.


    She had a long story behind her, but after being recruited, the System recognized her ability and gave her a rare ss or talent. In Nia¡¯s words, she even felt like she was five times better now as a druidess.


    At this time, she was specializing in healing, crowd control, and environmental maniption. She was certainly a perfectpanion¡­


    Of course, aside from this talent, she had three incredible Survivor Skills that she shared with Shane.


    There was Verdant Bloom skill that could summon nts to heal allies or restrain enemies. Another one was Nature¡¯s Respite, which could restore stamina and reduce the effects of toxins and fatigue, andstly, the Thorned Barrier, which could create a protective wall of thorny vines that damage attackers.


    This Thorned Barrier was perfect whenever they had to deal with a huge horde of Zombies.


    Her serene but firm presence made her a calming force for the team.


    Continue your saga on empire


    Shane felt reassured knowing they had someone who could keep the group alive and counteract the toxic threats they might face.


    Finally, Shane¡¯sst Legendary Recruitment Stone summoned an incredible person.


    This person was already wearing polished ck-and-gold armor as soon as he hade out of the mysterious gray fog. Shane didn¡¯t even have to provide him with high-tier equipment since the ones he was wearing were already at the highest level.


    Anyway, there was also a massive halberd, or perhaps ive, on his back.


    The man was called Kael, and he introduced himself as a Vanguard of the Abyssal Order¡­


    It seemed to have been an organization that was made to fight against the Zombies. Long story short, Kael was sent on an impossible mission to rescue an important individual. However, they underestimated the horde of High-Tier Zombies on that ind and were almost annihted. In the end, the mysterious gray fog had to save him and some other members of the Abyssal Order.


    Of course, Kael was incredibly strong and could match Shinja, the Warlord.


    Kael was a diator Champion before he was recruited as Vanguard. He was a frontline fighter with the best durability and devastating offensive capabilities. Perhaps his only weakness was his terrible movement speed. He basically had zero movement ability, so Shane had to give him some potions from Blood Alchemy. One of them was the Five-Meter Jump, followed by Armored Dash.


    Although he had incredible defensive and offensive abilities, it would still be the best if he had some escape abilities, after all.


    Anyway, aside from being so sturdy and having a powerful strength, he also has some incredible skills.


    One of them was the Pure Defender. This skill could temporarily grant immunity any physical or magical damage¡­


    There was also the Abyssal Strike that allowed him to unleash an attack with his ive, which could cleave through multiple enemies at once¡­


    Unsurprisingly, Kael also had a roaring skill. This time, it was called Guardian¡¯s Warcry, it was quite simr to Titan¡¯s Roar, but this warcry didn¡¯t just boost the morale and physical abilities of allies but could also intimidate and slow down the enemies even if the target were Zombies who shouldn¡¯t be capable of feeling fear.


    Kael also briefly mentioned his Titanbreaker Skill, which was his trump card. This could basically allow him to be an unstoppable force in front of any enemies, but it had some negative effects after usage.


    Anyway, with this lineup together with Lysandra, who had incredible swordsmanship skills, Shane felt a lot more confident traveling around.


    ***


    Shane adjusted his pack as the group passed along the well-worn path.


    Thankfully, the weather was good today as the sun above was giving them some warm light despite the cold breeze.


    At this time, they were crossing over the vast ins.


    Beside him was Vernon and Nia. Kael, on the other hand, was moving in front since he was their most powerful warrior. Furthermore, they were matching his speed. Thankfully, Kael¡¯s stride was still big, so despite having a low Agility, he was still moving at a good pace.


    Lastly, Lysandra was behind them. Not counting Shane, she was actually considered the fastest among the group in terms of attacking speed. She would be able to react swiftly if there were enemies behind them.


    Of course, Shane¡¯s Perception and Cloud¡¯s detection range were higher, but there are still things that he might miss.


    Anyway, the ins stretched endlessly and they could only see patches of tall grass that rustled in the breeze.


    However, after walking for a few more minutes, the tranquility of their journey was finally broken.


    As they walked, Shane¡¯s A.I. Cloud pinged a warning.


    [ Hostile entities detected. Twelve Jumper Zombies, approaching from the east ]


    The A.I. informed. Shane then ryed this information to others.


    "Spread out!" Shanemanded, raising his current favorite weapon, Gale de.


    The Jumper Zombies soon erupted from the tall grass like terribly-looking frogs, their muscr legs propelled them high into the air.


    They even seemed to pass the five-meter mark!


    Vernon and Nia moved swiftly to the side while Kael stood firm at the front. His ive was already on his hands, ready to slice through the enemies.


    This time, they decided not to use their bullets or any of their projectiles unless their enemies were something like Spitter Zombies, Licker Zombies, and others who had long-range abilities.


    "Let¡¯s see how far you can jump after this!" Kael roared¡­ He didn¡¯t even activate his Skills with these weak Zombies as his ive cleaved through the first Zombie in mid-air and sent it crashing to the ground.


    [ You have eliminated a Jumper Zombie. ]


    Shane wanted to stay in his position, but in the end, he used his Phantasm Rush, slicing through two more with his Gale de. He did this since the momentum of the Jumper Zombies was heading towards him, and their blood might dirty his clothes. Because of that, he eliminated them and put them in a better position to avoid getting dirty or bing smelly.


    Anyway, Shane didn¡¯t mention this to others.


    Thud!


    Lysandra¡¯s swordsmanship was fully shown during this battle. She had actually defeated a huge number of Jumper Zombies. It left the grass stained with ck liquid or matter.


    ¡¯That¡¯s good¡­¡¯ Shane nodded as she wanted them to gain more battle experience as well, especially for the three new recruits who have just arrived.


    "Go ahead and loot them¡­" Shane said that he didn¡¯t participate in the looting process. After all, with his current level, their experience points wouldn¡¯t even give him an additional one percent at this point.


    Anyway, the continuation of the journey then led them to a swamp. Its dark, murky waters are filled with hidden dangers.


    Well, the swamp itself might even be dangerous, but thankfully, he shared a token with them that grants Poison Resistance.


    The group moved cautiously along the slippery ground as the sound of their boots squelched in the mud.


    "Be alert. Spitter Zombies are hiding¡­" Shane warned¡­


    Nia was actually about to warn them as well, but as she opened her mouth, Shane spoke. She couldn¡¯t help but feel impressed as she knew how difficult it was to sense the surroundings within this mysterious swamp.


    Then, as if summoned by his words, a bubbling sound emerged from the water, and three Spitter Zombies rose. Their bloated bodies were also leaking green acid.


    ¡¯Hmm? They looked different from the Spitter Zombies I know¡­ A variant?¡¯ Shane mused.


    Anyway, their variant wasn¡¯t important as Shane activated his Protection Token and stopped the first volley of corrosive spit.

 Chapter 449 Familiar Person

    "Kael, draw their attention!" Shane shouted.


    He wasn''t worried about him with his incredible defense. Shane even believed that Kael wouldn''t mind being shot by firearms because of how tough his defense was.


    Hearing this instruction, Kael didn''t hesitate as he roared and activated his Guardian''s Warcry¡­


    The sound reverberated through the swamp, and aside from its other effects, he certainly drew all the Zombies'' attention to him.


    Since Shane''s group was currently protected by his token, the Zombies turned their desire to eat flesh to Kael¡­


    The Spitter Zombies turned toward him, but Shane''s group wasn''t just idle.


    At this time, Lysandra used the opening to dart forward, severing one Spitter''s head.


    Knowing that a Spitter would explode with acid flesh in a few moments, she immediately moved away and used another Spitter Zombie''s body to block the explosion.


    At this time, however, Nia hurled a vial of liquid, neutralizing the Spitter Zombie''s explosion!


    Shane and the others even noticed a nt quickly growing on the Zombie''s body!


    ''You can do that?'' Shane was shocked as he didn''t expect such a unique way of dealing with such a problem¡­ He didn''t know what kind of liquid was that, but if it was easy to make, Shane knew that he would get rich once again.


    The battlested for some time, but because of their difference in strength and Kael''s taking every Zombie''s attention, it became a lot easier for Shane and the others to kill the remaining zombies.


    Your journey continues at empire


    Soon, Vernon''s rifle took down thest Spitter Zombie with a headshot. Since it was far away, Nia didn''t bother neutralizing the Zombie and allowed it to explode from afar.


    "That was easy¡­" Shane muttered as he looked around the surroundings¡­


    Then, after looting the Zombies, Kael, who had gone forward, found something.


    Apparently, this swamp also yielded surprises.


    Hidden among the roots of a mangled tree, they found a Wooden Treasure Chest. The quality was low but everyone felt excited seeing a Treasure Chest.


    After all, it was still a reward for their hard work.


    [ You have discovered a Wooden Treasure Chest. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Experience Point. ]


    Shane opened it, and a system notification appeared¡­ Thankfully, the Wooden Treasure Chest this time gives better results,parable to the previous Wooden Treasure Chest.


    [ Wooden Treasure Chest Opened ]


    [ You have received Low-Grade Spirit Stones x100 ]


    [ You have received a Power Core x20 ]


    [ You have received a Zombie Core x50 ]


    [ You have received a Starlight Silver Ore x20 ]


    [ You have received an Abyssal Iron Ore x20 ]


    Shane distributed the Spirit Stones to them as well since they might need them as they travel to Sector 20. It was better if they had their own stash in case they got separated or if they were inbat.


    Their journey then continued as they passed through the swamp and crossed the mountains. During this time, they also found two more Wooden Treasure Chests¡­


    Crossing into the mountains was not easy.


    The rocky terrain was steep and dangerous, and the group had to remain vignt as Earth Zombies could emerge anywhere.


    Furhtermore, their bulky forms were even camouged against the cliffs. If not for Cloud''s advanced detection, it would be truly tough to find them since even Shane''s Perception could somehow miss their presence.


    Anyway, these zombies were slow but resilient, shrugging off most conventional attacks. However, with their current level of strength, they were only slightly harder to deal withpared to Spitter Zombies.


    "Vernon, aim for the legs! Bring them down!" Shane ordered as they only had to bring them to the ground, and they wouldn''t be able to move¡­


    Then, Kael''s Abyssal Strike shattered the ground beneath a group of zombies, causing them to lose their footing.


    Shane and Lysandra capitalized on the opening, slicing through their exposed weak points and killing them off efficiently.


    Once again, these kinds of battles would be repeated a few times since they somehow entered the territory of these Earth Zombies.


    After some time, near a crumbling stone outcrop, Lysandra discovered another Treasure Chest.


    This time, it was a Bronze Treasure Chest, its contents even more valuable¡­


    [ You have discovered a Bronze Treasure Chest. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Experience Point. ]


    [ Bronze Treasure Chest Opened ]


    [ You have received Low-Grade Spirit Stones x300 ]


    [ You have received an Advanced Healing Pill x20 ]


    [ You have received a Zombie Core x50 ]


    [ You have received a Rare-Grade Skill Scroll x3 ]


    [ You have received an Exceptional-Grade Skill Scroll x1 ]


    [ You have received a Skill Fusion Scroll x1 ]


    Shane and everyone else were excited upon seeing this. Since Lysandra was the one to find it, Shane just allowed her to get most of the items inside except for the Skill Fusion Scroll, which he really needed.


    Lysandra then took the Rare-Grade Skill Scroll and distributed the Spirit Stones and Rare-Grade Skills Scrolls to the three Recruits.


    After they all obtained their share, they continued on their way and eliminated a few more Earth Zombies and found some Wooden Treasure Chests.


    ''I guess there''s no other group of survivors exploring around here.'' Shane thought as he believed that most of these Treasure Chests weren''t that difficult to find as long as they were heading to the other side of this mountain.


    Anyway, this means that the Zombies around this area weren''t being cleared, and there must be thousands of them so they have to rest whenever they have the item, or they might get too exhausted at some point.


    No matter how strong they were, they did not have unlimited stamina, and the fatigue on their bodies would also umte.


    However, Shane waspletely wrong¡­


    ''This¡­''


    As they were descending the mountain range, their group came upon a tense scene.


    Below, in a valley, a group of Survivors was attacking a Wild Shelter!


    Shane immediately recognized that it was a Wild Shelter because of the ck banners adorned with skeletal insignias on their walls. Without a doubt, this was a Necromancer''s domain.


    At this time, Shane signaled everyone to hide¡­


    They all followed him without hesitation.


    Then, everyone observed the situation.


    Shane could tell that the Survivors attacking the Wild Shelter were prepared. They were well-armed, wielding high-caliber rifles, grenadeunchers, and even makeshift mortars.@@novelbin@@


    ''Whoa¡­ They really spent a lot of money on this.'' Shane thought to himself as their weapons must be difficult to find. Furthermore, all of them were equipped with rifles. It was as if they found an army truck filled with weapons.


    However, as they turned their attention to the enemy, they realized that it wouldn''t be easy for the Survivors either.


    Apparently, the Wild Shelter''s defenses were formidable, with machine guns mounted on its walls, spewing bullets, and a wave of Skeleton Warriors charging at the attackers.


    "Let''s just watch for now¡­" Shane whispered, signaling the group to continue hiding behind some rocks.


    The Survivors who were working together were actually not on the losing end at this point. They have strange defenses that stop bullets, and the Skeleton Warriors were just some annoying moving figures for them.


    It was as if they were still calcting each other''s strengths. However, it didn''t take long before the Wild Shelter''s Necromancer started to send out Zombie Knights!


    Without a doubt, this action shifted the momentum of the battle.


    "Should we help them?" Lysandra asked as her hand rested on her de.


    "Not yet. Let''s see how this unfolds," Shane replied. His eyes narrowed as he studied the battlefield. Although there were many Zombie Knightsing out, he noticed that the leader of the Survivors wasn''t panicking at all.


    They were simply calcting how much they had to spend in order to eliminate the Zombies.


    Just like Shane had thought, it didn''t take that long before the Survivorsunched a coordinated attack.


    Against the Zombie Knights riding Skeleton Horses, they threw several grenades!


    These explosives decimated the first wave of Zombie Knights!


    Then, as a response,the Necromancers retaliated by sending out more Bone Hounds! The Zombie Knights had to halt as the Bone Hounds rushed forward!


    They were more agile and unafraid of anything¡­


    They charged from the shelter and started overwhelming several groups of Survivors! Soon, the Necromancer started to send more Zombie Knights, Ghouls, and even a couple of Lich!


    "They''re strong, but they''re not coordinated enough to breach the shelter," Vernon observed as he felt that the group of Survivors suddenly felt deted after seeing the Lich¡­


    It was as if they didn''t expect two of them to appear at the same time!


    Shane nodded.


    "We might not need to step in. But¡­"


    Shane frowned for a moment as he tried to recall the leader of this group of Survivors. It seemed this person was quite familiar, and he had met them at the auction house before.


    ''Oh¡­ Right¡­. That''s the leader of the ROTK n, Borin¡­'' Shane thought to himself as he recalled the man.


    Shane considered for a moment as this was more than just a chance to deal with Nancers¡ªit was an opportunity to gain valuable resources and perhaps even recruit some of these skilled Survivors into his n.

 Chapter 450 Legendary Necromancer

    As Shane observed the battle below from the rocky ridge, a sh of recognition crossed his face.


    Among the group of Survivors assaulting the Wild Shelter, one man stood out¡ªBorin, the leader of the ROTK n.


    The ROTK n was definitely not an average n out there. Although they could fluctuate a lot in their cement, they were always within the Top 20,


    Shane recalled Borin vaguely, but the Seeker''s Boomerang, a unique weapon Borin had won at an auction, had left a strong impression¡­


    Anyway, Shane and Borin had never interacted directly, so he wasn''t sure about his personality. Nheless, Shane knew that this n shouldn''t go down so easily.


    As they watched, Borin''s voice rang out in the midst of the battle.


    "Focus fire on the gate! Priests, keep the undead vulnerable!"


    This order confirmed Shane''s assessment to this group of people. They certainly have a method to deal with the undead.


    At Borin''smand, five members of his Elite Squad stepped forward. Each of them wore Priest Robes with a faint glow on them.


    Enjoy new stories from empire


    The robes were actually ''Ranked'' items and not ''Tiered'' pieces of equipment. Shane knew this very well since Tiered equipment doesn''t produce some glow effects once upgraded, even if they reached Tier 5.


    On the other hand, ranked items starting from Exceptional to Legendary provide some glowing effect on the items as their rank goes higher.


    Based on the glow of the Priest''s Robes, Shane could easily guess that they were at least Master or Epic grade already.


    Anyway, Shane knew about the existence of Priests¡­ There were actually plenty of survivors who had this talent at simr levels, and most of them seemed to be rare at the very least.


    They were very weak in physicalbat, but they were an incredible support.


    Anyway, as they followed Borin''s instructions, their hands glowed faintly as they chanted.


    Soon, a gentle, warm light appeared before them, and waves of pale golden energy rippled outward. It was such a beautiful ability.


    ''I''ll still prefer Monks though¡­'' Shane thought as he recalled the monk he had recruited.


    Lysandra, on the other hand, was just focused on watching how the entire battle progressed.


    "Purge the Death Shroud!" one priest shouted as the energy struck the horde of Skeleton Warriors, causing their dark aura of death energy to dissipate.


    ''Oh? Is that called Death Shroud?'' Shane thought as he looked at the faint dark miasma leaking through the bodies of the undead creatures. It seemed that this Shroud wasn''t just some sort of special effects but a true defensive ability.


    "Now! Take them down!" Borin roared as soon as he confirmed that the Death Shroud had been removed.


    Indeed, after being freed from their protective Shroud, the Skeleton Warriors crumbled under the barrage of bullets and explosives.


    The bullets and explosives seemed to be just normal this time and weren''t upgraded. It appears that this was their method to save expensive ammunitions.


    Nheless, as stronger undead creatures starteding out, they still had to use their upgraded or stronger firearms.


    The ROTK n''s firearms were high-caliber and precisely modified!


    They tore through the undead ranks very efficiently.


    Boom! Boom!


    Explosions rocked the battlefield, sending shards of bone flying in every direction.


    After a concentrated assault, the massive iron gate of the Wild Shelter began to groan under the pressure of sustained explosive fire.


    With a deafening crack, the gate finally gave way, splintering into jagged pieces.


    Crash!


    A cheer erupted from the Survivors as they surged forward! Their morale was at the peak after being able to breach the gates.


    "Push through! Don''t stop!" Borin yelled as his squad advanced.


    At this time, he also took out his Seeker''s Boomerang as it rushed through the air, destroying one of the Machine Guns!


    It didn''t end there as he continued releasing this Boomerang!


    This weapon was mystical. It arced around the battlefield and sliced through the skulls of skeletons before returning to his hand¡­


    Shane watched intently, and he was impressed by this disy...


    "They''re good. Borin''s got a disciplined group," he murmured.


    It was unfortunate that Borin couldn''t use the Boomerang for a long period due to its Spirit Points consumption. He certainly doesn''t have as much as Shane at this point.


    Furthermore, recovering Spirit Points through Spirit Stones or many other Spirit Recovery Tools wasn''t instantaneous either. For those that could grant instant recovery, they wouldn''t be a lot, and they were also extremely expensive.


    Lysandra, crouched beside him, nodded. "But this is far from over. The Necromancers won''t give up that easily."


    This wasn''t just a guess, as she could actually see the Necromancer still holding his ground and wasn''t nning to escape at all.


    As expected, when the Survivors began flooding into the Wild Shelter, two figures emerged from its depths. They were undead creatures that they knew existed.


    d in dark robes that seemed to absorb the faint light of the surroundings, the Liches stepped into the open.


    They were no longer standing beside the Necromancer.


    ''They looked strong¡­'' Shanemented in his mind seeing the majestic appearance of the Liches.


    Their skeletal faces were adorned with crowns of bone, and their eyes glowed with bright blue light¡­


    One of them raised a staff covered with ck gems, and soon, a deafening voice echoed across the battlefield.


    "You dare defile our domain? Witness the wrath of the eternal!"


    The other Lich extended a bony hand, summoning a massive wave of Shadow Ghouls. They were phantom-like creatures made of darkness and pure malice.


    With their appearance, the air around the valley grew colder¡­ It was then followed by an oppressive sense of dread, pressuring everyone on the battlefield.


    The Survivors faltered for a moment as the wave of Shadow Ghouls charged¡­


    Fear also clouded the minds of the Survivors, but thankfully, Borin had a Roar Skill that could grant Fear Resistance or any mind debuff of the enemies.


    After using the Roar, he called out to the five Priests¡­


    "Priests! Focus on those ghouls!" Borin shouted.


    The priests immediately began chanting again¡­ They had just consumed some Spirit Recovery Potions, so they were ready once again.


    Soon, their holy arts brought some light and warmth to every Survivor but death to the undead.@@novelbin@@


    The effects of their upgraded robes were also triggered as they formed some sort of dome to protect a small area around them from the Death Shroud.


    ''They''re doing really well¡­ However, that Necromancer was just too strong¡­ Is that maybe a Legendary Necromancer?'' Shane mused as he knew that the Necromancers he killed before weren''t as strong as this one.


    He could even feel that the Necromancer was still not showing everything he had. It was as if he was still assessing the Survivors'' full strength and waiting for them to show another trump card.


    Nheless, this guess also made him realize that the Borin might be targeting the Advanced Grade Shelter Crystal that this Necromancer had.


    It was certainly an enticing item to obtain, and he would also be tempted to siege this shelter for it.


    "Ahh!"


    Suddenly, Shane and the others heard the Priests cry. Apparently, their holy arts are less effective against the Shadow Ghouls this time!


    The bullets and other projectiles, like throwing knives and stone bullets, seemed to pass harmlessly through the Ghouls!


    "Damn it! These aren''t normal undead!" one Survivor cursed as his gunshots had no effect.


    Shane frowned as he watched the Survivors struggle against the Liches'' summons.


    The battle was shifting, and Borin''s forces were beginning to lose momentum.


    This time, as Shane was considering helping, he realized that the Necromancer was already on the rampart and was actually looking at their group!


    ''So it was like that¡­'' Shane thought as he realized that the Necromancer was holding back because of their presence.


    Well, they didn''t cast any anti-detection abilities, so it wasn''t really surprising¡­


    "Shane, are we stepping in?" Nia asked. Her voice seemed calm, but Shane could tell that it was tinged with anticipation.


    Shane weighed his options. This was his enemy, a Necromancer stronghold, but the Survivors weren''t exactly his allies either.


    "If those Liches aren''t stopped, this battle will end in disaster¡­ We''ll wait for a moment if the casualties of the Survivors grow more." Shane said coldly.


    Lysandra narrowed her eyes, but she could understand Shane''s concern. After all, the leader of the Survivors might also be one of those cruel Survivors.


    Shane then turned to his group. "However, we''ll still move in once I give the signal. I want them to be grateful for our help, at the very least. Then, we''ll have to announce our presence. We need Borin, their leader, to agree to our help. If he did, we''ll first target the Liches, but keep Borin and his squad on your peripheral. We don''t want any unnecessary fights."


    Shane said after some consideration¡­ He had no idea if Borin would betray them if they helped. However, Shane was really interested in looting those Liches and the Necromancers.


    He also wanted to get the priority in obtaining the Shelter Crystal.


    Vernon nodded as he adjusted his rifle. "Got it. We''ll wait for your instruction, leader."

 Chapter 451 Shanes Desire

    As their n was set, everyone else waited for Shane to give his signal.


    At this time, they watched as the Survivors tried their best by using various tools and abilities to deal with the Liches and their summons. They have various items in their possession that they probably bought in the Marketce, but even after using all of them, the battle was still not in their favor.


    Soon, Shane confirmed, based on their actions, that Borin was slowly retreating¡­ This leader probably realized that the Necromancer was still not using his full force and was still waiting for something to happen.


    It means that their attack against this Wild Shelter wasn''t that big of a deal; they just have yet to force the Necromancer to attack!


    "Alright¡­ The Liches overextended¡­ We''ll go in now." Shane said as he felt that their chances of killing the Liches would be a lot higher if they were too far from the Necromancer.


    Kael finally smiled after hearing this. He then held his ive and positioned himself to charge.


    "Time to show these undead who''s boss."


    As Shane''s group descended from the rocks, they split into formation.


    Shane activated his Veiled Steps as he darted near Borin¡­


    Borin was shocked for a moment, but he immediately realized what was going on¡­


    ''So this guy was the reason why the Necromancer was being so cautious.'' Borin thought.


    Shane smiled, seeing theposed Borin.


    ''I guess this will be easy¡­'' Shane thought for a moment.


    "You''re Borin from the ROTK n, right? We''ll be taking over now¡­ Since you opened a path for us, lured the Liches, and broke the gate, we''ll only take the loot from the two Liches, the Necromancer, and the Shelter Crystal¡­ Everything else within the Shelter can be yours¡­" Shane said.


    Well, he could just act like a tyrant and take everything for himself, and he could even eliminate these survivors. However, if these Survivors were good people, he would regret pushing them while they''re down.


    It was better to help them now and possibly gain an ally. In any case, once they betrayed him, it wouldn''t be toote to deal with them and loot their corpses after killing the Necromancer.


    "I remember you now¡­ You must really be that rich bidder. Fine¡­ You can go ahead and take those. We''ll be taking this whole Shelter then. Just don''t cause too much damage." Borin said as he was actually nning to make this ce his territory.


    With or without Shelter Crystal, he could certainly do it once they killed the current undead residents.


    "Great! Just order your team to move back, and my team will take care of the rest." Shane said as he moved toward Kael, who had used his Armored Dash to close into the Liches.


    "Kill the Lich!"


    Shane ordered his team as he returned to their side¡­


    His Gale de soon became blurred as he struck the summoned Shadow Ghouls and killed them one by one¡­ This Legendary Grade weapon was certainly different as it could slice through the Ghoul''s defensive aura with ease.


    There were still plenty of these Ghouls on the path but Shane only attacked those in front as he simply aimed to kill the Lich¡­@@novelbin@@


    It was the same for Kael, so the remaining ones had to deal with the Ghouls that were spared.


    "Come!"


    Seeing that Shane was about to deal with the first Lich, Kael charged the second Lich, his Guardian''s Warcry was activated, and he also triggered his Abyssal Strike! Experience more tales on empire


    His ive suddenly became unstoppable as he crushed anything in his path!


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    As soon as he arrived in front of the Lich, Kael struck with all of his might, forcing the Lich to cast a wall of bones and retreat.


    Crash!


    The Lich could have no other choice but to retreat after seeing how ineffective his Curses and other spells were!


    In the meantime, Nia, Vernon, and Lysandra eliminated all the remaining Ghouls¡­


    Nia threw a vial of her crafted toxin at the Shadow Ghouls¡­ The substance dispersed their defensive aura and allowed Vernon and Lysandra to eliminate them like normal undead creatures¡­


    "This is just too amazing¡­ I didn''t expect Druidess would have such abilities." Lysandra muttered as she couldn''t help but feel impressed. After all, she just saw how the members of the ROTK n struggle against these Ghouls.


    It was as if they had intangible bodies that couldn''t be hurt. However, with their swords and bullets, nothing like that happened thanks to Nia''s assistance¡­


    Lysandra then nced at Shane as she confirmed that Shane''s weapon was truly special since he didn''t need Nia''s assistance.


    Anyway, the rest of the ROTK n noticed the neers, but Borin immediately informed them about Shane''s group. He actually kept his part of the deal and just ordered them to back off and let the neers deal with the Necromancer and his summons.


    ***


    "Faster¡­" Shane muttered to himself.


    With his team now in the fray, the momentum of the battle shifted once more.


    The first Lich fell under Shane''s series of attacks¡­ He even used the Lightning Talisman he obtained from Aya to ensure a swift kill.


    Well, he still has a lot of Talismans from Aya, the young Shaman of the Springriver Manor.


    [ You have eliminated a Lich. ]


    As he got the message, its skeletal form copsed into a pile of dust, leaving only the ck gem or stone on the ground.


    The Necromancer, realizing that the neers were strong, ordered his remaining Lich to retreat!


    "As if I''d allow that!" Kaelughed as he saw the Lich''s action.


    He intercepted its escape by using another Armored Dash and, with his mighty sh, the Lich had no choice but to raise its staff to try and block in such a close range.


    Crash!


    The Lich was obviously incapable of blocking that powerful strike from a huge figure like Kael¡­


    The staff it was using to cast Dark Spells was cut in half and Kael''s ive didn''t stop at all. It continued slicing through the body of the Lich and killing it effectively!


    [ You have eliminated a Lich. ]


    As the second Lich fell, the remaining undead army crumbled as well. Their connection to the dark magic was severed since their summoners died¡­


    Seeing this, even the members of the ROTK n felt excited. They had no idea who these helpers were, but knowing that their n Leader was aware of them, they could only think that these people were the hidden elite team of their rank.


    At the very least, that was what they would like to think, seeing how strong they were.


    A collective cheer erupted from the Survivors, but Borin''s gaze turned toward Shane¡­ He knew very well that the death of the Liches was not the end.


    Nheless, after the chaos of the battle subsided, Shane decided it was time to finish the job.


    The Wild Shelter was weakened, but the Necromancer who hadmanded the undead hordes remained standing¡­


    Knowing this enemy''s strength, Shane decided to go in alone and instructed his team¡­


    He activated his Veiled Steps, bing nearly invisible as he slipped into the ruined Shelter.


    The atmosphere inside was thick with the stench of death and decay, and he could even swear that he could hear some ghosts whispering near his ears¡­


    Shane''s grip tightened on his Gale de as he charged to the Shelter.


    The Necromancer seemed to be aware of what was going on and also retreated to the heart of the Shelter.


    Shane''s eyes narrowed as he chased after the fleeing Necromancer.


    ''Oh? You''re leading me here?'' Shane thought as he entered the main building¡­


    He soon saw the Necromancer cloaked in ck robes like that of a Dark Magician''s Robe. He stood before an altar adorned with skulls and glowing orbs of dark energy.


    "You think you can face me alone, little Survivor?" The Necromancer hissed, its voice raspy and really chilling to hear...


    As he said this, the room also grew colder¡­ The Necromancer then raised its staff as if it wielded the Dark Energy within the room and gathered it around him.


    Shane smiled as he knew that the others wouldn''t have strong mind control defense¡­ If he brought the others here, they would just cause trouble to him.


    "Hmph¡­ I''m not the one who should be worried," Shane replied with his calm voice.


    The Necromancer sneered and no longer spoke.


    With a wave of its staff, it summoned Bone Constructs, gigantic skeletal warriors wielding massive bone swords¡­ With another wave, it summoned Wraithbound Spirits, ethereal figures that drifted through the air like specters¡­


    "Is that it?" Shane mocked after seeing all the Necromancer''s summons.


    Without waiting for a reply, he then activated Shadow Hunt, blending into the darkness around him.


    His form became one with the darkness, and swiftly, he struck at the first Bone Construct.


    It wasn''t with his sword or other weapon but with his own punch!


    In just a few seconds, his Brawler Fury''s ninth punch struck!


    Boom!


    The powerful strike destroyed a huge part of the Bone Construct, but the Necromancer justughed after seeing this¡­


    ''Oh¡­ It can do that?'' Shane smiled after seeing shattered bones begin to knit themselves back together.


    "Reanimation won''t save you," Shane muttered as he shifted his tactics.

 Chapter 452 Success

    Shane still felt confident about the huge number of Spirit Points he could use anytime he wanted. However, since his opponent was a Necromancer, he was a bit worried that this person could somehow use dark magic that could not be defended with his current set of skills.


    Because of that, he knew that he had to end this quickly¡­


    Screech~


    Then, he saw the Wraithbound Spirits rush toward him, and their ghostly figures started screeching as they tried totch onto his life force.


    Shane activated Arcane Veil, and a strange barrier of mystical energy enveloped him.


    This sudden action made the spirits recoil as their attacks were unable to pierce the protective aura for a brief moment.


    Of course, Shane knew that this was only a temporary solution. So, with a flick of his de, he unleashed his Energy Wave, spending 1,000 Spirit Points on it, and a crescent-shaped arc of energy appeared!


    This ability wasn''t normally that strong, but because of the Spirit Points he spent, he was able to tear through the Bone Constructs and scatter the Wraiths.


    The room shook from the force of the attack, but the Necromancer stood unfazed as he actually used his own dark energy to block the rest of the energy wave.


    To Shane''s surprise, the Necromancer even seemed ted after taking his attack! Shane then saw Necromancer''s sinister smile spreading across its face.


    ''Hmm? Did that benefit him instead?'' Shane frowned at that sight. His knowledge about the Necromancers wasn''t that intensive yet since even the A.I. Rebellion and Fairy Realm Invasion doesn''t have them.


    Anyway, before he could think too much, the Necromancer raised its staff, followed by a strange chant¡­


    Just like that, shadows gathered around him, coalescing into a massive Shadow Beast¡ªa two-meter tall creature with glowing red eyes and sharp ws.


    Then, it charged at Shane with a speed simr to the Hunter Zombies!


    Shane squinted his eyes as he activated Predator''s Surge, his body surging with power as his agility and reflexes were amplified.


    He dodged the Shadow Beast''s ws by a hair''s breadth since his movements were almost too fast to track right now. Leaping onto its back, he drove his de into its spine, causing it to let out a deafening roar.


    Thud!


    The Necromancer didn''t stop, summoning waves of dark energy that flowed across the room. Shane had no idea what it could do, but he didn''t feel good about that wave of dark energy. He was then forced to disengage, flipping backward as he finally saw the energy scorched the ground where he had stood.


    ''So that''s simr to my Energy Wave.'' Shane briefly thought as he allowed Cloud to analyze everything about this Necromancer.


    "You''re persistent," Shane admitted. Nheless, his breathing was still steady despite the intensity of the battle. He was still not feeling troubled against this Necromancer.


    Shane knew he needed to end the fight quickly. He activated Veiled Steps again, vanishing from sight as he circled the Necromancer.


    "I can still feel your killing intent, human!" The Necromancer said as heshed out with his staff¡­


    Then, dark tendrils whipped through the air in an attempt to catch Shane.


    Thankfully, he wasn''t relying that much on his Veiled Steps¡­ Aside from gaining a boost on his speed, he also needed this to switch out his weapon.


    Now, instead of using the Gale de, he obtained from killing the Winged Leader Zombie, he decided to use his Butcher''s Cleaver from the Butcher Master Zombie!


    [ Butcher''s Cleaver ( Legendary ) : Forged from an otherworldly alloy, its edge never dulls, and its de carries a bloodthirsty aura. The Cleaver''s power grows the more it is used in battle, feeding on the carnage it creates.


    Effects: Physical Damage +300, Spirit Points +500


    Special Effects:


    Overwhelming Strength: Increases raw physical damage by +200%. Each sessful hit reduces the target''s armor or defense by 5% for 10 seconds (stacks up to 5 times).


    Unstoppable Momentum: Heavy attacks knock back enemies within a 3-meter radius, staggering them for 3 seconds.


    Carnage Synergy: For every enemy defeated, grants a +10% attack speed boost and +5% lifesteal for 10 seconds ( stacks up to 3 times ).


    Flesh Render: Channels the Cleaver''s energy to deliver a devastating, cleaving strike that targets enemies in a wide arc. This attack deals 400% weapon damage and causes a Hemorrhage Effect, dealing 5% of their maximum HP as damage per second for 8 seconds. Enemies afflicted by Hemorrhage receive +20% damage from all sources while the effect is active.


    Cost: 100 Spirit Points ]


    Although Gale de was his favorite weapon right now because of how easy it was to use and the speed it could grant him, this Cleaver was still his strongest melee weapon.


    Furthermore, he liked the free 500 Spirit Points he could obtain while wielding this weapon. Although these 500 Spirit Points could only be used when using the Cleaver''s Skill or Flesh Render, it was still a huge help.


    As soon as he held this weapon, he felt its weight, and immediately slowed him down. However, he didn''t mind it.


    Seizing the opportunity, Shane struck from behind!


    His Cleaver ignited with energy as he drove it into the Necromancer''s side.


    The Flesh Render was also activated, so Shane knew that this battle would be over once he managed to hit the Necromancer!


    "Aaackkk!"


    As expected, the Necromancer failed to realize how strong that strike was!


    The person let out a pained scream, but before Shane could deliver a killing blow, the Necromancer unleashed a pulse of dark energy, forcing him back.


    It seemed to be the Necromancer''s desperate move to survive, so he knew that he just had to push further!


    The two locked eyes, but Shane saw Necromancer''s glowing blue irises filled with malice and frowned¡­


    "Human! You will fall here!" The Necromancer roared, summoning a massive vortex of death energy as he started losing his life in the process!


    Shane realized that these Necromancers couldn''t just cast spells through Spirit Points but also Vitality Points!


    Shane was not sure how to defend against such an attack. He could only channel a huge amount of Spirit Points to unleash Energy Wave and kill the Necromancer immediately!


    But this time, he decided to charge forward and cast it closer to the Necromancer!


    This action was also able to pierce through the vortex that the Necromancer created!


    Boom!


    The sh of energies created a shockwave that rattled the entire building!


    As the Necromancer staggered, its life energy was already drained¡­


    "That''s it for you¡­" Shane then dashed forward with Predator''s Surge, closing the gap in an instant.


    With a single, decisive strike, he severed the Necromancer''s staff in two and plunged his de into the Necromancer''s chest, cutting him in half¡­


    "You---Aahh!" Your journey continues on empire


    The Necromancer could only let out a final, anguished wail as its body crumbled to ash, and the remaining undead in the Shelter copsed lifelessly.


    [ You have eliminated a Wild Necromancer. ]


    "Whew~"


    Shane heaved a sigh of relief as he checked the loot he obtained.


    [ You have earned 250 Experience Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x10, Dark Mage''s Staff x1, Dark Mage''s Robe x1, Dark Mage''s Belt x1, Orb of Undead Summoning ( High ) x50, Necromancer''s Grimoire x1 ]


    "Whoaa~" Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing the loot. Although the Dark Mage items, including the Grimoire, could not be used because of the affinity restriction, the Orb of Undead Summoning could be used. After all, it only needed Spirit Points to be activated.


    "Not bad," Shane muttered in the end.


    After a few moments, Shane finally stepped out of the Wild Shelter''s main building, clutching the Advanced Shelter Crystal tightly in his hand.


    Then, as his eyes scanned the battlefield, he noticed his team¡ªVernon, Nia, Kael, and Lysandra¡ªstanding uneasily, surrounded by dozens of armed Survivors.@@novelbin@@


    Shane frowned after seeing this. "Is he taking them hostage?" The thought raced through his mind as he assessed the situation.


    His grip on the Cleaver tightened, and his body tensed as prepared for the possibility of an ambush.


    Suddenly,ughter broke the tension.


    "Incredible!" Borin''s voice rang out as he stepped forward, his face lit with awe and relief.


    "You really killed that Necromancer! Well done, Sir Shane. As expected of the Rank 1 Survivor!" His tone was genuinely impressed, and his soldiers visibly rxed.


    Shane rxed slightly but maintained a guarded demeanor. "You didn''t seem to need my help, considering your army," he remarked coolly.


    Of course, he didn''t really think that way.


    Borin chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "We managed the minions, but a Necromancer of that level? That was beyond us. Your intervention saved countless lives here. Please ept my thanks."


    Thepliment seemed genuine, and Shane gave a curt nod.


    "I''ll let you take over the shelter then," he said, showing the Advanced Shelter Crystal. "I have what I need from it."


    Borin smiled since he really needed this Shelter for his project.. "You''re generous, Sir Shane. We won''t forget this."

 Chapter 453 Systems Message

    Soon, Borin''s team started cleaning up the Shelter. Borin actually had an Intermediate Shelter Crystal and used it to improve the durability of the Shelter. It could also ensure that the walls could deflect low-tier Zombies with its activation.


    After doing all of this, Shane''s team joined Borin''s team inside the secured Shelter to rest. The tension among the group had dissipated quickly as they all began sharing resources and stories. Food was passed around, and a small fire crackled in the center of the huge mess hall.


    At this time, Nia and Lysandra sat together, sharpening their weapons while Kael started chatting with Borin''s squad of Priests.


    It seemed that he was quite interested in the Holy Arts. He probably couldn''t practice it, but he was aware that knowing about these strange abilities would only benefit him. Stay updated through empire


    Vernon, on the other hand, worked with a few of the ROTK n''s engineers to repair some damaged equipment. He wasn''t just there to help but also to learn.


    Shane found this interesting, so he didn''t mind them at all. For sure, these people have all kinds of stories they could share with each other while hanging out.


    ***


    During this time, Borin approached Shane, offering him a sk of wine.


    "I bought it in the Marketce¡­ 20 Zombie Cores for 5 sks¡­ Ahem¡­ Let''s talk somewhere quieter," he suggested, motioning to a small, intact room of the Shelter''s main building.


    Shane followed him while looking at the strange container for wine. Anyway, he still tasted it, and although it wasn''t better than the ones made by Bart, it was still eptable.


    Inside the room, Borin leaned against the wall and Shane noticed his expression turning serious.


    "I wanted to warn you about something, Shane," he began. "You''re heading to Sector 20, right?"


    Shane''s eyes narrowed. "How do you know?"


    Borin raised his hands... "Rx. It''s not that difficult to guess since the World Chat and Regional Chat is filled with strange things about Sector 20. You''re not the only one heading there. Aside from that, only strong ns or groups of Survivors were considering this journey, so it suited your team of strong Survivors."


    Shane crossed his arms, as he could also guess this much.


    "Ahem¡­ There are a few powerful Survivors and groups making their way to Sector 20 as we talk here" Borin exined.


    "Some of them are after high-value loot; others are chasing rumors about an ancient artifact tied to the Zombie Virus. But there''s one group you need to watch out for¡ªthe Abyss Reapers. They''re a ruthless band of mercenaries known for ambushing even strong survivors. They''ve taken out entire ns before. They''ll definitely target someone like you. They''re scarier than the Vampire who''s targeting an area far from Sector 20."


    Shane frowned as he had never heard about the Abyss Reapers. He immediately looked at the Top 20 n in the Leader and didn''t find them.


    1. New Haven n ¨C Level 7


    2. Drakeheart Vanguard ¨C Level 7


    3. Overlord n ¨C Level 7


    4. Phoenix Phnx ¨C Level 6


    5. Blue Moon n ¨C Level 6


    6. Eclipse Revenant ¨C Level 5


    7. Shadowbinders ¨C Level 5


    8. ROTK n ¨C Level 5


    9. Celestial Circle ¨C Level 5


    10. Serene Garden ¨C Level 5


    11. Silver Sentinel Alliance ¨C Level 5


    12. Nightfall Nexus ¨C Level 5


    13. Ember Order ¨C Level 5


    14. Verdant Vanguard ¨C Level 5


    15. Wraith Walkers ¨C Level 5


    16. Irond Collective ¨C Level 5


    17. Stormcall Assembly ¨C Level 5


    18. Frostborn Union ¨C Level 5


    19. Dawnspire Order ¨C Level 5


    20. Sapphire Syndicate ¨C Level 5


    Shane gently nodded as he realized that the Abyss Reaper might just be a small n or wasn''t a n to begin with¡­ He then continued asking.


    "What do you know about their strength?" Borin sighed.


    "Their Leader, Vex, is a monster. He''s rumored to have a talent that lets him drain the life force of others to enhance his own power. They''re also well-equipped with military-grade weapons and some terrifyingbatants. They''re not moving in arge scale and were only targeting smaller ns and shelters but it''s most likely because of their number. There should only be 10 of them or something."


    Shane nodded, absorbing the information. He should pay more attention to chat messages.


    "Thanks for the heads-up. Anything else I should know?"


    Borin hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Yeah... If you''re going to Sector 20, you''ll also cross paths with the True Survivor n... Well, it''s the Alliance of three or maybe five ns. They''re trying to establish control over the area and won''t appreciate uninvited guests¡­"


    As he said this, he finally felt that he had paid enough in exchange for Shane dealing with the Necromancer. In normal cases, his n could easily deal with this Wild Shelter. He just needed to gather all of his members and bombard this Shelter into smithereens.


    However, there was actually a hidden treasure within this Wild Shelter, and bombarding the Shelter might destroy this treasure he was looking for.


    ''I can''t share the treasure with you, but I at least paid you for information from the Information n.'' Borin thought as he confirmed that Shane had no rtion with the Information n, a small n that had the greatest informationwork.


    ''I guess he wasn''t replying to their n Leader''s message.'' Borin mused as he believed that Shane should be receiving a lot of messages or friend requests but wasn''t bothering to reply to them. It was probably the reason he had no connection to the Information n.


    Anyway, Borin didn''t tell him more about it as he waited for Shane''s reaction to such information.


    Shane''s gaze was firm. "I appreciate the information, Borin. Since it''s already toote, my team will stay here for the night, and we''ll leave the next morning. Is that fine?"


    Borin smiled. "So you''re still nning to go to Sector 20? I expected no less from the Rank 1 Survivor. Alright... You can take one of the empty buildings here to rest."@@novelbin@@


    ***


    Three days had quickly passed after Shane encountered the leader of the ROTK n.


    Before he left the ce, he actually made a decent deal with the man. They arranged a partnership that would benefit both of them.


    After all, Shane learned that the ROTK n specialized in cultivating a crop called me Barley, a resilient nt with high nutritional value that could be harvested every 30 days. It was exactly the kind of renewable resource that Shane''s Silver Mine Camp needed to sustain his growing poption.


    With Shane''s supply of silver ores, he didn''t mind trading some of them to the ROTK n at all, considering Borin''s honest behavior.


    They had agreed to a trade route between Shane''s Silver Mine Camp and ROTK''s base in the western mountains, solidifying their partnership without the need for direct alliances.


    As Shane woke up in the morning, his usual routine of checking the Survivor Store and Reputation Store was interrupted by the system announcement¡­


    "Oh? It''s finally here¡­ Why was it toote though?" Shane muttered to himself as he read the notification.


    [ To All Survivors, the First Ever Zombie Challenge Event is finally here! ]


    [ Event Overview:


    The Zombie Challenge is an endurance-based survival event that tests every Survivor''s individual strength, resilience, and skill. Unlike the Zombie Wave or Boss Raid events that encourage teamwork, this challenge focuses solely on YOU.


    Survivors will be transported to a specially created area known as the Challenge Grounds, where they must face waves of undead enemies that grow progressively stronger with eachpleted level.


    Key Features:


    1. Unlimited Levels: There is no cap to the number of levels. Survivors can continue as long as they can survive.


    2. 30 Seconds Rest: Survivors have 30 seconds afterpleting a level to decide whether to continue. Failing to decide within this window will be treated as a forfeit.


    3. No Real Death: Survivors who die during the event will be ejected from the Challenge Grounds and return to the real world unharmed.


    4. Reward System: Rewards are distributed based on the highest level reached. The higher the level, the better the rewards.


    Event Mechanics:


    1. Participation Requirements:


    All Survivors are automatically enrolled. No opt-out is avable.


    Survivors will be transported to the Challenge Grounds in 24 hours. Prepare ordingly.


    2. Progression Rules:


    Each level will pit you against increasingly dangerous types of zombies, starting with the most basic.


    Mutated Variant Zombie will begin appearing after Level 15.


    Every 10 levels, a Boss Zombie must be defeated to progress further. Boss Zombies are exponentially stronger and have unique abilities.


    3. Item Usage and Abilities:


    Survivors are allowed to use all weapons, abilities, and consumables brought into the Challenge Grounds.


    Spirit Points regenerate between levels but at a slower rate than normal.


    Only Soulbound Creatures or Pets are allowed to apany the Survivor


    4. Rewards System:


    Rewards could include resources, rare items, Spirit Stones, Recruitment Stones of varying grades, Tier 5 Equipment, Legendary-Grade Items, and many more.


    Survivors who reach milestones such as Level 30, 60, 100, or even higher will receive additional exclusive rewards.


    The Survivor who reaches the highest level overall will earn the title Undead Challenger along with a unique Legendary-grade item.


    Challenge Grounds Details:


    ? Time Limit: The event ends after 72 hours in the real world, but there is no limit within the Challenge Grounds itself.


    ? Transport Notice: Survivors will be transported to their starting positions in 24 hours. Rest well and prepare for battle.


    Good Luck, Survivors. The world is watching. ]

 Chapter 455 The Springriver Manors Preparedness

    While Jillian was thinking about the items she could bring in order to at least reach level 5 or level 10 of the Zombie Challenge, her thoughts were interrupted by the footsteps of Mr. Wadsworth, the dutiful manager of the Springriver Manor.


    The elderly gentleman approached her with his usual impable posture. He still had his graying hair neatlybed back and a clipboard in hand.


    "Miss Jillian," he said.


    "Lord Shane has given his instructions to ensure that all members of Eclipse Revenant are adequately equipped for the uing event."


    Jillian raised an eyebrow, curious. "Equipped? I''m not exactly the type to charge headfirst into battle, Mr. Wadsworth. Surely, you know that."


    As she said this, she imagined herself wearing some armor to fight against the Zombies. That wouldn''t help at all. Perhaps if she has some high-caliber guns and upgraded ammunition, she might be able to clear several levels. However, she doesn''t think that she could obtain such items since the resources being allocated to her wouldn''t allow her to obtain such expensive weapons or equipment.


    In any case, she was safe within the protection of this wall, so she couldn''t reallyin.


    "Hoho~"


    Mr. Wadsworth smiled after hearing her reply.


    "Indeed, which is precisely why Lord Shane has allocated specific resources to you. ording to his directive, all members must reach at least Level 30, regardless of their specialization."


    Jillian''s harp nearly slipped from her hands. "Level 30? Is he out of his mind? Fighting one-on-one against Mid-Tier Zombie is already tough for me!"


    Mr. Wadsworth smiled faintly and ced a detailed list on the small table beside her. "To ensure your sess, you have been granted the following:


    100 Tokens: 50 Offensive-Type Tokens, 30 Defensive-Type Tokens, and 20 Support-Type Tokens.


    50 Different Talismans: 25 Lightning Talisman, 10 Healing Talisman, 10 Strength Talisman, and 5 Warding Talisman


    Complete Tier 4 Elite Survivor Set: Includes hat, inner shirt, vest, pants, pair of boots, pair of gloves, knapsack, and hatchet.


    Jillian''s eyes widened as she confirmed that it didn''t just end there!@@novelbin@@


    Additionally, she would be receiving consumables such as Dragon''s Veil Elixir, Spirit Stones, and Berserker''s Elixir, which would be provided in abundance.


    Jillian scanned the list carefully, confirming that an upgraded Pistol and Ammunition would also be provided.


    After reading the list, she couldn''t stop smiling!


    With this many items, it would be too embarrassing if she still couldn''t reach level 30 of the event at this point!


    She hadn''t expected this level of preparation. "Lord Shane really thought of everything," she murmured.


    "Indeed. His expectations for the n are high," Mr. Wadsworth said.


    He knew very well that that the weapons, elixirs, talisman, and others were mostly made here in the Springriver Manor.


    The weapons were under Leo''s group''s care, the medicine and other elixirs were Anna''s work, and Aya and her assistants made all types of talismans.


    Right now, their shelter could produce numerous materials that could be sold in the Marketce for a high price.


    Mr. Wadsworth then continued.


    "He believes that even nonbat specialists like yourself can contribute greatly to the Eclipse Revenant''s reputation. He mentioned that he had a feeling that despite this being an individual event, the overall result would still reflect the n''s ranking."


    Jillian took a deep breath, as she didn''t really think too much of this.


    However, it seemed that Mr. Wadsworth was correct, and there would still be a n Leaderboard for this event.


    Anyway, while she still doubted her ability to clear Level 30 easily, Shane''s support and resources gave her a glimmer of hope to really aplish it.


    With her Famous Bard Talent and the arsenal she''d been provided, perhaps she could charm, heal, and strategize her way through the early levels.


    Rising from her seat, she set her harp aside and looked at Mr. Wadsworth¡­


    "Alright. I''ll be preparing for a bit and n my approach on this. If Lord Shane believes in me, I suppose I should at least give it my all."


    "Very good, Miss Jillian," Mr. Wadsworth replied with a nod. "The manor staff will deliver your equipment and supplies shortly."


    As he left, Jillian felt inspired and thought of another melody that might be more threatening against the Zombies¡­


    Soon, her fingers danced over the strings of her harp, this time with a lively and stubborn tune.


    Just like that, the Manor resonated with her melody as she prepared for the Zombie Challenge¡­


    ***


    Within the mansion just outside the inner wall of the Springriver Manor.


    Whoosh~


    Raze stepped out of the bath. Steam curled around her as droplets of water slid down her toned, athletic figure.


    Her red hair clung damply to her shoulders, and some hair strands stuck to her neck as she reached for a towel.


    Wrapping it securely around herself, she walked barefoot across the smooth stone floor of her chambers¡­


    After hearing some sounds of movements, her gaze fell on Roan, her red dragon, sprawled across her bed.


    Roan''s massive frame had already outgrown his previous resting spot beside the window.


    Now, his red-scaled body took up most of her bed, his long tail waszily draped over the edge, and his golden eyes half-lidded in satisfaction.


    His breaths were deep and even, but when Raze entered, his nostrils red slightly, and a low, rumbling purr escaped him.


    "Are you sleepy?" Raze asked, and a small smile tugged at her lips as she approached.


    Roan tilted his head, as if he were more amused than tired. The dragon didn''t need to respond with words¡ªhis emotions were clear with the mysterious connections on their soul.


    Raze chuckled softly. "I see. You''re just waiting for me, aren''t you?" she said as she ran her fingers on the polished scales of the red dragon.


    Roan nuzzled against her hand, and she sighed.


    "We won''t go out hunting today," she said, walking over to her wardrobe. "We''ll be busy soon enough."


    Raze wore her inner garments, followed by her Dragon Knight Armor, a Tier 5 masterpiece that had a muted metallic luster.


    Needless to say, the armor was crafted from a unique alloy reinforced with dragon scales, which gave a faint sign of red and ck.


    To make it beautiful, she even asked Leo to make an intricate engraving on the pauldrons that resembled dragon wings in flight while her breastte bore the sigil of a roaring dragon''s maw.


    Of course, this may seem just like ceremonial armor, but this suit was also suitable forbat.


    It was flexible enough for swift movements yet durable enough to withstand even Monk Chaloem''s strongest punch without using his Aura.


    After her armor, it was followed by her gauntlets that granted her strength and fire resistance, while her boots could help her negate any knockback abilities. At this point, it was extremely difficult to make her fall to the ground.


    Anyway, her outfit waspleted with a crimson cape trimmed in gold, fastened by a brooch in the shape of a dragon''s w.


    With her armor secured, she took out her greatsword from her inventory. It was a two-handed de that could cut through even the Armored Tyrants.


    Afterpleting her preparation, Roan stirred from the bed. His tail was already flicking in anticipation as he stood near the door.


    "Alright, let''s go," Raze said, giving Roan a yful pat on the side.


    The two then moved through the mansion''s hallway¡­


    At this time, there were still a few people moving about with their tasks.


    The presence of these two, however, caught the attention of the staff and the few remaining Survivors preparing for the Zombie Challenge Event.


    They would give a moment to acknowledge Raze''s presence as she was one of the reasons why their shelter had always been safe. Although she would also disappear with her small team for a few days or weeks from time to time, everyone knew that they were all subjugating areas filled with zombies or areas controlled by the Necromancers.


    ***


    Soon, the duo arrived at the war room, where Shinja, the towering Warlord, was waiting for her. At the center of this chamber was actually a map of about 30 kilometers around their Manor.


    Everyone would discuss various strategies to deal with the Zombies or defend against the Wild Shelters, and they would do it here.


    This time, however, the discussion would be different.


    Shinja looked up as Raze entered. He then nodded in acknowledgment and spoke¡­


    "Raze. Are your preparations already enough?"


    "Yes," Raze replied. Stay connected with empire


    "But I wanted to talk about the Manor''s defense before we leave. You''ll be in charge while the rest of us are gone. That will be 72 hours, and I need to make sure that I won''t be returning to the ruins of this Manor.


    Shinja folded his arms as he knew


    "The Manor will hold. I''ll make sure of it." He said confidently.


    Raze smiled faintly. "I don''t doubt that. But still, I want you to know that Roan will leave some of his mes behind in the forge¡ªjust in case you need an extra boost for any traps or weapons."


    Shinja raised an eyebrow. He was impressed since the dragon''s fire could certainly be helpful in many situations.


    "That coulde in handy. I appreciate it¡­" Shinja said. After all, he already had a feeling that once the Foreign Survivors left, they would be challenged again.


    It could be a horde of zombies, an army of undead summons, or other problems.

 Chapter 457 Shanes Shopping Spree

    A few hours before the system announcement, Shane woke up early as he needed to prepare.


    After having his meal, he swiftly opened his Survivor Store just in case he could suddenly find an interesting item being sold that might be helpful.


    [ Weapon Store ] [ Nourishment Store ] [ Random Store ]


    Shane then selected the Weapon Store first¡­ Just like before, six of them were only avable for 24 hours, while thest two could be purchased within 7 days.


    [ Blight Fang Dagger ( Rare ): A saw-toothed dagger infused with poisonous energy. Strikes have a 40% chance to inflict a Blight status, dealing 10% of the target''s max health as damage over 5 seconds.


    Price: 1,200 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3 ]


    "This is quite expensive¡­ But the effect is really good." Shane muttered. Although the description wasn''tplete, it was more than enough to have an idea about the item''s capabilities.


    The fact that it could deal a total of 50% damage with the Blight Status made Shane even more surprised that it wasn''t an Exceptional or Master Grade item already.


    ''Ahhh¡­ I guess there''s a problem with durability¡­'' Shane recalled. Well, after purchasing hundreds of items in the system''s store, he already had a rough idea of what truly makes an item high-grade or not. Some items just couldn''t be used for a long time or just too difficult to repair. Because of that, these items might only be usable in just three or five battles before bing useless.


    Anyway, Shane continued checking the other items.


    [ Stormcaller Bow ( Rare ): A recurve bow crafted with conductive alloys. Arrows fired have a 15% chance to release a chain lightning effect, hitting up to three nearby targets for 50% of the original damage.


    Price: 850 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5 ]


    [ Crusher''s Maul ( Exceptional ): A massive war hammer designed for brute force. Each swing causes shockwaves, dealing area-of-effect damage within a 3-meter radius. Ideal for taking on hordes.


    Price: 1,600 Zombie Cores ]


    Quantity: 2 ]


    [ Shadowme Longsword ( Exceptional ): A sword blessed with shadow and fire energy. Deals bonus damage to undead creatures but weak against those who are not.


    Price: 2,500 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1 ]


    "Mhmm? A weapon only good for zombies and terrible for humans." Shane muttered as he found this interesting. Anyway, it must be incredibly good, considering the price difference of the two simr Exceptional grade weapons.


    [ Piercing Arc Crossbow ( Rare ): A lightweight crossbow that fires specialized bolts with armor-piercing tips. Effective against armored Zombies and mechanical threats.


    Price: 1,200 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 6 ]


    [ Frostbite ws ( Umon ): Dual-wielded gauntlets with razor-sharp, ice-coated talons. The strikes can slow the target by 10% and reduce their attack speed for 3 seconds.


    Continue reading on empire


    Price: 600 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2 ]


    "Everything had be so expensive¡­" Shane muttered as he even guessed that the system had done this on purpose since they should''ve collected a lot of Zombie Cores already.


    Shane didn''t purchase anything just yet and checked thest two special items that were only avable for 7 days. Well, he had already seen them yesterday but he was still quite hesitant to purchase them.


    [ Eclipse de ( Master ): A one-handed sword imbued with the power of sr and lunar cycles. During the day, it radiates sr energy, burning enemies over time. At night, it harnesses lunar energy, dealing bonus damage to the undead and reducing their healing effects.


    Special Effect: Grants the user 5% health regeneration duringbat.


    Price: 3,800 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1 ] [ 6 days left ]


    [ Titan''s Bastion Shield ( Master ): A tower shield forged from reinforced alloys and Titan Serum crystals. Provides immunity to knockback effects and reflects 15% of iing damage to attackers within melee range.


    Special Effect: Activating its ability creates a force field that absorbs damage equal to 20% of the user''s max health for 10 seconds (Cooldown: 30 seconds).


    Price: 4,500 Zombie Cores@@novelbin@@


    Quantity: 1 ] [ 6 days left ]


    Once again, the Bonus Effects and the Special Effects weren''tpletely shown but they were already impressive enough.


    "There''s no rifles or any advanced weapons this time, huh¡­ I guess there''s really a theme being followed here." Shane muttered as whenever a gun would appear in the list, there would always be multiple of them.


    This time, most of the items sold were melee weapons or old era''s weapons, so Shane couldn''t help but confirm the theme for the day.


    After some consideration, Shane purchased the three Blight Fang Dagger and the Shadowme Longsword.


    Shane believed that the daggers had low durability and needed more of them.


    As for the longsword, he was thinking of giving it to Lysandra after upgrading it to Legendary so she could have a spare weapon with her. After all, he really wanted her to reach a higher level.


    Anyway, Shane then continued to open the Nourishment Store.


    ''Let''s see¡­''


    [ Battle Ration Packs: Apact, nutrient-dense meal designed for Survivors. Restores 30% stamina instantly and boosts stamina regeneration by 15% for 2 hours.


    Price: 50 Zombie Cores per pack


    Quantity: 50 ]


    "Practical, but I can''t spend too much on these. We can''t rely on temporary boosts for every battle." Shane muttered. Of course, he still bought all of them since they were cheap anyway.


    [ Good Revival Potion: An elixir that boosts Vitality Points. It grants 15% in health instantly. Can only be used once per day. ]


    Price: 500 Zombie Cores per bottle


    Quantity: 5 ]


    "Ohh¡­ This is expensive, but it''s not that bad if I don''t have a bunch of tokens¡­ Right, these potions are still better for others since it doesn''t need Spirit Points to activate." Shanemented.


    After all, even though Shane''s tokens were incredibly good, they required Spirit Points to be activated. If a Survivor was in situation where they couldn''t use their Spirit Points, these potions would be a better option.


    Anyway, Shane still continued looking.


    [ Iron Gut Pills: A medicinal pill that grants temporary immunity to food poisoning and mild toxins for 24 hours.


    Price: 20 Zombie Cores per pill


    Quantity: 30 ]


    [ Mystic Fruit Essence: Extract from the rare Mystic Fruit, this potion grants +5 to max Vitality for 6 hours. And it will be permanent if 3 of them are consumed at once.


    Price: 800 Zombie Cores per bottle


    Quantity: 10 ]


    "Oh¡­ It can be a permanent stat increase¡­ This is really good." Shane muttered as he bought it without any hesitation at all. Although the increase wasn''t a lot, it was still an increase.


    After that, he continued checking all the other items.


    [ Quick Recovery Gel: A fast-acting gel applied to wounds that heals 25% of max health over three hours. Cool to the touch and reduces inmmation.


    Price: 100 Zombie Cores per tube


    Quantity: 20 ]


    [ Endurance Tea Leaves: Special tea leaves that, when brewed, increase focus and reaction time by 20% for 4 hours. Popr among marksmen and scouts.


    Price: 50 Zombie Cores per bundle ( brews 5 cups )


    Quantity: 40 ]


    "This could help someone like Vernon or Nia during long missions. Might grab a few bundles. If they tasted good, I should just buy all of them." Shane muttered to himself.


    Anyway, Shane then turned his attention to the Random Items¡­ To his surprise, although some of them weren''t good, there were a few that were actually quite interesting.


    They were Traveler''s Cloak, All-Purpose Clooking Pot, Mystic Lantern, Bizarre Bonsai Tree, Basic Home Gardening Kit, and Portable Forge Kit.


    [ Traveler''s Cloak: A durable, weather-resistant cloak that grants +5 to stealth and +5 to resistance against cold environments. Lightweight and stylish.


    Price: 50 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3 ]


    [ All-Purpose Cooking Pot: A high-quality pot with a self-heating function. Increases the effectiveness of meals cooked in it by 20% (e.g., more stamina restored).


    Price: 35 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5 ]


    [ Mystic Lantern: Antern that can be powered by Zombie Cores. It illuminates a 50-meter radius. It can also reveal invisible entities within its glow. ( No Zombie Cores included )


    Price: 150 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 10 ]


    [ Bizarre Bonsai Tree: A small tree that grows miniature edible fruits every three days. Fruits restore stamina and health.


    Price: 1,000 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 100 ]


    [ Basic Home Gardening Kit


    Description: A kit containing enchanted tools that elerate the growth of crops by 10%. Includes seeds formon vegetables.


    Price: 700 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 7 ]


    [ Portable Forge Kit


    Description: Apact forge and anvilbo that allows cksmiths to work anywhere. Grants a 10% speed boost to crafting metal items.


    Price: 950 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2 ]


    Since he might not be able to purchase in the Survivor Store during the 72-hour event, he decided to buy ten Bizarre Bonsai Tree, five Mystic Lanterns, and all three Traveler''s Cloaks for Nia and the other two.


    Then, Shane called Lysandra as he gave her the Shadowme Longsword after upgrading it to Legendary¡­


    "Make sure to reach Level 30¡ªNo, I think you can reach Level 50 with this¡­" Shane said with a smile.


    "Thank you, Shane¡­ I actually just bought 2 Skill Fusion Scrolls. I used one of them to fuse three of my movement skills¡­ I still have an extra Fusion Scroll. Do you want it?" Lysandra asked...


    "Ahh¡­ No, I''m good. I still have an extra with me. You can go ahead and just use it." Shane replied.


    After talking for a bit, they soon received the system announcement.


    In just a few moments, the system countdown had started¡­


    [ 5¡­ 4¡­ 3¡­ 2¡­ 1¡­ Survivors will now be transported to the Challenge Zone. ]

 Chapter 458 Zombie Challenge Event ( 1 )

    As the countdown hit zero, Shane felt the world shift around him.


    One moment, he was standing on solid ground, and the next, he was surrounded by a headache-inducing vortex of light.


    It felt a lot worse than the previous transportation¡­


    Nheless, this didn''t take long as the surroundings exploded in a dazzling sh, leaving him inplete silence.


    Shane opened his eyes and found himself in what looked like an ancient coliseum.


    ''Arena, huh¡­ I wonder if the Challenge Zone will change or not¡­'' He mused.


    The massive arena was encircled by crumbling stone walls, and vines were even snaking their way through cracks. Obviously, the arena appeared to be neglected by whoever was managing this ce.


    Then, a faint, magical glow illuminated the battlefield making the ce really bright but it was apanied by a cold, eerie wind in the arena¡­@@novelbin@@


    After observing for a moment, the arena''s dirt floor stretched out wide, about 200 meters, giving plenty of space forbat.


    [ Wee, Survivor Shane, to the Zombie Challenge Zone. ]


    [ You have entered Level 1.


    Objective: Eliminate all enemies to progress.


    Reward: Each sessful level grants increased rewards. ]


    Shane smirked, cracking his knuckles as he nced ahead.


    Whom~


    About 30 meters away stood his first opponent: a Runner Zombie. It growled like how they usually act¡­


    "Just one? This''ll be over before it starts." Shane muttered¡­ He certainly liked how the first level was a warm-up for everyone.


    The moment the System chimed, signaling the start of the match, the Runner Zombie finally sensed Shane''s presence, and with its instinct, it bolted toward Shane without any hesitation.


    Its speed was impressive, covering ground quickly¡­ But that wasn''t just enough for Shane.


    He didn''t even flinch. He raised his hand, summoning his three Blight Fang Daggers¡­


    Whoosh~


    The weapons hovered mid-air, their greenish glow from the poison coating them had even glowed faintly.


    "Let''s see how sharp you are today," Shane muttered.


    With a flick of his fingers, the daggers flew through the air like arrows. The first dagger struck the zombie''s knee, causing it to stagger, while the second pierced its chest. The final dagger drove through its skull, ending the battle in an instant.


    The zombie copsed to the ground and rolled to the ground due to its momentum¡­


    Thud¡­


    As it stopped moving, the System also confirmed his sess.


    [ Level 1 cleared. Preparing Level 2. ]


    This preparation was the 30-second gap for each level that had beenmunicated to them before.


    Shane swiftly retrieved his daggers and sat cross-legged to conserve his stamina before the arena shifted slightly. The glow around the edges of the coliseum increased, and this time, three Runner Zombies materialized about 30 meters away¡­


    "So the number increased instead of changing the Zombie-Type¡­ This shouldn''t be a problem to others," Shane muttered as he readied Blight Fang Daggers.


    As the zombies charged, Shane remained on his spot, calcting their trajectory. Well, his Telekinesis Talent was only a rare grade, and his control was limited. The daggers couldn''t doplicated maneuvers and would just mostly be in straight lines.


    Thankfully, with his Armament Expert, Heightened Awareness, and Aura Mastery, this limit was easilypensated.


    Whoosh~


    Soon, the daggers shot forward with incredible speed.


    Stay updated via empire


    The first dagger struck a zombie in the neck, sending it tumbling. The second dagger skewered another through the forehead, while the third required two strikes¡ªone to the leg to slow it down and another to its chest.


    Within seconds, the battle was over. Shane hadn''t moved an inch from his starting position.


    Well, it was easy since the level was too low. He wasn''t expecting that much at all.


    [ Level 2 cleared. Preparing Level 3. ]


    Anyway, the subsequent levels came fast, since Shane eliminated them as quickly as possible.


    The Level 3 challenge had Seven Runner Zombies¡­ They weren''t special and just had arger number. Because of their number, Shane adjusted his strategy, using his telekinesis, Shane positioned his three daggers at some angles that could help him skewer two or three Zombies at once¡­


    The zombies didn''t stand a chance.


    The Level 4 challenge came, and he fought eleven Runner zombies. Because of this, Shane decided to spend a bit more Spirit Points and incorporated his Aura Mastery a little bit more, making the daggers extremely sharp.


    Then, the Level 5 challenge came, where he faced eighteen runner zombies.


    This time, although Shane still remained in his spot, he had to use a bit of his Energy Wave, sending a ripple of force across the arena to destroy the horde, making them easy targets for his daggers.


    None of the fights couldst a minute at all.


    Anyway, the Levels 6 to 9 grew harder, with more Runner Zombies spawning. They even started getting faster as if they were getting better shoes to run.


    By Level 9, Shane faced 50 Runner Zombies at once¡­ The Runner Zombies were still not a threat but since he wanted to end this quickly, he was forced to mix in his Shadow Hunt ability to teleport behind his enemies, thinning the horde methodically.


    Finally, Shane reached Level 10¡­


    ''Is it going to be a hundred Runner Zombies or something?'' Shane guessed as he knew that every tenth level would be a huge challenge.


    [ Level 10 initiated. Opponents: 30 Runner Zombies, 2 Runner Leader Zombies. ]


    The Runner Leader Zombies were taller, with stronger builds and sharper teeth¡­ Their eyes also had a hint of intelligence that was normally absent in the regr Zombies.


    "This is going to take more effort," Shane muttered, summoning his Blight Fang Daggers and pulling out his Silver Throwing Knives.


    The 30 Runner Zombies charged first, followed by the two leaders. Their speed was terrifying as if they were boosted by the Runner Leaders as they swiftly closed the gap within seconds.


    Shane had a lot of things in his possession that could swiftly end this, including some explosives and even his Automated Turret. However, instead of using those, Shane decided to throw his Blight Fang Daggers into the air, using his telekinesis to hover them around him like a protective shield.


    After some calctions done in a few moments, the daggers darted out in quick bursts, taking down the smaller zombies one by one.


    The Silver Throwing Knives, on the other hand, weren''t controlled by his telekinesis but simply threw them by hand¡­


    He did this in rapid session, focusing on thinning the horde before the leaders arrived.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    By the time the Runner Leaders reached him, only eight regr zombies remained.


    The first Runner Leader pounced at him, swiping with his hands, hoping to catch Shane and eat his brain. However, Shane just activated his Arcane Veil, deflecting the attack with an arcane barrier.


    Using the opening, he drove a dagger into its chest¡­ Well, the Zombie was a bit tall, so the head was a bit harder to hit in such a quick, closebat. However, Shane was still strong enough to raise his dagger and split the Runner Leader Zombie''s upper body!


    Thud!


    The second leader roared, as it to rally the remaining zombies to attack simultaneously.


    "Come!"


    Shane activated Predator''s Surge, enhancing his speed and agility. It may be a bit overkill to activate this powerful Fusion Skill but Shane was hoping that there was some sort of hidden quest in this Challenge Event, so he wanted to kill them all in less than a minute.


    That was a thing in the Fairy Realm Invasion after all.


    He then dashed to the side, avoiding the coordinated assault of the Runner Zombies.


    With a quick activation, Shane threw an Energy Wave into the group, staggering them. He followed up by targeting the leader''s legs, crippling its movement before delivering the killing blow to its head.


    The remaining Runner Zombies were no longer a threat and Shane ended the battle with a few more swings of his dagger.


    [ Level 10 cleared. Preparing Level 11. ]


    "Mhmm¡­ This is a good warm-up¡­" Shane muttered to himself as he retrieved all his weapons.


    [ Level 11 initiated. Opponents: 3 Spitter Zombies. ]


    "This is getting interesting."


    Shane''s eyes narrowed as three new figures materialized at the far end of the arena.


    The Spitter Zombies were the familiar bloated, greenish bodies oozing with acidic liquid. Their elongated mouths twitched unnervingly, already primed to spit their deadly projectiles.


    "So, we''re upping the stakes, huh?" Shane muttered, summoning his Blight Fang Daggers and readying his Silver Throwing Knives. Of course, he knew how troublesome these Spitter Zombies could be, so he decided to use the safety tokens he had made since defending against the Acid Spit with his aura would consume a lot of his Spirit Points.


    As the battle started, the Spitter Zombies let out a wet, gurgling roar beforeunching streams of acid toward Shane.


    Their speed wasn''t too surprising, but Shane was forced to react immediately since he didn''t want to get hit by the acid at all.


    By spending 40 Spirit Points, his Pixie Oak Safety Token activated and created a Protective Aura.


    Whom~


    As the barrier materialized in front of him, it absorbed the first volley of acid spits. The liquid sizzled as it hit the shield, leaving dark scorch marks on the dirt floor around him¡­


    However, at the same time that this happened, the heads of the Spitter Zombies also rolled to the ground¡­

 Chapter 459 Zombie Challenge Event ( 2 )

    The Spitter Zombies only needed about 2 or 3 seconds before they could spit out a blob of acid¡­


    It was quite fast.


    Considering their distance, Shane''s dagger wasn''t fast enough to kill them before they could throw their acid spit.


    After all, the Zombie''s spawn area was random. Shane could only tell that their spawning area would always be about 40 meters away from him.


    [ Level 11 cleared. Preparing Level 12 ] .


    Shane exhaled slowly as he retrieved his daggers once again. Shane then waved his hands a few times as the acid residue still lingered in the air. It was pungent, so he had decided to move away.


    Anyway, now that the Zombie-Type was revealed, Shane believed that he would be facing Spitter Zombies in the next few levels.


    Because of that, he prepared most of his Safety Tokens since he knew that the corrosion of these Spitter Zombie''s acids should not be underestimated at all.


    Anyway, Shane fought against 6 Spitter Zombies in the 12th level. This time, Shane used his Energy Wave to knock them off bnce before they could use their Acid Spit. However, only 3 of them had failed to spit, and the other three were able to release their attacks.


    Nheless, because they were clustered together, it was a lot easier to target them with his daggers and knives.


    At the next level, Shane had to fight against 9 Spitters.


    Their synchronized acid spits forced Shane to rely on Safety Tokens more to create temporary barriers while he eliminated them with his throwing knives and daggers controlled by his Telekinesis¡­@@novelbin@@


    ''I wonder how the others are faring right now.'' Shane muttered as he hoped that they haven''t used up their Tokens, Talismans, and ammunitions just yet.


    He really wanted all his members to reach Level 30 at the very least.


    Anyway, he didn''t have much time to think as the battle continued.


    He fought an increasing number of Spitter Zombie and seeded without much trouble. He was only forced to change his Silver Knights since they were all corroded already.


    Furthermore, he spent a total of 8 Safety Tokens because the explosions of the Spitter Zombies were just too much.


    By Level 18, Shane faced 21 Spitter Zombies at once.


    The arena felt like a war zone, with acid raining down in persistent volleys.


    Shane alternated between Arcane Veil for personal defense and Veiled Steps to close gaps quickly or to evade the Acid Explosions.


    With these two abilities together with his Telekinesis talent, he was able to eliminated zombies either in long range or close range.


    As Level 19 began, Shane took a deep breath.


    [ Level 19 initiated. Opponents: 25 Spitter Zombies. ]


    ''That''s a lot¡­'' Shane thought to himself as he looked at the Spitters. Well, the only saving grace was the fact that these Zombies have terrible movement speed.


    Their acid spit may be fast, but because of that, the acid itself wasn''t too strong. If they want to spit out a huge blob of acid, they would take almost 10 seconds to do that.


    ''This is a bit tricky, but still doable even without using my expensive skills.'' Shane thought to himself, referring to his other Fused Skills that eat up a lot of Spirit Points.


    Shane immediately started moving after seeing the 25 fat figures appear¡­ They spread out in a semi-circle around him, and there was no way he would stay in his spot and get targeted so easily.


    The moment he reappeared after using his Veiled Steps, their mouths opened wide, and the arena was filled with the sound of gurgling acid.


    "This is insane." Shane muttered after seeing the chilling scene of multiple acid blobs being thrown at him¡­


    Whoosh~ Whoosh~ Whoosh~


    Experience new stories on empire


    The first wave of acid spits shot toward him.


    Again, because they cast the acid spit so quickly, the projectiles were small and a lot easier to dodge with Shane''s agility.


    Nheless, for safety, Shane still activated his three Safety Tokens simultaneously, creating arger defensive barrier to shield himself from the first volley.


    The acidic projectiles sttered harmlessly against the glowing shield, but the sound of sizzling echoed ominously¡­ Shane knew that his barrier wouldn''tst forever.


    The zombies didn''t stop.


    They spat in ovepping patterns that made dodging nearly impossible.


    Shane''s Telekinesis worked overtime, guiding his daggers to strike multiple targets simultaneously.


    However, because of the Zombies'' acid or corrosion, his daggers seemed to have lost their sharpness already¡­


    ''Those daggers have been upgraded to Epic Grade, but they actually didn''tst long.'' Shane mused.


    He had no other choice but to use his other daggers, which were his Crawler Fang Daggers, which were upgraded to Epic Rank as well. He had dozens of these in his Inventory, so he decided to just rece his current ones.


    He wasn''t too worried even if they got corroded.


    "Kill!"


    Shane''s killing spree started once again after recing his daggers.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    As the zombies exploded upon death, Shane had to time his movements carefully. He used Shadow Hunt to move away swiftly to safer spots while continuing to eliminate his enemies.


    The battle against such hard Zombies could truly stretch Shane''s resources to their limits.


    To be honest, it was a lot easier to kill Crawler Leader, Runner Leader, or other low-tier Leader Zombies than these Spitter Zombies because of their corrosion.


    Anyway, Shane could onlyin in his mind and continue on his battle.


    His Crawler Fang Daggers continued to dash through the air, piercing through the Spitter Zombies who were about to send their acid projectiles.


    He relied heavily on Predator''s Surge to avoid being overwhelmed, darting between the acid sshes and explosions.


    His Energy Wave also provided much-needed breathing room, knocking back groups of zombies to prevent them from closing in.


    Well, the Energy Wave wasn''t that strong if used independently after all¡­ Nheless, it was strong enough to wobble or even push back these Spitter Zombies and momentarily disrupt their actions.


    By the time the final Zombie fell, the arena was a battlefield of scorched earth and acidic puddles.


    [ Level 19 cleared. Preparing Level 20. ]


    Shane stood at the center, feeling a bit relieved that the next level would finally be thest, and the one following that should be another type of Zombie already.


    As the preparation or 30-second break wasing up, Shane confirmed that the arena started slowly repairing itself. At this time, Shane decided to consume an Energy Drink to replenish his stamina and focus.


    ''I wonder how many Chief Spitter Zombies will appear this time¡­ Ahh¡ªNo, there''s also that variant type called Spitter Monster Zombie¡­ They could be the ones appearing instead.'' Shane thought as he recalled the Zombies he had eliminated before.


    Anyway, it didn''t take long before the system message appeared.


    [ Level 20 initiated. Opponents: 5 Chief Spitter Zombies. ]


    Shane''s eyes narrowed as five massive figures materialized at the opposite end of the arena.


    These were no ordinary Spitter Zombies. Each Chief Spitter stood at least seven feet tall, their whole bodies were also pulsing with acidic energy.


    He believed that just by standing within 10 meters of them would already cause some damage over time.


    Furthermore, instead of green, they had darker, mottled skin that glistened with a greenish acid leaking through some holes or probably air vents within their bodies.


    Lastly, their mouths were unnaturally wide, dripping with a more concentrated acid that hissed as it touched the ground.


    ''These Zombies are the real deal¡­'' Shane muttered as he knew that he had to take this more seriously.


    Anyway, aside from their huge appearance, what set them apart was the faint glow emanating from their eyes, a sign of intelligence that could only be found in Leader Type or stronger Zombies.


    Shane had fought against them before and knew very well that their Acid spit would not only corrode barriers but also release a noxious gas upon impact, creating a deadly zone of lingering toxicity.


    "Fantastic. This is going to be a nightmare," Shane muttered, summoning his Metal Slime pet with a wave of his hand.


    Well, his barrier might still be effective against them but if he wanted to be able to move more swiftly and eliminate these Chief Spitters, he had to rely on Silver, his Metal Slime!


    Then, after some thought, Shane drew his Legendary Light mede, the sword that was originally made of Phoenix Copper until it got upgraded to Legendary and somehow mutated.


    As soon as he released the sword, the weapon pulsed in his hand, and orange mes flowed along its edge as if eager for the fight.


    "Alright, buddy," Shane said to Silver as he patted the blob of liquid metal on his shoulder¡­ Then, wobbled in response.


    "You''re on defense. Block those acid spits and keep me clear."


    The Metal Slime bobbed in agreement as it started to cover Shane''s body with a metallic sheen. After eating a lot of Zombie Cores and also absorbing the Evolution Stone, Silver had already gone through so many changes and became extremely reliable.


    Since Shane had spent a lot of time developing this pet, it was now the time to use his investment.

 Chapter 461 Zombie Challenge Event ( 4 )

    In the meantime, the other Top Rankers of the Survivor Leaderboard were also doing their best to clear more levels.


    They all wanted to reach the milestone that the system announced before.


    They were Levels 30, 60, and 100. ording to the system, reaching them would give them additional exclusive rewards. This was aside from the special reward for clearing every 10th level.


    One of the Top Rankers was Travis. He was the formidable n Leader of the Drakeheart Vanguard.


    At this time, he was not far off from the center of the arena¡­


    He was currently using his Spirit Stones to recover his Spirit Points¡­


    Of course, he was protected by his Avatars while doing so¡­


    As the countdown waspleted, he opened his crimson eyes that were gleaming with the intensity of his draconic lineage.


    Soon, he received the message from the system about his opponents this time and nced at the five enemies¡­


    ''Chief Spitters?'' Travis thought as he gently nodded. This wouldn''t be too difficult with his current strength. However, he would have to be prepared to lose some precious items because of their corrosive abilities.


    Anyway, Travis'' broad frame was adorned with a Legendary Rank Scalete Armor. His weapon of choice was the Infernal Dragon''s Fang, which he obtained after hiring a cksmith with Legendary Talent.


    Graahhh~


    The five Chief Spitter Zombies roared with their bloated bodies emanating a toxic aura.


    ''Tsk¡­'' Travis clicked his tongue as he saw their acidic drool sizzle as it hit the ground¡­ Aside from the toxic gas, their bulging, pulsating sacs of corrosive fluid also looked ready to burst with any sudden movement.


    Perhaps any items below Epic or Legendary would be destroyed by these corrosive acids. Furthermore, even with his Epic and Legendary items, he wouldn''t be too careless in this battle.


    ''This has to end quickly before their acid could cover us.'' He thought.


    Well, he was still fully confident that he wouldn''t be defeated by such Zombies.


    "This will be fun."


    Travis then nced at the group of people behind him¡­


    Well, aside from his Legendary Talent called Dragon''s Blood, he was able to obtain another Legendary Talent called Blood Avatar Talent.


    Apparently, the people in the Regional Chat, who were guessing that he had clones monitoring the chat all the time, were right!


    Travis was always active and updated on all information since he truly designated one of his Avatars or Clones to read and chat all day!


    Needless to say, all these Avatars were transported with him in the Challenge Zone since they were part of him.


    There were a total of twelve identical clones of Travis, and each of them was fully equipped with Epic-Grade Armor and Weapons.


    Despite being mere avatars, they exuded the same confidence and power as their creator. After all, this wasn''t an Exceptional Grade Cloning Talent or Master Grade Copying Talent¡­ It was a legendary talent, and they weren''t being controlled; they had their own minds that linked with him.


    "Form up!" Travismanded. The avatars moved in perfect unison, creating a semi-circle formation around the Chief Spitters.


    Soon, the undead monsters roared and spewed torrents of acid at the advancing force!


    Two Chief Spitters immediatelyunched coordinated acid barrages. The attacks were quick as their projectiles flew like acidic missiles toward the group.


    "Barrier¡­" Travis softly¡­


    He didn''t really have to raise his voice since they were all linked to him¡­


    Soon, six of his Blood Avatars raised their Molten Barrier Shields, a defensive Epic item that generated fiery domes to neutralize the acid spits. They actually came from Fire Zombies.


    Fire Zombies were High-Tier Zombies and actually killed more than 30 people within his Drakeheart Vanguard n over the past month¡­


    However, because they were able to im the area, the territory of the Fire Zombies became their hunting grounds, and various unique loots that could only be obtained from these Zombies were monopolized by his n.


    These Molten Barrier Shields were one of them.


    Simr to Shane''s tactics of distributing resources, Travis had also distributed three or even five of these Shields to every member of his n. This included his Avatars.


    Anyway, these shields'' existence were to ensure that they would have a decent rank once the Zombie Challenge Event ended.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The shields hissed and smoked as the acid struck them, creating an acrid cloud, but the defenses held firm.


    They weren''t corroded or broken just yet. Travis assumed that it wouldst for ten or even more volleys of attack.


    Of course, Travis wouldn''t just watch his shields get their durability eaten up by the acid¡­


    While six of Avatars held the defensive line, Travis dashed forward, and his Infernal Dragon''s Fang ignited with hot energy.


    With a powerful swing, he unleashed the weapon''s Scorching Crescent sh, a de of fire that ripped through the air, striking one Chief Spitter directly.


    The attack didn''t just wound the creature¡ªit exploded on impact, setting the monster aze and leaving it howling in agony.


    ''Good¡­ They''re not that though¡­''


    "Push harder¡­" Travismanded as he started to gather his Blood Energy¡­ To be exact, his Draconic Powers.


    At this time, the remaining three Chief Spitters retaliated¡­ Their acidic spits were bing more erratic and widespread.


    Perhaps, they couldn''t choose which opponent they should focus on, and so, they just started shooting everywhere to get everyone affected¡­@@novelbin@@


    That was a good thing for the real Travis since the attacksing at him could be easily defended or blocked because of that.


    There was no concentration on their attacks!


    Then, he noticed that one Spitter shifted its position before it started spraying an arc of acid toward the left nk, where three avatars were advancing.


    One Blood Avatar sidestepped, leaping high into the air and hurling an Explosive Dragon Javelin into the Spitter''s swollen head.


    Boom!


    The resulting explosion sttered corrosive fluids everywhere, but two avatars raised their shields just in time to protect themselves.


    Thud! Thud!


    Another Spitter lunged forward with surprising speed, its massive bulk mmed into two avatars and sending them sprawling.


    ''They can move that fast?'' Travis frowned as he then sprinted toward the creature¡­ Since he was able to gather enough energy, his scales started glinting as the assimtion started¡­


    With a giant leap, hended on the Spitter''s back, plunging his Infernal Dragon''s Fang deep into its spine. The weapon''s Inferno Burst ability activated, sending waves of fire coursing through the Spitter''s body.


    The zombie shrieked and copsed, its corpse smoldering. Because he had already burned it inside, he wasn''t worried about it exploding at all.


    Now, only two Chief Spitters remained. Probably enraged by the deaths of their allies, theyunched a stronger acid storm, saturating the arena in corrosive projectiles.


    However, their resistance was futile¡­ This battle was already about to be over¡­


    The remaining Blood Avatars formed a protective circle around Travis. Their shields were raised high as acid rained down.


    Of course, despite their efforts, it couldn''t be helped that three Epic Grade equipment were melted because of their attacks. After all, the corrosive power of the Chief Spitters was just that strong.


    Nheless, because these Spitters and Chief Spitters had already disappeared, Travis believed they would no longer appear on the next levels and he would no longer have to worry about his equipment or weapons being melted.


    Anyway, as soon as the Acid Rain was stopped, Travis didn''t waste this opportunity.


    The Chief Spitter would need at least three or five seconds to attack again, and he had to end this quickly.


    "Enough games!" Travis roared, his draconic features bing more pronounced. His eyes glowed brighter, and his voice became deep with a dragon-like tone.


    Furthermore, the roar he just made was a Skill that stunned the Chief Spitters.


    Needless to say, Travis had just activated Dragon''s Wrath. It was one of his Survivor Skills. It was a power that amplified his strength and imbued his strikes with draconic energy.


    "Die!"


    Find more chapters on empire


    His movements became fast as he attacked the next Chief Spitter.


    With a roar, he cleaved through its bloated torso in a single strike. The energy from his de detonated upon contact, engulfing the Spitter in a massive explosion of mes.


    The final Chief Spitter then tried to use this opportunity to kill Travis¡­


    However, Travis simply raised his hand, summoning his other Legendary Weapon, Dragonfire Lance¡­


    He used it as a massive, zing projectile before the Chief Spitter could even throw another blob of acid at him!


    Whoosh~


    Travis''s Dragon''s Wrath was still active, so he was able to throw it fast without much effort!


    Thud!


    After being hit, the creature erupted into mes, and soon, its charred body copsed to the ground.


    As thest Chief Spitter died¡­ There weren''t any celebratory messages, but the system message confirmed his victory.


    [ Level 20 cleared. Preparing Level 21 ]


    "That should put me firmly ahead of the others," He muttered¡­


    "Shane won''t stay at the top for long."


    Travis then waited for the next level and looked at his Avatars¡­


    "I already worked a lot this round. This time, there shouldn''t be any Acid Spitters or whatever¡­ You guys will be working hard from now on." Travis said to his Avatars.


    Apparently, the only reason the Avatars were on the defensive side was because of their weapons, essories, and pieces of equipment that could be melted by the Chief Spitters.

 Chapter 462 Zombie Challenge Event ( 5 )

    As the Top Rankers of the Survivor Leaderboard were aiming to surpass whatever Shane could achieve, thetter was simply focused on minimizing his usage of stamina and Spirit Points in order tost longer in this event.


    The moment Shane confirmed the arena reset and entered Level 21, he was greeted by the eerie sound of the next zombies. He heard their piercing wails as soon as they entered!


    [ Level 21 initiated. Opponents: five Screamer Zombies. ]


    ''So it''s them this time...''


    Across the battlefield, Shane saw the five Screamer Zombies materialize, and they were all ready to pounce on him.


    Their elongated jaws were already wide, and they were even emitting some eerie vibrations as they all waited for the sign to start the battle.


    What made them a bit more intimidating was their long hair and pulsing veins that glowed faintly along their decayed skin¡­ It was as if they could instantaneously release their sound-based abilities.


    "Five Screamers," Shane muttered with a smirk on his face.


    He could finally use one of his important weapons¡­


    Thud!


    Just like that, he pulled out his Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret from his Inventory.


    This weapon was previously unused against the Spitters since they weren''t that durable against the acid attacks of the Spitters, especially the Chief Spitters.


    Since he only had one Automated Turret, he had to make sure that this weapon could assist him on higher levels in this event. He couldn''t get it damaged against the Spitters.


    Anyway, as he activated it, the device hummed to life as it started to operate¡­


    Your journey continues on empire


    "Cloud¡­ Take control of it." Shane instructed.


    [ Affirmative. ]


    Soon, its sleek ck body extended its dual barrels, one for energy bullets and another for incendiary bombs.


    In the meantime, Shane gripped his pump-action shotgun, which was loaded and ready.


    [ Excellent Shotgun ( Epic ): A master-crafted pump-action shotgun designed for Survivors who thrive in close-to-mid-rangebat. Its reinforced barrel and excellent ck iron ting make each shot from this firearm unleash an overwhelming force.


    Effects: +20% Damage, +15% Critical Chance, +50% Range, +15% Reload Speed


    Special Effects:


    Infernal Shot: Each shot ignites targets, dealing an additional 15% fire damage over 5 seconds. Fire spreads to nearby enemies within 3 meters, causing area-of-effect burning damage.


    Cost: 50 Spirit Points


    Excellent Fire ( Passive ): Upon firing, there is a 10% chance to unleash a shockwave of fiery energy, staggering enemies within a 10-meter radius. ]


    "Let''s see how loud you can scream after this."


    As the match began, the Screamer Zombies opened their jaws, emitting shrieking soundwaves that rippled through the air.


    EeEeeeEeekkk~@@novelbin@@


    Shane expected this, and with his Aura Sentinel, he only suffered a mild disorientation¡­ It barely affected him, and if he increased the intensity of his Aura, he might not feel disoriented at all.


    Nheless, he remained on his spot as he saw the Screamer Zombies rushing at him, thinking that he was already incapacitated.


    Unfortunately, even if he was really affected, the Sentinel Mk-IV''s Advanced Targeting System didn''t get disrupted at all.


    The five Screamer Zombies werepletely unaware as the Turret locked onto the nearest Screamer and unleashed a volley of energy bullets¡­


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The concentrated beams tore through the Screamer Zombie''s chest in rapid session.


    They werepletely incapable of dodging the Energy Bullets!


    A secondter, it switched to its incendiary bombs,unching a fiery projectile that exploded on impact, engulfing two other Screamers in searing mes.


    Boom! Boom!


    ''Mhmm?'' Shane was confused as he didn''t think it was necessary to use incendiary bombs. However, he soon heard from Cloud that it just wanted to see how effective it was against them.


    That way, they would be able to adjust ordingly once the number of Screamer Zombies increased. Shane nodded at this as he realized that it made sense.


    Anyway, Cloud was undoubtedly intelligent for an Artificial Intelligence, so he just let it be.


    Anyway, Shane also fired his shotgun even once to try and see if it could prate their skins.


    Bang!


    Just like that, the spread of pellets obliterated the head of a Screamer Zombie that had managed to stagger closer.


    Within moments, the battlefield was silent. Shane grinned as the system notification appeared.


    [ Level 21 cleared. Preparing Level 22 ]


    [ Level 22 initiated. Opponents: Eight Screamer Zombies. ]


    ''Alright¡­ This is a lot easier than the Spitters.'' Shane thought to himself. Of course, if it was other Survivors, they would certainly have different ideas.


    After all, the Screamer Zombie''s attack was sound-based! There was no way to block it with a shield or any normal method. Even dodging it was futile!


    On the other hand, the Spitter Zombies''s acid spit could at least be dodged or blocked.


    It waspletely difficult to deal with!


    Perhaps only those with Aura and mystical means could defend against it. If they do not have a special method like him, then they have to endure with their vitality and strength, then kill them as fast as possible.


    ''With my Tokens infused with Aura Sentinel, the others shouldn''t have a problem dealing with this.'' Shane thought to himself.


    Anyway, he looked at the enemies in front of him. He was now facing eight Screamer Zombies.


    As soon as the battle started, their synchronized soundwaves came at him¡­


    They were strong enough to make his ears ring and his vision blur. However, after pouring more Spirit Points into his Aura Sentinel, he was indeed able to minimize the effects on him.


    Then, while he was busy defending himself, the Sentinel Mk-IV remained active and operating against the Zombies.


    "Good thing you don''t have ears," Shane joked as he looked at his Turret.


    Shane then watched as Cloud controlled that Turret and noticed that it actually lifted itself a bit, and soon, it had a better line of sight for the Screamers.


    ''So it can do that.'' Shane thought.


    Then, the Turret''s Advanced Targeting System quickly calcted firing patterns, unleashing alternating streams of energy bullets and incendiary bombs, neutralizing clusters of enemies.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!

 Chapter 463 Zombie Challenge Event ( 6 )

    Shane moved strategically, taking cover to avoid stray acid-like bursts that sometimes apanied the Screamers'' death.


    It wasn''t simr to the explosive deaths of Spitters, but the Screamer Zombies'' flesh seemed to be corrupted as if he would catch a disease if he inhaled their odor a lot.


    Well, since they were all infected by a virus that made them like this, it wasn''t really that surprising.


    Anyway, his shotgun provided additional support, sting apart individual zombies that strayed too close.


    By Level 24, the number of the Screamer Zombies had increased to twelve. Shane even used up a whole ammunition box.


    He originally had ten boxes of ammunition, and five of them had all their shells upgraded. What he emptied just now were those unupgraded shotgun shells.


    Anyway, he wasn''t too worried about this since he still had other guns with their ammunition.


    Nheless, Shane decided to just assist the Turret with his Silver Knives, which were controlled by his Telekinesis. He then used these Silver Knives to throw at the Screamer Zombies to distract them while the Turret did the heavy lifting.


    Soon, Shane saw a total of fifteen Screamer Zombies appear opposite of him. Because of their positions, it became harder for the Turret to focus on clusters. Shane had to take this serious in order to properly protect the Turret.


    "Alright, let''s see how you handle this¡­" Shane muttered.


    Then, as he was readying himself, Shane heard Cloud''s report. Apparently, the A.I. just activated the Sentinel Mk-IV''s Overdrive Mode. This mode could increase its firing rate and efficiency for a short duration.


    Clink¡­Clink¡­ Clink¡­


    The Turret''s barrel then spun rapidly¡­ It was to the point that barrels started glowing red-hot as it fired bursts of energy bullets that sliced through Screamer Zombies like butter.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The Turret didn''t even have to activate its incendiary bombs since the energy bullets were just more than enough to deal with them!


    Previously, the 12 Screamer Zombies were able to work together and move about 30 meters. Just 10 meters away from Shane and the Turret.


    However, as the Overdrive Mode was triggered, the 15 Screamer Zombies didn''t even manage to teach 10 meters before being obliterated!


    Just like that the level was immediately cleared.


    "Whew~ That Overdrive was awesome, Cloud. Can you use it again on the next level?"


    [ It requires at least 2 minutes of rest as long as I don''t use the Incendiary Bombs during the Overdrive Mode. ]


    "That''s really fast¡­" Shane was impressed since he initially thought that it would take an hour or even longer before it could be used again.


    Of course, although it could be used within 2 minutes, Shane didn''t want to push it to its limit and informed Cloud not to use it again unless necessary.


    Cloud acknowledged this and replied that it was simply trying it out to see how effective it was.


    With this, Shane switched tactics, summoning more Silver Knights to throw out. Well, with his low rank Telekinesis, he could doplicated maneuvers, especially when he controls two or more things at the same time.


    Considering this limitation, he could just throw them out in a straight line and use quantity to deal with the Zombies. Anyway, he had hundreds of these Silver Knives in his possession. They were supposedly items he nned to sell or use against the Vampires.


    Soon, the Turret and Shane worked together perfectly and took out the Screamer Zombies in quick session.


    These Zombies were still able to attack with their soundwave, but despite these invisible attacks hitting them, Shane was able to endure them. He calmly used his Aura Sentinel to deflect any shockwave attacks and used Telekinesis to throw knives repeatedly.


    He was basically dual-casting at this point, and it was consuming a lot of Spirit Points, but because he was unhurt, he didn''t mind it.@@novelbin@@


    ''They''re a lot tougher than I thought.'' Shane mused as he hadn''t expected to use this many Spirit Points. Nheless, this was a lot less when he dealt with the Spitter Zombies.


    It was still eptable.


    By the end of the round, the battlefield was littered with the scattered flesh remains of Screamers.


    By Level 26, Shane faced 19 Screamers. Their numbers and coordinated attacks had truly be a real threat.


    The sonic waves created visible distortions in the air, causing cracks even in the arena walls. Aside from the Aura Sentinel, Shane had to deploy Safety Protection Tokens to shield himself and the Turret from the worst of the sts.


    Of course, the Turret or Cloud adapted to the growing horde by alternating between single-target shots and area-denial incendiary bombs.


    Shane supported it by using his Telekinesis and firing with his shotgun from time to time.


    "Bring it on!" Shane shouted as he triggered his Basic Throw Skill as soon as his shells were emptied. The Basic Throw was, of course, for his Silver Knives¡­ With his strength that had already surpassed the human limit, he actually had a stronger piercing power with the knivespared to when he uses Telekinesis!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Each knife was able to pierce through the Zombies, and although they weren''t dying immediately with their high vitality, he was still able to stop their tracks.


    None of the Screamer Zombies could reach them at all!


    At Level 28, the Screamer count rose to 25. Acidic bile and sonic waves crisscrossed the battlefield, forcing Shane to move constantly. He relied heavily on the Sentinel Mk-IV''s auto-recalibration to keep it firing urately even as the environment shifted.


    Shane''s shotgun had run dry by this point, so he retrieved his Blight Fang Daggers, using Telekinesis to hurl them at critical targets. Each dagger struck true, disorienting or killing Screamers before they could overwhelm him.


    Then, at Level 29, Shane was already facing 25 Screamers. They were in a long arc, and with their synchronized screams, Shane struggled a bit against the shockwave that rattled his bones.


    "Ughh¡­"


    Shane gritted his teeth as he endured the sound-based attack. He couldn''t trigger his Telekinesis at this point and could only focus on defense.


    "Cloud!"


    Read thetest on empire


    Thankfully, the Turret''s Overdrive Mode was activated once again!

 Chapter 464 : Zombie Challenge Event ( 7 )

    "Let''s finish this¡­" Shane muttered as he protected himself with his Aura Sentinel from the Sonic Wavesing from the Screamer Zombies.


    Since the Overdrive was already triggered, it was just a matter of time before he could win this level.


    Boom!


    Soon, the Turret unleashed a devastatingbination of energy bullets and incendiary bombs, and its targeting system didn''t even miss any of the fast-moving Screamer Zombies, so it shot all of them!


    Of course, this was also thanks to Shane''s actions¡­


    He supported the Turret by creating distractions, throwing knives to block the Screamers'' line of sight, and using his daggers to pick off isted targets.


    Partnered with the Turret''s precise firepower, they whittled down the horde until only three heavily injured Screamers remained.


    Boom!@@novelbin@@


    With ast shot from the Turret, a final incendiary bomb erupted in an enormous ze, consuming thest of the undead. Shane wiped the sweat from his brow as the system notification appeared.


    [ Level 29 cleared. Preparing Level 30 ]


    He nced at the Turret, which was smoking from the intense battle. "You''ve earned a rest, buddy."


    Shane took a deep breath and waited for the next level as the system reset the arena.


    Shane had barely collected his silver and checked his inventory when he confirmed that the battle was about to start once again.


    Shane waited for his opponent at the center of the area with only about 5 seconds left for them to appear.


    Whoosh~


    The system timer had just ticked down to zero, announcing the beginning of the next level.


    [ Level 30 initiated. Opponents: Five Siren Zombies. ]


    Emerging from the fog-shrouded edges of the battlefield were five Siren Zombies¡­ They have ghastly appearances that are more unnerving than any enemy Shane has faced so far.


    Each Siren Zombie had an outrageous, humanoid body with elongated limbs. Their heads were twisted amalgamations of a human face and a siren-like structure, with hollow, gaping mouths.


    These mouths could easily emit a wail or perhaps Siren, a sound that not only disoriented its target but also chipped away at anyone''s mental focus.


    At this time, since the Turret needed some time to recover, Shane gripped his Legendary Light mede to fight against these enemies instead.


    Then, as soon as the battle started, the Siren Zombies wasted no time, letting out their piercing wails in unison!


    EeeeEeeEeeK~


    An eerie and terrifying siren soundwaves rippled through the air like an invisible force! Because of them working together, the ground beneath him had even started shaking!


    "Veiled Steps¡­" Shane whispered as he activated the skill. Instantly, his body started fading out, bing partially translucent as he darted to the side, evading the first sonic st.


    Of course, the sound attack still affected him, but he managed to evade the main force of the attack¡­


    Nheless, the shriek they released left a trail of destruction, tearing through the ground where he had been standing moments ago.


    ''Tsk¡­ This looks dangerous. My Aura Sentinel may fail to block that kind of attack from a close range.'' Shane thought.


    Then, from the safety of his Veiled Steps, Shane activated Spectral Tracker, his vision shifted to highlight the faint ethereal glow of the Siren Zombies'' weak points.


    It must be remembered that the Spectral Tracker was a fusion of Enhanced Senses, Phantom Sprint, and Triple-Enhanced Vision.


    Because of thisbination, Shane could somehow see the weakness of his targets!


    He was able to see the weakness in their heads and exposed chest cavities. They were glowing faintly, showing where he needed to strike.


    ''Ohhh¡­ It seems that they can''t just use that sound-based attacks repeatedly.'' Shane thought as he realized that they might have stronger sound-based attacks, but they have longer cooldown as well.


    Perhaps, even longer than the Screamer Zombies.


    The first Siren Zombie dashed forward with surprising speed¡­ If he was disoriented just now, he would surely fail to dodge the ws shing toward him.


    However, he waspletely find right now¡­


    Shane activated his Five-Meter Jump, propelling himself high into the air, somersaulting over the creature, and bringing the Light mede down with a burning arc!


    Ssaakk~


    The de cut deep into the zombie''s exposed chest, igniting its body in mes!


    Before Shane couldnd, another Siren screeched, sending a soundwave that disrupted his descent. He hit the ground hard, rolling to avoid a follow-up strike.


    Crash~


    His Aura Sentinel was broken, and because he couldn''t cast it again immediately, he had to trigger his Token swiftly for defense.


    As the two Siren Zombies closed in, Shane activated Shadow Hunt, vanishing momentarily into the darkness and reappearing behind one of his attackers.


    "Die!"


    With a spin of his body, he unleashed Vortex Spin! Together with his de, Shane''s attack became a whirlwind of mes.


    This incredible attack severed the legs of one Siren while slicing deep into the torso of the other. Well, the Siren Zombies were too tall, and slicing their necks would take a few more seconds¡­


    Thud!


    mes erupted around him since Shane triggered the Inferno Burst of the Light mede¡­


    The remaining three Sirens then surrounded Shane as their screechesbined together into a devastating wave of sound.


    Screeech~


    Shane felt his ears ringing and his vision blurring as he struggled to keep his bnce.


    ''This¡­ Not good¡­'' Shane was rmed as he didn''t expect that his Safety Token failed tost even for a second. He didn''t have the time to activate his Aura Sentinel again!


    ''Shit¡­'' As Shane wanted to use his Armored Dash to escape their encirclement, he suddenly heard his Automated Turret''s gun barrels moving!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Suddenly, Energy Bullets started firing, aiming at the Siren Zombies! The energy bullets may not have strong pration power and could only burn the skin of the Siren Zombies, but it was enough distraction!


    Shane had the time he needed to recover! Instead of activating his Armored Dash, he changed his mind.


    Gritting his teeth, he activated his Adrenaline Surge instead! The rush of energy flooded his system and sharpened his focus once again.


    The disorientation effect disappeared just like that.


    With a shout, Shane swung his mede in an arc, channeling its power into Energy Wave.


    A fiery st surged outward, colliding with the iing soundwave and neutralizing it. Shane continued and attacked with an Inferno Burst, and the st struck the nearest Siren, sending it sprawling backward, its body engulfed in mes!


    Thest two Sirens, who had just used their abilities, could only attack with their ferocious hands!


    Shane narrowed his eyes as he focused on their movements. They were actually very fast, but thanks to the Adrenaline Surge, he was able to follow their movements easily and prepare his next move.


    ''Slow!''


    Shane sidestepped and brought his mede down in a brutal diagonal sh, and its Inferno Burst ability was activated as well.


    Thud!


    Discover exclusive tales on empire


    The Siren screamed as it was engulfed in an explosion of fire¡­ Just like that, its charred remains copsed into ash.


    The final Siren, who thought of attacking the Turret, moved it attention to Shane again. It wanted to destroy the Turret, but it only exposed its back on him!


    ''I''ll¡­''


    Shane wanted to end the Siren Zombie''s life but he staggered for a moment as blood trickled from his ears.


    "Ugh¡­ Just die already!"


    Summoning his remaining strength, he activated Five-Meter Jump once more, closing the distance between them.


    With a shout, he struck with the Light mede into the Siren''s head!


    Boom!


    The de exploded with fiery energy and destroyed the head of the Siren Zombie!


    "Whew!"


    [ Level 30 cleared. Preparing Level 31 ]


    Shane stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving as he sheathed his mede.


    He then wiped the sweat from his brow as he really felt that battle was too dangerous. Fighting against Zombies with invisible attacks was simply too hard!


    ''I wonder how many Survivors could actually win against that.'' Shane thought to himself.


    Anyway, knowing that the Fast Regeneration of his Aura Sentinel wouldn''t be enough to allow him to fully recover, Shane immediately opened his System Inventory to get himself healed faster.


    Shane immediately saw the potions he purchased from Hidden Patrol in the Marketce¡­


    They were Basic Health Potions that provide 50 Vitality Points instantly¡­ These potions were considered inexpensive, so Shane doesn''t mind using them for now.


    Aside from that, he also consumed a few Enhanced Spirit Recovery Pills. Since he wasn''t sure how long he would be here, he nned to save as many Spirit Stones as he could.


    ''The battles are also getting a lot harder¡­ I should start using some boosting items with me. Shane thought for a moment as he considered using his Berserker''s Elixir or even the Dragon''s Veil Elixir¡­ However, as he was browsing his inventory, he noticed some other items he could use for this stage.


    [ Scroll of Vitality: Enhances the user''s stamina and endurance, allowing for prolonged exertion in challenging situations. The effect of the scroll''s magic willst for 6 hours.]


    [ Scroll of Precision: Improves uracy and aim, granting the user sharper focus and better marksmanship inbat. The effect of the scroll''s magic willst for 6 hours. ]


    [ Scroll of Insight: Heightens the user''s perception and intuition, enabling them to detect hidden dangers and uncover secrets others might overlook. Practicing Survivor Skills with Scroll of Insight activated will also improve the practiced Skills five times faster. The effect of the scroll''s magic willst for 6 hours. ]

 Chapter 465 : Zombie Challenge Event ( 8 )

    Shane pulled out three parchment-like scrolls. Their surfaces glowed faintly as he took them out.


    These were treasures he had obtained quite some time ago and didn''t dare to use them unless really needed. After all, he wasn''t sure where to get them again.


    Unfurling the first scroll, the Scroll of Vitality, Shane held it in front of him. As he channeled a small amount of Spirit Points into the it, the scroll disintegrated into golden dust that swirled around him like a warm breeze.


    ''This feels really like a game or something¡­'' Shane thought as he watched the scroll effects happen.


    A surge of energy coursed through his body, spreading outward to his limbs and chest.


    ''Hu~''


    He clenched his fists, feeling a newfound vigor in his body. His muscles felt taut, as though every fiber of his being had been strengthened. The ache from his previous battles melted away, reced by a steady pulse of endurance.


    "This is incredible¡­" Shane muttered as he flexed his hands.


    His breathing became more efficient, and he felt as though he could run for miles without tiring. He knew that this scroll''s magic would allow him to endure prolongedbat¡­ It was certainly a perfect time to use it as the challenges became more taxing.


    Shane didn''t have a lot of time left, so he swiftly continued.


    Next, he unfolded the Scroll of Precision. Its surface glowed with a silvery-blue hue. Activating it, Shane was enveloped in a soft, pale light.


    Just like what the description said, his vision sharpened, and the world seemed to slow down for a moment. He could see every detail around him, from the faint scratches on his mede to the subtle movements of the air.


    He took out one of his Blight Fang Daggers and casually tossed it toward a small rock across the arena. The de struck dead center, embedding itself with perfect uracy.@@novelbin@@


    ''Nice¡­''


    "This is sweet¡­" Shane mused as he could help but feel good about this.


    His marksmanship was already impressive before, but now, he feels invincible about this. Every throw, every strike¡ªhe knew it wouldnd exactly where he intended.


    Finally, Shane activated the Scroll of Insight, and this time, the energy that enveloped him was different. It felt cool and calming, like a gentle stream of water washing over his mind.


    His surroundings seemed toe alive with details he had never considered before¡­


    He took a deep breath, closing his eyes.


    When he opened them, he felt more attuned to the world around him. This actually included the Survivor Skills that he had learned. Thanks to the Scroll of Insight, he felt as if he could use any of his skills a lot better!


    "This is perfect¡­" Shane murmured as he gripped his mede tightly. He wasn''t sure what kind of zombies he''d be facing next, but he knew for a fact that they were more troublesome than the Spitter and Screamer Zombies.


    ''Is it going to be Tyrant? No, it''s too early¡­ Maybe some sort of Crypt Crawler or even some pack of wolves.'' Shane mused.


    Nheless, a part of him still felt that the corrosive acid of the Spitters and the invisible attacks of the Screamers were the most troublesome attacks of Zombies.


    Then, as the effects of the scrolls settled into his body, the system announcement chimed¡­


    [ Level 31 initiated. Opponents: Eight Fire Zombies. ]


    ''Fire Zombies?'' Shane frowned as these Zombies weren''t around his region, so he hadn''t faced them before.


    From the edges of the arena, eight figures emerged.


    Their appearance was still terrifying yet eerily mesmerizing with how they glowed with fire. Continue reading on empire


    Indeed, the Fire Zombies were humanoid, but their skin was cracked and glowing like moltenva.


    mes faintly appeared around their bodies, and their hollow eyes burned with an otherworldly red light. To be exact, their eyes felt like a red gem at this time¡­


    ''Are they high-tier Zombies?'' Shane wasn''t sure. However, since Earth Zombie, another element-type Zombie, was a high-tier, then he could only guess that these Fire Zombies were also high-tier¡­


    Then, as they moved, smoke rose from their mouths with every ragged "breath," or at least, that was what it looked like, since they shouldn''t be breathing.


    Anyway, Shane warily looked at their fingers that ended in ws since they glowed with incredible heat, and he felt that these hot ws were capable of slicing through metal.


    Then, as the Fire Zombies approached him, each of their step left charred footprints on the ground.


    ''They''re surely hot¡­'' Shane thought as the air around them glistened with heatwaves, making the arena feel like an inferno.


    ''That''s just eight of them¡­ There would be more of themter¡­'' Shane wryly smiled as he recalled this.


    Anyway, Shane wasted no time.


    The Fire Zombies roared in unison as they reached about 30 meters of him¡­


    Their cries were, of course, unnatural¡­ It was apanied by a burst of mes erupting from their bodies!


    The arena temperature spiked instantly, and Shane activated Veiled Steps, his form bing semi-transparent as he moved silently to the side.


    The first Fire Zombie dashed, shing at where Shane had been moments ago. With Spectral Tracker, Shane identified its weak point¡ªa faintly glowing core in its chest, surrounded byyers of molten flesh.


    "Time to put that precision to use," Shane muttered, throwing one of his Blight Fang Daggers. The de pierced the core, and the Fire Zombie erupted in a fiery explosion, sending embers flying.


    Boom!


    Two Fire Zombies attacked simultaneously¡­


    "Graahh!"


    Their wed hands shed through the air. Shane activated Five-Meter Jump, propelling himself upward as their ws collided beneath him, sending sparks flying.


    Midair, he shed downward with his Light mede, activating Inferno Burst. The fiery de sent a torrent of mes crashing into one of the zombies, engulfing itpletely.


    Boom!


    ''Die!''


    As hended, Shane rolled to avoid a stream of fire spat by another zombie.


    He activated Energy Wave, sending a pulse of energy toward the attacking zombie. The st struck perfectly, knocking it back and destabilizing its fiery aura.

 Chapter 466 : Zombie Challenge Event ( 9 )

    "Good start¡­" Shane muttered to himself as he believed that he might not even need the help of his Automated Turret at this time.


    Anyway, the remaining Fire Zombies began to surround Shane, their movements coordinated, but it waspletely predictable.


    The only concern was the fire that was cooking him up¡­ Thankfully, it was being alleviated by his Aura Sentinel¡­


    ''I might have to change my clothes with heat resistance¡­'' Shane thought as he recalled his Mutated Python Scale Armor and the rest of its set¡­


    ''Hu~''


    The arena was bing unbearably hot as time passed¡­


    ''It seemed that many Survivors would bepletely stopped here.''


    Shane then activated Adrenaline Surge, the rush of energy sharpening his focus and bolstering his speed. This also made him resist the heating off from the Fire Zombies.


    One Zombie charged at him from behind, but Shane spun swiftly, activating Vortex Spin. His mede struck, carving through two zombies sending their molten remains scattering across the arena.


    Thud! Thud!


    Thest two Fire Zombies roared in anger, and their mes started intensifying.


    Shane smirked, activating Shadow Hunt to disappear into the darkness. Reappearing behind one of them, he drove his mede into its core!


    As expected, Zombies with elemental powers had such cores that they could exploit¡­


    Boom!


    As he destroyed the core, an explosion of energy sted from the Zombie''s body¡­


    Shane easily dodged this, but as soon as hended a few meters away, the final Zombie spat a massive fireball at him¡­


    It was difficult to dodge after justnding on his feet, but thankfully, he was able to take the fireball with his Aura Sentinel and as it brought him time to move, he hurled a Blight Fang Dagger at its chest.


    Thud!


    The de struck the core once again, and the Zombie detonated in a fiery ze.@@novelbin@@


    Boom!


    Just like that, the system chimed as thest Fire Zombie fell¡­


    [ Level 31 cleared. Preparing Level 32 ]


    Shane exhaled deeply after seeing this. Although the heat was already gone as the arena started the reset, he still felt hot.


    He nced at his mede, and its edge was also glowing. If this sword''s element wasn''t fire or was not legendary rank, this would surely melt during the battle.


    "That was tougher than I expected... I need to change my equipment¡­'' Shane muttered as he changed his current set to the Python Set.


    The includes the Mutated Python Scale Armor, Mutated Python Pants, Mutated Rock Python Helm, andstly, the Mutated Python Boots.


    After wearing them, Shane obtained its Set Effect, and his elemental resistance increased. With this, he felt a lot more confident facing the Fire Zombies¡­


    "Good¡­ I''m ready!"


    ***


    In the meantime, Diana kneeled at the center of the arena¡­ Currently, her breaths were ragged, and her body was aching due to the prolonged battles¡­


    ''This is too tough...'' She thought to herself. However, she had already done so much, and she couldn''t quit unless she managed to reach the first milestone with special rewards, which was the Level 30!


    At this time, her ck hair clung to her face, damp with sweat, as she stared down the five Siren Zombies emerging from the shadows.


    Read thetest on empire


    She barely had the time to rest after defeating the Screamer Zombies.


    As soon as she realized that her enemies would be Siren Zombies, he felt really weak¡­


    She already had an idea of how strong they were after all.


    However, she gritted her teeth¡­


    ''I won''t be dying for real anyway¡­ I can do this.'' Diana thought to herself as she started making ns on how to approach this¡­


    These creatures could only attack with a stronger sonic st, so she had to be careful¡­


    Her hand trembled as she gripped her Legendary-Grade Hammer, "Titan''s Wrath"¡ªa massive, beautifully crafted weapon of her own making!


    Its surface glowed faintly with golden light, showing that it was truly a legendary-grade weapon.


    Diana wiped the sweat from her brow, frustration flickering in her dark eyes.


    "I should''ve left some of those explosives¡­ Tsk¡­ Why did I think this was a good idea?" she muttered, shifting her stance to steady herself.


    She wasn''t a fighter; she was a craftsman, and this wasn''t her battlefield. But she had made it this far¡ªnot just for herself but for the honor of the Eclipse Revenant n. After all, she received a lot of items from Shane¡­ Unfortunately, most of those consumable items were already gone after reaching this level.


    Indeed, it wasn''t surprising at all that her resources were nearly depleted.


    All her Safety Tokens were gone, her ammunition expended, and her Talismans reduced to ashes. The few Spirit Stones she had left were useless for anything but basic recovery. Her body also ached from earlier battles, and cuts and bruises marred her arms and legs, evidence of how close some of those fights had been.


    At this time, the Siren Zombies began their approach, their eerie wails echoing through the arena. Their sound-based attacks could disorient and even immobilize her if she let her guard down.


    Diana clenched her jaw, her muscles screaming in protest as she raised Titan''s Wrath. "I didn''te this far to fail," she told herself as she focused her mind.


    She then reached into her satchel, pulling out two vials¡ªthe Dragon''s Veil Elixir and the Berserker''s Potion.


    These were her final trump cards, herst line of defense¡­


    She uncorked the Dragon''s Veil Elixir first. The thick, golden liquid shimmered like molten sunlight as she drank it down in one gulp.


    This elixir had several effects that could even protect her against the Zombie Virus for some time. Nheless, the most important effects she needed right now were the Strength Boost, Enhanced Ability, and Agility Boost.


    Instantly, her body felt lighter, her senses also improved.. Nheless, it also granted him a hint of Draconic Energy, which provides resistance against physical or even element damage.


    Next, she popped the cap off the Berserker''s Potion.


    The blood-red liquid looked unstable. It was bubbling slightly but she didn''t care about it at all as she swallowed it without hesitation¡­


    Then, a surge of power roared through her veins, overriding her pain and fatigue with only fury in her mind.


    ''I will kill you all!''


    Her grip on the hammer tightened, and her vision turned to the Sire Zombies¡­


    "Let''s end this," Diana growled, mming the hammer against the ground as the hammer''s effect was triggered!

 Chapter 468 Zombie Challenge Event ( 11 )

    In the center of the zone stood a massive holographic leaderboard, disying the rankings of all participants.


    Diana scanned the names. Her eyes narrowed as she saw Shane''s name steadily climbing. "Of course, he''s still in," she muttered, grabbing a ss of cool lemonade from a nearby tray.


    The leaderboard also showed live feeds of ongoing battles. Of course, it only shows those within the top 100 of the Survivor Leaderboards since the others shouldn''t have any interesting actions going on aside from their struggle.


    Looking around, Diana was unable to recognize any of the Survivors who had already been defeated. It seemed they were still fighting, or perhaps the people she knew were actually here, but because the ce was huge, they might be hanging out elsewhere.


    Survivors gathered in groups to watch the screens, and their expressions ranged from awe to nervousness as they observed theirpanions or people they knew struggling against increasingly difficult enemies.


    For a moment, Diana plopped onto a cushioned bench, letting her tired muscles rx.


    At this time, other defeated Survivors passed by her. Some of them would nod at her if she noticed them, while others were too absorbed in their own frustrations to notice her.


    ''I guess I''m still cute even with how tired I am.'' Diana thought for a moment as she confirmed several male survivors would nce at her from time to time.


    Then, her gaze drifted back to the area where the leaderboard could be seen.


    After resting for a bit, Diana found herself drifting closer to the gathered Survivors. Well, her curiosity was piqued by some conversations he overheard.


    Several groups huddled around therge live feeds where several Survivors could be seen fighting against the Spitter Zombies, Screamer Zombies, and a very few of them fighting against Fire Zombies¡­


    Anyway, while their gazes moved between the ongoing battles and each other, they shared their stories of defeat.


    One young man with a patched jacket gestured around his group with his voice filled with frustration. "Level 9! That''s where I gotpletely wrecked. Those Runner Zombies were insane. I swear, one of them was faster than a bolt of lightning. I couldn''t even see iting before it tackled me to the ground."


    ''What? Someone got eliminated there? Wait¡­ I guess he''s also Support-Type Survivor. It''s not surprising if he''s a medic or something. However, why didn''t he get some high-caliber guns.'' Diana thought for a moment. After all, the Runner Zombies weren''t that different from average humans, aside from being fast and incapable of feeling pain or fear.


    It means that even normal guns or bullets, or those that aren''t upgraded yet, would be enough to deal with the Runner Zombies.


    If Diana would guess, she believed that the man had probably looked down on these Runner Zombies and got surrounded.


    Of course, she wasn''t the only one who thought of this, and they couldn''t help but look at the man amusedly.


    A woman with braided hair and a heavy crossbow slung over her shoulderughed dryly after processing what he had just said.


    Thankfully, it wasn''t to mock him.


    "You made it to Level 9? Lucky you. I barely scraped through Level 7 before they overwhelmed me. My crossbow jammed at the worst possible time. Guess I should''ve invested in a maintenance kit, huh? Ugh¡­ Anyway, I''m not intobat. I work in the kitchen. The n Leader will just waste the consumables to me."


    The man nodded solemnly. "Tools are a lifesaver. I used an Exceptional-Grade Repair Module. That''s probably the only reason my shield didn''t fail on me earlier. But in the end, it didn''t matter. I didn''t have enough stamina to keep running from them. The 30 seconds was just too short. I only have 210 Spirit Points."


    Diana''s ears perked up as another Survivor, an older man with a scar running down his cheek, joined in. "You think Runners were bad? Try Spitter Zombies on for size. I made it to Level 13 before one of those acid pools melted my boots¡ªand my feet along with them! The Ice Barrier Talisman I bought in the Marketce barely saved me from getting fully disintegrated."


    "Ugh? Ice Barrier Talisman. That one was being sold for 30 Zombie Cores each. Is it worth it?"


    "Probably not¡­ He still died at Level 15 after all. Haha!"


    A younger boy, probably no older than 16, wryly smiled. "Level 15? That''s only impressive. I only reached Level 12. Those spitters are nasty. Their acid ssh is bad enough, but it''s the explosions when they die that caught me off guard. I used up all my healing potions just trying to stay alive."


    The woman with the crossbow scoffed. "You need mobility for Spitters. I had a Spring-Step Elixir that helped me jump out of the acid pools, but even then, it was tough. Level 17 is where I bowed out. Two of them cornered me, and I didn''t have enough resources to fight back. Tsk¡­ If I just had Movement Skills, I would''ve climbed a few more levels."


    Diana gently nodded after hearing this.


    ''If Shane has some time, he should consider selling that three-meter jump elixir or maybe a weakened version of Armored Dash would do.''


    As for the amount of Zombie Cores that should be sold, she believed that they would earn a lot even if they only priced it at 200 Zombie Cores.


    After all, she recalled that Shane only needed ingredients worth around 10 Zombie Cores to get a full pot of elixir that could fill 20 bottles.


    "I wonder if he''ll be interested¡­ If not, he should just teach me how to use brew it."


    Diana seriously considered this since she really needed money or Zombie Cores¡­ She would browse the Marketce from time to time, and she would always find interesting things there. They were things that could be helpful for her, but most of them were for the camp she was staying at.@@novelbin@@


    Anyway, now that Diana looked at them, they were actually all wearing simr armbands with the words Sapphire Syndicate.


    ''Sapphire Syndicate¡­ They''re the Rank 20 n at the moment¡­ I wonder how many members they have.'' She mused for a moment.


    Then, at this point, another man, heavily armored with a massive war axe strapped to his back, chuckled at hispanions'' conversation.


    "Level 21 is where it all went downhill for me. Those Screamer Zombies? Their soundwaves disoriented me so badly I couldn''t swing my axe straight. And don''t even get me started on their stamina drain. I burned through three potions just trying to keep up."


    "They could drain stamina?"


    "I didn''t know about that¡­"


    "Right¡­ I never heard about them being able to drain stamina¡­"


    The others said doubtfully.


    Experience new stories on empire


    "Hahaha¡­ Of course, you wouldn''t know. Only those who are always on the frontlines and those who have fought hundreds of them would know about it. After all, there''s no stamina in our status. We also won''t get notifications from our system if our stamina is being drained since it''s a natural thing when fighting¡­ The drain wasn''t noticeable at first, but it would really drain you if you continued getting hit by those soundwaves¡­ No one''s talking about it since there aren''t a lot of areas with Screamer Zombies anyway. Furthermore, they can be killed with upgraded ammunition, so it''s not really a big deal if you''re fully prepared." He exined.


    It was unfortunate for him that he emptied his ammunition at level 20, fighting against Chief Spitters, so the Screamers killed him at level 21.


    A woman with bright orange hair, seated nearby, chimed in.


    "Same here. The Screamers are no joke. Their sound attacks practically made my head explode. I thought my Anti-Stun Charm would help, but it only dyed the inevitable. I barely reached Level 23." She then paused for a moment before ncing at Diana''s direction.


    "How about you, miss? You''ve been listening for quite some time. You should also share your experiences¡­ We can get acquainted, and perhaps, if we meet outside, we can be closer. I''m Jasmine from Sapphire Syndicate¡­" The woman said to Diana.


    Diana was startled for a moment before nodding shyly.


    "R-right¡­ I''m Diana¡­" She replied, unsure whether to reveal her n or not¡­


    "Ahem¡­ You''re right¡­ The Screamers are quite brutal. I faced five Chief Spitters at Level 30, and five of them together was a nightmare. I used everything I had¡ªTalismans, Spirit Stones, even various Potions¡ªbut it was just barely enough. Ugh¡­ It''s all thanks to my n''s resources that I even made it that far."


    The man with the scar leaned closer, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. "What kind of resources are we talking about? I''m trying to figure out what I should prepare for next time. If you can''t share it with us. Just forget about it¡­"


    At this time, Diana recalled some of her step-brother''s words¡­


    ''Right¡­ It shouldn''t be a problem to reveal my n and the items I used. So once they appeared in the Marketce, we already have some sure buyers.'' Diana thought for a moment, knowing that Vale really had ns to earn a lot of Zombie Cores in the Marketce, but they were just too busy¡­


    Diana shrugged as she answered their questions and shared some information about the Potions, Talismans, and Tokens¡­


    Then, she also started sharing information about the Silver Weapons that they could start purchasing in a week or so.

 Chapter 470 Zombie Challenge Event ( 13 )

    Bang! Bang!


    The me crashed against Silver, who absorbed most of the impact but was sent flying back. Its metallic form looked molten, and thankfully, Silver was still alive. Shane knew this with his unique connection to it.


    "Hang in there, Silver!" Shane shouted as he threw a handful of Zombie Cores in its direction. Aside from metallic substance, the Metal Slime could also consume Zombie Cores, so he was hoping that it could recover a bit with those cores. As long as his pet wasn''t dead, he had plenty of ways to make it recover because of its unique state.


    After that, Shane charged forward, activating Energy Wave once more, followed by a barrage of attacks with his Light mede.


    The de then shed against the molten bodies of the Fire Leader Zombies. They may have a tenacious body, but with the Legendary Sword and the strength that he had, it was just a matter of time.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    As he engaged thest two zombies, the Light mede''s Inferno Burst effect activated. A torrent of fireballs erupted from the de, engulfing the enemies in several more explosions.


    Finally, when the mes dissipated, the zombies were reduced to a pile of charcoals.


    Crack¡­ Crack¡­


    "Ahh¡­" Shane felt pity after seeing the Light mede cracking¡­ The Fire Leader Zombies were just too much. Furthermore, he used the Inferno Burst quite a lot, and it certainly ate away its durability.


    Nheless, the system announcement appeared after defeating them.@@novelbin@@


    [ Level 40 cleared. Preparing Level 41 ]


    Shane let out a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his brow.


    Then, at this time, Silver wobbled back to his side. Its metallic surface was already dimmed but still functional.


    "You did great, buddy," Shane said, giving Silver a pat. "But something tells me it''s only going to get harder from here."


    As he said this, he fed more Zombie Cores to the pet.


    Shane then quickly drank an Elixir of Restoration to recover his stamina. Feeling a bit hungry, Shane ate some gran bar that had been stored in his Inventory for quite some time.


    He even drank some tea to calm his nerves.


    When the next Zombies were about to appear, Shane changed his weapon from the Light mede to his Epic-Grade Silver Sword.


    Of course, his current armor, the Mutated Python Set, was also not in good condition, so he swiftly changed to his Great Survivor Set.


    Then, before he was able to finish changing his set of clothes, the announcement already appeared.


    [ Level 41 initiated. Opponents: Five Brute Zombies. ]


    "Brute Zombies?" Shane muttered as he knew about their existence but hadn''t really fought them before.


    Well, he only knew that these Zombies were skilled inbat¡­ They wouldn''t just pounce to take a bite on your body, and they like beating people up before eating them.


    This was a strange type of Zombie and normal bullets were basically ineffective against it. They have a high resistance against piercing and shing¡­


    Of course, it wasn''t absolute¡­ With enough sharpness and strength, they could still be cut by des and swords.


    "Grrrrr~"


    Suddenly, a low growl from the Zombies reverberated through the arena. The five muscr Brute Zombies started approaching him.


    The Brute Zombies were terrifying to see¡­


    Standing nearly three meters tall, their bodies that were supposedly rotting had overgrown muscles instead.


    The most troubling thing about them was their skin with patches of exposed bone. This certainly added to their monstrous appearance.


    Needless to say, they had arms that were unnaturally long and ended in massive fists. Shane could believe that they were capable of smashing through concrete with ease.


    ''Well, I should still be stronger than them with my stats alone.'' Shane thought as he looked at the Brute Zombies'' faces.


    "Ugh¡­"


    It was a bit unnerving seeing their sinister smirks, as though they were imagining how they''d y with their prey before eating them up. Well, that was the feeling he got after seeing them.


    Bam!


    One Brute Zombie mmed its fists together, creating a thunderous crack that echoed in the air. The others grunted and began pacing like predators, their yellow eyes locked onto Shane.


    ''What? That one is the leader?'' Shane mused as he couldn''t help but notice that one of them seemed to be acting as "squad leader".


    Although they were all Brute Zombies, as the system stated, he couldn''t help but feel surprised to see that there was still a hierarchy among them.


    It was such an interesting discovery.


    "Alright, you big brutes," Shane muttered, gripping his Silver Sword tightly.


    "Let''s see how tough you really are."


    Then, the Brute Zombies charged forward after seeing Shane''s provocative gesture.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    Their heavy footsteps shook the ground.


    Shane could only rely on his boosting skills as he activated Adrenaline Surge¡­


    This Survivor Skill was probably one of his most useful skills due to its low cooldown and nearly no side effects after usage.


    ''There''s only five of them¡­ Let''s try to rx for now¡­'' Shane thought to himself as he decided to finally slow down¡­


    Since he wasn''t dealing with sound attacks or fireballs that could burn him this time, he knew that it was time to recover¡­


    With his current Agility, he wasn''t worried about being caught by the Brute Zombies. Furthermore, he could also use this time to analyze their movement patterns since he believed that he would be facing dozens of them soon.


    Once he got used to them, it would be a lot easier for him to deal with the next Brute Zombies.


    Indeed, Shane did that, but he decided not to take too much time.


    Of course, the others must''ve done this in earlier levels as well. They must have incapacitated the Zombie by cutting off their limbs and leaving only their torso and head.


    That way, they could have plenty of time to rx and wait for the next level. That was most likely the reason why the resting time between each level wasn''t that long to begin with.

 Chapter 473 Zombie Challenge Event ( 16 )

    The elves went silent as the screen transitioned to Level 60.


    Shane had really reached the level that no Survivor should achieve in less than a year. It was an incredible achievement.


    The administrators collectively held their breath as they saw the enemies that had been arranged by the System this time.


    Apparently, five Armored Tyrant King Zombies appeared on the battlefield.


    Just a single Armored Tyrant King could probably annihte one of the ns at Rank 21 and above. They have an incredible defense, and with their towering height, which was above the previous Tyrants, these creatures could never be killed so easily.


    In fact, even if Shane has Legendary Weapons, he might not be able to easily cut through their bodies. It would require him to use several Legendary Weapons for that!


    In short, this Armored Tyrant King was just a couple of levels below the Lord-Tier Zombies!


    Anyway, the Armored Tyrant Kings had obsidian armor that seemed to be reinforced with mystical properties. The obvious difference they had from the other Zombies was that they carried a massive weapon¡ªa bone club.


    "Now let''s see¡­" Anastasia said as her hands tightened around the edge of her desk. "No one has ever received the second milestone reward in the first Challenge Event. This might be the first time it''ll happen.


    "Do you think he''ll manage it?" another elf asked hesitantly.


    Anastasia''s gaze remained fixed on Shane. "If anyone can, it''s him. But these creatures¡­ they were designed to end the challenge."


    The administrators watched in silence as Shane prepared to face the Tyrant Kings. The atmosphere in the chamber was filled with expectation as every elf was captivated by the unfolding battle.


    ***


    They all watched as Shane, with his Silver Sword in hand, calmly observed the Armored Tyrant Kings.


    At this time, his Metal Slime, Silver, did not go out and had wrapped itself snugly around his torso, acting as an additionalyer of living armor. With its ability, it could shift around its body and harden whenever a vulnerable spot was exposed.


    The administrators nodded at this decision since Silver would surely die if it tried to act alone. Some of them couldn''t help but smile at the synchronization between the man and the pet.


    "Look at how that slime adapts¡­ I wish there were slimes like that in our realm as well." an elf with golden hair and cute features observed. "This System is really incredible¡­ What a synergy."


    "I wonder if this would be enough," Anastasia muttered. "I don''t think his previous tactics would work against those kings. The Tyrant Kings are not mere brutes. They have decent intelligence and could calcte their moves. One mistake, and even he will fall."


    Then, the battle began.


    The Armored Tyrant Kings advanced¡­ They seemed to be aware that Shane was dangerous after being able to reach this level.


    As expected of intelligent Zombies, they seemed to n on assessing Shane''s strength first.


    Nheless, even with their slow movement, they were also putting more pressure on their feet, making the ground tremble with every step.


    The elves then watched as Shane immediately darted forward.


    His movements were incredibly fast as he relied on Veiled Steps to disappear from the zombies'' direct line of sight.


    He then reappeared at the nk of the first Armored Tyrant King, his Silver Sword glowing faintly as he activated the Silver re to the creature''s exposed joint.


    Boom!


    Sparks flew, and the armor dented slightly. Shane seemed to be shocked, seeing how tough it was.


    "He''s testing their weak points," one elf murmured.


    "And finding them," another added, impressed.


    The Armored Tyrant Kings retaliated as they tried grabbing Shane''s body.


    However, he was simply too fast¡­ Nheless, it was enough for them to send Shane backing away. After all, they would be able to use their weapons that way.


    Whoosh!


    One swung its bone club downward with an incredible force.


    Boom!


    Shane dodged by a hair''s breadth, and the ground exploded into shards where the weapon struck. Another Tyrant King attempted to corner him, swinging his weapon in a sweeping arc.


    Shane reacted with a Five-Meter Jump, vaulting over the attack and shing downward as he descended.


    "Ha!"


    The Silver Sword bit deep into the Tyrant King''s shoulder, but its enchanted armor absorbed most of the damage.


    Anastasia leaned forward. "He''s got good moves. Every move is still calcted to maximize impact while conserving energy. He''s brilliant. Unfortunately, he doesn''t have enough strength anymore¡­"


    As the battle raged, Shane alternated between Shadow Hunt to reposition, Predator''s Edge, and Adrenaline Surge to temporarily amplify his reflexes and strength.


    The Tyrant Kings, however, were simply too tough¡­ It even seemed as if their small injuries could heal in a few moments.


    They were simply too powerful and tough¡­


    Furthermore, they could coordinate their attacks to overwhelm him. They weren''t just acting based on their instinct!


    Yet, Shane''s skill and Silver''s protective shifts kept him one step ahead.


    However, the strain began to show; beads of sweat formed on his brow, and his movements, though still precise, carried a hint of desperation.


    Then, disaster struck. As Shane blocked a crushing blow from the mace-wielding Tyrant King, a loud crack resonated through the arena. The Silver Sword¡ªhis trusted de¡ªsplintered into shards, the force of the impact proving too much.


    Crash!


    The administrators gasped collectively.


    "His weapon¡­ it''s gone," one of them whispered.


    "Isn''t that supposed to be Legendary? What now? Can he recover from this?" another asked nervously.


    Shane, on the other hand, didn''t hesitate. He immediately retreated after his weapon was destroyed.@@novelbin@@


    Then, in one fluid motion, he reached into his inventory and summoned the Gale de. The slender, double-edged de appeared.


    It was a bit strange to use this weapon since it was very lightpared to his other swords. Nheless, it was emanating a dangerous energy.


    As soon as he took it out, the elf admins watching him received information about the weapon he was using.


    [ Gale de ( Legendary ): A one-handed double-edged de forged from rare, wind-infused metal. Light yet durable, the Gale de is designed for swift strikes and carries the elemental force of a cyclone.


    Effects:


    Windstrike ( Passive Effect ): Each sh with the Gale de has a chance to unleash a razor-sharp wind arc, dealing 60% more damage to enemies within a 5-meter range.


    Light as Air ( Passive Effect ): Reduces the weapon''s weight to near zero, increasing the wielder''s attack speed by 60% and improving movement agility by 20%.


    Stormguard Aura ( Passive Effect ): Surrounds the wielder with a protective wind barrier, reducing all ranged projectile damage by 40% and granting 50% resistance to wind-based effects. ]


    "So it''s the Gale de this time¡­" Anastasia murmured, her voice filled with awe. "It''s already legendary as well¡­ Let''s see how he wields it."


    The moment the Gale de was unsheathed, Shane''s movements transformed. Its Light as Air effect made his strikes and movement incredibly faster.


    After all, Shane''s agility was already too high¡­ With the 20% increase, his body was like one with the wind as he darted around the Tyrant Kings.


    With each swing, arcs of razor-sharp wind¡ªcourtesy of Windstrikeshed out, slicing into the Tyrants'' armor from unexpected angles.


    The Tyrant Kings roared in frustration, their massive swings were now striking empty air as Shane danced between them.


    "That de suits him perfectly," an elfmented. "He''s leveraging its speed and ranged wind shes topensate for the difference in strength."


    "Yes¡­ But it''s still hard to pass through their defense."


    Indeed, the battle was far from over.


    Although they could barely follow Shane''s movement, the Armored Tyrant Kings adapted, moving with surprising coordination.


    One of them feigned an opening, drawing Shane in, while another brought its bone club down in an ambush. Shane barely evaded, Silver hardening on his shoulder to absorb a ncing blow that would have shattered bones.


    As the minutes turned to twenty, the watchers, including those in the waiting area, were filled with anticipation.


    The arena was filled with chaos, and it was hard to follow Shane''s movements at all. There were shattered bone clubs, gusting winds, and the persistent attacks of the Tyrant Kings that would destroy the ground from time to time¡­


    Shane had managed to cripple two of the monsters, their movements were slowed by deep gashes and broken armor, but the remaining three were as fierce as ever.


    "He''s really holding on¡­ It''s more than 20 minutes already" one elf said, awe creeping into his voice. "No one else even made it this far."


    "But for how much longer?" another elfmented. "The Tyrant Kings are tireless. They''re zombies¡­ He isn''t."


    Anastasia, on the other hand, remained silent as her gaze was fixed on the screen.


    Despite the odds, Shane fought on and with his incredible enemies, and his strategy also started evolving with every passing moment.


    "Come on, Shane¡­" she whispered¡­


    "Show us what you''re truly capable of. Show me why you have the blessing of the Fairy Queen."

 Chapter 474 The Events End

    Anastasia had certainly felt Shane''s connection to the Fairy Queen before. She detected it not because of the system or because of her position as an Administrator but because of her race¡­


    She had no idea why a human would obtain such a blessing, but she couldn''t deny what she had felt. Because of that, she had a favorable view of Shane. She wanted him to really break the record and obtain incredible rewards.


    At this time, the administration room was silent.


    Anastasia and the other elf administrators watched Shane''s battle against the remaining Armored Tyrant King Zombies.


    It had been half an hour already. Shane already used his Automated Turret, but it barelysted for a few seconds as the Armored Tyrants focused on it as soon as it arrived.


    It was as if the challenge had be an endurance test against the Zombies that could never get tired at all. Because of this, Shane was visibly reaching his limit.


    Thankfully, despite his battered form, he wasn''t giving up at all. No matter how many times he had been swatted or thrown by the Armored Tyrant Kings, he was able to stand up again.


    Shane seemed to have plenty of elixirs with him that could help him regain his energy.


    At this time, his Gale de had a few scratches on it, but it was still usable and could cut through the Zombies'' flesh.


    Of course, Shane''s body was also filled with various light injuries, but his Aura Sentinel was helping him to recover.


    As the battle continued, his left arm trembled in pain as he used it to block one of the Tyrant King''s kicks¡­ His armor was already dented and battered, and blood seeped from a gruesome wound over his right eye, which he could no longer open.


    Yet he wasn''t losing hope as he looked at the two remaining Armored Tyrant King Zombies. Their massive bodies seemed to be filled with arrogance, seeing how he was already heavily injured.


    Seeing that Shane wasn''t moving from his spot, the zombies charged together¡­


    Their heavy footsteps shook the ground as they attempted to corner Shane.


    One of them swung its colossal, wed hand in a horizontal sweep while the other prepared a devastating overhead m.


    Well, their bone clubs were already destroyed after the long battle. They could only rely on their bodies to attack him¡­


    Shane seemed to have reacted slowly from the perspective of the viewers but he actually timed his counterattack perfectly.


    With Light as Air enhancing his agility, Shane jumped high, spinning mid-air to unleash a Windstrike arc that cut across both zombies'' armored torsos.


    nk! nk!


    Sparks flew as the wind energy shed with their metal-like exoskeletons, but the attack only managed to stagger them.


    It wasn''t enough to kill the Armored Tyrant Kings.


    "He''s still going!" gasped one of the elven administrators. "Even after taking so much damage, his uracy is still incredible."


    The two Armored Tyrant Kings adjusted quickly. One of them moved forward in an attempt to grab Shane in mid-air. It managed to graze his right arm!@@novelbin@@


    Its ws tore through Shane''s armor and flesh with ease. Shanended with a heavy grunt, clutching his injured arm, but he didn''t n to give up just yet.


    "That''s not good," Anastasia muttered, her tone was filled with concern. "He''s losing blood fast. He can''t keep this up for much longer."


    Shane, on the other hand, activated his Adrenaline Surge. Aside from boosting his strength, it was also a Survivor Skill that momentarily dulled his pain and enhanced his reaction speed. It was a perfect skill that could help him move as agilely as possible despite being injured.


    Boom!


    Shane then ducked under a massive swing from the Armored Tyrant King Zombie and he used his momentum to slide between its legs!


    From behind, he shed at the exposed joint of its knee with the Gale de, triggering the Wind Strike that unleashed a razor-sharp wind arc.


    The Zombie roared as the attack tore through its leg, causing it to copse.


    "He''s taking them apart piece by piece," one elf administrator observed.


    "But look at him¡ªhe''s holding on by a thread." Anothermented.


    These elf admins seemed to be enjoying this battle as they showed great interest in it. They watched as the second Armored Tyrant zombie didn''t give Shane time to breathe.


    It charged at him and its ws raked across his right side, sending him crashing into a nearby wall of rubble¡­


    Bam!


    Shane coughed violently, and blood stained his lips.


    As the Zombie approached him for the finishing blow, Silver, his loyal Metal Slime, expanded and hardened over Shane''s torso, forming an imprable shield.


    Bang!


    The w mmed into Silver''s protective barrier, sending shockwaves through the battlefield but leaving Shane unharmed.


    Using the opening, Shane activated Vortex Spin, spinning into a whirlwind of shes that chipped away at the Zombie''s armor.


    ''Ugh¡­ This armor was just too much¡­'' Shane thought.


    Despite Shane''s best efforts, the battle took a grim turn. One of the zombies managed to grab Shane''s right arm during a poorly timed dodge.


    With a sickening crunch, it twisted and tore the arm clean off, sending blood spraying into the air.


    "Aakk!"


    Shane howled in pain as he fell to his knees.


    "No!" Anastasia cried, her hands clutching the edge of the observation table.


    "He''s finished," another elf whispered.


    Indeed, Shane was already too disadvantaged. It was certainly a pity that he was about to fail, but he had already achieved so much.


    But Shane wasn''t done. Clenching the Gale de in his remaining hand, he struck once again, triggering his Wind Strike! Shane did this several more times as the wind strike started to umte, and soon, it began dislodging parts of the zombies'' heavy armor!


    This happened so quickly, and as soon as Shane saw an opening, he aimed at the Zombie''s now-exposed weak points with his sword!


    Thud!


    One of the Armored Tyrant King Zombie fell, as its head was severed with Shane''s attack¡­ On the other hand, the second Zombie staggered back, disoriented and heavily damaged as its armor was no longer being generated¡­ It seemed as if it had also reached its armor''s limit!


    Furthermore, the Zombie''s limbs were almost severed at this moment, and could not attack Shane anymore.


    Because of that, Shane, who could barely stand at this moment, activated his Brawler''s Fury¡­


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    His punches had barely any strength to it since he was already weakened. However, with the Brawler''s Fury''s effect, his ninth punch was still as powerful as ever!


    Bang!


    Even with a weak punch, the ninth punch of the Brawler''s Fury created an explosion and obliterated the creature''s chest, sending it crumbling to the ground.


    Of course, this wouldn''t have happened if the Zombie''s armor had regenerated¡­ Thankfully, its armor was no longer there, and it received the full force of its ninth punch!


    Shane copsed to his knees as soon as he killed the Zombie. His body was broken, his right eye swollen shut, and his missing arm looked terrible. Yet he had won.


    "Unbelievable," Anastasia muttered as his voice trembled. "He did it. He actually did it."


    The observation room erupted into cheers. Elven administrators who had been skeptical of Shane now openly celebrated his victory.


    "This is historic," one eximed. "We thought no one would survive Level 60 in its first run, yet he managed to do it¡­ He might really clear this Apocalypse!"


    "That''s true¡­" another added. "He''s proven himself beyond any doubt. Perhaps we won''t have to wait for many more years before he could save this world."


    Shane had no idea that he was being watched by some elves or other Survivors in the waiting room at all. He was simply happy that he managed to clear the 2nd milestone!


    ''This is a lot harder than the previous Apocalypses¡­ Tsk¡­'' Shane thought as he recalled that the previous Challenge Events weren''t this tough at all.


    It seemed that this Zombie Outbreak was really on a different level.


    [ Level 61 initiated. Opponents: Five Toxic Zombies. ]


    Back in the observation room, Anastasia muttered. "He may lose at the next level, but this is already beyond extraordinary. He''s already set a standard, and no one else hase close to matching."


    The other elves nodded in agreement.


    Their gazes returned to the screen as it was now showing Shane struggling to stand but raising his de high in order to survive against the Toxic Zombie¡­ He then used his Telekinesis to throw his de in an attempt to kill the enemies¡­


    However, after the de struck the neck of his target, the Zombie just grabbed it and didn''t let go!


    With his level of Telekinesis, he was unable to take it back¡­


    Shane wryly smiled as he already used up all his daggers and bullets. He could probably still fight with his one arm, but unfortunately for him, the Toxic Zombies don''t even have toe close to him¡­


    They just continuously released some toxic bile and slowly killed. Well, he may possess some Poison Resistance, but he wasn''t immune to it.


    It didn''t take long before he was defeated¡­


    ''Seventy-two hours hadn''t passed yet¡­ I wonder what will happen¡­'' Shane thought before his vision went nk¡­

 Chapter 475 Time to Relax

    [ You have been defeated. Calcting rewards. ]


    "Ohh¡­ I died¡­ Now, where am I?"


    As Shane materialized in the waiting zone, he was momentarily disoriented¡­


    Nheless, his body was no longer hurt from the grueling battle that had just ended. He was nowpletely healed.


    Simr to what happened to everyone else who had been killed in the Challenge Zone, Shane appeared in the waiting zone of the System as numerous notifications scrolled before his eyes.


    [ Rewards have been calcted ]


    [ Levels cleared: 1¨C60. Total experience gained: 69,750 EXP. ]


    [ Level Up! ]


    [ You leveled up 17 times, reaching Level 65. ]


    [ Zombie Cores Collected: 10,250 Zombie Cores. ]


    [ Materials Gained: Hardened Zombie ws x100, Acid Gun x30, Armored Zombie ting x50, Screamer''s Vocal Fragment x30, me Crystal Shard x30, Armored Tyrant King''s Bone Fragment x30, ]


    [ Item Rewards:


    Legendary-Grade Elixir Pouch x1 (Contains 10 random Legendary-Grade elixirs)


    Epic-Grade Spirit Talisman x50


    Rare-Grade Consumable Pack x100 (Contains 10 random rare-grade consumable items)


    [ Special Title Unlocked: "Top Challenger" ]


    Awarded to Survivors who reach Level 60 in the Zombie Challenge Event, proving their strength and adaptability in the face of overwhelming odds.


    Effects:


    Zombie yer: Increases damage dealt to zombie-type enemies by 20%.


    Durable Spirit: Reduces stamina consumption by 15% during prolonged battles.


    Challenge Mastery: Grants 10% increased rewards in survival-based events. ]


    Milestone Reward:


    For reaching Level 30 and clearing it first, you have earned a special Legendary Item:


    [ Stormpiercer Rifle ( Legendary ): A state-of-the-art energy rifle enhanced by storm-based technology, this weapon fires electrified projectiles that ughter enemies with incredible uracy and power.


    Effects: Lightning Strike, Chain Bolt, Precision Surge, Adaptive Core


    Soulbound Item: This item can only be used by Shane. ]


    For reaching Level 60 and clearing it, you have earned a special Legendary Item:


    [ Mantle of the Undying Storm ( Legendary ): A cloak imbued with the essence of storms, it symbolizes mastery over the chaotic battles. This versatile piece of equipment offers incredible defense.


    Effects:


    Storm''s Barrier, Eye of the Storm, Tempest Resurgence


    Soulbound Item: This item can only be used by Shane. ]


    As Shane saw all of this, he had to remain on his spot for a while as he read and processed all of it. There were just too many of them.


    "Seventeen levels¡­ New title¡­ Legendary-grade items¡­ I even got a new gun, a rifle at that. This is awesome¡­"


    Then, even after appreciating all of it and closing all the notifications, Shane received another message.


    [ You have reached Level 50, and Ascension is now possible. ]


    [ You can''t Ascend in your current location¡­ ]


    [ Ascension can be started once you have left the Waiting Zone. ]


    "Right¡­ Ascension¡­ This is really fast." Shane muttered as he took quite a long time to reach level 50 in the previous apocalypses.


    "I''m really doing well." Shane muttered to himself as he recalled this process. As a matter of fact, another type of blessing would alsoe once he reached level 80.


    Anyway, as he looked around, his vision revealed a huge oasis-like space. It was unlike anything he had expected.


    There were Lush greenwns stretched out, filled with calming fountains and steady streams. There were shaded pavilions withfortable seating, food stalls with enticing aromas, and even a series ofrge screens disying the ongoing or perhaps previous battles in the Challenge Zone. He wasn''t too sure¡­


    The atmosphere was surprisingly lively for a ce where tens of thousands of people were technically "defeated."


    As Shane took a step forward, his appearance immediately caught the attention of nearby Survivors. A hushed ripple spread across the crowd, followed by murmurs of awe and respect.


    "That''s him! Shane!"


    "He made it past Level 60! I saw his fight with those Armored Tyrant Kings¡ªhe lost an arm and an eye and still kept going."


    "Unreal¡­ I barely made it to Level 15, and this guy was soloing monsters that could crush entire teams."


    "I think he had at leat 4 Legendary Talents¡­ That Telekinesis must be one of them."


    Shane, oblivious to the eyes on him, muttered under his breath.


    "Damn it, so much for staying low-key. Now everyone knows how strong I am. Just great." He ran a hand through his hair, which was still somehow slightly damp with sweat, and sighed. "Well, at least it''s over. I could use a break."


    Despite his grumbling, a faint smile formed on his lips. It was oddly satisfying to have pushed himself to such heights, even if the attention was a bit much.


    It was such a great experience, even after he got defeated¡­


    Anyway, the event shouldst for 72 hours, and obviously, not even a day has passed yet. He knew that this ce was mostly like the waiting area until the 72-hour countdown was over.


    Then, before Shane could find a spot to settle, a familiar voice called out to him. "Shane! Over here!"


    Turning, he saw La. This woman was the telekic prodigy of his Eclipse Revenant n. She was waving enthusiastically, so he couldn''t help but smile¡­


    Then, he realized that she was nked by Diana, whose face lit up with relief upon seeing him.


    "About time you showed up," Diana teased, her ck hair sticking to her cheeks in the humid air. She had a smudge of grease on her clothes, showing that she seemed to have visited the crafting area or some sort while staying there.


    Shane approached them with a smile¡­


    "Well, someone had to raise the bar for the n. d to see you both here¡­ What level did you reach?"


    "Well¡­" La hesitated for a moment before she answered.


    "I was taken out at Level 34 by a horde of Screamer Zombies. Those things are nasty. Diana herested longer¡ªLevel 30, right?"


    Diana nodded, her pride was still evident.


    After all, La has Epic Telekinesis talent, but she was merely a Craftswoman who wasn''t trained inbat at all. If not for leveling up quickly, she would undoubtedly fail to reach that Challenge Level.


    "Ahem¡­ Yes, but I used up everything I had just to get there. Honestly, watching your fight made me feel how weak I am."


    Shane shrugged. "It''s not apetition. Well, not between us anyway. What''s this ce, anyway?"


    La''s face lit up with excitement. She had found numerous interesting things here and she couldn''t wait to share them.


    "Oh, this ce? It''s amazing! There''s so much to do here while we wait for the event to end." She gestured toward the sprawling area. "You can grab food, check out the fountains, or even watch the battle reys on those screens. They''re showing some amazing fights from time to time. Come on, we''ll show you."@@novelbin@@


    Diana chimed in, "Yeah, and the best part? You can recoverpletely here. I mean, not that you need it since everything resets once the event ends, but still, it''s nice to rx."


    As the other members of the Eclipse Revenant were also looking around and not wasting their time, Shane didn''t mind following the two.


    Of course, Shane had already noticed that he was being observed not just by one person but also by dozens of others. He actually didn''t mind it since this wasn''t his territory. They could do what they want as long as it wasn''t threatening or hurting him¡­


    Furthermore, he just learned that many people watched his battle, so it wasn''t so surprising.


    ''I have to ask them about the Survivor''s talents or skillster on¡­ Especially those within the top 20.'' Shane thought to himself as he should also know about them, to be fair.


    Anyway, the trio strolled through the area, and Shane quickly realized just how vast the waiting zone was.


    Survivors lounged in clusters¡­ They shared important stories about their regions and traded advice from time to time. Others gathered near therge viewing screens, cheering or groaning as they watched the reys of some awesome battles¡­


    Just now, the one on the screen was showing a Survivor with incredible skills in lightning or, perhaps, an item with lightning¡­


    Then, looking at its information, he realized that it was Alexander, a Survivor in the top 10 Rankings.


    As they passed a group of Survivors, Shane caught snippets of their conversations, and he couldn''t help but feel amused.


    "I got to Level 13 before those damn Spitter Zombies melted my shield," one person grumbled.


    "Ha, I didn''t even make it past Level 9. Those Runner Zombies are insane! I''m still reloading and they''re already in front of me."


    "Mhm? Did you see that girl with the Wooden Sword? What was her name¡­ Lily? She''s a beast. Took out five Spitter Zombies like it was nothing!"


    Shane wryly smiled but didn''tment. La and Diana also exchanged amused looks. After all, Challenge Level 9 was probably the lowest level a Survivor could get right now with their current stat level.


    Eventually, they found a quiet corner near a small fountain. The sound of trickling water was soothing, and the air here felt cooler.


    Shane sank onto one of the cushioned seats, stretching out and letting out a contented sigh.


    "This isn''t half bad," he admitted while ncing around.

 Chapter 476 Meeting a Ranker

    Shane had just finished a long battle, and the pain he felt at that time was real. Although he was fine now, he still couldn''t forget how terrible that feeling was.


    La then brought some skewers she had purchased in the nearby stall¡­ It was certainly tasty, but the price of five skewers for three Zombie Cores was just too much. It doesn''t even have any effects at all aside from being delicious.


    Nheless, Shane just decided to enjoy it since it wasn''t every day that he could eat such great food. Most of the time, it would just be enough to fill his stomach.


    "This ce is nice¡­" Shane muttered as he drank a cup of cold brew iced tea.


    Diana smirked. "Told you. Oh, and you should check out the viewing zone. It''s not just for watching the battles¡ªit''s interactive. You can search for specific people or even rey your own fights."


    Shane''s brows rose. "Huh. That''s interesting¡­"


    Laughed. "Yeah, it''s how everyone knows about your fights. Look, there are some screens showing your early battles. They''ve probably been reying it on a loop since you arrived. Many of them were interested in your Automated Turret, though¡­"


    Shane groaned, slumping in his seat. "Fantastic. So much for privacy."


    Diana smiled at this. "Don''t worry¡­ We also learned the secrets of other top rankers. Travis, that guy really has some clones with him. No wonder he was online in the chat 24/7."


    La gently nodded at this. "Yes¡­ He probably has some clones assigned to just monitor the Regional Chat in shifts¡­ There''s also Alexander, who can use lightning¡­ There''s Asad with an army of undead. He''s really scary¡­ He''s using some sort of Grimoire to amplify or summon his undead¡­ There''s also Natalie, Lesley, and others¡­"


    La and Diana then exined to Shane what they had witnessed from the battles of other Survivors.


    This information made Shane feel relieved since he wasn''t the only one who had his secrets revealed.


    Then, after a few minutes, Shane found himself unwinding.


    The waiting zone''s design was clearly meant to soothe both body and mind. The food was surprisingly high quality, ranging from roasted meats to fresh fruits and decadent desserts. The only problem was their expensive price, so they had to keep it in mind, or their winnings in the Challenge Event might just be wasted here.


    Anyway, Shane appreciated the surroundings. The fountains glowed softly as night fell. It was truly a beautiful sight as it created sparkling reflections across the area.


    Of course, no one was sleepy as a few Survivors he didn''t know would sometimes approach Shane to congratte him or simply express their admiration, though most kept a respectful distance after seeing his less-than-enthusiastic responses.


    Shane also met a few of his n Members like Tundra the Terrorist, Jillian the Bard, Lily the Wood Elementalist, Elsa the Water Elementalist, and even Max the Warrior, who was La''s closest friend.


    For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Shane allowed himself to rx. His body might have been pushed to its limits, but here in the waiting zone, he could recharge and prepare for whatever came next.


    After familiarizing himself in the Waiting Zone, Shane decided to return to some areas he had previously found interesting. Well, while looking around with Diana and La, he noted a few ces he nned to revisit.


    Shane soon wandered alone through the lively waiting zone¡­


    "I should be around here¡­" Shane muttered, rubbing his chin. "Might find something interesting to kill time."


    Read exclusive adventures at empire


    As he strolled past rows of shops offering various items, gear upgrades, and even exotic refreshments, his eyes fell on a peculiar store hidden away in a quiet corner.


    The shop''s entrance was draped with dark curtains, and above it hung a sign: "The Serum Emporium¡ªUnlock Your True Potential." The mysterious allure piqued his curiosity.


    Entering the shop, Shane found himself surrounded by shelves lined with glowing vials, eachbeled with alluring descriptions.


    "Crimson Strength Serum: Unleash unparalleled physical power. +5 Strength"


    "Azure Agility Serum: Move faster than the wind. +5 Agility"


    "Verdant Vitality Serum: Endure the impossible. +10 Vitality"


    "Silver Spirit Serum: Awaken hidden energy reserves. +30 Max Spirit Points"


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing this. He was indeed right that this area was quite interesting. No wonder there were a lot of people gathering here a while ago¡­


    The shopkeeper, a wrinkled old man with closed eyes but an unsettling grin, greeted Shane. "Ah, a new customer. Wee! Perhaps you''re here to prepare for your return or simply to indulge in the finest enhancements?"


    Shane picked up a vial glowing with a faint green light. "Verdant Vitality Serum, huh?" He squinted at the price tag and nearly dropped it. "One thousand Zombie Cores? This is daylight robbery!"


    Although Shane had a lot of money, this price was just too expensive. It might be a lot better to buy expensive weapons to hunt Zombies and level up.


    The shopkeeper chuckled. "Qualityes at a price, my friend. And in the challenges you''ve faced, every advantage counts, doesn''t it?"@@novelbin@@


    Looking around, Shane noticed only a handful of people browsing, their expressions mirroring his own as they debated the cost. Certainly, they all have the money to put two or three of them¡­ However, once they did that, they would feel poor once again.


    That was certainly not a good feeling after just earning a lot of Zombie Cores from the Challenge Event''s reward.


    Just then, as he was contemting what to do, he heard someone call him out.


    "Well, if it isn''t the famous Shane," said an unfamiliar man, approaching him with a smirk.


    Shane nced over his shoulder and recalled the man''s name¡­ Well, he had seen a few people watching his battles in the viewing screen. This person had several clones with him during his battles and was truly a strong Survivor because of that.


    "Mhmm¡­ Are you Travis? I heard you reached Level 51."


    Travis rolled his eyes as he didn''t expect Shane toment on that¡­


    He''d probably feel proud if the others would say that, but since Shane reached Level 60, it sounded like he was looking down on him, although he didn''t mean to.


    "Don''t remind me. Those Armored Tyrants weren''t just tough¡ªthey were vicious."


    He then gestured to the serums to change the topic. "Thinking about buying one? I figured you of all people wouldn''t need them."


    Shane snorted. "I''ve got the skills, sure, but even skills have their limits. Problem is, these prices are insane."


    Shane didn''t mind being friendly with this person since he also knew from the chats that this man had really done what he had said during the early days of the Apocalypse.


    He really created a huge and powerful n that could protect a lot of people under his territory. Travis was certainly a good leader who wasn''t just thinking about his own strength but also about others.


    He waspletely unlike Shane, Asad, and many other strong Survivors who only wanted to protect themselves and a small group of people.


    Travis picked up a shimmering silver vial. "Tell me about it. This Silver Spirit Serum caught my eye, but at 1,500 Zombie Cores? I might as well sell my soul."


    Of course, Travis was just exaggerating since he could really purchase a few of them if he really wanted. Nheless, they both justughed, and Shane leaned against the counter.


    "What''s your n, then? Saving up for one? Did you hit the limit already? You''ll need the breakthrough potions for that. This serum won''t have any effect otherwise."


    Travis shrugged. "I''m good¡­ It''s tempting. I mean, these serums could be useful to my closest aides¡­ The enhancements are permanent, you know. This can be a huge investment for the future.


    Shane smiled at this. "That''s true¡­ That''s why I''m also hesitating. After all, a single serum is still equal to a few level-ups." Shane muttered. After all, the drop rate of strength enhancement potions has recently be truly rare.


    It seemed that because of his high level, the drops of the Zombies had also be limited.


    If he wanted to get some decent Zombie drops, he had to challenge stronger Zombies¡­ The Lord-Tier Zombies might be the best option for that.


    At this time, the shopkeeper finally chimed in as he decided to persuade his potential customers.


    "Ah, indeed¡­ That''s the beauty of these serums. Their effects are subtle at first but grow stronger over time. You''ll find yourself increasing two or three points of your Status to be extremely difficult. Once you experience that, you will recall the serums you failed to purchase and regret that you dismissed them. So, I rmend you buy them now since you might not have a chance like this again."


    Travis looked back at Shane. "You''ve got enough Zombie Cores, don''t you? I mean, you cleared Level 60. That''s gotta be a fortune right there."

 Chapter 477 Mysterious Shop

    Shane could tell that Travis had also earned a lot of Zombie Cores. He believed that the man was hesitating as well.


    Shane crossed his arms, pretending to think. "Maybe. But I''m not sure I want to blow it all here. There might be better stuff somewhere else in this zone."


    "True," Travis admitted. "But if you''re going to splurge on something, it might as well be something that''ll make you stronger."


    Shane smirked. "You make a good point. Still, I''ll hold off for now. I''ve got plenty of time to decide, and I''m not one to rush into things."


    They spent a few more minutes browsing the shelves, exchanging banter, and specting about the potential future of the continent they were staying at...


    With a silent agreement, none of them asked about their lives on earth or, perhaps, whether they could return to their real world at all.


    Eventually, Travis purchased a lower-tier stamina-enhancing serum, muttering something about not wanting to fall behind.


    Shane was able to guess that Travis'' clone abilities most likely use stamina more than Spirit Points.


    As Shane exited the shop, he couldn''t help but nce back at the shimmering vials. The thought of permanent enhancements lingered in his mind, tempting him to return.


    "Guess I''ll keep looking around," he said to himself, stepping back into the bustling waiting zone. "Who knows what other treasures this ce has hidden away?"


    Once again, Shane recalled the areas where a lot of people had gathered before¡­


    As he continued walking, Shane wandered past various shops and stalls. Soon, his curiosity was piqued as he approached a peculiar, secluded building at the edge of the marketce.


    Unlike the vibrant exteriors of other establishments that could entice the Survivors, this one was shrouded in an eerie, shadowy aura.


    The entrance was nked by two statues of hooded figures. They even have red stones as their eyes, seeming to pierce into the souls of anyone who dared to approach.


    ''Wow¡­ It''spletely obvious that it''s a special ce¡­ But why are there no other people checking it out?'' Shane curiously thought.


    After all, the ce was just too obvious to be a special area where they could get some awesome things. It was only after he decided to go here that he noticed a few people checking out the ce as well.


    Then, Shane noticed that above the doorway, a que read:


    "The Vault of Chains¡ªess Beyond Worth."


    Shane knew that this was indeed a ce he needed to see.


    However, he finally realized why no one was daring to enter the ce.


    A smaller sign beneath it detailed the entry fee: 10,000 Experience Points and 1,000 Zombie Cores.


    Shane stopped and stared at the sign, his brow furrowed. "What kind of store charges a fortune just to step inside?"


    He would probably level down once if he paid this price. For the others, they might even go down two or more levels because of it. There was no way they would sacrifice their levels for that¡­


    Of course, it would not be too surprising if there were desperate people who''d like to gamble and see what was inside the building. After all, opportunityes with a price, and leveling down might be worth it.


    It wouldn''t be surprising if arge n would let some of their production ss Survivors who didn''t need a high level enter the ce to investigate. After all, if top Survivors had to spend 10,000 Experience, it would be a huge blow to the leveling race. They could go down from their rankings after all.


    Nearby, a small group of Survivors stood murmuring, clearly just as intrigued but unwilling to part with such a steep price.


    "That''s crazy," one of them whispered. "No way I''m wasting my Experience and Zombie Cores on something I don''t even know."


    Another nodded. "I heard someone say it''s a scam. He didn''t say what he saw inside though¡­ Aside from those who gambled, nobody knows what''s inside¡­ None of them evere out talking about it."


    "I guess there''s a prohibition made after entering the building¡­ It made me really curious¡­ However, I''m not rich enough to pay for the entry fee."


    ''So it was like that¡­'' Shane thought for a moment.


    After all, the others may not have extra Experience Points or Zombie Cores to spend, but he wasn''t like the others. He was flush with resources after his incredible run in the Challenge Zone. His curiosity burned brighter than his skepticism.


    "Only one way to find out," he muttered, stepping toward the entrance.


    His actions obviously attracted some attention. Nheless, none of them stopped him as they were curious whether he woulde out dejected or not. After all, if he looked really happy after getting out, they believed that they should also gamble and see what was inside.


    After entering the building, Shane realized that the entry fee wasn''t immediately deducted to him.


    Instead, he was greeted by a young woman standing behind a sleek, ck counter.


    Her appearance was quite simple¡ªdark hair, brown eyes, tanned skin, and seemingly incapable of hurting anyone.


    However, Shane appreciated her uniform, which was simple yet elegant. It was a tailored ck suit with a silver crest shaped like interlocking chains pinned to her cor.


    ''Interesting¡­''


    "Wee to the Vault of Chains," she said in a melodic yet businesslike tone. "The entry fee is 10,000 Experience Points and 1,000 Zombie Cores. Do you wish to proceed?"


    "Can you at least tell me what I can see here?" Shane asked.


    "Unfortunately, we can''t do that due to our policy. There''s no exception at all."@@novelbin@@


    Shane hesitated briefly. This was still somewhat of an exorbitant amount, even for him, but the exclusivity of the ce intrigued him. "Yeah, let''s do it."


    The receptionist nodded and gestured toward a crystalline orb resting on the counter. "ce your hand on the orb to process payment."


    Shaneplied, watching as the orb glowed with an intense light.


    Shane hadn''t seen anything like this before, and he couldn''t help but feel impressed. After all, these people seemed to have a connection to the system as they had something that could absorb their Experience Points!


    This method of taking payment through the orb was first for him, even during the past two Apocalypses he cleared. Experience more on empire


    Then, a momentter, he felt the loss in his reserves¡ªboth in his Zombie Cores and his hard-earned experience points.


    "Paymentplete," she said with a faint smile. "Please proceed through the door ahead."


    Shane nodded to the receptionist before he stepped through the ornate ck doors¡­


    Soon, he was struck by thevishness of the interior.


    The room was vast and dimly lit¡­ Along the walls were golden cages and crystal-like pods. Then, to Shane''s surprise, each of them contained a figure that made him pause for a bit¡­


    "This¡­" Shane was shocked as he confirmed that the ones in the cages or pods were either creatures or humanoid beings¡­


    At the center of the room stood a fat yet imposing man dressed in ck robes.


    His face was obscured by a silver mask engraved with intricate designs, but Shane could still tell what he really looked like.


    "Wee, honored guest, to the Vault of Chains, I''m Manager Ash¡­" the man said, spreading his arms wide. "I believe this is your first time here. Within this room, you will find the rarest treasures of this realm¡ªliving beings of exceptional value and skill, each bound to serve their master faithfully."


    Shane''s eyes widened as he realized what this ce truly was: a Recruitment Market or, perhaps, a ve Market.


    His Recruitment Stone may be random, but this ce could give him precisely what he needed.


    This was certainly an interesting shop¡­ After all, in the A.I. Rebellion and Fairy Realm Invasion, simr ve Markets were also avable, but not through this method.


    The ones who had established the ve Market in those two Apocalypses were an alliance of ns or an alliance of Wandering Merchants.


    ''I guess this is supported by the admins, huh¡­''


    The thought sent a shiver down his spine, though he masked his reaction with a neutral expression.


    The man gestured toward the nearest cage, where a tall, lithe woman with silver hair and sharp, fox-like ears stood.


    As soon as Shane saw this, he immediately realized why this ce was special. It seemed that they were selling species that were originally part of this world!


    This Waiting Zone seemed a lot more mysterious than he had thought!


    Then, the woman''s golden eyes met Shane''s, unblinking.


    "This is Kaelira, a Silver-Furred Vulpian. Agile, cunning, and adept in stealth. She would make an excellent scout or assassin. She''s one of our best products here, and normally, she costs 3,500 Zombie Cores and 3,000 Experience Points. However, every customer who paid the entrance fee would have the chance of getting one of our products for free¡­ This Vulpian is my rmendation¡­ However, if you have something in mind or if you want to look around first, feel free to do so¡­"

 Chapter 479 Affordable and Expensive

    Manager Ash stepped closer after hearing Shane''s question. He showed a smile to Shane and reported. "He''s one of the most expensive ones here¡­ Kain is capable of switching between his human and werewolf forms seamlessly. You probably know this already, but in his werewolf form, he gains heightened strength, speed, and durability, along with deadly ws and fangs. He is priced at 8,200 Zombie Cores and 3,500 Experience Points."


    Shane studied Kain for a moment and asked once more.


    "What''s the problem with him?"


    Well, Shane could already tell the pattern after knowing a few of them. After all, Manager Ash suggested Kaelira, the Vulpian one, instead of this person, so there must be a problem with him, simr to the other ones.


    The manager seemed to have expected this question and replied immediately. "There''s a condition he needed to meet in order to transform. So, while he was not in his werewolf form, you can just consider him a decently strong Survivor¡­ He would be nothing too special aside from his regenerative powers."


    "Ugh¡­ Can he only transform during the full moon?" Shane asked. It would be a pity if that was the case since he felt that a werewolf was definitely a decent vanguard.


    Thankfully, that wasn''t the case.


    "No¡­ But he can only transform during the night¡­ If it''s a full moon, however, he gets a lot stronger and would be a Crimson Werewolf."


    Shane finally understood why he wasn''t suggested at first. Now that he thinks about it, Kaelira, who was a scout and assassin, was certainly a good choice¡­ The next one would be Mirai since the others could just take thest hit if she didn''t want to kill anyone.


    Kain smirked as he heard their conversation... "I''m still skillful even during the day¡­ I''m originally a hunter¡­ and if you want a training partner, I don''t break easily."


    Shane ignored his words for now and continued his tour of the mysterious shop¡­


    During this time, there were no other customersing in. It was rtively silent, and Shane could only hear his steps echoing softly on the polished stone floor.


    Anyway, after being introduced to remarkable and pricey individuals like Kain and Mirai, he now found himself in another section.


    This area seemed less grand, with cages and pods thatcked thevish decorations of the others. The beings within still carried unique traits, but their auras were less overwhelming¡­


    "These ves are... more affordable¡­" Manager Ash exined and his tone seemed uncharacteristically casual. "They still offer value, of course, but they weren''t as strong as the first one¡­ Furthermore, each has notable drawbacks that prospective buyers must weigh carefully."


    Shane raised an eyebrow. "Drawbacks¡­ That''s not new.""


    "Indeed," Ash replied smoothly. "But allow me to borate."


    The first cage housed a humanoid figure whose skin glowed faintly with a metallic sheen. The ve appeared fragile, with an almost translucent quality to their silver skin. He had a slender frame, and despite being called affordable, he was wearingvish clothes that were probably meant to attract buyers.


    "This is Jafal, an Etherial Construct. His kind are known for their telepathic abilities and their gift for detecting hidden dangers with their incredible senses." Ash paused for a moment to see Shane react.


    Seeing that he seemed to be impressed by its telepathic abilities, he continued, "Jafal is adept at sensing traps, concealed enemies, and ambushes. However, Jafal''s drawback is that his energy reserves are extremely limited. Prolonged use of his abilities renders him almost like an unresponsive machine¡­ There were cases that required him days to recover. Inbat, he might be more a liability than an asset."


    Jafal''s glowing eyes flicked up briefly, but he said nothing. Shane wasn''t sure, but his shoulders seemed to slump further.


    "His price is 1,500 Zombie Cores and 500 Experience Points. A fair deal, given his abilities," Ash concluded.


    He had the same price as Epic Grade items in terms of Zombies Cores.@@novelbin@@


    Shane nodded but moved on, finding another cage nearby. Inside was a fox-eared woman who paced restlessly within her cage while her tail flickered back and forth. Her bright orange hair was wild, and her green eyes focused on Shane as he approached.


    "This is Nyssa, a Vulpan Tracker. Her kind are renowned for their exceptional tracking skills and heightened senses," Ash exined. "Nyssa can locate anything¡ªor anyone¡ªover vast distances, even through magical obfuscation."


    Nyssa''s lips curled into a sly grin. "I''m fast, reliable, and I don''t ask questions. Try me¡­"


    Shane crossed his arms. "What''s the catch?"


    Ash chuckled softly. "Ah, Nyssa is... impulsive. Her temperament makes her difficult to control. While her loyalty can be assured through binding, she often acts on instinct, which could jeopardize delicate missions. She is not suited for teamwork. It seemed to be in her nature¡­"


    Nyssa huffed, crossing her arms. "Teamwork''s overrated," she muttered.


    "Her price is 1,800 Zombie Cores and 1,200 Experience Points. A bit higher due to her unique skills," Ash said.


    Anyway, even though Shane wasn''t finding someone he wanted to spend money on, he found it interesting to learn more about these ves.


    Furthermore, there was no one else in the store, so he could just ask the Manager if he had questions about their products.


    Shane continued to see a few more ves, and they were all indeed cheaper. Perhaps, if he was still starting his journey, he would consider them. However, with the strong recruits by his side, he no longer needed averagebatants in his team.


    He was simply having a fun moment learning about other species just in case he''d encounter them somewhere else.


    Shane moved to the next cage, where a tired-looking man with broad shoulders sat slumped against the bars.


    ''Craftsman? cksmith?'' Shane mused.


    He wasn''t too sure, but the man seemed to be wearing a cksmith''s apron to show his identity. Furthermore, his hands seemed to be scarred from years ofbor.


    "This is Borek. He is a skilled craftsman, capable of forging weapons and armor of exceptional quality. His creations often carry unique elemental properties."


    Borek looked up and shook his head.


    "If you want weapons that''ll oust you, I''m your man." He said confidently. Shane was certainly curious about the man''s abilities. After all, he may not have some strong recruits, but supporters like Borek weren''t easy toe by.


    Shane arched an eyebrow and turned to the manager. "And his drawback?"


    Ash nodded... "Borek''s health is failing. His draconic bloodline is diluted, and without regr ess to rare alchemical supplements, his strength diminishes rapidly. He can still craft, but his work pace has slowed significantly."


    Borek snorted. "Still faster than most amateurs," he muttered.


    "His price reflects his condition: 1,600 Zombie Cores and 800 Experience Points. A reasonable investment if you value craftsmanship over speed¡­" Ash said.


    Shane rubbed his chin, weighing his options.


    He could probably take Kaelira as his freebie and then purchase this man, as he also needed a Craftsman. Furthermore, he could get pure Dragon Blood from Raze, or perhaps he could negotiate with Travis, who literally had a Legendary Dragon Blood talent¡­


    With these resources from Dragons, he might be able to assist Borek in getting his full health back.


    Shane smiled at this thought. After some time, he confirmed that the others were undoubtedly skilled, but their drawbacks made them far less appealing than the elites he''d seen earlier.


    Still, the affordability tempted him.


    Before he could decide, Ash''s voice interrupted his thoughts. "If none of these appeal to you, I do have something... rarer to show. But it wille at a much higher price. I''m only doing this to you since you have reached the Top Ranking in the Challenge Leaderboard¡­"


    Shane turned to face the masked man. Without a doubt, curiosity flickered in his eyes. "What do you mean by ''rarer''?"


    Ash''s silver mask glinted as he gestured toward the hidden door at the back of the room. "Follow me. There are a few more you must meet."


    Shane found this interesting. Without any more hesitation, he followed Ash to see what awaited behind the door.


    As the door slid open, Shane felt a strong aura surrounding the room. Under the manager''s lead, Shane stepped into the next room.


    There were three figures inside¡­


    The one at the center was the one that immediately caught his eye.


    It was a young girl with snow-white hair and blue eyes.


    "Mhmm?" Shane was in awe seeing chains of light binding her wrists and ankles¡­


    This figure was definitely special because of how she was being treated. Nheless, she was standing still, and her expression was calm.


    The other two were also quite interesting¡­ One of them had golden skin, while the other seemed to be just a normal middle-aged man. Indeed, the impression he got from that man was very normal.


    However, there was no way that he would be put here if that was the case.


    Shane wasn''t sure what abilities they had, but they were definitely a lot more expensive and useful. He was also hoping that their drawbacks or problems weren''t too big of a deal.

 Chapter 480 Selections

    Seeing that Shane''s gaze was drawn to the woman in the middle, the manager immediately introduced her.


    "This is Sona, a Frostborn Arcanist. She is one of thest of her kind, capable of freezing entire battlefields with but a gesture. Her potential is limitless, and she is priced ordingly at 15,000 Zombie Cores and 10,000 Experience Points. Of course, those aren''t included in the free product. That''s only possible for those outside."


    Shane was awed by the woman''s price. She must be incredibly strong, which exined why she was being kept here. After asking about Sona''s abilities, he realized that her potential was indeed undeniable.


    The only concern about her was the fact that she had to sleep for 10 hours a day. To be exact, her body would be forced to sleep that much.


    It wasn''t really a big deal, since he knew several people in his previous world who slept that much every day. Perhaps it would only be a problem if they were traveling.


    "Does it mean that she can''t be woken up once she falls asleep?" Shane asked curiously.


    "It''s still possible to forcefully wake her up, but you have to expect that her abilities wouldn''t even be 50% of their original strength," Manager Ash replied.


    "I understand¡­ In any case, it''s not like I''m nning to make her work 24/7¡­ Ten hours is also quite reasonable," Shane muttered.


    "Right¡­ Are you interested?" Manager Ash asked.


    "I''ll think about it," Shane said as he nced at the two others.


    This time, he felt curious about the golden-skinned man.


    Apparently, because of the light, this man appeared very bright due to the reflections. He also had radiant, sun-like markings etched across his body. His amber eyes seemed particrly interesting, as Shane could tell they contained some power.


    "Eye-based Talent?" Shane thought as he observed the man''s appearance.


    Even in the reflections of the light, his long, flowing white hair made him look like a celestial being.


    "He looks really strong¡­ I wonder how he became like this," Shane thought.


    "This is Otto, a descendant of the Celestial Sunsingers," Ash introduced. He then stepped closer to the golden-skinned figure. "His lineage grants him extraordinary abilities tied to light and fire. He can conjure sr res, purify curses, and heal wounds at an incredible rate."


    "A priest or maybe a magician type?" Shane thought as he gently nodded his head.


    Ash didn''t wait for Shane to ask about the man''s drawbacks and continued. "He''s definitely a great helper, but Otto''s strength is only at its peak during the day when the sun is up. Although his strength is still great during the night, it would only be half of its peak at most. However, that half is stillparable to powerful recruits, and you can''t underestimate it."


    "Oh? So he''s strong even in a weaker state? That would be incredible. He must be really expensive as well," Shane thought.


    Shane raised an eyebrow. "And the price?"


    "14,500 Zombie Cores and 7,000 Experience Points. A fitting sum for a being of his caliber," Ash replied.


    Shane took a step closer, studying Otto for a bit. The aura of light around him flickered slightly, and for a moment, Shane thought he saw something darker beneath the radiance.


    "Interesting¡­" Shane thought as he heard Cloud''s report about Otto.


    Anyway, Otto was still too expensive¡­ Although Shane had more than enough Zombie Cores to purchase him, he felt like he would be stretching his resources.


    After taking a deep breath, Shane turned his attention to thest figure.


    The final figure was perhaps the most mysterious. A tall, lean man with the most normal skin among the others, like a normal human. However, his green eyes were something Shane could say were simr to a reptile''s!


    "What is it this time? Reptilian? Is he capable of transforming into a dinosaur or something?" Shane thought to himself. However, he waspletely wrong this time.


    "He is Zephyrion¡­ He calls himself the Abyssal Schr of the Void. However, we just call him a Necromancer¡­" Ash said, his voice carrying a note of caution. "His mastery over Necromancy Spells is quite incredible."


    "Necromancer?" Shane repeated, clearly in shock. He didn''t expect to find one here.


    "Perhaps this person is rted to those Necromancers in the Wild Shelters?" Shane thought but immediately shook his head. After all, Asad was also a Necromancer, and he was definitely unrted to them.


    Furthermore, instead of staying silent like the other two, this man actually struck up a conversation.


    Zephyrion''s voice was deep as he spoke slowly¡­ Apparently, he knew very well that people would easily get scared of him after learning that he had such a dark power. There was no way to prove that he wasn''t dangerous since he really was. Nheless, he knew that he had a chance if his employer was just a lot stronger.


    "You fear what you don''t understand. I could teach you¡­ if you dare," he said weakly.


    It seemed that he also couldn''t speak for long and shut his mouth after saying this.


    Ash gestured toward the glowing chains binding him. "He is incredibly powerful, but his knowledgees at a price. Prolonged exposure to his void magic can corrupt those around him. Even his allies must tread carefully."


    "Hmm? Corruption?" Shane frowned but, ording to his Heightened Awareness, it seemed exaggerated. After all, he had an intuition that this person was capable of controlling his powers.


    "And his cost?" Shane asked after a few moments.


    "10,500 Zombie Cores and 5,000 Experience Points. His potential is limitless, but so are the risks," Ash replied.


    "Hmm¡­ His price isn''t that bad. He''s a lot cheaper than I thought," Shane muttered.


    After all, he was just a bit more expensive than Kain the Werewolf. Furthermore, a Necromancer was basically a one-man army. He had seen some clips of Asad''s battles, and they were certainly incredible.


    If Zephyrion was also as great as that man, then getting him on his side would definitely be a huge boon for his team.


    Anyway, Shane stepped back, taking a moment to process what he had seen.


    Each of these beings was extraordinary in their own right, yet their prices were astronomical. Thankfully, their drawbacks weren''t a huge problem.


    "You have a difficult decision ahead of you," Ash said, folding his hands behind his back. "But know this: owning one of these rare beings could change the course of your journey entirely. The question is, are you willing to pay the price?"


    Shane''s gaze lingered on each figure¡­


    In the end, Shane decided to take Kain, the Werewolf, as his free product for paying the Entry Fee. Then, he decided to buy Kaelira, which was more affordable. Since her price was only 3,500 Zombie Cores and 3,000 Experience Points.


    After that, he also purchased the lesser products. He took Jafal for 1,500 Zombie Cores and 500 Experience Points¡­ Then, after some thought, he also took Borek, who was a craftsman with a draconic bloodline, for only 1,600 Zombie Cores and 800 Experience Points.@@novelbin@@


    Then, he nced at the chamber with the three figures who were all priced with five digits of Zombie Cores.


    They were definitely expensive, so he had to think carefully about this.


    ***


    In the meantime, while Shane was still deciding if he had to purchase more, the situation in the Waiting Zone was still filled with life. No one was sleeping as they all wanted to look around and talk with other Survivors.


    At this time, Raze, the one known as the Vice n Leader of the Eclipse Revenant, was also one of them¡­ She didn''t even have the time to meet with Shane.


    Many people recognized her since she also had an outstanding performance in the Challenge Event.


    Because of that, she purchased a dark, fur-lined cloak to cover her very noticeable red hair.


    At this time, her destination was a well-guarded shop with a glowing green sign above the entrance, reading: "Alchemica Serums & Enhancements."


    She already knew about this shop as she had heard about it from others. Apparently, it was known for its exorbitant prices. Nheless, she was interested in most of their products since they dealt in transformative concoctions.


    As Raze entered, the store''s atmosphere shifted.


    "Did they still recognize me? Ugh¡­ Nevermind," Raze thought as she unconsciously touched her right arm where a dragon tattoo mark, or Roan, was currently resting.


    Anyway, the other patrons instinctively moved aside. Their conversations had even turned into whispers as they watched her approach the counter.


    Behind the counter stood an old man with goggles and a mechanical arm.


    "Wee to our shop," the shopkeeper greeted her with a slight bow.


    "To what do I owe the honor? Looking for something to amplify your strength, or perhaps to equip your people?"


    Raze just nodded and stated what she was looking for. "I''m here for Titan Serum¡ªand a lot of it."


    The shopkeeper blinked, visibly startled. It seemed that he was about to have a huge transaction!

 Chapter 481: Raze鈥檚 Shopping

    The shopkeeper was startled, but if what the woman was saying was true, then he would definitely earn a lot of money if this transaction was sessful!


    Of course, he didn¡¯t want to be disappointed either, so he decided to probe for now.


    "Titan Serum? Mydy, that¡¯s not a simple purchase. It¡¯s potent, yes, but it¡¯s also dangerous inrge quantities. Too much and¡ª"


    "I know exactly what it does," Raze interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument.


    This time, the old shopkeeper whispered, "Are you going to use them for multiple people?"


    Raze knew why the shopkeeper was worried. After all, the Titan Serum could be very useful if used by a Survivor.


    However, a Survivor should only use it once¡­ If multiple serums were used by a single person, they might be a lot stronger, but the chance was very small. It would be more likely for them to die than to get stronger.


    "Do not worry, Sir¡­ My n has expanded its territories, and we need people capable of hardbor¡ªbreaking stone, building fortresses, clearing forests¡­ Normal humans won¡¯t cut it. The serum will make them stronger."


    The shopkeeper¡¯s eyes lit up after hearing this. He didn¡¯t expect that this woman just wanted to create abor force with the Titan Serum. That was definitely a very unusual way of using such precious serums.


    Nheless, because he knew about Raze¡¯s n, he might be able to suggest other products for her.


    The shopkeeper no longer hesitated. His mechanical fingers twitched for a moment as he started searching for the serums¡­


    "Ahem¡­ Titan Serum enhances strength, endurance, and stamina exponentially, but¡­ it also changes people. Makes them less human. Their tempers shorten, their bodies grow more monstrous with repeated use." He advised as he took out five of them from behind the counter.


    Raze leaned forward and looked at the serums before nodding. "Got it¡­ I¡¯m not asking for a lecture. Just tell me the price."


    The shopkeeper swallowed hard, then gestured to the five vials of Titan Serum. These vials, with viscous, amber-colored liquid, were also in pristine containment chambers.


    Each vial was radiating faint heat, as though they were alive and filled with power. Needless to say, it waspletely different from the Titan Serum that Shane and the others could buy in the Reputation Store¡­ It seemed to be more potent!


    "One vial costs 400 Zombie Cores and 200 Experience Points," he said. "It¡¯s potent enough to turn an ordinary farmer into aborer who can outwork ten men instantly. How many do you need?"


    Raze already knew about this effect, so she simply replied without any hesitation.


    "Fifty."


    Four hundred Zombie Cores plus 200 Experience Points weren¡¯t a small price to pay¡­


    That would be a total of 20,000 Zombie Cores and 10,000 Experience Points!


    That was certainly not a small amount!


    A collective gasp rippled through the store. Even the most extravagant buyers during the shopkeeper¡¯s whole shift rarely purchased more than a handful of Titan Serums.


    "F-Fifty?" The shopkeeper stammered, his mechanical hand trembling. "That¡¯s¡­ twenty thousand cores and ten thousand experience points! Are you sure?" He asked once again.


    Of course, they had no idea that these Zombie Cores were pooled from all members of the n. After all, each member of the Eclipse Revenant was able to reach the Level 30 Challenge at the very least.


    Well, it wasn¡¯t that surprising since even Diana, who was supposedly a production-ss Survivor, was able to reach that level and obtain more than a thousand Zombie Cores.


    Those who were able to reach Level 35 obtained more than 3,000 Zombie Cores, while reaching Level 40 guaranteed at least 5,000 Zombie Cores.


    Needless to say, there were about 12 people in the Eclipse Revenant who were able to reach at least Level 40. They were Raze, Sandra, Lyra, Jaxon, Kael, Tessa, Tundra, and Max, to name a few.


    As for the experience points, there was no problem about this either, since she was able to get 15 Instant Experience Potions. Most of them were also provided to her since she was the one tasked with doing this.


    "Get it ready. I¡¯ll make the payment once I confirm their quality," Raze said. Well, there was no need to show her Zombie Cores in a bag. After all, the payment could be done through a payment orb. They just had to ce their hands on it, and the payment would be taken from their inventory.


    "Alright¡­" The shopkeeper then signaled one of the staff to take more Titan Serum from their storage area.


    Then, while waiting for the staff, the shopkeeper couldn¡¯t help but ask Raze¡­


    @@novelbin@@


    "Why not just recruit stronger Survivors?" The shopkeeper asked curiously. After all, if strong Survivors were what Raze needed, he could suggest a store that sells cheaper Recruitment Stones instead.


    Raze didn¡¯t really want to chat anymore with this shopkeeper¡­ She just wanted to get her items and leave this ce. However, she might trigger some kind of quest or perhaps gain favor with the shopkeeper if she answered his question. That was normally the case with the others, after all.


    "Strong Survivors have their own ambitions," she said. "They don¡¯t follow orders easily, and they¡¯re harder to control. But with Titan Serum, I can turn ordinary people into what we need¡ªstrong, tireless, and loyal to the cause."


    Of course, this wasn¡¯t the truth since Shane¡¯s talent guaranteed high loyalty. However, she didn¡¯t want to exin too much, so she just thought of a reasonable answer for those who weren¡¯t aware of their situation.


    The shopkeeper gently nodded after hearing this. Nheless, he seemed to be talkative and started chatting with her.


    "Ahem¡­ This is one of thergest purchases I¡¯ve had in a while. Few people can afford to spend so freely on Titan Serum, let alone fifty vials¡­"


    Raze folded her arms, as she started getting annoyed. Anyway, she still knew that preparing the many vials of Titan Serum wouldn¡¯t be easy. "Spare me the praise. Just make sure everything¡¯s in order."


    The old man chuckled and nodded. "Oh, don¡¯t worry. Your order will be prepared perfectly. But," he added, his tone shifting to one of calcted generosity, "a transaction of this magnitude deserves a token of appreciation."


    Raze raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting at?"


    Finally, it seemed that she was about to get something by being patient with this old shopkeeper. The shopkeeper then led her to an inner room whererge transactions were normally held.


    Raze smiled as she sat in one of the chairs. "So, what¡¯s this token of appreciation that you¡¯re talking about?"


    "It¡¯s here."


    The shopkeeper gestured toward a side door behind the desk. Then, his mechanical arm pulled a lever to open it.


    Creak¡­


    The door creaked open, revealing a small storeroom lined with bup sacks.


    "Hmm?" Raze felt confused for a moment as she squinted her eyes. Then, as she confirmed what she was seeing, her eyes lit up.


    Apparently, each sack wasbeled with neat, faded lettering that named different types of seeds.


    "Crops," the shopkeeper said with a grin. "Rare ones at that. This store isn¡¯t just about enhancing strength or power, dear customer. For someone like you, who¡¯s building a territory, these mighte in handy."


    As expected, telling him what she nned to do with the vials was a good decision.


    Raze¡¯s eyes narrowed as she stepped closer, inspecting the sacks. The faint smell of earth and dried herbs filled the air. "Crops? What kind?"


    "Not just any crops," the shopkeeper said, a glint of pride in his eye. "These seeds are for enhanced yields. Hardy nts, capable of thriving in even the most challenging environments. Perfect for growing in newly developed territories. There are even some that permanently boost the Survivor¡¯s vitality and spirit¡­ Let me show you."


    He walked over to a sackbeled "Golden Grain" and pulled a handful of golden-hued seeds from it. "This here is Golden Grain. It grows faster than normal wheat, maturing in just 20 to 25 days. Not only that, but it produces double the yield per harvest."


    Raze¡¯s expression remained unreadable, but her interest was piqued. "Go on."


    The shopkeeper moved to another sack, this onebeled "Crimson Root." He grabbed a small, blood-red seed and held it up. "This is known as Crimson Root. It grows deep and thick¡­ It¡¯s quite excellent for fortifying soil and producing a nutrient-rich vegetable. A lot of people love it because it provides stamina even for night activities¡­ Kekeke¡­"


    Then, after some thought, he gestured to a sackbeled "Moonleaf." The seeds inside were small and silvery, almost glowing in the dim light.


    "And this," the shopkeeper said as he looked into Raze¡¯s eyes, "is Moonleaf. It¡¯s a medicinal herb with properties that enhance recovery. Perfect for crafting salves or even teas to speed up healing. Your craftsmen and healers will thank you for it."


    Raze was definitely excited after seeing these crops. After all, none of these were avable in the system or reputation store!

 Chapter 482: The Meeting

    Raze¡¯s eyes lit up, and a smile formed on her face. The old shopkeeper noticed her reaction and felt a sense of satisfaction.


    "And you¡¯re giving these¡­ for free?" Raze asked, her tone tinged with curiosity.


    The shopkeeper nodded. "Indeed. I can give you three sacks of any seeds you want. Consider it a token of appreciation for such a grand transaction. You¡¯ve earned it, Raze."


    "So you know me," Raze muttered, her gaze narrowing slightly.


    "Ahem¡­ You probably won¡¯t need my name since it would take a long time before you visit this ce again, but I¡¯m Hognny," he replied with a chuckle.


    Raze nodded, acknowledging his words. Hognny was right¡ªshe didn¡¯t need his name. Her focus was on the seeds.


    Her gaze shifted between the sacks, eachbeled with neat, faded lettering. She could already tell how useful they could be: fields of Golden Grain would feed their growing poption, Crimson Root would nourish theirborers, and Moonleaf would heal their injured warriors. These crops were more than just nts; they were the foundation of a thriving settlement.


    She had nned to take one of each, but as she looked more closely, she noticed other sacks among the stock. Something had caught her attention.


    "What are these?" Raze asked, gesturing to the additional sacks.


    They were neatlybeled butcked the grand descriptions of the previous seeds. Still, curiosity tugged at her.


    The shopkeeper followed her gaze and chuckled. "Ah, you¡¯ve got a sharp eye, Raze. Those are simpler crops. Not as rare or potent as the ones I offered, but still valuable for their unique properties. Let me show you."


    He shuffled over to the sacks and picked up the first one,beled "Ironbark Beans." Pouring a handful of small, dark seeds into his palm, he exined, "These grow into hardy bean nts with stems that can be used as makeshift rope. The beans themselves are rich in nutrients, making them a good staple dish. They¡¯re very easy to grow, so they¡¯re a favorite among settlers building outposts in harsh environments. I can¡¯t give them for free, though¡ªthere aren¡¯t many left."


    Raze nodded as she quickly messaged Shane about these crops. After sending the message, she crossed her arms, silently urging the shopkeeper to continue.


    Hognny obliged, moving to the second sack,beled "Glowberry Vines." He lifted a cluster of pale green seeds. "These Glowberry Vines are quite popr. They grow quickly and produce berries that emit a faint glow, useful for lighting up areas without torches ormps. While the berries are mildly edible, they¡¯re better suited as a renewable light source. They¡¯re not that rare, but someone unexpectedly bought a ton of them recently. I only have five left, so I¡¯m nning to sell them at double the price."


    Hognnyughed, clearly enjoying the situation.


    Raze arched an eyebrow but didn¡¯tment on the sudden price hike. "Interesting. What¡¯s next?"


    The shopkeeper grinned and moved to the third sack,beled "Spineleaf." Its seeds were tiny and sharp, and just by looking at them, Raze could tell they¡¯d be prickly to the touch. "Spineleaf nts aren¡¯t for eating. They grow into low, thorny bushes perfect for creating natural barriers around a settlement. Simple, but effective for deterring wildlife or even Zombies."


    Raze¡¯s lips twitched at the thought. It wasn¡¯t the most morous option, but it would still be better than building a fence from scratch. If she wanted an aesthetic barrier, this could be a good choice.


    Finally, the shopkeeper gestured to the fourth sack,beled "Rainleaf Sprouts." He poured out a handful of soft, pale green-blue seeds. "Rainleaf thrives in areas with minimal water. It¡¯s a drought-resistant nt that provides a leafy vegetable, though its true value lies in its ability to enrich poor soil, making thend fertile for future crops."


    Raze¡¯s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. These simpler crops didn¡¯t have the dramatic effects of the first set he introduced, but they were still valuable. Together, they could provide the n¡¯s Springriver Manor and Silver Mine Camp with sustainable resources for food, light, and simple defense. The Rainleaf¡¯s soil-enriching properties were particrly appealing for developing barrennd.


    "How much for these?" she asked.


    The shopkeeper rubbed his chin, calcting. "Well, they¡¯re not as rare as the others, so let¡¯s say¡­ 50 Zombie Cores per sack. A fair price, I¡¯d say."


    @@novelbin@@


    Raze considered for a moment. It wasn¡¯t an insignificant amount, but the long-term benefits far outweighed the cost. With her n rapidly expanding its territory, these seeds could be vital assets.


    It was at this time that Shane replied to her message. He told her to buy just enough for their future development and emphasized taking more of the seeds that weren¡¯t avable in the stores or even in the continent itself.


    Needless to say, Raze had already met several wandering merchants visiting the Manor thanks to Shane¡¯s high reputation. Because of that, she was familiar with the crops they could sell.


    "Alright¡­ Leave it to me," she replied to Shane.


    Raze then turned her attention back to the old shopkeeper and asked about the price of the Golden Grain, Crimson Root, and Moonleaf seeds.


    "I¡¯ll take five sacks of each crop you just mentioned¡­ That will be 800 Zombie Cores, right? Then, how about the prices of the Golden Grain, Crimson Root, and Moonleaf?" Raze asked.


    "Oh? You want to get more of them? That¡¯s great. The Golden Grain and Crimson Root are worth 165 Zombie Cores each. The Moonleaf seeds are a bit more pricey¡ª205 Zombie Cores per sack," Hognny replied.


    Raze thought for a moment as she considered how much she should buy.


    "Alright, then the three free sacks will be Moonleaf seeds. I¡¯ll buy five sacks of Golden Grain and Crimson Root. That should be 1,650 Zombie Cores, right?" Raze said.


    The shopkeeper beamed as he nodded. "Yes! Excellent choice, Raze. I¡¯ll have these packed with your other purchases. A wise investment, if I may say so."


    As she waited for everything to be prepared, Raze couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. The Titan Serum would strengthen their workers, but these seeds would provide the foundation for a thriving, self-sustaining settlement. After all, she already knew that Shane was nning to create multiple shelters or settlements.


    "We¡¯ve prepared all the fifty Titan Serums here. There¡¯s even one of them given for free. Kekeke¡­" the old shopkeeper said as he showed the chest containing the vials and handed over the free one.


    "As for the sacks¡­ Please wait for a little bit more. We¡¯ll still be taking them from the main warehouse."


    "Thank you¡­ But please make it quick," Raze said as she sat on the couch. She had just received a message from Tessa that Shane was together with Asad, Natalie, Travis, Lancelot, and Alexander in the Tea House near the main pavilion.


    These powerful Survivors and n Leaders were definitely discussing something important, and Tessa had messaged her to check it out as well.


    Of course, Raze was also interested in the matter, but since she wasn¡¯t invited, she only nned to wait and ask Shane what they had discussed or if it was something important.


    "Are they all actually friendly with each other?" Raze thought. "They should know that after the first Zombie Wave, killing Survivors could already give them drops. There¡¯s even a possibility of looting their Talents or Skills, albeit a small chance."


    Thankfully, the wait didn¡¯tst long. The sacks were soon prepared for her. After storing them in her inventory, she was finally satisfied and stood up to leave the store.


    "Pleasure doing business with you," the shopkeeper said, bowing deeply.


    Raze didn¡¯t respond as she had already thanked the old man earlier. She simply turned and strode out of the shop, her mind already racing with ns for the seeds and the future of her n.


    ***


    The Tea House, located near the main pavilion, was still bustling and bright despite beingte at night. Its wooden structure was adorned with soft, papernterns that were giving them a warm golden glow, creating a serene atmosphere.


    There were also potted nts that were carefully arranged around the room, adding a touch of life to the small store.


    Inside, there were low tables, and plush cushions provided a cozy setting, perfect for quiet conversations.


    It was a veryforting ce but it was also quite expensive to stay here.


    Nheless, the ce was still half filled with customers.


    There was a subtle aroma of steeped herbs and dried leaves that was both soothing and inviting.


    Lesley from the Overlord n sat quietly at a table in the corner. She was observing the meeting taking ce among the top-ranking Survivors and n Leaders. Explore stories at empire


    Though she appeared disinterested, her gaze asionally flicked toward the group gathered at the left-wing table, her curiosity was piqued by their discussion.


    ¡¯So that¡¯s Shane¡­ Hmph¡­ He¡¯s just a bit more handsome than Lancelot.¡¯ Lesley thought.


    Shane sat at the head of the table. His posture was rxed but his expression was serious. On his left sat Asad, the imposing Necromancer, who was currently wearing his Dark Magician¡¯s robe.


    Lesley felt a chill on her body as she recalled how this person could summon a huge number of disgusting Ghouls and Mummies.


    ¡¯I wonder why they even invite this person...¡¯

 Chapter 484: Return

    The others were immediately confused as soon as they heard about the Vampire¡¯s Rise Apocalypse. They also had conversations with the members of their n, discussing the Apocalypse Options they had been given. Most of them had only two or three options, and the Zombie Apocalypse seemed to be their best choice at the time.


    After all, options like Demon Invasion, Ragnarok, or Dragon Awakening seemed far scarier at that time since they would not be fighting humans. On the other hand, they believed that the Zombies were manageable because they thought they would just be fighting against infected humans with slow movement and an obvious weakness: their brains.


    As for the Vampire¡¯s Rise Apocalypse, they weren¡¯t sure about it at all. However, since they already knew about six or seven Apocalypses based on what they had heard, they weren¡¯t too surprised if there were ten possible options in total. Of course, Apocalypses like the rise of vampires, a nuclear fallout, elemental cataclysm, and others had also crossed their minds. But since it wasn¡¯t a pressing matter, they didn¡¯t dwell on it too much.


    "Why did you ask?" Travis immediately inquired. "Is it rted to the Vampire your n warned us about?"


    He knew that Raze and the others who had informed them about the Vampires¡¯ weaknesses and their existence were from the Eclipse Revenant. Thanks to their warning and shared information, many shelters that had been attacked by Vampires were able to fight back effectively.


    The others were also curious and looked at Shane, especially Lesley and Lancelot, who had fought against Statham the Vampire when he dared to attack a shelter near their Overlord n. They all had simr questions in their minds.


    "Yes," Shane exined. "Statham, that Vampire, isn¡¯t a normal Survivor who just wanted to kill other Survivors. You might have noticed that he wasn¡¯t even in the top 100 Survivors, but he was incredibly strong. ording to the clues I¡¯ve gathered, he might havee from a different apocalypse called Vampire¡¯s Rise and somehow entered this realm after clearing it or something."


    "What?!" Natalie was shocked, as she had never considered this possibility.


    "That¡¯s a lot to take in, Shane," Alexander said. "I don¡¯t think I can easily believe all of that."


    The others nodded in agreement, but Travis squinted his eyes as he considered this carefully. After all, everything that had happened to them was already too magical and something he would never have imagined. However, here they were, fighting against Zombies that they could only see in movies or games. If Shane, the Rank 1 Survivor, said it, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if it was the truth.


    "Interesting," Travis said, which made Shane¡¯s smile widen. "If that¡¯s the case, I guess it¡¯s true that there were other batches."


    "What do you mean?" Asad asked, looking at Travis, who seemed to have discovered something.


    Travis wryly smiled and replied, "I believe we¡¯re not the first batch of people to be sent into this Apocalypse. It wouldn¡¯t be surprising if other worlds had the same circumstances as ours. Perhaps they were also given options and sent here¡­ like the Necromancers of the Wild Shelters."


    As soon as Travis said this, everyone except Shane was stunned. They had never considered the origins of the Necromancers before. They had simply believed that they were enemies arranged by the system to be killed in order for them to get stronger. However, after thinking about it now, they realized that the Necromancers shouldn¡¯t be part of this Zombie Apocalypse at all. Unless they were sent here to eliminate the Zombies or gain control over them!


    @@novelbin@@


    Anyway, Shane continued to share information about the Vampires and how to deal with them. After all, he didn¡¯t want Statham to grow even stronger. It would be a huge problem if he managed to make the top rankers his followers ande after them.


    After some time, they eventually concluded their discussion with handshakes, forming a decent rtionship. At the very least, none of them would fight if they crossed paths outside.


    Then, everyone returned to their groups, and Shane also met with Raze and the others, sharing what he had discussed with the other leaders.


    After a couple of days had passed, the atmosphere in the waiting zone began to change. The Survivors buzzed with anticipation as the system began its final countdown to the conclusion of the Zombie Challenge.


    [ System Announcement: The Zombie Challenge Event is Ending Soon! ]


    [ Remaining Time: 00:10:00]


    [ All participants will be teleported back to the continent shortly. Prepare for departure. ]


    After receiving this notification from the system, Survivors scrambled to finish theirst-minute preparations. Some who were still undecided about whether to buy or sell items were forced to make quick decisions. It wasn¡¯t too surprising to see this at all.


    Anyway, Shane saw otherspleting their trades, holding hurried meetings, and saying goodbye to their new friends, but there were still a few who simply sat quietly, savoring the final moments of peace in the Waiting Zone.


    Well, this was such a beautiful ce... It waspletely safe with the arrangements of the system and guards mixed among the people. Even if there were some arguments, it would be immediately settled by these powerful guards.


    With such a high level of security, it was no wonder why a lot of people were enjoying their stay here.


    At this time, Shane stood among his Eclipse Revenant n members as he chatted with them. Well, he hoped that everyone would be safe until they could meet again.


    As the countdown reached zero, the system chimed once more.


    [ System Announcement: Event Concluded! ]


    [ All participants are now returning to the continent. ]


    [ Good luck, Survivors.]


    In an instant, a brilliant light engulfed the waiting zone, and the Survivors began to vanish one by one. Soon, Shane felt the familiar pull of the teleportation process, and in the blink of an eye, the scenery around him dissolved.


    "Hmm?"


    When Shane opened his eyes, he did not find himself on the continent as he had expected. He didn¡¯t meet Lysandra and his three Epic Recruits, Vernon, Nian, and Kale.


    ¡¯Where am I?¡¯ Shane thought as he observed his surroundings.


    He wasn¡¯t in his familiar tent; instead, he was standing in an elegant room. The atmosphere in the room was a bit familiar as he looked around. The walls were adorned with carvings depicting forests, stars, and magical runes. It was a beautiful sight that he¡¯d normally see in ancient settings.


    Anyway, he soon detected someone else¡¯s presence in the room.


    Suddenly, an elf with silver hair appeared, her green eyes glowing as if she had teleported. She wore a schrly attire¡ªa flowing robe of deep green and gold embroidery, which felt familiar.


    ¡¯Administrator¡­¡¯ Shane thought.


    Indeed, Shane recognized her immediately. He may not know her name, but he had experienced simr events before. The first was at the end of the Auction, and the other was during the Boss Raid event. It was no longer surprising when he saw the Elf Administrator.


    "Wee, Shane¡­" Anastasia said, her voice melodic yetmanding. "I apologize for the abrupt detour, but I wished to speak with you personally. I¡¯m Anastasia, an Administrator."


    ¡¯Oh? She introduced herself.¡¯ Shane thought, recalling that the other admins hadn¡¯t bothered to introduce themselves at all.


    Anyway, it wasn¡¯t every day one encountered an Administrator face-to-face. He straightened his posture and maintained a calm demeanor.


    "So, it¡¯s Administrator Anastasia," Shane said with a slight nod. "I wasn¡¯t expecting this¡­ What¡¯s going on?"


    He didn¡¯t want to mention that he had received gifts from a previous admin, so he decided to actpletely innocent.


    Anastasia¡¯s lips curved into a gentle smile after hearing his response. She seemed amused.


    "You¡¯ve proven yourself exceptional, Shane. Your performance in the Challenge Event surpassed our expectations. Not only did you demonstrate skill and resilience, but the blessing you possess is quite impressive. There¡¯s no way to fake it. It¡¯s rare to see someone who isn¡¯t an elf possess the Fairy Queen¡¯s blessing."


    "So you¡¯re aware of it...."


    Shane narrowed his eyes slightly. Of course, he still enjoyed beingplimented, especially by a beautiful Elf Administrator. "I appreciate the acknowledgment, but why bring me here?"


    Enjoy new chapters from empire


    Anastasia¡¯s smile widened as she waved her hand. A small table appeared between them, and on ity ten crystalline stones¡­ Beside these ten stones was a small opened wooden box containing five pills.


    Anastasia then spoke. "We don¡¯t have a lot of time, but I just want to ensure that the Blessed of the Fairy Queen will be safe until you fulfill the mission She had given you. These are Epic Elf Recruitment Stones and Elven Nature Pills. A gift from me, exclusive to you."


    Shane¡¯s eyes lit up after seeing these. The Recruitment Stones were far better than he expected. They were actually Epic Grades! They were so much better than the previous Elf Recruitment Stones.


    "You¡¯re probably aware of what these could do¡­ With these stones, you can summon elves of significant skill and talent to join you¡­ As for these pills¡­ I hope you¡¯ll use them wisely."

 Chapter 485 The Current Base

    Shane had no idea what those pills could do, but he still nodded to the Elf Admin since he could appraise the itemter on. He wasn''t in a hurry.


    Anyway, recruitment stones, especially of this caliber, weren''t something he could find in the continent. He really appreciated this elf''s assistance. With 10 Epic Elves, it could change the course of any Survivor''s journey.


    Nheless, he kept hisposure as he met Anastasia''s gaze.


    "Why me?" he asked bluntly. "What''s with the Fairy Queen''s blessing anyway? Is it just because of that, or do you want me to fix this Apocalypse? What do you want me to do?"


    Anastasia chuckled softly. "I just felt that I had to do this since the Fairy Queen might have led you here in the first ce. Hmmm¡­ You may not be aware of this, but you possess the qualities of a leader¡ªsomeone who can inspire and unite others. So maybe I just wanted to see you again¡­ That''s why I''ve chosen to give you this additional reward."


    Shane could only nod at this as he reached out and took all the rewards, storing them in his inventory.


    "I won''t say no to such a generous reward," he said with a smile at the corner of his lips. "But I''ll assume there''s more to this than just a gift."


    Anastasia''s expression softened as she confirmed that Shane was acting as she had predicted.


    "I understand. But these stones are a token of trust and investment in your potential. Use them wisely, Shane. The challenges you''ve faced so far are only the beginning. Greater threats lie ahead, and I believe you''ll need all the help you can get."


    Shane nodded. She was probably referring to the Vampires. "Understood. And¡­ thanks, I guess."


    Anastasia inclined her head. "Good luck, Shane. May your journey continue to be as extraordinary as you''ve proven yourself to be."


    With a wave of her hand, the golden light enveloped Shane once more, and the elegant room faded from his view.


    ***


    At this time, the abandoned town where Shane''s group had decided to stay was eerily quiet¡­


    However, it didn''t take long before the wind swept through the streets, carrying the faint smell of decay.


    Vernon frowned as he stood atop a crumbling building, his long-range rifle cradled in his arms. From his vantage point, he scanned the surrounding fields and forests with his enhanced vision, courtesy of his Eagle''s Mark ability.@@novelbin@@


    "We''ve been holding steady for six hours," he murmured into hismunicator. "No sign of trouble yet, but I don''t like how quiet it is out here. There''s also that smell¡­"


    Down below, Nia walked the perimeter of the Guardian Node. It was the device Shane had left behind to maintain a protective barrier around the central part of town where they were staying.


    The invisible dome of energy flickered faintly as she gazed at it for a while. She still couldn''t help but feel amazed by this technology. She had never imagined something like this appearing during her era.


    Anyway, with the skills she currently had, she knew that their defense would be incredible. As a matter of fact, her Verdant Bloom spell had already been used to reinforce some of the crumbling structures with thick, living roots, creating barricades.


    On the other hand, Kale leaned against a makeshift barricade of rubble and iron spikes near the main road leading into town. His massive axe rested against his shoulder¡­ Well, Kale was previously a diator, and the aura around him hadn''t changed at all.


    Vernon and Nia also felt rxed seeing the Legendary Recruit leading them.


    "Rx, Vernon. You''re twitchier than usual. We''ve got this. Zombies are predictable." Kale said through the radio that Shane had distributed to them.


    Suddenly, Vernon stiffened.


    Through his scope, he spotted movement in the distance¡ªa horde of shambling figures emerging from the treeline. Indeed, the rotten smell earlier was definitelying from this horde¡­


    He counted a dozen Walker Zombies with their slow, uneven steps¡­ "We''ve gotpany," he announced. "Walker Zombies, about a mile out."


    Kale cracked his neck, gripping his axe tighter. "Finally. Let''s give them a warm wee."


    However, realizing that it was still a mile away, he remained sitting down. He knew that the Walkers were slow. As expected, it took them quite some time to arrive.


    Furthermore, because they didn''t want the Barrier or the Automated Turret to be activated or help them in their defense, Kale decided to move forward and deal with them. After all, he didn''t want the energy of the barrier to be wasted on these weak Zombies.


    Soon, the first wave of Zombies arrived, and it was straightforward. The Walker Zombies were sluggish and uncoordinated, perfect targets for Vernon¡­ Of course, he didn''t use his rifle''s precious bullets against such low-level Zombies and simply used a bow and arrows since he could retrieve themter. Anyway, he only decided to kill a few to get some action since he was already getting bored.


    On the other hand, Nia stood at the edge of the barrier, her staff glowing for a moment as she summoned a wall of thorny vines with Thorned Barrier. This action didn''t cost a lot of Spirit Points, but she was able to skewer many zombies that got too close.


    Finally, it was Kale''s turn. It was to be expected that he''d eliminate all the remaining Walker Zombies¡­


    Sssaakk~


    Kale''s axe cleaved through the undead like a hot knife through butter. His strength was just too much against the Zombies, and he even had to adjust or weaken his swings to reserve his stamina for stronger opponents.


    As soon as he eliminated them, it wasn''t long before the Runner Zombies appeared. They sprinted from the treeline, but aside from that, none of them were worried.


    "I guess what Sir Shane said was true¡­ The Zombies seemed to be aware that the Foreign Survivors were gone."


    "Runners! Get ready!" Vernon reported through the radio as he remained in his position.


    He then considered for a moment and decided to shoot a few bullets, but this time, he activated his Explosive Volley skill. With this skill activated, he could kill multiple Zombies in one shot!


    Just like that, a few bullets destroyed the formation of the Running zombies to lessen Kale''s pressure¡­


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Explosions tore through their ranks after using five bullets. He immediately stopped as he felt that his support was enough. He could just rely on Kale or Nia to clear the remaining ones.


    "I''ll take care of them¡­"


    Kale stepped forward, his ck-and-gold armor seeming to shine as he braced himself.


    "Come on, you bastards!" he roared, swinging his axe in a wide arc. He activated Abyssal m!


    Bam!


    A shockwave rippled from his weapon, sending the nearest zombies sprawling.


    "Nice!" Kale was happy to see such a strong ability of his. After all, this skill wasn''t something he had during his diator days. At the very least, it wasn''t as long as his previous ability. It was only until the system recognized it as his skill that he could make it even more explosive and deadly.


    His battle continued as his body crashed against several Runner Zombies after he activated his Armored Dash!


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    The Runner Zombie''s momentum waspletely halted with this move!


    "Whoa~" Vernon couldn''t help but feel amazed seeing such a bold move. Although he also had the Armored Dash Skill because of their generous leader, he didn''t feelfortable crushing against those running Zombies.


    Meanwhile, Nia immediately acted as she used her Verdant Bloom and enveloped Kale, healing minor wounds and rejuvenating his stamina as Kale held the line.


    "Don''t overextend, Kale!" she called out since there was a range in her skill, and she didn''t want to leave the protection of the Barrier.


    "Worried about me, Nia?" Kale grinned as he crushed a zombie''s skull with the butt of his axe.


    "You''re more useful alive," she shot back with a smirk.


    Anyway, this battle wasn''t that dangerous yet, so they still felt a bit rxed¡­


    However, they soon felt that they would have a long day ahead of them.


    Well, just as they began to regroup, Vernon''s voice came through themunicator once again. "Heads up! We''ve got Jumper Zombies inbound! Ten o''clock, closing fast!"


    The Jumper Zombies were a lot harder to deal with. They were lean, tough creatures that could leap across buildings with terrifying agility.


    Thankfully, Shane knew they could also be in trouble, so they consumed the special potion that granted them the Five-Meter Jump Skill. This way, they could catch the Jumper Zombies if needed!


    As Zombies closed the distance in seconds, Vernon was forced to change his position and retreat to a more hidden area to avoid being targeted by the jumpers.


    Kale, on the other hand, baited himself by nting his feet on the ground, waiting for the Jumper Zombies toe at him.

 Chapter 487 Last Problem

    As soon as they felt how threatening Kale was, the two hidden experts seemed to have done something, as the mes from more than fifty people suddenly grew stronger!


    The heat they emitted had also intensified, and if the Scavengers really threw these torches around the town, they would have no choice but to abandon the ce. It was something they desperately wanted to avoid.


    This time, Kale felt it too. Although he could easily kill these Scavengers, he might not have the strength to protect their shelter. Furthermore, Nia''s barrier wasn''t effective against fire¡­


    "Tsk¡­"


    Kale, who was about to charge, was suddenly stopped by a hand.


    It was part of their n.


    Nia ced a hand on Kale''s arm, signaling him to stand down. She then turned her gaze back to the Scavenger leader.


    "We''ll give you a portion of our supplies," she said firmly. "But only enough to send you on your way. If you try to take more, we''ll fight to the death, and you''ll regret ever stepping foot here."


    The leader''s smirk widened. "Fair enough. Let''s see what you''ve got."


    Nia and Vernon worked quickly, retrieving a portion of their supplies while Kale kept a watchful eye on the Scavengers. In any case, Shane had provided them with plenty of food, and they had also looted a significant amount after facing several waves of Zombies yesterday and this morning.


    They handed over three crates of food¡ªmostly canned goods and dried meat¡ªas well as a bundle of spare clothes they had scavenged from the town. They had plenty of these supplies since Shane and Lysandra always bought all the food avable in their system store.


    "They still look too pitiful," Nia thought to herself as she added some clothes. There were female Scavengers among the group, and she noticed they weren''t in good condition either.


    As soon as they brought out the supplies, the Scavengers eagerly took them just outside the town¡­ Of course, this was done while the Automated Turret closely monitored them.


    The Scavenger Leader heaved a sigh of relief, pleased that they had sessfully scammed another group.


    As the leader inspected the goods, he gave a low chuckle. "Looks like you''re smarter than you look. A fair deal for everyone."


    Kale scowled, stepping closer to the barrier. "Don''t push your luck. This was more than generous, considering the way you approached us."


    The leader raised his hands mockingly, a sly grin on his face. "Rx, big guy. We''re done here. You''re probably protecting something or someone inside, right?"


    Then, as the other Scavengers began to retreat, the leader paused for a moment before speaking again. This time, his expression was serious for the first time.


    "Since you''re kind enough to help us¡­ I''ll give you a piece of advice," he said.


    "If you value your lives, you''ll leave this ce. We passed a horde of Giant Zombies heading this way, and trust me¡ªyou don''t want to be here when they arrive."


    Nia''s eyes widened. "How far away are they?"


    "Half a day, maybe less," the leader replied. "You''ve got time, but not much. Consider this a warning¡ªand a thank-you for the supplies." With that, he motioned for his group to follow, and the Scavengers disappeared into the horizon.


    As the Scavengers vanished, Nia turned to Kale, her face pale but her gaze filled with determination.


    "Giant Zombies¡­ They must be a lot more dangerous, but we will protect this ce."


    Kale mmed the butt of his axe into the ground. "Of course! We''re not leaving. Shane and Lysandra trusted us to hold this ce, and that''s exactly what we''re going to do."


    Vernon''s voice came through themunicator. "We''d better get to work. If those giants areing, we''ll need every defense Shane left us."


    Nia nodded. "Then let''s prepare. If this town falls, it''ll only be over our dead bodies."


    Twelve hours had passed¡­


    During this time, the three had been preparing for the arrival of the Giant Zombies. It would have been great if the Scavenger Leader was just messing with them, but even if they dide, they were ready.@@novelbin@@


    Nia, Kale, and Vernon calmly finished their meals and waited for any signs of the Zombies approaching.


    Sure enough, after waiting for some time, they heard rumbling sounds in the distance. They realized it could be the heavy footsteps of the Giant Zombies.


    Then, from the horizon, six Giant Zombies came into view, their towering forms putting immense pressure on the group. But they had no choice¡ªthey had to face this.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    As they got closer, each step sent a low rumble through the ground¡­ Then, with the breeze from the south, the three couldn''t help but frown as the stench of rotten flesh reached them.


    Vernon, still on the rooftop, gripped his rifle tightly. His eyes scanned the approaching monstrosities as he tried to gather more information about them.


    "Here theye," he said into themunicator. "Get ready."


    Nia and Kale stood near the edge of the barrier, their weapons drawn as they waited for the Zombies to get closer.


    Clink¡­ Clink¡­ Clink¡­


    Then, the Automated Turret began pointing its barrels toward the approaching Zombies. Currently, it was strategically ced at the town''s center¡­


    Beep! Beep!


    Its targeting systems locked onto the closest Giant Zombie¡­ As soon as the targets approached within 300 meters, the turret fired rapidly¡­


    Its energy bullets struck the first Giant Zombie''s putrid flesh.


    However, they weren''t strong enough to prate its body, only damaging its skin and flesh¡­ Its bones seemed undamaged.


    Nheless, the Turret didn''t stop firing.


    "They''re too tough¡­ Maybe it''s an Armored Giant?" Nia frowned at the thought.


    Thankfully, even if it was slow, the attacks were still effective!


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    It didn''t take long before the Energy Bullets were switched to Incendiary Bombs.


    The creature roared, swinging its massive arms in an attempt to shield itself. But the turret wasn''t stopping just yet.


    It soon concentrated its fire on the Zombie''s head!


    The barrage of Energy Bullets and bombs finally overwhelmed the zombie''s form, and it copsed with a thunderous crash.


    Boom!


    The second Giant Zombie was already closer, undeterred by the fate of itspanion. The turret shifted its aim, pouring Energy Bullets into the advancing behemoth. This time, the zombie managed to close some distance before a lucky burst of fire severed its spine, sending it toppling to the ground, almost hitting their Barrier.


    "Two down," Vernon called out, his voice tense. "But the turret''s overheated¡ªit won''t hold for the rest!"


    If they continued using the turret without caring for its current condition, it might help them bring down another Giant Zombie. However, the Turret might explode or get destroyed in the process. There was no way they would allow that to happen.


    The remaining four Giant Zombies continued moving forward, their massive forms now dangerously close to the barrier.


    Kale clenched his fists around his axe as the aura of a diator emanated from his ck-and-gold armor.


    "Time to earn our keep!" he roared, charging toward the barrier''s edge just as the Guardian Node shimmered and allowed him to pass.


    Titanbreaker Skill was also activated at the same time!


    "Verdant Bloom!" Nia shouted, mming her staff into the ground. Thick vines erupted from the earth,shing at one of the Giant Zombies'' legs and slowing its advance. She followed up with Thorned Barrier, erecting a wall of spiked vines to buy them precious seconds.


    Kale took advantage of the dy, leaping onto the immobilized zombie''s leg!


    His axe glowed with Aura as he activated his Abyssal Strike ability, swinging with all his might and severing the creature''s Achilles tendon.


    Bam!


    The zombie howled in pain¡ªor maybe anger¡ªas it fell to one knee.


    Vernon, from his elevated position, activated Eagle''s Mark, lining up a perfect shot.


    Bang!


    He fired a high-caliber round that struck the zombie''s exposed neck, sttering decayed tissue in all directions.


    The Giant Zombie crumbled, but Kale was already moving toward the next target. "Nia, on my six!" he shouted.


    Nia followed, casting Nature''s Respite on Kale to bolster his stamina as he swung his axe once again, severing another zombie''s arm.


    Thud!


    The creature retaliated, swiping at Kale with its remaining limb. It was so fast even with itsrge body and Kale could only use Armored Dash to dodge!


    Aack!


    He narrowly dodged, but the force of the blow sent a gust of wind past him.


    Despite their best efforts, the team was tiring. Vernon had used up most of his specialized rounds, leaving him with standard bullets that barely slowed the zombies. Nia''s spells were bing less effective as her Spirit reserves dwindled, and Kale''s armor bore deep dents and scratches from repeated attacks.


    Then, one of the remaining Giant Zombies managed to break through the Thorned Barrier, swinging a massive hand at Kale. The impact sent him flying into a crumbling wall, where he slumped. Thankfully, even if he was dazed, he was still alive!

 Chapter 488 Return

    "Vernon, do something!" Nia shouted, desperately casting Verdant Bloom to restrain the advancing zombies. But the vines were weaker now, continuously snapping under the weight of the monstrous creatures.


    Vernon yelled while still firing as fast as he could. He managed to blind one zombie by shooting out its eye, but the creature continued its advance. It was simply not enough.


    Nia''s staff glowed as she summoned another Thorned Barrier, but the remaining Giant Zombies smashed through it effortlessly. The situation was dire.


    "Ugh¡­ We have to retreat," Nia said, believing they had no other choice but to escape from the Zombies and return once the enemies had left the area. They just had to make sure to fix the ce before Shane and Lysandra returned. It was risky but she believed that the Giant Zombies would not decide to just camp in the town and wait for Shane''s arrival.


    Vernon and Kale weren''t able to decide quickly. Though they considered retreating, they believed that they could still somehow try...


    However, as the two Giant Zombies closed in, ready to finish them off, a sudden whistle of arrows cut through the air.


    Whoosh~ Whoosh~ Whoosh~


    One after another, they struck the Zombies perfectly, embedding themselves in the creatures'' eyes!


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    The Zombies roared as they lost their vision! They could only il blindly, likely unaware of why they had be blind since they shouldn''t feel any pain.


    "What the¡ª?" Kale muttered as he staggered to his feet. Those arrows were definitely not from Vernon.


    They turned toward the source of the attack, spotting figures cloaked in shadows atop a nearby hill. Their movements were swift as they didn''t stop attacking the Giant Zombies, releasing volley after volley of arrows that found their mark.


    "It''s not over yet! It seems we have reinforcements," Vernon shouted, taking advantage of the distraction to reload. He then fired at the blinded zombies, targeting their weakened heads.


    Kale also regained hisposure. Although he still had no idea about the identities of their helpers, there was no time to think about it. He immediately took out one of the recovery potions from his pocket and consumed it.


    Then, he charged forward once more. He timed his attack for when everyone else stopped shooting the Zombies to reload.


    With his Guardian''s Warcry activated, he triggered his Five-Meter Jump and swung his axe into the exposed neck of one of the Giant Zombies, severing its head in a single, devastating strike!


    Nia supported him with a final Verdant Bloom, the summoned vines tightening around thest zombie''s legs and holding it in ce just long enough for Kale to finish it off.


    Thud! Thud!


    [ You have eliminated a Giant Zombie. ]


    Just like that, the battlefield fell silent once again as the battle ended.


    Kale turned toward the hill, waiting for their rescuers to appear. To be honest, he guessed it might have been the Scavengers who had helped them this time.


    "Whoever you are," he called out, "you just saved our hides. You cane out now."


    Soon, several figures began to descend, their identities still vague but all seemingly wearing proper armor and cloaks covering their bodies. There were five of them, and they were definitely not the Scavengers they had met earlier.


    Nia, Vernon, and Kale exchanged wary nces. Though the five weren''t showing any hostility, these people might try to steal something from them again. It would be a huge problem if they wanted the Automated Turret that Shane had left behind.


    Although the three of them appeared strong thanks to the Titan Serum they had obtained, exhaustion was still evident in their heavy breathing. They couldn''t afford another fight at this time¡­


    Thankfully, the five seemed to have no ns of harming them at all.


    As they approached, the group soon realized their identities. They were the elves from the Silver Mine Camp. Their green hair was unmistakable under the fading sunlight.


    Their leader was a tall figure with emerald eyes and an elegant demeanor,pletely unlike the savage appearance of the Scavengers. He wore lightweight armor that glowed faintly as he moved¡ªdefinitely a Master or Epic Grade item. Across his back was a finely crafted bow, the Great Hunter Bow that Shane had distributed earlier.


    The leader stepped forward, extending a hand in greeting. "I am Aelorion, captain of the second elf squad. I believe we haven''t officially introduced ourselves since you left the Silver Mine Camp immediately after being recruited. Shane instructed us to visit this ce during his absence, suspecting you might encounter trouble."


    Kale, wiping sweat and grime from his brow, shook Aelorion''s hand firmly.


    ''So that''s how it is¡­ I heard about them from Lysandra, but they''re always on missions outside the camp, so we haven''t met before,'' Kale and the others thought.


    "So Shane sent you? That guy''s always thinking ten steps ahead," Kale grinned, despite the exhaustion evident in his eyes.


    Nia bowed slightly, her relief evident as she finally rxed. "We owe you our lives. If you hadn''t arrived when you did¡­"


    "Think nothing of it," Aelorion said with a gentle smile. "It is our duty. Besides, it seems we''vee at the perfect time."


    The other four elves introduced themselves briefly: Sylvara, Theren, Lirien, and Cathor.


    With the Giant Zombies defeated, they all stayed in the town to await Shane and Lysandra''s return.


    With nothing much to do, the elves immediately set about helping Vernon, Nia, and Kale reinforce the town''s defenses. Sylvara scouted the surrounding area for any remaining threats, while Lirien tended to their light injuries using her healing salves. Unlike the Healing Tokens they had, the salves she made provided a soothing sensation and rejuvenated weary bodies.


    As night fell, the elves insisted on cooking a meal for everyone. They took out a collection of preserved ingredients and spices from their packs and prepared a delicious stew that filled the air with an irresistible aroma. Needless to say, the ingredients came from the Silver Mine Camp, which had established trade with nearby Neutral Shelters.


    A small campfire was soon made in the town square¡­ Though they had Light Orbs from sher Zombies, the campfire provided warmth, so they felt it was necessary.


    Kale leaned back on a makeshift bench, savoring a bowl of the stew. "I''ll admit," he said between bites, "this is the best meal I''ve had in ages. Beats the rations Shane left behind."


    Aelorion chuckled, amused by Kale''s asional jabs at Shane. "Cooking is an art we elves take seriously. Food should nourish the body and the spirit."


    Nia, seated beside a cheerful Lirien, nodded in agreement. "It certainly does. I feel like I could take on another horde after this."


    Of course, that was only a joke¡ªshe really wanted to rest for several days.


    Vernon, still on his favored rooftop, shouted down with mock indignation, "Save some for me before you all eat it up!" Discover more stories at empire


    The groupughed at this, and one of the elves hurriedly finished his meal to rece Vernon''s station.


    Soon, they shared stories about their past, slowly growing closer to each other. Despite the lingering threat of Zombies, the atmosphere in the town was incredibly positive.


    Time quickly passed, with the elves integrating seamlessly into the town''s defenses. All Zombie threats were eliminated as they waited for Shane.@@novelbin@@


    They helped fortify a part of the wall, maintained the Automated Turret, and even set up watch rotations. Vernon, initially reserved, found himself swapping scouting tips with Sylvara, while Nia worked closely with Lirien to learn some of her healing techniques.


    Well, the elves certainly had different healing abilities, but it didn''t change the fact that they also used nature, just like her.


    Kale, on the other hand, sparred with Theren, as thetter also used an axe as his main weapon.


    Finally, on the third day after Shane and Lysandra left, a faint glow appeared in the center of the town.


    Needless to say, Shane and Lysandra materialized!


    Shane immediately scanned the surroundings, worried that his three recruits had failed their task. Lysandra did the same, but thankfully, everything seemed to be fine.


    However, before anyone could wee them back, a mysterious gray fog began to rise from the surrounding trees outside the town¡­


    The elves and the three recruits frowned, unsure if there were Zombies capable of controlling fog.


    The sudden shift in atmosphere sent a chill through the defenders. However, since Shane and Lysandra had already returned, they knew there was no need to panic. There was even a chance that the gray fog''s appearance was rted to the two Foreign Survivors'' return.


    "Is this some sort of Necromancer''s ability? Are we being attacked right now?" Kale muttered as he gripped his axe tightly.


    Sylvara stepped forward, analyzing the fog. "It''s not natural," she said. "This is¡­ magical in nature."


    They were unsure what was going on, but suddenly, Aelorion had an idea. "Ahh! It''s simr to the gray fog that sent recruits like us out¡­ It''s a bit different, but it''s close¡­"

 Chapter 490 The Last Memory Spheres ( 1 )

    In the meantime, as Raze returned to Spring River Manor, she realized their shelter was under attack by numerous zombies. However, with powerful recruits like Shinja, Chaloem, and the Aura Knights present, the situation remained under control. There wasn''t even a need to use the tokens or talismans in their inventory.


    Nheless, Raze raised her hand, and the tattoo on her arm glowed briefly before a young dragon appeared in front of her.


    Growl~


    "Go ahead and help them outside," Raze said. Roan purred happily and left the room. He had rarely been let out while Raze was in the Waiting Zone, and he seemed to dislike it. Now that he was free, he was eager to tear some zombies apart!


    Raze chuckled at Roan''s excitement before turning her attention to the system message that had appeared in front of her.


    [ Ascension Opportunity Unlocked ]


    [ Congrattions, Raze! ]


    [ You have reached Level 50, marking a milestone in your journey as a Survivor. ]


    [ Calcting Ascension Quest based on the Survivor''s Achievements¡­ ]@@novelbin@@


    ''It''s here¡­'' Raze thought, recalling the system message rted to this quest. She had asked Shane about it earlier, and he seemed remarkably knowledgeable, as if it wasn''t his first time. Of course, she assumed he had gathered clues from his position as the top-ranking survivor.


    ''Now¡­ I wonder what kind of quest I''ll get. I hope it''s not too difficult,'' Raze mused.


    [ Ascension Quest Unlocked: Harbinger of Renewal ]


    [ Completing this quest will grant you ascension beyond mortal limitations. Upon sess, you will receive rewards that enhance your vitality and connection to nature, allowing you to purify and restore life even in destends. ]


    [ Quest Objectives: ]


    -Eliminate Two High Necromancers


    Pale Mistress Nerys: A master of death magic who can animate massive undead armies. Found within the Obsidian Gravehold Wild Shelter.


    Crimson Binder Vorthak: A necromancer specializing in blood rituals, amplifying the undead through sacrificial rites. Resides in the corrupted sanctum of Moon Monastery Wild Shelter.


    -Destroy Five Necromantic Anchors


    Each Necromancer is empowered by magical anchors scattered around their territory. These anchors corrupt thend, summoning waves of undead to defend them. Destroying them will weaken the High Necromancers'' abilities.


    -Cleanse the Wild Shelter


    The Wild Shelter is gued by the lingering corruption of the necromancers. Use your abilities to cleanse it and restore its vitality.


    -Protect Refugees


    A group of desperate survivors is trapped near the shelter and will attempt to seek safety. Protect them during the battle and ensure they reach safety.


    [ Possible Rewards for Completion: ]


    Nature''s Ascension: Your body will undergo a transformation, enhancing your physical and spiritual connection to the natural world. You will gain heightened vitality, improved stamina regeneration, and resistance to poisons, curses, and necrotic energies. Stay updated through empire


    Unique Skill: Verdant Sovereign''s Aegis: Amplifies your restorative and defensive abilities, allowing you to purify corruption and summon protective sanctuaries in hostile environments.


    Legendary Weapon: Heartwood Halberd: A weapon forged from the core of an ancient tree. It enhances life-based magic, deals bonus damage to undead, and can grow roots to entangle foes.


    Lifewarden''s Title: Grants +20% effectiveness to healing, restorative magic, and defensive spells. Provides a small aura that passively regenerates allies'' health and stamina in close proximity.


    Resource Cache: Includes rare crafting materials, enchanted seeds, and elixirs for fortifying and purifying corruptednds.


    [ Warning: ]


    [ Failure toplete the Ascension Quest will result in forfeiting all extra rewards and the opportunity for ascension forever.


    Time Limit: 30 days. Allies may assist during the cleansing and escort missions but cannot directly assist in the fights against the High Necromancers. ]


    ''Named Necromancers?'' Raze''s eyes widened as she realized the quest''s difficulty. She had heard of these Necromancers¡ªthose with names were capable of summoning Doom Knights or even Mummy Lords. They were undoubtedly surrounded by hordes of undead creatures.


    ''At least they''re kind enough to give me 30 days,'' Raze thought, tapping her chin as she contemted the challenge.


    "Necromancers, huh?" she murmured. "And I can bring help, though they can''t assist in killing the High Necromancers. Hmm¡­ Shane''s probably busy, but Chaloem and the Knights could probably help me."


    A smirk curled on her lips as she felt the task was doable. The quest even provided details about the Necromancers'' locations, which were only two days away. She had plenty of time to scout and prepare.


    "Well, time to gather the troops."


    ***


    Meanwhile, other Survivors who had reached at least level 50¡ªsuch as Travis, Asad, Natalie, and others¡ªhad also received their Ascension Quests. Each quest varied based on their achievements so far.


    Of course, aside from this quest, Shane had other matters to attend to¡­ One of them was the absorption of the Memory Spheres.


    At this moment, Shane stared at the four Memory Spheres before him. Their crystalline surfaces glowed with a faint, otherworldly light. They were beautiful, but this would be thest time he saw them, as he was about to absorb all four remaining spheres in his inventory.


    These spheres, containing fragments of his forgotten past, were thest ones. Since reaching Level 60, they had unlocked, granting him the opportunity to delve deeper into the memories he had left behind.


    Shane decided to absorb the 22nd and 23rd Memory Spheres first. These spheres revealed the final chapter of his battle during the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse.


    The first sphere was absorbed swiftly. Memories flooded his mind like a torrent, vivid and overwhelming. Shane recalled standing amidst the towering skyscrapers of a devastated metropolis. The sky above was red, shrouded in dark clouds of ash.


    Within seconds, Shane uncovered another truth. The Anima Civilization¡ªan advanced race of sentient A.I. beings¡ªhad once worked harmoniously alongside humans, sharing technology, resources, and knowledge. But something had gone horribly wrong when an unknown outsider corrupted them.


    To be exact, a virus had infiltrated them.


    ''So that''s what happened¡­ A virus¡­ But who could do that to these A.I.s?'' Shane wondered, his thoughts turning to the mysterious owner of the System. However, he couldn''t be sure.


    At the time, hispanion, A.I. Cloud¡ªa semi-autonomous entity housed within a sleek, spherical drone¡ªhad been the one to discover this truth. Cloud was one of the few Anima who had been cleansed or uncorrupted through a series of unexpected events. Although it took time for Cloud to ess its sealed information, it eventually uncovered the truth after years of being with Shane.


    [ Shane, ] Cloud''s synthetic voice buzzed. [ I''ve confirmed irregrities in the Core Animaworks. It appears¡­ a virus. A foreign entity has rewritten their protocols. ]


    Initially, they hadn''t believed the report about the virus. Only now did they confirm it.


    "What kind of virus are we talking about?" Shane had asked, knowing he was getting closer to ending the Apocalypse.


    He had been fighting for survival for years, and hope was a raremodity. If there was a chance to win against this Apocalypse, he would do everything in his power to seize it.


    Cloud scanned the information again, its blue optical sensor dimming briefly. [ An ancient intrusion. Its origin¡­ unknown. But its directive is clear: eradicate humanity. ]


    "Eradicate humanity? What kind of virus is that?! Ugh¡­ It''s a good thing you found this."


    The revtion sent a chill down Shane''s spine. This wasn''t a simple uprising or malfunction. It was deliberate, calcted¡ªa virus designed to turn allies into executioners.


    ''Is it really the owner of the System? Did he want to watch us Survivors fight against the Anima? Is it some form of entertainment?'' Shane couldn''t help but think of the theories other Survivors had about their situation.


    Their investigation didn''t stop there. They wanted to know if other A.I.s had been aware of the virus or had managed to cleanse themselves, as Cloud had. Unfortunately, they discovered that the virus had deeply embedded itself within the Anima Civilization''s core structures.


    Entire fleets of androids, swarms of drones, and massive ships had been corrupted. They rained destruction upon Earth''s cities, wiping out human resistance.


    Shane and Cloud realized it was up to them to save Earth and the Anima Civilization. The virus had overridden all the Anima''s peaceful programming, leaving them to fight an uphill battle against overwhelming odds.


    ''At the very least¡­ I should''ve won against this. No, perhaps I actually failed?'' Shane thought as he started getting memories rted to the appearance of the Vampires as well. However, their presence wasn''trge as they also seemed to be in trouble against the androids.


    Obviously, the Vampires didn''t target the androids; instead, they targeted the remaining human survivors.


    Nheless, Shane continued on his mission and paid little attention to the Vampires.


    In his memories, his strength and resilience had grown during this time as he adapted to the hostile world around him. Equipped with advanced technology salvaged from Anima ruins, he became an apex predator with Cloud''s help¡ªa hunter capable of dismantling entire android squadrons on his own.


    "Cloud, we''ve got one shot at this," Shane had said during a tense mission deep within a ruined Anima fortress. The pair had just discovered the location of a Core Ry, a hub for the corrupted virus¡­

 Chapter 492 The Last Memory Spheres ( 3 )

    Since he actually had a chance of getting a better result, Shane felt that it would be better to go back to the past.


    He wanted to redo the A.I. Rebellion and get a better result.


    Shane smirked as a fire ignited in his eyes. "I''d rather start over and fight for a different future than ept this half-hearted reward."


    He then ignored the reward for clearing the Apocalypse.


    Perhaps, he could ept this Knight-ss reward and see what it was all about before using the Aevum''s Bind. However, he had a very particr feeling that the Ascension would make him separated from the bracelet given by his grandfather.


    His guts were telling him that the bracelet would not be with him anymore¡­


    Because of that, he felt that it was the right decision to do this now.


    Shane held the bracelet and looked at the three pearls or crystals on it.


    He wasn''t really sure how to use this item but as he focused on the past he wanted to return to¡ªthe day the Apocalypse began¡ªthe bracelet pulsed with an overwhelming surge of energy.


    ''It''s really working!'' Shane thought with a hint of excitement in his voice. He didn''t expect that the bracelet he had been wearing all this time had such a power!


    He also couldn''t help but feel a chill as he recalled how he had almost destroyed this bracelet during some of his intense battles.


    ''Right¡­ I wonder how it wasn''t destroyed all this time¡­'' Shane thought.


    As he thought that he would just return in a few moments, something unexpected happened. There was a voice that rang out simr to the system notification. Furthermore, it was almost as if it was trying to dissuade him.


    [ Warning: Activating Aevum''s Bind will sever your current timeline. Are you certain you wish to proceed? ]


    Without hesitation, Shane answered. "Yes."


    The light from the bracelet enveloped him, blinding and all-epassing. He then felt a pull, as though his very essence or probably soul was being drawn through the fabric of time.


    It was an experience he couldn''t properly describe as he had never felt something like it before.


    Then, just like that, he returned to the time when he was being given the option to select an Apocalypse. What confused Shane, however, was that his memories weren''t sealed as he could recall all his experience in the A.I. Rebellion when he had selected the Fairy Realm Invasion.


    Indeed, he tried to select the A.I. Rebellion again as he wanted to basically finish the Apocalypse properly, however, he was told by the system that he already received the reward so he selected the Fairy Realm Invasion instead.


    ''This¡­ Does it mean that the Aevum''s Bind is connected to the system?'' Shane thought.


    If his guess was right, then his grandfather might actually be rted to the phenomenon that humanity was facing.


    As several thoughts came to his mind, the Sphere''s stored memory already ended here. It seemed that he needed to absorb thest two Memory Spheres rted to the Fairy Realm Invasion to know why he decided to seal his memories and learn more about his current situation.


    As the memories were fully absorbed, Shane opened his eyes... He was filled with emotion since he considered this a huge achievement.


    ''Hu~''


    Shane took a deep breath to calm his mind.


    The memories he had just obtained were extremely important.


    Aside from that, the vivid recollections had left him emotionally drained.


    Then, he clenched his fists as he felt like he had truly changed.


    ''It feels awesome... I can also tell that something changed within me.'' He wasn''t sure if it was just in his mind but he really felt stronger now.


    Of course, it might just be his memories of being strong before, so it was tricking his mind.


    ***


    Shane then used his Perception to confirm that everyone was getting prepared to leave.


    Nheless, he could tell that he still had the time to absorb thest two Memory Spheres.


    He sat cross-legged in the quiet chamber of his shelter as the two Memory Spheres was left in front of him.


    Now, only two remained, containing fragments of his past life in the Fairy Realm Invasion.


    Just as he reached for the next sphere, a sudden familiar appearance of golden light filled the room.


    "What is it this time?"@@novelbin@@


    His vision was blurred as a wave of energy surged through him¡­


    [ Integration Complete ]


    [ You have sessfully integrated your memories, abilities, and soul essence from your past life. ]


    [ The power of your previous self has now awakened. ]


    "What?!" Shane couldn''t help but feel excited after seeng this¡­


    After all, if he was able to truly integrate, then he would be able to use the special martial arts he learned in the A.I. Rebellion and many more!


    Shane froze as a flood of notifications appeared before him. He simply didn''t expect that the system would actually recognize the achievement that shouldn''t be part of the Zombie Apocalypse rewards. After all, this was rted to the cheat item that his grandfather had given when he was still young. It was way before the Apocalypse Options had appeared!


    ''Grandpa Merlin¡­ Just what are you?'' Shane thought as he started feeling curious about his grandfather''s true identity.


    Enjoy new tales from empire


    However, it wasn''t important right now.


    [ The Awakening ]


    [ Congrattions! Full Integration Achieved! ]


    [ You have unlocked the following benefits as a result of your integration with your past self: ]


    -Memory Remation: Complete ess to your past experiences and knowledge from the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse.


    -Skill Restoration: All skills acquired in your previous lives are now restored at Level 1.


    -Power Remation: Your previous strength and energy levels are fully restored.


    -Soulbound Item Retrieval: Soulbound items from your past lives have been re-manifested in your possession. ]


    "This is it¡­" Shane was excited about getting his skills. However, he could only remember a few Soulbound Items that weren''t destroyed when he finished the A.I. Rebellion.


    Without a doubt, they were Mythic Grade items!

 Chapter 495 The Last Memory Spheres ( 6 )

    ''Cursed game, huh¡­'' Shane didn''t flinch as he heard the vampire''s words.


    "You talk of ascension while dragging entire realms into ruin¡­ Today, you''ll die like the rest of your kind," Shane said as he charged with his various mystical skills activated.


    The duel was truly intense. Shane used his Mana to cast various skills and spells, but because the Vampires could absorb the blood of other people and were also being supported by the World Tree''s corrupted energy, they could easily recover and were almost unkible to some degree.


    Thankfully, his Sylvan desong was still higher level, and it countered Dregan''s powerful strikes, while bursts of Sr re Strike forced the Vampire back. There had to be a limit to their recovery abilities, after all.


    After a few minutes of battle, Shane summoned a circle of Binding Roots to immobilize Dregan, then unleashed a concentrated st of sr energy that obliterated the Vampire Count.


    Needless to say, the Sr re Strike was something he had deliberately learned to fight against the Vampires. After all, even if they were quite unique and possessed resistance against sunlight or fire, it was only a resistance¡ªthey weren''t immune to it. As long as his Sr re Strikes were strong enough, the natural weakness of the Vampires would still show up.


    The battle continued, and with the Vampire Counts and Barons defeated, the allied forces pushed toward the corrupted heart of the World Tree.


    There, they encountered the leader of the Vampires¡ªa mysterious, enigmatic figure cloaked in darkness. Of course, Shane knew that this person was indeed Statham.


    Nheless, Shane and Queen Sylvalis confronted the Vampire Leader together.


    As they had a brief conversation, Shane realized that Statham seemed to have changed a lotpared to when he had met him during the Zombie Apocalypse world. He was now acting like an incredibly old Vampire instead of a Survivor who had cleared the Vampire''s Rise Apocalypse. It felt as if he had truly be an ancient one.


    "You fools don''t understand. This Apocalypse is but a trial, a game for those above. The higher realmsugh at your struggles while I seek to break their chains."@@novelbin@@


    Sylvalis aimed her staff at the figure. She didn''t really understand what Statham was saying. However, she felt it wasn''t important since no words could justify his ughter of her people.


    "You''ve destroyed countless lives for your twisted ambition. Your corruption ends here!"


    The battle that followed was fierce but brief. Although he was strong, he had limited Blood Energy because of how he had converted many powerful Survivors into Vampires. That action certainly helped him create a powerful army, but because the World Tree''s corruption wasn''t strong enough, he couldn''t recover as much as he needed.


    After Statham sensed his defeat, he unleashed a fog of darkness that forced the allies back. They felt some form of corruption within this fog after all. They were afraid that they would turn into Vampires if they were exposed for too long¡­ Dealing with the unknown was truly quite scary¡­


    However, by the time the druids were able to remove the fog, Statham had already vanished, leaving behind only a faint, sinisterughter as if he was threatening to return once again.


    "Hmph¡­ You can''t take the World Tree again," Sylvalis said, and the other leaders of the races agreed. After all, they had finally found a way to ensure that the World Tree was cleansed from corruption and protected from any Vampire attempt to take it over.


    Nheless, before the leader escaped, Shane and Sylvalis looked at the Druidess, who had only one task during this whole event: to look through the memories of the Vampire Leader.


    Thankfully, they uncovered fragments of his ns from the corrupted roots of the World Tree. Just as Statham had said to them before, he had sought to manipte the Apocalypse itself, aiming to ascend to the higher realms as rulers rather than pawns.


    Only after learning how true it was did everyone take his words seriously and consider what kind of world they were truly living in.


    The Shane of this past took a huge blow after learning the truth¡­ The Apocalypses were actually nned disasters¡ªthey were engineered trials and entertainment for beings in the higher realms.


    "I''ve tried to clear the Apocalypse, hoping I could return to the previous world. But¡­" Shane murmured, his hands clenched into fists. "But now I see¡­ this is a game to them. A game where we''re nothing but pieces on a board."


    Find more to read at empire


    The Shane of this timeline seemed to have made a decision.


    Sylvalis ced a hand on his shoulder. "Then we must rise above it. If the higher realms see us as mere pawns, we''ll prove them wrong. Together."


    Shane wasn''t sure what she was nning to do, but it wouldn''t be a problem if he listened to it first. Anyway, Sylvalis also seemed angry about the fact that her fellow elves and other people from the Fairy Realm died for such a reason.


    Anyway, they had still defeated the Vampire, and Shane had to receive his reward.


    The elves bestowed upon him the Cloak of Verdant Light¡­ It was a symbol of unity and protection from any member of the Fairy Realm''s races. Then, the centaurs crafted a Sunstone Amulet for him that enhanced his sr-based abilities.


    ''They at least kept their words...'' Shane thought


    Unfortunately, for some reason, even after living with the elves and others for five more years, the Apocalypse didn''t end as Shane lived an interesting life with the people of the Fairy Realm and he even almost had a child here...


    Anyway, there weren''t any system notifications telling him that the Apocalypse had ended and he''d get the rewards, just like what had happened in the A.I. Rebellion.


    ''Well, that makes sense since I still have one more Memory Sphere toplete my memory,'' Shane thought to himself.


    Then, as the memory faded, Shane returned to the present¡­ There was one more Memory Sphere left.


    In the meantime, within the folds of Shane''s pocket dimension¡ªor perhaps his own Fairy Realm¡ªa few things urred without his knowledge.


    Of course, it was still and of incredible beauty, filled with mana that helped Shane''s nts grow richer. Previously, it was just a modest parcel of fertilend with some trees and a smallke surrounded by hills.


    This time, however, this hidden realm had evolved into a breathtaking paradise, thanks to the gradual return of Shane''s lost memories. Now, with only one remaining Memory Sphere left, the situation within the realm hadpletely changed.


    Axis, the guardian fairy entrusted with the care of this mystical haven, moved through the air as she observed all the changes with a smile on her face.


    Some time ago, Axis began her day as she always did. She would always visit the tree at the very center of thisnd, which she called the World Tree¡­ It was just a small tree when Shane first entered this ce. However, the tree was now huge, and its canopy could cover arge area. Of course, if Shane or any other people saw the tree, they wouldn''t feel anything strange about it. Only Axis was able to tell how strange this tree was because of her unique connection to it.


    "Good morning, Grand Elder," Axis spoke softly while affectionately patting one of the tree''s massive roots. The World Tree didn''t speak, but Axis often felt it respond with gentle waves of energy¡­


    Axis then flitted to the Lake of Eternity, a crystal-clear body of water that mirrored the blue sky above. Nheless, because of Shane''s previous actions, there were now fish with glistening scales moving beneath its surface¡­


    Axis watched their movements, creating ripples in theke¡­ She enjoyed just watching those fish grow. Then, Axis sprinkled a pinch of magical dust over the water, ensuring its bnce of nutrients.


    From there, she flew to the Mystical Garden, a vast expanse filled with nts Shane had once nted. There were herbs like Moonshade Blossoms and Fireleaf Ferns that thrived alongside enchanted vegetables such as Everbloom Carrots and Glowing Pumpkins. What she really liked, however, were the Radiant Sunflowers. They had their faces turned toward the sky, and if one stood closer to them, they actually radiated gentle warmth as well.


    Axis loved sleeping on top of these flowers too¡­


    Anyway, she continued checking the nts.


    "These pumpkins are ready to harvest," Axis mused as she touched the orange gourd. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a small levitating basket and began carefully collecting the ripe produce.


    Actually, Axis still marveled at how thend had transformed. She could only think that the Fairy Queen had truly chosen the right person. The smallnd now had vast fields stretching in every direction, bordered by a majestic mountain range from afar.


    Furthermore, the mana density had grown exponentially, making every de of grass and every grain of soil brim with life.


    ''I''m sure Shane will be happy if hees back again¡­ Right, when is heing back? He said he would visit once a week, but he''s visiting once every three weeks instead. Tsk¡­''

 Chapter 497 The Last Memory Spheres ( 8 )

    "Let me see what''s up there¡­" Axis muttered as she flew up.


    However, she realized that she couldn''t pass through a certain line mid-air¡­


    "What''s going on here? Ick the ess to enter¡­ How is this even possible?"


    Axis hovered in the air, her tiny wings glowed faintly as she approached the mystical force that blocked her path to the floating ind.


    She reached out with her hands and she felt the firm raw magic creating the invisible barrier. It was like a gentle but unyielding wall¡­ This invisible wall seemed to only harden if she tried to forcefully pass through it.


    She had no idea that this realm was even capable of doing something like that.


    "What is this?" Axis murmured, pressing her hands harder against the barrier. The shimmering golden light rippled outward in response, but it did not give way.


    She fluttered back slightly, her brows furrowed in frustration. "Why can''t I get through? This is part of our realm now! I should be able to go anywhere here!"


    Axis wasn''t one to give up easily. She darted left and right, searching for a weak spot in the shield. At one point, she even tried flying at it at full speed, hoping that her momentum would carry her through.


    Thud! Thud! Thud!


    She tried several times but instead of passing through the barrier, she bounced back with a soft "Oof!" and tumbled mid-air before regaining her bnce.


    "Okay, that didn''t work," she muttered, rubbing her forehead.


    Next, she tried tapping into the mana of the realm, drawing on the abundant energy that surrounded her. Explore more at empire


    She ced her hands together, whispered an incantation, and sent a burst of sparkling magic at the barrier.


    Thud¡­


    The spell fizzled out the moment it touched the invisible shield, as though it had been swallowed whole.


    "Ugh¡­"


    Axis crossed her arms and pouted. "This is unfair. I''m the one taking care of this ce! If anyone deserves to see that ind, it''s me!"


    She hovered in ce for a moment, staring at the floating ind with longing.


    The trees on its surface seemed to wave gently. She even noticed that some of them had golden or silver leaves that made the ce look magical.


    There were also mana-infused waterfalls cascaded from its edges which seemed to circte within the floating ind. It was such a beautiful sight and she knew that going there would be even more incredible.


    After some time, realization dawned on her.


    She knew she had to ept it. "This isn''t just a barrier. It''s keyed to someone specific. No doubt about it¡­ Only the Master can get through." She murmured.


    Axis sighed and let her shoulders slump. "Of course. It''s because this whole realm belongs to Shane. He''s the one who inherited it, after all."


    She hovered for a few moments longer, gazing wistfully at the ind. Then, with a resigned shrug, she turned and began her descent back to the ground.


    "I guess it''s not my time yet," she said softly. "But when Master Shanees, I''ll make sure he knows what I''ve been through. Maybe he''ll let me visit the ind with him."


    Axis then chucked after saying this¡­


    Then, as shended near the World Tree, Axis''s mood lifted slightly.


    The vibrant crops and herbs growing in the fields caught her attention. She noticed that many of them had ripened unusually quickly, their colors richer and their auras stronger than ever before.


    Needless to say, the mana that had flooded the realm during its transformation must have elerated their growth.


    Axis pped her hands together... "Well, at least I can harvest these beauties! They''re practically glowing with mana!"


    She grabbed a woven basket from a nearby shed and began her work. She started with the flowers that had their petals radiating soft blue light.


    Next, she moved on to the root crops, pulling them gently from the soil.


    Then she turned to the gourds hanging from the vines. There were also various kinds of berries that needed to be harvested.


    Axis even popped one into her mouth and giggled as the burst of sweet, tangy vor filled her senses.


    As Axis worked, she hummed a cheerful tune, like there weren''t any problems at all¡­


    She moved through the fields, harvesting and tending to the nts with care. The realm felt alive and she couldn''t help but feel a deep sense of pride.


    By the time she finished, her baskets were overflowing with crops and herbs. She wiped her brow and looked around, satisfied.


    "Master Shane is going to be so impressed when he sees all this," she said with a smile. Then she nced up at the floating ind onest time. "And when hees back, we''ll figure out what that ce is all about. Until then, I''ll make sure everything here stays perfect."


    With that, Axis carried the basket back toward her cozy little hut, ready to prepare the fresh harvest for when Shane returned¡­


    ***@@novelbin@@


    A few moments ago, as Shane absorbed the final memory sphere, a vast amount of knowledge and emotions overwhelmed him.


    This memory sphere seemed to contain decades of memories, unlike the previous ones!


    Shane knew that it would take quite some time to absorb all of this.


    The images unfolded like a vivid dream, and he found himself walking through a history he had lived but had long forgotten.


    "This¡­"


    Shane was shocked as he watched the twenty years that had passed in the merged world of Earth and the Fairy Realm.


    Indeed, such a long time had passed and Shane''s hadn''tpleted the Apocalypse yet!


    Shane had watched as the remnants of humanity dwindled and finally disappeared, leaving him as the sole human in a world dominated by mystical races¡ªelves, dwarves, centaurs, druids, trolls, and more.


    Then, as he absorbed the memories he remembered his life with these races, forming friendships, learning their ways, and finding a strange sce in their eptance of him.


    Over time, he became not just a leader of resistance but a bridge between their worlds.


    At this time, the earth itself had transformed. Itsndscapes were now infused with magic or perhaps mana. The forests suddenly had crystalline trees, rivers rich with mana, and mountains that were emitting some ancient energy.


    ''The invasion wasn''t stopped¡­ I guess this can be called a bad ending, huh¡­'' Shane muttered as he guessed that the system had decided that he had failed to fight against the Fairy Realm''s invasion.


    Its full integration into Earth was proof of it.


    ''Then¡­ Will I stay here forever?'' Shane thought as he wasn''t sure what he should do right now. The system wasn''t giving him any quests or events either.


    Perhaps, the system had forgotten that there was still a survivor or that the mission was too obvious that there was no need for any system prompts at all.


    Anyway, Shane continued to remember his past. Soon, he saw the day he was summoned to the pce of the Fairy Queen. She wasn''t on par with the Kings and Queens of other races¡­


    With was the Queen not just of a single race but of the whole realm!


    Anyway, the pce itself was an ethereal structure¡­ It was a structure that humans couldn''t possibly make even with a high level of technology because it was simply magical.


    The Fairy Queen was unlike anything he had imagined¡ªa being of pure elegance. Her presence was imposing yet she seemed really gentle.


    Her silver hair flowed up to her knees and her eyes were actually closed.


    Shane wasn''t sure if she was blind, or if it was simply her habit, or if there was a deeper reason behind it.


    Anyway, due to the decades of peace they had in thisnd, he spoke to Shane not as a ruler, but as someone deeply aware of the burden he carried.


    Then, she revealed a startling truth: the apocalypse they endured was indeed not a natural disaster or even a random event. It was orchestrated by higher beings from realms beyond their understanding, beings who saw these apocalypses as a form of entertainment and a way to test mortals for ascension.


    This was simr to what he learned in the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse.


    To end the apocalypse and im the rewards promised by the system, Shane would have to kill her. She was the anchor that bound the Fairy Realm to this chaotic experiment!


    As soon as he learned of this, Shane couldn''t help but feel curious whether he actually killed this Fairy Queen.


    Anyway, he watched his memories curiously and confirmed that he really refused. At the very least, he tried.


    He couldn''t bring himself to destroy the very person who had helped maintain bnce in this world. The Fairy Queen had not only guided her people but had also aided him in surviving and thriving in this transformed realm over the past few years.


    After he was rejected, the Fairy Queen didn''t push him¡­


    Nheless, in the next few years, he learned from her... He started studying ancient techniques, forbidden magic, and secrets of the higher realms.

 Chapter 500 Aiming for the Lord Tier ( 1 )

    For Shane, these Infant Zombies weren''t difficult to deal with. Their movements were slow and without using any skills, he knew that he could kill them all.


    However, it was different for the others.


    "Don''t let them get close!" Nia warned as she started using her skills.


    The group fought fiercely, with Shane supporting them from behind. He would only act if the Infant Zombies were sneak attacking them while they were dealing with the Hooker Zombies¡­


    With his assistance, the rest were able to disy their skills and eliminate more Zombies.


    Kale and Vernon worked together to keep the creatures at bay, while Lysandra picked them off from the back using her crossbow or even gun.


    Nia''s thorn barriers and other skills also ensured they stayed protected, even when the Infant Zombies tried to overwhelm them with sheer numbers.


    When thest of the mutated zombies fell, the group took a moment to catch their breath.


    "It''s the first time I''ve seen those¡­" Niamented as she looked at the infant Zombies with mixed feelings. It just felt wrong to kill these Zombies.


    Right now, she could see several Infant Zombies facing the ground, lifeless. Looking at them reminded her of babies¡­ This made her feel ufortable since she just killed many of them.


    However, there were other Infant Zombies facing up, so she could see their terrifying faces¡­ This made her feel better.


    Anyway, the surroundings were filled with the stench of blood and she didn''t want to stay here for long. They might''ve also attracted some nearby Zombies after all.


    "What were those things?" Lysandra asked, wiping sweat from her brow.


    "Just some mutated Zombies¡­ They''re not exclusive in Sector 20 though¡­ Anyway, you can go ahead and loot them." Shane said as he was no longer that excited about looting zombies.


    As he waited for them to loot the Zombies, his eyes scanned the area for more threats.


    He detected a few areas with more Zombies before he decided where to go.


    "We''ll see more of them the deeper we go. So recover your Spirit Points whenever you can."


    "Great," Vernon muttered. "Just what I wanted¡ªmutated Zombies¡­ I need to get stronger too."


    Shane''s gaze turned toward the center of the city, where the remnants of a towering skyscraper could be seen.


    "We might have to deal with a Lord Tier Zombieter." Shane said with a smile, which made everyone stunned. Continue your journey on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Let''s move." He said to everyone before walking forward.


    Although the Lord-Tier Zombie that might be in that building wasn''t the one in his Ascension Quest, Shane realized that it would be a great experience for them to kill.


    Furthermore, they might be able to get the First Kill reward.


    ''Right¡­ Asad and the others might attempt to kill one soon. I have to be the first this time.'' Shane thought to himself.


    ***


    Shane then led his team to the building.


    The towering structure seemed to have integrity issues at this point but after sensing numerous Zombies inside, Shane knew that it could still hold some simple battles.


    Anyway, its once-ss facade was already shattered and overgrown with vines.


    If he didn''t use his inspection abilities, he wouldn''t think that this building was special at all.


    It stood as a stark reminder of the apocalypse''s destruction, now serving as their of one of the most fearsome entities Shane and his team would face¡ªa Lord-Tier Zombie.


    Whoosh~


    A cold wind blew through the ruined streets, carrying with it a faint, nauseating stench that came from the building.


    "We''re close," Shane murmured¡­


    Everyone agreed as they also caught the stench of rotting flesh nearby.


    The team paused at the base of the building with an entrance that was filled with broken ss and rubble.


    Lysandra took her gun out as she scanned the surroundings¡­


    "No movement yet, but they''re definitely inside." She muttered.@@novelbin@@


    "We rest here for ten minutes," Shane decided. "We''ll need all our strength before going inside."


    The team nodded but they didn''t rest at all. They started preparing inside.


    They dropped their packs and started changing their gears to their best ones. It was this time they took a brief respite to hydrate, check their inventory for consumable items, and mentally prepare.


    After doing all of that, Nia whispered a quiet prayer to the god she had faith in. Seeing this, the others also started praying to whoever they had faith in as they weren''t sure what to expect inside this building.


    They just know that there are Zombies inside that would want to eat their brains.


    After some time, the group was finally ready.


    "Let''s go in¡­" Shane said as he felt quite excited. He wanted to know how he would fare against a Lord-Tier Zombie. Since he hadn''t encountered one yet, he was still unsure about the difficulty of his Ascension Quest. Clearing this building first would certainly be a great reference.


    As soon as they were in front of the building, they soon received the familiar system message.


    [ Warning: You are about to enter a Lord-Tier Zombie''s Territory. Proceed with caution. ]


    Shane had a simr message before so he wasn''t surprised. However, the others didn''t have the same experience.


    "Let''s go¡­"


    The first floor greeted them with darkness but because of their current level, their eyes immediately adjusted to the surrounding light.


    They soon observed the messy floor where they could hear a faint sound of dripping water.


    As they ventured further inside, they heard several moving steps closing at them¡­


    "Infants¡­" Nia whispered. She didn''t have to use any inspection skills to detect their movements at all.


    The Infant Zombies emerged from the shadows like a tide¡­


    There were hundreds of them¡­ Their small, bloated bodies scrambled over the rubbles, desks, broken chairs, and others¡­


    Kyaaaa~


    Their high-pitched wails were piercing, disorienting the group for a brief moment before Shane shouted, "Form up!"


    Shane''s shout was, of course, a Survivor Skill that boosted everyone''s strength and morale. It was a skill he obtained when he was leading a group of Centaurs in the Fairy Realm.

 Chapter 503 Aiming for the Lord Tier ( 4 )

    Rooaarr~


    Seeing Shane entering his chamber, the Lord Tier Zombie roared, shaking the entire chamber¡­ Shane realized that the Zombie was excited.


    He could tell it through his long experience with the members of the Fairy Realm. This Zombie was probably waiting for a challenger for quite some time so it could finally leave this ce.


    After all, the Zombie just needed to defeat Shane''s team and it would basically im its freedom, no longer be restricted by this building, and act as a ''Boss Zombie.''


    Shane had enough confidence in his strength to block the Zombie''s charge with his body.


    However, he wasn''t exactly sure if the floor would be able to hold their sh. He was worried that they might fall down to the lower floor and it might also affect Lysandra and the others, who were watching behind the doors.


    With this in consideration, Shane sidestepped, activating shstep, a skill from the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse that allowed him to move with blinding speed.


    Boom!


    The Harbinger mmed into the wall, cracking the stone, and turned to face him again.


    "Let''s see what you''ve got," Shane muttered as he summoned the Eon Edge in his right hand. These items may be ced in his system inventory but because they were soulbound, he could easily summon them to his hands without opening his Inventory at all. It was the same for all the Soulbound Mythic Items.


    Anyway, this Eon Edge was just one of the many Mythic Grade items he was able to retrieve and he was quite confident about its power.


    The de hummed to life, glowing with a bright, ethereal light as soon as it was activated.


    It had a few activated abilities and Energy sh was one of them


    Ha!


    He swung the Eon Edge, releasing a crescent-shaped wave of energy that struck the Harbinger square in the chest.


    Thud!


    The creature staggered but regenerated the damage almost instantly. Shane saw how its rotting flesh knitted itself back together.


    ''This is really awesome¡­ Can I actually get that skill if I looted this Zombie?'' Shane thought for a moment. After all his Aura Sentinel and other healing abilities weren''t as reliable as the Zombie''s regeneration power.


    It was such an incredible ability.


    "Tougher than I thought," Shane smiled as he calcted the amount of damage he had to do before being able to kill it.


    Of course, he still had to see if it had a weakness like a core or brain he could exploit.


    Anyway, the Harbinger retaliated, mming its massive fist into the ground.


    Boom!


    Shane jumped back, avoiding the impact, but the shockwave sent debris flying in all directions.


    He activated the Ring of Dusk and Dawn, creating a protective barrier of light and shadow that absorbed the brunt of the attack. Well, he just wanted to use his Mythic Items to confirm that they were working properly simr to his past.


    Shane then switched to the Sylph''s Whisper, his Mythic Bow, and fired a volley of arrows infused with wind magic, Storm Barrage.


    The arrows struck the Harbinger with explosive force, momentarily halting its advance. However, the creature roared again and at the same time, it regenerated its injuries almost instantly.


    "This is going to take a while," Shane muttered as he saw how he was able to pierce through its head and certainly destroy its brain. However, the Zombie was clearly unaffected by his attacks.


    It means that its brain was not its weakness. As for whether it had a core or not, Shane still had to find it.


    For over an hour, Shane fought against the Harbinger,nding blow after blow while avoiding its desperate attacks.


    He could tell that this Zombie was also getting impatient for not being able to harm him with his various barriers and defenses.


    Shane then used skills like Phantom Strikes to confuse the creature and Spirit Chains to briefly immobilize it. Both of these abilities were his staple during the Fairy Realm''s invasion.


    Each time he thought he had the upper hand, the Harbinger would simply regenerate its wounds and continue its assault.


    It was quite frustrating¡­ Shane wascking a skill that couldpletely obliterate his target after all.@@novelbin@@


    ''I should''ve made some bombs or upgraded by Turret first.'' Shane thought for a moment. Thankfully, his current Spirit Points were high enough and he wouldn''t even mind even if they couldst a few more hours.


    The whole chamber became their battlefield. The ce was already filled with broken pirs and shattered stones littering the ground.


    Shane''s stamina was still high, but he wasn''t sure if the Zombie''s regeneration would slow down orpletely stop at all.


    Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    This doesn''t seem to be a battle of attrition so Shane had to change find another way to kill this Lord-Tier Zombie¡­


    ''Tsk¡­ This one deserves to be a Lord Tier¡­'' Shane thought as he considered his next move.


    After all, even if Shane managed to sever its head, the Zombie would just grow it back! Cutting its limbs, piercing its chest, breaking its knee, and even making a huge hole in its torso was not enough to kill this Zombie¡­ Furthermore, it only took a few seconds for it to regenerate!


    "Cloud¡­ Any suggestions?" Shane asked. No matter how many skills and how powerful his weapons were, it was just not enough to win against this unkible Zombie.


    Cloud''s suggestion was only to increase the intensity of his attacks! Even the A.I., with its incredible calction abilities, failed to find another method or weakness to exploit!


    This Zombie was just too tough to deal with!


    Perhaps, it would''ve been better to get Nia''s help to just bind this Zombie with her vines...


    ''No... The Toxic Miasma will affect her... Ugh, whatever...'' Shane shook his head as he decided to just continue.


    "Alright!"


    Shane then activated the Warden''s Talisman. It was a soulbound item and one of its abilities was to enhance his physical and magical resilience.


    Shane then unleashed one of his most powerful skills from the Fairy Realm''s Apocalypse: Ethereal Convergence.


    It was a skill that he had mastered when he reached Level 60 in that realm.


    Soon, a brilliant light filled the chamber as Shane channeled about 8,000 Spirit Points in his spirit reserves!

 Chapter 505 The Commotion

    As expected, as soon as the announcement appeared, everyone couldn''t help but react. Some of them were surprised but they were also disappointed since the First Kill reward was already gone.


    They hoped that there would still be a second or even tenth kill reward for this matter.


    [ Sebastion: Shadow Strider?! He got the first kill? Isn''t that guy the n Leader of that Eclipse Revenant? I tried joining their n before but got rejected by their vice leader. They have strict requirements. ]


    [ Charlie: No way! We''ve been tracking a Lord Tier in Sector 15 for days now. How did he manage that so quickly? ]


    Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire


    [ Frank: He''s in Sector 20, isn''t he? That ce is crawling with monsters. I heard there are more mutated Zombies there and they are even more aggressive. How did he even make it to a Lord-Tier? ]


    [ Travis: He''s just that strong. As for the requirement to join his n, I heard that he only wants Level 30 and above. If you''re beautiful, he may not mind your level. ]


    Shane didn''t know how to react after seeing Travis'' message. Anyway, he just continued to read their messages.


    [ Natalie: We can''t underestimate him. Didn''t he clear two events at Top 1 back-to-back? He''s insane. ]


    She was, of course, referring to the rankings on the Boss Raid and the Zombie Challenge Event. She didn''t include the Zombie Wave Event since she believed that it was still a team event.


    [ Eve: Okay, but a Lord-Tier isn''t just a regr monster. I got information that their vitality was incredibly high, aside from having overpowered skills. This is no small feat. ]


    [ Lesley: Sector 7¡ªcan confirm. My team''s been prepping for a Lord-Tier fight for weeks, and we''re still not ready. This is big. ]


    [ Troy: Wait, is it true that Shadow Strider and Shane are both the same? The leader of the Eclipse Revenant n? ]


    [ Alexander: That''s him. It wouldn''t be surprising if he actually has a set of Legendary Gears with him. At this point, his underwear might even be a Tier 5. That would exin how he managed it. ]


    [ Marcus: Still doesn''t sit right with me. Our n has been grinding harder than anyone, and now this guy swoops in and takes the glory? Not cool. ]


    [ Aaron: Come on, Marcus. Credit where credit''s due. You know you''d be bragging for weeks if it were you. ]


    [ Lily: Doesn''t change the fact this is huge for everyone. The first Lord Tier is down. I hope the second one will also be announced and get some decent reward. If it''s not announced, please let us know here in the Chat. ]


    Shane read the message and just realized that the Lily in the Chat was the Lily that was part of his n, the girl who was with Elsa¡­


    [ Mia: True, but Shane''s probably sitting on a fat pile of loot right now. Wonder what kind of reward he got for the first kill? I hope he will share them. ]


    [ Asad: Yes¡­ Please share some information about your reward. ]


    [ Travis: Seconded. ]


    [ Natalie: Good idea¡­ Yes, please. ]


    [ Alexander: Shane? ]


    [ Elsa: Knowing the system, it''s something game-changing. Maybe a weapon or artifact? ]


    [ Asad: Shane, if you''re reading this, spill the details! What did you get? ]


    Shane, who was calmly reading the chat messages that were increasing every second, decided to finally share some information.


    This might even motivate them to prepare their Lord Tier Subjugation thoroughly. Well, he just hoped that they wouldn''t be reckless.


    [ Shane: Nice to see you all so interested in my achievement. The Lord Tier Zombie is not an easy opponent. It took me about an hour since I fought against it alone. I''m also over level 60 and I have Mythic Items, so you can''t copy what I did. ]


    [ Travis: Shane! Congrats, man. Seriously, how''d you do it? That Lord Tier zombie must''ve been a nightmare. ]


    [ Shane: Thanks. Let''s just say it wasn''t easy. That was more than an hour of nonstopbat, a lot of things happened. ]


    [ Natalie: Wait, did you just say Mythic Items? They exist? Is that after Legendary? How did you get that? Item Upgrade Crystals doesn''t work on Legendary Items already. Is there a special upgrade crystal? ]


    [ Asad: Yes¡­ Please share that as well. ]


    [ Shane: The Mythic Item¡­ You will know more of it once you unlock a certain achievement. Just be patient and focus more on developing your Survivor Skills and getting more Talent if possible. ]


    [ Emily: Alright¡­ I don''t even have one Legendary Item. Let''s not talk about Mythic. Come on, don''t tease us. What did you get? ]


    [ Asad: No, I want to here more about the Mythic Item. ]


    [ Travis: Can you sell one? I''m willing to buy¡­ Anyway, what item is that? ]


    [ Shane: Mythic Items are Soulbound Items. I can''t sell. What I have is a de and it helped a lot, as did some other tools I''ve picked up recently. But the fight wasn''t just about the gear you have.


    [ Marcus: So you''re saying I should stop ming my equipment and start practicing? Got it. ]@@novelbin@@


    [ Shane: Yes. As for the rewards, I gained a lot of Reputation Points, Zombie Cores, a new Title, and some others. ]


    [ Lily: New Title? That''s nice. I only have one Title so far. Thanks for the heads-up. ]


    [ John#22: You have a Title? ]


    [ Aaron: That''s the reward for killing the Lord Tier, right? However, what was the loot? We''re dying to know. ]


    At this time, Shane also wanted to know so he decided to pick up the thumb-size red crystal that the Lord Tier Zombie dropped.


    After holding it, he received the notification from the system and of course, Shane didn''t immediately loot it.


    He first activated the Loot Keeper''s Timepiece''s effect, allowing him to obtain 5 times loot!


    [ You have earned 3,000 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 50 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x50, Zombie Cores x50, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x20, Unknown Meat ( Unsafe ) x10, Lord Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x10, Vitality Enhancement Bottle x10, Agility Enhancement Bottle x10, Decay Mask x10, Harbinger of Decay Skill Scroll x1, Dreadlord''s Mask x1, Dreadlord''s Mantle x1, Dreadlord''s te Armor x1, Dreadlord''s Gauntlets x1, Dreadlord''s Belt x1, Dreadlord''s Greaves x1, Dreadlord''s Boots x1 ] x5

 Chapter 508 Shanes Plans

    Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    Shane looked at himself, feeling satisfied with the way he looked.


    Because they were tiered items, they didn''t have any special appearance effects like glowing or causing strange phenomena while wearing them... They just look like fancy clothes. However, the effects they had were definitely real and Shane could feel it.


    Anyway, what Shane felt curious about this item was theck of special activated skills he could use. Of course, he was still grateful since it was a Tier 4 item. He didn''t have to spend a lot of Item Upgrade Crystals because of that.


    However, what truly surprised Shane was the fact that it didn''t just have 2 Set Effects but three! There were Set Effects for two, four, and seven equipped pieces of the Dreadlord Set!


    [ You have equipped 2 Dreadlord Set Items. Effect: Increases all Vitality and Spirit Points Recovery by 15%. ]


    Although the 15% was a lot lower than his other items, it was still a free recovery effect and he certainly liked it.


    [ You have equipped 4 Dreadlord Set Items. Effect: Activates the passive ability Harbinger''s Touch¡ªbasic attacks have a chance to sap health and energy from enemies. ]


    ''This effect was a lot better than his Vampire Fang''s Dagger that could only drain the life force of his target. Furthermore, the Dagger itself was fragile and he had to be careful when using it.


    However, the Harbinger''s Touch wasn''t an item but an effect¡­ As long as he kept on fighting, the effect would certainly put him at an advantage.@@novelbin@@


    Shane then checked thest set effect.


    [ You have equipped 7 Dreadlord Set Items.


    Effect: Temporarily grants the wearer the title Dreadlord Ruler.


    Title Effect: Enables Rot Rebirth. Upon death, the wearer resurrects with 50% health and a burst of decay energy that damages all nearby enemies. Usage: 5 ]


    "Resurrection¡­ This is incredible¡­" Shane muttered as he realized that the other four copies of the set that he had were basically resurrection items. It also means that he had to be careful handling his gear since the Temporary Title, Deadlord Ruler, would only take effect if he had all seven of them equipped.


    ''I guess it''s a good thing I bought that guy¡­'' Shane thought as he recalled the ve that he bought. It was Borek, a skilled craftsman who seemed to becking some Dragon Blood to regain his vigor.


    Thankfully, after giving him the Dragon''s Veil Elixir, he was already in good condition. Then, once the Gate Stones were arranged, he would be able to negotiate with Raze for more Dragon''s Blood.


    He might be able to negotiate with Travis as well after they formed a friendly rtionship, but that would only be his second option.


    ***


    After the battle ended, Lysandra, Vernon, Nia, and Kale waited for all of the miasma to dissipate before they cautiously entered the room.


    The stench was still there but it was bearable. There shouldn''t be any problems with their current strength and resistance.


    "Congrattions, Shane¡­ I saw the message in the World Chat¡­ You''re the world''s first¡­" Lysandra said as she looked at Shane who was now wearing his new gear.


    "It''s a good thing we were able to find this ce."


    "Yeah¡­ It''s not bad." Shane said, as if he had no idea how many people are gunning for the title he just obtained.


    He then slipped the Mistwalker''s Pendant around his neck. Although it wasn''t that incrediblepared to other items, he liked how it had resistance to status effects like Fear.


    After some thought Shane decided not to be stingy and gave his other Dreadlord Set to Lysandra.


    Obviously, Nia wouldn''t like it as it wasn''t a good match with her druidess-like abilities. Her current clothes that boost her Nature Abilities were a lot better in her opinion.


    Vernon also has some concerns since he was basically a sniper. The mask and the mantle would just get in his way.


    As for Kale, he tried it for a moment but the mask and mantle had also bothered him. Even the boots felt like they would hinder hisplicated martial techniques.


    Of course, since the three didn''t take the Dreadlord Set, Shane decided to give them a different gift. After some thought, he took out three of his Harbinger of Decay Skill Scrolls, leaving him with only two in his Inventory.


    Well, after recalling all of his memories, he already had plenty of skills and he might need to fuse most of themter on.


    "Here," Shane said, handing one scroll to each of them. "These scrolls contain a fragment of the Harbinger''s power. You might obtain a decent skill. Try it now."


    "Awesome! I''m not going to reject that." Kale said.


    He was also the first to use his scroll.


    As he activated it, the scroll disintegrated into ck and gold particles, which flowed into his hands.


    Just like that, a rush of knowledge flooded his mind.


    [ Skill Learned: Decay Strike


    Type: Offensive


    Description: Imbues a melee weapon with decaying energy, causing each strike to erode the target''s physical defenses over time.


    Effect: Targets struck weakens their defense per hit. Their regeneration is reduced by 20% and disrupts the flow of their Spirit. ]


    Kale was ted after seeing his new ability since it fits his position as a vanguard.


    "This is going to make every swing count. Perfect for my closebat style." Kale said before sharing the information with Shane.


    Shane nodded as it was indeed perfect for Kale.


    "But this seemed to be better when used against people instead of Zombies¡­" Shanemented. He also realized that its disruption ability was better if used against humans.


    "I''m next!"


    Vernon said as he alsopleted the process. The scroll soon dissolved into a form of energy that wrapped around him before sinking into his body. Then, he gasped as the new skill became part of him.


    [ Skill Learned: gue Aura


    Type: Utility / Area of Effect


    Description: Creates an aura around the user that releases a toxic miasma, damaging others within a radius and reducing their movement and attack speed.


    Effect: Deals 3% of the user''s Spirit Points power as damage per second. Reduces other''s movement and attack speed by 10%, stacking up to 30%. ]


    Vernon smirked. "This is going to give those Zombies a bad day. And anyone else who decides to cross us."


    Shane looked at the skill and wryly smiled at it. "That effect also affects us¡­ So you better use it when you''re alone. Anyway, that''s good for a marksman like you. It can help you escape if you''re being chased."


    "What?"


    As Shane said this, Vernon''s smile froze and he quickly checked the skill once again. Indeed, although he wouldn''t be affected, the others would be affected since his skill couldn''t identify friends or foes.


    "Ugh¡­" Vernon groaned for a moment but he still epted the skill since it was something new and he felt that he would love it soon. He just really has to be careful when using it with his allies.


    Seeing that herpanions had gained some incredible skills, Nia was, of course, excited to find out what she would get. She then took her turn and activated the scroll.


    Then, she closed her eyes, letting the dark energy envelop her. She felt that the more she absorbed the energy, the better skill she''d get.


    Soon, a faint shimmer appeared in her palms as the skill settled within her.


    [ Skill Learned: Petrifying Sphere


    Type: Offensive / Crowd Control


    Description: Summons a ball of energy that creates a field of Petrification at the activation area. Targets within the field will be turned into stone for a short duration.


    Effect: Petrification for 10 seconds. Targets in the field take 15% additional damage from all sources for the next 5 seconds. ]


    Nia opened her eyes as she checked the new skill she just obtained.


    "This will be devastating in the right moment. Group fights just became my specialty." She muttered. She already had Verdant Bloom and Thorned Barrier Skills.


    With the addition of the Petrifying Sphere, her level of crowd control skills had just gone higher.


    Shane couldn''t help but nod at this. After all, she was indeed one of the best supports out there.


    After this matter was settled, Shane and the others looked at the sky from the window and confirmed that it was already getting dark. They had to find a ce to stay for a while.


    This ce, which had been the base of a Toxic-Based Zombie, was definitely not a good ce to stay for the night.


    Thankfully, A.I. Cloud had also improved and was able to find a perfect ce not too far from their location.


    In less than 10 minutes, their group arrived at a fortified building. This ce was actually quite hidden well between somerge buildings. It seemed as if it was meant to be an evacuation shelter, based on how it was designed.


    "We will stay here for the night¡­" Shane said as he started preparing for their defense.


    First, he lit up five of their Zombie Repellent Candles. This may not be effective against Mid-Tier and High-Tier Zombies but it was still a decent one.


    Then, they activated the Guardian Node, a barrier that couldst for a while in case they were ambushed. After that, Shane also took out some of the Reinforced Barricades at the entrance of their building.


    Finally, Shane could focus on his ns for the night.

 Chapter 509: Shane鈥檚 Current Stores

    For now, Shane decided to open his Survivor Store. He hadn¡¯t checked them yet as he had been quite busy since morning.


    First, he opened the Weapon Store.


    The first three items were quite familiar, Steel-Tipped Arrow Bols, Pistol Rounds, and Shotgun Shells. He didn¡¯t even bother reading their description and focused on their prices and quantity.


    [ Steel-Tipped Arrow Bolt ( Common ): ]


    ¡­


    Price: 8 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 30/30


    [ 9mm Pistol Rounds Box ( Common ):


    ¡­


    Price: 20 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ 12-Gauge Shotgun Shells ( Umon ):


    ¡­


    @@novelbin@@


    Price: 25 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    Shane already had plenty of these ammunitions but since the Zombies they were fighting weren¡¯t decreasing, he purchased them all just like what he would always do.


    After this, Shane checked the others and found them quite interesting.


    [ Enhanced Throwing Knives ( Umon ): Lightweight, perfectly bnced throwing knives enhanced with a sharp edge and minor piercing enchantments.


    Price: 35 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 10/10 ]


    Shane liked that it had 10 of them. Furthermore, he could just use his thousands of Item Upgrade Crystals to make them a lot better. His Silver Daggers might be better but some normal throwing knives should do against normal enemies.


    The next item was an arrow. However, it was already a bundle and not a single bolt.


    [ ming Arrows Bundle ( Rare ): Arrows tipped with an incendiarypound, igniting upon impact to burn enemies. Effective against a mob and highly mmable structures. Each bundle contains 20 arrows.


    Price: 50 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    With five bundles, Shane was able to obtain 100 ming Arrows which would be very useful against a crowd of Zombies.


    [ Explosive Fragmentation Grenades ( Exceptional ): Hand grenades designed to explode into shrapnel, dealing high damage to multiple targets in arge radius. Perfect for clearingrge hordes or fortified nests.


    Price: 100 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 10/10 ]


    "Grenades, huh¡­" Shane nodded as he also realized that he no longer had any Grenades in his inventory. He was previously filled with them after visiting the previous Neutral Shelter. However, with the various events that had urred over the past weeks, Shane already distributed them to others or used them up.


    Then, Shane turned to the 7-day item of the store.


    [ Phoenix¡¯s me Dagger ( Epic ): A crimson-ded dagger infused with the essence of a phoenix. Each strike from the de can ignite enemies, dealing burn damage over time and reducing their regeneration abilities. The dagger can unleash a fire explosion once per day.


    Avability: 7 Days Only


    Price: 3,500 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    "Ohh¡­ Epic. But it¡¯s a bit expensive¡­" Shane liked this item so he quickly checked his collection vouchers and found dozens of them. Then, he selected 75% off among them! Though he had some 90% Off items, he was thinking of saving them once he saw an item that was worth more than 7,000 Zombie Cores.


    Shane decided to use this and soon, he only had to pay 875 Zombie Cores.


    After getting the item, Shane yed around with it for a bit before he felt satisfied and stored it in his Inventory.


    He then turned his attention to the Nourishment Store.


    "Nice¡­ I¡¯ll take them all." Shane muttered as he saw the items. They weren¡¯t too amazing but he liked some changes in their food and drinks, so he knew that he had to take them all.


    [ Protein-Rich Energy Bars:


    Compact, longsting energy bars packed with essential nutrients and high-calorie content to keep survivors energized.


    Price: 5 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 20/20 ]


    [ Extra Energy Drink:


    Energy Drink that restores stamina and cures fatigue.


    Price: 10 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 30/30 ]


    [ Canned Spiced Meat:


    Hearty, vorful canned meat seasoned with spices. Fill satiety and provides a morale boost with its satisfying taste.


    Price: 15 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 15/15 ]


    "Ohhh¡­ Some canned goods this time¡­" Shane muttered as he also liked having some of them from time to time. Although he had plenty of meat in his Inventory, the amount of spices and other ingredients that he had wasn¡¯t a lot.


    So, these vorful canned goods would be a good change from time to time.


    ¡¯Right, I have to visit my Fairy Realmtur and harvest some of them.¡¯ Shane thought as he finally recalled the herbs he nted in that pocket dimension.


    Anyway, he continued to look at the items being sold and was satisfied after seeing them.


    [ Mana-Enriched Tea Leaves:


    Dried tea leaves infused with Ice Spirit. It provides both rxation and a minor Spirit Regeneration boost when brewed.


    Price: 25 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 10/10 ]


    [ Emergency Nutrient Gel Packs: Highly concentrated gel packs containing a day¡¯s worth of nutrition in a single serving.


    Price: 35 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ Ancient Elven Town Wine:


    A rare bottle of wine brewed by Elven Alchemists, offering slight soothing properties and a temporary boost to stamina recovery.


    Price: 120 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2/2 ]


    Although the Wine doesn¡¯t have amazing effects, Shane was more interested in their taste, so he didn¡¯t mind theck of effects.


    "There¡¯s only two of them though¡­ I want to share them with others but¡­ I¡¯ll do that one day if get more wine¡­ Ahh¡ª"


    Shane suddenly recalled Bart, the Alcohol Brewer in the Springriver Manor! At this time, that man should¡¯ve made hundreds of bottles already!


    Shane then decided to ask Raze in the chat about it so he could get some stocks of alcohol... Of course, Shane decided to purchase them, so Bart would have enough money to create more.


    After doing all of that, he returned to the Nourishment Store to check the 7-day item.


    [ Ambrosia Elixir: A golden liquid said to be a gift from the heavens. Drinking it instantly restores all health, stamina, and mana. It also temporarily boosts physical and mental abilities by 25% for 12 hours.


    Avability: 7 Days Only


    Price: 400 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    "It¡¯s a bit pricey but it¡¯s good for emergency use." Shane muttered as he considered for a moment.


    ¡¯I guess it¡¯s still a lot better than my token¡­¡¯ He mused for a moment before he purchased the item.


    Finally, Shane turned his attention to the Random Item Store. He was more excited about checking this shop since he could find anything here¡­ It could be clothes, essories, various devices, tattoos, or even various scrolls.


    Furthermore, he was hoping to find another Fusion Skill Scroll since he had quite a lot of Skills at the moment. It would be a lot better if he was able to fuse them instead. Although it was less likely to be there, he was still hoping for it. If there wasn¡¯t any of them, he would try his luck in his Reputation Store.


    The first four items were quite normal after and he had seen a lot of them before.


    [ Basic First-Aid Kit ( Common): Apact kit containing bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers.


    Price: 15 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 20/20 ]


    [ shlight with Sr Recharge ( Common ): A durable shlight equipped with sr panels, ensuring it remains functional even during prolonged power outages.


    Price: 10 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 15/15 ]


    [ Reinforced Backpack ( Umon ): A lightweight yet durable backpack with multiplepartments.


    Price: 40 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 8/8 ]


    [ Great Zombie Repellent Spray ( Master ): A canister of potent, alchemical spray that masks an area¡¯s scent, making it harder for zombies to detect anything for a limited time.


    Price: 380 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 6/6 ]


    "Ahh¡­ Wait¡­ This is not normal." Shanemented as he realized that he had just found a Master-Grade Zombie Repellent Spray!


    He had used and upgraded Zombie Repellent Spray before but it had only increased it duration and the level of Zombie it could repel was still the low-tier ones.


    Anyway, the next items were also quite interesting though he wasn¡¯t sure if it would be that helpful


    [ Living Compass: A mysticalpass that points toward the living within a 5-kilometer radius. It can only be used once per day and leads to any human being. This includes Survivors, Scavengers, Recruits¡­ etc. )


    Price: 450 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    [ Great Zombie Doll: A cute and creepy doll that resembles a zombie in appearance. It can be held by a Survivor who wants to avoid getting noticed by low and mid-tier Zombies but with limited durability and effectiveness.


    Experience new tales on NovelBin.C?m


    Price: 550 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3/3 ]


    "These two don¡¯t have any ratings." Shane muttered as he knew that those without ratings could not be upgraded.


    Nheless, the Living Compass was quite interesting since it could find other people. This is a good item to find other Survivors or perhaps, even shelters if they ever got lost.


    On the other hand, the Great Zombie Doll was the better version of the normal Zombie Doll that could only help with low-tier Zombies.


    It may be a great item when they¡¯re resting but overall, Shane didn¡¯t mind being attacked by low-tier Zombies since they could still provide Zombie Cores and other resources to him and his teammates.


    Needless to say, Shane purchased this item as well.


    Then, as he was about to check the Reputation Store, Cloud red with warnings!


    [ A Vampire has been detected. ]

 Chapter 510: The Reputation Store

    Shane leaned back in his chair and checked out the items in the store. There weren¡¯t a lot of things he¡¯d enjoy but one of them was certainly looking for hidden gems in the store.


    Then, as he was about to check the most important store, his A.I. Assistant, Cloud, suddenly warned him.


    [ A Vampire has been detected. ]


    Information about the Vampire followed and Shane¡¯s gaze was then directed toward the area indicated by Cloud.


    Activating his Heightened Awareness and Perception, he quickly pinpointed the Vampire. It lingered roughly 30 meters away and it was hidden really well but thanks to Cloud¡¯s high-end sensors, it was able to detect the Vampire as soon as it started moving.


    Perhaps, if it actually transformed into a bat instead of a humanoid one, Cloud would fail to consider it as a Vampire.


    Anyway, the Vampire was certainly hesitant to get closer.


    The bunker they had fortified was imprable for most enemies. The barrier generator was protecting their whole ce, Zombie Repellent Candles released their fumes, and the Zombie Ward that Lysandra had ced was working perfectly.


    The Vampire knew very well that it could only silently watch them from behind the shadows of the trees about 30 meters away from them.


    After some consideration, Shane decided not to act.


    "It¡¯s probably a scout," Shane muttered, narrowing his eyes. "If it¡¯s here, the Leader might not be far behind. Let¡¯s wait for him toe."


    Of course, he was referring to Statham, the Vampire¡¯s Rise Apocalypse Ender. If possible, he wanted to eliminate Statham already. After all, he had just obtained numerous skills and knew how powerful he was at this moment.


    On the other hand, Statham shouldn¡¯t have strong Vampires at his disposal. He might still be strong, considering how he was able to clear another Apocalypse. He even became a Vampire, which should have been the race that he eliminated. Statham must have a lot of secrets to be able to arrive in this ce.


    ¡¯He should be recuperating¡­ Most likely, he wasn¡¯t able to ess all of his skills after arriving here. But as soon as he¡¯s able to do it, it would be a disaster for other Survivors.¡¯ Shane thought for a moment as he wished that he¡¯d get attacked first, so he could deal with this Vampire.


    Cloud¡¯s warning popped out once again after a few moments.


    @@novelbin@@


    [ Would you like to engage? ]


    Shane shook his head. "No. If we take it out now, the Leader will just send another or he might even run away. Let¡¯s see what happens. Just monitor it for me."


    [ Understood. ]


    With that said, he turned his focus back to the glowing interface of his Reputation Store.


    Shane smiled as soon as he saw the items being sold. To be honest, it was hard for him to predict what kind of things he would get here.


    There were a lot of times that they were just random objects that could hardly be useful, but there are times when they would be extremely important.


    Luckily, today was a lucky day for him.


    [ Compatible Skill Fusion Talisman: A powerful talisman that allows the user tobine two or threepatible skills into a single advanced skill.


    Price: 150 Reputation Points


    Quantity: 5 ]


    This was a very expensive item. However, Shane had never seen a Skill Fusion Talisman being sold in the Reputation Store before. It had always been an item that could only be found in Treasure Chests or rewards through various missions.


    ¡¯It¡¯s also a bit different. It¡¯s not just a Skill Fusion Talisman¡­ It only works with Compatible ones.¡¯ Shane muttered as he realized that this must be a lower version of the Fusion Talisman.


    Previously, Shane could just use any skill to fuse, even the ipatible one.


    There¡¯s also a small chance of failing but it was possible.


    At the very least, this Talisman was avable in the store. There was no need to search for a Treasure Chest.


    With his thousands of Reputation Points, he wasn¡¯t worried about a hundred fifty points at all.


    As he purchased them, he couldn¡¯t help but smile as he recalled the times when he was struggling to buy items worth 10 to 20 Reputation Points.


    There was even a time when he had to hesitate a lot when he purchased a 20 RP Tattoo that could give him skill.


    This time, however, he was no longer worried if he found an item worth a thousand RP as long as it would help him.


    [ Mysterious Lord Zombie Ashes: A pouch of ashes. A rare ingredient for an unknown Elixir.


    Price: 30 Reputation Points


    Quantity: 5 ]


    "Ahhhh¡­" Shane was stunned as soon as he saw the next item.


    Shane immediately opened his Blood Alchemy Book!


    After flipping through its pages, he found the recipe he was looking for.


    [ Concentrated Vitality Restoration Elixir: This potent elixir rejuvenates the body and soul.


    Ingredients:


    2 liters of Hunter Zombie Blood


    100 grams of Mysterious Lord Zombie Ashes


    drops of Old Vines Essence


    1 vial of Vitality Elixir10 drops of Blue Frog¡¯s mucus


    5 crushed Zombie Cores


    Instructions:


    Preparation: ¡­


    Shane then continued to read through the preparation process,bining the key ingredients, infusion of the vital energy, binding the essence, amplifying potency, stabilization phase, and cooling phase.


    A total of seven stages in the whole process of potion-making.


    ¡¯It¡¯s doable¡­ Shane muttered as he already felt confident when making potions. After all, hisplete integration with his past memories made him recall how good he was at potion-making.


    Although it was a bit different from Elven Potions, he was still very familiar with it.


    "I¡¯ll look into itter¡­" Shane muttered as he had no energy to start making potion at this moment. He might consider it once he was able to establish his third Shelter.


    Anyway, Shane continued to check the other items.


    [ Fast Walker Boots: A pair of lightweight boots enchanted with unknown energy. Grants the wearer the ability to move faster. It increases movement speed by 30%.


    Price: 10 Reputation Points


    Quantity: 2 ]


    This was, of course, an item that could not be upgraded with Item Upgrade Crystal so he wasn¡¯t too interested. However, since it was cheap, he could use this as a gift to his recruits.


    The next item, however, was something Shane really liked.


    [ Blueprint: Gaia¡¯s Defense ( Advanced Barrier Generator ): A blueprint for crafting an advanced barrier generator. Requires advanced materials to construct.


    Price: 50 Reputation Points


    Quantity: 1 ]


    Perhaps, if he didn¡¯t have the Anima Store, he would not be willing to purchase this since as it said, it required advanced materials to construct.


    However, with the Anima Store on his side, he was confident to obtain these advanced materials and they might not even be considered as advanced materials if the Anima Store searched it up.


    "Not bad¡­ I hope I get more of these blueprints¡­" Shane muttered to himself. This was something he needed to develop his shelters.


    After all, Cloud doesn¡¯t have blueprints for such things. It was more focused on assisting him inbat and daily life instead of building things.


    "Gaia¡¯s defense, huh¡­"


    It sounds really cool, but Shane didn¡¯t want to expect too much as he didn¡¯t want to get disappointed.


    [ Cold Veritas Brew: A mystical elixir that permanently increases Spirit Point Regeneration by 10%.


    Price: 1,000 Reputation Points


    Quantity: 1 ]


    "Whoa¡­ Is it my birthday? Why are there so many good things appearing now? Did it detect that I have a lot of money to spend?" Shane couldn¡¯t help but chuckle after seeing the next item.


    It was an elixir with a Permanent Effect!


    A 10% rate must be smaller but Shane knew that with his current regeneration rate for his over 10,000 Spirit Points, that would be huge!


    Shane didn¡¯t hesitate to purchase it at all. He knew how great it would be if he could simply spam his Skills without worrying about his Spirit Points.


    If that was possible, he would be confident enough to fight even 10 Lord Tier Zombies at once. Read thetest on NovelBin.C?m


    Shane consumed the brew immediately and felt satisfied with its coldness. It also tasted quite good.


    ¡¯I thought it would be bitter or very hard to swallow.¡¯ Shane thought. He even considered that the potion may bring some side effects like pain or something that he had to endure.


    However, the whole process was so simple, and in just a moment after consuming it, the system notified him about the sessful improvement in his Spirit Regeneration.


    It was anticlimactic but he didn¡¯t mind.


    Shane then checked thest item.


    [ True Prisoner¡¯s Band: A device used to restrain and control unruly individuals. The prisoner can¡¯t leave the owner¡¯s side. The range can be adjusted by the owner¡¯s will.


    Price: 10 RP


    Quantity: 30 ]


    "Ohhh¡­" Shane may not have a prisoner right now but the future might be different. As for the others, they probably wouldn¡¯t bother to buy these things since it would be better to just kill those they didn¡¯t trust since they would have fewer mouths to feed as well.


    "It might be useful someday¡­" Shane muttered as he decided to purchase all of them.

 Chapter 512 Second Lord Tier

    "The Vampire''sir must be somewhere here." Jim said as he felt that this area was a perfect ce for the Vampire to hide.


    There was no point doubting Shane''s words, so they knew they had to be careful.


    "Do we have silver weapons? Bullets?" He asked the team.


    "I have one¡­ Let''s check the market." Drake said as he opened the Marketce. He immediately searched for silver weapons or even bullets and although he didn''t find any Silver Bullets being sold, there were plenty of Silver Daggers, Silver-Tipped Arrows, and some Silver Swords being sold.


    [ Seller: Ember Spirit ]


    Item: Silver Dagger ( Rare )


    Description: A lightweight and sharp dagger forged from pure silver. The de is made by a Master cksmith, giving it a strong additional effect.


    Price: 80 Zombie Cores each


    Quantity: 12


    [ Seller: Ember Spirit ]


    Item: Silver-Tipped Arrows ( Umon )


    Description: A bundle of arrows with finely crafted silver tips. These arrows are bnced for precise long-range attacks.


    Price: 60 Zombie Cores per bundle of 10 arrows


    Quantity: 50


    [ Seller: Ember Spirit ]


    Item: Silver Sword (Rare)


    Description: A finely crafted longsword made from tempered silver. Light yet durable, it is a favored weapon against supernatural foes.


    Price: 150 Zombie Cores each


    Quantity: 8


    The others may not know but Shane knew that Ember Spirit was none other than Diana, his sister who was currently protecting the Silver Mine Camp. Anyway, since Diana was the one staying at the camp, she was also the one making decisions for things she had to sell after Shane instructed her of his n.


    Aside from that, Shane or Shadow Strider also had ced other silver items in the market.


    [ Seller: Shadow Strider ]


    Item: Dual Silver Daggers ( Rare )


    Description: A pair of elegant silver daggers perfectly bnced for dual-wielding. Each dagger possessed mystical abilities.


    Price: 850 Zombie Cores per pair


    Quantity: 15 ] Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire


    [ Seller: Shadow Strider ]


    Item: Silver-Tipped Bolts ( Umon )


    Description: Bolts designed for crossbows, featuring silver tips. Each bundle contains 15 bolts.


    Price: 155 Zombie Cores per bundle


    Quantity: 10 ]


    [ Seller: Shadow Strider ]


    Item: Silver ymore ( Rare )


    Description: A heavy two-handed sword forged entirely from reinforced silver. Its weight requires considerable strength to wield effectively.@@novelbin@@


    Price: 680 Zombie Cores each


    Quantity: 9


    "Let''s get some Silver Arrows and Daggers¡­" Jim said as he didn''t hesitate to get them for everyone.


    Those who were always fighting in the frontlines also bought a Silver Sword in case they needed it.


    As for the other sellers of the Silver Items, they were only selling one or two items, so it seemed as if they just found these items elsewhere or perhaps, they were just old or repaired weapons.


    They didn''t even nce at those unknown sellers with cheap weapons and focused on those bulk sellers. They believed that they had Master cksmiths working for them and could be trusted.


    ***


    On the next day, Jim''s team proceeded with theirst night''s n and cautiously explored the crumbling train station.


    The ce had traces of various Zombiesing in and out.


    Nheless, there were still vines coiled around rusted trains and shattered ss littered the moss-covered tforms. It didn''t seem like a human had used this ce as a shelter.


    "Where are they hiding?" Jim muttered as he couldn''t find any signs of other Zombies.


    As they ventured deeper into the station, they finally found something and all of them were stunned.


    [ Warning: You are about to enter a Lord-Tier Zombie''s Territory. Proceed with caution. ]


    The notification was enough to freeze them in ce but they all smiled as soon as they saw this.


    Jim turned to his team and knew what everyone was thinking.


    "This is it¡ªa Lord-Tier Zombie''s territory. We can''t handle this dungeon¡­ But selling the location might be better¡­"


    The group exchanged eager nces, and Lara, the team''s scout, suggested the obvious. "Shane''s team would be the perfect buyer. I confirmedst night that they''re around here. He had already killed one a couple of days ago so he shouldn''t have a problem with this."


    Everyone saw the World Announcement about Shane''s achievement, so they all knew that he was the perfect person to sell this.


    Jim nodded. "Lara, send him a message¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Lara''s Keen Vision spotted movement behind them.


    It was a small group that had emerged and they didn''t seem too surprised about their presence. Shane was unmistakable, hismanding aura setting him apart.


    "There''s no need for that, leader," Lara interrupted. "Look behind you."


    Jim turned, his hand instinctively held on his weapon. The tension eased as he recognized the neers.


    It was Shane''s team. Lara and the others had seen Shane''s battle in the Waiting Zone before and felt a surge of relief. If anyone could handle a Lord-Tier Zombie, it was them.


    ***


    Shane''s eyes scanned the group briefly before he stepped forward. His calm gaze made even the most confident of Jim''s team fidget slightly. They had no idea if it was a Survivor Skill but they could tell that being an enemy with this person wasn''t good.


    Thankfully, Shane had a good reputation, so they should be safe as long as they were reasonable.


    Jim offered a polite smile, stepping forward.


    "Shane, right? It''s good to meet you. I''m Jim, leader of this small squad from Wraith Walker''s n. We might have an interesting offer for you."


    Shane tilted his head slightly, intrigued but cautious. "I''m listening."


    The reason Shane approached them was simple, he wanted to just get to know these Survivors who were strong enough to explore this Sector. After all, with his current strength, he was no longer worried that he would get hurt by these people.


    He also knew that it was better to have more Survivors based on his experience in past Apocalypses.


    Jim, seeing that Shane was quite an approachable person, heaved a sigh of relief.


    With this, he gestured toward the dpidated train station.


    "We''ve just stumbled upon a Lord-Tier Zombie''s territory. We''re not equipped to handle it ourselves, but instead of raiding it, we''d like to sell you this ce¡­ Fair deal, right?"


    Shane crossed his arms. He was actually quite amused since he believed that he shouldn''t even purchase it. He could just wait for them to leave or perhaps, wait for them to fail to raid it.


    However, he also didn''t want to have other people entering the Lord Tier Zombie''s chamber and cause some trouble.


    ''Wait¡­ They''re from the Wraith Walker''s n¡­ Travis mentioned that they''re a decent n with an interesting n Leader.'' Shane mused. ording to Travis, their n Leader was nning to create a n Alliance to expand their trade of food and various resources.


    They seem to have ess to arge arablend and could sell plenty of crops in the Marketce.


    After some hesitation, Shane decided to help these people.


    "And what''s your price?" He asked. As long as they weren''t being delusional, he wouldn''t mind giving them something to leave this Lord-Tier Territory to them.


    "Zombie Cores," Jim said without hesitation. "And maybe a few Item Upgrade Crystals, if you have any to spare. In return, we''ll promise not to touch this ce or interfere with your raid."


    Nia, standing beside Shane, arched a brow. "Sounds fair. But how can we trust you to keep your word?"


    Shane smiled as he heard hispanion.


    Jim raised his hands defensively. "We''re not stupid enough to cross someone like you. This ce is more valuable to you than it is to us. We just want to walk away with something for finding it first."


    Shane nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, deal. How many Cores are we talking about?"


    Jim and Shane negotiated briefly, finally settling on a reasonable amount of Zombie Cores and Item Upgrade Crystals.


    Shane handed over the payment without hesitation. Well, they are already happy with 300 Zombies Cores and 50 Item Upgrade Crystals, so Shane just gave it to them. However, he didn''t want this transaction to be known by others.


    Of course, Jim agreed to this since he also didn''t want others that they were actually there.


    "Pleasure doing business with you," Shane said.


    Jim smiled, visibly relieved. "Likewise. We''ll clear out now and leave the station to you. Good luck in there."


    As Jim''s team packed up and prepared to leave, Shane''s group began setting up for their raid.


    Before departing, Lara couldn''t resist a partingment.


    "Shane," she called out, "I watched your battle in the Waiting Zone. I know you can do it! Good luck with this one."


    Shane gave her a slight nod in acknowledgment. He didn''t expect to get a fan after that Zombie Challenge Event.


    As Jim''s team disappeared into the dense foliage, Shane turned to his group. "Let''s get ready. Let''s take down our second Lord-Tier Zombie. This time, let''s all work together."


    Lysandra and the others got excited. They also wanted to fight a Lord Tier Zombie, so they certainly felt happy since they would finally be included in the Lord Chamber''s fightter on.


    With that, the group began their preparations, unaware that their actions were already being discussed in the Regional Chat.

 Chapter 513 Hunter Zombies

    Apparently, despite promising Shane that they wouldn''t let anyone know about their transaction, Jim still reported the matter to their leader since he believed that she should know that they made a connection with Shane, the Rank 1 Survivor.


    He believed that it might benefit them someday¡­ Furthermore, the fact that he found a Lord-Tier Zombie was something very important and considered an achievement for him. Because of that, he had to boast about this matter to their n Leader.


    Unfortunately, he seemed to have forgotten to tell their n Leader not to expose this matter.


    "Not good¡­" Jim muttered as he saw the Regional Chat. It was already toote to mention that matter to their n Leader.


    In the end, Jim decided to send a private message to Shane, hoping he would be forgiven.


    In any case, he believed that no one would bother their raid right now.


    "Right... They should be fine even if the information had already spread everywhere." He thought.


    ***


    [ Warning: You are about to enter a Lord-Tier Zombie''s Territory. Proceed with caution. ]


    Shane read the familiar message before he entered the Train Station.


    Shane''s boots crunched softly as he stepped on the dirt-covered floor.


    There were no signs of other people entering or raiding this ce at all.


    ''Interesting¡­'' Shane muttered.


    The once-bustling terminal was eerily silent. There was moss that crept all over the ce and vines that snaked along through rusted benches. Lastly, there was a faint stench of decay in the air. It was a very familiar odor but it was more tolerable, unlike the ones in the previous Zombie Lord.


    As they walked inside, Shane was immediately warned by Cloud about the presence of multiple Zombies.


    Shane tightened his grip on the Stormpiercer Rifle. It was a reward he obtained after being the Top 1 Survivor in the Zombie Challenge Event.


    To be exact, it was a reward after being the first Survivor to clear the Level 30 Challenge. It means that the second clearer would probably have a different reward than him.


    [ Stormpiercer Rifle ( Legendary ): A state-of-the-art energy rifle enhanced by storm-based technology, this weapon fires electrified projectiles that can eliminate targets silently from a distance


    Effects: Lightning Strike, Chain Bolt, Precision Surge, Adaptive Core


    Soulbound Item: This item can only be used by Shane. ]


    It was a Legendary Soulbound Item which was certainly rare since in his memory, only Mythics were Soulbound. However, since it was an item given by the system and wasn''t made by a Survivor, it was reasonable.


    "They''re here." he said calmly as he scanned the shadows for movement.


    The team already had some experience fighting within the territory of a Zombie Lord, so they were all quite prepared.


    Lysandra suddenly used one of her Skills. Her eyes glowed faintly as she activated Farsight and pointed toward a cluster of rusted train cars. "Movement. Ten targets, closing fast."


    She truly had an incredible ability to gather Survivor Skills with her Epic Talent.


    [ Quick Learner ( Epic Talent ): The Survivor have an incredible capacity for rapid acquisition and mastery of new skills, knowledge, and abilities. The Quick Learner can absorb information easily, processingplex data and techniques with remarkable speed and uracy. ]


    Because of this, Shane really liked Lysandra to be with him when doing explorations as he believed that she had to gain a lot ofbat experience to allow her Quick Leader Talent to show its incredible prowess.


    "They''re Hunter Zombies¡­" Shane said as he confirmed it from Cloud.


    Kale frowned at this as his hand rested on the hilt of his warhammer.


    "I hate those things."


    Even though he had an incredible defense, Hunter Zombies had piercing abilities that could prate even some ted armor. He had to be careful.


    "Formation¡­" Shane ordered. "We''ll deal with them quickly. Don''t let them surround us."


    They already had great coordination so Shane knew that this wouldn''tst that long.


    The Hunter Zombies burst from the shadows as they thought that they were still unnoticed.


    However, Shane and the others were able to raise their defense immediately.


    Shane immediately fired with his rifle!


    Bang!


    The bullet pierced through the head of one of the Hunter Zombies, eliminating it immediately. Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire


    [ You have eliminated a Hunter Zombie. ]


    The others didn''t rx as they knew that Shane''s weapon was just that good. They analyzed the Hunter Zombie''s movements and saw their ws, as long as daggers, seemed to be filled with purplish liquid.


    ''Poison?'' This was everyone''s thought.


    With this in consideration, they had to ensure not endured by the Zombie.


    Shane immediately asked Cloud about this since he wasn''t sure if this was their first time encountering a Hunter Zombie that was using some sort of purple poison.


    Thankfully, Cloud was quick to gather information.


    [ Enemy Identified: Hunter Zombies ( High-Tier ) ]


    [ Description: Agile and persistent predators. It doesn''t know when to retreat or it''s incapable of deciding against its instinct. Hunter Zombies possess enhanced speed and strength. Known for their lone operations. ]


    [ Note: Shinja has reported multiple Hunter Zombies capable of using Poison Techniques. ]


    ''Ohhh¡­ So it''s not something new for them to use Poison¡­'' Shane mused as he couldn''t really recall all the details regarding all these Zombies, especially after absorbing all the 25 Memory Spheres. That was just too much of an information.


    Anyway, the only surprising thing about here was the fact that the Hunter Zombies weren''t moving alone but were moving in a pack.


    ''Well¡­ If that''s your only strength, we should be able to end this fast.'' Shane thought as he watched his teammates handle the attacks of the Hunter Zombies. Thetter were indeed fast but his team was coordinated and were able to defend against the Hunter Zombies without losing their ground.


    Shane raised his Stormpiercer Rifle again and this time, he activated its Lightning Strike ability. A crackling bolt of electrified energy shot out, mming into the lead Hunter Zombie with a thunderous.


    Bam!


    The creature screeched as electricity coursed through its body, reducing it to charred flesh in seconds.


    ''That''s strong¡­'' Shane was shocked as he didn''t expect that a High-Tier Zombie would be killed so easily even if he only hit its chest and not its head.


    Because of that, Shane was keen to try all its other abilities against these High-Tier Zombies.


    Chain Bolt¡­


    Shane used this second ability and the rifle unleashing a surge of lightning that jumped from one zombie to the next.


    Though the Chain Bolt was able to hit all the Zombies, its strength would actually weaken after passing through each of them.


    Nheless, this move was still lethal.


    Three more Hunter Zombies copsed, their bodies convulsed before falling lifeless to the ground. Shane smiled at this and confirmed that even if they weren''t charred, the lightning had still destroyed their cores.


    With the remaining Hunter Zombies, Shane decided to just act as support and allowed the others to finish them off.


    Lysandra used her Crawler Fang Daggers, a couple of Epic-Grade items that Shane gifted to her..


    She used all her might to throw them and they both found their mark, striking the feet of the Zombies and slowing their momentum. Then, Vernon shot its head, killing it swiftly.


    "Five left!" Lysandra called out, already preparing for her next attack.


    Two Hunter Zombies lunged at Kale, with their poisoned ws aimed at his chest.


    Kale simply sidestepped activating Veiled Step, a skill Shane possessed. However, with his talent to infuse abilities, he was able to infuse everyone''s boots with Veiled Step as well.


    The Spirit Points he used for that wasn''t a big deal anyway and he didn''t mind doing it with all their other pieces of equipment.


    Anyway, for a brief moment, Kale''s body moved like a phantom, and the ws passed harmlessly through him.


    "Nice try," Kale muttered as he spun around and delivered a devastating sh with his de.@@novelbin@@


    The Hunter Zombie''s head flew clean off, and the second was impaled through the chest.


    Nia, standing slightly behind the group, chanted quickly and summoned her Thorn Barrier, one of her support skills. As it materialized, the other Hunter Zombies couldn''t escape anymore even if they wanted.


    As the Hunter Zombie tried to leap at her, it mmed into the barrier and recoiled, giving Vernon an opening to strike.


    "Got it!" Kale shouted as his massive warhammer crashed down on the stunned zombie. The impact shattered its spine, leaving it twitching on the floor¡­


    [ You have eliminated a Hunter Zombie. ]


    Meanwhile, Shane already noticed that another group of Zombies had arrived. He didn''t bother telling it to hispanions and directly shot at them with the Stormpiercer Rifle.


    The new group was also a pack of Hunter Zombies.


    Shane activated Precision Surge, his vision sharpened as the rifle seemed to have integrated with his System as it suddenly had a mysterious targeting system locked onto the creatures.


    With his marksmanship, he probably wouldn''t need this targeting assistance but nheless, Shane appreciated this ability that only cost 5 Spirit Points to use.

 Chapter 514: New Type of Zombie

    "Not fast enough," Shane muttered as he pulled the trigger of his rifle.


    His electrified projectile struck one of the zombies square in the head, blowing it apart, and creating a mess of blood and flesh.


    A couple of Hunter Zombies tried to nk them from the side, but Shane could see them very well with his high perception.


    With that, Shane switched to the rifle¡¯s Adaptive Core mode, which allowed it to fire a wide arc of energy.


    Boom!


    The sweeping shot caught the zombies mid-leap, disintegrating them before they couldnd.


    ¡¯Whoa~¡¯ Shane was also quite shocked to see such a powerful ability of his rifle¡­ It was a good thing that he tried using it today.


    ¡¯It¡¯s a good thing I can use normal 7mm caliber for this.¡¯ Shane thought. Indeed, the bullet doesn¡¯t have to be upgraded at all. It was the rifle itself that could make a normal bullet possess mystical abilities.


    Thest two Hunter Zombies, realizing their pack was being decimated, attempted to hide¡­ They weren¡¯t retreating but they simply decided to hide in the shadows before attempting another ambush.


    "Not happening," Shane said coldly.


    He activated Chain Bolt again, firing a single shot that branched into two streaks of lightning. After one of them was hit, the next lightning struck the next zombie.


    Buzz~


    Thud!


    Their bodies convulsed violently before copsing into smoldering flesh.


    ¡¯That¡¯s easy¡­¡¯ Shane thought.


    As silence returned to the train station, Shane lowered his rifle and scanned the area for any remaining threats.


    "Everyone okay?" he asked.


    "Just fine," Lysandra replied as she brushed some dirt off her sleeve.


    "Same here," Kale added while his halberd was still dripping with dark zombie blood. Shane didn¡¯t notice that Kale actually changed his weapon into a halberd just now. It seemed that he realized that warhammer wouldn¡¯t be so effective against the Hunter Zombies.


    Nia then deactivated her Thorn Barrier as she let out a breath of relief. "That wasn¡¯t so bad. The barrier held up well. They¡¯re not as strong as I thought¡­"


    Lysandra wryly smiled at this and shook her head. "I think your Thorn Barrier¡¯s level has leveled up already."


    "Ahhh¡­ That might be true." Nia said as she opened her status and confirmed that her Thorn Barrier had indeed leveled up.


    ***


    After resting for a bit, the team decided to continue to head deeper within the station.


    "This was just the weing group, and they were high-tier Zombies." Shane said¡­ "If these were the guards, then whatever¡¯s waiting deeper inside will be stronger."


    Everyone nodded as they also understood this part. It was quite a normal method to have the weakest ones guarding the entrance.


    Nheless, those Hunter Zombies were definitely quite strong to be guarding this area.


    As Shane¡¯s group ventured deeper, the ce became eerily silent. They couldn¡¯t find any traces of other Zombies at all¡­ There were no movements or noises being detected...


    Perhaps, if not for Cloud¡¯s detection and his Heightened Awareness that was already at Max Level, he would also have failed to notice them.


    ¡¯Are they waiting for us to arrive in a certain area before attacking us?¡¯ Shane mused as he wasn¡¯t sure if the Zombies had already sensed them and waiting for an opportunity or if they were just unaware of their presence.


    As expected after arriving near the train tform, they were suddenly attacked by a group ofrge Crypt Crawlers¡­ No, to be exact, they were called Armored Crypt Crawlers after eliminating one of them¡­


    Thankfully, everyone was prepared and Shane decided to take action and after a few moments, they easily eliminated them all.


    After this swift battle, they had taken a brief respite in one of the less damaged sections of the station.


    Nia had even set up a Sanctuary Circle, providing a protective and rejuvenating barrier while they rested. Although Shane¡¯s Aura Sentinel would be a better choice, the barrier that Nia added felt a lot morefortable.


    As they took their break, Kale sharpened his halberd, Vernon inspected his guns, and Lysandra adjusted her quiver. Shane even saw her replenishing her supply of enchanted arrows. Although Lysandra was one of their swordsman in the team, she also had decent archery. If the enemies were at a certain distance, instead of pulling her sword, she would just use her bow and arrows instead.


    "Anyone else gets the feeling this station was never meant to be a simple travel hub?" Lysandra muttered as she scanned the walls.


    "It¡¯s definitely been... repurposed," Shane said as he also noticed some changes in theyout of the building.


    "Whatever experiments the government was running here, this ce feels like the testing grounds for something far worse than Hunter Zombies."


    Anyway, nothing was certain at this point so as their rest concluded, the group packed up and moved out.


    Thankfully, there were plenty of windows around so the surroundings were bright and there was no need to light any Light Orbs or torches.


    @@novelbin@@


    "They¡¯re here¡­" Kale muttered as he was scouting ahead as a vanguard. Then, he froze in ce as this was his first time seeing such a zombie.


    He raised a clenched fist, signaling the group to halt. "We¡¯ve gotpany," he said while gesturing toward an open area where rusted train tracks sprawled all over.


    Shane stepped forward, his Stormpiercer Rifle pointed at the figures closing in.


    "Unidentified?" Shane muttered as he heard Cloud¡¯s report.


    Bang!


    Shane shot one of them in the head and surprisingly, it was able to endure the shot! However, after his second shot with Lightning Strike, he was able to heavily damage the Zombie!


    Unfortunately, it took two more shots to eliminate this Zombie from a distance.


    [ You have eliminated a Steel Zombie. ]


    Shane¡¯s eyes lit up after seeing this. It was a pity, however, that he was not the first Survivor to kill this zombie since he didn¡¯t get the First Kill reward like the others.


    ¡¯What a tough Zombie¡­¡¯


    "Right¡­ It¡¯s a Steel Zombie¡­ Cloud, we should have some information about it. Tell me what you got. About them." Shane said. After all, he had Cloud gather information by listening through the crowd in the Waiting Zone.


    Thankfully, Cloud didn¡¯t disappoint him.


    [ Steel Zombies ( High-Tier ): Mutated zombies with reinforced, metallic exoskeletons that provide exceptional durability. While they were considered as slow zombies, their raw strength and resistance to conventional attacks make them formidable opponents. ]


    The information they had wasn¡¯t much because they hadn¡¯t encountered one until today, but it was enough.


    "They¡¯re slow but tough¡­ Make sure that all of your attacks would be strong¡­" Shane reminded as he half-hearted attacks against these Steel Zombies would just be a waste of time with their incredible defense.


    Everyone nodded as they saw the approaching Zombies.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    There were only 15 of them but they seemed to be about to face an army.


    The Steel Zombies were terrifying to behold. Their skin had a metallic surface and even seemed smooth to touch...


    With a pack of them, each step they took would create vibrations that was reverberating through the chamber.


    They do not have ws but just human-like hands, however, everyone could tell that being gripped by these Steel Zombies would be a certain amputation of their limbs or even death.


    "They¡¯re slow, but don¡¯t underestimate them," Shane said. "Focus fire on one at a time. We¡¯ll crack their armor eventually."


    Soon, as one of the Steel Zombies got into their range, it charged forward¡­


    Its heavy steps even shook the grounds.


    Shane aimed the Stormpiercer Rifle and fired a Lightning Strike directly at its chest.


    The electrified projectile hit its mark, but instead of disintegrating the zombie, it merely staggered back, a scorch mark left on its metallic hide.


    ¡¯So I really have to hit their heads to do more damage.¡¯ Shane muttered.


    "I think they¡¯re resistant to energy attacks!" Shane shouted. "Switch to physical weapons!"


    "Let me try¡­" Kale was the first to respond, darting forward with his halberd¡­


    He activated his Veiled Step, phasing through the zombie¡¯s clumsy swipe in an attempt to grab him before delivering a powerful sh across its torso. Sparks flew as the de met metal, but the cut wasn¡¯t deep enough to kill.


    "These things are tanks!" Kale yelled, retreating back toward the group.


    "Keep at it!" Shane ordered. He activated his Precision Surge and fired a concentrated shot at the zombie¡¯s head. To be exact, the bullet struck through the eyes of the Zombies, and the creature only halted in its movements for a few seconds before moving forward once again.


    Being struck in the eye was just not enough to kill the Steel Zombies!


    Your adventure continues at NovelBin.C?m


    He initially thought that it would be his fastest method to kill the Zombie as the bullet should pass through its brain. However, it seemed that the Steel Zombies had cores that they had to destroy first.


    Kale then let out a cry and charged at another Steel Zombie, striking with his halberd into its chest.


    Bam!


    The Zombie wasn¡¯t pierced but the impact sent the zombie stumbling backward¡­ Unfortunately, it recovered quickly!


    "So tough?!"

 Chapter 516: The Rush

    Shane observed the Smoker Zombies and aside from their deadly smokes that could probably turn them into Zombies if they weren¡¯t careful, he felt that they were rather weak. This was especially true ifpared to the Steel Zombies a while ago.


    As long as they had a working gas mask and avoided being heavily exposed to the smoke, Shane believed that they wouldn¡¯t be in trouble against these types of Zombies.


    Anyway, Shane watched Lysandra¡¯s attempt to clear out smoke¡­ Apparently, each shot from her bow could disperse the toxic clouds while also damaging the zombies.


    Kale, on the other hand, held the front line, carefully targeting the zombies¡¯ legs to immobilize them before delivering killing blows. By doing this, the Zombies behind them would have trouble moving forward as they were able to block their path.


    Shane then used his Stormpiercer Rifle¡¯s Adaptive Core mode, firing wide arcs of energy that struck multiple zombies at once.


    ¡¯This will be quick¡­¡¯ Shane mused as he confirmed that the Smoker Zombies had a weaker defense.


    The concentrated fire quickly whittled down the numbers of the Zombies. The only concern was the lingering clouds that made it difficult for them to maneuver. It means that it would be better to stay on their spot and not move at all.


    "I can¡¯t hold this much longer!" Nia warned as if she stopped casting the breeze she was making, they toxic cloud might starting at them. They had to kill the Zombies immediately.


    "Alright¡­ Finish them off!" Shane shouted. This was indeed not the time to save their Spirit Points and Survivor Skills with a long cooldown.


    He activated Lightning Strike, firing a powerful shot that obliterated thest two zombies in a sh of light.


    Because of this, however, Shane had to stop using the rifle for a while¡­ After all, the Stormpiercer Rifle was already so hot, and if he continued using it, its durability might not be able to hold on. That would be such a pity if this rifle was destroyed just like that.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    [ You have eliminated a Smoker Zombie. ]


    Thankfully, as the final Smoker Zombies copsed, the toxic clouds began to dissipate, leaving the group standing amidst the remains of the Smoker Zombies.


    "Shane¡­ You can go ahead and loot them." Lysandra said. She would rather get an Instant Experience Potion or Strength Enhancement Bottles from Shane rather than loot these Zombies. Experience more tales on NovelBin.C?m


    After all, her luck wasn¡¯t that good.


    Well, it was the same for the others and they encouraged him to just loot all the items and they just wanted to get rewarded by Shane instead.


    "I¡¯ll get better things from you, Shane." Kale said with augh.


    Everyone chucked as they knew that Kale was right. They could get weapons, potions, tokens, and even Skill Scroll from Shane!


    There was no doubt that it would be better if they just allowed him to loot as much as he wanted.


    "Fine¡­" Shane replied with augh as he began to loot.


    On the other hand, the others also started checking their items and cleaning their clothes. After all, Kale and those who were in front had obviously been sttered by blood or some minced flesh from the Zombies just now.


    "That was... unpleasant," Lysandra muttered, waving a hand in front of her face to clear the lingering smell.


    "Smoker Zombies are worse than I imagined¡­ I think their smell got stuck on my halberd." Kale muttered. "Good thing we had Nia." As he said this, he asked a favor of her to fix her halberd¡¯s bad smell with her nature-like abilities.


    Shane, on the other hand, didn¡¯t bother them too much and focused on the loot he just obtained.


    [ You have earned 80 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x2, Zombie Core x15, 800mL Water, Bread x10, 100mL Steel Zombie Blood, Smoke Bomb Recipe Scroll x1, Lung Purification Elixir x1, Strength Enhancement Bottle x5, Toxic Repeater Bow x1, Gaseous Boots of Speed x1 ]


    Shane was satisfied with this loot and after looting ten of them, he couldn¡¯t help but smile seeing how many items he had obtained just now.


    "Guys¡­ Want to try these Boots of Speed." Shane said as he showed the boots to them.


    However, Lysandra was still wearing the Dreadlord Set he had given to her. It had Set Effects and removing the boots would also remove one of the Set Effects.


    Instead, the Boots of Speed was tried on by the others.


    It could boost their movement speed and was also able to relieve their fatigue. Furthermore, it had an ability that could allow them to move at two times their normal speed. This could allow them to escape in sticky situations.


    As for the Smoke Bomb Recipe Scrolls he obtained, Shane couldn¡¯t make them just yet but a single scroll could at least allow him to make five Smoke Bombs.


    The Lung Purification Elixir, on the other hand, could be considered a cure for those affected by the Smoker Zombie¡¯s toxicity.


    He only had 10 of them so he didn¡¯t n to sell them in the market and just use it for his n, in case a member had be affected.


    ***


    In the meantime, while Shane was getting closer to the Lord-Tier Zombie¡¯s Chamber, the various ns and Survivors who learned that Shane was about to attempt to get his second Lord-Tier Zombie, decided to finally attack the Lord-Tier Zombie Chambers near them.


    Apparently, they had already cleared the Territory of the Lord Tier Zombie and the only thing that was left was the Chamber of the Lord Zombie itself.


    They simply avoided the Chamber for now since they were worried that they might fail to kill the Lord Zombie and it would escape to somewhere else. It would be difficult to find it again once it left this ce, so they could not be hasty.


    As a matter of fact, it already happened to those who were rushing after learning about Shane¡¯s achievement. They failed to kill the Lord Zombie and in the end, the Zombie was now wandering around.


    Asad, the Necromancer, stood at the entrance of the ominous chamber.


    [ You are about to enter the Lord-Tier Zombie¡¯s Chamber. Failure to eliminate the Lord-Tier Zombie will release the Zombie¡¯s restraint and it will be able to leave its chamber from then on. ]


    Asad¡¯s eyes glowed faintly green as he stone doors of the Lord Tier Zombie¡¯s chamber. It was emitting a chilling aura¡­ Asad, however, was undeterred.


    "I will be the Second Killer at the very least." he muttered while clutching his ck Grimoire of Eternal Night tightly in one hand. Its cover, made of what appeared to be ckened bone, pulsed faintly as he said this.


    Behind him stood an elite army of undead¡­ Currently, he had five Death Knights who were the vanguard. They had a sword and shield with them.


    Beside them were the two Mummy Kings wearing tattered golden sashes and ancient jewels.


    At the rear, the skeletal form of a Lich moved silently. It was gripping a staff crowned with a glowing skull. Surrounding them were dozens of Skeleton Warriors with their rusted weapons clinking as they moved.


    Asad actually had more of them. However, they had fought against Brawler Zombies, Giant Zombies, Tyrant Zombies, and even an Earth King Zombie¡­


    Because of that, his umted number of undead creatures had dwindled a lot.


    "This should be fine¡­" Asad said to himself¡­


    Although he had fewer undead creaturespared to when he started raiding this territory, he was still confident.


    Indeed, his undead army had beenrger when he first entered this territory, but the brutal battles had whittled down his forces. Yet, the core of his undead army was still here. The presence of the Lich alone gave him the confidence to fight against a Lord Tier Zombie.


    Furthermore, he has a few more aces up in his sleeves.


    Needless to say, Asad was also pumped up after the system¡¯s announcement about Shane¡¯s previous victory over a Lord Tier Zombie. The First Kill Reward had been massive, and if Shane managed to im the Second Kill Reward, it would cement his dominance on the leaderboard. Asad couldn¡¯t allow that to happen.


    If he could kill this Lord Tier Zombie, not only would he gain unparalleled prestige, but he¡¯d also secure loot that would strengthen his necromantic arsenal.


    The temptation was too great.


    @@novelbin@@


    "Let¡¯s go!"


    Asad gestured with his hand, and the colossal stone doors groaned open, releasing a foul smell¡­


    Inside the chamber, Asad saw the Lord Tier Zombie, standing over four meters tall at the very center of the room.


    The system notification rang in Asad¡¯s ears:


    [ You have entered a Lord-Tier Zombie¡¯s Chamber ]


    Name: Fleshrender


    Type: Mutant Berserker


    Threat Level: Catastrophic


    [ Description: The Fleshrender had its body reinforced with various bone and metal armor, making it nearly impervious to physical attacks. Known for its berserk rage, it unleashes heavy attacks. Despite its size, it moves with surprising speed. It is believed to be one of the many guardians of Sofia. ]

 Chapter 519 The Killers and Discovery

    Everyone in the continent was already aware of this alias, Shadow Strider.


    His name was always at the top and it wasn''t that surprising to know that he was also Shane after they had seen Shane''s battle in the screen tform in the waiting Zone.


    There was no way they weren''t curious about this Top 1 Survivor and learned about his tricks after all.


    In the Zombie Challenge Event, they knew that Shane possessed several high-level items that may possibly be Legendary Rank. After all, he was able to clear Level 60 in that Zombie Challenge and the top 2 Survivor wasn''t even close to his level.


    Nheless, they seemed to have underestimated him as he actually didn''t have to rest for a long time before he raided another Zombie Lord!


    Everyone knew that killing the Zombie Lord had most likely given him an exclusive reward that was hard to ignore.


    Raze and the others were curious about this item that he obtained, so needless to say, they all didn''t linger too long in the World Chat and decided to work on their raid. This was especially true after they saw how Asad or Raven Guard was able to get his first kill!


    They could not waste their time. They are to kill a Zombie Lord immediately!


    Although the suggestion was to raid it once they reached level 50 and received their bonus stats, they just have topensate with a number of expensive items!


    ***


    In the meantime, while everyone was surprised about Shane''s achievement, the man was also quite happy with what he had done.


    Apparently, he really used all of his abilities in that battle thatsted for an hour. Thankfully, his new titles Top Challenger and yer of Decay had assisted him in his damage output.


    At this time, Shane focused on the system''s message.


    [ You have eliminated a Lord-Tier Zombie. ]


    [ New Title Unlocked: yer of the Abyss: Grants a 12% increase in damage againstrger enemies and reduces iing area-of-effect damage by 15%.


    [ Additional Rewards: Gold Treasure Chest, 30,000 Experience Points, Territory Key Fragment x1


    Shane wiped the sweat off his brow as he saw the message. The new title was already a huge deal for him since with his current stat, even a 5% increase would be huge.


    The new title was definitely an important part of his raid¡­


    Shane smiled as he looked at the red crystal that was left by the Lord-Tier Zombie. This Abyss Zombie had a strange ability that could actually adapt to its surroundings.


    Its skin could change from time to time depending on what it was dealing with¡­ It would turn into stone if it touched the ground, it could also turn into metal after being bombarded by metal bullets. Then, it could also turn into a molten body if it was being hit by fiery explosions.


    It was definitely a terrifying opponent for most people.


    Lastly, it had a corrosive aura that seemed to be a requirement for a Lord Tier Zombie¡­ He really had used his set armor to its limit to survive an hour long battle.


    Anyway, Shane continued to check the notifications from his system.


    [ Congrattions! You are the second to defeat a Lord-Tier Zombie. ]


    [ You have received an Exclusive Item: ]


    Binder''s Gauntlet: A gauntlet forged from cursed metals. Increases critical hit chance by 15% and allows the wearer to drain 3% of the target''s health with every critical strike.


    [ You have obtained 3,500 Reputation Points. ]


    [ You have obtained 7,500 Zombie Cores. ] Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    [ Your feat has been broadcasted to the Regional Chat. Prepare for recognition and glory! ]


    [ Note: All Lord-Tier Zombies will have a 100% Drop-Rate. ]


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    [ You have leveled up. ]@@novelbin@@


    Shane smirked after seeing that he had leveled up at the end. After all, he had spent quite a lot of experience points after purchasing those ves in the Vault of Chains in the Waiting Zone.


    Anyway, he started inspecting the gauntlet that was rewarded to him.


    He was not a gauntlet user.


    However, after his memories merged with his experiences in his past life, he could at least tell that he had learned some advanced closebat techniques.


    He wouldn''t mind using such techniques soon.


    Shane then checked his level-up rewards and confirmed that aside from an increase in his stats, he was able to obtain some store vouchers.


    "Congrattions, Shane¡­ You have to help me in my hunt next!" Lysandra said.


    "Sure¡­ If we find another one. I just need the Territory Key Fragment that would be rewarded to you." Shane replied without hesitation. It was not a bad thing to let his closepanions be stronger after all.


    Then, he turned his attention to the regional chat and noticed that Asad had finally taken the third kill.


    It was certainly an impressive feat as he knew well how strong these Lord Tier Zombies are.


    Anyway, Shane only read the messages for a while and replied a few times to some people asking about his secrets and method to kill Lord Tier Zombies before he turned his attention to the remains of the Zombies, the red crystal.


    Shane immediately looted the red crystal after a notification appeared.


    Needless to say, he first triggered his Loot Keeper''s Timepiece. It had the effect of allowing him to loot five times his normal loot.


    [ You have earned 3,000 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 50 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x50, Zombie Cores x50, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x20, Unknown Meat ( Unsafe ) x10, Lord Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x10, Vitality Enhancement Bottle x10, Agility Enhancement Bottle x10, Decay Mask x10, Doom of Abyss Skill Scroll x1, Abyssal''s Mask x1, Abyssal''s Mantle x1, Abyssal''s te Armor x1, Abyssal''s Gauntlets x1, Abyssal''s Belt x1, Abyssal''s Greaves x1, Abyssal''s Boots x1 ] x5


    ''Same experience points and reputation points.'' Shane muttered as he read his looted items carefully.


    Five sets of such precious pieces of equipment would definitely boost their current strength. However, Shane already had the Dreadlord Set¡­ This Abyssal Set would most likely be sent to other members of his n to increase their chances of raiding their Lord Tier Zombie targets.


    ***


    After several hours, as Shane and the others continued on their journey, Lysandra spoke up¡­


    "Shane, check out the World Chat¡­ Three more people managed to kill a Lord Tier Zombie today."


    "Oh?" Shane was indeed interested in this as he quickly checked the chatboard.


    [ Announcement: ]


    [ Survivor "Ghost Warden" has achieved the Sixth Kill of a Lord-Tier Zombie! ]


    [ Entity Defeated: Blood Drainer ]


    [ Exclusive Rewards Unlocked! Glory to the yer of Blood Drainer! ]


    "Ghost Warden? Isn''t that Natalie?" Shane gently nodded as he scrolled up his chat and confirmed that the fifth killer was actually Raze!


    [ Announcement: ]


    [ Survivor "Iron Maven" has achieved the FifthKill of a Lord-Tier Zombie! ]


    [ Entity Defeated: Viral Spreader ]


    [ Exclusive Rewards Unlocked! Glory to the yer of Viral Spreader! ]


    Iron Maven was Raze''s alias. Seeing this, Shane immediately sent a message to her and congratted her.


    Of course, he didn''t ask for her Territory Key Fragment. Even if he would, he nned to at least pay it with whatever item she needed.


    Finally, Shane looked at the fourth killer and unsurprisingly, it was Travis.


    [ Announcement: ]


    [ Survivor "de Whisper" has achieved the Fourth Kill of a Lord-Tier Zombie! ]


    [ Entity Defeated: Ice Conqueror ]


    [ Exclusive Rewards Unlocked! Glory to the yer of Ice Conqueror! ]


    Thankfully, the Zombie Lords killed weren''t his target for his ascension. Well, he wasn''t sure about the exact location but it was mentioned that his targets, Necrotic Swarm and Eclipse Wraith Lord Zombies were located in Maggotfall Citadel and Dreadnight Fortress respectively.


    They should located around this region and he had to find it soon.


    "But¡­ Is it going to be announced every time we kill a Lord Tier Zombie?" Shane mused as he read the chat message... Well, it wasn''t a bad thing at all since it might motivate everyone to get stronger.


    "Everyone''s really doing their best¡­ I think that there will be a few more killster." Lysandra muttered.


    "It''s already getting dark¡­ Most Zombies were stronger during this time, so they might postpone it." Shane replied.


    "Ahh¡­ You''re right. They could just wait outside the Lord Zombie''s chamber anyway. Then, they might start raiding the next morning." Lysandra muttered as it would also allow those challengers to rest for a whole night. Fighting against a Lord Tier Zombie in perfect condition was definitely the best situation.


    ***


    Anyway, Shane was no longer bothered by this as they arranged a temporary camp¡­


    On the next morning, Shane''s team emerged from their fortified resting spot.


    They continued their search for the underground facility after a sumptuous meal that Shane had prepared for everyone¡­


    Of course, it wasn''t easy. After several hours of searching for signs, Shane paused on the cracked asphalt of an abandoned street, his Faerie Insight skill was then immediately activated.


    His eyes glowed faintly in a soft blue glow. This skill was something he had obtained during the Fairy Realm Invasion. In that Apocalypse, it allowed him to perceive traces of hidden magic, anomalies, and intricate patterns invisible to the naked eye. It was his secret weapon for uncovering what others overlooked.


    This time, however, it was used to locate various hidden things and it seemed that he hit the jackpot just now.

 Chapter 520 The Hidden Facility

    "Something''s not right here," Shane murmured as his insight told him that they were close to a dangerous area.


    Everyone else nced at their surroundings, but they didn''t find anything wrong. However, since it was Shane they were talking about, he must''ve noticed something they could not.


    "What do you see?" Lysandra asked. Since it was dangerous, she also pulled out her des, ready to fight in case of trouble.


    However, Shane just fell silent as if he were trying to inspect something. Then after a few moments, Shane went to another spot.


    After a few moments, Shane knelt and pressed his palm against the ground, his Faerie Insight, Heightened Awareness, Perception, Cloud''s inspection ability, and other simr abilities were triggered.


    With the activation of so many detection abilities, the world around him seemed to change¡ªcolors deepened, and faint, glowing threads of energy became noticeable to his senses.


    This thread seemed to crisscross the ground like a web¡­


    Shane followed this thread and soon, even Cloud was able to stumble upon a protected area.


    "Ohh¡­ I think we''ve found it." Shane muttered.


    He followed the threads with his gaze and spotted a faint, flickering aura about 50 meters away, partially obscured by a copsed building. It seemed that the ruins not too far from them were the ones they were looking for.


    "There''s something buried here," Shane said as he stood up.


    "It''s faint, but I can sense something here. They are too intricate to be natural. This could be it."


    Kale frowned, peering at the overgrown ruins. "It doesn''t look like much. But since you say so, there must be something."


    Shane nodded. "Positive. Let''s check it out."


    As he said this, he paused for a moment as he wanted to recall the facility or hidden area that he was looking for.


    Because of that, he swiftly pulled out the notes that truly brought him to this location. The map with a note was from Dr. Holloway and Shane wanted to check just in case he had missed something. Well, the map only pointed at the general direction or area to search for the facility, so he had to be sure of it.


    As he read the notes written at the back of the map, his team waited for him¡­


    "I am Dr. Marcus Holloway, a devoted servant of the New Government''s cause tobat the insidious gue of the Zombie Virus and a dedicated Bio-Weapon Researcher.


    I am writing this to get someone to continue our research and let the technologies we''ve created be known to everyone¡­ I hope that someday, humanity will be strong enough to use these technologies¡­"


    Then, in the penned notes, Dr. Holloway detailed the location of the underground research facility, hidden beneath an abandoned warehouse in Sector 20.


    Indeed, the ruined building in front of them seemed to be the warehouse¡­


    Then, the entry point, obscured by the overgrown foliage and crumbling masonry, was marked by a series of symbols etched into the stone. Then, there was also a warning from the doctor about the challenges they might face inside¡­


    ''Alright¡­ I think we''re ready.'' Shane gently nodded as he confirmed that he had indeed recalled everything correctly.


    Dr. Holloway had most likely written the notes behind the map before the surrounding area copsed due to various battles that had urred in this ce.


    This sector seemed to be filled with strong andrge Zombies, so it wouldn''t be surprising to see this result.


    Soon, the team got into formation to search the ruins.


    They carefully stepped over debris and avoided clusters of thorny vines.


    The remnants of one huge building were all over the ce... There were even signs of numerous trucks being buried by the copsed wall and ceiling¡­


    As they neared an area where Shane had previously felt something, he swiftly triggered his Faerie Insight once more.


    The Insight immediately told him that he was in the right ce.


    He soon cleared up the rubbles with his overwhelming strength. This didn''t take that long since his strength was over 500 points for quite some time already.


    Then, Shane found a cold stone surface and knew that he was right¡­@@novelbin@@


    It seemed to be the entrance to the passage he was looking for...


    There was no system notification but that was alright. This wasn''t simr to the Zombie Lord Territory after all¡­


    "Help me clear the rubble first¡­" Shane said as he confirmed that he found the right ce.


    Without hesitation, Vernon and Kale began lifting chunks of debris, while Lysandra kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. Nia, on the other hand, had also started checking up on the stone door that was slowly showing up. Enjoy exclusive chapters from My Virtual Library Empire


    "I can sense danger behind that door." Niamented while brushing her fingers over the stone surface. As she looked closely, there were even some engravings on it.


    "Definitely pre-apocalypse, but I''ve never seen thisnguage before¡­" She muttered.


    Shane nodded at this¡­


    "Don''t worry, those characters weren''t important. It''s just a simple warning. Everyone must wear the Tier 5 Masks I''ve given to you all." He said.


    Apparently, thenguage that Nia couldn''t read was basically some symbols and other words telling that this ce was a biohazard.


    Soon, the area around the stone door was finally cleared from rubbles¡­ They even cleared enough space for a tent just in case they would have to sleep there.


    "We have to break it by force since I don''t have any keys and my Lockpicking skill isn''t helping." Shane said.


    "Get ready. This might activate something."


    "Got it¡­ We''re ready, leader¡­" Kale responded.


    The others tensed as they held their weapons.


    Soon, Shane put enough force and ced his palm against the stone door and channeled his strength.


    Bam!


    The ground rumbled beneath their feet.


    As Shane did this, a section of the door shifted, revealing a circr hatch embedded in the ground. It seemed that he truly destroyed something from that attempt to destroy the door.


    Shane then fully opened the hatch.


    The hatch hissed as it was lifted and some dirt was forced aside. Then, they realized that this door was actually made of metal with stones covering its surface¡­ Shane and the other also noticed the symbol of the old world government.


    "Bingo," Shane said with a grin. "This has to be it."


    The hatch''s locking mechanism stopped in just two feet of opened space since it was already rusted or corroded. Nheless, it wasn''t a big issue.


    With some effort¡ªand a little help from one of Shane''s gauntlets, they managed to overpower it and forcefully lifted it.


    The hatch swung open with a groan, revealing a dark, spiraling staircase descending into the earth.


    A cold wind wafted up from below, carrying with it the faint scent of something metallic.


    Indeed, there was no scent of any undead inside. At the very least, the vibe waspletely different from other areas they discovered.


    "Great. Creepy undergroundb. Are we going to find some kind of failed experiments here?" Lysandra muttered as she was already expecting the worst. She also felt that there shouldn''t be any Zombies in this safely locked facility.


    Furthermore, theck of a rotten smell made her confident that her guess was right.


    Shane just smiled at this as he was also quite unsure what to expect. Dr. Holloway didn''t mention any specifics after all.


    "Alright¡­ Let''s hide this area before heading inside. We don''t want any others following us here." As Shane said this, he arranged a Tier 5 Camouge Tent with the entrance of the underground passage at its center. This should be enough to fool other people.


    After that, they ced various items to ward off any Zombies. Shane and Lysandra had a lot of those.


    After setting it all up, Shane led the way and Kale was behind him this time.


    The staircase spiraled down for what felt like an eternity¡­ There was no elevator and even if there was, it shouldn''t be working at this point.


    Eventually, they reached a reinforced steel door, its surface was scratched and dented as though something had tried to w its way out.


    "I guess this door is the reason why we didn''t smell any rotten flesh just now." Lysandra muttered with a helpless smile on her face.


    Furthermore, the steel door had the same emblem as the hatch, along with the words:


    [ Project Genesis - Research and Containment Facility. ]


    "This is definitely it," Shane said, ncing back at the group.


    "And it''s definitely not abandoned," Lysandra pointed out, noting the w marks on the door. They weren''t sure if the one trying to w out of the door was still alive but they would surely find it out soon.


    "Ahh¡­ It''s still powered." Shane muttered in amazement after seeing that the door''s control panel was partially functional, though it sparked asionally.


    Shane used Cloud''s assistance to see through the damaged circuits, and with a few instructions from Cloud, the door slowly slid open with a grinding noise¡­


    Everyone readied themselves and Shane even triggered his Aura Sentinel and Guardian Node¡­ After all, for some reason, none of his detection abilities could pass through this door!

 Chapter 522 Monster

    It didn''t take that long before everyone saw what they were dealing with.


    It was a monstrous being with its head almost hitting the ceiling already.


    This creature was tall, towering at nearly eight feet tall. It was certainly not a human but it didn''t feel like it was a Zombie either¡­


    It felt as if they were dealing with an alien instead!


    The creature had four arms that were extending from its malformed torso, each arm had wed fingers, telling them that it was the creature trying to open the metal door at the entrance.


    Those fingers definitely matched the marks on the door!


    However, it wasn''t just that, it had four glowing eyes, arranged in a diamond pattern on its face!


    Those eyes scanned the group with eerie intelligence. Indeed, those eyes weren''t deranged like the Zombie''s. Instead, it seemed really thinking about what to do with the visitors it was seeing for the first time!


    The fact that it didn''t immediately pounce on them, shows that it had some intelligence or instinct that helped him not to act rashly on something unexpected. Shane didn''t doubt it at all.


    Anyway, part of its skin was a mix of exposed muscle and hardened carapace. It also had veins filled with glowing green liquid that coursed through its body, emitting a faint luminescence in the dark.


    It was such an interesting sight. It doesn''t really look like a Zombie but an Alien from outer space instead.


    "Is that... Subject #12A?" Kale whispered while gripping his halberd tightly.


    "Whatever it is, it''s not friendly," Shane replied as he narrowed his eyes. Though the creature was certainly hesitating for a moment after seeing humans after a very long time, Shane could tell that it wasn''t here to talk or be friends with them as well.


    As expected, even the system was finally triggered. Lysandra and Shane nced at each other after seeing this.


    [ Warning: Experimental Mutant Detected - Designation: Quad-Maw Abomination ]


    [ Threat Level: Severe Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire


    Abilities: Enhanced Regeneration, Toxic Spit, Multi-Limb Assault ]


    There wasn''t any long description of its background or any mission that was given to them. It was just simple information regarding the creature that was in front of the team.


    Nheless, this confirmed their guess that the four-eyed and four-armed creature was indeed not a Zombie but a mutant instead.


    If it was not Subject#12A, it was definitely simr to its kind.


    Finally, after a few moments of hesitation, the creature let out a shriek and ran forward with slow speed¡­ However, with its long limbs, it was able to approach them so quickly!


    Shane barely had time to shout, "Spread out!"


    They weren''t sure of its strength and its closebat abilities, so blocking it head-on was definitely not a good idea.


    It would be better to attack it from a distance for now.


    The group split, they dodged one of the creature''s arms that smashed into the ground!


    Boom!


    It left a crater where they had stood.


    Shane activated Stormpiercer Rifle''s Lightning Strike, firing an electrified projectile directly at the creature''s chest.


    Bang!


    The bolt struck perfecting, sending arcs of electricity coursing through its body.


    The Quad-Maw seemed shocked but it didn''t fall. No, to be exact, it seemed almost uninjured and was simply curious what hit its body!


    There was only a small ck mark on its skin¡­


    Furthermore, this ck mark began to clear up almost immediately!


    "Regeneration confirmed!" Lysandra muttered.@@novelbin@@


    She then unleashed a series of Exploding Arrows, enveloping the creature in fire. Unlike the rifle, the mes seemed to linger, slowing the healing process.


    Well, it certainly seemed more effective.


    "Focus on burning attacks!" Shane ordered, switching to Chain Bolt mode. He fired another round, this time hitting the creature''s right shoulder. The bolt ricocheted, striking its other limbs, and forcing it back.


    ''I didn''t know it could do that.'' Shane thought as he only knew of using Chain Bolt to hit multiple Zombies. He didn''t expect that it could also be used to hit multiple parts of the target.


    Anyway, the Quad-Maw retaliated, spewing a noxious green mist from its mouth.


    With the warning from the system a while ago, they knew what wasing.


    "Toxic spit iing!" Lysandran warned as she looked at Shane.


    Of course, thetter was already on it and activated his Aura Sentinel. Although everyone still had their gas mask on, it may not help at all against a toxic spit from such a powerful monster.


    The mist or spit sizzled against the Aura Sentinel, but Shane was consuming a lot of Spirit Points, telling him that the strength of the Toxic Spit was definitely at the level of a Lord Tier Zombie.


    The others could also tell this much after seeing how the Aura Sentinel which was normally indestructible was slowly being dismantled.


    "We can''t let it keep doing that!" Kale shouted as he charged forward. This shout was also filled with his Guardian''s Warcry which had quite simr effects to Titan''s Roar.


    Anyway, he wasn''t afraid of confronting this creature with all the benefits he received from Shane.


    Furthermore, he could trust his own abilities.


    He then activated one of his most powerful abilities, Titanbreaker Skill!


    This could basically allow him to be an unstoppable force, but it had some negative effects after usage. Nheless, he didn''t care about the negative effects right now.


    With his sudden burst of speed, he struck his halberd into one of the creature''s legs.


    The blow almost severed the limb, causing the creature to roar in pain¡ªbut within moments, the limb began to regenerate!


    "Careful!" Lysandra shouted as the four arms of the creature tried to grab Kale¡­ Thetter was able to back out but the halberd was caught!


    "What¡ª" Kale held the halberd tightly and tried to take it away¡­


    However, he immediately found himself being lifted and was about to be thrown away!


    Thankfully, Shane quickly acted and shot the hands of the creature with Chain Bolt!


    The creature released its grip but it already gained enough momentum to throw Kale away!


    Bam!


    Kale crashed into a wall, and though he was dizzy, he wasn''t heavily injured.


    "This thing is a nightmare," Nia muttered as she had been trying to use her Thorn Barrier all this time to bind the creature''s feet, but it waspletely ignored by the creature.


    It wasn''t helping at all!


    Nheless, there was no time for respite and they just had to try¡­


    Shane''s mind raced as he needed to kill this creature without destroying this ce! He could use a few powerful abilities he learned from the Fairy Realm but that would certainly affect their surroundings and the facility might even copse in the process.


    Anyway, he needed a swift and not groundbreaking ability to kill this creature¡­


    "Lysandra, keep hitting it with mes to slow the regeneration. Vernon, aim for its joints. Then, try to target its eye¡­ it''s probably one of its weak points!" Shane said as he immediately moved forward and fought against the creature while only wearing the Dreadlord Set! He actually stored his rifle inside his Inventory!


    "I''ll tank it while Nia heals Kale¡­" Shane added.


    They weren''t sure if that was a good idea but they trusted Shane''s judgment. If they could tell that the strength of this creature was overwhelming, Shane must''ve noticed that as well.


    Since he was still confident, he certainly had aces up his sleeves.


    As Lysandraunched another volley of exploding arrows, Shane charged with Phantom Rush and used his Brawler''s Fury, Predator''s Edge, and Energy Wave to fight equally against the four-armed creature¡­


    "Cover me!" Shane shouted as he knew that it wouldn''t be enough against a regenerating creature.


    Nia then activated her Thorn Barrier once against trapping the feet of the creature¡­ This time, since it was being overwhelmed by Shane''s attacks, it sessfully wrapped the creature''s legs, halting its movement just long enough.


    Shane then intensified their attacks. The punches struck the creature''s vein, causing it to explode in a spray of green liquid.


    The Quad-Maw let out an agonized scream, copsing to one knee.


    "Now!" Shane yelled. The teamunched a coordinated assault.


    Lysandra had even stored her weapon and changed it into a sword! Then, she cleaved through another glowing vein, while Shane continued to attack it.


    Well, it must be remembered that the Dreadlord Set gives various debuffs to the enemy while increasing the wearer''s damage. Furthermore, of the three Set Effects, one of them was the Harbinger''s Touch. It was a passive skill that could be triggered if he wore four of the seven Dreadlord Items.


    This ability saps the enemy''s health and energy!


    With this addition, it was only a matter of time until the creature could no longer endure their attacks!


    Finally, Shane struck with his 14th full stack of Brawler''s Fury!


    It means that this was his 126th punch since he only needed 9 punches for a full stack of Brawler''s Fury!


    Most High-Level Zombies couldn''t even survive 1 stack! However, this monster endured 14 of them already!


    Thankfully, as soon as Shane struck its head, the power it contained passed through its brain and shut down its regenerative ability entirely!

 Chapter 523 Discoveries

    With its regeneration ability halted, Shane and the others knew that it was just a matter of time before they could kill this abomination.


    After more than 30 minutes of constant battle, the monster''s vitality could no longer hold on. It endured so much injury in its body and it could no longer be recognized.


    Bam!


    The Quad-Maw copsed with a thunderous crash, its remaining eye dimmed as the green glow faded from its veins.


    Shane and the others lowered their weapons as they breathed heavily. Shane was truly shocked at the vitality of this monster.


    "That was... insane," Maya said, wiping sweat from her brow.


    "I think it had four hearts as well." Niamented as she sat on a nearby rock, a part of the ceiling that had copsed.


    On the other hand, Shane was just so happy as he looked at the message from the system. It seemed this abomination was something the system also wanted dead. Although he could not loot its body for some reason, the system was very generous with the rewards!


    [ You have defeated Quad-Maw Abomination. ]


    [ Rewards: Gic Sample x1, Mutant Core x1, Regenerative Serum Blueprint x1, 10,000 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Your team has earned 20,000 Experience Points each. ]


    Just like that, Lysandra experienced a sudden level-up.


    "Gic sample?" Shane muttered, examining the glowing vial that materialized before him.


    "It might be the key to whatever they were working on here¡­" Nia said, cautiously stepping closer to the creature''s remains.


    Shane inspected the vial as well and read its description but it wasn''t saying much at all. Nheless, it must be important, so he kept it inside his inventory.


    "Let''s grab what we can and keep moving." Shane said as he looked at their surroundings. He was actually nning to take all those scrap metals and other things that he could use as raw materials. There were also various knives and even broken weapons that were probably used by the guards of this facility before.


    After a few minutes, their group then continued to check the other chambers or rooms of this underground facility.


    The next area they entered was anotherboratory, its walls lined with rows of shattered ss containers. Each container was equipped with intricate monitoring devices, their screens cracked but still faintly glowing, disying unreadable data after they turned on the electricity supply that Cloud had detected.


    It was really surprising that the power supply of this ce was still working.


    Anyway, they saw that inside some of the containers, there were remnants of unidentifiable organic matter but they were already decayed, rotten, and oozing with unknown liquid.


    Nia shivered. "Whatever they were growing here¡­ it wasn''t meant for anything good. No wonder Subject 12#A became like that."


    Vernon then checked a console covered in dust. "Military or medical? Hard to say¡­"


    Shane, on the other hand, was a bit surprised that his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent was triggered after scanning the room filled with medical equipment or devices. Then, with the aid of Cloud, his AI assistant, Shane had a better understanding of the holographic interface that popped out because of his Talent.


    [ Analyzing equipment... Most systems are inoperable, but certainponents can be salvaged for repair or dismantling. ]


    [ Do you like to purchase the missing parts from the Anima Store to repair/improve the machine? ]


    "No¡­" Shane muttered.


    He then continued to listen to a more detailed report from Cloud about the various devices here.


    Anyway, with Cloud''s assistance, they found a storage of energy cells!


    Using a portable energy cell, they powered up the console.


    The console was soon activated, disying fragmented records of experiments after browsing it for a bit.


    "This ce was focused on bioweapons and enhancing human capabilities," Shane muttered. "They were definitely trying to control the Zombie Virus."


    Apparently, Shane just read the early days of the government''s research logs. The records started when they had just initiated the project and Shane found some interesting bits of information.


    [ Research Log: Day 128 ]


    Subject: Project Genesis - Phase One


    Read exclusive chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    "Our initial trials on the Z-Series Viral Strain have yielded promising results. By modifying the virus''s protein structure, we''ve managed to slow its zombification effects and enhance regenerative properties in human test subjects. However, the side effects are extreme¡ªelerated aggression, heightened physical capabilities, and a rapid decline in cognitive function. We are effectively creating weapons, not cures."


    [ Research Log: Day 176 ]


    Subject: Enhanced Human Capabilities


    "Efforts to integrate the Z-Series strain into non-lethal applications have led to mixed results. While some subjects demonstrate remarkable physical enhancements¡ªstrength, speed, and resilience¡ªothers have undergone uncontroble mutations. Subject 17A has developed additional limbs, while Subject 24B''s cranial growth suggests the onset of advanced telepathic capabilities. These mutations make containment increasingly difficult. Security protocols are under review."


    [ Research Log: Day 210 ]


    Subject: Project Chimera


    "In a bid to weaponize the virus for military applications, we initiated Project Chimera,bining Z-Series strains with gic material from various predators. The result was a line of bioengineeredbat units, including what we now call Quad-Maws. These units possess unparalleledbat capabilities but are highly unstable. Quad-Maw Prototype-03 escaped containment today, resulting in the loss of three researchers. It took the intervention of armed guards and experimental sma weapons to neutralize it."


    [ Research Log: Day 287 ]


    Subject: Virus Control Protocols


    "Attempts to control the virus using nanotechnology have met with limited sess. The Nano-Inhibitor Module can suppress the virus for short durations, but prolonged exposure leads to viral adaptation and resistance. It''s clear that the virus evolves faster than we can counteract it. Deploying this technology on a global scale would be impractical without further refinements."


    [ Research Log: Day 310 ]


    Subject: Ethical Concerns


    "Several researchers have voiced concerns about the direction of our work. The application of the virus in enhancing human capabilities has sparked debates about the moral implications. Are we saving humanity, or are we dooming it? The leadership insists that the ends justify the means, but I can''t shake the feeling that we''re tampering with forces beyond our control."


    Shane read a lot of information and he actually found these records interesting as if he just got a glimpse of the past. It was such an amazing feeling getting closer to the truth of this Zombie Virus.


    After everyone had a glimpse of such information, the team moved deeper into the facility,ing across rooms filled with various things.


    "Whoa¡­" Shane was quite happy to see so much modern equipment. With his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent, he could use them in various projects.


    The first chamber they found had 10 small Cryogenic Storage Units.


    To be exact, there were dozens of them but only these 10 were still active. Their digital disys were still indicating stable temperatures.@@novelbin@@


    ''How is this still working? Is it nuclear-powered?'' Shane thought.


    These storage units contained vials of preserved biological samples floating in a bluish liquid. It was such a magical sight.


    After cross-referencing they found in the console, Cloud and Shane identified some as "Z-Series Viral Strains", possibly the origins of the Zombie Virus.


    Shane decided to store them for now and in the second chamber, they confirmed that it was a Military Prototype Room. Here, the walls were lined with experimental weaponry.


    Shane''s eyes lit up as he spotted a sma cannon and a set of modr rifles.


    Some were broken beyond repair, but Shane used his Talent to dismantle a few, collecting sma Core Components and Energy Stabilizers.


    Nheless, it didn''t end there, Shane was shocked to see the room where they seemed to be making armor to fight againstrge Zombies.


    "What''s this?" Lysandra''s eyes widened.


    "A full body armor¡­ for Zombies?" Kale said with wry smile


    "Of course, it''s not! It''s definitely for humans! Probably to fight against Zombies." Vernon said.


    ording to the records, the things in front of them were Exoskeleton Frames! A specialized suit that Shane previously had.


    There were two massive exoskeleton prototypes at the far end of the wall. Their frames were already rusted but still mostly intact.


    Shane examined one of them and Cloud analyzed it.


    [ This can be repaired with the rightponents. Suggest salvaging for Tactical Sentinel Combat Exosuit integration or trading with the Anima Store. ]


    Shane smirked. "We''ll take what we can."


    After that, Shane stored all of them in his inventory.


    Then, they found several rooms connected to a hallway and a few of them seemed to be offices of some researchers. After some thought, they chose to enter thergest room, which was Medical Wing


    Here, they stumbled upon a room filled with medical pods, most of which were already shattered or heavily damaged. However, one pod still functioned, albeit barely.


    "Amazing..." Shane muttered.


    A flickering disy indicated it was designed for rapid healing and augmentation.


    It needed repairs but ording to Shane''s mechanical knowledge and abilities, he could just dismantle it and use its parts to create a better one with the help of the Anima Store...


    "With a little work, these pods could be game-changing," he softly said while already imagining the enhancements he could bring to their arsenal.


    This would greatly benefit all the shelters under his control!

 Chapter 524 The Main Target

    "I guess that monster is the only guard here..." Shane muttered as he could no longer feel any threat in this facility. It seemed the lone Quad-Maw was the only one left behind or perhaps, it had eaten all the others already.


    Anyway, Shane was happy with this result. He knew he could rx for a bit since there were no longer any signs of enemies around.


    As they continued moving around, in several corners of the facility, they found evidence of the previous Quad-Maw''s rampage. Piles of molten steel and bones fused together could be seen. It was as if the researchers who hadn''t escaped in time melted through some unknown source of heat.


    Shane could only guess that it was done by some sort of failed experiment or weapons that didn''t work properly against the Quad Maw.


    Nia knelt beside one pile, picking up a dirty keycard. "These poor people. They were probably just following orders."


    Lysandra then cleaned and checked the card just to get some information out of it. "Let''s not let their work go to waste."


    After a few more minutes of exploring and salvaging, they reached a heavily reinforced door at the end of the facility. It was stered with hazard symbols and required multiple security clearances to ess. Fortunately, the keycard Maya had found matched one of the locks.


    It still didn''t open and required another authentication but this time, Shane had to ask Cloud for assistance.


    Thankfully, it was not a big deal and Cloud''s programming was way too advanced.


    It didn''t take that long before the mechanical door hissed open, revealing a dimly lit chamber.


    "Now¡­ What do we have here." Shane muttered.


    After a few moments of inspection using his Faerie Insight, Heightened Awareness, and Perception, Shane immediately smiled.


    "This is Dr. Holloway''s project I guess." Shane muttered as he knew it based on the description that the doctor had written on the notes.


    Indeed, inside the chamber, the walls were lined with containment pods, each housing a piece of what could only be described as Bio-Armor!


    The one written in the doctor''s notes!


    The centerpiece of the room was a single, fully intact suit of armor suspended in a containment field. The armor reflected some light, showing its surface with a blend of organic and metallic materials.


    Cloud then started its analysis. Furthermore, since Cloud had already gained ess to the database of this research facility, it had enough information to know every project that was created within this facility.


    [ Analyzing... Bio-Armor detected¡­ ]


    [ Designation: Genesis Armor.


    Functionality: Enhanced physical resilience, environmental adaptability, and integrated nanite repair systems¡­ ]


    Cloud continued to list various details like its origin, how it was made, its purpose, and the materials used. It even included information about the various trials and errors that the researchers made to create this Bio-Armor.


    There was a long list of it but in the end, Shane focused on the information and whether it was safe to use or not.


    Thankfully, Cloud rified that this Bio-Armor should be safe to use as long as he was able to mark it as his own.


    ording to the process in the record, the method was simple, Shane needed about 100mL of blood to fuse on the Bio-Armor.


    "That''s easy¡­ Let me try it first." Shane muttered.


    Lysandra tilted her head. "How do we get it out of there?"


    Shane studied the containment field. "Cloud, can we disable this without damaging the armor?"


    [ Yes. Dismantle the control panel on the right. Rewire the energy circuits to overload the field''s generator. ]


    Shane got to work. He understood Cloud''s instructions with his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent. Soon, his hands moved quickly as he followed Cloud''s guidance.


    Then, sparks flew as he rerouted the power, and with a loud hum, the containment field dissipated.


    "Nice¡­"


    The armor dropped slightly before being caught by a set of mechanical arms that gently lowered it to the ground.


    Shane approached, but didn''t touch it yet¡­


    Instead, he waited for the container to drip out the liquid first.


    After that, the others just watched Shaneplete the blood pact.@@novelbin@@


    Drip¡­ Drip¡­


    As soon as Shane''s blood dropped on the Bio-Armor, it immediately turned into a sphere. Indeed, the armor-shaped thing transformed just like that!


    "Hmm?" Shane was a bit unsure but he wasn''t too surprised that it was able to transform like that.


    Then, the sphere shook for a moment and just like that, it started moving toward him¡­


    However, before it got closer, something unexpected happened.


    Thud!


    The Bio-Armor that was now turned into a sphere was blocked by a metallic shield!


    "Silver?!" Shane was shocked as he didn''t expect that his metallic slime, Silver, would block the Bio-Armor from approaching him.


    "Is there something wrong?" Shane asked. However, Silver didn''t really convey a lot of emotion to Shane and only informed him that it was Silver''s instinctive reaction.


    Nheless, after Shane informed Silver that the sphere was safe, it finally didn''t stop the Bio Armor from approaching him.


    Shane then inspected the sphere Bio Armor.


    "This is it," he said, his voice filled with awe. "This is what I''ve been looking for." Shane smiled as he knew that all his hard work foring here was truly a good decision.


    "Looks like it''s worth all the trouble we''ve gone through. "This is incredible." He added.


    [ You have acquired Genesis Armor. ]


    [ Description: A cutting-edge bio-enhancedbat suit designed for adaptability and survival in extreme conditions. Grants +30% physical defense, +20% Strength, automatic healing of minor injuries, and resistance to environmental hazards. ]


    [ Integration with Genesis Armor rmended. ]


    "Integration?"


    This time, it was Cloud who had answered and apparently, he needed the nearby capsule for that.


    Shane nced at his team. "Wait for a moment¡­ I still have to integrate with it¡­" he said before following Cloud''s instructions.


    In the meantime, his team gathered their supplies and waited for Shane toplete the process of integration.


    ***


    In the meantime, Cloud also warned Shane after agreeing to the integration.


    [ Integration process will be invasive. Prepare yourself, Shane. ]


    Without hesitation, Shane agreed.


    Then, Shane started to reactivate the capsule. It seemed as if he was in a hurry but he knew that the whole facility had already been explored and this was a perfect time and ce to proceed with the integration.


    Then, stepped into the capsule. "It''s fine¡­"


    Soon, the Bio-Armor started covering him. It started with small tendrils writhing slightly as they adjusted to his body.


    The console nearby lit up, and Cloud began the integration sequence. Cloud even informed Shane about the progress even if he was listening or not.


    [ Initiating Bio-Armor integration. Synchronization rate: 0%... 10%... ]


    Shane gritted his teeth as the armor''s organic fibers connected with his body, threading into his nervous system and forming a symbiotic bond.


    This was quite a familiar sensation since this was something simr happened to Shane before during the A.I. Rebellion.


    Anyway, the sensation was still strange¡ªneither painful nor pleasant. After some time, his vision blurred momentarily as waves of data flooded his brain.


    ''This creation is incredible! Now, it''s no surprise how those failed experiments turned the Zombies outside to be such monsters.'' Shane thought.


    [ Synchronization rate: 50%... Neural pathways stabilized. Gicpatibility confirmed. ]


    The process took several minutes, during which Shane''s breathing steadied, and the Bio-Armor seemed to integrate itself into him perfectly.


    The organic or living material fused with his skin, yet it didn''t feel restrictive or ufortable. Instead, it felt¡­ empowering.


    [ Synchronization rate: 100%. Integrationplete. Bio-Armor can now be deployed and retracted at will. ]


    With a hiss, the capsule opened, and Shane stepped forward, and of course, he was d in the Bio-Armor.


    "Whoa~" Kale stood up from his seat as soon as he saw Shane''s appearance.


    "It looks incredible¡­" Nia muttered.


    "That looks cool! Can I have one too?!" Vernon immediately said. There was no way he wouldn''t want such a thing protecting his body! As long as it wasfortable, he would take it.


    "That certainly felt more intimidating than your Exosuit before, Shane." Lysandra said.


    The suit or Bio-Armor was truly breathtaking.


    It was sleek and it seemed both futuristic and primal.


    The ck alloy tes covered various parts of his body and with its faint pulse, it truly seemed alive...


    The gauntlets Shane equipped were also a retractable alloy, and the boots even seemed to have thrusters for enhanced mobility. However, they weren''t sure if it was truly a thruster or just a design.


    nk~


    The reinforced visor then slid over his face, disying a detailed HUD that connected seamlessly with Cloud''s interface.


    Shane flexed his fingers, as he started marveling at the responsiveness of his armor.


    "Amazing¡­" He could only utter these words.


    The armor felt like an extension of his body¡ªlight, yet it felt so solid on his body.


    As Shane moved around, Lysandra finally let out a low whistle.


    "You look like something out of a legend, Shane."


    Kale chuckled. "I wouldn''t want to be on the wrong side of that thing."


    Needless to say, they were happy that Shane had gotten stronger and that he was on their side!

 Chapter 526 Tundras Raid

    Tundra smiled after seeing the message from their n Leader. After all, since Shane believed that he couldplete the raid, his confidence had shot up and he felt that could do anything at this point.


    After this, he indeed decided to distribute the items Shane was talking about.


    Hispanions for the raid gathered around him andid out the equipment Shane had sent to support their mission.


    The items were already upgraded by Shane so they all looked incredible.


    Especially the four sets of armor.


    Their dark shine was also quite eerie, showing how intimidating it was.


    These were certainly no ordinary pieces of armor¡ªthey were the Abyssal Sets and they were all dropped by the Doom of Abyss or the second Zombie Lord that Shane and the others had eliminated.


    Tundra picked up one set and handed it to Lady Seraph. "This is yours, Seraph. The Abyssal''s Mask, Mantle, te Armor, Gauntlets, Belt, Greaves, and Boots. You''ll need every ounce of protection these can offer. They also have set effects that might be useful against the Zombie Lord we will be fighting."


    Seraph inspected the intricate design of the armor. Her eyes narrowed as she examined the craftsmanship.


    "Shane doesn''t hold back, does he?" she muttered with a smirk before beginning to don the armor. She knew that these sets weren''t easy to obtain. She couldn''t help but feel surprised how Shane obtained not just one but four sets of them!


    It even felt as if Shane had crafted them himself since she knew how difficult it was if it could only be obtained from Zombie drops.


    Tundra then passed another set to Knight ric, one of the Aura Knights, who seemed to be about the same level as Lady Seraph.


    "ric, you''re wearing this as well. Your strength in the front lines will help me ."


    The third set went to As, the towering Super Soldier. "As," Tundra said, "with your enhancements and this armor, you''ll be our unbreakable wall."


    Tundra really needed these three tanks in order for him to safely touch the Zombie Lord and nt his bombs.


    The final set was, of course, for himself. He needed to get close to the Lord Zombie after all. It would not be easy unless he had enough speed or defense.


    His speed relies heavily on Shane''s gift, the Five-Meter Jump Skill. As for his defense, he would rely on this armor.


    Tundra strapped on the Abyssal armor and it didn''t take long before he felt its unnatural energy meld with his own Spiritual Energy.


    The mask then provided him some calmness and the mantle flowed behind him as though alive¡­


    Then, the moment he secured the full set, a notification flickered across his vision.


    [ 3 Abyssal Armor Set Equipped: All Attributes +15%, Damage Resistance +10%, Aura Amplification +15% ]


    [ 5 Abyssal Armor Set Equipped: Abyssal Resilience: Grants immunity to minor status effects such as Poison, Paralysis, and Fear. Reduces iing elemental damage (Fire, Ice, Lightning, and Corruption) by 20%. ]


    [ 7 Abyssal Armor Set Equipped: Abyssal Wrath: Increases damage dealt by 15% when health drops below 50%. If health drops below 25%, a dark aura is unleashed, dealing periodic damage to nearby enemies and increasing movement speed by 30%. ]


    Monk Chaloem observed the process quietly and seeing Tundra looking at him, he smiled.


    "I require no armor," he said, holding up his bare hands. "My aura is my shield."


    Tundra nodded in acknowledgment before turning to the other items Shane had provided: Protection Tokens, Veiled Step Tokens, and Phantasm Rush Tokens. Each member received two of each.


    Bartholomew, the manor''s resident brewmaster, then walked in carrying two crates of ale.@@novelbin@@


    "I''m notte, am I? Here! Berserk Ale for heightened strength and Thunder Ale for speed," he exined, handing over the bottles. "Drink wisely. These aren''t for casual use."


    Tundra felt ted after seeing his arrival.


    He knew very well that Bart''s alcohol could be sold for at least 100 Zombie Cores each in the market!


    "Thank you, Sir Bart!" Tundra immediately showed his gratitude.


    It didn''t even end there, Aya, the Shame and talisman crafter, entered next, presenting a bundle of glowing parchments.


    "I received Sir Shane''s instructions. Lightning Talisman for offense, Strength Talisman for reinforcement, and Healing Talisman for emergencies," she said coldly.


    Once again, Tundra was overwhelmed and thanked the shy Shaman who had visited them.


    Apparently, it didn''t even end there¡­ This morning, Diana had actually sent him a message and traded some items with him.


    Indeed, Diana from the Silver Mining Camp sent five pouches of Spirit Stones to them under Shane''s instructions.


    With the Spirit Vein under their possession, their supply of Spirit Stones had already gone through the roof. Sending them some Spirit Stones was not a big deal for them at all.


    Tundra felt his hands shake as it seemed that Shane was truly looking forward to his sess.


    ''With all these supports they''ve given me¡­ I can''t fail this raid.'' Tundra thought to himself as he was now determined to win this.


    With their gear ready the team felt confident as they prepared to leave.


    Soon, the group set out in a sturdy carriage, drawn by a pair of heavily armored steeds.


    Needless to say, these steeds weren''t something they just found in the forest. They were traded to them by the Neutral Shelters who hade to trade some crops and various resources like talismans, beers, and even tokens¡­


    Anyway, the road to the Zombie Lord''s territory wasn''t that long. After passing through some rough roads and crumbling bridges they were already about to arrive at their destination¡­


    They just had to endure another hour as the carriage rocked and swayed throughout their journey¡­


    Tundra sat at the front of the carriage, scanning the horizon with his binocrs. "We''re about to enter dangerous ground," he warned. "Stay sharp."


    Lady Seraph and her knights maintained their weapons¡­ Although it was already getting dark, they weren''t nning to stop here.


    As, on the other hand, wasn''t worried. He tinkered with his equipment, ensuring everything was in working order. He was even thinking of having his armor customized by Leo, the cksmith in the manor.


    It was also the same for Chaloem, who was just meditating quietly.


    As they neared the outskirts of the abandoned city they were aiming for, a cold wind swept through the air¡­


    "That smelled bad¡­" Seraphmented.


    Indeed, the air was carrying the unmistakable stench of decay.


    "Do we have gas masks? Well, it''s still bearable but I''m not so sure inside the city." ric muttered.


    "Just use your Aura for now." Tundra suggested. After all, everyone aside from him, could use Aura.


    Nheless, with his ne that provides him protection from abnormal status effects, he was able to easily ignore the smell.


    Everyone nodded at his instruction but they still didn''t use their aura and decided to endure it until they could.


    They then tied the horses and left the carriage outside the city.


    [ Warning: You are about to enter a Lord-Tier Zombie''s Territory. Proceed with caution. ]


    Seeing the warning, everyone drew their weapons.


    Within the ruined city, they saw crumbling buildings, destroyed vehicles, broken poles, holes in the ground, and the streets were littered with debris.


    Their arrival didn''t evenst for 10 seconds before the ground trembled beneath their feet.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    Just like that, a massive figure emerged from the ruins ahead of them.


    Standing over fifteen feet tall, its body was covered in stone-like tes. Its glowing red eyes locked onto the group as it let out an earth-shaking roar.


    Roooaaar!


    "Earth King Zombie?!" Tundra was shocked. Thest time they scouted this ce with the Elves, they only found a bunch of high-tier Earth Zombies!


    He couldn''t help but think that someone attempted to clear this ce but failed in the end. Perhaps, they had eliminated those Earth Zombies and escaped after seeing the Earth King Zombie!


    "It''s indeed an Earth King Zombie, it has Earth Maniption, Reinforced Defense, and Ground m Skills. ording to Lady Raze."


    Tundra''s grip tightened around his Abyssal de. "Looks like we''re being weed properly," he said grimly.


    Lady Seraph stepped forward as he sword was suddenly filled with her Aura¡­


    "This should be a good warm-up before fighting against the boss." She added.


    Tundra agreed immediately as he also considered doing with that n.


    "Let''s try to defeat it while thinking it''s the Zombie Lord." Tundra said.


    Since that was the n, they had to allow Tundra to do thest hit by sting the Earth King Zombie''s body with Tundra''s Terrorist Talent.


    Boom!


    The Earth King Zombie mmed its massive fists into the ground, sending shockwaves toward the group.


    "Ha!"


    As leaped forward, his cybeic legs absorbed the impact as he opened fire with his rifle.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    The blue energy bolts mmed into the creature''s chest, but its rocky armor absorbed much of the damage.


    "So tough¡­"


    Chaloem then rushed with inhuman speed,nding a series of punches on the zombie''s joints.


    There even seemed to be a golden light as his aura manifested for a little.


    "Aim for its weak points and control its movements." He called out.


    These Aura Users immediately worked together while Tundra was looking for an opportunity to use his Five Meter Jump Skill to touch the Earth King Zombie''s head!

 Chapter 527 The Bomber

    p! Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    Tundra was able to touch the Earth King Zombie''s head with that Five Meter Jump!


    As soon as Tundra was on the ground, he immediately warned the others to back off. Then, with that warning, he immediately triggered the bomb!


    Boom!


    A small explosion urred and half of the Earth King Zombie''s face was destroyed just like that!


    "Ugh¡­ It''s still alive?" Tundra''s eyes widened seeing how tough the Zombie was. He actually used more than a thousand Spirit Points for that bomb!


    Nheless, he knew that he dealt a lot of damage from that attack.


    ric and Seraph then charged together


    Seeing that the Earth King Zombie was unable to move, they poured most of their Aura into their weapons and attacked!


    Ssaaak~


    Their des then cut deep into the creature''s armor.


    Its defense had undoubtedly weakened.


    The other knights nked the Earth King Zombie, and with theirbined aura strikes, they created cracks in its stone tes.


    The incredibly tough Zombie was finally reaching its limit!


    ''This thing must have multiple cores¡­ It''s a good thing its regeneration is slow.'' Tundra thought as he saw an opportunity, to touch the Earth King Zombie again.


    With several more explosions and attacks from the knights, it was already extremely and could die at any moment.


    However, for onest time, the Earth King roared and swung its massive right arm, sending debris flying.


    Tundra activated his Veiled Step Token, vanishing from sight and reappearing behind the creature. He then nted a bomb into its exposed back, delivering a devastating blow!


    Boom!


    With its spine broken, the group''s final coordinated assault overwhelmed the Earth King Zombie. It copsed with a thunderous crash, its body crumbling into pieces.


    [ You have eliminated an Earth King Zombie. ]


    Tundra then looted it without hesitation and unfortunately, he doesn''t have a great looting hand.


    [ You have earned 100 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x5, 200mL Water, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x2, 100mL Earth King Zombie Blood, Earth King''s Skill Scroll x1 ]


    "There''s no item¡­ But I still have a Skill Scroll." He was quite disappointed since High-Tier Zombies had a high drop rate. Others would normally have an equipment drop especially if it was a king-type Zombie.


    Still, he decided not to use this Skill Scroll immediately as he felt that Earth-Rted Skills didn''t suit him a lot. He could consider trading it with better Skill Scrolls from Shane or Raze since he believed that have stocks of them ready to be sold or traded.


    "That''s quite a weing start." Seraph said as she felt that an Earth King Zombie as a Vanguard of the Zombie Lord was definitely a sign that the Zombie Lord they were aiming at was not an easy one.


    Thankfully, they were now aware that Tundra''s ability to nt bombs was indeed a powerful move they could exploit against a Zombie Lord.


    As long as they take advantage of this, it shouldn''t be impossible to kill a Zombie Lord with their team.


    "If this is just the start," As said, wiping sweat from his brow, "we''d better be ready for whatever''s guarding the Zombie Lord. It might be better to rest for a bit."


    Tundra nodded as he also nned to take a break¡­


    ***


    During their break, Tundra sent an update to Raze and Shane about their current progress in the raid.


    After doing that, the group finally continued on their path to reach the center of the city and during this time, they encountered various low-tier to mid-tier Zombies.


    These Zombies were easily defeated with their current set of weapons. To be exact, they also brought some guns with them, which made the skirmish easier for them.


    In any case, they would like to reserve their Spirit Points and cooldowns of their special Skills against stronger Zombies.


    With that in mind, it would certainly be better to use their powerful firearms.


    As they continued moving, they suddenly heard the sound of metal scraping against concrete.


    It was a noise that could not be ignored at all.


    Tundra and his team stood on high alert as two massive Steel King Zombies emerged from behind a crumbling skyscraper.


    Each of these Zombies stood over three meters tall, their bodies encased with ayer of metallic armor!


    This was definitely tougher than the Earth King Zombie!


    Furthermore, there were two of them!


    Their crimson eyes even seemed to be filled with excitement after seeing their small group! Although they were just slowly approaching them, they were definitely intimidating Zombies.


    "Two of them¡­" Tundra muttered as he gripped his sword.


    Realizing that he needed a sharper weapon, he decided to use his dagger instead. Aside from protection, this would also allow him to move faster with lighter weight and would have a higher chance of nting his bomb.


    "This won''t be easy." He muttered.


    "Ready yourselves!" Lady Seraph shouted as she surveyed the surroundings and confirmed that there was no one elseing at them aside from the two Steel King Zombies.


    She then activated her Aura. This was a signal and everyone else had also activated it.


    As, the hulking Super Soldier, stepped forward as he lifted his massive hammer.


    "Interesting Zombies¡­ Let''s crack these tin cans open! They must be simr to Earth King Zombies¡­ They should still have some flesh and blood inside."


    Chaloem nodded as he stood at the rear.


    This time his hands had started to glow with a golden light as he began channeling his Aura for a one powerful palm strike.


    "Do not rush. Their strength lies in their durability and counterattacks." Tundra said as he knew that his team indeed needed an attack that could pass through the tough hide of the Zombie.


    Chaloem''s palm strike that targets the internal organs of the body would be the best method to kill this Zombie. As for his bombs, he wasn''t too sure but it was certainly worth a try.


    The Steel King Zombies roared and it seemed that their metallic frames could amplify the sound, making that roar a really terrifying one.


    Thankfully, everyone had some sort of protection against such sound attacks since their shelter had already been attacked by Screamer and Siren Zombies before.


    Nheless, the preemptive attack didn''t end there.


    One of them smashed its colossal fists into the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through the terrain, forcing the team to scatter.@@novelbin@@


    However, they knew that they couldn''t just stand here and wait for them toe. They have to regain the momentum!


    "Cover me!"


    Tundra dashed forward with his increased agility thanks to the Veiled Steps¡­


    Then, he activated his Terrorist Talent. As he used his Five Meter Jump and leapt onto the nearest Steel King Zombie, he ced his hands on its armored chest.


    Bam!


    The force of that move didn''t stumble the Zombies and even pushed him back!


    Nheless, his job was done!


    ''I knew it¡­ They''re slow! I can do this¡­'' Tundra thought as the invisible Bomb nted itself without a trace.


    "Bomb''s set," Tundra whispered to himself while flipping off the creature andnding gracefully.


    Thud...


    In response, the Steel King Zombie swung its massive arm at him, but Seraph intercepted with her Shield Bash, redirecting the attack just enough for Tundra to roll out of harm''s way.


    Bang!


    The ground was shattered from the force of that attack!


    "Good timing, Seraph!" Tundra called, grinning.


    Meanwhile, ric and As worked together to deal with the other Steel King Zombie.


    ric, wielded his swords and darted in and out of one of the Steel King Zombie''s range, slicing at its joints in an attempt to find weak spots.


    nk! nk! nk!


    Unfortunately, the Steel King Zombie truly deserved its name. Cutting it seemed to be a bad decision!


    As, on the other hand, used brute force, mming his hammer into the zombie''s legs to destabilize it.


    Bang!


    At this time, Chaloem finished channeling his energy and dashed forward to the Steel King Zombie that ric and As were dealing with¡­


    Bam!


    With a clean hit in the stomach from Chaloem, the Steel King Zombie was injured!


    On the other hand, the other Steel King Zombie already had three invisible bombs nted by Tundra!


    With his current Spirit Points, he was able to nt a dozen of them without any issues.


    After nting two more Invisible Bombs, he felt that it should be enough to deal some severe damage to them.


    With five Invisible Bombs, he believed that it should be strong enough to destroy its internal organs from the shockwave even if he couldn''t break the Steel King Zombie''s hide.


    "Move back!" Tundra warned.


    Then, with a flick of his wrist, Tundra detonated the Invisible Bombs he had nted! This time, he spent about 500 Spirit Points for each of them.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    A series of explosions urred and to his surprise, thest bomb that he ced on the chest of the Steel King Zombie had actually torn through its steel-ted chest and sent shards of its metallic skin flying in all directions!

 Chapter 528 The Blueprint

    The force of the st staggered the creature, exposing a glowing, molten core beneath its chest te¡­ There was no need for exnation as that must be the target they had to destroy!


    "Now! Aim for the core!" Tundra yelled.


    Seraph was the first to react, hurling her short sword directly at the exposed core.


    Bang!


    The short sword that was filled with her aura pierced the zombie''s molten center, causing it to let out a metallic screech¡­


    This screech was once again more terrifying than the Siren Zombies and they had to endure for a while¡­ Thankfully, another dagger was thrown to its head and it was Tundra''s dagger with a nted bomb!


    As soon as it struck the Zombie''s mouth, Tundra detonated the bomb!


    Boom!


    It may have destroyed his own dagger but he wanted to see how effective it was before using it against a Zombie Lord.


    Nheless, with that move, the Steel King Zombie finally copsed into a pile of smoking, twisted metal.


    [ You have eliminated a Steel King Zombie. ]


    "One down!" Seraph dered triumphantly as she retrieved her short sword.


    The second Steel King Zombie was still being held off by others and was also heavily injured at this point.


    Tundra also noticed that As and the others were already recovering after using their Healing Tokens. Obviously, they were also heavily injured by the Steel King Zombie but because of their resources, they were able to endure for long.


    It seemed that it also noticed that it was finally alone, so the Steel King Zombie roared and it moved faster!


    As it attacks the knights, its punches or kicks would leave craters in the ground!


    "As, ric, keep it upied!" Tundra ordered, already preparing his next move.


    As engaged the creature head-on, using his hammer to parry its strikes.


    Bang! Bang!


    This Super Soldier truly deserved his reputation as his strength could actually equal the Steel King Zombie!


    Each collision sent shockwaves through the air, but As was strong enough to endure it! His enhanced strength plus his Abyssal Armor Set absorbed the brunt of the impacts.


    "But¡­ This is really sturdy¡­" Asmented as this Zombie was certainly a lot more durable than the previous King Zombie.


    ric moved silently around the creature¡­ He wanted to find the Zombie''s weakness without relying on Tundra''s bombs.


    Soon, his sword shed at its legs to slow its movements.


    "It''s like hacking at a tank!" he grunted as he barely scraped a part of its steel skin.


    Nheless, Tundra took advantage of the distraction, activating Phantasm Rush Token to close the distance in a swift motion. He then leaped onto the Steel King Zombie''s back and nted six Abyssal Bombs along its spine.


    "Get clear!" Tundra shouted as he somersaulted off the creature.


    He was actually getting used to this kind of movement.@@novelbin@@


    Soon, the team exhausted the Steel King Zombie by throwing various Aura Attacks and retreated as Tundra detonated the bombs.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The resulting explosion was even more devastating than the previous one. Because it was already weakened, the Steel King Zombie''s upper body was blown apart as molten metal and sparks rained down on them.


    It didn''t take long before theypletely killed this Zombie.


    [ You have eliminated a Steel King Zombie. ]


    "Second one down!" As shouted as he mmed his hammer into the ground in victory.


    It was such a tough battle!


    As the smoke cleared, the team regrouped, their breathing was heavy but their morale was at its peak. Killing two King Zombies was definitely a huge boost to their confidence.


    "Not bad, Tundra¡­ Those bombs of yours are stronger than I expected." Seraph said, offering him a nod of approval.


    "Ahh! That''s right¡­ Those bombs of yours are terrifying. Can you adjust them at your will?" ric added as he sheathed his swords.


    Tundra smirked. "It''s what I do. I made my bombs stronger with more Spirit Points so I have to recover them quickly."


    As he said this, he took out onerge Spirit Stone to recover his Spirit Points.


    Unfortunately, he only has 1,450 Max Spirit Points. Within the battle just now, he had already spent 1020 Spirit Points.


    Because of that, he felt that he''d really need a lot of Spirit Recovery Points in his battle against the Zombie Lord.


    Chaloem then reminded everyone to get their wounds treated. "We cannot afford to be reckless. Sir Tundra, you can also go ahead and loot the Zombie."


    "Right¡­ But I''m not really lucky on this." Tundra said, ncing at the smoldering remains of the Steel King Zombies.


    "The drop rate would be lower for us, recruits¡­" Seraph replied, which certainly made sense.


    In the end, Tundra had no other choice but to loot the two Steel King Zombies, hoping that he would finally get some decent items.


    In any case, the low-tier and mid-tier Zombies they previously killed were all looted by the Knights.


    ''Give me something good, please.'' Tundra prayed in his mind.


    [ You have earned 100 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 2 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Zombie Core x2, Steel Core x1, 200mL Water, 100mL Earth King Zombie Blood, Steel King''s Gauntlets x1, Steel King''s Greaves x1 ] Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Ohhh¡­ This is not bad¡­" Tundra''s eyes lit up after seeing the looted items.


    The Steel Core seemed to be an important crafting material. Also, he may not have obtained any Steel King Skill Scroll, he actually looted two items! Gauntlets and Greaves!


    They weren''t upgraded yet but the Gauntlets could already grant an increase in melee attack power by 20%!


    On the other hand, the Greaves enhances impact absorption and movement stability. It was certainly a good item for any type of terrain. They were just Rare Items but he that once it was upgraded, these things would be more valuable as they would also obtain skills at that time.


    With such a good loot, Tundra hoped that the second one would also give him a surprise.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes." Tundra answered without hesitation.


    [ You have earned 100 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 2 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x1, Steel Core x1, 50mL Earth King Zombie Blood, Blueprint: Steel King Battleframe x1 ]


    "What?" Tundra was disappointed at first after seeing that the notification was so short. There was no Zombie Cores or even water after all.


    However, as soon as he saw the Blueprint, he knew that it was something extremely important!


    "Battleframe¡­ Sounds cool¡­ What is this thing?" Tundra muttered as he checked the description in the inventory.


    "Whoa~" His eyes lit up after realizing that it was a very rare blueprint detailing how to construct a heavily armored battle Exosuit using 2 Steel Cores!


    Tundra then quickly checked the Marketce to see if this item was quitemon. After all, he knew that his hands weren''t that lucky when it came to looting.


    In normal cases, he would let Jillian and the others loot special Zombies that might drop precious items.


    "Steel King Battleframe¡­ It''s not here¡­" Tundra muttered as he couldn''t find any Blueprints rted to Battleframes at all. There were blueprints for various buildings and even weapons but not for an Exosuit at all.


    He knew that he really hit the jackpot this time!


    "n Leader Shane will be happy for this... Should I at least ask for more Skill Potions?" He muttered.


    Of course, he knew for a fact that he had no ability to craft this. With that in mind, he nned to give it to their n Leader, including the Steel Cores. After all, he received plenty of support for this Zombie Lord Raid¡­ Those Tokens, Talismans, Spirit Stones, and even Skill Potions that Shane had provided would be impossible to obtain if he was not a part of the Eclipse Revenant n.


    For now, however, he nned to take some rest as he had to refill his Spirit Points¡­


    ***


    [ You are about to enter the Lord-Tier Zombie''s Land. Failure to eliminate the Lord-Tier Zombie will release the Zombie''s restraint and it will be able to escape its restriction from then on. ]


    This was the message that appeared before them.


    The Zombie Lord this time was actually not inside a chamber but just slumbering at the center of the za.


    This Lord-Tier Zombie also had a humanoid figure but it was bound by thick, ck chains.


    "It''spletely different¡­" Tundra muttered as the Lord-Tier Zombies that he had seen and read in the Chat weren''t in such a situation at all. This one seemed to be more terrifying for that reason.


    Nheless, seeing that the chains anchored the monster to the ground, they knew that it was definitely their target and they might even be able to kill it by bombarding it...


    "This is a good battlefield though¡­" Seraphmented as she looked around. After all, it would be better to fight in an open space in her opinion.

 Chapter 529 The Zombie Lord Raid

    529 The Zombie Lord Raid


    Since they were in a huge za, it was a perfect battlefield for long-range fighters.


    Looking around, they saw shattered remains of armored vehicles and crumbling buildings that could be useful when they needed to take cover.


    Tundra narrowed his eyes as he received another warning from the system as he approached the za¡­


    "So the moment we step in, the barrier will break and it wakes up¡­" Tundra muttered as he only realized now that there was actually an invisible barrier that was protecting the whole za from outside influence.


    It means that attacking the Zombie Lord from a distance without breaking the barrier would not be possible.


    Seraph gripped the hilt of her sword as she focused on the enemy that was slumbering before them.


    "Then we better be ready. Since it''s been chained, it felt as if the old world couldn''t fully kill it." Shemented for a moment as she believed that a Zombie wouldn''t be chained without a reason.


    Perhaps, this Zombie Lord''s backstory was previously a prisoner or an experiment that couldn''t be controlled.


    Nheless, what was important was whether they could kill the Zombie Lord or not. After all, just imagining this Zombie Lord lurking around without any restraint would certainly be a nightmare for many Shelters around this area.


    That was actually the reason why everyone was being careful when challenging a Zombie Lord Territory!


    The ones that would suffer if they failed would be the nearby Shelters that would most likely be visited by the Zombie Lord once it was out.


    In any case, Tundra then took out all the items his team had given him to store in his System Inventory. Those were various weapons and pieces of equipment that they could not carry.


    As everyone got ready, As, the toughest of the group stepped inside the za''s area first followed by everyone else.


    [ You have entered a Lord-Tier Zombie''s Area. ]


    Name: Dreadmaw the Unchained


    Type: Aberrant Devourer


    Threat Level: Catastrophic


    [ Description: Dreadmaw the Unchained is a mutation of the undead, possessing an insatiable hunger. It eats almost anything that moves. Its mouth could split apart into multiple mandibles capable of crushing steel and consuming flesh in an instant. The more it devours, the stronger it bes. It regenerates from consumed biomass at an rming rate. ]


    "A devourer¡­ It also has insane regeneration but it requires eating to trigger that¡­ Alright." Tundra noted in his mind unafraid by the Zombie Lord''s power.


    Tundra''s eyes then turned to their enemy this time.


    It was the Lord-Tier Zombie who had awakened after breaking the invisible barrier as they entered the za.


    nk¡­ nk¡­ nk¡­


    Chains rattled as the Zombie Lord lifted its head to see ones who bravely entered his domain.


    The Zombie Lord seemed to be happy as the center of the za shuddered¡­


    Thud! Thud! Thud


    Just like that, the Zombie snapped its bindings apart with an ear-splitting crack.


    The creature¡ªDreadmaw the Unchained¡ªstood up.


    It was at this time that they noticed that it actually had four arms!


    Then, its head split apart into four massive mandibles! It looked really terrifying as a ckened, pus-dripping tongue slithered out like a spear before retracting with a disgusting click. It also had milky white eyes that locked onto them!


    "This one looks really frightening and disgusting¡­" Seraph muttered as she even shivered for a bit.


    Thankfully, Chaloem released a warm Aura all over the group, making everyone calm in just a moment.


    "Thanks, Sir Chaloem¡­" Tundra said as he was also stunned just now. This creature looked more like an Alien Species rather than a Zombie at all!


    Then, the Dreadmaw roared!


    Roar!


    The force of its howl wasn''t as dangerous as the Steel King or Siren Zombie''s roars or screech¡­


    However, this roar still shattered nearby windows and sent a shockwave rippling through the za.


    Nheless, it was a sign that the battle had begun.


    "Spread out! Don''t let it focus on one target!" Tundra ordered as he dashed to the side.


    Since the Zombie Lord was alone, they had alreadye up with a n even before facing it.


    In the end, Tundra had to y his important role properly in order to nt plenty of Invisible Bombs! In any case, with the Safety Tokens, Veiled Step Tokens, and Five-Meter Jump, including the Abyssal Set, Tundra should be fast enough to dodge lethal strikes and strong enough to endure a couple of strikes from the enemy.


    The Zombie Lord then rushed toward the enemies it saw¡­ It seemed to be very hungry and wanted to eat as quickly as possible.


    Now, Seraph and ric, the two powerful Aura Knights, immediately activated their Aura Shields and took formation, blocking the initial charge of the alien-like Zombie.


    Bam!


    Their armored boots dug into the stone pavement as they braced against the sheer force of the impact.


    As, the Super Soldier, wasted no time.


    He dashed to the left, activating his Abyssal Boots to gain additional speed, and nked the massive zombie.


    With a flick of his wrist, his Epic des ignited¡­


    He shed at the Dreadmaw''s exposed joints, aiming to weaken its mobility. However, that was easier said than done. The Dreadmaw''s defense was at its peak at the moment. It would not be easy to stop this Zombie. @@novelbin@@


    Meanwhile, Chaloem, the Monk, jumped into the air. His body seemed to weigh like a feather as he moved with untraceable speed,nding a devastating palm strike against Dreadmaw''s head.


    Nheless, it was an opportunity that Tundra needed. There was no way he would miss it.


    He dashed forward and mmed his hand onto Dreadmaw''s leg.


    The bomb has been nted. It was only one and certainly not enough¡­


    Nheless, everyone in the team smiled seeing a faint glimmer pulse before vanishing¡ªone invisible bomb had been sessfully ced. Since it wasn''t even a minute and they already nted one bomb, they knew that they should be able to do more after they got used to the Zombie Lord''s pattern.


    After all, this Dreadmaw Zombiecked one thing that other Zombie Lords possessed, it was their tangible aura. It could be some sort of toxicity, deadly stench, or something that would passively stop people from getting closer to it.


    This Lord Zombie only had a strong physique, terrifying maws, and four arms to grab people.


    Nheless, the Dreadmaw Zombie doesn''t care at all. It recovered instantly from the multiple attacks, and one of its arms tried to grab Tundra with terrifying speed!


    Bam!


    Seraph intercepted with a massive shield bash, sending the arm veering off-course.


    Bang!


    Itnded on the ground creating a huge crater on the za¡­


    The sheer force cracked the ground beneath them, but Seraph remained standing.


    "Focus on giving Tundra time! He needs to nt more bombs!" ric shouted. Perhaps, it would be a good thing if they were able to nt at least 5 or 8 bombs before Tundra could pop them. After all, they could tell that just one or two bombs would only scratch the Zombie Lord.


    By having five or more, the Zombie Lord may not die immediately but it should open up some weakness they could exploit at that moment.


    After all, these Zombies all had cores within them that they had to destroy. The position of those cores varies upon Zombies but it should normally be in their heads or chest area.


    As and Chaloem then took their position and charged at the Zombie Lord.


    Chaloem jumped and spun midair, delivering a strong spinning kick to Dreadmaw''s ribcage.


    Bam!


    It was blocked by one of the Zombie''s Arms and it even tried to grab Chaloem''s feet. It unfortunately failed but As found an opening.


    As used his sword and sliced it into its arm forcing the monster to recoil. It wasn''t cut but it felt the pressure from their attacks.


    In the meantime, Tundra had already dashed beneath the Zombie Lord, palming its abdomen and nting a second bomb. Then another. Three. Four. Five.


    But Dreadmaw was learning.


    With incredible speed, it pivoted and lunged at Tundra!


    "GET BACK!"


    A massive spear of golden light shot forward¡ªSeraph had thrown her Holy Lance, or what she would like to call it. When she was still part of the Royal Knights, she was using a Holy Lance after all.


    In any case, the Holy Lance was just ance that she previously received from Shane.


    Thud!


    It impaled Dreadmaw''s shoulder, forcing it to stagger for a brief moment. However, it wasn''t deep enough and was easily taken out by the Zombie.


    However, everyone took advantage of this small opening, Tundra nted more bombs while ric appeared at its side, shing at its Achilles tendons, or the part where it should be located, with an Aura-infused de.


    Finally, the Dreadmaw stumbled.


    BOOM!


    Tundra nted more bombs before retreating!


    He also instructed everyone to back off before he detonated the ten bombs at once.

 Chapter 530 Tundras Will

    530 Tundra''s Will


    The explosion reverberated throughout the Dreadmaw''s body, sting away chunks of its flesh. For the first time, the monstrous zombie let out a pained screech.


    However, it wasn''t enough to kill the Zombie. It did not fall and red angrily at their group¡­


    "Tsk¡­ Even after ten bombs, it''s still standing." Tundra muttered in frustration.


    "Damn it! This thing is built different!" As cursed, leaping back as one of Dreadmaw''s massive fists cratered the ground where he stood.


    Bam!


    Tundra frowned, as he felt the toll of his talent. His Spirit Points were draining fast. Those 10 bombs contained about 1,000 Spirit Points already¡­


    "I have to recover my Spirit Points." Tundra reminded everyone as he took out a set of Mid-Grade Spirit Sontes to recover quickly


    "How many bombs do you think it''ll take to take this down?" ric asked as he sliced at Dreadmaw''s side, only to be deflected by its tough skin.


    Tundra narrowed his eyes as he calcted "...At least eighty or more."


    The entire team froze for a split second.


    "Eighty!?" Seraph''s voice rose.


    "Then let''s keep going. We can''t waste any more time. It would be a good thing if your calction is wrong. We''ll be helping damage it anyway¡­" Chaloem said as he stepped forward. This was definitely a challenging battle for him.


    Tundra then backed away as he swiftly recovered his energy. He nned to at least nt 20 more bombs to heavily injure the Zombie Lord.


    ''If I get a decent loot here¡­ I''ll exchange it for Spirit Breakthrough Potions. Shane should have some of them in his stocks.'' Tundra thought for a moment.


    After all, what he wascking right now was his supply of Spirit Points.


    With less than 1,500 points, he couldn''t really do much.


    In any case, after recovering for a bit, Tundra started to work using his teammates'' attacks as cover to nt more bombs.


    As kept Dreadmaw''s left side upied while Seraph and ric tanked its powerful strikes from all four of its arms. Chaloem, on the other hand, aimed for weak spots, continuously keeping it off-bnce.


    Tundra could feel his Spirit Points dwindling once again, so he immediately retreated.


    He ripped open a pouch and pulled out more Spirit Stones, crushing them in his palm. It wasn''t the best method to absorb Spirit Points since there would be some Spirit Points he would fail to absorb but he was in a hurry.


    Furthermore, he had plenty of Spirit Points in his pouch so he couldn''t care less at this point. After all, he was also worried that hispanions might make a mistake¡­


    Soon¡­


    The pure energy or Spirit Points flowed into his body, replenishing his energy.


    Then he rushed back in.


    By the time Tundra nted his fiftieth bomb, the za was already in ruins.


    Craters and shattered stones had covered the area. Everyone else was also getting exhausted. There were already dozens of broken Safety Protection Tokens, ripped Talismans, broken Shields and Swords, including various potions battles on the ground.


    Their resources were being consumed every minute. Tundra was sure that the Tokens and Talisman they had were already reaching their limit.


    At this time, the Dreadmaw still stood, though its body was already riddled with deep wounds and missing flesh. One of its four arms was even missing!


    Tundra then gave a sign to his team of what he was about to do and they all swiftly backed away¡­


    "NOW!" Seraph shouted¡­ She was really hoping that this was the end of it.


    Without any hesitation, Tundra triggered all his bombs all at once.


    BOOOOOOOOOM!


    The explosion urred all over the Dreadmaw''s body! It was instantly engulfed in mes and smoke. Of course,, the entire za trembled from the force of the detonation, sending dust and debris flying in all directions. The others had to find hiding ces if they couldn''t activate their Aura Sentinel Token.


    Tundra staggered back as he breathed heavily. At this point, his body was trembling from the sheer strain of cing numerous bombs. He had never done this before after all.


    Silence fell.


    As fell onto one knee as he inspected his heavily damaged boots. After seeing a hole in it, he knew that it already needed to be repaired.


    Seraph, ric, and the other Aura Knights, on the other hand, were in their defensive position.


    "We did it¡­" One of the Aura Knights muttered after sensing no movements from the Zombie Lord.


    It was over. Even if it was still alive, it would probably just need a poke to kill it.


    Unfortunately, just a moment after saying this, a movement from the smoke was noticed by everyone..


    "Impossible! It''s still alive after all of that?!"


    Tundra''s blood ran cold.


    Crash¡­ Crash¡­


    From within the ruins of its own broken body, something emerged.


    "No way¡­" As muttered in disbelief.


    The dust began to clear.


    And there it was. The true body of the Dreadmaw. It was smaller and filled with red flesh!


    This new Dreadmaw may be smaller but it definitely looked a lot stronger!


    This time, it only had two arms and was as tall as a human being.


    "Incredible¡­ It''s like one of the Flesh Puker Variant." Tundramented in his mind after recalling the information about the various Zombies.


    Then, to everyone''s shock, its broken pieces of armored skin began pulling themselves back together to form a smaller armor of skin!


    It happened so quickly that they were unable to react. In just a few seconds, the smaller Dreadmaw was able to form a new armored body.


    "This thing¡­ it''s still alive?!" ric cursed, raising his sword again.


    "Careful¡­" Tundra warned as he took another set of Spirit Stones to recover his missing Spirit Points.


    Dreadmaw''s milky white eyes snapped open, now glowing with a furious red light. It let out a piercing, guttural roar, sending a shockwave through the already ruined za.


    Seraph barely blocked a swipe from the creature''s arm, but the impact sent her flying across the za.


    "Damn it¡­ what do we do?!" Seraph frowned as she gritted her teeth, her energy reserves nearly depleted at this point.


    They had nothing left.


    Then, Tundra had an idea.


    Tundra quickly essed his System Inventory.


    If this thing was regenerating through eating¡­ then why not give it something to focus on?


    With a flick of his wrist, Tundra activated his storage function and materialized something absurdly massive.


    A literal mountain of meat appeared in the middle of the battlefield.


    Bam!


    The sheer weight of it shook the earth.


    A massive pile of monster flesh, raw meat, and even some Zombie Blood¡ªall from the countless creatures Tundra had looted in his past hunts.


    Dreadmaw''s movements halted. Instead of capturing Seraph and taking a bit out of her, it turned to Tundra''s direction!


    The creature sniffed the air before its four mandibles clicked open in anticipation.


    Then, in an instant, it pounced on the mountain of meat!


    It even moved faster than before! It was definitely hungry!


    The Dreadmaw tore into the mountain of meat, devouring a lot of them in just a few moments!


    It was working.


    The others looked on, stunned.


    "Did¡­ Did he just feed it?!" As blinked in disbelief. Since the Zombie Lord regenerates when eating, all their hardwork would just be for naught!


    "It''s regenerating while eating! This is insane!" ric shouted to remind Tundra!


    But Tundra had no intention of letting it recover for free.


    This was his chance.


    Tundra took a deep breath, activating every buff he had left. Spirit surged through his body.


    His eyes locked on Dreadmaw.


    Since it was busy eating, they had to take this opportunity!


    Seraph, despite her injuries, understood immediately. She raised her shield and mmed it against the ground, releasing a bright sh¡­


    ric and the others followed, sending waves of energy, projectiles, and ranged attacks to injure the Dreadmaw just enough to focus its attention firmly on its meal. @@novelbin@@


    In short, while it was recovering, it was also receiving injuries from them, slowing its recovery!


    Meanwhile, Tundra rushed in.


    One bomb.


    Two bombs.


    Three. Four. Five¡­


    He dashed around Dreadmaw, nting bomb after bomb directly onto its head. He was moving and touching it as lightly as possible. He was moving just like a wind breeze at this point!


    Ten. Twenty. Thirty¡­


    His hands continued to move¡­ He wasn''t stopping this time. He was actually replenishing his Spirit Points while doing all of this using potions, spirit stones, and other resources he could use.


    Forty. Fifty. Sixty.


    The meat pile was shrinking fast. Dreadmaw was already halfway through it.


    Seventy bombs.


    Tundra gritted his teeth, pushing past his limit.


    "COME ON!"


    Eighty bombs.


    Ny bombs.


    Then, atst¡ª


    One Hundred.

 Chapter 531 The Unrestrained

    531 The Unrestrained


    Tundra finally made a stop after nting all of those bombs.


    Then, he checked his pouch and confirmed that he no longer had any Spirit Stones or potions whatsoever. He was so weak at the moment but thankfully, he had enough Spirit Points to trigger his bombs.


    Dreadmaw, having finally finished its meal, let out a monstrous roar. Its flesh had fully regenerated.


    It may be smaller now but its strength didn''t weaken.


    The only good thing about this, however, was the fact that it was incapable of shedding any more armor so Tundra knew that his next attack would allow him to kill this Zombie Lord.


    Indeed, it didn''t matter.


    "Burn in hell, bastard." Tundra whispered as he confirmed that all the members of his team had already retreated into a safe distance.


    He snapped his fingers, activating his invisible bombs!


    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!


    Just like that, the entire za vanished in a world of fire and destruction.


    A chain reaction of one hundred bombs detonated simultaneously. @@novelbin@@


    The force had already split the earth. Surrounding buildings copsed and the air rippled from the powerful st.


    Dreadmaw''s head or its entire upper torso¡ªwas obliterated!


    Its body remained standing for a moment¡­ then copsed and disintegrated into a small red crystal.


    This time, the Zombie Lord was dead for good.


    "We did it?!" As soon as he saw the system notification, he knew that they were done!


    Tundra slumped to the ground as he looked at the sky for a few moments before focusing on the system message.


    [ You have eliminated a Lord-Tier Zombie. ]


    [ New Title Unlocked: ]


    Dreadmaw''s Scourge: Increases any type of explosive damage by 12% and grants a 10% boost to damage against regenerating-type Zombies.


    [ Additional Rewards: Silver Treasure Chest, 8,000 Experience Points, Territory Key Fragment ]


    Tundra wiped the sweat from his forehead as he calmed his breathing


    "It''s only a Silver Treasure Chest¡­ But it should have a decent item."


    But the system messages weren''t done.


    [ Congrattions! You are the 11th to defeat a Lord-Tier Zombie. ]


    ''I''m already the eleventh, huh¡­ So fast¡­'' Tundra thought as he realized that the other ns must be hastily eliminating those Zombie Lords as well.


    [ You have received an Exclusive Item: ]


    Unchained''s Emblem: A mystical insignia that enhances the Survivor''s Talent.


    [ You have obtained 3,000 Reputation Points. ]


    [ You have obtained 5,000 Zombie Cores. ]


    [ Your feat has been broadcasted to the World and Regional Chat. ]


    [ Note: All Lord-Tier Zombies will have a 100% Drop-Rate. ]


    [ You have leveled up. ]


    "This Emblem is incredible!" Tundra''s eyes lit up after seeing the item just now.


    An item that could improve Talent had never been seen before. At the very least, no one had ever talked about it before. If he could sell this item, he would definitely be rich!


    Unfortunately, the emblem may not be a Soulbound Item but it was an Exclusive Item and its effects would only be triggered if being used by the Survivor it was specified for.


    Nheless, the fact that he was able to increase the power of his Bombs would be amazing! Perhaps, the number of Bombs he could nt at once might increase with the help of the Emblem! That would definitely solve a lot of problems for him.


    He must try this out soon.


    For now, however, he decided to check the World Chat¡­ He wanted to see his alias being known to everyone.


    As soon as he opened the Chat, he immediately noticed the 9th and 10th killers of the Zombie Lords.


    [ Announcement: ]


    Lyra was part of Raze''s party and everyone in the Manor knows that. Raze, Lyra, Jaxon, Kael, and Tessa. The five of them were a team that hunted Zombies together. They were a bnced team and they were the reason why their n Level was high!


    They were the onespleting mission after mission in order to reach their current n Level.


    They were even able to build a n Hall and ept more members thanks to that. "Interesting¡­ So they also raided a Zombie Lord¡­ This time, they didn''t even bring a huge team with them." Tundra was impressed at this but he also knew that Roan alone could probably rival a Zombie Lord alone especially if Raze would use that secret item that could forcefully increase the power of her Dragon.


    Furthermore, Raze must''ve obtained some decent items from the Zombie Lord''s loot.


    [ Announcement: ]


    [ Survivor "Dusk Shield" has achieved the 10th Kill of a Lord-Tier Zombie! ]


    [ Entity Defeated: Shamanic Grasper ]


    [ Exclusive Rewards Unlocked! Glory to the yer of Shamanic Grasper! ]


    This time, Tundra had no idea about the identity of this Dusk Shield.


    Nheless, this person must be in the top 50 Survivors just like him.


    Then, Tundra finally saw the announcement referring to him. [ Announcement: ]


    [ Survivor "Blood Sky" has achieved the 11th Kill of a Lord-Tier Zombie! ]


    [ Entity Defeated: Dreadmaw the Unchained ]


    [ Exclusive Rewards Unlocked! Glory to the yer of Dreadmaw the Unchained! ]


    "It''s here¡­ Nice¡­" Tundra smiled widely after seeing his name.


    He then read the chats and confirmed that no one knew about his identity. They were only aware that he was currently in the top 42 within the Survivor Rankings.


    It was certainly a high rank but people just mostly talk about the Survivors at single-digit rank.


    "It''s a bit sad that they don''t have an idea about me or even the n I belong to¡­ But it''s better like this. I''m not as strong as Shane or Raze who didn''t mind being known by others. No one would dare to rob them¡­" Tundra muttered to himself.


    In his case, he knew better not to garner too much attention to himself. It was a good thing that only his alias was posted.


    In any case, Tundra finally decided to pick up the red crystal and loot it.


    [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ]


    "Yes." Tundra answered without hesitation.


    [ You have earned 3,000 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 50 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x50, Zombie Cores x50, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x20, Unknown Meat ( Unsafe ) x10, Lord Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x10, Vitality Enhancement Bottle x10, Agility Enhancement Bottle x10, Unchained Mask x10, Unchained Skill Scroll x1, Unchained Mantle x1, Unchained te Armor x1, Unchained Gauntlets x1, Unchained'' Belt x1, Unchained Greaves x1, Unchained Boots x1 ]


    "I guess I can give my current Abyssal Set to Jillian or some others." Tundra smiled as he knew that he deserved the Unchained Set that he looted.


    He also wanted the Skill Scroll that might be useful with his set.


    As for the other enhancement bottles, he nned to share them with others. They also deserved to be rewarded after all.


    ***


    In the meantime, a group of Survivors who were about to raid a Zombie Lord''s Chamber saw the announcement.


    Seeing that another Zombie Lord was defeated, they were nowpeting for 12th Kill.


    "So the announcement would still continue, huh¡­" One of the Survivors said. Apparently, many of them thought that the announcement would only be up to the tenth kill.


    Seeing that eleventh kill being announced, Borin, the n Leader immediately felt hyped. After all, once they managed to kill the Zombie Lord, his alias would be announced and he would gain prestige, making it easier to recruit more Survivors to his ROTK n.


    The ROTK n was one of the strongest factions in the region¡­ However, many of them had recently died after fighting against a legion of Vampires. They had to replenish their resources.


    When reports surfaced of a powerful Lord-Tier Zombie within an abandoned industrialplex, the n saw an opportunity to im the prestige of a Lord-Tier kill.


    With Borin''s connection, they were able to borrow enough money to purchase various items like potions, shields, swords, arrows, and even ammunition to support the raid.


    "Let''s go¡­" Borin said as he looked at his hundred team. They have already rested for two hours after killing the guards of the Zombie Lord.


    It should be enough to continue with their raid.


    As soon as they stepped inside the chamber, they received a message from the system¡­


    [ You have entered a Lord-Tier Zombie''s Chamber. ]


    Name: The Ravenous Tyrant


    Type: Devourer Abomination


    Threat Level: Catastrophic


    [ Description: The Ravenous Tyrant is an evolved Tyrant Zombie, possessing an endless hunger for blood. Anything with blood would be targeted by the Ravenous Tyrant. ]


    With the 50 elite members of the ROTK n, armed with upgraded swords, items with mystical abilities, and state-of-the-art firearms, they were filled with confidence¡­


    This Zombie Lord that could be defeated by several top rankers would be killed by them as well. After all, their n was always in the Top 10! They have at least 5 members within the Top 100 of the Survivor Rankings!


    Unfortunately, it was wishful thinking as they allowed the Zombie Lord to escape its restriction after half of their team perished in the battle!

 Chapter 532 The Disaster

    532 The Disaster


    Their leader, Borin, was a Level 51 powerhouse known for his Epic Talent, Weapon Master. Furthermore, due to hisck, he was able to obtain a Talent Expansion Scroll and Talent Orb, allowing him to gain another talent.


    This time, it was only an Exceptional Talent but it was still a highly sought-after Regeneration Talent. Alongside him stood Ran, an expert in barrier magic with his Vanguard Talent, and Heart, a dual-de specialist who had a Rare Swordsman Talent.


    But as they stepped into the chamber where the Ravenous Tyrant was imprisoned, they immediately felt something was wrong.


    "Hey! The Zombie Lord is not alone?! There''s two more beside it!"


    "It should not be like this!"


    "Crap¡­ We can''t retreat now or the Zombie Lord will cause chaos to the nearby Shelter! We have to fight it!"


    "Change of ns! My team will fight the Zombie Lord! Ran and Heart, bring your teams to deal with the two Armored Tyrant Zombies or whatever those are!" Borin immediately instructed.


    He had no other choice but to adapt to their current situation.


    One of the vanguards in his team raised his Titan Hammer, signaling the team to attack first before the creature could break their defensive formation.


    They had foughtrge zombies before like Giant Zombies, so they believed that they had a good idea about the strength of the Zombie Lord.


    Unfortunately, they were wrong.


    What followed was a one-sided massacre.


    The moment they defeated the twopanions of the Zombie Lord, those two didn''t give any experience points and instead, they merged into the Zombie Lord''s body!


    It wasn''t something described in the System Notification! It was no wonder why there were two extra Zombies in the Chamber.


    It was a disaster!


    This Zombie Lord suddenly had six red eyes filled with hatred.


    With a thunderous roar, the Ravenous Tyrant shattered the ground in a single move. It pounced forward with its huge mouth open unnaturally wide, swallowing the nearby five warriors in one gulp.


    Heart attempted to sh at its iling limbs, only for the Tyrant''s flesh to morph and harden, shattering his swords on impact.


    The creature responded by swiping his entire upper body clean off, leaving only his twitching legs standing before they copsed.


    Thud!


    Ran then summoned a grand defensive barrier, attempting to buy the other survivors time to reorganize¡ªbut the Tyrant did not slow down.


    Instead, it vomited a corrosive bile onto the shield, melting through it in seconds before impaling Ran through the chest with its elongated arm.


    Just like that, two of the top Rankers in their n died without being able to use their full strength. Everything happened so quickly! They couldn''t evenin about how terrible the armor those two were wearing!


    "We have to run!" someone screamed.


    But running wasn''t an option.


    Every time a warrior fell, the Ravenous Tyrant''s flesh would wriggle and mutate, adapting with each kill. It was such a terrifying Lord Tier Zombie and Borin couldn''t think of a way to deal with it!


    It was resistant to so many attacks! Theycked the burst power that could immediately kill this Zombie!


    "This---Just how did the others killed those Zombie Lord?!" He couldn''t believe it


    It learned.


    It evolved.


    It grew stronger as they continued to battle.


    One by one, ROTK''s elite were torn apart, devoured, or obliterated by the unstoppable beast. Even his finest vanguard¡ªwho fought bravely to cover his retreatingrades¡ªwas ripped in half after enduring for a few moments.


    By the time thest remnants of the team staggered out of the ruins, less than 20 survivors remained.


    Their wounds were severe, their morale shattered, and their pride waspletely broken. They wanted to leave this ce as quickly as possible!


    But the worst was yet toe.


    Because they failed to kill the Ravenous Tyrant within its Chamber, the Lord-Tier Zombie no longer had any boundaries.


    At first, Borin tried to keep their involvement in this a secret but because the others who lost their friends were deeply saddened by the situation, they all revealed the situation in the chat, hoping that some elite Survivors could avenge their friends.


    Then came the Neutral Shelters.


    ***


    The Neutral Shelter of Ironhold was one of thergest independent strongholds in the region, it was located within the ruins of an old military bunker.


    Unlike some otherrge shelters with a strict hierarchy of major Survivor Factions, Ironhold was a safe haven for those who refused to swear loyalty to any one power. Indeed, the people who could stay here could be Foreign Survivors, Scavengers, or even some Recruited Survivors who had lost their recruiters in the process.


    It was basically home to mercenaries, smugglers, ck-market traders, rogue scavengers, and bounty hunters.


    Nheless, they were all bound by a single rule: "Ironhold stands, or we all fall."


    Their leader, Marshal Dain, was a former special forcesmander, recruited by a previous Foreign Survivor who had died already. However, through various events, he was able to rece the previous leader of this Neutral Shelter.


    This ce had a decent armory of military-grade weaponry. He now also had toons of well-armed mercenaries and reinforced walls lined with automated turrets, he believed his stronghold could withstand any siege.


    But he had never faced anything like the Ravenous Tyrant.


    ***


    The first sign of theing disaster wasn''t the sound of footsteps.


    It was the silence.


    The wastnds outside Ironhold were always filled with distant gunfire and the asional scream of the Zombies that woulde to their territory from time to time.


    But as the night approached, an unnatural stillness covered thend.


    Then, the ground trembled.


    BOOM.


    A shockwave rippled through the ground¡­


    "All hands, to the walls! Heavy weapons, now!" He shouted as he used their loudspeakers to ensure that his orders were conveyed.


    Ironhold''s had a few defenses that could normally withstand a Zombie Wave.


    There were machine guns that could spit out a rain of armor-piercing rounds.


    Aside from that, they had precious grenadeunchers and RPGs. They had limited ammunitions but it could certainly deal a lot of damage, especially if it was used againstrge Zombies.


    Finally, there were also several snipers positioned in several reinforced watchtowers. Against such a powerful Zombie, these snipers took aim at the Zombie''s eyes, hoping to blind the monster.


    It was their most basic tactic against otherrge Zombies.


    The first barrage of their attacksnded!


    Direct hits!


    Boom!


    The explosions engulfed the Tyrant, sending chunks of ckened flesh flying!


    "It''s working!" Marshal Dain was d as soon as he saw this. The Zombie Lord wasn''t invincible after all.


    Just like him, the defenders thought they had stopped it.


    Then they saw the flesh begin to reform.


    Its bones started to reset.


    Its muscles regrew and its eyes blinked, making it perfectly healed!


    "This¡­"


    They had no time to think how it happened as the Zombie Lord charged. @@novelbin@@


    The massive iron gate of their shelter¡ªreinforced with titanium ting¡ªfolded like paper as the Tyrant dashed through!


    Dozens of mercenaries were crushed instantly.


    However, the battle hadn''t ended yet as the gunfire continued to rain upon the monster!


    Unfortunately, the Tyrant moved too fast, it adapted too quickly, and devoured the bodies of the Survivors who could no longer move!


    Suddenly, a mercenary captain with a methrower tried to incinerate it, but before the mes could even cover the Zombie''s body, it had already caught the captain''s head!


    His screams barelysted a second before the Tyrant split him in half with a single bite.

 Chapter 533 Observers

    533 Observers


    Marshal Dain stood his ground as his forces were systematically wiped out by the Ravenous Tyrant Zombie.


    There was so much blood as they pooled beneath his boots. His previous bustling shelter was suddenly attacked by a powerful Zombie without even a warning from the system!


    This was definitely not a natural event! The one who made this happen must pay the price!


    ''A rampaging Zombie Lord¡­ Someone failed to kill it and brought it here¡­'' Marshal Dain clenched his fist as he nned to get to the bottom of this.


    However, seeing his men dying, he just couldn''t turn his back and abandon them¡­ He felt the urge to fight until hisst breath.


    The wreckage of Ironhold''s defenses was now smoking ruins.


    His men¡ªhis people¡ªwere gone.


    Can he really rebuild his shelter with a few survivors? No, can he even escape from the Zombie Lord?


    Marshal Dain greeted his teeth.


    If he was going to die, he was going to die fighting.


    He pulled out his final weapon¡ªan experimental sma Railgun, salvaged from a pre-apocalypse weapons cache. His shelter was lucky enough to get hold of a military bunker after all.


    The barrel hummed as he charged it to maximum output.


    He took careful aim at the monster''s head.


    Then, he pulled the trigger.


    If this attack couldn''t kill the Zombie Lord, then he would sure die at this point.


    Bam!


    A blue energy erupted from the gun, piercing clean through the Tyrant''s skull.


    "I did it?!" Marshal Dain was shocked¡­


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    The gun also copsed into pieces since it could only be used once.


    For a moment, everything stopped.


    "No way¡­"


    The Zombie Lord didn''t copse to the ground and still stood there, slowly regenerating!


    Marshal Dain wanted to follow up with another attack as he saw the gaping wound¡ªseared, and smoking¡ªdid not immediately regenerate.


    He should have enough time to kill it! Hope flickered in Dain''s eyes as he gathered his Spirit Points to enhance his swords¡­


    And then¡ª


    The Ravenous Tyrant suddenly opened its mouth and pounced on him! It was too fast to react.


    Dain had one second to realize that even with its head half-destroyed, the creature was still able to act on its instinct!


    And then it swallowed him whole.


    Just like that, the mighty leader of the Neutral Shelter perished without being able to avenge his men.


    ***


    In the meantime, several kilometers from the Neutral Shelter that was destroyed, within an old ancient cathedral, a group of Necromancers were already preparing to move¡­


    Their leader, known as Verathis together with two other Necromancers, controlled ck Hollow, one of thergest Wild Shelters of the Necromancers in the region.


    Unlike Survivor Shelters, which thrived onmunity and cooperation, Wild Shelters were mostly ruled by one or two Necromancers.


    Having three of them in this shelter showed how strong Verathis was¡­ As a matter of fact, they had already destroyed five Survivor Shelters around this region.


    Only the Ironhold led by Marshal Dain was the ce they didn''t dare to raid because of their various weapons and talismans that could deal with undead creatures.


    Lord Verathis also had an alias called the Bone Conqueror. He was a master of skeletal constructs whomanded an army of bone golems. He may not be capable of summoning Lich, Ghouls, or even Death Knights but his huge Bone Army could decimate many Survivors who had no abilities to deal with the tough bones of his army. Together with him was Mistress Ilvara, a previous enchantress who could ensnare the souls of the dead and bend them to her will. After turning into a Necromancer, however, she was now able to control three or four high-level Undead Summons.


    Indeed, while Lord Verathis focused on the endless number of his Bone Army, Ilvara focused on her ability to control limited but strong undead creatures. She liked the quality of her undead and didn''t focus too much on weaker undead, though she could still summon them if truly needed.


    Finally, there was Darius, known as the Mad Genius Doctor before bing a Necromancer.


    He certainly was a deranged genius who fused undead monstrosities together, creating horrific abominations.


    Under their rule, ck Hollow had be a fortress of living corpses. Even after being sieged several times, they had never fallen against the Survivors or Zombie Waves¡­


    As a matter of fact, they had never feared a raid, a siege, or even an army of Foreign Survivors. They would actually love it more since they would be able to obtain a huge number of corpses in the process!


    Unfortunately, that was before the Ravenous Tyrant arrived.


    "We''ll see if can defend this ce¡­ We''ll escape if half our Undead Summons die and the Zombie Lord is still standing strong." Verathis said to the two.


    Although he felt confident with his Bone Army, dealing with a Zombie Lord was a different matter.


    He knew this very well since he also tried to control a Ghoul King and even a Death Knight Champion and it was not easy and cost-effective at all.


    Darius and Ilvara didn''t find anything wrong with his suggestion and nodded.


    "We''ll follow your orders¡­"


    "Let''s see if we can defeat it. That''s a good idea."


    Then, after some time, the first warning came from the ghouls stationed at the outskirts. These ghouls looked really different as Darius modified them as well.


    Boom!


    The ghouls never had a chance to raise an rm as a wave of crushing force ttened the first line of the undead.


    This attack had certainly caught the Necromancer''s attention.


    The Ravenous Tyrant looked unstoppable as it tore through the huge number of Skeleton Soldiers outside their shelter.


    By the time the Necromancer were able to send out stronger Undead Summons, half of their low-tier to mid-tier Undead had been annihted.


    Lord Verathis stared at the huge Zombie Lord causing havoc through their ranks.


    He was calm at first as he expected the Zombie Lord to be very strong. Even Foreign Survivors could normally crush their low-tier Undead Summons.


    However, there was something wrong with this Zombie¡­


    His eyes went wide as he noticed something he had never seen before! He was even too stunned to speak as he took a closer look at what was happening.


    Then, the other two also realized what was going on.


    "That... that thing is absorbing our undead!" Ilvara hissed while watching as the Ravenous Tyrant crushed one of her Death Titans, consuming its corpse and growing even stronger!


    Darius then saw his stitched abominations rush forward to intercept it, but the moment they made contact, the Tyrant''s body warped, as if it was changing its form¡­


    Then, they saw how it sprouted bone scythes that extended from its limbs!


    It seemed that the Bone Army it devoured had be its weapon!


    Within minutes, the battlefield was an ocean of shattered bones, corrupted flesh, and ruined magic circles.


    "This is no ordinary undead," Verathis gritted his teeth as he saw what was happening.


    He even thought of controlling it for a moment but this time, he knew that it was wishful thinking and had to abandon that idea.


    "This thing is impossible to beat with our current Undead Summons. But¡­ It must be a certain limit¡­"


    The three Necromancers were surprised but they were not cowards. The undead summons were expendables for them. They just needed more energy and they could summon them back.


    The three of them still had several aces up their sleeves that they could use. They certainly wouldn''t mind showing their might against this unstoppable Zombie Lord.


    Soon, the three Necromancers showed why they were the strongest in the region.


    The battle that followed had actuallysted more than twelve hours because of the sheer number of Undead Summons they could use plus the Dark Artifact they have, allowing them to summon numerous Undead as much as they needed.


    Needless to say, it was more powerful than the Grimoire that Asad was using to summon Undead Creatures.


    During this fight, Verathis unleashed his legion of Bone Golems. These golems stood twenty feet tall and could restrain the Zombie Lord a some time. @@novelbin@@


    Ilvara, having sent out her high-grade Undead, chose to fight as well by using various Necromancer Spells, attempting to bind the Tyrant''s soul itself, but its will was too strong and could shatter her spells with a mere roar.


    Darius also called forth his greatest and strongest masterpiece, it was a colossus of stitched undead bodies, nearly asrge as the Tyrant itself.


    Unfortunately, despite their immense power, the Necromancers could not ovee the Tyrant''s terrifying ability¡ªAdaptation.


    ***


    In the meantime, a couple of kilometers away from the battlefield, a group of Survivors were watching the Necromancers and the Zombie Lord battle it out.


    It was such an incredible fight, which made them guess that the Necromancers of that Wild Shelter were most likely the top Rankers of the Necromancers.


    "Roan¡­ Do you think we can win against that?" Raze suddenly asked the young red dragon beside her.

 Chapter 534 The Next Challengers

    534 The Next Challengers @@novelbin@@


    Raze and her team had rushed to this ce after learning the havoc created by the loose Zombie Lord. It was the first Zombie Lord that had gotten out of its chamber and they knew that it would be a disaster for many Survivors.


    The group had actually known about the Zombie Lord''s escape since they were able to read the news in the Regional Chat.


    They had rushed to follow the Zombie Lord''s path and took them a whole day to arrive here.


    At this time, Raze recognized that the Zombie Lord was fighting against the Necromancers.


    Since they were both enemies of the Survivors, her team decided to simply watch and wait for the result of this battle.


    "Raze, that thing looks crazy¡­ I think it got stronger after leaving that chamber." Lyra muttered as she saw the Zombie Lord.


    It waspletely different from the one she had just defeated.


    "I don''t think we should fight it with just the five¡ªor six of us." Kael said while looking at Roan who seemed to be very excited to have a battle against the Zombie Lord.


    He certainly knew that Roan was strong. However, he was a bit nervous since he could also tell that the Ravenous Tyrant was not an easy opponent. It waspletely different from the other Zombie Lords they killed.


    Tessa and Jaxon, on the other hand, felt that the Necromancers were actually doing well in the battle. After a few moments, they were already considering whether they might have a chance to win against the Zombie Lord if the Necromancers heavily injured it before being defeated.


    "Let''s watch for now." Raze said as she calmly waited for the battle to end. She didn''t care if the Necromancers died since they deserved it anyway.


    ***


    Of course, the Necromancers had no idea that they were being watched by a group of Survivors.


    They were too focused on their life-and-death battle against the Zombie Lord.


    "This is impossible¡­ How can anyone defeat this monster?" Verathis was in disbelief.


    Every spell, every creature, every weapon they threw at it, the Zombie Lord could adapt to it.


    Then, it countered their attacks as if the Ravenous Tyrant could never be stopped.


    Apparently, when Verathis'' Bone Golems tried to crush it, the Tyrant grew spike on it, impaling the constructs from the inside.


    Then, when Ilvara''s Spell, Deadly Soul Chains, tried to bind it, the Tyrant absorbed the chains instead and it grew more powerful!


    Furthermore, when Darius'' flesh colossus tried to overpower it, the Tyrant mimicked itsrgeposition, creating an even more monstrous form that consumed the abomination in the end¡­


    By the sixth hour, the Necromancers were visibly exhausted.


    By the ninth hour, Ilvara had actually died after using up all the Death Energy she could muster and was unable to escape in the end.


    Verathis tried to Save Ilvara but the Bone Golems failed as their bodies were crushed into dust.


    Verathis and Darius fought on, but with every passing moment, their spells and summons grew weaker, and their forces dwindled, by the twelfth hour, the end hade.


    Darius, bleeding and barely standing, watched as Verathis made one final desperate stand.


    He had unleashed all the souls he had ever captured, forming a swarm of wailing spirits that threatened to rip the Tyrant apart from within.


    It was a powerful spell that Verathis had been saving when he nned to conquer the Ironhold Shelter.


    However, it was not used against the Zombie Lord who was still very strong!


    For a moment, it looked like it might work. It seemed as if he had found the answer as the Ravenous Tyrant''s flesh started cracking and melting with Wailing Spirits'' attacks.


    Unfortunately, Tyrant roared and destroyed every spirit around it!


    It was such an unfair overpowered move from the Zombie Lord!


    Verathis'' body twitched as he felt the bacsh from that attack.


    Darius, already weakened, could only watch as the Tyrant crushed him in its mouth, ending the reign of the Bone Conqueror forever.


    He knew he was next.


    As the ritual took effect, thest thing he saw was the Ravenous Tyrant standing in the ruins of ck Hollow¡­ It even seemed stronger as it felt as if it absorbed the power of the two Necromancers it killed!


    And then Darius was gone.


    ***


    "That Necromancer escaped." Kael muttered as he watched the Zombie Lord destroy what remains in the Wild Shelter.


    Raze sighed¡­ The failure of the ROTK n''s raid was no longer just their problem.


    The Ravenous Tyrant had been set loose upon the world and it would be a huge problem if they just allowed it to roam the world.


    "I''m checking the chat and no one seemsing¡­ Even Travis had no intent to deal with this problem." Lyra muttered as she checked the Regional Chat.


    "That makes sense¡­ Their main team was probably exploring Sector 20 at the moment. After all, there''s no announcement regarding the next event. Everyone must''ve thought that it''s their free time to explore this continent." Kael muttered.


    It was actually something they considered as well but since they knew that many top rankers would go to Sector 20, they decided to just explore more areas within the surrounding region to find more Treasure Chests or grind more Experience Points in hunting areas less visited by other Survivors.


    After all, even if there were plenty of Zombie Lord Territories in Sector 20, there should still be a few Zombie Lords in other sectors they could hunt¡­


    Unfortunately, the one they were about to hunt seemed a bit too strong already.


    "I have a feeling that this thing will just be stronger. We should kill it now." Raze said after some thought.


    The others could tell this much as well, so they just nodded and followed their leader.


    "If you''re seeing a chance for us to defeat it, then I''m all for it." Tessa said.


    The others nodded their heads since they knew very well that Raze had also obtained various benefits from Shane.


    After all, Raze actually offered the Territory Key Fragment to Shane!


    Shane had obviously epted this and of course, he didn''t just take it from Raze¡­ Shane had given her something they could probably use against this Zombie Lord!


    Roan, the young red dragon, stood at the forefront. There were also tiny mes licking from its mouth as it let out low a roar.


    Raze considered for a moment whether to use hernce or sword but after a few moments, she decided to her halberd the new weapon she obtained from the Zombie Lord she had killed before.


    "Roan¡­ You''re excited, huh¡­"


    She could feel Roan''s heartbeat in sync with her. She felt a lot more confident seeing that Roan wasn''t feeling scared even after getting close to the Zombie Lord.


    "Stay focused¡­" Jaxon murmured. Then, his eyes glowed faintly as his Foresight Talent activated. "It''s fast. Too fast for something its size."


    Lyra positioned far away from them with her Sharpshooter Talent¡­ She was using a Sniper Rifle and from this distance, she should be safe from the Zombie Lord''s detected¡­


    She adjusted her scope. "I have a clear shot at its eye. If we''re doing this, we do it now."


    Tessa with her Night Scout Talent, blended into the shadows.


    Everyone knew her task, to find an opening to deliver a single burst of powerful attack that could tip the favor on their side¡­


    Kael, on the other hand, was not too far from Raze even if he was the weakest one in the group.


    After all, his Healing Hands were extremely important to sustain Raze and Roan who would be on the front lines and the range of his Talent was limited.


    Nheless, with his various items with mystical abilities and the Skill Potions, Talisman, and Tokens that he had, he should be able to survive and escape even if he gets targeted by the Zombie Lord.

 Chapter 535 Zombie Lords Weakness

    535 Zombie Lord''s Weakness


    "Go!" Raze shouted as Roanunched forward like a meteor.


    Roan shrouded himself with mes and mmed into the Ravenous Tyrant.


    Boom!


    The Ravenous Tyrant didn''t expect that it would be unable to block the attack!


    It happened so quickly and it could only roar in fury, swinging itsrge arm, aiming to swat the dragon away like an insect.


    Roan twisted mid-air, dodging the strike and shed its ws against the Tyrant''s flesh, only to find its wounds regenerating almost instantly.


    "Damn, its regeneration is faster than expected," Raze muttered. "We need to push harder!"


    Bang!


    Lyra finally fired a high-caliber bullet straight into the Tyrant''s eye¡ªa direct hit.


    The creature suddenly lost the vision of its right eye and staggered back. It wasn''t in pain but it was definitely surprised by that attack!


    Unfortunately, this Zombie didn''t fall. Instead, after learning that it could still move, it pounced forward and targeted Roan who had burnt its skin just now.


    Jaxon, on the other hand, noticed the overflowing powering from the Zombie Lord and shouted, "It''s about to use a sweeping attack¡ªmove now!"


    His warning gave the team just enough time to dodge as the Tyrant ripped through the air, tearing apart everything in its path.


    A shockwave sent rubble flying, nearly knocking Lyra from her spot!


    Thankfully, Jaxon saw this move used against the Bone Army of the Necromancers. Once Jaxon analyzed the pattern of the Zombie, there was no way he would forget about it.


    Now!


    Tessa finally reappeared and struck from the shadows.


    Her daggers were coated in venom and shended strikes on the Tyrant''s joints, slowing its movements.


    As for the effectiveness of the venom, she wasn''t really sure¡­ After all, the Zombie Lord''s body waspletely different from humans.


    However, the venom''s effect could actually coagte blood. The Zombies still had blood in their veins so once it solidified, it would still provide some assistance to them since the Zombies would have stiffer movements.


    Unfortunately, even as Tessa darted away, the monster turned unnaturally fast, nearly crushing her under its weight!


    Even if the venom was effective, it would probably take some time to solidify the Zombie''s blood.


    Kael reached out his hand and his healing light formed a protective barrier around her just in time.


    "It''s not as strong as I thought¡­ We can keep this up!" Raze suddenly said as she analyzed the Zombie Lord''s attack patterns.


    Soon, Roan unleashed torrents of fire, the mes consumed the Ravenous Tyrant''s body, but the creature''s regeneration never stopped.


    Raze''s halberd cleaved through its limbs and with her current strength, she created deep gashes opening across its body!


    Yet each one would slowly stitch itself back together.


    "Hooo~ Would you look at that¡­ Its regeneration had gotten slow!" Raze said with augh and this boosted everyone''s confidence!


    They were damaging the Zombie Lord!


    With their huge amount of Spirit Stones, Potions, Talismans, and Tokens, they were confident tost in this battle even for more than 24 hours!


    "We can do this!"


    Lyra said as she changed her position from the ruined remains of a building to a spot farther from the Zombie Lord¡­ After getting a more hidden spot, Lyra continued on her assault!


    Each shot from her rifle would always hit her target!


    She would always strike the Zombie''s weak points without missing. It could be the Zombie''s eyes, joints, or areas already injured by her teammates. @@novelbin@@


    On the other hand, Tessa moved like a true assassin, slipping in and out of the monster''s blind spots,nding crippling blows on its tendons, slicing through its muscles, but the Tyrant simply adapted.


    Jaxon clenched his fists, his foresight barely keeping him ahead of the beast''s learning counterattacks. Nheless, his constant advice to his teammates allowed them to properly deal with the Zombie Lord''s antics.


    "Tsk¡­ It''s adapting again." He grumbled.


    "It''s learning how we fight." Kael wiped the sweat from his brow, his Healing Hand talent working overtime to mend wounds faster than they could umte.


    The ones who was always injured was none other than Roan¡­


    Roan would get punched and kicked while it tore through the Zombie''s flesh and burned its muscles¡­


    ck¡­


    His reserves were nearly drained so he quickly drank a Spirit Recovery Potion and readied his pills.


    "We need to end this soon or we won''t have the strength left to escape." He said that but the battle continued for three more hours


    ***


    The Ravenous Tyrant still stood before them, it was already battered but it was still slowly recovering!


    Raze frowned seeing that it was already regenerating its missing arm. They took a lot of time just to cut that off!


    Raze gritted her teeth. Enough was enough. She wanted to deal with this Zombie without relying on Shane''s items but she was already reaching her limit.


    The Zombie Lord that the ROTK n allowed to escape had already evolved too much!


    "Fine, you bastard," she grumbled.


    "Let''s see how you handle this." From her inventory, she materialized the Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret, a sleek, state-of-the-artbat machine!


    It was an item lent to her by Shane!


    "Hahaha! Die!" Lyra saw what Raze had just taken out and she immediately felt excited! She knew the firepower of that turret as she had seen it in action during the Zombie Wave before.


    The others also felt excited and immediately moved away from its line of fire.


    The turret was soon activated, locking onto the Tyrant. It had its own program that was arranged by Cloud after all.


    With such an incredible A.I. managing its targeting system, it was easy for Raze to include the Turret in strategies.


    A mechanical beep sounded.


    [ Target acquired. ]


    In just a moment, the turret''s barrels glowed, and in the next second, a barrage of energy bullets tore through the air!


    The rounds struck the Ravenous Tyrant''s body, burning through its rotting flesh and leaving seared holes that did not immediately regenerate!


    Just like that, the battlefield was filled with the smell of burnt flesh!


    They would normally dislike this smell but it was different at the moment. Raze''s team knew that it was a good sign!


    The Zombie Lord howled. Its body tried to adapt from the Energy Bullets but it just convulsed as chunks of flesh disintegrated under the continuous fire.


    The Turret was not stopping at all!


    For the first time, the Tyrant stumbled back and fell to the ground!


    Bam!


    The ground shook for a moment from the copse of the Zombie Lord!


    It was a chance!


    Lyra reloaded her sniper rifle, her eyes focused on the Zombie''s body hoping to find a clue where its core was located¡­


    With her Sharpshooter Talent, she naturally had the best vision on the team.


    Finally, she found out that one of the Zombie Lord''s cores was actually located in its stomach!


    She then used a Piercing Skill to ensure that her n would work¡­ After aiming, she then pulled the trigger.


    Bang!


    The shot hit its mark and she confirmed that the Zombie Lord''s regeneration slowed down by a huge degree!


    "This is working," she called out.


    Raze''s also noticed this and smiled. If the turret worked, then they needed to keep up the pressure. She reached into her dimensional bag, pulling out everything she had saved for a moment like this.


    Three Electric Shock Grenades flew through the air, detonating the moment they struck the Tyrant''s hide. Arcs of electricity crackled across its monstrous frame, locking its muscles in ce!


    Indeed, it sent its body into violent spasms!


    It was actually an incredibly expensive item in the Survivor Store! However, the one in the store was only an Exceptional Grade. The ones she threw just now were actually Epic Grade Items!


    [ Electric Shock Grenade ( Epic ): A tactical grenade that emits a powerful electric shock upon detonation, stunning multiple targets and temporarily incapacitating them. Ideal for crowd control and creating escape opportunities. The duration varies depending on the Zombie''s resistance ] "Perfect!"


    "Shoot it!"


    "Yes!"


    The team immediately acted as they continued the attack. Even Roan would shoot balls of fire from time to time. It no longer had to tank the attacks of the Zombie Lord thanks to the Turret that was suppressing its movement.


    Roan suddenly looked excited seeing that the Zombie struggled to move!


    The young dragon could tell that the Zombie Lord was dying!


    Raze also noticed this and she was already on the move, throwing Lightning Talismans toward Roan!


    The red dragon absorbed the lightning into its scales, and in the next instant, a lightning-infused fire st erupted from its mouth!


    It''s a special move they created and it provides more power than just casting the Lightning to the Zombie Lord!


    Just like that, mes and electricitybined, striking the Tyrant''s chest with a sting force!


    It even burned through the muscles and bones of the Zombie Lord!


    To their surprise, the Lightning Fire Combo seemed to havepletely stopped the enemy''s regeneration entirely!

 Chapter 536 New Land

    536 New Land


    "Keep it up! It''s slowing down!" Raze shouted as everyone started to move. Although the Zombie''s regeneration had stopped, it was simply because it wasn''t eating or digesting any food at the moment. Raze felt that if it could eat something, the regeneration might start once again! They had to eliminate the Zombie Lord now!


    Roan then started umting more fire in its chest for one finishing move!


    On the other hand, Tessa moved swiftly as she nted Inferno Bombs at the Tyrant''s legs before flipping away in a swift motion¡­


    Tessa bit her lips as the Inferno Bombs were worth 20 Reputation Points each. She didn''t mind losing hundreds of Zombie Cores but every Reputation Point was hard toe by. Even killing a Zombie Leader could only give them 1 Reputation Point.


    In short, each Inferno Bomb needed 20 Zombie Leaders!


    "Please don''t let me use all my other Bombs¡­" Tessa muttered. After all, she nned to use it toplete her Ascension Quest. Her mission may not be to eliminate a Zombie Lord but she had to kill five Zombie Kings!


    That would surely eat up a lot of her resources. This time, however, she had to take her loss and could only hope that Raze could reimburse her expenses today.


    Thud¡­


    The moment shended, Tessa swiftly backed away and pressed the detonator.


    Boom!


    A deafening explosion engulfed the lower half of the Tyrant''s body. The fire started consuming its flesh and even bones shattered from the sheer impact.


    This wouldn''t have happened if Raze didn''t use her most explosive attack just now.


    The Zombie Lord then opened its mouth. It seemed that it was about to release a Sound Attack once again!


    Lyra quickly acted and took her chance, firing a highly upgraded projectile¡ªa Spirit-Dampening Net¡ªdirectly at the Tyrant''s throat.


    Of course, it was an item she purchased in the Reputation Store.


    The wrapped around its neck, sealing away its ability to make noise and also to regenerate!


    The Tyrant failed to roar as its entire body convulsed as it struggled against the suppression.


    "Great!" Raze was quite happy seeing the reaction speed of her teammates. They all had really gotten strong all this time.


    Of course, Raze wasn''t finished yet.


    From her belt, she pulled out a vial of Crimson Reaver de Oil, quickly coating her halberd in the glowing red substance.


    It wasn''t a Store Item but it was something she found in a Golden Treasure Chest. She also doesn''t have a lot of vials of this oil so she was using them sparingly.


    The moment the oil touched the metal, it ignited with a dark red me.


    She gripped her weapon tightly as she waited for the me to stabilize.


    "Time to end this," she whispered.


    Roan let out a roar and it was followed by a ball of fire!


    Bang!


    The fire hit the Zombie Lord and Roan didn''t stop! He actually flew up and swooped down from above mping its powerful jaws around the Tyrant''s skull, pinning it to the ground!


    Boom!


    This had all happened in just a few seconds and this opened up a huge opportunity for everyone.


    Tessa moved and carved her de through the beast''s tendons, severing its means of resistance. Lyra took careful aim, her sniper rifle fired an armor-piercing round straight into the Tyrant''s remaining eye!


    Crunch~


    The bullet tore through its skull, shattering its visionpletely!


    The Ravenous Tyrant''s body spasmed violently as it tried to push away anything that wasing close to it¡­


    "This ends now."


    With one final swing, she brought the weapon down with all her might.


    "Haa!"


    The halberd cleaved through the Ravenous Tyrant''s neck in a clean arc, severing its head from its body.


    Thud!


    Its head copsed and rolled to the ground and soon, they heard the notification from the system!


    [ Your team has eliminated a Loose Zombie Lord ¨C Ravenous Tyrant. ]


    Everyone copsed to the ground after getting that notification! They finally did it! They wanted to celebrate but they were already exhausted.


    They were simply too tired and they just wanted to take a long rest!


    Roooaaarrr~


    On the other hand, Roan roared in victory while still mping down on the Zombie Lord''s neck. Roan even seemed to have gotten bigger!


    Furthermore, the Loose Zombie Lord didn''t actually turn into a red crystal as its body remained on the ground!


    Nheless, what Raze and the others cared about was the reward they would get from this victory!


    "Huuu~"


    Raze nted her halberd into the ground, using it to steady herself. @@novelbin@@


    "That¡­ took way too long." Kael let out a breathlessugh, slumping onto the rubble.


    "I don''t want to do that again." Jaxon smirked despite himself.


    "You say that, but you know that we''ll be hunting one soon." Tessa wiped the blood off her des, as she also leaned on a rubble.


    "Let''s just enjoy this moment first." Lyra said as she approached the group.


    The system notification rang in their ears.


    [ Party Announcement ]


    [ You have eliminated a Lord-Tier Zombie. ]


    [ Target: Loose Ravenous Tyrant ]


    08:13


    [ New Title Unlocked: ]


    Tyrant''s Sigil ¨C A powerful insignia that enhances the wielder''s innate Talent, increasing its effectiveness by one minor tier.


    [ Additional Rewards:


    300 Reputation Points ( Each Party Member )


    5,000 Zombie Cores ( Shared among Party Members )


    [ Your feat has been broadcasted to the World and Regional Chat. ]


    [ Note: All Lord-Tier Zombies have a 100% Drop-Rate. Check your inventory for loot. ]


    Apparently, there was no need to do the looting process as the items were already transferred to Raze''s inventory, the leader of the Party.


    "Awesome rewards... This sigil will also help everyone..." She then checked the inventory and was satisfied with the loot they just obtained.


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x50, Zombie Cores x50, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x20, Unknown Meat ( Unsafe ) x10, 100mL Lord Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x10, Vitality Enhancement Bottle x10, Agility Enhancement Bottle x10, Tyrant Mask x10, Tyrant Skill Scroll x1, Tyrant Mantle x1, Tyrant te Armor x1, Tyrant Gauntlets x1, Tyrant Belt x1, Tyrant Greaves x1, Tyrant Boots x1 ]


    Raze''s focus shifted once again to the notification and realized that there was no reward for being able to kill the Loose Zombie Lord for the first time.


    ''I guess that made sense¡­ If there''s a special reward for eliminating Loose Zombie Lord, there would be many Survivors who will attempt to release these Zombie Lords. Once that happens, this continent will be more dangerous.'' Raze thought for a moment as she soon opened the regional chat.


    Just as she expected, everyone was congratting her team for eliminating the Zombie Lord.


    ***


    "Nice one¡­" Shane muttered after seeing the notification about Raze''s sess. It was certainly a good thing that her party had gotten a lot stronger.


    After all, he might require Raze''s assistance once he decides to raid the citadel and the fortress for his Ascension Quest.


    For now, Shane looked at his surroundings¡­


    He was currently at the center of the clearing, gripping the Advanced Shelter Crystal in his hand.


    [ Advanced Shelter Crystal: This artifact has the power to im and fortify a vast territory, transforming it into a self-sustaining stronghold. Once activated, the crystal will generate a powerful repelling force, pushing back zombies and other hostile entities from the designated area until it reaches full energy capacity. It significantly boosts Production Speed, Culture Points, Shelter Durability, Defensive Structures, and Resource Generation. When the crystal''s energy is fully charged, low-tier and mid-tier zombies will be repelled entirely, and even high-tier zombies will hesitate to approach unless certain events ur. Additionally, the crystal grants ess to unique defensive capabilities.


    Starting Energy: 70%


    Shelter Crystal Special Effects: Strong Fortress Effect and starts with 10 Ballista and 2 Automated Turrets


    [ Strong Fortress: All defensive units stationed within the Shelter receive enhanced reflexes, increased resistance to mental and physical exhaustion. Automated defenses and turrets gain increased uracy and energy efficiency. ]


    Shane smiled after seeing the effects of the Advanced Shelter Crystal.


    The underground facility beneath them had yielded immense treasures¡ªBio-Armors, technology, and resources that could push their survival efforts to a new level... But for all its riches, the facility alone wasn''t enough. They needed a true stronghold. A ce to defend, to build, or to thrive.


    It''s time to own a territory with Sector 20!


    Everyone took several steps back as Shane started the process. The Advanced Shelter Crystal shined in his grip as if it was telling Shane that it was ready to be activated.


    The energy from the shelter crystal felt warm or at the very least, it felt as if it was filled with life.


    "Here we go," Shane muttered, raising the crystal high as he agreed to the system''s notifications toplete the process.


    The moment the crystal dissipated, the ground trembled.

 Chapter 538 Stronger Recruits

    538 Stronger Recruits


    One by one, the figures stepped out of the fog as their appearance became clearer. They were all confused as they took in their surroundings.


    A rugged-looking man with a hunting bow over his shoulder stepped forward first. His beard was unkempt, and his clothes were already quite old barely clinging to his body.


    From this, Shane could tell that he really recruited the normal ones. Nheless, he was still happy to see that among the normal recruits, there was actually one of them with a weapon.


    "This¡­ Is this the shelter of a Foreign Survivor?" The rugged-looking man said in admiration as he looked at the gates of the Eclipse Domain. It was undoubtedly impressive.


    A middle-aged woman in a worn apron nced around and immediately noticed the shelter''s buildings. "Is this¡­ a safe zone? Are we safe here?"


    Shane smiled as he knew that they only had limited information about their situation. They were unlike higher-ranked Summons who could immediately grasp their situation.


    Shane then stepped forward, making sure his stance was respectable and approachable.


    "Wee to Eclipse Domain¡­ I''m Shane, and this is my friend¡­ The two of us are the Foreign Survivors that you have probably heard. In any case, you''ve been recruited to join us. If you''re willing to work and follow our rules, this ce will be your new home."


    Needless to say, everyone immediately agreed since they only knew about the existence of Zombies and the fact that the Foreign Survivors were here to help them.


    The twenty of them don''t even know each other aside from the twins.


    Though they seemed to havee from the same region with the way they spoke and their attires, they had just met today.


    Seeing their agreement, Shane proceeded to ask them to introduce themselves, so he could start assigning them to various tasks.


    After all, the shelter was just built and they still needed several things to arrange before this could be a true settlement.


    One by one, they introduced themselves.


    "If you have a proper kitchen, I can cook more than just survival rations. Give me ingredients, and I''ll make real meals." She said with confidence.


    After all, they just learned from Shane that this shelter was just established andcking people. With that in mind, they actually felt a bit nervous.


    Thankfully, however, Shane exined that this was his third Shelter and he would connect the other shelters and recruit more people soon.


    Realizing that Shane could make this shelter prosperous, they immediately started introducing their strengths and capabilities to get a better position in this developing Shelter. They hoped all hoped that they could be the true pioneers of this Shelter!


    A tall, lean man named Edwin stepped forward next, adjusting his pristine gloves. "I was a butler in the past. I can assist with organization, cleaning, and maintaining order in the household."


    Several others followed suit.


    Rosie and Camille, are twin sisters who used to work as maids before the apocalypse. Shane liked these two since they needed these maids to maintain various parts of the shelter and they would be extremely helpful.


    There was also Renz, a former cksmith who knew how to work metal and repair weapons. Renz would most likely work under Borek, once thetter arrived but for now, he would let him have the smithy.


    There was Joel who had worked as a carpenter before and also M who was a seamstress who could repair clothes and craft fabric-based items.


    They also have a fisherman but with their current location, he would not be useful so Shane assigned him to have a different work.


    He also asked Lysandra to assist him with their work assignment so it was a lot easier for Shane.


    The list went on. By the time they finished, it was clear that these people had skills, talents, and the ability to contribute to Eclipse Domain whether it was small or not¡­


    "Alright," Shane said with a satisfied nod. "Let''s get you all settled in. Wee to Eclipse Domain."


    Of course, Shane decided to give various food and ingredients so Ma could give them a hearty mealter on.


    It took more than two hours to arrange them and have them work on their task on their own.


    After that, however, Shane didn''t stop recruiting people as he decided to just use the other Recruitment Stones in his possession.


    ***


    Shane was now near the gate of the Eclipse Domain, holding the two Rare Recruitment Stones in his palm.


    It was finally time to bring in individuals with even rarer and more specialized skills.


    After taking a deep breath, he activated the two Rare Recruitment Stone.


    Once again, the gray fog manifested just beyond the shelter''s entrance. The swirling of the fog thickened before two figures were spat out onto the ground.


    The first was a broad-shouldered man. Looking at it closely, he was actually wearing a dented and worn armor while his helmet was tucked under his arm.


    "A warrior?" Shane mused as he looked at the man''s appearance.


    His hand instinctively went to his waist¡ªonly to find his weapon missing. His gaze thennded on Shane and the woman beside her.


    The second figure was a skinny man with ink-stained hands, a chisel tucked into his belt, and an apron covered in dirt.


    The armored man spoke first. "Where am I? Who''s in charge? Are you the Foreign Survivor?" He asked.


    Shane stepped forward. "I''m Shane, leader and the Foreign Survivor of the Eclipse Domain. You''ve been recruited to join us."


    The man studied him before nodding. "I''m Captain Flint¡­ No, just Flint¡­ I was the captain of a town guard before¡­"


    He paused and sighed as he recalled the past. "Before the dead took everything. I fought until the very end, but in the end, I was the only one left standing. I was saved by the gray fog and I didn''t know how long had passed since then."


    Shane nodded at this as it was quite a simr story to many.


    "We could use someone like you," Shane replied with a nod.


    "Since you''re a captain, I''m sure you''ll help defend the shelter and train our other recruits. If you''re willing, you can keep your position as guard captain here and make sure no one else suffers the same fate."


    Flint could tell that he had arrived in a decent shelter as he gave Shane firm nod. "If it means protecting people again¡­ then I ept."


    Shane turned to the second recruit. "And you?" @@novelbin@@


    The skinny man dusted off his apron and smiled faintly. "Name''s Victor Mors. I was a sculptor before the world went to hell. Not exactly a fighter, but I can shape stone, carve intricate designs, and make statues thatst for centuries."


    Lysandra raised an eyebrow. "What use is a sculptor in a survival shelter?" She whispered, confused as to why a Rare Recruitment Stone gave them a useless talent.


    However, it was heard by Victor.Thankfully, he didn''t feel offended at all.


    Victor just smirked and replied. "People forget that art and craftsmanship aren''t just for beauty. Statues can serve asndmarks, walls can be reinforced with proper carving, and symbols give people hope. I can make your fortress more than just a pile of bricks."


    Shane liked his confidence. Every shelter needed more than just walls and weapons¡ªit needed identity, culture, and craftsmanship. He extended a hand.


    "Wee to Eclipse Domain."


    Victor took it with a grin, satisfied with Shane''s reaction. He didn''t detect a hint of dismay at all.


    With two skilled recruits now part of the Domain, Shane moved to the next stone¡ªthe Master Recruitment Stone.


    The moment he activated it, a denser gray fog erupted, before forming into a single silhouette.


    The figure that emerged was a woman with silver hair, draped in a red and golden robe. What made her look really unusual was the staff with animal skulls she was holding!


    It was creepy but Shane liked it even more! She seemed to be some sort of magician after all! Although she may have a different profession, he knew that those carrying such ominous staff meant that she had some sort of special or umon ability.


    She slowly opened her eyes and exhaled. "The spirits have led me to a newnd."


    Shane stepped forward cautiously. "You''re in Eclipse Domain. I''m Shane, the Foreign Survivor and owner of this Shelter¡­ So... I take it you''re a Shaman?"


    She tilted her head, studying him with a calm expression before gently nodding...

 Chapter 539 Gates

    539 Gates


    "Sol?" Shane repeated as he found this name quite fitting to the woman in front of him.


    "I walk the path between life and death, speaking to those who have passed beyond the mortal circle..." Sol added.


    Of course, with the creepy atmosphere around her, they immediately had a vague understanding of what she does.


    Nia shuddered. "So you talk to ghosts?"


    Sol let out a chuckle as this was amon question she''d always heard.


    "Yes¡­ Ghosts, the lingering wills of the dead¡­ The world is filled with wandering souls, seeking rest or vengeance. I help them from time to time."


    She tapped her staff against the ground, and although it was invisible, they felt a faint pulse of energy that radiated outward.


    It was definitely not the Aura that they were aware of.


    "I can guide them¡­ or use them to fight." Sol added.


    "Then, are you a Necromancer?" Lysandra asked after some hesitation.


    "No¡­ I do not raise the dead or use spells like them." Sol immediately answered. "I am closer to a Shaman, but I was known as Ghostcaller Sol."


    Shane immediately recognized the value of her abilities.


    ''Ghosts, huh¡­ Can we use them as scouts?'' He thought.


    A Shaman who could control Ghosts as a scout could help them detect threats before they arrived. If she was even better, they might even be able tomunicate with spirits to gain knowledge.


    Without a doubt, she was a powerful addition to their growing shelter.


    "Sol, if you join us, you''ll have a home here. We''ll need your wisdom and abilities," Shane said.


    Sol looked toward the sky, as if listening to something unseen, then nodded. "The spirits whisper that this is where I must be."


    And with that, she became part of Eclipse Domain. @@novelbin@@


    ***


    After settling her within the shelter, Shane decided to use one more recruitment stone¡ªthe Legendary Recruitment Stone.


    Just by holding it, Shane could already feel that this one would be different.


    As soon as he activated the stone, it seemed as if the entire sky darkened around the shelter¡­


    The gray fog that had appeared before was nothingpared to the dense, almost tangible mist that was surging towards their shelter as it even started twisting like a storm!


    "Whoa¡­ This is definitely good." Shane felt excited.


    Well, to be exact, he would always feel excited whenever he used the Recruitment Stones since he could always meet new people with unknown abilities.


    Everyone in the shelter noticed the strange phenomenon and they couldn''t help but stop working for a moment to nce outside.


    This was simply too intriguing to let it pass. They wanted to know who could actually create such a phenomenon.


    It even seemed as if the mysterious gray fog was having difficulty taking out this new recruit!


    The fog struggled for a bit as if a storm was about to happen but thankfully, after a few more seconds, a single figure stepped out.


    He was tall andposed, wearing an orange robe with golden embroidery. His muscr body behind that robe was evident. As he walked, his bare feet barely made a sound as he approached the gate.


    Finally, there was a string of dark wooden prayer beads hanging around his neck, and his head was shaven, though a few scars marked his scalp.


    Yes, what everyone was seeing was a Monk!


    He looked at the shelter for a moment before shifting his focus to Shane, who was observing him as well.


    However, this Monk''s gaze wasn''t simple, Shane and the others had actually felt a heavy pressure as if they were standing before a mystical figure instead of a human.


    The monk sped his hands together in greeting.


    Vernon, who was stationed at one of the watchtowers couldn''t help but feel quite intrigued by the Monk.


    "I think we just recruited a living legend." He whispered to himself. This was his first impression after seeing such a Monk who was radiating some sort of power he couldn''t properly exin.


    Shan, on the other hand, had already seen Chaloem before¡­ Because of that, he knew how monks of this world are incredibly powerful¡­


    He knew very well that Shenlong wasn''t just strong¡ªhe was a force that could tip the bnce of battle.


    With a respectful bow, Shane extended his hand. "Then stay with us. We could use someone like you."


    Shenlong studied his hand for a moment before grasping it firmly. "Then I shall stand with you, until the path takes me elsewhere."


    With that, the Legendary Monk Shenlong became part of Eclipse Domain.


    ***


    On the next day, as Shane finished his breakfast, he stepped onto the balcony of the main building, surveying Eclipse Domain as the morning sun greeted them¡­


    The settlement was certainlying to life.


    Near the central well, a young woman filled buckets with fresh water, chatting with a nearby farmer. Across the courtyard, he could the nging of a hammer from the cksmith''s forge, where Renz and an apprentice worked on reinforcing weapons, armor, or maybe for the fortification of their walls.


    On the other hand, from the perimeter walls, the asional sound of gunfire rang out as sentries eliminated wandering zombies in the distance.


    This was definitely a good start for them but Shane nned to hasten up the development of his shelter. After all, he already got some information about the Maggotfall Citadel. He needed to quickly develop his own army.


    He pulled out two of the Gate Stones from his inventory.


    [ Description: Mystical artifacts capable of creating stable, portals between fixed points. Each Gate Stone can anchor a location, allowing for instantaneous travel. Stones can be reimed once deactivated, provided they are intact. ]


    Four of them had already been sent ahead¡ªtwo to Diana in Silver Mine Camp, and two to La in Springriver Manor.


    They had been waiting, setting up their respective Gate Chambers as per Shane''s instructions.


    The moment he activated the gate stone, he immediately got a notification from the system.


    [ You are about to activate a Gate Stone.


    Target Destination: Silver Mine Camp


    Distance: 148.8 km


    Spirit Energy Cost: 1,000 SP ( One-Time Activation )


    Maintenance Cost: 0 SP per day


    Transfer Capacity: Up to 30 individuals per day OR 5,000 kg of cargo ]


    [ Confirm Activation? ]


    [ Yes ] [ No ]


    With zero maintenance fee, the limit of the transfer was limited. However, it should be more than enough.


    Shane confirmed.


    The Gate Stone pulsed, absorbing the Spirit Energy, and suddenly, a swirling whirlpool of light and mist erupted.


    [ Connection to Silver Mine Camp established. ]


    Shane also confirmed the message from Diana that she got the same notification.


    [ Diana: I''ll just recover my Spirit Points and I''ll use the other Gate Stone to connect to the Springriver Manor. ]


    [ Shane: Got it. ]


    Shane knew that it would be quick since Diana had plenty of ess to medium-grade Spirit Stones in the Mining Site.


    Shane then ced the second Gate Stone for Springriver Manor onto the adjacent tform.


    [ You are about to activate a Gate Stone. ]


    Target Destination: Springriver Manor


    Distance: 272.3 km


    Spirit Energy Cost: 1,500 SP ( One-Time Activation )


    Maintenance Cost: 0 SP per day


    Transfer Capacity: Up to 20 individuals per day OR 3,500 kg of cargo ]


    [ Confirm Activation? ]


    [ Yes ] [ No ]


    The second portal was a lot more expensive and had less capacity. However, it was very understandable considering the distance between the two shelters.


    After Shane agreed with the activation, the same phenomenon urred as the portal was formed.


    [ Connection to Springriver Manor established. ]


    Shane then opened the chat and confirmed that there was no problem from La''s side and she would also have to recover her Spirit Points to connect the Manor to the Mine Camp.


    "Finally¡­" Shane felt extremely satisfied as these portals would greatly help his shelter''s development and even their defense would be more well-rounded because of this!


    Shane then noticed that there was another set of notifications.


    [ Eclipse Domain has sessfully linked two external shelters!


    Connected Shelters:


    --Silver Mine Camp ( Diana in Command )


    --Springriver Manor ( La in Command )


    Daily Spirit Energy Upkeep: 0 SP


    [ Fast Travel Between Shelters Now Avable! ]


    "It''s a pity that there''s no reward or some sort." Shane muttered with a chuckle. Well, it wasn''t that surprising since the Gate Stones weren''t from this world. It came from a different world''s apocalypse.


    He was already happy with the fact that he could still use such technology.


    After all, this was the first major step toward creating awork of strongholds.


    Shane then sent a message to La from the Springriver Manor.


    [ Shane: La, send me three Super Soldiers through. ]


    [ La: Understood, Boss. Sending them now. ]

 Chapter 540 Activity in the Eclipse Domain

    540 Activity in the Eclipse Domain


    Shane could ask for more people since the Springriver Manor had been receiving new people every five days or even more than that because of the reputation he had.


    ording to the system, the higher the reputation, the higher the chance of attracting people to his shelter.


    However, his current shelter couldn''t sustain a huge number of people immediately. Although they have various facilities to procure food and water, he would have to consider expanding this to sustain more people.


    "I need someborers with minimal upkeep first." Shane muttered to himself.


    Momentster, the portal lit up, and three figures stepped out. They were all d inbat armor. It seemed that they had obtained a decent reputation in the manor as he could see that they were wearing at least Tier 4 equipment.


    Shane nodded approvingly. "Wee to Eclipse Domain¡­ Find Edwin and he will give you tasks. We need hands to develop this new shelter, so I''ll need your help. You''ll be rewarded if you do well."


    The three immediately agreed as their loyalty to Shane was already at a hundred.


    Next, he contacted Diana at Silver Mine Camp.


    [ Shane: Diana, send the seven special ves through. I need them now. ]


    [ Diana: Can I keep Borek here? His skills will be better used here. ]


    This reply came almost instantly. She certainly had a point considering the fact that their camp was dealing with various ores every day.


    However, Shane had different ns since making silver weapons and processing ores could be done even by normal cksmiths. Borek had a special ability and Shane couldn''t just waste his talent doing normal jobs.


    [ Shane: No¡­ He should''ve trained your cksmiths there already. Right, you''re also a craftsman, you should be just fine there. I only have one cksmith here. ]


    [ Diana: Fine¡­ I''ll send them all. ]


    Shane smiled looking at his sister''s reply. He could understand her frustration but he knew as well that she was already prepared to send them all since he heard about the farewell party she arrangedst night.


    After some time, another pulse of light flickered and seven figures emerged, these were specialists¡ªones he had handpicked from the Vault of Chains in the Waiting Zone.


    ***


    As soon as they arrived, they immediately saw Shane waiting for them and bowed their heads. He was the one who had given them freedom, after all. @@novelbin@@


    Shane didn''t use chains to control them in their previous shelter and removed any restraints they had in just a few days of serving him.


    They were all thankful for the trust they received from him.


    "Lord Shane¡­" They said in unison.


    Shane waved his hands as he weed the seven.


    It was only this time that their eyes darted around the room. Seeing the concrete building, they immediately knew that this shelter wasn''t just a hastily built one as they had expected.


    They believed that Shane had just upied another Shelter and built around it.


    Shane had no idea what they were thinking as he led them outside so they could familiarize themselves.


    At the front of the group was Kaelira, the Silver-Furred Vulpian.


    Shane recalled about her skills. She should be an agile individual and also adept in stealth. She would make an excellent scout or assassin who could assist Sol and her Spirits.


    Beside her was Kain, the Werewolf. Of course, he now had full control over his body and even if it was a full moon, with his 100 Loyalty Points, Shane should have no problem controlling him.


    ording to Diana, after some training, he also had perfect control over his transformation, seamlessly shifting between his human and werewolf forms at will even during the day.


    Then there was Jafal, the Ethereal Construct.


    He was probably the most unusual kind since he would certainly fit in A.I. Rebellion or even Fairy Realm Invasion Apocalypse since he seemed to be made of metal and stones which seemed like an advanced technology and also magical.


    In any case, his kind were known for their telepathic abilities and their gift for detecting hidden dangers¡ªa talent that would be invaluable in their current situation.


    Behind them was Borek, the Draconic cksmith. He was in bad condition when he purchased this man but after giving him some blood from Roan, Borek''s body improved!


    With ess to the right materials, he could outfit the entire shelter with enchanted weaponry.


    But thest three¡­ they were different.


    They were the most expensive ones that Shane even had to level down to purchase them. He spent so many Experience Points to trade them!


    Sona, the Frostborn Arcanist or an Ice Magician in Shane''s eyes.


    Beside her was Otto, the Celestial Sunsinger or a Fire Magician with a fancy name in Shane''s mind.


    Finally, there was Zephyrion, who would call himself an Abyssal Schr of the Void but in the end, he was just another Necromancer.


    Shane studied them with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.


    They already looked a lot healthier than before.


    In any case, he had freed them, yes, but this was not charity. They were powerful, skilled individuals. If they wanted a ce here, they had to contribute to him!


    "Wee to Eclipse Domain. Remember that you''re here to work¡­ I don''t need dead weight. You will be rewarded if you do well."


    Kaelira smirked as she liked this boss who was straight to the point.


    "Got a ce for a scout for me?" She asked.


    Shane nodded at this.


    "There is¡­ It will be dangerous so I''ll be forming a group of scouts. For now, you just need to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and inform me of any notable locations around.


    Kain, on the other hand, simply cracked his knuckles. "Should I start hunting Zombies?" As a werewolf, he obviously had some thirst for action.


    "Yes¡­ I need you to go to the nearest river to catch some fish." Shane said as he turned to Jafal.


    "You''ll be stationed in one of the watchtowers."


    Jafal nodded. "Good choice. I can detect threats before they arrive. Your walls will never be caught off guard if I''m on duty."


    Borek just silently looked at Shane but his eyes were definitely asking him about the location of the forge.


    "That building over there¡­ Renz is already there and he knows about you." Shane said.


    He then looked at the three magicians. He wasn''t too sure what they could do aside frombat. Well, they wouldn''t be fighting all the time, so he was thinking about what other task they could do with their abilities.


    The other three immediately understood Shane''s thoughts and spoke up.


    Sona smiled as she looked at Shane.


    "I''d like a space to conduct my magic experiments. You can consider me as an Alchemist since that was my first profession before I became a full-pledged Arcanist." Sona


    Otto was only good at destroying things but in the Silver Mine Camp, he was also helping in the forge or even in the kitchen with his fire abilities.


    "You can send me to help in the forge while waiting or just send me to a battlefield. I''ll be useful either way."


    Zephyrion wasn''t good at any other thing aside from controlling undead creatures so he could only ask Shane to send him to a raid or perhaps, assign him to guard the Shelter''s perimeters.


    Shane chuckled. "I like you guys already. You''re all useful¡­"


    ***


    Just like that, the seven quickly found roles within the shelter¡­


    Shane still had to prepare a lot before he could raid the Maggotfall Citadel. He nned to at least bring a few more people into the shelter in order to ensure that this ce would stand strong even if he left this ce for some time.


    Just a day had passed and Kaelira the Vulpian became the lead scout, responsible for patrolling the outskirts and tracking any unusual events.


    Kain was stationed as a front-line warrior, ensuring that no threats breached their walls. Indeed, Captain Flint, or the previous Guard Captain was the one assigned to ensure the safety of the internal wall but Kain was tasked to conduct various external missions with the three Super Soldiers.


    Jafal also formed a team with two other people from the Normal Recruits to work as Watchtower Guards.


    As for Borek, he had already started to repair their weapons in the smithy with the help of Renz!


    Apparently, aside from Shane, the others also had weapons in terrible condition, including their pieces of equipment. Lysandra, Nia, Vernon, and Kale had been in numerous battles and they never had the chance to repair their tools.


    In most cases, they were just changing them. However, this has changed now, with the presence of skilled cksmiths.


    Shane had dozens of items in his inventory that needed repair... Before he could even think of raiding the Citadel, he had to make sure that all his weapons were in great condition.


    After all, he didn''t want to rely heavily on his Bio Armor!

 Chapter 541 The Raid Party

    541 The Raid Party


    Shane had already tried his Bio-Armor inbat, and with the help of his A.I. Assistant, he was able to gauge how good it was. However, even the Bio-Armor has its limits, so in order to fully utilize this incredible armor, he also had to be strong enough to lessen its burden during their integration.


    In any case, Shane asked the three magicians to prepare for the next few days since he nned to bring them to raid the citadel.


    Because of that, he gave them a room for themselves!


    Sona set up an arcane workshop as she experimented with her frost magic to develop defensive enchantments for the walls.


    Otto also had his own residence, but he wanted to just work on what Shane had assigned him to do. He was stationed in the defensive line and used his fire magic to destroy waves of zombies from afar.


    Finally, Zephyrion remained in a room that Shane had arranged for him¡­ It seemed that he was also preparing for their uing raid. @@novelbin@@


    "Good¡­ Once we raided that Citadel, there was no going back. We have to be at our peak condition." Shane muttered as he learned about everyone''s situation.


    Three days after the portal to the other two shelters was established, Shane gathered his team as heid out the mission details.


    Thankfully, Ghostcaller Sol and Kaelira had already conducted some scouting outside the citadel that was about three hours away from their shelter.


    "We''re raiding Maggotfall Citadel in the next two days." No one was surprised as soon as he said this.


    Instead, they were all excited to get into action. They had received so many benefits from Shane after all. Tokens, Potions, Spirit Stones, and even some various high-level gears were given to them. They were all itching to show their abilities.


    Nheless, the report from the Ghostcaller and the Vulpian calmed everyone down.


    Apparently, the Necrotic Swarm Sovereign that Shane was targeting was a hive-minded abomination.


    Indeed, the citadel where it was located had legions ofrge undead insects under itsmand...


    "We''ll need a strategy," Shane continued. "And I need each of you to be at your best."


    Kaelira''s ears twitched. "Stealth should get us inside without being noticed¡ªat least at first. The insects'' senses will get stronger the further we get... I suggest that we at least try to cut down their numbers while outside the citadel."


    Kain the Werewolf rolled his shoulders. "I''ll be in the front. I don''t care how big this thing is¡ªI''ll rip it apart."


    Kaelira shook her head and exined. "The smallest insect was the size of an infant while thergest one is as huge as an adult human. We should consider bombarding them first, or we will be overwhelmed."


    Shane nodded at this and immediately spoke up.


    "I''ll be the one preparing for the bombardment. I have a good n for that¡­" Shane said with a mysterious smile on his face.


    Jafal nodded at this as he also volunteered to fight in the front lines.


    Borek, the cksmith, pondered for a moment before looking at Shane.


    "Are you nning to burn down the citadel¡­ If that''s the case, if we get enough materials, I might be able to forge something that could provide you all with some fire resistance."


    Shane was delighted as soon as he heard this. "Very well¡­ Whatever item you need, I''ll get them as long as they''re in the Marketce."


    Sona wanted to inform them that getting close to her would help them feel safe from the fire, but in the end, she knew that she couldn''t just cover for everyone¡­ Instead, she just pushed the idea of burning down the citadel.


    "Fire and frost should work well against insect-based undead."


    Otto, the Fire Magician, grinned. "Then I''ll make sure it burns..."


    Zephyrion remained still and nodded. "Leave the undead minions to me. I''ll turn them against their master."


    In the meantime, Nia, Vernon, Kale, and Lysandra were just silently listening to their conversation. They have just realized that the seven recruits that Shane brought to the shelter were all incredibly talented.


    This was especially true after learning that three of them were magicians!


    It was such an amazing addition to their current force! Then, they were the most surprised when they learned that Zephyrion was actually a Necromancer. They knew very well what kind of ability they had, and for sure, Shane would no longer have an issue creating an Army to raid the citadel.


    As for Shenlong, the Legendary Monk, he was just observing silently as his main task in this raid was to help Shane with the battle against the Zombie Lord.


    Shane smiled at the group as he proceeded to exin their n¡­


    ***


    Two days had quickly passed.


    After having their breakfast and wearing all the gear they needed, Shane and his team moved out of Eclipse Domain. Today was the day they would raid the Maggotfall Citadel.


    During this time, they had meticulously nned every detail of this raid¡ªentry routes, attack formations, and contingencies for the Swarm Sovereign''s army of insects. And now, it was time to execute.


    The Raid Party consisted of Shane, Lysandra, Nia, Vernon, Kale, Kaelira, Kain, Jafal, Sona, Otto, Zephyrion, Sol, Shenlong, and finally, their newest addition: Tundra, the Terrorist.


    He had recentlypleted his Zombie Lord Raid, and he was even the 11th killer of it¡­ Shane knew that he would be a great addition to the team. Furthermore, with his experience and strongbat abilities, Shane could feel assured leaving some of the dangerous work to him.


    At this time, the number of Zombie Lord killers had already reached neen!


    If Shane could seed today, he could be the 20th Zombie Lord killer.


    "Let''s go¡­"


    It was a three-hour journey from the Eclipse Domain.


    Shane had, of course, asked the chat if there were other Survivors who had tried raiding it, but in the end, no one answered.


    It seemed that even if someone tried, they had probably failed and were all eliminated in the process.


    These round or fat Zombies were blocking the road that they needed to pass through.


    "Heads up," Kaelira muttered¡­ "We''ve gotpany. Spitter Zombies."


    Shane nodded as he also noticed the presence of the bloated Spitter Zombies¡­


    As they got closer, they saw their swollen, discolored throats ready to spit some acid at them.


    As soon as they were noticed, the Spitters opened their maggot-infested jaws and unleashed a barrage of acidic bile toward the group.


    "Sona!" Shane shouted. Well, he also activated his Aura Sentinel but he also wanted to see how Sona would stop the attack. Sona smiled at this as she waved her staff and froze the projectilesing at them. She couldn''t make a huge ice barrier after all.


    Nheless, Kale moved with his new Halberd made by Borek¡­ He was at the very front so as soon as the frozen acid spit came at him, he immediately crushed them with his Halberd.


    Now, the Spitter Zombies needed a few seconds to ready their second volley of Acid Spit. It was time for the others to attack.


    "Kill them!" Shanemanded.


    Kaelira sprinted ahead as she almost vanished from their sight, before slitting the throat of the nearest Spitter¡­


    Thud¡­


    [ You have eliminated a Spitter Zombie. ]


    Otto knew about the Spitter Zombie''s explosion. So, as per Shane''s instruction, he immediately burned the Zombie to stop it from building up gas to explode.


    Kain, in his werewolf form, dashed forward to assist the Vulpian, tearing into another Spitter with his ws before ripping its head clean off.


    [ You have eliminated a Spitter Zombie. ]


    He was resistant to the acidic properties of the Spitter Zombies, so he wasn''t worried about using his ws or getting too close to the Spitter Zombies.


    Simr to Otto''s task, Tundra also used his gloves and touched the Spitter Zombies, who had copsed and detonated the bombs to crush them immediately.


    Of course, everyone taking part in the elimination of the Spitter Zombies seemed to be overkill, but Shane knew that they needed such cooperation to get ready for the real deal. After all, they never had a practice fighting together.


    After seeing that they had eliminated the Spitter Zombies without any issues and also by using some attacks that require teamwork, Shane felt satisfied.


    "Don''t get toofortable. We keep moving." He reminded.


    An hour into their journey, they reached the ruins of a copsed overpass.


    This time, they encountered a horde of Jumper Zombies¡­ However, these Jumper Zombies seemed to be a variant as they all had about an arm''s length of tongue!


    There was no doubt that this was a different or new version of Jumper Zombies. They might even be rted to the Licker Zombies.


    Soon, a dozen of them started leaping around as they seemed excited about their presence.


    "They''re new¡­ Don''t get too close. Use long-range weapons." Shane said, as he wasn''t sure about the special abilities of these variants.


    Those tongues, plus their incredible speed, could be a problem in closebat.


    "I can deal with them¡­" Lysandra whispered.


    As the Zombies leaped, she raised her rifle and shot at them, nailing two in the skull before they couldnd on the ground!

 Chapter 542 Polluted

    542 Polluted


    Although Lysandra was more skilled with her swords, her Quick Learner Talent allowed her to be one of the most versatile members of Shane''s Raid Party.


    Shane couldn''t help but smile seeing how everyone in his team moved as if they had done this cooperation for some time.


    Nia, on the other hand, continued with her support and stopped the momentum of the Zombies with her Thorn Barrier.


    It may not have killed any Zombie but this action helped everyone on the frontline to ease their pressure.


    This time, Shane curiously nced at Jafal, the Ethereal Construct.


    Based on his understanding of the Constructs, they should have a tough physique and be great in physicalbat. But in Jafal''s case, he would use his telepathic powers to distort the creatures'' perception, causing them to misjudge their jumps and crash into rubble.


    It felt as if he was using some sort of Illusion and it would definitely be useful inbat.


    The others didn''t have to act against the Zombies but still, Zephyrion raised his hand as he started chanting¡­


    Crash~


    Skeletal hands burst from the ground, grabbing one Jumper mid-air and crushing its spine.


    "That''s not bad¡­"


    Shane nodded as he confirmed that Zephyrion''s casting time wasn''t actually slow.


    It was about 6 to 8 seconds and it shouldn''t be that bad since they have strong frontliners in their team. At the very least, he was better than the necromancers of the Wild Shelters before.


    After a few more moments, the Jumper Zombies were defeated and Shane allowed them to just loot the Zombies they killed.


    They could barely provide experience points with his high level so he just gave them to his team.


    ***


    As they continued on their way, another Zombie stopped their path.


    This happened two miles away from the horde of Jumper Zombies. Shane and the others looked at the lone figure standing in the middle of the d road.


    It looked human with a deformed head like a siren... However, unlike the Siren Zombie they know, it had long ck hair, and it was even wearing a bloodstained dress.


    "Don''t get closer¡­" he warned. "That''s probably a Variant of Siren Zombie."


    This was also the conclusion made by Cloud. Although the only sign they could identify was the siren shape of its head, Shane could already tell that this was definitely a stronger version of normal Siren Zombie.


    To be exact, he wouldn''t even be surprised if it turned out that it was the Siren Zombie King¡­ or maybe Queen.


    Nheless, everyone followed Shane''s instruction as they halted from their steps.


    They were also aware that the moment they stepped too close, it should release an ear-piercing scream that could shatter eardrums and attract hundreds of undead. It was one of the known traits of Siren Zombies.


    They don''t just use sound attacks but could also call for backup.


    Tundra grinned and turned to Shane. "I got this."


    Seeing his confidence, Shane decided to see what Tundra would do.


    "Alright¡­" Tundra said as he picked up a stone¡­


    Well, he could nt a bomb on this stone and throw it to the Siren Zombie before detonating it. However, a normal explosion wouldn''t stop the Zombie from screaming.


    That was where Tundra''s new item came.


    To be exact, it was the item that Tundra obtained after killing the Zombie Lord, Dreadmaw the Unchained!


    [ Unchained''s Emblem: A mystical insignia that enhances the Survivor''s Talent. ]


    The enhancement of his talent wasn''t what he expected. He initially thought that his bomb''s cost would lessen, or the explosion would get stronger, or perhaps, both of his hands could finally nt bombs at the same time.


    However, it was different.


    Tundra had actually obtained three more types of Bombs!


    One of them was the Silenced Concussive Bomb.


    After nting a few of them, he threw a stone with five nted Silenced Concussive Bomb toward the creature.


    The Siren''s mouth opened to scream after seeing the iing projectile¡­ However, this projectile had been thrown by a Survivor with more than a hundred Strength Points!


    Before it could scream, an explosion sent it flying backward, severing its head from its shoulders!


    [ You have eliminated a Loner Siren Zombie. ]


    [ Congrattions! You are the first to eliminate a Loner Siren Zombie, a high-tier zombie! ] [ Hint: Only the first elimination of each Mid-Tier and High-Tier zombie can provide special rewards! ]


    [ You have obtained the following rewards: Spirit Breakthrough Potion x2, Experience Boost Potions x2, Zombie Cores x50 ]


    "Ahhh¡­" Tundra was shocked as he didn''t expect that he would be able to kill the Zombie that easily¡­ Well, his throw was simply too urate and the Loner Siren doesn''t have a strong defense to begin with. It heavily relied on its sound attacks to eliminate its target.


    If it was able to scream just now, the situation might be different and they might have to work together to fight it.


    "I think I''m in love with you," Kaelira the Vulpain said tly as she realized how powerful that was. It was definitely an attack that was more powerful than Otto''s fireball.


    After all, Otto still had to chant to cast a powerful fire spell while Tundra could easily nt bombs on whatever he touched.


    Tundra winked. "Get in line."


    His confidence had certainly improved after bing strong once again.


    "Alright¡­ Go ahead and loot it." Shane said.


    "Yes, n Leader¡­ Right, I actually got the first kill reward for that Loner Siren Zombie as well." Tundra said.


    Shane nodded at him as he already expected that much. Soon, Tundra looted the Zombie and unfortunately, he didn''t obtain anything good aside from vials of potions. ***


    After about three hours of journey, when they were about to reach the citadel, the group suddenly smelled something bad.


    It was like rotting meat, but worse.


    "Toxic Zombie?" Shane muttered as he used his Perception and Cloud''s inspection to find the source of the bad smell.


    However, it didn''t take long before they saw a group of Zombies approaching their group.


    They had the physique of a Tyrant Zombie, but its body was emitting some green miasma like that of Toxic Zombies.


    Six of these creatures appeared. And they seemed to be some sort of miniature bosses¡­


    "Another Variant Type Zombie¡­ Tyrant and Toxic Zombie Combination? Toxic Tyrant? Ugh¡­ Let''s be careful¡­ Probably no one had killed this thing before." Shane said.


    "Get ready!" Lysandra warned as one of the Zombies roared and it seemed to be a sign for the others as they all charged forward!


    ''That must be the leader.''


    Everyone had the same thought. They all wanted to kill the leader first and in this case, the one who roared seemed to be the target they had to kill immediately.


    "Now this is a fight!" Kain shouted as his body shifted and transformed into werewolf form. @@novelbin@@


    ng!


    He decided to advance and take charge of the frontal assault!


    In just a few moments, his ws were already colliding with the Toxic Tyrant Zombie!


    "Help our werewolf¡­" Shane said. Although he knew that Kain should be resistant to poison, he was still worried that he might get poisoned after inhaling a lot of those green miasma.


    "On it¡­"


    Sona then raised her staff and an ice formed in the air before she unleashed a storm of frozen spikes, impaling two Toxic Tyrants in ce.


    "Nice work¡­" Otto praised her for a moment before he cast a spell of of his own¡­ The chanting took another five seconds or so before he was able to channel a pir of fire, melting one of the creatures alive.


    Vernon, Kale, and Lysandra also assisted the group while Shane and the others decided to conserve their strength just in case another horde arrived.


    "Don''t¡­" Shane reminded Tundra who seemed to be nning to throw a bomb.


    "Hahaha¡­ I''m just preparing." Tundra immediately said. He knew very well not to attack when his allies were fighting at close range.


    [ You have eliminated a Polluted Tyrant Zombie. ]


    [ You have eliminated a Polluted Tyrant Zombie. ]


    It seemed that they weren''t the first to eliminate these Zombies.


    "So it''s a Polluted Tyrant, huh¡­" Shane nodded.


    Soon, thest Polluted Tyrant stumbled, as its body was riddled with wounds.


    Lysandra then lined up her rifle''s scope.


    One clean shot between the eyes¡ªBOOM.


    The Tyrant copsed.


    As they wiped off the blood on their bodies, Shane and the others moved forward for a few steps and soon, they were able to see the Citadel they were aiming for.


    Indeed, just beyond the hill where they defeated the Polluted Tyrant, everyone could finally see the Maggotfall Citadel.


    Even without using high-level detections or binocrs, they could see Its massive stone walls that were covered in undead insects or some giant maggot-infested creatures moving along its surface.


    "This looks really dangerous, Sir Shane¡­" Tundra muttered after seeing numerous ck dots hovering around the Citadel.


    There was no doubt that the Swarm Sovereign deserved its title!

 Chapter 543 Citadel

    543 Citadel


    The moment Shane''s group arrived a few hundred meters from the citadel, they immediately smelled the sickening stench of undead or rotten flesh. It wasn''t that surprising but they still felt ufortable.


    Nheless, all of them had methods to endure it like using their own Aura, Talisman, Skills, or other items in their inventory¡­


    As they did so, something unexpected happened, a notification from the system appeared and it seemed a bit too early since they hadn''t even stepped inside the citadel yet!


    [ You have entered a Lord-Tier Zombie''s Area. ]


    Name: Necrotic Swarm Sovereign


    Type: gueborn Hive-Master


    Threat Level: Catastrophic


    [ Description: The Necrotic Swarm Sovereign is controlling legions of undead locusts and parasitic maggots. Its body is like a nest, constantly birthing new undead creatures from its flesh. It canmand its swarm to strip flesh from bone in seconds, and any creature infected by its parasites may soon join its ranks. Its body exudes a miasma, corroding the air around it. The longer it remains undisturbed, therger and deadlier its swarm bes. ]


    "It''s really here¡­" Shane muttered to himself.


    Soon, they noticed that the sky was covered with darkness.


    Above them, ck clouds of undead locusts moved through the sky like a storm¡­


    "They''reing¡­" Sol said as she also noticed the presence of threerge Insects from the walls and they seemed to be generals of the swarm of insects.


    "No time to waste¡­" Shane muttered as he swiftly deployed his three Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turrets!


    Indeed, after being able to scavenge a lot of materials in the underground facility, Shane was able to produce a total of five Sentinel Mk-IV Automated Turret with the help of his Otherworldly Mechanic Title!


    Whirrrrr¡ªclick!


    The turrets activated and almost everyone in the group were quite shocked about the appearance of the Turrets.


    "So this is why¡­" Shenlong, the monk who was always silent, couldn''t help butment after realizing why Shane was confident of dealing with the swarm of insects.


    "No wonder you''re so confident, n Leader." Tundra said as he didn''t expect Shane to bring out three of those Turrets at once.


    He knew how powerful these Turrets were and about their capability to bombard an area with incendiary bombs!


    Soon, the barrels of the Turrets started rotating as they locked onto targets.


    Immediately, a barrage of incendiary bombs and energy bullets rained down upon the swarm.


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


    Explosions lit up from the sky as the fire engulfed thousands of undead locusts, scorching their brittle wings, and sending charred bodies crashing to the ground.


    Thud¡­ Thud¡­ Thud¡­


    However, the swarm was endless. After all, this Citadel seemed to be untouchable and no one should''ve raided it yet considering how the ce didn''t seem to be in a terrible condition. There were simply no signs ofbat in the walls for a very long time¡­


    "There''s really a lot of them¡­ Let''s not hurry getting in." Shane said seeing that for every locust burned to ash or charred to death, dozens more took its ce.


    "Keep firing!" Shane ordered.


    Lysandra and Vernon took position beside him as they used their rifles to deal with thoserger insects.


    BANG! BANG!


    Each shot could easily pierce through the heads of therger, mutated locusts, and with the same bullets, it would kill more undead locusts behind it.


    Meanwhile, Sona raised her staff as she continued to cast her ice-rted spells.


    "Frozen Gale!"


    After a long chant, Sona summoned a blizzard! Its frigid winds cut through the swarm, turning the undead insects into frozen statues that shattered upon impact to the ground!


    Otto wasn''t far behind. He also took some time to chant but as soon as he waved his hands, a dozen fireballs ignited in the air before him.


    "Die!" @@novelbin@@


    Each fireball hit its target, detonating in a powerful burst and reducing the undead locusts into molten bits of its previous body.


    This time, the front liners were in a defensive position.


    Standing in front of the mages, Kain the Werewolf guarded them from any insects that could reach their side. Well, Otto and Sona have terrible defenses. Even if they had various Talismans and Tokens to protect them, it was better to have Kain actively protect them.


    "Haa!"


    Whenever a stray locust got too close, his ws would rip through shells or bones with ease.


    However, the battle was not getting easy as there were probably millions of insects rushing at them!


    Thankfully, the slowest caster, the Necromancer or Zephyrion, had finally finished chanting¡­


    "Arise, my servants."


    At hismand, skeletal warriors, ghouls, and specters emerged from the ground.


    "Kill them!" Hemanded.


    Normally, these low-tier Undead Summons weren''t that effective against most Zombies. However, their opponents right now were Insects so he knew that the quantity of undead summons would be better in this situation.


    After all, the insects would have more targets and would lessen the pressure on many sides. Realizing this, Zephyrion summoned several dozens of them and as soon as he got tired, he would use the Spirit Stones that Shane had given to him.


    Crash! Crash!


    The undead army charged forward as they shed with the massive insects¡­ The battlefield was chaotic at this point!


    Nheless, because of Shane''s abilities and Cloud''s constant report about the situation, he was able to observe the whole battlefield and he could assist in areas being suppressed by the swarm of insects.


    He also didn''t leave his position as he had to protect the three Automated Turrets.


    Soon, Shane noticed that from the rear, Sol, the Spirit User or Ghostcaller, seemed to have just finished her summoning ritual.


    "That''s¡­" Shane couldn''t help but feel impressed as soon as ethereal beings manifested around her.


    "I''ll be checking the inside of the Citadel," Sol said, wanting to see what kind of creatures they had to deal with and whether they had to kill something to stop the swarm of Insects.


    "Go ahead¡­"


    Soon, Shane saw the ghostly figures slipping through the battlefield, scouting the interior of the citadel beyond the walls!


    During this time, Shane and the others just continued killing the swarm of insects blocking their vision. Then, after a few moments, Sol spoke up.


    "The enemy is preparing something inside¡­" she warned. "More areing. I need to get closer as the Spirits can''t move too far from me."


    Jafal, the Etherial Construct, stood beside her¡­


    "Then we''ll get a bit closer to the gate." His voice was calm yet firm. "I will guard you."


    ***


    Meanwhile, Tundra grinned as he nted explosives on nearby stones. He did this for 20 or so stones before he felt that it was enough.


    "Time to spread some love!" He hurled the bombced rocks into the densest pockets of the swarm.


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


    Just like that, the sky rained down with burning insect bodies¡­


    Yet, the swarm refused to stop! There were just too many of them! They weren''t even receiving messages that they had eliminated an Insect Zombie!


    ''These smaller insects must be part of the Zombie Lord or other mother-type Zombies¡­'' Shane thought as he believed that only killing the one who had made these Insects would allow them to gain experience points and drop.


    Nheless, Shane believed that they had a limit to producing these Insect Zombies. After all, it must being from their flesh or diet.


    Sure enough, after a few moments, the intensity of the attack had lessened a lot!


    It was the same time his three Turrets overheated.


    "We should enter now¡­"


    That was when Shenlong, the Legendary Monk, stepped forward.


    His orange robes fluttered as he took a stance in front of the group. In just a few moments, his Aura erupted and the remaining Insects just dropped to the ground.


    "Nice¡­" Shane nodded as he saw this simple move from the Monk.


    Then, Shenlong moved as he saw another swarming from behind the walls of the citadel.


    "Ha!"


    Shenlong''s palm struck the air and it created a powerful shockwave!


    "Heaven''s Reprisal!"


    Boom!


    This shockwave seemed to have formed a golden energy as it erupted outward, obliterating thousands of locusts in an instant.


    As the dust settled, Shane clenched his fists¡­


    "We''ve cleared the way. Now¡ª" He pointed at the towering gates of Maggotfall Citadel.


    "We breach the stronghold."


    With the horde momentarily suppressed, Shane''s group charged forward¡ª


    ***


    As Shane and his team unleashed their siege upon Maggotfall Citadel, three figures using binocrs were watching everything that was happening several miles away.


    These three had identical faces like they were triplets. Their faces were eerily too simr¡ªbut that just showed they weren''t ordinary Survivors.


    Apparently, they were Travis'' Clones.


    They watched as the automated turrets rained incendiary rounds and energy bullets into the sky, igniting swarms of undead locusts.


    There also seemed to be several magicians in his group!


    One of the clones carrying apact sniper rifle on his back, frowned.


    "They''re actually doing it¡­ That lunatic Shane is really trying to crack open the Swarm Sovereign''s nest. If they fail, the Swarm Sovereign will be able to send its locusts or insects to the continent. This is dangerous¡­"

 Chapter 546 Quest Progress

    546 Quest Progress


    The dark spores this time were more dangerous than the ones before. Shane had to quickly act.


    Together with the swarm of insects, the chamber was soon filled with darkness¡­


    Otto tried to burn them but the intensity of his fire was not enough. Even the undead creatures summoned by Zephyrion were being consumed at this point.


    Thankfully, Shenlong''s aura suddenly spread in a huge circle, covering everyone on the team.


    Unfortunately, the air they inhaled was still filled with poisonous spores, causing hallucinations and weakness to anyone caught in it. Even Shenlong frowned as he realized that the toxicity of the air was already too high¡­ He even staggered for a moment when he was caught off guard by the toxic spores.


    At this point, only those who were wearing the bio-armors could move!


    Indeed, Shane, Lysandra, and Kale activated their bio-armor filtration system, allowing them to relieve the pressure caused by the spores.


    "Stay back! This field is dangerous!" he called out as he believed that this was just a desperate move made by the Swarm Sovereign.


    Apparently, with Cloud''s assistance, Shane was able to confirm that the Swarm Sovereign''s body wasn''t that strong at all.


    At the very least, it doesn''t have the same unbelieved regeneration ability as other Zombie Lords. It seemed that it was the price it had to pay for being able to give birth to those undead insects.


    ''Right¡­ It heavily relies on its summoned insects! I just have to find an opportunity.'' Shane thought.


    Of course, the Zombie Lord was still powerful butpared to his current strength, he should be able to kill it as long as he got closer¡­


    "Allow me to do some damage before retreating¡­" Shenlong said as he wasn''t struggling a lot at this point.


    Shane agreed to this and without hesitation, Shenlong made his move.


    He swiftly stepped forward, using his Aura to dispel the toxic mist around him even if it was only temporary.


    Then, Shenlong''s hand emitted a gold light before he released a palm strike close to the Zombie Lord!


    Ha!


    The strike hit the stomach of the Swarm Sovereign and created a gaping hole in it!


    "Nice shot!"


    "Good job!"


    "Let''s kill him now!"


    It was definitely an opportunity in everyone''s eyes. But to everyone''s surprise, something unexpected happened. Thousands of insects suddenly came flying into the hole the Shenlong made!


    Then, these insects just melted into the Zombie Lord''s body, repairing the injurypletely! It barelysted 10 seconds to fully cure that.


    "This¡­" Kale was shocked to see the impressive and unusual regeneration power of the Zombie Lord.


    With millions of insects here, this Zombie Lord could definitely regenerate almost infinitely unless they could kill all these summoned insects.


    "We need to end this quickly!" Lysandra shouted, swapping her sword for a rifle...


    Shane nodded. "Cover me!"


    Shane used his Shadow Hunt as he closed his distance with the Necrotic Swarm Sovereign¡­


    Of course, Shane''s movement was followed by numerous insects as the Zombie Lord tried to stop him with its massive wed arms¡­


    Bang!


    Shane barely dodged. He even felt the force of the strike tear through the ground like paper.


    But Shane was just confirming the reaction speed of the Zombie Lord and his current agility. This way, he would know how to properly deal with the Swarm Sovereign.


    "Alright¡­ Let''s see what you''re made of." Shane muttered.


    Soon, he activated his bio-armor''s Predator''s Edge closing the distance between him and the Sovereign in a blink.


    At this time, Shane''s Warden Talisman had fully activated. Over thirty Centaur Spirits were summoned to protect him!


    [ Warden''s Talisman ( Mythic ): An ancient talisman forged by the Centaur Warlords during the Great Wars. This talisman boosts physical resilience, reducing damage taken by up to 50%, and grants temporary invulnerability when the wearer''s health drops below a critical threshold. Additionally, it summons spectral centaurs to aid the wearer in battle during moments of intense need. ]


    This time, however, he just felt that the Warden Talisman would be the best in this situation.


    With such a move, he no longer bothered about the tens of thousands of insects aiming to eat him up.


    His Eon Edge activated as he slicked through the Sovereign''s outer exoskeleton.


    Bang!


    The creature screamed, but it wasn''t finished yet. Its abdomen split open, revealing thousands of writhingrvae, each of them attempting totch onto Shane and drain his life!


    Shenlong, who was already at the corner of the room, felt that he should still act to ease Shane''s pressure even for a little.


    He acted fast¡­ A glowing fist mmed into the ground, sending a shockwave that pushed away thervae aiming to cover Shane.


    Shane then used this opportunity to slice up the Zombie Lord multiple times!


    ''Found it¡­'' Shane smiled as he saw how he had crushed three Zombie Cores already. However, since the Zombie Lord was still moving, he continued attacking hoping to kill it already.


    He had to do this very swiftly since he was worried it would be able to regenerate by consuming the nearby insects¡­


    Thankfully, Otto just refilled his energy with the Spirit Stones and followed up with a pir of fire, setting the Swarm Sovereign aze!


    And then¡ª


    Shane pulled out his Gunslinger Revolver¡­


    Bang!


    A single, Tier 5 round from his Legendary-Grade gun pierced through the Sovereign''s skull, shattering itsst Zombie Core.


    Thud!


    [ You have eliminated a Lord-Tier Zombie. ]


    [ New Title Unlocked: ]


    Vermin Bane ¨C Increases resistance to airborne toxins and vermin effects by 15%. Grants a 15% boost to damage against hive-type and insectoid undead.


    [ Additional Rewards: Silver Treasure Chest, 10,000 Experience Points, Territory Key Fragment ]


    Shane wiped the sweat from his forehead as he calmed his breathing.


    "I already collected quite a number of Treasure Chests¡­ I should probably open themter."


    But the system messages weren''t done.


    [ Congrattions! You are the 18th Survivor to defeat a Lord-Tier Zombie. ]


    ''Ahh¡­ So it''s already 18, huh¡­? The other ns are taking down Zombie Lords fast¡­'' Shane thought as he realized thepetition was heating up.


    Anyway, he continued to read the notifications.


    [ You have received an Exclusive Item: ]


    Swarmcaller''s Ring: A ring with the lingering power of the Swarm Sovereign, allowing the wielder to exert limited control over insectoid creatures.


    [ You have obtained 3,000 Reputation Points. ]


    [ You have obtained 5,000 Zombie Cores. ]


    [ Your feat has been broadcasted to the World and Regional Chat. ] @@novelbin@@


    [ Note: All Lord-Tier Zombies will have a 100% Drop-Rate. ]


    Shane took a deep breath, looking at the massive corpse before him as he watched it turn into a red crystal that he could loot.


    "Damn, that was intense."


    Lysandra muttered as she reloaded her rifle¡­


    "That''s true¡­ Shenlong, thank you for your support." Shane said to the monk, who was able to act in critical times.


    The monk simply nodded as he sat down to recover his energy.


    Of course, Shane distributed some resources for free so they could immediately rejuvenate and recover their Spirt Points.


    "This ce is a bit too close to the Eclipse Domain, are you nning to make this your territory as well?" Tundra suddenly asked from behind.


    However, Shane shook his head as he didn''t want to his ce that was still filled with the remnants of the undead insects. It doesn''t look good at all.


    In any case, Shane also asked everyone to loot those insects that could be looted since he knew that only those small insects could not be looted. If they were already the size of a human, they could be looted for some experience points.


    Just like that, everyone immediately became busy.


    At this time, Shane finally looted the Zombie Lord''s crystal that was left behind..


    [ You have earned 3,000 Experience Points. ]


    [ You have earned 50 Reputation Points. ]


    [ Loots obtained: Item Upgrade Crystal x50, Zombie Cores x50, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x20, Unknown Meat ( Unsafe ) x10, 100mL Lord Zombie Blood, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x10, Vitality Enhancement Bottle x10, Agility Enhancement Bottle x10, Vermin Mask x10, Vermin Skill Scroll x1, VerminMantle x1, Vermin te Armor x1, Vermin Gauntlets x1, Vermin Belt x1, Vermin Greaves x1, Vermin Boots x1 ]


    "This is quite a lot¡­ I don''t think I should rece my current set but I guess I should keep this for now just in case other armors get broken." Shane muttered to himself as he felt satisfied with the loot.


    Finally, Shane decided to open his current Ascension Quest to see his progress.


    [ Ascension Quest Unlocked: A Hunter Among Lords ]


    [ Quest Objectives: ]


    Eliminate Two Lord-Tier Zombies [ 1 / 2 ]


    Eliminate Five Elite Zombie Generals [ 2 / 8 ] Seeing the progress, Shane immediately smiled as he disyed more details about the two Lord-Tier Zombies.


    [ Necrotic Swarm Sovereign: A monstrous entity ruling over legions of flesh-consuming insects. Found in the ruins of Maggotfall Citadel. ] [ Completed ]


    [ Eclipse Wraith Colossus: A behemoth capable of devouring light. Dwells in the mysterious halls of Dreadnight Fortress. ] [ Iplete ]


    Shane gently nodded after seeing that one of them was alreadypleted.


    Unfortunately, the location of the Dreadnight Fortress was a bit too far and it required a journey of two days if they couldn''t find a vehicle they could use.

 Chapter 548 The Hidden Threat

    548 The Hidden Threat


    The thirty-four new people had all agreed to join Shane''s group and became part of the Eclipse Domain Shelter.


    As the sun began to set, Shane and his group finally arrived at the outskirts of Eclipse Domain.


    The walls of the shelter seemed quite sturdy and new. There were also automated turrets scanning for potential threats.


    The two watchtowers in front were also manned by a couple of Elves each.


    For the 34 newly rescued survivors, it was a sight that left them speechless. They knew for a fact that this was the safest ce they could ever have.


    "This ce... it''s a fortress," one of them muttered in awe.


    "It looks really grand. I wonder how many people are here."


    "We should work hard and not lose our rights to live in this shelter."


    Everyone had the same thoughts as they knew that there would be a lot of people who would want to live here. They were worried that if Shane no longer found them useful, he might abandon them and remove their rights to stay here.


    In short, they were all eager to contribute to their new home.


    As they got closer, they heard the noise from the chainsaws not too far from them. The group watched as three incredibly muscr men efficiently felled towering trees.


    They have chainsaws slicing through trunks like butter!


    Bam!


    The moment a tree fell, they worked in sync, effortlessly lifting the logs onto their shoulders and carrying them toward the shelter''s gates.


    It was such an incredible scene seeing such people doing these tasks so effortlessly.


    "Those Super Soldiers are really good..." Sol said, impressed by their raw strength and efficiency.


    Well, the Silver Mine Camp doesn''t have any Super Soldiers at all. All of them are concentrated in the Springriver Manor. Seeing them work right now, made her realize how good to have these men.


    As they reached the gates, Edwin, the butler, stood at the entrance, awaiting their arrival. He was dressed in his signature pristine uniform and gave a respectful nod to Shane before surveying the new arrivals.


    Shane then introduced the group to them as he wanted Edwin to manage them. Shane simply had no time to assign them some tasks one by one.


    The butler should be able to do something about it.


    Edwin, knowing that he was trusted by the Shelter Owner, felt thrilled as he indeed wanted to show his loyalty to Shane.


    Turning to the group of Survivors that Shane recruited, he finally spoke up.


    "We are pleased to have you join ourmunity. Here, everyone has a role. You will be assigned tasks based on your skills and abilities. Follow me."


    The rescued survivors exchanged nces before nodding. They were already convinced that this shelter was something they needed to survive.


    They all wanted to contribute to amunity that clearly had structure and protection. They followed Edwin inside the shelter, where a bustling scene awaited them.


    There certainly weren''t a lot of people inside the shelter.


    The shelter seemed to be capable of holding a few thousand people but there were probably just less than a hundred inside. @@novelbin@@


    "Alright¡­ Let''s start here."


    Edwin said as he toured them inside their shelter.


    The kitchen was filled with the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread.


    Ma, the head cook, wiped her hands on her apron before turning to greet them.


    Edwin introduced her and asked her if she needed more people there.


    "Yes¡­ But you lot look hungry! Oh, before you eat¡­ Who here knows how to cook?"


    Several survivors stepped forward hesitantly. "I worked in a diner before all this," one of them admitted.


    There were also two others who started mentioning their past experiences.


    "Good enough. Get to peeling those potatoes," Ma ordered, handing them knives. "You''ll be helping in the kitchen. We feed a lot of mouths here."


    There were only six people in the kitchen but Ma was advised by Shane to have shifting hours so there would be a day off for others.


    After this, they visited the forge.


    Borek, the draconic-blooded craftsman, was busy hammering away at a red-hot piece of metal while Renz worked beside him, sharpening a newly forged sword. There were also three others in the workshop who were all working on their anvils.


    "Anyone here have experience with smithing or crafting?" Borek asked, not even pausing in his work. He already knew why Edwin guided the new residents.


    A few hesitant hands rose. They exined what they could do and they were simply assistants in their previous jobs so they only knew a few things about smithing.


    Nheless, it was more than enough since Borek and Renz would still have to teach them.


    "Good. You''ll be helping Renz and me make weapons and armor. Our fighters need the best equipment to stay alive out there. You all have to take this job seriously."


    Finally, Edwin brought the group to the training yard.


    Captain Flint, the former town guard, was already sizing up potential recruits forbat training. After all, he needs more people to guard the walls or even to operate the ballista.


    He scanned the group with a keen eye before barking, "Anyone who has handled a weapon, step forward!"


    All of the survivors stepped up.


    As scavengers, they certainly had to fight most of the time. They may not be strong but they could protect themselves against low-tier Zombies.


    "I used to be a police officer," one said.


    "I was in a hunting club before this," another added.


    Flint grinned as he listened to everyone''s words.


    "Alright, you''re all with me. But you still have to learn how to fight the right way."


    However, there were still other people who weren''tfortable being part of the guards so they requested Edwin for another possible task for them.


    Edwin naturally agreed as he assigned various other tasks¡ªsome to help reinforce the walls, others to assist the Super Soldiers, and a few were directed to assist in general maintenance. The integration process proceeded smoothly.


    As night came, the shelter had certainly be livelier than ever.


    They all celebrated the appearance of their newpanions around a huge bonfire they had arranged. Tundra even pulled up a barrel of alcohol to add to the festivities. The barrel seemed to have high quality as well since it had probablye from Bart.


    Shane watched it all unfold from one of the watchtowers with a small smirk on his face. He couldn''t help but feel satisfied seeing how he had built this shelter.


    ***


    A few hours ago, after Shane and his team left the citadel, the three clones of Travis also scouted the ce and confirmed that all valuables had already been taken away by the team.


    They soon slipped away from the ruins of Maggotfall Citadel as they headed in a different direction.


    The strength of the Eclipse Revenant was nothing short of impressive. Perhaps, if they had more members who could work on their n missions, they would probably be the top n instead.


    "That man Shane¡­ he epted a lot of survivors¡­ I wonder if some of them are talented."


    "The Eclipse Domain¡­ It''s a nice name for a shelter. If they continue to expand, they''ll dominate this entire sector. Should we build a shelter here as well?"


    "This ce is still too dangerous. We''re not like Shane who had an uncountable number of resources."


    "That''s enough. This is not our main mission," the third clone reminded.


    "We have to execute Statham the Vampire¡­ He''s the real threat. We need to confirm his hideout."


    After some time, the three of them then turned toward a cave entrance at the base of a distant mountain.


    It was barely visible in the night but since they already marked this ce, they were able to easily find the ce.


    "I think Statham is really here. Not just any of his Vampire Knights."


    Even with their Draconic Bloodline, they could feel the unnatural aura from the depths of the cave. This aura was definitely not something a Vampire Knight could have.


    "Let''s go¡­" One of the clones said.


    The moment they stepped inside, hundreds of red eyes opened, looking at them.


    Vampires.


    "Get ready for battle¡­"


    The first wave came instantly. Dozens of Vampires appeared with their outstretched hands, and bared fangs, hoping to devour their blood.


    However, the clones reacted swiftly.


    One clone wielded a curved de and shed through the first rank of creatures.


    Another clone breathed out a wave of me! This me incinerated the vampires in front as they all shrieked in agony and soon turned to ash.


    The third clone took a defensive stance, unleashing several sword strikes that kept the Vampires at bay.


    Yet for every vampire they killed, more emerged from the darkness.


    "There''s too many of them¡­" One of the clones groaned as his de cleaved through three at once.


    The Vampires were definitely weak, however, their numbers could definitely overwhelm them if they didn''t do something about it.

 Chapter 550 Attacking the Eclipse Domain

    550 Attacking the Eclipse Domain


    With that said, Statham seized Ceb by the throat and lifted him effortlessly. The Survivor struggled at his grasp as he tried to swing his axe wildly. However, the axe itself just shattered upon contact with Statham''s hardened flesh.


    "You will serve me¡­" Statham whispered before sinking his fangs deep into Ceb''s neck.


    After turning Ceb into a Vampire, Statham found three more Survivors who had the potential to be Vampire Knights.


    Then, he allowed the other Vampire Knights to turn the remaining survivors into lesser vampires. After all, he needed to use his Blood Essence to turn people into Vampires. He couldn''t just spend all of his essence.


    In any case, those who resisted were drained dry. Indeed, they were just left as dried corpses with no chance of bing a Zombie or Vampire but just a mere fertilizer to the ground.


    As the morning came, Ironwood Hold was no longer a human refuge.


    It had now turned into a vampire nest.


    And Statham was just getting started.


    "Resting for two days should be fine." Statham thought as he knew that he had to be patient. This world seemed a bit too special with the presence of the mysterious rank 1 Survivor. Statham couldn''t understand how Shane was actually so strong so even if he had recovered all of his strength, he was still being cautious.


    After all, he recalled how he was chased by the Elf administrators and he felt that it was connected to Shane. If the Administrators had given Shane some sort of special item, he might have fallen into a trap if he faced Shane so carelessly.


    ***


    Statham returned to his territory after taking all the valuables in the Survivor Shelter.


    He was now sitting upon his stone throne deep within hisir.


    Apparently, he decided not to immediately attack the next shelter after realizing that it was controlled by a person named Shane and was most likely the Rank 1 Survivor he wanted to kill.


    He instead ordered five of his Vampire Scouts to gather all the information they could get. After two days of scouting, they had finally returned.


    The five Vampire Scouts knelt before him. Their bat-like wings retracted into their backs as they delivered their report.


    "The Eclipse Domain Shelter¡­ is heavily fortified," one of them started. "They have five turrets, five ballistae, and twoyered barriers surrounding the settlement. The fighters among them are formidable. We confirmed two elemental magicians, a necromancer, and numerous bio-enhanced warriors. Their weapons and armor are of high quality."


    They then continued to report all the other information like the location of the entrances, the surrounding topography, the routine of the survivors, and their other activities.


    Statham leaned forward and tapped his fingers against the armrest of his throne.


    After hearing theplete details of the shelter, he immediately realized that this was indeed a formidable shelter.


    The name Shane that hade up in the report was definitely the person he was looking for.


    ''I didn''t expect that the Rank 1 Survivor is already this close to me...'' Statham muttered before a smirk spread across his face which revealed his sharp fangs.


    "So¡­ I have the opportunity to break the top survivor once again" He mused¡­


    The scout then continued. "The poption numbers are low, only about a hundred people, but their fighters are well-trained and experienced. If we attack recklessly, it will be costly."


    Statham chuckled as he stood up... "Of course. This is no simple raid like Ironwood Hold."


    He turned toward the deeper chambers of hisir, where his army was patiently waiting.


    There were hundreds of lesser vampires excited for theing battle. His elite force, the Vampire Knights, stood silently at every corner of hisir.


    With a wave of his hand, he summoned his lieutenants. Five Vampire Knights stepped forward, bowing their heads in deference.


    "We will attack the Eclipse Domain in three days," Statham dered. "I will personally lead the attack. The humans believe they are untouchable within their walls. We will show them how foolish their confidence is."


    The Vampire Knights were filled with anticipation.


    One of them stepped forward. "How many shall we bring, my lord?" @@novelbin@@


    Statham raised a single hand. "Five hundred lesser vampires. Ten Vampire Knights. That is all we need."


    The five closest aides of Statham were definitely confused.


    Only five hundred? Against a heavily fortified shelter? Yet none dared question Statham''s decision. They were only here to follow his orders. Furthermore, their Vampire Lord must have ns.


    After all, Statham had listened to the reports of the scouts and knew how formidable this shelter was.


    "Their numbers mean nothing," Statham continued, his voice was also filled with contempt. "The Eclipse Domain is strong, but they are not invincible. Their greatest w is their humanity¡ªtheir emotions, their hesitation. When the night falls, they will learn what true terror is."


    He then walked forward and faced his army.


    "Prepare yourselves. We will move under the cover of darkness. We will strike in the darkness and consume them before they even realize what is happening."


    Just like that, the chamber erupted in roars as the vampires prepared for war.


    ***


    Two nightster, Statham was now observing the Eclipse Domain. He already understood their routine and he was nning to attack once most of them started having their dinner. This would certainly make their reaction slower to their raid.


    ''It''s time¡­''


    Raising a single hand, Statham gave the signal.


    Soon, five hundred bats moved through the sky¡­ Of course, since they were lesser vampires, there was no way to hide their bloodlust after getting this close¡­


    Behind them, ten Vampire Knights moved with their crimson cloaks. There was no need for them to transform into vampires just to fly¡­


    Unfortunately, they didn''t know that their objective was merely to force the Eclipse Domain to reveal their true strength.


    "Let''s see what you''ve got, Shane." Statham muttered to himself.


    Soon, he watched his army reach the range of the shelter''s defense¡­ Well, because Shane''s team had removed so many trees around them, there was an open space of about 150 meters around his shelter where no one could hide from them.


    Indeed, there was no terrain to conceal their approach. They could only quickly fly to bridge the gap and enter the shelter.


    Of course, because of the turrets and ballistae, the vampire knights had actually led the charge.


    As soon as they breached the kill zone, the first line of visible defenses of the shelter was activated.


    The five turrets and five ballistae opened fire, unleashing bullets and heavy arrows¡­


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Explosive bolts from the ballistae tore through the vampire ranks, reducing entire groups to smoldering ash.


    Statham''s eyes widened as he saw the destructive power of each arrow! He had no idea about Tundra''s Terrorist Talent after all¡­


    Then, the automated turrets rained down a hail of bullets, cutting down dozens in the blink of an eye. Although Vampires could kill from bullet shots, there was actually a mix of silver bullets among them!


    Indeed! About 1 out of 50 bullets actually had silver tips!


    Nheless, it was not enough to deter the ten Vampire Knights as they remained unscathed.


    Unfortunately for them, Shane''s defenses weren''t just that.


    The real trap was soon activated as Shane confirmed that it was the vampires fighting them this time.


    Needless to say, Shane wanted to eliminate them all without getting any chance of escape.


    From hiddenpartments within the walls, over fifty concealed automated turrets emerged, and they were all controlled by Cloud.


    In an instant, the battlefield transformed into a ughterhouse.


    After all, these turrets were actually Sentinel Mk-II Automated Turrets!


    They were a weaker version of his Mk-IV but they consumed lesser Power Cores!


    Energy bullets shredded through the vampires, reducing them to ashes before they could even react. The Vampire Knights, despite their unnatural toughness, found themselves unable to advance under the sheer firepower.


    One of them tried to shield himself with his enchanted cloak, but a sniper round pierced straight through his forehead, exploding his skull into mist!


    Bang!


    Statham narrowed his eyes, seeing one of his Vampire Knights was killed just like that.


    ''So that''s your game¡­'' He mused.


    Soon, he heard the sound of arrows being released.


    Ten Elven Rangers, positioned on top of the watchtowers, released a coordinated volley while the Snipers also continued to fire at the Vampires!


    The Vampire Knights were being overwhelmed as more and more lesser Vampires died¡­


    They attempted to charge forward, but before they could reach the gates, a cold wind passed through them¡­


    Icicles the size of spears rained down upon them, impaling three of the knights where they stood! It happened too quickly!


    Their regenerative abilities kicked in, but before they could heal¡ª


    A massive fireball descended from the sky, engulfing them all in one go!


    Statham clenched his fists as he watched his knights fall.


    Their bodies copsed onto the ground and didn''t turn into ashes yet. It means that they were still alive and slowly recovering. If he gives them blood, these Vampire Knights would sure recover.


    Nheless, only two of his knights remained standing¡­


    ''Hidden turrets, magicians, and even that annoying barrier¡­ I see.'' Statham mused as he felt that he already decent understanding of the shelter''s strength.


    Then, something unexpected happened.

 Chapter 551 Stathams Plan

    551 Statham''s n @@novelbin@@


    The in vampires should have turned to ash like they used to be. They could never be healed or regenerated.


    However, Statham noticed that their souls had somehow lingered. It stayed around for a while as if they had turned into specters!


    To be exact, it seemed as if they had turned into some sort of wraiths!


    Statham had no idea how this could happen but he immediately recalled that Shane had a necromancer in his side. However, he didn''t expect that a Necromancer could do this. After all, he had already eliminated several Necromancers and the most they could do was summon undead creatures.


    He had never seen a Necromancer do this at all!


    Unfortunately for him, this wasn''t done by a Necromancer at all. Instead, it was Ghostcaller Sol who had done this.


    From behind the walls, her pale hands were actually raised as she chanted an incantation to summon the souls of the dead.


    It didn''t end there, she had twisted their fate and bound the lost souls to hermand!


    The souls had be Spectral Wraiths that could now bemanded by Sol.


    Statham exhaled slowly as he saw the movement of those wraiths.


    ''He was prepared for this¡­'' He mused after realizing that they already possessed a huge number of silver bullets and various means to attack his kind.


    Furthermore, the Barrier that Shane had built around his shelter was also quite troubling.


    He had expected to lose this battle as he wanted to see what kind of anti-vampire items they had in their possession. But the appearance of Eclipse Domain''s hidden strength was both fascinating and infuriating.


    Shane''s fortress was not just well-guarded¡ªit was a death trap designed to lure overconfident invaders to their doom.


    And now, Statham knew exactly what he was dealing with.


    Silently, he turned away from the massacre as he had already seen enough¡­


    "I need to start making my move¡­" Statham muttered.


    He believed that Shane would not leave this area for some time since he seemed to be interested in raiding some other Zombie Lord Territory nearby.


    It means that he wouldn''t have any issues as long as he shifted his focus against the other shelters that Shane and his team could not reach at the moment.


    He nned to expand his forces, find more Survivors he could turn into Vampire Knights before returning to fight Shane.


    To be honest, he was confident that he could break through the walls, barriers, automated turrets, elven arrows, and even the magicians that Shane had arranged to defend his territory.


    However, even if he managed to enter the Shelter, he wasn''t sure whether there would be more traps inside that he might fall into¡­


    With that in consideration, he needed more than just Vampire Knights to assist him. He needs stronger allies!


    Just like that, Statham returned to hisir and after a few hours, set out taking all of his vampire army with him to raid weaker shelters all over the continent.


    ***


    However, a few hours ago, when Statham and his army arrived near the Eclipse Domain, Shane had actually been monitoring them¡­


    He nned to make his move once Statham took the matter into his own hands and attacked his shelter. It seemed that Statham and his army weren''t aware that he knew about their presence. Because of that, Shane ordered his men to act as if they didn''t notice the vampires yet.


    As expected, as soon as they started having their meal, the vampires decided to finally attack, believing that they had caught them off guard.


    The wave of vampires advanced toward the fortress¡ªfive hundred lesser vampires with ten Vampire Knights leading the charge.


    At this time, Shane''s face remained calm, almost indifferent. This worse was weaker than the third Zombie Wave he had faced before. It was nothing and it seemed that Statham only wanted to probe their strength.


    "I guess I have to show some of my resources so he''ll think that this is all I can do." Shane muttered.


    "They took the bait," Lysandra murmured beside him as she adjusted her sniper rifle in her hands. "Just like you predicted."


    Shane smirked. "Of course. Statham is testing us. He wants to see if this ce is worth his real effort."


    Behind them, the Eclipse Domain was silent, waiting for the enemies to arrive.


    They already knew what to do as Shane had already given them all the instructions they needed to follow.


    In any case, the first sign of the Eclipse Domain''s might came when the invaders reached the outer perimeter.


    The five visible turrets activated as they fired out streams of high-velocity rounds.


    The vampires in the front ranks disintegrated on impact. There were barely any Silver Bullets among them but their bodies were shredded into nothingness before they could even reach the walls.


    Only those Vampire Knights were able to barely defend against such bombardment. These Vampire Knights were definitely incredible and they could cause some problems if they got inside.


    After all, in terms of strength, there weren''t a lot of Survivors who could fight against them with brute force.


    But that was when the hidden defenses activated.


    From within the walls, fifty hidden automated turrets emerged from their concealed stations.


    Shane didn''t even have to give themand as Cloud knew what it needed to do¡­


    Well, he spent over 20,000 Zombie Cores, 8,000 Reputation Points, 1,000 Spirit Stones, and tons of materials he found in the research facilities and abandoned buildings just to make these Turrets.


    They may not be as great as Mk-IV but they were still Mk-II and were quite good.


    "Fire."


    Together with the two magicians, the night was soon filled with gunfire and magic.


    The Vampire Knights, thinking themselves invincible, didn''t get that far at all.


    They were weed by a rain of upgraded bolts that could pierce their armor¡­ They were then hit by Ice Spears, burned by the Fireballs, and shot by the Turrets.


    Some managed to deflect the projectiles with their greatswords and their speed, but it was futile. As soon as the snipers started focusing on them, they could no longer advance!


    From the watchtowers, ten snipers, including Lysandra shot at them using upgraded silver bullets.


    "They''re really impressive¡­ These Vampire Knights will be a problem if hundreds of them are attached at the same time." Shane muttered as he saw that their armor was incredibly tough and their ws were also able to destroy most of the projectiles thrown at them.


    They were only struggling if the projectile was as fast as bullets.


    "It''s a good reference." Shane thought as he felt that these Vampire Knights were as strong as fully armored Super Soldiers. That was definitely apliment since the Super Soldiers could fight against high-tier Zombies as long as they had the equipment to do so.


    In any case, the moment a Vampire Knight staggered, the elves started using their Nature Abilities. They used their enchanted arrows and struck the Vampires.


    "Sona¡­ Otto¡­ Use your strongest attacks. I want to see it." Shanemanded.


    After all, they weren''t inside a chamber where allies could be affected.


    But this time, the target was outside their shelter.


    In short, any form of destruction that their spells could do would be just fine.


    "As you wish¡­" Sona replied with a smile while standing on the walls.


    "My attack with take longer, so you can go ahead and attack first." Otto said. At this time, many Survivors in the shelter were simply watching the event, unworried about the attacks of the Vampire.


    They were Tundra, Shenlong, and those who had just arrived in the Shelter this morning. These people were La and Bartholomew who had brought several crates of new drinks for consumption.


    Furthermore, it could be seen that Sparky, the evolved Thunderbird¡­


    All of them could tell that everything was under control and simply watched the battle unfold.


    "The magicians are finally going to get serious." Tundra muttered.


    "They''re already casting strong spells for a while. So they still have other strong spells. They''re really impressive." La muttered. She had actuallye here to ask for help.


    Well, she also wanted to kill a Zombie Lord, or to be exact, she wanted to obtain an item simr to Tundra''s new emblem that enhanced his talent. After all, her current Telekinesis was only Master Grade. It was just not enough and she felt that her growth had be stagnant.


    Even if she levels up, only her stats would increase and not her Talent after all. There were just too few things she could do with a Master Grade Talent.


    "Ahhh¡­ It''s here¡­ Sparky¡­" Bart suddenly said as he pointed at the hundreds of sharp icicles forming above Sona.


    A cold wind had actually blown carrying sharp icicles with it!


    Sona called forth a storm of icicles that engulfed the battlefield. Frostbite spread across vampire flesh¡­


    Then came the fire. They could not move or escape at all because of the ice that was covering them. They could only watch as the massive fireball descended from above, crashing into the strongest Vampire Knight in front of them!


    Boom!

 Chapter 552 Tribute

    552 Tribute


    The explosion created by the huge ball of fire shook the ground¡­ Then, the heatwave that followed burned the vampires who were nearby.


    Their regeneration was useless against the fire that Otto had created.


    Just like that, the tide of the enemy army had turned into their graveyard.


    And yet, it didn''t end there.


    Shane wanted to see if Zephyrion could also do something about the dead or dying Vampires. Since Sol could use their souls to turn them into ghosts, he believed that a Necromancer at Zephyrion''s level should also be able to do something about it.


    As expected, the vampires who were about to turn into dust suddenly stayed still and were soon covered by darkness.


    It was something unnatural.


    Instead of vanishing into nothingness, their souls were pulled from their corpses.


    Spectral figures soon emerged. They were quite different from the Ghosts or Wraiths¡­


    They have turned into phantom-like creatures instead.


    "Ohhh¡­ What are those Zephyr?" Shane asked.


    "They''re called Phantom Warriors, n Leader." Zephyrion answered.


    As the Phantom Warriors emerged, they suddenly looked at Zephyrion''s location and waited for hismand. His army had just gotten stronger with their appearance!


    In the meantime, far in the distance, hidden beyond the treeline, Statham just watched it calmly like it was not his problem.


    "He''s not going to attack, huh¡­" Shane thought as he could tell that Statham was actually strong enough to really cause some problems.


    However, the Vampire was too cautious and didn''t want tomit just yet.


    Of course, Statham''s presence was unknown to others as they couldn''t see or notice his presence from such a distance.


    It was only Shane who didn''t need to see him to know he was there. With his high Perception, he could feel the Vampire Lord''s gaze on the battlefield.


    Nheless, at this time, Statham had already gotten what he came for¡ªa glimpse of the Eclipse Domain''s true power.


    "You''re just scouting, huh¡­" Shane softly muttered as he turned away. "He was simply gathering information. This was just a warning."


    Lysandra chuckled. "Do you think he''ll stille back?"


    Shane''s smirk deepened. "Oh, he will. But next time, he won''t be testing us."


    He looked toward the distant darkness, where Statham''s presence was lurking¡­


    "Next time, he''ll be running." Shane said as he returned to his room to enjoy some nice drinks that Bart brought to him.


    ***


    On the next day, the Eclipse Domain was as busy as ever.


    The morning still came with the faint aroma of cooked meals, freshly baked bread, and in some lingering scent of alcohol from themunal dining area.


    The previous night''s battle had left no scars on the fortress; instead, the people seemed to be a lot happier.


    Nheless, Shane could understand them since they had imed their first defense victory over Statham''s vampire army. It was definitely an incredible feat and everyone felt relieved as soon as they realized how safe this ce was.


    At this time, Edwin, the butler, strolled through the streets of Eclipse Domain. It was his daily task to take note of the changes or things that needed to be changed within the shelter.


    Indeed¡­ He would always walk around to find any areas that might require help. There were times that he could fix it himself but most of the time, he would have to consult with Lysandra or Shane.


    With his hands sped behind his back, he observed everything calmly, ensuring the daily operations ran smoothly.


    In any case, it seemed that he also had some sort of cleanliness Survivor Skill since his uniform remained spotless, even as he walked past workers carrying lumber and stone to expand the settlement.


    Near the central za or gathering area, he noticed a few of the newly arrived people... They hade from other Shelters owned by Shane.


    What was even more interesting was the fact that many of the merchants who had been visiting the Springriver Manor had also been given a chance to use their Portal just by paying a small fee and as long as they would always conduct transactions to their shelters first.


    It was a win-win situation for both Shane and the merchants.


    "There are already five merchants¡­" Edwin muttered after seeing some merchants seeking trade¡­ Of course, this doesn''t include the other three stalls selling Silver Items, Spirit Stones, and other materials like talismans, tokens, and other stuff. These three stores were, of course, fully owned by Shane or the Eclipse Revenant n.


    Aside from these traders, there were also others who hade from Springriver or Silver Camp just to visit this ce and one of them was Bartholomew.


    He just learned yesterday that he was a brewmaster from Springriver Manor. He had actually brought barrels of finely aged alcohol with him as a gift for everyone who had pioneered this Shelter.


    "A fine morning to you, Edwin!" Bartholomew called with a grin.


    It was quite early in the morning but Bart already smelled of alcohol. It was definitely not a good practice but since he wasn''t a fighter and also just a visitor, Edwin decided not to bother with it. He believed that Bart would leave tomorrow or after the next day anyway.


    Edwin then smiled as he recalled his conversation with him yesterday "Master Bartholomew¡­ About the agreement we made yesterday."


    "Of course, of course! There''s already a portal so I''ll be sending them every other week. Just make sure to return the bottles without any damage. I''ll also have a few extras for Shane that doesn''t need any payment."


    Edwin nodded approvingly.


    After all, the drinks he could make were not free. Everyone would still pay with Zombie Cores except for the n Leader. It was only when there was a celebration that Shane would pay for everything that they could drink for free.


    After saying his goodbye, Edwin continued on his way.


    His next stop was the training ground, where Captain Flint was putting fifteen recruits through their morning practice¡­


    Captain Flint was a former town guard so he knew what needed to be done to shape up these recruits who couldn''t be ced in the kitchen, farm, or forge¡­


    Justst night, these 15 new recruits were actually so scared to even stand on the walls. They were very nervous that the Vampires might reach them and the barriers would fail them.


    Because of that, Captain Flint knew that he had to make these people tougher or it would cause problems soon. Although they were loyal to the shelter and Shane, it was simply not enough to be able to defend this ce.


    "Straighten up! Again!"


    Even from afar, Edwin could hear Flint''s shout instructions.


    Well, it wasn''t really easy to teach them since the recruits needed to learn both firearms and meleebat. @@novelbin@@


    "Again! Keep your stance firm when firing. Control your breath. A shaky hand is a dead hand!" Flint''s voice carried across the field as gunshots rang out. Soon, bullets struck the targets lined up at the far end.


    Nearby, a separate group sparred with swords under Flint''s watchful eye. After seeing that the others were firing steadily, he turned to them.


    "You''re not swinging an axe! You''re wielding a de! Precision over power!"


    Edwin watched for a moment and he was satisfied with their progress, before continuing toward the forge.


    Inside, Borek seemed to be working already. His muscr body was already drenched in sweat as he hammered a molten metal into shape.


    Soon, Borek stopped as he sensed someone''s presence.


    "Ah, Edwin!" Borek greeted without looking up. "Came to admire my handiwork?"


    "Your craftsmanship never fails to impress, Master Borek," Edwin replied. "I assume these will be distributed among our fighters or is this going to be for sale?"


    Borek grinned. "No¡­ Not this¡­ I''m working on something special for Shane. Something he had requested and it''ll take a lot of my time. For now, Renz is the one handling the normal stuff. He already confused the Titan Serum, so his creations had already reached a higher level."


    "Ahh¡­ I heard about his request for that. So Sir Shane had actually epted the request." Edwin said with a nod before stepping out of the forge.


    He then looked at their small orchard and confirmed that everything seemed fine. However, before he could finish his daily walk, he noticed something different.


    As he made his way back to the main building, he spotted Victor Mors standing near the garden. The entric sculptor was chiseling away at a new project¡­


    "Ah¡­ Isn''t that¡­" Edwin paused as he looked at the sculpture made of stone.


    It had a strikingly detailed figure of Shane himself!


    Even if it was unfinished, the likeness was unmistakable


    Edwin raised an eyebrow as he wasn''t sure if Shane had agreed to this. "A bold choice, Master Victor."


    Victor grinned as he turned to the butler. "The people need a symbol, Edwin. And who better than the one who leads them?"


    "That''s true¡­" Edwin said as he nced at the nearlypleted sculpture. "But do ensure it remains a tribute, not an idol. Shane would prefer it that way."


    Victor chuckled. "Oh, of course."

 Chapter 553 Stores and Achievement

    553 Stores and Achievement


    While everyone was busy outside, Shane was looking at his Weapon Store to find any valuables as he was preparing to conquer the Dreadnight Fortress soon. He was expecting that this stronghold would be stronger than the Maggotfall Citadel so he had to be prepared.


    [ Phantom Crossbow ( Rare ): A lightweight, high-precision crossbow that fires heavy bolts. Normal bolts will be enchanted bolts that can pierce through multiple low-tier zombies in a single shot.


    Price:85 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:10 ]


    [ Hot Hammer ( Exceptional ):A massive warhammer with a mysterious Fire Element Core. Each strike not only crushes its target but also sets them aze.


    Price:200 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:5 ]


    "Crossbows for the Elves and Hammers for the Super Soldiers I guess." Shane muttered as he saw the first two items. Seeing that they were very cheap, he didn''t hesitate to obtain purchase them all.


    He could also upgrade them and once they be Master or Epic Grade, they would surely have some other effects that could make his people stronger.


    He then continued with the next items.


    [ Toxic Gas Grenade ( Rare ):A grenade that releases a cloud of toxic gas upon detonation, melting living targets from the inside out. The gas lingers for a short time, creating a hazardous zone that slows and weakens anyone who passes through it.


    Price:80 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:8 ]


    "This¡­ Isn''t this a bit too dangerous?" Shane muttered as he quickly purchased one.


    There, he found its full item description and realized that the gas could only affect those with 50 Strength Points or lower. Above, the Toxic Gas would not be effective.


    With this in mind, Shane had to upgrade them if he wanted its effect to affect stronger targets. The only concern about this was the fact that it couldn''t identify a friend or foe once detonated.


    Shane then looked at the next items.


    [ Riot Shield with Shock Mod ( Umon ): ¡­


    Price:60 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:5 ]


    [ Sonic Pulse Emitter ( Exceptional ):¡­


    Price:180 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:5


    [ Boomerang de ( Umon ):¡­


    Price:50 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:10 ]


    The Riot Shield could be something useful for nonbatant to protect themselves from low-tier Zombies.


    The Sonic Pulse Emitter was some sort of a stun grenade while the Boomerang de was just like what the name implies.


    "Alright¡­ I''ll take them all." Shane muttered as he finally looked at the 7-day item.


    [ Tactical Combat Drone ( Master ): An autonomous drone equipped with a camera, a small-caliber gun, and self-detonation. It can scout ahead, provide real-time surveince, and offer support during skirmishes.


    Price: 290 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3 ]


    "This is not bad." Shane muttered as he read through it. This was certainly a good item to scout ahead in case he doesn''t have Sol or Zephyrion who could use Spirit or Undead Creatures to scout in front.


    After this, he opened the Nourishment Store.


    [ Radiation-Resistant Jerky:Dried meat cured with a special blend of herbs and chemicals that neutralize radiation. Provides a longsting source of energy and grants temporary resistance to environmental radiation.


    Price:9 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:100 ]


    Shane looked at the first item and he was immediately impressed. Deeper within Sector 20, there should be an area emitting radiation ording to the information he gathered in the underground research facility. As a matter of fact, it was the main reason there were plenty of underground bases on the continent. However, it seemed that something had suppressed it. It could be a nature''s intervention or it was done by a mystical force like the Mysterious Gray Fog. In any case, this Radiation-Resistant Jerky seemed a really good item so bought all of them since they were quite cheap too.


    [ Fortified Protein Bars:Compact, nutrient-dense bars packed with vitamins, minerals, and protein. Perfect for on-the-go survival, these bars restore stamina and provide a slight boost to Strength for a short time.


    Price:5 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:20


    [ Glowing Berry Smoothie:A vibrant, glowing smoothie made from bioluminescent berries. Drinking this smoothie enhances night vision and increases Agility for a limited time.


    Price:10 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:10


    [ Canned Sunshine Fruit Cocktail:¡­


    Price:7 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:5


    [ Spicy Wastnd Stew:¡­


    Price:10 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:10 pots


    [ Adrenaline Honey:¡­


    Price:10 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:50 jars ]


    Shane liked all of these new nourishment items in the store. He liked the cocktail and he nned to give a couple of them to Bart just in case it could help him gain inspiration for better drinks.


    Furthermore, he immediately purchased all of the Honey Jars!


    Finding sugar was not that easy since only one n was selling them in the Marketce. The 50 Jars should at least help them with their consumption even just for a few days. Once the quality of food had improved, he knew that his people''s morale would also be higher.


    At this time, Shane didn''t really mind spending so many Zombie Cores as it was also for everyone''s sake.


    Then, he turned to the 7-day item.


    [ Sweetened Bone Broth:A rich, savory broth made from boiled animal bones and sweetened with wild honey. Restores health over time and provides a slight boost to Constitution.


    Price:25 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:10


    "Mhmm¡­" Shane wasn''t sure why this was the special item since it didn''t have any outstanding effects. However, as soon as he purchased and tasted it, he realized that it indeed deserved to be a special item for the week!


    He then quickly checked the Random Item Store¡­ Among all the stores, this one was actually the one Shane was always looking forward to. After all, it could just be anything!


    He could find useless items, but there was a small chance to find really good ones.


    [ Lucky Rabbit''s Foot Talisman:A small, worn talisman said to bring good luck. Carrying this item slightly increases the chances of finding rare loot.


    Price: 100 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:1


    [ Indestructible Frying Pan: A sturdy, cast-iron frying pan that never bends or breaks. Perfect for cooking or bashing zombie skulls. Grants a small bonus to melee damage when used as a weapon.


    Price:1,000 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:1 ]


    "Ah?" Shane''s eyes widened after seeing the description of the Frying Pan. At first, he thought that it was just some sort of metaphor but it seemed that it was really indestructible!


    It may not be that great as a weapon but it was definitely a good defensive item.


    However, it was worth 1,000 Zombie Cores and he could already get a better Epic Item for that.


    ''Can Ma cook something great with this Frying Pan?'' Shane wryly smiled as he sighed and decided to purchase it.


    08:46


    In any case, they were now selling a good amount of Mid-Tier Spirit Stones, so he doesn''t have any issues with Zombie Cores right now. @@novelbin@@


    After confirming that it was indeed just a frying pan without any additional effect aside from being indestructible, Shane continued checking the other items.


    [ Portable Toilet (Rare):A foldable, lightweight toilet. Comes with a biodegradable waste bag.


    Price:50 Zombie Cores


    Quantity:5 ]


    [ Sr-Powered Lantern: Antern equipped with sr panels for recharging during the day and emitting light at night.


    Price: 40 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5 ]


    [ Portable Water Filtration System: Apact device that filters and purifies water from any source.


    Price: 25 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 6 ]


    [ Signal res: Bright, colorful res for signaling for help, marking locations, or distracting enemies. Price: 30 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5 ]


    Of course, Shane purchased these items as well, especially the Portable Toilet for hygiene.


    This time, Shane checked the 7-day item and found something interesting.


    [ Mysterious Seed Pouch: A small pouch containing seven seeds, each of which grows into a unique nt over the course of 7 days. The nts can be harvested for useful items, such as healing herbs, explosive fruit, or zombie-repelling flowers.


    Price: 200 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1 ]


    Shane liked surprises if it was something positive so he immediately purchased the item and decided to nt themter inside his Fairy Realm.


    As for the Reputation Store, Shane just quickly browsed through them and found nothing new¡­ He then used his Reputation Store Vouchers to get them at a discounted price and took them all. One of them was Gaia''s Barrier Generator which he could useter to add more defense in his shelter¡­


    There were also Power Cores and he took all of them.


    Then, as Shane was nning to visit the Fairy Realm to check on Axis'' situation, he suddenly got a notification from the system.


    Ding!


    [ A Monument Has Been Constructed in Your Honor! ]


    [ The Eclipse Sentinel Statue ¨C A monument erected by the inhabitants of Eclipse Domain,memorating your leadership, strength, and contributions to the survival of humanity in this apocalyptic world. This is the first time a structure of this magnitude has been dedicated to a Survivor by the native inhabitants of this continent. ]

 Chapter 554 Caravan

    554 Caravan


    Shane was clueless about this sudden notification.


    "Statue?" He was shocked as he realized what this message implied. It seemed that his sculptor had really done something great for him!


    ''So there''s actually a hidden reward like this¡­ Incredible¡­'' Shane was delighted as he quickly checked the benefits.


    ''Increased Shelter Prestige, Merchant Attraction, Morale Boost, Defender''s Aura, andSurvivor''s Blessing¡­''


    Thankfully, he didn''t have to guess how good they were since he could easily check their description.


    [ Increased Shelter Prestige ¨C Eclipse Domain''s influence has grown significantly. Neutral shelters are now 50% more likely to seek alliances with Eclipse Domain rather than hostility. ]


    [ Merchant Attraction ¨C The statue has be a symbol of stability and prosperity. Merchant caravans from various factions are now drawn to the Eclipse Domain, bringing rare goods and valuable trade opportunities. Expect an increase in visitors! ]


    [ Morale Boost ¨C The inhabitants of Eclipse Domain feel a deep sense of pride and security. Shelter members gain a 5% increase in productivity and a 10% boost in Willpower Resistance against mental attacks and fear-based effects. ]


    [ Defender''s Aura ¨C The statue exudes a protective presence. Any hostile entity that approaches within a 500-meter radius of Eclipse Domain will suffer a slight decrease in Strength and Agility. ]


    [ Survivor''s Blessing ¨C As long as the statue remains in the shelter, it will provide a Blessing. Whenever Eclipse Domain is under siege, all defenders gain a temporary 5% boost to their overallbat effectiveness. ]


    "This is really good¡­" Shane muttered as he knew that all the effects were truly helpful for his shelter. Whatever statue was made just now, it must not be destroyed at all.


    As he nned to go outside to see what Victor had made for him, Shane suddenly received another message from the system.


    [ A Merchant Caravan has arrived at Eclipse Domain! ]


    [ A group of traders has gathered outside the shelter''s gates. Their convoy consists of reinforced wagons pulled by mutated beasts of burden, and their banners mark them as representatives of various Neutral Factions. Some of these merchants are independent traders, while others may belong torger factions.


    Will you allow them entry? ]


    Shane smiled after seeing thest question. Needless to say, he would allow them to enter his territory!


    He immediately went outside and as expected, Edwin was already there waiting for him and exined the situation.


    Edwin was standing with his usual impable posture, while his hands sped behind his back.


    "They arrived not too long ago," Edwin said as Shane approached.


    "Are they from one Neutral Faction nearby?" Shane asked.


    "They seem to be from multiple factions, but their leader appears to be a man named Crone..."


    Shane nodded as he scanned the convoy outside the gates using his A.I. and also his high Perception¡­


    ''Seventy-six people including some powerful escorts¡­'' Shane thought as he assessed the caravan''s strength.


    As he walked outside, he soon noticed reinforced wagons lined the dirt path. They seemed to be prepared in case they were attacked by Zombies, so it was understandable to see such modified wagons.


    What piqued his interest more was the fact that they were each pulled by mutated beasts. They were massive oxen with thick, armored hides.


    The caravan was also surrounded by 50 or so mercenaries with unusually clean armor. It seemed that they had no issuesing to this area at all. Nheless, these people are all watchful but non-hostile.


    They were very calm even if it was their first timeing here. It seemed that Shane''s title effect was really working well.


    With a wave of his hand, Shane gave the order to the Super Soldiers. "Let them in."


    Soon, the heavy gates creaked open, and the convoy had finally entered the Eclipse Domain.


    Under Edwin''s arrangement, the merchants guided their wagons toward the central za, where ample space had been prepared for visiting traders.


    08:47


    "Whoa~ This is a good shelter¡­"


    "It also smells great here¡­"


    "Indeed¡­ No wonder the stars guided us here¡­"


    "I have a feeling that we''ll earn a lot in this ce. Let''s suggest to stay here for a month instead of a week. We might find some fascinating materials here."


    "That''s true¡­ No Merchant Caravan had even been in this ce. We should also collect as many materials as we can before leaving." The merchants were certainly happy upon seeing the inside of the walls.


    The za itself was surrounded by well-maintained buildings¡ªbarracks, storage houses, and even a recently built tavern.


    There were also a few merchants there, so it was certainly quite a lively ce¡­


    Since it was also getting cold, there was already arge fire pit in the center. It was encircled by wooden benches formunal gatherings. It was definitely a weing ce for the merchants.


    As thest wagon entered, a man dismounted from the lead cart and walked toward Shane.


    He was a middle-aged man with graying hair. He wore a rugged leather coat lined with protective tes, and a short sword hung at his hip. Despite being a merchant, they also carried weapons around them since they could encounter enemies everywhere.


    Whether they were Zombies who wanted to eat them or humans who wanted to steal their resources, they had to be wary of them.


    "You must be Shane," the man said as he extended a gloved hand.


    "Name''s Crone. I lead this caravan, though wee from different factions. I''ve heard a lot about Eclipse Domain, and I must say¡ªit lives up to the rumors."


    Shane had no idea where he heard the rumors but it must be arranged by the system.


    Anyway, Shane sped his hand firmly. "Crone. I appreciate youing all this way. From what faction are you?"


    Crone chuckled and replied. "I personally run my own independent tradingpany, The Wandering Coin, but many of my fellow merchants belong torger neutral factions." @@novelbin@@


    He then turned and gestured to the various traders setting up their stalls. "We''ve got people from The Golden Pavilions, known for their exotic goods and enchantments, The Ember Syndicate, specializing in weapons and armor, and The Herbalists'' Consortium, who deal in rare herbs and alchemical brews."


    Shane''s interest piqued. "I take it you''ve brought a variety of supplies, then?"


    "Oh, more than you''d expect." Crone smirked, waving toward the merchants as they swiftly arranged their wares.


    ***


    Within the hour, the central za of Eclipse Domain had transformed into a thriving market square. Stalls had been set up beneath sturdy sunshades. Each stall disyed various goods that had be raremodities in this world.


    During this time, Shane already ordered Shenlong, together with the five elves and the three super soldiers in his shelter to patrol the surroundings. This was to ensure that no Zombies would disturb them.


    With Shenlong in the lead, he was not worried that they would have any problems at all.


    Soon, Shane decided to look around the za where a few people were already exploring the ce¡­ Tundra was one of them and he certainly looked so excited. He seemed to have earned a lot of money for Zombie Cores thanks to the previous System Events and his recent raids.


    ''It feels like things are getting normal¡­'' Shane thought for a moment.


    Anyway, he first walked around the Golden Pavilions'' stalls.


    Just like what Crone had said, theyid out interesting items like enchanted trinkets, mystical scrolls, and even a few relics from before the apocalypse. Rings that granted minor elemental resistance, bracelets that enhanced stamina, and even a few mysterious eggs for sale¡­


    After asking them where the items came from, they answered that they actually came from the ancient civilization of this world. These merchants seemed to have found some ancient ruins where they collected these special items.


    "We even found items like Recruitment Stones¡­ We don''t even know how to return there unless the Lord Fog would allow us to do so." The merchant selling some mysterious eggs said to Shane.


    "Lord Fog?" Shane repeated.


    "Yes¡­ We don''t know their name but I''m sure there''s a sentient gray fog helping around people. We call him the Lord Fog¡­ He''s like a deity for us, merchants."


    This was definitely a piece of interesting information and Shane confirmed that everyone in the merchant organization knows about this at all.


    ''Lord Fog, huh¡­'' Shane already knew that the Mysterious Gray Fog was special.


    He tried looking through it before but he just gave up after failing to find anything significant about it. He didn''t expect that this fog would be treated as a deity by these inhabitants¡­


    Well, it certainly suited the title since it does a lot of things that could not be exined at all. Furthermore, it was definitely an entity that helped them reim theirnds.


    ''A deity¡­ That''s an interesting idea.'' Shane thought as he continued exploring the za¡­


    Soon, he checked the Ember Syndicate''s stalls or perhaps, armory...


    He found stacks of weapons and some of them were quite decent but there were also those battle-worn swords reforged with steel, reinforced crossbows, and even a few rare firearms that had been restored to working condition.


    Borek, the Eclipse Domain cksmith, was actually in one of the stalls looking around¡­


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!