Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

”I heard that the Harden Shelter… That Neutral Shelter will actually bring a lot of people here. They seemed to have overpopulation out there and needed to send a few people here.”

”I think it’s because more and more shelters are being attacked by those Vampires.”

”That’s true… They could only find another shelter that would accept them. Thankfully, we have a lot of resources here so Lord Shane would probably accept them if they are willing to work their bones.”

”I guess that Vampire wouldn’t dare to attack this place.”

”You bet. Do you know how many Flamethrowers were made just yesterday? Ten! They are making ten Flamethrowers daily and those vampires would turn into ash if they ever thought of coming here.”

”Ahh… The Vampires must’ve smelled the oil coming from here. There’s no way they would think of invading this place…”

”Hahaha… That will be suicide for them for sure…”

At the next table, however, they were still talking about Tundra’s actions.

”Damn,” Miles muttered. ”That guy always walks in like he owns the place.” It seemed that he was already drunk and was feeling upset or jealous of Tundra.

Randy just laughed at his friend and shook his head. ”That’s ’cause he kinda does. The guy’s amazing in his work. He’s one hell of a fighter and nobody blows shit up better than him.”

Leon raised an eyebrow. ”Right… He’s the demolition expert.”

Randy laughed as he nodded. ”Demolition is a fancy way of saying ’blows stuff up and asks questions later.’”

As Tundra walked to the bar, several people called out to him. Some started greeting him while others just wanted to tease him.

”Tundra! You owe me a drink, bastard!”

”Hey, don’t blow up anything while you’re in here!”

”Tundra, did you bring more of that homemade explosive brew? Last time it knocked out half the crew!”

Tundra simply grinned. It seemed that Bart’s alcohol had become a lot better.

”Relax, relax. I’m just here for a drink. No explosions... probably.”

The room erupted in laughter.

It seemed that after staying in this place for long, Tundra’s behavior when he was still in his small group of Survivors started coming back…

At this point, he already had a reputation for being reckless but damn good at what he did.

Of course, despite his chaotic nature, he was loyal to Eclipse Domain in his own bizarre way.

Leon watched him and felt a bit amused. This place really was full of interesting people.

***

As the hours passed, the pub became a place of celebration and for forming friendships.

Other workers from different buildings shared stories and of course, the money being spent was all in the form of Zombie Cores. It was what they used to spend on drinks and food.

However, for larger transactions, Spirit Stones were the ones being used within the shelter.

At this time, Leon watched as Randy and Miles were already deep in their third round. At this moment, they were loudly debating whether Zombie Mutations were getting stronger. Well, this topic was brought out after a group of Flying Zombies attacked the shelter yesterday…

To be exact, it was happening every other day. They were no longer being attacked by Walker or Runner Zombies but instead, Flying Zombies or even some Tyrant Zombies… They weren’t a concern for their defenses but they still couldn’t help but think about it.

On the other hand, Leon just listened as he knew very well that this shelter would not fall so easily.

***

On the next day, Leon woke up later than usual. Of course, it was thanks to his comfortable bed in his assigned housing.

This time, he wasn’t in a hurry. Today was a rare luxury—a full day off.

No waking up before dawn, no shoveling coal, or monitoring fuel pressure.

Just a chance to breathe and enjoy the shelter he was beginning to call home.

At this time, he planned to visit the market, maybe grab some decent food, and enjoy a drink without worrying about waking up for work. It was a day he could never have outside this shelter.

But as soon as he stepped out of his dormitory he noticed that there was a huge crowd moving in a specific direction.

Of course, Leon followed them and noticed that the streets were livelier than usual.

Soon, he realized that people gathered near the front gates…

Leon finally understood what was going on, it must be the visitors from a Neutral Shelter. He heard that this Harden Shelter was actually hidden underground so it was difficult to find, something that not even the Vampires would know.

The only reason they were able to get contact in this place was because of a few Survivors who had actually lived in that place for some time before arriving in Eclipse Domain.

”There’s a lot of them….”

”Yes… Harden Shelter sent a group of about fifty people…”

”Look… They rode horses all the way here. Can you believe that?”

”They actually brought horses? Damn, those things are priceless right now.”

”It’s amazing that they actually have those.”

”Heh… Our Lord Shane has several vehicles with him. I saw one a week ago and for sure, it will be heavily armed once I see it again.”

”But did you hear why they came?”

”I just heard from Sir Bart in the pub that forty of them plan to stay here permanently. Harden Shelter’s overpopulated, and they can’t sustain everyone anymore.”

Sir Bart was a close aide of Shane and he visits the pub from time to time… It wasn’t difficult to believe the man who said this.

Anyway, Leon was curious about this arrangement made by Shane.

Eclipse Domain was growing fast, but it should still be careful about who it let in. As he looked at the people getting in, Leon realized that the people weren’t actually fighters. They are more like workers.

This was also confirmed by other people talking about the group.

Then, according to what he heard and what he could see, thirty of the forty looking to stay were actually women!

That fact alone had stirred a different kind of conversation.

”More women? That’s unexpected.”

”I guess we do need more people handling food production, administration, and tailoring. It’s not all about combat.”

”Yeah, but you know some of these guys are already planning to impress them,” someone snickered.

Leon rolled his eyes, chuckling to himself. The world might’ve ended, but people never changed.

***

As Leon approached the central plaza near the entrance, his breath caught in his throat.

”This…”

Among the group from Harden Shelter, one woman stood out.

She wasn’t dressed in combat gear or carrying weapons. Instead, she wore a simple, well-fitted tunic and dark leather boots.

Her hair was brown with strands falling over her face. He couldn’t properly describe it but despite looking worn out, she looked really beautiful.

Something about her made Leon’s heart pound in his chest, especially after seeing her smile while looking around the shelter.

He couldn’t help but remember his own expression after seeing this place as well. She must also feel really glad to have entered a shelter that had a positive aura around it.

Of course, he couldn’t look at her for long…

Before anyone could officially enter Eclipse Domain, they had to be screened.

Anna and her team were already prepared at the temporary medical station, checking each arrival for signs of infection. It was just a big tent where a quick checkup could be done.

One by one, the visitors from Harden Shelter stepped forward… They were led by Knight Spencer from Harden Shelter… The people he brought were obviously nervous but cooperative.

Each person had to roll up their sleeves, remove any outer layers, and allow Anna’s medical team to inspect their arms, neck, and legs for bite marks or unusual wounds.

Some of the workers who were assisting even carried small UV lamps to check for hidden scratches under the skin.

Leon didn’t have much to do and simply bought some bread from a nearby bakery and had some coffee as well.

Of course, he was still watching what was happening at the medical tent or station. Well, he also noticed that most of the new arrivals looked healthy. There were only those with a bit malnourished, maybe, but no one seemed outright suspicious.

Until something happened.

Anna was moving swiftly as she scanned over the next person in line. Then she stopped.

Her fingers tightened around her device… It was a device that Shane had invented for her team a week ago… It could detect viral infection!

Her usually calm expression shifted. The man in front of her also looked wrong.

His breathing was low and his pupils were already dilated. She could even see sweat dripping down his forehead despite the cool morning air.

His skin was paler than it should have been—almost sickly gray after removing his jacket.

For a second, no one said anything.

The people in line behind him took an unconscious step back.

One of Anna’s assistants reached for his holster.

The man swallowed hard.

”I-It’s just fatigue,” he said in a weak voice… ”The ride… the journey was rough. I just need some rest.”

Anna wasn’t buying it.