Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

”They’re all working hard.” Shane muttered to himself as he also couldn’t sleep as well.

The Dreadnight Fortress was incredibly dangerous. Uncomparable to all other Zombie Lord Territory they have entered.

This had become obvious after more and more scouts had been sent to search that place. Perhaps, it could be considered the best stronger Zombie Lair out there.

Of course, the reason he decided not to bring hundreds of people to raid that place was because of the limited space in the hallways leading to the Zombie Lord’s Chamber.

There wouldn’t be enough space for 50 or more people. With that in consideration, he decided to choose the best 30 people he could gather that would enter the fortress.

Then, he had also arranged for 20 more people who would monitor them from afar to ensure that there would be no third party who might bother them. To be specific, he wanted to ensure that the Vampires would not mess with their plan.

After all, Shane knew very well that Statham had been monitoring his shelter. However, Statham himself was not confident that could defeat Shane at this point.

Nonetheless, Statham should know that once he defeated the Dreadnight Fortress’ Zombie Lord, he would be able to complete his Ascension Quest and most likely become undefeatable on this continent.

He knew that Statham would not allow that to happen so easily.

”Well, he can try…” Shane muttered to himself as he turned his attention to the three recruits who had gotten a lot stronger over the past few months.

***

Vernon wasn’t just a sniper anymore. He was now more confident to fight in closer range with his Plague Aura. Furthermore, aside from relying on his rifle, he was now getting used to dual revolvers.

On the other hand, Nia and Kale were actually sparring as they were both trying to enhance their close-range abilities. To be exact, the two of them wanted to help each other level up their skills.

This was especially true for Nia as she wanted her low-level Petrifying Sphere Skill to become more useful in live combat…

Kale moved forward as he waited for Nia’s mystical abilities to surround him.

Soon, he felt that ground soften as he realized that Nia was planning to catch him.

However, his fists and feet glowed with a green aura. It was the effect of the Decay Strike skill as it activated.

BAM!

His first punch connected with the training dummy’s chest, and immediately, a dark energy spread outward from the point of impact.

At the same time, the Petrifying Sphere aimed at his feet was also canceled because of the force that came out of his body…

”Hey! You have to attack me more seriously.” Kale complained as he realized that Nia seemed to have hesitated.

”Alright… I’ll adjust the strength of my skill.” Nia replied.

Well, her aim here was to just attack Kale while the latter would attack the dummies prepared beforehand.

Kale then glanced at the enchanted wood that had splintered. He could see the cracks on it as if the dummy itself were rotting from the inside.

”Ohh…” Kale muttered, shaking his fist. ”That’s some nasty power.”

He still couldn’t help but feel amused about the Skill he had obtained from the Zombie Lord Skill Scroll.

Meanwhile, from twenty meters away, Vernon lined up his shot.

Even in the dark, through his Eagle’s Mark-enhanced vision, he could see every tiny flaw in the dummy’s structure—the weakest points, the thinnest armor plates. They were all in his sight… Soon, he started moving around like he was fighting some other Zombies before shooting at the dummy’s weak points.

It must be said that these dummies were actually infused by Shane’s Aura Sentinel and other skills.

With the help of this Skill Infusion, the dummies were able to regenerate themselves unless they received a very strong attack that the skill couldn’t regenerate anymore.

Of course, these dummies weren’t for free and it was being sold for 3 Zombie Cores each, so no one would waste them on most random things.

BOOM!

At this point, Vernon’s bullets tore through the target and a ghostly green mist seeped from the impact wound—the effect of Plague Aura.

The dummy creaked as if its very structure was corroding. However, it was still trying to recover because of the Aura Sentinel effect.

”Looks like my shots will do more than kill…” Vernon said in satisfaction… There was no Aura Sentinel for his opponents after all. With that in consideration, his Plague Aura would surely become more devastating.

”They’ll make my enemies rot from the inside. Looks cool.” He added.

”But the Zombies are already rotten from the inside.” Nia commented.

At this time, she also finished her preparation, and soon, a glowing sphere of stone and energy formed above her palm.

With a wave of her hand,

She hurled the sphere toward Kale…

”You wanted to prove your defense… Now, show me! Kale!”

BOOM!

The sphere burst soon unleashing waves of petrifying energy.

Instantly, Kale’s limbs stiffened, turning a stone-gray color.

However, Kale just smiled and soon erupted with a burst of red aura around his body!

”This is Berserk! Look!”

Kale shouted as he showed how he resisted the petrification. As a matter of fact, the dummies beside him had already turned into stones. However, Kale’s strong vitality, berserk skill, and his own equipment were able to resist the petrification.

Nia gently nodded after seeing Kale’s berserk ability.

”Not bad… But you have to use that sparingly… That berserk has a long cooldown, right?”

”That’s true… At least, it doesn’t have glaring negative effects…” Kale replied.

For the next hour, the three of them continued training, refining their new skills, testing combinations, and perfecting their techniques.

By the time they were done, sweat had been dripping from their faces, but they all felt satisfied with what they’d done so far.

They felt ready to start the raid.

***

After training, the three decided to reward themselves with a night out.

The Rusty Tankard, Eclipse Domain’s most popular pub, was still filled with people when they arrived.

Survivors drank, laughed, and shared stories about their work.

The three pushed their way to the bar, finding an empty table near the back.

A waitress, a cheerful young woman with short blonde hair, approached the three familiar people. ”The usual for you, Kale?”

”Of course,” Kale said... ”Give me something strong.”

Vernon then placed his rifle against the wall. ”I’ll take something light…”

Nia, on the other hand, wasn’t sure what to get. ”Surprise me.”

It didn’t take that long before the drinks arrived as they clinked their mugs together.

”To survival…” Vernon and Nia said…

Kale grinned. ”And to making sure we don’t get our asses kicked at Dreadnight Fortress.”

With that said, the three laughed as they believed that they would survive the raid that was about to come.

***

In the meantime, Shane finally stepped into his Fairy Realm… It had been quite some time since he entered this place, so the sensation that welcomed him felt unfamiliar for a few moments…

However, it didn’t take that long before he was able to enjoy it.

’Such a rich mana…’ Shane thought as he recalled his times in the Fairy Realm Collision Apocalypse.

He liked the scent of nature, the gentle presence of mana, and the warmth brought by the surroundings.

At the very center of this mystical world, Shane soon noticed the colossal tree, its branches were already reaching the sky and it certainly became a lot bigger compared to before…

’You grew up so fast…’ Shane thought as he realized that the realm itself had actually gone bigger as well.

It was definitely a breathtaking sight.

Just as he started looking around, his System’s notification confirmed it.

[ Congratulations! The World Tree has fully matured! ]

”Ahh? So it’s like that…” Shane’s eyes lit up as soon as he saw this.

He knew how incredible the World Tree was. It was even Statham’s target in the past apocalypse.

”I knew it,” Shane muttered…

Just by standing near the tree, he could already feel the sheer power emanating from the tree. It was undeniable.

However, before he could admire it further, a tiny, glowing figure dashed toward him, leaving behind a trail of sparkling dust.

”Master Shane!” a cheerful voice called out.

Needless to say, it was the small fairy, Axis, the guardian of this realm.

She was no taller than his hand but she was extremely reliable as she managed this place really well.

”You’re finally back! I was beginning to think you abandoned us!” Axis pouted while crossing her arms. Of course, she knew that this place would never get abandoned.

Shane chuckled. ”I’ve been busy, you know. Things in the outside don’t exactly run themselves.”

Axis huffed, placing her hands on her hips. ”Hmph! Well, I hope you at least brought me something fun.”

Shane smirked and reached into his System Inventory, pulling out a small pouch of enchanted seeds.

”Would these do?” he asked, tossing the pouch to her.

Axis caught it midair and peeked inside.