Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

The shelter wasn’t protected only by turrets, ballistae, archers, and snipers. All of those relied on projectiles or consumables to function, and they could be costly, especially the bullets.

Because of that, the shelter relied more heavily on traps to deal with stray zombies, particularly when the Patrol Group missed them during their daily rounds.

”Still... the destruction must’ve been huge this time. They’re requesting a lot,” Borek muttered. He hadn’t seen the battle outside or the extent of the damage to the wall. He had remained in his smithy even after the evacuation call was issued.

”Well... If Harper needs manasteel spikes and chains, we’ll forge them sharper than before.” He muttered.

As for the venom vials, that would be handled by a different person.

Then, he tossed the paper onto the workbench and stoked the forge’s flames higher.

”Renz, prepare the molds. We start with the spikes. Harper will have his traps ready tomorrow...”

The apprentice nodded eagerly, rushing to fetch the tools. Just like that, the smithy was filled with sparks as Borek raised his hammer once more...

Clang... Clang... Clang...

The sound of steel meeting steel echoed through the smithy.

For Borek, this was more than just work. He now stood as the master of the forge, and this chance was given to him by Shane... It was repayment for the kindness he had received.

Thanks to the man, his dragon heritage was burning bright, and he could use his skills without restraint...

Every weapon he forged, every piece of armor he crafted, was proof that Shane’s gamble had paid off.

And now, with Harper’s request in hand, Borek would ensure that Eclipse Domain’s defenses were not only restored but improved.

’I can probably make these things better...’ Borek mused as he recalled the sacks of Mana Crystals and Spirit Stones that he had obtained.

With the addition of his draconic ability, he believed that the traps he’d make for Harper would be several times better!

Just like that, Borek poured his strength into the manasteel.

Renz watched in awe while his hands were busy preparing molds. His eyes never strayed far from his master as he learned a lot just from watching him work!

”The spikes, they’re glowing,” Renz whispered as he realized that the master was enchanting the steel.

Indeed, the first batch of manasteel spikes shone faintly, infused with Borek’s dragon-blooded aura. He had placed shards of Mana Crystals into the molten steel, letting their energy seep into the metal. When the hammer fell, the crystals shattered into dust with their essence binding with the steel.

”Hmm... A little bit more.” Borek muttered.

At this point, his eyes were glowing faintly with golden fire.

Soon, he set aside the first row of spikes, their tips glowing faintly red.

They were fire-infused, and they would ignite upon impact, burning whatever they struck.

Next came the chains. Borek heated long lengths of manasteel, weaving them with strands of Spirit Stone dust. As he hammered, the chains took on a bluish sheen.

When cooled, they started gaining the power of frost...

Renz knew that these items would be sold for a high price in the Marketplace, but here, they were easily made by Master Borerk, and instead of using them as weapons, they were just being used as traps outside the shelter.

Just like that, they moved on to another batch. This time, he used the Mana Crystals to embed the power of wind.

The spikes forged from this batch were lighter, and their edges were also sharp enough to whistle when swung.

These would be used in traps designed to launch projectiles. After all, spikes that flew faster, struck harder, and cut deeper.

By the time the forge’s flames dimmed, Borek had created an arsenal of elemental traps...

Fire‑spikes to burn, frost‑chains to bind, wind‑blades to slice. Each piece carried his mark, a faint draconic aura that made them stronger.

Renz wiped sweat from his brow, exhausted but exhilarated.

”Alright... We’re done for the day!”

***

In the meantime, while Borek worked tirelessly in the smithy, another figure prepared for his own mission.

Gene, a knight in his late twenties, was now in the portal hall of the Eclipse Domain.

Clad in full armor and carrying a sword at his side, he looked every bit the knight of legend.

He had fought during the battle, standing among the defenders, but now his duty called him elsewhere. The Blood Talon Shelter awaited.

The portal glowed before him. It was a swirling gate of light and mana.

After taking a deep breath, Gene stepped through.

Whom~

On the other side, the world shifted...

The Blood Talon Shelter was at the edge of a cliff, its walls carved into the stone itself. From its vantage point, the shelter overlooked a vast valley...

Its position was chosen for defense and security. Unlike Eclipse Domain, Blood Talon had not suffered attacks from the Overlord Alliance.

Its streets were lively, its markets bustling, and its people were safe.

Gene walked through the portal hall and nodded at the Warden Units standing guard.

He did not linger in the market or even the clothing store that was popular here. Instead, he went straight to visit the one in charge.

”I can visit the shops later once I confirm that we have the supply of Spirit Stones.” Gene muttered.

He had actually been recruited by Shane about two weeks after entering this Apocalypse... It was a long time ago.

Since Gene had been with the leader for a long time, he now had a lot of duties as one of the people whom Shane fully trusts.

”Is it here?” Gene said as he followed the corridor heading to the east wing.

Blood Talon Shelter was unique among Shane’s holdings. It actually had a Spirit Vein, a natural source of spirit stones. Alongside it ran a vein of gold, making the shelter wealthy and vital.

These resources fueled the defenses of Eclipse Domain and Springriver Manor, and after the recent battle, their reserves had been drained.

’I hope we get more than a thousand Spirit Stones this time.’