Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

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 not lack some basic resources right now, thanks to Shane's ability to gather Zombie Cores and Upgrade Crystals.

The estate was certainly a place 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, solar 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 plan 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 that last. If I can help develop this land, 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.

"Welcome 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 would lay the groundwork for a stronghold of hope in a landscape 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 manipulate 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 platforms to withstand the onslaught of zombie attacks and natural disasters. It grants the following benefits:

+60% stability of constructed foundations and support structures

+60% resistance to structural collapses 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—Ah… It's slightly different." Shane corrected himself as he recalled that Lucas had quite similar 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 plans. 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 up lacking enough Zombie Cores in the upcoming 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: Congratulations, 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—a compact 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—a state-of-the-art device that will revolutionize your auction experience.

The BidLink Communicator is a sleek, handheld device with an intuitive touch interface. Its compact 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 safe communication network, protecting your bids from prying eyes.

Voice and Text Input: Place your bids using voice commands or text input for flexibility and ease of use.

Auction Catalog Access: Browse the auction items, view detailed descriptions, and plan your strategy with the integrated catalog feature.

Bid History Tracking: Keep track of your bids and the auction's progress with a comprehensive 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 place 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 upcoming 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.