Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

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 two combatants 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 him later…" Mr. Wadsworth answered.

Eliot then watched Lucas and the Super Soldier in combat.

He could tell that the Super Soldier was not giving his all.

Nonetheless, he was fascinated as the two fighters exchanged blows. Their movements were fluid despite their large 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…" Eliot commented with a chuckle.

Mr. Wadsworth nodded. "In a way, they are. It's the language 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 place 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 plan to rebuild or strengthen it was slowly forming in his head.

He knew then that he had found his place 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 the commencement 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! ]

[ Congratulations, 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 contemplation, he accepted 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

Blade 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 place 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 clad 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 their competition.

To his left, a group clad in Hunter Sets stood tall, their gear a blend of camouflage 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." Shane commented after seeing their attire.

Nearby, individuals in Scavenger Sets rummaged 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 the original Survivor Sets, the standard of those who had entered the Zombie Outbreak.

These sets were practical, with reinforced padding at vital points and layers 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 in Miner 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 great laborers. Nonetheless, 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 dilapidated 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. ]