Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Chapter 62  Looting

With the zombies reeling from the onslaught of ice and fire, Shane seized the moment. With his magazine spent, he didn't bother to reload as he drew his Master-Grade Hatchet, its blade gleaming with a soft red glow, making Shane's appearance a bit scarier.

[ Hatchet ( Master ): A fearsome axe that can slash through zombies with ease. It is made of a rare metal that shines with a bright red light, and has a curved blade. It can kill a zombie with a single hit, and can also cause bleed and burn effects. It is also useful for crafting and survival purposes, such as making fire or building shelters. Effects: +35% damage against Crawler, Walker, and Runner Zombies, +15% against Spitter Zombies, +20% Critical Chance, +30% Attack Speed Special Effects:

Ice: The Hatchet is imbued with a freezing power that can chill zombies and make them brittle. It has a +50% chance of causing ice damage to zombies, and a +50% chance of slowing them down and making them vulnerable to critical hits.

Cost: 30 Spirit Points

Fire: The Hatchet is imbued with a flaming power that can scorch zombies and make them panic. It has a +50% chance of causing fire damage to zombies, and a +50% chance of making them flee and spread the fire to other zombies. Cost: 40 Spirit Points ]

With such a weapon in his hands, Shane felt a lot more confident facing the two Zombies.

"Die!" Shane's roar echoed through the building as he made sure that the two Zombie's attention would focus on him instead of his two companions. He charged while his Hatchet was raised high, its mysterious enchantments pulsing as he got closer and closer.

With his Axe Mastery, he already knew how he would kill the Zombies! Furthermore, the additional critical chance and attack speed from the Hatchet were not mere numbers—they were the difference between life and death.

As Shane closed in, the zombies, driven by hunger, met his charge with their own grotesque wrath. 'They're finally slow!'

Shane's approach was a calculated rush, his eyes locked onto the staggering forms of Jenkins and Marcus, now badly beaten from their previous intimidating appearance. The Master-Grade Hatchet in his grip glowed softly as he triggered its Special Effects, costing him some Spirit Points.

Graaahhh!

As he advanced, the zombies coordinated their attack with a semblance of the intelligence they once possessed. Zombie Jenkins, with a low growl, lunged forward, aiming to ensnare Shane with outstretched arms, while Marcus flanked, attempting to corner their human adversary.

'They can work together?! They really have some intelligence!' Shane commented in his mind as he saw their strange movement.

It was definitely not an instinctual movement but a planned action! Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Of course, Shane's response wasn't slow as he moved like he was dancing! This wasn't just all because of his current agility points; his current shoes also helped a lot in allowing him to make such evasive moves.

He pivoted at the critical moment while his Hatchet swung in a wide arc, releasing a burst of icy mist that enveloped Jenkins, slowing the Zombie's advance!

After that, Shane didn't stop using the Hatchet's effects.

Flames trailed the blade's edge, scorching the air and searing the rotting flesh of Marcus as he drew too close!

Graahhhh! The Zombies didn't seem to like the elemental powers of his Hatchet!

The Hatchet's blade flashed through the air, creating a deadly melody. Whoosh~

Shane feinted left, then rolled right, evading Zombie Jenkins' grasping hands. Shane could finally see the Zombie's movement!

He then countered with a swift uppercut, the Hatchet's blade biting deep into the Zombie's torso, a critical hit that sent shards of ice crystallizing across the wound!

'Take that!'

"Graaah~" Jenkins roared. It was definitely a guttural sound of frustration as he seemed to be very annoyed after being hit by Shane! 'Ugh… Is ice not effective against him?' Shane thought for a moment.

The ice effect should freeze the zombie muscles, making it unable to move. However, it seemed that it wasn't the best idea to use.

Anyway, he had no time to think too much. He just had to do whatever he could as he saw Marcus charging at him while a part of his body was still burning!

This Zombie was simply too durable! Its endurance was too high!

Shane ducked under the Zombie's outstretched arms. Then, Shane triggered the Hatchet's fire effect, igniting upon contact and leaving trails of flame across Marcus's bloated belly. The smell of charred decay filled the chamber.

His cut, although shallow, was still accumulating so Shane believed that this wouldn't take very long before the result of the battle came out.

The zombies, though formidable in their new monstrous forms, were already sluggish after getting shot by a bunch .44 Magnum Rounds and the effects they brought to their bodies…

Shane didn't tire out as he exploited the Zombie's current weakness, his attacks a blend of precision and power. It was taking a lot of his energy, but he had to do this if he wanted to cut them deep enough and kill them in the process! However, the Zombies were also desperate. They could probably tell that they were about to collapse from Shane's onslaught. Because of that, Shane had to be careful. Each strike was a calculated risk. He would heavily injure the Zombies with his Hatchet and narrowly escape from the gnashing jaws of death!

Well, he would certainly fail if he did this alone!

Luckily, he wasn't! He had an A.I. Assistant helping him this time!

[ On your left! ] [ Behind you! ] As soon as he heard Cloud's warning, Shane rolled forward before countering the Zombies. He was truly doing well against the two!

"Graahh!"

Annoyed by Shane's slippery movement, the zombies moved in unison to corner Shane, they certainly wanted to tear him apart and eat his flesh! However, Shane was ready. With a roar of his own, he spun and held the Hatchet at the lower part of its handle to increase his range. Then, he activated both Ice and Fire effects and erupted in a devastating whirlwind, cleaving through Jenkins and Marcus in a spectacle of elemental combo!

Shane had practiced this move in the trees outside the estate! This was the Trump Card that he had come up with over the past few days!

Soon, the battle reached its climax as Shane drove the Hatchet down in a decisive blow. Ice crystallized along the Hatchet's path and reached Zombie Jenkins' head! On the other hand, flames consumed what remained in Zombie Marcus' head!

Crashhh! Suddenly, Jenkins' head shattered into many pieces. With that, the zombies' bodies shuddered and then fell apart. Their unnatural life was finally extinguished by Shane's relentless effort.

In the end, it was over as quickly as it had begun. The two monstrous forms of Jenkins and Marcus lay still, their reign of terror ended by Shane's hand.

"Hu~"

Breathing heavily, Shane stood amidst the carnage.

At this time, his body was adorned with cuts and bruises, but his spirit was unbroken. The Hatchet, now slick with the blood and fluids of the undead, also dropped to the ground as it felt pretty heavy in his hands after the battle. The church finally returned to its silence… Shane then looked at Leo and Harper.

"That's a great battle, Sir Shane… I'm sorry we are barely able to help you." Leo said after seeing Shane's gaze. He couldn't help but sigh after recalling how they barely injured Zombies Marcus.

If possible, Leo really wanted to have his smithy fixed as quickly as possible. That way, he would be able to make a weapon that could kill those zombies!

"Right… We even broke our equipment." Harper added.

"It's fine. The Pickaxe isn't for combat anyway, I also bought four of them a while ago so you still have three spares. Though, they weren't upgraded yet." Shane replied.

"It's fine even if they're not upgraded, Sir Shane."

"Don't throw away the Pickaxe, once my smithy has been fixed and we have the tools needed, I'll fix that or use it as a material to make a better one." Leo added.

After seeing that they were all alright and were only saddened about the loss of their equipment, Shane smiled as he decided to loot the zombies for now. [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes."

[ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ] "Yes."

[ You have earned 30 Experience Points. ] [ You have earned 1 Reputation Point. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystal, 2 Zombie Cores, 500mL Water, Bread x5, Sling Bag x1, Fast Swimmer Skill, Traceless Breath Talent ]

[ You have reached the limit of Survivor Talents. Traceless Breath ( Rare ) was not added. ] [ Do you want to remove one of your current Survivor Talents to accommodate Traceless Breath? ]

[ Hint: You can only have 3 Survivor Talents, but you can check the Reputation Store occasionally, and perhaps you'll find a Talent Expansion Pack! ]

'Traceless Breath, huh…' Shane gently nodded after seeing Jenkins' Rare Talent.

It was indeed related to stealth, just like what Cloud had guessed. It was no wonder they failed to detect the presence of the two Scavengers before.