Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Chapter 70  Improvement and a Sleeper!

Shane's Hatchet arced through the air, a silver flash that ended in a sickening crunch. Crack!

A part of the Crypt Crawler's body was frostbitten before it shattered! The Zombie went limp, its grip on the ceiling failing as it crashed to the ground. Thud!

[ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ] The third notification finally appeared. Shane stood over the corpse, his chest heaving, his Hatchet dripping with the fluids from the zombies he had killed.

He surveyed the carnage around him, the bodies of the crawlers lying still. "That was tough…" Shane muttered as he calmed his breathing. He had won; it was three against one, and his strength and agility were tested to their limits. The silence of the mine returned, the echoes of the fight fading into memory. Shane sheathed his Hatchet, a grim smile curved on his lips. He then checked the other notification that he ignored just now because he was still in combat.

[ Congratulations! You are the first to eliminate a Crypt Crawler Zombie! ] [ You can select one reward: Instant Experience Potions x2, Zombie Cores x75, 75% Store Item Voucher x2 ]

Shane didn't think for too long as he quickly selected the two instant experience potions. He could easily gather Zombie Cores since there are plenty of Zombies around, and he already has three 75% Vouchers he obtained as a reward through his level-up.

'Now that I think about it. I didn't get this reward when I killed the Flasher Zombie… I wonder who managed to kill it first…' Shane mused.

Well, it wasn't really that surprising since there are plenty of Legendary Talents that could certainly kill strong Zombies. Even Raze, who only had an Epic Talent, was capable enough to kill a Tyrant Zombie after several days of battle. If he was not mistaken, Raze was the first one to even kill it. Anyway, Shane then turned his attention to the three Cryptic Crawlers on the ground. "It's time to take the loot." With that said, Shane touched the corpse to trigger the system. [ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes."

[ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Corse, 2 Bread, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Pair of Crawler's Grasp Gloves ]

"Gloves? An item? This is great…" Shane smiled as he continued with the looting process. Since it was a named item, he believed that he had a chance to obtain a set item!

As the first Cryptic Crawler disappeared like shattered lights, he approached the second corpse.

[ Do you want to retrieve the loot? ] "Yes." He answered. [ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Corse, 2 Bread, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Crawler Fang Dagger x2 ]

"Twin Dagger!" Shane's eyes lit up after seeing this!

He then proceeded to loot the last one.

[ You have earned 9 Experience Points. ] [ Loots obtained: 2 Item Upgrade Crystals, 2 Zombie Corse, 2 Bread, 100mL Cryptic Crawler Zombie Blood, 1 Spirit Enhancement Bottle, Shroud of Shadows Cape x1 ]

"I knew it!" Shane almost jump in excitement after seeing the last item drop!

He didn't care if the experience points were lower than the Flasher Zombies or that it didn't give him any water. He was excited seeing the three items!

"Cloud… Any Zombies around?" [ Yes. There are 4 Walker Zombies in the left tunnel and 1 Spitter Zombie in the right tunnel. They were all in a state of slumber. ]

"Got it… Since they're not moving, I still have some time to check my new items." Shane muttered as he swiftly opened his inventory and took out all the new items he obtained.

[ Crawler's Grasp Gloves ( Uncommon ): Gloves woven from the resilient fibers of Cryptic Crawler skin, granting the wearer enhanced grip and dexterity.

Effects: +5 Agility, +10 Physical Damage ] [ Crawler Fang Daggers ( Uncommon ): A set of twin daggers with blades fashioned from the fangs of Cryptic Crawlers, coated with a natural toxin.

Effects: +5 Agility, +10 Poison Damage ] [ Shroud of Shadows Cape ( Uncommon ): A cape that seems to absorb light, perfect for blending into the darkness of the mines.

Effects: +5 Agility, +10% Movement Speed ] "Additional fifteen agility points?!" Shane's eyes widened as he finally obtained an item that provided additional stat points!

This was definitely a lot more useful than ever!

Without hesitation, Shane spent a total of 36 Item Upgrade Crystals to upgrade each of them to an Exceptional Grade item!

He was also quite lucky that he didn't have to upgrade the gloves each, as they would be upgraded at the same time. It seems that they're considered as 'one' by the system.

It was the same for the twin daggers, so Shane saved a lot of crystals.

After doing all of this, he then checked the descriptions of the items once again.

[Crawler's Grasp Gloves (Exceptional): Crafted from the enhanced fibers of Cryptic Crawler exoskeletons, these gloves provide the wearer with unmatched grip and tactile sensitivity. The inner lining is embedded with micro-filaments that stimulate the wearer's reflexes, allowing for precise and swift movements. Effects: +12 Agility, +20 Physical Damage

Special Effect:

Stealth Grip: Leaves no fingerprints or traces on surfaces, ideal for covert operations. ] [ Crawler Fang Daggers (Exceptional): These twin daggers are masterfully honed from the fangs of the deadliest Cryptic Crawlers, retaining their innate venom. The hilts are designed to fit perfectly in hand, ensuring each strike is both swift and deadly. Effects: +12 Agility, +20 Poison Damage

Special Effect:

Weak Venomous Strike: A successful hit has a chance to inject a paralyzing toxin, immobilizing the target temporarily. ] [ Shroud of Shadows Cape (Exceptional): Woven from a fabric that seems to drink in the darkness, this cape cloaks the wearer in shadows. The outer layer is treated with a rare compound that diffuses light, rendering the wearer nearly invisible in low-light conditions. Effects: +12 Agility, +20% Movement Speed

Special Effect:

Lesser Shadowmeld: When stationary, the wearer fades into the shadows, becoming undetectable to the naked eye. ] "These passive skills are incredible..." Shane remarked after seeing the effects. There was no doubt that these effects would be useful inside this mine!

Aside from the increase in the numerical value of the items and the added special effects for reaching the Exceptional Realm, Shane could also tell from the description that these items had become more durable or more rigid.

He felt that it wouldn't even be a problem even if he got directly hit by Spitter Zombie's acid.

He removed his current Hunter Gloves and stored them in his backpack. Then, he wore the Crawler's Grasp Gloves instead. As for the daggers, he unfortunately doesn't have any Dagger Mastery Skill, so he decided to just keep it in his bag for now in case he needed it. With his Level 10 Axe Mastery and his Hatchet equipped, he decided to keep his current weapon. As for the Shroud of Shadows Cape, he certainly wore it since he felt that with his Traceless Breath active, it would be perfect!

'My items now are really meant for infiltration tasks...' Shane remarked after recalling his Traceless Breath Talent and his additional pieces of equipment.

Then, he checked his current Agility Points. Agility: 80 (+ 36 ) From his 44 Agility Points, it had become 80 points thanks to the 36 additional points brought by his equipment!

Shane, now equipped with the Crawler's Grasp Gloves and the Shroud of Shadows Cape, felt a surge of confidence. He tried to make a few moves around the area, and he was extremely satisfied! n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Incredible…" Shane smiled as he believed that his previous self, who had cleared the Fairy Realm Collision and A.I. Rebellion, hadn't reached this level at this early phase of the Apocalypse!

His agility and stealth capabilities were significantly enhanced, making him feel like a shadow moving through the night. "Perfect for silent missions…" Shane muttered, flexing his fingers inside the gloves' snug fit.

As he ventured deeper into the mine, the air grew thick with the stench of decay. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional drip of water from the mine's ceiling. Shane's footsteps were muffled by the Shroud of Shadows Cape, which seemed to swallow the sound whole.

Suddenly, the stillness was disrupted by a guttural snoring sound. Shane paused, his senses heightened. Ahead, in a cavernous opening, lay a Spitter Zombie, its girth spread out like a monstrous blanket over the ground. The creature was in a deep slumber, unaware of Shane's presence.

'It's really sleeping!' Shane thought as he saw the Zombie.

Shane crept closer, his Traceless Breath Talent ensuring his movements were as silent as ever. But as he crossed an invisible threshold, the Spitter Zombie's eyes snapped open, a sickly yellow one that locked onto Shane instantly.

With a horrifying belch, the zombie heaved itself upright, its mouth opening to reveal a churning pit of acid. It spat a glob of corrosive bile towards Shane, who rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the sizzling projectile.