Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Gene explained how they had managed to subdue the Scavengers and how Anna used the two severely injured Scavengers for her potion trial, which resulted in their immediate but comfortable death.

Now, the two leaders, Cassius and Mara, were being held, and they were waiting for Shane's judgment.

Shane listened intently, processing the tale that had happened while he was away.

The shelter's traps certainly contributed a lot to their defense, proving that they should really spend their resources making ensnares, pitfalls, and various traps so they could focus on developing their small estate.

"Ahh… Wait, did you just say that Anna's potion killed the two Scavengers? Did she make a painless killing poison or something?" Shane suddenly asked as he processed Gene's words.

Gene immediately shook his head and explained. "It wasn't like that. Anna's potion was meant to cure them. However, they were already too injured and couldn't recover in time. The most it did was to ensure that they were comfortable and weren't in pain before they died. Anna said that it would work normally if the potion was used for mild injuries."

With that said, Gene turned to the beautiful bird that would fly around Shane from time to time.

"Isn't that a parrot?" Gene asked.

"That's right… It's a kea or a fire kea, to be exact." Shane said, as he also recalled checking the skills of this parrot.

He previously felt that it had provided him some buff, but to be honest, he had no idea what kind of buff he received at that time!

[ Ember Song: A soothing melody that emanates from the Phoenix Chick, enveloping its owner in a protective aura. The song's warmth bolsters the owner's spirit, granting them increased resilience and vitality.

Effect: Temporarily increases the owner's health regeneration by 10% and reduces incoming damage by 5% for 10 minutes.

Cooldown: 1 hour ]

[ Radiant Aura: The Fire Kea radiates a luminous aura that enhances its owner's awareness and reflexes. The light it casts dispels shadows and uncertainty, sharpening the owner's senses.

Effect: Grants the owner enhanced vision, allowing them to see in low light conditions. Additionally, it improves the owner's reaction time, increasing dodge chance by 15% for 5 minutes.

Cooldown: 30 minutes ]

"So it was like that… No wonder I felt better…" Shane muttered after seeing the skill effects that his pet bird could provide him during combat. The Ember Song and Radiant Aura were skills that could really make him stronger in battle!

The only thing he had to worry about was the fact that his bird could be vulnerable and get attacked by the zombies while he was battling the zombies.

'I'll think about it later.' Shane mused as he allowed the bird to fly around the estate.

Shane still postponed giving this bird a name as he decided to meet the two captured Scavengers who were tied up in the forge with Leo.

Shane's footsteps echoed through the smithy as he approached the holding area where Cassius and Mara were kept.

The light coming from the forge cast long shadows across their faces, highlighting the defiance etched into their hardened features.

Shane paused, observing them…

Cassius, with his jaw set firm, he looked at Shane with a calm gaze. Although seated, Shane could tell that he had a towering figure. With a jagged scar running down his left cheek, he certainly felt like a leader of Scavengers that matched Shane's imagination.

On the other hand, Mara had glossy, deep black hair that pulled back into a tight braid. She seemed unyielding as Shane saw a sneer playing on her lips.

"Still clinging to your pride? I heard you're not even willing to share information about the situation around the area." Shane's voice broke the silence.

Cassius spat on the ground, his voice gruff.

"We bow to no one. If you want to know about the Hunter Zombies or Screamer Zombies… You have to promise us that you'll set us free."

Cassius was fully aware that if they provided everything they knew, they would lose their value and get killed without hesitation. He was thinking of just giving them enough information so they could stay alive and leave this place.

Mara then chuckled as she saw Shane's features. Shane looked young and inexperienced so she immediately had thought of another plan.

"How about I give you a night you won't ever forget, and then we'll call it quits? It's not like we harmed any of your people. You guys even killed four scavengers. I can also make it two nights if you want…" Mara said as she gave Shane a very seductive look.

Shane sighed after hearing this. It seemed that these two Scavengers couldn't tell what situation they were in.

"You mistake my intention. I am thinking of offering you a choice—continue this stubbornness and meet your end, or embrace a new purpose by being part of our small group… However, after hearing you guys, I believe that you have no hope…"

Cassius' laughter was bitter, filled with scorn. "Haha! So you'd kill us in the end. Just do it! Scavengers like us are always ready to die!"

Shane nodded, his decision clear.

He left the smithy for a moment and returned to the church. There, he retrieved the case containing the Project Z-2's Ampules, the sleek vials glinting ominously. They were the items he found in the secret chamber of the church!

After taking them, he returned to smithy!

'I guess this is better than killing them…' Shane thought as he knew that he couldn't trust the two either. His initial options were to set them free or kill them. Killing them felt a bit too much since they were already helplessly tied. It felt like bullying the weak.

On the other hand, setting them free felt like letting go of a criminal. They might harm them later on. With that in mind, he decided to make a third option!

The documents he'd studied detailed the ampules' purpose: a nanovirus designed not for destruction, but control!

It was a chance to repurpose the Scavengers' experience, to turn foes into allies.

Shane then called for Anna as he wasn't too sure how this was done.

Of course, Anna had no clue about this, including the others.

All of them were obviously confused since they weren't aware of the ampules that Shane had. Nonetheless, they didn't question Shane and simply followed his instructions.

Soon, Anna, with a steady hand, administered the ampules to Cassius and Mara. She wasn't too good at it, but she had done it right.

Shane nervously smiled as he waited for the effects to appear.

The nanovirus would rewrite their minds. Their aggression or their defiance of him would soon transform and turn them into loyal soldiers with a cause greater than plunder and survival—soldiers who would be helping them in the shelter!

As the nanovirus took effect, the change was subtle yet profound.

The hard lines of resistance on their faces softened, their eyes now reflecting not disobedience, but a dawning awareness. It didn't end there!

Anna and the others watched in shock as they realized what was going on.

As the Project Z-2's nanovirus coursed through their veins, Cassius and Mara underwent a remarkable transformation. Their muscles tensed and then relaxed, visibly bulking up as the nanovirus enhanced their physical capabilities far beyond those of an average human.

Cassius's arms, already corded with muscle from years of combat, swelled with newfound power, his veins standing out like cables under his skin. Mara, too, exhibited a surge in strength, her stature becoming more imposing. Both of them had already broken the ropes that were used to tie them!

This Rope that was bought for 2 Zombie Cores in the store weren't just normal ropes as they've been upgraded to Rare Grade!

It was difficult to cut without using a sharp object!

As the transformation continued, the two Scavengers continued to feel the changes in their bodies.

They could tell that whatever drug was used on them didn't just bolster their physique; it sharpened their minds!

Their senses heightened, allowing them to hear the faintest sounds and see in near-total darkness. Their reflexes quickened to superhuman speed, and their injured bodies healed rapidly!

Shane watched silently as he looked at the two transformed Scavengers.

He wasn't too sure how to react to this, knowing he had crossed a line from which there was no return. But in this new world, morality was a luxury, and survival demanded harsh choices.

"Welcome to your new life…" Shane could only say after seeing that the transformation was completed, his voice was a mix of resolve and a slight feeling of guilt.

From the memories he had obtained in his alternate life, enslaving others was never a part of it, or at the very least, from the four Memory Spheres. So, Shane was still feeling a bit conflicted about this.

Nonetheless, he couldn't worry about this now.

Cassius and Mara stood, their bodies no longer tense with opposition. They nodded, a silent acceptance of their fate.

Meanwhile, Harper was looking at these two Scavengers with a strange light in his eyes… "They look really strong! Sir Shane, can you give me one as well?"