Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

"A flare gun?" Shane's brow furrowed in concern. "Is it a distress signal, or could it be a ploy to draw the undead?"

With a flare gun in his own possession and another entrusted to Mr. Wadsworth, the butler managing the estate's affairs, Shane knew the importance of such a signal.

"I have no idea, Sir Shane… However, it will surely draw the attention of Zombies. If someone needed help, I don't think we can help with that." Gene reported.

"That makes sense… However, since it's quite near, it might be dangerous for us as well. I'll investigate to see what's going on." Shane replied.

"Then I'll make preparations." Gene said as he offered his assistance.

"No… Just stay here and protect the estate. I have pieces of equipment to help me move stealthily. So it's better if I work alone." Shane replied with a confident tone.

Gene could only nod at this, knowing that Shane really had a marvelous set of equipment with him.

"Alright, I will patrol the surroundings with Lucky…" Gene said as he left the church.

"Mhmm…" Shane nodded.

Determined to uncover the truth, Shane quickly prepared to investigate the source of the flare. He donned his full array of gear: the Shadowmeld Tunic for stealth, the Enchanted Chitin Plate for protection, the Shroud of Shadows Cape, Crawler's Grasp Gloves for agility, and the Silent Step Boots for quiet movement.

Armed with his Electric Shock Blade, Hatchet, and Revolver, he was ready to face whatever awaited him at the Iron Mine.

***

Whoosh~

Shane moved stealthily. His form was like a shadow against the dimming light of dawn.

Cloud, his A.I. assistant, provided real-time updates, guiding him through the dense underbrush with precision.

Of course, he also had a minimap from the Apocalypse System, but it only showed the terrain and his location, not any signs of life.

As he neared the site, the unmistakable stench of decay filled the air, a horde of undead was surely lurking nearby.

Shane did his best not to react to the stench as he continued on his way.

"Mhmm? It's more dangerous than I thought… It's actually those creatures from the mines…"

Peering through the foliage, Shane's eyes narrowed at the sight before him.

A trio of Survivors, backs pressed together, formed a small circle of defiance amidst a group of tall zombies.

Encircling them were the Crypt Crawlers, their elongated limbs clicking and scraping against the ground as they closed in.

These abominations spawned from the darkest depths of the Iron Mine. In his mind, they were a grotesque fusion of humans and arachnids…

"They're going to die…" Shane thought after seeing the situation of the three Survivors.

The Survivors, armed with nothing more than crude weapons, fought with desperate courage.

Shane could see some other weapons that were lying broken on the ground, so he could tell that none of their weapons had reached Master-Grade.

Without Master-Grade Weapons like him, they would have a hard time cutting those stone-like skins of the Crypt Crawlers.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Each swing of their crude blades was met with the relentless advance of the Crypt Crawlers.

Graagghhh!

The Survivors were already lucky that their weapons weren't being broken into many pieces as of yet!

The odds were grim—eight to three—and Shane knew that without intervention, the Survivors' fate was sealed.

'Well, let's help them for now and go from there…' Shane thought as he knew that he could save them. He might regret saving these three people someday.

Without any more hesitation, Shane readied his arsenal.

The Shadowmeld Tunic blended him into the shadows, the Enchanted Chitin Plate gleamed as if it hardened against impending strikes, and the Shroud of Shadows Cape fluttered like a specter's touch.

His Crawler's Grasp Gloves tightened as his fingers curled around the hilts of his sword.

Whoosh~

Soon, his Silent Step Boots carried him forward… It was soundless as a whisper.

With a swift motion, Shane drew his Electric Shock Blade. It hummed softly as he rushed towards the nearest Crypt Crawler that was showing his back to him.

The Crypt Crawler Zombies sensed his presence…

The nearest one reeled back, its eyes widening in surprise as Shane's blade found its mark…

Bang!

His strike sent arcs of electricity coursing through the Zombie's body.

Shane actually activated the Power Surge and the Thunderous strike from that shot!

Furthermore, he was lucky enough that 35% Critical Hit rate was activated!

Thud!

Just like that, The Crypt Crawler, who had dared to venture outside it territory was defeated!

It convulsed and fell, its limbs twitching in the throes of death.

In a few moments, Shane found received a notification

[ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]

"A Survivor!"

"Thank you! Are you alone?!"

"Let's work together!"

The Survivors seized the moment, their spirits reignited by the sudden turn of events.

"Alright! Just don't get yourselves bitten and turn into a Zombie." Shane reminded.

The three redoubled their efforts as their strikes continued finding the weak spots in the Crypt Crawlers.

It was still difficult, but Shane carved a path of destruction through their ranks. For some reason, the Zombies were drawn to Shane, so the three other Survivors had an easier time dealing with the zombies.

One by one, the Crypt Crawlers fell, their numbers dwindling under the persistent assault.

[ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]

[ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]

[ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]

"Next…" Shane continued as he assisted the other Survivors.

These people couldn't help but feel shocked at Shane's stamina, speed, and strength! He wasn't getting tired at all! He wasn't even getting injured in this battle while they were already bruised all over their bodies!

"Just who is this person?"

"Let's just deal with the other Zombies!"

"Right! Don't become too much of a burden! Let's do this!"

The Survivors then targeted one of the Crypt Crawlers and worked together to kill it.

In the meantime, Shane handled all the remaining Zombies.

The nearest Crypt Crawler lunged at him, its fangs bared and dripping with venom. It wasn't feeling afraid even after other Crypt Crawlers were killed!

It became even more violent!

Shane sidestepped, the creature's momentum made it unable to dodge the tree behind him!

Thud!

Shane then pivoted, bringing the blade down in a sweeping arc, electricity crackling along the edge. The blade sliced through the Crypt Crawler's exoskeleton, the current disrupting its nervous system. It spasmed violently before collapsing in a heap.

[ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]

"I'm getting used to it… It's a lot easier fighting them in the open…" Shane commented.

[ Behind you. ] Cloud reported.

"Mhmm?"

The next Crypt Crawler was upon him almost immediately, its limbs flailing wildly.

Shane ducked under a swipe, feeling the wind from the missed strike.

'Close… How did my Perception fail to notice that? Does it have a skill to hide from my Perception?' Shane suddenly thought for a moment.

He had never obtained a skill from a normal Zombie. All of them came from other Survivors or Survivor Zombies. If this Zombie truly had a skill, then it would be a huge discovery!

Whoosh~

Shane thrust the blade forward, driving it deep into the creature's thorax. Blue sparks erupted as the electric charge found its mark, and the Crypt Crawler's movements stilled, its many eyes dimming as life fled its form.

This time, the Critical Hit rate didn't activate, but with 100% Electric Damage and Power Surge, it was enough to burn the brain of the Zombie.

[ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]

Another Cryptic Crawler Zombie approached more cautiously, having witnessed the fate of its kin. As for the last one, it was being handled by the group of Survivors. They actually killed one already! It was that bad!

Anyway, this Cryptic Crawler circled Shane for a brief moment as if it was seeking an opening.

Shane feinted left, then rolled right, coming up behind the creature. It happened so quickly with his set of items!

With a swift motion, he drove the Electric Shock Blade into the base of its skull.

Bang!

The Crypt Crawler shuddered once, the electric charge rendering it motionless before it slumped to the ground.

[ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ]

As the Crypt Crawler collapsed, Shane heaved a sigh of relief… He also noticed that the three Survivors were able to work together to kill another Crypt Crawler!

In the end, Shane killed six while the three Survivors killed two!

They weren't bad at all!

'Huh?'

Despite the triumph, a shadow of unease crossed Shane's features, his gaze was sharp and unforgiving as he observed the Survivors' actions.

They had already looted a total of five Crypt Crawler Zombies as their bodies disappeared like specks of lights!

Shane's jaw clenched, his fists tightening in silent fury at the blatant disrespect unfolding before him.

It was a stark reminder of the harsh realities of this unforgiving world.