Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

"We took the liberty of looting since they might vanish…" One Survivor, Chris, explained, his voice tinged with defensiveness.

The trio, all men in their mid-twenties, bore the rugged look of those who had fought many battles. They were certainly people who had survived the Zombie Wave.

Their eyes were sharp, and they seemed to have decent Agility based on their movements.

Nonetheless, Shane could finally sense the arrogance that hangs about them like a cloak.

"There's no need for justification, Chris. We weakened those Crypt Crawlers. It's only fair we claim two each, given there were eight of them. It's not a big deal." Another chimed in, his tone dismissive.

"Indeed, sharing is only fair, brother…" The third added, casting a challenging glance at Shane.

They seemed to believe they could scare Shane. Well, there were three of them while Shane was alone... Furthermore, Shane should also be exhausted after fighting that many Crypt Crawlers.

'What? Where did their confidence come from? Did they really think that I easily killed those Crypt Crawlers because they were weakened?' Shane was shocked at the stupidity of these three.

He couldn't help but think that they were already infected and their brain was no longer working properly!

'Hu~ I didn't expect that I'd be this angry…' Shane thought as he clenched his weapon tightly.

They've made a mistake since he was not one to be trifled with.

Shane's expression hardened, and he knew it was time to assert his authority.

The three Survivors stood before him, unaware of the storm they had invited.

Shane looked at them as he considered whether to kill them now or make them his Super Soldiers. Well, killing them quickly felt like a waste.

The leader of the Survivors, Chris, was tall and lean, with a huge birthmark from his cheek to his chin.

The second, with a mop of unruly hair, he had a build that spoke of Strength while his arms crossed defiantly. He was looking at Shane with mocking smile on his face!

The third was the smallest, and he had a gaze that flickered cunningly. His stance appeared relaxed, yet Shane could tell that he was also wary of him. He was certainly prepared to fight!

'Fine… If you guys survived, you'll be my Super Soldier. If not, I'll loot whatever you have.'

Shane's hand instinctively went to his Electric Shock Blade, the weapon humming to life in his grasp.

These three needed punishment for their arrogance and he would be the one to deliver it.

Bzzt~

The blade's electric energy crackled, and as expected, the three's eyes lit up…

They were aiming for Shane's weapon all along! They already saw it in action and knew that it was quite precious.

However, since Shane was alone, they were still confident in themselves!

***

"Hmph! Are you really thinking of fighting the three of us?"

"You're already exhausted, mister."

"Just drop your weapon, and we'll let you leave. No matter what, you still assisted us, so we won't treat you badly."

Chris smiled kindly at Shane.

However, realizing that there was no reply, he added.

"I want that cape too… Leave it, and we'll call it quits."

The three Survivors, encouraged by their body-strengthening talents, faced Shane with a brash confidence.

Chris possessed the talent of Iron Sinew, granting him muscles like coiled steel.

[ Iron Sinew (Rare Talent): The Survivor's muscles become infused with unyielding Strength and resilience. With Iron Sinew, the Survivor gains the ability to withstand massive physical blows and increase their melee combat prowess. Additionally, the Survivor can channel their inner Strength to deliver devastating strikes that shatter armor and bones with unmatched ferocity. ]

The second, with his Ogre's Constitution, had a resilience that could withstand the most punishing blows.

[ Ogre's Constitution (Rare Talent): By invoking the ancient resilience of ogre bloodlines, the Survivor's body toughens to endure the harshest of environments and battles. With Ogre's Constitution, the Survivor gains heightened endurance, enhanced regenerative capabilities, and a natural resistance to poisons and diseases.

The Survivor becomes a stalwart bulwark on the battlefield, able to withstand onslaughts that would crumble lesser warriors. ]

The third, with his Rare Berserker's Vigor, could tap into a well of Strength that belied his size.

[ Berserker's Vigor (Rare Talent): Embracing the frenzied spirit of the berserker, the Survivor taps into a primal wellspring of raw power and unbridled aggression. With Berserker's Vigor, the Survivor enters a state of controlled fury, bolstering their physical attributes, speed, and combat prowess.

In this heightened state, the Survivor becomes a whirlwind of destruction, capable of overwhelming foes with relentless assaults and unmatched tenacity. ]

Their talents weren't bad at all! It was no wonder they were still confident, even if Shane showed impressive combat abilities a while ago!

Yet, they had underestimated Shane.

As they charged, Shane's Electric Shock Blade burst with power.

Chris swung a heavy fist, he was willing to take Shane's attack as he was confident that his body could stop the blade!

That's right, he was willing to catch the blade with his own hands!

Nonetheless, Shane deftly sidestepped as he could tell that the man was truly aiming for his weapon!

Then, with an attack speed that they had never seen before, Shane delivered a swift strike to his side!

Thud!

The electric current surged, and Chris's iron-like muscles seized, rendering him momentarily helpless.

Well, they weren't even in half of Shane's Agility or maybe even in Strength!

"You!"

The second Survivor had no choice but to continue… There was no going back! Even if Chris was defeated, they still have a chance!

He dashed with the force of a battering ram, but Shane's speed turned the assault into foolishness. A precise jab with the electrified blade on his chest disrupted the Ogre's Constitution, and he crumpled.

The man's resilience faltered under the weapon's relentless energy.

The Electric Damage was just too difficult to defend against!

Since it was their first time dealing with Electric weapons, they had no idea that their physique would not be able to resist it!

The third Survivor didn't even notice that his companion was already defeated as well. His eyes were wild with the fervor of the Berserker's Vigor. He raised his weapon high and wanted to kill Shane with his crude blade!

However, Shane was like a specter with his Shroud of Shadows Cape!

He was like a shadow clad in deadly intent. He moved quietly with his boots while his blade was like a flash of lightning!

Bang!

The Thunderstrike overwhelmed the Berserker's Vigor, and the third Survivor joined his companions on the ground.

Thud!

In mere moments, the battle was over.

"That was faster than I expected… I guess they're really just normal Survivors, huh…"

Shane muttered as he stood victorious.

His opponents were easily incapacitated by his skill and the might of his Electric Shock Blade.

With a sigh, Shane looted the three remaining Crypt Crawlers, tied the three men, and carried them back to the camp.

Of course, Shane's return to the camp with the three bound Survivors in tow caused a stir among the residents.

"Ohh… You captured some people again… Are we going to have visitors every day from now on?" Gene muttered as he saw Shane from the distance.

Anna, Alexa, and Harper, who were also outside, noticed the three captured men.

They only looked at the three curiously and followed them with their eyes as Shane led them to one of the serf's houses, probably to tie them properly.

***

It was already dark when the three woke up…

The room they were in was simple, with stone walls that held the chill of the night and a single flashlight that was giving them some light.

The three men awoke to the coarse bite of ropes binding their wrists and ankles, the cold seeping into their bones.

Disoriented, they struggled against their bonds, the reality of their situation slowly dawning on them.

Mr. Wadsworth, the estate's butler, entered the room with a measured step.

His presence commanded respect, his eyes sharp beneath the brim of his hat.

If not for his uniform, they would certainly mistake the old man for some sort of a noble master.

He carried with him an air of authority that belied his role as a servant!

"Good evening, gentlemen…"

He began, his voice even and devoid of warmth. "You find yourselves in quite the predicament. I trust you'll cooperate with our inquiries or it won't end good for your three... You have to treasure your lives."

The three men exchanged nervous glances, their bravado from this morning all but vanished.

Gulp…

Seeing their reaction, Mr. Wadsworth gently smiled and proceeded to interrogate them, his questions pointed and probing.

"Your names…" He demanded, and one by one, they complied.

Chris, the first, still had a defiant edge to his voice. The second, Jake, was sullen, and the third, Liam, seemed resigned.

"And your Survivor Talents…"

Mr. Wadsworth continued.

The men revealed their abilities reluctantly—Iron Sinew, Ogre's Constitution, and Berserker's Vigor—each talent a potential asset or threat to the estate.