Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Raze’s eyes lit up, and a smile formed on her face. The old shopkeeper noticed her reaction and felt a sense of satisfaction.

”And you’re giving these… for free?” Raze asked, her tone tinged with curiosity.

The shopkeeper nodded. ”Indeed. I can give you three sacks of any seeds you want. Consider it a token of appreciation for such a grand transaction. You’ve earned it, Raze.”

”So you know me,” Raze muttered, her gaze narrowing slightly.

”Ahem… You probably won’t need my name since it would take a long time before you visit this place again, but I’m Hognny,” he replied with a chuckle.

Raze nodded, acknowledging his words. Hognny was right—she didn’t need his name. Her focus was on the seeds.

Her gaze shifted between the sacks, each labeled with neat, faded lettering. She could already tell how useful they could be: fields of Golden Grain would feed their growing population, Crimson Root would nourish their laborers, and Moonleaf would heal their injured warriors. These crops were more than just plants; they were the foundation of a thriving settlement.

She had planned to take one of each, but as she looked more closely, she noticed other sacks among the stock. Something had caught her attention.

”What are these?” Raze asked, gesturing to the additional sacks.

They were neatly labeled but lacked the grand descriptions of the previous seeds. Still, curiosity tugged at her.

The shopkeeper followed her gaze and chuckled. ”Ah, you’ve got a sharp eye, Raze. Those are simpler crops. Not as rare or potent as the ones I offered, but still valuable for their unique properties. Let me show you.”

He shuffled over to the sacks and picked up the first one, labeled ”Ironbark Beans.” Pouring a handful of small, dark seeds into his palm, he explained, ”These grow into hardy bean plants with stems that can be used as makeshift rope. The beans themselves are rich in nutrients, making them a good staple dish. They’re very easy to grow, so they’re a favorite among settlers building outposts in harsh environments. I can’t give them for free, though—there aren’t many left.”

Raze nodded as she quickly messaged Shane about these crops. After sending the message, she crossed her arms, silently urging the shopkeeper to continue.

Hognny obliged, moving to the second sack, labeled ”Glowberry Vines.” He lifted a cluster of pale green seeds. ”These Glowberry Vines are quite popular. They grow quickly and produce berries that emit a faint glow, useful for lighting up areas without torches or lamps. While the berries are mildly edible, they’re better suited as a renewable light source. They’re not that rare, but someone unexpectedly bought a ton of them recently. I only have five left, so I’m planning to sell them at double the price.”

Hognny laughed, clearly enjoying the situation.

Raze arched an eyebrow but didn’t comment on the sudden price hike. ”Interesting. What’s next?”

The shopkeeper grinned and moved to the third sack, labeled ”Spineleaf.” Its seeds were tiny and sharp, and just by looking at them, Raze could tell they’d be prickly to the touch. ”Spineleaf plants aren’t for eating. They grow into low, thorny bushes perfect for creating natural barriers around a settlement. Simple, but effective for deterring wildlife or even Zombies.”

Raze’s lips twitched at the thought. It wasn’t the most glamorous option, but it would still be better than building a fence from scratch. If she wanted an aesthetic barrier, this could be a good choice.

Finally, the shopkeeper gestured to the fourth sack, labeled ”Rainleaf Sprouts.” He poured out a handful of soft, pale green-blue seeds. ”Rainleaf thrives in areas with minimal water. It’s a drought-resistant plant that provides a leafy vegetable, though its true value lies in its ability to enrich poor soil, making the land fertile for future crops.”

Raze’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. These simpler crops didn’t have the dramatic effects of the first set he introduced, but they were still valuable. Together, they could provide the clan’s Springriver Manor and Silver Mine Camp with sustainable resources for food, light, and simple defense. The Rainleaf’s soil-enriching properties were particularly appealing for developing barren land.

”How much for these?” she asked.

The shopkeeper rubbed his chin, calculating. ”Well, they’re not as rare as the others, so let’s say… 50 Zombie Cores per sack. A fair price, I’d say.”

Raze considered for a moment. It wasn’t an insignificant amount, but the long-term benefits far outweighed the cost. With her clan rapidly expanding its territory, these seeds could become vital assets.

It was at this time that Shane replied to her message. He told her to buy just enough for their future development and emphasized taking more of the seeds that weren’t available in the stores or even in the continent itself.

Needless to say, Raze had already met several wandering merchants visiting the Manor thanks to Shane’s high reputation. Because of that, she was familiar with the crops they could sell.

”Alright… Leave it to me,” she replied to Shane.

Raze then turned her attention back to the old shopkeeper and asked about the price of the Golden Grain, Crimson Root, and Moonleaf seeds.

”I’ll take five sacks of each crop you just mentioned… That will be 800 Zombie Cores, right? Then, how about the prices of the Golden Grain, Crimson Root, and Moonleaf?” Raze asked.

”Oh? You want to get more of them? That’s great. The Golden Grain and Crimson Root are worth 165 Zombie Cores each. The Moonleaf seeds are a bit more pricey—205 Zombie Cores per sack,” Hognny replied.

Raze thought for a moment as she considered how much she should buy.

”Alright, then the three free sacks will be Moonleaf seeds. I’ll buy five sacks of Golden Grain and Crimson Root. That should be 1,650 Zombie Cores, right?” Raze said.

The shopkeeper beamed as he nodded. ”Yes! Excellent choice, Raze. I’ll have these packed with your other purchases. A wise investment, if I may say so.”

As she waited for everything to be prepared, Raze couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. The Titan Serum would strengthen their workers, but these seeds would provide the foundation for a thriving, self-sustaining settlement. After all, she already knew that Shane was planning to create multiple shelters or settlements.

”We’ve prepared all the fifty Titan Serums here. There’s even one of them given for free. Kekeke…” the old shopkeeper said as he showed the chest containing the vials and handed over the free one.

”As for the sacks… Please wait for a little bit more. We’ll still be taking them from the main warehouse.”

”Thank you… But please make it quick,” Raze said as she sat on the couch. She had just received a message from Tessa that Shane was together with Asad, Natalie, Travis, Lancelot, and Alexander in the Tea House near the main pavilion.

These powerful Survivors and Clan Leaders were definitely discussing something important, and Tessa had messaged her to check it out as well.

Of course, Raze was also interested in the matter, but since she wasn’t invited, she only planned to wait and ask Shane what they had discussed or if it was something important.

”Are they all actually friendly with each other?” Raze thought. ”They should know that after the first Zombie Wave, killing Survivors could already give them drops. There’s even a possibility of looting their Talents or Skills, albeit a small chance.”

Thankfully, the wait didn’t last long. The sacks were soon prepared for her. After storing them in her inventory, she was finally satisfied and stood up to leave the store.

”Pleasure doing business with you,” the shopkeeper said, bowing deeply.

Raze didn’t respond as she had already thanked the old man earlier. She simply turned and strode out of the shop, her mind already racing with plans for the seeds and the future of her clan.

***

The Tea House, located near the main pavilion, was still bustling and bright despite being late at night. Its wooden structure was adorned with soft, paper lanterns that were giving them a warm golden glow, creating a serene atmosphere.

There were also potted plants that were carefully arranged around the room, adding a touch of life to the small store.

Inside, there were low tables, and plush cushions provided a cozy setting, perfect for quiet conversations.

It was a very comforting place but it was also quite expensive to stay here.

Nonetheless, the place was still half filled with customers.

There was a subtle aroma of steeped herbs and dried leaves that was both soothing and inviting.

Lesley from the Overlord Clan sat quietly at a table in the corner. She was observing the meeting taking place among the top-ranking Survivors and Clan Leaders.

Though she appeared disinterested, her gaze occasionally flicked toward the group gathered at the left-wing table, her curiosity was piqued by their discussion.

’So that’s Shane… Hmph… He’s just a bit more handsome than Lancelot.’ Lesley thought.

Shane sat at the head of the table. His posture was relaxed but his expression was serious. On his left sat Asad, the imposing Necromancer, who was currently wearing his Dark Magician’s robe.

Lesley felt a chill on her body as she recalled how this person could summon a huge number of disgusting Ghouls and Mummies.

’I wonder why they even invite this person...’