Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Shane was soon contacted by Natalie as she sold the Blueprint of the Shuffler Rifle to him.

Although Shane had Spencer, the Weapons Expert and Crafter, there was still a limit to the number of weapons he could make with his team.

Because of that, Shane decided to purchase the blueprint and allowed one of his technicians in the New Genesis Shelter to learn it. This way, he just needed to supply the technician with materials and he could start producing the weapon…

It would be a slow process but that was alright… In any case, such weapons would be handed over to the newer recruits.

With his Warden Units and the upcoming Aegis Series of his Mech Frames, he was confident that such firearms would soon become useless.

[ Blueprint: Shuffler Rifle ( Legendary Grade ): An Experimental Ballistics Technology. The Shuffler Rifle doesn’t just fire bullets. Each trigger pull randomizes the projectile’s properties, making it as unpredictable as it is deadly. ]

[ Base Stats:

Fire Rate: 2.4/sec

Magazine: 12 rounds

Reload Speed: 2.5s ]

[ Unique Mechanics:

[ Quantum Shuffle ( Passive ) - Every shot gives random effects:

Damage Type ( Kinetic, Plasma, Cryo, Toxic, or Dud )

Projectile Behavior ( Homing, Ricochet, Piercing, Explosive, or Phasing )

Status Effect ( Burn, Freeze, Poison, Weaken, or Luck Drain – steals 1% enemy loot chance ) ]

[ Main Crafting Requirements:

Upgraded Alloy Fragments x5

Red Steel Fragments x5

Zombie Cores x20

Power Core x1

10 mL Zombie Lord Blood ]

The requirements to build this Shuffler Rifle were quite interesting. The Alloy Fragments were quite easy to obtain and the Red Steel Fragments were the only material that could be tricky.

Nonetheless, Shane knew that they were item drops of Steel Zombies. As a matter of fact, he already has a few of them in his Inventory.

’With the Zombie Lord Blood and Power Core, I’ll have to limit the production of this rifle.’ Shane mused as he realized that he had a limited Zombie Lord Blood as well. At most, he could probably produce 50 of these Legendary Rifles.

Of course, he could also collect the Zombie Lord Blood of the other members of his Clan and ramp up the production to 200.

’I guess it would be better if the army division owned this instead of individuals.’ Shane mused.

Instead of giving or selling these rifles, he considered simply storing them in the armory and only equipping his soldiers during Zombie Waves, Raids, or other missions...

***

Time quickly passed as all Clans and Shelters were preparing for the upcoming event.

Soon, it was the night before the Fourth Zombie Wave. At this time, the New Genesis Shelter was filled with light and laughter, as Shane had arranged a simple celebration.

Indeed, Shane had ordered a feast for everyone. It will be done in all four of his shelters. However, some high officials would, of course, celebrate with him first in New Genesis Shelter…

At this time, the plaza had been transformed to accommodate a lot of people.

Long tables were arranged, and perhaps, if they weren’t upgraded, they would most likely give in from the weight of impossible delicacies.

Alexa and Marla, Shane’s two finest chefs, had worked together to make this all happen.

At the center of the main table, a roasted Ironhide Pumpkin was carved like a huge crown. Then, its hollowed-out shell was repurposed as a serving bowl for Razorleaf Cabbage salad and others.

They had also served the Solar-Dried Venison Strips. Survivors who ate them felt their fatigue melt away. Normally, it would be best to eat this before a huge battle as their movements would become swifter, sharper.

However, Shane didn’t mind and fed them such precious food tonight.

There was also Golden Feather Tea served for everyone. They were served in delicate porcelain cups as the Springriver Manor was already capable of producing them…

Those who drank it felt refreshed as even old wounds would be cured by drinking this tea… Aside from that, their bodies would be filled with renewed vigor.

”Hahaha! What a feast! No wonder you asked me to take out 10 barrels of my finest creations!” Bart, the brewmaster, laughed after seeing the table and having a few bites.

”Of course… I only have some tea with me… I knew that everyone would want some of your brew in such a banquet.” Shane said as he noticed some callous on the man’s knuckles..

’Is he practicing his Drunken Fist?’ Shane mused as he recalled that aside from being able to create the finest wine and other drinks, Bart also had a combat skill called Drunken Fist…

It seemed that he was also preparing for the next Zombie Wave.

”That’s true! Let them drink as much as they can!” Bart said as he knew that most likely, many of them would die tomorrow. This feast must be enjoyed to the fullest.

Bart then took a sip of the Glowroot Carrot Stew. It was a vibrant orange broth that granted night vision, perfect for the battles to come.

There was also some Thunderbolt Pepper Relish, a condiment so fresh it left mouths tingling and breath minty-clean…

Bart found these vegetables very interesting since they tasted very different from normal crops that they were able to harvest in the fields.

And then, the fish were served. They were always consuming that unknown meat so the appearance of these nutritious fish had surely elated everyone.

A platter of Silver Fish, with scales like liquid mercury, rested beside Emberfin Trout. Its skin was crisped to perfection, radiating warmth… Most of the guests actually liked this trout.

The Misty Koi, on the other hand, was steamed with fragrant herbs and it seemed to glow from its platter while the Troll Catfish—the rarest catch of all—was served in thin, precious slices…

There weren’t a lot of these since each bite gives a permanent increase to the drinker’s mana or spirit reserves.

Shane then stood at the head of the main table. He raised a glass of distilled honey mead—another gift from the Fairy Realm.

Around him, the people who had shaped his shelter. There was Anna the Physician, Leo the Master Blacksmith, Aya the Shaman, and other first-generation recruits…

After that, there was Tundra, who was already stacking venison strips on his plate. Layla, the Telekenesis Expert, sipping Golden Feather Tea. Then, there was Diana, his little sister, stealing extra Misty Koi when she thought no one was looking and many others like Elsa, Lily, Laura, Lysandra, Raze and many others.

Of course, he also didn’t forget to invite his allies from afar…

As a matter of fact, Asad the Necromancer was someone he didn’t expect to be such a close ally. However, he was here celebrating with them and stuffing his mouth with steamed misty koi meat.

Travis, on the other hand, was already quite busy managing his two Shelters. Because of that, he only sent one of his clones to attend the banquet. Furthermore, when Shane glanced at him, he was already negotiating for a barrel of Golden Feather Tea to Bart…

He probably thought that Bart made the tea as well.

Then, there was also Lord Kang Zhen, the leader of the Ivory Gear Shelter, sampling each dish with grace like a true noble lord. He was accompanied by his Elite Troops and they seemed to be enjoying the food as well.

***

Shane then raised his glass, and everyone went silent for a moment. Every head turned, every eye fixed on him.

”Tomorrow, the Fourth Wave comes.” He said.

There was a moment of tension as they heard about the four Zombie wave… Their hands tightened around cups and jokes died on lips.

”We have done everything we could in terms of preparations, but some of us may not see the next moonlight.” Shane then paused for a moment to look at everyone’s faces…

”Some of us will fall. Some of us will break. But tonight—” His grip on the glass tightened.

”Tonight, we remember why we fight. Not just to survive.” He then raised the glass higher, ”But to live.”

Then—

Glasses clinked.

A chair screeched as Tundra stood, slamming his mug down hard enough to make the table rattle.

”HELL YEAH!”

Just like that, everyone cheered.

They followed Tundra’s move as the sound of mugs banging against wood continued.

Diana also raised her own glass and stepped onto her chair…

”To living!” she cried, and the rest followed—”TO LIVING!”

The celebration continued throughout the whole central plaza…

Soon, Shane looked at Raze to give her the signal and the latter immediately understood.

”Light ’em up!” Raze yelled as she ordered Roan to light the first row of fireworks!

Soon, the first rocket screamed into the sky... Many of them were immediately alerted as they thought that it was a signal for an incoming Zombie Horde.

Their honed instincts acted as they swiftly held their weapons. However, their worry had soon changed into laughter...

Boom!

They realized that it was a firework, and as soon as it exploded in the sky, they witnessed a shower of red and gold!

Everyone was shocked and excited after seeing the first fireworks display in this Apocalypse World!