Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

The residents of the Blue Haven Shelter were definitely alarmed by the situation.

This is the first time they’ve seen another ship coming to their area after all.

Furthermore, it seemed that the mist over the port was thicker than usual, as if the sea itself was helping any invaders to land near their location.

”Hmm... That’s a huge ship.” Vasco, the shipbuilder, was knee-deep in his work, hammering and adjusting the frame of one of the six ships docked in the harbor.

None of them were being used yet, aside from the small fishing vessels occasionally used for food runs.

”Is that thing planning to attack us?” He muttered as he knew that even with that huge ship, they had Tundra on their side...

That person should be more than enough to deal with this problem.

He then wiped the sweat from his brow, as he noticed the silhouette of the incoming ship was not alone...

From behind, they soon noticed the shadows of two other ships!

”There’s actually three of them... That’s no fishing vessel... and since we’re not expecting any visitors, I wonder if they’re merchants.” His hands instinctively tightened around his tools, though he knew they would be useless if the cannons on that ship opened fire.

Word spread quickly.

Misha, the only female Super Soldier, was already stationed at the harbor. Her halberd gleamed faintly under the torchlight as she gave orders to other Super Soldiers including the Warden Units. ”Form a line! No one lets that ship dock unless we’re sure of their intent!” Her presence was definitely important, especially for the workers who had to move away.

Just like that, the soldiers obeyed without hesitation.

Moments later, Tundra arrived. He had been outside the shelter, but Fiona’s urgent call had brought him back.

His Terrorist Talent, the ability to plant invisible bombs on anything he touched, made him the strongest deterrent Blue Haven had.

As he stepped onto the dock, the soldiers instinctively gave him space.

Still, his calm behavior had certainly boosted everyone’s morale.

”If they’re hostile, they won’t leave this harbor alive.”

The Super Soldiers and workers who heard this couldn’t help but smile. With Tundra beside them, they felt that even if several more ships were coming at them, they did not need to be afraid!

***

Soon, the other elite fighters of the Clan had also been notified of the situation.

The mages were roused from their rest. Sona, the ice magician, rubbed her eyes...

Her breath was already misting as she prepared herself. Beside her, Otto, the fire magician, stretched his arms, as flames manifested at his fingertips.

”Cannons or not... if they fire, I’ll burn that ship to ashes.” Otto bravely announced.

Meanwhile, Zephrion, the necromancer, had been preparing to send his skeletons into the forest to cut more wood. Instead, he redirected them to the harbor.

Soon, skeletal warriors moved into formation. His eyes glowed faintly as he tried to sense any deathly energy from the ships but there was no feedback at all.

”I guess my assistance will not be needed this time.”

The barrier generators were also activated, so their shelter would be easily breached.

But everyone knew that if those cannons fired at full power, the barriers might only hold for a few minutes.

Then, suddenly, the ship raised a white flag.

The soldiers froze. It was completely unexpected.

”They’re surrendering?”

”No... that’s not surrender. That’s a peace flag.”

”Could they be allies?”

The tension shifted. The cannons remained silent, and instead, a small boat was lowered from the ship. Two passengers climbed aboard and began to row slowly toward the harbor.

The sight was surreal. The boat cut through the mist, while the white flag was fluttering faintly above it. The two figures sat upright, and they seemed unworried about getting shot.

Misha narrowed her eyes as she gave an order to the soldiers.

”Stay sharp. Peace flag or not, we don’t know their intentions.”

Tundra stepped forward, his hand brushing against the wooden railing of the dock.

If needed, he could plant his invisible bombs in an instant. ”Let them come,” he said. ”We’ll hear what they have to say.”

Vasco stopped his work entirely, but he stayed in the vessel he was working on. He just leaned against the half-finished hull of the ship. ”If they’re not enemies... then maybe they’re traders. Or scouts...”

***

The small boat finally reached the dock.

And since they were not holding any weapons whatsoever, the guards didn’t make it difficult for them.

Soon, the two passengers stepped out, their cloaks damp from the mist. One of them raised his hand calmly, speaking in a clear voice.

”We come in peace. These ships are merchant vessels, hailing from the Ironcrest Clan, Rank 51. We are not here to fight.”

The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances. Merchant ships? From another island? This was the first time Blue Haven Shelter had seen outsiders arrive by sea.

Misha kept her halberd raised and looked at Tundra...

The latter nodded, confirming that the Ironcrest Clan was indeed a true Clan.

Misha’s tone softened slightly as she realized this.

”Then state your purpose.”

The merchant bowed slightly. ”We are traders. I’m Sam... This is our first time reaching these waters. We saw your shelter from afar and wished to establish contact. We’ve never seen this place before when we’re passing here, so I assume a Survivor Clan has built a base here.”

Tundra stepped forward, his presence immediately silencing the dock.

His calm but dangerous aura made the merchants stiffen.

”This shelter is the Blue Haven Shelter, belonging to the Eclipse Revenant Clan.”

The two merchants froze. Their eyes widened in shock.

”Eclipse Revenant...? The Rank 1 Clan?”

Even the soldiers of Ironcrest aboard the ships stirred visibly, whispers spreading across their decks.

They seemed to be capable of listening to their conversation so effectively, even with their distance.

Nonetheless, to them, this was monumental. They had stumbled upon the strongest clan in existence.

The survivor or the merchant quickly bowed deeper, his voice trembling with excitement. ”We... we did not expect this. Forgive us if we intruded. To meet the Rank 1 Clan is an honor beyond measure. Please, allow us to trade with you!”

The Blue Haven soldiers murmured among themselves. The tension shifted from suspicion to cautiousness.

Tundra’s eyes narrowed. He was not one to be swayed by flattery. ”Trade, you say? Then tell me, what products do you bring?”

He definitely had to ask Shane about this... or maybe Raze, but he needed more information.

The merchant straightened, as this was the chance he had been waiting for.

”We only carry three products, but they are valuable in their own right.”

He gestured toward the ships.

”We have three special products. First... We have Spirit Grain. It’s a rare crop cultivated on our island, infused with faint spiritual energy. It could restore stamina faster than ordinary food and was prized among soldiers for long campaigns.

Aside from that, we have the Ironcrest Timber. It’s a wood harvested and enchanted by our Clan Leader. It’s stronger than steel when treated properly. Shipbuilders and weapon smiths valued it highly for construction. Ahem... Although there are only three other Clans doing some shipbuilding, I can guarantee you that all three of them were getting the timber from us.”

”Lastly, we have Crystal Salt. It’s mined from their coastal caverns. This salt was not only edible but also used in alchemy and preservation. It could extend the life of stored food and enhance certain potions. All of them could not be stored in the Inventory System, so we have to carry them all through these ships.”

The dockyard fell silent as the products were listed.

Vasco’s eyes lit up at the mention of Ironcrest Timber. Although he hadn’t seen it yet, he knew that it was exactly what he needed for shipbuilding. The mages exchanged glances at the Crystal Salt, knowing its alchemical potential. And the soldiers couldn’t help but feel curious about the Spirit Grain...

Tundra remained cautious, his hand still resting on the railing as he considered their products.

”Spirit Grain, Timber, and Crystal Salt...”

The merchants bowed again. ”We ask only for the chance to prove our worth. If the Rank 1 Clan accepts us as trading partners, it will elevate our Ironcrest Clan beyond measure.”

The soldiers of Blue Haven Shelter looked to Tundra, waiting for his judgment...

***

Meanwhile, the coin had already struck the stone floor with a sharp clink.

In that instant, Shane and Lancelot’s duel had finally started...

Shane’s golden revolvers spun in his hands, and with blinding speed, he fired.

Bang! Bang!

The bullets tore through the air, glowing with piercing energy...

Each shot was aimed precisely at Lancelot’s chest and head.

But Lancelot was unworried... Suddenly, his body trembled, and in an instant, he split into two!

The crowd gasped.

Two identical Lancelots now stood where one had been, each clad in the Blue Emperor Set, each moving independently.

One raised his sword to deflect the incoming bullets, while the other dashed forward, aiming to close the distance!

Shane’s eyes narrowed. ”A clone? No... this is real. Both are him.”