Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

”You still can’t believe it, huh...” Horace said as he patted Gregor’s shoulder.

”Well, look at this place... Did you see the turrets there? There are also those huge soldiers and robots... I think we can relax here and not worry about our safety anymore. We just need to contribute to the shelter.” Gregor said.

Seeing how prosperous this shelter was, they knew that food and safety would not be a problem, they just needed to work and become an integral part of the shelter.

Horace agreed to this as he also examined his token carefully, already thinking about how he could contribute.

”That’s true. With proper facilities, I can craft better tools. This place... It’s different. I hope I can find a proper job here.”

As a craftsman, his way of gaining experience points was different from that of other Survivors. He gets more of them when completing his craft rather than killing a Zombie.

”I wonder how our new residence would look like...” Misty muttered as she also clutched her Resident Token tightly.

Then, she turned to the nearby medical practitioner and had an idea...

”Doctor... I’ll help with herbs. I’ll make sure no one runs out of medicine. Do you know how much I can get paid?”

”Ahhh... So, you have a skill or talent for growing herbs? That’s nice... We have limited elves to help us with those. Your addition will lighten their work.” The doctor said as he looked at Misty.

Just like that, Misty found her calling...

As for the ten who received Visitor Tokens, they weren’t disappointed. Even temporary access to Blue Haven meant safety, food, and protection. They also knew Shane would give them the Resident Tokens soon anyway.

***

Meanwhile, inside the main building of the shelter, preparations were already underway for the formal meeting with the Ironcrest Clan.

The chosen venue was the previous function room of the villa. However, it was now what they call the Grand Hall of Blue Haven, a wide chamber lined with Warden Units protecting the place.

There were also long tables that had been arranged, and meals were already being served to both sides.

The cooks had outdone themselves.

Platters of roasted meat, bowls of steaming soup, fresh bread loaves, and herbal tea were laid out.

Even a few fruits from Shane’s newly acquired Bonsai Trees had been sliced and arranged as garnish, their faint glow catching the eyes of the merchants.

Sam and Prius, the negotiators, exchanged surprised glances. Wren, the leader of the Ironcrest delegation, remained composed, but his eyes lingered on the spread. Compared to the dried rations aboard their ships, this was a feast.

It seemed that Shane had more plans in his mind.

Shane entered with his generals, Katrina at his side with her summoned wolf padding silently behind her. The room quieted as he took his seat at the head of the table.

”I’m quite late, but welcome to Blue Haven,” Shane said evenly.

”I know you’ve brought goods worth discussing. Fiona already purchased a few of them and confirmed that they’re all high quality... As you know, I have many other shelters and require more resources...”

Sam cleared his throat, bowing slightly. ”Mr. Shane, as we explained before, our clan offers three items... Spirit Grain, Ironcrest Timber, and Crystal Salt.”

Prius gestured to the samples laid out on the table. A small sack of golden grain shimmered faintly, a plank of timber that had a mystical aura, and a vial of crystalline salt...

”These are rare,” Sam continued. ”Cultivated, harvested, and mined only on our islands. They cannot be found elsewhere.”

Shane studied them carefully. He had already heard the descriptions, but seeing them in person was different. The Spirit Grain radiated faint energy, the Timber felt unnaturally solid, and the Salt seemed to be of high quality as well.

”And in return?” Shane asked.

Wren leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. ”Spirit Stones. That is what we seek. Gold as well, if possible.”

Shane’s brow furrowed slightly. ”Gold?”

It wasn’t mentioned before.

Wren nodded. ”Yes. While Zombie Cores and crystals are valuable, gold remains the universal currency among Neutral Shelters. Ahem... We recently heard about the various Neutral Shelters. We’re thinking of visiting them, but we lack gold.”

That certainly made sense.

”Does it mean that there’s no Neutral Shelters out there?” Shane asked.

”Ahem... There are a few of them, but they do not ask for a lot of gold coins. They like to trade with food and fabrics more.” Sam replied.

Shane leaned back, considering. Gold had lost much of its value in the apocalypse, but he did have mines in both Eclipse Domain and Blood Talon Shelter since he was also trading with several Neutral Shelters.

If Ironcrest wanted gold, he could provide it.

”Very well,” Shane said. ”Spirit Stones and gold. I can agree to that.”

Sam and Prius exchanged relieved glances. Wren’s expression remained unreadable, but his eyes softened slightly.

Of course, Shane wasn’t done yet.

He soon reached into his inventory and produced a vial filled with blue liquid.

He set it on the table, and the merchants froze.

”What is this?” Prius whispered.

”Mana Water,” Shane replied. ”A resource you may not have seen before.”

Sam’s eyes widened. ”Mana... water?”

They were confused and shocked at the same time.

Even Wren’s composure faltered.

He quickly used Appraisal, his eyes glowing faintly as he examined the vial.

[ Vial of Mana Water: A consumable 50mL Mana Water, a rare liquid infused with condensed mana. When consumed, it instantly restores Mana, fee improves Spirit Recovery, and accelerates natural healing. It also strengthens the body’s resilience against fatigue and enhances focus during combat or study. It also improves satiety slightly, leaving the drinker feeling revitalized and sustained for two days. ]

[ This item could not be upgraded. ]

”Wow...” He was stunned.

”It restores energy... and strengthens the body. This is... extraordinary.”

The Ironcrest merchants murmured among themselves, clearly shaken. They had never encountered such a resource.

Well, that wasn’t surprising since this was only available in the Fairy Realm.

Shane then continued.

”I am willing to trade a hundred of these. Not for goods, but for information. I want maps of the seas. Safe paths, dangerous zones, whirlpools, and areas infested with Zombie Sea Creatures.”

Wren’s gaze hardened and he shook his head. Although the mana water was important, that information wasn’t something he could easily give up.

”That information cost us lives. Hundreds of sailors died charting those paths. Mana Water alone is not enough.”

Shane didn’t flinch. He reached into his inventory again and placed ten Legendary-grade Silver Knives on the table.

This time, the merchants gasped. Sam nearly dropped his cup. Prius stared in disbelief.

”You... you would give these?” Wren asked, his voice low.

Shane nodded. ”What I need is knowledge. Knowledge saves lives.”

Anyway, Shane has thousands of Item Upgrade Crystals. Getting more Legendary weapons was not difficult for him.

For the first time, Wren’s stern expression broke into a faint smile. ”You are generous, Mr. Shane.”

Then, this time, he used his Chat System and contacted the Clan Leader of the Ironcrest Clan. Thankfully, the reply was quick.

”Very well. We accept.”

Wren gestured, and one of his men brought forward a rolled parchment. He spread it across the table, revealing a detailed map of the seas. There were lines marked as safe routes, while shaded areas indicated whirlpools, reefs, and zones swarming with Zombie Sea Creatures.

”This is the result of hundreds of sailors’ deaths...” Wren said. ”It is not perfect, but it will guide you safely.”

Shane studied it carefully and confirmed that he got the right information.

”You can have this copy, but I need a total of 300 of those vials...” Wren said, and of course, Shane didn’t hesitate and gave up the ten Legendary-grade Silver Knives and also 300 vials worth of the Mana Water.

By the end of the meeting, the agreement was sealed... Shane would also provide Spirit Stones and gold in exchange for Ironcrest’s goods, and it would be a monthly trade.

The Ironcrest Clan delegates bowed deeply. ”We look forward to this partnership,” Wren said. ”May it bring prosperity to both our clans.”

***

After their group left, Shane produced his own map, the one he had obtained before, and spread it beside the new map...

”Nice one, Shane.” Tundra muttered. He had been silent all this time since he knew that there was no need for his input during the negotiation.

”You’re really meticulous... You even managed to get their own map.” Fiona muttered as she was indeed impressed with Shane’s skills.

Shane chuckled and compared the two maps...

In the end, he realized that the Ironcrest Clan’s map had six missing islands compared to what he obtained from the system and various notes about the things they could find on some islands...

Still, they had more information about the safe and dangerous paths.

Lastly, they also noted the location of other Survivor Shelters!