Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Kael opened the door, stepping out with his rifle slung across his chest. The Super Soldiers followed silently.

Each one was forced to roll up their sleeves, expose their necks, and show their legs. The guards carried lanterns with them...

This was already a routine, and there was nothing new about this arrangement.

Their eyes focused on their skin as they searched for the telltale marks of infection.

The inspection was thorough. One of the guards even pressed a talisman against their skin, watching for any reaction. When none came, he finally nodded.

”They’re clean,” he said. ”Now for the entry fee.”

Another guard stepped forward, holding out a container. ”Five zombie cores each. Standard rate. Pay, or turn back.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. ”Five each? That’s robbery.”

He knew that it should only be three Zombie Cores.

The guard shrugged. ”Shelter rules. It’s also dark as you can see. Anyway, we don’t care who you are. You pay, or you stay outside with the dead.”

”What? There’s a night differential now?”

Jaxon sighed, pulling a pouch from his belt. The faint glow of zombie cores shimmered inside. He dropped them into the container...

One by one, the others did the same. The guards counted quickly, then stepped aside.

”Entry granted. Don’t cause trouble inside. Welcome to Blue Salt Shelter.”

The gates creaked open, revealing the interior of the neutral shelter...

The road was wide enough for armored cars, trucks, and caravans, and already lined with vehicles of every kind. There were battered jeeps, scavenger wagons, and even a few motorcycles chained to posts.

It wasn’t that huge compared to other shelters, but it should be big enough to house at least three to five thousand people.

Even at night, survivors moved about cautiously and their eyes seemed wary of newcomers.

As the armored car rolled inside, Kael muttered, ”This place feels more dangerous than the road.”

Jaxon’s gaze swept across the crowd and chuckled...

There were mercenaries, traders, scavengers, and other types of survivors inside.

”Let’s just mind our business... Let’s find an inn and get some food so we can leave early in the morning.”

Kael guided their armored car into the designated lot near the gate. Guards patrolled the area, charging a small fee in zombie cores to watch over the vehicles. It was safer than leaving it unattended, and Kael paid without complaint.

”Better here than stuck in an alley,” Jaxon muttered as he slung his deck pouch back onto his belt.

With the car secured, the group moved deeper into the shelter. The central avenue narrowed into side streets, where lanterns lit up the place.

They found an inn there, and its sign had already faded but was still legible. Inside, the air smelled faintly of smoke and stew.

The innkeeper eyed them warily until Kael placed a pouch of zombie cores on the counter.

”Two cores each for the night,” the man said. ”That covers your rooms and one simple meal.”

Jaxon nodded. ”We’ve had enough of simple meals. Give us something better.”

The innkeeper hesitated, then nodded. ”Eight more cores. I’ll prepare meat stew, roasted roots, and spiced bread. That’s the best we can offer tonight.”

Kael accepted this and handed over the payment. In total, eighteen zombie cores were spent. Not a heavy price, but worth it for a night of rest and proper food.

Soon, steaming bowls were placed before them. The stew was thick, filled with chunks of rabbit meat. These things were certainly rare. However, since they could provide meat, it seemed that this shelter had a farm.

Furthermore, the bread was warm, sprinkled with herbs, and the roasted roots carried a faint sweetness. For a moment, the team allowed themselves to relax.

”This almost feels normal,” one of the Super Soldiers muttered, tearing into the bread.

Jaxon smirked. ”Yeah. I’ll take this over dried rations.”

Kael ate quietly, his eyes scanning the room.

Survivors filled the inn...

There were mercenaries with scarred armor, traders whispering over maps, scavengers counting their cores. Everyone seemed tense, as if waiting for something.

After finishing their meals, they were ready to go up... However, something unexpected happened.

The sound of rushing boots echoed outside... It was then followed by a ringing bell, which also stopped after a few seconds.

The innkeeper froze with his ladle hovering over a pot.

Conversations died instantly.

Kael’s hand also moved to his rifle while Jaxon straightened with his deck of cards ready to be triggered. They had no idea what was happening, but they could tell that the situation suddenly become tense.

Apparently, the Blue Salt Shelter’s main gate was breached as a flood of people poured in. The guards actually failed to stop them!

Nearly a hundred survivors marched through the streets, their uniforms identical!

They wore dark fabric with light armor... Furthermore, each chest was marked with a burning insignia of a Phoenix!

Kael and the others watched from the inn as the streets were soon occupied...

The uniformed group moved with discipline, and they weren’t attacking anyone. It seemed that they wanted something else...

Kael frowned... ”Phoenix Phalanx patrols. Damn it...”

Jaxon’s eyes narrowed. ”What are they doing here? Do they actually own this Neutral Shelter or something?”

Then, the crowd outside parted as a tall figure stepped forward...

His gaze swept across the shelter, cold and commanding.

Survivors shrank back as some of them even started retreating into alleys, while others also began closing their stalls.

The Phoenix soldiers spread out, securing corners and watching every entrance.

Inside the inn, tension thickened... The Super Soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.

”We can’t draw attention. Not here.” Kael muttered.

Jaxon nodded... ”If they recognize us, it’s over.”

The Phoenix soldiers began moving through the shelter, questioning merchants, inspecting vehicles, as if they were looking for something...

One merchant protested, his voice trembling. ”This is a neutral shelter! You can’t—”

A soldier struck him across the face, silencing him instantly.

Jaxon frowned... The leader of this shelter should be reprimanding these people by now!

However, for some reason, they were nowhere to be seen.

Kael muttered, ”Phoenix Phalanx has a major shelter here in Sector 19. If they’re sending this many soldiers into Blue Salt, it means that stronghold is probably tied directly to this place as their supply line.”

Jaxon’s eyes flicked to the door. ”Or worse... they’re hunting someone... like us.”

Outside, the Phoenix commander raised his hand, signaling silence.

Then, he spoke.

”Phoenix Phalanx claims this territory... Those who resist will be purged.”