Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Soon, everyone in the Eclipse Revenant Clan was informed that the news related to their attack against the Phoenix Phalanx had been leaked, and it was now a topic in the World Chat.

Needless to say, Shane himself was informed about this.

”They’re talking about that? I guess that’s better for us. Other Clans might take this as their chance to attack their shelter. We don’t have to spend our own resources anymore.” Shane muttered to himself as he read the private message from Fiona.

Of course, Shane also started reading it while traveling...

”Hoh~ So they’ve made so many enemies. Good...”

Shane smiled as he continued reading through the World Chat.

It had been quite some time since he had checked the conversations here, so he might as well spend his time here...

[ Riven (Sector 8): Eclipse Domain might be strong, but living there isn’t cheap. I heard they charge 200 Zombie Cores just to stay the night. ]

[ Kaelen (Sector 19): Hey... Rumor says it’s only 100 Cores for a bed in the dormitory. Don’t exaggerate. Imagine that. Who can afford it except rich wanderers or clan elites? ]

[ Sera (Sector 2): What? You increased it a lot... I heard it’s only 70 Zombie Cores. It’s expensive, sure, but Eclipse Domain isn’t a charity. They’ve got cafés, plazas, wandering merchants, fuel, and all... You think that stuff builds itself? ]

[ Doran (Sector 15): Still feels like Shane’s milking survivors. He’s already Rank 1. Why bleed us dry? ]

[ Lyric (Sector 6): Or maybe you just want him to lower the price so you can sneak in. Don’t act like you wouldn’t pay if you had the Cores. ]

[ Veyra (Sector 12): Exactly. Eclipse Domain isn’t a refugee camp. It’s a fortress-city. If Shane lowered the price, it would be flooded with wanderers and freeloaders. ]

[ Malric (Sector 3): Doesn’t matter. I’ll never pay to stay there. I’d rather risk the wilds than hand over my hard-earned Cores. ]

Shane’s eyes narrowed as he read it.

They were quite shameless. He was only asking for 45 Zombie Cores after all. It could even be lowered to 35 Cores depending on the situation.

Still, he knew these types of people... They were just survivors trying to pressure him into lowering prices. He couldn’t afford that.

If Eclipse Domain became too cheap, it would drown in wanderers, draining resources and space... Anyway, He scrolled on, ignoring the bait.

Soon, he found some interesting news.

[ Elenor (Sector 7): Anyone hear the latest news about the Shadowbinders? ]

[ Korrin (Sector 14): Yeah. Caius’s clan. I remember them. They used to be Rank 1, now they’re Rank 19. Not because they’re weak, but because they refuse to expand, right? I heard that they’re leaving... Not sure if it’s true. ]

[ Jax (Sector 5): Caius is insane. Who keeps a clan that small in this apocalypse? Numbers mean survival. But leaving? What does that mean? ]

[ Mirael (Sector 11): Not insane. Strategic. Shadowbinders are elite. Every member is handpicked. They don’t want thousands of mouths to feed. ]

[ Talia (Sector 18): Word is they’re planning to set sail. They’ve had enough of the mainland. Too many zombies, too many clans. They want to find new lands across the sea. ]

[ Rovan (Sector 9): Set sail? That’s suicide. The oceans are crawling with Sea Zombies Lords. You think ships can survive that? ]

[ Elenor (Sector 7): Don’t underestimate Caius. If anyone can carve a path across the ocean, it’s him. He’s patient, disciplined, and his Shadowbinders are terrifying in the dark. He might become the Pirate King. ]

[ Travis: (Sector 18): LOL! ]

[ Korrin (Sector 14): Still, abandoning the mainland means giving up influence. Rank 19 today, forgotten tomorrow. ]

Shane frowned as he saw this...

Caius had once been his rival, the previous Rank 1. To see Shadowbinders deliberately shrink their numbers and now plan to leave the continent... it was bold, but dangerous. If they succeeded, they might discover lands untouched by the apocalypse. If they failed, they’d vanish into the waves.

[ Lyra (Sector 10): Big news from Serene Garden. They discovered a massive Spirit Vein. ]

[ Darius (Sector 16): Spirit Vein? That means Spirit Stones. How big is it? Is it to the point that they’ll be the largest supplier soon? ]

[ Kellen (Sector 4): I heard about it as well. They discovered it with Hermes’ help. Anyway, don’t celebrate yet. Lancelot won’t let that happen. The Overlord Clan controls most of the Spirit Stone trade. He won’t tolerate competition. Lol. ]

[ Selene (Sector 13): Bruh... Lancelot is still injured, right? I heard Shane beat him to a pulp... Also, Serene Garden is Rank 9. They’re strong enough to defend themselves. If they can secure that vein, they’ll rise fast. ]

[ Toren (Sector 20): Rise fast? Or get crushed. Lancelot doesn’t negotiate. He conquers... He will come back soon. Shane is Rank 1, so it’s understandable that he’d lose to that monster. But against the Delara? That Clan Leader of Serene Garden? She’d be destroyed! ]

[ Lyra (Sector 10): Still, Serene Garden is different. They’re peaceful, but their Spirit Masters are powerful. If they can use that vein, they could rival even the Overlord Clan. ]

[ Darius (Sector 16): This could shift the balance. Spirit Stones are too precious. Whoever controls them controls progress. ]

Shane leaned back. Spirit Stones were rare, vital for strengthening Aura and cultivation.

Thankfully, he also had one of them, and it should be just enough for his territory. Still, if Serene Garden truly found a massive vein, they could become indispensable...

’If they started selling Spirit Stones, we should also consider getting more of them.’ Shane thought as he believed that they needed to stock them up.

[ Kael (Sector 8): Guys... Did you buy some enchanted items from Ember Order? ]

[ Mira (Sector 19): Yes... They’re Rank 13 now, right? I think it was just last week when they were Rank 15. They’re developing really fast. I think they’ve been experimenting with Fire Relics. Their warriors can use these stones to convert their Spirit Points and summon flames. ]

[ Dax (Sector 6): Ohhh... That dangerous stuff. I heard one of their experiments burned half their shelter. ]

[ Elen (Sector 12): They’re Ember Order for a reason. I heard their Clan Leader had a Talent related to flame or something. They really like playing with fire. ]

[ Kael (Sector 8): Sounds like a cult. ]

[ Mira (Sector 19): Maybe, but their fire warriors are terrifying. If they perfect their Relics, they could climb ranks fast. ]

Shane frowned. Ember Order’s obsession with fire was certainly interesting. He had seen a few of them in the Marketplace and bought some of them out of interest since they’re cheap.

They were producing stones that could be used as stoves, hand warmers, water heaters, and for various purposes.

Now, it seemed that they could use a stronger flame on these stones.

Of course, they also have some weapons or equipment that produce fire. However, they always had to be big and required a lot of Spirit Stones... On the other hand, the ones they’re talking about here were small stones that could be kept in their pockets and activated at a moment’s notice.

There might be more special effects, but still, it would be amazing if they could really do it. After all, they do not have Skill-Infuser Talent as Shane does.

[ Riven (Sector 3): Nightfall Nexus is allied with Shane’s Eclipse Revenant, right? They’re Rank 11 now. Their assassins are everywhere. I think that Shane’s planning to assassinate Natalie. ]

[ Selma (Sector 15): I heard they infiltrated three shelters in one night, eliminating leaders without leaving a trace. I thought Shane was planning to kill Travis, though? ]

[ Jalen (Sector 18): Eh? Shane and Travis are allied though... Where the heck are you getting that information? ]

[ Mirael (Sector 11): Their leader, Lucian, believes in absolute secrecy. No one even knows how many members they have... However, we also know that his Nightfall Nexus wouldn’t assassinate Natalie. I know that Natalie and Shane are business partners, and that alliance alone makes them untouchable for now. ]

[ Riven (Sector 3): Sorry about that. I guess I was misinformed. But do you know about their Trade Deal? I heard that it’s bigger than just supplies. ]

[ Selma (Sector 15): Ohhh... I think it happened after Natalie built the Survivor Pact. That was a coalition of 7 other powerful Clans, right? As you know, the Pact was made after Shane and Lancelot got too much power. That time, Lancelot was backed by 10 or so other Clans. While Shane was too powerful with Flying Fortress to boot. However, I think Natalie decided to form trades with both forces to balance things out. ]

[ Doran (Sector 6): Enough talk about them! Ironclad Collective is coming to our Shelter... Are they decent people? Or should we be worried about them trying to take over? ]

[ Lyric (Sector 12): Bruh... They’re just building fortresses across the northern mountains. They probably need resources and will affect your territory or something. Their enemies aren’t humans but zombies. Chill... They’re defensive maniacs, not conquerors. ]

[ Veyra (Sector 9): That’s true... But be careful, I heard that they have Vampires on their side. ]