Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Bart’s eyes widened at the mention of Eden Island.

He had heard several things about this island before, but to hear Shane speak of it so casually now... it seemed that they had truly gotten control of this place.

”Eden Island...” Bart muttered with his cup halfway to his lips.

”So it’s true then. You’ve been searching for that place for a long time. And now you’ve turned it into your base.”

Shane’s expression remained calm, and he nodded.

It had only been a few weeks but it felt like a long time. There were a lot of changes already.

”Yes... We discovered more than just the island. Secrets about this continent... things buried for centuries. Eden Island is not just an answer to resolve the Apocalypse... It’s something that we can use to rebuild our civilization... Anyway, we’ve already set up a base there to make use of it.”

Bart paused once again, stunned by this discovery.

He had known Shane was always chasing the answer to end the Apocalypse...

It seemed that he was now aware of something that would truly change this world.

”Perfect... I will be part of it, of course,” Bart said after a pause, his grin returning.

”I can arrange a branch there. The Gold Star Café will serve your people.”

He hesitated, then asked, ”But will other stores and shops be sent there too? Surely you’ll need more than coffee and ale.”

Shane nodded firmly. ”Yes. We’re arranging a large base in that area. Not only our Eclipse Revenant Clan will benefit, but also Travis’s Drakeheard Vanguard Clan and Natalie’s New Haven Clan. Together, we plan to build a shelter that can accommodate five to ten thousand people. For that, we’ll need more than cafés. We’ll need everything.”

Bart raised his brows. ”Everything?”

Shane leaned forward, his voice steady. ”Barbers, cobblers, blacksmiths, tailors, bakers, apothecaries, even scribes. Survivors need more than food and weapons... They need services also places to work, and places to live. If Eden Island is to become a true stronghold, it must feel like a city, not just a fortress.”

Bart chuckled, shaking his head. ”You’re building civilization again, eh? In the middle of an apocalypse.”

Shane’s lips curved into a faint smile. ”That’s the plan. If we don’t, then we’re just waiting to die. Survivors need hope. Shops, cafés, smithies... they’re more than businesses. They’re proof that life can continue.”

Bart’s grin softened. He understood what he meant. His café had already given survivors a taste of normal life, a reminder of what the world used to be.

To bring that to Eden Island... it was daunting, but exciting.

”I’ll talk to the others,” Bart said. ”You’re right... Since we’re staring... We’ll need cobblers for boots, smiths for weapons and armor, tailors for clothes, and maybe even entertainers. Survivors need laughter too.”

”Entertainers... Right. I’ll ask Jillian about it.” Shane said as he nodded approvingly.

”That’s a good plan. We’ll coordinate with Travis and Natalie. Their clans will provide manpower and resources. You provide with whatever assistance you can give, Bart. I trust you. Together, we’ll make Eden Island the strongest shelter out there.”

At that moment, Asad finally stood up, setting his empty cup aside. He inclined his head toward Bart. ”Thank you for the coffee. It’s strong but soothing...”

Bart laughed. ”World Root extract never fails.”

Asad turned to Shane. ”I’ll check the World Tree. Maybe sleep in the greenhouse too. The mana there is comforting.”

Shane understood immediately and nodded. ”Go. I’ll handle things here. I need to meet Merlin later, but he’s probably at New Genesis Shelter instead of Springriver Manor. Before I head there, I’ll check the situation here and resolve any issues.”

Asad gave a faint smile before leaving, his robes trailing behind him as he walked toward the greenhouse.

Bart watched him go, then turned back to Shane. ”You really mean it, don’t you? Eden Island... a shelter for ten thousand people. That’s no small dream.”

Shane’s gaze was calm, and he nodded. ”Dreams are all we have left, Bart. But this one... we’ll make real.”

Bart raised his cup in a toast. ”Then the Gold Star Café will be there, serving every survivor who walks through those gates.”

Shane’s smile deepened. ”That’s exactly what I was counting on.”

***

Soon, Shane left Bart’s café with the taste of World Root coffee still lingering on his tongue.

The night air of Springriver Manor was cool, and it was refreshing, probably due to a nearby World Tree.

Survivors moved about, some carrying supplies, others closing shop for the evening.

Shane walked around looking for some familiar faces.

Soon, he paused for some time as he recognized some of those he had recruited long ago.

The first he encountered was Mr. Aric Fletch, the herbalist and apothecary.

The guy was from a Rare Recruitment Stone a very long time ago, but now, he seemed to have become really wealthy.

His small shop smelled of dried leaves and tinctures.

There were shelves lined with jars of powders and vials of strange liquids.

Aric bowed slightly when he saw Shane.

”Leader,” he said. ”It’s been a while. Oh... I’ve been experimenting with new mixtures. The herbs from the fairy garden are so potent. They might help against infection.”

Shane nodded, pleased.

This was one of the reasons he made that greenhouse anyway.

Just like that, he also briefly informed them about the Eden Island and the possibility of moving there.

”...We’ll set up a branch there.”

Aric’s eyes gleamed with determination. ”Consider it done.”

Further down the street, the clang of a hammer on steel echoed from Magda’s smithy.

Sparks flew as her workers shaped blades and armor.

Magda herself stood at the forge, sweat streaking her brow.

She looked up as Shane approached.

”Another expansion?” she asked, half‑smiling after hearing Shane’s convincing words..

Shane nodded. ”Eden Island. We’ll need weapons, armor, tools. Your smithies will be vital.”

Magda grinned, wiping her hands. ”Then I’ll send my best. We’ll forge enough steel to arm ten thousand.”

Not far from the smithy, Shane found Eldric, once a lone hunter, now the leader of a squad specialized in hunting Advanced Tier Zombies.

His men were sharpening blades and checking crossbows when Shane arrived.

Eldric saluted. ”We’ve cleared the northern woods,” he reported. ”But stronger Zombie variants are appearing. My squad is ready for deployment.” Shane’s gaze hardened. ”You’ll be needed at Eden Island. Guard the perimeter, hunt threats before they reach the shelter. Your squad will be the first line of defense.” Eldric’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. ”We’ll be there.”

Shane continued, passing fields where crops swayed under the moonlight.

There he found Famas, the farmer, tending to rows of grain infused with faint mana. Famas straightened, his hands rough from work. ”Leader,” he said. ”The soil here is fertile thanks to the World Tree. But Eden Island... I’ll need to study its land.” Shane placed a hand on his shoulder. ”Do it. Food is survival. Without farmers, no shelter lasts.” Famas smiled faintly. ”Then I’ll make Eden Island bloom.”

As Shane walked further, he noticed a tall figure leaning against a wall.

Kain, the werewolf, in human form now, his eyes were still calm, but it might not happen again.

He seemed to be searching for something, scanning the crowd.

”Kain,” Shane called. The werewolf turned, his expression softening.

”Shane. I was looking for you. There’s... something stirring in the east. I can smell it. Not zombies, not vampires. Something else.”

Shane’s eyes narrowed. ”We’ll investigate soon. But first... I’ll need your senses there. In Eden Island. You’ll track threats before they reach us.”

Kain smirked. ”Then I’ll hunt for you. As always.”

Shane appreciated it a lot...

Each ally, each shop owner, each specialist... they were part of something important, what would build the Eden Shelter...

***

Time passed and on the next day, Shane made his way to the Clan Hall.

The building stood tall at the center of Springriver Manor.

Normally, the hall was bustling with survivors with messengers, squad leaders, and recruits waiting for assignments. But today, it was strangely quiet.

Shane stepped inside, his boots echoing against the polished floor.

The long tables were empty, chairs pushed back as if abandoned in haste.

He then asked the receptionist and answered...

Shane then realized why... everyone was already out on missions. The hall was silent, save for the faint hum of the mana lamps overhead.

He walked toward the mission board, a massive slab of reinforced wood covered with parchment listings. Each mission was neatly posted, stamped with the clan’s insignia.

Shane scanned the board, noting several repeated assignments.

Most were routine... supply runs, patrols, minor exterminations. But one caught his attention.

[ Mission 3: ”Brood Nest Purge” ]

[ Objective: Destroy the Brood Crawler Vampires spreading through the old sewer system of an abandoned city with a red lake. Their venom corrodes steel and bone alike.

Threat Level: High

Target: 30 Brood Crawler Vampires, 1 Brood Matron Vampire

Rewards: High‑Grade Blood Crystals ×100, Rare Crafting Material Chest ×5,

Clan EXP +600, Clan Skill Proficiency +35

Completed: 0/4 ]