Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

”You... You’re half machine now? When did this happen?”

Max glanced down at his left hand as though he had only just remembered that it was there. A grin quickly spread across his face.

”Half machine? That’s a little harsh, Boss. I’d say I’m an improved version.”

Shane stared at him for several seconds.

That was certainly one way to describe it.

The Max standing before him was still unmistakably the same man he had known for so long. His face had not changed, nor had the carefree confidence that seemed to follow him wherever he went. However, beneath that familiar appearance, Shane could now sense that Max’s body had undergone a considerable transformation.

The metallic components were not merely attached to his body like ordinary mechanical equipment. They had been integrated into him.

Shane used his various observation skills as he examined Max more carefully.

The mechanical structure beneath his left arm extended far beyond the hand he could see, connecting to his nervous system and possibly even his skeletal structure.

Also, he realized that the metallic line along his neck suggested that the modifications reached even deeper, while the subtle mechanical glow hidden within his eyes indicated that Max had replaced or enhanced at least part of his visual system.

Shane had seen plenty of mechanical technology since the Apocalypse began.

He had seen the Warden Units produced by New Genesis Shelter, the enormous Mech Frames capable of dominating entire battlefields, and countless other machines developed through the combined efforts of humanity’s most talented engineers.

But Max’s modifications were different.

They were personal. His own body had become the machine.

”You’ve been busy,” Shane finally said.

”Very.”

Max’s grin widened.

”I figured that if everyone else was getting stronger, I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. Besides, New Genesis had plenty of interesting technology lying around.”

Shane immediately understood what had happened.

Max had always been one of the most enthusiastic people when it came to new technology, and after spending so much time around the New Genesis Shelter, he had clearly found a way to satisfy that curiosity.

Shane’s gaze moved toward Max’s mechanical arm.

”How much of your body did you replace?”

”Replace?”

Max looked offended.

”I didn’t replace anything. I upgraded.”

Shane almost laughed.

But before he could question him further, a familiar voice came from behind Max.

”Don’t encourage him.”

Shane looked past Max and saw Minerva approaching with several other members of the Clan.

She had apparently arrived with the second group, and unlike Max, she looked almost exactly as Shane remembered her.

However, her left arm, which was previously from Ivory Gear Shelter, seemed to have changed. Perhaps it was already made by the craftsmen from the New Genesis Shelter.

She carried a compact leather pouch at her waist, while her small white owl rested comfortably on her shoulder, its silver eyes quietly observing the unfamiliar surroundings.

Behind her came Tieria, Jillian, Sandara, and Lyra.

Seeing them arrive one after another, Shane felt a familiar sense of warmth.

It had been a long time since these members of the Eclipse Revenant Clan had gathered in one place without being surrounded by an army of enemies.

They had always been separated because of the shelters scattered around the continent...

Now, however, they had gathered for another mission...

”Everyone’s here already?”

Shane glanced around.

”Not everyone,” Tieria replied. ”A few are still on their way.”

Shane nodded.

That was understandable.

The Mist Shelter was no longer simply a shelter sitting on ordinary ground. The entire island had been lifted into the sky, and while the portal network made traveling between shelters considerably easier, some members had still needed time to finish their preparations.

Max, however, had clearly been in no hurry.

Shane noticed that several of the Clan members were carrying bags containing supplies, equipment, and various items they had apparently prepared for the expedition.

”You brought all that?”

Shane looked at the mountain of equipment that Max had somehow managed to gather.

Max immediately placed a hand against his chest.

”Of course. We’re exploring an ancient facility built by an unknown civilization. We have no idea what’s waiting inside.”

His expression suddenly became serious.

Then he pointed toward a large container.

”I brought enough food for three days. They’re all quite special... Not normal rations. I hope it can help us.”

Shane gently nodded. He wasn’t sure what kind of food they were, but since Max looked quite proud of it, he couldn’t help but look forward to it.

Before the conversation could continue, Tundra finally appeared.

The Legendary Elf had been coordinating the exploration of the facility and immediately approached the group after noticing Shane’s arrival.

”You’re finally here.”

”Yeah.”

Shane glanced toward the enormous entrance visible in the distance.

”So that’s the facility.”

Tundra nodded.

”The entrance is being watched. Sylas already confirmed that there are War Automata stationed around it. We have a few elves monitor them in case they suddenly move.”

Even though Shane had already heard the report, seeing the entrance himself made the situation feel different.

His gaze remained fixed on the enormous metallic structure.

The facility was partially exposed now that Eden Island had risen into the sky, revealing a massive section of its outer structure that had remained hidden beneath the earth for an unknown amount of time.

The discovery alone was extraordinary.

But the War Automata guarding the entrance made it clear that this wasn’t simply an abandoned ruin.

Something had been protecting this place.

”We’ll discuss the details later,” Shane said. ”Where are the others?”

”They should be arriving soon.”

Tundra paused.

”Actually, before we go anywhere, there’s something else.”

He looked toward the nearby buildings of the Mist Shelter.

”We’ve already prepared a place for everyone to rest. You should eat first. We’ve been waiting for everyone to arrive. There’s no point rushing into an unknown facility while everyone has just arrived. The facility wouldn’t go anywhere anyway.”

As Tundra said this, he suddenly looked up in the sky and noticed a yellow bird diving at them...

”Ahhh... Sparky?!” Shane couldn’t help but gasp as he saw his pet!

Sparky the Thunderbird had gotten so huge!