Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

"I'm finally here…" Raze wryly smiled after seeing the shelter camp owned by Shane…

She had encountered so many things over the past few days that delayed her arrival here. She met several strong Zombies and even a group of them would come from time to time…

During the night, she would also encounter a few Flasher Zombies that would interrupt her sleep. Luckily, Roan was always with her, and as long as she didn't meet the Giant Zombie, she should be relatively safe.

Nonetheless, she gained plenty of rewards because of this as well.

As Raze approached the Springriver Manor, the sight that unfolded before her was one of strength and order.

The palisade stood tall and imposing, a wooden bulwark that would surely work well against all the low-tier Zombies.

Her eyes followed the perimeter, noting the long-eared people who moved silently as they patrolled the surrounded and eliminate some Crawler and Walker Zombies that had somehow reached this area…

Their vigilance was apparent in every step they made... They also noticed her arrival, but it seemed that they had already been notified about her presence.

Ahead of her, the watchtowers, strategically placed, offered a clear view of the surrounding lands, manned by keen-eyed sentinels.

Roan, ever-present though now in the form of a tattoo upon her hand, stirred with a warning.

"Be wary, Raze. A barrier protects this place," his voice echoed in her mind, a reminder of the unseen defenses that safeguarded the estate.

"Barrier? Is that the one he bought at the auction? That's amazing… Thank you for letting me know, Roan…" She muttered to herself as she already felt safe after knowing the existence of a Barrier.

Roan seemed to have inherited the memories of his ancestors through their mysterious genetics, so even though Roan was young, he could easily communicate with her.

"Mhmm… This shelter looks good… I wonder how it will fare against the second Zombie Wave…"

As she neared the gates, they swung open as if in recognition of her arrival.

Shane had been expecting her. Well, Raze informed him about her journey through their private messages.

As soon as she saw through the gate and the barrier was lifted for her to pass through, the estate buzzed with activity, the air alive with the sounds of a community hard at work.

Raze was ushered into the manor, where the butler—a man of impeccable posture and polite demeanor—had prepared a welcoming reprieve.

Tea steeped to perfection, and an assortment of snacks were laid out, a gesture of hospitality that did not go unnoticed.

"Wow… You're thriving here, huh…" Raze muttered as she knew that the tea was really good and that the assorted biscuits were definitely great.

'Is it from the MREs?' She mused…

"I must say, I'm impressed," Raze admitted, taking in the comfort and security that the manor exuded. "This is a rare haven in these troubled times."

"I'm lucky to have very capable subordinates…" Shane replied as he actually felt that his tasked had lessened to almost none, and he would only have to wait for the zombies to be extracted in front of the manor!

After thinking about it, he was indeed living a decent life thanks to others' efforts…

"Haha… That's probably your talent then…" Raze muttered as she took another sip of her tea.

Over tea, she recounted her travels to Shane's estate, the challenges faced, and the victories won… Of course, she didn't just share this story out of boredom but also to inform Shane about the sources of the items she wanted to trade on him…

"Ahem… Here are the items I got… you might be interested in them… Right, I'm only interested in the Item Upgrade Crystals…"

Raze laid out her collection of items on the table like an experienced merchant, each one a valuable commodity in the world they now inhabited. She doesn't need many of these items but Shane, who had many people under his command, might them more useful and valuable…

"Ohh… Let me check them quickly…" Shane muttered as he quickly assessed the items.

The Survivor Skill Scroll: Seven Shadow Steps was a technique that allowed the user to move through shadows, a skill invaluable for stealth and evasion for no more than seven steps. The Frostfall Potions promised resilience against the biting cold, while the Mistcloak Potions rendered one nearly invisible to the naked eye.

The Scrolls of Insight were perhaps the most intriguing, offering wisdom that could sharpen the mind for strategic planning. The Scrolls of Precision and Scrolls of Vitality were equally beneficial, enhancing one's accuracy in combat and bolstering the body's natural vigor.

Of course, Raze introduced them as well while pointing each of them one by one…

Shane listened intently as Raze detailed the effects of each item. When she finished, he nodded, understanding the value of such items in these perilous times.

"Raze, your collection is impressive. The Seven Shadow Steps alone is a rare find…" Shane acknowledged, his eyes reflecting his interest. "As for the Item Upgrade Crystals, I believe we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement. How many are you seeking for the lot?"

Shane asked. It was better to ask for the wholesale price at this point since there are too many of them being sold.

Raze's eyes gleamed with the prospect of acquiring Master Grade or even Epic Grade items.

"Ahem… I'm looking for enough crystals to enhance a weapon to its fullest potential... if that's possible. I trust your judgment on what's fair," she said, her tone suggesting that she was open to negotiation but also knew the worth of her offerings.

Shane considered for a moment, calculating the value of the items against the rarity of the crystals. "I can offer you one hundred fifty Item Upgrade Crystals. You only need 143 Item Upgrade Crystals to upgrade a Common Rank Item to an Epic Rank… However, I have to pay it in installment."

"They are not easy to come by, but I believe this is a fair trade for what you've brought to the table," he proposed.