Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Chapter 69  Crawler?

After finishing their simple yet nutritious meal, everyone got back to their work.

Leo returned to his smithy while Harper started working on his crafting skills. With the Exceptional Pocket Knife that Shane had gifted to him, he was able to easily craft wooden materials. Whether they were for fences, spikes, and other tools like ladders, chairs, and many more, Harper was able to create them, all thanks to the inconceivable sharpness of the knife. As for Anna, she returned to her small laboratory. It was the small house that was Shane's first shelter. It was already fixed and quite a comfortable place, in Shane's opinion. Of course, Lucky would always stay outside this laboratory.

After all, it couldn't stand the smell inside. Apparently, Anna was trying to make medicines or tonics with the special ingredients she gathered outside the estate.

Finally, Gene was tasked to cut a few trees outside the estate so Harper could work on them. Shane made sure that they wouldn't touch the trees in the orchard as they should be bearing fruits in the right season.

'I guess I should work too…' Shane mused as he recalled that he had something to do. But before that, Shane checked his current status. Of course, this time, he had already supplied Cloud with the blood samples it needed so it could finally identify the Flasher Zombies.

Survivor Name: Shane Wells Title: A.I. Rebellion's Chosen One, Fairy Realm's Lone Survivor, Seeker of Secrets

Level: 15

Vitality: 175/175

Spirit: 1,000/1,000

Strength: 44

Agility: 44

Luck: 20

Perception: 20

Inventory: Memory Sphere x21, Item Upgrade Crystals x69, Zombie Cores x175, 65L Water, Bread x55, Acid Pouch x13, Spirit Enhancement Bottle x210, Spitter Tongue x1, Sling Bag x2, Unknown Meat ( Safe ) x3, Light Orb x4, Light Blue Orb x1

Survivor Skills: Firearm Mastery, Fishing, Woodworking, Metalworking, Axe Mastery, Lockpicking, Leadership, Parkour, Hacker, Controlled Body Heating

Survivor Talent: Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ), Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ), Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ), Traceless Breath ( Rare Talent )

Reputation: 10 After some thought, Shane asked Leo to make a staff or perhaps a scepter with the Light Orb.

This was quickly finished as Leo crafted a meter-long scepter with the Light Orb resting on its top.

"This is interesting… Do you think that its light will last forever?" Leo asked while looking at the orb that was providing a soft glow. This was definitely a great replacement for their torches. "I think so… This is quite mystical." Shane replied while looking at the forge that they had made together. With the anvil that he had previously purchased from the Survivor Store and Leo's hammer, they were able to obtain a few items made of metal. Well, most of these metals had actually come from the crashed plane… "Alright… I will leave for now." Shane said as he left the smithy.

After confirming that he had everything he needed, Shane left the estate and headed to the mines. They hadn't fully mapped that are yet.

Furthermore, he decided to explore this place alone as he felt that he was strong enough. Bringing someone else might be a lot more complicated.

Additionally, it was also better that there would be capable people guarding their estate in case a group of zombies attacked.

***

As Shane approached the entrance of the mines, the desolation of the abandoned site greeted him. "Cloud… Just let me know if there are Zombies around. My Perception range is only 20 meters."

[ Yes… There are 4 Walker Zombies detected in the cave. Just 110 meters away. ] "Got it." Shane said as he pressed forward.

Outside the mines, some remains of structures could be seen around, and the silence was a stark contrast to the usual clamor in his small estate. The outer area was devoid of zombies, an eerie calm before the inevitable storm.

He delved deeper into the mines, his footsteps echoing in the hollow expanse. Thud… Thud… Thud…

The walls bore the scars of pickaxes, and the air was thick with the dust of ages. It was a place forgotten by time… 'I've been here a few times, but it's still eerie.' Shane mused.

Suddenly, as he continued walking, the silence shattered. Four Walker Zombies, their heads encased in rusted helmets, lumbered into view. Graahhh~

They growled at him as soon as he was noticed.

But Shane was undaunted. His attributes were already quite high after drinking the potions. Coupled with his Master-Grade Hatchet, he made short work of the undead. Each swing was lethal, and each impact was a death knell. The zombies fell, one by one, until only silence remained.

It wasn't that tough anymore compared to when he first encountered these Zombies with helmets on. His hatchet was no longer getting stuck as his hatchet had already been upgraded several times.

"Keep moving, stay sharp. This is just the beginning." Shane muttered to himself to keep focus.

He pressed on, the map that he obtained from the system unfurling in his eye, a guide through the labyrinthine tunnels. However, a new horror emerged as Cloud warned him about the approaching unknown Zombies!

Clack… Clack.. Clack…

'Crawler Zombies? No…' Shane thought as he took a deep breath. The ones crawling were not the feeble, dragging bodies he had encountered before. These were true predators, their limbs contorting as they scuttled across the ceiling with a grotesque grace.

It was a sight that would probably scare him off if not for the four Memory Spheres he had obtained! Those Spheres had truly helped him strengthen his mind!

'These are the true crawlers!' Shane thought as he saw their silhouettes and figures! Three of them descended upon him, their movements a blur. Shane's pulse quickened, his grip on the hatchet tightening. "Bring it on," Shane whispered, his voice a low growl that resonated in the hollow area. He also made sure to protect his "Scepter of Light" as he struck it on the ground, so he could focus.

The first Zombie lunged, its body contorting as it descended upon him like a twisted spider. It was surely a terrifying sight!

Shane's reaction was instinctive; his Master-Grade Hatchet met the creature mid-air, its blade glinting in the sparse light. The impact reverberated through the mine as the zombie was flung back, its advance halted. 'Too tough?' Shane was shocked as he realized that he failed to cut it in half! He managed to cut it but it wasn't deep enough!

The other two Crawlers moved in tandem, coordinating their attack with a predatory intelligence that belied their decayed state. This made him realize that he was fighting against a unique zombie! They weren't Tier 1 for sure! Intelligent Zombies were the most difficult to deal with!

Shane then pivoted, his boots grinding against the gravel. He swung his hatchet with all his might, aiming to cut this Zombie instead of just sending it away... Graa--

The second zombie's hiss was cut short as the hatchet's blade sliced through its torso, dark liquid splattering against the stone!

Once again, Shane didn't cut the Zombie deep enough! Nonetheless, he had no time to think about it!

'I need to move faster… I'll use the effects this time…' Shane thought as he failed to activate the effects a while ago because his activation sequence failed to keep up with his movement.

He was too slow when it came to controlling the magical effects of this weapon!

Shane's muscles tensed as the third zombies arrived, its maw open wide, revealing rows of serrated teeth. With a swift sidestep, Shane dodged the gnashing jaws, bringing his hatchet down in a powerful chop that cleaved through the creature's skull.

This time, it was filled with Fire Effect burning its head! Furthermore, the 20% Critical Chance was also triggered!

He actually killed it just like that!

[ You have eliminated a Crypt Crawler Zombie. ] 'Crypt Crawler!' Shane's eyes widened as he finally knew what kind of Zombie he was dealing with!

Then, Shane's killing intent heightened as he realized that he could really win this battle and that he would only have to deal with two more of these Zombies!

The battle's tempo increased as the two crawlers seemed to have realized that they were at the losing end. They were relentless in their assault! However, Shane was like a whirlwind of destruction. With his Axe Mastery, his hatchet was like an extension of his will! He ducked and weaved between the two injured Zombies! His high agility allowed him to dance around their attacks! Nonetheless, Shane knew that if he didn't consume the 5 Agility Enhancement Bottles, he would be in deep trouble right now! n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Die!" Shane shouted as he felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins.

One of the Cryptic Crawlers had its skull sliced in half while the other managed to climb and crawl to the ceiling of the cave. It seemed to make sense that Shane was about to release a strong attack!

As Shane was worried that the Zombie would flee, he realized that its natural instinct to eat human flesh and brains still prevailed!

The final Cryptic Crawler, launched itself from the ceiling, its body spinning as it aimed for Shane's head. But Shane was ready; he rolled forward, feeling the rush of air as the creature missed its mark. He sprung up, turning to face the Cryptic Crawler as it recovered. "Not today," Vale snarled, and with a burst of speed granted by his Agility, he closed the distance.