Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle Chapter 1139: Shane’s Arrival

Fiona narrowed her eyes upon spotting the bat clinging to the Portal Hall's roof.

Initially, she held back from sounding any alert.

Birds lingered in this world still, and bats weren't exactly rare sights. Spotting one didn't instantly spell danger. Yet, she refused to dismiss the risk entirely.

"Maybe it's only an ordinary bat... or perhaps something far more sinister," she murmured.

She chose to watch it in silence.

Should it link back to the Vampire Lord, charging ahead blindly would prove disastrous. Instead, she'd allow her rats to press on with their hunt.

Her swarm fanned out through the shelter, sneaking into narrow alleys, onto rooftops, and inside storage areas.

They scoured the docks, the marketplace, and the barracks too.

Through her Sense Link, Fiona kept watch, yet no shady figures emerged.

No one appeared guilty of drawing the Tentacle King Zombie to the shelter.

"Nothing..." she breathed softly.

This outcome was undoubtedly a relief. She had no desire to uncover betrayers or wreckers among those she trusted...

"They're merely weary survivors."

Suddenly, a sharp squeak pierced her mind from one of her rats.

Fiona concentrated then, tapping into its sight. The bat was on the move.

Wings unfurled, it took to the air, departing from the Portal Hall's roof.

Fiona swiftly commanded her rats to pursue.

"Track it. Don’t lose it."

The rats dashed along the streets, scaling walls in places, leaping between rooftops elsewhere. They strove to match its speed, but the bat proved swift!

Before long, it glided beyond the shelter's walls, veering toward the ocean.

Fiona balled her fists. "So it’s leaving."

All she could do was halt her swarm... The bat had quickly passed the shoreline, soaring above the surging waves.

Her rats couldn't venture farther.

And with that, the bat vanished.

Fiona furrowed her brow, pondering if she should alert Shane...

"Crossing the sea... That's hardly typical bat behavior. A regular one wouldn't dare fly so distant."

Leaning on the wall, she pondered deeply.

Shane had slain the Vampire Lord, yet if another had claimed its might, this bat might serve as a spy... heralding a greater menace ahead.

She held onto the details for the moment.

Observation would go on, her swarm in constant use, and should it reappear alongside fresh peril, she'd voice her doubts to all.

***

While all this unfolded, Shane at last reached Ruby Gear Shelter...

"Not bad for a hiding spot..." Shane grumbled.

His hood hung low now, with a dark scarf masking half his features.

Travis’s sources confirmed Alexander and his top lieutenants hid here.

Given their crimes against Roan, Shane had no plans to grant them peace.

They likely figured they could hunker down undetected.

Shane had rescued Roan already, sparing their clan from slaughter at Alexander’s primary base.

Alexander’s crew probably assumed quiet would shield them, letting recovery in time... Convinced the Eclipse Revenant Clan would drop the chase.

Shane saw through that. Their survival hinged solely on his and his comrades' refusal to butcher the innocent.

Such leniency spared Alexander and his men no quarter.

Fugitives now, they viewed Ruby Gear Shelter as sanctuary.

Sector 16's neutral haven, renowned for its formidable defenses.

Chat logs claimed it repelled two Zombie Lords once. That fame positioned it among the safest Sector spots, open to paying survivors.

Dozens of survivors queued outside the entrance, as Shane observed.

"What? So expensive?"

Fifty Zombie Cores bought just three days inside—a hefty fee.

Far pricier than his shelter's rates, yet folks shelled out anyway.

Few other shelters dotted the area, no doubt. Plus, Zombie Lord protection promised real value.

Shane advanced, paid the cores, and cleared the check.

Guards scanned for bites and signs of infection...

They scrutinized him closely, found nothing amiss, and naturally failed to identify him. His visage rang bells with Foreign Survivors, not locals here.

In basic Zombie Hunter attire rather than his Legendary gear, he merged seamlessly.

"Mhmm... What a crowded shelter..." Shane muttered.

Ruby Gear Shelter buzzed with activity within.

Memories of his own shelter flooded back... Equally thriving...

Many Foreign Survivors prowled the area too, he spotted.

Yet he mimicked a local, eyeing vendors hawking wares, foragers flaunting exotic finds, and patrols on the prowl.

Deeper inspection revealed the walls reinforced with dual layers of Barriers.

Moreover, the walls had been fortified with steel reinforcements and magical enchantments...

Shane proceeded at a leisurely pace, acquainting himself with the shelter's layout.

Food vendors, armament stores, and even amusement venues dotted the area...

Overall, it proved to be a fascinating location.

Unlike the dismal atmospheres of most other refuges, this one stood out.

Survivors here chuckled and imbibed, likely seeking to erase the nightmares beyond the walls. To Shane, it resembled an everyday urban hub. Yet, leisure wasn't his purpose.

A vital task awaited completion, and he refused to head back to his base or join the expedition without eliminating his target...

Before long, he navigated the thoroughfares, scrutinizing every face.

Alexander’s subordinates had to be lurking nearby. Travis’s sources had proven trustworthy in the past, so Shane placed faith in their intel.

Caution remained essential, however. Ruby Gear Shelter upheld neutrality, and any rash action might attract undesired scrutiny.

Shane paused outside a tavern, feigning interest in the menu board.

Quickly, his gaze shifted upstairs, locking onto a cluster of men huddled together.

Their stances screamed rigidity and hyper-vigilance. These weren't typical refugees.

Among them, he spotted a familiar lieutenant from Alexander's ranks.

"They’re here," Shane pondered inwardly.

"Whoa... I didn’t know I’d be this lucky..."

He'd braced for days of hunting in this spot, yet less than an hour in, he'd uncovered signs of Alexander right here!

’Incredible... They must've figured hiding in their affiliate shelters would keep them hidden... Without Travis, I'd still be in the dark...’ Shane reflected.

Rather than rush in, he prowled the vicinity, memorizing escape paths, sentry spots, and potential bolt-holes.

Though Ruby Gear Shelter boasted robust defenses, its neutral stance allowed strangers to mingle freely. Alexander’s crew likely believed themselves secure.

Beneath his scarf, Shane grinned. "Secure? Not any longer."

He pressed on with his reconnaissance, collecting vital details.

A grand central square, bustling markets, and a heavily guarded headquarters defined the shelter.

The tavern housing Alexander’s men sat adjacent to the eastern barrier, proximate to a backup entrance. Escape seemed viable for them if trouble brewed.

’Hmm... Time to draw out Alexander...’ Shane contemplated while biding his time for the leader's arrival. This bunch might serve as decoys. Even if unlikely, prudence dictated wariness.

Moments later, he identified two more members of Alexander’s Phoenix Phalanx Clan...

Shane weighed his choices. A sudden assault now could yield Alexander's location via his unique Survivor Skills during interrogation, but the uproar risked tipping off the boss and enabling another getaway.

Patience won out for the moment. Surveillance, tailing, and a precise strike at the right juncture became his plan.

Dusk descended, and Ruby Gear Shelter hushed into stillness.

Traders shuttered their booths, sentries ignited wall-mounted lamps, and dwellers withdrew to shelter.

Shane lurked in the gloom, ever watchful... He skipped renting quarters, opting to stay outdoors...

Shortly, Alexander’s officers departed the tavern, bound for a leased dwelling by the bazaar.

Shane trailed them discreetly from afar, evading detection. His guise held firm, arousing no suspicion.

Within the abode, the officers convened.

Their conversation eluded Shane, likely muffled by a skill or barrier device, yet their animated motions betrayed the scene.

Tension gripped them amid heated dispute.

Alexander might be present as well.

Shane's fingers clenched his weapon's grip.

Restraint frayed at the edges...

Fortunately, just as impatience peaked, Alexander emerged into view, glimpsed by Shane through a window slit!

Six figures occupied the chamber in total!

Shane melted back into obscurity and invoked his ability. In an instant, he vanished!

Shadow Step!

[ Shadow Step Lv10 (Max): A mobility skill that allows the user to blink through shadows, repositioning quickly in combat.

Effects:

Teleport up to 50 meters instantly.

Gain +50% evasion for 2 seconds after reappearing.

Cost: 150 Spirit Points ]

Upon rematerializing, he stood squarely amid the living area, encircled by Alexander and his lieutenants!

Astonishment seized them as an intruder breached their wards, but reaction proved impossible before an overwhelming force pinned them down!

Aura Suppression and Spirit Shackles activated simultaneously!