Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle Chapter 1157 1157: The Death of the Top Ranker

Following the integration of the Wyvern Cores into the Shelter's Barrier, the mana dome shimmered with the intensity of a tempestuous sea.

Its luminescence surged, and soon, electric arcs began to dance across its surface.

Then, with a formidable burst of power, the barrier underwent a transformation.

Whummm~

Waves of lightning exploded outwards, striking everything beyond the walls!

Verily, the barrier had become a conduit of pure lightning!

Zombies convulsed as bolts seared through their bodies!

Lightning, by its very nature, remained formidable!

Despite their formidable defenses, they were susceptible to this onslaught, soon reduced to mere sizzling, charred remains.

It was unsurprising that this transformation proved devastatingly effective against Vampires and Thralls as well.

Thralls shrieked, their limbs spasming uncontrollably after being struck!

With the shelter enveloped in crackling electricity, approaching became an impossibility!

Even the lesser vampires, usually possessing some resilience against such assaults, were utterly vanquished as lightning coursed through their very beings!

High above, the second contingent of wyverns emitted piercing shrieks of agony.

Their wings faltered mid-flight, their scales igniting as they plunged from the heavens!

The defenders on the ground watched in astonishment.

"It's... directly engaging them!" Lysandra exclaimed, her voice filled with awe.

"Such formidable defense... Could this be a Legendary-Tier Barrier?" Natalie pondered aloud.

"We possess something similar. Though not on this grand scale," Travis added.

Indeed, all those who had witnessed this exceptionally active Barrier for the first time were taken aback by its power.

It became clear why this shelter had endured the onslaught of the Dragon Army during its original Apocalypse World.

"Hehe... Impressive, isn't it?" Pascal remarked, retreating to the safety of the rear ranks.

The commanders and various leaders within the Fort couldn't help but beam with pride upon hearing the reactions.

This potent defense was, after all, one of their most crucial assets!

Nika's Overturn Talent, coupled with this unique barrier, had previously saved them from countless dragonoid assaults.

Caesar's gaze fell upon Travis, who stood nearby...

"This is far more than a mere shield. It's now a weapon."

"I can see that... Though its duration is likely limited. It's consuming a tremendous amount of energy," Travis observed, and his assessment was, as always, accurate.

Caesar acknowledged this internally, responding only with a knowing chuckle.

Still, it sufficed for the present moment.

"Well... With the Wyvern Cores gathered thus far, the barrier can sustain this lightning offensive for approximately fifteen minutes. However, I anticipate we'll acquire more cores shortly," he added.

Chaos indeed reigned on the battlefield.

With every pulse from the barrier, another wave of lightning surged forth, incinerating swarms of zombies and driving vampires towards their doom...

"Haha! Annihilate them all! Focus fire on the wyverns! We require more cores!" Pascal bellowed.

The wyverns, once soaring with absolute dominance, now found themselves ensnared by the storm's fury.

Moments later, ballista bolts pierced their forms, causing them to plummet, their bodies crashing into the throng below...

***

"Remarkable defense..."

Shane murmured, a faint spark of electricity dancing at his fingertips.

He unleashed his Lightning Surge Skill, contributing to the battle against the wyverns...

His electrical blasts even integrated with the barrier's periodic surges, amplifying the destructive potential he commanded.

Meanwhile, Tundra hurled a Cryo-Stasis Charge into the fray, encasing a group of Hunters, already weakened by the lightning, in ice.

"Frozen and fried... a perfect combination!" he declared with a laugh.

At this juncture, this Cross-Apocalypse conflict appeared manageable... With minimal casualties sustained on their side.

"But let us not become complacent!" Shane shouted, his voice carrying urgency.

An inexplicable sense of dread washed over him... It felt as though a powerful adversary was observing from the periphery...

"What is this? Has the Vampire Lord arrived already?" Shane frowned, unable to comprehend the source of his apprehension.

At this moment, he was equipped with Four Mythical Items.

He wore Bio-Armor, and his metallic slime, Silver, provided bodily protection... Yet, for reasons unknown, his instincts screamed a warning to retreat.

However, such a withdrawal was simply not an option.

For the time being, he maintained his vigilance...

He observed as the Super Soldiers surged forward... Their blades effortlessly felled stunned zombies. Their augmented physiques exploited every opening created by the barrier's electrical pulses.

Warden Units advanced in disciplined formation... Their blades severed limbs and pierced the skulls of their foes.

Then, the enhanced warriors let out a unified roar after Tris gave the signal.

"Once the cores deplete their energy, the barrier will revert to its static state. We must significantly reduce their numbers before that occurs," he commanded emphatically...

Nika, still looking drained from utilizing Overturn, leaned against the rampart. "Annihilate them! Gather all the cores immediately... Ensure our Core Extractor remains protected!"

As the lightning's intensity waned, the Juggernauts took hits and faltered momentarily, but they relentlessly pressed onward!

Their armored carapaces were now absorbing a significant portion of the lightning's impact. It was as if they had already adapted to the continuous assaults.

Incredible roars echoed from the Tyrants… Their colossal forms were engulfed in flames, yet their advance remained unstoppable…

Meanwhile, the Low-Rank Vampires quickly adapted, learning to dodge and weave!

Above, the cloaked figure in the sky, Eve, observed the unfolding scene with silent intensity…

"They are channeling the power of dragons, transforming it into a tempest. It is potent, but its duration is limited…" he murmured to himself.

***

"Team! You're pushing too far ahead! Fall back!" Shane's urgent shout cut through the din as he perceived a subtle shift.

Despite the fearless fighting of the defenders, their formations began to surge forward!

"Annihilate them!" Asta bellowed, hersing the Super Soldiers directly into the fray.

They carved through the disoriented zombies, their momentum carrying them forward, allowing others to secure spoils from the fallen enemies and prevent a deadly buildup of corpses!

An infectious excitement seemed to fuel their relentless advance and slaughter.

The soldiers of the Fort mirrored this aggressive push…

Caesar brought his shield down with a resounding crash upon a Tyrant!

"With me! Strike them while they are vulnerable!"

Shane's brow furrowed in concern. Nevertheless, maintaining control of the entire situation proved impossible at this moment. He resolved to concentrate on the immediate threats.

"Tundra… Sweep the rear ranks again! I have a bad premonition." Shane commanded.

"Understood!"

In response, Tundra's muscles swelled as he propelled a Venom Bomb towards the enemy's back lines!

This corrosive mist proved devastating, capable of corroding even weakened vampires with its noxious fumes.

As more minutes elapsed, the powerful storm began to wane…

The radiant glow of the barrier faltered, its brilliance dimming perceptibly…

However, the barrier had already served its crucial purpose!

Every soldier, every unit, every survivor had fought with their utmost vigor, acutely aware that the enemy forces were still significantly debilitated.

***

Yet, at this critical juncture, the Vampire Lord's sinister smile reappeared as he observed the proceedings.

"Impressive maneuvering… but it is now time to raze this sanctuary…"

The Vampire Lord's crimson aura pulsed through the sky, and then his physical form dissolved into a swirling cloud of sanguine mist.

Whoosh~

In an instant, he was gone.

The defenders, still deeply engrossed in their brutal combat, scarcely registered this disquieting event…

Their attention remained fixed on the Juggernauts relentlessly pounding the barrier, the roars of the Tyrants, and the vampires lashing out with their hardened blood whips.

However, amidst the raging chaos, something profoundly unexpected began to stir.

Nika, her face pale and her body trembling from the exertion of wielding her Legendary Talent, suddenly stiffened.

A strange flicker in her eyes betrayed an unnatural shift in her aura, as if a different entity had briefly taken control, before she quickly reasserted herself, appearing outwardly normal once more.

This subtle transformation went entirely unnoticed.

She swayed unsteadily, leaning against the rampart for support.

Shane, casting a brief glance her way, assumed her instability was merely due to exhaustion.

"Rest yourself, Nika. You've expended more than enough," he murmured, his gaze quickly returning to the intense conflict raging on the battlefield.

Suddenly, his wristwatch emitted a sharp pulse.

[ Warning: Anomaly Detected. ]

Cloud, his sophisticated A.I. assistant, delivered an urgent alert.

[ Shane. There is an assailant directly behind you. ]

Shane's expression darkened. Doubts were non-existent; he attempted to turn and ascertain the nature of the enemy that had somehow breached the formidable barrier.

Before he could fully complete the turn, excruciating agony surged through him.

A hand erupted from his chest, emerging from behind him.

'Impossible?!'

Shane’s eyes widened, flooded with utter disbelief.

The attack had completely bypassed all defenses—his protective talisman, his cloaking enchantment, his very shirt, even Silver, the loyal metal slime bonded to his body, and the advanced bio-armor safeguarding his torso.

Even the passive defensive skills designed to shield his vitals inexplicably failed to activate!

The hand had plunged directly through his core!

Blood erupted as Shane staggered forward, his immense vitality being the sole factor preventing immediate collapse.

He managed to wrench himself free, stumbling backward with a horrifying, gaping wound marring his chest.

The surrounding defenders froze, their faces etched with sheer horror.

"Nika?!" Pascal cried out, his voice thick with bewilderment…

At this moment, numerous others also became aware of the unfolding commotion. The sight before them was utterly unbelievable!

An immediate impulse to subdue Nika surged through the ranks, but her body spasmed violently!

Then, her very flesh tore asunder.

Boom!

From within the disintegrating form, a new entity emerged. It was enveloped in a chilling blood mist, radiating an oppressive and suffocating aura.

The Vampire Lord.

He had inhabited Nika, circumventing the barrier entirely, and now stood revealed in his true, terrifying visage.

His crimson eyes blazed with pure malevolence as he languidly licked the fresh blood from his hand.

Gasps of shock and cries of disbelief swept across the ramparts.

"No… Nika!"

"She isn't dead, is she?!"

"Bring her back!"

"Where did you conceal her?!"

The defenders were plunged into a state of utter shock; their trusted second-in-command had been instantly lost.

Meanwhile, Shane staggered, desperately clutching his wounded chest. For the first time in recorded history, blood flowed from the Rank 1 Survivor, the most powerful among them. This sight sent ripples of pure panic through the gathered ranks.

"Aid Shane at once!" someone shrieked.

"Protect our Clan Leader!" Tundra bellowed, his voice strained.

He was stunned beyond words; the individual struck had been Shane himself. Their invincible leader, the man they had never witnessed bleed before, was now facing imminent death right before their very eyes.