Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle Chapter 1162: The New Weapons

Prompted by Shane's grim forecast of impending danger, the pilots of the Trident mechs arrived at a collective resolution.

Setting aside their usual roles, they actively joined the engineering teams, foregoing the luxury of leaving all the work to them. Amon, Ryn, Lyn, and Kira, intimately familiar with their machines, understood that post-battle, especially after clashes with wyverns and dragonoids, every single component demanded meticulous attention.

Ascending onto his mech's shoulder, Amon began issuing instructions to the crews tasked with meticulously cleaning the hardened wyvern blood from the intricate gears.

"Pay special attention to the knee joints," he commanded, his voice carrying the authority of a seasoned supervisor, though his own hands were deep in the grime, assisting in scraping away the stubborn residue. "If they seize up during combat, our chances plummet."

Ryn and Lyn, a synchronized unit as always, moved with practiced efficiency. Ryn took on the demanding task of removing corroded plating, while Lyn focused on diagnostics, recalibrating sensor arrays and targeting systems.

"This acidic spittle from the wyverns is far more corrosive than I anticipated," Lyn observed, a note of concern in her voice. "Without a proper neutralization, the armor will degrade rapidly, peeling away like old paint."

Kira, clearly restless and eager to contribute, moved between various work crews, her sharp eyes identifying areas ripe for improvement.

"Stop wasting time on the torpedo launchers; they're practically useless in this environment," she declared decisively. "Redirect your efforts to the hydraulics. Our mobility is paramount; if we can't maneuver effectively, we become sitting ducks."

Her assessment was undeniably accurate. The Tridents, originally designed for naval operations, were now being pushed to adapt to the rigors of land-based warfare.

By the time Shane departed the hangar, the pilots, though visibly exhausted and drenched in sweat, had restored their machines to a gleaming condition. The Tridents were nearly combat-ready once more.

***

Shane’s next stop was the barracks housing the elite Super Soldiers. The air within was heavy with the metallic tang of oil and the unmistakable scent of steel, underscored by an palpable tension.

These formidable warriors had bravely held the front lines, their augmented physiques pulverizing dragonoids and wyverns through sheer brute force. However, Shane recognized their limitations; they were nearing the brink of exhaustion, beyond the restorative capabilities of mere potions.

Moreover, the continuous reliance on combat stimulants for an extended period was proving detrimental.

Should more Vampire Lords emerge on the final day of the event, the current roster of fighters would be insufficient to engage them directly. In such a dire scenario, others would be compelled to enter the fray.

Upon reaching their sleeping quarters, Shane proceeded to retrieve items from his expansive Inventory.

Soon, several large crates were deposited on the floor.

Within these containers lay the formidable Tactical Sentinel Combat Exosuit IV units.

These represented the fourth iteration, the latest and most technologically advanced, and also the most costly, in the exosuit lineage.

Shane had previously hesitated to deploy them, deterred by the significant expense associated with their maintenance and the substantial price of their inherent durability.

However, with the looming threat of multiple Vampire Lords, indecision was no longer a viable option.

As Shane unsealed a crate, the assembled soldiers watched with anticipation.

"Whoa~"

"Sir… That appears incredibly valuable."

"Are these intended for us?"

The exosuits shimmered, their frames constructed from mana-infused steel. Their articulated joints incorporated advanced shock absorbers, engineered to dissipate the impact of explosive forces, and crucially, they were scaled to accommodate the formidable physiques of the Super Soldiers.

This was a necessary consideration, as most of the soldiers, unlike Asta whose frame remained relatively normal despite the Super Soldier Serum, exhibited significantly larger and more muscular builds due to the serum's side effects.

"This… this is absolutely astonishing," breathed Asta, the leader of the Super Soldiers, stepping forward and reverently touching the cool metal of the armor.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Shane confirmed with a nod. "Version Four. They boast superior strength, speed, and resilience. You'll feel capable of withstanding a direct rocket blast. However, remember this: even with the challenges of repair, do not hesitate to utilize them to safeguard yourselves. Your lives are the utmost priority."

Asta wasted no time, swiftly donning the exosuit.

With a hiss of compressed air, the plates seamlessly locked into place, securing him within the protective shell.

As the internal systems hummed to life, his HUD flickered awake, meticulously scanning the surroundings and highlighting both allies and potential dangers.

"Wow… This feels absolutely incredible…" he murmured, his gaze sweeping across the room.

"Test its capabilities," Shane instructed calmly.

In response, Asta instinctively flexed his arms, feeling an immense surge of power coursing through him.

He then drove his fist into a reinforced wall panel.

Bam!

The resulting impact reverberated like thunder, yet the suit effortlessly absorbed the massive shockwave.

Asta’s grin widened. "I feel invincible. This… this is exactly what we needed."

A wave of cheers erupted from the other soldiers, their eagerness palpable as they clamored to try on the new gear.

Before long, twenty Super Soldiers were clad in the advanced Tactical Sentinel IV exosuits.

In a matter of moments, the atmosphere within the barracks had transformed entirely, shifting from tense anticipation to unbridled excitement as everyone familiarized themselves with their cutting-edge equipment.

One soldier sprinted across the hall, his movements unnaturally swift.

"Whoa! This is amazing! Check this out!"

His base speed, already augmented, was now amplified exponentially by the exosuit, rendering him astonishingly faster.

Another soldier executed a prodigious leap, soaring so high he nearly brushed against the ceiling beams before landing with a floor-shaking impact. Meanwhile, a third Super Soldier effortlessly lifted a heavy steel crate, a task that would normally necessitate heavy machinery, and tossed it aside with contemptuous ease.

"Hahahaha! This feels fantastic!"

"I bet we can take down even the Wyverns wearing these suits!"

"Sir Shane! Want a duel?!"

"Hey, he can still bring you down even without the Suit, you know?"

"Ahem... I’m just kidding."

Laughter and shouts filled the room.

For a moment, the grim weight of the apocalypse was lifted, replaced by sheer exhilaration. They ran, jumped, and sparred with each other, pushing the limits of their new armor.

Soon, several onlookers began to watch the unfolding events...

They watched sparks fly as blades clashed against blades. Some strikes even landed on the suits, a testament to the new armor’s ability to withstand enhanced assaults.

Once everyone felt comfortable with their new gear, Asta spoke, drawing all attention.

"Form up! This isn't just for play. We need a new tactical plan to fully utilize these suits... With them, we’ll hold the front lines against anything... even Vampire Lords. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir!"

The soldiers snapped to attention, their discipline restored. The exosuits hummed with power, fueled not by ordinary power cores, but by Mana Crystals.

Shane observed with satisfaction...

Even Tris, who had just arrived, couldn't help but be impressed by what Shane had accomplished...

"Exosuit... This guy holds so many secrets... How did he obtain such advanced technology? Is this his Talent?" Tris murmured.

If he had faced this event alone, there would have been no way he could have protected this Fort.

He could only feel gratitude for Shane’s presence.

After all, with so many Wyvern Cores being extracted, their own strength was continuously growing.

Finally, Shane spoke before departing the barracks...

"Enjoy this moment. But remember, the next wave will be worse. When more Vampire Lords arrive, you will be the wall that repels them."

Silence descended. The soldiers exchanged glances, their earlier excitement giving way to grim seriousness...

Asta stepped forward...

"Then let them come. With these suits, we will make them regret ever setting foot here."

Shane nodded. "That's the spirit. Prepare yourselves..."

***

Soon, Shane entered the chamber where the ten Epic‑Grade Elves were convened.

At this time, they were also deeply engrossed in their tasks...

An aura of incense and faint traces of mana permeated the air.

Mystra, their leader, stood at the center...

The others sat in meditation, their bows and blades resting nearby.

They had fought tirelessly in the preceding days, purifying corrupted mana with their arrows.

Without their efforts, the Dragon Army’s assaults would have certainly overwhelmed the defenders.

Indeed, the corruption they faced was no trivial matter; perhaps only the Warden Units could have endured it.

Unfortunately, the toll on these elves was evident. Dark circles shadowed their eyes, their movements were strained, and they suffered from mana exhaustion.

Shane approached. He had supplied them with as many Mana Crystals as possible, but a more critical matter required discussion.

"How is the development of the new weapon progressing?"

Mystra opened her eyes. Though fatigue lined her face, a spark of relief gleamed in her gaze.

"Yes... Finally... we have good news."

The other elves drew closer as she elaborated.

"With the supply of red mana crystals you provided, we have managed to stabilize the corruption. Initially, we could only purify small fragments, but now we can contain it entirely. We have forged arrows tipped with crystal shards that not only resist corruption but actively carry it back into the dragons themselves."

One of the elves added, "When fired, the arrow pierces scales and releases a counter-corruption. It disrupts their mana flow, weakening their breath attacks. Even a single shot is capable of bringing them down..."

Another elf presented a small, faintly glowing red talisman.

"We have also created seals. These can be deployed on the battlefield to establish barriers that absorb corrupted mana. They won't endure for extended periods, but they can shield the Super Soldiers during critical moments."

Mystra nodded. "The purification rituals are draining us, but with these crystals, we can transform corruption into a weapon. The Dragon Army’s greatest strength will become their ultimate weakness."

Shane listened intently... He couldn't help but smile at the news.

This was precisely what they needed.

After all, if the elves could no longer employ purification arrows, corrupted mana would cripple the enhanced warriors and even the Super Soldiers...

"Good," Shane affirmed firmly. "Continue producing them in large quantities. I will ensure you receive a steady supply of more crystals. When the dragons arrive, we will confront them with their own corruption."

Just like that, the final day of the event had finally dawned.