Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle Chapter 1175: Merlin’s Power and the Recruitment

The Vampire Lords comprehended that their current clash was not proceeding in their favor, witnessing an ancient mage effectively halting their advance...

However, despite their bodies being scorched and battered, a burning malice still emanated from their eyes.

They sought for anyone to drain, but only Androids surrounded them—lifeless machines devoid of any blood to offer. Their frustration escalated into pure rage.

"You... you are not meant to exist," one snarled. "No mage should possess such potent abilities..."

Merlin let out a laugh upon hearing this, recognizing their profound inexperience.

Soon, his staff began to radiate an intense brilliance, brighter than ever before. The effect of his robe was also activated, as if in perfect harmony with the mana of the World Tree...

His aura expanded rapidly, its palpable weight felt even by the defenders positioned on the walls.

"You all lack experience," he stated in a composed tone...

"Divine light is unnecessary for me. I command fire, storm, and ice. And I possess the resolve to vanquish you."

He lifted his staff, channeling every last bit of mana from his reserves.

The surrounding air vibrated intensely, the ground fractured, and the sky itself seemed to respond to his power.

Whom~

Flames enveloped his form while lightning crackled across his staff!

Simultaneously, shards of ice materialized in the air, forming a crown of spears!

It was happening! Merlin was finally taking this confrontation with the utmost seriousness!

Recognizing the danger, the Lords charged in unison, knowing they could not allow Merlin to dictate the battle's tempo!

Swiftly, their blood blades sliced through the air.

But this time, Merlin moved with superior speed. He struck his staff forcefully into the ground, initiating a devastating fusion spell!

Fire and lightning intertwined, culminating in an explosive outward burst, a tempest of fiery devastation!

The courtyard shuddered violently from the impact.

The Vampire Lords shrieked as the fiery torrent consumed them!

Within mere moments, their formidable armor began to melt, and their very flesh started to sear!

One attempted to dissipate into mist, but Merlin’s cyclone of wind ensnared the vapor, forcibly reverting it back to its solid state!

"You won't escape!" Merlin declared with a triumphant laugh.

The other raised its blade, only for the ice spears to shatter it into countless fragments.

"Fall!" Merlin roared, his voice echoing throughout the entire Stronghold.

He unleashed his final, decisive strike—a colossal pillar forged from combined fire and lightning!

It surged upwards like an inferno unleashed.

The Vampire Lords found themselves trapped within the blast, their bodies rapidly disintegrating under the relentless, searing heat!

Their agonized screams gradually faded into an absolute silence, leaving behind only a scattering of ash upon the stone floor.

[ You have eliminated Vampire Lord Chrisam. ]

[ Reward: +5,000 Experience Points. +100 Reputation Points ]

[ Bonus: Title Unlocked "Vampire Slayer." ]

[ You have eliminated Vampire Lord Oreo ]

[ Reward: +5,000 Experience Points. +100 Reputation Points ]

[ Bonus: Title Unlocked "Plaguecleanser" ]

A resounding cheer erupted from the defenders atop the walls. "He did it! The mage has slain the Vampire Lords!"

Tieria lowered his mechanical eye, a sigh of relief escaping him.

The elite squads from other shelters would require an additional five minutes to arrive, as they had not anticipated the sudden appearance of Lord-Tier Vampires.

It was known previously that Lord Tier Vampires possessed peculiar methods for breaching their barriers. Efforts to reinforce defenses with additional barriers and more Warden Units were thought to be the solution, but fortunately, Merlin was present.

"Incredible... he defeated them single-handedly. This individual is no ordinary survivor. Shane must be informed of him immediately. Perhaps he might even receive a reward." Tieria mused aloud.

While he was capable of offering Merlin a reward himself, his financial resources were limited. He was not like Shane, who possessed an immeasurable quantity of resources within his inventory, a consequence of his peculiar looting fortune.

Nevertheless, Merlin had not emerged entirely unscathed from the recent engagement.

Soon, the aged mage faltered, but he promptly steadied himself against his staff.

His mana reserves were almost depleted, yet his eyes gleamed with deep satisfaction.

The recent battle had been truly astonishing.

He then glanced at the ashes, followed by the soldiers who had borne witness to his display of power.

"The battle is not yet concluded... I shall entrust the remaining foes to you," Merlin declared, stepping back from the fray.

With that, the soldiers roared with renewed vigor, swiftly moving to eliminate the remaining Vampires outside the shelter's perimeter.

Meanwhile, Alex hurried forward, his face illuminated with profound awe and admiration.

He immediately moved to assist the Old Mage, who was experiencing difficulty walking.

"Master Merlin... you were magnificent! You fought them without relying on holy spells! Pure elemental power. Absolutely amazing!"

Merlin managed a faint smile in response.

Alex perhaps did not need to pointedly remind him of his inability to utilize Holy Arts.

Yet, he still smiled at the young man's evident enthusiasm.

"This is merely the beginning, Alex. If Lords now walk this land, then greater conflicts inevitably await us. And when they arrive... you should be the one confronting them."

Upon hearing Merlin's words, Alex's face beamed with sheer joy.

After all, this implied that Merlin recognized his latent potential!

The ancient mage envisioned a future where he could single-handedly vanquish Zombie Lords!

***

Meanwhile, out at sea, the waves ebbed and flowed with a consistent rhythm as the vessels Excellence and Providence sliced through the water. Several days had passed since their departure from the Draconic Fort, with their heading set toward what they believed to be Eden Island. Currently, they had a few merchants aboard, including Akame and his crew, who aimed to rebuild their lives on their home island and, perhaps, join Shane’s ranks. For the moment, however, their value lay in the information they possessed regarding Eden Island, the rumored sanctuary where Sofia, the first individual naturally immune to the zombie virus, might still reside.

"Clear the deck!" Shane commanded, his stance firm on the Providence’s deck. His gaze was locked onto the Dragon Recruitment Stones held within his palm. Tris, the leader of the Draconic Fort, had elucidated the properties of these stones before their voyage. Unlike human recruits, dragons were intrinsically territorial, tethered to the very location of their summoning – be it a cave, a mountain summit, a forest glade, or even an airborne island, all of which could serve as their domain. They would fiercely defend this territory alongside their summoner. Yet, loyalty was a delicate matter. While their allegiance to the land was unwavering, their initial loyalty to the summoner began at a mere fifty percent and could rapidly diminish if neglected. Tris had imparted the secrets to maintaining their contentment: providing mana crystals, fostering their development, and respecting their chosen territory. Dragons, being creatures of immense pride, only offered trust through steadfast patience. Now, Shane was poised to put this knowledge into practice. His hope was for the dragon to bond with the ship, Providence, thus granting them an additional protector to complement their existing Mech Frames.

As his order echoed, the crew moved with practiced efficiency, their eyes alight with nascent anticipation. Many had witnessed Raze’s dragon, but the prospect of a new one always stirred excitement. Shane finally activated the recruitment stone. Following the familiar chime of a system confirmation, the stone pulsed with increasing luminescence before dissolving into nothingness. Almost instantaneously, dense, dark clouds materialized overhead, casting an ominous shadow across the deck and unsettling the crew of the Excellence trailing behind. A low hum permeated the air, and then, the fog began to coalesce into a discernible form! Wings unfurled with a potent sweep, their scales shimmering, and finally, Shane beheld a pair of fiery eyes gazing directly at him.

There, before them, stood a young dragon, no larger than a carriage, yet already emanating a palpable power. Its scales gleamed a deep emerald, interspersed with veins of gold. The creature’s gaze swept across the deck, its nostrils flaring as it sampled the air, undoubtedly attempting to ascertain its newfound location. The crew exhaled in collective awe; some instinctively retreated, while others leaned forward, mesmerized. Shane’s lips curled into a rare smile. "So it is true," he murmured. "This world is no longer merely a Zombie Apocalypse. It is a Vampire’s Rise… and a Dragon’s Awakening." The dragon lowered its head slightly, scrutinizing him. Its aura was formidable, even in its youth, yet it exuded no hostility, only a palpable curiosity and caution regarding its surroundings. Shane reached into his pouch, retrieved a handful of mana crystals, and extended them forward. "Here," he said gently. "A gift." The dragon sniffed the offering before lunging towards Shane and promptly consuming the crystals with audible crunches! Its eyes brightened, and Shane sensed a subtle, yet perceptible, inclination of loyalty shifting in his favor.

Tris’s words resonated in his mind…

The young dragon unfurled its wings, generating a powerful gust that swept across the deck. The crew instinctively shielded their faces, but Shane remained steadfast, his coat billowing around him. He met the dragon’s gaze unflinchingly. "You will find no cave or mountain here," Shane declared. "But this ship… this sea… it shall be your home, for now. Protect it, and I shall protect you…" He was uncertain if the young dragon could comprehend his words, but a low rumble, akin to a growl, emanated from the creature, and Shane perceived a sense of acceptance within the sound!