Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle Chapter 1176: The Recruits and the Island
Previously on Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle...
As the young dragon observed the unfolding situation with a newfound calm, Silver, its metallic slime companion, hopped forward, emitting inquisitive sounds.
The dragon cocked its head, watching the small creature. Then, to the astonishment of all present, it emitted a brief puff of air... appearing almost amused.
A murmur swept through the crew.
"A dragon... fighting alongside us..."
"With this ally, we are now invincible..."
Shane raised a hand, signaling for quiet. "Do not let your guard down. This is merely the beginning... Raze informed me of the Dragons' pride. If we show disrespect, it might turn against us. Likely so..."
He then turned his attention back to the dragon.
"You aren't bound to anyone, but I'd like to give you a name..." Shane murmured, not wanting to simply refer to the young dragon as 'dragon'.
Gazing at its glistening green or emerald scales, Shane considered several options.
"Emerald... Or perhaps Emy? Wait? Is it male?" Shane pondered aloud.
This time, Tundra interjected. "I believe it's male, Shane... Tris mentioned that the absence of horns indicates a male dragon. Horned dragons are typically female."
"R-right..." Shane nodded, as this observation certainly seemed consistent, considering Roan lacked any horns.
After a brief pause, Shane tried a new approach.
"Alright... How about Emer?" As he spoke the name, Shane detected subtle sighs from behind him. Even the dragon regarded him with a hint of dismissal.
Still, Shane persisted for another fifteen minutes before finally landing on a suitable name... a suggestion he heard from Lysandra, who was observing from the rear.
"Hunter..."
Upon hearing this suggested name, the dragon's eyes finally sparkled with recognition... Shortly after, it unleashed a roar that reverberated across the expanse of the sea.
Roooaaar!
The sound traveled far and wide, startling flocks of seabirds and creating visible ripples upon the ocean's surface.
Shane felt the powerful resonance deep within his chest. This was more than just an additional ally.
This was undeniable proof that the apocalypse had escalated into something far grander. Zombies, vampires, dragons... the world was transforming into an apocalyptic scenario far beyond anything his memories of a previous life had ever encountered.
And he intended to be at the very heart of it.
As the dragon's roar subsided, Shane glanced at his inventory.
He still possessed 9 Uncommon-Grade Dragon Recruitment Stones, 50 Normal Vampire Recruitment Stones, and 100 Rare Zombie Recruitment Stones.
In addition to these, he had 25 Draconic Gene Serums and 10 Vampiric Blood Serums.
Ultimately, he decided to summon another Uncommon Dragon for his other ship. Consequently, both Excellence and Providence were now guarded by dragons.
As for the name of this second dragon, Shane chose Winter, inspired by its striking blue scales.
Naturally, the others also had Dragon Recruitment Stones, but theirs were only of Common Grade. Because of this disparity, it was decided that Shane would be the primary user of these stones. The others could summon their own dragons only if it became absolutely necessary.
For the time being, they opted against aggressive summoning, as the weight capacity of the ships was also a factor to consider.
Having one dragon assigned to each ship was deemed sufficient.
Thus, the Providence and Excellence surged forward, their sails fully embracing the wind.
Above, the two young dragons circled a few times before gracefully descending back onto the decks, their wings folding neatly.
The crew gazed in wonder... They had never anticipated such a turn of events when they departed from the mainland.
Now, they were protected by flying creatures... In the current cross-apocalypse, where Wyverns and Vampires could materialize in the skies, this was an undeniably significant enhancement to their combat capabilities.
It was truly an incredible development.
***
Just like that, the twin vessels, Providence and Excellence, advanced with their sails taut against the wind.
The sea was far from tranquil.
However, their journey continued without significant issue, thanks to the assistance of Akame and his navigational expertise.
They paid no mind to the waves crashing against their hulls, which likely served as a foreboding omen of the challenges that lay ahead.
At this moment, Shane stood on the deck of the Providence, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
The dragons, Hunter and Winter, soared above, their cries echoing across the vast waters.
Before long, the ocean itself seemed to turn hostile.
From the depths beneath the waves, several figures began to emerge... Shane recognized them instantly. They were the silhouettes of Zombie Murlocks, their putrid, scaled bodies covered in decay, their eyes glowing faintly with a menacing red light.
As anticipated, it wasn't long before they scrambled onto the sides of the ships, their claws scraping against the wooden planks, attempting to breach the hulls.
"Open fire!" Shane commanded.
Cannons boomed, sending massive chunks of the sea zombies plummeting back into the water. Rifles fired from the upper decks, and bombs were hurled into the teeming masses, detonating with thunderous impact.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The crew moved with practiced efficiency, their prior experiences having prepared them for such encounters.
Soon, their weaponry began to systematically eliminate the attackers before they could overwhelm the ships' defenses.
However, the Murlocks displayed a cunning nature.
Several creatures dove beneath the waves, launching an assault from below! Their sharp claws began to dig into the hull. The Providence trembled as one managed to breach the exterior, sending water spraying into the lower deck. Shane's brow furrowed as he recognized their protective barrier had been compromised... It was likely a Zombie King Tier Murloc Zombie! Soon, he lifted his hand, and crackling lightning began to spark across his fingers. "Lightning Surge..." Instantly, bolts of electricity arced into the water! Within moments, the current coursed through the hull and into the beings clinging beneath. The sea illuminated with snapping energy, and the Murlocks shrieked as their bodies convulsed, instantly charred by the electrical surge. [ You have eliminated a Murloc Zombie. ] [ You have eliminated a Murloc Zombie. ] ... [ You have eliminated a Murloc Zombie. ] The system notifications continued as he expended his Spirit Points to attack... With this devastating attack, even if some survived, they would undoubtedly release their hold on the ship, and many would soon float lifelessly to the surface. Concurrently, Shane's Aura Suppression, now at its maximum Level 10, erupted outward. The resulting debuff was immense! The zombies slowed, their attacks weakened, and their coordination was utterly dismantled! It felt as if the very atmosphere surrounding the ships was crushing their will to fight. "Keep firing!" Tundra commanded from the Excellence. Cannons boomed once more, obliterating another wave of sea zombies attempting to scale the decks. Soon, even the dragons joined the fray! Hunter swooped down, unleashing a torrent of flame across the water's surface! It incinerated dozens of Murlocks in a single, fiery sweep. Winter followed suit, expelling a chilling breath that instantly froze the water, encasing several zombies in ice before they were shattered by subsequent cannon fire. "What? They can actually use dragon’s breath?" "Hunter... I thought you would be employing some kind of plant-based attacks. Why fire breath?" "Hey! It’s a dragon! Don’t underestimate its capabilities. Their scales don't dictate their elemental affinity." "B-but Roan is red and he's a fire dragon." "It’s a bit complex. I believe it relates to their owners... Depending on their master’s desires, that becomes their elemental focus." "What? I don’t think that’s right... That’s not how it works." Just like that, the crews erupted into debate, none having anticipated Hunter's fiery exhalation. Regardless, the battle raged for nearly an hour, but the combined might of firearms, explosives, cannons, Shane's potent elemental abilities, and the dragons proved overwhelmingly effective. The sea became a graveyard, littered with corpses drifting aimlessly as the waves carried them away. Finally, an eerie silence returned. The crew erupted in cheers as a wave of relief washed over them. They had confronted the ocean's horrors and emerged unscathed, once again. Their confidence grew with each passing moment... Shane lowered his hand as his suppression aura dissipated. "Haa~" He exhaled slowly, surveying their surroundings. "Don't let your guard down. This was merely one swarm. I suspect more Zombies will pursue us once we approach Eden Island..." The crew nodded grimly. They were acutely aware of the ocean's pervasive dangers. Yet, with Shane at the helm, their resolve remained unshaken... Hours elapsed as the ships sailed onward, carefully navigating around known territories frequented by Sea Zombie Kings. The dragons maintained their aerial watch, their calls serving as warnings of distant threats. The crew remained hyper-vigilant, their eyes continuously scanning the waves for any sign of movement. Then, as dawn painted the horizon, a distinct shape materialized in the distance. An island! It appeared lush and green, completely untouched by the pervasive decay. Its forests stretched towards the sky, and its beaches seemed pristine... The crew gathered at the rails, their gazes fixed on the island. "Beautiful... Is that... Eden Island?" Shane's expression turned serious. "I'm not certain... But, I certainly hope so." Sofia, the very first patient to achieve immunity to the zombie virus, should be located there... Indeed, if she were truly present, this island could potentially hold secrets and answers that no existing shelter or fortress had yet discovered. "Prepare to dock," Shane commanded. His voice resonated with a mixture of caution and burgeoning hope. "We'll soon discover if this is truly Eden... and if Sofia still draws breath." The Providence and Excellence adjusted their sails, guiding their course towards the island. The crew braced themselves. They had survived the ocean's terrifying challenges, but what awaited them on Eden Island held the potential to change everything.