Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle Chapter 1271: Arrival

A faint smile gradually appeared on Rain’s face.

He had not spent the past month preparing only for a simple confrontation.

This time, he had prepared something that even Merlin would never expect.

"This time, it will be my win..."

Rain’s fingers tightened around the scroll hidden inside his robe.

At this time, the anger in his eyes was accompanied by confidence.

He had not forgotten the difference in strength between himself and Merlin. In fact, the memory of that defeat was precisely why he had spent the past month preparing so carefully.

Even if he had barely seen Merlin’s power, he was sure he was already reaching the peak of a mage...

Of course, Rain had initially believed that the old man was merely an experienced Survivor who happened to possess a powerful staff, but after gathering information from multiple sources, he had gradually realized just how foolish that assumption had been.

Furthermore, Merlin’s reputation among the Mages living in the Eclipse Domain was far greater than Rain had expected.

And then there were the stories about Alex... a young Mage who had defeated his strongest spell with seemingly effortless precision.

The more Rain learned, the more certain he became that challenging Merlin directly would be nothing more than another humiliation.

Fortunately, he had prepared something that could change everything.

His hand slipped beneath his robe and touched the cold surface of the scroll.

The Legendary Talent Swap Scroll.

It was one of the most valuable treasures the Silver Crest Clan had managed to obtain, and Rain had originally intended to keep it as a trump card for the future.

Now, however, he had found a better use for it.

Ding!

[ Legendary Talent Swap Scroll: A mysterious scroll capable of forcibly exchanging the Talents of two targets. ]

[ Requirement: Both targets must fulfill the conditions required for Talent exchange. ]

[ Warning: The exchange is irreversible once completed. ]

[ Do you wish to activate the Legendary Talent Swap Scroll? ]

Rain stared at the notification for several seconds before closing it.

If the scroll truly worked as he expected, then everything would change the moment he successfully used it.

Rain had spent years cultivating his Mage Talent, but he had long understood that talent itself placed a limit on how far a Survivor could eventually rise.

If he could obtain a powerful Talent from Merlin...

He could completely surpass his current limitations.

Perhaps he could even become the strongest Mage in the world.

The thought made his breathing slightly heavier.

He had already imagined it countless times.

The same people who had laughed at his defeat would eventually have no choice but to look up at him.

Alex would no longer be able to stand before him with that infuriating confidence.

And Merlin... Rain smirked at the thought of the arrogant old mage...

The old man would finally understand the consequences of humiliating the Silver Crest Clan.

However, Rain wasn’t arrogant enough to believe that obtaining Merlin’s Talent would automatically guarantee victory.

There was still the problem of actually surviving the confrontation.

That was why he had brought nearly thirty members of the Silver Crest Clan... They were not here to defeat Merlin.

They were there to make sure Rain could escape.

The moment he returned to the tavern, he gathered the clan members in a private room and quietly explained the plan once again...

Rain then set up a barrier so nobody outside the room could hear him.

"Once again... We’re not here to fight fairly... We’re just waiting for Merlin to appear. Once he does, one of you will notify the others immediately."

Several members nodded.

"Our priority is to separate Merlin from the crowded areas. We cannot afford to cause a disturbance here."

Rain paused before continuing.

"If the opportunity appears, I’ll use the scroll."

Nobody asked what would happen if it failed.

They already understood. If the scroll succeeded, Rain would have to adapt immediately to whatever new Talent he obtained.

If it failed... They would run.

One of the clan members hesitated before asking, "And if Shane’s people intervene?"

Rain’s expression became serious...

"Then we leave immediately. I don’t care whether we accomplish our objective or not. We will always have a chance..."

He understood that boundary clearly... Merlin was his enemy while Shane was not.

Provoking the Rank One Survivor simply because of a personal grudge would be suicidal.

After the meeting ended, the clan quietly began preparing.

One member remained near the tavern, pretending to be another Mage waiting for Merlin. He was instructed to observe the entrance and notify Rain the moment the old mage appeared.

The others spread throughout the western district.

Rather than staying together, they began examining several possible escape routes.

They studied the surrounding streets, checked which roads connected to the outer districts, identified the nearest gates, and memorized locations where they could temporarily hide if they were pursued.

Rain himself spent most of his time inside the tavern, occasionally pretending to study his spell book while his thoughts remained fixed on the scroll hidden beneath his robe.

Every passing day made him more impatient.

But Merlin did not appear...

The first day passed... then the second.

Rain began wondering whether the information they had received was wrong.

Perhaps Merlin had already returned and simply chosen another place to stay... Perhaps he had sensed that someone was waiting for him.

Thankfully, as he was worried that their visit here would be wasted, on the morning of the third day, his subordinate suddenly rushed into the room.

"Young Master."

Rain immediately looked up.

The man’s breathing was slightly hurried.

"He’s here."

For several seconds, Rain didn’t move... Then he slowly closed his spell book.

"Finally..."

"He just entered the western district."

Rain stood.

His hand instinctively touched the Legendary Talent Swap Scroll hidden inside his robe.

After waiting for so long, his opportunity had finally arrived.

"Notify everyone."

His voice was calm.

"Nobody moves until I give the signal."

Rain walked toward the window and looked down at the street below.

Among the countless Survivors moving through the busy district, an old man carrying a familiar wooden staff had just appeared at the end of the street.

Merlin had finally returned.

And this time, Rain Veynar had no intention of allowing him to leave easily...