Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle Chapter 3: The Estate

Shane felt overwhelmed by the sequence of events he had just witnessed.

First, he no longer needed to input his name, as the holographic blue screen now identified him as Shane Wells. That was certainly an improvement over being designated as Survivor 192693.

Next, he examined his titles and found himself profoundly confused.

"Fairy Realm's Lone Survivor, when did that occur? And by what logic did I become the A.I. Rebellion's Chosen One?"

Coincidentally, those specific scenarios were his first and second selections during the Apocalypse Selection Phase. A technical error shifted him into the Zombie Outbreak instead.

"Ahh... Wait--" Shane paused, a sudden realization washing over him. However, he struggled to believe that it could truly be the case.

'There is also the puzzling phenomenon surrounding the three stones on my bracelet... Do not tell me...' As this thought crossed his mind, he focused on the titles displayed on the blue interface, triggering further descriptions of their effects!

[ Fairy Realm's Survivor: The Survivor obtains the ability to travel to the Fairy Realm for 8 hours once a week. The Survivor also receives bonus points in Strength, Agility, Luck, and Perception. Furthermore, this title grants total immunity to Fairy Charms.

Requirements: Become a Lone Foreign Survivor of the Fairy Realm's Apocalypse. ]

[ A.I. Rebellion's Chosen One: The Survivor gains access to Cloud, an A.I. assistant capable of providing vital information, strategic advice, and support across diverse scenarios.

Requirements: Become a trusted ally of Anima, a machine-ruled civilization. ]

"This is..."

There was no room for denial. Although Shane had not completed university, that did not mean he was slow-witted or unable to interpret the clues that had been surfacing all along.

Additionally, upon checking his Inventory, he confirmed the presence of the Memory Spheres and the A.I. Assistant.

"My previous status must have been the actual baseline for a beginner. However... Everything changed because of an action I have no recollection of taking... Perhaps the Memory Spheres hold the key to all these enigmas. Ugh... What sort of game-like Apocalypse is this?"

Shane pondered as he attempted to rationalize his situation.

It all appeared absurd, yet if his initial theory held water, everything else would fall neatly into place.

Then, his focus shifted to the new Talents granted to him by the update.

He was pleased to possess these fresh talents, as having a broader skill set improved his survival odds in this hellish Apocalypse.

[ Complete Loot ( Legendary Talent ): The Survivor can scavenge everything from a fallen foe, including apparel, items, and skills. The Survivor also benefits from an increased chance to discover hidden treasures. ]

[ Otherworldly Mechanic ( Legendary Talent ): The Survivor can effortlessly construct and modify any mechanical device, such as weaponry, vehicles, automatons, and gadgets. The Survivor possesses restricted access to alien technology and materials that are unavailable to other Survivors. ]

[ Territory Lord ( Legendary Talent ): You may occupy and claim an expansive tract of land for personal development. There is a 100% chance of attracting skilled inhabitants from across the continent to serve you within your territory every five days! ]

"Wow... All of them are Legendary Grade." Shane could not help but marvel at the three incredibly useful talents.

He was uncertain about the official classification of these talents, but based on his knowledge of gaming, Legendary usually represented the highest tier.

Truthfully, he had hoped for combat-oriented talents like swordsmanship or marksmanship, knowing he would inevitably face zombies.

That desire had motivated his choice of the Weapon Gift Pack for the pistol.

Nevertheless, he remained an inexperienced shooter, meaning his success in a firefight would largely rely on pure luck.

Whoosh~

A gust of chilling wind swept past him, causing him to shudder as the cold bit into his skin.

"I need to locate shelter..." Shane muttered, his eyes locked on the outline of a structure nearby. He was eager to inspect his Inventory, but finding a secure location took priority.

Even with the heavy fog obscuring his vision, scattered flickers of light provided a rough indication of his immediate surroundings.

Within the mist, he identified a cluster of building ruins, standing tall like 2 or 3-story structures.

Unsure of the time period they belonged to, he approached the nearest ruin to investigate. As his vision adjusted, the antiquity of the buildings became clear, echoing medieval Gothic architecture.

"So, they are not modern structures as I originally assumed..." Shane mused.

The first building appeared to be a grand manor, scarred by destruction, which allowed for entry without the need to force a door.

Despite its decrepit condition, the three-story structure remained standing, though he felt uneasy about its potential to collapse at any moment.

Inside, he found nothing but chaos—rubble, splintered furniture, shards of glass, and various debris littered the floor, forcing Shane to venture out of this unsuitable refuge.

Leaving the manor behind, he stumbled upon a vast, desolate barn.

The structure appeared weathered; its timber beams showed signs of rot, and the roof was heavily blanketed in moss and lichen.

The barn doors dangled precariously from their hinges, protesting with creaks whenever the wind blew.

'This does not look strong enough to withstand a horde of zombies...' He contemplated.

Encircling the barn were the overgrown remains of a long-dead garden, a subtle reminder of a thriving estate now lost to the wild.

In the distance, the silhouette of a church loomed, its eroded spire reaching into the smoggy sky.

After an hour of wandering, it became apparent that this site was once a magnificent estate. Beyond the primary stone manor, the barn, and the church, he discovered a granary, a water mill, a ruined smithy, and the remains of several peasant cottages.

A dried-up riverbed was also discovered, which felt rather disappointing.

As he concluded his survey, the blue interface ignited once more!

[ You have discovered the Springriver Manor. ]