Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

[ Jasper: Relics? Count me in. I'll join you, Mia. ]

[ Febby: Keep us posted on that. Could use some extra protection around the base. ]

[ Tracy: Will do. Also, has anyone seen a zombie with glowing eyes? ]

[ Carlo: Glowing eyes? That's a new one. What did it do? ]

[ Mia: Saw one too. It was faster and stronger. Took more than a few shots to bring down. Or so I thought, it just escaped after I got closer… It seemed to be intelligent.]

[ Jasper: Glowing eyes might indicate a mutation. We should be careful. But that might just be another Survivor with a specific skill. Do you remember the Zombie Mask? May he used something similar… ]

[ Febby: Zombie Mask… That thing appeared in my Survivor Store. Agreed. Let's keep an eye out for any more of those. That might just be a Survivor. Hahahaha… He's probably gritting his teeth right now if he's reading our chat. ]

[ Tracy: On a lighter note, who's up for a scavenger hunt tomorrow in the Mist City? It's being taken over by the Shadowbinder Clan and New Haven Clan… Let's hunt there while they haven't closed off the city yet. ]

[ Carlo: Count me in! Need to stock up on supplies anyway. ]

[ Mia: I'm in. Could use a break from zombie bashing. We should make a Clan already… We're the only ones active in the chat nowadays… ]

[ Jasper: Scavenger hunt it is. Let's meet at dawn? As for making Clan, I think it's better if we join a Clan that had a lot of freedom… ]

[ Febby: Dawn works for me. See you all at the east gate. Mia, all the others were probably busy since the Zombie Wave would come in less than ten days. ]

[ Tracy: I'm just going to run away from this Zombie Wave again. I just need to stay alive. Although it's filled with opportunity, not being able to kill a single Zombie and survive will give me a reward too. ]

[ Carlo: Huh? What the heck? There's a reward for such cowardice? ]

[ Febby: This is the first time I've heard that. ]

[ Shane: Me too… ]

[ Raze: Seconded. ]

[ Travis: Oh… You two were reading their chat as well. ]

[ Tracy: … ]

***

"Hmph… Mist City, huh… No wonder those two Clans had been requesting so many weapons… They're probably in a tough spot. I'm sure that city is filled with strong Zombies…"

Herman leaned back in his chair, the soft glow of the Regional Chat fading as he closed the window.

He was one of the first Survivors who had unlocked the Regional Chat… To be exact, he was the fifth person to do so, while Shane and Raze were the first and second, respectively.

"Not even any news around my area…" Herman muttered.

The chatter of survivors, their strategies and stories, had become his daily routine, since he didn't really have any other entertainment he could enjoy in his workshop.

Well, he wasn't one for the front lines; his battleground was the crafting table, where magic and metal met under his skilled hands.

In the solitude of his workshop, surrounded by the hum of mysterious energies and the scent of molten ore, Herman was a master of his craft and known by many.

With his Epic Talent: Magic Crafting, there was no doubt that he had gained a reputation.

Nonetheless, for him, Magic Crafting wasn't just a talent—it was an art, and he was its devoted artist. Even before he had entered this apocalypse, it was already his dream to be able to create things…

In this world, his creations ranged from the Uncommon to the Rare, and occasionally, when fortune smiled upon him, the Exceptional Grade would appear.

Today, a new challenge lay before him: a Kris Blade. It was requested by Caius the Clan Leader of the Shadowbinders Clan.

The Kris Blade that he was about to make was not just any blade with 10 or so undulations, but one imbued with mystical energy potent enough to turn the tides of battle.

Well, this energy would, of course, come from an ore that he needed to process…

Anyway, most of his clients had been specific, seeking a weapon that could slice through the undead as easily as possible…

Herman's fingers danced over the array of crystals and powders, selecting each with deliberate care.

The forge's heat washed over him. It was a familiar sensation as he began the meticulous process of forging.

At the same time, his Magic Crafting Talent had also notified him of the current process.

[ Crafting Attempt: Kris Blade

- Item Grade: Rare ( with a chance for Exceptional )

- Success Rate: 60% for Rare Grade 2% for Exceptional Grade

- Materials Used: Garcanite Metal, Tank Zombie's Bone Power, Nightshade Extract

- Item Upgrade Crystals Available: 10 ]

This notification was something he could see because of his talent.

Anyway, his crafting soon started…

The Garcanite Metal melted into a silvery pool, its surface mirroring the intense concentration in Herman's eyes.

He activated one of his Talent-Related Skill about Crafting and the Tank Zombie's Bone Power disintegrated into a shower of sparks, each one absorbed by the molten metal.

The Nightshade Extract followed, its dark essence swirling into the mixture, promising a blade that could paralyze as well as pierce.

With a steady hand, Herman poured the metal into the mold, the shape of the Kris Blade emerging as the liquid cooled.

He held his breath, watching for the significant signs of an Exceptional creation.

The air crackled with mystical energy, the blade's edge gleaming with a deadly light.

Herman lifted the weapon, turning it in his hands. It was at least a Rare Item, without a doubt, but had he hit the elusive 2%?

He inspected the blade, hoping that it was an Exceptional item.

Soon, Herman displayed a small smile.

The Kris Blade was Exceptional, a masterpiece forged by luck and skill.

He wrapped the blade carefully, ready to deliver it to a client who would soon discover just how fortunate they were to wield such a weapon.

Of course, the price had also increased because of this...

Then, exactly as he finished his job, he heard a knock on his door.

He knew who it was, so he quickly permitted her to enter.

"Diana Wells... What is it this time?"