Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

After giving a few instructions, Shane continued to examine the stones.

He mentally calculated the significant boost this Spirit Vein could supply to them. If managed well, it would accelerate his camp's growth and give them a strategic advantage against all their enemies.

'I hope I can make machines that can be powered by Spirit Stones.' Shane mused.

Then, Shane's eyes lit up. Indeed, his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent should have a method to use the Spirit Stones as fuel… Perhaps he just needed to pay more, and the Anima Store might give him something.

'I should explore this later on…' Shane thought to himself.

Anyway, before leaving, he turned back to the miners. "Let's keep this quiet for now. We'll reveal it only when we're ready to defend this place. Until then, consider this Spirit Vein our camp's greatest secret."

"Yes, Lord Shane!" The miners replied.

***

Shane then realized that it was time to visit the two kids.

After leaving the mining site, he turned to a small building behind one of the trailer trucks.

Shane then entered this small workshop. Then, he couldn't help but smile as he saw Rylen and Aria busy with their tasks.

The two twelve-year-old kids or so were fully immersed, laughing softly while they carved small tokens from smooth acacia wood. Each token bore a simple tree design.

This design wasn't Shane's decision… However, Diana suggested this since she said that it embodies their camp's endurance and growth amidst the apocalypse.

Furthermore, the design wasn't too difficult to carve as well.

Noticing a person coming in, Aria looked up…

Her face lit up as she noticed him. "Oh! Brother Shane! You're here!" she exclaimed, setting down her carving tool.

Shane actually told them to just address him as their older brother instead of lord.

"Yes… How are you?"

Shane asked as his eyes drifted to a carefully organized stash of tokens stacked in wooden trays along the workbench. There had to be at least five hundred of them. The sheer number was impressive, and it shows the kids' dedication.

"You two have been busy. That's quite the stash!" he remarked with a grin.

Aria beamed proudly. "Well, Sister Diana and some of the others stopped by to help every now and then. It's been really fun," she said as her smile brightened even more.

She already learned how to adjust to their situation and was no longer as shy as before. Well, as long as they don't face those nasty zombies, she shouldn't have a panic attack.

"I see," Shane nodded, pleased to hear that the kids had found some friendship with the other survivors. "But listen, you don't need to push yourselves too hard. There's no pressure here—if you ever feel like taking a break, feel free to head out and enjoy yourselves."

Shane just wanted to be kind, but the two actually shuddered.

It seemed as if they recalled the faces of the zombies outside.

Rylen shook his head firmly. "It's okay, Brother Shane. We want to help everyone who's out there fighting against those nasty zombies. This feels like something we can do," he replied with a determined spark in his eye.

Of course, the two of them also had unique skills, and they had to visit the mining site from time to time, but most of the time, they would end up here or in their living quarters.

Shane couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for them.

Despite their age, they had found a purpose and were channeling their energy into something valuable for the community.

'They're young but not lazy… Nice…' Shane commented in his mind.

He reached over to pick up a few of the tokens, running his fingers over the carefully etched designs. They were sturdy and finely crafted, each imbued with a level of care that could only come from people who enjoyed what they were doing…

'They've improved their skills. Did they get some woodworking skills after doing this for so long?' Shane thought.

Anyway, Shane decided to give them a gift for now.

"Actually, I could use a couple of these right now," Shane said.

Then he chose two of the best-made tokens and placed them on the workbench in front of Rylen and Aria. "You've done great work, and I think it's time these tokens gave something back."

"Hmm?" The two kids were confused.

To be honest, they had no idea why they were making these tokens at all. They guessed that it would be used as some form of currency, but they kind of doubted it since everyone could easily make it.

In the end, they decided not to think too much of it as it was hard to guess.

However, after hearing Shane's words, it seemed as if these tokens could give something to them.

'But isn't this just a normal carved wood?' Aria thought as she looked at Shane and confirmed that he was serious.

Anyway, the kids watched curiously as Shane concentrated, channeling his energy into the tokens.

Needless to say, Shane was already using his ability.

He invoked his Skill Infuser Talent and focused on two skills: Aura Sentinel and Phantasm Rush.

It can be used for protection, healing, and escaping. A perfect item for these two kids.

Slowly, the tokens began to glow faintly as his energy flowed into them, and within moments, they shimmered with a barely visible, pulsing aura before returning to normal.

"What…what just happened?" Rylen asked, his eyes wide with amazement.

"These tokens are now infused with special abilities," Shane explained, handing each of them one of the tokens.

"The one you're holding has Aura Sentinel and Phantasm Rush Skills. These aren't skills you'll use every day, but they're there if you ever need them. You should be able to see their abilities as well." Shane said that he knew that they should also have some access to the system.

The kids then nodded as they did what they were told.

[ Acacia's Mystic Protection Token: A finely carved token from acacia wood, bearing the engraved symbol of a tree. Infused with both

Aura Sentinel

and

Phantasm Rush

. Activated by spending a small amount of Spirit Points, this token could grant several effects.

Effect:

Sustained Protection: Envelops the user in a regenerative aura that alerts to any hostile presence within a 50-meter radius, all while boosting agility and stealth.

Stealthy Move: The bearer gains heightened awareness of dangers nearby and becomes a near-invisible figure in any terrain, able to scale surfaces with ease and rapidly retreat if needed.

Activation Cost: 10 Spirit Points per minute Enjoy new adventures from empire

Usage: 50

Remarks: created by Shadow Strider ]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Awesome!"

The kids were ecstatic, turning the tokens over in their hands and marveling at their craft that had turned into something incredible.

Aria's face lit up, and she quickly hugged Shane. "Thank you so much, Brother Shane! We'll take good care of them!"

Rylen nodded firmly, clenching the token in his hand. "I'll make sure to keep it with me always."

Shane gave them a warm smile, feeling content that they were happy—and a little more protected. He then took the remaining trays of tokens and stacked them carefully in his arms.

"Well, I'll leave you two to get back to work… Oh, you can also take your break now…" he said, heading for the door. "I've got some infusing to do myself. Thank you again for all of this—it's a big help."

"Good luck, Brother Shane!" Aria called out as he left, and Rylen gave him a thumbs-up.

Back in his room, Shane set the trays down and began the careful process of infusing skill after skill into the tokens.

Anyway, now that he had unlimited access to Spirit Points, he no longer had to worry about the terrible Spirit Recovery Rate of his body.

Right now, he has the ability to abuse his Skill Infuser Talent thoroughly! There was no way he would miss this chance…

'I should probably ask the others to work on more tokens.' Shane thought as he wasn't initially in a hurry to make a lot of tokens since he knew that his limit Spirit Points wouldn't allow him to make tons of them.

However, everything had suddenly changed after the discovery of the Spirit Vein.

Now, he could easily gather a lot of money by selling these tokens that could literally save the lives of Survivors. Well, of course, he had to consider the people who would deserve to obtain them if he ever planned to send them outside.

For now, he had to supply his own camps.

Shane then took his time, considering each skill he'd infuse and thinking of the situations where they'd be most useful.

In the end, he decided to make 400 tokens with Aura Sentinel and Phantasm Rush since they were the most practical out there. Then, he made 50 items with Poison Resistance and Armored Dash, and the rest of the Tokens to have Underground Burrow and Predator's Edge…