After updating his maps with Ironcrest’s information, Shane finally allowed himself a brief rest.
Of course, the Floating Fortress still humd quietly above Blue Haven, with its engines steady. Even its shadow was stretching across the port like a silent guardian.
The next morning, Shane rose early.
He didn’t linger for breakfast or idle conversation. His mind was already fixed on another matter, the deal he had made with a rchant weeks ago.
That deal had been simple, it was to eliminate the Zombie Sea King in exchange for every Recruitnt Stone the rchant possessed, from Normal to Epic grade. It was one of the reasons Shane had left Blue Haven in the first place.
The rchant’s story had been tragic. His daughter had been killed by the Sea King, and in his grief, he had gathered every scrap of information about the monster. He had tracked its movents, its hunting patterns, even its strange habit of dragging itself ashore from ti to ti.
"Perhaps instinct," the rchant had said. "Perhaps mory. Before it mutated, it may have been human. A fisherman, maybe. Then it fed on infected sea creatures and beca that thing."
Shane hadn’t cared about its origin. What mattered was eliminating it... and he had.
The creature was known as the Hamr Sea King, a colossal abomination wielding a warhamr of bone and scale. Shane rembered the battle vividly, not only the monster itself, but the interference of the Overlord Clan. Christian, with his Gunlord Physique, had tried to claim the loot, insisting his people had weakened the Sea King first. They had even demanded Shane’s Calamity Set.
Shane had smiled then, just as he smiled now at the mory. The Overlord Clan had failed and the loot was his.
***
Shane made his way through Blue Haven’s marketplace. The air was filled with the scent of roasted at and fresh bread, the chatter of survivors bartering for goods.
There were already a lot of people here...
Nonetheless, Shane found the rchant easily. The old man was no longer selling Recruitnt Stones with a sign about his hunting request...
After all, Fiona had already inford him that Shane had defeated the Sea King, though Shane had been delayed in returning.
Now, the rchant’s stall was lined with bolts of fabric, dyed in muted colors, neatly folded and stacked.
As soon as the old man saw Shane, his face lit up. He smiled, the lines of grief and age softening for a mont.
"You’re back," the rchant said. "I knew you’d return."
Shane stepped closer and nodded.
Without a word, he reached into his inventory and produced the proof.
One by one, Shane laid the items on the rchant’s table.
200 mL Hamr Sea King Blood. It was thick, dark liquid emitting with faint dark energy.
Sea‑Type Mutation Sample. A strange organ in a bottle, still pulsating faintly, and its nature was uncertain.
Sea King Warhamr. It was the massive weapon dropped by the Sea King.
Sea Crown. An accessory fashioned from scales and teeth, radiating authority.
Leviathan Scale Armor. It looked dull, but it was made of deep-sea scale, nearly indestructible.
Sea King’s Ring of Endurance. It was a silver band set with a deep blue gem...
The marketplace quieted as nearby survivors noticed the display of impressive items.
Whispers spread quickly as several more people took a quick look.
The old man’s eyes widened. He reached out, trembling, but did not touch. Instead, he leaned closer, examining the armor, the crown, and the ring.
"It’s real," he whispered. "You truly killed it."
His voice broke slightly, but he steadied himself. "My daughter... she can rest now."
Shane said nothing. He simply nodded, as he wasn’t sure how to comfort the old man.
After a few monts, the man finally straightened. His hands were still shaking as he reached beneath his stall. He pulled out a heavy chest, its iron lock already undone.
Inside were dozens of glowing stones, each radiating faint energy. He lifted them carefully, placing them on the table before Shane.
50 Normal Recruitnt Stones.
30 Rare Recruitnt Stones.
20 Master Recruitnt Stones.
10 Epic Recruitnt Stones.
"These are yours," the rchant said firmly. "As promised. You fulfilled your end of the deal. I will not break mine."
Shane regarded the stones, then swept them into his inventory with a flick of his hand.
The old man exhaled deeply, relief washing over him. "Thank you, Lord Shane. Truly. You’ve done what no one else could."
***
Shane turned to leave, but paused. His gaze lingered on the rchant’s fabrics, the bolts of cloth stacked neatly.
"You’re selling fabrics now?" Shane asked.
The old man nodded. "Yes. Recruitnt Stones were all I had left of value. Now, I trade in cloth. Survivors need clothing, blankets, tents. It is humble work, but it keeps busy."
Shane gave a faint smile. He was curious about his supplier but decided not to ask.
"You’ve done well."
Shane walked away, the Recruitnt Stones secure in his inventory. His mind was already turning to the future. With these stones, he could expand his forces, strengthen Blue Haven, and prepare for the battles yet to co.
***
As Shane left the marketplace, Fiona approached, her eyes sharp as always.
"You got them?" she asked.
Shane nodded. "Fifty Normal, thirty Rare, twenty Master, ten Epic. This should be enough to bolster our ranks."
Fiona smiled faintly. "Good. We’ll need them... There are simply too many constructions going on."
The Blue Haven Shelter was still young, only a few months old. Even with super soldiers, mute builders, warden units, and hundreds of workers, the sheer scale of construction was overwhelming. Too many buildings remained unfinished, too many projects demanded attention.
But this shelter was never ant to be ordinary. Shane envisioned it as a thriving port town, capable of housing at least ten thousand people. That was his dream... the foundation for ending the Apocalypse itself.
From his past experiences in the last two Apocalypses, Shane understood a hard truth... Survival alone was aningless. One man, no matter how strong, could not carry the burden of rebuilding the world. The final reward would be terrible as well.
The true objective was not simply to endure or survive it, but to bring the Apocalypse to an end!
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