As Shane infiltrated the fortress, Cloud worked to hack into the core's main system, searching for clues about the virus that had taken over the Anima Civilization.
The battle had been fierce before they were able to get here, Shane faced wave after wave of android soldiers and it was truly testing the limit of his weapons. Thankfully, Shane had prepared to infiltrate this base for several weeks and he had enough weapons saved in his System Inventory.
Furthermore, the quality of his energy blade was already above Legendary Grade, it was Mythic Grade Item at this point. Because of that, he had an easier ti dealing with the androids.
Of course, the Mythic Grade was an item grade that hasn't been unlocked yet in the Zombie Outbreak Apocalypse. No matter how many Item Upgrade Crystals he had, he couldn't upgrade his Legendary Grade weapons just yet. Based on his mories, it would only be unlocked after 2 years in the Apocalypse.
Anyway, with the Mythic Grade's incredible power and sharpness, he sliced through tal limbs and torsos with ease…
Explosions rocked the fortress as Shane planted so explosives as well to cover their escape later and to ensure that they would not get surrounded.
'This laser sword is too good.' Shane thought.
He couldn't help but feel excited about the appearance of the Mythic Grade in the Zombie Apocalypse so day.
Anyway, as he continued to absorb the mory, at the last mont, Cloud had uncovered a vital piece of information: the virus wasn't sothing native to the Anima Civilization as expected.
It had originated from deep space, suggesting that another entity—perhaps an alien race—had intentionally unleashed it to cause chaos…
Knowing that the corruption didn't start internally by its own program was really good.
Shane's guess about the system's owner being the culprit had gone higher because of this.
After this, Shane proceeded to absorb the second mory Sphere. It was another fragnt containing the last mories he had in the A.I. Rebellion.
With Cloud's help, he stood before the Anima Core Nexus, a colossal structure that had a pulsating heart of light and energy.
After a very long battle, he was finally in front of this structure. It was the source of the virus, the epicenter of the corruption that had torn apart the true mission of the Anima.
At this ti, Shane's body ached with exhaustion, his armor was already battered and scorched, yet he was able to continue with his Indomitable Will Skill.
[ Shane, if you succeed, the Anima will return to their original state… ]
Cloud said while hovering beside him. At this ti, Cloud was no longer just a drone but a small floating tal sphere with red light at its center like an eye.
It was made of nanotechnology and could even hover around with its floating device.
[ But if you fail... there will be no second chance. ]
Cloud didn't explain too much but Shane understood. Cloud had already done its part. They located the main source of the Virus and they just needed to destroy it.
Indeed, Cloud doesn't need to hack it and try to rework its program. Instead, Shane just needed to destroy the source itself and the Anima would be able to do reboot and remove the virus.
This was the simplest explanation to the plan they were about to do.
"I've got this," Shane replied as he gripped his Mythic Energy Blade tightly.
Shane wanted to destroy after gathering enough energy but as he was half-way through his preparation, the core's virus sohow manifested as a horrifying, chanical entity. It seed as if a mass of writhing black tendrils and crimson eyes!
'I knew it… I wouldn't be easy at all.' Shane frowned. However, he wasn't planning to give up.
Roooaaarr!
The chanical entity roared in fury, launching tendrils of black needles at Shane.
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The battle was unlike anything he had faced before. Each strike drained his strength and he had no other support aside from his A.I. Assistant and his Mythic Energy Blade…
Thankfully, Cloud provided crucial support, hacking into the power core of Nexus to weaken the virus's defenses.
The battle took quite so ti, but Shane still managed to plunged his blade into the core of the virus, releasing a blinding explosion of energy.
When the light faded, the Nexus pulsed with a soothing blue glow.
With Cloud's assistance, the Anima's Core "rebooted"…
Because of such an event, the Civilization's androids froze in place as their corrupted programming was purged.
The mories continued for so ti and Shane looked at the current world he was in. He was victorious yet hollow as there were no other humans to celebrate with him.
To be exact, he wasn't sure if there were still other survivors hiding deep within the underground or underwater shelters that the pioneers had created.
Cloud then hovered beside him, its synthetic voice was unusually solemn as if it had gained so emotion.
[ You've saved them, Shane. ] it said. [ But humanity... is no more… At the very least, there weren't any humans aside from you according to the Anima's database. ]
Shane shook his head. "They might just be in hiding… However, it won't change the fact that the humans were still defeated with barely any Survivors."
The Anima Civilization's rampage had left Earth a barren wasteland, devoid of human life save for Shane or those hidden deep within their secret shelters.
As the mories continued, the Anima, now free from corruption, pledged their gratitude to Shane. They bestowed upon Shane rewards that elevated him beyond the limits of mortality—enhancents to his mind, body, and soul. Yet, the Shane in this mory wasn't that happy at all.
After all, what use would it be if he was here alone?
[ You did well. ] Cloud said after it regained its complete access to Anima's database.
Then, it was at this ti that Cloud was finally able to recognize Shane's bracelet. It was actually recorded in the database of Anima…
It ca from an old Magic Civilization with barely any records as if it was deliberately erased in the history.
Nonetheless, what was most important about it was that the bracelet was called the Aevum's Bind! An item that could pull him back to the past!
However, before Shane could fully process the implications of this bracelet, a familiar hum echoed in his mind. The system's interface materialized before him, displaying a series of golden text.
[ Achievent Recognized ]
[ You have successfully cleared the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse.]
[ Reward Unlocked: Opportunity to Ascend to the Higher Realm.]
The text shimred for a mont before expanding with additional details.
[ Due to the nature of the apocalypse's conclusion, your ascension ranking has been evaluated.]
[ Final Ranking: Knight-Class]
[ Knight-Class Rewards Include: ]
Knight's Mantle: A defensive artifact offering resistance against mystical energy-based attacks.
Voidshard Blade: A mid-tier weapon infused with energy-draining capabilities.
Interdiate Aura Core: Enhances physical strength and energy reserves by 30%.
"Ascension to higher realm? That's possible? And… What's this reward? Why is it only Knight-Class?" Shane muttered as he could easily guess that Knight Class reward wasn't high at all.
Shane read the rewards carefully.
These rewards were undoubtedly valuable, but they didn't reflect the magnitude of his struggle or the sacrifices he had made.
"Ugh… Seriously? Knight-Class?" Shane muttered bitterly. "After everything I've done, this is all I get?"
Anyway, the system continued, as if indifferent to his frustration.
[ Ascension to the Higher Realm grants access to new resources, and opportunities. Your rank will determine your standing upon entry. This is a one-ti offer. Decline, and you forfeit ascension. ]
"Hey? Are you not returning to Earth?" Shane asked the system. He wasn't expecting a lot but he was surprised that the system answered him.
[ The Earth is currently in a special state where you can't enter anymore. You can only return to your previous world if you complete a certain criteria… ]
Shane wanted to know more but the system seed tonot care anymore.
Instead, it asked once against if he wanted to ascend!
"Tsk…"
Shane clenched his fists. The thought of moving to the Higher Realm as a re Knight felt like a mockery of his efforts.
Worse, it felt like a concession—a way to erase the failures of the past without truly rectifying them.
He looked down at Aevum's Bind, the runes glowing faintly, as if responding to his emotions. The bracelet offered sothing far more profound than ascension: a second chance.
"Cloud," Shane said, his voice steady. "If I use Aevum's Bind, how far back can it take ?"
Cloud then replied without any hesitation.
[ The artifact's range depends on the significance of the mont you wish to return to. A few records says that it should bring you back to the most important part of your life. ]
Shane's heart pounded. He could really start over if that was the case.
Cloud warned. [ Using the bracelet will isolate you from the system's tiline. Any achievents or rewards you earned here will be erased. You'll be starting from scratch. ]
"That's obvious…" Shane muttered.
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