Shane had dozens of Skills right now... Still, these two Skills, Aura Suppression and Spirit Shackles, were two abilities that could easily surprise multiple targets.

[ Aura Suppression Lv10: Temporarily weakens the energy flow around enemies, reducing their combat effectiveness.

Effects:

Lowers enemy buffs by 30% within 20 meters.

Reduces enemy Spirit Recovery by 25% while inside the zone.

Duration: 10 seconds.

Cost: 60 Spirit Points ]

[ Spirit Shackles Lv10: Bind the target with spectral chains, restricting movement and draining energy.

Effects:

Slows target by 50% for 30 seconds.

Drains 15 Spirit Points per second from the target while shackled.

If the target’s Spirit Points reach zero, they are stunned for 2 seconds.

Cost: 15 Spirit Points per second ]

"You..."

The room froze as Shane appeared in the middle of Alexander’s officers.

His Shadow Step Lv10 bypassed their barrier, and before they could react, Aura Suppression Lv10 and Spirit Shackles Lv10 pressed down on them. There was no way they wouldn’t be surprised!

Chains of spectral energy wrapped around their limbs, slowing their movements, draining their Spirit Points.

Even with their various protective items, they all felt weakened under the suppression field.

Alexander’s eyes widened. "Shane!"

He immediately recognized the man’s eyes!

Soon, lightning gathered around his hands. Even without his Legendary Spear, Alexander’s talent still made him dangerous. His officers quickly tried to break free, activating their own Survivor Skills.

This time, however, Shane’s cloak was used...

The Mantle of the Undying Storm!

This was one of the Legendary items he obtained after reaching Level 60 of the Zombie Challenge Event!

[ Mantle of the Undying Storm ( Legendary ): A cloak imbued with the essence of storms, it symbolizes mastery over the chaotic battles. This versatile piece of equipment offers incredible defense.

Effects:

Storm’s Barrier, Eye of the Storm, Tempest Resurgence

Soulbound Item: This item can only be used by Shane. ]

Just like that, Storm’s Barrier, formed a shield of lightning around him. Sparks of electricity danced across the room, deflecting the first wave of attacks.

One officer managed to transformed to a hulking figure and pounced on him with a blade, but Shane moved faster.

Afterimage Burst Lv5 left a shadow clone in his place.

[ Afterimage Burst Lv5: Create a shadow afterimage that detonates upon impact, disrupting enemies caught in its radius.

Effects:

Leaves behind an afterimage that explodes after 1 second.

Deals light shadow damage in a 3-meter radius.

Cost: 20 Spirit Points ]

The officer struck it, and the afterimage detonated, blasting him back with shadow energy!

Boom!

Another officer tried to flank him, but Shane vanished again, reappearing behind him.

Silent Execution Lv5 was triggered!

[ Silent Execution Lv5: A precision strike designed for assassinations, dealing bonus damage when attacking from stealth or behind.

Effects:

Deals +20% bonus damage when striking from behind.

Ignores 15% of enemy defense if used while undetected.

Cost: 25 Spirit Points ]

Shane’s strike cuts deep, ignoring defense!

Just like that, the man collapsed instantly!

Alexander roared, unleashing a surge of lightning.

"Die, you bastard!

He used Thunder Palm and the skill blasted across the room, stunning not only Shane but his own allies!

Still, Shane absorbed or dodged the shock with Mantle’s Eye of the Storm. It even seemed as if the cloak moved him and dispersed the energy harmlessly.

"You’re strong," Shane said coldly, "but not strong enough."

He then coated his blade with Venom Infusion Lv10.

[ Venom Infusion Lv10: Coat weapons with corrosive venom, adding poison damage to attacks for a short duration.

Effects:

Attacks deal an additional 300 poison damage per hit.

Venom lasts for 60 seconds or 10 successful strikes.

Cost: 20 Spirit Points ]

Of course, Shane’s current weapon was already so powerful.

He was using the Gale Blade from the Winged Zombie Lord...

Still, with the addition of the Venom, Shane had become even more dangerous!

Now, each strike had corrosive poison that could burn through armor.

It was at this time that he slashed another officer!

"Aaaacckk!"

It happened so quickly!

The venom started eating into his flesh and draining his strength!

Alexander’s men regrouped, four remaining.

They launched coordinated attacks, lightning bolts, blades, and defensive barriers were used.

However, Shane’s Phantom Instinct talent sharpened his senses, detecting every movement and every shift in the air!

[ Phantom Instinct (Epic Talent): The Survivor’s senses and instincts blur the line between reality and illusion. Grants heightened perception of sound and movement, allowing detection of hidden threats within a 50-meter radius. Low-Tier and Mid-Tier Zombies reduces their aggression slightly.

Passive Bonus: Recovery speed increased by 15% when resting.

Active Skill – "Phantom Mirage": Creates a brief false presence of the Survivor within 10 meters. Enemies are drawn to attack or move toward the mirage for 6 seconds. (Cooldown: 5 minutes) ]

Just like that, Shane easily sidestepped, countered, and countered!

Almost at the same time, he activated Phantom Mirage, creating a false presence...

"Ha!"

"Die!"

Two officers suddenly appeared out of nowhere and attacked the illusion, wasting their skills!

Poof!

"What—"

Shane just appeared behind them, unleashing Lightning Surge Lv10, a concentrated blast that tore through both! This was another Skill he had looted after killing those officers of Lancelot.

"Curse you!" Alexander shouted as he saw his friends die in front of him...

"Curse? Too bad... That won’t work on me. You can try..." Shane replied know about his skills and talismans that could stop Curses.

Alexander ignored him and charged forward with lightning covering his body.

He then summoned his strongest skill, Tempest Form Lv10, a localized storm that filled the room with bolts of electricity!

However, Shane stood firm.

His Mantle’s Tempest Resurgence absorbed the storm, converting damage into Spirit recovery!

Just like that, the bolts of electricity danced harmlessly across his armor!

"You think lightning will save you?" Shane muttered.

He had worn this mantle specifically for this reason... He knew that Alexander’s ability to use lightning was his true strength!

Just like that, Shane used his Stormbreaker Lv10, answering Alexander’s.

The clash of storms shook the building!

Soon, walls started cracking and windows were basically non-existent at this point!

Boom!

Alexander soon realized that he was not in a good position!

His storm was collapsing, and Shane pressed the advantage.

However, as soon as he tried to attack, the remaining officers tried to stop him!

He struck them back with venom‑coated blade and other Survivor Skills!

Each skill chained into the next, overwhelming them!

One officer tried to retreat, but Shane’s Spirit Shackles Lv10 dragged him back, draining his Spirit until he collapsed, stunned.

Shane then finished him with a single strike.

Another officer raised a barrier, but Shane’s Aura Suppression Lv10 weakened it instantly.

He then used Armored Dash, piercing through the weakened defense and just like that, the man fell.

At this time, the clash of Tempest Form and Stormbreaker had already ended!

Only Alexander remained, with his lightning weakly zapping around him. He panted as his Spirit Points was nearly drained.

"You... you won’t get away with this," Alexander growled.

Shane’s eyes narrowed. "You already lost when you touched Roan."

Just like that, he no longer bothered listening...

He activated Silent Execution Lv10, striking from behind as Alexander tried to use a Talisman...

However, Shane moved so swiftly...

The blade pierced deep, ignoring his defense.

Venom burned through his body and finally, Alexander died...

[ You have eliminated a Human Survivor. ]

Alexander collapsed to his knees.

Shane wasn’t satisfied... He raised his weapon, and soon lightning started gathering around him.

"Your clan ends here."

He unleashed Lightning Surge Lv10, a final concentrated blast.

It struck Alexander directly, burning through him...

In just a few moments, silence filled the room. The officers were dead and Alexander was gone.

Shane smiled...

He didn’t look tired at all...

Well, it was because of his Top Challenger title effect...

It gave him a Durable Spirit that kept his stamina steady through the prolonged battle. Furthermore, all of his small wounds closed quickly thanks to Fast Regeneration Lv10...

He looked around at the destruction. The house was half‑ruined, walls scorched, bodies scattered. But no innocents had been harmed. He had struck precisely, as planned.

Shane pulled his scarf tighter, stepping back into the shadows. "Mission complete."

***

Zamora, Commander of Ruby Gear Shelter, stood outside the ruined house as the commotion had already spread through the streets.

Survivors panicked, so guards rushed to secure the perimeter, and officers scrambled to ensure no innocents had been harmed.

After a few minutes, Reports came quickly. Several Foreign Survivors were confirmed dead inside.

Zamora frowned, realizing that whoever had struck them down was no ordinary enemy.

"Strong enemies... from outside," he muttered. It was the only explanation. Ruby Gear Shelter had seen its share of fights, but this level of destruction was rare.

Still, Zamora wasn’t sentimental. He didn’t care about the dead. Foreign Survivors came and went, bringing trouble with them.

What mattered was that the shelter itself remained intact, and no civilians had been harmed. That was his responsibility.

He glanced at the wreckage again. Valuable items littered the floor... weapons, gear, and cores. "Payment for the trouble," he thought. If outsiders wanted to fight here, then their belongings would serve as compensation.

Then, from the corner of his eye, Zamora noticed a shadow moving away from the scene. He didn’t bother chasing it. As long as no innocents were harmed, he would let it go.

"Just don’t cause another trouble here..." he thought, turning back to secure the shelter.