[ Veyra (Sector 15): He admitted it! Alexander is really dead. ]

[ Selene (Sector 13): ...I knew it. Thank you for being honest. I’ll prove myself worthy in Blue Haven Shelter. ]

[ Elen (Sector 12): Wow... Really? He doesn’t even deny it. He just states it like fact. I guess no one can really to anything about him. ]

[ Dax (Sector 6): Lol. Lesson learned again... don’t mess with Shane. ]

[ Riko (Sector 17): I think Phoenix Phalanx members are panicking even harder now. Their enemies are celebrating. ]

[ Maren (Sector 18): Maximilian won’t survive this pressure. Good luck with him... ]

[ Lyra (Sector 10): Shane’s shelter entrance fee might become more expensive soon. ]

[ Darius (Sector 16): Eastern port city... If he secures sea routes, he’ll control trade and expeditions. I think it’s time to visit that place. I’m sure that it will prosper. ]

Everyone had the same thoughts. At this stage of the Apocalypse, the Survivors had already become extremely strong. Only the Zombie Lords and Zombie Kings were threats since their Zombie Virus could not be resisted, even if you’re a high-level Survivor, unless you have a special trait or miracle medicine.

***

Just like that, a month had passed quickly, and the world seemed to settle into a strange calm.

The zombie hordes that once battered shelters day and night had grown less aggressive.

There were still countless undead roaming the wastelands, but they no longer launched massive waves against human strongholds.

Furthermore, the Zombie Lords remained within their territories, guarded by their retinues of Zombie Kings and Generals.

Any survivor who wanted to challenge them just had to march into those fortified lairs. They could just risk everything for loot and glory.

During this time, Fairy Axis also continued her quiet work.

She tended to the two World Trees... One rooted in the Eclipse Domain Shelter, the other in Blue Haven Shelter.

Thanks to the animals brought by Katrina, the World Tree’s branches stretched higher each week, their mana slowly spreading through the shelters!

As expected, having the pure souls of animals around the Tree would help with its growth...

"I’m doing the right thing... right?" Axis mused.

She remained uncertain of the Fairy Queen’s true intentions even now...

Was this cultivation meant to empower humanity, or was it a subtle path toward usurpation of the realm?

She knew that once the World Trees matured further, influencing more survivors and producing greater mana, the answer would reveal itself.

For now, she obeyed Shane’s commands faithfully, like a loyal servant.

If the Fairy Queen returned, Axis would have to weigh her loyalties carefully.

***

Meanwhile, Shane’s infrastructure expanded.

Aside from roads connecting to his shelters, the Omega Stronghold had been completed, strategically positioned between the Eclipse Domain Shelter and New Genesis Shelter.

It was a massive project that required five Beginner Shelter Crystals, three Intermediate Shelter Crystals, and one Advanced Shelter Crystal.

It must be remembered that the Eclipse Domain Shelter only used one Advanced Shelter Crystal to be built.

With that in consideration, this Omega Stronghold was definitely a shelter no one could ever imagine.

Furthermore, aside from ten thousand Zombie Cores and five thousand Power Cores, Kai had to use five of the Territory Key Fragments that only the Zombie Lords could provide!

This was truly a one-of-a-kind fortress!

"It’s beautiful..." Shane commented as he saw it. It was something he didn’t expect that he’d be able to build in just a few months of having the blueprint.

He thought it would take him a year or two...

Thankfully, he didn’t shy away from taking resources to his people and made progress a lot faster.

In any case, it had five incredible infrastructures... One of them was Golden Ramparts, or the outer walls that regenerate slowly over time and are immune to corruption.

Once per day, Shane, or the manager assigned to the shelter, could activate the Rally Shield Dome, projecting an invincible barrier over all defenders that could last for a long time.

The next built-in infrastructure that came with the development was the Omega Command Node. This chamber was filled with high-tech devices that could help him monitor the whole place...

From here, Shane could issue tactical orders to the people. Real‑time feeds could show enemy movements, so fortifications could be adjusted automatically, and once per hour he could trigger Tactical Override, forcing every defender to unleash their defensive skills without cost!

"I feel like I’m being prepared for a final war against the Zombies." Shane muttered as he felt that this was a sign for the endgame against the Zombies.

In any case, there was also the Auto‑Forge and Repair Bay.

It had advanced machines... Its mechanical arms and mana furnaces, could easily repair weapons and armor guided by mechanical hands.

Survivors brought broken gear, and within hours it was restored.

Then, just like what the blueprint mentioned, five chosen items each day were even enhanced by one tier... The limit was Epic quality, but that was still incredible...

Then, if the items were already in very bad condition, the bay could dismantle ruined equipment, salvaging crystals and alloys, and its Blacksmith Memory Core allowed Shane to record custom blueprints. When resources aligned, the forge would craft weapons exactly as he envisioned them.

Then, another infrastructure was the Omega Mind Tower.

Its aura could cover the whole stronghold.

It helps with focus, boosting spirit, and calming fear.

Survivors within the range would have their Spirit Points recover faster, and they’d also receive a stat increase.

Furthermore, the tower could shift modes... The Combat Focus for battle readiness, Research Boost for scholars, or Calm of Mind for rest.

Once per day, Shane could activate the Mass Meditation Protocol, instantly restoring 500 Spirit Points to everyone inside and purging fear. It was both a weapon and sanctuary.

Finally, the Genesis Archives and the Sunveil Vineyard Dome gave the stronghold its soul.

The Archives contained fragments of Pre‑Awakening knowledge, a chamber where survivors experimented with the Skill Synthesis Engine, fusing abilities into new, unique powers.

The success rate was higher here! 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Meanwhile, the Vineyard Dome was a climate‑controlled paradise, cultivating fruits, brews, and tonics.

Together, these infrastructures made the Omega Stronghold different... Perhaps even better than the floating fortress.

***

Elsewhere, Shane’s Blood Talon Shelter thrived.

Over the past month, its gold mine and Spirit Vein produced steady harvests, enriching Shane’s clan with resources.

Spirit Stones flowed into the Eclipse Revenant’s coffers, fueling skill mastery and equipment upgrades. The gold was equally vital, used for trade and construction, ensuring that Shane’s shelters never lacked for materials.

Of course, Shane would have to send Warden Units there from time to time, to ensure that it had a powerful defense...

After all, once he and his elites went to the sea, they would have no way to return and provide backup...

Over the past month, Shane was readying his shelters to be independent and capable of defending themselves even against the top Clans...

As for Blue Haven Shelter, Shane’s easternmost port city, it also grew rapidly.

With Axis nurturing its World Tree and Shane’s vision guiding its expansion, it became a hub for trade and sea expeditions.

Both the Ironcrest Merchant Clan and the Over Growth Clan provided them with materials that could not be found in the mainland...

Thanks to that, more wandering merchants, craftsmen, and survivors flocked to its docks, eager to be part of something greater.

"But that Tentacle Zombie King... I wonder what really happened." Shane mused as he remembered the unusual attack on their shelter despite being within the safe zone.

Did they take too many fish, and was it angry that it couldn’t eat more?

Shane wryly smiled as he shook his head. There was no way that would be the reason for its rampage.

In any case, the calm month allowed its defenses to solidify, its walls had been reinforced even further, and its people were now even more prepared for the inevitable dangers of the sea.

In short, Shane’s empire of shelters was stabilizing.

The zombies had quieted, but the survivors knew this was only a temporary lull.

In another half a year, the Apocalypse System had already hinted that there would be a huge event after all.

During this time, they all had to be ready... Reach the max level, fuse Survivor Skills, improve their Talents, and obtain Mythical Weapons if possible.

***

Finally, after all the preparations, Shane stood at the dockyard of Blue Haven Shelter as he watched everything unfold...

Soon, Providence, their flagship, could be seen. Aside from its tough design, it seemed a bit modern because of the two Trident Mechs secured within.

Harry, the seasoned captain, gave orders as the crew members hurried aboard. Their movements were disciplined as the crew had been trained by sailors of both Ironcrest and OG Merchant Clans.

Beside them, Excellence was prepared to depart, and it was carrying the three other Trident Mechs. This ship was also Vasco’s handiwork, built with the combined resources of the two Merchant Clans.

Just like that, everyone was called to board the ship, including Shane himself.

As the anchors lifted and sails unfurled, the Providence surged forward, followed by Excellence...

"Finally..." Shane muttered as he stood at the railing, watching the port city fade into the distance...

This was the beginning of a new campaign, a new horizon.

"Eden Island... I’ll be there soon."