The demand was steep...

One hundred zombie cores per person. With thirty‑eight survivors in Akame’s group, that meant 3,800 cores.

The crew murmured uneasily, knowing how difficult it would be to gather that many. After all, they were also using the Zombie Cores. There was no way to store too many of them.

Akame called his men together since he needed everyone to contribute to this...

"We need to discuss this. Survival is worth more than any core, but we must be realistic. Thirty‑eight of us... That’s a mountain of cores."

His vice captain, Ronan, a broad‑shouldered man with a scar across his cheek, stepped forward. "Captain, we can’t possibly gather that many in time. Even with the event going on, it will take us some time since not all Zombies would drop them either."

Another voice joined in... Darlene, the second vice captain, known for her tactical mind. "We should offer something else. We have treasures from the sea. Spirit Stone figurines, the Epic-Grade Bell. They’re worth more than cores."

A younger crew member, Taurus, added nervously, "If we combine one thousand cores with those items, it should be enough. The figurines ward off plague and disease. The Bell detects poison. They’ll see the value."

Akame nodded slowly. "Yes. That’s our path. One thousand cores, plus the figurines and the Bell. It’s fair, and it shows we’re willing to contribute more than raw materials."

With the decision made, the crew began gathering.

Soon, they moved across the battlefield, stepping carefully among the corpses of zombies, piles of vampire ash, and the broken bodies of dragonoids and wyverns.

’It stinks...’ Akame thought as it seemed as if the smell of the dragonoids was worse than zombies.

Adding the stench of blood and smoke made it almost unbearable for them but they had to endure.

They watched as shelter survivors worked swiftly...

Looters stripped weapons from fallen vampires, harvested cores from zombies, and pried scales from wyvern carcasses.

Another group repaired traps and fortifications, resetting mechanisms that had been triggered during the battle.

It was an incredible sight.

It had only been a few days since the start of the even after all.

Akame’s men were awestruck. This was especially true after confirming the presence of robots.

Indeed, the humanoid robots moved in perfect synchronization...

Their glowing eyes or scanners wouldn’t miss anything at all. They assisted with the cleanup and they were definitely one of the best workers out there because of their strength...

Then, they saw how elves stood tall on the ramparts, their bows still glowing faintly with elemental energy.

Super soldiers then carried massive loads of corpses as if they weighed nothing, their enhanced bodies radiating power.

And among the humans, some bore draconic essence... They noticed that their scales were glimmering faintly on their skin.

"This place..." Ronan muttered, shaking his head. "It’s like a fortress from another world."

Darlene’s gaze was sharp. "No wonder they survived the waves of the dragon army. They’re not just defending, it’s like they’re built for this event. It’s like they planned to harvest those wyverns at the start. Look at how coordinated they are.

Taurus whispered, almost reverently, "If we can join them... we’ll never fear the sea again."

Finally, the group reached the gates. The towering walls loomed above them. It was reinforced with steel and mana.

Guards stood watch, but they did not demand payment immediately.

Instead, they counted the survivors, noting their numbers.

Akame kept his men calm. "Stay disciplined. They’re evaluating us. Don’t make sudden moves."

Soon, a messenger returned and gestured for Akame and his vice captains to follow.

"Your leaders are requested. The commander will hear you."

Akame, Ronan, and Selene stepped forward, leaving the others behind. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

They were led into the fortress, through corridors bustling with activity.

Survivors carried supplies, repaired weapons, and tended to the wounded. Everyone looked busy...

Furthermore, no one seemed to be surprised by their presence.

At last, they entered a chamber where three figures awaited them.

Pascal, Captain of the Militia, stood tall with his shield strapped to his arm.

Beside him was Hannah, the Quartermaster, her eyes were already assessing Akame and his companions as if weighing their worth.

And then there was Shane... the Rank 1 Survivor, who seemed just like an ordinary young man.

However, Akame recognized him immediately.

He recalled Shane’s appearance during the previous Global Events...

Anyway, Akame finally realized where those monstrous machines came from!

There could only be one answer... The Rank 1 Survivor must be owning this place or, at the very least, they’re partners of some sort.

Apparently, even if Shane was not formally part of the shelter, his presence here was undeniable so Pascal and Hannah brought him here...

Shane and his team were protecting the fortress until the Cross‑Apocalypse Event ended after all. For now, he was as much a part of the shelter as anyone.

After a brief introduction, Akame bowed his head respectfully. "Captain Pascal. Quartermaster Hannah. Survivor Shane. I am Akame, captain of my crew. We come from the seas, and nearly destroyed. We seek shelter here. We are willing to pay."

Pascal’s gaze was firm. "The price is steep. I think they already mentioned but it’s one hundred cores per person."

Akame nodded. "We cannot meet that in full. But we offer one thousand cores, plus treasures from the sea. Two figurines carved from Spirit Stones, which ward off plague and disease. And an Epic‑Grade Bell that detects poison or harmful substances in food. These items are rare, and they will strengthen your shelter."

Hannah’s eyes lit up. She couldn’t help but feel curious about it. "Spirit Stone figurines... and an Epic Bell. Those things sounded valuable."

Shane studied Akame silently...

Since they were at the seas, they might know more about the Eden Island that he was searching for.

However, since the event was still going on, he might have to question them later on once everything had settled down...

"You fought three days at sea. That’s impressive. It also proves your skills. If you are willing to contribute, then you all can stay here."

Relief washed over Akame. He bowed again. "We will pay. And we will work harder than anyone else. But we just need to rest for some time... We’ve been fighting nonstop ever since the start of the event."

Pascal exchanged a glance with Hannah and Shane. Then he nodded.

"Very well. Prepare your payment, and then we’ll escort you to your quarters so you can all have some rest.

Akame exhaled, his heart pounding. Finally, after a few days of endless battle, his crew could finally rest.

***

Meanwhile, the hangar, or at the very least, the place they set up as a temporary hangar outside the shelter, was quite busy...

The grind of gears and the chatter of maintenance crews could be heard below the towering frames of the Trident Mechs.

Though designed for naval combat, the machines had proven their worth on land. They were able to cut through wyverns and dragonoids with devastating force.

Shane entered, his armor still scorched from battle, and found the pilots gathered near their machines.

Amon, the ace pilot, leaned against the leg of his mech and shook his head.

"The Tridents held up well, but the wyvern blood... It’s too sticky. It’s clogging the joints. Every step feels like sand grinding in the gears." He muttered with a hint of frustration in his voice.

Ryn nodded grimly. "Yes... Their blood is special for sure. My mech’s servos would also squeak with every movement. The blood hardened faster than expected. We’ll need the maintenance crew to scrub it clean before the next wave."

Beside him, his sister Lyn added, "And the wings of those wyverns left acidic residue on the armor plating. My sensors are reading corrosion. If we don’t treat it soon, the frame will weaken."

Kira, the youngest, was lying on a bench and agreed to their words... "Half our mounted weapons are useless on land anyway. The torpedo launchers, the depth‑charge racks... they’re dead weight here. We need to adapt, or we’ll be fighting half‑armed. Ask them to just remove those heavy stuff so we can move freely.

Amon wryly smiled after hearing that. "We can’t remove them. Though we were built for the seas, not the soil, we’ll make do. The Tridents are versatile enough. Still, I want every joint cleaned, every plate polished. If the next wave is worse, we can’t afford malfunctions."

The maintenance crews nodded, already hauling hoses and solvents to wash away the hardened wyvern blood.

Just like that, sparks flew as engineers replaced damaged gears, while others patched armor with mana‑infused steel.

The pilots exchanged weary glances.

They had fought hard, but they knew the Cross‑Apocalypse was far from over.

At that moment, Shane arrived, and he seemed to be tired as well.

"You’ve done well. The Tridents turned the tide today. I’ll reward you all personally once this is over. This will be over soon."

The pilots immediately straightened as they saw their Clan Leader.

After greeting him, Shane continued...

"I believe the next wave will bring multiple Vampire Lords. Be prepared."

Amon’s eyes widened as he exchanged a worried glance with the other pilots...