Chapter 1173: The Requirements and Surprise Attack

Merlin stood before the statue, his heart pounding, but he couldn’t exactly tell why...

The face was familiar, achingly so, yet his mind refused to supply the memory. He stared at it for a long time, hoping recognition would surface, but the fog in his mind remained.

"This man..." he whispered. "Why does he feel so close, yet so far?"

No matter how long he gazed, the answer did not come.

Eventually, he sighed and turned his attention back to the pond.

The Mana Crystals beneath the water glowed faintly... Their light refracted like stars.

He knelt at the edge, dipping his fingers into the cool surface, and felt the energy radiating upward. It soothed him, invigorated him, and for the first time since arriving, he thought... ’I like this place.’

The pond was peaceful, a sanctuary of mana. He lingered there for a while, letting the crystals’ aura wash over him, before continuing his walk. To his surprise, he found more statues scattered across the northern grounds. Each one depicted the same man... sword raised, riding a horse, even healing the injured... all of it was immortalized in stone.

Merlin’s unease grew. Whoever this Shane was, his presence dominated the Stronghold.

Soon, a patrolling guard noticed him. Merlin gestured toward the statue. "Tell me... who is this man?"

The guard straightened proudly.

"That is Shane, sir. Leader of the Eclipse Revenant Clan. Owner of the Omega Stronghold, where you stand now. He is our Territory Lord. The Clan also controls several other shelters across the region."

Merlin nodded slowly, thanking the guard.

He had already heard Shane’s name from others, but hearing it confirmed like this made it real. He was truly processing it now... the fog had brought him to a place unlike any other. This Stronghold was special, fortified, and thriving in this Apocalypse. He was lucky to be here.

Out there, hundreds of shelters probably struggled against endless waves of zombies. But here, he was safe.

That night, Merlin returned to his quarters with a heavy heart.

He tried to recall Shane’s face, but the memories refused to surface. Finally, he decided to let it go.

’If I cannot remember him, then I will focus on what I can do now.’

***

The next morning, Merlin met Alex again. The young man was eager, his eyes was filled with determination.

Merlin wasted no time.

"If you truly wish to awaken mana," Merlin said, "I will need certain things. Five high‑grade Mana Crystals. One liter of blood from a Mana Beast. If that cannot be found... then one liter of blood from a mage. And finally, a quiet chamber where the ritual can be performed."

Alex’s enthusiasm paused slightly. "Mana Crystals, I can get them. That’s not a problem. But... blood?" He frowned. "That will be tough. And one liter? That’s a lot."

Merlin nodded gravely. "It is necessary. Mana blood carries resonance. Without it, the awakening will fail."

Alex rubbed his chin. "The chamber, I think we can arrange for that. There’s an underground hall beneath the Stronghold. It’s quiet, sealed, and rarely used. That should work."

Merlin agreed. "Good. Then the chamber is settled. Focus on the blood."

Alex hesitated. "Blood of a mage... that’s impossible. No one would agree to that. And I wouldn’t ask. So... Mana Beasts. What counts as one?"

Merlin’s eyes narrowed as he recalled fragments of knowledge. "Mystical creatures. Basilisks, griffons, wyverns, drakes, manticores, beasts touched by mana. Their blood carries the essence needed for the ritual."

Alex’s eyes widened. "Wyverns?"

’We fought against those before...’

"Wait... Did we even collect their blood? There are only a few who looted them... It’s not even a guaranteed drop." Alex muttered.

Merlin tilted his head. "Hmm? You have an idea?"

Alex smiled faintly,

Merlin wasn’t present during the Cross Apocalypse Event, so it was natural that he didn’t know that there were wyverns attacking some of the shelters before.

"I’ll get them. Don’t worry."

He opened the Guild Chat later that day...

He didn’t explain his plans, didn’t mention Merlin’s ritual. Instead, he crafted a casual message, one that wouldn’t raise suspicion.

[ Alex: Hey, Ma’am and Sirs... quick question. About those Wyverns from before... do you know if you have some of their blood? I’m willing to trade my precious Leaper Shoes or maybe my Item Upgrade Crystals for some Wyvern Blood. I need 5 liters of them. ]

He leaned back, waiting for a reply... He deliberately asked for more liters just in case.

If he could secure Mana Beast blood, then Merlin’s awakening ritual could proceed.

***

Merlin, meanwhile, returned quietly to his quarters. The blue robe draped around him while the World Tree staff rested nearby.

He closed his eyes, feeling the mana flow through him. His recovery was faster now, and although this place didn’t have a lot of mana, he could still circulate the energy in his Mana Heart...

He thought of Alex, of the boy’s determination, and of the promise he made...

"Perhaps," he murmured, "this is where my new life begins."

As he thought of this, without warning, the skies above the Omega Stronghold turned black.

Clouds rolled in thick and heavy... It was actually blotting out the noon sun as if night had fallen prematurely.

The sudden darkness was followed by a piercing alarm.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Bells rang across the fortress... Shouts erupted in the corridors as guards scrambled into formation.

Merlin sat upright, gripping his staff. "What’s happening?" he muttered as he used his Mana Sense to check the situation...

Soon, a voice rang out from the towers.

"We’re under attack! Thralls at the gates! Low‑tier vampires and vampire knights approaching!"

The Stronghold roared to life. Archers lined the walls, ballistae were wheeled into position, and squads of Super Soldiers and Warden Units rushed to the front lines.

Seeing their swift movements, Merlin knew that this was a fortress prepared for war.

Merlin stepped outside as he witnessed the Stronghold in action.

"Mhmm... What’s going on? Why are they seeing those two Vampires sneaking in?"