Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

Shane's inquisitive gaze lingered on Darwin…

"Hahaha… So you were curious about that. I didn't expect such a question." Darwin replied with a chuckle. He didn't seem bothered at all. It was as if he wasn't seeing any threat from Shane and the others, even if he was inside their territory.

This obviously made the others to be curious as well.

"I am genuinely curious, Sir Darwin… You seem to have used a specific scent or herb to avoid being detected by the Zombies. But in a world filled with uncertainty and treachery, do you not fear the threat of robbery?" Shane asked.

To be honest, he was also curious about what Darwin used to avoid being detected by the zombies, but he was more curious about the strength of the old man.

If he had a level as well, Shane would certainly wish to know so he could compare himself.

Darwin then paused for a moment. He looked at Shane's eyes as if trying to see whether this person would rob him.

Raze and the others were also intrigued by Shane's query as they fixed their gazes upon Darwin, awaiting his reply.

After a few moments, Darwin gently nodded as if satisfied with Shane's eyes.

With a knowing smile, he also chuckled softly before giving a response.

"Ah, my dear friends, if you're concerned about my safety, fear not. This is a normal matter in the realm of commerce. One must wield more than steel to protect what is rightfully theirs. As an elder in the trade, I have a few sets of skills that will aid me in combat, and I'm also a good escape artist.

If there's a time I can't protect my wares, I know I can escape, and I'll return taking back what's mine tenfold."

As he said this, Shane and others could feel that Darwin wasn't just joking around.

It seemed that this person was truly mysterious.

Shane could only think of a few possibilities. Darwin was incredibly strong but was hiding it for a purpose. Aside from that, Darwin must have had a very powerful background that could protect him in case he was mistreated. Of course, it could be both, and this person should be messed with.

As the conversation concluded in this part, Shane seized an opportunity to broach the topic of discounts…

Well, it should be normal to ask for discounts as well, considering how much they're spending on this transaction alone.

'I should give it a try at the very least…' Shane thought. In any case, nothing would be lost if he tried haggling.

"Given our intent to acquire all the Recruitment Stones," Shane started, "would it be possible to extend a discount as a gesture of goodwill?"

Darwin, his eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement, met Shane's request with a gracious nod. "Ah, I've already given huge discounts on these stones. That's already the lowest I could go. However, since you are generous and offered me some refreshments... I'll offer you something different since I am not without compassion."

Darwin then looked at his ransack and added.

"I may not give you any more discounts, but I can lower the price of my other items for you." Darwin said like a true merchant.

Once again, Shane and the others wouldn't really know if Darwin had already lowered the price or not since they do not have the basis for the prices anyway.

Shane could only give up haggling as he paid for the Recruitment Stones. After that, Darwin unveiled a trove of additional items from his ransack…

Thankfully, this old man was also selling Power Cores! This was what they needed right now to activate their barriers once again!

After all, only the Bio-Barrier Generator was working at the moment!

***

In the meantime, while Shane and his companions immersed themselves in the treasures offered by Darwin, the bustling estate hummed with activity as each member engrossed in their respective duties and responsibilities.

Most of them repaired what had been damaged in the previous Zombie Wave. Then, those who finished tending the plants and trees, also helped with the construction.

Of course, Harper still had a small group enter the mining site with Chaloem's protection to mine some iron ores. They needed more steel and iron in order to strengthen the defense of the estate.

Then, behind the church, where there was a small warehouse that had been recently built, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a jolly and rotund man known as Bartholomew, affectionately called Bart by his peers.

Bart cut a striking figure with his jovial demeanor and round presence. Nonetheless, this person could not be underestimated since he had a remarkable talent for both the art of alcohol brewing and the mysterious combat style known as Drunken Fist.

Despite his outward appearance resembling that of a typical tavern patron, Bart's expertise in crafting exquisite ales and his mastery of the Drunken Fist made him really famous. Well, all of them wanted to taste Bart's ale and various brewed alcohols after all.

On this particular day, as Bart was thinking of checking the warehouse where he stored a few bottles of alcohol and his domain of fermentation, where a hundred bottles of ale awaited their maturation, he saw something perched on the chairs near the warehouse.

With a mischievous glint in his eye and a jug of ale in hand, Bart walked silently to approach what he had just seen.

It was a flash of feathers and a crackling surge of electricity…

'Sparky was it?' Bart thought to himself as he looked at the creature.

Sparky, the evolved thunderbird, had truly dazzled all who beheld him.

As he got closer, Bart couldn't stop showing his emotions. With a boisterous laugh and a hearty cheer, Bart dashed towards the Evolved Thunderbird! He was completely undaunted by the electrifying creature before him! Powered by m|v|l|e|mpyr

"Hey there, ye feathered rascal! Come hither and share thy bounty with ol' Bart!" He bellowed, his voice echoing through the warehouse as he chased the elusive thunderbird.

Bang! Bang!

Unfazed by the crackling bolts of lightning that lanced through the air, Bart's laughter rang out as he completely ignored the lightning bolts as if he were immune to them!

As he closed in on Sparky, Bart's nimble footwork and unorthodox Drunken Fist techniques came into play as he tried catching the bird!

He actually wanted to pluck some of its feathers!