Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle-Chapter 1058: Wealth

Soon, Gene made his way to the office of the shelter leader, Reylin.

She was in her comfortable clothes and seemed as if she had just gotten out of the bath, seeing how her hair was still damp.

When she saw Gene enter, she smiled knowingly.

"You’re here for the Spirit Stones," she said without introduction.

Gene nodded. "Eclipse Domain and Springriver Manor used so many of them during the battle. Diana sent me to collect what we can spare."

Reylin rose from her desk. She was aware of the situation, but they also couldn’t just increase their production since mining Spirit Stones wasn’t easy.

It’s a delicate job, and they do not have many experts in the matter.

After all, if miners were inexperienced, the Spirit Stones could be destroyed and become useless.

"I heard about the situation... Then come. I’ll show you."

She led him through the shelter, past busy workers and guards, until they reached the warehouse. Inside, crates of Spirit Stones were stacked neatly, and their faint glow also started illuminating the room.

Gene inspected the crates, and was filled with satisfaction. "This will do. Eclipse Domain will recover quickly with these."

Reylin nodded as she knew just how many Spirit Stones they used, especially during their a siege defense. "Tell them that they should start implementing plans that don’t rely on Spirit Stones. Just to be safe."

"Of course... I’m sure there’s a contingency plan for that scenario." Gene replied as he recalled the Anti-Zombie Injectors, the Tactical Combat Exosuit I, and the production of Super Soldier Serum...

"Anyway... We’ve kept the production steady. The Spirit Vein is strong, and the miners are disciplined. You’ll have more in a couple of days." Reylin replied.

Gene nodded, but his gaze lingered on the stones. He was not in a hurry to deliver them.

He had time, and there was something he wanted to see.

"The mine," he said simply. "I want to visit it."

Reylin raised an eyebrow. "Inspection?"

Gene shook his head. "No. Just curiosity. I’ve used items that require Spirit Stones, seen their power in weapons and barriers. But I’ve never seen them at the source."

Reylin smiled faintly. "Very well. Follow me. It’s quite beautiful."

She also had nothing to do, so she might as well guide the handsome blond knight.

***

The Spirit Mine wasn’t too far from the shelter...

As a matter of fact, they have a secret tunnel they could use to get closer to this mining site...

After using this secret tunnel, they would just have to walk for another 8 minutes or so and soon, they were able to see the outpost outside the mining cave.

Guards stood at the entrance, but they stepped aside as Reylin and Gene approached.

Just like that, Reylin led the man to the entrance of the cave.

Inside, the air was cool and damp. The tunnel had various light orbs installed, giving them a clear view of the cave.

"It feels refreshing here..." Gene commented.

"It is... However, it can be dangerous for others. Spirit Energy Poisoning exists." Reylin added.

After the energy poisoning only happens to those weaker in physique, so the two of them had nothing to worry about.

Soon, Gene watched as miners worked steadily, chiseling carefully to extract the stones without damaging them. Each strike of their tools released a faint spark of energy that was also illuminating the tunnels.

Gene walked slowly, his eyes wide. "So this is the source..."

Reylin nodded. "The Spirit Vein runs deep. We harvest carefully, never too much at once. If we drain it recklessly, it will weaken."

Gene reached out, his gauntleted hand brushing against the glowing stone. A surge of Spirit Energy pulsed through him, filling his body with warmth. He exhaled slowly, feeling the strength of the vein.

"These stones... they’re amazing..." he murmured.

Reylin smiled. "In a way. They carry the essence of the world. That’s why they’re so valuable."

Gene stood in silence, absorbing the sight. He had fought battles, wielded weapons, defended shelters,,, but here, in the mine, he felt the raw foundation of their strength. The Spirit Energy was the source of their strength after all!

Soon, he turned back to Reylin. "Thank you. I’ll take the crates tomorrow. For now, let the miners continue... I also brought the Protection Tokens with me."

Reylin nodded at this, as she also needed those tokens for the Miners working in this dangerous area.

***

In the meantime, far from Blood Talon Shelter, Shane had completed his mission...

The clash against Lancelot and the Overlord Clan had been brutal.

Yet Shane didn’t just win this siege... He forced Lancelot to the edge and stole one of his most prized abilities... the Zombification Talent.

It was an amazing talent despite its limitation and it was a good thing that he had obtained it.

Still, after getting the talent, he received messages through the chat that the Springriver Manor and Eclipse Domain were under attack.

However, instead of panicking, he did not rush to their aid. Instead, his gaze turned toward the horizon, where the Floating Fortress hovered...

With a command, the Floating Fortress unleashed its bombardment upon the Overlord Clan’s Shelter. Mana cannons roared, raining destruction from above. The ground shook, walls crumbled, and in the heart of the shelter, the Spirit Vein itself collapsed under their assault...

Now, the Overlord Clan’s foundation shattered in moments...

Shane was satisfied as he watched the devastation happen.

Yet he did not order a massacre. He knew not all within Lancelot’s shelter were enemies. There were wandering merchants, travelers, and innocents who had taken refuge there.

To slaughter them would be meaningless.

Instead, Shane left them broken but alive, a warning carved into their ruin.

Of course, before leaving, Shane threatened the Rank 9 Survivor.

"Lancelot, do not dare establish a port city or shelter near me. The eastern sea will be mine."

With that, Shane and his team left while the Floating Fortress also turned away, retreating into the skies.