Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle-Chapter 1106: The Previous Experiments and the Rats!

While Alexander was concerned about the mysterious rat that had entered the shelter, the Alchemy Lab was filled with a joyous atmosphere.

As soon as they heard the 300% permanent increase, the other alchemists gathered around, their eyes wide with reverence.

This potion was game changer!

They had seen high-grade potions before, but nothing like this.

As a matter of fact, they had tried using the Tyrant Zombie’s mutation strain to conduct experiments to have their own version of Super Soldiers.

Everyone in the shelter knew Shane had already perfected three versions of his Super Soldier Serum. Each iteration was stronger, more stable, and more terrifying than the last.

They have received various reliable pieces of information that these warriors could fight for days without rest, shrug off wounds that would cripple ordinary men, and unleash power that rivaled even high‑level Survivors.

Against such enemies, Phoenix Phalanx and other top ranking clan would always be at a disadvantage.

That was why Alexander had ordered his alchemists to experiment with mutation strains from the most dangerous zombies they could capture. If Shane had his Super Soldiers, then Phoenix Phalanx would forge their own.

But the path had been paved with failure.

Their first attempt was with the Tyrant Zombie, a tall monstrosity with incredible brute strength. The alchemists extracted their mutation strain, hoping to infuse it into human hosts.

At first, the results seemed promising, subjects gained immense muscle mass, heightened aggression, and resistance to pain.

But the strain was unstable. Within hours, the subjects lost all rational thought, their bodies couldn’t handle the changes and they turned into terrifying forms. They became uncontrollable, attacking allies and enemies alike.

The failed experiments were chained to the walls of Ghoul Shelter. Thankfully, they had someone who could somewhat control them and became their line of defense.

Anyway, they obtained more slaves from various Neutral Shelters or enemy Clans.

These captured slaves were then forced into the trials so they could try more.

However, it wasn’t easy... They were all turning into Zombies or mindless creatures. The alchemists kept them alive only to harvest samples, but they were a constant reminder of their failure.

Of course, they didn’t just try it with Tyrant Strain.

They tried the Hunter Zombie, known for its speed and agility. The strain was injected into volunteers, and it was actually quite successfully... at least for three days.

The subjects moved faster and their senses heightened, but the mutation carried a fatal flaw. After three days, there would be instability in the nervous system, no matter how strong you were...

After three days, the subjects suffered seizures, and their bodies would convulse uncontrollably. Some tore their own muscles apart in spasms, while others collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

The strain amplified speed but destroyed their brain, leaving them useless in battle.

"I’ve really done it!" Maximillian slumped on his chair as he relaxed for a bit...

Then, he immediately listed the formula he used so he won’t forget about it.

After all, from now on, they had to make similar potions! As a matter of fact, he had to try to improve it even further if it was possible.

He couldn’t help but look at the piled documents on his table.

All of these papers listed the various trials and errors he had made with other Alchemists.

He recalled how he tried using the Brawler Zombie’s mutation strain.

It was infamous for its brute force and berserker rage.

The alchemists believed their strain could create warriors who fought without fear.

He had injected subjects, and they did gain raw strength, with their muscles bulging, and their endurance rising.

But the problem was that their rage could become uncontrollable.

They attacked indiscriminately, unable to distinguish friend from foe. In one disastrous trial, a group of Brawler-infused subjects slaughtered half a squad of Phoenix Phalanx soldiers before being put down. The strain magnified power but erased discipline, turning soldiers into liabilities.

Right now, those people are still imprisoned. They were eliminated, yet in hopes of finding a solution...

’Maybe I can actually save those guys with this new potion.’ Maximillian thought for a moment.

After all, those guys were truly powerful. They just needed to be controlled, and perhaps, this Dragon Blood could make their cloudy mind become clearer.

Furthermore, three others subjects had been imprisoned in one of their abandoned mines!

They were subjects who had obtained the Giant Zombie strain!

Those three were uncontrollable as well.

They had immense size and durability, which seemed ideal for creating unstoppable vanguards.

Although the transformation was incomplete. They had survived up until this day.

Of course, the first ones became unstable, collapsing under their own weight. Some suffocated as their lungs failed to expand properly, others suffered organ failure as their hearts couldn’t sustain the enlarged body...

However, the three lucky Survivors had become Giants, and the only concern was that they had difficulty hearing and their eyes were foggy... It was hard to communicate with them.

Although Alexander had a way to control them, it would only be temporary, and they might cause more harm to their ranks than to the enemies.

Finally, they experimented with the Screamer Zombie, whose sonic wails could shatter defenses.

Right now, they had been placed in the Outposts surrounding their shelter, serving as their Alarm System...

They were pitiful humans before, but now, they were just serving as alarms because their desire to eat humans was too strong.

Anyway, all of it is in the past now...

Each failure had become their lesson.

Although almost every attempt ended in disaster, soldiers were lost, and resources were wasted, they had never given up!

That was why Alexander turned to Roan, a living dragon that could hasten their research... His blood carried power beyond mortal limits and could surely bring them better results!

Alexander and all the Alchemists believed that by harvesting Roan, they could bypass the failures of mutation and create something greater, not unstable monsters, but true super soldiers infused with draconic essence.

"With this... I can probably request at least 10 Instant Experience Potions, right?" Maximillian muttered to himself, knowing that he could request a reward with this accomplishment.

Maximillian leaned back in his chair as he was considering what other reward he could ask from their Clan Leader.

But then, he noticed it. A small shadow darting across the floor. A rat.

At first, he dismissed it. Ghoul Shelter was deep in the forest, and vermin were inevitable.

Yet something about the way it moved unsettled him. It wasn’t scurrying for scraps, it was purposeful, moving through corridors as if it knew where it was going.

Before he could dwell on it, the shelter’s intercom had been activated and Alexander’s voice could be heard across every hall, every chamber, every corner of Ghoul Shelter.

"Attention! Kill all rats within the shelter. Stop your work immediately. Search every room, every corridor. Do not let a single one escape."

The announcement stunned everyone. For a moment, silence hung in the laboratory. Then hesitation could be seen on their faces. After all, they were all busy and killing rats with their high-level status seemed like a dirty task. It should be done by workers and not everyone.

Still, they couldn’t ignore their leader.

Alchemists glanced at one another, unsure why their leader would halt critical work for vermin. Kitchen helpers also froze mid‑task with their ladles dripping stew back into cauldrons while guards looked at each other, confused but unwilling to question orders.

Finally, one of the junior alchemists, Nanran, spoke. "Did... did he just say rats? We’re supposed to stop brewing and chase vermin?"

Another, Celeste, frowned as she set down her pestle. "Strange. But if Alexander commands it, we should just obey."

Reluctantly, they began overturning crates, pulling open drawers, and peering under tables. The joyous atmosphere of discovery gave way to awkward shuffling and muttered complaints.

In the kitchens, Marila, a weary helper, sighed as she lifted sacks of grain.

"We’re feeding thirty mouths with scraps, and now we’re supposed to waste time chasing rats? What’s next, hunt cockroaches?"

Her companion, Joren, chuckled nervously.

"Maybe the rats stole the potion recipe. Better check the stew pot." He poked it with a ladle, earning a glare from Marila.

In the barracks, Prim, a soldier polishing his rifle, groaned.

"We’re supposed to fight Shane’s forces, not rodents. But fine, let’s hunt them." He flipped his cot, startling his bunkmate, who muttered curses under his breath.

Even the guards at the gates joined in, scanning shadows with torches, stomping at corners, and swearing when rats darted past their boots.

The strangest sight was in the laboratory itself.

Maximillian, still clutching his notes, watched as his fellow alchemists crawled under benches and lifted cauldrons.

Leonidas, the chief alchemist, muttered irritably.

"We’re on the verge of greatness, and now we’re chasing vermin. Alexander better have a reason!"

As he said this, a rat suddenly jumped onto his face and scratched his face!

"Aahhh! Shit! Kill them all!"