Chapter 693: The Invitation

Chapter 693: The Invitation

They couldn’t believe it…

Although this world was already mystical because of the existence of System, Zombies, Survivor Talents, Skills, Necromancers, and others, they weren’t expecting something from a magical race suddenly appearing before them…

“Wait… Maybe it’s a Talent? I heard someone had a Draconic Blood Talent… Maybe they have Elven’s Blood or something?”

“T-that’s true… Anything is possible now. But how come I’ve never heard about them?”

“Maybe they’re Shane’s elite units?”

“A secret squad? I guess that’s not impossible… We also planned to create our own elite unit before…”

Reylin and the other members of her clan couldn’t help but talk about the impressive appearance of Shane’s people.

Just the armored vehicle alone had already impressed them. They also only had three of them before, and they weren’t even that heavily armed.

Furthermore, they were already flattened by the Giant Zombies, so they no longer have any vehicles.

Reylin couldn’t help but be excited as she could tell that they had brought plenty of resources as well.

‘I wonder what those Elves could do…’ She mused.

These Elves looked graceful, focused, and silent… However, she also had a feeling that they had some sort of magical abilities. It would be very beneficial for them if the elves had skills related to growing plants or trees that bore fruit.

After all, Shelter One was their main source of fruit production, but it was already completely thrashed.

Anyway, she turned her attention to the five medics, easily identifiable by the uniform they chose… It was a physician set that could be purchased in the store or could be obtained in the Rare Medic Gift Pack.

They were also carrying med kits and other stuff that made them easily recognizable as medics.

Trailing beside them were five engineers, pulling mobile construction kits that clanked and beeped as they deployed sensors into the air. It was definitely an advanced technology that they had never seen before.

The rest of the people were fighters, and they seemed to be military-trained. Needless to say, these people were trained by Shane’s recruit, Soldier Lucas.

Reylin’s people gathered on the upper walkway and behind barricades. Even after her announcement five days ago, many residents still doubted…

And now… they were speechless.

Duran stepped beside Reylin. “That’s them? They look really strong. I wonder how many Zombies they killed just to get here in our sector.”

She gave a slow nod. “They’re definitely reliable. That’s the Eclipse Revenant for you.”

***

Tundra and his team halted at the base of the shelter’s entrance.

The large steel gates creaked open, and Reylin personally led a welcoming party of her key officers.

Tundra said nothing at first.

His eyes scanned the half-crumbling entrance, the defensive gaps, and the makeshift power lines that dangled along the walls.

Then he spoke… He was representing not just the Eclipse Revenant Clan but also Shane’s goodwill.

“We’ll need a clean space for the portal. It’s better if we can get at least a 40-meter radius. Reinforced floor. Two full access lanes for vehicles. Show us where.”

Reylin blinked but nodded quickly. “There’s an old hangar from before the apocalypse—sealed after structural collapse. We’ve cleared half the rubble.”

Tundra’s visor flared briefly. It was one of the devices that integrated with Cloud’s system. “We’ll clear the rest.”

He gestured.

Without delay, five engineers and ten Super Soldiers moved, pushing carts, drones, and heavy tools.

The Super Soldiers were already scanning the area with portable seismic detectors, checking for weaknesses in the rock.

The Elves, meanwhile, vanished into the terrain, assigned to sweep the outer perimeter and rooftops for hidden threats.

No one doubted their efficiency. Within three hours, they’d mapped the entire shelter’s geography.

***

On the next day, Maria, Blood Talon’s top engineer, was stunned as she watched the members the Eclipse crew work.

“They’re insane…” she murmured.

The engineers had already cleared out the debris from the hangar and reinforced the ceiling using rapid-expanding metallic foam.

There were also some modular power generators that were installed at all corners of the new Portal Hall.

With coordination like clockwork, they’d constructed temporary barracks, reconnected severed data lines, and restored five more turrets that Reylin’s team thought were beyond repair.

Eclipse’s medics moved through the population without hesitation.

Although the merging of the clan hadn’t been initiated just yet, they treated infected wounds, replaced faulty implants, and even distributed Vital Medic Tokens. They weren’t perfect, but still more effective than anything Blood Talon had seen in a while…

As for the disbanding of the clan and being part of the Eclipse Revenant, that would happen once Shane or Raze had arrived to invite the members.

Meanwhile, the soldiers helped ration food, managed logistics, and assisted in training drills. Their discipline impressed even Duran.

“These soldiers… are better than anyone from the Alliance…” he admitted to Reylin that night.

“They don’t question, they adapt. They don’t complain. And they train our people like they want us to survive. I like it…”

Even Maz, who had been cautious, found herself quietly helping a pair of Elven marksmen map sniper lines from the highest points of the shelter.

***

On the morning of the third day, with the structural analysis complete and the foundation stabilized, the Portal Gate Stones were installed at the center of the new hall.

Tundra himself oversaw the synchronization.

A few Blood Talon survivors gathered near the observation deck. Reylin stood among them, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for the portal. Well, she was expecting the leaders of the Eclipse Revenant after all…

Soon, the gate stones activated, and it got connected to the other side.

Glowing blue light surfaced across the gate stones, and it created a wave of unknown energy…

WHOOM.

A rippling disk of energy expanded between the stones, hovering like liquid glass.

The Portal had finally been activated…

Then suddenly, a strong breeze swept out as the portal rippled…

In just a few moments, several trucks arrived!

Trucks with storage crates began pouring in.

They were carrying reinforcements, spare parts, more soldiers, and even humanoid machines were present!

It was such an overwhelming sight!

A crate of fresh food—vegetables, meats, grains—followed.

For most of Blood Talon, it was the first time they’d seen a working portal. For many, it was the first time in weeks they’d smelled good food…

At this point, there were already tears in some eyes.

Even Reylin had to steady herself as she watched Eclipse Revenant’s banners being hoisted next to her own.

The Blood Talon Shelter was no longer alone. It was now a part of a strong Clan.

Tundra stood beside Reylin near the terminal.

She turned to him. “When do we meet, Sir Shane?”

Tundra gave a short nod. “He’ll visit when you’re ready. But this shelter… is already his now.”

She didn’t protest.

Instead, she soon looked out at the bustling hall, the survivors eating warm meals together with the laughter of children echoing for the first time in days…

***

Shane sat quietly in the command center as he calmly observed the screen showing various information about the shelter’s situation…

If there were missing details, he could easily ask Cloud to display updated reports. This was especially true for the information related to the Blood Talon Shelter.

After a few days of development, the Blood Talon Shelter was already doing great. Reylin and the others must’ve wanted to meet him right now.

Shane let out a slow breath as he absorbed the steady stream of data.

“The location of the shelter is a lot better than I thought…” He murmured. “The development is also faster than I expected.”

Tundra had done his job well, as always.

And Reylin… She’d proven herself capable so far.

There was discipline in her shelter, despite the wreckage they had endured. Now that the infrastructure was stabilizing and food had been distributed, it was time for the next step:

Integration.

“Edwin,” he said. “Send the invitation. Bring them here instead. I want them to see what they’re becoming part of.”

Edwin, the butler who was waiting for Shane’s instructions, nodded.

“Understood… I will be sending the invitation.”

Edwin actually thought that Shane would be visiting the shelter. However, it was indeed reasonable to just invite Reylin and the others.

***

After a few hours, the gate within Blood Talon’s new Portal Hall activated…

Reylin stepped through first, followed by Captain Duran, Engineer Maria, Scout Maz, and Medic Torren. They emerged into a wide chamber guarded by a few humanoid machines.

According to Tundra, they were called Warden Units and were created by Shane’s special Mech Division.

Aside from these machines, there was a person waiting for them. He was a sharply dressed man with silvered hair and a kind gaze… He was wearing a long black coat and spotless white gloves.

“Welcome,” he said with a bow. “I am Butler Edwin, steward of the Eclipse Domain. Lord Shane sends his regards—and regrets. He is currently… preoccupied. However, I have been tasked with giving you a proper introduction.”

Reylin blinked. “He’s not here?”

Edwin smiled, almost apologetically. “He was just busy with other tasks… He also believes it is better that you understand what Eclipse truly is… before sitting across from its ruler. Please follow me.”