Chapter 712: Clan Invitation

Chapter 712: Clan Invitation

Shane had only meant to pass by, perhaps buy a jar out of curiosity or charity. But something about Eli’s Preserves made him linger.

The booth wasn’t flashy. No lights, no moving machines. Just a simple wooden stand covered in cloth, jars of jam lined in meticulous rows, and wooden crates filled with strange fruits. Some of these fruits were glowing faintly, others seemed to have been upgraded or blessed since they were glittering in his eyes.

The woman behind the stand was tall and thin, with weathered hands and a scar running down her cheek. Despite her age, she seemed to be filled with energy.

“Try the Dragon Fruit Juice,” she said with a faint smile. “It can only be bought in our System Exclusive Store… It’s grown from seeds. I preserve its flavor with frost charms and a bit of my Talent.”

“Dragon fruit?”

Shane then raised an eyebrow as he saw the price.

Just a drink costs 4 Zombie Cores. It was just a single cup! Not even a whole pitcher!

“…That’s expensive.”

The old woman just smiled. “Sweetness costs extra these days.”

Shane chuckled, then took out his pouch anyway.

Shane then recalled something. “Ahh… You also mentioned that they’re from the System’s seeds? You grow them yourself?”

“All of them.” Eli nodded, patting the crate beside her. “These fruits aren’t just sweet. They’re special. Each one has its own… flavor of power.”

Shane’s curiosity was piqued. He crouched to inspect the fruits more closely.

There were Azure Glowberries—small, round berries that glowed faintly blue under the light.

A single bite, Eli explained, would slightly increase the consumer’s Spirit regeneration for five minutes.

Next to them were Bittersun Grapes, which had a golden hue. “Sour, but they increase focus… I mean, Survivor Skills levels up faster with their help.” Eli said.

“Of course… If you see my special mix with these graps, you’ll know it will be favored by archers and snipers. It can really help you focus on your target.

Seeing how interested Shane was, Eli just continued.

After all, there weren’t a lot of people who would look interested in her products.

She soon introduced another crate that held Crimson Huskfruit, with leathery skin and dense, juicy flesh.

“That one,” Eli said, tapping the crate gently, “gives a short burst of strength and makes the heart pump a little harder. Good for close-quarters combat. Bad if you’re old and brittle like me.”

Shane laughed at that.

Then she gestured to a stack of small corked bottles—various juices and mixed fruit cocktails in neatly labeled jars.

“These are your own blends?” Shane asked.

“Yes. My Survivor Talent is called Cocktail Mixer.” Eli said, her voice tinged with something between pride and shyness.

“I don’t fight. I don’t shoot. But if you need a drink that can heal a migraine, ward off exhaustion, or give you a little courage before a raid—well, I’m your woman.”

Shane’s brows raised. “That’s a Talent?”

This was the first time he had heard something like this.

Even in the two other Apocalypses he had experienced, he never had a Cocktail Mixer at all.

‘It’s amazing how she survived the first stage of the Zombie Apocalypse with that Talent. I guess she was lucky to find a large shelter immediately, or maybe she chose the perfect Gift Pack. Shane mused.

On the other hand, Eli smiled as she understood what Shane was thinking…

She was also surprised at herself as she managed to reach this stage.

“It’s more useful than people think. If I mix the right fruits, syrups, or even roots in just the right ratios, it unlocks a hidden effect. The better the ingredients, the stronger the result. It’s not alchemy… but it’s close.”

‘I think it’s already alchemy though…’ Shane thought.

To demonstrate, she popped open a tiny vial with a clear-pink liquid and handed it to Shane.

“Go on,” she encouraged. “This one’s called Soul Kiss. Made from Soulpetal Nectar and Heartroot Extract. It calms nerves. Good before intense battles… or conversations.”

Shane took a small sip and immediately felt a sense of warmth and clarity flow through him. His tension eased, and even the background noise of the marketplace dimmed into a gentle murmur.

“…This is better than most low-grade potions I’ve had,” he admitted. At the very least, in terms of taste, it was definitely the best. It wasn’t bitter or tasted like medicine at all.

It tastes like a fruity alcoholic drink.

“I’m no alchemist,” Eli said with a modest shrug. “But I’ve been mixing drinks ever since I got the chance. I don’t have anything else to offer. Just this old cart and my fruit crates.”

Shane stood up straighter, now looking at her with a far more serious gaze.

“Eli… have you ever considered joining a Clan?”

She laughed softly. “Me? Join a Clan? No offense, young man, but I’m not exactly the raid-leading, dungeon-clearing type. I’m just a vendor.”

“I’m not joking.” Shane stepped forward and pulled out his Clan Invitation System and sent it to Eli in front of her.

Soon, she noticed a system message appearing in front of her.

She paused, squinting. “Wait… Is that…”

Shane nodded. “The Eclipse Revenant. That’s my Clan. I’m its leader.”

Eli blinked. “The Eclipse Revenant… You mean… the number one Clan on the Clan Leaderboard?”

He nodded again. “That’s right.”

She stared at him for a long moment, mouth slightly open, then laughed—half in disbelief, half in awe. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You? You’re that Shane?”

“Yes…”

She crossed her arms, eyeing him like he’d just claimed to be a god. “I thought you’d be… taller.”

Shane chuckled. “I’m sorry to disappoint.”

There was a long pause. Then she leaned on her cart, thoughtfully looking over her fruit, her juices, and her crates.

“I’ve had my share of offers,” Eli admitted. “Most Clans just want my drinks for free. Or they try to buy me out. I’ve stayed independent because I didn’t want to be owned. You know, I’m scared of those Zombies and I don’t want to face them.”