Chapter 878: Brawl

Eva had been quiet for most of the battle, but her eyes were locked on Shane’s movements.

"He’s using Titan’s Roar and Armored Dash... I saw that someone was selling those Skill Potions before. Maybe I should’ve bought it as well." She muttered after seeing how effective it was when Shane was using it.

Beside her, Dain adjusted his monocle.

"We’re not combat specialists... It’s only good when they’re using it."

The Clockworld Engineer had a mechanical spider perched on his shoulder, its legs even seemed to be twitching as it recorded data.

"He’s burning Spirit Points fast..." Dain noted. "But his regeneration rate must be enhanced. That armor must also be Legendary Grade. It’s just too good."

The others in their group, two analysts, a merchant, and a quiet girl with a snake pet, were watching with popcorn bowls in hand.

Apparently, popcorn was being sold by a single clan within Sector 6, where corn fields were abundant. Because of that, as soon as they learned that there was a viewing platform where they could observe the battles below, they immediately emptied the Popcorns being sold in the Survivor’s Marketplace.

One of them had even brought a blanket, treating the battle like a live-action drama.

"Look at that spin!" one of the analysts said. "That’s Vortex Spin, right? He just cleared five targets in one move. Awesome... It must be a Level 10 Skill, right?"

Eva nodded. "Well... He is really confident fighting in melee. He got everything under control."

The merchant leaned back. "Well, we paid for this level of protection. I’m just glad we’re not down there."

***

As the battle below intensified, the atmosphere inside the Floating Fortress shifted.

The viewing deck, once filled with casual chatter and popcorn crunches, grew quieter.

Apparently, the screen zoomed out slightly, revealing a new threat approaching the southern gate!

Two massive figures emerged from the treeline... They were taller than the barricades, or even the Giant Zombies they had seen before.

Soon, Cloud, the A.I. controlling the floating fortress, had also given them information directly through the screen.

It was identified as a Zombie Lord!

Iona, one of the herbalists, gripped her satchel tightly. She had been sketching new plant combinations for calming tonics, but now her hands trembled slightly.

"That Zomibe Lord looked like it was made of steel?" she whispered. "That’s... not normal."

Lyle, the potion-maker, was also surprised upon seeing the two Giant Zombies that turned out to be Zombie Lords...

His notebook was open. He was also scribbling on his notes to write about his potion formula as it would always calm his nerves. Specifically, he had been calculating the cost of mass-producing regeneration potions, but now he was just staring blankly at the screen.

"They’re not just steel," he said. "They’re absorbing impact. Look, Shane’s fire arrows didn’t even dent them."

The screen zoomed in again.

Shane was already moving, coordinating with the Super Soldiers. The Mech Frames had begun mobilizing, three units stomping into position,as they locked into combat mode.

Everyone couldn’t help but feel excited once again upon seeing the Mech Frames in action.

Who wouldn’t?

Seeing three giant robots in the Zombie Apocalypse was definitely something they should be celebrating.

If Shane were able to sell these to them, perhaps they would have stronger control over their sectors.

"Mech Frames... They’re really awesome. I wonder how much training they did to pilot that thing."

"They probably have assistants, like Cloud or something. There’s no way they could pilot it manually without A.I. Intervention.

Eva didn’t respond after hearing that...

Her eyes were locked on the screen, watching Shane reposition and issue commands.

Soon, the merchant beside her took a slow sip from a chilled glass.

Cold sweet tea had just been served by the fortress attendants. It seemed like an automatic comfort protocol triggered when stress levels spiked among the passengers... or at the very least, that was what he’d like to think.

The tea was brewed from a certified berry leaf and honeyroot extract. It was designed to calm nerves and reduce panic.

"Tea’s good," he muttered. "Almost makes you forget there’s a war going on."

The quiet girl with the snake pet didn’t speak. Her serpent, coiled around her wrist, flicked its tongue toward the screen as if sensing the tension.

In the back row, a few survivors had begun placing bets... not on who would win, but on how many Zombies could pass through Shane’s blockade.

Apparently, the other gates had several Zombie breaches already. However, they were just being eliminated by the reserve forces.

Since Shane’s group had a lower number of defenders, they believed that there should be a few Zombies who would manage to slip past their defense.

It was a strange coping mechanism they created, but it kept them distracted.

One of the fortress attendants walked by with a tray of cookies, shaped like miniature shields...

They were a novelty item, baked by a clan from Sector 3 known for their culinary enchantments, and could be bought through the Marketplace.

"What cookies are these?" Lyle asked. "It helps with mind clarity. It tastes like lemon."

Lyle took one without hesitation. He liked the mind clarity effect as it would help them decide things calmly...

"Thanks," he said. "I’ll need it if those Lords breach the gate."

Soon, everyone turned to the screen again.

Shane had just activated a new skill, Phantasm Rush, and was now dashing between the Mech Frames, coordinating their movements to maximize their deployment...

The Zombie Lords were retaliating, their steel fists slamming into the barricades, but the Spirit Pulse Obelisk was still active, and the southern gate held!

Their fists, each the size of a small vehicle, slammed into the reinforced walls with seismic force!

Because of that, cracks started to form and dust scattered around.

Even the Flame Towers trembled from the impact.

But Shane had a plan!

He had already activated Sturdy Stance and Resilience Protocol, reinforcing his Bio Armor to its maximum threshold...

He then taunted the Zombie Lords with his Titan’s Roar!

"Come on..." he muttered. "Let’s see what you’ve got."