Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle - Chapter 956

Chapter 956: Discovery
The dogs were everywhere… There were slender hounds sniffing the snow, massive mastiffs tied near huts, and shepherds pacing alongside their handlers.

Their presence gave the shelter a unique atmosphere… The barks and growls of the dogs mixed with the human voices made this place quite different from many other shelters.

Shane and Alex moved deeper into the settlement, moving through its busy streets. The place was far livelier than they expected.

Merchants called out from stalls, and they all looked healthy…

It seemed that this shelter had a good source of food.

One stall displayed baskets of mushrooms. There were brown caps, pale stalks, and even faintly fragrant. They were actually varieties that could also be found in the Springriver Manor.

Beside them, bundles of carrots, potatoes, onions, and leafy greens were stacked neatly. Without a doubt, they were rare treasures in the apocalypse.

Alex slowed, watching a woman hand over a pouch of gold coins for a sack of vegetables. “Gold coins, huh. This is indeed a Neutral Shelter.”

Apparently, only Neutral Shelters really accept gold coins in trade. As for the shelters owned by Foreign Survivors, they stick to Zombie Cores or similar value.

Shane smiled as he was prepared for this.

“No issue. I’ve got plenty. Looks like this place runs on its own economy…”

They pressed on, noting the diversity of the crowd. While many survivors were dark‑skinned locals, others were clearly foreign Survivors…

Well, it was quite obvious since he recognized their Tier 3 Blue Survivor Set, Tier 4 Tyrant Suit Set, Tier 3 Army Set, and other sets that could only be given by the System through rewards, Zombie drops, or maybe even Gift Packs.

As expected, this almost hidden Neutral Shelter had drawn people from across regions…

“This place is a good resting spot, I guess.” Shane muttered.

Shops offered everything imaginable. One stall displayed rifles, pistols, and boxes of ammunition stacked behind iron bars; the merchant was even boasting about their reliability, claiming that they would not get jammed or broken in just a few shots like some other weapons.

Another sold food… Most of them were actually dried meat, bread, and steaming bowls of stew.

There was also a cobbler repairing a worn boots, he seemed to be selling patched shoes and custom soles as well.

‘Mhmm… That’s something lacking in my shelters.’ Shane thought to himself. After all, there were probably only 2 or 3 cobblers in his four shelters.

That was definitely not enough, especially considering their population.

Because of that, if the shoes were already worn out or damaged, they could only purchase a new pair instead of having someone repair them.

Still, that was not the biggest concern of their shelter anyway…

Then, Alex chuckled as they passed a barber’s stall where survivors lined up for haircuts. “Haircuts, massages, fate readings… this place is practically a town.”

Shane turned, scanning the signs. Alex was telling the truth.

It seemed like this place was indeed being managed a lot better than he had thought…

“It’s impressive they’ve built this much. They’re not using hi-tech devices or weapons, but they’re doing well…”

They passed a stall where a hooded figure beckoned survivors with questions if they wanted glimpses into their future or what their fate in this world would look like…

Alex shook his head, amused. “Fate reading? In the apocalypse? Guess people will pay for anything if it gives them hope.”

Shane didn’t answer, but his gaze lingered on the crowd. The shelter was actually thriving, though not in the sense that their shelters were.

Then, something unexpected caught their attention.

At the corner stood an open eatery with tables and chairs arranged outside.

The smell wafting from the stall was unmistakable… cheese, bread, and herbs baked together.

Alex froze as his eyes widened in disbelief…

“Wait… is that… pizza?”

The stall owner pulled a steaming tray from a crude oven, slicing it into portions and serving it on tin plates. Survivors crowded around, handing over gold coins eagerly.

Alex laughed, shaking his head.

“Unbelievable. Even the System’s Marketplace doesn’t have pizza. And yet… here it is.”

Shane also smiled after seeing this. It was quite rare after all.

“Guess we found something worth stopping for.” Shane said as he realized that they could really relax in this place.

Just like that, they took seats at one of the tables before the waitress came to them and got their orders. Needless to say, they got her recommendation of pizza. The two were actually hungry and ordered one whole pizza each!

While waiting, survivors nearby chatted casually, talking about their Zombie Raid, the loot they got, the new mushroom they discovered, the weapons they found, and other stuff that they had experienced outside this shelter.

They also heard that because of the snow, the frequency of them going out would lessen a lot. Thankfully, they had all saved up for several months for this season, so even if they stayed in the shelter for two months, they should be able to survive.

***

Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, Fiona’s rats lingered near the eatery…

Through them, Fiona herself tilted her head in disbelief.

‘Pizza…? In this apocalypse?! I want it!’

Fiona could no longer take it.

The sight of Shane and Alex sitting casually at the table, the smell of melted cheese and herbs drifting through her rats’ senses…it was too much.

‘Pizza… piping hot, delicious pizza… I want it.’

She rose from her bedroll, as her eyes were filled with determination to get those!

If she was going to step out, she had to be prepared.

First, she reached for her Assassin’s Mask. Unlike the Zombie Masks Shane and Alex used, this one was black and fitted perfectly over her face.

It was comfortable…

It glowed faintly as she adjusted the straps. Soon, its enchantment cloaked her presence.

With it, she would be undetected by most Detection Skills. It was an invaluable advantage in a world where various skills could expose her at a glance.

‘Ugh… I need to hurry…’ Fiona thought excitedly.