Shane stood in the cave as he observed the corrupted mana crystals...

He didn’t move yet as he was worried.

He had previously tried entering the deepest part of this place, but someone from within stopped him.

He was told that he wasn’t ready yet, and soon, he passed out and woke up in the outside world, cutting short his visit within this pocket dimension.

"I’ll just stay in the vicinity, okay? I’m not going to go deeper. Just let me collect some crystals, please?" Shane said, announcing his presence to the spirit or living being staying in his cave.

Well, he wasn’t sure if that would work, but it was better to try it than not.

After not getting a reply from the mysterious being inside, Shane assumed that this was already permission.

As he stepped inside and walked for a few meters, the corrupted energy grew stronger, almost like a heartbeat, and he could feel the instability in the air.

It was dangerous, but it was also a resource unlike any other.

He recalled Caesar’s warning... Dragons carried mana corruption in their attacks. Frost that froze mountains, poison that lingered for days, lightning that shattered nerves, fire that melted enchanted steel... all of it laced with corruption.

If these crystals shared the same essence, then perhaps they could be turned into weapons that mirrored or countered the dragons’ own power.

He wasn’t exactly sure how this would turn out.

However, he had a few guesses considering his experience in his past life during his battle against the Vampire Lord in the Fairy Realm’s Invasion.

’If I can refine these crystals, I might be able to craft weapons or maybe charms that absorb or redirect corrupted energy. Maybe even forge blades that carry corruption back into the dragons themselves.’

Of course, he wasn’t really just thinking of doing it himself. However, with his set of Survivor Skills and Talent, he might be able to pull it off. At the very least, he would only require a little help from other experts in the field.

Still, the thought was risky since corruption could easily spread to the wielder, twisting their spirit energy... However, the potential was too great to ignore.

"Wait... We have enough elves in the ship... I think they can handle this better." Shane muttered, recalling the few elves who had joined them.

Well, since they were traveling at sea, there was no way the Elves who lived in the forest would be comfortable.

Because of that, Shane wasn’t able to invite many of them on this expedition.

"Right... They should be able to do something about it."

Just like that, he already imagined a shield reinforced with purified corruption, one that could resist the dragons’ mind attacks...

Perhaps, they could also make arrows tipped with shards of red crystal, piercing scales, and infecting the beast with its own chaotic essence.

Even a simple barrier array powered by these crystals might disrupt a dragon’s mana flow long enough to ground it.

Still, he knew the danger.

Handling corruption without preparation could cripple him or worse.

He would need the elves’ purification arrays, containment seals, and perhaps alchemical mixtures to stabilize the crystals.

As he looked around, Shane noticed that the fairies and other animals were just at the mouth of the cave, looking at him curiously.

Well, they avoided this cave for a reason... Their pure essence basically rejects the corruption within the cave...

But Shane wasn’t bound by their limitations.

Soon, he took out a pickaxe and started collecting the Red Mana Crystals...

***

After spending half a day inside the Fairy Realm, Shane finally returned to the outside world.

He woke up, stretched, and joined the others for breakfast.

"I guess everyone’s preparing for the event." Shane muttered.

Indeed, the inn was lively since everyone was busy preparing supplies...

Even his team had to deal with more merchants here since they were also sending resources back to their shelter on the mainland through the system’s trade function.

Well, there was a tax in zombie cores for every transfer, but at this point, it wasn’t a problem.

After all, even if the Clan Storage was also available, not all items could be placed there, and only certain resources could be accessed by members stationed on the mainland.

Anyway, once the morning bustle settled, Shane sought out Caesar.

"You’re back again?" Caesar asked in surprise after seeing Shane.

"Well, listen..."

He then explained his plan, he wanted permission for him and his people to enter the Draconic Fort on the day of the Cross‑Apocalypse Event.

Defending the ship against three different enemy types at once would be too difficult, so it was better to consolidate their strength.

Shane clarified that they would only enter on the day of the event, bringing their weapons with them so they wouldn’t feel threatened beforehand.

"Ahhh... I think I understand now and it makes sense. Even if you go to another island, you might be met with aggressive people instead. Well, let’s see."

Caesar chuckled before he left to discuss the matter with Tris and the others.

When he returned, he gave Shane the answer...

"They agreed!" Caesar said with a thumbs up. After getting the set from Shane, he knew that this man could be trusted...

"Perfect!" Shane couldn’t help but clap as he decided that they would have to return if they prohibited their entry...

Then, Caesar further explained.

Tris, in fact, welcomed the idea of more defenders for their shelter.

He even suggested a way to hide the ship.

"We can hide them?!"

"Yes!" Caesar replied with a smile.

According to Tris, there was a natural dock formed by stone cliffs, concealed enough that with nets and coverings, the vessel could be hidden from sight.

As long as no living beings remained inside, zombies, vampires, and dragonoids would ignore it during the event.

Shane thanked them sincerely.

***

Soon after, he returned to his own ship and explained the plan to his crew.

With that matter settled, he turned his attention to another group... the elves aboard Excellence.

These weren’t the Legendary Elves, but ten of the thirty Epic Elf recruits he had previously gathered. They were led by Mystra, a calm and beautiful commander wearing a mage robe.

Shane gathered them on deck and spoke to them... 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"I need to know what you can do with the red mana crystals against dragons," he said.

"Those red mana crystals?"

Mystra and the others exchanged glances.

They already knew Shane had collected some before... They had processed small amounts for explosives in the past. But now, their eyes widened as Shane opened his inventory and produced sack after sack of red mana crystals.

The deck glowed red with so many of them!

The sacks couldn’t hide their glow anymore!

Mystra stepped forward. Thankfully, they had received the blessings of the World Tree, so they weren’t worried being surrounded by the corrupted crystals...

"Hmmm... We’ve worked with fragments before, but this... this is enough to attempt something greater. The corruption is volatile, but if we can stabilize it, we might craft weapons that turn a dragon’s own essence against it."

Another elf added, "Explosives were crude. With this much, we could attempt arrays... barriers that disrupt mana flow, or arrows that infect scales with corruption. But it will require sealing rituals. Without them, the crystals will consume the wielder."

Shane listened intently and nodded...

He had suspected the elves could handle this better, and now their confidence confirmed it.

"We’ll need time, seals, and alchemical support. But if you want weapons that can stand against dragons, this is a good start... With these crystals, we can make corruption itself your ally." Mystra said with a smile.

***

Ten days quickly passed.

Preparations were complete, shelters fortified, and new weapons were made...

Just as dawn broke, Shane received a new message from the System...

It was the official start of the Cross‑Apocalypse Invasion Event!

[ Finally, the Cross‑Apocalypse Invasion Event Begins! ]

[ Attention, Survivors! The countdown has ended. The Invasion is now live. ]

Event Duration: 24 hours, divided into three escalating phases.

Phase One (Active Now): Mid‑tier zombie hordes combined with vampire thralls are converging on shelters worldwide.

Phase Two: Mutated zombie elites supported by vampire lords and wyvern packs will strike once Phase One concludes.

Phase Three: Apocalypse bosses, Zombie Kings, Elder Vampires, and Draconic Beasts, will lead coordinated assaults in the final stage.

[ Rankings Reminder ]

Global Shelter Rankings are now active.

Earn Invasion Points by defeating enemies, protecting civilians, and minimizing structural damage.

Top shelters will receive System‑recognized relics tied to cross‑apocalypse lore, granting permanent enhancements.

[ Hidden Quests ]

Survivors may uncover hidden objectives during the invasion. Completing these quests will yield rare crafting materials, unique talents, and special fortification upgrades.

Hidden quests are not announced in advance. Exploration, courage, and ingenuity will reveal them.

[ Warning ]

Difficulty scales with shelter size and defenses. Larger shelters will face stronger bosses and mixed forces.

Survivors are reminded: dragons, vampires, and undead will not fight separately... They will coordinate their attacks!

[ Prepare yourselves, Survivors. Phase One begins now. The battlefield awaits. ]