Twelve hours before the event began, night had already fallen over the Draconic Fort.

The fortress was certainly busy with its walls lit by torches and mana lamps almost everywhere.

After all, even if the event would still happen the next morning, it wouldn’t be surprising if another horde of Zombies suddenly attacked them.

They had to be prepared.

Furthermore, there was an important matter they had to deal with tonight...

Inside the main tower, Tris and his commanders gathered around a heavy oak table...

Tris, the leader, looked at his commanders...

He then scanned the map spread before them.

They had prepared various traps and a defensive plan from all corners of their Fort. However, they could not be complacent since this was the first event they have after entering this Zombie Apocalypse world.

Beside him sat Nika, his second‑in‑command... Then, there was Garron, the grizzled weapons master who seemed like he already wanted to leave.

Aside from them, there was Hannah, the meticulous quartermaster... In front of her was Pascal, the captain of the militia.

Lastly, there was Caesar, commander of the first battalion. Together, they formed the backbone of the fort’s leadership.

Outside, their men were busy inspecting Shane’s crews from the ships Excellence and Providence.

Entry into the fort required strict checks like any other... No one could risk bringing in infection or hidden threats.

Guards moved carefully as they didn’t want to miss any Zombie Bites or signs of infection...

They could not hurry as they scanned for traces of zombie corruption, while healers used detection skills to confirm each survivor’s condition.

Inside the tower, the leaders couldn’t help but talk about their plans...

"This event... it won’t be easy," Tris said as he felt that the 24 hours of nonstop attack would be difficult.. "We’ve fought some zombies before, but never vampires. And the System says they’ll come in waves, I hope that the silver weapons that Shane sold us will be that effective.

Nika nodded...

"Well, to be exact, we’re used to powerful zombies that roam this island... But they’ve been limited. Ut will be more difficult if the event will bring creatures we’ve never encountered. Just like the Dragon Awakening Apocalypse, there must be mutated, armored, other special zombies out there..."

Garron grunted as he also knew the problem...

"Still, we can handle the dragonoids easily... We’ve fought them before. Let’s trust the our current strength. Furthermore, Shane seemed to be a Top Ranker in this realm. He should be strong enough to deal with the Zombies.

Pascal shook his head. "Don’t trust him too much. As you can see, he only brought two ships with him. He might’ve reached a Top Rank with the shelter’s defense, like using barriers, turrets, and barriers... But he doesn’t have a shelter here... It will be tough even for him."

Caesar, who had already spoken with Shane earlier, added, "Don’t underestimate his strength... You saw those androids or whatever they’re called. Just let his crews enter and see for yourself. Anyway, we need every advantage."

As if on cue, a sound interrupted their discussion.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The heavy, rhythmic footsteps echoed through the night, shaking the stone floor beneath them.

The commanders exchanged startled glances, then rushed to the window.

What they saw made their jaws drop.

"W-what is this?!"

Five massive machines stood outside the gates, their silhouettes even towering against the torchlight.

Each was eight meters tall, armored in iron plates, and their eyes were glowing faintly with blue light!

"What the... Mobile Suits? Gunda.m?!" Garron exclaimed as he saw the design.

Nika’s eyes widened. "Wait... Shane mentioned robotics. But I didn’t expect this. Mecha this huge? Five of them!"

Tris gripped the window ledge as he couldn’t help but feel concerned and also excited.

Seeing such huge machines moving was like a dream...

Still, he tried to understand why this was happening.

"What is this? Are we not in the Zombie Apocalypse world? Wait... We came from the Dragon Awakening World... Now it seems someone from the A.I. Apocalypse was sent here and made these things!"

Shock rippled through the room.

The commanders, who had seen countless battles, were rarely caught off guard.

But the sight of towering mecha... machines that looked like they belonged in another world entirely, left them speechless.

***

Needless to say, the guards and captains were equally stunned.

The news spread like wildfire.

Even those who were sleeping were woken up because of the commotion!

It must be remembered that their walls were only about five meters high!

The five 8-meter-tall Mechas had their upper bodies sticking out!

Soldiers pointed, some clutching their weapons instinctively, others simply staring in awe.

And then, as if the mecha weren’t enough, more figures appeared.

"Ahh... That’s the one we know..."

On the ground, robotic soldiers marched in formation.

At first glance, they looked like ordinary men. They were cloaked, armored, and looked really disciplined. But as the torchlight caught their faces, the truth was revealed.

Their mechanical faces showed. They had scanners as eyes, showing their artificial nature.

"These are the Warden Units that Shane mentioned."

Tris muttered. He had seen them before, when Shane’s ships first arrived. Humanoid robots were efficient and seemed really strong.

He had informed the guards about them. But the mecha? That was new.

The commanders exchanged looks of disbelief.

"Eight meters tall... how do we even get them through the gates?" Hannah asked. There was the sound exasperation in her voice.

"They’ll have to stay outside," Pascal said, shaking his head.

"Our gates weren’t built for giants of steel."

Despite their shock, a strange sense of relief washed over them.

Well, it was obvious.

The event was coming, and they were about encounter creatures they had never faced.

But now, seeing Shane’s forces... the mecha, the robotic soldiers, the disciplined crews, they felt hope.

"Told you... Shane’s a reliable guy," Caesar said firmly. "With them, our chances rise."

"Heh... Didn’t he just buy you with that Ice King Set?" Hannah teased as she also liked that set when Caesar proudly showed it off.

Hearing the bitterness in her voice, Caesar laughed even more... but that laugh didn’t last long.

As they watched, more of Shane’s forces arrived.

Super Soldiers appeared. Their bodies were definitely enhanced.

Of course, most of the locals of Draconic Fort, had also received draconic essence themselves. They were used to seeing bulky, powerful humans. The Super Soldiers didn’t surprise them.

But then came the elves.

This was what made Caesar gasp...

"B-beautiful..."

Mystra led them, and without a doubt, she had charmed everyone who had seen her.

Behind her, the Epic Elf recruits appeared and they were also quite beautiful... However, since Mystra was wearing Epic Grade and Legendary Grade items, she was more attractive in everyone’s eyes.

Gasps filled the courtyard and everyone had the same opinion.

"Beautiful..." someone whispered.

For the people of Draconic Fort, elves were creatures of legend, confined to fantasy tales.

To see them in the flesh, walking among humans, was surreal.

Still, Tris couldn’t help but give a helpless smile on his face.

Their elegance and nature-like presence easily contrasted with the mechanical might of the mecha and Warden Units. It was creating a scene that felt like worlds colliding.

"This is incredible..."

Tris and his commanders could hardly believe it.

Shane’s forces were unlike anything they had ever seen... It was a fusion of fantasy and science, magic and machine!

"Dragons, vampires, zombies... and now this," Nika murmured. "We truly are in a Cross‑Apocalypse."

Nonetheless, the inspection continued below.

Shane’s crews were checked thoroughly for infection, their weapons were also cataloged, and their supplies were noted.

However, because of the size issue, the mecha remained outside the gates. They were just too large to enter, but their presence alone was enough...

Meanwhile, the robotic soldiers stood silently, while the elves drew curious stares from every corner.

Tris turned back to his commanders...

"I’m quite speechless. Let’s all do our best to befriend Shane! No, it didn’t matter if it’s a partnership or even if we lower ourselves! We have to be connected with these people!"

No one rejected this idea.

"We were worried about the event. We feared the unknown. But now... now we have allies who bring power beyond our imagination. Machines from another apocalypse.... elves from legend. Shane has brought us enough strength to fight." He said.

Garron chuckled, shaking his head. "I never thought I’d see the day. Mecha, robots, elves... What’s next? Werewolves? Angels?"

The night stretched on, but the mood inside the fort had shifted.

Where there had been tension and uncertainty, now there was excitement.

Soon, Shane was brought to the main chamber...

The commanders spoke of strategies, of how to integrate Shane’s forces into their defenses. They discussed the mecha’s potential, the elves’ magic, and the robotic soldiers’ capabilities...

Meanwhile, the people of the fort gathered and stared at the newcomers.

"This really feels like a true Cross-Apocalypse Event now." Wendel, who was guarding the walls, couldn’t help but comment at the sight of it all.