Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

"I guess that monster is the only guard here..." Shane muttered as he could no longer feel any threat in this facility. It seemed the lone Quad-Maw was the only one left behind or perhaps, it had eaten all the others already.

Anyway, Shane was happy with this result. He knew he could relax for a bit since there were no longer any signs of enemies around.

As they continued moving around, in several corners of the facility, they found evidence of the previous Quad-Maw's rampage. Piles of molten steel and bones fused together could be seen. It was as if the researchers who hadn't escaped in time melted through some unknown source of heat.

Shane could only guess that it was done by some sort of failed experiment or weapons that didn't work properly against the Quad Maw.

Nia knelt beside one pile, picking up a dirty keycard. "These poor people. They were probably just following orders."

Lysandra then cleaned and checked the card just to get some information out of it. "Let's not let their work go to waste."

After a few more minutes of exploring and salvaging, they reached a heavily reinforced door at the end of the facility. It was plastered with hazard symbols and required multiple security clearances to access. Fortunately, the keycard Maya had found matched one of the locks.

It still didn't open and required another authentication but this time, Shane had to ask Cloud for assistance.

Thankfully, it was not a big deal and Cloud's programming was way too advanced.

It didn't take that long before the mechanical door hissed open, revealing a dimly lit chamber.

"Now… What do we have here." Shane muttered.

After a few moments of inspection using his Faerie Insight, Heightened Awareness, and Perception, Shane immediately smiled.

"This is Dr. Holloway's project I guess." Shane muttered as he knew it based on the description that the doctor had written on the notes.

Indeed, inside the chamber, the walls were lined with containment pods, each housing a piece of what could only be described as Bio-Armor!

The one written in the doctor's notes!

The centerpiece of the room was a single, fully intact suit of armor suspended in a containment field. The armor reflected some light, showing its surface with a blend of organic and metallic materials.

Cloud then started its analysis. Furthermore, since Cloud had already gained access to the database of this research facility, it had enough information to know every project that was created within this facility.

[ Analyzing... Bio-Armor detected… ]

[ Designation: Genesis Armor.

Functionality: Enhanced physical resilience, environmental adaptability, and integrated nanite repair systems… ]

Cloud continued to list various details like its origin, how it was made, its purpose, and the materials used. It even included information about the various trials and errors that the researchers made to create this Bio-Armor.

There was a long list of it but in the end, Shane focused on the information and whether it was safe to use or not.

Thankfully, Cloud clarified that this Bio-Armor should be safe to use as long as he was able to mark it as his own.

According to the process in the record, the method was simple, Shane needed about 100mL of blood to fuse on the Bio-Armor.

"That's easy… Let me try it first." Shane muttered.

Lysandra tilted her head. "How do we get it out of there?"

Shane studied the containment field. "Cloud, can we disable this without damaging the armor?"

[ Yes. Dismantle the control panel on the right. Rewire the energy circuits to overload the field's generator. ]

Shane got to work. He understood Cloud's instructions with his Otherworldly Mechanic Talent. Soon, his hands moved quickly as he followed Cloud's guidance.

Then, sparks flew as he rerouted the power, and with a loud hum, the containment field dissipated.

"Nice…"

The armor dropped slightly before being caught by a set of mechanical arms that gently lowered it to the ground.

Shane approached, but didn't touch it yet…

Instead, he waited for the container to drip out the liquid first.

After that, the others just watched Shane complete the blood pact.

Drip… Drip…

As soon as Shane's blood dropped on the Bio-Armor, it immediately turned into a sphere. Indeed, the armor-shaped thing transformed just like that!

"Hmm?" Shane was a bit unsure but he wasn't too surprised that it was able to transform like that.

Then, the sphere shook for a moment and just like that, it started moving toward him…

However, before it got closer, something unexpected happened.

Thud!

The Bio-Armor that was now turned into a sphere was blocked by a metallic shield!

"Silver?!" Shane was shocked as he didn't expect that his metallic slime, Silver, would block the Bio-Armor from approaching him.

"Is there something wrong?" Shane asked. However, Silver didn't really convey a lot of emotion to Shane and only informed him that it was Silver's instinctive reaction.

Nonetheless, after Shane informed Silver that the sphere was safe, it finally didn't stop the Bio Armor from approaching him.

Shane then inspected the sphere Bio Armor.

"This is it," he said, his voice filled with awe. "This is what I've been looking for." Shane smiled as he knew that all his hard work for coming here was truly a good decision.

"Looks like it's worth all the trouble we've gone through. "This is incredible." He added.

[ You have acquired Genesis Armor. ]

[ Description: A cutting-edge bio-enhanced combat suit designed for adaptability and survival in extreme conditions. Grants +30% physical defense, +20% Strength, automatic healing of minor injuries, and resistance to environmental hazards. ]

[ Integration with Genesis Armor recommended. ]

"Integration?"

This time, it was Cloud who had answered and apparently, he needed the nearby capsule for that.

Shane glanced at his team. "Wait for a moment… I still have to integrate with it…" he said before following Cloud's instructions.

In the meantime, his team gathered their supplies and waited for Shane to complete the process of integration.

***

In the meantime, Cloud also warned Shane after agreeing to the integration.

[ Integration process will be invasive. Prepare yourself, Shane. ]

Without hesitation, Shane agreed.

Then, Shane started to reactivate the capsule. It seemed as if he was in a hurry but he knew that the whole facility had already been explored and this was a perfect time and place to proceed with the integration.

Then, stepped into the capsule. "It's fine…"

Soon, the Bio-Armor started covering him. It started with small tendrils writhing slightly as they adjusted to his body.

The console nearby lit up, and Cloud began the integration sequence. Cloud even informed Shane about the progress even if he was listening or not.

[ Initiating Bio-Armor integration. Synchronization rate: 0%... 10%... ]

Shane gritted his teeth as the armor's organic fibers connected with his body, threading into his nervous system and forming a symbiotic bond.

This was quite a familiar sensation since this was something similar happened to Shane before during the A.I. Rebellion.

Anyway, the sensation was still strange—neither painful nor pleasant. After some time, his vision blurred momentarily as waves of data flooded his brain.

'This creation is incredible! Now, it's no surprise how those failed experiments turned the Zombies outside to become such monsters.' Shane thought.

[ Synchronization rate: 50%... Neural pathways stabilized. Genetic compatibility confirmed. ]

The process took several minutes, during which Shane's breathing steadied, and the Bio-Armor seemed to integrate itself into him perfectly.

The organic or living material fused with his skin, yet it didn't feel restrictive or uncomfortable. Instead, it felt… empowering.

[ Synchronization rate: 100%. Integration complete. Bio-Armor can now be deployed and retracted at will. ]

With a hiss, the capsule opened, and Shane stepped forward, and of course, he was clad in the Bio-Armor.

"Whoa~" Kale stood up from his seat as soon as he saw Shane's appearance.

"It looks incredible…" Nia muttered.

"That looks cool! Can I have one too?!" Vernon immediately said. There was no way he wouldn't want such a thing protecting his body! As long as it was comfortable, he would take it.

"That certainly felt more intimidating than your Exosuit before, Shane." Lysandra said.

The suit or Bio-Armor was truly breathtaking.

It was sleek and it seemed both futuristic and primal.

The black alloy plates covered various parts of his body and with its faint pulse, it truly seemed alive...

The gauntlets Shane equipped were also a retractable alloy, and the boots even seemed to have thrusters for enhanced mobility. However, they weren't sure if it was truly a thruster or just a design.

Clank~

The reinforced visor then slid over his face, displaying a detailed HUD that connected seamlessly with Cloud's interface.

Shane flexed his fingers, as he started marveling at the responsiveness of his armor.

"Amazing…" He could only utter these words.

The armor felt like an extension of his body—light, yet it felt so solid on his body.

As Shane moved around, Lysandra finally let out a low whistle.

"You look like something out of a legend, Shane."

Kale chuckled. "I wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of that thing."

Needless to say, they were happy that Shane had gotten stronger and that he was on their side!