Chapter 714: Another One
Shane gently nodded after hearing the questions of some customers. The number of unsafe versions of Unknown Meat had gotten really expensive in the Marketplace.
Although the alchemists and the other cooks had also found a way to purify this meat, they couldn’t use its whole part…
Only about 50% was usable, and it wasn’t worth the price they had to pay.
If the young man’s creation could really purify the unsafe meat, then it would surely fetch a high price.
At this question, the young man smiled. He seemed proud but tired.
“It’s just an enchantment I made. The flame triggers a cleansing cycle. Not perfect yet, but safe enough for basic field rations. It cuts out the need for Detox Pills… The main concern is the durability. Ahem… You can only use these three times before the effects run out…”
The Detox Pills were another creation of a certain Survivor that helps remove toxins or negative effects from many ingredients or even concoctions. Normally, it was used for alchemical potions that had harmful effects, like the ones made by apprentices or low-level Alchemists…
However, it was quite pricey.
After hearing the young man’s explanation, everyone understood… With the price of 25 Zombie Cores each skillet, it was better to just buy food in the stalls that were selling food.
Shane watched in silence, intrigued.
This wasn’t a miracle device. But it was innovation, done with low-cost materials and a solid understanding of both mechanics and survival needs.
It was a pity that he had to sell it for 25 Zombie Cores.
Still, he took one of them.
“You sell these?” Shane finally asked.
The young man glanced at him for the first time, blinking behind his pair of cracked goggles.
“Some. Not a lot. They take time to make, and I don’t have help,” he said with a shrug. “But if you want them, I’ve got a few ready-to-use. Comes with a field manual too.”
Shane smiled faintly. “You made all of this by yourself?”
Shane tilted his head. “You’re a blacksmith?”
“It’s common… I mean, I’ve only got a Common-Grade Blacksmith Talent. Doesn’t give me much. But I learned by doing. Spent my early days fixing broken gear for my team… back when I had one.”
That last part was said quietly.
The young man looked away for a second, then shook his head and added, “They didn’t make it past the first shelter siege. I’ve been solo since.”
Shane nodded slowly. “What’s your name?”
The boy hesitated. “…Ronan.”
“Ronan…” Shane repeated, as if testing it. “Your work’s impressive.”
Ronan scratched his cheek, embarrassed. “It’s really not. Just some recycled junk. I wish I had access to real forges and enchantment stones or those item upgraded crystals. Maybe then I could make something that wouldn’t break after a few uses.” V
“Or,” Shane said, “you could join someone who could give you those things.”
Ronan’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
“I’m the Clan Leader of Eclipse Revenant,” Shane replied simply. “And I’d like to invite you to join us.”
Ronan’s mouth opened, then shut.
His hands gripped the edge of his workbench as he processed Shane’s words.
Everyone knew about the Rank 1 Clan and the Rank 1 Survivor. Seeing him in person was not something he had expected. Furthermore, his image of Shane was quite different.
In the Waiting Zone of the Zombie Challenge Event, he had seen Shane’s battles being shown several times, and he looked like a true warrior there.
This time, however, Shane simply looked like a normal Survivor who hadn’t slept for days.
‘He’s just a bit more handsome than me…’ He mused.
At this thought, he also realized that the rumors that the Ivory Gear Shelter was allied with a powerful Foreign Survivor Shelter must actually be true. Perhaps, it was the Eclipse Revenant itself!
“Shane… Is it really the Eclipse Revenant? The number one Clan on the leaderboard?” he asked just to be sure.
Ronan stared at him like he was being pranked.
“But why me? I’m not some combat genius. I’ve got a trash-tier Talent and a bag of tools.”
“I’ve got plenty of fighters,” Shane said. “What I need are thinkers. Builders. You saw a problem, and you made a solution with nothing but scraps. Imagine what you could do with a real forge, enchanted alloys, heat-stable reagents, a proper team…”
Ronan hesitated, clearly tempted.
“But I don’t want to just disappear,” He said. “I built a small customer base here. Survivors come back for field kits. Some of them are new and just trying to make it.”
It was the same concern as Eli’s. Because of that, Shane had no issue convincing him.
Shane smiled. “Then stay here, if you want. Keep the shop. But come to our Shelter and see what you could build. We support remote branches, and I’ll even let you hire assistants if you want. No pressure. But you’d have the freedom to do more.”
“I just think that you can achieve more if you have the resources you needed.” Shane added.
He was sincere about this.
After all, most of his blacksmiths were focused on creating Warden Units, swords, arrows, barricades, traps, construction materials, and other weapons.
He needed craftsmen like Ronan as well, who could make day-to-day items.
Ronan looked down at his skillet, then over at a bent piece of copper wiring on the table.
“As serious as I am rich,” Shane joked, holding out a Permanent Resident Token. Though he could probably just purchase more Recruitment Stones to obtain more working-class or production-class residents in his shelters, he thought that helping these Foreign Survivors like him would feel better.
Ronan took it like he was holding something sacred.
Then, after a long breath, he nodded.
“Alright. I’ll join.”
[ You have invited Survivor “Ronan” to the Clan: Eclipse Revenant. ]
[ Survivor Ronan has accepted your invitation. ]
[ Clan Members: 199 ]
“I can’t promise I’ll be the best…” Ronan said as he tucked the token away, “But I’ll work harder than anyone you’ve got.”
“I’m counting on it.”