NOVEL NEXT Chapter 777: The Return
Back on the Fiend Continent, far away from the Grand Auction Nexus, the Eclipse Domain had become quite silent due to the disappearance of many Survivors.
However, they were still all busy with their own tasks.
Eclipse Domain was, perhaps, the most important one among all four shelters right now. After all, one of the laboratories that Shane had entrusted to Anna, the alchemist who had been by his side since the early days, was established here.
Anna was focused on one of the greatest tasks Shane had ever given her: the mass production of the Aegis Serum – Super Variant.
It had been quite some time since she was tasked to do this, but unfortunately, it was simply too difficult.
This serum was no ordinary potion or concoction. It was a perfected super soldier formula, something that could turn an average survivor into a powerhouse. Its effects were astonishing—enhancing strength, speed, endurance, reflexes, and even the mind by over 600%. No side effects. No degradation. It was, in essence, a miracle.
But there was one problem. There were only three doses in existence.
One was in Shane's possession, carefully guarded. The other two had been given to Anna for research and reproduction. She had worked tirelessly for months, pouring every ounce of her knowledge and skill into dissecting, analyzing, and testing the formula.
At first, she could only manage a weaker version she called the Aegis v2 Serum. It was good—remarkably good compared to anything else on the continent—but it was not perfect. It boosted the user by 300%, but it came with limitations and did not last indefinitely. Still, it was a major step forward, and the Eclipse Domain benefited greatly from it.
However, Anna was never satisfied. She knew Shane was counting on her.
And then, fortune came from an unexpected source. A week ago, Shinja, the Legendary Warlord working for Shane, had recently returned from a dangerous expedition after clearing a Zombie Lord Territory. He had brought back a rare material—an organic crystalline compound called Genesis Shard.
The moment Anna tested it, she realized its potential. It was the missing key.
With it, she could replicate the true Aegis Serum – Super Variant without compromise.
For days, she locked herself in her lab, refusing to see anyone.
Assistants and guards brought her food and water, but she hardly touched them. She worked through the nights as she wanted to Shane a surprise…
The lab itself smelled of burning chemicals, metals, and other medicinal herbs…
Now, today, after numerous trials and calculations, the final batch was brewing in front of her.
Anna adjusted the alchemy tubes as she looked at the result of her work...
Blue liquid swirled inside the containment vial as it settled into its final stage of stabilization.
"Well, Shane mentioned I could request anything if I managed to succeed… I wonder what I should ask him…" Anna mused.
If this succeeded, she wouldn't just be rewarded, but the Eclipse Domain would have something no other shelter in the world possessed.
According to Shane, the 'culture points' of the Eclipse Domain would become higher if she succeeded. It means that the recruit he could summon would be a higher rank compared to before.
'Please succeed… I want the one wish…'
She paused for a moment, wiping sweat from her brow.
On the corner of her desk sat a framed portrait of Shane, made by a talented painter who had entered the shelter.
Just by looking at Shane's portrait, Anna bit her lip and felt her cheeks warm.
She had always admired him—his strength, his leadership, his determination to protect them all. He was not just her commander… He was someone she deeply respected, perhaps even more than that, though she dared not admit it aloud.
"Shane…" she whispered softly, before turning back to her work.
The liquid inside the vial glowed. The crystalline material dissolved perfectly, bonding with the serum completely.
She didn't experience any resistance or feel any flaws compared to before…
Soon, Anna's heart pounded louder with every passing second.
Finally, with a soft click, the process ended.
She immediately inspected the item and confirmed her success!
Inside the container was the first new vial of Aegis Serum since Shane had handed her the originals. A perfect copy.
Anna almost dropped it as she suddenly felt weak…
Her hands trembled—not from fear, but from overwhelming relief.
She had done it. The months of frustration, the failures, the sleepless nights—it was all worth it!
She placed the vial carefully inside a protective case, then looked up again at Shane's portrait.
"He'll be so surprised…" she murmured, unable to stop a smile from forming.
Her blush deepened as she imagined his reaction…
"Now… I should seriously think about the wish he'll grant for me…"
As she considered what to wish, Anna hugged the case to her chest for a moment before setting it down.
'Ugh… Later… Later… I should try it again. I have to make sure I can mass produce this thing…'
She wasn't done yet. This was only the first.
Now that the method was perfected, she could begin mass production.
She also swiftly made records of her methods to ensure that she wouldn't forget the steps she took.
She believed that within a month, the Eclipse Domain and all the other shelters would have dozens of doses.
Eventually, hundreds. Perhaps even enough for all of Shane's elite forces.
Taking a deep breath, Anna tied her hair back tighter, straightened her coat, and went back to work.
The future of the Eclipse Domain, and perhaps the entire Continent, was changing inside this laboratory.
And it was all for Shane.
But then—
BANG!
The heavy steel doors to her laboratory slammed open…
One of the guards swiftly shouted…
"Lady Anna! Hide the vials! Evacuation—now!"
Anna froze as her hand hovered over the containment case.
"What's happening?"
"Vampires! The Vampires are back! Aerial Defense is not going to be easy… We need to hide underground!" The guard shouted as they heard a loud crash!
They were already attacking the barrier above the central district!