The chat froze for a moment. Survivors stared at the glowing text in disbelief.

[ Kaelen (Sector 7): Wait... a wedding? Now? After everything we just went through? ]

[ Rina (Sector 14): Bruh... half the continent is still burning and you’re talking about marriage? ]

[ Joren (Sector 3): Lol. Respect though. If they can celebrate love in this mess, maybe there’s hope for us all. ]

[ Lyra (Sector 10): Honestly... I think it’s beautiful. We’ve been here for more than a year. If people can still find joy, why not? ]

[ Dax (Sector 6): Joy? My clan lost two shelters. I can’t even think about weddings. ]

[ Maylene (Sector 13): Don’t be bitter. Celebrations are rare. If they want to wed, let them. It might lift morale. ]

The chat began to split since some were shocked, and others were supportive.

Still, this made Shane realize that most of them already had more than 10 Chats per day in the World Chat.

After all, he kept seeing some names repeatedly.

[ Toren (Sector 20): I don’t get it. Why risk gathering so many people? What if another event starts? ]

[ Mira (Sector 19): Maybe that’s the point. To prove we’re still human. Not just survivors. ]

[ Kaelen (Sector 7): Okay, but what do you even bring to a wedding in the apocalypse? Zombie cores? Silver daggers? Lol. ]

[ Joren (Sector 3): Bring food. Or booze. That’s the only gift anyone wants now. ]

[ Lyra (Sector 10): Wait... Since they’re giving free food and shelter stays, you don’t have to bring gifts. You need to bring containers. You need to take as much food as you can. ]

[ Rina (Sector 14): Lol. Celebrations like this are rare. Might as well join. And don’t take advantage of their kindness. Just congratulate the newlywed. Anyway, I’m guessing that one of Natalie’s priests would be the one officiating this. ]

Soon, chatter shifted from disbelief to excitement. Survivors began planning to travel to Sector 13.

[ Dax (Sector 6): My people are migrating anyway. Maybe we’ll stop by. A wedding could be a good distraction. ]

[ Gara (Sector 13): You’re welcome. Just don’t cause trouble. ]

[ Sarah (Sector 19): Imagine dancing while dragons fly overhead. That’s our world now. ]

[ Justin (Sector 20): Lol. If the bride and groom survive the honeymoon, I’ll call it a success. ]

Then, someone noticed Shane and Natalie’s sector tag.

[ Gustav (Sector 7): Hold up... did anyone see Shane’s sector? It says "SectorX." ]

[ Solen (Sector 14): Yeah... Natalie too. That’s not a number. That’s weird. ]

[ Marina (Sector 3): Wait... I remember hearing about this. Some survivors had "X" before. They weren’t on the mainland anymore. ]

[ Wenderson (Sector 10): Exactly. "X" means they’re outside the continent. They’ve broken free of the sector system. ]

[ Mira (Sector 19): Out of the mainland? How? Did they escape? ]

[ Dax (Sector 6): Lol. They just used a ship or maybe they have talent for swimming and went to different island. The System does weird things. ]

[ Jaren (Sector 20): Makes sense. Shane’s forces are insane. Mechs, flying fortresses, elves, and others... It feels like he’s not bound by the same rules anymore. ]

[ Stella (Sector 7): So they’re basically legends now. Survivors beyond the sector grid. ]

[ Betia (Sector 14): That explains why they’re Rank 1. They’re not even competing with us anymore. ]

The chat erupted with speculation. Some survivors were awed, while others were jealous...

Well, they thought that being out of the mainland could actually save them from the Zombies. Apparently, many of them were unaware of the Sea Zombie Creatures.

Some other Survivors even had to explain that travelling through the seas were a lot more dangerous than everyone had imagined.

Just like that, the chatter rolled on, mixing envy, admiration, and curiosity. But amidst the chaos, the wedding announcement kept resurfacing.

[ Travis (Sector 13): Don’t overthink it, guys. Just come celebrate. Free food, free shelter, and a chance to remember we’re alive. ]

[ Yasmin (Sector 10): You know what... I’m going. I don’t care if it’s dangerous. I want to see people smile again. ]

[ Anne (Sector 19): Same. Count me in. ]

[ Wilson (Sector 20): Fine. If I die at a wedding, at least it’ll be memorable. ]

’Wedding, huh...’

Shane muttered, watching the flood of messages.

He wasn’t really sure what Travis was thinking about having this event now. Of course, he could ask his clone nearby about this, but he decided to leave it be...

He would just inform Raze and the others who had decided to stay in the mainland to attend the event and give gifts on his behalf.

In any case, they were still allies... Travis’ Drakeheard Vanguard Clan was their supplier of crude oil, allowing their filtration tower to function all day and produce barrels of various fuel.

***

Whoosh~

Outside the Omega Stronghold, back in the mainland, the gray fog parted slowly, curling away like smoke dissolving into the wind.

"This..."

For Merlin, it was the first time in what felt like centuries that he saw the world clearly.

His body trembled as he stepped forward, the memory of that last moment before the fog claimed him still vivid... There was a creature as vast as a mountain with its tongue stretching toward him... He was about to get devoured by that thing...

He had been certain death awaited him, but the fog had intervened, swallowing him whole.

Inside that endless haze, time had lost meaning.

He wandered, half-conscious with his memories eroding until only fragments remained. His name, Merlin, at the very least, remained. This includes the terror of that monstrous tongue.

Everything else was gone, stripped away by the mist or perhaps, something else...

Then came the voice.

It was calm, neither male nor female.

It told him the world had changed.

That it was infested by zombies, and that foreign survivors had arrived to reclaim it.

The voice explained he had been summoned by someone’s ability...

But it also gave him freedom... he did not have to serve blindly. He could judge for himself whether the one who called him was worthy.

Now, as the fog dissipated completely, Merlin found himself standing before colossal gates.

It was the Omega Stronghold with its godsteel walls...

Even without expertise about such things, he knew that this was no ordinary fortress.

Guards stationed at the gate reacted calmly, as though this was routine.

One of them stepped forward with a spear in hand and gun on his side....

"Another arrival," he said to his companion. "Fog recruit."

Merlin frowned. "Fog recruit?"

The guard nodded. "It happens every few days. The Territory Lord’s talent of our Lord Shane, draws people here. You’re not the first." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Before Merlin could respond, another soldier approached with a slate-like device glowing with System runes. "Name?"

Merlin hesitated, then spoke. "Merlin."

The soldier tapped the slate, recording it. "Identity confirmed. Now, show us your skills."

Merlin blinked. "My... skills?"

The soldier gestured. "The fog should have taught you. Use the System interface. Project your window."

Merlin closed his eyes, focusing.

The fog’s whispers returned, guiding him. He raised his hand, and a translucent window shimmered into existence before him. Lines of text scrolled across it, revealing his abilities.

The assessor’s eyes widened. "By the Lord... He’s a mage!"

Gasps rippled among the guards.

Survivors nearby turned to look, murmuring in surprise.

Mages were rare... most recruits brought physical talents, combat skills, or minor support abilities. But a true mage? That was extraordinary.

Merlin glanced at the window himself, reading words that felt both familiar and foreign:

[ Arcane Bolt Lv.10 (Max): Fires condensed mana at a target...

[ Mana Shield Lv.10 (Max): Creates a barrier that absorbs damage...

[ Elemental Affinity Lv.10 (Max): Increases effectiveness of fire and lightning spells...

...

[ Fog’s Blessing: Unknown origin. Grants resistance to corruption and partial immunity to fear.

There were a lot of various skills, and lastly, they noticed the Blessing! It didn’t have any levels at all and seemed like a Title instead.

Nonetheless, The assessor swallowed hard, recording everything. "This... this is beyond expectation. We must inform the Commander."

Merlin lowered his hand and the window faded. He felt a strange mix of pride and confusion.

He didn’t remember training in magic, yet the skills were his. The fog had preserved them, even as it stripped away his past.

The guards bowed slightly, their tone shifted now from routine to respect. "Welcome, Sir Merlin. You’ve been chosen well. The current commander of this fortress will want to meet you."

Merlin looked up at the towering fortress again and nodded.

He didn’t know who this commander was, but he might learn about his situation more if meet them...

"Alright... but first, I’m starving. Can you help me?" His voice was weary, almost pleading.

The guards exchanged glances, then one of them smiled faintly. "Of course. Food is plentiful here. You’ll be taken to the dining hall first... You’ll get your strength back quickly. We have fresh fruit, tonics, and special meals for new arrivals. You’ll eat, rest, and then we’ll escort you to the commander."

Merlin’s shoulders relaxed. After endless wandering in the gray fog, the promise of food and shelter felt almost unreal.

As he followed the guards inside, he whispered to himself, "So this is where my new life begins..."