Chapter 686: Infusion
The other four Clan Skills were also quite good as Shane browsed. Although they were level 10, unlike the Lunar Cohesion, they also had decent abilities.
[ Veil of Dusk ( Level 5): This skill enhances the stealth and concealment abilities of all Clan Members. Especially when operating at dusk or within shadowed or dark environments.
Effects: Reduces the detection range by enemies by 20% during evening or within dark areas.
Increases Evasion by up to 20% when together with at least 2 other Clan Members. ]
[ Desperate Salvage ( Level 6 ): Improves looting experience by obtaining more materials and rare components when looting a Zombie.
Effects: +25% Material Yield from Low-Tier Zombies, +10% chance to recover Rare Components from Mid-Tier and higher Zombies. Reduces durability loss of looted gear by 30%. ]
"Good for stealth… and good for looting, huh…" Shane muttered after seeing the Veil of Dusk and Desperate Salvage.
They were definitely decent Clan Skills for obvious reasons. With these skills, it was no wonder that the Clan Members wanted to team up to do missions. With the improved loot, it would help not just their wealth, but also their value in the Shelter.
Shane then turned to the last two Clan Skills.
[ Survival Instinct ( Level 6 ): Improves members' ability to withstand environmental hazards, exposure, and low-resource conditions.
Effects: +20% Resistance against Environmental Effects (Poison Fog, Frostbite, Heatstroke, etc.), Reduces Spirit and Stamina Drain by 15% when below 60% Vitality. ]
This was a passive skill, and Shane knew that with the effects of his Monuments, it was no wonder there were almost zero casualties on their side.
They actually had a lot of area effects, helping them at all times.
Lastly, or the fifth Clan Skill, Shane also smiled as it was a Perfect Clan Skill. He really did well assigning Raze to manage the Clan.
[ Rally Point ( Level 7 ): A morale-based support skill that activates during battles that involve 8 or more Clan Members.
Effects: When a clan member drops below 40% HP, all nearby allies gain +15% Attack and +90% Spirit Regen for 10 seconds
Bonus: Completing a Clan Mission while under this effect grants a +5% bonus Clan EXP ]
"Not bad… These are getting sharper." Shane muttered as he looked at the skills once more.
Veil of Dusk would be perfect for scouting parties like Tessa's team.
Desperate Salvage would allow them to have more resources. And Survival Instinct… That could very well save lives in places like the Singing Mire. Even the Rally Point had its merit. After all, well-timed buffs could turn tight battles around.
He glanced at the Mission Board again, watching the flickering list of threats: exploding Tyrants, illusion-casting entities, mutated wolves.
With a final nod, he spoke, "I'll prepare support kits. Weapons, gear, potions. Whatever they need."
Raze turned toward him. "You're going to help all of the teams?"
There should be about 80 Clan Members in the Springriver Manor doing Clan Missions daily in order to obtain more and more resources for the Clan.
Raze was curious if Shane planned to support everyone with his own pocket.
In the meantime, Shane nodded and didn't hesitate.
"The Clan's only as strong as its teams. If they're going to carry our banner into danger, then they should carry it with the best we can give."
He then recalled the Clan's Banner fluttering from the wind…
Eclipse Revenant.
He wanted this Clan to be revered by allies and feared by enemies.
Now it was time to make sure that reputation held.
"Alright… I'll handle Mission 7 alone… Maybe tomorrow… You will need to build teams for the other missions. However, delay it for now. I'm planning to give something to everyone who will accept the missions." Shane said.
"I'll look forward to that." Raze replied.
***
Using the portal hall that he had developed, Shane effortlessly stepped through the gateway that connected the Springriver Manor to the Silver Mine Camp…
This was his second-established shelter located deep in the mountainous region.
Whoosh~
After passing through the portal, the light faded behind him as the dimensional pulse settled…
It seemed that there was a lot of work going on as the wind carried the earthy scent of worked stone and dirt.
After looking around, the camp wasn't as badly damaged as he thought. It seemed that they had protected this shelter really well against the Flying Zombie… However, there seemed to be a poison fog everywhere.
It was quite difficult to remove this poison fog in this mountain… However, since the Barrier was already up and running, it shouldn't be that long before it disappears on its own.
Anyway, from his position, he could see the houses with solar panels and other defense structures. None of them were damaged or attacked by Zombies.
However, the outer part was definitely busy as there were a lot of repairs they had to do.
Nonetheless, Shane didn't head to the command building or seek out his younger sister, Diana, who now led this shelter.
Not yet.
Instead, he turned toward the quieter quarter—the Care Quarters with stone buildings…
This was where the elders, the children, and the medically vulnerable had mostly gathered...
As he entered the building, he confirmed that it was filled with Light Orbs from the Flasher Zombies. It was also quite warm with the central stone hearth. Then, with the soft laughter and the quiet conversations of the people, he knew that everyone here was fine and probably just waiting for the Poison Fog to disappear completely.
Children sat in small circles with instructors or older survivors supervising.
Their hands were busy—molding clay, carving wooden tokens, or arranging flat stones into recognizable forms.
Some resembled crude animals, others rough swords or shields. None were particularly ornate or impressive.
But Shane's eyes lit up as he saw two familiar faces among them.
Rylen, with his black hair, was patiently smoothing out the surface of a flat stone with a scrap of sandpaper.
Beside him was Aria, her eyes focused as she shaped a lump of clay into what appeared to be a coin, complete with tiny crest lines.
They didn't notice him at first.
Not until a little girl whispered, "Is that…?" and pointed.
Rylen looked up.
"Big brother!" he called, standing up immediately.
Aria followed, brushing clay from her hands. "He's our Commander!"
She reminded as she also approached Shane.
Shane smiled, kneeling to catch them both in a simple embrace. "I did."
"You're not busy?" Rylen asked, eyes wide.
"Always busy," Shane chuckled, "but never too busy for this."
They walked together toward a nearby bench where several finished items were laid out. There were plenty of items the size of a child's fist.
These items were shaped in a small wooden shield, a stone medallion, coins, leaves, and dozens more.
There were about 800 tokens in total, organized by the items they were made from.
Shane swept his gaze over them, his mind quickly shifting to a deeper purpose.
He extended his hand, and a faint glow shimmered between his fingers as he activated his Talent:
[ Skill Infuser ( Epic ) : Allows the Survivor to infuse any item with one or more of your Skills, depending on the item type and Spirit Points spent. The greater the number and quality of infused skills, the more Spirit Points are required. Failed infusions can destroy the item. Some infusions are time-limited based on material compatibility. ]
This was one of Shane's greatest talents. After all, it was a Talent that doesn't just help him. It also helps all the members of this clan.
With Aura Sentinel, for instance, he could turn even a child's crafted token into a personal safety barrier, granting the wearer minor regeneration, fatigue resistance, and a temporary shield when struck.
Some infused items could be used once, some could be used repeatedly, and some could even be used as long as you have Spirit Points… It all depended on the base material and usage.
Of course, it also means that Shane would spend more Spirit Points if he used his Skill Infuser talent on high-quality targets.
But the utility they offered was invaluable, especially for scouting teams, newer survivors, and even non-combatants who might face danger.
"These…" Shane said as he gestured to the handcrafted items, "are incredible."
Aria tilted her head. "But they're not even shaped right…"
"That doesn't matter," Shane said, ruffling her hair gently. "The form is a focus. What I need are things that could be easily carried and just at the right size so it won't get destroyed once I Infused Skills on them…"
He looked at Rylen. "You knew, didn't you?"
Rylen nodded. "You told us that day, when I asked why we carve things if we're not going to sell them."
Shane chuckled. "You remembered."
Of course, he had.
Now, with nearly 1800 crafted tokens prepared by the children and the non-combatants over the last month, Shane had more than enough to start the next phase of his support efforts.
Each infused token could be used in field missions. He would sort them by type: defensive tokens, scouting tokens, regeneration charms, resistance trinkets, and more.
"I'll begin the infusion tonight," he murmured. "I'll need help organizing them. Rylen, Aria—will you help me sort them by material?"
"Yes!" the two children said in unison.