"Sorry... Did I hear it right?" Farrah asked as she replayed Kai’s words in her mind.
’We need to pay for the al and the right to eat here every day? And that’s one Survivor dal for , and three of my companions, so we can have three als a day for two weeks... What the--"
The words hit them like a hamr.
One of the six nearly spat out the last mouthful of noodles. Another froze, spoon halfway to his lips.
The group exchanged nervous glances, their faces pale.
"Wait... Are you serious?" Alfie asked with a trembling voice.
He was certainly willing to work for Kai, but the Survivor dals were just too precious.
Farrah also frowned as she set her bowl down, staring at Kai.
"I don’t think we can pay that much. We need dals to buy from the Gene Trader too. We have to get stronger if we want to contribute more to your shelter."
Alfie nodded and added, "Kai... Survivor dals are too precious."
He didn’t say it, but Farrah only had seven, while he got six.
They were already lucky to have that many. At best, it ans they could survive here for a few months if they’re careful.
The six residents of Haven‑62 looked even more disturbed.
One of them shook his head slowly. "We don’t even have access to Survivor dals. We’re not... foreign survivors like you two. We’re people of this land. How can we contribute?"
The silence that followed was quite awkward.
However, Kai smiled at them after a few monts. He had expected this much.
"I know," he said calmly. "I was only teasing you."
The group blinked, stunned.
Kai chuckled and leaned back against the wall...
"At this early stage of the Apocalypse, Survivor dals are far too precious. I wouldn’t waste them on als. Instead, here’s what I expect... you’ll hand over every Energy Core you find. Furthermore, you’ll join us in raids and battles against the A.I. Army. That’s the real reasonable price of survival here..."
Although Kai wasn’t finished speaking, relief had already washed over the group.
Well, fighting the A.I. Army was no small feat. Still, compared to losing their dals, it sounded almost generous, considering the fact that they were planning to defeat the A.I. Army in the first place.
Kai then continued...
"In return, you’ll eat once a day, plus a snack or light al in the evening. That’s the standard ratio. For this much security, and the facilities you’ve seen here, it’s more than fair."
The six exchanged glances, then nodded quickly. "Yes... of course," one said. "That’s more than enough."
Another added, "We agree. Resources aren’t free. We understand."
Farrah exhaled slowly and finally relaxed her shoulders. "That’s... reasonable. Thank you, Kai."
Of course, Kai wasn’t done yet.
"But you have to rember that if the shelter’s condition improves... if the generator starts working, if more people arrive, if expenses start growing, then I will make it official. The Survivor dal will be collected every month. That’s how we’ll sustain this place long‑term."
The group nodded again, so more reluctantly than others, but none dared argue.
Kai smiled at their reaction and nodded.
"Of course, if you donate Survivor dals to , you’ll receive resources in return. Supplies, tools, maybe even so enhancents. Donations will be rewarded."
That last part sparked interest.
Alfie wanted to clarify this...
"Donations? You an... if we give you dals, we can get things back other than the right to live here and eat free food?"
Kai nodded. "Exactly. Survivor dals will beco the most trusted currency. If you trust with them, I’ll make sure you get sothing worthwhile."
Alfie rubbed his chin and nodded slowly. "It’s... fair. As long as we know what we’re getting."
Farrah paused for a mont as she considered what things she might actually need.
"So... if we donate Survivor dals, what exactly can we get?"
Kai expected the question, but he had to be careful. He couldn’t overpromise them...
Furthermore, no one could know about his Infinite Gift Pack Talent.
Still, he could reveal just enough to spark their interest.
"Think of it as a set of items I can give you sothing similar to the Gift Packs that you encounter at the start of the Apocalypse," Kai said roughly. "Food like canned goods, instant noodles, granola bars, and mayonnaise. I can also supply you with revolvers together with its ammunition, smoke grenades, small tents, sleeping bags, folding bicycles, camouflage suits, and hatchets. Even dical kits..."
The room went quiet. The newcors exchanged stunned glances. For people who had lived on scraps and mushrooms, the idea of structured supplies sounded almost too good to be true.
Alfie liked this a lot as he imdiately spoke.
"Let’s say I donate one Survivor dal. Can you give ... a revolver with thirty rounds of ammunition or maybe even more? Plus a free sleeping bag, a folding bicycle, and a camouflage suit?"
The others went silent as they also wanted to know Kai’s limit with this trade.
Farrah also waited, as no one could really tell her how valuable a dal was. She had never seen the Gene Trader or what they could offer her.
Kai studied Alfie for a mont, then nodded slowly.
"Yes. I can give you that. And that’s not even enough... I will add more."
Alfie blinked. "More?"
Kai smiled as he began negotiating...
Well, he planned to be fair on this transaction since he had t the Gene Trader before.
For that person, one Survivor dal could be exchanged for a Rapid Recovery Pill.
That particular pill was certainly precious, and if he would make a trade for that, he would be generous.
"Yes... If you’re willing to trust with it, I’ll make sure you get more than just the basics. A revolver with thirty rounds is doable... A sleeping bag, a folding bicycle with a helt, and a camouflage suit are also fine. But I’ll also throw in two smoke grenades, a firestarter, a flashlight with extra batteries, and a pocket knife." Kai said as he looked at the stunned group.
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