"Ohh... Are you going to use that instead of destroying it? But are you not worried? What if it’s controlled by an A.I.? It will not self-destruct, is it?" i asked as she looked at the large artillery weapon.
The Plasma Rifles and other small weapons taken from them may not have issues, but this one, which was so large, could beco a liability if they weren’t careful.
Kai turned back to i. "Ahh... Don’t worry about it. I already checked. This one is just a pure weapon. I guess they didn’t even consider their precious weapon to be stolen like this... or maybe this is just an older model made by A.I. Aria."
i nodded slowly. "Got it... I guess you have so kind of Observation Skill, huh..."
Kai chuckled and gently nodded. Well, he had Keen Sense and Fast Appraisal Skills!!
Even with just these two Skills, he’d be able to analyze materials a lot faster.
"Alright... Let’s return. I’m sure you’re already tired." Kai said as he invited i to the shelter.
"Yes!"
i’s eyes were filled with joy. After being alone in the apocalypse for more than a month, she was finally here with soone she knew!
Kai had no idea that i had gone through.
She had suffered a lot in her journey despite her successful solo leveling. Furthermore, she had actually visited more than 30 Haven Shelters already!
’Thank you, lord. I didn’t give up...’ i thought as she really wanted to give up a few days ago.
After all, she had no idea how big this world was... She was already thinking of finding a nice settlent and living there permanently.
"Senior Kai... I’ll follow your lead. Just like before."
Kai shook his head gently.
"No, i... It’s different now. Back then, you relied on . But here, in this world, I know you’ve already beco independent. With your unique Talent and skills, I might have to rely on you this ti."
i’s eyes softened, and without hesitation, she nodded. "Senior Kai... if that’s what you need, I’ll be there. Just like before."
Soon, they left the team scavenging parts from the enemies they had just defeated.
Kai led i toward the shelter.
As soon as she stepped inside, i froze. Her eyes widened in shock.
Dozens of unmoving Sentinels stood like statues! She hadn’t noticed these things from afar!
"W‑what... Senior Kai, why are they here?!" she gasped, instinctively reaching for her weapon.
Kai raised a hand calmly.
"Relax. They’re drained. No power left in them. I keep them here for intimidation. When outsiders see this, they think twice before attacking us."
i blinked, still unsettled at the sight of nurous Sentines, but she slowly lowered her hand. "You... even use broken Sentinels as a deterrent. That’s... clever."
But her surprise didn’t end there. Kai guided her further inside, toward the kitchen.
Ar, the part‑ti kitchen helper, was already busy preparing sothing. Kai reached into his inventory and opened a pack!
[ Food Gift Pack (Enhanced)
Contents: vacuum‑sealed rations, canned goods, dried fruits and nuts, instant soup packs, coffee sachets, and portable cooking stove with fuel canisters. ]
i’s eyes widened again. "Gift Packs... you can just summon them?"
Kai smiled faintly. "There’s a limit... Anyway, the vacuum‑sealed rations are basically MREs, but the flavor’s decent. Ar knows how to make them better, add leaves, spices, whatever we can scavenge or grow in the garden."
Ar grinned as he opened the pack. "Don’t worry, Miss... You’ll eat well tonight."
Soon, the aroma of cooked rations filled the room.
The survivors gathered, and when the food was served, i tasted it carefully. Her eyes lit up.
"This... this is actually good!" she said, almost laughing.
"After weeks of chewing dried roots and stale bread, this feels like a feast!"
Kai chuckled. "It’s not much, but it keeps us alive."
He knew at the very least that i hadn’t been eating proper food over the past month. Even if she still looked beautiful, he could tell that it hadn’t been easy for her.
After the al, Kai finally felt relaxed and asked, "Do you have a weapon?"
i nodded. "Right now, I only keep a sword and a hamr. Both are in my inventory. I rarely use them unless I have to. As for guns... it’s been a long ti since I ran out of bullets."
Kai’s smile deepened. "That won’t be a problem anymore. With my ability, I can provide many Gift Packs. That ans you’ll not ran out of bullets, too. But..." he paused, his tone then turned serious, "...I have to be careful about how I use it."
i tilted her head. "Careful?"
Kai nodded. "If you have a Survivor dal, I can give you so Gift Packs of your choice... Weapon, Food, Shelter, and more. As many as you need. But we can’t let others know too much about this. It’s our edge."
i smiled. "Senior Kai... you really haven’t changed. I have spare Survivor dals here with . I want so Weapons Gift Pack..."
"Ohhh... Sur! But let’s do the trade later... For now, I want you to look around. You need to learn more about this place."
i nodded firmly, her eyes gleaming with trust.
Then, as if rembering sothing important, she looked at her Talent and inford Kai about it.
[ Living Camouflage (Epic): You can conceal yourself by blending seamlessly into your surroundings. This Talent suppresses sound, heat, and movent signatures, making you undetectable to ordinary vision and sensor scans. Activation lasts for one hour if you remain still, or 30 seconds while moving, and costs 30 Spirit Points. The effect imdiately ends if you attack, create a loud noise, or are struck directly. ]
It was her final way of showing trust in him!
Kai listened carefully and nodded. "That’s... incredible. No wonder you survived alone for so long. With that, you can move through enemy territory like a ghost."
i smiled faintly. "It kept alive, Senior Kai..."
Kai nodded. "Then we’ll rely on each other. This ti, it won’t just be protecting you. You’ll be protecting all of us too."
i nodded with a laugh. "Haha... I’ll do my best."
***
Soon, the night fell over the shelter. The scavenging team returned with parts and weapons, and the survivors settled into their routines.
Kai also retired to his room, finally allowing himself a mont of rest. He would continue his hunt tomorrow...
But then, the quiet room was broken by a soft knock.
"Kai..." i’s voice ca from the other side.
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