Global Awakening: Infinite Gift Pack System

Chapter 299: Second Day

Althea’s gaze swept across the shelter’s main gate, where the five modified Sentinels, X‑02 through X‑06, stood like towering guardians. Their eyes glowed faintly, scanning the horizon without any miss...

Each of them carried plasma rifles slung across their armored frames, ready to unleash devastating firepower should the enemy approach.

From the walls, Augustine’s voice rang out as he was already commanding the defenders... "Adjust the artillery! Aim higher... toward the sky!"

Defenders scrambled, rotating the heavy cannons upward.

The angle looked absurd, as if their shells could reach the massive structures floating far above. Yet Augustine’s tone left no room for doubt.

"Better to be prepared!" he shouted. "If those things descend, we’ll meet them head‑on!"

Althea clenched her fist, as she also looked at the crimson sky. The sight of the huge flying machine filled her with dread, but she forced herself to remain steady. The shelter needed her calm more than her fear.

Meanwhile, Amer paced near the parking area as frustration etched across his face. He had planned to borrow a motorbike and return to Freedom Shelter... they needed a cook, and without him, meals would be chaos. But the sudden lockdown had trapped him here.

Before he could argue with the guards, the alarm blared.

Whum~ Whum~ Whum~

Red lights flashed across the compound, and soon, they heard Althea’s voice...

"A.I. Army detected. Prepare for combat."

The ground shook as beams of energy slammed against the shelter’s barrier.

Thud! Thud!

The advanced generator had swiftly activated, protecting everyone!

[ Advanced Barrier System Generator ]

[ Description: A large, system‑driven defensive device designed to project a semi‑permanent energy barrier around shelters or fortifications. Once activated, the generator creates a dome‑like shield capable of absorbing and dispersing incoming attacks. The barrier adapts dynamically to the type of attack, redistributing energy across its surface to minimize localized breaches. ]

[ Core Requirements:

50 C‑Grade Energy Cores. 5 B‑Grade Energy Cores ]

[ Operational Notes:

- Once activated, the generator consumes cores steadily, draining them over time. Replacement or recharge is required after extended use.

- The generator is immobile once installed, requiring a Tyrant Furnace or equivalent heavy machinery to forge and assemble its core stabilizer components.

- Items built directly by the blueprint holder retain system effects.

Special Effect:

- Adaptive Shielding Mode: The barrier automatically shifts its energy density to counter the most frequent type of incoming attack (ballistic, energy, or explosive).

- Failsafe Collapse: If the generator runs out of cores, the barrier will disperse its remaining energy outward in a shockwave, damaging nearby enemies before shutting down. ]

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Sparks rippled across its surface as the attacks intensified.

Althea’s eyes widened as she saw the culprit... "Spyder Units..."

She counted quickly... a dozen of them, scuttling across the wasteland. Their spider‑like bodies were steady while the humanoid torsos mounted on their frames carried heavy rifles.

Behind them marched Sentinels armed with swords, their weapons was a reminder of the A.I. Army’s endless variations.

"Prepare for war!" Althea shouted, her voice carrying across the walls.

The defenders responded instantly.

Soon, the artillery thundered, firing into the advancing machines!

Boom!

Explosions lit the night sky, forcing the Spyders to scatter and slowing the Sentinels’ advance.

The battle had begun.

***

In the meantime, while explosions thundered across New Haven‑45, the Auction Realm was calm, its second day had finally started, and a new event was in place.

[ Day 2 – Exclusive Auction Event. Only survivors with 300 or more Survivor Medals remaining after Day 1 will qualify. ]

Soon, Kai found himself inside a smaller hall compared to the Grand Arena.

Instead of tens of thousands, only two hundred or so survivors filled the chamber. Each one wore a cloak... not by choice, but by decree. The organizers had distributed them at the entrance, ensuring anonymity.

The atmosphere was tense.

Soon, a figure appeared on stage. He was cloaked as well, though his posture told them his age. It was an old man this time, instead of a beautiful woman...

"Welcome," he began.

"This auction is unlike yesterday’s. Today, we trade not in weapons, nor in serums, nor in enhancements. Today, we trade in people."

The hall fell silent. Even Kai stiffened beneath his visor.

"Of course, these are not mindless creatures," the old man continued.

"They are mutated humans. Some of them may be failed experiments, discarded soldiers, and rare anomalies, but they were all sane. Some are dangerous, others useful. All are valuable."

The first item was brought forward immediately...

A shackled man appeared with his body covered in patches of fur.

His eyes glowed faintly like those of a canine, and his teeth were sharp. He looked like a failed werewolf, a mutation that had never reached completion.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Lot One," the old man announced. "Male, hybrid mutation. Strong physique, heightened senses. Starting bid... 200 Survivor Medals."

Hands rose immediately...

Soon, voices called out numbers as they raised their numbers...

"220!"

"240!"

"260!"

Kai watched silently as the bidding climbed.

He wasn’t really interested in this failed werewolf.

Because of that, the hammer soon fell.

"Sold. 310 Survivor Medals."

The mutated man was dragged away, his fate sealed.

Kai exhaled slowly. He already had hundreds of survivors under his care.

He didn’t need more mouths to feed, more risks to manage.

After all, he couldn’t control the loyalty of these people. It might just cause some problems within their shelter.

But the sight unsettled him. This auction event wasn’t about survival... it was about ownership.

The second and third lots passed quickly... a woman with crystalline skin, a child with elongated limbs. Each sold for staggering amounts.

Then came the fourth.

Four massive men were led onto the stage, their chains rattling.

They were taller than most survivors, their muscles enhanced beyond natural limits. Their eyes burned with defiance, yet their movements were restrained.

"Lot Four," the old man declared. "Super Soldiers. They are sold in a bundle since they were all poisoned... They are loyal beings, but unfortunately, they could only live for 30 more days unless they’re cured..."

Kai’s visor gleamed as he studied them.

Without a doubt, the other Survivors didn’t bother them because they’d just be a waste of medals if they just died in a month.

However, Kai had a different idea....