Chapter 311: The Cube and the Mutants
"Not yet... just Level 39," Kai replied. He had consumed his remaining Gene Enhancement Serums to forcefully raise his level.
This was only possible because his Bio‑Adaptive Constitution had now reached Level 9, allowing him to absorb more serum without suffering backlash.
Normally, consuming Gene Enhancement Serum had strict limits. There was always a small chance of mutation since the gene was being forcefully upgraded. However, thanks to his advanced constitution, the backlash was no longer a concern.
The only limitation was how many vials his body could handle.
Previously, Kai had to wait thirty days before consuming another dose. As his constitution improved, that waiting period shortened... first to twenty days, then fifteen, and eventually just one day.
Now, with his Level 9 constitution, he could safely consume up to ten vials of a single type of Gene Enhancement Serum.
Because of this, he had used all his remaining stock of Prime Gene Enhancement Serum.
Unlike the other variants, Prime Enhancement focused on strengthening the physique, with only a small chance of unlocking new Gene Skills.
Yet by consuming so many at once, Kai had gotten lucky... he obtained a few new skills.
"No wonder your eyes look like they’re glowing. You’ve just completed your enhancement," Sera commented as she studied his face.
She also noticed how Kai’s features seemed better, and his presence seemed more intimidating despite not doing anything.
The enhancements had not only elevated his abilities but had subtly refined his appearance as well.
***
Soon, Kai learned about the advancements of the others.
Amer’s Silent Dash and Tomas’s stealth‑oriented skills were impressive, and together they could do something greater.
"Right... That’s possible."
At this time, Kai realized he could confidently build a proper scout or assassin team.
Mei, with her talent Living Camouflage, was the natural choice to lead.
She had already proven herself capable of blending into environments and moving unseen, and now she would have a squad worthy of her skill.
Russel and Augustine, the two original scouts, had long been the backbone of reconnaissance. Their Gene Skills were already specialized for survival and infiltration, and with Amer and Tomas joining them, Mei’s team would finally have depth and versatility.
Kai knew that he could trust them with their skills. Perhaps, they just need to level up a few more times.
With the supplies they had stockpiled, Advanced Camouflage Gear, thermal detection goggles, portable disruptor field units, flashbang grenades, decoy emitter devices, and sensor‑disrupting smoke grenades, the team would be more than just scouts.
They could function as assassins, saboteurs, or infiltration specialists.
Still, Kai knew defense had to remain the priority.
He turned the discussion toward the possible threat of the Digger Units.
These units could literally destroy a shelter.
Furthermore, according to the World Chat, these machines had destroyed countless shelters by tunneling beneath defenses. They had already experienced them once, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they attacked once more.
To counter them, Kai had purchased miniature pulse bombs designed to disrupt underground machinery.
Thankfully, the other survivors had also invested their reputation points wisely, and together they had acquired over a hundred of the devices.
Installation had already begun.
The bombs were buried in layers across the outskirts of the shelter, forming a deadly minefield beneath the soil.
If the Diggers tried to breach their shelter, they would be shredded before surfacing. And if any managed to push through, Kai had ensured that disruptor field units were stationed inside the shelter itself.
With those, the defenders could scramble the machines’ coordination, making them easier to destroy.
"There’s no issue installing them so far. Several Survivors on our side had good hands. There’s no accident." Sera reported.
"That’s good to hear."
Then, as Kai was considering his next move, Althea arrived.
Kai had been planning to go out and train his new Gene Skills, but her sudden appearance shifted his focus.
This time, Althea wasn’t here to deliver news.
She carried something in her hands... It was a cube with restrained energy.
Kai’s eyes widened. "Wait... is that—"
"Yes," Althea interrupted, her voice steady. "A Gene Weapon."
. Kai reached out instinctively, but stopped short.
Gene Weapons were rare, powerful artifacts that bonded directly with the user’s genes.
They weren’t just tools... they would become extensions of the body, capable of unlocking devastating abilities.
"Where did you find it?" Kai asked.
Althea’s answer came without hesitation. "It wasn’t found in the ruins or scavenged from traders. It was in our deepwell. The cube got caught when we were retrieving water."
Kai blinked in surprise.
A Gene Weapon surfacing from something as mundane as a water source was unusual.
Althea continued, "It was Emiru who discovered it. Vera’s assistant. She said the cube gave off a strange resonance while she was drawing water."
Kai recalled Emiru clearly.
She has that passive Gene Skill, Herbal Sense. She was only Level 5 back in Bluegrass Shelter, more of an apprentice alchemist than a fighter.
Her skill was useful for identifying herbs and toxins, but she wasn’t someone who could wield a Gene Weapon effectively.
Kai knew immediately that it would be better in the hands of a fighter. Still, Emiru had contributed something invaluable.
"She deserves a reward," Kai said firmly. He turned to Sera. "Guide her into the vault tomorrow. She can take any three items she wants."
Sera raised an eyebrow. "Three? That’s generous."
Kai nodded. "I wanted to give more, but there are Skill Fusion Crystals and small vials of Gene Enhancement Serum stored there. She might use all the chances for the vials. Those are too critical to hand out freely."
"Haha... Got it." Sera chuckled as she imagined that it could happen.
With that settled, Kai appraised the cube himself. The panel confirmed his suspicion... it was only low‑grade. His interest waned immediately.
For someone at his level, it wasn’t worth binding.
"As for who should have it..." Kai looked at Althea and Sera. "What do you think? Should we store it and trade it later for something more precious? Or give it to someone who could benefit now, so they can become useful against the A.I. Army?"
The three of them weighed the options carefully...
But before they could reach a conclusion, a shout echoed from outside.
"We’re surrounded! Around sixty mutants on sight!"
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