Chapter 319: Kai’s Shop and the New Faction
Kai felt satisfied with the information he discovered.
Just like that, he made his way through Cameron City, weaving past the bustling streets until something caught his eye... a row of stalls selling sweets. The sight was almost surreal in a world scarred by machines and survival struggles. Curious, he approached one of the vendors.
"How much for a pouch?" Kai asked.
The vendor lifted a small cloth bag. "One C‑Grade Core. That’ll get you twenty sweets."
Kai raised a brow. "And if I just want a few?"
The vendor smirked. "Then I’ll take credits."
"Credits?"
"Right... the ones used in the VR World. I can accept one hundred credits for five candies."
’Credits?’ Kai thought.
It wasn’t strange to see the virtual currency bleeding into real trade, but it wasn’t really acceptable aside from this city or places that play the game.
According to Cornelio, survivors who spent time in Perfect World always wanted to use these credits as a secondary currency, especially for small luxuries due to their convenience.
After all, unlike the cores, they weren’t that hard to carry. You just need to be aware of your game ID and other details, and the payment will be made easily.
Still, Kai wasn’t that wealthy within the game just yet.
So, he handed over a core for a pouch, deciding it was worth it.
The vendor passed him the sweets, neatly wrapped and smelling faintly of sugar.
Soon, Kai reached his shop.
Farrah greeted him warmly, relief evident in her eyes.
It had been quite some time after all.
Xian and Xinyi were there too, looking healthier than before... their faces brighter as well.
"Uncle Kai!"
"Uncle!"
"Ahem... Ok. Now that I think about it. Just call me Boss Kai. I own this shop anyway." Kai corrected them as he couldn’t really view himself as an Uncle just yet.
"Ok. Boss Kai!"
"Boss!"
Kai smiled and pulled out the pouch.
"Here. Something for you two."
The children’s eyes widened as he handed them the sweets.
Xian tore one open eagerly, while Xinyi held hers carefully, savoring the moment before tasting it.
"Sweet!"
"Thank you, Boss Kai!"
Their laughter filled the shop as Farrah also joined and took one for herself.
For a brief moment, the tension of factions, serums, and survival faded.
***
Soon, Kai settled back into the shop as he looked around...
The supplies had dwindled a lot.
’Well... We’re only asking for Cores and not for Credits. That’s probably why there are a lot of people who can purchase here.’
Since most of the shops accept credits only, and it was more convenient, they probably had a lot of energy cores saved up. With the appearance of their store, they were probably just trying to dump all their excess cores on them.
But his mind quickly shifted to more pressing matters.
He turned to Farrah, his tone serious.
"Tell me about Cornelio and Hale. What did they share with you while I was gone?"
Farrah nodded, already expecting the question.
"Cornelio explained the Soul Enhancement Serum. Only the twelve Zodiac Factions have them. To reach Level 40, you need one, but it can only be consumed inside the faction that provides it..."
Just like that, she explained in detail what she had discussed with Cornelio.
She explained how Aries, for example, requires twenty missions to pay for the serum, including one mission per month afterward.
Hale, on the other hand, promised that Libra would send a representative soon.
They’re interested in buying Stimulants and Decoy Emitters in bulk.
"He said that it might be better if we negotiate for something more than just Energy Cores..."
"I see..."
Kai folded his arms, processing the information.
"So both Aries and Libra are helping us..."
Farrah’s expression tightened. "As for that Cancer Faction... Ugh... The shop is drawing too much attention."
"What about the raid?"
"That? Customers mentioned a raid... Let’s see. If I’m not mistaken, factions are preparing to attack a grounded A.I. Ship. It crashed not far from here. They say it holds advanced weapons, rare cores, maybe even rare serums."
Kai’s eyes narrowed.
"So it’s true... A raid on an A.I. Ship... That could be an opportunity. But I won’t rush into binding myself to a faction yet. I won’t take the Soul Enhancement Serum, not until I’m certain of something."
Farrah agreed quietly. "That’s wise. Once you accept, you’re tied to their politics."
Kai shifted the topic. "Supplies first. Hale asked for Gene Stimulants and Decoy Emitters. We’ll resupply those, along with other essentials. That will keep Libra interested... As for the negotiation, I’ll let you handle their representative. Just ask for something that only the Libra Faction can provide. I trust you."
Then he paused for a moment...
"But what about the raid? Can we join?"
Farrah hesitated, then nodded. "It’s not impossible. I can contact Resha. She’s with the Pisces Faction."
"Pisces?" Kai asked, unfamiliar with their presence here.
Farrah explained, "Their presence in Cameron City is weak. This isn’t their main base. They only have about fifty members here. Their small team can’t field many participants in the raid, so they usually hire mercenaries to fill the numbers."
Kai considered this.
"That might work. If they’re hiring, we can join without binding ourselves politically. It’s a way in."
***
It didn’t take that before Farrah was able to contact Resha, and soon Kai was invited to meet the shop’s customer.
The Pisces Faction’s base was located in a quieter district of Cameron City. Unlike Aries’ bustling streets or Cancer’s intimidating area, Pisces kept things modest.
The building was definitely high quality but unassuming. With the banners bearing the symbol of two interlocked fish, Kai knew that he was in the right place.
Guards at the entrance were few, but disciplined.
Inside, Kai was led to a meeting hall where Resha awaited.
She was tall, with long blue hair, sharp eyes, and a calm demeanor, dressed in light armor marked with Pisces insignia.
’Blue hair... Maybe Xian and Xinyi are related to them?’ Kai mused.
"You must be Kai," she said. "Farrah spoke of you. The shopkeeper with rare goods..."
Kai inclined his head. "That’s me. I heard you’re preparing for the raid on the grounded A.I. Ship."
Resha nodded. "Yes. We will be in the second batch... Our numbers here are limited. Pisces is strong elsewhere, but in Cameron City..."
She paused at this and looked at Kai calmly before she continued.
"We can’t compete with Aries or Cancer directly. So we hire mercenaries, freelancers, anyone capable. If you’re willing, we’ll take you and your team."
Kai’s tone was measured. "What’s the cost?"
Resha smiled faintly. "No cost. You fight and you share 20% of the spoils. Whatever we recover, we divide properly among participants. But understand that the raid will be dangerous. We just need to see how good you are. We can try to protect each other but we need to understand how good you are. The A.I. Ship still has hundreds of automated defenses. And other factions will be there. Conflict is inevitable."
Kai’s eyes gleamed. "That’s fine. I’m not afraid of danger. What matters is the opportunity. You can test my strength all you want."
Resha led Kai through the Pisces base until they reached a wide training ground.
The floor was reinforced steel, scarred with marks from countless duels.
At the center stood a man who immediately drew Kai’s attention... He was nearly two meters tall, broad‑shouldered, with a physique carved from years of combat.
His face was strikingly handsome, but his eyes were unsettling... no whites at all, just complete black orbs that gave him the appearance of a possessed demon.
’Seriously... Am I going to fight a human?’
The man turned to Kai and smiled.
"So, you’re the one Farrah spoke of... Name’s Jackson... I’ll be the one testing you. Don’t worry, I’ll hold back."
Kai took a deep breath and nodded. "I’ll do my best."
Jackson’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Yes. Don’t misunderstand. I’m not underestimating you. I know you’re below Level 40... I already reached Level 61, so I have to be careful. Still, I need to see your Gene Skills in action. If you’re going to march with Pisces, we need proof you can hold your own."
He stepped forward, his aura pressing down like a heavy weight.
Then, Jackson continued...
"My Gene Skills are mainly for my physical skills... But I have these Void Eyes that I won’t be using so you should not die."
’Void Eyes... That looks cool. But it’s scary. If I learned that, I wonder if I can retain my normal eyes.’ He mused.
In any case, he knew that Jackson wasn’t boasting...
Jackson then planted his feet firmly on the ground.
"Show me yours. Use everything you’ve got. Gene Skills are allowed. If you can withstand me, then you’re ready for the raid."
Soon, the training ground fell silent as Kai flexed his fingers...
"Can I use my Gene Weapons?" Kai asked.
"Of course..." Jackson replied as he signaled for Kai to come.
"Well then..." Kai said as he retrieved his War Lance!
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