Kai checked the item once again...

[ Gene Weapon Awakened: Strength Gauntlet ]

[ Grade: Mid ]

[ Type: Resonance Gauntlet ]

[ Effects: +25% Physique Enhancement. Greatly increases grip strength, striking force, and melee damage output. ]

[ Secondary Effect: Brutal Impact - next melee strike deals +50% bonus damage and and knocks enemies backward.

Cooldown: 3 seconds.

Energy Cost: 10 Spirit Energy per activation ]

[ Durability: 100/100 ]

It didn’t have any hidden attributes that required a high-grade Appraisal to be seen, but nonetheless, Kai really liked it. After all, the cooldown of the Brutal Impact was only 3 seconds, and the activation was cheap, only 10 Spirit Energy Points.

Just like that, Kai returned to New Haven‑45 Shelter without purchasing anything more from the Gene Trader.

The cube on his arm had already reshaped into the Strength Gauntlet, and he wanted to see how it performed in real combat.

***

As soon as he returned, he confirmed that the shelter was busy as always. Survivors moved supplies, repaired defenses, and reinforced walls.

Kai’s first stop was the Barrier Generator. He needed to confirm its progress.

The device sat in the center of the workshop, surrounded by cables and various items.

It was still inactive.

But still, he realized that Victor and the others had managed to repair the Artillery Cannon. The only concern was the fact that they lacked proper ammunition.

For now, the cannons were loaded with stone rounds... They were crude, but better than nothing.

Kai frowned. "I guess Silas has to visit this place soon..." he muttered. "At least the artillery is back online."

He turned away, scanning the yard.

That was when he spotted Alfie, sleeves rolled up, hauling heavy beams to reinforce the outer wall.

He looked really capable as he worked on the walls. Perhaps, the aura of his Gladiator Talent was affecting him...

Kai then had an idea as he approached the guy. "Alfie. You’re still working on the wall?"

Alfie dropped the beam into place and wiped sweat from his forehead.

"Yeah. Barrier Generator isn’t ready... these walls are all we’ve got. We need to get more C-Grade Energy Cores.

Kai nodded. "We need to hunt then... But I came here for another reason. I want to test my gauntlet."

Alfie raised an eyebrow. "Gene Weapon?"

Kai lifted his arm, showing the slim gauntlet of dark alloy. "Strength Gauntlet. Mid‑Grade. I just got it."

Alfie’s eyes widened slightly. "So you finally got another one. Impressive. I’ve been waiting to see what you’d pull from the Trader."

Kai tilted his head. "And you? Still fighting with that sword or axe?"

Alfie smirked. "Not exactly..."

Then, he reached behind him and pulled out a weapon out of nowhere. It was a massive axe. It was not the one being used to cut wood... It was a battleaxe!

Its blade was crimson and looked really heavy!

Indeed, it was his own Gene Weapon!

"This is a Crimson Battleaxe! A mid-grade Gene Weapon!

[ Crimson Battleaxe ]

[ Grade: Mid ]

[ Type: Heavy Weapon ]

[ Effects: +30% Strength Enhancement. Attacks deal cleaving damage in a wide arc. ]

[ Secondary Effect: Blood Rend - strike causes bleeding damage over time.

Cooldown: 10 seconds.

Energy Cost: 12 Spirit Energy per activation ]

[ Durability: 100/100 ]

Kai’s eyes narrowed. "Crimson Battleaxe... That suits you."

Alfie grinned. "It’s heavy, but with my Talent, it feels natural. I’ve been itching to test it properly. Well, it works well against humans, but definitely not what I’ll use against Sentinels... Still, it looks awesome."

Kai laughed at this and raised his gauntlet. "Then let’s spar. I want to see how this gauntlet holds up against your axe."

Alfie’s grin widened. "Finally. I was hoping you’d say that."

They moved to the training yard, a cleared space near the shelter’s perimeter.

Survivors paused their work, curious to see the two fighters.

Word spread quickly... Kai, the Guild Leader, was about to spar with Alfie, the Gladiator.

Kai flexed his gauntlet.

This time, he didn’t plan to use other weapons... Since this was a battle aiming to use their Gene Weapons, they would have maximize its usage.

Alfie rested the Crimson Battleaxe on his shoulder. "Rules?"

Kai thought for a moment. "No killing blows. No Gene Skills beyond weapon activation. Just weapon against weapon. Of course, your passive Gene Skills are all just fine."

If Kai allowed the usage of Active Gene Skill, he’d be able to win easily.

After all, his Spirit Pulse and Specter Step, were already Level 5, and their effects weren’t something he could ignore.

Alfie nodded. "Fair enough. How about this... First to land three decisive hits wins."

Kai raised his gauntlet. "Agreed."

Well, they do not have to heavily injure each other during sparring. Just seeing their moves and the limits of their new Gene Weapons should be more than enough.

Just like that, the sparring began.

Alfie charged first, swinging the Crimson Battleaxe in a vertical slash...

Whoosh~

The weapon whistled through the air as it was heavy and fast.

Kai stepped back, raising his gauntlet to block.

Bang!

The impact rang out, metal against alloy.

Thanks to his Bronze Skin, Kai was able to endure it...

Furthermore, the gauntlet held firm and absorbed the force really well.

Kai countered immediately.

He activated Brutal Impact for 10 Spirit Points! 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

With the bonus damage, he felt really confident!

His fist shot forward, slamming into Alfie’s chest.

Bang!

The Gladiator staggered back a few steps, as the force drove him off balance. The crowd murmured in surprise.

However, they immediately recalled who he was...

The Gladiator!

Among all the Survivors around, his Strength and Endurance weren’t something they could easily match!

Alfie grinned. "Not bad. That gauntlet packs a punch."

He swung again, this time, he was aiming low.

Kai dodged, rolling to the side, then struck Alfie’s arm with another gauntlet blow.

The alloy connected solidly, but Alfie’s Talent absorbed much of the damage...

"What the..." Kai was shocked. After all, he used all of his strength just now...

He didn’t expect that his Gauntlet wouldn’t be able to knock Alfie down!

However, at this time, Alfie was actually impressed! His Passive Skill called Last Stand, was just triggered!