[ Congratulations! Monthly Rankings Concluded! ]

[ Survivor Leaderboard - Cycle 2 Complete ]

[ Requirement: Level 10+ ]

[ All calculations finalized. Rewards are now being distributed. ]

[ Congratulations, Survivor Kai! ]

[ You have achieved Rank 1 in the Monthly Leaderboard. ]

[ Special Rewards have been granted. ]

"Whoa... Another month had passed, huh..." Kai muttered as he didn’t expect to still be the rank 1 even after being stuck at Level 30.

’I guess it’s because I’m the first to reach Level 30...’

At this time, there were already several survivors who had reached Level 30. Even Claire herself was already Level 30 like him after the last Global Event.

It wouldn’t be surprising if he checked the Guild Leaderboard now and found other Guilds around.

However, the reason he and many others were stuck at this level was due to the huge requirement of absorbing 10 B-Grade Energy Cores, getting 5 Gene Skills at Level 5, and lastly, binding 3 Gene Weapons!

’Let’s see what rewards I will get this time...’

Kai mused as he recalled that he got the title Strongest One before basically increasing his base attributes. It was only an additional 5%, but that was a huge deal at this early stage.

There was also the Talent Upgrade Crystal, the Supply Crate, and the Gene Skill Crystal that he could use or even sell if he wanted to...

[ Rank 1 Special Rewards ]

[ Title Enhancement: Strongest One

Effect: Increases all base attributes (Strength, Agility, Endurance, Perception) by +10%. Grants passive intimidation effect against lower-level human enemies. ]

"Ahhh..."

Kai clenched his fist as he felt the surge of power through his body.

"Ten percent... That’s double the boost from before."

The intimidation effect was also always welcome and he couldn’t help but feel curious how intimidation really works.

In any case, he only knew how lower‑ranked survivors would hesitate under his presence, but other than that, he wasn’t really sure.

Anyway, his gaze shifted to the next reward. This time, he really froze as he didn’t expect something like this to appear.

[ Item Acquired: Skill Fusion Crystal x1

Effect: Allows fusion of two or more existing Gene Skills into a new hybrid skill. Higher compatibility between fused skills produces stronger results. Single‑use, bound to the player. ]

"Fusion...?" He muttered, almost disbelieving.

’If I fuse two Gene Skills... what kind of hybrid could I create?’ He thought of his Bronze Skin, his Spirit Pulse, and all other skills... The possibilities were huge. However, he had to consider finding compatible skills to fuse to get a better result.

"This is incredible..." Kai muttered.

He then exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm.

"But it’s single‑use. I can’t waste it. I’ll need to study compatibility or synergy, and choose carefully. The wrong fusion could ruin everything."

Then, after checking the rest of the rewards, he confirmed that they were all just quite normal.

[ Reputation Points +20 ]

[ Note: Reputation Store will activate upon reaching Level 31. Reputation Points can be exchanged for rare items, unique skills, or certain privileges. Current Balance: 190 Points. ]

[ Bonus Reward: ]

[ Survival Supply Crate (x5)

Contents: Randomized consumables, weapon parts, and enhancement materials.

Guaranteed: 1 Rare Weapon Component and 1 Advanced Healing Serum. ]

[ Specialized Gene Skill Crystal (High‑Grade) x1 ]

[ Prototype Gene Weapon Core x1

Effect: Can be bound to a Gene Weapon to unlock hidden attributes or evolve it into a higher tier. ]

[ Leaderboard Summary - Cycle 2 ]

Rank 1: Kai - Level 30

Rank 2: Mei - Level 30

Rank 3: Renji - Level 30

Top 20 Survivors have received Basic Rewards.

[ Reminder: Cycle 3 begins immediately. Rankings reset. ]

[ Next distribution in 30 days. ]

***

Kai was so excited to open his rewards. But for now, he went into the warehouse and opened one of the crates!

[ Do you want to open a Survival Supply Crate? ]

"Yes..."

Just like that, the faint glow of the System appeared as the contents materialized...

There were weapon components, enhancement materials, and a neatly sealed vial of Advanced Healing Serum.

[ Survival Supply Crate Opened!

You have received

Plasma Power Cell x1, Advanced Recovery Serum x1, Dried Meat Pack x10, Bottled Water x10

First Aid Kit x1, Portable Cooking Pot x1, Rice Sack (5kg) x1 ]

He smirked. "Not bad... everything here is useful."

Satisfied, he opened the remaining four crates one by one.

[ Survival Supply Crate Opened!

You have received

Plasma Power Cell x1, Advanced Recovery Serum x1, Soap & Disinfectant Pack x3, Bottled Water x10, Portable Lantern x1, First Aid Kit x1, Dried Fish Pack x5, Sewing Kit x2 ]

As expected, each crate had randomized items except for the guaranteed component of a rare weapon and the recovery serum.

’Still... I’m lucky to get two power cells in a row...’

After taking them all out in the warehouse, Althea arrived soon after...

She inspected the crates and smiled. "I’ll arrange them later..."

Kai gave her a brief nod. "Good..."

As he took the serums and a few items from the crates, he finally left the warehouse. But just outside the building, he noticed Wallace, Victor, and several others arriving.

They were already discussing the crates they were about to open. Well, they were also planning how to unload and catalog the crates for distribution.

Kai didn’t linger... he trusted them to handle the details.

Back in his room, Kai sat down and pulled out the Specialized Gene Skill Crystal (High Grade). The faint pulse of energy inside the crystal was mesmerizing, like a living flame trapped in glass.

He held it tightly while closing his eyes.

"Alright... let’s see what you’ve got for me."

Soon, he received the activation confirmation, and after agreeing to it, the System responded immediately...

[ Specialized Gene Skill Crystal Activated ]

[ Searching for compatible Gene Skill pathways... ]

[ Randomized outcome based on current affinity and talent resonance. ]

Kai exhaled, almost like a prayer. "Give me something good..."

Soon, the crystal dissolved into pure light, flooding his body with warmth.

Just like that, the System gave him a new skill!

’Please be an Active Gene Skill... No more Passive please! Active Skills are the best!’

[ New Gene Skill Acquired! ]