[ Gene Weapon Awakened: War Lance ]

[ Grade: Low ]

[ Type: Piercing Lance ]

[ Effects: +12% Piercing Damage. Attacks ignore 10% of the enemy defense. Effective against armored targets. ]

[ Secondary Effect: Perfect Thrust - repeated strikes on the same point increase penetration chance. After three consecutive hits on the same spot, the next thrust guarantees armor break. Cooldown: 3 second.

Activation Cost: 12 Spirit Energy per activation ]

[ Durability: 50/50 ]

Kai gripped the lance tightly, testing its balance. The weapon felt heavier than a sword... But its reach and piercing power were undeniable.

"A lance... finally, something for range and armor penetration," he muttered. "But low‑grade... it won’t be enough."

His eyes shifted to the glowing crystal in his inventory.

[ Prototype Gene Weapon Core x1 ]

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

With the War Lance in his right hand, he activated the Core and the System reacted instantly.

[ Prototype Core Detected. Integration possible. ]

[ Do you wish to evolve War Lance? ]

"Yes," Kai replied without hesitation.

Just like that, the lance vibrated violently, its alloy frame started resonating with the Core’s energy. Soon, lines of light surged across the shaft, and the spearhead glowed as the weapon’s structure shifted.

[ Upgrade in Progress... ]

[ Integration: 27%... 64%... 100% ]

[ Bound Complete! ]

As soon as Kai saw this, he knew that it was time to level up! Finally, 3 decent Gene Weapons!

[ Gene Weapon Evolved: War Lance ]

[ Grade: Mid ]

[ Type: Piercing Lance ]

[ Effects: +30% Piercing Damage. Attacks ignore 20% of enemy defense. Effective against armored and shielded targets. ]

[ Secondary Effect: Perfect Thrust - repeated strikes on the same point increase penetration chance. After three consecutive hits on the same spot, the next thrust guarantees armor break. Cooldown: 1 second.

Activation Cost: 15 Spirit Energy per activation ]

[ Durability: 100/100 ]

Kai’s eyes widened as he studied the stats. "Mid‑grade... This is awesome."

He spun the lance once, then twice... Until he started practicing with it for a few more minutes.

The weapon wasn’t just a polearm anymore... it was an extension of his arm, capable of piercing armor up close and striking enemies from a distance!

"This is just too good." Kai muttered as he knew how great it was.

The moment the War Lance stabilized in his grip, Kai saw another set of notifications!

A cascade of light filled his vision!

[ Breakthrough Requirement Completed ]

[ Quest: Strengthen Your Foundation

- Five Gene Skills upgraded to Level 5

- Ten B‑Grade Energy Cores absorbed

- Three Gene Weapons bound to your body

Status: All conditions fulfilled. Restriction lifted. ]

Kai smiled. This was what he was waiting for. He really felt excited as the next message appeared.

[ You have leveled up! ]

[ Level: 31 ]

[ Health Points +500 ]

[ Spirit Points +50 ]

[ Physique Rating has greatly improved! ]

[ Inventory Slots Expanded: +5 ]

Power surged through him, and it was really nice!

His muscles hardened, his bones felt stronger, and his Spirit energy flowed with a clarity that was almost intoxicating.

It was so refreshing!

Then, Kai quickly checked his current stats!

[ Name: Kai ]

[ Title: Skilled Survivor, Trailblazer, Stronghold Defender, Guardian, Strongest One ]

[ Guild: Codebreakers ]

[ Level: 31 ]

[ Health: 2,500/2,500 ]

[ Spirit: 400/400 ]

[ Physique Rating: C+ ]

[ Talent: Infinite Gift Pack (SSS) ]

[ Active Skills: Spirit Pulse Lv5, Specter Step Lv5, Fast Appraisal Lv5, Beast Arm Lv0 ]

[ Passive Skills: Keen Sense Lv5, Bio Adaptive Constitution Lv5, Battle Trance Lv5, Bronze Skin Lv5 ]

[ Skill Points: 10 ]

[ Inventory Slots: 9 ]

Kai felt incredibly good, and he was overwhelmed by the sudden rush of power flowing in his body. He clenched his fists, marveling at the raw strength coursing through him.

"This... this is insane," he whispered. "It’s like my entire body just evolved." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

But the System wasn’t finished.

[ Reputation Store Unlocked ]

[ Requirement: Reach Level 31 ]

[ Status: Access Granted

- Survivor may now exchange Reputation Points for rare items, advanced blueprints, enhancement serums, privileges, and others.

- Store inventory refreshes weekly. ]

[ Note: Reputation Points are earned through achievements, hidden quests, guild missions, and others. ]

Kai’s eyes widened. "Finally... the store is here... This changes everything."

Then, as he planned to check what the Reputation Store looked like, a new notification appeared.

"There’s a lot... What’s going on this time?" Kai muttered.

[ Congratulations, Survivor! ]

[ You are the first to break through the Level 30 cap. ]

"Ohhh... Now, this is interesting."

[ You have obtained 10 Survivor Medals. ]

[ You have received Reputation Points +10 ]

[ You have received Skill Points +2 ]

[ You have received two 50% discount vouchers applicable to all items in the Reputation Store. ]

[ You have obtained five 50% Discount Vouchers applicable to all items sold by Gene Traders ]

[ Title Upgraded from Skilled Survivor to Expert Survivor ]

[ Title Effect: Hunger penalties are greatly delayed, stamina recovers quickly, and fatigue resistance is active. Resistance against environmental hazards now extends to moderate toxins, spoiled food, contaminated water, and harsh climates.

The body passively regenerates a small amount of vitality outside combat. ]

Kai stared at the flood of notifications...

The sheer weight of the rewards, the recognition, the boost in stats... it was overwhelming.

"This... this is perfect..." he whispered.

He couldn’t help but feel really grateful that no one was able to break through yet!

The first achievement reward was just too good!

’I guess they’re having trouble with the B-Grade Cores.’ Kai thought as he took a deep breath to calm his mind.

Well, it was time to check the Reputation Store!

He willed the System to open the newly unlocked feature.

Ding!

[ Reputation Store Accessed ]

[ Current Reputation Points: 200 ]

[ Store Inventory - Weekly Rotation ]

Soon, Kai confirmed that there were five items being sold.

The first one immediately intrigued him.

[ Guild Expansion Token ] [ 2/2 ]

[ Cost: 50 RP ]

[ Effect: Increases Guild Member Limit by 10 without requiring a Guild Level Up. ]

He let out a low whistle. "Fifty points for ten more members... that’s ridiculously efficient."

Normally, expanding the guild required grinding missions and leveling up the guild itself... It was a slow, resource‑heavy process. But this token bypassed all of that.

"This isn’t that important at the moment, but I think I already have an idea what kind of store this is..." Kai muttered.

"This store really is different..."