Some time ago, Henry, Nadia, and Enzo stood among the crowd as the modified Dragoons moved across the sky.

The machines flew above the compound, with their thrusters leaving trails of wind...

Henry couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement after seeing them fly that fast...

"It’s stable and fast... Whoever rebuilt those knows what they’re doing."

Nadia also nodded as she watched the survivors cheer. "They’re incredible. Enzo, can you do that as well?"

Enzo wryly smiled after hearing that. "Mhmm? I can work on their machinery but they’re programmed to attack humans. There’s nothing I can do about that."

Still, after seeing Modified Sentinels, it was no longer surprising to see modified Dragoons. This shelter was already innovating.

"I’d like to get a look at those circuits." He muttered.

The three exchanged glances. They had seen shelters collapse, watched defenses crumble, and endured famine.

But here, in Haven‑45, things were different. The walls are strong, the guards are reliable, and the food supply is nothing to worry about.

Even the machines, once their greatest fear, were under human control.

Still, duty called.

They weren’t living here for free...

Their assigned task was simple but necessary... gather firewood.

Winter was coming, and the signs were clear. It was noticeable since each morning carried a chill, and the nights grew steadily colder.

For now, Henry led the way into the nearby forest with a rifle slung across his back.

He scanned the treeline constantly, just in case they were attacked.

"Stay alert. Even if this area’s been cleared, we don’t take chances."

Nadia followed as she carried her axe... With her current level, gathering wood wasn’t really that tough. Her strength as Level 23 was not something that could be ignored.

Enzo hefted an axe as he found a spot...

Soon, they started chopping through a branch and gathered a bundle of smaller sticks if they couldn’t find larger ones.

Just like that, they worked in silence for a while...

There was only the sound of chopping and gathering of wood...

By the time they returned to the shelter, their arms were stacked with firewood.

As they stepped back through the gates, the sight of the Dragoons resting near Victor’s workshop reminded them once again of the kind of place they had entered.

Then, just as they set down the firewood in the shed near the training yard, Kai approached.

***

Kai’s gaze focused on Henry’s eyes.

"Is that an Ocular Replacement Implant?" Kai asked.

He recalled the Gene Trader’s catalog from before...

[ Ocular Replacement Implant: A bioengineered eye designed to permanently replace a missing or damaged one. It restores full vision immediately, grants Appraisal Ability, and integrates seamlessly with the body’s nervous system. It guarantees periodic headaches unless the user’s physique is strong enough to negate the strain.

Cost: 10 Survivor Medals ]

Kai had dismissed the item back then.

Well, his own eyes were perfectly fine, and he had already acquired the Fast Appraisal Skill, which made the implant redundant for him.

But for others, it was different. For someone who had lost an eye, the implant wasn’t a luxury to have, it was for survival.

Henry’s expression stiffened when Kai mentioned it.

"You noticed?" he asked. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

He had thought the implant blended seamlessly, undetectable to most.

Kai shook his head lightly. "Ahhh... it’s not noticeable at all. I just have my own observation skill. If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t see it unless you activated it."

Henry studied Kai for a moment, then exhaled.

"Yeah... I lost my right eye during an ambush in the Grid Region. A shrapnel tore through my face. Without this implant, I’d be half‑blind. I didn’t have a choice."

Kai nodded. "Well... It’s not really a weakness now. That eye is definitely an asset."

Nadia approached as she heard the exchange.

"Unfortunately, the headaches are real. Although it only happens one or twice a day, it can still be disturbing... I can only give him a pain reliever."

Kai frowned... "The implant’s drawback... periodic headaches. The Gene Trader’s description mentioned it. Unless the user’s physique is strong enough, the nervous system struggles to keep up."

Henry shrugged....

"Guess I’m not strong enough yet. But I’ll manage. Pain is better than blindness."

Kai respected the resolve. He then turned his attention to Nadia.

"You’re a medic, right? Why are you collecting wood? You’re supposed to be helping Elena... or Irene."

Nadia smiled at this. "There’s no one injured anyway... Miss Irene mentioned that I could just help around when there are no patients.

Kai’s lips curved into a faint smile. "That’s more valuable than a rifle. Survivors die faster from untreated wounds than from bullets."

Just like that, Kai made a light conversation with Henry, Nadia, and Enzo, who was a mechanic, and offered to help Victor.

"You can ask Victor about that. If he didn’t want your help, you might be able to help with Silas in Haven-28."

Henry and the others immediately straightened as they heard this...

"Are you sending us to different shelters?"

"Hmm? Do you want to stick together?"

The three then glanced at each other and nodded.

They had survived together in Grid Region, and staying close would be better.

However, Kai’s concern was about their intention... If they were like Terrence or Samantha, then they could be troubling to deal with.

"You’ll only be separated for a month... After that, you can all stick together." Kai explained...

Thankfully, the three of them agreed.

Seeing this, Kai finally revealed his true intention... to invite them to his guild.

[ Invitation Sent: Nadia ]

[ Invitation Sent: Henry ]

[ Invitation Sent: Enzo ]

"What? Really?! You’re inviting us to be part of Codebreakers?!" Henry was excited.

"T-thank you for trusting us, Mr. Kai!" Nadia muttered.

"I will be a useful mechanic. Trust me!" Enzo added.

"Just call me, Kai... We’re similar in age... No, I’m probably younger than the three of you." Kai said as he waved his hand.

Soon, he got the confirmation...

[ Enzo has joined Codebreakers Guild. ]

[ Henry has joined Codebreakers Guild. ]

[ Nadia has joined Codebreakers Guild. ]

As soon as he got this, Kai also received the notification.

[ Guild Mission "Survivor Integration" Completed! ]

[ Guild Reputation +10, Energy Core (C-Grade) +2 ]

"Finally..." Kai smiled as the low-grade mission was finally completed. Now, he was praying that it would be replaced by a mid or high difficulty mission.

Unfortunately, his prayer didn’t work!

[ New Guild Mission has been created! ]

[ Mission 3: Survivor Integration II ]

[ Difficulty: Low

Objective: Recruit a total of 30 members into the Guild.

Reward: Guild Reputation +30, Energy Core (B-Grade) +2 ]

"Seriously? Where am I supposed to find them?"