Chapter 274: The Recruit and the New A.I. Units

"Hmm? Aetherium Ore? This is the first time I heard something like this." Victor muttered softly.

[ You have discovered Aetherium Ore! ]

[ Grade: Rare Mineral ]

[ Description: A mineral produced through Anima’s modification of natural iron ores. The altered composition crystallizes into a dense alloy capable of amplifying energy conduction far beyond ordinary metals. Highly compatible with plasma weapon systems, barrier reinforcement modules, and advanced weapon repairs. ]

[ Note: Refinement requires specialized machinery. Improper handling may destabilize its lattice structure, causing hazardous energy discharge. ]

Victor’s eyes lingered on the glowing blue screen until it faded from view.

"Whew~"

He let out a slow breath... He was fascinated with the discovery but also frustrated with how limited his skill was.

"This ore... it’s extraordinary," he admitted as he checked all the corners of the ore in his hands before putting it back on the table.

"But my Appraisal Skill isn’t high enough. I can’t unlock all its secrets. What I saw was already valuable, but I know there’s more hidden within it."

Of course, his Appraisal was already Level 6... However, it was not enough to see through all of it. He even guessed that if his skill was just one level lower, he wouldn’t be able to find out what it was.

Then, he explained what he learned to others.

Marissa also felt that there was more to it than that...

"Even so, the information we gained is significant. Aetherium Ore... produced by Anima’s modification of iron. That explains its strange energy signature. If the A.I. Army is transporting this, it means they’re probably reinforcing their bases... or maybe they’re making a new type of machine. "

Victor nodded. "That’s possible. But since we’ll get a lot of these with Renji’s help, we’ll need someone skilled enough to process them. We should use it for ourselves, but without proper refinement, it’s just a dangerous lump of mineral."

"But if handled correctly... it could strengthen our walls, enhance our weapons, maybe even give us the edge against that mountain fortress."

"I can help with the refinement!" Renji volunteered.

Russel nodded. "Well, you’ve already proven you can repair androids. Maybe you can handle this ore too."

Augustine gave a reluctant nod. "Then perhaps we should forgive him. If he’s willing to work for us, we should give him the chance."

After a few more persuasions, they decided to take in Renji but not invite him to Kai’s Guild, Codebreakers.

"Renji, call your androids. We’ll allow them here, but under strict watch. And as for you... you’ll work for us for at least two months. You still lured those Dragoons to attack us."

Renji looked at them apologetically and nodded. He didn’t really mind staying in the shelter for a long time. The barrier system they used intrigued him deeply—it was unlike anything he had seen before.

"If I prove my loyalty, is it possible to join your Guild?" he asked carefully.

Victor was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Renji to ask that outright. For a moment, he hesitated, then admitted, "That’s not up to us alone to decide. But... we’ll see after you show your worth."

***

In the meantime, while they were dealing with Renji, the Blue Grass Shelter became busy...

It was unlike most survivor shelters.

It was small, only thirty‑two people in total, but its strength came from the leadership of three foreign Survivors who, like Kai, had arrived from another world.

There were six Foreign Survivors here, but Steven, Vera, and Juno led the group.

Steven, whose Iron Will Talent made him nearly unbreakable in battle and also tasked with the defense of the shelter.

Vera, gifted with the Alchemist Talent, had become the heart of their potion production.

And there was Juno, with his Telekinesis Talent, and the most versatile among them.

His Gene Skills amplified his control, allowing him to manipulate weapons, tools, and even enemy projectiles in battle. He was capable of both offense and defense within the shelter.

Together, these three had turned Blue Grass Shelter into a vital hub for the Codebreakers Guild. Their focus was on making the Soul‑Booster Potion production more efficient. Recently, they had begun setting up an assembly line system...

Vera arranged a small group to focus on brewing. Then, there was Steven’s team, managing the logistics and defense, while Juno and her team handled delicate transfers or the collection of ingredients. With this system, they could produce potions in bulk, supplying Kai’s guild with enough to sustain long campaigns against the A.I. Army.

At this time, the survivors were busy with this work when a message arrived through the Guild Chat.

Kai was coming. And he wasn’t alone... he was being chased by five enemies. Humans, not A.I.

Steven immediately ordered preparations.

"If they’re assassins, they’ll try to strike fast. Everyone, arm up. We’ll defend the shelter."

The defenders took positions, rifles and grenades ready.

But before Kai even reached the gates, another threat appeared.

From the treelines... Several C‑Grade Sentinels emerged...

These humanoid machines carried rifles, and they seemed to be moving fast.

Furthermore, they seemed to be more coordinated than before.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Just like that, gunfire erupted as the Sentinels advanced!

The defenders of Blue Grass Shelter fought back with everything they had. Thanks to Kai’s earlier support, they were equipped with advanced gear and weapons.

They had Portable disruptor field units that scrambled the Sentinels’ targeting systems.

Sensor‑disrupting smoke grenades that cloaked the defenders in thick cover.

Flashbang grenades also disoriented the machines, buying precious seconds while decoy emitter devices projected false signals, drawing enemy fire away from the shelter walls!

And of course, rifles and grenade launchers gave them the firepower to punch through the Sentinels’ armor!

"Destroy them fast! We need to finish them before Kai arrives!"

The battle was fierce. Steven stood at the front, his Iron Will Talent allowing him to tank hits that would have dropped lesser fighters.

Vera stayed behind the lines and soon distributed the Gene Stimulant that they received from Kai!

Of course, other potions were also given to wounded defenders, and stamina boosters reached those who needed them most.

"Don’t hesitate! Trust the disruptor and the smokescreen!"

Juno’s telekinesis turned the tide more than once... rifles were suddenly ripped from enemy hands, grenades redirected mid‑air, and barricades were suddenly capable of blocking bullets!

"I can’t hold this for long! Finish them!" Juno said as her Spirit Energy was being consumed really fast!

Even with their coordination, the Sentinels weren’t easy to take down...

The defenders knew that this would still take time to completely eliminate them...

Then came the signal... Kai was close.

Since they couldn’t afford to send their forces, they immediately signalled for Atom to assist him!

Soon, the A‑Grade Sentinel, Kai’s most powerful android, was dispatched immediately.

Atom’s arrival would give Kai the support he needed against the assassins chasing him.

But as Atom left the shelter, something else stirred...

Crack... Crack...

The ground trembled. At first, the defenders thought it was artillery fire.

But then the soil cracked, and metallic drills burst upward!

Bang! Bang!

"Drillers?"

"Wait... I read about them in the Guild Chat!"

"Haa! Digger Units!? Shit!"

"Careful! They might release the bombers!"

Indeed, what had showed up was the Digger Units.

These were new A.I. soldiers, unlike anything they had faced before.

Their heads were massive drill‑like constructs, designed to pierce soil, rock, and concrete.

As the drills broke the surface, hatches opened along their chassis!

From within, swarms of insect‑like machines poured out... Bomber Swarmers.

They had already been informed about their existence but seeing them now made them nervous!

The swarmers skittered or flew across the ground with their bodies glowing faintly with unstable energy.

They were living bombs, designed to rush defenders and detonate on impact!

"Bomber Swarmers!" Juno shouted, her telekinesis already flinging debris to block their advance.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

She was able to hit many of them and soon, explosions rocked the battlefield as the swarmers hurled themselves at barricades, detonating in bursts of fire and shrapnel.

The defenders scrambled, using rifles and grenades to thin the swarm, but the sheer numbers were overwhelming.

Steven gritted his teeth, standing firm against the chaos.

"Hold the line! Smoke Grenades! More of them! Hurry! Let them hit the buildings, avoid them if you can’t bring them down!"

Steven’s eyes locked then on Hans, another foreign survivor.

Hans carried the Superior Talent called Quick Feet, a gift that made him untouchable in speed but left him fragile in defense.

He hated fighting up front, since his low pain tolerance was making every wound a risk.

Still, Steven’s command was firm. "Hans, deal with the Diggers!"

Hans swallowed hard, then nodded.

He slung his grenade launcher over his shoulder and sprinted out of the shelter.

His movements blurred, and he was faster than the Sentinels could track.

In seconds, he was already at the perimeter, avoiding all the explosions, preparing to unleash firepower directly on the drilling machines!