Chapter 191: Effects
Gabby’s voice trembled as he pointed at the horn.
"It’s gold... this one’s horn is different!"
The defenders gathered quickly... Their curiosity overcame their disgust of these bulls.
Wallace looked skeptical after hearing this, but he was intrigued. "Gold horn or not, check the flesh. If it’s the same blue‑streaked rot, we’re burning it."
Dylan crouched beside Gabby, cutting into the carcass.
His knife slid through muscle that was pure red... It was a good sign!
They continued to check it, and as expected, it was unmarred by the corruption they had seen in the others. He looked up, stunned.
"It’s clean. No blue veins. No foul smell."
As soon as they heard this, everyone felt excited as they all felt hopeful about this. Wallace turned sharply toward Kai. "Kai. Appraise it. We need to know for sure."
Kai stepped forward, crouching beside the golden‑horned bull.
"Let me see..."
His hand pressed against the hide, and his Fast Appraisal activated.
[ You have discovered Golden‑Horned Bull Carcass! ]
[ Grade: Rare Resource ]
[ Description: A resilient creature. Flesh is pure and safe for consumption, rich in nutrients. Hide is durable, suitable for crafting protective gear and the horns contain condensed spiritual energy. ]
[ Note: Meat provides high nutritional value. Horns may be harvested for spiritual enhancement or crafting. ]
Kai’s eyes widened as he shared the information with others...
"It’s edible. Safe. And the horn... It’s packed with spiritual energy."
The defenders gasped as they heard this...
Dylan laughed nervously. "Finally... real meat!"
Gabby grinned as well. Her earlier fear was replaced with excitement.
"And that horn... we could trade it, or use it for crafting... Can we repurpose it into a cup or something?"
"A cup? Is that the best you can think of?" Wallace laughed at her suggestion, but in the end, he was also unsure what they could do with the horn that had high spirit energy in it.
Kai, on the other hand, immediately gave his command.
"We’ll dismantle it carefully. Nothing goes to waste."
The group nodded eagerly.
Soon, the carcass was set aside, and the defenders worked together to dismantle it.
The hide was stripped clean. It was thick and durable, perfect for armor or protective coverings. The golden horns were removed with care and their purpose was still unknown for now.
Kai held one of the horns, feeling the energy pulsing within. "It’s more than just decoration. Give this thing to Marissa. She’ll know what to do with this."
Meanwhile, Mila, the cook and head of sanitation, stepped forward as she saw the meat being stored...
"Leave the meat to me. I’ll make sure it’s prepared properly."
She then inspected the cuts of flesh and nodded in satisfaction.
"This is clean. I’ll boil it first, then we’ll add it to the soup. With the herbs and vegetables from our garden, we can make something special."
The survivors cheered faintly, as they were already excited to taste it. Of course, all of them knew that bull meat was tough. Because of that, it was suited perfectly for strewing, braising, or even grinding...
For the first time, they would taste real meat!
Mila wasted no time.
She carried the cuts to the kitchen, where pots of water were already boiling.
She added the meat, letting it simmer...
Soon, the rich aroma filled the shelter. Then, she tossed in herbs, spices, and fresh vegetables from their garden... With the onions, garlic, leafy greens, and peppers added, the scent became intoxicating.
Survivors gathered near the kitchen with their mouths watering. Everyone, including those busy with their work, Victor, Marissa, Elena, and others, came to check what was going on.
Even Kai felt his stomach tighten with anticipation.
Needless to say, Mila could tell that everyone was looking forward to this meal..
"Instant noodles with real broth. Meat soup with fresh herbs. Tonight, we eat like humans again."
When the food was finally served after a few hours, the defenders savored every bite.
The broth was rich, the meat was tender, and it was blending perfectly with the noodles and vegetables. For a moment, the fear of the upcoming event faded away.
Wallace raised his tomato-flavored drink... "This... this is what we needed."
Gabby grinned between mouthfuls. "Best meal I’ve had since that egg we stole before..."
Dylan laughed. "Worth the risk of being chased by bulls."
Meanwhile, Kai ate quietly as well.
The golden‑horned bull wasn’t just food. It was proof that rare, uncorrupted creatures still existed.
In the end, survival wasn’t only about fighting machines... it was about finding these rare resources and using them wisely.
He set his bowl down as he finished his meal.
"We’ll need to hunt for more. If one bull was spared, there could be others. And if their horns carry spiritual energy... Haven‑45 might gain more than just food."
Wallace nodded. "Agreed. Tonight, let’s just celebrate!"
However, it was at this point that Kai heard a chime and echoed in his mind!
To be exact, it wasn’t just him!
The familiar tone of a system notification was heard by the other Foreign Survivors as well!
[ You have consumed Golden‑Horned Bull Meat Soup! ]
[ Effect: Spirit Recovery +20%, Physical Stamina +25%, Mental Clarity Boost ]
[ Duration: 24 hours ]
This result made them freeze. They were staring at one another in disbelief.
Victor laughed nervously. "We... we got a buff? From eating meat?"
Marissa’s eyes widened. "So it’s not just food. It’s power."
Kai set his bowl down slowly as he realized how precious the meat was!
This changed everything.
Just like what he guessed before, the A.I. Apocalypse wasn’t only about machines and gift packs. Even mutated creatures could become resources.
His understanding of this A.I. Rebellion had truly flipped. There was far more to learn than he had ever imagined.
But the surprise didn’t end there...
A day later, Marissa was busy examining the golden horn, trying to figure out how to refine its spiritual energy.
Suddenly, she rushed out, her face was pale, and soon, she found Kai.
"Kai... Are you returning to Freedom Shelter? I think Terrence is getting closer," she whispered urgently. "Careful..."
Kai stiffened as he heard the name of that person once again...