Global Awakening: Infinite Gift Pack System

The next morning, Kai woke to the faint aroma drifting through the shelter.

’That smells really good...’ Kai thought as he confirmed that Mei had already left. He then swiftly changed his clothes and headed outside.

Amer was already in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, working with the stockpile of rations.

On the counter lay stacks of MREs, instant noodles, various dehydrated meal packs, and protein concentrate packs, each carefully opened and mixed with fresh additions.

Amer had learned from Mila that plain rations were too bland for morale, so they had begun experimenting.

He boiled the dehydrated rice and noodles, adding wild herbs and leaves gathered from the nearby swamp edges.

A pinch of dried chili gave the stew a kick, while crushed garlic and onion powder transformed the protein concentrate into something resembling meat patties.

The fruit juice packs were poured into pitchers, but Amer didn’t stop there. He added slices of preserved citrus and a handful of mint leaves, giving the drink a refreshing bite.

The survivors joked that Amer had turned "soldier food" into something close to a feast.

Kai joined the workers at the long table, sitting shoulder to shoulder with those who had spent the night hauling wreckage.

"Amazing food, Amer! Get one Thruster Pack in the warehouse!" Kai said in a loud voice and the others cheered for Amer.

"Haha! I’m going to take it, Sir!" Amer said with a big smile on his face.

Kai nodded at this. He ate another plate without hesitation, savoring the warmth of the spiced stew and the tang of the juice.

For a moment, the shelter felt less like a fortress and more like a home.

Now that there was no Global Event that they had to worry about, none of them was in a hurry to eat. They were all savoring each bite.

Soon, laughter echoed through the dining hall as everyone shared stories of the event.

One of the workers proudly explained how he had salvaged the Surveillance Drone’s laser cutter, the same tool the machines had used to slice through wires and barricades.

"I turned it into a firestarter," he said, grinning.

"It’s a decent emergency weapon. Just don’t point it at the walls unless you want another hole."

Another survivor chuckled as he recounted dismantling a Hound’s limbs. "I used their parts for my bed. Stronger than steel, and it doesn’t creak when I roll over. Though... I keep dreaming it’ll wake up and bite me in my sleep."

That earned a round of laughter, but the stories didn’t stop there.

Someone actually used the Drone’s propellers as a fan!

Since there wasn’t any A.C. available, it was certainly a good alternative. Many of the workers even started asking him to make more for them.

Of course, they weren’t for free, and they would be trading for them. Either an item or a service.

Even Amer joined in, sharing that he used Hound’s jaw as a spice rack. Apparently, they hold the jars perfectly.

Just like that, the tension of the past week finally broke into genuine joy. Finally, the survivors weren’t just talking about battles or defenses... They were even joking about how they had bent the remnants of war into everyday life.

’You guys...’

Kai couldn’t help but feel amused at their creativity. He couldn’t help smiling as the banter continued.

***

After breakfast, Kai excused himself and headed to the training room.

The place smelled faintly of oil and rust.

There were rows of broken Sentinels, Dragoons, and Hounds that stood like lifeless mannequins, stripped of their cores.

Their bodies had been repurposed for target practice.

"Mhmm... Someone replaced them already. Good." Kai muttered, seeing how the target practice looked fresh.

In the corner, more damaged units were stacked, ready to replace those that fell apart under repeated strikes.

Kai ignored the rifles and plasma guns lined neatly on the racks.

Today wasn’t about guns... Today was about the dagger.

He summoned the Specter Edge, and it manifested instantly, flowing into existence as though it were part of his body.

Indeed, the Gene Weapon wasn’t an equipped or an item being held, it was bound to his body!

As for how that works, Kai had no idea...

The black blade looked normal and seemed just like any other fancy dagger.

However, as Kai gripped it tightly, he felt the connection deepen.

It wasn’t like wielding a normal weapon. The dagger felt like it was an extension of his body...

’It’s a pity I don’t know any dagger techniques...’

Kai mused as he waved his weapon... He was adjusting its weight and balance and felt really good at it... Every movement felt natural, seamless, as though his arm and the blade were one.

"What a strange sensation... So this is what it means to own a Gene Weapon..." he whispered.

He stepped forward, slashing at the hollow armor of a Sentinel.

Thud!

The blade cut cleanly across the metal.

He stepped forward and turned before striking again... It was faster this time. Each move may not be accurate, but as he continued practicing, his accuracy became better...

For about an hour, the lifeless targets clattered under his strikes, but Kai didn’t stop.

He practiced with thrusts, sweeps, and feints, testing the weapon’s resilience.

The Specter Edge felt really good in his hands...

By the time he paused, sweat ran down his brow, but his grip was steady.

He looked at the dagger, and there was not a single nick on it.

"I probably need more practice, but this should be good enough..." Kai muttered.

***

After his training session, Kai wiped the sweat from his brow and dismissed the Specter Edge back into its dormant state.

He took a deep breath, then headed straight to the warehouse.

The shelves were half‑empty from the week’s battles, but Kai had the Infinite Gift Pack System...

He activated it, and it didn’t take that long before he filled the storage hall.

"This should last us for a few months already..." Kai muttered.

By late afternoon, Kai walked out to the fields.

The workers were busy tending to the crops. Rows of modified crops swayed gently in the breeze. Aurora stood among them as she used her Talent to turn them into useful or edible crops...

Then, that night, while the survivors gathered in the hall. Kai announced his plan to raid Angelo’s Shelter!

"We need to strike them first..."