Chapter 405: Souvenirs

Victor, a survivor with Mechanic Talent, briefly explained what his newly acquired Gene Skill, Dismantle, could do.

Initially, he had assumed that the skill would only be useful when working with machines or dismantling materials for repairs. However, after experimenting with it, he realized that it could also be used against the A.I. Soldiers themselves!

After all, if he could dismantle mechanical components, there was no reason he couldn’t use the skill to damage or disable enemy machines during combat.

Many of those present couldn’t help feeling impressed, with some even feeling a little envious.

There was no denying how useful this Gene Skill could be during the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse. The ability to dismantle enemy machines could provide a considerable advantage, especially when dealing with the increasingly dangerous A.I. Soldiers.

"That’s an interesting ability," Wallace remarked.

"Depending on its limitations, it could be especially effective against machines with exposed joints or vulnerable components."

"That’s right!" Victor replied enthusiastically. "I haven’t fully explored its potential yet, but I think there’s a lot more to it than I initially realized. I just need more opportunities to test it... and of course, I need a lot more Spirit Points. The Strong Spirit Skill will help me a lot."

"That’s a cool ability. Just make sure you don’t dismantle something important by accident," Alfie joked.

Victor shot him a look.

"Why would I do that? I’m a mechanic, not some demolition expert!"

His response earned a few chuckles from the others, lightening the atmosphere in the meeting room.

Kai, meanwhile, was genuinely interested in Victor’s new ability. Gene Skills that could directly counter the machines were particularly valuable, and Dismantle might prove useful beyond ordinary combat if its effects extended to more advanced mechanical structures.

Of course, its actual effectiveness would depend on its limitations and whether it could affect stronger machines. He would have to learn more about it before drawing any conclusions.

Still, Victor’s discovery served as another reminder that people could develop unexpected abilities that might prove useful in the ongoing apocalypse.

Unfortunately, Victor wasn’t really a combat expert... Since the Dismantle was a close-range ability, he really needed something that could help him get closer to target enemies if he wanted to use it in the battlefield.

"Make sure you test it properly and figure out its limitations," Kai advised. "If it works as well as you think, we might be able to incorporate it into our combat strategies against the A.I. Soldiers."

Victor nodded seriously, taking Kai’s advice to heart.

Kai then turned his attention back to the Skill Crystals on the table.

"All right, let’s get back to the distribution. We’ll prioritize those who are already capable of fighting, along with people whose duties might put them in danger. Once we’ve handled the immediate needs, we can work on training more members."

He didn’t expect every member of the shelter to become a powerful fighter overnight. There were still differences in physique, talent, experience, and available resources. However, a well-organized distribution plan would allow them to make the most of what they had.

Claire began making notes, preparing to coordinate the allocation with the others. Althea also offered to help assess the candidates, while Wallace and Victor discussed how the new skills could be incorporated into their training sessions.

Seeing them immediately begin planning rather than simply celebrating the rewards, Kai felt satisfied.

This was precisely why he was willing to invest so many resources in them.

He wasn’t merely trying to make a few individuals stronger. He wanted the entire Codebreakers Shelter to become a force that could survive the increasingly dangerous world outside.

"There’s one more thing," Farrah suddenly said.

The others turned toward her.

Unlike Kai, who had been focused on the crystals and the shelter’s development, Farrah had been sitting quietly with a faint smile on her face. Now, she reached into her inventory and began taking out a collection of items.

Small boxes, bags of packaged snacks, practical accessories, and various souvenirs appeared across the table.

The growing pile quickly attracted everyone’s attention.

Claire blinked.

"What’s all this?"

"Souvenirs!" Farrah replied cheerfully.

She picked up one of the packages and placed it in front of Claire.

"We spent some time in Cameron City, and I thought it would be nice to bring something back for everyone. After all, it’s not exactly easy for us to enter the city whenever we want, so I made sure to pick up some goodies while we were there."

Her explanation brought smiles to several faces.

Cameron City was one of the major settlements in the region, but visiting it wasn’t as simple as walking through an ordinary marketplace. Security restrictions, dangerous roads, and the unpredictable situation outside made every trip a considerable undertaking.

For most people in the shelter, the opportunity to visit the city was limited. Even if they had the resources to purchase things, there was no guarantee they could safely make the journey.

Farrah had kept that in mind while shopping.

The items she brought back weren’t all rare or particularly valuable. Some were locally produced snacks, while others were small everyday products that were difficult to find outside the city. There were also a few souvenirs bearing Cameron City’s name, along with practical items that she thought her friends might appreciate.

However, their value wasn’t the most important part.

She had remembered everyone while she and Kai were away.

"Take a look," Farrah said, gesturing toward the collection. "I tried to choose different things so everyone could find something they liked. Some of these are snacks, so don’t let Alfie take everything before the rest of you get a chance."

"Hey! Why am I being singled out?" Alfie protested immediately.

"Because you’re already looking at the snacks," Farrah replied without hesitation.

That drew a round of laughter from the others.

Alfie looked away from the packages, pretending that he hadn’t been considering which one to grab first.

"I was just checking what you brought back!"

"Of course you were," Aurora teased.

The lighthearted exchange eased the atmosphere in the room.

After discussing security, combat skills, and the shelter’s responsibilities, everyone welcomed the chance to relax for a moment...