Chapter 406: The Important Matter

There were a lot of newcomers, and they would be very busy soon... Everyone agreed that they would relax for now and continue their vigilance tomorrow.

Just like that, Marissa was the first to pick up one of the souvenirs. It was a small decorative model of Cameron City’s central tower, complete with tiny buildings surrounding its base. Although it wasn’t particularly valuable, the craftsmanship was surprisingly detailed, and the miniature tower even had a few illuminated windows powered by a small battery.

"Oh, this is pretty nice!" Marissa exclaimed as she turned it around in her hands. "I’ve seen pictures of Cameron City’s central district, but I’ve never actually been there myself."

"That’s why I bought it!" Farrah replied with a smile. "I figured it would be nice to have something that reminds us of the city. Who knows when we’ll get another chance to visit?"

Elena, meanwhile, had already opened a small paper bag filled with individually wrapped snacks. Inside were several varieties of fruit-flavored candies, chocolate biscuits, and crispy pastries made by one of Cameron City’s local bakeries.

"These look delicious!" Elena said, examining the packages. "Are these all made in the city?"

"That’s right..." Farrah answered. "There’s a bakery near the marketplace that makes those pastries. I tried a few while we were shopping, and they were so good that I decided to bring some back for everyone."

Alfie’s attention immediately shifted toward Elena’s bag.

"Wait, there are pastries, too? Why didn’t you mention those first?"

"Because I knew you’d react exactly like that!" Farrah replied, laughing.

"Hey, I’m just appreciating the local cuisine!"

"Then you can appreciate it after everyone else gets their share."

While Alfie reluctantly backed away from the snacks, Jonas picked up a neatly packaged metal keychain shaped like a shield. The words Cameron City were engraved across its surface, and a tiny emblem of the city’s defensive walls was attached to the center.

"This is actually pretty practical," he commented, testing the small metal ring with his fingers. "I could use this for my keys."

Wallace picked up another one. His was a miniature model of a Hoverboard vehicle, designed as a decorative desk ornament rather than a functional machine.

"These are the kinds of things you can usually find in the souvenir shops near the main commercial district," Farrah explained. "There were plenty of other designs, but I thought these would be the most interesting."

Victor, who had been listening to their conversation, picked up a small rectangular case from the table. Inside were several precision screwdrivers, a pair of compact pliers, and a few other miniature tools.

His eyes immediately lit up.

"Now, this is something I can use!"

Farrah chuckled at his reaction. "I thought you’d like that one. I wasn’t sure what kind of tools you already had, but the shopkeeper said this set was suitable for handling small mechanical components."

"They’re not bad. I can definitely find a use for these."

Considering his Mechanic Talent and his newly acquired Dismantle Gene Skill, the gift was particularly fitting. Even if the tools weren’t extraordinary, having additional equipment for examining and repairing mechanical components would undoubtedly come in handy.

Farrah had also brought back several practical items, including jackets, shoes, sturdy gloves, and small first-aid kits. These weren’t exactly souvenirs, but she had seen them while shopping and thought they would be useful for people living in the shelter.

After all, there was no point in bringing back decorative trinkets alone when everyday necessities could make their lives easier.

Aurora picked up one of the water bottles and inspected its design. It was made from durable stainless steel, with a double-walled interior that could keep drinks warm or cold for several hours.

"This is really useful. I could bring this along during patrols."

"That’s what I thought," Farrah replied. "The shop had several colors, so I picked a few different ones. You can choose whichever you like."

Even Claire, who had initially seemed more interested in the Skill Crystals and the shelter’s management, couldn’t help smiling as she examined the gifts.

Among the items Farrah had brought back was a small box of locally produced tea, along with a set of ceramic cups decorated with a simple skyline of Cameron City. They weren’t particularly expensive, but they were attractive enough to make a nice addition to the shelter’s common room.

"These would look nice in the lounge," Claire remarked. "We could use them when we have guests or hold smaller meetings."

"That’s what I was thinking," Farrah said. "I also bought some coffee sachets and a few boxes of biscuits. We don’t have to keep serving the same things every time someone visits. Ahem... I like Kai’s coffees from the Gift Packs, but these taste different."

The room gradually filled with conversation as everyone examined the items and discussed their usefulness. Some preferred the snacks, while others were more interested in the practical equipment. A few even compared their souvenirs, amused by the different designs Farrah had chosen.

Farrah answered their questions, sharing a few amusing details about their shopping trip. She explained how she and Kai had visited several stores before finding the souvenirs, and how she had nearly forgotten to buy anything for herself because she had been too busy choosing things for everyone else.

She didn’t describe every danger they had encountered along the way, but she did mention how difficult it could be to find time to shop when they had so many other matters to attend to.

Kai watched the scene with a small smile.

He had focused on bringing back resources that would improve the shelter’s strength, while Farrah had thought about the people who had remained behind. Both were important in their own ways.

A shelter wasn’t sustained by combat strength and supplies alone. The people living in it also needed reasons to feel that they were all alive...

Soon, however, the conversation shifted to something really important.

"Kai... What about the Soul Enhancements? We’ve also reached our limit... We can’t level up anymore."