[ You have leveled up! ]
[ Level: 2 ]
[ Health Points +10 ]
[ Spirit Points +2 ]
[ Physique Rating has slightly improved! ]
[ Inventory Slots Expanded: +1 ]
From this part, Kai had to pause as he didn't understand the physique rating. It hadn't been mentioned before.
As for the Inventory Slot, it seemed that it was related to the fact that he could finally store something within his inventory!
Although it was just one slot, it was already amazing. After all, he knew that this would improve even more as he continued levelling up.
[ New Feature Unlocked: Physique Rating ]
[ Current Physique: E ]
[ Description: Physique Rating measures overall body condition, including strength, endurance, agility, and resilience. ]
[ Note: Rating improves through various methods, including training, medicine consumption, leveling, and others. ]
Kai finally realized why his Status only had Health and Spirit Points and no Strength, Agility, or other stats like in many games he had seen before. It was actually all connected to the Physique Rating!
After that, Kai continued checking the notifications. Thankfully, this time, he finally knew the amount of Experience Points he needed!
[ Progression Requirement Updated ]
[ Next Level: 600 Experience Points ]
"It only increased by a hundred… Not bad." Kai muttered. He then realized that he could just continue consuming the Gene Serum.
But before that, he confirmed that the others could all level up as well.
"My Physique is rated E..." Wallace muttered as he saw the message.
"Same…"
"Me too…"
Ralph and Victor said, and soon, they looked at Claire, who was silent.
"W-well… Are you sure there's no 'plus' included? Mine's showing E+…" Claire explained.
Kai and the others then quickly checked their status to confirm what they had. However, it was indeed just the Letter E.
[ Survivor Status ]
[ Name: Kai
Title: Beginner Survivor
Level: 2
Health: 145/145
Spirit: 60/60
Physique Rating: E
Talent: Infinite Gift Pack (SSS)
Active Skills: None
Passive Skills: None
Skill Point: 1 ]
His status had certainly improved a lot. After all, he got 5 Health points and 1 Spirit points for each drop of the Gene Serum. Including the bonus he got, he now had a decent stat.
"It might be related to my talent…" Claire revealed.
Immediately, the others understood. Her Talent was related to Physical Strength, and it was certainly understandable for her to get a better rating.
"Alright! Let's finish this up!" Victor said as he saw that there was still some Gene Serum in the half-filled vial.
After all, there could be 100 drops here, and they barely used half of it.
As for Kai, he probably had to drink the vial directly since he would get tired consuming it drop by drop.
"I'm also thinking of doing that… But I will first attempt to reach Level 5 with this method. If I don't sense any rejection, then I'll do that." Kai explained.
***
In the meantime, while Kai and the others were busy with the Gene Serum, another resident of Haven‑45, Dustin, quietly descended into the lowest chamber of the shelter.
He was a man in his thirties and was part of the Sanitation Crew.
Soon, his steps slowed as he approached the Elder's quarters. Few dared to come here, but there was no hesitation in his movement.
The chamber was dim, lit only by a faint glow from the old medical equipment.
Inside, there was a scent of blood and herbs within this room.
"Elder…" Dustin muttered as he looked at the figure inside the chamber.
On the bed sat the Elder, a frail figure covered in tubes and dextrose lines. His body was so weak that he could no longer move on his own. Right now, he was propped up only by cushions and the frame of the bed.
Dustin hesitated at the doorway.
Despite everything, the corruption of the leaders, the suffering they had caused, he still felt loyalty to this man. The Elder had once been the heart of Haven‑45, even if age and frailty had stolen his strength.
The Elder's eyes opened as he heard someone entering… Soon, his gaze settled on Dustin, and though his lips barely moved, a faint whisper escaped. "Report…"
Dustin stepped closer while lowering his head.
"Elder… Damon, Julian, and Keagan… they're gone. The shelter has new leadership now."
For a moment, silence filled the chamber.
The Elder's chest rose and fell slowly… Then, his eyes glistened as tears welled up and slid down his cheeks.
Dustin clenched his fist, but didn't say anything more.
Just like that, the Elder's lips trembled, but no words came.
Though Damon, Julian, and Keagan had been cruel leaders, selfish and corrupt, they were still his flesh and blood.
Then, his gaze drifted toward the ceiling, as if searching for memories of the sons he had once held with pride. Flawed as they were, they had carried his lineage, his hopes, and now they were gone.
A few minutes passed, and soon, the Elder had calmed his emotions…
This time, he had a determined look on his face.
"I… I want to meet… them." The Elder weakly said while looking at Dustin.
For a moment, Dustin hesitated. After all, it wouldn't be surprising if Kai decided to end the Elder's sufferings.
Still, he knew there was no room for refusal, so he slightly bowed his head and replied.
"I understand… Elder."