For the remaining days of the Global Event, Max and the rest of the team focused on staying inside the shelter and only ventured outside whenever there was a good reason to do so. They couldn’t afford to expose themselves unnecessarily, especially with the Mech Army still roaming the surrounding areas.Whenever a Field Tyrant came too close to New Ark-45, however, they immediately organized a hunting party and dealt with it before it could reach the shelter. There was no way they could allow one of those massive machines to march straight into their home and turn everything they had built into rubble.On the sixth day, the ground began to tremble again as another Tyrant approached from the distance.Max stood at the shelter gate, preparing himself for the coming battle.’This time… I need to see how strong I am at Level 20. Atom will just be a support for now.’He looked toward the approaching mechanical army before raising his voice.“Everyone… It’s coming closer. Aya, Xander… get yo

Outside his room, Max could hear New Ark-45 coming alive with laughter and excited conversation. After ten exhausting days of fighting, the Survivors finally had a reason to celebrate, and nobody seemed interested in going to sleep just yet.Several of the Foreign Survivors had already opened their MRE boxes. Their curiosity had completely overcome their exhaustion. They wanted to know what the system had given them, and judging from the noise outside, everyone was more interested in comparing their rewards than getting some much-needed rest.“There’s Beef ravioli here! Not bad at all,” someone exclaimed.Another survivor groaned after checking his own meal. “Ugh, chili and macaroni? I hate this… Can someone do a trade for this MRE? This one isn’t that bad, but it’s not really my type of food.”“Hey, don’t complain. At least it’s warm food. Oh… I got Southwest beef and black beans… this one’s actually decent.”“Chicken chunks here. Dry as hell, but better than nothing.”The comments c

The next morning started with Max’s voice carrying across the mess hall.Everyone in the shelter had been called there under his orders. Some were still struggling to stay awake because they had spent the night on guard duty, while others looked tired simply because they had been forced out of bed so early.Regardless of how they felt, they had all come because Max had made it clear that there was something important they needed to settle immediately. Their current arrangement could not continue without proper rules, and Max intended to make those rules clear.“From today onward, all Foreign Survivors must provide one Survivor Medal each month. That will cover your two meals a day. As for the locals, since you don’t have access to Survivor Medals, you’ll continue to serve through your duties…”Max went on to explain exactly what the Medals would cover and how the locals would continue contributing through their assigned responsibilities. He made sure everyone understood the arrangemen

For another twenty minutes, they remained hidden.Only when the forest became completely quiet again did Aya finally gather everyone.“What the heck are those?”“It’s my first time seeing them.”“Even the previous elder didn’t mention those flying units…”“It might be new ones. But it might just be their first time going around this area.”“That’s true… The flying vehicle didn’t look new. Some parts had rust all over.”“I guess they’re just from a different region or something.”The others offered their theories, each trying to make sense of what they had just encountered.Aya had been thinking along similar lines.“Yes. We’ve survived the Mech Siege and the Tyrant Hunt… So, it looks like the system has updated the A.I. Army. These flying units might be the new Reapers. We’ll need to report this to Max.”Russel cursed quietly.“As if normal Reapers weren’t bad enough.”Gabby tightened her grip on her weapon and nodded.She understood how dangerous those machines could become if they w

Most of Max’s influence seemed to come from Atom and the mysterious supply lines he controlled.Without those advantages, Frank considered him fairly ordinary.Once the shelter became more self-sufficient, particularly with food, weapons, and other basic resources, Frank believed Max’s importance would naturally decline.’Right… Max’s ability only matters in the first phase of the Apocalypse,’ Frank thought.’Once we grow stronger and establish reliable ways to procure supplies, he’ll be useless.’Frank then compared Max to himself.He believed he possessed something far more valuable.Pathfinder gave him opportunities to explore and discover things others couldn’t find. His Hypnotic Suggestion gave him another weapon that nobody else even knew existed.Most importantly, he had the willingness to do whatever was necessary to become stronger.He was even willing to implant a mechanical arm into his own body.To Frank, that willingness separated him from ordinary Survivors.Soon, he con