Kai's eyes widened as the vibration intensified.
Crank!
A harsh scrape of metal against metal rang out, and a section of twisted scrap shifted.
He immediately turned toward the sound and saw it.
"Ahhh…" Kai's breath caught. Something was being lifted.
A mound of junk, which had seemed immovable before, revealed its secret: a cleverly concealed hatch. Barbed wire slid aside as it creaked open just ten meters away.
Kai immediately dropped into a battle stance. He tightened his grip on the hatchet and drew his revolver.
Although he wasn't an expert, he had at least practiced with airsoft guns. That experience mattered now, even if the stakes were real.
Still, he reminded himself: the main enemies couldn't enter his Beginner Protection Area. Anyone appearing here was probably Neutral at the very least.
So I'm not alone after all…
The system had mentioned a starter region, but it had never said he would be the only one here. That realization sent a chill down his spine.
From the hatch, a man emerged slowly. His lower body remained in the steep stairwell beneath, while his upper half leaned into the open air.
Kai noticed the man's unkempt hair and grime-covered skin immediately, but what stood out most was the strange eyepiece strapped over his left eye, like a watchmaker's loupe.
The man's gaze fixed on Kai. He seemed curious rather than hostile.
"So… another survivor ended up here?" the man said. "Where the heck are you guys coming from? Whatever. Since you're human, come on… before the drones sweep the area. They have heat detectors!"
Kai hesitated with the revolver still in his hands. Yet the man didn't flinch at his weapon. His tone carried concern, not threat.
Cautiously, Kai lowered the revolver slightly, keeping the hatchet ready in his other hand. He studied the stranger carefully as he stepped closer.
The man's lower body remained hidden in the stairwell, and Kai could see just how steep it was inside.
"Don't be scared," the man said. "This is one of the human shelters left after those damn A.I. took over. We need a hand here… If you can work, we can feed you. Nuts, mostly. Don't expect too much."
Kai's mind raced. Slowly, it clicked into place: this starter region wasn't just a random location, it was a hidden shelter.
All of those who had selected this Apocalypse during the Selection might have been sent to scattered human shelters.
Kai took a deep breath and chose to follow the man for now…
"I'm Russel," the man said casually as they began descending the stairs.
Kai nodded, keeping the hatchet ready. He also noticed the knob that Russel turned to close the hatch.
The stairwell was narrow, steep, and made of scrap metal. It was roughly five meters deep. Each step creaked under their weight, but it held firm.
The lower they went, the colder and damper the air became. Still, the stench of rot from the garbage dump above had faded.
As they reached the bottom, Russel motioned for Kai to follow him along a steep pathway.
'Ohh… They have electricity.'
Kai's eyes lit up as he noticed bulbs fixed along the corners of the tunnel. The walls were reinforced with steel beams, and though the floor was uneven, since it was littered with debris from years of repairs and expansions, it was still passable.
"This way," Russel muttered. "The real shelter is further down. We've been trying to make it… livable."
Kai followed silently. Most of the bulbs flickered or barely gave off light, forcing him to watch his footing, but he could make out more of the structure opening ahead.
As they walked, Russel started explaining, almost like he was talking to himself.
"Just so you know, this place isn't just a hiding spot. It's a proper shelter. Four people arrived here just a few minutes ago. I was told to check all the entrances, make sure no one got left behind… and that's when I found you."
Kai gently nodded. "Other entrances?"
Russel chuckled. "Yeah. Of course… We needed many escape routes if needed. Hidden stairwells, trapdoors, concealed tunnels… they're everywhere. Some even lead into the city, but that's suicide. Anyway, as long as you're not lazy, you can probably live for a long time."
That's a lot of information, so Kai felt grateful.
"Thank you, Mr. Russel… This shelter, does it have a name?"
Russel nodded. "This place is called Haven-45. Don't ask why, just remember it. Everyone here calls it that."
Kai blinked. "Haven-45… okay. But… why build all this? Who's running it?"
He asked cautiously. He didn't have other intention aside from knowing more about this place.
However, Russel just shrugged, unconcerned.
"Doesn't matter who. The past doesn't matter. You don't get points for being someone's son, daughter, or whatever. If you survive, you survive. That's enough. But…"
He glanced down at the pathway, then back at Kai… "This shelter isn't just for waiting to die. We're trying to get stronger…"
That caught Kai's attention. With a Mech Siege coming, a shelter full of people willing to fight was exactly what he needed.
"How many people?" Kai asked.
Russel gave a grim smile. "Before you and the four new arrivals? Forty. Now… forty-five."
"Forty-five people… all underground?"
Russel nodded. "Yep. And every one of them's got a reason to be here. Doesn't matter who you were, what you did… once you're inside, it's about survival. If you can work, you eat. If you can't… well, better hope you figure it out fast."