Both Russel and Augustine frowned upon seeing their arrival.
Their presence immediately shifted the atmosphere.
Even without their introduction, each of them seemed arrogant with their eyes sweeping over the new recruits like they were some sort of products.
"You…"
Claire stiffened as all three of them looked at her with a familiar gaze.
It was a lecherous gaze that was unashamed, and it made her instinctively take a step back. Kai and everyone else noticed this.
Wallace and Ralph exchanged uneasy glances.
Although they were both Level 1, they would definitely fight if these three dared to do something inappropriate.
The two Scouts also noticed this, so they had to mediate. They didn't like these men either, but they kept their composure.
Russel cleared his throat.
"Ahem… These are the operations leaders of Haven‑45. They oversee the divisions and keep the shelter running."
Augustine added, "They are the sons of the Elder, the one who originally managed this place. Age has forced him to step back, so authority was divided among them."
The three men stood proudly as their names were spoken. They looked at the two scouts, waiting for them to get introduced.
Realizing that they were not going to leave, Russel had no other choice but to introduce them properly.
"The first is Keagan," Russel said, gesturing to the broad-shouldered man with a scar across his cheek. His smirk was directed at Claire, and he seemed to be very pleased with something.
"He oversees combat operations."
"The second is Julian," Augustine continued, pointing to the lean man with messy black hair and bony features. His gaze also lingered on Claire with the same distasteful hunger.
"He manages logistics."
"And the third is Damon," Russel finished, nodding toward the tallest of the three, and of course, his grin was no less unsettling.
"He handles technical operations."
Kai studied them carefully. Keagan, Julian, and Damo…
They were definitely three scumbags who had inherited authority not through merit, but through blood.
Then, once again, Russel reminded them.
"They're sons of the Elder, the oldest survivor in Haven‑45, whose wisdom had once guided the shelter."
Russel and Augustine didn't badmouth them. Instead, they explained the importance of their roles, how each division was vital to survival, and how the three leaders coordinated operations.
Kai and the others also noticed that even if their words were professional, their eyes showed disdain.
The three command leaders finally decided not to linger any longer. Yet before they left, each of them stole another glance at Claire, their eyes lingering far too long.
Thud!
As soon as the chamber door closed behind them, Claire exhaled heavily… She suddenly felt weak.
She was already in her mid-thirties, and seeing those arrogant men in their twenties looking at her like that filled her with unease. The others noticed her discomfort, but no one spoke of it.
Russel broke the silence instead.
"You'll have to get used to it. There aren't many women here. Only eight, to be exact." His tone was matter-of-fact, but his frown showed he didn't approve of how the leaders behaved.
He shifted the topic quickly. "Now, about compensation. Don't expect wages or coins. There's no money here. You work, you eat. That's the deal."
Wallace raised a brow. "So… food is the payment?"
Russel nodded. "Food and water. But don't imagine anything fancy. Most of what we have are nuts grown underground. They're bitter, hard, and barely filling. The water comes from a deep well. It isn't clean, not by old standards, but it doesn't make us sick. Somehow, it keeps us alive."
Claire grimaced. "That's… not much."
Russel's expression hardened. "It's survival. If you want more than that, you'll have to earn it."
Victor tilted his head. "Earn it how?"
Russel hesitated, then sighed. "If you manage to scavenge something important outside, something the shelter needs, the three leaders can take it and exchange it for a drop of gold liquid."
Everyone looked at him in confusion.
Ralph adjusted his cracked glasses and asked, "Gold liquid?"
Russel wasn't in the mood to explain, but he gave them the basics.
"It's from before. From the government, or whoever was fighting the A.I. back then. They used it for gene enhancement. Strengthened the body, sharpened the mind, improved reflexes, and muscle control. A whole vial could somehow change a person. But here… you'll only ever get drops. One drop reward for each major achievement. If you want to feel the effect, you'll need a lot of contributions."
Kai nodded slowly, piecing it together.
So the three scumbags were managing the gold liquid. That explained why no one dared to cross them. It was their concept of leveling up. Their way of controlling power, and judging by Russel's tone, they probably didn't have much of it left.
Augustine gave a wry smile. "The machine that produces the gold liquid is probably in one of the larger shelters, not here. So if you ever get a drop, consume it immediately. Don't risk losing it."
Wallace chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, are we not getting one for free as a gift or something?"
Russel's sharp look silenced him. "No. Nothing here is free. Remember that."
The chamber fell quiet again. The recruits exchanged uneasy glances. Food was scarce, water was barely clean, and the only path to strength was through drops of a mysterious liquid controlled by corrupt leaders…
Then, their eyes lit up as they looked at Kai!