Claire and Wallace had chosen the Weapon Gift Pack, wanting something they could use to fight the machines. They believe that the revolver would surely help, even with its limited bullets.
Ralph, on the other hand, had selected the Shelter Gift Pack, believing that good sleep and recovery from fatigue would be just as important as weapons. It didn't just include a tent, but also a sleeping bag that assured him that he'd get some comfort in this harsh world.
Victor had gone with the Stealth Gift Pack. In his mind, hiding was always better than fighting. With its camouflage suit, smoke grenade, and other tools, he felt his chances of survival would be higher if he avoided direct confrontation.
However, none of it was important in front of Kai… His unusual Talent allowed him to obtain Gift Packs endlessly… though at a price.
Now, the four had the same thoughts, perhaps they could purchase Food Gift Packs or other essentials through him… Unfortunately, they knew it would be difficult since they had nothing to offer yet.
At the very least, they had no idea what Kai needed.
Russel noticed their silent exchange but chose not to comment. Instead, he continued his briefing.
"Since you're here now, you should understand what we're up against. Out there, the machines are everywhere, but in this region, only two types come around regularly."
The five turned to him, listening closely.
"The first are the Swarmers," Russel explained. "They're foot-sized drones. They attack in clusters. Well, they're certainly weak alone, but quite terrifying in numbers. They're used for scouting, surveillance, and harassment. We don't mess with them. Destroying one only calls more, and before you know it, you'll be buried under a storm of them."
Claire shivered at the thought. The others nodded grimly, none of them eager to provoke such a swarm.
"Alright… those drones are a no-go," Wallace muttered.
Seeing that they understood, he continued.
"The second are the Sentinels. They're humanoid patrol units as tall as you…" Russel said while pointing at the tallest in the group, Wallace.
"They're the standard soldiers of the A.I. army. They're armed with rifles, and if you're unlucky, plasma cutters. They don't report back to their base unless they're low on energy, so if you have the strength, you can destroy them without drawing more attention. They're dangerous, but manageable."
Victor nodded slowly. "So we can fight them. Very well."
Russel wryly smiled at that comment. "If you can. Eliminating a Sentinel is worth it. Their loot is valuable. They have energy cores, weapon fragments, and sometimes even servo parts or mechanical devices for robotics… Those drops keep the shelter running. Power, repairs, upgrades… everything depends on scavenging from them."
Wallace's eyes widened. "Sounds like they're walking treasure chests."
Augustine shook his head. "You wouldn't say that if you knew how strong they are. Anyway, don't get greedy. Hunt too many, and you'll draw something worse, the Breakers."
The recruits waited for Russel to elaborate.
He didn't want to discuss this, but since Augustine had already mentioned it, he might as well introduce it.
"They're heavy, spider-like machines that were built for sieges. They smash barricades, bombard shelters, and tear through defenses like paper. I've only seen one in more than ten years here. Trust me, you don't want to see another. As long as you're not greedy, you only need to worry about the drones above and the Sentinels on the ground."
Kai and the others finally understood just how fragile their situation was. Swarmers in the skies, Sentinels on the ground, and the possible threat of Breakers if they pushed too far.
They kept this information in mind.
Finally, Russel gave a short nod. "That's all you need to know for now. Get some rest, learn the routines, and prepare yourselves. We're still deciding where to put you all to work. We'll discuss it and let you know later."
"Do we not have a say in this?" Wallace asked. He actually wanted to work where he could properly use his Iron Stamina Talent.
However, Russel just waved his hand dismissively. "Mhmm? Of course not. At least not on your first day. Just go with the flow for now."
Augustine added, "We'll check on you later. For now, stay sharp."
With that, the two men left, pointing out where the recruits could rest. Apparently, there were empty corners and makeshift "rooms" patched together from scrap metal.
Kai and the others didn't need to ask more questions. They already had a gist of the situation. The shelter was organized, but its leadership was rotten at the core.
For now, they had nothing to do but settle into their quarters that looked so terrible.
Thankfully, Ralph had a tent he could use for some privacy, along with a sleeping bag. However, the others weren't lucky.
"Ugh… How am I going to rest here?" Wallace muttered while looking at his corner. They do not have beds, chairs, or tables at all.
It really was just a corner with a divider made of scrap metal!
Claire also felt uncomfortable as she wanted to use the toilet. Furthermore, she still felt grimy after slipping in the garbage dump earlier.
She wasn't smelly, but the filth clung to her skin. She wanted to take a bath, but she knew that she didn't have the luxury to do it.
After all, even the three leaders a while ago didn't seem to have taken a bath for weeks!
Victor also examined the empty space they had been given.
'It's not even a proper living quarter, just an open area sectioned off like cubicles.'
With a sigh, all of them turned to Kai, their eyes filled with expectation.
They hoped he would finally reveal the conditions they had to meet in order to obtain a Gift Pack.