Wallace froze as he also noticed some dark figures getting closer...

As soon as he adjusted his vision, he immediately realized what he was seeing...

When the two figures stepped into view, he also felt a little nervous like Farrah.

At first glance, they looked like Sentinels, the humanoid robots controlled by the A.I. Civilization. Normally, these machines carried standard weapons like rifles or swords. Against such enemies, Farrah would not have hesitated.

She had faced dozens before, cutting them down with her sword skills as a Spirit Knight.

But this time, her grip on the sword tightened, and her expression grew tense.

The Sentinel in front was different. It was actually wearing a Survivor Gear Set!

Furthermore, strapped to its back was a familiar Emergency Thruster Pack, something that they had obtained from Kai!

Across its chest hung a tactical vest, loaded with ammunition magazines. A carbine rifle rested against its shoulder, and an axe was clipped to its side. The vest itself seemed heavy, hinting at more weapons hidden within.

Wallace frowned... "That’s... not normal."

Farrah nodded.

Just like Wallace, she had seen other Sentinels with various equipment, but this one was different. It wasn’t just armed... it was outfitted like a survivor. That was what unsettled her.

She shifted her stance, preparing to unleash her skill.

The glow of Spirit Energy began to gather around her blade. But before she could strike, the Sentinel did something unexpected.

It didn’t raise its rifle. It didn’t aim its axe. Instead, it reached into its vest and pulled out... a folded piece of paper.

"What?" Wallace muttered, stunned.

The Sentinel extended the paper toward them. Farrah hesitated, then lowered her blade slightly. Wallace realized that this Sentinel wasn’t trying to harm them and stepped closer, before he carefully unfolded the sheet.

The message was written in Kai’s handwriting.

[ This is Sentinel X‑01. It will protect the cave entrance, ensuring the safety of the Gene Trader -if there is one inside. - KAI ]

Wallace blinked. "Kai... sent this?"

Kai didn’t even mention anything like this in the Guild Chat!

Farrah exhaled slowly, her tension easing.

The Sentinel stood silently and waited for them to clear the way...

It wasn’t hostile. It was guarding...

They were sure about the exact instructions given to this Sentinel, but soon they cleared a path.

Then, the machine moved to the cave entrance just outside the Alarm System device and positioned itself like a sentry, unmoving, while its glowing optics were scanning the area.

Wallace scratched his head. "Ha... what if there’s no Gene Trader inside?"

Farrah sheathed her sword, her expression was thoughtful.

"Then we report back to Kai through Guild Chat. He must have some way to control it remotely. But still..." She glanced at the Sentinel...

"I didn’t know they could already make Sentinels break free from the A.I. rebel’s control."

Wallace nodded, still staring at the machine. "It’s... impressive. Almost unsettling."

Farrah’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Yes... If Kai and the Guild can truly reprogram Sentinels, then this changes everything. Imagine turning the enemy’s weapons into our guardians."

The thought lingered between them as the cave loomed darker ahead.

Still, the two of them finally realized that their fight against the A.I. rebels might not just be about survival. It might be about control... about who could command the machines.

And Kai had just proven that the Guild was one step closer to that power.

***

"Let’s investigate," Wallace said, recalling their mission.

"Alright..."

Together, they stepped closer to the cave.

Wallace and Farrah didn’t venture too far into the cave before their eyes adjusted to the dim light. Soon, they spotted a lone figure seated near the wall, cloaked in dark fabric.

Around him were bags, crates, and containers stacked neatly, each one marked with strange symbols.

Without a doubt, this was a Gene Trader.

"Whoa... Amazing..." Wallace muttered.

"Huh? They all looked the same to me." Farrah commented.

Wallace could only helplessly smile as they approached the figure with caution.

"Gene Trader?" Wallace called out. "We want to trade."

Soon, the figure raised his hands slowly, revealing a crystal...

As soon as it appeared, both Wallace and Farrah received a system prompt:

[ Gene Trader’s Store ]

[ Survivor Medal Items ] [ Energy Core Items ]

Their eyes widened, and a rush of relief filled them. They celebrated quietly, exchanging a glance that confirmed their excitement. This was no illusion... they were truly dealing with a Gene Trader.

They had brought Survivor Medals and Energy Cores specifically for this purpose, and now their preparation was paying off.

Wallace selected the Survivor Medal Items and soon, the store window expanded, listing familiar items...

[ Super Gene Enhancement Serum ]

[ Description: A basic serum that slightly improves genetic compatibility, granting small boosts to overall stats and a high chance of awakening a Gene Skill.

Cost: 4 Survivor Medals ]

[ Alpha Gene Enhancement Serum ]

[ Description: A rare genetic resource that grants balanced boosts to overall stats and provides a small chance of awakening a Gene Skill.

Cost: 4 Survivor Medals ]

[ Prime Gene Enhancement Serum ]

[ Description: A rare serum that focuses on greatly improving Physique and provides a small chance of awakening a Gene Skill.

Cost: 4 Survivor Medals ]

[ Mutagenic Gene Enhancement Serum ]

[ Description: An unstable serum that grants massive boosts to overall stats but carries a high chance of mutation. Mutations may result in unpredictable abilities or severe drawbacks.

Cost: 1 Survivor Medal ]

The price of the four Gene Enhancement Serums was still the same...

Soon, Wallace checked the pills...

[ Gene Stabilization Pill ]

[ Rapid Recovery Pill ]

[ Neural Expansion Pill ]

Seeing that they were all the same and similar prices, Wallace finally felt satisfied...

However, as they scrolled further, they noticed something unusual... something no other Gene Trader had offered before.

[ Gene Weapon (Low‑Grade) ]

[ Description: A weapon forged with genetic resonance. Even at low grade, it synchronizes with the wielder’s Talent, amplifying combat efficiency.

Cost: 10 Survivor Medals ]

[ Gene Weapon (Mid‑Grade) ]

[ Description: A weapon forged with genetic resonance. It greatly synchronizes with the wielder’s Talent, amplifying combat efficiency.

Cost: 30 Survivor Medals ]

"Gene Weapons...?"

Wallace and Farrah couldn’t help but feel impressed.

Of course, the two of them already had low-grade Gene Weapons after receiving the reward from the Surveillance Sweep Event...

However, obtaining more was never a bad thing!