"An A.I. base disguised as a mountain?"

Victor asked in shock as he heard the two’s explanation hall within the shelter’s main hall.

Marissa was also stunned as she didn’t expect that there was still a nearby base!

"Tell me about its location again. Leave nothing out."

Augustine and Russel exchanged a glance before Russel began.

"We followed the Sentinel after the battle. It retreated cautiously, almost as if it knew it was being watched. We kept our distance, using the camouflage gear Kai gave us. The terrain was rough... We passed through those dry valleys and a meadow... Then, after a few hours... That’s when we saw it."

Augustine continued... "At the summit, there was a villa... It looked elegant, like it didn’t belong in this wasteland. At first, we thought it was just a residence or a command post. But then we saw them... Spyder Units are crawling out of the gates. Dozens of them. The villa was only a front. The mountain itself is the base..."

"A fortress disguised as a villa... and buried inside a mountain. That’s not something we can take lightly." Victor muttered.

He had helped create many Modified Sentinels so far, but he knew their limitations.

"Well... Finding out about it is good enough. We can’t conquer such a base. Not with our current forces."

Unfortunately, their strength was scattered.

Haven‑28 had its own defenders, Freedom Shelter was busy maintaining Aurora’s vast fields, and Blue Grass Shelter heavily relied on Atom for protection. New Haven‑45 itself was strong, but only in defense. Their walls, barrier systems, and hidden artillery gave them ability to fight back, but not mobility.

"Our forces are too scattered. Haven‑28, Freedom Shelter, Blue Grass, and here... we’re spread thin. We can’t mount an offensive against a fortress like that." Victor said.

Marissa sighed. "We should just build one big town or something. Consolidate our strength."

Russel shook his head. "That’s a good suggestion, but the resources are scattered. That’s the problem."

Indeed, each shelter had its own unique advantage.

Blue Grass Shelter had the rare blue grass, essential for brewing potions.

Haven‑28 was near a river, providing steady supplies of wood, herbs, and wild animal meat.

Then, the Freedom Shelter had Aurora’s vast fields, producing food, medicine, and even poisons.

Lastly, the New Haven‑45 was closest to the junkyards, overflowing with scrap metal, broken A.I. soldiers, and parts that could be salvaged.

Augustine muttered, "If we abandon any of these, we lose critical resources. Consolidation sounds good, but it’s not practical."

Victor nodded reluctantly. "For now, let’s just stay in this shelter. But we need to know more about that mountain base. Its scale, its defenses, its purpose. Once Kai returned, we must have as much information as we could."

For the matter, they could only rely on these two expert scouts.

Finally, they shifted to the more important topic.

"We need to deal with Renji," Marissa said resolutely.

***

Within minutes, Renji found himself surrounded in his room. Victor, Marissa, Augustine, and Russel stood before him...

Victor spoke first.

"We know you have two machine companions you’ve hidden. We also know the A.I. Army attacked us right after you arrived. That’s too much of a coincidence."

Renji was stunned as he realized that there was no escape on this...

"You think I sent the signal? That I led them here?"

Marissa’s voice was cold. "You brought androids close to our shelter. You hid them. And then the Dragoons attacked. Explain yourself."

Renji exhaled slowly as he raised his hand...

"I didn’t send any signal. Those machines. I call them Android‑9 and Android‑18. They are mine. I repaired them myself. I’m a mechanic. That’s my talent. I found them in a junkyard, already broken and discarded. With the system’s rewards and various items I found in the junkyards, I rebuilt them, piece by piece. Believe me, we’re not some kind of spies. They’re my companions."

"Then why hide them?" Russel asked.

"Because I didn’t want to be misunderstood. I know how dangerous androids look to survivors. I didn’t want panic. So I kept them hidden. But they’re loyal to me. They’re not part of the A.I. Army anymore."

Victor stepped closer. "And the Dragoons? How do you explain that?"

Renji’s gaze didn’t waver. "I was followed. Before I came here, I intercepted a convoy of A.I. soldiers transporting ores. I eliminated them. Took what I could and hide the rest... But I must have been tracked. The Dragoons weren’t here because of my androids... they were here because of me. I didn’t mean for that to happen. I didn’t want to bring danger to your shelter."

Marissa studied him carefully, her Witch Doctor instincts probing for deceit. But his words seemed to be the truth.

Renji continued... "I know what it looks like. But I’m not your enemy. I fight the A.I. Army the same as you. I just do it differently. My strength is all about my Mechanical Skills. I repair things like those androids... That’s how I survive."

Augustine sighed and decided to accept it... "If what you say is true, then you’re valuable. A mechanic who can repair androids... that’s rare. You can probably help lessen Victor’s work here."

Russel added, "But it doesn’t change the fact that you were followed. You brought danger here."

Renji nodded. "I know. And I’ll take responsibility. But don’t mistake me for a traitor. I’m here because I need shelter. And because I want to fight back, same as you."

Victor’s expression softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "We’ll be watching you. Closely. If your androids step out of line, if you betray us, you won’t leave here alive."

Renji met his gaze without flinching. "Fair enough. I wouldn’t expect anything less. Right... About the ore I mentioned I’ve stolen and hidden from the A.I. Army’s convoy, it’s this..."

Renji reached into his pack and carefully pulled out a chunk of ore.

Its surface was metallic orange yet pulsing with a strange energy.

He placed it on the table between them.

Victor stepped forward, and he extended his hand...

Then, his Appraisal Skill activated, scanning the ore.

Soon, a blue screen appeared in his vision.

[ You have discovered Aetherium Ore! ]