"Yay! Level three! I got it!" Claire exclaimed as she confirmed the notification.
At this time, everyone in the Leader's Chamber was focused on their Gene Serum consumption.
Since Claire, Wallace, Victor, and Ralph were sharing the half-filled vial with about 100 drops, they would only get around 25 drops each.
About seven or eight drops were needed to reach Level 2, while twelve drops were required to reach Level 3, since it had the requirement of 600 Experience Points.
Because of that, it was impossible to continue further. Still, they consumed as much as they could to gain more Health and Spirit Points.
Unfortunately, reaching Level 3 no longer granted an additional reward. But all of them had reached Level 3, and even if it didn't improve their Physique Rating, they were satisfied with the result.
"Go on, Kai… just drink the whole thing. I'm sure you'll be fine. We have a different physique compared to the natives… or residents here," Wallace suggested.
"I think I can try that," Kai muttered as he checked his current status after leveling up once again.
[ Survivor Status ]
[ Name: Kai ]
[ Title: Beginner Survivor ]
[ Level: 4 ]
[ Health: 295/295 ]
[ Spirit: 88/88 ]
[ Physique Rating: E ]
[ Talent: Infinite Gift Pack (SSS) ]
[ Active Skills: None ]
[ Passive Skills: None ]
[ Skill Point: 1 ]
"But… let me try to reach Level 5 first. I just realized… this requirement is huge," Kai said as he rechecked the notification, realizing that he might actually receive another special announcement from the system after reaching the Level 5 milestone.
This wasn't a random guess. After all, he had noticed a pattern. Since reaching Level 3 required 600 Experience Points, and reaching Level 4 required 700 Experience Points, he expected 800 Experience Points to reach Level 5.
However, instead of that, he was notified that he actually needed 3,000 Experience Points!
[ Progression Requirement Updated ]
[ Next Level: 3,000 Experience Points ]
Since a single drop gave 50 Experience Points, that meant he needed about 60 drops. Of course, there was no point in doing this drop by drop, so he decided to just take a small sip.
He only hoped that the excess Serum he consumed would carry over properly toward reaching Level 6.
"Eh? Sixty drops? That's a lot… Just take a mouthful… Go!"
"Three thousand points, huh. We will guard you here. Don't worry."
"I'm sure you'll get a Gene Skill now."
"That will be perfect. Maybe your Talent will also improve, and the gift packs will give more items."
The four couldn't help but imagine what kind of reward Kai would get. It was as if they weren't in the A.I. Rebellion Apocalypse. They were all just happy to see their leader get stronger.
Kai nodded and lifted the vial. Then, he took a cautious sip.
Just like that, he let the golden liquid burn down his throat.
He immediately felt his body tense and heat even began spreading through his chest, but it didn't take long, and the familiar rhythm settled. He quickly checked the system notifications.
[ Alpha Gene Enhancement Serum Consumed ]
[ +2,660 Experience Points ]
[ Permanent Stat Increase: Health +200, Spirit +20 ]
Kai froze…
'I'm short by a few drops.'
Then, he turned to the Health Points and Spirit Points that he gained and realized that he had most likely reached the cap or the highest Health and Spirit Points he could get at this level.
Without wasting any more time, he prepared the dropper again. This time, he drew a few large drops and let them fall onto his tongue. Just like that, his body accepted all of it.
The system reacted instantly.
[ You have leveled up! ]
[ Level: 5 ]
[ Health Points +50 ]
[ Spirit Points +10 ]
[ Gene Skill Points +1 ]
[ Physique Rating Improved: E+ ]
[ Inventory Slots Expanded: +1 ]
"My physique finally improved…" Kai muttered as he saw the plus sign. It was something that Claire obtained at Level 2.
Then, he continued checking the notifications.
[ Title Upgrade: Survivor ]
[ Title Effect: Satiety decreases more slowly. Survivors can endure longer without food before hunger penalties occur. ]
"Oh? This is actually decent." Kai muttered as he saw the effect. He also realized that everyone would probably have a similar Title after reaching Level 5, so it would be very helpful.
Then, the long-awaited Gene Skill had finally arrived!
[ New Passive Gene Skill Activated! ]
[ Skill: Keen Sense (Level 0) ]
[ Description: Enhances sight and detection ability. Allows clearer vision in low light and improves awareness of hidden threats. ]
[ Note: Passive skills cannot be deactivated. Leveling requires Gene Skill Points. ]
"A Gene Skill. It's here." Kai muttered as he felt that his senses had already improved.
It didn't end there…
[ Congratulations! You are the First Survivor to reach Level 5! ]
[ Reward Granted: Tier 2 Survivor Gear ]
[ Description: A durable, system‑forged equipment set that adapts to your physique rating. ]
Seeing all of this felt so incredible… However, the last part stunned him for a moment.
[ Important Notice ]
[ Alpha Gene Enhancement Serum Limit Reached. ]
[ Further consumption will not improve stats for the next 30 days. ]
[ Options: Wait until cooldown expires OR locate different versions of Gene Serum. ]
Kai's eyes widened, and just as he was about to share the revelation with the others, the underground shelter shuddered violently.
The tremor was sudden... It was like the shockwave of a grenade detonating above ground. Dust had even drifted from the ceiling, and the old lamp on the wall swayed wildly...
"What's happening outside?" Claire whispered.
Then, everyone instinctively turned toward the door as the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor.