Elena did not stop after creating the first pendant. The success had filled her with confidence, and she knew the golden bull’s horns still held vast reserves of untapped energy.

If she could refine them carefully, many survivors could benefit.

Just like that, she laid out her tools again, as she prepared to work for the night...

To others, her tools were just like ordinary chisels, files, and polishing stones. But in her hands, guided by her Master‑Grade Artisan Talent, they became instruments of transformation.

Her Artisan Talent was not her only gift. She also possessed passive gene skills that enhanced her work...

[ Precision Hands (Level 2) ]

[ Description: Enhances fine motor control and accuracy. Allows exact cuts and adjustments during crafting, reducing the risk of damaging rare materials. ]

[ Spirit Sensitivity (Level 1) ]

[ Description: Attunes the user to the flow of spiritual energy within materials. Guides crafting toward the strongest points of resonance, increasing the chance of unlocking hidden properties. ]

[ Material Insight (Level 3) ]

[ Description: Provides an intuitive understanding of rare resources. Improves efficiency in refining and shaping materials, raising the likelihood of producing special items with unique effects. ]

With these skills working together, Elena was not just crafting... she was awakening the horn’s hidden potential.

She began by shaving off another small section of the golden horn.

The material resisted at first, since it was dense and heavy... But under her careful strokes, it finally yielded. As she worked, she felt the faint presence of Spiritual Energy...

Spirit Sensitivity guided her hands to the right spots, ensuring she drew out the strongest essence.

Once separated, she refined the fragment into a condensed shard. The shard pulsed faintly, as it was gathering energy... It was proof that her skills had unlocked its dormant power.

"Carefully..." She muttered.

Soon, her Precision Hands allowed her to polish the shard into a flawless crystal, while Material Insight told her exactly how to embed it into a pendant without losing its energy.

Hours passed, but Elena did not stop.

Each pendant she created looked so precious.

The system window appeared again and again, confirming her success:

[ Crafting Complete! ]

[ Crafting Complete! ]

[ Crafting Complete! ]

Every time she saw the notification, Elena’s heart raced with joy. She wasn’t just making trinkets, she was helping the shelter!

After all, she had received so much from Kai already. The food, clothing, shelter, security, and even entertainment were provided by the one and only Guild Leader.

If these items were able to assist her Guildmates and fellow survivors, then she’d be happy with this...

Just like that, she had produced a total of forty pendants!

It was not enough for everyone, but at the very least, the key figures who truly needed faster Spirit Recovery would have a chance to use them.

***

Meanwhile, Wallace never skipped his daily training.

With his Superior‑Grade Iron Stamina Talent, he believed that every morning session was another step toward strengthening his body.

He pushed himself through grueling routines... long runs around the perimeter, weighted drills, and sparring exercises with the other survivors.

Thanks to his stamina, he was improving faster than anyone else.

His muscles felt like burning every time, but he welcomed the pain.

After all, Wallace believed that in this world, physique mattered as much as Spirit.

If his body wasn’t strong enough, then no amount of talent would save him when the machines or mutants came.

That morning, after finishing his training and eating a quick meal, Wallace was preparing to patrol when a notification appeared in the Guild Chat.

"Mhmm?"

[ Kai: Wallace, retrieve one of the perimeter alarm systems stored in the treasure vault of the Shelter. Set it up around the newly discovered cave and investigate the area with Claire... or maybe Farrah. I’ll let you know... ]

Wallace nodded to himself. He had heard about this cave yesterday.

Russel and Augustine, the scouts, had stumbled upon it during their sweep.

They suspected that a Gene Trader was hidden inside.

But they hadn’t dared to get too close.

Everyone knew the risk... If locals approached a Gene Trader’s Zone, traps would trigger, and mindless mutants would swarm to devour them.

That was why Wallace and other Foreign Survivors had been chosen.

Soon, his companion was decided...

Apparently, he was to accompany Farrah, the woman with the Spirit Knight Talent.

She was no ordinary survivor since she had defeated a Dominion Unit of the A.I. Army during the Global Event, when the shelter itself had been under siege.

Her reputation was already considered legendary among the Guild.

After all, that disc-shaped vessel truly looked like an unstoppable alien ship until she made her move...

***

Soon, Wallace was ready and headed out.

"Wallace?" Farrah muttered as looking at the man’s face.

"O... oh... Let’s go." Wallace replied.

Well, when he saw her at the gate, his heart skipped. He tried to keep his expression calm, but inside, he was nervous. He had admired Farrah for a long time, and now he was going on a mission with her.

"Ready?" Farrah asked...

Wallace nodded quickly. "Yeah. Let’s move."

Together, they set out. Wallace carried the alarm system, a compact device designed to detect movement and trigger alerts through his Inventory Slot...

Meanwhile, Farrah walked beside him as she carried her sword.

In any case, the path to the cave was quiet, though Wallace’s nerves weren’t.

He kept glancing at her, trying not to be obvious. She moved with confidence, every step looked so elegant in his eyes...

Wallace’s mind wandered.

’She fought a Dominion Unit... and won. And here I am, just trying to keep up.’

He clenched his fists, reminding himself that his Iron Stamina Talent would soon show its great advantage.

When they reached the cave, it suddenly became colder...

"I’ll set the alarm first before we enter..." Wallace set the alarm system down and began installing it carefully.

However, as soon as he did so, he noticed Farrah drawing her sword and suddenly looking so nervous.

Wallace immediately followed her gaze and realized that they weren’t alone!