Kai looked at the guard and confirmed that he was one of those who had handled the Status Crystal a while ago.

After a moment of thought, he reached into his pouch and revealed the Invitation Token. The guard took it carefully...

For a moment, his eyes squinted as he examined the etched markings. Soon, the man’s expression shifted from recognition to caution.

’Mhmm? Is this token special?’ Kai mused.

Then, he heard the guard whisper.

"This... this comes from the Aries Faction."

As Kai was processing those words, the guard quickly returned the token to him.

Without another word, he nodded once and stepped back, leaving in a hurry.

Kai blinked, confused. He had no idea what the guard meant. However, he soon recalled Cornelio’s reminder.

’Ahhh... Right. Aries Faction.’

He recalled the existence of Factions within the city! For now, he would be considered a guest of the Aries Faction and it shouldn’t be a bad thing for him.

Regardless, the checkpoint cleared, and Kai’s team was finally allowed into the city proper.

The first area they entered was utilitarian. He could see rows of barracks and military compounds lining the streets... Soon, soldiers and a couple of exosuit operators were moving around.

It was understandable. After all, they were near the gates, so defensive emplacements were scattered throughout... Kai and the others saw mounted turrets and reinforced bunkers positioned strategically.

The air around this area smelled faintly of oil and gunpowder. It was surely a reminder that Cameron City lived under constant threat.

"It feels like the whole entrance is built for war." Alfie muttered.

Ralph nodded. "Makes sense. If the A.I. Army attack this often, the gates have to be the strongest point."

As they walked further in, the scenery began to change.

The military zone gave way to townhouses and mixed‑use buildings, their ground floors converted into shops and stores.

The streets were wide enough for two vehicles to pass side by side, though now they were crowded with people. There were survivors, merchants, and soldiers alike.

Kai’s eyes scanned the bustling scene.

Vendors had set up stalls along the sidewalks, with their voices rising above the crowd as they advertised their goods.

"Fresh homemade sausages! Coconut juice and sweet products get them here!"

"Machine parts, cores, and repair kits!"

"Gene Stimulants and medical supplies!"

"Sword and Gun maintenance! Come!"

It didn’t end there, as the variety was staggering.

Some stalls sold food like dried meats, preserved fruits, and steaming bowls of stew. Others displayed salvaged machine components, glowing cores, and improvised weapons.

A few even offered luxuries like expensive cloth, trinkets, and handmade jewelry, proof that life here wasn’t only about survival.

Alfie grinned. "It’s like a marketplace right outside the gates."

Farrah observed quietly. "They’re smart. With so many people coming in, vendors set up shop where traffic is highest."

Ralph chuckled. "Look at that guy... selling fried bread packs for C-Grade Cores or equal value. So expensive."

Kai couldn’t help but feel impressed.

’This city is interesting.’

The streets were filled with activity... Despite the battle outside, it didn’t stop the chatter, bargaining, and laughter.

The echoes of battle still rumbled faintly beyond the walls, but it was as if they knew that the shelter’s walls wouldn’t collapse at all.

It was definitely their way of showing their faith in the organization protecting the city.

For a moment, Kai and his team absorbed the scene in front of them.

They watched children moved between stalls, clutching small toys made of scrap metal.

They saw soldiers looking around to stop any troublemakers, while some of them were eating quick meals before returning to duty.

Merchants also haggled loudly, as if that would help with the negotiation...

"Amazing... but it’s a pity," Claire muttered. "Everything here is so expensive. We barely have enough C‑Grade Cores, yet in this city they’re treated like everyday currency."

Kai noticed it too. He could only assume it was because Cameron City was strong enough to make such resources commonplace. Out here, C‑Grade A.I. soldiers were considered dangerous foes... but inside these walls, their cores were nothing more than basic trade goods.

As they moved deeper into Cameron City, the team realized the scale of what they had entered. It wasn’t just a fortress... it was a living, breathing community that had carved out a semblance of civilization amidst the chaos.

***

"Alright! Let’s start looking around!"

"Let’s stick for now. We don’t know what to expect here."

Just like that, Kai and his team ignored most of the stalls as they moved deeper into the city. Food, weapons, and gear were plentiful, but none of it caught their interest.

Kai already had unlimited rations, weapons, and survival equipment.

What they lacked were simple comforts like clothes for sleeping, softer fabrics, things that weren’t designed for combat. But those weren’t urgent, not compared to the essentials they already had.

As they walked past another row of shops, Mei suddenly slowed down.

Her eyes widened as she pointed toward one of the larger buildings.

"Is that... wait... a VR pod?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

He couldn’t understand why it was being sold here.

The others also turned confused.

Through the glass windows of the building, they saw posters plastered across the walls advertising immersive experiences.

And there, displayed prominently, was a capsule‑like machine! It was unmistakably a VR pod.

"What the heck?" Alfie muttered, stepping closer to get a better look.

Claire frowned. "Mhmm? Why is a VR pod being sold like a hot commodity here? There are even different colors."

Farrah’s eyes scanned the poster, and her voice trembled. "Wait... T‑that’s worth one hundred B‑Grade Cores?!"

The group fell silent, stunned.

Kai stared at the pod...

’A VR pod... here, in Cameron City?’

Considering the advancement of technology, it wasn’t really surprising to see a VR pod. However, in this A.I. Apocalypse setting, he couldn’t help but consider this too dangerous.

Even if it could still be used, he never expected to find one openly displayed in a marketplace.

Ralph scratched his head. "Is this their way to escape reality or something? Or maybe they’re using this VR World for something else. Look, they’re selling VR pods for B‑Grade Cores like it’s some luxury item."

Then, it finally clicked...

Kai froze as he recalled the item being sold in his Reputation Store!

"I knew it, I have to buy that thing..."