Kai had learned from Cornelio Aries that the members of the Cancer Faction were a bit too extreme in their ways.

However, because of their great contribution in battles against the A.I. Army, no one would really dare to reprimand them.

If they’re gone or have decided not to help the frontline battles, a handful of Level 80 Survivors would stop showing up in battles against the Ascendant Units of Anima... and that would be a true disaster.

After all, the only reason the city was able to avoid being invaded was because of the Survivors’ ability to fend off these Ascendant Units... and of course, the barrier they were maintaining that could stop the Energy Beams of the alien forces.

"Hey... Are you from Cameron? Why are you following me? I don’t have money with me." Kai said as he provoked the five people who were using Stealth Abilities.

The five were surprised as soon as they realized that they had failed in their ambush.

"How?" One of them muttered as he cancelled his stealth mode.

However, Kai just smiled. He didn’t want to reveal his secrets.

In truth, he was able to notice them despite being far from the range of his Keen Sense, thanks to a simple item from his Superior Grade Stealth Gift Pack... the thermal detection goggles.

"Are you going to attack now? Or are you running away?" Kai asked in a mocking tone.

The five figures no longer responded to Kai’s provocation.

Instead, they broke into motion, their silhouettes started appearing as all their Stealth Abilities dropped.

Kai smiled as he saw them...

From their speed alone, he could tell they were higher level than him... probably around Level 40. But fear never crossed his mind. He was floating above them on his Modified Dragoon, while they were stuck on the ground.

Their only options were throwing weapons or gunfire, and Kai had prepared for this exact scenario.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Soon, the assassins raised their rifles, firing upward in synchronized bursts.

Whoosh~ Whoosh~

Bullets streaked through the air, but the elevated angle worked against them. The rounds pinged harmlessly off the Dragoon’s reinforced plating!

’Victor really did well... This is such a solid modification.’

Kai smirked.

Then he decided to end this as quickly as possible.

"Pathetic Assassins. Stay there!"

Kai didn’t wait for the reply as he moved the grenade launcher into position.

With a loud thunk, the first round launched downward, exploding in a concussive blast that sent two assassins sprawling.

Boom!

Dust and smoke filled the battlefield, forcing them to scatter.

Without hesitation, Kai switched to his semi‑automatic pistol. His shots were precise with this weapon as each bullet forced the assassins to dive for cover.

He wasn’t aiming to kill outright... he was suppressing them, keeping them pinned while the Dragoon hovered steadily above.

The assassins tried to regroup, firing again, but their bullets barely scratched the Dragoon’s armor. Kai’s elevated position gave him complete control of the fight. With the Grenade Launcher, they couldn’t find a perfect spot!

Then, a shadow fell across the battlefield.

A metallic figure landed with a heavy thud.

"Ohhh! You’re finally here! Perfect! Protect me please!" Kai shouted.

Needless to say, the one who had just arrived was Atom. His only A‑Grade Sentinel had arrived.

The assassins froze, their eyes widening in shock. They had expected to fight a human survivor, not an android.

"An android?! He has a Sentinel?!" one of them shouted, and soon panic broke through their discipline.

They immediately tried to adjust, switching weapons to armor‑piercing rounds. But it was too late.

Atom moved with terrifying speed, his blade was already on their chests!

The first assassin raised his gun, but Atom’s arm shot forward, crushing the weapon before driving a fist into the man’s chest.

Bang!

The impact sent him flying.

Another assassin threw a blade, but Atom deflected it effortlessly, then countered with a sweeping strike that tore through two enemies at once.

Gunfire erupted, but Atom’s reinforced plating absorbed the rounds.

The assassins had prepared for human targets, not machines. Their weapons were insufficient, their tactics useless.

Kai watched from above, his pistol still aimed at the battlefield. "You should’ve stayed in Cameron."

Atom tore through the remaining assassins quite easily...

One tried to retreat, but Atom’s grappling line shot out, yanking him back before a crushing blow silenced him.

Bang!

Another attempted to flank, only to be caught mid‑step and dismantled by Atom.

Within moments, the battlefield was silent. The five assassins lay broken with their weapons scattered across the dirt.

Kai lowered his Dragoon, landing beside Atom.

He glanced at the wreckage, then at the Sentinel standing tall beside him.

"They thought they could ambush me," Kai muttered. "But they weren’t prepared for you."

Atom’s optics glowed faintly, scanning the area for any remaining threats. But none remained.

Kai holstered his pistol, his expression calm. "Humphrey really wants me gone, huh? Sending high-level assassins... and still failing."

He then looked toward the hill where smoke from the Blue Grass Shelter still rose.

"No time to waste. Let’s move."

***

Meanwhile, as Kai was busy at the Blue Grass Shelter, a visitor arrived at New Haven‑45.

And it wasn’t just anyone... it was Renji, one of the most renowned survivors, always ranked within the Top 10 of the Survivors Leaderboard.

Unsurprisingly, Renji came in peace. According to his story, he had been traveling alone for more than two weeks, and exhaustion clung to him heavily.

All he wanted now was a safe place to rest, even if only for a couple of days. He was willing to pay for 1 C-Grade Cores per night.

Because he sounded generous, he was welcomed by Marissa and Victor.

Victor, ever cautious, studied Renji’s movements carefully. His hand lingered near the hilt of his weapon, ready to act if things turned hostile.

Marissa, on the other hand, stood calm but alert. As a Witch Doctor, she carried a hidden advantage... if Renji revealed bad intentions, she could curse him instantly, crippling his strength before he even realized what had happened.

Renji, of course, had no idea of this hidden safeguard... He couldn’t even take his eyes off her!

"Miss... Do you want to get stronger? I can help you get even stronger... Here, look at this." Renji muttered while showing an unfamiliar Gene Enhancement Serum...

"This isn’t from a Gene Trader you’re familiar with but from someone within Anima’s Territory. What do you think?"