Global Awakening: Infinite Gift Pack System-Chapter 50: The Save

Terrence felt the drain of Spirit Points as his Pathfinder Talent activated.

Thirty points vanished in an instant, and the sensation left him weak. Unlike Kai and the others, Terrence had never consumed the golden liquid or anything close to a Gene Serum. Those precious resources had been reserved for the Augmented Humans, the ones who fought on the frontlines.

Because of that, Terrence’s reserves were pitiful. He had only 54 Spirit Points in total. He had 50 at the starting point, and 4 more points after leveling up twice.

’Tsk... This is just too much...’ Terrence thought as he checked his status.

[ Spirit: 4/54 ]

It wasn’t even possible for him to use Pathfinder twice in a single day. Thankfully, during his time working as a guard in Haven‑15, he had been paid with Spirit Stimulants. They were essentially recovery potions, restoring 10 Spirit Points each. It wasn’t much, but it allowed him to activate his Talent again when needed, since natural recovery was painfully slow, only 1 Spirit Point per hour!

Thanks to this stimulant, he had managed to use Pathfinder a second time.

"It’s here..." Aurora whispered, as she felt the changes around them.

The noise of their footsteps dulled, their frantic breathing softened, and even the air seemed cooler.

The most important effect of Pathfinder was its ability to mask their heat signature. Their movements became harder to track unless the enemy had a direct line of sight.

Then, Terrence focused on the passive effect of his Talent. His instincts sharpened, pointing him toward a direction he would never have chosen on his own.

The garbage field.

’What?’

Terrence grimaced. The place was foul, a mountain of waste piled high over years of neglect. The stench was overwhelming, thick with rot and decay. Flies swarmed in clouds, cockroaches scuttled across broken cans, and the ground was slick with filth. Infection would be inevitable if they stayed too long.

But Pathfinder insisted. It didn’t speak directly to him but he was informed that safety lay there. They probably had to conceal themselves among the trash.

"Move!" Terrence urged, guiding Aurora and Jonas toward the stench.

They followed without hesitation. At this point, they had no idea what else to do but run. To them, Terrence’s Talent was salvation, even if it led into filth.

Back in Haven-15, chaos spread.

Survivors scattered in every direction as panic started shattering the unity of the shelter. Soon, two large groups rallied behind the remaining Augmented Humans, each trying to lead their followers away from the siege.

But the Sentinels were watching and following them...

Terrence prayed the enemy’s attention would continue to focus on those larger groups.

’Yes, please... get their attention. Buy us time.’ It was cruel, but survival demanded cruelty. He wasn’t ready to die just yet.

Aurora glanced back, recalling the people who had sheltered her. "They’ll make it, right?"

Terrence didn’t answer. He couldn’t. He just pressed forward, forcing his legs to carry them deeper into the garbage field.

Unfortunately, Pathfinder’s concealment wasn’t perfect.

The Hounds had not given up. Five mechanical beasts spotted them and locked onto Terrence’s small group.

"Shit... They’re coming!"

Jonas cursed under his breath, gripping his metal pipe tighter. Aurora also clutched her hatchet, ready to fight if necessary.

On the other hand, Terrence’s revolver felt useless in his hand. They were only Level 3, barely stronger than civilians. Against five Hounds, their weapons were laughable unless they strike their weaknesses.

’They found us too quickly... We barely reached the garbage field.’ Terrence frowned.

Pathfinder’s effect was good, but the machines had already seen their movements. Even if their heat signatures were hidden, it wasn’t enough.

"Just run!" Terrence shouted.

With the stench choking their lungs and swarms of flies clouding their vision, the three survivors plunged into the filth, praying Pathfinder’s guidance would be enough to keep them alive.

Behind them, the five Hounds gave chase.

These quadrupedal machines with glowing red optics weren’t slowed by the terrain. Each step was calculated. They weren’t making unnecessary movements, making it easier for them to reach their group.

"Keep running!" Terrence shouted again.

He had a revolver, but he knew it wouldn’t be enough, unless he hit his target perfectly.

’I have to shoot at point-blank range if needed...’

That way, he might be able to destroy their sensors or the red optics on their faces. It wouldn’t win the fight, but it could buy them time.

Soon, the three survivors reached the scrapyard. They moved between piles of twisted metal and broken machinery.

They even considered collapsing piles of waste to slow the Hounds, but the machines adapted instantly, splitting into two groups to cut them off.

They’re fast!

Jonas swung his pipe wildly, striking one who lunged at him.

Bam!

The blow barely dented its chassis.

Thankfully, aside from biting and tackling, the Hounds had no advanced weapons. After all, they were mostly used by Sentinels to track targets.

"Ha!" Aurora shouted as she hurled her hatchet. It was barely embedded into another Hound’s leg joint, but the machine kept moving, dragging itself forward, and the hatchet was also thrown off.

Terrence then got closer and fired his revolver.

Bang!

The Hound staggered as sparks flew from its head, but it didn’t fall. At this time, Terrenace had only a handful of bullets left.

"Terrence!" Aurora screamed, ducking as another Hound leapt at her.

Jonas shoved her aside, taking the brunt of the impact.

Bam!

The machine’s jaws snapped inches from his throat. Jonas wrestled with it, but the Hound was stronger.

Terrence dashed forward and fired again.

Bang!

The bullet pierced its optic. The Hound didn’t collapse, but it lost control!

Because of that, Jonas managed to push it away.

"That’s close!"

"Focus!" Terrence reminded.

Soon, the three Survivors backed up with their weapons, as the remaining Hounds began circling them. It was as if they had received an order to hold rather than attack.

’Did they realize my revolver can still be a threat?’ Terrence thought, aiming at them. But the Hounds didn’t flinch or show signs of retreating!

They were cornered.

"This is it..." Jonas muttered with despair in his voice. He realized he wouldn’t even have the chance to make his own Talent bloom.

But something unexpected happened next!