The survivors in the Lindenburgh subway were divided into two groups: the Awakened, who gained their powers from Ambrosia, and regular humans.
The difference between them was stark. All Awakened had parts of their bodies completely untouched by scars, while regular humans bore visible wounds on their skin.
Among the group was Kelvin's cousin, someone who often sacrificed ordinary survivors to the monsters in order to keep the rest alive. Kelvin turned a blind eye to his cousin's actions because he had promised his aunt to protect him. Beyond that, Kael didn't know much about the details.
That day, Kelvin's cousin was absent—perhaps out scavenging for rations or items on the surface.
In his past life, Kael was just another member of an Awakened unit, indifferent to everything else. But now that they had all left the subway, Kael couldn't ignore the fearful gazes of the ordinary survivors. They haunted him.
He was determined to turn things around, but in his own way. His plan was to gather more useful items to make himself even stronger.
"You're kind, helping carry food and water rations for us," Kelvin said while taking a chocolate bar, unwrapping it, and popping it into his mouth.
Kael smiled and replied, "It's a gesture of goodwill from us."
Chewing on the chocolate, Kelvin scrutinized Kael closely. "You don't seem like a weakling. How did you find out we were here?"
"I heard it from someone on my way to Ozark. They mentioned this place as a haven for survivors," Kael lied calmly, his face giving nothing away.
Kelvin continued to study Kael before finally cracking a smile. "Alright, we accept you. You'll be part of us. Oh, and thanks—this chocolate is good."
The two women flanking Kelvin giggled, then whispered to each other about Thalia.
"I think I've seen her somewhere before," said the red-haired woman named Sharon, turning to the long-haired, dark-haired woman beside her.
"You're just jealous that she's younger and prettier than you," teased the dark-haired woman, Tracy, chuckling.
Sharon rolled her green eyes and hissed, "I will kill you, Tracy."
Tracy burst out laughing, and they kept bantering, sometimes behind Kelvin's back and sometimes right in front of him
Kelvin wasn't the type to be interested in women, and neither Sharon nor Tracy were his "women." His time spent with Shaolin monks had deeply influenced him, and he paid no attention to any romantic advances.
Still, both women were indispensable because of the skills they had acquired. Sharon had a prophecy skill, allowing her to predict where and how monsters would appear. Tracy, on the other hand, possessed a healing skill that enabled her to treat injured team members.
Their skills were so critical that 30% of the mana shards collected by the team were allocated to them.
Kael had come to this place to gain skills, not only for himself but also for Thalia. Kelvin understood this. He turned to Kael, who was still standing by the table, and asked as he grabbed a carton of milk from the supplies, "What kind of skill do you want?"
Kael smiled slightly, impressed by Kelvin's sharpness, and replied, "A skill to double the damage dealt. And for the girl, something like enhanced vision for archery."
"Two skills, huh? Bold of you to ask!" interrupted a man who had been standing when Kael arrived.
'This guy never changes—his mouth always moves faster than his brain,' thought Kael, glancing at the shoulder-length yellowish-red-haired man who interrupted him.
Whether his hair was dyed like an anime character or not, his face was perpetually flushed.
"Duncan. Show some respect to our benefactors," Kelvin said calmly as he stood up.
Duncan returned to his seat, his face flushed red, as he fixed Kael with a challenging glare.
Meanwhile Kelvin extended his hand to Kael. "I hope you and your... girlfriend will stay here to help protect the survivors."
Kael shook his hand and replied, "Alright. Happy to do business with you."
As their hands clasped, Kael felt an unfamiliar surge of energy flow into his body.
The method for transferring skills resembles the fantasy settings often found in online novels.
The two involved parties simply needed to touch exposed skin—such as through a handshake—while focusing on the intention to transfer the skill. The transfer process only took a few seconds to complete.
As for naming and determining the strength of the skill, it was typically up to the user themselves to designate whether the skill was common, intermediate, or rare.
After they done, Thalia suddenly interjected, "I'm not his girlfriend!"
Kelvin laughed and extended his hand to the girl. She looked at it warily, but Kael told her firmly, "Accept the skill."
Though confused, Thalia obeyed Kael's commanding tone and shook Kelvin's hand.
She felt a rush of energy entering her body, and suddenly, her vision became clearer and sharper. She could now see tiny objects far away with ease.
Kelvin withdrew his hand and turned to Kael. "Seal of Death and Hawk Eye have been transferred to you. Feel free to rest now."
"Thank you for your generosity," Kael replied, placing a hand on Thalia's shoulder as he led her away from Kelvin's table.
After finding a spot that wasn't too filthy or smelly—though still somewhat dark and hidden from others' view—Kael dropped his backpack and sat on the floor.
Thalia sat next to him and immediately began asking questions. "What was that? It felt like something entered my body through his hand!"
"That's your skill," Kael explained.
"Skill?"
"Yes. You now have a skill that lets you see clearly over long distances. Now, sit still and break all your mana shards," Kael instructed as he pulled out his own shards from his pocket.
He shattered all his mana shards, sat cross-legged, and began focusing the mana from his core throughout his body.
Thalia followed his lead, and the two sat quietly in meditation for a while.
Eventually, Kael opened his eyes, a smirk of satisfaction on his face.
'I'll strengthen myself as fast as possible. To end those f*ck*rs' lives.'