The reason why Kai wanted to know more about their past was simple… They lacked information.
The existence of a nearby shelter, the surrounding territories, the location of the A.I. Army's base, the Talent they possess, and even random things about this world that could be helpful… all of these were vital to understand their situation.
They knew too little about their enemies and their surroundings.
After all, they needed to find a method to deal with each type of Mechanical Soldier. The Sentinels no longer seemed invincible after learning the limitations of their sensors, their rifles, and their turning rate.
Surely, the Hounds, Swarmers, and other Mechanical Soldiers must have weaknesses they could exploit if they wanted to survive the three days, or even just the remaining hours, of the Mech Siege.
'But not even five hours passed from the Mech Siege… The difficulty will definitely increase as time passes. We have no time to rest.' Kai thought as he checked his current stat.
[ Name: Kai
Title: Survivor
Level: 5
Health: 550/550
Spirit: 130/130
Physique Rating: E+
Talent: Infinite Gift Pack (SSS)
Active Skills: None
Passive Skills: Keen Sense
Skill Point: 2 ]
At this point, he had reached the max stats for Health and Spirit Points. It was a message from the system before. Even consuming more Gene Serum or getting more Experience wouldn't shake it for some reason.
Because of that, it felt that getting Experience Points seemed useless right now.
They were missing something in order to get past this hurdle.
'Just what do we need to get Level 6?' Kai sighed, frustrated that no one could answer him.
Thankfully, the answer to this question would not remain a mystery for long.
***
It didn't take long before an hour passed since the last battle. At this point, Kai had already spoken with Sera and Althea, the two female captives they saved in the first wave of Mechanical Soldiers.
Thankfully, both of them knew that after being chained to the Sentinels, they travelled for about 30 minutes to reach Haven-45. As for the base itself, they barely knew anything about it as they were being kept like some livestock in one room.
Still, this gave them information about the possible location of the A.I.'s base nearby.
As for Samantha and the two other girls, they also provided some decent information about the estimated location of the Haven-40…
Then, after Kai provided the three some more food and even a change of clothes, the Scouts assigned to monitor the garbage field through their periscope noticed some movement.
Kai was summoned immediately. He strode into the observation chamber and immediately asked.
"What do you see?"
The scout adjusted the periscope. "Three mechanical soldiers… They look Sentinels, but they're different."
Kai leaned in. Through the narrow view, he saw them… They had a build similar to the Sentinels they were familiar with.
Humanoid machines, about six feet in height, but unlike the steel-plated Sentinels they had fought before, these ones had black armor.
Furthermore, each carried a shield and a blade, no rifles in sight.
'Sword and shield?' Kai frowned.
They were almost knight-like as they scanned the garbage field.
"New type. No guns… but don't underestimate them." Kai reminded.
Victor, who had been tinkering with salvaged parts nearby, frowned. "If they're melee‑focused, they might be faster. Stronger too... I think shields mean bullets won't be enough."
The room fell silent. This was the first time anyone had seen such a variant. Were they still Sentinels equipped with new accessories, or something else entirely? No one knew.
Still, there were only three of them. Compared to the waves of eight or more they had faced earlier, confidence could be felt among the survivors.
Kai gave his orders. "Let's stick to the plan for now. We lure them into the fire pits. Smoke grenades first. Revolvers from cover. Keep them distracted."
The team nodded as they had already discussed various strategies a couple of days ago.
Soon, the survivors slipped out of the hidden doors, smoke grenades already primed.
After a few moments, thick clouds hissed into the air, curling across the garbage field.
The black-plated machines turned their heads and started scanning the haze.
Wallace and Ralph fired their revolvers from behind the smoke.
Bang! Bang!
The bullets struck against the shields, but the machines didn't even feel the impact!.
Clang! Clang!
The shots did nothing!
"They're blocking everything so easily… These things are tougher…" Ralph was amazed.
The machines advanced, and when they tried to approach them, their blades sliced through the air with terrifying speed.
Perhaps, only Wallace with his Swift Stride Passive could dodge these swords!
"Shit…" Wallace cursed as he backed away. One wrong move and he'd get sliced in half!
The Sentinels didn't need rifles, their swords were enough to keep anyone from closing in.
Kai's team threw debris, cans, and scrap metal into the smoke, trying to lure them toward the fire pits. One of the machines stepped directly into a trap.
Soon, it was triggered, and flames roared to life, consuming the pile of plastics and bedding.
For a moment, they felt hopeful
But the fire pit wasn't deep enough, nor spread wide enough. The black-plated Sentinel raised its shield, braced itself, and leapt aside!
The flames touched its armor but failed to hold it.
"It dodged!" Wallace shouted. "Damn it, the trap's too shallow!"
The machines started getting closer.
Kai had to do something!
'If they break through our formation, the tunnel will be exposed. We can't let them get close.'