Global Awakening: Infinite Gift Pack System-Chapter 155: The Rank 2 Survivor

"Hmmm... this is nice. Victor really worked hard," Claire muttered with satisfaction as she appreciated the comfort she was enjoying.

At this moment, steam rose gently from the wooden tub as she let the warmth soak into her skin.

Finally, after arriving at this shelter, she was no longer bathing in cold water!

It was warm, thanks to Victor’s successful restoration of the heater.

Though they had to rely on batteries and energy cores since the generator was broken, Victor had still managed to improvise a solution.

"Improving my skill masteries through sparring is really slow compared to a real battle... should I join Kai’s hunt tomorrow?" Claire murmured as she washed her body.

The battle drills earlier that morning had left her muscles aching, and they had barely increased her Skill Mastery.

For now, she could only relax and enjoy the rare luxury of a peaceful bath.

Whoosh~

As she stood up, her long hair clung damply to her shoulders, framing her face in a way that highlighted her beautiful features.

Claire had always tried to look tough since this was an Apocalypse World. But here, alone, she allowed a softer side to show.

She reached for the towel beside her, drying herself off before slipping into the new clothes they had recently obtained... Thanks to their tailor from Haven-45, she was able to wear a fitted black top and durable trousers made from the fabric they obtained through the Material Treasure Chest!

Furthermore, the fabric was smoother, stronger, and far more comfortable than the ragged outfits they had.

She then admired the way the outfit hugged her figure.

"Finally... something that feels like real clothing again," she murmured...

If possible, she wanted her Material Treasure Chest to provide her with more rolls of fabric, but unfortunately, it wasn’t easy to get them since they were randomized.

In any case, from her small bag containing her personal belongings, she retrieved a glass vial...

It was a perfume she purchased from the Gene Trader by paying a few hundred Experience Points.

It was a luxury and seemed almost frivolous compared to weapons and medicine, but Claire had insisted on buying it.

Clunk...

A single dab at her neck released a subtle fragrance. It was floral, a reminder of the world that had once existed before the machines... and it wasn’t just meant to delay others.

She smiled faintly. "Even in war, a woman deserves to feel human."

Just then, the familiar chime of the system echoed in her ears.

Ding!

[ System Update: Monthly Rankings Concluded! ]

"Ohhhh! It’s finally here!" Claire couldn’t help but celebrate as soon as she saw the message! 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

She actually felt a little nervous just now, thinking that there was another event they had to prepare for.

She hadn’t been paying attention to the calendar, but of course, thirty days had passed.

[ Congratulations, Survivor Claire! ]

[ You have achieved Rank 2 in the Monthly Leaderboard. ]

[ Special Rewards have been granted. ]

Her eyes were filled with excitement...

At first, she hadn’t really expected to climb so high.

However, thanks to the wealth she had obtained through her sheer efforts and Vale’s assistance, her talent made her incredibly stronger!

Kai was untouchable at Rank 1, but to be second meant her efforts had not gone unnoticed.

She quickly opened the reward window.

[ Rank 2 Rewards ]

[ Title Acquired: Stronger

Effect: Increases defense and resistance to physical damage by +4%. When engaged in battle, your body adapts against impact, reducing the chance of being stunned or knocked down.

[ Item Acquired: Alpha Gene Enhancement Serum x1

Effect: Permanently increases base stats upon consumption. Small chance of awakening a Gene Skill. ]

[ Item Acquired: Talent Upgrade Fragment (1/5) x1

Effect: Can be collected to upgrade one existing Talent to the next tier. ]

After seeing the new Title and the Alpha Gene Enhancement Serum, Claire was already very happy with the reward as a second placer.

However, there was actually a chant to upgrade her Talent!

"Talent Upgrade Fragment, huh... and I need to collect four more. Interesting." Claire’s smile widened as she realized that she might be able to control the greediness of her spirit with this!

However, it still didn’t end there!

[ Reputation Points +5 ]

[ Current Balance: 20 Points ]

[ Bonus Reward: Tactical Supply Crate (x2) ]

Contents: Ammunition, combat gear, and combat rations.

Guaranteed: Rare Armor Component x1. ]

"Oh? Am I having a new combat gear? Sweet..." Claire’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.

"It’s a good thing I worked so hard over the past few days. I surpassed that Renji guy."

To be honest, Claire also knew that she was very lucky... If she hadn’t met Kai, there was no way for her to unleash the full power of her Talent.

After all, it was dependent on the treasures she owned!

In this Apocalypse, she’d be extremely lucky to find valuables that weren’t claimed by others.

There were other Foreign Survivors like her, Local Survivors, even Augmented Humans lurking around... So accumulating wealth would not be easy.

In any case, after drying her hair, she took out the Alpha Gene Enhancement Serum and confirmed that it was similar.

’It’s definitely similar in terms of quality and effects, but why does it feel shinier compared to the ones I got before?’

Anyway, it was tempting to use it immediately, but she decided to wait until she returned to her room.

"I wonder what the others got..."

Claire muttered as she could hear everyone getting excited.

They were definitely receiving their rewards right now.

Soon, her thoughts drifted briefly to Kai. He was out there, weakening the A.I. patrols and carving a path for them all. It was a pity she couldn’t join him now, but she also knew her role was just as vital.

Kai often spent more than fourteen hours outside, sometimes even longer, and without leadership inside the shelter, chaos would quickly take hold. With that in mind, she had to remain within the shelter... or at the very least, avoid straying too far.

She had to make sure Kai had a place to return to.

As she finished dressing, another sound suddenly pierced the air...

Clang! Clang! Clang!

It was the alarm for enemy sightings.

Claire froze, and moments later, the rapid burst of gunfire reached her ears.