No one asked where the meat came from.


    No one questioned its origin.


    Instead, they savored each piece, their eyes closing in bliss.


    The Unknown Meat was tasty, and if they had a satiety percentage above their heads, they were definitely at 100% already!


    "Alexa…" Shane said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "You''ve made a great meal for us, thank you... Right, it''s also thanks to Anna''s gathering skills. You''ve both done well."


    Anna proudly smiled at this. "Yes… So you should buy Lucky''s food if they appeared in your Survivor Store." She replied with augh.


    Alexa also grinned, her eyes crinkling at the corners.


    "It''s all in the seasoning…" She softly replied…


    It was also at this time that Alexa shared her set of skills.


    [ Culinary Intuition (Lv10 - Max): Alexa''s innate sense of taste and creativity allows her to craft exceptional dishes. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% chance to create unique recipes that boost morale or provide healing effects.


    +40% effectiveness in improvising meals from limited ingredients.


    +40% speed in identifying the best cooking methods for various ingredients. ]


    [ Kitchen Improvisation (Lv10 - Max): Alexa''s experience in busy hotel kitchens taught her to adapt swiftly to unexpected situations. It grants the following benefits:


    +40% effectiveness in using makeshift tools or equipment.


    +40% chance to salvage usable ingredients from seemingly spoiled or damaged food.


    +40% speed in preparing meals under pressure. ]


    "Right, after cooking this meat, I got a new Survivor Skill…" Alexa excitedly said as she shared her new skill to everyone.


    [ vor Harmonization ( Lv1 ): Alexa''s pte can discern subtle nuances in vors, allowing her to create perfectly bnced dishes. It grants the following benefits:


    +8% chance to enhance the taste and nutritional value of meals.


    +8% effectiveness inbining ingredients for optimal synergy.


    +8% resistance against food poisoning or contamination. ]


    "With this Skill, I''ll make tastier food!"


    This news certainly brought happiness to everyone. Who wouldn''t like tastier food?


    "Congrattions, Alexa… Actually, I also learned another skill. It happened a couple of days ago." Anna replied as she showed her new skills to everyone.


    [ Botanical Mastery ( Lv1 ): Anna''s affinity for natural remedies extends to a deep understanding of nt properties. It grants the following benefits:


    +10% effectiveness in identifying medicinal herbs or nts.


    +10% chance to create potent poultices or infusions.


    +10% speed in harvesting and processing botanical ingredients. ]


    As they talked about these skills, Shane was actually the happiest among the group. After all, if these people got better, his Shelter would have more dependable people, and he would have peace of mind leaving the Shelter to explore other areas.


    Well, he might even reach the point where he could leave this ce and make another settlement from a distantnd and gather other inhabitants there to increase his power and influence if that was what he needed to end this Apocalypse.


    ''Right… I have to be careful since I don''t have the power to turn back time anymore… That bracelet from Grandpa Merlin is gone.'' Shane thought as he knew that he really had to follow the advice that his future self had given.


    He couldn''t just survive here. He had to end this!


    ***


    Around the fire, the survivors shared stories andughter with their newfound camaraderie. They have two new members in their small family, so they have a lot of things to know with each other.


    The origin of the Unknown Meat had be a secret they kept, a shared experience that bound them together.


    As the night wore on, they leaned back, bellies full, and listened to the distant moans of the undead. These Walker Zombies weren''t going anywhere with the walls they''ve made. There was no need to take care of them right now.


    Shane knew they were safe, but vignce remained their watchword.


    He still informed Cloud to monitor the surroundings and wake him up if they were being attacked or if a Jumper Zombie or any other strong Zombie was headed to their estate.


    On the morning of the next day, Shane woke early.


    The first thing he did was open his Survivor Store—a system interface that allowed him to trade his Zombie Cores for essential items.


    He hoped to find something valuable today, perhaps a rare blueprint or a cache of ammunition. Furthermore, his recent level-up allowed him to get two more options in this Store!


    As the others stirred from their slumber, Shane studied new items being sold, ready to make strategic choices for their survival.


    [ Ghost Pepper Energy Bar: Apact energy bar infused with ghost pepper extract. Boosts health and stamina. It can be cooked with water and heat. Also provides a short-term boost to speed and damage. The spicy aroma can distract certain zombies with a strong sense of smell.


    Price: 2 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 10/10 ]


    [ Zombie Doll: A cute and creepy doll that resembles a zombie in appearance and sound. It can be held by a Survivor who wants to avoid getting noticed by low-tier Zombies but with limited durability and effectiveness. It has a +100% chance of making low-tier Zombies ignore the user. It ispletely ineffective against Spitter Zombies, Mid-Tier, and High-Tier Zombies.


    This item can be used twice for three hours by popping the zombie doll''s eyes.


    Price: 30 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3/3 ]


    [ Zombie Repellent Candle: A scented candle emitting a fragrance repugnant to zombies. Creates a safe zone within a limited area. Ideal for securing a temporary shelter or rest spot.


    Price: 22 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ Tier 1 Silent Step Boots: A pair of reinforced boots with noise-absorbing soles. Perfect for stealthy movement, especially when avoiding zombie hordes or scouting.


    Price: 18 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 2 ]


    [ Crowbar: A multipurpose tool for prying open doors, breaking locks, and smashing zombie skulls.


    Price: 5 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 5/5 ]


    [ Emergency re Gun: A re gun that shoots bright res into the sky. It can signal for help or distract zombies.


    Price: 15 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 3 ]


    "Ohh… These are good items." Shane muttered after seeing the six items being sold.


    Without hesitation, he bought all the Crowbars, spending 25 Zombie Cores. With 500 Zombie Cores in his possession, he didn''t have to worry about their prices at all.


    Shane also purchased two pairs of Silent Step Boots. After all, he wanted Anna to be safer when exploring the outside to gather materials. It would be the same for anyone who would apany her.


    These boots would add ayer of protection to them. That was another 36 Zombie Cores gone in his Inventory.


    Then, after some hesitations, Shane purchased a couple of Zombie Repellent Candles, spending 44 Zombie Cores.


    He might consider using these candles in case he gets too engrossed exploring other areas and didn''t have the time to return to the Shelter.


    He also purchased two re Guns for 30 Zombie Cores. He nned to keep one for himself and another one for the Butler… He should know when to use this re Gun since it could distract Zombies in case of emergency.


    Just like that, Shane already spent 135 Zombie Cores. An amount that many Survivors could probably not imagine.


    As for the Ghost Pepper Energy Bar, Shane didn''t bother purchasing it as there was some better food he could buy in the Store.


    Finally, Shane turned his attention to the two items that could stay in the Store for 7 days. He was expecting these items to be more expensive and he was not wrong!


    [ Serrated Reaper de (Rare): A serrated sword designed to shred through zombie flesh effortlessly. It has a +80% chance of causing deep wounds that slow down zombies.


    Price: 60 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    [ Electric Shock de ( Master ): A sword infused with electricity, delivering shocking blows to undead foes. It has a +80% chance of stunning zombies temporarily.


    Price: 180 Zombie Cores


    Quantity: 1/1 ]


    Shane''s eyes lit up after seeing this!


    A Rare and Epic weapon had actually appeared!


    Of course, Shane did not hesitate to purchase them!


    Furthermore, Shane used his two 75% Off Vouchers when purchasing them! Thanks to that, the Serrated Reaper de only cost him 15 Zombies Cores, while the Electric Shock de was only 45 Zombie Cores!


    After confirming the purchase, Shane immediately took the first de out form his inventory.


    Shane''s hands trembled with anticipation as he unwrapped the Serrated Reaper de from its protective sheath.


    The de gleamed under the dim light of his tent, its serrated edge promising swift destruction to any undead that dared cross his path.


    ''Oh? Is this a used sword?'' Shane mused as he noticed something from the de.


    Each groove in the de seemed to tell tales of battles fought and victories won against the zombie hordes.


    Running his fingers along the cold steel, Shane marveled at the craftsmanship that went into creating such a fearsome weapon. The weight of the sword felt reassuring in his grip…


    The Serrated Reaper de''s handle was wrapped in worn leather. It seemed that his initial guess was right as the worn leather was a testament to its previous owner''s battles.