Chapter 397: More Items

"There is a new item!"

The survivor’s voice immediately attracted everyone’s attention.

"A new item?"

"What is it?"

"Show us!"

The survivor quickly moved aside so the others could see the newly added item on the System interface.

Maris looked at the description.

Her eyes widened slightly.

[ Owlwing Mutation Serum ]

[ Price: 40 Survivor Medals ]

[ Description: A highly specialized genetic serum that forces a guaranteed Owlwing mutation within the user’s body. The mutation will cause a pair of large owl-like wings to gradually develop from the user’s back, granting the ability to fly once the transformation is complete. ]

[ Mutation Progress: The wings will gradually form over approximately 7 days. During this period, the user’s back may experience severe pain, swelling, and abnormal tissue growth as the body develops the new organs. ]

[ Mutation Completion: Once the wings have completely formed, they will become fully functional and can be used for sustained flight. ]

[ Warning: The mutation is permanent. The resulting wings cannot be removed through ordinary medical treatment. ]

For several seconds, nobody spoke as they studied the new item.

Then someone finally broke the silence.

"Forty Survivor Medals?"

"That’s expensive."

"But... flying?"

A few survivors immediately became interested.

"If I could fly, I’d be able to scout entire areas without worrying about the roads."

"That would also be useful for escaping mutated creatures."

"Seven days of pain isn’t that bad if it really gives you the ability to fly."

"Not that bad?" Another survivor looked at him incredulously. "It says severe pain! Also, you have wings! How can you sleep with wings on your back!"

"It has feather... Maybe it’s comfy..."

"What if it’s not. You have to sleep face down forever!"

The first survivor immediately fell silent.

Maris continued reading the description as the mutation was guaranteed.

There was no chance of failure.

After seven days, the wings would completely form and become usable.

That alone made the item extremely valuable.

However, the price was also considerably higher than the ordinary Gene Enhancement Serums.

And unlike a normal Gene Skill, the wings would physically change the user’s body.

Only a handful of people seemed genuinely excited about the new item.

Most of the others were hesitant.

"Now that I think about it... I don’t think I want wings growing out of my back."

"Same."

"Just like what the other guy said... Imagine trying to sleep."

"Or wearing normal clothes."

"What if the wings get injured?"

The excitement quickly died down.

Maris couldn’t blame them.

The ability to fly was certainly tempting, but not everyone would be willing to undergo such a drastic and permanent mutation.

Still, the appearance of the Owlwing Mutation Serum proved that the Gene Trader’s inventory could change.

That realization made everyone much more interested.

"Keep looking," Wallace said.

"What?"

"If a new item appeared in the Survivor Medal section, there might be new items in the other sections too."

The others immediately began searching through the Gene Trader’s store.

They checked the different categories one after another.

After several moments, someone suddenly stopped.

"Wait."

"What did you find?"

"The Experience Points section."

Everyone gathered around again.

The Gene Trader had always offered a separate selection of items that could not be purchased with Survivor Medals.

Instead, they required Experience Points.

The previous Gene Trader’s inventory had mostly consisted of old-world supplies and equipment, including EMP Grenades, preserved spices, maps, gas masks, protective goggles, coffee, mechanical watches, old laptops, cameras, cooking utensils, and other relics from before the apocalypse.

But now...

There were several new items.

Maris stared at the list.

[ Experience Points Items ]

[ Items Sold for Experience Points ]

[ Portable Solar Generator ]

[ Price: 15,000 EXP ]

[ Description: A compact solar-powered generator capable of storing and supplying electrical energy. Can power small household appliances, lights, communication equipment, and other compatible devices. ]

[ Portable Water Purification Device ]

[ Price: 12,000 EXP ]

[ Description: A compact purification device capable of filtering contaminated water and removing most harmful bacteria, parasites, and common pollutants. Requires a power source to operate. ]

[ Medical Scanner ]

[ Price: 20,000 EXP ]

[ Description: Advanced medical scanning device capable of analyzing the user’s physical condition and detecting injuries, organ abnormalities, infections, and other biological problems. ]

[ Refrigeration Storage Box ]

[ Price: 8,000 EXP ]

[ Description: A portable insulated storage container equipped with a low-power cooling system. Maintains a stable internal temperature for extended periods, allowing food, medicine, and other temperature-sensitive supplies to be preserved. ]

[ Advanced Flashlight ]

[ Price: 3,000 EXP ]

[ Description: High-powered rechargeable flashlight capable of producing intense illumination over a large area. Includes adjustable brightness and emergency signaling functions. ]

[ Long-Range Communication Radio ]

[ Price: 10,000 EXP ]

[ Description: Advanced radio capable of transmitting and receiving signals over extremely long distances. Includes multiple communication channels and enhanced interference resistance. ]

[ Portable Cooking Station ]

[ Price: 7,000 EXP ]

[ Description: Compact cooking station equipped with an integrated heating system and multiple cooking surfaces. Designed for preparing meals in environments without access to conventional kitchens. ]

The room became noticeably quieter as everyone read through the list.

These items were completely different from the old-world relics.

They weren’t particularly powerful weapons.

They weren’t rare Gene Skills... but they were practical items.

Yet in the apocalypse, that made them incredibly valuable.

"They’re nice... But these things can be obtained from Kai’s Gift Packs, right?"

Wallace stared at the item.

"That’s true... But this shows that we can get more unique items here."

Victor nodded.

"It’s a good option for other Survivors for sure. But not if you’re with Kai..."

They all knew how difficult it was to accumulate Experience Points.

Unlike Survivor Medals, which could be obtained through certain System activities and rewards, Experience Points were primarily earned through combat and other actions that granted experience.

Spending tens of thousands of EXP on a single item was not something an ordinary survivor could casually afford.

Maris looked at the new inventory again.

The Gene Trader was becoming more mysterious by the minute.

Not only could he provide genetic enhancements and strange equipment, but his inventory was also expanding.

And if new items could suddenly appear without warning...

Then nobody knew what the Gene Trader might offer the next time he appeared.

"Wait..."

Someone suddenly pointed toward the bottom of the list.

"There are more."