"Portable Signal Jammer?" Kai repeated. He had a similar device that he got from the Enhanced Gift Pack.
However, the one that they brought here seemed to have a better effect considering its size.
"That’s right... It can disrupt AI communications within a short radius. It won’t stop any of the mech soldiers from attacking, but it can confuse drones or delay reinforcements. For shelters, it’s priceless, sometimes a few minutes of silence is the difference between survival and annihilation."
The listening Survivors were obviously impressed.
Victor, their mechanic, also gently nodded. He really wanted to take a closer look at this device...
As for Wallace and the other fighters, they were already imagining how it could be used during raids.
"That’s... actually useful." Claire muttered.
Diego smiled faintly after seeing a positive response.
"We don’t usually trade this kind of thing for food, but if you actually have enough supplies to provide with us, we’re willing to make an exception. Think of it as an investment in your survival."
Santiago didn’t push Kai and the others to immediately purchase after introducing one item. They knew that they had to continue showing what they could.
So he stepped forward, unstrapping one of the heavy packs from his back.
He laid it down carefully and opened it, revealing neatly arranged compartments.
Inside were bundles of dried herbs, rolls of cloth, sharpened knives, small vials of antiseptic, and various other tools like a hammer, hatchet, bag of nails, and others.
"These are also items we trade for food," Santiago explained.
"They’re practical items. They are things shelters often run out of, based on our experience."
Kai nodded, but his gaze lingered on the other pack... the one Diego carried.
"And for Survivor’s Medals?" Kai asked.
Diego’s smile widened. He tapped the second pack, then slowly opened it. Inside were items that immediately drew the attention of everyone in the hall...
He then swiftly explained what they were...
They were Alpha Gene Enhancement Serums sealed in glass tubes! They were the familiar gold liquid that gives a boost in status and also a small chance of Gene Skill awakening.
"These Alpha Serums were quite common, but not because they’re easy to find. It’s because they’re stable and safe for consumption. As long as you take what your body can and have the patience to wait before consuming them again, you’ll be fine..."
Kai nodded as he had already seen its effects before.
Then, Diego set down a vial filled with green liquid.
"This one is the Emerald Gene Enhancement Serum. Well, you can consider this a Bone Density Enhancement Gene... but there is a chance of mutation. Nothing extreme though... perhaps changes in skin tone, heightened senses for specific things, or unusual growths. Anyway, people who take it often gain endurance beyond normal limits... but they must accept the risk."
Kai was quite interested.
’Bone density enhancement... endurance beyond limits, but with mutation risks. That could change everything.’
With his Bio-Adaptive Constitution, he was quite hopeful that the mutation wouldn’t be too negative for him.
Anyway, the others also found this useful despite the risk of mutation.
Claire, who felt that she also needed to try getting stronger through other means, liked this.
"Stronger bones? Sounds useful... but I don’t like the idea of growing something I shouldn’t. We’re not getting tails or horns on that, right?" She joked, expecting the two merchants to smile or laugh.
However, they actually looked a bit surprised!
"Ahem... That only happens in extremely rare cases..." Diege softly replied.
Now, Claire shook her head as she realized the dangers of consuming risky Serums. The gold liquid was indeed the best out there.
Victor leaned forward and actually found the serum interesting...
"Well, if it really boosts endurance, having such side effects shouldn’t be a bad deal. It probably depends on someone... If it were me, I could dismantle machines for days without rest. That’s worth the gamble."
Since Victor wasn’t a combat type Survivor, he couldn’t be hunting Mech Soldiers for Experience Points like all the others. Instead, he could only rely on his work as a Mechanic to get the Experience Points he needed to level up.
Seeing that they understood, Santiago carefully held up a crimson vial.
"And this... is the Crimson Gene Enhancement Serum. It grants immense strength and agility, but the mutation risk is far higher. Some who take it develop aggressive tendencies, or their bodies adapt in ways that make them less human. Still, for those who survive the process, the power is unmatched."
The hall fell silent again as they considered the risk. This was definitely a great serum.
Kai then locked eyes with Diego and Santiago. "Then let’s talk prices."
Diego’s tone grew firm as he explained the costs.
"The Emerald and Crimson Serums are five Survivor’s Medals each. As for the Alpha... one vial is worth fifteen Medals."
The crowd was visibly shocked.
"Fifteen?!" Claire’s eyes widened. "That’s impossible for any of us alone."
Jonas shook his head. "Even five is too much. We’d have to pool everything we have."
Victor also felt that this was too much. "Even if we do so, only two or three of us would get a chance."
Kai raised his hand, silencing them. He understood the temptation, but the price was simply too steep. "We won’t rush into this. Not now..."
Diego and Santiago nodded knowingly. They had seen this hesitation before.
Kai then shifted the discussion. "Let’s focus on what we can trade with food. We have canned tuna and instant noodles. How many of these for the Portable Signal Jammer?"
As he said this, Kai showed the canned goods and instant noodle packs.
Diego’s eyes gleamed. "One hundred canned goods. One hundred packs of noodles."
The survivors gasped at the cost.
Kai’s expression hardened. "Impossible. We don’t have that much, and even if we did, I wouldn’t give it all away. You’ll have to lower your demand."
Diego crossed his arms as if he were trying to see how much food they could bleed out.
"Well... This device is rare. We risked our lives carrying it here. It’s worth the price... I promise you. I’ll even add a map for you!"