...
"Clang… clang… clang…"
Since the polar night had ended, this was the first time a train moved along the city's rails—shattering the long silence, standing out like an elephant among ants.
It drew the attention of several survivors hiding inside houses near the tracks. Curious eyes peeked through cracks and broken windows, while a few greedy ones followed the massive locomotive as it advanced slowly forward.
Chen Sixuan finished eating her bread, this time in more moderate bites after the first desperate mouthfuls. She took a sip of water to help the dry crumbs slide down her parched throat.
For the first time in a long while, she felt free from death's suffocating embrace.
Feeling the train's slow, steady motion, she finally felt safe.
Looking around, she observed the steel carriage that gave her that sense of security. The windows were sealed with thick steel plates, leaving only small barred openings through which the outside world passed in a blurred streak.
The wagon had originally been a passenger car, but the seats had been removed. In their place were supplies and survival necessities—two small tents, a rug, and in one corner several metal weapons that looked eerily similar to the ones ninjas used in movies.
Despite the clutter and lack of organization, everything scattered around without order, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace.
Turning around, she looked toward the second carriage. It was mostly empty, with only a few bags scattered here and there. There also seemed to be a small training area.
But before she could observe it more closely, something in the corner of her vision caught her attention.
Her mouth fell open in shock.
On a small, simple bed made of folded blankets lay a young girl. Her hands and feet were tied, her eyes closed. Dried bloodstains marked her clothes.
It was impossible to tell whether she was alive or dead.
Startled, but unwilling to draw attention, Chen Sixuan quickly covered her mouth to avoid gasping aloud. Her mind raced.
Was this girl kidnapped by Lin Xian?
No. She knew her student wasn't that kind of person.
But the one with him…
He didn't look like a good person at all. He had decapitated someone without even blinking.
Yes. It had to be him.
Drakkon must have kidnapped her! she concluded internally, already branding him as a kidnapper.
"Miss Chen."
"Ah!" she exclaimed, startled out of her thoughts.
"Are you feeling better?" Lin Xian asked.
"W-who… who is she?" Chen Sixuan asked hesitantly, feeling as though she had been caught doing something wrong.
Following her gaze, Lin Xian looked at the girl.
"To be honest, I don't know. She showed up at my apartment during the night and fainted in front of the door. Drakkon brought her along after saving her. We realized she has a superpower, so for safety reasons, we had to tie her up."
Drakkon walked toward them, having just left the driver's cabin. He glanced at both of them.
When Chen Sixuan met his gaze, she quickly looked away, blushing faintly—clearly embarrassed for having mistaken him for a bandit.
"So, have you decided where we're going?" Drakkon asked. "I'm tired of staring at the rails without knowing our destination."
"We'll make a few stops to gather supplies we couldn't collect earlier," Lin Xian replied. "And we need to test the train's capabilities. So far, nothing has challenged its durability."
"I see. Then what's my role?" Chen Sixuan asked, unsure of her place in their plan.
"There are a few tasks to consider."
Lin Xian pulled out a black notebook from his pocket and tossed it to her.
"Your job will be to record our daily route, mileage, stops, and the train's condition. Also, write down the exact times the sun rises. We need to better understand the Black Tides and avoid being caught in another polar night. Heading in the wrong direction without enough time could mean our end."
"I understand. I can handle that," Chen Sixuan said, relieved that it was something within her abilities.
"And for now, you'll manage the supplies and stay on the train. Since there are only three of us and we'll be going out frequently, you'll guard the train and keep an eye on the girl. If she wakes up, she must not have the chance to do anything."
"D-don't you need me to watch your backs while you gather supplies?" she asked hesitantly.
The question wasn't entirely clear.
What she truly meant was: Do you trust me enough to leave me alone here?
Lin Xian chuckled inwardly before replying,
"There are only three of us. Among us, your combat and survival abilities are the lowest. You'd be a burden outside instead of help. And this idiot doesn't have the patience to sit around doing nothing inside the train."
Drakkon rolled his eyes at the last comment.
Still, he understood.
It wasn't that Lin Xian trusted her completely. It was that without him, the train had no fuel and wouldn't move a single centimeter.
In the apocalypse, no one was easily trusted—no matter their appearance or past relationships.
The train continued forward at a slow pace along Jiang City's railway line, staying on Line 3 while remaining alert for any unexpected obstacles.
[Drakkon Uchiha]
[Uchiha Bloodline]: Lv1 XP: 094/500
[Strength]: Lv1 XP: 46/50
[Speed]: Lv2 XP: 187/600
[Defense]: Lv1 XP: 23/50
[Skills]:
[Great Fireball Technique]: Lv2 XP: 230/500
[Passives]:
[Chakra Control]: Lv2 XP: 290/700
It looks like I can focus on increasing my Strength. Intense training also raises my Defense slightly… If I push hard enough, I can break through to Level 2, Drakkon thought.
He walked to his training area and grabbed the 300-kilogram weight.
…[Strength +1]
…[Strength +1]
…[Strength +1]
…[Strength +1]
"Huff… huff…"
Drakkon glanced toward the cabin where Lin Xian was decomposing objects with a look that clearly said: lucky bastard.
"I have to train to near death while he gets stronger just by breaking things apart… Still, even when we had the same Strength level, I could beat him. There must be differences between people beyond attributes."
He flexed his aching arms.
"For now, I'm ahead—even if it hurts."
A notification appeared.
[Strength] Lv2 EXP: 000/500
A surge of power coursed through his body.
He looked at the weight he had struggled with moments ago, then picked it up again.
This time, he lifted it effortlessly—something he previously could only do by using chakra.
I'm improving… but if I want to survive in this world, this still isn't enough.
I need to kill anomalies as soon as possible. But I can't be reckless either. There's no way I'd win in a direct fight against one of them right now.
If I want to change the things I wish to change…
More than anything—
I need power.
It doesn't matter if I have to train until I can no longer move.
Above all else—
I will obtain power.