Chapter 15. Monster Train (1)
"You'll get in big trouble wandering around alone. Where'd you come from? Want me to take you somewhere?"
"...Huh? No, I'm fine..."
Her savage tattoos and blood-smeared weapon were completely at odds with her demeanor—she was like a kind neighbor looking after a lost kid, approaching out of genuine concern for my safety. The taut string of tension snapped, leaving me deflated.
"Ah... no, I'm not lost. I have... company too."
I awkwardly pointed at the drones hovering beside me. My grip on the flail loosened.
Don't judge a book by its cover, went the old saying, and who knew it'd hold true even in this ruined world.
"Oh, good. That's a relief. These... drones? Your crew, huh. You can get back safely?"
"Yeah... it's, right up ahead."
"Alright? Be careful anyway."
The woman coolly waved once, then slung her weapon over her shoulder and turned to go her own way.
Yeah, can't judge by appearances.
Relief washing over me, I turned and hurried back to the train. Even if this encounter was heartwarming, who knew what the next one might bring.
I'd open the box once I was back inside. Only after stepping into the train did I let out the breath I'd been holding and flop onto the sofa.
"Alright, time for the moment of truth..."
I swallowed hard and lifted the lid on the shimmering purple box.
Whoosh—!
A brilliant golden light burst from inside, flooding the train car like broad daylight.
"This is—!"
Anyone could see this was a jackpot.
◈ Greatly increases base stamina, and recovery speed surges during healing.
"Nice!"
I whooped in delight. It wasn't an attack skill or magic, which was a tiny letdown at first, but that melted away the second I read the description.
My biggest weakness was physical ability and stamina. I could cover raw stats with skills and gear, but after one dungeon run, my whole body ached, leaving me glued to the sofa for a day.
If I hit a longer or tougher dungeon, I might run out of steam mid-run. But a skill that boosted stamina? Perfect.
Would you like to acquire the Vitality skill?
I hit confirm without hesitation. The skillbook dissolved into particles of light and seeped into me. A hot surge rose from within, racing through my veins. Maybe just my imagination, but that's how it felt.
"...Should I post a brag?"
I couldn't keep this thrill to myself. I pulled out my smartphone and logged into the Survivor Gallery.
Title something casual like 'Is this good?'—perfect for soaking in the envy and jealousy in real-time comments. Legal troll time.
But as I went to hit post, a fresh thread at the top of the free board caught my eye.
"That title's kinda nagging at me..."
Was tired from hunting all morning so grabbed some mana stones and headed home, but spotted this girl hugging a purple box tight in front of the apartment vending machine~
These toy-like drones were floating around her~
She got all startled when she saw me, like a scared little bunny lololol so cute~
Told her it's dangerous so get to a safe spot quick and left~!
Newbie, if you're on the gallery, be careful heading back~! Fighting!
"...No way, right?"
I stared through the screen, brain grinding to a halt. Purple box. Toy-like drones. This wasn't déjà vu—this was exactly what happened 10 minutes ago.
So the user Magic Girl, with her cutesy aegyo speech... was that Mad Max-looking woman covered in intimidating tattoos emerging from the shadows?
"No freaking way..."
I let out a hollow laugh. Had the apocalypse warped people's tastes, or was she always like that under the tough getup? The gap between online and IRL was vertigo-inducing.
I chuckled dryly and closed the phone. No more gallery—it'd just confuse me more.
"Anyway, got enough mana stones."
I stood and headed to the cockpit. The warehouse corner was piled mountain-high with stones from gallery trades, drones, and spikes.
Time to use 'em.
"Upgrades first."
I pulled up the train mod menu. First up: the external gear I couldn't afford last time.
Mod: External Auto-Turret Installation
"Purchase."
Rumble—!
The roof and side armor parted, raising four sleek black twin machine-gun turrets. Any monster within 50m would get auto-aimed and shredded.
"Next, drone welfare boost."
Mod: Drone Hangar Lv.2
Whirr—clunk!
Car 2's drone launch ports doubled in size, charging stations upgraded to luxury. New blueprints unlocked: sniper drone with rifle, heavy-armor hauler, even bomber dropping mini-bombs. Materials looked tricky, but promising.
"And now..."
I scrolled down to the mod that had piqued my curiosity.
External Mod: Monster Lure
◈ Emits special sonic waves and mana pulses to lure monsters within 500m (low probability).
Honestly, in this monster apocalypse, buying this would get you called insane. When you should be sneaking past them silently, this pulls them in—a suicide button.
But my setup was different. Train armor near-invincible from sacrificing my masculinity. Fresh turrets, front spikes, flying drones. Perfect for defending a horde.
"Crazy, but..."
Lure mobs → turrets/drones shred → plow through with spikes → scoop mana stones/items. If it worked, insane efficiency.
"Let's do it!"
Eyes squeezed shut, I dumped all remaining stones and hit purchase. They vaporized into light particles. Wallet empty, but then the majestic mechanical hum from outside had me grinning ear-to-ear.
Monster Lure installed.
Antenna deploying on train roof.
"Whew... earn it back."
I checked external cams. A geometric antenna towered from the roof center. New button on panel—one press, and moths-to-flame monsters incoming.
"Test run prep first?"
Deep breath. "Drones, tight escort around train. External turrets, power ON."
Whirr—clunk!
The four roof turrets spun smoothly, scanning all directions.
"Relocate too."
To avoid bothering survivors, I drove deep into an outer Seoul station. Amid rubble, rusted wrecks, deserted.
"Perfect, no one here."
Locked all doors—basic safety. Big breath, flipped the new switch with trembling hand.
"Wide-area Monster Lure, activate."
Hummm—boom!
Antenna emitted heavy low-frequency thrum; train vibrated slightly.
"..."
I held my breath, peering out. 1 min, 2 min.
"Anytime now... huh?"
Silence broke. Rustle, slither. From concrete debris, car trunks, even underground—black, grotesque shadows crawled out.
Enthralled by the lure, they fixated on the train.
"Way too effective...?"
Stray-dog-sized first, then car-sized beasts and insect horrors charging, kicking dust. Numbers from dozens to scores.
Like a zombie horde movie, live before my eyes.
"Grrrrowl!"
Suddenly, a swift red-eyed wolf monster leaped from the pack, aiming straight for my cockpit window.
"Wha—?!"
Bang—!
Its claws and fangs smashed the glass.
"Ugh...!"
Deafening crash; bloodshot eyes inches from my nose. Instinct kicked in—I yelped and recoiled.
"...They see through tinting? Window okay?"
Slowly checked. Not a crack or scratch. Monster's muzzle pulped, sliding down.
"Tough stuff..."
Then the train struck back. Turrets fired on the fallen one.
Rat-tat-tat—!!
Four turrets unleashed azure rounds into the horde.
"Whoa..."
Performance solid. Bodies riddled with holes dropped.