Chapter 3: I've Decided on a Direction. (1)
"Yeah, for the future..."
I crossed my arms and glared at the holographic panel. Current fuel: seven days' worth. It looked plenty generous, but to upgrade or modify the train, I'd have to burn through it. In the end, I needed to stockpile as many mana stones as possible and keep upgrading. So I searched for mods that would help with mana stone farming—ones that aided in hunting.
With my current fuel, I had two options.
1. [Interior Facility: Armory]
Effect: Craft various cold weapons and thrown weapons. Requires materials.
Cost: 2 days' fuel.
2. [Exterior Module: Spikes]
Effect: Mount spikes and reinforced armor on the train's front. Automatically absorb mana stones and items from monsters killed by collision at a certain probability.
Cost: 5 days' fuel.
"No real choice here."
The armory wasn't bad. But running around on foot with a single weapon, smashing monster skulls one by one? Way too risky. Sure, I'd have to get off again eventually for food or resources, and weapons would be crucial then. But right now, spikes it was.
"Auto-hunting is a godsend."
I selected the second option without hesitation. The fuel gauge plummeted, leaving me with just two days' worth, but I didn't regret it. This was an investment.
Exterior module modification beginning.
Rumble rumble groan—!
Screeech grind!
"Wha—?!"
The whole train shook like there was an earthquake. The metallic twisting and clanging from the front sounded like nails on a chalkboard made of steel. I plugged my ears with my fingers for a moment.
Soon the vibrations stopped, and the cockpit screen switched to the external camera feed.
"What the—is this a black box?"
The old, rusty, bland front of the train was gone. In its place loomed a massive jaw-like structure of black steel. Dozens of jagged spikes protruded irregularly—it looked brutal.
"Not quite what I pictured... but if it works."
I figured I'd test its effectiveness later and turned in for the night. Not intentionally, mind you. The day's fatigue had piled up: combat, unpacking, emotional rollercoaster. The moment peace settled in, sleep hit hard.
A few hours later...
"Grraaawr...!"
"Shit! You scared me!"
I jolted awake at the roar and looked ahead. Shadows shuffled on the tracks—about a dozen humanoid monsters staggering like zombies, blocking the rails.
The train didn't slow down.
"...Ugh!"
It barreled forward confidently. Right before impact, I squinted and stared dimly ahead. My brow furrowed instinctively.
And then—
BOOM!!
A massive crash echoed, but inside the train, it was silent and steady. On the black-box screen, the monsters flew like bowling pins—more like they were shredded by the spikes.
Lowest-grade Mana Stone x1
Lowest-grade Mana Stone x1
Worn Silver Ring x1
"Whoa..."
I was impressed. Just sitting there, and fuel rolled in on its own. The probability wasn't high, but plowing through a pack like that yielded a decent haul.
Two mana stones tumbled out of a new chute next to the cockpit's intake slot. I picked them up. The investment was already paying off.
"Good choice."
Gazing at the shimmering stones in my palm erased any regret over the lost fuel. Sure, packs this size weren't common, but I'd already broken even.
I moved from the cockpit to the sofa and peered out the window. The outside world had changed drastically. Smoke rose between collapsed buildings; abandoned cars tangled the streets. Staggering among them were monsters, not people.
"Everywhere... it's all..."
How had the world turned to this in just one day? I tore my gaze from the window to hide my unease.
"Hoo..."
A deep breath eased the tension, awakening pent-up urges. I felt grimy. Dust and sweat clung unbearably. Beyond just wanting a shower, practical issues loomed.
My shirt and pants were oversized—shoulders slipping down. My shoes were uncomfortable, hard to run in. Come to think of it, I could customize a bathroom and clothes...
"Screw it. Time to shop."
I opened the system shop. These baggy shoes wouldn't do for fleeing. The bathroom was a hygiene must-invest. Prices were cheap—two days' fuel covered a top-tier bathroom, clothes, and shoes set.
Bathroom installed.
"There it is."
A small compartment appeared in the rear corner. Opening it revealed a pristine white-tiled bathroom straight out of a hotel. Not huge, but sufficient.
I grabbed shampoo and body wash from the convenience store haul, plus the women's clothes and underwear set from the system, and stepped in.
Shhhh—
Hot water poured from the showerhead. Steam rose, revealing the mirror, but I averted my eyes. I wasn't ready to face my changed self yet.
I stripped and stood under the spray. Warm streams cascaded from head to toe. My hair grew heavy, draping my neck. The sensation was alien.
"..."
I squeezed my eyes shut. The skin under my palms felt utterly foreign—so soft, delicate curves where roughness once was. A vague guilt crept in.
'This is my body...'
I repeated it like a mantra, but my hands kept going, lathering soap over the unfamiliar form. Washing this awkward body stirred a strange sense of taboo.
"...Enough!"
I rushed through the rest and dried off. The system clothes fit perfectly: gray tracksuit and sneakers. Exiting, a faint shampoo scent lingered.
I flopped into the cockpit chair and toweled my damp bob.
"Feels human again."
Propping my chin, I gazed out. Clean body, ample food, auto-fueling train. Things were getting comfortable.
But outside, it was worsening—
"Huh?"
My smartphone pinged—from some site. Drawn in, I opened it.
Most portals and SNS were down, but this gallery miraculously lived on. The notice said an awakener named Signal maintained the server with their skill. Others had awakened skills too, like me.
"So we're calling them awakeners now..."
Toweling my wet hair, I skimmed the rising posts.
Gangnam / Yeouido: Military and awakeners barricaded and controlling. Safe, but long wait to enter. Awakeners get preferential treatment.
Gangbuk areas: Hellgate opened. Insane monster numbers. Don't go.
Gyeonggi area: Scattered fights. Not controlled yet. Airport vicinity supposedly safest. Unconfirmed.
Other regions: Reply below.
"Survivors, huh..."
I closed the screen and propped my chin. Central Seoul had some order in places. Military and awakeners holding lines—safe, but strict rules.
What if I rolled up in this massive, flashy train?
'A hundred percent trouble.'
Awakeners picking fights, military conscripting me... maybe.
"Too much hassle..."
I was just an average citizen. No interest in heroics or turf wars. I wanted hot showers, good food, safe survival in this apocalypse. For now, anyway.
"Seoul's a pass."
I pulled up the map on the cockpit panel. Skirting Seoul's tangled rails, I eyed the outskirts.
"Avoid crowded, complicated Seoul... Yeah, Incheon it is."
Incheon: coastal, airport and port for supplies. Monster-heavy for roadkill farming—perfect.
Seoul outskirts loop → Incheon (then Incheon Line 1 loop)
Estimated time: 4 hours 30 minutes
"A bit long?"
No big deal. Go slow, check surroundings carefully.
Rooooar—
Pulling the lever, the train switched tracks with a heavy hum.
"Alright, until Incheon..."
I cracked a canned beer from the convenience store and took a swig. The bitter fizz relaxed me fully.
"Download some backlog shows? Oh, right—no internet."
I chuckled, reclining the chair. The train glided smoothly, no rattles.
I'd finish reading the gallery, then nap. Hoping for a fat mana stone stash by Incheon.