Rescuing Signal
The number 1 next to the message vanished. But no reply came right away. After about a minute, my phone finally vibrated.
It really existed. Their eavesdropping claim had been proven true. Curiosity got the better of me, so I asked what exactly they'd bought.
"Hmm..."
On one hand, I was impressed. I'd wondered how they'd track down the hidden Signal.
Signal's typing speed picked up. Even from the text alone, I could feel the panic setting in. I probably would've freaked out too. In this messed-up world, now people were using trackers to hunt down locations.
"Hmm... They probably already know your location—"
The tracker might get swept away in the sewers and cause some confusion if it was lucky, but chances were high they'd already pinpointed the spot. Still, it was safe for now. They'd said Signal's hideout was a high-risk area requiring awakener teamwork.
I lightly tapped the control panel with my fingers and made my decision.
"Where exactly are you right now?"
After some thought, I typed and sent the message. This was the only way. I'd protect Signal myself. I could bulldoze through any danger with my power and the safe train.
The problem was—
'Will she trust me?'
Signal's reply came back without a second's hesitation.
I cautiously asked if it was okay to share so freely.
That response made me quirk up the corner of my mouth in a small smile. Then I immediately said I'd come rescue her right now.
Signal objected. The area around her had gotten extremely dangerous lately. Huge bird-like monsters—each twice the size of an adult man's torso—had nested en masse nearby. They were so fast that stepping one foot outside the buildings drew dozens swarming in to attack. Signal and the other survivors were completely trapped inside apartments and shops.
'Bird monsters, huh...'
Giant, speedy birds would definitely be tricky. Most awakeners I'd seen in the gallery or in person—including me—relied on melee weapons. Items dropped mostly as close-range gear anyway, ranged ones needed high skill and extra ammo like arrows or bullets. Fighting fast-flying birds from the air was tough.
Plus, modern high-rises and dense apartment complexes were perfect for them to hide and ambush from.
"I've got the train and drones."
I messaged Signal not to worry and wait, then ended the chat. Right away, I pulled out the skill enhancement scroll from the quest reward. No need to agonize over where to use this precious item. There were great skills like Leap, Counter, and Craftsman's Touch, but I'd boost my main one.
The scroll crumbled into particles of light and seeped into me. Soon, a translucent hologram selection window appeared before my eyes.
Please select the train's enhancement direction.
[Transport Type]
[Combat Type]
[Fabrication Type]
"Huh?"
Three types popped up like it was telling me to pick. No detailed explanations, but the names gave a good idea of what each would do.
'Transport type might upgrade passenger or cargo cars... Combat type... maybe add weapons to the exterior. Fabrication... not sure.'
"Combat's tempting, but I'm good for now... No need for mass transport yet either."
I was drawn to fabrication. With Craftsman's Touch, I'd felt its potential skyrocket when crafting spears or upgrading drones. If used right, this could go even higher.
After mulling it over, I touched the air where the message hovered.
[Fabrication Type selected]
Internal facilities will be massively renovated and expanded.
A soft blue light enveloped and swirled around the entire train. No big changes to the exterior turrets or armor, but the transformation hit car 2 inside.
I headed to car 2, where the light glowed brightest.
"...Whoa?"
The exclamation slipped out the moment I opened the door. The armory and drone hangar had morphed into something sleek and clean like a sci-fi lab. Before, it felt a bit factory-like; now it looked straight out of the future.
And on one side, two massive new machines had appeared where none were before.
As I approached slowly, a message window popped up.
◈ Insert items or junk to decompose and extract materials.
◈ Expanded internal space special warehouse. Automatically sorts and stores materials and mana stones from decomposer by type.
◈ Links to workbench for crafting.
"No more dumping drone-gathered mana stones on the floor."
Not a bad haul. Plus, the revamped armory and drone hangar seemed to have tons of new blueprints. Smiling in satisfaction, I returned to the car 1 cockpit.
I punched in the coordinates for Ansan Central Station on the control panel.
"Let's go."
The train started moving again. I decided to check the blueprints in the meantime.
As we passed Incheon and approached Ansan Central Station, the scenery shifted dramatically. I'd been too busy inspecting the changed armory and hangar to look outside, but now that we were nearing, I glanced out—and froze at the bizarre sight.
"That's—"
I looked up at the sky. I'd noticed it seemed unusually dark. But it wasn't storm clouds.
"Caaaw!"
A flock of massive birds, each the size of an adult man, with glossy feathers. Dozens—no, hundreds—circled between high-rises and shops, patrolling the area. The train was squarely in their territory.
The monster birds wheeling overhead all locked eyes on us at once.
"Kieeeek-!"
With chilling shrieks, several dove at the train, sharp beaks leading the charge.
I watched them casually and said,
"Exterior turrets."
Whiiir—clank!
Tudududung-!
No sooner had I spoken than the train's mounted turrets roared to life.
"Ki-ek!"
The diving beasts plummeted before reaching us, feathers scattering. Even if they'd hit, the train wouldn't have a scratch.
"...Still a lot of 'em."
Those divers weren't all of them. Most stayed back, peering down from nests or high perches at the unfamiliar train. Maybe they'd sensed the power gap from that display, or the sheer size deterred them—they held off.
The train slowed to a stop at the station. I checked Signal's given location: an apartment 10 minutes away. I'd already messaged her we were almost there.
I gripped my spear and opened car 1's door.
As the door swung wide, birds resting in nearby nests craned their necks toward me. The air grew tense.
"Drones, if you please."
The drones took up guard positions around me at my command. I focused on moving, not fighting—drones handled flyers way better than I did.
In that brief moment giving orders, three birds that'd scented me blocked my path, claws out.
"Hup—!"
I twisted lightly and Leaped past them.
Tududung! Pa-hak!
The combat drones fired exactly three shots, blowing the feathered freaks apart, leaving only plumage.
I kept running. Without the train's overwhelming presence, they kept coming despite the drones' firepower.
Still, Leap got me to the apartment entrance fast. The doors were already shattered—something had happened.
Tap tap.
"...Hate stairs."
Mashing the elevator button did nothing. I slowly ascended the dim stairwell to the high floor and Signal's unit number.
"Whew."
Catching my breath lightly, I gripped the handle and knocked.
Knock knock knock.
"Uh... Ch-ChooChooPuffPuff..."
I knocked but trailed off awkwardly. Should say the nickname? But "ChooChooPuffPuff" felt embarrassing now. Should've picked something like Signal's. TrainMaster or DroneLord—
Clank, clunk.
Sounds of multiple locks unlatching from inside, then the heavy steel door creaked open cautiously.
"...You've arrived."
A calm yet distinctly feminine voice drifted through the gap.
And when the door fully opened—
I loosened my grip on the spear, eyes wide, frozen in.
"Wha...?"
Standing there was a woman with long white hair cascading to her waist. Her skin was ghostly pale, her face half-hidden by huge glasses and bangs—small face or big glasses? She avoided eye contact nervously but occasionally mustered courage to glance at me.
Not at all what I'd imagined. Her chat style was stiff, so I'd pictured someone more confident, maybe even a guy.
"Um... are you, by any chance, Signal...?"
I asked disbelievingly. The white-haired woman gave a faint smile and nodded.
"Yes. I'm... So then, are you ChooChooPuffPuff...?"
"Ah... Yeah."
We confirmed nicknames and shared awkward laughs.