Chapter 195: Demon Train (4)
Chapter 195: Demon Train (4)
“Now that I have the coordinates, I’ll go gather some information regarding the Demon Train’s route. Ah, there’s no need to follow me. I need to move stealthily.”
“Hmm? You’re asking what the problem with the Demon Train is right now? I have a lot to say on that, so let’s talk after I get back. Besides, I need to redraw our plans depending on how long this train ride lasts.”
“Hmm. If you’re bored, why not head to the training grounds? You might find a glimpse of the Demon Train’s problem there. To get there... just head out and walk straight down the hallway. Just project your will to go to that place, just like you did when you came to this room. You’ll be using this method often, so it’s best to get used to it. That’s how most things work in the Otherworld.”
How much time had passed since I left the room with Un-ho and arrived at this place called the ‘training grounds’?
Getting bored, I finally spoke up.
“What do you think that octopus meant by the ‘problem’ with the Demon Train?”
“I’m not sure. We don’t have enough information...”
Was Un-ho bored too?
He had clearly been nodding off with his mouth hanging open, but he replied the moment I tossed out the question.
Then, after groaning as if deep in thought, he added, “Since he mentioned money earlier, maybe it’s something related to the economy?”
The economy, huh?
Wealth inequality? Inflation? Deflation?
To be honest, I don’t know the first thing about that field.
It’s not like I ever learned anything about it.
The ‘salaryman’ side of me seems to know a bit, but it’s not exactly professional-level knowledge.
So, I kept my mouth shut.
A few more minutes passed as Un-ho went back to nodding off.
“I don’t see anyone.”
“You’re right.”
I let out a mindless comment while floating with my chin resting on my hand.
Un-ho chimed in agreement.
And so, we continued to drift through the void. Like balloons.
Come to think of it, this was completely different from what I had expected.
Since the name was ‘training grounds’ and it was supposed to be for earning currency, I expected at least something like a gymnasium.
At worst, I imagined a vast plain like something out of a fantasy novel.
But this was no different from the Otherworld outside the Demon Train. It was pitch black everywhere, and we were just floating.
“Kieeeek!”
Occasionally, something would pounce.
Crunch.
I immediately swung my hammer, turning it into a lump of flesh, and numbers floated up before my eyes.
Of course, compared to the astronomical figures Al’shel had shown me, these were meaningless values that stirred no emotion.
“...What’s the difference between here and the Otherworld?”
“Hmm. There aren’t any miscellaneous things floating around.”
“Something just pounced on us, though.”
“That was at least a proper entity that maintained its form, Poyo. I’m talking about the ones that don’t even have a shape but whisper to everyone around them.”
Were there things like that?
Hmm.
Even thinking back to the outside, I don’t recall seeing anything like that.
Those Mosaic Beasts whispered too, but they had proper forms.
...Whatever. It’s not like there’s only one or two things I can’t see. Let’s just assume they exist.
“Anything else?”
“Other than that... hmm... It looks similar to the outside, but in reality, someone’s will is acting strongly here, so Otherworld Erosion or world transformation doesn’t happen on a large scale...? I guess.”
Hmm.
So in the end, it’s not that different from the Otherworld.
Wait. Actually, I think I’ve seen something like this before.
“Isn’t this just outer space, then?”
Floating around in pitch blackness.
“It’s a bit different from that, Poyo. If it were, you would have gone flying back when you swung your hammer earlier, Lee Ha-ram.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. You can’t change much, but you can unconsciously create footholds like you did just now. That part is the same as the Otherworld.”
Now that he mentioned it, I did feel like I had good leverage even though I was in an empty void with no floor.
Putting it all together, was this Demon Train originally built as a Training Ground on the premise of fighting in the Otherworld?
Even so.
“Can you even call it training if enemies show up this rarely?”
“Probably not, right? I know from fighting back when I was in the Magic Kingdom, but they usually swarm you by the billions.”
What is he talking about now?
“That’s news to me. What do you mean?”
Since when did enemies invade the Magic Kingdom? For that matter, this is practically the first time I’m hearing anything about the Magic Kingdom at all.
“Hmm? Did I say that? Huh? Top-secret matters should be locked so I can’t speak them... Poyo.”
Un-ho tilted his head in confusion. Then, as if trying to check something, he opened his mouth.
“Ah. Ah. Testing. Brigadier General of the Main World Expeditionary Regiment. Code number UN_1-10.”
...Brigadier General?
“...It works?”
What was that just now?
“No, never mind that. Brigadier General?”
“Ah, is that how it was translated? Yes. I’m a Brigadier General! A high-ranking official!”
What the hell. You were always getting ignored by the other mascots.
“Then what’s Lin?”
“You mean Lin? Let’s see... she’s three ranks higher than me, so... she’s a General!”
Wow! Two general-grade officers in my house!
“Then what about the other mascots?”
“They’re about six or seven ranks below me, I think?”
I’m losing my mind, seriously.
A Brigadier General was getting ignored by guys like that? That military is a total mess.
“Then that defense battle you mentioned earlier, was that before you were dispatched?”
“Yes! It’s a story from the defense battle! I was leading my subordinates on the front lines, wielding magic...”
It’s hard to imagine this pig running wild on the front lines...
The front lines?
“A general-grade officer. On the front lines?”
“A person of high status must act according to their responsibilities! Ahem!”
Yeah. At the very least, I can tell your military is completely dysfunctional.
No, wait, thinking about it, it’s actually hilarious.
Un-ho is some kind of ferret-thing.
Lin looks human no matter how you look at her.
A bunch of tiny creatures with no racial consistency swarming together to fight grotesque monsters?
Given the mention of billions, it must have been a desperate struggle, but imagining it is just plain funny.
Still, they probably had a lot of casualties, so I shouldn't laugh.
Anyway, since it seems he can blabber about things now, I should ask.
“Un-ho?”
“Yes?”
“Is your world still in the middle of that defense battle?”
“Probably? It’s always been that way since before I was born, and it was the same before I was dispatched. I heard it’s been like that since ancient times.”
“What about the phenomenon called the Story?”
“We didn't have that.”
Hmm. Then there probably wasn't any Public Enemy Designation either...
As for ‘The End,’ the atmosphere feels like I shouldn't bring it up, so I’ll keep quiet.
The people involved seem to avoid mentioning it as if speaking it aloud would bring bad luck.
“Then, if your world is busy fighting, why were you dispatched to another world?”
Is there some kind of benefit?
No matter how messed up the military is, is a general-grade officer someone who can be dispatched so easily?
Even if it’s humanitarian aid, it’s not like our Earth is doing anything for that Magic Kingdom.
“Because The Queen told me to?”
“...The reason?”
“...Because The Queen told me to?”
...What am I supposed to do with that?
“Were you never taught why you had to do it?”
I mean, you’re a Brigadier General, you should know something.
“...Uh... The Queen... It’s the same answer, so I’ll stop. Poyo.”
Seriously, what is this?
“Then, are you dispatched to worlds other than ours?”
“Yes! Lin went to a different world! For some reason, she’s on Earth now, though! And there are many others besides that!”
Seriously, what is this?
Does this place called the Magic Kingdom have power to spare?
Or is it just that we don't know? Is there a benefit that surviving worlds get by supporting other worlds?
In my tangled thoughts, only one thing was certain.
‘If I grill that person called The Queen, I’ll get some answers.’
Anyway, nothing’s coming out of just floating around here, so I should head back.
Al’shel has probably secured the Demon Train’s route by now.
Let’s go hear that plan he said he’d tell me later. If he’s not back, I’ll just lie in bed and sleep.
Just as I was about to visualize the hallway to return—
“Hey. You there.”
In the silent space, a sensation echoed for the first time, and I turned my head toward it.
What immediately entered my sight was a group of people floating in the void.
Perhaps they were of the same race, as they all looked quite similar.
They weren't heavily distorted, nor did they look particularly strange. They were ordinary-looking Sentient Beings.
Of course, there were minor issues—like having four arms, or having countless eyes clustered on their heads, or having no visible noses, or having purple skin and six fingers.
But at least they weren't just randomly put together.
“Wow. First time I’ve seen people who look human since coming to the Otherworld.”
Thinking back, that mosaic girl was honestly only ‘human-adjacent.’
“You’re right. They look quite normal, Poyo.”
While Un-ho and I whispered—
“What are you mumbling about?”
The human-ish group spoke to us.
They walked right up to us naturally, as if they were walking on solid ground.
Because of that, I, who was floating aimlessly in the air, ended up looking at them at a crooked 45-degree angle.
“Ha, look at this funny guy. You crossed into our territory without even being able to control your own surroundings? You. Who do you belong to?”
‘I don’t belong to anyone, but if I had to say, I’m your grim reaper, you punk.’
I wanted to beat them up while saying that, but I looked at them with interest instead.
This would likely be a clue to the problem occurring on the Demon Train.
“Hey, are you a mute? Do we look like a joke to you?”
Honestly, you do look like a joke.
To be blunt, the slime I blew away earlier was probably stronger than you guys.
“Poyot! Ha-ram! They’re pulling out weapons! Weapons! What are you doing?!”
Slap, slap, slap.
I could hear the sound of Un-ho frantically slapping my cheeks.
This Un-ho guy is losing his cool for no reason. Honestly, Un-ho, you’re stronger than them, so why are you freaking out?
“Hey, it looks like your pet reads the room better than you do. What are you doing?”
...The mood is already ruined. Nothing I can do.
Spin.
I tried to do a full rotation in the air to level my gaze with them.
Spin.
I moved more than expected and ended up rotating about 370 degrees.
Thanks to that, my view of the enemies became even more tilted.
“What are you doing?”
Giggle, chuckle.
I became the laughingstock of the enemies.
My anger flared up, but—
Patience. Patience.
I should at least exchange a few words.
“I have one thing to ask.”
“Hah, look at this guy using polite speech?”
What’s with that reaction? Is the Otherworld translation not working right?
Well, whatever. The meaning seems to get across.
“You said this was your territory earlier. I take it there are areas occupied by different organizations?”
“Ha. Are you a newbie who thinks he’s hot stuff? Yeah. This is the territory of our Purple Flash. If you understand, lower your posture and get the hell out of—”
I’ve heard enough.
Boom!
I immediately swung my hammer, sending the purple guy in front of me flying into the distance.
Just enough so he wouldn't die. Just a light tap.
“Guh...!”
The Purple One, who couldn't react at all to my attack, vanished into the void with my hammer buried in his gut.
In the spot where he had been, a few eyeballs were left behind.
“...Why are there eyeballs left behind, Poyo?”
How should I know? Maybe they pop out easily.
Whoosh.
Since I had already swung The Hammer, I fired the boosters on the back of it to stabilize my posture and looked at the rest of the group.
Perhaps shocked that their leader had been sent flying, the remaining Purple Ones stared blankly in the direction he had vanished. By the time I had leveled my angle with them—
“Y-you bastard! Do you know who we are?! How dare you—”
“Get lost.”
Boom!
I struck the flank of the thug who had pulled his weapon and reacted first.
This time, I adjusted the angle so I wouldn't fly over their heads.
I made sure he would fly in a straight line.
The control was perfect.
“Gah!”
“Uwaaaaah?!”
The enemies hit by the flying Purple One caused a chain reaction like billiard balls, and they all vanished into the distance together.
Since the direction they flew was pitch black like outer space, I expected a cartoonish twinkle like a star, but—
I guess that’s just a cinematic effect.
The purple friends were simply swallowed by the darkness and disappeared normally.
Well, that’s that settled...
“Un-ho.”
“Yes?”
“I think I know what the problem with the Demon Train is now.”
“Poyo? How, Lee Ha-ram? To be honest, using your head isn't exactly your specialty.”
I know because I’ve experienced it before.
By the way, you’re being a bit cheeky, aren't you?
“Kueeeek! What did I do wrong to be twisted like this again...!”
Before I knew it, I was wringing Un-ho like a wet rag again. Ignoring his cries, I tightened my grip and spoke.
“A concept of territory based on groups, limited means of obtaining currency, and specific individuals having an excessive amount of money. What happens then?”
“Kueeeek.”
Exactly. That’s it.
“A specific group takes control and monopolizes the currency. What I experienced was just a game, so it ended with some controversy. But here, it’s directly linked to survival... So, what do you think happens?”
This is what happens when an economy is designed poorly.
Of course, that’s just the start of the problem. I’ll have to hear the full details of the Demon Train’s issues from Al’shel.