The Second Fragment (2)
My stubbornness finally got me what I wanted. I overlaid the Weapon Revive skin onto the Wall Creation structure.
Weapon Revive was a skill I'd mastered from the start—no need to even understand it.
Thud.
In front of me, countless weapons piled up layer upon layer, stabbing into the ground. Not a single gap anywhere, stretching high enough to pierce the ceiling. A wall in the truest sense.
A wall made of weapons.
Sword Wall
The new skill's name was Sword Wall. Exactly what it sounded like: erecting a barrier of swords.
Similar to Erven's technique.
'The difference is I can shape it however I want.'
Wall Creation's base form was a boxy rectangular wall. But I'd comprehended the skill and could mold the mana into any shape I desired. Then I skinned it with weapons.
'This is a skill that didn't even exist in the game.'
I'd created an entirely new skill. Since it was brand-new even to me, I had no idea how best to use it yet. But for someone like me, who loved tinkering with builds and had whipped up countless ones, it wouldn't be too hard.
—...Did you just create a skill?
Kethar, the werewolf who'd been watching quietly, spoke up. His lupine features made expressions hard to read, but he seemed flustered too.
"I was just gonna replicate what that guy used, but it turned out a bit different."
"Pardon? O-Oppa, you were trying to copy that exactly? Do you even know how insane that is?"
Come to think of it, she was clueless like a kid about everything else, but sharp on magic.
"Felt like I could just do it."
"Like that time with the mana flow?"
"Yeah."
"...Whoa."
She must've been genuinely shocked this time. First time she'd ended a convo with a single word.
Oh well. Couldn't exactly say, "My skill upgraded and gave me a new feature, which let me snag another skill!" Easier to play the genius card. And it wasn't not true.
"Impressive. Thought you were no ordinary fellow when we first met, but this? You're a whole different beast now."
Jackson didn't hold back the praise either. Fair enough—we'd parted ways not long ago, but compared to then, I'd changed a ton.
"Uh, but we should gear up now! Cave entrance up ahead!"
Michael stuck his head out the window and yelled.
Time to wrap up the train business.
"Then I'll set this up here!"
Jerome installed something mid-car. A shock absorber for when the train collided—would automatically envelop us.
That bundle of his—what is it stuffed with? Stuff just keeps spilling out. Hard to believe it holds all that.
'Must have sub-space installed.'
I'd overlooked it at first, but no way it was a normal bundle. Look at him now, pulling out that massive crossbow cannon. That alone should've overflowed a regular one.
"I'll install this and come back! Michael hyung! Help me—I might fall...."
—...I'll go.
"Th-thanks!"
Thinking of his own little brother, maybe? Kethar went to assist Jerome personally.
Meanwhile, Jackson and Alpano...
"We'll clear the front car."
—...
Jackson took point, Alpano grabbing his shoulder to follow.
Vrrr. Clang!
Jackson showed a new side too. Thrusting his left arm forward, a shield unfolded—big enough to cover his whole body.
"Wh-what the hell are you guys?!"
"When'd you sneak in?! Sh-shoot! Fire!"
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Bullets rained toward them. But Jackson advanced behind his arm-shield, blasting his shotgun nonstop.
Bang-bang-bang-bang!
His mechanical arm sped up the firing rate. Before, he'd paced shots to handle recoil; now? Trigger stayed down. That once-broken shoulder was solid as rock.
The first car cleared in seconds. Alpano silently pressed a dagger to the engineer's throat.
Time for the engineer's final orders.
"You'll arrive soon, right?"
"Y-yes...."
"Your job's simple. Don't slow down."
"Y-yes? B-but if we do that... everything'll smash to bits."
Any problem? That's what I wanted.
"I know."
"Huh?"
The engineer looked baffled, but Alpano nicking his throat made him freak and agree. Just a drop of blood.
Anyway. The train became a runaway maniac that wouldn't stop.
Time to give these bastards the crazy they crave.
* * *
Descartes Lab Cave Entrance.
This was where the train brought their experimental monsters. Heavily guarded against rampaging beasts, muzzles trained on the stopping point.
"Heard the news?"
"What news?"
Guards chatted on the second-floor railing over the cave.
"Human experimentation lab got raided. No one's picking up now."
"What? How'd they even find it? Wasn't even listed."
"Dunno. Luck? Anyway, stay alert—might hit here too."
The guards buzzed about the lab I'd wiped out.
"Front gate crew's on edge now. Heh."
"Told ya, best post's here. Monsters occasional hassle, but safest gig around."
"Heh, exactly. No reason they'd come here—we're good."
They figured this spot was safe.
"Quit yapping."
"S-sorry, sir!"
But their ability-user captain was pissed.
'Strutting with no real power. Tsk.'
Safe because of ability users like him. The captain eyed the three others below. With them, secure.
Beeeep—beeeep—
"Train incoming!"
Signal bell rang. Guards gripped rifles, aiming at entrance. Another day of pointing guns, done.
Rumble-rumble-roar.
"Speed ain't dropping?"
"Yeah... smoke says it's speeding up."
"...What?"
Screeech! Ping!
Train barreled to entrance, smashing the barrier.
"...What. The. Train."
"It... ain't stopping...."
Screeeeech.
Kaboom-boom-boom!
Train plowed into the cave. Signal guards and ground gunners crushed under it.
BOOM!
BOOM!
Barreling through entrance, flattening everything. Crushed sedative gas tanks for monsters—massive explosions.
"Gaaah!"
"M-my body! My body!"
"Put out the fire!"
Station became inferno. First floor, second—even up there.
Beeeep! Beeeeep!
Evac alarms blared. But the three ability users held position.
* * *
Half the train wrecked. Our section safe thanks to Jerome's kit.
"Y-you alright?"
"Yes!"
"Fine, boss!"
"Ugh... y-yeah, me too...."
Jerome's kit formed an ironclad dome over half the interior, shielding from impact.
"Alright, plan time. Kethar and I'll split to grab something. Rest of you, plant explosive kits everywhere."
"Got it."
Plan: Me and Kethar retrieve fragment and weapons. Others handle guards, prep to blow the lab.
Creeeak.
Kethar pried open the mangled door. Werewolf strength boost—normal human couldn't.
Charred stench hit.
"Your doing, huh."
But enemies waited outside. Not regular guards.
'Ability users.'
Fitting—they survived that crash.
Not unexpected.
'Levels 15 to 20.'
Not tough.
I signaled Kethar; we attacked.
Shing. Shing.
Daggers first—speed kings.
With Shadow Strike, they shot forward.
Whish! Clang-clang-clang!
All swordsmen. They parried easily.
But bait for Kethar.
—Graaaargh!
One fixated on dagger—chomped by Kethar. He shook viciously mid-air, flesh spraying.
"You bastard...!"
One lunged at Kethar.
Not letting that slide. Shield to Kethar.
Ting!
Greatsword swing blocked. Shield tracked blade, buying time—Kethar finished his chew-toy.
"Let's go!"
Jackson's crew moved.
"I'll take the middle one!"
April snapped fingers, igniting flames. Three users down without countering.
"Split here."
We divided. Me and Kethar north. Rest west.
—...You know where?
"Checked with my skills. Lab that way. Yours probably too."
—...Roger.
Rumble-roar!
Cave quaking hard. Ceiling crumbling, debris falling. Walls cracking.
"C-cave's collapsing!"
Jerome yelled urgently. Others tense.
But not us.
—...It begins.
"Yeah. Hurry inside."
Raiders spooked 'em? Descartes fast-tracked his plan.
BOOM!
Wall to interior shattered—huge metal lump burst out. Not one; surroundings caving, more emerging.
Lab building sprouted spider-leg metal chunks.
"Wh-what the...!"
The lab started moving.