NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 12: A Self-Powered Train?
On the way to the station, Kiana deliberately slowed her pace. Soon, they arrived at the train station.
"Huh? There aren't any zombies here?" Kiana peeked into the waiting hall from outside, looking puzzled.
Shu also peered in, while Bronya, due to her height, had to stand on tiptoes to get a glimpse.
"There really aren't!" Shu confirmed the waiting hall was empty and felt a surge of curiosity.
Logically, the station during a holiday should be packed with people, yet there wasn't a single zombie. There were only numerous suitcases scattered throughout the waiting hall.
It felt odd. Everything was still in place, many of the facilities in the hall were still running, like they'd arrived in another kind of apocalypse.
Here, everyone had vanished in an instant, leaving behind only a few survivors like Shu and his group.
Although reality wasn't that different, the sudden emptiness and loneliness caused Kiana and Bronya to fall silent.
"Do you think there's anything good in those suitcases?" This particular feeling of loneliness didn't seem to affect Shu. He looked at the suitcases with excitement, already planning to find some treasures.
The other two gave Shu a deadpan look. Then, they watched as he searched around and, with an excited grin, pulled a fire axe from a corner, practicing a few vertical chops in the air.
Bronya frowned, sensing that something was up.
"Forest Homu?" She quickly recalled a corresponding memory, asking, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Forest Homu? What's that?
Shu looked confused, but he immediately realized that Bronya was probably referring to this world's Forest**. He admired the similar culture while feeling conflicted about the yellow plush bunny.
Is the Homu IP really that massive? I feel like I'm always living in Homu's shadow…
"Yep." Shu took out another fire axe and handed it to Bronya. "Want to join?"
"Huh? What do you mean? What is Forest Homu?" Only Kiana was confused.
"Forest Homu is a game where the protagonist Homu and his friends crash on a deserted island. They explore and develop the island, gradually revealing the truth." Bronya explained, her expression earnest. Clearly, she really loved this game… or she really loved Homu.
"Okay…" Kiana nodded, puzzled.
Shu and Bronya exchanged a look and, one after the other, entered the waiting hall and started smashing suitcases.
Kiana shrugged helplessly and followed the two.
"Huh? Why is the subway entrance collapsed?" While walking into the waiting hall, Kiana noticed the collapsed subway entrance in her peripheral vision. After a moment of confusion, she stopped thinking about it.
There were no suitcases at the subway station. Why bother?
"Be careful! It'll be dangerous if there are zombies hiding!" Kiana called out to the two, feeling like a worrywart.
Shu froze, then looked strangely at the fire axe in his hand. Then, he looked up to see Bronya looking just as thoughtful at the axe in hers.
If there was a lone zombie, it probably would actually get killed by these two with weapons…
Forget it. Best not to be bloodthirsty. Blind boxes are more fun anyway!
The two resumed their suitcase-smashing spree. Even Kiana, after watching them for a while, couldn't resist the urge. She grabbed an axe and joined the suitcase-opening extravaganza.
The waiting hall at Nagazora City's train station was enormous, and there were countless suitcases. They spent the entire afternoon smashing them open.
As evening approached, Shu suddenly looked up at the train platform outside the waiting hall.
Blind boxes were indeed interesting, but there was something even more interesting: opening an even bigger blind box.
And an even bigger blind box...
Shu's gaze focused on the train parked on the edge of the platform. At the same time, the other two also noticed the change in Shu. Following his gaze, they reached a tacit agreement without exchanging a single word.
Look at those train cars… So magnificent! Isn't that the biggest blind box?
The three exchanged looks, and, determined, they crossed the ticket gates and walked out.
"Huh? These train cars are in good condition." Kiana strolled along the platform, looking at the train cars.
"It looks like this train was just about to depart when the disaster struck…" Bronya touched the train car as if deep in thought.
The rail system in this world was incredibly advanced; even the oceans had suspended rails, a single train capable of traveling to every corner of the world.
Shu looked at the train, blurting out, "Do you think… this train can still run?"
The two froze.
"If there's enough power… it should be able to run," Bronya said, her eyes gradually lighting up.
If the train could run, it meant she'd found a way to return to Koko Kuseru.
Bronya had thought it would be a difficult and long journey. She didn't expect to find a solution so quickly.
"Let's see if it actually can!" Kiana rolled up her sleeves and charged onto the train, fire axe in hand.
After a quick check, they confirmed that it was a rare self-powered train, not requiring electricity from a power plant, similar to old coal-burning trains.
And every station had a large storage of this train's energy source.
"Should we try?" Shu tentatively suggested after understanding the train's power source.
Bronya nodded. Shu and Kiana immediately got up to look for the storage facility, but a now-calm Bronya stopped them.
"It's too late today. Let's rest first."
Shu looked up at the darkening sky and reluctantly pursed his lips.
A chance to do something big is right in front of me, yet I have to wait another night?
Ugh, I won't be able to sleep tonight!
Sighing, Shu started on his glum walk "home."
Strange, why is my heart beating so fast all of a sudden?
Shu felt a sudden palpitation. He frowned, shaking his head, and the dizziness subsided.
I must be tired. We did open suitcases all day…
Shu thought to himself, looking to the side.
What he saw, however, was a figure charging towards him.
"Idiot… didn't I tell you to be careful?"
"BOOM!"