Gun of Ashes

The muddled consciousness gradually became clear. Selyu opened her tired eyes, only to find the scene before her shrouded in darkness, with only faint light illuminating.

She tried to move but her hands did not respond, instead, they were tightly bound together, unable to move.

This is a terrible situation. Remembering the previous scenes, it’s certain that she has been kidnapped. For a moment, Selyu is not panicked, but rather feels like laughing.

At such a critical moment, she has been kidnapped. The current scenario is indeed harsh, but compared to what she had to face before, this all seems much more relaxed.

Selyu’s expression surprisingly lightened, but soon she realized another thing.

If this is a kidnapping, then its occurrence is too coincidental. Knowing her itinerary, and disguising as the Purification Mechanism’s carriage...

With complex thoughts, Selyu’s mind gradually became clear. She was somewhat uncertain about her guesses, but more of it spawned doubts about what everything implied next.

While pondering, another slightly weary panting sound emerged; the person seemed injured or perhaps too exhausted, constantly panting as if nearly suffocating.

A kidnapper? Or another unlucky victim?

Selyu wasn’t sure; her sight was obscured.

She’s an exceptionally alert girl. Though awake, Selyu still pretended to be asleep, abstaining from any unnecessary movements, relying on hearing and smell to judge the current situation.

She could hear the rumbling machinery sound and the vague wind and rain, her body slightly swaying on the ground...this isn’t the ground.

Selyu reckoned she was inside a train carriage, smelling the cool air infused with dust and rust, a scent she was familiar with, accompanying her during a prolonged phase of her life.

So, am I moving away from Old Dunling?

If delayed too long, Selyu’s predicament would worsen; perhaps she should act now. But just how many people are in this carriage?

Am I alone with the unfortunate victim, or is the kidnapper here too? If the latter is true, every move Selyu makes would be under surveillance, easily subdued.

The kidnapper...

Thinking of this, Selyu delved deeper into contemplation. Would any kidnapper predict her actions flawlessly, even disguising the Purification Mechanism’s carriage?

If possessing such ability, could these kidnappers truly be considered ”kidnappers”?

Roger?

It doesn’t feel right; for Roger, no hostages were needed. Once exposed before him, Selyu was already deemed dead, giving him everything he desired.

During Selyu’s intense internal struggle, the weary panting grew deeper. Then came a heavy thudding sound, as if someone were struggling. Soon, Selyu felt something leaning against her; trying to subtly move her body, she quickly realized the fabric obstructing her view seemed hooked by something.

Selyu attempted simply, awkwardly twisting her body, as faint light gradually seeped into her eyes.

The metal corner had risen sharply, hooking onto the hood; Selyu struggled to pull it off, glancing through the dim light to barely discern the scene within the carriage.

It appeared to be a cargo carriage, covered in coal dust and rust. Accompanying her were two other unfortunate victims, one shadow seeming rather tall, tightly bound, hooded as well, restrained in another corner of the carriage. The other was sprawled across the middle, writhing like a caterpillar, struggling to move; Selyu presumed the earlier thudding sound was from him.

The ”caterpillar” seemingly refused to resign, striving laboriously to escape here, yet it was all futile.

She thought the fellow in the corner might also be awake, perhaps realizing escape was unfeasible now; simulating slumber, strategizing like her.

Coiling her body into a heap slowly, for now, it appeared only these few unfortunate souls inhabited the cargo carriage; the kidnapper was absent.

Selyu gently lowered both hands; her petite, nimble frame still offered maneuvering room despite the binds. Straining, she reached towards her ankle below, peeling off the long sock, uncovering a short dagger strapped to her calf.

Likely, the kidnapper hadn’t anticipated her carrying weapons, let alone so deeply concealed.

Selyu gripped the dagger, pulled it out; due to angle problems, she struggled to cut her feet’s bindings, only finding protrusions to press down.

Metal rubbing against metal emitted a faint sound; the blade spewed another slender sharp edge, easily slicing the bindings on her feet, granting Selyu more mobility. She lifted her leg, rotating the knife fiercely, cutting down.

With her hands freed from restraints, Selyu felt relief, ripping off the hood, standing in the swaying cargo carriage, gazing at the remaining two unfortunate souls.

Selyu endeavored to lower her voice, guessing they probably heard somewhat, yet they reacted nothing, seemingly awaiting something.

She proceeded cautiously, contemplating whether to untie these two unlucky victims. But just then, the ”caterpillar” sprang up with a vigorous twist like a carp leaping.