Armed Train in the Apocalypse

”Although we now have this miraculous energy called Pan Energy, research still has to be grounded and advance step by step. If we can produce a small testing device within three years, I could consider that an achievement for this old horse...”

Su Huan chuckled softly, ”Three years is nothing, are you afraid you won’t live until then?”

Director Xu’s eyes shifted slightly, and then he shook his head with a smile.

”Let’s discuss future matters in the future.”

...

The armed train was quietly being constructed in Zhijin, but the aftermath of the previous battle had already spread to many large districts.

The twice-defeated Black Kite made all the faction leaders place Su Huan’s information on their desks.

The most prominent annotation was no longer about the Genetic Primordial and dual professions, but rather the first human to advance to Tier Three as a ”Power Supplier”.

”What kind of well-connected noblewoman can get through to my front line?”

A burly figure, reminiscent of a suited thug, leaped from a floating island in the distance and landed on the roof of the command center, spanning hundreds of meters with his jump. The command center only trembled for a moment, showing no signs of collapse from this violent landing.

As Donghuang Heavy Industry’s top expert, this level of strength was expected.

As soon as the man landed, Yang Ruoyu, who was supervising the logistics in the rear, handed over the phone, ”It’s from the boss at headquarters.”

Even before he picked up the phone, an explosive voice came through, ”Lian Jin!”

Robust Lian Jin immediately shrunk by three inches, a smile plastered over his face, ”Sis, just give me your orders directly. Whether it’s weeding the north or heading east to fight Mao Bear, say the word, and I’ll flatten them!”

”Then go take down Anastasia.”

Lian Jin’s face instantly froze, his smile awkward, ”I really do want to take her down, but she’s way too much for me. Her evolution speed is like a rocket. By this time next year, she might well be one of the strongest in the world. Only a hero like you, sister, could manage to take her down...”

As he spoke, the image of the white bear woman in a white wool military coat floated into his mind. Though over time, her exquisite and delicate features had become a bit blurry, her heroic demeanor remained etched in his memory!

”Cut the crap, did you read the documents I sent you?!”

The woman on the other end was not buying it.

”What documents? Xiaoshui didn’t show me anything.”

Lian Jin glanced at Yang Ruoyu beside him.

The latter, unfazed by his unwarranted blame, adjusted her glasses with an intellectual air, ”It was sent back the day before yesterday. We reported it to you four times, but you said the frontline battles were urgent and never returned.”

”Huh, did I?”

The rugged Lian Jin was an expert at feigning ignorance.

The woman on the other end couldn’t hold back any longer, suppressing her anger, ”Someone has already advanced to Tier Three!”

”Who?!”

Lian Jin’s eyes flashed with a sharp light, his domineering aura surging forth.

”The armed train’s conductor, the one you previously wanted to spar with. Now, even if you paid them, they’d refuse to duel you.”

”Ssss...”

Lian Jin sucked in a breath of cold air.

With disbelief mingled with shock, he said, ”What a joke. I’ve been amidst the hail of bullets daily, with limitless resources, and have barely reached Tier Two. Yet he advanced to Tier Three in a little over half a year, even with Black Kite’s constant interference?”

Yang Ruoyu added, ”Based on the latest intel from Deep Blue Data, Black Kite made some moves in Zhijin. A Tier Three Lord-level zombie appeared prematurely in Zhijin City and was slain on the spot by the newly advanced Tier Three conductor. The train has now taken over half of Zhijin, while Black Kite, with unknown losses, has withdrawn from the battlefield.”

”Was Black Kite there to stop him or just to gift victories?”

Lian Jin felt a bit speechless, ”Sis, why don’t we go to war with Black Kite too? I want to reach Tier Three.”

Immediate, furious cursing erupted from the other end, ”I bet you just want to make me mourn for you at your grave! You’re just a Tier Two ’Defender’, couldn’t even take on ’Four-armed Fierce Ghost’ Han Lie, yet you keep boasting you’re Donghuang’s top expert. You think your 200 pounds is enough to withstand a kick from them?!”

Lian Jin was used to his sister’s fiery temper. He shrugged, ”Han Lie is already dead. Only that ’Wandering God’ has some strength; the rest of the modified humans aren’t even worth my effort.”

”Shut up!”

The call was abruptly disconnected by the woman on the other end.

Lian Jin’s playful expression vanished, replaced with a look of grave concern.

He repeatedly reassured himself, ’After all, that’s a Genetic Primordial, practically a cheat code...’ but the other’s advancement speed still bugged him.

It’s ridiculously absurd.

And this isn’t some flash-in-the-pan Tier Three; upon advancing, they immediately annihilated a same-level Lord-class zombie.

Each zombie type has basic traits. For example, the Butcher is strength, Night Demon is balanced with agility, Jumpers specialize in rapid relocation, and Hunters are about speed. They further strengthen these traits at Tier Three.

The Lady of the House’s ability is energy devouring, one of the few zombie-types geared towards a mage-like role, theoretically restraining ”Power Suppliers” who evolve through energy.

Especially at Lord-level.

As Lords, zombies usually possess a domain-type skill, plus hordes of millions of zombies around them, making even major powers have headaches.

Nuclear weapons have sufficient power, but Tier Three zombies possess some degree of intelligence and will flee when sensing danger.

Added signal jamming means it’s hard to aim accurately.

Failing to obliterate in one strike means driving out millions of zombies in the city prematurely.

This highlights one of the biological ”limits” at Tier Three.

However, while nukes may miss a Lord, hitting a regular Tier Three zombie is straightforward. Otherwise, zombies would’ve wiped us out ages ago.

”What a savage.”

Thinking about Su Huan’s illustrious and fearsome campaign, Lian Jin couldn’t help but lament.

”So should we adjust our combat plans?”

Yang Ruoyu asked.

Lian Jin nodded decisively, ”Advance the plan. Clearing the upper area sooner means going on the offensive on the ground sooner. We have to kill more to secure more living space for our compatriots on the ground.”

With that, he jumped toward the distant floating island without turning back.

Amidst the howling wind, he vaguely heard Xiaoshui muttering.

”It’s all just to find that white bear woman sooner...”

Lian Jin wobbled, nearly falling off.

...

Even though it was only July, the more northern Extreme Cold Zone was already experiencing heavy snow.

The world was blanketed by thick snowfall, rendering it dark and gloomy, with no sunlight in sight. The snow enveloped everything like a cotton blanket.

Dunbarovsk, a city born from combining a surname with a place name, was an agricultural and military industrial complex before the apocalypse. Thanks to a strong military presence, it survived the end times.

Outside the military camp was layer upon layer of barbed wire, adorned with zombie corpses frozen into blocks of ice. Inside stood solid brick walls eight meters high, equipped with watchtowers, heavy artillery, and even taller observation towers in the corners. Bright searchlights illuminated both the inside and outside of the city.

Regularly, the area should be scanned every ten minutes, but in the freezing night of minus forty degrees, no diligent soldier was willing to step out of the warm watchtower.

Thick cotton and plastic-covered doors pushed open, releasing warm, steamy air mixed with the rich scent of alcohol and stewed venison.

Amidst the loud voices behind, a soldier closed the door, found a secluded corner, and peeled back his thick clothing to relieve himself.

Casting a glance over the defensive perimeter as he did so.

Except for a couple of unsettling roars, nothing unexpected happened.

This was normal. Even the most mindless mutant beast didn’t dare provoke Obsidian Industries.

They were a legitimate arms company, ranking among the best worldwide before the apocalypse.

Having finished, the soldier was about to head back when he suddenly heard faint footsteps on the snow, causing him to instinctively look up.

He saw a dark section of the night split apart.

Pale moonlight spilling onto the crystalline ground.

A figure approached, treading through the snow.