Translator: AnubisTL
As this notification sounded, a semi-transparent white panel slowly materialized before Chen Mang. The words were clearly written on it, but the voice hadn't echoed in his ears; it had resonated deep within his mind.
Then, the panel before him gradually faded away, replaced by several lines of text scrolling across the screen beside the train control panel.
"Stellaris Train Power Value: Comprehensive Evaluation in Progress."
"Current Tier: 2 Train, Base Score: 100 points. 112 survivors rescued: +112 points. Two Red Tier 4 Accessories: +200 points. Total Accessory Tier: 84: +840 points. 9 Overpowered Effects: +90 points."
"Comprehensive Score: 1342 points."
"The Regional Faction Value Ranking has now been activated. The Stellaris Train is located in the low-Tier region, so only the rankings for this zone will be displayed."
"Loan Limit: 5000 Units of Iron Ore, to be repaid double within three months."
"..."
Chen Mang stared at the string of information scrolling across the screen with a slightly strange expression. It was worth noting that one of the requirements for upgrading a Tier 2 train to a Tier 3 train was for the total Tier of all accessories within the train to exceed 40.
His total Tier was 84, far exceeding the requirement.
He had calculated that after upgrading to a Tier 2 train, the accessories he could craft were primarily green and white-grade, with no yellow-grade accessories, let alone the even higher blue-grade ones.
The maximum Tier for white-grade accessories was generally Tier 2, while green-grade accessories usually capped at Tier 3.
Moreover, accessories like "Armor" and "Heavy Machine Gun" only counted the highest-Tier version when calculating the total Tier, regardless of how many were crafted.
In other words, without a Fortuitous Encounter to obtain other Component Blueprints, upgrading all craftable accessories to their maximum Tier would result in a total Tier of 58.
This was enough to meet one of the requirements for upgrading to a Tier 3 train. It was essentially the standard for a fully-equipped Tier 2 train, with all essential accessories upgraded to their maximum Tier and less crucial ones like the "Single Bed" left unupgraded to conserve resources.
Meanwhile, after the Comprehensive Faction Value assessment was completed, the Regional Rankings appeared on the screen.
Iron Ridge Wasteland Power Value Ranking
Top Rank: Survivalist, Tier 3 Train, Power Value: 2989
...
47th Rank: Stellaris, Tier 2 Train, Power Value: 1342
...
77th Rank: King of Electronic Music, Tier 2 Train, Power Value: 666
...
89th Rank: Bloodthirsty Mad Bull, Tier 2 Train, Power Value: 589
"..."
Chen Mang glanced at the Power Value Ranking for the Iron Ridge Wasteland, a slight smile playing on his lips. After their previous conversation, he already knew that the train that had brazenly sped past him a few days ago, blaring its horn, was the King of Electronic Music train.
In other words, the dwarf's train.
Now it seemed his train had already surpassed the other's in development.
His power value rating was nearly double the dwarf's.
However, the dwarf still didn't know Chen Mang's identity or that they had met before. Chen Mang didn't bother to reveal it.
His ranking on the leaderboard was decent, at 47th place. He'd always thought of himself as a small fry, never realizing his train was already considered quite successful in the Iron Ridge Wasteland.
The gap between the top trains on the leaderboard was vast, narrowing further down the list.
Through this ranking, he also learned there were a total of twelve Tier 3 trains in the Iron Ridge Wasteland.
The lowest-ranked Tier 3 train had a power value of 1679.
Chen Mang wasn't thinking about upgrading his train to Tier 3 just yet. He wanted to fully equip his Tier 2 train first. Upgrading to Tier 3 required too many resources. Generally, people only upgraded when they had exhausted all possible improvements on their Tier 2 train.
These people didn't have his ability to infinitely upgrade accessories. They couldn't achieve such high scores on accessory Tiers like he could.
So, barring any surprises, such high power value scores were likely achieved by simply accumulating a massive number of slaves. In a way, having enough slaves was itself a demonstration of strength.
Of course, Master Kun was an exception.
The deeper Chen Mang understood this world, the more he realized how incongruous Master Kun's train's firepower was with his 300 slaves. They weren't even in the same league.
As for the 5,000-unit iron ore loan, Chen Mang scoffed, barely bothering to glance at it. The amount was too small to matter. He was already mining 10,000 units of iron ore per day. What he lacked wasn't resources; it was time.
If Chen Mang had enough time and no unexpected setbacks, he could completely excavate the two mines at the bottom of the Doomsday Abyss. He wouldn't lack resources for a while.
"Keep going," Chen Mang muttered, taking a deep breath. He glanced at the Train Radio, where new messages constantly popped up. Everyone was discussing the recent changes, especially what "Phase 1 is about to begin" meant.
What would happen after Phase 1 started? What changes would it bring?
These were the concerns of everyone on the train.
Chen Mang knew that the Iron Ridge Wasteland was a low-Tier zone. Low-Tier regions were characterized by scarce resources but also fewer and lower-Tier monsters, allowing for relatively safe and stable development.
For example, on the wasteland:
As long as you didn't get surrounded by a zombie horde before noticing it, you could always outrun any monster you encountered. After all, even a Tier 1 Train's basic speed was enough to shake off most monsters.
Overall, it was a relatively safe environment.
High-Tier zones, however, were far more dangerous. The threats came not only from monsters but also from "Fortuitous Encounters" and even "Train Class Changes."
Yes—
Train Class Change.
"..."
Chen Mang glanced at the train conductor speaking through the train radio, his expression slightly odd. This was a Tier 3 train conductor, someone he'd never seen chatting in the group before. This sudden change had brought him out of the woodwork, and a crowd had swarmed him, hoping he'd reveal some hidden information.
To his credit, the conductor was kind-hearted and actually shared.
High-Tier Trains couldn't enter low-Tier regions like theirs. For example, their region could only accommodate trains up to Tier 3; Tier 4 trains couldn't operate in their area.
The apocalypse had begun long ago, not just a few months ago.
Those who had obtained Train Tokens at the very start of the apocalypse and happened to be part of established organizations were plentiful. Having had a full year to develop, one could only imagine how powerful they had become. If a train of that caliber were to raid the wilderness for slaves, no one could stop them.
In other words:
The Iron Ridge Wasteland, which could only accommodate trains up to Tier 3, was essentially a half-baked newbie village.
(End of the Chapter)
📖Read [MAT] ahead on Pa.treon@AnubisTL upto c116. [+14/+33.3k]
🎁All [3] Novels can be accessed for just $6/mo.
🔥Translated [600] Chapters and [1.05M+] Words.
🔔 Become a member before 8 August to enjoy 50% off. Just $3.