Translator: AnubisTL
In the locomotive cabin, inside Living Car No. 3.
Chen Mang carried the goblin over to the first aid kit. The goblin's injuries were severe, making it difficult to even walk.
The "Basic First Aid Kit" was a White Accessory he had crafted when the train reached Tier 2. It contained only simple bandages, anti-inflammatory spray, and a suture kit—clearly insufficient to treat the goblin's current wounds.
"Cunning human..."
The goblin's eyes darted to the crude medical tools inside the kit. It whispered, "These things won't help. I can revive after death. You might as well kill me now. When I revive, all these injuries will be completely healed."
"How long do you have to stay in that dark space after you die?"
"I don't know... just a while," the goblin shook its head.
"Will you return to the Iron Ridge Wasteland?"
"No, I should be randomly teleported to another Zone."
"Mm."
Chen Mang nodded, effectively rejecting the goblin's proposal. He simply leaned on his staff, pulled out some bandages, and wrapped the goblin from head to toe, transforming it into a living mummy. Then, he spoke: "I'll give you a full-body treatment tonight. For now, can you call your other Goblin clansmen here?"
He'd only applied a basic bandage for now. He was short on iron ore. Once the slaves had mined enough today, he'd upgrade the Basic First Aid Kit to Tier 10 and unlock its two Overpowered Effects, which should help with treating external injuries.
"Alright."
The goblin replied curtly, immediately closing its eyes. After a few moments, it opened them again. "Done. They're on their way."
"That simple?" Chen Mang's eyes flickered with surprise. "Can you goblins transmit information remotely through brainwaves?"
"Not quite."
The goblin scratched its head, then carefully formulated its answer. "I'm an Elite Monster among them. I can control and command them within this Zone, just like the Corpse King in a zombie horde. Except... I experienced a deviation. I inherited memories from before my death and retained the wisdom of the Great Goblin Clan."
"Understood."
Chen Mang nodded and pointed to several slices of bread on the nearby Moldy Bread Slice Production Line. "There are a few slices here. Eat them when you get hungry."
"This..."
The goblin had noticed the delicious-smelling bread long ago, but had been trying its best to avert its gaze. Now, it could no longer resist staring intently at the cream-filled slices, its Adam's apple bobbing slightly and saliva nearly overflowing.
"Thank you for your gracious gift, Human Seer!"
"Biaozi, do you think Lord Mang might be interested in this goblin?"
Outside the Stellaris train.
Old Pig gazed anxiously into the train. After the battle, the slaves had already returned to the nearby mine with their pickaxes to resume mining, while Old Pig and Biaozi were tasked with guarding the captured Tier 2 Goblin Monsters.
"That... surely not?"
Biaozi, who had been engrossed in studying the new concept of the Cluster Mind, shuddered at the question. A flicker of confusion crossed his eyes. "With the Stellaris' current strength, acquiring or purchasing a few attractive female slaves in the wasteland wouldn't be difficult, would it?"
"Lord Mang has no reason to have any interest in this goblin, especially since it's a male goblin."
"That's not necessarily true."
Old Pig shook his head, his expression complex. "I used to be a deputy train conductor and have seen many train conductors. In the oppressive, deeply pessimistic environment of the apocalypse, becoming a train conductor often leads to extremely twisted obsessions."
"These obsessions are usually the most effective way to release the psychological pressure built up over time."
"But haven't you noticed that Lord Mang seems to have almost no obsessions at all?"
"Lacking obsessions means that psychological pressure can't be released. And when psychological pressure can't be released, it tends to build up into something even more twisted—a far more perverse psychological obsession."
Biaozi's expression immediately turned serious. After a long moment of thought, he tentatively asked, "Lord Mang likes to smoke. Does that count as an obsession?"
"What do you think?" Old Pig replied flatly, turning his head to look at Biaozi. "You should know that the obsessions of other train conductors are far more twisted than you can imagine. I can't even begin to describe them—they'd shock your moral values."
"I once met a train conductor who made me want to kill him more than anyone else in my life."
"His fetish was human sows."
"Too bad I wasn't strong enough back then. Otherwise, I would have killed him."
"Trainmaster Zhu, you're such a righteous man?"
"..."
Old Pig fell silent for a long moment before shaking his head, choosing not to elaborate. His mother had become a human sow after a car accident, and he couldn't accept anyone having such a perverse fetish. It was an insult, a mockery.
Life and the apocalypse had worn him down too much.
This was his last remaining line.
But what filled him with despair was that even this last line had been nearly eroded by the apocalypse. Otherwise, he wouldn't have survived until now. He might have charged forward even knowing it meant certain death, but he hadn't. This had shaken his own faith in his last remaining principle.
Seeing that Old Pig had no desire to continue the conversation, Biaozi scratched his nose and said no more. He had wanted to explain that Trainmaster Zhu might have misunderstood train conductors. He himself had been one, and during his tenure, he had never indulged in any peculiar fetishes.
He had simply worked diligently to manage the train until its destruction, after which he began his flight for survival.
From beginning to end, he had never had the time or energy to contemplate such matters.
Staying alive was the only concern.
His only hobby might be staying alive. If so, he's been remarkably successful at it, surviving countless train wrecks to make it this far.
In a daze, Biaozi pulled a piece of bread from behind his back, quickly stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed it down in large, furtive bites. Mmm, it tasted really good.
This was slave food. The thugs were supposed to get steamed buns, which were originally considered superior.
But...
Lord Mang had somehow gotten this bread, and it was far tastier than the buns. Biaozi found himself sneaking slices whenever he could. He'd never had this kind of treatment even when he was a train conductor.
In these times, it was easier to get ahead by following the right person. What was the point of working your fingers to the bone as a train conductor?
Just then—
Chen Mang emerged from the train, leaning on his cane. Old Pig and Biaozi straightened up instantly, their faces serious as they chorused, "Lord Mang."
"Mm."
Chen Mang stood still, gazing at them for a long moment before finally saying softly, "These goblins will be working for us from now on. They'll be responsible for mining. Give the injured ones simple bandages. They won't resist."
"And..."
"In your free time, study the 'Cluster Mind' function. There are two ways to use it: one is to keep it constantly active, like instant communication. The other is to activate it briefly, allowing you to control what information is transmitted. During breaks in battle, you don't need to keep 'Cluster Mind' constantly active."
"Prolonged use of Cluster Mind can damage your brain. Exit it immediately after combat."
(End of the Chapter)
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