Translator: AnubisTL
When resources are scarce, civilization is growing wildly, and the sudden collapse of modern civilization into an apocalyptic wasteland creates an unbearable psychological shock, Slavery is the most effective System—without exception.
In such circumstances, incentive programs are useless. No matter how you motivate them, you can't offer a better life than they had before the apocalypse. They used to enjoy hot pot; can you incentivize them with hot pot now? Can you even make hot pot on a train?
But—
When the train reaches Tier 12, like the three Tier 12 Mechanical Trains, it's essentially complete. Upgrading accessories like energy shields can cost tens of millions of iron ore per upgrade, while a set of clothes costs next to nothing. A space gate earns only a small profit, and a loaf of bread is worth mere pennies.
With abundant supplies, Slavery gradually fades from the stage.
Train conductors begin to champion human rights, transitioning toward a Feudal System. All survivors become their subjects, and as train conductors, they must protect their people. But as subjects, the survivors must also contribute to the train's well-being.
At this point, the survivors' living conditions had gradually improved.
Their titles also changed accordingly, shedding the derogatory term "slave" for more dignified terms like "employee" or "passenger."
Inside the Stellaris locomotive cabin, Chen Mang leaned back in his chair, eyes closed in meditation, remaining silent. He had just finished a lengthy conversation with the three train conductors, and the situation of the apocalypse was growing increasingly dire. Two rumors had spread from unknown origins:
First, in a few years, the barriers between all zones would shatter, allowing high-grade monsters to freely slaughter in low-level regions.
Second, the highest-level zone, the Seven-Colored Zone, was a post-apocalyptic paradise, untouched by monsters, where survivors could rebuild their homes.
The origins of these rumors were impossible to trace, and their veracity remained unverified. Yet they offered a glimmer of hope to many train conductors.
Just then—
"I've found it."
Xiao Ai's voice suddenly echoed through the cabin. "Yes?"
"Wait a moment."
Chen Mang interrupted, "In the future, don't let your voice suddenly cut in like that. Before you speak, flash the white light in the locomotive cabin or use some other method to signal first. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Good. Continue."
"Yes, Train Conductor. I've found the bug. I've reviewed the consumption records of all the train's accessories over the past few days, and there's a recurring unknown consumption."
"This consumption has been happening for a long time, dating back to when we were in the Iron Ridge Wasteland. There was a sudden disappearance of 12 days, and then the unknown consumption reappeared, though it was very small and easily overlooked."
"In total, the unknown consumption amounts to 392,900 units of iron ore."
"Tracing this, I found the missing 16th carriage, the 'Giant Beast Car.' Unlike the other carriages, this one doesn't appear in the usual way."
"The iron ore used to upgrade the Giant Beast Car has always been consumed by the giant beast itself. Since it's still a cub, it periodically absorbs energy from the train's energy stones to sustain its life functions."
"Where's the giant beast?"
"Right here."
Xiao Ai pushed open the door to the locomotive cabin, his voice switching from the train's audio system to the amplifier in his throat. He held up a furry cub about the size of a basketball. "This is it. It first appeared on the Stellaris fourteen hours after the train's creation."
"The giant beast?"
Chen Mang frowned slightly, gazing at the furry cub in Xiao Ai's arms. It was covered in soft, fluffy fur, resembling a plush toy. Its limbs were completely hidden.
Faintly visible beneath the fur were a tiny mouth and two tightly closed eyes, as if it were asleep.
It looked utterly harmless, its pale green color making it seem more like a toy or an enlarged bacterium.
"Yes," Xiao Ai nodded seriously. "I wouldn't have found it myself, but I happened to learn about a special carriage called the 'Giant Beast Car' from those experimental data."
"Capturing a Cosmic Behemoth cub and raising it as a carriage until it reaches adulthood would create a weapon of terrifying power."
"Some Cosmic Behemoths are said to feed on mining stars, while others can grow to hundreds of thousands of kilometers in length, making them truly terrifying."
"A Cosmic Behemoth raised from infancy as a 'Giant Beast Car' would be fiercely loyal to the train upon reaching adulthood. This loyalty is ingrained in its bloodline, as it grew up within the train, fed by the train conductor. In the beast's heart, the train conductor is its Mom, and the train is its home."
"It's an incredibly terrifying strategic weapon."
"I searched the entire train and finally found this little one near the engine in the locomotive."
Chen Mang remained silent, silently lighting a cigarette. After a long moment, he exhaled a plume of smoke. "Let's not worry about whether this little one is actually a Cosmic Behemoth for now. What I want to know is why the train classified it as a carriage that needs armor upgrades. Does this mean we'll have to upgrade its armor every time we upgrade the train's armor?"
"Yes."
Xiao Ai tilted her head and glanced at the fluffy creature in her hand. "Because Cosmic Behemoths, though terrifying, are incredibly weak during their cub stage. Their growth period is also exceptionally long—the stronger the Cosmic Behemoth, the longer it takes to mature."
"Experimental data records a Cosmic Behemoth called the Star-Eating Dragon, which takes a hundred thousand years to grow from a cub to an adult. This is because they need to consume vast amounts of core energy for nourishment."
"The Giant Beast Car's logic is to treat the Cosmic Behemoth as a carriage, drastically shortening its cub stage. By actively feeding it core energy, we accelerate its growth and grant it some combat capabilities even during its cub stage, thus assisting the train's development."
"For example, this one currently has Tier 12 defense. It may look fluffy, but this is actually the concentrated manifestation of Tier 12 armor."
...
Chen Mang stubbed out his cigarette, took the fluffy creature from Xiao Ai, and cradled it in his arms, stroking its fur. It was incredibly soft, almost like cat fur.
The fur was incredibly long, about the length of an index finger. It felt completely soft, with no hint of hardness.
"Are you sure this thing has Tier 12 defense? I feel like I could crush it with one hand."
"Well, that's what the experimental data says. I was very careful when I was carrying it earlier. I was worried I might accidentally crush it too."
Chang cradled the tiny creature in his arms, peering closely at its cheek, hidden beneath the fur. It was so small. "It looks like it's still sleeping?"
"Mhm," Xiao Ai nodded. "During the early stages of the Cosmic Behemoth Cub Stage, they typically remain in a dormant state. Their feeding and other bodily functions are unconscious, passive processes. At this stage, we only need to provide the most basic energy supply—that is, 392,900 units of iron ore."
"According to experimental data," Xiao Ai continued, "there are differences in strength among Cosmic Behemoths, categorized into D-rank, C-grade, and B-Tier based on their potential. Different Tiers represent the beast's potential; for example, a D-rank potential Cosmic Behemoth can reach Tier 30 in adulthood."
"Destroying a fully upgraded Tier 30 train would be effortless."
"The lower a Cosmic Behemoth's potential, the earlier it awakens as a Giant Beast Car. For example, a D-rank potential carriage awakens at Tier 3, at which point it no longer feeds unconsciously. The train conductor must actively feed it, and iron ore consumption increases significantly."
"Of course, you could choose not to feed it and let the beast starve to death."
"C-grade potential awakens at Tier 6."
"B-Tier potential awakens at Tier 9."
"Oh?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Chen Mang's eyes as he weighed the small creature in his hand. "The train is currently at Tier 10, and this little one hasn't awakened yet. That means it must have at least A-Rank potential, right?"
"Cosmic Behemoth."
"Soaring through the star sea... according to you, some Cosmic Behemoths can devour mining stars, while others can grow to hundreds of thousands of kilometers long. Could this little one eventually swallow a mining star?"
"With such a tiny mouth, it doesn't even seem big enough to..."
"Do the experimental records contain any information about this little one?"
"No."
Xiao Ai shook his head and repeated earnestly, "According to the experimental data, Cosmic Behemoth cubs are extremely rare. Even D-rank potential Cosmic Behemoths are incredibly scarce. This one was specifically prepared as a rare carriage for the Second-Generation Young Masters of the Mechanical Civilization."
"Logically, it shouldn't be here."
"This planet doesn't belong to the Mechanical Civilization."
"To put it bluntly, it's just a pawn in the Mechanical Civilization's war against the Zerg. The value of everything on this planet combined might not even equal this Cosmic Behemoth cub, especially since it has A-Rank potential."
"Once it reaches adulthood, it'll be a terrifying Tier 120 monster!"
"If we consider Aquablue Star a newbie village, this Cosmic Behemoth cub is like a divine artifact from the empire capital."
"..."
Chen Mang finally understood. He narrowed his eyes, studying the furry cub in his hands.
He now knew where it came from: Master Kun's Train!
After using the Geothermal Core Furnace to devour Master Kun's locomotive, Chen Mang had also swallowed this little guy by accident. Now he finally understood why Master Kun's train had been running so low on iron ore. Could this little cub have eaten it all?
He finally understood the reason for the mysterious energy drain he'd noticed the first time he discovered the cub.
It must have been this little guy unconsciously eating the iron ore.
Later, perhaps realizing he'd been discovered, the cub had gone quiet for a while before resuming his secret feasting.
Chen Mang weighed the cub in his hand. It was incredibly light, probably only around five pounds. This was a skill he'd honed since childhood: he could tell the weight of anything just by holding it, with almost no margin of error.
Of course, this only worked for objects under 100 pounds.
Above that, the margin of error grew too large. He'd never handled anything that heavy.
An A-Rank potential Starry Sky Giant Beast Cub, if priced according to universal standards, would indeed be worth more than the entire Aquablue Star.
After all, this thing could potentially grow to Tier 120!
To upgrade his train to Tier 120... he couldn't even imagine how much resource that would require!
But...
Master Kun!
Why did the first master he encountered in this world, a mere Tier 2 train, possess hundreds of slaves and a Starry Sky Giant Beast Cub?
He'd killed him too quickly back then.
Was this guy cheating?
A Child of Destiny?
The protagonist of this world, destined to save it from the apocalypse?
And he'd killed him right at the start of his journey?
"Hoo..."
Chen Mang exhaled deeply. He'd have to offer incense to Master Kun when he had the chance. This guy... he didn't even know how to describe it. Not only had he prepared slaves, food, and a small amount of resources for him at the beginning, paving the way for his early growth, but he'd also provided the Vehicle Blade Blueprint, the third-rate heavy machine gun, and other items, giving him considerable combat power even at Tier 1, ensuring his safety in the mid-game.
He'd even given him the Starry Sky Giant Beast Cub, preparing his foundation for the late game.
Even his current trusted subordinates, Old Pig and Biaozi, had come from Master Kun's group of slaves.
A one-stop service!
Not even the best trust funds in his past life could have done this. It was all-encompassing. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him his rebirth benefactor.
"What a good man," Chen Mang murmured, picking up the gls Pistol from his drawer. He'd obtained this weapon from the Train Conductor Panel when he first arrived in this world. It had been a great help in the early stages, but he no longer needed it. Still, he kept it as a memento.
He pressed the gls Pistol against the little creature's head, tilting his head to look at Xiao Ai. "Are you sure it has Tier 12 defense? This pistol is only Tier 1. Won't it just blow it to smithereens with a single shot?"
Xiao Ai's explanation had sounded convincing.
But Chen Mang needed to confirm whether this thing was truly as formidable as Xiao Ai claimed. The best way to test it was, of course, to fire a shot and see if it actually possessed Tier 12 defense.
"I'm not sure," Xiao Ai said firmly, shaking his head. "The experimental data clearly states it does, but looking at it, I don't think it looks like it could withstand a shot from this pistol."
Chen Mang frowned slightly, paused for a long moment, then pulled the trigger.
Bang.
The sharp report of the gunshot echoed through the locomotive cabin. The spent shell casing clattered to the floor and bounced a few times. But the little creature in his hand remained completely unharmed, not even a single strand of its fluffy fur disturbed.
This thing...
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. Could it really have Tier 12 defense? He immediately stepped out of the train, placed the creature on the ground, and used his cane to remotely control a Doomsday Cannon, aiming it directly at the creature.
"Train Conductor, that's quite a leap in firepower," Xiao Ai commented.
"If it truly has Tier 12 defense, it won't die," Chen Mang replied.
He chose to load a Tier 11 shell.
(End of the Chapter)
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