Under the oppressive shadow of the dark sun, the train sailing across the sky blazed a trail of brilliant radiance. Its ethereal, comet-like tail shimmered with the colors of a dreamlike rainbow, dazzling and mesmerizing.
Reflected in Raiden Mei's eyes, it briefly rekindled something deep within her.
Yet, while Raiden Mei's perception easily identified it as a train, Nuan beside her lacked that keen vision.
Confused, the girl scratched her tiny head.
"A train? Mei-neesan, how can a train fly through the sky?"
At those words, a vague memory stirred within Raiden Mei. But under the persistent corrosion of Nihility, that memory remained unclear. She lightly knitted her brows and murmured softly:
"I seem to recall something about a train flying across the heavens…no, through the cosmos. It was called…the Astral Express?"
She struggled to recall more clearly but eventually shook her head, unable to grasp further details.
Even those with iron-clad wills had their memories eroded by Nihility. The difference was merely their ability to selectively preserve critical memories while discarding the irrelevant.
"I don't know how it bypassed the black sun and arrived here, but since it's already landed…let's go take a look."
"It's not far from us, after all."
Fixing her gaze on the landing site of the Astral Express, Raiden Mei lifted little Nuan onto her back and stepped forward.
She didn't know what the train's arrival meant. Perhaps it wouldn't change a thing. After all, the black sun had already reduced Takamagahara to madness, pushing Izumo itself to the very brink of annihilation—only a single step from total oblivion.
Nothing would change…but at the very least, today's repetition of endless battles might have a refreshing variation.
---
"Train, I command you to immediately return to Jarilo-VI!"
[Current Exploration Value must reach 60% before initiating another Warp Jump.]
Yevenko grabbed Tom's cat bed, sinking into it with half his body sprawled lazily, an expression of serene resignation on his face.
Tom quietly produced a small white blanket from behind and placed it gently over Yevenko.
A moment later, Yevenko rose again from the cat bed.
"Forget it. Since we're already here, might as well squeeze some benefits out of it."
He moved toward the viewing window, gazing upward at the black sun dominating the sky. Waves of Nihility radiated ominously from it. If not for the protection of the Astral Express, Yevenko suspected stepping outside would immediately expose him to its corrupting influence.
Still, if he shielded himself using his Path of Trailblaze energy, he should remain unaffected—at least until it ran out. Unless he decided to live here indefinitely, it wouldn't cause major issues.
Come to think of it, if I could manage to snag some Aeon of Nihility coins, my [Exploration Value] might immediately spike to 60%.
But seriously, fighting Nihility? Was he insane?
Avoiding Izumo precisely to steer clear of the Aeon of Nihility had been his original intention. But the lure of rare loot was too tempting—he could practically guarantee hitting the pity pull in his next gacha.
Yevenko shifted his gaze downward from the ominous sun, observing the devastated ruins below. Countless swords lay half-buried, alongside the scattered corpses of humans and massive beasts. Blood flowed like rivers, staining the earth a grim shade of dark crimson.
"This place is apocalyptic…it really is an ugly, hopeless world."
Compared to Izumo, Jarilo-VI practically felt like paradise.
Yevenko wasn't even sure if anyone on Izumo was still alive. If anyone had survived, their numbers would probably amount to no more than a few thousand at best.
The Astral Express had landed safely in a relatively secure area—one Yevenko carefully selected after observing figures and beasts covered entirely in darkness wandering aimlessly elsewhere during the train's descent. Clearly, these were beings corrupted by Nihility's influence.
But even here, shadowy human and beast-like figures began slowly approaching from all directions.
Seeing this, Yevenko's brow raised slightly, a surge of invincible confidence flaring inside him. He shouted heroically:
"I may not be able to loot coins from Nihility itself, but you worthless mobs are easy pickings!"
What burned inside him wasn't exactly heroism—it was the thrill of bullying weaklings.
Immediately preparing to rush outside to test his daily grind and training along the Path of Trailblaze, Yevenko paused right at the door.
After brief consideration, he scooped up Tom under one arm before charging onto Izumo's desolate earth.
Sticky, dark crimson mud immediately splattered over his shoes. Without hesitation, Yevenko drew out his demonic sword from behind. As his hand gripped the hilt, tendrils of bloody aura rapidly crept up his arm.
But that was all.
This sword had almost entirely depleted its energy, and without enough fresh blood and vitality, this minimal boost was all it could muster.
True Stings at least provided blood, but these shadow-creatures obviously wouldn't help replenish his weapon.
Now, Yevenko was merely using the sword as an ordinary weapon—with a tiny, negligible boost. It was still better than fighting barehanded.
Without further hesitation, he took a step forward and shot like an arrow toward the nearest shadowy figure.
With a swift strike, the creature instantly split apart and dissolved into smoke. Yevenko smirked cockily.
"Heh, humanity has again become tainted."
He darted again, effortlessly dispatching another shadow.
"Even single-handedly protecting the Astral Express, I, Yevenko, shall cut you all down!"
Yevenko moved swiftly once more, delivering three rapid slashes that shredded a shadow beast into fragments. Proudly, he shut his eyes and deliberately turned his back to the fallen enemy, dramatizing the moment.
"This battle shall become my legend—ah…"
Opening his eyes, Yevenko suddenly spotted a purple-haired girl accompanied by a silver-haired loli standing silently in front of him. Both regarded him with peculiar astonishment. Yevenko's dramatic words choked painfully in his throat.
Silence reigned briefly.
Swallowing nervously, Yevenko finally spoke:
"When…exactly did you two get here?"
Raiden Mei lightly pursed her lips. Sensing the black-haired youth's obvious embarrassment, she gently replied:
"We just—"
However, Nuan's cheerful voice cut her off abruptly.
"Oniisan, we've been here from the beginning! Your first line was so cool—I've never heard anyone speak in such a dramatic tone before!"
Nuan puffed her cheeks slightly, attempting to mimic Yevenko's exaggerated coolness. Picking up a small wooden stick from somewhere, she dramatically swung it, speaking with a voice heavy with pretend melancholy and pride:
"Heh, humanity has again become tainted."
Yevenko's lips twitched faintly as he stared vacantly at the black sun hanging overhead.
Tired…just let the world end already.
He clearly wasn't affected by Nihility's influence, so why did a deep sense of emptiness suddenly consume his soul?