Stephen shook his head firmly. "No."
The fatty's voice trembled. "Stephen, don't be so hasty! Think it over!"
Stephen's expression didn't waver. "No consideration. No means no."
A bitter smile crept across the fatty's face. "You really look down on me that much? I know I'm weak, useless—even my family treats me like I'm nothing. But I don't want to stay like this! I want to be stronger. I want to help others!" Tears welled up in his eyes, memories of past humiliations flashing.
Stephen paused, slightly unsettled. He wasn't entirely against Reincarnators teaming up forever, but the word "teammate" carried weight. A real teammate was someone you could trust with your life, without question. Strength didn't matter; loyalty did. In the Reincarnation World, true camaraderie was rare. Once he trusted someone, it was unconditional—but that trust wasn't given lightly.
His voice deepened. "Fatty, It's not personal. I just don't team up casually.I'm a lone wolf. But… we do have a little fate. You helped me with that A-grade potion. Here's the deal: we can't be teammates, but if you follow me and obey completely, I'll safely take you to Busan."
The fatty's eyes lit up. "Really? Isn't that like teaming up?"
Stephen's tone chilled. "No. I'm not your teammate. I could abandon you anytime—or even kill you for resources. I only promise to get you to Busan, not to complete the mission safely."
The fatty grinned. "I trust you, Stephen. You're a good person."
Stephen's lips twitched in a cold laugh. "Good person? Where do you see that?"
"You used an A-grade potion on an NPC. That makes you good." The fatty's earnestness was ridiculous.
Stephen shrugged. "I was completing a mission. By the way, I'm Stephen."
"I know! You can call me Fatty. My real name's David"
Stephen asked, "Level? Stats?" He needed to gauge if David could help against Dan's squad.
David chuckled awkwardly. "Three-dimensional stats? They're low."
Stephen raised an eyebrow. "Tell me anyway."
"Level 1. Stats: Strength 5, Agility 4, Constitution 5."
Stephen blinked. What? That's… useless. You'd shatter from a single hit. Are you hiding something?
"I'm telling the truth," David insisted.
Stephen couldn't help but feel equal parts exasperation and amusement. "Then how did you survive the first mission? You got on the train with the zombies behind?"
David shrugged. "I was teleported to Car Six right away. I just stayed there until you showed up."
Stephen blinked. Teleported directly to Car Six? Lucky beyond reason.
David gave an embarrassed smile. "I know I'm weak, but I've had a little luck my whole life."
Stephen nodded. Yes, you lucked into the A-grade potion and a safe car. Fine, follow me, just don't get in my way.
David's face fell. "Stephen, you won't… despise me, right? You promised to take me with you!"
Stephen's voice was calm, deliberately ambiguous. "That's hard to say."
David panicked. "No, Stephen! You have to take responsibility! You—"
Clang! The TDX Train braked violently. David hit the floor, kneeling clumsily in front of Stephen. Other passengers were thrown off their seats by the sudden force.
The driver's voice crackled over the intercom: "Passengers, Daejeon Station ahead! Tracks blocked by multiple trains. Disembark or remain in the carriage and await rescue."
Gasps filled the car. Only Busan was still safe. The train was halted.
Ding.
The system spoke directly into the Reincarnators' minds:
[System Mission Three activated.]
[Escape Daegu Station with no more than five Reincarnators surviving.]
[This is the ultimate mission of the Reincarnation World.]
[Complete it for reincarnation points.]
[Failure results in obliteration by the system.]
[Decision in ten seconds.]
Stephen's eyes narrowed. Ultimate mission—eliminate Reincarnators through infighting. Five max survivors. Currently, seven were alive. At least two had to die.
David's voice trembled. "Stephen… what do we do? Should we refuse? Dan's group is too strong. We should just save ourselves."
Stephen laughed coldly. "If you refuse, they won't either? If you don't kill them, they won't kill you?"
David's jaw clenched. "Fine! Accept! If you accept, I accept!"
Stephen's mind shifted. Accept. Just do it.