That invisible power returned once again, but this time Jack immediately noticed something different. His stamina drained at an alarming rate—several times faster than when he had Sublimated the dagger.
"Whew…" He exhaled heavily.
Stamina: 90 → 30
Slumping down to the ground, Jack was drenched in sweat. Yet despite the exhaustion pressing down on him, a spark of delight flickered in his chest as he observed the changes happening before his eyes.
Train Upgrade Complete!
Current Level: 2
Materials required for next upgrade: 200 kg wood, 200 metal parts, 400 kg metal blocks
Upgrade options unlocked
Congratulations on breaking the fastest train upgrade record! You have received one special module card.
Jack forced himself to calm his racing thoughts. He carefully examined the train's updated status. After advancing to Level 2, not only had the chassis, frame, and wheels been reinforced, but the workbench inside the cabin had also been enhanced. Most notably, the train's speed had doubled, rising from twenty kilometers per hour to forty.
But that wasn't the most important discovery. What truly surprised Jack was the sensation in his chest—he could still feel a connection to the train. Unlike the dagger, which had nearly reached its limit after one round of Sublimation, the train clearly held the potential for further transformation. The problem, however, was stamina. Even if he fully recovered, it wouldn't be enough to push the train further without dipping into his spirit reserves.
And spirit… its description remained vague and unsettling, enough to make Jack hesitate. For now, he decided to shelve that risk.
After the upgrade, two items drew his immediate attention: the list of new upgrade options and the shimmering special module card he had obtained for setting a record. These were the real treasures.
Level 2 Train Upgrade Options:
Low-Level Carriage Blueprint (0 train coins)
Low-Level Reservoir Blueprint (1 train coin)
Train Burst Acceleration Device Blueprint (5 train coins)
Increase Train Stop Time by One Hour (2 train coins)
"All options can be purchased with train coins."
Jack muttered to himself, "Train coins… so this world really does have its own currency. But I don't have any yet. Does that mean I can only pick the first option for now?"
He frowned slightly. If that was the case, then his early upgrade might actually have been a waste of effort.
"Can I keep the options and decide later, once I collect enough train coins?" he asked cautiously.
A mechanical voice answered in his mind: Yes. Options can be saved for three station stops.
Jack exhaled in relief. "Good. At least I won't lose out."
Without further hesitation, he extracted the only blueprint that cost no coins.
Low-Level Carriage Blueprint
Requirements: 100 kg wood, 150 kg metal, 60 mechanical parts
Additional materials for carriage modification: 20 kg glass, 10 kg fiber
Jack's eyes scanned the requirements. The resources were extensive and not easy to gather at this early stage. As for the possibility of Sublimating the blueprint itself, he quickly dismissed the thought. If sublimation demanded even more materials, it would only make construction harder. He would revisit that decision later.
He turned his attention back to the glowing diamond-shaped card hovering in his hand. It pulsed faintly with light-blue particles, mesmerizing in its simplicity.
Special Module Card: After activation, you will receive a special module.
Jack tilted his head. "That's it? No hint at all? Just 'special'? Then I'll have to test it myself."
A thought surfaced, dangerous but irresistible: What if I Sublimate this card too?
The train had devoured much of his stamina already, but he still had his spirit as backup. And after eating some bread and drinking water earlier, his stamina had partially recovered to fifty. That was enough for one more gamble.
"I'll give it a try. It should be fine." His voice was a low murmur, almost as though he was trying to convince himself.
He closed his eyes and whispered the command inside his mind.
Sublimation.
At once, the invisible power stirred. The card in his palm erupted, scattering a thousand streaks of blue light. They spread in all directions like shooting stars, leaving behind sparkling trails. If anyone had been watching from the sky, they would have seen Jack's train accelerating like a comet across the landscape, dragging a luminous tail of flame.
Jack's brows furrowed as he stared at the card, waiting for the power to settle. The particles converged back into the card, its shape subtly altered. At the same time, his body sagged with fatigue.
Current Stamina: 20 points
Current Spirit: 60 points (Mentally fatigued)
Sublimation successful!
Special Module Card → Exclusive Module Card
Jack gasped. "Thirty stamina and forty spirit… that's seventy points in total! The cost is insane. And what's this 'mentally fatigued' state? I don't feel any different."
He collapsed onto the ground, staring blankly at the new card. Physical exhaustion weighed on him so heavily that perhaps it simply masked the effects of mental fatigue. Shaking off the confusion, he lifted the card once more.
"Doesn't matter. Whether it works or not—Amen, Amitabha, Emperor bless, every god I know—please let this be worth it." He chuckled nervously at his own desperate prayer.
Use Exclusive Module Card.
A brilliant blue radiance wrapped around his body. The train's control system flickered to life, projecting a shimmering screen before his eyes.
Using Exclusive Module Card…
Congratulations. You have obtained the Train Conductor exclusive module: Crossroads of Fate (Unique).
Crossroads of Fate: Your path will always present a second choice. Different choices will lead to different destinies.
Jack's eyes widened, curiosity burning within him. He hadn't even had time to examine it fully when the overhead broadcast cut in.
"Ding-dong! Please sit tight and hold on. The train is about to arrive at your first station. We wish you good luck."
Jack blinked. "What? An hour already? How did I not notice time passing?"
He glanced at the control system's clock. Only one minute remained until arrival. Then, without warning, a second screen materialized in front of him.
Crossroads of Fate triggered. Please select a station to stop at.
Station One: Swamp
Station Two: Armory
Jack let out a sharp breath. "So this is the ability of the exclusive module…"
The screen pulsed with a warning: Please make a decision. A random choice will be made when the countdown ends.
Jack's decision was immediate. "I choose the Armory!"
As the ancients said: My neighbor hoards grain, I hoard guns; my neighbor is my granary. Jack wasn't sure what kind of neighbors he would have in this strange world, but nothing offered more security than weapons in a survival crisis.
Station selected.
Please sit tight and hold on. The train is about to arrive at its first station, which is… Armory.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A deafening roar echoed from ahead as reality itself twisted. Space distorted violently, folding in on itself like the maw of a colossal beast preparing to devour the train.
"Whoooosh!!"
The whistle blared, shaking the air. Jack gripped the seat tightly as the train surged forward. In a blink, the surroundings shifted—sky, land, and horizon alike torn away and replaced by something entirely new.
Current Station: Armory
Available Stop Countdown: 2:59:59
This station is safe. Good luck.
Jack exhaled slowly, steadying himself as he peered out the window at his new destination. The station had finally arrived. And with it, the next stage of survival.