Chapter 2: The Tracks of Choice
The hangar was a mausoleum of metal, the air heavy with cold and static electricity. Seven rails stretched before me, each holding a train that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. The System screen flickered mercilessly: TIME REMAINING: 39 MINUTES. My breath turned into clouds in the icy air. I had to choose quickly, but every train was a promise—and a trap.
I ran between the tracks, using APPRAISAL to decipher what each one offered while the wind howled outside like a predator waiting to strike.
Track 1: War Train
The first train was a beast of iron, its thick steel plates covered with scratches and rust stains—scars from ancient battles. The wagons looked like bunkers on wheels, with heavy cannons pointing into the void. The locomotive rumbled low, powered by some kind of fossil fuel that reeked of burnt oil.
APPRAISAL.
WAR TRAIN (Rank F)
Core: Mechanical (Fossil Fuel)
Wagons:
Combat: Two long-range cannons and a rotating turret. High physical damage but slow reload.
Habitation: A spartan dormitory with metal bunks and a basic stove. Minimal comfort.
Workshop: Manual tools for repairs and ammo crafting. Slow but reliable.
Bonus: +10% Physical Damage
Description: A tank on rails, designed for direct combat. Consumes large amounts of fuel, requiring frequent stops to refuel. Ideal for brute force, but vulnerable to magical or agile enemies.
I touched the side of the train. The metal was cold and rough, almost hostile. It was powerful—but its fuel dependence worried me. In this endless frost, where would I even find oil?
Track 2: Spiritual Train
The second train was completely different. Its silver hull shimmered with pulsing blue runes, engraved in patterns that seemed to dance under the faint light of the hangar. The locomotive had a crystal dome at the top, emitting a soft glow. It looked light, almost fragile, but there was something ethereal about it.
APPRAISAL.
SPIRITUAL TRAIN (Rank F)
Core: Magical (Mana Crystal)
Wagons:
Spiritual: A circular altar with a floating crystal that amplifies mana. Allows astral projection for long-range magic.
Support: A wagon with basic healing and toxin purification runes. Limited capacity.
Habitation: Minimalist, with rugs and incense for meditation. Very little space for supplies.
Bonus: +15% Mana Regeneration
Description: A mystical train, ideal for magic users. Fragile against physical attacks but powerful in high-energy environments. The mana crystal must be recharged at specific points across the world.
The air around it vibrated as if alive. It promised power—but its fragility made me hesitate. I barely understood what "mana" meant. How could I trust that?
Track 3: Biological Train
The third train was disturbing. Its hull looked like a fusion of flesh and metal, with pulsing veins visible under organic plates. The wagons had a slick texture, and metallic tendrils moved slowly, as if watching me. The smell was a mix of damp earth and rot.
APPRAISAL.
BIOLOGICAL TRAIN (Rank F)
Core: Organic (Living Heart)
Wagons:
Combat: Tentacles with venomous spikes and a "beak" that exudes acid. Unpredictable attacks, difficult to control.
Support: A wagon with glands producing regenerative fluids. Heals allies but drains the core's energy.
Habitation: A humid space with organic "beds" that mold to the user's body. Uncomfortable for beginners.
Bonus: +10% Life Regeneration
Description: A living organism disguised as a train. Adapts to its environment but requires constant "feeding" with organic matter. Resistant but unstable.
I stepped back quickly. The idea of living inside something that breathed made my skin crawl. And "organic matter"? I didn't want to know what that meant.
Track 4: Steampunk Train
The fourth train was a spectacle of gears and copper pipes, releasing clouds of steam that hissed through the air. The locomotive had a retro design with chimneys and valves, as if it had come straight out of a Jules Verne novel.
APPRAISAL.
STEAMPUNK TRAIN (Rank F)
Core: Mechanical (Coal Boiler)
Wagons:
Combat: Steam projectile launchers and retractable blades. Moderate damage, short range.
Workshop: Furnace for crafting mechanical parts. Allows quick repairs but limited by materials.
Habitation: Cabins with wooden and brass furniture, comfortable but cramped.
Bonus: +10% Crafting Speed
Description: A classic coal-and-steam-powered machine. Versatile but dependent on abundant coal. Struggles in extreme environments without constant maintenance.
The warmth of the steam was comforting, but the System warned that coal was rare. I couldn't risk being stranded for lack of fuel.
Track 5: Fortress Train
The fifth train was a moving wall. Its hull was reinforced with thick steel plates, and narrow windows hinted at a claustrophobic interior. It looked built to survive the end of the world.
APPRAISAL.
FORTRESS TRAIN (Rank F)
Core: Mechanical (Heavy Generator)
Wagons:
Combat: Reinforced armor and automated turrets. Low damage, high durability.
Habitation: Internal bunkers with long-term supplies. Minimal comfort.
Support: Air and water filtration systems. Protects against environmental toxins.
Bonus: +15% Physical Defense
Description: A fortress on rails, designed for survival in extreme conditions. Slow and energy-hungry, but nearly impenetrable.
It was tempting, but its sluggishness and power consumption ruled it out. I needed something faster.
Track 6: Elemental Train
The sixth train looked carved from stone and metal, with embers glowing through cracks in the locomotive. Flames danced along its wagons but somehow didn't consume the material.
APPRAISAL.
ELEMENTAL TRAIN (Rank F)
Core: Magical (Fire Core)
Wagons:
Combat: Flame throwers and incendiary projectiles. High area damage but weak against fire-resistant enemies.
Support: A wagon regulating temperature, keeping the interior warm. Consumes mana to function.
Workshop: Elemental forge for crafting fire or ice weapons. Requires rare materials.
Bonus: +10% Elemental Damage
Description: A train powered by elemental energy. Powerful in magical combat but dependent on mana sources or elemental materials.
The warmth was inviting, but its dependence on mana and rare materials made it too risky for a beginner like me.
Track 7: Technological Train
The last train was a vision of the future. Aerodynamic lines, panels glowing blue, and holographic screens hovering in the air. It was elegant, almost alien, humming softly with advanced technology.
APPRAISAL.
TECHNOLOGICAL TRAIN (Rank F)
Core: Hybrid (Processed Hydrogen)
Wagons:
Energy: Converter that turns snow and ice into hydrogen. Initial tank: 20%. Recharges during stops.
Habitation: Comfortable cabin with beds, a basic kitchen, and control panels.
Workshop: Advanced tools for tech crafting and quick repairs.
Bonus: +10% Energy Efficiency
Description: Converts snow into fuel, ensuring autonomy. Integrated AI for navigation and automation. Versatile but requires technical maintenance.
I ran inside. The interior was a command center—screens showing maps, climate sensors, and the core's status. The energy wagon hummed, sucking snowflakes through transparent tubes and converting them into hydrogen. It wasn't perfect—the tank still needed stops to refill—but its self-sufficiency was a blessing I couldn't ignore.
CHOICE CONFIRMED: TECHNOLOGICAL TRAIN.
CONGRATULATIONS! INITIAL CHEST RECEIVED. RANDOM CHEST (RANK F) RECEIVED.
TIME REMAINING: 10 MINUTES.
I opened my inventory. The chest materialized as a floating metal box that clicked open.
Clothing Set (Rank F): Resists cold for 30 minutes. Recharge: 1 hour.
Restoration Card (Single Use): Restores a damaged object or wagon.
10 Food Packs: Basic rations, one month's supply.
Sword (Rank F): Basic physical damage.
Navigation System: Integrates with the train; displays maps and routes.
100 Units of Basic Materials: For crafting and repairs.
Fuel Card (10%): Restores 10% of the tank when used.
I stored everything, feeling the weight of the sword in my hand. The train trembled, and the AI spoke:
"Departure in five minutes. Destination: Unknown."
Through the window, the snow devoured the hangar.
The cold was a living enemy—but inside me, something began to burn: a survival instinct I never knew I had.