Day 1 of the Apocalypse
As soon as I arrived at the apartment, I didn't waste any time. I reinforced the door and windows immediately, and it turned out to be a wise decision. The moment the Apocalypse began, it occurred to me that I should reinforce other fragile parts of the apartment as well. Apparently, the previous owner had been in the middle of a renovation, and several walls were only half-finished, making them easy to break through. If I had left that for later, I wouldn't have managed in time.
I worked until late at night and slept in the next morning. When I woke up, the Apocalypse was already being reported on the news—mentions of black zones, thirteen affected points, conspiracy theories, and other things. Nothing seemed extremely serious yet. The biggest change I noticed was that my system finally started updating, entering a 24-hour countdown.
Day 2
My system finally finished loading, and I obtained the Uchiha lineage. I hope it's Madara's—Obito would also be acceptable. I definitely don't want Fugaku's or Shisui's, since I don't know if their Mangekyō techniques would even work on shadow entities. Still, anything is better than nothing.
However, I didn't receive any active skills yet. From what I understood, my system is very similar to Lin Xian's, unlocking abilities at levels 3, 6, and 9. What those abilities are, I don't know. It could be the Mangekyō Sharingan, Sage Mode, Rinnegan… I'm not sure.
The system only explained that powerful abilities would unlock at those levels. For now, I don't have a Sharingan or anything like that. What I unlocked was chakra. I don't know whether it's a lot or very little, and I don't really have a way to test it without techniques.
The biggest difference was the wave of darkness that arrived—apparently the trigger for my system's awakening. The city is now under lockdown due to people becoming corrupted and turning into zombies.
Day 3
The first polar night arrived, but Lin Xian still hasn't made his post, which means there will be at least one more polar night before the novel's official beginning.
Day 4
Nothing new. The polar night continues. Today, the authorities finally ordered everyone to stay indoors and endure for a few more days, or until the power comes back fully. It seems the polar night has pushed the police and public security to their limits. I don't know how long this will last.
Day 5
Nothing new. The polar night continues. Gunshots can be heard in the distance, getting closer—probably dealing with the unfortunate ones who went out looking for food and got transformed.
Day 8
The first polar night finally ended. That means the next cycle might be a 21-day polar night, marking the real beginning of the journey—though I don't remember the exact date.
For now, there's still order in cities like Jiang City that aren't too close to the abysmal zones. The government is still guaranteeing electricity, water, and internet. Fear is growing, though, and online posts are filled with talk about the 'abysses', but people still don't understand how serious this is.
While using the stove and observing the fire, I obtained a new skill.
'[Skill: Great Fireball Lv.1 | EXP: 000/100]'
– Using your chakra, you can release a large fireball. Its intensity, size, and power depend on how much chakra you invest.
Of course, there's also the system's core ability:
'[Uchiha Lineage]' – Special abilities unlock at levels 3, 6, and 9.
From what I understand, I obtained Madara's lineage language, but I could be wrong—the system never specified which Uchiha it was.
It's a good skill, especially against hordes. After the polar night, I risked going outside to test it on a group of zombies. The ones in front were reduced to ashes, but because I underestimated them, the ones in the back were only burned and kept attacking.
After several tests during the day, I realized that to be effective, I need to use at least 3 units of chakra. The maximum I used was 20, truly living up to the name Great Fireball.
Day 25
Another polar wave passed—this one lasted 14 days. A clear sign that the 'abysses' are expanding, and with each cycle, things will only get worse.
Browsing the forums, I've noticed that survivors with abilities are starting to form groups. According to news and posts, many cities have fallen into anarchy, especially those near the abyssal zones that haven't fully collapsed yet.
In Jiang City, there are fewer and fewer police. Some laws still hold during the day, but at night, there is no law.
After surviving the second polar night, I gained a new skill: chakra control. It seems to level up as I use my techniques, so it was classified as a passive skill. At the same time, my fireball skill leveled up to level 2.
I noticed improved control. I can now fire it from my hands, though the maximum chakra I can input that way is 10. From my mouth, I can reach 25. This likely has more to do with my control than the technique itself.
[Drakkon Uchiha]
[Uchiha Lineage]: Lv.1 | EXP: 132/500
Strength: Lv.1 | EXP: 38/50
Speed: Lv.2 | EXP: 003/600
Defense: Lv.1 | EXP: 08/50
[Skills]
[Great Fireball]: Lv.2 | EXP: 043/500
[Passives]
[Chakra Control]: Lv.2 | EXP: 012/700
– Greater control over chakra, easier execution of techniques, more versatility, and reduced chakra consumption.
This is demonstrated by my fireball's cost dropping from 5 chakra to 4.5. It doesn't seem like much, but for a basic, low-cost technique, it adds up. A 10-cost skill might drop to 9, effectively giving me one free attack every ten uses.
I look at my palms and my body—more muscular, but not exaggerated. It's clearly the result of 'training' and zombie combat, though they give very little EXP.
This shows that certain actions can trigger related skills, but not everything does. Chakra control came from using chakra itself. The more precisely I control it, the more that control improves.
I've tried to gain other skills for days now, but nothing works. I still don't understand exactly what caused this one to appear. If it were like the anime, I could learn by watching others perform techniques. That might be possible in the future when I meet elemental users—something I'll have to test later.
Clearly, 'jutsu' don't work the same way here. The fact that I can release a fireball from my hands instead of only my mouth proves that. The reduced power is probably my fault—or my lack of control.
Day 45
Since then, I managed to create a new skill by using chakra to reinforce my body and attacks. It's expensive and exhausting, but extremely useful in critical moments.
'[Monstrous Strength] – Lv.1 | EXP: 02/50'
– Grants physical enhancement based on chakra usage. The larger the area enhanced, the more chakra required. Greater enhancement also increases the cost.
Enhancing half my body costs around 80 chakra. Enhancing only my arms or legs costs 21 and 27.5 respectively, for about a 40% boost.
Other than that, nothing major happened.
Power and water outages have started occurring sporadically, though we still get a few hours a day. No one cleans the streets anymore, and the undead are increasing. No new orders from Jiang City's authorities—probably dead.
Today is special, though. Lin Xian finally posted about the Infinite Train. That means the next polar night—the last before departure—is approaching.
---
"-Hello, I saw your post. If you're willing to do this, I'd like to join your Infinite Train. Of course, I'll contribute. Add me at xxx-xxxx-xx so we can discuss the details-"
---
An hour later, I received a direct and cold reply.
It was obvious he still had the same personality he showed at the beginning of the novel. I couldn't say much—after all, I wasn't any better.
---
"-What do you have that makes you worthy of joining the Infinite Train-"
I saw the message but didn't reply immediately. Answering too fast would make me look suspicious or desperate—neither would help.
So I waited thirteen minutes.
---
"-Didn't you say you only accept useful people or those with abilities? I have an ability that allows me to launch fireballs, strong physical capabilities, and a large amount of supplies-"
I typed while staring at the screen.
I chose to reveal only this ability because I didn't think it was the right time to expose everything. My Infinite Space could be revealed later, more calmly.
I also emphasized having plenty of supplies so I wouldn't seem suspicious—anyone without supplies would already be dead… or planning an ambush.
---
Hmm… so there was no reply calling it an illusion or mocking me.
Still, I wasn't sure about his character.
It would be better to set up a meeting today, during daylight, in a place I could control.
Lin Xian grabbed his weapons and began preparing the location in advance to ensure his safety.
---
About thirty minutes later, I received a message telling me to go to a nearby supermarket to meet him.
He told me to leave my weapons at the entrance.
---
I entered the store, leaving my pistol and machete at the door.
Inside, I didn't need to search for long—only one corridor was lit.
When I reached the middle of it, I saw Lin Xian standing ahead, pointing a pistol at me.
Knowing how distrustful he was at the beginning, I raised my hands and spoke clearly.
"I'm unarmed."
---
"So why do you want to join the Infinite Train Project?"
I looked at him, hands still raised, as if it were completely natural.
"Obviously, so I don't die. The Abyss keeps expanding, and staying here will only lead to death. Between riding in a car or an armored train, I'd rather choose an armored train. It's safer."
He stared at me for a while before lowering his gun slightly, though he was still ready to react.
---
"How many supplies do you have? And explain your ability. Demonstrate it. I don't want to be deceived."
Arguing would be pointless.
I gestured for him to follow me to the entrance.
Seeing that he didn't raise his weapon again, I stepped outside and pointed forward.
A fireball formed in my palm.
It shot straight ahead for thirty meters before hitting a car and exploding violently.
The doors closed again immediately.
---
"As you can see, I didn't lie. My ability is creating fireballs that explode upon impact. Before you ask—after one hundred meters, they start losing power and dissipate completely after three hundred meters."
He looked less tense now, but still cautious.
---
"How many times can you use a fireball like that?"
"It depends. The more power I put into them, the fewer I can use. With medium power like that one, around sixteen times. If I lower the power by half or more, I can at least double that."
He clearly believed me more now.
---
"And the supplies? Where do you live? And secondly—if you enter the train, you must understand that I'm the one in charge. If you try to take control or refuse to contribute, I'll throw you out immediately. And don't even think about killing me to take over—the train only works because of my mechanical ability."
I pretended to be surprised, though I already knew all this.
---
"That's fine. It makes sense—you came up with the idea using your ability. I have no intention of doing anything like that unless you send me to my death or deny me basic needs. After all, our goal is survival, right?"
"As for where I live—I'm in Apartment xxx, Room 457."
His caution resurfaced instantly.
---
"You mean the apartment on XX Street? Are you planning to ambush me? How else would you know where I live?"
"Of course not. I moved a few days before the apocalypse to be closer to my new job. I didn't even know you lived in the same building. That should clear things up, right? The more people, the better our chances of survival."
---
We talked for some time before heading toward the station.
He told me to guard and secure the area while he armored the train and devoured materials for as many hours as possible, leaving a thirty-minute safety window for our return.
We continued living in our separate apartments, but he helped reinforce my doors and windows—saying my work was sloppy, which was probably true.
---
#======#
Day 66
I'd like to say that earning trust is difficult, but over the past twenty-two days, we survived several dangerous situations together, deepening that trust.
A few days ago, I revealed my true ability to him, explaining that it was system-based.
He then told me that his ability was also a system.
We both promised to take that secret to our graves.
Through countless battles, we developed coordination without needing much communication.
Tomorrow was the day he wanted to leave.
So today, we went to the rooftop to enjoy one last daytime view of Jiang City.
---
In the distance, the sun began to set.
A cooler wind blew as a repetitive beep, beep echoed from a man's watch nearby, signaling that nightfall would arrive in one hour and thirty minutes.
---
"It'll be dark soon. Are you sure you want to leave tomorrow instead of gathering more supplies?" I asked.
Lin Xian stared at the horizon and nodded.
---
"Yes. We should leave as soon as possible. The polar night has ended and sunlight has returned to an acceptable range, but we don't know how long it'll last—or when the next polar night will come. It's better to leave early."
---
Buzz… buzz…
We both froze.
I sprinted downstairs, grabbed an improvised orange flag—a long plastic pole with bright orange cloth—and rushed back up.
Lin Xian waved it, trying to catch the attention of a nearby helicopter.
The helicopter ignored us completely.
---
Inside the helicopter, a girl wearing headphones glanced down at the two people waving a makeshift flag before turning back toward the pilots.
"Mr. Wen, should we—"
Before she could finish, a middle-aged man in an expensive suit interrupted coldly.
"Keep dreaming. No one cares about the lives of those unlucky vagrants."
Without sparing another glance, he ordered the pilot onward.
---
"Tch…"
The girl murmured softly, watching as the scene below grew smaller.
---
"Damn… what a waste of a good helicopter."
I looked at Lin Xian with an expression that clearly said Seriously? before returning my gaze to the horizon.
---
Minutes later, alarms blared inside the helicopter.
---
"Warning! Sudden stop detected! Warning! Sudden stop detected!"
The pilots struggled to maintain control.
---
"Something's wrong! The only thing that could cause this is an air vortex—but there's no indication, and it wouldn't happen so suddenly!"
"Do you think it's a ghost? Or one of the Abyss creatures?! But it's daytime!"
---
Suddenly, the sunlight vanished.
Darkness swallowed the cabin.
The pilot looked up through the windshield and froze.
Above the clouds, a massive black shadow loomed.
The copilot tried to regain control, turning for instructions—only to see the pilot staring upward, eyes locked on the approaching darkness.
As violent winds dragged the helicopter higher, the clouds parted.
Everyone aboard turned pale with terror.
The girl's pupils were swallowed by growing darkness.
Screams echoed as the helicopter was torn apart, ripped to pieces by violent winds, vanishing into the clouds within moments.
---
We watched the scene in silence, grim expressions on our faces.
Soon after, a bright flash appeared on the horizon, followed by a deafening sound.
We knew what had happened.
Without hesitation, we retreated—before it attracted unwanted attention.
---
Back in the apartment, we sprayed deodorizer through the stairwell and corridor, locked the reinforced doors, and waited.
---
At 18:45, darkness finally arrived.
Roars and sinister whispers replaced the silence.
Soft jazz played quietly as Lin Xian prepared food, opening canned goods while I inspected my weapons.
---
"So… we're leaving tomorrow if nothing unexpected happens?" I asked while reassembling my assault rifle.
"If nothing happens, yes. The polar nights are lasting longer, and the monsters are growing stronger. Based on the signs, the next one will come in five days. If we don't leave now, we'll be trapped."
---
"Yeah… better to have room to maneuver. But with the late sunrise, supplies have been scarce—mostly water and expired food."
"I'm not complaining," he replied. "We've gathered plenty of phones and electronics. They help level up my ability."
"Easy for you. You just dismantle stuff and gain XP. I have to kill monsters—and not all of them give XP. And you still make me carry all that junk."
He waved dismissively, and we ate as distant screams echoed from below and outside.
---
After dinner, I leaned back in my chair as he dismantled items.
When he finally finished breaking down a hair dryer, his eyes lit up.
---
"You gained a new ability, didn't you?"
He didn't answer—just pointed at the sofa beside me.
A violent gust of wind obliterated it, stuffing and debris flying everywhere.
---
"Hey! Watch where you aim that thing!" I shouted.
"That wasn't full power. I held back."
"Good. I thought the polar night finally snapped something in your head."
---
World Background
In the year 2069, the Apocalypse began.
Thirteen Abyssal Zones appeared across the planet.
Each initially spanned hundreds of kilometers—but they kept expanding rapidly.
Inside them lurked horrors capable of destroying cities.
Every two days, dark tides engulfed new areas, dimming sunlight.
At certain cycles, these areas entered a Polar Night.
Polar Nights brought not only darkness but extreme climate disasters, zombie hordes, corruption, Abyssal horrors, and unknown phenomena.
A small portion of humanity awakened abilities after exposure to Abyss radiation—like Drakkon and Lin Xian.
Remaining within a Polar Night was not an option.
Prolonged exposure led to mutation or death.
Humanity began migrating toward sunlight, fleeing the Abyss while searching for ways to fight back—or destroy the thirteen zones.
---
With nothing better to do, we turned on the radio.
---
"Emergency Report, Jiang City: All monitoring teams in the northwest and southwest sectors have disappeared. Survivors, flee east!"
---
"[Oasis Convoy], founded by Liu Wei, will depart tomorrow at 16:00 from White District Walmart. Ages 16–50 only. Elderly, children, and women not accepted unless accompanied by weapons or large supplies."
---
"[Jiang City Bunker] welcomes all ability users and beautiful women. Military-grade nuclear shelter, 300 members…"
---
"I'm at Mingwang Community, Block A, Apartment 1304. Plenty of supplies. Only women aged 16–30. No ugly ones."
---
"Ananda is the messenger of the Creator… Salvation through offerings of food, water, and pure virgins…"
---
"I am Professor Wang from Jiang City Research Institute. According to my calculations, Jiang City will be swallowed again in five days. This time… there will be no sunrise. Hahaha… Physics is a joke… There is no escape…"
---
I looked at Lin Xian.
"Did you hear that last one? People are losing their minds."
We look to each other and nod
"The city is far quieter than it used to be, and the transitions feel fewer now."
I look at him and then answer with what's really on my mind.
"As time runs out, those who were prepared have already left. The ones who stayed behind either want to build a resistance in their so-called 'safe houses' or are getting ready to leave, just like most of the broadcasts keep saying. Even the authorities have been reporting less and less."
We both know this marks the end of our time in the city — and that we must leave as soon as possible.
---
Author's Notes
Hello everyone, this is the author.
Readers of the original Apocalypse: Building the Infinite Train may notice that the original novel never explicitly mentions three Polar Nights.
I introduced two earlier Polar Nights because Chapter Two states that two months had passed since the apocalypse—but only one Polar Night occurred? That felt strange.
So I added two earlier ones with shorter duration and lower intensity.
The first mainly involved zombies and infection.
The second introduced more Abyss creatures and disrupted order.
The third fully collapsed power, water, and authority.
This gradual escalation makes more sense and explains why survivors still existed after the third Polar Night.
As for why the protagonist revealed his Infinite Space system so early—and why Lin Xian did the same—consider that they fought together daily, relying on each other to survive.
After twenty-one days in a Polar Night, trust like this is natural.
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