Chapter 4: Harvest Season
Charcoal burned less efficiently than coal—**five lumps** barely fueled the steam engine for two hours. Ten lumps bought Zhao Kuo **four hours** of automated travel (110 km). *More than enough.* While others pedaled manually through the night, his train chugged onward.
At **9 PM**, a faint bell tolled. Night had fallen.
**Global Chat:**
"Heard the bell! Burn those planks, folks!"
"Two planks an hour?! Daylight robbery!"
"Survivor count's dropping… Started with 10k, now 8k in my zone."
"6k here. Thanks to Zhao Kuo, we're still breathing."
"Praise Zhao Kuo!"
Gratitude rained as donations trickled in—**no speed penalties yet**.
Zhao Kuo stoked the furnace with charcoal (cheaper than wood) and curled up by the fire. Exhaustion dragged him into a dream of his old, mundane life—*ironically nostalgic*.
He jolted awake. The engine had stalled. Embers glowed, but... *scraping noises above*.
Grabbing his crossbow and **Lucky One's Pistol**, Zhao Kuo froze. A crimson silk ribbon slithered down the window.
*"Darling~"* A sultry voice oozed from the darkness. A red-clad figure materialized—scantily dressed, curves accentuated by shadow. *"Let me in… I'll warm you~"*
Zhao Kuo snarled: **"Not interested."**
Silk tendrils coiled around the carriage, dimming the firelight. The entity pressed against the glass, its face blurred. *"Open up, darling. I'll do… anything."*
**Clang!** A black, scythe-like bone spike pierced the roof! Zhao Kuo activated **"Hyperfocus"**, dodging in slow-motion. He fired—**click**. *Misfire.*
**Click. Click. BANG!**
Green ooze dripped from the hole. The creature retreated.
*Two threats in one night—eldritch seductress and mutated stalker.* Sleep was now a luxury.
---
**Meanwhile, Tang Yingying's Nightmare:**
A figure giggled—her *dead sister's voice*. "*Jiejie~ Let me in.*"
Tang Yingying hurled a rock. "**You're not her!**"
The mimicry shattered. The entity grinned, its jaw unhinging. She gripped her dagger, tears blurring her vision. *Surviving night one was luck. But tomorrow?*
Her **water condenser** and **charcoal kiln** had saved her—for now. *But to resurrect her sister?* The map's cryptic promise taunted her: *"Find the Sun Altar."*
---
**Dawn approached.**
Zhao Kuo reloaded, eyeing the fading crimson silk. *Survival demanded adaptation.* He'd need better defenses—and allies.
Tang Yingying slumped against her railcart, whispering: *"Live. For her."*
The night's horrors retreated, but the tunnel stretched endlessly—a gauntlet of darkness and hope.
Zhao Kuo woke at 7:18 AM. The darkness outside remained unyielding—proof yesterday's horrors weren't a nightmare, but cold reality. *No sun, no moon, no cycle of day and night.* Madness lurked in this timeless void.
His **1㎡ Rice Paddy** offered solace. Overnight, golden stalks had bowed under plump grains. *Harvest time.* Farming, it seemed, was etched into every Chinese soul.
Repairing the roof's jagged gash (courtesy of last night's attacker), Zhao Kuo cautiously stepped outside. Climbing atop the train, he found the culprit: a **Mutated Mantis**—black wings, scythe-like forelimbs, and a needle-like proboscis.
**[Dismantle Mutated Mantis?]**
*Sure, why not?*
**[Rewards: Mantis Meat (500g), Bladed Limbs x2, Metro Coins x15]**
The meat, though tainted, promised a risky boost:
**[Mutated Mantis Meat]**
- **Effect**: +Agility for 2 minutes.
- **Side Effect**: 10-second paralysis afterward.
*Useful in a pinch.* The **Bladed Limbs** gleamed wickedly—ideal for crafting weapons or selling.
Back inside, Zhao Kuo pedaled manually. Without steam power, speed dropped to **13 km/h**, but progress was progress. His **Luck Meter** neared 100%—another loot spree awaited.
By noon, he traded **53 Wood Planks** at the inflated **1:8 rate**, hoarding 100 for emergencies. His stash now included:
- [Iron Sheets x150]
- [Components x150]
- [Glass x124]
- [Bladed Limbs x2]
- [Metro Coins x20]
But the real prize was his **rice harvest—2kg**! He cooked a portion with water, savoring the aroma. *Real food.*
**Trading Platform Finds:**
- **Vegetables**: A luxury at 30 materials per bunch (no side effects!).
- **"Safe" Meat**: From players gambling on weaker mutations.
Zhao Kuo grilled mantis meat skewers and stir-fried greens. The meal—steaming rice, charred meat, fresh veggies—was a triumph.
**Global Chat:**
"Who's selling veggies?! I'll trade my left kidney!"
"Mantis legs for sale! Sharper than your ex's tongue!"
"Zhao Kuo's rice paddy flex is unreal. Teach us, sensei!"
As the train chugged forward, Zhao Kuo grinned. *Survival wasn't just possible—it could be delicious.*
**[System Note: First Station Approaching. Prepare for… surprises.]**
Zhao Kuo had never felt more content in his life. *Human nature—a warm meal in hell.*
As he savored his rice, a video call popped up from **Tang Yingying**. *Since when did the system allow video chats?* He accepted.
"Hellooo—HOLY CRAP! Is that *rice*? And meat? Veggies?! You're basically vacationing here!" Her eyes widened comically.
Tang Yingying wasn't a generic influencer-type beauty—more like a hyperactive squirrel. Zhao Kuo deadpanned: "What do you want?"
"*Hmph.* Found something you might like. But now I'm not giving it to you!" She crossed her arms.
"Cool." Zhao Kuo took another bite.
"Wait—you don't even care what it is?!" She leaned closer, screen flickering. "It's a **Class Change Card (White)**! Lets you pick a random low-tier profession. Only the **top 100 players** reaching the station can use it!"
*Professions?* The world's game-like absurdity deepened. But this was gold—**early access to power**.
"Why not use it yourself?" Zhao Kuo eyed her.
"My railcart's crawling at **12 km/h**! I'll never make the cutoff. Trade you for… half your meal!"
Zhao Kuo nearly choked. *Half his food?* A laughable price for such a prize.
"Half the meal **plus 350 materials**," he countered.
"Ugh, fine! But *I* pick the materials."
Deal struck. The card materialized—ivory-white, pulsing faintly.
---
**Four hours later**, mist thickened ahead. A white platform emerged—**Lushan Station**.
**[System Alert]**
**"Congratulations, Zhao Kuo—First Arrival at Lushan Station! Reward: Special Gift Bundle x1."**
A melodic voice echoed:
"Behold! A shooting star, blazing through the void… though stars *do* fade."
A figure in a crisp suit bowed. "Welcome. I am Steward 03518. Your journey fascinates us."
Zhao Kuo gripped his pistol. *"Us"?*
The steward gestured to the elevator. "Your next trial awaits. But first—open your gift. *Surprises* abound."
**[Special Gift Bundle Contents]**
- **[Golden Class Change Card]** (Override white-tier profession)
- **[Metro Master Key]** (Unlocks ???)
- **[Sanity Restoration Potion x3]**
Zhao Kuo pocketed the items. *First to arrive… but what about those behind?*
**Global Chat Exploded:**
"Zhao Kuo's at the station ALREADY?!"
"Bro's speedrunning the apocalypse!"
"What's next—boss fights?!"
The steward's smile sharpened. "Shall we proceed, *trailblazer*?"
The elevator doors slid open. Light poured out—too bright, too pure.
*Heaven? Or a prettier hell?* Zhao Kuo stepped inside.