Chapter 39: Heaven Bless, Tomorrow Brings No Trouble.
First, Chen Mang crafted another ordinary carriage, consuming 100 units of Iron Ore. This was something he had promised to the Slaves long ago, to give them a bit more living space. However, the previously crafted ordinary carriage had been destroyed during the boss battle.
Next, naturally, was the "Fabrication Table."
After consuming 500 units of Iron Ore, the green-tier component "Fabrication Table" was successfully crafted and placed in the No. 2 cargo carriage. Currently, the only thing it could produce was "Energy Stones."
The Fabrication Table was Level 1, and consuming 500 units of Iron Ore could produce one Level 1 Energy Stone.
"Produce!"
Soon—
Chen Mang left the Train compartment and walked to the No. 2 cargo carriage. From a square box-like Fabrication Table, he retrieved a diamond the size of a pigeon egg, holding it in his hand and examining it carefully. This was the Energy Stone.
He then placed this Energy Stone into the Generator.
In the next moment!
All the lights in every carriage of the Train instantly lit up, even emitting a warm glow across the wasteland. The essence of human civilization cannot exist without electricity, and this thing made human society appear more like a true civilization.
Currently, his Train had no electrical devices except for these light bulbs. This Energy Stone could sustain the Generator for about 300 days.
He had no intention of producing another Energy Stone just yet.
The Energy Stone in the Train's engine was currently at 62%. He would wait until it was nearly depleted before crafting another one. In case of any emergencies, he could always remove the Energy Stone from the Generator and install it into the engine.
These two tasks had cost him 1000 units of Iron Ore.
The "Train Radio" was definitely a priority. Communication could ensure that the Train did not become an isolated island in the wasteland, consuming 500 units of Iron Ore.
The "Targeting Radar" was also a high priority. The Radar's presence could guarantee basic safety when the Train was stationed in the wilderness, also consuming 500 units of Iron Ore.
By now—
He had already consumed 2100 units of Iron Ore, leaving him with only 151 units.
"Phew."
In the Train compartment, Chen Mang let out a long breath, having nearly exhausted all the Iron Ore he had mined today. He immediately turned his attention to the panel of the green-tier "Targeting Radar" component.
"Component Name": Targeting Radar.
"Component Tier": Green.
"Component Level": Level 1.
"Component Effect": Within a 1000-meter radius centered on the Train, any living creature that is not a Train Crew member will trigger an alarm.
"Upgrade Condition": 1000 units of Iron Ore.
On the left side of the control panel, a rectangular screen composed of countless white lines materialized out of thin air. As the white lines faded, the screen lit up.
On the screen was a green circle, with a top-down 3D rendering of the "Stellar" Train at its center.
Inside the Train and nearby, there were nearly a hundred green dots, while no red dots appeared within the entire circle.
Although the component effect stated that any living creature approaching would trigger an alarm, it seemed that "living creatures" here only included other humans and monsters, not small insects and the like.
The energy required for this screen was supplied by electricity, and he had already completed the entire Train's Circuit System when the Train was at Level 1.
In front of the Train's engine, there was also a small bump, about the size of a palm. This was the external Targeting Radar.
When it detected an enemy approaching, it would emit an alarm.
However, he currently lacked the "Car Audio" component, so it couldn't produce sound and could only display a warning on the screen.
Chen Mang raised an eyebrow and then consumed 100 units of Iron Ore to craft the white-tier "Car Audio" component.
This component was a set of speakers.
A large speaker was mounted outside the Train's engine.
Inside the Train compartment, six small speakers were embedded in the corners, and each carriage also had six speakers distributed at the front, middle, and rear.
Thus—
Alarms, as well as sounds from components like the "Train Auxiliary AI," would be emitted through these speakers.
He could also use the speakers to instantly and accurately convey his commands to every Train Crew member's ears. He could even emulate that Level 2 Train, blasting DJ music and roaring arrogantly across the wasteland.
Now his pockets were truly empty.
Not a single bit left, with only 51 units of Iron Ore remaining. He needed to save some Iron Ore for producing food and water early tomorrow morning.
Nighttime.
Everyone had already fallen asleep, and a few guards were patrolling outside the Train, keeping watch.
Chen Mang couldn't sleep, so he leaned on his cane and stepped out of the Train compartment, walking to a nearby open area. He gazed at his Stellar Train, which lay quietly on the ground like a slumbering giant beast.
A sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.
When this Train first started, it was just a simple engine. But now, under his hands, it had gradually grown and become more robust.
This feeling was indescribable, like watching a child grow up.
It was worth mentioning.
Although the "Spider Leg" wheels were modeled after spider Ambulatory limbs, they were not made of real flesh and blood but were entirely mechanical, constructed of steel. At first glance, they seemed out of place with the Train, but after a few more looks, one could sense the explosive power and the tension and charm of mechanical creations within the mechanical Train.
"."
Chen Mang sat on the cracked ground of the wasteland, his expression somewhat dazed as he gazed at the slumbering giant beast under the night sky and the stars, the crimson ember of his cigarette faintly glowing between his fingers.
He did nothing.
Just quietly admired.
His mind emptied, simply appreciating his creation, as if marveling at a rare piece of art.
After a long while.
He looked down at the cigarette butt that had gone out at some point in his fingers, then casually tossed it aside. He suddenly understood why lions loved to patrol their territories.
It was a kind of... indescribable pride and satisfaction.
It felt so good.
Right at that moment, the cane in his arms trembled slightly, and a tiny curved screen appeared on its surface, displaying a miniature version of the Targeting Radar screen. It showed three red dots slowly approaching the Train.
Before he could say anything.
He saw the guards patrolling around the Train, already moving forward with their guns.
After several gunshots, the wasteland returned to silence, and the red dots disappeared.
"."
Chen Mang chuckled softly, remaining seated and shaking his head without saying a word. It seemed that after the previous incidents, the guards had become much more alert.
Earlier in the day, a few scattered monsters had also attacked them.
But this, in turn, gave him a sense of reassurance.
At least it indicated that there were no terrifying bosses in the vicinity. The priority of the "Wind-Fire Wheel" also needed to be increased. Speed in the wasteland often meant survival in many situations.
Once all the essential components were crafted, he would then selectively upgrade the highest priority components.
He stood up, brushed the dust off his pants, and slowly walked back to the Train's engine, leaning on his cane.
He hoped tomorrow would be another peaceful day.
Heaven bless, tomorrow brings no trouble.
(End of Chapter)