Even If I Die

The group set out on the road again, leaving that gloomy city of death behind.

This world shrouded in darkness always gave them a suffocating feeling, but fortunately, that darkness was gradually fading away. A massive, active plasma engine stood ahead, its brilliant flames illuminating the entire sky and finally dispelling the gloom that had hung over them all the way here.

Vivian suggested taking a look at the engine up close, so Hao Ren had the vehicle's navigation system calculate a route. They soon turned onto a slope that climbed gradually along a steel ridge. As they drew closer to the giant engine, the enormous facility revealed more of its details. Hao Ren saw that its conical shell was covered with many spiraling ramps resembling mountain roads. Faint lights darted rapidly along them, while countless steel bridges extended radially from the top of the engine, connecting all the way to the distant ground. He had no idea what they were for.

Just as they were about to reach the engine's halfway point, the vehicle's main computer suddenly emitted a soft beep. At the same time, Izax frowned. "There seems to be something up ahead."

Hao Ren immediately pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. Lily was the first to leap out and sneak forward to investigate. She crouched behind a large steel plate, poked her head out to peer around, then turned and waved frantically at the others.

The others hurried over. Lily pointed across the road and whispered, "Look! A transport convoy!"

Hao Ren stared in astonishment. A straight steel avenue a hundred meters away led directly to the top of the engine. It was lined with traction devices that emitted a faint blue glow, resembling rails, and transport vehicles shaped like cage cars busily