Meeting

Meeting

"Anything but Fuso City."

Following the carriage forward into the residential area, Xu Yue learned about the Hayajiro from the ordinary civilians along the way.

Originally, the Hayajiro had planned to resupply at Hayatani Station, but they had received word at the last minute that Hayatani Station had already fallen.

And soon, the Hayajiro would have to pass through the fallen area.

The civilians in the carriages were all anxious and terrified, filled with fear and numbness.

The atmosphere was utterly lifeless.

Their refugee-like appearance, yellow and emaciated, combined with that numb terror, made the entire environment feel somewhat oppressive.

"If nothing unexpected happens, this is the Koutetsujou that appears at the very beginning of the story. Mumei should be aboard. First, I'll get a sense of this Mission Space's top-tier combat strength."

Having obtained the information he needed, Xu Yue turned around and headed toward the rear.

Those refugee-like people definitely would not know who Mumei was, but they did know that the horse carriage was at the very back. In the scenes from the story, Mumei and her attendant Sion had been hiding in the stable.

"Huh? Didn't you say you wouldn't team up with us? What are you coming back for? Sorry, we don't need you anymore."

As Xu Yue turned back, Lone Wolf, Blondie, and Spy emerged from the rear carriage with the burly man wielding a curved blade, Scimitar, and ran directly into him. Lone Wolf, the most arrogant among them, was the first to snort coldly.

"Sorry, just passing through."

Xu Yue nodded apologetically, then walked straight between the four of them.

"Pfft~"

That utterly unresponsive attitude made Lone Wolf look even more like a clown. Blondie, dressed in hip-hop attire, immediately failed to hold back her laughter.

Lone Wolf's face turned red with embarrassment, and his heart filled with towering rage. Yet in the end, he restrained himself, apparently unwilling to stir up further trouble.

After passing through the carriages and returning to the one where he had started, Xu Yue saw the woman whose charming cheek had been swollen by a bright red handprint. She was tending to Guerrilla, who lay unconscious on the ground after having his gun taken away.

The other two Guerrillas stood nervously to one side, clutching their guns. The moment Xu Yue appeared, they raised their weapons warily, as though afraid he would take them as well.

In the end, it was still these relatively weakest people who had banded together.

Having completed one mission and lost their novice bonus, their chances of survival were even lower than those of rookies entering the Mission Space for the first time.

"I'm just passing by. I mean no harm, and I wish you a safe journey."

Xu Yue still wore that gentle expression, and the group finally relaxed somewhat.

"Brother, they're all so arrogant. How about joining us?"

Seeing that Xu Yue was easy to talk to, a Railway Assault Team member with his cap crookedly perched on his head asked tentatively.

"No. You'd be in even greater danger with me. Your gear set may be a little common, but it doesn't actually have many obvious weaknesses. It's quite suitable for this mission. If you're careful, you can complete it."

Xu Yue was not stingy with his advice when he could lend a hand. After wearing a mask for so long, the mask itself had become part of his character.

The rookie gear set those people had looked down on was actually fairly well balanced. It covered close and long-range combat, offense and defense, power and speed, and could deal with all sorts of problems. They simply were not particularly proficient in any one area.

But with the penetrating power of their rifles, it was enough to pierce the membrane around a Kabane's heart.

After giving the injured man and the woman another glance, Xu Yue continued toward the rear of the train...

"Hey, what are you doing here? Go back to the front."

Two Samurai armed with Steam Guns stood guard before the carriage leading to the stable. Seeing Xu Yue enter after opening the valve of the preceding carriage, they immediately warned him.

At the same time, they raised their guns. Compared with civilians, Samurai held enormous authority.

"Huh? Sorry, I didn't hear you."

Amid the roar of steel outside, Xu Yue spoke with a faint smile and a blank expression, while continuing to walk steadily toward them step by step.

His hands swiftly formed several seals.

Before either Samurai could speak again, he had already completed the preparation.

Illusion Technique: Naraku Manifestation Technique

In an instant, Xu Yue's eyes turned blood-red in the two Samurai's vision. Then his eyes twisted and spun, transforming into two Kabane that lunged at them.

They watched helplessly as their own throats were bitten open, their mouths filling with bloody foam until they could not even speak...

Thud~

The two Samurai collapsed to the floor, foaming at the mouth, completely unconscious.

Though the D-rank Illusion Technique, Naraku Manifestation Technique, was not high-level, it could bring out the deepest fears in a person's heart. Its practicality in surprise attacks was far from low.

Especially against ordinary people. Since it was inconvenient to kill them, this was the best way to deal with them.

When they woke up, they would only think they had suffered a nightmare. It would not arouse any trouble or suspicion.

Looking at the tightly locked valve before him, smelling of rust and engine oil, Xu Yue reached out, gripped the handle, and turned it.

Creak~

A piercing metallic screech rang out as the stable door opened.

A row of horses snorted uneasily in the stable, seemingly having lost even their appetite for the hay before them.

But aside from the horses, there was no one else in sight.

Whoosh~

A fierce gust of wind swept past his ear as a sharp black shadow pounced down from above Xu Yue.

Without even turning his head, he reached back and caught the staff aimed at him.

Twist, pull, lift.

Bang~

In one fluid motion, Xu Yue pinned the ambusher to the ground by the throat.

The cane being used as a weapon fell to one side with a clink.

Dressed in loose white robes that resembled Arab clothing, he was Mumei's guard, Sion.

"Your way of welcoming guests is really unfriendly."

Sion's face had turned red from being choked by Xu Yue, as though he were about to suffocate.

Xu Yue then released him.

"Cough, cough~"

Sion coughed as he climbed up from the floor, his eyes filled with shock as he looked at Xu Yue.

He was a member of the Hunting Party!

He was someone capable of fighting Kabane, yet even after launching a surprise attack first, he had been dealt with in an instant.

Just who was this person?

While Sion assessed Xu Yue, Xu Yue had also formed a rough judgment of this Hunting Party member.

He was experienced, highly skilled, and physically well-trained.

He was even somewhat stronger than the desperado who had robbed the guns earlier, but he was still within the limits of an ordinary human.

Perhaps with his wealth of experience and suitable weapons, he possessed the strength to hunt Kabane, but he still posed no threat to Xu Yue.

"Mm~ Have we arrived...?"

At that moment, a lazy, groggy voice that was clearly not fully awake came from the haystack in the stable beside them.

She seemed to have been awakened by the commotion.

Then, an exceptionally adorable girl crawled out while yawning.

Her eyes were bleary, and she looked as though she had not woken up yet.

Seeing a two-dimensional character appear in reality, even Xu Yue could not help but marvel.

This beautiful girl, as lovely as an elf, was one of the representatives of the highest level of combat power in this Mission Space.

She looked like an underage girl of twelve or thirteen.

Though she was developing rather well. Even her kimono could not conceal the fullness of her chest. It was a little unscientific.

"Hayatani Station has fallen. We need to pass through it and reach the next station."

Xu Yue answered in place of Sion, who was still recovering from the pressure on his neck.

Only then did Mumei seem to notice the extra person there. Her pretty little face wore a somewhat confused expression.

After staring at Xu Yue for a moment, she tilted her head, tugged at Sion as he retreated to her side, and asked blankly,

"Who is he...?"

Boom! Boom!

A series of tremors ran through the train. Unlike the occasional jolts during the journey, the Hayajiro was clearly suffering repeated violent impacts now.

The abandoned Hayatani Station had arrived!

The Kabane in the station had launched an assault on the Hayajiro...

Sunday brought the first small recommendation, but I'll be away on business tomorrow and the day after, so I can only put the drafts in the draft box and edit them on my phone~ I hope everyone will support me when the time comes. Let's push for the new book rankings next week~

All kinds of support are welcome during the new book period. Please send some votes~