Turmoil

Turmoil

With the Hanyang 88 rifle Xu Yue had borrowed from the Guerrilla as a reference, Ikoma's own research into Cannons and Jet Bullets, and the readily available bodies of Steam Guns, the modifications proceeded remarkably quickly. Jet Bullets suitable for Steam Guns were soon produced as well.

The modifications to the Steam Guns were simple, mainly involving alterations to certain firing components in the hammer mechanism so they could use specialized Jet Bullets.

After all, according to the story, Ikoma had swiftly completed the upgrades to the Samurai's Steam Guns even under the crude conditions aboard the Koutetsujou. With the processing machinery of Kōkan Station available now, the work naturally went even faster.

After the Samurai received their new weapons and witnessed their power punch through steel plates, every one of them was stunned beyond belief.

The guns Mumei used and the Hunting Party's weapons could also penetrate a Kabane's heart membrane. But after examining Mumei's weapon, they found that those weapons mainly sacrificed endurance and reduced their caliber to increase their short-term explosive power. At their core, they were still ordinary Steam Guns.

In terms of performance, they were far inferior to Steam Guns using Jet Bullets.

In fact, thanks to the enhanced armor-piercing ability of the metal jet, the modified Steam Guns were now even more powerful than the two Hanyang 88 rifles used as references.

Their range could not match those two rifles, but their armor-piercing power had increased drastically. They could shoot straight through even steel plates.

Shikoku Kenzou had never expected that such a capable person had gone unnoticed within his territory.

All this time, the people of Kōkan Station had never imagined that the Kabane could be fought. They only knew how to hide and run.

After Xu Yue and Mumei's battle on the suspension bridge overturned their worldview, and with the weapons now in their hands, their confidence soared.

Perhaps the most helpless group in this incident was the small team known as the Railway Guerrillas.

Well, they had also received the mission to cause Kōkan Station's fall. Under Xu Yue's probing, threats, and inducements, they stammered out all the details.

They had merely banded together for warmth, hoping to muddle through one mission after another. They had never intended to take on this mission to bring about the station's fall.

What made them feel even more miserable was that the weapons they had painstakingly spent money on had become commonplace so soon afterward. Every Samurai now had something similar in hand.

Since they had cooperated, Xu Yue was fairly tolerant of them. He promised to take them through this spatial mission and arranged for them to join the Samurai patrols.

It was, in a roundabout way, an improvement in the treatment of these miserable commoners.

In truth, all three Railway Guerrillas possessed Basic Rifle Proficiency. In terms of marksmanship, they were among the best of the Samurai, and the man whose weapon had been taken was given a new one as well.

Everything gradually fell into place, and the days passed one after another.

Yet the reincarnators from Jiaozuo who had ambushed Xu Yue earlier seemed to have vanished into thin air. There had been no sign of them.

But the more silent they were, the more abnormal it seemed. Several simulated evacuation drills were even organized during that time.

They needed to ensure that if an emergency truly occurred, the numerous civilians would cause less chaos and would not aid the enemy.

The emergency Samurai units needed to control the source of infection as quickly as possible...

Four days passed just like that.

Inside a dilapidated shack, a group of people watched the old woman lying on the floor in tense silence as sweat poured from her body. None of them even dared breathe loudly.

"Is there still no change? It'll soon be three days. According to the pattern, if there's no change after three days, she won't become infected and turn into a Kabane."

Among the people entering this mission for the second time, the only one who had managed to keep pace with Lone Wolf and the others, Scimitar, spoke impatiently.

They had thought that bringing Kabane infection into the city would let them complete this mission easily. Who would have expected the recent patrols and lockdowns to be so tight? They had no opportunity at all and could only use some items from the Hayajiro to test the results.

"Your weapon only cut a Kabane once on the Hayajiro, and you wiped it clean afterward. Who knows how much blood is still on it? The amount is too small, so we'll probably have to wait until the limit."

Spy pushed up his Glasses and spoke calmly.

"More than that, I'm worried about whether the information that woman sent us is accurate."

Lone Wolf shot Scimitar an irritated look. Damn it, had that guy only slapped that woman as an act back then? In the end, he had still hooked up with her.

That woman's taste was truly terrible. He was obviously far better than him.

"Hehe, there definitely won't be a problem. I secretly verified several other patrol shift-change times she provided, and they were all correct. She doesn't know which day or what time we picked."

Scimitar answered with a hint of smugness. Being able to remotely control a woman as a Spy—and such a beautiful woman at that—gave him an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

"Hmph. Let's hope so..."

But at that moment, the old woman, who had been twitching nonstop, suddenly let out a low growl. Light gradually began to shine through her chest, while the veins beneath her skin became increasingly visible and darker in color.

She was transforming into a Kabane.

"It worked!"

Upon seeing the crucial change, joy appeared in everyone's eyes.

They swiftly used the Iron Chain they had prepared beforehand to bind the old woman, who was still transforming.

Kōkan Station had been on high alert these past few days. Releasing their only Kabane rashly would not stir up much trouble. They had to secretly create several more first.

Now that they had one living Kabane, producing more Kabane would undoubtedly become much easier.

A thief could not steal for a thousand days, but no one could guard against a thief for a thousand days.

Sooner or later, they would breach this defense line and complete this high-reward mission!

"One person disappearing occasionally is no big deal, but too many disappearances will arouse suspicion. It's hard to find old ladies living alone like this."

Spy frowned as he spoke.

The moment he finished, Scarface, who had robbed the Guerrilla, twisted his face into a vicious grin and shoved a newcomer directly toward the Kabane bound by the Iron Chain.

The newcomer had no time to react and was instantly seized and bitten by the Kabane.

"Ah!"

The scream had barely escaped before Scarface lunged forward, plunged a dagger into the newcomer's mouth, and twisted it. A piece of tongue fell out.

"Hmph, what are we afraid of with so many people here? Extra trash will only make it easier for us to be exposed."

Scarface's face was full of arrogance. During this time, he had acted like Lone Wolf's lackey, which had indeed lulled many people into lowering their guard. But some had forgotten that this unruly bastard had only submitted because of Lone Wolf's strength. His nature had never changed...

"It's the sixth day, and there still hasn't been the slightest movement. It seems they've found some effective method."

Standing atop the highest roof in the city and surveying all of Kōkan Station, Xu Yue reached a realization.

He had deliberately left loopholes in the patrol arrangements. Their primary purpose was reconnaissance and early warning, not interception.

The patrols he had arranged could not stop them, but given their strength, they could not leave Kōkan Station without alerting anyone. Those people had to still be inside the city.

And although they had opportunities to break out and leave Kōkan Station, they had not acted at all. That clearly meant they had their own plans for this mission.

This was nothing less than the calm and buildup before the Tempest.

There had not even been a single test or disturbance, which meant their plan was likely progressing smoothly. Had they used items that had fought Kabane on the road before the Koutetsujou arrived? Judging by the timing, they had probably already cultivated Kabane within the city.

They probably lacked confidence, which was why they were secretly increasing their numbers while imprisoning and controlling the Kabane.

By his calculations, it was about time. At first, searching for them would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. But once they began preparing to increase the number of Kabane, they would eventually expose themselves...

"From now on, the patrols will add inspections to their duties. Thoroughly investigate any reports of strange roars or the sound of chains. Don't overlook the sewers either. If a patrol team loses contact, report it immediately."

Xu Yue leaped down from the roof in one step and landed before a handsome young man in immaculate Samurai attire, speaking calmly.

"Understood."

As the strongest Samurai originally stationed at Kōkan Station, Kurusu had long since been convinced by Xu Yue's strength. For a pure Samurai like him, control through the traits of his personality was actually the easiest.

After Xu Yue gave the order, Kurusu immediately went to carry it out without even asking why.

"Wait. Remember to bring Miss Mumei along. She has a unique way of tracking the scent of Kabane."

Xu Yue added one final instruction, causing Kurusu's pupils to contract.

Searching the city for Kabane?!

Could Kabane have already entered the city?

How was that possible?!

Even setting aside the tight defenses now, if any had truly entered, things could never have remained this quiet!

"It was probably done by people. Tell everyone to prepare for a hard battle."

Seeing that Kurusu had already understood what was happening, Xu Yue smiled and waved for him to get to work at once.

Come on, don't disappoint me!

I've been waiting for you for a long time...

There would occasionally be slight adjustments to the plot in service of the story. Everything in this book takes precedence~

Also, please keep sending resources!

Thanks to Big Zongzi Is Delicious, A Nickname Has Arrived, Victory in Desperation, Xiaoxiao Yiqin, Ouma Sphinx, Night Rain Suddenly Comes, Melody of Dusk, Earth Sickness, Mighty Dominance No. 1, W I Want to Sleep, and the other readers for their rewards, as well as all readers for your support!!