"How many more kilometers?" asked the man who looked like a higher-ranking military officer.
Unlike the train staff members, who wore blue uniforms, this person wore a black suit with gold epaulets on the shoulders and a row of medals pinned to his chest, typical of high-ranking military officers.
The suit was sharply tailored, with brass buttons gleaming in the light.
He was responsible for commanding the military personnel if the train came under attack by a horde of corrupted.
"Just 100 kilometers until we reach the next city," the driver replied, his eyes focused on the radar.
This train didn't emit any light to avoid attracting the attention of the corrupted, so looking outside which was filled with miasma was futile.
Even the glass had something on it that stopped the light from passing through.
Instead, the train was equipped with state-of-the-art radar that could detect vibrations in the air.
This advanced system used vibrations because the Black Miasma blocked ultrasonic signals, making traditional radar ineffective.
The same miasma also rendered long-distance communication impossible, isolating the train from outside help in case it got stopped.
"Good, but don't be complacent," the higher-ranking officer reminded, his voice stern amidst the tension permeating the room. "I heard there were multiple attacks in other Tier 4 cities, so we need to be careful."
"Yes, sir, but why are these sudden attacks happening? Why are the Corrupteds becoming more aggressive?" the driver asked, his brow furrowed with worry.
"I don't know, but maybe this is related to what happened last year, do you still remember it?" The officer's gaze drifted to a distant memory.
"Of course, we were traveling that time when all the Miasma just disappeared for a minute. That was really a great feeling, witnessing the world transform before our eyes. Even now, I still dream of that scene from time to time. I wish my wife and daughter were there to witness it" the driver exclaimed, a wistful smile tugging at his lips as he reminisced.
"Same... but ever since that day, the Corrupteds have become more aggressive. I'm afraid that something big is coming in the future," the officer sighed, his shoulders sagging from stressed.
Unlike the driver, he has access to more information, a burden that weighed heavily on his shoulders.
It was a challenge the military and government now grappled with—a sobering realization that even with humanity's technological advancements, resources remained military .
With each city's fall, their already stretched resources dwindled further, increasing the danger of their situation.
The government kept these scary findings from the public to prevent mass panic.
Hearing the order, the driver gripped a particular lever tightly and pushed it upward. With a low hum, the train's speed surged, the engines roaring with more power.
He also clicked a button, causing all the windows on the train to shut closed, covered with metal panels.
"Everyone, hold on tight! We're ramming into the horde!" the driver shouted over the intercoms , his voice brave despite the mounting tension.
Bracing himself against the impending impact, he steeled his resolve, ready to confront the oncoming threat head-on.
In response to the driver's call, everyone who heard it also braced themselves for the impending clash.
Soldiers tightened their grips on whatever they could hold onto, while civilians huddled together, seeking whatever shelter they could find within the confines of the train.
Hearts pounded in chests, adrenaline surged through veins, and every individual steeled themselves for the inevitable impact .
As the armored train hurtled forward at breakneck speed, the tension inside the carriage was increasing.
The sounds of the wheels against the tracks echoed throughout, each beat a countdown to the impending collision .
Then, in a deafening sound, the train collided with the oncoming mass of corrupted beings.
Metal screeched against flesh, and the entire train jolted violently as it plowed through the horde with full force.
Inside, passengers were thrown about like rag dolls, their screams merging with the sound of grinding metal and shattering bones.
Some clung to their seats with desperation, while others were flung to the floor, their bodies bruised and battered by the impact.
"Don't stop!" The driver's voice reverberated through the control room.
With every ounce of strength, he clung to the lever, his knuckles red with exertion as he ensured that the train kept moving forward.
As he gritted his teeth, his mind briefly wandered to the reason why he had taken on this dangerous but lucrative job.
It wasn't just for the thrill or the challenge—it was for his family. So he could give them a good life despite the high cost of living in human cities.
With each heartbeat, the memory of their faces flashed before his eyes, filling him with determination to fulfill the promise he had made to them.
"Daddy's going to get back home, no matter what, sweetie!" he roared, his voice filled with determination and fatherly love.