Tuesday night.
After reviewing his studies all day in the library, Lin Yu packed up his books and quietly left the school as the closing saxophone music began playing.
After transforming into Xia Yue's appearance in the alley, Lin Yu once again confirmed the blood-text prompt about the dungeon before him.
『Less than 24 hours remain until the latest start time of the next game!』
『Please place yourself inside a moving, enclosed vehicle before midnight tonight to await game entry.』
『Friendly reminder: Detected that you are in a team state. It is recommended that team members enter the game simultaneously for the optimal gaming experience.』
This was Lin Yu's first time using 【Team Cards】 to form a team with others, so seeing this prompt felt somewhat novel.
However, neither Li Nian nor Chen Zhuo were new to teaming up. Both had already decided to gather today as early as yesterday, before the blood-text prompt about the 『dungeon』 had even appeared.
After the blood-text prompt appeared, Chen Zhuo had efficiently arranged the meeting location.
"Just come to Shengjiang Plaza subway station around 11 PM tonight!"
Probably due to feeling intimidated by the reputations of the two 『Free Alliance』 members, Chen Zhuo appeared particularly enthusiastic and eager to please.
Even though he was the employer, Chen Zhuo seemed terrified that these two might become dissatisfied, hastily completing all preparations.
Of course, another reason was that if Lin Yu and Li Nian had chosen the location, whether Chen Zhuo would dare to go would be another matter entirely.
Anyway...
Lin Yu took the subway to Shengjiang Plaza station as Chen Zhuo had instructed.
Just after exiting the subway station, Lin Yu saw Li Nian wearing sunglasses and Chen Zhuo standing obediently beside her.
Lin Yu walked over with some surprise.
"Oh, was I actually the last to arrive?"
As he approached them, Li Nian spoke with a cheerful laugh.
"I only arrived about ten minutes ago myself."
Then, both of them looked at Chen Zhuo.
"So... where's the transportation? It's not the subway, is it?"
As Lin Yu and Li Nian spoke, Chen Zhuo shook his head.
"Of course not, follow me."
He led them away from the subway station, twisting and turning through the alleys and lanes beside Shengjiang Plaza. After about ten minutes, they arrived at a newly built residential area.
This place wasn't far from No. 6 High School, appearing to be typical school district housing.
Chen Zhuo pulled a car key from his pants pocket, then led them to a...
"An old folks' scooter!"
Li Nian looked at the small three-wheeled vehicle with its red sheet metal shell and couldn't help covering her face.
Lin Yu sighed slightly: "You might as well have had A Nian find something."
Chen Zhuo unlocked the door of the old folks' scooter with the key, smiling awkwardly: "My grandma doesn't have a license, and my parents' car keys were hard to get... just make do with this, you two."
After saying this, Chen Zhuo climbed into the driver's seat.
Li Nian and Lin Yu had no choice but to squeeze into the back seat of the three-wheeled scooter, watching as Chen Zhuo started the vehicle.
"Put-put-put—"
The entire three-wheeler trembled slightly, then Chen Zhuo slowly drove the old folks' scooter out of the residential area.
Sitting in the back seat, Li Nian and Lin Yu were jostled around until their heads wobbled.
Li Nian remarked with feeling: "Actually, it's unexpectedly kind of cool..."
"What, is this your first time riding this kind of vehicle, young lady?"
Lin Yu teased casually.
For the first time, Li Nian showed an embarrassed expression: "It really is my first time..."
Since both Shengjiang Plaza and the area around Jiangcheng No. 6 High School were predominantly residential neighborhoods, there weren't many vehicles or pedestrians on the roads as midnight approached.
Chen Zhuo drove the three-wheeled scooter down the center of the wide road, gradually picking up speed.
The howling wind rushed through the gaps in the scooter's doors, prompting a new question from Li Nian.
"Does this count as an enclosed vehicle? It doesn't feel very sealed!"
Lin Yu was more optimistic: "It has a roof and doors, how could it not count as an enclosed space?"
Chen Zhuo also nodded in agreement with Lin Yu: "I think it counts too!"
As time passed, the three-wheeler raced through the streets, quickly approaching midnight.
Blood-text simultaneously appeared before all three of them.
【Joining game shortly—】
【Game Name: Express Train of Despair】
【Clear Condition: Obtain "Train Ticket"】
【Number of Players in This Game: 6】
"Oh—it's a train!"
Li Nian's cheerful voice rang out, filled with excitement.
Though he didn't know what she was so happy about...
Lin Yu didn't have time to ask right now.
Because Chen Zhuo's startled cry came through: "Why did it suddenly accelerate?!"
The needle on the scooter's dashboard slammed against the maximum limit, frantically hitting the edge!
The engine roared, and all three passengers felt themselves pressed back into their seats by the sudden acceleration.
The scenery outside the windows became blurred and distorted from the high speed, the vehicle shaking with loud "clang-clang" noises.
"It's going to flip, it's going to flip!"
Just as Chen Zhuo couldn't help but scream out...
"Bang!"
A violent sound erupted, and intense white light filled their vision.
"Still with the flashing?"
Lin Yu complained internally.
Then...
The bright light faded, and he felt the seat beneath him had become much softer.
Looking around at their surroundings, they found themselves sitting in a futuristic-looking train.
The train raced along at high speed, passing by a bustling urban nightscape outside the windows. Skyscrapers and illuminated signs streamed past like ribbons of light reflected in the glass.
The carriage interior was spacious, bathed in warm yellowish lighting.
The seats were soft and wide, with only four seats per row.
Lin Yu sat between Chen Zhuo and Li Nian.
The entire carriage was extremely quiet, as if aside from the three of them, there was no one else.
Lin Yu looked at Li Nian and asked:
"From what you said earlier, it sounded like you know about this dungeon?"
Li Nian didn't try to hide it, replying with a light laugh:
"I have indeed heard a little about it... anyway, this dungeon is relatively simple and straightforward."
Chen Zhuo also quickly asked:
"Then, Master Thief, what does 'train ticket' in the clear condition mean?"
"I'm not sure about that. I've only heard other organization members mention it once," Li Nian pulled out her utility knife, "Hey, Zhu Ming, you'd better bring out any useful weapons you have now, because this dungeon is the particularly ferocious kind."
"Ferocious? I don't see how?"
Though confused, Lin Yu still took out his pistol.
Since Li Nian recognized Heavenly Artisan's hammer, Lin Yu could only take out the 【Fear Torch】 as his melee weapon.
Just then, an announcement sounded through the carriage.
"Welcome—welcome six new passengers boarding from D-4, D-5, D-13!"
Lin Yu looked up at the carriage number.
Their carriage number was exactly D-13!
Li Nian whistled.
"Waha—here they come!"
"What's coming?"
Chen Zhuo's face showed a terrified expression.
The carriage was empty.
Li Nian threw her utility knife, and suddenly blood flowers bloomed in the air.
"Correction—they're already here!"