Outside, under the dark sky and biting wind, Lilith directed the food distribution with steady enthusiasm. Around her, the thugs patrolled the perimeter — their presence not just for order, but to keep fear alive.
Four straight lines stretched across the clearing — young, old, women, and men — each taking their share before retreating to a quiet corner to eat in silence.
When the last ration was handed out, Lilith let out a deep sigh of relief. Stepping off the platform, she entered the train. Moments later, Dracula climbed atop the roof to make an announcement — one both he and Lilith had agreed upon.
"May I have your attention?" Dracula's voice carried through the cold wind. Immediately, all eyes turned toward him as his long coat fluttered behind him.
"Since you're all enjoying your meals, I won't take much of your time," he said with a wry smile. "I have only two announcements. First — once when you're done eating, go and rest unless you've got inhuman stamina to continue mining . At dawn, everyone begins mining. Second — any unnecessary commotion will be met with death. You all have a lovely night."
He leapt down from the train roof, landing lightly before walking toward a group of thugs eating by the fire.
As soon as his voice faded, murmurs rippled through the crowd — a storm of whispers and unease spreading like wildfire.
---
Four nights passed without disaster. The skies remained an ominous dark, the kind that made sleep uneasy and dreams heavy.
Sunny rose early that morning, washed his face, and stood inside the train compartment. Folding his hands, he murmured with closed eyes,
> "Heavenly bless us… let this be another peaceful day — even if it's the last."
The past four nights had been quiet — no Children of the Night stalking the dark, no zombies emerging from the earth. The miners had done well; the minimum daily quota was twelve units each. The train's stores now held over seventeen thousand units of iron ore — enough to finally purchase the blueprint he'd been eyeing.
> The Chainsaw Module.
A grin crept across Sunny's face. "Let's turn this train into a monster."
On the holographic screen, the blueprint displayed a model of the train with twin chainsaws mounted along its sides — each about a meter from the ground, perfect for cutting zombies and beasts clean in half.
The specs scrolled across the screen:
Accessory Name: Chainsaw Blade
Grade: White
Level: 1
Effect: Steel chainsaw blades mounted on both sides of the train. Capable of retracting at will.
Purchase Cost: 300 Iron Ore
Upgrade Cost: 299 Iron Ore
Sunny chuckled. "Both cost about the same? Then there's nothing to think about."
> "Upgrade."
At once, the ground trembled. The train shuddered, metal groaning as sparks flickered beneath its frame.
Stepping outside, Sunny watched in awe as massive steel blades emerged from both sides of the train, encasing the carriages in a menacing row of spinning teeth. The blades gleamed dully under the pale light, each about thirty-five centimeters wide and brutally thick.
He smiled. "Perfect height to slice them at the waist."
> "Upgrade again," he said calmly.
The system responded in its cold, mechanical tone:
> Authority detected. Further upgrade possible. Consume 200 units of iron ore?
> "Confirm."
Once again, the metal roared to life. The chainsaws grew denser, sharper — their width increasing to forty-five centimeters, the edge now gleaming like forged lightning.
Just as Sunny leaned closer to examine it, he felt a soft warmth press against his back. Lilith's arms wrapped around him gently.
"Master," she whispered, her voice muffled against his shoulder, "the new weapon fills everyone with excitement. Some even say they finally feel… safe."
Sunny smiled faintly and tightened his grip around her waist. "Hope is a weapon too," he murmured.
They stood side by side, watching the blades spin with a deep, metallic growl.
Then — the ground trembled.
At first, it was subtle — a shiver beneath their feet. Then the shaking intensified. Stones bounced, the rails rattled violently.
Sunny's expression darkened. He could already tell — whatever was coming wasn't small.
"Something massive is approaching," he said sharply. "Tell Dracula to evacuate everyone into the train. Now!"
Lilith's eyes widened. She nodded and sprinted toward the mining area, her voice cutting through the wind as she shouted orders.
Moments later, Dracula and the thugs corralled the panicking workers toward the train. Shouts, confusion, and chaos filled the air — until warning shots cracked the night, bringing instant obedience. Within minutes, everyone was aboard.
Silence hung for a brief moment — heavy and electric.
Then Sunny saw it.
From the far darkness, a colossal shadow crawled into view — fast and steady. Its size blotted out the stars. Claws clinked and scraped across the ruined pillars and broken vehicles, crushing everything beneath its weight. Two smaller shadows flanked its sides, moving with eerie precision.
A chill ran through Sunny's spine.
"So… it's finally here," he muttered.
The days of peace were over.
He sprinted to the main cabin, sealed every door and window, and slammed his palm on the ignition rune.
The train roared to life — a beast awakened — and the entire vehicle vibrated as the chainsaw blades spun, screaming into motion.
Through the side mirrors, Sunny saw the hulking creature gaining speed, closing the distance fast.
He gritted his teeth. "Come on then…"
The Iron Beast was about to meet its first real hunt with real uncertainty of what was to come.