Apocalypse: I Build A Doomsday Train Chapter 1208 - 467: A Calm Night
Previously on Apocalypse: I Build A Doomsday Train...
Scarlet.
Long before Lin Xian truly witnessed that scene, he never would have imagined such a color could dominate the heavens and earth. Now, Lin Xian frequently finds himself recalling that moment, an inexplicable unease stirring within him. While the initial Dark Tide presented humanity with the stark horror of darkness itself, the arrival of scarlet enveloping the planet evoked a sense of a world irrevocably twisted, offering no escape and crushing humanity under its oppressive weight.
What it was, he couldn't precisely say. Perhaps even the Phoenix Society remained uncertain, especially since the battle at Dawn City had concluded less than a month prior. Yet, Lin Xian was convinced it was far from a favorable omen.
The night draped over Hawaii Island was profoundly silent, punctuated by stars scattered across the sky like fine dust upon the dark expanse. Gentle waves kissed the shore, their rhythm carrying a near-hypnotic tranquility.
The city itself lay in a deathly quiet, its gray-white structures devoid of any light, their silhouettes merely outlined by the faint starlight. Remnants of buildings and scattered ruins loomed through the night, resembling a forgotten, spectral realm.
Uncounted zombies shuffled through the streets in unnerving silence, their contorted forms like specters, accompanied by whispers that defied description and shadows writhing in the gloom. Such a spectacle should have sent shivers down anyone's spine, but for Lin Xian, having navigated countless horrors, these shambling undead and bizarre creatures had shed their terror, transforming into mere familiar shapes.
He stood before the bridge, his gaze fixed upon the Dead City, yet he found himself experiencing a rare sense of peace. It was as if the silent, star-strewn sky and the placid waves were gently washing away the turmoil in his heart, momentarily turning the twisted reality into a haven of calm.
[Captain Lin, your breathing and heartbeat indicate a remarkable level of calmness, a state rarely observed.]
At this hour, only Viola remained with him on the bridge; the others had retired to their quarters to rest.
Lin Xian tilted his head toward the sky, stretched languidly, and remarked with an air of indifference, "Many matters weigh on my mind, but it is not yet the time for me to be consumed by them. Though the Phoenix Society’s mission is only half accomplished, and we have not yet reached the absolute extremes, our expectations have been met. I can afford a brief respite."
Gesturing towards the sprawling coastal metropolis, he offered a smile and added, "There appears to be no immediate danger here. Perhaps I can afford to slack off a little."
[That is a logical course of action.]
Viola, standing with her characteristic poise, hands clasped behind her back, replied calmly, [Calculations based on the Dark Tide indicate that it will require a minimum of 261 days for the next Star Abyss 13 Extreme Night to encompass this region. Utilizing interplanetary orbits, reaching Panama would take approximately 113 hours. If by flight, the journey is reduced to a mere 23 hours. Considering the transit time for Dawn Center across North America, a period of 15 to 20 days for rest and enhancement of your mechanical superpower is indeed feasible. Our current resource reserves are substantial, sufficient for the team's recovery and resupply needs.]
"Fifteen days?" Lin Xian chuckled softly. "Such a length of rest is hardly conceivable. A day or two would be far more practical."
He produced the Dark Gear, giving it a cursory inspection, and stated, "The Holy Revelation has invested considerable effort to target me. I doubt matters are as simple as they seem. Considering the Holy City, the Holy Revelation, the Foundation, and that colossal sea beast; although we managed to evade the super storm, I cannot linger on this island indefinitely. Rejoining the main contingent sooner would certainly alleviate my concerns."
"In your assessment, what do you believe are the characteristics of this forbidden item?" Lin Xian offered the Dark Gear to Viola.
Viola did not accept it, maintaining her stance. [All my sensors, with the exception of the Soul Swinging Value Detector, are incapable of effectively detecting this object. Therefore, I am unable to provide an analysis based on 'perception.' However, drawing upon the known attributes of forbidden items and available containment data, I surmise that phenomena such as the 'retinal countdown' and the 'minor Star Abyss explosion' triggered by this item are not direct assaults initiated by its keeper against you.]
Lin Xian nodded, the weight of the dark gear palpable in his hand. "If they possessed such overpowering capabilities, they would have deployed them already. Chen Yanshu strategically left this item for me, likely as a trap. It suggests I must have somehow 'contained' this Dark Gear under entirely unknown circumstances. And that countdown... perhaps it serves as some form of..."
[Side effect]
"Side effect?" Lin Xian’s eyebrows lifted slightly. "That aligns quite well."
Lin Xian gazed at the Dark Gear, his face etched with gravity. "Ever since Brother Huo's Infinite Ring and Mochizuki Masashi's Flashing Bullet that he bestowed upon me, I've nearly forgotten the peril associated with taboo items. Recall the 1542 Radio; it nearly claimed my life. Early data from the Angel Plan, found scattered everywhere, indicated that taboo items are invariably linked to immense evil and death. This particular item can even trigger a minor Star Abyss explosion. Considering its blast radius and sheer power, without the Energy Transition and Gravitational Lens, I would have been utterly ruined. Furthermore, it possesses the uncanny ability to conceal other taboo items I might possess – its true nature remains deeply perplexing." [Your assessment is remarkably astute. From the viewpoint of the Descent Party's human faction targeting you, shielding your Flashing Bullet, sealing the South Heavenly Gate, and eliminating you would have yielded significant gains. Nevertheless, their efforts were ultimately futile.] Lin Xian regarded the Dark Gear with a degree of bewilderment. Freed from the incessant countdown, Lin Xian discovered he was seemingly connected to some form of power via this black gear. He had no inkling how Chen Yanshu managed the transfer and containment of this item to him. At present, he remained ignorant of its operational methods, a fact that caused considerable unease. However, with the digital countdown having ceased its ceaseless blinking, he also felt a measure of relief. He was already burdened with numerous pressing concerns, making him reluctant to delve into this new mystery just yet. His foremost priority now was to seize this precious night and capitalize on the bountiful resources available on the island.