C5 The Strange Train Station!

*Ding* "Response to host: Due to insufficient access level, this function cannot be executed by the system."

"Level? Access?" Puzzled, he opened his personal panel within the system and, sure enough, there was a section for level and access.

Host: Lee Feng.

Age: 23.

Strength: 30 (Note: Average person is 10).

Stamina: 30 (Average person is 10).

Agility: 30...

Level Access: LV1, Task 1/3, eligible for upgrade.

"I get all the rest, but what's this 'Task 1/3' about?"

"Do I have to complete three tasks to level up?"

Staring at the level access section, Lee Feng fell into contemplation. As expected, the system's prompt echoed in his mind: Yes, the host must complete three tasks to level up at level one.

"Thank you."

Yu Dulin's voice reached him from nearby. Though somewhat rigid, she clearly had regained her composure from the earlier fright.

For some reason, being near Lee Feng gave her an unexplainable sense of comfort, likely because he had just saved her. In that moment, the typically independent Yu Dulin found the idea of relying on a man appealing, especially in this world that seemed on the brink of apocalypse—a world where someone might protect her.

The thought made her cheeks flush, and she found herself shyly avoiding Lee Feng's gaze.

As she was caught up in her musings, the television in the carriage broadcasted a message from a high-ranking official of K Country.

"Dear citizens, yesterday, several cities including Seoul experienced riots, resulting in numerous injuries among both police and civilians."

"The disorder has left parts of the cities paralyzed. Some individuals have damaged police vehicles, attempted hijackings, and destroyed public property."

"As a result, the government has declared a state of emergency for the G family to ensure the safety of our citizens and to prevent the situation from worsening. Thanks to the swift action by the Z administration, the chaos is being steadily contained and is expected to be resolved shortly."

"Citizens, please trust in us..."

Upon hearing this, Lee Feng realized that the authorities might have already abandoned them and were still concealing the truth.

He knew one thing for certain: the virus outbreak was the result of a leak from a biotech company. Yet, the authorities had spun it as a riot.

Perhaps they were trying to avoid a greater panic.

With that thought, he let out a deep sigh, wondering how many lives would be lost this time.

He wasn't the only astute one. Watching the disasters unfold on TV and listening to the disjointed chatter, it was clear that many were piecing together the truth.

A hush fell over the crowd, punctuated by the soft sobs of some women.

In a world so ravaged, was there any hope left?

Their country had fallen, their homes were gone.

Phone calls to relatives and friends went unanswered, or worse, connected only to the harrowing screams of those who had been infected.

Where could they possibly go now?

This question haunted everyone, only deepening their sense of despair.

Soon, the sound of crying filled the train, as an air of hopelessness and desolation spread throughout the carriage.

"Lee Feng, will we make it through this?" Yu Dulin's voice trembled, her eyes brimming with tears. Lee Feng was her only beacon of hope.

"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, I won't let anything happen to you," Lee Feng assured her with conviction.

Just then, the train's broadcast system crackled to life, this time with a glimmer of good news.

"Attention all passengers, this train will terminate at Da Tian Station. The military has set up operations there to evacuate the train. Upon arrival, please disembark immediately."

"Once again, all passengers..."

The military? An evacuation plan?

A wave of relief washed over the passengers at the announcement.

Surely, with the military involved, Da Tian Station would be a safe haven, wouldn't it?

"Thank goodness, we're going to be safe!"

The mood in the carriage instantly lifted, the gloom replaced by a cautious optimism.

But unseen by the others, a sneer crossed Lee Feng's face. He knew all too well that this move by the authorities was merely to isolate them, to prevent the virus from reaching B City.

This so-called safe zone was anything but. Upon arrival, they would face quarantine and the same risks of infection. One misstep could be disastrous.

Lee Feng, having seen the movie, was aware that the station had already been overrun due to lax screening. Heading there now was akin to walking into the jaws of death.

Aside from him, other astute individuals had also picked up on the issue.

Shi Yu, in Coach No. 8, was among them.

After a moment of contemplation, he passed his backpack to his daughter, Shi Xiu'an, and moved to an unoccupied carriage. Pulling out his cell phone, he dialed a number with deep military connections.

...

An hour later, the train pulled into Da Tian Station.

Oddly enough, the station was eerily quiet, permeated by an unsettling aura.

The station was intact, with all the indicator lights glowing.

Yet, there were no signs of the infected, no military presence, not even the slightest hint of human life.

The silence was unnerving...

"Why isn't there anyone here?"

"Weren't there supposed to be troops stationed? Where's the army?"

"It's too quiet, eerily quiet!"

Passengers peered out at the desolate station, a chill running down their spines.

Despite the foreboding atmosphere, they knew they had to disembark. Staying on the train was akin to signing their own death warrant.

As the doors opened, necks craned to scout for danger. A few daring individuals leapt from the train and dashed towards the exit.

Once it seemed safe, the rest of the passengers followed suit and disembarked.

Lee Feng was among them, carrying a cloth bag that was meant for a baseball bat but had been effortlessly switched out by the system.

He knew well that while the station's interior might be secure, the outside was a different story...

Yu Dulin, following close behind, was no longer concerned with propriety. She clung to Lee Feng's hand tightly.

Her eyes scanned the surroundings vigilantly, half-expecting a zombie to emerge from any hidden corner.

Rong Guo and a group of students shared her apprehension, their eyes darting around nervously.

"Rong Guo, I'm scared," whispered Zhenxi, her face ashen as she clung to him.

"Don't worry, I've got you," Rong Guo reassured her, his heart aching at the sight of her pallor. Despite his usual rejections of Zhenxi's advances, he had long since come to regard her as his girlfriend in his heart.

As the group disembarked and saw that there was no danger, their confidence grew, and they boldly made their way toward the exit.

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