The moment the mechanical voice faded, a door slowly opened at the rear of the train carriage.
A cold wind carrying the scent of dust rushed into the carriage, making several of them shiver.
Kagashi turned back to look at the four girls.
Wrapped in their tight system bodysuits with the makeshift outer layers crafted from instant noodle bags, they looked exceptionally vulnerable to the elements in the biting cold wind.
He knew they needed encouragement.
He fell silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking:
“I know you’re all very scared right now.”
The girls pursed their lips, saying nothing.
Kagashi took a deep breath and continued:
“To be honest, I’m scared too.
Waking up to find my clothes swapped for this system outfit, being thrown onto a broken train for no reason, and having a voice tell me I have to survive the apocalypse.
Anyone would panic.”
The girls couldn’t help but glance at him, seemingly not expecting the Train Conductor to admit his own vulnerability.
“But,” Kagashi’s tone deepened, “fear doesn’t solve any problems.
Since we’ve already come to this world, and since we can’t go back…
then we might as well make the best of it.
I need your help.”
These words were spoken softly, yet they reached everyone’s ears clearly in the quiet carriage.
“Finding supplies, upgrading the train, and dealing with the Extreme Cold Apocalypse—these are not things I can accomplish alone.
That’s why I need you.”
He looked at Furina: “You are the Hydro Archon.
Even if your abilities are sealed, your understanding and control of water are stronger than anyone else’s.
We need clean water sources and your expertise to handle various situations.”
Furina was slightly stunned.
Her lips moved, but no words came out as her pride was subtly touched.
Kagashi then looked at Misaka Mikoto:
“You are the Railgun, a Level 5 esper.
Even if you can only release a weak current now, it’s still electricity.
In this world without power, your ability is our light and our weapon.”
Misaka Mikoto frowned, appearing as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent, shifting her stance uncomfortably in her tight white gear.
“And you, Yoshino.” Kagashi’s voice softened slightly: “Although your ice abilities are weak, at critical moments, freezing the ground or creating obstacles can save lives.
Besides…” He smiled.
“You are much braver than you think.”
Yoshino poked half her head out from behind Roxy.
Her eyes were red, but she nodded vigorously.
“Roxy.” Kagashi finally looked at the gentle mage.
“You are the most experienced person here.
You’ve traveled to many places and seen much of the world.
Your composure and judgment are what we need most.”
Roxy sighed softly.
The bewilderment in her eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by a touch of determination.
“So,” Kagashi extended his hand, palm upward, stopping in the middle of them.
“Explore this world with me.
Let’s survive together.”
The carriage fell silent for a few seconds.
The cold wind continued to pour in from the door, making the makeshift plastic aprons flap softly.
Then—Furina was the first to reach out, her hand gently resting on the back of Kagashi’s hand.
“Honestly,” she turned her head away, the tips of her ears flushing red, “for a rather shameless Train Conductor, you certainly talk a good game.”
Misaka Mikoto was the second.
She strapped her hand heavily onto the back of Furina’s, the force making Furina hiss in pain.
“Don’t get the wrong idea, it’s not like I believe in you,” Misaka Mikoto glared at Kagashi.
“It’s just that you’re right; one person really can’t do it.”
“I…
I also…” Yoshino timidly reached out her small hand, placing it gently on top, her voice as faint as a mosquito, “I’ll work hard.”
Roxy was the last.
She smiled gently and covered Yoshino’s hand with her own.
“Since we’re already here, let’s walk this path together.”
Five hands were stacked together.
Kagashi felt the warmth and slight trembling of their palms, and an indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.
“Good,” he said.
“Then let’s head out.”
After those words, it seemed like their mutual trust and connection had increased significantly.
[Remaining stop time: 11 hours 52 minutes]
Kagashi cleared his throat and turned toward the door.
“Let’s go.”
The four girls followed behind him, filing out one by one into the dim environment.
Collapsed buildings, dead trees, and rusted vehicle wreckage looked like twisted sculptures under the pale moonlight.
Yoshino followed Roxy closely, her small face pale, but she bit her lip and didn’t make a sound.
The moment Kagashi stepped onto the ground, his gaze fell on a clump of withered yellow weeds.
He instinctively bent down and pulled a handful.
[Dry Grass ×1, stored in system inventory.]
A line of small text appeared before his eyes.
Kagashi was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up.
“What’s wrong?” Furina leaned in.
“You guys try it, pull some grass,” Kagashi pointed to the withered grass on the ground.
Furina crouched down skeptically, her slender fingers pinching a clump of withered grass, and gave it a light tug.
[Dry Grass ×1, stored in system inventory.]
The same prompt appeared before her eyes.
“Oh my god!” Furina exclaimed, “This interface is way too convenient!”
Misaka Mikoto tried it too, pulling up a clump of withered grass, and sure enough, she received a system prompt as well.
“Collecting supplies like this is certainly easy,” Roxy smiled gently and pulled a few stalks of grass herself.
“No need to carry or haul anything; it goes straight into the inventory storage.”
Yoshino timidly pulled a small handful, and after seeing the prompt, a rare smile appeared on her small face.
“Biomass is good, but what can Dry Grass be used for?” Misaka Mikoto frowned.
“Starting fires?
Keeping warm?”
“Both are possible.” Kagashi stood up and brushed the dust off his hands.
“Let’s collect it for now; it’ll be useful eventually.”
The group walked along the community’s main road, collecting withered grass and scattered dry branches along the way.
Kagashi walked up to a small tree that looked like it had recently died.
The trunk was only as thick as an arm and was completely dried out.
He clenched his fist, and the power of the Ox Talisman surged into his arm.
He struck with his palm.
Crack!
The tree trunk snapped as expected, breaking cleanly into several pieces under his immense strength.
[Wood ×10, stored in system inventory.]
“We’ve got Wood now,” Kagashi nodded with satisfaction.
“That strength of yours is just cheating,” Furina looked at him enviously, adjusting her makeshift waist sash.
“If we had to chop trees ourselves with no tools, it would probably take us ages.”
“So you guys handle collecting the lighter, loose resources,” Kagashi smiled.
“I’ll take care of the heavy labor.”
The group continued deeper into the community.
But soon, they discovered a problem.
Almost everything in this urban community had rotted away over time.
Misaka Mikoto casually touched an iron railing by the roadside.
With a clatter, it crumbled into a pile of useless rust.
It couldn’t be collected into the inventory slot at all.
It seemed only specific natural materials could be gathered easily.
This was likely a benefit of the novice protection period, but it also limited what could be harvested.
Furina tried to knock a piece of concrete off a collapsed wall, but the system didn’t react.
It wasn’t recognized as proper stone.
“It looks like we’ll have to find natural stone resources,” Kagashi shook his head.
“Processed concrete doesn’t count for the upgrade blueprint.”
Misaka Mikoto dug out a few pebbles from an abandoned decorative flower bed.
[Stone ×1, stored in system inventory.]
“This works!” She held up the pebble in her hand, a hint of pride breaking through her tsundere expression.
The group continued to circle the old community, sorting through the remnants as they searched for the necessary materials.