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Both of us saw it at the same time—a pale creature with grayish skin sprinting toward us at an unnervingly steady pace. At first glance, it almost looked as if it carried a cane, but as it drew closer, we realized it was one of its grotesquely elongated limbs dragging along the ground.
It was over three meters tall.
Its body was unnaturally thin, stretched like sinew pulled too tight over brittle bones. Its arms were absurdly long, hanging nearly to the ground, ending in enormous claws curved like sickles. Each talon scraped sparks from the rails as it ran. Its face—if that distorted horror could be called a face—was dominated by a massive red maw. The lips were peeled back entirely, exposing layers of flesh and muscle around its jaws. Thousands of needle-like teeth overlapped inside its mouth, shifting as if alive, grinding against one another with a wet clicking sound.
And it was smiling.
I gathered what chakra I could and hurled a fireball at it. The flames burst against its torso, briefly engulfing it in orange light and black smoke, slowing it just enough.
"Now!"
Lin Xian dashed inside and commanded the rear door to close. The heavy reinforced steel hatch began to descend with a mechanical hiss. For a moment, I thought we had made it—
A pale hand shot forward.
Claws dug into the narrowing gap and forced the door back open with terrifying strength. Metal shrieked in protest as the creature wedged its arm inside. Its body was dragged by the speeding train, legs scraping violently along the tracks, yet it refused to let go.
Chen Sixuan fired a concentrated air cannon directly at its face. The compressed blast struck with enough force to shatter concrete—
—but it did nothing.
I charged forward and swung my machete with everything I had, striking its arm. The blade bit in slightly, carving through gray flesh. A thick, dark fluid seeped out, hissing faintly against the metal floor.
When I yanked the blade free, I felt it.
Cracks.
Fine fractures spidered along the edge of my weapon. It wouldn't hold much longer.
The creature shifted its weight, and the entire train lurched violently. The rear car swayed from side to side. Exhaustion hit me all at once—my legs buckled, and I nearly fell, catching myself against Lin Xian.
We both knew.
If this continued, the train would derail.
And we would die.
With the last of my chakra, I launched another fireball. The creature let out a harsh screech—high-pitched, grating—but it still didn't release its grip. Instead, with its free arm dragging against the tracks, it lashed out. I barely dodged backward as its claws tore into the rear of the train, carving deep gouges into the armored plating. Metal peeled back like paper.
"Dammit, I'm already exhausted. I can't use my abilities anymore. We need to find a way to make this thing let go."
Chen Sixuan shouted that there was a curve ahead.
I turned sharply. "Slow down. If we take the curve at full speed with that thing stuck to the back, the drag will derail the train."
His eyes widened in realization. He immediately reduced speed. The deceleration gave the creature more leverage—it attacked the rear again and again, each strike leaving deeper scars in the armor. Hydraulic joints began leaking fluid, smoke rising from overheated mechanisms.
We passed the curve.
Then he accelerated again.
"I have an idea. Prepare your air cannon—maximum power."
He nodded without hesitation.
I stood, bracing myself against the shaking floor, lowering my center of gravity to keep balance.
Perhaps sensing our pause in attacks, the monster grew frantic. It emitted strange, guttural sounds—half growl, half metallic screech. It began tearing at the rear door, which now rattled violently in its frame. Smoke poured from its hinges. The hydraulic systems were failing.
This was our chance.
When the creature turned its distorted face toward us again, its one visible eye glinting with feral hunger, I twisted my body into a throwing stance.
I hurled my machete with everything I had left.
The instant it left my hand, Chen Sixuan unleashed his air cannon.
The compressed blast struck the back of the machete mid-flight, propelling it forward with terrifying speed. The weapon became a streak of steel.
It pierced directly into the creature's right eye.
The blade sank in up to the hilt, the base slamming against its face with a sickening crack.
"Ahrrhhh—!"
The creature released a roar that was either rage or agony—I couldn't tell which. Its claws spasmed. Finally, it lost its grip.
Its body tumbled backward onto the rails, vanishing beneath the thunder of the train as we surged forward, gaining distance.
Slowly, the damaged rear door began to rise, groaning as it shut completely. Deep claw marks covered its entire surface.
Through the small rear window, we saw it.
The creature stood in the distance, one eye dark and ruined, its silhouette twisted against the dim horizon. It watched us, letting out a low, vibrating snarl—
Then it disappeared into the darkness.
No more sound followed.
"Shit… we survived that. Huff."
I slid down against the wall of the carriage, utterly drained. My muscles trembled, and staying conscious felt like fighting another battle.
Chen Sixuan approached the now-closed door and ran his fingers along the claw marks.
"These gouges are fifteen centimeters deep. And it wasn't even trying to pierce through. It could've opened this like a tin can."
"What, are you scared? Weren't you the one who designed the Infinite Train to survive the darkness? And you're already afraid before we even enter the Polar Night?"
A faint mocking smile tugged at my lips.
He didn't smile back.
"If that creature is out here—and it's not even the Polar Night yet—I can't stop thinking about what waits in it. How are we supposed to survive? If even something like that can practically tear through the armor…"
"Leave that for later. Focus on fixing the damage. I'm taking a quick nap. I feel like I went through a washing machine and then ran a marathon."
I handed him spare metal plates for repairs before heading toward our camp carriage. My body screamed for rest.
Inside my tent, I collapsed onto the mat, closing my eyes.
I needed to recover at least a little chakra.
Because deep down—
I had the sinking feeling that this was only the beginning.
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