Kaidan Game Train: Abide Rule or Die!
Chapter 1188: Leaving Zone 014

Chapter 1188: Chapter 1188: Leaving Zone 014

As the incoming Minister of the Special Defense Department, Chief Ji indeed needed to greet Xu Huo and check on the progress of dungeon strategies.

Xu Huo provided strategies for two dungeons: "Hundred People Art Gallery" and "Sphinx’s Puzzle," one at Level E and the other at Level D.

Writing dungeon strategies requires detailing each step thoroughly, and it’s best to include the background and motivations as well. This helps determine the origin of the dungeon rating and serves as supplementary information for situations where following the strategy strictly is impossible, avoiding complete confusion for those attempting to clear it.

Xu Huo answered Nie Xuan and the others’ questions meticulously, mentioning in passing that the "Hundred People Art Gallery" had already been upgraded to a Level D Copy, along with some speculations about the art gallery director.

"Can this be considered an S-rank strategy?" Nie Xuan tapped the table. "You don’t even know the requirements to clear this Level D Copy. This won’t work."

"Don’t be so uptight," Xu Huo chuckled lazily, "This is one of the dungeons I’m more confident about. As for the other copies I’ve been to, either their venues were destroyed or they were upgraded. Even if I gave you the strategies, you wouldn’t be able to use them."

"I don’t believe you’ve never entered a decent dungeon." Nie Xuan stared at him seriously. "The Special Defense Department facilitated the treatment and even vouched for you on this matter. You should at least let them gain something in return. Otherwise, how are we supposed to interact in the future?"

The Special Defense Department could wait, but Xu Huo still appreciated Nie Xuan, so he leaned back in his chair and glanced at the seated Chief Ji behind him. "I heard the Special Defense Minister is being replaced. To celebrate our everlasting friendship, I can share one of my better strategies, but even if I say it, the possibility of replicating it entirely is extremely low. On the contrary, it might even become an obstacle to clearing the dungeon."

"We’ll judge whether it’s usable ourselves." Nie Xuan picked up a pen and signaled him to begin.

Xu Huo smiled subtly and shared details about the "Sea World" dungeon.

"Sea World" was the last Level D Copy he completed and also the first dungeon where he achieved an SS-rating. However, the dungeon was nearly impossible to replicate in its completion.

As expected, after hearing the details, Nie Xuan furrowed his brows deeply. "This is considered an S-rating as well?"

Xu Huo raised a finger and waved it slightly. "Double S Rating. It’s a hidden rating, harder to attain than an S-ranking. After completing this dungeon, I was promoted to Rank-C Player."

The room fell silent, and it wasn’t until a long time later that someone finally spoke: "SS-rating actually exists..."

"Human nature is extraordinarily complex. This has nothing to do with strength or weakness. Emotions are hard to acquire, and even more so under extreme circumstances. Making noble choices under such conditions is akin to stumbling upon them by luck," Xu Huo said. "If you want to clear dungeons using this method, you’re more likely to fall into a trap."

Nie Xuan had already devised his tactic. "We’ll bring a few more people in together. If we can’t get the SS- or S-rating, even Rank-A will suffice."

Xu Huo expressed indifference, getting up to take his leave.

Chief Ji approached him courteously, presenting a lavish gift prepared by the Special Defense Department. Although the matter regarding the attack on the Safe Zone of Country Y couldn’t be made public, the Special Defense Department still felt compelled to reward this kind of behavior.

The gift included one billion White Notes, along with several props and potions, special dry rations developed by the department, and some specially-packaged Zone 014 specialties. Xu Huo glanced briefly at the inscription on the packaging reading "The nation will always be your support," and silently stored them in his luggage compartment.

Chief Ji remarked with emotion, "Minister Fan is about to step down. This is the last batch of resources he approved to provide for external Players."

"Thanks to Minister Fan. Him stepping down is probably for the better," Xu Huo replied.

Chief Ji chuckled, originally intending to pat Xu Huo’s shoulder, but midway extended his hand back and instead opted for verbal blessing. "I hope your journey ahead will be smooth."

Xu Huo nodded to him and Nie Xuan, then used his ticket to leave Zone 014.

The train station was as bright as ever. Outside the transparent glass walls floated clouds that never seemed to move, while beneath the azure sky stretched a snow-covered plain.

Inside the station were only three or five Players, each picking their own spots to stay. They didn’t interact with one another, quietly waiting for the train.

Five minutes later, the train arrived at the platform, and the Players boarded one after another.

Xu Huo’s carriage was devoid of Players from the station. Inside, there were already ten Players, some of whom knew each other while others were seated apart. Xu Huo chose a window seat.

The female Player sitting across from him was watching a TV drama. She teared up as she watched, even loudly blowing her nose moments later, scattering crumpled tissues onto the floor.

The person next to her found it a bit disgusting and couldn’t help but say, "If you’re watching TV, just watch TV—do you have to make it so gross?"

"Sorry about that!" the female Player apologized repeatedly, promptly pulling out a trash bin and tidying up. She added, "I get so lost in the drama that I didn’t realize I made such a mess... Truly sorry for causing trouble."

Her repeated apologies left others with little more to say, and thus the day’s journey proceeded amidst her sobbing and occasional conversations among the Players.

During dinner, in a gesture of goodwill, the female Player treated everyone in the carriage to a cup of tea.

Players were free to do whatever they pleased within the carriage, and since she wasn’t really disturbing anyone, no one forced her to stop watching dramas.

"Don’t watch after lights out," someone cautioned, thinking she wasn’t very bright.

She smiled gently. "I understand the rules on the train."

As lights-out approached, she indeed put away her communicator. Gone was her teary and sentimental appearance, replaced by a solemn expression as she sat still.

During the day, Xu Huo, like most Players aboard the train, rested with his eyes closed. Only after lights were extinguished did activity on board begin.

To avoid attracting Aliens, Players refrained from making loud noises after the lights went out, though that didn’t entirely prevent deadly fights. Noise arose from the front and rear carriages, and in Xu Huo’s carriage, two Cannibal Players similarly couldn’t resist attacking others.

One of their targets was the female Player sitting across from Xu Huo.

This tearful woman wasn’t as fragile as she appeared. When one Cannibal Player attempted to ambush her from behind, she gracefully leapt into the air, almost as if she had no weight, and landed silently behind her attacker. In one swipe, the player’s defense prop fell away. In another, his arm went numb.

Realizing she was dangerous, the Cannibal Player immediately tried to retreat, but the eerily quiet female Player seemed glued to him, shadowing his every move. She followed him closely until he reached the carriage’s rear door, blocking him from opening it just as he tried to leave.

Xu Huo noticed that as her toe glided over the Cannibal Player’s ankle, his leg suddenly went limp, forcing him to kneel. In the next instant, white silk appeared out of nowhere, wrapping him up tightly like a cocoon.