First Class Through the Apocalypse

Chapter 004

Then Caleb Mercer focused his attention on the computer screen in front of him. Three new buttons had appeared on the interface, which included a train upgrade button, a World Region button, and a build button. Since he was the only one who could control these functions, the train could not operate without him. He tentatively clicked the train upgrade button to see what would happen. However, a large exclamation mark popped up on the screen.

[To upgrade the train, please prepare the following materials: level-one blueprint, 100 stones, 100 iron blocks, and 50 pieces of wood.]

"A level-one blueprint?" Caleb muttered in complete confusion. "What in the world is that?"

Sylvia Hale stood beside him and offered a guess. "Could it be something we need to find after the train stops?"

"I have no idea," Caleb said, shrugging helplessly before opening the World Channel.

Messages flew across the screen rapidly, showing that everyone was in disbelief about being forced into a wilderness survival game.

"Help me!" one message read. "Why did I get thrown into a carriage full of men? I am so scared."

"You do not know how lucky you are," another user replied. "My entire carriage is full of women, which is incredibly boring."

"Come take my place if you think it is so great, sister! I really cannot take this anymore!"

"Can anyone tell me how to get these blueprints?"

"Does anyone have food? I have not eaten all day and got dragged to this hellhole. If any kind soul gives me something to eat, I will give you my worn black stockings as a reward, kisses!"

Caleb watched the chat for a long time without finding any useful information. Most people were just as utterly confused as he was, having no idea what was happening. He rested his chin in his hand and muttered to himself. They were currently within a three-day novice protection period, meaning the train was safe, but he wondered about the outside world. Whether they wanted to upgrade the train, gather food, or build a shelter, they needed to collect resources. Setting everything else aside, they absolutely had to build a bathroom. He highly doubted anyone wanted to relieve themselves in front of a crowd.

Shaking his head, Caleb glanced at the time displayed on the computer, which read 6:45. He looked out the window and saw that the landscape remained completely desolate. However, they would reach the station in fifteen minutes, which was where the train was scheduled to stop. Caleb turned around and tried to look at the girls with a serious expression. He quickly realized that being serious was impossible, as the stunning sight before him completely destroyed any desire to be professional.

He coughed awkwardly and addressed the group. "We have fifteen minutes until the train stops at the station. The survival rules stated that the station will have dangers, but it will also have the essential supplies we need to scavenge. Therefore, I will be getting off the train to look for supplies. Do any of you want to come with me?"

"Me!" one girl shouted. "I will go!"

"I want to go too!" another chimed in.

"Pick me! I can heal people!"

Hearing that they could leave the train, many of the girls who had been holding it in eagerly raised their hands. They showed absolutely no fear of the unknown, vibrating instead with intense excitement.

Caleb spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "Listen closely, everyone, because we are trying to survive, not going on a field trip. It is not safe out there."

The girls looked at each other, their faces revealing a hint of conflict.

Stella Lane blushed and mumbled softly, clutching her lower abdomen with both hands. Her legs were visibly trembling, making it obvious that she could barely hold it in any longer. "Um, Caleb, I really need to use the bathroom."

Hearing this, Caleb paused for a moment before finally realizing what was going on. They were all so eager to get off the train simply because they needed to relieve themselves.

"Well," Caleb offered awkwardly. "I can keep an eye on you while you go to the bathroom."

The moment those words left his mouth, the entire carriage fell dead silent. The girls stared at him with expressions of pure shock and disbelief. They could not believe he wanted to watch them use the bathroom. What an absolute pervert!

Realizing his poor choice of words, Caleb quickly corrected himself. "I mean that you should not wander too far from me later, otherwise I will not be able to protect you. I have absolutely no intention of watching you use the bathroom."

"Oh, okay," the girls murmured, finally letting out a collective sigh of relief.

"Let me make this clear," Caleb said, scanning the room with a serious tone. "I might have to go deep into the town later, so I can only take a maximum of two people with me. Who wants to go deep into the town with me?"

This time, no one fought for the spots. Sylvia took a step forward and volunteered. "Let me go with you, Caleb."

Caleb nodded in agreement before asking his question. "By the way, Ms. Hale, what kind of ability did you awaken?"

"Mine is essentially a luck-based ability," she explained.

"A luck-based ability?" the crowd echoed in confusion. "What does that mean, Ms. Hale?"

"It means I have a ten percent chance of obtaining rare items whenever I open a mystery box."

"Wow! You would be rich if you played scratch-off tickets!"

"Where are you going to find scratch-off tickets in this world?"

"Putting it that way, this ability seems pretty useless right now."

"Do not say that," Caleb said, clapping his hands to get their attention. "Since Ms. Hale awakened this ability, it definitely has its own specific uses. Now that Ms. Hale is coming with me, who wants to take the final spot?"

"I will do it!" Sophie Hale announced as she stepped forward, her five-foot-seven frame and incredibly long legs demanding attention. "Everyone is completely naked right now, and while we might be getting used to it, it is still not a good situation, especially with a certain someone around."

As she spoke, Sophie shot a pointed glance at Caleb's lower half before blushing and turning her head away. "Leaving everything exposed like this is highly inappropriate, and my ability allows me to make clothes. Therefore, I plan to go out and gather some materials."

"I support you, Sophie!"

"I support you too, Sophie!"

Hearing that she could make clothes, the rest of the girls immediately voiced their enthusiastic support. Caleb spread his hands helplessly, wondering where the basic trust between people had gone. What was so wrong with being completely honest and exposed with one another? Who were they even trying to guard against?

Just then, a series of broadcast announcements echoed through the train.

[The train has arrived at the station! This stop will last for eight hours. Please gather as many supplies as possible, as they will be crucial for your survival journey. Enjoy the game!]

As the voice faded, the train came to a steady halt in a dilapidated, desolate, and completely uninhabited wasteland town. The surroundings were incredibly quiet, making it seem like no living creature had visited in ages. The buildings resembled medieval European architecture, which was quite a rare sight. The train doors slowly hissed open, allowing a thick scent of decay to rush into the carriage.

The group lined up at the door, peering outside in a vertical stack. Jenna Cole was at the very bottom, followed by Stella Lane, then Sophie, Sylvia, and finally Caleb at the very top. They poked their heads out in a straight line, carefully observing their new environment. After a long time, the station outside remained completely silent and appeared to be perfectly safe.

"Ah! I cannot take it anymore! It is coming out!" Stella screamed as she bolted out of the train. Her legs were shaking violently, indicating that she had firmly reached her breaking point.

Seeing this, Caleb hurriedly climbed down from Sylvia's back and chased after her.