Year 1 of the Resurrection, January 18. In the market of Carriage Ten.
"What is an energy crystal? It's worth ten star coins?"
"Crazy! Ten star coins could buy twenty pounds of premium meat."
"It's probably a scam. No one would actually buy it."
Indeed, all ten carriages had heard about the new product in the market, but everyone was hesitant, unwilling to make a purchase. Damian gave no hints, leaving them to judge for themselves. Watching the passengers' reactions during his boredom had become a source of amusement for him, and he was growing fond of this sense of superiority.
He noticed Lilith seemed eager to try, but her classmate Elena stopped her. "Don't waste it. Ten star coins could sustain us for a long time."
Lilith's eyes lit up. "But the train never sells junk. Energy crystals must have a special purpose. What if they make you never feel hungry again?"
Elena glared at her. "If there were such a magical pill, it'd be worth a thousand star coins. Don't forget, we're still in debt from our loans."
Elena's words dissuaded many curious onlookers. Loans had limits, and no one knew what would happen once those limits were reached.
Just then, a scrawny teenager pushed through the crowd, his face cold as he walked up to the shelf and deftly purchased an energy crystal.
"Hey, someone's buying an energy crystal!" A crowd gathered to watch, wondering what use the crystal could have.
The boy took the crystal from its case and examined it curiously. He didn't know what it was for—he just felt numb to life and acted on impulse, ready to die young and escape early since his situation couldn't worsen.
"Kid, do you know what it does?" A bald man leaned in, keeping his distance as if afraid the crystal might explode.
The boy ignored him, focusing on the icy sensation in his palm. No other effects followed.
"Oh no, look! The crystal's melting!"
The liquefied crystal seeped into the boy's body, turning his arm's veins a vivid blue. Gasps erupted, and wild theories spread.
"Maybe it's a radioactive mineral. He's being irradiated!"
"Or a particle weapon. He triggered it, and it's entering his body!"
"Could it be miniature nuclear fusion? That blue glow matches fusion reactions…"
The last comment sent the crowd fleeing in panic.
Lilith and her friends stayed. As students, they doubted it was nuclear fusion but couldn't explain the strange substance's effect.
Suddenly, the boy's face twisted in pain, his entire body glowing blue. He sucked in air, gritting his teeth against the searing pain without crying out.
"He's triggering a reaction! It'll explode!"
Some self-proclaimed expert began spouting conjectures, spreading terror as people jammed the exit, screaming and cursing. Fights broke out, drawing the guards' attention.
"Lilith, it won't really explode, right?" Wilson sounded terrified.
Lilith asked, "What's your major?"
"Nuclear physics. You knew that."
"Exactly! Even I, a sports student, know better. How can you believe this?"
Wilson chuckled. "I sleep in class and hit on girls. I haven't even read half of the nuclear physics textbook since start of term."
Kairo added, "I vouch for that. He's a slacker. Ow, stop kicking me!"
Their jokes aside, Elena urged them to focus on the boy, who stopped writhing and regained color in his pale face. His body radiated a strange strength. He clenched his fists, the crunch of knuckles echoing through the market.
"How do you feel?" someone yelled.
The boy looked dazed. "I think… I'm stronger." Once frail, his arms bulged with muscle, his height surged by four centimeters. His transformation was shocking.
Suddenly, the train's voice boomed:
[The first transcendent passenger has emerged. The Transcendence Leaderboard is unlocked.]
[The guild system, quest system, and ship rental system are now active.]
[The market now sells advanced weapons. Only transcendents may purchase.]
Shelves materialized with sci-fi guns and blades. Lilith tried to buy a bronze-alloy sword priced at fifty star coins but balked. "Daylight robbery!"
A K3 kinetic pistol cost five star coins. "Why are swords pricier than guns?" She tried purchasing but lacked permission.
The train issued more prompts:
[Only transcendents may form guilds. No member limit yet.]
[Only transcendents may accept quests for star coins or rare items.]
[Only transcendents may rent ships to explore off-train. The train claims 30% of collected resources.]
[Transcendents may visit other carriages but can't stay long.]
[Transcendents may petition the Train Master for rewards.]
Silence gripped the carriages before erupting into chaos.
"Transcendents get all this power?"
"We can rent ships to land on alien planets! Find rare resources, pay off loans, get rich…" Many fantasized, faces flushed.
"But first, you need to ascend."
"Ascend via energy crystals."
"No downsides! Why not?"
Passengers rushed the market, fearing the crystals would sell out. Lilith became the second transcendent, topping the leaderboard. Every new name sparked tension across carriages. However, few absorbed crystals instantly; most took hours to a day to ascend.
An hour later, the train announced the first guild: Nightfall, led by Orion, the initial transcendent. Soon, Lilith's Science guild followed, then Cedric's Dominion and Jace's Hope.
"How do we rent ships?"
"The train must stop first!"
"Science guild recruiting! All welcome!"
Lilith, resourceful, registered her guild and advertised in Carriage Ten. Guild registration cost one hundred star coins, deterring most. Instead, they joined existing guilds. Top guilds grew rapidly, but Orion's Nightfall remained exclusive, its leader aloof.