Some say the twelve calamities are a potent catalyst for evolution.
Of course, some claim there are sixteen.
The zealots of the Mechanical God Cult always preach that the omnipresent energy is from Pandora's Box, selected Evolvers favored by the gods, and machines are the arks for human flesh.
Those who dabble in the forbidden curse this notion, proclaiming the decay of steel and the celebration of flesh.
But for an ordinary person like Su Huan amidst the apocalypse, it's a spine-chilling slaughter.
He spent a month escaping the high temperatures but took three years to barely flee the acid rain.
Yet, before he could catch his breath, he was engulfed by a following flood.
He still vividly remembers the burning sensation of his skin and flesh being eroded by the rising floodwaters.
The rainwater poured into his nasal cavity, the stinging enveloped every nerve, with no place to hide, no escape from despair.
But he was luckier than most; he was reborn.
Unfortunately, if plans are not carefully devised, he might experience it again.
According to Su Huan's predictions, his armed train must reach the third phase to barely qualify for self-preservation.
Phase one: Relatively solid physical defenses, freshwater circulation, material reserves, a small cohesive team, abundant labor force.
Phase two: Multi-disaster defensive systems, dual cycles of freshwater and food, simple weapon systems, Evolver squads, a class-defined train society.
Phase three: Dynamic defensive systems, resource-recycling systems, energy-recovery systems, powerful weapon systems, initial research capabilities, Evolver teams, train society.
He not only has to survive but must seize resources and talent in advance using memories from his past life amidst these disasters.
Only then can he create a snowball effect, making the armed train an apocalyptic powerhouse like Deep Blue Data.
So his time is very tight, and he has always tried to avoid the train entering the city.
He was unwilling to waste time on those about to be eliminated.
But the current conflict seems inevitable.
As the sun set, darkness swallowed the carriage, only Su Huan's position was faintly lit.
"I hope they are smart enough to accept my deal."
He took out his personal journal and pulled a black pen from the pen holder on the table, first drawing a calendar on the journal and then crossing out the numbers one by one.
The rustling of the pen sounded like a sharp knife, swift and decisive.
...
04:15 AM.
Su Huan slowly opened his eyes, not turning on the light, but waited for his eyes to adapt to the darkness before quietly sitting up in bed.
He lifted a corner of the curtain, staring intently out the window.
Faint mist seeped through the window gaps, countless invisible raindrops passing through the explosion-proof net, hitting the inner steel plate.
Last time, the window by his bed was smashed, but having nothing to replace it with, he left it open, welding an openable steel plate on the inner layer.
The steel plate had two modes: fully open or pulled into a shutter-like form, facilitating internal observation of the outside.
With the steel plate and explosion-proof net, nothing could get in.
Once capable, he thought of adding a piece of tempered glass.
After a long observation, Su Huan detected no pungent smells or strange noises.
Only then did he cautiously open the steel plate, extending his hand outside.
The humid and oppressive air rushed into the carriage, even the rain carrying a slight warmth.
Feeling the dampness on his palm, Su Huan brought it to his nose, relaxing only after confirming it was ordinary rainwater.
A surge of high temperature emanated from his hand, instantly evaporating the raindrops.
He stood by the window for ten minutes before closing the steel plate, as if the boundless night held an irresistible allure for him.
Silently opening the door, Su Huan walked quietly along the corridor, moving from the front of the train to carriage 7, standing for about five minutes in each section to cover all corners with his perception.
Including Qi Xiaobai and others' compartments.
Of course, he wasn't checking their sleep quality; it was just a way to rule out potential threats.
He disliked unknown elements on his train.
Suddenly, some subtle changes outside the train caught his attention.
At precisely 05:00, he decided to write in his journal first.
"December 20th, early winter, 29°C—"
"The train conductor always worries endlessly"
—— "Train Conductor's Log"
...
The train lay silently on the tracks, a few electric cars stopped on the road from the water plant direction.
Several individuals armed with long knives and sticks got out, nervously treading on the muddy ground, approaching the train.
If it weren't for the clouds obscuring the moonlight, one could see the security uniforms these people wore.
"Damn it, it's raining," the leader, a man with upturned eyes, a high nose, and a somewhat sinister look, said.
"If we can take this train down, we won't have to get wet ever again."
A rough-looking man beside him spoke.
It was none other than Brother Dog, who narrowly survived last night!
"If you manage to take it down, Brother Dog, you'd be my sworn brother, but if not…" the man with upturned eyes sneered insincerely, leaving the rest unsaid.
Brother Dog's face darkened, but he didn't retort.
Little Devil died, and five of his brothers perished in one night!
Those he used to bully now looked at him as if they wanted to devour him.
Without this group of brothers, he didn't dare close his eyes on the train.
So he decided to go all out and not return.
But thinking of Su Huan's armed train, he felt unwilling. A movable, well-supplied fortress that could withstand zombie hordes was an apocalyptic paradise.
He chose to gamble and contacted Starry Property at the water plant, cooperating with them.
He would lead the way, and they would provide manpower, seizing the armed train under the cover of night!
Their boss was not only an Evolver but also had guns.
With Gao Zhe's assistance inside, he couldn't believe they wouldn't take down Su Huan.
"As long as you can open the door, we'll definitely be brothers," Brother Dog whispered.
"Lao San, I'm talking to you!"
The man with upturned eyes turned to a sly, rat-faced man carrying a baton, wearing a security cap slanted, who quickly stepped forward at the sound.
First, he glanced at Brother Dog, then grinned, "My lock-picking skills, Boss Hu, you still don't know? Even the Wang Family's wife changed six door locks, and I got in every time."
The man with upturned eyes looked pleased at his brother's confidence, "Don't brag big, or I'll tear you to pieces!"
"Hey, isn't that it up ahead?"
The rat-faced man pointed to the steel dragon on the track in front.
The group looked up, seeing the nearly five-meter-high train silhouette looming through the rain, the black-steel armor exuding a formidable presence.
Just looking at it brought a spontaneous sense of security.
The man with upturned eyes beamed, "Good stuff, it's really good stuff!"