Apocalypse: I Built the Infinite Train-Chapter 180: Complete Devouring
“So that’s how it is… what about the 1130?”
Lin Xian slotted in the blueprint for the 1130 CIWS.
Ding!
This time, the R&D Center lit up again. But unlike the red glow from before, this time it was yellow.
【This blueprint is high-tier. Current Mechanical Manufacturing Level: 3. Development time increased by 25%.】
【Please select development focus for this weapon:】
【Firepower】 (15 days 18 hours)
【Mobility】 (11 days 22 hours)
【Precision】 (12 days 09 hours)
“Not bad. If I hit Mechanical Manufacturing Level 4, this thing would only take around 10 days to finish.”
Feeling more confident, Lin Xian didn’t dwell on it too long and turned his focus back to upgrading the sniper rifle. But this time, instead of picking Firepower, he chose Mobility.
“This rifle’s still too big for Ms. Chen. If I can boost its mobility, it’ll be more suitable for her.”
He wasn’t too worried about the upgraded firepower. What mattered most was making it better suited for Chen Sixuan. Now that she was part of the combat team, Lin Xian couldn’t help but worry for her safety.
【Notice: Blueprint upgrade for A33K Heavy Anti-Material Sniper Rifle in progress. Time remaining: 3 days, 11:59:59】
“Let it cook.”
Lin Xian exhaled and didn’t waste any more time. He turned to devour the head of the nearby intercity train.
【Devour progress: 1%】
He checked the speed. This intercity locomotive wasn’t on the same level as the Huanxing 7F Electric Locomotive in terms of output or size. He figured it would take 2–3 hours per unit—he could probably get them all done before sunrise.
Time ticked by.
【Devour progress: 30%】
【Devour progress: 60%】
【Devour complete. Mechanical Source Points +300, Mechanical Devouring Skill Proficiency +100. Bonus: Strength +10, Speed +5, Defense +10!】
Two hours later, the prompt popped up. The locomotive’s head disintegrated into gray ash. The ground under his feet gave out, and Lin Xian quickly tightened his grip on the sleeping KIKI as they dropped onto the rails below through the haze of smoke and dust.
“Mmm~”
The girl stirred in his arms, barely waking, letting out a soft little sound. She squirmed a bit, nuzzled her cheek against Lin Xian’s shoulder, and fell right back to sleep.
This little brat... even the way she slept was unique.
She leaned toward him, face nestled against his neck, her soft lips parting slightly as warm breath brushed his skin, giving him a subtle, tingling sensation.
Seeing that, Lin Xian’s heartbeat kicked up a notch. Before he realized it, something came over him—and he dipped his head, kissing those sweet lips.
Her lips were soft and fragrant, and to his surprise, KIKI—still seemingly asleep—responded. She let out a sleepy hum and parted her lips slightly.
Her unconscious response lit a fire in Lin Xian’s chest. Heat surged from his chest to his lower belly, and he quickly pulled away, forcibly pushing down the rising urge.
D**n… wasn’t I just devouring train engines? Why the hell am I kissing her now…?
He glanced down again and found KIKI still asleep like nothing happened. It really seemed like it had been pure instinct on her part.
Desperate for a distraction, he opened his system panel and let out a breath.
“Ugh… even with these trains, each one only gives 300 Mechanical Source Points now. To hit Level 4, I’ll need to eat at least sixteen of these…”
Now that he was at Level 3, the yield had dropped again. That Huanxing 7F Electric Locomotive, which used to give 500 points, probably only gave around 400 now.
“Quality’s hitting a limit, gotta rely on quantity.”
But that 100 points of skill proficiency per devour was solid. If he could level up Mechanical Devour to Level 4, and with more daylight hours now, he could keep grinding bigger machines for more boosts.
…
Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.
All night long, the responder stayed silent. The creepy, pitch-black freight platform remained dead still, with only a bone-deep chill filling the air. Nothing else happened.
Lin Xian stayed on high alert while continuing to devour train engines. By the time 6 a.m. rolled around, the sky above Yuzhen’s freight platform was still dark, but most of the locomotives along the tracks had already been consumed by the Infinite Train.
Two freight locomotives, plus the head of a chemical tanker—three engines in total, along with several carriages—all devoured by Lin Xian.
It nearly drained him dry. If he didn’t have a soft, powerful little “koala” clinging to him the whole time, there’s no way he could’ve pushed through.
【Devour complete. Mechanical Source Points +320, Mechanical Devouring Skill Proficiency +100. Bonus: Strength +20, Speed +15, Defense +8!】
【Devour complete. Mechanical Source Points +280, Mechanical Devouring Skill Proficiency +100. Bonus: Strength +15, Speed +12, Defense +15!】
【Devour complete. Mechanical Source Points +330, Mechanical Devouring Skill Proficiency +100. Bonus: Strength +13, Speed +15, Defense +13!】
【Devour complete. Mechanical Source Points +15, Mechanical Devouring Skill Proficiency +5. Bonus: Strength +2】
【Devour complete. Mechanical Source Points +13, Mechanical Devouring Skill Proficiency +5. Bonus: Defense +1】
【Dismantle results: Acquired High-Manganese Steel ×500, Hot-Rolled Forged Steel ×500, Cold-Rolled Dual-Phase Steel Plate ×250, Ordinary Carbon Steel ×1200, Non-Metallic Foam Material, Non-Metallic Composite Materials...】
【Dismantle results: Acquired Glass, Plastic, Iron, Aluminum, Copper, Semiconductor Components, Crystal Transistor, Diode, Field-Effect Transistor, Integrated Circuit, Resistor, Capacitor, Inductor, Circuit Boards…】
Three train heads and over a dozen carriages—altogether, Lin Xian gained 1,155 Mechanical Source Points and 375 Mechanical Devouring proficiency.
On top of that, his attributes increased by 55 points of Strength, 50 points of Speed, and 41 points of Defense.
The Fabrication Center also harvested a massive amount of metal materials, including high-grade steel.
An absolute jackpot!
【Current Mechanical Heart – Level 3 (1720/5000)】
Strength Level: 3【85%】(300kg burst force)
Speed Level: 2【90%】(Max speed: 13 m/s)
Defense Level: 2【67%】(Ironbone class)
【Mechanical Awakening: Mechanic】
【Awakening Skills: R&D Center, Fabrication Plant】
Mechanical Devour: Level 3 (841/1000) – Boosts devour efficiency
Mechanical Manufacturing: Level 3 (260/1000) – Boosts build speed
Mechanical Passives: Scan / Repair / Dismantle
【Special Skills】
Wind Cannon (Normal) – Level 3 (Maxed)
Ice Shield (Normal) – Level 2【09%】
Backlash (Rare) – Level 1【30%】
Power Surge (Rare) – Level 1【23%】
【Notice: A33K Heavy Anti-Material Sniper Rifle blueprint upgrade in progress. Time remaining: 3 days, 5:49:55】
The sun still hadn’t risen. Exhausted, Lin Xian opened the cockpit hatch and headed back into the train, planning to put KIKI back in bed. But the girl was clinging to him like a sloth, completely dead to the world.
With no choice, he bent down and laid her on the bed, gently unhooking her legs from his waist. But she was gripping his neck tightly. After a bit of a struggle, he gave in and planted another kiss on her lips before slipping away.
Still asleep, KIKI subconsciously licked her lips and turned over.
Lin Xian sighed, a little guilty. His waist ached from carrying her all night, and his chest was still warm where she’d rested.
Back in Carriage No. 1—now a polished, first-class sleeper car, with its own bedroom thanks to Chen Sixuan’s cleaning efforts—he pushed the door open.
Chen Sixuan stirred at the noise and sat up. “Lin Xian… is it morning already? You sleep. I’ll take over the watch.”
Warmth filled his chest. He walked over and slipped into the covers, wrapping her soft body into his arms.
“It's not just the two of us anymore,” he said, eyes closed. “Let them take watch for a while.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Then… you should go take a shower. We’ve got a bathroom now, and you really need one.”
Bathing was a total luxury in the apocalypse. But now that the Infinite Train had a water purification system, their basic needs were finally covered.
“And also… I’m not… you know.”
Her heart was pounding. She thought Lin Xian wanted to take things further, so she mustered her courage to say what was on her mind.
But there was no response.
She turned—and saw Lin Xian, completely passed out.
Her jaw dropped. Then she puffed out her cheeks and muttered, “You don’t have to… I’d be okay even if you—”
“…Mm?”
Seriously asleep?
Chen Sixuan bit her lip, shot him a glare, then softened. Her fingers brushed his hair as she gently pulled him into her arms. The restless heat in her chest slowly eased as she joined him in sleep.
