Chapter 98: Tunnel (Chapter 2, Requesting Monthly Votes)

When Ding Junyi spoke, the other three instantly paled, and the air grew cold.

As if in response, no sooner had she finished speaking than Lin Xian’s voice came through the answering machine.

“We can come rescue you—please open the GF2 tunnel gate.”

Upon hearing this, the lab personnel sprang to their feet, their gazes eager, joy evident on every face.

“They agreed! We’re saved!!”

“Ding Director was right all along…” Xu Wen said, his face grim.

“Thank goodness Ding Director stopped you—otherwise you’d have caused trouble,” Zhao Yan glared at Xu Wen, though even she couldn’t hide her excitement.

Ding Junyi’s expression remained blank; she had no time to argue with them, and immediately operated the system to open the gate to the underground tunnel, while speaking into the communicator:

“The lower tunnel is 31,650 meters long with a 59.5‰ gradient. Backup power is insufficient to support the electromagnetic braking system, so you must maintain speed under 20 km/h and monitor the brake shoe thermal load. Although the 127 surveillance sensors in the tunnel report no anomalies, we recommend turning on your lights and proceeding with caution.”

In the GF2 platform, the “Infinite” slowly accelerated; the lower tunnel gate ahead opened. Lin Xian and Chen Sixuan stood in the cockpit, listening to Ding Junyi’s words with serious expressions.

“You’re Ding Junyi, right?” Lin Xian said, operating the train while pressing the intercom.

“Yes.”

“This is the ‘Infinite.’ I’m the train captain, Lin Xian.”

“Mr. Lin, hello.”

“Where exactly did you detect the underground creatures?” Lin Xian asked.

“Level 106. Currently, all levels below 100 are undeveloped zones. Elevator 3 originally reached level 95, but communication has been lost below level 89. You should stop at the Level 65 Class-4 freight terminal platform. After that, you can load all supplies directly into the train via Elevator 3.”

“Understood. Where exactly on Level 52 are you?”

“Zone F13. When you exit the elevator, you’ll be in Zone K2. There are plenty of zombies outside the corridor, and there’s a zone map. Once you enter the elevator, I’ll activate the video feed and guide you step by step. The distance is roughly 1.9 kilometers.”

“Got it.”

The instructions were clear. Lin Xian told Chen Sixuan to secure herself in the driver’s seat, then steered the “Infinite” into the dark lower tunnel, beginning its descent into the earth.

Shhhhh~ shhh~

As the train entered the tunnel, it began to glide downward, wheels humming. Ahead, the track stretched endlessly into darkness. As the train spiraled deeper, everyone aboard felt a dull ache in their eardrums.

“Hold on tight!”

Lin Xian shouted toward the rear, continuously adjusting speed to prevent derailment or loss of control.

Ahead of the headlights, yellow distance-and-level signs kept appearing in view.

【Level 10, -65m】

【Level 30, -175m】

【Level 50, -255m】

【Level 60, -301m】

The entire train spiraled downward through the dark tunnel like a rollercoaster; a damp, subterranean stench gradually seeped into the carriage.

Finally, after a gradual descent, the “Infinite” arrived at the Level 65 Class-4 freight terminal platform of the Ninth Underground City. 【Level 65, -325m】

Squeee~

The train’s wheels glowed hot, steaming, as it came to a steady stop on a pitch-black platform. Through the windows, flickering broken lights could be seen, occasionally sparking.

Sha Sha, Kiki, and Chen Sixuan all moved to the windows, peering outside in the dim light.

At a glance, it was a vast freight loading platform, equipped with cranes and conveyor belts—but something terrible had happened here. Dark red bloodstains coated the floor and walls; scattered remains littered the platform.

Enclosed spaces already induce intense claustrophobia and fear—but they were now 325 meters underground, and the thought that nearly everyone in this city was dead, that tens of thousands of zombies and unknown subterranean creatures might be buried beneath them, sent a chill down their spines.

Chen Sixuan looked at Lin Xian, uneasy: “What’s our next move?”

“Split up.”

Lin Xian pointed to the lower tunnel behind them. “There’s only one exit here. We can’t afford any mishaps—if we lose the train, we’ll have to fight our way up through the underground city with bare hands.”

“Sha Sha, Sixuan—same as before. You two arm yourselves and guard the train. Don’t let anyone cut off our retreat. Kiki and I will head to Level 52 first to rescue them. After we return, we’ll decide which areas to scavenge based on time and conditions.”

Without a map, Lin Xian couldn’t blindly search this vast underground city. They had little time—they had to target specific objectives. Otherwise, with each level spanning tens of square kilometers, they’d be exhausted before they even reached the surface, let alone survive the zombies and aberrations.

The clearest plan was to first locate Ding Junyi and the others, confirm the internal situation in detail, then deploy their efforts according to time and resources.

!

The underground city’s conditions were complex and unknown. Sha Sha and Chen Sixuan had no abilities and couldn’t match Lin Xian’s physical capabilities. Staying together on the train was safer for them.

After assigning roles, Lin Xian, Da Lou, and Kiki all armed themselves. Lin Xian carried the GK03 electric blade, a submachine gun, and a pistol. Kiki took an automatic rifle. Da Lou still carried his light machine gun, along with ample ammunition.

Simultaneously, all three donned the gas masks they’d taken from the outpost—this was a sealed environment; they had to be thorough.

“There’s no telling how many zombies are inside. Don’t waste your energy on them.”

The cockpit door opened. Lin Xian spoke to Kiki.

“I know~” Kiki grinned, unbothered. “Didn’t I tell you my ability’s evolved? It won’t drain after just a few uses.”

Lin Xian looked at her: “How many times can you use it?”

“How should I know? It’s just way stronger than before.”

“Alright…”

Click. Lin Xian stepped down first, his foot landing on the platform with a crisp sound.

The ground seemed wet, slick with moisture.

“Be careful,” Lin Xian called back, gesturing to Chen Sixuan to close the door. The stench of mildew and blood seeped into the carriage, making Chen Sixuan and Sha Sha feel nauseous. Only after sealing the door did the feeling ease.

The intercom’s light was green—proximity communication remained unaffected. Since encountering the three-headed spider monster in Yuchicheng, Lin Xian had noticed a detail.

The intercom’s status might indicate the presence of aberrations nearby.

It was like a cheap version of a Spirit-Detecting Meter—not perfectly accurate, but a useful warning.

New book launch—begging for monthly votes! Infinite Train, soaring to the skies!

Thank you so much!

(End of Chapter)