"This matches the basic profile of a crisis leader. The second individual, a female aged 16-18, possesses a rare and extremely powerful telekinetic ability. Logically, her ability would have been the most efficient way to open the gate, which suggests that the male leader's ability is even more valuable—likely something beyond brute force, such as magnetic manipulation or inorganic control."
"The third male is heavily built, estimated age 26-35. He wields an M556 light machine gun chambered for 7.62×51mm rifle rounds, with a firing rate of 650-950 rounds per minute and a weight of 21.5kg. He also carries a heavy metal sword on his back, with the hilt positioned for a right-hand draw. However, he uses the machine gun with his left hand effortlessly, which indicates extreme muscle strength. While there’s no visible sign of an ability, his sheer combat prowess makes him a formidable survivor."
"The fourth individual, a young girl, appears highly skilled in firearms. Whether she has an ability is unclear. From a sociological standpoint, bringing a child on an escape journey usually means one of two things: she either possesses a unique ability or value, or she has a close familial tie to an important team member."
"The fifth person hasn’t exited the train. The cameras only captured partial footage, but she is female, around 25 years old, and appears to be the driver. Likely a technical expert or a non-combatant."
Ding Junyi adjusted her glasses as she enlarged the surveillance footage on her handheld device. Her face, though pale from starvation, remained razor-sharp in focus.
"The train itself is a heavily customized mobile refuge. It consists of a Whale 03E Heavy Gas Turbine Locomotive—a model produced 30 years ago—along with a Huanxing 7F Electric Locomotive, which is 14 years old. Both are freight-grade and lack nuclear propulsion, meaning they rely on liquid fuel and railway power grids. The train has five modified passenger carriages, each with reinforced armor from a specialized manufacturer, suggesting extensive internal upgrades."
Xu Wen frowned. "Director Ding… so what are you saying?"
Ding Junyi turned her gaze to the group. "It’s obvious that this train was meticulously designed as a mobile survival base. These people aren’t just a temporary alliance. The Federation’s Intercontinental-Class and Eternal-Class Rail Trains are all nuclear-powered, capable of planetary transit via the Star Rail system. That means this crew is likely here to solve an energy crisis."
"That makes sense!" Han Qiming nodded. "They wouldn’t risk entering a zombie-infested underground city just for food and water."
Ding Junyi took a deep breath, her sharp eyes flickering as she stared at the silent cockpit on the monitor.
"That’s not entirely true."
She swiftly navigated the system logs, pulling up a surveillance record. "Before the Level -95 power grid shut down, the station logs recorded the presence of a Gemini 11R Nuclear Electric Locomotive. This locomotive was meant as a backup power unit for the Intercontinental-Class trains but was left behind at the Level -95 Freight Terminal during the evacuation. If they’re looking for energy solutions, this could be what they need."
Her voice remained steady as she continued. "Based on this assessment, we have three key bargaining chips for negotiation."
"What are they?!" Zhao Yan asked urgently.
"First, we hold a Level-P3 administrative clearance and extensive knowledge of the underground city’s layout. Besides the Gemini 11R Nuclear Electric Locomotive, we can help them locate other valuable resources. Given their small team but high survival capability, this makes up about 70% of our negotiation leverage."
"Second, we have access to biological research data and archived pre-collapse Federation records. While these may not be immediately useful to survivors, they could be valuable for trade with the Apocalypse Union. This accounts for about 29% of our leverage."
Zhao Yan frowned. "And the last 1%?"
Ding Junyi’s eyes turned cold. "Ourselves. As long as we’re alive, we hold intrinsic intellectual, labor, and… physical value."
Han Qiming’s face twisted in horror. "Absurd! We are high-level Federation researchers! Even as bargaining chips, our intellectual contributions should outweigh physical labor!"
Ding Junyi glanced at him indifferently. "You’re too naïve. When I said physical value, I was including you."
"WHAT?!?!" Han Qiming’s face turned ashen.
Zhao Yan and Xu Wen also looked disturbed.
Never in their lives had they imagined being reduced to tradeable assets—and that their value in that regard was a mere 1%.
Zhao Yan, her face pale from hunger, muttered weakly, "Director Ding, even if we have access credentials and maps, why would they risk their lives for us?"
"Yeah, and that locomotive is still in Level -95. That place is already…" Xu Wen shuddered.
Ding Junyi’s expression remained cold. "This is our perspective on negotiation. But for them, our offer might not even compare to a single crate of food. The situation is asymmetric, but we don’t have any better options."
Silence filled the room.
Meanwhile, inside the Infinite Train, Lin Xian and his team exchanged glances as they processed the conversation.
Chen Sixuan was the first to speak. "If their description is accurate, this underground city is already overrun. We’re running out of daylight, and searching for supplies in these conditions won’t be easy."
Lin Xian nodded. "We’d have to operate at night, which is insanely risky. Not to mention that unknown subterranean lifeform and the fact that over 100,000 people have already turned into zombies or worse…"
"So we’re not rescuing them?" Shasha asked. "Didn’t they say they could trade supplies with us?"
"Negotiate first." KIKI crossed her arms. "Let’s hear what they can actually offer. If it’s not worth it, we can just ignore them. We have backup power—we can find our own way inside."
"Going in blindly is reckless."
Lin Xian’s brow furrowed. "This underground city is the size of a small metropolis. The internal layout is a mystery. Getting in is easy—but then what?"
Even with his Mechanical Ability, bypassing ordinary security systems wasn’t difficult. But an entire underground city? The system was likely too complex to be overridden manually. If he overexerted himself, he could end up dead before even covering one level.
Not to mention the dangerous state of the city—one wrong move could trigger a chain reaction that would force them into a hasty retreat with nothing to show for it.
After a moment of thought, Lin Xian pressed the responder.
"Alright. Let's hear your terms."