Platinum Skies (The Manifests Series #2)

[10] A Team, A Train, and A Dream

On the far reaches beyond Sinmae Station---the station that serves as the entry point of the Daegu Line 2 to Gyeongsan--- lies a tall, skinny, and pale Koul'in floating in the air all while his spherical, icy shield rotates around him.

He was wearing a dark blue blindfold with glowing otherwordly inscriptions on it that covered his eyes, as well as a majestic dark blue armored robe that covers his whole body.

He was blind, but to compensate for that, he had large, pointy ears, perfect for hearing even the faintest murmurs of whatever was around him.

He was a loyal subordinate of General Platina---a cold creature that was once tasked to send forth deliveries to those who needed to establish a base, as well as deter any humans that might come and try to flee.

With the news of General Khera and her subordinates getting killed, he was reassigned to guard the entrance to Gyeongsan Because surely, there was something important in there that no one should ever know.

He is not allowed to let anyone in.

Even if they're Manifest wielders.

That was Erythos' duty.

"It seems like they have managed to endure the whole ordeal almost flawlessly... They may have struggled, but they're smart. Using sound absorbing walls on their transport vehicle to minimize the chances of me hearing them... A clever move by that Sanghoon. And those wielders... If they joined forces with him, then they must be really after something important from me..."

Erythos fell silent for a while, then spoke again.

"....I've breached their soundproof walls. Surely now, I can hear them and their plans.

"....how about we cut the train in half so that the car will increase momentum? Zeke said. "The greater the impact, the more the damage, right? If we reduce the weight of the train, we can deliver a solid blow. That will also keep the others safe."

"How do we do it, exactly?" Jihyo asked.

"We'll boost the speed of the train with the help of Hyungwon, then slice the train in the middle of the second and third car. We'll let the first two cars of the train ram into him."

"But what if doesn't work?"

"Don't worry. I have a backup plan. We'll use the third car! We'll cut that section again and I'll use my rocket seals to deliver the extra blow. Technically, we'll hit him with two trains, just for good measure."

There was a long pause before anyone else could reply.

"...Okay. Here goes nothing." Jihyo replied.

Erythos chuckles in delight, now fully aware of the settlement team's plans.

"As if I'll allow you to do that, humans..."

5:20 pm, Damti Station.

Zeke and Jihyo rushed forward with Hyungwon towards the control panel of the train. Hyungwon hastily tinkers with both the energy core and the panel, and then they notice that the train was moving faster and faster, and everything outside becomes nothing but a blur.

He has overloaded the machine, and now, the train was going beyond it's limit as it dashes along the train tracks.

"Well, Zeke-nim, I've done as you asked. I hope your plan works. Goodluck." Hyungwon said as he runs back to the fifth car.

5:22 pm. Yeonho Station.

Zeke and Jihyo immediately rushed to the middle section of the train and prepared their weapons. Despite the speed of the train, they were still able to stand properly.