Chapter 59: Assault on the Vacuum Express

“What’s happening?”

“I have no idea!”

A powerful tremor coursed through the train, leaving passengers who had been idly strolling through the aisles both panicked and perplexed.

While it was true that trains traversing between cities carried a certain degree of risk, much like comparing old-era airplanes and automobiles, this was primarily due to statistical analysis and the potential severity of accidents; in reality, incidents were infrequent.

Moreover, even if an accident were to occur, it would hardly produce a tremor of this magnitude.

As if to dispel the collective confusion, an announcement echoed through the train:

[Attention, due to an attack by Otherworld Beasts, the vacuum tube has been damaged and the integrity of the train is now compromised. Passengers in Car No. 3 are advised to evacuate immediately to other carriages or temporary sealed compartments.]

“Otherworld Beasts? They shattered a vacuum tube that’s several times more robust than standard buildings?”

“Wait, isn’t Car No. 3… this one?”

No sooner had the words left their lips than a resounding ‘bang’ tore through the air, and the carriage ceiling ruptured.

The drastic pressure differential between the carriage interior and the vacuum tube outside created a severe decompression and air leak at the breach.

Lighter objects within the carriage, or those nearest the gaping hole, were instantly sucked out by the violent airflow.

“Wah-wah-wah! What the mom!”

The suddenness of the event even caused Teresa to exclaim in a strange hybrid of English and Chinese, her twin ponytails whipping wildly from the intense airflow.

In stark contrast, Lin Xi and Bai Li, though their hair and clothes were similarly tossed by the turbulent air, remained remarkably composed.

Their gazes swiftly locked onto the several Otherworld Beasts outside the breach, each easily the size of multiple humans.

“Their等级 (TL Note: A system used to classify the power level of Otherworld Beasts or abilities) is likely around D-rank, certainly capable of damaging the vacuum tube and the train’s outer shell.”

According to the Bestiary, these specific creatures were identified as Armored-Beak Hawks, a type of flying Otherworld Beast renowned for their formidable defense and hard, aggressive beaks.

Having lived predominantly in the wild and rarely encountering humans, their feral instincts were particularly potent, making them among the most frequent attackers of humans, often resulting in casualties.

Their strength was such that even the micro-Otherworld concentration dilution devices, installed at regular intervals to deter Otherworld Beasts to a certain extent, proved largely ineffective.

Consequently, there was no need to hold back.

“Xi Xi.”

“Mm.”

Bai Li glanced at Lin Xi, who then retrieved a Soul Gem from her magical space.

In the very next moment, magical energy enveloped both of them, completing their transformation in a mere instant.

“Ruth.”

“What’s up so early in the morning, meow?”

At Lin Xi’s call, their mascot, Ruth, materialized, letting out what appeared to be a yawn.

“No time for sleep, we have an urgent task. First, help stabilize the carriage and protect the other passengers.”

“Got it, meow.”

The black cat, Ruth, floated mid-air, casting spells towards the nearby passengers and the gaping hole in the carriage.

“For the human barrier, three parts wind, three parts light, and the rest neutral energy, meow. For the breach, let’s go four parts wind, six parts earth, meow.”

It was truly befitting of a mascot that guided and assisted magical girls in their craft; Ruth’s control over magical energy was nothing short of extraordinary.

Lin Xi hadn’t even registered any significant drain on her own magic, yet the situation was already stabilized, preventing further deterioration.

In truth, Lin Xi had no idea what Ruth’s full capabilities were, for Ruth had never truly engaged in her battles, always maintaining a bare minimum of auxiliary support, or, as now, exerting just enough power to protect everyone.

It was highly probable that if Ruth were to genuinely fight, her strength would far surpass Lin Xi’s.

“Wait, are you two…?”

Upon seeing Lin Xi’s attire, Teresa seemed to finally grasp the situation, yet Lin Xi merely offered her a reassuring smile before she and Bai Li passed through the barrier and emerged outside.

Beyond the tube, several train safety personnel were already engaged: some were fending off the Otherworld Beasts, while others worked to seal the pipe sections before and after the train to prevent further air ingress.

However, a look of profound surprise crossed their faces as they witnessed two young girls suddenly fly out from the train.

“Hold on, it’s very dangerous out here!”

Though they couldn’t fathom why the rapidly leaking air from the decompression had ceased, the exterior remained perilous as long as the Otherworld Beasts persisted.

From their perspective, most passengers on this train were students, and these two girls appeared even younger.

Even if they possessed extraordinary talent, their inexperience hardly qualified them to be of assistance in a real combat situation.

“Leave this to us; both of you students, please return inside to safety!”

“No, you should focus on the repair work. Leave the Otherworld Beasts to us.”

With that declaration, Lin Xi raised the gun she had conjured, firing a single shot towards the sky.

The bullet, designed with a reduced blast radius and enhanced penetration and velocity, precisely pierced the head of an Armored-Beak Hawk.

The beast had been diving, poised to strike one of the crew members fending off Otherworld Beasts with its formidable beak, but was instantly killed.

Unlike before, Lin Xi had not conjured a shotgun this time, but a bolt-action rifle.

During this period, she had evidently achieved a significant breakthrough.

“What?! Just one shot and it’s…?”

Witnessing an Armored-Beak Hawk, a creature that could hold its own against them and even retaliate, fall so swiftly, everyone present was utterly stunned.

It was common knowledge that while Armored-Beak Hawks were D-rank, their defensive capabilities were so high that even attack-specialized D-rank ability users couldn’t guarantee a one-shot kill.

Their vital points, such as the head or core, were protected by even stronger armored feathers.

Furthermore, as avian Otherworld Beasts, their flight capabilities were exceptional, making them notoriously troublesome adversaries.

Yet, this seemingly student-aged girl had just killed one with a single shot, and had even aimed for an Armored-Beak Hawk in a high-speed dive attack.

Without her intervention, that crew member would undoubtedly have been dead or severely wounded.

“The situation is critical. Continuing to fend them off, or accepting our assistance—which choice is better should be quite obvious, shouldn’t it?”

Unlike Lin Xi’s friendly counsel, Bai Li’s words carried an unspoken blend of coercion and enticement, subtly leading those present to feel that refusing their help would be an error.

[All crew members, heed this order: follow the instructions of those two girls. They are professionals.]

Just then, a communication from the Deputy Conductor reached their ears.

Hearing this directive, they ceased their insistence, and those engaged in skirmishes quickly disengaged, confidently entrusting the situation to Bai Li and Lin Xi.

“Although the Deputy Conductor has given instructions, this area is still outside the city, and with the micro-Otherworld concentration dilution devices currently damaged, the danger is elevated. Please proceed with caution.”

“Don’t worry, just focus on your own tasks.”

After reiterating the instructions, both parties proceeded to their respective areas of responsibility.