The Phantom Train of Line On
471 Words
At the Technical Support Department of the 103 District Cleaning Center, a technician was snacking on chips while monitoring the A7 sewer in the 103 district.
This location had experienced a waterborne pollutant outbreak. An hour ago, the elite Demon Hunters had completed their task in just twenty minutes, tackling what was believed to be a mere E-level mission.
Now, it was the cleaners' turn. But for the tech team, monitoring the cleaners was an opportunity to relax; after all, what danger could possibly lurk after the Demon Hunters had cleared the scene?
While chatting with his girlfriend and occasionally glancing at the screen, the technician's casual demeanor halted abruptly. The pollution level on the screen spiked unexpectedly, creating an alarming peak.
Was the data malfunctioning? No, the readings kept climbing – 30%, 40%, 50%... and finally a staggering 70%!
The screen flashed a dire warning: "D-Level Pollution Zone."
A D-level? Wasn't it supposed to be an E-level task? Had there been a misjudgment from the start? The technician hastily recalculated and confirmed the grim reality: it was indeed a D-level zone.
He switched to the sewer camera feeds, each cleaner’s helmet equipped with one for monitoring. The feed was shaky, the flashlight beam revealing a fish-man pollutant – it was alive.
An urgent call to the cleaners' team was made just as a gunshot echoed through the channel.
In the A7 sewer of the 103 District.
"Report, active pollutant sighted, requesting—Damn it!"
Specialist Leo barely had time to react as the fish-man, with incredible speed, was already upon them.
"Permission granted, open fire!" Captain Max's voice crackled through their helmets as the weapon lock disengaged.
Bang!
Zoe didn't hesitate; the moment her weapon was unlocked, she fired. Specialist Leo, taken aback by her quick response, watched as her bullet struck the fish-man's face, sending it reeling backward.
But the creature didn't fall. Instead, it let out a deep, unsettling laugh, its face a mangled mess from the bullet impact. The fish-man was still alive – a headshot had failed to kill it.
"Find the pollution source," Specialist Leo finally recalled. In cases like these, identifying and neutralizing the core source of pollution was crucial.
As they contemplated their next move, a rumbling sound grew louder. The dark tunnel was suddenly illuminated as an old-fashioned train, marked "Line One," pulled into the station – a station that had appeared out of nowhere.
The environment had shifted from a sewer to an old train platform. This was the pollution zone playing its tricks, transforming reality into a haunting mirage.
As the train doors opened invitingly, Zoe's system chimed: "Side mission activated: The Phantom Train of Line One. Purification progress: 10%. Keep up the good work."
Zoe stood there, baffled. She had unwittingly triggered a side mission in this twisted realm.
- Writer
