Apocalypse: I Built the Infinite Train-Chapter 228: Tide of Monster Hunter

Inside the station, the murmurs and discussions gradually quieted down as many people turned their attention to Erin Clark.

There was no denying it—this woman was strikingly beautiful. Even in her current disheveled state, she exuded a charm that evoked both admiration and sympathy.

Cao Hong felt his throat go dry as he watched her approach with a pleading expression. A woman like this was a rare sight in the apocalypse. His convoy had always been willing to take in beautiful women, but he wasn’t an idiot—on his train, women weren’t just decorative vases. If they were, his convoy wouldn’t have survived this long.

However, having too many women on board had its drawbacks—too much chatter, too many distractions, and too much interference with his decision-making. It was a headache.

But now, looking at Erin Clark, he suddenly felt like adding one more wouldn’t hurt. Even if she was just a pretty vase, she was the most beautiful vase he had ever seen.

"Miss Clark, I’m sorry," Cao Hong said seriously. "As much as I’d love to help you, I have to consider the safety of my people. I need to confirm that you’re not carrying any weapons."

Hearing this, Erin Clark’s face lit up with hope. She quickly explained, "No... I don’t have any weapons on me."

Cao Hong shook his head. "But you’re wearing so many layers—I can’t be sure."

The moment he said this, several female members of the convoy rolled their eyes.

Erin Clark was wearing nothing but a thin red evening gown—how was that "many layers"? If he wanted her to strip, he could’ve just said so instead of beating around the bush.

Meanwhile, some of the male members of the convoy immediately caught on, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

After all, she wasn’t just any woman—she was a Hollywood superstar. Many here recognized her, and no one would mind getting a good look at her famous figure.

Erin Clark understood instantly, but instead of embarrassment, she simply reached for the straps of her dress.

With a soft rustle, the silky red gown slipped off her shoulders and pooled around her feet, revealing her flawless, curvaceous body clad only in a black lingerie set.

The men aboard the Night Phantom were utterly mesmerized, their eyes locked onto her. Even some of the women couldn’t help but steal a glance.

"You see? I really don’t have any weapons," Erin Clark said, raising her hands and spinning around in place.

When she noticed that Cao Hong still seemed hesitant, she reached for the clasp of her bra, ready to take it off completely.

At that moment, the air in the station seemed to freeze. The men held their breath, their eyes glued to her.

Cao Hong, though just as captivated, quickly cleared his throat and interrupted her movements. "Alright, I believe you. You can come aboard."

No way was he letting the others enjoy this view. A beauty like this was best appreciated in private.

And now, seeing how bold and uninhibited Erin Clark was, his eagerness only grew stronger. Without hesitation, he welcomed her onto the train.

Meanwhile, outside the station…

The once golden evening sky over Hengshan Pass City was now shrouded in thick, dark clouds. The air grew heavy, and a sense of oppression spread through the streets.

On the Infinite Train, Lin Xian and his team watched as strong winds howled outside, signaling an incoming storm.

"It's getting dark soon," someone said anxiously. "Why aren’t they back yet? Did something happen?"

The city streets echoed with the rustling of fallen leaves, swirling in the eerie wind. As if sensing an ominous presence, the roaming zombies suddenly became restless, their guttural growls growing louder and more frenzied.

BOOM!

A silver lightning bolt tore across the sky, illuminating the city for a brief moment. Thunder rumbled, and soon, heavy raindrops began to pour. Within moments, the storm turned into a torrential downpour.

Just as Lin Xian was about to check the time, the low roar of engines cut through the rain.

Everyone turned to look—two armored off-road vehicles were racing down the street, cutting through the zombie-infested roads.

"It’s Shu Qin and Da Lou!" Lin Xian immediately grabbed his communicator. "Shu Qin, Da Lou, do you copy?"

"Captain Lin! We just ran into some Eerie Entities. No idea where they came from!" Shu Qin’s voice sounded tense.

Lin Xian frowned. "Any casualties?"

"No, just a minor injury—Lü Chang got scraped up a bit."

"Alright." Lin Xian exhaled in relief. "Enter from the east station entrance. Use the tracks to get back here—avoid the survivor camps."

Inside the off-road vehicle, Shu Qin and Da Lou exchanged confused glances before nodding.

"Understood, we’ll take that route," Shu Qin replied immediately.

Though unsure of Lin Xian’s reasoning, she trusted his orders without question.

"You encountered Eerie Entities?" KIKI asked over the radio. "On the streets or inside buildings?"

"Both, which is why it’s weird," Shu Qin responded.

Lin Xian’s expression darkened. "This doesn’t feel like a coincidence."

Chen Sixuan looked worried. "What about Shasha’s team? Could they be in trouble too?"

"Most likely," Lin Xian said grimly. "Otherwise, they wouldn’t be this late."

Checking his watch, he saw that there were less than ten minutes until nightfall.

"Everyone, get ready for battle!" he ordered, prompting his team to arm themselves.

VROOM!

The two off-road vehicles burst onto the station platform, their reinforced tires screeching against the wet tracks. The Infinite Train crew was already waiting—Carriage 11’s blast-proof doors slid open, allowing the vehicles to drive straight inside.

Shu Qin, Da Lou, and Lü Chang jumped out, their bodies reeking of blood and gunpowder.

Lü Chang’s arm was bleeding. Lin Xian approached him. "How bad is it?"

"No big deal. Still got my arm," Lü Chang said with a grin.

Chen Sixuan and Miao Lu rushed over with medical kits, quickly tending to their wounds.

"What exactly happened?" Lin Xian asked Shu Qin.

Shu Qin took a deep breath. "It started fine—we were looting some commercial centers. But then, in an underground mall, we ran into a swarm of Eerie Entities. We didn’t engage—we just got the hell out of there.

"But when we resurfaced, they were everywhere—crawling all over the streets too. It took us forever to fight our way back to the vehicles."

"Lin Xian!" KIKI’s urgent voice came through the radio. "Shasha’s still not back! I’m going to look for her!"

Just then, Shasha’s voice crackled through the communicator.

"Brother Lin! Do you hear me?"

"I hear you! Where are you?"

"We’re cutting through the main road—there are so many zombies!"

BANG! BANG! BANG! Gunfire rang out in the background.

Lin Xian looked at KIKI. "Go! Get ready to assist them!"

Main Road—Shasha’s Convoy

An armored vehicle weaved through the street, dozens of zombies in pursuit.

From the pitch-black alleys, grotesque centipede-like creatures skittered out. Shadowy figures lurked in abandoned buildings, while monstrous hands emerged from sewer grates.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Gunfire erupted from Shasha’s team, mowing down zombies. But the horde kept coming, piling onto the hood of the armored vehicle.

Shasha floored the gas pedal. The engine roared as she plowed through the undead.

"Foul creatures, be cleansed by my flames!"

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Lu Xingchen rolled down the window, conjuring a massive fireball.

WHOOSH!

The explosion engulfed a dozen zombies, reducing them to ash.

"I’ll clear the way!" Lu Xingchen climbed halfway out the window, raising both hands.

"Divine: Fire Wall!"

FOOM!

Blazing walls erupted on both sides of the vehicle. Zombies hurled themselves into the flames, turning to charred husks as the fires intensified.

But suddenly, a monstrous, crawling humanoid leapt from an alley, blocking their path.

Before Lu Xingchen could strike—

BZZZT!

A deafening roar of machine gun fire tore through the air. The creature disintegrated before it could even be seen clearly.

"It’s our artillery!" Shasha cheered. "Brother Lin must be here to save us!"

“At this point, we’ve all gotten used to sleeping while surrounded by zombies. Honestly, if they weren’t howling and scratching outside, I’d probably have trouble falling asleep~.”

“Oh~ really?” Erin Clark’s tense expression finally eased upon hearing that. She gracefully stepped forward and slid into the bathtub.

The rushing hot water helped relax her nerves. She watched as Cao Hong eagerly started stripping off his clothes, but she said nothing. Instead, she put on a seductive expression. In the apocalypse, she had long mastered the art of using her advantages to secure her survival. If she ever returned to her family, she wouldn’t hesitate to have this fat bastard killed. But for now, he was her lifeline. A little service—so what?

Cao Hong, now completely naked, looked at the stunning beauty in the bathtub and sighed, “Those idiots on the Infinite Train… they have no appreciation for such fine art. But then again, that guy does have plenty of beauties around him… Heh, this kind of blessing—only I, Cao, deserve to enjoy.”

Beep beep, beep beep.

Just as he lifted a foot into the bathtub, the alarm in the room suddenly went off.

“It’s getting dark.”

Cao Hong’s expression remained calm. He looked at her and said, “Miss Erin, welcome aboard the Night Phantom. Enjoy your first wonderful night here.”

“Thank you.” Erin Clark gave a sultry smile.

BOOM!

A deafening clap of thunder exploded above Hengshan Pass, causing the entire train’s windows to tremble.

Just as Cao Hong was about to slide into the water and savor his rare apocalypse beauty bath, the entire train suddenly dropped downward, and even the ceiling caved in.

BANG BANG BANG!!!

The violent impact made his "little brother" shrink back in fright. He immediately grabbed the nearby walkie-talkie and shouted, “What the hell is going on?!”

Crackle…

Silence on the other end.

Cao Hong frowned and glanced at Erin Clark, then prepared to shout again. But just then—

Shrieks. Screams. Agonizing wails.

A cacophony of horrifying sounds suddenly erupted from Hengshan Pass Station.

"AHHHHHH!"

RATATATATATA!

“RUN!”

“HELP!!!”

Crackle.

A sobbing voice came through the walkie-talkie:

“Boss!! Monsters are here!!!”

BOOM BOOM BOOM.

Cao Hong froze in shock, while Erin Clark clutched her chest and scrambled out of the bathtub, her face full of panic.

Screeeeee~

A sharp, grating sound echoed from above the train, as if some massive claw was dragging itself across the roof.

Cao Hong’s face darkened. He turned toward the window—

And there it was.

A monstrous, red-skinned head with a horrifying face slowly lowered itself outside the window. Its glowing, crimson eyes burned like two eerie lanterns, staring into the carriage.

"AHHHH!!!" Erin Clark screamed in terror.

Cao Hong swallowed hard. His sweat-drenched, naked body trembled as he slowly reached for the handgun on the table.

At this moment, he finally realized—

The warning from the Infinite Train… was real.

But it was too late.

CRASH!!!

A massive, razor-sharp claw tore through the side of the carriage like an aluminum can, sending sparks flying.

Erin Clark, standing in the bathtub, was instantly sliced into three pieces—so fast that she didn’t even have time to make a sound.

In a blink, the water turned crimson.

“F***…” Cao Hong trembled, cursing under his breath. “At least let me… touch her one last time before I die…”

BOOM!

Darkness consumed Hengshan Pass Station as a swarm of grotesque creatures poured in.

A massive, black centipede thicker than a station pillar slithered onto the train. Gigantic, leech-like abominations dropped from the station’s ceiling, landing amidst a cluster of survivors.

And that terrifying three-meter-tall red humanoid monster—its mouth running vertically down its face—stared ahead with those lantern-like eyes.

It lifted a blackened, razor-clawed hand. Several people were already skewered on its talons—Cao Hong included. Their bodies sagged, lifeless.

Then, with a single motion, the creature stuffed the human skewers into its gaping maw. The sickening crunch of bones and flesh echoed through the night.

RATATATA! BANG BANG BANG!

The once-secure train station erupted into chaos.

Screams. Gunfire.

Survivors didn’t even have time to flee before the creatures overwhelmed them.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The station’s metal roof began to collapse. Rain poured down, washing thick, red blood into the city’s drainage system.

The wailing and explosions could be heard from several streets away.

Meanwhile, at Hengshan Pass Sports Arena

Hu Lushou raised his binoculars toward the train station. Behind him, Sun Chang held an umbrella over his head.

BOOM!

A silver bolt of lightning split the sky.

Through his binoculars, Hu Lushou saw it—

A nightmarish sea of writhing tentacles and grotesque creatures swarming the train station.

Like a tide of horrors.

"Hsss—!"

Hu Lushou sucked in a sharp breath and frowned. “That’s strange. Why are so many Eerie Entities appearing all at once at Hengshan Pass Station?”

“And some of them are B-rank,” Sun Chang added.

“No way. Those people have been there for more than a night already. Why now, of all times?” Hu Lushou muttered. “Could it be because of the Infinite Convoy’s Predator Effect?”

“That’s possible.”

“If so, they’re screwed.” Hu Lushou clicked his tongue. “Send two teams over at dawn to check it out. There might be good loot left behind.”

Sun Chang hesitated. “With the Infinite Train’s firepower and their Ability Users, they might actually escape.”

“Eh, whatever.”

Hu Lushou tossed the binoculars into her arms and turned toward the stairs. “I just care about scavenging. Whether they live or die isn’t my problem.”

On the Orbital Rail

THUD THUD THUD—

The ground trembled violently.

BOOOOM!!!

A massive, jet-black heavy train, stretching hundreds of meters long, tore across the tracks at breakneck speed.

At the rear, a 1130 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) spewed a torrent of hellfire, blasting a monstrous spider off the side of the Gemini 11R Nuclear Electric Locomotive.

Silver-plated electric blades extended from the train’s sides, crackling with high-voltage arcs, slicing through the horde of black-winged beetles that swarmed the carriage.

Each black-winged beetle was the size of a washbasin, resembling a giant cockroach. Their molten breath scorched metal, and their razor jaws sent sparks flying as they bit into the armored train.

Like a locust plague, they clung to the train, refusing to let go.

And wrapping itself around Carriages 3 to 6, a massive black centipede shrieked in a piercing tone, sending the Infinite Train screeching on its rails, its iron wheels flaring sparks.

“Firebro! Burn those bugs to a crisp!”

“Big Luo! Get out there and cut that centipede in half! Kiki, cover him and lock that thing down!”

“Take out those bastards on the nuclear locomotive, Shu Qin!”

RATATATATA! BANG BANG BANG!

A fierce battle raged aboard the Infinite Train.

At the helm, Chen Sixuan gunned the engine southward, aiming for the Parma Grasslands—but Lin Xian had a deeper plan.

He strongly suspected that this lure marked with the Dark Mark was the Foundation’s doing.

Was this…

The third humanity test?

No one had believed his Dark Mark theory before.

But now, he was determined to prove it.

And to do that, he needed to find Phoenix—fast.

Crack! The black centipede-like creature was suddenly yanked by an immense force, its legs scraping against the carriage, sending sparks flying. It was forcibly dragged off, its tail slipping from the train’s surface.

But its front end still clung on, struggling and climbing frantically.

At that moment, Lin Xian had already climbed onto the train roof, sprinting at full speed. He raised his hand, and the black rifle’s magnetic propulsion engine roared to life. The weapon shot forward, piercing straight through the centipede’s head. Lin Xian lunged, pressing the barrel of the gun against the creature’s massive mandibles.

With his left hand, he rapidly crafted a hydraulic clamp, forcing its maw wide open. Then, a third mechanical arm extended from his back, clutching the half-meter-long warhead of a Guardian-86 anti-air missile—now rigged with an additional metal bomb he had personally modified.

Without hesitation, he shoved the explosive straight into the centipede’s gaping mouth.

Lin Xian withdrew his rifle and instantly performed a backward roll. At the same moment, KIKI shot out from Car No. 5, grabbing the centipede’s head and yanking it violently off the train.

Screeeech!

The centipede’s countless hooked legs scraped against the train’s armor, producing sharp, metallic clicks as they tore away chunks of metal. But ultimately, KIKI pried it off.

“Watch out!”

Lin Xian flung out a mechanical iron chain, grabbing KIKI mid-air and pulling her back. At the same time, he raised an Ice Shield in front of himself. On the other side, Lu Xingchen witnessed the scene and quickly dove back into Car No. 5 through the hatch.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

BOOM!

The Guardian-86 warhead—packed with 30 kilograms of explosives—detonated within the centipede’s mouth. A fiery explosion ignited midair, instantly vaporizing the surrounding rain. Monster limbs and shattered flesh blasted outward, pelting the train’s exterior like armor-piercing rounds.

This warhead had been salvaged from a slightly damaged missile, and Lin Xian had held onto it for the perfect moment. Now, it had finally proven its worth.

Bzzzzzzzz!

Just as they dealt with the centipede, a massive swarm of black-winged beetles darkened the sky, surging toward Lin Xian and KIKI.

KIKI hated these cockroach-like creatures. The sight of them made her shut her eyes tightly, grit her teeth, and channel all her energy into her hands.

BOOM!

A powerful, invisible shockwave rippled outward in a circular blast. The rain within a few hundred meters seemed to vanish for an instant, and every black-winged beetle—whether clinging to the Infinite Train or swarming through the air—was violently flung away.

WOOOHH!!

The Infinite Train roared forward, ignoring the debris on the tracks as it raced along the elevated railway. Before long, it had broken through Hengshan Pass and was speeding toward Shijiu Lake’s Clearwater Town.

“Get inside!”

Everyone was utterly exhausted. After a brutal battle, they had finally escaped with their lives.

As soon as they re-entered the train, the thick stench of gunpowder filled their noses. The barrels of every weapon were glowing red-hot from constant firing. Lin Xian, KIKI, Huo-ge, Luo Ye, Shasha, Lü Chang, and Miao Lu were all drenched in sweat, panting heavily.

“Just as I suspected,” KIKI muttered, flopping onto the sofa in Lin Xian’s Car No. 1, using her hands to fan herself. “That woman was a marked bait… So damn terrifying.”

In the cockpit, Chen Sixuan was monitoring the road ahead. Seeing that the danger had subsided after leaving the city, she gradually eased off the throttle.

“Lin Xian, are we heading to that town?”

Clearwater Town didn’t have a station. Lin Xian eyed the distant silhouette of the town and made a quick decision.

“The lab is just outside that town. Find an open area to stop. There might be eerie entities inside—we shouldn’t rush in.”

“Got it.”

After confirming there were no immediate threats near the train, everyone finally exhaled in relief.

“That monster horde was terrifying,” Shu Qin said as she walked over. “I can’t believe just carrying that mark attracted so many eerie entities.”

Lin Xian nodded. “It proves they really do use this method to track humans. If it weren’t for the darkness, they wouldn’t have been able to find us.”

“Oh my god… that station… all those people…” Shasha shuddered in fear. “We barely made it out alive. Those people… they’re all…”

“Who cares about them?!”

KIKI’s face darkened with frustration. “We warned them a hundred times, but they wouldn’t listen! They even accused us of trying to harm them. Well, look at them now—didn’t even get a chance to regret it.”

Lin Xian’s expression turned grim. “Using a former celebrity as bait… If we hadn’t had Hell’s Black Chrysanthemum, we’d be dead.”

Beauty aside, having a widely recognized public figure as a lure guaranteed trust. That alone made it a deadly trap.

“Check the train,” Lin Xian ordered. He needed to return to the research facility immediately to determine if this situation was connected to the Foundation.

“On it!” Shu Qin and the others sprang into action.

“Lin Xian!”

Suddenly, Chen Sixuan shouted from the cockpit. Lin Xian and KIKI rushed inside.

“Look at that!”

As the Infinite Train sped along the lakeside toward Clearwater Town, a massive rift appeared in the northeastern sky. Flames surged through the opening—it looked as if some kind of dimensional tear had split the heavens apart.

Lin Xian and KIKI’s expressions changed instantly.

“Lin Xian! That’s the research facility’s Sky Dome!” KIKI gasped.

“What the hell…?” Lin Xian’s face was filled with disbelief. “It’s only been a few hours. What happened?!”

“Should we stop?” Chen Sixuan asked.

“No, go straight there! We need to see what’s going on.”

Lin Xian activated Mechanical Heart and pushed the train to higher speeds.

As they neared the Sky Dome, the raging flames became clearer. Many of the trees in the surrounding forest had collapsed, and the roadsides were filled with deep tire tracks.

Bzzzzzzzz!

The lakeside grass embankments trembled with a low, eerie hum. The water churned violently, as if a massive volume was draining underground.

Seeing this, Lin Xian halted the train, his brows furrowing.

“Something serious went down here…”

“Should we go in?”

Lin Xian turned to KIKI. “Let’s go. That research facility has a lot of valuable equipment. Even if we can’t find Hua Xiaoling, getting our hands on a fully automated medical pod would be a huge win.”

He had seen the device before when Hua Xiaoling guided them through the facility. If they could install it on the train, they wouldn’t even need a doctor—most injuries could be treated automatically.