The mine train.
Given the circumstances, it was definitely not a bad choice. In fact, it might be the last lifeline left.
“Hyun-ah!”
A flood of thoughts raced through his mind, but there was no time to dwell on them. At Shin Jaeryong’s shout, An Hyun reacted immediately.
Thud!
He hoisted the overturned basket—no, the mine train—and forcefully set it onto the tracks.
Clatter!
Strangely, the wheels seemed magnetically drawn to the rails, snapping tightly into place.
An Hyun swallowed hard and fought to stay calm. From now on, he had to get this rusty, battered mine train moving.
But how?
Was there some kind of mechanism?
Something to pull it?
“An Hyun!”
Again, Shin Jaeryong’s voice rang out. Reflexively, An Hyun turned his head and saw Shin Jaeryong carefully hoisting the unconscious Helena onto his back. She looked like she could collapse at any moment—where was he finding the strength?
“Search inside the train! Or around it! There has to be something!”
Before An Hyun could even finish wondering, the urgent shout spurred him to focus.
There had to be something.
Right. This was a Hall Plane.
With that thought, An Hyun quickly scanned the inside of the train. Fortunately, not long after, he spotted a gem of just the right size clinging to the inner wall. He didn’t know exactly what it was, but in this desperate situation, any straw to grasp at was welcome.
“There’s a gem inside…!”
“A gem? That probably means it’s connected to magic!”
An Hyun understood immediately. He dashed inside and poured his magic into the gem embedded in the wall.
Vrrrrr, vrrrrr!
Suddenly, a fierce vibration began beneath the train—specifically, from the wheels at each corner.
But that was all. Only the vibration came; no other change. The mine train remained firmly stuck to the rails.
The brief joy of progress faded quickly as An Hyun looked around, bewildered.
Thud!
“There’s no choice. We don’t have time to waste. Someone’s gotta push.”
At that moment, Shin Jaeryong quietly said as he helped Helena into the train. Hearing this, An Hyun, who had been feeling along the train’s surface, widened his eyes and turned sharply.
“Excuse me? Push? Me?”
“Yes. It looks like that’s what we have to do.”
“Th-then I…”
“No. You can’t.”
Before An Hyun could even make a move to get out, Shin Jaeryong quickly pushed him back inside and spoke.
“I’ll do the pushing.”
“Hyung!”
Naturally, An Hyun protested loudly. Ignoring Shin Jaeryong’s attempt to stop him, he tried to force his way out—but suddenly, his whole body stiffened.
He stared blankly at Shin Jaeryong.
By then, Shin Jaeryong’s face had hardened, his glare fierce and unyielding. It was a look An Hyun had never seen before.
“Don’t act spoiled! …User An Hyun.”
That was it. Shin Jaeryong was angry.
A brief silence followed. Then, Shin Jaeryong relaxed slightly and slowly closed the distance between them.
“Hyun-ah, this situation is extremely urgent. We don’t have time to bicker. We have to think logically.”
“Hyung…”
“Look ahead, watch for falling debris from the ceiling… You have to protect our comrades from every possible danger, including the train itself. Do you think that’s easy? I can’t fulfill that role right now.”
“…”
Suddenly, An Hyun felt as if it was just the two of them in this space. Every word from Shin Jaeryong carried immense weight—as if it was absolutely necessary.
“I said I’d do what I can. Right now, all I can do is focus on pushing this train. Understand?”
“…Okay.”
“Hyun-ah, please!”
“Fine! Just promise me one thing.”
In that tense moment, An Hyun’s voice was strained as he spoke.
“Promise me you’ll never die. Once the train moves a certain distance, you’ll definitely, definitely get on.”
“…Alright. I promise.”
After a brief pause, Shin Jaeryong nodded.
“Really? You’re not just saying that to save me and Helena?”
“When have I ever lied?”
Never. At least, An Hyun couldn’t recall a single time.
Only after another chunk of rock fell did An Hyun decide to trust Shin Jaeryong’s promise. That left only one thing remaining.
Then—
“Ugh…”
Just as Shin Jaeryong was helping Go Ohwan to his feet, a faint groan escaped from the darkened mouth.
Startled, Shin Jaeryong hesitated for a moment. Slowly, Go Ohwan’s eyes, which had been closed, opened. He blinked, wobbled, and steadied himself.
“User Road…?”
“Ah, I’m fine.”
“You’re awake?”
“I’ve been catching bits of the conversation… and I felt some things while being carried. I roughly know what’s going on.”
Still dizzy, Go Ohwan pressed his forehead, but kept talking.
“Ugh… what a headache… Anyway, since I’m awake, you all better get on quickly. I’ll do the pushing.”
With that, Go Ohwan shuffled forward, rolled up his sleeves, and began stretching. He acted as if he knew everything. So, his mind was at least somewhat clear?
An Hyun stood on the train, staring blankly at Go Ohwan.
He was going to push for them?
An Hyun didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t expected Go Ohwan to wake up, let alone take charge like this.
Their eyes met.
“What are you looking at, kid?”
His chest still bled from Baek Hyungsik’s blow, but Go Ohwan didn’t seem to care as he grabbed the back of the mine train.
“Th-thank you…”
“Don’t thank me. If you have time to look around, look ahead instead. Kid… cough cough!”
Grumbling, Go Ohwan coughed and braced himself to push the train. Then, with a scowl, he snapped his head sideways.
“Where’s your master? Why aren’t they getting on?”
“U-User Road.”
“Can’t you see what’s going on? Hurry up!”
“I was just…”
“Ugh, you’re so frustrating! I know my own body. Even if I get on this thing, I’m probably going to die on the way. I don’t want to die like that.”
“…”
Only then did Shin Jaeryong calmly step forward.
Go Ohwan turned back and spoke quietly.
“And you, kid. Don’t thank me. I already knew. I knew you hated me.”
“Th-that’s—”
An Hyun stammered.
“But it doesn’t matter! I hated you too!”
Suddenly, Go Ohwan chuckled and shouted with an oddly cheerful voice.
“Kid, listen.”
Then, his voice dropped unexpectedly.
“That man said he’s never abandoned a comrade he fought alongside.”
“…”
“So, at least for now, I’m your comrade, right? Huh?”
“…Yes, that’s right.”
An Hyun answered.
“Good.”
Go Ohwan smirked.
“Not to brag, but I’ve never abandoned a comrade either…”
He took a deep, satisfied breath.
“Not even once!”
As he said that, he groaned deeply, straining with all his might. Blood gushed fiercely from his chest wound.
…Yet the mine train still wouldn’t budge.
Was it because of the heavy rust? Or was something else wrong?
Despite Go Ohwan’s grimace and desperate pushing, the train seemed glued to the rails.
Frustrated, Go Ohwan snapped.
“Damn it! What’s wrong with this thing?! I’m already exhausted!”
“Alright, let’s push together.”
Just then, Shin Jaeryong came over, rolling up his sleeves. Go Ohwan glanced sideways, cleared his throat, and stepped aside.
“Damn, this is embarrassing.”
For a moment only. Then, the two towering users pushed the mine train together.
“Ughhh!”
“Grrrgh!”
Still, the train didn’t move. But they didn’t give up.
Summoning every ounce of strength, they pushed with all their might.
Then—
Rumble!
Vrrrr!
A dragging sound echoed, and the fading noise grew louder again.
Moments later, An Hyun felt the train slowly start to move.
Finally, the mine train was in motion.
Rumble, rumble!
“Hyun! From now on, don’t worry about us. Focus only on what’s ahead!”
Suddenly, Shin Jaeryong barked orders. An Hyun poured magic into the gem again, gripping his black spear tightly with one hand. He stared down the long tunnel.
From here on, they had to get through this place.
The mine train began to move—slowly, very slowly.
The wheel, which had barely moved at first, began to spin faster and faster with each turn—once, twice, thrice. The initial feeling of forced resistance faded away, replaced by a smooth, gliding sensation.
Clatter… clatter… clatter… clatter…
The tunnel was still open. Though the collapse continued, it was limited to cracks for now—no full-on cave-ins blocking the path.
Anhyun stared up at the ceiling with wide, unblinking eyes. While the train had been delayed by mechanical issues, the fissures from the collapse had already surged far ahead of them.
But that time wasn’t wasted. Now, they had to chase after—and overtake—that advancing crack. Two men, already resigned to death, were pushing the mine train forward. Anhyun’s job was to protect the train and Helena as best as he could.
Clatter…! Clatter…! Clatter…! Clatter…!
Suddenly, Anhyun’s eyes narrowed. As the speed picked up, the scenery around them began to blur past at the same pace.
But the faster they went, the louder the noise became—and with it, Anhyun felt the train, which had been steady until now, suddenly start to sway from side to side.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
To make matters worse, chunks of earth and rock began raining down from the ceiling. Anhyun swung his blade to deflect some, but others slammed into the ground or struck the rails.
Each impact sent shockwaves through the mine train, shaking it mercilessly. The vibrations transmitted through the ground set off alarms in Anhyun’s mind.
He gritted his teeth. He could no longer count on Shin Jaeryong or Go Ohwan for help. They had entrusted him with protecting the train and were already pushing themselves beyond their limits just by pushing it. So the thought struck him: he had to do something—anything.
“Ah.”
In that split second, an idea flashed through Anhyun’s mind.
Clatter! Clatter-clatter! Clatter! Clatter-clatter!
The shaking intensified. Anhyun placed his hand on the gem and immediately summoned his magic. It was no longer a question of whether it would work—he had to try. The technique he chose was the recently awakened ability: spear fusion.
At a certain mastery level, a spearman becomes one with their spear—the spear becomes an extension of the self, and the self becomes the spear. Anhyun applied this concept to the mine train. Channeling his magic through the gem, he fused himself with the train, effectively turning it into his spear. It was a gamble—he might end up absorbing all the damage himself.
Clatter, clatter!
And it worked beautifully. The sense of unity he’d felt with his spear during the fight with Joo Hyunho now extended to the mine train. The magic flowing through the gem wrapped the entire train firmly, responding to Anhyun’s will.
The effect was immediate.
Rattle-rattle, rattle-rattle!
The wildly shaking mine train stabilized in an instant. The irregular noises shifted into a steady rhythm, minimizing resistance and allowing the train to accelerate even more.
“…Alright, Hyun-ah.”
Vroooom!
The wheels spun furiously. The noise that had once been a clatter now roared with a deep, magical hum as the train sped steadily through the tunnel.
Glancing up, Anhyun spotted the advancing fissure in the distance, slowly coming back into view. The gap was closing steadily. At this speed, they could catch up—and soon, overtake it.
Yes!
It was working!
Anhyun cheered silently. He didn’t fully understand how it worked, but using the mine train was the right choice.
Just then, a thought of Shin Jaeryong crossed his mind. Amid his joy, a sudden pang of realization hit him. With this acceleration, the train would hold at least until it stopped. Now was the time for Jaeryong to get on.
“Hyung! Jaeryong hyung! Now…!”
He spun around quickly—
“…Hyung?”
Anhyun’s voice faltered, stunned.
The mine train was still racing forward.
“……”
But Shin Jaeryong and Go Ohwan were nowhere to be seen.
The rear of the train was completely empty.
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Next chapter is the final installment of the “Smile and Goodbye” arc.
We’re finally wrapping up this part. sniff (Tears of emotion.)
PS. Thanks so much for your support yesterday! Because of you, I fought hard and won again today! :D