The entertainment area was on the opposite side of the dining district, decked out in a riot of colors. Virtual screens advertising games were stationed everywhere, exuding a sci-fi vibe.
"Welcome to the Game City."
The gaming zone was divided into multiple sections. The entrance led to the "Game City," while adjacent areas housed poker rooms and other entertainment options. A crowd gathered to check out the novelty. Following the robot guides into the Game City, people couldn't help but gasp in amazement.
At the center hung a massive, dazzling light sphere. Surrounding it were various game setups, all unoccupied, awaiting players. The head of the Game City was a silver-black robot with a magnetic voice:
"To the left is the PC zone, equipped with thousands of computers. You can play all the online games from Purple Star, with new titles regularly added. Cost: 0.5 star coins per hour."
"Next to the PC zone is the Physical Interaction Zone, designed to help players stay fit during the long voyage. Cost: 1 star coin per hour."
"To the right is the Virtual Reality Zone, currently offering two hundred helmets. Cost: 2 star coins per hour."
"Other unique games are charged per session. Feel free to explore them yourself."
With that, the robots departed, leaving passengers to roam freely.
"Nostalgia overload! Let's grab PCs before they're all taken!"
The crowd surged into the PC zone, quickly occupying every terminal. Cheap and popular, the computers drew ordinary folks like moths to a flame. Once logged in, scanners recorded user info and deducted fees based on usage time.
"Fuck, you guys are too fast! Someone let me have a machine?"
"Feels like old times on Purple Star… back when we'd line up at internet cafes, watching others play."
"Times sure have changed…"
As before, curious onlookers gathered behind players, livening up the PC zone. Meanwhile, many headed straight for the VR Zone, craving immersive experiences.
"Overdrive Battle? What's that game?"
"Let's try it and see."
For now, this was the only game available.
---
Damian's Quarters
In his cabin, Damian cradled a sleek purple-gold helmet, admiring it.
"Back on Earth, I dreamed of games like this, but most were just gimmicks. Our tech back then couldn't pull it off. Can this helmet give me an unfair advantage?"
[The Purple-Gold Helmet is your exclusive item, Master. Customize settings as you wish.]
[The game is yours. Want a cheat? Sure.]
"Just kidding. Overdrive Battle requires real-time data sync. Cheating would ruin it. Let's dive in."
Damian lay on the couch, donned the helmet, and poof—his consciousness plunged into a virtual realm. He stood amidst a brilliant starry expanse, walking on stars.
[Welcome to Overdrive Battle! The helmet will scan your extraordinary traits to craft a tailored avatar. Challenge any player here to hone your combat prowess.]
[Leaderboards rank your strength for all to see.]
A chill swept through him as the helmet scanned his body. In seconds, his avatar appeared:
Name: Damian
Race: Purple Star Native
Title: Leader of Red Sun Guild
Level: Heavenscaler (1st Tier)
...and a laundry list of stats. Damian swiftly edited the settings, hiding all details except his level.
"From now on, only display levels in-game. None of that numerical bullsh*t."
Combat shouldn't hinge on cold numbers; it stifled natural skill.
[Would you like to matchmake?]
"Not yet. Give me an AI to warm up."
The scene shifted. He stood on a star-lit pedestal called the "Stellar Summit," where players faced off. His opponent: a mirror-image avatar, balanced in power.
"Holding back today. No weapons."
Fistfighting, Damian ate some hits.
"Fu Yao, are you pulling strings? Ganging up on me?"
The AI, powered by secondary-tier intelligence, countered every move flawlessly. Unfair.
"Bullsht! That's your doing too! Nuke its skill to half mine."
With the AI weakened, Damian wrecked it, grinning ear to ear.
"Rankings! Now!"
Screens flickered. Dozens of leaderboards popped up—combat stats, matches played, levels… For now, only the combat ranking mattered. Top spot: Orion. The first passenger to awaken, Orion dominated thanks to peak combat skills. But with few players, could he hold it?
---
A handful tried *Overdrive Battle* and spread the word: This game simulated real-time超凡 duels, a training goldmine.
"Look! The carriage' leaderboard syncs with the game's. Your in-game performance dictates your rank!"
"What's the point of ranking?"
"Status symbol! Top ten? Instantguild recruitment boom."
In half a day, Overdrive Battle overshadowed other attractions. Leaderboards updated constantly. After a day, rankings stabilized:
1st: Orion
2nd: Jace
3rd: Lilith
4th: Atticus…
Damian, casually ranked ~100th.
Wilson gaped. "Damian's beast mode and he's not top ten?"
Lilith explained: "Need three fights with over 90% ratings to crack top ten. Damian's half-assing it."
"So the rankings aren't legit?"
"Mostly. Higher ranks = more opportunities. Rumor says top ten gets a train chief audience."
"No way! Screw it—I'm stacking matches. If skill won't do it, quantity will."
The carriage buzzed, crushing earlier gloom. For two weeks, passengers dove into train entertainment, refining order.
---
Day Fifteen of the Journey
In the gravity chamber, Damian broke through to Heavenscaler (2nd Tier). Superenergy surged, skin scorching like a rebirth.
[Second Tier requires skin reinforcement. Step it up, Master.] After half-day training, Fu Yao prompted.
[Life planet detected ten billion km out. Stopover?]
Damian's eyes lit up.
"Hell yes. Passengers blew through their savings; they need cash. How far away is the annihilation wave?"
[Train speed outpaces annihilation. We've got two weeks' buffer.]
"Perfect. Initiate scans. Prepare to dock at target system."