Chapter 3: The Preliminary Review Train

Page 1/3

“Player attributes detected. Please choose one of the following three classes:
A. Gambler; B. Adventurer; C. Nobody.”
“Players, please choose carefully.”

The countdown on the screen began, ticking down from sixty to fifty-nine.

One minute to make a choice.

Xu Huo selected C and entered a nickname. A line of text appeared on the screen:

【Congratulations to Nobody for becoming a provisional player in the Dimension Rift game】
【Player nickname: Nobody】
【Class: Nobody】
【Note: As someone who is always on the move, his chance to become the protagonist is one in ten thousand.】
【Player level: E】
【Evolution: 7%】
【Assets: 200 white bills】
【Note: The chairman of Stellar Corporation is undoubtedly the most popular man.】
【Note 2: Initial assets are proportionally converted based on the player’s accumulated wealth.】
【Main trait: Tireless legs】
【Note 1: How could a lifelong wanderer be without a good pair of legs?】
【Items: (none)】

The personal information quickly switched:

【Player Nobody will board Trial Train No. 301, departing from the Three-Dimensional Point at 8:00 AM and arriving at the destination three days later at 8:00 AM.】
【Based on your assets, your seat is in second class. Wishing you a pleasant journey.】

When the countdown hit zero, the surroundings lit up again. Xu Huo, who had just been in a hotel, was now sitting in a train compartment seat, the flame on his lighter still flickering.

The moving train emitted a faint mechanical hum. Bright sunlight streamed inside and outside the carriage. With a glance, one could see through the three transparent walls to the scenery beyond.

Under a clear blue sky, the train cut the space into two distinct halves. To the left lay a forest, lush and green; to the right stretched a snowy ice field, white and glittering. One side blossomed with flowers and grass, the other was an icy expanse, both strikingly lifelike.

The panoramic carriage exuded a futuristic aura. The sharply contrasting yet oddly coexisting scenery astonished the twelve passengers to varying degrees, but that surprise soon gave way to wariness toward one another.

Page 2/3

As fellow Evolvers, the fragrance filling the carriage was almost dizzying!

“Gulp!” Someone swallowed nervously.

Xu Huo immediately felt for the folding knife in his pocket.

“Ding dong!”

At that moment, an electronic announcement sounded:

“Welcome, Evolvers, aboard Trial Train No. 301. This train departs from the Three-Dimensional Point, passes through the Dimension Rift, and will arrive at the Five-Dimensional Station three days later at 8:00 AM train time. The journey may be bumpy; please remain calm.”

“As provisional Dimension Rift players, your classification and rating will be based on your performance during the journey. Please mind your words and actions.”

“Now, the boarding rules will be announced.”

“1. Consumption is mandatory.”

“2. Do not enter other carriages without permission.”

“3. Lights out at 8:00 PM.”

“4. Staff have the right to expel provisional players.”

“Please strictly abide by these rules. Have a pleasant journey.”

After the announcement ceased, the carriage fell silent. After a while, someone spoke up: “Where exactly is this place? Can we not disembark?”

A young girl with a ponytail clutched the sleeve of a young man wearing a shirt beside her.

“Disembark?” A man with a corporate executive’s demeanor tapped the transparent glass. “I was working from home just now, then suddenly brought onto this train. Judging by everyone here, we all came from different places. This is definitely no longer a city we know. If we get off, we might not be able to return.”

“Besides, everyone saw that game screen, right?”

“The announcement said this is a game, and we’re all players. It shouldn’t be dangerous,” a man in pajamas holding an electric toothbrush said nervously. “Games are virtual. Maybe we’re still where we were, just our consciousness has entered the game.”

“Do you think current technology can do that?” A stylishly dressed woman in a camisole raised her phone. “I’m more inclined to believe those rumors about spiritual energy revival.”

“Spiritual energy revival? Miss, can I see that?” A middle-aged woman with apron sleeves extended her hand.

The camisole woman noticed bloodstains on the older woman’s sleeves and instinctively stepped back.

The middle-aged woman hurriedly took off her sleeves. “I was just slaughtering chickens and didn’t keep my phone on me.”

The camisole woman curled her lips. “There’s no signal on the phone.”

“Neither do I have any,” the executive man said.

“Are we really trapped here? Professor Han?” The ponytailed girl grabbed the young man beside her.

Page 3/3

Professor Han’s expression grew solemn. “The announcement said the train is traveling from the Three-Dimensional Point to the Five-Dimensional Station.”

“Besides the Evolvers, Earth has experienced many other anomalies that current science cannot explain. Perhaps more advanced civilizations are invading Earth.”

The others in the carriage clearly didn’t know much about this and fell silent. The camisole woman, who read a lot of novels, retorted, “Invade Earth this way? Using theatrics to make a game?”

Professor Han was speechless. The situation with the Evolvers alone was baffling enough—how could he investigate further?

While they talked, Xu Huo had finished checking his belongings.

Everything was there: his phone, cigarette case, folding knife, plus two thin paper slips resembling ordinary bills. Both sides bore black silhouettes of heads, and at the corner was the text: “Stellar Corporation Virtual Currency.”

Stellar Corporation must be the developer of the Dimension Rift game.

He pocketed his slightly warm lighter and glanced at the time. The electronic clock in the carriage displayed 8:00 AM, while his phone showed exactly 10:00 PM.

The carriage had three transparent walls, but the front and rear were metal doors with glass windows, through which adjacent carriages were visible and occupied.

A plaque reading “Second Class Seat” hung to the right of the front door, beside a light switch.

Inside, there were six square tables arranged in two rows. Each table seated two people facing each other. Two adjacent seats in the same row were connected but separate from the table.

The camisole woman sat alone in the first row on the left. The executive man and the pajamas man occupied the first row on the right.

Professor Han and the ponytailed girl sat in the second row on the left. Xu Huo sat in the second row on the right, next to a girl wearing patchwork clothing. Facing them was a large-framed woman with heavy makeup.

Behind Xu Huo sat an elderly man, and at the adjacent table was the middle-aged woman who had spoken earlier, with a man and woman seated opposite her.

Twelve people in total.

“Anyway, since we’re on this train, it’s best to follow the rules,” the executive man said. “If this train can get us here, it can also make us disappear without a trace.”

“Do we really have to play the Dimension Rift game as instructed?” The ponytailed girl’s voice trembled with tears. “I don’t like games.”

“It’s okay. I believe as long as we follow the broadcast, nothing will happen,” Professor Han comforted her.

“Then what exactly should we do?” The middle-aged woman anxiously asked. “I’ve never played games either.”

Everyone exchanged glances. The broadcast only told them to stay on the train for three days and obey the rules; there were no other instructions.

“Maybe we just have to survive these three days,” the camisole woman shrugged.

Her words fell into silence again as everyone returned to their seats.

“Don’t be so tense. I think the situation is clear. This Trial Train is definitely a test for us Evolvers. There may be more hints in the coming days. Let’s work together to get through this first.”