Chapter Eight: Approaching the Strategic Stronghold

We continued driving toward Charon Heavy Industries. Left Ladder suggested hitching a ride, and for some reason I agreed to let them come along.

Wastetime asked, “What are you heading to Charon Heavy Industries for?”

Left Ladder smiled and said, “If there are residents there, I can spread Bishop Simon’s teachings.”

I replied, “If anyone truly lives there, Black Coffin will shelter them. Brother Left Ladder, you’d better stand aside.”

Left Ladder said, “Sheltering and proselytizing aren’t mutually exclusive. I’m just teaching them some self-defense skills; it won’t hurt.”

I turned the wheel to avoid a deep ravine and asked, “Will you force them to accept Simon’s faith?”

Left Ladder bowed and answered, “No, as long as they master Simon’s spells, we’ll be satisfied.”

Solace asked, “Your Epoch Empire once attacked our Rangers. Do you have anything to explain?”

Left Ladder sighed, “The Epoch Empire is vast, with many personnel assigned to different tasks. Those stationed in Sacramento are merely the expeditionary force. We only preach and do not initiate conflicts with the Rangers.”

I felt uneasy—because I believed Black Coffin was humanity’s hope for pioneering, yet the Epoch Empire had already expanded on a grand scale before us. Did that make all our ‘Dawn of the Apocalypse’ slogans empty?

I said, “So you did come with the expeditionary force after all.”

Left Ladder said, “If my countrymen have offended you, I sincerely apologize. I swear I will never obstruct the Rangers’ actions unless absolutely necessary.”

Wastetime whispered, “‘Absolutely necessary’ is awfully vague.”

I quickly stopped him, fearing it might spark conflict and unnecessary trouble.

The road was difficult—earthquakes had carved deep valleys and peaks. Often we had to drive far to find a steep slope down the mountain. Sometimes I wished I could just drive Juno straight off the cliff—she was tough enough—but I was afraid of getting hurt.

After two days of winding detours, I finally saw the Charon Heavy Industries complex. At dusk, massive supports, towering cranes, and lofty chimneys loomed over a blue orb resembling the moon—that was indeed the Yukos von Reactor, though it was now dim and inactive, perhaps in need of repair or activation.

Humans had built this lifeline forged from steel—the merciless, icy giant factory—and I could almost hear the thunderous roar of massive industrial machines. These beasts of heavy industry relentlessly created a world for humanity while continuously destroying nature’s beauty. It was undeniably cruel, yet undeniably magnificent.

Left Ladder frowned deeply. I understood his thoughts: though he was my friend, he had to worry for the Epoch Empire. He recognized the reactor and never expected such a vital resource here.

He sighed, “To be honest with you, Brother Longinus, we must seriously discuss ownership of this place.”

I said, “There’s no discussion. Black Coffin claims it.”

Epoch soldiers instinctively grasped their rifle stocks. Wastetime and Solace stood facing them.

Left Ladder shouted, “I’m willing to offer you generous wealth if you keep this discovery secret from Black Coffin. We have no intention of occupying this place; I just need your silence.”

I said, “I’ve already said this is not negotiable. You Epoch Empire want to occupy Black Coffin’s rear? No chance.”

Left Ladder shook his head, clearly frustrated. “If there are residents with their own wishes, would you listen to them?”

I replied, “My mission is to remove all obstacles and let Black Coffin take over.”

Left Ladder asked, “Including killing?”

I did not answer. Deep down, I knew the answer but did not want things to escalate to that point.

Suddenly, six rifles lifted from Left Ladder’s body, aiming at us. He said, “Longinus, please get out of the vehicle.”

---

I asked, “Is this the faith you preach?”

Left Ladder said, “I have citizens’ duties to the Epoch Empire. I hope you understand.”

I said, “I kindly let you hitch a ride, and you point a gun at my head?”

Left Ladder replied, “I know I’m making a mistake, but if we were at war, this would be justified.”

Solace flicked her hair, whipping the six rifles aside. Left Ladder screamed in horror but dared not fire inside the enclosed vehicle. Wastetime punched each of them until they were unconscious—except Left Ladder. He pulled out an electric lasso, but Wastetime snapped his arm instantly.

I stopped the car and threw them all out.

Solace asked, “Why not kill him? He knows the reactor’s location.”

I knew I’d made a mistake, but Left Ladder was genuinely doing charitable work on the California wasteland. Because of his kindness, I spared him.

I said, “People lose control of their bowels when they die. I don’t want to dirty Juno.”

Wastetime laughed, “Makes sense.”

I’m skilled at remembering routes. Though we took countless detours, I could still recall the quickest path between Black Coffin and Charon Heavy Industries. Even something as heavy as June could traverse it. If all went well, it would take about two days.

As I said, I am the finest scavenger—sharp-eyed and almost omniscient in the wilderness.

I smiled proudly at Solace and Wastetime, who looked surprised. Suddenly, the terrain ahead changed drastically, and the vehicle tumbled down a hillside.

We screamed. Solace shouted, “Why are you laughing?”

Before she finished, the wheels hit smooth ground and sped forward on a steep slope, so fast it made us dizzy. I dared not brake for fear of flipping.

Luckily, the slope led safely to the foot of the mountain, where I gently stopped. We sat in stunned silence.

I said, “Everything went as expected.”

They didn’t respond—probably mad at me. Could I blame them? The earthquake that ruined the terrain was to blame.

I said, “My driving wasn’t bad just now, right?”

Suddenly the ground shook again. I saw a black elephant demon charging at us. Wastetime yelled, “Drive!”

I floored the accelerator, and Juno lunged forward. The black demon brushed past us by mere inches. Solace said, “It’s coming again! Hurry!”

Wastetime looked around and said, “There’s only this one demon. Let’s take it down here.”

Indeed, if we went further, we’d reach the reactor—it might not be demon-free. We had to strike quickly while it was alone.

I said, “You hold it off. I’ll use Venom Serpent’s Blood!”

I stopped the car. Wastetime and Solace jumped out. The demon swung to grab Wastetime, who twisted like a snake to evade. Solace extended her hair to entangle the demon’s hind legs. The demon roared, spreading its feet to break her hair. Sharp spikes grew from its body as it charged Solace, who used her hair as a shield but was thrown far away.

Wastetime’s fists elongated and struck the demon’s face heavily. The demon staggered but quickly regained balance and charged again. One step in, it fell—Solace’s hair had trapped it once more.

I leapt forward, stabbing its eyeball with a fishbone spear. It howled in rage, stood up, and broke free again. It shook violently, bloodshot eyes like a crumbling mountain.

Wastetime asked, “The poison didn’t work?”

I said, “It’s too large; it takes at least five minutes to take effect.”

We found Solace, who had injured her leg. We ran desperately with her. The demon grew furious, smashing rocks along the way. Two minutes later, it crashed into a mountain, letting out a mournful wail before dying.

---

The venom seemed more potent this time.

I asked, “How are the injuries?”

Wastetime said, “I’m fine.”

Solace said, “My leg’s broken, but after an hour’s rest, it’ll heal for sure.”

I helped her into the vehicle, feeling guilty. “It’s my fault... I was careless and startled the monster.”

Solace smiled, “Don’t mention it. It’s nothing.”

I hid the car in a mountain hollow, waiting for night to pass. Solace broke the silence, “Longin, before Black Coffin, did you always live alone in the wilderness?”

I replied, “More or less. I’m a scavenger.”

Solace asked, “Have you ever killed a black demon like this before?”

I said, “Only once. This is the second time. No one dares provoke such monsters.”

Solace sighed, “Janellis... he admires you greatly.”

I perked up, “Your boyfriend?”

Solace nodded, “Yes. That day, while eating in the canteen, he sat beside me and talked about you.”

Wastetime added, “You might not realize it yourself, but your year and a half in the Rangers has been legendary. You have many admirers.”

I was thrilled yet couldn’t help but regret. Had leaving the military and going into business with Mask been a mistake?

Solace continued, “I’m not good with words, but whenever I talk to Janellis about you, we never run out of things to say. To me, he feels like a gift you gave me.”

I shook my head, “Ah, such a naive kid. He’s just using me as an excuse to flirt with you.”

Solace shook her head too, “No, I’m not attractive at all. Why would he...?”

I laughed, “What nonsense are you saying? He doesn’t care about your looks or figure. Maybe he cares about me? Solace, you’re a beauty. Don’t ever underestimate yourself.”

She glanced at Wastetime and me, smiling softly. “You’re our great benefactor, like a big brother—or no, more than a brother—a mentor, a kind elder. Being with you, I feel more human. Maybe one day, I really can become like you.”

My heart skipped a beat. I hurriedly stopped her from talking nonsense. “Don’t say such degrading things! You don’t have a protagonist’s aura.”

Solace and Wastetime laughed. Wastetime said, “You always say the strangest things.”

A figure stepped out from the moonlight toward Juno. We immediately noticed and switched on the low beams. It was a frail woman, dressed like a native.

She said, “Did you kill the black demon? I have a favor to ask of you!”