Pick Me Up!

Chapter 263: Like Killing Insects (3) (1)

[Dimensional City Beta]

I surveyed the area.

On the concrete airstrip, dozens of airships were neatly parked in rows. NPCs and heroes from the M?bius side were buzzing around. In the midst of the noise, our airship glided down smoothly. The faint hum of the engines signaled the landing of the Lucette.

“Welcome! I’ll assist with your registration.”

A woman in a business suit approached us.

She pulled out some papers and glanced between them and us.

“First, let me confirm. Han of Townia, Jenna, and Velkist, correct? Your purpose is a 6-star promotion, and your master is Anytng, right?”

I half-listened to the attendant’s words while silently scanning my surroundings.

The targets were not visible.

Well, we arrived first.

Even though they were at least 100 meters away, the difference in travel time was less than a minute. They’d show up soon enough.

“First, there’s an important rule you must follow here: PvP between heroes is strictly forbidden. This rule was revised recently due to a mass massacre. Please sign here if you agree.”

I took the pen from the attendant and signed carelessly.

[Restrictions will apply in the event zone.]

[PvP is prohibited! You cannot use ‘Engravings’.]

“No Engravings?”

“Yes. Regular skills are allowed. It would be inconvenient for customers if you couldn’t use your skills at all. The company can handle the rest.”

It was similar to the conditions during the battle with the Beast King on the 50th floor.

I flicked my hand, but the black-red lightning, symbolizing the Black Dragon’s Blood, didn’t appear.

Now, I had only my physical strength and skills.

“Could the two behind you also sign?”

“Sis, if PvP is banned, does that mean we can’t counterattack?”

“Well, that’s…”

The attendant looked troubled.

I chuckled and walked past the attendant, not forgetting to snatch the pamphlet from her hand.

[6-Star Promotion Guide]

[To be promoted to 6 stars, the highest practical rank in Pick Me Up, a procedure is required. Please note that there is no high-grade promotion center in the waiting area.]

In short, it was simple: If you want to advance to 6 stars, take a test.

There was a station at the airstrip, and you could travel to and from the test site by train.

‘Estimated travel time… 6 hours.’

That’s quite long.

The bottom of the pamphlet had a guide for heroes unfamiliar with modern technology, explaining the concept of trains.

Jenna and Velkist quickly skimmed through it.

“A big, silent carriage?”

“Didn’t we see it before in the Dimensional City?”

Jenna tilted her head in confusion. It was time she got used to modern technology.

About ten minutes later, I was seated on the train heading to the test site. The city’s scenery continuously passed by outside the window. According to Yurnet’s explanation, this city was a crude imitation of Earth. Despite the well-kept buildings and roads, there wasn’t a single car or person in sight.

“Oppa, aren’t you drinking?”

Jenna handed me a can of soda. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

On the round can were images of mint leaves and chocolate. It was part of the in-train meal service given out by the stewardess.

Only Jenna and I were sitting here.

Velkist had gone to the lounge, saying he wanted to take a nap.

“It’s really tasty!”

Jenna gulped down the contents of the can.

“Don’t drink a lot.”

I responded half-heartedly, then looked around.

Heroes in various outfits filled the seats ahead and behind us.

‘Among them must be the targets.’

I hadn’t identified the exact details of the assassins—neither their appearance nor their gender or age.

How would they approach? The most likely scenario was an ambush during the test. In such a situation, it could easily be disguised as an accident. Causing trouble here would be too risky, even for them. There were at least a hundred people on this train.

“Hey! You there! I’ve been calling you, why aren’t you answering?”

Even if the thug Skullcrusher was a ranker, he didn’t have any backers. If he acted recklessly, he would self-destruct. He was known as a PvP specialist, so he must have had some sense.

“Oppa, someone’s calling you.”

Jenna tapped my shoulder, and I turned to look.

A strange woman was glaring at me.

“Finally, you look at me.”

She exhaled deeply.

“It’s been a while since we last met, hasn’t it? How have you been?”

“Sorry, but who are you?”

The woman’s face briefly twisted in displeasure but quickly regained composure.

“Sadine Nibel from Ariana. You don’t remember? We teamed up at Raid Festa. I’m glad to see you here.”

Ah, now I remember. There was a woman who pestered me to form a team during the battle royale. Sadine Nibel. A blonde knight who was born a 4-star. I had eliminated her in the final match of the event. She was quite skilled for a 4-star, but she couldn’t withstand Ascend’s power.

“Oh, right. Good to see you.”

I replied indifferently and turned my gaze back to the window.

“You’re still as rude as ever.”

“I’m a bit busy. Got a lot going on.”

“You seem quite leisurely, gazing out the window like that.”

“I’m thinking about a hundred different things.”

In reality, I wasn’t thinking much at all. The real battle would begin after the test. A chance for a counterattack would come, without a doubt. No matter how crazy they were, they wouldn’t act here…

“Fine. Let’s cut to the chase. Join us. We’ll treat you well. Our master holds you in high rega—”

Suddenly, green gas began pouring from the ventilation system in the ceiling.

“Huh?”

The light green gas billowed out, engulfing Sadine’s face as she was in the middle of her long speech.

“What’s going on…?”

“Get down.”

I grabbed Jenna, who was drinking her mint-chocolate soda, and pushed her head down, pressing her body flat against the floor.

“What the hell is this?”

“I didn’t order this kind of service! Call the attendant!”

As the green smoke filled the train, the passengers’ shouts grew louder.

“Cough! Cough!”

“The windows won’t open…!”

Thud.

Sadine collapsed silently to the floor. Black blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

‘Damn lunatics.’

They had gone too far.

“Poison! It’s poison!”

“Argh!”

Still crouching, I kicked at the window with my foot. Thud! The window barely rattled.

‘Reinforced glass, huh?’

Even with enough force to dent steel, the glass didn’t crack. All the windows were locked.

The passengers were desperately trying to open the windows, but they didn’t budge.

“Cough! Cough!”

Thud.

Heroes without poison resistance began dropping one by one.

“Oppa, this is…!”

Jenna whispered in a panic.

I bit my lip.

“They’ve filled the train with poison gas.”

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