My Apocalypse Train

Translator: AnubisTL

What does 50,000 Units of Iron Ore even mean?

Chen Mang hadn't spent that much Iron Ore since he started building the train.

He waved his hand and walked away from the stall. The price was too high. He'd put off buying slaves for now. He'd consider it again once the train's strength was sufficient.

Besides, the train's resource shortages often weren't due to a lack of slaves. Finding a mine in the wasteland was no easy feat. And even if you did find one, the constant threat of zombie hordes would quickly remind you of what divine "blessings" truly meant.

As he continued down the path, Chen Mang found the Gathering's offerings utterly bizarre, with everything imaginable on display.

There were all sorts of daily necessities, baijiu, vacuum-packed snacks, and more.

Resources like Copper Ore, Iron Ore, and Component Blueprints were also for sale.

And then...

Chen Mang stopped in front of a stall where a woman knelt on the ground, her ankles bound by iron chains. She was remarkably clean, even wearing full makeup and an elaborate outfit. Clearly, she had been carefully groomed, making her stand out sharply from the disheveled masses of the apocalypse.

Two lines of text were written on a wooden board nearby:

"Top-Tier Actress Seeking a Fated Partner."

Behind her stood several other attractive women and three carefully groomed young men, all looking fresh-faced and handsome, also celebrities.

Chen Mang surveyed the group with a calm expression. To be fair, all the women were quite beautiful. In the apocalypse, having full makeup was already a luxury, let alone their naturally good looks and fame. They were indeed rare commodities.

"Lord Mang," Old Pig whispered, his expression strange as he leaned close to Chen Mang's ear. "Isn't that Ji Chuchu, the actress who was super popular on that variety show before the apocalypse? This guy... did he just bring an entire Pre-Apocalypse film crew?"

"The others are all main guests from that variety show."

"They were all huge stars."

"But selling them for a high price will be tough. No one wants to spend too many resources on buying a woman. Unless he sells them by the session, someone might be willing to try them out."

"What's the price?" Chen Mang asked, turning his gaze from the women to the merchant.

Hearing the commotion, the kneeling A-list actress, Chu Chu, turned to Chen Mang with a pitiful expression and hopeful eyes. She forced a heartbreakingly bitter smile, a look that would easily stir a man's protective instincts.

The train conductor sitting in front of the stall's counter brightened at the sight of the Soaring Dragon Assault Rifle in Biaozi's arms. "Any Blue-grade Component Blueprint and she is yours to take immediately. If you don't have one, 50,000 Units of Iron Ore or Copper Ore will do."

"If that's not possible, tell me what rare Green-Grade Accessory Blueprints or special items you have. We can discuss it."

"This is Ji Chuchu! She's a top-tier dancer!"

"She's definitely worth the price!"

Chen Mang remained impassive, his gaze shifting to the young male celebrities behind him. "How much for those guys?"

"Their prices are a bit lower," the stall owner replied earnestly. "I've been making them work out consistently these days. Their physiques are in excellent shape. If you're into that sort of thing, they're perfect for you."

"And—"

The merchant yanked the young, fresh-faced male behind him forward, stripping off his clothes to reveal a perfectly sculpted six-pack. He patted the abs forcefully, his expression serious. "Look at these abs! Maintaining a physique like this in the apocalypse took a lot of effort!"

"It's a bit too expensive. I'll take a look around first."

Chen Mang sized up the situation, sighed softly, and turned away from the stall. Were these people insane, or was he the only one still struggling in poverty? A female celebrity—how dare they ask for 50,000 Iron Ore?

Might as well ask for 100,000?

As Chen Mang and his group walked away, the merchant's smile vanished instantly. He turned around and slapped Ji Chuchu across the face, his expression turning grim. "Didn't I tell you to act as pitiful as possible when customers come around?"

"What was that bitter smile supposed to mean?"

"Were you trying out for a tragic drama?"

"Has your terrible acting never improved in your entire life?"

"I..." Ji Chuchu knelt on the ground, tears welling in her eyes. She whispered, "Lao Liu, I..."

"Lao Liu? Call me Master Liu! Do you think I'm still your manager? Or someone you can boss around whenever you please?!"

The merchant slapped her again, even harder this time. Then he sat down on the ground, chest heaving, eyes darting nervously. Ji Chuchu was undoubtedly a valuable product—a top-tier actress at the peak of her fame. She'd fetch a high price, no doubt. But everyone in the No-Man's Wilderness was in the same boat: no one could afford to pay.

He'd come to every Gathering, but still hadn't made a sale.

Perhaps he should try Kunlun Mountain?

Kunlun Mountain lay at the western edge of the No-Man's Wilderness. Resources were more concentrated there, but so were the dangers. The Tier 3 Man-Eating Spider Leader Monster that could dominate the No-Man's Wilderness would be just a minor leader among the monster hordes there.

The trains that thrived in Kunlun Mountain were far stronger and could certainly afford to pay.

But with his train's current strength, venturing there would likely be a one-way trip.

Moreover...

The disparity in power was too great. Who would even bother buying from him? They'd just take her by force. He didn't even have the strength to fight back and suffer mutual losses.

Afterward, Chen Mang asked about the prices of goods at several other stalls.

For example, tobacco.

A pack of cigarettes costs 200 Units of Iron Ore.

Or fitness equipment.

"Sir, let's think long-term. How can we get the slaves to extract more resources each day? Isn't a strong body essential?"

"If you buy these barbells and treadmills, and dedicate a carriage as a gym, where the slaves can work out for a few hours after mining each day, wouldn't that significantly boost their extraction efficiency over time?"

"This whole package is just 1,000 Units of Iron Ore. My men worked hard to salvage these from the city ruins. They're practically brand new. If you're interested, I'm open to negotiating the price."

"..."

Chen Mang said nothing, simply staring at the Salesperson, who was enthusiastically pitching his wares, as if he were an idiot. He then glanced at the Salesperson's copy of "The Ultimate Sales Closing Guide" lying at his feet. After a moment of silence, Chen Mang slowly walked away.

Are this guy's subordinates all idiots?

That treadmill is huge and heavy. How did they even manage to carry it from the city ruins onto the train? Pure brute strength?

He finally understood.

This Gathering sold everything. When train conductors ran out of mines to dig, they'd scavenge through the city ruins for items to trade for Iron Ore at the Gathering.

But the items they found weren't always useful.

If they struck gold with a hard currency like Tobacco, it was easy to sell. But if they found something like a barbell... well, they'd need serious sales skills, or just pray for a fool to come along.

In this apocalyptic world, even the god of sales would struggle to sell a comb to a monk.

Unless the monk was an idiot.

(End of the Chapter)

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