Tokyo: The Player Behind the Scenes.

Chapter 102, page 100: The Monster Train

"Due to a technical issue, the entire Hibiya line will be under maintenance and will reopen after 8:00 AM."

"Are you kidding me?! Forget it, I'll just take a taxi."

"Seriously, how are people supposed to go out like this? Are the other routes okay?"

At the transfer passage of Ueno Station, two security personnel blocked the entrance, with an electronic display board next to them displaying information about maintenance along the entire Hibiya Line. They awkwardly pretended not to hear the complaints from the public.

Nobita's heart sank when he saw the notice.

His bomb threat last night deliberately obscured the time to get the authorities to lock down the entire morning, but now it seems that, for various reasons, they are unwilling to do so and are only locking down until 8 o'clock.

But at this time, is it really possible to avoid that monster named Zhu Hai?

As expected, he was ultimately just an ordinary high school student. Even if he had so-called superpowers, he wouldn't gain any extraordinary wisdom at the same time.

Reality is not a game; there is no clear questline to guide you on how to defeat the Demon King and avoid destruction.

He could only discuss this matter with Uesugi, who was also a player.

Asano-senpai is so smart that he might be able to think of other better methods, but he has already added a lot of risks to the other party for no reason, and he really doesn't want to drag the other party into this vortex that is really dangerous.

After all, given Asano-senpai's penchant for solving puzzles, he might very well show up at the scene to observe.

He was absolutely capable of doing that. If he had known earlier, he probably would have infiltrated the Hibiya Line to search for the hidden passage.

I glanced at the time; it was already past seven.

drip.

A voice that only he could hear came.

Nobita knew this was a private message.

[Moon: Don't force yourself]

[Zhi: Thank you.]

After replying to the message, Nobi glanced at the passersby at the subway entrance who were constantly complaining about the official procedures.

Some people chose to leave, while others who weren't in a hurry chose to wait. In any case, it would only take about half an hour.

Among these people were two or three close friends who went out for a day trip together on Sunday, chatting and laughing; there were also families of three, with the parents each holding one of their child's hands as they played on a swing; and there were also disheartened office workers who still had to work on Sundays.
"Isn't this the very meaning of a hero's existence?"

Nobita's gaze hardened. He found a secluded spot, became a "smartphone addict," and quietly waited for the subway to open.

It's eight o'clock.

The two security guards confirmed the information over the walkie-talkie, then began packing up their things. It took about ten minutes before the entrance was officially opened.

The first group of passengers entered the transfer passage with complaints, but before they had taken more than a few steps, they encountered security measures that were much stricter than before, as well as fully armed robots, and suddenly became somewhat uneasy.

Was this foreign visit changed to a visit by the President at the last minute?

"No way, he's the vice president."

"Then why is the security so extreme?"

"How would I know?"

The passengers discussed the situation cautiously, seemingly confused.

Because the security was not expected to be so strict today, some passengers who were carrying prohibited items had their items confiscated, which also wasted more time.

Nobi mingled in the crowd, just like any other ordinary high school student going out for a date. He suppressed his nervousness and passed through security. Looking at the security personnel who were on high alert, he felt that his reminder had been useful.

With the opening of the route, a large number of people rushed in. Coupled with the strict security checks, by the time Nobita arrived at the platform, it was already past 8:30. He could only watch a fully loaded train leave and wait for the next one.

That should be the first train in this direction.

"Nothing has changed by now. Could it be that the time is wrong? Or did the protagonist in the game actually achieve an action even more perfect than a perfect ending and pull the brake?"

Nobita stared at his phone, pretending to browse social media, but his emotions were in constant flux. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he almost didn't notice the train had arrived at the station; thankfully, a station attendant reminded him.

"Child, aren't you getting on the train?" the station attendant asked after clearing his throat twice.

So fast? It seems like they just left on the last trip.
Nobita snapped out of his daze, realizing he had misjudged the time in his nervousness. He quickly forced a smile and nodded to the station attendant, "Sorry, I was distracted."

After saying that, he glanced at the carriage, which was already quite full, though less crowded than during the morning rush hour. He then quickly stepped onto the train, which was about to close its doors.

However, the first few trips were just special cases. Normally, the passenger flow will return to normal in the future.

Since there was still room, most people decided to skip the next trip.

Ding.

The train doors closed.

The station attendant who had just reminded Nobita stood on the platform, quietly watching the train start moving.

"Strange, the screen clearly showed that it was still two minutes away, but I didn't expect it to be faster."

"Don't be surprised. There are delays and early departures, it's normal."

Nobi, who had just caught the train, was about to walk a little further inside when he overheard a conversation among some passengers. Something flashed through his mind, and he suddenly froze.

His expression suddenly turned to horror. He pressed his face against the train door in disbelief, looking at the platform that was slowly receding into the distance, and at the station attendant who had just reminded him to board the train.

He was still standing there, wearing a familiar station attendant uniform.

That person was clearly—

Cuckoo.

The train entered a pitch-black tunnel.

Nobita's heart felt like it was being gripped tightly; that familiar feeling of facing a test in the game had appeared in reality.

Before his unease could spread throughout his body, the LED white lights inside the car suddenly began to flash, causing the passengers to look up and peer curiously.

However, most people don't take it seriously, thinking it's just a problem of aging circuits, and at most complain about these increasingly outdated public facilities.

But then the flickering intensified, as if it had acquired some kind of frequency, making people dizzy and irritable.

The passengers became tense, and some even panicked.

"Who's going to find a flight attendant?!"

"Glasses! Let me pick up my glasses!"

"Mom, is it dark yet?"

Hey.

With a crisp sound, the white light disappeared completely, plunging the surroundings into complete darkness, leaving only a few scattered glows from the phone screen.

The already tense crowd finally stirred, with screams echoing around the carriage. Some people took advantage of the chaos to have ulterior motives, stealthily snatching other people's phones or wallets.

But very quickly, within seconds, the lights came back on.

Before the passengers could even breathe a sigh of relief, they discovered that what lit up was a hazy red light.

In those few short, dark seconds, the surrounding carriages had transformed, becoming unusually old and unfamiliar.

But Nobita didn't feel unfamiliar with the train car, because it was the same one he had taken on his way to Kisaragi Station.

He could even vaguely see the mottled marks left by previous people on the car wall through the gaps in the crowd.

People were clearly unable to comprehend this sudden change, and quickly lost their composure, plunging into chaos. Noise dominated the scene, and although some tried to remain calm, their trembling legs betrayed them.

Nobita took a deep breath of the murky, anxious air, pushed through the crowd, and ran toward the front of the car.

If he guessed correctly
Now, all the people in the car are inside that monster named Zhu Hai!
(End of this chapter)