Chapter 37: Heading to the Underworld

Sampo's sudden attack, unleashing a barrage of sleeping smoke bombs, caught everyone off guard except Theresa and Dan Heng.

Dan Heng had sensed something was off about Sampo from the beginning. With Theresa, an Emanator of Elation, present, Sampo's peculiar, thrill-seeking aura had naturally drawn his attention.

Bronya and Gepard struggled to stay awake against the overwhelming drowsiness, glaring at Sampo. The other Silvermane Guards lay scattered across the floor, snoring loudly. March 7th and Stelle were also asleep, leaving only Sampo, Theresa, and Dan Heng unaffected.

"Just to clarify," Theresa said to the groggy Bronya and Dan Heng, "this was all Sampo's doing. We had no prior knowledge of his plan." Dan Heng nodded warily, keeping his eyes fixed on Sampo.

"Oh, my, my! That stings!" Sampo exclaimed dramatically. "I barely managed to escape myself. Just as I was preparing a few self-defense trinkets, I saw you surrounded by the Silvermane Guards. How could a loyal friend like Sampo simply stand by while his companions were in trouble?"

"And then, bam! Just like that—quick as a flash! I tossed a smoke bomb and knocked out all the Silvermane Guards. Can you believe it? Even my own friends are suspicious of Sampo now!" Sampo wailed dramatically, feigning tears.

"I can't believe you escaped even this... You..." Gepard glared at Sampo, but his unfinished sentence faded as he collapsed into a deep slumber. Bronya tried to speak, but the overwhelming drowsiness claimed her too.

"Alright, alright, no need to be wary of me anymore. I'm Sampo from the Underworld—a merchant, in a manner of speaking." Sampo chuckled, explaining to Theresa and Dan Heng.

"A merchant? Is that what you call this?" Dan Heng scoffed, gesturing to the pile of snoring Silvermane Guards sprawled on the ground.

"Well, the Chinese translation of 'merchant' is shangren, which also means 'hurting people'. Makes perfect sense, right?" Theresa stepped forward with a faint smile, meeting Sampo's gaze.

"Heh heh heh, what a terribly cold joke."

"Enough. You understand the situation now, right? You're wanted by the Supreme Guardian—that woman Cocolia. Staying in the Overworld means endless waves of Silvermane Guards coming after you. And I can tell you don't have the heart to kill them—after all, Cocolia's the real mastermind."

"So, you're left with only one option: come with me to the Underworld and meet the leader of Wildfire. They're the only ones fighting the Silvermane Guards and those Fragmentum monsters down there."

"When the Supreme Guardian first took office, things were actually pretty good. But then she changed. She issued a new decree, withdrawing all Silvermane Guards stationed in the Underworld back to the Overworld."

"This decision was a devastating blow to the Underworld's people. Without the Guards' protection, how were they supposed to deal with the Fragmentum monsters roaming the streets?"

"So, everyone united and decided to fight the Fragmentum monsters themselves. That's how Wildfire was formed."

"Never mind, explaining all this is pointless. Wildfire's leader, Oleg, will explain everything to you. Right now, our only real enemy is that Supreme Guardian."

Sampo said, watching Theresa and Dan Heng as they pondered.

"Do you think your mix of truths and lies will sway us?" Theresa asked. "Let's not forget what happened in the Snowfield. You tried to sell us out and escape alone. If you hadn't done that, I wouldn't have needed to bind you with the Oath of Judah's Chains."

Theresa eyed Sampo, who was grinning awkwardly. "But you handed me over to the Silvermane Guards, and I ended up in jail. Doesn't that even the score?"

Sampo forced a wry smile at Theresa and Dan Heng. This was the first time his schemes had backfired so spectacularly in Theresa's presence, and the first time he'd been captured by the Silvermane Guards. If Gepard hadn't ordered them to keep a close watch on him, he feared they might have... well, let's just say they wouldn't have been gentle.

"It seems we don't have much choice now," Dan Heng mused. "The only path ahead leads to the Underworld." After a moment's thought, he concluded that it was indeed the most straightforward option.

"True, but who here knows how to drive this thing? And isn't the road to the Underworld blocked?" Theresa tucked away the Oath of Judah and turned to Sampo.

"I do! I still remember how to drive. This train runs on Geomarrow, and I recently added some to the fuel chamber. It should be enough for one trip down there. As for those barricades, Little Cutie Theresa, your weapon seems pretty powerful. Why don't you give it a shot?"

"I'll drive, and you'll break the chains of the blockade?" Sampo rubbed his hands together, grinning ingratiatingly at Theresa.

"Hmm, that works too," Theresa replied with a shrug. "I'll stand on the train's roof. Being so petite, I won't bump my head." After all, she was undeniably short, standing at exactly 145 centimeters—a legally recognized short girl.

"Then it's settled! Brother Dan Heng, shall we board the train first?" Sampo turned to Dan Heng, who had been warily eyeing him. Dan Heng nodded and stepped into the train. To the astonishment of both Theresa and Dan Heng, Sampo didn't immediately start driving. Instead, he began collecting the Silvermane Guards' weapons and stowing them inside the train, all under their bewildered gaze.

"Heh heh, we've already come this far," Sampo chuckled. "Besides, we're practically enemies with the Silvermane Guards now, so this isn't too excessive, right? At least I didn't strip them of their uniforms—can't let them freeze to death."

Sampo chuckled heartily as he stripped the Silvermane Guards of their weapons, even snatching Bronya's gun. Beaming, he piled the loot onto the train floor, cradling it in his arms.

"Hmm, Sampo's right," Theresa said with a sly smile. "Since we're here, why not take a hostage to make Cocolia think twice?"

To Sampo and Dan Heng's astonishment, Theresa lifted the unconscious Bronya and gently placed her on a train seat. She even thoughtfully bought a thin blanket from the Homu Shop to keep the young girl warm.

"You never cease to amaze me, Theresa," Dan Heng muttered in exasperation, settling into a seat near Bronya to keep watch over her. He needed to ensure she didn't wake up and cause trouble. "I thought you wouldn't pull something like this. Guess I was wrong."

"Alright, Dan Heng, I'll leave Bronya in your capable hands. Theresa, prepare for action!" Theresa leaped onto the train with surprising agility, startling Sampo. She drew the Oath of Judah and deployed it at her side.

"Little Cutie, handle those lockdown chains. Underworld train, let's go!"

Sampo excitedly restarted the train, which had been dormant for far too long. With a deafening roar, the engine sprang to life. Sampo raced to the power room, sweat pouring down his face as he shoveled Geomarrow into the blazing furnace. This archaic technology powered the train, and its various systems began to function.

Rumble...

The train lurched forward. The chains blocking its path snapped effortlessly beneath the Oath of Judah Soulium Spear, posing no threat whatsoever.