As Su Yu entered the control room at the end of the car and pulled the emergency brake, the train gradually slowed down.
The sound of wheels grinding against the rails was undoubtedly a much-needed boost of confidence for all the passengers on board.
“The train stopped. Are we saved?”
“I don’t know, but I’ve already sent a distress call to the Hero Association. I have no idea if that will help.”
“What about the monster? Where did it go?”
The previously lifeless car began to buzz with scattered conversations.
Everyone’s hearts were still hanging by a thread due to the sudden change; no one dared to say they were safe.
“No, I have to go check.”
Some braver passengers had already stood up.
For those who had already fallen into despair, waiting there to guess their fate was an extremely torturous ordeal.
“Don’t! There’s a monster in the front car. If you go, you’ll disappear.”
“So we just wait here to die?”
“What else? Do you want to go and take down that monster yourself?”
Some passengers were on the verge of arguing, their opinions clashing.
“All right, stop arguing. Just sit tight.”
A middle-aged man with better mental fortitude stepped in to stop them.
“We’re not just waiting to die here. At least someone among us can fight that monster. She’s a mage. Maybe she can save us.”
“Are you talking about that girl with the white hair? Can she really do it?”
A woman holding a child still looked worried, clearly concerned about the girl who had suddenly appeared.
“Why wouldn’t she be able to? Didn’t you all see just now? That girl blocked the monster’s axe with one hand. Ask yourselves if any of you could do that.”
The middle-aged man pointed at the crowd, a little speechless, causing everyone to exchange glances.
“Really?”
“I nearly wet my pants just now. I had no energy to pay attention to that. I just heard someone shout for me to run, so I ran.”
“If what you say is true, then we might actually be saved?”
Hearing that there was someone strong enough to fight the monster on the train, hope began to stir in their hearts again.
“Also, I don’t know if any of you have been following a new hero from the Association lately. Her code name is ‘Pure White Valkyrie,’ an A-Class Hero. I saw her photo online, and she looks a lot like that girl.”
“You noticed that too? But the lighting was dim, and she was wearing a mask. I really couldn’t confirm it was her.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s her. If it really is, then we’re saved. She’s an A-Class Hero after all.”
The crowd buzzed with excitement, their voices growing louder, as if the shadow of death that had loomed over them had completely vanished.
At that moment, the car’s power came back on with a click.
The previously dim world was suddenly flooded with light.
“What happened? Did we win?”
Light meant hope.
The restoration of power indicated that someone had already started returning things to normal.
Although the final outcome was still uncertain, it was nonetheless good news for everyone.
Meanwhile, the connecting door at the rear of the car let out another painful groan.
All eyes turned to look.
A small, slender girl was squeezing through from the other side with some difficulty.
“Oh man, why did this door have to break? Now I have to use my super strength just to get through.”
Su Yu complained while brushing off the dust on her body, completely unaware that a crowd of people was huddled at the other end of the car.
She simply continued talking to Lin Mo.
“So, what do we do next? The nearest station is still far away. Do you want me to push the train? I don’t know how to drive a subway.”
“No need. I found all the staff in the bathroom at the front. Once they wake up, everything will be fine. Also, the Association’s support should be arriving soon.”
Su Yu nodded quietly and sighed.
“With something like this happening, I’m definitely going to be late. Should I notify the Association in advance?”
“No need. I’ve already explained the situation to them. They won’t pass up this opportunity for publicity. You’re going to be very busy soon.”
“The Metal Storm has already arrived nearby, but it looks like it was a wasted trip. You’ll have to handle the rest on your own.”
Lin Mo’s words seemed to carry a deeper meaning.
Su Yu raised an eyebrow, confused.
“What do you mean?”
“…”
There was no more response from the communicator.
“Hey? What’s going on?”
Su Yu was puzzled.
She pondered the words he had left her with and felt an inexplicable sense of unease, as if something bad was about to happen.
“It’s really her! I’m certain!”
“Oh my god, it’s really Lady Valkyrie. We were saved by Lady Valkyrie?”
“Wahhh… Mom…”
Whether from excitement or relief at surviving, every single person present couldn’t contain their raw emotions when they saw the great hero who had saved them.
“Long live Lady Valkyrie!”
“Long live Lady Valkyrie!”
The crowd surged forward.
The flustered girl raised her hands to stop them, instinctively stepping back, but there was clearly nowhere left to go.
“Hold on, calm down!”
…
…
Meanwhile, in the Hero Association’s grand hall, a group of high-ranking officials and reporters from all across the city had been waiting for a long time.
Their goal was simple: to witness the rise of a new hero star and to spread the tale of her heroic deeds.
But things weren’t going as planned.
Even after waiting for a considerable amount of time, the person in question had yet to appear.
With the scheduled time approaching, the high-ranking officials on stage were pacing anxiously, fidgeting in their seats, but they could only helplessly try to calm the reporters.
“What’s going on? Time’s almost up and there’s still no sign of her. Go give her another push.”
One official couldn’t wait any longer and had no choice but to send someone to urge her on, at least to find out what was happening with the newcomer.
After all, this was no small matter.
To promote this new hero, the Association had pulled out all the stops, summoning the entire city’s media to establish the prestige of City A’s Hero Association.
But if this newcomer stood them up, the consequences would be extremely severe.
They’d be cursed out and never recover from it.
“Please, make it in time…”
He silently prayed, hoping things wouldn’t take a turn for the worst.
“Sir, we have news!”
Just as everyone was exchanging puzzled looks, a staff member in a suit quickly ran onto the main stage and whispered into one of the official’s ears.
After a moment, the official’s expression relaxed.
He waved the staff member away, straightened the microphone, and said gravely to the entire audience:
“I apologize for keeping you all waiting. I regret to announce that our star of the day, the ‘Pure White Valkyrie,’ may not be able to arrive on time.”
The audience immediately erupted in chaos.
Even the officials sitting next to him shot him incredulous looks.
“However! Let me explain. Our hero, the ‘Pure White Valkyrie,’ is not late due to personal reasons. A monster attack just occurred in the city.”
“As the closest hero to the incident site, she unhesitatingly answered the call and rushed to assist the civilians. That is why she cannot make it on time. She has also conveyed her apologies through our communications.”
Upon hearing this, everyone present showed expressions of understanding.
“Ah, that makes sense. That makes sense.”
The reporters, who had been indignant moments ago, immediately changed their tune.
The anger that had built up from the long wait vanished without a trace.
The high-ranking Hero Association official on stage seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, speaking with righteous indignation:
“As heroes, it is our foremost duty to put the safety of the people’s lives and property first. That has always been the core tenet of the Hero Association.”
“Our new hero has fully inherited the heroic spirit that the Association advocates. Even in the face of potential criticism and public backlash, she unflinchingly chose to uphold her beliefs. Isn’t this noble spirit worthy of our praise?”
The reporters below nodded in agreement, signaling their acceptance of this explanation.
“But sir, we understand the demands of Lady Valkyrie’s job. However, after all the trouble we’ve gone to, we can’t just leave empty-handed…”
The high-ranking official on stage nodded and responded:
“Don’t worry, everyone. Although an accident occurred, according to our latest information, the rampaging monster has been subdued and the trapped civilians have been rescued.”
“As for Lady Valkyrie herself, she has contacted us and said she will arrive shortly.”
“I see. Then we’ll continue waiting.”
Most of the reporters breathed a sigh of relief.
After waiting this long, they didn’t want to go back with nothing.
Waiting a little longer was nothing.
Seeing that his reassurance had worked, the official who had just spoken leaned back slightly.
A sharp-eyed staff member immediately came forward, bending down to listen.
“Go urge her again. Make it quick!”