Finally... Level 3.

The exterior of the Stellar remained unchanged. Upgrading the train's Level didn't directly increase its combat power; it only increased its base speed, unlocked more craftable accessories, and added new functions.

For instance, a Level 2 train's base speed was 130 km/h. At Level 3, it was now 160 km/h—a minor but welcome boost.

It also unlocked nine new craftable accessories. Four of them were mandatory and had to be built before he could upgrade to Level 4. The other five were optional. Of course, for most people, "optional" really meant "required," since they needed to build them to meet the total accessory level requirement for the next Level up, unless they found blueprints elsewhere.

The most noticeable change was the new [Legacy Value] stat on the panel. He was currently at 0. A high enough Legacy Value would provide more opportunities for special encounters in advanced regions. There were only a few ways to acquire it, such as sheltering children under the age of 12 or using a "Doomsday Marriage Certificate" to hold a wedding for survivors on the train. The former proved that even in the apocalypse, some were willing to consider the continuation of humanity. The latter proved that true love could still exist in a world where society had collapsed.

However, he hadn't seen a single child, let alone one under 12. In the harsh reality of the apocalypse, it was unlikely many had survived this long. As for the marriage certificate, he hadn't found a use for it yet. But he wasn't in a hurry. Legacy Value was only useful in advanced regions, and he had no plans to go there anytime soon.

Looking at the nine new accessories, he finally understood how to repair damaged parts.

[Mechanical Nano-Spiders]: Yellow-grade accessory. Cost: 1,000 iron ore.

[Combat Training Virtual Space]: Yellow-grade accessory. Cost: 1,000 iron ore.

[Internal Space Stabilizer]: Yellow-grade accessory. Cost: 1,000 iron ore.

[Soldier Exoskeleton Production Line]:

Yellow-grade accessory. Cost: 1,000 iron ore.

These four were the mandatory accessories required for the Level 4 upgrade.

"..."

A strange light flashed in Chen Mang's eyes. These four accessories were all incredibly powerful!

The first, the Nano-Spiders, were for repairing damaged parts. Before this, damaged accessories were irreparable. You just had to make do until they broke completely and then craft a new one. This had appeared rather late, only at Level 3. But it made sense. For most Level 1 and 2 trains, accessories weren't that expensive to replace. But for him, with all his high-level accessories, replacing them every time they got damaged would bankrupt him, no matter how rich he was.

The second and fourth accessories were for enhancing individual combat capabilities. One improved combat skills, while the other provided a personal exoskeleton. He read the description of the latter. It wasn't heavy armor or a mech suit, but more like a streamlined steel skeleton that fit over the human body, enhancing overall physical attributes without providing any defensive function. It couldn't stop bullets or block monster attacks. Worn under clothing, it would be completely invisible.

However…

"..."

Chen Mang's eyes narrowed. He had always thought that improving individual combat ability was a non-essential need, since the train handled most of the fighting. But now, at Level 3, two such accessories had appeared, and both were mandatory.

As the saying goes, Pangu first shaped the heavens and earth, giving rise to all that followed. Nothing exists without a purpose tied to another—a fundamental law of the universe. 【TN: Pangu is a mythical figure in Chinese cosmology who separated the heavens and earth, creating the foundation of existence.】

Which meant—

Somewhere between Level 3 and Level 4, there had to be a challenge that tested the individual combat ability of the train's crew. This challenge was likely the specialization mission. Otherwise, these two accessories would be pointless.

As for the last mandatory accessory, the [Internal Space Stabilizer], his slaves would love this one. It ensured that no matter how the train moved—whether climbing vertically up a wall, drifting like a falling leaf, or taking off in a spiral—the space inside the carriages would remain stable. No more would his slaves be piled up like sardines in a can whenever the train climbed a cliff.

Very good.

These four accessories were all massive improvements. He then looked at the five optional ones.

[Central Air-Conditioning]: Yellow-grade accessory. Cost: 1,000 iron ore

[Storage Box]: Green-grade accessory. Cost: 500 wood.

[Shock Dampener]: Yellow-grade accessory. Cost: 1,000 iron ore.

[Medical Bay]: Yellow-grade accessory. Cost: 1,000 iron ore.

[Unknown Accessory]: Unknown grade. Cost: 1 iron ore. Automatically transforms into a heavy-duty external weapon accessory corresponding to the chosen specialization path after the train is specialized.

The first accessory's function was obvious. Winter was coming, and this would maintain a stable temperature inside the train, preventing his slaves from freezing to death. It also had a fresh air system that would drastically improve the air quality.

The second, the Storage Box, could hold up to 1,000 units of a single resource, whether it was Level 1 or Level 2 iron ore. It would free up a lot of space, though he still thought his Level 10 Refrigerators were more versatile.

The third, "Shock Dampener," was a defensive accessory. As long as the train's external defenses, like the armor, were intact, it would effectively nullify the impact from monster collisions.

The fourth, the Medical Bay, could treat most external injuries. He already had the Level 10 "Simple First-Aid Kit," which was effective.

The fifth accessory...

This was the cheapest accessory he had ever seen, costing only 1 unit of iron ore. However, he couldn't craft it yet. He had to complete his specialization first. Specializing as a "Mechanical Train" would grant one type of heavy weapon, and specializing as a "Flesh Train" would grant another.

These nine accessories were the most significant changes after reaching Level 3.

Notably, the number of craftable accessories decreased with each level: 17 at Level 1, 12 at Level 2, and now 9 at Level 3. Many basic accessories, like the “Boneoculars”, were no longer available.

Other, more subtle changes were hidden within the console and panels, requiring him to explore and discover them himself. For example, the "Personalized Carriage Customization" function had a new feature. The carriages housing his "40-Barrel Cherry Blossom Rocket Launchers" were originally open-topped, which left the weapons vulnerable. Now, at Level 3, he could upgrade them to an advanced open-topped design. The launchers would be hidden inside, and when needed, the armored roof would retract, and a lift would raise the weapon system to rain fire upon his enemies.

It was a practical feature. The upgrade wasn't expensive, only 1,000 iron ore per carriage. The new armor for the roof was included in the price, as the cost had already been paid when he'd upgraded the train's main armor.

Besides that, three new buttons appeared on the control console.

[Family Planning]

[Immediate Self-Destruct]

[Immediate Ejection]

Pressing the first button would release a spray throughout the carriages, preventing anyone from getting pregnant, except for creatures in a "Breeding Carriage." He pressed it immediately. For now, he didn't want anyone on the train getting pregnant.

The second button was brutally simple. Press it, and the train would immediately self-destruct in a massive explosion.

"..."

Chen Mang's mouth twitched. What if he accidentally hit it one day? He'd be blown to smithereens. But the next moment, a transparent plastic cover materialized over the button, complete with a fingerprint scanner. Only he could open it. If anyone else tried to force it open, the AI would instantly lock on with the Internal Fire-Control System and open fire. Furthermore, even after pressing the button, he would still need to confirm the action on the main screen.

That made it safe enough.

After all, it was impossible for someone to accidentally open the cover, accidentally press the button, and then accidentally confirm it on the screen.

"If you were that careless, it wouldn’t be surprising if King Yama accidentally slipped and erased your name from the Book of Life and Death."