Adam sat in deep thought, having been lost in contemplation for nearly 15 minutes, unaware of the snow piling up around him.
The snowfall had layered a thick, white blanket over his shoulders and head, nearly concealing him in the wintery scene.
The world was silent, the biting cold air filled with the muted sound of snowflakes landing softly.
In a sudden moment of awareness, he glanced down and realized that he was covered in snow.
He brushed his hand across his shoulder, shaking off the snow in a swift motion.
To his amazement, the light brush of his hand sent not only the snow on him but also a larger area of snow on the ground nearby scattering away.
A small shockwave radiated out from his touch, sending fragments of ice and snow flying, as though his mere movement contained an explosive force.
Adam's brows lifted in surprise. Am I really this powerful? he thought.
For a moment, he considered clapping his hands together to see the full extent of his strength, imagining the impact and the potential devastation it might cause.
But he quickly dismissed the thought, deciding instead to search for the faint smoke trail he had seen earlier.
I need to understand this world... there must be people here who can explain what's going on, he reasoned. Or at least give me some answers.
With this in mind, he stood up, brushing off the last traces of snow and setting off in the direction he remembered seeing the smoke.
Scanning the horizon, Adam shielded his eyes against the glaring white snow, looking for any sign of the smoke he'd noticed before.
As he focused, he was taken aback by how clearly he could see everything. His vision extended farther than any human's should, allowing him to spot small details in the distance with sharp precision.
It was as if his senses had been supercharged.
After a few moments, his gaze caught sight of a faint plume of smoke far to the west.
With a sense of purpose, he murmured to himself, "Found it." He gathered his focus, preparing to run in that direction.
With a single step, he launched himself forward, each stride carrying him over vast distances.
Mountains and snowfields blurred past as he ran, his surroundings becoming little more than streaks of white and gray.
Adam's speed left an impact with each step, cracks forming in the icy ground behind him, though he tried to hold back his strength as much as he could.
Within moments, the smoke grew larger and darker, until he could make out its source—a train winding through the snowy landscape, its chimney sending up plumes into the icy sky.
Is that… a train? Adam slowed to a stop, staring at the vehicle in astonishment. Aliens have trains too?
He looked closer, noticing that the snow was still falling heavily around him. Oddly enough, he didn't feel cold in the slightest.
Realization dawned on him as he thought, Maybe this is another side effect of my new abilities.
Whatever powers I gained here are somehow protecting me from the cold.
Intrigued by the sight of the train, Adam's gaze sharpened, his senses focused. He could see inside the windows, even from the distance.
Figures, dressed warmly, were seated inside, some eating, others simply gazing out the windows at the snowy wilderness.
To his shock, the people inside looked… human.
"So... they look just like us," he muttered in disbelief. "At least on this world, the 'aliens' aren't much different from humans back on Earth."
With a grin, he thought, If they look human, maybe I can blend in too. That'll be a lot easier than hiding out alone in a cave.
His stomach grumbled, and he noticed the food some passengers were eating—a reminder of how long it had been since he'd had a proper meal.
I need to get on that train, he decided, hunger winning out.
With measured steps, Adam started running, adjusting his speed so that he wouldn't pass the train.
Soon, he was moving alongside it, watching the locomotive chug along. Timing his next move, he crouched and sprang upward, propelling himself onto the roof of the train with minimal effort.
His landing was flawless, though the impact was enough to create a small dent. Quickly, he pressed his fingertip into the roof, creating a tiny hole to stabilize his grip.
The cold metal roof was slick, but he held on easily, his enhanced strength keeping him secure.
After ensuring he was steady, Adam scanned for a way inside. He found a side door on one of the train cars just below him.
Taking a deep breath, he dropped down and caught hold of the door handle with one hand, carefully lifting himself onto the platform.
With a quiet but firm push, he opened the door and slipped inside, closing it behind him.
For the first time in days, Adam exhaled a sigh of relief. "Finally, I'm in."
Inside the train, he found himself in a narrow corridor with a few doors on either side, likely leading to compartments or restrooms.
He straightened his posture, taking in his surroundings with cautious curiosity.
This place looks so familiar, he thought, noticing the red seats lined up on either side, the gentle hum of the train in motion, and the soft chatter of passengers in the nearby compartments.
Moving quietly, he made his way through the narrow passageway, his dark, hooded attire and mask making him look out of place but enigmatic enough to avoid suspicion.
As he stepped into a passenger car, Adam observed a variety of people: some young, children playing, and families sharing quiet conversations.
The red fabric seats and warm lights gave the cabin a cozy feel, contrasting with the harsh, snowy world outside.
Lost in his observations, he barely noticed when a man dressed in a uniform approached him. The staff member, giving him a curious look, tapped him gently on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me, sir. You should be in your seat."
Adam blinked, quickly masking his surprise with a nod. "Right, of course," he replied, doing his best to sound natural.
The staff member seemed to accept this and walked away, though not without a lingering, puzzled look.
As he moved down the aisle, Adam allowed himself a small smile. So far, so good. It looks like I might actually be able to blend in here.