The howls of monsters and beasts echoed throughout Mount Noah as if filling the entire space.
[Kieeeek!]
[Kyawoo!]
Amid the deafening noise, all it took to silence them was a single bullet and a simple pull of the trigger.
Bang—!
Bang! Bang!
Just as expected, every time the trigger was pulled, the cries of monsters and beasts gradually faded away.
Unintentionally, I had significantly contributed to making Mount Noah a more pleasant place to live.
[You have slain the Grade 9 Beast-Type, Black Mane Cheetah.]
[Damage to Grade 9 Beast-Type, Black Mane Cheetah, increases by 0.05%.]
[You have slain the Grade 8 Beast-Type, Starved Saber Tiger.]
[Damage to Grade 8 Beast-Type, Starved Saber Tiger, increases by 0.05%.]
While continuing to shoot, I remained under cover.
It was a precaution in case of another sniper attack.
Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any other long-range monsters like Moog, the Stone Thrower among the remaining enemies, but I couldn't afford to lower my guard just yet.
'One moment of carelessness is enough.'
The place I was holding was the frontline closest to Mount Noah—the Red Line, the furthest rear line.
Normally, long-range monsters like Moog, the Stone Thrower almost never appear here.
However, since it already happened once, there was no room for complacency.
[Kieeeeee!]
The distance between me and the monsters had now shrunk to within 500 meters.
It was an inevitable moment, so I decisively thrust a bone tentacle into the ground again.
[You have proclaimed Ankelenth's Domain!]
[Remaining duration: 1 minute 15 seconds.]
As Ankelenth's Domain spread out, the movements of the monsters halted once more.
They sensed instinctive fear.
'Time is running out. I'll finish this as quickly as possible.'
I counted exactly 20 seconds before pulling the bone tentacle out again.
Ideally, I wanted to keep the domain active to create more distance, but with Maybell Pilgrim to protect, I had to reserve some of the remaining duration.
[Ankelenth's Domain has been lifted.]
[Remaining duration: 55 seconds.]
'I'll end it in this window.'
I gently swung the Ark-15 automatic rifle and the NO-13 grenade launcher to cool down the heated barrels before shouldering them again.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
I didn't hesitate to fire the grenade launcher repeatedly.
When dealing with a swarm of monsters like this, nothing worked better than the grenade launcher.
'The increased projectile speed makes a noticeable difference.'
Previously, the slower speed often allowed monsters to instinctively dodge the explosion range.
But now, with the enhanced speed, most of the monsters couldn't react in time and were caught in the blast.
[You have slain the Grade 10 Beast-Type, Tropical Grassland Raptor.]
[Damage to Grade 10 Beast-Type, Tropical Grassland Raptor, increases by 0.05%.]
[You have slain the Grade 10 Beast-Type, Hellhound.]
[Damage to Grade 10 Beast-Type, Hellhound, increases by 0.05%.]
The heat tolerance of both the Ark-15 automatic rifle and the NO-13 grenade launcher had greatly improved.
In the past, the barrels would have overheated and become unusable by now, but they remained intact.
Bang, Bang Bang—!
Boom—!
Gunshots and explosions continued to echo.
When the thick gunpowder smoke and explosion smoke finally rose into the sky above Mount Noah, the cries of the monsters also ceased.
At last, I had successfully hunted down all the monsters and beasts I had lured into Mount Noah.
[You have manipulated the voices of souls! The souls realize they were deceived, but they are also impressed by you.]
[Ether Sensitivity has increased.]
[16 -> 17]
The increase in Ether Sensitivity.
At this rate, I would soon reach Level 3 Ether Adaptability, a level that Tatiana Belov had already attained.
'From Level 3 Ether Adept onward, it's truly the realm of superhumans.'
Strictly speaking, I was already considered superhuman after acquiring Strong Body, but Level 3 marked a completely different level of power.
Simultaneously with the rise in Ether Sensitivity, another change occurred.
[The power to dominate souls has strengthened.]
[The level of Steel Body has increased.]
──────────────
[Steel Body] [Lv.2]
— Enhances the body by absorbing Ether.
"View Details"
──────────────
The power of [Steel Body] had advanced to Level 2.
To prove it, Ether surged around me, seeping through my nose, mouth, eyes, and ears.
[Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here.]
[Carl, Mar, cus...]
[This way. This way. This way. This way. This way. This way. This way.]
[We will be your strength...]
"Sss... Hoo..."
I could feel it.
I could sense the movement of Ether with every breath I took.
While I quietly reflected on the changes in my body, a voice cautiously reached my ears.
"Um..."
Realizing that the battle was over, Maybell Pilgrim cautiously approached from where she had been hiding.
"Is... is it over?"
"Not yet."
"Huh?"
Just as I said, the battlefield at the Ark's front line was still engulfed in war.
Truthfully, I wanted to rush to the front and join the fight.
However, considering Maybell Pilgrim's presence, I couldn't move carelessly.
It wasn't just the fact that I had to protect her—it was also because she was observing my combat.
'From her perspective, I've probably already used up several hundred bullets and dozens of grenades. She's bound to get suspicious soon.'
No, she was probably suspicious already.
It would have been easier if she had just stayed unconscious, but then again, without her help, the repair and upgrade of the Ark-15 automatic rifle would have been out of the question.
It was like the difference between how you feel going into and coming out of the restroom—conflicting and complicated.
'Either way, I can't leave her side, no matter how much it bothers me.'
Trying to hunt a few more monsters and risking her life wasn't worth it.
'Still, if I leave the Wave as it is, the Ark will be in danger.'
The Wave wasn't over yet.
Although the number of monsters I had taken down was considerable, I needed to hunt even one more to secure the Ark's future.
Despite that, I couldn't lure more monsters to Mount Noah like before.
The duration for maintaining Ankelenth's Domain, which was key to resetting aggro, was almost depleted.
It was a genuine dilemma.
But there was one solution.
"I'll take you back to the Ark. Isn't it time to head back?"
Maybell Pilgrim hesitated.
"I would like to, but... there's no way to return to the Ark right now. If we head to the Red Line gate, we'll be overrun by monsters."
She wasn't wrong.
Even for me, breaking through the monster-infested Red Line front and making it back to the Ark was nearly impossible.
Besides, the Ark wouldn't lower the gates in the midst of the battle—it would be a pointless death.
The reason I suggested heading back despite knowing that was simple.
"There should be a way to return to the Ark without passing through the front lines."
Maybell's face turned pale.
She realized that I was referring to the White Line.
Information about the White Line was kept top secret within the Ark.
Only someone like Maybell Pilgrim, a lieutenant colonel and head of the Special Weapons ReseArkh Lab, would know about it.
If I blatantly showed I knew about it, it would raise unwanted suspicion.
Luckily, I still had a convenient excuse.
"The voice of the spirits told me."
"...So, you're getting away with that excuse again. Fine."
"It's true."
"I get it, okay."
Though Maybell Pilgrim didn't seem entirely convinced, there was no alternative even if she didn't believe me.
"Are you going back?"
"...I suppose I should. Given the situation, I can't afford to be away any longer."
"Then let's head out right away."
"Kyaa!"
I promptly picked up Maybell Pilgrim in my arms.
"Do you know the way?"
"...Weren't you supposed to know it already?"
"I don't know the exact path."
That was a lie.
If I seemed overly familiar with the boundary between Noah and the White Line, it would look suspicious.
'Though I'm already suspicious enough as it is.'
But for now, Maybell Pilgrim's suspicions were purely speculative.
There was no need for me to turn her doubts into certainty.
"That way, over there."
"Got it."
Following the direction of Maybell Pilgrim's pointed finger, I began descending Mount Noah.
The distance wasn't too far.
After all, the White Line was the only line in the Ark that bordered Mount Noah.
"...You can put me down here."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. From here on, it's the White Line's defense zone. If I go in with you, they might attack us."
She was right.
When I moved from the eastern front to the western front, I was most cautious of the White Line's defensive area.
"Understood. I'll cover you from behind."
"Thank you."
As if suddenly remembering something, Maybell Pilgrim spoke up.
"Oh, by the way, you seemed to use a lot of ammo earlier... Did you overexert yourself because of me?"
Of course, she was questioning the scene where I had relentlessly poured out bullets.
Fortunately, it seemed she hadn't fully counted how many rounds I had fired, just assuming I had overdone it.
Had the battle gone on any longer, her suspicions would have definitely solidified.
"Don't worry about it."
"No! I can't just ignore it. When I get back, I'll introduce you to one of the logistics officers from the Red Line. Given your contribution in this battle... you'll probably receive some supplies."
I wanted to avoid this line of conversation, but I couldn't refuse that offer.
An acquaintance with a logistics officer.
For someone like me who had no connections within the Ark, it was truly a godsend.
"...Supplies, you say?"
"Yes. I'll make sure to report your efforts to the Ark. You'll be compensated not just for the ammo you used but also with additional rewards. After all... you fought for the Ark."
She wasn't just saying it out of politeness.
Maybell Pilgrim indeed had enough connections and influence to introduce me to a logistics officer.
In other words, I had finally secured a way to cash in on the achievements I had accumulated.
"...If you say so, then I'll do that. Where can I meet this logistics officer?"
"Once the wave ends, just head to the Red Line gate and mention my name."
"I see. Understood."
I tried to sound calm, but honestly, I was so thrilled I could die.
'I can't believe it turned out like this.'
Truth be told, I saved Maybell Pilgrim not to gain something, but to avoid a loss.
Sure, the weapon upgrade was a nice bonus, but I never expected to reap this much from it.
"Once again, thank you, Carl Marcus. I'll never forget this favor."
"Suit yourself. I just followed the voices of the spirits."
Though the results were already satisfactory, if she insisted on repaying me further, I had no reason to refuse.
"Heh... Alright. Then I'll be going."
With a subtle smile, Maybell Pilgrim gave a slight bow and slowly made her way toward the Ark's territory connected to Mount Noah.
With that, I no longer needed to worry about Maybell Pilgrim's safety.
'Now then...'
Having a secure destination, I looked toward the Red Line front.
The plains were still swarming with countless monsters and beasts.
'Time to get moving.'
Time to rack up more achievements.
* * *
The monsters were swarming in.
The beasts were charging in.
Facing the demons that filled both sky and earth, Lieutenant Imosha, the manager of the Red-17 gate, continued shouting orders at the top of his lungs.
"Alpha Squad! What's your position?"
["Currently executing the mission at R17-41 Point."]
"Immediately move to support R17-45 Point. I'll head to Point 41 myself."
["Understood."]
The fierce battle continued.
Casualties were mounting, and subordinates were falling one after another.
At that moment—
Boom!
Tat-tat-tat-tat!
Gunfire and artillery fire erupted from somewhere.
It was supporting fire from within the Red Line.
'What the...?'
Soon after, a familiar face appeared—one that even Lieutenant Imosha recognized.
It was Captain Temvel, the manager of the Red-7 Gate, overseeing the western front.
His presence here meant that support had arrived from the western front.
"...We didn't request reinforcements."
"It's a direct order from the top. From now on, our Red-7 defense unit will join the defense of the Red-17 gate."
'A direct order?'
That could only mean one thing.
The western front had secured enough leeway to provide reinforcements.
But something was off.
Usually, the western front fared worse than the eastern front.
The monsters and beasts that appeared on the western front were more troublesome and significantly more numerous.
Typically, the eastern front would secure itself first and then move to assist the western front.
But now it was the opposite—the western front was sending support to the eastern front?
'What the hell happened?'
Lieutenant Imosha felt a nagging sense of confusion, but her thoughts didn't last long.
A flying beast had suddenly closed in on her.
'Damn it!'
Just as she was about to pull the trigger—
Bang—!
A single gunshot rang out, and the flying beast let out a wail before plummeting to the ground.
Turning slowly, Imosha saw one of the Red-7 gate's defense soldiers standing there.
"Are you alright, ma'am?"
"...Ah, yeah. Thanks."
"No problem."
Barely saved from death, Lieutenant Imosha let out a breath of relief.
If the Red-7 defense unit hadn't arrived in time, she might have been in serious trouble.
'What in the world is going on here?'
Without realizing it, her gaze drifted toward Mount Noah.
For a fleeting moment, she thought of someone who might still be living there.
But she quickly shook her head.
'...No, that can't be.'
She tried to deny it, but for some reason, she couldn't help but keep glancing back at Mount Noah.
Perhaps it was just her imagination.
Surely, that must be it.