["...Are you sure you're okay?"]
"Yeah."
["Really, really, really sure?"]
"I told you, I am."
I wasn't sure if it was because my collapse had shocked her so much or if it was due to the [Rift Space], but Esther had been whining and pestering me non-stop.
["But why is that?"]
"What?"
["I keep seeing something strange around you."]
"Something strange?"
["I don't know how to describe it… It looks like ether, but at the same time, it's not ether."]
"Something that's not ether?"
Her words bothered me.
Unfortunately, at my current level, I couldn't see what a Rank 1 Specter like Esther could see, so I had no way of knowing what it was.
'If I push myself a little, I might be able to see it…'
But if I did, there was a risk that I could lose control of my own body to Esther.
No matter how much she had been calling me "Master" lately and following my orders, she was still a former member of the Shadow Order and a Grade-1 Named Monster.
There was no need to take such an unnecessary risk.
["What are you thinking about so hard?"]
"It's nothing."
If she found out what I was thinking, she would've screeched at me, asking if I didn't trust her.
Well, I didn't trust her, and I would've told her that outright.
'That's one thing, but…'
Just as I activated the Z-74 jetpack and turned to leave—
["W-Wait!"]
Esther's urgent cry rang out.
[Found you──────]
A sudden voice echoed, and for the first time, I felt ether surging around me.
["H-Huh?"]
Esther's voice was filled with shock.
[Ether Sensitivity has increased.]
[29 → 31]
[You have acquired the ability 'Ignition (發火)'.]
The ether that had been swirling around me was instantly absorbed into my body, as if it had been waiting for this moment.
'This is…'
I didn't know exactly what had just happened, but I could tell one thing—this was connected to the rift space.
It was obvious because the ether I had just absorbed was distinctly different from the ether that had always lingered around me.
'The number is still 2, but… this ether is definitely different.'
As if to confirm my thoughts, Esther was glancing around me nervously.
["…Are you okay?"]
"I think so."
["What was that just now?"]
"I don't know either."
If even Esther didn't understand it, then chances were, I wouldn't either.
Especially since anything related to the rift space was completely beyond my knowledge.
'There's something here.'
Most of this world's secrets had already been uncovered by many players.
For example, the location where the Beyond-Grade Dragon Ankelenth was sleeping or the true objective of the Shadow Order.
Even so, there were still countless mysteries left undiscovered.
So, it wasn't surprising that there were things I didn't know.
'If everything had been revealed, then there would have been no reason I couldn't clear this game.'
Regardless, my Ether Sensitivity had finally increased by 2 points after remaining stagnant for so long, officially making me a Level 4 Ether Adept.
In terms of raw firepower alone, I had now reached the same level as Tatiana Belov, the Special Mobile Strike Officer of the Navy Line.
'And if Esther joins in, we could completely overwhelm them.'
A Level 4 Ether Adept at the Red Line stage…
This rate of growth was almost unbelievable.
'Well, it makes sense, though.'
If I had half-assed my efforts, someone might have said I was just getting lucky.
But there wasn't a single thing I had done so far that had been easy.
This level of growth was only natural.
'A good thing is a good thing.'
Taking the opportunity, I checked my status screen.
──────────────
Name: Carl Marcus
Rank: ─
Position: ─
Strength: 18(+13)(+20%)
Endurance: 21(+13)(+20%)
Dexterity: 14(+13)(+20%)
Luck: 12(+13)(+20%)
Tenacity: 9(+13)(+20%)
Leadership: 2(+13)(+20%)
Ether Sensitivity: 31(+13)(+20%)
Honor: 3
Traits: [Sturdy Constitution], [Insomnia], [Agile Reflexes], [Superhuman Willpower], [Hand Tremors], [Nearsightedness], [Sudden Deafness], [One-Hit Kill], [Firepower Specialist], [Heavy Rounds], [Possession], [Sniper's Time], [Beast Hunter], [Pacifism], [Blade Rounds], [Fear Rounds], [Path of a Hero], [Ruler of the Skies], [Tough Skin], [Relentless Tenacity]...
Abilities: [Steel Body (Lv.4)], [Emission (Lv.2)], [Ignition (Lv.1)]
— Enhanced Serum is currently applied.
— Current Enhanced Serum Types: Alpha, Sigma, Psi, Omega.
──────────────
My already absurd stats had now been reinforced even further.
With my Ether Sensitivity surpassing 31, both my [Steel Body] and [Discharge] abilities had leveled up as well.
'I'm no longer at the level of the Red Line or even the Orange Line.'
But I had no intention of stopping here.
'I have to get stronger, faster.'
The situation had changed.
If I kept viewing this world through the lens of the game The Defense, then Ark would be doomed.
'In that case… let's go.'
Fwoosh—!
Without hesitation, I activated the Z-74 jetpack.
"Uh, hey!"
Hildegard's urgent shout immediately drew the attention of the investigation team.
"…Carl Marcus?"
After seeing the massive black cloud swarm earlier, they had feared something might have happened.
But Carl Marcus appeared, completely unfazed, riding his jetpack like it was nothing.
"See? There's no way that barbarian would die so easily."
Dmitri smirked triumphantly, but Iris responded coldly.
"…Weren't you the one who suggested leaving him behind?"
"I-I never said that!"
As Carl Marcus finally landed, Hildegard found herself trembling involuntarily.
'…What is this?'
He was different.
It was definitely Carl Marcus, but… something about him had changed.
Hildegard didn't voice her thoughts.
There was no need to.
"You cleaned up well."
At Carl Marcus's words, Dmitri sneered.
"While someone was off slacking."
"I had something to do."
"Oh, I'm sure you did."
Kalakin spoke up.
"Have you finished your task?"
"Yeah."
"Then let's return immediately."
"That would be best."
Carl Marcus nodded and naturally took the lead.
* * *
After the Wave.
Lieutenant Imosha visited Lieutenant Colonel Banol's office to report the situation.
Knock, knock—
"This is Lieutenant Imosha."
"Come in."
Since he already expected her visit, Lieutenant Colonel Banol skillfully operated the panel. Soon, a teacup emerged from beneath the desk.
"Have some."
"Thank you."
As she took a sip of the tea offered by Lieutenant Colonel Banol, Lieutenant Imosha spoke.
"I'll begin my report."
"Before that, has there been any contact from the Kronos Remnants Investigation Team?"
"No, not yet…"
A shadow passed over Lieutenant Imosha's face.
She had hurriedly wrapped up the aftermath of the wave, thinking they might return at any moment, but there was still no sign of them.
"...Then I'll proceed with my report."
To shift the topic, Lieutenant Imosha began detailing the damage at Red-17 Gate, as well as the materials and personnel needed for recovery.
After listening to the full report, Lieutenant Colonel Banol, despite already being aware of the situation, spoke with slight surprise.
"The damage is less than expected."
"Yes. Although it's more than usual, considering the waves are getting stronger, we were quite lucky."
"Luck, huh… Do you truly think so?"
"...Excuse me?"
Lieutenant Imosha caught the meaning behind Lieutenant Colonel Banol's words.
"...Are you suggesting this, too, is because of Carl Marcus?"
"That's right."
"...Carl Marcus has left Ark. Isn't it a bit of a stretch to credit him for this wave as well?"
"That would be the logical view. In fact, it's the correct one. However…"
Lieutenant Colonel Banol smiled faintly.
"Somehow, I just get the feeling that it's possible if it's Carl Marcus. Especially when considering where the waves come from."
"Ah…"
The exact origins of the waves were still unknown.
The monstrous horde surged in from such vast areas that pinpointing a single source was nearly impossible.
But one thing was clear—waves would be coming from the same direction where Carl Marcus and his team had ventured.
If Carl Marcus and the Kronos Remnants Investigation Team had been active beyond Ark…
'Could this really be thanks to Carl Marcus?'
Even Lieutenant Imosha, who had doubted his feats, found herself briefly considering the possibility.
"What do you estimate the success rate of this mission to be?"
"...Not very high."
Even though she believed in Carl Marcus, this mission was simply absurd.
To head outside Ark and locate the scattered remnants of Kronos, investigate their movements, and uncover their objectives?
No matter how capable Carl Marcus was, how could he accomplish all that with just a few fresh recruits?
"I believe the success rate of this mission is less than 3%."
"...What?"
'Three percent…?'
That was an outrageously low probability.
"Of course, the survival rate of the investigation team is slightly higher. Maybe around 5%?"
"...You sent barely-trained soldiers on such a dangerous mission?"
"They're not just any soldiers. Every single one of them has exceptional talent. And perhaps… under Carl Marcus, their potential will shine."
"...You place an awful lot of faith in Carl Marcus."
"I just hope my judgment proves right."
Even though the other soldiers were highly competent and had promising futures, Lieutenant Colonel Banol's focus was entirely on Carl Marcus.
That meant there was no comparison between Carl Marcus and the others.
"...What will you do if your judgment is wrong?"
"Then I, and Ark, will pay the price."
Lieutenant Imosha clenched her teeth.
She wanted to berate Lieutenant Colonel Banol for gambling on such reckless odds, but she couldn't.
Because she knew.
'This was the best possible choice.'
"...I'll take my leave now."
"Go ahead."
With sluggish steps, Lieutenant Imosha left Lieutenant Colonel Banol's office and made her way back to Red-17 Gate, her designated area of responsibility.
The post-wave cleanup was nearly complete, but there was still an overwhelming amount of work left to do.
"Carl Marcus…"
She suddenly realized she had muttered his name aloud.
'What am I even saying…?'
Upon arriving at Red-17 Gate, Lieutenant Imosha resumed her usual command of the site.
The urgent cleanup was done, but preparations for the next wave had to begin.
"Deploy more firepower and troops to that point. That area attracts a lot of beasts."
"Understood."
While she was fully engaged in commanding the scene, an unexpected alarm blared.
"…No way."
Lieutenant Imosha looked up.
Beyond the horizon, a group was approaching.
"Commander!"
A subordinate rushed to report.
With urgency unlike her usual composed self, Lieutenant Imosha pressed for confirmation.
"Their identity—have you confirmed their identity?"
Flustered by her uncharacteristically anxious tone, the officer quickly responded.
"Y-Yes! It appears to be the investigation team dispatched from Ark."
The meaning was crystal clear.
Carl Marcus had returned to Ark.