[Gwoooooo!!!]
With the dual strikes of the R-1 Plasma Swords, Kurk the Stone Colossus's chest was torn wide open, exposing its core.
From that point, things became simple.
No matter how tough the outer shell of a Grade-1 Named Colossal Behemoth was, its core was never as sturdy.
As he plummeted toward the ground, already bracing for the impact, Major Arden witnessed it.
Clack—
Before anyone realized it, a sleek Ark-15 Automatic Conversion Rifle was gripped in Carl Marcus's hands.
And the NO-13 Grenade Launcher mounted underneath unleashed a torrent of fiery destruction.
Taaang!!
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
The A-985 explosive rounds and grenades streaked through the air in a straight line, homing in on Kurk the Stone Colossus's exposed core.
It was a given—there was no way Carl Marcus would miss a core that massive.
Kwoooooom—!!!
The explosion didn't just happen once. It erupted again and again in rapid succession.
Kwakang!
Kwakakakakang!!!
And Major Arden saw it.
The monstrous Grade-1 Named Colossal Behemoth—the colossal creature capable of toppling Ark's walls in an instant—crumbling so effortlessly.
Kuuuuuuung!!!!
As its enormous body collapsed, the sheer force of its downfall sent a violent shockwave, sweeping away not just the beasts beneath it but even those nearby.
[Kyaaaaagh!]
[Kieeek! Kieeek!]
Amidst the dust storm that rose in its wake, Major Arden barely steadied himself, peering through the thick haze.
They had taken down the colossal beast far too easily.
And it was all thanks to Carl Marcus.
'…A man like that, an outsider?'
It made no sense.
Why had Ark left someone like him to be treated as an outsider? Their judgment was questionable at best.
But that was beyond Arden's knowledge—so he simply shook his head.
'Still… where is he now?'
Had he been caught up in the beast's collapse?
'No… Someone of his skill wouldn't die from something so trivial.'
There was always the possibility of some unexpected variable, but even that seemed unlikely.
Carl Marcus had displayed overwhelming prowess.
And yet…
Despite the time that passed, he showed no sign of emerging.
'…What's going on?'
Major Arden had no answer.
None at all.
* * *
[Grade-1 Named Colossal Behemoth, Kurk the Stone Colossus has been defeated!]
[Acquired the trait 'Will of the Rock.']
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[Will of the Rock]
— Increases physical defense and reduces pain when taking damage.
"View Details"
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'Oh…'
Traits that enhance basic physical performance like this were always useful.
They were reliable in any situation.
'And that's not all.'
I continued reading the notifications flooding in.
[You have slain a Colossal Beast!]
[You have accomplished an unbelievable feat. All attributes have increased by +1.]
[Strength increased.]
[18 → 19]
[Endurance increased.]
[21 → 22]
[Dexterity increased.]
[14 → 15]
[Luck increased.]
[12 → 13]
[Tenacity increased.]
[9 → 10]
[Leadership increased.]
[2 → 3]
[Ether Sensitivity increased.]
[31 → 32]
[Honor increased.]
[3 → 4]
[Due to the effect of 'Path of the Hero,' all attributes except Honor have increased by 1.]
.
.
.
[Tenacity has surpassed 10.]
[Acquired the trait 'Indomitable.']
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[Indomitable]
— Resists mental attacks.
"View Details"
──────────────
'Huh. So I even gained the Indomitable trait… not bad at all.'
As I let out a small murmur of admiration, Kurk the Stone Colossus's body completely crumbled.
Ruuumble—!!!
A thick cloud of dust rose into the air.
Seeing the opportunity, I made my way toward the fallen Kurk's exposed core.
'I was worried I wouldn't get the chance… but this works out perfectly.'
Thanks to the dust storm created by the monster's collapse, the movements of the other beasts were temporarily hindered, and their vision was obscured as well.
It was an ideal situation—perfect for feeding Janus.
'Janus.'
[Kikik!]
'Devour it.'
Janus scurried toward the scattered core fragments and the remnants of Kurk's rocky body.
Crunch, crunch…
Even for Janus—who had once digested Ankelenth's fangs—these rock fragments seemed to pose a challenge.
Still, it was only a matter of time before they were consumed.
[Kikik!]
Crack, crunch… crackle!
[Absorbed the core and fragments of the Grade-1 Named Colossal Behemoth, Kurk the Stone Colossus!]
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[Bone Armor (Lv.5) – Janus] [★★★★★★★★★★★ (11-Star)]
— A defensive gear crafted by linking a domesticated bone parasite to the energy source of Ark's standard officer-grade protective suit (Lv.5).
— It has been bestowed the name Janus.
— Current absorption rate of Ankelenth's Fang: 38.3%
— Can use 'Ankelenth's Roar.'
— Has absorbed the core and fragments of the Grade-1 Named colossal Behemoth: Kurk the Stone Colossus.
— Can fully utilize Kurk's power.
"View Details"
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'Oh…'
Janus's equipment rating had been stuck at 10 stars for a long time.
Now, it had finally risen to 11 stars.
Devouring the core of a Grade-1 Named Monster had certainly paid off.
This was the greatest advantage of a growth-capable bone parasite armor.
'And the absorption rate of Ankelenth's Fang has increased significantly, too.'
I wanted to test out Kurk's power immediately, but unfortunately, the dust was beginning to settle.
I'd have to save that for another time.
'Go back inside.'
[Kikik!]
After recalling Janus, I stepped out of the dissipating dust cloud.
'Huh?'
Emerging from the haze, I was greeted by an unexpected face.
"You've arrived."
It was Major Arden, the officer in charge of Red Line's Special Mobile Strike Force.
"What's the matter?"
"I was waiting to see if anything had happened."
"Thanks for the concern."
"No need to mention it. Now, let's return to Ark. The area will soon be hit with concentrated artillery fire. If you come with us, you'll make it back safely."
I was confident I could escape alone, but there was no real reason to refuse the offer either.
"Alright."
"A wise decision. Let's move."
As the dust settled and the impact of Kurk's fall subsided, the frontlines once again filled with monstrous roars.
The beasts were beginning to swarm.
Despite the urgency, Major Arden maintained a composed tone as he spoke.
"You performed remarkably. Have you considered joining Ark's military? I'd personally recommend you."
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll pass."
"…A shame."
It was clear that Major Arden held me in high regard.
And the reason was obvious.
'He respects strength and capability.'
Most of Ark's soldiers did, though not all of them.
Arden, however, was the type to wear his admiration openly—a straightforward and upright man.
"This way."
Arden led the way toward Red-11 Gate.
It looked like they had set up ropes to help people climb up.
"I won't be needing that."
Without hesitation, I activated my Z-74 Jetpack and shot up to the top of Ark's wall.
"Ah…"
"Not coming?"
For a moment, Arden stood there in stunned silence before grabbing the rope and climbing up manually.
"Where are you headed?"
"Back to where I was."
"…I see. Then, I wish you luck."
And with that, my short interaction with Major Arden came to an end.
Since Red Line's Special Mobile Strike Force was a last-resort unit, they rarely deployed unless absolutely necessary.
'Of course, if a boss-stage event occurs, they'll have no choice but to intervene.'
However, for now, it seemed unlikely that another colossal beast would appear in this wave.
At least not unless it was a multi-wave stage.
'Now then…'
I turned toward Red-17 Gate.
The time I had spent away from the battlefield had caused the sky—once swarming with flying beasts like a locust plague—to thin out, if only slightly.
'Still too many of them, though.'
By the time I returned to my position, the heat buildup in the NOA-31 Anti-Behemoth Gatling Gun had finally dissipated, making it usable again.
The CRN-842 Hemp Rocket Launcher was in the same state.
'Time to get back to work.'
I grabbed both weapons once more and set my sights on the still-swarming flying-type beasts, though their numbers had thinned somewhat.
'I'll start with them.'
Drrrrrrrr…
The NOA-31's barrels began to spin.
Then, an overwhelming torrent of bullets spewed forth.
KAKAKAKAKAKAKA!!!
The creatures in the sky plummeted like insects sprayed with pesticide.
At the same time, the CRN-842 Hemp Rocket Launcher in my left hand continuously fired at the beasts surging from the ground.
Whoooosh!
Even though we had suffered losses, we had successfully held the wave at bay.
Just as I was focusing entirely on the battlefield—
"Kuaagh!"
"Wh-What…?"
"FIRE!"
Sudden chaos erupted behind me.
On top of Red-17 Gate's wall, an unexpected massacre had begun.
Stab!
Stab, stab, stab!
"N-No way…!"
"Gahh…!"
The culprit?
Bone tendrils.
Not just one or two—countless of them.
'This is…'
And leading those bone tendrils was a familiar face walking toward me, mercilessly butchering nearby soldiers.
"Man, the Commander sure loves giving me weird jobs."
The Turncoat—Rook.
It was him.
'Tsk.'
This was bad.
We were on Ark's fortress wall, meaning I couldn't recklessly use Janus here.
'At least Ark's forces are nearby… but Red Line's standard soldiers won't be able to do much against Rook.'
The moment I focused all my attention on him—
[" Master! Behind you! "]
Swish! Swish, swish, swish!!!
Black spikes suddenly shot up from my shadow.
'Tch… this is nothing—'
But I hadn't anticipated one specific attack vector.
A shadow right beneath my Z-74 Jetpack.
Swiiish!!
My complacency cost me.
CRACK—!!
I tried to react, but I was a fraction of a second too slow.
Smoke billowed from my jetpack.
It was damaged.
Janus had intercepted the attack, blocking the spikes from piercing me, but he couldn't protect my external gear.
'…Tch.'
Black spikes rising from the shadows—there was only one person who could pull this off.
"You dodged well, my lord."
His mocking tone.
His cunning, snake-like eyes.
'…Sart of the Shadows.'
The Turncoat Rook and Sart of the Shadows appearing together—
Their presence made it clear.
The Shadow Order had made their move.