Kalakin gripped the Ark-15 Automatic Conversion Rifle tightly.
It had already undergone two upgrades, but even so, it was difficult to inflict any meaningful damage against the Sand Devourer lurking underground.
No—even if the Sand Devourer were above ground, the firepower of the Ark-15 Automatic Conversion Rifle simply wasn't enough to pierce its thick hide.
'...Not enough firepower.'
The Ark-15 Automatic Conversion Rifle was standard issue for Ark soldiers.
But that didn't mean it was a poor weapon.
Considering its performance and widespread distribution, it was practically a symbol of Ark's might—and yet, it wasn't nearly enough against this foe.
Kwakakakang───!!!
A series of explosions echoed out, engulfing the sand in a massive fiery blast.
However, rather than doing any real damage, the Sand Devourer's movements only grew fiercer.
Kugugugugugu───!!!
With massive tremors rising from the ground, Sergeant Gregory shouted:
"Prepare for Sand Subsidence!"
Sand Subsidence was still a threatening phenomenon for Ark soldiers. And without the Young Lady present, there was no other way to avoid it.
That's why the support team was willing to accept a certain level of sacrifice.
There's no such thing as a war without casualties.
And this time was no different.
"Everyone, to your positions!"
The support team didn't have many heavy weapons at their disposal.
Of course, there were fixed turrets mounted on vehicles, but those were designed for ground or anti-air targets—not underground ones.
Nevertheless, Ark soldiers moved swiftly into position.
They were attempting to lure the Sand Devourer toward the massive crater the Young Lady had created earlier.
If this had been an empty plain, they would have had no way to counter the Sand Devourer. But with this terrain, the situation changed entirely.
"Everyone, get ready!"
Sand Subsidence began occurring simultaneously at multiple locations.
"Haaagh!"
"P-please help!"
Screams rang out from all directions.
Yet, Ark soldiers clenched their teeth and held their ground amid the sacrifice of their comrades.
"Hold your positions!"
The personnel arrangement made by the support team was highly intentional—
A formation meant to lure the Sand Devourer above ground.
Even with the loss of an entire squad's worth of soldiers, they held firm to their orders.
Kugugugugugu───!
The ground rumbled.
With a tremendous vibration, something burst through the side of the crater nearby.
[Groooooooo───!]
The Sand Devourer, which had been ravaging Ark's soldiers from below, had finally emerged onto the surface.
Kwoooooom!!!
Bursting through the crater's edge, the Sand Devourer dropped into the center of the pit.
But there was no time to waste.
If they waited until the Sand Devourer regained its senses, it would surely dive back underground.
"Now's the time!"
Sergeant Gregory shouted.
In sync, a group of soldiers from the support team quickly appeared, throwing themselves into the crater while tethered to a single rope.
Led by Major Arden, a special detachment had been formed with Kalakin and several soldiers equipped with Plasma Swords.
The support team lacked the firepower to do significant damage to the Sand Devourer from a distance.
But that was only the case with ranged bombardment.
Now, the support team included Plasma Sword wielders and ether attuned warriors like Major Arden—
Specialists in close-quarters combat.
And more importantly, specialists in fighting colossal monsters like the Sand Devourer.
"Don't die!"
Major Arden roared, urging Kalakin forward.
Kalakin said nothing, gripping his Ark-15 shotgun with the Moonlight Blade affixed, and launched himself toward the Sand Devourer.
With ropes attached to their backs, the squad moved in perfect unison.
They didn't have jetpacks, but the ropes trailing behind them gave a similar effect.
Jiiiiiing───!
The ropes loosened and tightened in rapid succession, directing the soldiers' movements.
The ether attuned warriors in the team were sending signals from above.
[Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull. Pull...]
[Release. Release. Release. Release. Release. Release. Release. Release. Release. Release. Release. Release. Release. Release. Release...]
Thanks to that, the special detachment was practically flying.
Meanwhile, the Sand Devourer remained fully exposed on the surface.
It was the perfect setup for striking with Plasma Swords.
"Attack!"
Chwaaaaak───!
A streak of light from the R-1 Plasma Sword sliced open the once-impenetrable hide of the Sand Devourer.
Even its tough skin couldn't withstand the cutting power of a Plasma Sword.
[Grooooooo──!]
The Sand Devourer let out a scream and thrashed violently, but before its attack could land, the rope was pulled, allowing the detachment to evade.
It was as if they weren't using ropes, but jetpacks on their backs.
Major Arden's R-1 Plasma Sword and Kalakin's Moonlight Blade flashed like lightning as they tore into the predator's hide.
[Gwooooooo───!!!]
Sensing it couldn't hold on any longer, the Sand Devourer raised its head—
A preparatory motion to dive underground.
"Now! Fire!"
The ropes holding Major Arden, Kalakin, and the others were pulled, and bombardment from the support team rained down on the exposed wounds of the Sand Devourer.
Kwakwakwakwa!!!
Tang, tatatatang──!!!
Even with its tough hide, the wounds left by the Plasma Sword and Moonlight Blade exposed its flesh—
And the predator could no longer protect itself.
[Gwoooooooooo!!!]
Its attempt to escape underground was thwarted by the overwhelming firepower raining from above.
Even for a Sand Devourer, burrowing required preparation—
And the bombardment gave it no time.
"Cease fire!"
What followed was a brutal, repetitive assault.
The detachment mercilessly shredded the predator's hide, and the support team poured firepower onto the wounds.
Kwakakakang──!
Kurururung!!
Each time the Sand Devourer thrashed; The ground quaked like an earthquake.
But that was all it could manage—just thrashing.
Nothing changed.
"Avenge our comrades!"
Sergeant Gregory and the commanders screamed their orders.
Even though they had fewer heavy weapons compared to Ark's main forces, they had enough firepower to tear apart the wounded flesh beneath the predator's hide.
[Gwooooo───]
With a mournful cry, blood streamed down from the predator's torn hide.
It was the moment the battle's victor was decided.
Kwooooooom───!!!
After dozens of repetitions, and with their ammunition nearly depleted—
The Sand Devourer finally collapsed.
Called a living disaster, considered an unavoidable catastrophe even by Ark, the Sand Devourer had been hunted—by Ark's support team.
"We took down the Sand Devourer!"
"Waaaaaaaah!"
The soldiers erupted in a cheer of victory.
But Kalakin, instead of joining them, gazed down at the fallen predator.
This wasn't the only Sand Devourer.
The battle wasn't over.
Beneath the ground, there was still another Sand Devourer—
And Carl Marcus.
'...'
Whether Carl Marcus was still alive, he didn't know.
But Kalakin believed.
He believed Carl Marcus was alive.
Meanwhile, Major Arden faced Sergeant Gregory and the other commanders.
Now that the Sand Devourer had been slain, it was time to determine their next move.
"We must stop the search operation."
One of the commanders said.
It was a logical point—
But not one easily accepted.
"That's not an option."
"At this rate, the Wave will hit us. We must retreat."
"We have to find the Young Lady."
"Even if we find her, we'll all be swept away by the Wave."
"If she's alive, she'll find a way to avoid the Wave and return."
The debate grew heated.
Even though the answer was obvious, no one could easily concede.
"Let's resume the search first—then we'll decide."
"...Understood."
For now, the decision to return to Ark was postponed.
They still had some time.
So, they chose to continue the search.
"Tsk."
Watching the horizon silently, Major Arden clicked his tongue.
Dark clouds filled the sky—
But they weren't clouds.
Something was moving.
'Hurry, Carl Marcus.'
Time was running out.
* * *
The Sand Devourer is enormous.
And due to its subterranean nature, it is incredibly difficult to deal with.
But once you're up close and face it underground like this, surprisingly, the Sand Devourer reveals many vulnerabilities.
Just like now.
I dove straight into the creature's body and stopped holding back the ferocity of Janus.
Right now, I needed Janus's monstrous savagery more than anything.
Screeeeeech!!!
With a piercing shriek, Janus's bone tendrils began to shoot out in all directions.
To Janus, this place was a utopia, teeming with limitless prey.
Sssshk, shlk—!
As if to repay all the hunger it had endured, the bone tendrils stretched out and ravenously devoured the Sand Devourer's flesh and blood.
[Hehehehehe!]
Overwhelmed by satisfaction after such a long-awaited feast, Janus went into a frenzy, expanding its bone tendrils further and further.
Normally, Janus would stop once it had eaten its fill.
But not now.
Now, its monstrous instincts had fully awakened.
GROOOAAAAARRR!!!
I could feel the Sand Devourer thrashing around beneath the earth, roaring in agony.
But it was useless.
I was already inside its body.
No matter how mighty the Sand Devourer was, it couldn't do anything about a threat inside itself.
All it could do was struggle.
'…Still, this stench is unbearable.'
To be precise, it wasn't just a stench—it was more like toxic gas.
If I were an ordinary person without enhanced serum injections, I would've already been poisoned and passed out.
"Eat to your heart's content."
[Heheheh!]
Apparently pleased with the taste of the Sand Devourer's flesh and blood, Janus retracted all the bone tendrils that had been feeding off my own blood.
Its belly slowly began to swell as it regained a bit of reason.
Meanwhile, even as Janus continued its feast, I forged ahead through the Sand Devourer's insides, cutting my way forward with my Spear of Ankelenth.
I was searching for the heart, likely located at the creature's very center.
'No matter how powerful Janus is, it can't devour the entire Sand Devourer. I need to feed it the heart.'
The Sand Devourer's heart.
Toward that place, I moved forward without hesitation.