The Sand Devourer thrashed endlessly.
Yet, it couldn't dislodge me, firmly anchored within its body by Janus's bony tentacles.
'Let it struggle all it wants.'
However, I wasn't entirely at ease.
The creature's insides were filled with lethal toxic gases; even I couldn't endure here for long.
'Moreover, its bodily fluids pose a real threat.'
A beast capable of swallowing and digesting sand must have incredibly potent acids.
I had to be extremely cautious.
Sizzle...
I extended Janus's bony tentacles to block the encroaching fluids, pressing forward.
Direction was meaningless here—up, down, forward, backward—but my goal was clear.
Slash!
I severed tendon-like masses and cut through what appeared to be blood vessels.
The Sand Devourer's blood sprayed everywhere, a veritable torrent of acid, but none touched my skin.
'This is exhausting.'
I took a swig from my canteen filled with Lifewater.
Already feeling anemic from Janus's feeding, the revitalizing liquid quickly restored my energy.
'Its effects are undeniable.'
Unfortunately, I couldn't share this with Janus.
Despite everything, Janus was a monster, and this elixir would be fatal to it.
'...Wait a moment.'
An idea struck me.
While the Water of Life acted as a potion for humans, it was a deadly poison to monsters.
That included the Sand Devourer.
'It's worth experimenting.'
I had reserves of the Water of Life stored in the rift space.
As I moved, I let some of the liquid drip from my canteen.
Drip, drip...
The reaction was immediate.
[Grooooooooar!!!!]
Despite its previous injuries, the Sand Devourer had only thrashed moderately.
Now, it convulsed with unprecedented violence.
'...Hmm. But isn't this counterproductive for me?'
While the creature's agony was evident, its wild convulsions made maintaining my balance challenging.
'It's probably akin to pouring salt into an open wound.'
Or perhaps even worse.
Maybe like pouring acid into a fresh cut?
[Keek!]
Janus tightened its bony tentacles to stabilize us amidst the chaos.
['Hardening' activated.]
['Steelization' activated.]
The jet-black tentacles, now hardened and steely, began advancing slowly.
With these enhancements, the numerous tentacles provided a sturdy anchor, even within the rampaging beast.
I didn't stop there.
Crackle!
Sparks flew from the tentacles, scorching the Sand Devourer's flesh.
This was a power Janus gained after consuming the lightning-struck branch.
Crackle!
Burning and tearing through the creature's insides, I pressed on.
'This must be it.'
After a grueling journey, I finally reached the creature's central core.
And there it was.
The Sand Devourer's heart, pulsating violently.
Thump, thump...
Larger than most beasts, it pumped life through this massive monster.
"Janus."
[Keek!]
Our next move was clear.
"Devour it."
Janus let out a triumphant screech.
[Keek!]
Tentacles shot out toward the heart.
Ssssss...
One by one, they pierced the organ.
Thunk!
Thud, thud!
As the tentacles embedded into the heart, the Sand Devourer's wild movements ceased abruptly.
Whether it was due to its heart being seized or another reason, I wasn't sure, but it worked in my favor.
Slurp, slurp...
The tentacles voraciously consumed the heart.
[Groan...]
The creature let out a mournful wail, but Janus's feast continued unabated.
Slurp, slurp, slurp...
The tentacles expanded and contracted rhythmically, pumping as they devoured and digested the heart.
[Keek...]
After what felt like an eternity, the tentacles finally stopped.
The Sand Devourer's massive heart had been entirely consumed.
[You've defeated the field boss.]
['Beast Hunter' effect applied tenfold.]
[Damage to subterranean species like the Sand Devourer increased by 0.5%.]
[You've achieved an incredible feat!]
[You've hunted a living disaster.]
[Acquired the 'Calamity Hunter' trait.]
+
──────────────
[Calamity Hunter]
— One who has halted a disaster with human strength.
— All calamities shall fall before you.
"View Details"
──────────────
+
'Hmm... as expected.'
The [Calamity Hunter] trait grants bonuses against creatures or phenomena classified as disasters.
In essence, it allows for greater damage against such beasts or aids in resolving catastrophic events.
Rumble...
The once formidable Sand Devourer, now with its heart consumed, collapsed like a deflated balloon.
Devoid of strength, it could no longer navigate the sands and met its end underground.
But the rewards didn't stop there.
In fact, this was just the beginning.
[You've absorbed the heart of the subterranean species, 'Sand Devourer'!]
[You can now wield the power of the 'Sand Devourer.']
I immediately checked the details of the bone armor.
──────────────
[Bone Armor (Lv.5)] [Janus] [★★★★★★★★★★★★ (12 stars)]
— A standard Ark officer's protective suit (Lv.5) linked to a domesticated bone parasite as its power source.
— It has been named Janus.
— Current absorption rate of Ankelenth's Fang: 46.5%
— Can utilize 'Ankelenth's Roar.'
— Has absorbed the power of the Thunderstruck Branch.
— Can wield the power of lightning.
— Has absorbed the blood, flesh, and heart of the 'Sand Devourer.'
— Can wield the power of the 'Sand Devourer.'
"View Details"
──────────────
'Impressive...'
The armor's rating had risen from 11 stars to a staggering 12 stars.
Additionally, the absorption rate of Ankelenth's Fang surpassed 40%, now at 46.5%.
'And now, I can harness the Sand Devourer's power.'
While eager to test this newfound strength, I had other priorities.
'It's time to return.'
Leaving that woman alone weighed on my conscience.
The aftermath of my battle with the Sand Devourer was significant; if she was unlucky, she might have been caught in it.
'Though Esther likely managed well... I can't be certain.'
With that, I sliced through the Sand Devourer's belly and began my ascent to the surface.
* * *
"...Sniffle."
Her nose stung with cold.
It seemed she'd unknowingly cried in her sleep.
To think she cried…
She couldn't remember the last time her emotions had stirred this violently.
Yet, instead of embarrassment, another feeling came first.
A quiet, aching hope.
That someone—anyone—would come to save her and Esther.
'…Nonsense.'
She shook her head hard.
There was only one person who could possibly come.
And that meant she'd been hoping he would come for her.
She couldn't accept that.
No, she refused to acknowledge it.
"…Esther."
She called out gently.
No answer came.
She'd known that already, and yet—
The silence stabbed her chest like a blade.
Tears threatened again.
Since entering this place, her emotions had spun out of control.
'I can't stay like this. I have to do something.'
She didn't know how long she'd been crouched in fear.
But at some point, the endless tremors had stopped.
And so, she made her choice.
If no one was coming to save her—
Then she would save herself.
[Move?]
[No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No...]
[I... I can't...]
Rustle...
Earth tumbled from above, lightly showering her head.
"Ugh…"
She forced herself to summon Ether.
But even pushing back that soft dirt was impossible.
Her Ether wasn't recovering fast enough.
It must have been the suffocating environment.
'…No. That's not it.'
She shook her head again.
Where was she right now?
Inside the domain of the Sand Devourer.
Which meant—
The Ether left behind by those the monster had consumed should still remain.
'Good.'
She drew in a slow breath and focused.
She sought the lingering traces of Ether that should exist here.
[Gather?]
[Gather. Gather. Gather. Gather. Gather. Gather. Gather. Gather...]
A low hum echoed around her.
The air grew cold.
Ether was moving.
Proof that it had begun to answer her call.
[Sand Devourer...]
[Kill it. Kill it. Kill it. Kill it. Kill it. Kill it. Kill it...]
But there was something she hadn't accounted for.
The ether formed by a monster's death always carried its hatred.
"...Hrk!"
She was forced to scatter the ether she'd gathered.
Under normal conditions, she could've withstood that malice.
But now—
If she made a mistake, the Ether might devour her instead.
And then—
Rumble... Rumble... RUMBLE!
A sudden, violent quake shook the tiny cave she hid in.
"Cough! Cough!"
Dirt and debris rained down around her.
She scrambled to maintain the tiny space she had.
She summoned every ounce of Ether she could muster.
But it wasn't enough.
Holding this space open under such pressure—
In this deep, sunless underground—
Was beyond her.
RUMBLE!
The cave began to collapse.
This was the end.
She was going to die.
Despair flickered behind her eyes.
Until—
BEEEEEP────
A piercing silence fell.
A ringing filled her ears.
The tremor from moments ago felt like a dream.
And then, she saw it.
The wall to her right trembled.
Something began to force its way through.
"…Took me long enough, huh?"
She recognized the figure.
How could she not?
"…You… you..."
Why?
Why now?
"Why… why only now… Do you have any idea how much I... how much I..."
Carl Marcus.
The moment she saw that infuriatingly calm face—
She couldn't stop the flood of emotions.
"Why... why now of all times..."
Her voice cracked.
She hadn't wanted to cry.
She really hadn't wanted to.
But now—she couldn't help it.
"You bastard…"
Tears poured down her cheeks.
She didn't know if she was laughing or crying.
But she broke completely.