I did my best to suppress the tremble.
To avoid showing any signs of anxiety, I deliberately kept my gaze fixed on the floor.
Tap, tap, tap.
As Maybell Pilgrim's footsteps slowly approached, I gradually lifted my head to see what she held in her hands.
"Ah..."
A soft sigh slipped out.
Then, with a bright smile, Maybell extended what she held toward me.
"It was a success."
"Haah..."
I let out a long breath of relief.
While the BLT-47 Plasma Launcher had been nerve-wracking to upgrade, the ICE-54 Plasma Cooler was on a completely different level in terms of cost and value.
If it had broken during the upgrade, the financial and emotional damage would've been devastating.
"Why the sigh? You didn't actually think I'd fail, did you?"
"Of course not."
I replied as I quickly took the upgraded ICE-54 from her hands.
'Alright then... let's have a look.'
──────────────
[ICE-54 Plasma Cooler MK.II] [★★★★★★★(+★)(8-Star)]
— The Ark's plasma cooler.
— Reforged by the hands of special weapons engineering authority, Maybell Pilgrim.
— Its cooling output has been further enhanced by the Sky Whale's Frost Crystal.
— Emits cooling energy at absolute zero.
"View Details"
──────────────
'As expected...'
"Legendary craftsmanship" wasn't just a saying.
Reborn under Maybell Pilgrim's care, the ICE-54 was simply stunning.
I turned it over in my hands, examining the design and upgrades—then remembered Maybell was still in front of me and stopped.
"Looks like you like it?"
"Well... yeah."
"I'm glad. Makes it worth the effort."
She smiled, clearly pleased.
"By the way, you seemed to be working on something. Was it important?"
"Yep—very. I think I'll be able to show it to you soon. Just a little longer."
"I see."
If Maybell was saying that much, then—considering the precedent she set with the Z-74 Jetpack—I couldn't help but get my hopes up.
"Oh, and this too."
"You mean the BLT-47 Plasma Launcher?"
"That's right."
"Got it. Let me take a look."
"Here."
Unlike most games, where upgrade success rates drop the higher you go, The Defense worked a bit differently.
Especially with the BLT-47, its low durability meant the first upgrade had a high failure chance, but as upgrades reinforced its structure, the success rate actually improved.
That's why I could entrust it to Maybell this time without worry.
"Hmm... there's definitely room to improve its destructive power. Just wait here for a bit."
"Alright."
Maybell took the emitter and disappeared toward her workstation.
I sat quietly, waiting for her return.
'Should be fine.'
The loud noises from her workbench were a bit concerning, but there was no way the BLT-47 would break after two prior upgrades.
BOOM!
KA-BANG!
...Yeah, it'll be fine.
["What's wrong?"]
'Nothing.'
["You're acting nervous again."]
'Just... ignore it.'
As expected, Maybell didn't take long to return.
Her steps were lighter than when she'd handled the ICE-54—maybe because this one was more familiar territory.
"All done."
"Thanks for the work."
Just as I expected—success.
Not that failure was even on the table.
'If it had failed, it would've been a disaster... lucky it didn't.'
My luck stat, already well over 30, must have played a big part.
Luck usually didn't show obvious effects—but the fact that you didn't notice it was the clearest sign it was working.
'Now then...'
I took the newly upgraded BLT-47 from her.
It definitely felt a bit heavier—likely proof of the increased destructive power.
──────────────
[BLT-47 Plasma Launcher MK.IV] [★★★★★★(+★★★)(9-Star)]
— A plasma weapon embodying the cutting edge of Ark technology.
— Enhanced by the renowned weapons engineer, Maybell Pilgrim. Basic performance and durability have been significantly improved.
— Exceptional attention was given to durability—now enhanced an additional level.
— Destructive power has been increased.
"View Details"
──────────────
Maybell added,
"I focused on destructive power, so the weight increased by about 0.5kg. That won't be a problem, right? Based on the Z-74 Jetpack data, your physical specs are insane."
"It's fine."
"Good. Then I won't hold back on weight improvements in the future."
"Understood."
As a general rule, heavier equipment meant better performance.
Ordinarily, that would make things harder to wield—but with my current physical capabilities, I could easily handle most weights.
'As long as it's not the NOA-31 Anti-Behemoth Gatling Gun.'
That thing wasn't meant to be carried in the first place, so it didn't count.
"Do you have anything else for me to work on?"
"No, this is enough."
All those credits I had—they were now more than halved after just two upgrades.
Sure, I could upgrade one more weapon if I wanted—but I chose to hold onto the rest.
'Feels like I'll need them soon.'
With my errands here mostly done, I turned to Maybell.
"Then I'll get going."
"Take care. Oh, and next time you drop by... you should be excited."
Maybell smiled slyly as she said that.
It looked like she really was cooking something up.
And honestly, I was curious enough to look forward to it.
"Looking forward to it."
With that short exchange, I stepped out of Maybell Pilgrim's lab.
Now, it was finally time to meet the soldiers.
*
Lieutenant Colonel Banol's efficiency was unmatched.
Barely any time had passed since I told him I wanted to train the soldiers, yet already familiar faces were assembled and waiting in front of Red-17 Gate.
"Ohhh, Carl! How long has it been?"
"Been a while."
"Haha! You look even stronger than before. That's so you."
Kurilta was the first to greet me, all smiles. In contrast, the others were noticeably less enthusiastic.
"...What kind of mission is this, all of a sudden? And of all people, with that man..."
"Hmph. The savages seem to be having a fine time."
Iris and Dmitri.
And hanging back with hesitant glances were Hildegarde and Klutz.
Even if not all of them, most of the key playable characters who would shape the Ark's future were now gathered here.
'Klutz... It's been a while.'
Last time I'd seen him was during the recovery of the experimental round GHOST-157—he was an enemy then.
I still remembered the shot I'd put through his arm, but now his arm looked perfectly healed without a trace of damage.
'And then there's Kurilta.'
I hadn't spent much time around Kurilta, but I'd heard rumors—her potential was on par with the playable characters.
In fact, in some areas, she might even surpass them.
Once I'd finished quietly evaluating everyone, I spoke.
"You've heard the situation from Lieutenant Colonel Banol, right? This mission is a reconnaissance op."
I smoothly continued with the cover story Banol and I had agreed upon.
Not exactly a lie either—we would be heading out on reconnaissance.
"We heard that much... but not the details. What kind of recon mission is this?"
Hildegarde stepped forward.
Where Dmitri possessed the traits of a strategic commander capable of leading entire units, Hildegarde excelled as a tactical leader on the front lines.
Her stepping up here made sense. To anyone watching, this was just a squad-sized recon team.
"We're heading west."
"West? What's there?"
Iris spoke up. It made sense—her family was originally from the western territories.
"I'll explain more tomorrow morning before we leave."
"...That's all?"
"That's all."
We'd be spending plenty of time stuck together soon enough—no need to explain it all in advance.
"Then everyone, dismissed."
Whether it was due to the reputation I'd built, or just the nature of the mission, none of them questioned me—at most, they looked a little puzzled.
That was good. The trust I'd built up was working in my favor.
One by one, the recon team members dispersed.
I half-expected Kurilta to stay behind and say something, but even she left with the others. It seemed like she'd grown more used to the rhythm of military life.
'All the better for me.'
After watching the group disappear, I turned toward the Red-17 Gate entrance.
There was something I needed to pick up.
'Let's see...'
Just as Quartermaster Gedwin had said, there was a hefty pile of supplies waiting at the gate.
As much as I wanted to shove everything into the rift space on the spot, there were too many eyes around.
'Guess I can't do that here.'
So, I made my way to see Lieutenant Imosha, the officer in charge of Red-17 Gate.
"What brings you here?"
"I need to borrow a truck."
"A truck? Ah—yes, of course. I'll have one dispatched right away."
"Thanks."
"No need to thank me. Compared to what you've done for the Ark, this is the least we can do."
Considering there was a time when the Ark wouldn't even let me in, this was quite the turnaround.
"The vehicle's ready. You can head over now."
"Right. See you around."
I loaded up the truck with the supplies—precious resources I'd need for the upcoming journey.
'That should do it.'
Once I brought everything to the entrance of Mount Noah, I returned the truck and promptly transferred everything into the rift space.
Its sheer storage capacity never failed to impress.
'Now then... let's get ready.'
We'd be heading out tomorrow.
There wasn't much time left.
*
The next morning arrived.
As soon as the first light broke, I made my way to Red-7 Gate.
To head west, I couldn't use the usual Red-17 Gate—I had to take the one on the opposite side.
When I arrived, Hildegarde, Iris, Dmitri, Klutz, and Kurilta were already waiting for me.
Truly a diligent bunch.
"You're all here."
"Brother, you've arrived."
As expected, Kurilta was the first to greet me, full of energy.
"I'm sure you all have questions, but I'll explain the details as we go."
For soldiers of the Ark, who lived in constant urgency, there was no need for grand speeches.
Only orders.
"Then—move out."