'8-Star, huh...'
Even though it was just a single upgrade, the equipment's rank had increased by two stars.
That just showed how powerful the Thunderstruck Branch used as material really was.
'And on top of that, a railgun mode...'
Normally, when using a Thunderstruck Branch to upgrade the Ark-34 Automatic Conversion Rifle, the only additional mode would be the Thunder Rifle mode.
But this new Railgun mode?
Even I hadn't seen that coming.
'A railgun, huh...'
Under normal circumstances, a railgun—no matter how low-grade—wasn't something I could get my hands on at this point.
No, even in the mid-to-late stages of the game, I couldn't be sure I'd find one.
Yet despite all that, the Ark-34 Automatic Conversion Rifle now included a Railgun mode, just because I used the Thunderstruck Branch?
That was truly mind-blowing.
'Could my affinity with Maybell Pilgrim have influenced this?'
Entirely possible.
Maybe it was just good luck, but what mattered was that luck was clearly on my side.
'Honestly, I'd love to test it out right now... but that probably wouldn't be wise.'
If this Railgun mode packed the kind of power I imagined, then firing it anywhere would definitely cause a massive stir.
And this wasn't exactly the right time to attract attention.
So, I figured it was best to save testing it for later.
Maybell Pilgrim, her forehead glistening with sweat, cautiously approached.
"How is it?"
"Magnificent."
That was all that needed to be said.
"I knew it, right? I actually layered the Thunderstruck Branch's magnetic fields to enhance the core, and—"
"I'll hear the explanation later."
"Aww, that's too bad."
Maybell Pilgrim clicked her tongue like she was genuinely disappointed.
"Do you need anything else?"
"Unfortunately, that was all the money I had."
"Really? That's too bad."
I wondered if playing the pitiful card would score me a free upgrade, but she was a true professional—no chance.
"Then I'll be off."
"Alright, see you next time."
"Before that—hand it over."
"Hand what over?"
Maybell Pilgrim smiled innocently, feigning ignorance.
The nerve of her...
"The Thunderstruck Branch. There should be some left."
"Uh... well, maybe? Was there? Oh, but more importantly, I've got some additional details to share about the Thunder Rifle and Railgun modes—"
She was clearly trying to dodge the issue, wanting to keep the leftover branch for herself.
"Hm, in that case, mind if I go in and look for it myself?"
"...Now that you mention it, I guess there might be a bit left. Just wait a moment, please."
She must've realized I'd turn the whole lab upside down if I had to, because she quickly brought over what was left of the branch.
As expected, it was a little less than half of what I originally gave her.
"You didn't stash any aside, did you?"
"...Nope. Nothing at all. Geez, you're so stingy."
For once, Maybell Pilgrim showed a greedy side that wasn't like her usual self.
That just proved how valuable the branch was.
'I guess a little bit is fine.'
I scraped off a sliver—about the size of a fingernail—and handed it to her.
"...What's this?"
"Think of it as a token of appreciation."
The light of disappointment vanished from Maybell Pilgrim's eyes in an instant.
"R-really?"
"Yeah."
"Thank you!"
She grabbed my hands and shook them enthusiastically.
"With this—just with this, I can...."
Her eyes sparkled with something—whether it was greed or a thirst for innovation, I couldn't say.
'I hope this was the right call...'
I hadn't given it to her out of pure gratitude.
I was planning to feed whatever was left to Janus anyway, so whether I had a bit more or less didn't make much difference.
And more importantly, the fact that the Railgun mode was added suggested that increasing my affinity with Maybell Pilgrim wasn't a bad thing at all.
'Of course, it might've just been luck that the Railgun mode appeared… but I can't ignore the fact that it's never happened before.'
I had saved Maybell Pilgrim from danger.
So, in a way, I was her benefactor.
Naturally, that would change how she viewed me—and it wasn't far-fetched to think that might've influenced the new mode too.
'Besides, if Ark's weapon tech levels up from this, it's a win for me too.'
I had no idea what she'd make from the leftover branch, but if it pushed Ark's weaponry forward, that was only a good thing for me.
My goal, after all, was to protect Ark.
If I could strengthen its power with such a small gesture, it was more than worth it.
"If the chance comes, I promise I'll repay this favor. Definitely."
"Well, if you insist."
Fine by me.
"Then I'm off."
"Okay! Take care!"
Maybell Pilgrim's eyes glimmered with joy, already dreaming up what she'd craft with the Thunderstruck Branch.
Cradling the Ark-34 Automatic Conversion Rifle tightly, I left her lab behind.
'I'll hand off the Ark-15 Automatic Conversion Rifle to the Sandstorm Caravan.'
The Ark-15 I'd been using was still a solid piece.
After all, it had been upgraded by none other than Maybell Pilgrim herself.
'Or I could keep it as a backup inside the [Rift Space].'
Based on past experience, there was always a chance a weapon could overheat or break mid-fight.
So having a backup wasn't a bad idea.
'Well then...'
Now that everything with Maybell Pilgrim was squared away, it was time to finally head back.
I exited the Special Purpose Weapons Research Lab and crossed the Red Line.
Unlike previous waves, the breached front line had drastically changed the Red Line's landscape.
Collapsed buildings of the outer city.
Rubble everywhere, and cleanup crews scrambling to respond.
Groans and screams echoing in the air.
Even in Ark's safest zones—the White Line and the Red Line—safety was always relative.
Technically, it had only been a temporary breach in part of a single gate's defense zone.
But even that had caused serious damage to the Red Line.
If this was the state of one of Ark's most secure areas, then it really hit me what it meant to live in this godforsaken world.
"...."
Why?
I'd seen this scene countless times before.
And yet, seeing it with my own eyes now—
It felt different.
"More! More! More!"
"Gaaaah...."
"Survivor located! Call in the medics!"
They miraculously found a survivor among the collapsed rubble, and the recovery and medical teams sprang into action.
I stood frozen, momentarily forgetting my path, simply watching the scene unfold.
When I saw the survivor being pulled out alive, I resumed walking.
*
"Lieutenant Colonel Banol is asking for you."
The first thing I heard upon arriving at Gate Red-17 was that Lieutenant Colonel Banol was looking for me.
"Banol is?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I wasn't told that much... but it seemed important."
"I see. I'll go see him soon."
I looked at Lieutenant Imosha.
She stood there resolutely, commanding the recovery site even though she looked like she could collapse at any moment.
To her, the intrusion of the Turncoat Rook and Sart of the Shadows was nothing short of a natural disaster.
But knowing her upright character, there was no way she would accept that so easily.
In the end, only the results remained.
The frontline at Gate Red-17 had collapsed, and many people died or were injured as a result.
That was all that remained for Imosha.
"Are you alright?"
"...Yes. I'm fine."
She said that, but there was no way she really was.
Still, I had nothing else I could say in this situation, so I simply shook my head.
"Alright then. Take care."
Sometimes, it's better to say nothing and carry on as usual—it might help more.
"Carl Marcus."
"Go ahead."
"...Once again, thank you so much."
"I only did what had to be done."
Of course, if we're being technical, it was my fault that the Turncoat Rook and Sart of the Shadows broke into Gate Red-17.
But Imosha didn't know that, which is why she was expressing her gratitude to me like this.
I felt a small pang of guilt, but there was no need to tell her the truth.
I simply left her with these words:
"It wasn't your fault."
"...No. If I had done just a bit better, fewer people would've died."
"Don't overestimate yourself. If it were something you could've done, you would've done it already."
"..."
Imosha's face darkened.
But sometimes, harsh words were better.
Those who try to carry more than they can handle always end up breaking.
"Then... I'll see you later."
Imosha didn't reply.
She only nodded slowly in response.
'That should be enough.'
I turned and made my way to Lieutenant Colonel Banol's office.
"You're here."
"What is it?"
"I think we're going to need your help again."
"You're really working me hard."
It hadn't even been long since I returned from investigating Kronos, and now another request...
I couldn't help but think this was a bit much.
"It can't be helped. This time, it's something you set in motion."
"What are you talking about?"
"The supply convoy to support Kronos has been decided. I'd like you to be part of it. No—it's essential."
"...That moved faster than expected."
Indeed, even I hadn't expected Ark to act this quickly.
I figured at least three more waves would pass before they made a move.
"The Tripathi family moved aggressively. Ah, do you know about the Tripathi family?"
"I know the basics."
"You're more informed about Ark than I expected. Well, I figured as much."
The Tripathi family...
The first person that came to mind was Ganesha Tripathi.
But she still didn't know I was the one behind all this.
She didn't yet know that Carl Marcus was the traitor Pawn.
That could only mean that the Tripathi family, with their strong presence on the front lines of Ark, had willingly accepted the alliance with the remnants of Kronos.
'Hmm... They must have an agenda.'
Still, whatever their intentions, it worked in my favor. I would make the most of this opportunity.
"Ah, there's one more thing you should know."
"What is it?"
"The scale of this convoy is nothing like the survey team. Naturally, someone of equal stature must lead it."
That wasn't a strange thing to say.
Unlike a small survey team, this support convoy would be transporting massive supplies.
It would require a sizeable escort and a competent commander—someone well beyond the usual dispatch leaders.
"Just get to the point."
"We've decided who will lead the convoy."
"Who is it?"
"That is..."
As Lieutenant Colonel Banol's lips moved, I found myself unable to hide my shock.