A day had passed.
Maybe it was because it was the first morning after planting the Seed of the Life Tree, but the air felt incomparably fresher than ever before.
[You have rested in the domain of the Life Tree! Wounds and muscles recover rapidly, and your body is filled with vitality!]
[Strength has increased.]
[17 → 18]
[Stamina has increased.]
[20 → 21]
[Ether Sensitivity has increased.]
[28 → 29]
It wasn't even a proper tree yet, and the effects were already this strong...
'This is incredible.'
More than anything, the vitality coursing through his body wasn't something that could be fully expressed with numbers.
'I feel like running straight to the Church of Morte and beating the hell out of them.'
It would be a little unfair from their perspective, considering they weren't doing anything at the moment, but those bastards were the root of all evil—getting smacked around a bit was the least they deserved.
'Anyway...'
Maybe it was thanks to the Life Tree, but the hideout, which once consisted of just a cave, a few tents, and a hot spring, was beginning to take real shape.
The most surprising transformation came from the hot spring.
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[Hot Spring of the Life Tree] [★★★★★ (5 Stars)]
— A hot spring that has come into contact with the roots of the Life Tree.
— Imbued with the power of the Life Tree.
— Has remarkable effects on wound and fatigue recovery and is beneficial for skin care.
"View Details"
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'...Skin care? Really?'
He had never once grown a Life Tree near a hot spring before, so this bizarre effect was completely new to him.
Well, no complaints—it was a bonus.
'That's not all.'
On a whim, he took a sip of the hot spring water, and immediately, he felt the difference.
He had been using the hot spring as a drinking source without any special purification process, so the contrast was stark.
'This... this is a potion. The effect is weak, but unmistakable. It feels just like a potion.'
Potion technology was something even Heshbon, a nation with biotechnology far surpassing Ark's, had failed to develop.
A liquid that healed wounds when applied and cured illnesses when consumed—if that wasn't ridiculous, what was?
And yet, humans always found a way.
In this world, where people died like insects, potion technology was bound to emerge sooner or later.
During the mid-game Silk Road sub-scenario, Ark would gain stable access to the corpses of beasts and monsters.
Once that happened, given enough time, Ark would finally develop potion technology.
Of course, much of the process was skipped in the game, but that was the general progression.
'But now... the hot spring water infused with the Life Tree's roots already works like a potion.'
In other words, it could be stored in canteens, consumed, or even applied to wounds as a substitute for potions.
'A potion, huh... This is absurd.'
Even he hadn't known the Life Tree had this kind of power.
As he'd mentioned before, cultivating the Life Tree had always been a gamble, and because of that, he had rarely attempted it, even knowing of its existence.
He never expected that combining the Life Tree with a hot spring would create such an effect...
'And the more the Life Tree grows, the stronger the effect will become.'
Right now, the hot spring's effect was still weaker than a full-fledged potion, likely because the Life Tree was still in its early stages.
But time would solve that problem.
Not just Ark—even the Sandstorm Caravan would recognize its astronomical value.
For him, it was just scooping up water and selling it, but the profit potential was immense.
'Of course, if I flood the market too carelessly, I'll paint a target on my back.'
If he started selling this water in large quantities, someone would take notice.
And naturally, there would be those who wanted to know where it was coming from.
'Well, for now, just having an emergency supply is more than enough.'
With time, the Life Tree's water—the potions—would only grow more potent.
There was no rush.
'The hideout is pretty much set... time to head to Ark.'
The Wave was approaching.
That meant it was time for him to prepare.
Now that negotiations with Lieutenant Colonel Banol were over, he needed to make money.
["You're heading to Ark?"]
"Yeah."
["Ugh..."]
"What's wrong?"
["...Do you really have to ask? Staying here makes me nauseous!"]
Now that he thought about it, the spirit had complained about that before.
Not that he'd paid much attention.
["Take care of the place, Bonehead. If you get thirsty, drink some of that."]
[Kihet!]
"It's probably poisonous to monsters."
["Ah—whoops."]
[Kehek!]
*
"A task force?"
"Yes."
The moment he stepped into the Red Line Gate, none other than Lieutenant Imosha was waiting for him.
Her request was simple.
She wanted him to immediately join the investigation team as a mercenary and tactical director for the operation on the Kronos remnants.
"Lieutenant Colonel Banol said this is an issue deeply tied to Ark's security, so he insists that you fulfill the contract."
That old fox...
Technically, his contract as a mercenary only required him to defend Ark during the Wave, so he had every right to refuse.
But ignoring it completely wasn't an option either.
'Wait... did Banol even assign a mission like this at this point in the timeline?'
No, that didn't really matter anymore.
Now that a multi-Wave had occurred, his actions had already altered the course of events in major ways.
'It's about time Kronos started forming a union.'
The remnants of Kronos and other fallen cities banding together.
The birth of the Kronos Union.
"How is the investigation team structured?"
"I apologize, but I won't be able to participate this time, as I must oversee gate defense. However, I've selected reliable soldiers for the mission."
"Soldiers?"
"Yes."
"No dedicated commander?"
"...That's correct."
In other words, he was expected to take command.
"But don't worry. They're capable soldiers."
"Yeah, well—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
His gaze shifted past Lieutenant Imosha.
A group of figures emerged from behind her—people he knew all too well.
Even though their appearances differed slightly from what he remembered, there was no mistaking them.
Because even this version of them was a sight he was far too familiar with.
Hildegarde.
Iris.
Dmitri.
And...
'...Kalakin.'
Among all the playable characters of Ark, he was the closest to being the protagonist.
No, in my mind, he was the protagonist of The Defense.
'I heard Kalakin had been deployed to the Orange Line until now…'
Kalakin was one of the most prominent soldiers in Ark.
The fact that even he was drafted for this mission meant that Lieutenant Colonel Banol wasn't taking this lightly.
'With Kalakin here… at least I won't be carrying the entire burden alone.'
As I studied them, they too sent intense gazes in my direction.
"Ah, hello."
The first to approach was someone I was already acquainted with—Hildegarde.
"It's been a while."
"How have you been?"
"Well enough."
"Ah, this is Iris and Kalakin. This is your first time meeting them, right?"
With that, Iris and Kalakin turned their eyes toward me.
"I've heard about you from Hildegarde. You played a major role in the last mission, right? Looking forward to working with you."
"Likewise."
After a brief exchange with Iris, Kalakin fixed his gaze on me.
Unlike Hildegarde or Iris, Kalakin didn't have any particularly striking eyes.
And yet, his stare felt as if he was seeing through me.
"Kalakin."
He naturally extended his hand for a handshake.
There was no reason to refuse.
"Carl Marcus."
The grip I felt was heavy.
Had I been an ordinary person, I might have been overwhelmed—but unfortunately for him, he had picked the wrong opponent.
"…Ah."
A flicker of surprise crossed Kalakin's eyes.
Despite applying considerable pressure, I received his grip with complete ease.
"…My apologies. It's a habit."
"I understand."
Kalakin was strong—strong enough to be deployed to the Orange Line already.
But compared to me, who had spent time at Mount Noah, enhancing myself with strengthening serums and all sorts of doping, it wasn't enough.
Just then, Lieutenant Imosha interjected.
"Well, I believe introductions are settled. I'd like you to depart immediately."
"I don't recall saying I'd accept the mission yet."
"…Please."
Tch.
If it were Lieutenant Colonel Banol, I would've tried to squeeze something more out of this.
But pressing Imosha would only sour our relationship.
"You better make sure I get properly compensated."
"Of course."
"Then we're leaving right now?"
"Yes. Time is of the essence."
I knew exactly what she meant by that.
The time left until the next Wave.
Considering that, it made sense to depart immediately.
If we were caught in the open plains when the Wave hit, the entire investigation team—aside from maybe me—would be dead for sure.
'Actually… Kalakin might survive.'
Even if Kalakin was still a rookie who had just stepped onto the Orange Line, he was still Kalakin.
If it came down to it, he'd probably find a way to survive.
'But that's not the point.'
The goal was to make sure we never ended up in that situation.
"I agree with leaving immediately, but I'm not ready yet."
That much was obvious.
I had come here to join the Ark Front, not to take on an investigation mission outside Ark.
Naturally, I hadn't brought the proper gear.
"Ah, don't worry about that. We've already prepared everything."
Imosha handed me a rucksack.
Just from a glance, I could tell—it was the external deployment pack used by Ark's special operations teams.
A so-called AAA-class kit.
"Thorough."
"The situation calls for it."
Imosha smiled wryly.
A smile filled with bitterness.
I accepted the pack and slung it onto my back.
"Oh, and there's no need to bring your old canteen. The pack already has one attached. If you leave yours here, I'll make sure it's safely stored."
"No, I'll take mine as well. You can never have too much water."
"Ah, understood."
The canteen attached to the pack contained ordinary water.
But mine?
Mine contained Life Water.
Though not exceptionally powerful yet, it could still serve as a substitute for potions.
A life-saving reserve, in other words.
Not just for me, but for the entire investigation team.
"So… we're ready to go?"
"Yes."
"I like how we're skipping unnecessary procedures. What exactly is our mission?"
"You'll be investigating and scouting remnants of the old Kronos faction. Hildegarde will explain the details on the way."
"Got it."
I scanned my team members—my new team.
"I'll hear the specifics as we move."
With that, I turned around.
I already had a good idea of what this mission entailed.
And as I had said before—time was running out.
Including me, there were only five of us.
Not even enough to form a full squad, yet the mission we were given was monumental.
'Then again… maybe this is the perfect number for a mission like this.'
Surviving outside Ark wasn't about facing the Wave—it was about avoiding it.
A large group would only increase the risk of being spotted.
"I wish you luck."
"Thanks."
Just as we were about to step through the gate, an unexpected voice called out to me.
"You there, barbarian."
Dmitri.
"What is it?"
"…This time, I won't be a burden. I swear it."
It seemed the events of the previous investigation mission had weighed on his pride.
"We'll see."
"Hmph, such an uncivilized brute."
Says you.
'Well… I hope that's true.'
But unlike last time, this mission wouldn't be so easygoing.
Because this time, we weren't just dealing with beasts and monsters.
* * *
Kalakin stared at Carl Marcus's back as he walked ahead.
He slowly looked down at his own palm.
The hand that had just shaken Carl Marcus's was trembling slightly.
"..."
But only for a moment.
Kalakin quickly shook his head and followed the investigation team, his sharp gaze locked onto Carl Marcus.