Though I had finally secured the Zeus-444 Railgun, my dealings with Becky Baxter were not yet finished.
There was still one crucial component I couldn't overlook in order to use the Zeus-444 Railgun properly.
"I'd like to see the ammunition list for the Zeus-444 Railgun."
Though the Ark-34 Railgun could use standard bullets, that was only because its railgun mode had been forcibly integrated into an automatic conversion rifle.
Naturally, specialized railgun ammunition was far more powerful than forcibly using rifle rounds.
Moreover, the Zeus-444 couldn't use standard bullets to begin with, making the purchase of railgun-specific ammunition a necessity, not an option.
"Oh, of course!"
With a few taps on her device, Becky Baxter brought up another set of holograms before me.
────────────
[Special Ammunition (Railgun)]
[120mm High-Caliber Alloy Round]
[120mm A-985 High-Density Explosive Round]
[120mm NA-44 High-Capacity Napalm Round]
"Next Page"
────────────
Despite being classified as a personal weapon, the Zeus-444 Railgun used a massive 120mm caliber typically seen in tanks—clear proof that this wasn't a weapon any ordinary human could wield.
The sheer size of the ammo alone meant the explosives it housed were on an entirely different level than those used in the firearms I'd handled before.
'Hmm.'
I scrolled through the list and selected a total of ten types of rounds.
"All of these—three of each."
"Got it."
Technically, a single shot was always enough for me, but I was preparing in case of loss or misfire.
"Let's see…"
Perhaps she had prepared them while retrieving the Zeus-444, because when Becky lifted a cloth inside the trunk, more cases were revealed.
Ammunition crates.
"You're thorough."
"Well, of course! Where the needle goes, the thread follows."
"I see."
And just like that, I had used up nearly all of my merit points.
It had taken considerable effort to earn them, but I had spent them wisely—no complaints.
"Are you sure you can carry all of that?"
She wasn't wrong. The Zeus-444 alone was longer and bulkier than a grown man.
Add several ammo crates, and her question made sense.
"There's no need to worry."
"Well, that's a relief!"
"Until next time, then."
"Yep, see you around!"
With that, and as suddenly as she'd appeared, Becky Baxter vanished once more.
'Now then…'
I had acquired what I came for.
Here I was, just on the cusp of entering the Yellow Line stage, and I had already obtained the Zeus-444 Railgun.
A weapon that normally couldn't be purchased until the late-game stages with carefully hoarded merit—now in my hands.
I wanted to immediately meet with Maybell Pilgrim and have the Zeus-444 upgraded, but that would have to wait.
'I'll meet Lania first. It's not too late to upgrade it after that.'
There's a proper order to everything.
And right now was no different.
I had promised Lania I'd return within a day—if I left now, I wouldn't be late.
After a quick glance around, I stashed the gear inside the Rift Space and began to move.
It was time to see Lania.
* * *
Ever since acquiring Rift Space, leaving the Ark had become significantly easier.
Though long-distance travel was still impossible, the ability to leap across space itself was incredibly powerful.
["…Are you sure it's okay to use that so freely? I can't help feeling uneasy…"]
Esther voiced concern over the inexplicable, alien power.
But that ship had already sailed.
'I've been using it nonstop already—what's the difference?'
["Hmm… Still."]
'This isn't the time to be picky.'
Rift Space and Rift Shift.
Both powers originated from the Watcher—whose true identity remained unknown—but regardless, they were undeniably convenient for me.
Yes, I knew these powers were dangerous.
I was painfully aware of that every time I got dragged into the Watcher's domain.
But even so, my rule was simple: use every tool at my disposal.
The Defense—this damned world—wasn't the kind of game you could clear by holding back.
After leaving the Ark, I moved toward Mount Noah, as always, escaping the Ark's surveillance before calling for Horus.
[Kihet!]
Horus, who had been hunting nearby, came immediately the moment I summoned him.
Mounting Horus, I gripped the bony reins.
"Let's go."
Horus began flapping his wings with his usual ferocity.
The scenery around me blurred rapidly.
But this wasn't the time to lose myself in the view.
"..."
Many thoughts surfaced.
Most of them, as expected, revolved around the true ending of The Defense—and the sail fragment I had stumbled upon.
The sail.
Its exact purpose remained unclear.
But I couldn't say I had no idea at all.
Isabel's true goal—the founder of the Shadow Order—was to return humanity to its homeland.
Where that homeland was, no one knew.
But considering the Shadow Order's aim to claim the Ark and the likely location of the sail deep within the White Line, it was hard to believe these things were unrelated.
'The most likely possibility… is that there's a hidden spaceship within the White Line.'
Alternatively, some lost technology—like warp drive—that the Ark currently lacked might be hidden there.
The possibilities were endless.
I just didn't have the answers yet.
'But even so, what does all of this have to do with the ending of The Defense?'
The goal of The Defense was to protect the Ark.
Whatever the Ark truly was, the mission to defend it from the hordes of beasts and monsters remained unchanged.
There was a reason I hadn't pursued the sail or Isabel's wish until now.
If I hadn't found that sail fragment by chance, I likely wouldn't have cared at all.
But now that the sail's fragment had ended up in my hands, I couldn't help but take an interest.
Clinging to a baseless dream was a waste of time, but once a sliver of possibility appeared, it wasn't a bad idea to give it some thought.
'Tch.'
As expected, there was no way to find an answer just sitting around.
'I might really have to meet with Isabel.'
Since I was already part of the Shadow Order, it wouldn't be difficult to meet her if I had the time.
More importantly, Isabel herself would likely want to see me.
At that moment—
["We're here."]
Esther spoke softly.
Just as she said, the Kronos Union's base came into view in the distance.
'I don't know what any of this really means…'
But right now, it was time to focus on what needed to be done.
* * *
When I arrived at the Kronos Union's base, what greeted me was an enormous army that seemed ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
She had said it would be difficult, but clearly Lania's determination had prevailed.
"…It really hasn't even been a full day."
"Told you I'd be back."
Seeing that I had actually returned within the day, Lania's expression was worth seeing.
Not that I wasn't surprised myself.
"Your preparation was fast."
"Even the old men can read the room. Everyone knows the multi-wave is coming soon. No reason to hesitate."
One day.
Just a single day.
And yet, part of the Kronos Union under Lania's command looked fully ready to march.
"For now, those who are able to deploy immediately are just about ready. The children and elderly will stay behind. Even during a wave, if the entrance is sealed and they hide, the monsters likely won't find them."
Of course, if the wave's path completely overlapped with this location, those in hiding might still be wiped out—but Lania had made her call.
"Are you sure that's okay?"
"Taking them to the Ark might be even more dangerous. We can't make them fight, can we? It's better they stay here."
"There are plenty of places in the Ark where non-combatants can stay safely."
Since we were helping with the wave, the Ark would surely allow a few civilians in.
I was sure of that, but Lania still shook her head.
"This is our home. The place we have to return to."
Even if they had formed an alliance, the Kronos Union's land was here.
That's what Lania was saying.
Whether that alone was enough or there was another reason, I didn't ask.
"Understood."
"Then let's get moving, Brother. We don't have much time left."
"Right."
When Lania signaled her lieutenant, the prepared forces of the Kronos Union began advancing.
Normally, a massive trumpet might have sounded such a departure—but that was out of the question outside the Ark.
The Kronos Union was on the move.
Not just Lania's group, but likely other factions led by different city leaders had begun their own deployments.
Though I would've liked to go with them, I had other business.
"I'll see you in the Ark."
"…Huh? You're not coming with us?"
"There's someplace I need to stop by first."
Lania nodded.
"Well… maybe you'll be there to greet us when we arrive at the Ark, just in case?"
"I will."
"Alright then… see you later, Brother."
After parting with Lania, I turned and left.
I didn't feel the need to hide anything from her, but I still preferred to keep Horus a secret when possible.
'Lania is an ally, but that doesn't mean the entire Kronos Union is.'
Even though the Kronos Union was allied with the Ark now, it remained one of the largest potential threats to the Ark.
No matter how influential Lania would become as the Union's second-in-command, it was wise to stay cautious wherever I could.
["You live a really exhausting life."]
'That's the world we live in.'
Esther's eyes looked faintly sad.
* * *
After leaving the Kronos Union, I headed to the base of the Sandstorm Caravan—the heart of the Silk Road.
Now that I had secured enough soldiers to fight in the coming multi-wave, it was time to bolster our supplies before the wave struck.
I found Ayla immediately and spoke.
"I want the Silk Road fully operational."
Ayla's golden eyes lit up at my words.
As the head of the Sandstorm Caravan, she had surely been waiting to hear that.
"That's faster than expected."
"There's no harm in moving quickly. Besides, I'm sure everything's already prepared."
Though it hadn't been long since I last visited the Sandstorm Caravan, a deal of this magnitude would've had them working at full capacity.
As if to confirm my thoughts, Ayla chuckled without trying to hide it.
"You really are something else."
She nodded and gave a subtle signal with her eyes—and the Sandstorm Caravan began moving in earnest.
Preparations had already been made.
All that remained was action.
"I'll see you in the Ark, Pawn."
"Right."
The Silk Road—
On the eve of a massive war, it was finally time for it to shine.