Chapter 15: Bone Armor (5)

In an instant, the ether surged toward the can containing the bone parasite and wrapped around it.

[Screech, skreeeech…!]

The bone parasite stomped its tiny feet in protest, struggling, but without a host, it no longer had any strength.

[Screech!]

Its movements came to a halt.

Of course, it wasn't dead—just weakened.

'Oh-ho…'

I had my doubts, but it actually worked…

The phenomenon I had just witnessed was proof that the ether surrounding me was finally responding to my will, even if only slightly.

Although I still lacked full control, it seemed that at least a weakened bone parasite was within my grasp.

'It's not enough for combat just yet… but it's better than nothing.'

Of course, ether was never a power without consequences.

Now that I had used it like this, tonight's whispers would likely be even more relentless.

'Well, that's just how it is.'

It wasn't as if they'd leave me alone if I did nothing anyway, so I might as well make them work for it.

There was a huge difference between suffering for free and enduring it after getting something in return.

Feeling satisfied with the day's progress, I immediately retrieved a vial of Type-55 painkiller from my medical kit.

It was time to claim today's biggest prize.

As I injected the Type-55 painkiller into the heart of the Mossback Kupf, the organ pulsed as if it had come back to life for a brief moment before settling again.

It was the kind of scene you'd expect from a horror movie, but since I knew what to expect, I wasn't particularly surprised.

'Alright, let's set it up.'

I placed the heart of the Mossback Kupf, now saturated with Type-55 painkiller, onto the ground.

Then, I grabbed the can containing the bone parasite, tilted the opening toward the heart, and peeled back the lid.

[Skkree…]

At first, the bone parasite hesitated, wary of the sudden freedom, but eventually, it fell into the trap I had laid for it.

It had no other choice.

[Screech! Skreeeck!]

The moment it latched onto the painkiller-infused monster heart, the bone parasite began to thrash violently.

It let out eerie cries as it writhed and convulsed.

It must have sensed that something was terribly wrong.

But the heart of the Mossback Kupf, a named-class beast, was no ordinary host.

[Skkrrreeeck!]

The struggle was brief.

The genetic differences between a wolf and a dog are said to be smaller than the variations found among human ethnic groups.

So, what truly distinguishes wolves from dogs?

It all comes down to a mutation in the 6th chromosome, which produces a protein called GIF21.

This protein is the key difference—it makes dogs excessively social toward humans.

In other words, it's the same genetic factor responsible for Williams-Beuren syndrome.

The Type-55 painkiller works in a similar way.

It strips away the primal instincts of the bone parasite, forcefully imprinting upon it an ultra-social genetic pattern.

Just like that, the parasite's resistance weakened.

Once it fell completely still, I picked it up.

──────────────

[Bone Parasite (Mossback Kupf's Heart)] [★★★★ (4-star)]

—A bone parasite that has taken the heart of a Named-Class Grade 6 Behemoth, the Mossback Kupf, as its host.

—Currently domesticated due to the effects of the Type-55 painkiller, it has lost its monstrous instincts.

—When connected to a specific power source, it allows partial use of the Mossback Kupf's and the bone parasite's abilities.

"View Details"

──────────────

'…It worked!'

Of course, this wasn't a complete success just yet.

I hadn't tested its true function.

'No point in delaying.'

I immediately linked the bone parasite to my protective suit's energy source.

Zzzzt, zzzt—!

A few sparks flickered before the connection stabilized.

──────────────

[Bone Armor (Lv.3)] [★★★★★ (5-star)]

—A standard-issue Level 3 protective suit enhanced by a domesticated bone parasite.

—The parasite's host is the heart of the Named-Class Grade 6 Behemoth, Mossback Kupf.

—Grants partial access to the abilities of both the bone parasite and the Mossback Kupf.

"View Details"

──────────────

'Finally…'

Although the armor's rating was somewhat low given the powerful host, that was due to the base suit being only three-star equipment and the bone parasite not having fully matured yet.

'If I keep feeding it, the bone parasite will grow stronger.'

And conveniently, the perfect food source was lying right in front of me.

The corpse of the Mossback Kupf itself.

It felt like a waste to use such a valuable monster as mere feed, but it was certainly better than letting it go to waste.

'I should at least keep the claws and fangs—they'll be useful.'

With my new bone armor, I no longer had to go through the tedious process of butchering the corpse by hand.

I could simply command it.

"Dismantle."

[Skkreee!]

At my command, the bone parasite reacted instantly.

From my protective suit, it extended rib-like bones that shot out and pierced the Mossback Kupf's carcass.

Then, like a network of straws, the bones began draining nutrients from the body.

Slurp, slurp—

A gruesome and eerie sight.

The image of bones sucking the essence from a massive corpse was something that would disgust most people.

But to me, it was just another routine moment.

Time passed.

Even though the bone parasite had a voracious appetite, the Mossback Kupf was far too large to be devoured in one sitting.

So, the feeding session ended relatively quickly.

──────────────

[Bone Armor (Lv.3)] [★★★★★★ (6-star)]

—A standard-issue Level 3 protective suit enhanced by a domesticated bone parasite.

—The parasite's host is the heart of the Named-Class Grade 6 Behemoth, Mossback Kupf.

—Grants partial access to the abilities of both the bone parasite and the Mossback Kupf.

—Having consumed the flesh and blood of the Mossback Kupf, it has gained increased access to its abilities.

"View Details"

──────────────

Just one good meal had boosted the armor's rating by a full star.

A six-star piece of gear.

Not just any gear, but a growth-type defensive suit.

On top of that, it had an additional unique trait—meaning it wasn't just defensive, but a complete offense-defense hybrid.

'I'll have to test out the Mossback Kupf's abilities later.'

Of course, as with everything, there was a downside.

Not in terms of performance, but in appearance.

'I'll have to keep this hidden most of the time…'

I was already a wanted individual barred from entering the Ark.

If I walked around looking like this, they'd execute me on the spot.

Even within the Ark, soldiers who wore bone parasite gear rarely revealed their suits.

The grotesque design alone was enough to trigger revulsion in most people.

"No matter how messed up the world gets, people are still obsessed with looks."

Even after the world had collapsed, aesthetic prejudice remained.

It was almost amusing.

[Skkreee!]

I had been talking to myself, but the bone parasite bobbed up and down in agreement.

Apparently, even monsters had opinions on the matter.

Something about its appearance was a little ridiculous, but the more I looked at it, the more it resembled a puppy, so I decided to leave it alone.

'Besides, maintaining it does take some effort.'

The bone parasite, while bound to my protective suit, was still very much a living creature.

Naturally, if it wasn't provided with nutrients at regular intervals, it would wither and die.

'Or worse, its starving instincts could awaken, and it might turn on its own master.'

For my own safety, maintenance wasn't optional—it was mandatory.

'Well, that part isn't too difficult.'

No matter how ravenous the bone parasite's appetite was, there would always be an endless supply of monsters to feed it.

'Time to head back.'

I packed my rucksack full of useful materials from the Mossback Kupf's corpse—claws, fangs, and leather—all valuable items.

Staying here any longer would only attract scavengers drawn to the scent of blood, so it was best to leave now.

When I glanced up at the sky, the sun was already setting.

Considering that I had left my shelter at dawn, that meant I had spent the entire day doing this.

'It'll be nighttime by the time I get back.'

I quickened my pace.

As Noah's nights were freezing.

***

Major Tatiana Belov sat alone in her office, enjoying a rare moment of peace with a cup of tea.

It was her first real break after a grueling mission.

'Who could it have been?'

Lately, a particular mystery had been bothering her—the identity of the unknown sniper who had saved her during her return to the Ark.

One thing was certain: it wasn't anyone from Red Line.

She had confirmed that much from her conversation with Gate Officer Imosha.

「"…Not them?"」

「"No. It wasn't a Red Line unit. In fact, there hasn't been any Red Line team passing through the gates recently."」

「"…Really? By the way, how long do you plan on keeping up that formal tone? You know I don't like pulling rank in private."」

「"This is more comfortable for me. It's been… a long time, after all."」

Tatiana didn't press further.

Ever since that incident in Black Line, bringing it up had become an unspoken taboo.

「"…I see."」

Shaking off bitter memories, she turned her focus back to the mysterious sniper.

'If it wasn't Red Line…'

That only left White Line.

But from what she had heard, White Line units rarely left their post…

'It's not something I'd be able to find out anyway.'

White Line was shrouded in secrecy.

Even Tatiana, who had never been pushed aside by authority or bureaucracy, knew only fragments about them.

'Hmm.'

Her thoughts drifted back to her conversation with Imosha.

They had also discussed another topic—something troubling.

「"And I heard you were the one who reported the fall of Kronos. How did a gate officer even find out about that?"」

When Tatiana had returned to her unit and reported the destruction of Kronos, her superior's response had been shocking.

They already knew.

Considering the hell she had gone through just to bring that information back; it had nearly made her collapse from exhaustion.

But it also raised questions.

Each Line operated independently, but they were still nominally under White Line's authority.

Moreover, the deployment of the Kronos recon team had been reported to White Line.

If another unit had scouted ahead of hers, she should have heard about it.

Yet somehow, it had been Gate Officer Imosha who had reported the fall of Kronos.

How?

「"Refugees arrived."」

「"Refugees?"」

「"People from Kronos. They were… unusual, to say the least."」

Imosha's face darkened as he spoke about them.

「"…What happened?"」

「"One of them is probably dead."」

「"…Well, considering they made it all the way from Kronos, that's not surprising."」

「"No. I killed him."」

「"…What?"」

Imosha's explanation was simple.

One of the refugees had shown an ether response, forcing him to be denied of their entry as per protocol.

Strictly speaking, she hadn't killed the man himself—it was just an unfortunate consequence.

For all they knew, the man might still be alive.

「"By the way, is it true that he took down a Skull Hound with standard-issue gear?"」

「"Yes. He landed clean shots to the eyes and heart. Impressive marksmanship."」

For Imosha to praise someone's shooting…

That fact alone bothered Tatiana.

「"…I see."」

Her thoughts returned to the present.

"An outsider, huh…"

For some reason, she had a feeling—however irrational—that this "outsider" and the mysterious sniper were connected.

It was pure speculation, but Tatiana was a Level 3 Ether Adept.

And when a Level 3 Ether Adept speculated, it was more than just a hunch.

"His name… was Carl Marcus, wasn't it?"

Imosha made a habit of memorizing the names of everyone she denied entry to.

Tatiana had scolded her countless times for it, but she refused to stop.

"Ugh."

So stubborn.

'Idiot. Fool. Moron.'

After mentally cursing her for a while, Tatiana sighed and fell back into thought.

'…Come to think of it.'

Hadn't the refugees who came with that outsider been taken in for training in Red Line?

Tatiana decided that she would visit Red Line sometime soon.

For several reasons.

***

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