Chapter 25: Experimental GHOST-157 (2)

'Time to get moving.'

With a hearty breakfast in my stomach, it was about time to head out.

By now, Ark's retrieval team should have already departed.

There was a simple reason I purposely waited for them.

There wasn't just one or two ways for the experimental bullet GHOST-157 to go missing.

Even with my limited knowledge, I could think of hundreds of possibilities.

Trying to find GHOST-157 without any information would be next to impossible.

That's why I needed the tracker that the retrieval team carried.

The case containing GHOST-157 had a tracking transmitter attached to it.

'I'll take advantage of that.'

There might be countless ways the bullet could get lost, but the retrieval team knows its exact location.

In other words, if I watch the team's movements from a distance, I can drastically reduce the number of possible routes I need to search.

'I just need to get one step ahead.'

There's no need to overtake them by much.

If I can stay just one step ahead, I'll be able to secure GHOST-157 without aimlessly wandering around.

'The departure point is the Red Line Gate.'

Depending on which gate they come out of, the hundreds of possibilities would shrink to just a few dozen.

That was why I needed to get moving right away.

'First, I need to grab this.'

I threw on the camouflage poncho that I had used earlier while sniping.

'Better not get spotted and cause unnecessary trouble.'

Getting one step ahead of the retrieval team also meant there was a chance I might encounter them.

I had no intention of carelessly revealing my identity.

'And for my face...'

I didn't agonize over it for long.

I had just the thing.

"Hey."

[Kkigit!]

At my call, the bone parasite that had been idling nearby immediately responded.

It was in the nature of lesser beings to always be alert and ready when summoned.

"You know what I mean, right? Make it."

[Kkigit...]

The bone parasite, reacting to my will, began to move diligently.

Starting from my neck, bone tendrils crawled upward and formed a shape,

slowly crafting a mask that would cover my entire face.

'This shape... looks familiar somehow...'

When the mask was finally complete, I took a good look at it.

──────────────

[Mask of Kupf] [★★★★ (4-Star)]

—A bone mask crafted as part of the bone armor. An integrated piece of the bone armor.

—Contains the power of Kupf, the Grade-6 Named Beast Mossback Kupf.

"View Details"

──────────────

'Oh?'

No wonder it seemed familiar.

It was a mask made using the power of Kupf, created from the bones and flesh of the Mossback Beast I had previously slain.

'Come to think of it, the bone armor was supposed to be able to use Kupf's power too.'

I had completely forgotten about it since I never bothered to test it.

Now it seemed like a good time to try it out.

'Might as well do it now.'

If I didn't do it now, I'd probably forget again.

I focused my mind on the mask, trying to activate its power.

—Crack. Crack!

A subtle vibration spread through the mask, followed by the sound of ice forming.

['Hardening' has been activated.]

[The durability and toughness of the Mask of Kupf have greatly increased.]

'Hardening?'

I gave the mask a light knock with my hand.

—Thud. Thud.

Even with just a simple tap, I could feel how solid the mask was.

'This is more than just being sturdy... It could have some bulletproof or blast-resistant properties too.'

I'd have to experiment to know how many bullets or grenades it could withstand, but I wasn't keen on testing it right now.

Breaking the bone mask would directly weaken the power of the bone armor, and that was not worth the risk.

'And since it's using the power of the bone armor, that means I can probably use the Hardening ability on the armor itself too.'

This was good news all around.

"Nice work."

[Kiiik!]

As if pleased by the praise, the bone parasite wiggled its tendrils.

Maybe there was some truth to the saying that even a Behemoth would dance if praised.

'Feeding it Kupf's remains was worth it.'

At first, I'd regretted not selling the corpse for a high price, but seeing the results now, I was glad I fed it to the parasite instead.

'If the chance comes again, I should feed it various high-grade beasts and monsters.'

It was rare for the bone parasite to unlock special abilities like this.

When I played as an Ark soldier, I rarely had time to gather monster corpses from outside, since I was usually too busy fulfilling military duties.

'Soldier duties can be pretty overwhelming.'

Of all those duties, the most tedious and time-consuming was guard duty.

Occasionally, beast packs would appear during shifts, but the efficiency wasn't worth the effort compared to hunting freely outside.

Looking at it now, being an exiled outsider from Ark didn't seem so bad.

Sure, I didn't get the benefits of being a soldier, but I also didn't have to deal with their endless obligations.

'...Though the disadvantages still outweigh the merits.'

Well, setting that aside...

Although I missed the chance to experiment during the last Wave, if this ability was that useful, it might be worth adjusting my strategy going forward.

'From now on, I should actively gather high-grade beast and monster corpses.'

So far, I had only moved if the opportunity naturally presented itself, but now I felt a stronger need to actively secure monster corpses.

'Time to go.'

I set off, knowing I had a long way ahead.

*

The terrain of Mount Noah was rough and unforgiving.

One look would tell you it was an active volcano, with granite and basalt rock strewn everywhere.

There were a few nameless weeds scattered around, but none of them were useful for eating or crafting.

Running down the mountain was something only a madman would attempt, but I did it anyway.

With my robust body and growing familiarity with the path, there was nothing to fear.

'I'm almost at the base of the mountain. Better start hiding.'

The Ark soldiers' senses were sharp.

During the Wave, I could afford to be reckless because the frontline was in utter chaos, but trying that now would get me caught in no time.

Considering what I was about to do, being spotted by Ark would be less than ideal.

I positioned myself about 4 km away, using my scope to observe the Red Line gate, and waited silently for the right moment.

'They're coming out.'

How long had I waited?

Finally, I saw several soldiers emerging from the Red Line gate.

It was the retrieval team assigned to recover GHOST-157.

'As expected.'

The side scenario to retrieve GHOST-157 was essentially a tutorial mission, so I figured the retrieval team would be composed mostly of trainees with only a single sergeant as their leader.

Sure enough, that's exactly what I saw.

It was a sign that Ark didn't have the manpower to form a proper retrieval unit.

All their resources were tied up cleaning up the aftermath of the frontline battle.

I carefully examined the retrieval team through the scope.

'Can't tell the sergeant's identity from here... but he doesn't look easy to deal with.'

If he was put in charge of trainees, it meant he had enough capability to lead them successfully.

If I wanted to get ahead of them, I'd have to outmaneuver that sergeant's watchful eyes.

'They're moving out.'

Once I confirmed their departure, I started following from a safe distance, keeping just enough space between us to avoid detection.

'Heading east, huh?'

From Ark's perspective, the area north to the northwest and northeast belonged entirely to Mount Noah.

But if they moved east, it would open up into vast plains.

'And beyond those plains...'

I knew that place well.

Kronos.

Or rather, the ruined wasteland that was once Kronos.

'I need to keep watching a bit longer.'

One of the possible routes involved heading east before turning south halfway, so I couldn't jump to conclusions just yet.

It was too early to be sure of their final destination.

'The sergeant's moving at a pretty brisk pace, but the trainees are keeping up well. They must've picked some decent ones.'

Even though I couldn't make out the trainees' faces from this distance, something about the sergeant's appearance seemed oddly familiar.

'If it's who I think it is, this could get really annoying.'

And then—

They finally reached the junction.

Wherever the retrieval team went from here would determine their destination.

'Alright... east or south?'

Without hesitation, the retrieval team headed east.

In other words, their destination was Kronos.

'Good.'

Now I knew where GHOST-157 was located.

There was no need to follow them slowly anymore.

'Time to get ahead of them in one shot.'

My pace quickened as I moved with purpose.

***

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