Chapter 27: Experimental GHOST-157 (4)
Steel Body (強體).
The most fundamental and powerful ability that allows Ether Adapters to truly become what they are meant to be.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the true power of an Ether Adapter is only revealed after acquiring this ability.
'Finally.'
Once an Ether Adapter reaches Level 2, they gain the ability to enhance their body using ether—that is, to manifest [Steel Body].
It means becoming a being that transcends human limits.
Although acquiring [Steel Body] right now wasn't part of the plan, it couldn't have come at a better time considering the physical demands I was about to face.
I took a slow, deep breath.
With it, I felt the ether slowly seep into my lungs, spreading throughout my body.
[It's coming in. It's coming in. It's coming in. It's coming in. It's coming in. It's coming in. It's coming in. It's coming in. It's coming in. It's coming in. It's coming in. It's coming in. It's coming in. It's coming in.]
[Feels cozy...]
[Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus.]
[We're... together now.]
The whispers that always murmured around me felt closer than ever before.
It wasn't just a feeling.
As proof, I could sense my body growing lighter.
'...So, this is how it feels.'
Though my Ether Sensitivity had only increased by one, there was a distinct difference between Level 2 Ether Adapters and those who hadn't reached that level.
The manifestation of [Steel Body] was the most significant difference.
"Whew..."
As I let out a deep breath, I felt a faint trace of ether mix with my exhalation.
Now, ether was part of me.
Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, I didn't know. To be honest, I'd been feeling like I had taken a step toward some sort of boundary for a while now.
I had no idea what lay beyond that boundary.
All I knew was that my instincts screamed not to cross it.
'Anyway, the important thing is that acquiring Steel Body is definitely a good thing.'
I tightened my legs.
With that, I felt the ether inside me move like blood through my veins.
[Let's... go...]
That was my intention from the start.
As soon as I took the first step, my body felt remarkably light, as if gravity had lessened just for me.
It wasn't just in my head.
The moment I took another step, my body practically glided forward.
'At this speed... I can overtake the recovery team.'
The Tropical Grassland Raptor habitat was already behind me.
There was nothing left to worry about.
As I continued to run, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
'If Level 2 is like this... what about Level 3?'
And with that, another thought naturally followed—
Tatiana Belov, a Level 3 Ether Adapter.
'...What a waste.'
If only she weren't a member of the Beloff Family, she could have been a valuable ally.
It was almost ironic.
'Well, it's meaningless to dwell on that now.'
Either way, I had no intention of getting involved with the Beloff Family.
The plains were peaceful.
It had only been a day since the wave hit.
'If another wave happened now in these plains... I'd be dead for sure.'
I knew the odds were low, but something about the uncertainty of this world kept me on edge.
'Let's keep moving.'
[King, King!]
[Keeek!]
Of course, just because it was right after the wave didn't mean there weren't beast packs roaming the plains.
Every time that happened, I would hold my breath and wait for the pack to pass before carefully moving again.
Waiting was far more efficient than engaging in pointless battles.
'I still can't see the recovery team... well, I did take a different path.'
At the fork in the road, the recovery team headed directly south.
Meanwhile, I had continued east for a while, only realizing the mistake later and adjusting diagonally toward the destination.
Even though the destination was the same, it was no wonder I couldn't see them since our routes were different.
And then—
Finally, I spotted my destination on the horizon.
It was the southeastern swamp area.
[You have entered the 'Opacum Swamp'.]
[Due to the toxic miasma of the swamp, your stamina will gradually decrease, and your movement will be restricted.]
The Opacum Swamp.
An area dominated by the Swamp Lord, Opacum.
As seen, the toxic miasma of the swamp made it nearly impossible to operate for long, even for an Ether Adapter without specialized equipment.
'At least the experimental bullet GHOST-157 is near the entrance.'
The beast that brought it here couldn't go any further due to Opacum's presence.
'I just need to grab the experimental bullet and get out fast.'
Now was the time to be vigilant.
Whether it's a forest lord or a swamp lord, provoking them recklessly is a death sentence.
It wasn't just about one person dying—such incidents could trigger another wave.
'The Ark is still recovering from the previous wave... a new wave would be the end.'
Even a second wave could be enough to obliterate everything.
There was a reason why The Defense was infamous worldwide for its brutal difficulty.
[Ssss...]
The somber cries of swamp monsters and insect beasts resonated through the area.
The moment I set foot in Opacum's Swamp, they already knew I was here.
'They'll only strike once they've fully surrounded me.'
If I hadn't acquired Steel Body, they would have already attacked, sensing me as prey.
But now, the ether lightly seeping from my body made them hesitate.
'It would've been easier if they'd just attacked outright...'
I needed to navigate carefully without giving them the chance to surround me, while also heading to the location of GHOST-157.
It was a tricky task, but one I had accomplished many times before.
'There it is.'
Before long, I spotted the culprit who had carried GHOST-157 all the way here.
[Kieek...?]
The Grade-9 Beast, Haunted Black-Maned Cheetah.
The boss of the GHOST-157 retrieval scenario.
'Though calling it a boss is a bit much... it's not that different from regular beasts.'
The difference was that, true to its name, the Haunted Black-Maned Cheetah was possessed by ether.
Or more precisely, possessed by a spectral-type monster.
I could understand the desire to steal a weapon capable of harming spectral types, but that plan ends here.
'No need to make any noise.'
The bone parasite responded to my will, and bone tendrils stretched out from beneath my poncho.
I grasped one tendril, and it became a sturdy spear, hardened and lethal.
'I'll finish it in one strike.'
In the past, it might have been a bit tricky, but with Bone Armor's support and Steel Body enhancing my physical abilities, it was definitely possible now.
The bone spear flew forward, piercing straight through the neck of the Haunted Black-Maned Cheetah in one swift motion.
[Kieeeek───]
With a final death cry, the Haunted Black-Maned Cheetah collapsed.
[Grade 9 Beast, Haunted Black-Maned Cheetah has been eliminated.]
[Damage against Black-Maned Cheetah has increased by 0.05%.]
At the same time, the movements of the beasts that had been closing in on me noticeably slowed.
It meant they now recognized me as a threat—something not to be reckoned with easily.
'Then...'
I carefully opened the bullet case that the Black-Maned Cheetah had been holding.
Since I already knew the password, there was nothing difficult about it.
──────────────
[Experimental Bullet GHOST-157] [??(??★)]
[Current Quantity: 1]
—A bullet born from coincidence.
—It can inflict damage on incorporeal entities.
"View Details"
──────────────
'Good.'
I placed GHOST-157 into an empty magazine and stood up.
I deliberately left the case with the transmitter behind.
It was to buy some time by hindering the recovery team.
'Let them search for an empty case and just head back.'
Just as I was about to leave—
"Stop."
A low voice echoed as someone appeared from the jungle.
Judging by the attire and timing, it was undoubtedly the Ark's recovery team.
'Tsk.'
I had succeeded in getting one step ahead as planned, but it seemed I had wasted too much time, ending up face-to-face with the recovery team.
Fortunately, I was already wearing the camouflaged poncho and Kupf's bone mask, so the chances of my identity being exposed were slim.
"Where did you come from?"
"..."
"Answer me."
While the soldier questioned me, my mind was preoccupied with something else entirely.
'What should I do...'
Killing them wasn't an option.
If they were chosen for the recovery team, they must be among the most skilled trainees, and some would likely become key members of Ark's forces in the future.
More importantly, they were loyal soldiers of Ark—essential for protecting the city.
In other words, silencing them permanently was not a viable choice.
'That leaves subduing them.'
Although I had tranquilizer rounds, I didn't want to use my gun.
I didn't want them to find out I had Ark military equipment, including the Ark-15 automatic conversion rifle.
'In that case... I'll do it this way.'
Sss—
Responding to my will, bone tendrils slithered out, and I grabbed two of them, pulling them free.
Seeing this, the recovery team soldier looked visibly startled.
"Is that... bone?"
I had no intention of killing him.
I would avoid fatal wounds, punch a few holes through arms and legs, and escape.
They would likely count themselves lucky to be alive.
"Tch!"
The barrel of the rifle pointed at me.
Of course, I had no intention of just standing still and getting shot.
Swoosh!
Bang!
The Ark-15 automatic rifle's barrel traced my movements, but I skillfully dodged the shots and closed the distance.
Thanks to the physical enhancement from Steel Body, my movements had surpassed human limits.
Clang!
A few rounds grazed my body, but they bounced off the bone armor, already reinforced with Hardening.
"What the...!"
The soldier looked shocked, clearly not expecting the bullets to ricochet off.
But just because he was flustered didn't mean I'd show mercy—I thrust the bone spear into his arm, disabling him from fighting further.
"Aaaargh!"
The soldier's agonized scream echoed through the area, and I sensed movement from all around.
It meant the other members of the recovery team had picked up on the disturbance through their communicators and were gathering here.
'Looks like I can't avoid a fight.'
Running away now would only get me sniped from behind.
Since I couldn't kill them or use firearms, the only option left was close-quarters combat to subdue them all.
'I'll neutralize them and then leave.'
Decision made.
"Fall back!"
A familiar voice rang out—the voice of the recovery team's sergeant.
Even though his face was covered with goggles and a mask, I was almost certain.
'Sergeant Henry.'
A veteran soldier trusted by Ark to lead the recovery team for this mission.
An experienced and formidable opponent.
From the way he looked at me, it seemed like he had already identified me.
"Bone...? It's a Skull Turncoat! Stay alert!"
He was clearly mistaken.
A Skull Turncoat—a term used for those who failed to control bone parasites and were consumed by them.
Unlike Skull Knights, who retain human consciousness, Skull Turncoats are complete monsters.
It seemed Sergeant Henry had mistaken me for one of those creatures.
'...Well.'
Wearing a camouflage poncho and Kupf's bone mask, with bone tendrils covering my entire body, it was no wonder they mistook me for a monster.
'This might actually work to my advantage.'
The reason I refrained from using firearms was to conceal my identity.
In that sense, Sergeant Henry's misconception worked out perfectly for me.
[Kigit!]
I gripped the bone spear, letting bone tendrils flare out from my body as I stared down the recovery team.
I wasn't about to let this opportunity slip through my fingers.
'Let's put on a show.'
Acting like a monster.
***
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