Chapter 33: Holy Relic (4)

The flare had already been fired.

That meant I didn't have much time left.

'Better hurry.'

I moved swiftly, blending into the flames to avoid Ark's surveillance cameras and thermal sensors.

On top of that, I had to make sure I didn't cross paths with the Navy Line's dispatched reconnaissance team—easier said than done.

'At this position... the closest sewer is between Gate-14 and Gate-15.'

Once the fifth stage passes and the sub-scenario activates, the simple iron bars that currently block the sewer and moat will be replaced with concrete and rebar.

Ark would prioritize safety over efficient waste management, even if it meant dealing with some complications.

'Of course, it'll still be one of Ark's vulnerabilities.'

Among high-tier beasts and monsters, there were plenty that could crush concrete and rebar like styrofoam.

Even if they reinforced it, there was no guarantee of complete safety.

'Almost there.'

As I closed the gap to one kilometer from Ark, I spotted the reconnaissance team in the distance.

'Part of me wants to check if Tatiana Belov is among them... but I can't risk it.'

Attempting to verify would drastically increase my chances of being discovered.

After all, as one philosopher said, when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.

Though I wasn't sure if this was the right context for that quote.

'Wait for about seven seconds here.'

Strictly speaking, there was quite a bit of distance between me and the recon team.

However, Navy Line soldiers had heightened senses far surpassing the typical Ark soldiers I'd encountered.

'I should assume each of them is at least on Sergeant Henry's level.'

Caution wasn't just a choice—it was a necessity.

'Three... two... one... now.'

As soon as the recon team's gaze shifted away, I moved swiftly to another patch of flame.

By the time their eyes returned to my location, the fire had already hidden me once more.

'700 meters... 670 meters...'

Cloaked in flames, I inched closer to Ark's towering wall.

The barrier stretched over the Navy Line to block the smoke, serving as a crucial shield, both for Ark and for me.

'The camera at Gate-14 is rotating.'

I immediately crouched beneath the flames.

Thanks to the camouflage poncho, spotting me wouldn't be easy.

The searing heat licked at my body, but I ignored it.

If I moved carelessly now, I wouldn't just feel the heat—I'd be riddled with holes from gunfire.

'40 degrees to the left, then... now!'

Dashing through the camera's blind spot, I moved to another flame for cover.

The distance to the moat was now just 500 meters.

I was almost there.

'From here on, hiding half-heartedly won't work. Once I see an opening, I have to break through at once.'

I watched the camera lens intently.

Reading the camera's lens movements was typically impossible, but in my current state, it wasn't.

['Sniper's Time' activated.]

The world slowed.

Everything appeared magnified.

Ziiing. Ziiiiing—

Gradually.

Slowly.

The camera moved, and even the lens inside shifted.

'20 degrees to the left, 15 degrees diagonally to the right, then 20 degrees upward.'

Tracking the erratic movements of the camera and lens was usually impossible.

But the blazing fires distorted the field of view, creating new blind spots that wouldn't normally exist.

'Now.'

Creak, crack—!

My body, honed to its limit, pushed beyond as I almost flew forward, covering the distance with a single leap.

I didn't have much time.

In that short window, I had to reach the moat at the base of the wall.

'400 meters... 350 meters...'

Navigating through the flames and camera blind spots, I steadily advanced toward the Navy Line's defensive wall.

'100 meters... 50 meters...'

Finally, the moat came into view, and without hesitation, I threw myself in.

The moat wasn't shallow, but lingering would only get me spotted, so I had no choice.

Splash!

Barely managing to avoid detection, I reached the bottom of the moat.

Now the real infiltration began.

'I need to find the entrance.'

The moat water was a vile concoction of Ark's wastewater, beast carcasses, and blood—brimming with toxicity.

Unfortunately, the entrance to the sewer was submerged at the bottom of the moat, so I had no choice but to dive into the foul liquid.

Thankfully, I had my gas mask under the bone mask, but that didn't mean it was foolproof.

'I can withstand the pressure for about a minute... but only if I hold my breath.'

"Hoo..."

There was no time to hesitate.

"Hup!"

Taking a deep breath, I dove into the putrid, green water.

'It should be around here somewhere.'

I felt around blindly in the murky depths, and soon enough, I brushed against something familiar.

Iron bars.

'Got it.'

Since I didn't have an underwater cutter, I had to use another method.

'Your turn.'

[Grit.]

Hardened bone tentacles shot forward, gripping the bars.

Creak—

Creeeak—

The bars were thick and sturdy, so even the rock-hardened bone tendrils struggled to cut through.

'...Hard to breathe.'

It had been over a minute, and the gas mask was starting to flood.

If I inhaled that toxic muck, I wouldn't survive.

'...Almost there!'

Finally, the stubborn bars gave way, and I tore them off, slipping inside.

Cough! Cough!

I heaved and coughed as I climbed into the sewer, folding the camouflage poncho and storing it.

'Wearing it here would just make me stand out.'

I took off the bone mask too, retracting the bone tendrils.

Now I looked like a regular Ark soldier, clad in a Level 3 protective suit.

'To hide a tree, put it in the forest.'

To infiltrate Ark, I needed to become a soldier.

'Well... before that, I should dry my clothes.'

Since I couldn't risk lighting a fire in this gas-filled place, I had to come up with a different solution.

'You know what to do, right? Dry it off.'

[...Grrt.]

The bone parasite was currently connected to the energy source of the protective suit.

Normally, I wouldn't use the suit's energy this way, but this situation called for it.

Hiss—

Heat gushed from the protective suit, and the soaking-wet clothes gradually started to dry.

The principle was simple: intentionally overdriving the suit's energy to generate heat.

It was a bit wasteful, but I didn't have another choice.

[Griiik...]

The bone parasite let out a weary sound, clearly strained.

I might have gone a bit overboard drying the clothes, but it couldn't be helped.

'Just hang in there.'

Once I finished disguising myself as an Ark soldier, I grabbed the ladder connected to the sewer.

If my knowledge was correct, this ladder led to the Navy Line's reconnaissance barracks.

Clang—

After carefully scanning my surroundings to make sure no one was around, I quietly climbed out of the sewer.

From now on, it was a race against time.

'Based on the distance and time traveled, the reconnaissance team will be back in about thirty minutes.'

I had to finish everything within that time frame.

As I exited the sewer, the scenery of the Navy Line greeted me.

Technically, this place was more of a military facility rather than the actual Navy Line itself.

'As expected, there's barely anyone around.'

Most of the stationed personnel had been dispatched for post-Wave cleanup.

It was good news for me.

'Not that I didn't plan for this.'

That didn't mean there were no obstacles.

Surveillance cameras and security systems were set up all over the facility.

A single mistake could bring the Navy Line's defense forces swarming in under three minutes.

'Move naturally while making sure not to show my face to the cameras.'

The first hurdle was the keypad at the reconnaissance barracks' entrance.

But it wasn't an issue.

I knew almost all the passcodes used in Ark facilities.

'0105. The reconnaissance unit's number.'

Beep, beep beep...

Click—

Entering the code confidently, I stepped inside the barracks with my hood up, making sure the camera wouldn't catch my face.

'The office of a major-rank officer would be on the second floor. That's the most likely place for Tatiana Belov's office.'

As I walked through the barracks, someone approached me.

"Who are you?"

There was no need to panic.

Situations like this were well within my expectations.

I quickly assessed the soldier's appearance.

'Rank: Private. Position: Administrative Soldier.'

In that case...

"Navy Line Operational Command, 6th Support Unit, Colonel Kalakin."

Upon hearing that I was from the superior command and a colonel at that, the soldier's face turned pale with surprise.

"S-Sir! What brings you here...?"

"I'm here to see Major Tatiana Belov. Do I need to explain myself to you?"

"N-No, sir! But Major Belov is currently away..."

Of course, I knew that already.

After all, I was the one who lured her out.

But in this situation, it was crucial to act as if my visit had been pre-arranged.

"I was informed she didn't have any afternoon duties."

"A-Ah... A sudden emergency came up, and she was dispatched. She should be back soon. Would you like to wait over there?"

"No, I'll wait here."

"Understood!"

The soldier saluted and hurriedly left, as if fleeing from the tension.

Like most soldiers, he seemed uncomfortable being around a superior officer from the command center.

'He's gone.'

Confirming the soldier's departure, I proceeded to the second floor and checked the nameplate on one of the office doors.

[Reconnaissance Special Mobile Strike Officer: Major Tatiana Belov]

The name I had been searching for.

I expected to go through a few trial-and-error attempts, but luck was on my side.

'The security system uses a keycard. If that's the case...'

Ark's security systems were designed by the White Line and Red Line, and they naturally included backdoor access for emergencies.

I knew how to access it.

Using a small bone needle extracted from the bone armor, I pressed a tiny hole under the card reader in a specific order.

Soon, a numeric keypad appeared on the screen.

The hidden backdoor code prompt.

'...It's hard to see.'

Due to my nearsightedness, the numbers on the panel were blurry.

I hadn't realized it before since I hadn't needed to read anything until now.

'Well, no big deal.'

Without hesitation, I punched in the backdoor code.

Beep, beep beep.

Click—

The door slid open, revealing the office inside.

It was surprisingly plain.

Considering that she was possibly the daughter of Anton Belov, it felt almost cold.

'There's no safe or anything that looks like it could hide one.'

Then, I noticed one of the desk drawers—specifically, a drawer secured with a padlock.

'...No way, could it really be in there?'

Opening such a simple lock was easy.

I could either break it with brute force or use a bone spike to pick it.

'Surely it wouldn't be in such an obvious spot... right?'

Even if Tatiana Belov was diligent, I couldn't imagine she'd leave something as important as the sacred artifact in such a careless place.

Clack—

...Or so I thought.

When the lock snapped open, I couldn't help but feel a bit dumbfounded.

It looked like a simple totem at first glance, but I knew what it truly was.

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[Fang Totem] [??(??-Grade)]

—A totem made from a mysterious fang.

—If specific conditions are met, it can unleash hidden power.

"View Details"

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Finally.

I had found it.

'The holy relic of the Church of Morte.'

***

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