"WHAT?!"

  Kurilta’s booming e echoed as all eyes soward Imosha.

  "Why is he not allowed in?!"

  "Your presence has been deemed a threat to Ark."

  Imosha’s voice was firm, yet regretful.

  "I’m sorry, but you are not permitted entry."

  Of course.

  Not once had my bad feeling ever been wrong.

  "Is there no way around this?"

  "I’m afraid not."

  For the first time, Imosha’s expression wavered.

  This wasn’t her decision.

  Which meant it was ander Banol’s.

  And if the order came from the top, then arguing ointless.

  There were three types of people with Ether Sensitivity in Ark.

  Naturally gifted individuals—like me.Ether soldiers—modified through special surgery.Monsters disguised as humans—like the Grade 2 Doppelg?he Bck Line had fallen because of those monsters.

  Ark had lears lesson the hard way.

  To them, an outsider with high Ether Sensitivity was a risk they wouldn’t take.

  "Uood."

  "…Are you really okay with this?"

  Imosha seemed genuinely shocked by how easily I accepted it.

  And I uood why.

  With Kronos destroyed, being denied entry into Ark was a death sentence.

  But—

  ‘There’s no point in arguing.’

  This was always a possibility.

  Holy, the fact that I ended up at Red-17 Gate, under Imosha, was the only lucky part of this situation.

  "However, I have one dition."

  "…dition?"

  For the first time, emotion flickered across Imosha’s face.

  Curiosity.

  "I’d like to make a trade."

  "…A trade?"

  "I want to purchase Ark military supplies."

  Her expression immediately hardened.

  "Ark’s military equipment is strictly prohibited from being taken outside. I’m afraid that’s not possible."

  That was standard policy for any military.

  Of course—

  That didn’t mean it was always followed.

  "I’m not asking for much. Just enough supplies to ensure my survival."

  "That is still impossible."

  "Then I suppose I’ll have to take that back with me."

  "…What are you talking about?"

  I simply gestured toward the truck.

  Imosha’s eyes widened as she realized what I meant.

  "…You mean the Skull Hound’s corpse?"

  "Yes."

  Inside Ark, a Grade 8 Skull Hound corpse was incredibly valuable.

  Research.ons produ.Tactical analysis.And this one?

  It had been killed perfectly.

  "I killed the Skull Hound."

  "Which means it belongs to me."

  I turo the refugees, looking for support.

  Kurilta was the first to step forward.

  "Damn right!"

  "That beast belongs to Carl!"

  "Without him, we’d all be dead anyway!"

  The refugees roared in agreement.

  A trustworthy bunch.

  Of course, Imosha could just kill us all and take the corpse.

  But a Skull Hound wasn’t worth the lives of ten future Ark soldiers.

  She khat.

  "…What do you need?"

  "I’ll take—"

  Ark-15 Adaptive Assault Rifle36x Variable ScopeHE2050 HandgunStandard Ammunition (10 rounds each of: FMJ, Tracer, AP (Armor Pierg), Flechette, Explosive, B-Type Shotgun Shells, Special Rounds, and Ahetic Rounds (Level 2 her))Smel Workshop No. 7 MacheteStandard Field ShovelLevel 2 her Protective ArmorEmergency Medical Kit (including Model 55 painkillers)Full AC Military Pack (includes sleeping bag & Ct)Two months’ worth of Multi-Calorie Bars (chocote fvor, please).Silence.

  Imosha just stared at me.

  …Then blinked.

  As if she had just malfuned.

  To be ho, I would have asked for more.

  Like the Zero-999 Tactiuke Launcher or the Noah-01 Matter Disior.

  But those were strictly forbidden from being taken out of Ark.

  And even Imosha wouldn’t have access to them.

  So instead, I maximized the value of the Skull Hound’s corpse while keeping my requests reasonable.

  "…Is there something on my face?"

  Imosha finally snapped out of it.

  "…Are you from Ark?"

  "What makes you ask that?"

  "How do you know so much about our equipment?"

  I smiled.

  "Ark’s reputation reaches far—even to Kronos."

  Of course, military corruptioed everywhere.

  Even in Ark.

  Especially in Ark.

  "Hah…"

  She sighed and rubbed her temples.

  Then—

  "Fine."

  "I accept your terms."

  I grinned.

  "Good decision."

  As a symbol of our deal, I extended my hand for a handshake.

  Imosha stared at it bnkly for a moment—

  Theed her gaze.

  "The requested supplies will be ready in thirty minutes."

  "Good."

  She hesitated.

  "…Are you truly fih this?"

  "With what?"

  "You will have to live outside Ark. Do you uand what that means?"

  "Well… not like I have a choice, do I?"

  The decision had been made.

  There was no point in pining.

  Even I found it strange how calm I was.

  Was it because of Carl Marcus' [Superhuman Willpower] trait?

  Or was it because I kly what kind of hell awaited outside?

  Either way—

  I was ready.

  "Carl Marcus… you are strong."

  "I suppose I am."

  "I truly regret that things turned out this way."

  Imosha’s sympathy was genuine.

  Was she disappoihat she couldn’t recruit me into Ark’s forces?

  Or did she simply pity my doomed fate outside?

  Either way—

  Before the thirty minutes were even up, the supplies were ready.

  "Impressive."

  Imosha had delivered exactly what I asked for.

  No—

  She had gone beyond what I asked for.

  I requested Level 2 protective gear, but she handed me a Level 3.

  ‘That must have cost her.’

  Even Ark didn’t distribute Level 3 gear freely.

  And the ammunition?

  I asked for 10 rounds per type, but she had given me 20 each.

  ‘It’s not a mistake. This is iional.’

  I wasn’t going to refuse.

  In this world, ammo was as valuable as currency.

  Even if I coulder Ark, I still had ways to trade with them.

  And Ark wasn’t the only city left.

  Even after the fall of civilization, some humans still survived.

  One of the most notable groups was the Sandstorm Caravan—

  A traveling fa that traded rare goods outside Ark.

  Sure, they charged a fortune.

  But they had access to things even Ark didn’t.

  So, all in all—

  This wasn’t the end.

  As I was gearing up, a otion broke out.

  "I’M ING WITH YOU!"

  Kurilta.

  "Carl! I ’t let you go alone! I’ll follow you!"

  I sighed.

  Holy, I was grateful.

  But it was also… a bit much.

  "Kurilta, stay here. That’s what will help me the most."

  "No! I follow you!"

  "I mean it. I need someorust inside Ark."

  One person outside or inside didn’t ge mue.

  If anything, traveling in a group was riskier.

  But having a e inside Ark?

  That was valuable.

  Kurilta could be a key asset iure.

  "Carl…"

  He clearly misuood my reasoning.

  With his ridiuscles, he crushed me in a hug.

  Surprisingly, I could breathe just fine.

  That meant my body stats werely… normal either.

  "I swear, Carl. I will find a way."

  "I’d appreciate that."

  Of course—

  For Kurilta to overturn Banol’s decision, he would need a lot of achievements.

  "I, Kurilta, son of Kurild the Iron Axe, SWEAR—"

  "I will find a way t you back to Ark!"

  His roar echoed across the wastend.

  In this world, loud noises were practically a death sentence.

  Yet—

  No oopped him.

  "Good luck."

  "You too, Lieutenant Imosha."

  "…Did I tell you my name?"

  Crap.

  "I overheard the soldiers talking."

  "I see."

  "Well, I’ll be going now."

  With that, I turned and walked away.

  The sun was setting.

  I had to move fast.

  Because from now on—

  I would have to survive in the wastend.

  ‘Let’s go.’

  The moment I took my first step—

  【Hehehe…】

  A voice whispered in my ear.

  【Let’s just kill them all…】

  The ground trembled.

  The sand and gravel began to levitate.

  A Peist Phenomenon.

  ‘Tch.’

  Perhaps Lieutenant el Banol’s fears weren’t mispced.

  Perhaps… I really was a threat to Ark.

  ‘Shut up.’

  Ign the whisper, I stepped out of Ark’s gates.

  From now on—

  I would live as an outsider in a defense game.

  And there was a lot to do.

  * * *

  As Carl Marcus’ silhouette faded into the distance, Imosha’s eyes held aion she couldn't name.

  ‘…’

  He won’t st long.

  She had seen this before.

  Many times.

  Ark had denied entry to many like him.

  And Imosha remembered every single one.

  Hertz.Draykle.Tonka.Shivoper.Tyna Fohn.Endra.Rastin.Carl Marcus.Each of them had survived the horrors outside long enough to reach Ark.

  Each of them was exceptional.

  She never found their bodies.

  But—

  During scouting missions, she often came across their shredded clothes.

  Or their discarded belongings.

  Their remains had been devoured.

  Not just their flesh—

  But every scrap of them that could be chewed or swallowed by the monsters.

  Carl Marcus…

  Would be no different.

  A—

  She hoped.

  That was why she gave him more supplies than he had asked for.

  Why she had gone beyond her duty.

  ‘…Ridiculous.’

  She shook her head.

  The su looked blood-red.

  Just like all the others before it.