[You have defeated a Named Beast.]
['Beast Hunter' effect is applied tenfold.]
[Damage against Grade-1 Beast-Type, Giant Mutated Tiger, increases by 0.5%.]
[You have defeated Grade-1 Beast-Type, 'Mountain Lord'!]
[You have defeated the hunter who ruled the mountains!]
[Acquired trait, 'Hunter's Nemesis'.]
'Hoo....'
Recently, things had been quiet when it came to acquiring new traits, but by hunting a Grade-1 Named Beast-Type this time, I obtained [Hunter's Nemesis].
It seemed this was because the Mountain Lord itself was a beast close to a boss among the Grade-1 Named Beast-Types.
I immediately checked the trait.
───────────────
[Hunter's Nemesis]
─ When hit by a preemptive attack, resistance to the first attack increases by 50%.
"View Details"
───────────────
'As expected, it's useful.'
The effect was just as I knew it.
True to the name [Hunter's Nemesis], this trait boosts my resistance when ambushed.
Even if I suffered an unexpected sneak attack, with this trait, I would have much better chances to counterattack.
'A conditional trait, indeed.'
These kinds of conditional traits tend to have much stronger effects compared to traits that are always active.
Of course, generally, traits that are always active receive higher evaluations, but having conditional traits like this was never a bad thing.
'Anyway....'
I examined myself.
Just as I had faintly sensed, I had hardly taken any damage during this wave.
Janus's excellent defense played a big part, but most of all, the newly joined Turncoat Rook and Turncoat Knight pulled much of the aggro, distracting the beasts and monsters.
'It means I can afford to fight more aggressively now.'
Until now, I had only been holding a small part of the frontlines during the wave.
Anything beyond that was physically impossible, and worse, I could easily end up isolated.
'But not anymore.'
With Turncoat Rook joining, my combat power had become even stronger.
That meant I could start expanding the battle line without much risk.
'Of course, I'll need even more heavy weaponry first.'
To expand the frontlines, you need massive firepower.
Of course, I could also have Janus use the newly obtained Turncoat Queen's ability, but since that consumed a huge amount of stamina, it was risky.
'Ark's force retention is going much better than expected. If I clear the Silk Road episode in this condition, Ark will gain an unprecedented level of strength.'
Minimize wave casualties to maintain manpower, and compensate Ark's material resources via the Silk Road episode.
If this plan succeeded, surpassing the seemingly impossible Black Line stage wouldn't be a dream.
'Although, the Black Line stage might not even be the end....'
The dreaded 99th stage.
I had never gotten past it.
Meaning, I had no idea what awaited beyond.
'Hopefully, the 99th stage is the last... but who knows.'
I stopped thinking there.
There was no point in dwelling on stages I couldn't even see yet.
'More importantly, it should be about time....'
What I had been waiting for was nothing else.
Since the last standing Mountain Lord had fallen, it was about time for this wave to conclude.
Speak of the devil—
As soon as I thought of it, a system notification appeared before my eyes.
+
[You have cleared Stage Orange-14!]
[Contribution points accumulated.]
[+173,342 contribution points]
[You have led the battle to victory through outstanding performance! Additional contribution points awarded.]
[+95,000 contribution points]
[You have cleared the wave while commanding soldiers! Additional contribution points awarded.]
[+50,000 contribution points]
[Current contribution points: 1,587,242]
+
Contribution points steadily piled up.
Although the rewards were less than when fending off a triple wave, it wasn't a small amount by any means.
'Now seeing six-digit contribution points doesn't even feel strange anymore.'
Originally, seeing contribution points of this scale in The Defense was almost impossible.
Unless you were fully geared with near-perfect equipment at the extreme end of the late stages—
And even then, it's because beasts in the later stages yield bigger rewards.
At this point, this amount of contribution points was practically absurd.
'Just a little more, and I can get a new weapon.'
If I only considered short-term efficiency, it might be better to stockpile multiple BLT-47 Plasma Launchers, but that would make late-stage battles increasingly difficult.
Although the Ice-Lock combo of the BLT-47 Plasma Launcher and ICE-54 Plasma Cooler remained viable even in late stages, stronger weapons were always preferable.
'Upgrading existing weapons is such a pain too.'
My goal: 2 million contribution points.
At that level, I could secure the weapon I had in mind.
And the rewards didn't stop with contribution points.
[You have successfully led soldiers during the wave!]
[Leadership stat increases.]
[5 → 7]
[Your subordinates look up to you for your remarkable achievements.]
[Honor stat increases.]
[7 → 8]
[Due to the 'Path of the Hero' trait, all stats increase by (+1).]
[You have broken through a limit!]
[Strength stat increases.]
[19 → 20]
[You have surpassed Strength 20 and acquired the ability 'Overdrive'.]
───────────────
[Overdrive] [Lv.1]
─ Temporarily overloads muscles.
"View Details"
───────────────
[Overdrive].
An ability that grants overwhelming strength for a short time.
Of course, once the [Overdrive] effect ended, there would be aftereffects.
But with my superhuman recovery, it would still be highly useful.
'It'll be great for melee combat.'
Or, if used during a spear throw, it could unleash even more devastating power.
Although my strongest single-attack weapon was still the Ark-34 Railgun, a spear imbued with ether rivaled it closely.
Thus, [Overdrive] would enhance both my melee and throwing power.
'Not bad at all.'
One way or another, I gained a lot from this wave.
Having been so long since I last received good rewards, I opened my status window with a rare sense of excitement.
───────────────
Name: Carl Marcus
Rank: ─
Position: ─
Strength: 20 (+15) (+20%)
Endurance: 21 (+15) (+20%)
Dexterity: 11 (+15) (+20%)
Luck: 14 (+15) (+20%)
Tenacity: 11 (+15) (+20%)
Leadership: 7 (+15) (+20%)
Ether Sensitivity: 39 (+15) (+20%)
Honor: 8
Owned Traits: [Sturdy Constitution], [Insomnia], [Agile Reflexes], [Superhuman Willpower], [Hand Tremors], [Nearsightedness], [Sudden Deafness], [One-Hit Kill], [Firepower Specialist], [Heavy Rounds], [Possession], [Sniper's Time], [Beast Hunter], [Pacifism], [Blade Rounds], [Fear Rounds], [Path of the Hero], [Ruler of the Skies], [Relentless Tenacity], [Will of Stone], [Indomitable], [Toxin Resistance], [Hunter's Nemesis]...
Owned Abilities: [Steel Body (Lv.4)], [Emission (Lv.2)], [Ignition (Lv.1)], [Ether Imbuement (Lv.1)], [Overdrive (Lv.1)]
— Reinforcement Serum is currently applied.
Currently applied Serum Types: Alpha, Sigma, Psi, Omega.
───────────────
A few stats had risen compared to before, but the growth wasn't dramatic.
Stat growth had recently slowed.
'It's not time for growth limits yet... maybe I'm relying too much on Janus and heavy weapons.'
Most of my battles were handled by Janus and my weapons.
Of course, it wasn't wrong—
but because of that, my physical growth lagged somewhat.
'Well, I can work on that during the Silk Road episode.'
Having sorted my thoughts, I glanced at the Turncoat Rook and Turncoat Knight, sprawled out using beast corpses as pillows.
It seemed the battle had indeed been grueling, now that I was relatively less burdened.
"...Feels like I'm dying."
"Drama queen. Look at your buddy lying quietly there."
"He said he's tired earlier."
"...."
Hearing the stoic Turncoat Knight say something like that was surprising, but I didn't point it out.
"Heading back?"
"Yeah."
"Then go ahead. I think I'll rest a bit more before leaving."
"Suit yourself."
Since the wave was over, there wasn't any real threat left for the Turncoats,
so there was no need for me to object.
["You're heading back now?"]
"Yeah."
["Hmm… but wouldn't it be better to feed Bonehead and Bonesy before we leave? There's plenty of food lying around."]
As Esther said, countless beast and monster corpses were scattered everywhere.
If Janus and Horus devoured them all, they could grow significantly.
"Hmm...."
Although they had already eaten a lot during battle,
Janus cried out as if he was still hungry.
[Giiiit....]
Apparently, he was still starving.
I had no choice but to nod.
"Alright."
["Yay! Let's go, Bonehead, Bonesy!"]
Though it would delay me a bit, I accepted it.
It was good for me too if Janus and Horus grew stronger.
'Their appetite grows with their strength, huh.'
The more they ate, the stronger and more resilient they would become.
Nothing bad about that.
"Let's go."
[Giiit!]
Janus cheered with joy.
* * *
How long did we wander among the heaps of corpses, feasting?
Finally, after eating his fill, Janus cried out happily.
[Giiit!]
Having thoroughly fed Janus, I returned to Ark slightly later than planned.
Once back, I immediately felt the need to meet Ganesha Tripathi.
To prepare for the Silk Road episode properly.
'After Ganesha Tripathi, I'll meet Brigadier General Victor and Lieutenant Colonel Banol too.'
Starting from Rose Line, then Blue Line and Red Line.
That should be more than enough for preparing the Silk Road episode.
'First, to Ganesha Tripathi.'
I headed toward Rose Line.