'What's wrong with him?'
I already knew that Quartermaster Gedwin would be surprised when he saw my contribution points.
I had experienced it several times, knowing that when the contribution points exceeded a certain level, Gedwin would always give a pretty colorful reaction.
But this kind of exaggerated reaction was a first, even for me.
'Well... strictly speaking, it's also the first time I've exceeded 30,000 contribution points as early as the second stage.'
Even by my standards, gathering this many contribution points would usually require reaching at least the latter half of the Orange Line.
And even then, it would take optimizing every route and squeezing out every possible opportunity just to barely reach that amount.
No wonder Gedwin looked so taken aback.
"Anything at all?"
"…Ah."
Gedwin seemed to come to his senses as a glimmer of awareness returned to his dazed eyes.
"That is, well… yes. Of course, not everything, but I'll do my best within my authority. Yes, yes, that's right."
It was a natural response, really.
Although he said "anything," it was obvious that an ordinary officer would be limited in what he could access.
Still, there was no reason to be disappointed.
It meant that at least every supply item Gedwin could procure would be on the negotiating table.
'That means... I could probably get up to Level 5 equipment.'
That alone was already a much better outcome than I had expected.
I had prepared for the worst-case scenario where only basic supplies would be available.
'Zero-999 Tactical Nuke Launcher, Noah-01 Matter Disintegrator, and Zeus-444 Railgun are definitely out of the question...'
Those kinds of items would require the authority of a Line Defense Captain at the very least, if not the mayor of the line itself.
Especially something as terrifying as the Zero-999 Tactical Nuke Launcher, which demanded extremely stringent conditions to obtain.
So, I made a practical calculation of my contribution points and the value of the beast and monster carcasses I brought.
'If I factor it in, it should be roughly worth around 40,000 contribution points.'
What can I get with 40,000 contribution points...
If I had double that, about 80,000 points, I might consider going for a Blaster-type weapon.
Unfortunately, my current contribution points were far from sufficient.
Blaster-type weapons are incredibly powerful but suffer from limited ammunition capacity and low durability.
Much like Plasma Swords, they share both advantages and disadvantages.
However, if someone like me, who has no ammo limitations, used one?
Durability might still be an issue, but the ammo capacity drawback would be completely irrelevant.
'Too bad, but it can't be helped.'
Today wasn't the only chance.
At this rate, I could probably gather 100,000 contribution points in a few more waves.
After finishing my calculations, I spoke.
"First, three rounds of A-985 Explosive Ammo."
The A-985 Explosive Ammo is the most powerful round compatible with the Ark-15 Automatic Conversion Rifle.
It's essentially a bullet with the range and velocity of a standard round but with the destructive power of a grenade.
"…A-985 Explosive Ammo, you say?"
Gedwin's voice trembled.
Even as a quartermaster, he knew that A-985 Explosive Ammo was on the borderline of what could be released for external use.
"Is something wrong? Didn't you say anything would be fine?"
"…Ah, no! Yes, understood. Is there anything else you need?"
One A-985 Explosive Round is worth about 1,000 contribution points.
Despite being restricted, it's not that difficult to purchase if you have the points.
'Of course, the cost per round is downright insane.'
Usually, explosive rounds are reserved for special purposes or when facing massive beasts or monsters that can't be handled otherwise.
Even then, they're typically saved for the final blow.
'Not that it matters to me.'
Now, I possessed overwhelming firepower.
That's exactly why I wanted to get my hands on those explosive rounds.
'Now then...'
I reorganized my priorities.
Since I had secured the A-985 Explosive Ammo, the next in line would be...
'Level 5 protective gear? Not a bad idea, but considering the current growth rate of my bone armor, I can hold off on that for now.'
The protective armor linked to my Bone Armor is currently at Level 3.
It's a basic supply item I obtained in exchange for the Skull Hound carcass at Red-17 Gate.
'Upgrading it isn't hard, but would raising the base level from 3 to 5 really make that much of a difference?'
The Bone Armor had already absorbed the Fang Totem.
Using contribution points on this might not be the most efficient choice.
Of course, upgrading wouldn't hurt, but the cost-effectiveness seemed questionable.
In other words, I would consider it only if I ended up with excess contribution points.
At times like this, it was essential to choose and focus wisely.
'A primary weapon... no, I don't need that yet.'
The Ark-15 Automatic Conversion Rifle was already an excellent weapon despite being standard issue.
In fact, the community often referred to it as Arc's National Dish, comparing it to various weapons as a benchmark.
And mine had been upgraded to Level 3, courtesy of Maybell Pilgrim.
Unless I found something exceptionally superior, I had no reason to replace it.
'That leaves me needing heavy firepower for critical situations and some auxiliary equipment.'
Though Ark-15 is a powerful all-purpose rifle, it doesn't compare to dedicated heavy weaponry when it comes to pure firepower.
'Explosive rounds are top-tier in terms of power, but the rifle alone might not be enough in some situations.'
That's why I needed a heavy weapon.
Even if mobility became an issue, it wouldn't matter since I would use my regular gear for moving around.
'Heavy weapons are for wave defense or protecting my hideout in emergencies.'
Mobility restrictions were acceptable for that purpose.
'In that case...'
I concluded my thoughts.
NOA-8 Heavy Machine GunFifty (50) rounds each of 20mm Standard Ammo and Armor-Piercing (AP) Ammo, plus Ten (10) rounds of High-Explosive Incendiary Armor-Piercing (HEIAP) Ammo
Gedwin looked puzzled for a moment.
"…Will 50 rounds be enough? Considering the NOA-8's rate of fire, that won't last long..."
"It'll do."
"…Understood."
Gedwin nodded.
'Well, it's not like I'm at a loss either.'
The reason I asked for 50 rounds was to avoid suspicion.
Requesting a heavy machine gun but only asking for a few rounds would have seemed odd.
Plus, if I ever needed more, I could always acquire them later.
"Anything else you require?"
Of course there was.
TITAN-17 Anti-Behemoth Rocket LauncherTwo (2) Type 17 Warheads TO15 Thermal Scope Level 4 or higher Camouflage Net Fifty (50) sets each of Narcotic Painkillers and Sleeping Pills Three (3) months' worth of combat rations, half chocolate flavor and half vanilla flavor
"…Ah, yes. Right away. Please wait here."
Still looking somewhat dazed, Gedwin barely managed to keep his composure as he walked back into the gate.
'He'll be suspicious, but I can't afford to hold back.'
Being overly cautious and not asking for what I needed would only come back to bite me later.
I checked my remaining contribution points.
[Current Contribution Points: 1,154]
'Hmm.'
It looked like I had scraped together every last point to get the explosive rounds and heavy weaponry.
'Spent them wisely.'
Feeling oddly satisfied; I waited for Gedwin while staring at the Red Line Gate.
* * *
Gedwin finally managed to catch his breath once he returned inside the Ark.
He couldn't pull himself together in that swirling vortex of ether.
'Just what is he?'
He knew far too much about Ark equipment—almost disturbingly well.
Of course, it was already known that Ark-made supplies had been leaking to places like Kronos, but... this was excessive.
'And that ether.'
Even after Carl Marcus had left, Gedwin's body continued to tremble.
The countless strands of ether he had seen swirling around him still lingered vividly in his mind.
'How can someone living outside the Ark be like that?'
Surviving outside the Ark is no easy feat.
And yet, without any support, he had hunted down that many beasts and monsters all on his own?
It was unbelievable.
'Could he be a spy from Kronos?'
Recently, the Ark had received a disturbing report.
Remnants from Kronos and other destroyed cities were beginning to form a coalition.
Although it wasn't yet considered a serious threat to the Ark, there was still no definitive proof that Carl Marcus wasn't an enemy.
'If the Kronos Union is backing him, providing support... it's not impossible.'
If Carl Marcus had been even slightly less capable, Gedwin would have done everything in his power to bring him into the Ark.
But Carl Marcus was too exceptional.
It was hard to believe that someone so extraordinary shared the same blood as regular humans.
'Still, it's dangerous to jump to conclusions.'
Above all, considering who was backing Carl Marcus made Gedwin even more cautious.
Maybell Pilgrim.
As the head of the Special Purpose Weapon Research Lab, she held a position powerful enough to get a mere quartermaster like him executed with a single word.
'I suppose I have no choice but to trust the commander's judgment for now...'
There was still no evidence that Carl Marcus was an enemy of the Ark.
So far, he had been nothing but beneficial to the Ark, not a liability.
'In that case...'
With Maybell Pilgrim's recommendation in mind, Quartermaster Gedwin made his decision and slowly stepped outside the gate.
"You're later than expected."
"I apologize. There were so many supplies to gather..."
Just as he said, the cart Gedwin was pulling was piled high with various supplies.
"Oh, be careful with that. It's dangerous and might explode."
"I know."
Carl Marcus inspected the supplies on the cart without hesitation, but then his gaze stopped.
"I don't remember asking for this."
The item he pointed to was none other than Level 5 protective gear.
"It's nothing special. Just consider it a small token of goodwill."
"Is that so? Then I won't refuse."
Without a hint of reluctance, Carl Marcus readily accepted the Level 5 protective gear.
Should Gedwin be grateful that he accepted the gesture without fuss... or wary?
Feeling a complicated mixture of emotions, Gedwin slowly spoke up.
"Thank you for your efforts in this war on behalf of the Ark, Carl Marcus. I believe you are not an enemy of the Ark."
"You don't need to worry about that. The Voice of the Soul didn't tell me to oppose you."
"...Haha."
Please... let it stay that way...
Gedwin swallowed back the words that almost rose to his throat.