The Shadow Order Route.
Once, this route was considered almost the standard path among many The Defense players.
Back when even passing the 50th stage was rare, taking the Shadow Order Route allowed players to reach mid-to-late stages without much trouble. It was only natural for it to become popular.
Summarizing the Shadow Order Route is simple.
Join the Shadow Order, instigate division within Ark as a member, and ultimately spark a civil war between the factions to reign as the ruler of Ark.
As a result, the scattered power of Ark, divided from the White Line to the Rose Line, would be consolidated into one authority.
But unfortunately, the Shadow Order Route goes only that far.
When you reach the 91st stage—specifically the Black Line—you begin to keenly feel the reduced power of Ark that was weakened throughout the route.
Lack of resources and manpower.
Enemies swarming from all directions.
The absence of skilled soldiers.
Only then do you finally realize...
That the Shadow Order Route was a mistake.
'But it's not entirely useless.'
No matter what others say, the Shadow Order is one of the few forces powerful enough to overthrow Ark.
If I could use their power, I might just be able to overcome this desperate situation.
"I'm not asking for an answer right away. You'll need time to think, right? I'll hear your answer next time. Let's go, Rook."
"...Are you sure about leaving like this? What about Esther?"
"It'll be fine. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy who'd die in vain."
The Commander, having rambled on as she pleased, looked at me.
"Well then, I'm hoping for a positive answer. See you next time, Esther. Take good care of him until then—make sure he doesn't die."
["...You doubted me, but now you're asking a favor?"]
"It wasn't doubt, it was certainty."
["No, seriously, I didn't tell him! I still have no idea how he found out!"]
"Sure, I'll take your word for it."
The Commander flashed a mischievous smile, like a playful child.
When she was with Esther, she didn't seem like the leader of the Shadow Order but just an ordinary person.
As the Commander descended below Ark's walls, she inevitably ran into the reinforcement unit that was on its way.
Despite the timing being unavoidable, the Commander didn't show even a hint of surprise.
If anything, it was the other side that looked flustered.
"Uh...?"
Major Valois, the officer in charge of the special support unit, froze the moment he saw the Commander.
"Ah, Lady? What brings you here...?"
"I saw the situation looked dire, so I thought I'd lend a hand. Is that a problem?"
"Of course not!"
"Now that you're here, I'll take my leave."
"Yes, ma'am!"
With that, the Commander and Turncoat Rook openly disappeared into Ark.
As I expected, she was someone who made excellent use of her status.
'Shameless.'
The Commander and Turncoat Rook left just like that.
[You have glimpsed a great soul! Ether sensitivity has increased.]
[23 -> 25]
'Oh.'
Just witnessing the overwhelming ether displayed by the Commander had increased my ether sensitivity.
That showed just how immense the Commander's power truly was.
'But now's not the time to dwell on that.'
I immediately turned my attention back to the vacant gunner seat of the NOA-44 Eraser.
Since Esther had been pulling the trigger instead of me, all the ammunition had been completely exhausted.
'Well, I would've used it all up anyway.'
Though I thought it was for the best, I couldn't help but feel a bit bitter.
If I'd played it right, I might have hidden it somewhere and secretly kept it for myself.
'But hiding it would be too risky. It's better to save that plan for another opportunity.'
Taking a quick glance around, I noticed that beasts and monsters had already begun to swarm over the walls.
When the Commander and Turncoat Rook were around, the sheer presence they exuded kept the monsters at bay. But as soon as they left, the creatures charged straight at me.
'Tch.'
[Grrrrrr!!!]
[Kyaoooo!]
The battle resumed.
But this time, I wasn't fighting alone.
"Are you the one who requested reinforcements?"
Major Valois, who had been flustered earlier by the "Lady," now spoke with a serious tone as part of the reinforcement unit.
"That's right."
"...You're not a face I recognize. No rank insignia either. Which unit are you from?"
"I'm not an Ark soldier."
"...What does that mean?"
"Think of me as a kind of mercenary. If you want details, ask Lieutenant Imosha or Lieutenant Colonel Banol."
"Wait... Are you saying the entire frontline was being held by a mercenary?"
"Pretty much."
"Hah..."
Major Valois seemed momentarily dazed but quickly snapped back to duty.
"Everyone, to your positions!"
With his command, the reinforcements swiftly took their designated spots.
I quietly stepped down from the NOA-44 Eraser.
Since I was out of bullets anyway, staying there and drawing attention would only risk revealing my secrets.
"Why are you getting off?"
"The ammo's all used up."
"...Ah, I see. Got it."
It was such a reasonable explanation that Major Valois didn't question it further.
After all, covering the entire frontline alone would naturally consume all the ammunition.
I grabbed my primary weapon, the Ark-15 automatic conversion rifle.
Having fired the monstrous NOA-44 Eraser earlier made switching to this feel a bit underwhelming, but in terms of sheer destructive power, it was still formidable.
A-985 Explosive Rounds.
The most physically powerful rounds I had on hand.
Bang! Boom!
Gunfire erupted without hesitation.
Thanks to the arrival of reinforcements, the frontline felt significantly more secure even without the NOA-44 Eraser.
And then...
['Pacifism' has been activated.]
[Lives Saved: 100]
[Acquired one stack of 'Nine Lives']
[Accumulated 'Nine Lives' stacks: 1]
At the moment my [Pacifism] counter hit 100, the long and arduous fourth wave finally came to an end.
I had finally obtained the long-sought [Nine Lives] ability.
[Cleared Red-04 Stage!]
[Contribution points are being tallied.]
[+84,542 Contribution points]
[Demonstrated extraordinary performance on the battlefield! Additional Contribution points awarded.]
[+30,000 Contribution points]
[Achieved an incredible feat! Bonus Contribution points awarded.]
[+10,000 Contribution points]
[Current Contribution points: 160,421]
The amount of Contribution points I accumulated this time was incomparable to what I'd earned from activities outside Ark.
Firing endless rounds from a heavy weapon like the NOA-44 Eraser directly into Ark's frontline was the key to achieving such an incredible score.
'At this rate, Ark might even award me credits separately.'
Unlike before, when I was an outsider, I'm now an honorary citizen of Ark.
Naturally, some degree of rights should follow that status, shouldn't they?
And the benefits didn't end there.
[A new attribute, 'Honor', has been created.]
[You have acquired the trait, 'Path of the Hero'.]
──────────────
[Path of the Hero]
— O noble one, bear the responsibilities that befit you.
— As the Honor attribute increases, all other attributes also increase, except Honor itself.
— However, if the Honor attribute decreases, all other attributes will decrease as well.
— Currently increased attributes: 1
"View Details"
──────────────
'This is...'
The moment I acquired the Path of the Hero trait, I felt my body become significantly lighter.
Even though the increase was just by 1, adding it to all my existing stats resulted in almost a total increase of 6 points at once.
I checked my attributes.
──────────────
Name: Carl Marcus
Rank: —
Position: —
Strength: 16 (+1)
Stamina: 19 (+1)
Dexterity: 14 (+1)
Luck: 10 (+1)
Willpower: 7 (+1)
Leadership: 2 (+1)
Ether Sensitivity: 25 (+1)
Honor: 1
Traits: [Sturdy Constitution], [Insomnia], [Agile Reflexes], [Superhuman Willpower], [Tremors], [Nearsightedness], [Sudden Deafness], [One-Hit Kill], [Firepower Expert], [Heavy Rounds], [Possession], [Sniper's Time], [Monster Hunter], [Pacifism], [Beginner's Luck], [Blade Rounds], [Fear Rounds], [Path of the Hero]...
Abilities: [Steel Body (Lv.3)], [Discharge (Lv.1)]
──────────────
Truly an incredible effect.
'Now I have one more reason not to let my identity as the Turncoat Pawn be discovered.'
The [Path of the Hero] trait is undoubtedly a top-tier trait for standard gameplay.
However, when following a unique route like the Shadow Order Route, it becomes a massive shackle that hinders the player.
If I accidentally commit some wrongdoing and earn infamy, the Honor attribute might become negative instead of positive.
And when Honor becomes negative, it directly reduces all other attributes by the same amount.
High risk, high reward.
That's the essence of the [Path of the Hero] trait.
'Well, as long as I don't get caught, it's fine.'
If my identity as the Turncoat Pawn were to be exposed, it wouldn't just lower my Honor by a few points—it could consume all my stats entirely.
In other words, getting caught would be equivalent to signing my death warrant.
'I'll have to be even more cautious.'
I started moving.
Although the wave had ended just moments ago, there was no time to rest.
* * *
After the Wave had ended.
Lieutenant Imosha was walking to respond to Lieutenant Colonel Banol's summons.
Not to receive commendation.
Rather, it was the opposite.
Lieutenant Imosha was heading to hear the disciplinary action decided by the Red Line Military Disciplinary Committee.
The main issue was that she had entrusted the entire frontline to Carl Marcus, an outsider.
However...
"Three months' pay reduction."
"...I beg your pardon?"
"Did you not hear me? Three months' pay reduction."
Hearing Lieutenant Colonel Banol's words, Lieutenant Imosha blinked in confusion.
She had prepared herself for the worst, even considering a discharge in disgrace, but the disciplinary action was unexpectedly mild.
Strictly speaking, a pay reduction was still a serious punishment, but it was undeniably lenient given the circumstances.
"Your decision seemed reckless, but ultimately, Carl Marcus almost single-handedly defended sectors R17-1 to R17-15. Although he did call for reinforcements midway, the fact that he held out alone that long is beyond belief."
"...Yes, sir."
Though she already knew the facts, hearing them again from Lieutenant Colonel Banol stirred a renewed sense of relief and pride.
"Regardless, the disciplinary committee highly valued your judgment since it significantly reduced damage to the western front. Frankly, considering the outcome, I would have recommended a commendation instead. But I was the one who pushed for your discipline."
"...What?"
Lieutenant Imosha's eyes widened in shock.
To think that her direct superior, Lieutenant Colonel Banol, had been the one to advocate for her punishment?
"No matter how much you trust him, does it make sense to entrust an entire frontline to someone who was an outsider until recently?"
"...I'm sorry, sir."
"But the result was good. As you know, in Ark's military, results matter more than anything. All those hollow formalities crumbled along with the Black Line. Still, I had another reason for your punishment."
"What might that be?"
"It's because you allowed your personal feelings to interfere with your duty. An Ark soldier must not forget their duty."
"...Pardon?"
Not understanding the remark at first, Lieutenant Imosha blinked before finally realizing, and then let out a high-pitched scream.
"W-What?!"
"Jeez, you'll make my ears ring."
"No... It's not like that!"
"Is it not? If so, my apologies. But the discipline stands—it's already been decided."
Lieutenant Imosha was left speechless.
She had been prepared to face disgraceful discharge at worst, but the unexpected outcome only left her confused.
'Me? No, that's not it.'
She tried to convince herself that her admiration for Carl Marcus was merely respect for a capable soldier.
After Lieutenant Imosha left, Lieutenant Colonel Banol quietly stared at the closed door.
'So, it wasn't that after all.'
Judging by her reaction, it didn't seem like she had entrusted Carl Marcus with the frontline based on any deeper knowledge.
It was simply a desperate decision made out of trust and urgency.
Returning to his earlier task, Lieutenant Colonel Banol reviewed the CCTV footage from the Red Line frontline.
The recordings were from the R17 frontline.
'...Unbelievable.'
The CCTV showed Carl Marcus.
Despite being alone, he managed to cover sectors R17-1 through R17-15 with the NOA-44 Eraser.
The only regret was that the surveillance devices monitoring him were all destroyed shortly after the battle began.
'Was it intentional? ...No, it coincides exactly with the positions of the monsters.'
Even for someone who had seen countless monsters in Ark, it was hard to believe that a human could deliberately aim and destroy surveillance equipment so precisely.
'Who the hell is he?'
Lieutenant Colonel Banol couldn't shake off an unsettling feeling.
Turning the impossible into reality, yet no witnesses remained.
'There shouldn't have been enough resources there... How did he fight?'
Of course, considering that Carl Marcus was an Ether Adept, it wasn't entirely implausible that he fought using ether.
'To think that even the support request felt calculated... How absurd.'
What puzzled him even more was the report that the "Lady" had appeared there as well.
'The Lady...'
Though revered by Ark's citizens, Lieutenant Colonel Banol couldn't help but feel uneasy whenever he saw her, as if she were hiding some monumental secret.
But he kept such thoughts to himself—voicing them would surely cost him his position.
'I'll have to keep a close eye on this.'
Lieutenant Colonel Banol took a deep drag from his cigar, lost in thought.
* * *
"...You're leaving Ark?"