The roars of Janus and Horus echoed like a resonating wave.
Time passed, and gradually, Janus and Horus began to calm down.
This meant that they had fully absorbed the power of the Grade-1 Insectoid: Queen Bee.
In the past, they wouldn't have been able to absorb the full power of a Grade-1 insectoid, but both Horus and Janus had achieved remarkable growth, making it entirely possible now.
[Grade-1 Insectoid: Queen Bee has been absorbed!]
[You can now use the Queen Bee's abilities.]
[Ankelenth's Fang absorption rate has surpassed 30%, unlocking a new ability.]
[You can now use 'Ankelenth's Roar'.]
I expected to gain the Queen Bee's abilities, but to unlock a new power from Ankelenth as well...
I immediately checked Janus's information.
──────────────
[Bone Armor (Lv.5)] [Janus] [★★★★★★★★★★ (10 Stars)]
— A defensive armor that links the energy source of the Ark's standard officer protection suit (Lv.5) with a domesticated bone parasite.
— Bestowed with the name of Janus.
— Current Ankelenth's Fang absorption rate: 33.2%
— Can use 'Ankelenth's Roar'.
— Has absorbed the blood and flesh of the Grade-1 Insectoid: Queen Bee.
— Can use the Queen Bee's abilities.
"View Details"
──────────────
'As expected...'
Although the grade of the bone armor itself hadn't increased, the changes it brought were far from trivial.
I had gained the power of a Grade-1 Insectoid: Queen Bee and a new ability from Ankelenth.
'Ankelenth's Roar... It must be that power.'
Ankelenth's Roar possessed a force that could crush all living beings.
I didn't know for sure, but it was likely that the power Janus had gained was something similar.
'It can't be exactly the same... but it's much better than having nothing.'
I was also intrigued by the abilities acquired from absorbing the Grade-1 Insectoid: Queen Bee.
Since both Janus and Horus seemed to have gained the same ability, it became even more interesting.
'Perfect time to test it out.'
I quietly focused my mind.
As I conveyed my intention to Janus, Horus also seemed to understand my will.
['Sonic Disruption' activated.]
Almost simultaneously, eerie cries burst forth from both Janus and Horus.
[Biiiiiiiiiii────────]
[Biiiiiik────────!!]
["What the heck is with all this noise?"]
The piercing sonic wave was so intense that even Esther, a Grade-1 Specter, reacted sensitively. It wasn't just an ordinary roar.
'This sound...'
I recognized it instantly.
It was the exact same sound I had been hearing relentlessly not too long ago.
'The Queen Bee's cry.'
Proving my suspicion, the giant bees that had been wandering aimlessly after losing their queen suddenly changed their movements.
However, unlike before, they didn't form a formation to surround us.
Instead, it was the opposite.
Vrrrrrrr...
The giant bees, which had begun moving in unison, abruptly turned around.
Without a moment's hesitation, they bared their stingers at the other beasts and monsters.
[Biiiiiii...]
Stab!
Thud, thud!
[Kieeeeeeee!]
A chaotic civil war erupted among the beast horde.
[Graaaaargh!]
Stab! Stab!
Vrrrrrr!!
In an instant, the beast swarm fell into complete disarray.
'Hmmm...'
At first, it looked like the giant bees would gain the upper hand through their ambush, but it didn't last long.
The difference in numbers between the giant bees and the other beasts and monsters was far too overwhelming to even compare.
'Sonic Disruption, huh... So that's what it does.'
It seemed to be a power derived from the Queen Bee's sonic-based command ability.
Of course, since it was merely a disruption, it didn't mean I could fully control the giant bees.
In fact, Horus, who I was riding, was not exempt from being targeted by the bees.
[Biiiiiik!]
[Kiiiiiik!]
Perhaps due to absorbing the power of a Grade-1 Insectoid, Horus's movements had become noticeably faster.
It wasn't just the Queen Bee's abilities he had acquired.
'It would have been nice if it was full control, but... this is good enough.'
Still, I knew that this power wasn't invincible.
Since it wasn't genuine control but mere disruption, if another named Queen Bee like Queen Piquella appeared, there was a high chance that the disruption would be rendered ineffective.
'Well, that's not something to worry about right now.'
I looked at the battlefield.
The giant bees, which had initially taken the advantage through ambush, were gradually losing ground due to their numerical disadvantage.
If this continued, the newly gained power—Sonic Disruption—would turn out to be practically useless.
I needed to put an end to the situation.
'Luckily, I've got just the thing.'
An ability that could end this situation in an instant.
A new power Janus had acquired after surpassing 30% absorption of Ankelenth's Fang.
"Janus."
[Kikit!]
The bone tentacles of Janus, which had remained still until now, suddenly bristled.
Little by little, the bone tentacles began to vibrate as if resonating, and soon transformed into a massive tremor.
['Ankelenth's Roar' activated.]
A colossal roar erupted.
[KROOOOOOAR────!!!]
The thunderous bellow echoed across the entire area, halting the movements of every beast in its range.
Though it resembled the effect of declaring Ankelenth's Domain, the impact of this roar was far greater.
'Hmm.'
Oddly enough, despite the enormous roar, it had no effect on me, the wearer.
But the beast horde reacted differently.
[Screech, screech!]
[Groooar, groooar!]
[Raaaaargh!]
They looked like terrified animals facing an overwhelmingly dominant predator.
The beast horde froze, overcome by fear.
Of course, it didn't take long before they slowly regained their senses and began growling again.
Still, this was enough.
Thanks to the roar, both the giant bees and the beasts that had been fighting each other finally stopped their battle.
'As expected...'
Although Ankelenth's Roar and Ankelenth's Domain seemed similar at first glance, they had distinctly different uses.
If declaring Ankelenth's Domain was akin to creating a safe zone, then Ankelenth's Roar was more like a wide-area debuff that crushed the fighting spirit of beasts.
'Resetting aggro was just a bonus.'
Having achieved my immediate goal, I turned Horus around.
There wasn't much more I could do here anyway.
"It's time to head back."
["Finally leaving?"]
"Yeah."
["Wow, really? I thought you'd insist on wiping out every beast here before even considering it."]
"I'm at my limit."
["Huh? You? The monster of a master I know is at his limit—"]
Esther's words trailed off.
Maybe it was because she noticed the sweat trickling down my forehead—something she hadn't seen in a long time.
["...You're serious?"]
I wasn't lying.
Physically, I was nearly spent.
Though Janus and Horus had recovered somewhat after absorbing nutrients, I hadn't.
Honestly, it was a miracle I'd managed to keep moving after unleashing a strike strong enough to silence a Grade-1 Insectoid: Queen Bee in one blow.
'Besides... I need to report this to the Ark as soon as possible.'
I never thought I could win this war on my own from the beginning.
My role was to minimize the damage to the Ark.
I had already killed the Grade-1 Insectoid: Queen Bee and significantly damaged the Grade-2 Aerial Beast: Red-Winged Wyvern and Grade-2 Rock Monster: Demon Statue Gargoyle, so I'd mostly fulfilled my duty.
'Plus, I've reduced the number of beasts significantly.'
Of course, compared to the entire horde, it was barely a drop in the ocean.
But even those small reductions would eventually add up to results.
"Let's go."
Horus spread his wings wide.
It was time to return.
*
Maybe it was thanks to Ankelenth's Roar.
Shaking off the chasing beasts and monsters wasn't that difficult.
To be precise, they seemed to follow us up to a certain distance before giving up and turning back.
'It must mean the main wave hasn't started yet.'
What in the world could be forcing so many beasts and monsters to focus solely on that phenomenon called the wave?
There were countless theories in the user community, but nothing had been clearly proven.
To be fair, not many people cared enough to investigate deeply.
After all, The Defense was a defense-type game, and questioning the essence of waves in such a game seemed pointless.
'But not now.'
Now that I was facing this wretched world and encountering these waves firsthand, it was impossible not to question the absurdity of it all.
["We're here!"]
Unfortunately, my thoughts were interrupted by Esther's voice.
"..."
["What's wrong? If you've got a problem, use your words like a civilized person. Don't just reach for your gun."]
"...It's nothing."
Arriving at Mount Noah, I let Horus rest and moved forward.
I needed to inform the Ark about the impending wave as quickly as possible.
Part of me wanted to ride Horus all the way to the Ark, but that was out of the question.
Despite being exhausted, I had no choice but to continue on foot.
'At least I managed to get a bit of rest on the way back.'
Riding on Horus's back wasn't exactly comfortable, but it was a hundred times better than running on my own two feet.
["You look like a zombie shuffling around. I'd help if I could, but I'm almost out of energy too. Such a pity."]
"Doesn't sound like you're pitying me at all."
["Oh, really? That's unfortunate too."]
"That as well."
Bickering meaninglessly with Esther, I eventually spotted the Red Line Gate in the distance.
The gate I headed toward was the Red-17 Gate.
Delivering news like this was easier through familiar faces.
[Identity confirmed.]
Passing through the Red-17 Gate, I immediately called for Lieutenant Imosha.
As the gate administrator, he came rushing over as soon as I summoned him.
"You're back."
He looked almost relieved to see me, but I didn't have the luxury to pay attention to that.
"A wave is coming soon."
"Yes, I expected as much."
Even though it was a shocking announcement, Lieutenant Imosha remained unfazed.
That was natural.
For a gate administrator responsible for protecting the Ark, waves were a part of everyday life.
"It's about that time, so the Ark has been preparing for it as well."
However, there was one thing Lieutenant Imosha was misunderstanding.
"This is not an ordinary wave."
"What do you mean?"
"You know how waves have been getting stronger over time, right?"
"Of course. That's why the Ark has been doing its best to bolster the military. Although, progress hasn't been great."
"But this time, it's different. It's not just a little stronger like usual."
Only then did Lieutenant Imosha's expression change to one of seriousness.
"...Different, how?"
"This time, it will be more than twice as strong as usual. If we're not prepared, the Ark will suffer irreparable damage."
"That's... Are you certain?"
"Where do you think I just came from?"
Lieutenant Imosha was left speechless.
"But... why all of a sudden..."
"I don't know the cause. Our job is to respond to what's already happening."
Strictly speaking, the multi-wave phenomenon was something I caused—a butterfly effect from my actions.
But there was no need to mention that.
"...Please wait a moment. I'll report to Lieutenant Colonel Banol."
"No. I don't have time to wait. Just relay what I said to the Ark."
"...Understood."
With that, the conversation with Lieutenant Imosha concluded, and I resumed my march.
The full-scale multi-wave was just around the corner.