Ark The Legend Vol 8 Chapter 6

s.p.a.cE 6. To Istana!

Hwiiiii-!

There was an intense wind blowing. Yellow sand caught by the wind covered the square. Then the people gathered at the square started complaining.

“d.a.m.n, the sector isn’t s.h.i.+elded so the intense wind is difficult to deal with.”

“You should clean your equipment.  Having sand caught in the gun could cause problems.”

“Sheesh, I know that much already. I’ll check it before we go hunting.”

“Shhh, it’s beginning soon.”

A person nearby said in a low voice. The people chatting quickly shut their mouths. In the centre of the square where 100 people were gathered was ‘him.’ He was a blond man wearing an old, furred cloak over faded leather armour! The user nicknamed Rapid.

‘d.a.m.n, why is it like this……?’

A frustrated sigh emerged from Rapid’s mouth. Despite being killed, he had received amnesty after the federation’s victory and returned to Istana. And he finally arrived here after a journey that lasted several days.

Manager: Ark

Sector S-20! This was where Ark was located. His emotions soared as he saw the name Ark. He went through many trials to come here! When he thought about it, he made quite a number of mistakes on the way here. But now it was the end. He finally reached the place where Ark was!

…..That’s what he thought.

“Did you come to see Hyung-nim?”

It was an alien called Hegel who greeted him.

“I don’t know why you’re searching for Hyung-nim but he isn’t here right now.”

“What?”

“Yes, he left just a while ago.”

“A little while ago? Where did he go? Where?”

Hegel puffed up at Rapid’s question.

“I’m not sure I should say this……well, I don’t know actually……a federation officer came to visit and he flew back to Tatuine. We a.s.sumed that he needed Hyung-nim’s help. Huhuhu, the administrator of this sector is someone like that. He is the one who received the t.i.tle of Beltana and Athamas’ Hero. I’m the younger brother of someone like that.”

Rapid felt like he was. .h.i.t in the head with a hammer. He had left Tatuine as soon as he returned to meet Ark here. Yet Ark was now heading towards Tatuine. He left 30 minutes before Rapid arrived.

‘Then the airs.h.i.+p with the mark of the federation…..’

Ark must’ve been riding the airs.h.i.+p he saw just before arriving at S-20.

‘What is this? Are you playing with me now?’

He thought angrily.

“Then when is he coming back?”

“I don’t know.”

He might not even return. Rapid was worried about that part. Should he go to Tatuine or wait for Ark in S-20. But his worries didn’t last long. He was impatient after Ark was sent to Beltana and eventually committed a crime.

‘I won’t repeat the same mistakes.’

Rapid made up his mind. This time he would wait for Ark in S-20. Since then Rapid sat in front of the signpost erected at S-20’s management centre. Rapid didn’t dare go to the hunting ground in case Ark returned. He also reduced his sleeping hours and didn’t leave the capsule.

“What? That guy?” Why is he just sitting there?”

“He’s waiting for Hyung-nim.”

“Ark? When is Ark coming back?”

“I don’t know. Therefore he is just waiting over there.”

“That guy is just staring. He should go around to the hunting ground until Hyung-nim returns.”

“I said that too but he refused. He seems really eager to meet Hyung-nim.”

“That is a bit intense. Why on earth does he want to meet Hyung-nim so badly?”

“He didn’t explain it properly. He says that he doesn’t really know.”

“He doesn’t know? Is he stupid?”

Mellin muttered with a silly expression. Then Hegel approached and whispered.

“By the way. Before that pioneer was talking in his sleep. He kept on muttering Hyung-nim’s name and fate.”

“Fate? Don’t tell me…..”

Mellin glanced at Rapid with surprise.

“Is he different? The body is male but inside he is a girl…..something like that. Is he attached to Ark? Yes, that explains it. There is no other reason for a man to wait for a man. That brat, isn’t he being a stalker? Ugh, a stalker! How scary.”

“Hik! T-then what should we do?”

“What else? He hasn’t actually committed a crime. We can’t kick out someone who purchased a lifetime voucher for S-20 for no reason. We just have to leave him for Ark.”

He received the gay treatment! Rapid didn’t move from in front of the office. Thus he managed to unintentionally learn some things after a few days pa.s.sed. After listening to Hegel and Mellin talking, he discovered that Ark became the administrator of S-20 because of his Hero t.i.tles. And he had brought up S-20 to its current state.

‘Ark…..he certainly isn’t ordinary.’

Other people might just dismiss it as luck. There was a time where Rapid also dismissed Ark’s actions as luck. If that luck was repeated several times then it had to be skill. He definitely had something that was different from others. This sector was a good example. S-20 had an amazing level of growth. He used the ‘lifetime free pa.s.s’ and used Slayer, Leon and Melina to promote the sector, causing the population to reach 1,500 in a fortnight.

‘When considering the previous Ark, I shouldn’t be surprised at this degree but…..’

Ark also made a few mistakes. The first was that he hastily put S-20 together to gather pioneers. The problem was that the sector wasn’t equipped with some proper systems so the users experienced a lot of problems.

“We had that place first when another party interrupted. Shouldn’t the sector manager arbitrate this? Please firmly establish some rules!”

“Isn’t this too irresponsible?”

“If you operate this way then I’ll rather receive a refund for my lifetime voucher!”

“Look. A few days ago this merchant entered my store and now he is selling the same goods. Did he receive permission as well? Are you telling me to go out of business?”

“Some guys set up a shop in front of the dungeon. I heard that the merchant paid the registration fee and taxes like me. Then I’ll also move the store in front of the dungeon.”

It was natural for there to be conflict when the population suddenly increased. S-20 still hadn’t established a system so the conflicts between users and NPCs started to rise. Ark’s first mistake was not predicting this situation in advance and creating some rules. His second mistake was leaving it after a few days.

“So…..it is……”

“The merchandise and location of the shops hasn’t been formally decided yet……”

“There will be a solution as soon as the administrator returns……”

He had entrusted management to Mellin and Hegel. However these NPCs didn’t have any jobs related to sector management. That’s why they didn’t know how to handle the storm of complaints. They couldn’t resolve the issues so the situation was just exacerbated and the vicious cycle repeated.

‘This has nothing to do with me but……’

Once again, Rapid was born to a very wealthy family. He had study business administrator to inherit his father’s business so he knew the solutions as soon as he heard the problem. He watched Hegel and Mellin before making up his mind. It was irritating.

Noisy! Utter confusion!

The users and NPCs gathered in front of the management office with their complaints. Rapid was sitting in front of the signpost. He was tired from waiting for Ark so he couldn’t stand the noise.

Itchy, restless.

‘Dammit, I can’t leave it like this!’

In the end Rapid failed to stop himself.

“Mellin-nim, Hegel-nim, listen to me for a moment. I want to say something.”

Rapid quickly explained to both of them the solution. He came up with two types of roadblocks to stop the incoming complaints. In order to eliminate conflict between users, he set up the ‘S-20 Dungeon’s Ten Temporary Rules.’ He also established the ‘S-20’s Ten Temporary Commerce Rules’ in order to address the complaints of the merchants and limited the store location area.

“Ohh! Indeed!”

“This will reduce a lot of the complaints!”

Mellin and Hegel said with admiration at Rapid’s proposal. It was natural. Rapid had gained practical experience from his father’s business. He established rules without a single crack in them! The complaints instantly declined once Mellin and Hegel implemented the rules.

‘Now I can sleep better.’

However the real sleepless hours started from then on. The population that had stalled for a while started to increase again and new problems occurred. In addition, more complex issues with the surrounding sectors started to pop up once the population increased. Every time Mellin and Hegel came to Rapid with the problem.

“Hey, what are your thoughts on this issue?”

“What would you do if several pioneers are dissatisfied with the rules?”

‘Dammit, I should’ve just left it alone……’

But he had already started. He couldn’t fake ignorance anymore. In the end Rapid settled into the office and handled the issues. Thus far it was okay.

“Hey, is there someone called Ark here?”

A pioneer came to S-20 a few days ago.

“Hasn’t that Ark been farting a lot of nonsense lately? He might be a war hero but I’m here to inform him that there are other skies above him. Bring me Ark immediately. I want to apply for a duel!”

“Hyung-nim isn’t here right now.”

“Ha, stop playing around. Is he hiding? He needs to prove his bragging. Bring him out within 3 minutes. I have 100 subordinates. How about it? Do you want me to call all of my subordinates? Eh? Either he comes out or I’ll burn him out.”

The bearded man threatened. There were always people like this in games. They had the mind of a kid and wanted to prove they were the best just because they had a high level. Rapid had also been annoyed by guys like this in the previous game. There were an endless number of these people. Rapid ignored him. However…..

“Kikikiki. Why, are you scared? Is the administrator so frightened that he has to hind behind his henchmen? Ark…..it is the same name as that guy in New World. The so-called most powerful user. Don’t make me laugh. That was only possible because I wasn’t playing the game. If I was there then he would have no chance. I saw Ark on the broadcast and he looked completely stupid. The administrator here is imitating the name Ark so I know what standard he is.”

Ppajik.

The veins on Rapid’s forehead throbbed.

“You said you wanted to have a duel with Ark?”

“Then? What? Are you going to be my opponent instead of Ark?”

“That is possible. No, you are correct.”

“Kikiki, did you snap because I insulted your leader? Okay.  I’ll take care of his follower while waiting for Ark. The duel application is received.”

The person who died won’t lose experience and can immediately resurrect at the Fairy. However the normal costs of resurrection still applies>

‘It turned out like this.’

Rapid sighed as he looked at the information window. Then the bearded man laughed and pulled out a machine gun.

“Kukukuku. Why, are you scared to duel? But it is too late. Regret it after I cut off your head. Now I’ll give you time to take out your weapon.”

“This is my weapon.”

Rapid indicated to a pistol hanging on his waist. Then bearded man gave him an astounded look and said.

“Hey, are you kidding? Can’t you see this? You live in this sector so you might not know but this is a limited edition M-620 a.s.sault rifle created by h.e.l.l Lion. The warhead has a special ceramic coating to increase the penetration power and it fires 20 shots a minute. Do you understand? The moment I pull the trigger you will disappear without a trace……”

Tang-! Tang-! Tang-!

The bearded man dropped the M-620 that he was so proud of. It should’ve ended there!

“This b.a.s.t.a.r.d! A surprise attack? Again! Bring it on! This time the M-620……”

Tang-! Tang-! Tang-!

“L-last time was a mistake. I got distracted. Again! Again! This time……”

Tang-! Tang-! Tang-!

“No! I just suddenly got a cramp in my fingers! Hey, you! Now? This b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Why aren’t you waking up? Get up and accept my duel application! I’ll show you my skills! The M-620 has also been strengthened!”

The bearded man kept on yelling. If someone died in a duel then they could resurrect straight away without any experience loss. From then on, the bearded man would run to S-20 as soon as he resurrected at the Fairy of another sector and apply for a duel. Of course he had to pay the cost of resurrection but he had the finest air bike so he wasn’t a user who cared about money. Anyway, Rapid was in a disastrous position.

‘I haven’t slept properly for a few days and now I have to keep on fighting this a.s.shole……’

He really wanted to kill him! However he committed a crime and had just been freed. And now he was at Ark’s sector so he couldn’t commit a crime. So far he had fought the bearded man 13 times! Now the duel between Rapid and the bearded man was very famous throughout S-20. Spectators would flock every time the bearded man applied for a duel.

“Huhuhu, this time it will be different. Last time I couldn’t aim because of the sudden dust that entered my eye due to the wind. But this time……”

“It came! This time!”

The bearded man muttered ‘this time’ in every duel so it became like a mantra to him. However this wasn’t what the spectators were waiting for.

“Take this! The M-620 that launches 20 bullets in 1 minute!”

Tang-! Tang-! Tang-!

The bearded man lifted his machine gun and 3 shots were fired. But the bearded man’s head was the one with holes in them. Not one of them missed. 3 bullets. .h.i.t the same place with an error of 1 mm. One hole for all the hits! It was the sign of a master marksman. But the remarkable thing was that he fired it at a tremendous rate!

“D-did you see?”

“No, I didn’t see it this time.”

“You didn’t see the movement of him pulling out the gun?”

“Besides, there is no sign of many holes on the bearded man. Does that mean they all hit the same place?”

“It’s no joke. Is he from the national shooting team?”

This was the reason for the spectators. Rapid had been growing his rapid fire and hit rate since starting Galaxian! Now he was near the level of a superhuman. Once the number of duels went over 10, users started to visit just to watch the duels. But none of them directly approached Rapid. The reason why……

“Wow! This time was also very nice! Hyung-nim is great!”

Hegel ran over after the duel.

“It isn’t great. I just…..”

Rapid stumbled as he turned towards Hegel. He handled increasingly more complaints and he had to duel the bearded man 1~2 every day. The number of hours he was sleeping reduced so he felt dizzy whenever the tension was released. Then Hegel quickly backed away with surprise.

“I’m sorry. I’m not interested in something like this!”

“What…..”

Rapid tilted his head with confusion.

“Did you see? Did you see? That alien backed away from him in panic?”

“The rumours were true. Did you see it?”

“There is a reason he is waiting for the administrator while barely sleeping. Ya, this is scary. Then it doesn’t matter to him if they are men or aliens?”

“Hey hey, don’t make eye contact. He might imprint on you when he is tired.”

The spectators gossiped and scattered as they avoided Rapid’s attention. Rapid had ears so he also heard such talk. However the rumours would just multiply if he denied it so he pretended ignorance. Anyway…..Rapid sighed as he stared after them.

‘Ark, where are you and what are you doing?’

————————————————————————————————————————

“I don’t know where this is.”

Susak susak, susak susak.

“I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Susak susak, susak susak.

Ark mechanically looked around. It was an endless dark s.p.a.ce with countless stars scattered around.

“This game is set with the backdrop of s.p.a.ce pioneering…..”

This was the first time he truly realized that setting. He had started Galaxian for more than 5 months. In the meantime he had spent time on the s.p.a.ce station R-14, the federation’s main planet Istana, the frozen planet of Beltana and Amara. He had toured quite a few planets. However he had used the Star Gate to move and the s.h.i.+p had instantly warped to Amara’s port. Moving on a s.h.i.+p that used warp didn’t make him feel like he was travelling the universe. But now he felt like the galaxy was in fact the main stage. It was natural. Right now Ark was in the middle of s.p.a.ce! He had spent 4 days watching the universe!

“d.a.m.n, I thought it would be okay once I escaped from Amara……”

Certainly!

This trip gave Ark more than he expected.

Cleaning Foreman (Agility + 3)

Ignorant Destroyer (Wisdom -10, Strength +7, Stamina +7)

Beltana’s Hero (Strength, Agility, Stamina, Wisdom, Intelligence, Luck +3)

Athamas’ Hero (Strength, Agility, Stamina, Wisdom, Intelligence, Luck +5)

Mediator (Wisdom, Intelligence +15)

* Affiliation: Dark Eden (CEO)

+ Environmental adaptation increases by 50% due to the Survivor coating.

+ The Survivor coating reduces the drop rate of Satiety by 30%.

+ The Survivor coating will reduce fall damage by 50%.

+The ‘Clairvoyance’ effect of the Survivor coating is applied.

The first was experience. He had been level 99 when he checked in the Abyss of Despair. He had already gained 5 levels from killing the Nak.u.ma in the dungeon. Then he defeated the huge Nak.u.ma and gained 5 levels in one go! But it didn’t stop there.

“100% experience is applied so I should gain 5 more.”

Ark gained new information through this experience. When he killed using the weapons loaded on the airs.h.i.+p, he only got 5~10% of the experience! When thinking about it, it was natural. Someone firing the gun at dozens of enemies wouldn’t get the same experience as a warrior killing the opponent directly. If they received the same experience then the engineers who moved the Gigantic would be hundreds of levels already. The reason was the penalty applied to experience. However, 5~10% of the total number of enemies wasn’t a joke. He had killed all the Nak.u.ma in the Abyss of Despair when it caved in. Therefore he gained 3 levels in just 30 minutes! In a day he had gone from level 99 to 107.