Ark The Legend Vol 10 Chapter 3

You have recovered the Baius left to you by Xanax on Rakunka. This is the first step on your journey to become a true Elim.

It is clear what you have to do in the future. Find the remaining 4 Divine Artefacts. And you have obtained the clue to the hiding place of the next Divine Artefact. If you find it then you will be one step closer to the Elim’s true power.

Difficulty: –

* Currently acquired Divine Artefacts:  (1/5)

An occupation related quest had popped up.

“I want to go running off right now but……”

–You want to? Why can’t you? What does that mean? What is more important than looking or the Divine Artefacts? Forget about anything else!

The light sphere started talking angrily after hearing Ark’s words. But its att.i.tude immediately changed after hearing about the investigation team.

–Investigating the negative energy? Well, yes. You have to do that. You were chosen by the galactic federation. I also know how much of a threat the negative energy is. Furthermore, weren’t you chosen because you are the Elim’s Heir? Huhuhu, humans have developed a discerning eye after hundreds of years. Yes, the Elim’s Heir is the right person for such a mission. This is your nature. That team is blessed to have the Elim’s Heir on it.

Being the Elim’s Heir was irrelevant to this mission. Ark was selected due to his power. He had steadily built up intimacy with Marquis Martin and this was the result. But the sphere kept on chattering on with patronizing words.

–You should know this after travelling to Rakunka. You’re the Elim’s Heir and you can only become an Elim by building up your achievements. Now you’ve taken your first step by obtaining the Divine Artefact. From now on you have to always uphold the honour of the Elim. That means you should have the right mindset when making the golem! It shouldn’t act like that. Huh? Do you understand?You are no different from an Elim now so you should be aware. Eh? Hey, are you listening?

And it kept on nagging! Ark had felt it before heading to Amara but now the sphere felt like a nagging wife. Fortunately he then heard Jay’s voice over the Nymphe.

–Boss-nim, the DNA synthesis is over!

It was the news that Ark had been waiting for.

“I understand. I’ll listen to the rest when I come back. I’m really busy at the moment!”

–Eh? What? Hey, you! I haven’t finished yet! You can’t become the Elim if you can’t find the Divine Artefact…..hey, you! Are you ignoring me? I’ve just awakened after hundreds of years! I’m bored!

This was the sphere’s true intention. However Ark had already left the sanctuary.

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

“Here.”

Jay held out a small syringe. If he could return to shortly after arriving back at S-20. Hamad and Asuran arrive and he went to see the Charenjok elder Bak.u.m. The next person Ark visited was Jay. The reason Ark visited Jay was because of an unidentified item from Rakunka.

Item Type: Study Material

The cell tissues from the Myutal that have a very low chance of being obtained. s.p.a.ce monsters often develop special abilities in order to adapt to harsh environments. If the tissue cell of this monster is studied then a variety of information can be obtained. In some cases an unexpected use might be found. However, this requires research skills.

Cell tissues obtained from the Myutal! This wasn’t the first time he obtained these items. Sometimes he found them while hunting. But that was the only information Ark could obtain when examining the item. Even using Clairvoyance couldn’t find something from the items. No, if there was something then he could only find it with research skills. Furthermore, shops only gave dozens of copper for it so it was cla.s.sified as j.a.ptem. But the rating of the Myutal’s cell tissue was rare! In fact, during the 24 hours on Rakunka he had fought thousands of Myutal and only obtained 2 cell tissues.

‘There has to be something!’

Ark had a keen sense of smell. He sensed that money was hidden in this item. Furthermore, Ark had an employee with research skills. Jay who had been the head of Charem’s research department! It wasn’t surprising that an ‘!’ popped over Jay’s head when he saw the Myutal’s cell tissues. And he ran over to a microscope with an excited expression.

“These are the Adaptation Cells!”

“Eh? Adap…..what?”

“Adaptation Cell. This means a cell that can adapt.”

“What does that mean?”

“Well, that….ah, you know the body coating? Body coating is a technique that extracts DNA from alien species and artificially combines it with the human’s DNA. But not all the DNA of alien species can be used. Very few alien DNA are capable of synthesizing with human DNA.”

The galactic federation used the DNA of approximately 30 alien species in body coating. However not everything could be combined with each other. Generally DNA that enhances physical strength can’t bind to DNA that enhances mental strength. The opposite was also true. That’s why body coatings could only specialize in one area. However, very rarely DNA is found that doesn’t apply to this rule. It was the adaptation cell! This DNA could be combined with any type of DNA.

“Wait? Then if you extract the DNA from these cells……?”

“You can get a body enhancing effect like body coating.”

“What can I you get?”

“I can’t tell the effect unless I look at it directly. Like I said, the principle of body coating uses the DNA of one species to evolve someone to a completely different form. In some cases there is a risk of turning into an ugly alien. But the adaptation cell has a considerable affinity so if that happens then the subject can quickly return to their original appearance. When directly applied to the body, there is a high chance that it will strengthen the body’s abilities.”

“Even if someone has already received a body coating?”

“Yes, it is called Mix-up.”

“Then you? Can you do the Mix-up?”

Ark asked in a look full of antic.i.p.ation.

“The technology itself isn’t very difficult. You’ve already received a common body coating and the cell is adaptable so special processing isn’t required. Well, a certain amount of knowledge and skill is still required but I’ve experienced it a few times in Charem. The problem is the equipment. This research centre doesn’t have the equipment required to extract DNA. I need a centrifuge and incubator which will cost 2,000 gold.”

“2,000 Gold!”

Ark’s mouth gaped open. But he cooled off as he thought about it. Mix-up could enhance his body’s abilities! Of course the performance wasn’t guaranteed but he could expect at least a slight increase. If the equipment was bought once then it could be used repeatedly. It might he could study more adaptation cells if he found them. Who knows? He had found an unexpected use for cells that only sold for dozens of copper. He couldn’t ignore the potential outcomes. No, there was no need to go there. He had fought thousands of Myutal and only found two adaptation cells. He couldn’t give up this chance to enhance his body. And there was no reason to give it up.

In the past Ark didn’t have a lot of money but that had now changed. Dark Eden now had the structure of a corporation and Ark’s personal funds and company funds were separate. Naturally items bought for the research facility would come from the public funds. The investment into the sector had reduced his burden.

“Okay! Start the research!”

Ark approved the 2,000 gold on the spot. He was leaving for the s.p.a.ce frontier and wouldn’t come back for a month. He wanted to confirm the effect before then so he made Jay hurry with the research. Fortunately he managed to receive the results a few hours before departure. That was the syringe Jay was holding right now!

“This is…..”

“It is the DNA extracted from the adaptation cells that I refined into a solution.”

“If I inject this then Mix-up will begin?”

“Yes, I made this quickly so I’m not sure of the effects. There might be some side effects. Some common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea etc.”

Ark already wasn’t listening. And he wouldn’t change anything even if he heard it. Was he the type to not eat certain pickled foods because he was afraid of maggots? Everything in the world involved a risk whether it was large or small. If he was that scared then he wouldn’t even be able to take a breath. Ark stuck the syringe in him without hesitation.

‘Huk! W-what is this?’

Ark felt breathless. The arm where he injected the fluid felt like lava was spreading along his blood vessels. It felt like every part of his body was literally burning!

“Aaaaack!”

Ark couldn’t endure it and burst our screaming.

The Myutal’s DNA has been successfully combined. New physical changes have occurred thanks to the DNA fusion.

-One of your skills has evolved to an advanced level thanks to the Myutal’s DNA.

Withdrawal (☆☆) → Hide (☆☆☆)

Hide (User, Active): Technique gained from the DNA of a Myutal, a s.p.a.ce monster the federation doesn’t know about yet. The Myutal has the ability to produce a red substance that covers the land and it can hide its body in the ground. You have acquired the properties of a Myutal and gained the ability to hide your body in the ground. However, if you move while hiding in the ground then you will 100% be detected by the enemy.

Mental power consumption: 50

“I-it is a success! Mix-up!”

Ark cried out as he lifted his sweaty head. It had only taken 1 minute after administering the injection before the information window popped up. He had suffered unimaginable pain in the meantime. However the results were worth it. Ark carefully examined the information window.

‘It decreases intelligence by 10 but……’

Instead stamina increased by 30. It had the same effect as rising 2 levels. But the best effect of the Mix-up was the evolution of his skills. Hide reduced the probably of being caught when hiding in the ground. A 2 star rated skill had evolved into 3 stars.

‘It is different to Stealth. I can’t move when in the hidden state. But unlike Withdrawal and Stealth, it is possible to hide in the ground. In some cases it could be used as an evasive technique. It isn’t 100% satisfactory but the results are enough.’

“Ah, Ark-nim?”

Then Jay’s voice was heard. Jay was staring at him with wide eyes.

“A-are you alright?”

“Yes, I was. .h.i.t hard by the injection but I’m okay. The results are satisfactory. I know you had a tough time trying to do it in 3 days so thank you.”

“Ah, no. That’s not……”

Jay stuttered and pointed to a gla.s.s wall. Ark stiffened as he saw the reflection in the gla.s.s. Standing beside Jay was a spider type monster, the Myutal! In other words, Ark had been changed into a Myutal.

“What, what is this? Why?”

“It is probably a small side effect.”

“A side effect? This is a small side effect? I’ve completely turned into a monster!  Now what? What do I do now? H-how can I continue in this condition?”

The Myutal grabbed Jay’s collar with one of its legs. Then the door opened and someone entered the library.

“Boss-nim, we’ve gathered on the airfield…..u-unbelievable! Why here?”

The person who entered was Ellain.