Ark Volume 01 - Japtem

by Yoo Seong

  “It’s true the expense will reach four times as much as an existing unit. However, New World is not a simple game. We are heading towards a new age. I am confident we will be able to create a new culture and will last 10 to 20 years into the future. The recruitment test this time was to pick a capable people who will be managing New World, as well as making history.”

  “What are the requirements to pass the screening?”

  Right then, someone asked.

  “Everyone is probable wondering about the passing requirements. Among those of you who are present, you might identify yourself as inexperienced or uneducated, but as of this moment, I want everyone to forget about those labels. We have decided not to take those matters into account. New World is a project that will last for dozens of years, and we are recruiting people based on their talented to be able to manage a long-term project. In simpler terms, we will be judging based on your passion for this game as well as the possibility of future growth.”

  Physicist, Chemist, Astronomers, medical experts, and even experts in Nanoscience. Dozens of experts will spend years studying the virtual reality game, The New World.

  However, Global Exos was not looking for an employee with knowledge in those subjects. But rather, an employee who knew how to start a fire. Global Exos was looking for one who could manipulate the fire, was what Ha Myung Woo explained.

  “How will you determine those who are qualified?”

  “The method we’ll be using is quite simple.”

  Ha Myung Woo parted his lips slightly and replied.

  “Tomorrow afternoon, everyone will receive access to their own gaming unit with New World installed on it. With this unit, you are to create a new account for New World. Inside the game, if you accomplish a particular condition, a event will occur and you can think of as a formal certificate of employment. Furthermore, while the test is in progress, Global Exos will be paying you a minimum of 1.5 million Won every month. This is the company’s policy is to ensure everyone will be able to completely concentrate on the game and play with similar conditions.”

  It was an unprecedented way obtaining employment caused a disturbance in the auditorium.

  As the unrest settled down and questions started to be asked.

  “What conditions must be achieved?”

  “Are you talking about a quest?”

  “Or is it about obtaining some rare items?”

  “I’ve predicted you would have a lot of questions. However, I can’t tell you specific information. What I can tell you is there are many ways you can achieve your goal, and also, there is no set path towards the goal.”

  “Are you saying the goal of this test is to obtain something inside the game?”

  “You are correct. However, we will not give you any clues. Isn’t that the most fun part of a game?”

  Ha Myung Woo said in joyful voice. However, there was no one who shared his happiness.

  “You have freedom to do what you wish inside the game. Although you are given your freedom, it is your responsibility to follow the rules. It is also up to you to choose your own goals. Depending on your situation, you will be judged as we see fit.”

  “How long will the testing period be?”

  “How many people will you be recruiting?”

  “We will be recruiting only 10 people.”

  “The testing period will end when we have chosen 10 people.”

  Ha Myung Woo added with a smile.

  “Perhaps this might be the longest testing period of employee recruitment in history. However, the game New World is worth investing your time and effort in. Without a doubt.”

  “I hope this would motivate people to combine their strength and work together. Fighting~”

  Kang Misu said with a beautiful smile as she came out to talk to the people in the auditorium.

  There was definitely nothing he looked forward to more than working with this beauty in an office of the large conglomerate.

  « o »

  Hyun Woo stood idly at the convenience store counter eyeing a Global Exos’ brochure.

  He knew it was one of the world’s largest corporations but he did not expect it to be at this level.

  On the pamphlet were the written details of the employees who passed the special test.

  It was rumored New World’s exclusive Planning Department receives an assigned annual salary of approximately 100 million won.

  Considering the starting salary of a large enterprise was 40 million, this was exceptional.

  In addition, there was a full page article of the company’s guaranteed benefits.

  ‘It seems like only 2000 people were qualified. If they give everyone 1.5 million won, that’s 30 billion a month! Even if the test runs for only three to four months, they will be spending over 100 billion! Since they’re spending so much money on just the recruitment exam…’

  Literally a dream Job!

  It was a job that could resolve all of Hyun Woo’s problems in one go.

  More than anything, Hyun Woo was captivated by the unique recruitment test.

  They didn’t want a close to perfect score on the TOEIC evaluation, nor did they want someone with an amazing work experience.

  If they were looking for those kinds of things, he would not have applied for the job.

  However, they proposed a method of achieving something inside the game as a test to get employed. Therefore, the only condition was to be good at games.

  ‘Did they really not investigate my education?’

  If the falsification of his educational background were to come out of the light, it might become a big issue.

  No, it might not even get detected. As he thought about it, his hope swelled up.

  ‘This way, there might be some hope for me.’

  Since his younger years, Hyun Woo had always loved to play games.

  Although he spent a lot of time playing amazing games, they weren’t memorable.

  Furthermore once he had completed the game, all items obtained could be sold for money.

  Even so, he didn’t think getting employed would be easy.

  Ratio of 200 to 1. The other candidates would also rush forward with their lives on the line.

  However, since they are all starting with same conditions, he was confident he wouldn’t become left behind.

  ‘It’s a once in a lifetime chance. I can’t miss this!’

  That same day, Hyun Woo quit his part-time job at the convenience store, and stopped his milk and newspaper deliveries.

  However, because of the cost of living, and hospital bills, he cannot overindulge himself by quitting two of his other part time jobs.

  With the 1.5 million won Global Exos promised as a salary, he still could not even afford the hospital bills.

  He did not blindly believe his debt was resolved by itself. He understood tomorrow his debt would still increase.

  Therefore, he needed a little more like to save up.

  ‘Since I have less time than the others, I have to do this as if it was life-and-death situation.’

  As soon as he finished work, he immediately headed for home.

  ‘I should try looking for information about the game…’

  However, Hyun Woo started to shake his head.

  ‘It’s just information. Experiencing it first-hand will allow me to understand the game faster.’

  Hyun Woo immediately went to the unit. After he turned on the power, he heard a low whirring sound and suddenly, everything went dark.

  Suddenly, a piercing light, along with a new world, unfolded before him.

  - New World Begins.

  NEW WORLD

  * * *

  - Starting initial operations. Scanning for necessary personal data.

  Unregistered user detected. Please register a new account.

  Someone spoke from within a space enclosed in light.

  Following the guide, as soon as he gave his personal information, a red light scanned his body.

&
nbsp; Soon after, a character dressed in leather bearing a similar appearance to Hyun-Woo appeared in front of him.

  - The state of the appearance shown is scanned from the user. If you wish, you may change your appearance, sex, or race. However be warned, each account is limited to one character. Once the character has been created, you may not alter or delete your character. Please think carefully before deciding.

  A limit of one character per account. This was not a rare restriction for a virtual reality game.

  Being able to change character appearance in game lessens the sense of physical immersion.

  Having always worn glasses he thought his face looked a little strange.

  Hyun-Woo contemplated and then adjusted his face structure a little.

  He chose the Human race. This was typically a very average choice in most games.

  Since he had not selected a profession and did not choose any skills, he would become a human aptitude for all professions.

  - Please select your character’s name.

  “Ark.”

  It was the name that came to him when he received his unit.

  He was using it in a biblical sense. Not because the cocoon round-like appearance reminded him of the Ark, but rather the fact Hyun-Woo’s future depended on this Unit. Even if it was tedious, there was no helping it.

  - Users of the Human race may choose from four starting locations. Harun, the frontier town of Schudenberg Kingdom, Bristania Kingdom’s Changing Lot, and the small Kutran Castle in the Principality of Sinius. No matter which place you select, all the choices were similar. The townspeople are kind to strangers…

  “Schudenberg Kingdom’s frontier town, Harun.”

  Schudenberg Kingdom was the closest to the middle of the continent.

  - If you would like a more detailed explanation about the New World….

  “Skip.”

  All game have similar introduction such as this.

  In the beginning stages actual knowledge about the game doesn’t help much.

  Above all, experience was the best type of knowledge. After canceling the tutorial, Hyun-Woo was enveloped in a bright light.

  At the same time his characters eyes moved and he was absorbed within it.

  The novice adventurer, Ark was born.

  « o »

  “What the heck?”

  Ark had a bewildered look on his face.

  He was surrounded by mountains and mountain villages.

  In the village there were around 100 houses surrounded by high barriers.

  This must be the beginning town Harun.

  However Ark still could not believe his eyes.

  ‘Is this really part of a game?’

  He could not believe it. The surrounding mountains. The fences and buildings, even the people who were wandering around…

  This was completely different from Computer Graphics. It wasn’t something you can see visually.

  He could feel his leather shoes, the wind whooshing by his ears, and even smell food being prepared somewhere from a distance.

  It felt like reality, but wasn’t reality which made the situation all the more difficult to believe.

  ‘I know this is a virtual reality, but I can’t believe it’s a game.’

  The virtual reality gaming experience used to be solely based on retina graphics.

  This was as of 3 years ago. To this day most virtual reality games had still not escaped the dimension of having retina graphic based game.

  ‘Now I understand why Director Ha Myung Woo spoke with prideful words.’

  Just one month ago Global Exos had announced New World, which resulted in it becoming the hot topic of gossip in many other games. Now he understood why this was happening.

  If his situation had been more favourable, he would have stopped at nothing to play this game.

  The technology developed by Global Exos was incredible.

  ‘Ah, now is not the time to be doing this.’

  Ark, who had his mouth wide open, wiped his drool.

  Several people around him look at him with dull look on their faces.

  They were going through the same process of adaptation as Ark.

  Blushing from embarrassment Ark moved to a more adequate place.

  ‘Where should I head off now?’

  Ark saw the way other people moved their bodies and copied them.

  Although he was actually connected to the unit lying down. He felt like he was actually moving.

  Although moving little parts of his body was rough, it process was similar to moving in real life.

  ‘Ok, movements don’t seem to require any special procedures’

  Ark then investigated the system window.

  “Menu.”

  A translucent circle that appeared in front of him listed various items. Character info, bags, community, et cetera, you could either talk directly to the menu or tap the icon. Ark pressed the icon which looked like a face.

  Character Name

  Ark

  Race

  Human

  Affiliation

  None

  Profession

  None

  Level

  1

  Fame

  0

  Title

  None

  Health

  100

  Mana

  100

  Strength

  15

  Agility

  15

  Stamina

  15

  Intelligence

  15

  Wisdom

  15

  Luck

  15

  The pair of Character Information Windows that appeared were not simplistic in design. Afterwards he confirmed his skill window was completely empty. The contents of his bag were; 10 units of water, 10 pieces of wheat bread, and a dagger.

  He was excited, and felt as if a new life was just beginning.

  ‘Well, what should I do now.’

  Ark closed the information window and looked around.

  Everything was so much like reality it was hard to distinguish NPCs from normal users

  But both users and NPCs showed no interest in Ark since he began.

  Everyone was running around like crazy.

  In most games, there would be a kind NPC who would teach you when you first start out.

  Looking around for a bit, he spotted an old man who kept his eyes on him from a distance.

  Ark walked over to him.

  “Ex….. Excuse me.”

  “You must be new here.”

  Without having to say anything, the old man spoke as if he understood the entire situation.

  “What is your name?”

  “My name is Ark.”

  “My name is Hansen. I’m just an old guy whose purpose in life is to teach young guys, such as yourself, how to live in this place. As expected, you probably want to ask about what to do in this place?”

  “Yes.”

  “Most people who are like you commonly work one of two jobs here. One is wild dog and wolf hunting outside of this village, and another one finding work in the village. If you’re just playing casually, it’s better to choose the latter option. Since this is a backwater village, we’re always short-handed.”

  “Yes, I like to be provided a job.”

  Ark replied without hesitation.

  However, the greatest danger in a game is not learning how to hunt carefully and embarking without reason or under bad influence.

  Therefore doing a simple quest would be good idea to adapt to the game.

  Early beginnings of a game consisted of mostly of doing quests to adapt to the flow of the game and earn equipment. Hence, was more profitable than aimlessly hunting.

  “I’m thankful you took time to listen to me. As it so happens, there’s a job I’d like to entrust to you. Recently I’ve heard the tavern owner was complaining about the amount of mice in his cellar. I think you would be able to solve the problem. How about it? Wi
ll you help?”

  Du-du-dung. An information window came up along with a strange sound.

  Kraydon, who owns the tavern in the gloomy backwater village of Harun, has gotten headaches over the growing mouse problem in recent years.Meet Kraydon, listen to his problem, and then deal with it. It’s a job that should be easy even for a beginner.Difficulty: Not Applicable

  Ark accepted the quest and headed towards the tavern.

  Finding the tavern was quite easy. It was the only building overflowing with customers, in the town square.

  As he entered the tavern a messy haired boy wearing an apron could be heard yelling.

  “You came with a recommendation from the Old Man Hansen?”

  With a relieved look on his face, Ark began to speak to Kraydon.

  “Nice to meet you. Can you do me a little favour and kill the mice inside the warehouse down the street. Lately, I think if I hear them one more time, I’ll lose my mind!”

  “Yes. I will do it. But what will the compensation be?”

  Ark indirectly asked. Whether in it is reality or inside a game, no one believed in working free of charge.

  Work should be compensated. It’s only natural right?

  Kraydon started beating on his chest and replied.

  “Of course, I, Kraydon, am not of the cheap nature to swindle a stranger who has no home or belongings after he has eaten his fill. I have prepared a reward essential for someone like you.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  Ark entered the warehouse with a daring smile.

  The warehouse had been congested with many swarms of mice.

  Both sides officially recognized the other as an easy target as they faced one another.

  ‘My first test subjects will be you guys! Now, shall we begin?’

  Ark drew his dagger, charged and swung his dagger, and attacked one of the mice.

  However, he got a result he did not expect. Embarrassingly, the mouse lightly sidestepped the moving dagger. Also, as if mocking his sloppy display of skill, they ran between the boxes, knocking them over.

  Similar occurrence kept repeating. Ark was growing angry at the loitering mice who light dodged as often as he swung his dagger at them.