Ark Volume 01 - Japtem

by Yoo Seong

  It was the first time he’d seen an NPC’s battle — the high level was to the point where he went and lost his confidence.

  After finishing a bout of fighting, a cross mark appeared above the heads of the Knights. It was a sign that indicated their level up.

  ‘Just how much of a level do those guys have?’

  Levels existed for NPCs, too. Of course, if they won many fights, their level would go up. However, the NPCs themselves didn’t know about the concept of levels. If you asked them what their level was, they would return the question, asking what that was. And if you tried to explain it in detail, they would suddenly get mad.

  In New World, the vocabulary level, skill, and stats were foreign to them; in other words, those were just users’ terms.

  Even magic or skills that let them peek at someone’s information window didn’t get through to the NPCs. Therefore, there was no way to confirm it, but it was definite that they were at a much higher level than Ark.

  ‘Anyways, if I stay with them there should be no risk of death.’

  The updated Secret of the Slate quest’s difficulty was a staggering +E.

  It was a quest at a level where it’d be impossible to solve it by himself, no matter what he did. But if he did it with the Sylphid Knights, it didn’t even look like it’d be that difficult.

  The problem was the condition of Haverstein’s survival.

  After they entered the ruin, Haverstein’s health become increasingly weak. Ark, who had learned the Nursing skill, could tell that he didn’t have much life left. If, by any chance, Haverstein died before the completion of the quest, the quest would end in a failure and the Sylphid Knights would return to Jackson Castle.

  That was the reason why a quest where he didn’t even need to personally fight had a difficulty of +E.

  ‘No matter what happens, I have to save him until the quest is resolved. Tch, what a pain.”

  The sight of Haverstein coughing beside him filled him with annoyance.

  If the quest didn’t have such a condition, he wouldn’t give a damn if Haverstein died or not. More importantly, he had to participate in the fight and hit the monsters that looked like crammed up wads of experience at least once.

  Even those strong Knights were leveling up without rest. At his level, if he was fortunate enough to defeat one or two of the monsters, he’d probably be able to garner quite a lot of experience. However, he couldn’t afford to do that. If he didn’t stand by and watch over Haverstein, who was deteriorating by the minute, there was no knowing what sudden result might occur.

  “Cough, cough!”

  “You are okay. Illness comes first from the mind. If you firmly steel your heart, you can overcome any disease. Have courage. You can’t lose hope.”

  As he prattled on about things he didn’t even believe in, he spewed the Nursing skill and Haverstein’s face became a little brighter.

  “You have my thanks. If I listen to your words, my strength rises as if it’s really easing the disease. However, I am aware. That no matter how much I steel my mind, there’s no hope for my life.”

  “What are you saying…….”

  “No, it’s the truth. Because my disease did not come first from the mind.”

  “Are you saying that you know about the disease?”

  “Do you know why I’ve come here leading the Knights with a body like this?”

  Haverstein’s clouded gaze swept across the dreary ruin.

  “Because it’s here, the cursed devil killed my father and planted the disease in me.”

  “Devil? Can you please tell me in more detail?”

  “I may as well. Since you’ve already stepped foot in this place, knowing this won’t be bad. Truthfully, a long time ago there was a terrible calamity that befell Jackson Castle. It buried the land in disease and famine.”

  “Are you saying that was the devil’s doing?”

  “Yes. It was the doing of this malicious devil that came from a faraway continent. My ancestors of the Jackson family, which came to know of this truth, naturally rallied soldiers and fought with the devil. But with only the final blow remaining, the devil escaped, and since then the Jackson family has suffered from the devil’s curse. All the descendants of the Jackson family eventually die of a curse that brought about a terminal illnesses once they turn twenty.”

  “What? But the Viscount is…”

  “That my life is still bound to me is thanks to Father.”

  Haverstein tightly clutched the silver necklace that fell to his chest.

  “As the other ancestors did, Father also strove to release the family’s curse. And then in the same year when I was born, he finally found out. That the devil that had fled that time was hiding in this ruin. If that devil is killed, then the curse will end. But the place where that devil was hiding was firmly locked by an ancient force. The slate that you brought is precisely the key to opening that room.”

  At the end of a long effort, his father had finally laid hands on the slate. Then, as Haverstein was doing now, he had led soldiers and searched for the devil.

  Haverstein stared blankly at the Sylphid Knights as if meaning to see his father’s appearance from that time among them.

  “First, I listened to the soldiers who were in the verge of death. They said a long and lengthy fight had occurred. In the end, it resulted in Father’s defeat. But Father, using the last of his strength, gave the devil a large wound. Thanks to that the curse has weakened, and I was able to live to this age.”

  “So that means that the Viscount is suffering from the disease because that malicious devil has regained its strength.”

  “You’re right. And since a few years ago, traces of the curse have even appeared on my now fifteen-year old son. The devil’s strength has become stronger. But the slate had already disappeared with my father’s death. For the last 3 years I tried to find the slate, but to no avail. In that time my body has become exhausted and thin, like this. Having lost the time to wait any longer, I went to battle to destroy the door with sheer force and punish the devil.”

  “If the devil is killed, will the Viscount’s disease also be cured?”

  Haverstein shook his head.

  “No, it’s already too late for me. Now, even if I killed the devil I cannot live on. However, I cannot allow my son to meet the same fate as I. After all my father was also in the same situation as I, and fought the devil for my sake. This time, it is my turn to do for my son, as my Father has done for me. And I believe that I can succeed. That you brought the slate here, is without a doubt, a revelation from God.”

  Ark was moved to tears.

  A father for the sake of his son, and the son for the sake of his son, was burning away the last of his life.

  Of course, they were NPCs. Though they looked like people, they weren’t.

  Within that too-realistic face there was electricity that flowed along electric wires.

  Despite that, the light with which Haverstein looked at Ark was sincere. That he himself was dying, and for his son he would throw away his life — he truly thought that way.

  Most NPCs are similar in that sense. Although there were bad people and good people here in this world as there are in the real world, at the very least, people here don’t play with others’ sincere feelings through cunning lies.

  That was the difference between an NPC and a user.

  “The Viscount’s wish will definitely come true.”

  “Thank you.”

  Haverstein fell asleep with a more comforted face.

  After that Ark took care of Haverstein with all his sincerity.

  A father who would throw down everything for the sake of his son.

  Though it was incredibly embarrassing, Ark could feel the presence of his own father in Haverstein.

  Meanwhile, heartfelt sympathy formed towards Haverstein. He had to help Haverstein for the quest anyways. If it was a done deal, wouldn’t it be better to do it sincerely?

  When a day had
passed like that, Ark received a message he hadn’t even imagined.

  Of the skills Ark had learned, Nursing had the slowest growth. Although he’d nursed Johansson about ten times, the skill points had been at a mere 20. Even after the nursing he’d done for Haverstein up until now, it was at 30.

  But then it suddenly started swiftly going up, and in a moment it had reached Intermediate level.

  Through care imbued with sincerity, the Nursing skill level has gone up.Nursing(Intermediate, Active): Can instill life by making the patient’s body and soul more comfortable with Increasingly proficient skillfulness. Used on a patient, vigor and courage are increased by 40%. Mana consumption: 10

  * Intermediate Nursing bonus effect(Nurse’s Soul): Can sincerely pray for the patient and grant the effect of a minor blessing. All stats are slightly increased, and through devout piety, resistance to curses related to the mind will form.

  Ark’s mouth fell open.

  It wasn’t because the skill went up, but because of the reason.

  ‘Does that mean it knows that I treated Viscount Haverstein with sincerity?’

  The sudden, rapid growth of the skill had happened, since Ark had started to sincerely worry about Haverstein. Then didn’t that mean that Ark’s change in attitude influenced the growth of the skill?

  Of course, it wasn’t something that was physically impossible.

  New World was a system that scanned the brain and controlled the character with the user’s brainwaves. Emotion was, in the end, a brain wave. It was possible for the system to understand changes in emotion. But for even that part to influence the growth of skill…

  Stating that was simple.

  ‘Whether it’s interaction with an NPC or learning a skill, the effect is maximized if you pour your sincerity.’

  It was a principle that was so natural in reality. But who would have thought to apply such a principle even in a game?

  It was shocking technological prowess, and a shocking discovery.

  By the mistake in Harun Village, Ark was still in a state that fell far short of the other applicants. Even though he’d received a bonus of 12 points thanks to his special title, making up for half a month of difference in progress was difficult.

  Though it’d be nice if they would take a nap like the story of the rabbit and turtle, it was best not to expect that. But now it seemed like he could find the way to narrow that difference.

  ‘There are still many unidentified systems in New World. If I find out about all of them, catching up to them isn’t just a long-shot dream! That’s right, the answer was right in front of me all along! Anyways the difference from users that started at the same time is that and only that. If I’m to get ahead of the others, then I can’t just follow what the others are doing.’

  He saw a found new hope.

  Afterward, Haverstein vomited blood more frequently.

  As his spark of life continued to flicker out, his health deteriorated to the point where he could not recognize anyone. Every time that happened Ark used his Intermediate Nursing skill and forcefully held his life in place.

  For the completion of the quest, for the growth of the skill, and for this unfortunate NPC’s small wish…

  « o »

  “We have finally arrived!”

  A light of emotion rose on Haverstein’s ashen face.

  It had been five days since they had entered the ruins. The group had finally arrived at the destination. A massive stone door engraved with complicated patterns!

  The devil they were searching for was hiding behind this door.

  The stone door that steamingly emitted a dismal aura, had a space on one side that was big enough to fit the slate.

  Haverstein looked toward Ark and nodded his head. With a strained expression, Ark walked up to the stone door and pressed the slate in. Then the ruins rumbled as the stone gate slowly parted.

  “Everyone prepare for battle, we will enter as we protect the Viscount!”

  “Yes!”

  A space that was entirely different from the interior of the ruin appeared. Uneven stone walls, and the ceiling was studded with stalactites like a demon’s fangs. It was a colossal hall made by the strength of Mother Nature.

  It happened when Knights stayed vigilant on all sides and arrived at the center of the hall.

  - Boss Monster Twisted Dream Weaver Debra has appeared.

  “The devil has appeared!”

  Ark shouted in surprise. At the same time, from the opposite entrance a black aura spewed out. Having received Ark’s warning, the Knights hastily fumbled to raise their shields, but the enormous shock blew away 3~4 people.

  “Kekekeke, mayflies without fearful heads have crawled in to die!”

  Within the dark, the sight of a huge being that looked to be a good 10 meters came into view. With armor of darkness and an enormous sword, the blood-red cape on its back fluttered as it emitted a dismal aura.

  Debra’s body twisted like a whirlwind, and upon coming in contact with the black aura, the brave Knights fell into panic.

  “I-it’s Debra!”

  “Twisted Dream Weaver Debra of horror!”

  “Do not be afraid, this bastard is just the cowardly monster that was coiled up and hiding within the stone door!”

  Haverstein squeezed out his vigor and shouted. Only then did the Knights snap back to attention and rush toward Debra.

  “Kekekee, foolish newborn pups!”

  Deep blue sparks flew out every time Debra opened its mouth.

  It swung the length of the enormously large sword. With one blow, 3~4 soldiers were shattered as they were blown away. The Sylphid Knights that had shown their unbeatable strength as they had crossed through the ruin were no match for Debra.

  The deep blue sparks that spewed from its mouth melted their armor, and as the sword flew down in succession, the Knights collapsed with one, two wounds. But the Sylphid Knights didn’t yield and endlessly besieged Debra with a barrage of swords. The surrounding Magicians on the outskirts also threw lightning and flames.

  At the consecutive, bursting flashes, Debra must have taken a blow, because it staggered.

  “Today is the end of you!”

  One of the Magicians hollered as he tore in with a skill combo of?Penetrate?.

  Then, a red light enveloped Debra and a Health number cut in, about about half appeared above its head.

  The Knights’ moral suddenly rose.

  “The bastard doesn’t even have half its health left!”

  “The time is now, finish it off!”

  “Keuk, you bastards…”

  Debra’s eyes flashed and a black aura surged out.

  Wrapped in the aura, the Knights put on vacant expressions like they were somehow bewitched people, and then suddenly began to brawl amongst themselves.

  “It’s Bewitching magic! Magicians!”

  “Yes!”

  The Magicians, who were outside the range of the aura, quickly uttered an incantation.

  Resistance Spell, Cleanse Spell, Strengthening Willpower and other spells unfurled in the area. In spite of that, the Knights were unable to shake off the Bewitchment and floundered. Rather, the situation became more serious and 3~4 of them were felled by the swords of their friends.

  Embarrassment spread over the Magicians’ faces.

  “The spells aren’t dispelling it!”

  “Everyone please calm down, no matter who our opponent is, we will surely be victorious.”

  In the moment of the desperate situation, Ark’s voice cried out into the hall.

  The pupils of the Bewitched Knights gradually focused and they suddenly came to.

  It was the power of the Nursing skill. Even when the fight first started, there had been nothing Ark could do.

  It was Debra’s attack, which could take out a two or three Knights, and got it out of critical condition. If the level 16 Ark was to get grazed it, he would definitely fall into critical condition. All he could do was to nurse Haverstei
n from the back.

  But the situation changed as the Bewitched Knights brawled amongst themselves and suffered wounds. Because they weren’t simple Knights and were able to do a lot of damage to each other, they had become Ark’s patients.

  When he used the Nursing skill on a patient, the Intermediate’s special effect, minor blessing, was granted. Thanks to that, they were able to resist the Bewitchment, which was a curse of the mind, and shake it off.

  Not just that, but a bonus of vigor and courage 40%, and +3 to all stats. Of course, the Knight’s attack and defense power increased, and the Magician’s casting speed became faster.

  “Oooohhhhhhh, my strength is surging!”

  “We can win! Down with Debra!”

  The Knights cheered and with a rush they swarmed and swung their swords. Debra erupted with a howl of fury but there was nothing it could do.

  That was because Ark was not letting the soldiers rest.

  “Please hurry and stand. Victory is right in front of you. Even though it’s the devil, everyone’s fighting spirit must not topple. Through unbreakable fighting spirit and unyielding courage you will undoubtedly become heroes written in history!”

  “Haa haa, my stamina has hit the bottom. Let me rest a little…”

  “Get out there and fight! Your bravery will carry us to victory!”

  “Oooohhhhh! En,energy is surging! Come at me, devil!”

  As Ark’s voice rang out, the Knights that had fallen over one after another sprang to their feet and swung their swords.

  Abruptly, as the zombie-like Knights returned to the fight, Debra’s life quickly dropped. When it plummeted to 1 out of 10, it fell to one knee. Then Haverstein, who had been directing the Knights, climbed atop Debra’s body and thrusted his sword toward its throat.

  “Die, devil…. kaa!”

  Suddenly Debra stretched its arm and seized Haverstein’s throat.

  “Kekekekeeuk, was the suffering good?”

  Debra slowly raised its body. Screams of disbelief burst out from the surrounding Knights.