by Yoo Seong
Character information window
Name Ark (R-02788) Level 15
Species Human Occupation Beginner Pioneer
Fame –
Health 300 (+15) Mental Power 150
Strength 55 (+3) Agility 75
Stamina 55 (+3) Wisdom 15
Intelligence 25 Luck 15
* Title: Cleaning Foreman (Agility + 3)
Ark had reached level 15 by the time he left R-14! It was an unprecedented record for R-14. Once the authentication procedure ended, the elevator closed and shot upwards. Another door opened and the universe expanded in front of him. It was a huge dome shaped area covered in a 3D map of the universe. One planet lit up when he entered. At the same time, the Nymphe vibrated and information appeared.
-You have accessed the Star Gate system.
Currently dozens of frontiers exist in the present galactic federation. However, space travel using the warp system is impossible to withstand for pioneers who haven’t received the body coating. These are the places where the pioneers can move to from the R-14 Star Gate. Istana is a planet located on the outskirts of the Milky Way galaxy and is approximately 2.5 times Earth’s size. It is the centre of humanity’s current exploration.
Unlike other settlements that are close to being barren, Istana has conditions suitable for humans to live in. Therefore Istana is the place where most pioneers are active and it currently leading the space development. It also contains a number of companies, including the headquarters of the galactic federation.
In order to receive a body coating, the support of a company or the galactic federation is required. Therefore, you must first be recognized by Istana and find a sponsor before you can head to the frontiers. As a pioneer, you can ask a company with huge financial capital or a company with amazing technology to sponsor you. The future is bright.
The planet of Istana expanded and red dots appeared. They were the different regions of Istana that he could select as a starting point.
-Tatuine-
The area where the headquarters of the galactic federation is located. It is the largest city on Istana.
Population Density: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Civilization: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Advanced Sponsor: ■ ■ ■ ■ □
-Kurim-
Except for Tatuine, this is the commercial city with the most companies. Abundant space resources are scattered around the area and it is a commercially profitable city. Aside from the 4 main companies that are leading the space development, there are various small companies so it is easy to find a sponsor.
Population Density: ■ ■ ■ ■ □ Civilization: ■ ■ ■ ■ □
Advanced Sponsor: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Approximately 20 cities were displayed. Selecting the starting point was an important choice. Ark meticulously read through the information about the cities one by one. He searched for a while and found a city that met all his criteria.
“Activate Star Gate, destination is Nephalim!”
The whole area vibrated and light gathered. Ark turned into a ray of light and shot out of R-14. The light was launching towards Istana, the centre of pioneering
———————————————
“What? What’s going on?”
Shortly after Ark flew towards Istana. The users were noisily gathered in R-14’s central plaza. It was because of the message that appeared on all monitors.
-Achievement: The first mission related master of R-14 has been born.
“R-14’s Master? What does that mean?”
“Isn’t this just a place to reach level 10 before leaving for the frontier?”
“Every quest is just a repeatable quest. How does someone become a mission related master?”
“Is there a hidden ques we don’t know about?”
The users endless speculated. But they were even more interested in the name of R-14’s Master. Ark!
“Ark…..”
“Surely it isn’t that ‘Ark’?”
“Of course not. Why would the hero of New World start a new game?”
“That name is popular in Galaxian so we don’t know if that is the real Ark……”
“Is the real Ark in Galaxian?”
The users looked at the monitor dubiously. Then they scanned the surroundings with bright eyes.
“It doesn’t matter if he is the real Ark. Clearly there is a quest we don’t’ know about in R-14!”
“Find it! We have to occupy the spot before others find it first!”
The players swarmed like flies all over the place.
Gumul gumul, gumul gumul.
An octopus wearing tattered gear moved though the users.
–Huhuhu, Ark is gone so we can finally get some funds!
It was Burum who was full of dreams and looking for new customers.
Space 6
Welcome to Nephalim (Part: 1)
“I don’t know if this will turn out well.”
Yoo Han-pil sighed and murmured. He was the chairman of a huge company and any Korean citizen would know his name. This was the first time he had been so frustrated in the 50 years he had been born. More than a year ago…..
He only had one son. He was the only son of a 3rd generation financial group so naturally he raised his son in a prison of gold. And his son grew into a great young man. His head was good so he entered a top university and his physical skills meant he could play any sport. His appearance was also at the level of a celebrity. He was indeed perfect so it was expected that he would inherit! Yoo Han-pil had no doubt about the future of his son. But that bright future turned to grey after the incident that occurred more than a year ago.
‘If it wasn’t for that…..’
Yoo Han-pil stared at his son with a gloomy expression. The young man was sitting in a wheel chair
His head tilted to the side and his hands and feet were twisted and didn’t lie properly. His perfect son now couldn’t even move his hand properly to eat some rice. Although he had improved a lot
After the unexpected accident, his son had been unconscious for several months. Even if his son was disabled overnight, he was thankful that he even woke up. Of course, the thing he desired most was for his son to return to normal. And he would do anything to help his son’s recovery. Even if it meant offering his entire fortune!
‘My mind hasn’t changed. But…..’
Yoo Han-pil looked at the machine behind his son. It was the unit for the virtual reality game Galaxian. He asked the family doctor. There were many cases where people in similar conditions to his son were immersed in a virtual reality game and improved a lot. Yoo Han-pil already knew that. However, he didn’t want to use a virtual reality game to treat his son. His son’s accident was related to a virtual reality game. Naturally his son didn’t play the virtual reality game after that. But a few days ago, his son suddenly said that he wanted to play the virtual reality game Galaxian. The old nightmare resurfaced and he flatly refused. However his son didn’t give up. He wouldn’t even eat unless he was allowed to play Galaxian. In the end, Yoo Han-pil had no choice but to give in.
“Is it really okay?”
“Yes……”
His son painfully moved his lips. Yoo Han-pil sighed and nodded.
“Okay, if that is your will then I won’t stop you anymore. I also won’t ask why you suddenly want to play Galaxian. I only have one wish. I don’t want you to return to your previous state. A virtual reality is perfect for disabled people so I hope you can live a normal life in there. Just promise me one thing. Don’t tear your father’s heart again like you did a year ago.”
“You don’t have to worry…… Already….that case…..something reckless like that…..I won’t do it. I just…..”
“That’s fine.”
Yoo Han-pil nodded his head.
“That is enough.”
He placed his son within the Galaxian unit. The unit was closed. And his son headed towards a universe set in the far future.
&
nbsp; ——————————————————————————–
The humans in the 22nd century didn’t have a lot of choices. The century changed and quickly accelerated the ruin that humans caused to the earth. Thus the world wide government launched a huge project for the sake of humanity. The universe was still unknown to humans but they decided to place humanity’s fate on exploring it. After numerous trials and 30 years, humanity finally completed a moon base. Once the moon base was completed, their space development technology accelerated. In the end, the 24th century because the space pioneering age. Humanity repeated their tremendous growth and opened one solar system planet after another. After many decades, humans finally managed to develop warp navigated and extended their explorations beyond the Milky Way galaxy. They changed their name to the galactic federation and humanity’s space fleet spread across the galaxies. That was when the problems occurred.
Humanity had entered the real space pioneering age and experienced some things on the frontier that they never imagined. Hundreds of thousands of light years away in the Kiltin constellation, they encountered an aggressive warrior alien species called the Rama! They were armed with strong physical abilities and advanced technology beyond humanity. The dreams of the first pioneers that advanced into the galaxies turned to dust. And their solar system ended up being threatened. A team operation! The genius scientist Lucian gathered a team of humanity’s top scientists. After decades of research, the humans finally developed a technology that could withstand the Rama.
That was body coating! It was a technology that changed humans into aliens. For the first time, mankind could counterattack against the Rama threatening the solar system. They allied with other aliens also threatened by the Rama and ended the first space war. However, that peace didn’t last. The 1st Space War was just the beginning of humanity’s trials. Numerous risks existed beyond human wisdom and many ancient alien civilizations disappeared as their stars went out. There was a chance that humanity could also be buried by darkness. This was humanity’s history written down in the history books.
–Humanity is just like a newborn baby leaving its cradle. From now on humanity will suffer numerous risks and setbacks. However, humanity is a species with infinite possibilities. Body coating is a technology that holds infinite possibilities. The important thing is human potential. If you can draw out all that potential then humans will be the rulers of the universe.
By Lucian Endoneid.
——————————————————————————–
“This is Nephalim?”
Ark looked around with surprised eyes. The dome he arrived at wasn’t that different from R-14’s Star Gate. However, it became a completely different world once he left the dome. It was a citadel city surrounded by a huge, dense forest! Of course, he had played other virtual reality games so he wasn’t that surprised. The city wasn’t the capital of the kingdom yet it was dozens of times larger than Yeoido plaza. Yet there was no reason to be surprised by the city. It was the machinery scattered in different places that caught Ark’s eye. Thick pipes were laid out all over the city and the machinery blew black smoke, while crude 3D billboards were attached to walls made of brick. It was like a crazy mix between medieval times and futuristic science. Well, the background was set in a future age.
“Here….is this really Nephalim?”
Ark searched the information about Nephalim on his Nymphe.
-Nephalim-
Apart from Tatuine, this was the city where most companies swarmed after Istana was discovered. Nephalim is surrounded by unique natural environments so many unique space resources have been found. However, it fell behind thanks to the disadvantageous terrain and the population decreased as many people moved to other areas. This city isn’t recommended if you want a company to sponsor you.
Population Density: ■ □ □ □ □ Civilization: ■ ■ □ □ □
Advanced Sponsor: ■ ■ □ □ □
‘The lowest population density!’
The Star Gate couldn’t be used again until he reached a certain level. The cities were hundreds of kilometres away from each other. Therefore several factors needed to be considered when choosing a city. The first thing Ark considered was the population density. Unlike R-14, Istana was a wide planet so hunting wouldn’t be a problem. But if a lot of users selected the city then the good quests and hunting ground might already be taken. There was a low chance of finding a dungeon first. When considering the population density, Nephalim was the city with the lowest. So Ark had thought it would be a quiet village but it was different from his expectations. It was a large city and the flashing electric bulletin boards reminded him of the nightlife in Gangnam’s gay area.
‘What on earth would Tatuine be like if Nephalim has the lowest population density?’
He turned pale just imagining it.
‘Anyway, it is good that I chose a city based on population density. There are more people than I expected so there might be some small problems…..’
Ark stepped forward while thinking.
–This is your first time in Nephalim.
A holograph of a beautiful woman appeared next to him.
–I am a guide that will tell the beginner pioneers pertinent city related information about Nephalim. You can use me to discover the city’s geography, the location of the stores and special facilities.
The future had facilities that couldn’t even be compared to the medieval times.
-The subscription fee is 50 copper.
But it wasn’t free. It was a paid service.
–This is your first time. For the cheap price of 50 copper, I can tell you about hunting grounds suitable for your level.
–Aha, a beginner. Are you looking for a suitable job? Only 50 copper.
Every step he took, another holographic image would appear and demand money.
‘Well, some of the information is useful and 50 copper isn’t that much…..’
He gained 40 copper just from cleaning the pipes. His financial status was different from the other level 10 users. But he didn’t want to put his hard earned money into a vending machine like this. He could discover such basic information without spending money. Ark ignored the holograms and headed towards the plaza.
‘This is the same in all games.’
The plaza located in the centre of the city was always bustling with noise.
“Recruiting people to go to the Northern Valley! 5 spots available.”
“Recruiting two hunters specialized in small guns to go to the forest!”
“Buying a bulk purchase of recovery pills for 2 gold!”
“Selling various level 10~20 items at a cheap price. Please look at it.”
“Selling special IC card for body coatings. Whisper to inquire about the price.”
Users were buying and selling various items or recruiting for parties. The marketplace was an area where players naturally gravitated in games. Ark looked around the central plaza with shining eyes.
‘Won’t this give me a windfall?’
Ark looked towards a corner at the entrance of the plaza. The plaza in online games was similar to a flea market. It had a floating population and users were always trying to find a spot to do business. But when Ark arrived at the plaza, there was a pretty spacious, empty spot near the entrance! Someone must’ve just closed their business.
‘Isn’t this terrific luck?’
Ark quickly ran to the empty spot.
“Now shall I get started?”
He pulled out various items form his bag and organized them. Dagger, sword, crossbow, and various firearms…..
The number of weapons that emerged from his bag was 17. The reason Ark had so many weapons after leaving R-14 was simple. He spent money to buy them. Ark had saved a considerable amount of money from R-14. There was a week between the time the paid hunting ground opened and he left R-14. In the meantime, he made an average of 7~8 gold per day. That was an
income of 52 gold. The
‘Money is used to make more money!’
Ark received a large sum of money and immediately made plans to increase that money. And he looked at the information list in R-14’s weapon store.
-Due to the galactic federation encouraging pioneering, all pioneers will receive a 40% discount on R-14.
‘40% discount!’
In order words, if he bought it from R-14 then he could gain a 40% profit. Most users only had a dagger when they left for the frontier. Ordinary users had 2 gold by the time they reached level 10. Even with the 40% discount, items with a wearer restriction of level 10 was at least 5 gold. Therefore a level 10 weapon for users became a pie in the sky…..
But Ark was rich!
‘A 40% discount means the weapon will be 40% more expensive after I go through the Star Gate.’ Of course, he would sell it cheaper than the store but he would still get at least a 20% profit. He could get 1 gold per weapon. 17 items was 17 gold. ‘It is a business where profit is guaranteed! There is no reason to hesitate!’
So Ark spent all his 86 gold on level 10 weapons. It might be expensive in R-14 but users who spent some time on the frontier would have at least 6 gold. Then users would be interested in investing in a new weapon! A weapon 20% cheaper than the stores was certainly enticing. In addition, he found a spot at the entrance where most people flowed in and out!
“Eh? These weapons, isn’t it much cheaper than the store?”
“Yeah. Moreover, there are guns and swords as well?
“I really wanted to change my weapon but I didn’t have enough money so it was painful.”
The users flocked like clouds as soon as the street stall opened. The weapons quickly turned back into gold and entered Ark’s pocket. It wasn’t just money that accumulated.
