Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  The bike instantly left the Rama base.

  –Kuak! That guy!

  –That bastard, he isn’t a Rama! Sound the alarm…..!

  –There’s no time! Besides, the base is already being attacked so the perimeter alert is useless. There is no time to let the other soldiers know so we have to chase him ourselves!

  The two Rama warriors grabbed their bikes and pursued him. Three bikes rushed through the raging snow storm. Ark departed first but the Rama warriors still caught up. Ark was new to the bike while the Rama warriors were experienced.

  “Damn! I have to lose them somehow…..heok!”

  Ark cried out as he saw the Rama warriors that caught up with him. One of them was carrying a RPG on his shoulder and aiming at Ark.

  “H-heavy weapon!”

  –Lock on! Now take this!

  Tutung! Syuuuuuuu!

  Smoke blew out as a small warhead was fired.

  ‘If that hits me directly then I’m dead!’

  Ark screamed and turned the handle sharply. There was a strange sound as the bike turned perpendicularly. The Rama’s artillery had a tracking function so the trajectory stayed with the bike. And the moment it was about to hit! Ark quickly turned the handle in the opposite direction. The homing feature couldn’t follow such sharp movements.

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  The shell that missed its target hit something else and exploded. However, he didn’t have time to sigh with relief as the other Rama warrior fired.

  Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu! Pepepepeng!

  There was an explosion to the rear of the bike as it turned and a red warning message appeared.

  -The engine has been hit and the output is rapidly decreasing

  If the engine is hit again, there is a risk that it will explode.

  This was why it was difficult to use a bike on the battlefield. The benefits was that it was quick and easy to handle but the fatal weakness is its weak defense!

  ‘Dammit, it is impossible to lose them like this! If so…..’

  He grabbed the bike’s handle firmly and looked at them with the infrared scope. The chasing Rama warriors were level 41 and 42. And Ark was now level 43 thanks to the pyramid!

  ‘It is worth a try!’

  There was no gap to hesitate. Ark rotated the bike 180 degrees and pulled the accelerator. The bike made a roaring sound like a scream and rushed towards the bikes of the chasing Rama warriors.

  –That guy! Is he trying to die with us?

  –Smash the bike!

  The two Rama warriors lifted their guns to stop the bike.

  Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu! Tung! Tung! Tung! Tung!

  The warriors relentlessly attacked with their machine guns. Sparks flew from Ark’s bike and smoke started to spread. And when it was a few metres away from the warriors’ bikes!

  Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  It exploded and smoke and fire spread in the sky.

  -It’s over.

  –Sheesh, I wanted to capture him if possible…..

  -We still don’t know. That guy might be breathing still.

  –We should check it…..

  The two Rama warriors got off their bike and took out their hammers. And they approached the vortex of smoke and fire.

  “Come out, Shire!”

  They suddenly heard shouting in the midst of the smoke.

  Hwakak!

  At the same time, the swirling smoke was split in half. A hand surrounded by blue light moved through the air and drew a complicated pattern. It was the Rune Carving skill that he learn from the ancient Murat alien civilization

  “Rune Carving! Ikram rune invoked!”

  The pattern of light was completed.

  TO BE CONTINUED

  Ark

  The Legend

  (아크 더 레전드)

  Volume 03

  Yoo Seong

  (유성)

  Space 1

  Ikram

  Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu!

  The chasing Rama warriors continuously fired at Ark. Ice fragments flew up with every shot along with pillars of flames. Ark tried some evasion but his driving skills weren’t mastered yet so it was limited.

  Pepepepeng!

  -The engine has been hit and the output is rapidly decreasing.

  If the engine is hit again, there is a risk that it will explode.

  Fumes soared from the bike as the message appeared.

  ‘This situation is bad.’

  Ark judged as he turned his handle 180 degrees. The engine of the bike was damaged so the output had fallen. It would be hard to escape from the pursuing Rama warriors. Now Ark only had one choice left.

  ‘Whether I live or die depends on this.’

  Ark’s head switched from ‘escape mode’ to ‘battle mode.’

  ‘I checked through the infrared scope and they are level 41 and 42. On the other hand, I am level 43. My level is slightly higher but there are two of them. Moreover, I’m a prisoner and they are elite troops. They will have better equipment and combat skills. If they have battle suits then the odds aren’t in my favour. I need to do something that will slightly even the odds in my favour, even if it is just confusing them for a moment.’

  That was the conclusion Ark reached. And a skill naturally floated in his head.

  ‘But…….’

  Ark was forced to hesitate. Ark still hadn’t grasped the skill properly. He couldn’t guarantee the outcome. It was indeed a skill that he was gambling his life on. He hesitated but Ark had no more time to worry.

  Tu tu tu tu! Pepepepeng!

  The subsequent shooting exploded the left engine! Ark lost his balance, jumped off the bike and rolled along the ground.

  ‘I have no choice but to gamble now. I need to trust me senses!’

  He lifted his body and raised his arms. Blue light started to gather around his hands. The light produced……

  ———————————————————————————

  Hwiiiii-!

  A storm endlessly blew in the darkness. The -50 degree weather was so cold that the air seemed to be frozen. One man was walking in the extreme cold.

  “Huck huck, dammit! What is with my unfortunate destiny?”

  The person speaking with frozen lips was Ark.

  “For it to turn out this way.”

  It started 10 days ago. Ark had unintentionally fallen into the crevasse and found an abandoned pyramid. He had ended up with some unexpected gains. He had gained 12 levels, scooped up the rare Zaliman ore and received the Pharaoh’s artifact. He was then able to escape from the pyramid. And the information displayed on the GPS…..

  -Distance to the galactic federation’s base: 532 km

  Ark felt like he had been hit on the head with a piece of ice.

  ‘532 km means that it will take more than 10 days if I walk 50 km in one day.’

  It was difficult to walk for 10 days in -50 degrees weather in a snow storm. That alone was enough to decrease the chances of survival. However, the more serious problem was his food supply. Ark had gained a considerable amount of Zaliman ore in the pyramid so he discarded his food and only had 5 remaining. To recap, Ark had to march 500 kilometres on 5 pieces of food in a storm. It was a situation that would cause despair.

  ‘It’s impossible. There is no chance no matter what ideas I have.’

  But if he gave him then he would lose 12 levels. He couldn’t give up even if he ended up dying.

  ‘I have to live and return!’

  Ark clenched his teeth. From then on Ark’s desperate struggle for survival started….. No, it was a desperate struggle but it was actually extremely tedious. Walking, walking, walking and more walking. The only thing he did was walking. The repetition of such unexpected mechanical tasks caused an unexpected problem. Ark had been worried about walking more than 500 km in such a harsh environment. However, Ark’s body was surprisingly strong thanks to the body coating. It was p
ossible to maintain a suitable body temperature while walking in a -50 degree storm. Rather, it was his mentality that was the problem.

  ‘!#$!#$@$$%$!&%$%$$#…….’

  He was just endlessly walking towards the horizon. His thoughts flew away to Andromeda after one full day of walking. His absentminded state meant he walked in the wrong direction and once he even fell asleep in the freezing cold.

  ‘This can’t continue. I’m going to end up like a frozen mackerel. I need to think of something to maintain my consciousness. It is necessary to think of something.’

  Ark started to think of various different ideas. His mother who lay in the ICU for a long time and then her miraculous recovery. Now his mother and stepfather Gwon Hwa-rang were helping children overseas. He also thought about that time when he was caught between Roco and Lariette. Although remembering those thoughts helped, there was a limit to it and his thoughts still flew to Andromeda

  It was because those thoughts were just memories. His eyelids became increasingly heavier.

  ‘That’s right! There was that!’

  Something rose in his head. Ark had forgotten his homework from the shock of leaving the pyramid and checking the GPS. It was how to use the Rune Carving that he obtained from the gold room.

  ‘Why isn’t the skill activating?’

  There was no doubt that he learnt a skill that required the photon life form called Shire. Despite that, the skill was cancelled every time he tried to use it.

  ‘Perhaps a special item is needed aside from the Shire? No, if any items were necessary then it would be written in the skill information window. Didn’t I draw the rune incorrectly or in the wrong order?’

  Ark experimented with drawing the rune dozens of times. But it had no effect. He learnt a skill but couldn’t use it. It was enough to drive him crazy. Well, his thoughts didn’t fly away to Andromeda thanks to it but……Ark was immersed in figuring out the secret of the rune and had already forgotten about staying conscious. He decided to carefully read the Rune Carving information window while marching.

  ‘Wait? Come to think of it…..’

  He finally realized something strange after one whole day had passed. It became clear once he compared the skill information window and his character information window.

  -Rune Carving (User, Active)

  When the photon Shire is summoned and a rune carved then a skill will be manifested. Although the Murat civilization is now gone, the Runes once had a profound contribute on their ability to take control of the Bellin constellation.

 

  Mana consumption: 10 (+ Mana cost of the Rune)

  “Unbelievable……”

  A sigh flowed from his mouth. Ark stared with flustered eyes at the last part of the skill information window.

  ‘All the skills in the games I’ve played consume mana. So I didn’t think anything about it when mana appeared in the skill information window……’

  Character Information Window

  Name Ark (R-02788) Level 43

  Species Human Occupation Pioneer

  Crime 3,500 Adventure 100

  Health 800 (+15) Mental Power 450

  Strength 105 (+3) Agility 155

  Stamina 155 (+3) Wisdom 15

  Intelligence 85 Luck 15

  * Title: Cleaning Foreman (Agility + 3)

  * Body Coating: Prisoner

  + The Prisoner coating is limited to the region of Beltana

  + Your body information will belong to the galactic federation after receiving the Prisoner coating

  + You are unable to receive any other body coating until the Prisoner coating is removed

  ‘As expected!’

  But Ark had no ‘Mana’ himself. Ark’s character had ‘Mental Power’ as a substitute for mana. Not realizing this basic part was a trap! There was no energy to use the skill which was why it didn’t activate. He had unlocked the secret of Rune Carving……

  “What is this?”

  Ark asked with chagrin. No, didn’t that mean he couldn’t use the skill unless he obtained mana? Of course Galaxian also had a presence called mana. Mana had to exist to use the skill but……

  As far as Ark understood, humans didn’t have mana. That’s why humans showed mental power in their information window instead of mana. Mana was a default stat for the hostile Rama and humans who received a magic type body coating. In the end, Ark couldn’t use Rune Carving unless he was a Rama or he obtained the right body coating.

  “Not being able to use a 5 star rated skill……”

  Ark was frustrated. Ark couldn’t be reborn as a Rama and he might not chose the magic type body coating later.

  “Do I really have to give up?”

  Ark suddenly had an idea.

  “Wait? Mana?”

  The Rama’s battle suit Hyper Drone surfaced in his mind! Once again, the Rama’s battle suit was different from the federation’s and it wasn’t a simple machine. The Rama had a bio-type battle suit that could transform thanks to an ancient magical creature called the Drone. Therefore the Hyper Drone used a separate energy source referred to as mana.

  “If I’m wearing Hyper Drone……”

  Ark called out the battle suit and used the skill.

  “Armour armament! Come out, Shire! Rune Carving! Ikram Rune invoked!”

  So far, all the runes he had drawn dissolved or disappeared. However, the situation changed due to Hyper Drone. Mana was sucked out of the mana suit and a rune was carved in the air. The ensuing effect…..

  -The target for the skill doesn’t exist.

  The effect of Rune Carving was still unknown. However, Ark wasn’t disappointed.

  “Now I know how to use the skill. And the target not being around means that it is a combat skill. It could only be used with the battle suit but it was a 5 star rated skill. It will definitely be an amazing special technique!”

  That was what Ark believed. Now he was fighting two level 40 Rama warriors so Ark placed his trust in that identified skill. The five stars gave him confidence!

  “Come out, Shire!”

  A shout was heard in the midst of the smoke. At the same time, the swirling smoke was split in half. A shining hand moved and carved a character in the sky.

  ‘A five star rated skill! My strongest skill!’

  “Rune Carving! Ikram rune invoked!”

  An explosive energy emerged from Ark’s body and a huge character was carved above his head. It was the finally completed Ikram rune from the Murat ancient civilization. The highest rated skill also had a visible special effect.

  –Ack! That guy has used a skill.

  –It is the first time I’ve seen that skill. The effects are unknown so be cautious!

  The Rama warriors stopped shooting as they became confused. An enemy had used an unidentified skill seen for the first time. In online games, the skill effect could mean the difference between victory or defeat. Ark believed that and had no doubts.

  “Now, come out!”

  Ark stretched out his arms and grinned. However…..

  -…..What?

  The Rama warriors who had opened their shields and struck a defense pose tilted their heads to one side. Ark was also baffled. The rune sparkling above his head…..it just shone like a christmas tree light Nothing happened once it was activated. Ark looked at the message that appeared on his Nymphe.

  -The target for the skill doesn’t exist.

  “T-there is no target?”

  What was it saying when the target was right in front of him? Ark looked at the Nymphe with amazement before belatedly realizing something.

  ‘Wait? That reminds mind….the message never stated the subject of the skill. The only thing written was that there was no target. Then there is no guarantee that the target is the enemy.’

  Ark felt like he had been hit in the back of the head. It was natural to think that the skill would be used on the enemy. But there was one thing Ark overlooked. There was no enemy
in the vicinity when experimenting with the skill. There also weren’t any supporters.

  ‘But now there are enemies. If the target can’t be found then this rune……’

  It was a skill used to buff any allies.

  ‘Buff! A buff? I wasted the mana of my battle suit in this situation for a buff? And it’s also a buff for allies?’

  Ark started to panic as he reached that conclusion. However, now wasn’t the time for it.

  –What is he doing?

  –What is that shining thing? No way…..is it just for looks?

  –No. We still don’t know. We can’t be careless.

  -…….

  –Isn’t it just a shape?

  The Rama warriors then noticed Ark’s reaction.

  –Dammit, tricking us like that.

  –I don’t understand what it is but let’s just break it!

  And they changed the magazine of their gun. The Rama couldn’t understand Ark’s words but Ark could understand the Rama. By listening to their conversation, Ark knew the two warriors wanted to turn Ark into a honeycomb. Well, he would be able to guess it from the atmosphere even without hearing their words. It was obvious Ark was their target.

  ‘Now the only thing left is a frontal confrontation!’

  Ark had been tempered by battle for many years. He grasped the situation and moved his body first.

  ‘It is two against one so it is imperative that I reduce the numbers!’

  Ark’s eyes looked at the troopers armed with a RPG and a grenade launcher. In Galaxian, warriors used a sword and a gun by default. In other words, they had a melee weapon and a long range weapon. But that wasn’t the only thing commonly used. Pistols, rifles, machine guns or something relatively light were easily available. But heavy weapons such as RPGs and grenade launchers required the relevant skills. Since a large number of professional skills are needed, the trooper was the class with the strongest firepower to counteract it.

  Galaxian also had Espers who used ancient magic or psychic powers but most users were level 30~40 so they couldn’t use really powerful magic yet. At the moment, the troopers were the ones boasting the strongest firepower. Their firepower was so strong that the military situation could change with the use of the heavy weapons. The troopers use of the heavy weapons would devastate the prisoner unit every time there was a battle. However, every strong point had a disadvantage. The long range bombing attack meant they were weaker in close combat. Furthermore, the heavy armour and artillery meant their movements were slow.