by Yoo Seong
“No. I never…..”
“I can guess. That brat, he wants to take care of everything.”
Gwon Hwa-rang grunted with a faint smile on his face. But he soon scratched his head with an irritated expression and said.
“Anyway, that means there is still no way to fix this. Is that right?”
“Yes, so far…..”
“So? Do you know the reason behind the real estates’ price plunge? Why did people who bought the land at an expensive price rush to sell it so suddenly?”
“I don’t know. The value of the land originally rose because the government announced they were building a major building there. I assumed the value dropped because the people heard that plan was cancelled. But my sources told me the government hasn’t made any decision yet.”
“So you still haven’t figured out the case?”
“That’s right.”
Yoo An-gook hung his head and replied. Then Gwon Hwa-rang spoke in an unconcerned voice.
“Is that why you’re all gathered here looking so worried? The solution to the problem is simple. If you’re not sure why then ask.”
“Huh? W-who do I ask?”
“Didn’t you get the names of the owners when trading with them? Then look for the original owners.”
“B-but Hyung-nim.”
“Many of the real estate transactions involve politicians.”
“What about it? Are you joking?”
“No, that’s not it…..”
“Do I look like I’m laughing now?”
Gwon Hwa-rang interrupted the rehabilitation members’ words. And he muttered in a low voice.
“Just ask them why they sold the land. If they don’t answer then something is suspicious. In other words…..my Park So-mi would’ve received stress because of something they did. My woman! My wife who is having a child! Now, I’ll ask again. Do I look like I’m laughing?”
“Ah, no.”
“I told you many times.”
Gwon Hwa-rang spoke with eyes gleaming like a wild beast.
“Justice will always win. I’ve proved that to be true. This is for my child.”
He was filled with a wild, vibrant streak.
Space 6
Outlands
A forest covered with vines. However, it wasn’t the vines that needed to be watched carefully. It was the black, viscous liquid pouring down that seemed like the skin of a slime creature. The vines weren’t the only strange thing covering the forest. There were mushrooms that grew like thorns in the corpses of monsters, luminous moss that glowed in the dark and cactuses that released electricity when touched. Everything that caught the eye in the forest was bizarre. But that was just from the perspective of a human.
These bizarre life forms were native to Istana that was located thousands of light years away from earth. They had been growing in Istana’s environment for millions of years. But this environment was fatal to humans. Humans had no immunity again it so touching alien plants could cause unidentified diseases or genetic mutations. No, the constituents of the atmosphere were different from Earth so humans couldn’t even live there. Therefore humans had to terraform the environment to become similar to Earth’s. This was an area that hadn’t been terraformed yet. This was the 24th century so pioneers who received the body coating where their DNA was remodelled could survive in these areas called the Outlands.
“……But.”
It wasn’t a safe place even for pioneers who received the body coating. The body coating was the minimum conditions needed for survival in the Outlands. The Outlands were infested with monsters that transcended the imagination and the pioneers were food for these monsters. Naturally they weren’t friendly.
Kuaaaa!
There are also monsters here!
Woooooo!
Monsters here as well!
There were creatures everywhere as soon as the Outlands were entered. The monsters weren’t the only threatening ones. Once again, body coating was the minimum needed so ensure survival. There were toxic substances emitted from some plants to still poisoned pioneers despite them having the body coating. The cactus that caused electricity was particularly dangerous.
-Electric Tia-
Category: Space Plant Danger: C
Combat Power: –
Electric Tia is a plant commonly found on many planets in the galaxy
This plant contains a very unique nature as it uses energy gained from photosynthesis to create electricity and release it outside. The electricity has a significantly high voltage and can have a fatal result for pioneers using electronic equipment.
He knew the information about the Electric Tia through his Clairvoyance skill. And he had experienced the deadly result talked about in the information window already. The earthworm like Harkerion was the monster that he encountered the most in the Outlands. During the battle he had stepped on an Electric Tia by accident and the information window appeared.
-You have been shocked by the electricity released by the Electric Tia!
The capabilities of the Nymphe will also be paralyzed and all skills blocked>
Skill blockage and 10% reduction in stats! He was dumbfounded when he received this penalty in the middle of battle. He couldn’t fathom the surprise attack from unidentified animals and plants. It was the perilous Outlands where it was impossible to be careless for even one moment! Ark’s state of mind when he first entered the Outlands……
‘How fascinating!’
R-14 was a tutorial. When he arrived in Nephalim where the real game would start, he had been tricked by the hamster and sold to the Silver Hand. As a result, Ark’s relationship with the Silver Hand was tremendously helpful to him. But it wasn’t something he had personally chosen to do
Then he was caught as a criminal and sent to Beltana. When he returned from Beltana he was caught by Marquis Martin and became the billboard of the federation. Ark still tried his best in every situation and got a good result but he had been feeling frustration throughout. He was playing the game but he had no freedom. That situation changed once he entered the Outlands.
‘Of course, I came here because of a quest but I have my freedom!’
He could go in any direction! There were unidentified dangers with every step! It was the type of adventure that all gamers liked! And Ark’s ability was exerted 120% in such a world. At first he had difficulty fighting the monsters. He wasn’t adapted to the unfamiliar surroundings and made significant mistakes. Now it had been 6 days since he entered the Outlands and Ark was showing his ability to adapt. He began to grasp what was needed to survive in the Outlands. He wasn’t just receiving surprise attacks from monsters but was actively ‘hunting.’ That was his idea when walking.
‘……I’ve found it!’
Ark’s eyes brightened as he looked at the monster on the other side of the vine. It was a raptor like monster similar to dinosaurs in Jurassic Park called the Bellos. Level 65. On the other hand, Ark was currently level 61. He had been level 52 when first leaving Nabe. He gained 9 levels in a mere 6 days. He encountered the Harkerion as soon as he entered the Outlands and reached level 60. Continuously hunting high level monsters meant it was natural for him to gain levels quickly. But there was a decisive reason why he could gain 9 levels after only 6 days. It was……
‘Ouch! It is painful just thinking about it!’
Ark couldn’t be completely happy. This was because there was something he had to give up to achieve such results. Ark became lost in his memories before shaking his head.
‘Damn! Forget it! There is no point dwelling on the past. Anyway, thankfully I’ve reached the level where I can hunt the Bellos. Yes, I need to think like this. Right now I need to concentrate on the Bellos. If I make a mistake like last time then I’ll be left bleeding.’
Anyway, the Bellos was 4 levels high than Ark. However, the bonus he received from the Sur
vivor coating meant it was possible for him to win. The problem was they always went around in a pair of female and male. This was why the Bellos were able to occupy an area full of level 70 monsters. Two level 65 monsters……
He honestly felt lucky. The experience earned was equivalent to fighting 1 level 80 monsters. But…..
‘I can’t just live on experience.’
This was the reason he went looking for the Bellos. Ark wasn’t hunting the monsters for combat but for the loot. And the Bellos was the Outlands creature that Ark could get the most loot from. If he saw items then of course he would want to get his hands on them!
‘Now shall I get started?’
“Stealth.”
Ark murmured in a low voice. And it felt like his body disappeared at the same time. The light refracted around his body was one of the Survivor coating skills, Stealth! It was the same skill as other online games but this Stealth was more difficult to use. If he lost concentration when using Stealth then he would become transparent or hazy like a ghost. When he first tried to use Stealth, his body was blurry like a ghost and was still attacked. But he became accustomed after using it several times. His practiced his concentration through repetition over the past 6 days and he could maintain his transparency. Yet he still couldn’t rest assured. Stealth was easily removed.
Sneak, sneak.
Ark carefully creeped closer to the Bellos. It was only 40 metres but it took him 3 minutes to reach the Bellos undetected. A black light shot out from the Impact Blade.
Sakak-!
-The Bellos has received a sudden blow!
-The message flashed after the hit. This was the biggest effect of maintaining the Stealth status and approaching the monster. If Ark approached the monster from behind and dealt a sudden blow then he could deal x4 his base damage to the monster. The ‘fear’ effect also made its strength and willpower decreased by 20%.
‘The extra damage and effect from the surprise attack is amazing…..’
That was the valuable part. It was possible to use skills in the Stealth state. However, his proficiency wasn’t high enough to maintain the Stealth state while using attack skills. Stealth would be turned off the moment he attacked. That’s why he always tried to combine ‘Backstab’ with ‘Sudden blow.’
Backstab gave an extra x2 damage. The ‘Fear’ effect was an added benefit. And that effect alone was enough.
Kaack! Kuaaack!
The Bellos bled heavily and its health was reduced by 30%. He had shaved away 30% of the monster’s health before the battle even began. This meant it was an easy win despite the 4 level difference. However, there wasn’t just 1 Bellos.
Kiyak! Kiyak! Kuaaah!
There was always a male and female together. Anyway, the other Bellos shrieked and rushed forwards as its companion started bleeding heavily. It flew forward with sharp claws. But Ark didn’t even turn his head.
‘If I try to deal with 2 at once then this will never end. I have to concentrate on only one!’
“Mind Shield!”
A round shield appeared around Ark’s body. It was the Mind Shield skill received from the Survivor body coating! It was a defense shield but it was different from other shields. Like all skills received from the Survivor body coating, it also depended on concentration……
-The Mind Shield has been activated.
In addition, the effect of Backstab or Sudden Blow will be nullified by 100%>
‘Damn, that’s not even half of the maximum durability possible.’
Ark was disappointed as the message appeared in front of him. Depending on his concentration, the durability of the shield could vary between 50~500. Stealth was a skill used before battle so the concentration was easy to maintain. But Mind Shield needed to be used while battling so it was difficult to concentrate. The first shield had 200 durability but the average was 50~70 at the most
Therefore the shield normally broke after a few attacks. After a few practices, he managed to get it over 100 and was working towards 250 durability. 180 was only an average amount.
‘It should take approximately 3~4 shots.’
He had initially questioned the Mind Shield but there was a large advantage when he actually used it
Ark’s current shield absorbed approximately 1,000 damage! Mind Shield actually possessed twice the maximum durability. Bhurad’s shield only had 25 defense and blocked the enemy’s attacks. While it could stop long range bullets that directly hit it, it was vulnerable to close combat hits in areas not covered by the shield. Even if the shield had 1,000 defense, it could only block 2~3 shots!
However, Mind Shield covered the whole body. In other words, it acted like an armour rather than a shield. Mind Shield gave him the same defense but he didn’t need to worry about long or short distance attacks. But the best part about it……
Snap! Chwajijijijijik!
There was the sound of something hitting his back. Originally if he received a blow from behind then he would obtain x2 damage. The Bellos would deal Ark 180 damage. However, that changed once Mind Shield was applied. The shield absorbed 40~60% damage so Ark only received 36~54 damage. That was nothing to Ark who raised his health to 1,500!
‘But if the shield breaks then I will receive damage. Even my 1,500 won’t be able to endure 1 minute of being attacked from behind!’
It wasn’t a situation where he had plenty of leeway.
“Sonic Sword!”
Ark furiously attacked the Bellos. The blade broke through the speed of sound and caused a shockwave that dug into the Bellos’ neck. At the same time Ark pulled the trigger attacked to Impact Blade’s handle.
“Impact Shot!”
The Bellos stumbled and retreated. This was the convenient part about the Outlands. The gun was a basic equipment necessary to deal with mechanical life forms like the Nakuma. But savage monsters couldn’t use shields. Therefore he could mobilize both guns and swords while attacking.
Seokeok! Pepepeng!
The blade separated and made a bellowing sound! The bullets jammed into the wounds continuously. The Bellos was struck by a series of gun and sword attacks. But that didn’t mean Ark had a surplus of time. Mind Shield didn’t block 100% of the damage. Even if it was reduced by 40~60%, damage was still damage. It would steadily accumulate. Moreover, the shield only had 180 durability so if he lost concentration then he would die in a few hits.
‘But……’
Cheolkeok, chwaruru.
While the Bellos was stumbling, Ark quickly opened a cylinder in the Impact Blade. 4 bullet casings fell down.
‘I’ll settle it with this!’
He filled the cylinder with 4 more bullets. Ark finished reloading in an instant thanks to all his practice while the Bellos started attacking him again. While the Bellos was trying to bite his head off, Ark placed the tip of his sword against its jaw. The knife blade broke through the jaws. His finger that was on the trigger pulled it quickly.
“Set Bullets Shooting!”
Cheolkeok, cheolkeok, cheolkeok! Pepepeng!
3 bullets were fired at once! But the bullets he loaded this time weren’t ordinary. It gave 150% additional damage!
-Headshot!
-The flame effect has been applied thanks to the Fire Bullets hitting skin.
At the same time the Bellos’ head was engulfed with flames.
Kuaaaah! Kiaaaahhh!
The Bellos shrieked and gave out a weird glow. But after a few minutes, the Bellos that was already in a critical condition took a few steps forward bef
ore collapsing. Then Ark’s shield broke and a red warning message popped up.
-You have received backstab damage from the Bellos!
His health was sucked out! In the end his Mind Shield was broken. The backstab damage caused him to lose 40% health straight away. But Ark just turned around with a pleasant smile.
“Now you’re the only one left!”
Greed gleamed from Ark’s eyes! The Bellos flinched from the outpouring of attacks and retreated. However the Bellos was also one of the predators of the Outlands! Ark didn’t know whether it was the husband or the wife but it had just seen its companion die.
Grrrrr! Kuaaaah!
Bellos growled and rushed towards him. Unfortunately the Bellos wasn’t very good at maths. Despite the two monsters attacking him, Ark’s health had only decreased by 40%. Of course, Ark’s shield broke but there was only one Bellos left. Even if the Bellos receive spiritual enlightenment that increased power by 2, the odds still weren’t in its favour. It was also blinded by rage and just ran wildly up to him……
“Sonic Sword! Impact Shot!”
Seokeok! Tang! Tang! Seokeok! Tang! Tang!
The sword sliced through the bullet hole……The Bellos became ragged as soon as the 1-on-1 battle began. Unfortunately the Bellos hadn’t received any spiritual enlightenment. But it wasn’t smart and kept on rushing towards him to be beaten. The Bellos’ health decreased to 10%.
Grrrr….Kuang! Kuang!
The Bellos studied his face and tried to retreat without him noticing. Then it shrieked and ran away.
‘It will be troublesome if I miss!’
This was the part that caused him a headache when dealing with the Bellos. If 1 Bellos was cornered then it would sometimes run away. Ark hadn’t expected it when he first fought the Bellos so he left it while it was in a critical condition. And he searched the body of the monster he already defeated.
Kuwaaaah!
Kaack! Kaack! Kaack Kuoooh!
Dozens of red eyes flashed between the vines. That’s right. To be exact, the Bellos wasn’t running away. It was in order to summon the other Bellos in the area to kill Ark. At that time Ark had used the battle suit to escape. Once the mana of the battle suit disappeared, he drank an ampoule and kept on running away from the chasing Bellos. But he had something to escape. If he was surrounded then he would inevitably die. And……
