Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  Ark’s guess was correct. He finally arrived at the 39th floor after 3 hours of crawling through the pipe. Because of security problems, there wasn’t a separate pipe on the 39th floor that reached the 40th floor. If he hadn’t found the key then he would’ve gone up to the 40th floor via the stairs immediately. But Ark submitted to the risk and searched around the stairs before discovering the armoury. In fact, he had been frustrated when he first entered the armoury. The cabinets that filled the room were open and empty. However there were still boxes piled up on one side filled with bullets! Right now bullets were one of his most important supplies! But Ark hadn’t come here for bullets.

  ‘No, I don’t know yet. Not all the guards would’ve realized and collected their weapons. There might be one weapon remaining.’

  He thought like that and started searching the armoury for 10 minutes. He managed to find 2 items left in the gap between the cabinet and the floor.

  -Fire Eagle P-40 (Magic)

  Item Type: Shotgun (One handed, Two handed) Wearer Restriction: Level 65, all professions

  Attack: 20~65 Firing Rate: 3.00 Sec

  Durability: 80/80 Number of Ammunition: 5

  The Fire Eagle P-40 is a shotgun designed to divide the bullet into 10 fragments. The splintered bullets would spread out to attack all enemies in front in a wide area attack. However, the splintering of the bullet means the damage won’t be as high. The range is 5 metres and the damage will be extremely weak after that distance.

  The Fire Eagle P-40 is a small firearm but it unleashes havoc in close combat. Try to hit the enemy’s head from a close range. All the accumulated stress from the battle will be released.

 

  -RPG PW-600 (Magic)

  Item Type: Rocket Launcher (Two handed)

  Wearer Restriction: Level 70, Heavy Armour affiliate

  Attack: 200~350 Firing Rate: 10.50 Sec

  Durability: 50/50 Number of Ammunition: 1

  The rocket launcher is a personal firearm that boasts the strongest firepower. The PW-600 is an RPG that will show an effective performance, especially when used by the armed forces of the galactic federation. The RW-600 will deal 40% splash damage to all enemies within a 15 metre radius of the landing force and will inflict panic for 5 seconds.

  Regular infantry with and heavily armoured troops will be like a paper doll in front of you. You who selected the PW-600! There is a possibility that you will become a hero of the battlefield!

 

  Shotgun and RPG! The shotgun and RPG were both weapons that belonged to the expensive category. The magic items were a minimum of 150 gold! He had found 2 such weapons. Although the RPG PW-600 couldn’t be used because of the restriction on body coating, the Fire Eagle P-40 was something he could use immediately! He also got the required shotgun bullets from the Mumu’s X and the armoury. Searching through the Mumu’s X was worth it.

  “I was able to obtain 2 weapons and bullets from finding the key in the Mumu’s X. I had felt gloomy when the Phoenix members died but luck has followed. No, that’s not it.”

  Ark shook his head.

  “I can’t lose my spirit in a place like this. The RPG and shotgun is an unexpected profit but not worth struggling for 13 days. My goal is the quest reward! And the quest completion is in sight. This is the time when I have to be the most careful. If I make a mistake then I’ll be killed. One small mistake will undo all my efforts of the last 13 days. I can’t relax until this quest is finished.”

  It wasn’t simply a matter of attitude. If Ark was an ordinary warrior then he couldn’t help feeling too excited. However, Ark wasn’t an ordinary warrior. He was a warrior focused on survival above anything else. And his survivor’s ability needed 100% concentration!

  “Stealth.”

  Ark said as he took a deep breath. Then his skin gradually became invisible. The bending of light to make his body invisible was a Survival coating skill! Like Binding Sword and Mind Shield, Stealth was a skill that required concentration. Therefore composure was needed to ensure his survival.

  Kuaaaaah!

  The moment Ark opened the door of the armoury! The horribly distorted faces of Sufferers were all around him.

  “Ugh!”

  -Your concentration has been disturbed and stealth mode is released!

  ……Ark’s concentration didn’t even last for 1 second. It was reasonable. Who would’ve expected that the Sufferers would be right in front of the armoury? But even in this bad situation, he was Ark!

  “Dammit, take this! Fire Eagle P-40!”

  Ark quickly took out the shotgun and fired.

  Pepepeng-!

  Flames started spewing out! The muzzle placed against the Sufferer’s chest exploded and threw it into the wall.

  ‘T-this is more than I thought…..’

  Ark eyed the Fire Eagle. He thought it was quite a good gun when he read the information widow. But he only discovered the real value after using the weapon. And the result was beyond imagination. The Sufferers health only decreased by 10% when he got a head shot but the Sufferer lost 20% when hit by the shotgun. Just like the information window said, it felt like all his stress was flying away! In fact, it was the inevitable result. Fading Steel was a level 20 weapon and despite Impact Blade being a unique weapon, it was still only level 30. But the Fire Eagle was a level 65 firearm. It was also a weapon that maximized damage in close range. The damage of Fading Steel and the Impact Blade couldn’t be compared to the shotgun. As expected, the basic requirement in RPG games was equipment! This scene just confirmed that truth. Ark handled the shotgun with a happy smile.

  Kieeeeeeek!

  Now wasn’t the time for this. Other Sufferers had shrieked and gathered after hearing the sound of gunfire. Including the Sufferer slammed into the wall, there were now 4 of them rushing at a tremendous speed.

  ‘I can win against 4 of them with the Fire Eagle but……’

  The central control tower was infested with Sufferers. He didn’t realize the extent when moving with the Phoenix members but it was obvious when crawling through the pipes. In other words, it was like he had been left stranded in the middle of a herd of Sufferers. More Sufferers would eventually come.

  ‘I can’t fight blindly in a place like this. Fortunately I’m right next to the stairs going up to the 40th floor. And Jay’s lab is not far from the stairs. Jay previously managed to escape from the Sufferers by hiding in his lab. If I enter the lab then I can escape the Sufferers’ pursuit!’

  Ark’s body automatically moved after he had the thought. Ark ran like lightning through the Sufferers while pulling the trigger. 10 pieces of the bullet exploded all over the place. It wasn’t concentrated on one place but the damage was enough to make the Sufferers flinch. Ark ran towards the stairs with all his power.

  “Dammit!”

  Ark’s guess was correct. 4 Sufferers were running down the stairs when he turned the corner. One of them discovered Ark and ran up to him.

  Pepepepeng!

  The Sufferer was hit by the bullet and blown away.

  ‘Considering the distance and power of the shotgun, that should’ve done 40% damage. But there is no meaning in defeating just one. Right now it is imperative to reach the lab. I have to save my bullets. The shotgun also takes a long time to reload. It will be the end if the bullets run out!’

  Then a Sufferer swung its claws at him.

  ‘There is no time to avoid it!’

  “Mind Shield!”

  Ark triggered the Mind Shield and placed his muzzle to its stomach. Once again the Sufferer flew back several metres after he pulled the trigger. Ark grabbed the railing of the stairs and jumped up.

  Woooooo!

  There was a weird sound as he entered the 40th floor. It was the voices of the Sufferers running through the dark hallways towards him. But Ark wasn’t interested in them anymore.


  ‘The second hallway on the left!’

  Jay had told him the layout of the 40th floor. No, he only drew the route to the laboratory. He turned his body and ran in that direction when there was a gunfire and sparks hit the wall and floor. Blocking the passage was a Sufferer holding a rifle that had probably been a guard from the 40th floor. But that didn’t stop Ark. The narrow corridor made it hard to avoid the bullets and there were 10 Sufferers behind him.

  ‘If I stop then I’ll die!’

  “Shield!”

  A blue shield rose from his wrist. It was Bhurad’s shield that he hadn’t used in a while. Bhurad’s shield blocked the bullets aiming for his head and chest as Ark rushed forward. Sparks rose and the level 10 shield broke after a few seconds. And even the Mind Shield with 250 durability broke from the Sufferer’s attack. He lost a huge amount of health in an instant.

  ‘Just a little more! A little more! A bit more! Now!’

  “Damn, eat this!”

  Ark cursed and grabbed a grenade. He pulled out the safety pin and threw it with all his strength.

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  There was a roar and the Sufferer flew in every direction. Ark wasn’t entirely safe. He was caught in the explosion and lost 10% health while flying back a little bit. But that was Ark’s intent. The moment the blast occurred, Ark rolled up from the ground and fired the machine gun. Of course that wasn’t all.

  Pepepepeng!

  It grazed them from groin to chest. The Sufferer was tossed to the ceiling while its crotch became ragged. When the Sufferer aimed its gun at him, Ark smiled pleasantly and dropped to the ground. The bullets collided with the Sufferers chasing him.

  “Nice!”

  Ark cheered as the Sufferers fell like bowling pins. And a close metal door caught his eye when he turned around. It was the laboratory Jay mentioned. Ark immediately swiped the security card at the terminal next to the door. Then a message flashed on the screen of the terminal.

  -The security card has been confirmed.

  The administrator privileges is being authenticated…..

  “Dammit! Is this a 486 computer? Work quicker!”

  Ark tapped his foot and exclaimed. The Sufferers were regrouping.

  “Damn it! This is the last…..”

  Ark turned and lifted the Fire Eagle. At the same time the door of the lab opened. Ark pulled the trigger as the front Sufferers were hit and then ran into the lab. And the Sufferer at the rear lifted a machine gun! Ark pressed the switch for the door.

  Pushu-!

  -Operation of the door lock has been confirmed. It is locked.

  “Pant pant pant, pant pant pant.”

  Ark leaned against the door and gasped. There was the sound of the Sufferers firing and clawing at the door but it was no use. The lab that Ark entered was protected by an A class security device. It was made with several layers of steel and superalloys so not even C-6 or RPGs would break it…..that’s what Jay said.

  ‘That was close.’

  When he checked he only had 30% health left. He had lost 70% health even when using Mind Shield and Bhurad’s shield. If it hadn’t been for the shield then he would’ve been eaten by the Sufferers.

  ‘Anyway, now I can be relieved. I still need to get to the management system but for now I can catch my breath.’

  Ark manipulated his Nymphe after taking a rest.

  “Phew Jay-nim, I’ve just arrived at the lab.”

  –I-is that true?

  Jay’s glad voice came from the Nymphe. Before leaving the Charenjok’s shelter, Ark had exchanged recognition codes with Jay. He had heard about the structure of the 39th and 40th floors but there were too many variables he couldn’t understand.

  –I honestly didn’t expect much but you’re amazing!

  He didn’t expect much? Then Jay thought he was going to die?

  -Anyway, now you are 90% successful. If you go exit the door on the other side then it is the control room with the management system. Usually there are no people in the control room. The security devices are all operated automatically. So there shouldn’t be any Sufferers in that area. If you use the security card I gave you then everything should be okay. He gave…..

  That was so condescending.

  ‘It’s true that I managed to reach here thanks to Jay’s security card. Anyway, Jay said there should be no Sufferers near the control room but I can’t just walk there blindly. I only have one life. So I need to be careful. I only have 2 recovery ampoules remaining.’

  Ark reloaded the Fire Eagle and looked around. There were various monitors all over the place and it was divided into several areas with partitions. And bodies were scattered all over the place. The researchers had starved and died when they were locked inside the lab to escape the Sufferers. Ark decided to snoop around the lab.

  ‘Eh? What is that?’

  A large rock was placed in a circular space in the centre of the lab. It was oval shaped like an egg and approximately 3 metres in size. It was an opaque, black rock with something that looked like ice or crystal on it. Various types of devices to study the rock were attached to it.

  “What is that?”

  –What? What did you say?

  “A rock that looks like the egg in the centre of the lab.”

  –A rock that looks like an egg? Ah, that. I don’t understand it well either. It was something that Java purchased before this situation occurred. I heard it was a meteorite that fell on some planet. But doesn’t there appear to be something in the rock? There are letters carved on the surface of the rock. It is clearly not an ordinary meteorite. So it was moved to the lab to be examined. Please don’t touch it. It is expensive.

  ‘Letters carved on the surface?’

  Ark tilted his head and approached the rock. He couldn’t see it from the front but the angle of light changed when he approached. Embossed characters could be seen on the surface. Ark narrowed his eyes and looked at the characters without specifically thinking anything.

  ‘T-this is…..?’

  Ark had seen those characters inscribed on the rock before. He had seen these bizarre shapes in the pyramid underneath Beltana. And it was carved on the slab that the treasure hunter Milan found. It was the Murat letters!

  ‘There’s no doubt about it. This is the Murat letters! Then?’

  Ark placed his fingers on the characters with an expectant expression. The Nymphe’s automatic translation function started working and the message appeared.

  I am Osiris, the master of eternal life.

  The day of ruin passed many months ago…..I left searching for the legacy of the great gods in order to resurrect the species but I couldn’t’ accomplish it and went to sleep. You who have inherited the will of the Murat shall awaken me with the purest light.

  This is a warning for those who disturb my sleep without the will of the Murat. Everybody that is vain and greedy will be struck with Osiris’ curse.

  ‘Murat! It really is the Murat!’

  Ark’s heart thumped wildly. He had put of the Murat slab discovered by Milan to find Charem. But who knew he would discover another Murat relic in Charem? He had thought it was a jackpot when he discovered the shotgun and RPG in the armoury.

  ‘This is different from the slab that Milan found. It is apparent that the Murat left something based on the phrase recorded. The relic wouldn’t be left behind for no reason. There must be something.’

  Ark couldn’t just leave something like this alone. No, he wouldn’t get another chance to obtain it after this one.

  ‘The Sufferers are currently infesting the tower so this is my only chance. If the problem is settled then the control tower will return to Java’s possession. No, I wouldn’t even be allowed into the lab. So now’s the only chance. This is the only time to get the meteorite!’

  But there was a part that weighed on his mind. The meteorite was different from the RPG and shotgun he found. Ark was the only person currently in the lab. If the control tower was taken back and the
meteorite missing then it was obviously that Ark was behind it. It would be troublesome if Java discovered that he broke the meteorite and took the contents inside.

  ‘That can’t happen. I need to clean this up.’

  Ark thought for a while before saying.

  “But why is this thing broken? Did you do that?”

  –Broken? Such a thing? It was perfectly fine when I escaped from the lab. The lab was also closed so the Sufferers also won’t be able to enter.

  “I don’t know either.”

  –Damn, there was still a lot I wanted to learn.

  The method Ark came up with was saying ‘I don’t know. It was already like that.’ If Ark said this then Jay had no choice but to believe it. Even if a problem occurred later on, he could use Jay as a witness to insist on his innocence. This was the real value for Ark!

  ‘Now shall I see what I can get?’

  Ark laughed and used his Fire Eagle. However, Ark was so engrossed with setting up an alibi that he forgot about something. The very last part of the phrase carved on the surface of the meteorite was ‘curse.’ In the past he was blinded by the items in the pyramid and fell into a trap……He was so excited by the opportunity that he completely forgot about it. Ark was reminded of those memories shortly after pulling the trigger.

  “Set Bullets Shooting!”

  Cheolkeok, cheolkeok, cheolkeok! Pepepeng!

  The Fire Eagle spouted tremendous fire power. It was the shotgun that blew the Sufferers back several metres! Ark believed that the rock wouldn’t be able to endure it. However the meteorite didn’t even have one scratch on it.

  “What? No matter how hard it is, to not even get one scratch……”

  Suddenly the meteorite turned red hot and a thunderous voice was heard in his head.

  –You have interfered with my sleep without permission! You shall suffer Osiris’ curse!

  “C-curse?”

  Ark flinched and retreated. He really couldn’t imagine what happened next. Dozens of light shot up from the meteorite and a blurry object appeared. At first it was a circular object until metal legs emerged and formed a spider! It was the spider that crawled out of the Sufferer’s stomach when it died and carried the zombie virus.