Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  “Slayer-nim, Leon-nim, please be steady! We need you!”

  “But there are so many of them……”

  Pepeng! Kukukukung!

  Then a trailer truck right next to them exploded. When he turned his head, 10 people wearing black rags were jumping over the collapsed truck. They also fired a shower of bullets!

  “Ugh! I can’t die like this! We have to live and return! I can’t die!”

  Slayer placed a giant shield on the ground and shouted. The shield had a tremendous weight so the defense power must be at least 400. It couldn’t be stored in the bag so it had to be inconveniently carried around like a tortoise shell on his back. But the defense and high resistance couldn’t be compared to any other shield. It was a moving wall!

  Pepeng-!

  “Ugh! Dammit! RPG!”

  Slayer cursed as he was blown back a few metres. One of the black rags had fired a RPG. Even the moving wall couldn’t ignore the damage from the RPG.

  “Damn! Precision Aim! Straight Fire! Super Magnetic Shot!”

  Tututung! Tututung!

  Rays continuously flashed from Leon’s rail gun. Headshot! The head of the black rag firing the RPG exploded and it collapsed. However Slayer was no longer playing the role of the shield so the black rags managed to flock around the group. And one of them swung a scythe.

  “Danger!”

  Ark avoided the scythe and moved towards Melina. A sickle was also heading towards her! He couldn’t afford to worry about Slayer or Leon’s sensibilities at the moment. Ark grabbed her waist and used taekwondo to move his body.

  “Alan-nim……”

  Melina’s eyes widened. But there was no room for Ark to answer.

  “Fire Eagle P-40!”

  Pepeng-!

  Flames shot out and the black rags bounced back. The rag was torn open to reveal an alien that looked like a frog.

  “Kero clan? Isn’t that the Kero clan? Why are these guys……?”

  Melina cried out with surprise and Leon turned around.

  “This isn’t the time to be discouraged. Please help. Milan, protect Melina-nim!”

  “Huh? Yes Hyung-nim!”

  Milan grabbed his machine gun and jumped to Melina’s side. Melina scattered her recovery and buffs and Slayer and Leon soon got back into position. Slayer stopped the Kero’s attacks with his shield and broke their heads using his mace while Leon stayed behind and shot them. Ark also wasn’t idle. He was mindful of the atmosphere in the dungeon and had only used Carmela’s sword. Now his left hand held the Fire Eagle while his right hand held Carmela’s sword.

  Kakang! Kakakakak! Pepeng!

  He stopped the scythe with his sword while he fired at the Kero’s head with his shotgun.

  ‘These fellows are too weak to worry about. But……’

  Ark eyed the flames rising from the village. It was like the village was a candy and ants were swarming all over it. The odds weren’t in their favour even if the pioneers in the village united to fight directly. It was especially bad thanks to the element of surprise. So the Kero swarmed over the scattered pioneers and killed them.

  ‘We won’t be able to hold up much longer. No, there is no meaning even if we endure it. There is only a low chance of success even if the power of the users were collected. If I gather the users……’

  Ark suddenly raised his head.

  ‘That’s it! A place where the users can gather!’

  Ark was looking at Laius’ research centre located on one side of Mt. Fargo. It was a large building made of metal with a shield surrounding it. It was a research centre so it had a large number of defense facilities. His worries didn’t last long.

  “Slayer-nim, Leon-nim, we have to move over there!”

  The two of them immediately realized Ark’s intention. Slayer took a deep breath and grabbed his shield.

  “Okay! Stay behind me! Steel Dash!”

  Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  Slayer charged through the Kero clan like a large truck. Ark who was shooting behind him with Leon shouted.

  “Melina-nim, can you use any amplification magic?”

  “Yes I can.”

  “Then walk with Milan. Milan, I want you to shout as loud as possible. Tell people to gather at Laius’ research centre. Slayer-nim, we need as much allies as possible. We need to look for nearby pioneers while heading towards the research centre. If our numbers increase then the risk will decrease even if we take a while.”

  “I understand what you’re saying!”

  “Then…..let’s break through!”

  Tututung! Tututung! Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  Ark and Slayer ran across the village.

  —————————————————————————————–

  “Pant pant pant!”

  “Pant pant pant, pant pant pant!”

  Rough breathing could be heard. It was reasonable. They had fought without any breaks for many hours and then unidentified enemies suddenly attacked. It was natural for the two of them to breathe harshly.

  ‘Phew, we’ve arrived.’

  Ark panted as he looked around. It was the Laius building made of metal and surrounded by a shield.

  ‘The danger has passed for the moment. Now the problem is……’

  While Ark was busy thinking.

  “Thank you.”

  “I’m alive thanks to you.”

  10 users flocked around Ark. They had either heard Milan’s yell on the way to the research centre or the party helped them directly. The reason they flocked to Ark was because the formal leader Slayer had started napping in a corner the moment they arrived at the research centre. Therefore Ark was considered the one in charge. They saw that he didn’t give up to the end and even through himself in front of bullets that were about to hit an ally. Of course, he didn’t do this because of kindness.

  ‘There are 1,000 of them. When combined with those who moved to other areas, there are thousands of them. The situation would change if there was no shield around the research centre. The most important thing is to gather troops!’

  This was the first reason. And the second one was……

  -Proof of Faith: Rescue your colleagues (142/200)

  It was the conditions of his occupation quest! Ark didn’t forget about it no matter how much the circumstances deteriorated. However, Ark was inevitably seen as a person who sacrificed himself for other users. Their eyes were all saying thank you. Anyway, many people managed to take refuge in the research centre thanks to Ark’s efforts.

  ‘There are approximately 150 people……’

  Ark had brought around 60 people. And 90 people had taken refuge on their own. Of course there were many more pioneers gathered at Mt. Fargo. But most of them were inside the dungeon. And the Kero clan had controlled everywhere except for the research centre. Even if they appeared they would just be defeated by the overwhelming numbers. Therefore these were the only pioneers that could oppose them. A user then spoke with a pained expression.

  “I don’t know what’s going on. Does anyone know who they are?”

  Everybody gathered shook their heads.

  “Anyway, we should worry about the future rather than their identities. They stopped their attacks for a while but they are gathering in front of the research centre. They’re probably arranging their formations. We can’t think this place is safe considering their power.”

  There was a heavy silence after Ark’s words. Mt. Fargo was located quite deeply in the Outlands. It meant that most users here had a high level. They had plenty of fighting experience so he didn’t need to explain how severe the situation was. This wasn’t a formal sector so it didn’t even have a Fairy. Like Ark, all the pioneers registered at a nearby sector and walked here. Most users stayed here for days to collect the gallstones. If they were killed in battle then they would lose all that experience.

  “Everyone needs to unite and discuss how to defeat the enemies.”

  “There needs to be
a chain of command. If everyone plays separately then we’ll just be killed.”

  “Then let’s pick a commander.”

  As expected from experienced users.

  “I recommend Alan-nim.”

  A user with a tattoo carved on his face said.

  “It isn’t simply because you saved me. During a sudden attack he was able to make a quick judgement to make the research centre the base. He also led everyone here so I think he is the best fit to be the commander. There are people here that are higher levelled than Alan-nim but level is a separate matter.”

  “I also have the same idea.”

  “We don’t know each other well enough so Alan-nim is clearly the best fit for command. But that isn’t the problem. They came in separately so they’ll probably disagree……”

  The man pointed at the users scattered around. 90 people had sought refuge on their own.

  “It will be meaningly if some of the soldiers don’t listen to the commander.”

  “I’ll talk with those people.”

  The man with the tattoo said and stood up.

  “Everybody pay attention!”

  A group of people appeared inside the research institute and shouted. It was Director Bain of the research institute and his guards.

  “Everybody is puzzled by the sudden situation. But please don’t worry. In case of unforeseen calamities, the shield around this research institute can stop 5 missiles at the same time. It won’t easily collapse from the enemy’s attack. We also sent a carrier to the Laius branch in Sidellin when this attack started. Laius’ defense army will arrive within 24 hours at the latest!”

  “Then we just need to endure for 1 day?”

  “We can live?”

  “It is good that I came here to escape!”

  The crowd of pioneers started murmuring at Bain’s words. Then Bain smiled and said.

  “Please rest assured. The Laius company with take responsibility and protect everybody. However everybody needs to pay a fee.”

  “F-fee?”

  “Yes, 50 gold per person. This is the fee to stay in the research institute.”

  “No way! Asking for money in such a situation?”

  “This world isn’t free. This facility is the private property of the Laius company. Our guards will also be arriving tomorrow to rescue everyone. Then isn’t it natural to pay a fee? In addition, the guards will be under my jurisdiction once they reach the research centre so they’ll have to obey my commands. If you don’t like it then you should leave.”

  “Don’t make me laugh you asshole!”

  “How despicable! Saying this now?”

  The pioneers cursed as they took out their japtem. But Ark had no intention of abusing them. No, he was thinking that it was lucky. He took shelter in the centre because it was possible to make a base from it but defense was defense. The shield had to endure. He couldn’t guarantee their safety and it was difficult to escape the crisis with 150 people. Fortunately Bain had sent a carrier message to the guards from the company.

  It would take one day for them to arrive. And the facility had a large number of defences so it wouldn’t be that hard to endure for one day. In other words, their lives were worth 50 gold. It was amazing that they wanted to pay a fee to use the facility in this situation but the value wasn’t that high compared to their lives.

  ‘Even so…..that guy has quite a bit of business sense?’

  The pioneers needed the institute. The facility had a large number of defences but the Kero clan would eventually defeat the shield. No matter how good the facility, a minimum number of forces were required. But Bain didn’t say a word about it. He was acting like he was helping one-sidedly. Therefore the users had no choice but to pay the fee. Ark had only been here for two days and he already gained two levels. When combined with the journey to this place, that was a total of 3 levels. 50 gold wasn’t a lot compared to the experience he would have to give up. It wasn’t necessary to talk about the users who had been here longer than Ark.

  ‘You don’t need to hurry. I….eh?”

  Ark who had been looking at Bain suddenly narrowed his eyes. While the pioneers were busy cursing and throwing japtem at Bain, a hazy shadow seemed to be moving. He could recognize what it was with one glance. The blurry shadow was similar to when Ark was in stealth mode.

  “Who is it? Why would someone be using Stealth here? Eh?”

  Ark stared at the shadow with confusion. If Ark noticed them then he could see through stealth with his Clairvoyance ability. Narrowing his eyes made his Clairvoyance ability rise. The blurry shadow was surprisingly someone that Ark knew. It was Valencia! Valencia was with the robed man who stopped their previous fight and some other people.

  ‘Was he involved in Valencia’s bribery matter? No, why is that guy moving using stealth mode?’

  Something……something stank……

  He smelt something awful!

  “I don’t understand but I can’t pretend not to see this.”

  Ark grinned as he looked at Valencia’s group.

  “Uh Hyung-nim?”

  Milan who had been cursing Bain looked around doubtfully. But Ark had already changed into a ghost and followed after Valencia.

  —————————————————————————————–

  “Here.”

  A man muttered in a low voice. The man with the jaw square was Valencia. Next to him was the robed man and a few others.

  “This is the panel where the main energy supplying the research centre’s shield is. If we destroy this then the shield will be released.”

  “Thanks for the good work.”

  “Then the promise……?”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ve already contacted them. You will come with me to that place as soon as this finishes. And you will become a glorious warrior.”

  The robed man replied with a light smile. Valencia made a satisfied expression before lowering his voice and asking.

  “By the way, what are you looking for here? Isn’t it simply the gallstones?”

  “You will come to realize the reason once this situation finished.”

  “Can’t you just tell me?”

  “I want to but there is no time. The galactic federation isn’t filled with morons. We prepared a Drop Ship that looked like a meteorite but they will soon notice our presence. Even if that isn’t the case, pioneers will soon resurrect at the Fairy and they will tell either the federation or the Laius company. We have to hurry if we want to finish before they arrive.”

  “I understand. But…..this panel is protected by a thicker partition than I thought. It seems like general explosives won’t work on it……if we attempt many explosions then people inside the research institute will sense it.”

  “Just leave it to me.”

  The robed man approached the giant metal sphere containing the panel for the shield. He muttered something and a red light appeared around his palms. He placed his hands on the thick partition protecting the panel and it started to melt like a candle.

  ‘Those bastards, what are they doing now?’

  Ark looked at Valencia’s group with an amazed expression. Ark had been secretly following Valencia using Stealth. Ark had chased after these guys because he smelt something foul. According to Ark’s experience, they were planning to grab a weakness so they could squeeze something out later. However their ulterior motives were more serious than Ark expected. These guys were located at the rear of the research centre. While two soldiers were guarding them, Valencia and the robed man were doing something to a metal sphere. Judging by their conversation, he guessed that it supplied the power to the institute’s shield. They were hiding here to destroy the energy panel. If he analysed the overall situation……

  ‘Oh my god! Those bastards, are they behind the space pirates?’

  He could only think like that.

  ‘Those space pirates attacked a place cut off from the federation. Those bastards really�
�..’

  But now wasn’t the time to be thinking about that. He wasn’t sure what skill it was but the robed man was melting the sphere protecting the panel. At this rate it seemed like it was going to completely melt in a few minutes. It would blow up! The shield around the research institute would collapse.

  ‘If the shield is turned off then we have no way to stop them. It was likely that everyone will be wiped out before the guards from the Laius company arrives. I have to stop it somehow!’

  –Melina-nim, can you hear me?

  Ark immediately whispered towards Melina.

  –Alan-nim? Where are you? This place is a mess.

  -For certain reasons I’m at the rear of the research centre. Is there anyone you can ask for help in the area? No, the centre’s director. Please pass on my words to the director.

  –I can’t do that right now. People are angry at his words and arguments have started. I don’t have a way to get to him.

  ‘…..Dammit!’

  The situation was so messy that it was impossible to ask for help!

  –What about Slayer-nim and Leon-nim? Those two, have they exited yet?

  –They’re dozing in a corner.

  –Then bring them along with Milan! Hurry! I’ll explain later!

  -Huh? Huh? U-understood. I’ll give it a try.

  He heard Melina’s reply but the circumstances meant he couldn’t wait. The man’s hand was already reaching through the partition. The shield around the energy was so tough that explosives couldn’t melt it but underneath were just mechanical parts. One grenade could destroy it. All the shields would then be released. Everybody would die.

  ‘I have to buy some time. However the problem is Valencia and those three.’

  He might’ve killed him on Beltana but Ark had never fought directly with Valencia. Ark had grown since Beltana but the leader of an armoured platoon wasn’t an easy opponent. There was no guarantee he could win. Valencia also had the robed man and two henchmen with him. The odds were against him if Ark started a fight.

  ‘If it is Valencia……’

  “Hey! Who’s this? Valencia?”

  Ark considered for a while before suddenly jumping out and shouting. The robed man flinched and his hand dropped from the sphere when Ark walked out. Valencia and the robed man moved in front of the sphere to hide the hole from Ark’s eyes.