Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  Snap, pajijijik!

  Their shoulders shook as the two lightsabers clashed together. Then Ark raised the sword and kicked his foot as quick as lightning. The roundhouse kick caused the Red Slaughterer to go flying back! But this was a trick. The Red Slaughterer had jumped back the moment Ark kicked his chest. Yet he still felt the heavy blow down to his toes. This was the true meaning of Ark’s battle suit. Space monsters typically had skin harder than monsters in the medieval ages. Some monsters had such hard skin that steel bullets would find difficult to penetrate! On the other hand, Ark was wearing armour and shoes made of synthetic material. The material was created using state of the art science but it was still basically cloth or leather. Wouldn’t kicking a steel monster only fracture his foot?

  This was true for an opponent wearing a battle suit. However that changed once Ark wore his battle suit. He wasn’t sure what material it was but the battle suit was incredibly hard. So it was okay for him to kick the opponent! Ark’s specialty was the use to taekwondo techniques.

  “Heh, how is it?”

  Ark turned around and smiled pleasantly. But the Red Slaughterer just laughed.

  -Kukukuku.

  “What? Did I hit you so hard that I created a hole in your lung?”

  –This is it. Your kicks and the way you talk. Yes, this is the Ark that I remember.

  “Ha, is that so? Did you become scared after remembering being beaten up by me?”

  –It isn’t necessary to remember it. Because I’ll never forget it.

  “I guess you were depressed.”

  –I was until today.

  The Red Slaughterer answered as he strode forward. No more words were needed now. They already knew each other’s identities and purpose. That purpose would be shown through their swords! Only the strong would accomplish their purpose.

  –I’ll end this game here! Sword Detection!

  The Red Slaughterer shot forward with his sword. The red light split through the darkness! However that red light soon encountered a blue one.

  “Sonic Sword!”

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang, kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  There was a ringing sound and dust rose. It swirled up like a whirlwind and dispersed. Sharp claws shredded through the cloud of dust and the Red Slaughterer came closer! The sword seemed to appear in front of Ark in moments.

  ‘This guy’s battle suit is agile!’

  It explained the unusually fast movement. Speed faster than the opponent. Speed was definitely a weapon that wreaked havoc in combat. But that wasn’t absolute.

  –It is foolish to chase after speed with your eyes. No human can see a sword. My sword can hit your eyes, feet, shoulders, anywhere I want.

  This was what his sword master taught him. Ark was hit over and over and experienced it through his bones. For a long time…..he had forgotten the teachings of his mentor after reaching the ultimate position in New World.

  Snap! Chwajijijijijik!

  That spark revived through the conflict of lightsabers.

  ‘When I stop it has to be smooth. If I attack it has to be short and bold!’

  Ark muttered and started using footwork. He stepped forward and started twisting his sword. The blue light that had been waving like a wild beast started flowing smoothly! The teachings that he suddenly remembered was manifested through his body. Ark’s blue sword started forming a brilliant pattern in the darkness. No movements were wasted.

  –As expected from Ark!

  The Red Slaughterer said with glee. And the red lightsaber also started to create a colourful pattern. It was like they were competing over who could create better patterns. However, the mood changed the moment the two lights conflicted.

  Kwa! Kwa! Kwa! Kwa! Kwa!

  There were continuous bursts of light! The two lights clashed without any breaks in the darkness. The beam swords unleashed unstable electromagnetic power every time it clashed. It felt like every hair on his skin was standing up. That feeling intensified with every clash of the sword.

  Kwa! Kwa! Kwa! Kwa! Kwa!

  This feeling! Ark was absorbed in the fight. He didn’t have any idea in his head. He didn’t even feel the pain as the red lightsaber cut his skin several times. The only thing he saw was the trajectory of the Red Slaughterer’s sword. And he would kick whenever there was a chance. He breathed carefully as he attacked and defended! But he couldn’t remain in that feeling forever.

  ‘……It is impossible.’

  Ark and the Red Slaughterer’s skills were almost equal. However, Ark started being pushed once the battle continued for a long time. The reason why his level!

  ‘The Red Slaughterer must be at least 20 levels higher than me.’

  This was due to spending time on the battlefield. If he died on the battlefield then he wouldn’t gain any experience. While the Red Slaughterer has killed dozens of people on the battlefield, Ark had kept on dying before he received the title of Beltana’s Hero. Of course, Ark had reduced his sleeping hours to spend more time in the game. However, he had spent the early stages of the game cleaning pipes on R-14 and digging on Beltana. He might be 10 levels higher than regular users but he couldn’t be compared to the Red Slaughterer. If their skills were higher than it was natural for the one with a higher level to have the advantage. That’s because they would deal more damage! Therefore it was more painful! But that wasn’t the only reason.

  ‘Damn, if only I could use Galaxy Sword…..’

  Ark had few battle skills compared to his level. That’s because he learnt a lot of non-battle skills like hacking in the early stages and his body coating focused more on survival. It didn’t matter when fighting monsters but the lack of battle skills was a disadvantage against users. It’s because the opponent could figure out the effect of the skill. Of course, he learnt Khafra Fencing when he became Elim’s Heir but that required Force not mental power. Therefore Ark used meditation while waiting at headquarters to change mental power to 260 Force. Ark had used all that Force in the surprise attack. Well, he destroyed the Red Slaughterer’s shield thanks to that attack but he only had 10 Force left. Therefore Khafra Fencing was sealed after using Galaxy Sword. That’s why Ark had to use Sonic Sword that required mental power instead. The only skill he could use with his lightsaber was Sonic Sword. On the other hand, the Red Slaughterer……

  -Detection!

  The red lightsaber constantly attacked.

  -Blood Sword!

  The red lightsaber suddenly increased to dozens of swords!

  –Dragon Sword Break!

  Dragon Sword Break was a quick stab attack! The combat skills people would brag about constantly poured out. And Ark’s sword teacher didn’t show him how to deal with skills like this. Therefore his health decreased with every skill until it reached 10%. However the Red Slaughterer still had 40% health left. He couldn’t rely on luck against a user of a similar skill.

  ‘Any more is impossible. Then…..’

  Kakak! Pepepeng!

  Ark pushed against the sword and shouted.

  “Damn, this is cheating!”

  –Cheating?

  “Indeed! Don’t you know? You’re much higher level than me. Your stats are higher so of course you’ll perform better. Fighting in such a situation wouldn’t be fair. Don’t you think it is a little cowardly?”

  –This is a game. It is up to you to raise the level and learn skills. I can understand if the starting time is different but you started at the same time as me. If you have a lower level or fewer skills then it means you didn’t make an effort. So why are you talking about unfair?

  The Red Slaughterer said with a ludicrous expression.

  –This place is the battlefield. How can you talk about cowardice in a place like this? This is a warrior’s fight. Fight openly and die a warrior’s death.

  “I don’t want to! Binding Sword!”

  Ark shouted angrily and twisted his sword. The Red Slaughterer instantly raised his sword as a flash crossed the darkness. However, this wasn’t an
attack skill but Binding Sword. It was a skill that tied up the enemy’s movement! The flash wound around the Red Slaughterer’s body.

  -Your attack has hit the target!

 

  The message popped up in front of him! Ark cried out as he ran into the forest.

  “Sorry but I’m busy. I’ll see you later.”

  It was the combo of Binding Sword and running away! This was the reason Ark felt an attachment to Binding Sword. He could escape when it was disadvantageous! Once again, Ark’s mission wasn’t to defeat the Red Slaughterer. It was to delay him while the federation army started their plan to reverse the military situation. He had already delayed him for a sufficient amount of time. He also checked that the Red Slaughterer was Lucifer. All his objectives were achieved so there was no reason to fight anymore. The Red Slaughterer’s expression became murderous at Ark’s combo.

  –You cowardly wretch! You call yourself a warrior!

  “Stop playing around. This is a battlefield. Anything can change in 1 second.”

  The legendary gamer Ark said that while running away!

  –I won’t miss!

  2 seconds wasn’t a long time. The Red Slaughterer was soon freed and chased after Ark. Furthermore, the Red Slaughterer’s battle suit was fast so he instantly reduced the distance. And 1 minute after Ark entered the forest.

  Kwakwang!

  A tree in front of Ark started shaking. The pine tree received a huge dent after being hit by the Red Slaughterer. He had transferred his body using high speed technology and flew in front of Ark. But he had expected this!

  –You will die…..

  “18 Barrage!”

  Ark shouted as he threw his body towards the Red Slaughterer. At the same time, steam spewed from his battle suit clad shoulders and his arms moved at an incredible pace. It was the deadly skill that poured our 18 rapid fire steel fists! There was no way to escape once hit.

  “Dadadada!”

  Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  Ark pumped his fists like a bulldozer! The Red Slaughterer hadn’t expected the surprise attack and his chest was turned to rags. So one hit, two hit, three hit, four hit…..finally all his fists were poured out!

  “Pant pant pant!”

  -The Hyper Drone’s mana has been exhausted.

 

  The battle suit disappeared from Ark’s body. However…..

  –Hu. Was this your last card?

  The Red Slaughterer said as he looked at the gasping Ark. 18 fists had impacted with his chest but he only lost 10% health. The damage of 18 Barrage depended on the mana left in the battle suit. However, he had exerted too much power in the battle and the mana had been depleted. Ark was aware of this. That was the reason he chose to run away after using Binding Sword.

  –Your battle suit has been recalled and you can’t compete anymore.

  “You still don’t understand?”

  Ark lifted his head and grinned. He raised his middle finger towards the Red Slaughterer and said.

  “You’re already dead!”

  It was the death sentence! The Red Slaughterer couldn’t imagine the upcoming horror…..

  -……Are you crazy

  “Heh, its fine if you don’t believe me. These hell hounds will guide you to hell. Hell hounds!”

  Bark bark bark! Bark bark bark!

  2 dogs ran out of the bushes towards the Red Slaughterer. They were dogs with the head of a person. While the Red Slaughterer was tied up with Biding Sword, he had invoked the Ikram rune when running away. The bodies offered were Slayer and the blond youth! They were dogs with the faces of the people the Red Slaughterer killed. He stepped back when the hell hound tackled him!

  –Heok! W-what…..?

  The Red Slaughterer burst out with confusion as he disappeared. Then a voice was heard from the bottom.

  –Trap! S-surely not?

  “Didn’t I tell you? You’re already dead.”

  Ark looked down at the open hole in the ground and smiled. The Red Slaughterer was tangled up with the hell hounds in the ground.

  ‘My level isn’t sufficient to fight against the Red Slaughter 1 on 1. He also has a bunch of powerful Rama warriors with him.’

  Ark’s mission wasn’t to kill the Red Slaughterer. But even if the federation’s strategy succeeded, Ark’s party would still be completely wiped out. Ark had no intention of letting that happen. So he thought desperately while waiting at headquarters and came up with this trap! While the Royal Guards lured the Red squad and Slayer was fighting the Red Slaughterer, Ark had remained in the forest to create this trap. He dug a hole at a location that wasn’t far away! By the time Slayer died, Ark had dug a hole 20 metres deep! This was due to his advanced digging.

  –You cowardly wretch!

  “You’re saying the same things again? Didn’t you say there are no cowardly acts on the battlefield?”

  –I didn’t mean something like this! You should be ashamed!

  “Do you think I would change my viewpoint? Didn’t you say it? Level and skill is also a strength. I admit it. But there is another way to win against the enemy. I diligently dug this hole and covered it. And then I acted in a drama and lured you here. Do you think that is easy? I’m not embarrassed but proud.”

  –Don’t make me laugh! Do you think you can beat me with a trap like this?

  The Red Slaughter shouted while taking out the hell hound with Slayer’s face. Ahh, Slayer……even when reincarnated as a dog…..the poor guy. But Ark was unmoved.

  “Of course it would be difficult with just a trap.”

  Ark laughed and took out a metal sphere into the trap. It was the grenade he collected from the federation armoury.

  –T-this is?

  “It is the devastating blow to send you to the afterlife. Please receive it carefully.”

  Ark pulled out the grenade’s safety pin and waved goodbye.

  –You…..you…..Ark!

  Kwa kwa kwa kwa! Kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  There was a roar and the trap was engulfed in flames. The Red Slaughterer and hell hound were buried as the walls of the hole collapsed. Ark whistled as he took out his shovel and walked over.

  And…..Pa pa pa pa! Pa pa pa pa!

  He filled the hole completely with soil.

  “Heh, Lucifer is no big deal.”

  Ark laughed as he wiped the sweat off his forehead. He felt an exhilarating feeling in his stomach. But the Lucifer-Red Slaughterer competition wasn’t finished with this. Lucifer’s goal wasn’t to win on this battlefield. The reason Lucifer sent the challenge was to verify his identity. Ark was also the same. He came to see Lucifer but he didn’t think this was the end of it. In Galaxian, Lucifer was a user with an immortal body so it wouldn’t end with just one fight. He won this battle but Lucifer was stronger than Ark. He couldn’t be pleased when considering the next battle.

  ‘From now on I have to increase my strength to stop Lucifer’s growth!’

  Lucifer brought up power on the battlefield. In other words, Lucifer’s support base was the Rama!

  ‘The Rama already have Hanan so I can’t allow them to get Athamas!’

  This was another reason to win the war. He couldn’t assume they would win even if he defeated Lucifer.

  “Once you join the confluence area Scouts and should be operational.”

  Ark fired the signal flare and took out his air board.

  “Wait? The face of the blonde man on the hell hound seems slightly familiar……do I know him from somewhere? Well it doesn’t matter. Let’s go, Super Board!”

  Wiiiii!

  The air board crossed the forest. He left area C-17 that was covered in Chaff behind him.

  Space 4

  Flying the Federation’s Flag…..

  “Rama assault units have broken through B-13, 15,19!”

  “The 5th guerrilla unit in area B has
been wiped out!”

  “There are reports that a Rama army is advancing into area A! Our current troops won’t be able to hold out for long!”

  “If the defense lines in area A collapsed then they will reach headquarters!”

  “There is no more time to wait!”

  The voices of the communication soldiers exclaimed hysterically. Let’s talk about the current situation of the federation army. Athamas and Hanan were the most fiercely contested planets in the Bellin constellation. The federation and Rama had already been there long enough to determine the location of the headquarters. The only thing left was to breakthrough! That’s why both sides had no choice but to pour extensive amounts of resources and compete day and night. However their armies were almost equal. Both sides couldn’t get a decisive chance to win and it became a war of attrition. Then they heard the Aschulat was going to enter the war.

  ‘If reinforcement arrives then we can change the military situation!’

  The problem was the Rama also obtained this information. The Rama installed an antenna in area E to interfere with the synchronization between the Aschulat and federation’s headquarters. Then the Rama entrusted their key attacks to the Red squad. The Red squad was led by the Rama hero called the Red Slaughterer. The battles took place in the forests covering Athamas. And the Red squad boasted the invincible power of the Red Slaughterer! The federation units were quickly destroyed with their arrival. Just their existence was intimidating for the federation!

  -The Red squad has entered this area with the Red Slaughterer!

  The overwhelming fame! Just the name alone exerted a huge power on the federation soldiers.

  ‘Does the federation have a soldier that can deal with the Red Slaughterer?’

  Then Beltana’s Hero Ark was sent to Athamas! However Ark didn’t seem that reliable to Hasullo. He was a war hero but Beltana’s battlefield was small compared to Athamas. He wouldn’t be able to get such achievements in a place like this. However the person who recommended them was Marquis Martin.