Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  ‘It is worth a try!’

  No, he had no choice but to see. There was no way to reverse the military situation with the Red squad present. Therefore Hasullo decided on a life and death strategy while Ark was slowing down the Red Slaughterer. However things turned out more serious than expected. The federation had divided the battlefield into different grids. Headquarters was located in area A. Each grid was 50 kilometres. And the places where both sides collided were the C and D area. But the Rama had just broken through area B and had reached area A. They only needed to make 50 km to reach.

  “Commander-nim, there are more of them! The news you just heard is already wrong! The Rama would reach headquarters by the time we recall our troops!”

  “No, not yet…..a little more……”

  “Commander-nim!”

  The soldier shouted with an uneasy expression. Then the communication soldier watching the monitor spoke to Hasullo.

  “The signal flare has risen in area C-17!”

  “Flare! Then Ark?”

  “Yes, the decoded signal information…..the Red Slaughterer is dead……”

  The communication soldier who deciphered the message stuttered and turned to look at Commander Hasullo with a red face.

  “H-he did it! Commander-nim, Ark…..Beltana’s Hero Ark…..he defeated the Red Slaughterer!”

  “That’s it!”

  Hasullo slammed his fist on the dashboard and got up.

  “Send a message to all soldiers. The federation will step on the Rama! All troops on standby should advance immediately. The time has finally come to end the war!”

  Commander Hasullo cried out in a face red with excitement. 1000 km away, the Rama commander Thor’s face was dyed with confusion. It was due to the report that came in from the battlefield.

  –What did you say just now? The Red Slaughterer was killed in battle?

  –We heard the federation soldiers hollering about it on the wide frequency channels. The Red Slaughterer battled a federation warrior in C-17 and died.

  –Cut the crap! He is an undefeated hero. It is impossible for the federation to kill him! The Chaff cut off radio contact in C-17 so it is probably just groundless rumours.

  –The Chaff has disappeared from area C-17.

  -What?

  –Although I can sense the signals from the Red squad’s Nymphes, I can’t detect the Red Slaughterer’s at all.

  –Then the Red Slaughterer was really killed?

  –At the moment, it seems so……

  –By who? Who defeated the Red Slaughterer?

  –He is called Ark.

  -Ark? Is it that Ark……?

  –He is the federation’s hero that the Red Slaughterer sent a challenge to.

  –So stupid! He was defeated by the opponent he sent a challenge to?

  Thor shouted with a furious face. Then a nearby communication soldier turned around with a puzzled expression.

  –Commander-nim, it is serious!

  –What is it?

  –There was a report from the scouting unit that stayed behind in the D area. 5000 federation soldiers are moving from there to area E. The majority are tanks and there is 1 Gigantic included.

  –W-what? 5,000? Isn’t that an error? How did they appear in area D that is right in front of headquarters?

  –I checked it many times. There is no doubt.

  –…..A trick!

  Thor ground his teeth together. He had been too relaxed. Shortly after the Chaff was scattered in area C-17, the Rama pursued the retreating federation troops to their defense line in area B. They had fought the federation troops over the last few months yet they had collapsed so easily. Of course Thor had thought it was easy but he hadn’t worried that much about it. That was a mistake.

  ‘Those guys retreated to lure our troops in!’

  Thor’s judgment was correct.

  This was Hasullo’s plan. He hid troops in the important D area and rallied them after the Rama chased the federation army back to area B. The problem was that the federation troops were heading towards area E while the Rama were in area B. One thing was clear.

  ‘Their aim is the antenna base in area E!’

  Now most of the Rama troops were heading towards the federation’s headquarters. It would be difficult to stop the 5,000 federation soldiers with just the defense troops at the antenna base.

  ‘They’ve already entered area A so it will be difficult to reach the federation troops that are 150 km away. There is also the risk of being attacked from behind. The only way left is to destroy their headquarters first!’

  –Inform the leaders in area A!

  Thor lifted his head and yelled.

  –It doesn’t matter what damage there is. Use every method possible to take out the enemy’s headquarters as soon as possible! It doesn’t matter what their plan is if we occupy their headquarters. Keep this in mind! The Bellin constellation will be ours the moment we win Athamas!

  However Thor hadn’t considered one thing. The backbone of the Rama’s attacks came from the Red squad and Red Slaughterer. And in the federation army……

  ——————————————————————————————-

  “Hyung-nim!”

  Hegel ran out of the bushes. Following him was Mellin, Berad, Melina, and Leon.

  “The other members?”

  “We’re the only ones remaining.”

  Leon answered Ark’s question.

  “The Red squad members were really no joke.”

  They knew this before arriving in Athamas. They were called the Rama’s strongest unit. It was impossible to take care of all of them. Plus there were 20 people in the Red squad. Excluding Ark and Slayer, Dark Eden only had 13 people. Even if they lured the Red squad away, it was beyond their power to take everyone out. Leon’s shredded body was proof of that. He sighed and said.

  “I was fortunate. Some federation soldiers came and gave support while I was running away from them. But the decisive reason behind my survival was Ark-nim’s men. I’ve battled with NPCs before but this is the first time I’ve seen something like this. Anyway…..their mentality is really no joke. It is the first time I’ve seen a NPC smile as they self-destructed.”

  “Indeed.”

  Melina also added with an expression of admiration. Then Leon studied her face and said in a low voice.

  “Well, Melina-nim and I were still the best.”

  As expected, he was conscious about Melina’s words. They had promised to meet here after there was a signal flare. But the battle with the Red Slaughterer had taken longer than expected. It was 20 minutes between encountering the Red Slaughterer and the signal flare being fired. Therefore Ark thought it was highly likely everyone would be wiped out. It was good that he even managed to hold out for 20 minutes considering the Red Slaughterer’s skill. Yet 5 members were still alive. While it was expected for Leon and Melina, that fact that Hegel and Mellin who had low combat skills survived was a surprise.

  “If the battle continued for any longer then we wouldn’t have endured it.”

  7 Royal Guards died while they only managed to take out 3 of the Red squad. At first they fought but then started running away when it became too difficult.

  “Those guys suddenly retreated after Ark fired the signal flare.”

  “Perhaps the Rama ordered them to ascertain the fate of their hero.”

  “Then the Red Slaughterer……”

  “Buried.”

  Ark smiled and replied. Hegel, Mellin and Berad cheered with excited expressions.

  “Ohhh! As expected from Hyung-nim! Didn’t I tell you? The Red Slaughterer isn’t a match for Hyung-nim. Of course. Hyung-nim is invincible! The sacrifices weren’t in vain!”

  “Then Slayer?”

  “He fought bravely but unfortunately didn’t make it.”

  To be exact, Slayer fought bravely as a dog. Well they didn’t need to know that. Ark roughly described the situation to Hegel, Mellin, Bera
d, Melina and Leon.

  “This is more than I expected. Thanks for the good work. You guys also went through some trouble.”

  “Yes Hyung-nim. Our members……they all fought bravely!”

  Hegel replied with huge tears in his eyes.

  “Yes, they fought without fearing death. Hegel, Berad and I are also prepared to die at any time. We trained for this moment to be with you. I look forward to withstanding any difficult situation with you. As long as we’re with you!”

  Mellin added quickly.

  “Of course! I’m prepared to throw my life away at any time!”

  Berad nodded as he lifted a hammer onto his shoulder. Melina murmured with an impressed look after seeing Hegel, Mellin and Berad.

  “Ark-nim is incredible. For NPCs to trust a user so much……”

  She was mistaken. The Royal Guards just didn’t want to be sent back to the Silver Hand. Ark had no intention of sending the Royal Guards back to the Silver Hand. However the Royal Guards didn’t know that so they thought they had to be really good.

  ‘It looks like the stat distribution method worked. The framework is in place so now it is time to raise their level. Levels are necessary if we have to fight Lucifer and the Red squad again. Okay. Once this is completed, I’m going to take the Royal Guards and go level up!’

  Ark started making plans for the future. Anyway!

  “The war hasn’t finished yet. According to the briefing from headquarters, the main force of the federation army is heading towards the antenna base. Now it is a fight against time. We have to join the army as quickly as possible to ensure that the antenna is destroyed.”

  “But isn’t area E 150 km from here?”

  “You don’t need to worry about that.”

  Ark muttered as he looked up at the night sky. Missiles were flying at a rapid pace from the federation headquarters. When it was 300 metres away, they exploded and dropped parachutes. They were the capsules that Ark had ridden here. However this time soldiers weren’t the ones inside them. Bikes were attached to the falling parachute! After the signal was confirmed, headquarters had sent him hover bikes. Ark got on the bike and looked at Hegel.

  “Hegel, calculate the shortest route to the antenna base.”

  “I’ve already completed it.”

  Thanks to the training with the Silver Hand, Hegel transferred the 3D map immediately. Ark checked the map and vigorously turned the handle.

  “Okay. Let’s go!”

  Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  The bikes flew across the forest. Hasullo had sent him high class bikes that moved at 300 km/hr. But moving 300 km/hr in a forest was like committing suicide. In contrast, 100 km/hr was like a walk in the park. But the Rama were in area A while the federation were in area E. The areas between them were empty. Thanks to crossing an empty battlefield, Ark was able to reach the antenna base in 1 and a half hours.

  Pepeng! Pepeng! Ku kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  Bursts of flashes tore up the darkness. As expected, a fierce battle was taking place around the base. The federation soldiers were surrounding the base along with 10 tanks and a Gigantic. But the Rama were resisting quite well. The antenna base was like a fortress. Dozens of turrets mounted on the wall were firing wildly. Numerous soldiers died with every attack !

  “This is a battlefield……!”

  Leon said as he was overwhelmed. Then a tank arrived and one person jumped out.

  “Are you Ark-nim?”

  “Yes, that’s me.”

  “It’s an honour to meet you. I’m Captain Cross in charge of this operation.”

  Cross saluted him with respectful eyes. The federation soldiers had already been informed that Ark defeated the Red Slaughterer. That’s why a captain with 5,000 troops under him was saluting Ark. It was a tribute to the federation warrior that knocked down the Rama’s hero!

  “Can I ask about the battle?”

  “Of course.”

  A 3D image of the battlefield appeared from Cross’ Nymphe and he explained.

  “Currently the federation army is overwhelming in troops and firepower. However the resistance from the Rama is more than I expected. The antenna base is equipped with a high class GEM and it has intercepted half of our shells. The other half has been blocked by the dual shield covering the base.”

  “Then we have to compete with troops.”

  Ark nodded and replied. The Rama developed science and technology earlier than the federation. Ironically, science and technology didn’t have that much of an effect on the battlefield. No airships could work thanks to the orbiting satellites Dark Star. The GEM and shield also halved the power of the tanks and Gigantic. The Dark Star, GEM and shield didn’t affect one thing!

  Infantry. Therefore the advanced science ended up causing a battle between infantry. Soldiers used SF weapons like lightsabers and ray guns.

  “So I’ve ordered troops to the shield control tower but they’ve received damage from the many bunkers around it. If we can only penetrate that one point……”

  “Leave it to us.”

  “Huh?”

  Leon and Cross said simultaneously.

  “I-Is it okay?”

  “Captain-nim, you know there is no time right? I have no choice but to try.”

  He had defeated the Red Slaughterer and surrounded the antenna base. But that situation wouldn’t always remain favourable. Right now the Rama’s main army was attacking the federation headquarters. They had to destroy the antenna base before the federation headquarters was destroyed. Like he said, it was a fight against time. In the end, Cross was forced to agree with him.

  “How can I help you?”

  “Just support me please. And give me a federation flag.”

  “The federation flag!”

  “I will fight while carrying the destiny of the federation army.”

  “I understand. Good luck!”

  Cross saluted again. Then a flag with the symbol of the federation on it was given to Mellin and the preparations were complete!

  “Let’s go!”

  Kuaaaaaaah-!

  Ark, Hegel, Berad, Leon, Melina and Mellin headed off with the fluttering flag! The 6 bikes carrying the warriors rushed towards the antenna base.

  –The federation’s bikes are charging forward!

  –They’re carrying a large flag…..crazy bastards, kill them.

  -Shoot! Tear through that flag and show them the might of the Rama!

  Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu!

  Hundreds of bullets crossed the space. Ark just turned the handle and accelerated even further while shouting.

  “Don’t be afraid! You won’t die from a few bullets. If you continue moving then the hit rate will fall. Only worry about the RPGs. Hegel, calculate and report the trajectory of the heavy artillery!”

  “Yes, Hyung-nim!”

  Hegel replied.

  “RPGs are flying towards Hyung-nim from your 3 o’clock, 4 o’clock and 9 o’clock. It will land 50 metres in front of Hyung-nim after 3 seconds!”

  Hegel could now mentally calculate the trajectory thanks to his training with Heksu of the Silver Hand. They avoided the shells that impacted with the ground.

  “Leon-nim, the heavy troopers!”

  “I know!”

  Tutung! Tutung! Tutung!

  Leon lay flat on the bike and fired his rail gun. The rays went through the heads of the Rama’s heavy troopers.

  -Headshot-II!

 

  It was a cool headshot.

  “Units 1, 2, 3 and 4, cover the bikes!”

  Kwakwang! Kwakwang! Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu!

  The federation army started to support them from the rear. Most of the Rama were inside the shield to avoid being hit by the tanks. However, their visibility dropped thanks to the outpouring of attacks. This changed once Ark got to a close range.

  Ping! Ping! Ping!

  Blood gushe
d out from several holes in his body. It wasn’t just Ark. Hegel was avoiding it reasonably well but he couldn’t fight back while Leon and Mellin were covered with several gunshot wounds. It was the same for Mellin and Berad. In particular, Mellin was bleeding a lot because the flag he was carrying was a target. However Mellin didn’t complain even once.

  “Hahaha! This is nothing! I’ve had bombs aimed at me so I won’t be afraid of something like bullets!”

  This was the result of the hell training. Meanwhile Ark had arrived in front of the base’s gate.

  “Mind Shield!”

  -The Mind Shield has been activated.

 
  In addition, the effect of Backstab or Sudden Blow will be nullified by 100%>

  The message appeared as Ark’s body was engulfed in a blue sphere. Ark pulled on the handle as much as possible and jumped off the bike. The bike hit the gate directly!

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  Flames soared and a portion of the gate collapsed.

  –Someone has entered! Tear him apart!

  Rama warriors holding swords and machine guns came running out of the smoke. No, this was what he wanted. A flash ran between the Rama warriors. Blood gushed out wherever the flash went. After a while, drops of blood poured down like rain from Ark’s sword.

  –What, what the? This guy?

  –Kuack! Don’t just stand there looking! Attack at once!

  Half a dozen Rama warriors holding swords or hammers flocked to him. Once again there were flashes of blue light and blood followed the trajectory. The sword seemed like it was possessed! Leon was just as confused as the Rama by Ark’s movements. But Ark didn’t hear anything.

  ‘Yes, this is the feeling!’

  In fact, the military situation wasn’t the only reason why Ark rushed here. Ark had been impatient since leaving C-17. That’s because of his battle with the Red Slaughterer. Their two lightsabers had kept on clashing. During the contest of swords, Ark had felt something sleeping wake up inside him. Ark knew the identity of that feeling. Awakening!

  It was a moment of enlightenment. The spiritual enlightenment had hit him like a lightning bolt. The experience from countless fights had accumulated in his body and finally awakened. That awakening had occurred during his confrontation with the Red Slaughterer. He felt a tremendous sense of fulfilment. He wanted to continue using the sword on the battlefield. Whether he won or lost the battle, Ark wanted to completely regain that feeling. Therefore he had felt impatient while riding the bike. The end of the fight with the Red Slaughterer…….