Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  –Are you feeling strange?

  –Yes. This feeling is like I’m entering the stomach of a huge monster.

  –Did you hear someone gasping just now?

  –Isn’t that just your breath?

  Tension was heard in Kaya’s voice even when she bluntly replied to Slayer. Nothing could be heard except for their breathing. They felt an eerie tension as they followed Ark down the invisible hole. However that tension didn’t last long.

  Tung-! Tung-! Tung-!

  There was a sound the moment their foot hit the ground.

  “……Bingo!”

  A smile flashed on Ark’s mouth as he looked around with Clairvoyance. In fact, Ark didn’t have large expectations.

  This was the pioneering age but it wasn’t like there were billions of spaceships flying around the universe. The odds of finding an abandoned spaceship by chance was astronomical. Then wouldn’t coming across an abandoned ship be like winning the lottery?

  But there it was! At the end of the long hole. A ship was hidden in the large underground space below the surface of the asteroid. It wasn’t just one but three ships!

  Of course, the hull was just a bare skeleton but that didn’t matter. It would have some of the necessary mechanical parts to repair the Silver Star.

  “Luck hasn’t completely abandoned me.”

  –You should be grateful it wasn’t your bad luck.

  “It isn’t bad luck. It is the result of trying everything. If I landed on any asteroid after immediately leaving warp orbit then things would be different. It is due to my calmness in the desperate situation while everyone was screaming that enabled the optical scanners to find the metal! Huhuhu, it is the quality of a leader.”

  It was lucky that an asteroid like this was nearby. Rapid once again started to talk in a curt voice.

  -Isn’t it slightly strange?

  “What?”

  –The probability of finding an abandoned ship on an asteroid isn’t high. So isn’t it strange that there are three ships hidden in this hole?

  –Now that I think about it, that really is strange.

  “Think about it later.”

  Ark answered without thinking about it.

  “Didn’t you hear when leaving the Silver Star? The amount of time wearing this spacesuit is 1 hour maximum. Now there are only 45 minutes left. We have to grab the parts and return to the Silver Star before time runs out. The reason why doesn’t change what we have to do.”

  –That’s true.

  “So let’s not waste time talking. We’ll split up to look for the necessary parts but it will still take time to search. Kurakan, Ellain, Kalliben, Hedro.”

  –Yes, Hyung-nim.

  “You guys collect the mechanical parts that can be used. And Rapid, Kaya, Sadain, Slayer and Leon will start searching the hull with me. There might still be some fuel rods that can be used. Therefore the first place to check is the engine room. But also look elsewhere. Don’t you know? Something might appear.”

  –Okay! Let’s go!

  The team members moved at his words. The abandoned ships were a size similar to the Silver Star or larger. The height was at least 100 metres. But the height of the structure didn’t matter thanks to the weightlessness. Ark and his 8 team members used their jet injection devices and started their search operation.

  Ark headed towards the innermost engine room.

  “Sheesh, was I too greedy to expect the fuel rods?”

  However there weren’t even any broken fuel rods.

  “Rapid, how about you?”

  –Not here either.

  –Same here. I think someone already took it.

  “It can’t be helped. Next is the cabin and warehouses. If there was an accident then the crew might’ve left some equipment behind when the abandoned it. Even 2 fuel rods are at least 1,000 gold. The financial blow is really no joke. So look carefully.”

  Ark said that as he turned around.

  “……!”

  Ark’s eyes widened. Floating behind him was a squid.

  The Charenjok popped into Ark’s head at the moment. The Charenjok was an octopus type alien. He had the idea that squid might be a cousin species to the Charenjok.

  Ark’s eyes met the squid’s at that time. And there was an awkward silence. He stared at the squid for a moment before Ark smiled awkwardly and greeted it.

  “H-hello?”

  Chi chi chi chi! Chi chi chi chi!

  A yellow liquid then shot out from the squid’s mouth. He reflexively leaned down and a message flashed as the liquid hit his shoulder.

  -You have been attacked by a corrosive poison!

 

  ‘Acid Poison!’

  The situation became clear with that message. If the opponent attacked than it was a monster!

  “Damn! You scared me because I thought you were the owner of this abandoned ship!”

  Ark rolled and pulled out his sword as he shouted. His sword sparkled as it extended!

  Chi chi chi chi! Chi chi chi chi!

  The squid also twisted its 10 legs and attacked Ark. The weightlessness of outer space would be a considerable penalty for users who lacked experience in it. It wasn’t possible to maintain the centre of balance without any gravity and it was difficult to freely move. However Ark was familiar with this feeling.

  ‘It is somewhat similar to being underwater!’

  And this was one of Ark’s specialities since his days in New World. He had wandered beneath the surface of the ocean for a few days fighting jellyfish, lobsters, stingrays, sharks etc. He had mastered the technique of fighting underwater!

  ‘Only 1 squid…..’

  Wiing! Wiing! Buuuuong! Wiing! Pajijijik!

  His blue sword started to generate a flashy trajectory in the darkness. The squid also had its own style of fighting. It relentlessly swung its 10 legs and spat corrosive acid. But Ark used the weightlessness to jump on the walls and ceilings as he wielded his lightsaber.

  The battle was over 1 minute after it started. The squid was finely cut by the lightsaber.

  -Squid-

  Category: Space Monster Danger: C

  Combat Power: C

  The Squid is a monster rarely found on asteroids in the space frontier. It is a monster that lives on the nebula gas found in space. However the Squid’s favourite food is a spaceship. To be precise, it is the energy used by a spaceship. Therefore the Squid will sometimes soar into space to catch spaceship passing over. In the early days of the space pioneering age, the Squid was something the pioneers feared most.

  The atmosphere is like poison to the Squid so it won’t be found on any planets.

  * You can gain additional information if you face the same type of monster many times.

  That was the data of the monster.

  “This monster eats the ether that is used as the ship’s fuel? What? Does that mean the Squids ate the fuel rods?”

  Ark stared at the shredded Squid with astonished eyes.

  Chi chi chi chi! Chi chi chi chi!

  Noises were successively heard in the darkness. He flinched and turned to see Squids popping out from the broken hull. There were more than 20 of them! It wasn’t just these guys.

  –Ark, monster!

  –It came here too! Cuttlefish! Cuttlefish!

  Slayer and Rapid’s voices came over the Nymphe.

  ‘Dammit, I wanted this to be easily settled.’

  “It isn’t a cuttlefish but a Squid!”

  Ark yelled as he rolled across the floor. Ark’s body shot off like a bullet down the passage.

  ‘No matter how weak they area, dealing with these numbers alone in a place like this is difficult! I need to join up with the team first! So I should leave before I am trapped!’

  Everybody gather outside the spaceships! Baius Shield!”

  Chi chi chi chi! Chi chi chi chi!

  Ark stopped the liquid flying from everywhere with the Ba
ius Shield and crossed the ship. He destroyed the small barrier formed from Squids blocking his way and exited outside.

  –Ugh! T-these guys!

  –Damn! Why are there so many squid like creatures?

  -Stupid! You should kill the squid not avoid it!

  Outside Slayer, Leon, Kaya, Sadain and Rapid were busy fighting the squid. But unlike Ark, they had no experience in fighting in zero gravity. In addition, they had no experience in manipulating the jet injection device while fighting the enemy.

  They would lose their centre whenever wielding a weapon. They even lost their balance when blocking the Squid’s attack with a shield. The team couldn’t maintain their posture properly and were being hit by three or four enemies surrounding them. There were also members who used guns like Leon. The moment they fired the gun, they would fly backwards or rotate from the recoil.

  Tang-! Tang-! Tang-!

  The only person who fought properly was Rapid. He inserted his leg in a gap in the hull to maintain his centre!

  –That guy is truly different!

  Kaya exclaimed. However Rapid couldn’t take care of the Squids flocking from every direction with just one pistol. And the Squids’ legs attacked, attacked, attacked!

  Bam! Bam! Bam!

  They were covered in a herd of Squids and started being beaten up. Fortunately the Squids were only level 50~60.

  ‘This situation isn’t immediately risky……’

  –H-Hyung-nim!”

  Then he heard Kurakan’s voice from behind him. Ark’s face stiffened as he turned his head.

  Kurakan, Ellain, Kalliben and Hedro were running away from the abandoned spaceship! The problem was the huge number of Squids following behind them like a dark cloud.

  ‘Oh my god! How many of them were hiding?’

  Squids were flowing out everywhere from the abandoned ships. Approximately hundreds of them! It was like a swarm of Squids in the ocean.

  ‘If there are that many of them, it might not even matter if all team members were experts in space warfare!’

  Battling in space wasn’t that simple. It required taking advantage of a 3D space.

  It was the first team the team were experiencing such weightlessness so the battle was difficult for them. Let along the number of creatures heading towards them. If they swarmed like bees in this zero-gravity space then the team members would be instantly turned into bone even if the monsters were only level 50.

  ‘First I have to find a suitable terrain to fight!’

  Ark used the jet device and quickly rotated his body. Then something caught Ark’s eye!

  ‘…..There!’

  A giant pipe 2 metres in diameter had come away from the ship. At the same time, Ark shouted towards his team.

  “Below! It is difficult to hit them with your sword or gun when you can’t properly orient your bodies! Now we need to move to a place where their movements are limited! Move to that pipe in the 5 o’clock direction!”

  –B-but these guys are…..

  “Their levels are low! You won’t die from that much! So don’t worry about avoiding them and focus on manipulating the jets! Head downwards as soon as possible!”

  Chiik! Chiik! Puhwaaaaah!

  His team started descending after hearing Ark’s yell. And the herd of Squids chased them!

  “Khafra Fencing 3rd style! Galaxy Sword!”

  Ark’s lightsaber became like a fan as dozens of swords flew out and caused a vortex. The Squids were cut into hundreds of pieces with their legs floating everywhere. Meanwhile Rapid and his team members entered the pipe one by one. And finally Ark arrived!

  “Prepare for a skill rampage!”

  Ark shouted as he jumped into the pipe. And hundreds of Squid noisily chased Ark into the pipe. Then a smile was pasted onto Ark’s face.

  “Now, hunt the Squids! Everyone fire! Galaxy Sword!”

  -Storm Bullet!

  –Continuous Fire!

  Kwa kwa kwa kwa! Kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  They all poured out their skills. The diameter of the pipe was only 2 metres so the Squids couldn’t avoid the attacks as they were shredded. They flocked to their death! However the Squids were brave. Dozens more quickly entered the pipe.

  ……They were rice.

  Tu tu tu tu! Tang! Tang! Pepepepeng!

  The reason why the Squids were so tough was because maintaining your centre of balance was difficult in space. If they could properly maintain their posture than the level 50 Squids were no match for Ark’s team that had an average level of 100.

  Entering the narrow pipe was like coming in to become rice! It was like they were feeding Ark’s team experience.

  ‘This is a rare opportunity.’

  “Summon Golem!”

  Ark’s Baius Shield transformed into the Golem.

  –Well! Do you need my strength? It can’t be helped. I’ll help you! Is it those Squids?

  “Don’t go near them!”

  Ark grabbed the Golem’s feet.

  -Ack! You bastard! What are you doing?

  “Just stay here and eat the bread!”

  Meanwhile bullets were tirelessly being fired.

  -The level of the Baius Golem has risen!

  -The level of the Baius Golem has risen…..

  The level 12 Golem gained a tremendous amount of experience from the level 50 Squids! The Golem’s level started to steadily increase at a scary rate. The Golem wasn’t the only one. Ark and his team’s experience went up as they killed dozens of monsters.

  -Your level has risen!

  And level up!

  After continuing for another 10 minutes.

  Snap!

  Ark kicked the squid parts on the ground.

  “Too bad. 10,000 more would’ve been nice.”

  All the Squids had been turned into sashimi. On the other hand, his team only received damage in the early stages. It was a perfect, overwhelming victory. All the team members had elated expressions but Rapid was the only one with a serious expression.

  “By the way, what is with that expression?”

  Rapid raised his head at Ark’s words. He stared at Ark for a while before asking with hesitation.

  –Did you instantly come up with the plan to deal with the Squids in the pipe?

  “So? Why, what’s wrong?”

  -No, something isn’t wrong but……

  “Shall we collect it now?”

  Ark gazed around the pipe with a grin. They had shredded hundreds of Squids in 10 minutes! Thus there were items mixed in with the floating squid parts.

  - has been obtained.

  - has been obtained……

  Ku ku ku ku! Ku ku ku ku!

  The floor shook and there was a roaring sound from outside. Slayer looked out the pipe and exclaimed excitedly.

  –Yes! Squids! Another herd of Squids is coming from out of nowhere. Kikikiki! Experience is rolling in. Just wait. I’ll lead the Squids here. Now! Over here! I am you enemy! Here…..hehehehek!

  Slayer suddenly burst out screaming.

  –What? What is that? So much came out…..hehehek!

  –Is this a joke? What….hehehek!

  The team members that followed him out all screamed. It was suspicious so Ark and Rapid also exited the pipe. They looked in the direction of the team’s gazes and stiffened. Everyone’s gazes were facing the Squid. However this Squid was completely different from the ones before. The massive body of a squid was emerging from the ground!

  “G-giant squid?”

  -The titan class monster ‘Kraken’ has emerged!

  At the same time, a red warning message flashed in front of them.

  Space 5

  It came from Outer Space

  “Captain-nim!”

  The interstellar cargo ship Pelican. A sailor turned his head and shouted.

  “The injection point is passing.”

  “What cargo is being ejected?”

  “D-1201! The cargo load
ed from Tatuine!”

  “D-1201…..!”

  The corners of the captain’s eyes shook. A rumour had spread on the Pelican since it started sailing. It was about the cargo D-1201 that they picked up on Tatuine.

  -Cargo number: D-1201

  Handle with caution! A special security cargo!

  These labels were stuck on the container. The captain of the interstellar ship specialized in transporting cargo.

  There was a reason he had that background. The captain had grasped the situation the moment he saw the labels on the cargo. The cargo was probably involved with the galactic federation or the military. He didn’t know what the cargo was but it was better to just not be interested in it. However…..

  Boom! Bak bak bak bak! Boom! Bak bak bak bak!

  Noise started coming from the cargo container. Normally the only sounds that filled the warehouse was the cargo hitting the wall or nails scratching something.

  Working in transportation didn’t have a lot of risks. They loaded and unloaded cargo and occasionally fought space pirates. Therefore the transportation crew members were surprisingly weak to a situation like this.

  “D-did you hear? The sound from the cargo bay?”

  “Are aliens hiding in there?”

  “No, I heard from the person in charge of the cargo bay that the sound is coming from inside a cargo.”

  “What on earth are the contents? What is causing such sounds?”

  “Damn, how would I know? Doesn’t this seem like the Horizon incident? Have you heard about Horizon? A cargo transport ship disappeared during a warp sail. They went missing for a few days and when they returned the entire crew were turned into mummies.”

  “Why? Why?”

  “Who knows. They’re all dead.”

  The sailor looked around then added in a low voice.

  “I heard there was a boom from one of the cargo before Horizon disappeared.”

  An unidentified ghost story spread through the corridor like moisture!

  “Captain-nim, perhaps the noise from Tatuine……”

  “Don’t think about it! I have no interest!”

  The captain shook his head.

  “We’re not pioneers. It is useless to feel curiosity. We just need to deliver the cargo to the destination. We will pass by the coordinates on the way to the Haven planet, eject the cargo and it will be over. It is a maximum of two days. So it is futile to be interested!”