by Yoo Seong
Park Eun-chan looked around as his imagination spread.
“Oh! There.”
Then Chairman Kim smiled widely and raised his arm. And they walked to a table in the corner like they had no interest in Park Eun-chan. The next moment, Park Eun-chan’s mouth dropped open as he saw where Abdul and Chairman Kim stopped.
“Hahahat! Hyun-woo, have you been well?”
‘What, what the? The person Chairman Kim and Abdul called a friend…..’
He was the coffee vending machine man that he called pitiful.
While the VIPs greeted Hyun-woo happily, their attendants moved around the table like a folding screen! Then the guests who noticed Chairman Kim and Abdul started buzzing.
“Chairman of the Seongyeon group? And isn’t that Arab man Abdul?”
“Why are such people here?”
“Who are they sitting with?”
“I don’t know who they are but it is no joke. They must not be ordinary to be sitting with two people like that.”
Park Eun-chan returned to his table.
“M-Mira! Talk properly! That man with your sibling, who is he?”
“Who? How should I know?”
“You really don’t know?”
“I don’t know. Rather, who are those people?”
“Damn, you don’t even know those people? If you’re the daughter of a chairman then you should show some interest in the business community. That person is the Chairman of the Seongyeon Corporation. And that Arab man is Abdul, an oil tycoon!”
Cho Mi-ra’s eyes widened at Park Eun-chan’s explanation.
“Eh eh? Why are those people sitting with a guy like him?”
“Damn! How should I know? He must be huge if Chairman Kim and Abdul are intentionally meeting him. Dammit! What did I do…..?”
“Excuse me.”
While Park Eun-chan was sweating. The waiter from before came up with a bottle of wine and said.
“The guest sent a wine as repayment for the one you sent a short while ago. This is a 78 year old French wine with a market price of 2.25 million won. The guest told us to send our most expensive wine over here. And he said to tell you this. It would be a burden to accept an expensive win on the first meeting without anything in return.”
“H-how dare he!”
“Sit down!”
Park Eun-chan shouted towards Cho Mi-ra. And he replied with a bitter expression.
“…..Tell him that I appreciate the drink.”
“Are you crazy? Do you know what this means? Is your pride worth 2.25 million won?”
“Dammit! Yes, my pride is worth 2.25 million won. What will you do? Will you report me? Didn’t you hear my words? That guy is a person who is friends with Chairman Kim and Abdul! Should I go grab his collar after seeing the people around that table? We would be immediately thrown out if that happens!”
“Then you should eat alone!”
Cho Mi-ra jumped up and ran out of the restaurant. But Park Eun-chan didn’t follow. He had just mocked someone talking with some very important people. He was depressed and felt like he was sitting on a pincushion but there was something he was even more anxious about.
The man was only in his twenties so how could he be meeting with such people? He couldn’t get up before he figured it out.
Approximately 1 hour passed before they left their seats.
Hyun-woo and Cho Min-sun left the restaurant first while Park Eun-chan approached the Chairman’s secretary who was paying for the bill, including the wine!
“Chairman Kim-nim, I met that person just now so if you don’t mind, could you tell me who he is?”
“Ah, Director Kim Hyun-woo?”
“Director?”
“Yes, he isn’t a friend. More like……shall I say a God?”
—————————-
“What is going on?”
“What is going on? What?”
“Those people just now. Did Hyun-woo ssi really call them?”
“Yes, is that strange?”
“It is strange. That middle aged man is the Chairman of the Seongyeon Corporation. And the Arab person is an oil tycoon. The fact that those two reserved a restaurant table for you is remarkable but for them to come when Hyun-woo called?”
“That means your boyfriend is a wonderful person.”
Hyun-woo stopped and looked at Cho Min-sun. And he said with a smile.
“Mainly in the game.”
The Seongyeon Chairman and Arab oil tycoon. They had a secret hobby that most people didn’t know about. That hobby was the virtual reality game, New World. This was a secret the world didn’t know about but this hobby was the reason why Chairman Kim had a close friendship with Abdul.
While meeting for a business transaction, Chairman Kim noticed Abdul talking about New World with the interpreter. Thanks to that, Chairman Kim and Abdul noticed that they shared the same hobby! They caught monsters together and became close friends. And while going on eventful adventures, they came across a disaster.
After gathering information for a few months, they found a hidden labyrinth dungeon in the Ronwe Mountains! While exploring the dungeon, they fell into a trap and became trapped in the labyrinth. In addition, the resurrection place was inside the dungeon so they couldn’t escape by dying.
Thanks to that, they were trapped in a dungeon for a month.
Anyone who played the game would know. Being trapped somewhere was extremely painful. However, the problem wasn’t something that could be solved with lots of money. Chairman Kim and Abdul pondered it before coming up with one last method.
They privately contacted the senior executives of Global Exos and asked to take out their characters. However there was no way even for the senior executives. Moving a user’s location in the game required administrator privileges. And there was only one person in New World with that power, Hyun-woo who controlled the master code.
And after Hyun-woo was told the situation…..
‘A corporation chairman and oil tycoon? So what should I do? New World is a game that follows the rules of reality. They are mistaken if they think that money can buy them everything. That isn’t possible as long as I’m the moderator of New World! I will refuse such solicitation! If you’re a user then you should solve the problem like a user!’
He dismissed them for that reason!
In fact, Hyun-woo had expected to be pressured at this point. Chairman Kim and Abdul had billions of dollars behind them. Yet a mere game director like Hyun-woo who had been a user not long ago had rejected their request. They wouldn’t be able to hold still.
No, there was actually an uproar at Global Exos. It was to the extent that the President asked him to accept their request. Hyun-woo became even more stubborn the more they badgered him. Then an email arrived.
-We’re sorry to ask something so unreasonable.
We will respect the judgement of New World’s moderator.
Let’s pretend this didn’t happen…..
Hyun-woo became curious about these two people. So he used his Genie Lamp and flew to the labyrinth to meet the two of them. Then Hyun-woo started to realize that he had misunderstood Chairman Kim and Abdul.
Hyun-woo thought they were users who spent their money on equipment and wandered around bullying other people. However, he met Chairman Kim and Abdul and realized the equipment they wore had been obtained through pure grinding.
Hyun-woo had no intention of withdrawing his words. They weren’t trapped due to a bug. And he couldn’t just use the power of the master code to solve a user’s problem. Chairman Kim and Abdul had also sent a reply stating that they respected his intentions.
‘But if I help them as a user…..’
Thus Hyun-woo teamed up with them and helped clear the dungeon. Of course, he didn’t use any equipment obtained with the power of the master code. Naturally the adventures of the three of them was difficult.
However, as the leader Hyun-woo breached numerous traps and gradually repelled th
e swarm of monster attacks as they advanced through the dungeon! He had led Chairman Kim and Abdul out of the dungeon in a week. And a friendship that transcended age and status sprouted between them.
Of course, this was still just a game. Chairman Kim and Abdul had a completely different status from Hyun-woo. Hyun-woo had no intention of showing off their friendship in reality. Yet Chairman Kim and Abdul’s appearance meant they also regarded Hyun-woo as a friend in reality.
This was the reason those two booked a reservation for Hyun-woo. This material compensation could already be considered friendship. And they gladly gave Hyun-woo their phone number regardless of status. They became friends after a week-long adventure.
‘As a result, these two people consented to be used……’
“I really don’t know Hyun-woo ssi.”
Cho Min-sun murmured after hearing his explanation.
“Are you disappointed?”
“Is there something to be disappointed about?”
“Of course not.”
“Then I’m not. Rather, I’m more shocked by the price of the food.”
“Then what about the 2nd thing? Chairman Kim paid for the food as well as the wine sent to your sister. Say whatever you please.”
“Let’s go grab some ramyun and kimbap.”
Cho Min-sun replied as she grabbed Hyun-woo’s arm.
‘……Chairman Kim and Abdul will understand.’
Hyun-woo laughed and nodded.
“Yes, let’s go!”
—————————-
‘Now…..’
Ark stood up and shouted.
“Report the condition of the ether.”
“The engine is in a good state! No abnormalities in the control system! Balance system is okay! Energy charging has been 100% completed! We can take off whenever you command!”
The person in the cockpit was the hamster Tori! The storage container that arrived after defeating the Kraken was Tori.
Shortly after the Silver Star landed on E-2036, Ark heard from Hegel that fuel rods were necessary so he had instantly sent a communication to S-20.
Send fuel rods and Tori as quickly as possible to E-2036. The damage to the Silver Star was serious enough that a profession engineer was required to repair it. However there was one small problem.
Some people might’ve forgotten but Tori still had a prisoner status. Of course, Tori could move freely thanks to Marquis Martin. But his prisoner status meant it would be difficult for him to take a ship. In addition, Ark was currently hiding his location from Hawk. Hawk could easily obtain the information that Ark was Tori’s guardian and keep an eye on him.
So Asuran devised using a cargo container. The courier had accepted Marquis Martin’s cargo certificate and it was delivered. This was the noise that terrorized the sailors on the Pelican.
Tori had a lot of experience so he knew. There was a tremendous different between the cabins and cargo compartment on a ship. There was no consideration for passengers in the cargo compartment so there was minus degree temperature. Of course, he was wearing a life support device but that was literally to sustain life.
“D-delivery…..scary…..so scary…..”
When he opened the container, Tori was blue and trembling and kept on repeating those words. After the frozen hamster was thawed, Ark immediately rushed him to repair the Silver Star. The gun turrets still weren’t repaired but the engine and control system had been fixed.
Naturally the energy charge was also complete! The Silver Star had lost a considerable amount of fuel thanks to the Kraken. However, the energy storage he obtained meant he could charge it to 100%. The Silver Star’s eight ether fuel tanks also became full. This was sufficient to last 1 year without a separate energy replenishment.
Once again, the Kraken…..it was worth a huge amount of money. Anyway, it had been 4 days since they’ve landed on the E-2036.
“It is a little late but…..”
Ark grinned as he looked at the information window.
Character Information Window
Name Ark (R-02788) Level 133
Species Human Occupation Elim’s Heir
Fame 11,730 Adventure 1,590
Health 3,300 (+325) Mental Power 450 (+340)
Mana 0 Force 1,825
Strength 320 (+35) Agility 375 (+51)
Stamina 545 (+65) Wisdom 40 (+13)
Intelligence 320 (+68) Luck 55 (+8)
* Title
Cleaning Foreman (Agility + 3)
Ignorant Destroyer (Wisdom -10, Strength +7, Stamina +7)
Beltana’s Hero (Strength, Agility, Stamina, Wisdom, Intelligence, Luck +3)
Athamas’ Hero (Strength, Agility, Stamina, Wisdom, Intelligence, Luck +5)
Mediator (Wisdom, Intelligence +15)
* Contribution: Galactic Federation 19,520, Aschulat 500
* Affiliation: Dark Eden (CEO)
*Body Coating: Survivor
+ Environmental adaptation increases by 50% due to the Survivor coating
+ The Survivor coating reduces the drop rate of Satiety by 30%
+ The Survivor coating will reduce fall damage by 50%
+The ‘Clairvoyance’ effect of the Survivor coating is applied
Ark wouldn’t just fall down obediently! There was some meaning to the time spend on E-2036. He had gained 3 levels on Impeltus and 10 on E-2036! That was 13 levels gained since leaving Turan.
That wasn’t all.
“Hyung-nim, the analysis is over!”
Hegel handed him the Unknown Scale Pants obtained from the Kraken. While Tori was repairing the Silver Star, Hegel had also finished the item analysis.
-Belphegor’s Scaly Pants (Unique)
Item Type: Light Armour (Pants) Wearer Restriction: Level 100
Defense: 80 Durability: 8080
In the early days of space pioneering, pants using the legendary Belphegor was created.
A number of incredible anecdotes about the Belphegor have been handed down among pioneers. One of them was that the Belphegor could fight back against enemies even when sleeping. According to an anecdote, it defeated pirates for three days and three nights while sleeping and the pirates fled rather than face it when the Belphegor woke up.
That was why the Belphegor was called a space dragon and armour made out of its leather. This armour has a strong defense tough to imitate with modern science and there is a probability of a mysterious power exploding when attacks hit the scales.
* Special Options (King’s Wrath): When the armour is attacked, there is a 5% chance of the scales jumping out and causing a vortex around the enemy, inflicting 15~20 damage.
The unique armour Belphegor’s Scaly Pants! Once again, Ark had gobbled up most of the spoils from the Kraken. Ark had prevented the Kraken from destroying the Silver Star alone.
In the meantime, the team members had been trapped in the collapsed hole and were out in space for more than 1 hour because Ark was distracted trying to stop the energy from leaking from the hole. He finally remembered about them and brought them back with Hegel and Milan. So none of them dared say anything about the Kraken’s loot to Ark.
But Ark was generous.
“Aren’t we colleagues who teamed up together?”
……He said and distributed half of the loot to the team. Of course the unique Belphegor’s Scaly Pants, the Kraken’s cell tissue and the rare Destruction Hammer was in Ark’s backpack. He handed out the 3 general items to the team.
The cell tissue was only worthy for Ark who had a researcher and Berad was the only team member who used a hammer so the others didn’t complain. They couldn’t ignore the enormous monetary loss Ark suffered from the damage to the Silver Star. That’s why Ark was currently wearing the Belphegor’s Scaly Pants!
That wasn’t the only harvest from E-2036. It took Tori one day to repair the Silver Star. While he was enjoying a date with Irina, the team members used that time to search the underground space
. As a result, they obtained a harvest he hadn’t considered.
‘But……’
Now wasn’t the time. According to Irina, Hawk had obtained an important clue and was already moving.
‘If I delay any longer then I might be a step too late. Hawk will end up eating all the quest rewards. Anyway, we’ve found everything possible from E-2036 so it is time to return to the first team. I need to stop by Turan to pick up Melina, Park, Berad and Cupa so there is no time for further delay!’
“Milan, operate the engine! The destination is Turan!”
“Yes, Hyung-nim! Silver Star start!”
Kuaaaah!
The Silver Star emitted flames and soared off! It was an emergency that lasted 4 days.
Space 7
The Sleeping Enemy
Planet Maseti.
It was a large planet with more than 100 ships as traffic in a day. It was natural for a place where pioneers gathered to develop. The lights from the port were never turned off.
Kukwang! Kukwang! Kukwang!
Loud music was heard from a tavern. Three people were sitting around a table covered by cigarette smoke.
One person was a hamster from the Tiny Clan with eyes that agilely moved from left to right, there was another alien species wearing a wolf shaped pendant from the Wolf Clan and the last person with a thuggish appearance was from the Belkin Clan.
The three species chewed on their cigarette and looked at the pile of coins on the table with sharp eyes. After a few moments of tense silence, the Belkin clan member threw a card and shouted.
“Triple aces!”
The hamster and wolf simultaneously made faces like they were chewing on poo.
“Hahahaha! You’re expressions are perfect! I’m sorry but this is……”
“Uhuh! Why are you in such a hurry? You should check the others before celebrating first.”
Then the hamster grinned and set down his cards. The cards that fell on the table was a Q, Q, Q, Q!
“Q-queen four of a kind?”
“Kit! Doesn’t 4 beat 3?”
“Aigoo, tsk tsk tsk. Sorry, what should I do?”
Then the Wolf Clan who had been sitting silently clicked his tongue and murmured. And he showed yellow teeth as he turned over his cards one by one.
