Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  “That would be great! I would prefer to do this!”

  The nobles spoke unanimously. Hawk frowned and was about to open his mouth.

  “If we continue to delay then it is suicide. The Abraxas control unit is Set’s only weakness. Not that Set has discovered that the control device is at Tri-Force, he will use everything he has to defend it. The militia is coming here but Set’s forces would also concentrate here. They will be dozens of times the size of the militia. It will just be disadvantageous to delay the time….isn’t that right?”

  Ark looked at Hawk and smiled.

  “….That’s right.”

  Hawk gave him a sharp sidelong glance before nodding with an uncomfortable expression.

  “But aren’t the odds not in our favour right now?”

  “I never said the odds weren’t in our favour.”

  “Then the odds are in our favour?”

  “No, the odds definitely aren’t in our favour. That is definite.”

  “What? Are you joking right now? Who do you think we are? We are the Murat nobility. I don’t know where you humans came from but you should be aware of your position. Rudeness won’t be forgiven even if you are the militia leader.”

  “I have no intention of being rude…..”

  Hawk sighed and muttered.

  ‘Huhuhu, that Hawk bastard. He’s in trouble. Please be in trouble.’

  Ark inwardly smiled while watching Hawk. In fact, Ark had already expected that the nobles would act like this to some extent.

  Kurai and the nobles’ lives were the most precious thing to them. They wanted to help Prince Kuhwen stop the uprising but they have no intention of risking their lives. They would even become Set’s subordinates if it meant surviving. Therefore this reaction from the nobles was expected.

  However Ark didn’t say anything to Hawk. He wanted to see Hawk in a difficult situation from the same stiff attitude that Ark had faced. Of course the nobles wouldn’t accept it. After Hawk was in trouble for a sufficient amount of time, he would use the 3 monkey brothers to persuade them. Ark would come forward and solve Hawk’s difficult problem. Of course the eyes would have no choice but to change from Hawk to Ark.

  Then Hawk turned and looked at Harley. Harley pointed his pistol without hesitation to his temple and pulled the trigger?

  Tang!

  The nobles shut their mouth with shock after hearing the gunshot. While Harley was bleeding from the temple, Hawk raised his hands and said.

  “That’s enough.”

  “W-what are you doing?”

  “You nobles seem to have misunderstood so I am showing you our resolution. I am a Murat. I don’t know why you are calling me a human. But my resolution is different from yours. If it isn’t possible to stop Set’s rebellion then I will die. This is my resolution. Isn’t there any need to waste more time with words when time is against us? So please be polite. Come here.”

  …..The nobles approached.

  ‘This bastard, what is his identity?’

  Ark looked at Hawk with amazement.

  It took Ark one day to determine the nobles’ inclination and to find a method for obedience. However Hawk did it in only a few minutes. No, if he looked at the results then the actual situation between Hawk and Ark was different. Ark threatened them by staging a scene of bloody assault but Hawk didn’t use any threats.

  -If you interrupt my work then I’ll kill you. I don’t want any troubles.

  Hawk’s eyes were clearly conveying that message. Normally people would placate the NPC but Hawk just disturbed them without any mercy. When he thought back to the beginning, Hawk also did that to the investigation team. He turned each faction against each other for his own purpose.

  ‘Now once again…..’

  He really was frightening. At this moment, other people were thinking the same thing.

  “What, what the? That guy? He is no better than Ark.”

  A pale Ferguson muttered as he looked at Hawk. In fact, Ferguson’s heart had jumped at the appearance of Hawk.

  ‘I am being dragged by Ark just like in New World. No, it is worse. Ark won’t let us get away with taking money from him in New World. He will make various excuses to use me until only my bones remain. But that doesn’t mean it is impossible.’

  Ferguson immediately thought of Hawk.

  ‘I don’t know why but there isn’t a good relationship between Ark and Hawk. And Hawk is the head of the investigation team and one of the Seven Swords. If I’m glued to Hawk then Ark won’t be able to touch me. Yes, that’s it. The only way for us to live is Hawk. I would rather shed bloods and tears under someone else instead of Ark. Okay. I should flatter Hawk immediately until so that I can stick with Hawk when returning to our original world!’

  He held such ulterior motives. However he changed his mind when he saw the blood dripping from Harley’s temple. When the nobles were bothering Hawk, he had given a command for his subordinate to commit suicide. Hawk showed a cruelty even more outrageous than Ark.

  Ferguson thought about it. The old authority was the better authority. At least Ark wouldn’t order people to suicide with a gun like Hawk.

  ‘It’s over. Once again our game has ended here.’

  And he felt despair. Of course these were only the concerns of monkeys. Hawk started talking once he dealt a blow to the nobles.

  “There odds aren’t in our favour if it is a fight. But our goal isn’t to fight. It is different from exterminating the enemies. Our purpose is to release Abraxas. Kuhwen needs to reach the control device.”

  “Isn’t that the same thing?”

  Kurai frowned and said. But when Hawk turned around, he evaded his eyes and coughed. That was Hawk’s intimidating effect.

  “No, I….”

  “If the purpose is different then our method also changes.”

  The person who interrupted Kurai’s words was Ark. When the scout told the situation at Tri-Force to Ark, he had already planned a strategy to apply to present circumstances. The reason he didn’t speak was because he wanted to see Hawk’s reaction. But Hawk’s expression indicated that he was thinking similarly to Ark.

  “That’s right.”

  Hawk answered with a shallow smile.

  ———————————————————————-

  “Are you ready?”

  “Of course.”

  Ark laughed as he took out his lightsaber. Then Hawk also pulled out his pair of swords.

  “Now there is no reason to hide it so I will speak. I will go forward with you. Our purpose is the same so I will cooperate but this is still Galaxian. You and I are joining forces to fight together but this is probably the first and last time.”

  “I agree.”

  “Then don’t say anything more.”

  Hawk grabbed the reins of a camel and raised his sword. At the same time, a wide expanse of soldiers appeared along the desert ridge. Needless to say, these were the soldiers brought by Hawk and Ark.

  The strategy meeting only took 10 minutes. Now that Set knew the Abraxas control device was at Tri-Force, there was no reason to delay the time. Both Ark and Hawk thought the same thing.

  Things proceeded rapidly once a specific operation was decided. They crossed the desert and arrived in front of Tri-Force where the rebel army were stationed. It was the battle to decide the fate of Muratio Star!

  Hawk looked down at the distant Tri-Force and shouted.

  “Everybody, charge!”

  “Waaaaahhhhh!”

  The soldiers burst out shouting and the assault began. The rebel army in formation around Tri-Force didn’t panic at the charge of the militia. 1,000 soldiers crossed the desert without concealing themselves. Naturally the rebel army had been waiting for the militia. The rebel army camp charged at the same time.

  Pepepepeng! Pepepepeng!

  The Murat’s tank called the Sphinx started attacking. The flying shells covered the sky! However, Ark and the employees of Dark Eden already exp
erienced such a thing on Beltana. Ark gave Hegel an order.

  “Hyung-nim, over there!”

  Hegel’s trajectory prediction skill that he used after a long time!

  “That shell will do direct damage to us!”

  Hegel designated some shells and the gunners of Ark’s team, Leon and Kalliben lifted their rifles. There was the continuous sound of gunfire and several shells exploded in mid-air.

  The scene of a few shells exploded above Hawk’s team caught his eye. There seemed to be a soldier with the same skill as Hegel in Hawk’s team. But it was impossible for Hawk and Ark’s team to intercept all the shells. Dozens of shells hit the militia’s camp.

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang! Kwa kwa kwa kwang! Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  The desert shook and pillars of sand shot up all over the place. However the damage seen wasn’t that big. They had expected a bombardment and deployed a wide formation beforehand. In addition, Hawk hadn’t ordered a blind charge.

  “Rune Carving, Crest of Protection Om!”

  “Rune Carving, Crest of Grace Phantom Veil!”

  “Rune Carving, Crest of Iron Wall Kubenatian!”

  -Rune Carving: Om has been used.

 

  -Rune Carving: Phantom Veil has been used.

 

  -Rune Carving: Kubenatian has been used.

  …..

  The Rune Carving used by the nobles! The nobles were of great use on the battlefield. There was also the recovery of Kuhwen’s ‘Ankh’ rune. Fortunately they penetrated through the bombardment and reached the hostile area.

  “Now! Everybody, fire the plasma bullets!”

  Hundreds of plasma bullets instantly plunged into the hostile area. There were sparks as the plasma bullets hit and the enemy was engulfed in heat, instantly disappearing. Of course the enemy didn’t receive the attack politely.

  They returned fire!

  Pajijijik! Pajijijik!

  Sparks occurred on all sides as the soldiers melted. Hawk was no exception. Hawk led the soldiers so he was the focus of the plasma shots. But Hawk was one of the Seven Swords so he wasn’t hit by such shots. Ark thought it was possible for Hawk to avoid…..

  Hawk revolved in the sand and two plasma bullets passed by close to him. Thus far it was like Ark expected.

  However his next movement was impossible to expect. Hawk crossed his two swords and the shots were blocked like spider webs hung there. Then the pair of swords uncrossed and the bullets returned to the enemy?

  ‘What? This ridiculous defense technique?’

  A skill to block or avoid long distance attacks was indispensable to a warrior. Ark also had a skill called Sword Defense. But due to its nature, Sword Defense could only be used with a lightsaber and it was basically an evasion technique.

  He had studied the skill through continuous study yet the probability of success was still only approximately 50%. He could also only return fire to the enemy 1 in every 3 shots. But Hawk had reflected 1 shot simultaneously while avoiding 2 plasma bullets. He had to admit that Hawk’s ability to defend against long range attacks was one step above him.

  However the scene afterwards was even more amazing.

  Pepepepeng! Pepepepeng!

  The tank units lined up behind the rebel troops. The Sphinx was a Murat tank in the form of a lion with the head of a human. The form was a Sphinx but it didn’t speak in riddles like the stories.

  Shells came pouring out of the gaping mouth! Every time the Sphinxes emitted flames, pillars of sand would fly up and dozens would die in the militia. Then Hawk rolled between sand pillars and exclaimed.

  “Harley, is it ready yet?”

  “In a moment! I’m not familiar with the Murat’s machines….but…..done!”

  Harley replied while manipulating a small machine. One of the Sphinxes turned its head and started to fire at its own side.

  “Ack! A-are you crazy? Where are you shooting?”

  “W-we’re not operating it! The equipment suddenly jammed and is moving by itself!”

  “By itself? Dammit, the controls have been hijacked! Cut off all connections including communications!”

  “It is already too late! The Sphinx control system isn’t connected!”

  “Then cut off the power supply. It doesn’t matter as long as the bombardment is stopped!”

  The enemy unit fell into panic.

  “Damn. As a controller, seeing the controls being hijacked is really creepy.”

  Park shuddered and muttered while controlling Car and Kum. But what happened next astounded Ark.

  “Now! Minsk, Brian, go!”

  The two teams that Hawk nominated flew towards the Sphinx still bombarding the militia. They grabbed the armour and climbed up to the turrets!

  “For Captain Hawk-nim!”

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang! Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  The Sphinx was wrapped in light and exploded.

  ‘Oh my god! Self-destruct? Did the NPC subordinate just use Self-destruct?’

  Ark’s mouth dropped open as he stared at the flaming Sphinx. There were human NPCs in this world. Even pioneers who could resurrect wouldn’t easily accept death.

  Yet their loyalty was high enough that Hawk’s subordinates would Self-destruct when commanded. And Hawk’s men even said nonsense like ‘For Captain Hawk-nim’ before dying. This meant that his subordinates’ loyalty transcended imagination! Ark shuddered at the thought of such loyalty.

  ‘Hawk can inspire faith in users…..’

  Ark could feel such a thing. It was a faith in his purpose. That was the faith Ark felt from Hawk. And he was able to identify this on the battlefield. Hawk’s ability was strong but the onerous thing was his subordinates’ attitudes.

  Previously Harley had even fired a gun towards his head because of Hawk. This degree of command over his subordinates meant that Hawk wasn’t an ordinary user.

  The problem was a user like that was obstructing Ark. Not long ago, Hawk had declared that he couldn’t get along on Ark. They were grasping hands at the moment but would become enemies again once returned to their original world. A guy with subordinates like that would become his enemy. A sigh naturally emerged when he thought about the future.

  Furthermore, Hawk wasn’t Ark’s only opponent.

  ‘But I’m not someone who will soften under something like that. What? I wouldn’t understand even if he told me the reason? I don’t want to understand! And I don’t like you either. You’re mistaken if you think I will tremble under something like this. What is this? I am Ark. I’ll start taking direct action now!’

  …..This was Ark’s resolution. Ark wanted to show off his skill and indicate that he wasn’t inferior to Hawk.

  “Units 2 and 3, switch to a defense posture and slow the charging speed. Unit 1 will maintain your rush!”

  The militia slowed and formed a formation in the shape of a △ that was focused around Hawk. In other words, it was converted into a wedge formation. After Hawk and his subordinates took the lead and concentrated their firepower, the rebel army started to be pushed back.

  But that was only the camp at the front. The power of the left and right wings started weakening under the rebel army. The size of the rebel army was 5 times the militia so it was natural. Nevertheless, the reason the militia’s formation didn’t collapse was due to Ark.

  –Like I said, our objective isn’t to annihilate the rebels. Even if all the troops are killed, it will be our victory if Kuhwen operates the Abraxas control device. Therefore we only have one strategy. Once the battle commences, everyone will use all of their power to penetrate through towards Tri-Force. But Kuhwen’s defense at the back will weaken if we concentrate our breakthrough power in the front. So your mission is to protect Prince Kuhwen in the back. If Kuhwen dies then it will mean nothing
if we break through the enemy.

  Those were Hawk’s words.

  ‘It is Hawk’s instructions but…..’

  “Defense Break! Khafra Fencing 3rd style! Galaxy Sword!”

  Ark wielded his lightsaber and pushed back the enemy. Dozens of swords spread out in a vortex and hit enemy lines.

  Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  ‘Concentrate on the quest! Don’t worry about Hawk!’

  Ark wielded his lightsaber in a trance. Sword Defense struck the flying plasma bullets as he plunged into enemy lines. A bright trajectory of light dealt with 10 enemies. In the midst of all that, he didn’t forget about Kuhwen who was the key NPC.

  “Ferguson, A, and B, protect him! If something happens to His Highness…do you understand?”

  “I-I’m aware of that!”

  “Stop! Stop! Throw your body on the battlefield!”

  The 3 monkey brothers ran around and blocked every shot heading towards Kuhwen with their bodies. Meanwhile Ark quickly and accurately attacked the enemies aiming for Kuhwen!

  “Slayer, concentrate on protecting Prince Kuhwen along with Ferguson, A and B. Expand a circle around Kuhwen to receive the enemy attacks. Don’t forget. The purpose of this battle is to escort Kuhwen safely to Tri-Force.”

  “I know! DNA transformation!”

  “Lightning Spear!”

  “Bring it on! Wahhhh!”

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

  Ark’s team formed a circle around Kuhwen and relentlessly knocked back waves of attacks. Prominent among them was Basak and Ellain.

  …..Of course, there was a reason for it.

  “I’m more loyal to Hyung-nim!”

  “Don’t make me laugh! That is the purpose for my existence!”

  Basak and Ellain had competed against each other as soon as they met for the title of Ark’s most loyal subordinate. Their argument didn’t end even when the battle started. In the end, they agreed that the person who was more useful in the battle would become the most loyal subordinate.

  Thanks to that…..

  “Iron Wall! Burning Shield!”

  Basak stopped the attacks heading towards Ark with his shield. And ‘heh, how about that? Isn’t it good? Now will you admit it?’ popped onto his face as he looked at Ellain wielding a sword. And Ellain destroyed a few enemies in front of Basak while his expression said ‘Heh, I was waiting for you to finish.’