by Yoo Seong
The final reward was the right to a planet.
‘The pledge received from Marquis Martin….’
Before coming to the castle, he thought he would receive a sector like S-20. Yet he ended up receiving one whole planet. Furthermore, the planet had a rating of lv.3!
The rating of a planet was decided by the amount of resources, not the size. A lv.3 rating meant that a huge amount of resources were buried underground! He had secured a tremendous profit.
‘Now, how do you like that?’
Ark gloated as he glanced at Hawk. Ark remembered when he first went to Hawk’s hive, Turan. Hawk who declared Ark as an enemy already had such power. But now things had changed.
Ark was the lord of a planet! There was a long way to go but he was steadily extending his power.
‘Won’t I be busy for a while?’
Of course, he would welcome reasons like this at any time. The person with the highest achievements after Hawk was Ark. He was the leader of a successful mission and played a large role in the final battle.
The reward given to Hawk was 5 diamonds and the development rights for an asteroid. Of course, the asteroid was small in comparison to the planet Ikyullos that Ark received. Mario and Neidu gained 3 diamonds each an exclusive trading rights for several mines.
————————————————————————–
“Ark.”
At the end of the happy reward time. After exiting the castle, Marquis Martin approached with the nobles of the military faction.
“No, I should call you Sir Ark now. You are a noble of the Galactic Federation after all.”
“It is all thanks to Marquis-nim.”
“I’m also thankful to you.”
Marquis Martin laughed and answered.
“Yes, what type of planet did you receive?”
“Ikyullos.”
“Ikyullos?”
“Have you ever seen it?”
“No but I’ve heard of the name. It was relatively recent. Well, it doesn’t matter. Then are you planning to connect a Star Gate between Ikyullos and S-20?”
“Yes please.”
Ark smiled and replied. When Ark was presented with the
The rights to link S-20 and the new territory! That was the most important thing if he wanted to earnestly develop the territory. It was natural for the development of the territory to accelerate if he tied it together with S-20!
He could develop S-20 at the same time. The problem was the funds needed for the construction of the Star Gate. Building a viable Star Gate for interstellar travel required a huge amount of funds.
But Marquis Martin agreed without hesitation.
“The Galactic Federation is currently considering a plan to expand the Star Gates between planets to help with space pioneering. A territory belonging to a noble wasn’t part of the original plan but considering the resources of the planet, I can fit it into the budget. It won’t be possible for Marquis Jyubel to object.”
It wasn’t money coming from his pockets!
“But if you use that method then it will take a little time.”
It didn’t matter. Ark had no intention of thinking about Ikyullos right away. His mind was in a hurry but he lacked the funds to develop a planet so he put it on hold. And there could be an accident if he rushed things. Anyway, it completely belonged to him so Ark had plenty of leeway to develop the planet.
“You have grown a little bit.”
Marquis Martin nodded after hearing Ark’s explanation.
“So just comfortably proceed with your work. The Star Gate will proceed so don’t worry. And there will be a meeting involving the nobles of the military faction in the near future. You will learn that it isn’t bad to become a noble of the military faction. No, it will be necessary to manage your territories. I’ll contact you with the date so please attend if possible. And…..”
Marquis Martin laughed and shook his head.
“There is more I want to say but it isn’t urgent so I’ll postpone it until next time. I don’t want to be criticized by a beautiful officer. Let’s meet later.”
Marquis Martin left with the other nobles.
“Ark-nim.”
And the beautiful officer approached.
“I heard that you became a Viscount.”
The person with a happy expression was Irina. Ark scratched his head with an embarrassed expression.
“Yes, it just happened by chance. By the way, what did Irina-nim receive?”
“I’ve been promoted to captain. A double promotion!”
“Ah! Yes….”
Ark inwardly sighed as he heard about Irina’s rank. He didn’t hate that Irina was promoted.
This was sudden but Ark didn’t like warp movement. Warp movement was crossing thousands of light years but in the meantime there was nothing to do. 1~2 hours was okay but the time it took to reach the frontier from Istana was 20 hours! The only thing he could do was sleep or spend time in reality so warp movement wasn’t his favourite thing. But the 20 hours when he returned from this mission was different.
Irina rode in the Silver Star. So he started thinking.
‘If Irina was with me in the future….’
20 hours! 30 hours!
He would happily go anywhere in the galaxy. Furthermore, Irina had quite a high level. She wouldn’t just be Ark’s girlfriend but also add to Dark Eden’s power. Ark had intended to seriously scout Irina.
But that wasn’t possible now that she received a double promotion. A good boyfriend wouldn’t make a scouting offer in such a situation. Irina didn’t know Ark’s heart and just spoke happily.
“It’s all thanks to Ark-nim.”
“Hey, no it’s not. There was Hawk as well. Maybe 10%?”
“Anyway, I’ve received my long awaited promotion so I can treat you. How about this Sunday?”
“I’ll be free.”
“I have a meeting so I’ll leave first.”
“Oh, at Central Headquarters? I’m also going there.”
Ark quickly left with Irina.
If they were to be separated then he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. Well they decided to meet this Sunday. Yet they were separating so every minute and second was valuable. And he crossed Tatuine as slowly as possible towards Central Headquarters. After saying goodbye to her, he headed towards the Silver Star.
“Oh! Ark!”
“You came! Hey, how did it go?”
“So? What did you get from the Emperor?”
Slayer and Kaya swarmed Ark and bombarded him with questions. They were very interested in the compensation Ark had received. Ark ignored Slayer and sat in the captain’s seat.
“We’ll talk about it later. Tori, the engine’s status?”
“Anytime! We can go anywhere! Just give the command!”
“Okay. The destination is S-20. Set sail!”
“Silver Star start!”
Ku ku ku ku! Hwaaaaack!
The Silver Star flew away with a flash.
————————————————————————–
“……Ark!”
The Silver Star flying in the blue sky.
Someone was watching the scene from Central Headquarters. Wearing black armour and a black cloak, it was Hawk.
Hawk watched the Silver Star with hostility.
–Hey Hawk!
A voice rang out from the Nymphe. Hawk narrowed his eyes and began to talk.
“Carly? How are you?”
-I heard you’re visiting the Galactic Federation. And that you came to Tatuine. I have something to discuss so I got in contact with you.
“What do you want to say?”
–Some time ago, I stumbled upon a crest with the 5 elem
ents on it. I heard you were looking for relics of the Oritious. Perhaps this is what you’re looking for?
“It won’t be for free. Didn’t you contact me because you wanted something?”
-Huhuhu, you are indeed Hawk. You understand me real intentions. How about it? Do you want to trade?
“I will decide once I hear the condition.”
-Okay. But it is difficult to meet here. Safety can’t be guaranteed. Understood? So I’ll give you coordinates. I’ll see you there tomorrow.
Then the communication was cut off.
“5 elements….”
Hawk muttered before speaking to Harley.
“Harley, pick a subordinate to keep an eye on Ark’s movements. And…..”
Hawk stopped and thought. After a while, a corner of his mouth raised and he continued.
“Look for Valencia.”
Space 8
Ark’s Worry
Syu syu syu syu!
S-20 located in Fargo Volcano.
A spaceship landed at the airfield behind the management office. It was a silver spaceship with a streamlined body and an upper eclipse part attached like the 2nd floor of a bus. It was the Silver Star that had been upgraded to the 4th grade battleship.
“Eh? Hyung-nim!”
A familiar voice was heard as soon as he got off the Silver Star. The person looking at Ark with wide eyes was Asuran. An unfamiliar spaceship had landed so he came out to receive the parking fees, only to become confused once Ark got off it.
“What happened? The original spaceship?”
“This is the Silver Star.”
“Huh? This is the Silver Star? But……”
“It just happened by chance. Well, just think of it as being remodelled.”
“Well, if you say so…although the previous shape…”
Asuran clicked his tongue with a regretful expression.
In fact, Ark agreed with him. Originally the Silver Star was a smooth and sleek looking spaceship. But after fusing with the Rama spaceship, the attached upper part gave it a dull appearance.
But the performance had definitely gone up. It looked dull but the speed and turning ability was faster. The machine guns had increased from 2 to 4 and the ability of the main gun, shield and armour had increased. However, the biggest outcome of this upgrade was information rather than the performance.
Other spaceships needed to be brought to professional remodelling companies for upgrading. Of course, Ark also knew that. But this time he discovered a new method of growing his ship. It was absorbing an abandoned ship with Shape Decomposition Fusion!
Of course, the materials of the abandoned spaceship needed to match with the Silver Star. The abandoned spaceships could be considered free money. There was also the disadvantage that it couldn’t be converted to his tastes like it could at the professional companies.
But he could save a significant amount of money by not needing to leave it to the professionals. Space Decomposition Fusion was a jackpot that could save him a huge amount of money!
‘There is no reason to dwell on the outward form.’
Then Asuran suddenly remembered something and spoke.
“I need to tell Ralph.”
“Have they cleared the dungeon yet?”
“Yes, they are still digging on the bottom floor. There are more collapsed areas compared to the upper and middle floors. Moreover, the Thanatos on this floor is more stronger than the ones on the upper floor. They look so terrible that I feel sorry for them. Your arrival will encourage them. If they hear that Hyung-nim is here then they’ll come running barefoot.”
It was to be expected.
Once again, Ark had rallied the members of the Royal Guards to clear out the dungeon in S-20. However, Ark took most of them with him when participating in the investigation team and the Charenjok was left in charge of the food factory.
Therefore the only personnel remaining in the dungeon was Ralph, Beleol, Reben and Konsed. The bottom floor was so wide that no users had finished exploring it before the dungeon collapsed. It was unreasonable to expect 4 people with shovels to clear it all.
“Of course I should see them…..”
Ark thought for a moment before nodding.
“Please call Hamad and your subordinates for the moment.”
“Hamad and my subordinates? I understand.”
Asuran was confused but didn’t question him as he ran into the management office. And he soon returned with Hamad and his subordinates.
“Ark, you’ve returned!”
“Have you been well in the meantime?”
“I’ve just been sitting here counting money. What about you? Fortunately you seem to have returned healthy. Did your work go well?”
“Yes, I just came back after finishing it.”
“Then why didn’t you come into the management office? I will report back to you.”
“There is something I’d like you to take care of before that.”
“Take care of?”
Hamad tilted his head and asked.
Ark set down a backpack overflowing with a huge amount of money. It wasn’t just Ark. Slayer, Leon, Melina, Rapid, Kaya’s group, Berad and the other members who participated in the investigation team also had full backpacks.
Swords, guns, RPGs, armour and various types of ammunition. Items poured out and formed a mountain of items on the ground! Hamad’s mouth gaped open at the sight.
“W-what’s all this?”
“We picked it up.”
“P-picked it up? Does that make sense?”
Hamad asked like it was nonsense. But it was true. Ark and his team had really picked up the items from the armoury. The original owners had died when the carrier exploded. Something ownerless was being picked up.
That wasn’t the only thing Ark collected on this trip.
“There is more in the Silver Star’s warehouse.”
“M-More?”
“Yes, it is mainly mechanical parts in the warehouse…..”
The Silver Star’s warehouse was filled with so many mechanical parts that there was no room. He had obtained those mechanical parts from E-2036. After getting rid of the Kraken, Ark and his team disassembled mechanical parts from the abandoned spaceships while Tori was repairing the Silver Star.
That amount was 150 tons! However the room in the Silver Star’s warehouse had ran out. There was still wreckage remaining on E-2036 that he couldn’t pack. He also couldn’t finish searching all of the underground space.
‘There was no time then so I withdrew but….’
He would visit it again as soon as he had time. But now he still had things to put in order.
“Hamad-nim, please examine the metal parts in the Silver Star and give me a quote of the market price. Asuran, classify the type of items and machine parts with Hamad then transfer them to the management office’s warehouse.”
“Huh? Ah, yes! Let’s go!”
“I’ll be in the management office.”
“Huh? Ah, yes. I understand.”
Hamad nodded with a puzzled expression. Ark gave instructions to Tori, Milan and Hegel to inspect and repair the Silver Star and headed to the management office after parting from his team members. The time that he participated in the investigation team was 24 days!
However Ark had no time to take a break.
————————————————————————–
“Hyung-nim?”
People were running back and forth in the square. One man approached another sitting down at a fountain. The men examined each other before smiling.
“Myung-ryong.”
“When did you come in?”
“Just now. I deliberately timed it to coincide with you.”
“You did well. By the way, what name did you decide on?”
“Justiceman!”
The man folded his muscular arms and replied.
“Whether it is the future or middle ages, justice is a law necessary in the
world! You?”
“I am Isyuram just like before. There is no reason to use a different name.”
Isyuram and Justiceman were Lee Myung-ryong and Gwon Hwa-rang. On the advice of Ark, Lee Myung-ryong and Gwon Hwa-rang decided to cooperate play the game in order to watch over the Lucifer Hunting team.
The two men were different from Ark and didn’t have a lot of game experience. They played New World for several years but that had a medieval backdrop while Galaxian was science fiction. The universe outside the window was strange and unfamiliar.
“Hyung-nim, did you see this? Everything is automatic! High-tech, high-tech!”
Lee Myung-ryong, no Isyuram spoke while fiddling with his Nymphe. Various information windows floated in front of him and the backpack opened and closed.
“This child. Is this the first time you’re playing? It might be high-tech but it is just like New World. They are all similar. But there is one thing that is different. Wearing this at my age. I am as good as naked. I’m really embarrassed…..”
“Ah, is that why you’ve been sitting down?”
“Aren’t you embarrassed?”
“Not at all! What do I have to be embarrassed about? My body isn’t something to be embarrassed about. A sleek waist, thick muscles and wide shoulders. Isn’t my muscular body in the top 1%? It is a completely different dimension from Hyung-nim.”
Isyuram moved around carelessly. Justiceman spoke in a testy voice after seeing Isyuram’s extreme ‘man power’ actions.
“Sit your muscular body down.”
And Justiceman turned away like he didn’t care.
“If you’re so proud then just dance here. I don’t have time to be embarrassed. I’m going to go to the hunting ground and pick up some clothes.”
“Eh? Let’s go together!”
“Why, didn’t you say showing off your body doesn’t matter?”
“But how much more wonderful would it look wearing clothes? This body was originally built for fighting. In fact, can’t you say that it is a battle optimized for combat? Huhuhu! In New World I unexpectedly became a merchant but now I can show my performance as a warrior! I will be a warrior from the beginning. I started several months after the team but I will quickly catch up! Ah, where are you going?”
