quests. Among them there was no need to explain what happened with Milan.The problem was Hamad and Asuran. Originally Hamad was a merchant with some big stores in Julius. However Ark discovered that he had entrusted his store to his employees and was betrayed by them. He only had one shop remaining and it was on the brink of closure.
‘This isn’t a situation where I can extort money.’
Asuran’s predicament was even worse. He was a gangster with quite a few subordinates in the city of Sidellin. However he was on the federation’s blacklist since been drafted and couldn’t restart his business under the scrutiny of the androids. Therefore he had been starving every day.
‘This guy is also like this.’
The two quests were a dud. However Ark didn’t give up on the compensation.
‘Wait? Haman can’t engage in trade because of the interference of his former employees. Meanwhile Asuran and his subordinates are starving to death. Asuran’s subordinates didn’t betray him but they can’t find any work. What if I combine these two?’
That thought popped into his head. Ark immediately convinced Asuran to take his henchmen and visit Hamad. But Ark couldn’t stay behind to watch. At that time Ark had been travelling around with Marquis Martin to promote the federation. And he had forgotten about it after Mt Fargo, Athamas, the magic circle etc. Now Hamad and Asuran had shown up in S-20.
“I see you haven’t forgotten our names.”
“Well, that….”
“I’m sorry Hyung-nim.”
Asuran said as he looked at Mellin.
“We didn’t contact you.”
“Do you think we’re at the same level? The amount of time we’ve served Hyung-nim is different. And you know what put us at ease? The fact that you’ve returned to Istana from Beltana without suffering any harm. This sector also wasn’t obtained freely.”
Asuran nodded at Berad’s words.
“I recognize your efforts.”
He turned back to Ark and said.
“That’s why I came here with Hamad hyung-nim.”
“What?”
“I’ll explain.”
Hamad cut in. He looked completely different from his time in Julius. Hamad was an old man who was a similar age to Mellin. He had several -50 degrees weather for several months and was disappointed from the betrayal of his subordinates so his health suffered. But now his appearance was rejuvenated and he looked 20 years younger.
‘This seems to have been settled after Asuran joined him.’
The explanation that Ark expected followed afterwards. After Ark’s visit, Asuran had summoned his subordinates and walked 800 kilometres to meet Hamad. And a grand epic unfolded on the street that Hamad’s store belonged to.
“Heh, Hyung-nim. Just retire now.”
The betrayal of his trusted men!
“I would back down like this!”
The previous boss who couldn’t resign!
“Hamad hyung-nim, Ark hyung-nim sent me!”
The appearance of a past colleague!
“I’ll pack back Ark hyung-nim’s mercy by smashing them!”
A b.l.o.o.d.y fight between the two organizations took place! Showdown! Showdown! A story that wasn’t inferior to a gangster movie unfolded. Originally Hamad was quite resourceful. He had moved to Istana empty handed and managed to build up 3 stores with 30 employees thanks to his resourcefulness. However he had no power once his subordinates betrayed him. But a.r.s.enal who came to help had this power. Hamad’s cunning and Asuran’s power meant they defeated the former employees one by one. And he was finally able to regain most of his property after 3 months.
“It was around that time that we heard the news.”
This was right after Ark returned from Athamas. Slayer, Leon and Mellin appeared on federation TV to promote S-20.
“That’s how we knew that you were this sector’s administrator. It is why we came so late. We needed some time to clean up my properties.”
“Clean up my properties?”
Ark asked with a puzzled expression. Then Asuran started beating his chest and said.
“I’ve followed Hyung-nim from our time in Beltana. I realized something since following Hyung-nim on Beltana. I’m not fit to be a boss. And I finally found a boss that I can follow. That is Hyung-nim. That’s why I came to Hyung-nim. Hyung-nim, please accept my loyalty!”
“I also have the same idea.”
Hamad nodded and continued.
“I was betrayed by my subordinates and realized that I’m not fit to be a boss. I’m only a merchant. Therefore I need a reliable partner that I can trust. And right now you are the most reliable person. But I didn’t simply come because of loyalty like Hamad. Like I said, I’m a merchant. Profit is emphasized above anything else. So I decided to find out more about S-20. And I judged that it is worth investing in. I packed up my a.s.sets in Julius in order to invest it here.”
“Hyung-nim, why do you have to say things so complicatedly? Don’t you want to be with Hyung-nim? You were dying to do business with Hyung-nim so why are you giving a 5 minute speech? Why are you so embarra.s.sed?”
“Hmm hmm, that is……”
Hamad stammered and blushed as he looked away from Ark. He scratched his head with an embarra.s.sed expression and nodded.
“Something like that. I have fewer opportunities now that I’m older. You’re giving me a chance to recover my strength. After our experience on Beltana, I would like to be partners with you until I die. That’s why I’m willing to invest my entire fortune.”
The 5 trailers parked in front of the administrative office belonged to Hamad. These contained all of Hamad’s a.s.sets from Julius.
‘I had forgotten……’
Ark had been confused until now. However there was no reason to refuse Hamad and Asuran’s offer. No, he didn’t want to. S-20 still needed a lot of work. The larger S-20 became, the more businesses and staff were needed. That’s why he increased his agent rating before leaving for Rakunka. But these employees came to him first. Hamad and Asuran were the rare NPCs who are pioneers! That only would make them beneficial as an employee. However Hamad also came with quite a substantial investment as a dowry. The sector was steadily growing but Ark was still suffering from a lack of funds so he was thankful for it!
“I understand. I’ll accept this investment.”
Ark shook their hands and the information window popped up.
-Asuran has joined Dark Eden as an intern.Name: Asuran (NPC ☆☆☆☆) Occupation: Fighter
Level: 75 Related Skills: Face of Terror, Taunt, Defense-related…..
* Additionally, Asuran’s 26 subordinates have been registered as auxiliary personnel.
-Hamad has joined Dark Eden as an intern.Name: Hamad (NPC ☆☆☆☆) Occupation: Merchant
Level: 98 Related Skills: Trade, Book keeping, Tax relations……
* Hamad’s a.s.sets have been changed to investment funds for Dark Eden.
He had gained 2 new recruits! At the same time Hamad’s property was registered as investment funds. In fact, Dark Eden was a corporation. The funds to found the compensation were given by the Royal Guards from the loot obtained on Beltana’s battlefield. This time there was an influx from Hamad’s property. Therefore it was necessary to rearrange the shares again.
‘Dark Eden is a company after all. I have to properly use the agent system before it becomes more complicated. Now is a perfect time with the influx of new investment.’
But right now he had other work to do.
“Asuran and Hamad, you guys enter the office first. I have somewhere I need to briefly go to. We’ll talk in more detail later.”
Ark hurriedly ran to the artificial lake.
——————————————————————————————————————-
“This way.”
A uniformed man opened the door.
“I’ll wait outside. Call when the meeting is finished.”
The soldier saluted and went outside before closing the door. The young man slowly glanced around the room. It was a small square room only 3 metres wide. A man in his 30s with a haggard expression was sitting at a desk. A pained voice flowed out from the youth’s mouth.
“Uncle.”
“It’s been a month.”
“How have you been?”
“As you can see, I am doing fine. This is heaven compared to prison. I also get visitors so it is better than solitary.”
The man replied with a smile. However the youth couldn’t smile. He couldn’t laugh when seeing his uncle’s tired appearance.
“Please endure it a bit more. It won’t take long.”
“I’m doing well so there is plenty of time.”
“Look at uncle’s appearance. That is you doing well? No, how can I leave it alone when uncle is trapped in a place like this?”
“I have sinned. Those who sinned should pay the price.”
“I don’t think so. What sin did uncle do? It is Global Exos who should pay for their sins, not uncle. They were the ones who ha.s.sled auntie to make the game even though she was dying and they took the game from uncle. Those lousy b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!”
“I also thought this at first.”
The man sighed and shook his head.
“But that was a mistake. No, to be honest I knew in the first place. I just needed a target to blame. I couldn’t live if I didn’t blame anyone. As a result, I made an irreversible mistake. I tried to destroy the thing she loved the most with my own hands and numerous people were embroiled in the damage. Among them there was also a person who fell into a coma. All due to my misunderstanding……”
The man was Park Woo-seong. He was the main programmer of New World. At that time he was promised to marry Yuna, another member of the production team. Yuna fell terminally ill during the creation of the game and Park Woo-seong advised her to rest. Yet Yuna continued working from her hospital bed and eventually died a few months later. Park Woo-seong became furious after her death. That anger was targeted towards their creation, New World!
‘If it wasn’t for New World then she wouldn’t have suffered and died! No, she might not have even fallen ill! New World is the monster that sucked the life from Yuna! I made the monster! So I will destroy it with my own hand!’
He used his anger to build a powerful artificial intelligence with the capacity of self-thinking. Now that program Lucifer was holding a nuclear power plant hostage and threatening the government of Korea. A sigh of regret flowed from Park Woo-seong’s mouth.
“That spectre is still alive and is bringing a lot of damage to many people.”
“Is that also uncle’s fault? It is the government’s responsibility that Lucifer occupied the nuclear power plant. It is the result of their greed. But I’m thankful to Lucifer. Now I have the chance to help uncle.”
“I heard from Chief Moon. The reward you wanted if you succeeded. But I…..”
“I won’t hear another word.”
The young man interrupted with a stubborn expression.
“Uncle raised me alone so you’re like a parent to me. If uncle had just explained a few years ago then I would’ve done anything to help uncle. But you just disappeared without giving me an opportunity to help. Now that chance has come because of the Lucifer that uncle created. I won’t miss this chance.”
“Chang-soo……”
Park Woo-seong looked at his nephew with a complicated expression. He was currently inside the NIS. The government had wanted his help to take care of the artificial intelligence so they brought Park Woo-seong from prison to the NIS. However his ident.i.ty was still a prisoner. In addition, he was a main witness to Lucifer’s occupation of the nuclear power plant. Of course he was supervised by the NIS 24 hours a day and he couldn’t meet any outsiders. That’s why his nephew Park Chang-soo got involved in the Lucifer case.
Park Chang-soo’s profession was a pro-gamer. He had been influenced by Park Woo-seong in virtual reality games since childhood and he had been one of the most powerful users in the game h.e.l.l Lion. However his character and properties suddenly disappeared from h.e.l.l Lion. The NIS had chosen 50 gamers to go against Lucifer. Park Chang-soo was one of the strongest gamers in h.e.l.l Lion so he had also been selected. Park Chang-soo had two conditions when accepting the NIS’ offer. One of them was the right to visit Park Woo-seong once a month. And if he succeeded in reaching the ultimate goal then Park Woo-seong would be freed.
“I’m different from other users. I’m throwing everything into this. And my preparations have ended. I’ll do whatever it takes to reach the ultimate goal before Lucifer and save uncle. I will also step on Ark.”
“Ark?”
Park Woo-seong suddenly raised his head. A smile formed on Park Chang-soo’s face.
“Of course. Ark. If it wasn’t for his actions then uncle would’ve got rid of New World. He interfered with uncle and in exchange became an advisor in Global Exos. If Ark didn’t have the master code then I would’ve moved to New World and smashed him.”
“Ark wasn’t the one who disturbed me. Rather he is the person who stopped me from doing something stupid. If it wasn’t for Ark then I would’ve got rid of the last legacy that Yuna left me.”
“Then you’re telling me to thank him?”
“That’s not what I meant. I have no intention of stopping your plan in Galaxian. Lucifer must be stopped somehow. Therefore Ark and the other users aren’t enemies. We need to stop Lucifer. And the users are your colleagues.”
“That’s not right.”
Park Chang-soo shook his head.
“Only the person who reaches the ultimate goal before Lucifer will receive the reward from the government. Thus we might have the same goal but the 50 gamers are also my enemy. If I can’t be that person then it would be better to let the power plant explode. Because the government should pay the price for trying to selfishly use Lucifer.”
“Chang-soo, what are you saying?”
“Don’t worry, that won’t happen as long as I’m there. Ark might be known as the legendary gamer but I will reach the ultimate goal first.”
A sharp light spread in Park Chang-soo’s eyes.
——————————————————————————————————————-
Slosh, slosh. Chwaaaaak!
Waves flowed as a large sphere floated to the surface of the water. The ident.i.ty of the sphere was a creature that looked like a balloon at first glance. The tentacles attached stretched out while holding fish. The creature with the rounded body moved across the lake and climbed up onto the land. And he looked around with glossy eyes.
-Oh! Ark, you’ve returned!
“Yes, I arrived a short time ago.”
Ark laughed and nodded his head. There were some strange looking creatures that appeared in the universe. The ident.i.ty of this creature was none other than Bak.u.m. He was the leader of the Charenjok that used to live near Charem. After crushing Marquis Jyubel’s plot, Ark had finished the channel connecting S-20 to the waterfall lake and created an artificial lake inside the sector. And he had used the Silver Star to move the Charenjok and the food production factory. The place where Bak.u.m surfaced was an artificial lake.
“Was Elder-nim hunting?”
–I’m a little old so isn’t this much just playing?
Bak.u.m approached him slowly because of the fish being held.
–The channel connects the lakes but not that many fish have come through here. If we want to make a large quant.i.ty of food for 24 hours then we need to swim to the waterfall lake. In addition, the fish here is a lot different from Charem. Look. Isn’t it incredibly sharp?
Bak.u.m pointed to the sharp snout of the fish. The fish that lived in the vicinity of S-20 and the waterfall lake was different from Charem where the Charenjok used to live. They might only be level 20 but they were still cla.s.sified as a monster fish! The evidence was the sharp teeth.
–These guys tried to bite me. There are only a few of them but the fish can be dangerous. So multiple people are required to catch the fish. Anyway, there is no choice but to have insufficient workers.
However there were some benefits. A fish didn’t give any experience. But it was different if the fish were cla.s.sified as monsters. It was difficult to catch the fish but they received more benefits when they threw it in the fish food maker!
Tal tal tal tal! Tal tal tal tal!
-The Charenjok has earned experience!-The Charenjok has earned experience…..
The Charenjok earned experience once the fish were changed into fish paste bars. Thanks to that, the level 30 Charenjok had reached level 35 after moving to S-20. Of course their stats also went up! They also started catching the monster fish faster. That wasn’t all.
-s.p.a.ce food (Mega Piranha)A food made from the Mega Piranha that likes in the lake in the eastern Outlands. The Mega Piranha is a carnivorous species so it is richer in proteins compared to others. Unfortunately it will cause abdominal pain from the toxins if swallowed directly but it can make a s.p.a.ce food high in nutrition if entered into a s.p.a.ce food maker.
The fish in the northern lake only increase satiety by 40%. However the s.p.a.ce food made of the Mega Piranha increase satiety by 60%. There was also an additional effect of recovering health and mental power by 200. The improvement in quality led to a price increase! It sold like hotcakes even when he raised the price from 50 copper to 1 silver. Of course the profit also doubled. The food production factory that used to earn 14 gold and 40 silver in a day increased it to 28 gold and 80 silver after moving to S-20. Ark had a 30% share so he earned 8 gold and 60 silver. The total for one month would be 260 gold. Ark’s income also doubled as well as the Charenjok’s!
–The last few months I’ve been living differently. At this age I can finally live happily. This is all thanks to you. I want to thank you once again on behalf of the Charenjok.
Bak.u.m grinned happily as he bit into the Mega Piranha. Then he suddenly spoke again.
–By the way, did you come here to say something?
“Yes, something like that.”
–Something like that?
“I want to return the money you lent me the other day.”
Ark had borrowed 900 gold to expand the sector when presented with the
-Ah, yes. There was that.
“I wanted to repay you but not in money.”
–Another method?
Bak.u.m was puzzled by Ark’s words.
–No, that…..as you know the biggest reason we’re raising money is to buy our kin who are Java’s slaves. It’s okay if you can’t pay back the money right away but…..even if it takes some time, shouldn’t you return it as money?
“There is no need for that.”
Then yelling was heard from behind.
-Elder-nim!
–Ah, no? You guys surely…..
Bak.u.m flinched as he looked around. Then Bak.u.m’s eyes landed towards the Silver Star and the octopuses running out of it. There were exactly 34 of them. They were…..
–Why are you guys here?
–It is all thanks to Ark-nim!
-Ark?
–Yes, Ark-nim paid our ransom to Java! Now we’re free!
–Then you’re saying……
“Well, it is like this.”
Ark replied with a smile. That’s why he visited Charem before returning to S-20. Once again, the Charenjok’s biggest reason for earning money was to free the slaves caught by Lord Java of Charem. They worked 24 hours around the clock at the food production factory and already earned 70% of the required funds.
‘If this continues then they will gather the funds in the next two weeks. But even if they gather the money, I’ll be joining the task force so I can’t bring the octopuses to S-20 for one month. Anyway, the food manufacturing plant is already established so it is better to bring the octopuses first.’
That’s why he visited Charem and bought the octopuses!
–Heok! Those cephalopods?
–The light brown…..Honey, is that really you?
–Oh, Daddy! Daddy is back! Daddy!
–Oh! Hey guys! Honey!
The octopuses were reunited after a few years! They were all octopuses but Ark could tell the families with one glance. The aunt who inserted fish into the food maker, the young man who fished in the lake, the young boys and girls playing around and Bak.u.m.They were in tears from the return of their family members.
And……wriggle wriggle! Wriggle wriggle! Their legs twisted around each other as they embraced with joy.
–Oh! Really…..such a day really came…..
Bak.u.m who was in tears as he watched the scene turned to Ark.
–You really are someone sent from the heavens. G.o.d must’ve commiserated with us losing our hometown and sent someone to help the Charenjok. Not only did you provide us with a job and security, now you’ve saved our kin. I don’t know how I can repay the favour.
“Huh? No, that……”
Ark was embarra.s.sed by Bak.u.m’s words. He had paid Java 1,000 gold for the octopuses. But he had only borrowed 900 gold from Bak.u.m. His previous 30% profit was 270 gold. Ark had paid Java 1,000 gold so he was actually owed 370 gold. Ark was the type that couldn’t give up even 1 copper. He would be absent for 1 month so the octopuses would need to pay him 370 gold as well as the future proceeds. So it was like he was the one who loaned them money. Yet Bak.u.m was thinking that Ark just gave it to them. Ark became embarra.s.sed as he tried to find a way to explain it. Eventually he just sighed. He scratched his head as he looked at the octopuses dripping with tears of joy.
‘d.a.m.n, how can I say that I’m lending them money in this atmosphere?’
The words couldn’t fall from Ark’s mouth.
‘When thinking about it, Bak.u.m didn’t hesitate to lend me the money without any conditions. I can’t push them heartlessly. 370 gold. It isn’t a small amount but proceeds will steadily flow in from the Charenjok. Yes, let’s just think of it as an investment in my relationship with the Charenjok.’
Ark sighed and shook his head.
“No. Don’t talk like that. I have a lot to do so I’ll leave now.”
–Wait!
Then Bak.u.m grabbed Ark. He looked determined.
-Do you still have the Charenjok’s Token? Haven’t you handled it for a while?
Then the other octopuses looked at Bak.u.m with surprise.
–Elder-nim! Perhaps……?
-Don’t say anything! We owe Ark a lot more for the friendship he showed us. As the Elder of the Charenjok, I am obligated to return this favour. That is the Charenjok’s pride! We have to pay back our benefactor! Now Ark! Give me the Charenjok’s Token!
Bak.u.m held out his leg with trembling eyes.
‘This atmosphere?’
Ark had a feeling at that time. He remembered the octopuses’ reaction the first time he met Bak.u.m. Ark quickly pa.s.sed him the Charenjok’s Token.
–Ohhhhh! Haaayaahh!
Bak.u.m bit into the leg that he was holding up. Then the leg started attaching to the Charenjok’s Token. And it stayed on the head for a long time. Finally the leg dried out and there were small protrusions on the head of the Charenjok’s Token.
-A special feature has been added to the Charenjok’s Token!-Charenjok’s Token (Special) Lv: 3Item Type: Recovery
The Charenjok’s Token was originally sold as a souvenir. It is cute and could sometimes be used as a recovery item so a lot was sold to pioneers. But the Charenjok’s Token has a hidden secret. This secret can only be activated by the power of a Charenjok Elder.
However the elder has to sacrifice a part of their body in order to awaken the power.
Not many Charenjok elders would be willing to sacrifice a part of their body unless they need to repay a pioneer. Therefore not many pioneers know about the true strength of the token.
-First Evolution (Growth): When enough experience points are acc.u.mulated, the basic recovery skills can be elevated.
2nd Evolution (Ink Jet): The token has the ability to produce the ink naturally created by the Charenjok. When the ink jet hits the opponent’s face, it can cause the ‘blind’ state for 30 seconds. The Ink Jet can be fired 5 times and it requires 10 hours to recharge.
He had steadily used the Charenjok’s Token and it had increased to level 3! The recovery effect rose from 3 every 4 seconds so he could regain 450 health in 10 minutes. Ark was able to play the tanker role on Rakunka because of the Charenjok’s Token. It was already a helpful item. And now one more new feature had been added. ‘Ink Jet’ that caused the enemy to become blind! The capability to attack had been added to the token. The effect had increased and he gained a new skill.
‘Evolution added separate features from the token levelling up. The first evolution is the growth of the token effect. The second evolution is the Ink Jet. Then there must be a third and fourth evolution. No, there is no doubt about it. But if I want the Charenjok’s Token to evolve again……’
Ark looked at Bak.u.m’s legs. Bak.u.m smiled lightly and shook his head.
–Don’t pay attention to it.
“Huh?”
-You don’t have to worry about my legs. Now the Charenjok can feel pride that we returned the favour. I am pleased even if I lost a leg.
My heart is a lot lighter.
But that wasn’t the reason why Ark was looking at Bak.u.m’s legs. Bak.u.m had already bit off 2 legs so he still had 6 remaining. In other words, the Charenjok’s Token was capable of 6 more evolutions. Of course Ark had some common sense. However he couldn’t help feeling greedy at the sight of all those legs. An octopus with all its legs cut off. They would just be like a soccer ball.
‘But 2 more is fine! Humans have 2 legs and 2 arms so 4 limbs aren’t a hindrance. Yes, the rest are just extra. He can live with no trouble even if another 2 are removed. However the information window states that the Elder will only do it to repay a favour.’
It wouldn’t be that easy to take off the next 2 legs. Nothing happened in the world without a reason. That applied even more so in the game. A seed planted in a garden won’t grow suddenly. It would be reaped when ready.
‘So I have to sow the seeds.’
Then something popped into his head. It was R-14! Burum on R-14 was the one who gave him the Charenjok’s Token. Bak.u.m on Istana had been dreaming about reviving the clan. And now Ark had given them a safe place to live and a job. So Bak.u.m was hoping to gather his scattered kinsmen.
‘Can I bring Burum’s clan to S-20?’
If Bak.u.m was glad then he might bite off another one of his legs! However R-14 was a s.p.a.ce station orbiting Earth. Even with warp it would take a whole day of flying. It was impossible for him to fly to R-14 and collect Burum at the moment.
‘I would like to do it straight away…..but at least I know about it so I can do it anytime. The octopuses on R-14 will still be there so I can visit after the completion of this mission. Huhuhu, just wait. I have reserved that leg!’
That’s why Ark was staring at Bak.u.m’s legs. Of course Ark wasn’t dumb enough to voice this.
“I’m glad for the thoughts of the clan. But I’m sorry that you had to give up a part of your body. I truly appreciate Elder-nim’s thoughts. As the Charenjok’s friend, I promise to try my best to revive the clan.”
“Thank you.”
Bak.u.m shook Ark’s hand with one of his legs.