Ark Volume 2

by Japtem

  If a counter-attack succeeds, the attack power increases by 50%!

  No matter how good the armor was, there is no way it could handle 150% of the normal attack. In addition, armor is not something that can be continuously used. Leo's armor became tattered in the blink of an eye and his Health was dropping wildly.

  "Dammit! You're dead!"

  Pressed to near critical state, Leo pulled out a potion.

  'High-grade recovery potion!'

  There were all kinds of potions. There is the low class potion, which recovers 100 Health, intermediate potion, which recovers 300 Health, and high class potion which recovers 500 Health. There are also no specific restriction in terms of drinking a Health potion, so as long as one had money they could recover Health anytime. Ark had never once doubted a system like this.

  If so, didn't that mean you would never die if you drank high-class potions like water? However, Ark soon found the flaw in this system.

  It lay in the time it takes to drink the potion. While opening the bag and drinking the potion, they are in a completely defenseless state. Of course, this will lead to a higher chance of receiving a critical hit. In the end, even if they drink a 500 Health potion, if they were to lose 500 Health while they were drinking it, it would do them no good.

  That wasn't the only disadvantage. You could intentionally interfere with the player trying to drink a potion. If you attacked the hand, you could make them drop the potion. Ark had learned that when Bat had shoved himself into Andel's mouth while he was trying to drink a potion.

  Because of this, Ark almost never drank potions even when fighting monsters. Of course, the same applied when facing players, who were smarter than monsters.

  'Idiot, he was just a high-leveled moron.'

  "Dark Charge!"

  In fact, Dedric was of a higher level than Leo in the ability to deal with a situation. A black aura poured from Dedric's mouth and blocked Leo's vision. Then, while Leo was confused, Dedric charged powerfully and sent a flying kick.

  "Agh! Oowww, my head."

  With a thump, Dedric staggered about with a fist-sized lump on his head. Leo, who'd been hurriedly about to drink the potion, shook and stumbled as if he'd taken quite a shock.

  Ark ordered without any delay, "Snake, it's an item! Eat it!"

  Wrapped around Ark's waist, Snake opened its eyes wide and stuck its tongue out. Like a frog catching a fly, it wrapped its tongue around the potion and swallowed it.

  The so-called Familiar combo attack!

  After seeing Snake smack its lips, Leo shouted his shock.

  "EH! Wh-what is this?"

  "What's what? You're dead anyways. Dark Blade!"

  "Ah, no!" Leo quickly held up his shield.

  But before Ark's blade reached the shield, it vanished

  Then it appeared in front of Leo's nose and dealt a Critical Hit.

  Defense was ignored, and since Dedric, who had been promoted to the magic sword's owner, was summoned, the attack power was even greater. With a violent scream, Leo flew back. He tumbled on the ground until he hit the trunk of the tree and was forced to log out.

  Along with 40 bonus Fame, a hammer, two scrolls fell.

  "A-Ark-nim...!" Sid, who'd been watching nervously, stammered with a surprised voice.

  Well, since the 8 level lower Ark had defeated Leo, of course he'd be surprised.

  "Th-thanks to you I survived. I was almost robbed and bankrupted."

  After collecting his wits, Sid jumped up and leapt onto Leo's corpse. The reason why the corpse didn't disappear for 24 hours was probably because the developers considered a use like this.

  "This rotten bastard! Shitface!"

  After panting as he vented his anger, Sid scratched his head.

  "Because of me, Ark-nim was in danger. I'm truly ashamed."

  By then, Ark had furtively packed up his items. He turned his head. There was nothing but coldness in his eyes towards Sid.

  "Just exactly what happened?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "Sid-nim, at the inn you said they were lower level than me. You also said nothing about them being Chaotic. So, I thought you and those guys were working together."

  "No, NO, I'M NOT! I was also tricked!"

  "Tricked? Didn't you use a scroll?"

  "Well, Ark-nim may not know."

  Sid thought for a moment before remembering the scrolls Leo had dropped.

  "First, check the items Leo dropped. That would be faster."

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  Giran, a Merchant's Battlefield

  Hammer of Merciless Destruction (Magic)

  Weapon Type

  One-Handed Hammer

  Attack Damage

  15~20

  Durability

  31/50

  Weight

  60

  Usage Restriction

  More than 180 Strength

  A hammer with a sharp, steel-forged edge, it is difficult to deal with the massive weight, but the power is outstanding. It boasts power mighty enough to reduce decent armor to scrap.

  Option: +10% Armor destruction, 150% more damage to Undead.

  Spirit of Separation (Magic)

  Defense Type

  Steel Helmet

  Defense

  40

  Durability

  11/45

  Weight

  45

  Usage Restriction

  More than 200 Strength

  A helmet with overlapping layers of thin steel and specially made magic-resistant gold plate in between. Boasting strong defense, it has the effect of protecting the mind from mind-related magic.

  Option: Mind-related Magic Resistance +30%.

  Penalty: Agility -10, no penalty if used by a Combat related profession.

  Magic Scroll 'Lie'

  Usage Restriction: Intelligence 60

  Scroll made a long time ago by a notorious Rogue Magician, when used, one can change their information for other people to see at will. Can even fool NPCs of their alignment, level, stats, and profession. However, level can only be adjusted to within the range of 10 levels of actual level.

  1 hour duration. Single use item.

  Magic Scroll 'Robbery'

  Usage Restriction: Intelligence 60

  Scroll with the ability of a notorious Pirate from a long ago. When used, one can designate an item from a user's bag. While the scroll is in effect, killing the opponent will have a 100% drop rate of designated item. Duplicated items are treated as one item. Note, an equipped item cannot be designated. Effect disappears if the caster dies.

  1 hour duration, single use item.

  The items Leo and Hargen had dropped were very useful, but Ark's attention was drawn to the scrolls.

  'There were scrolls such as these?'

  For a user who planned and chose to be Chaotic, wasn't this the best item?! Only then did Ark roughly understand the situation.

  The reason why chaotic players like Leo and Hargen were able to enter the village, and why Sid, who even checked their information, didn't know their identity. It was because of the scroll 'Lie.' Also Sid's terror was because of the scroll 'Robbery'. Since Leo used the scroll, he would have dropped all his silk if Sid had died. If he'd lost the silk he bought by investing his whole fortune, there'd be no hope for Sid. He could only declare bankruptcy.

  'If I died to Hargen, I would have lost all my pearls.'

  Belatedly, just thinking about it caused cold sweat to trickle.

  "You get it now, right?"

  "Yes, I'm sorry for misunderstanding."

  "Not at all- in any case, I would've gone bankrupt if not for you, Ark-nim."

  "But the items Leo and Hargen dropped..."

  In the craziness, Ark quickly claimed ownership of the items. Before there was talk of something else later, it was better to nail it down now.

  Sid nodded as if there was nothing to think about.

  "Of course, Ark-nim should get them. And when we a
rrive in Giran, I'll be sure to repay you for all this. My margin is low so I can't give you much, but I can give you at least 15 Gold."

  "Why go so far... Well, though I'd take it if you're offering."

  Unlike Hyun Woo, refusal wasn't in Ark's dictionary.

  "Yes, I'll be sure to repay you. Ark-nim was almost in big trouble because of me, those bastards, just when will such guys disappear?" Sid ground his teeth as if his rage was exploding again.

  "Anyway, it's a relief it was settled well."

  "By the way..." Sid blew out a sigh as he slumped his shoulders. "If we try to go back to the village and take the safe route, it'll take a few more days. That's the worry. I heard silk prices are falling a lot right now."

  "Let's just keep going this way. I need to get to Giran anyways, so I will protect you."

  "What? But Ark-nim alone..."

  "Don't worry," Ark replied with confidence. "It might take longer than when there were three people, but at this level of difficulty, I can protect you just fine."

  Of course, Gray Ridge had a high difficulty. As Sid had said before, at least 3 players between level 50 and 60 were necessary to pass through safely. But it only applied to those who blindly charged in like Leo and Hargen. There was no reason for Ark to do something so idiotic.

  If he lured them out one at a time with Dedric and took them down with a concentrated attack with Skull, they weren't very difficult opponents. After all, Ark had hunted even more difficult monsters alone.

  Granted, now that the situation had turned out this way, there was really no need to look after Sid. But Ark had his own plan. Even if you fall, you never get up with an empty hand.

  "Ah, but..." Ark stopped walking and made a suggestion, "If I take the role of Leo and Hargen..."

  "If we can get to Giran, I'll give you the protection fee I promised to give those guys. For both of them combined, I promised 25 Gold," quickly answered Sid, quick on the uptake.

  "Of course the reward you promised would be separate?"

  "Huh? Ah. Yes..." A look that said Ark was taking it too far surfaced in Sid's eyes, but when Ark spoke as if he would get what he should definitely get, all Sid could do was nod. "Of course I'll give it to you."

  "Then, for the trust between us, let's write up a contract." Immediately using what he'd learned, Ark's caution shone.

  In the end, Sid had no choice but to reluctantly write up the contract. But it was not the end of Ark's demands.

  "Ah, and Merchant bag space is spacious, right? It's just that I don't have room for japtem..."

  In other words, he meant to take all the items from hunting for himself! Sucking his victim down to the marrow once he caught them, Ark's tenacity was aroused.

  Sid nodded with a sullen face. "I- I will see and do it for you. Since I have some space."

  "I'd be thankful if you did that, now shall we go?" Ark turned vigorously and went over the ridge.

  Only then did Sid realize how horrible a person Ark was.

  As soon as the bag space was acquired Ark's attitude did a 180 flip. When they found monsters, they never just went past. And no matter how long it took, he annihilated them and stored away in the items. That wasn't all. He collected all the grasses and fruits that caught his eye.

  Needing to get to Giran even one hour faster, Sid stamped his feet, but Ark acted like he didn't even notice. Sid wanted to spew curses at least, but somehow, Ark was his life's savior. Plus, they were already in Grey Ridge. He'd get killed by monsters if he got separated from Ark, so all he could do was keep his rage bottled up inside.

  "Now, please hold onto this as well."

  'Waaah, can't you even see I'm in a hurry? Am I just a bag? Are you treating me like a bag? Is that how it is? Dammit, this is the first time I've regretted my choice to be a Merchant this much.' He hadn't been this bitter even when he was being chased by Leo.

  But no matter what Sid thought, Ark liked him. He liked Sid's cute appearance and pleasing personality. Plus, Sid was going to give him 40 Gold as a reward and protection fee when they arrived at Giran, so there was no way Ark couldn't be fond of him. The fact Sid had a lot of information was also helpful.

  'To think that New World had such scrolls. In the future I shouldn't judge people by level.'

  If the 'Lie' scroll could hide more than 15 levels, then even Ark wouldn't be able to do anything but die. 'Robbery' was also a scary scroll. Though they didn't impact the battle directly, they showed enormous power depending on their use. Merchants probably feared these two scrolls the most. Even so, Ark hadn't even known such scrolls existed.

  'There's definitely a limit to getting info from a meager site forum.'

  This experience made Ark keenly realize the best way to get information was to interact with other players.

  But Ark didn't trust players. The case of Leo and Hargen alone was a testament how untrustworthy a player was. Therefore, as he headed to Giran with Sid, he tried to get as much info as possible. Knowledge was now a matter of life and death.

  "A red scroll that can be misused on a player isn't sold in a normal village."

  "Then where can they be obtained?"

  "There is a village only Chaotic players can enter. In the Schudenberg Kingdom as well, there's a Chaotic village called the Lawless City Kairote. Since Merchants don't have much to do with it, I don't really know where it is. Anyway, they say there are lots of various scrolls and items there. 'Lie' and 'Robbery' are famous among them. For the most part, Chaotic players set on PKing use them."

  "What other scrolls are there?"

  "It's also good to be careful of the 'Trace' scroll Leo used on me earlier. As long as you know their name, it's a scroll that can find someone's location within a 1 kilometer radius. And there's also 'Null-Recovery.' If you get hit by this scroll, potions and recovery magic have no effect."

  There were many more. 'Peek' let you look at the items inside an opponent's bag, and it was frequently used in combination with 'Robbery' by Bandits.

  Of course, there were also scrolls that countered them. A typical one was 'Sword of Truth.' If another person was using 'Lie,' it was a scroll that dealt powerful damage while dispelling the effect. But 'Sword of Truth' was expensive and the places that sold it were limited, so it was too much to use every time you hired a mercenary.

  "There are more, but that's about all I know."

  "Even so, it was a great help."

  'Until now, I didn't have any interest in scrolls, but it's not something I can overlook.' Ark realized the value of information anew.

  In fact, scrolls were such a specialized field that there was even a separate profession related to it. There were hundreds of types of scrolls, and among the Rare-class scrolls, there was even one that could deal a fatal blow to your opponent. And since the indirectly applied ones were also dangerous, even if he didn't use them himself, he needed to know them all to not be a victim.

  'Kairote, huh...'

  A village where only Chaotic players can enter. Since it was indeed a game with infinite freedom, it seemed there was a way for Chaotics could live with other Chaotics. Plus, countless scrolls with unknown effects were only sold in Kairote. If he could use those scrolls freely, it would definitely show an immense effect.

  'I should go look for it one day.'

  Ark also asked for information on various regions of the Schudenberg Kingdom, its specialties, and hunting grounds. Each time he asked, Sid answered him freely.

  For a Merchant, information turns to money. Merchants who cleared routes alone didn't divulge such information lightly. No, other professions were the same. The reason why the information site forums were scanty was because information hoarding. Since Ark didn't share information about hidden dungeons, he couldn't blame them. But since Sid owed Ark a huge debt, so he couldn't refuse sharing information. It was valuable information money can't buy.

  "Ah, do you by any chance know about a place called the Underground World?"

  "Underground world? I wonder
?"

  Ark asked on an off chance he might know, and Sid scratched his head. "I haven't been there, but I heard that among the Dwarven villages, there's even a place under the ground."

  "No, I'm talking about a Beast village."

  "If it's a Beast village, there's none I know, either. I haven't even seen a Beast myself, and players who choose to be Beasts start in the Sinius Principality."

  "I'm not looking for a player village."

  "Really? If I get some info later, I'll tell you by mail."

  "Thank you."

  "But can't we please move a little faster?"

  Of course, Ark pretended not to hear Sid's last words. Even so, since they were moving, their goal steadily got closer. After about 20 hours, Grey Ridge finally stopped and the sight of the commercial city Giran came into view from the base of the hills.

  Giran was larger and grander than any city he had gone to.

  Encapsulated by thick walls, Giran was divided down the middle by canals, marking off several regions, such as Trade, Production, and Magic. Each of the areas was bigger than Jackson Castle.

  As soon as they arrived in Giran, Sid rushed over to the trading post.

  "Ah, thankfully silk prices haven't dropped yet."

  After a long time Sid came out with a much brighter expression. "Thanks to selling the silk, Ark-nim's japtem, and the pearls, my level went up by 5. Jewelry and Textile trading skill proficiency both went up by 40, and my silk share went up by 2% as well. All in all, this trade was a huge success."

  "Congratulations." Generous with free lip service, Ark confirmed the ample money sack in Sid's hand and also felt good. "Then it's time to divide the money?"

  "Ah, yes, of course." Sid smiled bitterly as he nodded.