by Yoo Seong
“But 50 silver is half of my entire fortune so it is slightly expensive……”
The users complained when first hearing the fee. 50 silver was a huge amount of money in R-14. Then Ark quickly said.
“It isn’t expensive. Don’t you know? 50 silver is only big because this is the beginner area. It isn’t a huge amount of money once you start earnestly hunting on the frontiers. Don’t you know users are already selling 10 gold on the auction site? Isn’t it better to spend 50 silver to hunt properly for a few hours and then earn your money on the frontier? Frankly, I think it is better to hunt here for several hours even if I have to spend 1 gold. But you also need money for food and repairs so the cost is just 50 silver.”
“Indeed.”
The user nodded.
“Yes, then I’ll hunt here.”
“Thank you. Then I’ll take 1 gold for the moment.”
“Huh? 1 gold? Didn’t you tell me it was 50 silver just now?”
“Yes, the hunting fee is 50 silver. The remaining 50 silver is a deposit. I will return the deposit once you reach level 10 and leave R-14.”
Ark said with a smile. In fact, the problem Ark was most worried about when commercializing the hunting ground was security. The reason the octopuses tried to kill Ark was because this was illegal. If the crew learnt that the octopuses were secretly raising space bugs then everything would be seized. So Ark made sure that the customers received the
‘In some cases, the users might feel vindictive and file a complaint!’
Ark didn’t believe in users. People were animals who could change their minds at any moment. It was a game so nothing more needed to be said. No user would feel guilty for killing someone. The deposit from users was a safety precaution. Ark would return the 50 silver once the users reached level 10 and were on the verge of leaving R-14.
‘This is to ensure that the hunting ground isn’t discovered but…..’
Thus Ark intentionally took a different complicated path every time he took them to the hunting ground. Even if they knew about the existence of the hunting ground, the users or NPCs wouldn’t be able to find it. Soon the hunting ground would become an urban legend of R-14! He had placed a threefold security device!
‘Yes, this is sufficient.’
The business was successful. No, it was a business that had no choice but to succeed when considering R-14’s job shortage. Ark went around for a few hours and gathered 20 users from sectors 1~5. He managed to collect 10 gold at once.
-Wow! U-unbelievable!
Burum trembled while looking at the 10 gold. The octopuses only received 20 copper when cleaning 200 metres of pipe
10 gold for them was like cleaning 5,000 kilometres. Burum was giddy after seeing such a large amount of money.
-It is possible to gain money like this. T-then we should attract more pioneers…..
“That would be a problem.”
Ark declared firmly.
“It won’t work. The marketability of this hunting ground is the amount of monsters. The proliferation of the bugs is slower than the users’ hunting rate so 20 users is just right. If more users gather then the merit would fall. In addition, security will suffer if the number of users increases.”
If they ate to much then an accident was likely to occur. Although greed was necessary for business, sometimes patience was required.
“This is a long-term business. If we continue to bring 20 users then the earnings will steadily increase. If you want to increase revenue then the only way is to increase the users’ hunting speed.”
–Increase the users’ hunting speed? What do you mean?
“Helping them level up faster.”
-Faster?
“Yes.”
Ark pointed towards the hunting grounds.
“Pant pant, I don’t have much health left. I’ll take it easy for a while.”
The users had hunted like crazy for a while so they started gasping and panting. The level 7 users had teamed up in groups of 5 and fought a few space bugs at once. It was different from sectors 1~5 as the users could rest if they lost a lot of health. Ark didn’t like that. They needed to quickly get to level 10 so he could attract other customers. Ark quickly approached the resting users.
“You paid a high fee to enter so shouldn’t you increase your level a little faster?”
“But I don’t have much health left.”
“Then I’ll give you the recovery service.’
Ark winked and the octopuses suddenly swarmed. A few of them attached to 1 person and their health was quickly restored.
“Eh? Health recovery!”
“Huhuhu, this is a service for people using the paid hunting ground.”
Of course, this also wasn’t free. He got one space bug leather and meat every time they used the service! Some users rejected it but they saw other users quickly raising their level and eventually gave in to the service system. Even if they collected 20 japtem and reported the quest, they could only receive 20 silver. It was better to give up some silver to raise their experience.
“Hunt quickly. You paid 50 silver for this hunting ground. Isn’t it better to quickly reached level 10 so you can gather expensive loot on the frontier?”
Ark eagerly supported the users. If users were replaced quickly then it would further enrich Ark’s wallet. The problem was the distributing of income between Ark and the octopuses. However, Ark had clearly clarified this issue before starting the business.
“I didn’t tell the crew and I only thought of the business plan so I want all of the income.”
Dudong!
The octopuses’ eyes popped out at Ark’s words.
–Isn’t that just like having the space bugs confiscated?
–What about us? What about our future?
“It is only until I leave R-14.”
Ark soothed the octopuses with those words.
“I will also leave this place once I gain sufficient experience. Of course I will teach you everything you need to know to operate the hunting ground. The Charenjok can get a steady income for a few months.”
Even if Ark was earning income, he couldn’t stay in R-14 forever. Once he left for the frontiers then he couldn’t return
Therefore he had to be satisfied with monopolizing the income while he was at R-14. The octopuses obediently accepted Ark’s proposal. No, they lifted their 8 tentacles and made him welcome. Ark had caught their weak point so they had no choice but to accept. He made it clear he would only obtain the income until he left R-14. So he earned 10 gold in one day.
‘Now I can buy a few Modified Alloy Daggers…..’
Ark shook his head and pushed down his impatience.
‘I didn’t clean the pipes simply to make money. It is a process to recover my original mindset. I can’t give that up just because I earned some money. There is the paid hunting ground so I can level up any time I want. At first I just cleaned the pipes to earn money to buy a dagger. I saved 283 mileage points after switching to that method. I only need to complete it 100 more times to earn the dagger so that is 2 days remaining!’
Tighten and oil….scrub….tighten and oil……
Despite Ark’s purse becoming thick, Ark didn’t stop cleaning. Ark couldn’t imagine stopping his pride training.
-Ark, come see me for a bit.
It happened when he competed 300 mileage. He received Cheksun’s call from the Nymphe and went to find him.
“I’m sorry but I have to let you go today.”
“Huh? What do you mean……?”
Ark thought the hunting ground had been discovered and his heart dropped.
“Like I said before, the budget i
s small thanks to the Charenjok. You’ve saved quite a few mileage so any more would be wasteful expenses for the budget. That’s why I wanted to talk to you…..I have to let you go. I’m sorry.”
‘There is also a limit to repeatable quests.’
He had set his sights on wiping the pipes until he earned enough to buy a dagger. He was reluctant to leave his work one day earlier but it was still valuable. But Ark miscalculated.
“Here it is. You’ve earned 1 gold and 55 silver for you maintenance work.”
“Huh? 1 gold 55 silver?”
“Yes, your contract was 40 copper and you gained 80 silver from the 200 mileage. You also completed it 100 times after becoming Cleaning Foreman so that is 60 silver. The bonus mileage is 15 copper. That is 1 gold and 55 silver.”
‘That’s right! Isn’t this quest made so someone could recover their lost dagger? Then they should earn the value of a dagger by the end. I didn’t calculate the mileage bonus so I added extra time.’
In the end, Ark had achieved his goal. He settled the other problem and he didn’t need to worry about the quest anymore.
“Thank you. But I’ve become familiar with the Charenjok in the meantime. Can I often come here?”
“Of course. You’re always welcome.”
Ark received a definite answer and headed towards the store.
“Wait a moment.”
Cheksun called out to Ark.
“To be honest, this isn’t only due to the instructions from above. You didn’t seem like you were going to quit so I wanted to make you stop.”
“Huh? What does that mean…..?”
“You were in a tough situation after first entering the universe and ended up cleaning the facilities. I was also like that. When I first entered space, I had the thought of engraving my name in history. But the universe was tougher than I thought. Not anyone can succeed as a pioneer. In the end I gave up on my dream but you are still young. Yes, cleaning the pipes isn’t a place for someone like you.”
Cheksun looked at Ark.
“At first I ignored you. But I’ve been watching and you are different from other people. The universe is scary. Endless dangers exist in the universe. Any moment could break the will of a young pioneer. After seeing your hard work, I believe that you can get through any difficulties. I wish for your success so I’ve prepared a small gift.”
Cheksun handed him a toolbox.
-Cheksun’s Toolbox
Item type: Skill Supplement
The toolbox used by Cheksun, the manager of R-14’s internal facilities maintenance. It is possible to repair simple facilities using this tool. However, the materials to repair the equipment is needed.
* Possible to repair general items (Need Resources)
“This is a toolbox that I’ve used. It is old but comfortable to use. And a wrote a letter to some friends on the frontier. My friend Tori operates a company on the frontier so you can receive several favours if you show him my letter.”
Then an information window appeared from the Nymphe.
-
You have worked patiently to clean the pipes at the space station. The sector 7 manager Cheksun appreciated your patient and handed a recommendation letter to his friend called Tori. Cheksun’s old friend Tori was assist you if you show him the recommendation letter. Go see him quickly.
Difficulty: –
-You have received the quest item ‘Cheksun’s Letter of Recommendation.’
Ark wouldn’t refuse it.
“Thank you.”
Ark’s face became animated. He never imagined this ending to the repeatable quest. But the value of the compensation received from Cheksun wasn’t a problem. He repeated the quest 300 times! He cleaned 30 kilometres of pipes by the time the quest ended. The biggest reward was the increase to his confidence after seeing what he achieved. There was only one thing left to do!
“The dagger!”
Chaking!
The dagger soared from Ark’s bag. He had completed the quest 300 times and managed to buy the Modified Alloy Dagger! Ark grabbed his dagger and plunged into the paid hunting ground.
“Let’s go! Level up!”
Ark was a free ticket user.
Space 5
R-14’s Master
-Your body has been restored through the revival system ‘Fairy.’
The message window flashed in front of Ark. But he no longer paid attention to such messages.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve seen this.”
Ark murmured as he checked his equipment. The Fairy was a revival system where the user was exactly restored to the state that they registered. Of course, this was limited to R-14 that was the beginner area but there was little damage when dying if the users registered. It meant there was no need to fear death. Therefore he could try everything.
“If there is no death penalty……”
It was possible to train skills that appeared through death. Back in New World, Ark learnt the Indomitable Will skill because he died so much. There also might be a similar skill in Galaxian. And the only time to try it out was on R-14 where there was no death penalty!
–Since it is a free service, a lot of pioneers play tricks and die.
Bhurad said the first time Ark revived with the Fairy. They also seemed to be thinking like Ark. This was a death penalty free area so there was a chance of obtaining a hidden skill. Ark’s autobiography had stated that Ark learnt a hidden skill through this area.
‘Virtual reality games aren’t that easy for the users these days.’
He had to prepare himself. So Ark spent an entire day dying. Thanks to that, he figured out hidden information about the Fairy revival system……
-You have received the ‘aftereffect’ caused by frequent revivals.
The Fairy is a system that perfectly recycles the registered body. But frequent revivals placed a considerable burden on the spirit. In the worst case scenario, it will lead to mental damage. A proper rest is needed for recovery.
He couldn’t acquire any skills through dying. Ark confirmed the ‘aftereffect’ message and stop trying to obtain a death related skill. However, Ark wasn’t disappointed.
‘I found out about this penalty so it isn’t a waste of time.’
It was still the beginning stages of a game. Even information that seemed boring was valuable. It might’ve seemed like a reckless attempt but it also brought something good.
–Hey, are you okay?
Burum asked anxiously after the 20th time he died.
–It is impossible by yourself so shouldn’t you try to fight with the other pioneers?
The NPCs couldn’t understand that Ark was intentionally trying to die.
“No. I’m fine on my own. This place is safe but who knows what type of dangers there will be once I leave R-14. There is no doubt that I’ll encounter risky moments. I can’t possible ask for somebody’s help every time while I’m travelling.”
–You’re not wrong but…..
Burum scratched his head with hesitation. He worried a while before proposing.
-Then do you want to learn a technique of the Charenjok?
“Huh? A technique of the Charenjok?”
–I noticed that humans seem to have a little trouble moving on mud. Is that right?
In fact, that was the part that irritated Ark the most. Even if Ark wanted to die, it was no use if the space bugs just chewed on him. He wanted to practice various battle techniques before dying. He had no skills and had to rely on basic offense and defense. Attacking was no problem but he had trouble with defending. His ankle would often get stuck in the mud and would cause him to fall. The mud floor of the paid hunting ground was the area where the Charenjok lived. It was easy for them because they were octop
uses but Ark wasn’t an alien. His movements were so dull on the mud that it was difficult for him to even move. He had no chance to use evasive movements. The other users were hunting in groups of 5 so the mud wasn’t a problem for them. Ignore defense! Ignore evasion!
Why would they have any problems when they just stood there and attacked? But Ark was hunting alone so he needed manoeuvrability. Burum thought that was the reason why Ark continued to die.
–A muddy ground is the best environment for the Charenjok. It is how the Charenjok were able to survive many brutal monsters. There are hardly any monsters able to catch up to us when travelling on mud. I can teach you this technique.
‘A skill from an NPC!’
Ark immediately nodded and accepted the offer.
“Yes, I’ll sincerely learn it!”
–Huhuhu, yes. Because you are just like the Charenjok’s benefactor.
Burum chose a location.
–Now, please follow me. First spread your legs like this and…..
His 8 legs started quivering and moving.
‘…..Is this a joke?’
How could Ark move like that when he didn’t have 8 legs? However, Ark swallowed the words which rose in his throat and followed Burum’s instructions. This was a technique that the NPC offered first
There definitely had to be a way to learn it. Once he set a goal, he recklessly dashed towards it! Ark rolled in the mud and desperately did the training. Burum also enthusiastically taught him.
–Not like that! Relax a bit more! Like suk suk!
There was a reason Burum was so desperate. The octopuses could only collect the income from the hunting ground once Ark left R-14. Therefore the octopuses wanted Ark to level up quickly so he could leave R-14. Ark managed to master the skill thanks to such passion.
‘The main point isn’t using 8 legs. The important thing is how evenly I can distribute my weight. It is the same principle as someone with super strength picking up an egg. Remove the unnecessary power and disperse the weight.’
It was the secret to balancing in mud!
-A new skill (Common Occupation ☆☆) has been learnt.
Swamp Walking (User, Passive): Not all environments on the frontier of space are suitable for humans. Therefore it is important that pioneers can adapt to harsh environments. The faster method is to learn from the local aliens. You have learnt Swamp Walking from the Charenjok.