Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  “That information isn’t confirmed yet!”

  Haman slammed his fist against his desk and shouted. But Irina just lifted an eyebrow and continued speaking.

  “After the battle at the enemy base was finished, Ark explained the situation to Peratul and handed over the data on his Nymphe. He looked at the data and declared that the reason to arrest Ark is invalid. Please release Ark immediately.”

  “Hah, really……”

  Haman scratched his head with a tired expression. He turned around slowly before gazing outside the window and muttered with a deep voice.

  “The data submitted by Ark……dispose of it.”

  “Huh? What are you saying? Why?”

  “You still don’t understand?”

  Haman clasped his hand together and said.

  “Let’s assume that Ark is telling the truth. 400 regular troops have been fighting the Rama on Beltana for months. The military gains hadn’t been that good. The army experienced so much defeat that the federation considered withdrawing from Beltana. Yet a prisoner who was just sent to Beltana managed to discover the Rama’s central base and played a key role in the victory……what would people think?”

  Haman’s face warped.

  “An incompetent federal army. That is what people will think.”

  “Commander-nim, surely……”

  “Listen to my words carefully Irina.”

  Haman turned and started straight at Irina.

  “The person who led us to victory must belong to the galactic federation. Not a criminal.”

  “Then that is Valencia?”

  “Who else is there?”

  “Commander-nim seems to have forgotten my duty.”

  “No, I know. You are a secret inspector from the central government’s 2nd branch.”

  “Then I’ll talk quickly. I was sent to Beltana to investigate claims that prisoners will paying bribes to someone. That person is Valencia who was the leader of the 1st armoured platoon. And I’ve secured evidence through my investigation. Do you really want such a person to play the main role in the victory?”

  “It’s not like that.”

  “Huh?”

  “This is a decision from higher up.”

  Irina stiffened at Haman’s words. Haman stared at Irina and continued in a dull voice.

  “You’re clever enough to understand my words. Public opinion has been against the federation since the day we started fighting against the Rama in the Bellin constellation. What will be the response if an elite warrior like Valencia was accused of stealing an ally’s achievements as well as taking bribes? Even if he is fired, the federation will still be criticized. It is necessary to change the atmosphere.”

  “Isn’t that just an excuse?”

  “No, it is a strategy.”

  Haman answered curtly.

  “Right now the galactic federation needs a hero. The hero can’t be a mere prisoner. We need someone who can give hope to soldiers on the battlefield. We need to look at the wider picture. Sometimes the small things need to be ignored.”

  “I only hear excuses.”

  Irina replied in a cold tone.

  ‘Dirty……’

  Her eyes trembled. But the person who appeared in her mind wasn’t Haman but ‘him.’ Once she had loved ‘him.’ In her childhood she had seen many people bow to him and was proud. But she gradually started to learn the truth. ‘He’ had power and money and would do anything to keep that power and money. She felt betrayed the moment she realized it. However, she couldn’t do anything. She couldn’t go against the money and power that ‘he’ had. The thing that made her even more powerless was that ‘he’ was her father. So she ran away. She couldn’t escape in reality so she entered the virtual world of Galaxian. And became an inspector. It was work she couldn’t do in real life. Yet…..yet…..

  –In this line of work, sometimes small things need to be ignored for the larger picture.

  ‘His’ voice seemed to flow from Haman’s mouth. He said that while casually trampling on other people. She had run away from words like that. She escaped to the game world but now she was hearing those words again. And……

  “Didn’t I tell you? This is a decision from higher up. There is nothing you can do.”

  ‘Even in this place……’

  She felt helpless

  ———————————————————————————————

  “Those damn federation guys.”

  Clem said angrily. While Ark had been trapped in prison for several hours, Clem had been going around to the officers and protested violently. But the answers were always the same. It was hard to prove that Valencia intercepted the Carrier MR-II with the record that Ark submitted from his Nymphe. Therefore he couldn’t argue against the legitimacy of the desertion claim.

  “It is clear what they mean by those answers. They used such lame excuses for a reason. They intend to make him a scapegoat.”

  “Scapegoat? Why?”

  Mellin asked.

  “They want to save face.”

  Clem spat out angrily.

  “The federation isn’t going to announce that a war going on for several months was won by some prisoners. The reason the federation is doing so badly in the Bellin constellation is because the Aschulat broke the alliance and withdrew. If the federation announces that the war was won by prisoners then it is like announcing they are incompetent. So they are trying to make Ark a criminal.”

  “Then who do they intend to announce received the best achievements in this war?”

  “Valencia.”

  The person who answer was Ark who had been keeping silent until now. Clem glanced at Ark before sighing and nodding.

  “That seems to be the case when looking at the atmosphere.”

  The Royal Guards then cried out.

  “Valencia? That is ridiculous!”

  “Yes, how could someone who stole information and embezzled become a hero?”

  “We have to stop something like this!”

  “Of course. I have no intention of leaving this alone.”

  Clem snorted and rolled up his sleeve. But Ark scratched his head and muttered in a calm voice.

  “Let’s see. The federation won’t easily change their minds if you’re the only one protesting.”

  “It’s not just me. Someone else is helping.”

  “Someone else is helping?”

  “Irina, the leader of the prisoner unit.”

  “Irina?”

  “Yes, she overheard soldiers talking about you being arrested and went to talk to the Commander. She is different from the other officers and insists that you’re innocent. She is willing to testify about your innocence.”

  ‘Irina went to the Commander to protest?’

  Ark was confused by the unexpected words. The prisoners called Irina a ruthless woman. Even if the prisoners were about to die from starvation, she wouldn’t distribute food if they were missing even 0.1 grams of food. There were even rumours that she was an ugly lady in her 40’s. Of course, Ark knew that rumour wasn’t true. He had met a woman who looked like Irina at a charity party. The synchronization rate was 99%. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Yet she pretended she didn’t know Ark when they met in the game again. It was hard to believe that she was proclaiming his innocence.

  ‘Perhaps…..she was unconsciously aware of me?’

  He thought about it. No other plausible reason floated into his head.

  ‘Yes, that might be it. I also saved her from being humiliated at the party. She must’ve pretended she didn’t know me because she was shy. I thought she was just someone without good manners but doesn’t she have a surprisingly cute side?’

  He thought like that. But this situation was different. Even if she went on a hunger strike to protest Ark’s guilt, there was no apparent way to solve the situation. After a while, Ark shrugged it off and said.

  “It is impossible.”

  “Impossible? What
do you mean?”

  “Clem-nim said it a while ago. Commander Haman arrested us to protect the reputation of the galactic federation. If it is true then this wouldn’t just be Commander Haman’s decision. The galactic federation probably made a decision to ignore that information from my Nymphe that I submitted about the Carrier MR-II. The Captain Clem and Irina’s protests won’t be heard.”

  “I also know this!”

  Clem snapped angrily.

  “But are you telling us to do nothing?”

  “Of course not.”

  Ark smiled and replied.

  “Didn’t you hear what I said when the Commander arrested me?”

  “What did you say?”

  “I said he was going to regret it.”

  Ark leaned back with a relaxed look and continued.

  “Maybe he is already regretting it.”

  ——————————————————————————————————————————

  “It will be closed like this?”

  Irina asked with a cold voice. She couldn’t accept the federation’s decision. No, she couldn’t accept that she was powerless in the game. She came here to escape the unavoidable reality. So she left headquarters and headed towards the Star Gate. If she returned to the galactic federation then she could find someone to help.

  ‘Someone has to listen to me.’

  That was her only hope for now. However, she wasn’t even able to approach the Star Gate.

  “Commander Haman said that no one can use the Star Gate at the moment. Especially Irina-nim.”

  The soldier who smirked and replied was from the 1st armoured platoon.

  “I have a special permit to use the Star Gate any time I want. You are violating federal law if you stop me. Even if the Commander said so……”

  “We are only following orders. You should object to the Commander.”

  “You guys really……”

  Irina frowned and took one step forward.

  Woong woong woong woong. Woong woong woong woong.

  Suddenly light started being emitted by the Star Gate. A bunch of light gathered in the centre like fireflies and a group of people appeared. They were soldiers with the mark of the galactic federation on them. But Irina and the armoured platoon was looking at a middle aged man in the centre with various medals on his uniformed chest. Irina looked at the middle aged man with bemused eyes and muttered.

  “Why is Marquis Martin……”

  “M-Marquis Martin? Marquis Martine from the central government?”

  The galactic federation was a republic where medieval ranks existed. Even ordinary citizens were divided into 1st class and 2nd class citizens, with noble ranks existing above them. Of course, unlike medieval times there was no discrimination by status but the benefits they could enjoy were different

  There was no need to talk about nobility. The central government positions were similar to present day congressmen. Moreover, Marquis Martin was the aristocrat who held the post of special advisor to the central government about military affairs. He had a lot of power over the federal army. In fact, the person Commander Haman talked to and who sent mercenaries from Istana was Marquis Martin

  The armoured platoon saluted after hearing Irina’s words. Then Irina moved between the armoured platoon members and exclaimed.

  “Marquis Martin, I need to talk to you!”

  But Marquis Martin didn’t even look at her. Marquis Martin just approached the armoured platoon and raised his voice.

  “Guards, guide me to Commander Haman right now!”

  ——————————————————————————————————————————

  “Uhh…..”

  Thick drops of sweat rolled down Haman’s forehead.

  “What’s wrong? Are you in pain somewhere?”

  The voice expressed concern but he wasn’t thankful about it at all. The voice who smirked belonged to the protagonist, Ark.

  “Is the indoor heating too high? Outside it is still -50 degrees but in here it is quite hot. Perhaps Commander-nim should go outside and gather Iridium? You can exercise and get some food.”

  “Shut up!”

  “Aigoo, I’m hurt that Commander-nim told me to shut up. Should you be treating the prisoner unit like this?”

  “You dare……”

  “Commander Haman, back off.”

  Haman’s face contorted with discomfort. The middle aged man staring out the window turned around. With various medals hanging from his uniform, it was Marquis Martin. Marquis Martin started at Haman who twitched and withdrew. Marquis Martine then sat down and asked Ark.

  “Are you Ark?”

  “Do you know me?”

  “You’re a celebrity.”

  Marquis Martin placed a small metal plate on the table. Light soared up and a 3D holographic image was displayed. The video shown a group of people rushing inside a domed building. They killed the Rama they encountered and installed bombs where the Star Gate was located then blew up the base. That wasn’t all. The main character of the video also defeated 1 Gigantic by himself and earned some amazing achievements. The protagonist of that video was Ark! This video was taken by Ark.

  ‘I didn’t think it would be used like this……’

  Ark had started filming when he was rushing towards the Rama’s headquarters.

  ‘If I destroy the Rama’s Fairy and Star Gate then I will receive the most achievements!’

  That was the purpose of Ark and the detachment. However, he started to become uneasy once he actually arrived at the Rama’s main base. Ark’s purpose was to gather achievements so he could leave Beltana. If they destroyed the Fairy and Star Gate then Ark and the Royal Guards would receive the achievements. The problem was the overflowing achievements.

  ‘If I was a normal soldier then I would receive the compensation. But I’m a prisoner. Prisoners just need to gather enough achievements to decrease their crime value. Once the crime value was paid off, special compensation will be given for the remaining achievements. In other words, there is no guarantee that I will be rewarded for so much achievements.’

  Of course, he hadn’t thought about the compensation at first. But the thoughts started coming once he received so much achievements. Ark thought about it. He needed a safety device.

  ‘If suffered so much to obtain the achievements so it will be troubling if the federation doesn’t give it to me. But it is different if I film the scenes directly. If the federation becomes reluctant then I can show them the video. If this video is seen then I will definitely receive the most achievements. The federation won’t be able to put it off.’

  He started the recording function on his Nymphe with those ulterior motives. Ark could afford to be calm when arrested because of this video. Once they returned to the base, the federation’s attitude towards Ark had immediately changed. The problem was that Ark raised an excessive amount of achievements. Destroying the Fairy, Star Gate and Gigantic meant he gained 22,320 points. Needless to say, it was the best among all the Beltana soldiers. They were prisoners so none of the regular troops wanted to see them sweep up the achievements. Ark hadn’t considered the problem of public sentiment. Anyway, the conclusion was the same. The only thing the federation could do was invalidate Ark’s achievements.

  ‘If the galactic federation acts like this then I can’t stay still.’

  The video stored in his Nymphe floated in his head. If he showed the video then the federation couldn’t deny that Ark was the one who displayed the most merit in the war. Of course, Istana was light years away from Beltana and Ark was imprisoned but users had different ways to get information to other users. It was the Internet. Ark had distributed the video through the internet as soon as he grasped the situation. The Beltana war was the first one to be concluded since Galaxian was commercialized. The battle even involved the Gigantic that few users would’ve heard about before. As soon as it was uploade
d on the internet, the users’ interest explosively concentrated on it. It received 10 million hits in one day! It spread through the players so naturally the NPCs would also know about it. Some of the 10 million users who saw the video downloaded it to their Nymphe and distributed it in the game. That was the video Marquis Martin showed him.

  “This isn’t ordinary. A mere prisoner managed to calculate up to here and made a safety device for such a situation.”

  Actually, he had made it for a different reason. But there was no reason to tell him that.

  “I spent many days in -50 degrees weather holding my starving stomach so of course I’m prepared.”

  “Let’s cut a long story short.”

  Marquis Martin laughed and continued.

  “I admit that our side made a mistake. Commander Haman didn’t handle the post-war circumstances so I apologize on behalf of the federation. Now that I know the circumstances, we will admit your achievements as well as grant amnesty to the rest of the prisoners.”

  “And?”

  Marquis Martin was confused by Ark’s question. His expression was saying ‘what do you want other than amnesty?’ But it was no use in this atmosphere. Once again, Ark had gained 22,320 achievements. Being pardoned was an inevitable result. Ark had taken the video in the first place to extort even more compensation. He had to spend a couple of hours in prison so Ark wasn’t going to let it go that easily.

  ‘Martin is placing all the blame on Haman but clearly the galactic federation was involved. If I return to Istana and make noise then it can embarrass the federation. Now I’m the one holding the sword hilt. If they persist in attacking me then I will bite them.’

  Ark’s intuition was pinging. Marquis Martine narrowed his eyes as Ark persisted and asked.

  “What do you want?”

  In this situation, the government was forced to accept any request no matter how absurd it was. However, Galaxian was a game and Marquis Martin a NPC. Just like in real life, NPCs had different personalities. For example, some NPCs would give rewards if their lives were saved regardless of the quest restrictions or difficulty. If he wasn’t too greedy then sometimes he could receive even more. Therefore it was more difficult when users had a lot of options for compensation…..Ark had to guess the upper limit of how much compensation Marquis Martin would give.