Ark the Legend 1-12
Page 52
“I don’t want a lot. I just want to be treated like a regular soldier.”
In other words, he wanted to receive the same reward that a regular soldier would get if they earned 22,320 achievements.
“Of course, that also applies to the prisoners who follow me and the Silver Hand. Oh, I also want Valencia to receive punishment for stealing the information I sent.”
“To receive the same treatment as a regular soldier and punish Valencia……”
Haman jumped up after hearing Marquis Martin’s words.
“Don’t make me laugh! You’re a prisoner. A prisoner wants to be treated like a regular soldier?”
“Commander please don’t interrupt.”
Marquis Martin sent a sharp look at Haman. He then relaxed his body and looked at Ark.
“That deal is possible. Okay, that conditions aren’t bad so I’ll accept. You will be acknowledged as the one who earned the most merit in the war. But I also have a condition.”
Marquis Martin smiled and continued.
“I need a hero.”
——————————————————————————————————————————
And several hours later. A user exited the underground plaza in the Nephalim branch of the galactic federation. The light disappeared and people flocked like vultures around the user.
“Please give us a short interview!”
“How does it feel becoming a person with the highest merit after being a prisoner? Can you fully explain the situation on the battlefield?”
“Did the Gigantic really appear on Beltana?”
“You defeated a Gigantic directly?”
“I heard you don’t have a sponsor yet. Scouting offers should be sent by the galactic federation and the 4 big businesses. Have you decided on one?”
The people swarming around the Star Gate were reporters.
“Ark-nim, please tell me how you feel leaving as a prisoner and returning a hero!”
The recipients of the quick-fire questions was Ark! He was the protagonist of the video that swept through Istana, the hero who won the war on Beltana for the galactic federation. But Ark shook his head and said slowly.
“I’m not a hero.”
“Huh? But the video of Ark-nim……”
“Yes, I’m the one in the video. But as you can see, I didn’t destroy the Rama base or defeat the Gigantic by myself. I had the help of my colleagues and fellow prisoners who committed some diversionary tactics as well as Marquis Martin who sent the mercenary troops to help.”
“Marquis Martin-nim? Then Marquis Martin is involved in this victory?”
“That’s right.”
Ark looked up and nodded.
“Don’t be modest!”
A cry was heard from a group of light behind him. It was from the uniformed Marquis Martin. He was also baptised with relentless flashes from the surprised reporters. Marquis Martin approached Ark and grabbed his shoulder before saying.
“I’m the one who approved the operation and dispatched the mercenary troops to Beltana. But that would mean nothing if we didn’t win. The soldiers on the battlefield are the ones who risked their lives to defeat the enemy. As you can see from the video, Ark is the hero who contributed the most to the victory. Although he has the status of a prisoner, he is still a member of the galactic federation. I acknowledge him as a worthy hero. That’s why I want to make an announcement. For his contributions in this war, Ark will be given the rights of a 1st class citizen.”
Marquis Martin lifted his hand as he spoke. At the same time, an information window appeared in front of Ark.
-You have earned considerable achievements on the battlefield and your status increased!
-Ark-nim is now registered as a 1st class citizen of the galactic federation.
Two types of classes exist in the galactic federation. When pioneers first step into the universe, they are automatically 2nd class citizens. Pioneers can increase their status through contributions to the federation, completing quests, bounty hunting, investment in businesses etc
The benefits that a 1st class and 2nd class citizen receives are different
A 1st class citizen and choose more variety of quests and their credit rating when trading will also increase. In addition, they can also own land and housing in the areas owned by the galactic federation. When going through the proper procedures, they can also operate a business.
+Your rise in social status means that you can enter 3~4 class areas.
+ Your status rise means a 5% discount is applied to all dealings.
+ Your status rise gives you the right to own real estate in the city.
+ Your status rise gives you the right to manage private businesses.
+ Your status rise means you can use the Star Gate at a general rate.
“Please welcome the new hero of the galactic federation, the 1st class citizen Ark!”
“Waaaaahhhhh!”
The crown cheered at Marquis Martin’s words and flashes went off. The front page of the newspapers were plastered with the rise of a federation hero.
Space 2
New Goal
“Nice to meet you.”
A man wearing a robe bowed to him.
“My name is Idun. I am the leader of the bioengineering team in the Nephalim branch of the galactic federation.”
“Ah, yes. I……”
“I already know. You are Ark-nim?”
Idun responded to his introduction with a smile.
“It is impossible for me to not know. You are the hero Ark who led the Beltana war to victory! I’m been shut inside the research centre yet I still managed to hear your name.”
“That just happened by chance.”
“You are too modest.”
“No, that…..it’s not being modest but…..”
Ark scratched his head with an awkward expression. Once again, the federation had poured large amounts of money into the war in the Bellin constellation so every day the media was focused on it. Therefore it was necessary for the federation to reverse the situation. That was the existence of a war hero.
‘The federation wanted to make Valencia the hero.’
That’s why Ark was arrested as soon as he returned to the base on Beltana. It was a secret plot to get rid of his achievements and make Valencia a war hero. This was another instance of things becoming complicated after starting Galaxian. But Ark wasn’t a beginner pioneer anymore. While he hadn’t exactly expected this problem, Ark had filmed a video as a security measure to ensure that he received the proper compensation. Fortunately Ark made a deal with Marquis Martin and managed to get the same rewards as a regular soldier would. However, that privilege wasn’t for free.
–I need a hero.
That was the condition Marquis Martin required. Of course, Ark didn’t exactly like the conditions. No matter what happened, the existence of a war hero was necessary for the galactic federation. It was difficult to make Valencia one so they decided to chance to Ark.
‘I expected something like this but…..’
It had been 4 hours since the federation formally announced Ark as a war hero. During those 4 hours, the name Ark poured from virtually every monitor playing Galaxian. The contents of Ark’s fight was being played by reporters in Nephalim as well as broadcasted on the internet. The galactic federation’s manipulation of public opinion had started. And the federation’s plan was a great success when looking at the results. However, the result wasn’t 100% due to the federation’s efforts. This was the first hero since Galaxian was commercialized! That was enough to draw the attention of the public. But there was a separate reason for the explosive interest. It was the name of the hero the federation was promoting!
–Ark?
–It must be that Ark.
–The legendary gamer from New World who appeared on the TV!
–It that user really Ark? There are many users with the same name.
–Still
, to become a hero in a game that is only several months old…..
–But the systems between New World and Galaxian are completely different. There is no guarantee that he will do well in Galaxian. But the user has the same name and a similar face.
–If the person called Ark has such great skills…..
–If that person really is Ark then it is amazing!
Tens of thousands of posts were written on the Galaxian community sites during those 4 hours! The explosive interest from users also influenced the NPCs. The video was repeatedly played on the monitors in the federal cities. This was how an NPC staying in the research centre knew his name. But Ark wasn’t thankful for the situation.
‘This is why I didn’t want my name involved with the video…..’
Don’t draw attention. That was one of the absolute principles in Ark’s head. The world was full of strange people and some of them just dislike a person because they were famous. They were the people who would create anti-cafe’s for celebrities and spread malicious rumours. It would be tiring for the famous person involved. Therefore he had been slightly offended and relieved when he heard that hundreds of people could use his name. This meant he wouldn’t draw unnecessary attention in the game. Yet he became a hero out of the blue. At the same time, the situation he wanted to avoid had already begun.
–If that really is Ark then isn’t it annoying? Damn, he already became a director at Global Exos through New World and now he wants to play Galaxian as well?
–That unlucky guy, is he that excellent?
–If I ever meet him at a hunting ground then I’ll prove that guy’s fame is nothing.
Not only that……
–I had to quit New World because of that Ark bastard. If that user really is Ark then I’ll use this chance to get revenge. I’m recruiting any other users who also feel like me. Please leave a memo on the bulletin board in Tatuine. It was no joke.
There were even organizations to track Ark’s movements and kill him.
‘Damn, how can I do anything in such an uproar?’
Part of it was due to his actions. Back in New World, Ark wasn’t exactly a ‘nice’ character. He annoyed other people for no reason and if someone took action against him then he would repay it several times. Of course, even now Ark didn’t doubt that everything was ‘unavoidable.’ It was common sense that those people wouldn’t consider it ‘unavoidable.’
‘I wanted to live a bit more gently this time……’
Therefore Ark wasn’t exactly pleased about being a hero. Ark’s face fell at the thought and Idun stared at him. Ark scratched his head and said.
“It was just by chance. Like I said in the interview, I’m not the only one who played a role in the victory so it is a slight burden on me. The mass media keeps on talking about it so I can’t go anywhere without being crowded.”
He never knew when someone would stab a knife in his back. No, it was the future so it would actually be a bullet shot in the head. It was dangerous but a NPC couldn’t understand those circumstances.
“This is surprising. You took care of a Gigantic by yourself so I thought Ark-nim was full of confidence.”
“I’m full of confidence but that doesn’t mean I can protect my stomach every moment.”
“Huh?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Ark sighed and shrugged. Then Idun pushed up his glasses and laughed.
“This is the first time I’ve seen someone who received the title of hero sighing. But please don’t feel too depressed. It might be a burden but Ark-nim’s existence is comfort to people like me in the galactic federation. I don’t know why you feel burdened but you’ve become a hero so just enjoy yourself.”
“Of course I will.”
Ark smiled and nodded. He wasn’t going to reject the fame because of some worries. He also wasn’t in the position to complain. If he didn’t make the deal with Marquis Martin then he would lose his achievements accumulated and sent to another disputed planet. This situation right now was better
However, that wasn’t his only compensation for being a hero. Ark also had some conditions in exchange for becoming Marquis Martin’s hero. In other words, it was the promised compensation for the 22,230 achievements. He received three different types of rewards. The first was the title of hero that Marquis Martin announced at his public appearance. Ark received the 1st class citizenship at the same time but this wasn’t the major compensation. All pioneers started off as a 2nd class citizen and they could be promoted to 1st class when contributing to the federation through quests or other methods. In other words, reaching a 1st class citizen was like a rite of passage. But the title of hero was different.
-You have received the
This title is given to the user who participated in the war on the disputed planet and gains the most achievements. Therefore it is a unique title due to the different names of the disputed planets. Only one person can receive this title so it is different from the general titles.
The user who receives a title with the name of a disputed planet would be given huge compensation from the galactic federation. You will be given priority in investing on Beltana when development stats. You will also receive preferential treatment compared to the average citizen.
+ 1,000 additional fame.
+ 3,000 galactic federation contribution.
+ Acquired 200 Adventure points
He wasn’t just a hero. He had literally received the title of a hero. The ‘Cleaning Foreman’ title he received from R-14 gave him +3 agility, while the ‘Ignorant Destroyer’ gave him +7 Stamina and Strength but decreased his Wisdom by 10. However, the ‘Beltana’s Hero’ title gave him +3 points to every stat! That was a total of 18 bonus stats. He also received 1,000 fame and 200 Adventure points. The purpose of the Adventure points was still unknown but it had to be used somewhere. Anyway, the bonus was a different standard from his previous titles. But that wasn’t the true value of the ‘Beltana’s Hero’ title. The important thing was the privileges attached to the title. It gave him priority if he wanted to invest in Beltana. The core of Galaxian was space pioneering. The pioneers would adventure in wastelands or unexplored planets. Users who participate in the disputed planet war or pioneer new areas can gain the right to invest based on their contribution.
This was why the corporations needed a pioneer to sponsor. Investment rights could be given to the sponsor of the pioneer. If they supported a promising pioneer then they could secure many investment rights. This was the required prerequisite for a space company to grow. That’s why small, medium, the 4 large businesses and even junkyards poured huge amounts of funds into sponsoring pioneers. However he only acted as Tori’s servant. Like stated in the information window, users with the Hero title were allowed the maximum investments within the scope of the galactic federation’s laws. In other words, he could invest in the maximum amount on Beltana. He soon knew what a big privilege it was.
Ttiring! Ttiring! Ttiring! Ttiring!
His Nymphe started flowing with incoming mail.
–I am Heris the director of the human resources department of Laius.
I know that your previous sponsor contract was destroyed. If Ark-nim is willing to sign a sponsor agreement with Laius then you will receive the best treatment. Among the 4 large companies, we hold the largest number of patents so Ark-nim will become a leading pioneer if you join with us. Please get in touch.
-I am Kirian, the director of the Nephalim branch of Hell Lion. Hell Lion is a company formed by the former governor of Kurim. It is a company that values tradition and trust and has developed various special equipment, with a long and constant focus on quality improvement. We were moved by Ark’s heroic actions on Beltana and feel that your abilities will be useful……
It was scouting offers proposed by various companies. Dozens of mail came in after the interview ended. Normally the 4
large companies and the galactic federation had an entrance examination to join. A user with the Hero title had their pick of companies.
‘But……’
Making a contract with the junkyard was 120% a mistake. Ark had also previously received an offer from the federation but he told them he wanted more time to think. That’s because he knew that sponsors had a large impact on the game and he wanted more experience knowledge before deciding. His decision now was still the same. It had already been 4 months since he started Galaxian but he spent most of his time on R-14 and Beltana so he was still lacking knowledge
And there was another part that weighed on his mind.
‘I don’t need to be too hasty about it. My Hero title won’t disappear so I can find a sponsor at any time. It won’t be too late when I make a decision.’
Ark decided to postpone the sponsor problem for a while. Right now he had a more urgent issue to deal with. This was why he came to visit Idun.
“That…..by the way……”
Ark studied Idun’s face and said. Idun stared with blankness before remembering and blushing with embarrassment.
“Ah, I just remembered. This isn’t the time……”
“Did you receive the notification from Marquis Martin?”
“Yes, then please follow me.”
Idun smiled pleasantly and turned around. This was the future so science and technology was one of the core resources. The research centre was where the science and technology were developed so the security was very tight. Ark followed Idun for 200 metres. Meanwhile he had passed a few security equipment like fingerprint, voiceprint and retinal scanners.The place he arrived was filled with various equipment.
“This machine is what truly opened up the space frontiers.”
Idun looked around the room with sparkling eyes. He then looked back at Ark and boasted.
“The machine that Ark-nim sees now is something that the genius scientist Lucian developed to rearrange the DNA. This is the body coating machine that modifies flesh.”
Body coating! This was the second compensation he received from Marquis Martin. Generally two things were required for users to receive the body coating. One condition was to obtain an ‘IC card for body coating’ with the data of the type they wanted. This IC card wasn’t difficult to obtain