Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  -The great lords…..Murat’s lineage…… The place where the day rises and the sun sets. ….praise the Murat…… Pilgrims, the Murat will receive a selection…..to reach there…..

  The slab was broken. The Murat had also disappeared a long time ago so not many records remained. It would’ve been strange for a slab made by the Murat to be perfect. A considerable amount of the slab was damaged so it was difficult to grasp the entire contents of the slab. Furthermore, the contents seemed ambiguous like a riddle. When he thought about it, the style of writing in the pyramid was also like this.

  ‘And weren’t the Murat a species known for their wisdom?’

  But he couldn’t assume that all sentences were written like that. Still, he felt like the some phrases were truly mysterious. What the contents pointed to in the game…..

  ‘It is highly possible the contents leads to a hidden Murat ruin!’

  He could find new clues about the Murat. Ark’s eyes flashed at the thought.

  ‘If these Murat ruins are similar to the pyramid on Beltana then the treasure should be similar. And I might be able to find a new rune!’

  According to the information obtained, the Ikram rune wasn’t the only one the Murat used. Ikram was only one of the runes used by the Murat. Rune Carving required mana so he needed to wear the battle suit. But it was a skill that could be utilized in quite a few ways. If he found it then it would help him grow. The problem was the lack of translated contents.

  “Where the sun rises and sets……does this information point to the place?”

  Ark muttered to himself as he tinkered with the slab. Then Mellin’s eyes widened and he asked.

  “Eh? What are you saying?”

  “What am I saying? It is the sentence written on the slab.”

  “Huh? W-wait. Hyung-nim can read the contents?”

  “What about it? It is natural to be able to read the parts not damaged with my Nymphe.”

  “It isn’t natural for the Nymphe to translate the Murat letters!”

  Milan shouted with an absurd expression.

  “The Murat is an ancient species that disappeared before humans appeared in the galaxy. Therefore humans only discovered things about the Murat through other alien species. Sometimes Murat relics are discovered on planets in the Bellin constellation but it is difficult to research because the scholars can’t read Murat letters. So it is impossible for the language to be included in the Nymphe’s automatic translation function.”

  “Your Nymphe doesn’t translate these letters?”

  “Of course!”

  “Then how did you know this slab is related to the Murat?”

  “I recognized the letter shapes. But knowing the shapes and translating it is different.”

  Ark was confused by Milan’s answer. The characters were automatically translated for Ark while wandering through the Murat pyramid. But the language translation function isn’t included on other Nymphes?

  ‘Come to think of it…..’

  It was the same with the Rama language. The Nymphe automatically translated the languages of the alien species associated with the federation. That’s because the language of the alien species were included on the Nymphe. The language of hostile alien species like the Rama weren’t registered on the Nymphe’s OS so it couldn’t be automatically translated. That’s why a separate translator was needed to talk to the Rama. However, Ark’s Nymphe was able to simultaneously translate the Rama’s language. And that applied to the Murat’s language because the galactic federation hadn’t fully grasped the writing system.

  ‘My Nymphe isn’t normal.’

  It was clear where it came from. The data downloaded from the airplane toy! His Nymphe became weird because of that data. His Nymphe returned to normal once he received the Prisoner coating

  That was the reason why Ark’s Nymphe was different from other users. Some other data was registered on the Nymphe in the process.

  ‘My Nymphe didn’t work properly because of the data. There is no reason to complain about the increased functions of my Nymphe but……’

  He made an uncomfortable face. This wasn’t normal so it might cause some problems. However, it wasn’t possible to repair it since it was behaving normally. He would also have to explain that he received he data from hacking to the galactic federation. And the results meant his Nymphe would become the same as other users. The extra function would disappear.

  ‘It’s clear this isn’t normal but I can’t inform the galactic federation. Fortunately no problems have formed yet while using it.’

  While Ark was busy thinking…..

  Milan began to talk with an excited expression.

  “If Hyung-nim can decipher the Murat letters then there might be a way to clear them up.”

  “How?”

  “Huhuhu. Hyung-nim, do you remember my job? Treasure hunter. In the past, treasure hunters carried shovels and dug at the land but this is the 24th century. This is an era where no calories are wasted. Treasure hunters have some high-tech equipment. This equipment is one of them.”

  Milan laughed as he tapped a machine in the corner.

  “This is a 3D restoration machine.”

  “3D restoration?”

  “For example, let’s say I found a statue with a detached arm. Couldn’t I guess the form based on the other parts of the statue? The 3D restoration machine repairs damaged parts by looking at the basic structure. It is impossible if it is completely broken but the 3D restoration machine has no problem restoring compromised parts. This slab isn’t that damaged so it can restore 70~80% of it.”

  Ark had only decrypted 30% of the contents. If the 3D machine could restore 70~80% of the slab then he could obtain crucial information form the Murat’s letters.

  ‘There is a way to find it!’

  Ark’s chest jumped.

  “How long would it take to restore the slab?”

  “This model is slightly old but the slab shouldn’t take that long to be restored.”

  “Okay, call me as soon as it is done. Do you know my recognition code?”

  “Yes, I’ll start right away.”

  That conversation had finished two days ago. Ark continued to be dragged around by Marquis Martin for the publicity campaign and checked his Nymphe’s mailbox. And he discovered a mail from Milan yesterday afternoon.

  From: Milan Hyung-nim, the restoration of the slab has finished!

  Ark’s body was shaking for that reason. He wanted to test the skills obtained from the Survivor coating but he really wanted to check the information on the slab Milan discovered. But he had only travelled around 12 cities so far. 8 cities still remained.

  ‘It took 5 days to wander around 12 cities so do I have to continue for 3 more days?’

  Ark sighed as he left the interview room. The Marquis Martin who had disappeared somewhere came in and spoke to him.

  “There has been some fluctuations in the schedule.”

  “Huh?”

  “The publicity campaign will stop now.”

  ……His long promotional journey was over

  Space 4

  Over the Border!

  ‘Why…..’

  He naturally made an uncomfortable expression. It wasn’t a waste of time to promote the galactic federation. He gained fame and federation contribution and it also allowed him to use the Star Gate to meet Hamad, Asuran and Milan for free. Every time he completed an interview, he would gain fame and federation contribution. He also travelled around the cities to meet old friends but the compensation quest wasn’t neatly completed. Interview, moving to another city, interview, moving, event, moving to another city…..he worked for an average of 18 hours a day for 5 days without any breaks.

  ‘I have to continue doing this for 3 more days…..’

  A sigh naturally emerged. But that would stop soon. Ark had been suffering but he felt uncomfortable now that it suddenly sopped. So he asked.

  “There’s still some parts of the schedule left so
why are we suddenly stopping?”

  Then Marquis Martin answered.

  “The effect fell faster than I expected.”

  He immediately understood that he meant. When Ark had first appeared through the Star Gate, the reporters had gathered like vultures around the new hero. The hot coverage continued as he started his PR journey. However, the coverage noticeably decreased every time they went to a new city

  When thinking about it, it was the inevitable result. This was the age of information. New news poured in everyday so the same words couldn’t catch the attention of the public for a long time. Besides, every time was always about the war and repeating the federation’s PR words so the viewers found it tedious. There was no need to check the audience ratings.

  -Your face has become known after appearing on the broadcast.

 

  -The galactic federation’s image has improved due to your public relations.

 

  In the beginning his fame had increased by 100 and the contribution by 150. However, 5 days had passed and that number had decreased to 20 fame and 30 contribution. The messages also stated that the effect of his interviews had decreased. It meant the public was losing attention.

  “The degree of exposure over the last few days has become too excessive. You were the hero of the first victory against the Rama recently so I thought I could use the media a bit more. But the public interest has cooled so if we continued then it might have an adverse effect. We should discard food before it reached the expiration date.”

  He felt like a wash-up celebrity. Marquis Martin just continued talking like he had no concerns about Ark’s feelings.

  “And these days I’m a little busy.”

  “Ah, yes……”

  Ark’s face looked like he had smelt a rotting cow.

  ‘This bastard! He’s suddenly busy? He dragged me around like a dog for five days without any breaks and now he is busy?’

  Once again, Martin was a marquis. Although having a rank like marquis in an age where ships were flying around was funny, he was still nobility. He was also a councillor of the galactic federation. There was a reason the high ranking NPC had volunteered to become Ark’s manager and accompanied him for five days. There was no way a manager would drop a celebrity just because of a possible expiration date. The reason Marquis Martin accompanied Ark during that time……

  -Once again, the war was won thanks to Marquis Martin’s support…..

  He was mentioned every time Ark did an interview! Marquis Martin was a politician. Politicians and celebrities had some similar aspects. Popularity would become power. Marquis Martin accompanied Ark to raise his stock price until there was a potential decrease in popularity. Then here was a question. Ark wasn’t a stupid human being. He could guess Marquis Martin’s purpose when making the deal on Beltana. However, there was one reason Ark didn’t protest the murderous schedule and parroted everything Marquis Martin told him to. The settlement between them wasn’t completed yet

  Marquis Martin promised three rewards if Ark became the galactic federation’s promotional hero. Two of them were the 1st class citizenship and the 3rd generation IC card. There was one more compensation. This was based on a confidential talk between Marquis Martin and Ark on Beltana.

  “The same treatment as the regular soldiers. You desire the award the regular troops would receive if they gained as much achievements as you. That is your condition in order to be set up as a hero?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Of course that isn’t difficult.”

  Marquis Martin said.

  “No, you might even be given superior items to the ones normally handed out.”

  “Huh? Really?”

  “Of course it’s not for free. The condition is that you need to go on a publicity campaign for the galactic federation. An additional prize will be given if you become our advertising model. What you will receive depends on you. The price would change depending on how sincerely you promote during your activities. That incentive should be enough.”

  There was a condition before he could receive his 3rd reward. And he endured the tiring promotional trip because of it.

  ‘My original agreement was to tour all the cities on Istana. But I’ve only travelled to 12 cities. That means only 60% of my target was achieved. I don’t have to do the boring interviews anymore but the stopped publicity campaign might be used as an excuse so I don’t receive my exclusive item. This situation is different. I should make sure first!’

  Ark opened his mouth to ask that question.

  “There is no need to look uncomfortable. I made the decision to stop the publicity campaign. You’ve faithfully participated in the interviews so I will keep my promise. Aren’t I a marquis? I have no intention of being cheap because of a problem like this.”

  Marquis Martin was a surprisingly cool guy.

  “Besides, you popularity might’ve fallen but you are still a war hero. If you go around accusing me of fraud then it will be troublesome.

  ……He was also calculating. There was a contract so he had to pay properly. Marquis Martin had no interest in the compensation promised to Ark. But he used the compensation as bait to lure his prey and became a vicious manager. Ark kept making an uncomfortable expression and twisted his hands.

  “Is there such a thing? If it wasn’t for Marquis Martin then I would still be rotting in the jail on Beltana. Even if I don’t receive the promised compensation, how can I possibly say bad things about Marquis-nim? Ah, of course Marquis-nim did work me like a dog so it is basic human decency to reward me for it. Obviously Marquis-nim will give me suitable compensation for my work.”

  He spoke flattering words but there was a veiled threat. If he didn’t give good rewards then Ark would say bad things! Marquis Martin clearly caught the threat. But he didn’t seem to be offended. He actually looked fascinated and laughed.

  “What a funny guy. I don’t dislike it. No, I prefer humans like you. Because I can trust you as long as the give and take relationship is strong. Speaking of that…..how is it? Do you remember what I said the other day? Have you thought about it?”

  Marquis Martin leaned towards Ark and asked quickly.

  “Yes, you’ve received the Hero title to promote the galactic federation. Despite being a prisoner, it can’t be denied that you did some heroic actions. I estimate that you will reach a high height. More than anyone else.”

  Marquis Martin looked at Ark seriously.

  “The war with the Rama started again after a long armistice and it is centred on the Bellin constellation. The federation has been stagnating for hundreds of years so it is natural for the public to dislike it. Aristocrats like me can’t avoid it. We need power to survive in such change. That is, we need someone like you to secure our positions. I want to buy the ability that you showed in Beltana. If you come under my banner then I will give you exceptional treatment.”

  -You’ve received a scouting officer from councillor Marquis Martin of the galactic federation.

  If you accept then you can make Marquis Martin who is a power aristocrat of the galactic federation as your sponsor.

  If you accept the aristocrat’s sponsor then you will automatically receive the ‘Private’ occupation.

  Do you accept? Y/N

  This wasn’t the first time he saw that information window. He received the same suggestion after meeting Marquis Martin on Beltana. The conditions were exceptional. Their standards were better than the galactic federation or the 4 large companies. Unlike other users, he received the war hero title so his treatment had already changed. If he accepted Marquis Martin’s offer than Ark would receive even more privileges.

  ‘But my competitors aren’t those users. It is the strongest AI Lucifer.’

  Ark wasn’t simply playing the game. If he died inside the game then it would affect reality

  He needed to stop the Taek Mountains real estate slump. It was meaningless to be
slightly better than other users when fighting against Lucifer. He needed to achieve the ultimate goal in Galaxian. Only one person would occupy that spot and the fight would end.

  ‘I don’t know what the ultimate goal is yet. So there is only one thing I can do now. To become the best player like Ark in New World. I don’t know what the ultimate goal is but occupying the best position was no different from ending the game. No, Lucifer wants revenge for New World so he might think that is the ultimate goal.’

  He needed to rise to the top spot! Then he could also accomplish his goal in reality. This was the reason Ark wanted to establish a business. Therefore he never considered the suggestion no matter how enticing it was. However, there was a problem when rejecting the offer.

  “Perhaps…..will the reward vary depending on my answer?”

  Marquis Martin looked surprised at Ark’s question. Then he laughed and shook his head.

  “Yes, I was too careless and didn’t think about your position. The timing is bad. I mentioned something like that after discussing compensation so naturally you would misunderstand. I was too short-sighted.”

  “It is unrelated to compensation?”

  “I would be a really lousy human being if I involved compensation in that issue.”

  Marquis Martin boldly laughed and took something out

  It was a metallic disc around 1 metre in diameter.

  ‘Heok! T-this is?’

  -Air Board (Property)

  Item type: Vehicle

  A hover type air board that moves using electronic power

  The hover board uses electromagnetic force to float objects in the air. It is an energy-efficient and light weight, medium-sized vehicle. However, steady development has made a miniature version with the movement speed improved.

  The air board only goes up to 60 km/hr. This is 1/5 the speed of a bike but the advantage is that you can carry it with you. If you become familiar with the operation then you can easily navigate through narrow and complicated topography. But there is no safety device so there is a chance of fatal accidents.