by Yoo Seong
‘I don’t feel completely alive yet!’
Every cell in his body was calling out for battle! The Rama warriors around him looked like they were moving slowly. The angle of the weapon, the way they were going to move, he understood it all. Ark moved his sword while caught in that feeling.
Sakak-!
The Rama warriors collapsed. When the Rama fired their guns, he avoided the bullets and plunged into the opening.
Wiiing! Seokeok!
The lightsaber moved freely in connected motions.
–Oh my god! T-that sword!
The Rama warriors watching from the sidelines were stunned. Meanwhile Leon with his rail gun, Berad and Melina had made it through the gate. But bullets were still being fired at them. Ark had created a hole and entered the shield. A bunker situated 10 metres away was pouring particularly heavy fire.
“Mellin, stay behind me! Shield!”
Ark used the shield and pushed towards the bunker. Blood poured from his legs at the onslaught of bullets. But that just made Ark feel even more exhilarated. This was truly a battlefield! Inside his head, intense orchestra music seemed to reach its peak. And he finally arrived in front of the bunker.
“Now!”
Ark kicked the barrel of the machine gun firing at him and shouted. Mellin who was following him quickly threw an explosive into the bunker. Thanks to his training in handling explosives, the C-6 contained the maximum firepower!
Kwa kwang! Kwa kwa kwa kwang!
Flames poured out from the hole in the ground. The enemy inside the bunker were burned to a crisp.
“That’s it, now……”
“Ark, behind you! It’s dangerous!”
Mellin shouted desperately from near him. When he turned around, a Rama warrior wearing a tattered battle suit had emerged from the bunker and was aiming a RPG towards him. Smoke emerged and the shell flew towards him. Ark had already lost a lot of health reaching the bunker. If he was hit by the RPG at this distance then it was 100% death! Ark’s body automatically reacted.
“I won’t die!”
His blue ray headed towards the shell. Then the ray struck down the black shell. The orbit of the shell was redirected and it flew towards a group of Rama warriors dozens of metres away. Mellin’s mouth dropped open.
“C-changing the trajectory of the shell with your sword…..”
Suddenly a message window appeared in front of Ark.
-A new skill (☆☆) has been learnt.
Sword Defense (User, Active): After civilization developed, firearms were recognized as an efficient and easy to use weapon. Now warriors can’t just use swords like before. In order to overcome the disadvantages of a sword against a gun, a technique called Sword Defense was developed.
Sword Defense uses electromagnetic energy generated to change the trajectory of a bullet. However, this technique requires the right timing and incredible concentration in order to be successful. Therefore the success rate depends on timing and concentration.
* Sword Mastery Lv.3 or higher required.
‘……This is great!’
Ark felt refreshed. He had encountered the Red Slaughterer for the first time in the forest. While watching from the forest, he saw the Red Slaughterer changing the trajectory of Leon’s bullet. Ark’s body had remembered that scene in his moment of crisis. The result was Sword Defense!
–Unbelievable! For a human to know the Red Slaughterer’s technique……?
The Rama warriors looked at Ark with incredulous eyes. In fact, Ark was also the same. He never thought he could change the trajectory of the shells. But now wasn’t the time to be surprised.
“Khafra Fencing 3rd style! Galaxy Sword!”
Dozens of blue swords appeared and flew forward. It was his strongest battle skill Galaxy Sword! The Red Slaughterer had stopped it so he couldn’t check out the skill properly but it had a huge effect on the Rama warrior holding the RPG.
-Kuaaaak!
He could now determine the true power of Galaxy Sword. The Rama warrior’s entire body was shredded in an instant. The scene was clearly imprinted in the eyes of the federation and Rama soldiers.
“Mellin, flag!”
Ark held the flag and ran over to the bunker. Then he shook the flag and yelled.
“I am Ark!”
“Ark! Our hero!”
“The true hero who defeated the Red Slaughterer!”
The federation soldiers boiled with excitement.
“That guy is the hero of the galactic federation! That flag represents the will of the galactic federation! All warriors of the galactic federation, follow our hero. He will lead us to victory!”
“Waaahhhhhh! Follow Ark!”
The hiding federation soldiers simultaneously rushed towards the base. This was the reason why Ark brought the flag. The value of a hero on the battlefield wasn’t simply taking down the enemy. Right now the total of both armies was 8,000 people. Even if the hero took down 100 enemies alone, it wouldn’t affect the outcome. Yet this was the reason why the presence of a hero had a profound impact! It was because the allies’ morale would rise explosively. It wasn’t just the words that left his mouth. The sight of the hero was imprinted in the eyes of the allies. Ark showed them the image of him capturing the bunker. The bunker had the symbol of the federation flying above it! With their morale so high, the federation soldiers and even the mercenary groups didn’t fear dying against the Rama. The momentum had fully tilted towards the federation troops.
Pepeng! Pepeng! Pepeng!
Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu!
The federation soldiers rushed towards the base. The Rama desperately tried to resist but they couldn’t do anything against the federation’s high morale. After 20 minutes, flames soared as all the bunkers in the base were destroyed. And once the federation soldiers occupied it……
Pepeng! Pepeng! Pepeng!
Flames soared as the shield around the antenna base was destroyed.
“The shield was released! Penetrate the defense with the tanks and Gigantic!”
A bombardment of shells followed! The lasers intercepted some of them but it couldn’t stop even half of the shells. The federation continued their bombardment until the last of the defense turrets collapsed. The thousands of military troops entered the base. The head of the federation army……
“Charge!”
Ark held the flag in one hand and the lightsaber in the other. After 20 minutes, the antenna attached to the upper part of the base exploded.
——————————————————————————————-
–Unbelievable!
A desperate sigh emerged from Mukah’s mouth. He was the leader of the 1st division of the Rama’s army and in charge of the attack on the federation headquarters. The federation were attacking the antenna base so Mukah hurried and they received a lot of damage. He had mobilized 6,000 troops, 20 heavy tanks and 2 Gigantic! It was all of the Rama except for the defense troops left at the antenna base and headquarters. And they finally destroyed the shield around the federation’s headquarters.
Chwa chwa chwa chwa! Chwa chwa chwa chwa!
Suddenly beams of energy exploded from within the headquarters. Dozens of warriors rushing towards headquarters were hit by the enemy beams and melted! But instead of feeling hot, Mukah’s body became cold as ice.
–This is the beam from the Aschulat’s particle cannons!
One thing was clear. The destruction of the antenna base allowed for reinforcements. Mukah had a premonition of defeat after seeing the Aschulat troops. The Rama commander Thor also identified the situation.
-…..Is it too late?
Thor moaned as he looked at the huge monitor. The monitor showed the antenna base collapsing while spewing black smoke. Thor was staring blankly at the monitor when he heard a voice in his ear.
–The 1st division captain Mukah has sent an emergency t
ransmission. The Aschulat troops at the federation headquarters is steadily increasing. He is asking for a command to retreat. And he asked us to prepare the Star Gate for retreat.
-Retreat? How can we retreat!
Thor shouted with a displeased expression. Then a lieutenant said with a sigh.
–It is like the division captain said. According to our intelligence, the Aschulat has organized 10,000 reinforcements for the Bellin constellation. We won’t be able to deal with it if even half of those troops are committed to Athamas. If the forces that destroyed the antenna base returned to headquarters then our army will be wiped out. The federation hasn’t lost as much troops as us. Now that the Aschulat have entered the war, it is best to preserve our troops and return to the home planet.
–I’ll have to tell the Emperor that we abandoned Athamas……
–It is better than losing thousands of soldiers.
–You say that so easily.
Thor glared at the trembling lieutenant. However his expression soon eased up.
–Send this command to Mukah. And tell Star Gate command to link to the home planet. Mukah is to immediately start preparations to retreat.
-Understood.
The lieutenant saluted and exited the room. Thor continued glaring at the monitor. He should’ve won this war. But he was defeated. Thor had meticulously monitored the situation so he knew the reason why. He led the federation to victory. And the Rama army was defeated by one soldier! Fury ignited in Thor’s eyes.
–Ark, I’ll never forget today’s disgrace!
——————————————————————————————-
While the situation in Athamas was being cleaned up. A mound of dirt in the forest started to shake. After a while, an arm stretched out through the dirt. And it was followed by another arm. The two arms then dragged the torso out of the dirt. It was like a scene of zombie rising from the grave!
–Ark, I’ll never forget today’s disgrace!
The person saying the same line as Thor was the Red Slaughterer.
——————————————————————————————-
While they were cursing Ark. Ark was…..
-The Rama’s antenna has been destroyed!
-Your level has risen!
-Your level has risen!
He gained a few levels. Of course the war on Athamas hadn’t ended yet. The Rama’s headquarters still remained.
-The Rama army has retreated from Athamas.
Victory had already been decided. Destroying the Rama’s headquarters was just to gain more experience! So Ark had no time to think about Thor or the Red Slaughterer.
“Come, let’s go! Follow me, the hero of the federation!”
Ark sprinted across the battlefield carrying the federation flag.
Space 5
That Man
Silver General Hospital.
One car entered the parking lot. The person at the steering wheel was Gwon Hwa-rang and next to him was his wife Park So-mi. Previously Park So-mi had returned from serving in Africa and collapsed. Her husband and Hyun-woo were frantic only to discover she was pregnant. Since then she had been under the care of Gwon Hwa-rang. Today she visited the hospital for a general check-up.
“What are you thinking about so intently?”
“Huh? Ah……”
Gwon Hwa-rang said with a bemused expression. He looked around for a while before saying.
“What did you say?”
“I asked what you were thinking about so intently. What are you worried about?”
“My worries…..you don’t know? Am I the type of person to worry?”
“I know you’re not.”
Park So-mi laughed at his words.
“That’s why you didn’t hesitate for even a second to go to Africa.”
“Of course. Wherever you go is my home.”
“This time it is a civil war area. This time we’re going to have a child so you should think about it more.”
“I’ll do whatever you want to do.”
“But……”
Park So-mi looked straight at Gwon Hwa-rang.
“As soon as we arrive in Africa, you contacts in the police and military are picking us up at the airport. And when we reach the civil war area, you’ll be teaching the troops martial arts. You don’t have to keep your worries a secret from me.”
“My worries…..
“I know. But I’ll never let you face it alone. Because you are the person I married. So I’m asking.”
Gwon Hwa-rang sighed at Park So-mi’s words.
“You’re not a person who easily expresses my worries. If you’re showing your worry then it must be something big. Isn’t it?”
“Uh……”
Gwon Hwa-rang made an uneasy expression. Then Park So-mi laughed and nodded.
“Okay, you don’t have to say it. l believe in you and I’ll follow you to Africa. You must have a reason for not telling me. But please don’t worry too much. Because you will soon by the father of two children.”
Gwon Hwa-rang sighed. He had been troubled for a few days. His worry was related to Hyun-woo’s land in Taek Mountain. Gwon Hwa-rang intuitively noticed it when he met the rehabilitation members after returning to Korea. There was something hidden in the real estate slump. These days many people became public servants because it was difficult to find a stable job. But that wasn’t why Gwon Hwa-rang once worked as a detective. The reason he became a detective was justice! Therefore it was the most suitable job to achieve justice. That was the type of person Gwon Hwa-rang was. He couldn’t leave it alone once he smelt something rotten. Besides, the rehabilitation members were like brothers to his while Hyun-woo was his stepson. A father wouldn’t be able to pretend not to know.
“Look!”
Gwon Hwa-rang ordered in a cold rage. The rehabilitation members started diligently gathering information. And a few days ago they handed the results back to Gwon Hwa-rang.
‘I guessed to some extent but……’
The rehabilitation members had determined the actual owners of the Taek Mountain land. They were heavyweights in the local political or financial circles. This was the reason behind Gwon Hwa-rang’s worries. He was a man who wasn’t scared of the world. He was a man who didn’t hesitate to enter the office of gangsters when he was still a detective. There was no reason to flinch if the opponent was a local tycoon. Especially since the property belonged to Hyun-woo. No, money already wasn’t a problem for Hyun-woo these days.
In the process of examining the information received he discovered that many ordinary people suffered huge damage as well. It was to the extent that some who lost their entire savings tried to commit suicide. However, not one bit of this information was written in an article. Those behind this had the power to even silence the media. But that wasn’t the reason Gwon Hwa-rang hesitated. It was a fight for injustice. It doesn’t matter who the opponent was! Gwon Hwa-rang lived like this his entire life. Wasn’t this intolerance the reason why he left his home country to help in Africa?
……But that was when he was just ‘one person.’ Now he had a wife and was going to be the father of two children. He knew from his many years as a detective. The people behind this had huge political or financial power. In some cases they could be even more cruel than crime syndicates. His fury wanted him to enter straight into the execution phase. The fortune that Hyun-woo gathered might be lost. But if he engaged too deeply then it was his pregnant wife and son who might suffer the damage. A pregnant wife and a son. That was Gwon Hwa-rang’s only weakness.
‘What should I do…..?’
“If you’re sure……”
Then Park So-mi said.
“I know. I be
lieve in you and will follow you. I’ll be here if you decide to confide your worries.”
‘……Amazing.’
A smile spread over Gwon Hwa-rang’s face. This was what she wanted to say.
“You don’t have to worry about such things. Aren’t you in the early stages of pregnancy?”
“I’m tougher than you think.”
“I know that. You wouldn’t have caught me if you weren’t. But no matter how strong you are, you still have to be careful because of the baby in your stomach.”
Gwon Hwa-rang said in a much light mood as he found a parking spot and prepared to get out of the car.
Kiiiiik!
Suddenly a car appeared and blocked the path in front of him. 3 people in suits got out and knocked on the car window.
“Gwon Hwa-rang ssi?”
“Honey, what is it? Do you know these people?”
“Lock the car door. I’ll see what is going on.”
Gwon Hwa-rang looked at the men before getting out.
“I am Gwon Hwa-rang. What can I do for you?”
“Someone wants to talk to you for a moment. Shall we go by our car?”
“I have business with my wife. If you have a request then give me a business card. I’ll contact them later.”
“It won’t take long.”
“I won’t say it again. Either leave or give me a business card.”
“You must not have understood my words.”
One of the men looked Gwon Hwa-rang straight in the eye and laid a hand on his shoulder. There was strength in the hand that grabbed his shoulder. The tone was polite but it was obviously a threat. However, he had been a detective for 20 years. He could guess who had sent these people. Judging by the exquisite timing, they were probably sent by someone behind the whole real estate problem. They had sent their minions. A guy like that dared to put his hand on Gwon Hwa-rang’s shoulder. But he endured it. Because he was now the head of a family.