by Yoo Seong
“We will only follow Hyung-nim!”
“Yes, then follow me.”
Ark smiled pleasantly and turned around. And he led the tired and thrilled Royal Guards onto the Silver Star!
“Wow! It’s flying! It really is flying!”
“You idiot! This is a ship. Why are you excited by this much? This ship can even travel through the universe!”
“By the way, why are we on the ship? Is this a celebration ride?”
However the Silver Star landed after 1 minute. The Silver Star had landed at a lake that was 2 km from S-20. It was shrouded in lush forests and had a cool waterfall.
“There is a place like this near S-20?”
“Hyung-nim, why did you bring us here?”
“This brat, didn’t I just say it? Look, a waterfall and lake! Don’t you see? We’ve struggled so now he is bringing us to a place to relax and swim.”
“Huh? What is that?”
“Let’s clean up first before talking.”
Ark pointed to the monsters rambling on the shores of the lake. This was the Outlands. The area might be seemingly beautiful but there were dangers all around. That applied here as well. There were a large variety of monsters around the lake so 10 of them instantly came rushing the moment the Silver Star landed. The monsters were at least level 130!
“Please leave it to me!”
“I’d be happy to show you the power of the muscles I gained from digging!”
The Royal Guards raised their arms without any hesitation. They had spent 25 days in a dungeon. The Royal Guards hadn’t spent all of that time digging. The dungeon was filled with Thanatos. The crew fought countless battles with them during the dungeon restoration work. And the Thanatos in the middle layer were level 140~150! Thanks to that, the Royal Guards now had an average level of 80. It wasn’t just their level.
“Much stronger Electromagnetic Hammer!”
“Sharper Screw Blade!”
The warriors Berad and Ralph rushed at the monsters first. The hammer and sword that had become more crossed the space. There was a ringing sound and a monster shaped like a rhinoceros retreated. But when it was about to strike back, Berad and Ralph split to the left and right.
“Now! Attack!”
Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu! Tu tu tu tu!
Dozens of bullets poured towards the gap left by Berad and Ralph! Cupa, Hedro, Reben and Konsed had fired their guns.
“The legs! Its heavy weight is concentrated on its legs!”
The rhino’s legs were instantly battered. Then Kalliben and Beleol lifted their sniper rifles.
Tutung! Tutung!
2 bullets were fired and hit the rhino’s eyes!
-The rhino has been inflicted with the status ‘limited vision!’
Since then the battle became completely one-sided. The rhino’s legs were worn out and it couldn’t see properly so it couldn’t last 2 minutes with Berad and Ralph attacking it. This applied to all the monsters. Kalliben and Beleol lured the monsters one at a time using their long-distance rifles. They approached and Berad and Ralph would defeat them in close combat. That repeated for 20 minutes until all the monsters by the lake were wiped out.
“Hyung-nim, how is it?”
The Royal Guards delightedly looked at Ark. However their faces darkened at Ark’s next words.
“Yes, it seems you don’t need to worry about the monsters here. So I will now explain the task you need to do. Look. This is the area away sector S-20. From now on you will form a channel to connect S-20 to this lake. The width and depth should be a minimum of 3 metres.”
This was why Ark brought the Royal Guards here. In fact, Ark had been unaware that there was a lake and waterfall near S-20. While returning on the Silver Star, he had spotted a lake of considerable size 2 km away from S-20. Then the idea of a fish paste bar production plant floated in his head. Originally Ark was going to have his base in Charem. That’s why he placed the fish bar production plant near Charem. But he needed to modify that plan after making S-20. There were thousands of kilometres between Charem and S-20. Even if the transport ship stopped at S-20, Charem was too far to manage it directly.
‘I should move the food manufacturing plant to the sector……’
However there were two problems with this. The first was customers to sell the product to. There wasn’t anyone to sell it to in S-20 so it didn’t make sense. But now S-20’s population exceeded 2,300 people. If he ran a 24 hour fish paste bar production factory then he could sell 2,880 a day. That was the output if the pioneers only consumed one per day. There would be further sales once the pioneers increased!
The other problem was the food ingredients supply. The ingredients were fish. The production plant required fish. Finding this lake solved that problem. The Royal Guards had already cleared the area so they could check out the lake. It was overflowing with fish because not a lot of pioneers had come here! He could sell the bars made from these fish for 50 copper a piece. That was money in Ark’s eyes.
‘The problem is the monsters around the lake. Jay and the Charenjok have no combat ability. So this place is too dangerous to produce the fish paste bars. However the Royal Guards can’t leave S-20 and reside here forever. There is only one way left……’
That’s right. It was to connect the sector to the lake and lure the fish in the lake. Of course it wasn’t as easy as it sounded. However Ark and his troops were the masters of digging. The Royal Guards spent the last 25 days digging and reached the master level in dig. Naturally the Royal Guards weren’t pleased.
“C-create a channel to S-20 from here?”
“Of course it’s hard. But this is also our sector! Our work is for S-20! Don’t forget that. If you guys sweat while picking up a shovel then you are sweating for S-20’s future. I am deeply grateful for your efforts. You guys completed the hard work in the cave without any complaints and you will also complete this task without any complaints!”
Ark didn’t even them any chance to complain. And then he added.
“If you dislike it then you can continue digging in the lower layer.”
“L-lower layer! That’s right, the bottom layer hasn’t been completely restored.”
“25 days without the sun……”
“Ohh, I don’t want to. If I need to dig then I’d rather do it in a place with sunlight.”
The Royal Guards eventually lifted their shovels. And the construction of the channel stretching 2 km between S-20 and the lake began. Once it started then the construction proceeded rapidly.
Pa pa pa pa! Pa pa pa pa! Pa pa pa pa!
They were people who had mastered shovelling! Rocks and trees were easily dealt with. The spade split the ground and lifted up thick tree roots in one go. While the Royal Guards were creating the channel, Ark starting exploring the area around S-20 with Hegel.
‘The sector population has already increased beyond 2,000 so it will be difficult to collect more users with the dungeon alone. Therefore I have to extend the facilities they can use. A Fairy, supplies and new hunting grounds.’
That’s why he was accompanied by Hegel. Hegel received Scavenger lessons from Heksu so he could find new hunting grounds. If Hegel carefully examined the area around S-20 then he could probably find dungeons or new hunting grounds with lots of loot.
++ Dungeon Information: Nest of the Man-eating Monsters ++
5 km north of S-20.
++ Hunting Information: Green Plains ++
13 km south of S-20.
New signposts were built in S-20 with every discovery. Other users wouldn’t disclose information if they found a dungeon or hunting ground. It was to monopolize their prey. However Ark’s purpose was to grow S-20 rather than hunt. If he wanted other pioneers to come to S-20 then he needed to post more information about dungeons and hunting grounds. It was a type of free service! However Ark didn’t disclose the in
formation as soon as he found it. A dungeon was like a treasure chest for users. He didn’t know what type of items would be hidden inside. Naturally Ark released the information after sweeping through the dungeon once. Many of them already had other users visit so he didn’t get any adventure points for it. He was able to gather a steady amount of items from the dungeons.
-Special Synthetic Fibre cloak (Magic)
Item Type: Cloak Wearer Restriction: Level 90
Defense: 20 Durability: 8/50
A cloak that is very handy to use for adventurers. It is able to protect the body from external contaminants. Depending on the situation, it can even be used as a blanket. If you enter the frontier than the cloaks will develop even further and can be used as a defense. This cloak is woven with new synthetic fibres that are resistant to flames and bullets.
-Barakun’s Black Fur x20
Item Type: Ingredient
Some Outland monsters possess biological tissue that is sometimes stronger than materials made with the scientific technology of the 24th century. One of those is the Barakun’s fur. If you upgrade your weapons or armour with this material than you can add resistance to lightning attacks.
“These things ebb and flow.”
In fact, he had been living a stressful life so far. He had to fight on Beltana and Athamas’ battlefields, dig at Mt. Fargo and recently the Abyss of Despair. He had always been chasing after something. Even now he had a lot to do. Marquis Martin gave him the
He had to connect the channel and move the fish paste bar production factory. He also needed to gather funds to build facilities so he couldn’t leave S-20. Exploring dungeons and hunting grounds were just incidental. There was no need to rush or chase after something. Therefore Ark could leisurely hunt and collect loot. Of course, he couldn’t forget to supervise the construction of the water channel.
“Only a bit more to go.”
Pa pa pa pa! Pa pa pa pa! Pa pa pa pa!
The Royal Guards had been digging like crazy. The dense forest and rocks couldn’t stop them after their experience in the dungeon. Therefore the job had progressed faster than Ark expected, with 1/3rd completed.
“It should be completed tomorrow or the day after and then I can move the Charenjok and food maker from Charem.”
Ark muttered with a warm expression. Then Mellin’s voice was heard from the Nymphe.
–Ark, are you there? Ark!
“Yes, it’s me. What’s wrong?”
–T-that…..there seems to be some trouble in the sector.
“Some trouble?”
–It is hard to explain. I’ll tell you once you return to the sector.
————————————————————
“What are you saying?”
Ark asked with a stunned expression. The man in a uniform replied in a business like voice.
“Like I said in my introduction, I’m from the central government’s special audit team. I’ve looked around the sector and your management is messed up.”
“Messed up? What do you mean?”
“As you know, all sectors have an obligation to ensure their equipment is in accordance with federation law. The first area is security. The sector administration is obliged to ensure that all stores and guests are safe in this area. But I don’t see any common automatic turrets available around S-20. Furthermore, the barrier……”
The official shook his head as he looked at the fence made of mechanical parts.
“This is what I’m talking about.”
“S-20 has just been designated a sector. The time and money……”
“But the pioneers have paid for a proper sector. Then the administrator is obliged to provide at least the minimum security for your guests. If you can’t provide that then it is a breach of trust.”
“But……”
“That isn’t the only problem.”
The official ignored Ark’s words.
“I investigated and discovered that a landslide just occurred at Mt. Fargo. The inside of the cave collapsed. Is that true?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then did you install any disaster prevention facilities?”
“D-disaster prevention facilities?”
“Of course. Didn’t a landslide occur here? In other words, it is highly likely that the same situation could happen again. Doesn’t that require some safety measures? What if it happens again and some pioneers are caught in the landslide? What if they die? If you want to operate the dungeon then shouldn’t it have some basic measures? Furthermore, the sector doesn’t have any sanitary equipment. Ever since Charem happened, all cities and sectors are required by law to have a sanitary facility.”
Why did this dog keep on barking? Of course safety equipment was important. However this was a game. It was the first time he heard about disaster prevention devices needing to be installed in the game. And he was lacking sanitary equipment as well? He just walked in here and started spouting nonsense. But his next words really infuriated Ark.
“The result of my audit has found that S-20 doesn’t meet the standards of a sector. Until the necessary equipment is provided, all operations will be suspended. If you ignore that order and receive new guests then your sector manager’s license may be revoked. If you don’t have the required facilities after 15 days then your license will be cancelled.”
An official from the government has told you that S-20 had failed an audit. Therefore all business in the sector is cancelled until you install the necessary safety equipment, disaster prevention facilities and sanitary equipment. If these facilities aren’t registered with the central government in a fortnight then your license will be revoked.
Difficulty: –
A quest that he never imagined! If he couldn’t complete it within a month then his sector administrator license would be cancelled. It was like being struck by lightning on a clear day. And that was just the beginning.
“That isn’t the only problem. In fact, something else has occurred while you were out.”
“Another problem has formed?”
“Murders.”
“Eh? M-murder?”
“Yes, since yesterday a large number of pioneers hunting the Thanatos has been murdered.”
“Who on earth is doing it?”
“I don’t know. Those guys use a jamming device to interfere with infrared scopes and communication devices. They kill the pioneers and then run away.”
Mellin sighed and continued.
“That’s why a large number of pioneers are pouring out of the dungeon. If they can’t hunt properly in the dungeon then we’ll have to return the fee they paid us.”
It was like misfortune attracted more bad luck. First there was the audit and now the murders?
‘Why did this happen all of sudden and together……?’
S-20 had been created for a month. There had been minor issues that Rapid addressed so he couldn’t understand why so many problems were occurring simultaneously. He received a clue several hours later.
Kukung! Kukung! Kukung!
Ark was trying to wrap his mind around the successive problems when he heard the noise. A continuous roar was heard next to the sector. Ark headed to the fence and saw that several machines were engaged in large scale construction. It was obstructing the operation to connect the lake to the sector! Ark stared at the scene with stupid eyes.
“Who the hell received permission for this……?”
“What permission?”
Then one of the people in the field walked over. He remembered the person.
“You were from the research centre……”
“I am Bain.”
Bain. He was the director of the L
aius research centre when S-20 had been attacked by the Kero previously. Bain laughed at his expression.
“Congratulations on becoming the administrator of S-20. But what gives you the right to meddle in our company? Look at this. Isn’t this S-20’s boundary fence? We are free to do anything to the area beyond the boundary. As you know, even 1 cm out of the sector is designated a free zone. This isn’t your jurisdiction so you have no right to interfere.”
“But I’m proceeding with building a water channel here.”
“Channel? Oh that reminds me, I saw some people with shovels while coming here. Were they building the channel? They seem to be digging quite far away……it is regrettable but they are just digging. We are going to build a research centre here.”
“What?”
“If you have any complaints then bring it up with the Department of Domestic Affairs. Well, it will still be useless.”
Bain said sarcastically.
-This is a construction site for the Laius company.
Sorry for the inconvenience caused by construction noise. Laius is going to build an underpass to Mt. Fargo so all pioneers are welcome to use the dungeon for free.
He placed that sign and leisurely walked away. Laius…..Ark had heard that name from Marquis Martin.
-I’ve received information that Jyubel is secretly in contact with the Laius company regarding S-20. If Jyubel is contacting them regarding S-20 then it probably isn’t good for you. I don’t know what will happen so be careful.
‘…..This was it?’
Ark’s face warped. It hadn’t even been a week since Marquis Martin’s warning and construction work for a Laius research centre began in front of his sector.
‘The purpose of Jyubel and the Laius company……’
S-20! They planned to take S-20 away from Ark. Ark stared at the signpost with a bemused expression before his expression changed.
“Those damn bastards want to play like this huh? Okay, if you want a fight then I’ll give you one. You’re mistaken if you think this much will scare me off. If they come this way then I will smash the minster of domestic affairs or the 4 large companies!”
It was at that moment.
Kwa kwa kwa kwang, kwa kwa kwa kwang!
There was a roaring sound from behind him. Ark reflexively turned and saw a shocking scene. One of the airships from the Laius construction work crashed into the centre of the sector! The large body smashed all the stores in the centre.