Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  There were two ruptured fuel rods and two empty fuel rods so ‘2-2=0.’ In the end, the situation was the same as before. Of course, there were ways to solve it but they required too much time and money. Yet there was a lump of ether in front of him! The problem was that the ether was quickly reducing.

  “Dammit! I wouldn’t have broken the inside so much if I knew the Kraken had something like this! No, now it not the time! Milan, Hegel, quickly take out the fuel rods on the ship! This is money! We can’t lost even one more bit of energy! Hurry!”

  Ark shouted loudly.

  Syuuuuuu, pepepepeng!

  All of a sudden, something fell from outer space at a huge rate and landed a few hundred feet away from the Silver Star. A small container box was unexpectedly lodged in the ground of the asteroid.

  -Cargo number: D-1201

  Handle with caution! A special security cargo!

  These phrases were attached to the container.

  Space 6

  The Man called God

  ‘These thieves!’

  He thought as he looked at the menu.

  40,000 won for a plate of pasta. Some of the quality food cut by a knife went for over 200,000 won. Drinking water cost 10,000~20,000 won. It cost extra if taxes were included.

  It was a mystery what alternative ingredients they used to make it cost so much.

  -This restaurant, it is good but a little expensive.

  He read that on the internet but……

  ‘What is a little? Do this bastards even know Hangul? This is very expensive!’

  Once again, Hyun-woo was the director of a large company. The annual staff salary was at a level difficult to imagine. Hyun-woo’s eating habits changed a lot thanks to that.

  Previously he just ate kimbap. Sometimes he was desperate enough to stir in protein powder. But now he could afford to walk into a good restaurant. However his common sense still applied when talking about the price. The price was to the extent that they needed to use an unknown recipe or spice that had never been heard of!

  However Hyun-woo wasn’t in a position to complain.

  First, his money wasn’t being used to buy this food anyway. If he had to explain, Hyun-woo helped someone a while ago and they were insistent on repaying him. This restaurant had been reserved in advance so he had used this opportunity to eat here. Therefore he had no reason to complain over the expensive food.

  But the second reason was the more important one.

  “Is it unreasonable?”

  “It is unreasonable.”

  “We can go somewhere else.”

  “It was a joke. It’s not often but I do eat rice in a place like this.”

  Hyun-woo was a man of South Korea. As a man of Korea, he couldn’t say anything else in front of a pretty girl. Hyun-woo scratched his head and said.

  “……I wanted to look good but I’m not actually paying the meal expenses today. A person I knew made the reservation in advance. So you don’t have to worry about the burden. And today is a memorable day.”

  “What day is today?”

  “It’s the first.”

  “First?”

  “We didn’t really know each other that well when we visited the Taek Mountains. And I was a bit distracted when we met at the hospital a few days ago. Afterwards we only talked over the phone a few times. So this is our first formal date. That means it is the first day dating.”

  “I’ve never dated someone before.”

  “Then this is the first day for both of us.”

  “What is that?”

  “Anyway, is there any sense in hiding my heart anymore?”

  In fact, Hyun-woo was quite surprised. Hyun-woo never imagined that he could say something like this. But the first time hadn’t been too difficult. After he unintentionally confessed in the hospital, Hyun-woo was surprised he could talk so calmly. Of course, he knew that she also harboured a crush on him. Why else would she wear a nice dress to eat a meal at a good restaurant?

  ‘I knew she was a beauty…..’

  Cho Min-sun was wearing a dress and light makeup. It was like a warrior putting on a combat suit. He was still dissatisfied with the food prices but he thought it was worth it just seeing her. Cho MIn-sun was also very considerate.

  “I’ll have the pasta with clams.”

  She had sense to order the cheapest item on the menu! Hyun-woo was so touched by Cho Min-sun’s consideration that he ordered the same thing.

  “Feel free to order something a little more expensive……”

  “I originally like pasta. It’s not like I need to eat expensive food.”

  “That’s right.”

  “By the way, what on earth happened?”

  “Huh? What?”

  “Where are you now?”

  “Where? I’m here.”

  “Are you going to keep on fooling around? You know what I am asking.”

  Cho Min-sun said as she sent him a sharp look.

  At any rate, a man was a strange animal. Her face looked so pretty……he wanted to continue but she was serious. Hyun-woo blushed at her serious expression and scratched his head as he replied.

  “Right now I’m on Asteroid E-2036.”

  “E-2036? Why there…..?”

  “I was attacked by the Rama while completing my mission on Impeltus. We managed to escape but the ship was having problems during the warp voyage so we crash landed on the asteroid.”

  “So you should send a rescue request.”

  “No, the problem will be resolved shortly. I found my own way. But where did you hear that I have a problem?”

  In fact, today the first one to call was Cho Min-sun. The battle with the Kraken had just ended and he was about to eat dinner when her call came. And she started asking about the Silver Star. Hyun-woo had some time so he decided to have dinner with her and explain the circumstances.

  “I heard from Hawk.”

  “Hawk? Then Min-sun ssi met with Hawk?”

  “Yes, I joined up with the 2nd investigation team a short while ago. That was when I heard that Hyun-woo was missing. In fact, Hyun-woo’s unit wasn’t the only one attacked by an enemy. Most of the units were also attacked by the Rama or unidentified enemy. There are 11 units who returned safely. 9 units either lost the spaceship or were killed in battle. The 1st investigation team finished faster than scheduled and is going to join the 2nd investigation team. Everyone resurrected within 2 days but their spaceships were destroyed so Hawk expelled them from the team.”

  This was the first time he heard that other units had received surprise attacks.

  However Hyun-woo had suffered a lot in New World. Hyun-woo sensed something the moment he heard Cho Min-sun’s explanation. The person scheming behind the surprise attacks.

  The team contained 20 units. Even if 10 were killed, they were still divided into factions. It would be difficult for them to follow Hawk’s orders, even if he was 1 of the Seven Swords.

  So Hawk decided to reduce the numbers. With those numbers then he could control them properly. Their strength would be affected in the long run but right now it was better.

  The units of the two factions might conflict with each other. Even if there was a worry about fewer people, it was better to have soldiers easy to control. The purpose of this mission wasn’t to exterminate the enemy but to obtain information about the magic circle and antimatter first.

  ‘Still, isn’t he quite daring?’

  “Hawk has already started the next mission.”

  Then Cho Min-sun opened her mouth again.

  “I don’t know the details but he seems to have found a suspicious place. Hawk is going to lead the remaining units there. The problem is that Hawk has removed all units killed in battle from the team. It is the same for Ark-nim as well. I know that Ark-nim hasn’t been killed in battle but it won’t be any different since you didn’t arrive on time.”

  “Did he formally report it to the federation?”

  “No.”

  “
Then it doesn’t matter.”

  “What do you mean? It doesn’t matter? Are you saying it is okay if you’re kicked from the investigation team?”

  “That’s impossible.”

  Of course Hyun-woo had no intention of leaving the team. Why would he give up a quest like this? He wasn’t going to leave the team like Hawk wanted.

  “There’s no need to worry. Hawk…..”

  Hyun-woo was replying when his eyes narrowed. Someone had actually been distracting Hyun-woo for a while. There was a couple a few tables away staring at Cho Min-sun. But while he was talking, the woman suddenly got up and approached Hyun-woo’s table.

  ‘Who is it? Does she know Min-sun ssi?’

  Hyun-woo didn’t know the person. But the face was strangely familiar.

  He felt like he had met here somewhere before. However Hyun-woo couldn’t remember meeting her. It was extremely rare for Hyun-woo to meet women. If he met another beauty apart from Cho Min-sun then he would remember.

  ‘But somewhere…..ah! Yes! That woman!’

  He remembered when he saw the wine glass in her hand. Hyun-woo stood up and raised his voice.

  “Min-sun ssi, danger!”

  “Huh? What…..?”

  Min-sun ssi asked as she turned around.

  The woman holding the glass suddenly lost her balance and spilled her drink on Cho Min-sun. No, she didn’t lose her balance but deliberately fell.

  At the same time, the scene from the charity party to help overseas refugees was superimposed in Hyun-woo’s head. A similar thing had occurred then.

  Someone had deliberately tried to spill a drink on Cho Min-sun’s dress! That woman who poured the drink was the same one right now. She tried to the same technique half a year ago so she was very creative but this time she succeeded.

  Hyun-woo looked at the woman with an angry expression and shouted.

  “What on earth is this?”

  “Omo! I’m sorry but what can I do? Huh? Aren’t you Min-sun?”

  “Uh, unni…..”

  Confusion spread on Cho Min-sun’s face. Hyun-woo was also confused. She was her older sister? Hyun-woo looked between the shivering Cho Min-sun and the woman with a puzzled expression.

  “A date? Hmmm, he is a fine looking man. Do you also have the ability to charm a handsome man? Is it hereditary?”

  “Look here!”

  “Guest-nim, is something wrong?”

  A waiter came rushing after hearing Hyun-woo yell. Just as Hyun-woo was opening his mouth. Cho Min-sun shook her head.

  “Hyun-woo ssi, please stop.”

  “But……”

  “It’s okay. It’s a request. I don’t want any trouble. It’s not a big deal so let’s stop. Hyun-woo ssi, I’m sorry but I’ll be back.”

  Cho Min-sun spoke with a determined expression. The waiter quickly handed her a towel and guided her to the bathroom. The woman spoke to Hyun-woo after Cho Min-sun left with the waiter.

  “Do you know who our father is?”

  “I’ve heard about it. What does that have to do with you?”

  “No matter what. Her father is also my father. But not all children are the same. That bitch is the child of a mistress. Do you understand? She is common. That child’s birth is a mistake. That’s why I called her a bitch.”

  “What do you expect me to say?”

  “Hoh, you’re not surprised? I guess you know already. You have no idea what she is capable of. But this is unexpected. It is better if you give up. This is an advice and warning.”

  “I’ll also give you advice and a warning.”

  Hyun-woo slowly raised his head and said.

  “You better return to your seat before I get angry.”

  “Hul, look at that pride……”

  “Min-sun ssi’s sister! I’m only going to put up with it once.”

  Hyun-woo stared at the woman with flames pouring from his eyes. He didn’t know if it was his look or she had finished her work but the woman snubbed him and returned to her seat. His fist involuntarily clenched as he stared at her back. It wasn’t because he was insulted.

  ‘I don’t know anything about Min-sun ssi!’

  She told him that she was the child of a mistress but Hyun-woo hadn’t understood. He hadn’t made an effort to understand how she lived. Judging by Cho Min-sun’s reaction, this wasn’t a special incident. She found it normal to be insulted in front of people she knew.

  And she endured it. Because she was a mistress’s child. It was the reason why she just endured it most of the time. Perhaps her clumsy nature and difficulty expressing emotions was the result of this patience.

  When he thought about it, he was barely able to withstand the rage.

  “I’m sorry. Let’s go somewhere else.”

  Cho Min-sun said as she returned to her seat. After seeing her still wet dress, something broke in his head.

  “No. I told you. Someone I know booked this restaurant in advance. An opportunity to eat expensive food on someone else’s money is rare. So we should stay here and eat the food.”

  —————————-

  “Sheesh, that bitch is still here. She truly has a thick skin. That bitch! Her thick skin must be hereditary. How else would a woman seduce a married man?”

  The woman, Cho Mi-ra murmured in an unpleasant voice. Then the man cutting his steak laughed and said.

  “Hey, don’t do that. Pitiful.”

  “What is pitiful? That man over there is the pitiful one. Just thinking of that bitch makes me feel sick to my stomach.”

  “Isn’t she quite pretty?”

  “What?”

  “Why are you so sensitive?”

  “I’m sensitive? Didn’t I tell you? I feel sick just thinking of that bitch. Yet she dares have a meal in a restaurant like this! Damn, how can I enjoy my meal when she’s here? My status is falling just being in the same restaurant as her.”

  “Be tolerant.”

  The man laughed.

  “You will understand if you look closely. Your sibling…..I understand. Look at the man she brought. His clothes have that vintage look. Don’t you think it is like something from a drama? The poor man and the mistress’s daughter despised by her family. They will drink vending machine coffee and mutually comfort each other. While doing that, they forced themselves to come to a restaurant like this once. This will be the first and last time they can eat such fine pasta in their lives. So don’t they have to give up on alcohol? Ah, damn. I feel like crying after seeing them eat pasta in such clothes.”

  “Hohoho! It is like you said! Pitiful!”

  “Yes, it is rare for people like us to meet such poor people. So sometimes we need to do something. Noblesse oblige! Have you heard of it? People who are people with a status like us needs to help the poor. Hey!”

  The man then beckoned a waiter over.

  “What wines are good here?”

  “Several fine wines just came in today.”

  “The price range?”

  “The cheapest is 800,000 won…..”

  “I understand. That is suitable.”

  The man interrupted the waiter’s words and pointed to Hyun-woo’s table.

  “Take it to that table. Did you see before? My girlfriend mistook that woman over there. Please tell them I’ve sent this as an apology. But…..obtain consent from that gentleman first. That gentleman might be offended but he also has pride. He needs to calculate it himself. Whether to accept my sincerity or not.”

  “I will tell him.”

  Once the waiter left, the man smiled and said.

  “How about it? Letting the poor drink wine they could never taste in their life is noblesse oblige.”

  “Kalkalkalkal! This is great. Noblesse oblige!”

  Cho Mi-ra watched Hyun-woo and Cho Min-sun with interested eyes. Once the waiter approached and explained the wine, Hyun-woo quickly looked over at their table. After a while, he bowed and accepted the wine.

  A laugh emerged from Cho Mi-ra’s
mouth.

  “He took it.”

  “He is a beggar. His pride won’t let him turn down a 800,000 won wine. It is pitiful drinking a 800,000 won wine with pasta. Should I throw a steak there as another good deed?”

  “Try it! Try it! Let’s see if they receive it this time!”

  “Okay. Hey, over here….eh?”

  The man jumped up as he was about to call the waiter.

  “What is it?”

  “Ah, no. Wait a minute.”

  The man hastily ran across the room. He was heading towards a group of men entering the restaurant. It was an old man in his 50s surrounded by 10 Arab foreigners. The man approached the old gentleman and asked.

  “Hello, Chairman Kim?”

  “Huh? You are?”

  “I am the youngest son of Central Hotel. I met you last time at my father’s birthday celebration.”

  “Yes, I remember. Your name was Park Eun-chan?”

  “Thank you for remembering. By the way, these people with you…..”

  “Ah, do you know them?”

  Of course he knew.

  The man Park Eun-chan called Chairman Kim was the president of the large Seongyeon Corporation. And one of the Arab men was the world famous middle eastern oil tycoon, Abdul.

  Even a global entrepreneur would require a few months booking in order to meet him. That’s why Park Eun-chan came running over.

  Park Eun-chan was his father’s youngest son so he was ambitious. Connections was the most important thing to Park Eun-chan. If he managed to build a relationship with the Chairman of the Seongyeon Corporation and the oil tycoon Abdul then he could achieve his ambitions.

  “It is an honour to meet Chairman Kim and the world famous Abdul-nim. I never heard that Chairman Kim and Abdul-nim were friendly. Do you mind if I serve you personally?”

  “Thank you but that isn’t needed.”

  Chairman Kim smiled and shook his head.

  “Abdul and I came here to meet a friend after a long time.”

  “A friend? Someone in this restaurant?”

  Park Eun-chan looked around with confused eyes. A corporation’s chairman and an oil tycoon was meeting someone directly? Wouldn’t that person be a VIP if they were called a friend? A politician? Business tycoon?