Ark the Legend 1-12

by Yoo Seong

  But that message took away his worries. Health recovered by 30%! Attack and damage increased by 20% and attack speed by 25%. The shield also blocked 25% of all damage and returned it to the enemy! The shield’s skill showed the effect of 3~4 Esper’s buffs.

  Of course, this was a skill triggered by an event. But it was likely that the Baius Shield would contain unique skills. If the level rose then he could acquire skills and these skills alone were worth investing experience in it. Anyway!

  “Kuoh! H-how are you doing that?”

  Ark had used Force Explosion to regain his footing. The aftermath of this meant that Set had stumbled for a moment. He then belatedly confirmed that Ark was free and stuttered.

  Ark only had one thing to say at this point.

  “Justice is the way to win.”

  “Shut up! Justice is based on the will of the God that I follow!”

  Set growled with anger and raised his lightsaber. A black swirl was produced by the lightsaber and flew towards Ark. No, just as it was about to fly. Gunfire was heard from the other side.

  Tang! Tang! Tang!

  Once Ark had released the dark aura, Rapid had immediately started firing. Set had to avoid the bullets. Across from Rapid, Hawk was staring at Ark with an unpleasant expression before shouting.

  “Dammit! It can’t be helped. Awakening skill, Open Eye!”

  Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  Hawk shouted while lifting his eye patch. A red eye appeared and a massive light exploded from it. A chain explosion then occurred in the air! The chain explosion swept passed like a tsunami until only soot marks were left.

  ‘What? That guy, he was hiding that skill?’

  Ark’s mouth dropped open at the immense skill. But now wasn’t the time to be surprised. Basak’s sacrifice had won a hard-earned opportunity! If he missed this opportunity, there was no guarantee they could beat Set.

  “Ugh! These lowly fellows…..”

  Ark’s body shot forward like a bullet towards the blackened Set. Set swung his sword dozens of times in an intricate pattern. In the past, he couldn’t go against Set in a 1 on 1 fight but the circumstances changed once the buff was applied.

  Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

  Ark’s sword moved at a dazzling sped and blocked the black sword. He received an impact with the shield and Set stumbled. The buff effect returned 25% of the damage to the enemy. Ark approached the wobbly Set and laughed.

  “What did you say? Now it’s my turn?

  “W-wait a minute!”

  “You didn’t wait previously. This is the definition of ruthlessness!”

  Wiing! Wiing! Wiiing! Wiing!

  Ark’s lightsaber started to wave in a complicated pattern.

  The light moved dozens of times and became more complicated. Of course this was due to the increase in attack speed from the buff. But it was only possible to tell for someone who often played online games. It was 25% extra attack speed but it actually felt like 2 or 3 times the normal speed.

  Ark strove to prevent Set from attacking. Set’s health had already been decreased to 30%. Basak then turned into a crystal golem and attacked. Then combined with Rapid and Hawk’s offensives, his health reached 15%.

  On the other hand, Ark had 30% health left but it recovered by 30% due to the Baius Shield buff. Currently he had 60%. The combat power was similar but there was 4 the difference when comparing health.

  But fighting spirit was the crucial difference from before. It was a situation where Ark had been on the verge of death and was suddenly revived. On the other hand, Set had been on the verge of victory only to be cornered. It was impossible to stay calm in such a situation. Ark’s shower of attacks reduced Set’s health to 3% and Set fell to the ground.

  “W-wait a minute! S-save me! I-I…..”

  “It is too late! Khafra Fencing 3rd style! Galaxy Sword!”

  Dozens of swords flew forward like a fan.

  They surrounded Set and there were sparks as the swords kept on striking. Then there was a crack on the armour of Set’s leg before gradually climbing upwards like a breaking pillar.

  Tong-!

  Once the crack reached the head, there was a ringing sound and the helmet flew off. Black shadows then sprang out from the helmet and surrounded Set’s head.

  -Kuaaaak!

  Set held his face and screamed through the shadows! Red eyes stared at Ark from among the shadows. Ark quickly lifted his shield as an unidentified presence appeared.

  He was nervous at the possibility of the battle continuing. However the shadow with red eyes just yelled with fury before disappearing.

  –You! Jed! Elim! I will never forget this grudge!

  “…..What was that? That guy?”

  He waited longer but nothing further happened.

  -Your level has risen.

  -Your level has risen.

  And the ringing sound of continuous messages! He disposed of Set and this was converted into experience. But there was no time to relax yet. Set was killed but Ark and Hawk’s team were still engaged with Set’s subordinates. Ark jumped up and shouted.

  “Stop! Set is dead! Everybody surrender!”

  “Dammit! Leader Set….”

  “The rebellion was a failure?”

  “No! We just need to kill them!”

  “We’re going to die anyway! Let’s get revenge for Set!”

  The rebels became enraged and fired their plasma bullets. Ark used Sword Defense to deflect the plasma bullets’ trajectory and moved towards Kuhwen.

  “Damn! Your Majesty, Tri-Force!”

  “Stop Prince Kuhwen!”

  The surviving enemy rushed to the pyramid.

  Then an enemy collapsed to the ground due to Ark’s sword. Another body fell down on the other side while three bullets penetrated a different enemy. They were Ark, Hawk and Rapid who killed Set.

  “Come as much as you want. I will kill everyone. Awakening skill, Open Eye!”

  Flash! Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  A red light flew from Hawk. The chain explosion occurred in a radial blast! The enemies caught in the explosion had their health decreased and some even instantly disappeared.

  “Continuous Fire! Quick Fire! Chain Fire!”

  Tang! Tang! Tang! Tang!

  Rapid spun his pistol and bullets penetrated the enemy. And dozens of swords extended towards the enemy line!

  “Khafra Fencing 3rd style! Galaxy Sword!”

  Dozens of enemies collapsed under the combined attacks of Ark, Rapid and Hawk. Even the team members were helping. Their morale was already at the bottom so quite a few enemy troops couldn’t resist and collapsed. However these rebels were desperate. No, the uprising had failed so their deaths were confirmed anyway.

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang! Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  There was also the bombardment of the airship from above. It really was a plan of desperation. Everyone was going to die so they gave everything they had. But Ark’s team had a user who could oppose the bombardment. The controller Park!

  “Car! Kum! Transformed into the final form!

  The dinosaur form opened up parts of its leg and other areas at Park’s command. Then the knight form got on it and transformed into a long spear. The two autobots had transformed into a type of turret!

  “If an airship is the opponent then it is my specialty!”

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang! Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  Park got on the turret and a spear of energy shot out from it.

  Indeed a tank expert!

  Kaya and Sadain were good in hand to hand combat but Park showed his mighty power against tanks. Fortunately there was Ark, Hawk and Rapid. Along with the team members, they managed to interrupt Set’s troops while Kuhwen called the Shire to open the entrance of the pyramid.

  Ku ku ku ku! Ku ku ku ku! Ku ku ku ku!

  Many people were feeling anxious. Suddenly the earth shook and a huge red pattern formed on the pyramid. The pattern formed an ‘x!’ At first he had no idea what this meant. But he k
new once the pattern changed. It became a blue ‘○’ pattern.

  ‘Perhaps that is….?’

  Ark looked up with hopeful eyes. A huge space gate had formed above the pyramid. Sparks flew around the gate before a huge spaceship passed through.

  The airship that was exchanging hits with Park turned towards the spaceship and fired. But when looking at the scale of the spaceship, it was like sticking a needle in an elephant. The offensive of the spaceship…..

  Flash!

  A blue light flew from the spaceship and the airship dissolved without a trace. Meanwhile dozens more gates had formed over the spaceship. And hundreds of spaceships similar to the one that destroyed the airship filled the sky.

  That’s right. What explanation was needed? The pyramid was the boundary between space and Muratio Star. So ‘x’ meant no entry while ‘○’ meant it was okay to enter….

  The atmosphere became lighter with one pattern.

  Anyway, the ward Abraxas protecting Muratio Star was turned off. The space fleet spread throughout the galaxy could now enter Muratio Star to suppress the rebels.

  “Waaaaahhhhh! Murat space fleet! We did it!”

  “That’s it. Now…..”

  The militia cheered. Tot who was leaning against the pyramid wall gasped and slowly closed his eyes.

  ***

  At that time.

  –Kuoh….

  An ancient temple somewhere in the galaxy. A black form occupying the centre groaned and grabbed his face. The robed men in the vicinity flocked with confused expressions.

  “What’s wrong?”

  –It is nothing.

  The black form answered in a thin, tremulous voice.

  –I was just reminded of nasty wounds that occurred a long time ago.

  A red mark was engraved on the forehead of the black form. However, a black hand rubbed it and the red mark immediately disappeared.

  –This bruise from the past isn’t anything special….

  The black form frowned before continuing to speak.

  -I don’t know why but I’m in an unpleasant mood. I need to hurry. Tell Fenrir to put things in order and return.

  SPACE 9

  Back to the Future

  “You cowardly wretch!”

  Ellain shouted angrily.

  “I still think my loyalty to Ark-nim is deeper than yours. Yet….yet….if you’re not here then how can I win? Cowardly bastard! Stupid bastard! Ugh, you….you….really….”

  And he couldn’t continue talking through his dripping tears. Ellain was embracing the crystal golem. Ellain and Basak had been in a competition over Ark but Basak sacrificed his body and turned into the crystal golem.

  In fact, the person who was most attached was Ellain. They hadn’t even met each other for one day but they were always arguing.

  Yet Ark’s battle with Set ended, the Baius Shield returned to what it was when he found it on Rakunka. The Baius Shield had probably only reached the previous level because of Basak’s remaining will. Basak’s will mixed in with the ancestors and the Baius Shield reset to its initial state. Of course, the crystal golem’s memory was also reset.

  –What? You? Why are you spreading your runny nose on my body? Can’t you just fall?

  Despite Ellain’s tears and runny nose, the reaction of the crystal golem was cold. Well, it was sad in its own way…..

  There was another sad thing. The Elim’s spiritual mentor who had been with Ark through this whole journey, Tot. After the battle against Set, Tot was found unconscious next to the pyramid and still hadn’t regained consciousness.

  “It seems that Set’s dark force as rooted itself in his heart and it seems impossible that he can regain his consciousness. But Tot has devoted his life to being the Elim’s spiritual mentor. His body can’t recover due to the dark force but his spirit is protected by a powerful force of light. That is Tot’s will. I will accept Tot’s will and move his spirit to a new container so that he can be revered as an Elim mentor in the future.”

  That was Kuhwen’s explanation. In the end, Basak and Tot. The two people Ark first met when arriving on Muratio Star had sacrificed them to end the rebellion.

  Basak joined with the Baius Shield. And Tot’s spirit would live in another form, but anyway! Set’s rebellion was ended. And…..

  “Here….!”

  Ark looked down with admiration.

  The only city Ark saw on Muratio Star was Minaheim where he met Kuhwen. Minaheim might be called a city but it was only at the standard of a village. There were small scale machinery and hamlets that was at the level of a medieval village.

  Thus he thought the other villages on Muratio Star were similar to it. But the city spread out below him got rid of such preconceptions. Skyscrapers and a huge pyramid stretched out for dozens of kilometres on the horizon. And a crowd that was difficult to guess the number could be seen in the distance.

  This was the capital city of Muratio Star that flourished in the past, Hwangdo. Once the space fleet entered Muratio Star, they quickly cleared up the rebellion. The rebel army was strong enough to take over most of Muratio Star’s major cities but they were no match for the space fleet.

  The rebel commanders knew this better than anyone so they surrendered as soon as they knew the space fleet had entered. Some rebels resisted until the end by they were smashed by the space fleet. And Kuhwen and Ark’s companions unabashedly took a space ship to Hwangdo!

  “Your Majesty, the coronation preparations have finished.”

  “I understand. Start.”

  Kuhwen nodded his head. Kuhwen and Ark’s party descended towards a deck where the Pharaohs had gathered in the centre of Hwangdo.

  “Wahhhh! Prince Kuhwen!”

  “Pharaohs from all over the galaxy!”

  “They are the humans who helped Prince Kuhwen defeat Set! The leading role in suppressing the rebellion!”

  “Hooray Prince Kuhwen! Hooray Pharaohs! Hooray the militia!”

  The crowd in Hwangdo cheered as Kuhwen, Ark’s party and the Pharaohs appeared on giant floating screens. Kuhwen waited for the cheers to die down before beginning to talk.

  “The faithful residents of Muratio Star, I know you have been anxious about this undesirable situation. However the Great Gods Ra, Shu and Tefnut never abandoned us. Darkness is always present in this world but the darkness is unable to beat the light. Set’s rebellion has been ended by those here! And I, Kuhwen as the new Horus declare that peace has come to Muratio Star!”

  It was just after the rebellion so the coronation procedure was simple. Each of the Pharaohs had to swear allegiance to Kuhwen.

  “It is thanks to you.”

  Once Kuhwen formally became Horus, he turned to Ark, Hawk and the others.

  “If I didn’t have your help then it wouldn’t be possible for me to stop Set’s rebellion. You don’t belong to the Murat yet you were still involved in the swirl of war. This praise isn’t enough. This is lacking comparing to your achievements but accept my small token of appreciation.”

  ‘Ooh! A reward?’

  Ark’s eyes started shining. Kuhwen praised him to the people but as expected, he still gave compensation to the users. The compliments were nice but it couldn’t even be used to wipe his mouth.

  In that sense, it was great the Kuhwen’s coronation ended quickly so he could receive the compensation. Soldiers approached with a pyramid the size of a box after Kuhwen finished talking. The Murat items Ark found in ruins had also been packed in a pyramid.

  Once again, the amount of achievements also applied to this quest. The rewards were granted in the order of achievements. And of course, the person with the most merit was Ark who defeated the rebel leader Set.

  Kuhwen turned to Ark and spoke.

  “If it wasn’t for your courage and efforts then Set wouldn’t have been stopped. The Murat will bestow this upon you as praise for your courage and effort.”

  Ark received a single rod from the pyramid.

  -Equalizer (
Unique)

  Item Type: Lightsaber

  Wearer Restriction: Level 120, Exclusive

  Attack: 75~80 Durability: 120/120

  The Murat are a peaceful pioneering species dedicated to spreading civilization to other planets in the galaxy.

  But that doesn’t mean there is no danger to the pioneering Murat. The universe is full of hostile species and space pirates that surpass imagination. Thus the pioneering Murat had developed more powerful weapons than those used on Muratio Star.

  This is a lightsaber made by a master craftsman that is given to the Pharaoh in charge of the Murat space fleet. The Pharaohs are those who spread Horus’ mission for peace through the galaxy. Thus the sword was called Equalizer. But in contrast to the peaceful name, it has a sharpness that can cut anything and a ferocious energy. The makers emphasized durability above anything else and the sword can be used even after thousands of years have passed.

 

 
  Force consumption: 1,000

  Cool down time: 4 hours>

  ‘Rare lightsaber!’

  Ark’s mouth gaped open. The last sword he received was the Heir’s Sword after changing professions. But the Heir’s Sword wasn’t that awful compared to the level 120 sword he just received.

  The Heir’s Sword was 65~70 while Equalizer was 75~80. There was only a 10 point difference. Heir’s Sword added 20 points to states while Equalizer was only 15 and 10. It actually fell instead. However the attack speed was 8% higher.

  An additional ability was added to cover the stats that fell! The Heir’s Sword had the special option to increase recovery speed while Equalizer raised all skill effects by 50%! It consumed 1,000 Force and only lasted for 10 minutes but the rise in combat option was terrific. But there was a separate reason why Ark was happy.

  ‘I can still use this after thousands of years?’

  Once again, Ark wasn’t in his original time and space. If he returned to his original world then there was a chance any items obtained here would disappear. Of course, the probability of it disappearing in the future was low but there was a chance it wouldn’t work anymore. Yet the Equalizer had a ‘thousand year warranty’ attached to it. It was packed with confidence.