Ark Volume 2 Read online

  At the end of a long, long journey, you have finally found the lighthouse.

  However, take notice: The lighthouse is not the final destination, but merely a milestone. This is the end of the world. This is the entrance to another world, only for those who have been chosen. Receive the mirror's guidance and find the new world; a new adventure is awaiting you.

  Difficulty: E

  Quest Limitation: Knowledge of Ancient Artifacts

  'The mirror's guidance? Do I have to follow the light this time?'

  Ark looked at the path of light shining down on the water.

  It looked as if the light was connected to the depths of the ocean.

  In the end he had to pass through the ocean, but how? There was no need to worry about it. Because there is a rule the answer is always set up beside the problem.

  'Is this the reason why the Sharkmen's leader dropped Mermaid's Scales?'

  Ark put the hand mirror away and started on his new adventure.

  As expected, he was able to breathe after holding a Mermaid's Scale in his mouth and submerging his head. With each of his Familiars biting down on a Mermaid Scale, Ark entered the water.

  Even within the water they were able to move while breathing freely.

  Something he had occasionally experienced in his dreams had been made possible.

  It was just a game, but the unfamiliar sensation was amazing.

  It was beautiful under the sea.

  There was a boundless forest made of seaweed and corals shrouded with transparent shades of blue. Colorful fishes were drifting around it. It was a magical sight he'd only seen in documentaries, unfolded before his very eyes.

  However the depths of the ocean wasn't a place where only the beautiful could be seen. As the shoals of fish suddenly dispersed, some massive object attacked Ark.

  'Octopus!'

  A demon of the sea, it was an octopus monster with the name Devil Fish.

  While brandishing its eight legs, the Devil Fish attacked.

  Ark quickly avoided its body, but there was something he didn't realize.

  The physics in the real world also applied in the New World! Since he was under water, he couldn't move well, let alone keep his balance properly.

  As Ark flailed, a bright red light flashed before his eyes.

  - You have received a critical hit from the Devil Fish. 180 points of damage.

  Since the critical did only 180 damage, it didn't seem to be as strong as it looked.

  However the current problem was Ark didn't have a method of fighting properly. As he was hit by the octopus' legs, his body spun round and round. Even Skeleton and Bat could only flounder.

  'Dammit, If only I could get my balance.... Ah, that's right!'

  "Snake, Sharkman's Shackle!"

  At Ark's voice, Snake quickly spat out the shackle.

  It was truly fortunate he had entrusted it to Snake because it was too heavy.

  When combat starts, weapons, shields, potions, and other items can't be taken out of the bag. But the restriction didn't apply to Snake.

  Granted, it couldn't be helped to be unprotected while changing equipment. He was dealt two more blows as he put on the shackles. Then, as he felt the enormous weight, his body plunged down. Thanks to that, he was able to regain his balance.

  The items the Sharkman had dropped were absolutely necessary for his journey under the sea. But it alone didn't solve everything.

  'My body is heavy!'

  It wasn't just the shackle's weight; Ark was underwater. Breathing was made possible by the Mermaid's Scale, but his movements being slowed by water resistance was unavoidable. His sword, which had always flown like the wind, moved like a slow-motion video.

  That wasn't all.

  - Your attack has failed because of the Devil Fish's elasticity.

  *Bounce!*

  Ark's sword bounced off the rubber-like elasticity of the Devil Fish.

  "WHAT THE HELL? Eyes of the Cat!"

  When Ark chanted the skill, red marks were drawn on the Devil Fish's body.

  It was normal for dozens of places to show up for other monsters, but the Devil Fish only had 3 or 4. And those places only showed up momentarily when the Devil Fish attacked.

  'So I have to wait for the moment when its muscles tense up for an attack and then counterattack?'

  The Devil Fish was level 40. It was lower than Ark, but the special physical limitations of the underwater environment made the difficulty feel several hundred times greater. It was nearly impossible to accurately pierce the ever-changing weak points with his immensely lowered agility in the water.

  'I'd be able to dish out damage with defense-ignoring Dark Blade, but...'

  He didn't have much Mana left because he had floundered in the beginning and wasted time.

  'There is only one way.'

  He'd be late if he checked the red points by eye before attacking. He had to predict the Devil Fish's movement beforehand and stab before the red point appeared. Ark concentrated on defense while inspecting the Devil Fish's movements with Eyes of the Cat. Which parts emerged as weak points at which movements, he stored them one by one within his head.

  'Alright, I've roughly figured out the bastard's movements. It's here now!'

  Ark dodged the incoming octopus's feet and stabbed it with the blade.

  - You have landed a critical hit!

  Though it was difficult, he dealt a 100% critical hit when the attack succeeded.

  'Good, I can win as long as I know the method!'

  Ark dodged the octopus legs as he successfully counter attacked about 10 times. When the Devil Fish fell into critical condition, his sight suddenly darkened as he took damage.

  It was because the Devil Fish blocked his vision with ink and attacked.

  At the attack he hadn't imagined, Ark was getting completely creamed. Within the darkness, he couldn't see an inch through, it was hard to land attacks, let alone avoid the octopus legs.

  Just then, he heard Bat's voice from one side.

  "Master, this way, stab now!"

  Ark swung the sword in reflex and another critical landed as his sight cleared.

  The Devil Fish slowly faded.

  'This isn't a simple matter.'

  Ark's face became serious.

  The octopus' level was 40. Outside, he could beat monsters of the same level even while picking his nose. But the octopus had driven Ark to the brink of death.

  The underwater special environment was no different from applying great penalty on Ark's abilities.

  If Ark hadn't grinded and polished his practical sense he probably wouldn't have won even if he were 10 levels higher than he currently was.

  'I don't know what other kinds of monsters will appear from here on. What's certain is that since I'm underwater, they'll be completely different in type from those outside. In my current state, can I win against monsters that are stronger than the Devil Fish?'

  There was no guarantee that wasn't the only problem.

  His leather armor and rock helmet were fine, but his steel sword received a water penalty and its durability kept dropping just by equipping it.

  Coral Dagger

  Weapon Type

  Dagger

  Attack Damage

  1~4

  Durability

  15

  Weight

  15

  Usage Restriction

  None

  A dagger made by sharpening the coral. The blade has satisfactory luster and shape. Excellent for use as a decoration. Because the material is coral, it is impossible to repair with the usual method.

  In the end, Ark was forced to equip the lousy dagger he obtained by hunting the Sharkmen.

  'It's fun.'

  The entire situation was the worst, but Ark's motivation increased instead.

  'Marine monsters can't be beaten just because you have higher stats. Real skills are needed! This is the chance to raise my level, not my character's.'

  Ar
k's maximum interest was boosted.

  It was obvious, a higher level allowed you to defeat stronger enemies and created a chance to earn better items and money. But the level up Ark was thinking of wasn't simply increasing stats or skill proficiency.

  Didn't you see how a character clinging to only levels and numbers like Andel met its end?

  The player's ability to control the character was more important than the character's skill. It was also the reason Ark had been able to fight the Sharkman 1 on 1.

  A character's stats were meaningless no matter how high they were if they weren't used properly. The ability to utilize 100% of level and stats! It was something only possible with the effort of the user.

  'In any case, it's difficult to level up by hunting level 40 monsters. But there's no where better to truly level up, not in numbers but in my ability. This is where I can level up the second time.'

  There was no need to get too impatient because of Alan or the other applicants. After all, haste makes waste.

  In the past, he would've just focused on raising his character level. But Ark had completely grasped New World's characteristics now.

  'I'll conquer the octopus for now!'

  Ark decisively made up his mind and started to train.

  The first hurdle was getting used to the water.

  Ark started catching the fish wandering nearby. Fish didn't deal damage to Ark, and because they were small and moved rapidly, they were appropriate training opponents.

  Ark, Bat, and Skull floundered as they chased the fishes.

  The training wasn't fulfilled only within the game. Outside the game, Ark went to the swimming pool in his spare time. He walked and let fly punches and kicks in the water for several hours. Other people whispered as they looked at him strangely, but he didn't pay them any attention. Self was always more important than others.

  The effects slowly began to show after training for about 3 days.

  "Uhahah, these guys!"

  Bat became able to outstretch its wings like a stingray and swim underwater while chasing the fish. It was a change that couldn't be compared to three days ago, when it had just flailed around.

  The wingless Skull also found a measure of its own. It aptly utilized the movement of the current as it reached a level where it could roll its body.

  But as useless as it was, the most outstandingly skilled one was Snake, who was always wrapped around his waist. When Ark praised Bat and Skull's growth, Snake snorted and traversed the ocean like an eel. Then it returned and coiled itself as if asking to be complimented too.

  He did praise it, but the ability was meaningless since it couldn't be used in combat. Anyway, of course the one who felt the greatest result was Ark.

  - You have landed a critical hit!

  He countered all of the wildly incoming octopus legs.

  There was nothing to hinder Ark's movement. His underwater movements were still slower than on land, there were movements that can only be done in water. How to move while reducing the water resistance; no, rather, it was how to utilize the water resistance.

  Ark realized the solution with his body, not his mind.

  Water is not stationary. It is always flowing somewhere.

  He read the water flow and didn't resist. Rather, he moved his body with the flow.

  The effect was as expected!

  'The Devil Fish is no longer a challenge.'

  Ark went to a deeper part of the water.

  As expected, the emerging monsters abnormal in their appearances and abilities. The crab-like Monster Crab had its entire body encased in a steel-like shell, hitting it with his sword lowered its durability. He could only land blows by precisely hitting the joints, where the shell was weak.

  There was also a jellyfish like monster, Jellyfish. It swung countless tentacles paralyzing anything it touched.

  They were monsters that were each incomparably difficult!

  But with steady training, Ark defeated them one by one.

  At first, he had to swing his sword three or four times to finally land a blow, but with every repetition the number decreased. After a week had passed, he was able to land a blow every time he swung his sword.

  The Devil Fish's ink was no longer a problem either. At first he'd been barely able to locate it through Bat's voice, but once he got used to underwater combat, he was able to make all predictions just through the movement of the current.

  The most difficult enemy was the Jellyfish. He could end it with two or three stabs to the body, but its tentacles got in his way. If it touches him, he will be paralyzed and could only stay still while getting hit until he had lose at least 20% of his Health.

  But since he'd gotten used to the Devil Fish's octopus leg attack, he became able to dodge the tentacles without much difficulty.

  'Good, I'm starting to get the feel of it.'

  Ark no longer used food effects. Food made with Jellyfish had the effect of reducing water penalty by 50%, but he didn't even eat it.

  He won with just his sword and skills.

  As long as he was rigged up with the ability to fight properly, marine monsters were no match for Ark. Whenever he swung his sword, three or four blows were executed in succession.

  Since Ark's actual level was higher, once he found the strategy, fighting three or four enemies at once wasn't a problem. Ten days had passed, and although he hunted countless marine monsters, his level only rose by 2. But since he'd fought under the water penalty, his Sword-Hand Mastery rose by 100 and had surpassed 230.

  In addition, his Nursing skill had also risen by 60. He had abused the skill while driving his Familiars to near death.

  But the biggest result of it all was Ark and his Familiars' combat sense had swiftly increased.

  'Now I can fight any monster that appear, as if they were on land.'

  But no matter how pleased he was about the situation he couldn't stay here forever.

  Ark began to seriously follow the road of light.

  The ocean road was more complicated than he thought.

  There were places that looked blocked but were actually open when he went there, and vice versa. Also, places rife with strong currents were hard to even approach. Since the hand mirror's light always showing the path in a straight line, it wasn't easy to find the road.

  Only after two days had passed, Ark reached the destination. After clearing and emerging from a dense seaweed forest, a broad underwater plain unfurled. At the center, the sight of a city bathed in light appeared.

  "Is this the destination!"

  An exclamation automatically burst out of him.

  Brilliantly colorful light poured out from between the buildings soaring up like enormous coral reefs between the castle walls. As shocking as it was, the ones who were coming and going busily between the walls were Mermaids.

  Mermaids had the lower body of a fish, and both sides of their faces had fins. The scene of them mingling with colorful fish reminded him of a scene from a fairy tale.

  "Fish. Fish!" Bat said noisily while smacking his mouth.

  At the end of the fishing training, he knew the taste of fish.

  "By any chance, don't say that to those people."

  "Damn, but they're probably tasty!"

  "... Just keep your mouth shut."

  After glaring at Bat, Ark approached the city entrance.

  "Ex-excuse me."

  Ark talked to the entrance guard.

  The guard, who was wearing armor made by connecting seashells, and holding a spear that appeared to be manufactured from some kind of horn, made a surprised expression.

  "Huh, you're a Human, right?"

  "Yes, I'm Human."

  "First time seeing a human. I thought after the catastrophe the road to the outside was completely severed... Anyway you really don't have a tail. With those uncomfortable legs I can't understand how you arrived here. Ah, also how are you breathing? I heard humans can't breathe under water?"

  "A Mermaid's Scale fell into m
y hands by chance."

  Ark added he'd obtained the Mermaid's Scale from a Sharkman.

  The Mermaid guard nodded with eyes filled with goodwill.

  "Those stupid and vicious Sharkmen are the enemies of Merpeople. You, who defeated those Sharkmen and avenged Merpeople, are definitely a great adventurer. We aren't opposed to Humans either. Since you're a rare guest, I'll welcome you happily."

  "Thank you. But what is the name of this city?"

  "You came here without even knowing it?"

  The Mermaid guard replied with a prideful voice, "This is the City of Merpeople, the people of the sea, Nodelesse. It has received the sea God's blessing and is the sole place permitted to be called the most perfectly beautiful. If you stay here and see, you too will come to understand."

  "I am already aware. I have been to many places, but this is the first time I have seen such a beautiful city. Simply seeing the city conveys the sublimity of Merpeople."

  "Ohh, you are wise."

  The Mermaid guard smiled brightly and nodded.

  Ark had maximized his intimacy with countless NPCs. Sweet-talking one fish was nothing. Ark raised his intimacy with lip service and pulled out the main point.

  "Do you perhaps know a name called Christin?"

  The name of a person who briefly appeared in the hand mirror's images, Christin.

  Currently it was the only clue to solve the quest.

  However, the response was strange.

  The friendly eyes of the guard suddenly filled with wariness.

  "Where did you hear that name?"

  "Actually I came here to find the person named Christin."

  "There is no one named Christin here."

  "Yes, I know. I think it is someone who had lived a long time ago..."

  "I said I don't know!"

  The Mermaid guard suddenly got mad and turned his head.

  Ark could feel the intimacy he had raised plunging down.

  "If you hadn't defeated the Sharkman and come to this place, I would've chased you out immediately."

  The Mermaid guard definitely knew about Christin. Ark wanted to get more information in any way possible, but if the intimacy fell even more then it seemed he'd be blocked entry to the city.