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Join the ServerSPACE 6. Welcome to Nephalim (PART: 1)
“I don’t know if this will turn out well.”
Yoo Han-pil sighed, the words a low murmur escaping his lips. As the esteemed chairman of a colossal corporation, his name was a household word across Korea.
Yet, in his fifty years of life, he had never before experienced such profound frustration. The root of his despair lay in an incident that had occurred over a year prior.
He had but one son, the sole heir of a third-generation financial group. Naturally, he had raised his boy within a gilded cage, showering him with every conceivable luxury.
His son had blossomed into a remarkable young man. Possessing a brilliant mind, he had gained admission to a top-tier university, and his physical prowess allowed him to excel in any sport.
His striking good looks were on par with a celebrity’s. He was, in every sense, perfect—the quintessential successor to the family empire. Yoo Han-pil harbored no doubts about his son’s radiant future.
However, that once-bright future had been cast into shadow following the incident that transpired more than a year ago.
‘If it wasn’t for that…’
Yoo Han-pil gazed at his son, a somber expression clouding his face. The young man sat motionless in a wheelchair.
His head was tilted unnaturally to the side, and his hands and feet lay twisted, unable to find a proper resting position. His once-perfect son now struggled even to move his hand enough to eat.
Though, it was true, he had improved considerably.
Following the unexpected accident, his son had remained unconscious for several months. Even if his son had been disabled overnight, Yoo Han-pil was simply grateful that he had awakened at all.
Of course, his deepest desire was for his son to return to his former self. He would readily sacrifice anything to aid his son’s recovery, even if it meant offering his entire fortune.
‘My resolve hasn’t wavered. But…’
Yoo Han-pil’s gaze drifted to the machine positioned behind his son. It was a unit for the virtual reality game, Galaxian.
He had consulted the family doctor, who informed him of numerous cases where individuals in similar conditions had shown significant improvement after immersing themselves in virtual reality games. Yoo Han-pil was already aware of this phenomenon.
However, he had been reluctant to use a virtual reality game for his son’s treatment. The very accident that had afflicted his son was, in fact, linked to a virtual reality game.
Predictably, his son had not touched a virtual reality game since. Yet, a few days prior, his son had suddenly expressed a fervent desire to play Galaxian.
The old nightmare resurfaced, prompting Yoo Han-pil to flatly refuse. His son, however, remained unyielding. He refused to eat unless he was permitted to play Galaxian.
Ultimately, Yoo Han-pil found himself with no recourse but to yield.
“Is it truly alright?”
“Yes…”
His son moved his lips with evident pain. Yoo Han-pil sighed, then nodded in resignation.
“Very well. If that is your will, I will no longer stop you. Nor will I ask why you suddenly wish to play Galaxian.
I have only one wish. I do not want you to revert to your previous state. Virtual reality is perfect for those with disabilities, so I hope you can live a normal life within it.
Just promise me one thing: do not tear your father’s heart again, as you did a year ago.”
“You don’t have to worry… Already… that incident… something reckless like that… I won’t do it.
I just…”
“That’s fine.”
Yoo Han-pil nodded his head. “That is enough.”
He carefully placed his son within the Galaxian unit. The unit sealed shut, and his son embarked on a journey to a universe set in the far future.
****
Humanity in the 22nd century found itself with limited choices. The turn of the century had rapidly accelerated the ruin that humans had wrought upon Earth.
Consequently, the worldwide government initiated a colossal project for the sake of humanity. The universe remained largely unknown, yet they decided to stake humanity’s fate on its exploration.
After countless trials and three decades, humanity finally completed a moon base. With the moon base established, their space development technology surged forward.
Ultimately, the 24th century ushered in the age of space pioneering. Humanity experienced tremendous growth, opening one solar system planet after another.
After many decades, humans finally managed to develop warp navigation, extending their explorations beyond the Milky Way galaxy. They rebranded themselves as the Galactic Federation, and humanity’s space fleet spread across the galaxies.
It was then that the problems began.
Having entered the true age of space pioneering, humanity encountered realities on the frontier they had never imagined. Hundreds of thousands of light-years away, in the Kiltin constellation, they met an aggressive warrior alien species known as the Rama.
These beings possessed formidable physical abilities and advanced technology far surpassing humanity’s. The dreams of the first pioneers who ventured into the galaxies crumbled to dust, and their very solar system came under threat.
A team operation was swiftly launched. The genius scientist Lucian gathered humanity’s top scientists, and after decades of research, they finally developed a technology capable of resisting the Rama.
This was ‘body coating’—a technology that transformed humans into aliens. For the first time, humankind could launch a counterattack against the Rama threatening the solar system.
They forged alliances with other alien species equally imperiled by the Rama, bringing an end to the First Space War. However, that hard-won peace proved fleeting.
The 1st Space War was merely the prelude to humanity’s trials. Numerous risks existed beyond human comprehension, and many ancient alien civilizations had vanished as their stars winked out.
There was a distinct possibility that humanity, too, could be swallowed by the encroaching darkness. This was humanity’s history, as chronicled in their history books.
–
Humanity is just like a newborn baby leaving its cradle.
From now on, humanity will suffer numerous risks and setbacks.
However, humanity is a species with infinite possibilities.
Body coating is a technology that holds infinite possibilities.
The important thing is human potential.
If you can draw out all that potential, then humans will be the rulers of the universe.
By Lucian Endoneid.
****
“This is Nephalim?”
Ark looked around, his eyes wide with surprise. The dome where he had arrived was not so different from R-14’s Star Gate.
However, once he stepped outside the dome, he found himself in an entirely different world. It was a citadel city, encircled by a vast, dense forest.
Having played other virtual reality games, he wasn’t entirely taken aback. The city, though not a kingdom’s capital, was dozens of times larger than Yeoido Plaza.
Yet, the city itself wasn’t the primary source of his surprise. It was the peculiar machinery scattered throughout the various districts that truly captured Ark’s attention.
Thick pipes snaked across the cityscape, while machines belched black smoke into the air. Crude 3D billboards were affixed to walls constructed of brick.
It was a bizarre amalgamation, a chaotic mix of medieval aesthetics and futuristic science. Still, given the setting was a future age, it made a strange kind of sense.
“Here… is this really Nephalim?”
Ark accessed information about Nephalim on his Nymphe.
-Nephalim-
Apart from Tatuine, this was the city where most companies swarmed after Istana was discovered. Nephalim is surrounded by unique natural environments, so many unique space resources have been found. However, it fell behind thanks to the disadvantageous terrain, and the population decreased as many people moved to other areas. This city isn’t recommended if you want a company to sponsor you.
Population Density: ■ □ □ □ □ Civilization: ■ ■ □ □ □
Advanced Sponsor: ■ ■ □ □ □
‘The lowest population density!’
The Star Gate could not be used again until he reached a certain level. Moreover, cities were often hundreds of kilometers apart.
Therefore, several factors needed careful consideration when choosing a city. The first thing Ark had accounted for was population density.
Unlike R-14, Istana was a vast planet, so hunting grounds wouldn’t pose a problem. However, if too many users selected a particular city, the best quests and hunting spots might already be claimed.
There would be a low chance of being the first to discover a dungeon. When considering population density, Nephalim stood out as the city with the lowest.
Ark had anticipated a quiet, perhaps even desolate, village, but the reality defied his expectations. It was a sprawling metropolis, and the flashing electric billboards evoked memories of the vibrant nightlife in Gangnam’s gay district.
‘What on earth would Tatuine be like if Nephalim has the lowest population density?’
He paled at the mere thought. ‘Anyway, it’s good that I chose a city based on population density. There are more people than I expected, so there might be some small problems…’
Ark stepped forward, lost in thought.
–
This is your first time in Nephalim.
A holograph of a beautiful woman materialized beside him.
–
I am a guide that will tell the beginner pioneers pertinent city-related information about Nephalim.
You can use me to discover the city’s geography, the location of the stores, and special facilities.
The future boasted facilities that couldn’t even be compared to medieval times.
-The subscription fee is 50 copper.
But it wasn’t a free service. It was a paid one.
–
This is your first time.
For the cheap price of 50 copper, I can tell you about hunting grounds suitable for your level.
–
Aha, a beginner.
Are you looking for a suitable job?
Only 50 copper.
With every step he took, another holographic image would appear, each demanding money. ‘Well, some of the information is useful, and 50 copper isn’t that much…’
He had earned 40 copper simply by cleaning the pipes. His financial standing was considerably better than most other level 10 users.
However, he had no desire to funnel his hard-earned money into what amounted to a vending machine. He knew he could uncover such basic information without spending a single coin.
Ark ignored the persistent holograms and headed toward the plaza.
‘This is the same in all games.’
The plaza, situated at the heart of the city, was invariably bustling with noise.
“Recruiting people to go to the Northern Valley! 5 spots available.”
“Recruiting two hunters specialized in small guns to go to the forest!”
“Buying a bulk purchase of recovery pills for 2 gold!”
“Selling various level 10~20 items at a cheap price. Please look at it.”
“Selling special IC card for body coatings. Whisper to inquire about the price.”
Users were actively buying and selling various items or forming parties. The marketplace was an area where players naturally gravitated in games.
Ark surveyed the central plaza, his eyes glinting with an idea. ‘Won’t this give me a windfall?’
Ark directed his gaze toward a corner near the entrance of the plaza. In online games, the plaza often resembled a flea market.
It attracted a constant flow of people, and users were always vying for a prime spot to conduct their business. Yet, upon Ark’s arrival, a rather spacious, empty spot lay near the entrance.
Someone must have just concluded their business. ‘Isn’t this terrific luck?’
Ark swiftly made his way to the vacant spot. “Now, shall I get started?”
He meticulously pulled various items from his bag and arranged them. Daggers, swords, crossbows, and an assortment of firearms…
The total number of weapons that emerged from his bag was seventeen. The reason Ark possessed so many weapons after departing R-14 was simple: he had spent money to acquire them.
Ark had accumulated a considerable sum of money from his time on R-14. There had been a week between the opening of the paid hunting ground and his departure from R-14.
During that period, he had earned an average of 7 to 8 gold per day, totaling an income of 52 gold. The
He had received 20 silver from the leather and meat portions 144 times. Including the mileage bonus, he had accumulated 34 gold and 40 silver. When everything was tallied, he ended up with 86 gold and 40 silver.
If ordinary users made this much money in the early stages, they would likely have indulged generously in food and drinks. Ark, however, was different.
‘Money is used to make more money!’
Upon receiving the substantial sum, Ark immediately began devising plans to multiply his wealth. He had scrutinized the information list in R-14’s weapon store.
-Due to the Galactic Federation encouraging pioneering, all pioneers will receive a 40% discount on R-14.
‘40% discount!’
In other words, if he purchased items from R-14, he could secure a 40% profit margin. Most users typically possessed only a dagger when they ventured to the frontier.
Ordinary users usually had about 2 gold by the time they reached level 10. Even with the 40% discount, items with a level 10 wearer restriction cost at least 5 gold.
Therefore, a level 10 weapon remained an unattainable dream for most users. But Ark was rich!
‘A 40% discount means the weapon will be 40% more expensive after I go through the Star Gate.’ Of course, he would sell it cheaper than the store, but he would still guarantee at least a 20% profit.
He could potentially earn 1 gold per weapon. With seventeen items, that amounted to 17 gold. ‘It’s a business where profit is guaranteed! There’s no reason to hesitate!’
So, Ark had invested all of his 86 gold in level 10 weapons. While they might be expensive on R-14, users who had spent some time on the frontier would typically have at least 6 gold.
Such users would undoubtedly be interested in investing in a new weapon. A weapon 20% cheaper than those in the stores was certainly an enticing prospect.
Furthermore, he had secured a spot right at the entrance, where the majority of people flowed in and out. “Eh? These weapons, aren’t they much cheaper than at the store?”
“Yeah. Moreover, there are guns and swords too?”
“I really wanted to change my weapon, but I didn’t have enough money, so it was painful.”
The users flocked like clouds as soon as his street stall opened. The weapons quickly transformed back into gold, finding their way into Ark’s pocket.
It wasn’t just money that accumulated. “Nowadays, there are a lot of people in the northern area, so it’s difficult to hunt.”
“I heard that a new dungeon was found in the wilderness a while ago.”
“It’s still impossible. The monsters there have an average level of 40.”
He could effortlessly gather information from the gathered crowds. Even by simply sitting there, intelligence about Nephalim naturally reached his ears.
There was no reason to waste 50 copper on fee-based information services. This level of insight was mere common sense for Ark.
Of course, most of the information held little significance for Ark at that moment. But occasionally, truly useful tidbits would emerge.
“Doesn’t this have slightly better performance than the weapons sold at the store?”
The beginner items from R-14 possessed slightly superior performance compared to those sold on the frontier. Ark inwardly exclaimed upon hearing this crucial piece of information.
‘Such a thing! If it’s like that, then I can increase the price to 30%, and it will still sell!’
Ark realized his oversight and immediately corrected his pricing. “How much is this?”
“Ah, that one? 6 gold and 50 silver.”
Ark cheekily raised the price by 10% right in front of the customers. “Huh? Wasn’t it 6 gold just now?”
Naturally, he received a few customer complaints. But Ark was utterly shameless. “6 gold? You must not have heard properly. This is a business, and I also have personal expenses.”
Even if it was only 10% more, that still constituted a profit. When he raised the price, some customers were offended and left, but Ark’s location at the entrance of a populous plaza meant it hardly mattered.
Consequently, he sold ten items within the hour after adjusting his prices.
“Hey, get out of the way!”
A group of men roughly approached, pushing people aside. Four individuals cleared a path for a man who swung his arms imperiously.
He was clearly the leader of the group. They were clad in shiny armor and what appeared to be fairly high-level equipment.
‘What the? No matter how I look at them, they don’t seem like users who would need level 10 weapons.’
The group glared at Ark, who remained seated on the ground. Then, the leader’s forehead furrowed, and he began to speak.
“What are you doing here?”
“Huh?”
“I said, what are you doing here?”
The fellow interspersed his speech with curses and crude language. Moreover, his character appearance was that of a deep blue man.
Although Ark naturally felt a surge of anger, at this moment, he was a merchant. Ark displayed the patience characteristic of a seasoned trader and responded, “Can’t you see I’m running a business?”
“Who gave you permission?”
“Who gave me permission? That…”
“This is our spot. Get lost.”
“Eh?”
Ark asked, a bewildered expression on his face. Then, a henchman snapped in a harsh voice, “Didn’t you hear what hyung-nim said? Are your ears blocked? Get lost, because this is our spot!”
“Haven’t you grasped the atmosphere yet? This is the spot where we’ve been trading for a few days. You stole it while we briefly stepped away. So disappear.”
“That… where does it say this is your spot? This is a place for a street stall. If you leave this place, then it doesn’t belong to you anymore.”
“This guy isn’t afraid.”
The leader grinned, licking his lips. “Would you like to quit the game today?”
Ark’s face registered astonishment at the blatant threat. If a hunting ground or market spot was left empty, one couldn’t complain about it being taken. That was the established rule of online games, and Galaxian was no exception.
It had happened in R-14’s hunting grounds, and the same principle applied to street stalls here. They couldn’t lay claim to a previous spot just because they had traded there before.
‘But…’
Sometimes, people simply lacked common sense. Though he had only been playing Galaxian for a short time, Ark boasted a four-year career in online gaming. He had frequently encountered individuals like these in his previous game.
They often had higher levels than others, or their guilds wielded significant power, leading them to believe they could disregard the rules. ‘I thought it was strange that such a good spot at the entrance was empty…’
The vast majority of users in the plaza were aware of these individuals and consciously avoided the spot, unwilling to quarrel with thugs.
‘Encountering fellows like this at the beginning of a new game.’
If this were his previous game, those guys would already be utterly defeated. The future of such thugs would have vanished without a trace.
However, things were different now. It was clear that the leader was a higher level than Ark, and he had four henchmen backing him up.
There was no way he could win if he fought against the entire group. Moreover, these guys were the type to hold grudges, chasing after him like leeches.
‘It can’t be helped. Anyway, I only have three items left from R-14. These guys are running wild… it might hurt my pride, but the only way is to retreat. Damn! Those bastards. I’ll remember your faces and will make you regret this later.’
“Okay. I’ll leave.”
Ark swallowed his anger and began to pack up his stall. No, he *tried* to pack up his stall.
“Wait, who said you could just go? Didn’t I say it? This is our spot. You selfishly engaged in business here, so now you have to pay a fee. Isn’t that right?”
“What? A fee?”
“Yes, a fee. I’ll overlook it for 10 gold.”
‘This bastard, he wants a cut of my profit?’
Ark stared at the man with an absurd expression. “Hey, there’s no need to be upset. If you don’t have any cash, then you can pay with items.
Let’s see… these are level 10 weapons? Well, taking a couple of these should be enough. If you give us those two items, then we’ll send you off politely. That…”
The man suddenly frowned while surveying the street stall. His gaze settled on an item in the corner, and he asked, “Where did you get that item?”
Ark’s eyes reflexively shifted toward that corner. The item the man pointed to was a toy shaped like an airplane.
When Ark was on the verge of leaving R-14, the octopuses had given him a token, and the baby octopuses also wanted to give him something. The items the baby octopuses gave him were 100% japtem.
But he hadn’t wanted to throw them away, so he had displayed them. ‘Why the sudden interest in a toy?’
Ark was pondering this when something interrupted him. “No, that doesn’t matter. Come to think of it, 2 items for engaging in business here is a bit severe.
Okay, I’ll be nice. If you give me that toy, then I will let you leave.” “Aigoo, Hyung-nim. Isn’t that too generous?”
“It can’t be helped. I can’t take money from a child. He is just a novice user.” “Hey you! You got lucky today. Hyung-nim is being nice, so give it quickly and disappear.”
‘That bastard really…’
Wasn’t this akin to an adult bullying a child? And it was just a toy. He had displayed it, but honestly hadn’t believed it would sell.
He had thought there was a possibility of giving the japtem along with a purchased weapon. But the value of the toy wasn’t the problem for Ark.
These guys’ stubbornness was pushing him to the limit of his patience; he yearned to tear them apart. If those fellows wanted this item, he wouldn’t easily surrender it.
Because those guys kept on threatening him. Ark replied in a low voice, “Okay. You can have this if you want.”
“Good thinking.” “For 90 gold.”
“What?” “Just like you said. The rent is 10 gold? This toy was 100 gold. So I will give you this toy for 90 gold.”
“100 gold? For a toy like that?” “Are you crazy?”
The henchmen shouted, their expressions displeased. Then the leader lifted his arm and said, “You… are you trying to trick me?”
“Of course not.” “Do you think we look easy?”
“No, you don’t.” The leader fell silent at Ark’s answer. He thought for a moment before saying with a smile, “You have more guts than I thought.
Okay. In fact, we were a bit harsh before, so I’ll take responsibility. I apologize for offending you. I want to buy that toy for a fair value. And all the problems between us will be cleared up. So how much is it?”
“Didn’t I say? 100 gold. I can’t discount even 1 copper.”
The man glared at Ark and said, “Then I have no choice but to take it.”
“Try it.” Ark stepped in front of the toy. Meanwhile, the henchmen drew their swords and guns, approaching steadily.
Ark and the octopuses’ toys were surrounded by the thugs.
-Stop!
A mechanical sound echoed. Two androids were rapidly approaching. The androids, painted in red, were responsible for policing Nephalim.
The guard androids positioned themselves between Ark and the gang, stating, “Please stop.”
You are in a public place, and any acts of violence are prohibited. If you don’t stop, then you will be arrested under the Federation’s 27th law.
I’ll warn you once again. Immediately disarm and disband.
“Sheesh!” The leader clicked his tongue in annoyance. He shot a glance toward Ark and muttered, “Your life was saved.”
“Let’s see? I don’t know whether it was my life that was saved.” “You won’t be able to get away with that sassy attitude in the future.
You’re a user, so you can’t just live in the city. If you hunt outside the city, then you will regret your actions today.” “I’m so afraid. Am I going to cry?”
Ark retorted, and the leader’s face grew even colder. He stared at Ark and growled, “My name is Mald. You better remember that.”
“I’ll remember it. My name is…”
Ark looked serious and took one step toward Mald. Then he smiled before cheekily saying, “…It’s a secret. It would be better for you to forget it.”
“You b*tch! Really!”
Mald angrily reached for Ark’s collar. No, he was *about* to grab it.
“Ugh!”
Ark suddenly screamed and dramatically rolled on the ground. Mald stared in confusion as Ark started screaming toward the guards, “S-save me! T-that guy! He hit me!”
“W-what nonsense is this? I didn’t…”
Mald tried to approach Ark, but the two androids blocked his way. “Please stop.”
You have ignored our warnings and caused an act of violence. You have been caught breaking the Federation’s law. Please come with us.
If you resist arrest, then you will be charged with obstruction of justice.
“What are you talking about? When did I commit an act of violence? That bastard…”
Mald attempted to explain to the androids, but they remained unyielding. Ark had cleverly provoked Mald and then blocked the androids’ view, so they had only witnessed Mald reaching toward him.
Thus, Mald was arrested for an act of violence. “Are you resisting arrest?”
“I didn’t touch that bastard…”
-Under the Federation’s 27th law, you are under arrest.
Pajijijik! The androids stunned Mald without any further warning. Mald convulsed and dropped to the ground, and the androids dragged him across the plaza.
The henchmen were powerless to intervene. “H-Hyung-nim!”
“T-this… why the hell…”
“This is all because of that bastard! Hey, where is he?”
“That b*tch! We won’t let you go! We’ll turn him into rice cakes!”
The henchmen turned, frantically searching for Ark. However…
“Heok! N-no! T-that bastard… he disappeared!”
****
“Bah, those thugs!”
Ark spat on the ground and muttered. “Do they think I’m stupid? Did he think I would tell him my personal details?”
Mald had been dragged off by the guard androids, while the henchmen were still scouring the plaza—a plaza Ark was already far away from. There was no way he would linger for the henchmen to find him.
Subtle giggles started to emerge once he was a safe distance from the plaza. “Heh, that stupid Mald. He was dragged off.”
The sight had released all the pent-up stress. However, he couldn’t afford to be careless.
In truth, Ark hadn’t wanted to concede when Mald’s gang first confronted him. Nephalim was a city, so not even those mindless thugs would dare to PK (Player Kill).
There was just one problem. Those guys were vindictive, so they would undoubtedly search for him outside the city to PK him. ‘While my style isn’t to avoid a fight…’
He could only afford to act that way when he possessed a wealth of skills. ‘Right now, I’ve only just finished the beginner tutorial. There’s no way I can leave the immediate area of Nephalim.
In such a situation, having a high-level gang searching for me would be incredibly annoying. If those guys decided to disrupt my actions, I wouldn’t even be able to leave the city.’
So he endured it. But eventually, he had exploded.
‘Those gangsters, their personality rubbed me the wrong way…’
The situation Ark was most worried about had indeed come to pass. The potent combination of ‘being uncomfortable + insecurity + annoyance’ had finally overflowed.
But he didn’t truly regret it. He had been forced to surrender his spot thanks to their threats. Yet they had the audacity to claim he stole their spot?
They had even threatened to make him quit the game! ‘Yes, the damage has already been done, so there’s no point worrying about it.
There’s no guarantee that these guys will retaliate, and they can’t play the game twenty-four hours a day. For the moment, I just have to be careful when venturing outside.
They will eventually forget about me…’ But Ark wouldn’t forget about his grudge.
‘They’re high-leveled, so they will eventually leave Nephalim. I’ll continue playing. They’ll see who I am in the future.
Mald and his four henchmen… I’ll be sure to remember their faces. Even if it takes one year or two years, I’ll make sure they regret it.’
Until then, he had to avoid being noticed by those guys. Ark happily dreamed of his future revenge.
“By the way…”
After a while, Ark looked at the item in his hand. It was the toy airplane that Mald had wanted.
At first, he thought Mald was simply crazy, but the thought lingered after he left the plaza. ‘He was requesting 10 gold. It’s weird that he suddenly switched to the toy.
Desiring weapons is normal. So why did he want a toy that can’t be sold?’ It was a question that made Ark uneasy.
He was able to find an answer after sneaking out of the plaza. “It is impossible for a guy like that to want a worthless item.
Then the answer is simple. He thinks the toy is worth more than 10 gold. There’s no doubt about it. He isn’t a novice.
He also asked me where I got this toy. Then there must be something I don’t know hidden in this toy. Something worth at least 10 gold!’
Ark, fueled by this realization, sat near a fountain and began meticulously examining the toy. It appeared to be just a toy at a glance.
Consequently, he hadn’t scrutinized it after the baby octopuses had given it to him. Now that he was convinced ‘there must be something,’ he inspected every inch of it.
It was far more sophisticated than it first appeared. It was unthinkable that something this intricate could have been crafted by the baby octopuses.
‘Come to think of it…’
Once he started questioning it, there seemed to be no limit to his doubts. Ark didn’t even know where the octopuses had obtained the toy.
From that moment on, Ark became completely engrossed in the toy. He shook it back and forth, then folded up the tail wing. Ark’s heart rate soared as he discovered a vertical line.
‘It moves! There is definitely something there!’
Ark was utterly convinced. The shape was that of a switch. Once the tail wing was folded up, the other attachments began to move.
‘The moving parts were the tail and the wings, as well as the five antennas. But there’s no change after they’ve all been operated. The parts must be manipulated in a certain order to discover what is hidden in the toy.’
Inspiration began to spark within him. He examined the parts without rest for a full hour. *Click.*
The bottom part of the toy suddenly opened, and a USB-like memory chip fell out. Then an information window appeared from the Nymphe.
-Undisclosed Memory Chip.
There are different memory chips with various types of information in Galaxian. These memory chips will connect to the Nymphe, and hidden information can be confirmed.
“As expected, there is something!”
Ark cheered and, filled with anticipation, connected the memory chip to the Nymphe.
-The memory chip is protected, and you can’t access the data. A security code must be entered into the Nymphe before the lock will be released.
That was the sound of all his expectations deflating. “I have to enter a security code? What is it saying all of a sudden?”
It was usually logical for the key to be hidden near the problem it solved. ‘But I checked the toy precisely for one hour and couldn’t find any hints.
Then the only thing I can think of is that the NPC who gave me this toy has the clue.’ Ark was filled with regret at the thought.
‘There’s no doubt about it. The baby octopuses who gave me the toy must have a hint about the security code! But I can’t return to R-14.
In the end, is there no way to get that hint? Dammit, why didn’t I carefully examine the toy when I received it?’
Ark sighed and shook his head. He had spent a fortnight on R-14, diligently raising his level and earning money.
It was a training process designed to help him recover his original mindset. He had cleaned the pipes 300 times and hunted space bugs 200 times, completing a total of 500 quests!
He had believed he had regained his original mindset after reaching an end to those repeatable quests. ‘But I’m still not there yet.
I should’ve checked the unusual item before other users paid attention to it. I still haven’t regained all of my spirit.’
However, there was no reason to abandon the pursuit of the data. It might be difficult to obtain the security code, but there had to be more than one way to access the data.
Mald had wanted the toy, so he must have a method to obtain the data without knowing the security code. ‘Of course, he won’t kindly tell me.’
He had no choice but to discover the method himself. Ark didn’t dwell on it for long. He would eventually find something.
This was Galaxian, a world created for users. “I will learn it eventually.”
Ark stretched and stood up. His purse had grown thick thanks to the weapons collected from R-14, and he had also acquired some valuable data.
He felt a pang of annoyance about his entanglement with Mald’s gang, but he had still learned something important. He was intrigued, but he wouldn’t worry about it too much.
Ark still had a lot of work to do. “The first place I will stop by is…”
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