ACT 3 Show me the money!

Have you been well in the meantime?

After coming unharmed to the Netherworld, Ark and the Dark Brothers met up with Buksil and the rehabilitation members in Hagel Forest.Although he acted grumpy towards Ark, Shambala nodded and greeted the rehabilitation members politely.JusticeMan smiled and nodded.

Oh Shambala, its been a while. Isnt this the first time weve seen each other since Salrins Towers?

Yes, Im relieved to see hyung-nim.

Ark stared at Shambalawhile muttering.

What does that mean? You werent relieved to see me?

When are you done anything to make me trust you?

Shambala declared sharply while looking scornful.Ugh, why was he acting like this? Ark could talk about how dependable he was for 4 days and 3 nights but there was no time.Jewel and the Nakujuk were still carrying out their plan to take over the Netherworld.They needed to join the Baran as soon as possible to discuss countermeasures.

Shambala, well have a serious talk later.

Ark led the troops across the Netherworld.

That is the meeting place of the Baran?

When they arrived at the Golgi Mountains, they saw the hastily set up tents and the armed Baran.

W-what the? Who are you?

Ark had been leading the troops but he was suddenly blocked by a group of Baran.They saw the chaotic assassins and judged them to be enemies. Even if they werent chaotic, the Baran was being invaded so they were naturally wary of strangers.In the meantime, someone rushed out and hurriedly waved. It was Lariette who had gone with Beseutyu to the Golgi Mountains first.

Theyre not enemies! Its people who have come to help the Baran!

Came to help us?

Yes, this is Ark-nim who Beseutyu-nim spoke about.

The Baran quickly peeked at Ark after Lariettes explanation. Then Lariette turned to Ark and smiled.

Ive been waiting since I received your message.

Ark had called Lariette before coming to the Netherworld.So Ark already grasped most of the situation. Lariette and Beseutyu lit the Pledge Beacon, gathering the Baran clans scattered warriors and now the tribes elders were gathered to discuss further measures.

But where are the Baran clans warriors?

Ark surveyed the area and asked, causing Lariettes face to drop.

Why are you looking like that?

That..theyre all of the Baran clans warriors.

Huh?

Ark looked dumbly around the camp. He blinked a few times before smiling awkwardly.

Is this a joke?

Where are the other warriors?

.Thats it.

Lariette sighed while Ark felt like he had been hit by a hammer.

In the old days, the warriors of the Baran clan swore to regain their lost home in the north. After scattering, they disciplined themselves to train for that day. They are waiting for the moment when the Pledge Beacon would be lit up.

That was the story Beseutyu told Ark about the warriors of the Baran clan.Wasnt it a wonderful story?After hearing the story, Ark had expected burly and muscular smurfs.If Gargamel appeared then strong smurfs would also show up. Thus Ark had been somewhat relieved.It wasnt a good situation but they might be able to do it with the help of the Baran clans warriors.But the reality wasnt as wonderful as the legend.

They look more like refugees than warriors. Have they even eaten anything?

Dedric muttered while sitting on Arks shoulder.This time Ark 100% agreed with Dedrics opinion.When he looked at the legendary Baran warriors, a sigh naturally came out.The Baran warriors were similar to the native people in a documentary he watched. Rather than having muscles like a warrior, they looked like they had been starving for 1 year.Of course, as a warrior they equipped armour and weapons but it was so tattered that it was difficult to tell it was armour.They looked more like descendants of beggars than warriors.In addition, there were only around 1,000 of them..

What is going on? Its different from what I heard.

Ark burst out while Lariette explained with embarrassment.When the Baran had been driven out of the north, the south was truly a bleak land.The warriors werent able to protect the Baran from being driven out so they felt a responsibility to help. So they left on a trip to harden and discipline themselves.The legend went up to there But the warriors forgot one important fact.

They were warriors.They didnt know how to do anything except fight. The warriors couldnt repair their own weapons or armour so they had to abandon it eventually when it was in tatters.Thus they were literally naked and lost in the wilderness. In addition, they didnt know how to raise livestock or grow crops. The warriors also didnt know how to forage ingredients.Even so, the warriors couldnt abandon their pride to return to the clan.Fortunately, the Baran warriors barely managed to find sustenance every day. After 100 years, the barely surviving warriors looked like some African natives.

When the Pledge Beacon was lit, the warriors quickly ran here and it is the first time they could eat a full meal.

Theyre similar to the refugee soldiers during the Warring states period..how can it be okay if theyve just started eating?

Ark immediately became gloomy at Lariettes words.

These soldiers were the main force fighting against the Hermes and Nakujuk Alliance?If he added in the combat difference between the two species then the result was already determined.No, the most likely scenario was that the Nakujuk would conquer the Netherworld. But an absolute scenario did not exist in New World. The world would vary depending on the players choices, that was New World.

When the Dark Brothers entered the war then a number of scenarios were likely overturned. And the Baran clan is still here. I might be able to gather the ordinary soldiers to fight against the Nakujuk like I did the raccoon clan. If the trainers are used well then that would be considerably powerful as well. Yes, its still too early to be disappointed.

Ark tried to think positively.

But the problem isnt with the Baran clans warriors.

Yes, theres a bigger problem?

Follow me. The elders of the Baran clan are gathered in that tent.

Lariette sighed and headed towards the tent.She looked so depressed that Ark started to feel uneasy.There was an even bigger problem than the disappointing warriors? Ark was about to trail after her with a concerned look when the rehabilitation members suddenly said.

You, you, you, you, who is that woman?

Yes, what? I told you, shes Lariette-nim.

The girl who was with Alan in the past?

Well, there are circumstances

Ark scratched his head while the rehabilitation members clamoured around him.

You rascal, so youve been flirting with women while in the Netherworld?

Salivating over the enemy? Is that right?

What about Roco at the store?

Unforgivable! I will judge you in the name of justice.

If you desert your first wife then youll receive punishment!

What are you talking about? My relationship with Lariette-nim isnt like that.

Arks answer made the rehabilitation members jump.

Ah, no?

Yes, I just happened to meet her here by chance. And whats with the first wife? Roco also isnt like that

Ark complained but the rehabilitation members were already not listening. The group exchanged suspicious glances and muttered.

Huhuhu, nothing between them?

Meeting a maiden in a mysterious dimension gives off a somewhat good feeling.

Hey, you saliva is dripping. That lady is mine.

What the? You think Ill let you act freely?

At any rate, the old bachelors squabbled among themselves..

Ark sighed and shook his head.

Please dont get any ideas. Lariette-nim has a boyfriend.

Sheesh, I guess goal cant enter if theres already a goalkeeper?

Is that goalkeeper also a tycoon?

Ark sank the rehabilitation members hopes with a few words and headed towards the tent filled with elders.The ambiance of the tent was even more depressing than the rehabilitation members. There were 10 Baran clan elders gathered in the tent, who would open their mouths before sighing and closing it again.When Ark entered, there wasnt even a glance or a reaction. Beseutyu frowned at the elders apathetic expressions and approached Ark.

Ark, I heard from Lariette-nim. You came with reinforcements?

Yes, theyre in front of the tents. But why is the atmosphere like this?

That is

Beseutyu explained the situation in a rough voice.

Before you arrived, we learned that the Letter Movement Tower had been completed in the valley village. After moving some troops, the Nakujuk currently have 2,000 troops stationed in the south. Theyve already occupied most of the eastern region.

2,000 already

The number felt like chewing a grain of sand in his mouth.The current power of the Baran clans warriors..numbered 1,000 beggars, 800 Dark Brothers, Ark and the rehabilitation group.On the other hand, the Nakujuk had 2,000 troops and that number would just increase thanks to the reception tower.Not only was quality a problem, but they were also inferior in numbers. The only way was to gather all the power of the Baran clan and oppose them.

But what is being done here? The Nakujuk has already conquered the east so they have the materials needed to supply the war. Shouldnt we gather more troops quickly?

That

Beseutyu glanced at the elders.At that time, one of the silent elders tapped the table and opened his mouth.

We have no intention of fighting the Nakujuk.

Ark looked bemused and thought he heard wrong for a moment.

What?

I said were not going to fight.

And I asked what does that mean?

Ark became incensed and the elder continued talking in a rough tone.

Arent you people foreigners? Why do you want to interfere in this matter between the Nakujuk and Baran? Of course, I roughly know the situation thanks to Beseutyu. Im thankful you came from a distant place to help us. But as you saw, this is clearly not a situation where we can fight.

The elders nodded in agreement.

You said you brought 800 reinforcements? You want to fight against thousands of Nakujuk with 800 people? Besides you are foreigners. If the situation becomes bad then you will give up in a moment. We cant entrust the lives of our clan to those kinds of people.

Hey, isnt that too severe!

Beseutyu shouted but the elders just turned their backs.

Thats enough, we dont want to hear anymore.

Didnt you see? The refugees gathered outside the tents are the warriors we believed in. We believed in a fantasy. Their appearance is symbolic of our plight right now.

We never had a chance from the moment the Nakujuk came from over the northern mountains to invade us. If we fight then well die. But we might be able to live if we surrender. Im sorry but were taking the possibility where there is a slight chance that well live.

Beseutyu, youre an elder of the clan so dont you think their lives should come above anything else? Sometimes it is brave to accept humiliation.

Ark was lost for words after the elders spoke.Ark was able to leave the Netherworld so it wasnt his problem.He thought that the Baran clan thought like him. But they only considered Ark as a foreigner.The Baran were similar to most NPCs. They had been looking forward to the warriors appearance, but once it disappointed them and the situation changed then they lost all their courage. The Baran clan was afraid of war, and just like the raccoons they would not risk their lives on a foreigners word.

Its my fault for not thinking ahead. But..

If the Baran wanted to abandon the war then it was a serious problem.He would instantly fail the <Study the Mirage> and <The Resurrection of the Netherworlds World Tree> quests. In addition, the Dark Brothers had followed Ark to the Netherworld so there was no guarantee what would happen to his relationship with them.It was also a life or death matter for Ark.No, he didnt have time to worry so far ahead.Ark was just sighing in frustration when a message window appeared in front of him.

-Shambala has used the Trill skill on you.

Would you like to accept?