ACT 2 Find the Forbidden Ingredients

-You are Oberiums saviour!

-Praise the hero!

The soldier ghosts lined up in front of the barracks and raised their swords. Then the crowds of resident ghosts gave shouts of joy.

-Ark-nim, hooray!

-Hooray for Hero Mabans descendant!

He only discovered it later, but the skin of the dead was nothing but a container for the soul.When Karma swallowed their souls, the residents of Oberium were released from their restraints. Thanks to the purification, the skin of the dead was shed. Ark looked into the eyes of the ghosts. The eyes of the ghosts who escaped from the curse looked like a cartoon character. The sparkling eyes of the ghosts really didnt fit the situation. Anyway, all of this was thanks to Ark defeating Karma. The King remembered Arks voice from when he used Miracle Nursing. After everything was put in order and Buksil and Baekgu came from the outskirts of town, they naturally got the hero treatment. Buksil looked at the sea of cheering ghosts and muttered.

Hehehe, do you see? Youre a hero.

Dont you have any shame?

Huh? What is it?

Didnt you come running to receive the heroic treatment?

Why are you talking like that? Why shouldnt I have done that?

Buksil was dissatisfied with Arks cold words and complained.

Ark-nim managed to pass safely through the crypt because I supported you with my eyeball. In addition, who was the one videotaping while I accompanied you?

Baekgu naturally nodded along.

Yes, you really wouldve been in trouble without my Masters eyeball.

Ugh, he didnt have anything to retort to that. He definitely knew that he would fail without the eyeball.

Ugh, as expected youre the only one who understands. Baekgu.

Buksil and Baekgu tearfully hugged each other.They really like to sit down and play.While Buksil and Baekgu were angry at him, Ark had no energy to waste on such trivial things.

I have to finish organizing things here. Now all thats left is

Ark looked at the King with eyes that shone even more than the ghosts. It wasnt his intention but Ark had finished Karma and lifted Oberiums residents from the curse they suffered for hundreds of years. Wasnt that a heroic deed? So he should receive compensation according to his heroic deeds.The ghost king seemed aware of Arks attention and approached.

-You did something really important.

Youre overpraising me.

Ark deliberately answered.Although he was their hero, there was no need to show off too much. At such a time, modest was more suitable. It was natural that his image would rise favourable with the NPCs. The ghost king then continued with the words he expected.

No, no. It is not too much praise. Youre actions are deserving of that praise.

You dont have to go that far..

-You still dont understand what you have done for us. You cant even imagine. You cant imagine how painful our existence was for hundreds of years. We spent that whole time in endless despair.

The King looked down from the balcony with a painful expression. He had sat on the throne for hundreds of years and looked over the ruins of Oberium.When Oberium was cursed by the Rwigenberg, the King sat on his throne and cried tears of blood as he watched the end of his kingdom.The rage, despair and guilt boiling in his heart caused the King to be caught by the dark aura and he became that dishonourable existence.He stayed on the throne and saw the same image for hundreds of years, causing him countless pain.It was the really dreadful part of the curse magic.The Kings haunted voice as he gave the explanation made even Ark solemn.

-Although the curse has been released, that pain is still fresh in my heart. No, my sense of guilt has deepened even more after remembering everything.

Then what I did..

Arks insecure expression made the King laugh and shake his head.

-You dont have to make that expression. A King whose kingdom falls to ruin must naturally accept the pain. If I cant withstand the pain then my citizens wont be able to stomach it either. Now the curse has been released. The dark aura which bound us is gone. Although I want to give you some compensation for saving Oberium from the darkness, I dont have anything to give..

Ark had sincerely felt anger at the darkness which invaded Oberium. In the end he managed to defeat the darkness but he couldnt even receive a single cent?When he heard the story about the dark curse, he had felt sincere anger. But no matter how angry he was, he couldnt return the treasure they lost.Then the King murmured something like he was thinking aloud.

-If there was treasure left then I would be able to compensate you properly.

What the? Now you say that? Is that right?

Ark frowned and stared at the King.It was obvious that the King couldnt afford to give even one penny. Ark had been full of expectation and suddenly deflated.

Damn, saying such useless words.well, its not possible. Anyway, I didnt do it with the intention of saving them..I should just be satisfied with this good feeling.

Ark sighed and scratched his head.Anyway, he wasnt going to receive any compensation for this situation. Although he would usually feel angry, looking at the ghosts he couldnt feel that emotion.

-Ah, thats right. There is that method!

Ark had half way given up but his eyes once again widened at the Kings words.

Oh, what the hell? This reaction? Should I expect something? There must be something even though the place is ruined!

Ark looked at the King with eyes sparling with expectation. But he was surprised at the Kings next words.

-In fact, Oberium had the custom of burying the dead warriors equipment with them in the crypt. The location of the crypt was a secret and unaffected by the darkness so it should be untouched. Its been hundreds of years but it might still be worth a look. The ancestors will understand the handling of grave goods if it is for this purpose, so Ill release the seal on the crypt right now..

W-wait a minute!

Ark shouted like a person running from fire.The riches contained in the crypt? Hadnt Ark already robbed all of them?The crypt currently bore Arks mark all over it. Just like Buksil had drawn on the grave stone in the swamp, Ark had also tried the same thing in the crypt. And the only person who has recently visited Oberium was Ark. If the King found such traces in the crypt then it would be tiring.If it was discovered, Arks reputation as a hero would fall! In the worst scenario, there was the possibility that the Oberium ghosts would turn into enemies.

Besides, the grave goods became new after being affected by Karmas time magic. If they were taken away..no, it cant be!

When Ark suddenly exclaimed, the King instantly tilted his head to one side.

-Whats wrong?

T-that is

Ark stuttered for a while.

Youve seemed to have misunderstood something.

-I misunderstood? What is it?

Its true that I saved Oberium. But I was only acting upon Hero Mabans will and never wished for a reward. Of course, I couldnt possible decline if I was offered compensation. But Im not a shameless person who would take away someones burial goods. Please listen to my words.

Yes, Ark-nim is absolutely not that type of person. Receiving the burial goods of people who have already passed away? People who would steal things like that are trash. Dont you agree Ark-nim?

Buksil laughed and shot a sharp glance at Ark. Although his blood pressure rose, Ark awkwardly laughed and nodded.

T-thats right. I never hoped for a reward for my assistance.

Racard, Buksil and Baekgu all made expressions like they wanted to vomit at Arks shameless words.This place was Razaks hometown so he just sighed from the corner. But the King couldnt understand and just nodded with admiration.

-You really are Hero Mabans descendant! Yes, Hero Maban was just like you.

The King murmured with an expression like he was recalling some memories.

-Although my memories are fragmented after I died, I still have some remaining. Before my kingdom ceased to exist, I took great pride in its military. It was good enough that people of the next generation would remember our honourable fight against the darkness. After this city became ruins, no one dared to visit here where the cursed magic overflowed. Unlike my expectations, we have been forgotten by history.

..

-But only one person. There was one person who remembered us. Hero Maban.. He didnt forget about us. He dedicated his life finding a method to save us. All his attempts ended in failure and he disappeared somewhere..

Arks face changed at the Kings words.Hero Maban had sacrificed his life to save the abandoned souls!

Money was power was Arks motto but he felt a deep emotion that was new after listening to the King. It was pride that he inherited Hero Mabans profession.

I cant tell you in detail but Hero Maban was here until he died.

The King nodded at Arks words.

-Yes, it is something like that. It isnt necessary for you to say that, we already know that Hero Maban tried everything to save us. If the dark forces werent opposed here then we wouldnt even go down in history. Our souls wouldve been corrupted from the regret and fallen into a rage. The reason our curse was released and we recovered our memories is because of Hero Maban. He will remain a real hero in our memories.Therefore we cant feel regret that we fought against the darkness.

And this is the descendant of the respected Hero Maban.

Buksil whispered as he looked at Ark with pitying eyes. After hearing such words, Ark also became a little embarrassed. Anyway, the King turned his head and looked at the soldiers lined up.The soldiers nodded with a look of pride. Then the King caught Arks hand and said.

-Yes, I finally remembered. Ill give you a reward fitting for Hero Mabans descendant.

Huh? A reward? The problem is..

When Ark made a confused expression, the King shook his head.

-No, its not a material compensation. Hero Maban gave everything to save us and you didnt hesitate to help us either. One day, you will fight against the darkness. We would like to achieve the honour that we couldnt accomplish in the past.

Suddenly the Kings hand that was holding onto Ark heated up. At the same time, there was a ringing sound and the information window appeared.

-Thanks to Pursuit of Truth, you have acquired a new lore skill.

<Lore skill learned: Secret art, Ghost Knight Corps>

* 6,000 fame is needed to acquire this skill.