ACT 3 Charge, Charge, Charge!

Huck, huck, huck!

Someone was breathing roughly in a dark space.The mans eyes, nose and mouth was covered with a cloth as he dug above him with a shovel.How long had he spent just shovelling?Blisters would appear and disappear until he learnt the shovelling skill. After that, his skill understandably became more sharp and natural. He breathed accurately as he shovelled between bricks!Any ordinary wall wouldve collapsed after being dug at with a sharp shovel for a long time. But the wall the man was digging at didnt even look like it had a dent in it.

Damn, just open even a little bit!

The man growled angrily as he slammed the shovel into the ceiling.Then a pile of dust poured down.

Cough, cough..t-this is..cough..

The dust covered man coughed and withdrew. He took off the cloth and revealed his face.He then gazed towards a place where dozens of people were gathered. However, they were just staring blankly. The man stared at them angrily.

Damn, why? Theyre messing with the wrong guy.

Hey, maknae (youngest). Why dont I hear you shovelling?

One of them turned to him and asked.The mans face crumpled before he replied.

Theres some dust falling down hyung-nim. I will start again right now.

Work hard. Your hyungnims are bored.

I understand.

The man held the shovel and started working again.

Dammit, I was called the ghost of the police agency and now Im a criminals minion

The man thought angrily as he lifted his shovel.The police agencys ghost!

Thats right. The mans identity was none out than the special agent of the cyber division, Isyuram.But why was Isyuram shovelling at the ceiling in a dark room? Isyuram had to go back a few months in order to explain.In fact, the situation for Isyuram completely changed after obtaining the video. It was expected that Isyuram would finish the infiltration investigation at this stage. He thought the full scale of the organization would be revealed after the police detectives watched the hideout 24 hours a day.However, most of the criminals were surprisingly cautious.The organization members at the hideout never once made contact with Jepeteu. He couldnt discontinue the investigation until Jepeteu was caught.Therefore he had immediately resumed the investigation after helping Ark recapture Silvana.However, he needed to join the criminal organization to get the information he wanted. After the video was obtained and a subordinate capture, the criminal organization had become even more careful.Therefore Isyuram had gone through some painful efforts over the past few months to gain their trust.

Every day was humiliating.

A sigh naturally flowed from Isyurams mouth as he thought about it again.Thats right. Every day over the last few months had been humiliating for Isyuram. Once again, getting information about Jepeteu wasnt easy unless he was in the organization. Furthermore, quite a few members of the organization still saw Isyuram as an outsider.So Isyuram knew that he needed to gain the trust of the organization first. After reuniting with Jepeteu again, Isyuram suggested that he wanted to join the criminal organization.

Hmm, you want to formally join our organization?

Yes. Ill like to formally enter the organization so that I can sincerely call you hyungnim.

Well, your intentions are admirable

Jepeteu scratched his head as he gazed at Isyuram.Then Garam who believed that Isyuram was a friend of the heart interrupted.

Jepeteu hyungnim, Isyuram is a totally reliable guy. Dont you know after seeing hyungnim in the meantime? A guy like this wont be easy to find. And Isyuram has already revealed his address and phone number to us. I know that hyungnim is worried but how can you be when he made his address and telephone number public?

I guess so.

Jepeteu nodded.No matter how much they acted together in the game, there was a difference between being a friend or an organization member. The criminal organization didnt accept anyone who didnt disclose their personal information.So Isyuram had told Jepeteu his address and phone number in advance. Of course, Jepeteu didnt really have his address and phone number. That information was something fake that the police agency had authorized. Anyway, giving his address and phone number solved any doubts.

That idiot was arrested last month so were down one member. But it is impossible to explain everything in detail. We cant just accept an outsider so easily.

If hyungnim calls then Ill drop everything to come running.

Isyuram quickly replied to Jepeteu.This was exactly what he wanted. If he met Jepeteu outside then wouldnt everything end?However, it wasnt resolved that easily.

That is a bit Okay, then lets do this. Life in the organization isnt as simple as you think. You might that that we just play the game and earn money but its not like that. We need professionals with specialized knowledge. I have to confirm whether you can adapt to life in the organization.

T-then?

Ill be watching and if you adapt within one or two months then I will formally accept you into the organization.

Thats it. Soon I will know the information about the organization!

Isyuram inwardly cried out with joy at Jepeteus suggestion.However, that didnt take long to change to screams.

Hey Isyuram. Give me some water.

Hyungnim is covered in dust. Hurry and get it off me.

What are you doing? If hyungnim gets out a cigarette then you should automatically offer a fire.

After Isyuram became a probationary member, the attitude towards him changed by 180 degrees. When he was a colleague then they treated him with a small amount of respect but once he joined they treated Isyuram like a minion.It was to educate Isyuram about his ranking in the group.Therefore Isyuram started the life of a minion.He had to be resolute if he wanted to succeed in the infiltration investigation. But it was difficult once he actually experience it.He was sent on various errands, cursed at and was beaten up under the excuse of training. There was a few times where he wanted to give up the infiltration in order to kill all of them.

Patience, by patient. This is a job. I have to endure it. If I get angry then Ill lose.

No matter the humiliation, Isyuram endured it all without a single cry. And his efforts were rewarded after a few months.

Well, Ive been watching and you really are quite useable. Okay, if it is this degree then you will fit within the organization. Ill see you sometime outside in the near future. Then you will formally join the organization.

He finally had the chance to arrest Jepeteu.

Huhuhu, when will he come out? Ill make him pay for the humiliation.

He would shut Jepeteu up in a dim room (interrogation) and beat him up. But there still remained one trail for Isyuram.In fact, this time the criminal organization was just killing time in New World.Originally they started New World in order to launder money. However, martial law was initiated in the game so it was difficult to launder money since trade was prohibited and the value of gold also fell on the auction site.Then Takosu made a proposal.

Hyungnim, shall we excavate a dungeon I found?

Excavate a dungeon?

It is difficult to go anywhere with the expedition army fighting the demons. But the expedition army didnt find the dungeon. If were lucky then we can gain some items in the dungeon, earn money and even level up. So isnt it like killing three birds with one stone? Recently there is no income so making a livelihood is difficult.

Thats not bad? Where is the dungeon?

Yes. I found it in the northern desert a while ago.

Takosu smiled and replied.The members of the criminal organization didnt like meeting other players. Well, it was natural since they were criminals.Therefore they were normally in areas that didnt have a lot of players such as the northern desert in the Sinius Principality. And Takosu had found a weird old castle in one corner of the desert.It was a castle that looked hundreds of years old!Of course, it wasnt rare to find dungeons shaped like castles in New World. The problem was that he had crossed that area a short time ago and the castle hadnt been there.In other words, an old castle had suddenly appeared in the middle of the desert in a few days.

That castle definitely wasnt there before. Then we might be the first people to enter the dungeon. Hopefully we can get huge shares of profit between us.

Theres no need to hesitate. Okay, lets go!

The criminals departed towards the castle in the desert.The Sinius Principality was empty of demons thanks to the expeditions victory.Thanks to the expedition army clearing the demons, the criminals arrived at the desert in the Sinius Principality with no problems.

Now, lets charge in. Treasures are waiting for us!

Jepeteu shouted and led his subordinates towards the old castle.They were imagining the treasures piled up in the castle

But the sense of expectation soon turned to disappointment after entering the castle.

What? Isnt it empty?

Did someone else already enter this castle?

Dammit, did we come here in vain?

The expected treasures and monsters inside the temple couldnt be seen.

But I dont see any traces of other people.

Then where are the monsters?

Perhaps there is a secret passageway leading towards the real dungeon?

Hmm, I have heard things like that before. Somethings it might look like there is nothing but there is actually a secret passage. Okay, go search.

The criminals started to search around the area. After a moment, one of the warriors examining a wall shouted.

Hyungnim, there is a secret passage here!

Oho, indeed..does the secret passage lead to the basement? Somehow I can smell treasure.

The criminals dived into the basement.

-Grrrrrrr!

..It was a mistake. They were surrounded by a huge number of demons once they entered the basement. The basement was filled with intricate passages and the number of demons that appeared wasnt easy to face.

Huck! H-hyungnim, we cant stop these guys!

The criminal group wasnt that high levelled thanks to the Demonic War. Therefore the criminals couldnt face the demons flowing out.

D-damn. Lets run!

Jepeteu hurriedly screamed. However, the castle basement had a complex structure like a maze.Furthermore, only a few of the criminals wanted to go explore the dungeon.In addition, the demons had blocked the exit so they couldnt escape from the dungeon. They wandered around lost while avoiding the demons and soon reached a critical condition.

Ugh, well be wiped out at this rate!

Hyung-nim, this way!

Takosu shouted while standing in front of a small stone room.The group quickly ran into the room and Takosu operated the switch. Then a thick iron door fell with a roar.

W-we lived!

Now the group could take a break.But after sighing with relief, they realized that the situation wasnt over.

Wait? How are we going to leave?

The group instantly became distressed.The door was able to block the demons. But they were stuck in the stone room at the same time. If they opened the door to leave then the demons would just kill them.

Do we have to just die?

Jepeteu worried about it for a while.Then Garam shook his head with a serious expression.

But didnt we register our resurrection place in the south of the Sinius Principality? The expedition members are crowded there right now. If we resurrect while being chaotic then everything will be ruined. We will also drop equipment since we are chaotic.

But we cant just rot here!

Jepeteu shouted angrily.Then Takosu offered another idea.

Wait? This is a stone room on the 1st floor underground. And werent there no demons upstairs?

Then if we bore through the ceiling then we should be able to escape the demons.

Bore through the ceiling? Is that possible?

The entire ceiling shouldnt be made out of stone. If we take off a few stones from the ceiling then the rest is likely to be dust. Isnt it better to take a little time to escape than to die?

That makes sense.

Jepeteu nodded and agreed.Thus the party was determined to dig through the first floor ceiling. Naturally, the task of digging through the ceiling was left to the maknae Isyuram.This was the story of Isyurams painful fate. Isyuram had been shovelling for five days. However, the ceiling was still strong and the group could barely climb halfway. Isyurams blood pressure had already crossed 200 from being a minion and now he had to keep on digging.

Hey maknae, when will you hyungnims be able to see the sun?

Dammit, theyll see. Sooner or later Ill make it so that they wont be able to see sunlight for their entire life.

Im working hard hyungnims!

Despite grinding his teeth fiercely, Isyuram replied with a fake bright expression. Then he pushed all his anger into the ceiling and hit it with all his strength.

Kwa kwa kwa kwa, kwa kwa kwa kwa!

There was a tremendous roar and the stone room started shaking. Cracks spread throughout the stone room and stones fell from the ceiling like hail.The criminals screamed and ran around the room.

Wah! What, what, what the?

Isyuram, what did you do?

Are you trying to bury us?

Ah, no, I didnt mean to

Isyuram who avoided the stones tried to explain but suddenly stopped.He suddenly felt some wind flowing in from somewhere.There was a stone room underground so there was no place for the wind to enter. Then? Isyuram hurriedly raised his eyes.

The ceiling is?

Thats right. Isyuram had finally dug through the ceiling!After 5 hard days of shovelling, half of the stones in the ceiling had fallen down. Only a thin slab with cracks in it appeared after the ceiling had fallen. The wind was coming through those cracks from the outside.

Thats good! Now we can get out!

W-what?

Jepeteu and the criminals gathered after hearing his words.They shouted with joy after confirming the cracked ceiling.

Waaaaah Isyuram! You finally did it!

Okay, then lets leave! Isyuram, break through the ceiling!

Understood!

After experiencing a range of emotions over the last 5 days, Isyuram gripped his shovel tightly and nodded. He looked at the ceiling with eyes that showed his every humiliation and shouted.

Haaayaahh, shoryuken!

Isyuram had become one with the shovel and attacked perfectly.The shovel crashed into the ceiling. After a short time, Isyurams anger filled shovel finally drove through the ceiling.

Ugh!

He suddenly heard screams from outside.

Kwa kwa kwa kwa, kwa kwa kwa kwa!

There was a huge roar and the ground shook up and down.

The no 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 defense towers have overloaded!

Shangri-La is shaking excessively. It wont hold on much longer!

The engineers from the Magic Institute shouted desperately.Wormer frantically manipulated and modified several things before yelling.

Not yet, not yet! That Shangri-La that I converted isnt that weak!

Even if you say so..

Shut up, shut up, youre noisy! Press on!

Wormer made Shangri-La continue rushing. In this situation there was no other choice.But no matter how hard he looked, the present situation was hopeless.

Is it really impossible?

Ark bit his lip and looked at the Truth Crystal.The state of Shangri-La shown in the Truth Crystal was terrible. After colliding with Rwigenbergs shield, the sparking towers were overloaded and emitting black smoke.In such a situation, Shangri-La

That damn old man!

Ark glared at the old man standing near the altar on Rwigenberg.

The black souls of those born in darkness..

The black magician changed the spell and waved his dagger.Thats right. The present situation was because of that black magician.Shangri-Las defense ward should exceed the shields recovery rate according to Wormers calculations. In fact, the defense ward had actually melted Rwigenbergs shield and had been slowly entering.But that damn black magician had sacrificed the lives of the demons to amplify the recovery rate in that specific area. Therefore the recovery rate of the shield became faster than the damage from the defense ward.The result was shown in the Truth Crystal.

What is that guys identity? Why is he doing nonsense like this?

Bread asked with an absurd expression. Then Timosi glared at the Truth Crystal and muttered.

He is the Archbishop of the dark church, Maseutyu.

The archbishop of the dark church?

He is the guy who dragged Alan into darkness and betrayed him.

Timosi replied though clenched teeth.Ark opened his mouth to reply to Timosi.

The black magician is starting the ceremony again!

If the recovery rate of the shield is amplified again then the defense ward wont be able to hold on anymore!

An engineer from the Magic Institute screamed.Ark flinched and gazed at the scene of the magician wielding his dagger in the Truth Crystal. Like the engineer said, if the shield was amplified even more then everything was over.Shangri-La who rushed in would be shattered and would disappear without a trace.

If we cant stop that black magician..

Arks mouth dried up.Then Bread who had been watching the Truth Crystal shouted.

Why are we just letting the old man do what he wants?

You idiot, do you have a brain at all? Please think for a moment. Do you think we want to do nothing? If we cant penetrate the shield then how can we kill the old man?

Redian cursed after hearing Breads words. But nobody else could say anything to Bread. This was a serious situation.

Do we have to just sit and watch as Shangri-La is destroyed?

Maseutyus sacrifice ritual was almost over. The lives of thousands of demons would be consumed and the shield recovery rate boosted.

Great powers of darkness, I offer you these fallen souls..!

Maseutyus spell was completed.No, the moment it was about to be complete. Something metallic suddenly appeared beneath Maseutyus feet. And it hit exactly between his legs?

Ugh!

Maseutyu who was reciting the spell shrieked. At the same time, all the men watching through the Truth Crystal simultaneously let out a groan.

Ow!

A pain that only men could share!Although he was the enemy, they could all sympathize with the enormous pain. But now wasnt the time to worry about the pain.He didnt know what had emerged from Maseutyus feet. However, it was still good.

The ceremony has been suspended!

The amplification speed of the shield is sharply falling!

Ark turned his head after hearing Wormer and the engineers words.

Charge!

I know. Increase Shangri-Las defense wards to the maximum output! Attack!

Wormer manipulated the buttons at a frantic speed and shouted.Shangri-Las defense wards emitted an intense lightning attack at the same time. Shangri-Las attack started to overwhelm the shield and it began to dissolve.After a while, the surface of the shield became as thin as paper as Shangri-La pushed inside. And it felt like the shield had broken as Shangri-La steadily advanced.

Oooh..!

Maseutyu couldnt understand what had just happened. If he had completed the sacrificial offering then Shangri-La would be turned to dust.However, he had suddenly been hit there by a tremendous force.Maseutyus spirit automatically flew away to Andromeda. Any man would react the same as Maseutyu.

What on earth?

Maseutyu who was rolling around on the ground finally recovered slightly and determined what had hit him.

..Shovel?

Maseutyu murmured in a dumbfounded voice.Thats right. Maseutyu had been hit there by a shovel that had emerged from the ground.Why the hell would a shovel emerge to hit that place?Maseutyu couldnt understand the situation. Then the ground where the shovel emerged from started to shake. And a man slowly crawled out.

Eh? Where are we?

The man covered in dust looked around restlessly. The man was Isyuram who had been concentrating on shovelling for 5 days.

Isyuram, what the? Get out of the way!

Then dozens of other people crawled out from the hole.It was Jepeteu and his group of criminals.How on earth did Isyuram and the criminal organization emerge from Maseutyus feet? The reason was simple. In fact, the Red Man had hidden the Rwigenberg in a corner of the northern desert in order to hide it from the expedition army.Rwigenberg had been buried beneath the sand until only the castle was left exposed.Thats right. The old castle the criminals found was the castle built on Rwigenbergs back. That was the reason why the criminals couldnt find any treasures or monsters inside the old castle.The Red Man owned the property so it wouldnt have any treasures or monsters. The demons were gathered in the basement so they didnt spot the criminals until they entered the basement.However, no one wouldve imagined that the criminal group would have entered the stone room and be trapped inside.The Rwigenberg had flown to Kwarian shortly afterwards in order to start the resurrection ceremony while Isyuram was digging through the ceiling. When Shangri-La had collided with Rwigenberg, the impact had caused part of the ceiling to collapse.But Maseutyu couldnt know such matters.

Y-you guys.. What on earth? Why that place..did you come out?

Maseutyu grinded his teeth together as he glared at them. He had been hit in that place by the shovel.

Whats with that old man?

Why is he glaring at us?

Why is the mood turning uncomfortable?

The wanted criminals muttered as they stared at Maseutyu.

Y-you guys.what you did..how dare..Im going to kill you!

Maseutyu said angrily as he chanted a spell.

Ack! That old man is a magician!

Damn, what the hell is going on? Who is that guy and where is this place? Why is everything strange?

Well check it later. Just kill that old man for the moment!

The criminals hurriedly pulled out their weapons.

Impertinent..Ill crush you like mayflies.huck!

Maseutyu flinched and stopped chanting his spell. Then he recited another spell at tremendous speed and disappeared.

Eh? Warp magic?

What the! Why is he running away?

Huck! H-h-h-hyungnim!

Takosu turned his head and stuttered with a sickly expression. Jepeteu and the other criminals also turned their heads and paled.

W-what is going on?

A huge land mass was reflected in the eyes of the criminals.A land mass at least 1 kilometre in size was rushing towards them.Thats right. It was Shangri-La who had rushed through Rwigenbergs shield after Maseutyus spell was interrupted.Maseutyu had seen it and escaped using Warp.

Huck! S-scatter!

I-its too late..

Kwa kwa kwa kwa, kwa kwa kwa kwa, kwa kwa kwa kwang!

The criminals cries of distress were buried under the loud roaring sound.Isyuram who had played a vital role in interrupting the ritual and allowed Shangri-La to penetrate Rwigenbergs shield. However, they were rewarded by being squished between Shangri-La and Rwigenberg. This was the moment when another history originated in New World.

Kwa kwa kwa kwa, kwa kwa kwa kwa, kwa kwa kwa kwang!

Shangri-La was a 1 kilometre land mass while the Rwigenberg was several kilometres wide.The two objects with an astronomical mass collided in the air.The whole space shook and a roaring sound swept through the battlefield. The shock wave spread and the airships and demons fighting moved like they were fighting on stormy seas.The aftermath around the crash was crazy.More than half of Shangri-La had been destroyed by the collision.Cracks also spread on the white tower because of the impact.

Danger!

Owaaaaah!

The heroes descendants and the engineers fell and rolled all over the place. However, Ark grabbed the control device firmly and stared at the Truth Crystal.

Unbelievable!

Ark moaned as the dust disappeared and the scene was revealed on the crystal.After melting the shield with the lightning attack, Shangri-La had crashed into the side of the Rwigenberg. More than half of Shangri-La broke from the impact. It was natural. This was a massive conflict.

Ah ah ah, S-Shangri-La..the legacy of the ancient prophet clan

Damn, the Shangri-La that I meticulously converted..my aerial fortress that is a mans dream

The prophet clan and Wormer murmured as they yanked the hair on their heads.The problem was that only Shangri-La was being smashed.Was it due to the shield?Or the defense of Rwigenbergs shield transcended imagination?The exact reason was unknown but Rwigenberg was still fine. Of course, it had collided with Shangri-La directly so the top part of the building had been crushed. Rwigenberg was also gushing blood from a cut in its side.But when looking at Rwigenbergs huge figure, it was just a scar. Despite Shangri-La being smashed into its side, the Rwigenberg was still flying.Ark thought it was slightly disappointing that the Rwigenberg didnt crash.

At least the defense shield is pierced!

He had still achieved his purpose.

No. 1 system out, no. 2 system out, no. 3 system out.

All the circuits connected to the Ark of Creation have stopped working.

The buoyancy of Shangri-La has been destroyed. Were going to fall within a few minutes!

The voice of the Magic Institutes engineers shook his ears.

Damn, theres no room to breathe. Everybody escape from Shangri-La!

To where?

..Theres only one place we can go.

Ark looked at the Rwigenberg through the Truth Crystal and replied.Thats right. There was only one place where Arks group could go.If Shangri-La collided with the Rwigenberg and fell with them still in it then the mission would still be a failure. Even though the altar was hit, it hadnt been completely destroyed. There was a huge amount of magic concentrated on the Rwigenberg so the shield would slowly recover.Of course, the shield would be weaker than before but it would be impossible to shoot down the Rwigenberg within the time limit. There was only one way left!

We just have to prevent the resurrection ceremony directly!

Stop it directly? I like it. In the end I wanted that as well.

Bread grabbed his greatsword and laughed.

Theres no time. Quickly!

Good. Lets go!

Each of the heroes descendants took out their weapons and followed Ark.Then Lariette and the prophet clan shouted.

Wait, I have to take the Ark of Creation!

Thats right. I almost forgot. Where is the Ark of Creation?

Its in the underground power chamber.

Underground power chamber

Ark narrowed his eyes and muttered.He forgot because the Ark of Creation had been used as a power source for Shangri-La but it was one of the key weapons in the Demonic War.It couldnt be allowed to be destroyed with Shangri-La. There was no guarantee what would happen to it if it stayed within the underground room.

This is the middle of enemy lines.

The Ark of Creation can stop the effect of the Demonic Sphere of influence within 10 kilometres!He couldnt give up such an artifact when he had to plunge into enemy lines.Of course, he couldnt use it while the Ark of Creation was a power source for Shangri-La. But now the circuits were destroyed so it couldnt be used as a power source anymore.

The reason Shangri-La hasnt fallen immediately is because it is stuck in the Rwigenberg. The Ark of Creation would be no use if left inside Shangri-Las power room.

Ark hurriedly organized the situation.

Shambala and Bread, you take the others and escape towards the Rwigenberg first. Ill go and retrieve the Ark of Creation with Lariette and the prophet clan.

Understood.

Shambala and Bread led the White Tiger clan and the Magic Institutes engineers outside.At the same time, Ark headed towards the underground power chamber with Lariette and the prophet clan. He saw the Ark of Creation shining brilliantly on an altar and took it.

Ku ku ku ku, ku ku ku ku, ku ku ku ku!

Then the power chamber shook violently and the walls cracked.Shangri-Las collapse quickly accelerated.

Hurry!

The prophet clanholding the Ark of Creationquickly ran out after hearing Arks words.The situation was even more situation when they went outside.The ground had split here and there and sparks were flying up everywhere.The forest surrounding the white tower was being devastated by the flying sparks. It was a scene like an earthquake and wildfire was happening at the same time!The air was clogged with smoke, making it difficult to breathe.

But we have to go forward!

Lariette-nim, please increase the fire resistance!

Holy Breathing which stops the flames!

-Your fire resistance has increased thanks to Holy Breathing which stops the flames.

<All allies will have their fire resistance increased by 35% and the fatigue reduced>