ACT 7 Near Miss!

Where the hell is that Ark child?

Jewel frowned and complained.It had been one hour since the group had left the village.Jewel had circled the outskirts of the village several times but never found any traces of Ark. However, the Ranger Duke kept on finding traces of Ark so there was no way they could return yet. But Jewel found something strange during that time.

-Nearly there. Ive found traces that Ark has just passed by here.

How many times have you said those words?

-Nearly there. Ive found traces that Ark has just passed by here.

Those were the only words Duke would say after leaving the valley village.In fact, Razak didnt know how to write.So he wrote down what Ark told him to in order to lure Jewel out of the village.However Ark had left for the village so he could only repeat the last sentence over and over.

What is with this guy? Did he eat something weird?

Jewel didnt know the circumstances and just thought Duke was acting weird because he caught a cold. Well, his behaviour was still strange even with a cold.. Jewel calmed down and followed behind Duke.Then Jewel suddenly heard a harsh sound.

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

It wasnt a sound in the game.The banging sound came from reality.But Jewel just ignored it.When connected to the game, she was Jewel the Stalker. Reality just irritated Jewel. Even if she disconnected, the person on the other end would just talk nonsense. Jewel had no intention of stopping for nonsense when Ark was on the verge of being caught.However, she heard the voice speaking and had to exit the unit.

Hey you! What the hell?

Eh? This voice is..huh, what?

Jewel opened the door of the apartment with a confused face. And felt chilled when she saw the visitors face.The visitor was a friend who had been playing the game since the beta test. His ID in New World was Duke However, wasnt Duke chasing Ark around in the game?New World used biometric data so no one else could control the character. Then who was with Jewel inside the game?

Dammit, why didnt you answer the phone?

Duke asked with annoyance as he entered the room.

That.who know I dont answer calls while playing the game. Rather, how are you here?

How?

Duke breathed out and started complaining.

I dont know what youre talking about. Anyway you have to hurry.

What?

Dammit, its Ark. While chasing after Bona, I happened to run into Ark and got killed by him so I frantically tried to call you. I wanted to let you know where he was. But you didnt answer the phone. Now hes probably already run away.. Anyway, I cant connect for 24 hoursso its really frustrating.

Ark! You encountered Ark?

Jewel realized what happened.She was confident regarding aspects of New World.If someone encountered something they couldnt understand in New World then it was most likely a skill!

Duke was killed by Ark. Then Dukes ghost appeared and lured us out of town. Then..

Jewel didnt know what method Ark used by he had deliberately deceived them and lured them out of the village!In fact, Ark was guilty of one big error when thinking about his plan. When Duke was killed, he couldve called Jewel straight away in reality.While thinking about a skill in the game, it wasnt possible to take reality into account. But fortunately, this strategy lasted for 1 hour despite its weak points because of Jewels habit of not answering the phone. However, Duke ended up visiting Jewel directly.

Damn! Duke youre dead!

Jewel cursed and ran to the unit.

What, what the? What are you doing?

Duke was left scratching his head with a stupid expression.

-

Grandfather!

Oh, Bona. Youre all right!

Beseutyu was released from the cage and wept while hugging Bona. He had seen the same scene not too long ago..Deja vu?Well, it was a minor scene so Ark checked over the situation in the village.While Ark was stabbing Kaljapeus sphincter with a knife, the Slave Liberation Army lead by Joan of Arc was able to defeat the Nakujuk after a fierce battle. But after the heat of the battle, they returned to the terrible reality.They sacrificed quite a few people in order to defeat the Nakujuk.The group 0f 70 Baran was reduced by 30 people.The damage to the monsters was even further as only twenty of them survived. The difference in combat power between the Nakujuk and the Baran was huge.Therefore there were quite a few orphaned children.

Sob sob, Father..Mother

Ark felt his heart become heavier after hearing the childrens cries.He was familiar with the grief of losing parents. Although they fought to save their children, Ark was the one who incited them to do it.

Its not necessary to make that look.

Beseutyu seemed to guess what Ark was feeling as he tapped him on the shoulder.

I heard everything while being locked in the cage. They intended to kill all of us once the tower was finished. Although 30 Myutal died, you ended up saving 40 of us. And their children as well. So dont beat yourself up about the victims.

Of course he would do that.Ark wasnt a sentimental person who would dwell on his guilt. They were NPCs. Although the well-crafted NPC felt human, a NPC was still a NPC. And now wasnt the time to be thinking about such things.

Do you know what the Nakujuk are using the tower for?

I also heard it. I cant believe that the Nakujuk can freely move across the northern mountains when the tower is completed. The purpose of those guysconquest of the Netherworld!

Beseutyu made it seem like he was stating a huge discovery.

I already know that. So if you pull down the tower

Jewel and the Nakujuk conquering the Netherworld was a big deal for Ark. But since the Nakujuk utilized monsters to build the tower, Ark couldnt pull it down by himself.Beseutyu just shook his head and sighed.

Its possible. But that would only buy some time. Those guys have the blueprint for the tower. While they possess the blueprints, their southern invasion is an inevitable fact.

This

There is only one way left. The Baran must rally together and fight against them.

Are the odds in your favour?

Beseutyu closed his mouth with a heavy expression.The meaning of his silence was obvious. Ark clearly knew about the huge difference between the Baran and the Nakujuks combat abilities. So the Baran would have to unite despite those differences. Besides, if the Baran joined the war then the Hermes Alliance was likely to send some forces.There was no way the weak Baran group could match them.

I cant prevent the Netherworld from falling into their hands..

Ark sighed with frustration.Beseutyu was also frustrated.

Anyway, there is only one way now. In the past, the Baran fled from the Nakujuk but there is nowhere else to run. We will be forced to fight, even if everyone dies. I have to inform my people as fast as possible to allow them to prepare.

Ah, before that theres one thing I wanted to ask.

Ark explained to Beseutyu what occurred in Magaros Laboratory.Beseutyu frowned and muttered as he thought.

It can be seen but not touched..perhaps he is speaking of Underground?

Underground?

Yes, thats certainly it. My memory is vague but a long time ago a huge disaster occurred, the dimensions distorted and some areas were trapped in a dimensional gap.

Trapped in a dimensional gap? Then is there a method to return it intact?

I dont remember all the details. The incident is similar to a myth or legend. But if they know the dimension distorting is a cause then there might be a solution. Thats right, records of the legend are in the A bookcase..

Beseutyu murmured and looked around before his face stiffened.The shelves had collapsed while fighting Kaljapeu, pouring thousands of scrolls onto the floor. In addition, Ark had swum around in the scrolls so they were all scrambled.

Oh my god! How am I going to find the scroll in here?

Beseutyu groaned as he looked around.Ark also thought it was an impossible task. How could they find one among thousands of scrolls? And time was of the essence.The time when Jewel and the Nakujuk would return to the village was unknown.

Razak hasnt contacted me yet so there is no need to worry for the moment.

Did they have to look for the scroll blindly? It wouldnt be possible to obtain the clue once Jewel occupied the village again. Didnt he also have to complete the quest before the Hermes guild occupied the Netherworld?Then, a perfect solution to find the scroll struck Ark.

Are there any special markings on the scroll?

Marking? No, nothing like that. But all the records related to that legend is on the A shelf. So the strings closing the scroll would have the A symbol on it. As I recall, contents about Underground seemed to be in the A-20 to A-30 scrolls.

I understand! Lariette-nim, call all the residents and tell them to gather here!

Approximately 60 residents and children entered the house.

Buksil, Lariette-nim, please distribute all of the Herbal Tea.

Yes, he devised the idea of using the herbal tea.The herbal tea Ark distributed was the one to speed up their hand movements and improve their eye sight.Then he ordered them to search for the A-20 to A-30 scrolls.At any rate, Ark was the best at using people.

Oh, what is this?

Why are hands are so fast?

And I can see that fine print completely from this far away.

The effect of the herbal tea activated immediately.The Baran clan acted like pigeons picking up food and searched among the scrolls at an amazing speed. And someone soon found a necessary scroll.

Okay, five have already been found. Now only five more..

Ark was waiting anxiously.

Clack clack clack clack!

All of a sudden Razak ran into the mansion.Dedric lifted his head from where it was buried in a scroll and shouted.

Master, those guys are coming back to the village!

What the?

Ark jumped with surprise.He exited the mansion and saw a cloud of dust approaching in the distance. Jewels group was coming back to the village leading over 200 Nakujuk!

Damn, how did they know? We should find the other five in around..10 minutes. No, the work pace has quickened so it should be 7 minutes..

Oh my god! So close.

Lariette moaned as she also exited the house.If Jewels group noticed something strange then they would definitely try to catch Ark and the Baran. On the other hand, Arks group contained children so their escape speed would be slower.There was no guarantee that they could elude the pursuit even if they left now.No, to be honest there was a 30% chance.But it would be impossible if he delayed for 7 more minutes. The village would be surrounded and they would be wiped out.

Ark, this is a request.

At that moment Beseutyu approached and spoke to him.

A request?

Yes, Ive heard from Bona. You have a method to move to middle earth. As you know, the war in the Netherworld will begin soon. And win or lose, the Baran will suffer a harsh trial. Its our inevitable fate. But..

Beseutyu turned his head and looked at the children moving in the mansion.

I dont want the children to experience that. And anyway, it is impossible to flee from the Nakujuk with the children. So can you escape with all these children and their caretakers to the safer middle earth?

Arks eyes started flashing.Why had he never thought of that? Thats right. Ark had a method to return to middle earth at any time. So he could still look for the scrolls without worrying about being chased by Jewels group.It was like he had just opened a door and exited from a nightmare.

Its not just to save the children. We also think that this is the best way. There are only 7 skyrays remaining. If Im there then Guran and the other trainers will be able to use the skyrays. The Nakujuk will be unable to follow them on foot. Therefore they can quickly tell our kin about the situation.

Of course, Ark could also stay in the town until they found the scrolls. But there was one problem.The scrolls were all protected using a cipher passed down through Beseutyus family. If he didnt go with Beseutyu then who would decipher the scrolls? But the clever old man had already thought of that.

Although Bona is still immature, he can still solve the password for the scroll.

Grandfather!

Bona stared at Beseutyu with surprise.But Beseutyu just stroked Bonas head and laughed.

You dont have to worry. Ark is someone you can trust. No doubt he will take you guys to a safe place. Just wait there safely until we come to pick you up.

Bona was tearful but did not protest.Beseutyu wiped off his tears with a sleeve and nodded.

I promise. Ill definitely come pick you up.

Right.

Beseutyu nodded and walked towards the skyrays with Guran and some trainers.Then, Lariette who had been hesitating suddenly shouted.

I, Ill go too!

Lariette-nim?

Arks eyes popped out.

Isnt Ark-nim going to return to the Netherworld?

Of course. That was why he was looking for the scroll.

Ark-nim has to take the children to middle earth. But someone should also stay here. It is important to understand the situation in the Netherworld. And there is no guarantee of safety even on the skyrays. I-I will protect them.

Ark looked at Lariette with bemusement.Her suggestion was unexpected.Didnt she promise never to get on a skyray again? So he couldnt understand why she intended to stay in the Netherworld. But it wasnt bad to have Lariette stay behind.Ark still hadnt abandoned the Netherworld.If Jewels group occupied the Netherworld then there would be nowhere for Ark to hide. He had to do whatever it took to stop it. And the power of the Baran clan was needed to stop their ambitions.In the war Lariette would help the Baran clan tremendously so it was welcomed.

I understand.

Ark nodded and Lariette mumbled something.

Thenplease tell me your phone number.

Huh? Phone number?

Ark-nim will be in middle earth but you will need to know the situation in the Netherworld. But you cant use the Feather of Whispering to communicate between dimensions..

Ah, yes.

Ark nodded and told her his phone number.And Lariette blushed before clenching her fist tightly. After that Beseutyu called from the sky ray, and she clenched tightly to Beseutyu with a pale face before vanishing with a scream.

Shes so scared but still volunteeredLariette-nim is surprisingly responsible.

Ark thought Lariette wanted to stay behind because of a sense of responsibility towards the Baran.However, Lariette had a separate ulterior motive.Her feelings for Ark were still too ambiguous. Lariette wanted to confirm if her feelings for Ark was like a friendly colleague or something more. Every time she was alone with Ark.she would become confused and change the subject.However, if she returned to middle earth then she would lose all justification to follow Ark. But if Lariette remained in the Netherworld then Ark would obviously have to contact her. Moreover, didnt she naturally ask for his phone number?Lariette had a surprisingly smart plan.

Anyway, Ark once again entered the mansion once Beseutyus group left.

10 grams of the Dimension Movement powder can move 1 person. Currently, there are 50 remaining adults and children. Ill have to create a magic circle using 500 grams of powder.

Ark cleared the floor of scrolls and started making a magic circle.

Ark-hyung, Ive found another one!

Okay, we can find everything and still leave in time!

Meanwhile, the Baran had been busy finding the scrolls. By the time he finished drawing the magic circle, they had found nine scrolls. Now there was only one left so obviously the last one would be a huge problem.

Ark-hyung, weve search everyone but we cant find the last one.

The 50 Baran had drunk the herbal tea and searched the mansion.Even so, they could not find the final piece. And Jewels group had already entered the village and was rushing towards the house.Beseutyu said that the Underground was written in one of those scrolls. Couldnt the content be written in one of the nine scrolls?

Nine scrolls are found so the probability is 90%. But considering my luck it would probably be in that one scroll.

It was like missing just one number in bingo. But there was no more time to hold out.Ark clenched his teeth and pointed towards the dimly shining gate.

It cant be helped. Leave the last chapter. Everybody go inside the gate. Children first! And then the adults. Hurry. Those guys are already reached the mansion.

The Baran plunged into the gate one by one under Arks command. Then Bona who was one of the last ones to leave stood beside Ark at the gate and looked around.Then Bonas eyes brightened and he exclaimed.

Ark hyung! Over there, A-7! Its the last chapter!

What?

Ark turned his head. After a moment of concentrating, he was able to find the scroll. The last chapter was wedged between a fallen bookcase near the entrance.Then Jewels group entered at the same time he saw the scroll.

Ark!

Eh, that gate? The Baran clan are running away!

Dammit, the timing is really amazing.

Ark cursed.

Dedric, take Bona first and enter the gate. Razak, transform!

Clack clack clack, clack clack clack clack!

Razak who had been waiting next to him changed into the Saw Blade.Ark picked up the Saw Blade and used Sprint to approach Jewels cronies. Jewel obviously though Ark was running away and tried to stop him.But Arks special move instantly left his mouth.

Ya, thiswould you guys like to be turned to meat? Ill beep- and beep-to you!

The vulgar words were shot out rapidly as their faces turned red.Under the effect of Intermediate Intimidation, Jewels group stiffened. At the same time Ark ran up and jumped, smashing into a warrior at the front.Then he used the face as a stepping stone and continuously swung his blade while moving.The blade turned into a whip and grabbed a scroll underneath a bookcase. Then the whip returned and the scroll was brought to Arks hand.

I got it!

Ark picked up the scroll and turned towards the gate. At that moment the stiffness wore off and a warrior grabbed his ankle. Thanks to that, Ark fell to the floor like a frog. His health was decreased as well.But that wasnt the problem.

Bastard, weve caught you!

This is our chance, smash him. Heroic Strike!

Stun him then drive his health down to the bottom!

PVP after falling down in the middle of enemy territory?Wasnt there a game that was briefly popular in the early 2000s where these kinds of situations were common? With such a memory, Ark didnt have to explain his current situation.He was hit by a waterfall of skills!Jewels group and the Nakujuk surrounded him while his heath quickly decreased.

Everything is finished if I die!

Ark rolled on the ground and barely escaped the attacks but he was already in a critical condition. However, it was fortunate that he entered a critical condition. Thanks to that his Adrenaline activated and his defense and reflexes increased by leaps and bounds.Ark used Dark Dance to avoid the attacks and run to the gate. And just as he was about to throw his body into the gate.Suddenly, dozens of chains emerged from the ground and wound around his body. A red warning message floated in front of Ark.

-You have been caught by the advanced Restraint spell.

<You cant move for one minute However, it will be automatically cancelled when attacked>