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Vol 5 Chapter 3




ACT 3 Rehabilitation stage
“Hyun-Woo?”
A familiar voice was heard in the receiver.
“Eh? Uncle Gwon Hwa-rang?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
“Did something happen? Why are you calling at this hour?”
“I’m near Cairo………”
“Yes?”
For a while, Hyun-woo couldn’t understand Gwon Hwa-rang’s words.
He had been called just as he was about to fight alongside the raccoons and all his thoughts were focused on that.
Therefore he had forgotten about the appointment he made with Gwon Hwa-rang a couple of days ago.
“We were supposed to meet in Cairo.”
“Yes? Ah, ah ……..I did. I mean, I was there for a while.”
“Tsk, young fellow.”
“You didn’t get in touch with me for a while so I forgot.”
5 days had passed since Hyun-woo met the ex-convicts.  5 days was a fortnight in the game. Even if they travelled in a straight line from Jackson to Cairo, it would still take some time.
“Hey, you don’t say.”
Gwon Hwa-rang sighed and explained the situation.
In fact, when Hyun-woo had stopped by Gwon Hwa-rang’s house.
Gwon Hwa-rang and the other probationary members had already been heading towards the capital.
To time, only 4 of them went to meet Hyun-woo in Cairo.
However, there was a problem that they hadn’t considered.
At that time, the average level of the rehabilitation members was at best 35. However the stretch of forest before Cairo produced of lot of level 100 monsters.
They didn’t know anything and just entered the forest where they were smashed.
“Oh, Yes. I had not thought to warn you.
Of course, if you go the roundabout way, even for a level 35 there shouldn’t be that much difficulty.
Because a lot of low-level players also came to Cairo.  However the ex-convicts who had obtained the location of Cairo from Ark, just moved straight forward in ignorance.
“What do we do? The hyungs are sorry.”
“I’m sorry to ……..ok any dead?”
Gwon Hwa-rang chuckled. The rehabilitation members aren’t trying to live through the game like Ark was.
People were playing it purely to enjoy the game. But to Gwon Hwa-rang who was caught up in the game because it made him feel free, inwardly it was quite frustrating.
All of a sudden monsters had appeared in the jungle and it was so dense it seemed like a new world.
They were high level monsters but the rehabilitation members just cheered.
‘I also wanted to see the Amazon so this is like my dream being achieved.
‘No, this is Jurassic Park.’
‘I never thought I could see dinosaurs directly. This is a hundred times more fun!’
But although the cheered, their abilities were not enough to get through the jungle.
In the end, at Gwon Hwa-rang’s request, the rest of the ex-convicts joined them.  And invaded the jungle while attacking like crazy.
If it was any other party, they would have quickly given up on hunting in the jungle early on.
But the rehabilitation members didn’t care, no matter how strong the opponent was.  No, instead the stronger the opponent was, the more the desire to knock it down burned inside them.
Roco also joined the attack.
When Roco left for her part time job they would set up camps and wait until she returned to continue hunting, and after this repeated for four days they finally arrived near Cairo.
“Kukuku, now I…….when I killed the Allosaurus I received a lot of bonus experience. Thanks to that, I went crazy for a few days.  Besides, after I helped rescue the Migu Migu clan I received a bunch of strange items.”
Gwon Hwa-rang told his story with a proud voice.
Like most people playing the game.
Gwon Hwa-rang now seemed like a fully-fledged gamer.
Even though he crossed the same jungle as them, their game experience was different.
Although Ark was higher level than them, with Sid there were only two people so he didn’t dare touch the intermediate boss monster, Allosaurus
But the number of people in their group was 12.
Also recovery was possible because they had Roco and the passionate will to fight was flowing in every one of them.
The Allosaurus was a monster that was blocking the way into the wilderness that consisted of fallen trees and wheat.
Although Hyun-woo also met the Migu Migu, they didn’t give him any quests.
‘Is the quest only given to parties with a certain number of players?
In New World, the quest scenarios always changed depending on the time and situation Therefore, he listened with interest to Gwon Hwa-rang’s story even though he had crossed the same area.
“By the way……….”
Hyun-woo who had listened for a while spoke in a pained voice.
“Actually, I can’t go and meet Uncle at the moment.”
“Huh? What do you mean? Did you already go to a different area?
“That’s not……..there are circumstances where I can’t go outside to meet you.”
“Hum, I don’t know what’s going on but it seems a bit difficult.  The guys were so excited to see you they were cheering like little kids……in the game it’s been a long time since we’ve met. Well, if that is the situation then there’s nothing we can do.  So how long should we wait? ”
“But it is possible to give you the food immediately.”
“What? How?”
“Please wait outside Cairo for the moment.”
“Outside?”
“Yes. When you reach Cairo you’ll understand.  Cairo is only for chaotic players. So if you are interested just wait outside and I’ll give you the food through somebody I know.  He is a hobbit merchant named Sid.  And did you collect a lot of japtem in the jungle? He’ll also organize and sell it for you.”
“Okay, I understand.” Then tell him to meet me at the bear rock near Cairo.
“Yes.”
Hyun-woo hung up and connected to New World again.
Bang!
“What the?”
Flames blew from someone’s mouth as they slammed the table. He was sitting in front of the hobbit who freaked out and hunched his shoulder.
The scene seemed like the little suspect was being questioned by detectives in an interrogation room.  It was reasonable.
The one who had yelled was the former detective, Justiceman.
And the hobbit sitting in front of the group was none other than Sid.
“Is that the reason why Ark couldn’t come and meet us?”
“Tru, it is true……..”
Sid restlessly said. Then the rehabilitation members lined up against the wall growled.
“This is the real issue isn’t it?”
“This, after a long time this really got me fired up.”
“How dare they touch our dongsaeng?”
“That organization will be forced to taste bitterness.”
‘Uhh, what on earth? Ark-nim being who he is, how does he even know these people?”
Sid turned pale as more threats emerged.
Those who played the game would feel a certain sense of realism.
Interestingly, if you look at a character’s alignment it would seem like you were looking at their real natures.
Should he point that out? But a conversation would interrupt the subtle mood in the room.
Judging from Sid’s experience, the rehabilitation members weren’t ‘ordinary’ people.  Furthermore, he could tell that there was offensive power just from the impression of their faces.
At the same time, the impression they gave caused Sid’s heart to beat so fast it felt like it would burst out of his chest.
Sid had a worried expression.
Even Lorenzo who was a delinquent avoided the eyes of the ex-convicts and pretended ignorance.  The violent atmosphere of the rehabilitation company reached such an extent that he shrunk and retreated to the NPC.
That……..it was because it was Ark that Justiceman that the rehabilitation company got so angry.
A little while ago, the atmosphere was okay at Bear Rock. Justiceman and the ex-convicts had a good impression of Sid because of his cute looks, and it was a relief for Sid who had been hiding a while to meet reliable users.
However, after he confessed the whole story about Ark and Andel, the atmosphere went through a 180 degree change.
Anger welled inside Justiceman and the ex-convicts until they were spewing out profanities.
“I know Andel. He was the one that was hit by Alan.”
JusticeMan growled in a low voice.
“I knew that he didn’t get along with Ark…….”
“But defending the Quartermaster so Ark can’t revive is going too far. Why the hell would he do such a thing?”
Roco also muttered in an angry voice. Although Ark thought number 1405 was the most calm, he was actually the violent former boss of an organization……..Bul-kkun clenched his fist as he asked what was known.
“There’s no water. Because he’s a bad guy.”
The rehabilitation members were simple. It wasn’t a matter of learning more. Violence was a key part of the world for them. The distinction between good and evil was clear in their world.  The inner circumstances were irrelevant.  If someone bothered them, they were a bad guy.
It was a clear and simple way of thinking. Justiceman and the rehabilitation group were generous to villains.
However, to the fellows who touched their side there would be no forgiveness. The police were also committed to that idea.
“Hyung-nim, do you know?”
Number 1401 looked at the others with serious eyes. Number 1401 was a former con artist in the rehabilitation group called Jjak-tung.
“It’s not an issue that we can let him get away with.
“Um………”
JusticeMan nodded with a serious face.
Justiceman, Roco and the rehabilitation members knew about Ark’s situation. Ark was not simply playing the game for enjoyment. He joined the test for Global Exos to find a way to live.
For Ark, the costs of living expenses and hospital bills came from New World.
Yes for them it was a simple game but for Ark, New World was reality.
In fact Justiceman, Roco and the other members previously wanted to play the game with Ark. However, Ark had a distinct purpose.  However they were unable to bring it up, and now this fellow came along and bothered Ark?
“Ark. He didn’t say anything when I called……..”
“Well he probably didn’t want to worry us too much.”
He wilfully pretended not to know.
They were mistaken.  In fact, Ark had completely forgotten about Andel.
His memories were of the ☆ ☆ ☆ and + C quests from the Underground World.
He poured all his spirit into training the raccoon clan.
The training occurred for 5 days and thanks to this he had already forgotten that Andel was waiting for him at the Quartermaster. Sort of………when looked at from someone else’s point of view, Andel seemed more pathetic.
However, the rehabilitation group didn’t know that fact.
“Kuk, Ark is also human.”
“When he acts like that, I feel like I want to help him even more.”
“Naturally. When it is like this, we should help out?”
“Oppa, I will also help!”
“Heh, when the Prince is in a crisis, even the Princess helps out.”
“Let go, let go!”
A rehabilitation member had grabbed Roco in a headlock while she kicked him.
“It’s not that simple. Do we know why Ark didn’t talk to us?”
“He didn’t want to trouble us……..”
“So, there might be a reason why he didn’t want worry us.”
“Eh?
They asked again absentmindedly. At that time, JusticeMan folded his arm and said.
“Jjak-tung is correct.  Hey, former hoodlum.”
“Yes? Yes? Me?”
Lorenzo was surprised suddenly and replied.
“Would you say that Ark had a hard time when he fought against those guys?”
“Yes, the Dark Brothers’ profession is assassinating foreigners. Even 1 of them was too much for Hyung-nim to handle.”
JusticeMan nodded and said.
“It is like that. Jjak-tung, you saw Ark fighting in the Event Quest, so you would understand that he’s not an ordinary guy. Our levels aren’t even a comparison. But if he had trouble with one assassin then their levels must be equivalent to his.  Even the user is sticking to those three.  Do you understand?”
“Ark determined that we wouldn’t be able to win. But after listening to Lorenzo’s words, we actually do stand a chance.
In the jungle Justiceman, Roco and the rehabilitation group had significantly raised their levels.
They had fought through a dense jungle against monsters over level 100, so it was a natural result.
Thanks to that, Justiceman had long since surpassed level 60, while others had reached level 60 a few days ago.
Recovery was also possible as Roco was level 40……..It was a party of 12 with formidable power.
However, their opponents were three assassins level 120.
“In the words of Jjak-tung. In reality we would unconditionally win. But this is a game. It is hard to win with such a huge level difference.
Our offensive power and defense is too different.
The level difference between us and Ark who fought the assassin 1 on 1 is approximately 2 times as big.
If it was just one or two of us, we wouldn’t stand a chance against the four guys including Andel.”
JusticeMan was now a gamer.
JusticeMan pushed down his past definition of unconditional evil, and now understood the difference between ability and level in the game.
If it was just skills, JusticeMan was confident that no one could push him. But in the game if a level 10 attacked a level 100 with a sword, he wouldn’t even do any damage.
On the other hand, if the level 100 attacked then the level 10 would certainly die.  It was an impossible match.
The only way for a low-level to win against a high-level was to have overwhelming numbers.
However with 14 against 4, it couldn’t really be called overwhelming numbers.
“If we die here, then we’ll just be giving Ark more baggage.”
“If it continues like this, he might end up saying why?
“We have to look for a way.”
JusticeMan thought for a while before he looked at Sid and asked.
“Sid?”
“Yes.”
“What was he doing before Ark encountered those guys?”
“That………..”
Sid looked at Lorenzo and spoke about the former circumstances.
The General Store owner’s quest which involved Lorenzo. After they heard the quest contents, JusticeMan and the rehabilitation members had warm smiles on their faces.
“That guy Ark……..he was doing such quests?”
The ends of Justiceman’s mouth rose.
JusticeMan was a former detective and had seen that situation many times.
The former hoodlum couldn’t escape the demands of the organization and would become a criminal again………
Thanks to the sense of realism, JusticeMan easily accepted Lorenzo’s situation.
The rehabilitation members who had experience the situation directly didn’t speak.
However, they accepted Lorenzo like he was one of them.
“Lorenzo, I guess your mind was troubled as well.”
“Yes? No……….just……….”
“By the way, Ark also……..”
If a pretty guy does something good, the law looks prettier.
Although it was a quest in the game, the fact that he was trying to help Lorenzo wash his hands of the organization only made the rehabilitation group’s respect for Ark grow even more.
Then after Jjak-tung considered something for a while, he opened his mouth and began to talk.
“Hyung-nim, there may be a way.”
“What?”
“Ark’s work was urgent, but isn’t it possible to do something for Lorenzo?
“Hum, yes. That is what we need to do.”
“Then how about finishing the two things together?”
Jjak-tung spoke to JusticeMan about something secretly.
Then liveliness entered Justiceman’s eyes.
“Ohu, that sounds good! Hey, Sid? Ark’s quest, can we also do it?”
“Yes? Then……..Please invite me to the party.”
After Sid joined JusticeMan’s party, he fiddled with the system window.  And after a while, the quest information window flashed in front of JusticeMan.
-Sid-nim’s party has requested to share the ongoing quest <clear>. If you allow it you will share the reward but if the quest fails then you will receive a penalty.  Are you sure that you want to share?</clear>
<clear>“Oh, fortunately it is a quest that is able to be shared.”</clear>
<clear>“It is decided so let’s complete it immediately.”</clear>
<clear>“What do you say?”</clear>
<clear>The rehabilitation members all replied to the question with decisive voices.</clear>
<clear>“Rehabilitation!”</clear>
<clear>“Yes?”</clear>
<clear>“Lorenzo you might get annoyed with those guys.  But in the end, they are your hyungs so you should listen to their commands.  We have to do everything we can to help someone change his heart just like Lorenzo. We were also given such a chance.  Therefore, I am going to rehabilitate them.  And make them join the side of justice.”</clear>
<clear>JusticeMan smiled and said.</clear>
<clear>“Of course once they joined the side of justice, they would have to prove themselves. For example, catching an assassin without shedding blood…….”</clear>
<clear>It was the plan that Jjak-tung suggested.</clear>
<clear>Despite their numbers, the people that bullied Lorenzo didn’t have a level higher than 60. The first hooligans would be lured in and forced to change sides. Then, the numbers of the rehabilitation group would double by 2.</clear>
<clear>14 against 4 would become 28 against 4.</clear>
<clear>Even if there was a large level difference, if they had 7 times the number then it was enough to try!</clear>
<clear>“Very good”</clear>
<clear>“Now it’s time to do the right thing.”</clear>
<clear>New World was a part of the rehabilitation program for the ex-convicts.</clear>
<clear>Their social adaptation program was justice!</clear>
<clear>At last, they hit their goal for the quest.</clear>
<clear>“7 people are headed to the appointed place.</clear>
<clear>Lorenzo said in a low voice.</clear>
<clear>JusticeMan nodded and looked at the old building.</clear>
<clear>“Ok, approximately 10 people remain in the hideaway.”</clear>
<clear>After they came up with the plan in the cabin, JusticeMan entered Cairo using the [Lie] scroll.</clear>
<clear>JusticeMan acted for the group. When he was a detective in South Korea, Justiceman was used to jumping into a group of armed criminals under orders from above.</clear>
<clear>Of course, every criminal was too scared to relax in their own homes……..at least JusticeMan lived like that.</clear>
<clear>But that did not mean that JusticeMan never relaxed his body.</clear>
<clear>No matter how outstanding his skills, no superman was invincible.</clear>
<clear>In addition, sometimes detectives spent years battling gangs in the field.</clear>
<clear>It didn’t matter if he was alone.</clear>
<clear>He also had a responsibility to command other first line officers.</clear>
<clear>Because of him, the south piled up tactical knowledge, he was also a part of a special task unit that looked for countermeasures for terrorism and also served as a training instructor in South America, where it just built on his legend.</clear>
<clear>And the hero of that legend used his ability in the game.</clear>
<clear>‘The gangsters in the hideout are level 60-70.’</clear>
<clear>On the other hand, the average level of the rehabilitation members was late 50s.</clear>
<clear>If the difference between users was 10 levels, the chances were slim. However, if the opponents were NPC then it was likely that JusticeMan and the rehabilitation members would win.</clear>
<clear>‘The problem is how many of these guys there are.’</clear>
<clear>The number of hooligans was around 17-20 people.</clear>
<clear>On the other hand, including JusticeMan, Roco, Lorenzo and Sid, the rehabilitation side only had 14 people.  There was a 10 level difference plus they were outnumbered so it was difficult.</clear>
<clear>Furthermore, JusticeMan’s objective was not just to win. He wanted to subdue them without killing, in order to rehabilitate them. And needless to say, the difficult thing was capturing rather than killing.</clear>
<clear>‘There is no way to increase our numbers. If it is like that, there is one method.  I’m going to reduce the numbers of those guys.’</clear>
<clear>That was the conclusion JusticeMan reached.</clear>
<clear>“The purpose of these guys is to force Lorenzo back into the gang. The others might not understand, but they would have no choice but to move if Lorenzo called them.”</clear>
<clear>A few minutes later, Lorenzo’s letter arrived at the hideout.</clear>
<clear>I will return to the organization.</clear>
<clear>But before that, there is a problem so please meet me at the cabin.</clear>
<clear>And not long after, 7 gangsters headed towards the appointment place.  Those remaining inside were just 10 people.  He was sure that they could subdue those numbers.</clear>
<clear>“Okay, before the other guys notice and return. Let’s get started! ”</clear>
<clear>“Hummm, how would you like to practice justice?”</clear>
<clear>“Think about it before going out.”</clear>
<clear>“Ya, get extensions.”</clear>
<clear>The rehabilitation members took out their weapons with eerie smiles.</clear>
<clear>Iron pipe, sashimi knife, chain …If it appeared in gangster movies then they had it.</clear>
<clear>They had obtained it from the restricted area in Jackson, the rotting bogs.</clear>
<clear>Well, the form wasn’t special but the members were used to such weapons so they held it steadily.</clear>
<clear>Furthermore, it was also a magic weapon.</clear>
<clear>The iron pipes increased attack speed, the sashimi knife increased the probability of a critical hit and the chain had a side effect that caused stuns.</clear>
<clear>And as a bonus, Sid had the effect of inflicting fear.</clear>
<clear>‘As expected, these people are ordinary.’</clear>
<clear>Now the rehabilitation group were carrying crowbars to the fight the gangsters just like it was seen in a movie. No, the actual situation wasn’t that different.</clear>
<clear>Double bang!</clear>
<clear>When he kicked the door and entered the building, the delinquents inside turned their head to look at it.</clear>
<clear>The door roughly shook and scattered dust……it showed JusticeMan in the background laughing.</clear>
<clear>“You guys, arrest them all.”</clear>
<clear>“Eh? Arrest?”</clear>
<clear>“What did you say? That old person?”</clear>
<clear>The gangsters said in an amazed voice.</clear>
<clear>“Ah………..Embarrassing. Hyung-nim should get a better grip of the atmosphere. Was now the time to recite those lines?”</clear>
<clear>JusticeMan was sullenly pushed back as another member stepped forward.</clear>
<clear>When a former leader of an organization stepped forward, the atmosphere was different.</clear>
<clear>Suddenly he growled in a deep voice.</clear>
<clear>“Kneel down. We will receive it as your surrender.”</clear>
<clear>Indeed, the experience of the person was clearly shown in their choice of words. There was an immediate response from the gangsters.</clear>
<clear>“What, what the?”</clear>
<clear>“Hey, it’s a raid!  Get them!”</clear>
<clear>“Fearless scum, pull out their tongues!”</clear>
<clear>The hoodlums in charge got up.</clear>
<clear>However, the movements of the parole group were a few times faster.</clear>
<clear>“Ha ha ha! How stupid do they have to be to think they could win against justice?</clear>
<clear>And the table fell with a crash. They jumped over the chairs flying from all directions and swung their sashimi knives at the gangsters.</clear>
<clear>It truly unfolded like a scene from a gangster movie.</clear>
<clear>Also as expected, the hooligans were slightly stronger than the rehabilitation members.  However, thanks to Lorenzo and JusticeMan helping out, the situation was easily controlled.</clear>
<clear>Lorenzo was level 80 and could fight to opponents sufficiently by himself.</clear>
<clear>On the other hand, JusticeMan was able to help with his absurd stats, since he was armed with the deceptive stat of Justice.</clear>
<clear>That stat doesn’t do anything when fighting solo, but in a group battle it had absolute power.</clear>
<clear>However, the user that had a decisive influence on the outcome.  Minstrel Roco!</clear>
<clear>When Roco earnestly joined the battle, the odds quickly shifted to the side of the rehabilitation group.</clear>
<clear>In the early stages, the minstrel was a job that most would want to quit since it was useless.</clear>
<clear>The minstrel had low damage and defense so they couldn’t solo, while most parties weren’t looking for weaker recovery or secondary magic.</clear>
<clear>There was also a penalty applied to the minstrel for not being battle affiliated, so the experience they received in battle was similar to a merchant’s.</clear>
<clear>They couldn’t fight and their growth rate was low.</clear>
<clear>It was an occupation which didn’t really seem like one.</clear>
<clear>However, Roco always had an affection for musical instruments so raised her minstrel with love.</clear>
<clear>Anyway, Roco had never played solo.</clear>
<clear>When she entered the game, she immediately met JusticeMan and the parole group.</clear>
<clear>Instead of fighting against a fearsome monster, Roco had more fun using her magic to save her oppa.</clear>
<clear>And recently, the Minstrel passed level 40.</clear>
<clear>She gained a skill that no one expected.</clear>
<clear>[This skill can only be learnt after the Minstrel satisfied certain conditions. <condition:>Gentle Reverberation (Beginner, passive): You have been deeply worried about real music for a long time. You have handled numerous instruments and listened to their beautiful voices with your heart.  Therefore, it has increased you understanding of music. Your music will now develop the same depth and power. The gentle music will dwell in the soul and heart of those who listen to it, and a reverberation will remain long after the performance ends. Even if other music is played, this gentle reverberation will not disappear but rather improve the effects of the music.