s.p.a.cE 9. To the Base…..!
ā€œAh…..!ā€
Countless soft powders poured from the sky.Ā The sky was black like a cosy bedroom while the wind sounded like a lullaby.Ā If he closed his eyes then it seemed possible to be submerged in a happy dream. Such thoughts creeped into his head after closing his eyes.Ā But Ark didn’t worry about that.
ā€˜My food……’
He opened his bag and saw piles of cupcakes and cookies. Ark took out a cupcake with whipped cream and raised it to his mouth. And as he took a bite…..pakak!
ā€œUgh!ā€
Ark screamed and jumped up.Ā He grabbed his tingling mouth and looked around with a confused expression.Ā His happy illusion broke at that moment.Ā And he was returned to the gloomy reality.Ā His hand was holding a Zaliman ore instead of a cupcake. The soft powder and cosy bedroom…..
Hwiiiii-!
The snow storm swirling on Beltana!Ā He started trembling as soon as he noticed the chill.
ā€œD-dammit! My destiny, why is my destiny also twisted like this?ā€
Ark painfully raised his body from the ice.Ā Endorphins flowed through his head as he recalled his memories. He had wandered the pyramid for 10 days and had obtained a unique sword, information about an ancient alien civilizations and a 5 star skill.Ā It was amazing!Ā He had only suffered since starting Galaxian so it was good to receive some compensation.Ā That feeling disappeared the moment he appeared outside and operated his Nymphe’s GPS.
-Distance to the galactic federation’s base: 532 km
His mood plummeted at the message that appeared on the GPS.Ā Ark was released at a location 532 km from the base.
ā€œI-I have to walk 532 km?ā€
Ark looked at the swirling snow storm with blank eyes.Ā Beltana was a planet with a temperature of -50 degrees Celsius.Ā Of course, Ark was able to survive the current temperature due to the Prisoner body coating. That’s how he managed to dig Iridium for hours as well as fighting on the battlefields.
ā€˜532 km means that it will take more than 10 days if I walk 50 km in one day.’
He had to walk for 10 days in the freezing cold.Ā Even if he received the body coating, his body wouldn’t be fine in such low temperatures for 10 days.Ā His body temperature would start falling.Ā His body became as stiff as stone and he experienced dizziness many times. Finally the cold was more than his body coating could handle.
-Your body temperature has fallen below the limit and all abilities will decrease by 20%.
That message appeared after one day pa.s.sed.Ā But there was an even bigger problem. The body coating allowed him to adapt to the harsh environment so he could restore his body temperature……and that was exactly the problem.
ā€˜I only have 5 foods left.’
Ark sighed as he searched through his bag.Ā He was responsible for the food supply of the Royal Guards so Ark always had food packed in his bag.Ā The amount was enough for one or two months.Ā If he had that much food then he didn’t have to worry about walking 1,000 km.Ā But Ark only had 5 s.p.a.ce Foods remaining in his bag.Ā The rest of the food……
- <zaliman>, <zaliman>, <zaliman>……</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>It had all changed to the Zaliman ore.Ā So many Zaliman ores had dropped that he threw away food to pack it in his bag.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜The creva.s.se that I fell in was only 50 km away from the B-3 base. So I thought 5 s.p.a.ce Foods would be enough but I appeared 532 km from the base……’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>It was impossible to reach the base with 5 s.p.a.ce Foods.Ā Especially once the storm started and the temperatures fell even more.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>-You will be punished if you don’t think food is important.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>His mother had said that.Ā As expected, the words of an adult wasn’t wrong.Ā He was being punished for dumping the food for ores.Ā However, Ark didn’t give up. No, he couldn’t give up. He had gained 12 levels after spending 10 days in the pyramid. He couldn’t just give up the 12 levels he earned!</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€œThere’s only one way! I have to return to the base before my food runs out!ā€</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Ark marched through the storm. Fortunately he managed to march 70 km after 12 hours……</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€œI fell asleep in the unit!ā€</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Ark was so tired he fell asleep while walking. His connection also wasn’t ended.Ā While Ark was lost in dreams, his character was left in the -50 degrees weather as his body temperature and satiety fell. While he was wandering in the dream, he took out an ore and bit it.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€œDammit, my satiety has fallen to 20%.ā€</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Ark took out a piece of food and recovered his satiety.Ā Now he only had 4 s.p.a.ce Foods left.Ā The situation was becoming even more hopeless.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€œThere’s no time to be doing this! I have to move in order to live! Armour armament!ā€</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Ark immediately pulled out the battle suit.Ā The thick battle suit meant his body temperature didn’t fall.Ā The armour bolstered his physical ability including his movement speed.Ā That’s how Ark was able to move 70 km in 12 hours!</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€œRun! Hyper Drone!ā€</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>The battle suit clad Ark ran through the snow storm.Ā After 30 minutes, the mana was consumed and the battle suit disappeared. But that didn’t stop Ark.Ā If he stopped then his probability of survival would decrease.Ā He moved painfully through the snow storm while starving. Ark flinched and stopped moving.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜ā€¦..What?’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>At first he thought it was a trick.Ā But when he narrowed his eyes and concentrated, he realized it wasn’t a trick.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜Light? There’s no doubt about it. That’s a light!’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Why was there a visible light on the other hill? It wasn’t a natural light. Artificial light! In other words, it meant someone was there.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜Yes, my Nymphe only registers some defense bases around the federation’s main base. I don’t believe that is a base. Maybe that light belongs to a federation scouting unit! Then I can get some supplies!’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Ark concentrated all his willpower and ran up the hill.Ā And he looked at the bottom with expectant eyes.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€œHeok! T-this is…..?ā€</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Ark’s face stiffened.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€œWhat are you doing Ark?’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>The blonde youth bit his lips until it became b.l.o.o.d.y. Ā He was the young man who followed Ark to Nephalim.Ā However, when he searched through the guidance system he discovered that Ark had been compulsorily sent to Beltana as punishment for a crime. But he didn’t worry about it.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜He is Ark.’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>The youth knew that Ark was more persevering than a c.o.c.kroach.Ā Ark wasn’t the type of user to break down because of a problem.Ā He always returned with a presumptuous look.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜I don’t really understand. I’m a novice who just left R-14. But Ark arrived at the frontier before me. Obviously there is a significant level difference between us. I don’t want to meet Ark like this. However, Ark had received a penalty so it will be difficult to raise his level. This is an opportunity for me to catch up with Ark!’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>So he eagerly hunted.Ā He had learnt Swamp Walking from the Charenjok so he went to the southern swamps and hunted the mechanical creatures called Nak.u.ma. His level quickly grew and he received a body coating.Ā The time taken was a fortnight. However…..</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜Not yet!’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>It had been 20 days since Ark went to Beltana but he hadn’t returned yet.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜There is something strange. Ark wouldn’t be lost for 20 days……’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>The blonde youth couldn’t wait anymore.Ā So he made a resolution.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Tang-! Tang-! Tang-!</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>-A gunfight has occurred in Nephalim!</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>-Two guards and three battle androids have been injured! Ā The suspect has been arrested at the scene of the crime!</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>The android a.s.sociation of the s.p.a.ce Union demanded strong punishment!Ā The government investigated and determined it had something to do with the group against machines called ā€˜Tree of Life.’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>It was a murder case that raised a fuss in Nephalim.Ā A blonde man was arrested at the scene by the guards. However, the young man who was handcuffed was wearing a smile.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜Just wait Ark.Ā Here I come!’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Sasasasak! Sasasasak!</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Something moved in the darkness.Ā It was a shadow that stuck close to the ground and moved like a c.o.c.kroach!Ā The shadow moved forward between spa.r.s.ely separated rocks. Finally the shadow approached a place where thick beams of light lit up a fence.Ā The shadow raised its head and quickly peeked over the fence.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜Phew, it really is creepy.’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>There were an absurd number of monsters swarming on the other side of the fence.Ā With bent arms and long hair, they were the Carack. Thousands of the Rama’s biological weapons were swarming around the fence.Ā And the person peeking at them was Ark.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜I can’t believe I found a Rama base in a place like this!’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Ark recalled his memories.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€œHeok! T-this is…..?ā€</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>He discovered a light and ran up a hill.Ā Ark had witnessed a ma.s.sive military base from the hill. However, it wasn’t the base of the federation like Ark expected. The soldiers wandering the barracks had dark skin and pointed ears, the alien species Rama!Ā He had wandered around the ice field and unexpectedly found a Rama base.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜Oh my G.o.d! This is a Rama camp? Judging by the size, it isn’t just a simple defense base. Perhaps it is the main base. The main base of the Rama clan!’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Ark’s heart started pounding.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜This might be a huge opportunity.’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Once again, the most important thing about the war on Beltana was finding the rival’s main base.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Reinforcements and supplies were sent through the Star Gate then destroying the Fairy and the Star Gate could end the war.Ā However, advanced equipment like satellites or radar were useless because the Rama and the federation had similar scientific knowledge. The magnetic field around Beltana was also several times higher so airships couldn’t be used.Ā Therefore they had to use scouting troops to look for the enemy bases.Ā Yet Ark had discovered the headquarters of the Rama.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜What if I told the federation the location of this base?’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Discovering the headquarters of the enemy was crucial to winning the war.Ā It would clearly give huge achievement points.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜But…….’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>That would only apply if he returned alive.Ā The user’s route was automatically recorded on the Nymphe’s GPS.Ā But it wasn’t complete. It had to be registered with the Fairy for the record to be permanent. In other words, all the information about the surrounding area would disappear if it wasn’t registered with the Fairy.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜If I die before returning to the base then this location won’t be saved on the GPS!’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>He had one more reason to return alive.Ā At the same time, the probability of returning alive had decreased.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜Dammit, there is only a 10% probability that I can return to the base…..I have to get past this base to reach the federation base. If I move then I will be spotted by the Rama. At least there are no scouts.Ā But beyond that base is the battlefield between the Rama and the federation. There is a high chance there will be a lot of scouts.’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Of course, there was a chance Ark could avoid the scouting troops. However, Ark had to move in a straight line to guarantee his survival.Ā There was no time for him to avoid them.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜It can’t be helped. Thankfully the view is limited due to the snow storm.’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Ark came to that conclusion and tried to sneak past the Rama base. Suddenly an unexpected object caught Ark’s eye.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜Wait? That…..!’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>The object was reflected in Ark’s eye!Ā At that moment, Ark’s head started spinning fiercely.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜There’s no doubt about it. If I get my hands on that then my probability of survival will increase!’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>But there was a problem.Ā The object Ark wanted was deep inside the Rama’s camp. It was impossible to reach ā€˜that’ without the guards noticing.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜I have to somehow get my hands on it. Is there a way to attract the attention of the Rama for a short moment.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Then the kennelsĀ of the Carack caught Ark’s eyes.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>ā€˜Let’s give it a shot!’</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>Ark made various plans as his eyes shone.Ā Of course, approaching the Carack’s kennels wasn’t easy.Ā The Carack were the enemy. Naturally approaching the tent of an enemy was dangerous! But Ark had an invaluable skill……</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>-Withdrawal has been used.</zaliman></zaliman></zaliman>
<zaliman><zaliman><zaliman>