ct 2: Crime File
ACT 2 Crime File
“I understand. We’ll do it and immediately report.”
The guards of Lancel village saluted and ran away. As the commander of the war, Ark had organized the troops for different tasks. Once again, NPCs also had levels like users. The Wolrang were level 300 and their abilities were roughly equal to a user with the equivalent level. But those rough estimates were difficult in this situation. Several of the ex-thieves and beast clans had raised their level and learn skills as well. It was important to know oneself as well as one’s opponent. If Ark didn’t have a proper grasp of the military power than he would be unable to map out a proper strategy. So the first thing he had to do was determine the accurate information of his allies. Of course, the NPCs had no concept of things like level but an approximate guess could determine their position.
‘After I grasp the number of allies and their abilities, I can build a detailed strategy…….’
The next place Ark visited was the raccoons.
“Ark-nim, I heard that you came.”
The raccoons welcomed him as he entered their place.
“Will I be able to use the things I requested last time?”
Ark asked with a sense of expectation. Just like the Hermes alliance had always been thinking of Ark, Ark had always been thinking of the Hermes alliance. Ever since the Hermes alliance occupied Silvana, he was sure that he would one day conflict with them. So Ark had visited the raccoons and requested a secret project from them. He thought it was still too early to use but he had no choice in this situation. If ‘it’ would help in battle then he would use it. But the raccoon in charge of it shook his head.
“It’s at the finishing stages but some time is still needed for completion.”
“…..That’s right. It’s fine if it’s not possible but please hurry as much as you can.”
“We’ve mobilized all our staff and have been staying up all night.”
“Then I have another request for you.”
“Please say it.”
“How many members of the raccoon clan can you rally immediately?”
“All the works except for the ones Ark-nim requested have been currently suspended. If necessary then we can rally everybody.”
“Then please work according to my directions from now on.”
Ark spread out a map and explained it to raccoon in charge. As expected, the emphasis was on the defense of the main buildings. Through the information obtained, Jewel’s main goals was not slaughtering the residents but the magic tower, Ark’s store and looting the village. There were hundreds of people so once the confusion fight started than he wouldn’t be able to 100% stop them. So Ark’s top priority were some countermeasures.
“Please create a barrier using steel plated wood around the main buildings. How long would that take?”
“It is a good idea. If we assemble it onsite than 2~3 hours should be enough to create a barrier around one building. The design won’t take that long so it will be mostly assembly time.”
“Then get started straight away. Their goals are Ark’s shop and warehouse, the magic tower and the town hall so those should be your top priority. Come find me when you are done. If possible, you should also build a barrier around the village.”
Ark explained while pointing at the map. Of course there was no meaning in building the barriers if the village fell. But by placing the barriers around the main buildings in advance, some degree of defense was possible through guerrilla attacks. However the money used for the war preparations was provided from the village’s public funds. Galen had appointed Ark as the special commander of the village so he had the authority to use the pubic funds. Naturally even the commander couldn’t embezzle the funds so he had to provide receipts to Lancel village. Ark had finished settling the payment when Ark remembered and asked.
“Ah, can you also check how this can be used?”
“Huh? This is…..?”
-Fire Draconian Skull (Rare, Material)
Ark had taken out the skull left by Lumines. He couldn’t check the information or price of the Fire Draconian skull in the auction room at Paradon. But if it was the raccoons then they might be able to figure out its purpose. The raccoons had made accessories using unidentified special ingredients in the Underground World. The raccoon chief looked at it a while and showed some interest.
“This is a very unusual material. It is the first time I have seen something like this. But I have a sense of how to handle it. I know there are other tasks needed but can you leave this with me?”
If the NPC showed this response then it meant he could use it somehow.
“Will it take a lot of time to work with it?”
“If you leave it with me then I should finish it sometime this evening.”
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Ark considered for a while and nodded. Since the information and price was unknown, it would be difficult to sell. But if the raccoon chief created something from it then it was possible to sell that item. Even though the processing cost was 200 gold, he wanted to see the results. The more expensive the processing cost was, the higher probability there was that the finished item would be good. So Ark entrusted the Fire Draconian skull to the raccoon chief. Once the raccoons built the barriers, the defense of the main buildings should increase quite a bit. But if the worst case situation appeared and the village was occupied than it would be for nothing. In the present state, the chances of the worst case situation happening was very high.
‘Now, the remaining problem is……’
The next place Ark went to was his store. Although he had mobilized the residents, the main axis of the battle was Ark, Shambala and the helpers he recruited Bread and Redian. Despite the disadvantageous battle, Ark had some hope because of them. The users who belongs in the top 1% of New World! They were an unexpected power that Jewel couldn’t expect.
‘I have to organize the Lancel troops around them.’
After Ark finished his business, he decided to join them at Ark’s store to discuss the measures.
Ttukttuk, ttukttuk, ttukttuk!
When he approached the shop, the booming sound of hammers could be heard.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah, Oppa!”
Roco then came running out of the store. Then she explained with a pleasant smile.
“We’ve been preparing too. I couldn’t hear such talk and continue to stay still.”
The moment Shambala had mentioned a war, Roco had closed the store door and boarded up the windows and doors with thick wooden planks.
“This is slightly better.”
“……It is better than nothing.”
“Don’t worry Oppa. I’ll protect the store somehow!”
“Yes, no matter what happens we’ll protect it with Manager-nim!”
Ulmeok and Sapjil cried out while holding a pot and a golf club. They were also equipped for combat in their own way. He honestly didn’t think it would be very helpful but it was 100 times better than them running away. Roco had educated her staff properly. No, maybe their loyalty increased when Buksil started to also earn money from the business.
“Okay, you should hide the expensive items deep inside the warehouse as well as layer them inside your bags. Those guys attacking the village have probably brought chaotic scrolls bit it is better than leaving them in the warehouse.”
“I understand, Chairman-nim!”
Sapjil and Ulmeok ran towards the warehouse.
“By the way, did Shambala and a couple come here looking for me?”
“Huh? There hasn’t been anyone looking for Oppa.”
“How far did those guys wander?”
Ark spoke in an irritated expression so Roco smiled.
“They seem to be a little late. Have a cup of tea with me in the meantime.”
“No, that……”
Ark restlessly surveyed the area before coughing and approaching Roco. After hesitating with an awkward expression, he searched through his bag. It was the Poco Poco doll he bought Roco from Paradon. But his hands shook nervously when he tried to grab the doll. His tongue had also become stiff.
“This is…..just……”
It wasn’t unreasonable for Ark to hesitate. Since the only women Ark had really interacted with were Roco and Lariette, this was the first time he had deliberately given a female a gift. In addition, the Poco Poco doll wasn’t a simple gift. The Poco Poco doll had a built in device to record voices……after much wavering, he decided to personally record a message but now he hesitated once he actually had to give it.
“It’s nothing. Once the battle spreads then I will have to supervise the whole village. The situation is urgent so you should take as much care as possible.”
Ark eventually spoke ambiguously after a while and scratched his head. Yes, he used this situation as an excuse for giving gifts. But Roco couldn’t understand his inner thoughts and just shook her head.
“Don’t worry. This store is Oppa’s and my…..hum hum, no, this place is also important to me. And do you remember what I told you before? Recently I’ve been training in different melodies with the ghost. While he seemed to teach ridiculous skills at first, I learnt some good things. If those guys try to attack this store then I’ll give them some trouble.”
“Huh? What does that mean?”