Act 2: Deception
ACT 2 Deception
TL Notes: I’ve changed Dueraken to Draken.
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Guran, Bona, Lariette and Buksil were gathered on the 2nd floor. Guran and Bona were talking about what happened in the previous days while Buksil was looking at the footage on the magic projector. And Lariette was still organizing her skills, with the relevant information window open.
“Ark-nim, have you finished your business?”
Guran stood up when Ark approached.
“Yes, it is finished.”
“I have to thank you once again. If it wasn’t for Ark-nim….Bona-nim.”
When Guran looked at him, Bona immediately bowed his head.
“…..Thank you for saving me.”
Although he hadn’t noticed it before, Bona was quite a cute-looking boy. But when he wore a white hat, he really looked like a smurf.
“Are you uninjured?”
“Yes.”
“Then I am even more thankful. I’m glad you’re safe.”
Ark gave him an affectionate look and ruffled Bona’s head. Dedric looked like he was going to vomit at Ark’s words, but Ark was being 100% sincere. Since Bona was safe then Ark would be able to receive the compensation for the B difficulty quest.
‘Huhuhu, now I can obtain items from the smurfs.’
Ark seemed to drool as he looked at Bona. However Bona didn’t know Ark’s true feelings and blushed so red that he could be mistaken for a Nakujuk.
“I…..I…..I’ll be a great warrior just like Ark-hyung. I’ll defeat the Nakujuk that threatens my clan.”
He had no interest in that. But treating NPCs well was Ark’s slogan. Ark nodded his head as if he was proud of Bona’s words.
“Yes, if you stay strong then you’ll be able to become a great warrior and hunt the Nakujuk. But shouldn’t we reassure your grandfather first?”
“Yes!”
Bona nodded excitedly and quickly hugged the embarrassed Guran.
“Come, let’s get out of here.”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
Buksil finished with the magic projector and got out of his seat. However, Lariette was still looking at the skills window and couldn’t hear Ark’s voice. She had been a magician, but once she changed to Innocence Knight then all her magic was deleted and new skills registered. She was so preoccupied distributing the 50% stat points that she paid no attention to her surroundings. Ark knew the circumstances but couldn’t wait for her.
“Lariette-nim?”
Ark approached Lariette who became surprised and jumped.
“Ah, Ark-nim.”
“Have you still not finished redistributing your skills?”
“I took a bit of time checking every skill. But I’ve just finished.”
Lariette smiled and replied.
Ark was speechless for a moment. He had been too busy fighting the boss to pay attention, but Lariette was really beautiful. Of course, all females in New World altered their appearance to become prettier. Roco had also altered her character to the point that she could be in a CF (commercial). But Ark knew. Unlike the other users, Lariette didn’t have a big difference between reality and the game…..so other people might not understand, but Ark felt like her beauty was even more special.
‘Are we really going to continue together in the future?’
Even though Ark had promised to let her accompany him, he hadn’t realised he would feel this way. He had been caught up in completing the quest and beating the boss. However, Ark was still a healthy Korean man. It was impossible not to like going forward with a beautiful woman. No, it was what he had been dreaming of since he first saw her in Jackson. But when it became real like this, it was actually a burden. His heart felt on edge like it was being stabbed.
‘That’s strange, why do I feel like this around you?’
Although he questioned it, there was an obvious reason. However, 99% of his brain was occupied with making money so he couldn’t work it out. Nevertheless, the world seemed extremely fair. If someone became too cunning then he would end up being excessively stupid.
‘But I don’t know how to treat Lariette-nim.’
Ark was worried about it since he was inexperienced with girls.
‘Well I’ll work it out somehow.’
Ark eventually gave up on finding an answer and turned towards her.
“That….what is your new profession like?”
“I’m not sure yet. Luckily it doesn’t seem that different from Alan’s Holy Knight. A lot of the skills I looked at seemed similar to a Holy Knight. Ah…..”
Lariette covered her mouth and studied Ark’s face.
Ark was confused by her attitude at first before shaking his head.
“You don’t have to worry. My feelings against Alan have been settled.”
It was true. Killing Alan last time was sufficient. He had gotten enough payback that it didn’t really matter to him anymore. Although Alan might still hold a grudge against Ark…..No, there was a 100% chance but Ark had no emotions left about Alan.
Yes, after the business ended then Ark was an easy-going person who won’t pay any regards to other people’s grudges.
‘Alan is also in prison. He won’t be able to move even 1 muscle in the next month. And there will be a huge difference between us once he leaves. Huhuhu, it has ended perfectly. There is no reason to pay him any regard.’
Online games were an endless competition. No matter how high the level, someone else would catch up if the user was careless. This wasn’t a one or two day difference, but a whole month spent in jail. But was that all? Although Ark was a fool in regards to women, he was about a 100 in regards to the game. Based on the conversation between Ronian and Lariette, there was a penalty applied to his profession of Holy Knight. One month of prison and a penalty to his profession! In conclusion, Alan had surely reached his end. Paying attention to that sort of guy was a useless waste of calories. However Lariette had no way of knowing what happened.
‘I know that he received a lot of damage from Alan…..but it is wonderful that Ark-nim is able to shake off that grudge.
Thus……the misunderstandings just deepened. Lariette send him a subtle look of respect.
‘What the? Why is she looking like that?’
Ark was confused about her expression.
“…That’s right, I remember now! You were the girl always with Alan!”
Dedric shouted after staring at Lariette.
“Even if Master is fooled, my eyes won’t be deceived. What the? Why are you trying to approach Master? You couldn’t have approached Master for no reason. Obviously you’ve received orders from Alan!”
Clack clack? Clack clack clack!
Ssak ssak ssak ssak!
Razak and Radun both looked at her with wary eyes after those words. Lariette had no idea what to do after Ark’s pets suddenly became cautious towards her. Then Dedric approached Ark and started cursing.
“Master, you didn’t know? Look, it’s the girl who was with that sissy! That beep-beep from the siege who used her -beep- magic!”
Ark was appalled and blocked Dedric’s mouth. But his bad words had already been spoken and heard. Lariette became pale as this was the first time she heard such words. Guran, Bona and Buksil couldn’t understand the situation and just observed with bemused expressions. Then Dedric who hadn’t grasped the situation just pushed the hand back and continued talking.
“Pah, Master! Why won’t you let me talk? Don’t you understand? I said…..”
“Please shut up and stay quiet, yes?”