Chapter 6

Arc the Legend - Chapter 6 (6/875)

"Group hunting isn't really my style..."

Although it was a new feeling, Arc didn't like forming parties with other players. He didn't want to bother with relationships, and he hated having to share items.

However, the decisive factor was the deep-seated distrust of players that had been ingrained in his mind since the early days of New World. He never hunted in a party with players he didn't know well! This was the ironclad rule Arc had adhered to for years in virtual reality games.

"Maybe things are a bit better elsewhere?"

He harbored a glimmer of hope and checked out other farms, but the situation was the same. In fact, as Vuard had mentioned, the Second Zone had relatively fewer players. Even so, over a hundred job seekers were waiting for a spot in a party!

He couldn't wait for the beginners' area to clear out. In the end, Arc had to give up soloing and join the ranks of job seekers.

When he got closer, he saw messages floating above the job seekers' nymphs.

- Looking for a party spot. Level 1

- Please give a job to an unemployed person. Level 2

- Save me, my family is starving. Level 1

...These were job ads.

'Nymphs can be used like this, huh.'

After a few tries, Arc also posted a job ad and joined the crowd of job seekers. Soon, a player from a hunting party approached.

'Oh! An opportunity!'

Arc, quick to notice, lifted his head.

Just as he was about to raise his arm and approach the player!

"There's one spot open in our party..."

"Me! Me! Me!"

The previously quiet labor market erupted with the appearance of the employer.

Before the player could finish speaking, a swarm of players rushed over. They pushed and shoved, and some even fell and were trampled. But the players didn't care.

Their eyes were filled with the determination to find a job, and they had no regard for others' situations.

The harsh reality brought on by the employment crisis due to the population increase!

"Um, here. I'll apply for the party."

"Ah, great! Thank you!"

'...What is this?'

Pushed to the corner in an instant, Arc was thoroughly disheartened.

When he received the quest from Vuard, it felt like being treated like a foreign worker. He was already in a bad mood, but this was worse. Until yesterday, Arc was a god in New World, and now he was in the position of a foreign worker, standing in a labor market at dawn, stomping his feet in frustration.

It felt like he had suddenly gone bankrupt and ended up on the streets.

But what was even more frustrating was the sheer number of unemployed people around him. Roughly a hundred. In other words, he had to beat a 100-to-1 competition to escape unemployment.

Moreover, the number was increasing as time passed.

'Maybe I should come back after a few days when things calm down?'

But since the game had just opened, this situation would likely last for months.

That's how online games work.

When others are grinding levels, you feel like you'll fall behind if you take a break. That's why people stay up all night. Arc, who had played more intensely than others, was no exception. Besides, he now had a competitor, Lucifer, from the start.

He couldn't afford to take a break for months.

'So, I have to find a job no matter what!'

Arc steeled himself and threw himself into the job search.

However, finding a job in a place overflowing with unemployed people wasn't easy. Even in a labor market where unemployed people gathered, there were rules.

Even maggots have a hierarchy!

Of course, the choice of new party members was up to the employer, but the more visible front spots were taken by the senior unemployed who arrived earlier. Naturally, Arc, who arrived late, was stuck in the back, where he wouldn't be noticed, so he had little chance of being chosen.

After 30 minutes, he was still sitting there, feeling restless.

'Damn, I never thought I'd be so desperate to find a party spot. But if I just sit here, I might not even swing my dagger for days. If I try to take a front spot, I'll get beaten up by the job-hungry unemployed. What should I do? Is there a way to stand out from the other unemployed?'

At that moment, an exclamation mark appeared in Arc's mind.

'It's a bit embarrassing to go to such lengths just to find a party spot, but I can't just sit here. It's not the time to be picky!'

Arc quickly modified his job ad.

-Looking for a job. Level 1, Name: Arc.

He added his name to the ad.

It was just that, but Arc firmly believed the situation would change.

It might sound like boasting, but in fact, he thought it was okay to boast a bit. Now, there was no one in the domestic virtual reality game who didn't know the name Arc.

'Even if they don't think this character is really me...'

When Arc became famous, the new game was opened, and the name "Arc" was created.

He was worried that he might not be able to use his name because he connected 2 hours later than other players. Fortunately, no one had taken the name "Arc" in the meantime.

He felt lucky.

Of course, it was just a matter of using his own name.

Anyway, in the current virtual reality game, the name "Arc" was a famous brand! With such a famous brand, he couldn't help but stand out from the "unknowns." And sure enough!

"Huh? Arc?"

The employer, who visited the labor market, showed interest.

Pushing away the swarm of job seekers, the employer sent a party application to Arc.

"Hehehe, there you are, Mr. Arc, I'll add you to the party."

'Hahaha! As expected! My name still has power!'

Confirming his fame once again, the feeling of being stuck in a sewer disappeared instantly.

Thinking about it, it was a bit sad that he felt so good just from being included in a party, especially one he usually avoided. But who cares!

At least he was better off than the 100 or so unemployed who still hadn't found a job. Most importantly, he could now swing his dagger.

Arc, receiving envious looks from the others, ran to the short-haired player.

"Thank you. I'll do my best."

"You're lucky to have your name, Mr. Arc."

'Hahaha, of course, it's my name.'

"The person I was hunting with earlier was also named Arc. That's why I noticed your name."

Arc, who had been grinning, looked puzzled.

"Really? Arc? That's my name?"

"Oh, you didn't know. In Galactic, you can use names that other players are already using. There are limits to avoid confusion, but up to 100 people can use the same name. I've seen three today."

"Eh? What... Then you can't send whispers or mail."

"That's why there's an identification number. You can see it next to the name in the info window. I'm not sure, but I think whispers and mail are sent using that identification number, not the name."

Arc felt like he had been hit by a punch.

In New World, Arc was a unique existence.

But in Galactic, up to 100 players could use the same name.

'Was Vuard's reaction when I mentioned my name because of this?'

The short-haired player had already seen three Arcs. At this rate, the quota would be filled in a day. Of course, it was due to Arc's fame, but the thought of 100 more players with the same name made him feel like a promotional item.

Actually, he was one.

"Oh, the same name as the previous party member."

"Kekeke, even the appearance is similar. A clone, a clone."

"It would have been fun to see the two of you together."

"Wow! Mr. Jamie, your sense in choosing party members is amazing!"

The party members chattered and grinned when Arc joined.

The reaction Arc had hoped for was definitely not this.

He thought there would be exclamations like "Wow" or "Oh" for such a rare name. But being treated like a mass-produced item!

'Damn, if I had known, I would have used a different name...'

He was happy that the name "Arc" was registered, but now he felt like a comedian.

'No, maybe it's not a bad thing. I chose the name because I liked it, but if there was only one, I would have to be the real Arc to get attention. But with many, that won't happen. This time, I had to sell my name to get a job, but I don't really want the attention of other players.'

Getting attention inevitably brings trouble.

There weren't many times when such trouble was helpful.

'And even if there are many with the same name, the real one is still one. I can prove it with my skills! I'll show them I'm different from the mass-produced clones! No, I'll show them right now. Hahaha, you picked the wrong guy.'

Arc grinned and looked at the party members.

At that moment, a space beetle crawled out in the area where Arc's party was stationed.

'...An opportunity!'

A chance to show his skills!

Arc darted toward the space beetle like lightning.

The short-haired player, Jamie, who had brought Arc, shouted in alarm.

"Mr. Arc, it's dangerous to rush in alone!"

'That's what you think, a beginner.'

Jamie might think Arc is just one of the mass-produced clones, but this Arc is the real one!

The legendary gamer who ruled New World.

Even at the same level 1, he was qualitatively different from other players.

He felt like a high schooler showing off in front of middle schoolers, but Arc, who had been looked down upon by NPCs and players, wanted to show off once.

'I'll show them the skills of the original Arc!'

Arc's dagger, flying like a flash, pierced the space beetle. He expected a critical hit to stagger the beetle! But...

-Attack failed!

A message he hadn't seen in a year appeared.

At the same time, his side tingled, and 20% of his health was drained.

"This... This can't be..."

"Really! What are you doing!"

"The space beetle is a level 4-7 monster!"

"Do you think we're hunting for fun with a 5-man party? We do it to keep up with the respawn rate!"

"If you could hunt alone, we wouldn't form a party!"

...Arc knew that too.

But Arc was a player who could hunt monsters 20 levels higher than himself, even while picking his nose. This was possible because of his body optimized for virtual reality games.

So, he thought it would be the same in Galactic, another virtual reality game.

The character might be different, but the core was the legendary gamer Arc.

However, Arc hadn't realized the crucial fact.

Arc's physical abilities were indeed superior to other players. And those abilities were fully, even 200%, realized through the character "Arc." But this was possible because it was the strongest character Arc had cultivated. In other words, the physical abilities he used were tailored to a character with maximum strength, agility, and health!

In contrast, the current Arc was level 1.

A weak body, embarrassing to call a warrior.

It was like a legendary martial artist reincarnated as a baby. The body was that of a baby, but the core was a legendary martial artist. So, he couldn't cut through a steel horn with his tiny hands...

'So, that's it. I didn't think about it. Even if the system is the same, the current me is completely different from the past me. Level 1, not max level. The stats that supported my physical abilities are gone. Without those stats, my physical abilities might even be penalized. Like a weightlifter trying to lift a space beetle at level 1.'

But the core is still Arc.

'Physical abilities are one thing, but combat experience is different. I have four years of combat experience in virtual reality games. Once I adjust my senses to this character's abilities, I won't lose to beginner area monsters, even at level 1!'

Practice!

Only practice could help him regain his senses!... He thought, but he couldn't say it out loud.

The party members, who had ganged up to defeat the space beetle, glared at Arc.

"Is this your first time in a party hunt?"

"If you rush in like that, it makes it harder for others."

"I'll let it slide this time since it's your first time, but if you do it again, don't complain if you get kicked out."

"I chose you because you had the same name as the previous party member..."

Jamie, who had brought Arc, also glared uncomfortably and grumbled. Suddenly feeling worse than a mass-produced item, Arc sighed.

'Ch, as expected, group hunting isn't my style.'

He felt frustrated, but he couldn't lose the job he had worked so hard to get.

'I have no choice. I shouldn't rush. Once I can hunt alone, I can adjust my combat sense anytime. Right now, leveling up to leave the beginner area is the priority. I have to be careful not to upset the party members, even if it's annoying.'

Being level 1 is tough.

But even Arc, who was in such a state, was envied by the unemployed in the labor market.

"Sorry, it's my first time. I'll do better now."

After that, Arc kept his mouth shut and followed the party members' instructions.

The party's hunting method was simple.

When a space beetle appeared, they rushed over and ganged up. The space beetle was strong enough to drain 20% of health with one hit, but with five people, they could take it down before anyone fell into a critical state.

That's why the Second Zone was all 5-man parties.

A 5-man party was the perfect number for mindlessly hunting space beetles.

It was a boring method, but with no skills, the "beginners" had no other options. In any game, you have to repeat simple tasks at the beginning.

-Level up!

Even with such hunting, he leveled up.

After hunting a few more, the "Space Beetle Elimination" quest was completed.

"Um, the quest is completed?"

"Then report to Vuard and get a new one. I'll keep your spot open."

"Wait, is this a repeatable quest?"

"Didn't you know? All quests you can get at the starting point are repeatable. This one gives the best experience and rewards. It's hard to get a spot, but once you do, it's the fastest way to level up to 10 and leave the beginner area."

Arc didn't know that.

The manual that came with the unit only covered the basic system, not quest information.

Of course, the other party members didn't have prior knowledge either.

But they had entered 2 hours earlier. In the beginner area, even a 2-hour difference in experience was significant. Still, getting a party spot earlier than the first players was a stroke of luck.

"Okay, I'll be right back."

Rushing to the central square, Vuard smiled satisfactorily.

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