Chapter 7

Arc the Legend - Chapter 7 (7/875)

"Hmm, I thought it would take more time since a lot of rookies have been gathering there lately, but it's faster than expected. Anyway, good job. What should we do? Do you want to receive your reward now, or should I accumulate it as mileage?"

"Mileage, please."

At that moment, an information window popped up from Nymph.

-You have completed your first quest.

In Galactician, for repeatable quests, there are two ways to receive rewards: immediately or as accumulated mileage. If you choose to receive it immediately, you will get the given reward.

However, if you accumulate it as mileage, the more times you complete it, the more bonus experience and rewards you will receive. Additionally, subsequent quests will automatically update without the need to report to an NPC, allowing you to focus more on hunting. If you plan to repeat the quest, I recommend accumulating it as mileage.

'Oh, there's such a thing!'

You can get more rewards for the same quest.

Moreover, the quest will automatically update without having to travel back and forth between the hunting ground and the NPC. Since this quest is the fastest for leveling up in the beginner area, there was no need to hesitate.

'I'll just do this until I reach level 10!'

"I'll accumulate it as mileage."

"Got it. I'll record it."

As Buurad nodded, the same quest was automatically registered. From then on, Arc dedicated himself to hunting in Zone 2, aiming to escape the beginner area.

During the time it took to accumulate the fifth mileage, his level increased by one, reaching level 3. Although the repetitive and mechanical hunting was like stamping out fish-shaped pancakes, the rapid level-up made it somewhat enjoyable.

Arc decided to allocate all 20 bonus stat points to agility.

In the early stages, when you can only use daggers, the useful stats are strength, agility, and stamina. However, since he would be party hunting until level 10, there was no need to rush to increase strength or stamina.

Instead, agility, which improves hit rate, was more helpful.

Of course, this was also because he had adapted his combat style from New World.

Meanwhile, party members gradually left and new ones joined. After about 5 hours, when he reached level 4, Arc was the only original member left, and he became the party leader.

Then, a hidden ambition began to surface.

'Level 4! The level difference with the Space Bugs isn't that big now. Maybe I can kill them alone. Do I really need a 5-person party?'

The fewer party members, the more experience points are allocated.

Moreover, the "Space Bug Elimination" quest doesn't reduce the total number of bugs each party member needs to kill. Each kill reduces the count for one member in sequence. Fewer members mean faster mileage accumulation. Additionally...

'I want to quickly adjust my combat sense to fit this new character!'

Swinging a dagger mindlessly was uninteresting to Arc. Of course, being level 4 was inevitable, but he couldn't help feeling anxious.

He wanted to quickly get used to Galactician's combat feel to stay ahead of others.

'If possible, I'd like to try solo hunting, even if it's risky...'

The most intense competition in the beginner hunting area is for spots!

Users in Zone 2 do not recognize solo hunters' right to claim spots.

If you try to hunt alone, users waiting in the labor market will surely overwhelm you with numbers.

Indeed, it was common to see users who had their spots taken when their party members went down during hunting.

At least 3 members!

That was the minimum number needed to hold a spot.

'From now on, I'll go with a 3-person party!'

As the party leader, Arc did not accept additional members.

"Are you sure it's okay?"

"Don't worry. Just trust me."

Switching to a 3-person party definitely sped up experience and mileage accumulation.

-You have obtained 'Space Bug Skin.'

With fewer members, he could also collect more loot.

The "Space Bug Elimination" quest could be completed by either the number of kills or by collecting skins and meat.

However, the drop rate for skins and meat was low, and even after five updates, he had collected less than 20.

But there was no need to rush.

The situation was the same for all users, and leveling up was more important than the small rewards right now.

After intense hunting, he soon acquired a basic skill.

-You have learned a new skill (Common to all classes☆).

Space Combat Sense (User, Passive): Before coming to space, you received basic combat training on Earth. However, the environments of Earth and space are different. To apply the combat techniques learned on Earth in space, considerable practical experience is needed. Still, you have adapted to space more than before, and your movements have become more fluid. This adaptability will serve as a foundation for the combat styles you will learn in the future.

<+0.5% bonus to Strength, Agility, Stamina, Intelligence, and Wisdom.>

※You can now learn the combat skills of a beginner pioneer, which were previously locked.

It was a skill that anyone could learn, but it still boosted his motivation. Fighting with fewer members made him feel more like he was actually in a battle compared to when he was part of a larger group.

The Space Bugs, being monsters in the beginner area, were incredibly slow. Their attacks were limited to body slams and bites.

However, the same could be said for the beginner Arc.

His slow movements and dagger swings were all he could manage. As the party leader, he tried a few strategic moves, but without the stats or skills to back them up, there was no significant difference.

However, there were changes due to the increased stats.

Consistently investing in agility made his initially sluggish movements feel much smoother. When he leveled up again to 5, he invested in stamina to reduce the risk.

'Got it! I'm getting the hang of it! I'll reach level 10 today at this rate!'

Arc was completely immersed in the battle.

...That was a mistake.

In his immersion, he had completely forgotten a crucial fact. Arc realized this when he had just defeated another Space Bug.

Kee-kee-kee! Kee-kee-kee!

With a 3-person party, there was no time to rest as another Space Bug crawled out. However, Arc, intoxicated by the battle, had a confident smile on his face.

"Bring them on! I'll slice them all... Huh?"

Arc flinched and stopped mid-swing.

His dagger had turned red and was blinking.

-Alloy Dagger: Durability 1/20

The remaining durability of the dagger was 1!

Arc's face turned perplexed as he checked the dagger's status through Nymph.

'Oh! Right, equipment has durability!'

In New World, the equipment Arc used had infinite durability.

He had made it that way using the Master Code, finding it too troublesome to repair. Naturally, he had never repaired anything during the past year of playing.

Thus, he had forgotten the basic fact that equipment in Galactician needed to be repaired!

It was a mistake only Arc could make, yet it was also a mistake only Arc could have made.

'What an idiot...!'

He only had one dagger.

If it broke, he would literally be jobless.

'I can't lose my dagger!'

Panicked, Arc stopped attacking and hastily retreated.

As Arc, who had been tanking, retreated, the Space Bug lunged at the party member with the lowest health.

This party member was already in critical condition from tanking the previous Space Bug. The Space Bug chewed him up, and he fell without a scream. The 3-person party was now down to two.

Moreover, Arc couldn't attack!

The remaining party member was a user who had just reached level 2.

'Should I run?'

The area was swarming with users.

If Arc gave up hunting, they would rush in.

If he left his spot, he would be jobless again, stuck in the labor market. The unemployed users were watching Arc's party with eager eyes.

'I can't retreat! I don't know when I'll get another job (quest) if I do!'

"Damn! Aslan, I'll tank for now, so attack from behind!"

"Huh? Oh, okay!"

The hesitant Aslan began stabbing the Space Bug's rear. However, the Space Bug was not an easy opponent.

It felt weak when attacked by 5 or 3 people, but with a level 2 user stabbing it alone, it didn't seem to lose any health. Meanwhile, the Space Bug had already reduced one of the 3-person party to critical condition.

Even simple arithmetic showed the inevitable outcome!

Arc's health dropped to 10% in an instant.

Now, there was no chance of escape.

"Damn it!"

He had no choice but to swing his dagger.

One, two, three... and on the fourth strike.

Clang!

A sharp metallic sound rang out as the blade shattered like sand.

As he watched the scene in despair, a heavy pain struck his chest.

His mind went blank, and his body went limp.

Death!

Thus, the legendary gamer became prey to a Space Bug just 5 hours into the game.

'Damn, I can't even say I'm the real Arc now, it's too embarrassing.'

Arc still didn't realize that this was more than just an embarrassing situation.

He realized this when he was resurrected by Galactician's regeneration system.

-Your body has been restored by the regeneration system 'Fairy.'

Character Information Window

Name: Arc (R-02788)

Level: 1

Race: Human

Class: Beginner Pioneer

Reputation: –

Health: 100

Spirit: 100

Strength: 15

Agility: 15

Stamina: 15

Wisdom: 15

Intelligence: 15

Luck: 15

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