A Veteran in a Dead Game - Chapter 192



Only Krnovel

192. Ark (2)

The city. A collection of social, cultural, and technological developments achieved by mankind. It was producing artificial light under the starry night sky.

It was once a common sight, but now it is a truly rare sight.

Because now, every city on Earth is in ruins.

“how is it?”

Sarah asked a question with a hint of laughter.

“It’s certainly impressive.”

Kyle answered honestly, saying he had never thought the ark would have such a modern form.

“Huh. You don’t seem all that surprised?”

“Because a dungeon is a space where all kinds of scenery can pop out.”

The dungeon is an independent space isolated from the outside world, and has a landscape that fits its concept.

The most common form is a cave. There are also dungeons in the form of forests or mountains. There are also dungeons with unique environments such as large ice sheets or volcanoes.

So, it wouldn’t be strange if there were dungeons set in cities.

“It would certainly be amazing if the city was built using old-world technology, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

“Oh. Why did you think so?”

“First of all, there are no power facilities visible at all.”

The strange thing is that the entire city is lit up even though there is no equipment for power transmission.

If we were to use our imagination, it could be that they had buried the power lines and made the power facilities invisible, but that is unlikely, since even the devices that would have made it difficult to connect such facilities were functioning just fine.

There is more evidence than that.

“Also, the only light sources are neon signs and searchlights. They are not suitable choices for lighting up a city.”

Even the streetlights were glowing with neon lights.

If the Ark were truly a place where old-world technology could be used, wouldn’t there be far better options?

“It looks like a dungeon for construction… or management.”

Among the dungeons that Kyle conquered, there were some that were not direct combat but rather played out like a game within a game.

This dungeon will probably be the same.

“The construction of the city must have been a result of taking advantage of the dungeon’s gimmick.”

“You… did you realize that in that short period of time?”

“It’s not that great of a deduction.”

There are probably many people among the members of the Regeneration Society who have this level of insight. It’s not something to brag about.

“Whether it’s humility or indifference… either way, you’re right.”

Sarah nodded.

“You can use the functions provided in the dungeon to build buildings, add decorations, produce clothes or furniture, etc.”

“It looks like the only light sources provided in the dungeon catalog were searchlights and neon signs.”

“anyway!”

Sarah suddenly shouted.

“Keep your guesses to that point! Anything beyond this is a secret.”

“Okay.”

In order to anchor in the next world that will come after the destruction of the present world, the Rebirth Society wanted to use this dungeon called the Ark.

But, in the next world. How much time will it take to reach such a result?

Maybe it will take forever. Or maybe we will drift endlessly through the cracks of the imaginary world.

That’s why this dungeon called the Ark should never be conquered. After all, a conquered dungeon will gradually collapse.

For that reason, the fewer people who know about the dungeon’s gimmicks and strategies, the better. That was why Sera so strongly opposed his guesses, and Kyle could fully understand that.

“Okay, let’s go. The chairman is waiting.”

Soon, the two were able to enter the city.

As high-rise buildings lined up to create an artificial valley, the residents of the ark city below could be seen going about their own lives.

Someone was sitting in the alleyway, and someone else was sticking his head out the window, looking down at Kyle and Sarah.

“There are more people than I thought.”

“Yes. In order for humanity to survive forever, a minimum population must be met. These people are the descendants of those who were brought with them when they first decided to build the ark.”

“The society is larger than I thought. It seems like there are plenty of supplies.”

Sarah looked around startled, then lowered her voice.

“There’s no particular leeway. It’s tight. I’ve only just barely met the minimum requirements.”

“…I see.”

Kyle’s eyes slightly sank as he looked around.

‘It’s the minimum condition.’

What are the minimum requirements to maintain the ark?

Clothes to wear to protect your body. Food to fill your hungry stomach. A home to shelter you from the wind and rain.

There shouldn’t be a problem since the house is filled with buildings made with dungeon gimmicks. The clothes also seem to be unified in terms of material and shape, so it seems like they can be produced using the dungeon’s own functions.

So, the main concern has to be food.

All elements of the dungeon are quite different from those of reality. The soil lacks nutrients and no seeds can sprout, and the sunlight inside the dungeon does not cause photosynthesis.

One of the minimum requirements for sustaining the ark forever would be to somehow deal with the problem of food production.

‘That’s not all.’

The minimum conditions for maintaining the ark must also include measures and preparations for all kinds of problems that may arise over a long period of time.

Shouldn’t we prevent a catastrophe, such as a complete annihilation by an infectious disease or a war between our distant future descendants?

There are so many issues that a non-expert like Kyle can think of. As an expert, there are bound to be even more to consider.

But this is only the minimum requirement.

Considering Sarah’s personality, it’s unlikely that she would belittle her own achievements.

“…the ark.”

Kyle paused for a moment.

I wondered if it was necessary for me, an outsider, to ask about the ark.

But Kyle changed his mind. What’s the big deal about showing curiosity? If there’s something you can’t say, Sarah will know how to stop you.

Anyway, Kyle also had the title of external advisor to the Regeneration Society. The Regeneration Society had invited Kyle to the Ark in the first place, and there was also the purpose of receiving help in some form.

Eventually, sooner or later, Kyle had to learn about the state of the Ark.

“Can the ark function properly?”

“…if only it could function.”

Sarah smiled bitterly. She also realized why Kyle asked the question.

“In fact, most of the inhabitants of the ark are not living proper lives. Only a few have decent jobs. And there are no hobbies to pursue.”

Only members of the Regeneration Society and Kyle, who is recognized as an exception, are allowed to enter and exit the Ark freely. The residents of this place have never seen anything outside the Ark.

‘No, in the first place, you probably don’t even know that there is a wide world outside the ark.’

In order to keep the ark alive forever, it would be easier to suppress unnecessary curiosity.

‘So, the ark is…’

It is just a place to survive. In this way, it is closer to a large-scale incubator than a society.

Kyle suddenly remembered the human ranch he had seen in the Demon King’s domain.

The ark had nothing in common with the human ranch, in that both were for the sole purpose of maintaining the numbers of the human species.

Of course, you can’t say that the two are the same… but given that there are some similarities with that horrible human ranch, you can’t help but think of the Ark in a positive light.

That was the reality and the state of the ark.

“…….”

Kyle slowly raised his gaze.

Neon lights of various colors were shining through the canyon created by the towering buildings. At the same time, the stars that colored the night sky were twinkling abnormally brightly.

A unique color created by the interplay of starlight and neon signs.

Such light was strangely coloring the cheeks of the people living in the Ark City. It was also a gorgeous color that covered the lifeless eyes and stiff expressions of the Ark residents.

When Kyle first saw them, he thought they were all living their own lives. But.

‘Just breathing and being alive is all there is to it.’

They were just living in a daze, just being alive.

“It would be better to hear the detailed story from the chairman. Wait over there.”

At the tip of Sarah’s raised hand, there was a uniquely tall building located in the center of the Ark City. Just by eyeballing it, it seemed to be about 100 stories tall.

“It’s Central Tower.”

There was a plaza in front of the Central Tower. It was a very wide space, but it felt empty rather than spacious.

There wasn’t anything special going on, and there weren’t any people walking around either.

And the moment I opened the glass door of the Central Tower and stepped inside, the empty atmosphere became even stronger.

“…….”

That’s because it’s a completely empty space with nothing in it. Even the wallpaper isn’t properly applied, so it’s quite eerie.

“What? Why are you reacting like that?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You look like you saw something you shouldn’t have seen!”

The Central Tower, which looked nice from the outside and was in good condition anyway, seemed to represent the situation of the ark, with its poorly finished interior.

Instead of reciting such sentiments, Kyle gestured as if to lead the way.

“I didn’t get cursed at, but it felt like I got cursed at.”

Sarah pressed the elevator button, grumbling.

“But it’ll feel different when you go up.”

Sarah’s words were not wrong. The 95th floor, which we reached by elevator, was quite well decorated.

It was a kind of conference room that was arranged so that it was completely white, but not so white that it was blinding. It was neat, but not empty.

“If there’s anything important, we can hold a meeting here and decide on it. It was also decided here that I would invite you, Kyle.”

As she explained, Sarah quickly passed the conference room. Kyle followed her, looking down at the ground through the glass wall.

I could see the neon signs’ lights colorfully decorating the darkness. If I raised my head slightly, the light I could see was the night sky with the Milky Way twinkling faintly.

A fantastic landscape with different lights sparkling above and below. Even the darkness in between feels like a canvas for a painting.

But in Kyle’s eyes, everything just seemed precarious.

“This way.”

Sarah led Kyle beyond the conference room and up the stairs. The 96th floor, then the 97th floor. It was pitch black, with no lights. The stars in the sky and the neon signs on the ground were too far away to illuminate this place.

However, Kyle, who had night vision skills, was able to see ahead even in such weak light. A bed in a corner of the spacious space and a person sitting on the bed.

“Peña.”

It was none other than the president of the regeneration conference, Peña.

“…It’s been a while, Kyle.”

Still wearing a gas mask. But she wasn’t wearing her usual strange attire. Instead of her usual colorful shirt, pants, and white gown, she was now wearing only soft, comfortable clothes. A kind of pajamas. Or maybe a hospital gown.

“Your injuries are serious.”

Peña’s body was not normal. Even just looking at it, it was serious.

Because the human body parts on the left side were completely gone, as if they had been bitten by a giant monster. Even the wounded area was seeping out ominously with a black fog.

Kyle knows these symptoms.

“Did you get hit by a tram?”

Mine, Tram. One of the only two named mines.

Also, the oldest mine that has lived for over 2000 years. Depending on the compatibility, it can be an even more difficult opponent than Lehea.

The black fog that was eating away at Peña’s body was a kind of curse left behind by that mine called Tram.

“It was my fault.”

“That’s not true! The three of you Mines gathered together to set a trap. Just getting out of there is amazing enough…”

“Stop it.”

Sera, who had been defending Peña vehemently, closed her mouth. Somehow Sera looked more upset than the injured Peña.

“Sarah. I need to speak to Kyle, so I’d like you to leave for a moment.”

“but…”

“Please.”

Sarah couldn’t refuse the request of her esteemed chairman. She looked at Peña with concern, then quickly trudged down to the conference room, saying she would wait.

In that situation where only the two were left, Peña paused for a moment and then suddenly said this.

“First of all… I should thank you. For accepting my invitation. And for stopping Part Shet. Thanks to you, things in the Empire didn’t get too bad.”

Instead of being humble, Kyle simply replied, “I see.” After all, it was true that things in the Empire were somehow resolved thanks to his hard work.

If Part Shet had continued his rampage, the Regeneration Society would have also had a major setback in the construction of the Ark.

“What a bland reaction.”

“Because it was something I needed to do too.”

Peña smiled faintly.

“You are truly consistent. Let’s just say hello and move on.”

“Listen.”

Kyle naturally assumed that the story would continue with the Ark. So he planned to provide information on what was needed here – items that could produce food or water, for example – and receive payment for it.

however.

The next words Peña spoke contained something completely unexpected.

“Before that, I have to ask you one question. Kyle. Are you… moving of your own volition?”

Kyle’s head tilted slightly.

“I don’t understand the intent of your question.”

“If you are not someone’s servant, but a person who acts solely on your own judgment, then wouldn’t I be able to have a more honest conversation with the human being called Kyle?”

Kyle quickly realized why Peña had asked these questions.

‘It’s because of the sponsor.’

When Kyle was still lacking in skills, he created a virtual being called a sponsor to guard against the regeneration.

Kyle is also ultimately nothing more than a lackey of his sponsor… He wanted to create that illusion to ensure his own safety.

In other words, Peña was asking Kyle this:

Kyle, are you just a puppet of your sponsor?

“You’re worrying for nothing. I act solely on my own judgment.”

“I see. That’s fortunate.”

“So, what were you trying to say?”

“I am…”

Peña’s purple eyes, positioned beyond the broken glass of the gas mask, stared at Kyle.

“I will not remain in the ark.”

It was an unexpected statement.