Level 4 Human in a Ruined World

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Chapter 349: Affiliated Businesses (5)

—Unbelievable.

Jiseon doubted her ears.

The solution her son had just proposed was close to a perfect business model—if not for the fact that it revolved around the fierce competition over congratulatory gifts at weddings.

In this wedding hall, the person ranked #1 in the congratulatory gift rankings wielded virtually unchecked power.

Not only could they run extensive advertisements for their business, but if they desired, they could dismiss all guests or even cancel the wedding entirely.

This dynamic forced the universe's elite, who had already attended the wedding, into a position where they could not help but target the top spot on the gift rankings.

Moreover...

—Second place isn't safe, but third place is immune from being kicked out? So you're saying second place is just fodder for the amusement of the first place.

"Yes. Considering how much money they spent fighting each other, the victor deserves the right to oust their bitter rival."

In contrast, the second-place ranker, despite enduring the grueling competition, had a high chance of being thrown out of the wedding hall.

Ironically, this only made the battle for the #1 spot even fiercer.

“Third place is relatively much safer, so aiming for it is the most rational choice for advertising at a reasonable price.”

Then Yeongwoo added:

“But if the businesses have even a bit of money, they'll all think the same thing.”

—...So that means the competition for third place will also heat up.

"Yes. It’s like a second-tier ranking battle."

—...

Born salesman.

At this point, Jiseon had nothing left to say.

With cunning of this level, it was clear her crazy son would do as he pleased no matter what she said.

—Fine, do as you wish. But be careful. The opponents are aliens.

She was starting to accept that Yeongwoo was, indeed, an extraordinary talent on a universal scale.

But even so, wasn’t he merely a fledgling who had only just begun to rise?

In contrast, the guests Yeongwoo was about to toy with were the upper echelons of the universe.

Surely they, too, had once gone through an ambitious phase like Yeongwoo's.

It was unlikely they would be entirely blind to his scheme of pitting them against each other.

—Do you know the story of Icarus? If you fly too close to the sun, your wings will melt.

"Yes, but if you fly too low, your wings get wet in the sea. The altitude is just right now."

—...Are you sure?

As Yeongwoo looked skyward again, Jiseon quickly waved her hands.

—Alright, alright.

"Is there such a thing as returns without risks? We’re not in a position to be picky right now."

—But this is spicy food.

"It’s just spicy food. Through this wedding, we will take a great leap forward."

A vast sum of cash, and the achievement of a reputable family name.

These were essential preliminary steps for Yeongwoo's budding clan and Earth itself to venture into the universe.

"So, is there anything else I need to guide you on?"

Yeongwoo eventually asked Kobu.

The prison construction contractor, about to tackle the challenge of a lifetime, gazed into the void.

-When is the wedding?

"Earth time... tomorrow at 3:23 p.m."

-In that case, we will complete the venue and have it delivered here by 2:23 PM tomorrow.

"Delivered? Is the venue modular?"

-Yes, given this area, we can construct it in our workshop and transport it here. Would you like to see the construction process?

"Ah."

Yeongwoo was intrigued and almost said “Yes,” but after some thought, he realized it would be inconvenient to have the venue constructed on-site.

‘There’s a high chance my second uncle will show up tomorrow at 1 PM.’

Moreover, if aliens were building something here, it might cause undue concern among the locals.

So, Yeongwoo reluctantly shook his head.

“No, that’s fine. Let’s go with the modular option.”

- Understood. We’ll deliver it by 2:23 PM local time and proceed with the final inspection then.

“So, what’s the cost of the work?”

What would it cost to commission a customized venue from a cosmic prison construction company?

As Yeongwoo waited anxiously and curiously for an answer, Kobu spread out his palm, displaying a series of strange symbols.

Apparently, this was their version of a calculator.

- We charge half of our service fee upfront. However...

“However?”

- You must pay at least the cost price for materials.

“Of course. I wouldn’t want to create bad karma, especially since we might work together again.”

But whether he’d already created bad karma, Kobu didn’t seem entirely convinced.

Instead, he smoothly transitioned the conversation to a businesslike tone.

- We normally handle a wide variety of materials.

“Well, that makes sense, considering you specialize in prisons.”

- However, for this order, since it’s for a ceremonial venue, I recommend using low-cost materials.

“What’s the difference between low-cost and high-cost materials?”

- First of all, the price difference can range from hundreds to thousands of times.

“...?”

What on earth could justify such a disparity?

“What makes high-cost materials so special?”

At Yeongwoo’s question, Kobu clasped his pitch-black skeletal hands together, mimicking a blade.

- Structures made from high-cost materials are impenetrable, even by the masters of myth.

“Ah.”

Immediate understanding.

Though still a novice, Yeongwoo himself could be considered a “master of myth,” so this explanation sent a chill down his spine.

“Then what about low-cost materials? Do they fly away in strong winds?”

- Low-cost materials are susceptible to destruction by mythical forces.

In other words, they could withstand anything short of myth-level power.

It was similar to the durability of the high-speed transit stations scattered across the area.

‘As expected of a prison construction company. Even their low-cost materials have ridiculous durability.’

Of course, he’d love to lock up Mara and the Chairman and threaten them with self-destruction, but his mother’s advice echoed in his mind: ‘Fly too high, and your wings might melt.’

‘It’s not time for that yet.’

Yeongwoo calmed himself and asked Kobu again.

“Then how much would it cost to build the venue using low-cost materials?”

Kobu brought up his palm-calculator again.

Zap!

- Including our service fee of 300 million, additional charges of 240 million, and the material cost of 680 million, the total comes to 1.22 billion karma.

“Does that include execution platforms and detention facilities?”

1.2 billion karma to erect a wedding hall with execution platforms on a barren plain.

While undoubtedly a vast sum, it was surprisingly affordable on a cosmic scale.

Of course, right now, Yeongwoo didn’t even have 200 million won, let alone 1.2 billion.

But he wasn’t one to be deterred by mere numbers.

“Deal!”

Without hesitation, Yeongwoo agreed to the price.

“I’ll pay the balance after the ceremony is completely over. No down payment!”

-...?

―Yeongwoo, what are you talking about? That’s not a balance anymore if there’s no initial payment.

“I don’t have any money right now. With the loose change I’ve got, I have to pay taxes tonight.”

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Yeongwoo said this, then glanced at Kobu, Tobu, and Chobu in turn as he continued speaking.

“Instead of a down payment, how about I increase the final payment? Does that work for you?”

-...

The three contractors remained silent.

Then, they let out quiet sighs, looking around.

-We suppose there’s no other way if you don’t have cash on hand.

“Yes, yes. All your wages will come directly from the ceremony venue, so please handle this carefully. If something goes wrong, I’m bankrupt.”

―…I’m sorry, everyone.

Jiseon apologized to the contractors on behalf of her son, who was already bowing apologetically.

Then Kobu approached Jiseon and extended his right hand.

It was the only greeting Kobu had learned on this planet, and it seemed the most appropriate way to show respect to the relatively well-mannered Jiseon.

―Ah.

Jiseon shook the offered hand and apologized again.

―I’m really sorry. I assure you, the balance will be paid without issue.

-We’re counting on you. This is already the bare minimum cost.

―Yes, yes, I understand. I’m sorry.

Only after Jiseon uttered her third apology did the contractors step back.

-Then, we’ll complete the venue by the appointed time tomorrow and return.

“Yes! Safe travels! Thank you so much!”

Yeongwoo waved brightly as Kobu, Tobu, and Chobu’s bodies became blurry.

Swaaat.

And then.

Ping!

In an instant, they disappeared from Yeongwoo’s sight.

“...!”

They had already returned to their distant spaceship.

‘So, they’re ex-cons after all. Even their movement technique is different.’

A fleeting thought crossed Yeongwoo’s mind: perhaps Kobu, the nameless one, was actually an incredibly powerful being.

As they say on Earth, the ripest ears of rice bow the lowest.

Kobu’s comment about being lucky to have been released from prison might actually have been a sign of humility.

―Hey, those guys will probably shudder at the mention of "Dogo" from now on. They didn’t seem too happy to begin with.

Watching the contractors’ spaceship hastily leave Earth, Jiseon clicked her tongue.

Yeongwoo, however, said something entirely different.

“This just shows how well the chairman has built the brand image.”

―What?

“Just having the ‘Dogo’ name attached cut the service fee in half. And it’s not like I have any background or connection to those contractors.”

―That’s true.

“To achieve something like this in this brutal universe... it’s really remarkable.”

It was truly impressive—and enviable.

Yeongwoo wondered if, someday, simply being "Yeongwoo," or even “Earth-born,” would make aliens tremble.

“Oh, it’s almost time. Let’s get going.”

Yeongwoo glanced at his wrist and then turned toward the tower.

―What are you talking about? Where are we going now?

“To collect money. The Tsushima War should be almost over.”

―Right. We sent that lord back to Tsushima earlier, didn’t we?

It didn't feel real for Jiseon, who had been defending Seoul the whole time.

Even while they were discussing setting up an execution platform at the venue, a war had been raging far away in Tsushima.

“Once the war is over, per the contract, all of Lemu’s support funds will transfer to us.”

Additionally, all the intergalactic infrastructure built in Japan would become Yeongwoo’s property as Dogo’s representative.

That included the much-talked-about “space communicator” in Japan, which Yeongwoo had only seen on a credit card statement until now.

[Space Communicator]

"The universe is vast, and you never know what you might encounter."

| Card Tier: Legendary

| Power: 800 + 1,140

Encounters with the Unknown

<When activated, this card’s power increases by 1–3,000.>

‘It’s probably a gift from Lemu. I wonder what it actually does.’

As Yeongwoo mused over this and was about to head toward the tower, a system message appeared before his eyes, perfectly timed.

「In 3 minutes, the Dogo faction will fully occupy the capture point.」

“...!”

The Seoul Alliance and the Red Foot Orcs had been holding the capture point for nearly an hour.

If Lemu’s faction didn’t make any attempts to contest the point in the next three minutes, the Tsushima War would officially end.

“We need to hurry. Three minutes left.”

As Yeongwoo urgently began to strip off his clothes, Jiseon took a step back and asked, startled.

―Why the hell is he acting up again?

Half-undressed, Yeongwoo fixed his gaze on Jiseon’s armor and spoke.

“Mother.”

―What? W-what is it?

“When you transform into a dragon... you’re naked, aren’t you?”

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