Ex-level Player With the Greatest Civilization of All Time - Chapter 89

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 89

Even after hearing the situation from Baek Jin-seong, nothing fundamentally changed.
There wasn’t much to alter.
To be honest, if I let myself be swayed by external circumstances, nothing would get accomplished.
A problem emerged despite all that investment of power?
It only reinforced the reason to maintain my composure and prepare even more thoroughly.
“Did I jinx it with that careless remark?”
The victory declaration I’d made on broadcast.
Had I planted a flag with such grandiose overconfidence?
A trace of regret followed the thought.
I resolved never to do such a thing again.
“Haaa…”
In any case, the result was devastating in its consequences.
I hadn’t slept at all through it.
Knowing one must maintain composure is one thing; the actual stress intensity is another entirely.
I’d tried to get a brief moment of rest before the Humanoids arrived…
“They appear to be coming.”
“Is that so?”
At Neia’s words, I gazed beyond the Gate of the Underground Mining Area.
The figures of the Humanoids began to appear.
As they passed through the Gate, a military band’s fanfare commenced.
Something resembling flower petals scattered through the air.
I greeted the party arrayed before me.
“Krile, excellent work.”
“It was a rather straightforward operation.”
I’d expected Krile to say exactly that.
I examined the Humanoids one by one, and then spoke.
“This operation has yielded substantial financial advantage for City management. I will bestow Merit Points in recognition—the four of you, step forward.”
At my words, the Humanoids lined up before me in single file.
First, I placed my hand on Krile’s shoulder.

[Merit Points: 7240]

As I suspected it would exceed expectations.
The Void Leech yielded far more Experience Points than anticipated.
I awarded him the Silver Rebellion Medal.
“Continue to exert yourself.”
“I shall repay your trust with responsibility and results!”
Next came Sermin and Pluto.

[Merit Points: 7010]
[Merit Points: 6570]

Sermin’s score had already been quite high before.
In this operation, she naturally met the surge in Rebellion performance.
Even Pluto, who hadn’t accomplished anything particularly noteworthy.
To the point where I wondered if I should dispatch Void Leeches to search out and exterminate.
I awarded medals to both of them as well.
“Th—thank you, I’ll do my b—best…!”
“I shall strive to meet expectations.”
After the two of them came Tia.

[Merit Points: 4930]

Hmm…
The upward trajectory is remarkable.
Indeed, Tia’s contributions in this operation had been considerable.
He’d only recently joined us.
Yet he’d nearly breached the threshold of Rebellion itself.
‘What a shame.’
Seventy points shy of crossing that wall.
Though I’d anticipated this much.
“Neia.”
At my call, Neia brought the Lieutenant Insignia and handed it over.
I exchanged his insignia for the new rank.
Tia, who’d been nodding off, suddenly stirred awake and added her name and words of gratitude.
“L-Lieutenant Tia Stillwell! I’ll work hard!”
Truth be told, I’d wrestled for some time over whom to invest a promotion in.
Promotion was a fairly reliable means of spec enhancement.
So before Tia joined, I’d been considering Sermin or Ar.
But the last Gate incident and this operation changed my thinking.
Tia had value as a de-buffer who could raise the unit’s combat potential.
“Good—keep up that momentum.”
And there was another pair of eyes watching all this unfold, uneasy.
Ar Gella Lier.
‘First sidelined from the operation, now watching a junior receive a promotion. That’s a difficult expression to wear.’
I chose to ignore that impatience.
In any case, the brief Promotion Examination was finished.
Time to disband.
After our first return, we’d held a gathering.
But I wasn’t heartless enough to work them overtime again.
They’d earned real rest this time.
“Today marks a historic moment—the City has taken a leap forward. Everyone has the right to enjoy themselves. Unless there are special orders, feel free to eat and drink at ease!”
Everyone brightened at once.
The humanoids no less than anyone.
Even the ordinary robots rejoiced at this return of respite.
“A festival! A festival indeed-!”
“Today I shall consume 30 liters of lubricant-!”
“I will never forget your grace, Successor-!”
‘These units really do love to play.’
On one hand, I felt a pang of pity for creatures who’d become the City’s components, slaves to its machinery.
I thought of those consumed by the Void Leeches during this operation.
I’d decided to hold a small vigil for them alone.
Then I turned and made my way back to the commander’s quarters.
“…Finally, sleep.”
I collapsed onto the bed the moment I returned.
True to expectation, the instant my eyes closed, exhaustion claimed me utterly.

* * *

Mm…
“How many hours was that?”
About ten, I’d wager.
I thought the noise had woken me.
But now it seemed that wasn’t quite the whole story.
“Still, they’re making quite the racket…”
It was bustling enough to warrant that confusion.
‘Not bad at all, really.’
A thriving City.
When I first set foot here, it was nothing like this.
It’s far better than my hometown, where they mock the place as a boring one-bakery city.
“And that’s the truth.”
I looked out the window.
Various sights greeted me.
Ballard and Krile sharing snacks on a Park bench.
Pluto digging into a massive pudding that Duldulie had made.
Sermin alone, sipping tea while gazing at the stars.
“Where are Ar and Tia?”
As I glanced around, I found them closer than I’d expected.
Tia was passing in front of the Core Center, with Ar trailing behind her, chattering away.
“Listen, the military operates on strict seniority. Don’t you dare think you’re on equal footing with anyone! Got it?”
“…Yes.”
Were those two dating?
I’d heard Liar and Stillwell didn’t get along, but maybe that wasn’t the case anymore.
Beyond that, there was plenty else to see.
Robots drinking and applying lubricant.
Units swapping out parts and looking pleased with themselves.
Over in one corner, some of them were even running some sort of bizarre contest.
“Is that her?”
Surin.
The vampire queen I’d had stay in the City not long ago.
She was enjoying herself in the pool near the Core Center.
She’d even put on a bold swimsuit and was going at it in earnest.
Fully adjusted to civilian life.
“Everything’s on schedule.”
The long-term Blood Stone supply project seemed to be progressing smoothly as well.
A smile rose naturally to my lips.
Burst—pop!
Fireworks began exploding across the night sky.
So they really are making the most of it…
Not a single one of them pays taxes.
Still, though…
It’s beautiful.
All that glittering.
A face suddenly came to mind.
“I wonder if Neia’s watching too.”

『Yes, Seon-woo.』

A video call opened, and Neia appeared.
“You startled me half to death.”

『My apologies.』

“No, that’s not what I meant.”
I spoke to Neia.
“Don’t you want to have fun too?”
In a way, she was the one bearing the heaviest workload.
This was exactly when she should be resting.
『….』
That expression again.
The subtle look Neia had shown when I’d told her to clock out.
“What is it? If you have something to say, say it.”
『…The truth is, I’ve never experienced rest before. So the concept of taking it easy is unfamiliar to me.』
Rest isn’t strictly mandatory for humanoids either.
As long as the core doesn’t overload, rest is superfluous.
But they do possess something called “identity.”
Neia, by contrast, is qualitatively different from other humanoids.
She lacks even that.
“So what were you doing just now?”
When I asked that…
“Wait—you left the humanoids behind and had her working?”
That’s what she said back.
She really is top-tier talent, but…
Still, I don’t want anyone in my City to feel left out.
Something about that doesn’t sit right with me.
“Come to my Private Chamber right now—I’ll show you plenty of fun things.”
First, let’s watch the fireworks.
“And then….”
Maybe we’ll play some games?

* * *

From what I remember.
The night had passed—the most crowded night in Nemesis’s history.
I picked up my phone while eating the breakfast Duldulie had prepared.
The Community feed on the screen looked even more chaotic than before.

[Wow, 48-hour breakthrough.]
[But can they just stop the broadcast whenever they want?]
[How could they? And honestly, worry more about whether something’s actually gone wrong.]
└ This could seriously go south.
└└ But they were going so strong, what could possibly—

By this point, my own anxiety was mounting too.
Especially since I had no idea what was actually happening.
Though there were still some optimists in the comments….
“There’s nothing good about being that recklessly optimistic in a situation like this.”
I chewed on the thought several times over breakfast, then finished eating and called for Neia.
“You called for me?”
“Tell Baek Jin-seong the Association needs to give us five more days.”
According to the original plan, tomorrow was supposed to be the day I moved in.
But at this rate, I’m just anxious and uneasy about it.
They say wars are won first, then fought.
Yet even so, war is something you can never fully know.
Much less when I myself lack conviction—that would be reckless.
Greater power.
Greater firepower.
For now, that’s all I pursue.
“I’ve delivered the message.”
“Good work.”
After that, Neia and I had tea time together.
With the cake Duldulie had made.
A light morning coffee enjoyed at ease.
I watched her eat cake and sip from her cup of coffee, then asked:
“How is it?”
It’s the most classic pairing, and one I enjoy often.
At my question, Neia’s eyes grew bright.
I was half-expecting some dissertation-level taste review….
“Flour 28.4%, unsalted butter 22.1%, granulated sugar 19.5%, whole egg 18.2%, and a trace of vanilla….”
“Stop.”
Who asked her to talk about taste?
I asked her to talk about flavor, not ingredients.
This analytic decomposer.
I was trying to teach her ‘fine dining’ as a hobby.
But that path looks like it’ll be difficult.
“I believe I could replicate it well enough myself.”
“Don’t even think about it.”
Just as I was cutting that strange hobby off at the root, Baek Jin-seong’s call came through.
I stared at my phone for a moment, then quietly flipped it upside down.
“If I answer now, it’ll just be a hassle.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————