Level 4 Human in a Ruined World - Chapter 81

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 81 22. Let Them See Gwanak (5)

 

Kwaaaaaat!

 

Negwig’s high-speed travel was truly tremendous.

 

The buildings flashing by on both sides looked like afterimages.

 

But there were side effects to match.

 

That was precisely.

 

“Kyaaaak!”

 

“A m-monster!”

 

“A monster already…?”

 

It was extremely unsuitable for passing through crowded areas.

 

Right now, throughout Gwanak District, ‘monster business’ police waiting for monsters to appear and their customers were gathered in droves.

 

But in the midst of all this, something riding an iron horse approached while spewing steam, immediately causing chaos.

 

“S-save me!”

 

“What are you doing? Stop it quickly!”

 

The customers screamed at the Gwanak police officers who were monster businessmen to earn their fees, and some of them ran away without looking back.

 

“Damn it.”

 

With the situation like this, the Gwanak police had no choice but to draw their swords.

 

They naturally couldn’t think that the opponent might be human.

 

-Kwiiiik!

 

Of course, Negwig didn’t end up running people down.

 

Kwak!

 

Just before colliding with people, the creature leaped high forward.

 

Shiaaaaaat!

 

“Huh?”

 

“Ugh!”

 

As the officers who had entered combat stance all looked up in unison, they could see white steam drawing a huge arc extending far into the distance behind.

 

And the unidentified intruder had already disappeared from sight.

 

* * *

 

‘I’m leaving traces everywhere I go.’

 

In just a few hours since coming to Seoul, he had created at least a thousand witnesses.

 

‘It won’t be too difficult for Gangnam First Sword to find me.’

 

Young-woo looked back while clinging to Negwig’s back, but he couldn’t see that scene from earlier.

 

The distance had become too great.

 

Instead, the problematic red light pillar was now really close.

 

Kwaaaaaa…!

 

The sound of the light pillar shooting up and tearing through the air reached his ears.

 

‘I’ve already covered all that distance…?’

 

It was amazing, but he didn’t have time to gauge Negwig’s maximum speed.

 

[00:01:33]

 

In 1 minute and 33 seconds, the mutant would arrive at this location.

 

‘Where is Gwanak First Sword?’

 

When he turned his head toward where the light pillar’s tearing sound was coming from, he could see a thick bridge over the river beyond, tinged reddish.

 

This was because Gwanak’s mutant marker had descended on the wide intersection beyond it.

 

Kwaaaaaat…!

 

The red light pillar swirled fiercely as if it would devour everything.

 

“…”

 

Young-woo stared blankly at the light pillar for a moment, then noticed a middle-aged man in a suit crouching in the middle of the bridge over the river.

 

And he also saw the brilliantly glowing title above that man’s head.

 

『Gwanak First Sword』

 

‘That’s him.’

 

Gwanak First Sword Jo Sang-ik01.

 

The man was staring endlessly at the red light pillar, unaware that an outsider had come looking for him.

 

Young-woo gently pulled on Negwig’s reins.

 

Tat.

 

-Kwiiiik!

 

Negwig lifted its head following the reins and let out a cry, and the First Sword on the bridge finally turned around upon hearing this sound.

 

“…”

 

The man’s eyes touched the black iron horse, then moved to an ambiguous point.

 

[00:01:21]

 

He must have checked the mutant timer.

 

1 minute 21 seconds.

 

Soon the man slowly rose from his position, so Young-woo also slowly drove Negwig forward to the front of the bridge.

 

“I didn’t expect a guest to come. The timing isn’t good. I’m Jo Sang-ik.”

 

Gwanak First Sword Jo Sang-ik01 greeted while keeping his gaze fixed on empty air.

 

Estimated to be in his early fifties, he looked very neat wearing a navy suit with a navy blue tie.

 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jung Young-woo.”

 

In contrast, Young-woo’s appearance with all sorts of equipment haphazardly strapped over his tracksuit was incomprehensibly chaotic.

 

-Shiiit.

 

The Snake of Greed wrapped around his wrist even flicked its tongue while looking at Jo Sang-ik.

 

More precisely, it was looking at the huge curved sword he held in his right hand.

 

Always coveting precious things was this snake’s characteristic.

 

‘Is it mutant equipment?’

 

Young-woo was equally curious about the identity of that curved sword, but he saved time for more important business.

 

“I came to deal with the mutant.”

 

“So it seems.”

 

Both First Swords checked the timer simultaneously.

 

[00:01:07]

 

1 minute 7 seconds.

 

After checking the time, Jo Sang-ik was the first to speak.

 

“It seems like your first time in Seoul.”

 

“Yes. But I’ve heard the general story.”

 

“Then you should know you’re about to violate the regulations.”

 

All disputes within Seoul could only be resolved inside Yongsan Park where the assembly was being held.

 

And each region’s mutants also had priority rights belonging to that region’s First Sword.

 

So for Young-woo to lay hands on Gwanak District’s mutant, he should have first appeared at the assembly and had an official duel for the Gwanak First Sword position.

 

However, Young-woo didn’t have the luxury of waiting until 3 PM when the assembly would be held.

 

“If the First Sword would yield to me, I wouldn’t need to violate the regulations.”

 

As Young-woo said this and jumped down from Negwig, his unique-grade shoes ‘Mirage’ wrapped around his feet made a metallic sound as they hit the ground.

 

Click!

 

Then Jo Sang-ik showed signs of being shaken for the first time.

 

It was common knowledge in this world that superhuman-level First Swords inevitably had to be barefoot.

 

Jo Sang-ik, the Gwanak First Sword, also had his feet bare despite wearing a suit that didn’t match with bare feet.

 

He usually wore dress shoes, but when fighting mutants, the shoes would burst anyway, so he was deliberately waiting barefoot.

 

“…What you’re wearing now is also equipment. May I ask where you’re coming from?”

 

Finally, the Gwanak First Sword showed curiosity about Young-woo’s background.

 

In response, Young-woo tapped his chest instead of answering.

 

Flash!

 

『Gyeongbuk First Sword』

 

“…Hmm.”

 

Jo Sang-ik unconsciously groaned upon seeing Young-woo’s title.

 

It was because he had inadvertently agreed with the basis for the confidence his opponent had been showing all along.

 

Gyeongbuk… As the unified First Sword of a major region, it was natural that he wouldn’t fear a mere district First Sword of Seoul.

 

[00:00:48]

 

Now 48 seconds remained.

 

Jo Sang-ik looked at Young-woo with a much more anxious expression than before.

 

Then he uttered his first emotionally charged words.

 

“Why did you have to come to Gwanak of all places?”

 

“…?”

 

“If you’re the Gyeongbuk First Sword, you’re surely stronger than me. Since life is precious, I have no choice but to step back.”

 

“…”

 

There was a good chance the Gwanak First Sword was mistaken, but Young-woo listened silently for now.

 

“But ultimately, this incident will greatly diminish Seoul National University’s position within the assembly.”

 

“Is it because the Gwanak First Sword will be weaker by 3 million karma compared to other First Swords?”

 

When Young-woo asked this, Jo Sang-ik smiled bitterly.

 

“Simply put, yes. But it’s not such a simple problem.”

 

“I suppose not.”

 

Young-woo also had a vague understanding of what Jo Sang-ik was talking about.

 

How could the First Sword Assembly have a warm atmosphere?

 

All participants would be murderers with blood on their hands, and among them would be madmen who transcended common sense.

 

However, since they didn’t properly know each other’s martial prowess yet, they were just testing the waters under the pretext of regulations.

 

At least that’s what Young-woo thought, having encountered numerous provincial First Swords.

 

[00:00:21]

 

21 seconds.

 

Now it had become a time when even having a conversation felt like a luxury.

 

“There’s no other choice.”

 

Swish.

 

Finally, Jo Sang-ik stepped aside and opened the path.

 

Without exchanging even a single blow, he had yielded the mutant just by seeing his opponent’s title.

 

“You’re giving up quite easily.”

 

“Isn’t it better than dying? If I die, Seoul will return to lawlessness within two days. Because there won’t be anyone trying to maintain order.”

 

It meant he couldn’t take risks because he carried such a heavy burden.

 

“…”

 

However, it was hard to dismiss this as mere arrogance given what he had heard at the entrance to Seoul.

 

Seoul National University was effectively serving as the government’s leadership.

 

The idea of gathering First Swords in one place probably came from here too.

 

[00:00:09]

 

Now 9 seconds remained.

 

Click.

 

Young-woo stepped onto the bridge and asked Gwanak First Sword Jo Sang-ik.

 

“By the way, what did you do before? You’re too old to be a Seoul National University student. Don’t tell me you’re one of the professors?”

 

At this, Jo Sang-ik showed a momentarily dazed expression.

 

Then he looked at Young-woo with eyes like a professor looking at a student and said:

 

“I was the Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance. I’m also one of Seoul National University’s board members.”

 

“Ah.”

 

It was a background that explained a lot.

 

He could finally understand whose head had conceived the absurd plan of using First Swords to advance monster business and print money through Scout Quests.

 

Former Second Vice Minister of Strategy and Finance.

 

Current Gwanak First Sword.

 

There was a reason why First Swords, who were close to demons, silently followed all sorts of regulations.

 

Whoooosh…!

 

Finally, the red light pillar across the bridge began to fluctuate, pushing away the surrounding air.

 

[00:00:02]

 

2 seconds left.

 

Rumble!

 

Crimson lightning struck from within the distant sky connected to the red light pillar.

 

The mutant assigned to Gwanak District was preparing to descend.

 

‘I was lucky to take over the mutant, but… can I catch it alone?’

 

Young-woo kept his gaze fixed on the top of the light pillar while drawing his black sword from his waist.

 

Swoosh!

 

Of course, he could call his mutant friend Young-tae once more, and he could also use ‘Blue Blood’ for strength doping.

 

But the upcoming fight wasn’t the only one he had ahead of him.

 

‘Though there is another option right in front of me.’

 

Crack!

 

Finally, a sound like the sky tearing rang out, and a spine-chilling moan could be heard from the tip of the light pillar.

 

「Graaaaaah…!」

 

It must be the mutant’s voice.

 

However, at this moment, Young-woo wasn’t looking at the light pillar.

 

“Vice Minister, if it’s alright with you, let’s make a deal.”

 

His gaze was directed at Jo Sang-ik.

 

“A deal? What are you suddenly talking about? L-look over there…!”

 

Jo Sang-ik, who had been watching Young-woo from the bridge, suddenly became alarmed.

 

“…Ugh!”

 

At the same time, an tremendous presence stirred above the light pillar.

 

Shrieeeeeek!

 

The mutant must be falling from beyond the sky.

 

“H-hey!”

 

While Jo Sang-ik let out a sound close to a scream, Young-woo elaborated on the deal.

 

“If you help me deal with the Mutants, I’ll scatter 30,000 Karma throughout Gwanak District.”

 

“…?”

 

“Just finding 100 Seoul National University students would be 3 million Karma.”

 

“…What?”

 

Former Vice Minister of Strategy and Finance.

 

Current Gwanak First Sword.

 

Jo Sang-ik, 52 years old and versed in both Literary and Martial Arts, suddenly realized.

 

Perhaps he had been deceived by his opponent’s grandiose title.

 

Grade 4 Human in the Ruined World (Serial)

 

Author │ Oetu

 

Publisher │ Kim Ju-hyeong

 

Published by │ J Plus Media Co., Ltd.

 

Marketing │ Han Jae-hyeok

 

Address │ 288 Digital-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul, Room 204 (Guro-dong, Daeryung Post Tower 1)

 

Email │ [email protected]

 

Website │ www.jayplemedia.com

 

ⓒOetu2023

 

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Violation of this may result in criminal and civil legal liability.

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