Level 4 Human in a Ruined World - Chapter 88

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

Chapter 88 24. Ripple (2)

 

Golden Rain.

 

A kind of parade that could only be seen when the one who killed a mutant decided to give up 3 million exclusive and pay 30,000 karma to everyone.

 

Naturally, no one in Seoul had ever called Golden Rain until now, and it was probably an uncommon occurrence even on a national scale.

 

So Jo Sang-ik couldn’t help but be moved when he saw the Golden Rain that fell on Gwanak District.

 

From the conditions for Golden Rain to appear to the actual sight of rain falling, it was like sweet rain falling on this hellish world.

 

Was this what they called a miracle?

 

However, the emotion he felt at that time was only momentary.

 

Now, to Jo Sang-ik, Golden Rain was practically synonymous with disaster.

 

“Of all days, Golden Rain appeared only in Gwanak District on the day the Son of Gangnam First Sword died… Wouldn’t anyone find that strange?”

 

When Jo Sang-ik said this with a pale face, Young-woo asked.

 

“Then what’s going to happen now?”

 

“The Seoul Alliance will demand an explanation from me about this incident. What Golden Rain really is, who brought it down, and whether that person brutally murdered Jung Hyun-sik’s son.”

 

“Then couldn’t you just tell them the truth? That I, an outsider, killed the mutant without permission and called the Golden Rain.”

 

“…”

 

Jo Sang-ik let out a deep sigh at Young-woo’s words.

 

“Then how am I still alive?”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“An outsider who killed 14 young men on the street came all the way to Gwanak District and stole the mutant, so how could Gwanak First Sword still be alive?”

 

“Well, at that time we talked…”

 

Young-woo, who was about to continue speaking straightforwardly, soon had to close his mouth.

 

“Now that I say it like this, it doesn’t add up.”

 

That’s right.

 

From a third party’s perspective, it was a completely unconvincing story.

 

An outsider who boldly cut down even the son of a Seoul notable didn’t touch Gwanak First Sword?

 

Moreover, Gwanak First Sword just stood by and watched as a suddenly appearing outsider killed a mutant right before his eyes…?

 

‘I wouldn’t have believed it either.’

 

When Young-woo seemed to understand the situation, Jo Sang-ik continued his words.

 

“In Jung Hyun-sik’s eyes, I’ll look like your accomplice. There’s a very high probability he’ll try to kill me along with you without regard for anything.”

 

“Along with me” meant he would naturally kill Young-woo, the murder suspect.

 

And most importantly.

 

“Jung Hyun-sik is currently the provisional leader of the Seoul Alliance. So most First Swords will side with Jung Hyun-sik.”

 

“You’re saying no one will stop Jung Hyun-sik.”

 

“We’d be fortunate if they don’t all attack together.”

 

“You must be tremendously hated normally too.”

 

“Not all First Swords participating in assemblies want order. There are people who are desperate to enjoy power.”

 

Jo Sang-ik was concerned that this incident would act as a catalyst and collapse Seoul’s order.

 

“But avoiding appearing at the assembly would be the worst choice. If that happened, Jung Hyun-sik would come directly to Gwanak District.”

 

If that happened, a mountain of corpses and sea of blood would unfold at Seoul National University.

 

Jo Sang-ik frowned, imagining the terrible development.

 

“So you’re planning to obediently appear at today’s assembly?”

 

“What other method is there? I have no choice but to go and try to explain as much as possible.”

 

“…”

 

At this, Young-woo checked the time on his wristwatch.

 

Current time: 1:36 PM.

 

About 1 hour and 20 minutes remained until the First Sword Assembly at Yongsan Park.

 

“But, Deputy Director.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Is Gangnam First Sword really that strong? Why do you think we’ll lose?”

 

“…?”

 

“You said earlier. That ‘we’re’ fucked.”

 

“Well…”

 

When Jo Sang-ik couldn’t find words to say, Young-woo continued for him.

 

“We’re not that fucked yet. You have to compare long and short to know. And I’ve never lost in a one-on-one fight.”

 

Of course, this could be the first and last defeat.

 

“They probably earned 3 million today… but how much did we earn? 30,000 per person, so at least 30 million. No, we probably earned hundreds of millions. Does it make sense to lose then? Money is power. Gwanak District is now the wealthiest neighborhood in Seoul.”

 

“…”

 

It seemed true but also sounded like sophistry when you thought about it.

 

It was true that he had brought a lot of money to Gwanak District, but wasn’t that money now distributed among the district residents scattered throughout this area? The money wasn’t piled up here.

 

“So what are you suggesting we do?”

 

Jo Sang-ik asked back with a confused expression.

 

Then Young-woo pointed south toward Seoul National University and said.

 

“You should fundraise. Ask them to return just 10,000 each now if they want to receive another 30,000 karma next time. Seoul was already doing something similar, wasn’t it? Seoul Rotation, I think it was called.”

 

“…”

 

It was an absurd plan, but Jo Sang-ik couldn’t find a way to refute it.

 

Because the words themselves were absolutely right.

 

Receiving a certain amount back after distributing Golden Rain was no different from each district helping residents clear Scout Quests and then receiving fees.

 

The difference was that from the residents’ perspective, Golden Rain was overwhelmingly safer and could yield up to 10 times more profit.

 

“Anyway, didn’t you say Gwanak District needs a strong First Sword to have a voice in assemblies? So this is also for the public good. There’s justification, and it’s an immediate crisis. Fundraising seems quite possible.”

 

Moreover, wasn’t Jo Sang-ik someone who had sought ways for not only district residents but also citizens to survive through Seoul Rotation?

 

After saying this much, Young-woo checked his wristwatch again.

 

“Deputy Director, there are 1 hour and 17 minutes left now. Gwanak District is probably in Seoul Rotation now too, so the residents will be gathered together. If we move quickly, we can definitely pull it off. There are even quite a few experts at Seoul National University. Send them in all directions to collect money.”

 

“That’s true, but…”

 

Jo Sang-ik answered reluctantly while being inwardly surprised.

 

By Jung Young-woo’s adaptability and boldness.

 

Indeed, perhaps not just anyone could be a First Sword of a major region.

 

“But you’re making this proposal knowing exactly that it’s Gwanak District’s money, right?”

 

This meant that even if the fundraising succeeded, he wouldn’t give that money to Young-woo.

 

At this, Young-woo nodded.

 

“Of course, as promised from the beginning.”

 

“Th-then what will you be doing while I’m collecting money?”

 

Jo Sang-ik asking this meant he had implicitly accepted Young-woo’s proposal.

 

At this, Young-woo showed an expression of some relief.

 

“I need to meet the Merchant. Before that, I need to talk with my companions too.”

 

“Companions…?”

 

Could such a strange person really have companions?

 

Just as Jo Sang-ik tilted his head with disbelieving eyes, the sound of a vehicle horn came from behind.

 

Beep, beeeep!

 

“Oh.”

 

When Jo Sang-ik turned around at the sudden sound, he saw a patrol car approaching from the distance.

 

Finally, Tae-young and Jong-su had come to find Young-woo.

 

* * *

 

“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Jo Sang-ik.”

 

When Jo Sang-ik extended his hand with a warm smile, Tae-young grasped it with an awkward face.

 

“I’m Kwon Tae-young from Icheon Police Station.”

 

Tae-young’s eyes as he said this were fixed on the title attached above the other person’s head.

 

『Gwanak First Sword』

 

Therefore, Tae-young was well aware that this man was the actual owner of Gwanak District.

 

But how were both Young-woo, an outside invader, and this man still alive?

 

‘I definitely saw golden rain falling earlier.’

 

Meanwhile, Jo Sang-ik was gauging his opponent’s grip strength through his palm.

 

‘He’s completely ordinary…? How did the Gyeongbuk First Sword end up traveling with a police substation officer?’

 

Jo Sang-ik carefully finished the handshake, worried he might crush Tae-young’s hand.

 

And next was.

 

“I’m Kim Jong-su from Andong.”

 

“Yes. Nice to meet you.”

 

Kim Jong-su from Andong… this time he was much stronger than the previous officer.

 

Though he couldn’t compare to Seoul National University’s elite swordsmen, he was still strong enough to actively hunt monsters.

 

“Andong and Icheon… I can’t quite gauge your companions’ backgrounds. I’d like to have a more thorough conversation if I could, but I’ll have to postpone it for next time. I have very important business to attend to.”

 

“We’ll probably meet again soon.”

 

Jong-su showed his characteristically good-natured smile.

 

Then Jo Sang-ik also smiled back and turned his head to Young-woo again.

 

“Will you handle your business here and come straight to the assembly, Young-woo?”

 

Now they would split up, so he was asking how Young-woo planned to participate in the assembly.

 

“It would probably be safer to go together, but… you don’t have much spare time, do you?”

 

Young-woo thought for a moment before continuing his answer.

 

“I’ll go to the assembly first.”

 

“…Will that be okay? Jung Hyun-sik might already be there.”

 

“Then I’ll have no choice but to challenge him to a duel. Anyone can challenge for the First Sword position, right?”

 

This was information he’d heard from the officers at Yangjae Interchange, so it was certain.

 

―If you want the First Sword position, you can challenge anyone present at the assembly, and if you want the monster business, you can receive business rights through a duel with whoever claimed it first.

 

Those were the words spoken when recommending assembly participation to Young-woo, an outsider.

 

“I understood that being able to challenge for the First Sword position means a one-on-one duel.”

 

“Yes. That’s how it is for now, but…”

 

Jo Sang-ik pondered.

 

Jung Hyun-sik would naturally want to kill his son’s enemy with his own hands, and if it was an official duel, other First Swords couldn’t easily interfere.

 

As long as Jung Hyun-sik didn’t break the rules and request help.

 

“Then what role should I play at the assembly? If you’re going to have a one-on-one duel with Jung Hyun-sik.”

 

When Jo Sang-ik asked this, Young-woo expressed the same concern.

 

“If by any chance I overwhelm Jung Hyun-sik, he might request support from other First Swords. Then please prevent any support from joining. That’s all I need.”

 

If Young-woo was completely defeated by Jung Hyun-sik anyway, Jo Sang-ik would also find it difficult to survive.

 

Not only Jung Hyun-sik, but several First Swords wanting to create an ownerless district would rush in like vultures.

 

“…Understood. I’ll see you in Yongsan soon.”

 

Jo Sang-ik, having finished the series of negotiations, nodded his head.

 

Then he ran south at tremendous speed.

 

Whoosh!

 

“…”

 

Now only three remained at the intersection: Young-woo, Jong-su, and Tae-young.

 

Eventually Jong-su asked, as if he’d been curious all along.

 

“What kind of trouble did you cause in such a short time…?”

 

Young-woo shrugged his shoulders in response.

 

“Seoul is a complicated place, then and now.”

 

Then he looked at Icheon Police Station officer Kwon Tae-young and asked.

 

“Tae-young, you’re still a police officer, right?”

 

“…Of course. Though Seoul does seem complicated as you said.”

 

“Then I need to ask you a favor.”

 

“What kind of…?”

 

When Tae-young gestured for him to go ahead, Young-woo scratched his chin.

 

“Please find some people for me.”

 

“People?”

 

“Yes. While I attend the assembly and settle things, it would be good if you could find CEO Kim Tae-jun’s family.”

 

“Kim Tae-jun, you mean…”

 

“The CEO of VC Soft.”

 

Then Jong-su showed recognition instead of Tae-young, who still didn’t understand.

 

“Hyung, you don’t mean that TJ, do you?”

 

“Yes, that’s him.”

 

Kim Tae-jun, the 3rd-day mutant of Gwanak District, and the series of battles until they became ‘friends’.

 

When Young-woo briefly summarized what happened at this intersection, Tae-young’s face hardened.

 

“If it’s such an important promise… do you have any leads on those family members’ whereabouts?”

 

No matter how much of a police officer he was, he couldn’t find people with just the clue of Kim Tae-jun’s name.

 

Young-woo took out his fountain pen ‘Wanted Poster’ and said.

 

“If they’re still alive, I should be able to find out now.”

 

4th-Class Human of the Ruined World (Serial)

 

Author │ Oetu

 

Publisher │ Kim Ju-hyeong

 

Published by │ J.P. Media Co., Ltd.

 

Marketing │ Han Jae-hyeok

 

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

 

Email │ [email protected]

 

Website │ www.jayplemedia.com

 

ⓒOetu2023

 

※This work is published by J.P. Media Co., Ltd. under contract with the copyright holder, and no part of the content may be used in any form or by any means without permission from our company and the author.

 

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

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