[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world":3,"chapter-level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-264":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Level 4 Human in a Ruined World",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1848461,2454,"Chapter 264","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-264",264,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 264: Honest Tax Payment (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>National Tax Service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, the ‘national’ refers to the nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, it means the organization that manages the nation’s taxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, if the person here in Shandong Province really was an employee of the National Tax Service…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Does that mean there are nations in space too? Isn’t that a bit nonsensical?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it wasn’t strange since there was a tax-collecting authority, official documents, and a world where forgery could land you in prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the idea that Earth is part of some nation in space?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was hard to grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As far as Yeongwoo knew, Earth had existed as an independent planet until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is everything messed up because of that reset? Why do things keep coming in from outside?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo took out the ‘Fearful Cat’ to determine the entity’s position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the cat remained calm, eyes closed, pointing nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant there were no threats nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is this so-called National Tax Service employee?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, when Yeongwoo asked directly, Zhang Jaham led the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This way, please. We’ve brought him to the office building.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s hurry. I need to wrap this up quickly and head back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He really wanted to ignore any intergalactic official business and just rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was about taxes, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you valued your life, tax payment was one thing you couldn’t delay in this universe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘These crazy people, coming all the way here when I’m busy. They could’ve just sent a notice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grumbling to himself, Yeongwoo followed Zhang Jaham to Yantai City Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked, he instructed Wu Qingjin to bring the money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten million karma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring the money. I was supposed to receive twenty million in Shandong, right? So I’ll return the remaining ten million.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Qingjin’s jaw dropped at Yeongwoo’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, he fell to his knees and fist saluted on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great Hero…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Yeongwoo quickly stopped Zhang Jaham from kneeling too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t have time, so just guide us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he told the Golden Goblin to fetch the bag with ten million karma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take it to him and ensure it’s exactly ten million.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Kikit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Yeongwoo’s order, the Golden Goblin opened the pocket of its interdimensional pouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Yeongwoo and Zhang Jaham arrived at the front of Yantai City Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it in here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, a special room on the first floor of the office building. He should be waiting there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in this situation, Zhang Jaham couldn’t figure out who was more formidable, the National Tax Service employee or Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Yeongwoo himself wasn’t sure either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I haven’t defaulted on my taxes, so what do I have to fear?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a place like this universe, where a chairman who killed a high-ranking official could roam freely, Yeongwoo saw no need to bow to an official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought it would be enough to show a basic level of courtesy that didn’t interfere with official duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here we are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Zhang Jaham stopped before a large door with gold trim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, let’s meet them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo checked that the half-mask on his waist was secure, then pushed open the door to the private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whaaack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing that came into view was a wall adorned with a red five-star flag, and in front of it, three large leather sofas arranged in a U-shape around a large table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the National Tax Service employee in question was…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Uhm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting on the sofa directly facing the entrance, examining a teacup with unnervingly long fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…An alien.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, the so-called National Tax Service employee who had come to meet Jeong Yeongwoo07 was not human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though about the same height as Yeongwoo at around 2 meters, each arm was at least 1.5 meters long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because his arms were so long, he had to bend his elbows excessively to hold the teacup, making his awkward posture even more bizarre, emphasizing his alien nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You’ve arrived. I haven’t been waiting long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The alien spoke quite humanly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only the tone but also the face somewhat resembled a human’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long, pale face had eyes, nose, and mouth in familiar positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there was no bridge of the nose, just two nostrils in flat skin, and the eyes lacked whites, filled with black pupils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His legs, wrapped in black cloth, looked too thin to have muscles, and the same went for his arms, but his torso was an oddly thick inverted triangle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this was obscured by what looked like a black suit, so what lay beneath was unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he looked more like a Grim Reaper than a tax officer, the difference between the two in this universe wasn’t significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you were looking for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo said as he crossed the threshold of the private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Zhang Jaham couldn’t bring himself to step inside and stood at the door, curious about the interaction but only peeking in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo sat on the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he did, the “Cosmic Etiquette” draped over his shoulder clanked loudly, asserting its presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squeak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Cosmic Etiquette」 - ◇ Dogo Dimensional Weapon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【20% increased damage against government officials】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【20% resistance to special abilities】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Dogo】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cosmic Etiquette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new product from the universal weapon brand Dogo, and a sort of status symbol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh, right. This is our new product.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo realized he had “Cosmic Etiquette” on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unintentionally, he was now meeting a tax officer with equipment designed for assaulting officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Well, this turned into an advertisement.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo subtly glanced up at the ceiling, or somewhat beyond, the official placed the teacup down on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, inserting two long fingers into his pocket, he pulled out a black metal card, the size of a business card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To clarify, I haven’t come here today due to any unfortunate circumstances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The alien official preemptively reassured him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he knew well about “Cosmic Etiquette’s” notorious reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the cloak itself was a dimensional weapon, deeply engraved with the Dogo company’s signature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, it was evident to anyone that the Earthling in front of them was associated with Dogo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aha… So, what brings you here? I’ve been paying my taxes diligently.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given how hard he worked to secure the acquisition tax for the Bastard sword just a few hours ago, Yeongwoo was tempted to draw it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t it time to feel the satisfaction of paying a hefty tax?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Ah, well….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the intimidating official shrink before “Cosmic Etiquette,” Yeongwoo’s rough resolve softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it was not usually the field workers’ fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official finally placed his black business card in front of Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- I am Jiazol, an 86th-level official in charge of registry work at the Temporary Bureau of the National Tax Service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Excuse me? What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo was surprised, not because of anything else, but because the tragic official in front of him was 86th-level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could there be an 86th level in the universe’s bureaucratic system?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- For details, please refer to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jiazol pointed to his business card, Yeongwoo looked at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though nothing was written on the card, as soon as he saw it, a series of meanings unfolded in Yeongwoo’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flaash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Jiazol1182] - 86th Level\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>| Temporary Bureau 060II42\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>| National Tax Service Registry Officer\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We always appreciate your valuable taxes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Verbal and physical abuse of officials is immediately prosecutable. Please refrain from such actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oh, this is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yeongwoo saw the card, he realized the official was genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black metal contained transcendent letters certifying an official public institution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the “National” in Jiazol’s National Tax Service wasn’t the “nation,” but “bureau,” used to denote specific departments within large organizations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So, the taxes don’t go directly to a central agency; there’s another intermediary institution?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entity collecting Earth’s taxes wasn’t the central government but a subordinate agency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Goodness.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo was awed by the scale of the bureaucratic structure he couldn’t even fathom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he had one question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Jiazol’s card, the Temporary Bureau 060II42 overseeing him managed a temporary administrative district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Earth’s jurisdiction was not yet determined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So when will the jurisdiction be decided? Can we choose where we belong?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the card didn’t provide an answer, Yeongwoo had to ask Jiazol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s all this? Why are you collecting taxes from a planet without an assigned jurisdiction? You haven’t done anything for us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Jiazol’s already large eyes widened further, and he spread his long, spider-like fingers in a calming gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Refrain from verbal and physical abuse of officials…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dammit, I’m not going to hit you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that Jiazol had misunderstood because the Earthling in front of him was wearing the latest Dogo dimensional weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look! It’s already a headache with just the reset, why do you keep collecting taxes and stuff? We’re still in the middle of a civil war!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo unconsciously stood up, towering over Jiazol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jaham, who was watching the conversation from outside the door, frantically waved his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“S-sir! Calm down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want Shandong Province to become the site of the first alien official murder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Likewise, Jiazol, an 86th-level official, didn’t want to die in this remote place, so he shouted with all his might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- The reason I came here is...!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo, startled by the near-scream, backed off a bit, and Zhang Jaham, his heart pounding, waited for the alien official’s next words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiazol straightened his clothes and spoke in a more serious tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- I deliver this message on behalf of the Director of the Temporary Bureau 060II42 of the National Tax Service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- You, ‘49523’ Jeong Yeongwoo07, are now obligated to be a diligent taxpayer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was a “diligent taxpayer obligation,” if not just a diligent taxpayer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, this mystery was soon resolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- This means you have become a major inspection target for the National Tax Service due to a recent excessive increase in income, and your cumulative tax payments within your planet have significantly increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course, the acquisition tax for the Bastard sword and the catalog...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo nodded to himself, Jiazol continued gauging his reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Our recent inspection of your sources of income revealed numerous non-standard, non-universal earnings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This likely referred to the tributes he received in China.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why Jiazol waited in Shandong Province instead of coming to Seoul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo began to realize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Director of the National Tax Service had sent Jiazol as a proxy to protect his own neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although verbal and physical abuse of officials is immediately prosecutable, it’s not impossible if one has the capability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the Chairman had done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That cowardly bastard.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Yeongwoo cursed the Director he had never met, the unfortunate Jiazol continued the rest of his superior’s message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Therefore, the head office intends to classify your non-standard income as business income and impose additional taxes according to regulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, he was making a lot of money on Earth, so he had to pay more taxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How strong is the Director? Even if he’s a frontier institution head, he probably isn’t a top-level entity.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo stared at the ceiling of the private room, which had a different meaning this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Jiazol delivered the final piece of the message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Your planet is currently in an unclassified, neutral state. Cumulative tax payments will determine future planetary shares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The content made his eyes and ears perk up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Zhang Jaham, standing outside the door, was shocked and doubted his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Jeong? Did you hear that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard it! Wait a minute. Mr. Jiazol, what exactly do you mean? Planetary shares will be allocated based on tax payments?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yeongwoo asked for confirmation, Jiazol clasped his hands together politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- That is correct. However, only those obligated to be diligent taxpayers are eligible for shares under internal regulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo’s mind raced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was why the Director had bothered to send a proxy to stress the importance of proper tax payment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They needed to accurately identify who would become the shareholders of this planet in the future, ensuring no tax evasion and diligent reporting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, how many diligent taxpayer obligors are there? I mean, the candidates for shareholders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yeongwoo asked, Jiazol closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- According to internal regulations, I cannot disclose that information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant he couldn’t even know how many people would share Earth’s ownership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, Yeongwoo changed his question slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, if only one diligent taxpayer obligor remains when the shares are distributed? Does that person get all the shares?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing Yeongwoo’s intent, Jiazol’s mouth gaped open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- Theoretically, yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2133,"2026-06-09T07:03:45.853Z",1,"novelbin.me","62b57e684da16b0e1f920f90d800869fcef449e23fffde74e21b5f81dab65196","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-84","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-83",688,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flevel-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-cover.jpg"]