[{"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-273":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},1848482,2454,"Chapter 273","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-273",273,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 273: Starry Night (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defense Tax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a tax collected by the only elected Strongest Sword on the Korean Peninsula, and its rate was 6.8%, identical to the excess support rate at the time of the Strongest Sword’s election.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A characteristic of the defence tax was that it was automatically levied only on additional income that exceeded the “minimum expense amount” set by the tax system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was collected daily in installments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, what is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do they start collecting taxes as soon as they arrive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Strongest Swords were understandably astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were already paying tribute for defence, and now they had to pay the defence tax as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since the Strongest Swords, having significantly higher incomes than ordinary citizens, would pay a substantial amount in defense taxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being individuals overseeing entire regions, their basic income far exceeded the “minimum expense amount.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t this essentially double taxation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We already pay defense fees, and now defense taxes too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Strongest Swords in Seoul voiced their anger while wielding their weapons, the orcs surrounding the tower bared their teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Silence!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it so begrudging to pay your brothers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greedy beings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Strongest Swords did not back down and raised their swords more threateningly, instantly turning the situation into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, you bastards?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unbelievable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeongwoo, what is all this? Where did these guys come from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, Yeongwoo calmed the situation with a single statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Australia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Strongest Swords of Seoul hesitated, taken aback by the unexpected place name, while the orcs, whose new home on Earth was Australia, looked sentimental.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, Northern Australia is an Orc Autonomous Region. Everything has already been discussed. No objections will be accepted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wh-what do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An Orc Autonomous Region…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply, it sounded like they had sold Australia to the orcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least to those unaware of the full context, it could only be interpreted that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeongwoo, what are you talking about? Why is Australia an Orc Autonomous Region?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to bear it any longer, Jeonggu asked, and Yeongwoo pointed to the top of the towering structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We will soon engage in a large-scale war with China. And for that, we need very fast transport routes… which these brothers have provided.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Brothers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jeonggu’s gaze turned to the giant red-footed orcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given how Yeongwoo acted, it seemed he had already made all the arrangements with the orcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had formed an extraordinary bond with the previously unknown orcs in just one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must have had your reasons, but do you think people will accept this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his father Jeonggu’s words, Yeongwoo looked up at the sky again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As I said before, no objections will be accepted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without the brothers, we couldn’t have built this road so cheaply. They did what no human could do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly did they do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his father’s question, Yeongwoo touched the surface of the towering structure with his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Each tower contains the life of a brother. Nearly a hundred brothers have already died….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo spoke, a faint beam of starlight shot out from near the top of the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even at this moment, the brothers are sacrificing themselves. So, no one can object to the rights to this road and the northern Australian autonomy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Yeongwoo’s way of stating that he, the Strongest Sword of Korea, would personally handle any objections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s absurd.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter what, you just gave Australia to the orcs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, some Strongest Swords couldn’t easily accept this, prompting Yeongwoo to take drastic measures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In exchange, I will immediately suspend the collection of defense fees in Seoul.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mood shifted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a world where karma was directly linked to survival, eliminating a fixed expense was a welcome change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Thanks to the road laid by the brothers, my operational range will expand significantly from tomorrow. So, I can collect the defense fees overseas instead of in Seoul.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, he was already extorting considerable money from China.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great idea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As expected… globalization is the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Strongest Swords in Seoul unanimously supported this decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Gwanak Strongest Sword Jo Sangik, with his background in public affairs, was focused on something entirely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um… Yeongwoo?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These towers that your brothers built, do they serve as the pillars of a high bridge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If one of these pillars collapses, the entire road might become unusable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s uncertain, but it would definitely make using the road very inconvenient if one of the mid-passages were broken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo said this, Jo Sangik nodded and suddenly started walking towards the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orcs blocked his path with threatening looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-This is our sacred ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-No one but a brother may enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jo Sangik looked up at the orcs and smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t intend to enter the tower. I just want to demonstrate something that might happen someday. If you allow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then looked at Yeongwoo, realizing that the Strongest Sword had command over the orcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Yeongwoo said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure, I don’t know what it is, but go ahead and demonstrate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trusting Jo Sangik’s wisdom, he permitted him to proceed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orcs glared at Jo Sangik but stepped aside, and soon he stood right in front of the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many of these towers are going to be built worldwide?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least several hundred, maybe over a thousand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As I thought. You won’t be able to guard all those towers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Yeongwoo seemed to understand what Jo Sangik intended to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, excuse me for a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, Jo Sangik rolled up his sleeves and suddenly grabbed his weapon with both hands, looking as if he was about to strike the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What, what is he doing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Human!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orcs were startled and widened their eyes, but Yeongwoo’s command froze them in their tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it truly is sacred ground, the blade of one who doesn’t shine will not be lifted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Ah…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A line from the heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red-footed orcs, moved by the words from their human brother Jeong Yeongwoo, stepped back in admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jo Sangik swiftly swung his curved sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towards the pillar of the high-speed transport route, which was the sacred ground of the red-footed orcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A resounding impact echoed through Gangnam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both the orcs and the Strongest Swords watched with wide eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Was Jo Sangik always this strong?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s this… I can feel the shockwave.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This act was not just a test of the tower’s durability but also a display of Jo Sangik’s own martial prowess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A kind of announcement, or a warning, that there was someone potentially stronger than Oh Yeonhee within the Seoul Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…This guy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, Oh Yeonhee, who had briefly dreamed of filling Jeong Yeongwoo’s void, clenched her teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jo Sangik’s ‘full swing’ was an undeniable provocation towards her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it also served as a thorough durability test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My goodness, this is incredible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jo Sangik withdrew his sword, the tower’s surface remained unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite all the training and strengthening Jo Sangik had undergone since Jeong Yeongwoo’s appearance, he couldn’t leave a mark on this tower, or rather, the ‘sacred ground.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With this level of durability, it seems other strong figures from abroad won’t be able to topple the towers either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo summarized the demonstration, and Jo Sangik nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I expected as much, but it appears the towers are built to be indestructible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, his arms were now trembling from the exertion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is no such thing as ‘indestructible’ in this world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as Yeongwoo drew his sword, everyone in the hall took a step back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jeong Yeongwoo’s display of power was rare and highly anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, everyone hoped that even Yeongwoo wouldn’t be able to scratch the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the tower remained intact, they could still regard Yeongwoo as someone just within reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a light swing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo left a visible scratch on the tower’s surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene was enough to embarrass Jo Sangik, who had swung his weapon with all his might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If there’s someone out there at a similar level to me, it would be possible to destroy this bridge,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo remarked briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, we need to find that person quickly and kill them. We can’t let the sacrifices of my brothers be in vain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As usual, Yeongwoo’s words were crazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing such a demonic line from Yeongwoo for the first time in a while, the people of Seoul were left speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their surprise didn’t last long, as the moment for tax payment, which had swept the entire planet, also finally arrived here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Commencing tax collection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a brief notification, a tax bill appeared in everyone’s view, and for Yeongwoo:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―It is an honor to see you again, Master of the Bastard, Dragon Slayer, Jeong Yeongwoo07!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tax Officer Kubu appeared, slicing through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Today’s final tax amount is 7,380,000, including the acquisition tax, and the total is 13,280,000 Karma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>|Calculated Tax Amount: 16,420,000\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Acquisition Tax: 13,110,000\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>|Deductions: Single Parent Household, Dependents\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>|Final Tax Amount: 7,380,000\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Acquisition Tax: 5,900,000\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Acquisition Tax Payment Deadline: 23 hours 56 minutes\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This included the acquisition tax for the weapon encyclopedia he obtained through the chairman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A total of 13,280,000 Karma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would have had to pay a hefty amount close to 30 million without the deductions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not yet an enormous amount of tax.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, not all business activities were immediately reflected, so today’s tax might just be the tip of the iceberg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s pay it all today. The more taxes we pay, the closer we get to owning shares.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Yeongwoo’s words, Kubu blinked his large eyes rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Yes, I will process it as you instructed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after, a slight chill ran through Yeongwoo’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Available Karma: 85,212,500\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Karma balance decreased to 85 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ve practically bought 13.28 million Karma worth of Earth.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today’s asset change didn’t end there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Defense funds for the Korean Peninsula amounting to 78,967,105 Karma are awaiting receipt for today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, that’s for just one day?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>78.96 million Karma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was more than enough to cover today’s taxes, including the acquisition tax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Am I really making 78.9 million just by sitting around?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this was national funds, requiring a separate ledger, making it somewhat cumbersome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, considering the national sentiment seen in the Strongest Sword election, any reasonable outcome would likely be accepted, no matter how bizarre the investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll definitely show the value of our hard-earned money.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Yeongwoo made this vow internally, he also had a clever thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wait a minute. If the national income rises, there’ll be more tax revenue, right?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since the defense tax is collected from excess beyond the minimum necessary living expenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, higher living standards would mean more defense taxes from citizens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having this deep realization, Yeongwoo quickly turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two figures immediately caught his eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Songpa’s Oh Yeonhee, the traditional strong figure of Seoul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Gwanak’s Jo Sangik, who had ties with him since his early days in Seoul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This task would be better suited for the former deputy minister who handled national affairs.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions revealed mixed feelings as Yeongwoo alternated his gaze between the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have something to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jo Sangik asked, sensing something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, the only elected Strongest Sword of the Korean Peninsula, Jeong Yeongwoo, announced his first domestic project.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Starting tomorrow, we will survey the entire Korean Peninsula. Deputy Minister, you will take full charge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A survey of the Korean Peninsula... what do you mean exactly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jo Sangik cautiously inquired about the Strongest Sword’s intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as the only elected official, Yeongwoo saw no need to hide his motives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even bother to sugarcoat his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If there are still those across the eight provinces who haven’t distributed the Golden Ratio, severely discipline them to contribute to the public good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Improving the lives of our people! That is the first task of our Seoul... no, Korean Peninsula Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbeknownst to everyone, the Korean Peninsula Alliance had been inaugurated for the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2056,"2026-06-09T07:03:45.853Z",1,"novelbin.me","845172a3fdf6ecf0e52bb9d442c001eb3370cf675e62b4f5ebfbbe9f9c68f40e","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-96","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-95",688,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flevel-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-cover.jpg"]