[{"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-40":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},1848251,2454,"Chapter 40","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-40",40,"\u003Cp>[Translator – Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader – Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 40: Unfamiliar World (4)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Whhhaaoowwww!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thunderous roar, Yeongwoo could only wear a blank expression as the orcs charged towards them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Didn’t they just say it was an all-out attack…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered if he had misheard, but soon the orc commander’s words struck like a hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Vanguard! Raise your shields!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Execute the infantry and secure the tanks and remaining humans!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was astonishing enough that orcs were speaking human language, but the meaning behind their words was even more unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Infantry… Are they referring to us?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the recent orders, Yeongwoo saw two orcs at the forefront of the formation raising their shields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The term ‘tank’ likely referred to the SUV behind them, so the ‘infantry’ marked for execution seemed to be…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They must be talking about us, the ones who came to protect the tank. The plan seems to be to kill the infantry and capture the people inside the tank.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why were they trying to capture some and not kill all of the enemy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While puzzled, the immediate crisis demanded attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Kraaah!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-He’s dead!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orc vanguard had already overwhelmed Yoonho.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ik…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yoonho, whose spirit had long been broken, stood still as his shield, only to be pushed back by the powerful force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Geez, he’s already lost his fighting spirit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having experienced similar situations through training, Yeongwoo knew which lines would be effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately put them into action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jeong Yoonho! If you die, your mother will…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Yeongwoo himself was also a target for immediate execution by the orcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grraaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Yeongwoo could finish his lines, an orc rushed towards him with a menacing shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Sensory values have temporarily increased from the original 100 to 134.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Sensory values have temporarily increased from 134 to 168.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden flashes of sensory enhancement messages appeared consecutively, accompanied by the holographic guide of Gyeongbuk Sword Law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Break\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Break\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Kill\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is insane.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the large number of opponents, finding the optimal sword technique was complicated, but with the rising sensory values, Yeongwoo’s guide execution ability was close to miraculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shirirrit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swiftly dodging between the creepy iron spikes, he skillfully targeted the orcs’ necks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His movements were clearly that of a sword genius to anyone watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because of that, when Yeongwoo pierced the neck of the fourth orc, someone from behind screamed for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeongwoo, help!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning his head at the spine-chilling plea, he saw Myeongae, who had jumped out of the car, with a horrified expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo turned away as if avoiding fire upon seeing Myeongae’s tear-stained face, he noticed something on the opposite side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heuk, heuk…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, struggling desperately between the legs of the orcs, was Yoonho, his face covered in blood and bruises, unable to compete with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, soon after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grraah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the orcs surrounding Yoonho viciously swung a large axe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From top to bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a motion similar to someone chopping up a fish, and indeed, the same thing happened in reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of metal hitting the ground echoed as Yoonho’s head awkwardly fell at an unnatural angle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Uh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo instinctively knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Yoonho’s upper body and head had just been separated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And soon after, Myeongae, who was near the vehicle, also learned of this as an orc kicked Yoonho’s torso.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah… No… Yoonhooo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scream so piercing that it felt unbearable emanated from her petite figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The high-pitched sound was miraculous considering her small stature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ssyeaaah…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the familiar sound of artillery from the sky was heard from the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘These crazy bastards.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orc reinforcements had launched a secondary bombardment in the direction where screams were heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no time to warn Myeongae.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Desperately, Yeongwoo leaped, grabbing Myeongae who was still screaming, and narrowly avoiding the rain of projectiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not long after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quack, quack, quack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several javelins rained down from the sky, hitting the spot where Myeongae had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Yeongwoo, who had hidden behind the SUV along with Myeongae, could clearly see the spears piercing through the front and rear seats of the car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heuk, heuk….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately in misfortune, Myeongho in the driver’s seat miraculously survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With both hands raised on the steering wheel, he looked with a pale face at the shattered windows inside the vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the remaining orcs who had been holding their shields over their heads started approaching the vehicle, murmuring to each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– We almost died too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Why did they bombard us without warning?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Some human made an incredible noise earlier. It sounded like a distant flute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Foolish creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the voices of the orcs approached, Yeongwoo cautiously spoke to Myeongae, who seemed absent-minded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first son is still inside the car. I’ll bring him out, so please don’t move from here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, there was no response from her, and Yeongwoo emerged from behind the vehicle, drawing his black sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon noticing him, the orcs, who had witnessed Yeongwoo single-handedly dealing with four orcs earlier, hesitated and stood still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, conveniently, there were only four orcs left in this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Hey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, one of the orcs pointed at Yeongwoo with his chin and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Just go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>– Just go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orc raised his axe, indicating the road behind Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant that they wouldn’t fight him, so he could pass through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you saying, you crazy bastards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo, seeing several kill marks already applied in his field of vision, prepared to attack with a sharp expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the orcs made a gesture of embarrassment, and simultaneously, Yeongwoo’s figure shot out like an arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator – Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader – Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Uh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Watch out…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could assume a defensive posture, the body of one of the orcs at the forefront crumpled, followed by a squelching sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The common blade, now extended to a length of 5 meters, swept through the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Uh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What’s happening…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Pl-please spare us!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The startled orcs showed various reactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their reactions were so vivid that even Yeongwoo, accustomed to fighting monsters in games, could mistake them for real humans in a battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this… It looks so realistic.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo had always thought that creatures like orcs were artificially created entities for the role of monsters in games, somewhat like NPCs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the expressions and eyes of the orcs he just saw held something more than just well-crafted consumable entities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was an attachment to life or something resembling a soul, which shouldn’t be present in entities programmed as consumables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, even this might be a sign that the monsters were exceptionally well-crafted consumables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what if they were not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If these creatures were truly existing beings, then what were they, and where did they come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shyaat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Yeongwoo swiftly took down three orcs, and just before piercing the neck of the last one, he halted the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orc, anticipating death and having closed its eyes, slowly raised its eyelids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, a very realistic reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of attempting to counterattack, the orc, with the blade stopped in front of its throat, looked at Yeongwoo with eyes filled with confusion and surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You… What…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too shocked to articulate words properly, the orc’s realistic response added to Yeongwoo’s confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo asked while holding the sword to the orc’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you? Why did you come here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo was quite confused because he had never imagined that the day would come when he would interrogate orcs in his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-We are…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, the last orc moved its large green jaw and opened its mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Pioneers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo was even more bewildered by the unexpected word that came out of the orc’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was astonishing that the orc had the intellect to define itself as a pioneer, but even before that…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Pioneer means they have a homeland they left.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orc’s homeland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, can creatures created by humans as fictional entities, like orcs, have a homeland in the first place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you go on a pioneering journey? You’re supposed to be imaginary, right? You’re orcs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Yeongwoo was speaking, the orc reacted strongly to the word ‘imaginary.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You’re the ones…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You are the beings from imagination. Aren’t you the ‘humans’ from the Carmolay mythology?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though fleeting, a sense of pride seemed to flash in the orc’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, it was sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the orc’s perspective, in this situation, the protagonist was the orc itself, in a similar position to Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Yeongwoo could only come up with a ridiculous hypothesis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither humans nor orcs were real races that existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had they been imagining each other as fictional entities all along, and now they were actually encountering each other for the first time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But there are clearly origins of monsters here. Tolkien created it, and the lore added by D&D and Warhammer series exists as actual history.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this could be the same from the orcs’ perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t their mythology include the appearance of humans?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What on earth is going on?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange sensation crept up his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Various questions flooded his mind, but it became increasingly difficult to keep the orc in check.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsutsuk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was soon apparent – Myeongae, who had been hiding behind the vehicle, discovered the orc in front of Yeongwoo and let out a scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a loud scream, as if anticipating a third bombardment, and the orc seemed well aware that this was the signal to abbreviate its own fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Wa-wait, just a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a very pitiful expression, the orc pleaded for mercy from Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Please spare me. We can communicate well. Let’s resolve this through conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Yeongwoo’s blade had already cut through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swiftly beheading the orc, Yeongwoo immediately shouted to Myeongho in the driver’s seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Start the engine! If you don’t want to die here, step on it…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Myeongho, who had been absent-mindedly listening to the peculiar conversation between the two races, regained his senses only after Yeongwoo’s command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clunk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he shifted the gear back to drive and stepped on the accelerator with all his might, the rear passenger door swung open, and Yeongwoo’s mother seemed to be thrown about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Yeongwoo felt his chest tighten, but he couldn’t protest to Myeongho.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could now do….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sigh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could do now was press the accelerator with all his might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The SUV carrying the three of them passed over the orcs and Yoonho’s corpse, jolting roughly, as if a boat encountering waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps that’s why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Myeongho’s hands gripping the steering wheel felt damp, as if soaked in water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[TL\u002FN: Rip Yoonho. 3 chaps.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[PR\u002FN: Okay but what IF myeongae is yeongwoo’s mother?? Then wasn’t yoonho his step-sibling? I have a feeling they might be related ngl.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator – Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader – Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1828,"2026-06-09T07:03:45.574Z",1,"novelbin.me","63e0c02dd6f3ff6031be5b4cd23f18ef9c8078f3de00f51dd729529ba46dbee2","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-41","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-147",688,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flevel-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-cover.jpg"]